Kaieteur News

K

Govt. fails to meet Friday Edition NEWS EITI deadline for beneficial ownership of - continues to keep Kaieteur, Canje Blocks mining contracts secret AIETEUR

January 01, 2021 -Vol. 23 No.01

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 99,009

Next Edition on Sunday Jan. 03, 2021

Gas-to-shore project, a recipe for bankruptcy - US financial expert Bharrat Oil contract wording Jagdeo says... appears to give Exxon

sovereignty over Guyana

Asphalt sold at Garden of Eden Plant goes 10 miles to be weighed - Audit Parliamentary staff to be tested for second time after Speaker's second C O VID-19 diagnosis p.26

...Despite scale right next door

El Dorado’s gold buying system is above board - company insists

May the Peace and Blessing of our Creator be upon you as we embark on this New Year 2021. We will certainly need it.

Our country is in deep problems. Our political leaders have pawned our future to the oil companies. The agreements, which they signed have shackled our nation and deprived us of our entitlements.

The new year should not blindside us from this reality. We must not be diverted or distracted from that which is most important to us – ensuring a better life for us and our children. In this new year, we cannot sit back and allow this unacceptable state of affairs to continue. We have to make it right.

As we press for better terms for our oil wealth, we must insist o n m o r e e ff e c t i v e policing of oil exploration and production. Proper audits are a must. We must not be gullible and accept whatever the oil companies throw at us.

The gaping policy gaps should be filled.

The failure to devise a National Oil Depletion Policy effectively hands the management of our oil resources to the oil companies, and exposes future generations to a future of want and need.

The absence of a robust Local Content Policy l i m i t s l o c a l participation in the i n d u s t r y. A n e w Petroleum Act is long overdue to safeguard our resources and to ensure greater transparency and accountability. Kaieteur News will continue to be the advocate for these things in 2021.

We thank you for your support during the past year. And we look forward to continuously provide you our readers with the same fearless reporting and opinions, as we did in 2020.

TUNE IN TO KAIETEUR RADIO @ 12 NOON & 7 PM TO HEAR WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH YOUR OIL…!

A Happy New Year!

Keep the faith!

Harbour Bridge pays TT company $9M one year

before company registered Please tune in to Kaieteur Radio @ 12:00 noon & 7:00pm for two presentations from Mr. Glenn Lall & Kiana Wilburg, who will explain some key issues on oil and gas sector. Don't miss it!

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 01, 2021

Gov’t fails to meet EITI deadline on beneficial - continues to keep ownership of Kaieteur, Canje Blocksmining contracts secret

T

he Government of Guyana has failed to make good on their promise to release the beneficial owners of the Kaieteur and Canje blocks—two lucrative oil concessions offshore Guyana caught in controversy for their less than transparent awards.

Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo, who holds an oversight responsibility for the oil and gas industry, had disclosed on November

7 that the government would have been making efforts to ascertain the beneficial owners of the oil blocks, and would look to have them disclosed before the end of 2020. This deadline is in keeping with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

During a press conference held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre (ACCC), Dr. Jagdeo had said that the government intends

to have a greater understanding of the ownership structure of the companies with the oil licences, while noting that this is important for transparency and for taxation purposes.

Further, Jagdeo had said that while a number of the companies which are operating Guyana’s oil blocks are registered in tax havens, including Barbados and the Cayman Islands, the government would have

been doing their best to ensure it goes after their information to ensure they pay their fair share of taxes.

He had been reminded that, Guyana as a member of the EITI, is required to make public the names of the beneficial owners before year-end. Asked if Guyana will be able to meet this deadline, Jagdeo said it may be possible.

However, up to press time yesterday, none of these disclosures had been made

public. Those contracts from the mining sector are also yet to be released.

Kaieteur News would have reported that the call for the release of information on beneficial ownership was made by EITI in October.

The international body had said it decided to crack down on this global problem since hidden identities in the extractive sectors only help to feed corruption and tax evasion. It also added that (Continued on page 8)

Kaieteur News

Friday January 01, 2021

Harbour Bridge paid TT Company $9M one year before company registered

T

he state-owned asphalt plant located at Garden of Eden reportedly paid a Trinidad-based company $9 million for the supply of cold mix asphalt in 2016, roughly a year before the company was legally registered. Same was revealed during an audit of the asphalt Plant after allegations of a racket involving the purchase of asphalt at the state-run entity controlled by the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB).

The cold mix asphalt refers to the asphalt mixture blended by unheated aggregate, mineral filler and dilute asphalt. The cold asphalt mixture is a high-tech road repair material, suitable for repairing different types of road surfaces under any environment, such as asphalt concrete road, parking lot, airport runway and bridges expansion joint.

The report outlined that the cold mix was purchased from a company in Trinidad a n d To b a g o t h a t w a s registered in Trinidad and Tobago in April 2016, the same year when the cold mix was purchased.

“We noted at the time of purchase, the supplier of the cold mix was not a known seller of the product. Our analysis of the general ledger revealed that the company was paid the sum of $9,814,600 on the 17th November, 2015, the year before it was incorporated,” the reported stated.

“Management advanced the Plant’s fund to a company that was legally non-existent and as such, exposed the Plant to the risk of non-recourse in the event of non-delivery,” it added.

Several discrepancies were also discovered relating to the purchase of the cold mix. The report stated that there was no approval given by the Board to authorize the purchase.

There was also no feasibility study conducted to determine whether it was beneficial to procure and sell cold mix. In fact, the report pointed out that from analysis, the cost of procuring cold mix is “approximately eleven (11) times that of Asphalt.”

The audit revealed that management did not abide by the policy of the plant as decisions of this nature should have been approved by the Board. In the event that a Board was not in place, approval would have had to

be given by the subject Minister at that time.

The investigating team also reported that they were unable to determine the rationale behind acquiring cold mix from a new company

asphalt but as an option for the early intervention of Ministry road maintenance (all weather) and far outlying areas.

Management was also said to have submitted a news

Cold mix. rather than an established supplier.

In response to the finding, the DHB management explained that the decision of entering the sale of cold mix was done after consultation and deliberation with Public Infrastructure Ministry management.

It stated that the usage of cold mix was not to replace

article purportedly containing details of a feasibility study being conducted but according to the team, “no documentation was found in that regard.”

“Please see Stabroek News article dated 28th November, 2015 with respect to feasibility on cold mix.

Also please see attachment, (Continued on page 16)

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Kaieteur News

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Friday January 01, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

A Grouchy Goodbye to the Year 2020 An Editorial Poem Goodbye to the year, 2020 Of anni horribilis, the worst.

With trials and tribulations aplenty, We might as well pay tribute in verse.

Goodnight to you, President Ali, Of responsibilities and suit sizes large.

We pray that to your challenges, you’ll rally, Though some say your VP’s really in charge.

Goodnight to you, Mr. Granger, And goodbye to your delusional coup.

Please feel free to be an absolute stranger, Our would-be Beta-Burnham, v. 2.

Goodnight to our dear friends, the Yankees And your unfortunate democratic hump.

While we’d suggest you threaten to spank, he’s Liable to like it – he’s Trump.

Goodbye to the novel coronavirus – Thank God, there’s finally a vaccine.

One more year of lockdown would mire us, In a situation that’s patently obscene.

Goodbye to our promised oil riches, We’d be lucky to see a single red cent.

Goodnight to the compromised b___ches, Who’re making us, in our own house, pay rent.

Goodbye to this mad year, so tragic As if the whole world ran out of luck.

Here’s hoping this new year is magic – Or else, well… you know…

Glenn Lall should be Guyana’s “Man of the Year” for 2020 Dear Editor, Hands down, the indomitable Mr. Glenn Lall would be my pick for Guyana’s “Man of the Year for 2020.”

Mr. Lall and his Kaieteur News (KN) paper has singlehandedly stood in the gap and swam against the tide of silence and apparent corruption that has enveloped the country with respect to oil. As a national, “people’s” paper, KN’s investigative journalism has steadfastly exposed any corruption regardless of which party is in power. A party’s fortune might rise or fall because of the trusted reporting and exposes of KN, against whom several libel suits have been filed largely as a deliberate strategy to silence the paper from unearthing fraud and corruption in Government.

The KN as Guyana’s largest newspaper has dedicated enormous

resources to cover Guyana’s fledgling Oil and Gas (O&G) industry that has completed one year of operation. KN has staff dedicated specially to covering the O&G industry. Under Lall’s leadership, KN Radio has weekly programmes with two of Guyana’s leading journalists - “Guyana’s Oil and You” with Senior Journalist Kiana Wilburg and “Petroleum 101” with Senior Journalist Kemol King – two of Guyana’s brightest journalists who have become experts in O&G reporting. As if that was not enough, Mr. Lall himself is appearing on the “ G l e n n L a l l s h o w. ” Additionally, every day KN carries a link to an Oil Petition by the Oil and Gas Governance Network ( O G G N https://www.oggn.website) calling on the Government of Guyana to follow Guyana’s laws concerning Oil and Gas

and to renegotiate the oil contracts (Petition at https://www.change.org/urg ent-enforce-guyana-lawsoil-contracts).

