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AIETEUR Father of three NEWS

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January 16, 2022 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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K/N Publisher challenges Parliamentary Order that gives abusive and extraordinary tax-free ride to oil companies $19M in CCTV systems paid for since 2015

not delivered

Woman helps bandits hijack taxi Norton calls on Govt. to plug 'abusive' tax exemptions

Prime Minister's office purchases $790M in hampers but provides bills for $213M Audit Report:

Listen to The Glenn Lall Show @ 11am, 4&7pm on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 16, 2022

K/N Publisher challenges Parliamentary Order that gives abusive and extraordinary tax-free ride to oil companies

T

he latest legal case filed by Kaieteur News publisher, Glen Lall via his Attorney-at-Law Mohamed R. Ali, does not only challenge the onerous tax provisions of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

It also challenges the validity of Order 10 of 2016 which was moved in the National Assembly by former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan. That Order allowed the affiliated c o m p a n i e s a n d subcontractors of ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, to enjoy an extraordinary tax free ride that is catered for in their contract.

Counsel for the Applicant is contending that the Order was made under the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act. Ali argues however that that piece of legislation is not a Tax Act or other subsidiary legislation made under such Act. Therefore, the said Order is ultra vires,

unlawful, null, void and of no legal effect.

He further argues that sub-sections 1A and 1B of Section 6 of the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act specifically provide that except as provided in subsections (1C) and (1CC) of the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, no remission, concession, or waiver is valid unless expressly provided for in a Tax Act or subsidiary legislation.

He said too that the Minister responsible for Petroleum at the time, Raphael Trotman exceeded the authority given to him under Section 10 of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, by entering into the Petroleum Agreement dated June 27, 2016, containing provisions violative of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, the Petroleum Exploration and Production A c t , F i n a n c i a l Administration (and Audit) Act and the Prevention of Discrimination Act. The case notes as well that the Minister assigned

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall responsibility for finance at the time, being Winston Jordan, violated Section 51 of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, and Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, when he purported to grant concessions via Order No. 10 of 2016 Petroleum (Exploration and Production) (Tax Laws) (Esso Exploration and Production Limited, CNOOC/Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited), made under the Petroleum (Exploration and

Production), which is not a Tax Act. For the foregoing reasons, Lall through his lawyer is seeking the reliefs to be granted in their entirety.

The matter is set to be heard on March 10, 2022 at 10:30hrs before the Honourable Justice Nareshwar Harnanan.

REASON FOR LEGAL CHALLENGE Asked about the reason for his court challenge to the contract, Lall told this newspaper that when one takes into consideration, the extent to which the

provisions of the contract create oppressive circumstances that hinder locals as well as the extent to which it breaches the laws, there is no way he could sit back and not take action.

What also incensed the KN Publisher is how costly these provisions are to the nation. Lall said, “When you take into account the cost of these provisions to the country, the enormous revenue Guyana is giving away and the impact it can have, and it will have, on the country and its citizens, it is unimaginable. It must therefore be challenged. For example, we gave away US$720M in 2020 alone in taxes to the oil companies and that was a figure from the Auditor General’s Report.”

The Publisher continued, “But even that is not entirely accurate, if we are to take into account what is being given away, when we look at the oil production figures.

But let me give an example of what that US$720M could do for us. Had Guyana collected that, it could have increased the public service

salary 10 times. It could have given us a bridge across the Demerara and Berbice Rivers and another from Parika to Leguan half way.

And I don’t want to talk about the number of roads that US$720M could have repaired. These are the things that have been eating away at my soul that forced me into moving to the courts.”

Lall said he moved to the courts not just as the publisher of the newspaper who is passionate about his duty to the people but as a citizen, who refuses to sit idly by while the lion’s share of the oil wealth is given to foreign companies and Guyanese are relegated to eating the crumbs that fall from the table.

Lall, who said that the case was in the making for just over nine months, categorically states that he reposes the absolute confidence in the judiciary here to determine the case but noted, nonetheless, that he is prepared to go all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the matter.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

Prime Minister’s office purchases $790M in hampers but provides bills for $213M - Audit Report The Auditor General (AG) has found in his most recently conducted investigations that the Office of the Prime Minister spent a whopping $790 million during the year 2020 on items purchased for relief hampers, however, bills were only provided for $213 million.

According to AG, Deodat Sharma, the monies were allocated to Disaster Preparedness, Response and Management, Line Item 6292 – Dietary.

“The items purchased via 11 payment vouchers processed for sums totalling $213.852M were verified as having been received. However, the difference of 15 payment vouchers processed for sums totalling $577.070M were not presented for audit examination,” the 2020 report states.

As a result, the Audit Office said it could not determine whether the items valued $577.070M were received and properly accounted for.

In response, the Office of the Prime Minister explained that it was responding to an emergency situation, hence the requisite documents were not presented. “The Head of Budget Agency stated that at the time of reporting, the officer responsible was responding to an emergency. The Office has put measures in place for the requisite examinations to be done,” according to the AG report.

As such, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency submit the relevant documentation to facilitate a verification of the receipt and distribution of the items.

The said report also noted that the office did not submit log books for 19 vehicles and equipment for audit.

The AG said, “The Office did not submit for audit, log books for 19 vehicles and equipment that required maintenance. This is Continued on page 50

PNC/R makes budget 2022 recommendations to Govt.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) faction of Guyana’s political opposition has made suggestions that they believe will bring a measure of relief to citizens, amidst escalating inflation rates.

On Friday, during the p a r t y ’s w e e k l y p r e s s conference, the Leader, Aubrey Norton, registered his recommendations to the g o v e r n i n g P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C).

He said, “with the World Bank projecting real growth of 49.7 percent in 2022 and with the government expected to raid the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) of the entire sum of US$607 million (G$122 billion), under the disputed and highly contentious NRF Act 2021, the PNC/R calls upon the government to craft a budget 2022 that will bring relief to the Guyanese people and transform their lives in a meaningful way.”

In this regard, Norton stated that the budget must be “people-centred” rather than continue to pander on an elite section of the private sector.

The implementation of a COVID-19 risk allowance for frontline workers on a six months basis of $50,000, until the pandemic has been officially declared over by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health O r g a n i z a t i o n ( PA H O / WHO), was among the

Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton addressing the media. suggestions made by Norton.

In addition to this, he called for an interim wages and salaries increase for public servants of 10 percent, pending the start

and finalisation of Government/Union talks, which should end in workers receiving at least a 25 percent increase.

When it comes to the Old Continued on page 50

PAGE 03

$19M in CCTV systems paid for since 2015 not delivered Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems, commonly known as video surveillance equipment, that were purchased by the government since 2015, by the then Ministry of the Presidency, was yet to be delivered at the time of the Auditor General’s (AG) Report in 2020.

According to the AG, Deodat Sharma, “the CCTV systems with a cost of $19.108M, which was purchased during 2015 for the National Intelligence Centre, had still not been delivered. However, it was noted that the Ministry had engaged the Attorney General’s Office on a way forward on this matter.”

Meanwhile, the Office of the President’s response explained that the Head of Budget Agency stated that this matter was discussed at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting in July 2021 when the 2015 Audit was being done. The Ministry added that it has since written to the current Attorney General to be advised on the way forward.

In this regard, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency submit an update to the Office when the Attorney General’s advice is received.

Kaieteur News understands that the purchase was made under the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) government, after elections were held in 2015.

The contract was reportedly awarded on December 14, 2015 to ‘Moonblink Communication Incorporated’, a United States company based in California.

In another instance, the AG highlighted that an overpayment, which occurred also in 2015 by the Ministry, to the tune of $2.308 million was still not recovered at the time of reporting in September 2021.

“This occurred on seven items in the Bills of Quantities for erecting of fence and

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma security lights at building E - Castellani Compound. However, it was noted (again) that the Ministry had engaged the Attorney General’s office on a way forward on this matter,” the Audit Office reported.

In response, the Office of the President stated that the matter was referred to the Attorney General’s Office for advice on the way forward since 2016 but still remains outstanding.

As a consequence, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency follow-up with the Attorney General’s Office and submit an update. If any updates are given to the AG, it is likely to be documented in last year’s audits, which is still being completed.

That report is expected to be published sometime in the last quarter of this year.

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

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

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

EDITORIAL

The Glenn Lall High Court challenge This was a long time coming, and it was only a matter of time before someone took the bull by the horns and threw down the gauntlet. This was what occurred in Guyana’s High Court on Thursday, January 13, 2022. It is a day made memorable for what is being attempted, in that of taking matters to a different level in an altogether different forum.

We invite all of Guyana and the rest of the world (especially the ABC & E people) to observe how this plays out in the public domain. That is, whether matters boil down to the Government of Guyana and Exxon versus the People of Guyana.

Many things could be said about this multi-layered High Court challenge/filing utilising provisions in the Income Tax Act, and the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, among others. The first thing is that the Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall, is doing things by the book, and he is taking advantage of the provisions of what the Constitution of Guyana allows. He is fighting this valiant fight using the tools of the law and the courts to make his case and to register his great dissatisfaction and passionate distaste at what other Guyanese talk about, write about, posture about, but do less than they should in the face of obscene oil arrangements. Many agitated citizens desire to take the momentous step that Glenn Lall has taken, but lack one or some other resource that serves as a barrier to their visions of what is wrong with how this oil wealth is managed. They may lack money. They may lack energy. They may lack passion and commitment. But, most of all, they may lack the courage to take a stand for what they believe, the many things they believe, have gone wrong in the stewardship of this oil that we found below the sea. In view of this historic step that the Kaieteur News Publisher has taken, Guyanese must now show that they themselves do not lack for spirit, but raise their voices in a groundswell of support for what is in their best interests.

It is time that somebody, some brave Guyanese, pull out the stops and take the fight to those who not only rob us and cheat us, but deceive us both before and after they plunder our wealth.

It is time that this highway robbery of extraordinary exemptions and rich concessions cease, that some respect be restored to us as a people, and that both local leaders and their foreign oil partners be made to pause and take notice, be nervous as to where this could lead. Citizens can come out in a show of solidarity, since this what is in place today has drastic consequences for the present and future generations of poor, hopeful Guyanese. Guyanese must stand up and speak out. They can write and shout about what we have with this damaging oil contract and how it hurts our prospects, and diminishes our dreams. The professionals, as in lawyers, can show where they stand and what they are about by rallying to this cause and lending their support. If ever there was a national cause this is one. If ever there was a righteous cause, it is this one involving our oil wealth, which has been snatched from us before we even realised the magnitude of our rich gifts. The richness of the oil assets of the citizens of this impoverished country has been snatched by foreign predators working in cahoots with local political powers, meaning both the PPP/C Government of today (and before) and the previous Coalition Administration.

The snatchings range from that horrendous two percent clause to the taxes concessions and exemptions we pay to the legal expenses and those other exploitative schemes that drain the wealth away from the treasury of the people, and line the pockets of local politicians and the foreign oil companies with whom they ally to rip the guts and heart, if not the soul, out of this country. The Glenn Lall High Court case makes the obscene tax arrangements the lynchpin of its pleadings. It is part of the grievous assaults and insults heaped on this nation, and which one government after another have approved and justified. Publisher Glenn Lall and Citizen Lall has drawn his line in the sand, and will stand by it. This is the path he has chosen, and he must be recognised and commended for leading the way. He is doing what all of us should be doing, as he keeps ratcheting up the pressure on obstinate and callous political leaders, who hide, dodge and deceive. One man has had the courage to stand up. Guyanese: what about the rest of us? How about you, too?

Sunday January 16, 2022

Send your letters to Kaieteur News 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Support Guyana’s courageous warrior Glenn Lall’s legal challenge to stop looting of Guyana’s oil resources DEAR EDITOR, Finally, in all of Guyana, one man – the national hero Glenn Lall, owner of Kaieteur News – has found the gumption, and moral Jaganite courage to stand in the middle of the road and tell the Government and oil companies that he will not sit idly by and allow the looting of Guyana to continue. Glenn speaks for all Guyana especially the working, struggling poor and dispossessed masses ketching hell, live hand-tomouth and pay-cheque-topay-cheque, while foreigners in oil are dancing all the way

to the bank.

At great personal cost, Glenn has filed a legal challenge to the oil companies, their oil friends, and foreign employees not paying taxes and a host of other unfair practices. There was enough talking and educating, now we are into doing something about it.

Glenn has chosen to bell the cat. The PNC gave away the store. The PPP said that’s OK and vowed not to renegotiate the oil contracts.

At election time, both parties promised the Exxon head that they will not renegotiate the contract. Never mind that the

PPP was using the Global Witness report profusely during the campaign to say Guyana would lose US$55 billion under the deal signed by the bad PNC. The PPP said during the campaign they would review and renegotiate the contract. That’s a “promise made, promise not kept.” They were secretly telling Exxon one thing, and telling the voters something else.

This lawsuit now puts the PPP Government in a bad spot. Imagine if the AG (a likely future presidential candidate) would have to argue that the contract is

good, and the Government is on the same side with the oil companies, arguing against the young Attorney Mr. Ali representing the people of Guyana.

Nation, if the oil companies are getting about US$720 million in tax breaks annually, that’s more than the money we got from oil after two years. That is more than the US$607 million we have now in the Natural Resource Fund that is about to be raided. People of Guyana – both PPP and PNC supporters - are you outraged yet by the way Guyana (Continued on page 6)

Sunday January 16, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

White collar crimes flourish in an accommodating environment

Exxon helicopters affect quality of life on East Coast

DEAR EDITOR, It was at the joint annual meeting of the American Sociological Society and the American Economic Association in December 1939, that Professor Edwin H. Sutherland first shared with the world his theory and definition of “White collar crime.” We are told that prior to Sutherland “it was sociological convention to correlate crime with poverty or the psychopathic and sociopathic conditions statistically associated with poverty.”

Sutherland defined white collar crime as “crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” It is of utmost importance that we carefully ponder on this definition. We need to note two things (A) That Sutherland starts his definition with the status of the offender to determine whether or not he/she was/is a white collar criminal. In other words according to Sutherland, while persons occupying low level jobs can commit economically motivated crimes, they cannot commit “white collar” crimes.

(B) When Sutherland speaks of persons of “high social status,” he does not only mean senior government functionaries, but also rich members of the business community.

With this understanding of whose criminality we will be discussing here, we can proceed.

Today, most theorists hold that the social environment is the main cause of most crimes, with white collar crime being one such crime. So, while we are disgusted and angry that persons, in whom we place so much trust, are robbing us blind and thus

threatening our children’s future, we need to identify and give attention to our social environment. We need to recognise some of our behaviours that allow/encourage leaders to feel comfortable stealing from us.

First, we have the tendency to consider the wealthy (regardless of how their wealth was gained) as deserving of our respect and envy.

In an environment such as ours, the rich do not pay a social price for their criminal behaviour. As a result, many among the rich tend to lose their sense of shame. Thus, the rich and persons who are in positions of authority will not hesitate to be involved in acts of white collar crimes. In recent times Guyanese have witnessed behaviours that proves this.

Sometime ago, we were told of a gentleman who was once a senior government minister, who, on learning that others had been accused of corrupt acts, exclaimed “I thought was me deh talking ‘bout, cause I is a man who like dem things” ( or words to that effect). Certainly, anyone expressing such sentiments represents a person who has lost his/her sense of shame.

Certainly, only in a society that condones such behaviour would a citizen feel

comfortable uttering such a sentiment.

Second, is the tendency for state bodies to cut deals with white collar criminals.

While blue collar criminals are jailed, it is the tendency for White collar criminals to face no possibility of serving jail time. The tendency is to allow white collar criminals the opportunity to merely repay stolen money. What is worse, white collar criminals are allowed to repay what was stolen, with little regard to the wealth they would have garnered from investing that which was stolen. In effect the wrong doer becomes richer while suffering no punishment.

Guyanese have also witnessed the above. During the rule of the previous government a businessman was found to owe the nation millions of dollars. From reports, he entered into an agreement with Inland Revenue to repay same (suggesting he had accepted guilt). This gentleman faced no charges, no possibility of jail time. Indeed I understand, with the coming into power of a government he is known to support, the repayment agreement was dropped.

Third, the presence of a citizenry that does not give (Continued on page 6)

DEAR EDITOR, In my travel on the East Coast to conduct an opinion survey, around the greater Ogle area, loud helicopter noise drew attention. The noise was deafening. The noise pollution could shatter eardrums, especially of children and youngsters. Conversations were drowned out. I asked some people around the area if this noise is regular, meaning routine. They answered in the affirmative. In fact, many willingly came forward to speak to me about the helicopter noise pollution.

They seek me to champion their cause.

I queried whose helicopter it was. Their response is that it was not one helicopter but several – perhaps as many as four or more. The helicopters belong to or are used by Exxon to ferry workers back and forth between Ogle airport and the oil production site. These are not small helicopters. They are massive aircraft. The flights are almost a daily occurrence beginning around 5 AM and ends around 8:00 PM. The residents of the area have to put up with the noise of the helicopters. The loud boisterous noise awakens them at 5 AM and they have no peace of mind until after 8 PM when the helicopters become

grounded. The residents told me that the noise is overwhelming, so much so, that they can’t hear others in the house as the helicopters fly past. Their quality of life is severely affected.

The noise disrupts normal life in the Ogle surroundings.

Turkeyen to Vryheid Lust have been impacted. Pets and other animals are scared. They also look up in the sky when they hear the propeller. Animals scamper for cover. There is stress and trauma to pets, the old, the feeble, the sick, pregnant women, and children. Students can’t get to focus on education and their studies early in the morning or late afternoon.

An aircraft takes off or land every couple minutes.

Resident can’t cope with the noise pollution. It is unbearable. They say they can cope with the softer noise of small

planes but not the massive helicopters or larger aircrafts.

Ogle is not suitable for helicopter operations. In fact, as residents informed me, the airport was never intended for helicopter operation but small aircraft. The airstrip was set up by Guysuco for small aircraft to take off and land — spraying insecticides and fertilisers over the large canefields. It was not intended for a commercial airport and certainly not the giant helicopters, especially with in this compact residential neighbourhood.

The helicopters disturb the peace, disrupt lives, and damage peoples’ and animals’ health. It is not known if any study was conducted before the helicopters got a green light to fly.

At times, the helicopter hovered above for several (Continued on page 6)

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Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox We must in moving forward, act in our own interest DEAR EDITOR, I have for some time lamented the unreciprocated homage that Guyana pays its Sister CARICOM States.

We are remarkably invested in CARICOM in ways institutionalised via our laws and by cultural practices.

The CARICOM Secretariat sits on our soil and enjoys most diplomatic privileges within Guyana and, many of our laws regarding regulation and movement of professionals cater to CARICOM citizens.

Consider the Medical Practitioners Act 1991; A Medical Practitioner is eligible for registration if he/she is a citizen of Guyana, a spouse of a citizen of Guyana, is resident in Guyana or is a national of a member state.

The latter intent and practice is “citizens of CARICOM”.

Thus, a physician who is fully registered in a CARICOM state can easily have his/her credentials transferred to

Guyana.

The reverse is virtually impossible for a Guyanese physician.

As a matter of fact, where else in the confines of the ever unfulfilled CARICOM can any countryman, save for possibly the OECS, find such accommodation?

Over the years, stories of Guyanese hassled at sister ports of entries including automatic deportation of entire flights and, the infamous benches at certain ports have caused a latent but ever flaming grudge in our countrymen that can only be erased by reciprocity or unabashed apology.

Certainly not by disdain and self-righteousness to our local content laws, now emanating from predictable quarters.

We are of course forever grateful for CARICOM intervention into our 2020 election debacle which underscores the intention and true poten-

tial of regional integration.

However, we cannot interpret such intervention as success across all areas of CARICOM engagements and though heartening, cannot replace our understanding of the modus operandi of this gathering. If culturally, and by existing laws, Guyana’s human capital is not welcomed, good luck in getting our products accepted.

Our Government, surely with ears to the ground, can feel the sentiments prevailing across Guyana.

I urge them to act accordingly.

We must, in moving forward, act in our interest and not dally too much in appealing to sense of fairness vis a vis lip service agreements that are now being conveniently exhorted.

Sincerely, Dr. N Rambaran DMT, MBBS, PGDip Surgery, FCCS Surgeon

CARICOM and local content

DEAR EDITOR, In the spirit of Cooperation, local and regional development, I must commend the Government on its ability to look beyond the problems of the recent past.

CARICOM is an organisation that offers the opportunity to build trade, settle disputes and improve international competitiveness.

The current discussion on local content in the public domain should not create a conflict that hinders trade within CARICOM. As with every CARICOM member country, Guyana has a right to define the way it interacts on a business level

with other countries within CARICOM and the larger Commonwealth.

The treaties that have been signed to improve trade and cooperation, if not aligned with our country’s current strategy, should be relooked at and renegotiated.

Our local content policy is there to foster growth and development among our citizenry, and as a Sovereign Nation we have the right to develop our people and their businesses.

Our Comrades outside of our borders also have the right to do the same for their citizens, and it is for this very reason, Trade Agreements are put in place.

There are things that each country has chosen to focus on to develop their product and service offering within the community, and where it is advantageous to the community an agreement is struck.

We must also not lose sight of the larger opportunity to develop synergistically an offerin g w h i c h a l l o w s CARICOM members to compete more effectively as a unified body within the larger international markets.

Best regards, Mr. Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

White collar crimes flourish in...

From page5 the impression of being fully aware of the extent to which white collar crimes affects their lives and that of their love ones. Since citizens rarely hear of or see the rich and powerful facing the justice system, citizens rarely conceive such persons’ behaviour as criminal. Hence they have no true appreciation of the extent to which the crimes of the rich and powerful affect their (the poor) lives.

Citizens rarely consider that when they are exposed to a health sector that cannot provide basic medicine, when the Ministry of Education cannot afford to provide schools with adequate washrooms, repair leaking roofs, etc., when community grounds go unkempt or are

non-existent, when the elderly are not provided with decent pensions and workers offered inadequate increases in wages and salaries, that all these things can happen as a result of monies being ciphered by white collar criminals.

Fourth, is our acceptance/ embrace of foreign values.

Guyanese have adopted the west’s materialistic definition of success (same for most poor countries). However, while we embrace western definitions of success, our country does not possess the ability to pay public servants (even at the highest level) salaries that would allow them to satisfy the demands of success western style.

