Kaieteur News

Berbice woman who stabbed partner to death charged with manslaughter

The 24-year-old w o m a n w h o s t a b b e d h e r

partner to death on January 1, 2023 was on Friday charged with Manslaughter when she appeared at the No 51 Magistrates’Court.

Lakeisha Garnette called Keisha of 67 Princetown, Corentyne, Berbice was charged with Manslaughter committed on Jason Bownath, 25, a labourer of thesaidaddress.

Arrested: Lakeisha Philesha Garnette

Garnette made her first court appearance before Magistrate Rabindranauth couple was at a family retaliation, she reported Singh and was not required function at Garnette grabbed a kitchen knife and to plead to the charge which m o t h e r ’s h o u s e i n stabbed him once to the left was instituted contrary to Princetown, Corriverton sidechest. Section 94 of the Criminal when they began quarrelling The injured man was Law Offences Act Chapter witheachotheroverbeers. rushed to the Skeldon Public 8:01. Garnette was granted Bownath allegedly H o s p i t a l a n d w a s bail in the sum of $200,000 slappedGarnettetwicetothe subsequently transferred to and the matter was face.Thiscausedhertoleave the New Amsterdam adjourned to February 27, the function and head home. Hospitalwherehedied. 2023 for disclosure and Kaieteur News understands A p o s t m o r t e m report. that Bownath followed her examination conducted on Kaieteur News reported and they continued their Bownath’s body revealed that sometime around 23:30 argument at their home that he died from shock and on December 31, 2022 and Bownath reportedly hit haemorrhage due to a stab 00:00 hrs on Jan 1, 2023, the Garnette again and in woundtotheheart.

Man scrolls Facebook to discover he bought stolen motorcycle

A

man was forced t o r i d e a motorcycle he

had recently purchased to a police station and leave it there, after he found out from a Facebook postthatitwasstolen.

K a i e t e u r N e w s confirmed this with Georgetown police on Friday The man told police thathehadreportedlybought the motorcycle from an individual a few days ago and had no clue that it was stolen.

He had even signed a purchase agreement document in the presence of a Justice of Peace which led him to believe that he was transacting business with the rightfulowner

The man rode the bike home and was happy about his purchase but after spending a few minutes to scroll through Facebook, he was devastated to discover that the motorcycle was stolen. The man said it was an online media article that reported that the motorcycle Fearing that the police to the nearest police station he purchased was stolen mightsuspectthathewasthe where he lodged it He from an Albouystown thief, the man immediately

police that he was resident. jumped on the bike and rode notthethief.

Dead: Jason Bownath

assured

The stolen motorcycle

Time for Pres. Joe Biden, CARICOM to end Exxon’s abuse of Guyana

- US Commentator

Arguing that Guyana got CARICOM to force Exxon a “sucker deal” when it torenegotiatethisdeal.” signed the Production Last year, President Sharing Agreement (PSA) B i d e n s l a m m e d with United States (U.S.) oil ExxonMobil, his country’s major ExxonMobil in 2016, leading oil producer, for that no nation should have being reluctant to drill more ever made, an American oilfieldssothatitcanbenefit commentator is lobbying for from skyrocketing prices for changes to be immediately oilandgasassupplyshrinks. effectedtothecontract.

The American President Arthur Piccolo, a writer out rightly stated that the on Latin American issues in posture of the company was one of his latest writings reflective of sheer greed as it published by News sits back and watches light crude and settled for 50 Americas puts the two inflation rise in-country, percent profit sharing, after former U S Presidents much to the benefit of its Exxon takes 75 percent of Barrack Obama and Donald shareholders’pockets. the earnings to clear its Trump, respectively on blast According to a CNBC expenses. insisting that they turned a report, inflation in May rose The deal that the oil “blind” eye to the abuse at levels not seen since the company often brags about Guyanaisfacing. early 1980s. Asked by a to its shareholders, also Notably, President reporter if his administration forces Guyanese to pay their Obama was in his second has plans to “go after” oil share of taxes, amounting to term in office when the company profits, Biden did millions of US dollars each Exxon contract was signed. notsaywhatcourseofaction year This figure is likely to President Trump took office he would take. He did state further balloon as more in 2017 and the current however that, “Exxon made operationscomeonstream. leader, Joe Biden was more money than God this Inaddition,thecountryis electedin2021. year.” allowing ExxonMobil to

Piccolo said it is time for Evenastheprofitsforthe operate offshore without America’s present leader to oil company continue to Full Liability Coverage in force the U.S Company to soar, the multinational the event of an oil spill, renegotiate the deal with conglomerate is reluctant to which means that the risk is Guyana. givethecountryabetterdeal borne by Guyana. Another

Just after highlighting foritsoilresource. key provision that is lacking how better off the country In the meantime, in the document is ring would have been with a activists in Guyana have fencing provision, which fairer deal, the writer said, beenlobbyingforchangesto wouldavoidtheoilcompany “It is also important because be made to the 2016 PSA as from using the petroleum it exposes the United States Guyana receives a mere two revenue in one field to cover government’s lack of percent royalty for its sweet forexpensesinanother concern for what takes place in the Caribbean whether in Guyana, Haiti or anywhere else in this region physically as close as any to our nation.”

According to him, “Let’s not forget the hidden players here who make all this possible – the United States government and the last two Presidents and the current President.They play the part of the blind mice. See no evil, hear no evil, do no evil. Proving yet again how the United States government continuestoignoretheentire Caribbean which fosters this kindofabuse.”

Continuing in his passionate piece, Piccolo explained that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the body that unites Caribbean nations, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year To this end, he said it is “Time for CARICOM to step up and end this kind of abuse of its membernations.It’stimefor U.S.President(Joe)Biden&

Govt. relies on non-existent EIA study for power plant

...as EPA now gives go-ahead after contract signed

TheEnvironmental pursued by the government P r o t e c t i o n would be subjected to a Agency (EPA) separate Environmental

has determined Authorization process and thatthe300megawatt(MW) impacts from this venture gas-fired power plant to be were not included except c o n s t r u c t e d b y t h e during the Cumulative Government of Guyana will Impact Assessment (CIA). not have significant impacts This means that the public is on the environment and is still unaware as to the therefore exempted from potential impacts of this u n d e r t a k i n g a n project as well as what Environmental Impact safeguards would be Assessment(EIA). instituted.

Notably, the EPA’s

“The Government of decision to not require an Guyana is pursuing a environmental impact study separate project to construct comes weeks after the a power plant (the Power contract to construct the Plant) that would use a power plant was awarded by portion of this associated government. The US$759M project falls within the area natural gas as a fuel source. contract with CH4- of influence/footprint of an Accordingly, EEPGL, at the Lindsayca was inked on EPAapprovedGastoEnergy requestoftheGovernmentof December13,2022. Project (GTE) that was Guyana, is proposing the

An EIA, as described by s u b j e c t e d t o a Projecttoprovidefuelforthe the former head of the EPA, comprehensive EIA, PowerPlant. Dr Vincent Adams, is the including a Cumulative The Power Plant will not “Bible of a project” that Impact Assessment (CIA). be owned and operated by defines all environmental The CIA concluded that EEPGL and is being risks and hazards associated. there will be no significant proposed by a separate Oncetheseareidentified,the impacts from the combined proponent under a separate study- usually conducted by activities/projects.”

E n v i r o n m e n t a l an independent Consultant - That EIA was conducted Authorisation process. The pointsoutactionsthatwillbe byaTexasbasedConsultant, Power Plant thus is not taken to mitigate the hazards Environmental Resources included in the Project or respond in the case of an Management (ERM), for the within the EIA (with the emergency. gas pipeline and Natural Gas exception that the Power

In announcing its Liquids (NGL) Plant to be Plant is considered as part of decision to waive an EIAfor developed by U.S oil giant, the cumulative impact the project through a public ExxonMobil. These two assessment),”theEIAstated. notice in the Guyana aspects form part of the Nevertheless, the EPA ChronicleonFriday,theEPA Government’s Wales, West said the proposed location listed six reasons for its Bank Demerara Gas-to- for the project has already conclusion. Energy(GTE)project. been subjected to a rigorous

To begin with, the In that study, the EIAandCIA. regulator explained, “The Consultant made it clear that AccordingtotheEPA, proposed location for this the power plant being (Continued on page 15)

U.S President, Joe Biden

Executive Director of the EPA ,Kemraj Parsram

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

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

EDITORIAL

INFRASTRUCTUREPROJECTS: SLOWINGDOWNMAKESSENSE

TalkaboutinfrastructureinGuyanaandtheeyesof menlightup. Thisisanindicationofthebonanza

thatinfrastructureprojectshavecometorepresent tomanyGuyanesefromdifferentlevelsinthissociety Forit means big spending by the State, with seemingly countless billionssetasideinthenationalbudgettogetahostofpublic works projects moving from the drawing board to the executionstage.

Yet,itisthesesamecostlyprojectsthataLondon-based group is sounding the alarm over, when dependent on a continuinggusherofoilrevenue.

Chatham House, by now a familiar name to Guyanese, pointed out that doing too many of these infrastructure projectswithinanarrowbandoftimepossessestoomuchof arisktocontinuedoingthemattheratethatGuyanahasbeen initiating. Some of the risks that are magnified are cost overrunstakingadeepbite,thecorruptioncancerspreading, white elephants turning up, and slapdash work. Take out corruption and white elephants, and what is left is no different than what ordinary Guyanese live with, as they buildtheirownhomesorbusinesses.

Theyrushandtheyendupwithcostsrunningawayfrom them, as in ahead of what was budgeted. Because their contractormaybeengagedinmorethanonebuildingproject simultaneously,theresultisthatwhattheygetforafinished productisshoddyinmanyofitsaspects. Whatisbadatthe individual level, has the same level of meaning and applicationatthelevelofgovernments. Itisjustamatterof degreeandscale,relativetodollarsspentandimmensityof thejobtobedone.

Because of Guyana’s construction boom, the really skilled are in short supply, and when additional big-ticket itemscometheirway,asbidfor,theyarestretchedtoothin, and the all too human tendency is to cut corners. While qualitycontrolmighthavebeenanearlyobjective,thecrush ofabundantwork,andshortageofskilledmanpower,leadsto slippage, and a less than diligent attitude to giving the best jobpossible.

NoGuyanesecontractor(bidder)worthhissaltisgoing tothrowhishatintheringtocompeteforanewinfrastructure project, so that his business keeps on humming at high speeds. Though this would likely interfere with projects alreadyinhand,suchconcernsarenotahugepriority,forthe jobwillgetdonesomehow Thereisthemagicbulletthathas to be feared, that word ‘somehow’for it is one filled with meaning,andoftheverythingsaboutwhichChathamHouse iswarningtheGovernmentofGuyana.

Gettingtheworkdone‘somehow’couldturnouttomean ‘anyhow’, which is usually hurtful to taxpayers footing the bill for those multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects. There is too much crowding in a narrow window of time. Theremaynotbeenoughengineerstogivethekindoftime andattentiontotheseinfrastructureprojectsthatisrequired, andthingsfallapart.

Chatham House did a review of 308 such infrastructure projects embarked upon by countries that made huge oil discoveries. Ofthe308projects,morethanhalf(55%)were late,and45%hadcostoverruns(KNJanuary01).Worseyet, thecostoverrunswerenotonthecheapside,butaverageda jaw-dropping58%overbudget. Thatis,ifaprojectwasfor $500M,itendedupbeingmorethan$750M.

Itiscommonsense,therefore,nottoengageintoomany oftheseprojectsoneaftertheother,forastiffpricecouldbe paid. Itwouldbetheheightoffollytodootherwise,andthis country is no stranger to cost overruns. It goes without sayingthatcostoverrunscouldalsoserveascamouflagefor corruption among cronies in politics and the construction sector,ashaslongbeenthecase.

Unsaidtothispointistheconsiderationthatoilpricescan seesawwildly,andgointoprolongedslumps,withexpected revenuesdwindling. WeurgethePPPCGovernmenttotake stock,slowdown,andpositionitselftomonitorandmanage these projects to get the best value out of them for every dollarspent.

Achange in political culture starts with small gestures of common courtesy

DEAREDITOR, documented and the of his dedicated and reconciliation in Guyana Iamreferringtothenews photographs accompanying sustained leadership and Sadly, my message was not from earlier this week that the report. Interestingly, all commitment to regional heardtodatebythepolitical President Irfaan Ali living former presidents development Given the leaders of the nation bestowed Guyana’s second (Jagdeo, Ramotar) were prestige and honour Changes in political culture highest award, the Order of presentattheceremonywith associated with this national start with small gestures of Roraima on Prime Minister the exception of President award,wouldn’tithavebeen courtesy. They demonstrate of Saint Vincent and the Granger,theonlyopposition appropriate to invite also all mutual respect and common Grenadines, Dr. Ralph politician who held that leaders of the parties decency,whichshouldbethe Gonsalves. office in the last 30 years. represented in the National basis of the political

According to press Why he was not invited? Assembly to witness the discourse. releaseoftheDepartmentof Established in 1976, the ceremony?

