Kaieteur News

Guyana not threatened by Chinese investment, loans - Pres. Ali ...says

China integral to growth of country

an integral part of the d e v e l o p m e n t a n d advancement of our country,”thePresidentsaid.

He added, “What we want, is exactly I’m sure what China wants, is for thoseinvestmenttobringthe greatestbenefittothepeople of our country and also to supportthedevelopmentand advancementofChina.”

and what China has to do is to work at a Global scale on supporting these alternative energyinitiative.”

ByDavinaBagot

Guyana has often been warnedbytheexperiencesof other countries when it comes to borrowing loans from China and the foreign

country funding local p r o j e c t s t h r o u g h procurement models that allow for transfer to governmentatsomepoint.

President Irfaan Ali howeverisnotthreatenedby

those warnings and instead believes that China has an integral role to play in the developmentofGuyana.

He made his position clear during a virtual interview with a Chinese

Guyaneseyettoseeagreements onUS$1.8billionforoilsales

According to Bank of Guyana, the oil producing nation has earned US$1.8B in revenuesfromthesaleofitsshareofoilinthe Stabroek Block. This revenue would have been received since the inception of oil productionin2019tonow Whatisyettobe disclosedhowever,arethesalesagreements to support these earnings. These documents continue to remain shrouded in secrecy despite Guyana’s membership with the ExtractiveIndustriesTransparencyInitiative (EITI).

According to the International Secretariat for the Extractive Industries TransparencyInitiative(EITI),Guyanaisyet to declare consistently, information pertaining to the volumes of oil collected in accordance with the profit-sharing split, alongside the identity of the buyer for each oil cargo. Furthermore, EITI said Guyana doesnotappeartohaveyetmadeprogresson publishing descriptions of the process for selecting the buying companies, the technicalandfinancialcriteriausedtomake the selection, the list of selected buying companies,anymaterialdeviationsfromthe applicable legal and regulatory framework governing the selection of buying companies,andtherelatedsalesagreements.

Expounding further, EITI said there has been a de facto cessation of awards of new licencesintheoilandgassectorsince2017, whichwaseffectiveduringtheperiodunder review (2018). In spite of this, Guyana has not used its EITI reporting to disclose transfers of participating interests in oil and gasblocks,ofwhichatleastonetookplacein the Orinduik Block in October 2018. EITI said it remains unclear, from publicly accessibledocuments,whetheranytechnical andfinancialcriteriaareassessedineitheroil andgaslicenseawardsortransfers.

It said, “Government officials explained that rigorous checks of licence applicants were performed (even if the criteria against whichthesecheckswereperformedwerenot madepublic)butthatthesecouldbewaived in the instance of well-known international oilcompanies(IOCs),asarethemajorityof the oil companies currently operating in Guyana.”

The international watchdog has since urged authorities to make the necessary

efforts to come into full compliance with Requirement4.2ofitsStandards.

EITIREQUIREMENTS

EITI’sRequirement4.2speakstosaleof the State’s share of production or other revenuescollectedinkind. Itstates,“Where thesaleoftheState’sshareofproductionof oil, gas and/or mineral resources or other revenues collected in kind is material, the government, including state-owned enterprises, are required to disclose the volumes received and sold by the State (or thirdpartiesappointedbytheStatetosellon theirbehalf),therevenuesreceivedfromthe sale,andtherevenuestransferredtotheState from the proceeds of oil, gas and minerals sold. Where applicable, this should include payments(incashorinkind)relatedtoswap agreementsandresource-backedloans.”

Thepublisheddatamustbedisaggregated by individual buying company and to levels commensurate with the reporting of other payments and revenue streams (47) Multistakeholder groups, in consultation with buying companies, are expected to consider whether disclosures should be broken down byindividualsale,typeofproductandprice The disclosures could include ownership of theproductsoldandthenatureofthecontract (eg spotorterm)

Companies buying oil, gas and/or mineral resources from the state, including State-owned enterprises (or third parties appointedbythestatetosellontheirbehalf), are also encouraged to disclose volumes received from the State or State-owned enterprise and payments made for the purchaseofoil,gasand/ormineralresources. This could include payments (in cash or in kind) related to swap agreements and resource-backedloans.

Kaieteur News understands that the published data could be disaggregated by individual seller, contract or sale. The disclosures could for each sale include informationonthenatureofthecontract(e.g. spotorterm)andloadport.Also,wherethere are concerns related to data reliability and where practically feasible, the multistakeholder group should consider further efforts to address any gaps, inconsistencies and irregularities in the information disclosed.

Journalist, Wang Guan on the China Global Television Network (CGTN), released onSaturday

“Over the years, many reporters in Western news media described China’s economic activities and economic investment for example in Latin America and the Caribbean- your country included - as predatory and neocolonialism,” said the journalist as he introduced hisquestiontotheGuyanese Head-of-State, asking if he a g r e e s w i t h t h a t methodology

Ali made it clear that he does not support that view and instead sees China as a necessary partner to aid in the advancement of the country

“If that was how I felt, I would not have been alluding throughout this interview to our welcoming nature for Chinese investmentandinvestorsand I would not have made the statements that I just made that we see China - Chinese investmentandinvestors-as

In fact, President Ali explained that the bilateral relations between the two countries will only strengtheninthefuture.

Weighing in on energy cooperationbetweenthetwo states going forward, the Guyanese leader urged that thereisnoimmediateendto fossil fuel but the path to renewables must still be pursued.Tothisend,hesaid that China can play a part in Guyana’senergysector

“We see China as an important part in the energy equationofourcountry,”Ali notedasheurgedthecountry to participate in the public bidding process, especially forenergy-relatedprojects.

He reasoned that China has technology, human resource strength and the capital resources that can fast track investments in the green energy sector to make hydro, solar and wind projectsareality

The President said, “What is a great problem of the developing world is the capitalcostforsomeofthese alternative energy solution,

A Chinese contractor, China Railway First Group, hadwonabidunderaBuild, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) arrangement to construct the Amaila Falls hydro project that would have generated 165 megawatts of electricity for thecountry

This agreement would have allowed the developer to operate the project for a 20-year period before handing it over to the government, at no cost During that time, Guyana would have purchased the power produced from the facility at a specified cost to paybackfortheinvestment.

Transparency activists hadhoweverpointedoutthat the project had the potential to lose its viability after this period.Inaddition,theterms of the arrangement allowed forGuyanatobearthemost Continuedonpage61

President IrfaanAli being interviewed by the China Global Television Network.

FIFTHOILPROJECT–SHIVERSABOUND

Guyana’sfifthoilprojectisalreadyindicatingthatithas a few booby traps. A real Environmental Impact Assessment(EIA)wascompleted,3,000pluspages,anda fewthingsregisteredalarmingly. Itisthatthisprojecthas somedangerousfangsthatcouldbiteusdevastatingly,ifthe greatestcareisnotapplied,becomesthestandard. Thisisto ensure thatAmerican oil supergiant, ExxonMobil, adheres closely to the rules, and it is vigilantly monitored, so that Guyana is protected. The EIA for the pending fifth oil project,Uaru,housessomedestructivecapabilities. Likeall oilprojects,especiallydeepwaterones,therearegreatrisks. Thoughdeepwaterprojectshavebeenaroundforyears,they still remain prone to human error, miscalculation, cutting corners by oil companies, misinterpretation, and recklessnessinthehastetoproduceatbreakneckspeed,and reap record profits. Guyanese authorities and citizens do well to remember BP, the operator, and Transocean the drilling contractor, and what exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, at a well called Macondo and involving the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. There were fatalities, serious injuries,andsome4millionbarrelsofhydrocarbonspilled. ItstandsasastarkwarningforGuyana. Maynothinglike thateverbethefateofthishopefulnation.

In Guyana, we have ExxonMobil ruling the oil roost, and its partnership with this country does not inspire any trust. Financialrobberiesaside,ExxonMobilflaresgasinto theatmosphere,andGuyanadoesnothavethefullestgrasp ofhowmuch,why,andwhen. ExxonMobilreportedlyhad a single barrel oil spill months ago, and no citizen knows what was investigated, what official reports were issued. ExxonMobilhastwoadvantagesintheseregards. First,the companyoperates120milesoffshore,whichisthemoonas farasGuyanaisconcerned,solimitedaretheresourcesof thisnewoilproducingnationtomonitorwhatExxonMobil is doing. The second plus for ExxonMobil is that the GovernmentofGuyanaiscommittedtochronicsecreciesin its stewardship of the nation’s oil wealth. Put these two factors (alone) together, and this is tailormade for ExxonMobiltopushtheriskenvelope,andrunitsracketsin Guyana’s offshore oilfields. These could be extremely costlytothiscountry,whichiswhatthecomprehensiveEIA done has documented. We single out three points of note from this EIA, all of which are worrying. The first is that this fifth project can devastate the region in the event of a catastrophicblowoutattheUarufield. Theeconomiesand way of life of several countries can be severely impacted, including Trinidad, Aruba, and Curacao, among others. Should a massive oil spill take a particular form and path, Trinidad looks most vulnerable to crippling negative impacts. ThesecondpointofnotefromtheEIAisthatour fisherfolk are in for a hard time, one much more difficult than what they are experiencing currently A traditional sectorofemployment,livelihood,andmarinefoodsupplies alllookhighlylikelytobeinforsomerealtoughtimes. Yet the Guyana Government is barreling ahead, without insistingthatthenecessaryprotectionsareinplace.

Oneisproperinsurancecoverage. Thenumbersheard, includingUS$2.5B,wouldprovetobeadropinthebucket, should a blowout occur at Uaru. The time and space that Guyananeedstolearnatanacceleratedpacehavenotbeen allowedbythePPPCGovernment,asitrushesatbreakneck speed(intandemwith,oratthecommandof,ExxonMobil) toapprovenewprojects. Thisisnotjustunwise,butreeksof recklessness, if not madness. The third point that sneaked stealthily into Guyanese consciousness is that this fifth project is estimated to cost US$12.6B, which is in the trillions,whencountedinGuyanadollars.

It is astonishing that the Guyana Government is now aware of risks, costs, and other effects, and could still be hustling to approve this fifth project. We know so little aboutoil,yetweareracingaheaduncaringly Thereismore to this in PPPC Government and ExxonMobil circles than any EIA can absorb, document, and publicize. It is the cunningandcalculatinghumanfactor,anditcanbeharmful toGuyanese.

Kaieteur M@ilbox

DRAMAFORAWEEK WHICH INCLUDES FRIDAY13TH

DEAREDITOR, capture the necessary eerie mood set on the day type of news is not news In the “River of Death” elements factored into before,whenfourcowswere worthy (such as oil), maybe crossing “The Lonely writing another of Alistair bulldozed on Thursday down played because it River”, “Fear is the Key” McLean’sscriptforhisusual morning before 7 AM at occurredinthecountryarea? lingered in tension as pulsatingsuspensebook. Cornelia Ida, West Coast In Kitty (located in the anything but a “Golden Fridaythe13thbringsthe Demerara, to prepare a City), it would have made a Rendezvous” became an salivated urge not for food haunting foundation to what difference How skeptical early morning drama in the butaninsatiableappetitefor followed the following can one become when faced middle of the Demerara traumainGuyana.Adaythat morning within the same with the components of a River Passengers bid is robed in unthinkable time frame? Of course, this suspiciousmind?Toaddfuel “Goodbye Region 3” (not speculation was not robbed failed to make the news, to fire, did the mysterious California) leaving their ofanytensedambience. perhaps because the burning of Christ Church loved ones as they risked The imagination did not religious significance of Secondary School in their lives on a rainy day to go wild but a reality played cows as adumbrated in Georgetown on that late cross the way over a watery out on the high seas without certainculturalopinions,are Thursday afternoon bed encountering an overlooking an act of not readily shared contribute to staging an adventure “Where Heroes passengers’ lives being at (appreciated) by all. Then anticipated event to satisfy Dare” (not Eagles). It is a stake, including workers, again, who wants to pay superstition? No wonder juicy story traumatized with s h o p p e r s a n d attentiontothelivesofsome heavywindsandrain all the scenic ingredients to schoolchildren Was the insignificant cows? Or, this (Continuedonpage6)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Disciplineinourschools

DEAREDITOR, mention this because a andstudentsmustknowthat There has been much leadermustknowtheculture they are expected to follow uproar as it pertains to the of those who are being led the rules. If the rules are not discipline in our schools. and do what he / she knows being followed, the Many of us remember the willworkbest.

consequences must also be wildcaneandthethickruler According to numerous clear from the onset. Our being present in the school studies,Guyanacontinuesto school system should not be systemfromnurserythrough be predominantly Christian. allowed to be weakened secondary The teachings of this because of the unruly few We also remember very predominant religious amongstus. wellwhichteacherswerethe perspective in our country Guyana’s school system strictest and which students supportstheuseofdiscipline has always been very strict got into the most trouble. intheupbringingofchildren. and should continue to be The disciplinary system Islam takes a similar thiswaygoingforward. ranged from being verbally perspective.

Wearen’tinthebusiness corrected and warned Apossiblesolutiontothe of raising criminals and followed by a gradual currentimpassebetweenour juvenile delinquents progression that led to the school system and some Studentsmustreceiveaclear use of the wild cane parents may be for the message that they must Depending on the bad act, Ministry of Education to accept correction at home youcouldbequicklymoved make it very clear what the and at school or experience up the scale to detention or public-school system’s the harsh reality outside of lashesfromtheHeadmaster/ disciplinary process is and t h o s e c o n t r o l l e d Headmistress followed by willcontinuetobe. environments. This is what theteachermeetingwiththe Thiswillgiveparentsthe wewerealsotaughtwhenwe parents. optiontoexcludethemselves wereyoung,andiftheparent

Thisrespectedpartofthe and their children from the or teacher is trying to cross British disciplinary system public-school system if it the line into what would be of the past had worked well does not fit with their classifiedasabuseofaminor formanydecadesinGuyana personalbeliefs. then you the child have a andcontinuestoworkwellin The current impression right to call the police or countries like Singapore is that the unruly children notify someone who will wherethestrictestpartofthe have unruly parents who helptoquicklyendit. disciplinary process has lackrespectforteachersand Iencouragethoseparents been extended to the courts will resort to violence to thatdonotliketheGuyanese and penal system Just resolve their differences.An school systems’ way of recently,Ihadaconversation example of a poorly raised helping to raise their with some friends from adult, poorly raising their children to please make China and we were offspring. constructive suggestions on discussing the resurgence of Manywouldarguethata how to improve the system COVIDintheircountry lack of discipline in the without losing the level of TheirPresidenthadbeen upbringing of those violent self-discipline expected criticized by the West over parents has brought the from our students and their howstrictandrestrictivehis current uproar in our school parents. policieswere,andasaresult system.

You are the most of this criticism and internal Home-schooling is important example of protests, he relaxed the always another option that behaviour that your child policies. theycanpursue. willfollow

The result, a severe We must also remember Withconcern, outbreakthatoverconsumed that drugs and weapons are Mr.JamilChanglee the capacity of their being found in some of our Chairman hospitals Many Chinese schools.

T h e C o o p e r a t i v e citizens lost their lives. I This has to be corrected RepublicansofGuyana

For nation building narratives

DEAREDITOR, implicitlyevenanalyses,are narratives set “us” against O u r p o l i t i c a l always strategic. What is it “them” into a frenzy of disagreements reveal thatourinterlocutorswantas nihilistic Fanonian violence contrasting narratives and a consequence of their – n o t t o m e n t i o n historiesofourpast.Andthis criticisms, narratives, teleologically promising a is partially because even actions and exhortations? future that can never be academic histories are Whatistheir“Good”?While delivered Democracy is written within particular there will never be – for the always a work in progress “spaces of experience” - the simple reason that it just and still remains the best ways that the past is cannot be – a single horizon form of governance out rememberedintheirpresent; of ends for all of us, I am there. Leaders must remain and a “horizon of pretty sure that among the committedtotheruleoflaw expectation” – the various possibly competing But we must be anticipation of the not-yet- ends that of a more sympathetictothetravailsof known future beyond the harmonious society would the“other”. horizon. be there in common in all H e g e l ’s f a m o u s

So imagine our partisan formulations. interpretationofAntigoneas interlocutors’ views with Iamsuggestingthatwith the paradigmatic Greek theiraxestogrind. theprivilegeofhindsight,we tragedymightbeparticularly

Ahistory of our present, shouldconnectthepastwith apt to our situation. In this whichiswhatweoughttobe the present in a broader narrative, both “sides” are interrogating in our narrative that is healing morally right: the conflict is discussions, demands, in the rather than destructive. We not between good and evil words of David Scott, that cannot change the past but but between “goods” on “historiesofthepastoughtto we can certainly change the which each is making be interventions in the future Have the strident exclusiveclaim.Isn’tthisthe present, strategic politics and resort to arms situation that our mutually interrogations of the helped our situation? I say exclusive narratives of present’s norms as a way of no. victimhood with its facile helping us to glimpse the O u r h o r i z o n o f binary oppositions have possibilities for an expectation must generate delivered us into? Look at alternative future ” strategiesthatspeaktothose whathasunfoldedinMocha. Somehowthefingerpointing normative ends of the Such an employment within narrativesthatarecirculating “good” rather than further a narrative, should suggest at best just keep looking dividing us as some seem compromise rather than a backwards nursing old Cold determinedtodo.Theymust battle of one side Wargeneratedgrievances. ask whether their particular overcoming.

Butour“problemspace” narratives (of “emerging That would be a – the threats and apartheid state” , for constructivenarrativeforour opportunities that confront instance) or any narrative t i m e , p l a c e a n d usnowinoursociohistorical thatseekstoconnectourpast circumstances. conjuncture - is radically tothepresentandenvisiona In noting the importance differenttoday more positive future, will of narratives in the task of We now have a deliver those normative nation building, Benedict demographic distribution ends. Anderson had identified the bereft of built-in majorities A constructive narrative importance of newspapers in which the two parties cannot then picture our that are read every morning surviving from that era have opposing groups locked in constructing what he has equal possibilities of foreverinmortal combat. tellingly labelled “Imagined winning elections within a C r u c i a l t o t h e Communities”: “The world order that is again formulationofaconstructive significance of this mass polarising.Whatthenshould narrativewouldbeitsplotto ceremony – Hegel observed be our “horizon of linkpast,presentandfuture. thatnewspapersserve expectation”?Criticism,and Most of the present

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

All are not equal in Guyana

DEAREDITOR, thatneverexistedthreeyears distributionincontracts.

The Minister of Public ago with no road building But there has been no Works(MoPW)heldarecent experience, have been action or communication in Region #6 outreach where awardedmulti-billion-dollar thisareaeither there was an ‘on the spot’ contracts.

The sad reality in our termination of a contract for Cheap, shoddy, and One Guyana state, is that one contractor due to non- defective works are in these errant contractors, performance in executing evidence everywhere, simply have to register roadworksatElDoradoand deprivingstakeholdersvalue another company, under a the extension of a deadline formoney. differentnameandbasedon for another contractor by These infractions and current PPP’s model, they givinganadditionalthree(3) unequal contract awards will be eligible to partake in weeks to complete have escaped the eagle eye the2023budgetarybonanza. roadworksinBristolStreet. of the Auditor General, The President and his

TheMinisterwillreceive whosegazeremainsfixedon passionately supportive kudos for his decisive the lack of completed Bin citizens (PSC), will take to actions in cautioning or Cards and incorrectly the airwaves and lavishly sanctioning the errant recordedLogbooks. praise the transformative contractors; however, little The Public Procurement works included in what will will be said that these Commission (PPC) is in a undoubtedlybethecountry’s contractors should not have comatosestate,eightmonths largest budget, completely even been awarded these afterhavingbeenestablished ignoring the unequitable contractsinthefirstinstance. foritsnewterm,notasingle treatment of many of our These roadworks fall investigation has been citizens. u n d e r t h e M o P W conducted,whilebillionsare Our One Guyana is a Miscellaneous Roads being wasted through two-sided coin, a pair of portfolio and the Standard awards to friends, family, fraternal twins where the Bidding Documents for andfavourites. only equality is being in the these contracts require that The PPC’s excuse for sameplaceatthesametime. eligible contractors have their inaction is that “no The Bonanza that is the specific experience in the complaints have been birthright of all Guyanese last 3 years for similar received to date”, which should result in a minimum projects. leads one to assume that the standard of living that

These errant contractors new PPC sees their role as includes jobs with failedtoreachthisthreshold, simply a complaint respectable salaries, however, were still awarded resolution authority, rather healthcare, education, contracts at the expense of t h a n u s i n g t h e i r humane and respectful eligible contractors, deemed constitutionally provided shelter for all and a unacceptable by MoPW p o w e r s t o l a u n c h meritocracy that creates a because of their perceived investigations based on culture of high performance politicalaffiliation. reports in the public arena. andrespect.

DRAMAFORAWEEKWHICH...

Frompage4

after scores of years, now a or cry but certainly, there aggravated the environment shed is being built at the was the unthinkable thought to provoke the setting of Vreed-en-Hoop end to in the head and the fear abnormal occurrences shelterpassengersfromrain! perceivedintheeyes. simultaneously Someone finally woke up? Fortunately, an empty W i t h o u t a n y Those slippery steps boat was making its way exaggeration, was it a endanger people’s lives! westward and suspected all coincidence that there was Boats bumping and rubbing was not right The boat confusion and chaos as against each other, pulled up close, not vehicles attempted to cross especiallywhenbobbingand alongside but with the bows the Demerara River Bridge weaving, can create serious kissing each other and the on Friday the 13th? Or, this accidents. Many of the life operator encouraged the frustration of exasperation jacketsareinpoorcondition passengerstoboardthatboat provided an addition to the and some are unworthy! in the “MIDDLE OF THE chainofsuccessfuleventsto Manyoftheclipsarebroken. RIVER!” Can you imagine crownthedevilindisguisein Whoischecking? that?

The inequality of The PPC is also empowered

The people of Guyana contract awards has been to recommend amendments will make the difference to highlighted on numerous to our procurement this country, the respectful, occasions in the public regulations and laws, which equitable treatment of our sphere, whereby contractors mayresultinmoreequitable citizens is what will make our country One Guyana –not PR and slogans and photoopportunities.

For nation building...

Frompage5 confident, yet of whose modern man as a substitute identity he has not the for morning prayers – is slightestnotion.” paradoxical. It is performed Today our newspapers insilentprivacy,inthelairof have been joined by social the skull Yet each media. Let us use them for communicant is well aware nation building rather than that the ceremony he nation breaking by performs is being replicated discardingnarrativesthatare simultaneouslybythousands fightinglong-goneterrors. (or millions) of others of Sincerely, whose existence he is RaviDev

Irrespective of gender, race, age or political affiliation, the respectful, equitable treatment of our people,especiallythosewho have the skills our country needsiswhatwillproducea One Guyana that is truly madeupof One People, One NationwithOneDestiny Regards, DavidPatterson

uncanny eventualities? As How often are the boats Whilelookingdowninto parents run berserk, was the inspected? Friday the 13th, the murky water, young and air contaminated with evil one boat left the Vreed-en- not so young made the forthemtounleashuncalled Hoop wharf filled to transition with the boats attacks on innocent teachers capacity and started an rockingandtheeverthreatof this week? Tuesday night’s unforgettable journey to falling into the river present motorcycle accident in Georgetown. In the middle with each step! All thirtyWakenaam, Essequibo, of the river, the engine cut five lives thankfully, were resulting in death adds off. The driver attempted to saved by this inappropriate another reason for starttheotherenginewithout rescue operation. The river discomfort and does not any luck Both engines authorities never came on allay the stage for a sinister conked out and failed to re- the scene, either a Pilot boat plot.NottomakeNortonfeel start. to oversee the mid-river leftout,whywedon’taddhis The boat began to drift transshipment, nor, any Floridian letter of no- while twisting and turning management to receive the confidence to the trail of dangerously in the choppy passengersatGeorgetown.It uncanny occurrences to go water The waves were not will not be surprising if this on trial for spectral exactly friendly in water i n c i d e n t r e m a i n s , qualification? certainly not placid with a undocumented, not reported Bizarre as it may seem, swift moving current. The or is dismissed as “who this reality check makes driver was agitated and cares?” Just another day in Guyanaaplacewherewhat’s shouted for his attendant. the lives of Guyanese in possible is done and what’s Passengers became alarmed Guyana. Will there be an impossible will be done. astheboatbegantorockand investigation?Isthistypeof Havenofear,therewillbea sway from one side to the operation approved? Why new overpass to bridge the other while dipping, up and wasn’ttheboatnottowedto troubled Demerara River, downinthewater Thedriver the shore? How come both materializing under the failed to sound any alarm or engines stopped working? PPP/C governance, unlike cautionedpassengerstostay How often are boat engines that of the former calm as some stood up serviced and inspected?Are administration.Thequestion instead of remaining seated. boats checked for leakages of safety and security of Neither of the operators and damages? One midpassengers plying the made any call for help on week morning last year, riverine route daily, once theirphones. there was a passenger boat againmakeitsappearanceto No distress signal was submerged at Vreed-enstymie any complacency of exercised,notthehonkingof Hoop! A barrage of efficient services provided anywailinghornorshooting questions needs to be asked by the boat operators. No off of any flare! Luckily, andanswered.Whowilltake wonder the President had to passengers did not hit the the initiative to ensure flooranypriceincreaseover panic button probably passengers’ safety and the holidays What is because the gravity of the comfortcomefirst?Thisisa alarming is that the relevant situation did not sink in, happyendingbutcouldhave authorities are sleeping on duringthefewminuteswhen endeddisastrously! the job and are unconcerned thisfrightenedmomenttook Yoursrespectfully, inanuncaringway Imagine, shape.Noonebegantoshout JaiLall.

th‘5 oil project could affect the air we breathe’ Exxon study says...

American oil giant, of humans and wildlife. It was consumed as fuel gas on the FPSO said the increases from Project Environmental Impact Assessment E x x o n M o b i l further noted by Exxon that orreinjectedintothereservoir activities would have the potential (EIA) states that the Uaru Corporation, has put Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions Exxon said other sources of tocontributetohealthimpacts.The Development Project will develop

Guyana on notice that its fifth from the Project may increase the emissions will include support study said ExxonMobil and its the Uaru, Mako and Snoek oil-rich projectintheStabroekBlock,setto GHG concentrations in the vessels, construction vessels, affiliates will put safeguards in fields with the potential to develop develop over 1.3 billion barrels of atmosphere. tugboats, and helicopters. Exxon place, adding that they generally other resources within the Licence oil, could affect the nation's air Kaieteur News understandsthat said emissions from the listed followtheAmericanConferenceof area. quality emissions generated by the Project offshore vessels will contribute to Governmental Industrial A preliminary schedule

Specifically,theEnvironmental emanate from two source increases in the ambient air Hygienist'sThresholdLimitValues anticipates that FPSO and other Impact Assessment (EIA) for the categories. It said specific point concentrationsofcriteriapollutants to set the exposure limits for fabrication and installation works US$12 6B project states that sources include power-generating and will also increase Guyana's chemical, physical, and biological will begin in 2024 following the emissions resulting from the units and diesel engines on drill nationalGHGemissionsinventory substances. completion of engineering and will projecthavethepotentialtochange ships, and the Floating Production, Regarding potential air quality Along with impacts to air take approximately three years. ambient air quality in the Project Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) impactsfrompollutants,depending quality, Exxon said the project will Development well drilling may Area of Influence. Air quality vessel. It also includes flares used on the magnitude and extent of the have localized impacts on marine also occur during this period Exxonnotedisimportantforhealth tocombustassociatedgaswhennot increases in concentrations, Exxon water quality in the Project Production operations are expected DevelopmentArea (PDA) from the to begin in 2027 and will continue discharge of drill cuttings and from foratleast20years.

Coalition

With the People's the PPP approach of exploiting households as possible. Those Progressive Party our people.” As such, the party whose light bills are above the ( P P P ) added that the waiving of all cap will continue to pay GPL as

government set to reveal its reconnection fees is also a policy per the norm for now,” the 2023 Budget come Monday, the they will adopt. economist noted.

Opposition Coalition has At the October press He stressed the advantages reiterated the need for “people- c o n f e r e n c e , Y o u t h a n d of this proposed subsidy centered” considerations that Economic Policy Advisor at the effectively targeting homes that entail the removal of electricity Office of the Opposition Leader, are most in need of assistance. and water bill payments for low- Elson Low had indicated that He said, “As the scheme will use income families. given the windfall cash that was the existing GPL billing system,

On the party's official coming in from higher oil prices, administrative costs to delivery Facebook page, it recognized the government could have benefits will be minimal for the stakeholder support as being given better relief to citizens and government; and participation important toward pushing at an earlier time to aid the cost- c o s t s n o n - e x i s t e n t f o r government to implement of-living dilemma. beneficiaries; the use of a cap strategies that directly address He said the PPP government can incentivize households to the existent cost of living refused to budge despite calls become more energy conscious hardships. The party said it from several sections of society in using electricity, and benefits believes that water and including the Opposition. are predictable and continuous electricity services He said that the (not one-off).” f o r l o w - i n c o m e

The Opposition advisor had households should asserted that “as the next be subsidized by the government” the party had g o v e r n m e n t t o already crafted certain e n s u r e n o measures, and would be household in need of implementing them “to these essentials. guarantee every Guyanese

That party said a high quality of life.” that, “In line with

On Tuesday, Senior Finance the advice of the our vision on this Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh I n t e r n a t i o n a l matter, we had called on the announced that Budget 2023 Monetary Fund (IMF) in its government, at our press would be unveiled on January report on its Article IV conference on 4th October 16 The budget is expected Consultation with Guyana. “The (2022), to urgently introduce again, to be significantly IMF advises that Guyana should electricity bill relief for low- propped up by oil revenues. ease the burden of prices on the income households. Minister Singh said in a public most vulnerable groups of

We had then explained that statement that over the last society by gradually unwinding in this proposal, “households several months he and his team untargeted measures and whose total monthly light bill is h a d b e e n m e e t i n g a n d instead further develop and less than a specified dollar c o n s u l t i n g w i t h v a r i o u s strengthen a well-targeted amount (a cap) will not be stakeholders including the social safety net.” required to pay Guyana Power private sector, government Against that background, and Light (GPL) bills. Instead, ministries, other agencies and the Opposition called for the the Government of Guyana civil society. g o v e r n m e n t t o u r g e n t l y (GoG) will stand the costs and

In last year's budget, the introduce the electricity subsidy compensate GPL for the total government had set aside $5B for low-income households amount forgone. The cap must to offer cost of living relief to Using the cap, it was suggested be chosen to cover as many low- citizens. that households with certain bill income households as possible,”

Some of the measures amounts get exempt from the party stated. implemented were one off paying GPL bills. Low said the

The Coalition related that payments to farmers, fishermen government would stand the their people-centered approach and disabled children. The costs and compensate GPL for c a n e a s i l y c o v e r w a t e r , g o v e r n m e n t h a d a l s o the total amount forgone. electricity and other essential announced the availability of “The cap must be chosen to services, “and move away from part-time jobs in some regions. cover as many low-income

routine operational and With respect to the FPSO, hydrotesting discharges. It said too EEPGL's Environmental Impact that the project could potentially Assessment states that oil impact marine water quality as a production will average at 250,000 result of non-routine; unplanned barrelsofoilperday Itwaskeento events(e.g.,oilspillorrelease). note that peak rates may be higher

Additionally, Kaieteur News during the lifetime of the project, understands that the project could depending on multiple factors such potentially impact marine fish as a as reservoir pressure, number of result of underwater sound, light, wells, equipment reliability etc. It changes to seafloor habitat, states at page 146, “Currently, the seawater intake, and changes in FPSO basic design has an upper marine water quality in the PDA. production limit of 263,000 BPD The Project according to the study (42,080 m3) peak oil production could potentially impact marine rate. For the purposes of the EIA, fish as a result of non-routine, production up to 300,000 bpd is unplanned events such as an oil considered to assess potential spillorrelease. impacts from the project and cover

Importantly, Exxon said the potential production optimization projectwillincreasethedemandfor after facility start up. If during the hazardous and non-hazardous detailed design stage or during waste management services and production operations an infrastructure in Guyana and thus opportunity to expand the upper could potentially compete with production limit arises, the project other existing waste generators for will document the evaluation and limited waste management justification and an updated upper capacity productionlimitwillbeavailable.” is Itwasalsonotedthattheproject expected to cost Guyana over will be producing 540 million GY$2 6T (US$12B) The standardcubicfeetofgasperday

Importantly, the Uaru Project

Man killed while crossing road at Vreed-en-Hoop

A 55-year-old man died on pedestrian fell onto the parapet Fridayeveningafterhewasstruck where he received injuries about by a minibus while crossing New hisbody. Road,Vreed-en-Hoop.

