Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday February 28, 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

A bonus by another name We are a touch embarrassed at what occurred at Guyana’s sensitive Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). We are even more embarrassed by what the Chairman of the ERC, a noble man of the cloth and that special calling to let your “yes be yes, and your nay be nay,” who utilized the media channel to set the record straight on what was or was not received for a Christmas Bonus. As we sift through what the ERC chairman resented, our conclusion is that it would have been better if he had stayed quiet and let the matter die under its own weight; he did not travel along the straightest and narrowest path. This is our position because what the chairman did, in his response to the scorching revelations of another board member, was play games with the English Language. To be clear, the chair did not utter a rank falsehood. To his credit, he did own up to what took place in the deliberations and conclusions of the ERC board on the matter of rewarding its members with a cash grant. But what was startling was the banner under which he tried to shelter and use as justification for the money that was voted on by the board under his leadership in favour of themselves. The ERC chair failed and most embarrassingly. Like we said earlier, he should have stayed silent and remained in the shadows, in the hope that the unfavourable winds would blow over. First, the ERC chair pointed out that it was not an amount of $200,000 per board member, as was stated by another member of the commission, but the way less figure of $150,000. We ask pardon of the chairman and the Guyanese public for thinking that that is a distinction without much of a difference, other than for that small number that the original amount was reduced by. We may have been more understanding, and more receptive, to a final amount awarded of $50,000 at a maximum. That would have represented a 75 percent reduction in that $200,000 starting figure, and conveyed to all citizens that as they struggle, the ERC is struggling, too, and aligned with them in the shared sacrifices that the COVID-19 pandemic has called upon all Guyanese - indeed, almost all of the world - to deal with and try to get by with what is at hand. Having said that, it is our belief that a mere 25 percent reduction of the $200,000 bonus proposal is both insulting and self-serving. It does not send the right message to suffering Guyanese, especially the numerous ones that are not in a position to deal with the financial demands of the pandemic. If the ERC had stopped there, there was a slight chance of limiting the damage inflicted, the questions and shadows cast upon the work of the ERC, and the truths about what the first priorities of its members are. But he didn’t, and that was what dug a still deeper hole for all members of this board that stands as a trusted sentinel to oversee Guyana’s tensions and hostilities among its divided peoples. The chair proceeded to clear the air by uttering another incredible defence: it was that the $150,000 sum that the board awarded to itself was not a Christmas Bonus, but was viewed as and intended to serve as COVID19 relief. This is incredible, and somebody must think that Guyanese are dumb. They may be dumb, but no one should make the mistake that they are stupid. That so-called COVID19 relief must be called for what it is in all of its elements: it is a Christmas Bonus by another name, one that is masquerading as something else, which it is clearly struggling to appear to be, but is not. And for it to be said that the ERC board discussions of the bonus/relief issue occurred prior to any information and knowledge about the amount that the government was going to finalize and, thus, it was the equivalent of a shot in the dark, or pulling lots with a different number written on each one, looks and sounds lame, and falls flat. It stands to reason that there was no way that the current government, or any for that matter, was going to approve a bonus/relief number in the vicinity of six figures. Something is terribly wrong with that kind of thinking, and the ERC board members do not look in the best of lights, given what happened. We think that they erred with what flies before commonsense. We further think that the ERC chair added insult to injury when we tried to defend what happened, and the shaky rationales that he employed as covers.

Another ERC Commissioner speaks out DEAR EDITOR, Given what is unfolding in the public domain, I feel compelled to offer a response as I did when I disassociated myself from an apology the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) issued to Member of Parliament, Catherine Hughes. On numerous occasions, I argued that the Commission must be non-partisan, consistent and timely in its action and, in keeping with its mandate, meaningful intervention should have been made with regard to the political impasse from 20182020. On those occasions, I was firm that the good work done through messaging for racial healing and numerous interactions with stakeholders across the country would be overshadowed by what appears to be a sense of partisanship. Sadly, the Commission, in my view, failed to offer impactful and definitive

responses and take action when it should have on election-related matters preand post-March 02, 2020. It is no secret that the Commission was heavily criticized for not responding to aspects of what transpired especially during the fivemonth period following those elections. One may question why my response now, its relevance and the timing. Both, in my view, allow for clarification. I did speak out internally with the expectation that the Commission as a whole would have responded in a manner expected and in keeping with its mandate. While support was found in a few, in the end, the majority prevailed. In hindsight, maybe I should have gone public long before. I have been consistent in stating internally that any utterance or action by anyone that leads to disharmony must be of

concern to the Commission. I held firm that, whilst ethnic related contentions are the main thrust of the Commission’s mandate, they are not in isolation of discontent being derived from political developments especially given the historical impact of elections here. Others argued that only matters that are premised on ethnic infractions are within the Commission’s mandate. I held my position that the Commission itself was birthed out of political discord with one intent of trying to prevent same. The Commission eventually agreed and wrote some political Parties to bring attention and caution on the use of language not necessarily premised on racial infractions during the 2020 election campaign and which language was deemed to be undesirable and unhelpful to the promotion of harmony. Some, however, were adamant that no other intervention was

necessary during the period of the electoral impasse. The race-related infraction argument and a negative impact on integrity were cited as major reasons. The reality now, is that integrity has seemingly been lost as a result of inaction. The difference of opinions led to many vibrant exchanges on how the Commission should treat with election-related matters. Almost in every instance, my views and suggested course of action were in the minority. On numerous occasions, I documented my concerns and even tabled a motion for the Commission to state officially its position on the role of the second CARICOM team and the recount. This became necessary since many were not inclined to recognize CARICOM’s involvement and the actual recount and its findings. I still believe some haven’t. When (Continued on page 6)

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This is what I want to hear DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to the articles titled, “Opposition offers support to gov’t in facing down Exxon” and “Absence of a united front allows oil companies to exploit our differences Patterson” (SN and KN respectively, February 27). At long last, and it is a screamer of a public position that causes blinking, given that it took so long. If it is genuine and represents a full-fledged commitment to take the fight to the corporate exploiters and dividers, then I am all for it; I like the thought, the language, and the essence of what I believe is enshrined in ‘facing down’. I reiterate where I stand below. For this country to stand a ghost of a chance in its struggle to obtain a fair footing (to be “ready for a better deal”) with Exxon, it must be the most solid of monolithic entities. There is no other way: it must be as one, where this oil and gas wealth is concerned. I further say this, though I am aware that it could be wishful thinking: the standard of unalterable and unflinching togetherness in challenging, standing up, staring down, and overcoming (partially, to be sure) Exxon could set the blueprint for how we approach other areas of our natural resources endowments. I am all for it. Even though it took the longest while to get so much as a peep from the opposition, there it is, and if welcomed enthusiastically and honestly by the government, if handled wisely at the strategic and tactical levels, the rest will follow. Something will have to give, and from the direction of those who come from the outside. From my perspective, a significant contractual overhaul is out of the

question but through a process of dogged and enduing attrition, we can (together) labour assiduously to erode the obstinacy of Exxon’s head honchos. We can face down their arrogance and smugness with togetherness. No contract in the world can conquer the will of an enraged and determined people; particularly those who feel that they have been cheated and embarrassed. And if the PPP government is authentic in seeking material whittling away at some of the more egregious provisions in the contractual arrangements with Exxon, then headway can be made. The last thing that the movers and shakers at Exxon, the strategic planners

and calculators, desire to see unfold here is a people united and mobilized, because they believe that they have been taken advantage of and shortchanged humiliatingly. Editor, I think this move puts the spotlight first on the PPP government, and leaves it in a bind, given what I believe has been its quiet and cunning leadership bonding with Exxon. Today, though, is not the time for that, and I withhold any doubts, mute any criticisms. I should also present that I entertain strong misgivings about the depth of the coalition opposition’s offer, but time and developments will confirm or disprove as to what the two political majors are really about, and how they will seize

(or not)the opportunity to work together and present a united and unbreakable front. To paraphrase Napoleon: the corporate sword hanging over this society’s head, and weighing heavily against its every move, could always be defeated by a true and fervent national spirit. It starts and continues with robust and fearless leadership, political leadership. On a separate note, I see this that long awaited opportunity to do things right before our adversaries that have divided and managed by

tormenting and set against each other. Further, a united political front marshalled against a gigantic corporate

power sets the bar that determines where our socalled civil society and (Continued on page 6)

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...Another ERC Commissioner speaks out From page 4 the motion came up for debate, the findings of the recounts were already made public and Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, sworn in as President. The motion was rendered as irrelevant by the majority and in reality meant there is no official documented position of the Commission on those two issues. I even questioned the rational of the Commission sending a congratulatory message to President Ali when there was seemingly no official recognition of the process that led to his swearing in. I must, however, relate events prior to that to demonstrate what seemed a sense of deliberateness to avoid any meaningful statement on political developments, reportedly by majority, to not offend the then government. A Commissioner who was vehement that any suggested intervention by the Commission to the electoral impasse would negatively impact integrity, ensured that the word “rig” was removed from a letter sent recently to President Ali, was instrumental in changing the context of a press release, which is referenced later in this letter and vocal on the need to apologize to Mrs. Hughes. I disagreed that fundamental issues, which led to the genesis of the political impasse, were deemed as being outside the realms of the Commission’s mandate. I believe that in any endeavour to resolve situations or conflicts, the genesis has to be identified

and related parties confronted with the facts. If not, it could be seen as avoiding the real issue with possible impact on the mediator’s credibility. I also pointed out that from the standpoint of the Commission; it is not about who wins, but about adherence to constitutional procedures in deriving the winner. Constitutional transgression is an affront to democracy and creates an enabling environment for discontent. If the Commission could have pronounced, as it did, on some language used during that said campaign, why then it could not pronounce on constitutional transgressions that led to an escalation of racial tension. That was my concern. That, in my view, makes it imperative for the Commission to not stand, or appear to stand, on the sidelines on particular political developments that precipitate disharmony. While the Commission is expected to be non-partisan, I argued that it must take a side; the side of what’s right – Guyana’s side. An objective examination of related positions taken could reveal a seeming hesitancy to call “a spade a spade”. The same for c o n s t i t u t i o n a l transgressions. Point “Q” of the Commission’s constitutional mandate speaks to “identify and analyze factors inhibiting the attainment of harmonious relations between ethnic groups…and to make recommendations”. Political developments that lead to discontent are major

historical factors. The post March 02, 2020, election period, was no different and, in my view, should not have been ignored in the context of the Commission’s role of promoting harmony. Permit me to state instances when the Commission should have acted but it didn’t. 1. Having investigated employment practices at GECOM and from its own findings, the Commission, despite calls by a few Commissioners, never recommended the reinstatement of Mr. Vishnu Persaud as the DCEO despite its findings that he was the most qualified candidate and that he was the first candidate in the history of GECOM who attained the highest score but not appointed. 2. As a result of the successfully passed December 21, 2018, NCM and with Parliament not agreeing to an extension of the constitutional 90-day timeframe, the elections were held a year after they were constitutionally due. While court cases ensued, the Commission in a September 18, 2019, Press Release, urged constitutional adherence and a swift resolution to the then political impasse; that was nine months after the NCM; six months after the constitutional due date for the elections. Before that Press Release, it was felt by some Commissioners that the Commission cannot tell GECOM what to do. While that may be so, nothing in my view prevented the Commission before September 18, 2019, as

disquiet grew, from calling for the said constitutional adherence with regard to the holding of elections within the constitutionally stipulated 90-day timeframe taking into consideration the impact on race relations. 3. The Initial draft of that September 18, 2019, Press Release stated, “The Commission also respects the independence of GECOM as safeguarded in the constitution. However, it believes that any deviation from constitutional mandated processes could create an environment that potentially impinges on confidence and impartiality. In view of the final ruling and consequential orders of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in June this year, the Commission is cognizant of the constitutional timeframe for holding elections catering for the circumstances at hand. It is cognizant that timeframe which should have been adhered to as per our constitution, would regrettably not be met thereby creating an opportunity for the belief of democratic regression”. That was edited to read, “The Commission urges patience as GECOM executes its mandate to arrive at a date for the elections”. Urging patience, while necessary, but in the context referred for adherence to constitutional elections timeframe, taking recourse to the court into consideration, can possibly be interpreted as turning a blind eye to constitutional transgression which derives democratic regression, and in turn, a disruption of peace. In that context, I felt that calling for the upholding of democracy is not divorced from the general mandate of the Commission. 4. The Commission, having observed the voting process and the counting of votes on March 02, at some Polling Places in parts of the country, issued a statement on March 06, 2020 pointing out those processes to be free, fair and transparent. It also urged GECOM to safeguard the integrity of the elections by ensuring that the verification and tabulation process with regard to Region Four as reflected in The

Representation of the People Act, is followed, and that transparency is foremost. While the Commission subsequently observed the verification and tabulation of Statements of Poll (SOP) for Region Four, it did not pronounce on acts which were revealed and deemed unconstitutional and which further exacerbated discontent. 5. C A R I C O M recognized the Commission as an important stakeholder as evident from the meeting with its then Chairperson and the Chairman of the Commission. The Commission, birthed out of political gridlock, did not make any public statement on the actual findings of the recount or submitted a final report of its observations. In fact, mention of CARICOM’s role as a stakeholder was edited out from a Press Release. All Observer groups and the local court in March, declared the verification process of Region Four SOPs as fraudulent and unlawful. All who observed the recount declared it fair and transparent. I truly believe that the Commission missed opportunities to intervene meaningfully over time in the interest of the nation. Sadly, at that time, one Commissioner peddled the notion that the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) was not the highest and final means of legal recourse of our country. That Commissioner recently pointed out that misinformation contributed to that conclusion. I believe, as a Commission, we could not continue to ignore the genesis of the political impasse and pointed out that with the public not oblivious of any appearance of such avoidance, might have resulted in them perceiving the Commission as being selective, inconsistent, unwilling or even incapable of dealing with contentions that emanated from political developments. I stated that the Commission’s words have weight and with the seeming continual avoidance during its tenure to frontally identify factors that inhibit the attainment of harmonious relations between

the ethnic groups with regard to the NCM and the elections, I asked, what would have been the Commission’s position had the PPP/C been in government and the said scenario played out in 2018. That aside, the Commission did not heed the advice of its Legal Officer to summoned leaders of the previous government and others involved, to denounce statements made during the violence at West Coast Berbice following the heinous killings of the Henry cousins. Time passed and escalation of tension, were reasons offered for not heeding the Legal Officer’s advice. In addition, despite strong recommendations from the Legal Officer, the Commission chose to take a vote to dispatch a letter to current APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan, to note its concerns over comments, which he made on a social media programme. Such process was routine for others. Why the need for a vote on him? Currently, the Head of the Media Monitoring Unit, in his analysis on February 18, 2021, stated that Mr. Duncan, in a subsequent programme, violated the Racial Hostility Act and the Representation of the People Act since the comment has the potential to excite ill-will and foster hatred based on race. No action has been taken thus far. Leader of the Liberty and Justice Party, Mr. Lennox Shuman, was immediately summoned to answer for comments, which he made on a public programme. I trust that the inference is not ambiguous. Respectfully, Neaz Subhan Commissioner

...This is From page 5 professional class and landed aristocracy and commercial interests stand. The challenge would be profits versus patriotism; the prospering bottom line of rich cash flows, as against what is good and best for country and citizen. I close by setting this on the table: the insights that come from wise foresight are better than the best hindsight. By now, hindsight should have taught us the error of our ways and the fragile crumbling mediocrities that are obvious from our feeble postures when arrayed against the corporate powers of the world. We can do something about that, and which offers a chance for the remedial to take hold. I urge that it should start now. All Guyana should gear up for a tough struggle, and a no holds barred fight with Exxon. Sincerely, GHK Lall

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Kaieteur News

…. $150K “COVID Relief”

ERC Meeting Minutes contradict Chairman’s claim that extravagant Christmas Bonus was COVID-19 relief - Commissioners and staff received COVID-19 Meeting minutes from the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) November 26, 2020 meeting, where the granting of a $150,000 bonus for Commissioners and $100,000 for ERC staff was determined, contradicts the Chairman, Reverend John Smith’s claims that the allocation was for “COVID-19 relief.” Last week, Smith had refuted comments made by Commissioner, Haji Roshan Khan, in a letter published in Kaieteur News’ February 15, 2021 edition, where Khan claimed that ERC Commissioners sought to grant themselves an excessive Christmas bonus of $150,000 and $100,000 for ERC staff which went against the government’s mandate of a $25,000 bonus for persons in statutory bodies. Smith responded to Khan’s allegations in a letter published in Kaieteur’s February 23, 2021 edition, where he said, “I am not wont to respond to every missive or contention, but the grave and libellous allegations of impropriety levelled against me as Chairman are meant to impugn my character and plunge the present Commission into disrepute.” The Chairman had claimed that at the statutory

meeting on November 26 last year, Commissioners voted by the majority on several measures, given that funds were available. He said that it is customary that at year-end, an honorarium is given which is an ex-gratia payment and “in this case was for COVID19 relief.” He said that the payment was approved following the majority decision for staff members and Commissioners of the ERC, including Khan to receive the relief. However, the meeting’s minutes which were seen by this publication make no reference to COVID-19 relief. In the minutes, it is recorded that Commissioner [Ruth] Howard advanced a motion to pay an honorarium to all Commissioners and staff in the sum of $150,000 and $100,000 respectively, “as a customary practice of the Commission.” The motion was seconded by Commissioner [Barrington] Braithwaite and it was collectively proposed that Commissioners and staff will be paid the honorarium as a customary practice depending on the availability of funds. The motion was approved by a majority vote, but it must be noted that one Commissioner, [Deodat] Persaud, abstained from

packages, other benefits before meeting

A section of the meeting minutes contradicting Smith’s claims.

Ethnic Relations Commission Chairman, Reverend John Smith. voting on the motion. This paper learned that he and Khan were the only Commissioners to refrain from accepting the money. In a letter to the press, Commissioner Khan also responded to the Chairman’s claim that the money given was for COVID-19 relief and not a bonus. “While I do not wish to have a public debate with the Chairman of the ERC,” Khan stated, “I cannot comprehend that a man of his caliber—a servant of the Most High God—will lie to the world, to the country, to the Speaker of Parliament, to the President of Guyana, etc., that the amount of $150,000 for the Commissioners and

$100,000 for the staff was allocated for COVID-19 relief. In actuality, the monies of $100,000 and $150,000 were, in fact, a Christmas bonus and not a COVID-19 gift! “ He added that the motion that was voted upon was strictly for holiday bonuses and COVID-19 packages would have already been proffered to the Commissioners and staff at the time of the statutory

meeting. They also benefitted from alternate workdays and “work from home” privileges. Khan contested that the Chairman’s utterances in his February 23 response, are essentially an outright excuse to escape the fact that the money allocated to the ERC is being wasted, without justification. “To me, taxpayers’ dollars is sacrosanct and a special gift

from the Government of Guyana to the ERC and hence, it must be spent wisely at all times,” Commissioner Khan contended. Kaieteur News would have reported that the body, which is tasked with improving ethnic relations within the country, has received over $900M in the past seven years with little accountability for those funds.