Thus, committing white collar crime becomes an at-

tractive and available option for acquiring the means to doing so, for persons in “positions of responsibility.”

It is recognising and understanding the presence of the above social environment that helps us to understand why white collar crimes can flourish in Guyana.

Help us understand the poor attendance at prearranged and well-advertised meetings intended to discuss issues concerning our oil industry.

Help us understand that the presence of this enabling environment also explains the small turnout of protestors in opposition to the vulgar manner in which the PPP government rushed the passage of the NRF through parliament.

Claudius Prince

Kaieteur M@ilbox CAUGHT!

DEAR EDITOR Magistrate Moore was ‘caught’; abusing the discretionary powers given to him.

More like caught disregarding the laws by which he should have contemplated the punishment for Messrs Andre Luiz Pereira and Salem Nobrega De Alencar, both charged for entering Guyana illegally and with 453kg of cocaine. What is $50,000 for someone who clearly has ac-

cess to lots of money, except a ticket to ‘flee’ the country?

Credos to AG Nandlall for being aware and alert and moving to the higher court to stall and thaw this aberration.

Too often Magistrates are abusing their ‘discretionary’ powers in issuing bail in circumstances where ‘to the layman’ bail shouldn’t be issued.

Or even dismissing or ordering periods of probation when it is clear that there was

malice in the alleged acts.

Then there is another Magistrate who granted a mere $1M bail to someone who took another’s life, unprovoked.

There is an issue titled “Guidelines for Judges and Magistrates” regarding their conduct on the bench and how they issue/grant bail and or punishment. There needs to be a common standard.

Kimanzi Mulekezi

AOAG SUPPORTS LOCAL CONTENT ACT DEAR EDITOR, The Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) has considered and wishes to give its full public support to the Local Content Act. The Association recognises that this Legislation, enacted by our government, provides the opportunity for Guyanese companies and, indeed, the Guyanese people, to realise and develop their capacity to take full advantage and become the primary beneficiaries of the de-

velopment of our oil and gas resources.

The AOAG fully endorses the fact that our government, as is universally practiced by countries committed to the development of their oil and gas resources around the world and within our hemisphere, including Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Brazil and Canada, has dedicated legislation enabling the local Private Sector to compete on a global scale in the oil and gas industry.

Our Association, representing as it does, the majority of Guyana’s domestic aviation services, is particularly pleased that this legislation affords our industry an environment for equitable participation and capacity building in the servicing of the oil and gas industry, in particular, a n d G u y a n a ’s d e v e l o p ment in general, locally and internationally.

Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana

Exxon helicopters affect...

From page 5 minutes over buildings while waiting for clearance to land.

People had to endure the noise. They can’t converse as they can’t hear each other untill the helicopters leave the scene. They are at the juncture of becoming deaf. Roofs could very well fly off as the helicopters hover above for long periods. In fact, zincs rattle. Trees are rattled like a storm hit the area. Objects fly

around. It is only a matter of time before aviation tragedy strikes the area.

Some residents claim there is damage to the environment. They ask if the oil is worth it, considering the effects on the environment and health and potential hazards over the route of the helicopters. It is my considered view, that Guyana needs oil production to acquire funds to transform its infrastructure. Exxon

must consider switching to softer helicopters or find another suitable location closer to the coast. The residents say the situation qualifies for a class action suit. They claim they complained to the authorities without action. If no one is listening, a class action lawsuit is the way to go.

It is a winnable public interest litigation.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Support Guyana’s courageous...

From page 4 is being robbed and both our Government and Opposition are on the side of the oil companies against the people of Guyana? Wake up and let’s join together to stop the fleecing of Guyana’s resources. How long are we going to be a “rich country of poor people,” as the Government describes us?

There is no sanctity of contract here. That was not a “contract.” That was a “deed of gift” of oil and gas from the PNC, and endorsed by the PPP. This is simply wickedness and sin against a poor nation where poor people are being given an “increase” in pay of $60,000 a month (that can barely pay the rent) by the Private Sector, while some foreign workers get “tax free” super salaries. Unions, are you outraged yet? Why are you silent and you are collecting

union dues from your members? Private sector, are you not outraged that your folks are not getting these tax breaks too?

When the workers’ unions are silent, when the scaredy cat lawyers are silent, when the preachers who tell you “give me your offerings now and God will bless you later in heaven” are silent, when the Private Sector folks are “sooru and dooru” with the Government, Mr. Glenn Lall and one courageous young lawyer, Mohamed R. Ali (an emerging new hero), are standing up for an entire nation. People, where do you stand in this matter? Do you stand with the sellout leaders or do you stand for Guyana and the future of yourselves, your children and grandchildren? Please think about it.

The Oil Renegotiation movement needs you at such a time as

this. This legal challenge can be a “tipping point” for all of Guyana. Please support any activity that will be planned to let the oil companies and our Government and Opposition know, that we the people want ‘the good life’ now because we are the richest country in CARICOM but we have the lowest standard of living and the lowest currency.

Guyana must renegotiate all natural resources contracts now because we want better pay, good roads and flood control infrastructure all across Guyana. Comprehensive health care for all, universal housing for all, social security benefits for all, 21st century education in decent school facilities, etc. It’s “our country, our wealth.” Wake up Guyana! Take a stand!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

Must we sit back and watch as our wealth is plundered from every side?

Of course that is an impossibility when a revolutionist such as Glenn Lall resides within our 83,000 square miles.

Not only has he been talking the talk but he has been walking the walk with a view of putting Guyana in such impeccable standing that citizens of every strata of our society can truly live a good life.

Let's throw our support behind the man who stands up for ALL of Guyana.

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Sunday January 16, 2022

Region 10 Councillor found dead in home The town of Linden was plunged into mourning as news spread about the sudden passing of Regional Democratic Councillor and People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R) stalwart, Gordon Callender, popularly known as 'Bad Heart'.

Callender reportedly died on Thursday evening at his Wismar Housing Scheme home. He was found on Friday morning by family members and it is suspected that he suffered a heart attack. He had battled with cardiovascular issues for some time.

Only Thursday Callender had attended the Regional Democratic Council's (RDC) January statutory meeting and was in good spirits as usual. He was jovial and vocal throughout the session.

Dead: Reg. 10 Councillor, Gordon Callender Councillor Mark Goring said, “Yesterday at Statutory after we did a one-minute silence for Ms. Bristol (Regional Chairman's (Continued on page 48)

3-year-old among 5 latest COVID-19 fatalities - 1,065 new cases recorded Yesterday, the Ministry of Health reported that five more individuals have succumbed to COVID-19.

The deaths are that of four males – a three-year-old and 58-year-old from DemeraraMahaica (Region 4) both of whom passed away on January 9 without their vaccination status being known, a partially vaccinated 48-year-old from Pomeroon-Supenaam who passed away on January 14 and a 61-year-old from Essequibo Islands-West Demerara who passed away on January 15 without his status being known – and a fully vaccinated 74-year-old

woman from PomeroonSupenaam who passed away on January 13. Their deaths have brought the country's death toll to 1,086.

Also, the Ministry revealed in its dashboard yesterday that there are 1,065 new cases which have brought the total number of cases recorded to 50,121.

Currently there are 15 individuals in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 170 are in institutional isolation, 9,548 are in home isolation and five are in institutional quarantine.

To date a total of 39,302 persons who were infected have recovered.

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

Woman helps bandits hijack taxi

The white Toyota Allion that was hijacked by two gunmen on Friday night.

Bandits on Friday night might have used a beautiful young woman in her early 20s to steal a white Toyota Allion motorcar, HC 9968, from an unsuspecting taxi driver.

The victim, Steve Mootooveren, had his car hijacked around 19:30hrs by two gunmen at an area located in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

However, it could be a case whereby Mootooveren was led into a trap by an “innocent looking, beautiful female passenger” who had hired his car at the Giftland Mall, located on the East Coast of Demerara for a drop to “South”.

The taxi driver recalled that he was plying his trade in front of the mall when a “beautiful young woman” who appeared to be in her early 20s approached him.

“She come and tell me, she wants to go to South (South Ruimveldt),” said Mootooveren.

“I don’t normally go to those areas in the night but she seemed like a decent and innocent young lady so I decided to take the trip,” he con-

tinued. She placed something in the trunk and off they went, the man recalled.

On their way there, however, the female passenger reportedly directed Mootooveren to stop at a hot dog stand on Sheriff Street.

There she purchased a hot dog and then re-entered the car to continue the journey.

The taxi driver recalled that she was speaking to someone on her phone but was not bothered by the conversation because it sounded as though she was talking to a female friend. “It sounded like she was talking to a girl cause she said, ‘girl hold on, a coming there just now’,” recounted Mootooveren.

When they arrived at the location, the female passenger directed him to stop at a house. The taxi driver did as he was told and the young woman exited and walked towards the car trunk to take out her belongings.

Mootooveren said as she was doing so, two armed men attacked and hit him in his head with a gun. They dragged him out the car, jumped in and drove away.

“I looked around to see if my passenger was still there but she had disappeared,” Mootooveren told Kaieteur News. Still believing that his passenger had nothing to do with the hijacking of his car, he decided to call out for the occupants of the house where she allegedly lives. “I thought she run in deh to hide or something,” said the taxi driver. To his surprise, however, the occupants told him that no one matching that description lives there.

They even told him that there were not expecting any visitors either and related that they had seen a woman running through a street while the armed men were relieving him of his car. Realising that he was probably lured into a trap by the young woman, Mootooveren walked to the nearest police station where he reported the matter and gave ranks a description of his female passenger.

Anyone who might have seen or knows where Mootooveren car is can call cell phone number 645-6832 or alert the nearest police station.

Dem boys seh ...

Maintenance is not the strong point of de City Yuh can’t please everyone. De City Council supposed to keep de city nice and dandy. But dem nah doing a good job. Dem always mekking excuse about not having enough funds.

But dem nah reveal what percentage of dem residential rates and taxes payers paying dem rates and taxes.

And what dem doing fuh increase this amount.

But is sheer excuse and drama tekkin place in de Council.

No wonder de city and its cemetery in a mess. Well

de guvament and de private sector decide to help out and clean de place. Whether it gat anything to do with de visit by de Brazilian President nah relevant.

Now we hearing dat de City Council might not cooperate with de exercise.

Well dat is like if yuh getting help and nah want de help but yuh still want complain about de lack of help.

De guvament doing a twoday exercise. But it gan tek more dan 2 days wuk fuh clean de city. Suh when de guvament done is up to de

City Council fuh maintain de place.

But maintenance is not a strong point in Guyana. And it definitely not a favourite pastime of de City Council.

Yuh just gat to look at de state of City Hall fuh know dat.

If yuh can’t keep yuh house in order, how yuh gan keep other people house neat and tidy?

De guvament start de cleaning but who gan finish de job. If yuh depend pon Town Hall, yuh might shatter yuh hopes.

Talk half and leff half.

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 09, 2022

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, SUNDAY The private sector, it would seem, is in full support of the decisions made by the ruling government. The PPP to them can do no wrong.

But is the private sector prepared to see our leaders pawn this nation just so they and their cronies can have material gains.

What about the future of this nation?

If only a few people can

benefit from our vast resources, then undoubtedly we are already under the spell of the resource curse and no good can come from such a dilemma.

We therefore plead with our leaders: PLEASE PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST AND NOT MERELY YOUR SELFISH DESIRES. MONDAY According to one of our letter writers, Guyana is faced with a reversed Robin

Hood situation --- our leaders are taking from the poor and fattening the coffers of the rich.

How does one become a leader of an entire nation and not have compassion for the people?Guyanese, we implore you: Open your eyes and see how the leaders are throwing us under the bus. It is very clear that they care about themselves and not about us.This nonsensical approach to running this

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. country must be halted forthwith; Guyanese, it is our collective efforts that will have to salvage this nation from certain devastation.

TUESDAY If the government of the day is expecting citizens to safeguard themselves against COVID-19 instead of taking drastic action to protect the nation, then the message is clear: Each Guyanese must take responsibility for him/herself.The Guyana Teachers Union, therefore, should not be crucified for taking the lead to safeguard our educators who are desperately needed to mould the minds of our young ones.

With the unprecedented increase of cases, why not choose wellbeing through virtual interactions rather than possible infection through face-to-face classes?

Let's safeguard today in hopes of seeing a future where our leaders have, at least, a modicum of empathy for the people they are elected to serve.

WEDNESDAY Government has plans to use the oil and gas money to transform Guyana into an eco-system power house.

Big plans, indeed, to promote tourism! But we at this publication must ask: What about the 'big plans' to extract our people from poverty?

Will we forever be a nation where 10 percent of the population has too much and the remaining 90 percent barely has anything?

THURSDAY There are countries around the world that are known for their generosity to their citizens, Guyana is not one of them.

In fact Guyana has elected leaders who have high on their agenda plans to put in place a “relaxing” environment for fish and shrimp to thrive. Whether fact or fiction, Guyanese will eventually know the truth.

In the meantime leaders, what about a “relaxing” environment for citizens who can barely make ends meet?

FRIDAY If the people will not stand up for their rights, we at this publication will.

Demonstrating this by action and not merely words, Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper, has taken on the State to have much needed benefits to be clawed back for the people of this nation.

Guyanese, Glenn Lall does not have to do this alone. We must all come to the realisation that we are in this fight together.

SATURDAY Criminals are on the prowl!

As if we are not faced with a bad enough pandemic, there are those among us who are like the pandemic – bent on causing harm to innocent people going about their daily lives.

It is clear that we cannot count on the police force for round-the-clock protection but at least we can strive to be our brothers' keepers.

Guyanese, take no chances; always be on the alert.

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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OP: Ed

Sunday January 16, 2022

DIESEL SOLUTIONS FORUM Diesel engines and equipment drive the economy of every nation.

By Harold Beharry

D

iesel engines and equipment drive the economy of every nation and it is for that reason that I am engaging all diesel owners in this forum entitled “Diesel Solutions”. Three procedures will be presented that must be followed to get the best from diesel engines and equipment. Those

procedures are: - P R E V E N TAT I V E MAINTAINANCE, - CAUSES OF FAILURE and - SOLUTION. On preventative maintenance, we will start with water which is present in every diesel tank. This is caused by condensation.

This, and dirty diesel (which is being sold in our country) are causing serious damage

to injectors and fuel pumps and there are tested and proven solutions to both of

these problems, but these are unknown to many diesel engine owners. With “causes of failure and solutions,” an analysis is done to determine the cause of failure and a solution is provided to prevent this from reoccurring.

We are going to share the resources of our 46 years’ experience and will join forces with some of the w o r l d ’s l a r g e s t a n d knowledgeable companies such as Cummins,

Fleetguard, Valvoline, Bosch and others. These companies spend millions of dollars in research and development to improve diesel performance. We are going to focus on LACK OF KNOWLEDGE AND NEGLECT which are the two main reasons why diesel fails. In this respect, the COVID-19 pandemic can be used as a good example. We have enough knowledge of COVID-19 to agree that we need to wear a mask and wash our hands regularly and those who neglect or refuse to comply could face serious consequences.

Like a human being, diesel has life and must be cared for to deliver the expected results. Diesel operational systems include.

- Feeding System - Cooling system - Breathing System - Combustion System

- Exhaust System - Hydraulic System - Moving system - Electrical System We are going to address each system as necessary or needed, in order to get the best understanding of diesel and provide proven and tested recommendations to achieve the desired results at the lowest possible cost.

The hand does not work independent of the other members of the body.

Similarly, in diesel, each system provides a supporting role for the entire system to function efficiently. We use vitamins and supplements to improve our health, and, in the same way, we use additives to improve diesel health and performance.

In order to accommodate our valued customers in interior locations we are working with all the Continued on page 35

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 15

Guyana playing wrong and strong!

T

he local private sector is being myopic when it comes to the conflict between Guyana’s local content policies and law and the country’s obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC).

Those representative private sector organisations which have railed against criticisms of Guyana’s local content laws have failed to appreciate the importance of regional integration towards local firms’ participation through local content policies.

Isabelle Ramdoo, a Senior Investment and Linkages Advisor at the African Minerals Development Centre, has expounded on the importance of a regional approach to the success of local content policies. While noting that many local content policies stand in conflict with goals of regional integration, she said that was in the main because such policies focused on national interests.

This approach, she said, can potentially jeopardise

regional integration efforts.

She urged a coherent and coordinated approach “not only to preserve the regional integration agenda but also to tap market opportunities from neighbouring countries and make use of their comparative advantage to complement national efforts.”

The framers of Guyana’s local content law seems to have missed, entirely, this script even though there was debate in the media about the potential conflict between local content laws and the RT C . T h e f r a m e r s o f Guyana’s local content law should now explain what consultations they undertook and what expertise they sought to ensure that the recently assented Local Content Act was in conformity with the RTC. They may not have considered also the extent to which Guyana’s local content law is in violation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) or the Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs). In both respects, Guyana’s local content law

is defective.

Guyana’s local content law provides for 75 percent of food for the oil and gas sector to be sourced domestically. This is in clear violation of GATT but it is not likely to be challenged given the relative small size of the food imports destined for the oil and gas sector.

Local content policies have long been criticised as protectionist. They reduce the benefits of international competitiveness and international economies of scale. As such, they impose unnecessary higher costs to investors and can justly be deemed as a trade distorting measure in respect to investment.

Guyana’s Local Content law stands in violation of TRIMs. The measures under this agreement outline, “the purchase or use by an enterprise of domestic origin or from any domestic source, whether specified in terms of particular products, in terms of volume of value of products, or in terms of the proportion or value of its local production.” But here

again no challenge is likely.

Where the challenge is likely to emanate is in respect to the RTC. The government has not given any indication of being open to dialogue and its sidekicks are behaving like bullies, seeking to attack Trinidadian enterprises rather than address the genuine concerns about the local content legislation.

At present, Trinidad has now become the scapegoat of the government and its cheerleaders. One Ministerial advisor has gone as far as accusing an official of a Trinidadian company of being disrespectful to Guyanese.

He described the contention, that Guyana’s local content law as conflicting with the RTC, as vexatious and provocative. He called on the official to apologise.

But it is this Ministerial advisor who should be apologising. Instead of

trying to make the Trinidadians the culprit over the conflict between the RTC and Guyana’s local content laws, the government and the private sector should be defending the local content law and establishing how it is consistent with the RTC. But both the government and the private sector are unable to do this. They have so far been unable to counter the charge against the country’s local content law.

And so they have resorted to weak-kneed tactic of attacking the Trinidadians.

It is an utter disgrace to witness the attacks which are taking place against Trinidad and its incorporated companies.

But it is not only Trinidad that is affected and that is likely to challenge Guyana’s local content law.

There is operating in Guyana’s financial sector a Surinamese company which

offers financial services.

Guyana’s local content laws provide for 100 percent local participation in the provision of insurance services. It means that the Surinamese insurance company will be disadvantaged by the local content law.

As such, it has cause, if it so wishes, to challenge Guyana Local Content law before the Caribbean Court of Justice. Now that is something which the Surinamese President may wish to speak about when he arrives in Guyana for an oil conference next month.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Sunday January 16, 2022

Commonwealth Caribbean countries –

ALL REPUBLICS BY 2030?

By Sir Ronald Sanders By 2030, it is more than likely that the eight independent Commonwealth Caribbean countries which are still monarchical states, with Queen Elizabeth II as their Sovereign, will become Republics. In doing so, the eight countries will join the other four Commonwealth Caribbean countries that have already separated from the Queen, approving one of their citizens as President.

The eight remaining monarchies are: Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Countries that are already Republics are: Barbados, Dominica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Of the latter four, only Guyana has an Executive President who is directly elected by the electorate. In the other three countries, the President, carries out largely ceremonial duties.

In those countries that have converted to Republican status with non-executive Presidents, the role of the President is no different in substance to the duties performed by a Governor-General. The simple but fundamental difference is that the Head of State is not a person, living in a distant land and who is not participating in the daily concerns of the society. The further important difference is that the

Head of State is not also the hereditary Sovereign of Britain, the country that exercised colonial control for centuries.

The anachronism of the Sovereign of Britain also being the Sovereign of Caribbean states has long been recognised in the region.

The reluctance to undertake the change to a Republic, with a President drawn from the citizenry of the country, is the consequence of concern about the political advantage that could be sought by political parties during national debate, leading to a referendum to decide the matter.

When a referendum was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in 2009, it became politically contentious with speculation about the motivation of the Government of P r i m e M i n i s t e r D r. R a l p h Gonsalves. Suggestions were also made that the country would lose investment from foreigners who would be concerned about perceived protections that would be lost by separation from the Queen.

The referendum in St. Vincent and the Grenadines failed.

The Government of Barbados was able to sidestep a referendum on the change from Monarchy to Republic because the country’s constitution did not require a referendum. This was also the case in Dominica, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

Parliamentary majorities by the governing parties ensured change without

contentious public party-political debate that would most certainly have fomented national division.

Guyana is the only one of the four Republics that has an executive Presidency directly elected by the electorate. In 1970, four years after its independence from Britain, its parliament voted for the country to become a Republic with a ceremonial President as is now the case in the other three Commonwealth Caribbean Republics. However, a new constitution was promulgated in 1980, abolishing the ceremonial Presidency and replacing it with an Executive President who is elected in Presidential elections every five years.

The problem the eight remaining monarchies face is that their constitutions require them to hold referenda to effect a change to Republican status. And, unless consensus is secured by all political parties in each country to endorse Republican status and publicly declare that position in writing, any referendum would become an opportunity for political dispute.

Undoubtedly, this was why Jamaica’s elder statesman, PJ Patterson, wrote to the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in December 2021, calling on them to agree to a nonpartisan referendum, saying: “It would be a spectacular contribution to building our parliamentary democracy; permitting both Parties to share a single platform in a

Campaign to secure National approval and allow one of our own image to become Head of State”.

The course open to the present Prime Ministers of the eight monarchical states is to start discussions with the leaders of all political parties in each of their states to agree on the transition to Republican status and on the type of Presidency they want - ceremonial or executive. They would also have to reach broad agreement on consequential changes that would have to be made to their existing constitutions and on checks and balances on the exercise of power.

All of this could be inscribed in a Memorandum of Understanding.