They set the tone and I n f o r m a t i o n OrderofRoraimaisawarded This would also have demonstrated appreciation (https://dpi gov gy/pm- by the people of Guyana, elevated the event from one and inclusiveness may gonsalves-conferred-with- represented here by the merely being staged for the trigger a genuine order-of-roraima/), Vice PresidentoftheRepublic,to ruling party and its reconciliationforthegoodof President, Bharrat Jagdeo, any citizen of Guyana who dignitariestooneofnational thenation. former president Donald has given outstanding unity in the spirit of We are just a few days Ramotar, ministers Hugh service to the nation President Ali’s “One into the new year Hence, I Todd, Oneidge Walrond, Citizens of foreign nations, Guyana”vision. still have not given up my Nigel Dharamlall, Foreign whoaredeemedeligiblemay OnJanuary1,2023,Ihad hope for meaningful and Secretary Robert Persaud also be appointed as called in letters to published sustainable change in and other officials were also honorary members of the by Stabroek News and Guyana’spoliticalculture. in attendance at the order

KaieteurNews,respectively, Sincerely, ceremony Fittingly, Dr Gonsalves foranewpoliticalcultureof AndreBrandli,PhD T h i s w a s a l s o was honored in recognition mutual respect and Professor,LMUMunich

Guyana is moving towards a Police-state and an authoritarianism regime

DEAREDITOR, differences and sit around theyarewillingtospeakwith conglomerates to obtain They say ‘hope springs theproverbialroundtableto anyone including the better deals to benefit our eternalinthehumanbreast’ craft an agenda to deal with government top brass, if it people. After oral stories at (Alexander Pope), and as thosewhohavecomeandare would yield betterment for several levels, there was no Guyanese begin the journey coming to utilize our non- thepeopleofourcountry enthusiasm shown for this intoanewyear,itismyhope renewable natural resources I am only interested in initiativetositandtalk.After and I believe that of the -gold,diamond,oilandgas. the truth as I know it. In December 2021, when majority of decent patriotic Speaking to some early 2021, I wrote to His Aubrey Norton became the citizens that in the words of m e m b e r s o f t h e Excellency the President Leader of the Opposition, I the late K.W.E. Denny, we Government, they contend Irfaan Ali, the General sentanidenticalcopytohim will see an attitudinal that Opposition Leader Secretary of the PPP, Dr for his consideration. He metamorphosis. Aubrey Norton is not BharatJagdeo,Leaderofthe replied positively and to

Achangethatfirstallows interested in healthy Opposition, Joseph Harmon date,heistheonlypersonto those in control to be dialogue.That is contrary to and Leader of the AFC, express a willingness for gracious and magnanimous assurancesgiventomeandI Khemraj Ramjattan I serious dialogue to address and extend a hand to the found this surprising since carefully crafted a letter the concerns of the majority Opposition and other social, whenever I have raised this pointing out the folly of ofGuyanese.Thisshouldput economic and cultural question , senior Opposition failingtosittogetherinorder toresttheclaimbythePPP entities to set aside our Members assured me that t o c o n f r o n t t h e

What is the Policy on Garbage Bins?

DEAREDITOR, providemewiththedoctrine Narine to please provide me communityandIhavenever For the past 3 months, I wherethatpolicyiscaptured with the policy as explained experienced such damage have been the victim of in writing along with the to me that garbage bins are and destruction to personal vandalism where on two signature of the person who required to have holes in propertyaswhatiscurrently separate occasions, two of approveditandIamstillnot them for the purpose of going on with these other my garbage bins have been in receipt of that policy in leaching along with the waste disposal services maliciouslydamagedbyD& writing along with the approval signature and date (SandipandD&S). S Waste Disposal Services approval signature. When I of implementation. If such a The only problem I ever and Sandip Waste Disposal d i d m y i n t e r n a l policy does exist, why am I had with Cevon and Puran Services. investigations throughout the only one that is being was when they would go on

When I contacted Mr the neighbourhood located victimized by these garbage strike because Mayor and Walter Narine who is the in Cummings Lodge, I was disposal contractors? How CityCouncilhadowedthem Director of Solid Waste surprised that no one else’s come this policy does not money and would not pay managementforRegion4on bins were damaged nor had applytoeveryoneelseinthe them for their services. Yet Friday December 30, 2022, holes in them. I took the neighbourhood? every year, rates and taxes heexplainedtomethatthere investigation even further My garbage bins are my are paid and up to date with isapolicyinplacebyMayor o u t s i d e o f m y personal property that were MayorandCityCouncil. and City Council that neighbourhood to include purchasedbyme.Whatgives ThePresidentofGuyana garbage bins are required to Campbellville, Kitty, the contractors the right to should do a commission of have holes in them because Lamaha Gardens, Sophia damage my garbage bins inquiry into Mayor and City of leaching. Leaching is the and some locations within blatantly? I kindly ask that Council solid waste process where organic the city and the same result the Mayor and City Council management department matter breaks down into was that no one else’s please replace my two alongwithMr Narinetosee liquid form The garbage bins had holes in garbage bins. Additionally, what personal connections explanation that Mr Narine them for the purpose of for over a decade, Cevon’s Mr Narinemighthavewith gave to me was a valid leachingaswasexplainedto Waste Management and thesecontractors. explanation; however, I me by Mr Narine. I am Puran’s Waste disposal Kindregards, asked Mr Narine to please publicly calling out Mr services has serviced our SimeonTaylor

NIGELWILLIAMS

Flaring lawsuit plaintiffs still awaiting ruling in legal case against Exxon and the EPA

domaininhopesofobtaining able to participate in this We hereby appeal to a speedy resolution to this processandwecelebratethe Hon. Chief Justice Georgematter In functional variousjudicialvictoriesthat Wiltshire to issue her

DEAREDITOR, plaintiffsinalawsuitagainst 2022. However, we are now democracies, legal action is some of our fellow decision in our case as soon

We are ecologically the Environmental in a new year and still the right of concerned Guyanese obtained in 2022, aspossible. minded Guyanese who care Protection Agency of awaiting the ruling, six citizens, and key to helping to ensure a safe and Respectfully, about the environment and Guyana&Esso.Thismatter months later than promised. increasing accountability of healthy environment- as SinikkaHenry are concerned about the washeardbytheHon.Chief Several letters inquiring corporate and governmental enshrined in the Guyanese SherlinaNageer extended and dangerous gas Justice Roxanne George- about this judicial delay entities.Weappreciatebeing Constitution-forusall. AndriskaThorington flaring from the oil Wiltshireon12thMay2022. weresentfromourAttorney production activities of At the conclusion of the to the Registrar of the ExxonMobil (Esso) in hearing, Her Honour Supreme Court but to no Guyana’soffshorewaters. indicated that she would avail.Wearenowventilating As such, we became deliver her decision in July this issue in the public

PresidentAli PR Stunts

DEAREDITOR, kokerattendant,danceupon known in Guyana. The Vice Daily Guyana is sinking the stage, attend all cricket Presidentdishesoutjob.The intoadictatorship.President matches,gofishing,cookfor Vice President is present all Ali is appearing more and tourist, cook for Caricom negotiations. Basically the more wanting to be a total Prime Minister, wakes up hard core work in controlLeaderbetterknown earlytobuyfish,breakdown government is done by the asaSuper-Leader Whilethe houses and get the Private Vice President while the PPPanditssupporterslaugh Sector to pay for it, and yes President engages in the at the function of the Moses take thousands of photos. routinepublicity Everything Nagamootoo as Prime One can only ask is the has become a show in Minister, the same can be President obsessed with Guyana. said of Mark Phillips. What photos?

While people suffer, exactly significant has his Those clearly are not whiletheoilandgassectoris officedonefor2plusyears. Presidential tasks only basically given away, Everyone in this country President Ali cannot be PresidentAlimakesitaduty knowsthatunderJagdeo, is spending his five-year term toattendpartieseverynight. thePresidentandhisfavorite trying to convince people to Check on this Facebook ministers then the Prime like him. People will not page, during the Christmas, Minister ThePrimeMinister forget the Irfaan Ali, they for an entire week it was never kept a press met at Ministry of Housing. party- to launch Christmas, conference compared to the Then who gets the work GCCI party, First Lady VicePresident.PresidentAli done. Every citizen in this Party, Police Party, PPP job is easy. In fact, he is country knows who is party, then to conclude probably the only President runningthiscountry. Christmas and the list goes in history that hardly does ThePresidentViceholds on. His international Presidentialtasks.Hisroleas more press conference than speeches have improved he cuts it has been easy the President The Vice with‘certaintinity’. Going walk around, get President is handing the No wonder he missed thousands of photos, major sector in Guyana that Charandass whole fiasco promote events such as is oil and gas. The Vice Had he been an effective expos for more photos, Article gives us an President, he needed not to attend parties, kick a understandinghowpowerful waitoneyeartolearnof football, holler down on he is and that is always (Continuedonpage16)

Norton talks the talk, then disappears when the fire gets hot

DEAREDITOR, torepresent. because his greatest fear is The PPPhas reached the The PPP has concluded being jailed The other point of view that the that the Leader and formerministertoldmethatI Opposition tasked with the Chairman of the PNCR is will live to see Norton r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f weak. The PPP is saying to weaken the PNCR and turn representing its supporters our supporters by its brutal his back on the grassroots who make up forty actionsvisitedonthemtoday peoplewhenthingsgetoutof something percent of the that the Leader of the control. electorate, are not really up Opposition is weak and will My activism was clear tothetask. notrespondinamannerthat for the world to see and my

The PPP by its viscous wouldmakethemtakestock long held belief that Norton attitude and actions towards andbehesitantincontinuing will make history for being Guyanese who chose not to their racist politics and our greatest leader in the vote for those who sit in the domination. liberation struggle current government, is During this writer’s strengthened my passion to sendingastarkreminderthat struggletoseeNortonwhere seehimsucceedinbecoming theLeaderoftheOpposition heistoday,Irecallreceiving Leader An opposition will not rise up on behalf of calls from two former politician just told me that the people he is elected to coalition government Norton does not like mud or represent and effectively ministers They both to see police in riot gear A confrontthedictatorship. revealedthesamesentiments leading US freedom fighter

If the international about Norton in response to just toldmeNorton is weak. community sat Aubrey my advocacy that Norton Every night before I go to Nortondownandsaidtohim must lead because of his sleep, there is always a that no matter what happens historyofgrassrootsstruggle thought that lingers in my to a section of Guyanese, he and his ability to be more mind.HaveIinnocentlyand must not take action outside radical than Hoyte in the unknowingly done of offering verbal eventthattheregimereturns something to destroy the condemnation, based on a tothehorrorsoftheirtwenty- Party I love? Burnham has promisethattheUS,Britain, three-year rule. One of the not come to me in a dream CanadaandCaricomwillsee former ministers said that since Norton’s ascension. I theremovalofthePPPatthe she has been in struggles hope when he appears, he nextelections,thenNorton’s against the PPPwith Norton willnotbeincloudsofanger ambitions are not about where he talked the talk and Sincerelyyours, genuinely fighting for the disappeared when the fire NormanBrowne battered and bruised he is gothot.Shesworetomethat Social and Political electedandhandsomelypaid Nortonisafraidofthepolice Activist

GuyanaismovingtowardsaPolice-stateandanauthoritarianism...