Leguan Stelling contractor officially given the boot The contractor for the $413M Leguan Stelling Rehabilitation Project has officially been fired from the job. According to information obtained from the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the contractor, Satrohan Maraj, of Maraj Contracting Services, was officially notified of the termination of his contract on February 22. In a letter, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C., outlined that the Government of Guyana, through the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD), executed a written agreement with the company on September 20, 2018, for the rehabilitation of the Leguan Ferry Stelling in accordance with the terms specified in the said contract. The Attorney General (AG) noted that the contract was executed for $413,259,260 and was supposed to be completed on or before June 18, 2019. Nandlall said that based on the records, the T&HD had granted several extensions of the contract, notwithstanding those extensions, the project has been delayed for approximately twenty

months. “Thus, the company has complied only a minimal amount of the schedule of works. As a consequence, your company has committed a fundamental breach of the terms of the contract and as result; the Government exercises its rights to terminate the contract with immediate effect,” the AG added in the letter. Further, Nandlall listed the grounds of termination as a breach of the clause for failing to comply with the schedule of work and breach of clause 40.2 (G) and the special conditions of the contract for the inordinate delay in completion of works under the contract. Added to this, the Attorney General said that the Government will enforce provisions of the contract regarding the performance bond of $43,325,926; the mobilization bond of $81,398,375; and the ten percent contract sum as liquidated damages and the value of the works not performed. In addition, he noted that the Government reserves its right to institute legal proceedings against the

company for compensation for the breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Last week, the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) announced that Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, met with the contractor, along with a team from the T&HD. The MoPW noted in a statement following an 11hour deliberation, which was guided by a report compiled by the Audit Office of Guyana, the team determined that the contractor “is incapable, unable, and does not possess the wherewithal to successfully execute this project valued at $413,259,260.” The statement went on to mention that the contractor received payments totalling $199,435,000, almost 50% of the contract sum, an “unheard of scenario,” which it notes is outside of normal procurement practices and a breach of the Fiscal Management Accountability Act (FMA). In addition, it was indicated that the contractor, having received the contract for the building of a stelling, used the argument of a faulty bill of quantities and earned himself by October 30, 2019,

The Leguan Stelling which has been under repairs for the past two years.

an additional $20,650,000 for the supply and delivery of piles for the same Leguan stelling. What is notable too is that the contract did not include piles, one of the most important components for the construction of the stelling. The Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, had informed

that at the time of the audit, the contractor was paid for measured works, but there was no break down attached to the payment certificates. During the meeting, Minister Edghill, sought to remind that on four occasions, he had engaged the contractor and the

Transport and Harbour Department on the completion of this project, which yielded no success. Against this background and in keeping with the contractual terms, the Minister announced that the contract will be terminated with immediate effect.

Sunday February 28, 2021

Don’t allow large, int’l companies to flout our laws while going after local chicken farms - Dr. Adams Guyana’s environmental watchdog, the Environmental Protect Agency (EPA), employs stringent measures to monitor and prevent damage to the environment by local Guyanese. On the other hand, when it comes to employing those same measures against big companies like US oil supermajor ExxonMobil, a lackluster approach is seen as the company continues to pollute Guyana’s environment with its flaring. Taking the foregoing into consideration, Dr. Vincent Adams, the Former Head of the Agency, issued a call on the governing administration to not allow large international companies to get a free pass on flouting Guyana’s environmental laws. “We should never allow any company, regardless of how big and powerful they are to flout the laws of the land, while the ordinary citizen has to comply,” Dr. Adams lamented.

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Former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams ExxonMobil, according to Dr. Adams is being allowed to operate with impunity and without any regards for the environment, while the locals are not extended the same courtesy.

“We cannot continue to go after the small guys with their little operations, with their little chicken farm there or pig farm there. We go after them to make sure that they are in compliance with the (Continued on page 10)

Dem boys seh ...

City Hall falling down like de old London Bridge Old people always say, if you can’t look after yuh own house, nah try fuh criticize yuh matty place. Deh gat some people living in some bruk down house and yet dem always bad-mouthing dem neighbour property. Dem boys does remember wah dem ole people say whenever dem think about de Georgetown City Council. De City Hall building about to fall down. It look like a condemned structure. De Town Council gat it in a state of disrepair fuh years. Yet dem always criticizing de government fuh

nat doing enough. Dem can’t repair de Town Hall but dem spend hundreds of millions pun Kitty Market and fuh redo de Mall. Dem spending money pun all kind of things while dem house falling down. De government decide fuh fix de eyesore. Dem allot G$100M fuh repairs. Dem boys never hear about any municipality getting anywhere near dat kind of support from government. But still de government gan get cuss-out dat dem nah do nuttin fuh de City. Dem boys pass by Av-

enue of the Republic and had a look at City Hall. De building gan tek far more than G$100M fuh repair. In fact, dem boys nah feel it can repair. It look as if it gan gat fuh pull down. De decay gone too far. Is nat only de facing gone. It look like most of dem beams and pillars gan gat fuh repair and it is doubtful whether de building can stand up much longer. If yuh nah believe pass and see, and ask yuh self whether dat building can tek hammer and nail! Talk half and tek a peep!

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FRONT PAGE COMMENTS RECAP As we continue our mission to enlighten you about issues of importance to this nation, we at Kaieteur News, have been publishing a series of front-page comments in hopes of having our leaders take the necessary actions in order to realize the desired outcome. Today, we recap the front-page comments that were published during the past week.

SHUT EXXON’S OPERATION DOWN!

MONDAY Exxon’s gas flaring represents a harrowing situation. It is made more extreme because of Exxon’s repeated failures to address and ensure corrective measures are quickly implemented. Exxon has no excuse for this recurring situation.Guyana cannot risk waiting on Exxon to get its faulty gas compressor re-

paired. The company’s senior personnel estimate that this could take eight weeks. The company has had enough time to replace that defective gas compressor with a new and efficient one, but Exxon has said that that could take until the end of the year to arrive. Until such time that it does so, oil production must cease. Exxon had been promising a ‘root cause’ analysis

since the first failure at startup one year ago. No one has seen that report. Pressure has to be put on Exxon to fix the problem, which now exists. The only way to do this is to force its hand by curtailing production. Extreme situations demand extreme actions. That is why we say, like Dr. Vincent Adams, shutdown all oil operations until Exxon gets its act together.

BEHAVIOUR UNBECOMING IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WEDNESDAY Guyanese parliamentarians provided proof of the vulgarity and personal abuse which continues to masquerade as representative parliamentary democracy. The Budget Debate kicked-off last Monday with parliamentarians hurling the most scur-

rilous attacks at each other. Instead of focusing on what matters most to citizens, some Members of Parliament (MPs) assailed the Assembly with bitter and personal abuse. Instead of discussing how Guyanese will or will not benefit from the country’s oil and gold, some members were more concerned with brandishing their record of fertility and pelting homophobic aspersions. While all of it took the form of heckling, it went beyond the pale. This exhibition

of crudeness and crassness did not make for pleasant listening or viewing. Some of the comments were dirty, sickening and insensitive. It was a display unbefitting of the National Assembly and has exposed a sorry bunch of pretenders, devoid of the courtesies and respect expected in our National Assembly. It was an unforgettable and unforgiveable, indecent and smutty performance. We feel tainted just writing about it.

...Don’t allow large, int’l companies to flout our From page 9 regulatory requirements but Exxon is allowed to get away with it even though theirs has a bigger i m p a c t o n t h e environment,” the Former EPA Head continued. Government’s priority, D r. A d a m s o u t l i n e d , should be ensuring that ExxonMobil falls in conformity with Guyana’s environmental laws as it relates to the flaring of natural gas and also the dumping of produced water. C u r r e n t l y, t h e g a s compressor malfunction on the Liza Destiny FPSO has the company flaring 16 million cubic feet of natural

gas daily. Dr. Adams has said that the company should not be flaring at that level with a compressor malfunction or even producing 120,000 barrels of oil per day, as this constitutes a violation of both the Liza Destiny Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Permit. He reminded as well that when the gas compressor initially malfunctioned, he had slashed ExxonMobil’s production low enough that the company was only able to flare 12-15 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, but the company still continues to operate as per norm.

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Sunday February 28, 2021

$100M set aside to restore City Hall - Local Govt. Minister Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, announced on Friday that the sum of $100M has been allocated for the restoration of City Hall. While offering little detail on the plans during his contribution to the budget debate in the National Assembly, Dharamlall stressed on the commitment of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) administration to restore the historic building. According to Dharamlall though the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) collected approximately $30B worth of taxes be-

tween2015-2020, the building was left to “rot.” He noted however that will not occur under the PPP/C’s watch. He said President Irfaan Ali, shortly after taking office, constituted an inter-ministerial committee aimed at rebuilding Georgetown, and already $100M has been set aside for the restoration of City Hall. “We the PPP/C are going to do it, something APNU could not do for City Hall,” the Local Government Minister told the House. Dharamlall said that the works are slated to commence this year. However, in response to the Minister’s announce-

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall. ment, Mayor, Ubraj Narine, called the sum a mere “drop in the bucket.” He compared

the allocation to approximately $1B, which is needed to restore City Hall.

The deteriorated City Hall building has been the subject of a restoration plans. He noted that while it is a good move to start putting funds towards fixing the building, he is unsure what the amount that was pledged will do. “We had no consultation, so I don’t really know which part of the building that money is supposed to fix. I think the Minister should be aware of how much is actually needed to fix City Hall problems because I handed him a copy of the report after he took office, but we had no discussion on which phase this $100M is supposed to be used for. Right now, the roof is the most important thing that needs restoration and that would cost almost $500M,” the Mayor said in an invited comment. City Hall has been the subject of a restoration project which dates back three years. During a previous interview, Mayor Narine stressed on the need to restore the iconic structure. According to the Mayor, engineers estimated that it could be three years or two years before the building will be rendered completely useless. As such, a public trust fund was launched last year aimed at preserving the aesthetics of the 19th Century Gothic Revival building. The initiative, which is a collaborative effort between the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), the Guyana National Trust and the Private

Sector Commission (PSC), came on stream last year. This followed the EU’s G$60M grant, which had previously financed the feasibility study to restore City Hall. During the launch of the public trust, Mayor Narine stated that the Council is looking to raise at least US$5.2M or approximately G$1B, to restore the historic edifice. He therefore called on the private sector, civil society, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, stakeholders and Guyanese abroad to play an integral role in saving the famous landmark. The Mayor also sought to quell concerns over the management of the trust fund. He noted that the City Council will not be the only manager of the fund. He stressed that a special committee was established to assist in the management of the trust fund; it will not be handled by City Hall alone. “Any withdrawal from the account will have to be approved by the City Treasurer, a representative of the National Trust of Guyana, as well as the Private Sector Commission,” he said. The Mayor noted too, that the intention is to establish accounts in various banks countrywide where persons could make contributions toward the project. At present, deposits can be made into account number 4023313 at Demerara Bank.

Man beats cops, turns self in A motorcyclist, on Friday allegedly assaulted two police patrol ranks and then turned himself in. The incident occurred sometime after 12:00 hrs. at Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). According to police reports, the ranks were at the time conducting an anti-crime patrol when they spotted Hinds standing next to a partly stripped motorcycle parked at the side of the road. They decided to stop and approach Hinds. The ranks recalled that he started to act in a nervous manner.

The ranks claimed that his movements prompted them to search him and examine the motorcycle thoroughly. They told him of their intentions and Hinds complied. Upon completion, the ranks asked him to produce the documents for the motorcycle, which he did. It was while going through those documents that the ranks noticed that although the registration number in the documents matched that bike’s number plate, it did not correspond with the chassis number. (Continued on page 54)

Sunday February 28, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Drivers hospitalised following traffic Father in custody after accidently light confusion crushing son to death with truck Two car drivers are left hospitalised after they crashed into each other’s car on Friday, following a “traffic light confusion” at junction of the Beterverwagting Access Road and Public Road along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). Admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for injuries to the body is Redford Johnson, 28, of National Walk, Triumph, ECD. The other car driver, Jephtahah Persaud, 29, of Haand-EnVeldt, Mahaica, ECD is being treated at the Woodlands Hospital for injuries to his head. The drivers crashed into each other around 17:00hrs. Johnson told cops that he was driving his car north out of the BV Access Road. While at the junction, he claimed the

traffic light at his end showed green and he continued driving onto the BV Public Road. Johnson went on to allege that while he was in the process of doing so, Persaud’s car which traveling west along the public road at a fast rate crashed in to him. His car reportedly spun several times before coming to a halt. Police told Kaieteur News that Persaud too is alleging that the traffic light facing his direction was also green which led him to continue driving as well. Cops responded to the scene and both drivers were transported to the respective hospitals. As investigators investigate the incident, they are currently trying to ascertain whether one of the drivers is lying or if there might have been a problem with the traffic light.

A father is presently in police custody assisting with investigations after he accidently crushed his 20-month-old son to death with his truck yesterday. The toddler, Adan Kiritpaul, was killed sometime before 12:00hrs at his Mahaica East Coast Demerara (ECD) home. According to police, Kiritpaul’s father was reversing his truck out of the yard when he looked into his review mirror and saw something stuck in the wheels. He reportedly stopped the truck immediately and jumped out to check what it was. The man discovered his son lying motionless with his head crushed. Police were summoned to scene and the toddler was taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital where he officially pronounced dead.

Accidently crushed to death by his father, Adan Kiritpaul

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Sunday February 28, 2021

== GNBS IN FOCUS ==

Training Business persons to Better Implement Management Systems To improve the quality of products and services available in Guyana, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) provides technical assistance and specialised training to various stakeholders including businesspersons. As the National Standards Body, one of the key Standards the GNBS assist companies to implement is the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Standard. As a result, there are several training opportunities available to

help businesses implement this and other international standards. On March 01-02, the GNBS will roll out its first professional course for external stakeholders in 2021 Understanding the requirements of the ISO 9001: 2015 Standard. This course is for Managers, Supervisors, Quality Professionals and Internal Auditors. Participants will be educated on what needs to be done to build an internationally recognized Quality Management System, upgrade the current system

within their business operations or understand how to integrate the QMS with another management system. The course also covers benefits of implementing the quality management system and the application of the requirements to a business environment. To meet the usually high demand for this course, it will be repeated during September 13-14. In addition, through collaboration with Delphi Consultancy Limited of Trinidad and Tobago, the GNBS also provides a number of supporting courses to

enhance efficiency and effectiveness within businesses. These include Risk Based Thinking, Root Cause Analysis, Data Analysis, Process Mapping, Internal Quality Auditing, and Implementing & Documenting the ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS). These two and three-day Professional Courses, which are scheduled during March 08 to September 07, 2021 are geared to address the underlying issues faced within any business organisations in order to

improve their management systems and performance. For example, Risk Based Course for Managers, Supervisors, Quality Professionals and Internal Auditors will help these stakeholders to identify risks within their operations and address them. Meanwhile, the Root Cause Analysis training helps businesspersons to get to the bottom of issues within their organisations. This is a proactive approach to addressing and resolving systemic problems within organisations and preventing their reoccurrence.

The Data Analysis course helps persons to understand the different types of data collected by their respective companies and how to effectively use that data. This programme will help participants to improve their skills in collecting data and perform analyses for system improvements. There is also the Internal Auditing for ISO Management Systems course for Management Representatives, Supervisors, Quality Managers and Persons (Continued on page 58)

Sunday February 28, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety. SUNDAY EXXONMOBIL COMMITS TO EXAMINING ROOT CAUSE OF COMPRESSOR DAMAGE - WILL USE ‘LESSONS LEARNED’ TO PREVENT FUTURE FLARING ExxonMobil said Saturday in an operational update that it is working to get to the bottom of the technical issues, which resulted in flaring at the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel since January 27. Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud, repeated “A detailed assessment of the compressor has found an axial vibration of the compressor rotor was the initiating event of the technical issue experienced on January 27. The resulting vibration within the compressor was the cause of the mechanical seal failure initially reported.” Kaieteur News has asked the company to clearly define the root cause of this, and whether it was linked to the issues that caused flaring last year. “We are conducting comprehensive root cause analyses of the issues and will take full action to incorporate lessons learned for the FPSOs employed in future projects, including Liza Phase 2 and Payara,” Persaud said. ExxonMobil intends to increase the liquids capacity of the Liza Destiny. ExxonMobil officials had revealed during a press engagement on Monday, February 8, that the operation was producing at a rate of 130,000 barrels a day in January, just before the equipment malfunction occurred. ExxonMobil insists that the issue is not linked to these higher production tests. Gregory Hill, Chief Operations Officer at Hess Corporation – ExxonMobil’s Stabroek block partner – told analysts during a 2020 Q4 earnings call on January 27 that ExxonMobil intends to evaluate and pursue options to increase the liquids capacity of the vessel, and that this would include some piping changes and debottlenecking during a third quarter shutdown period. Meanwhile, repairs and

upgrades are ongoing on the equipment in Germany. Persaud said it could take up to eight weeks for the equipment to be repaired and reinstated. “Technical experts at the MAN Energy Solutions workshop in Germany continue to reassemble the internal components of the flash gas compressor. To date, they have completed the adjustment of all sealing components for the suction and have moved forward with the assembly and alignment of the seals and the bearings on the discharge side.” This follows the mechanical reworking of the compressor casing, which was done early last week. Apart from the flash gas compressor, Persaud said that the discharge silencer, a key component of the assembly, was transported to Germany separately due to the sequence of the disassembly on the FPSO. The ExxonMobil official told reporters that the silencer is under evaluation and assessment to determine the scope of repairs required. SHAREHOLDER REBELLIONAGAINST EXXONMOBIL MOUNTS – WORLD’S LARGEST MONEY MANAGER DEMANDS GREATER CLIMATE CHANGE DISCLOSURE American oil giant, ExxonMobil, is facing an unprecedented rise in shareholder pressure. Its investors are not only concerned about the steep decline in profits in recent times, but more particularly, whether ExxonMobil’s spending is in alignment with the global aspiration of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This concern, which has sparked an uprising among shareholders with deep pockets, has led to a clamour for change in Board Directors and more importantly, a change in the way

management at ExxonMobil conducts businesses. Specifically, the world’s largest money manager and second largest investor in Exxon, BlackRock, issued in a most recent update that there would be a change to the way it engages corporations. BlackRock, which manages US$8.67 trillion in global assets, said it would be more inclined to vote in favour of shareholder resolutions, and against boards of directors at companies. In its update, BlackRock’s CEO, Larry Fink said, “…Given how central the energy transition will be to every company’s growth prospects, we are asking companies to disclose a plan for how their business model will be compatible with a net zero economy – that is, one where global warming is limited to well below 2ºC, consistent with a global aspiration of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. We are asking you to disclose how this plan is incorporated into your longterm strategy and reviewed by your board of directors. We appreciate that disclosure can be cumbersome and that the variety of reporting frameworks creates further complexity for companies. We strongly support moving to a single global standard, which will enable investors to make more informed decisions about how to achieve durable long-term returns. Because better sustainability disclosures are in companies’ as well as investors’ own interests, I urge companies to move quickly to issue them rather than waiting for regulators to impose them…” Other shareholders of ExxonMobil, who have advocated for more climate actions in the market, saw the fund manager’s statement as representative to the movement for change. (https:/ / w w w. b l a c k r o c k . c o m / corporate/investor-relations/ blackrock-client-letter)