If the political parties could reach such consensus, their Memorandum of Understanding could then be given to a team of legal experts to draft a new Constitution for their review and agreement.

Once this further agreement is reached, the political parties could then hold town hall meetings, virtual meetings and utilise both traditional and social media platforms to inform their citizens about the new constitution and their status as Republics.

It should not be beyond leaders of political parties who acknowledge the anachronism of remaining monarchies to advance this national aspiration. It would be the most non-disruptive approach to completing the process of

i nd Sir Ronald Sanders ep en dence in each of these countries.

And, while they are taking action to become Republics, they could simultaneously include in their countries’ referenda the decision to end the relationship with the British Privy Council in favour of the Caribbean Court of Justice.

None of this would be an insult to the Queen who is universally respected in the Commonwealth Caribbean and whose efforts to serve the people of these countries, even from the distance of Britain, has been deeply appreciated.

The time has simply come to manifestly end the Caribbean’s long history of association with Britain as a colonial power, transforming the relationship to a partnership of cooperation with a Commonwealth sister-nation.

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the OAS. He is a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own) Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

PAGE 17

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Somersault politics: The words of someone I once admired P

lease read and reflect on the following words of Khemraj Ramjattan in a television interview: “What I will have to do now is ensure the things the AFC and Ramjattan does (sic) make him change his mind again and do the somersault he has now done in relation to what was his positions before.”

He was talking about me.

What do political observers and academics who study Guyanese politics make of it?

There are two subjects under this discussion here – Khemraj and I. I will discuss me, then go to Khemraj.

I was the target of the state that relentlessly pursued me over a long period of time.

Khemraj was there for me on several occasions.

I will mention just three.

Mark Benschop and I were on remand in the police station for three days for two minor t r a ff i c o ff e n c e s . G R A commissioner singled me out for victimisation. Bishop

Juan Edghill asked the court to imprison me for contempt of court because I criticised the ERC which he headed.

I could add dozens more oppressive landscapes I endured before the AFC and Ramjattan came to power.

No doubt those other episodes are etched in the minds of Guyanese, especially the miasmic substance thrown in my face.

Unfortunately, Khemraj is not a political theorist.

If he was, he would know my decades of activism and my association with the AFC because of the laws of sociology and politics would have contributed to the AFC's election success.

Now we move on to Khemraj. He chose the word, “somersault” that I have contempt for in the context used. I prefer to refer to my transformation.

Why would Khemraj expect me to somersault back to the AFC when state power was in Khemraj's hands for

five years and he had no use for me in any way possible?

PNC supporter, Sherwood Lowe explained to the Guyanese people in a letter to the press why Freddie Kissoon became a critic of the APNU+AFC government.

He said that I was angry at not being given my job back at UG. I will never look Guyanese people in the eyes and say I would not have accepted a discussion with the government of resuming my teaching career at UG. But it never happened.

I will not extend on Mr. Lowe's theory but it was Khemraj that led the demonstrations at UG in protest against my dismissal.

He wore his jacket and tie each day.

My daughter was a student at UG at the time, and she and her friends joined Khemraj in picketing for her father.

She always called him uncle Khemraj. Then uncle

Khemraj became half of the government but her father never saw the classroom again. This is the man that hopes I somersault back to him and the AFC. My transformation began days before the AFC and the PNC took office.

This is a man who sat in the AFC's boardroom and together with four other elite leaders of the AFC offered a woman the position of Minister of the Environment.

But no one called me to offer me my teaching job again at UG. As the weeks, months and years progressed, my transformation deepened.

Khemraj calls it somersault.

You can choose which word you want. The vision and dreams I had for Guyana with the WPA and the AFC were completely shattered after 2015. This wasn't people's power. This wasn't the Clive Thomas that shaped my worldview. This wasn't the Khemraj Ramjattan that I had

colossal hopes in.

Here are two things that I wrote before and I am repeating them n o w. I t w i l l become part of history.

They will be available to researchers. After the APNU+AFC got into power, the only thing Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine discussed with me was being part of the committee to prepare for the 50th anniversary of Independence. When I saw the names of the other persons, they were all Dr. Roopnaraine's privileged middle class friends. I never belonged to that world and will never. Naturally, I declined.

Dr. Roopnaraine as Minister of Education not even slightly ever raised the question of the resumption of my UG career.

Only one person after 2015 raised my UG thing with the power establishment - AFC parliamentarian,

Frederick Kissoon M ichael Carrington.

He told me the AFC leadership was simply not interested in the subject.

The other one relates to President Irfaan Ali. I received a call from him to meet me.

He told me I served my country and asked in what ways I would like to contribute to Guyana. My reply was that Guyana's future belongs to the younger generation.

They say, never say never but I will never somersault back to the AFC. That part of my life is completely dead and gone.

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

PAGE 18

Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety.

SUNDAY LIZA 1 & 2 PROJECTS… CASH FLOW FROM 2022 WILL CLEAR OFF DEBTS, INCREASE PROFITS FOR THEIR SHAREHOLDERS After a mere three years of shrewd mega-investments in Guyana’s oil rich Stabroek Block, Hess Corporation says it is poised to join the top tier group of companies on America’s Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Index which is a stock market that monitors 500 publicly traded companies with outstanding cash flow performance.

Speaking at Goldman Sachs’ Energy Conference last week, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess, said 2022 is going to mark the beginning of billion dollar profits for the Stabroek Block partner as the Liza Phase Two Project is on stream for start up in the first quarter. Once this comes into play, the revenue blowout would allow Hess to clear its debt and begin to increase profits for shareholders.

During the conference, the CEO said, “Our strategy has been, and continues to be, to deliver high return resource growth; deliver a low cost of supply and deliver industry leading cash flow growth while keeping industry leadership in ESG (Environment, Social, and Governance). In terms of our resource growth, we do have a differentiated portfolio and we have been very disciplined in allocating capital to the best rocks for the best returns.”

Hess added, “We have been very focused on our portfolio which includes, Deep water Gulf of Mexico, the Bakken, Malaysia and Guyana and all four of those assets are free cash flow generative in 2022.”

In terms of the low cost of supply, Hess said because of the investments his company has been making, its cash costs are projected to decline by 25 percent to US$9 dollars per barrel of oil equivalent by 2026, while its portfolio breakeven will be one of the lowest in the business, as it will see a decreasing of US$45 per barrel Brent by 2026. “So you know, it really does position us as we go forward and ultimately focuses on cash flow,” he noted.

In terms of delivering

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industry leading cash flow, the Hess Boss said there are two components to be considered, the first being rate of change and the other, durability. In terms of the former, he said Hess’ cash flow for 2024 compounds at 20 percent a year, which is three times greater in comparison to its peers. He said too that cash flow is expected to compound that 25 percent by 2026. Hess said the growth in cash flow that is poised to come will actually put Hess “in the top five percent of the S&P…and I think that is underappreciated.”

Once this is known, he said it is his hope that the company will begin to generate “generous investors” not just in oil and gas but outside of that industry as Hess is about to become “a cash flow growth story to behold.”

ABOUT THE LIZA TWO PROJECT Once installed, the Liza Unity floating, production, storage and offloading vessel is poised to produce up to 220,000 barrels of oil per day, which is double the current production of the Liza Destiny oil ship.

Kaieteur News had previously reported that Dutch conglomerate, SBM Offshore, was awarded the front end engineering and design (FEED) contract for the Liza Unity FPSO in July 2018. The FPSO design is based on SBM Offshore’s Fast4Ward, which incorporates a new build, multipurpose hull combined with several standardised topsides modules.

The FPSO in early September 2021 had sailed from Singapore to Guyana.

Once production kicks off, Liza Phase Two is expected to develop approximately 600 million barrels of oil. The project is set to cost Guyana approximately US$6 billion. It includes a lease capitalisation cost of approximately US$1.6 billion, for the Liza Unity FPSO vessel, which will be moored in water depth of about 1,600 metres and will be able to store around two million barrels of crude oil from the Stabroek Block which is 6.6 million acres, or 26,800 square kilometres.

Current discovered recoverable resources are estimated at more than 5.5 billion barrels of oil equivalent. The more than 20 discoveries on the block to date, have established the potential for at least 10 FPSO vessels producing more than 1,000,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025.

ExxonMobil subsiduary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is

operator of the Stabroek Block and holds 45 percent interest.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 percent interest.

MONDAY PRES ALI, JAGDEO DIRECTED STABROEK BLOCK PARTNERS TOACCELERATE OIL DEVELOPMENT -HESS BOSS SAYS Hess Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess recently noted that the Guyana Government, particularly President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, have given clear instructions for oil development at the Stabroek Block to be accelerated.

During a recent Goldman Sachs Conference, Hess said both Dr. Ali and Jagdeo are very pro-business while adding that their belief is that Guyana has a right to develop its resources.

“They have been very clear that they want to accelerate oil development and both publicly stated, especially Jagdeo, at the United Nations in September, that Guyana has a right to develop resources but both said Guyana will do it in an environmentallyresponsible m a n n e r, ” expressed the Chief Executive Officer.

Hess also noted that Ali and Jagdeo have been very clear to the joint-ventures that they want them to be capital-disciplined, and environmentallyresponsible in their offshore operations. He said, so far the government has been a “very good partner” to the Stabroek Block partners. Given the relationship between the two, Hess said the partners are keen to work towards helping Guyana with the management of its oil wealth.

Only last week, Kaieteur

News quoted the Hess Chief saying that his company and ExxonMobil are helping g Guyana craft a plan to manage its oil riches. During the same Goldman Sachs’ Global Energy and Clean Technology Conference2022, the Hess Boss said the support is being provided to Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School who is part of a team in Georgetown for a project called, the Guyana Development Initiative.

Kaieteur News understands that Porter is an American academic known for his theories on economics, business strategy, and social causes.

Furthermore, Porter is the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School, and he was one of the founders of the consulting firm The Monitor Group (now part of Deloitte) and FSG, a social impact consultancy. He is also credited for creating Porter’s five forces analysis, which is instrumental in business strategy development today.

Expounding further, Hess said the development plan will help Guyana enhance its human capital through healthcare and education and its infrastructure. Already, Hess disclosed that it is partnering with Exxon, also to provide support to help Guyana build an electric plant using natural gas that has been discovered in the Stabroek Block. “(We will) also look at building their national capital to manage this oil wealth and hopefully, five to ten from now, we will be looking at Guyana as a role model for how to develop resources responsibly,” expressed the Hess Boss.

In the meantime, the Hess Boss said that the Stabroek Block partners remain focused on fully understanding the exploration potential of the offshore resources in the Guyana basin, which he described as having industry leading production costs and world-class reservoirs.

TUESDAY GUYANASHOULD HAVE A SEATAT THE TABLE INALLFUTURE OIL CONTRACTS - FORMER SURINAME OIL BOSS The Guyana Government has indicated that it intends to pursue the country’s first oil blocks auction in the third quarter of 2022. When it does this however, there are regional and international stakeholders who strongly recommend that it would be in the country’s interest for the administration to secure the right to participate in the contract governing the oil block being sold.

Specifically, former Head of Staatsolie, Suriname’s National Oil Company (NOC), Rudolf Elias says the right to participation would allow Guyana a seat at the table to examine all costs associated with the offshore concession thereby making the auditing process less problematic.

As he provided advice on how Guyana can make the best of its first oil blocks auction, Elias said, “I would say to Guyana’s authorities to have this process well advertised and very transparent and open.

Everybody who bets should be able to see who else is bidding in the process…transparency brings the best results. And I would say also to be sure that Guyana has, you know, a good part of the pie. I’m not talking about money and I’m not talking about the oil. I’m talking about participation right, because participation gives you so much more knowledge than just normal education about the sector.”

Elias, who has 30 years experience in the industry, also advised Guyana to have an independent seismic survey conducted before the auction. Though this can be costly, he noted that this allows the country to better understand the prospectivity of its block, thereby increasing the bets made by the international companies.

Essentially, countries would know what their assets are worth and avoid being lowballed.

Vice President and local oil czar, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed that the auction will require that the government aggressively enforces the relinquishment provisions in the contracts it has with companies such as ExxonMobil, Tullow, and Repsol.

To go to an auction however, Jagdeo said the government would have to make several policy decisions.

He said, “We will have to get someone who has done this before. We have to get technical help. Secondly, we have to also make a decision like some countries are doing, whether we want to invest, like Suriname is doing, to shoot 3D seismic and then auction the block with seismic data which gives us a higher price.”

Another key consideration, he said, is whether government should preclude existing companies such as ExxonMobil to be part of the bidding round. It should be noted that ExxonMobil is the only company which has a hold on the largest acreage in the Guyana basin. If it acquires more, it would only serve to increase its monopoly.

“So we have to make that policy decision…,” the Vice President noted, while adding that if there is need to amend laws in the future to allow for this auction to take place, then it would certainly occur.

AUDITORS UNABLE TO VERIFY OVER $70M SPENT ON D’URBAN PARK – 4 YEARS LATER, REPORT REVEALS The Audit Office of Guyana undertook a special audit in accordance with Section 26 of the Audit Act 2004, on the construction of the D’Urban Park Jubilee Stadium. An interim report (Continued on page 19)

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From page 18 was issued on December 7, 2018 and the findings have been reflected in the 2020 Auditor General’s report, some four years.

The report outlined that the construction of the D’Urban Park project commenced in 2015 in preparation for the Co-operative Republic of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary which was to be celebrated the following year.

A private company named Homestretch Development Inc. (HDI) was created to implement this Project. As at December 31, 2017, amounts totalling $1.150 billion were expended. However payment vouchers to support expenditure incurred by the Ministry totalling $70.610M were not produced for audit examination.

As such, auditors noted completeness, accuracy, and validity of this amount could not be determined. Moreover, the Audit Office has once again recommended that the Head of Budget Agency submit the outstanding payment vouchers for audit.

In addition, the amount of $500M was paid to HDI in 2017 by the Ministry to enable HDI to meet its obligation to its creditors.

However, there was no documentation attached to the payment vouchers to indicate the works done, supervisory checks carried out on the works, as well as certification that the works were satisfactorily completed.

Only the list of HDI creditors and Government’s proposed payment allocation to each creditor was attached to the payment vouchers.

In the circumstances, the correctness, accuracy and validity of the payments made could not be determined.

Based on the report, Kaieteur News understands that the Audit Office had written the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure on July 19, 2018, requesting documentation detailing the works done, supervisory checks of the said works, as well as certification that works were satisfactorily completed.

The Head of Budget Agency explained that the Ministry was not involved in the operations of HDI, hence, it did not have any information detailing supervisory checks or their methodology of determining that works were satisfactorily completed.

According to the report, on March 11, 2019, the Audit Office also made a request to the Ministry for additional documentation for the poject. Some documents have since been submitted to the Audit Office, which was being perused.

Back in 2018, auditors dug into the D’Urban Park project, one of the signature projects undertaken by the coalition Government shortly after the May 2015 elections. Several questions lingered about the more than $1B spent on the project, as auditors pursued critical information relating to the initial stages of the project.

Back then, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) turned over

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some documents that auditors had sought for months, but more information is still required as auditors zero-in on payments made to HDI, a special purpose company that started initial works on the project.

HDI was dissolved and MPI took control of the project. During the time of HDI’s stint on the project, the Ministry of the Presidency was in control of the project, with Larry London as coordinator.

Toward the end of the examination of the project in 2018, the Audit Office once again recommended that the Head of Budget Agency engage the Guyana Police Force to conduct a comprehensive investigation into this issue, and a report submitted for audit WEDNESDAY EXXONMOBILRACESAHEAD WITHANOTHER MULTIMILLION $$$ CONTRACT FOR 4TH PROJECT …DESPITE NO EPA, FDPAPPROVALS Less than a week ago, the Government of Guyana issued a tender, inviting qualified consultancy firms to submit their technical and financial proposals to review the Field Development Plan (FDP) for ExxonMobil’s US$9B Yellowtail Project. But before the government could even have an opportunity to scrutinise some of the applications received or even provide an environmental permit for the project, ExxonMobil is already steaming ahead with the award of more multi-million dollar contracts to ensure its 2025 startup timeline is not derailed for any reason.

On Tuesday, Italian contractor, Saipem announced that it won a contract from Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, for the Yellowtail development project.

Saipem said the contract relates to the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI) of the Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF). Further to this, the company said Saipem’s flagship vessel FDS2 will conduct the offshore operations while Saipem’s fabrication facility in Guyana will build the deepwater structural elements.

Francesco Caio, CEO and General Manager of Saipem, commented, “The recently opened Saipem fabrication facility in Georgetown will be involved in the execution of the Yellowtail project, ensuring a positive and tangible impact on the country”.

The first contract that was awarded for Yellowtail occurred in November 2021. SBM Offshore had announced that it had been awarded contracts to perform Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for the Yellowtail development project. The FEED contract award triggered the initial release of funds by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary to begin FEED activities and secure a Fast4Ward® hull.

The Dutch company said as well that it will construct, install then lease the FPSO and operate it for a period of up to 2 years to Exxon.

TRILLION DOLLAR PROJECT Kaieteur News previously reported that development costs for the Yellowtail project are poised to exceed US$9B or GY$1.8 trillion.

ExxonMobil said the costs are expected to be higher, since there would be a greater number of development wells and associated drilling costs, when compared to its Payara project which will also cost Guyana $1.8 trillion.

Despite the astronomical costs, Exxon believes that the project should be supported as it would generate benefits for the citizens of Guyana in several ways, which would otherwise not be there in the absence of the project.

The company said these benefits include revenue sharing with the Government of Guyana and stressed, that the type and extent of the benefits associated with revenue sharing will depend on how decision-makers in government decide to prioritise and allocate funding for future programmes, which is unknown to the company and outside the scope of the EIA. Apart from the revenue sharing, Exxon said Guyanese stand to benefit from the procurement process that will follow for goods and services from local businesses in alignment with the Petroleum Agreement and the Esso Exploration and Production Guyana (EEPGL)— ExxonMobil Guyana—Local Content Plan, approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources in June 2021.

According to project document,

Yellowtail will consist of drilling approximately 41 to 67 development wells; installation and operation of Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines equipment; installation and the operation of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block; and— ultimately—project decommissioning.

The FPSO will be designed to produce up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day. The initial production is expected to begin by the end of 2025–early 2026, with operations continuing for at least 20 years.

The project is expected to employ up to 540 persons during development well drilling, approximately 600 persons at the peak of the installation stage, and 100 to 140 persons during production operations.

SPEAKER “WATERS-DOWN” GAS-TO-SHORE MOTION – FINALLY PLACES IT ON ORDER PAPER THREE MONTHS AFTER SUBMISSION The Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, has finally approved a motion by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), David Patterson on the controversial US$900 million Gas to Shore Project, submitted over 70 days ago, but not before removing a number of critical resolved clauses.

In response to a letter Patterson sent on Saturday, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, informed the MP that the Speaker has approved the Motion to be published on the Notice Paper.

Approval was granted by him on

January 10, 75 days after submission

by Patterson.

According to the document “His Honour examined the motion, as altered by him and amended by you, and found it to be in order”.

In his motion, Patterson asked that the Gas-to-Shore Project’s final decision be put on hold until the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources presents its Report to the Assembly for debate and approval.

The Shadow Oil and Gas Minister has requested that comprehensive studies be conducted by independent, internationally-recognised consultants to inform the decision.

Furthermore, the motion outlines that an investigation should be done to understand the geological, environmental, and safety risks with mitigative actions, from pipeline leaks, ruptures and movements that may be caused by defective construction, aging, corrosion, seabed landforms, mudslides, hurricanes, tsunami, faults, fractures, and seismic activities such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

Additionally, the MP requested analyses of the available technology for real-time monitoring of the deepwater pipeline to ensure its integrity and reliable detection of subsurface leaks and the environmental, safety and health risks with mitigative actions associated with accommodating the gaps in technology.

The motion also calls for the investigation of the health, safety, and environmental risks with mitigative actions posed by the shallow draft and worsening marine traffic congestion at the mouth of the Demerara River; and “an analysis of the economic, social, and environmental renewable alternatives such as solar, hydropower and wind, including an energy mix with phasing, thereof; consistent with our overall effort to achieve a low carbon economy and compliance with the Paris Agreement on climate change”.

The motion will be debated on January 24.

In a brief telephone interview, Patterson said that he was happy that the motion will finally be allowed. He however reminded that certain aspects of his initial request have been removed by the Speaker.

One such omitted clause, was seeking discussions on gas leakages and exposures in the marine environment, which have shown to be highly toxic to fish, and living organisms and the ecology, which could devastate the fishing industry.

Another of the omitted clause from the motion had indicated that “whereas determined in a March 2021 United States Bureau of Environmental Enforcement (US Offshore oil & gas regulator) comprehensive report, that the technology is not matured and reliable enough to ensure the integrity of deep-water pipelines and detection of subsurface leaks.”

The Speaker has however changed his mind about the cost (Continued on page 20)

PAGE 20

From page 19 analysis of the initiative, when compared to alternative power generating options, as he will now allow an analysis of the economic, social, and environmental renewable alternatives such as solar, hydropower and wind, among others.

In this regard, Patterson said, “We look forward to debating it and obviously a successful passage.

Hopefully we can have it sent to the Committee of Natural Resources for determination and then come back to the Parliament. It’s too big a project for the government side alone to just do it”.

Under the revised scope of works for the Gas to Shore Project, the government says it intends to build, “combined cycle turbines, multiple fuel consumption (including rich and lean natural gas [per specification to be provided upon request], Natural gas liquids and diesel) Power Plant to generate up to 300MW of power with a net 250MW delivered into the Guyana Power and Light grid at a substation located on the East Bank of Demerara.”

Additionally, the project will include 230 Kilo Volt (KV) substation and back up fuel capacity. As it relates to the NGL Plant, this is expected, under the revised scope of works, to be able to process 60 million cubic feet of natural gas per day in the first phase and up to 250 million cubic feet of gas in the second phase. Additionally, the plant must be capable of conditioning the gas (dehydration and mercury removal) and removing heavier hydrocarbons (propane, butane, pentane plus) in liquid form.

The project, according to the Ministry, will be located at Hermitage, identified as part of the Wales Development Zone with some 150 acres of land allocated for its purpose.