Frompage4 respected female Indian surrounding oil and gas is a when the Mayor of deny the massive strides in andIusethewordpersuade, Government that the other Professor ill names and serious problem and I hope Georgetown, Ubraj Narine the 70s to produce our own in its nicest form, meaning side is not interested in when his uncouth behaviour that Guyanese will be given and Sherod Duncan were food. Many of us publicly the conglomerates who are dialogue.WhatyouseeandI is made public, he issues a an opportunity to read those arrested for standing in structured our contention to smiling as they report the hopethingswouldchange,is purported apology while several agreements so that solidarity with vendors on Feed the Nation on the enormous profits being a descent into the dismal justifying his banality to the we can come to our own the eve of Christmas. In positiontakenbytheBritish madefromGuyana’snatural darkbythePresidentialteam point where he displays a conclusions. I say there are some areas, folks are Governor, Sir Gordon resources to their that they subscribe to the warped understanding of many other issues that point encouraged to seize Lethemwheninitiatedinthe shareholders,thatGuyanais belief that the winner takes sexualequality to a governance that is ancestrallands.Allthewhile midst of World War II, the demanding a bigger slice of all. We are yet to hear rekindling all of the themes blowingthetrumpetof‘One grow more food campaign. thecake. The tragedy is that the whether this Hon and conditions of Guyana’. My hope for the TheclarioncallbyBurnham Thisyear,whencallsare picture emerging in Guyana G e n t l e m a n H i g h i m p e r i a l i s m a n d new year is that we get over was produce or perish and made as have been by some isthatwearegoingtowardsa Commissioner’s recall colonialism. We now live in this apparent high hurdle of some of those who now of my friends, we should Police-state and an meansthatthePresidenthas a country where democracy misunderstanding, if not prattle about food security come out in support authoritarianismregime-no severed his services to means once you win an distrust. For 2023, with this criticized and sometimes irrespectiveofyourpolitical big thing That when Guyana,sinceitappearsthat election, it gives you the abundance of resources, the sabotaged the effort to persuasion. We must say to persons placed in high he represented Guyana to a right not to consult even nation’s leaders must not be produce local vegetables, allofourleadersthatweare position misbehave and Hindu function in India where the Constitution so allowed to fritter away the grains and fruits. And so not satisfied with what we violatethenormsofdecency subsequent to his purported demands. So, we have a opportunities that beckon, today, we have a whole aregetting,fromoil,gasand and protocol - no big thing. recall.I’vewrittenaboutthis Judiciary, hobbling along because of pettiness and generation that has gold.AtnoononNewYear’s Weseeanattitudeandbelief on-the-bed promotion of a because the President feels sharedstupidity developedatasteforforeign Day,therewasgentlerainfall that the President and his Presidential Guard when that the appointment of the This is the high hurdle, foods in cans and imported at the Parade Ground as the emerging oligarchy also there is no evidence of Chancellor and the Chief butevenasweapproachthis fruits. In the 70s, imported Opening of the Bicentenary subscribe to the philosophy valour or bravery and even Justicecanbepostponed-no high hurdle, we need this fruits and vegetables were year of the Glorious 1823 supporting “the divine before there was no proper bigthingandiftheirkithand year to rid ourselves of the alien and during that same East Coast Demerara rights)” of Kings. So they investigation of the incident kin, Charrandass’attitude to prejudices, propaganda and period, the nutrition of our RevolutionofAugust1823.I see nothing wrong with that took place two women represents the hues deceptionwhichhavebeena people improved And prayed then that with the putting in place a massive Thursdays ago at State of the government, we can heavy burden on our nation speaking to cardiologists, Creator’s help, the drizzles propaganda machine, which House Typical of this understand Of course and the young people in theywouldtellyouthatadiet ofdespairwouldbeshowers assails the independent Government, there is a h a v i n g i m p o r t a n t particular We heard for with plenty of local ground ofblessingstobeenjoyedby media for the truth and our blanket of secrecy And so institutions, such as the example, a statement in an provisions, vegetables and everyGuyaneseforthisnew Presidenttreatingcitizensas the public is denied the Police Service Commission, interview that our future is fruits is a protective year and beyond and further though he is a Commander- opportunity of hearing the Environmental Protection not about oil but about food mechanismfortheheart.The that we should decelerate in-Chief of the fiefdom of whole story But Editor, Agency (EPA), Integrity security and eco-tourism successforfoodsecuritywill granting of permission to Guyana. In other words, as yesterday’s statement by the Commission being no more This sounds good and in requireeducatingourpeople foreigners to harvest our was in medieval times, we wife of this Nigerian, not than impotent is as they say, theorylaudablebutwithfew and helping them to non-renewable natural are his feast or perhaps his beingallowedtovisithimin “right up the alley of the exceptions, once oil and its recognise the value of resources and to those who vassals and subjects so that hospitalisominousandhere powers that be.” What a revenues flow, it has tended locally produced foods contend, we have neither he hands out an 8% to the some explanation by the wonderful place is Guyana. tosuffocatefoodproduction This, of course, will involve money, equipment to bring public sector with neither government agencies is At Mocha, EBD, MPs andothersectors. the President and the up that gold then leave it consultation nor even necessary That is if Amanza Walton and Nima Oil revenues, even governmentpersuadingtheir until we Guyanese can informing the Unions as is democracy must not be Flue-Bess were harassed though we’re not getting as friends who import and acquire the technology to required in a living translatedinGuyanatomean merely for standing in much as we should, is makealotofmoneytoinvest harvest that gold, etc since democracy But these days, demonsgonecrazy Wehope solidarity with people who alreadymuchmorethanhalf substantial sums in drainage golddon’trust. democracy is a chameleon that the hospital will ensure werebeingremovedforcibly oftherevenuefromallother and irrigation and Give our young children word meaning different that this man lives to tell his from where they had lived sources. The President and encouraging urban and descendants the chance things to different folks. So sideofthestory Sowehave for some time. When an hisgovernmentmustnowbe agriculture started by tobethemajorbeneficiaries the darling of the President, a blanket of secrecy over attempt to arrest her was bold and openly change Burnham, which some folks ofthisbountygiventousby his appointed High events, agreements and made, one police rank said some attitudes they criticised. theCreator Commissioner to India disbursementsofoilandgas. they were merely carrying themselves created several Simultaneously,working Sincerely, misbehaves calling a Of course, the secrecy out orders. Reminiscent of decades ago. No one can together, we can persuade HamiltonGreen

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

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BLUNT BLUNT

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EXXON SUES EU

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

Exxon doesn’t want to pay any taxes on earnings; That’s the first lesson for Guyanese.

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Exxon is suing the EU to avoid paying windfall taxes; That’s the second lesson for Guyanese.

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If Exxon could challenge a body as big as the EU, then think about Guyana!

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Exxon loves making money (however it can)…

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Exxon hates paying any money, especially taxes…

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We must be prepared to fight thisAmerican monstrosity.

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AG appeals HC decision that persons charged with indictable offences cannot be blacklisted

ttorney General condition attached to the Georgetown Magistrates

Legal Affairs appearance of the person

However, the Attorney

urgently in order to

AAppeal to be settled and Minister of granting of bail is the future Court.

facilitate such an expedited

Anial Nandlall, bailedinCourt. General on Thursday filed a hearing ” SC is challenging the If the court granting bail Notice of Appeal seeking to

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken

According to the Notice decision of Justice determines that conditions, set aside the decision of ofAppeal,filedonJanuary5, Navindra Singh in the such as restricting a person’s JusticeSingh. 2023 Nandlall contends Marcelene Washington v movement out of the Marcelene Washington, amongotherthings,that: Attorney General of jurisdiction, are needed, a Senior Superintendent of a the Criminal Law Guyana et al case which thoseconditionsareattached Police was charged with (Procedure) Act, Chapter statesthatthereisnowritten to the grant of bail, Justice m u l t i p l e c o u n t s o f 10:01 Laws of Guyana law in Guyana that Singhsaid. conspiracy to commit a restricts persons charged authorises the Guyana Marcelene Washington, felony and had moved to the with an indictable offence Police Force (GPF) to limit the Respondent in the High Court on several and who have been granted principles of law, and themovementofpersonsout Appeal, has been charged occasions previously for bail with surety from precedent. of Guyana solely because with multiple counts of permission to leave the leaving the jurisdiction Meanwhile, in the they have been charged with conspiracy to commit a jurisdiction for medical withoutthepermissionofthe Affidavit in Support of the an indictable offence and felonycontrarytoSection34 reasons. Court; Notice of Motion requesting placedonbail. of the Criminal Law Her most recent action b this restriction is that the appeal be heard and Justice Singh on (Offences) Act, Chap. 8:01, sought orders which would contemplated, and permitted determined early, Clifton December 28, 2022 and those proceedings are no longer require her to justice, the Attorney by Article 148 (3) of the Hicken, Commissioner of reasoned that the only currently pending before the apply to the High Court General, this morning Constitution of the Co- Police (ag), posited that “the every time she is desirous of [Friday], also filed a Notice operative Republic of ruling of the Honourable leavingthejurisdiction. of Motion for an early date Guyana, Chapter 1:01, Laws Hearing Judge has deep and In a statement, the to be fixed for the hearing ofGuyana;and far-reaching ramifications Attorney General’s Office and determination of the c. The Learned Hearing for the rule of law and, in said that “Given the impact appeal, for the usual Judge was bound by the particular,theadministration of Justice Singh’s decision formalities to be dispensed principle of stare decisis [to of criminal justice in on the administration of with, and for the Record of stand by things decided] to Guyana.” follow the precedent of “In my position as Clarence Hughes vAttorney Commissioner of Police GeneralCivappealNo.57of (Ag.), I have knowledge that 1979, which exemplifies the hundreds of persons charged arguments of the Attorney with indictable offences and General. grantedbailwithsuretiescan

Further, in the Notice of now flee the jurisdiction Motion, the Attorney with impunity, and certainly, General posits that the without the supervisory role decision of the trial judge of the High Court,” Hickens violates, and is in conflict said in the Affidavit in with express provisions of Support of the Notice of the Constitution, established Motion.

DESTITUTE

There are a great There are treatments for how tougher it is on the effort to relocate many to determining admission to n u m b e r o f mentally ill patients, but streetsforthosewhohaveto destitute individuals into a mental institution? And s u s p e c t e d theseareoftenextendedand exist day-to- day, hand-to- shelters The public was have persons been forcibly

mentally ill costly It is only now there mouth, without permanent assuredthatthiswouldhave institutionalized in mental persons walking around the has not been any significant shelter and often having to beenacontinuouseffort. asylumsinGuyana?

reason that amongst the streets of the country There attemptataddressingmental do relieve themselves in Today, there are just as There has so far been no hundreds of destitute on our areagreatmanyotherswho illness as a serious public public. much, if not more destitute evidence that any illegal streets, there are many are not mentally ill but healthconcern.

Assuch,thereisneedfor persons on our streets than actions have taken place as mentally-illpersonsandhow simplydestitutebutwhoare Perhaps because there aplantoaddressthegrowing there were in 2007, regardstheinstitutionalizing thesepersonsaregoingtobe treatedas“mad”people. aremorementallyillpersons numbersofdestituteandthe questioning just how of mentally ill persons treatedisanotherproblem. Mental illness is a off the streets than on the mentally ill persons on our effective and sustained has within Guyana. But at the

Then there is the diseaselikeanyotherillness. streets,itisassumedthatthe streets. We should not wait been the campaign to get minimum, no person should financial concern In a Itafflictsthemindinsteadof problem is under control. until a major international dwellers off the streets and be admitted to a mental country in which there is the body but because the Another reason may be the event is held before taking into a more comfortable homeorinstitutionwithouta competition for health mind controls bodily difficultyinidentifyingfrom steps to shelve these environmentwheretheywill medical referral from a resources,itisnevergoingto functions and actions, an amongthedestitutejustwho problemstemporarily be less exposed to risk, can competentprofessional. be easy for governments to illness of the mind can have arementallyillandjustwho During 2007, the begivenregularmealsanda Since a mentally ill convince the public that degenerative effects on the areonlysimplydeprivedand government in the haste to placetosleepandeventually personcannotbeexpectedto more should be spent on the physical ability and mimickingmadnessjustasa present a good face for the reintegrated with their make a rational decision to mentallyill. constitution of mentally-ill survival mechanism. If it is hosting of Cricket World familiesandfriends. beadmitted,thelawsofmost

In fact, if the average patients. toughoffthestreets,imagine Cupundertookalastminute Then a few years ago, countriesusuallyprovidefor citizen knew just how much there was campaign to that person to be moneyisrequiredtobespent remove persons off the institutionalized upon the to treat a mentally ill person streets. It was even reported recommendation of medical back to good health, they that some of the persons professionals. The situation would gasp at the sums and removed were placed in the is obviously compounded many perhaps would argue mentalhospitalinBerbice. since a person cannot be againstsuchexpenditure. Unfortunately, one of assumed to be mentally ill,

Two more women die after giving birth at GPHC

The Georgetown Public On December 23, 2022, diedatGPHC. Hospital on Friday reported Kaieteur News had reported Since then, the relatives two maternal deaths which that 38-year-old Tiffani D. of the deceased have been occurred on January 1 and Jeffrey died as a result of calling for answers. The January6,2023respectively complications after giving hospital has said that

In a brief statement, the birth at GPHC It was investigations have been Hospital said that on Friday, reportedthatthewomandied launched into women’s a31-year-oldwomandiedat two days after she delivered deaths. thefacilitywhileonJanuary herbaby

It is unclear whether 1, 2023, a 25-year-old K a i e t e u r N e w s reports on the investigations womandied. understands that the woman have been completed and or “The GPHC expresses was diagnosed with sickle sharedwiththefamilies. sincerest condolences to the cell which caused

Meanwhile, last year Dr familiesofthedeceasedand complications during her Karen Cummings, Shadow will make every effort to pregnancy Minister of Health, for the provide all the necessary Over the past few O p p o s i t i o n - l e d A support during this difficult months,GPHChasrecorded Partnership for National timetorenderanyassistance anumberofmaternaldeaths. Unity+AllianceForChange and information needed,” A Lodge, Georgetown (APNU+AFC) said that the statement from the womanandherunbornchild considering the billions of GPHC said as it appealed to died on October 20, 2022, dollars that is pumped into the public to respect the whileonOctober29,2022a the health sector, Guyana confidentiality of the Mahaica woman, Navita should not be recording deceasedandtheirfamilies. Maraj and her unborn child maternalandinfantdeaths.

