Kaieteur News

T&T faces greatest risk in region for disaster from oil spill at

oil project -Exxonstudy

Trinidad and Tobago, notably the Region’s oldest oil and gas producer, hasbeeneagertoleverageits expertise to cash in on Guyana’smultibillion-dollar oil sector But is it aware of the potential dangers the country’s oil projects spell for its fishing and tourism industries?

Putting this into perspective is ExxonMobil C o r p o r a t i o n ’ s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its fifth development at the Uaru-Mako field in the StabroekBlock.

Over a 20-year period, Exxon is hoping, with the blessings of Guyanese Authorities, to produce 1.3 billion barrels of oil. Exxon’s EIA which was prepared by Acorn International noted that if there is an unmitigated spill of these resources, several nations are at risk for devastation. They include Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, Grenada, St VincentandtheGrenadines, St Lucia, Martinique, Barbados, Dominica, Guadeloupe and Trinidad andTobago.TheDominican Republic and Haiti are also atrisktoo.

Of the aforementioned nations, Exxon’s EIA states that Trinidad and Tobago is the most vulnerable to the greatestimpacts,owingtoits locationandproximitytothe projectarea.Infact,theEIA states that “Trinidad and Tobago would have the highest potential to be affected by the transboundary impacts of an unmitigated loss-of-wellcontrolevent,regardlessof the season.” It goes on to state that the probability of oilingatleastaportionofthe coastofTrinidadandTobago and/oritscoastalwatersisas highas100percent.

Sensitive coastal resources that could be affectedforTrinidadinclude mangroves,manateehabitat, marine turtle nesting beaches,andforestreserves.

In Tobago, it includes numerous marine turtle nesting beaches and coral reefs,aswellasseverallarge seagrass meadows in the south near the Mount Pleasant area. The EIA also states that the northern and southern coasts also have a

highprobabilityofshoreline oiling.

Significantly,thetimeof predicted arrival of an unmitigated spill at its shorelinerangesfromfiveto 35days.

The EIA also states that numerous fishing areas are located east of Trinidad and couldbeimpactedbyalarge unmitigated subsea release ofcrudeoil.Itstates,“Spills that remain offshore and only affect the industrial fleet would have a greater proportional impact on high-valuefisheriesandon the export markets, while spills that reach inshore areas would impact both the inshore and offshore fleets and would impact exportsaswellasdomestic fishsupplies.”

Guyana’sEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said it remains in discussionwithExxonMobil Corporation for a parent guarantee to cover all costs

associated with an unmitigated oil spill. Talks are progressing on a potential US$2B. Industry stakeholders have said that

this is tantamount to a drop in the bucket, considering thatoilspillcleanupcostsin someterritorieshavebeenin therangeofUS$65B.

Kaieteur News in its January 9, 2023 edition under the headline, ‘Likely oil spill from Exxon’s fifth project can have farreaching impacts on Caribbean states – new EIA reveals’noted that the study warns that an oil spill from the project can have farreaching impacts on Guyana’s sister Caribbean states.

AccordingtotheEIA,an unmitigated oil spill from either of the loss-of-wellcontrol events during the December through May season would take a westnorth-westernly route throughtheGulfofPariaand across the southern edge of theCaribbeanSea.

Meanwhile, strong winds between December andMaycanaffecttheABC Islands, and the southern Lesser Antilles would have themostexposuretooiling.

“An equivalent spill during the June through November season would track slightly more to the north, away from the western Venezuelan Coast and further north in the western Atlantic toward the

central and southern portions of the Lesser Antilles. This plume would crosstheCaribbeanSea,and eventually continue toward the Greater Antilles Mitigated oil spills from eachofthetwoloss-of-wellcontrolscenarioswouldonly have the potential to reach Trinidad and Tobago and would reduce the extent of shoreline oiling associated with spills under both scenarios relative to the corresponding unmitigated spill,”theEIAnotes.

That report warned that this is especially alarming for the nation, as the oil company as well as the government of Guyana remainsilentonfullliability coverage in the event of a spill.

“This is a guarantee, usually in the form of a signed letter, that the parent company- in this case ExxonMobil- would cover all costs associated with the spill that its operatorEEPGL, a limited liability company-cannotcover”,the articlesaid.

Insteadofthislevelof Continuedonpage8

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456 Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

OIL MONEY AND GUYANA’S BUDGET

According to Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Finance, $208.9B is set to be withdrawn from Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF) for 2023 budgetary purposes. This NRFcontributionisslightlyover25%ofthisyear’sbudget, anditistobeusedfor“nationaldevelopmentpriorities.” Ina country where transparency and accountability have been reduced to political vulgarities, there is this additional mystery of “national development priorities” which is the perfect camouflage for any degree of skullduggery. There are two things to be said with what is happening with oil moneyalreadywithdrawn,andmoreofittobedrawndown asthisyearprogresses.

Whatwasfearedisnowcomingtopass,bothbeforeour eyes, and mostly behind the backs of the people, the Guyanesewhoownthisoilwealth. Totheirfaces,Guyanese are informed of how much of their oil income is to be withdrawn, but after that there is silence and blankness. Behind their backs, there is the emptiness of not knowing whatisreallygoingonwiththeiroilmoney Howitisspent, forwhichprojectsspecificallyandtowhatextent,andwho arethebeneficiaries,theonesfeedingofffromthismassive $208.9BtobetakenoutoftheNRF Ifthisisallcitizensare going to be told, the sum of what they should know, then Guyaneseareinfordeeptrouble.

For the NRF is being targeted, with any manner of perversepoliticalschemeinmind,onhowtomisuseit,abuse it, and overuse it employing any and every ruse. As said, “national development priorities” function as the broadest, best possible disguise that could be manufactured. They could cover an abundance of good, or they can come to represent a litany of thievery In some shape or form, “nationaldevelopmentpriorities”wouldincludeavarietyof expensive infrastructure projects. Guyanese need neither introduction nor schooling on what infrastructure projects mean in the local environment. Our history with costly publicworksprojectsundereveryGovernmenthasbeenof chronicrobberiesandendlessswindles. Nowwith$208.9B inNRFmoneytoplaywith,thecrookednessandcorruptions arereadytorisetoastillhigherlevelhere.

One leading Guyanese Politician has asserted that a quarter of Guyana’s infrastructure budget money would be gobbled up by corrupt practices of the PPPC Government anditscabalofcriminalconspirators. Itisourpositionatthis publicationthathehasitwrong,inthathispercentage(25%) isonthelowside. Whenwestartconsiderationsabouthow muchofinfrastructuremoneyisswallowedbycriminality,it isconstructivetostarthigher,likesomewherearound40%, at a minimum. In any manner that this is looked at (more loans taken, oil money withdrawn), it is the citizens of this country who pay a harsh price, end up losing at each turn. The oil money, $208.9B of it, is being snatched under our noses by a cunning PPPC Government, with Guyanese not tastingmuchofanybenefitfromit.

Forthesecondpointofnoteisthatthishugeamountisto be withdrawn this year from the NRF, and Guyanese scramblingtokeeptheirheadsabovewaterareontheirown. They are not even thrown a little lifeline by the PPPC Government for them to grasp at, to help them to manage withdignity,togivethemafewraysofhope.Thisoilbrings so much promise, holds out so much hope, and mean so much,butGuyanesehavebeencondemnedtothebreadline andpovertylineandsoupkitchenline.

We aretherichestand thebiggestin almosteverything, butourstomachsaregnawingfromthepangsofhunger,our clothesaretattered,andourchildrenwithout. Thisiswhere the people of Guyana are, where this fabled oil wealth has dumpedus.

Almostaquartertrilliondollarsisscheduledtobetaken out of the NRF, and the priorities will be sand, stone, steel, andcementandconcreteandcorruption. Nothowitcanhelp with spiraling prices and punishing cost-of-living. Unlike the 70s and 80s, Guyana has oil and billions today No Guyaneseshouldbewithout!

VincentAlexander rebuffed once again in his efforts to dictate to GECOM

DEAREDITOR,

This time, Mr Vincent Alexander sought to dictate not only how GECOM should conduct its internal staffing arrangements but to deny the Chair’s role in supporting a legitimate recommendation from Vishnu Persaud, GECOM’s CEO to assign acting responsibilities to senior staffers. In others words, based on his January 20, 2023claim;‘GECOMChair goes it alone ...’ Alexander wants to run GECOM from whatever limb he may be perched on. Mr Alexander consistentlyfailstomakethe distinction between policy decisions made at statutory meetings of GECOM and internal administrative matters in relation staff at GECOM’s Secretariat c o n s i s t e n t w i t h organization’s constitutional responsibilities.

In his latest criticism leveledagainsttheChairman of GECOM, Alexander failed to understand that the time is long gone when he

and his party can dictate to GECOM what internal actions it may employ to enhance the organization’s effectiveness and efficiency in order to fulfill its constitutionalmandate.

Inrespecttothefalseflag raised by Alexander, a statementissuedbyGECOM made it clear that the Chair was in no way ‘creating any new position; nor was any substantive appointment being done to fill a vacant position.

In case he didn’t remember, the statement remindedMr Alexanderthat

‘there is precedence of staff having been seconded, and in one case even appointed, without the knowledge and a p p r o v a l o f t h e Commission.’

Alexander must know aboutthe‘onecase’referred to in GECOM’s statement.

The case in point being, when a much favored Registration Officer was k e p t a t G E C O M ’s Secretariat unknown to the Commission and was never sentbacktotheRegistration Office. The said individual was appointed to act as G E C O M ’ s Vo t e r

Registration Manager (VRM)withouttheapproval of the Commission and was provided with entitlements which the substantive office holder must be the sole beneficiary. Talk about disingenuousness!

Mr Alexander seems to believe that only AfroGuyanese who reflect his party’spoliticalthinkingand cohorts,bredinthecultureof electoral malpractices should be employed at any level at GECOM much less tobesightedonthepremises ofanyGECOMRegistration (Continuedonpage5)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

The futile politics of entitlement

DEAREDITOR, Budgets in Guyana always presage a season of discontent. They exacerbate the proclivity of groups in plural societies to compare their situation against other groups, signaled by budget allocations.

Invariably,theactionsof the “other” are perceived negatively and theirs, positively Even before the 2023 Budget presentation, thiswasdemonstratedinthe demolition of the homes of the holdout African Guyanese Mocha squatters, who, supported by the Opposition, refused the government’s year-old offers. In the context of our politics what is revealing is not only the tone-deaf government’s use of a

massive excavator but the Opposition’s reflexive d i s m i s s a l o f t h e government’s legal explanation to charge that their action was “racially” motivated.

This ignored the PPP Government’s identical t o n e - d e a f a c t i o n , immediately upon assuming office in 2020, to drive out IndianGuyanesesquattersat Success on the ECD by flooding the land They claimedthelandwasneeded to reopen the East Coast sugar operations Eight persons were subsequently injured – one woman crippled–whenatreeunder which they sought refuge, fellonthem.TheOpposition also ignored that, when in Government between 2015-

2020,theyusedtheidentical legal argument to demolish squatters’homesinSophia.

Butthisinvidiousgroup comparison arises not just from economic but also psychosocial imperatives springing from the inextricably interlinked group and individual “worth” Primal fears damagetheindividual’sselfesteem if their group perceivesitisfallingbehind.

For us, the late George Lamming observed, “This perception of the Indian as alienandother,aproblemto be contained after the departure of the imperial power,hasbeenamajorpart ofthethoughtandfeelingof the majority of AfroGuyanese, and a stubborn conviction among the black

middle layers of Guyanese society Indian power in politics and business has beenregardedasanexample of an Indian strategy for conquest.”

When,asinGuyana,this senseoflossiscoupledwith the group’s claim of greater legitimacy to the national patrimony – buttressed by arguments such as “greater sufferingandcontributionto nationaldevelopment”etc.wesuffertheclassic“politics of entitlement” The international norm of equality of all citizens in modern states, guaranteed by their constitutions, are jettisoned as the aggrieved groups demand preferential entitlement to the national p a t r i m o n y Usually, such groups

VincentAlexander rebuffed once again...

Frompage4

Centre. On top of the many indiscretions,itisappositeto recall the unproven allegations Alexander had expressed publicly about Vishnu Persaud who had appliedforthejobasDCEO at GECOM and which Alexander and his ilk had blocked resulting in a court judgementagainsthim.

Alexander, who was the firstnamedDefendantinthat case, was ordered by the Court to pay damages in the sum of two million, five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) to the Vishnu Persaud, the Claimant, and the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) as costs to the said Claimant on or before September30th2020.

Andasthoughthetrailof

slander was not enough, mention must be made of Alexanderandhiscomrades’ questionable role in the appointment of Roxanne Myers over Persaud referencing her “superior qualifications and potential to perform” as well their reference to the undisclosed ‘Sandra Jones Report’ and ‘GECOM’s Policy on Employment Practices. Those inaccuracies were brought to light during an investigation by an Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) sub-committee headed by Stanley Moore, RetiredJusticeofAppeal. Thatbodyhaddeemedit asanactofdiscriminationto appointMyersoverPersaud; ‘There are no institutional rules or practice in GECOM which allows for ethnic

discriminationinhiring.’

Tobuttressthisview,the investigation concluded that ‘Mr Persaud was the first candidate in the history of GECOM who had obtained thehighestscoreandhadnot beenappointed.’

Rubbishing Alexander and company’s claim about qualifications, the investigationfurtherpointed out; ‘Nothing has been presented to us which, at least on paper, reveals any attributes in Ms Myers that were capable of offsetting the clear paper advantage which Mr Persaud enjoyed over his rival.’

Thesametrendcontinues nowadays at statutory meetings at GECOM where claims of ‘incompetence’, ‘untrustworthiness’ and

‘conspiracies’ are persistently leveled by the opposition trio against the CEO as well as claims of ‘unfairness’ and ‘partiality’ in the decision-making process leveled against the Chairman.

Alexander and his two political siblings operate as though nothing has changed sinceAugust2020.

They conveniently overlook the political handlers’transgressionsthey had either stoutly defended or remained silent about duringtheDecember2019to August 2020 constitutional and electoral travails the people o f G u y a n a experienced as a result of the dirty tricks played by those ensconced at CongressPlace.

ClementJ.Rohee

demand a greater share of valued“goods”.Butadeeper problem arises when they may even jettison the majoritarian principle of democracy and impose minority dictatorships. This was the PNC’s rationale for rigging elections after 1964 on behalf of the African community and resurfaced with their 2020 attempt. In “the politics of legitimacy”, groups do not judge their position in absolute terms and by intrinsic criteria, but by how well or not their opponents are perceived to bedoing.

And “if men define situations as real, they are realintheirconsequences”.

InGuyanafearsofIndian Guyanese ascendancy arose asearlyasthe1920swiththe formation of the Negro Progress Convention. Even

though under colonial rule, the PPP government’s agricultural-oriented Budgets exacerbated those fears between 1957-1964. The PNC’s post 1964 Budgets attempted to “rectify” matters by extracting profits from Indiandominatedrice,sugar and retailing while shifting expenditure to Africandominated professions and provided employment in the 80% nationalized economy and slew of GUYSTAC manufacturingcompanies.

The PNC also massively augmented its control of the power bases in Guyana: the Disciplined Forces, the Bureaucracy, the Judiciary and control of the capital Georgetown.

Yet, by 1992 when they demittedoffice,African

(Continuedonpage6)

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

DEAREDITOR, I n t e r n a t i o n a l l y acclaimed director and specialistscenicandlighting artist Henry Muttoo ObE, has returned home to Guyana as the University of Guyana’s 3rd Artist in Residence. This is Henry’s firsttimeworkinginGuyana since he left in 1976. He is accompanied by his wife Marcia.HenryandMarcia–Artistic and Managing Director, respectively –retired from the Cayman National Cultural Foundation in December 2021, after serving for an unbrokenperiodof32and30 years,respectively

They now reside in the Cayman Islands with their three daughters and two grandsons, and consult on heritage, arts and culture disciplines. Henry carries a Master of Arts degree (Theatre Practices) from the world acclaimed Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance, at

University of Manchester in the United Kingdon, a Professional Dip Theatre Design (Settings & Costumes) from Croydon College ofArt & Design , a Certificate (Advanced Acting, Directing & Stage Management) from the UniversityoftheWestIndies a n d a T h r e e - y e a r Apprenticeship Programme from (The Theatre Guild of Guyana) where he cut his theatricalteethover40years ago. The value of Henry Muttoo and his work has been internationally recognized and variously honored for his consistently brilliant productions in theatrewithaDoctorofArts (D.Arts.) Honouris Causa from the University College of the Cayman Islands; a royal order the MBE from Buckingham Palace, U.K. For contributions to the development, preservation and celebration of Heritage, Arts & Culture in the CaymanIslands;anOrderof

Cayman (Officer) from the C a y m a n I s l a n d s Governmentandhewasalso inducted into the Caribbean TheatreHall of Fame by the Caribbean Development for the Arts and Culture Foundation. Henrywasalso conferred with an Award of Excellence by Guyana CulturalAssociationofNew YorkandreceivedaCitation from the Borough of Brooklyn New York – For vision and development of cultureandartsinNewYork. (Learn more about Henry M u t t o o a n d t h e s e p r o g r a m m e s a t https://celebrateug60 com/)

As part of his three month residency at the University of Guyana and the Theatre Guild, Henry Muttoo will give a public lecture on March 1 and two master workshops in scenic design on February 3 and 4 as well as lighting for theatre on January 28th at the Theatre Guild His Artist in ResidencePublicLectureon

March1willbeat6pmatthe Theatre Guild. The public lecture is free to the public and all are invited to attend. Students of literature, visual artsandperformanceartsare especiallyencouraged.

Workshopsarelimitedin spaceandopentostudentsof the University of Guyana, Teachers of Theatre Arts, and members of the Theatre Guild and other cultural and artistic organizations. Those interested should contact Pace@uog edu gy or call 592-623-3159.

However, Muttoo’s major focus as artist in residence is to direct two important Guyanese one act plays ‘Tramping Man’ and ‘ D u e n n e ’ b o t h o f international acclaim. The plays will premiere in early April 2023 and mark the resumption of the performance and teaching programme of the Theatre Guild following the forced suspension of some activities due to the Covid

pandemic.

‘Sir Henry’ is working with an all Guyanese cast and crew on the two plays which will première on the red carpet in April Production Manager is the highly talented up and coming young Guyanese Nickose Layne. Tickets will go on sale from March 30. TheUniversityandGuildare hoping to attract enough corporate support to underwritefreeticketstothe theatrical productions for schoolchildren,shutinsand children from orphanages. Interested persons can contacttheofficeoftheVice Chancellor at 592-623-3159 andemailpace@uog.edu.gy

The University of Guyana is 60 years old this yearandtheTheatreGuildof Guyana is 66 years old this year

That makes them two of

the oldest training institutions in Guyana and among the oldest in the Caribbean. Both institutions are rolling out a series of eventstocommemoratetheir respective anniversaries They will collaborate under a new joint agreement on some of mutually beneficial events.

The University of Guyana is delighted to host our Guyana’s own, Henry M u t t o o , a h i g h l y accomplished and much loved Guyanese artist as its 3rdartistinresidenceinthis very special year of its 60th anniversary

Noting that culture and its attributes are important hallmarks of a sophisticated nation.

Regards, Krest

Cummings PublicRelationsOfficer UniversityofGuyana

After40years‘SirHenryMuttoo’ReturnsasArtistin ResidenceattheUniversityofGuyanaandtheTheatreGuild Thefutilepoliticsof...

Frompage5

Guyanese were marginally worse off than Indian Guyanese Lamming had identified a possible reason:

“ F o r t h e A f r oGuyanese…education was a means of escape from the realities of labour, a continuing flight from the foundationsofsociety.”

The PPP’s subsequent policies and Budgets were criticized as racially biased even though income and expenditure studies showed otherwise.Unfortunately,the PPP studiously refuses to initiate recommended Ethnic Impact Statements (EIS) to address the inevitable

comparisons Part of the problem also is African Guyanese Leaders stressing the politics of entitlement rather than exhorting their constituency to make the most of any situation they find themselves; as Indian Guyanese did post 1964 and Afro-Guyanese andWI firstgeneration immigrants to the USdo,tooutperformAfrican Americans.

The PNC can now win elections with our new demographics,byvigorously seeking crossover votes and using more evidence-based claims and less incendiary rhetoric.

But they cannot ignore the challenge identified by Lamming for their constituency, in our neoliberal, market-based economicsystem.

Sincerely,

RaviDev

EPA can now remotely detect oil spills

...after three years of production

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can now remotely monitor and detect offshore oil spills, thanks to an agreement it inked with Maxar Technologies lastyear

Maxar Technologies Inc according to its website is a space t e c h n o l o g y c o m p a n y headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, United States It specializes in manufacturing c o m m u n i c a t i o n , E a r t h observation, radar, and on-orbit servicing satellites, satellite products,andrelatedservices.

The EPA said it “is proud to have signed a contract with MAXAR Technologies to have tasked satellite monitoring offshore and onshore including detection of oil spills, slicks and spills.”

This announcement comes even as the oil company operating in the Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) - also referredtoasExxonMobilGuyana -andtheGovernmentremainsilent on full liability coverage in the eventofaspill.

This is a guarantee, usually in the form of a signed letter, that the parent company- in this case ExxonMobil- would cover all costs associated with the spill that its operator- EEPGL, a limited liabilitycompany-cannotcover

Instead of this level of protection, the Guyana

GovernmenthasacceptedUS$600 million coverage per oil spill disasterthatiscurrentlybeingheld by the operator. In addition, it was reported that negotiations are ongoing for a US$2 5 billion parentcompanyguarantee.

Experts have warned that this meagre amount is unacceptable, given the dangers associated with theoffshoreactivities.

Nevertheless, the agency in outlining its other achievements for2022alsonotedthatinaddition to remote sensing capabilities, the Agency has equipped staff with state-of-the-art field technology formonitoringanddatacollection. These include tablets and field phones with thermal-sensors as well as specialized equipment to detectandmonitorradiation,water andairpollution.

To strengthen its oversight in the oil and gas sector, the EPA noted that it now has in place realtime reporting of environmental discharges from the Liza 1 Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel and a platform to track marine vessels in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ).

Aspartofitseffortstoenhance remote real-time monitoring, the regulatorlastyearFebruaryforthe first time installed fiveAir Quality Sensors provided by IQAir with capability to measure the concentrationofkeyairpollutantsParticulate Matter (PM) - PM2.5, PM1, PM10, and Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

Theagencyexplainedthateach sensor unit has the ability to cover a radius of 20- 25 km and a performance accuracy of 82 percent.

The sensors are currently located in Georgetown at the Agency's Head Office in Georgetown, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Vilvoorden, Essequibo Coast, Whim, Berbice, and in Linden.

Jagdeo blames Coalition for "sh*tty" oil deal, but refuses to renegotiate contract

The bigger the body of water a goldfish is in, the betterits chances ofthrivingandgrowingbigger So, if you take your goldfish out of the little bowl on your nightstand, and place it in a large aquarium, it will growabitbigger Butithasnoidea how much more it can thrive in a natural pond. This is the kind of trick that may play out in oil-rich Guyana if Political Leaders do not tellthefullstory,oriftheyrefuseto act.

If the Bank of Guyana reports that the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) made US$1 billion from oil production,thiswillbeseenasalot of money to Guyanese. This is because the sheer scale of such revenues being made from one sector on an annual basis is not something to which the country is accustomed. But the Central Bank only reports what goes into the NRF Itdoesnotreporttheearnings of ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production GuyanaLimited(EEPGL),northat of its Stabroek Block partners, HessandCNOOC.

Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh'sbudgetspeechlastMonday indicated that Guyana received US$1.099 billion in profit oil payments in 2022. But the total value of crude oil exported for the year was US$9.978 billion. This

meansGuyanareceived11%ofthe value of crude exported for the year, and the oil companies made awaywith89%.

The Finance Minister further explained that Guyana got US$155 2 million in royalties With royalties added to the country's earnings, it becomes 12.6%, leaving 87.4% or US$8.7 billionfortheoilcompanies

US$1.2 billion is a lot of money But how does it fare when the oil companies' earnings are put into perspective? It all comes back to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that governs petroleum operations at the humongous Stabroek Block Signed by former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, the deal gives Guyana an industry-low 2% royalty It also allows Exxon, Hess and CNOOC totakeadvantageofacostrecovery ceiling of 75% of the oil they produce from the blocks, then split theprofits50/50betweenthemand theGovernment.

Despite all the criticisms this PSA has faced locally and internationally, there are some people who still say that it was a gooddeal.

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo nearly cursed out one former Minister over the

insinuation that the deal is a good one, according to an interview he had with 'Guyanese Critic' Thursday evening He said Ramjattan told him once in a conversation that the former Government left the People's Progressive Party (PPP) with the oil deal, from which revenues are nowbeingderived.

The Vice President wanted to 'cuss up', as Guyanese would say He told Critic “I wanted to use an expletive. I might have even done that.”

Jagdeo said the former Government did not leave any sector on a positive note. And finally, on oil, he said, “What they leftuswasashittyagreement.”

Though the Vice President, the Chief Regulator for the oil sector, maybelievethePSAis“sh*tty”,he refuses to renegotiate it

Another notable achievement for the EPA was its partnership with the Hydrometerological Office of Guyana, the Department of Fisheries and Environmental Management Consultants (EMC).

The agencies were able to conduct a number of water quality

monitoring expeditions along the Essequibo River, and in the Coastalwaters.

This monitoring provided the EPA with key baseline data of the state of these water bodies, which will inform future management andconservationefforts.

100% of T&T coastline faces...

From page 3 protection, the Guyana Government has accepted US$600 million coverage per oil spill disaster that is currently being held by the operator In addition, it was reported that negotiations are ongoing for a US$2.5 billion parent company guarantee.

Experts have warned that this meagre amount is unacceptable, given the dangers associated with theoffshoreactivities.

In the meantime, the Government is currently reviewing project documents for the Uaru-Mako development, set to cost GY$2 6 Trillion (US$12B).

A preliminary schedule anticipates that FPSO and other fabrication and installation works will begin in 2024 following the completion of engineering and will take approximately three years. Development well drilling mayalsooccurduringthisperiod. Production operations are expectedtobeginin2027andwill continueforatleast20years.

With respect to the FPSO, Exxon's Environmental Impact Assessment states that oil production will average at 250,000 to 263,000 barrels of oil per day. It was keen to note that peak rates may be higher during the lifetime of the project, depending on multiple factors such as reservoir pressure, number of wells, equipment reliabilityetc.

It was also noted that the

project will be producing 540 million standard cubic feet of gas perday

I m p o r t a n t l y , telecommunications equipment will also be installed on the FPSO to enable the safe operation of the facilities in normal and emergency conditions. Kaieteur News understands that this e q u i p m e n t w i l l a l l o w communication with the offices, shore bases, support vessels, helicopters,andtankers,aswellas communicationwithintheFPSO.

EEPGL had previously installed the Fibre Optic Cable Project, which provides the fibre o p t i c c o m m u n i c a t i o n infrastructure from the Stabroek Block to shore, enabling highs p e e d , l o w - l a t e n c y communications and data transfer between EEPGL's FPSOs and shore The Fibre Optic Cable Projectincludedtheinstallationof two optical distribution units (ODUs), two main fibre optic trunk lines to shore, and fibre optic cables routed from the Destiny, Unity, Prosperity, and OneGuyanaFPSOstotheODUs.

EEPGL plans to connect this Project's FPSO into the existing fibre optic infrastructure back to shore, which will consist of two fibre optic cables connected from a Uaru subsea drill centre back to the existing two ODUs. From the Uaru subsea drill centre, the fibre optic cable will connect to the Uaru FPSO via one of the dynamic umbilicals, which will containfibrestrands.

An officer attached to the EPA showcasing the remote monitoring room (Image by EPA)

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

THE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK

A second video has surfaced of a citizen being chokedandrobbedononeof thecity’spavementsthathas been overrun by vendors. This time the act was committed by two persons and in the full presence of a vendor

The victim was left prostrated and floundering on the pavement, after the attack.Eventhen,thevendor failedtorenderassistanceto thevictim.

