Kaieteur News

Venue for Reg.#4 consultation on 6th oil project missing in Exxon’s notice

2019.Itwasfollowedbythe welcomed news of another successful exploration activity at Whiptail field in July 2021 and Pinktail in 2021.

In the oil giant’s Project Summary, available on the EPA’s website, it was noted that the operations will add up to 275,000 barrels of oil per day to the current production rates of about 393,000 barrels of oil per day

ExxonMobil hopes to start up the sixth development by the fourth quarter of 2027 or first quarter of 2028. It has an expectedfieldlifeofatleast 20years.

Whiptail will be located in the south eastern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 183 km from

KN Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall

Georgetown. Current plans include drilling via drill ships to produce oil from approximately 40 – 65 production and injection wells.

American oil giant, ExxonMobil through its local operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has a series of consultations planned with citizens to discuss their concerns with the sixth offshore operation planned in the Stabroek Block, the Whiptail development.

In an advertisement placedinthisnewspaper,the oil company detailed that eight meetings are planned to garner feedback from the public The consultations will kick off on Monday, January 30, 2023 and wind downonFebruary7,2023. Notably, the sessions will be spread out across Regions One, Two, Three, Four,FiveandSix.Whilethe venue and time has been set for all the other Regions, Exxondidnotspecifywhere or when the meeting will be held in Region Four, the mostpopulateddistrictinthe country

The meetings held in RegionFourusuallyattracta greater number of citizens withrelevantconcernsabout the project. During its last Consultation on the fifth project, for example, Shadow Natural Resources Minister, David Patterson was in attendance, along with local Engineer and Chemist, Alfred Bhulai Transparency advocate and Lawyer, Elizabeth DeaneHughes was also present to register her concerns and

questionsduringthescoping session.

With the venue yet to be announcedforthemeetingin Region Four, set for Thursday, February 2, 2023 stakeholdersbelievethatthis is a deliberate attempt to avoid the participation of citizens.

Publisher of this newspaper Mr. Glenn Lall afterhebecameawareofthe matterwaseagertoofferhis comments. Lall who has beenvocalongovernanceof the oil sector said Exxon is clearly not serious about stakeholderengagements.

“This is just a sham because of the requirement in place for it to be done. TheywanttoshowtheWorld how transparent they werethat they engaged the countryanditspeople-sono one can accuse them of highhandedness with the people’soilwealth,”hesaid.

He explained that the oil company craftily followed theregulationandpublished a newspaper advertisement so there is evidence that the public was invited to participate in the meetings. Lall was keen to point out however that in the same notice,Exxonsaidthevenue andtimefortheRegionFour meeting is yet to be announced.

According to the transparency activist, “They arewaitingontheninthhour totellyoutheconsultationis here,knowingfullywellthe gametheyareplaying.”

T h e n e w s p a p e r Publisher added, “What is more painful is that the government of the day and the Opposition are silent to thisdisrespect.”

Two meetings will be hosted in Region One on January30and31atFlavio’s Hall, Santa Rosa and the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Boardroom respectively

One session is planned forRegionTwoonFebruary 1, at the Anna Regina Townhall followed by the meeting in Region Four which has not yet been allottedavenueandtime.

Exxon will meet with citizens at the Leonora TechnicalInstituteinRegion Three on February 3, and move to Region Six for another meeting at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) Training Centre inPortMourantonFebruary 7.

Two meetings will be hosted in Region Five at the Mahaica Technical institute and the Latchman Singh

PrimarySchoolonFebruary 6.

A source at EEPGL told this newspaper that the oil company was having issues finalizingthelocationforthe meeting in Region Four.

According to individual, Exxon was trying to secure the Umana Yana in Kingston, Georgetown for thesession.Thesourcesaida notice will be published when the company secures the venue for the scoping session that is less than a weekaway

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has told Exxon that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will be required for this project Currently, the regulator is reviewing its applicationfor the fifth project in the StabroekBlock.

Its sixth project, the Whiptail development, seeks to produce oil at the Whiptail, Pinktail and Tilapia fields Tilapia’s discoverywasannouncedby the oil giant in February

...Glenn Lall says ‘company merely fulfilling requirement, not serious about stakeholder participation’

The consultations planned by ExxonMobil with the public

Publisher:

GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Thisistakingthingspastthelimit. WhatExxonMobilis being allowed to do in our offshore oilfields is perilous for this country, criminal in contemplation. The company ramps up production into dangerous territory at certain times, and Guyana goes along meekly, even willingly Though we have said it before, we will ring the bell again: giveExxonMobilaninchofropetooperatebeyondwhatis safe, and it will take that extra rope and hang the people of thiscountry

TheLizaDestinyshipat152,940barrelsperday(bpd)is 27.45%overitsrecommendedsafetylimitof120,000bpd. While, at 394,000 bpd in December, the combined bpd for theLizaDestinyandLizaUnitywas15.88%overthesafety limits recommended. Though the Liza Unity is already pressed to 9.62% (21,160) barrels above its recommended safety limits, ExxonMobil has plans to push its production ceilingbyanother20%. Thebestthatcanbesaidaboutthis is that a reckless and rapacious ExxonMobil is dragging Guyanaintounknownterritory,likelytreacherouswaters.

In its defence, the American oil company seeks to reassuretheGuyanaGovernment,Guyana’sEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Guyanese people that thereisnothingtoworry,thatitknowswhatitisdoing,and that it has everything under control. According to ExxonMobil, it engaged in “debottlenecking exercises” which widen the pipelines and related equipment, so as to facilitatesafelytheincreasedproductionlevels. Theformer ExecutiveDirectorofGuyana’sEPA,Dr VincentAdams,is not swallowing that hook dangled by ExxonMobil to misleadandmakefoolsofnaïveGuyanese,whoseexposure to sophisticated oil practices, and the deviousness of oil companies’executivesandmanagers,isalmostzero.

WhatDr AdamshasputbeforehisfellowGuyanese(and the PPP/C Government) is that “debottlenecking” is not an industrynorm,andthat“theycan’tpullthisnonsenseinthe USA-I know that for a fact” (“Guyana’s oil ships breached safety limits to hit highest production level last year t 394,000 barrels -Former EPA Boss says Exxon making mockery of country” -KN January 23rd). As much as we agreewithDr Adams,weatthispublicationtakeaharsher stance: ExxonMobil is humiliating the leaders of the government, kicking aside the EPA and whatever policies and procedures, and rules and regulations it may have in place, and all the while treating the people of Guyana like childrenwiththerisksittakes.

ExxonMobilisgreedierthanahungryjackalletloosein an unmanned butcher’s shop; it feasts on Guyana’s weaknesses. ExxonMobil’speopleareamongthemostcutthroat in a cut-throat industry. ThisAmerican company is theworstoftheworst,andithasvirtualcarteblanchegiven to it by the PPP/C Government to run whatever production racketeering enterprise that it wishes in Guyana’s offshore oilfields. The local EPA can be blamed for numerous embarrassing failures, has plenty to answer for, but this crucialStateagencyisonlyasgoodandpotentandeffective as the political masters allow it to be. Any examination of the local environment would confirm that the PPP/C Government is about control and domination for corrupt ends, with the EPAstanding as one of the more visible and more glaring exhibits of such governance corruptions. In effect,thismeansthatonanyoccasionthattheEPAisinthe way,itwouldbeneutralizedandrendereduseless.

VincentAdamswasintheway,thenhewasnolongerat the EPA, thanks to the shameless kowtowing of the PPP/C Government to ExxonMobil’s self-serving manipulations. NowtheEPAisacaricatureofwhatsuchanentityshouldbe, whenGuyananeedsitthemost.

Dr AdamssaidthatExxonMobilis“takingadvantageof an abysmal EPAand weak government.” We agree on the EPA,butthinkthatheisgoingtooeasyonthegovernment. ThetruthisthatthePPP/CGovernmentismorethan“weak” beforeExxonMobil. Itcanbesaidtobecompromisedbythe company Havingsoldout,thePPP/CGovernmentcannot move, it cannot utter a whimper of disagreement, which is whyitsheavyhittersrunforcoverwhenExxonMobil’sruns itsrackets.

Transforming the Guyanese Economy Starting with this Budget

DEAREDITOR, Government of Guyana

(GoG) is poised to hit a 26 percent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate in 2023 resulting from a diversified economy and moving the economy to different levels The economy is in a constant state of change and this economic transformation is not only stable but yielding progressivegrowthofGDP

E c o n o m i c transformation comes about as a result of major and thoughtful investments to

reduce poverty, educating the younger generation and creating lucrative jobs for them,buildingtheeconomic, financial, judicial and political systems to support growth and continuously improveontheinfrastructure in healthcare, transportation andsocialservicestosupport a growing economy as well as those most in need. It is alsobuildingastrongprivate sectortocontinueinnovation andinvestintheeconomyin Guyana as well as our regional Caribbean nations, especially those countries

facing development challenges.

As the nation goes through the 2023 budget process, it is a fitting to reflectonhowthisbudgetis supporting long-term economic transformation while at the same time addressing those immediate short-term imperatives that impactGuyanesedailylives.

Prior to the development of carbon fuel, Guyana’s economy was largely agarin based economy in which a thirdofthepopulationrelied on subsistence agriculture.

Thisisabouttochange,now withthediscoveryofoiland gas.

The economy is moving into an export-led economy with the carbon commodity Export-led growth occurs when an economy uses exports as an economic growth strategy to achieve economic development. In the past many small developingeconomiesrelied on import-substitution development strategy to b o o s t e c o n o m i c development,thiseconomic (Continuedonpage6)

ExxonMobilpushesthe envelope;thingscouldblowup

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Speaker Manzoor Nadir has been fair and balanced in his rulings

DEAREDITOR,

I write with reference to MP Christopher A Jones’ charge that Speaker Manzoor Nadir has shown a “…patternofunfairandbias behaviour” pertaining to his rulings in the Parliament during the 2023 budget

debates (Jones, Stabroek News, 28/1/2023). Editor, I can say from my direct experience over the past week in Parliament that, if fact, Mr Jones’complaint is unfair and biased.Allow me toexplain.

Mr Jonesmakeshiscase

bycomparingtwoutterances intheparliament,onebyMr Sherod Duncan, and the otherbyMinisterofCulture, Youth and Sports, Hon. Mr Charles Ramson Jr The contentious words by the two MPs were uttered through quotations. In Mr

Duncan case, the word “corruption” was quoted from a 2009 speech by President Obama Mr Ramson Jr., in a quotation from Mark Twain, used the word “fools.” The larger rhetoricalcontextofthetwo wordsneedelaboration.

Reform, Perform and Transform Budgets

DEAREDITOR,

Following the Budget

Debate over the last week, I was reminded of a cautionarytale recounted by the writer David Foster Wallace, “There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meetanolderfishswimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys.How’sthewater?”And the two young fish swim on forabit,andtheneventually oneofthemlooksoveratthe other and goes, “What the hell is water?” The point, of course, is that most of us accept the dominant world view in which we live as “common sense” and few think to question its premises For our p a r l i a m e n t a r i a n s , neoliberalism, which has been our guiding economic paradigm since 1989 when the Desmond Hoyte PNC government accepted the IMF’s “conditionalities” in its “Structural Adjustment Program”,framedwithinthe neoliberal premises of the “Washington Consensus”, waslike“water”.

Neoliberalism rejected the interventionary role of governments into the economy and society that hadbeenintroducedbyFDR topulltheUSoutofitsGreat Depression, and given academic credibility by Keynes after WWII. The contra central tenets of neoliberalism, which privilege free markets and minimal government interventionintheeconomy, were also circulating but only rose to the fore when Reagan in the US and Thatcher in the UK applied its principles to turn around theirmoribundeconomiesin 1979/80 It is generally associated with policies of economic liberalization, including privatization, deregulation, stabilization, globalization, free trade, austerity and reductions in government spending in order to increase the role of the private sector in the economyandsociety Froma developmental perspective, it prioritises a “growing

economy”ideologyinwhich the “rising tide will raise all boats”. It is ironic that the IMF, World Bank and the WTO, launched by Keynes and company at Bretton Woods, now use the neoliberal paradigm to evaluateourpractices.

The interventionary distributive and allocative functions that were performed by governments up to then were now held to be better discharged by private enterprises –prompted by the profit motive to supply goods and services. Take, for instance, the distributive function to reducepoverty Thesewould now be executed through budgets to facilitate the private sector that would create jobs (“boats”) to lift everyone. It is from this perspective that one must l o o k a t t h e P P P government’s focus on infrastructure and stimuli to businesses, such as with the gas-to-shoreinitiative.

While the Opposition’s criticismthatmoreoftheoil funds could have been used fordirectcashtransfers,they missthepointthatthisisnot in consonance with the neoliberal exhortation that thehungrymustbetaughtto fish rather than providing fishes for a meal. The latter

premiseisthatgivingouttoo many fishes dulls the urge f o r m e r i t o c r a t i c advancement in the recipients.Itisacceptedthat while the fish pond is being stocked (businesses being created), there might be some unattended hungry poor who could receive temporarygrants.Themoral question will be addressed bythemarket.

It was interesting that in Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton’s summation of his presentation, he proposed measures that would use oil funds to alleviate poverty; cost of living; inflation; unemployment; climate change; social problems; develop human resource capabilities by stressing institutional changes In effect, he accepted the neoliberal premises of the P P P ’s B u d g e t o n stabilization, allocation and distribution while only differing on the quantum of funding. Unlike his flank critics from his erstwhile coalition partners in the WPA, following neoliberal orthodoxy, he avoided “race” as a criteria for interventions. He avoided calls for direct spending to alleviate problems in, say, the African Guyanese community but merely

s i g n a l l e d t h i s b y recommending a “50% increase for Public Servants”.

While the neoliberal paradigm has swept the world from the US to China and even the Nordic countries, we note that each hasadapteditscoretenets,in varying proportions, to their local circumstances and history – capitalism, communism and social democracy respectively So whileallmayhaveproduced billionaires, inequalities in the US is most extreme, Chinahadmovedthelargest number of people out of poverty in history and the Nordiccountrieshavefought to retain their welfare programmes and high tax rates.

In Guyana, while we notice the increased health, education and security businesses, the government has commendably retained and extended its role in providing these services to all Guyanese and in regulating swathes business practices.Wehavetoensure they perform to reform and transform.

Sincerely,

RaviDev

InMr Duncan’scase,the full quote (in Mr Jones’ letter to the editor) reads as follows – “Those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing ofdissent…”

As for Mr Ramson Jr., the quotation from Mark Twaininpartreads,“let’sbe thankful for fools because without them, the rest of us wouldn’t be able to succeed.”

The rhetorical import of Duncan’s speech act is that the PPP/C is corrupt and deceitful. In Ramson’s case, the logic of the rhetoric is that the APNU+AFC are foolish and that this has enabled the PPP/C to succeed.

Now, here I why I think Chief Whip Jones has it wrong.

PriortoSherodDuncan’s speech, the Speaker had repeatedly warned speakers about overusing the word “corruption”, given that it is unparliamentary according to the guidance currently in place.

I recall at least a dozen moments of intervention by the Speaker regarding the useoftheword“corruption”

andotherwords,aswell.The word “fools” was used only oncebyRamsonJr

The Speaker did not intervene because Ramson Jr turnedoffhismicrophone and took his seat immediately after the Mark Twainquote.

One could argue that the Speaker could have asked Minister Ramson Jr to withdraw the word “fools,” but if the “one-off” rule was generalized, almost no one would be able to speak in Parliament.

Almosteveryspeechhad one or two words that were unparliamentary and were allowedtosailby Editor, it must be noted that Speaker Nadir r e p e a t e d l y a n d evenhandedly “called-out” speakers from both sides of thehouseforuseofoffensive language. For the most part, most of the presenters obliged.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge Speaker Manzoor Nadir for his dogged neutrality and also for a pretty healthy senseofhumour BeepBeep.

Sincerely,

Dr.RandolphPersaud

Police Killing in Memphis

DEAREDITOR,

It was reported that duringtheeveningofFriday January 7, 2023, five police officers from the Memphis, Te n n e s s e e P o l i c e Department in the United StatesofAmericacarriedout a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Tyre Nichols Disturbing video footage which was released on Friday, January 27, 2023 by the Memphis Police

Department shows five police officers brutally assaultingNicholswhodied three days later from the injuries he received during theencounter

The officers involved claimed that Nichols was stoppedforrecklessdriving. According to the Chief of Police,“aninvestigationand review of available camera footage had found no proof ofthat”.

All five police officers were dismissed and subsequently charged with severaloffences,including:

i.Seconddegreemurder

ii.Twocountsofofficial misconduct

iii Two counts of aggravatedkidnapping

iv One count of official oppression

v One count of aggravatedassault.

It is reported that other law enforcement officers who failed to take appropriateactionhavebeen suspended from duty pending investigation. The speedwithwhichthismatter is being dealt with is to be commended It is an indication that at least some law enforcement agencies are learning of the need to deal with incidents of this naturewithdispatch.

This is likely to instill confidence in the community and cause law enforcement officers to realise that there will be consequences for their unlawfulactions.

This incident has led to protest in several communities across the United States of America.

Afterviewingthedisturbing video, President Joe Biden issued a statement saying that he was “outraged and deeply pained” by the incident He called the images of the incident “horrific” The Memphis

ChiefofPolicedescribedthe incident as “heinous, recklessandinhumane”.

On January 1, 2023, detective corporal Dwayne McPherson of the Guyana Police Force and Kishan Bugburgh were shot and killed by a member of the Guyana Police Force at Huntley Mahaicony, a village on the East Coast of Demerara,Guyana.Thevery day, Acting Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, stated that he would be “transparent” and would provide “frequent updates” on the investigation, which hadcommenced.

Thepublicwaslatertold thattherankwhosaidthathe fired a “few” rounds in the direction of McPherson and Bugburgh, who were scuffling and the other rank whowasonthesceneofthe incident were placed under “closearrest”.

It was later reported that they were placed on “open arrest”.

It has been almost one month since the senseless killingofthosetwomenand there has been no statement f r o m t h e a c t i n g

Saturday Camp for Students

DEAREDITOR,

CommissionerofPolice,the MinisterofHomeAffairsthe President of Guyana or any other official. The silence fromcivilsocietygroupshas beendeafening.

The contrasting manner in which the two incidents have been dealt with h i g h l i g h t s h o w dysfunctional the Guyana Police Force has become in dealing with incidents involving use of force, especiallydeadlyforce.

Iwishtoremindthosein authority that the Police Complaint Authority Act p r o v i d e s f o r t h e investigation of incidents like the one mentioned above (homicide) to be supervisedbythatAuthority

It is hoped that those in authority in Guyana would look at how the Memphis Chief of Police and the District Attorney have handled the matter and seek tolearnalessonortwofrom that.

Yourstruly, Paul Slowe CCH, DSM, R e t i r e d A s s i s t a n t

Commissioner of Police and former Chairman PoliceServiceCommission.

Iamateacherinaschool inRegion4.TheDepartment o f E d u c a t i o n h a s i m p l e m e n t e d a

MANDATORY MATHS on Saturdays This new initiative is very taxing to teachers. It is always nice anddedicatedofateacherto go above and beyond yet theyarebeingtreatedunfair

It is always great of the teachers to put their pupils first, but at the expense of their own families. As a teacher in Region 4, I am putting my hands in my pocket to purchase chalk, stationery, sanitary supplies for my class, materials to teachandnowyouaretelling me to go in to teach on Saturdays? Teachers are workingunderthefearofthe parents, officials and everyone else. This noble profession takes so much from you and gives nothing but promises in return Granted no one calls an individual to teach; at the same time, everyone wants to be compensated for their time and expertise Madam Minister,teachershavebeen givingthecountryconsistent results for the years and the

only thing we’ve got is consistent promises and waystomakethisprofession moredifficult.Teachershave family, some have to travel miles to school; don’t we deserve our weekends? Don’tourchildrendeserveto spend time with their parents? Haven’t teachers being treated badly already? Whyputmorerestraintsand impositiononthem?

Thefrustrationishighin the profession. Why drive moreoftheteachersoutwith these new rules? The Ministry of Education Staff who work late get overtime. Teachers leaving at 5pm in the afternoon close to NGSA, don’t even get a snack. Tell me how is this fair? On Teachers’ Day, we are treated with a message and a day, of which permission have to be given providedyouappliedintime. So kindly rethink this initiative. Certain regions in thecountryareexperiencing teachers’shortagelikenever before.Thisinitiativewillbe more detrimental to the education sector No one runsfromagoodsituation.

Sincerely,

RenataDouglas

Transforming the Guyanese Economy Starting with this...

Frompage4 paradigm has largely failed and proved ineffective. The export-led economic model, in the case of Guyana is carbon.Thiswillyieldmuch needed resources to use for capital investment spending inkeysectors.

Given this stark economic reality and looking where spending is going, the GoG is focusing on long-term economic transformation with revenuesfromexports. The GoG can now make major investments in healthcare whichwillleadtolong-term economic outcomes Additionally,theGoGhasan opportunity to begin this transformative process now with the 2023 budget. Let’s highlight some of the areas that the government has targeted to speed the transformation of the economy while addressing currentdomesticchallenges:

Quality Healthcare

GoG has committed GYD $84.9 billion to the health sector with the aim of improving service and facilitiesacrossGuyana. As part of the budget, over $500M for the training of healthcare professionals and $900milliontoaddressnoncommunicable diseases and mental health. There is a striking link between a healthy workforce to continue transforming the economy in addition to responding to pandemics andotherhealthconcerns.

Education. There is a strong and direct correlation with education and transformation of an economy and in the case of Guyana to support shortterm and long-term initiatives. Investments in education improve people skillsandknowledge,which is needed to support a transforming economy

Recognizing this direct relationship, the GoG has

allocatedthelargestplanned investmentineducationever with a record GYD$ 94.4B allocation.

Income Relief to those in Need To transform the economy, individuals need tohaveaccesstofood,water, medicine, etc but more importantly, they need to have accesses to income to makethesepossible.Inwhat would be considered a commitmenttothosemostin need, the GoG has created mechanism to remove approximately 12,000 households from taxation so they can keep more of their income for necessity consumption. In addition, someGYD$100Mhasbeen a l l o c a t e d f o r t h e constructionofdayandnight carecentersallowingparents to put their children in safe environments, while they work to improve their livelihood.

Housing Government has increased the allocation to support low-income housingtoGYD$20million. Besides the obvious living standard impacts, shelter, this policy would have on Guyanese, there is now the opportunitytoacquire,store, and transfer economic wealth from generation to

generation.