K N ’s c o v e r a g e h a s recruited oil experts and commentators locally and from all over the world as featured guests on his various radio programmes and newspaper columns.

D a i l y, h e h o l d s o u r Government and Opposition accountable for our oil destiny and reprimands them for failure to renegotiate the oil contracts. His mantra is that both the Government and Opposition have sold out Guyana’s oil and oil blocks for mere pittances, and that there needs to be a united front to secure a renegotiation of our oil deals. KN’s and Mr. Lall’s stance is that we should not have to “scratch” for a living, when Guyana is the most endowed in CARICOM with an abundance of natural

resources.

KN’s coverage has been Guyana’s main daily source of information on Guyana’s Oil and Gas. They have also featured oil stories from other oil nations to warn Guyana to avoid the pitfalls of others including issues of oil policies and practices, oil corruption and the oil curse.

KN’s dedication of an entire “Blunt” page daily to chide our leaders to take proper action for accountability and proper management of oil shows Mr. Lall’s impatience at our leaders in taking urgent action to correct our current course in oil.

Mr. Lall’s laser-like focus on O&G is because of his deep conviction that O&G properly managed and devoid of corruption, offers Guyana’s best hope for a better life for all Guyanese.

But the renegotiation of current contracts largely (Continued on page 6)

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL! Dear Editor, As we bid farewell to a miserable 2020, many Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora will waltz to the famous ballad “Auld Lang Syne” hoping that 2021 would be a prosperous, peaceful and pandemic free year for Guyana. There are some with great expectations and others with less for 2021.

Many resolutions will be made but most will quickly be forgotten. It is the belief that New Year resolutions were first made during the reign of the Roman Emperor Caesar and were of a moral nature such as praying, sharing of gifts and being kind to others. New Year resolutions should not only be about fulfilling a personal wish, but also to help others, especially the less fortunate in our society.

Historically, a new year was observed to commemorate an important phase in the passage of time.

It was connected to agricultural cycles, which Ancient Egyptians associated with the flooding of the Nile River to fertilize the soil in order to produce abundant food crops for their kingdom. The Thais celebrate the New Year in April with the throwing of water, in the hopes that it will rain plentiful for their food crops. The Chinese follow a lunar or new moon calendar cycle, which means that in 2021 their new year will

begin in February.

In Guyana and the western world, the observance of the New Year in January can be traced to the Roman God, Janus, who was portrayed as the guardian of the beginnings and endings with two faces, one looking to the past and the other towards the future.

Perhaps the most important aspect of the New Year is the seriousness with which we as Guyanese view it.

It is the hope of many that the New Year would bring positive changes to the country and to all Guyanese.

It is a time for us to find our purpose in society, carve out our destiny, foster unity and reflect on the good and bad times. It is also a time to empathize with the families and friends who have lost loves ones, especially to the pandemic, those who are bed-ridden, jobless and homeless, victim of murders and crimes, the elderly and the poor and suffering.

It is the wish of many that 2021 would bring renewed hope to all, lift the spirits of those battling depression, alcohol and substance abuse and hopelessness. It should be the beginning of a new era to rebuild and unify the nation, end domestic violence against women and the sexual molestation and abuse of children and respect for the rights of all in society, irrespective of their socioeconomic status. The New

Ye a r s h o u l d b e o f tremendous significance for the country and people of Guyana with its pending massive oil wealth. It would be the 55th year of independence, which is the h e a r t o f t h e n a t i o n ’s consciousness, heritage, identity and destiny.

Today, Guyana is beset by a series of crisis, some of which can be traced to spurious and unfulfilled promises of early postindependence period. Most of the goals that were set for its development in those momentous years since independence have not been achieved.

Today, its economy is not as healthy as it should be and many, if not most of its national institutions remain dysfunctional.

The Irfaan Ali government is faced with the arduous task of solving many of the problems inherited from the last administration, particularly the pandemic health crisis, opening of three of the four sugar estates, the shortage of houses, and a health and educational system that needs urgent and critical care.

However, there were some positive developments in 2020. The people’s confidence in democracy has been restored, after its near collapse during the five frightening and demoralizing months of

unsuccessful and desperate attempts to change the outcome of the elections by the opposition. Their hope is that the government would embark on the process to unite the races, enrich our core cultural values and improve our modes of behaviour in society. As a nation, we must explore and understand our spiritual selves, think positive and eat healthy. We cannot properly be of service to others and to our country, if we are not healthy.

The New Year should be the beginning of a new era for our oil-rich Guyana.

2021 should be a year for introspection and atonement by our leaders, the building of a robust economy, the creation of jobs, an end to homelessness, the eradication of poverty, and improving the lives of the poor. We must strive for equality and justice for all and accelerate progress towards the realization of the goal of a better life for all.

Happy New Year to all.

We take this opportunity to extend a happy New Year to the government, the opposition, those who fought for our democracy, the media outlets including this newspaper, and to all the frontline workers of the COVID-19 pandemic and to all our relatives and friends near and far.

Sincerely, Dr. Asquith Rose

Friday January 01, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Keeping the sugar industry functioning An uncomplimentary picture

Dear Editor, Those of us who have spent extended periods in the sugar industry, in some cases before it was nationalised in 1976, and at the highest managerial level, must, not for the first time, look askance at those who glibly proffer such remarks as follows: ‘But much of that cost is loaded with management. In addition there is a lot of theft of materials – equipment, fertilizers, man-hours, etc.

There is stealing, from top to bottom of materials.’

The foregoing quotes appear in SN of December 30. There are by no means new insults. And yet, one does not recall any explicit exposure by any of the political decision-makers over time.

The inference of ‘stealing from top to bottom’ must certainly have implications that should attract the ire of the relevant union leaders.

They should insist on proof of allegations, and not nonchalantly allow the character of the membership to be wantonly sullied.

For if the remarks are founded substantively in truth, then they contradict the contention of ‘keeping the sugar industry functioning.’

Wi t h regard to commentary on the cost of producing sugar, please note the following excerpts from a paper presented to the Guyana Institute of Historical Research in 2017 – at a time when it was recorded that ‘the industry was spending close to $7.2B annually on drainage and irrigation, not only to the benefit of estates but surrounding communities – with no government

disbursement.’

About Social Benefits Here is what the paper also had to say: “a) Health Services Long before the concept of a National Insurance Scheme was developed, the industry had been providing free medical services to its several thousands of employees – 28,000 in the 1960s, 17,000 in 2017, to their spouses and all unemployed children up to 18 years. Add to that, 5,235 pensioners in 2017.

It would be of interest to learn which employer in the world has a similar programme – for example the total cost in 2016 was $44.4M. Services are conducted by 6 EMOs and 29 para-medical staff operating in 15 Primary Health Care Centres and 2 Regional Diagnostic Centres – where hundreds of statutory medical examinations and treatments are carried out.

In 2016 the total attendance was 88,913.

But again before the NIS in 1969, there was established a Contributory Hospitalization and Maternity Insurance Scheme, which now covers the cost of treatment locally and overseas.

Current membership of 3,500 includes from Managers to Weekly Workers.

The amount paid to hospitals alone in 2016 totalled some $17M of which 42 employees were beneficiaries.

In addition, the industry must certainly be the biggest shareholder in the National Insurance Scheme. a) R e t i r e m e n t Benefits The provision for retirement has long been maintained, with the establishment of a

contributory pension scheme – with current funding approximately $100M. b) Education There is no question that sugar has always been more than just an industry. Its contribution to education and development of any level of employee to a very high standard has been unmatched by any employer in the Caribbean for the past six decades.

The Cadetship programme which was initiated by the private owners in the 1950s is still viable – over the last five years alone at UG’s degree course, and at GSA Diploma Course – all in Agriculture.

Over the last five years approximately $7M has been spent on 22 Cadets; some $30M on Management Trainees and $36M on GSA Cadets.

Over the same period, the industry has funded Bursary Awards to 1,179 students, children of workers at a cost of just over $46M. It also manages an Assistance to Study Scheme for which all employees are eligible. Cost for the same five year period was over $4M – to which 71 employees were recipients.

Then there is a Work Study Programme, where we encourage students from various schools to be engaged in short periods in the industry. The five year cost for 75 students was over $2M. Apprentices But the prime investment about which the Industry is justifiably proud is the first of its kind in the country technical education institution – its Apprentice Training Centre at Port Mourant celebrated its 60th Anniversary only last month.