THURSDAY IN RESPONSE TO LOW FISH CATCHES… PRES. ALI PROMISES FISHERMEN $8M PROFITS FROM FISH CAGE, STILL IN EXPERIMENTALSTAGE Acknowledging that there are credible reports and concerns about low fish catches plaguing the agriculture sector, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said fishermen will be able to breathe a sigh of relief quite soon as his government has come up with an innovative solution.

According to the Head of State, the government will be examining, in collaboration with fisher folk, the

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establishment of marine cages.Often times referred to as “cage culture” this experimental method of aquaculture involves the confinement and production of fish inside some type of mesh in existing water resources such as ponds, rivers, estuaries, open ocean, etc. The mesh retains the fish, making it easier to feed, observe and harvest.

Preliminary research conducted by Kaieteur News notes however that this form of aquaculture is still in its trial stage even though some countries have had some degree of success with a limited number of species.

Speaking to stakeholders during the launch of the government’s Agriculture and Innovation Entrepreneurship Programme at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC) on Tuesday, President Ali said, “We are not sitting back and being an observer to the discussion on the reduced fish catch out there. Globally, there is a reduction and we are seeing scientific explanation as to why that reduction is there.

There is no political direction or directive for the fish not to come here. This is a global issue and how will we address it? We have started in Region Six with a project for swamp shrimp and we are investing in that but while we are doing that we have just completed the prefeasibility for two things: first aquaculture, looking at the growing of prawns and tilapia.”

The Head of State said too that the government has already identified 100 acres of

land for prawn production that would give the administration enough capacity to ensure the existing demand is met.

In Hinterland communities, he said the government is looking at marine cages in the rivers where the water is flowing to grow tilapia there in a more natural environment which reduces the cost of operations and helps boost hinterland livelihood. For the fisher folk on the coast, he said Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha will engage them shortly on a similar marine cage project that would guarantee a set volume of production annually.

“When you examine the numbers, each one of those marine cages can bring in a net value of close to $8M annually and you can pay back for the investment within six months. So we are not sitting back. We have a responsibility to find solutions and that is what we are doing.”

While the President touts marine cages as one of the possible solutions to the reduction in fish catches, there are numerous research papers which indicate that this route may not be the safest and most environmentally friendly for fish.

According to a paper by Global Seafood Alliance (GSA), an international nongovernmental organization dedicated to advancing responsible seafood practices since 1997, it was noted that worldwide, interest in commercial marine cages

has been growing.

It noted for example that several nations have attempted submerged Atlantic salmon farming, with farms deployed or under development in New Zealand, China, Chile and Scotland.

Despite significant interest, GSA said, “the submerged culture of salmonids has had limited success. While small-scale trials with submerged cages in freshwater settings demonstrate they can be used to overwinter salmon beneath surface ice, a range of studies at industry scale demonstrate mixed results on submergence as a viable production method.”

They noted for example, “Salmonids grow poorly when held in submerged cages for longer than a month in the on-growing phase in seawater. Even when continuous lighting reduces some of the negative side effects of submergence, growth rates are still lower relative to surface cages.”

Overall, GSA said if marine cages or the submerged culture of fish is to mature and fulfill its promise, research to empirically document production and environmental benefits, and issues surrounding fish welfare throughout the production cycle need to lead the way. For the time being, this evidence does not exist.

It further added, “Robust, industry-scale experiments of new production technologies are difficult to conduct, but possible, and significant coinvestment from government and industry is required to achieve them. Conducting

meaningful scientific research will thus assist in ensuring the successful adoption of submerged culture, where possible.” (See link for referenced article: https:// www.globalseafood.org/ advocate/a-review-of-marinefish-aquaculture-insubmerged-cages/0 Another research paper reviewed by this newspaper also supports the inconclusiveness of marine cage success as it states: “Closed fish cages have gained increased interest in marine aquaculture. However, knowledge on the seakeeping behaviour of a floating closed cage and the influence of the contained water inside the cage are still limited.”

Kaieteur News will continue the examination of this matter in a subsequent feature.

FORMER SURINAME OIL BOSS URGES GUYANATO HAVE TO 24HOUR SURVEILLANCE OFFSHORE When it comes to the regulation of its petroleum industry, Suriname authorities ensured that the requisite monitoring systems as well as the human resources needed are always in place to keep a watchful eye of every move an oil company makes with their resources.

In this way, Rudolf Elias, former Head of StaatsolieSuriname’s National Oil Company (NOC) said the authorities of the Dutch speaking nation achieved two objectives. The first he said

is that they ensured there is respect for the rules and regulations in place since “what gets regulated gets done.” And secondly, officials are able to learn and grow their knowledge based on various aspects of the sector.

Given the benefits that accrue from the foregoing, Elias said he would encourage Guyana to follow suit as soon as possible. Elias who is also an international consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the industry made the foregoing statements, among others, during an interview on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme: Guyana’s Oil and You. Elias said, “We are always present for two reasons: one, it’s to see what is happening because you want to know firsthand what is going on with your resource and second is you want to learn…You want to keep an eye out and know where are the layers, know what the oil sands look like. So we always have a driller and a geologist on board 24 hours, seven days a week on every vessel out there.”

He added, “But we are also there of course to learn because the experience for a young geologist when she sees oil for the first time, I mean that’s quite an experience you know. I remember the geologist that saw the first one at the Apache (operated block). He said, ‘Rudolph, there’s oil!

It’s discovery!’ And then three or four weeks later, the government announced that there was a discovery.” In (Continued on page 21)

Sunday January 16, 2022

From page 20 light of the benefits he has been able to have a front row seat to Elias said he would advise Guyana to do the same; to have on every drillship, a Senior geologist and a junior to get the experience of what it takes to find oil and to be in charge of their country’s resources.

For the time being, Guyana does not have the level of monitoring practiced by its Dutch speaking counterpart. But this state of affairs would not be the case for much longer since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for example, led by its head Kemraj Parsram, is pursuing several systems for remote, real time monitoring of activities offshore.

The regulator told the media last year that this will be done through the acquisition of satellite services, and the installation of sensors for air quality index, among other mechanisms.

In the meantime, he said the EPA currently utilises drone technology, has amplified the use of Geographic Information System (GIS), and employs other digital technology for remote monitoring. To complement its technological improvements, the EPA he noted, continues to build the capacity of its staff members.

Along with the strengthening of its in-house capacities, Kaieteur News understands that the EPA said it has improved the requirements for Project Summaries, which must be submitted by the developers applying for environmental authorization. In this regard, project summaries must now include the likely impacts of operations and mitigation measures that would be used by the developer.

The EPA said, too, that it has also strengthened its adherence to the Act by publishing reasons for its decisions and made Project Summaries available for public access and review.

FRIDAY NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER FILES HISTORIC LEGAL CHALLENGE TO ‘OPPRESSIVE, DISCRIMINATORY’TAX PROVISIONS IN EXXON STABROEK BLOCK CONTRACT Publisher, Glenn Lall, in an historic move, filed a case in Guyana’s High Court on Thursday, which challenges some of the most repressive tax provisions of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing

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Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall (left) and his Attorney-at-Law, Mohamed R. Ali who filed the historic case Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.

The case which was prepared and filed by his Attorney-at-Law, Mohamed R. Ali, outlines that many of the provisions listed under Article 15.1 of the Petroleum Agreement, dated June 27, 2016 between the Guyana Government and the oil companies, grants exemptions to persons other than licensees, which violate the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, the Prevention of Discrimination Act, and the Constitution.

In light of this, Lall through his lawyer, contends that the provisions are unlawful, null and void, and of no legal effect. With respect to violations of the Petroleum Law, Lall contends that this occurs at Article 15.1 of the oil contract which states: “…no tax, value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or other impost shall be levied at the date hereof or from time to time thereafter on the Contractor or Affiliated Companies, in respect of income derived from Petroleum Operations or in respect of any property held, transactions undertaken or activities performed for any purpose authorised or contemplated hereunder …….”

Lall’s lawyer also flagged paragraph 2 of Articles 15.10 of the Agreement which states: “Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Article, Affiliated Companies or Non-Resident

Sub-Contractors shall not be subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Cap 81:01) and Corporation Tax Act of Guyana (Cap 81:03) during the expiration period on income earned in Guyana for any given tax year if the Affiliated Company or NonResident Sub-Contractors has conducted business for one hundred eighty-three (183) days or less on a cumulative basis in the tax year of assessment.”

Lall’s attorney said too that Article 15.11 of the Petroleum Agreement which states: “There shall be no tax, duty, fee, withholding, charge or other impost applicable on interest payment, dividends, deemed dividends, transfer of profit or deemed remittance of profits for Contractor ’s, Affiliated Companies’ or NonResident Sub-Contractors’ branch in Guyana to its foreign or head office or to Affiliated Companies,” is also a violation of the petroleum laws.

His lawyer also flagged Article 15.12 (ii) of the deal which states: “Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Article, expatriate employees of Contractor, Affiliated Companies or NonResident Sub-Contractors shall not be subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act of Guyana (Cap. 81.01) and shall not be liable for personal income tax in Guyana on income earned in Guyana for any given tax year if the expatriate is physically present in Guyana for one hundred eighty-three (183) days or less on a cumulative basis in the tax year of assessment.”

For all intents and purposes, the Applicant Glen Lall, contends that “licensee” as defined by the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act refers only to the Stabroek Block partners, being: Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited and HESS Guyana Exploration Limited, and not to any other person.

The Applicant will therefore argue that any exemptions referred to in Articles 15.1, 15.10, 15.11, and 15.12 (ii) purporting to extend concessions to persons other than the licensees are not consistent with the provisions of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act which does not allow for this and therefore violate the oil law.

FINANCIALACT VIOLATIONS Lall contends that several tax articles of the agreement which include 15.5, 15.7, 15.9, 15.10, 15.11 and 15.12 of the Petroleum Agreement violate the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act. Article 15.5 of the Petroleum Agreement provides as follows: “The Contractor shall provide the Minister with the Contractor’s income tax returns to be submitted by the Minister to the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority, so the Minister can pay income tax on behalf of the Contractor as provided under Article 15.4 (a). On such returns, the Minister shall note that he is paying the income taxes on behalf of the Contractor, so that the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority can properly prepare the receipts required under this Article 15.5. Within one hundred and eight (180) days following the end of each year of assessment, the Minister shall furnish to the Contractor proper tax certificates in the Contractor’s name from the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority evidencing the payment of the Contractor’s income tax under the Income Tax Act and corporation tax under the Corporation Tax Act. Such certificates shall state the amount of tax paid individually on behalf of the Contractor or parties comprising the Contractor and other particulars customary for such certificates.”

Article 15.7 of the deal states: “Subject to the conditions of section 49 of the Act, the Minister may remit in whole or in part, or defer payment of any royalties payable by Contractor.”

Lall said the foregoing, along with other provisions

in the contract, cumulatively, alter certain tax laws to grant remissions, concessions and waivers contrary to section 6 of Financial Administration (and Audit) Act. Lall, through his lawyer, is therefore asking the court to grant a declaration that Article 15.7, among others, violate the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act and is unlawful, null and void and of no legal effect.

Lall is also arguing that Articles 15.4 and 15.5 of the Petroleum Agreement requiring the Minister responsible for Petroleum to pay taxes for and on behalf of the Licensees and for the Commissioner General to issue certificates to that effect is therefore a violation of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act as well as the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act and should therefore be deemed unlawful, null and void and of no legal effect.

It was further noted, in the legal documents filed, that Article15.12 of the Petroleum Agreement is discriminatory to Guyanese employees by exempting from personal income tax, income earned only by expatriate employees of the Contractor, Affiliated Companies or Non-Resident Sub-contractors who are physically present in Guyana for 183 days or less on a cumulative basis in the tax year of assessment. Lall is therefore seeking a declaration from the court that the said section is null and void and of no legal effect.

REASONS FOR CHALLENGING CONTRACT Asked about the reason for his court challenge to the contract, Lall told this newspaper that when one takes into consideration, the extent to which the provisions of the contract create oppressive circumstances that hinder locals as well as the extent to which it breaches the laws, there is no way he could sit back and not take action.

What also incensed the KN Publisher is how costly these provisions are to the nation. Lall said, “When you take into account the cost of these provisions to the country, the enormous revenue Guyana is giving away and the impact it can have and it will have on the country and its citizens, it is unimaginable. It must therefore be challenged. For example: We gave away US$720M in 2020 alone in taxes to the oil companies and that was a figure from the Auditor General’s report.”

The Publisher continued, “But even that is not entirely

accurate, if we are to take into account what is being given away, when we look at the oil production figures. But let me give an example of what that US$720M could do for us.

Had Guyana collected that, it could have increased the public service salary 10 times.

It could have given us a bridge across the Demerara and Berbice Rivers and another from Parika to Leguan half way. And I don’t want to talk about the number of roads that US$720M could have repaired. These are the things that have been eating away at my soul that forced me into moving to the courts.”

Lall said he moved to the courts not just as the Publisher of the newspaper who is passionate about his duty to the people, but as a citizen, who refuses to sit idly by while the lion’s share of the oil wealth is given to foreign companies and Guyanese are relegated to eating the crumbs that fall from the table.

Lall who said the case was in the making for just over nine months categorically states that he reposes the absolute confidence in the judiciary here to determine the case but noted nonetheless, that he is prepared to go all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the matter.

MP DUNCAN ARRESTED, RELEASED ON $100,000 BAIL –ALLEGEDLYCALLED GECOM IT MANAGER ‘JAGABAT, TRENCH CRAPPO’ Opposition, Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan was on Thursday arrested and later released on $100,000 station bail on allegations that he referred to the IT Manager of the Guyana Elections Commission as a ‘Jagabat and Trench Crappo.’

In a statement police said Duncan was arrested for allegedly making the derogatory remarks against Aneal Giddings during his ‘In the Ring’ Talk Show. In confirming the arrest, the Guyana Police Force said Duncan was arrested at around 11:00hrs on Thursday to assist in an ongoing investigation in relation to a cybercrime offence.

According to the police, at around 11:30hrs on Wednesday (January 12), Giddings, a 36-year-old resident of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, filed a complaint against Duncan, in which it was alleged that the Opposition MP made a number of derogatory statements against him on January 11 during his show, (Continued on page 22)

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From page 21 ‘In the Ring.’ Duncan is alleged to have referred to Giddings as a ‘jagabat’ and a ‘trench crappo’ amongst other disrespectful names, which are said to have caused significant emotional stress and humiliation. According to the police, the video was identified and downloaded from the Facebook page under the name ‘Sherod Avery Duncan’ by Inspector Blair. A statement was taken from Giddings. The investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, following the arrest of Duncan the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has denounced what it described as the unwarranted and unlawful deprivation of the rights and freedom of Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan.

Duncan was summoned by the police to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Thursday morning for questioning in connection with a cybercrime probe. “The Party is calling for an immediate end to this season of politically inspired harassment by the PPP. We will not allow this type of harassment of former public servants or any citizen by agents of the state to stand.

This must stop. We are calling on all Guyanese to join us in strongly condemning this abuse of state power and the persecution of innocent citizens,” the PNCR said in a release.

The PNCR said it stands firmly with Mr. Sherod Duncan and will do everything to ensure that his rights, especially his freedom of expression to be no longer violated. “The Party demands an immediate investigation into what is clearly a planned, coordinated and orchestrated political attack.”

For his part, Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon said the arrest of Duncan is yet another episode of the PPP’s bid to silence its critics.

“I have said many times in the past and even after the arrest of former Finance Minister Mr. Jordan and the publishing of a wanted bulletin for Mr. Rickford Burke that the PPP is blatant in their attempt to silence those who expose and challenge them. It shows clearly that we are being governed by a dictatorship, which refuses to allow others to criticize its poor attempt at governance, mismanagement and double standard when it comes to addressing issues,” Harmon said in a statement.

He said the facts emanating from an official police release on the issue in question reeks of political mischief. “It brings into question a known character that is infamous for his alleged malpractices at

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GECOM. The juvenile statements of concern reported by the GECOM Information Technology Manager comes as a distraction to the eroding structures currently existing at GECOM.” “We have noted the selective use of the Cybercrime Act to conveniently target members of the Opposition in an effort to muzzle us but rest assured, we shall not be moved.

The APNUAFC stands committed to transparency and accountability and is firmly behind the Hon. Sherod Duncan, M.P. in his continued journey to apprise his viewership, by extension the people of Guyana and the international community on the rampant corrupt practices of the PPP administration and the conduct of all public officers. The APNU+AFC coalition is calling on the Guyana Police Force to rid itself of political interference and conduct itself in a professional manner in keeping with its mandate to serve and protect the people of Guyana.”

Adding its voice, Alliance For Change also condemned what it describes as the political witch hunt and political persecution of vocal critics of the PPP regime and specifically the arrest of Duncan.

“Tyranny, authoritarianism, weaponised police force turned against the people and the destruction of a major tenet of democracy (free speech), all of which Hon. Duncan opposes, have now been mobilized against him. The Alliance For Change vehemently condemns the unjust arrest of Hon. Duncan and calls on other civic bodies to do the same.”

The AFC said: “This installed regime, and anyone holding public office is neither infallible nor above critique, and ought not to attempt to silence those who would speak out against their mismanagement. The AFC demands the immediate release of Hon. Sherod Duncan M.P and the dropping of all trumped up charges against him. The AFC further calls upon the international diplomatic community to condemn this heinous act of oppression against freedom of speech that must be held sacred in our democracy.”

The Youths For Changethe youth arm of the AFC also “strongly condemns the arrest of Hon. Sherod Duncan MP on frivolous and unjustifiable grounds, at a time when murderers, rapists, abusers and robbers are walking free and the citizens of Guyana are still waiting for

justice for those serious crimes.”

The YFC said the arrest of Duncan is a clear violation of his right to freedom of speech. “This politically motivated arrest further portrays the Guyana Police Force in the most negative light and adds to the rapidly declining public trust in the Police Force to guard itself against political directives.

The arrest of Mr. Duncan is a glaring manifestation of the dictatorial rule that the current administration is engaged in. The YFC calls for the immediate release of Duncan and for an end to the arbitrary arrest of members of the opposition for calling out the government’s dictatorship and reign of terror on the Guyanese people and for calling out public office holders for acts of mismanagement and corruption.

The YFC stands with Hon. Sherod Duncan M.P and is committed to the fight to protect our most fundamental right of free speech. We see this as a direct attempt to muzzle any voice of dissent against the regime. This arrest can only be viewed as an act of tyranny,” the statement concluded.

SATURDAY GUYANASETTING DANGEROUS PRECEDENT WITH RAPID SPENDING OF OIL FUNDS – INT’L CONSULTANT While the PPP/C Government has oftentimes said that the Natural Resource Fund— which holds Guyana’s royalties and revenues made from the sale of its profit oil—will guarantee savings for future generations, the rapid pace at which it intends to start spending the said money from 2022 sets a dangerous precedent for its economic prospects. Making this assertion recently, among others, , was International Consultant and Co-Director of Energy Practice at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI), Arthur Deakin.

Deakin, during an appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme – Guyana’s Oil and You, said his take is that there are some positives to the NRF Legislation but spending too quickly can have devastating economic consequences.

Speaking to some of the positives of the law, Deakin said these include the simplification of the rules governing how the oil money would be withdrawn.

Previously, there were to be two calculations governing the withdrawals, with the

superior one being determined and subsequently used by the Finance Minister.

In the new legislation passed by the PPP/C administration, these calculations were removed and it is now a Board of Directors that will determine how the money would be withdrawn based on a simplified formula then transferred to the Consolidated Fund.

Deakin opined that this level of clarity is important for compliance with the tenants of transparency and accountability while making the money easy to follow. He said too that there are several bodies that have been tasked with ensuring accountability for the oil money such as a Public Accountability and Oversight Committee.

“But the problem here is that the members of these bodies will be appointed by the President. Also troubling is that there is no clear confirmation or approval process in the law for how he will select these persons. The law therefore gives too much power to the president. Sure you must have some political appointees administering the fund…But it can’t just be the president appointing everyone at his discretion for the most part,” Deakin said, while adding that the President will have the power to appoint members for a three to five member Board of Directors which will essentially control where the oil money will be invested.

But what is equally concerning for Deakin is how

quickly the money will be drawn down from the oil fund starting this year.

According to the NRF Law, “In the fiscal year that this Act comes into operation, notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) and the First Schedule, the ceiling on the amount that may be withdrawn shall be the total balance accumulated in the account described as the ‘Natural Resource Fund’ as at the date that Act comes into operation.”

Since the Act came into being on December 30, 2021 and the balance of the fund at the time was US$608M, the government has free reign to empty the oil account.

Taking this into consideration, the AMI CoDirector said, “I understand that Guyana wants its people to benefit from these funds, as they should, but you also have to think about it in terms of sustainable development of the economy…the government will essentially drain most of the fund to spend and that is not a good precedent to set.”

He added, “The idea of these funds is to allow for savings. I understand you want to develop now and set infrastructure and give back to the people but you risk overheating the economy. It is too high a figure to start with…Guyana is clearly overshooting on this front.”

Deakin also criticised the absence of explicit penalties for acts of corruption such as insider trading. He said in handling such vast revenues,

there needs to be clear penalties for wrongdoings.

Overall, he posited that enough is not in place to ensure the NRF is rooted in transparency and accountability.

CASE OF GHANA Despite heavy criticism, the PPP/C Government has remained steadfast in its belief that there is no need for specific penalties for the misuse of oil revenues.

According to the administration, the existing laws such as the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) are more than enough to address any malfeasance in public office. As a result, it hurriedly passed the Natural Resource Fund legislation on December 29, 2021, which was assented to hours later by President, Irfaan Ali. It is significant to note however, that while the Ali administration insists that there is no need to outline explicit penalties for abuse or misuse of funds in the legislation, its Western counterpart, Ghana, which it claimed to have consulted on the NRF law, has shown a completely different approach toward the protection of the nation’s oil revenues.

According to Ghana’s legislation governing its Petroleum Fund, “A person who (a) misappropriates the Petroleum Funds; (b) defrauds, attempts to defraud or conspires with another person to defraud the Republic in relation to the Petroleum Funds; (c) uses, attempts to use or conspires with another person to use information on the Petroleum Funds or documents relating to the Petroleum Funds for personal benefit or advantage or for the personal advantage or benefit of another person; commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than five hundred thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than 15 years or to both.”