Food Safety, Supply Regionally Guyanese have andthroughthisbudgetwith investments in the agriculture sector will continue to feed the Caribbean The budget e n v i s i o n s m a j o r investments, in rice, sugar, coconut, fruits and vegetables, cocoa and coffee, corn and soya, poultry, beef, small ruminants and aquaculture. Transforming means reducing the reliance on imports and produce sufficient for domestic consumption while supplying the Caribbean This principle is based on economic abundance of resources,landandwater

Infrastructure The GoGthroughthebudgethas p l a n n e d m a s s i v e improvements in roads and bridges, deep water harbor and port development, sea andriverdefense,feasibility study for railway, industrial rail network, 3D technology for provision of low-cost h o u s i n g a n d P o r t Management Information System. These investments will transform how goods, people, information, and resources moves within the

economy in a cost-effective manner For example, slow ports cost entrepreneurs and business time and money in the movement of goods

Access to information to make informed decisions, will greatly improve decision making and efficiency. Planned investments in water is estimatedtobeGYD$17.7B toimproveaccesstopotable water in the hinterland and coastal communities. While an estimated $43.4 billion is allocated to construct the Wales Gas-to-Energy project,whichwouldreduce energy costs and replace the outdated power generation systems.

In terms of leadership and collaboration on the domestic, regional and international levels, we see that President IrfaanAli and his cabinet is directly i n v o l v e d w i t h representations at every possible venue to build partnerships, open communication and answer questionsonthereadinessof political and economic systems in Guyana for transformation and growth.

The GoG has also recognized the value of transparencyintheworkings

ofthegovernmenttosupport those partners, which is necessary for the transformation of the economy President Irfaan Ali through his speeches both domestically and internationally encourages the private sector to be p a r t n e r s i n t h e transformation of the economyandhascommitted GoG to ensuring that the economic and physical infrastructureareinplace.

Clearly, there are an exhaustive listing of both macroeconomic and microeconomic variables that would provide how effective fiscal policies are focusing on economic transformation.

This essay was not intended to provide that exhaustive listing but highlight those fiscal policies of the Government of Guyana that needs to be addressed. The discussion showsthattheGoGisinfact focusing on the long-term transformation of the economy given its new found resources. This is in essencehowabudgetisused totransformaneconomy

Dr Tilokie Arnold Depoo Economist

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President Ali stepping up for Guyana

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PresidentAli can stand up for Guyana’s interests when he so desires.

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He did so when the insult of that map in T&T came up, plenty is known about Guyana’s oil, yet it was in Venezuelan territory.

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But some people refused to correct the mistake when KN pressed, His Excellency, when approached, stepped right up…

Change it, fix that map, get that map right, and right now!

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This is what Presidents do!

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Thanks, Excellency!

Now there is so much more that you can do with our oil.

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World ganging up to take advantage of Guyana’s wealth

- But country’s leaders are asleep at the wheel; conversation in our country must change - KN Publisher

Following his attendance at Trinidad and Tobago’srecentlyconcluded energyconference, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall said one of his key observationswasthelevelof conversation among global industryleadersonhowthey can capitalize on Guyana’s oil resources. But what has disappointed him the most, however, is that the same level of discussion does not obtain at the level of government.

Lall said, “Everything you heard at the conference wasaboutwhatGuyanaisto the region and the world…Yes, the world is gangingup,conversing,and planningforourwealth,and what are the owners of this wealth conversing about…?

”Theconversationandgyaff across this country is about whatpeoplewillcooktoday, whowearingwhat,whogoes where, who deh with who man,andwhodehwithwho woman.

That’s what some of our people talk about daily,” the Kaieteur News Publisher said.

Butwhilesomearebusy gossiping and making plans toemptytheirpocketsatthe latest nightclubs, Lall said the world is plotting, planning,and‘gyaffing’how to take advantage of the country’s resources Lall even referenced a previous Kaieteur News publication where Hess Corporation was boasting aboutfindingmoreoilatthe Stabroek Block’s Fangtooth SE1well,drilled18,000feet deep. The oil company told its shareholders that more mega profits await them, adding now is the time to investinfurtherintheworld class resources in the S t a b r o e k B l o c k

The K a i e t e u r N e w s

PublishersaidthatPresident IrfaanAli,insteadofdriving a conversation on how he and his government will get

more value from the Stabroek Block resources through renegotiation, choosestofocusonaccessto loans. He recalled that the Presidentwhowasoneofthe presenters at Trinidad’s energyconferencenotedthat theRegionneedsUS$11Bto reach its renewable energy targets. The president also said that no stakeholder or agency is saying where vulnerable CARICOM stateswillfindthefinancing f o r t h i s .

L a l l e x p r e s s e d disappointment with this type of thinking that alludes to borrowing loans as he stressed, “The conversation

in this country needs to change. We must make use ofourownresources,getthe bestvalueforitandfundour needs Our leaders are clearly asleep at the wheel.”

The KN News Publisher implored citizens to take charge of their destiny and start changing the national conversation.

He said, “the begging bowlmentalitymustcometo anend.Letthisconversation be with your neighbours, with your friends, with your workmates, let it be in the minibuses, let it be at every roadcorner,everysparetime you have… For too late, too lateshallbethecry.”

KN Publisher, Dr. Glenn Lall

President, Dr. IrfaanAli

Aurora Gold Mines (AGM) Inc., one of the Guyana’s largest gold miningcompanies,hasbeen certifiedbytheInternational O r g a n i s a t i o n f o r Standardisation (ISO), the companysaidinastatement issuedonFriday

The leading ISO

Certification Body in Guyana,GlobalCompliance Service Guyana Inc , certified AGM Inc. to the ISO 14001: 2015AND the ISO45001:2018standards.

The Certificate was handed over by Ms CandelleBostwick,CEO,of Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc. to Mr Orette Thomas,AGMInc.’sHealth Safety and Environment (HSE) Coordinator on January 19, 2023, at the AGM’s Head Office in Georgetown,Guyana.

AGM Inc ’s parent company Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd. is a large

multinational mining group engaged in the global

e x p l o r a t i o n a n d development of copper, gold, zinc, and lithium, as well as engineering and technologicalresearch.

AGM Inc received certification from Global Compliance Service on December 12, 2022. This

marks a significant

achievement for the company,alignedwithsteps taken to improve its operations.

The scope for the Integrated Management System Certification is AGM’s Gold Mining Operations.

Liaison Manager of AGM Inc. Mr Ragunauth Ramsaroop said that the acquisition of this ISO Certification signifies the company’s commitment to the well-being of its employeesandtoensuringa clean and sustained environment.

“At AGM Inc., we take pride in ensuring that our employees are comfortable and safe in the working environment,thatiswhywe optedtogetISO45001:2018 certified which speaks to occupational health and safety ISO 45001:2018 specifiesrequirementsforan occupational health and safety(OH&S)management system, and gives guidance for its use, to enable organisationstoprovidesafe and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injury and ill health, as well as by proactively improving its OH&S performance,” he said.

Ramsaroop said too that the company “understands that our work impacts the environment directly and thatiswhywewantedtoget ISO 14001:2015 certified to show our dedication to keeping the environment in which we live and operate safe”.

ISO 14001 covers the implementation of an E n v i r o n m e n t a l Management System (EMS), placing focus on an organisation’simpactonthe externalenvironment.

This standard aims to reduce an organisation’s waste,pollution,andenergy consumption.

As such, the company’s decision to acquire this certification signals its

commitment to the environment. Global Compliance

Service Guyana Inc continuestoencouragelocal businesses to demonstrate their commitment to the quality, safety, and reliability of their products and services through the attainment of ISO Certificationstatus.

The Certificate issued signifies the commitment of

top management to continually improve their internal systems using the ISO Standards, and the overall performance of the business.

Global Compliance Service Guyana monitors certified companies annually to ensure that they maintain compliance with international standards and continually improve their operations.

Labourer busted with ganja in minibus at Harbour Bridge

A23-year-old labourer of Parker Street, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was on Friday nabbed by police on the western end of the Demerara Habour Bridge (DHB) with a quantity of marijuanainhishaversack.

Reports are that the suspect was seated in minibus BZZ 1552 which was proceeding from the

easterntothewesternsideof theDHB.

A p o l i c e r a n k performing duties on the western end of the bridge, intercepted the minibus and carriedoutasearch.

The suspect and his haversack were searched and the marijuana found.

Police disclosed that inside the haversack were five black plastic bags, each containing a quantity of

leaves, seeds and stems suspectedtobecannabis.

Thesuspectwasarrested and taken to the La Grange Police Station, where the suspected cannabis was weighedinhispresenceand amountedto2,229.7grams.

The man was told of the offencehecommitted.

He is expected to be charged for Possession of NarcoticsforthePurposeof Traffickingnextweek.

Ms. Candelle Bostwick, CEO, of Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc. hands over the ISO certificate to Mr. Orette Thomas, HSE Coordinator,AGM Inc.

The marijuana which was discovered in the labourer’s haversack.

VP, but it cuts both ways

found it most interestingthatarticle from Demerara Waves on January 15, titled, “Jagdeo denies defaming Vincent Alexander over IDPADA-G's use of State funds for “ordinary Guyanese”” What was claimed in defense was surprising. This is where I stand relative to the VP's assertions,defenses.

point that I wish to make separatelytotheVP,aformer national head, and a figure constantly in the public eye, sometimes not for the most wholesomeofreasons.

I endorse fully what the Hon. VP said on his behalf; there are no ifs, ands, or buts about this. He is a public figure,andheisentitledtohis honest opinion and what he called fair comment. It is his due, and there should be no two ways about what he said.

I say this even as I tiptoe around Mr Alexander's pending defamation suit against the VP, and offer no comment or position on the merits or demerits of either party in this matter now before the Court; and, hence, subjudice.

But there is a particular

The same standard, the same right, the same Constitutional safeguard that the VPembraces for himself, the exact same right, standard, and safeguard to free, unfettered expression in the public arena also belongs to every single citizen of this society

It should never be lesser, or lower; it should never be interfered with in any manner Or circumscribed and limited by any slick legalistic posturing and maneuvering, about injuries inflicted and reputational desecrations experienced, which are drummed by all and sundry in efforts to claim harm. Those are crutches relied upon for too long, and too often, by PPP stalwarts, and PPP opportunists, which l a c k s u b s t a n c e a n d credibility, and are the automatic reaction to hard,

sharp comment that I have interpreted to be fair The Opposition has had its flareups, dustups, and bust-ups in this regard, but to a c o n s i d e r a b l y a n d conspicuously lesser degree. In recent years, more than a few in the PPP have made a nice living on going after people that supposedly offended their dignity and standingviathecourts.

My position could not be more unambiguous: once there is an absence of malice, premeditated or otherwise, then what the VP claims for himself (some may say arrogate and adumbrates) is alsoduetoeveryothercitizen of Guyana; and not by one invisible speck less. This is nonnegotiable, and should notbeanyotherway

Most regrettably, what the VP puts out as defenses reeks of the disconnect embedded in his disarming, self-protectingelements.

Thishasnotbeenallowed t o o t h e r G u y a n e s e , (considered to be enemies of thepartyandleadership)who

have crossed either the VP's or his people's paths, when they speak out in honest opinion and fair comment, inclusive of criticisms, no matter how harsh. Once malice is lacking, then such opinion, comment, and criticism are considered natural components of the regularterritory Asanaside, I should mention that as a public figure, the rough and tough stuff, the hard blows, will come the VP's way, and unless he proves actual malice, then he is on shaky ground. In addition, facts and truths also serve as affirmative defenses for those hauled to the courts throughsuits.

The recent record has been of a slew of libel suits

employed, escalated, multiplied, and intensified, with hurt claimed, the afflictions of reputational damage, and character besmirched, among other hypocrisies. I have observed PPP functionaries making a case along those lines to shut peopleupandsuppressthem,

and make some money while at it. Therealunderlying reasons have been to muzzle and intimidate those whocontradictPPP n a r r a t i v e s , aggressions, and abuses. It could be accurately said that the PPP and its operatives have weaponized the law and the Courts transforming both into instruments of legalized terrorism The naked objectives have been to intimidate into silence, to e n g a g e i n c h r o n i c suppressions, to stifle conscientious dissent, and to subjugate the spirit of those Guyanese differing. Those few bold citizens who see or interpret sensitive matters in a different light than the PPP anditsbrigadeofself-seekers and self-enrichers at the expense of country and citizen are made into examples, with some helpful professionals doing their part.

IBy GHK Lall GHK Lall

opening and delightful that the VP has settled for this defense -win, lose, or draw What he seizes for his honorable personage should be the birthright, copyright, and patented right of every Guyana.

Nevertheless, it is eye-

Thank you, Dr VP for opening this necessary door Hopefully, it signals a new day in the amphitheater of free and fair public expression, honest opinion, principled dissent. In short, what the VP claims and cherishes as a right for himself,cutsbothways,does not exclude any Guyanese, no matter how hostile, how obnoxious, and how detestable they and their public verbal and written offerings may be. They also areentitled.

Public register with all mining contracts and beneficial owners will be priority in 2023 –

Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat has assured that for 2023, a public register for all mining contracts will be a priority This is in keeping with the 2019 Standard of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

He said too that a register bearing the names of all beneficial owners of extractiveentitieswillalsobe onhisministry'sto-dolist.

Since becoming a member of the global body, Guyana's third EITI report in particular notes that the government has agreed to a d h e r e t o s e v e r a l requirements. In this case, EITI requirement 2.4 (a) of the 2019 Standard which states that Guyana should publicly disclose all mineral agreements.

Importantly, the report highlights that the country's Mining Act (1989) does not include any expressed restrictions on the public disclosure of mineral agreements and licences by thegovernment.

It goes further to state that even the mineral agreement signed on November 18, 2011, for

MinisterBharrat

AuroraGoldMinedeveloped by Guyana Goldfields is silent about restrictions on the public disclosure of the mineral agreement. Be that as it may, that very agreement, along with many others,isnotavailableonline for citizens to understand what concessions were granted to these firms versus whatthecountrywouldgetin return.

In light of this, Guyana's t h i r d E I T I r e p o r t recommended that a work plan be drafted for the electronic publication of all mineral agreements in the mining sector The document said this work plan may include defining how the electronic publication of mineral agreements can be undertaken and a realistic short-term timeline as to when such data could be available. The report further notes that the work plan can include a review of the institutional or practical barriers that may prevent suchelectronicpublication. There are currently 10 companies holding large-

scalelicencesinGuyana.

The Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc holds three large-scale licences for the extraction of bauxite in Kurubuka (Block 22), North East (Block 5 in Kwakwani), Berbice(Block38)foratotal area of 16,691 acres, in which the Guyanese Government has a state participation of 10% as confirmed by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

Bosai Minerals Group Guyana Inc. holds three (3) large-scale licences for the extraction of bauxite in East Montgomery, Tailing area and Dacouria for a total area of 3,063 acres, in which the Guyanese Government also hasstateparticipationof30% asconfirmedbyNICIL.

Correia Mining Co holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of gold and diamonds for a total area of 3,681acres.

Guyana Goldfield Inc holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of gold in Cuyuni (Aurora) for a total

area of 14,339 acres while Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of bauxite in the Bonasika Mining project for a total areaof18,940acres.

Additionally, North

American Resources Incorporated Ltd. holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of gold for a total 5,950 acres. Pereira Mining Company holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of gold, silver, and valuable

minerals for a total area of 5,105acres.

Meanwhile, Romanex Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of gold and valuable minerals for a total area of 11,110 acres; while Ontario Incorporated holds a large-scale licence for the extractionofgoldandcopper foratotalareaof8,346acres.

Troy Resources Guyana also holds a large-scale licence for the extraction of goldforatotalareaof15,160

acres.

Along with the 10 largescale licences, the report notesthatthereare62mining entities making material payments to government exceeding $35 1 million Since these account for 50 1% of the reported payments in 2019 to the Guyana Gold Board and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), it was recommended that the contracts for these companiesalsobereleased.

Sunday – 22, 2023

January

Prosperity, comes on stream at the this nonsense in the USA- I know Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, Payarafieldlaterthisyear that for a fact.” The former EPA Guyana, Suriname, Barbados and Jagdeo blames Coalition for Upon taking note of this Head added, “I do believe that they other territories may leverage their “sh*tty” oil deal, but refuses accelerated pace of production, know the right thing but they are resources as a united block to meet to renegotiate contract former Head of the Environmental withoutaconscienceandruthlessly theworld’senergyneeds. Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. taking advantage of an abysmal Kaieteur News’ team, which The bigger the body of water a Vincent Adams, said in a previous EPA and weak Government. The included Publisher Glenn Lall, goldfish is in, the better its chances interview that the American oil EPA is being paid to be our observedthataportionoftheblock of thriving and growing bigger. So, giant is not only slaughtering the protector but they are obviously was overlapping Venezuela’s if you take your goldfish out of the safetylimitsbut makinga mockery intimidated by Exxon which does maritime borders. Efforts were little bowl on your nightstand, and of the Government in the name of whateveritwants.” madetobringthistotheattentionof place it in a large aquarium, it will greed. Given the extent to which thepanelduringthediscussionsbut growabitbigger Butithasnoidea

Dr Adams said when an Exxon is able to have its way with to no avail. Lall said it is important how much more it can thrive in a Environmental ImpactAssessment itsdrillingprogrammes,Dr Adams that this matter be raised with natural pond. This is the kind of is done prior to oil production said one can easily conclude that it Organisers as more than 700 trick that may play out in oil-rich operations commencing, it is the American oil giant that is individuals were being misled. Guyana if Political Leaders do not explains clearly what would be the runningtheEPAandprobablyeven More importantly, he noted that tellthefullstory,oriftheyrefuseto safe limit of production the oil the Government. He said no matter Guyana and Venezuela are before act. companies will abide by He said how fast the company wants to go, the International Court of Justice

If the Bank of Guyana reports one, according to an interview he too that this number is used to Governmentwillinglycomplies. where the former has laid out an that the Natural Resource Fund had with ‘Guyanese Critic’ generate oil spill scenarios for the irrefutable case on the parameters (NRF) made US$1 billion from oil Thursday evening He said Government’s regulatory arm to Tuesday – January 24, 2023 of its territorial sovereignty He production,thiswillbeseenasalot Ramjattan told him once in a consider When the goalpost is said the map being shown or of money to Guyanese. This is conversation that the former shifted by going beyond the safety K/News flags misleading map featured in the backdrop of because the sheer scale of such Government left the People’s limit, Dr. Adams said it is displayed at T&T oil conference discussions about Trinidad’s revenues being made from one Progressive Party (PPP) with the commonsense that the EIA would with part of Stabroek Block in eagerness to harness Venezuela’s sector on an annual basis is not oil deal, from which revenues are be properly updated to reflect the Venezuela’s waters gas resources is “distasteful”to say something to which the country is nowbeingderived. new risks that come with increased – Organisers issue apology after theleast. accustomed. But the Central Bank The Vice President wanted to productionnumbers.

President Ali’s intervention At the conclusion of the panel only reports what goes into the ‘cuss up’, as Guyanese would say Dr Adams said, “Exxon has discussion, the Kaieteur News NRF Itdoesnotreporttheearnings He told Critic “I wanted to use an clearly invalidated the EIA and I A grave blunder occurred team informed Driver that the map of ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso expletive. I might have even done say that because the purpose of the yesterday atTrinidad andTobago’s is incorrect. He refused to accept Exploration and Production that.” EIA is to set the safety production Energy Conference where an that it is, saying that it connects GuyanaLimited(EEPGL),northat Jagdeo said the former limit and now that limit has been erroneous map on Guyana, with another block in Venezuela to ofitsStabroekBlockpartners,Hess Government did not leave any exceeded or violated without a produced by Rystad Energy, was which Kaieteur News strongly andCNOOC. sector on a positive note. And proper review process the usedaspartofapaneldiscussion. objected to. He said the Consultant

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni finally, on oil, he said, “What they maximum limit for the Liza The map depicted a portion of is responsible for the map. That Singh’sbudgetspeechlastMonday leftuswasashittyagreement.” Destiny was 120,000 barrels per the Stabroek Block overlapping company is Rystad Energy, a indicated that Guyana received Though the Vice President, the US$1 099 billion in profit oil Chief Regulator for the oil sector, payments in 2022. But the total maybelievethePSAis“sh*tty”,he value of crude oil exported for the refusestorenegotiateit. year was US$9.978 billion. This meansGuyanareceived11%ofthe Monday–January23,2023 value of crude exported for the year, and the oil companies made Guyana’s oil ships breached awaywith89%. safety limits to hit highest

The Finance Minister further production level last year at explained that Guyana got 394,000 barrels

US$155 2 million in royalties – Former EPA Boss says Exxon With royalties added to the making a mockery of country country’s earnings, it becomes 12.6%, leaving 87.4% or US$8.7 Guyana’s two oil ships—the billionfortheoilcompanies. Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity— US$1.2billionisalotofmoney were pushed to reach one of their But how does it fare when the oil highest production levels in companies’ earnings are put into December last year This occurred perspective? It all comes back to in breach of the safe operating the 2016 Production Sharing limitsprescribedintheirrespective Agreement (PSA) that governs E n v i r o n m e n t a l I m p a c t day They are now at over 150,000 into Venezuela’s territorial waters. consultancy group that is well petroleum operations at the Assessments(EIA). barrels, a 25 percent increase and Thepaneldiscussioncentredonthe known for providing skewed humongous Stabroek Block The safe operating limit for thatisunheardof.” role the Southern Caribbean can reports on Guyana’s oil industry

Signed by former Minister of Liza Destiny is 120,000 barrels of Whentoldthatthecompanyhas play in meeting the global demand Thematterregardingtheerroneous Natural Resources, Raphael oil per day while it is 220,000 said it has engaged in for natural gas. Wazim Mowla, map was also forwarded to Trotman, the deal gives Guyana an barrelsofoilperday(bpd)fromthe ‘debottlenecking exercises’ to AssistantDirectoroftheCaribbean President, Dr Irfaan Ali who was industry-low 2% royalty It also Liza Unity This would see safe allow for the increase, Dr Adams Initiative,AtlanticCouncil,Ronald one of the presenters for the allows Exxon, Hess and CNOOC production at approximately said this too is absolute nonsense. Adams, Chief Executive Officer of opening session of the conference totakeadvantageofacostrecovery 340,000bpd. It was however, as He said Exxon’s Executives use Atlantic,MarkLoquan,Headofthe along with Prime Minister, Dr ceiling of 75% of the oil they high as 394,000 bpd in December such jargons as a mask for their NationalGasCompanyofTrinidad Keith Rowley The Head of State produce from the blocks, then split 2022.LatestdatafromtheMinistry unconscionable pursuit of obscene and Tobago, Antero Alvarado, was not present for the session on the profits 50/50 betweenthemand of Natural Resources show that for profits. Dr Adams said, “They are Managing Director of Gas Energy gas resources. In fact, no Guyanese theGovernment.