Over the past five years, the Industry has graduated some 581 tradesmen – (Fitter Machinist, Agriculture Mechanic, Electrician, Auto Electrician, Instrument Repair Mechanic and Sugar Boilers) - at a cost of approximately $50M.”

Apart from the fact that related expenditures continue to increase (with the possible exception of drainage and irrigation being transferred to the NDIA), there simply are no comparable costs in the sugar industry anywhere in the world, or for that matter, any other industry (local or elsewhere) when it comes to its investment in Health and Education.

Meanwhile agriculture is highly subsidized in capitalist USA, for example.

But in the final analysis, it is inappropriate to accuse management and workers of GuySuCo of being dishonourable (more so without proof), and so demotivate them from rising as a team to the task of reviving the sugar industry, albeit in the face of the enormous Skeldon Elephant.

Wi t h regard to teamsmanship, how many have heard of the long instituted proactive Workers Council on every estate? But then so few know of how the organization is structured, except possibly the auditors.

All the above should not deter GuySuCo’s legal department from researching whether the aforementioned allegations do not provide grounds for suing appropriately.

E.B. John

Dear Editor, On the morning of December 29, 2020, I tuned in to the Voice of Guyana to listen to the 7am Guyana time news broadcast. Some minutes after 7am, I heard an interview featuring the Honourable Minister of Finance.

The Minister was asked to explain the financial situation as it was when the new administration took office in August 2020. The minister claimed to be citing official records at his disposal, as he responded to several prompts put to him by his interviewer.

I have to say unlike other government speakers on the subject the Honourable minister gave the impression that he was avoiding the usual political adversarial attacks and sticking to a description of the financials of what the coalition government had accomplished: (a) from 2015 and (b) during the tenure of the caretaker administration.

The picture he described was uncomplimentary to the outgoing administration. In the words of the minister, it could only be described as a “disaster.”

Unlike his colleague, the Honourable Attorney General, Mr. Anil Nandlall, the Minister of Finance did not claim that the victory of the PPP/C in the March 2 general election represented, “the triumph of good over evil,”

the strongest indictment I have heard since I began listening to public discussion.

However, what he disclosed and wishes his audience to regard as factual in the administration of the coalition government, would discredit any administration since the Second World War. Since we the people of Guyana expect to be able to come to grips with the process of government by listening to the free communication of various political organizations and in particular of the main rivals, I feel bound to recommend to government media that equal time should be offered as early as possible to the official representatives of the previous coalition government to respond as it sees fit, and is inclined to do to the indictment placed into the public area by the Honourable Minister of Finance on December 29, 2020.

Such an offer, if it is accepted, will allow the population to form opinions based on what each of the main rivals is prepared to defend as true and factual.

The exchange will also allow the responding party to correct any exaggeration and to explain any breach on its side on the rules of normal financial behaviour as laid down by the constitution, by financial regulations and by best practice.

Yours respectfully, Eusi Kwayana

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Friday January 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

Lewis errs, Freddie very anti-colonial Dear Editor, Lincoln Lewis’s attack on Freddie Kissoon (KN Dec 30) that Freddie is “contributing to the recolonization of Guyana” is absolutely absurd.

Freddie is contributing to decolonization of minds and behaviour. Lewis undermines his own reputation, his contributions to the political discourse and the labour movement in belittling Freddie’s enormous contributions to the democratic discourse of the nation. Lewis was known for his progressive positions during the 1980s against Burnhamism, but workers say he is in role reversal in recent years, driven by hate and race. It is not the Lewis I had admired.

I had my ‘run ins’ with Freddie but never disrespected him and never doubted his patriotism and his commitment to fight injustice and racism. Lewis errs. Freddie is not a ‘recolonizer.’ If anything, Freddie is contributing to the liberation of Guyanese minds, much more so than Lewis himself. In addition to rejecting his description of Freddie, I would not agree with several platitudes that Lewis used to describe himself. Self-praises are no praise. Certainly, most Guyanese do not think Lewis was a supporter of peace and democracy over the last two years. Lewis was known to be articulate and balanced in holding government accountable. But his response to Freddie was very rambling, unfocused, inarticulate, incoherent, personal, and biased. It is not the Lewis that workers praised during the early years of his trade unionism.

Freddie is one of the finest writers in the country; he is frank, pointed, brave,

courageous, articulate, analytical, critical, spot on. He is the most read columnist. There is no other columnist or writer like him in the country, certainly not me, although I may have written hundreds more columns than him. He has made an indelible impact on the political landscape through his writings. Almost everyone who picks KN, reads Freddie.

KN is the most read newspaper.

Brave, courageous. He speaks his mind.

He critiques government and opposition. He is very anti-colonial. He assailed the white man for their abusive, imperialist rule. But he also excoriated Blacks, Indians, and Orientals (Chinese) for abusing their people in some cases worse than the White man. Burnham can be called a recolonizer for practicing the very things he condemned the white man for. But certainly not Freddie.

There is nothing false about what Freddie penned about the attempted rigging after March 2 and his analysis of the Patterson appointment as Chair of GECOM, the government behaviour following the no confidence motion, and the response following the Chief Justice and CCJ rulings against the regime. I should note that unlike other academics or activists, Freddie spoke out against fraud. Lewis, David Hinds, Ogunseye, and Melissa Ifill defended the election rigging and urged the government to resist international pressure to accept defeat of a democratic free and fair election. Three APNU commissioners in GECOM supported the rigging. Emanuel Cummings, Paloma Mohamed Martin, Nigel Westmaas, Clive Thomas, Karen D’Souza, Bonita Harris, Omowale,

Maurice Odle, Kwayana, among others were silent on the rigging. Gandhi said silence in the face of evil is contributing to evil. It is like you are committing the evil acts yourselves. No amount of defence can exonerate you.

But Freddie is exonerated like some of us who spoke out against fraud. Yes, we are victimized for speaking out.

But we have a clear conscience of mind.

Media photos and reports showed Lewis menacingly threatening a woman and others to dislodge them from what he claimed to be his ancestral land in West Berbice.

It came across as ungentlemanly conduct. That

and are saying nothing, while NGOs are silent, while the business community do not want to rock the boat because of their cozy relationship with the Government, Mr. Glenn Lall is waiving the red flag valiantly.

At great personal cost, Mr. Lall speaks up for the working poor catching hell to make ends meet.

He speaks for the ordinary Guyanese who dreamt that when we find oil, all Guyanese would be rich.

Our current trajectory on oil and gas is on the wrong track, and Mr. Lall is the most powerful voice to bring Guyana back on track.

Without a doubt, Mr. Glenn Lall is Guyana’s “Man of the Year/Person of the

abusive or corrupt practices.

As a cane cutter commented to me, Freddie is no ‘dutty dog.’ He is not a massive disappointment like many others in public life or who defend election rigging.

He is compassionate and caring for workers. He is loved everywhere for his courageous position against exploitation and for championing the poor.

Lewis, my brother, your attack on Freddie came across as very bitter and personal, and I urge you to self-reflect.

You have so much to offer in trade unionism and to the discussions on a way forward regarding our ethnic problems. Workers want you return to your past

progressive position. Lewis, you must not only explore black history and identity, but open yourself to understanding and relating to the struggle and rights of people of other ethnicities.

There is no need for this tirade against Freddie who has a democratic right to question public figures and union leaders. Workers I spoke with say Lewis should take positions like that of his predecessor Joseph Pollydore and be supportive of what is right not what favours his race. Let us all commit to struggle for the improvement of the lives of the working class.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

A 2021 view in a 2020 rear view Dear Editor, Wake up and smell the aromatic scent of a brand new year, 2021, the effervescence of the freshness of a new beginning, or, the hangover of a terrible stale-boozed old year, lingering with the trauma of a splitting headache. What a trying and testing year 2020 has been for all to see the writing was on the wall. The impartial Guyanese read what was written as destiny, a presidency that was always going to end, except, the onetrack APNU+AFC party, which couldn’t read because they were blinded by the colour green with greed. The leap year did translate into all the fears one can imagine, embroiled in a cauldron, which brewed poisonous pills, pretentious politics, provocative politicians and peppery philters. In a year which began on the wrong footing, Guyana was doomed from the beginning, deeply stained with the tainted APNU+AFC Party proliferating in disguise and

...Glenn Lall should be Guyana’s From page 4 favouring the oil companies and robbing Guyana of its oil wealth is absolutely essential, according to Lall.

While his frustration is rife, our political leaders on both sides can be assured that Mr. Lall is not a quitter, he is not going anywhere soon, and will continue to be Guyana’s conscience and a “thorn in the flesh” to politicians concerning O&G. While the Opposition has gone silent, while the “Guardians of Democracy” have gone silent, while church leaders including those who assign themselves lofty titles such as apostles, prophets, and bishops have lost their voice and their conscience, while academics are cowering in fear

is not the Lewis I know of the 1980s.