In the first video, a man was deprived of his haversackanditsbelongings in a choke and rob perpetrated by a single robber A suspect was later held.

It is hoped that the authorities, especially the

Georgetown Municipality, willtakenoteofbothvideos and the ripe conditions which illegal vending create for muggings and robberies. Afewweeksago,amanwas executed in broad daylight on Regent Street, one of the busiest thoroughfares in the country

But whether after taking note, the City Council will finally act to clear our pavements can hardly be assured. City Council has failedtopreventtheinvasion of pavements, parapets and pathwaysbyillegalvendors.

It is not safe at all to venture on to Georgetown’s crowded pavements Walking with a haversack is notahigh-riskactivity The encroachment by

Dem Boys Seh...

illegal vendors creates an environment in which robbers thrive.The vendors’ illegal structures and its accoutrements obscure criminal acts from the view of public spirited citizens, some of whom may be inclined to come to the rescueofvictims.

On letter writer has described walking on our overrun pavements as like walkingthroughadarkhole. Thiscolumnhassaiditislike traversing a gauntlet, one t h a t i s b e c o m i n g increasinglydangerous.

But it is not only illegal vendors who are guilty of overrunning the pavements and parapets Many businesses are also guilty of thesameact.

LEARN TO SUMMARIZE!

DeOppositionfuhgetfuhwalkdisyear with dem pillow and blanket during de reading of de Budget by de FineAnts man. During de delivery of de Budget Speech, someofdemMPsfallasleepandwakeupso muchtimesdatdemthoughtdemdehinnext week.

DeFineAntsmangoodwithEnglishbut likedemanfuhgetaboutprécis.Demboys used to struggle with it too in school. Is whenyuhgattosummarizeapassage.Isnat everybodygatdegiftofprécising.

It mek dem boys remember de story of demanwahwentintodecountrysideaday andsawJackoverseeinghislivestock.

HedriveuptoJackinhisPradoandsaid, “ If I can tell you exactly how many cows and calves you have in your herd will you givemeacalf.”

Jacksays,“Yes.”

De man went into his car took out an iPhone 12 and begins to punch coordinates intoNASA’swebsite.Thenheconnectstoa GPS satellite to get an overhead picture of the herds, shoots a digital image, transmits theimagetoasoftwarefirmandreceivesan answerbackwithinlessthan15seconds.

DemanturnstoJackandsays,“Sir,you

have1,574cowsandcalves.”

“That’s right,” says Jack. “I guess you cantakeoneofmycalves.”

Jack then watches with amusement as thedemanstrugglestogetdeanimalintothe Prado.

After a minute or two, Jack says to the guy,“Hey,ifIcantellyouexactlywhatyour businessis,willyougivememycalfback?”

Demanthinksforasecondandthenhe says,“Sure,whynot?”

Jacksturnstodemanandsays,“You’rea GovernmentPolitician!”

“Wow! That’s correct,” says the man, “but how did you guess that?”

”No guessing,” Jack responded “You showeduphereeventhoughnobodycalled you and you want payment for an answer I already know, to a question I never asked. You used millions of dollars worth of equipmenttryingtoshowmehowsmartyou are and you don’t know a thing about how ordinary, working people make a living, or aboutcowsforthatmatter Ifyoudid,you’d know that this herd is actually a flock of sheep.Nowgivemebackmydog.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

One of the main grouses facing citizens is the failure to act upon complaints. People who are prepared to expose and report wrongdoing, instead of being rewarded with remedial action, find that their complaints fall on deaf ears or do not elicit the appropriate response. This lead to a sense of frustration and helplessness which furtheremboldensthosewho wishtorunafoulofourlaws and by-laws. Lawlessness then increases rather than decreases.

Each day all kinds of injustices, however small, are meted out to citizens. And there is no response from theAuthorities. It is as if these wrongs do not merit theirattention.

Whether it is a response toillegalvending,squatting, littering, stealing of electricity, and water, noise nuisances, traffic violations and other grouses, a culture of indifference is strongly taking root in our society This can only morph into a cultureofprivilege.

The Local Government Authorities are not the only onestoblame.

Governmenthasfailedto stamp out the growing trend of illegalities in society, and

in fact they appear to be rewarding it. Even though for years, the Government has said that it will not entertain new squatting, it continues to regularize new squattersandeventoreward them handsomely with compensation. It is rumored that a recalcitrant group of squatters even had the temerity to demand an obscene of money as a condition for removal from Stateland.

A culture of lawlessness and disorder has become pervasive.Ontheroadways, vehicles barefacedly breach the laws and drive into incomingtraffic.Personsare being allowed to drive and park in the pedestrian and cycle lanes on major public roads Nothing is being done.

Loud and deafening music are emitted from massive speaker boxes in motorvehiclesandnoaction isbeingtaken.Heavilytinted vehicles can be seen traversing our roads every day,theownersflauntingthe breach of our laws with impunity

Drugaddictsarecreating havoc with their stealing. And persons can be seen walking the streets with knives, ice-picks and other

dangerous weapons in their waistband.

Citizens are becoming apathetic and helpless in the face of these happenings. Their pleas and complaints arefallingondeafears.

It is the simple things which often matter to the average citizen, not only the big and ambitious plans of theGovernment,thebenefits of which may never filter downtotheaverageman.

Clogged drains and poor sanitation services are forcing people to live in squalor Andtowhomdoyou complain?

So what can be done to ensure justice for ordinary citizens? Unfortunately, this isnotaquestionthatislikely to be asked or answered during the forthcoming Budget debate. The system doesnotworkandisnorelief insight.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

FREDDIEKISSOONCOLUMN

THE MAJORITY OF INDO-GUYANESE DO NOT ENJOY ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES

I refer to Vincent Alexander’s thesis of African Guyanese disadvantagesarecausedby “impositionsandsystematic constructs” published in his letter in the newspapers recently

There has been no presence of analysis of the Burnham, Hoyte and Granger presidencies in the theories of all African Guyanese rights activists that posit that African Guyanese do not enjoy the benefits of post-colonial Guyanathattheyoughtto.

To reply to Alexander would take more than one column because one would have to present statistics on poverty among Guyanese East Indians and offer a detailed analysis of African hegemony in post-colonial Guyana and how that domination subjugated Indians. Too many policies and mistakes of President Burnham would have to be analyzed.

What are being presented here are brief

notes This column was motivated by a pleasant incidentlastweekinaBanks DIH outlet. I was the only one at the counter and two BanksDIHemployeeswere working. I told the female employee that the male employee looks like Isaac Hayes.

She asked who Isaac Hayeswas.Ienquiredifshe knewthesong,“Shaft”.She exclaimed: “Yes I like that song.” I told her Hayes wrote and sang it and he is regarded one of the icons in Americansoulmusic.

I gave her more details about Hayes. This young ladynowknowsthattheUS has produced a popular BlackmusiciannamedIsaac Hayes.ImetanIndiangirlin the National Park years ago whocameuptomeandtold me she read where I urged people on Old Year’s Night to dance to Barry White’s instrumental hit, “Love’s Theme.”

So she asked who Barry White was and what about the song. I didn’t want to

embarrassherbysuggesting a Google search After telling her that Love’s Theme will never be replacedonthetopofmylist as my favourite song, she murmured, “Ooh, I must listen to it.” I never saw the lady again. But she knows there is an extraordinarily orchestral song named, Love’sTheme.

We have to write about the past and the present so the present generation can have access to knowledge that should be possessed. It is incumbent on academics and activists to respond to theories like those that have beenespousedbyAlexander and others. I believe each party when they come to power favour their own constituencies. It is natural in Guyanese power-play Pleaseseemyresearchpaper that is in the possession of the Guyana Historical and Research Institute titled, “Ethnic power and ideological racism: Comparing presidencies in Guyana.” I found both the

PPP and PNC as being generous to their own constituencies when in power

Since I wrote that paper, I do not think there is a parallel in any PPP government with what the PNC did with 7000 sugar workers and by extension, 42,000familiesinthesugar industry That policy is perhapsthemostinsensitive act of ethnic targeting than any racially driven pathway since self government returnedin1957.

Itisadifferentconstruct altogether to argue that the sociology and political economy have devastated the African condition in Guyanaandthatitprevailed inbothpre-Independentand post Independent Guyana and still do. The research does not support this paradigm. This theory is employed by politicians to serve their purpose and should not be given recognitionbyscholars.

The hegemony of President Burnham and the

control of the resources of Guyana by the PNC government under Burnham and President Desmond Hoyte from 1968 to 1992 disprove the theory of African dispossession.

Whatisimportanttonote is that under Burnham private capital was moribund, agricultural holdings were strangulated, Indian employment in the state was infinitesimal and 80 percent of the economy wasunderstatecontrolwith Burnham deciding on his own every direction of the state. There isn’t a book on the history of Guyana that takesinthe1970sand1980s that is not without statistics onubiquitousstatecontrol.

FromBurnhamtoHoyte there were no attempts to create an African petty bourgeoisie Under Burnham, the state owned the resources. Under Hoyte, state resources were not divested to African

G uyanese.

Inthemeantime,poverty persistsamongruralIndians. The attribution of wealth to the Indian population because of a school of w e a l t h y I n d i a n entrepreneurs is vulgar thinking I was at the Georgetown Hospital recently waiting for service and though Africans were the majority patients there werequitealargenumberof Indians.

Weendonaninteresting note. Vincent Alexander is Chairman of the Forbes BurnhamFoundation.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Opposition wants breakdown of spending in budgetary relief measures

Op p o s i t i o n

Leader Aubrey N o r t o n o n Thursdayreiteratedtheneed for a breakdown in the spending of the $5 billion costoflivingreliefmeasures outlinedinthe2023budget.

During his weekly press conference, Norton accused the Government of lumping together the expense of GY$5 billion for cost of living relief in the 2023 NationalBudget.

“There are no specifics of how this money will be distributed.

Theydoitbecausewhen the time comes to distribute it, they want to be involved incorruption.

The aim is to ensure there is no scrutiny and

accountability and provide them with a slush fund for themtogetricher,”hesaid.

The Opposition Leader continued, “Government chosetogotherouteofpoor budgeting because it would allow the administration to spend the money for political purposes to avoid detailedoversight.”said.

However, the combined Opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) andtheAllianceForChange (AFC) would try its best to beonthegroundatthetime of disbursement to monitor how that money would be spent although it has not been allocated for specific reliefmeasures.

Lastyear’sGY$5billion cost of living relief was

disbursed as cash grants to fisherfolk,farmers,riverain communities, sugar w o r k e r s , m i c r oentrepreneurial support, pensioners and disabled persons.

But, the Opposition has been pressing relentlessly for details on who received the grants, even as it has charged that there has been discrimination.

This is not the first time the issue was raised. Last year, Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan spoke to Kaieteur News about the manner in which the cost of living relief money was passed in Parliament.

Jordan is adamant the law does not permit for the

budgeting and passing of any “block sum,” for which itspurposeorspendingisto bedeterminedatalaterdate.

Evenasthesumisbeing utilised to support citizens through this rough financial period, Jordan insists that the information is “too vague” as Government spending should be transparent, especially with such a large sum of money HewarnedtheOppositionto pay more attention to Government spending, and urged that in this case, a Motion be moved in Parliament for government toclearlydefineitsplansfor the $5B. Government after the approval of the 2022 Budget, decided to provide cash grants to citizens in

riverain areas, farmers, fishermen and $1B for fertilizers, among other initiatives but this was not specified during the budget debates.

Jordan explained that even if Government wanted money to deal with the cost of living as an emergency, they did not have to include that sum in the budget since thereisaContingencyFund that allows for spending in unforeseencircumstances.

The cost of living issues were known and the Government ought to have identified their intentions, Jordaninsisted.

“They knew what was happening, they knew all thesethingsandsoitshould have been highlighted by item,” the former Minister stated. Additionally, it is unclear under which item headingtherelieffundfell.

Ifthemoneywasplaced under a different heading, approved in the budget and is now being used for the stated cost of living relief, then this would be contrary towhatthelawstates,Jordan maintains. He was of the view,ifGovernmenthadthe cost of living relief money

foragriculture,healthorany other area, it should have beenunderthoseheadings.

The only anonymous heading in the budget, Jordan advised, is that pertaining to wages and salaries, “every other item must be identified to be debatedon.”

FrederickKissoon

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

By GHK Lall

Whatkindofcraftygame is His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali playing on the Guyanese people? What is he about, what are his objectives, what is it that drives him to these lengths that makes him a lesser leader, a smaller man, than heis?

There is this matter involving what the Commonwealth of Nations took upon itself to share publicly It is about being vigilant with oil companies, andespeciallywhenmillions of dollars are involved, with

IS GUYANA’S PRESIDENT FOR REAL?

a powerful example being decommissioning costs. In Guyana’s circumstances, it is of decommissioning millions taken out in advance for cleanup expenses decades down the line. That development alone should be enough to raise the level of local leadershipalertness,anxiety, and discomfort More anxieties and unease should arise at the top in the Government of Guyana, when the record of what has been done in the United States (yes, the US) where decommissioning cost was the issue, and how Chevron andothercompaniessettled, butExxonbalkedanddugin itsheels,inthatitrefusedto be a part of what was finalized in Court. It should be a lesson for us, leaders and citizens. Now back to theCommonwealth.

On January 9, 2023, the Commonwealth Secretariat publishedsomeguidanceon decommissioning The highlights were that decommissioning is very costly, and care should be taken to avoid taxpayers footing the bill and that p o o r l y e x e c u t e d

decommissioning projects can severely impact the e n v i r o n m e n t a n d communities, and that it is critical that robust systems be in place. Moreover, the C o m m o n w e a l t h Secretariat’s Economic adviser,Ms.NadeeraOgeer, stated that “companies who have benefited from these fossilfuelsshouldpayforall cleanup and restoration activities” and “that the international community must be extremely vigilant” and that ‘the polluter pays’ principle”isfollowed.

I have difficulty detecting how, where, and whyanyofthiscouldprompt resistance, even dodginess, in Guyana’s President From my perspective, all of this is most helpful to Guyana’s cause, and should be welcomed. Thus, for PresidentAlitogotothemat about where Guyana is m e n t i o n e d i n t h e Commonwealth’s guidance registersasanotherexample of burying his head in the sand. I would have thought that Guyana is a part of the ‘international community’ and that as an oil producing nation,ithasavestedinterest

in embracing what can only besupportivetoitsinterests.

Decommissioning costs canbeahorrorstory,withthe impoverishing result being former oil producing countries (when the wells and oil run dry) left to hold thecleanupbag.

It can be billions, and wipeout all the income received earlier This has beenpartofthesorryhistory of oil, and the vulnerability of either naïve or trusting or unhearing Third World societies I think that President Ali is wiser than this. Butforhimtofocuson where Guyana is named by the Commonwealth in its release misses the point, could be his system of ducking responsibility; standing tall, strong, and proudforExxon.

The Commonwealth Secretariatisnotknownfora powerful record of speaking on economic issues, particularly that of fossil fuel, and the back end of it, namely, decommissioning costs. So,fortheSecretariat to go out of its way and its people to highlight the ‘polluter pays’ principle indicates that a timely

warning is being sent not generally to its 56-member constituency,buttoGuyana, any way that this is considered. I assert this because there are not many countries under the Commonwealth umbrella that qualify as oil producing nations, and deal with decommissioning costs. By aprocessofelimination,that leaves few counties in the spotlight,andIwillmakethe case that Guyana is one of thathandful.

I will go deeper and say that because there is this peculiarity, this rank repugnance, of Exxon deducting millions from Guyana’s oil revenues for decommissioning costs that will not happen until approximately20to30years from now, that the Commonwealth Secretariat is sending a helpful, sensitive, and timely message to the Guyana Government, and Guyana’s leadership, that costly perils couldbeinthemaking,ifwe arenotcareful.

When all this is studied and weighed, I find it baffling that Guyana’s Presidentchasesafterstraws

Budget 2023 pushing tax payers’ dollars down a black hole

...saysnomeaningfulmeasurestoimpactthecostofliving

The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AllianceForChange(AFC), though separated, both believe that this year’s Budgetisladenwithprojects that will result in massive abusetothenationalcoffers.

Opposition Members of Parliament(MPs)whospoke with this newspaper followingthepresentationof the2023BudgetbyMinister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh saidtherearelittlemeasures in the $781.9 million fiscal plan that would ease the brutal impacts from the escalatingcostofliving.

Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amanza Walton-Desirinheropening remarks termed the Budget “underwhelming”.

She reasoned that the Government this year has emphasized spending on infrastructure but has neglected its responsibility to show care and compassion. The MP was keentonotethatwhilesheis pleased with the increase in ‘BecauseWeCareGrant’for school children, she is concerned about the lack of meaningful measures to impactthecostofliving.

Walton-Desir shared, “It is unimaginable to me that

the Finance Minister would announce a $5 billion set aside to determine poverty alleviationmeasures.Thatis absurd. We, I think, have to brace ourselves for a very toughyearasGuyanese.”

She is adamant that a mere $2,000 increase to the p u b l i c a s s i s t a n c e programme which now moves from $14,000 to $16,000 will hardly have an impact. In addition, WaltonDesirnotedthatthechanges announcedtotheincometax threshold (from $75,000 to $85,000) is “very underwhelming” in the context of an oil and gas economy TheMPconcluded that this year’s Budget is, “the continuation of measures that support big businesses.” She explained that the reduction in freight costs will only impact a certain section of the population, whereas infrastructure projects too will aid in fattening contractorsaccounts,whilea single mother for example strugglestobuyfoodforher children. “So what we see again is big business being supportedanddirectreliefto the poor and the working class very absent,” the MP pointed out. On the AFC’s side,theLeaderoftheparty,

Khemraj Ramjattan posited that the fiscal plan is “worrying”. He contended thatwhiletheGovernmentis focussedoninfrastructure,it seems not to be bothered about making life easier for ordinaryGuyanesecitizens.

Pensioners, for example, shouldhavereceivedatleast $50,000Ramjattansaidfrom this year’s Budget. Instead, they will now each receive $33,000 - up from $28,000 monthly. He said, “We also had expected subsidies for especially all the toll arrangements and the bridges and so on would have been clearly been erased with over $209 billion.” Ontheotherhand, with massive infrastructure development planned, Ramjattan is certain that corruptionwilltakeplace.

“Knowing so many hundreds of billions of dollars (is to be) spent on infrastructure, especially knowing our procurement processes and all that they have done in the two and a half years thus far, the corruption is going to be massive because they are gonna give their friends and families(contracts)forthese construction of whatever roads,schools,hospitalsand alsoformedicinesandthings

likethat,”heargued.

Additionally, the Opposition MP highlighted that another $4 billion has been set aside for the operations of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). This, he said, amounts to another “$4 billiondownablackhole”.

The AFC Leader believesthatthereductionin Value Added Tax (VAT) should have been across the board,ratherthanbelimited tocitizensthatwillpurchase electricvehicles.

Meanwhile, the only Opposition MPwho seemed to favour the third Budget presented by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government - or at least not share any negative comments - was Leader of theLibertyandJusticeParty (LJP),LenoxShuman.

Shuman, who also functionsasDeputySpeaker of the National Assembly said he was particularly pleased with the allocations intheBudgetforIndigenous peoples’ development Accordingtohim,“Ithinkit shows that Guyana is on a very progressive trajectory andit’smuchneeded.Ithink it shows the confidence that theGovernmentalsohasnot only in the economic

performancebutalsointheir capacity to deliver the Budget, if I may say so, is a little bit tempered because I think now the Government has a good measure as to what they can deliver and howtheycandeliver.”

He added, “I am extremely excited about the funds that are allocated for Indigenous peoples’ development. We have got $500milliontosupportland titling, $2billion to support food security another $4.7 billion for Indigenous community development. I think those are some very serious commitments that are being monetized in Indigenouscommunities.”

Additionally, the

Opposition MP said he was very pleased with the announcements made for

andshadows,byputtingupa wallthatrevealsmoreabout h i s G o v e r n m e n t ’s mismanagement of the nation’s oil wealth than whatever concealments he intended. The PPP, in the wordsofitsownspokesmen, have trashed and cursed the oil contract that Guyana has with Exxon. I contend that when such was done, it was unavoidable that Exxon would also be trashed and cursed, whether said or unsaid. Surely,thePresident cannot be unconscious as to how Exxon rips-off Guyana via the decommissioning costsittakesoutsoearly

Considering all this, whatIhearandobservefrom President Ali today on the Commonwealth release represents nothing but his puttingofblindersonsothat hecan’tsee,andpressinghis thumbs into his ears so that hedoesnothear

This could come back to hauntGuyana.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

improvements to the agriculture sector and infrastructural development. This, according to him, translates to “something in thereforeveryone.”

Shadow Minister of ForeignAffairs, Amanza Walton-Desir AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

Leader of LJP, Lenox Shuman

SUNDAY – JAN 15, 2023

Chappellwastossedthrough inthatmanner the driver’s side of the Accordingtohim,“Since Exxon study says… minibus shattering the 2019 we have been writing 5th oil project could affect window The lower part of articles to say that the stage air quality we breathe’ hisbodywasvisiblefromthe was set for this kind of outsideoftheminibus. nonsense to happen, but no

American oil giant, He was hanging through one was taking it seriously ExxonMobil Corporation, the window for some time We are seeing now that has put Guyana on notice before he was transported to people are saying that this that its fifth project in the the Georgetown Public agreement should have been Stabroek Block, set to Hospital Corporation brought before Parliament. develop over 1 3 billion (GPHC) where he was We wrote an essay before on barrelsofoil,couldaffectthe pronounceddeadonarrival. the missing Parliamentary nation’sairquality Police said that ranks at oversight, where we were S p e ci f ic all y, t h e Enmore Police Station saying that these contracts Environmental Impact received a call at about should have been brought Assessment (EIA) for the 05:55h from an ‘unknown beforeParliament.” US$12.6B project states that caller’reporting the incident According to the emissions resulting from the andChappell’scondition. International Secretariat for project have the potential to the Extractive Industries changeambientairqualityin MONDAY – JAN 16, 2023 Transparency Initiative the Project Area of (EITI), Guyana is yet to Influence.Air quality Exxon Local transparency body declare consistently, noted is important for health ‘sick of secrecy’in oil and informationpertainingtothe of humans and wildlife. It gas sector volumes of oil collected in was further noted by Exxon accordance with the profitthat Greenhouse gas (GHG)

For decades, successive sharing split, alongside the emissions from the Project Governments have kept identityofthebuyerforeach may increase the GHG quietonGuyana’spetroleum oilcargo. Furthermore,EITI concentrations in the sector, an issue which the said Guyana does not appear atmosphere. present ruling People’s tohaveyetmadeprogresson

The lifeless body of 22-year-old Jevon Chappell is seen hanging from a parked minibus at Foulis, East Coast Demerara on Saturday. Chappell, who was riding a motorcycle, crashed into the parked vehicle. (Shane Sovers)

Kaieteur News Progressive Party (PPP) understands that administration must take e m i s s i o n s responsibilityfor

thus could potentially 263,000 BPD (42,080 m3) generated by the

This is according to Mr competewithotherexisting peak oil production rate. For Project emanate FredrickCollins,Headofthe wastegeneratorsforlimited the purposes of the EIA, from two source Transparency Institute w a s t e m a n a g e m e n t production up to 300,000 categories. It said Guyana Inc (TIGI), a local capacity bpd is considered to assess specific point watchdog body that Importantly, the Uaru potential impacts from the sources include advocates for good Project is expected to cost project and cover potential power-generatin governance especially in the Guyana over GY$2 6T production optimization units and diesel engines area of the nation’s natural ( U S $ 1 2 B ) T h e after facility start up. If on drill ships, and resources. Environmental Impact during the detailed design Floating Production,

In an exclusive interview Assessment (EIA)statesthat stage or during production Storage, and Offloading with this newspaper limitsforchemical,physical, the Uaru Development operations an opportunity to (FPSO) vessel. It also yesterday, Collins argued andbiologicalsubstances. Project will develop the expand the upper production includes flares used to that the PPP promised to Alongwithimpactstoair Uaru, Mako and Snoek oil- limit arises, the project will combust associated gas make changes, however, quality, Exxon said the rich fields with the potential documentthe evaluationand when not consumed as fuel there have no improvements project will have localized to develop other resources justification and an updated gas on the FPSO or to the “sickening cloud of impacts on marine water withintheLicencearea. upper production limit will reinjectedintothereservoir secrecy” hovering over the quality in the Project A preliminary schedule beavailable.” Exxon said other sources oilandgassector Development Area (PDA) anticipates that FPSO and It was also noted that the of emissions will include

He made reference to an publishing descriptions of from the discharge of drill other fabrication and project will be producing supportvessels,construction article published in the the process for selecting the cuttings and from routine installation works will begin 540 million standard cubic vessels, tugboats, and Sunday edition of Kaieteur buying companies, the operational and hydrotesting in 2024 following the feetofgasperday helicopters Exxon said News, where it was reported technical and financial discharges. It said too that completion of engineering emissions from the listed that Guyanese are yet to see criteria used to make the the project could potentially and will take approximately Youth dies after crashing offshore vessels will US$1.8 billion in oil sales selection, the list of selected impact marine water quality three years. Development into parked minibus at contribute to increases in the agreement, stemming from buying companies, any as a result of non-routine well drilling may also occur Foulis, ECD ambient air concentrations the first barrel of crude sold material deviations from the unplanned events (e.g., oil during this period. ofcriteriapollutantsandwill in2019todate.

Production operations are

applicable legal and spillorrelease).