Johnson was picked up in an DeadisLindenJohnsonofLot unconscious state and taken to the F-DNewRoad,Vreed-en-Hoop. WestDemeraraRegionalHospital

According to reports, the wherehewaspronounceddeadon accidentoccurredatabout18:10h. arrivalbyadoctor

The minibus, bearing registration Meanwhile, police revealed number BAB 1624 was driven by that a notice of intended a 4 0 - y e a r- o l d m a n o f prosecution was served on the Vergenoegen, East Bank minibus driver and the vehicle Essequibo. was examined by a Licensing and Police said that the minibus CertifyingOfficer was proceeding east along the A breathalyser test was northern side of New Road at a conducted on the driver and no fast rate of speed when the trace of alcohol was found on his accident occurred. It was alleged breath. by the driver that Johnson ran Johnson's body is presently at fromsouthtonorthacrosstheroad the Ezekiel Funeral Parlor into the path of the minibus, awaiting a post mortem causing the front, left side of the examination. vehicletohithim.

The driver remains in custody

As a result of the collision, the assistingwiththeinvestigation.

wants budget to include water and electricity subsidies for low-income families

RED CARPET AND LAPTOPS

AformerPPPCPresident and long-standing areallowedtosteponthered Irfaan Ali has generally translations. once turned up at an diplomaticprotocols. carpet. equipped himself well when Some of the members of international airport, while The greeting of visiting Those persons are it comes to these diplomatic the Indian Prime Minister’s stillPresident,inaT-shirt.It HeadsofStatewithaguard- requiredbytraditiontowalk niceties. He, personally, has team which met recently was clear that that President of-honourisalong-standing at least two meters behind not been found wanting in with Guyana’s President did not expect to be greeted diplomatic practice. It is not themaindignitary Andthey this regard. However, there were using long notepads. with a guard-of-honour and only ceremonial but must always keep to their isamajorblunderthatisyet This is certainly not between leaders and the therefore was not properly indicativeofthehighregard superior’s right and never to to be recognized by the recommended. presenceofsuchanintrusive attiredfortheoccasion. whichisattachedtothevisit hisorherleft. President and the members Ithasbeennoticedthata devicecanleadtoasituation ThePresidentwasforced dignitary Equally, there are rules ofhisdelegations. member of the President’s where the other leader is to inspect the guard-of- Another diplomatic governing seating at official While technology has delegation uses a laptop fearfulofbeingrecordedand honour is casual attire. The traditionconcernstherolling meetings and banquets, the evolved, it is improper for during the meetings. This is therefore speaks formally at incident represented an out of the red carpet for placementofflagsandwhen anyone to take out a definitely a no-go in all times and is careful and inexcusable disregard for visiting dignitaries This andhowsomeoneshouldbe computerwhentheHead-of- diplomatic encounters. The measured in the use of formaldiplomaticprotocols. tradition goes back to the seated. A visiting dignitary Stateismeetingwithforeign use of a laptop during such language. How a head-of-state could medievaleraanddespitethe should never be seated dignitaries.Thetraditionhas meetings is distracting and And cellphones should show up in another country passageoftimehasnotbeen unlessheisinvitedtodoso. always been that delegation intrusive and should be not be in on-mode during and for an official event dispensedwith. The attending members of memberstakenotesinsmall discontinuedforthwith. meetings. And for the same dressed like that is still The red carpet also that person’s delegation leather-boundnotebooks. Perhaps out of courtesy, reasonadducedaboveforthe incomprehensible. signifies the importance and should only be seated after Translators usually use the foreign government has laptop,shouldneverbetaken The Stabroek Newsrana prestige that is attached to the head of their delegation small spiral-headed notprotestedthisasyet.But out during a meeting, not scorching editorial the visiting dignitary But it hastakenhisorherseat,and notepads on which they given that laptops are now evenbythePresident. excoriating the then also has another purpose: it the delegation members inscribe in short-hand equipped with voice-

(The views expressed in President for his wardrobe directs the visiting dignitary shouldnormallybeseatedin everythingthatissaidbythe recognition and voice this article are those of the malfunction No official to the direction and path order of seniority even foreign language speaker recording technology, the author and do not explanation was ever given which he must take after thoughthisisoftenobserved This notation is not a record hostPrimeMinisterisbound necessarily reflect the as to why this indiscretion deplaning.Soitisnotsimply inthebreach. of the conversation but is tobecircumspectaboutwhat opinions and beliefs of this occurred.

ceremonial but also When seated, a person, usually done to ensure issaid. n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s

Such an occurrence has utilitarian. manorwoman,shouldnever a c c u r a c y a n d There is a certain affiliates.) never repeated itself, not for There are certain crosshisorherkneesorlegs. comprehensiveness during chemistry which developed a Guyanese or for any other protocols regarding which Nor should they show the President. But the incident members of the visiting bottom of their shoes; their emphasized the importance delegationcanstandorwalk feet should always be which countries should on the red carpet. Normally, plantedontheground.When attach to understanding and itisonlytheseniormembers beingspokento,theyshould complying with established ofthevisitingdelegationthat leanforwardcourteously

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Breachinoperationprocedures intransportingprisoners?

DEAREDITOR, the transportation of prisoners? Did the Two prisoners were able to kick open a perceived absence of security with the van door transporting them and escaped. prisonersaidedandabettedtheescapeofthe Fromaccountsitseemsnosecuritypersonnel two? was at the back of the vehicle with the Was this incompetence at the highest prisoners. level?

Isthisabreachofoperationproceduresin ShamshunMohamed

Dem boys seh...

GUYANA’S PAVEMENTS ARE NOW LIKE A TALIBAN TUNNEL

Walking along de pavement is like gat limited space fuh manoeuvre. Less passingthroughoneahdemtunnelswahde people seeing yuh getting attack and Taliban bin dig in Afghanistan to escape therefore it easier fuh de bandits. If dem from their pursuers. The pavement now is vendors nah been deh pon de pavement, likegauntlet. some public spirited citizen would have

Devendorsencroachingmoreandmore intervenedanddebanditwouldahgetketch. ontodepavement.Dempedestriansnahgat Is de same thing happen de odder day space fuh walk, much less fuh walk two whenavendorgetkilledondesameRegent abreast.Dismakesdeconditionsperfectfuh Street. demchoke-and-robbandits.

De bandit was screened off from de

A man did walking peacefully on public by de vending. He shoot de victim Regent Street de odder day when a bandit andkilldeman. comeupbehindheandviceheoff.Debandit

Some people however nah want accept tek away de man haversack and put some thatthisillegalvendinggattobestopped.It cuffsponhe.Andnoneofdemvendorswah is now causing a serious problem with been sitting down deh could do anything people safety. People getting robbed and about it. Dem could not even call fuh help mugged on busy Regent Street. because de pavement screened off by de Is time de Mayor and City Council put an vendors. end to this problem. Dem bandits

Dat is de danger of walking pon de benefittingfromdedisorder. pavementsdesedays.Ifyuhgetattack,yuh Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

GUYANA, THE COUNTRY WITH THE WORLD’S LARGEST DIASPORA

I was speechless when ontheeducationandhealth Tuesday,April9,2019titled, That gentleman lived a long statistics in the the Speaker of the National services, housing overrun, “Is Lincoln Lewis the timeintheUS. fantastic book by Assembly, Mr Manzoor the creation of slums, and Black version of White The nature of a people French economics Nadir, said the following our resources exploited by fascism?” that was critical namedGuyaneseareclearly professor, Thomas words, “We must make it others willing to undersell of those words of Mr seenwhenonecometogrips Piketty, titled “Capital harderforpeopletobecome their labour. We also face a Lewis.” with the amazing, in the 21st Century.” family members enjoying a citizens.” crisis of submerging our I kept looking at the incredible, devastating fact The statistics shows a goodlifeinothercountries. He made that statement culture further. This threat interview hoping to see thatpercapita,Guyanaleads consistent trend of the What psychological in an interview I did with comes from others who do some objection from the allthe countriesintheworld downward slide of the explanation the expert can him Obviously, as a notspeakourlanguageand interviewer on the in sending its citizens to working classes and middle comeupwithforpeopleina Guyanese,youknowthelast share a common culture... distasteful nature of those other lands. According to classesintheUSforthepast country named Guyana person in the entire world we also face a crisis of words but there was none. Forbes magazine, 36 4 50years.WhyareGuyanese rejecting other nationalities you expect to voice those submerging our culture… The prominent interviewer percent of Guyana’s running to the US when the coming here to live when sentiments about foreigners we are facing a pending did not offer an objection to citizenry occupies space in US is no longer the land of that very country has the is a Guyanese. Surely, any catastrophe which we must whatLewissaid. otherlands. honey?Guyaneseknowthat. largest overseas population other nationality but not a seektoavoidatallcost.” What does one make of If Guyanese has a Buttheyarestillleavingthis ofallnationsintheworld. Guyanese Before we Important to note is that this kind of attitude from problem with other countryenmassetogotothe It is like a veterinary proceed, contextually it is Mr Lewis has children who Guyanese to people coming nationalities coming here to USwheretheyprobablyput surgeon.Thelastpersonyou important to note that Mr live permanently in the US here? After the interview live then why are Guyanese additional strain on the expect to treat an animal Nadir has two children that andhiswifehassettledinthe with Mr Nadir, I got a call going to other countries to socialservicesofNewYork. withviolenceistheVet.You have permanently settled in US. I remember seeing a fromatopstateofficialwith settle? The last place So why are they leaving could understand a NorthAmerica.Herearethe television interviewer who strong political connections Guyanese should migrate to Guyana for the US? For the policeman or an accountant words of trade unionist, has a passport of another whotoldmehesupportsthe istheUS. same reason, the Haitians, treating an animal with LincolnLewis,“Unplanned country and whose family position of Mr Nadir He ImmigrantstotheUSare Venezuelans and Cubans disdainbutnotaVet.Sowhy immigration brings with it livesabroaddiscussingwith said immigrants are coming arrivinginacountrythathas leave their respective arewerunningawaytoother consequencessuchasstress Mr Lewis my column of to share in our oil wealth. enormous economic countries for Guyana. The lands but we don’t want problems. Any sociologist answer is the dream of others to run to our land? I and economist from any giving substance to guess that question will American university would existence,tomakeone’slife torment and tantalize me tell you that the American better,toensureone’sfamily forever dream is over There are no can survive. I haven’t done (The views expressed in longer the saccharine the research but I believe this article are those of the opportunities that people in 100 percent, not 99 99 author and do not the US after the Second percent but 100 percent of necessarily reflect the World War To get a vivid Guyanesethatutterwordsof opinions and beliefs of this picture of class changes in rejection of immigrants n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s the US, one should read the coming here has close affiliates.)

Taxi Driver killed execution style in bed

Two gunmen reportedly invaded the home of a taxi driver at Perseverance

Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), fatally shooting him onSaturdaynightaround23:00-hours..

Thedeadmanhasbeenidentifiedas DelonJosiahbetterknownasMilo.

Kaieteur News understands that the killers approached Josiah’s wife first, who was seated on the front porch of theirhouseandaskedforhim.

Shereportedlytoldthemhewasnot homebutthemenenteredthehouseand foundhiminabedroomwheretheyshot himdead.Hewasreportedlyshottohis head and leg. The gunmen then exited thehouseandmadegoodtheirescapeon waitingmotorcycles.

Investigationsareongoing.

FrederickKissoon

Murdered, Delon Josiah

Investigators at the crime scene on Saturday evening

SECTOR WORKERS

Isee them as being record, as shared from time been one myself, and I can Labor to right this wrong, off, when impatience and among the forgotten to time by GAWU, has been relate to how they are give some semblance of anger takeover at higher i n G u y a n a ’ s about medical coverage and c o n s i d e r e d a n d justice to Guyanese workers levels.

workforce The when its starts and stops, compensated, and that is soimpacted. Foranyforeign The problem with this is general consensus is that oil overtime pay and its onlyforastart. Iunderstand company to come here, thatsomanysidedealshave workershaveitgoodjustby calculation, the attitude of fully the position of GAWU participate in our lucrative been worked out in this beingemployedinthesector foreigners to locals, and about comparative pay, oil sector opportunities, and country between politicians But when GAWU of all comparative treatment (pay, especiallywhentherequired thenexploitourworkerslike and outsiders, that groups find it necessary to benefits, etc.) among other qualificationsareinhand. It this is beyond belief, should everywhere locals turn for speak out and highlight the grievances. According to is shocking to learn that our be a matter of an early relief,theyrunintoawall. plightofGuyana’soilsector the Union, when Guyanese qualified oil sector workers warning, if not an actual How much of a workers, then it can be oilworkers’payistheissue, are being paid at penalty It is appalling that difference an active and reasonably concluded that and comparison is made to approximately a tenth of the any foreign company, any assertiveMinistryofLabour things are bad, things are neighbouring Trinidad and levelof theircounterpartsin foreignmanager,canbehere can make! I believe that it going wrong, and that Tobago, this is dismissed theTwinIslandRepublicfor and engage in this kind of can. And when I recall a matters have reached such a with a wave of the hand to anequivalentjob. Onetenth conduct, and believe that recent matter involving a statethatpublicventilationis lack of experience. Now I of the pay for lack of theyhavearighttodoso,and Trinidadian company, anunavoidablestep. havesomepointsofmyown required experience? Not theyareallowedtogetaway Ramps Logistics Inc., and It is not the first, nor to make on this matter of minus one tenth of the pay withit. the aggressive official second,instancethatGAWU fellow Guyanese being scale or package, but being The foreigners come approach (for whatever hasseenitfittogopublicand given the dirty end of the the recipients of what I h e r e w i t h m a n y reason) that was visible, it they would not know the draw attention to what is stick where their work and interpret to be one tenth of preconceivedideasaboutthe conveys to me that if and difference, and if they did, goingonintheoilsectorand theirworthareconcerned. whatever is the amount paid Guyanese workforce. If when matters have to be then they are not going to the treatments meted out to As one who has lived for the job. That can never they did not do their own takeninhand,thentheywill push back too aggressively, Guyanese workers. In the overseas for almost half of befair,cannotberight. homework, they have their be. Thewillandenergyand for they prefer to remain on range of downstream my life, there is great From my perspective, local conspirators only too fightareallfound. Isaythat the job, and not be out of support services that our familiarity with starting at suchisbeyondshockingand glad to give them the Ministry of Labour bread. Afterall,theyarenot fellow citizensare engaged, the bottom, and working insulting, it is unacceptable. intelligence about how the should find the same with too many openings in they have experienced the upwards There is There should be a loud and environment is, and how to our oil sector workers. Our Guyana, and this new oil shabby, the degrading, and appreciation for minimum constant banging on the goabouttheirbusiness. We oil sector workers need fair sectorisaspacethatmustnot the second class The wage workers, for I have doors of the Ministry of own this wealth, we should play, fair pay, fair be let go. The foreigners be calling the shots, and our considerations and knowthisandappreciatethat own people, from leaders to conditions. They own this they have the upper hand, the hustlers in the middle to oil;theydeserverespect. which is what GAWU is up the bottom, are only too (The views expressed in against. Tosomeextent,the eager to join forces with this article are those of the Union is handicapped, outsiders to sellout and author and do not fightingwithonehand,soto sellout and sellout necessarily reflect the speak. However,asitkeeps Guyaneseneedjobswhichis opinions and beliefs of this exposing these atrocities, I thefirsttruth. Guyanesecan n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s think that it is only a matter be paid next to nothing, and affiliates.) of time before the lid blows

By GHK Lall

Zero tolerance for violence against teachers –

GTU General Secretary

General Secretary reorientingourparents,”she of the Guyana explained.

Teachers’ Union McDonaldnotedthatthe

(GTU) Coretta Union, the Ministry of McDonaldonFridaysaidthe Education and Social Union has a zero tolerance Services have to work forviolenceagainstteachers. together to understand and In an interview with Big fixthatwhichisoccurringin SmithNews,McDonaldwho society is also a Member of The GTU General Parliament(MP)saidthatthe Secretary described the cases of violence against recentoccurrencesatthetwo teachershaveincreased. primary schools as sad but

Within the last week, acknowledgedthatitisnota there were two incidents of newphenomenon. parentsassaultingteachersat “Assaulting teachers is many more problems in our two primary schools, totally wrong, we have zero society and we got to fix it Graham’s Hall and St tolerance for that, ” andwegottogettothepoint Angela’s. McDonald asserted while where we return to the

“We have too many adding “…when you assault drawing table and fix the young parents, young adults teachers, you are putting problem,”shestressed. who have become parents your child at even more risk Meanwhile, McDonald andtheythemselveshavenot because you know what is of the view that teachers been developed and so to happens, your child suffers mustbepositionedtodefend bring up their children now, in the long run, because themselves As such, the they don’t have the every teacher depending on GTUrepresentativesaidthat prerequisite skills to groom the level that child is at, classes on self-defence are a theirchildrenandbecauseof every teacher would now be possibilitybecause“wecan’t that double factor, the walking on thin ice when continue to allow these slightest thing, rather than they have to deal with your thingstohappen.” coming to talk about issues, child,”sheexplained. She said there are two we resort to a ‘buse out, a McDonald said by teachers,oneformerlyofSt. fight, a cuss out, as if that is resorting to violence, the AgnesPrimaryandtheother theonlywayofresolvingour p r o b l e m s a r e n o t from Winfer Gardens issues, and so that is why I automatically solved. “And Primaryschoolswhohave said we have to start so here it is, we are creating

General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’Union (GTU) Coretta McDonald.

SUNDAY - JAN 8, 2023

sweetener, there are no MajorGeneralJosephSingh, gas pipeline

GTE provisions to compel the MSS serves as Chairperson. EIA)

Loopholes in new oil Government to report what He is supported by Former

Finally, in the villages of Law give Govt. free specifically the oil money is ForeignAffairs Minister and Alliance and Resource, rein with oil money beingspenton. PermanentRepresentativeof another 13.7 acres of land – Investment Committee, The first demonstration Guyana to the United willacquiredbythestate. Board of Directors, of the above occurred in Nations,CarolynRodrigues- Vice President Bharrat and Parliament rendered February 2022, when the Birkett, Professor Compton Jagdeo at his final press toothless poodles H o u s e a p p r o v e d Bourne, O E, former conference for 2022 had told US$607.6Mtobewithdrawn Parliamentarian, Mr members of the media that W h e n m o n e y i s t o s u p p o r t t h e Dunstan Barrow, and long the Government will be withdrawn from the Natural Administration’s budgetary standing member of the moving to compulsorily Resource Fund (NRF) to measures. Private Sector Commission, acquirelandsfortheproject. support the Government’s K a i e t e u r N e w s Mr RameshDookhoo.

He explained that the budgetary agenda, who or previously reported that the With respect to the Attorney General (AG) Anil w h a t C o m m i t t e e i s first tranche totalling Investment Committee, Nandlall, SC has been empowered to determine its US$200M of the US$607M Executive Director of the leading the front on this use? Which Committee is was withdrawn on May 10, Georgetown Chamber of matter and while “there are responsible for outlining 2 0 2 2 Commerce and Industry people who have signed what national priorities it (https://finance govgy/gove ( G C C I ) , R i c h a r d agreements and there are mustbespenton?

rnment-makes-first- Rambarran, Attorney-at- others who are refusing to A perusal of Guyana’s withdrawal-from-the- Law, Michael Munroe, and sign, they would have to Natural Resource Fund natural-resource-fund/). The CharteredBanker,MBAMs. compulsorilyacquire.” (NRF) Act shows that the second withdrawal of Shaleeza Shaw are among When asked about the Board of Directors, the US$200M was done on July the serving members. Shaw total value of the lands that Attorney-at-Law Teni Govt.

Investment Committee, or 13,2022. serves as Chairperson. Mr Government will be paying

of e v e n t h e P u b l i c It was only until August Lauris Hukumchand, who is residents for, Jagdeo said he

A c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d 30, 2022, that President currently overseas, will be would try to get the details AslimSingh. for

Oversight Committee is IrfaanAliawardedLettersof appointedatalatertime. shared with this newspaper, According to the NRF NOTvestedwiththatrole. Appointment to several As for the Public as it was not available to him Act 2021, the Board of The Government of Withsuchaloophole,the Guyanese to serve on the A c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d atthattime. Directors is tasked with Guyana between January 4 Government has free rein to Natural Resource Fund Oversight Committee In September 2022, the s e v e r a l c r i t i c a l and 6 this year commenced swoop in and have full (NRF) Board, the Public (PAOC), the following AG met with about 25 responsibilities These the issuance of Orders in the control.With a majority lead A c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d persons were selected to landowners who received a i n c l u d e : o v e r a l l Official Gazette for the in Parliament, it also has no Oversight Committee, and serve: Mr Clement Sealy

p r o p o s a l f r o m t h e management of the fund, acquisition of lands for its worry about final approval theInvestmentCommittee. (Chairperson), Mr. Abu Governmenttobuyoverpart reviewing and approving Gas-to-Energy (GTE) for spending. As an added On the NRF Board, Zaman,Mr RyanAlexander, of their lands to facilitate the policies of the fund, project. 12-inchpipeline. monitoring performance, In the public documents The structure will be 190 ensuring compliance with it could be understood that kilometres long and planted a p p r o v e d p o l i c i e s , the Administration will be underground for safety exercising general oversight acquiring a total of some Nandlall had told this of all aspects of the 70.6 acres of lands on the newspaper that the land was operations of the Fund; and West Bank of Demerara also demarcated with ensuring that the fund is (WBD). This is to facilitate enough excess on both sides managedincompliancewith the pipeline, which will of the structure to create a the Act and other applicable transport natural gas from ‘buffer’ zone This will laws. the Liza Unity and Liza ensure that private property

While it is responsible Destiny Floating Production is not affected when for putting together an Storage and Offloading maintenance works are investment mandate, this (FPSO) Vessels in the required,amongothers. role is circumscribed by Stabroek Block to the Wales This publication spoke whatthemandatemustentail development site where the withanumberoflandowners asspecifiedinSection27. gaswillbeprocessedandput who said they are not

Thispartofthelawstates touse. satisfied with the offer made that the investment mandate In Bordeaux, Canal by government for their shall include directions Number One, the Legal lands. One farmer, for relating to the management Order signed by Public example, explained that the of credit, liquidity, Works Minister, Juan offer made did not take into operational, currency, Edghillsaidtwoplotswillbe consideration the earnings market, and other financial acquired amounting to 10.5 made from the property that risks; ethical investments acres. wouldbeaffected. including policies, standards At Java, the Legal The farmer told Kaieteur and procedures for avoiding Supplement said another News, “I don’t think the prejudice to Guyana’s 21.1 acres will be acquired valuation considers the reputation as a responsible for the project, while at earningsthatwegetfromthe member of the world Vreed-en-Hoop, Klein land by planting rice. They community, along with any Pouderyoen, rear of Malgre just gave a flat value of that other eligible assets as the Tout and Versailles, some but they don’t consider that ministerdeemsfit. 12.9 acres more of land will every month we earn on this Noteworthy is the fact beacquired. land so they should consider that the investment mandate In the villages of Union, how it would affect us when is subject to the approval of Rotterdam, Mary and theytakeitawayfromus.” theFinanceMinister Haarlem, Wallers Delight, A landowner in Canal

Given the provisional Ruimzeight and Vreed-en- Number One then explained powers and loopholes in the Hoop, a further 12.4 acres, t h a t e v e n t h o u g h Law, the PPPC Government according to the Order, will Government will only hasthepowertospendtheoil be obtained for the pipeline require part of his land, his moneyhowitdeemsfit,with route. farming activity will be no true check or balance on Map showing the completelydisruptedhence wherethemoneygoes. proposed route of the natural

(Source:

issues order to

Housty,Mr DawnGardener, acquire 70 acres

Pastor Wendell Jeffery, and West Demerara lands

gas pipeline

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

From page 13

the years, rainfall never affected he does not believe he received a their business, and they enjoyed fairofferforcompensation. decentcatches.

The man, who is employed at a

The men said that for them, the Government office, asked to rain brings more fish because “the remain anonymous. He explained, May-June season is what we really “I am one of the land owners that look forward to as we fishing will be extremely affected season.” The concerned fishermen According to what they are saying, even questioned the authenticity of it will be about six acres they need. the study as they claimed that those

My concern is, if you taking half of conducting the study never visited theland,Ican’tdoanythingelseon their landing sites. They claimed the other half. So it’s kind of that the FAO and the EPAwere the pointless because they are saying agenciesundertakingthestudy,and there will be a fence on either side thenamedscientistwiththeFAOis of the pipe and they will have some based in Suriname. They said that sort of security or something so I the scientist made contact with would have to move off of the land local co-opts and processing because I can’t farm on it. I can’t facilities,sotheysuspectthatthatis live there; I can’t burn anything on the information that was used for the land because of the pipeline. I the study. They say however that if plant pineapples, tangerines, the study is to determine whether plantains and other cash crops. I the oil is playing a role, “they must born and grow there and my father be out there in the ocean taking got the land from his grandfather samples to know if it’s oil or other and so I am currently 29 years old. contaminants in the water. It will affect me a lot. I am looking

Everybody know that when these forward to a call from whichever oil drills go down and they use citizens. maintenance, you got to cater for waters. Many families who depend lawyer they say they are gonna chemicals and the whole process, one, one bad trip in between, when onthefishingindustryareatriskas propose to us but this offer, I can’t nobody is monitoring that, we ain’t Local operators had hoped that the boat ain’t make no money and wellasthesmalloperatorswhoalso workwithit.” got no body out there seeing if it’s the government would be able to you got to make another trip to benefit from the industry. For one, Also, the young man said he is the right chemical Exxon using or work with its Dutch counterpart to coverupthatexpense.Andweain’t fishing co-opts and landing sites fearful that a gas leak may occur therightquantity.” have Suriname issue licences talkaboutifyougottorepairengine will be significantly hampered by andstartachainreaction;hence,he Government had given directly to Guyanese boat owners, or you lose a seine of something thecurrentsituation,thenewspaper may be forced to discontinue his fishermen across the country a since the locals were charging as likethat.” heard Some co-opts provide greatgrandparents’legacy $150,000 grant last year They say much as US$3,000 to rent the Boats in Suriname variousservicestoboatownersand A female landowner who did while they are grateful for the document, they were getting from To have the SK licences, provideemploymenttocommunity notstatehernameshared,“webeen $150,000 grant, it was the government for US$30. One Guyaneseboatswillnowhavetobe persons. livingherewewholelife.Nowthey unfortunately not enough to even year since the Guyana government parked in Suriname. To get home, Apart from those employed on just want come and disrupt your takesomeboatworkersoutofdebt. had said that Suriname was willing the boat workers will have to take the fishing boats, “hustlers” who whole system. Not the entire land They are urging the government to to issue more than a 100 SK another boat to Guyana and make earn a living selling and cleaning will be affected but still, you are assess the situation facing the local licences to Guyanese, the licenses the trip back when it is time to fish will be affected once all the being disrupted. Exxon had sent a industry have not been delivered. And with work. The newspaper was told that business is done in Suriname. “The young lady and I asked what would the Surinamese licence holders 90 percent of Surinamese licence co-opt would have no one to sell happenifitexplodeandtheysaidit geared to increase their fee to owners do not own boats. They use fuelto,ouricemachinewouldn’tbe wouldbeundergroundninefeetbut Guyana one million dollars, local Guyanese boats to uplift the needed and will have to be closed.” I don’t know how much land they operators are contemplating their licence, so as the registered owner The newspaper was told that really taking but I am waiting on next move, as they say the new of the boat, the boat must be left in alreadyco-optsarescalingdownon next week to hear what they would charge will significantly weigh on Suriname where the catch must be business and staff. Each boat that say.” the profitability of their fishing sold. Guyanese operators see the goes to sea purchases food for at I n E x x o n M o b i l ’ s business. travel back and forth as stressful, least $80,000 and more from environmental studies for the Impossible rental fee they also lose money when all their marketvendors;theypurchasefuel, project,itwasclearlystatedthatthe “No. Ah done we done hay catch which is also sold at a lower and other necessities adding venture can result in chronic now,” one boat owner said with price in Suriname, is not sold and immensely to the regional hardshipsforfarmers.Nonetheless, much dismay He told the Kaieteur some refused to reduce the size of economy Exxon has already received News that “when we had asked for their boats as required by the The local fishermen say they approval from the Environmental thelicence,theconcernwasthatthe authorities They say too that are also considering when Protection Agency to commence licence man dem were exploiting Suriname does not have enough Suriname finds oil, what will thelayingofthepipeline. us.Theywerecharginginexcessof space to park boats and there is no becomeonthem,sinceGeorgetown US$3000 for a licence that they security fishers continue to speak of low MONDAY - JAN 9, 2023 were purchasing from the Kaieteur News was told that catches. “We don’t know what will Surinamese government for about only two Saturdays ago, a happen when Suriname starts to do Guyanese fishers to pay US$30. What we have now is that Guyanese boat got “duck” in their exploration and start pumping $1M to rent fishing licence to get the licence, all the boats have Suriname,becauseithadaleakand oil because that’s the cry from the from Surinamese counterparts toparkinSuriname,wecatchgotto the boat owner needed permission fishers in Georgetown. Every time Waiver

…‘Ah done we done hay sellthere,andallwebusinessgotto fromtheauthoritiestohavetheboat we got fishers organization with

now’–fishermen be done there. But what we are returned to Guyana for repair It fishers from Essequibo and

hearing now is that they will be tooktheboatownerabouttwodays Georgetown,theycomplainingthat

–Guyanese fishermen, who raising the licence to US$5000 and to get the permission required, but thecatchisnottherelikebefore.” Former EPAHead operate in Suriname waters, are thatisunbelievable,”heexplained. by then, the vessel had taken in so FAO fish study still unavailable biting their finger nails in Another Berbice operator who much water, its engine, equipment, The fishermen say they are still T h e d e c i s i o n b y t h e anticipation of a massive hike in spoke with Kaieteur News over the food and other items got damaged, unaware of the true reason for the Environmental Protection Agency fees, for the rental of the country’s phone said that the new charge will whilesomefloatedaway Thatboat low fish catch because the (EPA) to exempt government’s SK fishing licence. Kaieteur News be “impossible” to pay because it owner suffered about $800,000 in government is still to release the 300-megawatt (MW) gas-fired was told that come March, when will take a fishing boat at least six losses,itwasrelated.