Liza Destiny, production peaked at using this debottlenecking jargon Latin America, and Bryan policymaker was part of the panel

Despite all the criticisms this 152,940 bpd while at Unity it was to intimidate and confuse because Ramsumair, Managing Director of discussion that touched on how the PSA has faced locally and 241,160bpd. they know most Guyanese don’t DeNovo Energy, led the nation’s gas resources could be internationally, there are some ExxonMobil Corporation’s know fully what this type of lingo conversation. It was moderated by utilised. people who still say that it was a affiliate, Esso Exploration and means. That terminology means Dr Thackwray Driver, President

Production Guyana Limited that they widen the piping system andCEOoftheEnergyChamber Head of State said he raised the

In response to the issue, the gooddeal.

Vice President Dr Bharrat (EEPGL) is expected to ramp up and other equipment to increase Driver at the start of the matter with Organisers and was Jagdeo nearly cursed out one production at the Liza Unity by as production. They try to make it discussions, called for a map to be sure to register his disappointment. former Minister over the much as 20 percent. The same will seem that this is some industry pulled up to serve as the Hesaidhewasgivenallassurance insinuation that the deal is a good obtain when its third vessel, the norm but it is not. They can’t pull springboard for their talks on how (Continued on page 14)

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

The Liza Unity

From page 13 understands that US$225 million 365,000 barrels of oil equivalent that an apology would be issued. In has been allotted for production perdayin2023. a statement on the matter, the activities at the North Malay Basin Organiser of the conference, the whereHesshasa50%stakeaswell Thursday – January 26, 2023 Trinidad and Tobago Energy as the Malaysia/Thailand Joint Chamber said it was a regrettable Development Area in the Gulf of T&T eyeing more revenues for errorandapologizedforsame. The Thailand. auctioned blocks – PM Rowley full statement reads as follows: “At Hess also noted that US$125 the Trinidad and Tobago Energy million for production activities in Prime Minister of Trinidad and Conference 2023 being hosted by the Gulf of Mexico, including Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, on the Energy Chamber of Trinidad drilling two tieback wells and Monday announced that the and Tobago, during a panel seismicacquisitionandprocessing. evaluation of bids received for its discussion titled ‘The role that the “Our capital programme most recent gas blocks auction will Southern Caribbean can play in reflects continued execution of our bedisclosedinthreemonths’time. meeting the global demand for strategy to invest only in high More importantly, he notedthat natural gas,’ a map developed by return, low-cost opportunities the twin island will be pursuing Rystad Energy was shown. This within our portfolio,” Chief improved fiscal terms during the map erroneously showed the Executive Officer (CEO) John negotiations process Trinidad, Stabroek Block in Guyana Hesssaidinastatementyesterday with over 100 years of oil overlapping into the Venezuelan He added, “More than 80% of production expertise, is among border This error is regrettable and our 2023 budget is allocated to other things, well known for its the Energy Chamber unreservedly the area and from that they were said the money will be invested to Guyana, which is positioned to be stance on just fiscal terms for its apologizes for any confusion. A able to gather information. The ensure all timelines for this one of the highest margin; lowest people. At the opening of the new map will be developed and investigation into the murder of development are adhered to carbon intensity oil developments nation’s three-day Energy disseminated.”

Nazaleenisongoing. Meanwhile, Uaru is expected to intheworld,andtotheBakken,our Conference hosted at the Hyatt comeonlineattheendof2026with largest operated asset where we Regency,PortofSpainonMonday,

Woman killed, body dumped Wednesday – January 25, 2023 a gross production capacity of have a robust inventory of high Rowley announced, “Government into canal …suspect identified approximately 250,000 bopd. That returnfuturedrillinglocations.” intends to maintain the momentum as her former partner Hess set to make over US$2B project is still being scrutinized by As for Chief Operating Officer of upstream exploration through annually in Guyana on 3 ships local authorities. The process for a Greg Hill, he was keen to note that improved fiscal incentives and the

The body of 47-year-old alone – To invest 80% of its sixth development has been in the Bakken, Hess plans to availability of acreage both on land NazaleenMohammed,ahousewife revenue in country, USA this year initiatedtoo. operate a four-rig programme, and offshore. Accordingly, we will of Belfield Squatting Area, East

Additionally, Hess said which will enable it to maximize continue the dialogue with Coast Demerara (ECD) was on American oil producer, Hess US$250 million was allotted for freecashflowgeneration,optimize upstream companies on the Monday found floating in a canal Corporation announced yesterday front-end engineering and design our in-basin infrastructure and incentives required to stimulate with several wounds about her thatits2023capitalandexploratory work for future development drive further reductions in its unit activity for the exploration of abdomen. budget totals US$3 7 billion phasesontheStabroekBlock. cash costs. In Guyana, Hill said the upstreamresources.”

AccordingtotheGuyanaPolice Importantly, more than 80% of it Significantly, Hess said company’sfocusin2023willbeon During his address to Force (GPF), the suspect is a male will go to its high-quality, profit- US$150 million is set aside for the advancing high-value oil participants at the 2022 Energy Nazaleen had previously shared a making assets in Guyana and the Gas to Energy project with first gas developments and continuing an Conference, Rowley had said that relationship with The Police USA. expected by year-end 2024 active exploration and appraisal T&T would be pursuing an reported that the woman’s body In fact, Hess said US$1.45 Kaieteur News previously reported programmeontheStabroekBlock. aggressive bid-round programme was discovered around 15:00- billion (39%) will go to keep that Hess, along with CNOOC As it stands, Hess’ net for the exploration of its hours in a canal at Hope Lowlands, production activities going, Petroleum Guyana Limited and ECD, facing upward with wounds US$1.7 billion (46%) will be for operator of the Stabroek Block, to her head, ear, neck and abdomen offshoreGuyanadevelopmentsand Esso Exploration and Production –withherintestinesprotruding. US$550 million (15%) will go to Guyana Limited (EEPGL), are KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat explorationandappraisalactivities. helping the Guyana government the woman was living at Belfield Expounding on how the with the project They are Squatting Area, with her daughter revenues will be spent in Guyana, responsible for building the and reputed husband, who is Hess said US$90 million will be pipelinethatwilltransportabout50 presentlyatseaonafishingboat. plugged into the Liza Phase One million standard cubic feet of gas Nazaleen was last seen alive and Phase Two developments on from the Liza Phase One and Liza about07:00-hoursonMonday,bya the Stabroek Block offshore Phase Two projects to onshore neighbour, while she was leaving Guyana.Bothprojectsarecurrently facilities that will be built at the her home and heading to her operating at a combined gross Wales Development Zone. The brother’s residence at Hope production capacity of more than partners have said the pipeline will Lowlands,ECD. 30,000barrelsofoilperday(bopd). costapproximatelyUS$1.3B. Reports indicate that around The company said too that In terms of expenditure for 08:05 hours, the woman’s 32-year- US$1.21 billion has been allocated exploration and appraisal, Hess old son received a call from his for the developments on the saidUS$550millionwillbeusedto mother cellular phone. When he Stabroek Block, specifically at its drill approximately 10 exploration answered he reportedly heard a Payara, Yellowtail and Uaru fields. andappraisalwellsontheStabroek male voice (whom he identified as It should be noted that Payara, the Block, two wells in the Gulf of the suspect) and also his mother’s third project in the Stabroek Block, Mexico, and one well offshore voice shouting for her phone – is on track to come online in 2023 Newfoundland, Canada. Funds are before the call ended. It was stated with a gross production capacity of also included for seismic that after the woman did not return approximately 220,000 bopd. Hess acquisition and processing in home, the neighbour left in search previously noted that from two oil Guyana, Suriname and the of her While walking along Hope ships alone, specifically the Liza deepwaterGulfofMexico. Lowlands, Railway Embankment, Unity and the Prosperity, it would In terms of its budget to boost the neighbour came across make a clean US$2B. It also gets a production activities, Hess said Nazaleen’s motionless body in the handsome take home from US$1.1 billion will be used to fund production in the Bakken is hydrocarbon resources This canal. Thepoliceweresummoned, revenues earned from the Liza a four rig programme in the forecast to average between programme was initiated with a and the scene was processed and Destiny which operates at the Liza Bakken, USA. The company also 165,000 and 170,000 barrels of oil deep-water bid-round, in which photographed. PhaseOneProject. expects to drill approximately 110 equivalentperdaywhileitsGuyana four bids were received by a Nazaleen’s body was escorted Additionally, Hess said gross operated wells and to bring net production is forecast to consortium of BP and Shell. These to a funeral home awaiting a Post Guyana’s Yellowtail Project is online approximately 110 wells in average approximately 100,000 bids are currently the subject of Mortem Examination (PME) expected to come online in 2025 2023. Funds are also included for barrels of oil per day in 2023. Net negotiations between the Ministry Notably, the police stated that with a gross production capacity of investmentinnonoperatedwells. production is therefore forecast to ofEnergyandEnergyIndustries several persons were questioned in approximately 250,000 bopd. It Additionally, Kaieteur News average between 355,000 and (Continued on page 51)

Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley addressing the T&T Energy Conference

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall President Irfaan Ali

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

MUA, mom of two and teacher juggles multiple roles successfully

songcompetition

For his invaluable contribution to academia, sports and culture…

Former Lecturer and Retired University

Registrar, Mr. Vincent Alexander is a ‘Special Person’

SOCA/Chutney artiste, Dennis King

Businesswoman and Teacher, Devina Deonarine

Owners

ShaunellDuesbury ShaunDuesbury ell

Shaunell

Duesbury is an optometrist and entrepreneur who enjoys craft making and designing. She owns three small businesses which all entails the use of her creativity. One of her main products is the carnival wire bra and festive head piece. Besides this, Shaunell enjoys makeup artistry and creating delicious eye-popping icecream desserts. Her favourite quote is: “Time is the Master.”

Being homosexual is not a crime –PopeFrancis

BySirRonaldSanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of A m e r i c a a n d t h e Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the UniversityofToronto)

“Being homosexual is not a crime. We are all children of God, and God lovesusasweareandforthe strengththateachofusfights for our dignity.” Those words were spoken by Pope Francis, easily the most radical pontiff that the Roman Catholic Church has everhad.

The Pope was speaking in an interview with the Associated Press that was published on January 25, ahead of a planned tour of twoAfricancountries,South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The African continent ranks among the most homophobic regions of the world. Apart from South Africa, Mozambique and Angola, which are countries whose governments and peoples are most tolerant of homosexual rights, the majority of African nations rate equally with the intolerant governments of Russia, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia,IranandIraq.

Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has advocated a less doctrinal policy approach for modern Catholicism. Francis is a man of his time, determined not to harden the Church’s anachronistic positions in times, which have changed, with a greater emphasis on human rights, including gay rights. Intheinterviewwith the Associated Press, he emphasised the Holy See’s position that laws that criminalize homosexuality outrightare“unjust”andthat theChurchmustworktoput anendtothem.

HedidnotspareBishops of the Church who support laws that criminalize homosexuality He said that theyneedto“haveaprocess of conversion” and should apply“tenderness,please,as Godhasforeachoneofus.” Whether he has opened the eyes, ears and hearts of the controlling hierarchy of the Churchislefttobeseen.

What is certain is that Francis has succeeded in humanising the face of the Churchwhich,forcenturies, imposed repressive rules on itsfollowersthat,politically, supported colonialism, imperialismandracism. Ina

socio-economic context, its rules on abortion, caused suffering and hardship for poor communities around the world, particularly in Ireland and Latin America where Catholicism dominated.

The impact that his approach has achieved is evident in the leadership of IrelandandinpartsofAfrica. ThecurrentTaoiseach,orthe head of government, of Ireland,isLeoEricVaradka, whoisthechildofanIndian father and an Irish mother, and is a declared homosexual Many prejudices – both racial and religious – were overcome with his election, in a remarkable tribute to the openness of the Irish people tochange. But,theinfluence of Pope Francis, now completing a decade as a change-agentoftheChurch, contributed immensely to the freedom of thinking and attitudesinIreland.

Similarly,hispapacyhas had a beneficial effect in Africawhererecentstatistics show 2.1 percent growth in Catholic followers between 2019 and 2020. Out of a global population of 1.36 billion Catholics, 236 millionareAfricanor20%of the total. Reports indicate that Catholicism is witnessing a “youth bulge” in Africa. This follows the effective transmission of Pope Francis’ message that churches, religious groups and governments show solidarity with young people. He calls them “the churchofnow.”

In November 2022, d u r i n g a s y n o d a l consultation with African youth, he denounced the exploitation of Africa by external forces and its destruction by wars, ideologies of violence and policies that rob young people of their future. That message by the Head of a Church, which conspired with many authoritarian regimes in Latin America, EuropeandinpartsofAfrica and Asia, to exploit and repress their people, has a powerfulappeal.

Nonetheless, his visit to South Sudan and the DRC will not be without its

problems. In the interview with the Associated Press, Pope Francis acknowledged thatinAfricaandotherparts of the world, there needs to bechangeinrelationtoantih o m o s e x u a l l a w s Responding to the question, “Can the Church contribute to repealing these laws?” he was unequivocal, saying: “Theyhavetodoit.

What happens is that they are cultures in a state andthebishopsofthatplace, although they are good bishops,[they]arepartofthe culture and some still have their minds in that culture. The bishops also have [to undergo] a process of conversion.”

Some of these reluctant BishopsexistinSouthSudan andDRCastheydoinother parts of Africa and the Caribbean.

Having been nurtured in acultureofintolerance,they find adjustment to a new dispensation difficult Although, as Pope Francis pointed out, “In the catechism of the Catholic Church,itsaysthatpeopleof homosexual tendency have tobewelcomed,theydonot have to be marginalized”. Hemakesitclearthat“Every man and woman have to have a window into his life where he can pour his hope and where he can see the dignity of God. And being gay is not a crime. It’s a humancondition.”

Throughout most of the world, societies and governments have accepted that “being gay is a human condition.” Theresultisthat members of the LGBTQIA community have attained high positions in all sectors ofsociety

Whiletheremaybelittle hope in authoritarian countries, such as Russia, Afghanistan and Iran, it is past time for more progressivesocietiestoheed the counsel and wisdom of Pope Francis, who has emerged as an enlightened, caringexampleofthebestof humanity

I had the privilege of working with a former Justice of the High Court of Australia, Michael Kirby, when we were members of theCommonwealthEminent

Persons Group, which was commissioned by Heads of Government to propose ways of reforming the Commonwealth in 2010

Justice Kirby urged all members of the Group to recommend abolition of the homosexual laws, which wereimposedonitscolonies by the colonial British government – laws which Britainitselfrepealedbutare retained to this day by some Commonwealth countries in AfricaandtheCaribbean.

He made this telling point to the group – if governments and civil societies had not taken a

s t r o n g a n d determined stand against Apartheid in South Africa, and before that in SouthernRhodesia (now Zimbabwe), institutionalracism would still exist in Africa, robbing the majority black populations of their right to equality, fairness andjustice.

Kirby’s irresistible argument resonates in the wordsofPopeFrancis.

Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

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.)

Sir Ronald Sanders

(The views expressed in this article are those of the

This Day in History - Jan. 29

Compiled

by Zena Henry US Governor removed from office following corruption charges, solicits personal favours for Obama vacant senate chair

Sweeping aside six years of scandal and crippling political infighting with a historic impeachment vote, the state Senate on January 29, 2009 ousted

one governor for abusing his power and anointed anotherwhobuilthispoliticalcareeraroundhavingnopower atall.

Senators voted 59-0 to remove Rod Blagojevich, who walked out of the silent chamber after delivering an impassionedpleaformercy

Within hours, they applauded his former running mate and lieutenant governor, Patrick Quinn, who was sworn in as the state’s 41st governor vowing a new course for Illinois. “The ordeal is over,” said Quinn, long viewed as an unwelcomedoutsiderbythestate’spoliticalestablishment.

He replaced a defiant Blagojevich, 52, the first Democratic governor in a quarter century and the first governorinIllinoishistorytobeimpeached.

After racing back to his Chicago home before the vote could deprive him of a ride home on the state plane, Blagojevich once again said he was the victim of a rush to judgment.

The Battle of Khafji is the first major ground engagement of the Gulf war

Battle of Khafji begins (photo: msn.com)

Massive earthquake puts Caribbean under tsunami threat

Sinkholes in the Cayman Islands following the earthquake (viconsortium.com)

“And the fight goes on,” he told a phalanx of reporters outside his house. “Just because I’m not the governor anymore doesn’t mean I’m going to stop fighting.” The transition of Quinn into the state’s highest office was instantaneouslyreflectedinavarietyofways.

A picture of Blagojevich was replaced with one of the new governor in a sign board greeting visitors to the State Capitol

Locks and key codes were changed on the doors granting entry into the Statehouse suite of the governor’s offices. The Senate’s unanimous, back-to-back votes to convict Blagojevich on a sweeping article of impeachment and disqualify him from future public office in Illinois represented a swift repudiation following his December 9 arrest at his North Side home on federal corruption charges thatincludedplottingtoselltheU.S.

Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Blagojevich immediately proclaimed his innocence. But that was enough for lawmakers, who had long pondered impeaching a governor they assailed as arrogant and untrustworthy

All the while, federal agents were investigating his administration for acts of wrongdoing involving hiring, contracting, board appointments and fundraising. (Chicago Tribunal)

TheBattleofKhafjiwasthefirstmajorgroundengagement of the Persian Gulf War It took place in and around the Saudi ArabiancityofKhafji,fromJanuary29toFebruary1,1991,and marked the culmination of the UN’s 35-country Coalition’s air campaign over Kuwait and Iraq, which had begun on January 17, 1991. Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who had already tried and failed to draw Coalition troops into costly ground engagements by shelling Saudi Arabian positions and oil storage tanks and firing Scud surface-to-surface missiles at Israel, ordered the invasion of Saudi Arabia from southern Kuwait. The 1st and 5th Mechanized Divisions and 3rd Armored Division were ordered to conduct a multi-pronged invasion toward Khafji, engaging SaudiArabian, Kuwaiti, and U.S. forces, along the coastline, with a supporting Iraqi commando force ordered to infiltrate further south by sea and harasstheCoalition’srear [4]

These three divisions, which had been heavily damaged by Coalitionaircraftintheprecedingdays,attackedonJanuary29. Most of their attacks were repulsed by U.S. Marine Corps and U.S.Armyforces,butoneoftheIraqicolumnsoccupiedKhafji on the night of January 29 - 30. Between January 30 and February 1, two Saudi Arabian National Guard battalions and two Qatari tank companies attempted to retake control of the city, aided by Coalition aircraft and U.S. artillery By February 1, the city had been recaptured at the cost of 43 Coalition servicemen dead and 52 wounded. Iraqi Army fatalities numbered between 60 and 300, while an estimated 400 were captured as prisoners of war. Although the invasion of Khafji wasinitiallyapropagandavictoryfortheBa’athistIraqiregime, it was swiftly recaptured by Coalition forces. The battle demonstratedtheabilityofairpowertosupportgroundforces.

Almost 200 people die in three train collision in Japan

On January 29, 2020, a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman Islands, startling people as far away as Miami and prompting official tsunami alerts for a large area of the Caribbean.

The quake, initially reported as 7.3 magnitude before beingupgraded,wascentered86milesnorthwestofMontego Bay,Jamaica,and87mileswest-southwestofNiquero,Cuba, at a depth of just 6 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey Itstruckat2:10p.m.ET

There were no immediate reports of major damage or injuries,butsocialmediawasfloodedwithphotosandvideos from people documenting the event. In the Cayman Islands, videoshoweddamagedstreetsandsinkholesopenedupbythe violentshaking.Atsunamialertwasissuedforawideswathof theCaribbean.However,itwaslatercanceled.(nrp.org.)

Thousands of students protest for the removal of

“corrupt”

Indonesia Pres.

In scenes reminiscent of protests that helped topple the Suharto dictatorship, thousands of students broke down parliament’s gates on January 29, 2001 and demanded that President Abdurrahman Wahid quit over his alleged involvement in two scandals. Police subdued about 10,000 protesters with warning shots and tear gas. Although the confrontation was not as violent as past clashes, officers beat some protesters duringrunningbattles on the lawn of the legislature The defense minister had warned that the military could seize power in order to prevent anarchy At the state palace, a relaxed head of state maintained that he had done nothing wrong and told reporters he would not resign. As the protest raged, lawmakers met in closed session inside the heavily guarded legislature to hear the results of an investigation into thetwoaffairsthathaveboggeddownWahid’sadministration.

Aftermath of the fire (Wikipedia)

ThreetrainsontheNishinariLineinOsaka,Japan,collide and explode while approaching Ajikawaguchi Station. On January 29, 1940, the three trains collided carrying gasoline andfactoryworkers,causingafirethatkilled181people,and injured92ontheNishinariLine,presentlySakurajimaLine.

Abdurrahman Wahid, known as Gus Dur, was impeached anddismissedfrompresidentialofficeon23July2001,afterhe issued a decree to dissolve the Indonesian legislature and suspend the Golkar party Wahid, who came to power in late 1999, had promised democratic reforms and an end to corruptionafterthreedecadesunderSuharto,whowasoustedin 1998. The former leader died from health complications on December30,2009.(ExactsfromLosAngelesTimes)

PresidentAbdurrahman Wahid during a parliamentary address in 2020. (Oka Budhi/Agence France-Presse)

What’s the Difference between a Cyclone, Hurricane and Typhoon?