A 22-year-old man died also increase Guyana’s “What we have is a well- regulatory framework Additionally, Kaieteur expected to begin in 2027 early Saturday morning after national GHG emissions tendered garden of secrecy governing the selection of News understands that the and will continue for at least he lost control of his inventory over the decades because in buying companies, and the project could potentially 20years. motorcycle and crashed into Regarding potential air the first place the Guyanese relatedsalesagreements. impactmarinefishasaresult With respect to the a parked minibus along the quality impacts from peopledidn’tevenknowthat The local Transparency of underwater sound, light, F P S O , E E P G L ’ s Foulis Access Road, East pollutants, depending on the we were exploring for Institute said it is not a changes to seafloor habitat, Environmental Impact CoastDemerara(ECD). magnitude and extent of the petroleum,”hesaid. question of Guyana being seawaterintake,andchanges Assessment states that oil Dead is Jevon Chappell increases in concentrations,

Collins told this able to adhere to the inmarinewaterqualityinthe production will average at of Section ‘D’ Non Pariel, Exxon said the increases newspaper that the secrecy standards, but rather a PDA. The Project according 250,000 barrels of oil per ECD. fromProjectactivitieswould hovering over the industry is question of Guyana being tothestudycouldpotentially day It was keen to note that

According to police, have the potential to sickening, especially since willing to execute its impactmarinefishasaresult peak rates may be higher Chappell met his demise contribute to health impacts. no progress is being made in obligations “These are of non-routine, unplanned during the lifetime of the a r o u n d 0 5 : 0 0 h r s The study said ExxonMobil thisdirection. political decisions and it events such as an oil spill or project, depending on Investigators reported that and its affiliates will put

Hesaidherecentlysawa goesverydeepastowhyitis release. multiple factors such as Chappell was speeding west safeguards in place, adding TikTok video in which the the way our Governments

Importantly, Exxon said reservoir pressure, number alongthesouthernendofthe thattheygenerallyfollowthe Publisher of Kaieteur News, are operating in a way which the project will increase the of wells, equipment road and was negotiating a American Conference of Mr Glenn Lall said that the treats the owners, the real demand for hazardous and reliability etc. It states at turn when he lost control of Governmental Industrial country is still in the dark on ownersoftheassetsthatthey non-hazardous waste page 146, “Currently, the the motorcycle and crashed Hygienist’s Threshold Limit

theproductionfiguresandno areadministeringso management services and FPSO basic design has an intotheparkedminibus. Values to set the exposure business should be managed (Continued on page 14) infrastructure in Guyana and upper production limit of As a result of the impact,

Dead: Jevon Chappell

Head of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI), Fredrick Collins

From page 13 Sec

ariat Economic project.”As such, she added shabbily.”Astherealowners Adviser, Naadira Ogeer, has that the international oftheassetsofGuyana,TIGI cautioned developing community must be said the people are not being countries like Guyana that extremely vigilant and shared requisite information the price tag attached to united to ensure that the asitregardsthemanagement decommissioning could ‘polluter pays’ principle is of the resources. Instead, he easily wipe out any benefits adheredto.” contended that Government the country sees from oil Kaieteur News had is holding these cards close project. reported that the Secretariat to their chest so as to not The process of restoring is urging its member discloserelevantdata. the ocean’s floor when an oil countries to secure money to Collins explained, “You and gas project has come to restore the ocean’s floor at can go to other countries and a n e n d i s c a l l e d the end of the economic life you can see the citizens ‘Decommissioning. ’ of oil and gas projects, in demanding their information Kaieteur News had reported order to avoid taxpayers and the Government has to that decommissioning is a havingtofootthebill. listen to them The only complex and costly process Added to this, it was i n f o r m a t i o n t h a t a at the end of the economic highlighted too of the Governmentdoesnothaveto life of an individual oil and u n c e r t a i n t y o f disclose is information that gas project. It involves the decommissioning costs, has to do with national s a f e p l u g g i n g a n d which can result in the price security, because you would abandoning of oil wells, tag easily moving from USbe telling your enemy how removal of structures and millions to US-billions. The has been taking out money Tomorrow.” tonnes per hectare in 2022, you are preparing for war r e s t o r a t i o n o f t h e Secretariat stated that given f r o m G u y a n a ’s o i l This is 41 4 percent compared with 5.5 tonnes Everything else practically surroundingareas. t h e u n c e r t a i n t y o f p r o d u c t i o n f o r larger than the 2022 budget perhectarein2021. has to be or should be The Commonwealth decommissioning cost, “it is decommissioning which is whichstoodat$552.9B. Furthermore, the disclosed, because it is our Secretariat, last week critical that there are being kept in their pocket. During an almost six- Minister said the other crops business and what we have is released a new practical mechanisms in place to Under a signed deal – the hour presentation in the sector is estimated to have a well-tendered garden of guide titled, “Oil and Gas ensure that there are Production Sharing National Assembly, Dr. grown by 15.3 percent in secrecy” The Transparency Decommissioning Toolkit,” sufficient funds available to Agreement(PSA)–Exxonis Singh was keen to note that 2022, with expansions Advocate warned that under which aims at helping its c a r r y o u t t h e allowedtotakeoutmoneyto $208.9B in oil revenues will observed across all crop the culture of secrecy membercountries,including d e c o m m i s s i o n i n g s e t a s i d e a s a be withdrawn from the categories He said maintained by successive Guyana who are in the oil activities ” Notably, if decommissioningfee. Natural Resource Fund significant growth was G o v e r n m e n t s , t h e and gas industry to manage p o o r l y e x e c u t e d , While the revenue (NRF) to support national recordedintheproductionof environment is created for c o s t l y o i l a n d g a s decommissioning can also should be set aside in a development priorities this crops such as eddoes, corruptiontothrive decommissioningactivities. h a v e d i s a s t r o u s special account, and held by year Last year, government coconuts, sweet potatoes, EITI’s Requirement 4 2 F o r h e r p a r t , consequences for the theGovernment–theExxon had used $126B to prop up plantains, lettuce, and sweet speaks to sale of the State’s Commonwealth Economic e n v i r o n m e n t a n d PSA jumps off the precipice the2022budget. peppers. The contributing share of production or other Adviser, Ogeer, who led the communities. of international best Speaking to the nation’s factors to higher output revenuescollectedinkind It development of the toolkit, It was stated that in the practice, and into a sectoral performance for include increases in acreage states, “Where the sale of the explained t h a t , instance of an oil company b o t t o m l e s s p i t o f 2022, the Finance Minister cultivated and increased State’s share of produ ti f f ili to clean-up the abnormality on this front. said the agriculture, forestry yield. oil, gas and/or floor, “If such a ExxonMobil and its partners and fishing sector is The livestock industry is resources or other rev a t i o n a r i s e s , which include Hess estimated to have expanded also estimated to have collected in kind Governmentswilllikely Corporation and CNOOC by 11.9 percent in 2022. He expanded, growing by 9 m a t e r i a l , t h have to undertake and Petroleum Guyana Limited said this growth is attributed percent in 2022 It is G o v e r n m e n t p a y f o r are able to benefit from a to notable performances in estimatedthattheproduction including state- decommissioning, lopsided system that allows the other crops, rice of pork, poultry meat, owned enterprises, because it is in the t h e m t o k e e p growing, livestock, and mutton, and beef grew by are required to public interest decommissioning funds in forestry industries. He said 15.8 percent, 12 percent, d i s c l o s e t h e and/or because it their pockets As such, growth in these industries 10.1percentand1.8percent, volumes received is required to Guyana must now hope, m o r e t h a n o f f s e t respectively, in 2022. On the and sold by the m e e t t h e pray, and trust that when the contractions in sugar downside, the production of State (or third c o u n t r y ’ s timecomes,Exxonwillhand growingandfishing. eggs and milk declined by parties appointed international over the sums needed Dr Singh said the sugar 37 5 percent and 10 8 by the State to sell obligations ” In M o r e o v e r , t h e sector is estimated to have percent,respectively on their behalf), the his regard, the Commonwealth explained declined by 18.9 percent in In the fishing industry, revenues receive ecretariat urged that Governments should 2022, with sugar production Dr Singh said it is estimated from the sale, and Governments to secure havepoliciesandregulations for the year totaling 47,049 to have contracted by 4.8 revenues transferred financial assurance and in place that require oil and tonnes He said this percent in 2022. He said this Statefromtheprocee ent appropriate gas companies to estimate performance was largely the is attributed to lower marine gasandmineralssold Where assurance mechanisms to decommissioning costs and result of lingering effects of production, with shrimp and applicable, this should avoid taxpayers having to updatethemregularly the 2021 floods, which fishproductionfallingby7.1 include payments (in cash or f o o t t h e b i l l f o r caused lower yields per percent and 0 7 percent, decommissioning is another in kind) related to swap decommissioning costs TUE. – JAN 17, 2023 hectare and reduced cane respectively dimension to the just energy agreements and resource- There are different types of quality, as well as technical On the upside, Dr. Singh transition. It goes without backedloans ”Thepublished financial assurance 2023 BUDGET challenges encountered in said the forestry sector is saying that companies who data must be disaggregated mechanisms, which range SETAT $781.9B thefirsthalfof2022. estimated to have expanded have benefitted from these by individual buying from letters of credit, – Govt. to draw down In contrast, Dr Singh in 2022, growing by 13.4 fossilfuelsshouldpayforall company and to levels insurance and bonds to cash $208.9B from oil said there is an estimated percent. It is estimated that clean up and restoration commensurate with the being held as dedicated account for support expansion of 8.1 percent for approximately 441,000 activities. reporting of other payments funds for decommissioning – sugar, fisheries, gold the rice growing sector in cubic metres of timber

Ogeer stated too, “It andrevenuestreams(4 7) purposes, it was highlighted. industries perform poorly 2022, with total production products were produced in would be unreasonable for Notably, Guyana has been a of 610,595 tonnes Like 2022, largely on account of developing countries with Cleanup cost could easily m e m b e r o f t h e

Senior Minister with sugar, he said, there were growing demand from the low capacitated regulators wipe out any benefits Commonwealthsince1970. responsibility for Finance, some lingering effects of the constructionsector and weak legal requirements developing countries see

In Guyana’s instance, Dr Ashni Singh yesterday 2021floodsthataffectedrice

to shoulder the significant from oil projects American oil giant, unveiled a $781.9B budget production in 2022 INDUSTRIES

financial,environmentaland – Commonwealth adviser ExxonMobil’saffiliate,Esso for 2023 under the theme: However, production grew The Finance Minister social costs This would Exploration and Production “Improving Lives Today, to surpass 2021 levels, with disclosedyesterdaythatthe easily wipe away any C o m m o n w e a l t h Guyana Limited (EEPGL) Building Prosperity for yields increasing to 5 9

benefits seen from a

Commonwealth Secretariat Economic Adviser, Naadira Ogeer

of

since pandemic -Oxfam

Global non-profit

organisation against inequality, poverty and injustice, Oxfam, has reported massive profits made by the world’s richest people; snagging almost two-thirds of the global revenue generated by the global population.

In its latest report, ‘Survival of the richest’, Oxfam stated that billionaires made huge gains during the pandemic, and continued to increase revenue as otherfactorsalsodroveupthecost of commodities and services worldwide.

Oxfamsaidthatwhilethescale of wealth accumulated by those at thetopisalreadyatrecordlevels,it has accelerated given the global poly-crisis that has brought huge newwealthtotinyelite.

It said that “over the last 10 years, the richest 1 percent of humanity has captured more than half of all new global wealth.” It said, “Since 2020, according to Oxfam analysis of Credit Suisse Data,thiswealthgrabbythesuperrichhasaccelerated,andtherichest 1 percent have captured almost two-thirdofallnewwealth.Thisis six times more than the bottom 90 percentofhumanity,”theadvocacy group exclaimed. It said that since

2020,foreverydollarofnewglobal wealth gained by someone in the bottom 90 percent, one of the world’sbillionairesgained$1.7M.

“Billionaires have seen huge gainsduringthepandemic.Aflood of public money pumped into the economy by rich countries, which was necessary to support their

populations, also drove up asset prices and wealth at the top. This meant that in the absence of progressivetaxation,thesuper-rich pocketed unprecedented fortunes. Although billionaire fortunes have fallen slightly since their peak in 2021, they remain trillions of dollars higher than before the

pandemic,”Oxfamdisclosed.

It said that the crisis-driven bonanzaforthesuper-richhasalso come on top of many years of dramatically growing fortunes at the top and growing wealth inequality It was related that the current cost-of-living crisis, with spirallingfoodandenergyprices,is

also creating dramatic gains for many at the top. Food and energy corporations are seeing record profits and making record payouts to their rich shareholders and billionaireowners.Corporateprice profiteering is driving at least 50 percentofinflationinAustralia,the USandEurope,inwhatisasmuch a‘cost-of-profit’crisisasacost-oflivingone,saidOxfam.

The group explained that extreme concentrations of wealth undermine economic growth, corrupt politics and the media, corrode democracy and propel politicalpolarization.

“New Oxfam research also shows that the richest are key contributorstoclimatebreakdown: a billionaire emits a million times more carbon than the average person,” the group said. “And billionaires are twice as likely as the average investor to invest in polluting industries like fossil fuels,”theyadded.

It was noted that “the very existenceofboomingbillionaires

Continued on page 58

Guyanese self-published Author, Geary Reid

Ashmini Ram nauth

Meet 27-year-old former Miss India Guyana, First Princess, 2017,Ashmini Ramnauth. She is a graduate fromYork College CUNYwith a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Biology (BSc.), who is currently reading for a Master’s Degree in Health Services Management. In her spare time, this vivacious belle enjoys dancing and reading (doing research). She describes herself as a kind, caring, and humble young woman who dreams of making the world a better place through proper healthcare services. Her favorite Quote is: “Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you” – Princess Diana.

Auchlyne Estate East Berbice Corentyne

By Malisa Playter-Harry

Snuggled between the villages of Letterkenny and Whim, you can find the community of Auchlyne. Regarded as an estate, it is one of those villages comprised of well known landmarks along with businessesandfriendlypeople.

From the time you enter, on the western side, you are immediately met with a bus shed that is used by residents from both Auchlyne and Letterkenny You will also find a dam on the right hand side that is deplorable, especially when it

living.

(smallandmedium)onthestand. opportunityforhimtointeractwith A woman who has dedicated He added that the business is differentpeople. many years to the teaching really his daughter and grandson’s

According to him, they have profession in Guyana but is now business but since his grandson been selling at the location for over retiredwascelebratingherbirthday migrated, he has taken up the ten years but after his daughter and with her family and friends, when responsibilitytocontinuewithit. grandson migrated, he wanted to the Waterfalls team visited the “Meh ah help me, daughter, I is continue it for them and for village. A mixture of people of all a pensioner, all day long me can’t himself. races can be found in theAuchlyne sleep whole day so me come here

Hemadesuretomentionthathe estate. The residents can be and get myself occupied free like.” isaChristianbyreligionandthathe described as extremely hard- Hesaid. loves speaking to people about any working, kind, and generally quiet. He added that he usually comes topic. The businessman who Therearequiteanumberoffarmers out from his home to sell at the considers himself a man of God in the area, but the community also locationbetweenthehoursof07:00 mentioned that on days when there comprises quite a few working am and 07:30 am and would be are few customers, he usually professionals, self-employed there up until around 17:00 hrs thinksaboutalotofthings. individuals or those that stay at daily “I sit and think that we are home. “You na get sales every day but whomtohateandvexandtomalice

One man who sells rice by the abey does bring 10 kg, if we do andenvy;allthereligionsteachyou

in assorted sizes along the have fine rice, we bring the small about love but where is the love

get the half

a

insociety?”

Auchlyne Primary School where bag

rains. Cash crop and livestock former President David Granger public road (next to the Auchlyne bag and you can also

today

farmers use that dam to access the and Prime Minister Moses Primary School), Patrick Peters, bag. We buy the rice from

mill at Peters said the community is Auchlyne backlands. Looking over Nagamootoo attended when they 75, was extremely willing to speak No.58villagetosellitback…”The nice but what he finds is that the to the left is a street that was done were younger, a church located with The Waterfalls when we largestbagofriceissoldfor$7,000 young people of today do not show some time ago, which gives easy within the Auchlyne burial ground visited He was sitting in a with the smallest selling for just much respect to their elders and accesstoresidentslivingwithinthe and quite a few houses along with hammock tied under his shed with $1,900. He said that he enjoys while he wishes it was different, he community small businesses that people have the largest bag of rice placed along being occupied with the small believes that different values are You can also find a car wash, a established to support their daily theroadwayandtheothertwosizes business because it is an beingtaughttodayinhomes. beautysalon,aseamstressshop,the

Tree in the burial ground that has been there for decades

A stand where Patrick Peters and his family has been selling for over 10 years

Auchlyne Primary School

A Christian church situated in the Auchlyne burial ground

The deplorable dam that is accessed by farmers into the backlands

Local remedies to fight COVID-1 pushed Linden Entrepreneur to launch herbal teabag venture

By Vanessa

Braithwaite Moore

he finds great joy in

seeing how impressed clients are with the new

Using herbs as medicine concept, the high-quality has always been a part of packaging and novel Guyanese culture. However, marketingapproach. a greater appreciation for Barnes said he is these medicinal herbs working hard to build a emergedduringtheCOVID- recognised global brand that 19 pandemic, when there produces nutritious food a was great demand for herbs alternativesforconsumersof other youths

presentandkeep suchasfevergrassandsweet all ages. He is currently aspiring to get involved in in mind that a shortage of broom. trying to secure the e n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p , resources might inspire you

These herbs were used necessary processing p a r t i c u l a r l y a g r o - touseyourcreativity along with other natural machinery and equipment to processing, is to direct their Everything else will remedies to combat the bring this projection to attention and energies ultimately come together if virus. fruitionwithinfiveyears. toward ensuring their you use what you already Taking advantage of this “I anticipate the business aspirations are fulfilled have and start where you demand was Linden expanding over the next five “Keep going and keep are,” he said Anyone

Entrepreneur, Shane Barnes, to fifteen years and recalculating your actions desirous of ordering ‘Prime who capitalized on it to becoming one of the top and methods to realize your Up’ teabags can call 654- establish his recently companies that creates dreams. Don’t give up on 4293 or direct message any launched herbal teabag healthy foods and beverages your current goals just of the company’s social company called ‘Prime Up’. with a variety of product because they appear mediapages. Barnes said this is not his lines,”hesaid. first business venture, but it may very well be the first long-term successful one, given the energies and dedicationhehasputintothe product, along with the supporthehasreceivedfrom family and friends. “Back available for pick up at the various supermarkets. In then, I noticed that most selected locations (Potaro addition to empowering persons were constantly Road Mackenzie Linden or himself, Barnes said the consuminglotsofherbalteas Alexander and Charlotte venture also seeks to to combat the virus and to StreetinGeorgetown). empower other Lindeners build up their immunity In Thecurrentflavouristhe through employment and addition, the various barks capadulla infused teabag. In exclusively sourcing raw utilised served as an the new week Barnes related materials and equipment excellent therapy, but most that a new flavour will be fromlocalsuppliers. people would just cut them released. The company is While there are many up and boil them to make tea also currently in the process challenges, particularly andotherbeverages. of getting the teabags into during this embryonic stage, Ialsosawthattherewasa lack of convenience and hygienicconditionswiththat procedure, so the concept of turning the barks into teabags to address those problems was my defining moment,”herelated.

While the signature product is teabags, ‘Prime Up’willsoonmanufacturea wide variety of healthy substitutes for foods and beverages Barnes said currently the entire process is done locally and 60 percent of the packaging is donemanually

The herbs and barks are sourced locally, but he describes this process as very time-consuming, because of time it takes at verifying thet the materials are authentic and of the highest quality He also ensures that the processing and packaging of the herbs are done in a hygienic e n v i r o n m e n t w h e r e precision and uniformity are highly valued Currently, ‘Prime Up’ teabags are

Shane Barnes and his product

10 New Words Added to the Oxford English Dictionary for 2023

beauty of modern life

“Designating a relationship relationships.

named the History Supreme characterized by the one-

8. Porch Pirate and is rumored to be owned (Reader’s Digest) Each sided, unreciprocated Definition: “A person by Malaysian businessman year, the lexicographers at who steals parcels that have Rober Kuok. It reportedly the Oxford English been delivered and left cost $4.8 million and comes Dictionary(OED)updatethe unattended outside the coatedingold. prestigious tome with new intendedrecipient’shome” 10. Textspeak words. In 2022, over 650 Fun Fact: Media news Definition: “Language new words were added, sources have been having regarded as characteristic of ranging from slang and tech fun with this alliteration text messaging and other terms to pop psychology since 2007. Reporters for forms of electronic language Not all added KFOR (Oklahoma), the communication, often words are strictly trendy, South Florida Times, and consisting of abbreviations, however; some are archaic KMPH (Central Valley, CA) acronyms, emoticons or words uncovered by haveallusedtheterm. emojis,etc.” linguistics experts, and

9. Superyacht Fun fact: Textspeak has others are new entries for D e f i n i t i o n : “ A n sothoroughlypermeatedour existingwords. exceptionally large or daily vocabulary that in

Because the OED is powerful yacht; especially 2015, the OED named the based in England, many of one that is extravagantly laughing-face emoji the the terms offer insight into luxurious and used for “word of the year ” language usage in the U.K., cruising” According to data from while others seem to have

Fun fact: In an age of Oxford University Press, originated in America and extreme wealth inequality, that emoji was the most used traveled across the pond. superyachts are obviously pictograph in 2015, Here are 10 of our favorites r e s e r v e d f o r t h e compromising nearly 20% for American audiences, exceptionally rich. The most of emoji use in the United which, taken together, expensive superyacht is StatesandtheU.K. provide a silly and sometimes poignant portrait oftheyearahead.

1.Agrivoltaics

Definition: “The simultaneous use of an area of land for farming and for electrical generation using home!)

Definition: “A stock photovoltaicsolarpanels”

4. Dap

female character who

Fun fact: This new Definition: “A casual survives to defeat or evade technology helps fight gesture of greeting, after the other characters climate change by moving acknowledgment or have been killed, and who is toward renewable energy affirmation, typically typically portrayed as sources. It emerged in 2021, involving slapping palms, intelligent, serious, cautious but has not yet reached most bumping fists or snapping andchaste” subtropical and semiarid fingers”

Fun Fact: The “Final regions.

Fun fact: The term and Girl” trope has appeared in

2. CODA gesture originated in Black slasher and horror movies as Definition: “A person American communities as a early as the 1970s. Salle who has one or more parents sign of solidarity and Hardesty from Te x a s or guardians who are deaf or resistance. The word “dap” Chainsaw Massacre (1974) hardofhearing” emerged in the late 1960s is one of the quintessential

Fun fact: Though this among Black G.I.s serving examples, as well as Laurie acronymhasbeenusedsince abroad in the Vietnam War Strode from the Halloween the ’90s, it was recently Incidences of white U.S. franchise(1978-2022). popularized by the Oscar- soldiers shooting their Black

6. Mononym winning 2021 movie of the colleagues prompted the

Definition:“Aone-word samename. Black soldiers to solidify a name (typically a given

3. Crash Diet pact to protect one another, nameornickname)bywhich

Definition: “A diet as the military prohibited the someone, especially a intended to result in very use of the Black Power celebrity,isknown.” rapid weight loss through salute. “Dap” was then an Fun Fact:The New York severe restrictions on acronym for “dignity and Times seems to have coined calories intake over a pride,” a shorthand for the thetermin1962,inreference relatively short period of full pact of equality and to Capucine, a French model time” togetherness. and actress with notable

Fun fact: The term The gesture lives on roles in the Pink Panther surged in popularity after it across the world today In (1963) and What’s New was revealed that Kim 2012, President Barack Pussycat? (1965). Kardashianlost16poundsin Obama famously used the Other famous mononym three weeks to fit into gesture when meeting NBA celebrities include Plato, Marilyn Monroe’s famous great Kevin Durant, Elvis and Pelé, as well as “Mr President” dress for the inspiringaviralKey&Peele modern stars like Beyoncé 2022 Met Gala (Under comedy sketch about code- andZendaya. absolutely no circumstances switching.

7. Parasocial should anyone try this at 5. Final Girl D e f i n i t i o n :

From “agrivoltaics” to “textspeak,” these words are helping us articulate the strange

This Day in History - Jan. 22

Compiled by Zena Henry Christopher Columbus and St.Vincent

Before the time of European contact, Saint Vincent was first inhabited by the Ciboney, who were joined and eventuallydisplacedorconqueredbyanArawakpeople,who had originated in Venezuela, and settled in the West Indies. About a century before the arrival of European explorers, the Arawaks were themselves displaced by another group, the Caribs,whooriginatedfromSouthAmerica.

It was formerly thought that Christopher Columbus first visited the island and named it Saint Vincent, on January 22, 1498, a day that used to be celebrated as “Discovery Day.” It is now known that Columbus was actually in Spain on that day, and there is no evidence to suggest that he ever visited SaintVincent.Inthe17thcentury,agroupofso-called“Black Caribs,” also known as the Garifuna, was formed from intermarriage between the indigenous Caribs and the morerecentAfricanarrivals.TheAfricansweremainlyslaveswho hadescapedfromplantationsinBarbadosorweretakenfrom raids on European plantations; other Africans came from a party of slaves who were shipwrecked in the Grenadines in either 1635 or 1673 (both dates are frequently given) and eventuallyreachedtheSaintVincentmainland.(Britannia)

More than 600 people killed in Mexico train accident

Zulu nation faces the British for first time in Anglo-Zulu

The Battle of Isandlwana, January 22, 1879, was the first engagement of the Anglo-Zulu War and would prove to be a significant and unexpected victory for the Zulu in a war which theyultimatelylosttotheBritish.

Since the British arrival in SouthAfrica at the beginning of the 19th Century, Zululand had proved a troublesome nation in their efforts to control the region. During the first three decades of the century the British made no attempt to challenge Shaka, the founder of the Zulu Empire, and his immediate successors. From the 1840s through the 1860s however, British (and Boer) power gradually increased as Zulu military control grew weaker By the 1870s the Zulu Empire threatened British

Battle of Isandlwana

The Central Intelligence Group, forerunner of the CIA is created

TheGuadalajaratraindisasteroccurredaroundJanuary22, 1915, in Mexico, and killed over 600 people. The Mexican Revolution was in full swing by 1915.After the assassination of Francisco Madero two years earlier, the presidency of the country was assumed by Victoriano Huerta, but revolutionary forcesledbyVenustianoCarranzaandPanchoVillaoverthrew him and Carranza became president in 1914. Villa however wanted to continue the revolution and an armed struggle ensued. On January 18, 1915, Carranza’s troops captured GuadalajarainsouthwesternMexico.Heimmediatelyordered that the families of his troops be transported by train from ColimaonthePacificcoasttohisnewlycapturedstronghold.

AroundJanuary22,1915,aspecialtrainoftwentycarsleft Colima. It was packed with people even clinging to the roofs and undercarriages Somewhere between Colima and Guadalajara, the engineer lost control of the train on a long steep descent. As the train gathered speed many people were thrown off as the train negotiated sharp curves. Eventually the entiretrainplungedoffthetracksandintoadeepcanyon,with fewer than 300 of the 900 on board surviving the disaster. Some of Carranza’s troops, Yaqui Indians committed suicide when hearing of the death of their families. Others swore vengeanceonthetraincrew,buttheyhadalsobeenkilledinthe disaster The Mexico tragedy remains the deadliest railway accident in North American history (Wikipedia-Haine, EdgarA.(1993).RailroadWrecks)

expansion into the diamond and gold-rich interior. In 1878 the BritishHighCommissionerofSouthernAfrica,SirBartleFrere, provoked a war with the Zulu, hoping for a sharp, short attack leadingtothedestructionofZulumilitarypower.

OnDecember11,1878FreresentanultimatumtoZuluKing Cetshwayo,orderinghimeithertodismantlethemilitarysystem of his nation or else face war with the British Empire. Cetshwayohadlongmadeeffortstoavoidoutrightwarwiththe British; however, he found it impossible to comply with this request and, just as Frere had anticipated, he refused to disband hisarmyandinsteadpreparedforwaragainsttheBritish.

On the 22nd January 1879, the British invaded Zululand. Their army was composed of nearly 1,800 troops, made up of both British and African men from the neighbouring British colony of Natal.Although they faced a force of roughly 20,000 Zuluwarriors,theBritishfeltassuredoftheirvictoryduetotheir superior military resources. However, the battle which ensued wouldprovetobeanembarrassingdefeatfortheBritishasthey were out-manoeuvred by Cetshwayo’s men. By the end of the battle the British had lost around 1,300 of their force of 1,800 while the Zulus suffered a relatively light loss of around 1,000 men.(blackpast.org.)

George Foreman wins world heavyweight boxing C/Ship in Jamaica

On January 24 1946, US President Harry S Truman appointed the first Director of Central Intelligence, Sidney W Souers. Souers had served as Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence during World War II, and before then, had been a St. Louis banker andinsuranceexecutive,aswellasapillaroftheDemocratic PartyinMissouri.Inlate1945hehadcoordinatedthevarious intelligence reform plans considered by the White House in the drafting of the President’s January 22, 1946 directive that created the Central Intelligence Group (CIG). CIG was responsible for coordinating, planning, evaluating and disseminating intelligence. CIG also acquired a clandestine collection capability as well as authority to conduct independent research and analysis.This was key, as CIG was no longer just coordinating the intelligence it received from governmentagencies,butwasnowproducingintelligenceon itsown.ThisenlargedCIG’spersonnelstrengthconsiderably The new organization spied overseas with employees secondedfromtheArmy,NavyandDepartmentofState.CIG functioned under the National Intelligence Authority, which was composed of a presidential representative and the secretaries of State, War and Navy Within months of its creation, CIG became the nation’s primary agency for strategic warning and management of clandestine activities abroad. Yet, it was shackled to the constraints and resistance oftheDepartmentofStateandthearmedservices.Andso,to free itself, CIG became an independent department and was renamed the Central Intelligence Agency The CIA was created under the National Security Act of 1947. Two years later, President Truman signed the Central Intelligence Agency Act, which authorized the CIA to secretly fund intelligenceoperationsandconductpersonnelactionsoutside ofstandardUSGovernmentprocedures.(Inteltody.org.)