Food andAgriculture Organisation power plant from a detailed new licences are expected to be months to make back just the rental Dying fishing industry (FAO) fish study that was done last Environmental Impact Assessment issued by the Surinamese fee. “And we have to pay cash and The operators told the year They said what they know is (EIA) shows a pattern of continued government, Guyanese operators all the money one time. It will take newspaper that slowly but surely, what was reported in the news negligence by the government, will now have to pay as much as about six months to make back that the fishing operation is dying in about too much rainfall and change towardstheenvironmentandhealth US$5,000 to rent the operating money and that is just the licence Berbice, since the entire region inwatertocausethefishtomigrate. ofitscitizens.Thisisthepositionof document from Surinamese alone.Thenyouhavetothinkabout fishes mainly in Surinamese Themencontendedthatthroughout

of EIAfor Wales gas

plant shows pattern of

Governmental neglect of

environment, nation’s health

Guyanese fishermen at work

Former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams

CGXlaunchesnewhuntforoilinCorentyneBlock

Canadian oil explorers, Frontera Energy Corporation and CGX Energy Inc , commenced drilling operations at the Wei-1 Well site in Guyana’s Corentyne BlockonSaturday

The oil company announced through a public notice in the daily newspapers thattheoperationisscheduled toconcludeonJune30,2023.

The well site is located some 94.2 nautical miles or 174.5kilometersofftheCoast of Guyana and covers an area of0.29squarenauticalmilesor onesquarekilometre.

The vessels OSV Breaux Tide,OSVAldemirSouzaTide and OSV Saavendra Tide will be incorporated during the activities. All mariners have been advised to stay clear of the vessels that will be used during the operation and navigate with extreme caution wheninthevicinity

In November last year, the oil company announced the postponement of drilling operations at the Wei-1 Well. At the time, it said the operations would commence no laterthanJanuary31,2023.

UnderthetermsoftheLicence for the Corentyne block, the Joint Venturewaspreviouslyrequiredto spud Wei-1, the second of two

commitmentwellsontheblock,by November27,2022.

Orlando Cabrales, Chief Executive Officer of Frontera, commented that the joint venture remainsfirmlycommittedtodrilling theWei-1wellandisgratefulforthe

125miles

ongoing support from the Government of Guyana as they mutually work to unlock the potentially transformational opportunityintheCorentyneblock

Cabrales said, “Significant investment,planningandworkhas

been completed in preparation to drillWei-1andwearereadytodrill the well upon rig arrival in one of themostexcitingexplorationareas intheworld.”

CGX previously noted that the well will be drilled at a cost of

US$93M.Thissumwouldbe recoverable should CGX move to production on the heels of a commercial discovery

The spudding of theWei1 well comes after the discoveryoflightoilandgas condensate at the Kawa-1 welllastyear

It was reported thatWei-1 well will be located approximately 14 kilometres northwest of the Kawa-1 exploration well in the C o r e n t y n e b l o c k , approximately200kilometres offshore from Georgetown, Guyana,andwillbedrilledin water depth of approximately 1,912 feet (583 metres) to an anticipated total depth of 20,500feet(6,248metres)

Furthermore, the Wei-1 wellwilltargetMaastrichtian, Campanian and Santonian aged stacked channels in a western channel complex in the northern section of the Corentyneblock

The Wei-1 well was reportedlynamedafteroneof the tallest peaks in the PakaraimaMountainRange,which hascommandingvisibilityoverthe surrounding terrain.WeiTepu was historically used as a sentinel post by the Patamona people to guard againstattacks.

CGX Future Port and Bramfield Facility

Cheddi Jagan International Airport

CGX Energy

Totness

Totness

Skeldon

Albion

Charity Anna Regina Wakapau Village

Ituni

Ebini

Noitgedacht

Rosehall Nieuw

Nickerie

Suriname

Georgetown

Georgetown

Map

Car stolen at Mahaica found abandoned in Campbellville

ByShervinBelgrave

Alert taxi drivers across the city on Saturday assisted a Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident in recovering his stolen 20o4 model Toyota Spacio motorcar that was left abandoned next to an apartment building in S e a f o r t h S t r e e t , Campbellville,Georgetown.

The victim, Shemroy Allen, told Kaieteur News thathiscarwasstolenaround 02:30hrs Saturday from in front of his home at Supply, Mahaica,ECD.Allenparked there on Friday evening but when he woke up early Saturday, the vehicle was nowhereinsight.

Allen reportedly noticed that one of his neighbours had some CCTV cameras mountedonhishomeandhe went over to review the footage. Thefootageshowed that a lone car thief approached his car around 02:00hrs and spent half an hour tampering with the vehiclebeforedrivingitoff.

Unfortunately, the suspect could not be identified in the footage because he used a black umbrella to shield his face from the camera It is believed that the car thief scouted the area before and knew where CCTV cameras werelocated.

Allen said he began circulating photos of his car on social media (Facebook andWhatsApp) immediately hoping that someone might seeitandinformthepolice.

He believed that taxi drivers working in Georgetownmighthavebeen onthelook-outforthestolen vehicle.Luckily,shortlyafter Allen received a phone call informing him that his car

was parked on Seaforth Street.

“Demcutthekeyswitch, destroythealarmsystem,the GPS system and change the number plate”, Allen told Kaieteur News while adding “Dem try to remove some markings that went pon the car but them couldn’t tek themoff”.

Allen is lucky to recover his car so quickly and in working order because victims in the past have only gotten back the shell of their cars.

Police are currently conducting the necessary investigationstofindoutwho might have abandoned Allen’scarinSeaforthStreet.

As car theft continues to plague Guyana, it should be noted that the thieves are becoming more organized and better at covering their tracks.

Destroying Allen’s GPS system could be one way of becoming more versed in their crime. If a car’s GPS system is in working order, then it is possible that if stolen,itcanbetracked.

Last year, detectives made a major dent in a carjacking ring on the East Bank of Demerara. Several suspects were arrested and remandedtoprison.

One of them, Jomaine Watson,wasreleasedonbail but found himself locked up again after he was busted on the ECD with suspected stolencarparts.

Kaieteur News hadinthe pastrequestedstatisticsfrom the Guyana Police Force (GPF) on the prevalence of cartheftbuttodate,itisyetto receivesame.

This newspaper reported lastyearthatatleasttwocars are stolen each month in Guyana.

The stolen car that was found abandoned in Campbellville

The

Tiffany Boodhoo

Meet this week’s beauty, the charming Tiffany Boodhoo. This 23-year-old Law student of the University of Guyana (UG), enjoys crocheting, learning new things and travelling. She recently graduated from the Centre of Communication Studies at UG and hopes to one day impact Guyana’s justice system positively. Boodhoo’s favourite quote is by Ryan Holiday who said: “You’re just one person among many, doing your best.”

John's Village

- A close knitted community

By Malisa Renada Playter Harry

John's Village, Corentyne, Berbice,isquitesmall,but it is still a very significant community. It is known as the village with the University of Guyana (John's Campus), and is made up of people from various backgrounds The villagers are hardworking people who are determined to improve their lives littlebylittle.

Whenyouenterthecommunity, you'llimmediatelyspotaGUYOIL filling station, which is a great convenience to drivers, since the next gas station is several villages away Further down the road, within the cross streets, you'll find the villagers either consumed with theirdailychoresorrelaxing.Most of the women are home makers, taking care of things while their husband's are out at work children at school during week.Asyoumakeyourway around the village, it is evidentthatmanypersons have either migrated overseas or deceased, leaving homes empty Some of these homes havedeterioratedandare overgrownwithvinesand unwanted vegetation

Some residents are unhappy with the way the cur Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) conducts the affairs of John's Village. There are apparently myriad complaints againsttheNDCanditsChairman. Sadly, many of the people in the front section of the village have complained of being neglected by theNDC,andithasgottentoapoint where they no longer believe that

heycanbenefitfromdevelopment.

Complaints ranged from the NDC hand-picking persons within the community to receive cash grants, to also hand-picking who they want to get the government's 10-dayjobarrangement.Residents expressed that only a certain section of the village are beneficiaries of governmental initiatives. They noted that the NDC is virtually non-existent and that the Chairman and many of its councillors do not work in the interest of every individual living there.

Lilwati Budhu, 56, who lives with her adopted son since her husband died a few years ago, has hadherfairshareofissuesthathave caused her to lose her job as a cleaner at the University of Guyana,John'sCampus,evenafter giving18yearsofservice.Shelost her job after she applied for and wentontwoweeksleave.

Budhu said she is a simple womanthatrequiresverylittleand because she does not know to read and write well, she felt she was taken advantage of by the administrationoftheuniversity(in Berbice).

It was evident that she shares a good relationship with her fellow villagers because her phone rang and it was a neighbour calling for her to assist to roll puris for a religious function. She promised them that she would go by to help. Bhudu said she usually helps out when persons have any function; it's something that keeps her engaged and makes her feel good thatshecanhelpout.

But the loss of her job since 2016hasrenderedherunemployed since then and she is solely dependent on her son's earnings to assistinthehome.

“Since2004,meworkingatUG and me ask for two week leave." She was also told to write a note statingthatsheleftthejobbutshe

Malisa Playter-Harry

Lilwati Bhudu

Now

'Patricia' who makes coconut oil

University of Guyana - John's Campus where all the sciences are taught.

The Nand Persaud and Company Soil Testing Facility.

Entering John's Village

Abolition of works permits: an example for regional integration

By Sir Ronald Sanders

When the Revised e n d u r e d c o n f i n e d For all these reasons, m i g r a n t s i n CARICOM Treaty was circumstances before being Antigua and Barbuda, A n t i g u a a n d (The writer is Antigua signed in 2001, it committed deported. opened its doors to Barbuda have and Barbuda’s Ambassador all the Governments who Let it be said that the migration from CARICOM contributed towards to the United States of were its ultimate signatories Prime Minister of St countries Today it hosts thetransferofskillsand A m e r i c a a n d t h e “to the goal of free Vincent and the Grenadines, people in relatively large knowledge, and they political parties in Antigua Organization of American movement of their nationals Ralph Gonsalves, the late numbers from Dominica, endeavoured alongside andBarbudagivestestimony States. He is also a Senior withintheCommunity”. Barbados Prime Minister, G u y a n a , J a m a i c a , native Antiguans and to the part that freedom of Fellow at the Institute of The governments raised OwenArthur and the present Montserrat, and St Vincent Barbudans to achieve movement of CARICOM Commonwealth Studies, the expectation that their PrimeMinister,MiaMottley and the Grenadines Many development from which all nationals can and does play University of London and people would be able to were the three leaders who of those people have benefitted. in attaining regional and Massey College in the travel to each country freely; constantly stood up for the become nationals of This is reflected in national development University of Toronto) thattheywouldhaveasingle principles of movement of Antigua and Barbuda and Antigua and Barbuda’s objectives. It is a big leap It has been interesting to currency; and that there nationals within the their children are born steady economic growth forward, and an example to read the responses in would be no duties and Caribbeancommunity AntiguanandBarbudan which reached 8 3% in theregion. Editorials and Opinions in tariffsongoodsmovingfrom However, Antigua and Oneofthelessonsforthe 2022, second only to Responses and previous some regional media, onecountrytotheother Barbuda was one of the few rest of CARICOM, is that Guyana with its new wealth c o m m e n t a r i e s : concerning the decision by That was why the notion countries in CARICOM migrants have brought value inoilandgas www.sirronaldsanders.com thetwomainpoliticalparties of a CARICOM Single where Caribbean migration, to development. Caribbean The decision by the in Antigua and Barbuda to Market and Economy while not without its abolish work permits for (CSME) was born – the restrictions, was far more nationals of Caribbean nationsofCARICOMwould tolerant. Community (CARICOM) become one community and T h e r e a s o n w a s countriesandtheDominican one market. The exception consistent commitment to Republic. was The Bahamas, which Caribbean integration by its

The significant thing in does not participate in the leadership, particularly Sir the Editorials and Opinions, group’s single market and Vere Cornwall Bird, Sir is that while they have freely economyarrangements. Lester Bird and now Prime expressed opinions on the T h r o u g h o u t t h e MinisterGastonBrowne. decision made by the two existence of CARICOM, Sir Vere was one of the main political parties in preceding the signing of the founders of the West Indian Antigua and Barbuda to deal Revised Treaty in 2001, it labour movement for with this long contentious member states have had a independence from Britain, issue in CARICOM, they chequered history regarding dating back to 1947. He have been silent on the the acceptance of the conceived of West Indian attitude of governments and movement of people independence from Britain opposition political parties between them The in the context of a West in other CARICOM exemplary country, during Indian Federation with all countries. its previous economic the freedoms and rights for

The exception to this has heyday up to 1973, was the people that such a been the Editorials in the Guyana, which welcomed federation offered. He saw JamaicaGleaner Caribbeanmigrantsfromthe the West Indian people as

There is no question that region – a welcome that was one, and was deeply the two political parties in taken up by many from disappointed at its collapse, Antigua and Barbuda have Dominica, St. Lucia and St. triggered by a referendum in now put the cat among the Vincent who, among other Jamaica. In the referendum pigeons in CARICOM. The things, became farmers in campaign, ironically, one of decision of the Antigua and Guyana’s productive the arguments used against Barbuda Labour Party agriculturalhinterland. the Federation was that (ABLP) and the United Nowwithitswealthinoil “Jamaica would be overrun Progressive Party (UPP) to and gas, Guyana has once by the small islanders” liberalise the system by again become a magnet for Today, it is Jamaicans that which CARICOM nationals Caribbean migrants and are heading to the small migrate to, and work in, businessmen. This time it is islands. Antigua and Barbuda, raises nationals of Jamaica, For his part, Sir Lester, questions about how far Barbados and Trinidad and while upholding the other members of the Tobago who are flocking to objectives of CARICOM, Caribbean Community are Guyana - not only ordinary was a founder of the prepared to go to realise the people, looking for work but Organization of Eastern purposes of the CARCOM businessmen seeking to Caribbean States (OECS) Treaty profitfromsellinggoodsand and was a strong and

The Constitution of services. influential voice for the Antigua and Barbuda allows But in the lean economic maintenance by its 6 its nationals to bestow times of Guyana, when independent member states citizenship on their imports had to be restricted of one currency, one central grandchildrenwhereverthey to preserve scarce foreign bank,onejudiciary,onecivil are born. Many of those exchange, and the value of aviation authority and one grandchildren from the its currency slumped economicspace.

Dominican Republic took dramatically, Guyanese had Thecompletefreedomof a d v a n t a g e o f t h i s a forbidding experience movement of nationals Constitutional right to when they migrated to other within the OECS today is migrate to Antigua and CARICOM countries to find due, in large part, to the Barbuda. work. leadership given by Antigua

This situation - unique to There were special andBarbuda. AntiguaandBarbuda–isnot benches for Guyanese SirLestersawtheOECS relevant to CARICOM immigrants at theAirports in as a successful model of Therefore, it is not discussed Barbados and Trinidad and regional integration that here. Tobago on which they CARICOMshouldemulate.

Sir Ronald Sanders

How Guyana’s environmental body breached its statutory duty

In an historic case, neighbourhood, or the Demerara residentsortheenvironment. Court Judge, Jus River. However, the Lawyers for the Nareshwar Harna Kaieteur News had reported residents contended and

ruled that Guyan that the EPA then convened a maintained that the use and Environmental Protectio meeting with the residents and storage of radioactive materials at Agency (EPA) breached its theirLawyers. Houston, EBD could significantly statutoryduty During the meeting, EPA impact the environment and The EPA’s mandate is assured the residents that this should be moved to a less to: “Promote, facilitate and was only for the construction populatedarea. c o o rd i n a t e e f f e c t i v e aspect of the facility and that RULING e n v i r o n m e n t a l they would get a better Justice Nareshwar Harnanan m a n a g e m e n t a n d opportunity to speak on the in his judgment declared, ”That p ro t e c t i o n ; a n d t h e merits and demerits of the the EPA’s decision to waive the sustainable use of Guyana actual radioactive storage requirement of an Environmental natural resources.” facility’s operation when Impact Assessment with respect to Last month, Justice Schlumberger seeks an Schlumberger Guyana Inc. (SGI)’s Harnanan ruled that the EP applicationforsame. application for environmental breached its statutory duty Three residents later authorization for the construction not publishing reasons/adeq approached the court seeking an of the said facility is in breach of reasons as to why it waived Order of Certiorari to quash the the EPAs statutory duty for failure totheApplicants. r e q u i r e m e n t f o r a n construction permit EPA granted to provide reasons for the wavier Section 11 of EPA Act, E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p Schlumberger and an order of as mandated under section 11(2) stipulates that any project that A s s e s s m e n t ( E I A ) injunction to prevent the company of the Environmental Protection may significantly affects the Schlumberger Guyana from continuing any construction Act, Cap.20:05.” environment requires an EIAand (SGI), to build a radioac thefacility

By Renay Sambach

Justice Harnanan granted an such an assessment requires facility at Houston, East Ban However, in responding to Order of Certiorari issued and publication in the newspapers of Demerara the residents’ lawsuit, the EPA directed to the EPA quashing its the intended project as well as The High Court of the in its Defence disclosed that decision on June 9, 2021 to award consultations with the public. SupremeCourtofJudicature the construction of the an environmental authorisation to The Judge also said during his of Guyana, had issued radioactive facility was Schlumberger to construct a ruling that, “This court is of the several administrative already completed and that radioactive substances and view that the EPA’s decision to orders on December 16, it had granted permission to material storage and calibration waive the requirement or EIA 2022. Those orders dealt Schlumberger to use, facility on the ground that the cannot be found to be lawful as it with the issue of the EPA p o s s e s s a n d s t o r e decision is ultra vires and directly contravenes [section] 11 failingtopublishthereasons radioactive substances at the breached the EPA’s statutory duty (2) of the [EPA] Act, the court also whyitdidnotrequireanEIA facility since January 26, set out under section 11 (2) of the finds that no adequate reasons for the construction and 2022. EPAAct. were contained in the notice operation of a source

The State Agency also A second Order of Certiorari, published by the EPA…” storage/calibration building, bmitted to the court that the wasissuedanddirectedtotheEPA Justice Harnanan highlighted accordance with Section 11 (2) ers the residents sought ought quashing its decision made in too that while the EPA contended the Environmental Protection to be granted since the January 2022, that permitted that by granting a permit to Cap.20:05,LawsofGuyana. struction was completed and Schlumberger to operate its Schlumberger to construct the

The ruling was as a result of a that operation had already radioactive substances and facility it does not guarantee legal challenge filed by three started materials storage and calibration storage of the radioactive sources given any notice that any such Environmental Activists and The applicants through their facility and to possess, use and at the facility – the EPA Act permitwasunderconsiderationby residents who live nearby the Lawyers challenged the EPA’s store radioactive materials, on the explains – that the agency should theEPA. facility, Vanda Radzik, Danuta contention. ground that the decision was in not issue a construction or

However, on April 11, 2022, Radzik, and Raphael Singh,

For its part, Schlumberger in breach of the EPA statutory duty operationpermitunlesstheagency the EPA in a notice published in through their Lawyers: Marlene its Affidavit of Defence argued setoutunderSection11(1)and(2) includes in the permit conditions the daily newspapers, disclosed Alleyne, Siand Dhurjon, and that the public did not need any oftheEPAAct. that are reasonably necessary to that Schlumberger wanted to RonaldBurch-Smith. notice that the EPA was Further, the Judge issued an protecttheenvironment.

construct a building to house The lawsuit was filed on considering a radioactive injunction against Schlumberger, EPARESPONSE radioactive materials and that the February14,2022. materials usage, possession and restraining it from continuing the After losing the case the EPA construction process would not CASE INFORMATION storage permit, because the possession, use and storage of issued a statement EPA requireanEIA.

On January 19, 2022, the EPA

Authority was satisfied that there radioactive chemicals at its acknowledged its error and After seeing the EPA’s notice without any notice given to the would be no substantial impact on Houstonfacility,unlessanduntilit promised to adhere to the Court’s to waiver the EIA for public, granted Schlumberger theenvironment. is in receipt of a lawfully issued judgment.

Schlumberger, several residents permission to use, store and

Notably, the EPA had joined permit pursuant to the provisions [To share any useful formally objected to the decision possessradioactivematerialsatits Schlumberger in its Defence oftheEPAAct. information, you can stating that radioactive materials facility located at Houston stating that it was clear that the TheJudgealsoorderedcoststo contact me via email: should not be used or stored in Notably, the public was also not project would not affect the be paid by EPAand Schlumberger naesambach@gmail.com] close proximity to schools,

High Court Judge, Nareshwar Harnanan

EPA Head Kemraj Parsram

This Day in History - Jan. 15

Compiled by Zena Henry

Coca-Cola Company, then known as the Pemberton Medicine Company, is incorporated

The

The Coca-Cola Company is an American multinational beverage corporationfoundedin1892,bestknown as the producer of Coca-Cola.The CocaCola Company also manufactures, sells, and markets other non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, and alcoholic beverages. The soft drink was developed in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton. At the time, it was introduced, the product contained cocaine from coca leaves and caffeine from kola nuts which together acted as a stimulant.

The coca and the kola are the source of the product name, and led to CocaCola’s promotion as a “healthy tonic”. Pemberton had been severely wounded in the American Civil War, and had become addicted to the pain medication morphine.

He developed the beverage as a patent medicine in an efforttocontrolhisaddiction.In1889,theformulaandbrand weresoldfor$2,300(roughly$71,000in2022)toAsaGriggs Candler, who incorporated the Coca-Cola Company in Atlantain1892.(Wikipedia)

6.2-magnitude earthquake kills over 100, injures thousands in Indonesia

Molasses Flood kills 21 and injures over 150

Massive earthquake kills thousands in Nepal-India

The Great Molasses Flood, also known as the Boston Molasses Disaster, was a disaster that occurred on January 15, 1919,intheNorthEndneighborhoodofBoston,Massachusetts.

Alargestoragetankfilledwith2.3millionUSgal(8,700m3)of molasses,weighingapproximately13,000shorttons(12,000t), burst, and the resultant wave of molasses rushed through the streetsatanestimated35mph(56km/h),killing21andinjuring 150. The event entered local folklore and residents claimed for decadesafterwardsthattheareastillsmelledofmolassesonhot summerdays.

It was reported that temperatures had risen above 40 °F (4 °C), climbing rapidly from the frigid temperatures of the preceding days, and the previous day, a ship had delivered a fresh load of molasses, which had been warmed to reduce its viscosity for transfer. Possibly due to the thermal expansion of theolder,coldermolassesalreadyinsidethetank,thetankburst open and collapsed at approximately 12:30 p.m. Witnesses reported that they felt the ground shake and heard a roar as it collapsed, a long rumble similar to the passing of an elevated train; others reported a tremendous crashing, a deep growling, “a thunderclap-like bang!”, and a sound like a machine gun as therivetsshotoutofthetank.(Wikipedia)

James Naismith publishes the rules of basketball

Dr JamesNaismith,undisputedlycreditedastheinventor of the game of basketball, was born in Ontario, Canada on November6,1861.Asanorphanedyouthlivingwithhisuncle and grandparents, he was an avid athlete, participating in various unorganized outdoor activities. Later at McGill University,heparticipatedintheorganizedsportsoflacrosse, rugby,football,gymnastics,andsoccer

An earthquake struck Majene Regency in the province of West Sulawesi, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on 15 January 2021, at 02:28 WITA (18:28 UTC), with a moment magnitude of 6.2. This earthquake was felt as far away as Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, and Palu in Central Sulawesi. Strong shaking was reported in Majene and the provincial capital Mamuju for at least 5–7 seconds. It was precededbyaforeshockmeasuring5.7magnitudeafewhours earlier

Widespread damage was reported throughout 4 out of 5 regencies in the province. More than 6,000 structures were damaged or destroyed in the region. Officials estimated that the earthquake caused damages amounting to Rp829.1 billion rupiah.Atleast105peoplewereconfirmeddeadandmorethan 3,300 were injured, while thousands of residents were displaced.An aftershock struck on 3 February 2021, killing a manandcausingfurtherdamage.

After a physical education undergraduate degree in 1898, Dr Naismith moved to theUS.Hereceivedhis graduate degree and settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he put academic qualifications to use as the physical education teacher at the YMCA International Training School. It was at the YMCA International Training School that Naismith, sensing unrestinhisclassofyoungadultmaleswhohadtorepeatedly endure calisthenics and children’s games in the tough Massachusetts’winter of 1891, set out to devise a new game. Using the equipment available at his disposal and drawing from his childhood experience in a game called ‘duck on a rock,’Naismithfashionedagamewithapeachbasketand (Continued on page 26)

An image of the earthquake devastation

The 1934 Nepal–India earthquake or 1934 Bihar–Nepal earthquake was one of the worst earthquakes in India’s history The towns of Munger and Muzaffarpur were completely destroyed. This 8.0 magnitude earthquake occurred on 15 January 1934 at around 2:13 pm IST (08:43 UTC)andcausedwidespreaddamageinnorthernBiharandin Nepal. The epicentre was located in eastern Nepal about 9.5 km(5.9mi)southofMountEverest.Theareaswherethemost damagetolifeandpropertyoccurredextendedfromPurneain theeasttoChamparaninthewest(adistanceofnearly320km or200mi),andfromKathmanduinthenorthtoMungerinthe south(adistanceofnearly465kmor289mi).Theimpactwas reported to be felt in Lhasa to Bombay, and from Assam to Punjab.TheearthquakewassoseverethatinKolkata,around 650 km (404 mi) from the epicentre, many buildings were damagedandthetowerofSt.Paul’sCathedralcollapsed.The three major towns of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal—Kathmandu,BhaktapurandPatan—wereseverely (Continued on page 26)

Wikipedia, a free wiki content encyclopaedia, goes online

2012 Wikipedia community during a conference

Wikipedia is a multilingual free online encyclopaedia written and maintained by a community of volunteers, known as Wikipedians, through open collaboration and using a wikibased editing system. Wikipedia is the largest and most-read reference work in history It is consistently one of the 10 most popular websites ranked by Similarweb and formerlyAlexa; as of 2022, Wikipedia was ranked the 5th most popular site in the world. It is hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, anAmerican non-profitorganizationfundedmainlythroughdonations.

WikipediawaslaunchedbyJimmyWalesandLarrySanger on January 15, 2001. Sanger coined its name as a blend of wiki and encyclopedia. Wales was influenced by the “spontaneous order” ideas associated with Friedrich Hayek and the Austrian School of economics after being exposed to these ideas by the libertarianeconomistMarkThornton.Initiallyavailableonlyin English, versions in other languages were quickly developed. Its combined editions comprise more than 60 million articles, attracting around 2 billion unique device visits per month and morethan17millioneditspermonth(1.9editspersecond)asof November 2020. In 2006,Time magazine stated that the policy of allowing anyone to edit had made Wikipedia the “biggest (andperhapsbest)encyclopediaintheworld”.

Some of the damage caused by the 2021 event

The aftermath of the spilled molasses

Dr. James Naismith, basketball game inventor

Madonna to Embark on Career-Spanning th40 Anniversary Tour

The global trek will celebrate Madonna's deep catalog of hits, sourcestellBillboard.

(Billboard) Madonna is planning a massive 40th anniversarytourlaterthisyearwith her longtime concert promotion partner and producer Live Nation and music manager Guy Oseary, sourcestellBillboard.

The 64-year-old pop icon will perform music from her entire catalogue, dating back to her 1983 self-titleddebutalbumthroughher most recent studio album, 2019's Madame X.The world tour will be Madonna's first ever career retrospective, featuring a compilation of her biggest hits across four decades of music and will reportedly include a multinightrunattheO2inLondon.

“It'sgoingtobethebiggesttour

she's ever done,” one executive familiar with her plans tells Billboard. The tour will include both stadium and arena dates, the sourcesays,andincludesover-thetop production that delivers both “Material Girl” kitsch and occasionallyoutrageoussexappeal with plenty of show-stopping momentsmadeforsocialmedia.

The tour buzz comes just monthsafterMadonnareleasedher career-spanning compilation album Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones, spanning her entire dance club career, featuring remixesbytopproducersincluding 20 rare recordings officially releasedforthefirsttime.In2021, Madonna signed a deal with Warner Music Group for an “extensive, multi-year series of catalogreleasesthatwillrevisitthe

groundbreaking music that made heraninternationalicon.”

Madonna last toured in 2019 and early 2020 on her Madame X tour, a theater run that was struggled through production delaysandMadonna'srecurringhip and knee injuries While the Madame X tour earned strong critical reviews in the press, its habitually late start time often angered ticket holders and prompted two class actions lawsuitsfromfans.

When it comes to choosing her nightly set list for this new tour, Madonna will have no shortage of songs charting 38 top includ 2000's apart and

on the Hot 100 Madonna's “Borderline” from 1984 spent 30 weeks on the Hot 100 She followed that impressive feat a decadelaterwiththeballad“Takea Bow,”whichheldtheNo.1spoton theHot100forsevenweeks.

M d ' 2008

Boxscore, netting $407 million. HermostrecentMadameXtheater run grossed $36.4 million with 124,655ticketssold.

RepsforMadonnacouldnotbe reached for comment at time of publishing.