Freddie is a democrat with more integrity than some of his accusers or attackers.

Freddie has been very consistent in his prodemocracy posturing. He has not been in organization of hold union leadership where he can be challenged for corruption or lack of democracy. Thus, one can’t accuse Freddie of lack of accountability, racketeering, misappropriation of funds, one-man rule, not holding democratic elections, abusing perks of labour unions, accepting gifts of vehicles from management whether they be Rolls Royce or Toyota Cressida, among other

Year” for 2020. Mr. Lall, we salute your moral courage, your bravery, your integrity in this matter of oil and gas.

Mr. Lall, you are a Guyana Hero! Thank you for all you do.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall Publisher’s Note: I am indeed appreciative of your sentiments. However, the greatest reward, in my view, would be a Guyana where the people can truly benefit from our vast wealth.

In the quest to achieve such a reality, my staff and I will remain unrelenting. For this reason, I believe my entire staff, especially those who went above and beyond the call of duty, should also be duly recognized.

playing the cat and mouse game, while hiding from an ultimate eventuality and seeking refuge in the search for stalled time. The answer was blowing in the wind from day one of the year, but the covetous APNU+AFC administration failed to hear the howling of the wind screeching for whom the bells tolled. Trying to tame the powerful sea while toiling under a burning sun, the avarice Granger pampered with a lost cause while flagging a dead horse, with the cart before the horse heading in the wrong direction. A heartless and reckless party, they had already dug their own graves, but stuck around to see who will attend their funerals. Sad to say, there was no gun salute but absolute silence from a parting crowd of once royal friends, who now refused to shake hands with a “sanctimonious gangster” and his band of rebels.

Insanity did anoint the devilish minds of proverbial and perverted fanatics who relished grasping a sinking straw in their destitute deliberation. In an evil quest without any rest, Granger was ready, willing and able to sacrifice the innocent lamb, kneeling in disgrace and begging in mocking grace.

Who would bat an ear to empty threats, illogic fallacy and devious ambition? Oh, “the truth hurts” and “losers cannot be choosers.”

In another pot in the same playing field, boiled the ingredients of peaceful probabilities, promising personalities, potential profitability and progressive prosperity. The uphill battle did encounter countless days and sleepless nights but fuelled with a flame of determination and ignited by a spark of divinity. It was all hard work and no play for the patient PPP/C Party who

charted a course of skillful maneuverability and remained dedicated to a worthy cause for the persecuted, pained and penurious Guyanese.

From the inception of the year, the PPP/C Party never faltered from its royal and loyal mission, influenced by bullies who were trampling on the rights of the innocent and taking advantage of the naïve, gullible, simpletons and nonchalant. The PPP/C Party’s carefully selected recourse was to embark on a parallel campaign by Hillary Clinton, “Stronger Together For A Better Guyana,” a match winning slogan which breathed the true reflection of heroes returning from a battered battle, but not beaten in the war. This meaningful motto did strategically pave the way to occupying the seat of the President with the significant help of important players and numerous stakeholders from the national, regional and international community.

From a hard fought battle, the war is far from over and phase two has now actually begun.

The PPP/C Party has had to satiate themselves with a “déjà vu,” entering with wide eyes and open minds to accept a challenge reminiscing of past trials and not remising of any of the forewarned tribulations.

Guyanese woke up to the good news that the country was once again in strong and firm grips, culpable and capable of transforming a bankrupt nation riddled with financial misappropriations, to a developing nation saddled with effective efficiency and productive accomplishments.

An ambidextrous administration, proficient in experienced management and confident in knowledgeable refinement, this dual exposure formed the cusp of a youthful government, striving to

propel the country to maximum heights in minimum time, less the inherited corruption and collusion.

In a new year, breathing a sigh of relief, Guyanese wonder if and when the APNU+AFC Party will finally take responsibility for their cruelty, greed and selfishness. Will Mr. David Granger ultimately acknowledge all his wrong doings and own up to his party’s miscreants? Will there be retribution or restitution and, who will repent for all the mistakes, or, resent the facts and figures as they transparently unfold to ingrain the nemesis of a jeopardized party? Will this be the year when the Coalition party consciously and significantly “don’t stop progress” as they so ironically brandished and bleated the drums in their reelection campaign as their slogan to serve Guyanese in the coming years? As a “fit and prapa” leader, David Granger and his gang of merry men and women are “contracted” by a vision for a good life for all Guyanese and will not bamboozle the electorate. Of course, the APNU+AFC Party is full of “honest and genuine people with integrity” and does not comprise of any “fakes or frauds.” So, from their own statements, there is no reason why Guyanese should anticipate any more lies and deceits from honourable men and women who mean well for their fellow compatriots.

They have communicated publicly that, they will work hand in hand in the interest of the people, to see eye to eye, to develop this nation without any backbiting, impediment or undermining democracy.

This year 2021, the PPP/ C party finds itself with an outlandish challenge and a (Continued on page 31)

Friday January 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 01, 2021

Oil contract wording appears to give Exxon sovereignty over Guyana - VP V ice President, D r. B h a r r a t Jagdeo takes issue with the fact that some of the wording of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) creates the impression that ExxonMobil and its cocontractors have sovereignty over Guyana.

“I do have problems with making it seem as though Exxon has sovereignty within a sovereign nation. I do have problems with that kind of configuration,” the VP said, “and some parts, wording of the contract confers or creates that impression that they have sovereignty over the country.”

At the time of making this statement, Dr. Jagdeo was engaged in an exchange with Kaieteur News publisher, Glenn Lall on the Kaieteur Radio Show, Guyana’s Oil & You, hosted

by Senior Journalist, Kiana Wilburg.

Lall questioned Dr. Jagdeo about the limitations the oil contract places on Guyana’s right to inspect Exxon’s operations and audit the oil companies’ books.

The terms of the contract require advanced notices, which have been widely criticised as being lengthy and restrictive.

Dr. Jagdeo said it is only reasonable that companies be notified of intent to audit or inspect.

He said any business would expect the authority to notify it. However, “I have issues with the long-term notice, because we are a sovereign country and companies that operate here

must comply with our law,” the VP said. “And if our system says that we are doing an audit, you have to comply with the audit. That is the law of Guyana.”

Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that ExxonMobil signed with the Government, the Government through the Minister with responsibility for petroleum has the right to audit the company’s books.

However, that right was granted along with some restricting measures - one audit per year, with three months written notice of intention to audit.

These measures are outlined in Article 23 and Annex C of the contract.

Article 23 is limited and defers to annex C of the contract. Annex C goes more in detail of the accounting and auditing measures.

Annex C has an “Audit and Inspection Rights of Government” clause.

That clause states that the Minister “shall have the right to audit upon ninety (90) days written notice, at his sole cost and expense, accounts and records of the Contractor, maintained hereunder with respect to each Calendar Year within two years from the end of each such year.”` The contract states that the Minister may audit, examine and verify, “at reasonable times during normal business hours but not more than once per Calendar Year, all charges and credits relating to the Contractor’s activities under the Agreement and all books of accounts, accounting entries, material records and

The Liza Destiny (Credit – shipspotting.com)

inventories, vouchers, payrolls, invoices and any other documents, correspondence and records necessary to audit and verify the charges and credits.”

During the annual audit, the Minister has the option to review items previously subjected to audit in earlier years. According to the PSA, that the former administration signed, Guyana must give ExxonMobil seven days’ notice before his visit, and must carry out the visit at its own expense.

This is enshrined in Article 9 of the contract, which speaks to records, reports and information.

Article 9 (e), for example, states: “The Minister, through duly appointed representatives, upon providing the contractor with at least seven days’ notice, shall be entitled to observe the petroleum operations conducted by the contractor at his sole cost and expense and at all reasonable times to inspect all assets, records and data kept by the

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

Contractor relating to such petroleum operations. In the exercise of such rights under this paragraph, the Minister shall not unduly interfere w i t h t h e C o n t r a c t o r ’s petroleum operations under this agreement.”

In January 2020, former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams reported that the EPA would include a provision in the environmental permits granted to the companies, which allows officials to visit the company’s Floating Production Storage and

Offloading (FPSO) vessels without prior notice. He had said that Guyana does not have the resources to fully utilise this provision, but that that would not be a permanent situation.

Another contentious provision, which has received criticism, is the Stability Clause of the oil contract – Article 32.

Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram had said in 2018 that one gets the distinct impression that ExxonMobil went above and beyond to strangle Guyana’s Parliament and future governments with the use of the rigid stability clause.