Source: theintercept.com

Australian missionary, two sons are burned alive by radical Hindus

GrahamStuartStaines(18January1941–23January1999) wasanAustralianChristianmissionary,whoalong

two sons,Philip(aged10)andTimothy(aged6),wereburnttodeath in India, by members of a Hindu fundamentalist group named Bajrang Dal. In 2003, Bajrang Dal activist Dara Singh was convicted of leading the murderers and was sentenced to life in prison. Staines had been working in Odisha since 1965 as part of an evangelical missionary organisation named ‘Mayurbhanj LeprosyHome’,caringforpeoplewhohadleprosyandlooking after the tribal people in the area who lived in abject poverty However,someHindugroupsallegedthatduringthistimehe (Continued on page 40)

Families of the revolutionary soldiers boarding the special train before it plunged into the canyon

Modern day St. Vincent

The

Joe Frazier vs. George Foreman, billed as ‘The Sunshine Showdown’, was a professional boxing match in Kingston, Jamaica, on January 22, 1973, for the WBA, WBC and The Ring heavyweight championships. The fight lasted only two rounds, with Foreman scoring a technical knockout at 1:35 of the second round, to dethrone Frazier and become the new undisputed heavyweight champion. Foreman brutalized Frazier for the duration of the fight, scoring six knockdowns overthechampion

Joe Frazier seated in the ring after a blow by George Foreman

Photo of Staines with his family. The burnt vehicle is pictured on the right

withhis

The harmful effects of single-use plastic on the environment

By Richard Francois

plastics offer, have led to a throw- climate, as plastic awayculture,thatovertimereveals r e l e a s e s

We see it every day thematerial’smostominousside. greenhouse gases We use it every day Single use plastic is one of the as it slowly breaks

P l a s t i c s h a v e great contributors to plastic down. become almost an indispensable pollution. Those of you who may S c i e n c e part of human existence. And, not know what is meant by single- literature posits plastic is not biodegradable use plastic, Greenpeace simple that sunlight and Therefore, great care must be defines single-use plastic or heat causes plastics exercisedwhendisposingofplastic disposable plastic as: any plastic to release methane

dangers of plastic is realised. bottle is one of the simplest ways waste. item that is used once, and then and ethylene – and at increasing Individually, one can say no to that you can stay hydrated without

Plastics are made from fossil thrown in the trash. Examples of rateastheplasticsbreaksdowninto disposable plastic cutlery, plastic contributing to one of the largest fuels and have been around for just single-use plastic items that are eversmallerpieces. straws and other single-use sourcesofsingleuseplastic.It’snot over a century The production and caus ing damage to our Another severe environmental plastics. Avoid plastics that cannot just plastic water bottles that we development of thousands of new communities and environment are: threat is the open burning of be recycled especially if other should try to avoid. Most plastic products accelerated after Plastic bread bag and tags, plastic garbage. Open burning of waste is alternatives exist. Try to avoid disposable drinks - even if they are World War II. One can argue that bottles, Styrofoam takeaway commoninGuyanaandmanyparts products with excess or not made of plastic - may contain a since then, plastics have containers, straws, plastic of the world, and is a major source unnecessaryplasticpackaging. plastic bottle cap. Plastic bottle undeniably revolutionized the packagingmaterials,plasticcutlery ofairpollution.Inapreviousarticle W h i l e g o v e r n m e n t , caps are one of the most common world. According to Andrady& andplasticshoppingbags. I made reference to the dangers of municipalities, and other local plastic polluters. So, try to avoid Neal (2009), plastics are Scientific literature states that the open burning of garbage authorities have established solid disposable drinks that have plastic inexpensive, lightweight, strong, today, single use plastics account Burning plastics releases a cocktail waste management strategies - part bottle caps, and remember to of poisonous chemicals of which speaks to the responsible recycletheonesyoudouse! that damage the health disposal of plastic waste after Especially when shopping, of the planet and the utilization – there is still need for instead of using a disposal plastic people exposed to the morerobusteducationprogrammes bag, remember to take your own polluted air. Black to be established as a means of reusable bag to the store or try carbon is one such sensitizingthepopulationaboutthe putting your groceries in cardboard serious pollutants – it dangers of plastic on the boxes. has a global warming environment and its responsible On the chance that a plastic bag potential up to 5,000 disposal. isunavoidable,takeithomeanduse times greater than

Globally, there are a menu of it as a bin liner to give it another carbon dioxide. It is measures for waste management life. important that you strategies, several of which are Avoid single-use plastic to-go please desist from scientifically based, such as containers. When storing food, it burningplastics. recycling, incineration, can be easy to reach for a So,whatcanbedone bioremediation, and landfills disposable plastic lunch container, to reduce plastic Whileneithertimenorspaceallows orclingfilm. Insteadofchoosingto pollution in our society? for the in-depth explanation of keep leftover food in disposable I would proffer that first each,thesemethodsareestablished plastic containers, invest in some there needs to be a more to have a clean environment and reusablefoodstoragecontainers,or responsible attitude goodplasticwastedisposal. nifty beeswax wraps or towards the use and

But as individuals it would be ‘greaseproofpaper’asitcommonly disposal of plastic in our good if a concerted effort can be known here, that can keep your society Weallneedtodo made to utilize substitutes for at foodfreshwithouttheplastic! durable, corrosion-resistant for just about 40 percent of the our part and act now to reduce and least the single-use plastics we use. Let us all try to educate materials, with high thermal and plastic produced every year stop using unnecessary single-use I will leave you with a few ideas ourselves about the dangers of electricalinsulationproperties.The worldwide Many of these and problematic plastics The that you, your family and friends plastic and try as much as possible diversity of polymers and the products, such as plastic bags, simplest way to reduce plastic can try, so as to reduce and avoid to teach others. We need to protect versatility of their properties are straws and food wrappers, have a waste is to avoid as much as single-useplastics: the environment for ourselves and used to make a vast array of lifespan of mere minutes to hours, possible the use of single-use

How about placing a metal our generations to come. One sure products that bring medical and but remain in the environment for plastics, and to support businesses spoon or fork in your work bag way to do this is to reduce our technological advances, energy hundredsofyears. that are reducing plastic waste and daily to use it with lunch? You dependency on single-use plastic. savings and numerous other Nowonderplasticpollutionhas arere-usingexistingplastic. would at least forgo the plastic Andifitisthatyoumustuseplastic, societalbenefits. become one of the most pressing Idistinctlyrememberoneofthe spoon or fork that comes with your try to reduce, reuse and recycle

From the manufacture of life- environmental issues globally, as leading supermarket chains in takeawaylunch. your plastics as much as you saving devices; plastics have made rapidly increasing production of Guyana had started a campaign a

Investing in a reusable water possiblycan. space travel possible, lightened disposable plastic products few years ago where cars and jets—saving fuel and overwhelms the world’s ability to customers were pollution—and saved lives with dealwiththem. offered the option of helmets,incubators,andequipment

Much of the plastic that does p u r c h a s i n g forcleandrinkingwater notmakeittotherecyclingplantor biodegradable bags However, the conveniences landfillendsupindrains,riversand for their groceries.

Irresponsibly Failure to produce ded plastic also these biodegradable minates a wide bags when shopping nge of natural attracted a surcharge t e r r e s t r i a l , for the use of the freshwater and single-use plastic marinehabitats. b a g s f o r y o u r Not only is this groceries. This idea a danger to the should be enforced at animals and ALL supermarkets plants whose andshopsnationwide. habitats have There are other become aquatic simple things that can g a r b a g e be done to reduce the patches, but it use of single-use also poses a plastic once the threat to the consciousness of the

LEG EXERCISES FOR MEN

Exercising the upper body is usually always given priority, as most men believethisisthepartoftheirbodythat isseenmost.

But while emphasis is placed on shapingascrubbingboardabdomenor what some refer to as a six pack and chest muscles strong enough to make the ladies giggle, strapping legs make forquiteabalance.

Mostexercisestargetmorethanone muscleinthebody,butthisweekweare

Deadlifting with a barbell

goingtoexploreafewthatcanhelptoneyour legsaswell.Thisweek’stipsaretakenfrom the ‘Men’s Health’ Magazine. BJ Gaddour, the Fitness Director of ‘Men’s Health’ in an article shared some interesting advice on howtohelpshapeyourlegs.

SQUATEVERYDAY

Thesquatservesasthefoundationforall lower-bodyexercises.Soifyouwantthebest results, you need to spend time in a squat

positiondaily Thisdoesn’tmeanyou need to squat heavy or even under loadeverydayhesaid.

On the other hand, it does mean that you should aim for as many reps aspossibleandspendasmuchtimeas youcaninadeepsquatposition.

“To start, I recommend squatting under load three times per week. As for the other days, you should do bodyweightsquatsandsquatmobility worklikespending5-to-10minutesin adeepsquat,”theDirectorsaid.

INCLUDELUNGES ORSTEP-UPS

Lunges target the muscles in the frontofthelegs,calledthequadsand step-upshitthehamstringandglutes.

These exercises can be performed without weights in the beginning. As you progress,youmaylengthenthetimefrom10 minutesto20minutesoreven30.Gradually, you can add dumbbells for added muscle strength.

In the case of step-ups, you can look to increasetheboxheight.

DEADLIFTHEAVYATLEASTONCE AWEEK

Deadliftingisn’tforeveryone.Butifyou can do it safely and without pain, Gaddour said it is highly recommended that you deadliftatleastonceperweek.

It’s a total-body strength and muscle builderanditaddsslabsofmeattoyourback, hips,andhamstrings.Thisextrastrengthand muscleprovidesthebalanceyourbodyneeds tolookandperformbetter

If you can’t make it work with conventional or sumo deadlifts, try trap-bar

deadliftsor rack pulls instead You couldalsoperformstraightlegdeadlifts.

Keeptherepsbetween1 and5formostofyoursets, pullfromadead-startwitha pause, and reset between each rep Focus on progressively adding weight over time. Save the high-rep metabolic work forswingsandsquats.

If deadlifting just isn’t an option for you or it’s not worth the risk, then learn how to do swings properly and focusonthatinstead.

PAYATTENTIONTOYOURGLUTES

“Your glutes are truly the center of the fitness universe They drive all key movement,”saysGaddour

A few exercises that target the glutes include hip thrusts, kettlebell swing, goblet squat, wall sit and lateral lunges.

By Zena Henry

The 2023 budget is out, and that means another year for continued investments, development programmes, increased oil production and ofcourse,increasedbusiness opportunities We take a break from regular programming to discuss some of the opportunities availabletosmallbusinesses and how persons interested in starting their own establishmentsmaygoabout doingso.

Young Professionals Series:

Another year to activate your creative skills and take advantage of the oil boom

Of course, we are aware that Guyana has had world class oil discoveries and is currently described as the sweet spot of the global oil industry Our known crude wealth is well over US$11billion and the industryissettopumpoilfor the next two decades. Oil revenues are significant to required. In Guyana’s case, in the next few years, the working for them use more the growth of economies as wedonotonlyhaveoil,buta peopleinthiscountryandthe local businesses to provide the cash garnered from the number of natural resources environment will look very products and services in at sale of hydrocarbons is to be exploited, sectors to different because of the least 40 service areas usually utilized for the expand and new ones to be foreigners that will be here Subject to other stipulations, developmentofthepeopleas created.Welackthecapacity and the infrastructural these 40 areas require well as the physical to satisfy the expanding changes that will occur It various levels of Guyanese infrastructure In the economy,andwearealready would be sad, in my view, if participation if foreign process, oil economies can depending on foreigners to Guyanese, in particular, companies are also attract a wealth of investors fill basic requirements that young people, do not interested in operating in looking to capitalize from could be delivered in- understandthechangethatis these service areas. What the oil directly, or from the country. about to take place and the thisprovidesisdirectservice spin off services that are It has been said over and need to align themselves tothelucrativeoilsectorand over again that w i t h t h e a v a i l a b l e the development of opportunities. To not Guyaneseskills.Someofthe Development Finance Trust documents could be uplifted prepare for the pending business areas that must (SBDFT) to name a few from the named agencies, change is to be left behind. have Guyanese participation T h e s e p a r t i c u l a r w h i l e t h e b u s i n e s s Andatthisearlystage,every include real estate, rentals, establishmentscatertosmall registration is uplifted from Guyanese should be janitorial and cleaning businesses and for the most the Commercial Registry thinking about how they services, fabrication, part, offer reasonable Not only are these plantotakeadvantageofthe w e l d i n g , t r u c k i n g , payback terms which allows documents important in situation Whether it is transportation, catering small entrepreneurs to l e g i t i m i s i n g y o u r through technical training, amongothers. secure financing. But there establishment, but it helps in academic certification to Outside of the oil arerequirementsthathaveto time of accessing work as a workwithintheindustriesor industry, those very services be met to access these funds. registered organisation with through the establishment of will be needed for the So, if you are interested in thestate. one’sownbusiness,itwould growing economy In an seeking such loans, Additionally, it would be be unwise for those who earlier discussion we had remember that important wise to begin to familiarise need it most, to not do their looked at important documents such as your yourself with the business homework and utilize the requirementsforstartingand business registration, world, attending seminars, situation so it can best serve expanding our businesses. National Insurance Scheme meetings,andjoininggroups them. Capital is the most import (NIS) and Guyana Revenue of like minded people. The There are a great deal of requirement.Manyofuswill A u t h o r i t y ( G R A ) Small Business Bureau, for service areas open for need to access additional compliances are imperative. example,isanationalfunded investment, including for sums to establish and grow These are among the must- organization and apart from small and medium size our businesses. There are have documents that needs the funds one might be able operators. In 2021 Guyana agenciessuchastheInstitute to be submitted to secure a to attain, it offers guidance passed the important Local of Private Enterprise loan and basically conduct andadviceofthe Content Legislation that is Development (IPED), Small almost any type of trade. Of (Continued on page 56) supposed to ensure that Business Bureau and the course, the NIS and GRA international companies and S m a l l B u s i n e s s t h e p e o p l e

A copy of a business registration form

Ashdel’s product on display by Ms. Grace Parris

Guyanese self-published Author, Geary Reid

The GlobalAuthor Club and BusinessAward (TGAC & BA) 2022.

Guyanese self-published author conferred with int’l award

ByRehannaRamsay

G u y a n e s e s e l fpublished author, Geary Reid,isthecurrentholderof theGlobalAuthorCluband Business Award (TGAC & BA)2022.

Reid, the creator of the ‘Reid N Learn’book series under which he authored andself-published92books which are currently available on Amazon, was nominatedfortheawardlast November

He was officially presented during a ceremonyheldintheUnited Kingdom on December 16, 2022.

Mr Reidwasnominated fortheGlobalAuthorAward of the year award 2022, by Founder and President of the Local Experts Group in Canada, Mr Raymond Harlall.

The ‘Global Authors’ Club and Business Awards’ isanorganisationthatseeks to boost entrepreneurs’ satisfaction by helping to build an impactful and international online reputation.

The ‘Global Authors’ Club’ recognises the uniqueness of an individual and has decided to work to bring each person’s relentless efforts to global attention.

Mr Harlallistheco-host for ‘The Global Authors’ Club and Business Award’. The Executive Director (Head) of ‘The Global Authors’ClubandBusiness Awards’ is Dr Philip Oladejo who resides in the UnitedKingdom

Reid explained that Mr Harlallhadseensomeofthe

books he authored, via his Facebook page and reached outtohim.

“He mentioned that he never knew that I was an author Irevealedtohimthat Iamanauthorandheasked how many books I have authored. When I replied to himthatIhave92books,he was amazed and then informed me that he’ll nominate me for the Global Author of the year award 2022, as he knows it will provide much international recognitionforme.Iagreed with him,” added the selfpublisherwriter

He expressed his gratitudetotheinternational o r g a n i z a t i o n f o r r e c o g n i z i n g h i s contribution.

“I am excited about receivingthisaward,sinceit is my first award, and most importantly, it is a global awardfromacredibleentity This award will provide more recognition for my works as an author,” Reid said.

He said that he looks forward to having more awards.

“With the wide genre of books I have authored, many authors’clubs around the world will issue awards to me because of my contribution to the body of knowledgeglobally

Added to this, the team from Reid n Learn congratulated Mr Reid on thisamazingachievement,a symbol of his dedication and hard work. “We’d also like to thank his supporters andwellwishers.”

In 2020 Reid etched his wayintotheannalsof

DIETARY TIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH PSORIASIS

An autoimmune d i s o r d e r , psoriasis is a disease in which the body attacks its own tissue. The body starts to overproduce skin cells, creating red and scaly patches, known as plaques,ontheskin.

Itchyandpainfulplaques a r e t r i g g e r e d b y environmental factors like infections and stress Psoriasis not just affects the skin but also affects joints, eyes and mental health Therefore, one must consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatmentforthiscondition.

There is no scientific evidencethatsupportsacure for psoriasis with diet, but experts suggest a positive correlation between a healthy diet and lifestyle with reduced severity of psoriasis.

Expertssaythatthereisa close link between psoriasis and diet, as there are many food groups that can cause inflammationthroughoutthe body

For some people, these food items can worsen the effectsofpsoriasis. Sufferingfrompsoriasis? Readaheadtolearnmore

abouttherightdiet.

FOODS TO AVOID

Worsening the effects of psoriasis, these are some of the beverages and foods to avoidwithpsoriasis:

· Alcohol: Consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol overworks the liver, causing long-term inflammation. Additionally, alcohol damages good b a c t e r i a , c a u s i n g inflammation in the colon andintestines.

· Dairy: Dairy products are rich in fat. Cow’s milk contains a protein called

casein, which can cause digestive problems in some people. Studies show that psoriasis conditions have improvedbycuttinghigh-fat dairyfromthediet.

R e f i n e d carbohydrates: Refined carbohydratesarecountedas foods that trigger psoriasis. These items include white bread, white rice, pasta, breakfast cereals and some pastries. These food items have no fibre and whole grains and can contain a lot ofsugar

· Saturated and trans fats:Redmeat,cheese,fried

food, margarine and fast food are known foods that trigger inflammation and worsenpsoriasis.

· Added sugar: Natural sugar in food like fruits is a partofthepsoriasisdietplan. However, added sugar in fruit juices, candy, soda and sweets is bad and the body produces excessive insulin toprocessthesugar

These foods increase the levelsofcytokines,whichis a protein that causes inflammation.

· Gluten: People who suffer from psoriasis may also have Celiac disease,

which is an autoimmune disease.

Glutenisaproteinthatis found in wheat and other grains and an intolerance to gluten causes the body to attack the small intestine’s tissue. Cutting down gluten fromthediethasbeenshown to reduce the effects of psoriasis in people with glutenintolerance.

FOOD TO EAT

The food items which combat and reduce inflammationinthebodyare known to be beneficial for people with psoriasis and they may help reduce flareups,reducingthesymptoms. Followingahealthydietalso reduces the risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseasesandcertaintypesof cancer

The best food items to include in the diet for psoriasisare:

Whole Fruits and vegetables Cherries and berries are good fruits for psoriasis, as are green leafy vegetables Consume 2-3 portions of fresh seasonal fruitsandveggieseveryday Include plant-based proteins like tofu, lean proteinandfishinthediet.

·Herbslikethyme,sage, ginger and cumin are rich in antioxidants.

·Legumeslikebeansand certaintypesoflentils

· A fist full of nuts and seeds- walnuts, flaxseeds andalmondsarerichsources ofomegathreefattyacids.

·Wholegrains

Consult a dietician to come up with an effective psoriasisdietplanadjunctto your prescribed treatment. Obesity can worsen the effects of psoriasis and you might want to work towards losing weight as well. In addition to a healthy diet, make some lifestyle changes.

Get ample rest, adequate sleep, regular exercise and reduce stress levels. If you smoke,quit.

Making changes in the dietisthebestandtheeasiest waytocombattheeffectsof autoimmune disorders like psoriasis and to reduce inflammation.

If you suspect that a particular food item is triggering the effects of psoriasis, consult your doctor(https://pharmeasyin /blog/dietary-tips-forpeople-with-psoriasis/)

10 AMAZING HEALTH BENEFITS OF SKIPPING ROPE

Can’tgotothegym

due to COVID19 lockdown? Well, it might look difficult tomanageworkoutwithouta gymbutskippingropeisone of the super-convenient, easy and effective home exercises.

Skipping is great cardio, aerobic exercise. Skipping rope helps to tone your calves, tighten your core, build stamina and improve yourlungcapacity

Skipping rope alone won’t help you to reduce weight loss skipping rope can be a part of a diet and exercise routine which boostsyourmetabolism

Howmanycalories burninskipping?

Surprisingly, skipping ropescanburn10caloriesin aminuteandalsostrengthen your legs, butt, shoulders, belly,andarms.Onaverage, youcanburn200caloriesin 10 minutes sessions each

day Itismoreeffectivethan briskwalking.

Benefits of skipping rope

There are multiple benefits of skipping rope from losing weight to reducing the chances of cancer Skipping rope is a great calorie-burner and improves the cardiovascular system.

1:Improveshearthealth Skipping rope is the best cardio exercise as it increasestheheartrate.This will significantly reduce the risk of heart diseases and stroke.

2:Increasesconcentration Every cardio exercise will help you to focus on yourgoalandskippingisone of them. Skipping rope can calmyourbodyandincrease yourconcentration.

3:Improvescoordination Skipping consistently improves your coordination andstamina.

4:Increasesstamina andgetsridoffatigue

By continuous work you may feel tired or loss of stamina. Skipping can help you to improve your stamina. The more you do skipping regularly the more your stamina increases A consistent skipping range practice can help get rid of fatigue.

5:Increases bodyflexibility

Skipping rope makes yourbodycalmandflexible. Jumpinggivesgreatstrength to the muscles and relaxes them That’s why it is included in an athlete’s workoutregime.

6:Boostmentalhealth

Skipping rope at a moderate intensity can reduce anxiety and depression Exercise can increasebloodcirculationto yourbodyandbrain.

7:Decreasesbellyfat

It is one of the main

obstacles while losing weight.

But skipping rope can help you with that. Highintensity interval training (HIIT) exercises helps to reduce belly fat without diet and strengthen your abdominalmuscles.

8:Strengthening yourbones

Skippingropewillgive strengthtoyourbonesand increasebonedensity,thus reducesthechancesof osteoporosis.

9:

There are numerous ways to lose weight, skipping rope is one of the effective methods for it However, skipping rope alone is not enough to lose weight but also it requires a planned diet, weight loss goals,commitment,andhigh activitylevel.

beginner, you can start with low-intensity skipping and as time passed you will get control and coordination then you can enhance your intensityasyouwant.

The following points should be kept in mind for weightlosswhileskipping

Glowsyourskin

Post-workout glow is oneofthebestglowonecan get. Exercises like skipping willalwaysgiveyouhealthy, blushingandglowingskin.

10:Improve pulmonaryfunction

Skippingropesimproves blood circulation and breathing which ultimately enhancesyourlungcapacity Benefitsofskipping ropeforweightloss

Youalsoneedtoconsider some other factors like age, previous illnesses/ surgeries before starting exercise as it may affect your rate of weightloss.Ifyoujumprope for 30 minutes to one hour daily you will lose almost 200-300 calories But beginnerscan’tdoitstraight for 30 minutes, you may need some time to increase yourduration.

Theeffectivenessof skippinginweightloss

Skipping rope activates allthemusclesofyourbody The more you work out, the more calories you burn losing more weight. As a

· Skipping can reduce yourwholebodyfat.

·You can do singles and try in various intensity at whatevertimeyouwant.

· The skipping rope is cheap and doesn’t need any expensiveequipment.

Skipping with a balanced diet in proper routine will reduce your weightloss

Many celebrities swear by the benefits of skipping rope for weight loss as an effective cardiovascular workout that aids in the complete transformation of one’s body by targeting and toning various muscle groups.

Hennessy/Moet pours shot with local sports and entertainment influencers

Ansa McAl Trading

Limited, the official distributor behind the world’s most loved Champagne, Moet and cognac, Hennessy, have teamed up with some local influencers in the area of entertainmentandsports.

Under the Moet brand, the company will work with singer, songwriter and producer ‘Drew Thoven’, Radio and Television Personality Macaela Cameron, popularly known as‘RemixChick’,alongwith high-class events promoter Tr a v i s S h e p h e r d Meanwhile, with Hennessy known for their affiliation with basketball, the brand will work with 3x3 basketball promoter and Sports Journalist Rawle Toney, promoter Kareem Thomasintheentertainment industry and Social Media influencer Aaliyah Rodrigues. Atina Samad,

the Business Unit Head for Moet/Hennessy and Wines, said the company is excited about the initiative, adding that it “will be an ongoing process throughout the year and years to come.” “The aimoflaunchingaHennessy Influencers Community is not only to represent the brands through postings, mingling and attending events, but to educate the populationofHennessyVery Special (VS) and to share with the wider audience of Guyana a new experience with our plans, to focus on the digital media platforms, entertainment industry and sports through Basketball,” Samad said. With regards to the Moet Influencers Club, Samadsaidthepartnershipis to also bring Moet to the forefront and to share with thewideraudiencelocally,a new experience with their plansforMoetchampagnein Guyana.

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

WHAT’S TRENDING IN THE LASH INDUSTRY FOR 2023

ByLatoyaZephyr

2022hasbeendominated bymegavolumelashes,Kim K-inspiredwispyshapesand the emergence of the M curl and L curl But what does 2023holdinstore?Let’ssee whatthecrystalballsays… 2023lashtrends

THENATURALLOOK

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 thethatlipswillbebackina 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 theyoraren’ttheyreal?

Here are some of the natural look lash trends for

2023: BROWNLASHES

After seeing an upsurge in popularity in lash competitions, brown lashes are likely to take greater prominence in 2023

Whether for classic lashes, hybrid or Russian volume, dark or light brown lashes areagreatwaytoachievean 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 yourset.

EXPRESSLASHES

They’re more affordable andtakelesstimeinthelash chair, so it’s no surprise that manylashloverswillturnto smallersetsinstead.

You can have fuller lashes applied from the middle to the outer edge of youreye–perfectforfansof

a cat eye shape, with still enough lashes to add plenty ofdrama.

Or you can have lashes added across the whole eye, justnotoneverysinglelash. Both looks create an effect that’slessnoticeably‘false’. However, keep in mind that with fewer lashes, this type oflookwon’tlastyouaslong asafullset.

LASHLIFTS

One sure-fire to get natural-looking lashes is to stick to your natural lashes! Ifyou’retiredoftheconstant cycle of infills that comes with committing to eyelash extensions, a lash lift is a lower maintenance approach.

Alash lift lifts and curls your lashes, creating a beautifulopen-eyedeffect.It lasts 4-6 weeks and can be accompaniedbyatintsoyou don’tevenneedmascara.

CLASSIC&

HYBRIDLASHES

With more naturallooking lashes coming back to fashion, classic lashes are anticipated to be more in demandin2023.

This is where one false lashisappliedtoonenatural lash,asopposedtoa‘fan’of multiple lashes being applied (which is known as volume lashes) Next generation‘flatlashes’make forexcellentretention.

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 moresubtletakeontheKim K look if the lashlengths are mixedcorrectly.

MEN’SLASH EXTENSIONS

Well, why should girls have all the fun? Guys’ beautyregimeshavecomea long way, incorporating much greater levels of skin and hair care, as well as make-up.Sothenextlogical stepistogetlashextensions to enhance those handsome eyes. This trend ties in very much with the rise of brown

lashes and J-curl lashes. Bring on the nudelashes!

….ANDTHENOT SONATURAL LOOK

The less is more look isn’tforeveryone,soifyou prefer your lashes with a whole lot of drama, never fear,thereareplentyoftrends that up the ante on the wow factor In general, expect straightersilhouettessuchas LandMcurllashestostillbe thehottestcurlshapes,witha slight move away from super-roundedshapeslikeD curllashes.

WISPYLASHESORAS SOMEWOULDSAY THEKARDASHIAN LASHDESIGN

Thistrendisheretostay!

Popularised by Kim Kardashian, this textured look is characterised by volume lashes interspersed withspikesoflongerlengths for a super feminine and glamorous look. In 2023, you can take the wispy look inoneoftwoways.Option1 is to dial up the volume and the drama, with very full baseline lashes and even longerwisps.

Option 2 is to pare it back, with minimal all over lashes, letting the longer length spikes enhance your naturallashes.Atwistonthis is wet-look lashes, where multiple lashes are applied together, volume style, but they are not opened out into fansfirst.

EYELINERFLICK LASHES

Cat eye and fox eye lashes have been around for sometimenowandshowno signs of going away – if anything these trends are predictedtogetevenbigger Lash addicts are loving a pronouncedwingedeyeliner effectlookalsoknownasan extremecateye.