It goes on to state that, “(2) A person who abets in the commission of an offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than two hundred and fifty thousand penalty units or to a term of imprisonment of not less than seven years or to both.”

It is crucial to note that when Guyana pursued the creation of its first NRF legislation back in 2018, it was warned to have clear penalties or the fund could run the risk of failing to serve current and future generations. This advice was provided by the Natural (Continued on page 23)

Sunday January 16, 2022

From page 22 Resource Governance Institute (NRGI) which also cited numerous examples from around the world of how often Natural Resource Funds become easily mismanaged, and the perpetrators, mostly politicians, go unpunished.

GOVT. SPENT OVER US$40M TO UPGRADE COMMUNITY ROADS IN 2021 A total of $8.89 billion (just over US$40M) was spent to build and rehabilitate miscellaneous and urban roads in Guyana last year.

This is according to the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, who on Monday made

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the revelation during his Ministry’s year-end press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

According to the Minister, this was one of the biggest programmes undertaken by his Ministry for last year. In budget 2021, a sum of $9 billion was allocated to the ministry for miscellaneous and other roads programme in the country.

Indar noted that during last year a total of 303 miscellaneous roads (community road) and about 36 urban roads were done across Guyana. “So together we had about 339 roads and that would have been done in every single community we went to and check there was a road built or roads being

built there,” he explained.

The Minister stated that the demand for roads and the speed at which they deliver them remains a key focus for the Ministry. “We are working with every community to make sure roads are built so that we make it easy to walk and come in because some of the infrastructures of the country were very dilapidated,” he added.

Still on the topic of roads, it was disclosed that a sum of $1.2 billion was expended last year for main access roads in the country, which saw about 18 contracts being signed.

The sum covers for main access roads at Wales, on t h e We s t B a n k o f Demerara, De Hoop Branch Road, Canal Polder 1 and 2,

Lima Sands, Good Hope and Schoonord.

“So these are some of the big areas, in which the main access roads have been dealt and this is another aspect of the Ministry of Public Works,” Indar added.

According to reports, in September last, Mohammed Fawaz Bacchus Construction was awarded a $36.9million contract to do sectional r e p a i r s using asphaltic concrete on the Schoonord main access road, which has

been in a deplorable state for some time. In Canal No.2, Japarts Construction Incorporated was awarded a $173 million contract to do repairs on 1.2km of asphaltic concrete road there, while in Canal No.2, Aronco Services Incorporated was awarded a $170 million contract for repairs on 1.2km of road.

Meanwhile, the Naamless to Bendroff stretch of road in Parika was rehabilitated to a tune of $60 million, while some $38 million was spent on the Naamryck

access road to Loading F a c i l i t y road in Region Three.

In August last, bids were open for the rehabilitation of miscellaneous roads at Leguan, Blankenburg, Mon Repos and Uitvlugt.

It was noted that at least two of these projects are completed while others are still ongoing.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill during the press conference shared that these road programmes have a multi-year span thus all were completed in 2021.

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COVID-19: What lies for us in the coming weeks

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Emergency Medicine Specialist I believe that we have reached the peak of the Omicron wave which is accounting for record numbers of infections in Guyana. However, we are coping with the wave so far and should be able to get past this sooner than previous waves. After looking at the data from previous waves, the pathogenesis of Omicron, and the experiences of countries with earlier exposures, I will share my thoughts with you on how things may pan out for us locally with the omicron wave.

Number of infected persons I do believe our numbers are peaking and this may continue untill the end of January.

Region 4 should start to see a drop in numbers within the next week or so while most of the other regions will

peak in the coming week.

As we enter February, the numbers of infections should start to descend and I hope we should see the end of the wave by the end of February.

This may signal the end for the pandemic but COVID-19 may remain with us for the foreseeable future with a presentation similar to the common cold.

Disease severity The average incubation period for Omicron is two days which is far shorter than previous variants that were averaging around five days.

This means that on average, you can have COVID-19, two days after getting exposed to Omicron.

While data is not currently available on how much shorter the symptoms from Omicron last, anecdotal evidence is showing that an infection with Omicron lasts for a shorter period than other variants.

The symptoms are less

severe and mostly mimic that of an upper respiratory tract infection.

Previous variants targeted the lower respiratory tract (lungs) more and therefore, caused a more severe form of the disease.

H o w e v e r, O m i c r o n i s infecting larger numbers and is causing deaths especially in patients that have other concurrent acute illnesses.

Normally, a patient that comes with a heart attack will have a decent chance of survival with efficient care.

Now, because Omicron is infecting so many at once, that patient with the heart attack will have a high chance of being infected with Omicron at the same time and therefore has a higher chance of dying.

Hospitalisation and deaths While Omicron is the most infectious variant thus far, it is not as deadly as previous variants but is causing high hospitalisation

rates because of the sheer number of infected persons at once.

The number of COVID19 hospitalisations has risen sharply in the past week and this coming week we will be tested with more patients requiring hospitalisations.

I believe the worst case scenario will result in systemic overcrowding of hospitals and the need for more beds to be allocated for COVID-19 patients.

Best case scenario is that the system reaches its capacity but manages through the wave without becoming overcrowded.

In either case, I believe we will manage to get through the wave given its shorter duration.

While there will be

deaths, it should not reach the numbers of the Delta wave since Omicron is showing to be less severe and less deadly.

Should we go into a lockdown?

Omicron is the most infectious virus in the world.

We will not escape it! Going into lockdown will only delay the inevitable; we have to face Omicron one way or the other. A lockdown will not decrease cases as Omicron thrives in the indoor setting and with most being indoors during a lockdown, this will only add fuel to the Omicron wave and we may see an even faster rise in cases. My projections are based on the available science and may turn out to be inaccurate but I am pretty

confident in the data and I am optimistic that we will get past this and finally get to experience some semblance of normalcy in 2022.

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>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<

The NRF Bill/Law S

o much has been said and written about the Natural Resource Fund Bill/Law (NRF) that I paused for a long moment, then decided one more word may mean something, sometime down

the road, when we look back past the wreckage. That is, if we can.

The NRF Bill has been called a lot of things, such as rushed and controversial, among others. I call it for what it is: the handiwork of

the criminally inclined from the well-populated political roosts and lairs.

This would not be ordinary crimes by ordinary white-collar criminals, but what amounts to the equivalent of financial

treason.

In the NRF Bill/Law, I see a betrayalmaybe the biggest one yet – of this country and the hopes of its peoples.

The PPP/C Government and its leaders say to Guyanese: trust us, we have

the best interests and welfare of the citizens of this country at heart.

Anybody who believes that for one m o m e n t should be put in chains and solitary confinement for a long time.

For there has been no time (for emphasis: no time) when this PPP/C Government (or the ones that were in its name before) having been responsible for the treasury of this country, and the rich business of this country, has not conducted itself in a most foul and odious manner. Put its leaders close to cash and a rank covetousness takes complete hold of them; a few in particular.

The record of their oversight and handiwork is clear, and it stinks to the high heavens, that even the angels are forced to cover their faces and retreat.

When PPP/C leaders in government get near to m o n e y, t h e y b e c o m e radioactive; and they go to tremendous lengths, unbelievable lengths, to be inseparable from the honeypot.

They are so mentally and spiritually corrupt including the religious ones - that they waited for the biggest holiday season in this country, when Guyanese are busy celebrating in the time-honoured ecstatic and delirious manner, to throw the die.

It’s Christmas. PPP/C leaders were so calculating and diabolical that they bided their time then dropped this bomb of an NRF Bill on unsuspecting Guyanese during the Christmas Season of all times, and forced its passage in the last week of 2021.

One scripture calls that ‘like a thief in the night.’ The head of this, and the minister of that walked around on stealthy tiptoe then pounced with vigour.

Then, the President assented, in total secrecy, to what is now law. On one of the biggest oil law developments in recent years, it is first recklessly rushed, and last assented to in secret.

By GHK Lall Because I am attuned to the limited nature of the leader’s mental range, I can assert that he will say that it w a s o f t r a n s p a r e n c y, because he surrounded himself with some friendly eyewitness props.

I alert my fellow citizens that the very first circumstances with the NRF Bill, then about to be signed into the laws of Guyana, was characterized by the presence of people of a certain calibre, and of what was executed under the cover of darkness. Both are early warnings of what is in store with the perverse piece of legislation.

What is now the law vests all the power in the President and his carefully chosen cronies; there is a closed cabal from which to choose. I can name them from right now. It should be noted that I said two sentences ago “vests all the power”, because it does.

Three out of five, and it is over. The arrangements are already made by the time the Board sits, and every man jack knows his role, the motions he must go through without blinking too much (or laughing behind his hand), and the preordained paths to where all roads terminate.

The investment committee is part of the joke, this shell game; and I have a fair to solid idea of the names already settled upon, and on which this travesty and obscenity will be carried aloft, while burying the dreams of impoverished Guyanese.

Well, the orchestra has been struck, and this country’s Titanic moment will be upon it before hapless citizens know it.

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

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Lessons from a Lashpreneur!!!

Enetworks to air WWE Royal Rumble PPV on Jan 29 What’s trending in the

lash industry for 2022

Enetworks is all set to air WWE Royale Rumble on January 29, 2022. The 2022 Royal Rumble is the upcoming 35th annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling live event produced by WWE. It will be held for wrestlers from

the promotion’s Raw and SmackDown brand divisions.

The event will air on pay-perview (PPV) worldwide. As is tradition, there will be both a men’s and women’s Royal Rumble match on the card, with the 2022 editions each

featuring a special guest entrant.

Actor/stuntman Johnny Knoxville will be in the men’s Rumble match, while Impact Wrestling’s Knockouts World Champion Mickie James will be in the women’s.

Enetworks to broadcast UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane on Jan. 22

On January 22, Enetworks will be airing the highly anticipated UFC 270: Ngannou vs. Gane, an upcoming mixed martial arts

event produced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

It will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim,

California.

The event can be watched on E1 or E2.

Be sure to enjoy with family and other sports fanatics.

By Latoya Zephyr 2021 has been dominated by mega volume lashes, Kim K-inspired wispy shapes and the emergence of the M curl and L curl But what does 2022 hold in store? Let’s see what the crystal ball says for lash trends ahead.

THE NATURAL LOOK There’s been a rise in demand for bigger and bigger lash extensions of late. In the days of mandatory masks, it’s unsurprising that beauty looks became all about the eye area! Many now predict the that lips will be back in a big way,meaning that eyes will be emphasised in a still beautiful butless dramatic way. Many of the rising trends are dominated by lashes designed to have people questioning – are they or aren’t they real?

Here are some of the natural look lash trends for 2022: BROWN LASHES After seeing an upsurge in popularity in lash competitions, brown lashes are likely to take greater prominence in 2022. Whether for classic lashes, hybrid or Russian volume, dark or light brown lashes are a great way to achieve an enviable flutter that will have your friends thinking you were simply blessed in the lash department. For a half-way house, ask your lash technician to blend black and brown lashes in your set.

EXPRESS LASHES They’re more affordable and take less time in the lash chair, so it’s no surprise that many lash lovers will turn to smaller sets instead. You can have fuller lashes applied from the middle to the outer edge of your eye – perfect for fans of a cat eye shape, with still enough lashes to add plenty of drama. Or you can have lashes added across the whole eye, just not on every single lash. Both looks create an effect that’s less noticeably ‘false’.

However, keep in mind that with fewer lashes, this type of look won’t last you as long as a full set.

LASH LIFTS One sure-fire to get natural-looking lashes is to stick to your natural lashes! If you’re tired of the constant cycle of infills that comes with committing to eyelash extensions, a lash lift is a lower maintenance approach.

A lash lift lifts and curls your lashes, creating a beautiful open-eyed effect. It lasts 4-6 weeks and can be accompanied by a tint so you don’t

even need mascara.

CLASSIC & HYBRID LASHES With more natural-looking lashes coming back to fashion, classic lashes are anticipated to be more in demand in 2022. This is where one false lash is applied to one natural lash, as opposed to a ‘fan’ of multiple lashes being applied (which is known as volume lashes). Next generation ‘flat lashes’ make for excellent retention. For those who find classic lashes too understated, hybrid lashes, which blend one-to-one lashes with volume fans make application quicker and can even be used for a more subtle take on the Kim K look if the lashlengths are mixed correctly.

MEN’S LASH EXTENSIONS Well, why should girls have all the fun? Guys’ beauty regimes have come a long way, incorporating much greater levels of skin and hair care, as well as make-up. So the next logical step is to get lash extensions to enhance those handsome eyes. This trend ties in very much with the rise of brown lashes and J-curl lashes. Bring on the nude lashes! ….AND THE NOT SO NATURAL LOOK The less is more look isn’t for everyone, so if you prefer your lashes with a whole lot of drama, never fear, there are plentyof trends that up the ante on the wow factor. In general, expect straighter silhouettes such as L and M curl

lashes to still be the hottest curl shapes, with a slight move away from superrounded shapes like D curl lashes.

WISPY LASHES OR AS SOME WOULD SAY THE KARDASHIAN LASH DESIGN This trend is here to stay!

Popularised by Kim Kardashian, this textured look is characterised by volume lashes interspersed with spikes of longer lengths for a super feminine and glamorous look. In 2022, you can take the wispy look in one of two ways. Option 1 is to dial up the volume and the drama, with very full baseline lashes and even longer wisps. Option 2 is to pare it back, with minimal all over lashes, letting the longer length spikes enhance your natural lashes. A twist on this is wet-look lashes, where multiple lashes are applied together, volume style, but they are not opened out into fans first.

EYELINER FLICK LASHES Cat eye and fox eye lashes have been around for some time now and show no signs of going away – if anything these trends are predicted to get even bigger.

Lash addicts are loving a pronounced winged eyeliner effect look also known as an extreme cat eye. This is created using shorter lashes overall but with angled, L curl or M lashes at the outer corners. It’s a look that oozes glamour and partners really well with a statement lip. Win win!

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

PAGE 33

==GNBS IN FOCUS==

GNBS - BUILDING CAPACITY TO EXPAND MONITORING, TESTING OF CRUDE The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has significant roles in both offshore and onshore activities, as it relates to Guyana's Oil and Gas Sector.

B r o a d l y, t h e N a t i o n a l Standards Body is responsible for the monitoring of measurements on the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which commenced at first oil. In 2022, the Bureau will fully take over the responsibility of testing the crude oil brought to the surface to determine a number of quality parameters.

The Bureau is mandated under the Weights and Measures Act of 1981 to carry out its measurement functions in any of Guyana's sector.

This legislation allows the GNBS to provide verification services and ensure accuracy of all weighing and measuring instruments used in trade.

For Oil and Gas, in January 2020, an official order was gazetted for the GNBS to perform the functions of measuring and certifying crude oil being lifted onboard the FPSO. Since then, GNBS Inspectors on a

rotational basis, travel to the offshore vessel to conduct the requisite monitoring activities.

In 2021, the GNBS establish the Oil and Gas department to better streamline these activities and monitor the sector.

I m p o r t a n t l y, G N B S monitoring activities in the Sector are done in accordance with the American Petroleum Institute (API) Standards, which are recognised globally.

These standards relate to the Accuracy of flow meters, Tank Gauging, Sampling and

testing of Crude.

To ensure access to these standards and other crucial benefits, in mid-2021 the GNBS fortified its relationship with the API by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with them.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the arrival of Lisa Unity to join Lisa Destiny, in 2021 the GNBS employed six additional Inspectors to service both vessels. Investments were made to train and build the competencies of both its old and new Oil and Gas Inspectors for them to

effectively and efficiently serve the sector.

Inspectors were exposed to both practical and theoretical aspects of measurement and safety standards and principles.

Training completed by Inspectors included the review of the flow process of the meter skid on the FPSO and verification of measurement points, equipment type, sample points, valve sealing process and the calibration of a prover loop based on the water-draw method.

Inspectors are significantly knowledgeable on the fiscal

Metering System and the importance of ensuring that the equipment used at the critical measuring points are calibrated. Accuracy of the custody transfer meters is essential for any oil and gas platform since this is used to determine the quantity and financial value of product transactions.

For safety, Inspectors have completed and are certified in the Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS) and Tropical Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (T-HUET).

Regarding crude testing, (Continued on page 35)

PAGE 34

Kaieteur News

Why Should You Drink Water in the Morning Before Brushing?

It is common knowledge that you need to drink 7-8 glasses of water every day.

Your body needs water to carry out all of its functions.

While it is understandable that you will have to space out your drinking, many people are left asking the question – “Should they drink water before or after brushing their teeth?” Read on to find out.

Drinking-Water First Thing In The Morning – You can indeed drink water right after you wake up, even before you brush your teeth. In fact, this practice can do you a world of good1.Your body uses up its water supply during the night when you sleep and you don’t always wake up in the middle of the night to refill your water stores. That is why you should drink water as soon as you wake up, it will rehydrate you.

2.The germs and bacteria inside your mouth multiply during the night. When you drink water in the morning before brushing, it will clean out your mouth and make tooth-brushing more effective.

3.When you make a habit of drinking water before brushing, you will notice your immunity becoming more robust. There will be fewer inci-

dents of you falling prey to illnesses such as common cough and cold, flu or hay fever.

4.Yet another surprising benefit is that drinking water before brushing will lower high blood pressure and regulate blood sugar levels throughout the day.

5.When you start the day with a glass of water, you ensure that problems like gastritis or indigestion will not plague you.

6.Lastly, this practice will make both your skin and hair soft and supple.

Also Read: Water for Weight Loss – How it Helps?

What About Drinking Water After Brushing? The answer to this question is an emphatic NO. Not just water, you should not be consuming any liquids or solids right after brushing. Drinking water after brushing your teeth reduces the efficacy of your toothpaste.

Sunday January 16, 2022

A Complete Guide To Disinfecting Groceries During COVID-19!

India has responded dutifully to the PM’s call of a national lockdown to defeat COVID-19. By now, we are all staying in our homes and practising social distancing.

But have you eliminated all risks of contracting COVID-19? Although we are washing our hands thoroughly after we come in from outside, do we also have to clean and disinfect everything that comes in from outside like groceries? The answer is Yes! Read on to understand the importance of disinfecting and how to do it.

Why clean groceries and other essentials A kind of virus causes COVID-19. Viruses, as you may know, can only grow and multiply inside a living host.

But the bad news is, they can remain alive for anything between a couple of hours to a few days on different kinds of non-living things.

The same is true for coronavirus. Let us take a look at how long this virus can last on certain surfaces – ·Cardboard, clothes and paper – 24 hours ·Plastic and metal – 72 hoursThis means you can bring the virus to your home through the things you purchase.

How coronavirus can end up in your homes through the things you buy

1.Foods and groceries and anything that you order online come into your house packaged into cardboard boxes. Similarly, when you go grocery shopping, you store them in paper or plastic bags.

2.In the market, many people touch the fruits, vegetables or other things that you finally end up buying. If anyone of them has the infection, the viruses could be present on the surface of the foods or there could be traces of the virus on the packaging as well.

3.When you go out to purchase, you may accidentally touch something that was earlier handled by an infected person.

Measures to prevent COVID-19 from entering your house 1.When food or groceries are delivered to your home, tear off the cardboard or plastic packaging and let someone with clean hands draw the products out and bring them inside your home. Keep a waste bin outside and dispose of the package. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

2.If you are going to the market or grocery store, take a jute or nylon grocery bag with you. Wash your bag once you come home.

3.The viruses can survive for a while on your fruits and

vegetables. So they need to be disinfected. Soak them in water for 5 minutes with potassium permanganate and then rinse them. Or simply scrub them for 20 seconds under running water.

4.Rinse the counter or tabletop where you had set down your purchases.

5.If your food is present in a tin or plastic container, wash it with soap and water.

6.Clean your phone cover with cotton wool and alcohol-based solution when you come home.

7.Try not to pay with cash as it changes hands numerous times. A banknote may contain the virus. Use online transactions wherever possible.

8.Wash your clothes with water and detergent as soon as you come in. And don’t let anyone come in contact with you until you have cleaned yourself.

ConclusionThese are times when we can’t leave anything to chance. We must be fanatic about keeping ourselves and everything around us disinfected.

This measure is as important as social distancing. Stay home, stay safe and maintain personal hygiene. (https://pharmeasy.in/blog/ a-complete-guide-to-disinfecting-groceries-duringcovid-19/)

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

OP: Ed – DIESEL SOLUTIONS....

From page 14 transportation companies including air, bus, car or boats to receive, repair and return their repaired components while giving those customers convenient payment options through commercial banks and MMG. We are better together and I am asking all diesel engine owners to register by email at diesel@swissmachinery.net

or Whatsapp (592) 691-1732 to ask questions and get current circulars and videos on protecting and improving diesel performance from our vast local and international resources.

We are also going to invite active participation from diesel engine owners which we will share with every one because WE ARE BETTER TOGETHER.

GNBS - BUILDING CAPACITY TO...

From page 33 the GNBS will commence this service from this January starting with two of five parameters.

With the acquisition of additional equipment, in the short-term, capacity will be fully built to test for all of the parameters.

Crude testing would be done to determine Density a n d Vi s c o s i t y, B a s i c Sediments and Water, Salt in Crude, Hydrogen Sulphur in Crude, and Water Content.

The GNBS with support from the Government of Guyana and other partners in Standardisation will continue to directly ensure that its measurement and testing services are provided onshore and offshore to protect the interest of the people of Guyana.

For further information, please visit the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org or call telephone numbers: 219-0064-66 or WhatsApp: 692-4627.

PAGE 35

PAGE 36

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

==CONSUMER CONCERNS==

By Pat Dial In December last year the Medex profession celebrated the 44th anniversary of its establishment in Guyana.

The term Medex is an abbreviation of 'Medical Extension' and was an idea formulated by Dr. Richard Smith, an African American.

Dr. Smith, while visiting

PAGE 37

MEDEXES - ACCORD THEM DESERVING RECOGNITION AND REMUNERATION! Cuba as a Methodist medical volunteer from his University, Howard, was appalled to see the abject poverty and absence of any medical care in the area to which he was assigned.