Any of these terms you use has counterclockwise.) When it first mph ad above more to do with where in the gets going, it’s called a “tropical However, the world you live than anything else. depression.”Asitpicksupspeed,it W o r l d (Reader’s Digest) A storm by gets upgraded to a “tropical Meteorological any other name… is still a storm? storm”—it needs to have winds of Organization Yes, a hurricane is the same as a at least 39 miles per hour to earn gives strong typhoon,whichisalsothesameasa thisdesignation. typhoons, very cyclone but not necessarily the And when sustained winds of strong typhoons, same as a bomb cyclone. So, 74 miles per hour are reached, the a n d v i o l e n t typhoon vs. hurricane vs. cyclone; stormhasintensified,or“matured,” typhoons a Class what’sthedifference? tothepointwherewenowrefertoit 5 designation,

Not much, except their names, as a hurricane, a typhoon or an with wind speeds though those names do depend on intensifiedtropicalcyclone. ranging from 74 where a storm originates A What’s the difference between a miles an hour to “hurricane” occurs over the North hurricane and typhoon? 119-plusmilesan two are Atlantic or over the central or Hurricane vs. typhoon, how do hour entered the extremelysimilarandtendtowreak eastern North Pacific oceans—in theycompare?Besidesoccurringin What’s the difference between a English language when explorers havocnomatterthelocation. places like Florida, the Caribbean, d i f f e r e n t p a r t s o f t h e cyclone and a hurricane? interacted with residents of Why the different names? Texas and Hawaii. Forming over world—hurricanes happen in the Like hurricanes and typhoons, southwest and southern Asia [and] Cyclone is generic, and the the western North Pacific, in East North Atlantic or over the cyclones and hurricanes are not comes from tufan, which means word meteorologists use to speak Asian countries like Japan and central/eastern North Pacific while exactly the same. Hurricanes are ‘big cyclonic storm’ in Arabic, generally of these storms. The Korea? That’s a “typhoon.” Both typhoons occur over the western designated as such “when they Persian,andHindi.” Online Etymology Dictionary hurricanes and typhoons are North Pacific and East Asia—they develop over the North Atlantic, No matter what you call these datesitsoriginsto1848whenitwas tropical cyclones—and “cyclone” alsovaryinintensity central North Pacific and eastern intense storms, they bring strong presumablyusedfirsttodescribean is what they’re called when they How that intensity is factored North Pacific” according to winds, lots of rain and flooding. intense storm that happened over occur in other places, such as over depends on who’s doing the National Geographic Meanwhile, And no matter where in the world India in 1789; it comes, loosely, theIndianOcean. factoring. In the United States, we when rotating storms form “over you are, if you live in a region that from the Greek word kyklon,

What is a tropical cyclone? rate hurricanes on a scale of 1 to 5, the South Pacific and Indian experiences cyclones (or

“moving in a circle, whirling

A cyclone starts out over using the Saffir-Simpson Scale Ocean” they are called cyclones. hurricanes or typhoons), the largest around.” tropical or semitropical waters as that’s based on maximum wind The storms also differ in the times and most intense of those storms The word hurricane’s origins in what National Oceanic and speed: Category 1 has winds of the year they peak. Hurricane arebecomingmoreandmorelikely the Americas date to the arrival of Atmospheric Administration between 74 and 95 miles an hour; season is in full swing from mid- due to climate change, a recent the Spanish here in the 15th and (NOAA) calls a “rotating” and Category 2, between 96 and 110 August to late October while studyfound.Typhoonvs.hurricane 16th centuries; the Spanish word “organized” series of clouds and mph; Category 3, between 111 and cyclone season can peak any time vs. cyclone, no matter what we call for hurricane is h u r a c á n thunderstorms. (In the Northern 129 mph; Category 4, between 130 “around May and November.”

themorwhereweexperiencethem, According to Gawker, “‘Typhoon’ hemisphere they all spin and 156 mph; and Category 5, 157 However, in terms of impact, the we’reinforawildfuture.

Former Mackenzie High student admitted to Guyana Bar

By Vanessa Braithwaite at the

One Mile

Primary

- Plans tofocusonjustice for disadvantagedgroups

Baha’i communities in Iran, to her Region 10 community

School, followed by Yemen, and Qatar Her work by establishing a non-profit

From a tender age, McKenzie High School, also allows hertosupportthe law clinic in Linden which Tschika McBean knew she where I spent all my time advancement of the will also create employment wanted to become a lawyer studying and always placing institutionoftheInternational for legal practitioners and Though her parents first in my class at the end of CriminalCourt. enable better access to supported her exploring the term, and in 2001, I was Her desire to create justice for residents, various career options, she Best Performer for CSEC - change using her legal particularly those who finally settled on law, Region#10.” platform,couldnotallowher cannot afford same. “Access because of her innate desire Her legal career to settle to become just an to justice is fundamental to a to establish rules, find order officiallystartedattheIthaca ordinary lawyer and even thriving society. Lack of in chaos, and solve puzzles. College where she obtained when she was a defense accesstojusticeremainsone Thosearethingsshesaidshe a Bachelor of Arts with a lawyer, she worked to of the critical barriers to naturally enjoyed. She minor in Legal Studies, a r e m o v e b a r r i e r s t o ensuring accountability and attributed her academic Juris Doctor at Loyola reintegration for formerly restitution for human rights success to the way she grew University New Orleans: incarcerated individuals and violations, domestically and up in Linden, Guyana, with College of Law, a Master’s prosecuting child abuse and internationally,” she academia playing a pivotal in International Law at maltreatment cases “I explained. role in her upbringing, as Albany Law School, and a always say that the critical Her advice to up-andwell as her religious and Legal Education Certificate thread that runs throughout coming attorneys is to keep cultural diversity Her at Hugh Wooding Law mycareerchoicesandissues their eyes on the prize. The mother was Baha’i and her School During her

Attorney-at-Law, Tschika McBean

I continue to care about is journey is challenging but father was Christian. “My academic studies, she finding opportunities to doable and becomes more parents were the epitome of received a number of utilize the rule of law to manageable with a solid great parenting and academic awards, including advance justice for groups support system “Choose grounded me in maintaining graduating Magna Cum that experience prejudice your community of high principles, morals, and Laude and being inducted due to culture, nationality, supporters wisely and when goals, especially regarding into the Justinian Society at ethnicity, race, religion, sex, the journey gets tough, education and gaining Albany Law School In gender, and other immutable remember that society needs knowledge. Reflecting on additiontobeingadmittedto characteristics.” your brilliance to keep my childhood, I grew up the Bar in her homeland, she Her inspiration comes improving; never give up; surrounded by religious and is also licensed to practice from action-oriented change directions if you cultural diversity, primarily lawinNewYorkState.

idealists who believe that must, and create a path due to the Baha’i Faith, “I became an attorney to humanity can create better forward if you have to which promotes unity in pursue my desire to advance systems of justice, because the next idea might diversity, oneness, and justice for disadvantaged g o v e r n a n c e , a n d beonlyonesecondaway.” service to your neighbours groups and support global international cooperation, to She expressed gratitude andcommunity.” justice, international

allow everyone to thrive. to her parents, Lloyd and

Some of these idealists left Barbara McBean, her believed she could serve her a c c o u n t a b i l i t y their impact during high husband, Ferdinand, her son community through a legal mechanisms,” she proudly school such as Sir Cleveland Benson and other family career and throughout her said. Currently, McBean ThomasfromtheMackenzie members and friends who school life, she worked hard works as a Human Rights HighSchool. have stuck with her from the toachieveacademicsuccess. Officer,advocatingreligious

From a young age, she c o o p e r a t i o n , a n d

Inthisregard,McBeanis beginning of her academic “My academic career started freedom for persecuted passionateaboutgivingback career

Delicious homemade shakes that can help you lose weight

Ifyouhavebeenexhaustingeffortsto lose weight with little or no results aftertiringweeks,Ihaveputtogether alistofdeliciousproteinshakesthatyoucan makerightathometohelpyouloseweight. Research shows that protein plays a major role in weight loss as it specifically works by suppressing hunger and reducing cravings.

Ithasbeensuggestedthatthebesttimeto gulp down these power boosters is after a workout since that is when your body requires instant nutrition for muscle recovery and growth. Using these drinks within the first 30 to 45 minutes after a workoutcouldbebest,butyoucanalsouse these shakes about an hour before your trainingtohelpenergiseyourbodyandboost yourstamina.

PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN SHAKE

I got these easy recipes from NDTV

Food and you can check them out if you pleaseforothergreattips.Totrythisshake, youwillneedonecupofyogurt,halfcupof almond milk, one to two tablespoons of peanut butter and 15 to 20 green grapes. Simply blend all the ingredients together, refrigerateandenjoychilledforatastyway tosatisfyyourcravings.

Healthline, another website, says thatpeanutbuttermayhelpyoulose weight by helping you control your appetite and suppressing your blood sugar In fact, it states that peanut butter helps keep you fuller for longer

CHOCOLATE AND BANANA PROTEIN SHAKE

N e v e r t h o u g h t chocolate could help you lose weight right? Believe it or not, chocolates and bananas make for a

wonderful combination!

NDTV Food says that this super healthy protein shake is packed with nutrients that can work

as a great meal substitute For this homemade protein

shake, add 10 almonds, half cup yogurt, three quarter cups of

m i l k , h a l f

t e a s p o o n cinnamon,

q u a r t e r

c u p

cooked quinoa, one banana cut into chunks and one tablespoon of cocoa powder in a blender and blend away your delicious drink. Quinoa contains all the essential amino acids and is great source of plant-basedcompleteprotein.

BERRY PROTEIN SHAKE

If you’re a fruit person and have the funds,youwouldbepleasedtoknowthatall berries

act as powerful antioxidantsand areagreatsource offibrethathelps youloseweight.

You can use strawberries, cape g o o s e b e r r i e s ( r a s b h a r i ) o r b l a c k b e r r i e s (jamun) in your smoothie. To make this sweet energy booster, use seven to 10berries, half cup whipped cottage cheese, quarter cup water, 1 tablespoon chia seeds and some honey if youlike.

Research shows that chia seeds are one of the best super-foods you can use to speed up your weight loss journey Fromboosting digestive health, metabolic rate, high iron, Omega-3 content and good fats, chia seeds make for an excellent addition to your diet. In fact, most of all,

the tiny white and black seeds are great for youtoloseweightandreducebellyfat.

VEGAN PROTEIN SHAKE

Ifforsomereason,youwanttoavoidthe regular milk or fatty dairy products, you wouldenjoythisveganproteinshakeoption. Simply blend three quarter cups of silken tofu,onecupofalmondorcashewmilk,one banana, quarter cup cooked oats, one teaspoon honey and one teaspoon vanilla essenceforflavour

Tofu and nut milk gives you a protein punch and oats add the necessary fibre to yourweightlossdrink.

RAW EGG PROTEIN SHAKE

SomeofyoumaybelievethatIsavedthe bestforlast,andIprobablydid.Thisoption is for the folks into muscle building or just looking to shed some pounds. If you didn’t know, avocados are rich in many nutrients, including fibre, healthy fats, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and folate. Healthline explains that including avocadoes in your diet may helptopromoteahealthyweight.

In fact, eating avocados regularly may benefit health in several ways, including protecting against heart disease, improving overall diet quality, improving satiety, and promotingguthealth.

Another important pointwhichIwouldlike to share is that bananas are a super-fruit that is rich in nutrients that may help to improve blood sugar levels and digestive health, even aiding in weight loss, amongothers.

songcompetition winnerlookingto snatchSocaCrown

By Zena Henry

As the Mashramani and Carnival seasons draw near, local performers are in high gear preparing for the various events and competitions. Thirty-seven year old Denis King is no different,ashelookstoward theupcomingSocaMonarch competition.

With over five released singles and two winnings underhisbelt,theperformer is no stranger to the entertainment game and is looking to extend his winning streak, while making a significant impact in that arena. Like other participants, King is currently awaiting response fromcompetitionorganizers to whom they have submitted their material for theseason.

In discussions with the Creators’ Coven, King said that his new song is called “Soca Jumbie”.The title, he explained, is fitting, as he is addicted to the excitement and fanfare that comes from the music and events of mass. “I just love it. Soca music gets the heart going and the body must move. Evenifyouareupsetorsad, Soca music sometimes just hits the spot because it just makesyouwanttomoveand danceandbehappyagain.”

King told the magazine that he eagerly awaits the upcomingeventandpatrons can surely look forward to his performance. “I plan to come out there and do my best of course.And my best usually involves myself and my fans having fun,” King said.

“Therevelerswillhavea

good time,” the artiste continued, as he guaranteed that patrons will “buss a sweat”andenjoythemselves tohissong.“Don’tforgetthe energy Soca is all about energy and I have a lot of that,somyfanswon’tbelet down,”theartistsubmitted.

Kingisnostrangertothe Soca or entertainment industry He is an independent artiste that is makingwavesnotjustinthe Soca arena, but in Chutney as well. Born and raised in Berbice, King attended the Litchfield Community School and was already interested in the art form

fromanearlyage. He said that although no family member was involved in music, he has always had the love and

talent to match. The artistes said initially he would freestyle and write his own lyrics, despite no real opportunity being available at the time for him to grow histalent.

Over the years however, King said, he further developed his skills with vocalpracticeandlaterwent to Trinidad and Tobago where he made his first recordings of “Don’t Stop Me” and “Roll It”. This, he said, was done in a professional studio and was well received by music

promoters who later hired him to perform live and at eventsaroundthecountry

Back in Guyana, King said he signed up for the G u y a n a C h u t n e y Competition 2021 where he was a finalist. In 2022, he said he was also a finalist in the CPL Soca/ Chutney competition, but later won the Jamzone Song Competition.

The artiste is currently managedbyCanadianbased RecordLabelJaggyRecords and attached to Dream Chaser Music, a recording

studioinGuyana. Kingsaid he is keen on using his talents to engage with youth andtoencourageotherswho would want to pursue their dream in this area, to go for it.

Music, he said, can be used as a medium to communicate with persons andgetmessagesacross.The artistebelievesthatmusicon a whole is a positive mechanism to address a lot of the social issues facing our societies as well as a means of sending joy to persons.

Dennis King after winning the 2022 JAMAZONE Song competition

SOCA/Chutney artiste, Dennis King

Howtostaysafeincrowds

ByRichardFrancois

You may have heardthesaying

before, that there is always safety in numbers.But,whathappens ifyouarecaughtinacrowd?

Sporting events, concerts, festivals, rallies and even somepartiescanattracthuge crowds of people that can pose a danger to patrons. How does one stay safe in a crowd? The answer to that question is what we will be discussingtoday.

T h e r e i s s o m e conventional wisdom that existsasitrelatestokeeping safe when in crowds. The points I will share below should provide you with a guideline of sorts that can help you keep safe the next time you find yourself in a crowd.

Identifyexits (Emergencyorotherwise)

This should be the first thing you do. It is essential that you immediately upon reaching a crowded venue, identify the location ofALL exits. Be they emergency exits or normal exits, know where they are and conceptualize a mental plan of getting to those exits

quickly, especially in the case of an emergency It is also imperative that you know when to leave an event. Decide whether you willleaveearlyorlate,soas to avoid the rush when the event is over Try to gauge your crowd. If you think therewillbeconfusionwhen the show is over, leave before the event is over If you have time and plan to wait out the after event rush for exits, feel free to leave later.

Paycarefulattentionto yoursurroundings

As you enjoy the sights and scenes of the event you areattending,itisimportant thatyoudonotloseyourself inwhatishappeningaround you. Pay attention to your surroundingsatalltimes Be aware of what is going on around you at all times. If you see someone acting aggressively, intoxicated and out of order, or a crowd moving spontaneously, moveawayfromthem.Trust yourinstincts;trustyourgut feelings–if something doesn’tfeelright,itprobably isn’t. If you feel unsafe, make your way toward the exits before the crowd start rushingthem.

Keepyourbelongingssafe

Whenattendinganevent that will be crowded ensure that your money, phone and keys are safely secured on your person. It is advisable that you place rubber bands around your money and to place all important belongs inyourfrontpockets.Ensure that whatever you do, you make it difficult for pickpocketstogetyourstuff. Dressappropriately

T h i s c a n n o t b e overstated. Understand the event you’re attending and dress appropriately In these contemporary times and

with the advent of social media, there is the tendency ofpatronstooverdresswhen attendingcertainevents.Itis advisable that when headed to a crowded event to not wear loose clothing or

accessories that could become tangled or pulled. It is advisable that you wear closed-toe shoes and keep lacestiedtopreventtripping.

Knowhowto navigateacrowd

If you find yourself in a crowdedsituation,itisbetter to walk around the crowd rather than pushing through it. If by chance you are caughtinamovingcrowd,it

Continuedonpage35

Govt.to abolish Preliminary Inquiries to ease backlog of cases - Attorney General

The Government of Guyana will be moving towards the abolition of preliminaryinquiries(PI)as

part of the criminal justice process with the aim of reducingthewaitingtimefor personstobetried,Attorney

General and Minister of LegalAffairs,Anil Nandlall disclosedonFriday. Nandlall, speaking

during the final day of budget 2023 debates said thatgovernmentiscognizant of the complaints about the

backlog of cases and the prolonged delay in the time accusedspendawaitingtrial.

“Part of the reason is

because currently the law requires a PI to be done to establish a prima facie case before going to a judge and jury,” he told the House while explaining that across the Caribbean and in the C o m m o n w e a l t h jurisdictions have abolished this first tier of the criminal trialprocess.

Guyana will soon be moving in this direction to reduce the significant backlogofcases.

Meanwhile, Nandlall disclosed that focus will be placed also on the establishment of Guyana’s law school, reviewing the criminal plea deal law, and settinguptheConstitutional Reform Commission this year

He reminded that last September,Guyanareceived permissionfromtheCouncil of Legal Education for the establishment of a law school. He said that the country would have signed an agreement with the institution and the government will now establish a team that will be working with the judiciary, the Bar Association and the University of Guyana to facilitatetheprocess.

Additionally, Nandlall said that Constitutional Reform is high on the government’s agenda and a Commission will be established this year in keeping with the passage of the Constitutional Reform Actin2022.

The Attorney General disclosed that 35 additional Special Prosecutors will be placedinthesystemtoassist Police Prosecutors working in the Magistrates’ Courts. The Special Prosecutors are the holders of Bachelor of Law Degrees (LLB) and weretrainedandinductedto work alongside the Police ProsecutorsinRegionsFour, Five,Six,andTen.

Bynextmonth,another

Continuedonpage57

Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairs, Anil Nandlall

Howtostaysafein...

Frompage31 isbettertowalksidewaysor diagonally across the crowd toworkyourwayout.

Stickwithyourgroup

Ifyouarepartofagroup at a crowded event, try as muchaspossibletostaywith your group. If by chance, members of the group need to separate, be sure that all members of your group identifyandagreeonaplace to rendezvous. Keep your phone charged and on Programme it to vibrate as wellasring.

Notifysomeoneabout yourintentiontoattenda particularevent

Whileweallcherishand protectourprivacy,itissafe that you notify at least one personifyouplantoattenda major event that likely will becrowded.Andifpossible, trytokeepthatpersonposted on your whereabouts throughout.

Keepakeeneyeon childrenwheninacrowd

Of particular importance is the way we deal with children when in a crowded area. At all times, keep a diligenteyeonyourchildren. Do not leave your children with strangers when in a crowd.

This may sound selfexplanatory, but one Mash Day, my wife and I were on Irvin Street when a mother wantedtogosomewhereand politely asked if we could kindly keep an eye on her twochildren.

Asunbelievableasitwas it happened right here in Guyana That kind of irresponsibly must never happen. Keepaneyeonyour childrenallthetimeswhenin a crowd. Know where they are,atalltimes!

Beforeleavingthehouse, be sure to take a photograph ofyourchildorchildrenwith a camera or smart phone. In the eventuality you become separated, you will have an up-to-date photo of your child and what he or she is wearingtogivetoofficials.

To stay secure in a large

crowd, think carefully about any and all situations that could potentially arise and have action plans in place. Doing so will go a long way to helping you feel and be safe if you find yourself in a crowd.

These are a few tips provided to help you stay safe in a crowd that you can share with your family and friends The information presented here is by no meansexhaustive.

This article is written to make you think about how you should strategically approachhowyoutreatwith crowds.

Please do your own research and find more information that can help you to stay safe whenever you find yourself in a crowdedsituation.

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 peoplequestioning–arethey oraren’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 enviableflutterthatwillhave your friends thinking you were simply blessed in the lashdepartment. Forahalf-wayhouse,ask yourlashtechniciantoblend black and brown lashes in yourset.

EXPRESSLASHES

They’remoreaffordableand take less time in the lash chair, so it’s no surprise that manylashloverswillturnto smallersetsinstead.Youcan have fuller lashes applied from the middle to the outer edgeofyoureye–perfectfor fans of a cat eye shape, with still enough lashes to add plentyofdrama. 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 naturallooking lashes is to stick to yournaturallashes!Ifyou’re tiredoftheconstantcycleof infills that comes with committing to eyelash extensions, a lash lift is a lower maintenance approach.

Alashliftliftsandcurlsyour lashes, creating a beautiful open-eyedeffect.Itlasts4-6 weeks and can be accompaniedbyatintsoyou don’tevenneedmascara.

CLASSIC&HYBRID LASHES

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 volumelashes).

Next generation ‘flat lashes’ make for excellent retention.Forthosewhofind 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’ beauty regimes have come a long way, incorporating much greater levels of skin and hair care, as well as make-up.

Sothenextlogicalstepis to get lash extensions to enhance those handsome eyes. This trend ties in very much with the rise of brown lashes and J-curl lashes Bringonthenudelashes!

….ANDTHENOT SONATURALLOOK

The less is more look isn’t for everyone, soifyoupreferyourlashes withawholelotofdrama, neverfear,thereareplentyof trendsthatuptheanteonthe wowfactor

In general, expect straightersilhouettessuchas LandMcurllashestostillbe thehottestcurlshapes,witha slight move away from super-roundedshapeslikeD curllashes.

WISPYLASHESOR ASSOMEWOULDSAY THEKARDASHIAN LASHDESIGN

This trend is here to stay!

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. Option 1 is to dial up the volume and the drama, with very full baseline lashes and evenlongerwisps.

Option 2 is to pare it back, withminimalalloverlashes, letting the longer length spikes enhance your natural lashes.Atwistonthisiswetlook lashes, where multiple lashes are applied together, volumestyle,buttheyarenot openedoutintofansfirst.

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!

What to look for in Season 2 of ‘House of the Dragon’

House of the Dragon season one ended with poor sweet Prince Luke, doomed son of Queen Rhaenyra,gettinggobbleduplikea grape. You’ve heard of snatching victory out of the jaws of defeat?

Yeah.Lukejustplaingotchomped by them. And while season one consisted of a lot of meetings that could have been conducted by raven, it made sense. We were witnessing the events that brought the Seven Kingdoms – and the Targaryenswhorunit–tothebrink of war Well, war’s here. It’s been wellandtrulybrinkedandawillful Vhagarwastheonewhobrinkedit.

Now that Prince Luke has been reducedtoastickytoffeewedgedin thedragon’smolars,here’sahandy listofthingstoexpectoutof House of the Dragon season two, when it arrivessometimeinearly2024.

1.Awideningout andapickingofsides

We stuck to a handful of locations in season one, because the story wasthatofhairlinecracksforming within a single ruling family and spideringoutward.Asthecivilwar knownastheDanceoftheDragons erupts in season two, we’ll see Houses across Westeros getting pulled inexorably into the brutal anddevastatingconflict.

SponsorMessage

LordsofHouseswithnameswe know from Game of Thrones will choose to get in line behind either KingAegonIIorQueenRhaenyra: Stark,Arryn, Frey, Greyjoy, Tarly,

Tully.More Houses means more locations, as battles big and small start to detonate throughout the SevenKingdoms. We’llstillspendalotoftimein

theRedKeep,butatleastwe’ll getsomefreshair

2.Draftingofdragonteams–andpeopletoridethem

Speaking of air: We saw in the

season finale that Rhaenyra’s husband Daemon is trying to put a dragon team together It’s like a fantasy draft, except the fantasy in questionisepicfantasy

Haimara (Giant Wolf Fish)

By uyana

Gmay well be the

land of giants when it comes towildlife.