This is created using shorter lashes overall but with angled, L curl or M lashes at the outer corners. It’salookthatoozesglamour andpartnersreallywellwith astatementlip.Winwin!

Atina Samad, Business Unit Head for Moet/Hennessy and Wines (second from right), along with Rawle Toney,Aaliyah Rodrigues and Kareem Thomas.

Cosmetologist Arritta

Sampson a role model

By Malisa Renada Playter Harry

Businesswoman Arritta Sampson, 39 ofAuchlyne Estate, Corentyne, Berbice, has been making waves withinhercommunityasoneofthe trusted Cosmetologists within the area Sampson, the owner of Angel’s Beauty Salon and Skills Training Centre, is considered a role model in Auchlyne and with over 10 years of experience in the field of cosmetology, clients from all parts of the community, regardless of class or race choose Sampson’s business as the place to get their hair, nail, facials or just have an outfit sewn for a special occasion.

Sampson who was once a Teacher at the Auchlyne Primary

School said, she started out in the field of cosmetology before she began teaching, and that she always had a love for the special skill of beautifying the face ever since living in Whim Village, Corentyne,Berbice.

“From growing up I always loved to comb people’s hair from thecommunity,IgrewupinWhim village, so they had long hair, so it was nice ” She added with laughter

The proprietress of the wellknown beauty salon said her business offers cosmetology classesforschooldrop-outs,single parents and anyone who wants to learn. She said that there are times when classes are free and there are other times where a small fee is attached.Theresponseshesaidhas beentremendous.

For her choosing cosmetology over teaching was easy, mainly because of her love for the craft. Thefactthatshegetstobeherown boss, is an additional motivation for her to continue and grow as an Entrepreneur

“I actually did cosmetology first and then I went into teaching, so it was like two jobs together With having a business, I come to work on my own time and its more money for me. I get to meet all kindsofpeople.”

Someoftheservicesofferedby Sampson are manicures, pedicures, facials, steaming, perms, hair straightening, hair colouring, makeup, nails, hair styling, designer cuts and more. She is also a Seamstress and can sew any style that a customer may desire.

She revealed that she will be opening her new salon before the conclusion of 2023, and that it will be located next to her current location, at the bottom flat of her premises. She added that it has always been a dream for hers to have a nicer salon with all the modern amenities included for improvedservicetothepeople.

“I feel blessed and all that I have gone through, God didn’t forgetaboutmeandIfeelthatheis helping me now and he is going to dosomuchmore.”Shesaid.

For her it’s not only about getting a hairstyle done, she puts herallintoitandwithherstaffwho are all cousins of hers, she is sure thattheendproductalwayspleases thecustomer

“I love my job and I do it to the best of my ability, I try to advise people on their hair, I study what I do, and I have experience with what to do when it comes to highlights,treatmentsetc.”

Sampson expressed that being an independent woman is a great feeling and that she would often advise other women to also be independent themselves. She sees herself as a role model in her community and family and takes prideinhowshelooksandtheway shedoesherjob.

“First of all, people always think I am going out because of how I dress. I choose to present myself professionally because I want people to say yes this is a person, I want to do my hair, because her hair is always well

done. For me, if I don’t look like a cosmetologist then I don’t expect you to come to me to do your hair, soyouhavetolookacertainwayif you want to promote a certain business,”Sampsonnoted.

She sees herself in the next 10

years, owning a huge salon with employees where she can just look on and manage the business more efficientlyandeffectively Want to book an appointment with her? Contact Sampson on 680-7333viaWhatsApporcall.

Arritta at work

One of her happy clients

Health Facts

Chiropractic therapy services offered in Guyana

Many people suffer from

By Rehanna Ramsay

benefit from this type of headach chronic pain, whether it’s in therapy e s , the neck, lower back, or Roberts travels to whiplash shoulders. Anyone who has Guyana often to offer his injuries, e x p e r i e n c e d p a i n skillsandservicestothosein and joint understands its all- need. He is currently in problems of the consuming effect. Chronic Guyana to conduct therapy arms or legs. So, pain sufferers will try almost sessions at Lot 67 Brummell s h o u l d y o u anythingtogetrelief. Place, Stabroek from automatically assume you f r o m c h i r o p r a c t i c

Of the countless people January 19 to January 23, need chiropractic care? Not adjustments, which stretch who suffer from chronic 2023. He will be here again necessarily Chiropractic muscles in the shoulder and pain, a huge majority have in February for other care can help millions of reducestiffness. found relief through sessions The Therapist people,butnoteveryone. Roberts explains that in chiropractic care, which is a explained that anyone can If you suffer from neck, the case of headaches when complementary therapy that benefitfromtheservice. back,orkneepainthathasan the bones in the neck don’t involves the physical “You don’t necessarily unexplained cause and is not alignitcancauseyoutohave alignment or adjustment of need to have a back or knee d u e t o a d v a n c e d spasms that can result in the spine that has moved out problem.You can come in to osteoarthritis, you may tension in the nerves and ofposition. get an adjustment which is benefit from this type of cause tension and pain in the

In Guyana, this medical basically like servicing your therapy head. He noted that in these expertise is often lacking, body Justlikeyourcarneeds Patients who stand to cases therapy can cause a with some visiting therapists servicing,everyoneneedsan benefit the most from little discomfort but bring coming in from overseas to adjustment at some point, chiropractic care are those instantrelief. offertheirserviceshere. adjustment helps your joints who are generally healthy There are also many

This week, Kaieteur to move properly, it and without the advanced p a t i e n t s w h o s e e k News will seek to highlight reconnects the brain to the joint disease. Examples chiropractic care for the benefits of this form of body and allows you to includethosewithsciaticaor symptoms such as chronic medicine by speaking with functionbetter,”hesaid oldsportsinjuries. pain, fatigue, lack of energy, Kern Roberts a Trinidadian A d j u s t m e n t s a n d People who get tension digestive problems, muscle born Physical and Manual manipulations, addresses headachesandmigrainescan aches, numbness, and Therapist who offers alignment issues that cause also benefit from accessing tingling. All of these issues services related to pain and other symptoms all chiropractic care, because can be addressed with chiropractic medicine in over the body, including alignment those issues chiropractic care. Those Guyana. impeding the body’s natural contribute to the occurrence interested in accessing this

He told this newspaper ability to heal. However, the of headaches Moreover, type of therapy from Kern that he decided to offer his benefits of chiropractic care patientswithfrozenshoulder Roberts can call or services here as a result of a do not end with pain relief. syndrome can also benefit WhatsApp604-0587. request from Guyanese who There are a plethora of other incorporates other types of therapy involved,” Roberts sawhimonTikTok. conditions and symptoms therapy noted.

“They saw me and asked that can be alleviated with

“It’s a physical and He explained that many that I do some sessions here chiropracticcare. manual therapy which people, who suffer from in Guyana, so I obliged,” These include people means that the skills degenerative spine injuries Robertssaid. who have problems with resemble chiropractic conditions, slipped or He explained that while m u s c l e s , m u s c l e therapy but is not limited to herniated discs, muscle his skills relate to attachments (tendons), and it…there are other types of injuries, and spasms can chiropractic medicine, it joints. Most people who go to therapy have back or neck pain, but chiropractic medicine treats a variety of muscle and joint problems. Research shows chiropractic care works best for people with back pain, neck pain,

Australian missionary, two sons...

From page 24 had lured or forcibly coerced many Hindus into believing in the Christian faith. The Wadhwa Commission found that although some tribals had been baptised at the camps, there was no evidence of forced conversions. Staines’s widow, Gladys, also denies forced conversions ever happened. She continuedtoliveandworkinIndiacaringforthosewhowere poorandwereaffectedbyleprosy,untilshereturnedhometo her native country of Australia in 2004. In 2005, she was awarded the fourth highest honor a civilian can receive in India, the Padma Shree, in recognition for her work in Odisha. In 2016, she received the Mother Teresa Memorial InternationalAwardforSocialJustice.

Trinidadian born Manual and Physical Therapist, Kern Roberts conducts a session

GNBS IN FOCUS

GNBS COMMENCES VERIFICATION OF MEASURING INSTRUMENTS IN TRADE FOR FIRST HALF OF 2023

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) this week commenced the mobile verification(stamping)ofall weighing and measuring instruments used at markets andshopsacrossthecountry. The verification of these instruments is crucial to ensure consumers receive accurate measurements in trade and is done every six months(twiceperyear).

By virtue of the 1981 Weights&MeasuresAct,the GNBS is mandated to verify all measuring instruments used in trade These instruments include scales, masses, measures, storage tanks, flow meters, measuring rules, electricity metersandpetrolpumps.

Withthecommencement of verification of these instruments, consumers are being urged to check for the GNBS approval seals when makingpurchases. Foreasy determination, the GNBS affixes an approval seal to any measuring instrument it hasverifiedincludingscales, petrol pumps and electricity meters. For verified masses and measures used in retail, thesearestampedG.N.B.S. Verification guarantees that instruments are functioning well to safeguard retailers from incurring losses due to the use of defective and inaccurate weighing and measuringinstrumentswhile

alsoprotectingconsumers.

In preparation for these exercises, the GNBS has ensured to have its working standards calibrated to be used by trained and professionalInspectors.

R e g a r d i n g t h e manufactureandimportation of measuring instruments, the GNBS carries out inspections to ensure local manufacturers are operating in a standard facility, are licensed and submit instruments for verification prior to distributing for sale.

Importersalsoneedtoensure that measuring instruments are ‘Type Approved’ and verified by the GNBS prior tosale.Typeapprovalbythe Bureau ensures that instruments are meeting requirements for used in trade. Since early 2021, the GNBS has been utilizing its mobile stamping bus to conduct the verification of measuring instruments at key markets and other publicizedlocations. Thisis focused on enhancing the efficiencyofservicedelivery by allowing for minimal interruption in business transactions of users while maintaining an environment conducive for Inspectors to conduct verification Meanwhile, the GNBS has opened sub-offices to establishitspresenceinnine of the ten administrative regions,withthemostrecent officesopeningtheirdoorsin

Mabaruma, Region One and Lethem,RegionNine.

These offices were establishedtobetterservethe residents and various stakeholders in regions across the country. They are equipped to perform the verification of scales, masses, measures which can also be submitted to these locations.

Verification commenced onTuesday,January17atthe S t a b r o e k M a r k e t , Georgetown,followedbythe Bourda and Kitty Markets later in the week Advertisements indicating the schedule for mobile stamping are being published in local newspapers,radio,television and the GNBS Facebook page Vendors and shopkeepers and other users of weighing and measuring instruments are urged to submit their instruments for verification.Instrumentscan also be submitted for verification at the GNBS Head Office, Sophia and the varioussub-offices.

Importantly, all instruments must be fully metricandmustbeverywell painted, clean, sprayed if necessary, and in good conditionbeforestamping.

Forfurtherinformation, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190069, 219-0066 or our WhatsApp number: 6924627(GNBS).

GUYANA GUARDS ITSELF AGAINST THE DUTCH DISEASE CONSUMER CONCERNS

By:PATDIAL

Sincethediscoveryofoil and gas in Guyana, many journalists and other public commentators, both locally and internationally, have been predicting that Guyana wouldinevitablybeafflicted withtheDutchDisease.

This is where all economic life becomes solelyfocusedontheoiland

gas industry, because of its lucrative revenue, neglecting other vital segments of the economy that once supported the country’s economy. When the oil resources become exhausted or there is a prolonged period of falling prices,thespectreofpoverty wouldonceagainrise,andit will be exacerbatedsince all

other industries would have fallenintodecline.

The intelligentsia and those faced with managing the oil and gas industry are aware of the dangers of the Dutch Disease and have established a tightly protected Natural Resources Fund wherein the Oil revenueswouldbedeposited and withdrawn with

transparency Part of the funds would be kept for future generations, and part would be used for current activities which would include the long-desired injections of developmental capital into the social and economiclifeofthecountry. Investmentsineconomiclife would include agriculture, mining and the creation of a modern manufacturing sector

Social spending would be made in other areas, like raising the health and educational standards and subsidizing costs for citizens,increasingpensions and wages, and providing grants for cost of living relief. The overall aim is to keep increasing the disposable income of citizens.

B e f o r e O i l w a s discovered, the country’s main earnings were derived from agriculture which included the sugar, rice and coconutindustries,aswellas food and fruit crops and fishing, mining which included the bauxite and goldindustries,andallthese industries, were always in the mode of struggle for investmentcapital.

Now that investment capital has become available, the policy should be to create a strong, sustainable and diversified non-oileconomy

Recently, Vice President Dr Jagdeo has said that agricultureisasimportantas the oil and gas industry, and in this offering we will review how agriculture is being strengthened and expanded to prevent any infection from the Dutch Disease:Lastyear,7%ofthe Budget was allocated to the agriculture sector, which amounted to $38 billion. This amount of funding was almosttwicewhatwasspent in2020.

Thismoneywasinvested into all aspects of agriculture:introductionand development of new crops; development of traditional areas of Agriculture; development of marine aspects; and investment in international cooperation andmarketing.

The very able and proactive Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha has been providing an expert and forward-thinking leadership

never before experienced in theMinistry

Wheat flour is one of Guyana’s main imports and its shortage or absence lead to much suffering and the destabilization of the politicallifeofthecountry.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been experimenting in Regions 8 and 9 with the cultivation of wheat and several varieties of tropical wheat have been imported from Mexico From all reports, the first crop of wheat would be reapedbeforeyearend.

If wheat could be grown economically, it would save the country much foreign exchange and may in time, graduate to an export crop likeRice.

There are a number of other new crops which have been introduced and these include soya and maize (corn) which have been planted along the Berbice River, and in a few months, 1000acresofsoyawouldbe reaped.

Corn and soya are used foranimalfodderandwould beanimportsubstitution. A number of spices - ginger, black pepper, nutmeg and turmeric have been successfullygrownandtheir acreage would be expanded.

Floriculture has been embarked upon with the cultivation of roses and in time the repertoire would include other flowers and orchids. The late Boyo Ramsaroophadestablisheda profitable flower export business and this resuscitation of Floriculture promises to be a profitable earner

Coconut cultivation is being expanded to meet an insatiable world demand for coconutsanditsbyproducts. One of the byproducts, coconut oil, is now comparabletooliveoilandis preferred over olive oil by a growing number of consumers. To improve the cultivation, 1000 Brazilian high yielding dwarf seeds have been imported and are growing.

In addition to coconuts, the traditional crops of rice and sugar were addressed. Rice production increased and additional drying floors wereconstructedinRegions twoandfour Anewmarket for packagedricewas found in Lebanon. Sugar has begun its slow revival with

the reopening of the Rose Hall, Enmore and Skeldon estates, employing approximately 1500 w o r k e r s . T h e mechanization of the factories is progressing and the expansion of the packagingplantatBlairmont willsoonbecompleted.

Agriculture requires efficient drainage and irrigationaswellasanumber of good roads. The pump stations and sluices throughout the agricultural areashavebeenrehabilitated and much work has been done on the roads, in particular the farm-tomarketroads.

Fishing was supported and fisherfolk received grants of over $1 billion which they would use to rehabilitate their boats and engines.

Cage culture for fishing was introduced and eight cages were acquired Brackish water shrimp production increased and a prawn project was being developedatOnverwagt.

Livestock development continued with the importation of several hundred Black Belly sheep fromBarbados,over60bulls from Texas for genetic improvement and a modular pig slaughtering and processing facility was established at Garden of Eden.

The Ministry of Agriculture personnel and other agriculturists attended a number of conferences in the Caribbean and Latin America, and were able to establish useful networks, some of which are with potentialinvestors.

A Guyana/Barbados Food Terminal was established in Barbados which would assist in marketing Guyana’s agriproducts. Guyana was also accepted by CARICOM as themainsupplierofproduce fortheCaribbean’s$5billion foodmarket.

The successful efforts in agricultureoverthelastyear are a clear indications that Guyana’s economy will remain diversified and profitable,andthattheDutch Disease would not be infectingthiscountry

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

Food for the Poor

(FFTP) Guyana, on Wednesday opened the doors of a new Resource Centre in Region Five (Mahaica- Berbice) which will offer free training in a numberofdifferentareas,to interestedresidents.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the organisation, Jonelle DeViera, said the new facility is geared at promoting development by providing easy access to learning resources and life skills training programmes. DeViera added that the Resource Centre will promote education and help improve the employability and income generation of t h e p e o p l e i n t h e community.

The Centre is located at Lot 136 A, Woodley Park West Coast Berbice Construction of the facility commenced in March 2022 and was later completed in November2022.

It will be instrumental in accommodating workshops orsensitizationprogrammes on social, education, health and other issues Skills training programs such as garment construction, information technology, cookery and others will be offered.

The space will also be used to convene community meetings and recreational gatherings, as well as afternoon lessons and remedialclasses.

DeViera in an interview with 'The Waterfalls' said this week, “Food For the Poor Guyana Inc constructs resource centre buildings as part of our community

development initiative Resource centres provide opportunities for capacity building and empowerment for residents promoting social and economic development.”

As such, she explained thatthedecisiontoconstruct t h e c e n t r e f o r t h e Bath/Woodley Park locale came after it was brought to the agency's attention that there is an urgent need for support of youth in the community, especially in the areas of life and skills training. There was also no such facility available in the areatoaccommodatesame.

The Centre will be available to the 12,000 r e s i d e n t s i n t h e Bath/Woodley locale along with other residents from t h e n e i g h b o u r i n g communities.

Now that the building has been officially handed over to the Neighbourhood D

(NDC), representatives will be responsible for the operation of the building. This means, persons who are interested in the opportunities can make contact with the NDC office.

NDC,VilchanSanmogan. Food For the Poor ( G u y a n a ) I n c h a s

c

(from right) FFTP CEO, Kent Vincent, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour, Bishram Kuppen ( standing), Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, and Chairman of FFTP Guyana board, Mr. Paul Chan-a-Sue

over

the Mark Archibald ResourceCenteratSeafield, West Coast Berbice which caters for persons who are differently abled Such facilities were also made available in Baramita village, Region 1 and Coomacka,Region10.

DeViera said FFTP is willing to assist other communities across the country with Resource Centres. “Once the need is there, we are willing to partnerwiththecommunity and any other agencies to construct more facilities across the country,” she explained.

On June 3 last year, Food for the Poor Guyana celebrated 31 years of service With about 62 persons employed at Food for the Poor (FFTP), and scores of volunteers, Guyanese have been blessed through outreaches and the various distribution

drives organised to hand out foodandpersonalcareitems and even clothing 
The body has also been instrumental in offering monthly support to children's homes, under its 'AngelofHope'programme.

Established since June 3, 1991 in Guyana, the nongovernmental organisation (NGO) has managed to branch out to more regions in the country, with the support of its generous local andoverseasdonors.

In its vision statement, the organisation states, “FoodForThePoorisGod's instrument to help the materially poor and to renewthepoorinspirit.”

Food for the Poor holds the title of the largest charitable organisation in Guyana, providing more assistance to disadvantaged families than any other NGO or organisation in the country

Students already taking advantage of services at the Centre

The new Resource Centre launched in Woodley Park by Food for the Poor Guyana

New training facility launched in Region Five by Food for the Poor

Ancient Story

Nian, the Horrible Monster

Chinese New Year started many thousands of years ago It is still celebrated today It is a time for enjoying family and friends, for remembering ancestors, for feasting, and for giving gifts of "red envelopes" of lucky money There are many ancient customs and stories that surround Chinese NewYear Thisisoneofourfavorites: Onceuponatime

A long time ago, there was a monster named Nian. Nian loved to visit a little village in China each year, and scare everybody he saw He thought that was great fun.Helikedtodothisjustas the new year began, to remind people that Nian was still around. Each year, after scaring all the people, could hardly wait for the new year to roll around, so that he couldscarethemagain.

This probably would have gone on forever But one day, just by luck, one of the villagers was wearing a red tunic When Nian jumped out to scare him, Niantookonelookatthered

tunic and ran away. He startled the villager so much that the villager dropped the heavy metal bucket he had been carrying The bucket bounced down the hill behind Nian, hitting every rock in its path. It made a horrible noise. Nian looked fearfully over his shoulder, and began running even

luck His red tunic had scaredNian.Andthenoiseof the bucket had sent him runningaway Thiswasgood news.

All year long, the villagers prepared When Nian appeared the following year, everyone in the village ran for the red banners and the loud rattles they had made They shook their rattles and waved their banners.And Nian ran away The villagers never saw him again.

faster

The villager told everyone of his fabulous

That's why people in China believe the color red signifies luck, and why all thechildrenandmanyadults shake rattles and light firecrackers and make all kinds of noise on Chinese New Year's eve. It's to scare away evil spirits, and even Nian, just in case he's still hangingaround.

How to Make a Chinese New Year Dragon CraftSupplies:

* Paper Cups

* Construction Paper

* Red Paint

* Scissors

* Glue

* Brush

1 – First, cut the base off a paper cup and paintthecupred.

2 – On red paper or cardstock, sketch out the head of your dragon (basically a wiggly circlewithtwohorns),twoarchedeyesanda nose.

Add smaller white and black arc

FUNWITHPOETRY

Two little kittens

Two little kittens, one stormy night, Began to quarrel, and then to fight; One had a , the other had none, mouse And that's the reason the quarrel begun.

hestotheeyestomakethewhitesandpupils.

3 – To make the dragon breathe fire, cut stripsofred,orangeandyellowpaper

4 – Glue the strips into the narrow end of thecup.

5 – Curl the strips outwards. You can wrapthemroundyourfingerorapencil.

6 – Now, glue the dragon's snout onto the head.

7 – Finally, fold over the ends of the eyes and nose and glue them on top of the paper cup.

Nowyourroarsomefirebreathingdragon is ready to do its dragon day to welcome in the New Year. What a fun way to celebrate ChineseNewYear.

"I'll have that mouse," said the bigger cat; "You'll have that mouse? We'll see about that!" "I will have that mouse," said the ; elder son "You shan't have the mouse," said the little one.

I told you before 'twas a stormy night When these two little kittens began to fight; The old woman seized her broom, sweeping And swept the two kittens right out of the room.

The ground was covered with frost and snow, And the two little kittens had nowhere to go; So they laid them down on the mat at the door, While the old woman finished sweeping the floor.

Then they crept in, as quiet as mice, All wet with the snow, and cold as ice, For they found it was better, that stormy night, To lie down and sleep than to quarrel and fight.

Achieve real upliftment of your spirit by following this week's tips on Self-improvement

Strivetobehappy

People often feel that, because there is nothing really exciting happening to them, then they cannot enjoy life. The fact is that real enjoyment of life does not come from thrills or extraordinaryevents.

about what is in the news, or about what is happening in one's own life, can be just as uplifting.

The list can be endless if you tax your own mind to come up with things to do that are both enjoyable and beneficial.

talents, the love of your family, how you are being successful at what you are doing, all these can make you feel contented Happiness is a choice, and you can be happy in any circumstances if you have a contentedmind.

Read something worthwhile daily – a good book, passages from the scripture of your religion. Some people develop a wonderful practice of writing down their thoughts about what is happening to them every day, and this can

The Joy of Life

The joy of life is living it, it seems to me, In finding problems, then struggling till you're free; In seeing wrongs and righting them, in dreaming splendid dreams, Then toiling till the vision is as real as moving streams.

The happiest mortal on the earth is he who ends his day By leaving better than he found moving along the way; Were all things perfect here, there would be naught for man to do; If what is old were good enough we'd never need the new

Our only happy time of rest is that which follows strife, When we make some contribution to the joy of life; And he who has oppression and conquered it is he, Who really knows the happiness and peace of being free.

The miseries of earth are here and with them all must cope. He who seeks for joy, through care and pain must grope; Through disappointment man must go to value pleasure's thrill; To really know the joy of health a man must first be ill.

The wrongs are here for man to right, and happiness is had By striving to supplant with good the evil and the bad; The joy of life is living it and doing things of worth, In making bright and fruitful all the barren spots of earth.

In facing odds and mastering them and rising from defeat, And making true what was false, and what was bitter, sweet. For only he knows perfect joy whose little bit of soil Is richer ground than what it was when he began to toil.

One can derive the greatest pleasures from the simple things around at any time – a walk in one's neighbourhood, observing the trees, the birds and animals, even the people going about their everyday tasks. Alively conversation

Be content with what youhave.

Each of us at any given time must have what is needed to make us happy if we only appreciate it and do not lust over what other peoplepossess.

Your own health and

Krypto Inkies

Krypto Inkies are regular

Inky (or KenKen) puzzles that have been encrypted. Each digit has been substituted with a letter

To solve the puzzle. vou must deducewhatdigiteachletterstandsfor whileworkingoutthe SoluTion

In the solved buzzle. each row and eachcolumnwill containallofthedigits1thru7.

The heavy lines indicate areas called cages that contain z or more numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce the result shown in the cage, with the indicated math operation.

Forexample,'ABx'meansyoucan multiply the squares together to producethenumberencodedbyAB.

Note that numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the s a m e r o w o r c o l u m n

Do things that work to make your time benefit you. Getting rid of distractions like watching less television will allow you time to really getconnectedtoyourfamily and friends, and do the things necessary to make yousuccessful.

be good reading in the future, and help you to see thingsmoreclearly UncleRoyissincerely hoping that you teenagers follow this series, as this would ensure that you are following the right path to successinyourlife.

Although you will encounter many persons in your life who will help you to progress, your parents, teachers, ministers of religion, and others, you should appreciate that the obligation to your improvement lies most with yourself.

Tellitto

UNCLEROY

Hello,readers, UncleRoyisagainaskingallofyoutotryinsomeway tomakeacontributiontothispage,andthustothewelfareof you and your fellow readers. This contribution can take any formthatyoufeelwouldbevaluable–anaccountofwhatis going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broader level, any comment or recommendation you would liketomaketoyourfellowGuyanese.

Please remit same to my email –roypaul2002@yahoo com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.

Solutions to last week’s

Caring for Your Mental Health

Single mother turned to baking as means of empowerment

The saying, “a woman falls only if she wants to”, is most fitting to describe young Linden mother of two, Tameka Smith Smith is the proud proprietor of ‘La crèmedeLacrème’,a cake and pastry business operating in the mining town of Linden Realising thattheonuswasonher to provide for her c h i l d r e n singlehandedly, the idea was birthed to commercialize her bakingskills.

Her baking skills were developed at the tender age of 13. “I was 13 and my mother would take me to Georgetown to spend time with my cousins.We went to ‘brownies’and that’swheremycousinandIbakedwithother young ladies and it became a hobby on weekends; baking with my mother in the kitchen,”shereflected.

With cost of living skyrocketing, Smith did not want to be another statistic or to be dependent on handouts, she believed that turning to her hands, could alleviate the economic quandary her household was facing.

In May 2021, ‘La Crème de La Crème’ was birthed, by providing weekly pastry and cakes which targeted particularly busy parents looking for snack options for their children.Almosttwoyearslater,thebusiness now provides a service daily and has

expanded by catering for events Some of her signature products include cheese cake, plantain quiche and chickenpuffs.

“God help those, who help themselves,” she said. Tameka has taken her favourite quote very seriously, and despite the challenges of starting a business with little financing and resources, she believes that withfaith,oncetheeffortismade,everything will fall into place Her mission is to continuously improve on her quality and marketingstrategies.

“I’ve become more focused and will be collaborating with other entrepreneurs in order to help with networking. I truly love what I do and my fear of not succeeding has been outdone by my passion to never let failingbeanoption,”shesaid.Hergoalisnot

to be stagnated but to own a physical snackette within five years. She sees herself as being one of Linden’s preferred cake and pastry chefs aswellasestablishinga world-class catering company

Given that her reason for being an Entrepreneur was to provide for herself and children, she is very passionate about training other single mothers and providing employment for them as her business grows.

Her advice to those who maybe struggling financially but don’t have the means to be employed,or,maybedonothaveababysitter or a support system, is to start a business remotely,sothattheycanearninthecomfort oftheirownhome.