Ending littering in Guyana: A hopeless delusion or a promising reality? Part 2

By Richard Francois

material and product that is designated as litter by the Today, we continue with Minister by notice published our discussion on littering intheGazetter.2(i). and ways in which we can Litter Offences: work together to eradicate Under the new litter this scourge from our regulations, the following society Guyana has laws litter offences have been that speak directly to created: littering and there are also (1) Depositing litter severe penalties for persons in a public place (r.3): found guilty of littering. Under this offence, a person However, there seems to be who without reasonable challenges existing with excuse–regard to the enforcement of (a) deposits any litter ourlitterlaws. in or on any public place motor vehicle or trailer shall well secured as to prevent it penalized. littering are dealt severely Below is the Summary otherthan– be deemed to be the person from falling off the motor Perhaps the authorities with by the law Guyanese of the Environmental (i) in a receptacle whodepositedthelitterfrom vehicleortrailer,or maywanttoraisethelevelof knowverywellnottolitterin P ro t e c t i o n ( L i t t e r placed for the purpose of themotorvehicleortrailer (b) not so covered as to enforcement as it relates to other people’s countries. But Enforcement) Regulations collectingit;or Penalty: The penalty for prevent it from blowing off our robust litter laws that in Guyana, it’s a free for all. 2012 In this summary, you (ii) i n o r a t a n y committing the offence of themotorvehicleortrailer,is exist Focused and Thismuststopimmediately! will see what is defined as approvedsite;and depositing litter in a public guiltyofanoffence. determined actions are Undoubtedly, while litter,alongwiththeoffences (b) having deposited place is a fine on summary Penalty: The penalty for needed to enforce the penalties have a real effect andpenaltiesforlittering. any litter otherwise than as conviction of $50,000.00 in committing the offence of regulations listed above on littering behaviour, What is litter? prescribed in subparagraphs case of an individual and the disposal of litter from a Individuals and businesses education and raising Litter is defined as any (i)and(ii)ofparagraph(a)in $100,000.00 in case of a motor vehicle or trailer is a must be made examples awareness are also crucial in solid or liquid material or or on any public place company fine on summary conviction whentheyarefoundguiltyof guaranteeing long-term product or combination of (whether inadvertently or (2) Disposal of litter of $50.000.00 in case of an littering. results. Community cleansolid or liquid materials or otherwise) leaves such litter from motor vehicle of individual and $100,000.00 Guyanese know better! up events can be an effective products including but not there,isguiltyofanoffence. trailer (r.4) – A person who incaseofacompany Onewonderswhytheydon’t way for spreading anti-litter limited to any bottles, tins, Under this offence if the transports in or on a motor (3) Failure of owner dobetter messages in society as well. logs, sawdust, derelict litter is deposited from a vehicle or trailer along any ofbustoprovidereceptacle One time I was leaving Strategic public education vehicles, cartons, packages, motor vehicle other than a motorway,road,street,alley, for litter (r.5): Under this for vacation in the United and awareness campaigns packing materials, paper, other than bus or taxi plying lane, mall or thoroughfare, offence, the owner of every States and at the Cheddi must be done to educate and glass, food, animal remains, for hire or from a trailer and any substance or material bus or taxi shall, while his Jagan International Airport, sensitise the Guyanese garbage, debris, aggregate, it cannot it cannot be whichislikelytofallorblow vehicle is plying for hire, there was an elderly woman society more about not only dirt, waste (including any determined which of two or off the motor vehicle or mustprovideinaconvenient along with two little boys the harmful effects of human or animal waste) or more occupants of the motor trailer because while being therein one or more who were waiting to travel. littering, but also the anyotherrefuseorrubbishor vehicle or trailer is sotransporteditiseither– receptacles for the deposit of As we were in the departure legislation and penalties wastematerial,andanyother responsible, the driver of the (a) not sufficiently litter longue, these boys had a attached for those found

Massive earthquake kills thousands...

Penalty: The penalty for variety of snacks. Wrappers guiltyoflittering. committing this offence is a and packages were left on The issue of littering can fine on summary conviction vacant seats or dropped on be incorporated on of$15,000.00. the floor I watched in billboards, TV programmes,

From page 24

In Patna, many buildings in the bazaar were affected and almost all the buildings destroyed and damage was particularly collapsed. Large cracks appeared in the severe along the river. In Rajnagar, near ground and several roads were damaged in Madhubani, all the Kutcha buildings Kathmandu; however, the temple of collapsed.

Pashupatinath, the guardian deity of Nepal, The buildings of Darbhanga Raj, escaped any damage. The 1618-meter-long includingthefamousNavlakhaPalace,were Kosi Rail Bridge on the Metre Gauge severely damaged. In Jharia the earthquake RailwaylineconnectingDarbhangaRajwith led to further spread of underground fire. Forbesganj was washed away and the River The town of Birgunj was destroyed, along Kosi changed it path eastward. In Sitamarhi, with its telephone line to Kathmandu. The not a single house was left standing. In number of deaths was 10,700–12,000 Bhagalpurdistrictmanybuildingscollapsed. (Wikipedia)

James Naismith publishes the rules of...

(4) O f f e n c e f o r disbelief as this grown social media platforms, and littering premises (r.6): woman sat there and did not newsletters in a more Under this offence a person once say to these youngsters intensive way in order to who throws down, drops or to place their wrappers and spread the message widely otherwise deposits and empty packages in the bins Furthermore, an antileavesanylitterinorintoany placed in the departure litteringsignmightbeplaced premises owned or occupied longue. Fast forward to JFK in highly littered areas such by another without the InternationalAirport in New as the streets or near consent of that other person York. The flight arrived and municipal markets. These isguiltyofanoffence. we are preparing to clear US signs serve to constantly

Penalty: The penalty for Immigration These same remind people that littering committing this offence is a youngsters after having is a bad thing that should be fine on summary conviction more snacks dropped their avoided.Toendonapositive of$30,000.00 wrappersonthefloorinJFK. note, there are some people

In 1936, three years before his death, he soccer ball in which the goal of the players had the opportunity to see his sport in action was to, through teamwork and finesse, lob at the 1936 Summer Olympic Games, the the ball into the basket. A legend was born. first-time men’s basketball was officially Naismith’s nascent game of basketball soon recognized as an Olympic Sport, having caught fire, spreading from town to town beenademonstrationsportin1904.In1939, through YMCA’s, colleges, and word-of- Dr James Naismith, succumbed to a brain mouth In 1925, Naismith accepted haemorrhage He was 78 years old Americancitizenship. (Basketball.org.)

From page 24

As you can see from a To my utter amazement and who may argue that not only legislative standpoint, disbelief, this same woman penalties but rewards might Guyana has set out strict who allowed these chaps to also be a good idea to penalties for those guilty of litter Guyana’s airport, bent implement. People “caught” littering. So, why is there a down and picked up their doing the right thing may be ubiquitous problem with wrappers and placed them in given rewards like shopping litter? Clearly, the above herbag. vouchers and their positive regulations are not being It was unbelievable to d i s p o s a l b e h a v i o u r enforced. Persons feel that witness. I could not restrain publicized in the media or t h e r e a r e n o l e g a l myself from pointing out to socialnetworkstoencourage consequences to their her the double standards and others to dispose of litter actions,andsowasteisflung disrespect she has for properly from cars, dropped by Guyana.Thisexperienceand This can surely form part pedestrians, dumped by many others have shown me of the Corporate Social others on parapets or that Guyanese know and can Responsibility (CSR) wherever they deem fit; do better The problem I strategy of some of the bottles are hurled into drains b e l i e v e r e s t s w i t h leading supermarkets and and trenches; there is no enforcement. wholesale Fast Moving respect or regard for the In other jurisdictions, Consumer Goods (FMCG) environment, and no one is persons found guilty of distributorsnationwide.

The drain between Robb Street and North Road earlier this week. (Marcelle Fowler Photo)

Why is it Called a Hamburger if There’s no Ham?

A traditional hamburger with buns, cheese, and meat patty (Getty Images)

The iconic hamburger bread crumbs, and mild sandwich shop in New hamburger originated as a has a rich international spices. Haven, Connecticut, in beef patty (or meatballs) history that’s still up for Theburgerasweknowit 1900. placed between two slices of debate. today evolved from

Perhaps the idea belongs bread, a burger is not a (Reader’s Digest) The Hamburg steaks. The name to all of them. At the time, sandwich. originofanywell-loveddish of the German dish was there was a great deal of In order to explain, we’ll is always fascinating, but shortened to “Hamburgs” m o v e m e n t b e t w e e n referyoutotheoriginsofthe even more so when it’s as and then, when the beef was American states and sandwich In the 18th iconic as the hamburger The eventually sandwiched thousands of immigrants century, on the rainy isle Oxford English Dictionary between two slices of bread, who made the country their known as England, the Earl defines the backyard to “hamburgers ” Some home and brought with them of Sandwich grew frustrated barbecue staple as “a flat, sources claim the word their traditions, stories, and with the way mealtime was round cake of minced beef, “hamburger” first appeared meals No matter who constantly interrupting his fried or grilled and typically on a menu in 1873, when originally came up with the day He ordered his cook to served in a bread roll Delmonico’s restaurant in sandwiched patty, the serve him meat placed garnished with various New York City advertised a national love affair with the within slices of bread so that condiments.” One thing that hamburger steak.Americans hamburger thrives to this hedidn’thavetoabandonhis generally doesn’t make the later abbreviated it to day, with burgers being duties for a meal.And so the ingredients list is Ham. This “burgers.” aboutasAmericanasitgets. sandwich was born Of andthewaythebreadiscut), We’ve answered the begs the question: Why is a But is this really why a What is the difference course, as is the case with not the least of which is the question “why a hamburger hamburger called a hamburger is called a between a beef burger and these things, the convenient filling. A burger will always is called a hamburger?” hamburger if there isn’t any hamburger? As with other a hamburger? dish became incredibly contain one or more grilled We’ve explored the many haminit? popular foods, there are There is no difference! popular. p a t t i e s o f g r o u n d originsofthisfavouritedish. If you’ve ever wondered many people who take credit While we can’t say for sure So if a sandwich is meat food—meat or vegetables or And we’ve delved into the the same, you’re not alone. fornotonlythewordbutalso why a hamburger is called a betweentwopiecesofbread, faux meat—and are always sandwich debate. By now, We’ve researched how the theidea. hamburger, beef burgers are andaburgerismeatbetween circular we can all agree on one meaty dish got its name so Were the inventors still called hamburgers, even two pieces of bread, then The modern hamburger thing:The history of popular youdon’thaveto. actually brothers Frank and though there’s no ham in why is a burger not a also always involves buns, foodsisasfascinatingasitis How did the hamburger Charles Menches, who them. The term “Hamburg” sandwich? Well, therein lies specifically,notslicedbread. complicated. Whether you get its name? placed a beef patty between influenced the modern thedebate.Butconsiderthis: In this case, bread isn’t what prefer your hamburger with There’s no clear reason two slices of bread at a food’s name, perhaps There are many subtle makesthemthesame;it’sthe French fries and ketchup, as to why a hamburger is county fair in Hamburg, because Hamburg steak so differences between the two one detail that makes them rare or well done, happy called a hamburger, but our New York, in 1885? Was it closely resembles the beef (like the type of bread used completelydifferent. eating! best guess is right in the teenager Charlie Nagreen, patty, so every burger is name: The origins can be who placed meatballs considered a hamburger, traced back to Hamburg, between slices of bread and including those with Germany As Europeans sold them as hamburgers at meatlesspatties. began to immigrate to the the Outagamie County Fair Why is a burger not a UnitedStatesenmasseinthe in Seymour, Wisconsin, that sandwich? 18thand19thcenturies,they same year? Or was it Oscar You’ve likely heard one brought with them their Weber Bilby, who first of the other great foodfavourite foods, including sandwiched a patty in a bun centric debates of our Hamburg steaks, or fried in1891inTulsa,Oklahoma? generation: Is a hot dog a patties of minced beef and Maybe, as locals will tell sandwich? Here’s a related chopped onions that were you, the first hamburgers and equally controversial bound together with eggs, were served at Louis’Lunch take: Although the

Avoiding fast food and sugary beverages CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT FASTER

Including exercise as part of your daily routine is important, but incorporating the right foods and beverages into our diet is just as, or even moreimportant,toreapresults.

Astheholidayseasonwindsdown,some of us, especially working individuals may have gotten hooked on fast food, as this is generally an easy alternative to preparing a healthymeal.

Multiple studies have shown that fast food should not be consumed more than once a week, if one is to prevent the onset of NonCommunicableDiseases(NCDs)such as heart diseases, obesity, type two diabetesandotherhealthrisks.

You may want to ask, what classifies as fast food?Afew options includeburgers,tacos,burritos,pizza, fish and chips, french fries, donuts, friedriceandchickennuggets.

Fastfoodisadeliciouswaytosave sometime;however,manyofthemare highly processed and loaded with calories,fat,sodium,andaddedsugar

A great tip would be to look for restaurants with healthier takeout options whenever possible, such as soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, or burritobowls.Plus,aimtoloadupon veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins, whenever you do swing by thedrive-through.

These days, it is not difficult to find a local restaurant that offers freshly-cooked vegetables,especiallyifyouareinthecapital city

Iwashavingaconversationwithafriend earlierthisweekandshetoldmeherhusband (who unfortunately happens to be overweight)doesnotappreciateitwhenshe cooks vegetables. The guy would generally preferaplateofpasta,stewsorcurry

I told her she could at least incorporate thevegetablesintothepasta,butshesaidhe would refuse to eat if he felt there were too

many “greens on the plate”. This was startlingtome.Agrownmanrefusingtoeat vegetables!

IheldbackmyadvicefromherbecauseI did not want to offend my friend, but I will share with you my readers (and I hope she reads this), that YOU MUST MAKE A DECISION TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOURHEALTHANDWEIGHT,BEFORE ITTAKES CONTROLOFYOU. It’s really thatsimple.

Recently, my mom and I were having lunchtogetherandshehadsomehigh-calorie and sugary foods. I offered to get her something to drink but she said she was having water instead. I was super proud of mymom.

ThisissomethingImyselftrytopractice. Research has shown that soda is high in caloriesandaddedsugar Notonlythat,butit lacks important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants, some

researchershaveconcluded.

The usually high sugar contentinthesebeveragescancontribute to weight gain. According to a Healthline article, “research shows that people who regularlydrinksugarysodasaremuchmore likely to gain weight than those who don’t. Onestudyfoundthatpeoplewhodranksoda alongside their normal diet consumed 572

a mount you consume, as much as possible.Agreat alternative would be reaching for a sugar-free version of your favouritedrink.

Drinking water during or after a meal helps your body to breakdown and process foods during the digestion process.Ithelpsyourbodytoabsorbthe nutrients taken in from the food you consume and also makes your stool softer,preventingconstipation.

There are other studies that suggest drinkingwatermayreduceyourappetite and calorie intake, which is great news for those trying to lose weight. A healthline article said, “Drinking water with meals can also help you pause between bites, giving you a moment to check in with your hunger and fullness signals.This can prevent overeating and mayevenhelpyoutoloseweight.

Additionally, one 12-week study showed that participants who drank 17 ounces (500 ml) of water before each meal lost 4.4 pounds (2 kg) more than

more calories per day Over time,thiscouldeasilyleadto significantweightgain.”

It was explained that drinking soda may also be tied to a higher risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and some types of cancer This does not mean that you shouldn’t consume an occasional glass, but it is suggested that you limit the

Young Professionals Series:

Attorney-at-Law,Mrs. CaressaLinellaFaceyHenry

“Self-doubt destroys dreams and aspirations”

By Zena Henry

Theoddswerenotexactly tilted in the favour of Attorney-at-Law CaressaLinellaFaceyHenry,when she finally decided to follow her dream of pursuing a career in the legalprofession.

At first, she denied her desire. She told the Coven that finances; having to be away from her husband and children; as well as a number of missed opportunities; fueledthedoubtthatshecouldever pursue her goal of becoming a lawyer Given the circumstances, thetaskathandseemedmammoth, and the path to success seemed especially rough, the 34-year-old motherofthreein icated.

d Even with a committed husband, she said a lot of effort would have had to be made on her part to balance all her responsibilities She noted however,thataleapoffaithwould propel her on a rich fulfilling journey

Mrs. Henry said that from a young age, she took up an interest inthelegalprofession,butitwasn’t until she started working at the

Supreme Court of Judicature in 2007, that her interest was further ignited.

There, Henry said her duties included transcribing Deposition FilesandAppealFilesandhandling

exhibits, preparation of Criminal Assizes Lists, and Jurors Lists, compiling data, maintain records and reports, correspondence, and other material.

Henry said she eventually moved on to the Ministry of Healthandfunctionedinsenior positions, including as a confidential secretary to the former Director, Regional Health Services and the former MinisterofHealth.Butby2015, the lawyer said that her strong desire to join the legal professioncameknockingonce more and she started her Bachelors of Laws at the University of Guyana, after she had completed her Diploma in PublicManagement.

The support system that presented itself was enormous, Henry emphasized, and it all came aftertakingthatimportantleap.By 2019, she said she completed her Bachelorsandhadspenta12-week stint as a legal Intern with Guyana LegalAidClinicinGeorgetownin 2020.

By 2021, the promising attorney had completed her Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad. She was listed on the Principal’s Honour Roll, having attained excellencewith8-A’sandawarded the Government of Guyana Prize for the best Graduating Guyanese Law Student at the High Wooding LawSchool.

HenrytoldtheCoventhatitwas faith in self that allowed her to make the brave move toward her desire.“Alwaysbelieveinyourself and your ability,” she posited.

shesaid,isacommonone, andnobodyisexempt.

“Failure isn’t something many of us can handle gracefully But failureisnotfatal.Itisthecourage tocontinueandtheperseveranceto win that counts. In the words of Henry Ford, “Failure is only the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently,” the attorneyshared.

She went on to say that, “The important thing about man is not where he goes when he is compelledtogo,butwherehegoes when he is free to go where he will.” She said that each person’s destination in life is of their own determination, and their ability to pursue their dreams regardless of challenges,ultimatelytellsontheir

ofstrengthandsupport.

“Ms Ramlal always encouragedmetopursuelaw,butI often said to her that it is too expensive and more so, I didn’t know how my family would cope with me being away In reply, she would tell me that I have to have faith, make a start and things will fallintoplace,andIjustneededto trustGod.IamhappyIheededher adviceandtookthatleapoffaith,” Henrystated.

She said that her biggest challengewasleavingherhusband and children behind and venturing to another country to study “This washardformeasmyeldestchild was preparing to write the NGSA. But thanks to the support of my husband, mother and other family members who ensured they were taken care of in my absence. My husband, Keslyn Henry, is a man who understands my passion for thisprofessionandreadilybecame

success.

The freedom to dream and to pursuesometimespresentsitselfin uncomfortable fashions, Henry said. Her journey to where she is todaywasanythingbutsmooth,she said.

“Like many of those that journeyed before me, my experience is relatable. But in additiontothedifficultiesfacedby law students, my freedom to go whereIdesiredcameintheformof closeddoors,deniedopportunities, financial challenges, troubling uncertainties, disappointment and doubt.”

Henry said she often worried about the various issues that seemed to make her dreams impossible to attain. She even remembered Ms Sita Ramlal, former Registrar of the Supreme Court and Retired Solicitor General, who she said was a pillar

Mr Mom to our three young children, ages 2, 7 and 11, while I pursued my goal.” Apart from her family, Henry said friends and work colleagues, even from past jobs, offered their assistance or supportassheforgedahead.

She said former colleagues from the Supreme Court, particularly Ms. Edana BarkerSmith and Marshal Patrick Higgins, were persons she could have called upon at any time for assistance/guidance.

Her former work colleagues from the Ministry of Legal Affairs/Attorney General Chambers, Attorneys-at-law Leslyn Noble and Joann Edghill; Ms. SimoneAllen, Benita Bishop, Lisette Wills, Leah Isaacs and Michele Jones all assisted in her journey, as well as high school friends,Attorney-at-Law

Attorney-at-Law, Caressa Linella Facey Henry

Caressa Henry with husband, Keslyn Henry and kids

Attorney Caressa Henry with mom, Simmone

“Self-doubt would destroy your dreams and aspirations. All we have to do is to set our academic goals and go for it because it’s never too late.” The temptation to giveup,

MiningTown Wayne's World:

youareeveruncertainofyournext in-country travel destination and would like to enjoy the peace and the outdoors, Wayne's World Apartment and Oasis will surely satisfy pleasures.

Nestled in Well Road, Amelia's Linden, the resort offers ous cabins and a suite of activities to keep you relaxed and entertained.

The Oasis was opened to the public five years ago and is the brainchildofWayneRodrigues, the proprietor “Rodrigues had a vision to create an Oasis where persons can enjoy the outdoors and have comfort all the necessities for a getaway,”saidLesaFleming-a business.

interviewwith The Waterfalls last ming shared some of the featuresoftheresort.

oasis consists of cabins and apartmentswhichareallself-contained equipped with all amenities such i-Fi,afullkitchen,aircondition, hammocks, benabs and grills.” On morefunpartofthings,shesaid patrons can revel in an exciting ure walk where “mind blowing”wildlifecaneasilybe spotted, inclusive of various exotic animals and birds; go fishing, then cool down in thecreekorunderthemanmadewaterfalls.

Incaseyouarewondering, alsoarestaurantattheresortto

caterfortheneedsofguests.

Ahiddenparadisein the

Ifyouareapizzalover,Wayne'sWorld Apartment and Oasis boasts of the best pizzaintheminingtownofLinden.

Rates

Thinkingofstoppingbyyet?

Here'swhatyouneedtoknow:theoasis does not accept walk-in guests and only admitspersonsbasedonpriorreservations, duetothelimitedcapacity

Prices also depend on the number of persons and duration of stay The onebedroom apartments are $15,000 per night and accommodate two persons An additionalpersoncanbeaccommodatedfor anextra$5,000pernightandanairbed/tent willbeprovided.

Two-bedroom apartments are $30,000 per night and accommodate four persons. An additional two persons can be accommodated for $5,000 per person per nightandairbed/tentwillbeprovided.

The resort also offers a 'Great room cabin'withtwobedsatarateof$30,000per nightthataccommodatesfourpersons.Two personscanbeaddedfor$5000perperson pernightwithanairbed/tentprovided.

If you would like to book the entire location, the cost would be $90,000 for 12 persons. Additional persons can be accommodated at $5,000 per person with facilitiesprovided.

The final package costs $120,000 to bookalltheapartments.

Day trips are also available for guests that do not wish to stay the night at an affordablerateof$5,000perperson.

Fleming shared that the apartments are all equipped with the necessary amenities for guests to cook, but meals are also

Linden

available on order; for more information, pleasecontact592-673-5273.

Startinguptoservingguests

The proprietor came from humble beginnings,workingintheinteriortomake endsmeetforhisfamily.Helatersettledin Lindenwithhisparentsandsiblings.

There were a number of challenges in gettingtheresorttostartup,butRodrigues was dedicated to his vision of creating an Oasis,andthesewereeventuallyironedout andhisbusinesswaslaunchedasatourism product by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

The family-run business has about four personsemployed,includingRodrigues,his wifeandsons.Flemingwhoishisbusiness partner handles all marketing and logistics fortheresort.

“We are working closely with the GTA toprovideabetterexperienceforourguests. Building additional unique cabins and more,areafewoftheitemsontheagenda,” shetoldTheWaterfalls.

Fleming, who is also the co-founder of Tourism Guyana and Director of CMC- a printingandpublishingestablishment-said whenshemetRodriguesandsawtheresort in its initial stage, she believed in its potential and was certain it would make a greatadditiontoLinden'stourismproduct.

“Coming from a marketing and sales background with ideas of expansion, development and contributing to the community planted in my brain, we were abletopullthisoff.Wehavesincethenbuilt two additional cabins, two benabs, and an outdoorkitchen,extendedthecreek,added a restaurant and introduced activities such astrail-walkingandfishing,”shesaid.

Attorney-at-Law, Mrs. Caressa Linella Facey Henry

Frompage30

ChristopherThompson,DelonEarle,KeaneLynch,Rochelle October, Aniysa Lambert, Athalyah Yisreal and Rawle Enmore.Thesefolks,shesaid,haveproventobesomeofthe mostselflesshumanssheknows.

“Isteppedovertheseobstaclesonlyby thegraceof God and the wonderful people who saw potential in me. I was compelledtoremindmyselfthataseedisplantedinmewitha God-given ability to overcome and succeed. Therefore, I couldnothavegivenuponmyplan.Givingupwaslettingmy seedrotinthegroundofdespairandsabotage,andmyGodgivengiftwasted.”

Henrysaidthatthetaskwasnoteasyasshehadtobalance family life, academic life and a full-time job. “That balance meantIhadtoscheduleeverythingincludingfamilytime.It was challenging.”Additionally, the attorney said she had to put in much more work as many of the students she studied withwereintheirearly20sanddidnothavetoworryabout someoftheresponsibilitiesshehad.Succeedingatwhatshe set out to do was nonetheless worth the sacrifices, Henry submitted.Shesaiditwassurrealwhenshegotthenewsthat shehadmadethehonourroll.

“Iwasverymuchsurprised.IknewIhadworkedhardbut Ididn’texpectthoseaccolades.ButitisanhonourandIam truly humbled by the reward of my hard work, especially beingoneofthefewmaturestudentsintheclass.”

HenryiscurrentlyaStateCounselwiththeOfficeofthe Director of Public Prosecutions. Her duties are to represent thestateofGuyanaincriminalproceedingsbeforethecourts andprovidelegaladvice.Fornow,Henrysaysherareaoflaw remainsgeneralassheseeksaroundedwealthofexperience. “I do intend to specialise in a particular area and work to continuously increase my knowledge in that area. I will be workingwiththeStateforsometime.Academically,Iwould liketopursuemyMasters.”

Henryisnottooeagertohopbackontotheacademictrain justyet,optingtospendsomevaluabletimewithherfamily, beforeventuringintostudiesagain.Shesaidshewillusethis timetopreparefortheroadstillahead.

Taking time out for the one that makes it possible

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

WHAT’S TRENDING IN THE LASH INDUSTRY FOR 2023

ByLatoyaZephyr in popularity in lash that’slessnoticeably‘false’. applied (which is known as The less is more 2022hasbeendominated competitions, brown lashes However, keep in mind that volumelashes). look isn’t for everyone, bymegavolumelashes,Kim are likely to take greater with fewer lashes, this type Next generation ‘flat soifyoupreferyourlashes K-inspiredwispyshapesand prominence in 2023 oflookwon’tlastyouaslong lashes’ make for excellent withawholelotofdrama, Option 2 is to pare it back, the emergence of the M curl Whether for classic lashes, asafullset. retention.Forthosewhofind neverfear,thereareplentyof withminimalalloverlashes, and L curl But what does hybrid or Russian volume, LASHLIFTS classic lashes too trendsthatuptheanteonthe letting the longer length 2023holdinstore?Let’ssee dark or light brown lashes One sure-fire to get natural- understated, hybrid lashes, wowfactor spikes enhance your natural whatthecrystalballsays… areagreatwaytoachievean looking lashes is to stick to which blend one-to-one In general, expect lashes.Atwistonthisiswet- 2023lashtrends enviableflutterthatwillhave yournaturallashes!Ifyou’re lashes with volume fans straightersilhouettessuchas look lashes, where multiple THENATURALLOOK your friends thinking you tiredoftheconstantcycleof make application quicker LandMcurllashestostillbe lashes are applied together, There’s been a rise in were simply blessed in the infills that comes with and can even be used for a thehottestcurlshapes,witha volumestyle,buttheyarenot demand for bigger and lashdepartment. committing to eyelash moresubtletakeontheKim slight move away from openedoutintofansfirst. bigger lash extensions of Forahalf-wayhouse,ask extensions, a lash lift is a K look if the lashlengths are super-roundedshapeslikeD

EYELINERFLICK

late In the days of yourlashtechniciantoblend lower maintenance mixedcorrectly curllashes. LASHES mandatory masks, it’s black and brown lashes in approach.

MEN’SLASH WISPYLASHESOR Cat eye and fox eye unsurprising that beauty yourset. Alashliftliftsandcurlsyour EXTENSIONS ASSOMEWOULDSAY lashes have been around for looks became all about the EXPRESSLASHES lashes, creating a beautiful Well, why should girls THEKARDASHIAN sometimenowandshowno eye area! Many now predict They’remoreaffordableand open-eyedeffect.Itlasts4-6 have all the fun? Guys’ LASHDESIGN signs of going away – if thethatlipswillbebackina take less time in the lash weeks and can be beauty regimes have come a This trend is here to stay! anything these trends are big way,meaning that eyes chair, so it’s no surprise that accompaniedbyatintsoyou long way, incorporating Popularised by Kim predictedtogetevenbigger will be emphasised in a still manylashloverswillturnto don’tevenneedmascara. much greater levels of skin Kardashian, this textured Lash addicts are loving a beautiful butless dramatic smallersetsinstead.Youcan CLASSIC&HYBRID and hair care, as well as look is characterised by pronouncedwingedeyeliner way. Many of the rising have fuller lashes applied LASHES make-up. volume lashes interspersed effectlookalsoknownasan trends are dominated by from the middle to the outer With more natural- Sothenextlogicalstepis withspikesoflongerlengths extremecateye. lashes designed to have edgeofyoureye–perfectfor looking lashes coming back to get lash extensions to for a super feminine and This is created using peoplequestioning–arethey fans of a cat eye shape, with to fashion, classic lashes are enhance those handsome glamorous look. In 2023, shorter lashes overall but oraren’ttheyreal? still enough lashes to add anticipated to be more in eyes. This trend ties in very you can take the wispy look with angled, L curl or M Here are some of the plentyofdrama. demandin2023. much with the rise of brown inoneoftwoways. lashes at the outer corners. natural look lash trends for Or you can have lashes This is where one false lashes and J-curl lashes Option 1 is to dial up the It’salookthatoozesglamour 2023: added across the whole eye, lashisappliedtoonenatural Bringonthenudelashes! volume and the drama, with andpartnersreallywellwith BROWNLASHES justnotoneverysinglelash. lash,asopposedtoa‘fan’of ….ANDTHENOT very full baseline lashes and astatementlip.Winwin! After seeing an upsurge Both looks create an effect multiple lashes being SONATURALLOOK evenlongerwisps.

WhattolookforinSeason2of‘HouseoftheDragon’

House of the Dragon season one ended with poor sweet Prince Luke, doomed son of Queen Rhaenyra,gettinggobbleduplikea grape. You’ve heard of snatching victory out of the jaws of defeat? Yeah.Lukejustplaingotchomped by them. And while season one consisted of a lot of meetings that could have been conducted by raven, it made sense. We were witnessing the events that brought the Seven Kingdoms – and the Targaryenswhorunit–tothebrink of war Well, war’s here. It’s been wellandtrulybrinkedandawillful Vhagarwastheonewhobrinkedit. Now that Prince Luke has been reducedtoastickytoffeewedgedin thedragon’smolars,here’sahandy listofthingstoexpectoutof House of the Dragon season two, when it arrivessometimeinearly2024.

1.Awideningout andapickingofsides We stuck to a handful of locations in season one, because the story wasthatofhairlinecracksforming within a single ruling family and spideringoutward.Asthecivilwar knownastheDanceoftheDragons

two, we’ll see

LordsofHouseswithnameswe Tully.More Houses means more theRedKeep,butatleastwe’ll season finale that Rhaenyra’s erupts in season

know from Game of Thrones will locations, as battles big and small getsomefreshair husband Daemon is trying to put a Houses across Westeros getting choose to get in line behind either start to detonate throughout the 2.Draftingofdragonteams– dragon team together It’s like a pulled inexorably into the brutal KingAegonIIorQueenRhaenyra: SevenKingdoms. andpeopletoridethem fantasy draft, except the fantasy in anddevastatingconflict. Stark,Arryn, Frey, Greyjoy, Tarly, We’llstillspendalotoftimein Speaking of air: We saw in the questionisepicfantasy

Frompage19

questionedthatsinceshehadallintentionsof returningbacktowork.Upontheconclusion of her two-week leave, there was no job waiting for her She made contact with the MinistryofLabourandwastoldthathercase

was closed, she feels that she was unjustlyremoved.

Budhu said she plans to approach theMinistryofLabouragaintoseewhatcan happen and mentioned that she wanted to apply for the 10-day job but was told that persons over 50 will not be hired. Budhu mentioned that the building that now facilitates UG at John's was built to be a

Dharamsala but was later converted to the tertiaryinstitution.

Meanwhile, 'Patricia', a 60-year-old who livesalongthepublicroadofJohn's,saidshe has been living there with her husband for over 40 years. Her husband, a cash crop and coconut farmer was not at home when The Waterfalls visited, but 'Patricia' was kind enoughtospeakwithus.