NOT THE FIRST REBELLION But the uprising against ExxonMobil, which trails from late 2020 into 2021 had been creeping since 2017. In May 2017 for example, ExxonMobil’s management was defeated by a shareholder revolt over climate change matters, as investors with 62.3 percent of shares voted to instruct the oil giant to report on the impact of global measures designed to keep climate change to two degrees centigrade. The shareholder’s rebellion at the 2017 ExxonMobil annual meeting in Dallas was led by major financial advisory firms and fund managers who traditionally have played passive roles. Although the identity of voters wasn’t disclosed at the time, a source familiar with the vote had told the Washington Post that major financial advisory firm BlackRock had cast its shares in opposition to Exxon management. (https:// www.washingtonpost.com/ news/energy-environment/ wp/2017/05/31/exxonmobil-istrying-to-fend-off-ashareholder-rebellion-overclimate-change/) (https:// www.cnbc.com/2020/12/13/ climate-change-a-7-trillionwarning-from-marketsbiggest-investor.html) In its report on the matter, The Post had said that the vote against Exxon’s management marked an important step for groups that have been trying to force corporations to adopt greater disclosure and transparency about the financial fallout of climate change. It recalled too that BlackRock, which said since 2017 that climate disclosure is one of its top priorities, had warned on its website that “our patience is not infinite.” MORE BACKLASH Since that major victory, the uprising against ExxonMobil has swollen to an unprecedented proportion. Last month, Kaieteur

News would have reported that investment firm, Engine No 1, with the backing of the California State Teachers’ Pension Fund, had joined calls for a change at ExxonMobil, as it called for fresh blood to its board. The New York State pension fund also followed up with threats to divest its stake in the company unless it moves away from fossil fuels more quickly. This publication would have also reported that a group of 135 investors had earlier this month, formally cemented their intention to bring massive changes to ExxonMobil by launching, “The Coalition United for a Responsible Exxon” (CURE). As of today, CURE’s over 135 members collectively represent over US$2.2 trillion in assets. In its launching letter, CURE had raised urgent concerns about Exxon’s current direction, which it said is premised on outdated assumptions about high oil prices, demand, and margins that are incompatible with the reality of climate change and the inevitable transition to renewable energy sources. Once the most innovative leaders in the industry and a pillar of the Dow Jones (DJ), CURE said that Exxon today finds itself lagging behind other oil majors that have adapted their strategies to lead the global energy transition. The coalition urgently demanded change at Exxon, beginning with the Board, and a new commitment to a financially, competitively, and environmentally sustainable future for the Company, its shareholders, and all stakeholders. Under its current strategy, CURE said that Exxon continues to strand assets by making massive capital investments in upstream projects that destroy shareholder value. The Company it said, rationalizes these investment decisions through unrealistic expectations of future oil and

gas prices and demand. Further to this, CURE said that Exxon’s poor decisionmaking has led to the highest debt levels in the Company’s history, with the worst operational net-debt-to-cash ratio among its peers. It said too that Exxon’s operational inefficiencies are also exacting a toll on profitability. MONDAY 2019 REPSOL MUD SPILL COULD HAVE BEEN AS CATASTROPHIC AS BP WELL BLOW-OUT – DR. ADAMS Does the British Petroleum (BP) Macondo well blow out sound familiar? Considered one of the largest marine spills in the history of the petroleum industry, remnants of this disaster still remain in the Gulf of Mexico. And the culprit of this catastrophe, BP, is expending billions of dollars for damages to this day. Shockingly, such a major disaster could have occurred offshore Guyana back in November 2019 with the mud spill that that occurred in the Kanuku Block, operated by Spanish Oil Company, Repsol. This is according to the former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director, Dr. Vincent Adams. He was at the time underscoring the need for 24/ 7 on site presence on oil vessels to ensure that what is reported by the oil companies is an accurate reflection of what is taking place on the rig. Dr. Adams stated that from experience, over 90% of the time, much of what is reported by the contractors are half truths and far from the reality on site. It is this belief which led to his discovery that Guyana averted a major disaster in November 2019. Dr. Adams detailed that back when he was at the helm of the EPA, he was informed of a drilling mud spill in the (Continued on page 22)

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From page 21 Repsol operated Kanuku Block. For the reader’s knowledge, in petroleum engineering, drilling mud is a heavy, viscous fluid mixture that is used in oil and gas drilling operations to carry rock cuttings to the surface and also to lubricate and cool the drill bit. What the EPA was told at the time of the report was that it was only “80 barrels of mud” that escaped into the ocean. But this was far from accurate. Dr. Adams explained “Of course, 80 barrels of mud going into the ocean is not a big deal because it is just drilling mud. But because I know that whatever they reported could have been totally wrong or misrepresented, I told my staff to get out there immediately with a team to investigate what went on.” “They got out there and you know what it was? We escaped a major disaster,” he continued. When drilling, Dr. Adams explained the mud is placed into a compartment on the drill ship and then circulated back to the drill, keeping a continuous flow. When the mud comes up, it contains “cuttings” which are broken bits of solid material removed from a borehole drilled by rotary, percussion, or other methods. The mud, he stated, must be heavy enough to maintain a safe pressure level within reservoir. Drilling mud can weigh up to 22 or 23 pounds per gallon (PPG). But instead of a steady circulation, Dr. Adams stated, the mud was being dumped straight into the ocean which could have led to a potential blow out. “We could have had an empty hole without any pressure to maintain that well

Kaieteur News

and the pressure could have blown the living daylights out of the well and we could have had a major disaster, then you have a British Petroleum type spill in the Gulf,” he continued. “Guyana was lucky,” Dr. Adams said, that someone was passing by and noticed an open valve used to dump the mud. He added that when checks were made on site, EPA officers discovered that the very valve was scheduled for maintenance but later forgotten. “It was put up for maintenance for a long time but nobody even paid attention to repair that valve. So those are the little things that you miss that can cause a disaster,” he said. This is one of the main reasons why Dr. Adams has been advocating heavily on site monitoring on oilrigs offshore and for Guyana to ensure that it is fully protected in the event of an oil spill. In ExxonMobil’s case, Guyana runs the risk of accepting liability for any oil disaster that may occur in the Stabroek Block area. Why? The local subsidiary, which is the operator of the block has little assets; so little that in the event of any spill, it would not be able to foot the costs leaving Guyana to pick up the slack. And while the local subsidiary promised to ensure that its parent companies, ExxonMobil, HESS and CNOOC/NEXEN accept liability of any potential oil disaster, one year has since passed and it has failed to provide this assurance in writing. Imagine what would happen to Guyana if a spill like what occurred in the Gulf happens and the country is left to pay off billions of dollars for generations?

ERC BUDGET JUMPED 5 TIMES MORE SINCE 2015 WITH LITTLE ACCOUNTABILITY Findings following independent research conducted by Kaieteur News show that the budgetary allocations to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) have jumped five times more since 2015, with little accountability to show. Budget Estimates from 2015 to 2021 seen by this publication reveal that the Commission would have received over $900M in those seven years, with a significant increase in the allocations being given every year, except for 2017. In 2015, the Commission received an allocation of $43.1M and in 2016, its allocation almost doubled, amounting to $81.4M. In 2017, the allocation was lowered to $50.5M but in the following year of 2018, it more than doubled to $115.7M. The allocations for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021 were $175.1M, $220.1M and $227.5M respectively. The ERC is a non-political body that was established on March 8, 2002, and serves to promote ethnic harmony and security in Guyana. It comprises representatives from religious bodies, labour movements, and the private business sector. It was reconstituted on February 22, 2018, and saw the swearingin of 10 new commissioners by former president David Granger. Upon its establishment, the Commission was adequately funded, but over the years there has been minute accountability of the public funds, which it was provided. Moreover, one of the Commissioners, Haji Roshan Khan, recently called for an audit as he highlighted

alleged mismanagement occurring with the State funds. He is of the firm conviction that an audit is needed to expose key areas where significant value leakage is taking place. He had stated that, “I would like a serious government audit” and if possible, a direct audit from the Auditor General’s Office. In a letter published in Kaieteur ’s February 15 edition, Khan had said,”…In its current state, I am of the opinion, like most Guyanese, that the ERC has been a total letdown to the Guyanese nation and is not deserving of the funds they receive. In my opinion, they have accomplished very little. I believe what was done was insignificant and extremely limited to what could have been achieved.” He further claimed that Commissioners sought to grant themselves Christmas bonuses of $150,000 which was contrary to the government’s advisory of a $25,000 Christmas bonus for persons in statutory bodies. As he referenced more unjust spending, Khan said some wanted risk allowances to fly on planes and go in the jungles, high-quality boots to go in jungle terrains, which were hardly used. Commissioners were also given out-of-town allowances and received a good salary for mere “part-time work”. This publication had also asked Khan why the ERC’s spending is not properly audited and why Budget Estimates show little to no information on what the large yearly allocations cater for, to which he responded that the Chairman, Reverend John Smith, needs to answer. However, it must be noted that in 2015, the former coalition government had amended the Fiscal Management and

Sunday February 28, 2021

Accountability Act, which allowed constitutional agencies like the ERC to have independence with their allocations. Before the 2015 amendment, constitutional agencies had their budgetary allocations placed under scrutiny by their subject Minister. The coalition’s amendment to Article 222 (a) had read, “in order to assure the independence of the entities listed in the third schedule, the expenditure of each of the entities shall be financed by the direct charge of the consolidated fund determined as a lump sum by way of an annual subvention approved by the way of the National Assembly, after a review and approval of an entity’s annual budget as part of the process of determination of the national budget.” The PPP government recently moved to yet again amend the Act stating that the coalition’s amendment has removed billions of dollars from Parliamentary scrutiny that by law could only be spent after scrutiny. Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Ashni Singh, during the tabling of the Bill said, “The amendment (the coalition’s) laid out a two-stage process whereby the budget of the constitutional agencies would be brought to the National Assembly, 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. LOCAL OIL BOSS MISLED BY EPA ON EXXON’S $14B FLARING CAP – VINCENT ADAMS Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s Vice President and de facto Energy Minister, while addressing ExxonMobil Guyana’s flaring at his last press conference, revealed an interesting detail. He said that the US oil giant is allowed to flare up to 14 billion cubic feet of natural gas. That allowance, the VP stated, was outlined in the Liza Phase One Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which was approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) back in 2017. The Vice President presented that information based on a brief, which he was said to have received from the EPA. However, according to its former Director, Dr. Vincent Adams, he was gravely misled. “There is nothing (of the sort) in the EIA,” Dr. Adams stated. “…I would ask the press to challenge to them to let them show where in the EIA is that 14 billion cubic feet allowance that they claim is there.” Following the disclosure by Dr. Jagdeo, Kaieteur News conducted detailed checks of each of the four volumes of the Liza Phase One EIA but discovered no such provision. So where did this figure come from? Dr. Adams believes that it forms part of ExxonMobil’s “public relations campaign of confusion, misinformation and distraction” to deflect from its continuous flaring and refusal to slash production. “And apparently, our (Continued on page 23)

Sunday February 28, 2021

From page 22 government is buying off on that nonsense. Somehow, they are getting the government to believe their story and nonsense and their misinformation and mistruth. We have got to understand that Exxon’s interest is in making money and our focus should be making sure that we work in the best interest of this country,” Dr. Adams lamented. According to the former EPA head, what the EIA did relative to flaring was to examine alternatives on how to dispose the gas. Reinjection was selected as the best option. Dr. Adams explained that the EIA allows for flaring in non-routine conditions, as in this case where the gas injection system is temporarily unavailable. However, he added that Exxon continues to operate at full capacity so it cannot be considered a non-routine condition. And while the EIA allows for pilot flaring, Dr. Adams outlined that the pilot flare would only account for one billion cubic feet of gas since Exxon began operating, leaving many to wonder “Where did this extra 13 billion that they are talking about come from?” Presenting his theory, Dr. Adams stated that Exxon would have had to flare during routine operations to amass the 14 billion figure. “If you do not flare during operations, it should have been at one billion,” he said, adding, “You are saying that somehow this 14 billion is there which means you had to have planned to flare during normal operations from day one even though you said you were not going to do that.” The reader should note that questions were also sent to the current EPA Director, Sharifa Razack to provide insight as to exactly where in the EIA states that Exxon is allowed to flare 14 billion cubic feet of gas at its Liza Phase One project. Up to press time, no response was provided. If the public wishes to peruse the EIA, it can be accessed via the EPA’s website – http:// www.epaguyana.org/ under the section EEPGL. GOVT. MOVING TO AUDIT EXXON’S 20172020 COSTS – TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONTRACT COMPLETE The Government, according to Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, is moving to award a contract for the audit of ExxonMobil’s claimed

recoverable expenses made after 2017. This audit is expected to commence as Government wraps up the US$1.6 billion audit of Exxon’s pre-contract and other costs leading up to 2017. During a press conference on February 9, last, the Vice President said, “We already prepared the terms of reference for a new contract to be issued, that will have to have local content in it, to do the audit between 2017 and 2020.” These audits are being done in order to give effect to provisions of the Stabroek Block production sharing agreement (PSA) which allow ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, to recover expenditures, which go into exploration, development and other petroleum operation. Dr. Jagdeo had told Kaieteur Radio on December 23 that Guyana currently has in excess of US$6 billion of oil-related expenses to audit from ExxonMobil. Appearing on the show, Guyana’s Oil & You hosted by Senior Journalist, Kiana Wilburg, the Vice President had said, “You’ve had US$8-9 billion of expenditure made so far… Only US$1.6 billion has been audited…” Last week, he said that though the Department of Energy was doing auditing sequentially, “you don’t need to do it sequentially. You can do it simultaneously.” The United Kingdom firm, IHS Markit is currently handling the audit of costs leading up to 2017, which include pre-contract expenditures. The company, according to the Vice President, had submitted a final report to the government, a few days before the August 2020 inauguration of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. However, the final report was not yet due. The VP had told Kaieteur Radio that the process allows for the submission of three audit reports, but that Markit had skipped the second – the interim report. The administration instructed

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Markit to convert the “final” report it submitted into a draft report, as it is necessary for the government to review the draft, then send it to ExxonMobil for comments. Dr. Jagdeo had said that there have already been adverse findings. “As soon as we get that, then it could go to Exxon for maybe one month, then we can settle that. That doesn’t stop us moving forward from 2017 to now,” the Vice President said. To ensure audits are done expeditiously, he added that capacity building work is being done at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA). The former David Granger administration had waited years to contract its first audit and reported no progress on building capacity to conduct oil cost audits on its own. It hired Markit late 2019, though the first set of costs had been handed to government since 2016. “They have to work this year, within GRA,” Jagdeo said, “so that it could be more real-time, like in the same year that the expenditure is made. So that is where we are on the audit.” TUESDAY MPS OPEN BUDGET DEBATES WITH INSULTS AND VULGARITY – ONE SHOWCASES VIBRATING DILDO TO MAKE POINT By Mikaila Prince Senior 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 COVID19 shockwaves. All 65 parliamentarians

had one week to study the budget estimates and were set to return to the National Assembly Monday with their criticisms and observations regarding the policies and measures in the 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 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) Monday was the hurling of 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 35-minute presentation, 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.” Shortly after, MP Catherine Hughes, who had her ear phones plugged in for most of the beginning of the debates, shouted to Minister McCoy, “ Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow!” This is a known reference to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and 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 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. WALL STREET BANKS PREDICT OIL WILL REACH US$100 PER BARRELAFTER COVID Two Wall Street banks, JPMorgan Chase and Goldman Sachs, are predicting that the price of oil will soar when COVID-19 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 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 (Continued on page 24)

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From page 23 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 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. DAVID PATTERSON PLUGS MOTION REQUIRING EPATO TAKE ACTION ON EXXON’S FLARING Shadow Oil and Gas Minister and Alliance for Change (AFC) Member of Parliament, David Patterson, Monday 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 1618 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.