Adults and particularly children were afflicted with common easily treatable illnesses and suffered terribly

and even died and he realised that if medical care were available, this pervasive illhealth would have been eliminated; the trained doctors however remained in the cities and prosperous areas.

Dr. Smith felt that young people who were interested in human welfare could

receive some medical training and be able to form a middle layer of health workers who could serve those areas of developing countries in which the trained doctors would not practice.

With his University, he was able to produce an adequate medical training course and those who went through the

training were able to go out to developing countries. The US Aid programme recruited these Medexes who began to serve abroad and Guyana was one of the earliest countries to use Medexes and to establish the system.

The numbers of Western trained doctors were never enough to serve the

populations in developing countries, and each of these countries tried to meet the shortage in basically similar ways. In China they used "barefoot doctors" and in Russia "Feldshers", both groups having to undergo some medical training.

In Guyana, from the end (Continued on page 39)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 38

Sunday January 16, 2022

Norton calls on Govt. to plug 'abusive' tax exemptions Citing the economic crisis prevailing in oil-rich Guyana, with the steady increase of cost of living, despite numerous oil and gas discoveries coupled with predictions of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth by the World Bank and other financial

institutions, Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR), Aubrey Norton has called on the government to plug what he described as the abuse of tax exemptions.

Norton made the call on Friday during his political party's weekly press

engagement.

The party leader was at the time making recommendations to the governing People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) on budget 2022, which is expected to be presented soon.

Among the suggestions

given by Norton was the need for tax exemptions to switch to tax credits, an idea that was touted since 2017 by the Guyana Revenue Authority's Commissioner General, Mr. Godfrey Statia.

While he did not make reference to tax exemptions (Continued on page 39)

Leader of the PNCR, Aubrey Norton

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 39

Tails of Hope

Norton calls on Govt. to plug 'abusive'...

From page 38 for a particular sector, the party leader reasoned, “We support the Commissioner General of the GRA calling for a review of all tax exemptions granted (and) for a switch from tax exemptions to tax credits.

This method will plug the widespread abuse of tax exemptions, while garnering additional domestic revenue.”

According to the GRA website, “As an individual or business you may pay little or no tax, that is, Customs Duty, VAT (Value Added Tax) or Excise Tax if you are importing items as a manufacturer, a pharmacist, a large scale miner or if you have an investment agreement with the

Government of Guyana.

Likewise, if your business makes use of local forestry products such as lumber, sand, stone, etc., you will be allowed to claim the VAT paid even though you will not be allowed to charge your consumers VAT.” O n l y o n T h u r s d a y, Publisher of the Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall moved to the Courts to mount a legal challenge against oil giant ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited in light of the most repressive tax provisions of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

The case which was prepared and filed by his attorney-at-law, Mohamed

MEDEXES - ACCORD...

From page 37 of the 19th century until the advent of the Medical Faculty of the University of Guyana, the training of scores of doctors in Cuba and the Medex system, poorer Guyanese depended on folk medicine which consisted largely of "bush medicines" or persons who had drug stores and were known as 'drugists' or "dispensers' administering some medical attention along Western lines.

These dispensers mixed the various drugs or chemicals doctors prescribed for their patients, or independently treated patients.

Until two or three decades after the end of World II, doctors formulated their medicines unlike today when they prescribe patent drugs produced by the big pharmacies abroad.

The dispensers soon disappeared since patients could now buy their patent drugs "over the counter".Despite the remarkable increase in the numbers of Western-trained doctors with the output from the University of Guyana and of Cuban-trained, there is still a shortage of doctors in Guyana.

This is especially so in the sparsely populated Interior and the villages in the riverine areas and Medexes have been serving these communities. On the coast, Medexes support doctors in the Health Centres, or by manning the ambulances or providing first aid whenever there are large congregations of people.

Medexes are therefore a necessary adjunct to the Health Care System of the country.

The training of a Medex

is quite comprehensive. The student has to have five or more subjects at the CSEC examination before admission to the course. The training is for four years under the auspices of the University of Guyana and the candidate is awarded an Associate Degree on completion. In the first year, the student is trained in Nursing, in the second year in Midwifery and in the third and fourth years in Clinical Medicine. All students are on Ministry of Health scholarships and must serve the Ministry a minimum of five years on graduation.

They cannot practice privately like a doctor but they could work with a doctor.

The programme is still developing.

There are ideas of awarding a full Degree for the programme, of formally permitting Medexes to act as doctors' assistants, of them working in the private hospitals, of them having easier admission to the Medical Faculty of the University of Guyana to pursue training as a doctor.

Some patients prefer to be treated by Medexes since, unlike doctors, they treat them comprehens ively applying their nursing skills.

Though their importance and impact on the country's Health Care System is gradually being understood, there is need for the Medical Profession and Society to accord them the recognition and respect deserving of their service and dedication and to adequately remunerate them.

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

R. Ali, outlines that many of the provisions listed under Article 15.1 of the Petroleum Agreement, dated June 27, 2016 between the Guyana Government and the oil companies, grant exemptions to persons other than the licensees, which violate the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, the Prevention of Discrimination Act, and the Constitution.

The Auditor General, Deodat Sharma in his 2020 report highlighted that Guyana lost a whopping $137 million in tax

exemptions from the oil sector alone. Statia has already warned that these deductions will continue to increase, unless policy changes are made.

Back in 2017, the GRA boss hinted that tax exemptions may eventually be replaced with tax credits, thereby creating a level playing field for all taxpayers.

The case for tax credits was initially proposed for Guyana by some of the nation's best tax advisors, who were contracted to be part of the Tax Reform Commission in 2015. That Commission comprised the

GRA CommissionerGeneral, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram and Economist Dr. Maurice Odle, among o t h e r s .

In the report, which was prepared by the Commission, tax credits are noted to be a type of incentive which allows certain taxpayers to subtract the amount of credit from the total taxes owed, and when appropriately used, encourages investment and c o m p l i a n c e .

Unlike upfront incentives, which are hard to police, tax credits are only given upon submission of the proof of

the actual activity, and hence forces the taxpayer to comply, in order to benefit.

The Commission said, “For instance, instead of granting exemptions upfront to gold miners, an efficient tax credit regime will allow for such a credit to be granted when gold is sold to the B o a r d . ” The Commissioner believes that this will not only encourage compliance, but will reduce smuggling and sale of the exempted fuel, thereby minimising the probability that these persons are unjustly enriched at the benefit of the state.

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 40

How Gimme the Ax Found Junior page Out About the Zigzag Railroad How to Make the Printable

by Carl Sandburg One day Gimme the Ax said to himself, “Today I go to the post office and around, looking around. Maybe I will hear about something happening last night when I was sleeping. Maybe a policeman began laughing and fell in a cistern and came out with a wheelbarrow full of goldfish wearing new jewelry. How do I know?

Maybe the man in the moon going down a cellar stairs to get a pitcher of butter-milk for the woman in the moon to drink and stop crying, maybe he fell down the stairs and broke the pitcher and laughed and picked up the broken pieces and said to himself, 'One, two, three, four, accidents happen in the best regulated families.' How do I know?”

So with his mind full of simple and refreshing thoughts, Gimme the Ax went out into the backyard garden and looked at the different necktie poppies growing early in the summer.

Then he picked one of the necktie poppies to wear for a necktie scarf going downtown to the post office and around looking around.

“It is a good speculation to look nice around looking around in a necktie scarf,” said Gimme the Ax. “It is a necktie with a picture like whiteface pony spots on a green frog swimming in the moonshine.”

So he went downtown.

For the first time he saw the Potato Face Blind Man playing an accordion on the corner next nearest the postoffice.

He asked the Potato Face to tell him why the railroad tracks run zigzag in the Rootabaga Country.

“Long ago,” said the Potato Face Blind Man, “long before the necktie poppies began growing in the backyard, long before

there was a necktie scarf like yours with whiteface pony spots on a green frog swimming in the moonshine, back in the old days when they laid the rails for the railroad they laid the rails straight.”

“Then the zizzies came.

The zizzy is a bug. He runs zigzag on zigzag legs, eats zigzag with zigzag teeth, and spits zigzag with a zigzag tongue.

“Millions of zizzies came hizzing with little hizzers on their heads and under their legs. They jumped on the rails with their zigzag legs, and spit and twisted with their zigzag teeth and tongues till they twisted the whole railroad and all the rails and tracks into a zigzag railroad with zigzag rails for the trains, the passenger trains and the freight trains, all to run zigzag on.

“Then the zizzies crept away into the fields where they sleep and cover themselves with zigzag blankets on special zigzag beds.

“Next day came shovelmen with their shovels, smooth engineers with smooth blue prints, and water boys with water pails and water dippers for the shovelmen to drink after shoveling the railroad straight. And I nearly forgot

to say the steam and hoist operating engineers came and began their steam hoist and operating to make the railroad straight.

“They worked hard.

They made the railroad straight again. They looked at the job and said to themselves and to each other, 'This is it—we done it.'

“Next morning the zizzies opened their zigzag eyes and looked over to the railroad and the rails. When they saw the railroad all straight again, and the rails and the ties and the spikes all straight again, the zizzies didn't even eat breakfast that morning.

“They jumped out of their zigzag beds, jumped onto the rails with their zigzag legs and spit and twisted till they spit and twisted all the rails and the ties and the spikes back into a zigzag like the letter Z and the letter Z at the end of the alphabet.

“After that the zizzies went to breakfast. And they said to themselves and to each other, the same as the shovelmen, the smooth engineers and the steam hoist and operating engineers, 'This is it—we done it.'”

“So that is the how of the which—it was the zizzies,” said Gimme the Ax. “Yes, it was the zizzies,” said the Potato Face Blind Man. “That is the story told to me.”

“Who told it to you?”

“Two little zizzies. They came to me one cold winter night and slept in my accordion where the music keeps it warm in winter. In the morning I said, 'Good morning, zizzies, did you have a good sleep last night and pleasant dreams?’

And after they had breakfast they told me the story. Both told it zigzag but it was the same kind of zigzag each had together.”

FUN WITH POETRY

Doing better in the New Year It is now a brand new year, And I think this tells me something – That I should try to start again, And do better in everything.

I need to improve in all my work, Whether at home or school, Try to be right in all I do, And with everyone act nice and cool.

But what I think is most important, Even more than work and play, So that God will always help me, I must find more time to pray.

by Uncle Roy

Bug Paper Rings

What you need ·The printable template : http://primaryteach.es/wpcontent/uploads/2020/04/Bug-Rings.pdf · scissors · coloring medium if you decided to print the black and white paper ring template · paper · printer Follow the Step by Step Instructions · Print one or both of our craft templates. · We printed on heavier print paper (120 gsm) but regular print paper will work out nice for this project.

If you printed our black and white template it's best to color the rings before cutting. Sot his is the best time to unleash your creativity.

We think markers work out nice but crayons will work as well too.

You can always go a

step further and decorate with some glitter (we are fans of glitter glue here rather than glitter powder that gets everywhere). · Cut out the ring. · Cut all the way round. · To actually make the ring you have to cut halfway at the end of the “gray” ring strip on each end of the strip – on the opposite sides. · All there is left to do is to assemble the ring. · Make a loop and slide the cuts you made in the previous step one into another. · The ring should look complete, if it's off, un loop it and make the cuts a bit longer.

Cows and cacti The goal of this puzzle is to build a fence fully containing all the cows and excluding all the cacti. The fence must be a single closed loop that does not cross itself at any point!

COWS must be kept inside the fence, or they will wander away.

CACTI must be kept outside the fence, as they will give cows indigestion.

CIRCLED NUMBERS are always inside the fence; they indicate visibility. This number counts the total squares visible looking north, south, east, and west from the location of the clue (including the clue's square). You cannot see squares that are beyond the fence.

There is only one solution!

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

TEEN TIME

Make the most of the New Year by a determined effort at Self-improvement It would be of great benefit to you if you make the effort to determine the steps you need to take to make the most of your time during the next twelve months. Unless you make this special endeavour towards this determination, you will certainly find yourself wasting your time a n d e n e r g y, a n d n o t experiencing much improvement by the time the year is finished.

In the next few weeks we shall be offering advice to help you to develop a better personality and achieve success in your ambitions. Here are the first of these, which we recommend that you spend some time to think about each one, and determine how you will be working towards its success in your life: 1. Exercise daily – Take

some time every day to do some stretch exercises, walk, run and lift weights, if possible.

2. Expect the best and prepare for the worst – Always try to be optimistic, that is, looking for the best to happen, but still prepare yourself for the times when things may not go right.

3. Plan a schedule for

your week – When you put down on paper, and also in your mind, what you should be working on each week, then you will find that you will be able to do much more of what is beneficial to you than if you just move on day by day with no set plans.

4. Know the 5 highest priorities of your life – You should try to keep in your

mind the things that matter mostly, and not allow other things to distract you from the proper direction you have chosen. These should include your family, your ambitions in life, your friendships, and the things you need to do to keep on track.

5. Say no to distractions – This is probably the biggest obstacle facing any young person who is trying to make it in the modern world. There are so many things that can keep your attention from the things that you really need to do that you can waste a lot of energy, time and resources in getting involved in these and move in the wrong direction.

Keep telling yourself not to let the TV, idle friends, and useless activities get in the way of your ambitions, both short and long term.

Jigsaw sudoku Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column, and each jigsaw shape contain all of the digits 1 thru 9.

PAGE 41

You have what it takes You have what it takes to succeed, You have within you everything you need to become anything you want to be, And the zeal to approach your tasks enthusiastically.

You have power within you to apply yourself energetically; You have wisdom within you to wisely take the necessary steps to your good; You have all within you to answer the call to be whatever you want to be; You have imagination within you to see in your mind what you want manifested; You have love within you to be loving in all your methods and ways; You have life within you to pursue the happiness that is your birthright; You have strength within you to hold and pursue true ideas; You have intelligence within you to renounce every bad thought and action; You have faith within you to fulfil your destiny and make the most of yourself; You now need to make use of all your qualities to make yourself the best you can be.

When you try each day to improve yourself in some quality, it will make you much better in the long run.

TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY I would like to inform our readers that the Uncle Roy email address is temporarily unavailable. So please send any contributions you would like to make to this page to roypaul2002@yahoo.com

Slitherlink Color me

PAGE 42

12 Habits of Super-Healthy People 1.Plan Your Meals 2.Drink Plenty of Water It can do so many good things for you. Staying hydrated is at the top of the list, but it may also help you lose weight.

Another reason to go for H2O? Sugary drinks are linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. If you aren't a fan of plain water, add flavor with slices of orange, lemon, lime, watermelon, or cucumber.

3.Take an Exercise Break Don't just grab another cup of coffee -- get up and move. Do some deep lunges or stretches. It's great for your body and mind. Just 30 minutes of walking five times a week may help keep the blues at bay. And if you can't do those minutes all at once, short bursts help, too.

4.Go Offline Checking your email and social media a lot?

5.Learn Something New New skills help keep your brain healthy. Sign up for a dance class or a creative writing workshop.

6.Don't Smoke If you light up, quit. It's a big move toward better health.

7.Sleep Well There are almost too many benefits to list. A good night's sleep keeps you in a better mood, sharpens memory and focus, and helps you learn new things.

8.Train Your Muscles Strength training helps your body trade fat for muscle mass.

9.Head Outdoors A few minutes in the sunshine raises vitamin D levels, and that's good for your bones, your heart, and your mood.

10.Keep Your Balance If you're young and active, good balance will help you avoid injuries 11.Be Mindful It can mean meditating or simply stopping to smell the roses

https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/ss/twelve-habits-super-healthy-people

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

g ts in s... re ture e t In rea C

T

PAGE 43

Common Ground Dove

he common ground dove (Columbina passerina) is a small bird that inhabits the southern United States, parts of Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America. It is considered to be the smallest dove that inhabits the United States. As its name suggests, the bird spends the majority of its time on the ground walking but still has the ability to fly.

The common ground dove was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758, in the tenth edition of his Systema Naturae. He placed it with all the other pigeons in the genus Columba and coined the binomial name Columba passerina.

The specific name passerina is from the Latin passerinus meaning “sparrow-like”. The species is now placed with other New World ground-doves in the genus Columbina that was introduced in 1825, by the German naturalist Johann Baptist von Spix. There are nine species in this genus including the Inca dove (Columbina inca) and the scaled dove (Columbina squammata).

There are reportedly 17

(COLUMBINA PASSERINA) recognised subspecies.

DESCRIPTION The common ground dove is North America’s smallest dove and is one of the world’s smallest by mass. This species ranges from 15–18 cm (5.9–7.1 in) in length, spans 27 cm (11 in) across the wings and weighs 26–40 g (0.92–1.41 oz).

The common ground dove has a yellow beak with a black tip.

Feathers surrounding the beak are pink in colour. The feathers on the head and the upper breast have a scale like appearance. The tail feathers are very short and similar colour to the back. The plumage on the back of the bird is brown.

The coverts and wing feathers are also brown but have black spotting on them. The common ground dove has chestnut primaries and wing borders, which can only be seen when the bird is flying. The common ground dove shows some sexual dimorphism in their plumage.

The males have slate grey feathers on the top of their heads and pink-gray colouration on their belly. Females on the other hand are more grey than their male counterparts and are more evenly

coloured.

The common ground dove’s call can be described as soft whoops that increase in pitch. Often the call is heard in repetition, and is quite distinct.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT It is found in the southern tip of the United States, most of Mexico, parts of Central America, the Caribbean islands and northern west South America. The common ground dove does not migrate and is a year-long resident in the areas they are found.

It lives in open areas that have trees and bushes. They are also found in forests with sandy areas, farmlands, and savannahs and near human infrastructure. Common ground doves seem to hold territories but they are rarely aggressive when dealing with intruders.

BEHAVIOUR -Diet The common ground dove is a ground gleaner; as such it forages on the ground feeding on vegetation, seeds and fruits. It can also feed on insects and will feed

from bird feeders if available to them. They often eat while they are still moving and searching for other food items. Common ground doves can suck water into their beak and swallow it by lifting their heads, which is a common feature shared with other members of its family.

-Breeding The common ground dove mates with its partner for life. They build nests on the ground in vegetation or sometimes slightly off the ground in bushes. Their nests are quite simple, usually just a slight groove in the ground surrounded with plant material in a simple manner.

The nests in bushes often are a

simple structure of twigs and vegetation that are often fragile.

They can become sexually active within 79 days after hatching.

Nesting can occur between February and October; however, the peak of nesting occurs between early April and mid-May. They can have 2–3 broods in any given year.

On average, two white eggs are laid that are incubated by both parents for 12–14 days. The hatchlings are altricial at birth and covered in a small amount of grey feathers. The young birds can fledge in 11 days. Both parents feed the young birds until they are ready to feed themselves.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 44

Sunday January 16, 2022

‘Ameno’ Amapiano – A VIBRANT MOVEMENT DOMINATING THE WORLD

W

hile some countries are focused on world domination, at times, through means that could be damaging to developing nations, there are others that have been using more exhilarating means to achieve the same goal.

It is well known that the continent of Africa has suffered immensely over the decades due to the unsavoury actions of some individuals who cared nothing about Africa’s development. But if social media is to be believed, Africa in recent times has started to fight back, and the momentum thus far, has been unprecedented.

With a weapon called

Amapiano, one country at a time is being taken over and it is widely believed that, as a consequence, they are better off; after all, with a name like Amapiano who can possibly lose a showdown?

For those who may be sailing, Amapiano, according to Wikipedia, is a style of house music that emerged in South Africa in 2012. It is described as a hybrid of deep house, jazz, and lounge music that is usually distinguished by high-pitched piano melodies, Kwaito basslines, low tempo 90s South African house rhythms and percussions from another subgenre of house music known as Bacardi.

A c c o r d i n g t o

The ‘Ameno’ Amapiano Remix has been taking the world by storm.

Goya Menor in an ‘Ameno’ Amapiano Remix TikTok challenge video.

inventa.com (inventa is an Intellectual Property firm, specialising in the protection and internationalisation of trademarks, patents,

industrial designs, copyright and domains) Amapiano, in less than a decade, has gone beyond borders. On October 4, 2021, inventa.com

published an article written

by Inês Sequeira which revealed that on the TikTok social media platform for instance, the #amapiano hashtag stands at more than 570 million views and shares of global streams on the AmaPianoGrooves playlist on Spotify increased 116 percent globally over the previous year.

Amapiano, according to Sequeira, is a proudly South African genre that encompasses not just a sound, but also a South African lifestyle—and it may be Africa’s next global hit.

With the introduction of the ‘Ameno’ Amapiano remix song by Nigerian singer, Bright Goya, whose stage name is Goya Menor, Amapiano has been taken to new and incredible heights.

With catchy lyrics like “you want to bam bam, you want to chill with the big boys…,” the song which features US-based Ghanianborn Nektunez and was first released in June 2021, was able to rack-up over one million views in six months on YouTube. Needless to say, its viewership has continued to soar.

According to Nigeria’s P r e m u i m Ti m e s i n a December 21, 2021 report, the track is currently number one in several countries including: Jamaica, Uganda, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, South Africa, Thailand, Nigeria, Sweden, and still counting. Not surprisingly, it has also been building momentum right here in our land of many waters.

On TikTok, arguably the fastest growing social media platform, the song is without doubt overused, but interestingly enough, not ad nauseum. It would seem that the more the song is played, the more enticing it becomes. As a consequence, it has successfully

transcended country, race, religion and gender, to captivate the minds and hearts of the people of the world to achieve domination without an inkling of oppression.

The ‘Ameno’ song is capable of bringing a smile to the face of any listener and somehow evokes a sense of pride simply from employing a move or two (by way of dance or skit) in tune with the rhythmic flow.

ABOUT ‘AMENO’ AMAPIANO REMIX But could there be more to this astounding lyrical production? Well, Menor, the 26-year-old vocalist behind its success, certainly believes so. In an interview with Premium Times, Menor chose to describe it as a “supernatural hit”.

He said, ‘‘I didn’t produce it as a major project. I produced it as a joke. It was just God, because the song picked up in the first week of December after it went viral in Uganda. If I were to promote this song with my own resources this song wouldn’t be a hit.”

Menor, who, according to the Premium Times, is a sociology graduate from the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State Nigeria, revealed that the song was recorded to educate the youth about the dangers of social vices like cultism and prostitution.