It states that, “Except as may be expressly provided herein, the government shall not amend, modify, rescind,

terminate, declare invalid or unenforceable, require renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution or otherwise seek to avoid alter, or limit this agreement without the prior written consent of the contractor.”

The anticorruption advocate had said that the PSA only serves the interest of Exxon Mobil as it limits the role of the government in applying new laws made in the petroleum sector. Ram revealed that if Guyana were to amend any of its laws, which would affect the entity’s operations, the Government would have to restore the benefits so lost.

The contract reads, “After the signing of this agreement and its conformance with Article 15, the Government shall not increase the economic burdens of the contractor under this agreement by applying to this agreement or the operations conducted hereunder any increase of, or any new petroleum related fiscal obligation, including but not limited to any new taxes whatsoever, any new royalty, duties, fees, charges, VAT or other imposts.”

Also, the contract states that if at any time after the signing of this agreement, there is a change in the Laws of Guyana whether through the amendment of existing laws or the enactment of new laws or a change having the force of law in the i n t e r p r e t a t i o n implementation of application, ExxonMobil must not be affected.

Guyana agreed that d es p ite w h atev er may change, ExxonMobil must receive the “same economic benefit under the agreement that it would have received prior to the change in law.”

The contract compels (Continued on page 28)

Gov’t fails to meet EITI ....

From page 2 people who live in resource-rich countries are at particular risk of losing out when facing this problem as extractive assets are too often misallocated for corrupt reasons.

The EITI had further noted that its standard requires public officials, also known as Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), to be transparent about their ownership in oil, gas and mining companies.

The international watchdog had said that this

information, once provided by its members, will be publicly available and will be published in EITI Reports and/or public registries.

Once published, EITI had said, law enforcers, civil society and others have a responsibility to scrutinize the information, and take action to hold to account those who misuse anonymous companies. It should be noted that countries which fail to honour the requirements of the international body could face expulsion.

Friday January 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Democracy under siege The political strongman attracts a special adulation.

The more authoritarian and ruthless a leader is, the more he or she is idolized.

When we speak about our leaders as being “baad men”, we neither mean they are bad nor good. They are simply admired for some quality, which they possess.

Burnham is often described as being a ‘baad man’. What people really admire about Burnham was his authoritarian instincts.

Most of us only pretend to exalt democracy. The truth is we admire the strongarmed leaders; the more undemocratic, the better.

This contradiction has its roots in our social organization.

We live in imitative society. Everything about this country was copied from elsewhere. The plantations and farmlands which we cultivated were designed using the polder system of the Dutch. The main crops which were planted were transplanted. The education, political and legal systems were also imported. The country main religions – Christianity, Islam and Hinduism were all alien to these parts. The only thing original and natural about Guyana is our Indigenous peoples and their culture.

Guyana adopted British institutions, including free and fair elections and democratic government. But these adopted institutions turned out to be fragile in the hands of the post-colonial elites because the political and bureaucratic classes did not have the know-how to manage these institutions.

They lacked an understanding of the

standards and principles necessary for the proper functioning of these institutions, which were ‘racialised’ and rendered dysfunctional, a mere two years after Independence.

Democracy is so fragile here is because we do not have democratic culture. We only pretend to subscribe to democracy. But if we had our way, we would want to be ruled by strong-armed leaders. That is the legacy of colonialism. We have come to accept as acceptable, the methods which were used us to oppress us.

Democracy is just a word. There is no democracy in the home. Parents decide for their children. Those who cannot conform are given a sound flogging. Men dominate women, at times to the point of abuse. Where is the democracy in that?

Democracy is not practised in our schools. Our schools are the most authoritarian institutions. A few weeks ago, someone placed comments on social media, which alleged that the teachers at a certain High School were abusive. Instead of addressing the charges, the teachers took to their highhorses.

They accused the person making the allegation of being disrespectful and demanded disciplinary action The teachers refused to teach. It never entered their minds that that person was entitled to free expression – a democratic right.

The workplace is not democratic, even though Guyana was ruled by parties that once espouse workers’ rights and workers participation in management.

Where is workplace democracy? You have an option if you do not want to do what the boss says. You can walk.

Our political parties are far from democratic. Ask the Working Peoples’ Alliance when last they held a members Conference. Ask them if they have members.

The WPA is cabal, not a political party.

At the last Congress of the People’s Progressive Party, certain individuals were sent to oversee the groups who were discussing the party’s future. The clear intent was to stifle free expression and control the narrative.

The PNC/R appointed a Leader of the Opposition – someone who was only weeks before made a member of the party’s executive.

There have been complaints about lack of consultation in this and parliamentary appointments.

The Citizens Initiative has imploded because of a lack of internal democracy.

The trade union movement is the most undemocratic of social organization, even though ironically its holds regular elections. The leadership is tightly controlled, as some aspirations found out to their dismay. Workers have little or no say in the decisions emanating from within these unions. Some trade union leaders behave like minityrants and others call for political leaders to ignore the outcome of democratic elections.

Does anyone truly believe that our private sector institutions are democratic?

They are far from

Dem boys seh...

Anything happen dis year gan be better Is a New Year! And dem boys know dat whole day dem email and phone gan be cluttered up with persons wishing dem boys and family a Happy New Year.

To tell you de truth, dem boys don’t need no New Year wishes. Last year was bad enough.

Anything happen dis year gan be better.So dem boys nah sending out no wishes. Dem mekkin wishes.

Dem boys hoping de shaart man in de Fine Ants Ministry gan stand tall and mek de new EPA agreement public. Dem boys also waiting fuh de report of de Review of de oil contracts. Dem boys only hearing about de review but de thing under lock and key and dem boys seh when documents are so tightly guarded, it gat to have something in deh dat somebody nah wan get out.

But what does hide in de dark does get expose in de light. Dem boys remember de story about Little Johnny.

At school, Little Johnny’s classmate tell he dat most adults are hiding at least one dark secret, so it’s very easy to blackmail dem by saying, “I know de whole truth!”

Little Johnny decides to go home and try it out. Johnny’s moder greets him at home, and he tells her, “I know de whole truth.”

His moder quickly hands him $200 and says, “Just don’t tell your fader.”

Quite pleased, de boy waits for his fader to get home from work, and greets him with, “I know de whole truth.”

De fader promptly hands him $400 and says, “Please don’t say a word to your moder.”Very pleased, Little Johnny is on his way to school de next day when he sees de mailman at his front door. He greets de mailman with, “I know de whole truth.”De mailman immediately drops de mail, opens his arms, and says, “Den come give your daddy a great big hug!”

Talk half and enjoy de New Year!

democratic; they are controlled by a clique. The voting rules within the Private Sector Commission, for example, are biased in favour of corporate members.

If people are to be empowered, if Guyana is to be a true democracy, then internal democracy has to pervade all of our institutions, public and private. Democracy has to be

instituted beginning in the home, moving to our schools, then to our workplaces, thence of non-governmental associations and finally to our political and governmental institutions.

But guess what? The majority of those who wield power in these institutions are themselves not advocates of democracy. So what really will change!

Happy New Year to all of

you who pretend to be democrats but if, given the chance, would become demagogues!

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

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 01, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The long, long look back T

oday begins a long look back at one of the worst years in both British Guiana and Guyana – 2020. There is an ocean of materials to be covered. I am not going to serialize my thoughts.

People do not like serial commentary. By the time they reach part three, they are interested in new things.

Over the coming weeks, I will reflect on the terrible, frightening, incredibly damaging year of 2020 and intersperse those columns with different topics. For example, my next piece will be my selection of the best

article, which I have written over the past five years during the reign of the APNU+AFC regime, 20152020. Next week, I plan to vent my anger on a High Court sentence of 30 years for a father who killed his three children. For now, let’s look back at 2020.

I knew 2020 would have brought a psychic trauma to every citizen who was 18 years in 1970. I sense the PNC was not going to give up power. Five antecedents have to be analysed because those were the seeds planted that brought poisonous weeds in 2020.

The first one was the 2015 election results. I am still undecided as to what really happened with that poll because the American involvement complicated things.

Whatever are the objective, concrete, scientific facts about the 2015 election, the result transformed the PNC into Burnhamite monster.

It was either there was a PPP victory or the PPP lost by a few hundreds of votes.

That was when the PNC knew that it couldn’t win another general election.

Even with the influence of Moses Nagamootoo, Raphael Trotman, and Khemraj Ramjattan, the PNC couldn’t win. The PNC planners figured it could not win in the future.