Shestatedthatbeingcoconutfarmers,many years ago, they sold coconuts and sometime

after ventured into making coconut oil from it, noting that it was much more profitable back then. She said persons would purchase the coconut oil from them quite often but as they got older, the work was too tedious for herandherhusband.Nowtheydonotmakeit asmuch.

Shedescribedthecommunityasaquietplace with friendly people who are employed in various fields but more prominently, the sugarindustry

Spinach Juice: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects

Introduction: reading to find out what's in conditions.

to support the consumption issue and one of the leading extentofthebenefitsofherb Youmighthavewatched itforyou!

Spinach extract showed ofspinachjuiceinmanaging causes of death worldwide. onhumanhealth.  Popeye the sailor man, Propertiesof good antioxidant activity in and preventing chronic Diets rich in dark green HowtoUse gulping down spinach and SpinachJuice: lab and animal trials. As disease conditions vegetables such as spinach SpinachJuice: saving Olive! Well, that Spinach juice may observed during a clinical Therefore,youmusttalktoa may help reduce the risk of You may consume raw showdidgetsomefactsright demonstratetheseproperties trial conducted on elderly healthcare provider in case cancers Many studies spinach juice to enjoy the aboutspinachevenifitwasa as observed in various women, consuming spinach ofanyhealthissue. demonstrate spinach's numerous health benefits cartoon! Spinach juice is research. juice in a diet could show 2. Potential uses of protectiveroleagainstcolon, that this leafy vegetable packed with vitamins, ·Itmayshowantioxidant antioxidant properties in spinachjuiceforobesity breast, and oesophageal offers To make spinach mineralsandmacronutrients property humans. Healthcare experts often cancers. juice, blend some fresh essential for your health.

· It may show anti- In another clinical study, recommend lifestyle As per a case study, the spinachleaveswithaglassof Spinach (Spinacia inflammatoryproperty it was observed that the modifications like diet and consumptionofspinachwas water to a consistency of oleraceae) is a nutritious · It may show anti- consumption of spinach in exercise for people looking associated with a decreased yourchoice. vegetable that is consumed obesityproperty healthy men and women to lose or manage weight. risk of breast cancer in Onceitisblended,strain by boiling the fresh leaves. ·Itmayshowanticancer couldreduceoxidativestress Spinach can be essential women. Though the the mixture into a glass. You can consume spinach property inthebody. dietary addition for people protective effects of spinach Voila! Your spinach juice is raw as well as in cooked · It may help manage Inflammation is the whowanttomanageweight. have been observed in ready. form.Spinachleavescontain blood glucose levels body's natural response to Spinach extract may help clinical and animal trials, You must consult a plenty of antioxidant (Hypoglycemicproperty) stress and injury induce satiety (feeling full) more research is needed to qualified physician before compounds that can · It may help reduce Inflammation for prolong and thereby reduce calorie support the consumption of taking spinach juice or potentially really save you b l o o d p r e s s u r e periods can lead to diseases intake as per studies spinach juice in cancer in otherherbalsupplementsas fromalotofhealthtrouble. (Hypolipidemicproperty)2 likecancer,heartdiseaseand conducted on humans and humans. medical treatment for any Many believe spinach Potential Uses of type2diabetes. animals. Evidence suggests 4 Potential uses of health condition. Likewise, originatedinPersiaandthen Spinach Juice for Overall Therefore, you need to thespinachdietreducesfood spinachjuicefordiabetes you should not discontinue spread across Europe and Health: getridofinflammationinthe intake, controls hunger, and Several animal and or replace an ongoing Asia. Spinach is a rich source body Functional foods like reduces weight gain in humantrialshaveshownthe treatment of modern As more and more ofmanyphytochemicalsand spinach can be a safe and people. glucose-lowering property m e d i c i n e w i t h a n people are trying to make nutrients. Therefore, it may effective way to manage However, more research ofspinachinhyperglycemia a y u r v e d i c / h e r b a l better dietary choices, such have potential use in many inflammation. Spinach has is needed to support the use (high blood sugar) or type 2 preparation without nutritious foods are healthconditions. shown anti-inflammatory of spinach juice in obese diabetes. consulting a qualified spreading rapidly to 1 Potential uses of propertiesinseverallabsand people looking to lose During a trial, a spinach doctor countrieswheretheyarenot spinach juice for chronic animalstudies. weight. Avoid making any diet could improve insulin SideEffectsof native. Spinach juice can be conditions Animals receiving changes to your diet before sensitivity and reduce blood SpinachJuice: an excellent choice in this Theantioxidantandanti- spinach showed a decrease talkingtoyourdietician. glucose levels. Therefore, Spinach juice shows no regard because of the inflammatory properties of in the levels of chemical 3 Potential uses of consumingwholespinachor side effects when taken in presence of its high spinach juice may help markersofinflammation. spinachjuiceforcancer intheformofjuicemayhelp prescribed doses. However, nutritional value. Continue manage chronic disease More research is needed Cancerisaseverehealth reduce the levels of glucose overconsumption of spinach in the diet 2 However, juicemayposehealthrisks. spinach or other natural Before using spinach juice remediesshouldnotbeused foranyhealthcondition,talk as an alternative treatment to your healthcare provider for diabetes. Do not use about the possible side herbal remedies for diabetes effects of spinach use. This without talking to a doctor will help you make wellfirst. informedchoices.

Banana Flower: Benefits, Side Effects

Introduction: yellow or pink in colour Protein–19.60%

One of the most Precisely, the colour of the Fibre–70% consumedfruitintheworld flower can range from Carbohydrates –is bananas and bananas orange to purple and it 53.78% (Musa paradisiaca) are contains pale yellow or Sheng et al , and grown in almost every white florets inside it Elaveniya et al., found in

country, especially in the Banana flowers have many their study that the

Also

Uses,Benefits,SideEffects subtropical and tropical bioactive compounds and following minerals are

ByDr SmitaBarode regions. are nutty, crunchy and present in the banana

It is produced mostly in starchytotaste. flower: Flower: India, followed by China, It might also have the Sodium

Properties of Banana

The banana flower which is the second largest potential to help with Phosphorous mightpossessthefollowing producer of bananas. The certain health conditions Potassium properties: banana plant is the largest likediabetes,diarrhoea,and Calcium

It might be an flowering herbaceous plant cancer Magnesium antioxidant. and a lot of banana flowers Let us discuss the Iron

It might possess a are produced in a single importance and health Zinc1 cytotoxic effect (Kills collectionofbananas. benefits of the banana Other research showed damaged cells) It might These flowers are flower in detail thatthefollowingbioactive possessanti-inflammatory usually considered a waste NutritionalValueofBanana compounds like alkaloids,

Itmightprotecttheliver material while producing Flower: saponins, superoxide (hepatoprotective). bananas, but it has high A study conducted by dismutase, cardiac

It might be anti- nutritional value The Ramu et al., found in their glycosides, steroids, and microbial. flowers of bananas are studythatthebananaflower phenolic compounds might

It might help lower the huge, red, pointed flowers, contains the following be present in the banana bloodsugarlevels. some of the flowers are nutrients: flower

5.Potentialusesof PrecautionstoTake Spinachjuice withSpinachJuice: forcholesterol Here are some general Increased blood precautions you should take cholesterol is a significant whileusingspinachjuice. risk factor for liver disease, Precautions for pancreatitis, and heart pregnantandwomen disease. Thylakoids present P r e g n a n t a n d in spinach may help reduce breastfeedingwomenshould the levels of lipids, as consult a qualified doctor or observed during a trial healthcare provider before conducted on men and drinking spinach juice w o m e n S i m i l a r Likewise, pregnant women observations have been should avoid taking herbal madeinanimalstudiestoo.2 juices without talking to However,donotusespinach their healthcare provider juice to control blood first.

cholesterol without

Children should avoid

·Precautionsforelderly consulting your healthcare andchildren provider

Though some studies taking spinach juice unless showthebenefitsoftheherb recommended by a in various conditions, these healthcare provider The arenotsufficientandthereis elderly may consume a necessity for further spinach juice under the studies to establish the true supervisionofadoctor

Read: Red Chilli:

InterestingCreatures...

The velvet ant (Mutillidae)

By Shervin Belgrave

insects, the velvet ant only exoskeleton of a Velvet ant stings in self defence, so you than that of the honeybee.

This week’s interesting better leave it alone if you Not only is its exoskeleton creature is not really an ant happentoseeone. durable but it is round butaspeciesofwaspswhose Velvet ants can be found making it difficult for wingless females resemble in a number of South predators to pierce through largehairyants.Itshairylike American countries, with attempted stings or appearance and close including Guyana The bites. resemblance to ants, has dense pile of hair that covers A hard exoskeleton also resultedinthecreaturebeing its exoskeleton reflect helps Velvet ants to control nicknamedthe“Velvetant”. mostlybrightcolourssuchas moisture.

Scientists would refer to bright scarlet or orange, but Velvet ants feed mostly them as Mutilliade, a family some may also be black, on nectar and unlike ants, of more than 7000 species of whiteorsilver they do not operate in wasps, And in some

Biologistsbelievethatits colonieswithaqueenandthe countries, it is called “cow bright coloured hair serves difference between sexes killer” because it can pack a as a warning signal to ward can easily be noted because powerful sting that is rated off potential predators males have wings and three on the Schmidt pain Brightcoloursinthewildare femalesdonot.

The Velvet ants’ egg is because of this parasitic (https://en.wikipedia.org/ index. a signal that the prey could During mating seasons, would later develop into behaviour, Velvet ant would w i k i / M u t i l l i d a e ) , Although its sting is be poisonous making for a the males would use their larvaeandeventuallykillout normally be found in open, (https://education.mdc.mo powerful, the pain only lasts veryunpleasantmeal. wings to fly in search of the larvae or pupa of the nest dry,sunny,sandyareas. .gov/discover-nature/field- for about 30 minutes and its A p a r t f r o m t h i s females. After mating the itsmotherhadinvadedandit Source of information: guide/velvet-ants) venom is less toxic than that interesting feature, Velvet female would invade a nest of the bullet ant whose sting a n t s a l s o h a v e a n of another insect, such as a can last for 24 hrs. The sting exoskeleton that is very ground-nesting bee or wasp is also less toxic than that of strong and tough to pierce. burrow,anddeposithereggs. honey bees and other Scientific research has Itwoulddepositoneeggnear harvesterants. shown that it requires 11 each larva or pupa found in But like most venomous timesmoreforcetocrushthe theinvadednest.

Photo of a velvet ant.

Health Facts

Non-cancerous blood disorders

Blood disorders are Common blood clotting (DIC): DIC is a rare blood redbloodcells. anaemia, conditions that keep parts of disorders clotting disorder that may Macrocytic anaemia: a n d i n your blood from doing their Ablood clotting disorder cause uncontrollable This anaemia happens when some cases jobs. You may have a blood affects your platelets or your bleedingorclotting. your bone marrow makes anaemia o clotting disorder or a clotting factors (coagulation Some people with blood unusually large red blood chronicdisease. bleeding disorder With factors). Clotting factors are clotting orders have an cells. Macrocytic anaemia Treatment treatment, most blood proteins in your blood. Your increased risk of stroke and m a y b e c a u s e d b y I n g e n e r a l , disorders become chronic platelets and clotting factors heart attack. Call 911 if you myelodysplastic syndrome, healthcare providers focus blood cells. Erythropoietinillnesses that don’t affect make blood clot, which think you’re having a low folate, low B12 vitamin, on identifying and treating stimulatingagents(ESA)are people’s life spans control bleeding Blood pulmonary embolism liverdisease,alcoholuseand underlying conditions that examples of growth factor Tr e a t m e n t i n c l u d e s clotting disorders may be because you have chest pain certainmedications. cause blood disorders. They supplements. managing symptoms and called a hypercoagulable and difficulty breathing Other anaemia types also treat blood disorder Corticosteroids: This treating any underlying state or thrombophilia Heart attack and stroke are Some types of anaemia symptoms. Treatments may treatment suppresses your conditions. Blood clotting disorders othermedicalconditionsthat maybeinheritedbutcanalso include: immune system. Providers Blood disorders may be include: needemergencytreatment. beacquired: Blood and platelet may use steroids to treat cancerous or non-cancerous. Prothrombin gene Anemia represents is the Hemolytic anaemia: In transfusions: Providers may autoimmune hemolytic This article focuses on non- mutation: This inherited most common type of thisanaemia,whereyourred use blood transfusions to anemia. cancerousblooddisorders. disorder increases your risk noncancerous blood bloodcellsbreakdownordie boost red blood cell levels Some blood disorders fasterthanusual. for people with severe forms don’t cause noticeable Sideroblastic anaemia: of anaemia. They may use symptoms. If that’s your eroblastic anaemia platelet transfusions to help situation, your provider will results from abnormal iron withblood-clottingissues. monitor your overall health, during red blood cell Anticoagulants: These paying close attention to any development. medications help with blood new signs or symptoms that Microcytic anaemia: clottingdisordersbykeeping you’re developing a blood This anaemia happens when your blood from clotting too disorder your red blood cells don’t easily These treatments have have enough haemoglobin G r o w t h f a c t o r different side effects. Ask they’resmallerthanusual. supplementation: This your provider about Microcytic anaemia occurs treatment stimulates your treatment side effects h iron deficiency, bone marrow so it makes They’ll help you manage assemia, sideroblastic additional red and white them.

y g g ( p y types condition that affects your embolism). inherited, but people may blood. Antiphospholipid also acquire or develop Some blood disorders syndrome: This rare them. may not cause symptoms or autoimmune disorder, which Acquired anemias require treatment. Others are often affects people who Pernicious anaemia: chronic (lifelong) illnesses have lupus, can cause blood Pernicious anemia, one of that require treatment but clots in several areas of your the causes of vitamin B12 typically won’t affect how body d e f i c i e n c y , i s a n long you’ll live. Other blood Protein S deficiency: autoimmune condition that disorders are serious Protein S is a natural prevents your body from illnesses that can be life- anticoagulant in your blood. absorbingvitaminB12. threatening. Anticoagulants prevent I r o n - d e f i c i e n c y

Healthcare providers blood from clotting. Protein anaemia: As its name treat blood disorders by S helps keep other proteins implies, iron-deficiency managing symptoms and frommakingtoomanyblood anaemia happens when your treating any underlying clots. This is a rare inherited body doesn’t have enough conditions. disorder iron to make haemoglobin. How do blood disorders Protein C deficiency: Red blood cells need affect the body? Like protein S, protein C is a haemoglobin to carry Ingeneral,noncancerous natural anticoagulant that oxygen throughout your blood disorders are p r o t e c t s y o u f r o m body conditions that affect your developing too many blood

Megaloblastic anaemia: blood cells and platelets and clots. Megaloblastic anaemia is a cause issues that may: A n t i t h r o m b i n type of anaemia that can Increase your risk of blood deficiency: This inherited happen when you don’t get clots. Factor V Leiden, an disorder increases your risk enough vitamin B12 and/or inherited blood disorder, is ofdeepveinthrombosis. vitaminB9(folate). an example of a blood Paroxysmal nocturnal Aplastic anaemia: This clottingdisorder hemoglobinuria: This rare anaemia happens when stem Some blood disorders blood disorder happens cells in your bone marrow may make you bleed more when your immune system don’t make enough blood than normal because your attacks your red blood cells, cells. blood doesn’t form blood increasing your risk of blood

Autoimmune hemolytic clots. Inherited hemophilia clots. anaemia: In autoimmune is an example of a bleeding D i s s e m i n a t e d hemolytic anaemia, your disorder intravascular coagulation immune system attacks your

By Rehanna Ramsay

PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT AND REVERING NATURE RESULT IN A HAPPIER LIFE

BY PAT DIAL were wealthy enough, their way into waterways which is arguably due to the fruit trees and small flower provision of clean and safe chemicalfertilizersprovided where plastic bottles block “throw away culture” where and kitchen gardens and waterforallcommunitiesfor Consumer Advocates relief and good crops were or impede drainage. Plastic perfectly usable clothes, Georgetown was known as drinking, cooking and worldwide have always lent reaped, but food produced bags eaten by birds and furniture or other items of the Garden City of the West sanitation. The provision of t h e i r s u p p o r t t o with chemical fertilizers is turtles and other aquatic household and personal use Indies In the Guyana such water incurs a heavy Environmentalists and their notaswholesomeorsafeand animals destroy their are indiscriminately countryside, trees were costandifsuchistobemade programmes. Indeed, many food produced organically digestive systems and cause discarded and thrown into planted everywhere with available and sustained, of their programmes The continuous dependence them to die painful deaths. the Environment creating farms growing food crops in consumers have to learn to coincide with those of on fertilizers is not only Oftentimes, fish harvested health hazards since such addition to sugarcane and conserveit. Watershouldbe Consumerism. Accordingly, expensive but negatively for human consumption, cannot be easily and quickly rice Trees store carbon used when necessary and we endorse the New Year impacts the soil and its have plastic bags in their removed. Electronic waste dioxide and help to control should not be wasted Green Resolutions of the ability to recover and stomachs with dangerous isagoodexample. warming. In this new year, Leaking pipes should be Environmental Protection replenishitself. bacteria or even poisons Curtailing waste could every family should be immediately repaired and Agency (EPA) and refer to One sure way of saving resulting in a danger to be achieved if citizens could encouraged to plant trees in tapsshouldnotbeallowedto theminthisarticle. thesoilissimplytofeedback human health. The only give full usage to the items t h e i r y a r d s a n d run aimlessly Rain water The first Environmental into it the organic matter answer to the plastic bag theythrowoutandfindother surroundings, so once again could be harvested, concern we would highlight whichhadbeenderivedfrom question is to curtail or stop uses for items they wish to people would have fresh especially in the countryside is the urgent necessity of it such as manure, leaves, using them and to substitute discard. Curtailing waste fruitsandotherfoodssuchas and interior for use in saving the soil of the planet. skinsfrommilledgrain,food alternatives made of paper, could therefore be a money- breadfruit. This could be w a s h i n g a n d o t h e r For thousands of years until waste and so on. The use of bamboo, cloth, glass or saver and an environmental doneinthetenfeetminimum householdchores. thelasttwocenturies,human compost in gardens is an metal such as tote bags, plus. reserve between houses The key to sustaining a beings comfortably exampleofthis. paper cups and plates, or M o d e r n l i f e h a s Birds will once again return. healthy and pleasant

sustained their livelihood by Another way of saving even glass and metal witnessed the elimination of Thenationwouldonceagain environmentistorealisethat cultivating the soil. Indeed, thesoilisbyrotationofcrops utensils. trees and other greeneries in be securely on the all life is interdependent on all ancient civilizations and allowing land to lie The excessive waste the towns and cities. In old environmentalrails. each other, and that if any recognized the Earth as the fallow with a green covering created by modern societies Georgetown, for example, Consumer advocates and segment of life is harmed, greatest living organism and andtheplantingoftrees.One is among the greatest the main streets were tree- environmentalists are human life will suffer defiedandreveredher. of the greatest modern environmental problems lined and most yards had always concerned with the ultimately.

Over the last two advocates of saving the soil centuries, however, with the is the Indian mystic growth of the scientific Sadhguru whose talks could revolution and the belief in befoundontheInternet. materialism, the Earth was The next Environmental regarded as inert and problem we highlight is the reverence for it waned. The indiscriminate use of ancient wisdom of returning plastics, which has now to the Earth the organic become an integral part of matter which had been taken modern life. Plastics never from it was ignored. The disintegrate and never Earth is being cultivated and eventually reintegrate into exploited with insensitivity the soil as does wood, metal and is quickly becoming or glass. This characteristic exhausted. Less vegetation makes them, in many ways, and trees grow naturally and deleterious to human life. some rivers are drying up Plastic bags and plastic with desertification bottles are cheap and very occurring in some parts of useful and this has made the world. An example of t h e m s e e m a s a n this is evident in parts of the indispensable part of human American Midwest, which life. It has also resulted in became a dust bowl as was millionsoftheseitemsbeing recorded in the great novel, discarded and thrown into The Grapes of Wrath theEnvironmenteveryday In those areas which Plastics eventually find

FOCUS GNBS INCREASES PRODUCT MONITORING, URGES DEALERS & IMPORTERS TO GET REGISTERED

Having quality products garments. This year, the GNBS is products Importantly, all destroyed by the GNBS, or However, there are available on the local market is Importers, dealers and looking to further simplify items sold on the local importers are asked to reship standards relating to these essential for consumers to manufacturers of products theregistrationprocess. market must include labels non-complyingitems. consumables which can help get the level of satisfaction monitored by the GNBS are This year, the GNBS is inEnglish.

A d d i t i o n a l l y , usersmakebetterchoices. and benefits they deserve. required to register annually also looking to increase the Conformingproductsare surveillance inspections are For 2023, the GNBS will The Guyana National and pay the prescribed fees. list of items requiring a released for sale to conducted at manufacturing intensify the monitoring of Bureau of Standards Further, dealers of tyres, permit which will further c o n s u m e r s a n d t h e premises and at dealers’sale products that fall under its (GNBS) monitors 17 cellular phones, gold enhance the monitoring appropriateactionsaretaken outlets, countrywide. In the p u r v i e w, t o e n s u r e categories of products under articles, furniture and capability of the standards by the GNBS when products case of products (tyres, compliance with available its Product Compliance electrical fittings and body Meanwhile, permits fail to comply with footwear) which require standards and guidelines, Services Department, to aid equipment are also required issued by the Bureau will requirements. proper storage prior to and which will ultimately in the delivery of quality to obtain a permit from the now be affixed with a QR These actions include during sale, Inspectors provide better consumer productsonthelocalmarket. Bureau to sell these code which can be scanned placing products on hold conduct routine checks for protectionandsatisfaction. In 2022, the GNBS products. In 2022, a total of by customers using their pending relabelling, request adherence to storage F o r f u r t h e r successfully conducted 509 importers were cellular phones to verify that for the submission of test requirements to avoid information, please 5,793 inspections of registeredwiththeGNBS,as the document posted in the certificates proving productdeterioration. contact the GNBS on products at ports of entry, compared to 483 in 2021. In business is legitimate. The conformance to quality Itisimportanttonotethat telephone numbers: 2191,234 inspections at dealers’ addition, 722 dealers and 24 listofdealersregisteredwith r e q u i r e m e n t s , a n d the Bureau does not monitor 0069, 219-0065, 219-0062, premises and 1,681 manufacturers were the GNBS will also be adjustmentstothemethodof commodities such as foods, o r W h a t s A p p : 6 9 2inspections at sale outlets, to registered. The GNBS urges uploaded to the Bureau’s storage. There are also drugs, cosmetics, medical 4627(GNBS) or visit the ensure compliance to these stakeholders to get website, and can also be i n s t a n c e s w h e r e devices, plants materials, G N B S w e b s i t e : labelling and quality registered early to obtain easily accessed by the commodities are seized and meats and seafood www.gnbsgy.org. requirements, based on their certificates and permits scannedQRCode. compulsory national fortheyear2023.

Inspectors of the Bureau standards Products Application forms are examine products for m o n i t o r e d i n c l u d e available on the GNBS v a r i o u s l a b e l l i n g Electrical/Electronic website: www gnbsgy org requirements, including appliances, Tyres, Footwear, and registration must be certification marks, care and PVC pipes, Weighing and completed before products use guidelines, safety measuring instruments, are examined and released. precautions, storage for Cellular phones, and To reduce processing time, products such as tyres and Garments Further, forty- after registering with the footwear, care and use three (43) inspections were GNBS, Importers can pay guidelines and voltage conductedformanufacturers for inspections via Mobile among other important of local furniture and Money Guyana (MMG) factors for electrical

TheMiser&HisGold

Anoldmiserlivedinahousewith agarden.Themiserhidhisgold coins in a pit under some stones inthegarden.Everyday,beforegoingtobed, themiserwenttothestoneswherehehidthe goldandcountedthecoins.Hecontinuedthis routineeveryday,butnotoncedidhespend thegoldhesaved.

Oneday,athiefwhoknewtheoldmiser's routine, waited for the old man to go back intohishouse.

After it was dark, the thief went to the hidingplaceandtookthegold.Thenextday, the old miser found that his treasure was missingandstartedcryingloudly

His neighbor heard the miser's cries and

inquiredaboutwhathappened.

Onlearningwhathappened,theneighbor asked, “Why didn't you save the money inside the house? It would've been easier to access the money when you had to buy something!”

“Buy?”,saidthemiser “Ineverusedthe gold to buy anything. I was never going to spendit.”

On hearing this, the neighbor threw a stoneintothepitandsaid,“Ifthatisthecase, save the stone. It is as worthless as the gold youhavelost”.

Moral

Apossessionisjustasworthyofwhatitis usedfor

Directions

· Download a rocket craft template and print it out on whitecardstock.

Cut out all the pieces then traceontothecoloredcardstock of your choice Cut out all piecessimilartothoseabove.

Glue the rocket ship together by gluing the small innercircleontothelargerouter circle.

Next, glue these circles onto the middle part of the rocket.

·Gluethetipontothepointedendofthe rocket.

·Gluethesmallstripjustbelowthetip oftherocket.

· Glue the bottom of the rocket ship behindthemiddlepiece.

·Addthesmallerflametothetopofthe larger flame and glue it behind the bottom oftherocket.

· Cut a larger circle out of the white paper Gluethiscircleatthetopcornerofa blackpieceofpaper

·Trimanyexcessoffoftheblackpaper, thendrawcirclesonthemoonwithagray crayon.

· Make stars all over the black paper by

dabbingthepaintbrushinwhitepaint.Letdry completely.

·Gluetherocketontotheblackpaper.

Iwanttobegood FUNWITHPOETRY

Ithinkitisonlyright ThatImustalwaystrytobegood, Tosayanddothecorrectthing, AndbehaveaswellasIcould.

Iwillalwaystrytobehonest, InwhateverIhavetodo, Nottotakewhatbelongstoothers, Andalwaysspeakwhatistrue.

Iwilltrytobealwaysfair, WheneverIworkorplay, AlwaysmakesureIdonotcheat, Anddowhatisrightineveryway

Aboveall,Iwillnotbeselfish, Especiallywiththosewhohavelessthemme; Thiswillmakemefeelsogood, Astheybecomegratefultome.

byUncleRoy

ContinueonthispathofSelf-Improvement whichisessentialtoyourfuturedevelopment The Man Who Thinks He Can

Plan a schedule for your week –

When you put down on paper, and also imbed in your mind, what you should be working on eachweek,youwillfindthat youwillbeabletodomuch moreofwhatisbeneficialto you than just moving from daytodaywithnosetplans.

Act in such a way as to beanexampletothosewho maybelookinguptoyou. I am sure you can identify younger persons in your family and neighbourhood, and some related to you or your friends who are looking to you for some guidance. If in no other way, you can just be an example in proper behaviour to them, and this cangoalongwayinhelping them, as well as get to add morevaluetoyourownlife.

Smile at strangers, be polite to everyone, respect your elders and generally develop a cheerful disposition. You can never tellwhensomeoneyoumeet on the street will have to help you in some way at some later time Even without this, courtesy and a happy attitude will get you likedbyeveryoneandmake you develop a good mood always.

Try to do the right thing always, even though it may mean some cost to you. Knowing you take pains to follow your conscience will make you feel worthy, and inspire you to do the same

always You may not always see immediate results when you push yourself to act right, but be sure that whenever you follow your conscience good will follow at some time.

Always try to put forward your best every time.

The people who have succeeded in the greatest manner are those who pushed themselves to not acceptanythinglessthanthe best they could give to any situation.

Letexcellencebecomea habit, and you will be surprisedhowmuchyoucan do.

We continue with these tips which you can use to make the best of yourself andwhatyouaredoing.

It would be of greater

benefit if you can cut these out every week and keep them in a place where you can readily access them.

Reading them regularly can helptoimpresstheminyour mind,andremindyouofthis effortinimprovingyourself.

by Walter D. Wintle

Ifyouthinkyouarebeaten,youare; Ifyouthinkthatyoudarenot,youdon't.

Ifyou'dliketowin,butyouthinkyoucan't, It'salmostcertainthatyouwon't.

Ifyouthinkyou'lllose,you'velost; Foroutintheworldyou'llfind Successbeginswithafellow'swill— It'sallinthestateofmind.

Ifyouthinkthatyouareout-classed,youare; You'vegottothinkhightorise.

You'vegottobesureofyourselfbefore Youcaneverwinaprize.

Life'sbattlesdon'talwaysgo Tothestrongerorfasterman; Butsoonerorlater,themanwhowins Isthemanwhothinkshecan!

UNCLEROY Tellitto

Hello,readers, UncleRoyisagainaskingallofyoutotryinsomeway tomakeacontributiontothispage,andthustothewelfareof youandyourfellowreaders.Thiscontributioncantakeany formthatyoufeelwouldbevaluable–anaccountofwhatis going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broaderlevel,anycommentorrecommendationyouwould liketomaketoyourfellowGuyanese.

Please remit same to my email –roypaul2002@yahoo com, and be assured that your worthwhilecontributionwillhaveaprominentplaceonour page.

BridgesSolutions

Connect these islands with bridges until each island can be reachedfromanyotherisland,and eachislandhasasmanyoutgoing bridges as its number You may only connect islands vertically or horizontally and bridges may not cross. There may be one or two bridges connecting pairs of islands, but no more than two.

Eachpuzzlehasauniquesolution that can be found without making guesses.

to last week’s

The process of Self-improvement must involve all aspects of one's personality

ByMayoClinicStaff

Don'thavetimeforintensiveskincare?Youcanstillpamper yourselfbyacingthebasics.Goodskincareandhealthylifestyle choices can help delay natural aging and prevent various skin problems.Getstartedwiththesefiveno-nonsensetips.

1.

Protectyourselffromthesun

Oneofthemostimportantwaystotakecareofyourskinisto protect it from the sun. A lifetime of sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots and other skin problems — as well as increasetheriskofskincancer

Forthemostcompletesunprotection: Usesunscreen.Useabroad-spectrumsunscreenwithanSPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every twohours—ormoreoftenifyou'reswimmingorperspiring. Seekshade.Avoidthesunbetween10a.m.and4p.m.,when thesun'sraysarestrongest.

Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with tightly woven long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also consider laundry additives, which give clothing an additionallayerofultravioletprotectionforacertainnumberof washings, or special sun-protective clothing which is specificallydesignedtoblockultravioletrays.

2.Don'tsmoke

Smoking makes your skin look older and contributes to wrinkles Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermostlayersofskin,whichdecreasesbloodflowandmakes skin paler This also depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients thatareimportanttoskinhealth.

Smokingalsodamagescollagenandelastin—thefibersthat giveyourskinstrengthandelasticity Inaddition,therepetitive facialexpressionsyoumakewhensmoking—suchaspursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke—cancontributetowrinkles.

In addition, smoking increases your risk of squamous cell skincancer.Ifyousmoke,thebestwaytoprotectyourskinisto quit. Ask your doctor for tips or treatments to help you stop smoking.

3.Treatyourskingently

Dailycleansingandshavingcantakeatollonyourskin.To keepitgentle:

Limitbathtime.Hotwaterandlongshowersorbathsremove oils from your skin. Limit your bath or shower time, and use warm—ratherthanhot—water

Avoidstrongsoaps.Strongsoapsanddetergentscanstripoil fromyourskin.Instead,choosemildcleansers.