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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 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, emergencies, 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. WEDNESDAY INVESTOR GROUP EXPOSES EXXONMOBIL’S DECEIT WITH EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN – SAYS IT RUNS COUNTER TO PARIS AGREEMENT Following heightened calls from its shareholders that more action is needed in the fight against climate change, America’s biggest energy firm, ExxonMobil, announced that it would be

reducing its emissions by 2025. In this regard, it said that shareholders can expect to see a reduction of its upstream greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 20 percent when compared to 2016 levels. The oil king said this will be supported by a 40 to 50 percent decrease in methane intensity, and a 35 to 45 percent decrease in flaring intensity across its global operations. It followed up the foregoing by stating that these actions which cover Scope One and Scope Two emissions from operated assets, are “projected to be consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement” to bring global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. These statements however have done nothing to quell the concerns of shareholders. In fact, one investment group, Engine No. 1, has come forward to expose the company’s deceit. In a letter to ExxonMobil’s Board of Directors, Engine No. 1 said that scrutiny of the company’s claims reveals that its efforts fall short of what is needed to position it for long-term value creation in a rapidly changing world,

and highlights the significant long-term risks associated with the company’s current business model. In fact, the investment firm noted that claims of consistency with the Paris Agreement fall far short of targeting net zero emissions by 2050. In its letter, Engine No. 1 stated, “None of the Company’s new claims change its long-term trajectory which would grow total emissions for decades to come. This is not consistent with, but rather runs directly counter to the goals of the Paris Agreement. We also continue to believe that without new members of the Board with the necessary expertise and experience, ExxonMobil will have little choice but to continue seeking to create the appearance of transformative long-term change, rather than working to make it a reality.” It continued, “This is not just a climate issue but a fundamental investor issue – no different than capital allocation or management compensation – given the immense risk to ExxonMobil’s current business model in a rapidly changing world,” (Continued on page 25)

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From page 24 Engine No. 1 also stated in its letter. Engine No. 1 stated in closing that while the company has pointed to the frequency with which the Board refreshes itself, “we believe it is telling that such refreshment over the years has not been accompanied by a new direction or material progress on these issues. We believe that enhancing the company’s long-term future requires a clean break with the past, and we look forward to continuing to make the case for real change at ExxonMobil.” It should be noted that Engine No. 1’s position is being supported by the Church of England and the

California State Teachers’ Retirement System – one of the largest public-sector pension schemes in the US. The activist investment firm, launched by two hedge fund industry veterans, had declared this month that it plans to nominate four directors to Exxon’s 10person board who have expertise in clean technology and running energy companies. They are: Gregory Goff, Kaisa Hietala, Alexander Karsner, and Anders Runevad. New York State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, whose fund owns a roughly US$300 million stake in Exxon, according to Refinitiv data, has expressed support for this move by

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Engine No. 1. In a comment published by Reuters, he said, “Exxon’s refusal to adequately address climate risk is of serious concern to many shareholders and is a sign of significant governance issues. The company’s board needs overhauling. We’re looking forward to reviewing the slate of new directors.” Besides pushing Exxon to add new directors with more relevant energy industry experience to the board, the investment firm has said in the last two months that it wants Exxon to cut costs on projects that are unlikely to earn money, create a better plan for success in the renewable energy sector and to overhaul management compensation

to better align with shareholder value creation. EXXON SUED FOR ALLEGEDLYINFLATING VALUE ON OILASSETS A class action lawsuit was filed against ExxonMobil on January 28 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleging that ExxonMobil violated federal securities laws by misleading investors as to the valuation of certain company assets in the Permian Basin, a petroleum province in the southwestern United States. The lawsuit, Yoshikawa v. Exxon Mobil Corp., et al. was announced by Block & Leviton LLP, a firm that represents investors and

helps to maintain the integrity of US financial markets. The plaintiff, Mendi Yoshikawa, acquired Exxon securities at artificially inflated prices, the suit says, “and was damaged upon the revelation of the alleged corrective disclosures.” It represents all other similarly situated persons. “Throughout the Class Period,” the suit states, “Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Exxon forced its employees to use unrealistic assumptions regarding the timelines for well drilling in the Permian Basin; (ii) the foregoing assumptions served to artificially inflate the value of the Company’s well operations in the Permian Basin; (iii) the foregoing conduct, when revealed, subjected Exxon to a heightened risk of regulatory investigation and oversight; and (iv) as a result, the Company’s public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times.” The suit singles out as defendants, ExxonMobil’s Chief Executive Officer Darren Woods, Senior Vice President Andrew Swiger, and Vice President and Controller David Rosenthal. The suit states, “The Individual Defendants possessed the power and authority to control the contents of Exxon’ SEC filings, press releases, and other market communications. The Individual Defendants were provided with copies of Exxon’ SEC filings and press releases alleged herein to be misleading prior to or shortly after their issuance and had the ability and opportunity to prevent their issuance or to cause them to be corrected. Because of their positions with Exxon, and their access to material information available to them but not to the public, the Individual Defendants knew that the adverse facts specified herein had not been disclosed to and were being concealed from the public, and that the positive representations being made were then materially false and misleading. The Individual Defendants are liable for the false statements and omissions pleaded herein.” 98-YEAR-OLD WOMAN ASSAULTED AND RAPED; FOURARRESTED A 98-year-old pensioner who lives alone was found by her caretakers raped and left

with a battered and bruised face Tuesday morning at her home on the Corentyne, Berbice, while four men have been arrested in relation to the attack. Pamela Brusche who takes care of the elderly woman said she was alerted by a neighbour who also takes care of pensioner that something was wrong. She disclosed that when she ventured over to the house, she saw the elderly woman with a swollen, black-and-blue battered face. As shocked as they were, they began to prepare her to be taken to hospital while they inquired what happened. The police were also contacted immediately. Brusche said, “When I go over, I saw her whole face swell up and burst up and she told me that they (perpetrators) push their hand down she throat.” It was while they were cleaning her up to get her bathed and dressed that they discovered what appeared to be blood on the old woman’s underwear. A subsequent medical exam confirmed that she was sexually assaulted. “She told us that she don’t know who did it but that they hold her down, choke her and push they hand down she throat,” the caretaker said. Eventually, the police from the Rose Hall Town Outpost arrived at the house and reportedly spent a short time, looked around and asked a few questions then told the caretakers, “If we get knowledge of whoever did it, let we get on back to them.” Brusche said that the old woman would normally sleep in late but Tuesday they were scheduled to take her out to an elderly function and had told her they would come early to bathe and dress her. The pensioner was still too traumatized to speak with media operatives and appeared to be in a lot of pain. Meanwhile, Regional Commander, Jairam Ramlakhan, confirmed that four persons have been arrested. The men are in their early 20’s. Of the four held so far, one was arrested in Crabwood Creek, and another arrested in Rose Hall Town. They are being questioned as investigations progress. NO STRUCTURAL CHANGES WERE MADE TO LIZA DESTINY TO INCREASE PRODUCTION ExxonMobil Guyana’s Government and Public Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud says that the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) was able to produce (Continued on page 26)

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From page 25 oil above nameplate capacity of 120,000 barrels per day is that its total liquids capacity is 158,000 bpd, and produced water is currently coming up at a low rate. “The Liza Destiny is designed to produce up to 158 thousand barrels of total liquids per day which includes water and oil,” Persaud said in response to a question of whether ExxonMobil had made any structural changes to the Liza Destiny to produce above nameplate. “Given the current low rate of water production, we were able to utilize the installed liquid capacity of the design to safely optimize the production of oil.” Chief Operations Officer at Hess Corporation Gregory Hill on, during the Stabroek Block partner’s 2020 Q4 earnings call on January 27, said that ExxonMobil intends to evaluate and pursue options to increase nameplate capacity at the Liza Destiny. This would include some piping changes and debottlenecking, and is expected to occur during a third quarter shutdown period, Hill had explained. ExxonMobil maintains that the recent reported production numbers above 120,000 bpd are due to optimization of the vessel’s current design. This optimisation, Persaud told Kaieteur News, “is a normal process for operations around the world and was only done after a comprehensive safety evaluation ensuring safety and reliability were not compromised.” The company insists that the recent technical issues experienced at its gas compressor were not caused by the optimisation of production. “As previously stated, a detailed study has removed any connection between the technical issues with the flash gas compressor and the production optimization process,” Persaud said. “Production was restored to previous levels as we sought to ensure that the appropriate attention is given to completing the repairs and safely reinstalling the flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny.” Repairs and upgrades to the defective equipment are ongoing at the MAN Energy Workshop in Oberhausen, Germany. In an operational update Tuesday, Persaud said, “Reassembly of the flash gas compressor continues at the MAN Energy Solutions workshop in Germany. Over the weekend, the MAN team completed adjustments to achieve the required

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clearances on the discharge side of the compressor and has started verifications of internal machinery profiles. Technical experts are also finalizing near-term recommendations for repair and potential upgrade to the discharge silencer.” Janelle told reporters on February 20 that reinstallment of the equipment after undergoing fixes and upgrades could take up to eight weeks. ExxonMobil has also made an order for a new compressor. It said that its expected arrival is closer to the end of the year due to the complex nature of the equipment. The ExxonMobil representative said Tuesday, “On the Liza Destiny, we continue to manage production and flare levels, maintaining a careful balance of sustained production and appropriate environmental considerations.” The company is flaring about 16 million to 18 million cubic feet of gas per day. “We continue to provide regular updates to government and other key stakeholders while also tirelessly working to restore operations and reduce the flare to pilot levels of less than one percent of the produced gas,” Persaud noted. THURSDAY EXXONMOBIL TO SELL NORTH SEA ASSETS FOR OVER US$1B TO FOCUS ON GUYANA American oil giant, ExxonMobil, disclosed Wednesday that it has signed an agreement with HitecVision, through its wholly owned portfolio company, NEO Energy, for the sale of most of its nonoperated upstream assets in the central and northern North Sea of the United Kingdom. The sale price of more than US$1 billion is subject to closing adjustments, and has additional upside of approximately US$300 million in contingent payments based on potential for increase in commodity prices. On the heels of this announcement, Neil Chapman, senior vice president of ExxonMobil said, “We continue to highgrade our portfolio by divesting assets that are less strategic and focusing our investments on our advantaged projects that are among the best in the industry.” In this regard, Chapman said that the company’s most prized resources are in Guyana, the U.S. Permian Basin, and Brazil.

ExxonMobil Guyana Govt. and Public Affairs Advisor, Janella Persaud He said too that ExxonMobil is focused on increasing earnings potential and generating strong cash flow to fund future capital investments, reduce debt and maintain a reliable dividend. Kaieteur News understands that the agreement includes ownership interests in 14 producing fields operated primarily by Shell, including Penguins, Starling, Fram, the Gannet Cluster and Shearwater; Elgin Franklin fields operated by Total; and interests in the associated infrastructure. ExxonMobil’s share of production from these fields was approximately 38,000 oilequivalent barrels per day in 2019. Further to this, ExxonMobil will retain its nonoperated share in upstream assets in the southern North Sea, and its share in the Shell Esso Gas And Liquids (SEGAL) infrastructure that supplies ethane to the company’s Fife ethylene plant. The transaction is expected to close by the middle of 2021, subject to regulatory and third party approvals. ExxonMobil was keen to note that it has operated in the U.K. for more than 135 years and continues natural gas sales, refining and chemical operations, the marketing of lubricants and petrochemicals, and the marketing of fuels through a network of more than 1,300 independently owned Essobranded retail sites. AFTER FOUR DECADES OF OIL PRODUCTION, ANGOLA REMAINS POOR – GUYANAMUST TAKE HEED –IEEFAADVISORS With the monetization of its nine billion barrels of oil

equivalent resources, Guyana’s leaders hope to raise the standard of living of its people, cut the nation’s debt, and create a sovereign wealth fund with significant deposits. But the unfortunate reality that confronts the new oil producing state is that it is in a weak position to accomplish these goals. This is according to Tom Sanzillo and Gerard Kreeft, two financial and energy advisors attached to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). To cement their argument, Sanzillo, IEEFA’s Director of Financial Analysis and Kreeft, IEEFA’s Energy Transition Advisor, urged all Guyanese authorities to consider the case of Angola, which has hosted world oil developers for the last 25 years and is a cautionary tale for nations hoping to cash in on oil and gas development. In providing some historical context, Sanzillo and Kreeft noted that oil was discovered in Angola in 1955. They explained that in the 1990s, deepwater exploration took off and Angola became a global presence. They said that major oil companies including Total, ExxonMobil, BP, ENI, Chevron and Equinor have successfully drilled for oil in working through Sonangol, the nation’s state-owned oil and gas operator. Both noted that the country produced approximately 1.4 million barrels per day last year, down from peaks of 1.9 million barrels per day. Given its vast resources, the advisors highlighted that Angola rank 15th in the world of top oil producers while adding that President Joao Lourenco is trying to increase production with a new round of offers to the international oil community.

Despite its resources however, the two advisors said that “four decades of oil production have created neither prosperity nor fiscal stability for Angola.” At the end of 2020, they pointed out that the national debt stood at approximately US$76 billion. They said, “With the assistance of the IMF, World Bank, African Development Bank and others, Angola has managed to juggle its year-toyear obligations with a combination of refinanced or forgiven debt. Angola recently entered the G-20’s Debt Service Suspension Initiative, designed to assist financially distressed countries.” What is also shocking about the country that is so rich with oil is the fact that one in three Angolans lives below the poverty level, and more than half live on less than U$1.90 per day. Sanzillo and his colleague noted that an unbalanced economy and corrupt government are cited as major factors driving the economic inequality. Considering the foregoing, both analysts agreed that oil development surely led Angola into a series of traps that include budget deficits, foreign indebtedness, corruption, and oil exploration and development contracts that have benefited corporations at Angola’s expense. And despite the current struggle to introduce new reforms and combat corruption, Sanzillo and Kreeft noted that the lack of economic diversification leaves Angola poorly positioned to handle changes brought on by the energy transition. Taking the case of Angola into account, the IEEFA advisors alluded that it may not be possible for Guyana to steer clear of a similar fate, especially when it continues to cling to a one-sided deal that favours the three companies (ExxonMobil, Hess, and CNOOC/NEXEN), creates obstacles to growth, and threatens to leave Guyana deeper in debt. ERC COMMISSIONERS TOOK $150,000 AS COVID RELIEF NOT CHRISTMAS BONUS – CHAIRMAN While the average Guyanese was receiving a COVID-19 cash grant of $25,000, the above-average Commissioners at the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) benefitted from COVID-19 relief to the tune of $150,000. The Chairman of the ERC, Reverend John Smith, made this disclosure as he refuted claims that the

Commissioners had benefited an excessive $150,000 as a Christmas bonus for Commissioners. Smith’s clarification that the payment was in fact COVID-19 relief comes on the heels of damning utterances made by an ERC Commissioner, Haji Roshan Khan. Khan recently made public his view that mismanagement of state funds was occurring at the ERC. Khan told Kaieteur News that the Commissioners attempted to grant themselves an extravagant Christmas bonus of $200,000 per person, but settled on $150,000, which still went against the government’s advisory of $25,000 per person in statutory bodies. A total of $100,000 was also given to all of the ERC’s staff as a Christmas bonus and Khan had maintained that while they executed their jobs in a commendable manner, “it is unreasonable” to have that type of money as a Christmas bonus, given the government’s mandate. Khan noted that he refused the sum and another Commissioner had also told Kaieteur News in confidence that he refused the excessive sum. “I refused to accept it because it is illegal and wrong,” Khan had said. However, in his response to Khan’s claims, Smith said, “I am not wont to respond to every missive or contention, but the grave and libellous allegations of impropriety levelled against me as Chairman are meant to impugn my character and plunge the present Commission into disrepute.” Smith affirmed that at its statutory meeting on November 26 last year, Commissioners voted by the majority on several measures given that funds were available. He said that it is customary that at year-end, an honorarium is given which is an ex-gratia payment and in this case, it was for COVID19 relief. He said that the payment was approved following the majority decision for staff members and Commissioners of the ERC, including Khan to receive the relief. The Commissioner, who spoke to Kaieteur News in confidence, said that he refused the sum and stated that Khan indeed agreed on the “bonus,” but the following day he stated that he wanted no part and would not collect the money. Further, Smith said that the government announced a payout to the Public Service, which came weeks after the (Continued on page 27)

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From page 26 statutory meeting, but the Commission had already made its decision on the payout, which was simultaneous with the government’s initiative. In light of that, the government payout “was not applicable to the ERC in that instance,” according to the Chairman. Last December, the government had announced a one-off payment of $25,000 to all public servants as COVID-19 relief and Smith is now saying that the Commissioners did not take the government’s cash grant since they had already agreed on a cash grant for themselves at the ERC. FRIDAY EDUCATION MINISTER SCHOOLS MPS ON POOR CONDUCT In her introduction to her budget presentation, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, admonished the House, but particularly the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) opposition for its poor conduct in Parliament. Minister Manickchand’s schooling comes on the heels of a Kaieteur News article published on February 23, which exposed the hurling of racist, homophobic, and sexist insults from one Member of Parliament (MP) to the other during the opening of budget debates. In that article, Kaieteur News had highlighted various cases of the verbal mudslinging. In one case, it was the Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, who had shouted to Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy, “I have a ‘lil’boy for you.” Shortly after, MP Catherine Hughes had shouted to Minister McCoy, “Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow!” This is a known reference to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) flag. Against this background, the Education Minister said to the National Assembly

Thursday, “In 2021, we cannot use people’s sexuality or sexual orientation, or what we believe it is or ought to be to disparage people. We cannot in this house. And it must be condemned and it must be rejected… I say here and now, to any person of the LGBTQ community, you have a friend in us. We will not tolerate disparaging any member, putting down any member of that community, or using the idea that someone could be to disparage that person.” Kaieteur News, in that same February 23 article, had exposed how MPs would insult other MPs for their infertility, as was done by coalition MP, Geeta Chandan-Edmond. At the beginning of that MP’s speech, the Attorney-at-Law had wished belated birthday greetings to Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall. But she did not stop there, as the coalition 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.” With this, Manickchand wished “to condemn in the strongest language” the disparaging of those suffering from infertility complications. She said, “People are struggling with fertility issues. On both sides of this House, you have them. For people to use their own children as a reference point to hurt others in this House is reprehensible, and it speaks of a calibre that is not worthy of being in this House. And it must not happen again!” The Education Minister, before moving onto the crux of her presentation, reminded the House that the conversation should not be about a MPs weight, hair or their style of dressing. “We are better than that!” she says, “This country requires and deserves more!” OIL COMPANIES DON’T COME HERE TO DO YOU FAVOURS, ONLY TO MAKE MONEY – DR. VINCENTADAMS Foreign investment is necessary for the growth of a country, says the former Director of the Environmental

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Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams, who emphasized that he supports such direct investment. But the former EPA Director says that Guyana must be cognizant that these foreign companies, especially those in the oil sector operating or looking to operate in Guyana, are only looking to build its selfinterests, and not do the country “a favour.” Dr. Adams had shared these and other critical points during a virtual Moray House discussion on Guyana’s oil sector, on January 16. There, the former EPA Director told the listeners that many years ago he had worked for British Petroleum, and reminded that those executives are doing their jobs in what is in the best interest of their corporation. With this he said, “The bottom line is, of course, to make money. That determines their big bonuses and promotions.” Dr. Adams continued, “We got to understand… that when they [oil companies] come in, we believe that they are here to do us a favour. They are not coming to Guyana to do us any favour. They are coming here to look after their self-interests, which is the bottom line, to make money for the company. They are going to come in here and extract our resources for 20 years and gone. They could care less about what happens to us.”