From May 2015, the PNC decided it had to go back to the machinery of rigging as developed by Forbes Burnham. The second factor was Justice Patterson as GECOM chairman. The world knew that President Granger was making a fool of himself by asserting that the constitution stipulated that the GECOM chair must be a past or present judge. He clung to that song because he had Patterson in mind all the time because this was where the rigging would be planned and carried out – by a Patterson-led GECOM. Thirdly, the creation of the ministry of the presidency was the control mechanism to achieve hegemony. That ministry and Granger virtually dominated

the entire operations of government. There was no coalition government. It was a PNC administration. But the AFC and the WPA were enamoured with the crumbs of power so they accepted the PNC’s hegemony.

F o u r t h l y, G r a n g e r wanted a type of state power that would be similar to what Burnham had but without many of the essential characteristics of the Burnhamite state. For example, Burnham had serious intentions of introducing socialist economics into policymaking.

Granger was an unashamed neo-liberal president so the state would not have involved itself in commercial investments.

For Granger, power had to be used the way Burnham used it.

I am of the opinion that he would have settled for forms of the doctrine of paramountcy of the party and there would have been a change in the school curricula to incorporate historical materials on

Africans in Guyana and the role of Burnham.

Fifthly, there is no question in my mind that the state sector would have excluded East Indians in substantial ways.

The 2015 government was racist. The PNC state after 2020 would have differed in frightening ways from the presidencies of Burnham, Jagan, Hoyte and Jagdeo. All four presidents had long decided that they would favour their own constituencies. This was the reality of Guyana. But all four presidents agreed in their own minds that the state would have people from across the ethnic fence in important and strategic roles.

I’m afraid under rigged elections in 2020 and 2025, Guyana would have seen an African dominated state sector with the ideological thinking that the state belongs to Africans and Indians’ place was in business. I am convinced in my mind that just as how I accused President Jagdeo of discrimination in an academic paper titled,

Frederick Kissoon “Ethnic power and Ideological Racism,” I would have done identical research with similar conclusions at the end of 2021 under a Granger presidency.

These then were the factors that merged in a confluence at the beginning of 2020 that led to Guyana experiencing one of its most dreadful moments in more than 100 years.

As the days go by, I will look at some startling occurrences of 2020 that were so shocking that it changed my way of looking at my country forever. 2020 has been a Freudian gold mine for me.

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

Friday January 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Friday January 01, 2021

Taxi driver on $300,000 bail for Durban Street dragging death Kester Lewis, a 29-yearold man who allegedly knocked down and killed an East Coast Demerara (ECD) man on Durban Street, was charged with manslaughter yesterday and placed on $300,000 bail.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court where the matter was heard.

Lewis killed David Barclay, 29, of Triumph, ECD on Sunday, December 27, following a row over $700 on Durban Street, Lodge.

The police in a statement had said that the victim, D a v i d B a r c l a y, h a d

approached the Lewis, who was believed to be a mechanic, to fix his vehicle after it encountered problems on Durban Street.

In court, Lewis’ attorneyat-law gave his occupation as an electrical salesman.

They said that, “the victim approached the suspect in a bid to have a tyre on his vehicle repaired, and in the process of making a payment; an argument ensued over the said payment, during which the suspect took a knife and slashed a tyre on the victim’s car.”Lewis told the police that after the argument, he jumped into his vehicle and while driving off, Barclay

jumped onto the right side door and held onto him, causing him to lose control.

He crashed into several vehicles that were parked.

But new details had emerged stating that Lewis was operating as a taxi driver that morning and took Barclay home for a spare tyre and upon returning to Durban Street with the spare t y r e , L e w i s r e q u e s ted $4,000 for the fare.

Barclay gave him $5,000.

However, Lewis claimed he did not have change. Barclay then gave him $3,300 and an outburst over the short money began.

Further, it was stated that Barclay then went to his car

Charged: Kester Lewis (Bigsmithnews watch.com photo)

The deceased: David Barclay

where he left his child’s mother to find more change and Lewis took out a knife and slashed the spare tyre, which led to a heated argument between the two.

Lewis then got into his

car and when Barclay attempted to snatch him from the window, Lewis held on to Barclay and drove into five cars that were parked.

Video footage seen by

this newspaper showed Barclay’s child mother holding his motionless body, screaming for help.

Meanwhile, Lewis is set to appear in court again on January 25.

Harbour Bridge paid TT Company ...

From page 3 pictures of the cold mix seminar dated 25th November, 2015 at the Pegasus Hotel showing a Ministry of Public Infrastructure minister, a Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation Vice Chairman and Ministry of Public Infrastructure senior personnel in attendance, among others,” the DHB management stated.

The team pointed out too that, there was

merely a seminar to disseminate information on cold mix and as such, it could not be considered a “feasibility study”.

Further on, the DHB management noted too that it was unaware of the incorporation details of the company but this did not lead to a loss of revenue. “Please note that CJIA, Sol Guyana Inc., Ministry of Public Works (hinterland Airport – Mr. Mangra) continues to be our customer,” it said.

Friday January 01, 2021

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Friday January 01, 2021

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Friday January 01, 2021

Government to give one-off $25,000 cash grant to public servants and sugar workers

P

resident Irfaan Ali y e s t e r d a y announced that all workers in the public sector including sugar workers currently employed at the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), will receive a one-off cash grant from the government.

“I am pleased to announce a one-off grant of $25,000 to workers of the entire Public Sector which includes central government, statutory bodies, subvention agencies, public corporations, government pensioners and staff of the University of Guyana,” President Ali stated.

The President disclosed that over 60,000 workers and their families will benefit from the cash grant and it

will cost the government over $2 billion. According to Ali, the cash grant being distributed aims to assist the workers with coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges attached.

A statement by the Office of the President said that the process to initiate the distribution of the funds began right after it was announced.

In announcing that GuySuCo workers will also benefit, the President said that sugarcane workers, in particular, suffered greatly under the previous administration – however, he has been working assiduously with his team behind the scenes to get the workers financial support.

“Those sugar workers who were unconscionably

deprived of their livelihood by the APNU+AFC Government, will in the New Year, be provided with transitional support as we continue to restructure the industry, in keeping with the PPP/C’s promise,” Ali declared.

He had also announced a two-week tax-free bonus for the members of the Guyana Police Force and members of the Guyana Defence Force.

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Friday January 01, 2021

Gas-to-shore project, a recipe for bankruptcy -US financial expert warns

C

onsidering Guyana’s poor power generation capacity and infrastructural systems, almost all of the nation’s leaders have thrown their support behind ExxonMobil laying the ground work to bring gas to shore. But industry experts are of the firm conviction that such a venture could prove financially detrimental to Guyana, especially when one considers the nation’s weak capacity to negotiate fair deals for the country.

Making this point in particular was Tom Sanzillo, Director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

He was part of a panel that included international lawyer, Melinda Janki; Chatham House Associate Fellow, Dr. Valerie Marcel and former minister, Mr. David Patterson.

These industry stakeholders participated in the end-of-year discussion o n K a i e t e u r R a d i o ’s programme, Guyana’s Oil and You. During the discussions on Guyana’s proclivity to bring gas to shore in a mere four years, Sanzillo said he

can certainly appreciate the nation’s desires to respond to the rising demand for electricity as well as to find a solution to the issue of power outages and high electricity costs.

He stressed, however, that the manner in which Guyana went about negotiating a lopsided deal for oil provides no evidence that it can confidently do otherwise for bringing gas to shore.

The financial expert said, “…I have to be frank about this, the way the contracts were negotiated for this oil endeavour gives me no confidence that the country has any ability to negotiate the best price for a pipeline and other infrastructure to bring gas to shore…There is no evidence of that. In fact, one has evidence to the contrary.”

Sanzillo also pointed to the alarming fact that the citizenry is still to know whether there was a cost comparison between where renewable markets are and the proposed gas project for in Guyana.

In addition to this, he said that based on his observations of how (Continued on page 28)

Tom Sanzillo, Director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA)

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Friday January 01, 2021

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Friday January 01, 2021

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Blood stains in Kuru Kururu home…

Detectives believe missing man’s body is buried in shallow grave A

s new details emerge, police believe that the missing man whose home was found with bloodstains, might be buried in a shallow grave at Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway.

The missing man, Answar Stoll aka ‘Red Man’ of Dadrima Savannah, Kuru Kururu was not seen or heard from since November 15.

Worried family members had visited his home with police in early December. It was found ransacked and bloodstains were seen on the

walls.

Kaieteur News was told that investigators had taken samples of the stains and sent it for a DNA testing to determine whether it belongs to Stoll.

Those results are still to be revealed.

However, police say they have enough information for them to suspect that he was murdered.

In fact, Kaieteur News reported on Thursday that a wanted bulletin was issued for Leon Waddle, 30, of Kuru Kururu, his alleged killer.

This newspaper understands that Waddle was implicated in Stoll’s murder by a man who police arrested during the investigations.

Sources said that police had arrested that man after he threatened to “make an individual disappear like ‘Red Man’ (Stoll).