Shave carefully To protect and lubricate your skin, apply shaving cream, lotion or gel before shaving. For the closest shave, use a clean, sharp razor Shave in the direction the hair grows,notagainstit.

Pat dry After washing or bathing, gently pat or blot yourskindrywithatowelsothatsomemoistureremainsonyour skin.

Moisturizedryskin.Ifyourskinisdry,useamoisturizerthat fits your skin type. For daily use, consider a moisturizer that containsSPF

4.Eatahealthydiet

A healthy diet can help you look and feel your best. Eat plentyoffruits,vegetables,wholegrainsandleanproteins.The association between diet and acne isn't clear — but some research suggests that a diet rich in fish oil or fish oil supplementsandlowinunhealthyfatsandprocessedorrefined carbohydrates might promote younger looking skin. Drinking plentyofwaterhelpskeepyourskinhydrated.

5.Managestress

Uncontrolled stress can make your skin more sensitive and trigger acne breakouts and other skin problems. To encourage healthy skin — and a healthy state of mind — take steps to manage your stress. Get enough sleep, set reasonable limits, scale back your to-do list and make time to do the things you enjoy Theresultsmightbemoredramaticthanyouexpect.

Tiffy’s

& Catering Cakes

‘ALWAYS DELICIOUS; ALWAYS AFFORDABLE’

ByRenaySambach

Her love for food and passion for cooking is whatinspired31-yearoldTiffanyPayneDeCostatoopen herowncateringbusiness.

During an interview with The Waterfalls, DeCosta shared that it wasin2018whenshelaunchedher business officially, ‘Tiffy’s Cakes andCatering.’

She said, “Being independent is what inspired me to start my business. I’ve always loved food and always had a passion for cooking and I’ve always known that’s what I wanted to make my career.”

Customerscanorder:dhalpuri, roti bites, chicken kebabs, honey mustard sliders, pot roasted chicken, chicken puffs, deviled eggs, baked macaroni and cheese (cup option available), garden salads, vegetable rice, baked chicken, stripped chicken fried rice, loaded baked potatoes, chicken tenders, cheese straws, chicken patties, samosas,pinetarts,donuts, cheeserolls,buffalowings (spicy, sweet & sour, or honey barbecue), eclairs, brownies, pork bites, fish fingers, vegetable chowmein,stirfryveggies, andchickentenders.

The business caters for all occasions, whether it be an intimate gathering, birthdays, baby showers or weddings.

According to the young business owner, cake-making started off as a hobby, before she quickly realized that she could do more. DeCosta stated that she startedacakedecoratingcourseto perfect that skill and the idea to startherownbusinessgerminated.

DeCosta’sbusinessnowoffers finger foods, entrees, desserts and cakesforalloccasions.Sheshared thatherbestsellersarehercakes.

Notably, Tiffy’s Cakes andCateringisanathomebased catering service that is located in Cornelia Ida, WestCoastDemerara.

DeCosta disclosed, “We don’t have a fixed working time system in place as yet We’re a small businesstryingtogetournameout there.Itakeordersastheycome,so we’rebasicallyalwaysopen.”

DeCosta shared that her long-term goal with her b

usiness is to one day open her restaurantandbakery Addedtothis,shesaid,“Icome

fromveryhumblebeginnings. I’mthesixthofsevenchildren, so independence was somethingthatwasinstilledin usfromayoungage.”

“I had made it known to myparentsfromaveryyoung agethatIwantedtobeachef, so they’ve always been quite supportive of that, they made sure I had all the necessary opportunities and the skill-set togetthisfar Ididtwoyears of studies at the Carnegie School of Home Economics, where I graduated with credit inCateringandHospitality.”

The business owner went on to share that she worked her attachmentatW&TGeorgeGroup of Companies, at their once popular Upscale Restaurant and Bar

DeCosta is now a wife, and a

TCC

mother of two boys ages six and eight, who she says, “always keep meonmytoes.”

She is also the proud owner of her business ‘Tiffy’s Cakes and Catering’fulfillingherdreamsand doingwhatsheloves.

“I would say I’m a very chill, easy-going person but I am also a hard worker I got my work ethics from my parents, especially my dad. I put my all into every task, everycakeandfoodthatissentout. I pride myself in my work and always deliver the best to my customers,”DeCostastated.

To contact Tiffany, you can visit her Facebook page @Tiffy’s Cakes and Catering or WhatsApp/call +592 684-8650,to placeyourorder

[To share any useful information, you can contact me v i a e m a i l :

Self-taught proprietress of

leads the way in cake artistry

ByMalisaRenada PlayterHarry

With over a decade experienceinbaking

and decorating cakes, Vidya Basant from Gangaram,EastCanjeBerbice,has laid the foundation to becoming a well-known and reputable baker, within the ancient county of Berbice Basant,areceptionistatan eye clinic, started baking in 2013, and has since been impressing customers with magnificent cakes, baked to perfection, every week as shereceivesorders

From a simple iced or buttercreamcaketoamultiple-tier wedding cake with extravagant designs, Basant does it all. She started by baking for family and friends. Soon after, her work started to garner the attention of everyonewhotastedherdelightful treats.Herhomecircleencouraged hertomakeitabusiness,sincethey believed that she could become an exemplarybaker

Theinitialeventthatpiquedher interest in baking and cake decoration came when her brother ordered a cake from Georgetown. She recalled that when the cake arrived, parts of it got damaged during transport to Berbice. She said her brother asked her if she could mend it which she did, and that remarkably simple situation intriguedher

“Mybrotherpushedme,andhe started to post my work on Facebook; just little things. I did thatathomebecauseIhadnostuff to start off with, I just had piping tips, that’s it, and then I started taking orders from my brother’s friendsandIdidn’treallycharge,I just wanted the experience. But then he encouraged me to start chargingandIwasgettinggood…” Basantrevealed.

She said when she did her first character cake; it was not good, in heropinion.Foradesigntocometo

life on her cakes when she started out,Basantsaidshewouldusually draw the design on paper, but she soonrealisedthatwasnotthemost effectivemethod,“thefirstonewas reallyhorribleanditwasaPhineas andFerb’scake.”Asshecontinued tobakeandpractice,shegotbetter, she continuously challenged herself and it turned out magnificent.

Basantgarneredallherskillson her own, using cake decorating books, which her relatives sent

from overseas, and watching YouTube videos on cake baking anddecorating.

“My aunt gave me books That’swhereIstarted.Beforethen, I didn’t have a computer or phone and my cousin and aunt brought books. My cousin photocopied piping stuff for me to see, and my aunt sent the books from overseas soIcanseehowtomakestufflike the cake topper, flowers and so forth…she is the one who actually sent cake-making tools for me. I

didn’thavepipingbags;Ididitthe hardest way possible, just the thimble and put pressure on it whichwasnotsogood.”

Sheaddedthatwhenshestarted, thecakemakingwasdoneonaparttime basis since she worked as a receptionistforhalfoftheday The otherhalfoftheday,shewoulduse to make cakes for persons who placed orders for birthdays or any specialoccasion Herbusinessgrew tremendouslythatithasaffordedher the opportunity to be her own boss

and work from the comfort of her home

For Basant, while she finds immense joy in baking and decorating cakes, she added that creatingcharactercakesareherreal favourite, since she gets to see the characters come to life on her cakes. With everything done from scratch, the process to complete a simple buttercream frosted cake couldtakeaboutanhour Wedding cakesand2Dcakesontheother

Vidya Basant

Country to be updated on Exxon audit and release of mining contracts on Monday

Aftermonthsofdelay,the Governmenthaspromisedto deliver an update on the release of large-scale mining contracts on Monday Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat hasalsocommittedtoprovide an update on the US$73B review of oil major ExxonMobil’sexpenses

OnSaturday,Bharratwas askedtosaywhethertheaudit was completed and to indicate when the mining contractswouldbepublished, as promised by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo The Minister explained that hewasoutoftownandwould give details on the issues comeMonday

PriortoBharrat’spromise to address the issue of the mining contracts, the Minister had given a commitment in December to do so as well, but never delivered.

On December 10, 2022, he was told that Vice PresidentBharratJagdeohad instructedthemediatodirect this request to him. His responsewas“Detailswillbe providedtomorrow”

On December 19 when this publication reached out again to the Minister, he did notrespond

Another message to his cellphone was ignored on December 21 A reminder was sent again on December 28 Thatreminderwasmerely acknowledged but a detailed response regarding the issue didnotfollow

Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr Glenn Lall said he had also texted Bharrat last year buttodate,hasnotreceiveda response

In the absence of those agreements,Guyanaremains in the dark regarding the benefits of the multi-billion sector The country is not aware of the royalty rates, what percent Guyana is benefitting from and how muchofitsresourceisbeing extracted by foreign companies

The Irfaan Ali-led Administration has been repeatedly dodging calls for the release of large mining contracts

The Government was pressed last year to make public those contracts it has signed with foreign companiesbuthasfailedtodo so Kaieteur News, in particular, following the publicationofGuyana’sthird Extractive Industries Transparency(EITI)reportin 2022 has been asking Governmentofficialstomake theminingcontractspublicto

noavail.

Since becoming a member of the global body, the report notes that the Governmentagreedtoadhere to several requirements In this case, EITI requirement 24 (a) of the 2019 Standard states that Guyana should publicly disclose all mineral agreementsenteredintoforce prior to the reporting period, in this case, 2019 Although the requirements are known to the Administration, it continuestomakeexcusesin avoidingthereleaseofthese contracts.

Vice President Jagdeo was asked for a fourth time about the release of the mining contracts at an event at State House in December last year when he decided to distance himself from the request.

“Talk to Vick about that. Vick is more familiar with that.That’shisportfolio,”the VPsaid. He was referring to Natural Resources Minister, VickramBharrat Thesubject Minister,whowasalsoatthe event, was nowhere to be foundattheconclusionofthe interview with the Vice President Calls to his cellphone also went unanswered

Guyana’s third EITI report was issued in June 2022 Afteritwaspublished, Jagdeowasconfrontedabout the secret deals at a Press Conference heldattheOffice of the President Then, he explainedthatthelarge-scale mining contracts in Guyana should be made available to the public should a formal request be made to the Freedom of Information Office.

When asked why the contracts were not made public in the first place, Jagdeo told Reporters that “these contracts don’t rest with the President, if you go to GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority]everyoneofthese contracts will be at GRA because they all have dutyfreeconcessions”

He was adamant as long as a request is made to the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f Information for one of the mining contracts “and you don’t get it, then that is a differentmatter”

Later in August of that year, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was asked for an update on the release of the miningcontractsby Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr Glenn Lall when the VP again promised to make the contractspublic Jagdeosaid,“Idon’tthink these agreements should be

secret Right, because the concessions are standard

Manypeopledon’tremember this but the Minister of Finance used to sign every duty-freeletterthatwaswhen Iwasthereandwechangedit WhenIbecamePresidentand even before that, we started movingtochangeitwhereall of that, the administering of duty-freeconcessionswould bedonebytheGRAandnot by a political individual and secondly, they would be basedonlegislation.”

-Min.BharrattellsK/News

Hethereforeindicated,“I don’t see the reason why many of these are not in the public domain already I’ll findoutaboutit”

TheVPlaterappearedon TheGlennLallShow,aradio programme aired on Kaieteur Radio, back in S e p t e m b e r W h e n questionedabouttherelease of the mining contracts, he said,“Youarecharacterising it as hiding these contracts. For me personally, I don’t see any reason why you

should not have these contracts.”

The Kaieteur News Publisher told the Vice President that this response hasbeenrepeatedlygivento no avail when Jagdeo blamedtheagencies.“Idon’t havethecontracts,”hesaid.

LallthenaskedJagdeoto ensurethedealsarereleased to which the Vice President replied: “I can undertake to findoutwithyouthere,what provision the GRA is so cagey about that it doesn’t

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

want to release… I will undertake that anything that isnon-proprietythatyouget it released. I will personally nowseethatthishappen.”

ByAllyiahAllicock

Looking to one day open her own nail school and provide opportunitiesinabigwayfor others, is nail technician Iana Ashanti Hercules.

Thirty-three-year-oldHerculesisthe proud owner of a popularly known nail salon called ‘CreativeNails by GirlBoss’ The business started in November 2017, providing unique and glamourousnailservicetomany

In an exclusive interview with this magazine, Hercules who hails from Matthews Ridge, Region One, said that what had inspired her to open this business is the deep passion she had sinceshewasachild.“I’vealwayshada passionandlovefornailsandartsinceI

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR

GirlBossby

potential for nail styling is significant, the practice faces its shareofuniquechallenges.

“Along with the struggles of running any business, nail salons often face low profit margins, limited product inventory, and specialized health regulations,” she added.

Asitrelatestothepandemic,she sharedthatittookahugeimpacton her business, forcing her to close down for some time “The pandemichadaffectedmybusiness a great deal, because the country wascloseddown.Ihadtoclosemy business for a couple months because of the COVID- 19 regulations the Government had in place,” she said. Though it was challenging, she noted that she is grateful at the same time because personally she did not contract COVID-19.

With a lot in store for this

was a kid, and I knew one day I wouldhavemyownnailstudio,soI worked hard and made a lot of sacrificestobecomethebossbabeI amtoday,”shetoldthismagazine.

Makinganameforitselfinthe local industry, ‘CreativeNails by GirlBoss’ offers services such as pedicures, manicures, full-sets, Gel-xnailextensions,justtoname a few Through her business, Hercules offers training and workshops for anyone who is interestedandwantstoacquirethe necessary skills to be part of the field. Upon completion, persons receiveacertificate.

Hercules shared that since being in business, the support she received has been great over the past years “From my regular clientstonewones,alsomyfriends have been my biggest supporters,” shenoted.

Along the way too, she mentioned that the business did face some challenges but it certainly did not dim the light on heroperation.Thesechallengesshe explainedaretheinflationofprices onproducts.Andwhiletherevenue

business, when asked what her long-term goalis,themotherofonementionedthatshe wouldonedaylovetohaveanailschool,and tohaveherownnailproductsonthemarket both locally and internationally Also, she would like to take her training and experiences globally and share them with othernailtechnicians.

When asked what role she thinks young

“Entrepreneurs

Sheaddedthatentrepreneurship is very important because it can improve living standards; create jobs and wealth for entrepreneurs andrelatedbusinesses.

With this being said, our featured entrepreneur is calling for small business owners, to make greater use of social media marketing tools to boost their businesses. “Have pop up shops, invest more into your business, invest in yourself academically, attend training sessions to boost yourbusinesses,”sheencouraged.

Looking to have your nails designedandstyledforthatspecial occasion or event, you can contact Iana on telephone number (592) 661-7890 or visit her business at 43 Croal and Alexander Streets at the big green building onCroalStreet,Georgetown.

Persons can follow and check out some of her work via her Instagram @creativenailsbygirlboss592 or Facebook

@creativeNails_byGirlboss.

“Entrepreneurs also help drive change through innovation, where new and improved products enable new markets to be explored.”

businesspeopleplayinoursociety, Hercules mentioned that

also help drive change through innovation, where newandimprovedproductsenable newmarketstobeexplored.”

Young entrepreneur, IanaAshanti Hercules

Some of the work Iana Ashanti Hercules has done through her business.

AFC wants minimum wage at $150,000, subsidized utility

bills, free UG education, reduced VAT reflected in 2023 Budget

Th e P e o p l e ' s electricity subsidy for all The party said that directly With this in mind, The AFC said that when availabletocitizens. P r o g r e

i v e categories of consumers; government must also the party said it will only Budget 2023 is read, it must “These are but a few key P a r t y /

support the budget if its be seen as people-centered. provisions we expect to see

(PPP/C) is expected to read consumers, $10,000 for concession and VAT measures aim to benefit all “Thisisbecauseitwillbethe in Budget 2023. It is time its 2023 Budget tomorrow, commercial and $15,000 for exemptiononequipmentand citizens. largest ever, given the that all the people of Guyana but to get the support of the industrial as well as VAT machinery for all businesses “The Alliance For increased earnings from the enjoythebenefitsandnotthe Alliance For Change (AFC), reducedto12percent. involved in Agriculture as Change(AFC)ispreparedto oilandgassector unequal allocations we have the administration will have The AFC also wants full proposed by the private supportBudget2023onlyon Therefore, the benefits seen which makes the rich in to provide basic “people- subsidy for all types of sector New shelters across the condition that it makes from the inheritance must be oursocietyricher centered” measures to v e h i c l e s o n a l l all Administrative Regions provisions that would equally shared by all sectors Thecriesofourordinary ensure that all citizens bridge/pontoon crossings, for women seeking respite benefit all Guyanese and not ofthecitizenry.” citizens of the high cost of benefit from the influx of oil including Berbice Bridge, and to escape abusive just a selected few. It is time The AFC related that living confirms that they are revenue. Demerara Harbour Bridge, relationships should also be to put the people first,” the some $209B deposited into notseeingtheimprovements Inapublicstatement,the Wismar Bridge, Kurukupari, on the cards. These shelters, partysaid. the Natural Resource Fund directlyintheirpockets,”the party said that “must haves” Madhia crossing, Bartica the party noted, would The Party insists that it during 2022 would be AFCsaid. forthebudgetshouldinclude crossingandtheintroduction support the victims of was strategic planning and available for spending this Budget 2023 has the an increase in the minimum of free speedboat services to domestic violence to restore managingoftheeconomyby year It expects their basic power to change that, said wage to $150,000 with all schoolchildren and their lives. It is anticipated the Coalition government it “must haves” are made theAFC. corresponding adjustments medical personnel from the thattheseproposedsubsidies f o r m e d w i t h t h e A to personal income tax V r e e d - e n - h o o p t o will cost 1.4 percent of the Partnership for National would see persons earning Georgetown, Grove, EBD to 2022NaturalResourceFund Unity (APNU) that allowed minimum wage not paying Georgetown and Rosignol – but will benefit ordinary for the swift emergence of income tax and a staggered NewAmsterdam. working-class citizens, the the oil and gas industry and schedule that would reduce These subsidies will AFCsaid. firstoilbyDecember2019. current income tax payable. reduce consumer costs, The AFC related that for “Today, we give credit The party wants free resulting in more disposable the first time in the nation's where it is due and note that education for University of income for families. The historyearningsanddeposits this nation would not be Guyanastudents,anincrease measure would also reduce into the National Resource reaping the economic in Old Age Pension to traffic build-up due to Fund is providing an benefitswearetodayforthis $50,000, an increase in eliminating waiting time to opportunity to transform fact. Disability benefits to pay tolls, particularly on the Guyanaandtoensurethatall We are therefore proud $40,

DemeraraHarbourBridge. her citizens can benefit ofthisachievement.”

National Science Fair winners visit SBM Offshore

ThewinnersoftheNationalScience Fair, accompanied byMinister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, MP, visited SBM Offshore's officeonSheriffStreet,Georgetown.

This visit, which occurred on Friday, is aligned with the company's focus on providing Guyanese with informationonitsoperationsandtheoil and gas sector, so as to encourage local participation in the industry, the companysaidinastatement.

Minister Ramson and the winning studentsweregivenaguidedtourofthe office facilities, which culminated with a presentation on the company's operations, sustainability footprint via localsustainabledevelopmentprojects, andcareerandtrainingopportunities.

General Manager, Martin Cheong told the Science Fair winners said that are nationalised and aim to train and expressed, “This opportunity was very he hopes that the introduction to the prepare young people for entry into the educational and interesting and I operations at SBM Offshore and the oil oilandgasindustry,”Cheongsaid. learned a lot. I am now interested in the andgassectorinspiresthemtoexamine Minister Ramson, urged the oil and gas industry and in SBM theirambitionsandgoalsforthefuture, studentsto“Takethisopportunityasthe Offshore'soperations.” particularly those nearing completion steppingstonetoopeningyourhorizons SBM Offshore continues to pursue of their secondary education. “SBM and start to think about where else you programmes that will propel local Offshore has several opportunities for cangoandhowsoonyoucangetthere.” content development forward, and the development of Guyanese through Ronessa Romalho, a sixth form place Guyanese in key roles in its our training programmes, all of which d f id ll operations,the concluded.

Wanted bulletin issued for two escapees

Police have issued WCD, Region Three to wanted bulletins for the two Lusignan Prison at the time prisoners who escaped from oftheirescape. authorities on Friday while being transported from the Leonora Magistrates' Court, West Coast Demerara (WCD). The escapees have been identified as Ryan Wilson known as “Pepsi”, a 28-year-old of Lot 69 Vergenoegen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and 22year-old Shamar Singh of Hague, West Coast Demerara(WCD).

According to police, Pepsi is before the courts for Indecent Assault and Singh for Simple Larceny and PossessionofNarcotics.

The two men were being transported from the Leonora Magistrate Court,

Commander of the Region Three Police D i s t r i c t , M a h e n d r a Siwnarine, had said, “Just as the truck come off the Harbour Bridge and turn onto the East Bank road and stop, two of them (Pepsi and Singh) kick open the door and run away,” Siwnarine toldthispublication.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the men ran inoppositedirections.

Anyone knowing their whereabouts are asked to contact police on phone numbers, 225-6940, 2258196, 226-7476, 225-2317, 227-1149 or the nearest policestation.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles S. Ramson, MP; SBM Offshore's General Manager, Martin Cheong, and Human Resource Manager, Onecia Johnson with the winners of the National Science Fair Competition.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Honourable Charles S. Ramson, MP, receives a plaque of appreciation from SBM Offshore's General Manager, Martin Cheong.

Ryan Wilson known as “Pepsi” Shamar Singh

Escapees:

From page 14

“To me, a company is stage or during production Dr Vincent Adams, a there to make money That is operations an opportunity to Petroleum Engineer and the bottom line, that’s how expand the upper production formerExecutiveDirectorof thoseguysgetpaidandthose limit arises, the project will thelocalEPA. big fat bonuses.They cut the documenttheevaluationand

Inanexclusiveinterview corners and take the risk, justification and an updated with Kaieteur News on hoping that nothing is going upper production limit will Sunday, the specialist said t o h a p p e n T h e beavailable.” the waiver of the impact Government’s responsibility

It was also noted that the study was not grounded in is to make sure that the project will be producing logical reasons. In fact, he health, safety of the 540 million standard cubic argued that the decision of environment of the nation feetofgasperday the EPA was “sheer and the people are protected

I m p o r t a n t l y , nonsense”. and that’s where they are telecommunications

To explain his position, being very neglectful,” Dr equipment will also be Dr Adams said, “They gave Adamsnoted. installed on the FPSO to six reasons and at number He said that this project enable safe operation of the three, they tried to say that showsthatapatternintheoil facilities in normal and therewouldbenoparticulate industry where the emergency conditions matter but that is total administration has sat back Kaieteur News understands nonsense. Gas is made up of and allowed U.S oil major, that this equipment will particulate matter, that’s ExxonMobil to break the allow communication with what the flue gas is made up lawsofGuyana. the offices, shorebases, of,sowhoeverwrotethat,for He explained, “This support vessels, helicopters, somebody at the EPA to be shows a pattern because if and tankers, as well as saying that I would be you go back to the oil communication within the embarrassed.” industryitselfwheretheyare FPSO.

Additionally, he pointed neglecting matters such as EEPGL had previously out that the EIAdone for the flaring, the government not installed the Fibre Optic naturalgaspipelineaspectof forcing Exxon to comply Cable Project, which the project said that a with our own laws to have provides the fibre optic separate EIA would be the parent company c o m m u n i c a t i o n required for the power plant. guarantee They are infrastructure from the “Thatmeansitwasclearthat dumping water into the Stabroek Block to shore, there is need for another EIA ocean; this shows a clear enabling high-speed, lowand now they are not doing pattern of neglect by the latency communications and it,”hesaid. government towards the data transfer between

Thirdly, the Petroleum people’s health, safety and EEPGL’sFPSOsandshore. Engineer reasoned that the theenvironment.”

The fibre Optic Cable EPA in its decision also Dr Adams urged that an Project included installation explained that this project is EIAisrequiredforthepower of two optical distribution in the “footprint of an EPA plant as there are presently units (ODUs), two main approved Gas to Energy unknown risks that can fibre optic trunk lines to Project that was subjected to impact the population. He shore, and fibre optic cables a comprehensive EIA, said that there are plans to routed from the Destiny, The country’s High Impact Assessment (EIA) in 2024 following the including a Cumulative develop a new Demerara Unity, Prosperity, and One Court had only days before states that the Uaru completion of engineering Impact Assessment (CIA). River Crossing, which will GuyanaFPSOstotheODUs. gave the EPA a clear Development Project will and will take approximately The CIA concluded that likely attract further EEPGL plans to connect definition of the reasons that develop the Uaru, Mako and three years Development there will be no significant developments in Region this Project’s FPSO into the must be included in its Snoekoil-richfieldswiththe well drilling may also occur impacts from the combined Three,wherethepowerplant existing fibre optic determination for granting potential to develop other during this period activities/projects.” is being developed. This he infrastructure back to shore, an exemption of an impact resources within the Licence Production operations are Dr Adams however said can put hundreds and which will consist of two study, but the Regulator has area. expected to begin in 2027 explained, “When I read that possibly thousands of lives fibre optic cables connected issued yet another waiver on The project scope and will continue for at least it’s in the footprint, I don’t at risk in the event of an from a Uaru subsea drill itsowngrounds. i n c l u d e s d r i l l i n g 20years. know what that means to explosion. centre back to the existing approximately 38-63 With respect to the start with but what should be “A project of this two ODUs. From the Uaru

TUESDAY - JAN 10, 2023 development wells; F P S O , E E P G L ’ s asked is well you say it’s in magnitude was never done subsea drill centre, the fibre

installation and operation of Environmental Impact the footprint and it shows so how can we know the optic cable will connect to ExxonMobil’s 5th project Subsea Umbilicals, Risers, Assessment states that oil cumulative impacts, how the impacts and how can we theUaruFPSOviaoneofthe to cost Guyana US$12.6B and Flowlines (SURF) production will average at hell could it show dismiss it to say well the dynamic umbilicals, which – Could produce 300,000 equipment, and installation 250,000 barrels of oil per cumulative effects when the impacts will be negligible? willcontainfibrestrands. barrels of oil per day and operation of a Floating day It was keen to note that people who wrote the EIA What happens if there is an In terms of employment, following 2027 start-up Production, Storage, and peak rates may be higher for the first aspect said an explosion over there? They itwasnotedthattherewillbe Offloading(FPSO)vessel. during the lifetime of the EIA is needed for the gas have plans to put in a a demand of up to 540 E x x o n M o b i l EEPGLhas not yet made project, depending on plant project? That means it fertilizer plant and all of that persons required to drill and Corporation’s fifth project at a Final Investment Decision multiple factors such as wasn’t even considered as to there in the future but all of c o m p l e t e t h e U a r u the Uaru-Mako field which on the project, and is reservoir pressure, number what that cumulative effect thisishighlyhazardous,”the developmentwells.Kaieteur holds over 1.3 billion barrels continuing to evaluate cost of wells, equipment wouldbebecauseyouhadn’t formerEPAChiefargued. News understands that the of oil in the Stabroek Block considerations during the reliability etc. It states at donethestudy.” He said it is important to majority of these personnel is expected to cost Guyana project development page 146, “Currently, the HechallengedtheEPAto never put production ahead will work in the offshore over GY$2 6 trillion process. For the purposes of FPSO basic design has an tell the public what the of schedule and safety, as environment on drill ships. (US$12B). the Uaru Development upper production limit of worst-case scenario with the safety should always be the In addition, there will be Project details for the Project Environmental 263,000 BPD (42,080 m3) existence of gas plant would toppriority between 10 and 15 trips per latest venture by Exxon’s Authorisation process, peak oil production rate. For beasoutlinedintheCIAand On January 6, the EPAin week of the support vessels subsidiary, Esso Exploration EEPGL said the cost is the purposes of the EIA, whatderivedtheseimpacts. a public notice published in that will be assisting the and Production Guyana estimated to be $2 638 production up to 300,000

The former head of the the Guyana Chronicle different drill ships. Most of Limited (EEPGL) are trillion GYD ($12 683 bpd is considered to assess regulatory body pointed out announced that an EIA was these roles will require prior currently under review by billionUSD). potential impacts from the that while companies’ sole not required for the 300- offshore oil and gas industry t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l A preliminary schedule project and cover potential intent is to make money, megawatt gas-fired power experience and specialized ProtectionAgency(EPA). anticipates that FPSO and production optimization government’s responsibility plant being pursued by the expertise.However,theprior T other fabrication and after facility start up. If istosafeguardthecountry GovernmentofGuyana.

he Environmental installation works will begin during the detailed design

From page 52

Uponarrivalatthescene,police

The shooter quickly returned to development of the Liza Phase 1, the car, which turned north on to LizaPhase2,PayaraandYellowtail SmythStreetspedaway Projects has resulted in continuous According to police reports, capacity building of the workforce, Lawrence received a bruise to his as additional personnel are rightlowerhand,whichhesaidwas upskilled and given greater causedbyabullet. responsibilities.

The EIA states that this will said Charles was seen lying in a create opportunities to increase the pool of blood on his back, clad in pool of semi-skilled and skilled shortbluepants,awhitevest,apair workers that can support the of red and blue Puma sneakers on project. his feet, and a red, white and blue

During long-term production jerseywasseenunderhishead. operations, the in-country, direct Police stated that Charles offshore workforce will peak at received three gunshot wounds to around 100 to 160 people during hisneck,onetohisrightjaw,oneto periods of higher maintenance his left jaw, one to his left-side activityandduringoffloadingofan forehead, one to his right-side FPSO. forehead, one to his left hand, two

The EIA also states that during to his right-side lower back, and periods of regular operations, the twotohisrightshoulder workforcerequirementonanFPSO Several 9MM spent shells, 5 isestimatedtobeontheorderof90 warheads and a metal fragment to100people. were found at the scene. He was pronounceddeadbyadoctoronthe Project. The suggestion was also developments but introduces options.

Leopold Street man gunned scene. repeated in the EIA for the Uaru significant environmental hazards It should be noted that EEPGL down on D’Urban Street Accordingtothepolice,several project, which is awaiting and would not meet regulatory made similar recommendations for persons were questioned and they governmentapproval. expectationsinGuyana. its US$10B Yellowtail Project. In A 33-year-old labourer of havebeenabletodeterminethatthe Currently, authorities are EEPGL said its subsurface the EIA for that development, the Leopold Street was on Monday registration number on the car used building an over US$2B gas-to- studies indicated significant value subsidiary said there is not enough morning gunned down while intheshootingisfake. energy project that will utilize in gas re-injection for reservoir additional demand in Guyana to walking on D’Urban Street, Werk- Charles’ body was taken to the excessgasfromtheLizaPhaseOne pressuremaintenanceandrecovery consume the quantities of en-Rust,Georgetown. Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and Liza Phase Two Projects. That uplift purposes, thus supporting associatedgasthatwillbeproduced Thedeadman,whowasshot12 andapostmortemexaminationwill venture is expected to come on related facilities investment from the Project which is expected times, has been identified as Roy soonbedone. stream by 2024 and last for 20 EEPGL said it worked extensively topeakataround450MMscfd. AnthonyCharles,called‘Skiddle’. KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat years. with leading gas compression Itsaid,“Adecisionwithrespect According to the police, Charles, who is no stranger to the Given the massive amount of contractors on studies that to the export of gas from the Charleswasslainsometimearound law,wasonMondayworkinginthe gas that will be available from the ultimately confirmed the technical Yellowtail Project will be made in 11:30 hrs while walking in the D’Urban Street area, cleaning YellowtailandUarudevelopments, feasibility of reinjecting gas into the future; gas export to shore or company of another on D’Urban drains. Exxon said the supporting ships the Uaru, Mako and Snoek another phase of field development Street.