It is against this background that Dr. Adams reminded listeners of the importance of Guyanese protecting and fighting for the country’s best interest. “We welcome foreign investors,” he said, “It’s necessary for the development of the country. But we have to think that when they are gone what is going to be left of the country. We have to stop being intimidated and not allow the disrespectfulness towards the sovereignty from such arrogant talk from their top officials.” ORINDUIK BLOCK PARTNERS LOOKING TO CASH IN ON HEAVY OIL FIND FROM JETHRO-1 WELL Eco Atlantic Oil and Gas Limited Thursday announced that the steady increase in world oil prices will potentially see it moving ahead to monetize the heavy oil found in its Orinduik Block in 2019. The discovery was first made on August 12, 2019 by Tullow Oil, the operator of the block. President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eco Atlantic, Gil Holzman, detailed this in the company’s Unaudited Results for the three and nine months ended 31 December, 2020 Corporate and Operational Update. “We remain very confident in Guyana’s

prospectivity as a hydrocarbon basin and the upside potential it offers. The recent increase in oil prices makes our existing discoveries in Guyana and drilling prospects inventory ever more attractive,” Holzman commented. The Orinduik Block is adjacent and updip to the ExxonMobil Operated Stabroek Block; on which 18 discoveries have been announced over 9 billion barrels of oil equivalent recoverable resources. Back in August 2019, Eco Atlantic and its Orinduik JV partners; Tullow Guyana and Total E&P Guyana had announced two massive oil finds from its Jethro-1 and Joe-1 wells, estimated to hold at least four billion barrels of oil. The Jethro-1 exploration well was drilled by the Stena Forth drillship to a final depth of 14,331 feet (4,400 metres) in approximately 1,350 metres of water. While the evaluation of logging data had confirmed that the Jethro-1 well comprised of high quality oil bearing sandstone reservoir of Lower Tertiary age, the find turned out to be heavy oil with a similar discovery made at the Joe-1 well. That type of crude find however, was not considered commercially viable at the time due to the high concentration of sulfur found in heavy oil. This meant that the oil produced more lower-

valued products and requires extra refining to produce indemand products. But this did not deter the operators, and Eco Atlantic, which holds a 15% working interest in the Orinduik Block, engaged a third-party consultant with heavy oil development and economics expertise to help conduct preliminary evaluations related to production schemes and commercialization. Eco stated in its report that it is fully funded for further drilling on the block and, with its JV Partners, is assessing all opportunities available to drill at least two exploration wells into the light oil cretaceous targets as soon as practical. Eco Atlantic outlined as well that the company is fully aligned with its JV Partners on careful target selection based on the reprocessed 3D and the block and nearby oil discoveries for the next drilling campaign. Eco Atlantic also expects to be able to update the market on further drilling plans in due course. Meanwhile, the company detailed in its report that as at 31 December 2020, the company had cash and cash equivalents of US$16,350,090 with no debt and remains fully funded for its share (15% WI net) of its planned two exploration wells at the Orinduik Block offshore Guyana. Additionally, as at 31 December 2020, the Eco (Continued on page 28)

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From page 27 Atlantic had total assets of US$17.7 million and a net equity position of US$17.4 million and has decreased its total non-exploration expenses, including general and administrative expense and compensation costs incurred during the nine months ended 31 December 2020 (H1 2021), when compared to the nine months ended 31 December 2019, by over 50%. In Guyana, Eco Guyana holds a 15% Working Interest alongside Total (25%) and Operator Tullow Oil (60%) in the 1,800 km2 Orinduik Block in the shallow water of the prospective SurinameGuyana basin. SATURDAY PUBLIC WORKS MINISTER LAMBASTES FERGUSON FOR USING MARAD FUND LIKE PERSONALACCOUNT – SAYS, “EVERY TIME SHE IS GOING TO THE ESSEQUIBO, $600,000. SHE’S GOING TO THE RUPUNUNI, $900,000. SHE’S GOING TO WAKENAAM, SAME THING.” Former Junior Public Infrastructure Minister, Annette Ferguson, now Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), has found herself facing another fresh round of allegations regarding the misuse of public funds. This time around, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, in his 2021 budget debate presentation last evening, accused the MP of using the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) fund as her own personal slush fund during her time as junior Minister.” I understand the bitterness of the honorable member, Ferguson, when she spoke earlier (Friday) this evening, Mr. Speaker. You know what she miss? The MARAD account was her personal petty cash,” the Minister Edghill relayed to the House. Detailing the transactions, Edghill said “Every time she is going to the Essequibo, $600,000. She’s going to the Rupununi, $900,000. She’s going to Wakenaam, same thing.” The Minister disclosed as well that he had no qualms releasing the necessary evidence to support his claims. Further to that, Edghill highlighted that every government ministry has access to funds for travel and “subsistence,” which includes finances for the ministry to execute its

mandate. Taking this into account, he questioned, “Why are you dipping into an agency’s fund?” Minister continued, “You are put there to serve. You are already salaried and taken care of with allowances and benefits. Why are you using the funds from agencies?” But those were not the only allegations Minister Edghill brought to the fore. He also accused the former Minister of using MARAD as her “personal donation club.” “For gospel concerts, and I won’t call name, $2 million of MARAD money,” Edghill stated. It was only back in January that Ferguson and the former Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson, were fingered in a gift buying scandal spanning several agencies under their control, including MARAD. Those instances came to light after a special audit was conducted into the state-run Garden of Eden Asphalt Plant. In total, the two were said to have received over $6.7 million in gold jewellery and gifts including electronics and household items. “The benefits of the brooches and the bed sheets and the laptops and the unending list of items that were bought from agencies for Ministers Ferguson and Patterson while they served are well documented and it is a shameful act,” Edghill lamented, adding that the monies of taxpayers should never be used for personal gain. ABSENCE OF UNIFIED FRONTALLOWS OIL COMPANIES TO EXPLOIT OUR DIFFERENCES – PATTERSON – TELLS PARLIAMENT, “WE ARE READY FOR A BETTER DEAL” The lack of a unified front

in the management of Guyana’s resources has allowed oil companies to exploit the country’s differences, says Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), David Patterson. During his presentation on the budget to the National Assembly, Friday, Patterson decried the divide on the government and opposition side, and recalled that this disunited state has posed “adverse effects” on the country. Against this background, Patterson indicated that the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition is willing to offer its support “in presenting a united position” so that it can jointly “address the alleged inadequacies in the [oil] contract and any other document, including the environmental permit.” “It is our position that once we present a united position to our international partners, the harder it will be for them to continue ignoring our concerns,” Patterson said to the National Assembly gathered at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). This is the second recorded occasion where Patterson has shared the coalition’s support to renegotiate the ExxonMobil deal – one that has been deemed lopsided and unfair for Guyana by local, regional and international experts. Earlier in January, Patterson, who is the shadow Oil and Gas Minister, told a panel that during the coalition’s five years in government, it “never got the chance to correct the poor provisions in the deal.” Examples of a few of these sub-standard provisions which are crafted in such ways that Guyana would

suffer significant value leakage, include Guyana paying Exxon’s billions of dollars in taxes; pre-contract costs discrepancies; unspecified interest rates expensed to Guyana for loans to the oil entities; weak environmental standards; Guyana’s inability to control the amount of oil being produced; and infrastructure cost anomalies between the Liza One & Liza Two Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels. However, Patterson uttered that if the new PPP/C government wishes to renegotiate such a deal, the coalition will be offering their “unconditional support”. Notably, during his time as Opposition Leader, now Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had repeatedly trashed the Exxon deal. Even in December 2020, the VP had taken issue with the fact that some of the wordings of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) create the impression that ExxonMobil and its co-contractors have “sovereignty” over Guyana. But even with these reservations and criticisms, the VP and the PPP/C government have refused to renegotiate the lopsided Exxon contract. DESPITE JAGDEO’S PROMISE, GOVT. NOT RELEASING MONTHLY OIL REPORTS The Irfaan Ali administration has made multiple promises about being transparent in its stewardship of the oil sector, but it has not delivered on some accounts. This latest issue adds yet another notch to the Government’s failed commitments, in this regard. The Government is not

living up to its commitment to release oil reports to the press. Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had made this commitment during a February 9 press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, after being asked about it by Kaieteur News. “I don’t see anything secret about this,” he had said. “It’s no big deal.” Yet, Kaieteur News had made at least 10 attempts since the promise was made, to access the reports through the Ministry of Natural Resources. These include contact with the Minister’s Personal Assistant, Stephon Gabriel, and later, the Minister himself, Vickram Bharrat. The Minister told Kaieteur News on Wednesday that he would make contact on the next day, Thursday, but he did not. Kaieteur News understands that de facto oil minister, Dr. Jagdeo, did not immediately green light the release of the reports, and that this is the cause of the hold-up. “I’m gonna talk to them to ensure that you get it, the monthly statements,” Dr. Jagdeo had told Kaieteur News, after encouraging reporters to request them. Under the previous administration, Winston Jordan’s Ministry of Finance had started publishing monthly oil statements, which included details on petroleum revenues, as well as production statements. They did not have to be requested. In those reports, the Ministry had noted the need for transparency in these matters: “In establishing the [Natural Resource Fund] NRF, Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana committed to managing the Fund according

to the principles of good governance including transparency, and accountability, and international best practices including the Santiago Principles. To ensure transparency and accountability, the NRFAct 2019 requires several reports on the NRF to be published, including, but not limited to: (5) Monthly reports of the NRF.” As for the Publication of Reports – Article 42 of the Natural Resource Fund Act, under the section Accounting, Reporting and Auditing, states “The Minister shall publish on the website of the Ministry and generally make available to the public… (c) the monthly reports within seven working days after they have been submitted to the Minister by the Bank…” The Ali administration has said that it does not agree with the current configuration of the Act, and will replace it, but it has not done this yet. In the interim, the Act remains law, and not publishing the legally mandated monthly reports on the Minister’s website is a breach of same. But the website of the Ministry of Finance had been down for weeks after the installation of Senior Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh. It was only the day after he presented the 2021 budget that the website, after being revamped, went back online. The reports cannot be found there. Kaieteur News is seeking to collect all production statements leading back to the start of oil production, after former Minister Jordan stopped publishing them. Other documents promised but not delivered, include the findings of the Canadian Alison Redford on the Payara review, and production licences for the Liza Phases One and Two projects.

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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==

Me in Toronto, my kid in London and our country My daughter had the first brush with danger in her country after she returned recently from graduate studies in London. I knew one day it was going to happen. It is going to happen to people who are powerful, powerful with money or authority. By authority I mean ruling politicians, judges, top army and police officials and diplomats. It was last Friday. I took my daughter and the family dog up the East Coast to show her how Guyana is re-arranging. I told her from our home on the Railway Embankment at Turkeyen, right up to the end of Region 4, large Chinese supermarkets dot the landscape. So we started our journey to see a changing Guyana. We saw traffic cops stopping people at random. I told her the advisor to the Minister of Home Affairs, Harry Gill, promised me he will ensure that doesn’t happen. We saw a rapidly deteriorating Railway Embankment that is going to destroy small cars like the one I have. On our return journey, about 05.05 pm, just outside my home – Railway Embankment and UG Road, there was total chaos. This guy with a sandwich in his

mouth just turned head on to our car and my daughter screamed and I yelled at him to stop. The pile-up was large and drivers couldn’t move. Guess why? For four years, (yes four, I live there so I know), the signals have stopped working. In 2019, one evening, I made an intense chastisement against Minister David Patterson who was the subject minister at the time. I yelled out; “fix the traffic lights up the road.” I was at my friend’s place, Raymond Persaud, an engineer at Ogle airport whose house is next to the AFC’s head office. Patterson was having a beer at Raymond’s little shop in front of his home. Patterson never repaired the signals, but he had time to fix a gold bracelet on his hand. When my daughter screamed, thoughts of how I felt about how she will change when my wife and I saw her off at the airport came into my mind. I knew she would change because that is what happens to all of us when we mingle with other cultures of other countries. After leaving Guyana for post-graduate studies in Canada, my life was transformed forever. I was

never the same after I lived in Toronto. I saw how different the peoples of this world are. I left Guyana with my wife, who was already exposed to other societies because she studied in Canada before. I was then a person who knew nothing about the world except Georgetown where I had spent all of my life. I was Marxist, pro-Cuban, thought White people were essentially racist and full of pride in being Third World, Caribbean and dark-complexioned. Canada expanded my horizons. I met nice White folks who wanted to do good for me. I met professors who were genuinely sympathetic to non-white people. I saw university culture at McMaster University and University of Toronto that was essentially humane and positive, hardly what I saw when I was a UG student. I saw governments in Canada that were democratic, accountable and transparent. Living in Canada and seeing how governance was practiced, President Burnham in my eyes was nothing but a monster. I know how I had become different after Canada, and when I saw my little girl leave for the United Kingdom, I

know I will not see the same psychological make-up of that kid my wife and I brought up. I know like her father in Canada, the UK will redo her forever. So said, so done! The first email we got was the nice treatment at the airport. She said the immigration officer just glanced at her student visa and put the stamp in her passport. Obviously, he knew she was cleared from the Guyana side so why bother with the questions. Not so in Guyana. If a student from Iceland comes to Guyana to attend UG, even with a visa, immigration will grill that

person. He/she will have to tell our immigration officer which side of the road Icelandic people drive on. UG lecturers and students will hardly be accommodating. The second email we got was how easy it was to open a bank account. And the emails were a deluge of how bureaucracy works smoothly and how nice Londoners are. She came back to Guyana and almost lost her life right outside her home because in the 21st century, traffic signals do not work. What is psychologically terrifying about the collective psyche

Frederick Kissoon of this nation is that all Guyanese see that horror as normal life. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Coronavirus: Myths about COVID-19 vaccines debunked By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center Guyana, like the rest of the world, has started vaccinating its population against COVID-19. Unfortunately, there are many rumours being spread, especially on social media, about the COVID-19 vaccines. This is creating too many vaccine skeptics and is putting us all at risk of being stuck in the pandemic for longer than we should be. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2010 and 2015, vaccines prevented an

estimated 10 million deaths. Scientists have worked tirelessly to create safe and effective vaccines to protect us against COVID-19. Some persons called “anti-vaxxers,’’ dedicate their entire lives to railing against vaccines and are mostly behind the many myths that are being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines. Today, I will share some common myths being circulated about COVID-19 vaccines, so that you can be properly informed and help dispel these myths. Myth: the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine are dangerous. While the COVID-19

vaccine can have side effects, the vast majority is very short term and are not serious or dangerous. Some people experience pain where they are injected; body aches; headaches or fever, lasting for a day or two. These are signs that the vaccine is working to stimulate your immune system. If you have allergies, especially severe ones that require you to be hospitalized, discuss the COVID-19 vaccine with your doctor, who can assess your risk and provide more information about if and how you can get vaccinated safely. I was vaccinated just over a week ago and I am living proof—

like the many health workers who were also vaccinated, that the vaccines are not dangerous. Myth: the Vaccine will alter my DNA These vaccines were designed using the RNA and DNA of the virus to create similar structures in the vaccines. These structures cannot alter our DNA in any shape or form. When our body detects them after being vaccinated, it produces antibodies that can be stored and deployed to effectively combat the SarsCov2 virus in the event we get exposed to it. It does not directly interact with our DNA in any way. Myth: You can get COVID-19 from the vaccines The COVID-19 vaccines cannot give an individual COVID-19. Regardless of the type of vaccine, none contains the live SarsCov2 virus. Any side effects, such as headache or chills, are due to the immune response and not an infection. Myth: The vaccine contains a microchip According to some, the vaccines were designed with a microchip inside and will allow shadowy elites to track our every move. In reality, our mobile phones already complete that task effortlessly. There is no evidence that any of the COVID-19 vaccines contain a microchip, especially since each vaccine would have undergone rigorous testing and analysis by many different international regulatory bodies. Myth: COVID-19 vaccines can make you infertile There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines

impact fertility. Similarly, there is no evidence that they will endanger future pregnancies. This rumour began because of a link between the spike protein that is coded by the mRNA-based vaccines and a protein called syncytin-1. Syncytin-1 is vital for the placenta to remain attached to the uterus during pregnancy. However, although the spike protein does share a few amino acids in common with syncytin-1, they are not even nearly similar enough to confuse the immune system and cause abortions. Myth: You should not take the vaccine if you’re breastfeeding You and your breastfeeding baby needs protection against COVID-19 like everyone else. You cannot get COVID-19, or give your baby COVID-19, by being vaccinated. The components of the vaccine are not known to harm breastfed infants. When you receive the vaccine, the small vaccine particles are used up by your muscle cells at the injection site and thus are unlikely to get into breast milk. W h e n a p e rson gets vaccinated while breastfeeding, their immune system develops antibodies that protect against COVID19. These antibodies can be passed through breast milk to the baby. Newborns of vaccinated mothers who breastfeed can benefit from these antibodies against COVID-19. Myth: I don’t need a vaccine since COVID-19 survival rate is high While the COVID-19 survival rate is high, the death rate is higher in the older

Dr. Zulfikar Bux population and those with other chronic illnesses. These people depend on others who are not as high risk to be vaccinated, so that the illness cannot spread to them. We all have loved ones who are in the high-risk group and we need to look out for them and get vaccinated. Also, while the death rate is not high, the long-term effects of COVID-19 are devastating for many that would have been infected. It ranges from damage to the lungs, kidneys and liver to numerous issues associated with damage to the nervous system. Those with nervous system damage tend to be fearful, depressed, unrelenting pains and get nightmares for no obvious reason. COVID-19 can only go away if we all get vaccinated. Otherwise, we are stuck in this pandemic and many more lives will be lost and negatively affected. Spread the word on the real facts of COVID-19 vaccine and help debunk the myths; you will be saving lives by doing this. (This article was first published on February 21, 2021)

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Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) You have probably heard of persons complaining that they have constant heartburn, or perhaps, even you are a victim of this distasteful disorder. But what exactly is it and what causes it to happen? Constant and recurring heartburn is actually a disorder known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, or GERD for short. GERD is a disease of the digestive system with the main pathology occurring at the lower esophageal sphincter or the LES. The LES is a circular muscle between the stomach and the tube leading to the stomach (the esophagus) that seals the stomach and prevents its contents from backing up.

Many persons, especially pregnant women and persons suffering from obesity, experience acid indigestion caused by GERD. GERD is one of those diseases which can be fixed through lifestyle changes including diet and exercise. However, due to long term effects, some persons may require medical or surgical intervention. In order to understand the disease we must understand its name. Gastroesophagealis, the term used to refer to the stomach and esophagus while reflux, means to flow back or return. As such, gastroesophageal reflux is the return of the stomach’s

The symptoms, causes and how you can prevent it contents back up into the esophagus. Reflux occurs when the LES is weak or it opens up inappropriately thus allowing the contents of the stomach to flow into the esophagus. What causes GERD? For some, the causes of GERD are multi-factorial. However certain diets and lifestyle choices are the main contributors to this disease. Foods like chocolate, peppermint, fried or fatty foods and drinks like coffee and alcohol, can trigger reflux and heartburn. Cigarette smoke causes relaxation of the LES, along with the obesity factor and pregnancy.