It is home to the Giant Otter, the Giant Anteater, the Goliath Spider, and this week, we will learn that it is also home largest species of wolf commonly known by

GuyaneseasHaimara. verystrong.

While some enjoy

The Haimara or Aimara A mechanic, Sherwin Haimaraforfoodandgames, as it is known, in other parts Belgrave,wasproudtocatch others love to put them in of the world, is a freshwater one recently in a Suriname theiraquariums. fish that can grow up to four river.

Persons would pay up to feet in length and can weigh He recounted that it took US$500 to have a Haimara more than 88 pounds. It patience and gave him a as their pet but because they belongs to the Hoplias toughfight,butintheend,he are fierce, very big and very aimara species of wolf fish, w a s p r o u d o f h i s strong, only experienced and is native to Guyana and achievement and posed with hobbyist are allowed to keep other American countries hiscatchonFacebook. theadultsaspets.

such as Venezuela, Brazil andevenSuriname.

Haimaras have an elongated cylindrical shaped body and are normally pale brown or jet black in colour with a number of vertical stripesalongitsbody

This large freshwater animal also lives up to its name of being called a wolf fish. It is a fierce underwater predator that gobbles up a heavydietofsmallfishes.

They are very powerful swimmersandareextremely aggressive in nature. They hunt by predominantly ambushing prey at dusk and atnight.

There are recorded incidents where Haimaras have attacked divers and human swimmers. Attacks from this giant wolf fish are not fatal but their powerful jaws can leave painful and nastygapingwounds.

Despite being a fierce predator underwater, Haimara is one of the most sought-after fresh water fishes by Indigenous people to flavour their pepperpot and tuma pots; but catching themisnoeasytask.

Fishermen would set traps and wait patiently but when it is time to reel them in, you must be skillful and

Shervin Belgrave

Sherwin Belgrave posing for a photo after catching a Haimara

A Haimara caught in Suriname waters.

A large Haimara

GNBS IN FOCUS

ANY STAKEHOLDER CAN PROPOSE FOR NEW STANDARDS –CONTRIBUTE TO THE STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) is mandated since 1984 to facilitate the development of standards which can be applied within the various sectors of our economy The standards development process allows fortherelevantstakeholders including members of the public to make their contributions before standards are finalized and approved.Followingstudies andconsensus,standardsare developed for use within various fields of practice or sectors, including food, agriculture, tourism, e n v i r o n m e n t , a n d manufacturing. Some standards apply to products, processes or production methodsandmayincludeor deal exclusively with terminologies, symbols, packaging, marking requirements or labelling requirements The application of standards provides confidence and agreement, for example on: specification, size, appearance, quality, safety, performance,securityorany other criteria, for the product, process or service underconsideration.

More than ever before, there is a focus on standards locally as our national economyexpandstoinclude new products and services, andtomeetthegrowingneed t o d e m o n s t r a t e conformance, which was ignited by the emergence of theoilandgassector

Whetheryouareapolicy maker, business owner, consumer or regulator, the GNBS as the National Standards Body welcomes your proposal for a new standard,especiallyifithasa far-reaching impact or benefits. Your participation in the development process iscrucialaswell.

The following are the steps towards developing a newstandard:

1. The standards development process begins with the completion of a New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) which is submitted by the proposer It is available on the GNBS website: wwwgnbsgyorg This NWIP documents all information which justifies the need for a particular standard The completed form must be submitted to theGNBSforconsideration.

2. The completed NWIP and any supporting

documents submitted to GNBS are evaluated and assigned priority based on social and economic importance, stakeholders perceived needs, and future needs, in keeping with NationalDevelopmentPlans andPolicies.

3. The National Standards Council (NSC) reviews the submission and decides whether to approve or reject the proposal based on its importance and relevance.

4. Once approved, research is done by the GNBS to identify whether such a standard exists at similar International, Regional or other National Standard Bodies (e.g., ISO, IEC,ASTM,ANSI,BS).Ifa suitable standard is found, it iseither1)adopted(asis),or 2)modified.

5. Further, if no standardisavailable,further research on the subject is conducted and a draft standard is prepared by the assigned technical committee.

6. The Draft standard is reviewed by a Technical Committee (TC), which comprises of members from public and private sectors, consumer bodies, academia, andNGOs.

7. After the Technical Committee has completed the draft standard, it is advertised for Public

Commentsforaperiodof60 days Public Consultation sessions are held during this time. In urgent cases, the fast-trackmethodisutilized. Thecommentsperiodwillbe reducedto30days.Thisisa very important stage in the standards development process,sinceitensuresthat manufacturers, importers, consumers, regulators and other interested parties are p r o v i d e d w i t h a n opportunity to comment on the proposed requirements of the standard under development.

8. A l l o f t h e comments received from stakeholders during the public consultation period are reviewed by the TC, which determines whether eachcommentisacceptedor rejected (with justification). A final draft is prepared by the GNBS and submitted to the National Standards Council (NSC) for approval as a Guyana Standard. Once approved, the standard is published and made available for sale at the GNBS.

To make a Guyana Standard compulsory, a request can be made by any stakeholder and a justification must accompany such a request. The National Standards Council reviews the request and once it is satisfied, the request is forwarded to the

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce withrecommendationsforit to be made compulsory All compulsory standards are gazetted.

The GNBS Standards

Development Department awaits your NWIP so the standardthatyouneedcould

be considered for developmentthisyear

F o r f u r t h e r information, contact the

219-0062, 2190065 or 219-0069. Please visit our website: www.gnbsgy.org and like our Facebook page: gnbsgy

THE 2023 BUDGET AND SOCIAL ALLOCATIONS

PATDIAL

The Guyana Consumers Association (GCA) over the yearshasnotcommentedon Budget presentations, mainly because there is always a plethora of comments in the media, and more importantly, because any such comment, no matter how objective, is often times treated as being tainted with the adversarial politics of the country The Guyana Consumers Association, by its Constitution, does not involve itself in the politics of the day This year, however,isthefirsttimethat there has been a substantial draw-downfromtheNatural Resources Fund (NRF) and thatcarboncreditshavetobe used in the Budget. This marksthebeginningofanew era in the economic and socialhistoryofGuyanaand thisjustifiesacommentfrom the GCA this year Our comment will however be confined to the social allocations of the Budget, since this affect consumers inamoredirectway

Beforewegofurther,we would like to remind our readers that there have been two schools of thought as to how oil revenues should be spent. The first which is comprised of mostly academics feel that the easiest,mosttransparentand quickestwaytoeliminatethe scourgeofpovertyistomake large direct cash transfers of atleast$1Mtoeverycitizen, equivalent to several millions per family The other school, which consists of mostly politicians and business folk, whose positionissimilartoopinion in most oil-producing countries today, advocates that part of the oil revenues be kept in a Fund for the benefitoffuturegenerations and the other part spent on social and economic development. This Budget reflects the position of the second school and claims thatitaddresses,“thepresent needs of today and the critical investments needed fortomorrow.”

All sections of a Budget affect all citizens, but in this offering, we shall focus on the social allocations only since such affect consumers directly and we would wish themtobeawareofthemso they would be able to take advantageofthem:

Salary adjustments to an amount of $3B would be made to the Disciplined Forces - the Police and the

Army-andwouldpositively impact 14,000 persons and their families Health Workers inclusive of doctors, nurses, medexes

and other medical

professionals would likewise receive salary

adjustments These adjustmentswouldcost$3B.

Income Tax relief which usedtobegrantedat$75,000 per month would now be increasedto$85,000. Atotal of GUY$3 3B would be allocatedtothiseffort.

The ‘Because We Care’ cash grant which used to be $25,000 for every child attending public and private schools would now be increased to $35,000 Accordingly, if a parent has threechildrenatschool,that parent will receive over $100,000. A total of $2.2B has been allocated to this grant. No excise tax would be charged on fuel imports and this would prevent fuel prices from skyrocketing This facility would cost $17B.

Freight charges always form part of the price of which imported goods are sold. An allocation of $6B has been allocated to reduce such charges and this would result in stabilizing prices at which consumers purchase

importedgoods.

T o r e l i e v e unemployment, thousands of part-time jobs have been created countrywide with $10B being allocated to cover wages Old Age pensions have been increased from $28,000 per month to $33,000 with 73,000 persons being beneficiaries Public

Assistance has been increased from $14,000 to $16,000 per month, with 29,000 persons benefiting. A total of $4.11B has been allocatedforthisrelief.

To purchase or build a home, a citizen would have totakeamortgageonwhich he/she must pay interest. Mortgages for low-income housesatlowerinterestrates were increased from $15 million to $20 million and payment of VAT has been removed from the sale of residential property, thus reducing the cost of home ownership.

Taxreliefwasgrantedon the purchase of motor vehicles, both electric and thoseusingfossilfuel,which will allow more citizens to owncars.

Though there are substantial allocations for health, education, housing and water which would

include items such as upgrading or building new hospitals and health centres, expanding laboratory services and acquiring modern technology; or education which would include upgrading and/or building schools, furthering theGOALscholarships,free textbooks for primary and secondary schools; or housing or water and sanitationor socialservices such as the provision of shelters or Sports, are all

large and inclusive social spendingheads, wewillnot dealwiththeminanydetail, since they are macro in nature and do not affect the consumerwiththedirectness ofasalaryoroldagepension increase. Withthespending on specifics as mentioned above,citizenswouldstillbe enjoying transfers from the oilrevenuesthoughnotwith the directness of cash transfers of millions of dollarsforeachcitizen.

As consumer advocates,

we would always feel that the increases should have been greater Nonetheless, we are appreciative of what hassofarbeenallocatedand look forward to further increasesin12monthswhen the next Budget would have beentabled.

(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.)

Never underestimate anyone!

Onceuponatime,alionwastaking a blissful nap in the forest. A mouse that was passing by saw the lion and started running up and down the lion for fun. Disturbed from his nap, the lion caught hold of the mouse and threatened to killit.

“Please don't kill me” begged the mouse. “Spare my life and I will repay you for the favour one day”, the mouse whimpered. The lion was amused by the thought of a little mouse helping the King of the forest but let themousegooutofkindness.

After a few days, the lion gets caught in a netlaiddownbyahunter Nomatterhowhard he tries, the lion fails to free himself from the net The lion's roars of frustration and helplessness are recognized by the same mouse to whom the lion showed mercy The mousefindsthelionandgnawsthenetuntilit comes apart.The lion thanked the mouse and felt silly for ever doubting its capabilities to helphim.

Moral of the story: No act of kindness is ever wasted and no one should be judged basedontheirappearance.

The Dreamy Milk-maid – Daydreaming isdangerous

Mary was a milk-maid. Every day, she'd milk the cows and earn money by selling the milk.Onefineafternoon,Marywasheadedto

FUNWITHPOETRY

Eat right & be healthy

by Uncle Roy

There was a time not long ago, I used to hate some types of food, But that was when I did not know That they could only do me good.

The things I used to put aside –Kalaloo, bora, ochro, green tea, Pumpkin, Boulanger, cabbage and beans –Are what I now know keep me healthy

Valentine's Day

How-to: Cut-Paper Flower Card

Materials

8 1⁄2" x 11" piece of pink construction paper

Two 8 1⁄2" x 11" pieces of red construction paper or cardstock, preferably in slightly different shades

Scallop scissors

8 1⁄2" x 5 1⁄2" piece of red cardstock

Hot-glue gun and glue

Three conversation heart candies

Directions

1. Cut 7 ovals, each about 1" long x 3⁄4" wide, out of pink paper Cut 7 ovals, each about13⁄4"longx3⁄4"wide,outofonepiece of red paper Using scallop scissors, cut 7 ovals,eachabout13⁄4"longx1"wide,outof theremainingpieceofredpaper

2. Fold the cardstock in half lengthwise. On the front, arrange the red scalloped ovals in a circular flower shape so that all ends are touching (overlap ends if needed). Apply a dab of hot glue to the underside of each oval; glueinplace.

3. Place the unscalloped red ovals on top of and in between the scalloped ovals, overlappingendsifnecessary Applyadabof hot glue to the underside of each oval and

glueinplace.

4.Arrange the pink ovals on top of and in between the plain red ovals, overlapping if necessary

Apply a dab of hot glue to the underside ofeachovalandglueinplace.

5.Apply a dab of hot glue to the backs of thecandies;glueinplaceatthecenter,where the pink ovals meet. Write a message inside thecard.

themarketcarryingapailoffreshmilkonher head.Onherway,shestartsdaydreaming.

She says to herself “I will buy eggs with themoneyImakefromsellingmilk.Theeggs willhatchintochickenswhichwillgrowinto hens. Then I'll sell the hens and with that money, buy a big house on the hill. When everyone in the village asks me about the secret of my wealth, I'll refuse to tell and toss my head.” While saying so, Mary actually tosses her head and spills the milk on the ground.

Moral of the story: Do not count your chickensbeforetheyhatch.

MAGIC SQUARES

The green ones are good for my blood and teeth, The orange and red for my brains and eyes; Many others serve to keep my heart regular, So that I become both healthy and wise

Now I try to tell all my friends

To think of their health as they eat; Eating greens and vegetables will keep us so cool, We will run and play and live so sweet.

Seriously consider instilling these qualities into your personality

Take the time to develop the relationships with those who mean much to you

Spending time alone with a brotherorsister,afatherormother,and really exploring your thoughts and feelings with them, can lead to great benefit to both of you, and give you a clear insight in how to live a better life.

Take the time to celebrate with them anything they have been successful in, and they will surely do the same for you.

Work to build your relationships by courtesy to all

One of the main reasons why some people fail in their relationships with others, whether it is with parents, teachers, bosses or others with whom they associate, is because they do not pay enough attention to being polite to these persons. The result is that they fail to impress them, even though they maybeotherwisegoodenoughinother areas of their behaviour or have the abilitiestosucceed.

This is always surprising to me, when we know that courtesy costs nothing,anddoesnottakemuchenergy and time to maintain in any situation. On the other hand, people who are mannerlywillmoreoftenbesuccessful in their interpersonal endeavours, although they may not measure up in other aspects. Be kind-hearted and

Galaxies

Connect the dots to make edges so that each circle is surrounded by a symmetrical galaxy shape, and the puzzle is completely tiled with galaxies.

Each galaxy shape must be rotationally symmetric, having an identical appearance when rotated 180 d e g r e e s

attentive enough to others and make a point of being extraordinarily polite, andyouwillfindthatdoorswillopento youthatwereclosedbefore.

Be passionate about your dreams

Haveavisionforyourlife,andbe excited about pursuing the goals that will make it possible. Most teenagers do not take the trouble to look ahead and determine what they need to do to be successful, both on a long-term and short-term basis. As a result they go through life drifting along, and most timesnotonlywasteenergyandtimein activities not beneficial, but end up moving in the wrong direction and doing things that can get them into trouble.

Take some time and assess your special skills and talents, what you really need from life, and determine your goals, both for the short time ahead, and for the long term. You will find that when you do this, even when you are not deliberately working to achieve your goals, your subconscious mindwillbealwayskeepingyouonthe pathtoyourdreams.

One of the things we previously dealt with was that to more effectively achieve your dreams you should try to pursuethemwithpassion.

If you keep this always in mind, you will find that your inner self will automatically be always urging you to move in the right direction so as to achieveyourgoals.

Family is the basic unit in society, Created through love and integrity; Nowadays families are breaking apart, One can predict the demise of such part.

Family today is loaded with adversities, Frustrations emanate from social difficulties, Lack of job security, or single-parent dilemmas, Imminent divorce breaks troubled families in mass.

The origin of marriage had exalted family union, The Creator of humanity declared such dominion; 'What God has put together let no man put asunder', Humans were created to glorify the Creator yonder

God had broughtAdam and Eve in harmony, Husband and wife should stick in matrimony; The pursuit of life-styles now violates the holy accord, Tainting the standard set by theAlmighty Lord!

Lack of family integrity is the worse single threat To family life because it gets and destroys relationships, Drains most family of quality time, and innate camaraderie; Only if integrity is the center in the family shall there be glory!

UNCLEROY Tellitto

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

Krypto Inkies

Paying attention to your relationships will move you towards a happy social life.

TTips for healthy hair

For his invaluable contribution to academia, sports, and culture…

Former Lecturer and Retired University Registrar,

Mr.VincentAlexander

is a ‘Special Person’

ByRehannaRamsay

While most people associate Mr Vincent Alexander with politics owing to his affiliation and role as an o p p o s i t i o n - n o m i n a t e d Commissioner of the Guyana ElectionsCommission(GECOM), his work and contribution to Guyana extend far beyond this realm.

In this week’s Special Person article, The Waterfalls will seek to highlight the invaluable contribution of Mr Alexander in the area of academia, sports, and culture. For those readers, who may not know Alexander is the holder of a national award— the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement. However, it is not just for his political contribution. Alexander has worked with other areas of development. He is a retired lecturer/registrar of the UniversityofGuyana(UG).

Hehasservedinthecapacityof a lecturer at the UG for several years before assuming the positions of Deputy Registrar and then Registrar Alexander has conductedextensiveresearchwork

in the area of local government development.

Inthesportsarena,heservedas anadministrator:managedtheUG cricket team at the inter-varsity games in Barbados; a UG multidisciplinary sports team on tour to Suriname; and the Guyana National Basketball team at the 1988 CARICOM championship. In culture, he served as a contributor to the educational efforts of the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) and a patron of the InternationalDecadeforPeopleof African Descent Assembly –

Guyana(IPADA-G).

Mr Alexander has served on numerous boards, including chair of the National Accreditation Council, Co-chair of the Local Government Task Force, member of the Constitutional Reform Commission,andParliamentarian. He is currently Chairman of the Caribbean Area Network for Quality Assurance in Tertiary Education and a commissioner at GECOM.

Alexander also served as an expert/consultant with the IDB, Caribbean Local Government Forum, National Democratic Institute, Arthur Lok Jack School of Management (UWI), and the ParliamentofGuyana. Outside his professional life, Mr Alexanderhasbeenmarriedto his wife Dr Holly Alexander for over 43 years. The couple shares fiveadultchildren.

EARLIESTMEMORIES

Alexander grew up in a lowerincome home in Wortmanville, Lodge Georgetown. He spent his early days helping his mother; Beryl Alexander manage their neighbourhood shop, so much so, thatheoftenmissedschool.

“Some of my childhood memories are of helping my mother in the shop. That was our means of getting by I am one of four siblings and when my mother went out to the market, I would remain in the shop to sell. This would miss school

academicperformance.

“Myteachersweresurprisedat my ability to retain stuff because I would pass my entrance exams,” hesaid.

The young Alexander faced manyimpedimentstoobtainingan education because in those days, education was not free and his

hool.

Alexander said, “I spent an extrayearinprimaryschoolforthe want of resources to fund my attendance at secondary school, I eventually attended: Chatham High through a partial scholarship.”

He explained that he crossed a similar hurdle to enter the fifth form of Christ Church Secondary, where, after two terms, I was elected to the position of Head Prefect.

“Iameternallygratefultohave been able to attain tertiary education through government scholarships.After completing the College of Preceptor (CP) tests, I was awarded a place at Christ Church Secondary School. Then I went 0n to complete my tertiary studies at Guyana Technical Institute,”hesaid.

mother could ill afford to pay for him to attend high school. He said nonetheless that his older sister who was a teacher paid for part of his studies after he obtained a scholarship to attend

Alexander later migrated and studied at Kivukoni College (Tanzania), People‘s Friendship University(Moscow)Russia,and Continued on page 55

Former University of Guyana lecturer and Registrar, VincentAlexander

Mr.Alexander during a reunion of Christ Church Secondary School

Mr Alexander receives a donation for the mentorship scheme (New Jersey)

Mr Alexander is decked out with his spouse for a gala forAfrican Royalties

MUA,momoftwo andteacherjuggles multipleroles successfully

ByMalisaPlayter-Harry

Becoming a successful businesswoman in a competitive environment canbequiteachallenge,butmanyofthe women today are now more than ever eager to make their mark and become successful. As The Waterfalls continue tohighlightsuccessstoriesintheworld of business, we came across Devina Deonarine, a 35-year-old Ankerville, P o r t M o u r a n t M a k e - u artist/Decorator/Photographer/Moth

TeacherandStudent,yes,awomanwith manytalents.

OmnificMe, the name of h business, was established on May 2020.Specializinginmake-upartistry hairstyling for special occasions decoratingforparties,babyshowers, birthdays etc , OmnificMe has recentlyaddedanotherservicetothe expanding business Deonarine mentioned that she now retails bouquets, corsages, boutonniere, tutus,headpiecesthatarecustomized the desires of the customer Added to that, she now offers online shopping where persons can preorder items or purchase itemsthatarein-stock.

When it comes to doing make-up for clients, the look can either be ‘glammed-up’ or simple, either way;

clients are le mesmerized by t luminous an

dazzling finish. But with every stunning look, one may wonder if Deonarine’s prices are over the top, but that is far from the case. Her prices start at $5,000 ( i nstudio)and$8,000and if h

as to visit a location to do a client’s makeup. She offers hairstyling for bridesatanadditionalcost.

This mother of two, who is also a ull-time teacher (Graduate Senior Mi tress) at the Corentyne

Comprehensive High School, while conquering the make-up and decor game in Berbice, is also pursuing studies in the Ministry of Education

ement Certificate Course (2 years); sheissettocompletethatshortly Deonarine added that while she was an educator, she was eager to do more. She said it was her desire to broadenherskillsthatpushedherselfto achievemore.

“Duringaquietmomentwithmyself

Continued on page 57 party set up done by Devina

Businesswoman and Teacher Devina Deonarine

Bridal makeup and bouquet done by Devina

Makeupdone byDevina

Makeup done by Devina

Devina’s daughter displaying a head piece and shell top created by Devina

Wales gas project could cost over US$3B - Patterson

Senior Police Superintendent, Edmond Cooper dies

Senior Superintendent of Police,EdmondCooperdied onSaturdayafterbeingillfor just over a year, the Guyana PoliceForce(GPF)said.

In a statement, the Force said that Cooper fell ill in 2021andhadevenfalleninto a coma for some time. He wassaidtoberecovering.

DivisionalCommander

He also excelled academically and was in 2020admittedtothebarasan A t t o r n e y - a t - l a w Unfortunately,hisjourneyof excellencecametoanendin 2021afterhefellill.

The Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project was initially peggedatUS$700Mwhenit wasfirstconceivedunderthe A Partnership for National Unity+AllianceForChange (APNUAFC) Coalition government The cost has nowjumpedtoUS$2Beven t h o u g h t h e s a m e componentsremaininplace, with the exception of changestothelocation.

Highlighting this in the National Assembly on Thursday was Shadow

Minister of Natural Resources, David Patterson who also warned that this venture may very well cost more than US$3B when other costs have been factored in for the acquisition of lands and associatedinfrastructure.