Investigations into the fatal will be built to allow Guyana the developmentfields. may be considered Space Reports are that Charles and shootingareongoing. option to export gas, be it to Further,EEPGLsaidgasexport reservation and basic design another labourer, 43-year-old onshorefacilitiesorfurtherafield. options were also considered. In connections to allow for this are Dexter WEDNESDAY- JAN 11, 2023 According to the EIA for the this regard, it noted that there is includedintheProjectscope.” Lawrence, were on D’Urban Uaru development, Exxon’s currently a separate project being The same was also noted in the Street heading west when a silver ExxonMobil proposes subsidiary, Esso Exploration and proposed to transport a portion of EIAfor the US$9B Payara Project. grey old-model Allion motorcar another energy plant to take Production Guyana Limited the gas (on the order of 50 Million In that document, EEPGL said too with registration number PVV off massive amounts of gas (EEPGL) said it contains material StandardCubicFeetofGasPerday thatthereiscurrentlyaverylimited 5906, approached them from from 4th & 5th projects quantitiesofassociatedgas. –Mscfd) from the Liza Phase 1 and gas industry in Guyana; hence, behind and several shots rang out.

The subsidiary said a key use Liza Two FPSOs to shore, where it there is not enough room for the Lawrenceraninawesterndirection In light of the significant for this associated gas is for fuel in would be used to generatepower in domestic consumption of gas from leaving Charles, who fell to the quantities of gas that will be gas turbines for power generation agas-firedpowerplant. this project. For Payara, gas is ground. produced from ExxonMobil on the Floating, Production, Asthisprojectwouldsatisfythe expected to peak around 395

The duo was reportedly going Corporation’s Yellowtail and Uaru Storage and Offloading (FPSO) currently identified gas demand in Mmscfd While gas export to purchase alcohol when the Projects in the Stabroek Block, the vessel. EEPGLsaid gas not used as Guyana, the EIA said there is not facilities were not installed on the shootingoccurred.

oil giant has floated for fuelisthenavailableforalternative enough additional demand in Payara FPSO due to the operator’s Lawrence told Investigators consideration, the establishment of uses. In this regard, EEPGL said Guyana to consume the quantities strategy to maximize gas injection, that when he looked back, the car anotheronshoreprocessingfacility there are three primary options: of associated gas that will be Kaieteur News understands that had stopped, and a man, who was This recommendation was flaring,re-injection,andexport. produced from the Uaru Project they can be added if future gas wearing a dark-coloured hoodie, provided in its Environmental It was noted that routine flaring whichisexpectedtopeakataround exportfromPayaraispursued. exited the car and shot Charles Impact Assessment (EIA) for its ofassociatedgasisamethodtodeal 540MMscfd.

Taking the foregoing projects severaltimesatcloserange. already sanctioned Yellowtail with natural gas production in oil The EIAsaid, “Adecision with into consideration, Guyana would respecttotheexportofgasfromthe be producing over 1.4 billion cubic Uaru Project will be made in the feet of gas. Notably, the PPP/C future; gas export to shore or Government has said that a gas another phase of field development strategy is being worked on to maybeconsidered.” determine how Guyana will utilize

WhateverGuyana’sdecisionis, this resource. In the meantime, Exxon said space reservation and Exxon already has its sight set on basic design connections to allow presenting a sixth project for for export are included in the approvalthisyear Itisalsoeyeinga projectscope. seventhshipfornextyear

For the time being, it said gas re-injection was selected for Families of persons injured in associated gas management due to Canje accident seeking justice the additional oil recovery it …as drunken firewoman charged provides, the environmental with DUI, placed on bail advantage it represents as comparedtoflaring,andthelimited

availability of feasible gas export

Dead: Roy Anthony Charles called ‘Skiddle’

Crime Scene Experts on D’Urban Street alongside the lifeless body

An artist’s impression of the US$2B gas-toenergy project Guyana is landing at Wales.

From page 53

recklessness, her children recently started secondary McDonald,thechallengesof are suffering life changing schoolandisinthefirstform being a single mother are injuries The frustrated level. The woman said it is mountainous but her womansaidthather10-year- difficulttolookatherinjured challenges have multiplied old is still traumatised from children struggle because overthelastfewweekssince the accident while her 8- they had normal lives before fourofherfivechildrenwere year-old son suffered a theaccident. involved in a vehicular fractured skull. Her 5-year- B u t w i t h t h e accident. old daughter had injuries to aforementioned difficulties McDonald, a domestic herkneethatstillacheswhen faced by McDonald, she is worker, told Kaieteur News she walks and her 11-year- now required to relocate that she is finding it old daughter suffered severe fromthehousesherentedfor increasingly difficult to take brain injuries that has the past three years because care of her children who changed her completely ” she is unable to pay her have all suffered life She has brain injuries, she $20,000rent. changing injuries in the don’t talk, now she trying to “She [the firewoman] accident which occurred on balance her weight and she hasbeenwalkingaroundand Christmas Eve (December does things that she has talking that my children 24,2022). never done before ” getting better Is that getting

The Lot 320 East McDonald told Kaieteur better? She cannot stand on Canefield, Canje, Berbice News while explaining that her weight, she operates like mother is contemplating her the injuries her children are a mad child and it hurt me next move as she pushes nursing has added to her because my child was against the odds to take care alreadydifficultlife. growinggood,shecannotgo ofherchildrenandherself. “…I don’t have anyone to school. I cannot work Eleven-year-old Shavine that helps me because I do because I have to look after Laundry, 10-year-old domestic work for a living herandtheotherchildren…” Shaveh Laundry, 8-year-old and I does do it to send them thesinglemothersaid. Javeer Blair, and 5-year-old to school so they can get an McDonald is forced to ShaniahBlair,wereinthecar education and make sure pay $16,000 to hire a taxi to him.

The Commonwealth that, “Credible estimates for driven by firewoman they have meals on the take her children to clinic in Both families are asking Secretariat recently released decommissioning costs Chandani Mohabir, 28, of table…”sheexplained. Georgetown as is required for justice to be served. a new practical guide to help therefore require various East Canefield, Canje that Unfortunately, since the sincetheaccident. Persons willing to assist Governments manage costly technical experts’ inputs; The woman recounted Sharon McDonald can oilandgasdecommissioning this is similar to estimating that on the day of the contact her on 609-8703 or activities, which are development costs, but with accident,thefirewomanwho 327-2024. expected to surge as a result the added complexity of the is well known to her, Jamasie Carmichael can of the global energy uncertainty of timing collected her children and becontactedon690-3175. transition. (several decades into the said she was taking them to In its guide titled, “Oil future).” the Chinese shop on the THURSDAY and Gas Decommissioning

According to the publicroadtobuysomething - JAN 12, 2023 Toolkit,” the Secretariat Commonwealth Secretariat, fortheirChristmas. highlighted eight key issues while benchmarking is often McDonald said shortly Commonwealth of decommissioning and used in the industry for afterthewomanleftwithher warns Govt. that made suggestions for estimating costs, the children, she was received a decommissioning cost Governments. One of the availability and access to call from the firewoman can easily move from issues highlighted is the comparative data – on the informing her of an accident US-millions to US-billions ‘Scale and uncertainty of g l o b a l s c a l e – f o r and asking her not to panic. in absence of strict decommissioningcosts.’ decommissioning is Thewomansaidthatshewas monitoring policies It was stated that relativelysmall. told that her children were decommissioning cost, like “The United States injured.The woman also has The Commonwealth development cost can vary (onshore and Gulf of a 2-year-old daughter who Secretariat is warning its significantly from project to Mexico) and the North Sea was with her at the time of member countries in the oil project and that it can easily arenotedareaswithahistory theaccident. and gas industry of the amount to billions of US- of decommissioning activity Surveillance footage u n c e r t a i n t y o f dollars to restore the ocean and, as such, tend to be used crashed into motorcycle, children’s accident on seen by this publication decommissioning costs, floor Added to this, is that a s b e n c h m a r k s f o r injuringmotorcyclistMarley Christmas Eve, McDonald showed Mohabir swerving which can result in the price decommissioning costs will estimating costs,” it was Ross and killing his 2-year- has been unable to work as into the path of motorcyclist tagtorestoretheoceanfloor, be of the magnitude of stated. old daughter Jasmin Ross shehastocareforherinjured Ross, pelting him and his easily moving from US- development costs and However, the Secretariat who was the pillion rider on children. Luckily, with child off the motorcycle millionstoUS-billions. subject to a large uncertainty pointed out that while the Dec242022. assistance from her before they landed on the A s a r e s u l t , t h e range.

aforementioned will be

The firewoman, whose neighbours and the road. The car Mohabir was Commonwealth urged The Commonwealth useful, it is important to blood alcohol level was children’s grandmother, she driving appeared to have Governments to ensure they explained that estimating understand the underlying tested following the receivedabitofcushion.But been proceeding at a fast implement policies and decommissioning cost for a assumptions that have been accident, has since been the help she has received so rate. regulations that would particular project requires used to estimate the costs, as charged with Driving under farisnotenough.

Meanwhile, Ross the require oil and gas taking into account several small changes in the the Influence (DUI) and “It is really tough,” she motorcyclist is currently companies giving regular different aspects like: assumptions can lead to very placedon$100,000bail.Her told Kaieteur News noting confined to a wheelchair e s t i m a t e o n making assumptions on large changes in the total alcohol level showed that that she is thankful for the since the accident. His wife decommissioningcosts. cessations of production cost. “Different regulatory she was above the legal limit help she has received thus Jamasie Carmichael told Kaieteur News had ( C o P ) , w h e n requirements will also have when she crashed into the far Kaieteur News that her r e p o r t e d t h a t d e c o m m i s s i o n i n g cost implications. Regional motorcyclist.

McDonald said her husband is unable to work decommissioning is a operations will occur, how differences in weather, sea C o m m a n d e r eldestdaughter“isusingalot since he suffered a broken complex and costly process each aspect of the operations states, water depths and Shivpersaud Bacchus of pampers, she gotta use legandhand. at the end of the economic will be performed (wells, distances from shoreline disclosed that the police is Ensure, apple juice and dem

He underwent surgery life of an individual oil and pipelines, platforms etc ), facilities can also affect awaiting advice for possible kinda thing and I can’t really and had steel placed in his gas project. It involves the and estimating how much decommissioning costs,” it charges. afford it but I am trying my limbs They also have s a f e p l u g g i n g a n d those cost will be in the washighlighted. Mohabir’s DUI charge best to give her because she anotherchildwhois5-years- abandoning of oil wells, future, taking into account

Additionally, the does not sit well with cannoteatnosolidfood…” oldbuthecannotstartschool removal of structures and the escalating estimates Commonwealth Secretariat McDonald who said that The mother of five said because they are not in a r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e owedtoinflation.

listedfiveimplicationsfor because of the firewoman’s the 11-year-old child had financial position to send surroundingareas. Noteworthy,itwasstated

An oil rig in the ocean (Commonwealth Secretariat photo)

Governmentstotakeinto According to the of a coordinated approach in of Demerara to the southern consideration when dealing Ministry, when Parents or the ports has resulted in all boundaryofPlantationKlein with the uncertainty of Guardians are engaged in operators procuring their Pouderoyen on the West decommissioning cost violent acts against own equipment and BankoftheDemeraraRiver. whichcanskyrocket. Teachers, it goes against employing their own Itisimportanttonotethat T h e S e c r e t a r i a t established values, norms labourers. Exxon said the thePortofGeorgetownisthe explained that given the fact and expectations. “We total number of equipment main access port of entry that decommissioning cost cannot beat Teachers and andlabourersissubstantially stretching 16 km inward estimates are uncertain it then ask them to teach our higher than justified by the from the river estuary, with r e q u i r e s r e g u l a r children peaceful conflict total combined cargo an average depth of 4.5 reassessment during the resolution,” the Ministry throughput. This too was metres at low tide. This port production phase by stated. raisedbytheCTPUin2014. handles approximately 90 Governments The body R e f e r e n c i n g t h e percentofcargo. suggested that Governments FRIDAY - JAN 13, 2022 Caribbean Development The Port of Georgetown should understand how Bank’s 2016 study, Exxon also has several independent decommissioning costs are ‘Accelerated oil said that most terminals in pier operators from both calculated and what the development with ad hoc Guyana use concrete pile privately owned and public underlyingassumptionsare. governance, outdated laws structures with wooden corporations The larger

According to the guide, could sink Guyana’s decks for quay (docks or operators include John the assumptions of future shipping, transport wharves) structures. Exxon Fernandes Ltd; Muneshwers events should be supported industry’– Exxon’s study said these quays entail Ltd; Guyana National by sufficient objective substantial maintenance Shipping Corporation Ltd evidence and, “Given its Guyana’s shipping, requirements and limit the (GNSC), Guyana National n a t u r e , d e t a i l e d transport and harbour use of heavy equipment. Industrial Company Inc reforecasting in the first industry is expected to face Additionally, lack of proper (GNIC); Demerara Shipping years of production is likely increased pressure as maintenance may result in Company Ltd; Demerara to yield very little benefit.” ExxonMobil Corporation safetyissues. Sugar Terminals Ltd; and To this end, the Secretariat ramps up activities to Significantly, Exxon Deo’s International highlighted too that it would develop resources in the noted that Guyana’s access Distribution Company Ltd be foolhardy to wait until StabroekBlock. channel depth is often (DIDCO). only a few years before This forewarning was deteriorated. It said, “The Additionally,theGuyana cessation of production to noted in the Environmental key problem of Georgetown Sugar Corporation and look at detailed cost Limited (EEPGL) has been ExxonMobil Guyana Impact Assessment (EIA) Harbouristhelackofregular Caribbean Molasses estimates. taking out money from a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t for Exxon’s fifth project. maintenance dredging. This Company Ltd operate bulk TheCommonwealthalso Guyana’s oil production for decommissioning funds are That development is lack of water depth prohibits handling facilities for sugar urged Governments to decommissioning. not needed until 20 to 30 expected to produce 1 3 larger vessels from entering and molasses, respectively u n d e r s t a n d h o w

Exxon’s affiliate is the years down the line. Be that billionbarrelsofoilfromthe the port, thus severely No operators provide fully decommissioning is being operator of Guyana’s asitmay,thecompanynoted Uarufield. restricting operational dedicatedcontainerhandling treated in oil and gas lucrative Stabroek Block that the provisions of the Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso efficiency and economies of facilities; however, some of companies’ financial which has over 11 billion 2016 Stabroek Block deal Exploration and Production scale.” the operators do handle statements, as this could provenbarrelsofoil. allowforearlyrecovery Guyana Limited (EEPGL) Additionally, Exxon containers Of these prove a helpful basis for Underasigneddeal–the However, the oil giant was keen to note that as pointedoutthattheMaritime container cargo operators, regulators to understand Production Sharing assured nonetheless, that activities increase in the oil Administration Department Demerara Shipping, GNIC, costsonanongoingbasis. Agreement (PSA) – the oil when Guyana needs that sector, the shipping industry (MARAD), part of the GNSC, John Fernandes, and Another key implication giant has been taking out money for clean-up, the will face increased burdens, M i n i s t r y o f P u b l i c Muneshwers constitute the is that Governments should money from the first day of moneywillbehandedover especially when one Infrastructure, acts as the largest parties in terms of havepoliciesandregulations production (2019) to set considersitsinefficienciesin port’s authority MARAD containerthroughput. in place that require aside as a decommissioning Graham’s Hall Teacher the legislative framework was established in 2003 and As for Port of New licensees to estimate fee. It should be noted that assaulted by parent andoverallgovernance. operates under the mandate Amsterdam, it is situated on decommissioning costs and the revenue has to be set …Ministry promises to of the 1997 Merchant the North Coast of the updatethemregularly Itwas aside in a special account, take action to ensure The report notes that Shipping Act. As there is no BerbiceRiver stated too that the licensees held by the Government to educators’ safety there are several bottlenecks c l e a r s t r u c t u r e f o r The Port of Essequibo should also be required to cover these costs when the that have been described overseeing and regulating River is located on the update decommissioning timecomes. In light of the recent over the years by credible the operations, Exxon said Essequibo River, the largest costs when changes to the However, the Stabroek assault of a Teacher at the third-party sources and the individual public/private river in Guyana, often operation of the field are PSA jumps off the precipice Graham’s Hall Primary whichremaintothisday operators have substantial navigable by small ocean likely to materially affect ofinternationalbestpractice, School, the Ministry of Exxon’s study said the autonomy in developing vessels. Together, the New these costs. They also urged and into a bottomless pit of Education said it will be lack of a new Ports Act has theirindependentterminals. Amsterdam and Essequibo Governments to encourage abnormality on this front. taking actions to ensure that delayed the establishment of PORTS ports handle approximately transparency ExxonMobil and its Partners all Teachers continue to NationalandRegionalPorts. There are three key ports 10 percent of Guyana’s Additionally, it was which include Hess work in a safe and secure It said a Port Authority of a of Guyana namely: Port cargo. noted that regulators Corporation and CNOOC environment.

National Port should be Georgetown, Port New working together with the Petroleum Guyana Limited The Ministry in a managed by a Board of Amsterdam, and Port of Fire destroys Christ industry can develop a are able to benefit from a statement on Wednesday Directors nominated partly Essequibo River At these Church Secondary standardised approach and lopsided system that allows stated that with grave by the Central Government ports, containerized cargo – second fire in 8 days, 502 definitions for estimating t h e m t o k e e p concern the physical assault where the concerned port is for import such as foodstuff, students displaced decommissioning costs and decommissioning funds in of Sir Shawn Marshall, a located and if applicable, clothing and textiles, to provide templates to theirpockets. GraduateTeacherattachedto partly by the concerned Port petroleum, heavy-duty

First time lucky, second operators – this could aid in Based on its 2021 the school by a parent of the City, in proportion to the machinery, etc. and exports time not, this is the story of ensuring completeness in financial statements, for school is a reprehensive and shareholdingofeachparty including sugar, rice, theChristChurchSecondary c o s t s e s t i m a t i o n , 2020 and 2021, ExxonMobil g h a s t l y a c t “ I t i s It said the old system of bauxite,rum,etc.aretraded. School located on Middle c o n s i s t e n c y a n d and its partners, Hess unacceptable and will not be representation of interest The Port of Georgetown and Camp Streets that was comparability among Corporation and CNOOC condoned in the least,” the groupsinaportboardshould is situated on the north coast destroyed by a massive fire operators. Group, have recovered a Ministrynoted. be abolished. It also noted of Guyana, along the East onThursdayafternoon. The Commonwealth whopping US$355.7 million In its statement, the t h a t t h i s w a s a Bank of the Demerara River It was only last Secretariat’s guide to for decommissioning costs Education Ministry

recommendation that was The southward boundary of Wednesday that “quick decommissioningcomesata which would be incurred in explained that schools are outlined since 2014 by the the port is a line across the response and diligent work” time when American oil another 18 years for the Liza considered as a safe space Central Transport and Demerara River, which by the Guyana Fire Service giant, ExxonMobil’s PhaseOneProject. and any act of violence is PlanningUnit(CTPU).

stretches from the southern (GFS) reportedly saved the affiliate, Esso Exploration During an engagement d e e m e d t o t a l l y

Further to this, Exxon end of Plantation La schoolfrombeingburnt and Production Guyana with the media last June, unacceptable. noted in its EIAthat the lack Penitence on the East Bank

Injured Teacher, Shawn Marshall

From page 55

jumpers (pipes and pipe down but this week firefighters connections) for the Uaru field could not prevent it. Yesterday’s development which will produce fire reportedly erupted close to 1.3 billion barrels of oil over the 17:00 hrs. Eyewitnesses recalled courseof20years. seeingthicksmokeemanatingfrom

The company said this is the the western end of the building. largestcommercialagreementinits Some small explosions were 15-year history Less than 12 reportedly heard before flames months ago, it said Exxon had wereseen. awardeditasimilarcontractforthe

When Kaieteur News arrived at Yellowtail development, also in the scene, firefighters were already Guyana’sStabroekBlock. there but the entire building was

The Dutch company said the engulfed in flames. The blaze was equipment will be produced at its so intense that onlookers manufacturingfacilityand used for scampered for cover to avoid the water and gas (WAG) injection. It heat. Multiple explosions were said the technology will be heard as the burning wood suppliedtoExxonMobilGuyanain continuedtofallfromthebuilding. a single continuous length along

Firefightersbravedtheheatand with associated pipe handling didtheirbesttocontainthefirebut, equipment. butcouldnotsavetheschool.Upto

Itsaidthisconceptanddelivery press time last evening, firefighters method allows the individual 24were still on the scene containing plusjumperstobecuttothedesired theflamesthatremained. length, terminated, and tested

Minister of Education, Priya onsite in Guyana. In this way, the Manickchand was present at the company said the concept provides scene. She told Kaieteur News that maximum flexibility to the endthe fire has displaced some 502 user The jumpers made of carbon students who were attending fibre and PA12 polymer, will also classes there. “The loss of this beinstalledindeepwater,atdepths school will see 502 children, 39 over1,700moperatingintheregion teachers not having a place to turn of10,000psi. up to educate and be educated”,

Strohm’s in-country specialist Manickchand said while adding field service technicians will on Wednesday announced that the of payment, and at the point of Architecture for REDD+ “any school destroyed is really a mobilise to Guyana as the jumper initialpaymenthasbeenreceived. transfer into the Consolidated Transactions announced the sadfateforeducationgenerally,for termination campaigns are called “US$75 million has been paid, Fund, when the payment value in issuance of 33.47 million TREES those children in particular and off over the duration of the and is the first payment in an Guyana Dollars will also be credit to Guyana for the five-year theirfamilies”. deployment programme, spanning agreement that will be worth a communicated.” period from 2016 to 2020. The

It is unclear at this time as to pre and post first oil from the minimum of US$750 million up to A deposit of 15 percent will be Architecture for REDD+ what might have ignited the development. 2030. Two further payments of allocated to community or village- Transactions (ART) is a global massive blaze. However, eight

In the absence of the relevant US$37.5millioneachwillbemade led programmes for Indigenous initiative that seeks to incentivize days ago when the first fire erupted approvals, Exxon made two other during 2023 – one in January and Peoples and Local Communities the reducing of emissions from there, it was reported that it started awards last year for the Uaru one in July – bringing the total (IPLCs) as set out in Village deforestation and forest in the school’s science laboratory Project Kaieteur News had amount available for appropriation Sustainability Plans or equivalent, degradation (REDD), as well as The school was closed to facilitate reported that Mitsui Ocean in this year’s National Budget to put together by communities restore forests and protect intact an investigation and was only Development & Engineering US$150million,”Jagdeosaid. themselves while the remaining 85 forests. reopenedforclasseslastMonday Company (MODEC) which is The payments this year would percentwillbeallocatedtonational On December 2, 2022, the TheGFShasconfirmedthatthe based in Japan signed a contract to amount to GYD$30 billion. Last priorities outlined in the LCDS Government of Guyana entered science lab fire last week was perform Front End Engineering year’s Budget was approved to the 2030. These include renewable into an agreement with the Hess caused by a “chemical reaction and Design (FEED) for a Floating tune of $552.9 billion and was energy, land titling, repairing Corporation for the sale of carbon combustion” Kaieteur News Production, Storage and hailed the largest one to date. It canals, and protecting against credits for a minimum of US$750 understands that the highly Offloading vessel (FPSO) for the featured revenue from the Natural climate change as outlined in million. flammable chemicals were “Uaru” development project Resource Fund (NRF) or oil Chapter Three, Four and Five Based on the agreement with removed from the building last French multi-national Vallourec account,forthefirsttime. respectively of the LCDS Hess Corporation, it will be paying week “Everything [chemicals] also secured a third major order in The revenue from the first document. US$15pertonnebetween2016and was cleared from the building,” a the framework of the Long-Term carbon credits sale have been In keeping with the established 2020 Meanwhile, during the source close to the investigation Agreement (LTA) signed in 2021 deposited in a US dollar- budgetaryprocessenshrinedinlaw, period 2021 to 2025, Guyana will toldthispublication. with ExxonMobil Guyana. Under denominated account held by the the Minister of Finance shall be earning US$20 per tonne which

Investigators are now trying to the contract, Vallourec will deliver Bank of Guyana overseas, for request the National Assembly to is expected to rake in another determine the cause of Thursday’s line-pipe for ExxonMobil

onward transmission to the approve withdrawals from the US$250M for the country For the fire which has displaced hundreds Guyana’sdeep-waterUaruproject.

Consolidated Fund, which will be Consolidated Fund, which shall be period 2025 to 2030 Hess will pay ofstudents. Importantly, the Uaru Project is credited with the Guyana dollar included in the Annual Budget US$25 per tonne amounting to expected to cost Guyana over equivalent. Proposal. US$312M, bringing the total to

SATURDAY- JAN 14, 2023 GY$2.6 Trillion (US$12B). The

According to Government, the The transactions will be US$750Moverthe10yearperiod.

Environmental Impact Assessment National Assembly, including its appropriately tagged with a unique Govt. snatches first carbon (EIA) states that the Uaru Committees, will have oversight of identifier on the Integrated

Exxon signs another credit payment to prop up Development Project will develop the investment of all national F i n a n c i a l M a n a g e m e n t contract for unapproved Budget 2023 the Uaru, Mako and Snoek oil-rich revenues received from forest Information System (IFMIS) US$12.6B 5th project fields with the potential to develop climate markets and managed via within the Ministry of Finance to TheGovernmentofGuyanahas other resources within the Licence the Consolidated Fund through the enable the execution of annual ExxonMobil Corporation’s collected its first payment of area. budgetary process, in keeping with audits. subsidiary, Esso Exploration and US$75 million for the sale of its

A preliminary schedule the commitments made in the Low The carbon credits received by Production Guyana Limited carbon credit to Hess Corporation. anticipates that FPSO and other Carbon Development Strategy Guyana are as a result of the (EEPGL), has handed out yet With two more payments of fabrication and installation works (LCDS) 2030 and Resolution No. country’s continued recognition of another contract for its fifth project US$37.5millioneachexpectedthis will begin in 2024 following the 45, adopted by the National the important role that Guyana’s in the absence of regulatory year, the Government has said the completion of engineering and will AssemblyonAugust8,2022. forests play not only the approvals. sumofUS$150millionisavailable take approximately three years. The administration also development of the country, but in Strohm B V which is foruseinthe2023Budget. Development well drilling may assured, “Every payment and combatting climate change headquartered in the Netherlands Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo alsooccurduringthisperiod. payment source will be globally revealedthisweekthatitreceiveda inastatementonhisFacebookpage (Continued on page 57) communicatedpubliclyatthepoint On December 1, 2022, the contract from Exxon to supply 24

A section of Guyana’s forest (Photo by Guyana Forestry Commission)

CANU destroys 596 kgs of narcotics

The Customs AntiNarcoticsUnit’s(CANU)on Saturday destroyed 140 6 kilogrammes(kgs)ofseized cocaine and 454.7 kgs of seized marijuana The destroyed narcotics, totaling 596kgs, are from cases that have been concluded in the Magistrates’Court.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and CANU Head,JamesSinghobserved thedestructionattheformer Housing Ministry’s tarmac on Homestretch Avenue earlySaturday Minister Benn, while engagingwithranks,assured that government will continue to support the agency as they work to prevent Guyana from being used as a transshipment pointfordrugtrafficking.

“Our President, Irfaan Alihascommittedwithusto bring more resources and more support in respect of thisfightbutthereissomuch we can do even at this point intime…Wehavetorelyon our development partners to step in with this fight and also to work with us in the communities and the particular persons in our communities who need rehabilitation in respect of drug use but the destruction in the communities has to stop,”hestated.

The Home Affairs Minister commended the leadership of CANU for the valiant efforts in the fight against drug trafficking and

implored the Unit to continueinthisdirection.

“I want to thank Mr Singh(JamesSingh)andhis team for the continuing efforts,fortheincreaseinthe number of captures, in reductions in respect of cocaine particularly marijuana on the Canje and Berbice Rivers, Region Ten and some other places. This work has to continue,” the Department of Public Information (DPI) reported MinisterBennassaying.

Meanwhile,theCANU’s Head, James Singh said the Unit achieved several milestones in the seizure of narcoticsin2o22.

“We want to send a strong message that the government is serious about fighting narcotics within Guyana and also Guyana will not be used as a transshipment point for narcotics to other territories.”

Singh, however, noted that it is disturbing that it

takes months for a person found with narcotics to be prosecuted.

“While I do not want to criticisethejudiciary,Iguess there’s a backlog but it doesn’thelpwhenyouarrest someone today and they’re placedonbailandtheircases are being called until four, five months after It’s been seen as not mocking us but hereitiswehaveseizedyou with the drugs, we have seized the drugs, we have arrested you, we have put youbeforethecourtonlyfor youtobeplacedonbail.It’sa bit disheartening at times”, henoted.

The street value for the destroyednarcoticsvariesas they were seized at ports of entry to countries like the UnitedStatesandtheUnited Kingdom.

In 2022, 3.7 tonnes of marijuana and over 124 kgs of cocaine were seized from various ports of entry and through operations conductedbyCANU.

Customer’s $15M mortgage

paid off in full by Republic Bank after winning competition

Frompage56

Production operations are expected to begin in 2027 andwillcontinueforatleast 20years.

With respect to the F P S O , E E P G L ’ s

Environmental Impact Assessment states that oil production will average at 250,000 barrels of oil per day It was keen to note that peak rates may be higher during the lifetime of the project, depending on multiple factors such as reservoir pressure, number of wells, equipment reliabilityetc.

It states at page 146, “Currently, the FPSO basic design has an upper production limit of 263,000 BPD (42,080 m3) peak oil production rate For the purposes of the EIA, production up to 300,000 bpd is considered to assess potential impacts from the project and cover potential production optimization

after facility start up. If during the detailed design stage or during production operations an opportunity to expandtheupperproduction limit arises, the project will documenttheevaluationand justification and an updated upper production limit will beavailable.”

Itwasalsonotedthatthe project will be producing 540 million standard cubic feet of gas per day I m p o r t a n t l y , telecommunications equipment will also be installed on the FPSO to enable safe operation of the facilities in normal and emergency conditions Kaieteur News understands that this equipment will allow communication with the offices, shore bases, support vessels, helicopters, and tankers, as well as communication within the FPSO. EEPGL had previously installed the Fibre Optic Cable Project,

which provides the fibre optic communication infrastructure from the Stabroek Block to shore, enabling high-speed, lowlatencycommunicationsand data transfer between EEPGL’sFPSOsandshore.