“Do not be reluctant, think of ideas and work towards them, pray, seek advice. The satisfactionyouexperiencewhenyouareable ownyourownbusinessandprovideaservice to your community and country is overwhelming,”shesays.Thoseinterestedin hercateringservicescancontactheron6257448.

Tameka Smith

Some of Tameka Smith displaying some of her products

Ruling in case challenging Exxon's flaring delayed by heavy case load–HighCourt

TheChiefJustice'sheavy case and workload has resulted in the delay of the decision of the case c h a l l e n g i n g t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over ExxonMobil's flaring, the HighCourthassaid.

TheCourt,inresponseto questions posed by Kaieteur News, on Monday said that Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire is committed to the delivery of justice in a fair and impartial manner

“Please be assured that her Honour remains committed to serving and providing justice efficiently to all in all matter which fall for her consideration and adjudication. Her Honour remains committed to the delivery of justice in a fair, impartial and as efficient a manner as the prevailing circumstances will allow This decision will be delivered at the soonest time possible,” the response by

the Court's Public Relations Officer(PRO)said.

Earlier this month, in a letter to the Editor, the applications who challenged the EPA, Sinikka Henry, Sherlina Nageer and Andriska Thorington complained that the ruling that was promised by Chief Justice Roxane GeorgeWiltshire is now delayed by sixmonths.

The three Guyanese women had filed a case against the EPA last year for amendments made to ExxonMobil Corporation's Stabroek Block permits to allow for excess flaring in exchangeforafee.

In the letter, the trio wrote, “We are ecologically minded Guyanese who care about the environment and are concerned about the extended and dangerous gas flaring from the oil production activities of ExxonMobil in Guyana's offshore waters.As such, we became plaintiffs in a

lawsuit against the

Environmental Protection Agency of Guyana and Esso (Exploration and Production GuyanaLimited).”

The women noted that the matter was heard by the Chief Justice on May 12, 2022 They said at the conclusion of the hearing, the Chief Justice indicated that she would deliver her decision in July 2022 “However, we are now in a new year and still awaiting the ruling, six months later than promised Several letters inquiring about this judicialdelayweresentfrom ourAttorney to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, but to no avail We are now ventilating this issue in the public domain in hopes of obtaining a speedy resolutiontothismatter,”the womenstatedintheirletter

The case which was filed in January 2022, through their Lawyers Melinda Janki and Ronald Burch-Smith, intended to secure an order

that would stop excessive flaring by ExxonMobil's subsidiary, EEPGL on the Liza Destiny vessel. Flaring had dragged on from December2019tomid-2022 due to a malfunctioning gas compressor which was subsequently fixed later last year.The litigants contended that the EPA's decision to m o d i f y E s s o ' s environmental permit to allow flaring was irrational and unlawful and that it should be quashed by the court. They also argued that

the agency breached the Environmental Protection Act Chapter 20:05 by purporting to allow Esso to flare in return for paying a fee.

The litigants have asked for orders directing the agency to provide reports on theamountofgasflared,and the toxins released. They a l s o a s k e d f o r a n independent and expert investigation into Esso's c o m p l i a n c e w i t h manufacturer's standards for operatingitsgascompressor

Extensive research conductedbyKaieteurNews shows that gas flaring contributes to climate change, which has serious implications for the human security and wellbeing globally In fact, the Department of Mechanical E n g i n e e r i n g a t t h e University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, outlined in one of its studies, that gas flaring is actually a major source of greenhouse gases, which accelerates global warming.

A $35.3 million two-story concrete and wooden drug bond was yesterday commissioned by the Government in Region Five, Mahaica-Berbice.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that the facility will help to store and efficiently manage the distribution of drugs in the Region thus providing a more ready supply of drugs to the healthfacilitiesthere.

It will also supply the soon to be built modern regional hospital and three new health centres to be constructedintheregion,thisyear

Regional Health Officer, Dr DesmondNicholsonnotedthataccess to medicines and medical supplies is the right of every citizen who visits a public healthcare institution and the Ministry of Health has kept this mandate by ensuring that each region is equipped to deliver the necessary medication.

He noted that the building, “Represents an improvement in the managementanddistributionofdrugs and medical supplies across the region,thevisionisthatwemust,atall times have sufficient levels of buffer stock, which is important in preventing stockouts and drug shortages.”

Regional Member of Parliament, Faizal Jaffarally noted that it is part of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) administration's commitment to provide world class healthcare to all citizens despite of geographic

location Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, noted that the bond will serve to enhance health services being provided in RegionFive.

The building was reportedly completed in record time, with the Contractor completing the project in just five months. “This facility has created the foundation for better services to come in this region and also to facilitate the demands that will be coming over the next years ahead,”

“Thethreeadditionalhealthcentres - these will be constructed in areas wherepersonsarehavingdifficultiesor will have to travel presently far distances to access health care, now they will not have to go that long distance, and in cases of emergencies we can treat with it in a timely manner andtosavelives,”heoutlined.

A Special Constable and two others were on Friday arrested after police in Region Three found a gun and ammunition in the car they were travelling in at Versailles, West Bank Demerara(WBD).

According to police report, at around 23:45hrs on Friday a Police Sergeant acted on information received stopped a white oldmodel Raum motorcar bearing registration number PNN 6297 at the Versailles Public Road. Police said the 28-year-old driver of the vehicle, who is also a Special Constable of Pouderoyen, WBD, was accompanied by two occupants, a 30-year-old salesman and his 22-year-old girlfriend, a cashier seated in thebackseatofthecar

The Police Sergeant then informed the occupants that he received information that they have guns and

in car

Cop among three nabbed with gun and

ammunition in their possession and indicated that asearchwouldbeconducted. Thetriodidnotobject.

Reports revealed that on thefloorofthevehiclebehind the driver seat was one bulky black shoulder bag which, when inspected, had one suspected Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol without a serial number The weapon containedthreelivematching rounds.Another small plastic bag, which had three 9mm roundsinside,wasalsofound during the search.The trio told the police that they were not licensed firearm holders and denied any knowledge of the firearm and ammunition found.

They were all arrested and taken to the Parfaite Harmony Police Station. The firearmandammunitionhave alsobeenlodgedthere.

Investigations are ongoing.

Ramphal said.He said the drug bond was long advocated for and was a priority for the PPP Government when itenteredofficein2020.

Flaring that was ongoing aboard the Liza Destiny

From page 14

mining and quarrying sector is

estimated to have expanded by

109 7 percent in 2022 The

Notably, Narine had told Ponto estimated growth is driven mainly to honk the car horn when he was by an expansion in the oil and gas finished killing his wife. Ponto and support services industry reportedly strangled the woman to which, when combined with the death before using a blanket to projected growth in the other coverherbodyinthebackseat. mining and bauxite industries,

They then drove to Narine’s outweighs the contraction in gold Seaforth Street, Campbellville miningactivity home where they later placed her He was keen to note that the oil body in a hole that was dug near and gas sector is estimated to have Narine’sbackyard. expandedby124.8percentin2022,

The woman’s relative later with a total of 101.4 million barrels reported her missing, but it was of oil produced, compared with until 2016 when detectives were 42 7 million in 2021 This abletocrackthecase. performance is attributed to the last year. Furthermore, sand and repairs, administrative and Babita Sarjou disappeared on Narine reportedly confessed to commencement of production at extraction and stone production are support services, financial and November 4, 2010. The mother of a police officer saying, “Babita the country’s second floating, estimated to have grown by 35.6 insurance activities, real estate one was reported missing for six have a lot of affairs and she been a production, storage and offloading percent and 18 6 percent, activitiesandtransportandstorage. years before her skeletal remains shame me so I plan this thing with (FPSO) vessel – Liza Unity – early respectively, supported by the These industries he said grew by were discovered buried near Daraltokillshe.” last year In 2022, Dr Sing said the heavy emphasis of construction 15.6 percent, 11.8 percent, 6.7 Narine’sbackyard.

He even offered the police LizaDestinyFPSOproducedcrude activity in government’s Public percent, 4 1 percent and 8 9 On May 22, 2016, Crime Chief officer $5o0,000 to “help me out oil at an average rate of Sector Investment Programme percent,respectively Wendell Blanhum and a team of thisthing.” approximately 128,000 barrels per (PSIP)aswellasrapidexpansionin With continued interventions detectives were able to crack the For his part, Ponto’s confession day (bpd), compared with 117,000 private sector construction activity and policies geared at building a case. After digging the site for statement was similar to Narine’s bpd in 2021, and the Liza Unity Notably,forthefirsttimeinthelast resilient economy, Dr Singh said hours, detectives recovered butnotedthathewasgiven$50,000 FPSO produced at an average rate five decades, 255,081 tonnes of real Gross Domestic Product is skeletal remains which were later tokillSarjou. of about 169,000 bpd, reaching a manganesewereproducedin2022. projected to grow by 25.1 percent determined to be Sarjou’s peak monthly rate of just over In the manufacturing sector, this year, a rate of growth which followingDNAtesting.

WEDNESDAY – JAN 18, 2023 233,000bpdinDecember Minister Singh said it is estimated currently puts Guyana among the StateCounsel,MuntazAli,who With respect to the bauxite to have expanded by 3.9 percent in top five fastest growing economies led the prosecution, told the court Pres.Ali downplays IMF miningindustry,Dr Singhsaiditis 2022. While sugar manufacturing in2023.Hesaidthispositioncanbe that in Narine’s written confession, and Commonwealth advice estimated to have expanded by 35 is estimated to have contracted by largely attributed to further he detailed his involvement in the on management of oil sector percent in 2022, with increased 18.9 percent, he said the rice ramping up of oil production crime.Accordingtotheconfession, output from both producing manufacturing and other anticipatedintheStabroekBlock. in 2010 Sarjou and Narine had Guyana, new to the oil and gas operators. He said the total output manufacturing subsectors are He said growth in the non-oil marital problems which resulted in sector, has over time received from the industry is estimated to estimated to have grown by 11.7 economy is currently projected at him publishing nude photographs advice from several international have expanded from 618,452 percent and 2.8 percent, 7.9 percent this year, driven by tonnes in 2021, to 706,634 tonnes respectively. With respect to the continued expansion in in2022. latter, Dr. Singh said growth was construction, other crops, and

He said output from the largest driven largely by fabricated metal wholesale and retail trade and producer increased from 388,510 products, plastic products, and repairs,alongsideareboundingold tonnes in 2021, to 407,225 tonnes paper products, which grew by 4.9 mining. in 2022, despite delays in the start- percent, 35.7 percent, and 98.8 up of a new kiln. Moreover, it is percent, respectively On the Babita Sarjou murder… Exestimated that output from the downside, however, there was a 33 husband admits to paying hit smaller operator grew from percent contraction in the man to kill wife, changes plea 229,942 tonnes in 2021, to just manufacturing of pharmaceuticals 299,409tonnesin2022. and a 9 percent contraction in the T h i r t y - f o u r - y e a r - o l d

On the downside, Minister manufacturing of chemicals, Shradhanand Narine, called Singhsaidthegoldminingindustry particularly oxygen, amid lower ‘Anand’ of Lot 51 Seaforth Street, is estimated to have contracted by COVID-19 related hospitalisations Campbellville, Georgetown on 2.5percentin2022,stemmingfrom in2022. Mondaychangedhisnotguiltyplea lower output from the small and Significantly, the Finance and admitted to paying a hit man medium scale producers. He said Ministernotedthattheconstruction $100,000 to murder his wife, overall declaration of gold fell sector grew by a very strong 26.3 BabitaSarjoubackin2010. marginally from 499,054 ounces in percent in 2022.As was the case in Narine’s co-accused, 41-year2021to486,415ouncesin2022. 2021, he said this expansion is old Daral Ponto called ‘Yankee,’of Furthertothis,theMinistersaid supported by intensified activity in Lot 54 Broad Street, Charlestown, the single producing foreign the public and private sectors. Georgetown also admitted to the operator recorded a notable Alongside massive Government crime. increase in declarations, with investment in new and improved

The duo was arraigned before 101,418 ounces declared in 2022, roads and bridges, housing Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall at ofhiswife.

agenciesandhasbeenthesubjectof while output from the small and developments, educational and the Demerara High Court. Their In October 2010, Narine and many reports focused on ensuring mediumscaleoperatorsfellby10.6 health facilities, and agriculture sentencing is set for February 6, Ponto met at D’Urban and Hardina the country adopts best practices percent to 384,998 ounces, infrastructure, Dr Singh said 2023. Streets, Georgetown, where they when it comes to the management attributed to lower declarations private sector investment in the oil Narine is represented by formulatedtheplantokillSarjou. ofthesector fromthetoptwodealerships. and gas and hospitality industries Attorney-at-Law, Siand Dhurjon, On November 4, 2010, Narine However, the leadership of the KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat continues to boost growth in while Ponto is represented by andPontoexecutedtheirplan. country does not seem inclined to output from the other mining and construction.

Attorney-at-Law,NigelHughes. They first lured Sarjou to the heed the advice unless Guyana is quarrying sector, which comprises With respect to the services A jury was empanelled for the National Cultural Centre, located specifically mentioned in the diamond, sand and stone mining, sector, he said it is estimated to trial after both men denied that on Homestretch Avenue, reports. continued its upward trajectory, have expanded by 9 percent in between November 4 and 5, 2010, Georgetown.

T h e C o m m o n w e a l t h resultinginthesectorexpandingby 2022. While growth was recorded they murdered Sarjou. However, When she arrived, Narine, his Secretariat, of which Guyana is a anestimated38.5percentin2022. across all service industries, Dr whenthetrialwassettocommence 4-year-old

In fact, diamond declarations Singh said the overall 2022 Narine and Ponto changed their

are estimated to have grown by performance is mainly attributed to pleas and pleaded guilty to the

85.6percentto83,720metriccarats growthinwholesaleandretailtrade capitaloffence.

into getting into the vehicle before

he grabbed his son and left her in

hisvehiclealongwithPonto.

son along with Ponto member country, recently issued a

were sitting in Narine’s car report that warns of the various

According to the confession waysoilproducingnationscanbe

statement, Narine tricked Sarjou

Daral Ponto called ‘Yankee’ (left) and Shradhanand Narine, called ‘Anand Daral’ Babita Sarjou

President Irfaan Ali responding to questions during the Press Conference

From page 51

robbed by petroleum

H o w e v e r , h e w a s companies when it comes to apprehended by police at a decommissioning or roadblock. c l e a n i n g u p t h e

Additionally, the man environment, following the told police that he, along lifeofanoffshoreproject. with an accomplice, who is

Despite this, President also in custody, ventured to Irfaan Ali said he will not the couple’s home to rob respond to any question on them. However, the couple advicegivenbytheagency identified them and they At his first press killedthembeforesettingthe conference for the year, house on fire with the hope hosted at State House on of derailing police Tuesday, the Head of State investigations. wasrespondingtoaquestion

The man detailed that he from Kaieteur News when and his accomplice opened a he gave the startling gas bottle from the kitchen response. and lit papers around it,

He was told that several causing the fumes to ignite, oil experts and international resultingintheblaze. bodies have criticized the Regional Commander, way his administration is Shivpersaud Bacchus, who managing the oil sector and joined Crime Scene the International Monetary Investigators,confirmedthat Fund (IMF) a Global also sets no cap. Guyana has 04:00h an explosion was jewelrywiththenamesofthe Financial Institution, just also waived its right to tax heard coming from the couple were found at the 22warned that Guyana should suchinterestamounts. couple’s home. Neighbours year-old’s home along with captheinterestrateontheoil The foregoing loopholes were alarmed and peeped to phone cards from the shop companies to avoid them it said provide enough see what caused the and an undisclosed amount robbingthecountry. incentivefortheContractors explosion. Through their oflocalcurrency.

Similarly, the President to finance their projects with windows, they saw smoke The accomplice is a 27w a s t o l d t h a t t h e loans instead of revenues and flames coming from a year-old, also of Yakusari, Commonwealth also issued fromtheiraccounts. sectionofthecouple’shome. BlackBushPolder. advice to the country, but me this question now my M e a n w h i l e , t h e The Guyana Fire Service wereokay before the question was friend,youtellme,wasthisa Commonwealth Secretariat (GFS) and the Guyana Persaud was however THURSDAY completed, he interrupted general report or was this a which spoke specifically to Police Force (GPF) were latergiventhetragicnews. – JAN 19, 2023 and requested that the direct report about Guyana?” the developing member alerted and arrived on the “All the bond with the quote be pulled from the HeadofStatesaid. countries that have scene shortly after Fire rumanddrinksandinsidethe ‘No money in budget reports.

He was told that while burgeoning oil and gas Units from the Skeldon Fire house at the bottom dem to monitor & audit oil A Journalist attached to the Commonwealth report sectors to the need to be StationResponded. burn. Meh aunty hand burn sector’ Opposition this newspaper attempted to was general, the IMF report weary of the uncertainty of The fire was put out and out clean and meh uncle he Leader says this spells explain to the President that was specific to Guyana decommissioning costs, the lifeless and partially got chop pon he neck and danger for Guyana while she does not have a However, President Ali was which can result in the price burnt bodies of the Budraj’s meh aunty had a knife in she photographic memory, she adamant that the quote must tagtorestoretheoceanfloor, werefound. neck,” the distraught man Opposition Leader, canexplainwhatwassaidby besharedforaresponsetobe easily moving from US- When police arrived, toldReporters. Aubrey Norton is stunned at thebody offered. millionstoUS-billions. Subnauth Budraj was found The couple has three the Government’s failure to Ali however said, “Well, The IMF, one of A s a r e s u l t , t h e motionless on the ground children who all reside appropriate funds in this I can’t answer you. You Guyana’s key development Commonwealth urged near the door, close to the overseas. year’s Budget to help the quotedirectlyforme…quote partners and advisors on the Governments to ensure they shop area in an upward Hours later a 22-year- country improve its auditing for me what the IMF said in oil sector, believes implement policies and positionwithburnsabouthis old, who recently moved to and monitoring capabilities, relation to Guyana. I will authorities should move to regulations that would body and wounds to his Yakusari South, Black Bush as oil production activities answer you directly Then close fiscal loopholes in the require oil and gas neck. As police scanned the Polder admitted to the brutal continuetoaccelerate. also, the Commonwealth, Stabroek Block Production companies to give regular location Subnauth’s wife double murder Kaieteur On Monday evening, there are many oil experts Sharing Agreement (PSA) e s t i m a t e s o n was found in the dining area, News understands that the following the Budget also who are writing about thatwouldleadtoabuse. decommissioningcosts. face down with an object suspects worked at Budraj’s presentation by Minister the performance of Guyana Oneareaithighlightedin stuck in her neck and her left ricefieldonMondayandhad with Responsibility for who have lauded the a technical report prepared Elderly couple killed, armcompletelyburntoff. visited the couple’s shop to Finance Dr Ashni Singh, Government of Guyana for for the State is the need for house set on fire “The building was set on consume alcohol It was Norton said he expected that the way we are handling the immediate attention on …man confesses, tells fire with the perception to reportedly while at the shop this year’s fiscal plan would oil and gas sector for our provisions governing police intention was to rob derail us from what we are they concocted the plan to have made specific workintermsofutilizingthe interest rates on loans taken couple but he along with looking at,” Commander rob the couple. They left the provisions to improve the administrative mechanisms by ExxonMobil and its accomplice were identified Bacchus said disclosing that shop and returned early country’s human resource for work in the new partners, Hess Corporation the couple’s home was Tuesday morning to execute capacity (Production Sharing and CNOOC Petroleum Anelderlycouplewason ransacked. theirplan. “I would have thought Agreement) PSA, for our Guyana Limited. (Please see early Tuesday morning Hesaidbloodstainswere Additionally, Kaieteur that in a Budget like this, the work in going out to auction photo attached for a section found brutally murdered and seen in a section of the News understands that one minister would have been on the new (oil) blocks, so ofthereport.) their two-storey concrete market,locatedattheheadof of the suspects sustained a speaking in terms of human what is it you want? What is The IMF said it is an home which also housed an the street leading to the chop wound allegedly resource development, that itwewantexactly?” industry norm that the off-licence liquor, beverage Budraj’shome. inflictedbySubnauthBudraj we have put resources there ThePresidentdeclinedto Government of the day and grocery store was Meanwhile, Satesh when he entered the to improve our capacity to respond to the questions disallows interests from partially destroyed by fire at Persaud called ‘Black Boy’ premises. auditcostoil. unless he is certain that the being recovered on loans. Yakusari, Black Bush Sarasuati’s nephew told Reports are that the We would have put counsel was directed to Even if this is allowed, the Polder,RegionSix. Reporters that he received a suspect allegedly visited the resources there to be able to Guyana. administration sets a cap or The murdered couple call at about 04:00h Mibicuri Hospital for monitor what is happening

”Let’s deal with limit to prevent the full wasidentifiedas60-year-old informinghimthatthehouse treatment but his suspicious offshore. There is none of statement of fact. Did they interest amount from being Sarasuati Devi Budraj called was on fire. He said when he behavior caused persons at that and therefore, you are saythataboutGuyanaorwas recovered. ‘Sita’, and 68-year-old arrived neighbours were the location to inform the not increasing our capacity it a general statement The IMF pointed out that Subnauth Budraj called helpingtotametheblazeand police. to ensure we get what we because I know what it is, so Guyana not only allows the ‘Bullboy’. he was under the impression The man then caught deserveintermsof you tell me. You are asking recovery of the interest but Reports are that at about thathisauntandherhusband public transportation to

travel out of the village.

From page 52 decision to allow the company to profit oil,” the Opposition Leader construct and operate a radioactive pointedout. chemical facility at Houston, East

In a subsequent interview Bank Demerara (EBD), without an yesterday, Norton explained that Environmental Impact Assessment Guyana must be able to determine (EIA). costoilonitsown,ratherthanawait

That decision of the EPA was reports from the developer of the successfullychallengedintheHigh resource This means, putting Court last December by Houston measures in place to be able to residents Danuta Radzik, Vanda monitor the expenditure Norton Radzik,andRaphaelSingh. said. “For you to determine what is

The trio had filed an action in cost oil, you need to have people theHighCourttodeclaretheEPA’s with the requisite skills to know decision to waive the EIA on the whattheactualcostofproductionis grounds of the dangers the and therefore if you are serious operations that a radioactive about ensuring Guyana benefits, chemical facility poses to the one of your first tasks is to develop nearby residents, schools, and the institutional capacity and places of worship. They contended capabilitytomonitorfirstandaudit that EPA’s decision was made whatishappening.” withoutanyconsultation.

According to him, this Budget

However,courtdocumentsseen should have not only streamlined by this newspaper outlined that responsible for the oil and gas resources towards this objective, SGI, a major contractor for Exxon sector- this newspaper found that a but also clearly outline the kinds of Mobil operations in Guyana programme that commenced under skills that would be needed for applied to the Court for the order the A Partnership for National Guyanese to monitor the operation that the judgment of Justice Unity + Alliance For Change and conduct its own audits to Harnanan is stayed for a period of (APNU+AFC) Coalition is slated ensure the right figures are being two months or alternatively for a tocontinue. presented. He was keen to note that periodof28dayssoastopermitthe

The objective of the ‘Oil and such a simple step would have companytoremoveanyradioactive Gas Sector Development aided in ensuring Guyana gets it sourceswhichitmayhavestoredat Programme’ is to, among other rightfulshareoftheprofits. itsfacility. things, enhance the legal and TheOppositionLeadersaidthat

The company also asked for an institutional framework for the failure to implement such order suspending the injunction management and oversight of the measures spell danger for Guyana granted by the Court on December localoilandgassector and leaves the country at the hands 16, 2022, so as to permit SGI to 2022,noNoticeofAppealhasbeen However, the lawyers for the Itisbeingfundedbyaloanfrom of the oil companies, which can receive any radioactive sources served on assumes therefore that residents contended and the International Development very well decide to inflate the presently offshore and en route to there is no intention to appeal,” the maintained that the use and storage Association (IDA) – an numbers. itsfacilityatHouston,Georgetown. respondents added in their ofradioactivematerialsatHouston, international financial institution “If you do not know exactly

In the application for the stay affidavit. EBDcouldsignificantlyimpactthe which offers concessional loans what is happening, you can be draftedbytheLawFirmofHughes, Attorneys, Marlene Alleyne, environment and should be moved and grants to the world’s poorest given any figure and you need to Fields and Stoby outlined that the Siand Dhurjon, are also on record toalesspopulatedarea. developingcountries. live with that figure, rather than injunction order by [the Court] did asLawyersfortheresidents.

This project does not directly beingablebasedonyourcapability notincludeanysecurityforcostsor The three residents had FRIDAY – JAN 20, 2023 cater to developing capacity to to be able to analyse, audit and undertaking as to damages which approached the court seeking an monitortheoffshoreoperationsand know that these are the actual may be suffered by the company Order of Certiorari to quash the 43% of Guyanese can’t conductaudits. figuresandthereforedeterminethat whilecomplyingwiththeorder construction permit EPAgranted to afford healthy diet, 5%

In the meantime, Norton said this is the kind of profit that exists

Thecompany,therefore,craved Schlumberger and an order of undernourished- FAO report billions have been allocated to and this is the profit we are the court’s indulgence for a stay of injunction to prevent the company othersectors,whileamajorpriority sharing,”heexplained. two months within which to from continuing any construction

Around five percent of areahasbeenleftwithnofunding.

The Leader said that the decommission its operation and ofthefacility Guyana’s population is

This year, a whopping $136.1 Governmenthasdecidedtositback obtainalternativessoastonotbein In responding to the residents’ undernourished and a further 43% billion has been set aside for the and assume that the oil companies breachofitscontractualobligations lawsuit, the EPA in its Defence cannot afford a healthy diet, the development of roads and bridges are presenting Guyana with the toitscustomers. disclosed that the construction of United Nations’ Food and in the country Last year, correct figure as it relates to

In an affidavit opposing SGI’s the radioactive facility was already Agriculture Organisation (FAO) government spent $95.7 billion in expenses to develop the oil application, the Radziks as well as completed and that it had granted has concluded in a new report thisarea. resource. To this end, he argued, “I Mr Singh noted that they observe permission to Schlumberger to use, releasedthisweek.

The Ministry of Education is don’t think any business should be that there has been no change in possess and store radioactive With Guyana’s population poised to receive $94.4 billion this organized in a way that you are activity at the premises of substances at the facility since averaging around 800,000 the five year while $54.4 billion has been dependent on the people you are Schlumberger January26,2022. percent of undernourished people allocated to the Housing sector doing business with to tell you how There has been no attempt to The State Agency also works out to about 40,000. Titled Another $84.9 million is budgeted much you actually spent to explore decommission the facility or to submitted to the court that the ‘REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF fortheMinistryofHealth.Notably, andhowmuchisprofit.” suspend operations after the case Orders the residents sought ought 2022: TOWARDS IMPROVING Government has also set aside The Leader of the Opposition endedorpendingthehearingofthis not to be granted since the A F F O R D A B I L I T Y O F US$43.3 billion this year for its said he plans to raise these issues application The residents constructionwascompletedandthe HEALTHYDIETS,’thereportalso Gas-to-Energyprojectaswell. with the Government at the (respondents) therefore opined that operationhadalreadystarted. concluded that in 2020, 42 percent Parliamentary level during the the company considers itself For its part, Schlumberger in its ofthepopulationintheworldcould ‘No way Schlumberger’ Budget Debates over the next few superiortotheLawsofGuyana. Affidavit of Defence argued that notaffordahealthydiet,almost3.1 …High Court refuses to weeks. The affidavit noted that the public did not need any notice billion people. Due to the higher grant stay of ruling against Norton argued that this year’s Schlumberger’s actions are a threat that the EPA was considering a cost of a healthy diet, this company operating radioactive Budget is the largest ever and more to the rule of law and the effective radioactive materials usage, percentage in Latin America and facility at Houston worrying is the fact that no administration of justice in our possession, and storage permit the Caribbean was 22.5 percent, or investment is being made to country because theAuthority was satisfied 131millionpeople,anincreaseof8 JusticeNareshwarHarnananon strengthen Guyanese oversight in “We are advised by Counsel that there would be no substantial million from 2019. According to Wednesday refused a request by the industry that is responsible for and verily believe that the Order impactontheenvironment. the report, SouthAmerica accounts SchlumbergerGuyanaInc,(SGI) a bringing in the largest amount of whichwasmadeon16thDecember Notably, the EPA had joined for 57 percent of people unable to major contractor for Exxon Mobil, revenue. 2022 was a final Order We are SchlumbergerinitsDefencestating afford a healthy diet in Latin tostayhisjudgmentwhichheruled Delving into this year’s informed by our attorney-at-law, that it was clear that the project America and the Caribbean (74.2 against the Environmental allocation for the Ministry of Ronald Burch-Smith that as at the wouldnotaffecttheresidentsorthe million),followedbyMesoamerica Protection Agency (EPA)’s Natural Resources- the agency date of this affidavit, 16th January environment.