This newspaper has attempted on several occasions to ascertain from government the cost attached to the lands being acquiredtofacilitatethe12inch pipeline that will be used to transport the natural gas from of shore to Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

On January 16 when the Budget was read in Parliament, Kaieteur News requested the information fromAttorneyGeneral,Anil NandlallS.Cwhosaidhedid

nothavethefiguresonhand. He said too that the process was still ongoing and that some residents have accepted alternative plots of landfortheirpropertyalong the pipeline route. Nandlall said he would share the details once the process is completed.

The Government of Guyana between January 4 and 6 this year commenced theissuanceofOrdersinthe Of icial Gazette for the acquisition of lands for its Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project.

Inthepublicdocuments, it could be understood that the Administration will be acquiring a total of some 70.6 acres of lands between Crane,WestCoastDemerara and Wales, West Bank Demerara.

In the meantime, Patterson told the National Assemblythatthisprojectis unlikelytodeliverelectricity atalowercost,similartothat of the Amaila Falls Hydro PowerProject(AFHP).

“Insimilarfashiontothe AFHP, the PPP has announced that when completed, this project will deliver power at a cost of US5¢,basedonthecostsfor the pipeline, and the power plants,buthaveexcluded

Continuedonpage56

f f

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the senior oficerhadsuf eredastroke Cooper served the Force for many years and held many senior leadership positions including

Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, and Region Three Police Commander, Mahendra Siwnarine visited Cooper’s wife and relatives Saturday afternoon to express their condolences.

Hickens said the Force

mourns the Senior

Superintendent’s death and promisedhislovedonesthat he will be given his full

honours.

The acting Top Cop also pledged GPF’s full support duringtheirtimeofgrief.

Acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken meeting with Cooper’s relatives on Saturday

Senior Superintendent of Police, Edmond Cooper

Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, David Patterson

they have received an outpouring of support from friends and family

skilledandcommittedstaff.

ByAllyiahAllicock

While the global pandemicbroughtonhardship formany,forothers,itcameas ablessingindisguise Whenthepandemichit thecountrybackin2020,itleftRobertWhyte and his wife, Carmelita out of a job But that surely was not the end of the road for the lovely couple. Little did they know that somethinggreaterwasinstoreforthem.

In a recent exclusive interview with this magazine, the couple said that after they stoppedworking,therewasalotoffreetime ontheirhands,andwiththetime,theydecided to pursue a desire they always wanted to do, butdidnotgetthechanceinthepast.

“Wehavealwaysdesiredtohavehealthier bread,butweneverventuredintobakingour ownbecauseoflimitedtime Hence,since,we were home most of the time during the pandemic, we decided to try baking our own bread,”theyexplained.

Theyrecalledthatwiththedesiretomake healthier breads, at first, they started adding differentingredientstothebread,wherethey developed the garlic/herb bread made with fresh garlic, the raisin/oats bread, the multi grain bread made with honey and olive oil andtheregularwhiteandwholewheatbread withaddedwheatgermandaniseed.

“After many trials, we developed the desiredconsistency,ofwhichwesharedwith

family and friends The responses were extremely positive to an extent of which, some persons started to place orders Eventually, we added cheese to the garlic and herb bread and was further inspired to make it as ‘pull apart’ bread, this became the most demanded bread,”theyshared.

After they saw that their breads were in demand,theyrelatedthattheytookariskand invested their savings into acquiring some bakeryequipmentandrentedasmallshopas anoutletinDiamondHousingScheme,where they resided at that time. This move would see them launching their very own bakery business called ‘Whyte’s Wholesome Bites’ which was launched in June 2020. The business was later registered in November thatsameyear

When the business was officially launched,Robertsaidthatthemainaimreally was to supply the community with healthier breadthatdoesnotcontainpreservativesand additives which they believe is a big contributor to stomach and digestive diseases. “We use authentic ingredients and no substitutes and we aim to supply our customerswithaffordableprices.Ourslogan is‘Preparedwithloveforall’,hesaid.

Havingbeeninbusiness for awhile,heshared t h a t

“Mr Ramnaresh Sarwan and his brother Ravi Sarwan who both are owners of restaurants were major supporters.

Sabrina Algoo

Withalotatthetimetotakein,whenasked howtheymanagetoovercomethesehurdles, hesaidthat“OurbeliefinGodandtheworking outofourfaith,livingbynothingisimpossible to those who believe and having that confidence that when our will aligns with making the world a better place, it will all workout;notalwaysinourfavour,butwith perseverance, determination and hard work, it will be done,” has given them the motivationtokeepongoing.

from N&S Algoo was kindenoughtoorderourbreadstoincludein herannualChristmashampers;fromthis,we had persons countrywide contacting us for moreofthebread.

After the closure of our shop, we approachedMr Mattaiwhofullysupported, encouraged and advised us. We supply him withthebreads,biscuitsandbreadcrumbs.It was at Mattai Supermarket that we experiencedthepotentialandpublicityofthe breads,”theyexpressed.

Robertandhiswifearesofargratefulfor theoverwhelmingsupporttheyreceived Justlikeanyothersmallbusiness,theytoo faced some challenges along the way One majorchallenge,herelatedwasthedeathofhis beloved mother-in-law, who he said was a majorcontributortotheirvisionandventure, “shewillinglysupportedusandpushedusto reachourhighestpotential.Whenshepassed away in February 2021, our business had already transitioned from infancy Her passing left us down trodden and we were unabletobakeforawhile.Thiscausedusto losecustomersandwestartedtoseeadecline insales,”herecounted.

Buteventually,henotedtheywereableto revive the business, of which, supply to the restaurantsplayedamajorrole However,after awhile,hesaidtheirprogresswasshort-lived when his wife fell gravely ill while on vacation in the USA This he mentioned affected the business greatly Anotherchallengehe notedtoowasthelackof

Whyte’s

Withregardtothepandemic,andthefact that the business was launched during that period,therewasanonsetofpriceincreaseson their major raw materials which caused a declineinsalesafterwhichtheywereforcedto increasetheirprices,herelated.

Asforthefuturefor‘Whyte’sWholesome Bites’,Robertsaidthatthelong-termgoalisto make their products available countrywide while being consistent in their quality and to introducealargervarietyofbreads

Meanwhile,heisofthebeliefthattherole ofemergingentrepreneursisthattheywilltake our society to greater heights. “Young entrepreneurs are the preparers of our future; their roles are to inspire their peers while harnessingsustainability Theyarethoserisk takers who demonstrate results against all odds,andaddvaluetooursociety,”hesaid.

Henotedthattosupportsmallbusinesses isformoresupporttocomefromgovernment entitiesandtheprivatesectors Robertisofthe viewthatsmallbusinessesarenotoftengiven afairshareofthesupplychain Andwiththis he mentioned that, “We are left to compete withmajorcompanieswhoareabletoremain competitive with prices. Special discounts, better tax concessions for materials and equipment would certainly aid in boosting smallbusinesses.”

Persons desirous in indulging in some different flavoured breads, biscuits, and pastries can contact the couple on telephone numbers (592) 674-2295/ 617-0171 or check out their Facebook page at Whyte’s WholesomeBites.

Owners of Whyte's Wholesome Bites, Carmelita and Robert Whyte

Some of the products Whyte’s Wholesome Bites has to offer.

“Young entrepreneurs are the preparers of our future; their roles are to inspire their peers while harnessing sustainability.They are those risk takers who demonstrate results against all odds, and add value to our society.”

From page 14 Government agrees that the and the Consortium. The deep- contract is lopsided, it will not water bid-round was followed by change the deal. It said future the 2022 Onshore and Nearshore contractswillhavebettertermsthat Competitive Bid Round which ensuremorebenefittothecountry opened on July 8, 2022 and closed onJanuary9,2023. Friday – January 27, 2023

The nation received 16 bids for eight of the 11 blocks that were ‘Keep citizens poor offered. “It is the most successful and you will have a security Onshore/Nearshore Bid-Round to problem’– Chandan-Edmond d a t e s u r p a s s i n g t h e tells Parliament

Onshore/Nearshore Element of the 2005/2006 Bid Round in which Shadow Minister for Public eight bids were submitted for six of Security Geeta Chandan-Edmond the eight blocks offered,” The on Wednesday reminded the PrimeMinisterpointedout. government that economic security

The success of the recent bid- and public safety go hand in hand. round, according to him, is a Duringherpresentationonthethird testimony to policies introduced by day of budget debates, the his Government, including Opposition Member of Parliament constant engagement with (MP) warned that the country’s stakeholders to encourage security situation will remain a upstream investment both onshore problemoncecitizensareunableto and offshore and the confidence of access basic necessities and industry participants in the continue to feel like the country’s geological prospects of the resources are being handed out to a TrinidadandTobagoprovenance. selectedfew

The team from the Ministry of Chandan-Edmond told the Energy and Energy Industries, led National Assembly that the by subject Minister, Stuart Young, country’s security situation has is presently evaluating the bids. reached its worst levels. She said The MP noted that the $58.6B conclude that $58.6B cannot do the Department, in its report, ‘2021 These results are scheduled to be the government has failed, in its allocated for ‘public safety and trick, with no plan to address these country reports on human rights announcedinthreemonths. 2023 budget, to cater to economic public security’in the 2023 budget seriousissues.Itissafetoconclude practices’:spoketocrediblereports This bid round will be followed security and general security to all represents an increase of $7.1B that money is not the problem, the of unlawful or arbitrary killings, by a shallow-water bid-round citizens. from last year’s budget. In 2022, problem lies in the lack of including extrajudicial killings

slatedtobeopenedattheendofthe She said that if there is no government allocated $51.5B for economic security and the feeling Now, she said, the country is faced first quarter of this year Rowley economic security for all, lives will public safety, but according to the of general insecurity in this with an incompetent Home Affairs said that the Energy Ministry notbeimproved.And“ifthepeople Opposition MP, not much country.” Ministry invited and received nominations cannot afford basic daily improvementwasseen. The MP related that the Home Affairs Minister, from upstream operators for the 23 necessities, there is no security She promised to lay over to the Opposition’s manifesto had taken Robeson Benn in his contribution eligibleopenshallow-waterblocks. when the price of bora has House the ‘crime rate by country intoconsiderationthepromotingof tothebudgetdebatessaidthatthere “The Ministry of Finance in increasedbyover50percent”. 2022 report’ from which she people’s safety through economic has been a reduction in crime. collaboration with the Ministry of The Opposition MP said that it submitted that Guyana has the security as it understood that, “if a Based on his statistics, Benn said Energy and Energy Industries, will ought to be difficult for the eighth-highest crime rate mancannotfindfood,heislikelyto thatcrimein2017was143whilein be continuing the engagement with government to speak of ‘prosperity worldwide of 68.74, and a murder becomeaperpetratorofcrime.” 2022, it was 76. Burglary reduced upstream companies to assess and for all’ while noting that Budget rate of about four times higher than Today, she said ‘choke and rob’ from 177 in 2018 to 108 in 2022. determine any reasonable and 2023 “leaves a large section of our thatoftheUnitedStates. crimes are almost daily and “Break and enter reduced from 926 necessary additional fiscal stimuli population with the view that the With these statistics from an Guyanese simply do not feel safe to496”,theministerreported. justwalkingamongeachother The Overall, Minister Benn said MP spoke of extrajudicial killings there was a decrease in crime and bold gunmen that execute in noting that statistics between the daylight and in the view of their years 2015 and 2022 show a 20.6 families. percent decrease “We have

The Opposition MPopined that reduced total robbery, serious private security firms continued to crimes, murder and violence by pop up and suggested that the average figures of 20 percent”, situation speaks to the lack of Benncharged. confidence in the State to provide He said tackling public safety security has a lot to do with support to the

“The number of high-powered Police Force with the provision of weapons in the streets is another new vehicles, new training with worrying concern ” Chandan new efforts in respect to crime and Edmond reported, as well as the violence and the prevention and ease with which firearm licences mitigationofsame. areacquired“forasmallfeewithno

The minister said too that the backgroundchecks,”sheclaimed. police have been charged with a which might be required to ensure prosperity is independent source, the MP The Shadow Security Minister new approach, one that is more that Trinidad and Tobago remains onlyavailabletoaselectedfew”. questionedthepolicereportswhich said that the Opposition, while in empathetic and that the police an internationally competitive She opined that Budget 2023 she said were compiled by police.

government,proceededonapathof shouldtakealesslethalresortwhile hydrocarbon provenance,” he did not consider situational She called for the release of their a professionalized police force and engagingthepublic. explained. analysis, theories or general sources of data collection, methods brought back some level of public With respect to the fire service,

In Guyana, Politicians have philosophies that speak to the and sampling and questioned confidence after years under the Benn said they will receive seven refused to correct the lopsided current plight of citizens She whether they took into vice grip of phantoms, ghosts and morefirefightingassets.

Production Sharing Agreement posited that the money allocated in consideration the fact that crimes thedrugunderworld. Three modern ambulances are (PSA) the country signed with oil the budget has been primarily arehardlyreported. Today, she said, the hearts of slated and the programme giant, ExxonMobil That directed to infrastructure projects. “We cannot trust this data past and current officers bleed for “Increase the peace” which was agreement has been described as While she isn’t against such because it flies in the face of what theGuyanaPoliceForceasincident started under former Minister one of the worst in the entire global projects, Chandan-Edmond we experience every day,” the MP after incident, the credibility of the ClementRoheewouldbegettingon industry While the People’s insisted on balance so that the said. She said, “If a $52.5B could Force is called into question. She theway

(

) citizenrycouldindeedprosper notmakeussafein2022,itissafeto

Minister Robeson Benn

Shadow Security Minister Geeta Chandan-Edmond

From page 51 office to check up his Additionally, Benn said that contributions he was there has been a dramatic reportedly told by one of the increase in the seizure of staff there that CTLS might narcotics, more arrests be defrauding him because relating to other illegal the company cannot make activities and a tremendous payments on his behalf increase in the prison unless they are in possession population by over 14 of his account number (A percent. number found on his NIS

New facilities are slated card).

forLusignanPrisonaswella “These people never new female prison and a tookanNIScardandyetthey release programme called taking out money from me”, “fresh start” to rehabilitate Jonesiterated. those incarcerated back into Jones said that he is an society interdicted cop and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Saturday – stills pays NIS for him so he January 28, 2023 decided to intervene by stopping the company from Foreign company deducting more money from deducting NIS from him and reimburse the Guyanese workers but not amounttheyneverpaid. remitting payments “I ask them not to take out my NIS. I had to bring in A Nigerian Company, three police statements to Century Tamara Logistic prove that they are paying Services Inc (CTLS), is NIS on my behalf”, Jones being accused by its said. workers of not remitting The company stopped National Insurance Scheme deducting the money but (NIS) payments deducted have refused to reimburse fromtheirsalaries some $38, 921 they failed to

ThreeCTLSdrivers-one remittoNIS. of them recently fired – “This is something that brought this to Kaieteur has been going on since I News’ attention on Friday start work with the company aftertheywenttoquerytheir and I am not the only one… NIScontributions. there are many more who

The men said that when have the issue with CTLS,” they visited NIS, they were Jonesalleged. shocked to learn that no Jones’ story was contributions were made corroborated by two other since they started working drivers. The second driver, withthecompany Ryan Anderson was employed with the company for and was with before CTLs and duh representative within its understand Ken Etete’s and providing bribes and was two years ago”, H u m a n R e s o u r c e involvement in Nigeria’s kickbacks to Nigerian Andersonalleged. Department said that the US$1 3B corruption government officials as well The man said he was company is unaware of any scandal, there must first be as senior executives of Shell taken aback because every suchissues. the understanding of the and/or ENI and/or their month his pay slip showed The woman said that it is central role of his uncle, Dan agentsandintermediaries. that NIS was being deducted news to her and has advised Etete, former Nigerian Oil A c c o r d i n g t o fromhissalary affectedworkers“tocomein Minister documents filed in 2018 by

He has since informed and rectify any problems In 1998, while in the the Nigerian Government thecompanythatitoweshim theymayhave”. office, Dan Etete granted the in a British High Court of over$100,000inpayments. When asked if the rights to a Nigerian oil block: Justice, a substantial

Anderson said too that company has made any OPL245tohisowncompany, amount of the money went payments to NIS on Malabu Oil & Gas, in a toward paying a series of behalf of its employees, corrupt and illegal companies owned by oil the representative said transaction. magnate,AbubakerAliyu –that it is confidential A lot happened in the anallyofDanEtete. information and she decade which followed, T h e N i g e r i a n cannotcomment. including Dan Etete being government noted that, CTLS had in 2020, convicted for money according to Italian set-up shop in Guyana laundering and was prosecuting authorities, and has ties to a investigated by Nigeria’s US$411Mwastransferredto Nigerian, Ken Etete, Economic and Financial Rocky Top Resources, in whohasbeenlinkedtoa CrimesCommission. which Dan Etete and his US$1 3B oil bribery Allofthis,ShellandENI n e p h e w E d w a r d

ElvisJones,anExecutive Anderson said after he thousands of dollars were scheme in Nigeria, funded knew when they made a Keniwenimo ‘Ken’ Etete Driver has been working was dismissed he went to taken out from his salary for by Super Majors, Royal payment of over US$1.3B in wereidentifiedasdirectors. with CTLS for a year now check on his NIS payments two certificates -First Aid DutchShellandENI. exchange for the transfer of The court documents and claimed that the only to learn that his last and Defensive Diving – but According to reports rightsforOPL245. state that ownership of the company never requested an contribution was made two heneverreceivedthem CTLS is part of a Nigerian Most of the money did company was subsequently NIS card from him but was yearsago.

A third driver Shelvin group of companies called not to go the Nigerian transferred from Abubaker deducting over $6,000 “When I go in to the Hercules repeated a similar Century group, for which government The African Aliyu to Dan Etete, who monthly from his salary for peoplethemdemtellmethat storytoKaieteurNews. Ken Etete is the Chief nation’s government alleges spent much on lavish NIS. the last contribution by the T h i s n e w s p a p e r ExecutiveOfficer(CEO). thatthefundswenttopaying personal expenditure for

When he visited NIS company that I was working contacted CTLS and a In order for one to DanEteteandhisassociates, himselfandhisfamily

A copy of Ryan Anderson’s pay slip showing that the company has been deducting payments for NIS from his Salary.

Guyana doles out 19 stone quarry licences

- as demand soares to three million tonnes annually

Guyana's construction boom--no doubt an offshoot of accelerated oil sector developments--has increased the demand for stone from two to three million tonnes annually

In an effort to boost local capabilities to respond, governmentsaid19quarrylicences have been awarded in recent years. Confirming this with Kaieteur News was Natural Resources Minister,VickramBharrat.

Bharrat said the licences were granted by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). He said this adds to the seven operatingquarriesinGuyana.

Bharrat said six of the 19 new quarry licensees were approved in the past two years, and are projected to enter production in 2023 and beyond. He said, “The government continues to work closely with the remaining operators to fast-track their productionschedulein2023.”

Turning to sand production

from 2020 to 2022, Bharrat said this has grown exponentially with the production outperforming annual budgeted projections. He said the rise in construction in both private and public-funded projects has given rise to this growing demand.

Overall, he said the expansion of the quarrying sector has seen an increase in direct and indirect employment.

It would be recalled that Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during his budget speech this year said stone production reached record high levels. He said the currently operating quarries collectively ramped up operations in 2022 to produce a record 1,021,000 tonnes--the highest in over a decade. An additional six quarries recently licensed are expected to contribute a further 400,000tonnesin2023.

Inadditiontoeffortstoincrease production for inputs in the construction sector, Minister Bharrat was also pleased to share

that land management and mineral mapping will continue to be a priorityforthesector

In this regard, he said the Land Management Division within GGMC has embarked on an initiative to deliver a modernized database for improved mineral propertyadministration.

He said work in 2023 will see the continued improvement of the division's Mineral Property Management System with the anticipated implementation of a fully automated Mineral Property Management System (MPMS) with add-ons during this year to 2024.

He said too those activities will be focused on an extension of the data-scanning project to cover all archived data on mineral property, and for same to be available digitally, to guarantee the posterity oftenureinformation.

Kaieteur News understands that the database will be used for a comprehensive automated mineral property management system with

online capabilities. In doing so, the GGMC he said will enhance its customer service interface and allow for the decentralization of its services to its Mining Stations. Many of the stations will be offering the same services as the Georgetown head office, thus contributing to the ease and cost of doingbusiness.

Additionally, Bharrat said GGMCwillcontinuetore-focusits attention on hinterland road development and the Special ProjectsUnit–theengineeringand project-executing arm of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.

In 2023 also, Bharrat said the Unit will continue to deploy the modern strategy of continuous maintenance which progressively encourages contractors to have a full-time presence in specific

…CathyHughescallsformoreinvestmenttoboosteducationalcapabilities

Alliance For Change (AFC) Member of Parliament(MP)Cathy Hughes has taken the Government to task over its decision to pump billionsofdollarsfromthenational budget into other educational schemesandnotintotheUniversity ofGuyana.

As part of its efforts to meet the increasing demand for qualified personsandtostrengthenGuyana’s human resource capacity, the government has allocated some $3.7 billion to manage and develop the University of Guyana (UG) in 2023.

However, during her budget presentation, Hughes noted that while the government says it wants to equip Guyanese with the qualifications and skills needed to boost local content and fill the demandsoftheoilandgasindustry, their investment in the University ofGuyanasaysotherwise.

She asserted, “How can you justify putting over $4 billion into sportsandlittleoverthreebillionto the University of Guyana, the premier institution when we so desperately need to fill the skills

gap and local content requirements thatcurrentlyexists.

FiveoftheeightfacultiesatUG are science based with the faculty of social sciences housing 12 differentdisciplines.”

Hughes questioned, “How do you justify the goal scholarship programme getting about half of UG’s budget with no physical infrastructure to manage the high expectations…? Does this make logicalsense?Mr Speaker,politics should never intrude on our educationalcapability.”

The Member of Parliament (MP) said that it was the opposition’s hope that free tuition at the University of Guyana (UG) wouldhavebeenannouncedduring thereadingofthisyear’sbudget.

“We still trust that this will be done because this is where our oil monies will have the biggest impact. Mr Speaker, we have been told that free education will come before2025.

But with an over $700 billion budget, couldn’t we give the students a break now Say a 50% reduction,ora25%rebate/subsidy onthosefees,”shesuggested.

Further, Hughes noted that while the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition was in office, there was no oil revenues to make permanentsalary increases in the minimum wage of teachers, nurses, doctors, members of the defence services, police and securityforces.

However, in an oil economy, nothing extra was added to the permanent salaries of minimum wageworkers.

“In 2015, it moved from $39,570to$50,000a26%increase, 10% in 2016, from 55,000 to 60,000 – 20%, …over the four years minimum wage increased from 39,570 to 70,000 by 201977% …And in this booming oil economy, nothing extra was added on permanent salaries,” she remarked The AFC MP recommendedthattheGovernment takes the minimum wage to $100,000.