These therefore have significant roles to play in the symptoms of GERD. Symptoms that you must beware of The most major complaint of anyone suffering from GERD is heartburn. It is also called acid indigestion and is characterized by a burning chest pain on the left side of the upper chest, radiating to the neck and throat. To put it into context, it usually feels like food coming back into the mouth and leaving a sour or bitter taste. These symptoms can last up to two hours and are exacerbated especially after eating. Two other phenomena

that could cause heartburn occur upon lying down or bending over. As such, it is not unusual for a lot of persons to obtain relief by standing up or through the use of an over the counter antacid to neutralize the acid in the esophagus. A common issue is that sometimes the associated pain is mistaken for that of heart disease or cardiac arrest. The differences however are easily distinguished. For heart disease, the pain is aggravated with exercise and can ease when resting. It is can also radiate to the left arm, axilla, shoulder, neck and jaw. Heartburn pain is not affected by physical activity and radiates only toward the neck and throat. TREATMENT The number one recommendation for the treatment of GERD is modification of lifestyle and diet. The mainstay of treatment is in actuality attempting to decrease the amount of reflux or reducing the damage caused to the esophagus by the acidic materials of the stomach. Foods and drinks that cause the LES to weaken should be avoided. These, as was mentioned, can include chocolate, peppermint, fatty foods, coffee and alcohol. Legumes and some large amounts of foods rich in carbs should be looked out for as well since persons have reported them as causation factors. Foods and drinks that cause irritation of the esophageal lining, such as acidic fruits and juices and pepper should also be avoided if they cause symptoms. Managing portion sizes at mealtime so that you do not overeat could also be essential in symptom control. Also, eating meals at least 2 to 3 hours before going to bed can help to decrease reflux. This allows the acid in the stomach to decrease and the stomach to partially empty, thereby ensuring that there is minimum content in the stomach to back up. Being overweight tends to worsens symptoms so weight loss is key to gaining symptomatic relief in the long run. As smoking weakens the LES, quitting can help to decrease GERD symptoms. Keeping your head elevated when sleeping at night could also help since it allows the minimizing of reflux through gravity. Along with these lifestyle modifications, over the counter or prescription antacids may

also be recommended Antacids help to neutralize acid in the esophagus and stomach, thereby stopping heartburn. These have been known to help some persons partially or temporarily. Combined with foaming agents, antacids can form a foam barrier on top of the stomach that prevents acid reflux from occurring. Antacids are not without their side effects though. Using them for prolonged periods can cause diarrhea, altered calcium metabolism, and magnesium build-up which are detrimental to persons with kidney disease. Chronic sufferers of reflux are usually recommended medications that reduce acid in the stomach itself. These could include H2 blockers that stop the secretion of acid in the stomach partially. In this group of drugs are cimetidine, famotidine, nizatidine and the popular, ranitidine. Another kind of medication that can be prescribed is the proton pump inhibitor. These prevent the action of an enzyme that is necessary for the secretion of acid. Popular proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole and dexlansoprazole, using the trade names Prilosec, Prevacid, Protonix, Aciphex and Dexilant respectively. Some persons with severe, chronic esophageal reflux or with symptoms that are not relieved by the treatments described may require more a complete diagnostic evaluation. Some of the tests that might be necessary are an upper GI series X-ray, endoscopy, esophageal manometric and impedance studies and pH testing of the stomach contents. In the end, only a small number of persons require surgery for GERD. This is due to severe reflux and very poor response to all forms of medical treatment. Fundoplication is a technique that allows for the increase of pressure in the lower esophagus while endoscopic procedures that assist in making the LES function better are all options in surgical treatment. Some complications that can occur because of long term GERD include inflammation of the esophagus, called esophagitis, leading to esophageal ulcers and bleeding. Narrowing of the esophagus can also occur due to excessive scarring, as well as an increased risk for esophageal cancer. If you or anyone you know is suffering from this disease, seek help from your doctor as soon as you can.

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C.B Strike: Lethal returns with New Season this and ever Monday Tomorrow and every other Monday to follow, the Enetworks team will be airing

a new season of Strike at 9pm AST and 8pm EST via HBO. Strike is a British crime

drama television programme based on the Cormoran Strike detective novels

written by J. K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

The programme was first broadcast on BBC One on 27 August 2017, after receiving an advance premiere at the British Film Institute on 10 August 2017. The programme follows Cormoran Strike (Tom Burke), a war veteran turned private detective operating out of a tiny office in London’s Denmark Street, who uses his unique insight and his background as a Special Investigation Branch investig a t o r t o solve complex cases that have eluded the police along with his assistant,

subsequently business partner, Robin Ellacott (Holliday Grainger). Four adaptations have been broadcast to date, adapting the first four Strike novels: The Cuckoo’s Calling (2013), The Silkworm (2014), Career of Evil (2015) and Lethal White (2018). The programme premiered on 1 June 2018 in the United States on Cinemax and in Canada on HBO Canada under the title C. B. Strike. C.B. Strike: Lethal White premiered January 20, 2021 on HBO Max.

Wine of the week: The Carlo Rossi Rose The Carlo Rossi Rose which is distributed by Ansa McAL and readily available at most supermarkets for under $2500, is a refreshing wine with flavours of fresh strawberries and sweet cherries. It can be enjoyed with a

variety of dishes, ranging from meat and fish dishes and fruit desserts. The wine has a pleasant mild flavour and exquisite colour. Carlo Rossi Red and White wines are made from the most delicious grapes from the Central Valley of California. The characteristics of those grapes evolve from year to year but Carlo Rossi wine has always been served in a sturdy glass jug. With Carlo Rossi wines, one can always count on quality and value.

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Patterson demands answers on status of US$14B CJIA bonds - Edghill says all bonds are enforced Member of Parliament and former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson on Friday called on the Government to make known the status of the bonds put in place by the Government and the China Harbour Engineering Corporation (CHEC) for the renovation of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Following issues with the quality of the work done by CHEC, the contractor, Patterson had indicated that the government could have simply tapped into the bonds totaling some US$14 billion. After Patterson repeated this during his budget speech on Friday, Senior Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill told Kaieteur News last night that the bonds are currently enforced, and that Patterson is talking “absolute nonsense”. “Mr. Speaker, included in budget 2021, is the sum of G$2.5B that has been earmarked for the CJIA expansion,” Patterson said of the funds government put aside to complete the project. “However, the nation was told in December 2020, that the contractor CHEC was going to undertake G$1.8B additional works which included the extension of the terminal building as well as 2 new passenger boarding bridges – so the question is why are taxpayers footing another bill of G$2.5B? After the additional works

of the contractor, what will the $2.5B be spent on? Answers are needed as to who will be executing these works and what procurement process will be utilized?” These funds add to more US$150M already expended on this project, which is now in its tenth year. Government had initially committed US$12M to add to the loan of US$138M. “Mr. Speaker,” Patterson told the House on Friday, “what should be of most immediate concern to the citizens is the status of the contractor’s performance and retention bonds.” Patterson said the bonds are important because since the end of the loan period, China Export Import Bank (EXIM) paid out the last of its US$138M loan to Guyana for the renovation of the port. Patterson claimed the bonds expired on December 31, 2020. “In other words,” he said, “CHEC can walk off the site today, and the Ministry and the country will lose US$14M with no other recourse than to seek redress in the courts – a wholly unsatisfactory and unacceptable position.” Speaking to Kaieteur News last night, Edghill said that there are two bonds needed for active contracts – the performance and advance payment bonds. He also mentioned the retention bond, which insures the contractor would make

Speeding car leaves pedal cyclist with severe head injuries

Injured pedal cyclist, Leslie Lowe lying on the Buxton Public Road on Friday. A pedal cyclist is nursing severe head injuries after he was struck down on Friday by a car that was allegedly

speeding along the Buxton Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD). (Continued on page 58)

corrections to defective infrastructure, during a defects liability period. “You have to have a performance bond, which guarantees the performance of the project, which was at all times enforced since I came into office,” Edghill said. “And I have said to the Chinese, if they don’t perform, we will pull the performance bond, and then, secondly, there is what is called an advance payment bond, which is money that you

would have received upfront and as you work, it is deducted. And then there is also a retention bond. Because when you finish doing the job, there is a period of defects liability where monies have to be retained if anything goes wrong. All the bonds are enforced and they are being released based upon the performance, and things of that nature.”

Former Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson

Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill

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Sunday February 28, 2021

Government blocked oil companies from consulting with Opposition - Patterson claims

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister.

When the A Partnership For National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition held office, it allowed the then Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) to engage in regular briefs with ExxonMobil and other oil companies operating on Guyana’s shores. However, that same courtesy is not being extended to the Coalition now in Opposition, according to the Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson. Patterson told the National Assembly on Friday during the 2021 Budget Debates at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC)

that Government had instructed that they be shut out. The former Public Infrastructure Minister said in his presentation that, “The Opposition has yet to be briefed by any of the operators because the Government has requested that no information be shared with us.” Patterson told the House that the Coalition administration via the Former Minister of Natural Resources made it a requirement that Exxon fully brief the then PPP/C Opposition on every new

discovery and development. Those briefings, he noted, were conducted bilaterally between ExxonMobil and the Opposition, with no involvement from the government. That implementation was made as the Coalition was of the view that all political parties should be fully briefed on the emerging oil industry. And the fact that the Opposition no longer has access to this, Patterson outlined does not bode well for inclusivity. “This is in stark contrast to our handling of this sector

and does not reflect the claims of inclusiveness that the Government has been making speeches about,” he continued. The former Minister outlined as well that it is this type of unified front in the management of Guyana’s resources that allows oil companies to exploit the country’s differences, as have happened for years. He in turn offered the Coalition’s support to government in presenting a unified position to jointly address the inadequacies in present oil contracts and any other pertinent documents.

Speaker finds voice, sends memo to MPs listing expressions unfit for Parliament

Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir. Following reports of vulgar heckling in the National Assembly and newspapers’ letter pages filled with condemnation of the behaviour of Parliamentarians, Kaieteur News observed a significant uptick in reprimands by Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir, during the budget debates last week. One instance of this was during the budget presentation of the Opposition Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson, on Friday evening. Ferguson attributed a statement to Minister of Housing and Water, Colin Croal, who almost immediately rose up and demanded that her claim be rescinded as he did not say it. While handling this matter, the Speaker quelled the noise, saying “Honourable Members, I am speaking, and I see the Honourable Member, Vinceroy Jordan, is shouting at the presenter. That is total disrespect!” On the same day, a memorandum was circulated to MPs and other persons in the dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, which outlined a series of

unparliamentary expressions which should not be used. Words such as “monkeys,” “senile,” “idiot,” “jackass,” “stool-pigeons” and “swine” were included in the list. It stated “If the Speaker is of the opinion that words used in a debate are defamatory or indecent or unparliamentary or undignified, he may, in his discretion, order that such words be expunged from the proceedings of the House. When a member, on being asked to withdraw objectionable remarks held to be not relevant to the debate, refuses to do so, the Chair may order expunction thereof.” Kaieteur News had reported on Tuesday that the last Monday’s opening of the budget debates were vulgar and distasteful, with one MP even waving a vibrator, a sexy toy, in the House. Others made sexist and homophobic remarks. On the following day, the Speaker had cautioned the media against reporting on heckling, opining that they opened themselves to being sued. On Thursday, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, reprimanded MPs for their poor conduct.

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Stop reflecting on failed attempts to rig 2020 elections and hold Govt. accountable - Shuman to Opposition By Kemol King Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lenox Shuman on Friday rebuked the rest of the parliamentary Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC), for the way it has treated with its 2020 election loss and the new administration. He urged the Opposition Coalition to do its job of holding the government accountable to its campaign promises. “Maybe they could turn and focus their attention on the important things of holding the government accountable,” Shuman said, “and stop reflecting on their failed attempts to rig the elections…” “They are the government and we are the opposition and as the opposition, if we do not want our slip to show, we cannot slip,” the MP said to his colleagues. Shuman is the sole representative of a tripartite joinder in the National Assembly. He represents the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP), A New and United Guyana (ANUG), and The New Movement. The three parties had decided, just before the 2020 elections, to merge their votes and give them a better chance to secure seats. The move was

unprecedented in Guyana’s history. Though the joinder gained a single seat, it took five months after the March 2 Election Day for the correct results to be declared on August 2, 2020. Most of that time was spent by stakeholders, correcting an attempt by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM)’s Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo to present declarations for that district, which were based on fraudulent counts. The resolution had hinged on the execution of a national recount of votes at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. “It was in this very building,” Shuman told the National Assembly on Friday night, “that we – me and my colleagues attended not for one month – we guarded ballot boxes and then struggled through a tiring and exhaustive recount and legal proceedings that I should have a law degree now, to ensure that Guyana never goes back to the Burnham era rigging. Those are facts, Mr. Speaker. Facts!” “My honourable friends may have had the so called good life through those times and that is good for them,” Shuman said of APNU+AFC. “But we suffered and that experience and memory

Meteorologist Tanya ... From page 18 Niamatali that studied in Russia and the first in my family (on both mom and dad’s side) to be a meteorologist,” she added. SUCCESS In 2019, Tanya graduated with a degree from the Russian State Hydrometeorological University and for her “it was a bittersweet moment whereby I had to understand I’ll be leaving some friends that I now consider family and go into that working world.” Since her return to Guyana, she has been working in the fields and utilizing her skills to the best of her abilities. While many may consider the job she does as not that important, she has endeavoured to make a difference in her line of work and as a female in an ever-evolving world. A meteorologist, she explained, usually forecasts the weather, gives analyses of what would have occurred and would usually do research to produce various products associated with weather. “My typical working day includes communicating with the specialist meteorologist, research, making spot checks on certain meteorological stations, among other tasks.

However, one of my main tasks at the moment is to ensure that all farmers and stakeholders are aware of possible weather conditions within the region.” “And given the importance of my job and the fact that I am obligated to serve the nation,” Tanya said, “I do not think I would ever leave Guyana permanently, but I will continue to travel whenever I can.” Though her job may entail a lot on a daily basis, the 26-year-old said that finding time between family and work is “super easy since I still live with my parents and I cherish every moment that I’m around them, as well as my mama’s great cooking.” She believes that while she has garnered immense success thus far, she is confident that she has not reached her peak, as yet. She credits her already achieved success to her entire family circle, and revealed that she wants to serve as a beaming light of positivity to their lives. Her advice to others aiming for success is, “to work towards success in whatever way you think suits you but remember to stay humble and let patience be your best friend.”

cannot be downplayed nor taken away and I will fight to ensure that we never return to those days.” “We, the LJP, got 2,957 votes Mr. Speaker. If you were to ask me, the majority of which is 1479 and we did not have to try to rig an election to get those. The people simply identified that the PNC failed and voted for us. And many others voted for our Colleagues in the [other political parties].” Since the elections saga, the representatives of APNU+AFC have maintained unproven claims that the party

won the elections. Since budget debates began, several APNU+AFC speakers have included those claims in their speeches. “And of course the million dollar questions are: Did you see the SOPs and where are your SOPs?” Shuman asked, referring to the Statements of Poll the Coalition claimed prove it won the elections, but has refused to release to the general public. “I also wish to acknowledge,” Shuman added, “the bold step by the Opposition Chief Whip, the (Continued on page 58)

Deputy Speaker and Opposition Member of Parliament, Lenox Shuman

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...Man beats cops, turns self in From page 12 They told Hinds of their observation, but he began behaving disorderly, claiming that his bike was not a stolen bike. The ranks claimed that

they warned him to desist from such actions but he continued. The ranks further claimed that they then cautioned Hinds that they will take him along with his motorcycle to the Leonora Police Station. Instead of complying, the ranks reported, Hinds resorted to cursing even louder attracting a large crowd. One rank according to police proceeded to caution

Hinds and arrest him. However, while in the process of doing so, Hinds resisted and began beating both of the ranks before escaping. The ranks took possession of the motorbike and reported the matter, before they were taken to the Leonora Cottage Hospital for treatment. Doctors there attended them and sent them away. When the ranks returned to police station, they saw

Hinds in the Enquiries department and pointed him out as their assaulter. He was arrested right away and taken into custody but complained that the ranks beat him up too. Hinds was taken to the hospital as well where doctors treated him and sent him back to the Station. He has since been processed and released on $25,000 station bail as investigations continue.

Sunday February 28, 2021

...Nurse Clarissa Hall From page 34 my grandmother was treated while being in the hospital and me going there every day to assist and care for her, helped me to love nursing,” she confessed. FOUNDATION On July 15, 1994, Clarissa Angelica Nurse, was ushered into the world by her loving parents – her father, Nicholas Hall, a photographer, and her mother, Debra Success-Hall, the National VCT Coordinator of the Ministry of Health’s National AIDS Programme. Clarissa turned out to be the last of four children her parents’ union produced. The resident of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, recalled attending the East Street Nursery and then the North Georgetown Primary before securing a place at the North Georgetown Secondary School. Back then she was enthused by dancing and the subject area (Food and Nutrition practical) that helps to tantalize the taste buds. But as she grew older, it became clear that the idea of being in the field of nursing had taken her captive. She moreover decided to enroll at the Georgetown School of Nursing to complete the requisite training and today, five years on, she has an immeasurable appreciation for the role of a nurse. “Nurses are the most trusted healthcare professionals. They are with patients throughout the continuum of life. Nurses are teachers, advocates, caregivers, critical thinkers and innovators,” boasted Nurse Hall who functions out of the country’s premiere public health institution, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. “They do so much more than care for individuals; their presence 24/7 has transformed lives. Nursing is an honourable profession, and nurses are the heart and soul of the healthcare system,” she proudly added. COVID-19 But nursing the way she was accustomed to five years ago has evolved with the advent of COVID-19. Considering the role she now plays in the quest to combat the disease, Nurse Hall said, “I have critical roles and responsibilities during the pandemic” and “I will continue to be at the frontline of patient care in the hospital and actively involved with evaluation and monitoring in the community.” Nurse Hall is also tasked with helping to ensure that all patients acquire person-

alized, high-quality services, irrespective of their infectious condition. Always prepared for any eventualities, she also helps to “maintain an effective supply and usage of sanitation materials and personal protective equipment, and offers screening information, confinement guidelines, and triage protocols based on the latest guidance.” In fact, she now has a first-hand appreciation that “a global pandemic needs strong nursing staff engagement in clinical management, awareness and knowledge exchange, and public safety.” She has learnt too, since her exposure to COVID-19, that, “We need to be better prepared for the future. We have learned how to work through the social isolation that our patients and families are experiencing, by finding novel ways to communicate via the use of iPads, Face Time, etc. The use of telemedicine has greatly improved our ability to continue a provider relationship with our patients.” Although there have been many gains, in terms of the recoveries, Nurse Hall said that the fight against COVID-19 has not been a tranquil experience for nurses. As she spoke of one of her colleagues who was inflicted with the disease, she admitted that she does worry about being infected too. “Most issues that face nurses when dealing with patients with COVID-19,” she said, “can be summarized into two main types. The first involves staff shortages, depression related to anxiety and fear of infection, a lack of communication with patients, and exhaustion due to working long hours without proper nourishment. The second type involves a lack of medical supplies and resources, such as personal protective equipment (PPE).” To help safeguard herself and others, she daily adheres to the recommended measures such as sanitizing, wearing a face mask and social distancing, and she is never without her PPEs while at work. In fact, “praying and keeping safe,” goes hand in hand for her these days. But the soon to be wife of Ezekiel Eucy Whatley, despite being immersed in her profession, has not forgotten the importance of family and therefore continues to make time for them, even virtually, as much as she can. She has also learnt to make herself comfortable at home and added, “I’m learning to enjoy my own company,” a tactic she has embraced with the safety of her loved ones in mind.