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

A section of the Schlumberger Guyana Inc, (SGI) at Houston EBD

From page 53 undernourishment was 6.1 percent people in Nicaragua and Belize budgetforcostoflivingrelief. uncaring,andanti-poor (43.1 million) and the Caribbean (7.8millionpeople). (35.7 and 36.4 percent), and more This was highlighted on Budget 2023 confirms that the (13.9 million). More than half of In South America, the than a quarter in Mexico (26.3 Thursday at the weekly press government has no national the Caribbean population (52 Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela percent). In Panama and Costa conference of the Leader of the development plan will not percent) cannot afford a healthy had the highest prevalence of Rica, less than 20 percent of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton eliminate poverty, will not ensure diet, followed by Mesoamerica undernourishment (22.9 percent), population cannot afford a healthy During the press briefing, the that families can live comfortable (27.8 percent) and South America which in absolute numbers equals diet. Lastly, Suriname (58.8 Economic Adviser attached to the and happy lives, and will not build (18.4percent). 6.5 million people, followed by percent) and Guyana (43 percent) Office of the Opposition Leader, world-class social services in Meanwhile, the FAO said its Ecuador with 15.4 percent (2.7 are the two South American Elson Low noted that despite the health, education, public utilities, prevalence of undernourishment million), and the Plurinational countries with the highest yearly increases in the budget, the public safety, justice, and a clean indicator is derived from country State of Bolivia with 13.9 percent percentage of people that cannot cost of living relief sum seems to environment. Budget 2023 data on food supply, food (1 6 million) In Colombia, afford a healthy diet. Almost a remainminimal. confirms that the PPP is incapable consumption and energy needs, Paraguay, Peru, and Suriname the quarter of the population of the Low said: “This $5 billion is of using our vast oil wealth to taking into consideration prevalence is over 8 percent. It is Plurinational State of Bolivia less than half of a percent of the transformthelivesoftheGuyanese demographic characteristics such worth noting that Brazil has one of cannot afford a healthy diet, while national budget which is $782 people.” as age, sex, and levels of physical the lowest rates in the region (4.1 in Brazil, Ecuador and Peru around billion and during the biggest cost Norton opined that people activity percent), but the highest number of 20 percent of the population oflivingcrisisforthepast40years; should no longer accept a paltry $5 Designed to capture a state of undernourished people (8 6 cannot. In Chile and Uruguay, on thegovernmenthasdecidedtogive billion towards the cost of living energy deprivation lasting over a million). the other hand, less than 4 percent less than a percent of this budget mitigation. He said, “Old Age year, this indicator does not reflect A look at hunger trends in the of the population cannot afford a towards the cost of living Pension, public assistance, and short-lived effects of temporary region’s countries shows that healthydiet. mitigation.”

‘Because we care’ cash grant crises or inadequate intake of hunger notably increased, by 18.4 Costofahealthydiet H e c o n t i n u e d “ T h e increases are shameful at a time essential nutrients, the FAO said. percentagepoints,intheBolivarian The report stated that for Latin Government seems to think that when our country’s oil industry is According to the FAO it strives RepublicofVenezuela,or5million America and the Caribbean spending on public servants is booming. The poverty Guyanese continuously to improve the more hungry people between the specifically, healthy diets were useless but it is the exact opposite. endure today is not artificial, it is accuracy of the PoU estimates by 2013–2015 and 2019–2021 found to be four times more Sowhypublicservants’salariesare real.Itisaproductofagovernment taking into account new periods And in those periods expensive than an energy- notincreasingatthesameorsimilar thatrefusestoevencontemplatethe information, and the entire historical series is updated for each report.

T h e F A O s a i d undernourishment in Latin America and the Caribbean now sits between 7.5 and 9.7 percent. Considering the middle point, in 2021hungeraffected8.6percentof the region’s population, the highest since 2006. Hunger in the region had been growing steadily even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Theprevalenceofhungerincreased by 22 5 percent in the world between 2015 and 2021 – 1.8 percentage points – while the prevalence rose in Latin America and the Caribbean by 48.3 percent in the same period – 2.8 percentage points. Since 2014, when it was at its lowest rate, hunger in Latin hungerincreasedby6.7percentage sufficient diet. It said almost a rate as the budget…and we are not harsh realities we see every day America and the Caribbean has points in Ecuador (1.3 million), by quarter of the region’s population talking about a mere pay increase. Social support for families could been increasing at a faster pace, in 4.6 percentage points in Haiti (900 (22.5 percent) cannot afford a We are talking about the economic easily be doubled this year The particular between 2019 and 2021, thousand), and by 1.6 percentage healthy diet. Lowering the cost of benefits that come from being able PPP, however, is only content to getting closer to the world’s points in Brazil (3.4 million more nutritious foods and improving topaypeoplebetterways.” offer a heartless pittance. This is average. Undernourishment varies people). access to healthy diets is critical to TheEconomistalsostressedthe even while the real wages and within each sub-region and

The report states that in the eradicatinghunger,improvingfood factthatthesumisthesameamount salaries of the people continue to country Caribbean, despite the significant security and reducing malnutrition as last year when the budget was decline.” Most of the people affected by increase in the cost of a healthy inallitsforms. much smaller “It is a totally The Opposition Leader hunger in the Caribbean are in diet, the number of people who Not doing so will impede the ridiculous figure,” he declared, questioned the measures to Haiti. In the period between 2019 could not afford it showed the progress countries can make reminding that Government has at transform the education system. and2021,nearlyhalfitspopulation smallestincrease(lessthan500000 towards SDG 2, which seeks to its disposal $60 billion which it He noted that in September of 47.2 percent) – around 5.4 million people). eliminate hunger, achieve food receivedasaresultofthehikeinoil 2022, PresidentAli told the United people– were undernourished. By In Latin America and the security, improve nutrition and prices last year “At least, you Nations that education spending comparison, the prevalence of Caribbean, the percentage of the promote sustainable agriculture by would think that the Government would be increased to 20% of the undernourishment on the other end population that cannot afford a 2030. Malnutrition is also linked to would put the $60 billion to offset national budget. Additionally, last of the spectrum was around 7 healthydietdiffersgreatlybetween poverty and other development theburdenofthecostofliving,”the yearonly13%ofthebudgetwentto

Domi

i

a, the subregions as well as between outcomes, and hampers the EconomicsAdvisersaid. the Ministry of Education, and this Dominican Republic, Jamaica, countries Among the Caribbean achievementofotherSDGs. Norton echoed similar year only 12% will be spent on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, countries, the vast majority of the sentiments, noting that budget education. andTrinidadandTobago. population of Haiti (85.9 percent) Budget increases by 41%, 2023confirmsthattheGovernment “Where are the salary increases

In Mesoamerica, Nicaragua cannot afford a healthy diet, and in but less than 1% set aside is more interested in serving its for public servants and teachers? was the country with the highest Jamaica more than two-thirds of for the cost of living relief- business cronies than in lifting the Where is the decision to make the prevalence of undernourishment the population (66 2 percent) Opposition laments quality of life of the Guyanese University of Guyana free? Where (18.6 percent) in the 2019–2021 cannotaffordit. masses. The Opposition Leader are the plans to ensure all our period, followed by Guatemala (16

In the Dominican Republic and Despite the fact that this year’s noted that while the Minister with schoolsacrossallcommunitiesand percent), and Honduras 15 3 Saint Lucia, close to 20 percent of budget is 41% larger than the Responsibility for Finance, Dr. regions have the human, financial, percent, which, amounts to almost the population is unable to afford a previous one and the Natural Ashni Singh, spoke for over six and other resources to deliver 5 million hungry people in these healthy diet. In Mesoamerica, over Resource Fund (NRF) has over hours; the budget was long but quality education to our students? three countries (1.2, 2.9, and 1.5, half of Honduras’population (51.3 US$1 billion, a mere $5 billion or vacuous.

Therearenone!”declaredNorton. respectively) In Mexico, the percent) cannot afford a healthy less than one percent has been set He asserted that “Budget 2023 Nortonexplainedthat“budget largest country of the sub-region, diet,norcanmorethanathirdofthe asidefromthe$782billionnational confirms that the Government is

From left: Economist, Mr. Elson Low, PNCR Chairman Mr. Shurwayne Holder, PNCR Leader Mr Aubrey C. Norton, PNCR General Secretary Dawn Hastings-Williams, and the PNCR Public Relations Officer, Shaneika Haynes.

From page 54 windfall profit tax. And both Shell 2023 failed to speak in terms of and Total Energies say each quality of life indicators, such as companywillpaymorethan$2Bin life expectancy, literacy and windfall profit taxes in the EU and numeracy levels, infant and GreatBritain. maternal mortality rates, and

The Group said there is no such doctors-to-patients ratios, tax on these and other oil giants in teachers-to-students ratios, crime theU.S.,butlastOctober,President rates, and access to adequate food Joe Biden condemned the oil and nutrition–with the goal of industry for reaping record profits lifting Guyana far beyond its but not lowering gas prices that historicunderperformance.” have battered U.S. consumers. At

According to the opposition the time, EWG said it urged the US leader, the budget is mere President and Congress to support platitudes with no specific targets legislation that would impose a to be achieved in terms of windfallprofittax. improving the quality of life of our EWG reported that in a recent people. interview with Bloomberg, Chevron’s CEO, Mike Wirth,

SATURDAY – JAN 21, 2023 sought to downplay the industry’s record profits, calling his own ExxonMobil applies to company’s almost $40 billion haul EPAto develop three oil in2022a“modestreturn.” fields under one application

Itwasstatedthatwhiletheseoil ...to produce up to 275,000 companies are enjoying all-time barrels more per day high windfall profits, paychecks for working- and middle-class ExxonMobil, through its people are taking an enormous hit, subsidiary, Esso Exploration and forcing families to make difficult Production Guyana Limited decisions between the need to (EEPGL) has submitted an commute and the rising costs of application to the Environmental gasproducedfromthereservoir.” discoveriesmadeinStabroekto35, in 2022 and will likely be flushed living. Protection Agency (EPA), seeking The company said that its andatotalof40forallblocksbeing withsimilarreturnsthisyear,“even “The situation is particularly to develop three of its lucrative experiencefrom currentoperations explored.Withthenewdiscoveries as they fight talk of a windfall dire in California, where just five offshore fields in the Stabroek and environmental studies will in 2022, our total estimated proven profits tax” and oppose a plan by oil refiners produce nearly 100 Block. enhance the design and reserves now stand at over 11 US regulators to end gas price percent of the gas sold in the state. Its sixth project, the Whiptail implementation of its sixth billion oil-equivalent barrels, with gouging. They get to set the price per gallon development, seeks to produce oil offshore deepwater development. strong likelihood of upward Despite the record-breaking at every gas station, resulting in attheWhiptail,PinktailandTilapia Not only that but it will also revision as exploration activity revenue garnered last year, EWG Californiahavingastronomicalgas fields Tilapia’s discovery was i n c r e a s e e n v i r o n m e n t a l continues,”Dr Singhsaid. said some oil executives have had pricesfarhigherthantherestofthe announced by the oil giant in performance and economic value, the “gall to complain that the filthy country.” February, 2019. It was followed by Exxonstated. International activists rich sector is being “demonized” Late last year, the typical price the welcomed news of another The development of the three slam ExxonMobil, others particularly in California, where foragallonofgasinCaliforniawas successful exploration activity at projects under one application for fighting windfall tax the governor of that US state nearly twice the national average –Whiptail field in July 2021 and means one FPSO will be used to …says companies refuse “wants Big Oil to stop fleecing as high as $7 in some areas of the Pinktailin2021. develop the three fields This to pay fair share despite hardworking Americans at the state. That prompted Newsom and

In the oil giant’s Project contributes to the reduction of US$200B in profits for 2022 pump.” members of the state Legislature to Summary, available on the EPA’s investmentorexpenditurerequired EWG said that fourth-quarter push a proposal that would levy website, it was noted that the in the activities. It also aids in Guyanamaynothavefoundthe reports for BP, ExxonMobil, penalties on the state’s oil refiners, operations will add up to 275,000 boosting production activities in courage to implement windfall Chevron, Shell and Total Energies, which have reaped record profits barrels of oil per day to the current keeping with the Government’s taxes on the massive revenues it whichshouldallbemadepublicby on the backs of hard-working production rates of about 393,000 plantoacceleratesuchactivities. contributed to ExxonMobil’s February, will show a combined people, and return the money to barrelsofoilperday It must be noted that record earnings last year, but profit of $199 billion, reported Californians through refunds. In ExxonMobil hopes to start up ExxonMobil is still awaiting the international activists, citizens and Refinitiv, a financial markets data response to Newsom’s plan, thesixthdevelopmentbythefourth approval of its fifth project, the even governments are unwilling to firmquotedbyReuters. Western States Petroleum quarter of 2027 or first quarter of Uaru+development. lettheoilcompaniesgosoeasily The Group said that soaring oil Association President Catherine 2028.Ithasanexpectedfieldlifeof This project will also develop Last year oil profits were andgaspricesaremakingcompany Reheis-Boyd said, “demonizing atleast20years. two fields in the Stabroek Block, reported as the best companies had executives and shareholders even theoilindustrymuststop.” Whiptail will be located in the theUaru-1andUaru-2discoveries. had in decades; stemming from wealthier, while working families Last August, United Nations south eastern portion of the Uaru-1 was discovered in January high demand following the ease of are being forced to make difficult Secretary-General, Antonio Stabroek Block, approximately 2020 while the announcement was COVID-19 restrictions and the pocketbookdecisions. Guterres, urged nations apply 183 km from Georgetown. Current madeforUaru-2inApril2021.The Russian invasion of Ukraine which “Yet the same Big Oil crowd measures that would allow them plansincludedrillingviadrillships oil company, through its former saw restrictions on the Russian oil whines about everyday people part of the massive cash oil to produce oil from approximately Media and Communications economy,thelargestcrudesupplier being upset that these companies companies were making He 40 - 65 production and injection Manager, Janelle Persaud had toEuropeuntil2021. are fleecing them,” EWG’s described it as “grotesque greed” wells. explained that the Uaru+ project is The Environmental Working President and co-founder Ken by oil and gas companies and their Exxon explained, “The also seeking to develop other Group (EWG), a community of 30 Cook said. He related that, “big oil financers He urged global anticipated production rate for the discoveries in the Stabroek Block million stakeholders working for firms are gouging consumers, government to tax these excessive (Floating Production Storage and that are within close proximity to the protection of the environment many struggling to pay the rising profits to support the most Offloading vessel) FPSO ranges theUarudiscoveries. has called on citizens of the world cost of commuting to work and vulnerable people and shield them between approximately 220,000 Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni to not let up on their demands from school.And the industry is fighting fromunscrupulousoiloperators. barrels and 275,000 barrels of oil Singh during the presentation of oilcompanies. efforts to hold them accountable. Guterres had said, “It is per day. The vessel will be capable this year’s Budget reported that The US based group has in fact It’s pure, unadulterated greed, and immoral for oil and gas companies of storing approximately two 2022 was a major exploration year. criticized big oil companies for no industry spin can change that,” to be making record profits from million barrels of oil. Third party He said 11 exploration wells were fightingwindfalltaxesintendedfor Cookinsisted. thisenergycrisisonthebacksofthe oil tankers will be scheduled to drilled, with the Stabroek Block them to pay their fair share given EWG noted that the outrageous poorestpeopleandcommunities,at offload the oil from the FPSO, alone accounting for 10 of these the unexpected revenues they profits big oil companies made last a massive cost to the climate.” In making the oil available for export wells, resulting in 10 new wouldhaveamassedlastyear yeardidn’tquelltheirangertoward light of the sensational profits, US to the international market. The commercially viable discoveries EWG said that the world’s paying windfall profit taxes in PresidentBidenhasevendescribed FPSO will also process, dehydrate, beingmadeoffshoreGuyana. largest oil companies raked in some countries. Exxon is suing the theoilcompaniesasmaking“more compress, and reinject associated “Thisbringsthetotalnumberof roughly US$200B in global profits European Union over its recent moneythanGod.”

Another year to activate your creative skills and take...

From page 30 maintenance of the operation. The 2023 budget gave them almost $600m, but the advice received may be even more valuable.

If you are involved in agriculture; interested in securing some state land to startanewventureorexpanda current one, again get the help youneedforyourproject;seek out the relevant organizations; utilize the internet, and ascertainwhereyoucangetthe help required. The Ministry of Agriculture's National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute (NAREI) for instance, is the premier organisation responsible for spearheading agricultural research and extension activities for productivity e n h a n c e m e n t a n d diversification of the nontraditional crops sector; and they often times provide assistance to citizens in the agriculture field. Connecting withthisagencymayverywell see your agriculture successes improving since you would be getting expert advice from the rightpeople.

At the Agri- Investment Forum and Conference held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre last May, we came across an agro-processing establishment called Ashdel's owned by Grace Parris who packages interesting precookedfoods.

The coveted Guyanese pepper pot is now packaged and available to eat after just three minutes of heating Parris had said thatAshdel's is a fairly new manufacturing company that produces readyto-eat products such as pepper pot, porridge and soups. The plantain porridge comes with milk and sugar or plantain alone. One cup of hot water is added to the contents, stir, and it is ready for consumption. ShehadtoldtheCoventhather products are currently available at the Guyana Shop, but she was also working on ways to expand distribution of hergoods.

T h e E c o n o m i c Development Fund is another finance avenue. They run a programme sponsored by USAID in the Economic Development Accelerated Programme for agroprocessors in Guyana Shondell Brotherson, an agency representative, had said that what they do is take

participants through a year of training, coaching, providing access to international experts inmarketing,inoperationsand in finance, and at the end of it, if they are successful, they are awarded with a grant. The grant helps to scale their businesses and export their product She said five successful locals would receiveUS$30,000toinvestin their businesses for 2022. It was this very program, from a previous year, that assisted Parris in propelling her establishment where she was able to improve on production andpackaging.

Need to get started on business today! First decide whatitisyouwanttodo.Once that is figured out, register your business name. Uplift an application form from the Commercial Registry located on theAvenue of the Republic and fill it out Seek the necessary help if required, ask questions.Returntheformand pay $5,000 to uplift your registration. You are now a registered business owner, and if a serious one, you would make the necessary moves after

A very easy idea I wish to offer as an example is a washing service. Interestingly, numerous laundromats are already popping up around Georgetown for example Nowimagineinvestingsimply in two washing machines and some laundry detergent, advertising on social media, using some fliers as well, and working from home. And in about three to five years with diligence, you are able to have your own location with adequate equipment, offering specialized services to large companies, hotels and other customers.

These are some of the possibilities that exist even for the smallest individual in this new dispensation A small investment in even a nail and hair course could mean an entire beauty salon in a matter of years or even months, d e p e n d i n g o n o n e ' s determination.

Theideaisnottooverthink things, but to look at areas that may seem suitable for you. If you are into plumping, electrical work, catering make the necessary arrangements to qualify yourself within that specific area, whether through training or on the job experience,makeithappen!

WANTED

Driver, Salesman & Porters required to work in warehouse. Must have experience, attractive salary offered. Call: 696-4444.

Driver/ Salesman, Bakers, Pastry Makers, Puri /Roti Makers & Receptionist. Back to Eden Bakery, 85 David St, Subryanville. Call: 613-0475/ 613-0385.

Two able-bodied Porters needed to work in grocery store, $4000 per day, six days a week. Call: 223-9677/ 6773406.

Vacancy at People's Choice Kitchen for two night Cooks, Kitchen Assistant and Counter Staff. Call/ WhatsApp: 679-9449.

Driver and Expediter Security required. Call: 2235273/ 223-5274.

Welders and Security required. Call: 687-5814/ 688-0417.

Dump Truck Driver required. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Handyman and Porters required. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Waitress and Bartenders required. Attractive salary offered, Call: 223-5273/2235274.

Male & Female needed to work in factory. Apply to RP'S Enterprise Area, "K" Le Ressouvenir E.C.D. Call: 2202818.

One male able-bodied Clerk required. Call: 231-2029, 6706210.

One Female able-bodied Worker required. Call: 2252313/ 658-8559 or 226-1497.

Wanted: Experienced Supervisor, Cashier, Counter Person , Cooks and Labourer.

Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts.

Urgently need one female Cook to work in a fast food shop in the Interior. Call Miss Johnson: 698-5526.

One General Worker, Handyman and Maid required to work at Hilton Hotel. Call: 225-9211.

One live-in elderly female Caretaker for a special needs person. Call: 630-0961 after 5 PM.

Two Goldsmiths required at Percy Nurse, Lot 15 First St, Alexander Village. Contact: 225-8411/ 661-7341.

WANTED

Male Porters & females to work in supermarket in the Interior. Females must know to cook. Call: 687-7638/ 6609093.

FOR SALE

Houses for sale. Location: Tuschen, Providence, Diamond/ Little Diamond and Haslington. Call Pacific Development Inc: 6736210 /227-8274/ 917-7715202.

Six Black & Tan German Shepherd pups, fully vaccinated. Call: 650-9998/ 6260953.

CAT 320 excavator buckets, CAT 320 idler, road painting machine.Call: 275-0367/ 6837225.

Ton and a half - Dragline hammer, steel Traylor 16ft, 2ft, 8ft. CAT 215 excavator parts. Call: 275-0367/ 6837225.

Prime property located in Prashad Nagar. Call: 6540200/ 685-3342/ 691-1153.

Mud for sale on the East Coast. Call: 619-0007, 6193153.

VACANCY

Vacancy exists for Salesgirl and Porters at Best Buy Food Supplies, Lot 1 ‘E’ Dennis and Middleton Streets C/ville. Apply in person with written application.

Maid required to cook and clean in East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One General Domestic needed, must know to cook. Apply with written application at Keyfood, McDoom Village next to the Post Office.

Able-bodied Porter/ Salesman needed, must have CXC Maths & English, with neat handwriting. Apply at Keyfood, McDoom Village or Call: 629-7426.

Delivery Clerk, Office Assistant, Sales Clerk & Labourer needed. Apply @ Lens Hardware, Call: 2271511/ 645-1613.

Experienced Kitchen Manager/ Supervisor, Counter Server, Kitchen Assistant & Handyman required. Apply at Hack's Restaurant, 5 Commerce Street, GT.

Lathe Operator, Welder & Handyman required. Call: 645-9333/ 220-6078.

Driver required, ages 23-50 yrs. Must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles and must have car and van licence. Call: 645-8443/ 6429823.

Manufacturing Company is now hiring. No experience needed, attractive compensation and incentives offered, Mon - Fri, 8am -5pm. Call: 226-2621.

Room Attendant and Receptionist needed at 233 South Road, Lacytown, ages 25-50 yrs. Call: 225-0198.

Payless Variety Store is now hiring Sales Representatives and Porters. Location: 42 Wellington St, Georgetown. Call: 658-4494.

VACANCY

Hotel Attendant required at Hick's Ville Hotel. Call: 6400673, 231-0951, 227-7714, 223-3448. Email: info@ vegeworld.net

Guyanese self-published...

From page 34

Guyanese history when 34 books he authored were selfpublished within one month.

Of the collection, 16 are under the broad headline ‘Academia and Professional Business’; five can be found under `General Knowledge and Motivational’; seven deal with the `Christian Religion,’ while six addresses `Family Life.’

hanced his knowledge and growth in God, he remarked.

ENTERTAINMENT

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

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari hotel located at WBD (Versailles, Vreed-enHoop)- A/C, all amenities and breakfast included, from $63 US. Call: 264-29469.

Administrative Assistant required. Must have CXC Maths & English along with experience using Quickbooks. Send resume to info@rstruckinggy.com

Supermarket AM & PM Sales Representative required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995, Email: survival.humanresources @gmail.com

6376700

Able-bodied Porter/ Driver, Must have Lorry License and Office Clerk, CXC Maths & English required. Call Telles Steel & Hardware: 231-3265, 226-6771.

Inventory/ Data Entry Clerks required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street . Tel: 6092995. Email applications: survival.humanresources@ gmail.com

Western Union CSRs required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995. Email: survival.humanresources@ gmail.com

Experienced Accounts Clerk required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995, Email: survival.humanresources @gmail.com

Vacancy Exists For two Experienced Dispatcher At Confidential Cabs. Call: 6951961 /231-5784.

Driver and able-bodied Handyman/ General Help needed. Must have at least 5 years experience. Email: ateeyyeaali@gmail.com/ mandaitwaru@gmail.com Call:+592-225-9409,+592502-9466.

Servers and Office Manager required. Manager must be willing to organize and coordinate administrative duties. Email applications: ateeyyeaali@gmail.com/ mandaitwaru@gmail.com or Call: +592-225-9409,+592502-9466.

Inventory/ Housekeeping Clerk required, must be computer literate and have at least 3-4 CXC subjects. Apply @ Star Party Rentals, 21 Craig St, C/Ville GT.

Included among them are books such as ‘Make Learning Your Best Friend’; ‘Winning Your Next Interview’; ‘Managing Your Organisation’; ‘Simple Techniques For Managing Your Finances’; ‘Success is Possible For Everyone’; ‘Why Attending Church Is Important’; ‘Care And Respect For The Elderly’; “Parenting Not An Easy Job’; ‘Fathers Are Important” and ‘Building Relationships and Avoiding Extramarital Affairs.

During a previous interview with this newspaper, Reid had related that writing has been his passion since his school days. He is married and resides at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, with his wife Patricia and two children. A strong Christian believer, he added that serving the Lord is an important activity for him, having been a Christian since 1986. During that time he has rendered several years of teaching Sunday school to both children and adults. This has en-

PEN PAL

Indian overseas male seeks female, age 35-40 and must be educated. Call: 602-9975.

Male age 40 yrs seeking female pen pal. WhatsApp: 698-6391.

A Chartered Accountant also by profession, Reid also has a wealth of business experience, having spent 25 years working in the areas of retailing, education, agriculture, natural resources, manufacturing, insurance and motor industries. According to him, he has never been afraid of challenges, as it provides opportunities for creativity.

Reid is currently a Reverend at the World Vision New Testament Church of God, David and Pere Streets, Kitty. He has been serving as the church’s Treasurer since 1998.

He is ardent believer in the importance of learning and developing one’s self. The author’s collection of books is currently available for sale on Amazon.com and the website www.reidnlearn.com.

FOR RENT

2 and 3 Bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments for rent, short term and long term. Tel:# 682-2585, 6911432.

SERVICES

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One CRV Honda, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage $3.3M negotiable. Contact: 649-0956.

2014 Volkswagen Jetta TSI automatic, $2.3 M negotiable. Call: 615-3856.

EDUCATION

Vacancy for a male cleaner for the night job and during day a maid Call:

The Irfaan Ali Administration has said that the cost for the Gas-toEnergy plants, to be set up at Wales,isUS$759million.Butwhatithasnot been frontal in saying is how much of this massivesumwillbefundedwithaloan.

The Ali Administration intends for $134.7B (US$646M) of the cost of this project to be handled through foreign financing,specificallyfromtheUnitedStates ofAmerica,accordingtobudgetdocuments.

TheGovernmenthasalsosaidlittleabout theadditionalworktobedonethatwilldrive thecostupfurther TheUS$759Msumisfor the contractor, CH4-Lindsayca, to construct thenaturalgas-firedpowerplantandnatural gasliquidsplantatWales.Theadditionalcost includes estimates to upgrade the transmissionnetworkandpayforaseriesof Consultants to make sure the project is successful. The project will therefore cost $199.2B (US$955.5M) in all, literally the mostcostlyprojectinGuyana'shistory This isnearlyUS$200MmorethantheUS$759M pricetagthattheGovernmentisemphatically repeating Don't believe it? Check the estimatesforthe2023budget.