“Mr Speaker of great concern, which is reflected is this 2023 budget, is this Government’s propensity to provide cash grants insteadofincreasingthewagesand

salarylevels.

Don’t the poorest of Guyanese with rent or a mortgage, a family most likely, electricity, food, deserveatleastthat?” theMPasked.

Hughes said that she holds nothing a g a i n s t t h e government for wanting to “top up” its citizens regularly; cash grants must be disbursedinafairand equitable manner with the relevant system in place to avoidmanipulationandcorruption.

“Mr Speaker, this budget focuses overwhelmingly on the big projects that allow the established big business to partake and compete.

There is very little to address our historic inequalities and help expandthebase.

Mr Speaker, ensuring the economic and social advancement of all our citizens, while keeping the economy productive, stimulating new sectors for

geographical locations in the hinterland. Bharrat said this is pivotal to the long-term and permanent improvement of hinterland roads which are unpaved and require year-round maintenance.

Further, he noted that these roadsserveasdirectaccesstoareas that are involved in mining, logging, sustainable eco-tourism, and the basic commute of goods, services, and people. In total, this approach will maintain over 1500km of hinterland road, and repair 40 culverts and some 20 log bridges.

Where necessary, he said the use of technology to bolster the approachtobuildingroadswillalso bedone,makinguseofgeotextiles, geo-webs, and geo-grids, and in at leastoneinstancearenewedlookat burntclaybrickinatrialsection.

economic development, ensuring sustainable development and diversification even in this new oil and gas economy is a must,” Hughesadded.

In addition, Hughes warned against mismanagement of the oil fundssincethecommodityisliable topriceshock.

She said, “We must think ahead andplantomanagetheshocksinoil prices that will come as surely as day follows night and our levels of borrowingarethereforeaconcern. We must ensure that borrowing isnotexcessive.”

Alliance For Change MP, Cathy Hughes

By Davina Bagot

As G u y a n a continues to earn more revenue from the production of its newfound oil wealth, the country has also scaled up its borrowing from multilateral and bilateral partners to fund various development projectsandinitiatives.

This stance however lands the nation in a dangerous trap, quite similar to the one that ensnared oilproducing states like Nigeria andGhana.

Sounding this warning was Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and former Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence. On Friday afternoon in the National Assembly, Lawrence took the stage offering an in-depth financial review of the 2023 Budget.

Of concern to the MP is the fact that Guyana's public debt rose by 16.9% in 2022, reaching US$3,654 9 million. She told the House, “Sir, the government's eschewing the use of the burgeoning natural resource funds, in preference to borrowing from any and all sources, on the assumption that oil prices will remain high, thus allowing easy repayment of loans taken today, is falling into the same trap as did Ghana and Nigeria,forexample.”

Lawrence pointed out that external public has grown steadily since the People's Progressive Party (PPP) took office in August 2020. The figure ballooned from US$1.321 billion in 2020toaprojectedUS$2.146 billion in 2023, or 62% she flagged.

The former Minister explained, “The country's exposure has swung from borrowing from multilateral financial institutions -

...says nation dangerously exposed to crisis -Volda

Lawrence

Guyana is falling into the debt trap like Ghana & Nigeria

principally the InterAmerican Development Bank-tobilateralcountries.”

As such, she noted, “Any collapse in oil prices Mr Speaker, will leave the country dangerously exposed to situations not unlike what happened to Sri LankaandUganda.”

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh during the presentation of Budget 2023 announced that the country's total public debt stood at US$3,654.9M an increase by 16.9percentfromlastyear

Almost all of its recently a n n o u n c e d p u b l i c infrastructural projects government has been borrowing to finance them despite earning over US$1B in the oil account for last year

Delivering his budget presentation, Dr Singh sought to allay the fears of Guyanese by claiming that G o v e r n m e n t h a s “maintained its longstanding practice of prudent debtmanagement.”

He argued that Guyana continues to enjoy strong d e b t s u s t a i n a b i l i t y fundamentals, “even as we expandinvestmentsinpublic infrastructure,socialservices andotherinitiativesgearedat ensuring improved standards of living for all Guyanese. This delicate balancing act hinges on our time-honoured debt management strategy of contracting development financing and meeting debt service obligations at the lowest cost, within prudent riskparameters.”

LessonsfromGhana Kaieteur News reported that oil-rich Ghana was dubbed fastest growing economy on earth in 2019, butnowthatAfricannationis drowningindebt.

The glory days of Ghana's offshore oil

Peru bus plunges off cliff, killing at least 24

Reuters - At least 24 people died in northern Peru after a bus carrying 60 passengersplungedoffacliff in early on Saturday, police told local media Peru's transportation supervisory a g e n c y ( S U T R A N ) confirmed the crash in a statement, without providing a number of fatalities or injuries The tragedy, involving a bus for the company Q'Orianka Tours Aguila Dorada, occurred in

the district of El Alto in the far north of Peru, SUTRAN said SUTRAN said early investigations showed the bus appeared to have an upto-date safety inspection and accident insurance Road accidents are relatively common in Peru, with many drivers operating vehicles on precarious roads and without proper training. In 2021, 29 people died when a bus plunged off a highway in the Andesmountains.

operationscanbetracedback toDecember2010.

The West African nation began pumping oil from its firstcommercialdiscoveryin its Jubilee Field Those operations delivered US$1B in earnings annually to the State.

Nine years later (in 2019), Ghana was dubbed to have the fastest-growing economy. It was also praised for the steps it took to improve the regulation of the industry

In fact, Ghana was seen as a champion of growth for other nations within the continent and further afield tofollow

But in a matter of three years, this glimmering picture of marvelous economic management was unexpectedly obliterated. Ghana moved from riding a wave of meteoric growth to now wallowing in the abyss ofindebtedness.

From 2019 to 2022, the country that was once paired with Guyana as a model state on good governance is now a lesson on the perils of the oil curse.

International media reportsreleasedinDecember 2022 said Ghana is in such a worrying state of debt

distress, that it has been forced to suspend payments on most of its external debt. In fact, its Finance Ministry said it will not service selected external debts including its Eurobonds, commercial loans and most bilateralloans.

Ghana's Ministry said, “Ghana is today faced with major economic and financial crisis and its attendant social challenges. In2020and2021,theCovid19 pandemic negatively impacted our fiscal and economic situation. Global risk aversion triggered large capital outflows, a loss of external market access and rising domestic borrowing costs.”

Nigeriadrowningindebt

Similarly,aftermorethan six decades producing oil, Nigeria, thanks to the decisions of its politicians, is drowning in US$108B of debt.

Butinordertosurvivethe d r e a d e d C O V I D - 1 9 pandemic, Africa's biggest oil producer needs US$11B in fresh loans from financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to purchase basic medical and foodsupplies.

In 2021, this newspaper reported that some financial institutions are hesitant to provide theAfrican nation of morethan200millionpeople with more loans due to rampant corruption by politicians.

Be that as it may, the N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e GovernanceInstitute(NRGI) which is closely following thecrisisinNigeriaopinedin one of its analytical pieces thatoil-richcountriessuchas Nigeria have clearly found themselves stuck between the “rock” of economic ruin and the “hot place” of environmental catastrophe

ButNRGI,oneoftheworld's l e a d i n g n o n - p r o f i t organisations in improving countries' governance over their natural resources, firmly believes that all is not lostforNigeria.

It posits that the future of Nigeria lies in weaning itself off of fossil fuels and preparingitseconomyforthe energy transition that is takingplacetheworldover

The Institute was keen to note that some countries which are rich in oil are already headed in the wrong direction.

In this regard, it noted that politicians in some countries are intent on provingthattheircountrycan become a world-class profitmaking machine, just as international oil companies did in the 20th century It warned however, such lofty dreamscomeataprice.

NRGI said, “The difficulty of navigating transition is hardly exclusive toNigeria…FromMexicoto Mongolia, from Ghana to Guyana, governments must address the unknown future ofenergymarkets.

As the world recovers from the pandemic and continues to transition

toward renewable energy, city skies may remain relatively clear But how r e s o u r c e - p r o d u c i n g countries manage the decline in fossil fuels is critical, especially after the shock of the economic and health crisis.”

GRIPPED BY CORRUPTION

WhileNigeriamaybethe largest oil producer of oil in Africa, industry experts have said that the wanton misuse ofitsresourcesisresponsible for where it is today

According to the World Bank's statistics published in 2020, 80% of Nigeria's energy revenues only benefit o n e p e r c e n t o f t h e population.

Corruption was cited as the main cause, with the net effect being widespread poverty

Oxfam America, a confederation of 19 independent charitable organizations, has also been alarmed at the scale of corruption in this African nation.

In a special study it did on Nigeria, it was found that the combined wealth of Nigeria's five richest men amounts to US$29 9 billion—more than enough to end extreme poverty at a nationallevel.

Further computations by Oxfam also showed that between 1960 and 2005, about US$20 trillion was stolen from the treasury by publicofficeholders.

This is larger than the GDP of the United States in 2012(aboutUS$18trillion).

As a result of the mistakes made with the oil and gas resources, 57 million Nigerians lack safe water, over 130 million lack adequate sanitation, and the country has more than 10 million children out of school.

Peru Congress rejects president's early elections request

Aljazeera - Peru's Congress has rejected a request by embattled President Dina Boluarte to bring forwardelectionstoDecember2023,as protests that have killed dozens rage on againstherleadership.

Lawmakers agreed last month to bring forward elections from 2026 to April 2024. But in a plenary session held during Saturday's early hours, Congress rejected the proposal, with 45 votes in favour, 65 against and two abstentions Left-wing parties demanded that the advancement of

Peru has been embroiled in a political crisis with near-daily protests since December 7.

elections be accompanied by a constitutional convention – something protestershaverepeatedlycalledfor

“With this vote, the constitutional reformproposalfortheadvancementof elections is rejected,” Congress PresidentJoseWilliamssaid,aftermore thansevenhoursofdebate.

Following the vote, Williams r e c e i v e d a r e q u e s t f o r “reconsideration”, which could be debated on Monday in a new session, though it would be difficult to reverse thedecision.

The South American country has been embroiled in a political crisis with near-daily protests since December 7, whenthen-PresidentPedroCastillowas arrested after attempting to dissolve Congressandrulebydecree.

Protesters have demanded Boluarte's removal, as well as immediate elections after the dissolution of Congress, and a new constitution “I have no interest in remaininginthepresidency IfIamhere itisbecauseIfulfilledmyconstitutional responsibility,”Boluarteinsisted.

Opposition MP, Volda Lawrence

(Source: Parliament of Guyana Facebook page)

...Mr.VincentAlexander is a ‘Special Person’

andthesecond-bestgraduatingstudentofthe Class of Lawyers, in 1985 Mr Alexander received similar rewards at GTI and the UniversityofGuyana.

EMPLOYMENTRANK

In his professional capacity, Alexander occupied a number of roles including being elected as a Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Three West Demerara, EssequiboIslandsunderthePeople’sNational Congress(PNC)administration

As REO, Alexander engaged in selfstudies in the area of Local Government and RegionalDevelopment

Hesaid,“Iwantedtobeasknowledgeable aspossibleabouttheareathatIwasworking in”

Asaresult,hisinitialstudiesandroleasan REO prepared him for his next career move After two years, he applied to become a researcher at the Institute of Development StudiesatUG

Given his commitment, Alexander quickly climbed the ranks of employment at UG He went from Researcher 1 to Researcher 2 before he became Deputy Registrarwhereheservedinanadministrative capacityfor13yearsbeforebeingelevatedto RegistrarofUG

Heexplained,“WhenIapplied,theyasked meifthereisaspecificareaofstudyIwished tofocusonandIsaidlocalgovernmentgiven myexposuretoit”

Alexander spent the next six years workingasaresearch/lectureratUG During this time, he produced a number of research papersandinformationpiecesontheissuesof localgovernment Alexander’sresearchalso encompassed Caribbean Affairs

programme

As Deputy Registrar, Alexander spearheaded the introduction of the digital recordsystem

“Wemovedfromapaper-basedsystemto one which was more convenient for students to get access to their grades and records withouthavingtovisittheoffice”

Alexander’s administrative duties increased as he was promoted to the post of RegistrarattheUniversityofGuyana

In this capacity, he was tasked with managingtheadmissionofstudentstoUG,the administrationandtheconductofexams,the payment of their University fees, and the overallwelfareofstudents

His office acted as the mediator between theStudentSocietyandUG’sacademicboard

Heexplained “Whilethere,myofficewas responsible for looking after a host of issues related to the students’welfare on campus I managed the payment of fees, often working withstudentsonapaymentplan,andwehad oversightormanagementforthevariousunits on campus, including the medical and counseling unit. We also worked with various student clubs including the agricultureclub,theenvironmentalclub,the economicclub,andsoon.”

SPORTSANDCULTURE

Outside0fhisacademiccontributions,Mr Alexander was also instrumental in revitalisingthesportprogrammeatUG

Hesaid,“WhenIwasthere,westartedto get involved in cricket and basketball at a national level again.” On occasion, he managedteamsthattravelledoverseas

“I managed a multi-disciplinary sports team from UG which encompassed players from the basketball, volleyball, football, and

years

As a youth, he played basketballandlaterbecamean officialmemberoftheGuyana Basketball Federation. He is stillverymuchinvolvedinthe development of the sport by virtue of his position at the Athletics Association of Guyana

Alexander told The Waterfalls that his interest in culture dates back to the 1970’s whenheledaGuyanadelegationofover171 Guyanese youth to attend the 10th World FestivalforYouthandStudentsheldinCuba

“Wehadateamof35persons,theydida presentation called phases which examined thecomingofGuyana’ssixpeoples,”hesaid

He also actively engages in volunteerism and mentorship While studying in Russia in 1980, he travelled between Kyviv, Ukraine, and Vienna, Austria to do peace rallies sponsoredbyWorldPeaceCouncil

Atpresent,theformerlectureristhelead coordinator and chairperson of the Forbes BurhamMentorshipProgrammeforYouth

The mentorship programme offers students entering secondary school psychological and other types of support through personal development worships hostedthroughoutthecity

In this role, Alexander has organized severalpersonalfundraisersforactivitiesthat wouldaidthementorshipprogrammetocarry outitsmandate

TheformerUGregistrarisalsoamember of the Anthony Sagba Awards National Nomination Committee which he has “a say so,” in selecting national laureates to be awardedfortheircontributionstoScienceand

Technology, the Arts, Business Entrepreneurship, and Civil Society Engagement. The award is sponsored by AnsaMcALCompanyLimited.

Further, in the area of culture, Mr Alexander has contributed to the ACDA through his involvement in the educational lectures on the history of the liberation strugglesinAfricaandthestrugglesofpeople ofAfricanDescentinGuyana

Aboutfiveyearsago,hebecameapatron of the International Decade for People of African Descent in Guyana International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly–Guyana

The group organizes programmes, activities, and outreaches to provide services andaddressissuesdirectlyaffectingtheAfroGuyanesecommunity.

In his private capacity, Mr. Alexander enjoys keeping life simple. He said although he was offered many opportunities to live outside of Guyana, his love for this land has kept him here, in service to the people of Guyana

“I am retired so most of my efforts are really voluntary For leisure, I do a bit of travellingfromtime-to-totime WhenIamin Guyana, my wife and I own a ‘Bacha’ (Russian)foracountryhomeinYarrowkabra, whereIliketogounwindandspendtimewith thefamily,”headded

Mr Alexander (2nd from right) stands alongside his colleagues at a peace rally in Moscow, 1983. Wearing a 1982 East-West Peace March rescue.

Mr Alexander hits the skis in Moscow

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.

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 needed. 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: 220-2818.

One male able-bodied Clerk required. Call: 231-2029, 6938462.

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

Wanted: Experienced Cashier, Cooks, Counter Person, Supervisor, and Labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts.

One hauler truck Driver and licence Excavator Operator needed, must have at least 3 years experience. Call: 6447088/ 624-7248.

Reputable transportation service is seeking experienced mini bus and hire car Drivers. Call: 645-0025.

Seamstress, Tailor, Block maker & Carpenter wanted. Call/ Whatsapp: 691-1918

One Puri/ Roti Maker and two Kitchen Assistant needed at Rabbies. Call: 648-8279/ 231-6591.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons and Labourers. Call:6029469 or 615-7526.

One Domestic needed for residence. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Persons to install outdoor carpet. Call: 615-9132.

WANTED VACANCY

Urgently need one female Bartender and Kitchen Assistant to work in the Interior. Ages 25-35 yrs. Call 698-5526.

697-8160.

Wales gas project could cost...

From page 49 costs for land acquisition, GPL infrastructure and as well costs associated for providing redundancy (fuel storage/ wharves/etc.) – if these are added, the total project costs will be well over US$3B,” The Opposition Member of Parlia-

ment (MP) argued.

FOR SALE

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

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.

Passion fruit, plum, jam, syrup and juice for sale. Call Andrew: 661-2828

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

Delivery Clerk, Office Assistant, Sales Clerk & Labourer needed at Lens Hardware. Call: 227-1511/ 645-1613.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

VACANCY

Experienced Kitchen Assistant, Cashiers & Roti/ Puri Cook. Apply @ Hack's Restaurant 5 Commerce St.

One female Cleaner needed. Apply at Lens, 136 Sheriff Street C/Ville, Georgetown. Contact: 227-1511/645-1613.

Truck Driver, Excavator Operator, Loader Operator, Motor Grader Operator, Roller Operator & Bulldozer Operator required. Call: 700-8131/ 600-6073.

Welder, Carpenter, Mason, Labourer, Heavy Duty Mechanic, Engineer, Engineer Assistant, Secretary& Paver Operator needed. Call: 7008131/ 600-6073.

Car wash Attendants, ages 18-28, (preferably from E.B.D) to work at Vintage Car Wash in Eccles. Call: 617-2027.

Cashiers, male and female Supermarket Attendants and Drivers needed. Apply with written application/ CV and passport photo to Survival 16 Vlissengen Road, Newtown Kitty.

CAKES & PASTRIES

Black puddings, pastries and cakes at No. 1 Canal W.B.D. Call Karen: 6876177.

At the same time, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure pointed out that the country is still in the dark as it relates to the gas agreement inked with the contractor, ExxonMobil; the costs associated with the operations of the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) and power plant; the necessary transmission grid upgrade; transmission lines crossing over the Demerara River; Gas dispersion Patterns in the event of any gas explosion and more importantly, Insurance and liability coverage among others.

ENTERTAINMENT

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

With several factors still missing from the equation, Patterson said the government still wants the people of Guyana to accept that this will not be another white elephant project just as the Skeldon Sugar Factory and the Fibre Optic cable project. These projects saw billions in taxpayers’ dollars spent to no benefit of the population.

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.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Property for sale at 211 Mon Repos, North E.C.D. Call: 602-4105/ 614-0005.

The GTE project has three components, inclusive of the pipeline, a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility to treat and separate the gas and a power plant to generate 300 megawatts of electricity. Exxon’s pipeline so far is expected to cost US$1.3 billion, while the other two aspects- being pursued by government- are now pegged at US$759M. Government said the venture will lower electricity costs by 50 percent, however independent analysts have said this may not be possible due to the increased price tag of the project.

EDUCATION

CSEC online maths classes are provided by qualified Teacher for January 2024 exams $10,000 monthly. Call: 603-9085

PEN PAL

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

Afro-Guyanese male seeking single female for business and exciting adventures, ages 47-50 yrs. Text/ Call: 676-5516.

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

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

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari hotel located at WBD (Versailles, Vreed-en-Hoop)A/C, all amenities and breakfast included, from $63USD. Call: 264-2946-9.

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

Vacancy exist for two experienced Dispatcher at Confidential Cabs. Call: 6951961 /231-5784.

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: 6190007, 629-5526.

Repairs at affordable price: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer. Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

FOR RENT

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

Two-bedroom apartment for rent in Nandy Park, E.B.D. Preferable couple, $50,000 per month. Contact: 668-3413.

One 5-bedroom house for rent (furnished) located on South Road, for business or residence. Call: 641-0959.

5-bedroom house for rent in Arapaima Ave, Guyhoc G/ Town, $ 250,000 GYD. Call: 705-9608.

Kitchen Assistant and Counter Clerk needed. Call:

Frompage48 oneday,IaskedmyselfifIam ok with where I am The answerwasno Questionskept popping in my mind such as, Am I doing enough? Am I happy? If something is to happentome,willmychildren have a support system? Another reason why I really wantedtoventureintomakeup and decor, especially, is because I wanted to offer society better and affordable service Based on a personal experience,whenIhadgotten married,Icouldnothavehired amakeupartistorhairstylistor decorator because of how unreasonablethepriceswere,” shedetailedasshespokeabout her business with much joy andsatisfaction.

The Berbician beauty noted that since her business was conceptualized, OmnificMe has grown over thepasttwoyearsandwithher putting in 48-72 hrs weekly intoherbusiness,sheisofthe opinion that her efforts will furthercatapultherbusinessto evengreatersuccess

“As a child growing up, I had always had a love for makeup and creativity, whether it was applying my mother or aunts’ makeup, making doll’s clothes or playing house ” She mentioned that when her business started, she did strictly make-up and eventuallybegandoingmakeup classes, because of the demand for it by clients It turnedouttobeaboosttoher

teacher juggles multiple roles...

business!

“It did not only build an extensive clientele, but it generated enough income which afforded me the opportunity to get high-end productsformybusiness My business actually kicked startedinthebeginningofthe pandemic, so there was enough time to engage in crafting and making accessories for customers. Through this, I gained more recognitionformytalentsand that’s how the name OmnificMe was born It means being very skillful or having many talents After 2020, I decided to add party decor to the list of services I offered, since I always had a liking for decorating The feedback gained from this service was extremely positive”

Persons she said were extremelyappreciativeofthe services she offered and her customer service Her downto-earth and friendly personality allowed her clienteletobemoreconfident when it came to choosing a make-up artist to do their make-upforthatspecialday

ForDeonarine,becoming a businesswoman has taught her what it is to be independentandtheprosand cons that come with it She expressed that she is able to invest more in herself, both financially and academically while also having the opportunity to share her knowledge and skills with

otherwomen,wholookupto her as a role model or who simply want to also be their ownbosses Whatmakesher even prouder is the fact that her independence is an avenueforhertwodaughters and other young girls to realisethat,“theydon’tonly have one option/profession to choose in their life; they canbeOmnific.”