Dem boys seh...

EVERYBODY HIDING!

Thebossofabigcompanyneededtocall “No, he’s busy”, whispered Little one of his employees about an urgent Johnny problem at work. He dialed the employee’s “Busydoingwhat?”askedtheboss. home phone number and was greeted by a “TalkingtoDaddyandMommyandthe child’swhisper–“Hello?” Fireman,”wasthewhisperedanswer “IsyourDaddyhome?”

Growingconcernedandevenworriedas “Yes”,whisperedLittleJohnny he heard what sounded like a helicopter MayItalkwithhim?”themanasked. through the receiver the boss asked, “What

Tothesurpriseoftheboss,LittleJohnny isthatnoise?” whispered,“No.”

“A hello-copper,” answered the Wanting to talk with an adult, the boss whisperingLittleJohnny asked,“IsyourMommythere?”

“What is going on there?” asked the “Yes,”heanswered. boss,nowalarmed.

“May I talk with her?” Again, Little In an awed, whispering voice Little Johnnywhispered,“No.” Johnny answered, “The search team just “Isthereanyoneelsetherebesidesyou,” landedthehello-copper!” askedtheboss

Alarmed,concernedandmorethanjusta “Yes,” whispered Little Johnny, “A little frustrated, the boss asked, “Why are policeman.” theythere?”

Wondering what a policeman would be Still whispering, Little Johnny replied, doing at his employee’s home, the boss “They’relookingforme! asked,“MayIspeakwiththepoliceman?”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

T h i s i s a l w a y s those individuals escaped takenoffthestreets,seenby unfortunate because mental from that institution and adoctorandthenreferredto illnessisnotincurable;most drownedinoneoftherivers a mental institution. If the mental conditions are inthearea. person is taken to a hospital treatable and in fact, if This raised concerns not orclinicandisthenseenbya treated early allow the j u s t a b o u t t h e doctor, then the person can patient to return to a normal institutionalizing of persons lawfullybeinstitutionalized. existence. butalsoaboutthesecurityat Butwhotakestheperson

Mentalillnessisalsolike the said institution. It had to the hospital or clinic? If any other illness and just as long been reported in someone is forcibly taken howgreatsumsaregoingto Guyana that the security at awaytobeseenbyadoctor, bespentthisyearondialysis, the mental hospital in the canthatpersonbesaidtobe then perhaps some attention past had left much to be unlawfullyabducted. shouldbepaidtothecauseof desired since in the past If Guyana is to address thementallyill. persons from that institution the high incidence of

(The views expressed in could have been seen destitute persons on its this article are those of the regularly and unsupervised streets, it cannot do so author and do not wanderingallaroundatown without examining the laws necessarily reflect the inthearea. andregulationspertainingto opinions and beliefs of this

A number of questions theinstitutionalizationofthe n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s therefore emerge. What are mentallyill. affiliates.) the procedures that are used And for the simple

THE DILEMMA OF TREATING THE MENTALLY ILL WHO ARE ALSO

CANSOMEONEWRITEATENNESSEE WILLIAMSPLAYONTHEAFC?

If there is any sordid theAugustcovenant. aide at a particular salary politicalanalysis. insanity Inendingits moment in politics, There was no sanity in rate. The Ministry of the During his time as marriage with the anywhere in history, it is theexerciseofpowerbythe Presidency rejected the Premier of British Guiana P N C , i t s AFC’s performance with AFC in the years 2015 to proposed salary Ramjattan from 1957 to 1964, Jagan a c c o m p a n y i n g dictatetotheAFCthatithas power, 2015-2020. I would 2020 Power in the and Craig settled for what wrote in his autobiography, statement notified the toprobethatpossibility think only one other nasty APNU+AFC government the Ministry of the The West on Trial, that he nation it may once more Any researcher that sees moment in politics can be rested on three pillars – the Presidencydecided. was in office but not in seek a coalition with the a future in this country for compared to the self- Presidency, the Ministry of Tw o - T h e A F C power From 2015 to 2020, PNC in possibly 2024 or the AFC is an incompetent destructionoftheAFC. the Presidency and the submittedthenameofoneof the AFC was certainly in 2025 But haven’t the academic. The idea of new It is the August 1939 Ministry of Finance. Those its then prominent activists, officebutnotinpower dialectics changed since partyisbeingtestedandthe Non-Aggression Pact were the forums of real Rajendra Bissesar for a But the researcher must 2014 when a partnership ABCEU embassies have between Hitler and Stalin. power The AFC had no junior minister post. The always include in his/her withthePNCwasastrategy been approached.ANUG, a Buteveninthisrendezvous, control or any kind of real Office of the President analysis that the AFC was to win power based on the party patterned off the there was more logic and jurisdiction. rejected Bissesar Three- willingly compliant in the nature of PPP’s rule? How originalAFCisexpanding. rationality than the AFC’s The AFC then was Last year, Ramjattan told policies of the PNC. Four can the dynamics be the The current AFC marriage to the PNC. What virtually bankrupt as a PNC activist in the UK, topAFC second-tierleaders same in 2025 when the resemblance the tragic caused Stalin to sign the power-holder Herearethree Norman Browne that I was told me that the most vocal PNC’s leadership and recurring figure of agreement was because the examplestoshowthatsince annoyed with the AFC support for the Hamilton credibility have been badly Tennessee Williams plays – West began to court 2015, the AFC was dead because I could not go back Green Pension Bill of 2017 tarnished,andthecredibility the Freudian yearning to Germany alleviating some meat and now that it has toUGtoteachafter2015. wasKhemrajRamjattan. of President Ali is in recapture past glory Past oftheharshsanctionsofthe pulled out of the coalition Ramjattan told Browne Now that the AFC has overdrive. glory never returns. That’s Treaty of Versailles for with the PNC on December that the AFC had no power exited its coalition with the And why not a coalition thelawofscience.TheAFC Germany’s role in the First 31, 2022, it has become the over the Ministry of PNC, one must remind with the PPPin 2024? Why willneverreturn. WorldWar biggest clown in politics Education Those three GuyanesewhatAFCleaders in 2024 the PNC will be a (The views expressed in S t a l i n f e a r e d anywhereintheworld. examples are graphic in 2013 repeated at public more acceptable partner to this article are those of the encirclement seeing the One- The Minister of evidence that there was no meetings – that if the AFC the AFC than the PPP? Of author and do not West’smovestoGermanyas Public Security, Khemraj coalition in power but the teams up with either the course,thePPPwillrejecta necessarily reflect the encouragement for Ramjattan employed government was essentially PNC or PPP, it will become teamingupwiththeAFCfor opinions and beliefs of this Germany to attack the Leonard Craig, one of the run by the PNC. Cheddi deadmeat.Well,itchosethe the 2025 election but since n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s USSR.WhatStalindidthen bigwigs in the AFC at the Jagan’s famous statement PNCandbecamedeadmeat. the PPP has not announced affiliates.) was to buy time by signing time, as his administrative will live on forever in Now enter the realm of that, basic strategy should

FrederickKissoon

GPHC appoints Directors of Medical and Professional

Services, and Nursing Services

The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has appointed Dr Navindranauth Rambaran as the Director of Medical and Professional Services (DMPS) and Ms. Leslyn Holder as the Director of Nursing Services, a statement from the Hospital saidFriday

According to the statement, both Dr Rambaran and Holder “emerged as the successful candidates for the posts through a meticulous selection process which commencedin2022.”

Dr Rambaran, who of Nursing Services at the

newrole,GPHCstated.

“It is worth noting that previously held the post of GPHC, assumed the role of the post of Director of Consultant/Head of the DirectorofNursingServices Nursing Services (Matron) Department for General onDecember12,2022. has remained vacant for the Surgery at the GPHC for six S h e h a s b e e n a past six (6) years, leading to (6) years, and Head of the Registered Nurse for almost a significant gap in nursing Accident and Emergency 25 years, having practised m a n a g e m e n t a t t h e Department for four (4) nursing in Guyana and the hospital,”theHospitalsaid. years prior, has a wealth of United Kingdom prior to

The GPHC noted that medical and managerial jump starting her career as both appointments represent experienceandknowledge. Quality Improvement

Guyana oil account closes 2022 with US$1.27B

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh legislation is that the Minister of Finance submitted a Notification of Receipts to could face up to 10 years imprisonment if he Parliament on Friday showing all petroleum fails to disclose the receipt of any petroleum revenuespaidintotheNaturalResourceFund revenue received by Government in the (NRF). This report covered the period Official Gazette within three months of October1,2022toDecember31,2022. receiptofsuchmonies.

He is also the elected Manager in 2018 at the additions to the current Chairman of the Medical GPHC. management team as the Council of Guyana and is Ms Holder has a GPHC positions itself as an well respected within the background in Health and internationally comparable medical fraternity and Social Care Leadership and healthcarefacility.” among colleagues at the Management and has

“substantiveandprogressive

TheHospitalisconfident GPHC for his stalwart worked in mental health, that the newly appointed leadership and tactical disability, and older people Directors “will augment the management approaches, services She holds a ongoing efforts of the team GPHC said. Dr Rambaran Master’s Degree in Public to strengthen and improve assumed his new role on Health Administration and the quality of healthcare January1,2023. brings a combination of being provided at the Meanwhile, Ms. Holder a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a n d hospital.” formerly Assistant Director functional experience to this

Labourer remanded for burning down mother-in-law’s house

Safraz Rafeek, a 46- Meanwhile, according year-old labourer of Jib, to an eyewitness, Rafeek Essequibo Coast, Region planned to burn down his Two was on Friday mother-in-law’s house. The remanded to prison after 21-year-old witness told being charged with the investigators that the Offence of Setting Fire to labourer told him that he DwellingHouse. wasgoingtocommittheact.

Reports are that on ThewitnesssaidthatRafeek December 30, 2022 at Job brokethelocktoNandalall’s H o u s i n g S c h e m e , home, poured gasoline EssequiboCoast,Rafeekset within its interior and then fire to the home of his set the house on fire before mother-in-law, 62-year-old makinggoodhisescape. TewattyNandalal. K a i e t e u r N e w s

At his first court understands that Rafeek and he. He threatens to kill he appearance at the Suddie his wife had reportedly own daughter and son-inMagistrates’ Court before separated almost a year ago law and grandson that he Magistrate Esther Sam, andaccordingtothewoman, gon kill them,” the woman Rafeek was not required to since the couple separated, said. The woman explained enter a plea after the charge R a f e e k c o n s t a n t l y that at the time of the fire, wasreadtohim. threatened to kill her and hermotherwasatareligious

Taking the gravity of the burn down her mother’s function. offence into consideration house. “Me and he separate “When he bun down the along with the safety of the like about a year now, and house, me mother went at a victim, Magistrate Sam me move to town to work Jhandi. So the last time she remanded Rafeek to prison but he still use to threatened lock up the Thursday until January 18, 2023 when to kill me. So right now, I afternoon and gone to the he is expected to appear at gotta continue in hiding. He Jhandi house. When she get t h e A n n a R e g i n a threatened me mommy that the news, she pressure gone Magistrates’ Court for he gon bun she house down uprightawayanduptonow, reports. because me na go back by itcan’tcomedownback.”

It was also published in the Official The International Monetary Fund (IMF), Gazette on the January 5, 2023.At the end of in its 2022 Article IV mission to Guyana in 2022, the balance in the NRF stood at May-June of 2022, commended the People’s US$1.27 billion. It would be recalled that the ProgressivePartyCivic(PPP/C)Government NRF Act 2021, came into operation on on the amendmentsmade to the NRFAct and January 1, 2022, replacing the illegitimate highlighted: “TheNRFActwasstrengthened NRFAct2019passedbytheAPartnershipfor recently After a thorough review, and while National Unity + Alliance For Change restraining the spending of the oil receipts, (APNU/AFC)administration. the authorities amended the NRF Act

The NRFAct 2021 allows for substantial December 2021. The recent amendments set improvementinthemanagementofGuyana’s clear ceilings on withdrawals from the Fund natural resource wealth including the forbudgetaryspending.” establishment of a Board of Directors which The PPP/C Government said it intends to is responsible for reviewing and approving continuetomanageGuyana’soilresourcesin the policies of the Fund and monitoring its a clear and transparent manner, to the benefit performance, thereby separating the ofpresentandfuturegenerations. management of the Fund from the Minister The chart attached to this piece shows a responsibleforFinance. breakdown of the revenues received for the

Another key amendment in the new 2022fourthquarter

Boy, 7, critical after struck by car at Bartica

A 7-year-old boy is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) following an accident at Bartica, Region Seven on Thursday

The seriousness of the injuries suffered by the child prompted the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to medevac him to the city for emergencymedicalcare.