It is believed that Stoll was killed by Waddle between November 15 and 16, during an altercation at a drinking session held at his home.

Kaieteur News has also received information that

RDC employee who accosted estranged wife in front of police station remanded - admitted to the National Psychiatric Hospital The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Region 6 employee, who was on Tuesday arrested for threatening his reputed wife with knives, was on Wednesday slapped with two charges.

Godwin Allicock was charged with threatening behaviour and possession of offensive weapons (two knives). He made his first court appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Peter Hugh and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

Magistrate Hugh ordered that he undergo a mental evaluation and was remanded until January 5, 2021.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News was informed by Commander Jairam Ramlakhan, that Allicock is presently at the National Psychiatric Hospital in Fort Canje, Berbice.

In addition, the Regional Chairman, David Armogan, had also confirmed with this publication that Allicock will be dismissed.

“We do not condone such things. That is very serious, so following disciplinary actions, he will be dismissed.”

Godwin Allicock, whose last known address is Rose Hall Town, was arrested on Tuesday after he armed himself with knives and threatened his reputed wife in the vicinity of the New Amsterdam Police Station.

It was reported by a police source that the night prior to the incident, Allicock broke into the

Charged: Godwin Allicock woman’s home and fell asleep. Upon finding him in the house, the woman decided to file a report with the police, since as they were separated.

According to the police, the woman and suspect works at the RDC and it was while she was making her way into work that she saw the suspect also entering the compound. She told the police that she immediately left the location and returned to the station, but Allicock reportedly followed her and jumped in the taxi with two knives in hand.

It was the taxi driver who assisted the woman by getting her safely to the

station.

The taxi driver pulled a cutlass from his car to protect the woman.

It was at the station that Allicock rushed up to her and began to threaten her, with the knives in his hand.

Ranks made attempts to arrest him but he escaped.

The police immediately launched a search and soon after arrested the man.

A police source revealed that a bottle containing poisonous substance and two knives were retrieved from the suspect.

Kaieteur News was reliably informed that on one of the knives Tuesday’s date was stamped on.

Waddle and Stoll were not the only ones at home during the time of his murder.

Detectives suspect that Stoll’s body was buried in a shallow grave located in a remote location, somewhere in the Kuru Kururu area.

Family members have also come forward to say that the wanted man is no stranger to Stoll.

“He has been living with Stoll for some time now,” they said.

Family members added that he has always been (Continued on page 28)

Believed murdered: Answar ‘Red Man’ Stoll

Wanted for murder: Leon Waddle

Kaieteur News

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Oil and gas sector saw $125.8 billion tax exemption in - Billions in 2019- AG report VAT refunds The oil and gas industry received tax exemptions totalling some $125.8 billion for the fiscal year 2019, Auditor General, Deodat Sharma, has revealed in his annual report.

The exemptions were allowed through the Guyana Office for Investment (GoInvest) and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Under examination of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the report which was recently submitted to the National Assembly showed also that two companies objected to assessed taxes totalling $265.626 million.

Further, the report stated that applications for VAT refunds by companies in the oil and gas sector for 2019 amounted to some $2.422 billion. At the time of reporting in November 2020, VAT refunds totalling $280.952 million were made

to one company, the report highlighted.

Sharma said VAT returns totalling $8.018M were rejected; VAT refunds totalling $26.792 million were disallowed, while $2.1 billion in VAT refunds are being processed by the GRA. Vi c e P r e s i d e n t D r.

Bharrat Jagdeo recently stated that the fiscal regime of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) between the Government and US oil company ExxonMobil was too liberal and has placed the country at a disadvantage.

The PSA, signed in 2016, states “no tax, valueadded tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or other impost shall be levied at the date hereof or from time to time thereafter on the Contractor or Affiliated Companies in respect of income derived from Petroleum Operations or in respect of any property held, transactions

undertaken or activities performed for any purpose authorized or contemplated hereunder.”

“The tax concessions all are enshrined in the PSA. It is almost so egregious that where tax liability falls on the company, often the Government has to pay. So, a lot of the laxity in relation to the oil companies is derived from the PSA,” the Vice President said during a recent interview.

Dr. Jagdeo said many sub-contractors hired by Exxon are also benefitting from tax cuts that the “local man does not get.”

Government has already made it clear that the current PSA relates only to the Stabroek Block, and that future oil companies interested in oil production here will be bound by different guidelines, which will correct the deficiencies in the existing agreement.

(DPI)

Gas-to-shore project a recipe...

From page 23 Guyana’s leaders intend to pursue the gas to shore project spells out “a recipe for financial bankruptcy for Guyana.”

In this regard, Sanzillo recalled that the leaders have intentions of having ExxonMobil build a pipeline that would allow for the project to be brought to shore.

Guyana would not be paying for the gas but it would have to pay ExxonMobil the cost for transporting the resource.

By subjecting itself to such an arrangement, Sanzillo said that Guyana is in simple terms, taking the little oil money it would make and investing it in another fossil fuel project that would leave the country

saddled with more debt.

He said that Guyana is not only accepting a lopsided deal with the Stabroek block but it is now moving to invest in a project that will handsomely support the interests of oil companies and their bankers. This he alluded is not just backward, but a dangerous precipice for Guyana to be hanging from.

Friday January 01, 2020

Parliamentary staff to be tested for second time after Speaker’s second COVID-19 diagnosis Following the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir’s second diagnosis with COVID-19, parliament staff will have to undergo Polymerase Chain Reaction COVID19 tests once again.

This was disclosed to Kaieteur News yesterday by a parliamentary employee yesterday, who said that they were made aware of the Speaker’s COVID-19 status and it was advised that they get tests to confirm their status.

On September 8 last year, Speaker Nadir had tested positive for the virus and over 100 parliament employees had COVID-19 tests conducted. Out of those tests 14 of them came back positive which was confirmed by the Speaker, leading him to also to conduct parliamentary sittings virtually.

Meanwhile, Nadir and three other family members who tested positive with him are in isolation. Kaieteur News understands that Nadir’s diagnosis came after he started experiencing COVID-19 symptoms which included a headache, mild fever and the loss of taste. It was also stated that Nadir decided to stay away from Parliament as a precaution.

Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir

Oil contract wording appears to give...

From page 8 Guyana to resolve “promptly” and by “whatever means may be necessary” any conflict or anomaly between this agreement and any such new or amended legislation including by way of exemption, legislation, decrees and or other authoritative acts.Ram noted

that the Stability Clause provides, inter alia, “that any delay by the government to respond to any notification from the contractor that they may have suffered any adverse effects can result in the contractor taking the matter to arbitration.”The Chartered Accountant added, “In such a case, the arbitral tribunal is authorised to

modify the agreement to reestablish the economic benefits under the Agreement to the Contractor. Where such restoration is not possible, the tribunal has the power to award damages to the Contractor that fully compensates for the loss of economic benefits under the Agreement, both for past as well as future losses.”

Detectives believe missing man’s...

From page 25 abusive to Stoll and would constantly threaten to take his life.

“Stoll could not take it anymore and recently decided to put him out of the house,” a sibling disclosed.

This move, they continued, had sparked more

tensions between Stoll and the suspect.

Family members claimed as well that Stoll had even reported to the police that Waddle had threatened to kill and would beat him up frequently.

Anyone with any information that can lead to

arrest of Leon Waddle, prime suspect in the murder of Answar Stoll are asked to contact the police on telephone numbers: 2160250, 216-0251 216-0252, 216-0253, 216-0254, 2657383, 261-2760, 225-3650, 226-1928, 911 or the nearest police station.

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Friday January 01, 2021

ERC takes legal action against defaulters...

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The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), has finally commenced taking legal action against persons who were found inciting racial or ethnic violence or hatred among Guyanese.

Recently, three individuals were charged for their conduct and words in accordance to the Racial Hostility Act. Through attorney-at-law Stanley Moore, S.C, the Commission filed the complaints in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in December 2020.

While two of the individuals had already made their court appearance, the ERC and the police are still

making efforts to serve the third alleged defaulter. The defendants, John Gobin and Steve Anthony Barakat appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Rhondel Weever, on December 9, 2020.

According to a press release, based on the specific nature of the conduct and words, the charges were laid.

The charges include causing ethnic/racial violence or hatred and exciting hostility or ill-will on the basis of race.

Gobin pleaded guilty to the charge and he was fined $20,000, after which Magistrate Weever warned him not to repeat the offence

or publish any similar material in the future.

Meanwhile, Barakat pleaded not guilty to the charge and was placed on $30,000 bail. Attorney-at-Law Latchmie Rahamat, is representing Barakat. He is expected to make his next court appearance on January 20, 2021 for trial.

The release also stated that the third defaulter, Lashona Chester, is yet to be served despite vigorous attempts to locate her.