Sunday February 28, 2021

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Sunday February 28, 2021

Lusignan Prison escapee recaptured A robbery convict, who escaped from the Lusignan Holding bay in September last year, was recaptured during a cordon and search operation by police yesterday. The prison escapee, James Moore, 23, was nabbed around 06:15 hrs., in A- Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown. Moore had escaped from prison on September 29, 2020, while serving a three-year sentence for armed robbery. That day, he was booked out of one of the holding bays to perform kitchen duties. When prison officers decided to check on him later that afternoon he had disappeared and had been on the run since then. According to a Guyana Prison Service release, Moore will be charged criminally for escaping from lawful custody.

Recaptured prison escapee, James Moore.

Sunday February 28, 2021

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City Council loses bid to impose 400% retroactive tax interest on Houston Estates The High Court has quashed a decision by the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) to impose interest retroactively at 21 percent on Houston Estates. The ruling was delivered by Justice Nareshwar Harananan, at the High Court on Friday. According to the decision, the Court has ordered and declared that the move by the Council to impose interest retroactively in the general rate demand notices of 2019 and 2020 is an unreasonable exercise of its discretion. The court said too that the move was unlawful and ultra vires. The case has its genesis in the demand for the general rates, arrears of rates and accrued interests, issued by the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown to Houston Estates, whose Chairman is Michael Vieira. The demand for taxes was issued in November 2019 and February 2020, in respect to lands located at Plantation Houston and Rome, both on the East Bank of Demerara, but following under the jurisdiction of the M&CC. The demand for taxes contained a significant increase in the percentage of rates from 40% to 440% of the assessed value. Prior to the year 2005, the Council assessed and levied

against Houston Estates in respect of those lands at the rate of 40%. As such, Houston Estates took the Council to Court contending that in June 2005, the M&CC purporting to increase the percentage rates by 10 times the previous rates to 400% is unreasonable, since their lands were classified ‘land only.’ They objected and entered discussions with the Council contending that they (the Council) did not contemplate that the lands were within a ‘Green Belt’ used for agricultural purposes. Vieira had previously disputed that the company owes $400M in land taxes to the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown. In response to claims by the Council, Vieira told Kaieteur News that Houston Estates has been punctual in paying all rates due to City Hall in full, every year. He noted “Sometime in 2005, the Council decided to increase the taxes on vacant lands in the city from 40 % to 400% of the assessed value. We had pointed out that the land owned by the estate is agricultural lands and not vacant lots. We had an agreement to pay them only 40% in exchange for no services provided.” Vieira explained that the deal for reduction of taxes to

New York Stock Exchange to suspend trading of Exxon’s Chinese Stabroek Block partner, CNOOC, next month

By Demetri Sevastopulo Financial Times - The New York Stock Exchange is to start delisting proceedings against China National Offshore Oil Corporation to comply with an executive order from Donald Trump that bans Americans from investing in companies with ties to the Chinese military. The NYSE on Friday said it would suspend trading in CNOOC’s American depository shares on March 9, after determining that the company was “no longer suitable for listing” following

the order that the former US president signed in November. The order banned investing in several dozen Chinese groups that were placed on a Pentagon blacklist of companies last year that are accused of working with the People’s Liberation Army and threatening US security. Trump set a January 28 deadline for the ban to take effect, but President Joe Biden pushed the deadline back to May 27. The NYSE (Continued on page 58)

40% was struck with the Council in exchange for services provided to Houston and surrounding areas. He said that no services were provided by the Council to the lands of the estate. The businessman said that in fact, it’s been more than 100 years that Houston Estates has been providing drainage service to the villages of Meadow Bank, Houston, McDoom and Agricola, free of cost. Despite this, Vieira noted that the Council has become insistent on levying the company of 400% on the lands. In the ruling on Friday, the High Court ordered and

declared that Houston Estates is not indebted to the Council for payment of rates in respect of the properties as set out in their claim. The Court also struck out the 440% retroactive and 21% interest compounded day to day on the assessed arrears of rates on grounds that it is unreasonable, unlawful and ultra vires the power of the Council under the Municipal and District Councils Act, Cap, 28:01 Among other orders, the High Court said that award of costs to Houston Estates in addition to interest at the rate of 4% per annum from the date of the judgment until it is fully paid.

Mayor Ubraj Narine.

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...New York Stock Exchange to suspend trading From page 57 move comes as Biden evaluates a number of assertive actions that Trump took against China during his last year in office. The commerce department last year put CNOOC on a separate blacklist — called the “entity list” — that makes it hard for US companies to sell products and technology to the Chinese oil group. The Biden

administration has not made clear whether it intends to keep Trump’s executive order in place. But the new president and his officials have so far a d o p t e d a t o u g h stance towards China over everything from its economic “coercion” to concerns about its clampdown on the prodemocracy movement in Hong Kong to the repression of more than 1m Uighur Muslims in the

northwestern Chinese province of Xinjiang. Earlier this month, Biden used his first conversation with Chinese president Xi Jinping since assuming office to raise concerns about Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and aggressive Chinese actions towards Taiwan. Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, also described the detention of Uighurs in labour camps as “genocide”. Jen Psaki, White House press secretary, has said the administration was conducting a number of “complex reviews” of the China actions that Trump took. The former president put dozens of other Chinese companies on the Pentagon and commerce department blacklists, including Huawei, the Chinese telecoms equipment group.

Sunday February 28, 2021

...Stop reflecting on failed attempts to rig 2020 elections and hold From page 53 Honourable Christopher Jones, that the major opposition represents 49% of the electorate. An acknowledgement while long overdue shows that there is scope for political maturity.” Jones had been one of the main spokespersons for APNU+AFC during the execution of the national recount, and had played a key role in proliferating misinformation about the integrity of the 2020 electoral process. APNU+AFC had attempted to convince the public that the elections were fraudulent, as it became apparent that it had lost to the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). Since its removal from office, representatives of APNU+AFC have ramped up a campaign which seeks to

convince the general public that the Irfaan Ali administration discriminates against Afro-Guyanese, a demographic which has overwhelmingly supported the Coalition, as well as its main constituent, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR). “In layman’s terms,” Shuman said, “to repair the damage, to stabilize the financial ground and to fortify for a better more progressive Guyana and the answer is not to pander to race. If you lack substance, lack relevance and lack the moral and ethical fortitude to

say you lost the elections, don’t do yourself and our future generations the disservice by [resorting] to race baiting.” Shuman reminded that voters chose the PPP/C on March 2, 2020. “We on this side of the house now have an obligation to hold the government accountable,” he said. “To my colleagues on this side of the house, I implore you - we have to up our game… We must conduct ourselves with integrity if we are to ensure that the people are the primary beneficiaries of any budget.”

...Speeding car leaves From page 51 Hospitalised is Leslie Lowe, 26, a security guard of 42 Ogle Street, Buxton. Also receiving minor cuts and bruises are the driver of the car, Raionalto Branche, 28, of Stanleytown, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six, and its passengers, Annika, 34, Ted, 28, and Levi Lucas 37, of Block X, Liliendaal, Sophia, Greater Georgetown. The accident took place some around 14:45hrs. According to police reports, Lowe, the pedal cyclist had just exited the Buxton Access Road and was about to cross over the Public Road when he ended up in the path of the car heading in the western direction at a fast rate. Lowe was struck down and the driver of the car,

Branche lost control and crashed into another car parked at the side of the road. Branche did not stop there but crashed yet again into the rear end of minibus, which was at the time travelling in front him in the western direction as well. The pedal cyclist was picked-up in a conscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted. Doctors told the police that he suffered severe head injuries and a fractured hip. He is said to be in a stable condition. Branche’s passengers were also taken to the hospital. They were however, treated and sent away while Branche was taken into custody to assist with investigations.

...Training Business persons From page 14 desirous of becoming Auditors. Internal audits determine the status of Quality Management System and participants will acquire tools to execute an effective audit process, write intelligible and accurate Nonconformity Statements, and assess the significance of audit findings. Auditors will also be trained to prepare audit reports. Other training programmes scheduled to be hosted by the GNBS include the Introduction to Metrology Course for Laboratory Personnel, Quality Managers and Supervisors. This course will teach persons the importance of measurements in daily life and the role of calibration in providing accurate measurements. Meanwhile, the GNBS also offers a number of courses on Food Safety Standards including the importance of Prerequisite Programmes (PRPs) and the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) programme for Food Operators, Supervisors and Quality Assurance Personnel.

While these courses are dated, the GNBS offers organisation based training. This is where an entire organisation or groups within it can be trained on any of the highlighted courses. To access this form of arrangement, contact can be made with the Business Support Services Department. Technical Officers will provide an application form, which will be used to formulate the organisation based training. As a result of the COVID19 pandemic, these courses are all done virtually. All that is needed to sign up for the courses are an email address and access to a computer. At the end of each session, participants will be tested and presented with a certificate, which can be used as evidence of competency and for future development programmes. For additional information or to register, interested personnel and organisations can contact GNBS’ Business Support Services Department on 2190064-66, via WhatsApp on 692-4627 or email at bss@gnbsgy.org

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BLUNTNESS Thirty-seven new cases of COVID-19 ON INDECENCY! recorded as numbers jump to 8,550 In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our page seven to be blunt about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation. lators, the Speaker of the House yesterday reminded reporters that he gave permission for them to be inside the room during the proceedings. He then cautioned media operatives about how they should report on proceedings in the National Assembly, when it comes to the utterances of “Honourable” Members of Parliament. Yet, we are still to hear those same “Honourable Members” be reprimanded for vulgarly disgracing the MONDAY Where is the study on the highest legislative office of financial viability of the gas- the land. This is Guyana! Beautiful to-shore project, Vice PresiGuyana! dent Jagdeo? You have no business FRIDAY selling dreams about estimatWhere is the study on the ing a repayment of the project’s development cost in financial viability of the gasto-shore project, Vice Presifour years. You must prove to the dent Jagdeo? You have no business people of Guyana that this selling dreams about estimatproject will work for them! ing a repayment of the project’s development cost in TUESDAY This Government still four years. You must prove to the thinks it can get away with keeping the Omai, Aurora, people of Guyana that this Troy and other extractive in- project will work for them! dustries contracts secret. SATURDAY This newspaper will not We affirm the words of stand for it. Secrecy must not Deputy Speaker and Member be the order of the day. Honour the commitments of Parliament, Lenox Shuman Guyana has made to make the who said during the budget oil and extractive industries debates last night, that the members of A Partnership for transparent, NOW! National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) should WEDNESDAY If Members of Parliament “turn and focus their attencannot conduct themselves tion on the important things in a dignified manner in the of holding the government achighest legislative office of countable and stop reflecting the land, how on earth could on their failed attempts to rig we reasonably expect them to the elections…” make proper legislative No amount of lies, misinamendments which reflect the formation, denial, race-baitdignity of the Guyanese ing, or attempts to rewrite hispeople? tory will make us forget what Think about it. the David Granger administration did to this country for five THURSDAY long months, during the 2020 After Kaieteur News ex- general and regional elecposed the unacceptable tions. behaviour of Guyana’s legisWe will never forget! SUNDAY Guyana will not allow ExxonMobil to give it the royal run-around when it comes to all the environmental destruction it is responsible for. The people deserve answers now. What is the root reason for the flaring? If ExxonMobil cannot get one project under control, how on earth will it manage five?

Thirty-seven new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded by the Ministry of Health (MOH), bringing Guyana’s confirmed cases of the disease to 8,550. According to the updated MOH’s dashboard of the new cases, six were recorded in Region Three, 29 in Region Four and two in Region Nine. Further, the Ministry stated that there are four persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU); 2 2 a r e i n i n s t i t u t i o n al isolation while 358 persons are isolated at home and 18 persons are institutionally quarantined. Meanwhile, to date, 195 persons have died from the infectious disease and 7,971 persons have recovered.

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Sunday February 28, 2021

Sunday February 28, 2021

Virtual Inter - Schools golf challenge set for March 5 The Unit of Allied Arts (UAA) in collaboration with the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) and NexGen Golf Academy will be hosting a Golf Skills competition for schools participating in the approved Golf Pilot Project. The competition will take the form of an activity for students to score points by hitting golf balls towards a target. The Competition will be held in two stages; Preliminary Selection of School Team and Execution of Virtual Inter-School Skills Challenge. The Preliminary Selection of School Team will take the form of a school competition at each Pilot School. The Virtual Inter-Schools Skills

Challenge will be held between 09:00h-11:00h on March 5 and will utilize the same structure and rules of play as the preliminary competition. The target circle will be placed 50 yards away from players and students will score points according to where the ball lands on the target: The center scores 50 points, the inner ring scores 25 points, the outer ring scores 10 points and balls outside the circle scores five points. For the preliminary selection of the school team, the entire class will participate by hitting five balls each towards the target. The top five girls and top five boys will be selected to represent

Students getting ready to practice their skills in preparation for the first ever school Golf championship. the school at the virtual interschool skills challenge. The virtual inter-school skills challenge will take place at each school’s respective playfield. In the event of a tie, a playoff will be held immediately so teams are

Sunday February 28, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You might feel more energetic than you have in a long time, Aries. The day's planetary aspects offer a powerful energy that will increase your mental acuity and physical strength.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today may be an excellent time to take a second shot at something that didn't work out the first time, Libra. Falling flat on your face can damage your confidence and self-esteem.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) If there's something you want to take on, Taurus, today's the day. The celestial aspects will see an increase in physical and mental strength that can work wonders for you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your ability to find innovative approaches to tasks may serve you well today, Scorpio. Today is full of added energy and mental acuity.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you've been feeling sluggish lately, Gemini, today will see a surge in energy that will greatly increase your creativity and physical strength. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Cancer, if there's something interesting that you want to try, go for it. Adventure brings excitement, creative flow, and energy, and these are essential to you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Today's energy will help you take steps toward getting things in order, Leo. Tackle the drawers, closets, storage rooms, and cabinets. Organization is a good activity for today. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The energy of the day makes you ready for almost anything, Virgo. Given your sometimes radical approach to whatever you do, you may need to rein yourself in. You also have a humanitarian approach to life.

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SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your ability to find innovative approaches to tasks may serve you well today, Scorpio. Today is full of added energy and mental acuity. You will find that most things come easily. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Don't worry about being productive today, Capricorn. Thanks to the high energy provided by the planetary aspects, it might be one of the most efficient days you've had for a long time. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Expect an added boost to your physical energy today, Aquarius. It's an excellent day to clean out closets and storage rooms. Some exercise like biking or walking will be most enjoyable. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If certain projects or tasks have seemed difficult to finish, take advantage of the energy provided by today's planetary aspects. This energy will give you all the zip you need, Pisces.

asked to remain in place until the Unit of Allied Arts declares the final winner. The schools with the same score will take part in a playoff involving one male and one female player who will represent the school for the playoff. In the event there is a continued tie, another male and female player will rotate to represent their respective schools until a final result is achieved. Prizes will be given to the top score boys (finals), Top score girls (finals), top school overall, second place school, third place school, fourth place school and fifth place school. The competition is being sponsored by NexGen Global, Assuria General Insurance, Copa Airlines, Guyana Golf Association, Trophy Stall and AR Printery.

...Fruta Conquerors From page 63 advance to a play-off against the fourth-placed team from the 2021 Flow Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship to compete for a spot in the Scotiabank Concacaf League. “We are determined to deliver a significant improvement on our performances from the last time. The players and staff are fully focused on showcasing the true nature of their talent and showing the Caribbean region that Guyanese club football can be a real force to be reckon with now and in the future,” Gittens said. Due to the impact of the pandemic, Fruta Conquerors will represent Guyana in the competition as champions of the 2019 Elite League season, when they finished the season unbeaten with a perfect record of nine wins. The Tucville-based team competed in the 2019 edition of the Caribbean tournament, finishing the group stage with one draw and two losses. “We are working hard to build our brand for the future so that the club and its partners can fully capitalise on the future professionalisation of football in Guyana,” he said.