But all that glitters in the make-up world isn’t gold; Deonarine has had her fair share of challenges Adding that time management, finance and criticism are some of the main things she hastodealwith

“Being a wife, mom, teacher and running a business require proper time management It is quite difficult most of the time to juggle all these duties However, I have learnt to prioritize and manage my time Financewasoneofthe major challenges at the start of my business Getting money to purchase products was not easy I remember I had to sell stuff I was not using such as clothes/ accessories, which I did not regret,toraisefundssothatI can put it into my business. Onethingthatwillalwaysbe prevalent is criticism I received a lot of negativity when I first started my makeup journey However, that did not deter me from my goal. I accept praise and criticismwiththesamefaith, unless it is an attack on my

Govt.toabolishPreliminaryInquiries...

Frompage34 batch of 35 LLB holders will begin training after which they will be dispersed to the remainingregions,theMinisterreported.

ThegovernmentwillalsoreviewthePlea BargainingAgreementActwhichitsaidwas introduced years ago to provide an opportunity for prosecutors and accused person (s) to meet under specific circumstances and negotiate a settlement acceptabletotheprinciplesofjustice.

This method seeks to ensure that an accuseddoesnotreceiveexcessivesentences or experience undue delays at the court. However, Nandlall said this mechanism has not worked and a review of the law will be done to ascertain what changes are required to make it effective. Meanwhile, Nandlall said with that the passage of the Restorative Justice Act last year, government will be moving to establish a Restorative Justice Centre and accompanying Secretariat with focus on custodial sentences for non-violent crimesandreconciliationbetweenvictimand perpetratorwherepossible.

The government will see the Guyana PrisonServicebeingretrofittedwithamental health unit at Lusignan, training for personnel and computer labs installed at the New Amsterdam, Lusignan, Timehri and Mazaruniprisons.

New accommodations for Director of PublicProsecutions(DPP)officersatSuddie will be completed as well as two ‘Hope and Justice’ centres will be established at

Lusignan andVergenoegen to provide legal, medical and probationary services to the victimsofdomesticviolence,sexualviolence and child abuse among others. The facility will provide accommodation to victims in a bid to remove them from their negative environment.

The Deeds and Commercial Registry department will be expanded while a threestorey building will be constructed on the EssequiboCoasttoprovideservicesthere.

Further,NandlallsaidthattheNorthWest Magistrates’ Court in Port Kaituma will be completed,aswellasthecourtinMabaruma; projectswhichbeganin2022.

The Vigilance Magistrates’ Court and livingquartersontheEastCoastofDemerara (ECD) will be expanded while the Bartica, MahdiaandCovenJohnMagistrates’Courts willbecompleted.

The Attorney General disclosed that living quarters and Magistrates’ Courts in Lethem Diamond/ Grove, West Demerara, amongmanyothers,willbeimproved.

Meanwhile, more than two dozen Bills are expected to be tabled in the National Assembly Among those Bills are the SummaryJurisdictionOffencesAmendment Bill,Companies’AmendmentBill,Landlord and Tenant Amendment Bill, Evidence Amendment Bill, Summary Jurisdiction Procedure Amendment Bill, the Court of Appeal Amendment Bill, The Limitation Amendment Bill and Criminal Law ProcedureAmendmentBill.

character.”

The businesswoman and teacher said that the support of her partner, parents, inlaws, a few relatives and siblings have been phenomenal Shehasgivena bountiful of credit to her followers and clients, since they are the ones that have helped her business expand towhatitis.“Itfeelsgreatto be an independent and empowered woman I can proudly say that my life is heading in a positive direction I am able to invest inmyself,myfamilyandmy business It gives a surreal feeling being your own

boss!”Herultimategoalisto ofcourseexpandevenfurther with the addition of cakes, treatsandeventuallyherown lineofmakeupproducts Her currentgoalisputtinginplace a makeup store where customers can access all the branded make-up products. She believes that being humbleiscriticalinthefield sheisinandwiththequality serviceandaffordableprices sheoffers;itisasurewayto success. Her advice to other women or girls is to “do not wait, do not depend, be independent” While noting that starting and owning a business is not an easy task,

she believes that if there is passion to make something positive happen then it will beworthwhile.

“There will be praises as well as criticism, take both with the same faith Assess criticism and see if it is constructiveandcanhelpyou to improve. Be customer friendly Addalittlebitofyou totheworld”

Persons who wish to book the MUA for her services can do so via call/WhatsApp on 592 6523837. You can also find her b u s i n e s s o n Facebook/Instagram/TikTok :OmnificMe.

CARICOM concerned about escalation of violence in Haiti

…condemns killing of police officers; expresses condolence

T h e C a r i b b e a n Community (CARICOM) on Saturday condemned the killing of police officers in Haiti but cautioned that abandoning of posts by police in retaliation “further destabilisesthecountry

“The anger and dismay

of the police at the gruesome killings of their colleagues, 78 killed since July 2021and 14 to date this January, are shared by all,” a statement issued by the CARICOM Secretariat said while expressing its condolences to the

families of the officers who lost their lives in the lineofduty

Notwithstanding, CARICOM said that “abandoning the role of the security forces to protect every citizen and maintain public order

“Too

further destabilizes the country”

“The protest actions by members of the police service against the Prime Minister cannot be condoned,” CARICOM said while noting that it is deeply concerned that the contrasting incidents involving the Haitian national Police indicate the severity of the challenges thatthepolicefaceaswellas further breakdown in securityinHaiti.

CARICOM urged the members of the Haitian

it anymore”

National Police to safeguard peace and order and refrain from actions which could only serve to foster even greater damage to the country and itspeople.

H a i t i a n p o l i c e officers on Thursday blocked streets and forced their way into the country’s main airport to protest the recent killing of officers by armed gangs expanding their grip onthe Caribbeannation.

Protesters in civilian clothes who identified

themselves as police first attacked Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s official residence, according to a Reuters witness, and then flooded the airport as Henry was arriving from a trip to Argentina.

Henry was temporarily stuck in the airport, but returnedtohisresidencein Port-au-Prince later on Thursday, followed by policeprotesters.

A Reuters witness heard heavy gunfire near h is home, Reuters reported.

Ademonstrator holds up a sign reading:

much police blood is being spilled. We can’t take

during a protest for the recent killings of police officers by armed gangs, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

Ademonstrator argues with a police officer outside the Directorate General of the Haitian National Police during a protest for the recent killings of police officers by armed gangs, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti January 26, 2023. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

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.

SUNDAY – January 22, 2023

Money,money,money

Many billions for education

Many billions for healthcare

Manybillionsforroads

Many billions for gas to energy

Just a handful of billions for Guyanese and their poverty

This is a national budget, orthisisanationalrip-off?

MONDAY – January 23, 2023

Schlumberger wants a stay

Now Schlumberger is seeking a stay on the court ruling.

Guyanese lives don't matter,onlymakingmoney

If it means storing radioactive materials in Houston,soletitbe.

The EPA said no trouble, don'tworryaboutanyEIA.

AGuyanajudgerulednot sofast,notthisway!

Now Schlumberger wantsastay!

TUESDAY– January 24, 2023

Debt going up, Guyanese goingdown

Debtisgoingupby16% Guyanese going down daily with more and more givingup

It's borrow and spend by thePPPGovernment

This way their cronies and cabals can enrich themselvessomemore PPP rogues and rascals collecting lavishly with projects

Guyanese taxpayers bending their backs to pay billionsmoreindebt

T

governance, this is criminal connivance.

WEDNESDAY – January 25, 2023

Who will get the $5B budgetedforcost-of-living?

Cost-of-living measures gotabudgetaryboostof$5B. Who is going to get, and how,isthemystery?

Billionsforcost-of-living measures is the perfect cover forthievery

We have to congratulate thePPPGovernment.

Its people always come up with schemes on how to trickandrobGuyanese!

THURSDAY – January 26, 2023

Another oil project pushedforapproval

Thefifthoilprojectisstill

pending.

Yet Exxon already moving for approval of the sixthone.

Thefifthwillhappen,and sowillthesixthproject.

Exxon dictates to this country, commandeers Guyana'sleaders.

This can't be a national sovereignty

Guyana has to be a ghetto, Exxon's toy and footballtokickabout.

FRIDAY – January 27, 2023

Hess making more moneythanGuyana

Hess has only a partial shareinGuyana'soil,Butitis making more money than Guyana,whichownsallofit. US$2B from three ships only!

Guyana got just over US$1B last year, and everythingbelongstous.

Isn't this robbery, criminality,andstupidity?

SATURDAY – January 28, 2023

Watch out Guyanese! Chinesefoodgoingup N o w C N O O C advertising for the supply of Chinese cuisine (food) at its offshorelocation. That means a lot of Chinese heading 120 miles outtosea, that means quality Chinesefoodcouldbeharder tofind. And that means Chinese foodwouldalsocostmore; Guyanese will have to limit themselves to rice and curryandcook-uprice!

Govt. issues call for contractors to rebuild and furnish Christ Church Secondary

Efforts are being made to have the Christ Church Secondary School rebuilt. The school was destroyed byfireearlierthismonth.

According to an invitation for bids(IFB)issuedbytheMinistryof Education and published in Saturday's edition of the Kaieteur News, reputable contractors are b e i n g s o u g h t f o r t h e 'Reconstruction and Furnishing' of theschool.

According to the IFB, bidding will be conducted through the National Committee Bidding (NCB) procedures, specified in the Procurement Act 2003, and Regulations2004.

Bidsfortheprojectareslatedto open on February 16, 2023 at the

N a t i o n a l Procurement and T e n d e r Administration

Board (NPTAB) office.

No estimated cost for the project H o w e v e r , government has allocated some

$12 4B for the c o n s t r u c t i o n , r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , extension, and maintenance of educational facilities acrossthecountry.

D u r i n g t h e presentation of this year's budget, Senior

Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh said that part of the $12.4B will also finance the reconstruction of the St. George's Secondary, which wasalsodestroyedbyafire.

On January 12, 2023, fire deemed to be as a result ofarsonistsguttedtheChrist Church Secondary School. This was the second fire at the school in eight days.The first had erupted in the school's science laboratory and was caused by chemical reaction combustion Firefighters had saved the building from burning then and had removed all chemicals from the building topreventarecurrence.

T a k i n g i n t o considerationthetimeofday

thatbothfiresoccurred(16:29p.m. and 17:22 p.m.), coupled with the fact that the second fire had several points of origin (seats), the Guyana FireService(GFS) determinedthat the fire was “maliciously set by personorpersonsunknown.”

On January 16, 2023, the Fire Service disclosed that an electrical inspection was also done at the building and the results have ruled out the possibility that the second fire could have been an electrical one.

Kaieteur News had reported that the massive fire left some 502 students and 39 teachers displaced. The students and teachers of the s c h o o l a r e n o w b e i n g accommodated at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) located at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown.

Christ Church Secondary School students at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) last Monday

The fire which destroyed Christ Church Secondary on January 12, 2023

Shabazz completes Communications Course in Europe

Golden Jaguars Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz broke new ground completing a course in Strategic Communications at UEFA Academy in Geneva Switzerland, yesterday.

Shabazz was the only football coach among a group of Communications Experts from the European Football Union (UEFA). The UEFA Strategic Communications Compact Course ran from January 24 to 27 and was attended by the Heads of Media and Communications for countries including France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Wales, Norway, Finland and Turkey among others.

The Trinidad born Shabazz viewed his attendance as a personal invest-

ment to his career.

“Its important to equip myself with additional competencies, since a lot of our work in modern football involves communication and human resource management, explained Shabazz.

“UEFA is the most advanced Confederation in FIFA and this experience has sharpened my insight for an adjusted approach in terms of Communications.

Some of the topics delivered at the UEFA Strategic Communications course included; Evidence-oriented communications, Quantifying the impact and benefits of PR in the modern world, Content strategy and campaigns, Political Advocacy and Introduction to issues management & crisis communications.

“When we look at the impact UEFA Champions League has on our psyche in the Caribbean it reflects a

Sunday January 29, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

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

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days. Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside. You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught 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 more artistic pursuit.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time 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 commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

clear communications strategy that has worked and influenced the world.

“The ambitions we have for 2026 demands a competence greater than coaching. We have to mobilize a country and get different stakeholders working towards one objective, added Shabazz.

Shabazz mentioned a need for Federations in the Caribbean to recruit young people and invest in the future.

“There is a techno savvy youngster born after 2000 that we not utilizing at all. They can reach the masses faster than a press conference with just a touch of their phone.”

“We need to recruit them because they understand communicating in the here and now, added Shabazz.

Despite his personal investment Shabazz acknowledged the role of the Office of the President of the Cooperate Republic of Guyana, the Ministry of Sport, Culture and Youth in Guyana, Go Logistics and the GFF in making his trip possible.

The Guyana National Coach will leave Switzerland over the weekend and spend 10 days in the United Kingdom observing overseas based players.

Jamal Shabazz among others participants of the UEFA Strategic Communications Compact Course

NandPersaudSkyPlusSprintClassicHorseracemeetsetforMarch5

BySamuelWhyte

After being out of action for a while due to the roving Covid 19 pandemic,theNandPersaudGroup ofCompanies(NPGC),throughits Sky Plus Incorporated Promotion Group, will be back in action on SundayMarch5.

Thatisthedatewhentheentity will be staging a much anticipated one day Sprint ClassicHorse Race meetattheCompany’sracecourse, No 36 Village, Macedonia Estate, Corentyne,Berbice.

The company boasts the only horseracing facility in Guyana where the horses run in a straight line from start to finish. The races are usually 880 yards and 660 yards. The NPGC also has the complete package which includes racing track, promotional group, racehorses,andstables.

NPGC is known for its innovation, generosity and organizing ability and as a pacesetter for its innovation, generosity and organizing ability

The company, with its head office located at its Rice Milling and Packaging Complex, at No36 Village, Corentyne, has a number ofsubsidiaries.

Among them are its Retail and Wholesale Outlet at Corriverton, Blue Sky Tech at Tain, Amazonia Rice Outlet at Black Bush Polder, NPG Packaging and Plastic Inc. at Wellington Park, its Agricultural and Machinery Department at No36 and its International Communication INC at Tain and

East Bank Demerara and General StoreatRoseHallTownthePlastic packaging and printing Factory amongothers.

Theyarealsoaleadingplayerin the country’s Green Energy drive. Onraceday,anumberofinitiatives will be in place including a slowmotionreplayphotofinishcameras andBigScreen.Anumberofprizes will be up for grabs including champion jockey, trainer and stable. The programme will be finalized and released shortly The

Coordinator of the event is Mohendra“Mohin”Persaud.

Mohendra “Mohin” Persaud

“I feel like my old self”

Jermaine Blackwood

-

Blackwood on the hunt for bigscoresinZimbabweTests.

(SportsMax) - West

Indies Vice-Captain JermaineBlackwoodsayshe islookingtoscorebigrunsin their upcoming two-match seriesawaytoZimbabwe.

“I’m feeling pretty good at the moment. I’m hitting the ball very well in the nets,” the 31-year-old told members of the media in a pressconferenceonFriday

“The way I’m feeling now, I feel like my old self from a few years ago so, hopefully, I can go out there and out in some good performances for the team,” he added. Blackwood is coming off a modest tour of Australiawherehescored63 runs in four innings at an

average of just 15.75. In those four innings he recorded scores of 36, 24, threeandzero.

Despitethepoorreturns, Blackwood noted that the failures were not due to tough luck rather than poor form.“Ineverreallyhadany difficulties. I just didn’t get thescoresIwanted,”hesaid.

“In the first game, I thoughtIgotaharddecision in the first innings with the LBW against Mitchell Starc and then, in the second innings, I thought I was unfortunatewhentheballhit my bat then my thigh pad an d lo b b ed u p to Labuschagne. In the second game I didn’t really get a

s t a r t , ” h e a d d e d Nevertheless, Blackwood views the two matches against Zimbabwe as an opportunity to score some much-needed runs ahead of the team’s three-match tour of South Africa starting on February28.

“My goal is to score as muchrunsaspossible.Inthe last three series, I haven’t scored any centuries so I’m lookingforwardtoscoringat least one in this series and get the form going for the South Africa series coming upshortly,”hesaid.

Ashementioned,hislast TesthundredcameinMarch 2022 against England at the Kensington Oval Since

Guyana Chess Federation appoints Vice President and New Director

IrshadMohamadhasbeenappointedVice President of the Guyana Chess Federation Inc. while Shivanand Nandalall joins the Federation’sBoardofDirectors.

Former Vice President, Anand Raghunauth, left the post vacant when he took up the mantle as President of the Federationlatelastyear

Mohamadwasnominatedandappointed bymajorityvoteonNovember10,2022,by themeetingoftheBoardofDirectors

He also currently serves as Tournament DirectorwithintheFederationandisaFIDE Arbiter

Mohamad’s illustrious career in promoting and advancing the development of chess in Guyana has earned him much respect and admiration in the chess community

MohamadandNandalallarebothformer PresidentsoftheFederation;withNandalall having served two consecutive terms at the helmbeforeMohamadtookoverin2014

Nandalall fills a vacant spot on the BoardofDirectorswherehewillnowserve alongside GCF President Anand Raghunauth, Vice President Irshad Mohamad,CompanySecretaryMarciaLee, Loris Nathoo, Davion Mars and Yolander Sammy.

During Nandalall’s eventful tenure, the game was introduced to many underprivilegedyouths,someofwhomlived in the Tiger Bay community Under his leadership, the GCF was awarded as the ‘MostImprovedAssociation’of2011bythe NationalSportsCommission.

He did all this while spearheading the revivalofchessafteraperiodofdormancyin

the early 2000s. Local chess catapulted as a sportmeantforallGuyaneseasthegamewas taken out of Georgetown in a series of OneDaycompetitions.

Nandalall and members of his executive team organized tournaments at venues in Berbice, West Demerara, Linden and even Bartica, raising awareness of the game country-wide.

The Board extends a warm welcome to Mr Nandalallandlooksforwardtoworking withhimtofurtherdevelopchessinGuyana.

The nextAnnual General Meeting of the Federation in November 2023 will elect a newgoverningbody

then,he’sscored237runsin eightinningsatanaverageof 29.62 with one half century, 63 against Bangladesh in AntiguainJune2022.

The first Test against Zimbabwe bowls off on February4.

Shivanand Nandalall

BCQS Squash Masters starts Wednesday

The Guyana Squash

Association (GSA) commencesthelocalsquash season with the BCQS

S q u a s h M a s t e r s

Competition from

Wednesday, February 1, at the Georgetown Club Courts,CampStreet.

The event, which will run until Saturday, February 4, will also be the first international tournament to kick-start a packed calendar

year of activities for Squash inGuyana. According to Chairman of Competitions, Deje Dias, they have confirmed over fifteen international players from across the SouthernCaribbean that will be on show The GSA Executive revealed to Kaieteur Sports thatplayerssettobehere(in Guyana)fortheBCQS2023 Squash Masters hails out of countries such as Barbados,

British Virgin Island (BVI), TrinidadandTobagoaswell asTurksandCacaos.

There will be matches everynightwithatleastfour being contested each day

The GSA also promised a little extra action happening on Friday with the first of finals to be hosted on Saturdayafternoon.

Action is scheduled to start at 4:00pm on Wednesday

- Over15International Players to attend

Brathwaitestrokesunbeaten centuryondayoneoftour matchagainstZimbabweXI

(SportsMax) - West Indies Test Captain Kraigg Brathwaite signalled his intent for the Caribbean side’s upcoming two Tests against Zimbabwe with an unbeaten116onthefirstday of their four-day tour match against a Zimbabwe XI in BulawayoonSaturday

The tourists ended day one on 313-5 in their 90 overs,ledbytheskipperwho retired his innings after reaching116from170balls. Brathwaite, a member oftheICCTestTeamofthe Year for 2022, shared in a 137-run opening standwith Tagenarine Chanderpaul after the hosts won the toss andelectedtofieldfirst. Their stand ended when Chanderpaul was dismissed for 46 by pacer Tanaka Chivanga in the 43rdover

The next man to go wasRaymonReiferfor23 before Nkrumah Bonner ( 3 ) a n d J e r m a i n e Blackwood (17) followed soonafter.

With the team at 240-4 in the 71st over, Kyle MayersandDevonThomas combinedtoaddanother55 runs to the Windies’ total before Mayers was

dismissed for 46.The day ended with Thomas and JoshuaDaSilvaatthecrease on42andnine,respectively

Shumba all took a wicket apiece Scores after Day

One: West Indies 313-5 from 90 overs (Kraigg Brathwaite 116, Kyle Mayers 46, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 46)

Jason Van Dijk (left) missed one during his loss to JonathanAntczak in their match in 2022.

Kyle Mayers (Photo: Munir Uz zaman/AFP)

ShaffeeullahSawmillssponsorsBCB UpperCorentyneSchoolsU-19Tourney -R.SinghTruckingdonatestoSchoolGearproject

Th e m a s s i v e marketing drive of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) to obtain sponsorship for all of its projected 2023 tournaments before the start of the season continues to bear fruit as Upper Corentyne businessman, ImranShaffeeullah,cameon board to sponsor an Inter Secondary School Tournamentinthatarea.

The businessman, on Friday last, confirmed his support by handing over a cheque to Chairman of the B C B C o m p e t i t i o n Committee, Leslie

Soloman, at his Crab Wood Creek Office in the presence of the board president,HilbertFoster Foster, who has been s p e a r h e a d i n g t h e marketing drive, stated that the BCB has so far obtained sponsorship and commitment for over ninety percent of its proposed tournaments in 2023

The Upper Corentyne Inter Secondary School Tournament would be contested by the Line Path, Skeldon, Tagore Secondary, Black Bush Polder and Central Secondary Schools.

The winner of that zone would then go on to play the winner of the other three zones - West B e r b i c e , N e w Amsterdam/Canje and Lower Corentyne for the o v e r a l l B e r b i c e championship.

The BCB, Foster noted, has already assisted all the twenty three schools in the county with uniforms, balls and some gear and is on the verge of conducting coaching sessions in every school

In addition to the inter s e c o n d a r y s c h o o l tournament, the active BCB

would also be hosting a historicinterprimaryschool tourneyforprimaryschool.

Each of the sixty five schools in both regions five and six would also receive assistance in form of equipment to play. Soloman reassured the sponsor that the tournament would be well organised and expressed gratitude for thesupport.

Shaffeeullah in response, stated that he wasaverypassionatecricket fan and was very impressed withtheworkoftheBerbice Board and was delighted to assist.

Late last year, he had assisted the BCB to obtain some necessary coaching equipment for its county wideprogramme.

Me a n w h i l e , t h e Management of R Singh

Trucking Service and Sawmills also made a financial contribution to the board to obtain flannel balls for its upcoming inter

primary school programme. The BCB is aiming to distribute close to seven hundred thousand dollars worthofbatsandballsunder thespecialproject.

Thanks were also expressed to Raymond Singhofthecompanyforhis support.

(This is an official release of the BCB

Imran Shaffeeullah hands over sponsorship to BCB’s Leslie Soloman

Guyana

Sports Shabazz completes Communications Course in Europe