The lad, a student of the Potaro Primary School, was airlifted to Georgetown on Thursday night after he was struck by a car at about 14:30h. According to the investigation.

transported the child with its Bartica police, the child had However, doctors at the Bell 412 Helicopter In a just stepped out of a minibus Bartical Regional Hospital statement, the GDF said that and was about to cross the were unable to adequately the helicopter landed with road when he was hit by the care for the lad due to the the patient at Base Camp car nature his injuries and a Ayanganna at around

The injured child was decision was made to have 21:15hrs and the child was immediately rushed to the h i m a i r d a s h e d t o immediately transported to Bartica Regional Hospital Georgetown. the Georgetown Public and the driver of the car was The Guyana Defence Hospital Corporation detained to assist with the Force (GDF) readily (GPHC)inanambulance.

The lad being rushed to a waiting ambulance after GDF’s helicopter landed at Base Camp Ayanganna on Thursday night (GDF photo)

Leslyn Holder: Director of Nursing Services

Dr. Navindranauth Rambaran: Director of Medical and Professional Services (DMPS)

Safraz Rafeek

Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc. starts expansion of island in Demerara River

Glenn Lall outlines family $1M monthly ways Govt. can give each

The Vreed-en-Hoop projects, ” the local Guyana The project is Shore Base Inc (VEHSI) has consortiumexplained. expected to become made progress on the The project commenced operationalthisyear artificial island in the in June last year and In the meantime, the Demerara River that will be included the dredging of the project managers have transformed into the access channel in the warned that the site remains estimated 44 acre mega- Demerara River As part of an active construction zone project for the shore base its scope of works, the and landing on the island is facility. In a statement to the company also facilitated the prohibited. It was explained media, VEHSI said the deepening/widening of the that while the island project is currently in the existing nautical channel, structure is visible, it is not sand key reclamation phase berth pockets, and turning yet a fully stable formation. during which, the dredger, basin. This phase has been As such, the team is urging M.V Galileo Galilei, will hailed a success by the all to remain clear of the continue the process of project managers and the construction zone and to adding reclaimed material upgraded channel has been adhere to the previously for the creation of the handed over to the Maritime issued notices. Construction artificial island on which the Administration Department is ongoing and the land mass construction of the new (MARAD). will continueto be expanded terminalwillbesituated. The VEHSI is currently forthefacility

“This project will, in the the largest Guyanese private V r e e d - e n - H o o p firstphase,addmorethan44 sector investment in the oil Shorebase Inc. is a joint acres to Guyana’s coastline. and gas sector and is venture between NRG Phase one of the project is expected to cost over Holdings Inc a 100 meant to be the special US$300M. Accordingtothe percent Guyanese-owned purpose vehicle to serve as a project directors, the support consortium that is the SURF (Subsea Umbilicals, andencouragementgivenby majority shareholder –and Riser and Flowlines) the Government of Guyana Jan De Nul, an international Shorebase for Esso have been reassuring and maritime infrastructure Exploration and Production augurs well for additional company headquartered in Guyana Limited (EEPGL) investment and the future of Luxembourg.

Man drops bag with AK-47, AR-15 rifles after cops show up

The weapons and ammunition found in the haversack dropped by the suspect.

Aman on Thursday dropped a haversack began to run through an alley in a northern containing two high-powered rifles and direction, dropping the haversack,” police matching ammunition and ran away after said.Aftertheirchaseprovedfutile,theranks patrol ranks showed up at Norton Street, opened the haversack and found “oneAK-47 Georgetown. The ranks, according to a assault rifle and one AR-15 rifle along with statementbytheGuyanaPoliceForce(GPF), twomagazinesfilledwithliveammunition”. were conducting duties in Norton Street Investigators have since dusted the when they saw the suspect holding a bulky weapons for fingerprints with hopes of greenandorangehaversack. linkingthemtothesuspect.

“As the man saw the police ranks, he Investigationsareongoing.

Businessman and publisher of Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall, on Friday outlined ways in which the Government of Guyana can give each family $1M m o n t h l y d e b u n k i n g statements made by PresidentIrfaanAlithateven atthehighestpointGuyana’s oil and gas revenues cannot afford to give each citizen a cashtransfer

to

State House functions

press conferences and stop hiding behind Facebook

The Department of Public Information (DPI) quoted the President as saying, “I can say like many others, let’s give everybody $1millioneach.Firstofall,it is nonsensical because we projects (Exxon’s projects) Bharrat has not held any can’t afford it even at the alone, if he (PresidentAli) is press conference to update highest point of oil willingtotaketheadviceand the media corps on its revenues.” The President do the things he has to do,” stewardship of the major was at the time addressing the Kaieteur News publisher industry Notably, while stakeholders at a forum at said while adding that, Bharrat is the Minister in StateHouse.

“PresidentAlishouldn’thold charge of the oil and gas

TheDPIreportedthatthe stakeholders meetings and sector,hehasneverofficially Head-of-State explained that talk to this country He engagedthemediatoaddress the government is looking at s h o u l d h o l d p r e s s k e y c o n c e r n s o n improving the country’s conferences,wherereporters t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d competitiveness, productive and people like Glenn Lall accountability or to speak on capacity,strengthenthework canaskhimquestions.” upcomingdevelopments. force, enhance wages and

Since taking office in In many instances, local buildnationalprosperitythat August 2020, the Head-of- media operatives are left to reachesthehouseholdlevel. State, nor the Minister of learn about developments in “As a society, we have to Natural Resources, Vickram the oil sector, such as the debunk this type of fallacy Bharrat (who is responsible exploration programmes otherwise, all of us will be for oil and gas sector), has offshore for a given year part of building a future that held a press conference from companies as opposed is not sustainable,” Ali r e g a r d i n g c r i t i c a l tohisministry reiterated. developments in the oil and Meanwhile, DPI also

However, in response, gas industry – all while reported that President Ali the Kaieteur News Publisher several US-multi-million saidthePeople’sProgressive said, “You have in excess of projectsarebeingawarded. Party Civic (PPP/C) $50B already, more than

This publication recently Governmentisembarkingon that, at a 10 percent interest reported that, in place of a massive development rate per annum, it is US$5B facing the independent trajectory that will lay the going into the hands of the media, the President has foundation to build an banking institutions. If we developed a fondness for economythatwillperformin correct that, that money can Facebook Lives and the aworld2030andbeyond. come into every home in this issuance of statements

The President said the country,thatalone…”

While he is an advocate for aim is to make Guyana a

Further, Lall said if the local content, the President leader in food security and government “takes stock of has been more open to agro-processing, as well as these field development engaging international ecological, biological, projects” then “that alone media as opposed to the financial, technological, can give you a million independent Guyanese health and manufacturing dollarsamonth.” press. services, it was further

“A million dollars a

Furthermore, Minister stated. month from those four oil

The artificial island being developed by VEHSI in the Demerara River

...tells Pres. Ali

hold

live,

President of Guyana, Irfaan Ali Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall

Govt. relies on non-existent EIA study for power...

From page 3 However, in the case of acceptable standards construction and operation therefore is exempt from the eabguyana21@gmail com the CIA done for the project back fuel use, particulate (GNBS Interim Effluent to avoid, minimize and c o n d u c t o f a n or submitted to its website at revealed that while there is matter and SO2 emissions discharge standards and/or mitigate any impacts to Environmental Impact www.epaguyana.org. potential for temporary will be released but to a IFC Guidelines) via a biodiversity Assessment.” The EPA on November impacts on air quality, the minimal extent, and well wastewater treatment plant As such, the agency In keeping with the 25, 2022 gave Exxon its maximum predicted below recommended WHO priortobeingdischarged. concluded, “The Project Environmental Protection blessings to commence the concentrations of key guidelines ” The sanitary sewage will not significantly Act, Cap 20:05; any person US$1.3 billion GTE project pollutants including Itaddedthatcomparedto system within the facility impact or change overall that may be affected by the that will allow for the nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) will collect all sanitary ecological functions of the project may lodge an appeal construction of a natural gas sulphur dioxide (SO2), currently in use for power wastewater and treat it to landscape and affected to the Environmental pipeline, NGL facility and particulate matter (PM 2.5 plants, natural gas has lower international applicable watershed will retain their Assessment Board (EAB) supportinginfrastructure. and PM10), and carbon carbon content and as a standards prior to discharge current functions largely against the agency’s W h i l e m a n y monoxide (CO)- will be result will have a lower CO2 into a stormwater pond prior unchanged. decision not to require an stakeholders had raised within the World Health emission. to discharge into the Potential environmental EIA. concerns regarding the Organization (WHO) Naturalgas,accordingto DemeraraRiver.” and social impacts that will The appeal must be safetyoftheproject,theEPA stipulatedlimits. the EPA, also does not It noted too that the be caused by the project submitted within 30 days of in its decision to grant the In further explaining its contain sulphur meaning project is not located in a during pre-construction, the notice, which means Permitsaidtheproject’sEIA decision to waive the impact there will be no sulphur sensitive ecosystem but construction and operation persons have until around and Environmental Impact studyforthepowerplant,the emissions from burning the within a “highly modified p h a s e s , h a v e b e e n February 6, 2023 to submit Statement (EIS) have been regulator explained, “As naturalgas. landscape”. identified, screened and theirobjections. declared acceptable, by the natural gas is used for power Meanwhile, as it regards Thedesignoftheproject, assessed ” Appeals against the Environmental Assessment generation, the flue gas water quality, the regulator according to the EPA will It added, “Overall, many EPA’s decision should be Board in accordance with emissions will not have explained, “Process include embedded controls of the impacts are localized, addressed to the Chairman, section 11(13) of the particulate matter and SO2 wastewaterwillbetreatedto as well as targeted short-term and/or temporary Environmental Assessment Environmental Protection emissions. local and international mitigation measures during in nature This project B o a r d o r e m a i l a t Act,Cap.20:05.

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ILO pushes flexible working hours for staff

…says this can benefit work-life balance, businesses and productivity

GENEVA (ILO News) –Reduced working hours and more flexible working time arrangements, such as those used during the COVID-19 crisis,canbenefiteconomies, enterprises and workers, and laythegroundforabetterand more healthy work-life balance, according to a new ILOreport.

Thereport,WorkingTime and Work-Life Balance Around the World, looks at the two main aspects of workingtime;workinghours and working time arrangements (also called work schedules) and the effects of both on business performance and workers’ work-lifebalance.

It includes a range of newstatisticscoveringhours of work, both before and duringtheCOVID-19crisis.

The study, which is the first to focus on work-life balance, found that a substantial portion of the globalworkforceareworking either long or short hours whencomparedtoastandard eight-hour day/40 hour working week. More than one-third of all workers are regularly working more than 48hoursperweek,whileafifth of the global workforce is working short (part-time)

hours of less than 35 per week. Informal economy workers are more likely to have long or short hours.

The report analyses different working-time arrangements and their effects on work-life balance, including shift work, on-call work, compressed hours and hours-averaging schemes. It cautions that the benefits of some of these flexible arrangements, such as better family life, may be accompanied by costs including greater gender imbalances and health risks.

“There is a substantial amount of evidence that work–life balance policies providesignificantbenefitsto enterprises, supporting the argument that such policies are a ‘win-win’ for both employers and employees,” the report states.

the report states.

“The so-called ‘Great Resignation’ phenomenon has placed work-life balance at the forefront of social and labour market issues in the post-pandemic world,” said Jon Messenger, the lead author of the report. “This report shows that if we apply some of the lessons of the COVID-19 crisis and look very carefully at the way workinghoursarestructured, aswellastheiroveralllength, we can create a win-win, improving both business performance and work-life balance.”

The report includes a number of conclusions and recommendations,including:

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It also looks at the crisis response measures governments and businesses used during the COVID-19 pandemic to help keep organizations functioning and workers employed. It found that the increased proportion of workers on reduced hours helped to preventjoblosses.Long-term changesarealsohighlighted: “The large-scale implementation of telework nearly everywhere in the world that it was feasible to do so, changed… the nature ofemployment,mostlikelyfor the foreseeable future,” the report says.

The COVID-19 crisis measures also yielded powerful new evidence that givingworkersmoreflexibility in how, where and when they workcanbepositivebothfor them and for business, for example by improving productivity

Conversely, restricting flexibility brings substantial costs, including increased staff turnover. “There is a substantial amount of evidence that work–life balance policies provide significant benefits to enterprises, supporting the argument that such policies are a ‘win-win’ for both employers and employees,”

1. Working-time laws andregulationsonmaximum daily hours of work and statutory rest periods are achievementsthatcontribute to the long-term health and well-being of a society and must not be put at risk.

2. Longer hours of workaregenerallyassociated with lower unit labour productivity, while shorter hoursofworkarelinkedwith higher productivity

3. Countries should make use of the experiences theydevelopedwithworkingtimereductionandflexibility during the COVID-19 crisis. Inclusive short-time work schemes with the highest possible allowances not only maintain employment but also sustain purchasing power and create the possibility of cushioning the effects of economic crises.