In fact, he proudly described it as an anticultism track. Whether the intended message has been reaching his global audience, the rhythm certainly has been taking hold of them without fail.

According to reports, the song is currently topping the Apple music charts and Shazam playlist and seemingly will continue to soar to new and dynamic heights in the near future.

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

Meet the alluring Babita Seelall. She was one of the contestants in the Miss Guyana Universe 2015 pageant. Her favourite quote is, “None but ourselves can free our minds.”- Bob Marley

PAGE 45

Kaieteur News

PAGE 46

Sunday January 16, 2022

More than 5,000 new COVID-19 cases recorded in second week of 2022 -15 DEATHS RECORDED A second week has passed since the start of the new year but the concerns related to the infection rate of COVID-19 in our dear land has not dissipated. In fact, health officials are now more than ever, encouraging citizens to take every precaution to keep COVID-19 at bay.

In our last Sunday edition we shared with you the COVID-19 statistics of the first week of the year and today we continue in that vein.

While the cases for the first seven days of the year amounted to 43,299, by January 8 the cases had climbed to 44,245, with a worrying total of 49,056 being recorded by January 14.

Based on information released by the Ministry of Health, on January 8 Guyana recorded a total of 1,016 new cases, 657on January 9, 438 on January 10, 665 on January 11, 1,000 on January 12, 1,186 on January 13 and 865 on January 14. This means that over the course of the past seven days Guyana recorded a total of 5,827 new cases.

Although not at an alarming rate, the country continued to see far too many succumbing to the disease during the past week. A total of 12 deaths were recorded during the past week which had brought the national total to 1,066 on January 7. By January 8, the number had increased to 1,067 with the death of a 46-year-old unvaccinated man from Upper Demerara-Berbice (Region 10).

On January 9, the number of deaths increased to 1,070 with the passing of three more individuals. According to information released by the Ministry the three deaths were that of an 84-year-old fully vaccinated woman from East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6) who died on December 23, 2021, a 63year-old unvaccinated woman from DemeraraMahaica (Region 4) who died on January 8 and a 74-yearold unvaccinated man from East Berbice-Corentyne who died on the same date.

While no cases were recorded on January 10, by the following day the Ministry recorded three more deaths taking the number of deaths to 1,073. This time the deaths were that of an 81year-old unvaccinated man from East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6) who died on January 10 along with a 77year-old man from Demerara- Mahaica (Region 4) whose vaccination status is unknown and a 71-year-old unvaccinated man, also from Demerara- Mahaica, who died on January 11.

On January 12, the death toll increased 1,075 with the Ministry recording the demise of a 57-year-old unvaccinated woman from Mahaica-Berbice (Region 5) on January 10 and an 80-yearold fully vaccinated woman from East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6).

No deaths were recorded on January 13 but the following day the Ministry revealed that six more individuals had succumbed to Continued on page 48

GPL halts Garden of Eden operations over technical challenges ...load-shedding likely as Wartsila works to correct problems - PM

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips (2nd right) on Friday evening held a special emergency meeting with the management of the Wartsila Corporation and subsequently announced that the operations at the Garden of Eden power plant has been temporarily halted.

P

rime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Friday evening held a special emergency meeting with the m a n a g e m e n t o f t h e Wa r t s i l a Corporation during which they agreed to immediately dispatch a team of engineers to Guyana to correct the technical challenges that have temporarily halted operations at the Garden of Eden Power Station.

According to the Prime Minister, the facility is still under warranty, and as a result, the contracted Finnish company would be liable for any and all expenses. “As a Government, we will ensure that this project is fixed and that Wartsila covers the cost since there is a warranty in place.”

POOR MANAGEMENT

BY APNU+AFC He said that poor project management during the initial stage of the project by the APNU+AFC

administration has resulted in numerous hindrances. “This 46.5megawatt project was problematic from the start. The APNU+AFC Government embarked on this project in a rushed manner. From August 2, 2020, we have been dealing with a lot of corrective work as we seek to implement this project.”

The Prime Minister added that the generators were also reportedly manufactured in 2018, before the commencement of the project in 2019.

TEMPORARILY HALTED Late Friday afternoon, the senior government official visited the power station and announced that operations at the facility will be temporarily halted as a result of technical challenges being experienced with the generators. On the advice of the technical officials, a decision was taken to shut down the generators to avert any occupational safety and health challenges or damage

that may occur to the facility as a result.

“This is a decision that was made based on safety. This is a 55-million US dollar investment, and precautions are necessary. We don’t want anybody to be hurt just because we decide to ignore what is happening and run the plant.”

Prime Minister Phillips said that with the Demerara Berbice Interconnected system now having less supply to cater to the demand for electricity, there may be load-shedding, but called on Guyanese to be patient.

“I want the people of Guyana to understand from a safety and precautionary standpoint that it is necessary that we shut down this plant to do further checks. We will make sure that the problems are fixed. Unlike the previous administration, we intend to ensure that our people are given the best. One of the objectives of our Government is to end blackouts, and I intend to see that come to past.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

PAGE 47

The Court 2022 Magistrate's court proceedings…

Journal 6 charged with murder, 1 with manslaughter

By Renay Sambach

A

total of seven defendants have been brought before the court for the year so far. Six men were charged with the capital offence of murder while one was charged with manslaughter.

Those defendants are: 24-year-old Judah Vickery called 'Culture', a taxi driver of Bella Dam Pouderoyen Squatting Area, West Bank Demerara; 25-year-old Darren Baley called 'Fifty', a weeder of 3091 Recht-DoorZee, Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara; 19year-old Ezekiel Hawker, called 'Alpha' of Forshaw Street, Queenstown, Georgetown; 31-year-old father of two, Mickel Forde of Critchlow Street, Tucville, Georgetown; 21-year-old Elith Osorio Dominguez, a Venezuelan national of Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela; Kurtland Damon called 'Carto” of Pomeroon, Region Two and Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and police Constable, Sherwin Peters, 32, of 1869 Central Amelia's Ward, Linden.

'Murder' of Martial Arts Sensei On January 3, 2022, Vickery and Baley were remanded to prison for the alleged 'murder' of Martial Arts Sensei, Garfield Newton, 36—a bodyguard attached to the Beharry Group of Companies.

The defendants made their first court appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan.

They were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that on December 24, 2021, at Campbell Street, Albouystown, they murdered Newton during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

Baley and Vickery were remanded to prison and the matter was adjourned to January 26, 2022.

According to reports, Newton was shot dead during the course of a robbery just about 22:00hrs Christmas Eve night. The police had reported that moments before Newton was killed, he visited a goldsmith in the Campbell Street area, where he collected a silver hand band, a gold chain and two gold rings, which he had taken to be cleaned earlier.

It was while heading back to his company's vehicle, which was parked on Sussex Street that the fatal incident occurred. The court heard that Newton was

Remanded for two hinterland killings, Kurtland Damon.

Remanded, Judah Vickery called 'Culture'. armed with a 9mm handgun along with 30 live rounds of ammunition.

While making his way in a northerly direction, he was approached by Baley and others, who allegedly robbed and shot him to his chest, before relieving him of the firearm that he was carrying.

After committing the offence, Baley and others then escaped in a car which was being driven by Vickery.

Kaieteur News had reported that the goldsmith told police that about five minutes after Newton left to go to his vehicle, a teenager came and informed him that the person (Newton) who came to collect the jewellery was shot and lying on the street. Immediately after hearing this, the goldsmith reportedly went out to the street and saw Newton lying motionless.Emergency Medical Technicians, who were summoned to the scene, pronounced Newton dead there. An investigation was launched and the police arrested two suspects in relation to the murder. They later issued a wanted bulletin for a teen in relation to the said murder.

Christmas Eve execution in Albouystown Moments after that matter was called, a matter

Killed, Orin Boston.

Dead, Deon Charles.

i n v o l v i n g 1 9 - y e a r- o l d Ezekiel Hawker, called 'Alpha' and Mickel Forde, was called before the Chief Magistrate.

Hawker and Forde were charged with the capital offence of murder. It is alleged that they executed 28-year-old Deon Charles on Christmas Eve night in Albouystown.

They were not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleges that on December 24, 2021 at James Street, Albouystown, they murdered Charles.

It was reported that Charles of Middle Road, La Penitence was killed out of revenge.Police reports stated that sometime around 23:50hrs that day, Charles was standing on James Street, when a white Axio motorcar came from an easterly direction and stopped in front of him.

Investigators had revealed that two men exited the car and approached Charles,

after which a loud explosion, suspected to be a gunshot, was heard.

Charles subsequently fell to the ground while the men re-entered the car and drove away. Charles, who died on arrival at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, was shot to the left side of his head.

The investigation into his death led to the arrest of Hawker, and Forde, who was said to be the driver of the motorcar.

Forde was arrested at his home on Boxing Day, while Hawker was apprehended in Suriname while trying to evade police.In his confession to investigators, Hawker told them that he committed the crime because Charles had allegedly shot at him in the past on two occasions.

Chief Magistrate McLennan after remanding Hawker and Forde to prison adjourned the matter to January 27, 2022.

Placed on bail, Sherwin Peters.

Remanded, Ezekiel ' Alpha' Hawker.

Remanded, Darren Baley called 'Fifty'.

Venezuelan who killed friend with a piece of wood On January 7, 2022, a Ve n e z u e l a n m a n w h o allegedly killed his friend with a piece of wood on New Year's Day, during a row about 'owed gold' was remanded to prison for the offence.

Remanded, Elith Osorio Dominguez.

Dead, Garfield Newton.

The defendant, Elith Osorio Dominguez, 21, of Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, was charged with the murder of Animal Sonja, 51, at Arau Mountain Top located in the Cuyuni district of Region Seven.

He appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel IsaacsMarcus and was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

The Magistrate remanded him to prison and he is scheduled to make his next court appearance on March 14, 2022.

According to reports, Dominguez and Sonja were friends and had arrived at Arau sometime back, to work in the mine there.

Their friendship reportedly soured over a quantity of raw gold that Dominguez reportedly owed the victim.

On Old Year's night, Dominguez had gone over to his sister's camp to welcome the New Year with a celebration.

Sonja was present too but the festivities soon came to an abrupt end around 02:45hrs New Year's Day, after an argument reportedly broke out between the suspect and the victim over the owed gold.

The row reportedly turned violent after Dominguez allegedly found a piece of wood and lashed Sonja to his head.

Sonja reportedly fell to the ground and remained still while Dominguez allegedly ran away. Sonja was later pronounced dead by a medical professional, and police were able to apprehend Dominguez later that day in Kaikan—a village close to the Arau Mountain top.

Christmas Eve hinterland killings On Monday, January 10, (Continued on page 49)

PAGE 48

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

More than 5,000 new COVID-19...

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From page 46 COVID-19 complications.

Among these was an unvaccinated 14-month-old baby boy from Barima-Waini (Region 1) who passed away on January 11, a 77-year-old fully vaccinated woman from East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6) who passed away on January 12 as did a 83-year-old woman also from East Berbice-Corentyne whose

vaccination status is unknown. On January 13, the three remaining individuals – a 94-year-old man from Demerara-Mahaica (Region 4) whose vaccination status is unknown, an unvaccinated 52-year-old man from East Berbice-Corentyne (Region 6) and a 58-year-old fully vaccinated woman from Essequibo Islands-West Demerara (Region 3) – passed away.

As cases continue to soar, health officials have been stressing the importance of vaccination and subsequent booster shots in order to reduce the number of persons requiring hospitalisation.

Also enough cannot be said about the need to safeguard one’s self through the wearing of mask, social distancing, sanitising and other recommended measures.

Region 10 Councillor found dead...

From page 8 secretary), it was your hope that we don't lose anyone else from our Council, you hold down the crowd with jokes at lunch, I didn't know when I pulled my chair and sat next to you so we could whisper smack during meeting, it was the last, brother. You leave your buddy with tears Bad Heart.” Regional Chairman, Deron Adams said that he too was shocked and saddened

by the passing of Callender.

He said his passing leaves a huge void and the RDC will not be the same without him.

“The loss of Councillor Gordon Callender will be felt by many across the region. We will continue to celebrate his personality, his contribution and of course the memory he has with the life that he lived,” he said. Callender was a staunch PNC/R member and served in several regional

party executive positions over the last four decades. He also served as RDC and municipal councillor for many years. At the time of his death, he was the Chairman of the Regional Health Committee. The Region 10 RDC has lost three councillors since its installation in September 2020. Regional Vice Chairman Douglas Gittens and Councillor Gem Narine passed away last year.

Sunday January 16, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 49

Father of three succumbs two days after being struck by truck

Dead: Collin Mendonca

A screengrab from CCTV footage that captured the moment when Mendonca was struck by the truck along the Parika Public Road.

By Shervin Belgrave

T

hree children were rendered fatherless yesterday after their father succumbed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) as a result of severe head injuries, which he sustained in an accident with a truck on Thursday last.

The man identified as Collin Mendonca, 45, of Lot 12 Hydronie, Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Fitzburg, Port Kaituma, Region One was struck down by the truck close to 13:00hrs while riding across the Parika Public Road on his bicycle.

Kaieteur News was told that he had just left a supermarket when he met with the accident. CCTV footage obtained showed the man being hurled a short distance away as a result of the impact before he landed on the paved road, head first.

Eyewitnesses had hurriedly rushed over to render assistance. In cell phone recorded videos, Mendonca was seen lying face down on the road in an unresponsive state and bleeding from the head.

Kaieteur News learnt that police were alerted by one of the eyewitnesses who offered to rush the severely injured father of three to the Leonora Cottage Hospital.

Someone had also made contact with his wife

to inform her of the tragic incident.

Speaking with this newspaper, the woman recalled that she was resting in her bed when her phone rang.

She did not know who the caller was at the time but was reportedly left in a state of shock when she heard that her husband was “just knocked down by a truck.” The woman recounted that she grabbed her eldest son and burst into the tears.

After informing relatives, the woman said that she and her son hurried to the accident scene but when they got there, Mendonca had been taken to the hospital already.

Investigators related that when the injured man arrived at the Leonora Cottage Hospital, doctors there noted that he was unconscious and critical so they decided to refer him to the GPHC. According to relatives, when he arrived at the city hospital, doctors related that he was not breathing and after reviving him with some oxygen, Mendonca was rushed to the operating room for an emergency surgery.

One of his brothers, Clive Mendonca, said that it was a tense wait for him and other family members in front of the hospital as they awaited an update from doctors.

Hours later, he recounted, the surgeons called them in. They were hopeful, he said, as the doctors had indicated that he could

survive because the surgery was a success, but this was not 100 percent guaranteed.

“The doctor said that they were successful in removing a huge blood clot from his brain but several other parts were still damaged and only time and his response to treatment will determine if he will recover from his unconscious state,” Clive told reporters.

The following morning (Friday), according to Clive, he visited his brother in Continued on page 50

PAGE 50

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

Tsunami advisory in effect for US as waves hit Tonga following volcanic eruption (CNN) - A tsunami hit Tonga’s largest island, Tongatapu, reportedly sending waves flooding into the capital after an underwater volcano in the South Pacific exploded in a violent eruption, propelling a cloud of ash and gas steam into the air.

Waves crossed the shoreline of Nuku’alofa, Tonga’s capital, flowing onto coastal roads and flooding properties Saturday, according to CNN affiliate Radio New Zealand (RNZ), which reported residents headed for higher ground as waves swept the palace grounds, waterfront and main street.

Meanwhile, Tonga’s King Tupou VI was then evacuated from the Royal Palace, RNZ said, citing local media reports of a convoy of police and troops rushing the monarch to a villa at Mata Ki Eua. The tsunami came after the eruption of the HungaTonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano, about 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) southeast of Tonga’s Fonuafo’ou island, according to RNZ, and about 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of Nuku’alofa.

The volcano first erupted Friday, sending a plume of ash 20 kilometers, or 12.4 miles, into the air, per RNZ. A second eruption occurred Saturday at 5:26 p.m. local time, RNZ reported.

Satellite imagery showed a massive ash cloud and shockwaves spreading from the eruption. Ash was falling from the sky in Nuku’alofa Saturday evening and phone connections were down, RNZ said.The eruption had effects across the Pacific, as tsunami warnings and advisories were issued from parts of New Zealand and Japan to the United States: A tsunami warning was issued for the islands of Tonga and parts of Japan, while tsunami advisories were issued for New Zealand’s North Island and the west coast of the US from California to Alaska, as well as Canada’s British Columbia.

Tsunamis were reported along Japan’s coast early Sun-

day, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. The highest observed was 120 cm, or 3.9 feet, at Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, followed by a 110 cm, or 3.6 foot wave at Kuku Port in Iwate Prefecture, NHK reported.

Japan’s coast guard was out assessing damage, but so far none had been reported, NHK reported, noting it was still dark and more waves were expected. Officials continued to ask people to stay alert and away from beaches.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the southern Amami island and Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture and a tsunami advi-

sory for all coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean, NHK reported. The agency later issued another tsunami warning for the Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan.

Footage shared on NHK from a viewer in Setouchi Town on Amami Oshima Island showed bumper-tobumper traffic as cars evacuated to higher ground. Other footage showed people sleeping on floors in evacuation centers in Iwate Prefecture, where a tsunami warning remained in effect.

Elsewhere, Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology said it recorded a tsunami wave of 1.2 meters (about 4 feet) near Nuku’alofa at 5:30 p.m. local time on Saturday. And the

Father of three succumbs two days after being struck...

From page 11 the Intensive Care Unit.

Mendonca was still unconscious but the doctors had reportedly given him (Clive) some good news that his brother’s condition was improving. Family members said that the update renewed their hope and they were comforted that they will be able to “gaff and laugh” with Mendonca again.

Unfortunately, this was not to be as on Saturday (yesterday), Mendonca died around 08:15hrs.

Clive recalled that he had once again gone to pay his

brother a visit.

This time, as he sat in the waiting area, he noticed that something might have gone wrong. “While I sit down waiting, I see all them doctors rushing in the room and everybody was tense and the thought crossed my mind that probably something is wrong with my brother,” Clive recounted.

His fears soon became reality when the doctor came up to him and reportedly said, “We lost him, I am sorry.”

Clive remembered sitting in silence for a while as he tried to figure out the best

possible way to notify his brother’s wife and the rest of the family. Relatives said that when they received the news, many burst into tears as they will now have to live with the fact that their loved one will not be returning home.

Mendonca was described as a hardworking father who loved his family and would often crack jokes just to cheer others up. As it relates to the investigation in the accident, this newspaper was reliably informed that the driver of the truck who struck down Mendonca is still in custody.

Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said tsunami waves of 2.7 feet (83 cm) were observed by gauges at Nuku’alofa and waves of 2 feet at Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, Reuters reported.

The nearby island of Fiji also issued a public advisory asking people living in lowlying coastal areas to “move to safety in anticipation of the strong currents and dangerous waves.” A tsunami watch is in effect for all Samoan lowlying coastal areas, the Samoa Meteorological Service said, with residents and visitors advised to stay away from beach

areas.An earlier tsunami advisory for the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu was discontinued, with the nation’s National Disaster Management issuing an “all clear.”

The office had earlier advised residents to move away from the coastline and seek higher ground. Impacts already seen in the USThe first tsunami waves were felt on the US West Coast early Saturday morning, Dave Snider, the tsunami warning coordinator at the National Weather Service’s National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, told CNN.

Prime Minister’s office purchases...

From page 3 a breach of Section 29 of the Stores Regulations 1993, which require that ‘Log Books in Form 17 shall be maintained for all motor vehicles, plant, machinery and equipment, except motor vehicles assigned to Ministers of the Government, holders of Constitutional Offices and persons of similar status’.”

As a result, the Audit Office could not determine whether all journeys undertaken were properly authorised and in the interest of the public. He was keen to note that during 2019, log books were not properly maintained to reflect all pertinent information.

The Office of the Prime Minister responded that the Head of Budget Agency ex-

plained that log books are currently being maintained and that the office has systems in place to ensure all vehicle log books are properly filled out.

Moreover, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency should ensure log books are maintained for all vehicles requiring such, and monitor systems to ensure adherence to the Stores Regulations.

Kaieteur News was unable to verify under which administration the skullduggeries occurred, as both the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) and the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) would have been in office during the year 2020.

PNC/R makes budget 2022 recommendations...

From page 3 Age Pension, and persons living with difficult circumstances, an increase of $10,000 should be granted, Norton posited.

To bring further relief, he suggested an overhaul of the income tax threshold.

In fact, he recommended that the income tax threshold be increased to $1.5 million or one third of gross earnings, “whichever is higher, from the present $780,000” and that changes be made in the Income Tax Law to ensure that the minimum wage is never taxed. Norton also said that the income tax rate should be restructured to “the first $3 million of chargeable income 15 percent, the next $3 million 20 percent and the balance 25 percent. When it comes to the agriculture sector, Norton was sure to express his disappointment to media operatives that President Irfaan Ali has been mismanaging the economy through “ad hoc” handouts of cash and even a new experimental initiative to implement the use of fish cages to bring comfort to those suffering from dwindling fish catches. In this regard, the party leader suggested that programmes such as Rural Agricultural Infrastructure Development (RAID), which was implemented under the Coalition government to de-

velop sustainable farming in communities such as Buxton, Beterverwagting, Mocha and Ithaca, be revitalised and expanded to other villages, with necessary government support in the form of financing, extension services, marketing and sales.

He pointed out, “It is estimated that between 2018 and 2020, $6 billion was spent on the importation of carrots, broccoli and cauliflower. This is tragic, given the agriculture potential of the country and the resilience of our farmers.

We therefore call for an immediate reversal of this trend.” Further to this, he recommended that grants of up to $5 million be made available to start-ups, micro, small and even medium businesses.

Government should also set aside $5 billion to implement a programme of infrastructure renewal in depressed villages and communities, which would address roads, drains, community and recreational centres, markets and other areas in need of attention, Norton added. His list of recommendations also included that government should earmark a sum of money to conduct an immediate survey of poverty in the entire country so as to better target ameliorative policies and measures.

Sunday January 16, 2022

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Kaieteur News

6 charged with murder, 1 with manslaughter...