Jacobs Jewellrey & Pawn Shop congratulates Sinclair’s selection Jacobs Jewellrey & Pawn Shop located 16 Pike Street and owned by former West Indies U-19 and Guyana player Steven Jacobs, yesterday congratulated their 21-year-old brand Ambassador Kevin Sinclair for being selected in the West Indies T20 and ODI teams to face the touring Sri Lankans in Antigua next month. The 32-year-old Jacobs, who took 38 wickets and hit one fifty from 38 List ‘A’ cricket matches, said he decided to make Sinclair, who resides in Agony’s Avenue in New Amsterdam, Berbice, a brand ambassador because being a sportsman himself he saw the need for Corporate Guyana to lend support to sportspersons. “I saw the need to help sportsmen and sportsmen progress in their careers. I also think that mentorship is needed for young athletes so they remain on the right path so I decided to adopt him in that capacity,” added

Steven Jacobs Jacobs. A batting all-rounder at the start of what promised to wonderful career, Jacobs struggled to post good big scores at the Regional level, and became more successful with off-spin bowling, especially in 50 and 20 overs cricket. “Sinclair fits into the same role that I played for Guyana,” Jacobs said of the youngster who has taken 18 wickets from 16 List ‘A’ games but is yet to score a fifty. (Sean Devers)

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ANSA McAl donates GNC Mega Men Sport multivitamins, Lucozade to Golden Jaguars As part of its ongoing support to the Guyana Football Federation, Ansa McAl has generously provided an essential supply of GNC Mega Men Sport multivitamins and Lucozade sports drink to the Guyana Senior Men’s National Team to fuel its preparation for upcoming 2020 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The presentation was made during a national team training session at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, where the team is currently training five times a week as part of intense preparations for matches against Trinidad and Tobago and the Bahamas next month. “I wish you all the best of success. Ansa McAl is very happy to partner with the football association in an effort to get you guys fit,” Ansa McAl’s Divisional Head of Health and Wellness, Andrel Griffith, told players at the FIFA-funded training centre. “Mega Men Sport is one of the best multivitamin products on the market. It has been clinically studied and shown to provide a solid line of essential nutrients and powerful ingredients for people like yourselves. We are also providing you with Lucozade Sport, which will help to replace electrolytes and provide the energy you need.” “We are happy to provide these for you as a start, and we wish you all the best in your training and trials,” he said.

Accepting the donation on behalf of the Federation, GFF Fitness Coach Wilson Toledo said the supplements would play a vital role as the Golden Jaguars strive for peak fitness. “It is very important for us to progress – this will help to increase and improve the performance of the players,” Toledo said. “We are working very hard and they need to recover quickly and increase their strength and power. This kind donation from Ansa McAl will contribute a great deal to our efforts to reach a higher level of football.” “Thank you to Ansa McAl for coming on board, staying with us and believing in us. We will do our best to bring back some great results,” he said. GNC Mega Men Sport, specially designed by nutrition experts for the sports and fitness industry, is a leading clinicallystudied men’s multivitamin that provides a blend of nutrients and ingredients to support men’s overall health, performance, and muscle function. Crucially, it helps to maintain healthy muscles by providing electrolytes that may be lost during intense exercise. It also contains beta-alanine, a highefficiency muscle pH buffer, and carnitine, which helps to use fatty acids as an energy source. Beta-alanine enhances performance by increasing exercise capacity and decreasing muscle fatigue.

Sunday February 28, 2021

Sinclair says, ‘It’s a dream come true to be picked for West Indies’ Kevin Sinclair (3rd left) celebrates his maiden T20 wicket, Guyana Amazon Warriors v St Kitts... (CPL)

By Sean Devers After just two seasons of List ‘A’ cricket in which he was the most economical bowler on both on both occasions, 21-year-old Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Berbice and Guyana off-spinner Kevin Sinclair’s dream of playing for the West Indies came true when he was picked for next month’s Sri Lanka tour to the West Indies. The entire tour, which comprises of three T20s, three ODIs and two Tests, will be played in Antigua and begins with the first T20 on March 3 and is scheduled to conclude on April 2 when the second Test is set to end.

Sinclair, who turned 21 last November, explained how he knew of his West Indies selection “I received a call from the Chairman; I was shocked at the time and calm at the same time too. I was focusing on my job in the Super50 and helping Guyana get to the final. But I feel good to be selected…it’s a dream come true for me,” said Sinclair, who played the first of his six First-Class matches for Guyana on January 16 against Barbados. Sinclair has scored 130 runs and taken 12 wickets at First-Class level. “My plans against Sri Lanka is to contribute to the West Indies team with both

bat and ball if given the opportunity, and to perform well and be consistent,” Sinclair who has 18 wickets from 16 List ‘A’ matches noted. “I had the feeling that once I came out in this Super50 and did well I had a chance of being selected for the West Indies,” said Sinclair who was named in the Guyana Amazon Warriors Squad for 2020 CPL and played matches taking five wickets. When asked what he did differently in this Super50, the youngster who grew up in Guyana’s oldest town (New Amsterdam) but plays for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports, said he did not make too many changes to his game. “I just added a few varieties to my game in terms of my tactics. I am looking to learn as much as I can and walk away with a bag of information and knowledge from the senior guys like Gayle, Pollard and guys like that,” explained Sinclair who done his batting little justice at the Regional level, his highest score is 44. An off-spinning allrounder, Sinclair also competed in the US Open in Florida last December and thanked all those who supported him in his career.

Sunday February 28, 2021

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Balram Auto Mechanics - Tickets available on show today at the venue The South Dakota Drag Circuit Drag Strip will be a hive of activity today with local and Suriname speedsters going head to head for bragging rights following an 18-month hiatus of the event at the Timehri venue since August 2019 due to the covid-19 pandemic. Tickets for the event have been going like hot cakes but President of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), Rameez Mohamed, has confirmed that tickets will be on sale at the venue today for those who would’ve been unable to purchase. Some 60 competitors inclusive of five bikes have already registered for the event, and within that list, Te a m B a l r a m A u t o Mechanics have four cars that they are hoping will zip across the 1320ft of the rehabilitated drag strip ahead

of their competitors. Among Team Balram’s cars are a 4AGE powered Toyota Levin (14-second), a Toyota Glanza that will line up in the 12-second bracket and a Trans Pacific Auto Sales powered Toyota Celica in the 16 second class. During an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, principal of the team, Balram Ramdeo, noted that he was very excited to just get back out on the track and confidently stated that if all goes to plan, he is sure that his machines will come out ahead of the pack in their respective classes. Leading the headlines for today’s top races are Team Mohamed’s GTRs, SI&C Inc. Toyota Supra, while there is a rumor that Team Mohamed’s Lamborghini Aventador may face off against B.M. Soat Auto Sales 2020 Toyota Supra in an exhibition race.

...Red Force hammer Jaguars From page 65 scored a century in a Regional 50-over final. Fredericks was the first to achieve that feat when he scored 119 in 1980 in Antigua to lead Guyana to their first of nine 50-over titles. After Bravo fell to Shepherd at 221-2 in the 39th over, Pooran and Simmons continued to flay the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Simmons upped the tempo with two sixes and a four off Permaul while Pooran joined in the fun by clobbering Reifer for three humongous sixes, with the first two coming off consecutive balls. Another gigantic six from Simmons off Smith brought up the 50 partnership with Pooran who lofted Shepherd for six before ‘skying’ him to longoff in the same over to push the Red Force to 288-3 in the 43rd over. Simmons continued to participate in the sumptuous run feast with audacious stroke-play to post the 300 before he was removed by the expensive Shepherd with the score on 309-4 in the 45th over. Pollard and Ramdin continued the onslaught and took a liking to Shepherd, strangely kept in the attack by Skipper Leon Johnson with Chanderpaul Hemraj or

Chris Barnwell not bowling a single ball. With the score on 357 Pollard was bowled with the perfect yorker by Smith in the last over as the last five overs leaked 57 runs. When Guyana began their run chase before Tevin Imlach (5) fell at 17-1 while Hemraj hit two fours and along with century maker from the last match Shimron Hetmyer raised hope of a Guyana fight back by adding 23 for the second wicket. But once Hetmyer, who smashed two fours and a six in a 12-ball 20 to reach 300 runs, edged a loose drive to Ramdin off Rampaul at 40-2 and Hemraj (14) departed at the same score, there was still hope in the Jaguars when Chris Barnwell and Johnson, both with centuries in the tournament, joined forces. However, Johnson fell for his second duck in the tournament, Barnwell departed for 5 and Shepherd’s nightmare game continued when was bowled by Rampaul for four the wounded Jaguars were 55-6 in the 10 over. Reifer (97*) and Motie (28) offered resistance but their 71-run stand just delayed the inevitable. Motie took the Curtly Ambrose trophy for the most wickets and Hetmyer was the best fielder in the tournament. (Sean Devers)

The event begins at 09:00hrs and for those who won’t be able to be at the venue, the event will be streamed lived on ENetworks and the GMR&SC Facebook page. In addition, SKAR TV (Channel 102) in Georgetown and Tarzee TV in Bartica will also stream the event.

Team Balram Auto Mechanics cars.

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Sunday February 28, 2021

Guyana to face T&T in Santo Domingo to kick off Concacaf Qualifiers, March 25 - Bahamas game set for Leonora 5-days later

The Golden Jaguars will commence their quest to win Group F of the Concacaf Qualifying matches for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 with a clash against old rivals Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday March 25, 2021 in Santo Domingo from 19:00hrs at the Estadio Panamericano. Concacaf released the confirmed match schedule on Friday with the venues and times for matches in Groups A, B, C, D, E and F noting that these First Round matches will involve 30 member associations which will each play two matches on March 24 and 31. The release went on to say that FIFA will continue to work with all member associations, with the

support of Concacaf, to ensure that the health and safety of players, teams, match officials and all stakeholders is given the highest priority for these matches. In the First Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers, each team will play every other team in their group once, playing a total of four matches in March and the first FIFA match window in June 2021. At the end of the First Round, the six group winners will progress to the Second Round which will be played in the second FIFA match window in June. The three winners of the Second Round will progress to the Final Round where they will compete with

Mexico, USA, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Jamaica for the region’s 3.5 qualification spots to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. Head Coach Márcio Máximo in an invited comment yesterday noted that the game would be a challenging one for his charges but they are going into the fixture with a positive mindset knowing that neither team would have the privilege of having any fans due to the ongoing challenges presented by the covid-19 pandemic. “It would be a tough match because Trinidad and Tobago is a strong team, recently they lost to the USA but with local players; probably now they’ll bring all international players to

GFF SMNT Head Coach Márcio Máximo speaking with his charges following the completion of a training session in February of 2020. (Franklin Wilson photo) play us but we’ll go there very optimistic of getting a good result. Our team is training and the players are much focused and our objective is to pull off a big surprise.” The experienced tactician posited that it is very important to make a good start to motivate the team for the remaining group matches stating that they have been preparing a strategy for the game. “And we hope that we leave there with a good result and that will be replicated against the Bahamas here when we face them in our second match to keep our

hopes alive of advancing.” The local players continue to keep the focus as training continues at the GFF National Training Center, Providence on a weekly basis. The GFF has been trying to pull out all the stops with regards to confirming a few friendly international matches but the covid-19 pandemic continues to be a huge challenge when it comes to moving around. “But we are still good, we are training hard, the guys have improved a lot so we are very optimistic that when the two groups are joined, international and local players, we will make a

good mix and make everyone proud.” Group F action will however get underway on Wednesday March 24th at the same venue in Santo Domingo when St. Kitts and Nevis tangle with Puerto Rico from 19:00hrs. On Saturday March 27th, The Bahamas would entertain St. Kitts and Nevis at the Thomas Robinson Stadium in Nassau from 19:00hrs. Trinidad will then play their second match at their home venue in Santo Domingo against Puerto Rico on Saturday March 28 from 17:00hrs. (Franklin Wilson)

Caribbean International Distributors Inc backs GSCL Inc President’s Cup

From left CIDI Sales representative Vanessa Paul, Finance Manager Satesh Naraine, branch supervisor Donovan Hoppie, GSCL Inc President Ian John and Sales representative Alisha Jacobs. Caribbean International Distributors Inc (CIDI) under their Blue Life Water brand has thrown their support behind the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. for the staging of the inaugural President’s Softball Cup which is set for March 5-7. The entity will be supplying water for the participating teams throughout the competition. This deal was announced at the entity’s Mc Doom location yesterday where its Finance Manager Satesh Naraine said they are happy to be part of the competition

and pledged their continued support. GSCL Inc President Ian John thanked the entity for their support and said the competition is expected to be keenly contested. The tournament will be played in three categories; Open, O-40 and O-50 and teams will battle for a first prize of $500,000 in each category, while the runners up will collect $100,000. The three-day tournament is organized jointly by the Honourable Counsel of Guyana to Florida, Ramzan Roshanalli.

Kaieteur News

Sunday February 28, 2021

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BCB President visits Kildonan Red Force hammer Jaguars Cricket Club - urges members by 152 runs to claim 13th title to believe in themselves… - Guyana’s title drought extends to 16 years “Kildonan has a special place/tradition in the history of Berbice Cricket and as the present representatives of the village, all of you have a duty to make sure that the tradition lives on. To do so, you need to unite as a group, develop a culture of discipline and invest in youth cricket,” stated Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster as he addressed attentive executives and members of the Kildonan Cricket Club. The meeting was the continuation of the P r e s i d e n t ’s o u t r e a c h programme to member clubs of the Berbice Cricket Board. Foster, reminded the members that when the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club was founded in 1990, Kildonan was very active at all levels of Berbice Cricket including junior cricket. The club had even reached the finals of an Under16 tournament, but over the last few years has only participated at the Second Division level. He urged the members to believe in themselves as the village had a lot of talent to return to the top. He spoke broadly on the need to invest in youth cricket as this would ensure that the club continues to exist in the future. Foster disclosed that in 2021, the BCB would be hosting junior tournaments at the Under13, Under15,

Raymon Reifer top scored for the Jaguars with 97. (File photo)

RHTYSC Vice President Mark Papannah hands over financial donation to an executive of the Kildonan Cricket Club. Under17 and Under19 levels and urged the club to play in at least one. Foster, who is also the Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS, handed over a financial donation to the Kildonan Club from the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund. The donation would be used to purchase balls for matches and practice sessions. He also committed to assist the club with more balls, scorebooks, cricket equipment and to seek sponsorship for the cricket team. As he always does, Foster urged the members to make a positive difference in their community by organising programmes to assist the less fortunate, elderly and youths. In his capacity of Secretary of the

RHTYSC, he also committed to donate three special prizes for the hosting of a fundraising raffle. The prizes would be handed over tomorrow when the members are expected to meet to elect office bearers for the 2021/2022 period. Region 6 RDC Councilor Colin E. Moore expressed thanks to Foster for his efforts to return Kildonan Cricket to the top of the field and urged the members present to be more committed. Kildonan resident and Vice President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Qualis Winter, was also present and stated that the Village proud cricketing history should be the motivating factor for members. Winter, spoke on the importance of discipline as it was the foundation for success.

Fruta Conquerors launch fundraising campaign following 2021 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield draw Reigning Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League champions Fruta Conquerors are seeking the “generous s u p p o r t” o f co r p o r ate Guyana as the club begins the build-up to its 2021 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield campaign. Fruta Conquerors have been drawn in Group C against St Vincent and the Grenadines side Hope International FC and SV Racing Club of Aruba. The competition kicks off on April 23 in Willemstad, Curacao. “This is a great draw for us and we are confident that the team can make Guyana

proud at the Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield this year,” said Fruta Conquerors President Colin Gittens. “But we cannot do this alone. We are kindly requesting the generous support of corporate Guyana to help us fulfil this dream as we strive to represent the Golden Arrowhead with pride and honour on the Caribbean stage.” “This undertaking places considerable financial demands on the club, from travel to training. We would very much welcome the help of existing and new corporate partners as we prepare for this prestigious tournament,” he said.

Colin Gittens - President Fruta Conquerors FC The four winners of the Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield Group Stages will progress to the semi finals with the final and third place matches scheduled for Sunday, May 2. The winner of the 2021 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield, if compliant with Concacaf Regional Club Licensing criteria will (Continued on page 61)

On the back of the highest total in a final and highest score this season by Lendl Simmons, unbeaten T&T’s Red Force inflicted a crushing 152-run victory over Guyana Jaguars at the Coolidge ground in Antigua yesterday in the final of the CB Insurance Regional Super50 tournament. This was T&T’s first title since 2016. The humiliating defeat extended Guyana’s title drought to 16 years and further exposed Guyana’s lack of mental toughness in pressure situations. The 36-year-old Simmons fashioned a magnificent 146 from 145 balls and decorated with 15 fours and seven sixes and along with Evin Lewis, who hammered three fours and four sixes in his 53-ball 57 built a wonderful foundation with a 121-run opening stand. Simmons also shared in a 100-run second wicket stand with the classy Daren Bravo who made 47 with three fours and two sixes, 67 for the third wicket with Nicholas Pooran, who made a shot filled 39 from just 15 balls with three fours and four sixes and 21 for the fourth wicket with Kieron Pollard, who made a cameo 23 from 16 with four boundaries. D e n e s h R a m d i n ’s unbeaten 27 with two fours and a six carried Red Force to 362 from their 50 overs.

Romario Shepherd had 2-105 from 10 overs in the most expensive spell in the history of Regional 50-over cricket which began in 1976. T h e t o u r n a m e n t ’s leading wicket-taker leftarm spinner Gudakesh Motie, had 1-43 to take his tally to 17 wickets, while Raymon Reifer (1-53) and Nial Smith (1-59) were the other wicket takers for Guyana Jaguars who responded with 210 in 43.5 overs as only Reifer, who registered his 12th50 with his unbeaten 97 from 112 balls with seven fours and three sixes, but only Motie (28) passed 20. The 36-year-old Ravi Rampaul (4-52) became the fourth bowler to 100 wickets in Regional 50-over cricket and Jayden Seales (3-40) did the damage with the ball for the Red Force who has beaten Guyana in three finals since 2005. Jaguars won the toss and Red Force batted first for the first time in the tournament on a small ground and good track for batting. Simmons and Lewis galloped to 67 in 10 power-play overs with Simmons on 30 andLewis on 35 with the pair blasting six fours and five sixes. Nail Smith, rested in the semi-finals, started the 11th over with three consecutive wides with the first going for five wides, while Simmons deposited Kevin Sinclair for two straight sixes and a

delicate paddle sweep for four in an over which cost 16 runs. Simmons then hit Shepherd for a six and followed it with a clipped boundary when he strayed on the pads as the 100 was posted in 13.3 overs. Simmons soon reached his 28th50 from 51 balls with 6 fours and three sixes before Lewis pulled Sinclair for six then edging Motie for three to get to his 17th50 from 41 balls with three fours and fours sixes. But after a quiet period from Motie and Sinclair, Lewis, looking well set for a big score, played an injudicious shot and lofted Motie high to long-off at 121-1 in 19.4 overs. Bravo joined Simmons and featured in another good stand. The 200 was posted in 34 overs when Bravo hit leftarm spinner Veerasammy Permaul for an effortless six before stroked Shepherd majestically past cover for fours before pulling him disdainfully for another. A double off Raymond Reifer got Simmons to his seventh List ‘A’ ton and second in this tournament. Simmons, who seemed lucky to survive and LBW shout from Permaul on 102, joined Roy Fredericks, Shai Hope, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Shiv Chanderpaul and Sylvester Joseph as batsmen who (Continued on page 63)