4. Public policy responses are needed to promote reductions in hours ofworkinmanycountries,to promotebothahealthyworklife balance and improved productivity

5. Teleworking helps maintain employment and creates new scope for employee autonomy However, these and other types of flexible working arrangements need regulating, to contain their potential negative effects, through policies such as what is often called a “right to disconnect” from work.

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The bulldozing of homes...

From page 5 not represent us or what we should aspire to be. It is a oneness of evil, inhumanity, lawlessness, discrimination andvictimisation.

It is a oneness, we cannot afford to countenance not only for our sake but for the sake of this nation and the advancement of humanity. I

am saddened by what this nationiswitnessingandwhat isbeinginflictedonitspeople and resolved to ensure this cancerous politics is excised from the body of this nation becauseleftunattendeditwill metamorphosise and destroy usall.

Regards, Lincoln Lewis

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7,000bivalentCOVID-19 vaccinesexpected month-end–HealthMinister

The Government of GuyanathroughtheMinistry of Health is expected to receive some 7,000 bivalent COVID-19 vaccines in the last week of this month to help in its fight against COVID-19.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony during his first COVID-19 update for the year on Friday said that the vaccines were ordered through the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX)mechanism.

“These vaccines, the bivalent vaccines are more effective. We have ordered bivalent vaccines from COVAX and we are expectingtohaveashipment bythelastweekinJanuary… Andagain,oncewegetthose vaccines, we’ll urge people to come out get the bivalent vaccine,” the Minister said onFriday

According to the US Food&DrugAdministration (FDA), “The bivalent COVID-19 vaccines include a component of the original virus strain to provide broad protection against COVID19 and a component of the omicron variant to provide better protection against COVID-19 caused by the omicronvariant.

Thesearecalledbivalent COVID-19 vaccines because they contain these twocomponents.

A bivalent COVID-19 vaccine may also be referred to as “updated” COVID-19 vaccineboosterdose.”

The Minister explained that generally, it is recommended that persons

who have received their primary doses of a COVID19 vaccine, be administered the bivalent vaccine. But whenthevaccinesarrive,the Ministry intends to put out suitable advisories so persons can access the vaccines.

In the meantime, Dr Anthonyisurgingpersonsto get vaccinated with any of the vaccines currently availableinthecountry

He shared that there are increases in COVID-19 casesandhospitalisations.

“ A n d w i t h t h e hospitalisation, we are seeing people who are coming into the hospital having a serve form of COVID and some of them require ICU care,” the HealthMinistersaid.

Meanwhile, the Ministry

of Health via its daily COVID-19 dashboard reported that a 75-year-old man from Region Two who tested positive for COVID19hasdied.

The man who was receiving treatment at a medical institution died on January3,2023.

The Ministry also revealed that within the last 24-hours, 51 new cases were recorded in the country, taking the total number of confirmed cases to72,397

There is one patient in the COVID-19 Intensive CareUnit(ICU),17persons in institutional isolation, 311 in home isolation; four persons in institutional quarantine and to date a total 70,778 persons have recoveredfromthevirus

President Ali leaves for Official Visit to India

President IrfaanAli departed Guyana on Friday for a seven-day official visit to India, theOfficeofthePresidentsaid.

In a statement to the media, the President’sofficesaidthattheHead-of-State will be bestowed with the highest honour conferred on overseas Indians– the Pravasi BharatiyaSammanAward.

“PresidentAli will join 26 other persons of Indian origin/non-resident Indians who have been recognised by the Government of India for their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad for this year’s awards,”thestatementsaid.

The 17th PBSAwill be conferred by the PresidentofIndia,DroupadiMurmu,aspart of the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention (Indian Diaspora Day) to be

held in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, from January 8-10, 2023. The award will be conferred during the valedictory session of theConventiononJanuary10.

President Ali, while in India will also participate in the Pradesh Government Global Investors Summit and other engagements with officials of the G o v e r n m e n t o f I n d i a a n d agencies/organisations of the Private Sector ofIndia.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd; the Minister within the Ministry of Local Government, Anand Persaud, and the Director of Projects at the Office of the President, Mrs. Marcia Nadir-Sharma are accompanyingthePresident.

MoE officials visit the Cane View/Mocha community

…to assist students to return to school

Officers from the Ministry of Education v i s i t e d t h e C a n e

View/Mocha community on Friday to engage parents and students with a view of ensuring that the children attendschool.

The Ministry’s visit follows the demolition of several homes belonging to residents of the Mocha Arcadia squatting area, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Thursday.

The team comprised of officers from the Ministry’s Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) Unit and the Welfare Unit of the Department of EducationRegion Four The team was led by Assistant Chief Education Officer (HFLE), Ms.CarolBenn.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Education, the team was able to engage 16 children from seven households and has committed to working to ensure that they continue “to receive an education, and where frequent absences were noted, that the parties collaboratetoendthat.”

The team will return to the community today to provide supplies so that all children could attend school onMonday

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News reported that the demolition exercise on

Thursday left two officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) injured, while three persons are currently in police custody Commander ofRegionalDivisional‘4’B, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh, related to this publication that a woman is among the three persons who were arrested for alleged assault On Wednesday, the Ministry of Housing had moved to demolish several houses at the squatting area, which continued on Thursday. On Thursday, during the exercise, the demolition teamwasmetwithresistance by residents who attempted to block the men from breakingdowntheirhomes.

During the commotion, two police officers sustained injuries about their bodies and had to be taken to the Diamond Hospital for treatment.The demolition of thehousescomesafterseven families had refused to vacate the government’s reserve, which is slated to be usedtobuildanewfour-lane road. Kaieteur News had r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e Government said that in keeping with its mandate to ease traffic congestion for thousands of commuters along the East Bank Demerara (EBD), Region Four corridor, it is constructing the Eccles to

Great Diamond Highway However, the illegally occupied lands at Cane View/Herstelling form an essentiallinktotheproject.

The Housing Ministry had stated that to date, more than twenty families have relocated to nearby residential areas and have rebuilt new homes through governmentcompensation.

However, the seven individuals remain noncompliant and continue to stall this development plan. The Ministry had noted several notices were issued to the seven households to relocate, but all their effort has been met with harsh and irrationalresistance.

The Ministry had stated before that should their offers be rejected by theses illegal squatters, it will have no other choice but to proceed with a demolition exercise.

Kaieteur News had reported that the seven families were offered full compensation for their properties, a free residential house lot and a grace period to facilitate the construction oftheirnewhome.

In November, making another offer, the Ministry had publically offered the families two bedroom houses each in Little Diamond Housing Scheme, whichtheyrefusedtotake.

Two men found dead at separate locations in Berbice

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is investigating the death of two men who were found lifeless at two locations in Berbice on Thursday

Thedeadmenhavebeenidentifiedas57year-oldRameshBalkissoonand52-year-old SatyacharranKaramchandcalled“Imbai”.

According to reports, the body of Balkissoon was found in a trench that runs along the Bloomfield Village Public Road, nexttotheThrillCompanybond.Balkissoon wascladinablueandblacklongsleevedshirt withacreampants.

He was reportedly in a semi-conscious state before being taken to the Port Mourant Hospitalwherehewaspronounceddead.

A dark mark was visible on his left abdomen along with blood oozing from his leftear,policesaid.

Meanwhile, at No.77 Housing Scheme,

Karamchand of Lot 230 No. 77 Housing Scheme, Corriverton, was found lying face downinadrainonthesameday

Monica Karamchand, the deceased sister who also resides at Lot 230 No. 77 Housing Scheme,Corrivertonsaidthatherbrotherhad breakfastandlefttheirhome.

Thehousewifesaidthatnotlongaftershe heardshoutsfromneighboursthatamanwas in the drain. She rushed out of her home and upon checking, realized that it was her brother

Monica disclosed that her brother frequentlyconsumesalcoholandalsosuffers from diabetes. Karamchand was taken to the Skeldon Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. No marks of violence were seenonhisbody.

A post mortem is expected to be performedsoon.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

Lowenfield, Mingo exercise right to remain silent at elections CoI

Sacked Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith

Lowenfield

andRegion

Four

R e t u r n i n g O f f i c e r, Clairmont Mingo, both formerly of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) appeared before the Presidential Elections Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Friday and exercised their right to remainsilent.

The duo was summoned bytheCommissiontoappear and offer testimony However,theirlawyer,Nigel Hughes,informedtheCOIof his two clients’ position not to provide information to the Commission.

Hughes noted that both of his clients are before the criminal court in regard to theirconductattheelections. He said that given that Lowenfield and Mingo are still before the court in the matter, they have been advised that it is best that they do not testify before the Commission.

“I believe it would be in their best interest that they exercise right enshrined in Section 144 of the Constitution not implicate themselves…”Hughessaid.

As such, Lowenfield and Mingo both then told the Commission that they will observe their right to remain silent.

Lowenfield was slapped with three counts of misconduct in public office and three counts of forgery, while Mingo faces multiple j o i n t c h a rg e s , l i k e conspiracy to commit fraud, forging a document and forgery

Also appearing before the Commission on Friday wasformerDeputyRegional CommanderforRegionFour Phillip Azore – who also optedtoremainsilent.

Notably, Lowenfield, Mingo andAzore are not the onlysetofpersons who have refused to offer testimony beforetheCOI.

Similarly on Thursday,

Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs), Volda Lawrence and Dr Karen Cummings along with Opposition ChiefScrutineer, Carol Smith-Joseph, all appeared before the Presidential COI and exercised their right to remainsilent.

Prior to that, a number of GECOM officials also refused to give testimony at the Commission The employees, who first appeared before the Commission last month, filed a Fixed Date Application (FDA) in the High Court requesting that the summons to testify to be quashed.

The trio Denise BabbCummings, Sheffern February, and Carolyn Duncan had initiated proceedings, citing that the summons amounts to a breach of their constitutional rights against selfincrimination under Article 144oftheConstitution.

During their appearance, the trio was accompanied by their Attorney Eusi

Anderson They initially retained their right to remain silent. However as it relates to the FDA to quash the summons, Justice Damone Younge has dismissed an application by the three staffers.

The trio sought among other things, a permanent

injunction to prevent the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections from compelling themtogiveevidence.

The GECOM employees had declined to testify and invoked their right to remain silent when they appeared beforetheCommission.

Denying all of the orders prayed for, and dismissing the Notice ofApplication by Babb-Cummings, February and Miller, Justice Younge ruled inter alia that the COI into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections is indeed a part of the State pursuant to section 2 of the COIAct.

As such, she determined the injunctive relief claimed against theAttorney General and the COI into the March 2020 General and Regional Electionisrefused.

In any case, the case raised in the Fixed Date Application (FDA) is not appropriate for the grant of a conservatoryorder,thejudge ruled.

B a b b - C u m m i n g s , February, and Miller have b e e n c h a r g e d w i t h conspiracy to defraud the March 2020 Elections, and, on 2nd December 2022, were summoned to give evidence to the COI established by President Irfaan Ali into the March 2022Elections.

Mastermind,fourothersarrestedfor stealing11weaponsfromsecurityfirm

In a major breakthrough, detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters were abletoarrestthemastermind and four accomplices in relation to the theft of 11 weapons belonging to Radar Security and Supplies Company

Kaieteur News had reported that the weapons were stolen from the companybetween10:00hon December25,and18:30hon December26,2022.

The weapons that were stolen are two single-barrel shotguns valued at $950,000; four 9mm Taurus Pistolsvaluedat$1,400,000; five Taurus 32 pistols valued at $1,425,000; 25 12 gauge cartridges, 538 .32 ammunition, and 18 9mm roundsofammunition.

In an update on Friday, Crime Chief Wendell Blanhum disclosed that five persons are currently in police custody including the mastermind who happens to be a Security Official at the company

Blanhum stated too that one of the suspects took a team of investigators to a location in South Ruimveldt where two of the stolen weaponswererecovered.

This publication had reported that the firearms were stolen from company’s office which is located at C a r m i c h a e l S t r e e t , Georgetown.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) had initially reported that Radar Security and Supplies’office is located in the middle flat of a threestoreywoodenbuilding.

According to the police, there is an office to the western side, which has a wooden door to the eastern side, secured with a manufactured Yale lock. In thesaidoffice,thereisasteel ‘strongbox’ where the security firm secures the firearms and ammunition. The strongbox is secured withtwopadlocksandinside

the strongbox; the firearms are chained and padlocked withthreepadlocks.

It was reported that on Christmas Day, the firm’s Chief Security Officer, a 72year-old from Guyhoc Park, checked the firearms and all were intact. Around 18:30 hours on Boxing Day, a 65year-old Weapons Training OfficerfromEnterprise,East Coast Demerara (ECD), visitedthelocation.