The loan finance would therefore representtwo-thirdsofthecostoftheproject thatthegovernmentisresponsiblefor Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said lastyearthattheGovernmentwillplugsome money into the project, and in addition, “we are trying to structure this maybe through a

Frompage16 and record profits, while most people face austerity, rising poverty and a cost-ofliving crisis, is evidence of an economic system that failstodeliverforhumanity For too long, governments, international financial institutions and elites have misled the world with a fictional story about trickledown economics, in which low tax and high gains for a fewwouldultimatelybenefit usall.”

It is a story without any basis in truth, Oxfam asserted.“Itisastory,andan economic system that has left us without the tools or even the imagination to face this new age of crisis. It is a system that is largely discredited, yet continues to monopolizethemindsofour leaders. It is a system that continues to work very well indeed for a small group of people at the top –predominantly rich, white men based in the global north.”

Oxfam said that to break the discredited cycle of never-ending billionaire wealth accumulation, governmentsneedtoaddress all the many ways in which the economy is rigged in their favour, including on labour laws, privatization of public assets, CEO compensations and much more. The group said its current report is to shine a light on one of the key solutions it believes to hold

loan. We will be approaching EXIM BankUS.”

It was President IrfaanAli who signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last year with the EXIM Bank-US for US$2B in potential funding for infrastructure and energyprojects,amongotherthings.Alihad said he wants to see greater participation from the US Government and the Private SectorinGuyana'sdevelopmentaffairs.

When Kaieteur News said that the Gasto-Energy project would place Guyanese taxpayers in debt, the Vice President sternly rebuked this claim But if Guyanese taxpayers would not have to repay this US$646Mdebt,whowould?

Some$24.6Bwasexpendedtomeetstartupcostsassociatedwiththeprojectlastyear Thisyear,theGovernmentbudgeted$43.3B fortheproject.

Itplansformostofthistocomefromthe monies it will approach the US for.Constructionontheprojectisexpectedto begin this year on the US$2B project. The GovernmenthiredCH4-Lindsaycatohandle thenaturalgas-firedpowerplantandnatural gas liquids plant. ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), is responsible for the pipeline, which will cost more than US$1B, tobefundedwithcostoil.TheEnvironmental ProtectionAgency(EPA),afterreviewingthe Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), hasgiventhegoaheadtoallparties.

immense potential; taxing therich.

Oxfambelievesthat,asa starting point, the world should aim to halve the wealth and number of billionaires between now and2030,bothbyincreasing taxesonthetop1percentand adopting other billionairebustingpolicies.

Oxfam said this would bring billionaire and numbers back to where they were just a decade ago in 2012. “The eventual aim should be to go further, and to abolish billionaires altogether,aspartofafairer, more rational distribution of the world’s wealth. Tax will play a crucial role in delivering that vision, but it willonlyhappenifwemake a drastic break with decades of tax cuts for the rich and corporations,” the group said. It reported that currently,forevery$1raised in tax, only four cents come from taxes on wealth. The failure to tax wealth is most pronounced in low and middle-income countries, where inequality is highest. It said that two-thirds of countries do not have any form of inheritance tax on wealth and assets passed to direct descendants and half of the world’s billionaires nowliveincountrieswithno suchtax.

This means $5 trillion will be passed on tax-free to the next generation, a sum greater than the Gross Domestic Product ofAfrica.

“A new, powerful, and unaccountable aristocracy is being created in front of our eyes,” the rights group posited.

Oxfam noted also that top rates of tax on income have become lower and less progressive, with the average tax rate on the richest falling from 58 percentin1980to42percent more recently in Economic C o - o p e r a t i o n a n d Development (OECD) countries Across 100 countries,theaveragerateis even lower, at 31 percent. Oxfam said that rates of tax on capital gains – in most countriesthemostimportant source of income for the top 1percent – are only 18percent on average across morethan100countries.The group highlighted that only three countries tax income from capital more than incomefromwork.

“The results have been staggering,” Oxfam said. It related that “zooming in at the very top exposes that many of the richest men on the planet today get away with paying hardly any tax. For example, one of the richest men in history, Elon Musk,hasbeenshowntopay a‘truetaxrate’of3.2percent while another of the richest billionaires,JeffBezos,pays less than 1percent In contrast, one of the market traders that Oxfam works with in Uganda, Aber Christine,pays40percentof herprofitsintax.”

Victim helps police solve his own murder

‘Dead men tell no tales’, is a popularsayingwhichmeansadead person can no longer reveal informationparticularlythatwhich otherswishtokeepasecret.

However, that saying may be proven wrong as 68-year-old Subnauth Budraj who along with his wife Sarasuatie Devi Budraj were brutally murdered on Tuesday, may have played an integral role in the double murder beingsolved.

The Yakusari South, Black Bush Polder Berbice couple were murderedduringarobberyattheir two-storey home which also housed an off-licence liquor, beverage and grocery store in the bottomflat

Theirhomewasalsosetonfire with the aim of derail police investigations

At around 04:00hrs an explosion was heard coming from their home Neighbours were alarmed and peeped to see what causedtheexplosion

Through their windows, they saw smoke and flames coming from a section of the couple’s home The Guyana Fire Service (GFS)andtheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF)werealertedandarrivedon the scene shortly after Fire Units from the Skeldon Fire Station responded The fire was put out and the lifeless and partially burnt bodiesoftheBudraj’swerefound Subnauth Budraj was found motionless on the ground near the

door, close to the shop area in an upward position with burns about his body and wounds to his neck As police scanned the location Subnauth’s wife was found in the dining area, face down with an object stuck in her neck and her left arm completely burnt off After crime scene was processed the Berbice Police Commander, Shivpersaud Bacchus told the press“Thebuildingwassetonfire with the perception to derail us from what we are looking at (a doublehomicide)”.

The killers’plan had failed but investigators at that time were still unawareofwhotheywere. Loved ones expected that it would take a while for the Berbice detectives to identify a suspect but the case was cracked within 24 hrs. Bacchus and his team of detectives had publicly acknowledged that the Yakusari community had assisted them in arresting two suspects and expressedgratitudeforthehelp.

Two men have since been charged and remanded for the elderlycouple’smurder

The Yakusari South community played an integral role in identifying the alleged killers. There is evidence suggesting that the murdered Subnauth Budraj led them to his alleged killers by simplyfightingforhislife.

At the crime scene, detectives spottedatrailofbloodleadingfrom the Budraj’s home to an area at a market located at head of their

street. It was a major clue leading theinvestigatorstobelievethatthe killer or (killers) might have sustained an injury at the Budraj’s home.

An injured person with a fresh gaping wound would definitely raiseeyebrowsandhelpedpolicein narrowingdowntheirsearch.

Kaieteur News learnt that an injured man visited a hospital with awoundhehadreceivedtohisright hand.

The nurses at the hospital observed that the injured man was acting suspicious and they reasoned that he may have some connectiontothedoublemurder

Themanwasreportedlytreated atthe hospital butbythetimehe left the hospital, police got word thathemaybetryingtoescape.

Aroadblockwassetupandthe suspect was subsequently nabbed. Police even visited the man’s home and found the dead couple’smissingitemsthere.

When interrogated, the injured man confessed and identified anothermanashisaccomplice.

The two men were taken into policecustody.

Police was told that the men only intended to rob the couple but because they were recognized, theirplanschangedandtheykilled thecoupleandsetherhouseonfire. Killing them, however, was not an easy task

Kaieteur News understands thatthe68-year-oldmanfoughtfor

hislifeandwoundedhisattackerin theprocess. Anautopsyperformed on Mr Budraj’s body suggested that the attacker had to knock him unconscious first before he could havekilledhim.

Mr Budraj died from smoke inhalation, a fractured skull, shock and haemorrhage and burns. His wifediedfromastabwoundtoher neck, shock and haemorrhage, and burns.

Mr Budraj may have lost his lifebuthisfightforhislifeandthe wounding of the killers paved a way for investigators to nab the perpetrators of the heinous crime. (ShervinBelgrave)

Pic filed as Budraj1, budraj2

Caption: The murdered elderly couple, Subnauth Budraj and his wife Sarasuatie Devi Budraj Tags: victim Solve, murder, Budrajs, Yakusari, Berbice, detectives

Lead: Dead men tell no tales, isapopularsayingwhichmeansa dead person can no longer reveal information particularly that whichotherswishtokeepasecret. However, that saying may be proven wrong as 68-year-old Subnauth Budraj who along with his wife Sarasuatie Devi Budraj were brutally murdered on Tuesday, may have played an integral role in the double murder beingsolved.

SuspectfleeingwithmarijuanacrashesintoGPLpole

Patrol ranks from the Mahaica Police Station on Friday arrested a fleeingsuspectafterhecrashedinto a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility pole at Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and was found with some 28 6 kilogramsofmarijuana.

The suspect was identified as Carlos Edwards, 52, of Stanley

Town, New Amsterdam, Berbice, RegionSix.

According to police Edwards wascapturedataround22:50hrs.

Thepatrolrankswereondutyat Helena No 1 Public Road, Mahaicawhenablackcarheading in a western direction sped past them and overtook several other vehiclesontheMahaicaBridge

Police stated that the ranks attemptedtostopthevehicleforthe reckless driving but was unsuccessful after the driver sped away This resulted in a highspeed chase by police Theranks reportedthattheyputontheirsiren and pursued the car but Edwards lost control and crashed into the utilitypole

The impact caused the vehicle toricochetintoanearbytrenchbut according to police Edwards refused to surrender without a fight The 52-year-old man exited the car with two bulky bagsinhishandsandattemptedto escapebutwasquicklycorneredby police Edwards was placed in handcuffsandthetwobagsseized.

Policesaidasearchofthebags found “A total of nine (9) black plastic parcels and three transparent plastic parcels, with a quantityofleaves,seedsandstems suspected to be cannabis was found”. Edwards was taken to the Mahaica Police Station where he wasdetainedandthedrugslodged.

Investigationsareongoing.

The crashed car.

The bulky bags that Edwards was seen running away with.

The parcels of Marijuana found inside the bags.

The murdered elderly couple, Subnauth Budraj and his wife Sarasuatie Devi Budraj.

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

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

US-basedNGOsupportsprimary,nurseryschoolsinVictoria,Guyana

…awards teachers and students for outstanding performances

Support and Hospitality (PUSH)’lastweekdonateda quantity of cleaning agents, books and other materials to two schools in Victoria, VillageEastCoastDemerara as part of its efforts to give back to the community where one of the Founders grewup.

The PUSH Foundation Inc. was founded in 2022. It is a non-profit venture supportingcommunities through supplies, clothes, toiletries, teaching assistance initiatives, andother crucial necessities forchildrenattendingschool globally Speaking to the Kaieteur News, one of the Founders, Latoya InveraryStaddon, said as a Caribbean-American with a primary school upbringing in Victoria, Guyana she is proud to be able to give back to her community Both

Founders, Latoya InveraryStaddon and Doreen Pratt Ebai ventured to USA, where they currently enjoy contributing to local causes thataredeartotheirhearts.

Doreen Pratt Ebai, emigrated from Cameroon, and has positioned herself to give backto local groups and incentives for underserved communities. The Founders are equallycommitted to promoting and advocating foracademic,psychological, andqualityeducation.

They told the newspaper that their education-based specializationsandpast experiences “have made them conclude that our homes deserve the same level ofattention that we have provided for the local communitieswehaveserved in the USA.”The Founders of the PUSH Foundation have defined goals to empowerstudentsin Guyana, Africa, the Caribbean, and the USA via supplementalaid.

“ T h e c o n f i d e n c e associated with having necessities in a shared social environment is a fulcrum that balances the weight of success or failure in our children lives Our organization strives to bridge the gap of socioeconomic disparity, giving each child the determination to be confident and bold, despite their many personal struggles in pursuing education.”

The Founders said they would be happy for the schools to get all the assistance needed In additiontothetwoFounders, Latoya Inverary-Staddon and Doren Pratt Ebai, the other Foundation members are: Yvonne Ricketts, Treasurer, Organization C o m m i t t e e S a b r i n a Lutchman, and Odelis Mcsween.

Meanwhile, one of the schools that benefitted from thedonationwastheVictoria Nursery School The

Head Teacher, Gaynel Herod, could not contain her joy after thedonation. “This donationhascomeatsuchan opportune time,” the Head Teacher related, noting that the school has struggled to get cleaning agents to keep theirenvironmentclean.

“Iwanttosayabigthank youtothePUSHFoundation for this gesture. It will go really far in helping us,” Ms. H e r o d t o l d P U S H Foundation representative, Dr Michelle James, who handed over a quantity of detergents and other cleaning agents as well as a teaching aid to the school. The teaching staff also c o m m e n d e d t h e organization for the kind gesture. Dr James, in brief remarks, told the teaching staff that she could appreciate the difficult circumstances they work under, noting the lack of adequate ventilation at the schoolsand the need for a

more children-friendly schoolcompound.

“You need a bit of building up of the land…I can see the sogginess of the compoundwhenitrains,and this has to be fixed,” Dr James commented She promised to give the full list of needs of the school to the PUSH Foundation with the hope that some other assistance could be provided. Across at the Victor Primary, Head Mistress, Nanette Grandison also pointed out thelack of facilities at the school. With a large student population and a small building, Grandison is hoping that consideration be given for a new building to house thechildren.“Withthisbeing the lone primary school in suchabigvillage,thisschool isinadequate The student populationhasoutgrownthis building,”shecommented.

At the primary school, the PUSH Foundation

donated a quantity of books for the school’s library and other stationery Two Grade Five students, Krystal Gillis and Ariel Beckles, who scored 92% at the last endof-term examination, were given a monetary reward by PUSHFoundation.Theclass Teachersofthetwostudents: Maranda Pyle and Karen Gillis, also received a monetary award from the PUSHFoundation.

M s P y l e s p o k e optimistically about the prospects of the students despite the difficulties “These children have great potential,andweasTeachers are giving them the best chancesatsuccess.”Shesaid both students are very disciplinedandcommittedto their work. “They are good prospects heading into the Grade Six class, but not only them but the other pupils are also being given the best chances at success,” Pyle said.

PUSH Foundation Founder, Yvonne Rickets

PUSH Foundation Founder, Latoya Staddon

PUSH Foundation Founder, Doreen Pratt

Some of the students and teaching staff of the Victoria Nursery V School following the handing over of the cleaning supplies

BCBtohonouroutstandingBerbice CricketingHeroesinNewYork

- announces plans to raise funds for indoor practice centre

Theexecutivesofthe pro active Berbice CricketBoard(BCB) at their monthly meeting on Thursday last, approved a planforthehonouringofseveral overseas-based cricketing Heroes of the County

The board is hoping to organise a historic ceremony atavenueinNewYorkonthe 10thofJunetohonourheroes on the cricket field and those who served with distinction as administrators.

BCB President, Hilbert Foster, stated that under the leadershipofhiselderbrother, Keith, the board had intro-

duced a honour system in 2009 to recongise the contribution of heroes of Berbice cricket. The programme was named ‘Tribute to Heroes’ and dozens of persons were honoured over the last fourteen years.

The majority of those honoured were however locally based residents as the board was unable to get in contact with overseas former cricketersorwasunablefinancially to bring them back to Guyana.

Thissituationwillnowbe corrected with at least two BCB executives visiting the NewYorkCitytohonourdoz-

ens of former national players, administrators and supportersofBerbicecricket.

The visit will be of little cost to the BCB as most of the expenses will be sponsored. Great efforts are been made to acquire a suitable venue while a former West Indies captain is expected to be the Guest Speaker.

Several Berbice former national players including Clayton Lambert and Derek Kallicharran have agreed to work along with the BCB to make the event a success. Awards will be given out to twenty five former national players and five former ad-

Sunday January 22, 2023

ARIES (Mar.21–Apr.19)

Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing somewritingorhaveputoff analyzing a particularly trickyproblem,thiswouldbe the perfect day to get started.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

With today's planetary energy,you'llfindyourselfa little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally beabletosaywhatyoureally think about things.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Today you're unstoppable! You'reaveryhardworkerby nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Discardthoseitemsfromthe past for which you really no longerhaveuse.Asmuchas youliketosurroundyourself with objects of sentimental value.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days. Loved ones suddenly want tospendmoretimewithyou, and you'll want to invite friendsovereverynight!By allmeans,do.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Feelingunusuallyadventurous,Virgo?You'reoftenmotivatedbyyouridealisticexpectations, and the planetary configurations today .

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpoweringemotionsthat havebeensurgingfromyour relationships will subside. You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21) This is a good day to devote timeandthoughttospiritual pursuits,Scorpio.Dosomething inspirational that instillsasenseofwonderdeep in your soul.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpretedashavingtaught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a moreartisticpursuit.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself,Aquarius.Nowitistime for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Today's planetary energy should compel you to commitcertainactsofself-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

ministrators while several sponsors will be honoured for their contribution to Berbice cricket over the last five years.

The sponsors include Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, Brian Ramphal,TerrenceBlackman and Lochan Samkarran. Among the players expected to be honoured by the BCB are former test players Alvin Kallicharran, Joe Soloman, Leonard Baichan, Sew Shivnarine, the late Basil Butcher, Mahendra Nagamootoo and Clayton Lambert.

Others include Kamal Singh, Milton Pydana, Keith Cameron, Leslaine Lambert, Sudesh Dhaniram, Vishal Nagamootoo Romain and Tyrone Etwaroo. Each of the awardees will receive a plaque, trophy, medal of excellenceandframedcertificate alongwithaBCBsouvenir.

TheBCBwillalsousethe visit to raise funds for the constructionofanallweather practice centre. The executives decided on this course of action as a result of the longrainyseasonthataffects the proper preparation of Berbice inter county teams. The BCB also hopes to have itsownpermanentofficethat will assist it to not only save rental fees but allow it to administer the game in a more structured way (Thisisanofficialrelease oftheBCB)

Klaas, Kapp give South Africa first win in tri-series

(Cricinfo) - West Indies’ batting woes continued as they went down to South Africa by 44 runs in the second match of the women’s T20I tri-series in East London After Marizanne Kapp’s fifty propelled South Africa to 141, Masabata Klaas’ fourwicket haul helped them bounce back from the opening game defeat to India.

KappliftsSouthAfrica Aspin-heavyWestIndies restricted South Africa to a competitive total on a slow and sluggish surface at Buffalo Park. After being askedtobowlfirst,Shamilia Connell dismissed Anneke Bosch early in the fourth overwhenshewascaughtby Britney Cooper while trying to heave it over the mid-off fielder They ended the powerplay at 43 for 1, with Laura Wolvaardt playing a steady knock and bringing out her trademark cover drives.

thesurfacewasconduciveto slow bowlers, aiding them with turn and uneven bounce, Kapp played a cautiousyetcrucialknockto propeltheteamtoanabovepartotal.

The seam-bowling allrounder brought up the team’s hundred in the 16th over when she hit Gajnabi for a straight four, with the scoring rate hovering between six and seven during her innings. In her inningsof52from43ballsher second half-century in theformat-Kappunleashed four boundaries, converting low full tosses and half volleys to fours, and also keeping the scorecard ticking Her partner Luus

West Indies collapsed from 32 without loss to 67 for 6 against SouthAfrica. (Getty Images)

still working herself back to full fitness after recovering from the injury she suffered while batting in the ODI series against New Zealand inSeptemberlastyear

WestIndieshadmadesix changestotheXIthatplayed against England in their previous T20I in December, stilltryingtofindapartnerto open the batting with Matthews.

If Aaliyah Alleyne had opened the batting for the home series against England, they tried Britney Cooper on Saturday But Cooper perished while trying to clear the mid-off fielder, and became Klaas’ firstvictim.

They never looked

21. Match details: South Africa 141 for 5 (Kapp 52, Luus 30, Connell 2-17) beat West Indies 97 for 8 (Matthews 23, Klaas 4-21, Mlaba1-10)by44runs

However,theopenerwas out for 25 in the ninth over, off Shamika Gajnabi when Wolvaardttriedtosliceafull ball on the off stump, and was caught by the wicketkeeper Lack of footworkcostherherwicket.

It was Sune Luus and Kapp who lifted South Africa, as Kapp once again thrived at No.3. Walking in at 58 for 2 in the ninth over, the duo stitched together a key63-runstandoff53balls for the third wicket.Though

struck 30 off 26 deliveries withthreefours.

The18thoverbyHayley Matthews saw both the set batters back in the dugout: Luus was run-out while Kappwascaughtatlong-off whensheheavedatossed-up delivery to try and up the scoringrate.

West Indies used seven bowlers on Saturday, but eventually it didn’t prove enough to end their losing streak in T20Is since Octoberlastyear

SouthAfrica’sKlaasact

Scoring never looked effortless in East London, especially for West Indies, who had lost eight of their previous nine T20Is. That theirstarallrounderStefanie Taylorhadtomissoutdidn’t helptheircausetoo.Tayloris

comfortable in the chase, as West Indies collapsed from 32for0to67for6.Threeof those six wickets went to Klaas, who was on a hattrick in the tenth over when she removed Matthews and Gajnabi off successive deliveries. While Matthews triedtosliceandwascaught at backward point, Gajnabi wastrappedlbw

Matthews tried to hold fort by scoring a patient 35ball 23 before being dismissed.Cooper,Shamilia Connell and Shemaine Campbelle got to double figuresbutthetargetwasfar outoftheirreach.

Klaas,whocamebackin the 19th over to finish her quota,removedAfyFletcher withatoe-crushingyorkerto finishwithacareer-best4for

Ministers reaffirm commitment to Berbice Cricket

Themainobjective of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in 2023 is to invest heavily in the unearthing of new cricketing talents in the ancient county. This will be done via an aggressive county wide coaching programme in clubs and schools,crickettournaments attheprimaryandsecondary levelsandassistingclubsand schools with the necessary itemsforthemtofulfilltheir mandate.

The plans of the progressive board on Wednesday last received a major boost when two Government Ministers renewed their commitment to play major roles in the C o u n t y ’s c r i c k e t development Minister of Natural Resources, Hon Vickram Bharrat and

Minister of Local Government, Hon Nigel Dharamlall, both held separate meetings with the BCB President, Hilbert Foster, and the discussion centered on the activities of theboardin2023.

Minister Bharrat, who is also the Patron of the BCB, in 2023 will be investing threemilliondollarsintothe PatronFund.Underthefund, first division clubs in the county will receive one million dollars worth of white cricket balls while the countywillalsobenefitfrom coaching equipment, youth development seminars, coaching sessions and regular upgrading sessions forcricketofficials.

One such programme willbearefreshercoursefor coaches and a captaincy seminar for all youth

captainsinthecounty

The BCB Patron also committed to playing a major role in making sure that the plans for a Berbice

under-21 team’s tour to Jamaica in April is successful.

The plan is for a fourteen-mansquadandtwo

officials to play three one daymatchesoveraoneweek visit as part of the county developmentalprogramme.

Minister Bharrat also informed the BCB that he will assist two promising Berbice players to fulfill their rich potentials on the cricketfieldbyinvestinginto their careers. The Minister establishedthefundwhenhe was appointed Patron in 2020andhasplayedamajor roleintherapiddevelopment ofthecountycricketoverthe lastthreeyears.

Under the last Patron Fund, clubs received balls, hundreds of youths benefitted from the hosting of four personal skills seminars and dozens of cricketers received educationalgrants.

MinisterDharamlall,last year, assisted the BCB with the employment of nineteen cricket coaches under the Government of Guyana’s ten-dayworkingprogramme

and also supported with coaching equipment for the sameprogramme.

This year, the Berbice born Member of Parliament will be working along with the board to assist in the development of several concrete pitches in the countyandplayingcricketin the primary and secondary schools.

Foster expressed thanks tothetwoMinistersfortheir assistanceandalsohailedthe Government’s massive investmentinsportsthisyear as a step in the right direction.

The BCB, he stated, is verygratefulfortheinvested that the Hon. Irfaan Ali-led Governmenthasmadeinthe development and upgrading of several cricketing venues in Berbice He also expressed confidence that several more venues will be upgradedin2023.

(This is an official releaseoftheBCB)

GCB names Harpy Eagles Squad for West

Indies Championship opening rounds

The Guyana Cricket Board(GCB)hasannounced a 13-man squad for the first and second rounds of the West Indies Championship, 2023.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles will play Barbados Pride at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, from February 1, 2023, to February 4, 2023, and Windward Islands Volcanoes at the National Stadium in Grenada from February 8, 2023, to February11,2023

The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad reads Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul ( V i c e C a p t a i n ) , Chandrapaul Hemraj, Matthew Nandu, Kemol Savory, Tevin Imlach, Anthony Bramble, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith,

The Manager is Albert Clements,HeadCoachRyan

Assistant Coach

Cricket

and Physiotherapist

The reserves are Mavindra Dindyal, Kevlon Anderson, Demeteri C a m e r o n , R i c h i e Looknauth and Antony Adams

Prior to the expected Guyana Harpy Eagles departure on Sunday, January29,2023,thesquad and reserves will be engaged in training session from Monday, January 23, 2023 to Friday, January 27, 2023 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence

Ronsford Beaton,Akshaya Persaud, Ashmead Nedd andShamarJoseph

Hercules,

Garvin Nedd,

Analyst Keshava Ramphal

AngelicaHolder

- Savory, Nedd, Joseph and Nandu earn First Class selection

BCB President Hilbert Foster (left) with Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Vickram Bharrat.

Kemol Savory Shamar Joseph

Mahaica Determinators advance after dramatic win over Victoria Kings

The East Coast

M a s h C u p f o o t b a l l

tournament kicked off on withMahaicaDeterminators edging Victoria Kings 5 – 4 on kicks from the penalty spot at the Golden Grove Ground.

Payed in front of small crowd, the match saw the two sides playing to a 3 – 3 stalemate at the end of regulation; Mahaica Determinators took the lead in the 5th minute thanks to Samuel Sam, while Samuel Vendijk had a double (66’, 89’).

JarvisCharles(10’),Ron Collins (39’) and Henry Holder (82’) were the scorersforVictoriaKings.

Meanwhile, the second gameoftheopeningnight’s double-header between Golden Grove Dynamic FC and Buxton United will havetoberescheduled.

BuxtonUnitedrefusedto take the field because of inadequate lighting, forcing the organisers to callanendtothefirstnightof

action in the East Coast MashCup.

A statement from the organiserssaida total of 14 replacement bulbs were donated by an overseas based Guyanese to the development of the ground andEastCoastFootball.

They explained that during the installation process on Friday, electricians observed that,inadditiontothebulbs, the capacitors on the lamps werenotworking.

The sourcing of capacitors was suspended late Friday, since places of business were closedat thematerialtime.

Sources also told KaieteurNewsthatthe state of the ground was also a concernforsomeclubs.

HostedbyGoldenGrove D y n a m i c F C , t h e tournament will carry a winner ’s purse of $500,000

Second place team will pocket$250,000,thirdplace $150,00 and fourth place $100,000.

Rosignol United is the lone Berbice side in the tournament, while the G u y a n a D e f e n c e Force (GDF), Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC, FrutaConquerorsandSantos are the teams from

Georgetown.

Reigning ‘West Side’ Champions, Slingerz FC, will lead the West Demerara pack, which includes Den Amstel FC andPouderoyenFC. Golden GroveDynamicFC,Victoria

Kings,ParadiseFC,Melanie FC, Buxton United, Buxton Stars, Ann’s Grove United, and Mahaica Determinators are the teams hailing from EastCoastDemerara.

The tournament continues tonight with

Rosignol United battling Buxton Stars at 6:00 pm, whileSantosFCcollidewith PouderoyenFC.

Matches will be played on January 27 and 29 February3,5,and10andthe finals on February18.

-Tournament likely to pause following complain about facility

Mahaica

Samuel Sam and Samuel Vendijk

Ashmead Nedd (Getty Images)

BCB President takes a photo op with Minister of Local

Windies Captain Hayley Matthews cuts late during her innings of 23.

Matthew Nandu (Getty Images)