From page 47 2022, one of the suspects in the hinterland killings that took place last Christmas Eve was charged for the offence and remanded. The suspect, Kurtland Damon through his lawyer, told the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts that he had nothing to do with the murders. According to reports, Sherwin Goddette and Shawn France, are the two miners who were brutally stabbed to death along a trail heading to their camps located in the Nassano Backdam, North West District, Region One. The Guyana Police Force (GPF) later issued two wanted bulletins for Damon and Thomas Kyte, aka “Taco”.

Kyte had turned himself into police and detectives arrested Damon sometime later.

Both Damon and Kyte were interrogated but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali Hack, SC, had advised that only one of them be charged with murder and that suspect was Damon.

Kyte was released on bail while Damon was placed before the court to face the murder charge.

Damon appeared before Chief Magistrate McLennan in the company of his lawyer.

He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleges that on December 24, 2021, he murdered the two miners. According to Damon's version of the events, he was

knocked unconscious during a bar fight and had recovered from that state lying next to his injured son, Devor Sthol, who was allegedly stabbed to his abdomen by France.

According to reports, France and Goddette are friends and had gone to the Nassano Landing on Christmas Eve, during the day, to party at a bar. At the bar, France allegedly started an argument with the bartender over a bottle of champagne.

The argument turned into a fight and involved other patrons who tried to defend the bar tender. France had allegedly armed himself with a pair of scissors to fend them off his attackers and eventually stabbed one to his abdomen.

A gunshot in the air ended the fight around 22:30hrs and the stabbed patron, Devor Sthol, fell to the floor severely injured. Sthol was picked up and rushed to the Port Kaituma Hospital for emergency medical attention.

He was eventually airlifted to the city for surgery. According to information police received, his father Kurtland Damon, was told about the incident, which left his son critically injured. Witnesses reportedly told cops that Damon and Kyte decided to ambush Damon son's attackers that same night, fatally stabbing them on a trail leading to their camp. By time police got to the scene, Godette and France's bodies had al-

ready started to decompose.

As a result, police decided to bury them in marked graves with the intention of exhuming the corpses at a later date for the autopsies. Police Constable on $1M bail for allegedly killing Orin Boston On Friday, a member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) was placed on $1M bail for the killing of Essequibo businessman, Orin Boston. The rank, Police Constable Sherwin Peters, appeared via Zoom from the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Esther Sam. The unrepresented rank was not required to plead to the indictable manslaughter charge, which alleges that on September 15, 2021, at

Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, he killed Boston.

The police prosecutor made an objection to bail being granted to the rank on the grounds that a life was lost.

However, the Magistrate granted the rank bail and the matter was adjourned to February 1, 2022. Peters was charged almost four months after Boston was killed during a Special Weapons and Tactical Service Unit (SWAT) operation in his Dartmouth, Essequibo Coast, home. An investigation was launched into the killing of the businessman and based on the findings, the charge was on Friday instituted against the rank who allegedly fatally shot and killed Boston.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

Sunday January 16, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Vice Chairman IKO Karate Academy of Guyana donates training gear Vice Chairman of the International Karate Organization (IKO) Academy of Guyana, Sensei Aubrey Mendonca, has just made a sizeable donation of martial arts and fitness training equipment to his Karate-do organization in Guyana.

Sensei Mendonça, who resides in the United States and who is a is a Professor at the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University (ISU), visits Guyana several times each year, particularly with the aim of sharing his skill and knowledge with the young Karatekas of IKO Guyana, and on this occasion brought along a number of fitness and martial arts training aids to help with the Academy’s

training programme.

Professor Mendonca who firmly believes that sport has the power to change the world and who has been practicing the martial art of karate-do since his very youthful days in Guyana where he saw the benefits of karate contributing to ending violence, bullying and discrimination against children, young people in school and even women in domestic environments, said he would like to see particular attention paid to fitness training.

He opined that when you are physically active your mind gets a chance to unplug from daily stresses and strains of life.

Physical exercise reduces the stress hormones in your body and stimulates the release of

endorphins. These endorphins may give you more energy and focus for whatever life has.

In speaking to the young Karatekas who were present at the handing over of the equipment, he stated that the quest to become a karate champion requires a lot of training, grit, cheers, tears, high fives and early morning endurance jogs. He said discipline, diet and countless hours of training are also very important.

He stated that the donation was just the beginning of many more to come as the IKO seeks to take Karate-do training across the length and breadth of Guyana to a new level. He also hosted a special working luncheon at the New Thriving Restaurant

Sunday January 16, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Communication with others should be as strong on a psychic level as on a verbal one, so expect some telepathic flashes. Practicality and common sense combine with intuition today to make you feel especially creative.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Your innate practicality and common sense are apt to be called into action on behalf of a group with which you're affiliated, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Whatever tasks or chores you may have to perform today are likely to go much more quickly and efficiently than usual. Your level of common sense is high, as is your physical energy.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You generally tend toward a very high level of perseverance. No matter how difficult a task may seem to you, today it should go very smoothly, particularly if it involves in-depth study or research of some kind.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Dreams could shed light on some personal ambiguities you've been trying to understand, Leo. Your thinking is especially clear and logical now, and work should therefore be a snap.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Projects of all kinds that you could be working on with partners or friends could go especially smoothly today, Virgo, as your thinking is especially sharp, clear, and logical.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today could be one of those days when you look around the house and think, "What a mess!" You might then decide to give the whole place a thorough cleaning.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Letters or phone calls could come today reaffirming the continued success you've been enjoying and presenting new opportunities.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You may have been especially interested in promoting your general health for a while, and so today you could finally start that nutrition and exercise program you've been thinking about.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today should prove a busy day on all levels. Inspiration for creative projects, particularly writing, should come to you in profusion, and so you might produce results that could surprise even you.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Generally you tend to let paperwork go, but today the necessity of handling budgeting and financial matters could force you to sit down and get it all done.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today sensitivity combines with mental astuteness to bring your innate practicality and efficiency to the surface. You'll probably have more than one chance to make use of this, Pisces, whether it relates to work you do at home, you're helping out a friend.

Professor Mendonca second from left handing over the equipment to Shihan Wong fourth from right. where the executive of the organization met and reviewed its achievements and challenges for last year and crafted its work programme for 2022.

The Professor indicated his considerable satisfaction at the development and achievements of the Linden IKO Dojo where the interest shown by residents of the mining town was very strong and the commitment and dedication displayed resulted in an outstanding showing at the

Tennis star Novak Djokovic...

From page 53 Guardian reports that Hawke said that Djokovic’s presence in Australia could “potentially lead to an increase in civil unrest of the kind previously experienced in Australia with rallies and protests which may themselves be a source of community transmission.

Quoting from documents filed in the court outlining the minister’s reasons sent to Djokovic as justification for canceling his visa, Hawkes warned that Djokovic risked becoming a “talisman of antivaccination sentiment,” reported The Guardian.

“Having regard to … Mr Djokovic’s conduct after receiving a positive Covid-19 result, his publicly stated views, as well as his unvaccinated status, I consider that his ongoing presence in Australia may encourage other people to disregard or act inconsistently with public health advice and policies in Australia,” said Hawke.

Simon Atkinson, for BBC News in Melbourne, reported that after the news of Djokovic’s second visa cancellation, there were scenes of jubilation.

“Motorists leaned from car windows, honking their horns and shouting their approval. Most people I’ve spoken to are pretty outraged that an unvaccinated player was ever allowed here in the first place,”he wrote.

recently held grading examinations. He proposed for this year that the academy should consolidate on the gains made there, and a push made to expand the training there to allow for much more enrollment, whilst concurrently attention be also

paid on the Berbice, Georgetown and West Demerara dojos.

In thanking the Professor for the timely and much needed donation to the organization, the Chairman of IKO Guyana, Shihan Jeffrey Wong 7th Dan black belt, outlined some of the plans for the new year including hosting a special camp for all of the dojos once there is an abatement of the Covid 19 pandemic in Guyana, the hosting of a major domestic tournament and attendance to at least two international tournaments. He was high in his praise for his very youthful instructors whom he termed as the next generation of leaders and practitioners who will guide the students to commanding heights both in Guyana and internationally.

He said the equipment received shall be used to increase the flexibility, balance, strength and endurance of all of the Academy’s Karatekas.

Ostwal (5-28), Bawa (4-47)...

From page 52 of Andile Simelane (06) with one that kept low before Ostwal bowled Michael Copeland (01) Kaden Solomons (00) in quick succession to pegged back the scoring.

Despite the fall of wickets, Van Heerden played his shots hitting three fours and striking Ostwal for six before he was taken off Bawa for 36 off 61 balls.

Ostwal sent back Boast (08) and Bawa accounted for Aphiwe Mnyanda (05) while Liam Alder was not out on 17 as South Africa U19 were sent packing for 187 in 45.4 overs.

Ostwal bagged 5-28 and Bawa 4-47.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 16, 2022

Ostwal (5-28), Bawa (4-47), Dhull (82) lead India to 45-run win over SA ICC Men’s U19 CWC

By Zaheer Mohamed Vicky Ostwal and Raj Bawa produced excellent spells and a superb knock from skipper Yash Dhull handed India U19 a 54-run win over South Africa U19 when the ICC U19 Men’s Wo r l d C u p c o n t i n u e d yesterday.

Dhull played a captain’s

knock before Ostwal and Bawa stifled South Africa batting despite Dewald Brevis fine half century.

India U19 were pegged back early in the innings with pacer Aphiwe Mnyanda trapping openers Harnoor Singh (01) and Angkrish Raghuvanshi (05) both lbw following their insertion at

Providence.

However, skipper Yash Dhull and Shaik Rasheed resurrected the innings with a delightful third-wicket stand of 71.

The duo rotated the strike well and executed a number of handsome drives either side of the pitch. Dhull capitalise well on the

wayward deliveries while Rasheed supported him well before he was trapped lbw to Liam Alder for 31 with four fours off 54 balls.

Dhull added a further 44 for the fourth-wicket with Nishant Sindhu before Sindhu was caught at the wicket off Michael Copeland for 27 which came off 25 balls and contained five fours.

Dhull continued to play his shots featured in useful partnerships with Raj Bawa and Kaushal Tambe as India U19 continued to accumulate the runs. Bawa fell lbw to Dewald Brevis for 13 before Dhull was run out for 82 after looking well set for a century. He faced 111 balls and struck 11 fours.

Boast uprooted the stumps of Dinesh Bana (07) before Tambe was brilliantly taken at point off Boast for 35 off 44 balls with five fours as South Africa U19 fought back.

Boast struck again by having Rajvardhan Hangargekar (00) caught before Brevis sent back Vicky Ostwal (09) as India U19 were bowled out for 232 in 46.5 overs. Boast claimed 3-40 while Aphiwe Mnyanda had 2-29 and Brevis 2-43.

South Africa U19 lost opener Ethan-John Cunningham who played no shot to one that came back from outside off stump from lively pacer Hangargekar and was lbw to without a run on the board.

However, Valentine Kitime and Brevis steadied the chase fairly with a second-wicket stand of 58.

Kitime played fluently striking Ravi Kumar for a four and the first six of the match before pulling Bawa for another six.

Brevis mixed aggression with defence as he flicked Bawa neatly off the pads for four and continued to rotate

the strike smartly before their partnership was broken when Kitime was well caught by wicket-keeper Bana off Ostwal for 25 which came off 33 balls and contained two fours and a similar number of sixes.

Ostwal struck again by having Gerhardus Maree taken at the wicket for eight before Brevis and skipper George Van Heerden put on 55 for the fourth-wicket to keep their team in the hunt.

Brevis smashed Sindhu for a huge six over extracover and reached his fifty in fine fashion, chipping down and hoisting Tambe for a massive six over mid-off.

Brevis was put down off the very next ball at gully, but did not capitalise on the chance and was well caught at mid-off for 65 off Bawa.

He faced 99 balls and struck six fours and two sixes.

Bawa struck again when he disturbed the stumps (Continued on page 51)

Sunday January 16, 2022

President Receives Honorary Dan Grade The President of Guyana, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, received an Honorary Dan Grade from Professor Christopher Norville, founder of Jihatsu-tekina Ryu Jujitsu, at a simple ceremony at the State House on Friday evening.

President Ali is the first to have an honorary rank of 5th Dan Black Belt (Godan) from the Jihatsu-tekina Ryu Jujitsu martial arts system.

Professor Norville, a 9th Dan Black Belt and the inheritor of the system Fudo Shin Ju-Jitsu (Ju-Jitsu Guyana), recently established his own system of Jujitsu named “Jihatsut e k i n a Ry u J u j i t s u ” .

Professor Norville said that this new martial arts system was created in 2018, but never had recognition or registration in the martial arts industry until now.

In December of 2021, the International Combat Martial Arts Union Association (ICMAUA) recognized and registered this system of Jujitsu and listed it on their website.

This new system of

Jujitsu has four branches, these include: (1) Jihatsutekina Ryu Jujitsu Law Enforcement Unarmed Combat System; (2) Military Unarmed Combat System; (3) Security Unarmed Combat System; and (4) Bodyguard Unarmed Combat System.

The dream of Professor Norville is to teach the four branches to the police force, military, security services, and bodyguard companies with the objective of helping them to provide better services.

Prof Norville is one of five Guyanese to create a martial arts system the name of Guyanese Martial arts system as follows: Shin Ki Do Personal Combat System, Fudo Shin Ju-Jitsu (Ju-Jitsu Guyana), Shin Kai Ryu System of Martial Arts Maxi Do Adult Slef defence System and now Jihatsutekina Ryu Jujitsu.

J i h a t s u - t e k i n a Ry u Jujitsu will soon be in the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force which H.E Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali as promised.

Tennis star Novak Djokovic detained in Australia for second time and declared a risk to ‘civil unrest’ The Insider - Tennis star Novak Djokovic has been detained in Australia for the second time while he awaits his deportation appeal after Australia’s immigration minister Alex Hawke canceled Djokovic’s visa because the tennis star posed a health risk and could drum up anti-vax groups in the country, according to court documents.

Djokovic, from Serbia, returned to the immigration detention hotel in Melbourne where he was held earlier this week, reported the BBC. His lawyers are appealing against what they say is an “irrational” decision, with the hearing set for this morning, the BBC reports.

The tennis star is scheduled to play at the Australian Open tomorrow.

Should Djokovic lose the appeal, he will face deportation and a three-year visa ban.

Speaking on the detention, immigration Minister Alex Hawke said in

a statement.

“Today I exercised my power... to cancel the visa held by Mr. Novak Djokovic on health and good order grounds, on the basis that it was in the public interest to do so,” Australia has strict travel rules which state that people traveling to Australia must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. There are exceptions to this rule, but on 14 January, Djokovic had his Australian visa canceled for a second time after failing to provide evidence that those applied to him.

Australia’s immigration minister Alex Hawke said that he canceled Novak Djokovic’s visa because the tennis star posed a health risk in the country.

“I consider that Mr. Djokovic’s presence may pose a health risk to the Australian community, in that his presence may foster anti-vaccination sentiment,” Hawke wrote, Insider’s Azmi Haroun reports. The (Continued on page 51)

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

All Star to face Invaders Masters in over45 fixture today All Star will take one Invaders Masters in an over45 T20 fixture today at Reliance, Essequibo Coast.

The match is being organised by Seeraj Bhmsain. All players are asked to walk with the covid vaccinated card.

Meanwhile, Trophy Stall has sponsored the trophies for the game which will commence at 10:00hrs.

Teams; All Star-Arjun Persaud, Narine Roopdeo, Jai Kissoon, Mustahpa Azeemulla, Kenard Luke, Devanand Cannan, Dubraj Singh, Nandram Samlall, Lloyd Ruplall, Hardat Heranandan, Hemraj Jailall and Sunil Singh.

Invaders MastersLinden Daniels, Ramesh Narine, Bhesham Seepersaud, Dharmendra Lakhan, Davanand Madho, Richie Bishop, Indar Rampersaud, Drick Paul, Laxmikant Narine, Fazeer Khan, Balbadar and Patrick Rooplall.

Angela Singh of Trophy Stall presents the trophies to Seeraj Bhimsain.

Chagel Sports bar dominoes and pool competitions on today Dane Roopnauth accepts the trophies from Shaneeza Bacchus of Trophy Stall.

C

hagel Sports bar of East Bank Essequibo will be hosting a dominoes and pool competition today starting at 11:00hrs. Both competitions will be played

simultaneously with the winners and runner ups receiving trophies.

Trophy Stall has sponsored the trophies for both competitions which are expected to be keenly contested.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 16, 2022

PAGE 57

ICC U-19 World Cup round up

GCB’s 2nd Trial match at Albion

Paul’s X1 scent victory as Kevin Sinclair takes 6-61 Resuming on their first day score of 143-0 in the second GCB’s trial game in preparation for next month’s Regional First-Class tournament, Keemo Paul’s X1 were bowled out for 218 and at stumps on day two Leon Johnson’s X1 were 116-7 in their second innings, leading by 19 runs.

On a slow Albion track in sunny conditions with a few spectators present, Paul’s X1 replying to Johnson’s X1 122, were leading by 21 runs with all 10 wickets in hand, thanks to and unfinished century opening stand b e t w e e n Ta g e n a r i n e Chanderpaul and Trevon Griffith.

The left-handed pair dominated the bowlers with uncharacteristic contrasting half centuries with the usually sedate Chanderpaul stroking an entertaining 85 from 129 balls and 147 minutes with nine boundaries, while the usually pugnacious Griffith, had faced 100 balls and batted for three minutes short of two and a half hours for his 57 which included five fours.

However, after posting the 150 partnership and just five runs, Griffith got going with a boundary before he was removed by pacer Nial Smith for 65 at 152-1.

Two runs later Tevin Imlach (2) fell to quickie Ronsford Beaton before

Emmanuel Bawa scored a ton for Zimbabwe in T&T yesterday.

West Indies off-spinner Kevin Sinclair captured 6-61 at Albion yesterday.

Chanderpaul, who reverted to his ‘old self’ and took balls and almost an hour to score a run, was LBW to West Indies off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, without addition to the score.

The 29-year-old Beaton who has played two ODIs and 33 First-class games but none since March 2016, induced Seon Glasgow (0) to edge a catch to wicketkeeper Kemol Savory and when Savory held a catch to get rid of Akshaya Persaud (2) as Sinclair struck for the second time.

And all of sudden Paul’s X1 has catapulted from 1470 to 156-5 before Junior Sinclair (3) and Anthony Bramble, who missed the first game due to fitness issues, carried the score to 172 before Junior Sinclair fell to his unrelated name-

Anthony Adams continues to impress in the GCB trials at Albion.

sake Kevin Sinclair.

Bramble, who hit a four and six in his 19, added 20 with Clinton Pestano (12) before Bramble provided Johnson with his third catch of the first session off Kevin Umroa on the stroke of Lunch at 192-7.

After the interval, Pestano was joined by Anthony Adams who ran out partners when on 17 with two boundaries after Kevin Sinclair, who bagged 6-61 from 26 overs, dismissed Pestano (14) and Richie Looknauth (7), while Steven Sankar was LBW to Smith for a duck. By Tea, Johnson’s X1 had reached 35-1 in their second with Chanderpaul Hemraj, who hammered three fours in 25, being dismissed by Junior Sinclair in the last over before Tea to leave the score at 35-1.

Kelvon Anderson was not out on seven at the break.

Sachin Singh (4) was LBW to pacer Qumar Torrington 51-2 before Anderson (22) was sent packing by Anthony Adams at 58-3 before a run later Kemol Savory (1) was trapped LBW to junior Sinclair who soon bowled Johnson (5) before dismissing Renaldo Ali Mohammed (4), while Adams had Kevin Sinclair caught and bowled for a cameo 25 from 13 balls with four fours and a six.

At 103-7 Sharaz Ramcharran (10) joined Javid Karim (15) and the pair took their team to the close as Junior Sinclair (4-32) and Adams (2-31) have done the damage with the ball so far.

Today is the third and penultimate day and play starts at 9Am. (Sean Devers)

Centuries from Bawa, Cox highlight yesterday’s play - Canadian Patel miss out by 4 runs

C

enturies from Z i m b a b w e ’s C a p t a i n Emmanuel Bawa in Trinidad and Ireland’s Joshua Cox at Everest in Guyana and 96 in St Kitts Canada’s skipper Mihir Patel, were the highlights from the four games played yesterday in latest action in the ICC U-19 World Cup. At the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, Bawa’s even ton came from 98 balls and included 10 fours and two sixes, led Zimbabwe to an emphatic 228-run victory against Papua New Guinea.

Bawa got good support from David Bennett (58), Keeper Panashe Taruvinga (36) Victor Chirwa (35) and Connor Mitchell (35) to power them to a massive 329-9 when their 50 overs expired.

Rasan Kevau took 3-65 for Papua New Guinea who crashed to 93 in 35 overs as no batsmen passed 15 as Ngenyasha Zvinoera, Brian Bennett and Chirwa had two wickets each.

In Guyana, Ireland’s Cox fashioned a classy 100 from 113 balls with eight fours and a six led his team to a 39-run win against Uganda in the beautiful settings of the Everest ground with the mighty Atlantic Ocean pounding on the Seawall less than 100 yards behind the Northern sightscreen, Phillous Le Roux chipped in with 32 as the Irish reached 236-9 from 50 overs

Joshua Cox scored a century yesterday at Everest.

(Getty Images)

Juma Miyaji, Pascal Murungi, Joseph Baguvna and Matthew Musinguzi took a couple of wickets for Uganda who made 197 in 48.1 with Murungi top scoring with 63 and Miyaji (38) offering some resistance.

Matthew Humphreys captured 4-25 and got support from Muzamil Sherzad and Nathan McGuire picked up two wickets each.

At the Warner Park in St.Kitts, the UAE, led by half centuries fromAli Naseer and (73) Punya Mehra (71) and 39 from Nilansh Keswani spearheaded UAE to 284-7

and a 49-run win against Canada.

Parmveer Kharoud (249) and Gurnek Johal Singh (2-38) were the main wickettakers for Canada who reached 235 in 46.4 overs despite a wonderful 96 from 105 balls with eight fours and two sixes and 46 from Kairav Sharma.

Nilansh Keswani, A d h i t y a S h e t t y, J a s h Giyanani and Alishan Sharaf captured two wickets each.

Only one game will be played today when defending Champions Bangladesh face-off with England at Warner Park in St Kitts from 9AM. (Sean Devers)