The police reported that the Weapons Training Officer observed that the door to the office was not secured, but rather it was left ajar

He then entered the office, where he observed that the padlocks on the strongbox were cut off, the chain that secured the firearms was also cut, and the firearms mentioned were missing.

However, two other shotguns were left in the strongbox.

The Weapons Training Officer then informed the owner of the security service a 49-year-old businessman of Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) When

detectives arrived on the scene, they observed that the padlocks and chain were indeedcut.Thetwoshotguns were removed from the strongbox and lodged. The officewaschecked,butthere werenosignsofbreakage.

The 57-year-old security guard was questioned, and he claimed that at 17:00 hours on Boxing Day, he took over duty from a 36year-old security guard from Paradise Housing Scheme, who handed over the key for the said office that housed thestrongbox.

The 57-year-old guard said that he did not check the officedoor,nordidhegointo the office. He was arrested, and a search was carried out at his home, but nothing was found.

The Weapons Training Officerwasalsoarrestedand questioned, and his home was searched, but nothing wasfound.

At that time, when checks were made by the police for the 36-year-old security guard at his stated address, no one was seen at the house, which seemed to havebeenabandoned.

The Government of Guyana on Friday withdrew its Travel Advisory (1 of 2023) issued on Thursday requiring travelers from China to have a negative COVID19testtoenterGuyana.

In a statement Friday night, the government said that the National COVID-19 Taskforce Secretariat and the Ministry of Health Technical Working Group “further considered the current global epidemiological COVID-19 situation as outlined by the World HealthOrganisation(WHO).”

According to the COVID-19 Taskforce, the WHO outlined that the decrease in surveillance and changesinreportingfrequencyhad interpreted epidemiological trends asmorecomplex.

Itisnotedthatthereisincreased hospitalisation,ICUadmissionand deaths in some regions. It also noted that the circulation of the highly transmissible Omicron subvariants such as XBB, XBB1.5, BQ1andBA2.75.

The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), on January 5,

2023 advised that many of the new variants of Omicron have been circulating in the Caribbean region since early 2022, as evidenced by gene sequencing results from samples submitted by Member States to CARPHA. “Considering that Omicron sub-variants circulating in Canada, China, the United Kingdom, and the United States, are similar to those across the Caribbean, it was concluded that no advantage would be gained through toe testing requirements,” theNationalTaskforcesaid.

It is against this backdrop, that theTaskforcesaidithaswithdrawn theTravelAdvisory The resurgence of COVID has caused several countries to reimplement travel restrictions. As such:

1. Passengers should always carry relevant documents oftheirvaccinationstatus.

2. Passengersmustbeaware of the testing requirements of their country of destination inclusive of requirements of countries of transit.

3. Passengers who tested positive more than 10 days before travellingshouldbeabletoprovide documentation of recovery from COVID-19inlieuofanegativetest result. In this regard, the Taskforce called on the public to adhere to all Public Health Safety Measures (PIISM), adhere to social distancing and ensure that they get their booster shots. The booster shots are recommended especially among older people (60 years and older) and those persons with comorbidity

Former Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo

Former CEO of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield

$346M to reconstruct North West Secondary School

Thereconstructionofthe signing ceremony, said that Alfred King said that the North West Secondary since the school was rebuilding of the North West S c h o o l l o c a t e d i n destroyed by fire, the Secondary School is a Mabaruma, Region One will students and teachers have critical component in the cost $346 million. This was b e e n t r e m e n d o u s l y Ministry’s efforts to attain revealed by the Ministry of inconvenienced. Universal Secondary Education during the award Minister Manickchand Education(USE). of the contract to Aruca told the contractors and King said that the InvestmentsonFriday consultant that the Ministry is working on

The Ministry said that completion of the school is achieving USE and that the theprojectisscheduledtobe not like any other project reconstruction of the North completed in 14 months and they have worked on. She West Secondary School the project consultant is explained that the way they project is important to Innovative Engineering approach this project in achievingthatgoal. Services.

terms of quality and time Meanwhile, Special Minister of Education, taken to complete it can Projects Officer, Ron Priya Manickchand said that change the lives of the Eastman who gave an the quality of work executed beneficiaries. overview of the project said on the project will greatly Moreover, the Minister that after extensive impact the lives of students. announced that schools are consultations, a design was As such, she called on the scheduled to be built at approved for the new contractor to deliver quality Waramuri, Hosororo and school

According to reports, the service and complete the Kwebana, Region One over The reconstructed North andanaccessiblelift. storey wooden and concrete fire started sometime after projectintheagreedtime. thenextfewyears. West Secondary School will Kaieteur News had building, which measured 22:00hrs that day Police TheMinister,whowasat Permanent Secretary of be a two-storey building reported that on September approximately 150ft by ranks who responded did the time speaking at the the Education Ministry, with 23 classrooms, three 25, 2021, the North West 200ft.,wasdestroyedbyfire. their best to extinguish the blaze but due to the lack of a fire truck in the area, they were unable to save the school.

sciencelabs,asanitaryblock Secondary School, a two-

The blaze lasted for hours and was finally extinguished around 02:00hrsthefollowingday

Over 600 students were housed in the school which consisted of six classrooms, a Science Lab, an office and a Home Economics Department, along with computers, stationery and labequipment.

The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) had revealed that the firewasanactofarson.

The design of what the new school structure would look like when built. (Photos courtesy, Ministry of Education)

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand overlooking the signing of the contract between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alfred King and the contractor Aruca Investments.

The North West Secondary School which was destroyed by fire in 2021.

Successive governments ignored early warning of danger posed by Exxon’s self-insurance

Members of the local insurance,Brokersfraternities are expressing frustration after they would have pleaded with successive governments, and gave them early warning about the dangers of granting ExxonMobil and partners permission to self-insure oil and gas operations taking placeintheoffshoreStabroek Block. Just over three years since Guyana started pumping oil, insurance coverageisstillnotbeingheld in country as per the Insurance and Local ContentActs.

This means Guyana is losing billions of US dollars because the oil companies

have been allowed to control all elements of risk, losses, liability and damages associated with their oil and gas operation. It also means taxeslost,nolocalmonitoring of Exxon’s insurance workings, no urgency in getting the companies to comply with the law and the

stagnation of the industry in a booming oil economy.KaieteurNewswas told that as early as 2018 correspondences were being exchanged with the Insuranceregulator-theBank ofGuyana(BOG)andpolitical parties regarding Guyana’s insurance exposure.

The publication was told that a letter,forinstance,was delivered to the BOG appealingfortheregulatorto meet with local operators to discuss the matter of the oil companies handling their own insurance.

companies could place the insurance with an affiliate company and with the subject Minister’s approval, have the right to self -insure all or part of the coverage.

Saturday January07, 2022

ARIES (Mar.21–Apr.19)

Get-togetherswithfriendsor meetingswithasmallgroup, if possible, should prove informative and enlightening today,Aries, although some ofitmaybeabitperplexing.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Todaythingscouldberather hecticatwork,Taurus.You'll probably be very busy and happy with whatever results you produce. You could tire yourself out,

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Somenewinformationabout an interesting field could have you browsing the web and looking through books to learn more, Gemini. This could involve law, philosophy,

CANCER(June21–July22)

Todayyoumightlearnabout new and creative ways to increase your income, Cancer, possibly involving technology in some way. So muchnewinformationcould comeyourway

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Social events could put you in touch with interesting people in intriguing professions, Leo. You might get involvedinsomefascinating conversations that provide you with a lot of useful information.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

A friend or colleague could recommendsomebooksthat youwanttoreadrightaway, Virgo. Be sure you take breaks and rest your eyes from time to time to avoid eyestrain and headaches today

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Today your mind will be quick, insightful, and inspired, Libra. Your creative impulses should go a thousandmilesanhourandideas should pop in and out of yourheadlikecrazy

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

If visitors are able to pop in andoutduringtheday,Scorpio, you'll be in the right frame of mind to enjoy their company.Expectinteresting news and stimulating conversation.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't be surprised if your inboxfillswithemailoryour phone rings off the hook, Sagittarius. Friends, relatives, and colleagues could have great news and usefulinformation.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)=It Inspiration is the word for today, Capricorn. Your creative talent should blossomandmotivateyouto work on wonderful ideas. This could involve music, painting, decorating,

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Today your physical and mental energy should be operatingataveryhighlevel, Aquarius. You probably won't spend much time inside if you can avoid it. Expect get-togethers

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Your intuition is likely to be verykeentoday,Pisces.Accurate psychic insights couldcometoyouthickand fast.Yourimaginationisalso strong, and you might come up with ideas to enrich your home,

It was highlighted that based on the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana has with the oil consortium,Article20.2which speaks to Insurance, requires the operators to have insurance, and have it according to international standards covering loss and damage to assets, pollution, bodily harm to a third party and liability to employees among others.

Itcontinuedhoweverthat to the extent of the law, rules and regulations, the oil

Local operators state that to self-insure means that the oilcompanywillberetaining theriskforitselforitsaffiliate companies.

They argue that selfinsurance in deep-water drilling continues to be of a global concern since the oil companies keep the risk themselves and are also responsible for paying liabilitiesandlossesincurred.

Theproblem,however, is that experience has shown that liabilities arising from operation mishaps could be so huge that it surpasses the capabilitiesoftheaffiliatesor

captive companies, created bytheoilcompaniestocover their policies. Governments are then left saddled with huge bills in cleanup cost, liabilities among others, and inmanycases,endupincourt fightingwithoilcompaniesto have them address the issues caused by their operations.

Outside of this, taxes are lost when the oil companies areabletokeeptherisk.They say because the local companies are not involved in the multi-million- dollar arrangements, there is nothing to be gained by the government.

All the ceding commissions, premiums and otherrevenuesgarneredfrom theplacementofthepolicyis receivedbytheoilcompanies’ captivesandaffiliatesoutside of Guyana.

There is also the loss of riskmanagementscrutinyand best practices. Third party commercial insurers are said tokeeprigorouslevelsofrisk managementandcouldcancel coverages if conditions of policies are not adhered to.

Stringent checks and balances are conducted to ensure a properly placed coverage. Operators say that without their involvement Guyana being able to say whethertheoilcompaniesare using best practices and managingriskappropriatelyis out the window

The local operators insist also that because the oil companies are self-insuring, it does not require the involvement of locally registered insurers as the oil companies would argue that placement of the policies are internal transactions.

Additionally, this would meannoteven‘fronting’fees would have to be paid. The ‘fronting’ fee is the sum that the local insurance company wouldbepaidtopretendasif they are managing the insurance coverage in country, when in reality, the coveragewouldbeownedby the oil company’s overseas affiliateorcaptivecompany

Local companies are adamant that because insurance for pollution, transit risk, business interruption, third party and employers’ liability among others carry huge premiums, the lost to the industry and thelossintaxestothecountry remainssignificant.

GABF 2023 Elective Congress date soon to be determined

The date for the Guyana Amateur B a s k e t b a l l Federation (GABF) 2023 Elective Congress will soon be announced as the entity prepares to attend the Caribbean Basketball Confederation (CBC) and Central America and Caribbean Basketball C o n f e d e r a t i o n

(CONCENCABA) Elective Assembliesnextmonth.

According to the GABF General Secretary, Patrick Haynes, “The Guyana Basketball Federation 2023 Elective Congress will more likely be at the end of this monthorearlyFebruary

The date will be confirmed pending our audited financial statements for the period 2020 through 2022.”

“There are no early indicators for the GABF top job, and we have received overwhelming support for Mike Singh to return as Presidentforasecondterm.”

Singh was voted president of the GABF when the sport’s local governing

bodyhelditsAnnualGeneral Meeting (AGM) and Executive Committee Electionsin2019.

The GABF boss, ran unopposed, and had Kenrick Thomas, Lawrence Simon and Alex Graham as vicepresidents, Haynes as General secretary, Gavin Singh the treasurer, assistant secretary/treasurer Joseph Chapman, and technical coordinator Andrew Hercules.

The members affiliated to GABF include: Bartica, Berbice, Georgetown, Linden, Guyana Basketball Officials Council, Women’s Basketball Association,

GeorgetownMastersandGT Pioneers, elected all the positionsunchallengedatthe s m o o t h l y - e x e c u t e d elections.

Haynes added, “The 2023 elective Congress will include a comprehensive agenda, including the presentation of reports for the period 2020 through 2022. Both the CBC and CONCENCABA Elective Assemblies are scheduled for February 13th and the 14th, respectively, in Miami, Florida, USC, along with the FIBA plus planning and strategic workshop for national federations for the 2023-2027tournament.”

Stadiums repairs to begin in prep for Commonwealth Youth Games

(Cananews) - Repair works will begin soon at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in preparation for the country hosting the Commonwealth Youth Games (CYG) in August.

The Ministry of Sport a n d C o m m u n i t y Development stated in a press release on Thursday thattherepairsatthestadium in Mucurapo, which will intensify at the end of February, were part of the construction works at several sporting facilities acrossthenation.