The Fibre Optic Cable Project included installation of two optical distribution units (ODUs), two main fibre optic trunk lines to shore, and fibre optic cables routed from the Destiny, Unity,Prosperity, and One GuyanaFPSOstotheODUs. EEPGLplanstoconnectthis Project’s FPSO into the existing fibre optic infrastructure back to shore, which will consist of two fibre optic cables connected from a Uaru subsea drill centre back to the existing two ODUs. From the Uaru subsea drill centre, the fibre optic cable will connect to theUaruFPSOviaoneofthe dynamic umbilicals, which willcontainfibrestrands.

RepublicBank(Guyana) Limited on Friday announcedthatSianJames,a customer of the Bank’s CampStreetBranchwonthe grand prize from its LowCost Mortgage Campaign 2022 and will have his mortgage valued at $15M fully repaid by the financial institution. Other winners are Dwayne Gibson, also a client of Camp Street Branch, who won the second-place prize of a Samsung stainless steel refrigerator while Andelle Pierre, client from Diamond Branch, won the third-place

prizeofaSamsungstainless steelstove.

The Bank’s Executives presented the prizes on January12,2023attheHead Office.

The recently concluded promotion targeted all firsttime homeowners, that is, persons who’ve never owned a home and were seeking financing for purchase or construction up to a maximum value of $15M, the Bank said while noting that the promotion features included 95 percent financing for all borrowers, and in some cases even full

financing, plus a chance to winprizes.

“This category of mortgageswhichisthelowcost maximum attracts very low rates due to our longstanding partnership with the Government of Guyana to realize the national goal of affordable housing for all Guyanese,” Republic Bank said in a statement to the media adding, “We remain committed to providing financial solutions and helpingourfellowGuyanese make homeownership

CANU, MoE to continue fight against drugs use in schools – Singh

The Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE) will continue to tackle the use of illegal drugs/narcotics in schools across the country in 2023, Head of CANU, James SinghsaidSaturday

“Since last year, we beganaprogrammewiththe Ministry of Education to sensitise both teachers and students in the various schools…I am happy to say that we have a programme thatcontinuesintothisyear,” S i n g h r e l a y e d . The CANU head said the agency aims to roll out this programme in every school acrossGuyana. “Thereisno specificschool,theaimisto cover all the schools in the various communities but we want to do it with the MinistryofEducation,soit’s a collaborative effort,” he

explained. In 2022, CANU worked with the Education Ministry to address the use of narcotics in the various schools and this has proven effective.

“I think based on the feedback from the teachers, from the Ministry of Education it’s now making

persons a lot more aware …And so far, just from the feedback from the teachers at the various schools, they’re happy about it and they’re asking us to engage onaregularbasisnotjuston a monthly but to have a constant visit,” Singh revealed.

dreamsareality.”

(L-R) Managing Director, Stephen Grell, Manager - Marketing & Communications, Mrs. Jonelle Dummett, Prize Winners – Mr. Dwayne Gibson, Mr. & Mrs. Sian James and Mr.Andelle Pierre, General Manager – Operations, Denise Hobbs and General Manager Credit (ag.) – Sasenarain Jagnanan. (Photo courtesy of Republic Bank)

Head of CANU, James Singh

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Self-taught proprietress of Vidya’s Cakes leads the way...

From page 48 hand, could take up to three or more hours to complete.

This is one of the main reasons customers are required to place their orders two weeks in advance.

With orders placed early, Basant said it gives her enough time to get all her tools and ingredients together, to create her masterpieces especially since everything is edible.

“Sometimes you will have the negative expectation that it won’t look good.

When I started at first, it was frustrating, because I was not getting it right. My second topper was Elsa, and in my opinion, it was not good.

However, my brother believed in me. He told me one day I will get better and it happened. You just have to believe in yourself and never give up, if you fail a million times, you just have to get up…”

opened their doors to a variety of items, almost all of her ingredients can be accessed quite easily.

“Now you can go to the stores and get stuff before that if I didn’t have somebody to send it from overseas, I don’t get it. We do have a shortage for some items because of COVID, but it’s still easier now…”

Vidya’s cakes offers cakes in a variety of flavours which include: chocolate, almond, lemon, vanilla, funfetti, red velvet, black cake, and fruit cake. She also makes cute cupcakes that are filled with personality and flair. She also bakes attractive and delicious cookies.

Her prices range from $7000-$85,000 depending on the size and design of the cake.

ENTERTAINMENT

Swimming pool, family fun, crystal clear pool, kids and adults sections at Aracari Resort, Call: 264-2946-9.

Expirenced Barber, Hair stylist, Colourist, Nail technacian and Domestic Helper required. Call: 6495005/ 226-6705.

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Giving flowers to other bakers, Basant said she thinks there are a lot of really good bakers out there, but what sets her apart is the fact that she tries to make every part of her cake edible.

“I would do anything for every single one of my cakes to be edible.

And if it’s not edible, if I have to put a piece of paper on the cake or touch the cake, I would put fondant first…I always advise my customer of what I put in my cakes if I put a piece of stick to hold up something, I tell them.

Basant has done cakes for birthdays, weddings, parties, and other special occasions, and does not disappoint, since the customers always give positive feedback and return for more of her delightful treats. She has also baked cakes and sent them overseas for customers living outside of Guyana.

She usually does 4-5 cakes a week, so she gets quite busy and engrossed in her craft.

For persons interested in trying some of her delectable cakes or having a view of more of her designs, her Facebook page is Cakes by Vidya. She can also be contacted on (+592)686-9364 to place orders.

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I always say to customers, I can’t copy a cake, because some people may do it differently from me and it doesn’t look the same; but I always try my best to make it look as close as possible.

There is always something different about my cakes and I’m always eager to satisfy my customers…”

Basant noted that she takes criticism as something to learn from.

This in essence has helped her to improve along the way and it has garnered a wider customer base.

When it comes to creating her masterpieces, Basant noted that when she started out, acquiring the proper ingredients and tools was difficult, since they were not readily available.

She would have to get the items from overseas.

As the years went by, and more shops and stores

ACCOMMODATIONS

From page 12 scars on their faces as a result of assault perpetuated by parents.

Further, McDonald is advocating for more campaigns against violence in schools and against teachers.

Kaieteur News had reported that on Wednesday and Thursday two teachers, one from the Graham’s Hall Primary and another from St. Angela’s Primary, were beaten by parents in the schools.

In light of the recent events, the Ministry in a statement had indicated that it will take all appropriate actions to en sure teachers work in a safe and secured environment.

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Such actions, the Ministry mentioned, includes prohibiting violent parents or guardians from having access to the school premises, transferring any learner out of a school whose parents commit acts of violence on teachers or any other sanctions that are deemed necessary, while encouraging the police or any other institution or authorities to take whatever action the law prescribes.

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Atlantic Edge Insurance Brokerage opens office in David Street

“Educatingpeopleonthe importance of insurance” is oneofthemainobjectivesof Atlantic Edge Insurance Brokerage Inc, a locallyowned company that officially opened its doors forbusinessonFriday

The company is located at 85 David Street, Surbryanville,Georgetown.

Sharon Ramrattan, one of the company’s three directors, disclosed that the company’s main aim is to educate persons about the importance of obtaining insurance.

“For example”, she continued, “You have a

home and then something happens and you don’t have coverage then what will happen there? So it is important that you put aside money,getthecoverageyou need so that you can have enough security should something happen to your home,”shesaid.

The establishment of Atlantic Edge in Guyana also aims at guiding and assisting customers in securinginsurancepackages that best suits their needs whether health, life home, vehicular insurance and muchmore.

“Once the product

(insurance) is available locally,” Ramrattan said, “Wewillsellit”.

Atlantic Edge caters for all including businesses and even working individuals who might want under coverageinsuranceandcan’t gettimeofffromtheirjobsto getone.

To a s s i s t s u c h individuals, the company is licensed to operate on weekends and even after hours on week-days to ensure that persons are insured.

“We can open on Saturdays… we can open later in the evening…so just

A Triumph woman was on Friday fined $10,000 for having seven grams of ganja in herpossession.

The woman identified as Chrisann Duggan, 29, appeared at the Sparendaam MagistratebeforeMagistrateAlishaGeorge, where she was charged with the illegal possessionofnarcotics.

Dugganpleadedguiltytotheoffenceand was fined $10,000. She escaped jail time because she had less than 30 grams of ganja inherpossession.

The recently amended Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act mandates that persons caught with less than 15 grams of weedwillbesentencedtocounselingandpay afine.

Persons found with 15 to 30 grams will besentencedtocommunityservice.

Duggan was busted with only seven grams and most likely was sentenced to counseling along with paying the $10,000 fine.

TheTriumphwomanwasbustedwiththe drugs on Wednesday last after police ranks conducted a raid at a shop and a nearby propertyinOgleStreet,Triumph,EastCoast Demerara(ECD).

Apart from the weed found in the shop, copsfoundover417roundsofammunitionin anearbybuilding.

According to statement by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the ranks found the bulletsstashedinayellowsockinsideofthe

kitchen.

“Inside the sock were 417 suspected .22 roundsofammunitionandonesuspected12gauge cartridge’, police stated in a press release.

Policesaidthatduringasearchconducted inthekitchen,morebullets–four.32bullets and one 9mm ammunition – were found insidearedandblackbox.

Noonewaschargedforthebulletsasyet.

give me a call on 613 0475 andwewilldoit”,Ramrattan said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairsAnil Nandlall, SC and President of the Georgetown Chamber and Commerce Industry

Youth

TimothyTuckerattendedthe simpleopeningceremony

Nandlallinbriefremarks congratulated Ramrattan and two other directors, SimoneMonsantoandBrian Jermyn for the launch of theirbusiness.

The Attorney General

said that the business was established at a critical time when there are many lucrative opportunities available. He advised the directors to take full advantageofthemarketand pledged government’s full support.

A 22-year-old man died early Saturday morning after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a parked minibus along the FoulisAccess Road, East CoastDemerara(ECD).

Dead is Jevon Chappell of Section ‘D’ NonPariel,ECD.

According to police, Chappell met his demisearound05:00hrs.

Investigators reported that Chappell was speeding west along the southern end of the roadandwasnegotiatingaturnwhenhelost control of the motorcycle and crashed into

theparkedminibus.Asaresultoftheimpact, Chappellwastossedthroughthedriver’sside oftheminibusshatteringthewindow

The lower part of his body was visible fromtheoutsideoftheminibus

He was hanging through the window forsometimebeforehewastransportedto the Georgetown Public Hospital

Corporation

PolicesaidthatranksatEnmorePolice Station received a call at about 05:55h from an “unknown caller” reporting the incidentandChappell’scondition.

(GPHC) where he was pronounceddeadonarrival.

Dead - Jevon Chappell

AShot Inside of the company’s office.

Attorney General,Anil Nandlall (extreme right) posing for a photo with the company’s three directors, Simone Monsanto, Sharon Ramrattan and Brian Jermyn (extreme left). Fined for seven-gram ganja possession, Chrisann Duggan.

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

Since serious crimes are Guyana's oil and how Will the President denounce sharplydown bankrupteditis. him as a naysayer, an How do those two machine AmajorspillandGuyana unbeliever,rumormonger? gunsinabagcount? isindeeptrouble.

SATURDAY – January WEDNESDAY No insurance coverage, 14, 2023 nomoney,andnooilpartner H i d i n g b e h i n d –January11,2023

Exxon would be long Facebook

Loopholesinthelaw gone, should a big spill Mr. President, this is not Need some convenient

SUNDAY MONDAY Exxon can deal with happen.Guyanawouldbeon adonkeycarteconomy loopholesinthelaw,givethe – January 8, 2023 – January 9, 2023 Guyana fairly and still make its own, having only itself to Mr. President, Guyana is jobtothePPP EPA delivers another “Uncle Joe, gimme mo billions. blame. an oil rich economy, and A loophole to steal with rabbit,triesanothertrick letwego”

President Biden: what could

FRIDAY – January 13, among the fastest growing impunity,seethePPP TheEPAoutdiditselfthis US President, Joe Biden bemoreAmericanthanthat? 2023 ones

Loopholes and zero time. candoGuyanaafavour, TUESDAY Alilfinehustle Mr President, going penalties, check the box

To come with a non- President Biden can - January 10, 2023

The man caught with behind the blanket of marked'PPP' existent Environmental apply some pressure on Abagofguns ganjasaidthetimeshard. Facebook is not the way to Helpful loopholes, and total Impact Assessment takes ExxonMobil.

Imagine that-A man

If that man smoking, he deliver fact, figures, and immunity, this is how the guts What the American oil walking in broad daylight hasitright. truths Mr President, isn't it PPPrunningthiscountry!

To try to use the study superpower has done to withabagofguns

Times hard, and the only time that the nation be given THURSDAY – January done for the Gas-To-Shore GuyanamakesAmericalook The Police say serious people having it good are its due and the respect it 12, 2023 for the power plant is slick bad;It is like those same crimes down, but there is a PPPtopdogsandbigfish. deserves?

Trinidad and the andsick human rights violations that man with two machine guns

A lil fine hustle is how Mr President, isn't time Caribbean, beware What's wrong with America has prioritized inabag Guyanese try to combat hard that the courage and Guyana demanding an EIA for the globally

Guns loaded with live times This citizen, like transparency be found to The world talking about powerplant?

PresidentBidenmusttell ammunition many others, is hurting, holdpressconferences? Guyanaanditsoilriches. Do Guyanese lives not ExxonMobil it is giving Guns that can take out a crying, doing anything to R e a l o n e s , M r If we are not careful, the matter? Americaabadname… lotofcitizens cope! President? world will talk about

Guyana not threatened by Chinese investment...

From page 3 Additionally,debtrepayment Cheddi

Bank, projects, have since been country's only international burdensome risks involved to the China Exim Bank had Airport,Timehri.

out that while finding themselves in a airport for a nation with a withtheproject. accounted for 82 percent of The airport expansion infrastructuredevelopmentis predicament where they population of some 46 Theseincludethoserelatedto debt repayments to bilateral contract was signed in 2011 key to a country's progress, it would end up having to million people and a political force majeure, creditors. In the first three under then President, Bharrat is equally important for the forfeit state assets and in US$37.4Beconomy payments risks in the event months of the year, Jagdeo, and was passed countrytomanageitsdebts. somecases,sovereignland. Kaieteur News has that electricity sold is not US$10.6M alone was paid to through the truncated More importantly, he This is as a result of the highlighted how China has sufficient to meet the Power the Chinese lending presidency of Donald pointed to the importance of terms and conditions been targeting weak and/or Purchase Agreement (PPA) institution, up by 1.4 percent. Ramotar feasibility studies being attached to these loans, corrupt governments to sign demands, and hydrology The increase, according to However, when the conducted to ensure the including the exclusion of onto its initiative, signing whereGuyanastandstherisk the Central Bank, was as a D a v i d G r a n g e r viability of huge planned specific international away exorbitant loans for associated with the result of higher principal administration took over in projects. arbitration bodies such as the mega-infrastructural likelihood of there being repayments during the 2015, it said that the very It was reported that ParisClub. projects. insufficient water supply, reviewperiod. defective plan needed China ranks among the top The latest victim at the In 2018 alone, China meaning if the Amaila Falls At that time, Guyana's adjustments and changes three richest countries in the time, Uganda, was unable to acquired over 20 deep-water runsdry,amongotherrisks. total stock of public debt, weremade. world, with available pay its debt to China for a harbours and airports from

The project was again which comprises both The decade-old project liquidity being doled out in US$207M loan from the several countries around the shelved mid last year, after external and domestic debt was awarded to China the form of loans to the tune Chinese Exim Bank it world. the contractor reportedly stoodatUS$3.248billion. Harbour Engineering oftrillions.

contractedbackinNovember The country was able to developedfinancingissues. China Exim Bank was a Company (CHEC) for the The country has been on 2015. do so by lending those

On December 30, 2022 major contributor to a loan sum of US$150M - $138M an aggressive campaign

The loan had a maturity countriesmassiveamountsof the Government of Guyana Guyana had taken to from the China Exim Bank p u r s u i n g a g l o b a l periodof20yearsincludinga money, which they would be entered into a new contract modernisetheSkeldonSugar and $12M from the infrastructure agenda under seven-year grace period unable to repay within the withtheChinaExportImport Factory This plant was to consolidated fund – the rubric of the Belt and According to International stipulatedperiod. (EXIM) Bank for the boost the sugar production taxpayers'money RoadInitiative. reports, the country was The country is accused of US$172 million loan to help figures of the industry; to E v e n t h o u g h t h e Lauded when first forced to sign an agreement leveraging these massive build the new Demerara essentially rescue the sugar modernisation project has announcedjustoveradecade tovirtuallysurrenderthenew loans it holds over small Rivercrossing. sector from its ailing state. beencompleted,accordingto ago, several countries that airport to the Chinese states worldwide to snatch

In a statement to the Instead, it turned out to be a the subject Minister Juan latchedontomillionsinloans lenders. assets and increase its press,theMinistryofFinance contributing factor to the Edghill, works will continue for large-scale infrastructural That airport serves as the militaryfootprint. a n n o u n c e d t h a t t h e poorhealthoftheindustry attheairport. Government completed the In 2017, this newspaper Guyanacautioned electronic signing of the loan reported that the Ministry of With the myriad of multitothetuneof160.8MEuros. Finance contracted two loans million dollar projects slated Guyana has been for the Skeldon project to shortly come on stream, a borrowing majority of its These were from the Export former diplomat, Professor bilateral loans from the Import Bank of China, the Dr Shamir Ally has warned People's Republic of China. repayment period for which that Guyana's failure to pay Lastyear,itwasreportedthat ends in 2025 and the back on loans borrowed to thebulkofthecountry'sloans Caribbean Development facilitate these projects can were owed to the China Bank, the repayment period land the country in a severe EXIMBank. forwhichendsin2033. debt crisis, similar to the

The Governor of the Onthetwoloans,thetotal prevailing situation in Sri Bank of Guyana (BoG), Dr. amount that the Government Lanka. Gobind Ganga in an is paying (principal and In a letter to this interview with this interest) is US$3.8M per publication, Prof. Ally, who publication had said the year. formerly served as Guyana's China Exim Bank accounts Another project that was second Ambassador to for 39.5 percent of the completed and funded by Kuwait and Guyana's First country's total external debt. loans from China is the Alternate Governor at the

Jagan International Islamic Development

pointed

Nadal says he is ‘vulnerable’ but ready to face Jack Draper in Melbourne

(BBC Sport) - Top seed

Rafael Nadal says he is vulnerable to losing against rising British star Jack Draper in the Australian Open first round.

Spain’s Nadal, the defending men’s champion, has lost six of his past seven matches, a run stretching back to last year’s US Open.

Draper, 21, has emerged as one of the tour’s hottest prospects and reached the Adelaide semi-finals this week.

“He is one of the toughest first-round opponents possible,” said Nadal, 36.

“He is young, powerful,

growing very fast and playing well.”

Asked if he felt vulnerable going into Monday’s opening match, he added: “Yes, without a doubt. I have been losing more than usual, so that’s part of the business.”

Nadal won the Australian Open title last year, a few months after facing concerns that a foot injury might force him to retire.

Another major victory followed at the French Openthe tournament he has won 14 times - taking him to 22 Grand Slam titles and clear of long-time rivals Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

The Mallorcan lefthander played through Roland Garros with chronic foot pain and then withdrew from his Wimbledon semi-final against Nick Kyrgios with a torn abdominal muscle.

While he returned to play the US Open and reached the fourth round, Nadal has struggled to pick up many victories since.

The world number two, who is the top seed in Melbourne after Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz withdrew injured, has started the 2023 season with defeats by British number one Cameron Norrie and Australia’s Alex de

Sunday January 15, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

People are apt to try to hit you square on the head with their ideas and thoughts today, Aries, so be ready for the onslaught of information that may come your way. There's a distinct advantage.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Anchor yourself in practical matters before you try to prove your point to others. There's a great deal of primal energy rising within you today and searching for some sort of outlet.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Don't take no for an answer today, Gemini. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There's a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Be a pioneer thinker today, Cancer. There's a noble courage in your thoughts, so don't let this quality go to waste. You will be surprised at how cutting edge you can be when you put your mind to it.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will, Leo. Let others know that you won't be a pushover. Your opinions are extremely important,

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Today may be one of those days in which you come to a four-way stop and no one knows whose turn it is. Don't sit and wait for everyone else to go first, Virgo.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

People would be foolish to challenge your thinking now, Libra. The power behind your words is volatile, and you may find yourself going to extremes in order to get your point across.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your old ways of thinking have carried you quite far, Scorpio, but you may now find that it's time to seek a new platform for your ideas. Look for more adventurous ways to express yourself.

. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

One quick phone call to a friend may turn into a long discussion about the meaning of life, Sagittarius. Be conscious of the fact that there's a great deal of momentum building in your mind now.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

It could be that you feel a bit of pressure today to start or create something that you aren't quite ready for, Capricorn. There is hesitation on your part that indicates you should take it slowly .

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Move forward with your plan of attack today, Aquarius. There's an anxious rumble within you that's urging you to get going with a current plan. You have all the facts you need,

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Add spark to your life today, Pisces. It could be that things are getting stale and boring. If so, consider the possibility that you simply aren't challenging yourself.

Minaur at the United Cup.

“I need to build again all this momentum. I need to build again this confidence with myself with victories,” said Nadal.

Draper earned one of the biggest wins of his career by beating Canadian sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the US Open last year

“By the way, I didn’t play that bad in the first two matches the year. I lost against two great opponents, but having very positive chances to win both matches.

“I feel ready, honestly. The only thing that didn’t happen for me is victories.”

Draper is making his Australian Open debut, having climbed from outside the world’s top 250 into the top 40 in the past year.

The left-hander, who earned victories over top-10 opponents Stefanos Tsitsipas and Felix AugerAliassime in August, says he has the belief he can cause a shock against his idol Nadal.

“I want to go out there and fight hard for every ball and I honestly believe that my tennis is good enough to beat a lot of guys; I feel confident,” he said.

“I sometimes have to remind myself that I’ve only been on tour for six months now. So I’m still gaining a lot of experience but I can feel confident in my tennis.”

From page 63 clubs and Academy Training Centers (ATC) going head to head for top honours while member associations of the GFF have been funded to run inter-association football tournaments.

On January 7th, the EBFA kicked off their inter-association tournament with two matches at the NTC. Diamond United edged Agricola Red triangle 4-3 while Timehri A team defeated Herstelling Raiders 8-0.

From page 63 support from The Muse Bar, Brother’s Security, Mackeson, Hennessy, MVP Sports, Trophy Stall, Hits and Jams Entertainment, E-Net, Jacob’s Jewellery, FireSide Grill, Team Mohamed’s, Star Party Rentals, Shi-Oil, Slingerz Entertainment, Government of Guyana and other notable entities.

TigerRentalsunder-13footballtournament...

West Berbice, Upper Demerara claim comfortable victories

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Center (NTC) at

Providence was a hive of activity yesterday afternoon withfourthrillingmatchesin

match day two of the Tiger R e n t a l s u n d e r - 1 3 development football

tournament Registering victories were East Bank Football Association (EBFA), West Berbice ATC andUpperDemerara.

Theday’splaykickedoff justbefore11:00hrswithtwo simultaneousmatches.Inthe first game, EBFA defeated Bartica 2-0 while West Berbiceproved too good for West Demerara with a similar 2-0 victory Twelveyear-old Nicholoi Archer and Clifton Sampson accounted for East Bank goals with one each, while Quivion Julius of Rosignol Secondary scored the first forWestBerbicewithLeron Grosvenor getting the second.

In the other matches

yesterday, East Coast were held to a 1-1 draw by GeorgetownATCafterbeing up 1-0 thanks to Mark Glasgow but Darius Chester found the back of the net to ensure Georgetown walked awaywithapoint.

Meanwhile, Upper Demerara defeated East

T h i s i n a u g u r a l tournament is sponsored by Tiger Rentals that has plugged in over $10m. The tournamentwillfeature (Continuedonpage62)

Berbice3-0inthefourthand finalgame.DevonStuartgot two goals while Darius Chesterscoredtheother

EBFAgoal scorers NicholiArcher (left) and Clifton Sampson

GABF elections set for January 29

ByRawleToney

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF)willhostitsAnnual General Meeting and Elections on Sunday, January 29 at the Guyana Olympic Association headquartersatLililendaal.

According to official correspondence from the GABF, their eight affiliates, beforemovingtoelectanew body, will first hear remarks from president Michael SinghandGeneralSecretary PatrickHaynes.

The GABF also invited representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Guyana Olympic Association(GOA).

Singh will give his report, while the delegation will hear Treasurer Gavin Singh’s report on the GABF’s finances over the lastfouryears.

Meanwhile,sourcestold

Kaieteur News that Singh is tipped to return to the helm of the GABF, with some potentialchangesintheother areas on the GABF’s ExecutiveCommittee.

U n d e r S i n g h ’ s leadership, Guyana has featured at various International tournaments under FIBA while making appearances at the Caribbean and Islamic Games.

Guyana also played back-to-back at the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup tournaments inMiami.

However, the GABF’s localcalendarwashampered bytheCOVID-19Pandemic and while there has been some movement, at the subassociation level, the game hasbeenstagnant.

Mayers, Paul inspire Super Giants run chase

(CMC)–WestIndiesallrounders Kyle

and Keemo Paul struck cameos at opposite ends of the innings to seal a tricky run chase for Durban Super Giants in a five-wicket win over MI Cape Town here Friday In pursuit of 153 for victory at Newlands, Super Giantsgotoverthelinewith 21 balls to spare, the lefthanded Mayers top-scoring with 34 from 23 balls at the topoftheorder

When three wickets tumbled for 12 runs in the spaceof13ballstoleavethe inningsstumblingon130for fivemidwayduringthe15th over, Paul arrived to smack three sixes in an eight-ball

unbeaten20,posting24inan unbroken sixth wicket stand

(11notout).

Earlier, Mayers and Holder finished with a wicket apiece as the hosts gathered 152 for eight from their 20 overs after being sent in. Grant Roelofsen, a 26-year-old South African right-hander, top-scored with 52 from 44 balls with four fours and a six while GeorgeLindelashed33from 25 balls and Delano Potgieter, a dashing 11-ball 25 at number nine. In reply, Mayers provided a flying starttotheinningsforSuper Giants, belting four fours and two sixes first in a 35-

run, first wicket stand with Quinton de Kock (11) and then in a 27-run, second wicket partnership with WiaanMulderwhopunched 30from26deliveries.

Heinrich Klaasen chipped in with 36 from 22 deliveriestoinspirea56-run, third wicket stand with Mulder before Paul erased any doubt over the result withhislustyhittingtowards theend.

At Boland Park in Paarl, West Indies pacers Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherdhadlittleimpactas their Joburg Super Kings failedtodefendapaltry81in a seven-wicket loss to Paarl Royals.

Mayers

with West Indies teammate JasonHolder

Keemo Paul (Gallo Images)

GABF president Michael Singh

GBA bestows ‘Boxer of Year’ award to ‘Dynamite’ Amsterdam

Desmond ‘Dynamite’ Amsterdam’s remarkable campaignin2022hasearned the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) standout boxer the G u y a n a B o x i n g Association’s (GBA) most prestigious honour, the ‘BoxerofYear’award.

Amsterdamwasselected asthe2022BoxeroftheYear by the local governing authority following a thoroughprocess,whichsaw coaches and members of the executiveanalyzingthelocal and international exploits of therespectivehopefuls.

The soft-spoken but hard-hitting Sergeant Amsterdam during a brief comment, said, “It’s a very happymoment,andIfeelso proud of myself to be selected. I don’t have the wordstodescribehowIfeel but I feel proud, and it’s an auspicious moment for me andIwillcontinuemybestin 2023 to keep improving and achieving more goals I would like to thank our President Steve Ninvalle

who has been charting this progressive course not only for me, but for boxing in Guyana and the Caribbean.” Amsterdamsaid.

Amsterdam’s eventual selection seemed a mere formality given his spectacular exploits in the 2022 calendar year His resume during the aforementioned period is of historic proportions and readslikeahighlightreel.

Amsterdam clinched a bronze medal at the prestigious Americas Boxing Confederation ( A M B C ) E l i t e Championships in Ecuador, before battling to a quarterfinalplaceatthe2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham,England.

He then concluded his international campaign with another historic bronze medal capture, this time at the South American Games i n P a r a g u a y T h e aforementionedfeatsdidnot go unnoticed and were duly rewarded by International

Boxing Association (IBA), as Amsterdam became the highest-ranked Guyanese boxeron23rdinhisdivision. His medal at the AMBC tournament marked the first time that a Guyanese boxer wonafinancialrewardatany IBA sanctioned event. On the local front, Amsterdam also copped Gold at the Terrence Ali Open Championship, following the event’s two-year absence.

By the same token, experienced coach Terrence PooleMShasbeenadjudged theBestCoachfollowingan identicaleclecticprocess.

Poole during brief remarks said, “Numerous times I have won this award butitsimplymeansthathard workpaysoff.Ihavemadea lot of sacrifices for the sport and won all the national competitions. I was able to walk away with it easier because one of the high pointsof2022wasachieving aTriple Crown champion in Troy Glasgow, who won

gold at the Novice, Intermediate, and Open Championshipswhichisnot something that easily or normally occurs. I am very pleased with the award and thank the executive of the GBA, especially President Steve Ninvalle for their continuous efforts in developingthesport.”

Also,JermaineCraighas been adjudged the Best Refereefor2022andmadeit acleansweepfortheGuyana DefenceForceattheawards.

Meanwhile, GBA President Steve Ninvalle disclosed that while an official date is yet to be finalized, a presentation ceremony will be staged where commemorative plagues will be presented to the respective awardees to h o n o u r t h e i r accomplishments.

According to Ninvalle, “Desmond Amsterdam’s rapidascensionisevidentof

what can be garnered if dedication, discipline, and c o m m i t m e n t a r e fundamental tenets of your mentality and approach to the sport, as well as serve as theproverbialNorthStarfor your sporting and personal a m b i t i o n H i s accomplishments, both

Jermaine Craig

internationally and locally, which led to his eventual crowning or acquisition of the Best Boxer accolade, should serve as evidence of what can be achieved once the athlete’s commitment and the association’s developmental programmes areharmonized.”

The country’s biggest 3x3 basketball tournament, the Rawle Toney Classic, will takeplaceonMarch18–19attheBurnham Basketballtournament.

AccordingtoorganizerRawleToney,the 16-team tournament will be a club competition, with teams coming from Linden,Bartica,BerbiceandGeorgetown.

Toneyaddedthatseveralteamsfromthe Caribbean have signalled their interest in participating,whichhesaidwillhelptoboost thecompetitivenessofthetournament.

“The idea is to strengthen club basketball, and since there are now two formats of the game, it is only fitting that clubsbegivenachancetocompete.It’sabout alsogivingclubssomerevenue,”Toneysaid.

Last year, the team comprising Harold Adams, Stanton Rose and Shelroy Thomas took home the championship trophy, championshipringandotherprizes.Thomas was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player

Additionally,Adams, Rose and Thomas represented Guyana at the Islamic Games in Istanbul,TurkeyandtheFIBA3x3AmeriCup in Miami, Florida. Toney said other details regarding the tournament will be made

availableatthelaunchingonFebruary1.

First held successfully in 2019, the tournament serves to give 3X3 basketball a platform in Guyana that’s unmatched by the conventional5-v-5format.

Overtheyears,thetournamentenjoyed (Continuedon

Rawle Toney

GABF General Secretary Patrick Haynes