“During this quarter of the fiscal year, the Hasely Crawford Stadium will be given priority since the athletics component of the Commonwealth Youth Games 2023 will be held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium later this year,” the ministrysaid.

T h e t w i n - i s l a n d republic will host CYG between August 4 and 11, with three sporting disciplines being hosted in Trinidad and four sporting disciplines being hosted in

To b a g o A t h l e t i c s , swimming, and cycling are scheduled to take place in Trinidad, while rugby, netball, beach volleyball, and the triathlon event will takeplaceinTobago.

Construction works are also in progress at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, the

procurement process is well on the way for the Ato Boldon Stadium, the scope of works is being confirmed for the Mannie Ramjohn and Larry Gomes Stadia, and Skinner Park is scheduled to be completed and delivered beforetheendofJanuary,the ministrysaid.

GABF General Secretary, Patrick Haynes

Djokovic outclasses Shapovalov in Adelaide outclasses to set up Medvedev semi-final

ian beat Denis Shapovalov 6-3 6-4

Djokovic has been well received on his return to Australia following his deportation on the eve of the Grand Slam last year for not being vaccinated against COVID-19 and the 35-yearold delighted fans by comfortably going up a set andabreak.

Canada’s world number 18 Shapovalov raised his game to draw level at 3-3 in the second set but surrendered his serve after a wayward shot and a double fault as Djokovic surged ahead 5-4 before closing out the quarter-final clash on serve.

Top seed Djokovic has won his previous three meetings with Medvedev, wholastbeathiminthe2021 U.S.Openfinal.

“It’ll be another long night.There’snotgoingtobe too many short points unless we both serve well,” said Djokovic, who is 8-4 overall againsttheRussian.

“Against him, you have tobereadytogothedistance physically and mentally game-wise, he’s one of the best in the last five years. He’s established himself

and he’s someone I respect a lot.

“We’ve had some amazing battles over the years and hopefully we can haveonemore.”

Third seed Medvedev earlier advanced with a 6-3 6-3 win over compatriot Karen Khachanov in their first tour meeting since 2019 toimprovehisrecordagainst himto3-1.

“I’m happy that I managed to raise my level, especially in the end of both sets and I’m really happy to be in the semis,” Medvedev said.

Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka knocked out the last remaining Australian in

theATP250 event as he beat qualifier Alexei Popyrin 76(4) 6-7(8) 6-2 to set up a semi-final clash with Sebastian Korda, seeking a firstwinovertheAmerican.

Korda faced sixth seed Jannik Sinner after straightsets wins over Andy Murray and Roberto Bautista Agut andtheworldnumber33was unstoppable again in his 7-5 6-1 victory over the Italian who struggled with a hip issue.

“It was a great match until something started to botherhim,”Kordasaid.“So Ijustwishhimallthebestfor the coming weeks and the Australian Open coming up.”

(Reuters) - Novak Djokovic will face the biggest test of hisAustralian Open preparations in a blockbuster semi-final with former world number one Daniil Medvedev after the Serb

at the Adelaide International 1 on Friday

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his quarter final match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov. (Reuters)

NFL game will not resume after Buffalo Bills player collapsed on the field

(BBC Sport) - The NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Buffalo Bills will not be resumed having been suspended after Damar Hamlin collapsed on thefield.

The Bills safety suffered cardiac arrest during Monday’s gameinOhio

Although the 24-year-old remains in hospital, doctors said on Thursday that he has shown “remarkableimprovement”

The outcome of the game would have affected the play-off seedings so the NFL is considering staging the AFC Championship game at a neutral venue

There is just one round of games left in the regular season, to be played this weekend, with the play-offssettostarton14January

Not playing the CincinnatiBuffalo game to its conclusion has noeffectonwhichclubsqualifyfor the post-season, with both teams alreadyassuredofbeingamongthe top seeds from the AFC Conference.

However, an NFL statement says it creates “potential competitiveinequities”throughthe play-offs as both teams will have played a game fewer than their rivals and a team’s record determines who has home advantage.

Theteamwiththebestrecordin a Conference also receives a bye in the first round of the play-offs. In

The Buffalo Bills gather as an ambulance parks on the field while CPR is administered to Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3). (USA TODAY Sports)

theAFC,thetopseedingisbetween the Bills, the Bengals and the KansasCityChiefs.

The NFL commissioner, Roger Goodell, and the competition committee have recommended playing the AFC Championship game at a neutral stadium if the participating teams have played an unequalnumberofgames.

The winner of that game, scheduled for 29 January, will represent the AFC in Super Bowl

57on12February

“Our principles have been to limit disruption across the league and minimise competitive inequities,” said Goodell “I recognise that there is no perfect solution.”

NFL clubs will consider the recommendationataspecialleague meeting on Friday, which Goodell says “addresses the most significant potential equitable issues created by the difficult, but

necessary, decision not to play the game under these extraordinary circumstances”.

‘I’m kind of glad that we chose nottoplay’

Damar Hamlin is in his second year in the NFL and has started 13 gamesfortheBillsthisseason

Hamlinhasbeeninanintensive care unit since collapsing during Monday’s game, causing an outpouringofsupportfromfans.

He is still on a ventilator at the University of Cincinnati Medical C e n t e r b u t h a s b e e n communicating with doctors and on Thursday they said he “appears tobeneurologicallyintact”.

Hamlin collapsed after colliding with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, who said the days since the incident have “been hard”.

“Everybody’s been making me feel whole again,” he added. “I talkedtohismom.

He’s doing good, so I’m in a goodplacerightnow

“[She was] telling me that she’s thinkingofme,prayingforme,that he’sOK.”

On seeing Hamlin collapse after the tackle, Higgins added: “I knew it was something crazy, something tragic. Man, it was hard. Obviously, wasn’t in a good place to play for the rest of that game, so I’m kind of glad that we chose not toplay.”

Goodell told all clubs on Thursday that the game had been cancelled, after speaking with the Bills, the Bengals and the NFL PlayersAssociation.

“This has been a very difficult week,”headded

“We continue to focus on the recovery of Damar Hamlin and are encouragedbytheimprovementsin his condition as well as the tremendous outpouring of support and care for Damar and his family fromacrossthecountry.”

Shiv Chanderpaul aiming to make Indian-laden US squad shine

West Indies legend Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the first Indo-Caribbean cricketer to bag a milestone markof100Testcenturies,is making the headlines for beingastarname.

However, the 48-yearold is not just a former West Indian captain who achieved glory when the Caribbean side were a force to be reckoned with The Guyanese-born batsman is now gunning for T20 World Cup glory with the USA Cricket Women’s U19 squad.

He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in November, yet got more global attention just before Christmas when mentioned by Jamaican rapper Sean Paul. The veteran hitmaker recently admitted that Chanderpaul inspired him to adoptthemonikerofSeanda Paulinhisliveshows.

The international dancehall sensation explained: “There’s a famous cricketer [named] Shivnarine Chanderpaul Everybodywaslike‘Seanda Paul,’ and that name stuck. Then I just started to say it in shows.”

Chanderpaul may have been a household name with the Windies since the mid-

90s until his retirement in 2016, yet for the past 20 yearsitisthatnameheardon no.1 hits which is music to hisears.

Since stepping into coaching for the Jamaica Tallawahs in the 2022 Caribbean Premier League, Florida-based Chanderpaul was named as both the USA senior and U-19 women’s head coach. The US signed him last July, as they wanted a shot at becoming the first ever US women’s cricket team to feature in a World Cup.

He has been given an almost chance to show his worth, with his squad for the inauguralICCU19Women’s

T20 World Cup featuring a plethora of Indian-born players.

This squad is a more diverse representation of India than their Indian counterparts in the 16-nation tournament in South Africa that will take place from 1419 January The cities of Benoni and Potchefstroom willplayhost.

As well as the US, the 11 ICC full-Member nations who received automatic entry to the event consists of Australia, Bangladesh, England,India,Ireland,New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West IndiesandZimbabwe.

The remaining four spots

were filledby one teamfrom each of the ICC’s regions, namely Indonesia, Rwanda, ScotlandandtheUAE.

The US team squad comprises 15 Indian-origin m e m b e r s i n c l u d i n g Chanderpaul, CaliforniaborncaptainKodaliGeetika, Taranum Chopra, Aditi Chudasama, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Disha Dhingra, Isani Vaghela, Jivana Aras, Laasya Mullapudi, Pooja Ganesh (wicketkeeper), Pooja Shah, Ritu Singh, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Snigdha Paul, Suhani Thadani. Even the five non-travelling reserve players also boast Indian origins, namely Tya G o n s a l v e s , M i t a l i

Patwardhan, Chetnaa Prasad, Lisa Ramjit and KasturiVedantham.

Chanderpaul oversaw a successful tour of the UAE with the U19 Ladies. As a result 14 of that squad have been selected for this World Cup adventure, with Chopra theonlyadditiontothesquad goingtoSouthAfrica.

With the USA thrown into Group A they will face sometrickywhiteballgames a g a i n s t A u s t r a l i a , BangladeshandSriLanka.

Their first match is against Sri Lanka at Willowmoore Park, Benoni on14January TheUSreturn 48 hours later to face the ever-powerful Australians

and battle it out with Bangladeshon18January

The Americans have every chance to navigate their way to the Super Six portion of the showpiece tournament, as the top three sidesatthecompletionofthe group stage will progress for theseclashes.

C h a n d e r p a u l enthusiastically revealed on USACricket’s website: “We are focusing on final preparations for this historic World Cup for the players andfortheUSA.WorldCups areincrediblyspecialandwe are really looking forward to representing the country on thisfantasticplatform.”(The Voice)

Upper Dem, East Berbice, Georgetown among early winners

Aspromised,theGuyana Hockey Board (GHB) has announced the start of the local hockey season with the Bounty Antonio’s Grill One Day Hockey tournament, which will take place in January at the Providence NationalStadium,withdates of competition still undecidedatthistime.

Speaking with the

President of the GHB, Philip Fernandes,oncommencement oftheoutdoorseason,hesaid, “We are currently securing dates for the use of the Providence National Stadium The tournament will run as normal, featuring both male and female teams from all localclubs ”

The Bounty Antonio’s Grill hockey tournament will beaseven-a-sideaffair,which is a shortened format of the game. This year’s Bounty Antonio’s Grill One-Day tournament will commence inthemorninghoursandwill run straight into the evening,

culminating with the grand finals,whichhasascheduled 5pmstart.

This year’s competition promises to see a resurgence of all the players that were unsure in the last year’s closing tournament, the 2022 Diamond Mineral Water HockeyFestival.

In addition to this, new players who might have been upandcominginrecentyears willbereadyandavailablefor the start of the new hockey s e a s o n A c c o r d i n g

Fernandes, “The GHB are scheduledtosendaboysand a girls Under 21 team to Barbados in April. These

players will no doubt be part of this tournament This tournament will kick start all local competitions and surely will aid players in getting their hockey skills sharpened in preparation for international tournament “Needless to say, we look forward to a great opener to competition and we are also hopeful to have all hockey players on show to start the 2023 on a good side,” the hockeyPresidentstated

The last tournament was held in May 2022, when G C C H o c k e y C l u b dominated to win both the Women’sandMen’sTitles.

(GFF)/Tiger Rentals’ under13 football tournament kicked off last Saturday at the National Training Center (NTC), Providence, with a totaloffiveexcitingmatches that followed the opening ceremonyandmarchpast.

In the first match, East B e r b i c e t r a m p l e d Diamond United 6-1 in what turned out to be the biggest defeat of the day Diamond United scored the first and their only goal of the game in the first minute of the clash through Nasio Bassant but it was one-way traffic for Berbice after that Berbice had six different goal scorers in the game namely Joshua Marshall, Shamar August, Allan Spencer, Xavier Andrews, F a b i n o D e v a i r a n d Rodenzo Badal

Fruta Conquerors, coached by Golden Jaguar Jeremy Garrett, breezed past Timehri Panthers 5-2. Jason Williamswasresponsiblefor bothoftheTimehriPanthers’ goals while a brace from Shaquon Deon and one goal each from Gilbert Frank, Dane Sampson and Joshua Hart accounted for the five goals for the victors. In the other matches, Upper

Demerara defeated West Berbice 2-0, Georgetown ATC edged Region Six ATC 2-1 while West Demerara ATC triumphed over East BankATC3-1.

The GFF Tiger Rentals’ tournament will be played in the group round-robin stage between clubs andAcademy Training Centre teams beforemovingforwardtothe knockoutround.

Guyana was represented at the 2022 PAHF Ordinary Congress by GHB President, Philip Fernandes.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul with the USA Women’s U19 Team. (Photo: ICC)

Action between Fruta Conquerors (on the ball) and Diamond United during last Saturday’s opening day

Shivnarine

GABF President, Mike Singh (Photo: DPI)