Magistrate Weever ordered that steps be taken to summon her again and adjourned Chester’s case to January 20, 2021.

Charged: John Gobin

Captured Cuban remanded for brutal murders of girlfriend and her daughter, 11 Spending the new year behind bars, on remand, will be the Cuban national who reportedly confessed to brutally murdering his girlfriend and her young daughter.

Yoel Rodríguez Barrientos, 27, a salesman of Princess Street, Lodge and Santiago, Cuba, was yesterday charged with two counts of murder at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.

He appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and was not required to plea to the indictable charge.

It is alleged that on December 25, 2020 he heinously killed Tara Krishnaran, 34, and her daughter Larissa Singh, 11, at their Princess Street, Lodge home.

He expected to return to court on January 18, 2020.

The way in which Barrientos allegedly killed Krishnaran and her daughter, caused much anger not only among Guyanese but also the Cuban community living in Guyana. His fellow nationals had labeled him a psychopath

CHARGED: Yoel Rodríguez Barrientos, 27 and demanded that he face the full blunt of the law for his actions.

According to reports, Barrientos confessed to hammering Krishnaran to death and slitting her daughter’s throat on Christmas night.

He reportedly told police that he got into a physical fight with Krishnaran that night. He claimed that she attacked him first, which led

MURDERED: Larissa Singh, 11 and her mom, Tara Krishnaran, 34 to him bludgeoning her death with a hammer.

Looking on in horror was her daughter. Barrientos further alleged that he attacked her, too, because he feared that she would testify against him.

Blood was also found on Singh’s vagina suggesting that she was probably raped on the night of her murder.

Police, however, had said the autopsy conducted could not

determine whether she was raped or not.

After committing the act, Barrientos reportedly locked his sleeping father-in-law, Yomona Krishnaran, 67, in the house and escaped.

Fast action by police led to him being captured on December 27, in Linden, Region 10. It is believed that he was heading to Lethem, Region Nine, on his way to Brazil.

Friday January 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

...A 2021 view in a 2020 rear From page 6 colossal task to implement their campaigned manifesto, and, to make Guyanese dreams come true with all of their promises. Their greatest hurdles will be to finance their projected aims and objectives in a yet unfriendly environment and to win the confidence of a diversified crowd, still persuaded by political propaganda and ethnic insinuations, creating barriers and borders.

The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic continue to make further inroad in the daily struggle to survive, and, the PPP/C party has no choice but to flow with the tide until the availability of any vaccines becomes a reality in Guyana. Their job is heavily cumbersome because of Guyanese still failing to adhere to strict required

protocols, to prevent, contain and isolate the spread of this virus. Protection of the Guyanese people is not a foregone affair as the crime situation continuously escalates with a questionable functional police force, they themselves enveloped in atrocious speculations and confirmed accusations. The PPP/C government’s plate is not only full but overflowing with an active agenda and they still need room to make space to deal with the previous administration unscrupulous undertakings, i n v o l v i n g misrepresentations, misapplications, misappropriations, misconduct, fraudulence and law-breaking. But, regardless of this dismal outlook, the country is reassured and the people are confident that the

country has a compassionate and intelligent leader in Dr. Irfaan Ali, who is openly eclectic, guided by the spirit of a higher force, showing respect for fairness and equality and who will abide by law and order and adhere to rules and regulations.

Thus, Guyana is not only in good and safe hands, but, Guyanese future is protectively secured and this year poses no reason to regret. The old year’s dusk is no longer with us and is in the rear view, but a new year is in the view, greeting us with the dawn of a new life. Thus wrote the moving finger, and having writ, moves on. Please do have a happy, healthy, prosperous, safe, peaceful and blessed New Year Guyana.

Respectfully, Jai Lall

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Friday January 01, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 01, 2021

Friday January 01, 2021

‘How did they become so big’ - Windies legend Roberts questions players decision to skip Bangladesh tour SportsMax - Legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts has questioned some of the reasoning behind players opting not to go on the team’s upcoming tour of Bangladesh.

12 players, including captains Jason Holder, Kieron Pollard, and Roston Chase all opted to make themselves unavailable for the series, citing health and safety concerns.

Joining the trio on the sidelines are Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shai Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen and Shane Dowrich.

The West Indies was one of the first teams to resume international cricket when

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Kaieteur News

they visited England, under quarantine protocols, in July.

On that occasion, Bravo, Hetmeyer and Keemo Paul opted not to go on tour. The team then travelled to New Zealand earlier this month.

On that occasion, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, and Lewis opted out of the tour.

With so many players deciding not to accept the invitation on this occasion, however, Roberts has questioned the difference between England and New Zealand vs Bangladesh.

“How do all of these guys who couldn’t make a team two or three years ago now become so big that they are refusing to tour and blaming it on the bubble,” Roberts said.

Legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts.

“Was it a problem when the majority of these players went to England? Was it a

Friday January 01, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You can never be anyone other than who you are That's the way it is, and you can't change it. Other members of your family may have dreamed of getting free of a duty or a moral lesson.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The day ahead may bring a storm of individualism and independence. You usually tolerate the quirks and minor shortcomings, but today they present real obstacles to your relationships.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If you want to make the best of the day ahead, Gemini, try to convince your team or family to work together.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) The day ahead won't be easy. A glimpse at your love life reveals that you will be bridling at certain inhibitions. You long for peace and stability, and at the moment everything is in suspense.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Deep inside, don't you have an urge to breathe new spirit into your love life? Of course, some things are more easily said than done.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It's time to get what you need. Your desires don't always go in a direction that does you the most good.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Take cover, Sagittarius, because today promises to be an emotional roller coaster!

Something seems to be askew with your relationships, and you feel torn in opposite directions.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) People are going to think you're a star today, Capricorn! Although you may not feel that way about yourself.

What's gotten into you lately? Have you lost confidence in yourself? Are you now compensating for it?

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Lately, you've been nursing a feeling that your partner is inattentive. The tension has been building up and today, Leo, you're likely to boil over with the rage that comes from one too many doubts and suspicions.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Stop asking if you're gifted, Aquarius. This definitely isn't the time for such questions. Now is the time to work on something concrete. You will need the help of others if you're to succeed, so get to work convincing them to ally with you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some days it's better to be on vacation! That's what you're liable to think today.

All your projects are mired in quicksand, and you feel like you're spinning your wheels.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A partner for life or a brief encounter, which will it be?

This is today's question.

Why not choose both? Can you imagine being your partner's lover while keeping your independence?

problem when the majority of these players went to New Zealand? How now is it a problem when they are going to Bangladesh?”

Bangladesh has a very high rate of COVID transmission with 510,080 confirmed coronavirus cases and 7,479 deaths.

However, England also had a high death and infection rate at the time of the tour. Under the CWI Covid19 rules, however, the players have the option to accept or decline tour invitations during the pandemic without it influencing thoughts of future selection.

...Kane Williamson takes top batting spot From page 39 four innings against India, who levelled the series at 1-1 with victory in Melbourne.

Kohli hit 74 in the first Test defeat by Australia, which will be his only appearance of the four-Test series, having returned home for the birth of his first child.

Williamson, playing his first Test since February because of the coronavirus pandemic, struck a sublime 251 to lead his side to victory over West Indies in the first Test earlier this month.

He missed the second Test because of the birth of his first child before returning to lead New Zealand to a thrilling final-hour victory in the first Test against Pakistan that boosts their hopes of making the World Test Championship final.

England’s Ben Stokes remains top of the Test allrounder rankings, but falls one place in the batting rankings to eighth, one spot above captain Joe Root.

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins remains top of the Test bowling rankings, ahead of England’s Stuart Broad and New Zealand’s Neil Wagner.

KFC throws support behind GFF, K&S, MCYS Bounce Back Football Beharry’s Restaurant Holdings under its KFC franchise banner gifted an early New Year’s present yesterday to the tournament organizers, Guyana Football Federation, Kashif and Shanghai and Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports, becoming the latest sponsor of the Bounce Back Football tournament, which concludes tonight.

Restaurant Manager, Wendy Fernandes presented a sponsorship cheque to cofounder of the K&S Organization, Kashif Muhammad in the presence of Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr and others.

The Linden All Stars and the GT All Stars will clash in the ‘Bounce Back’ final this

evening at the National Stadium. The finals will be broadcast live from 18:00hrs on NCN, E-Networks and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Facebook page.

In their previous matchups on Tuesday, the ballers from the Mining Town powered past the East Coast All Stars 4-2, while their counterparts from the city edged the West Side All Stars 3-2 to set up a grand finale.

The winner will pocket $1M, the champions’ trophy and bragging rights, while the runner up will take home half that amount in the fixture which is a collaborative effort involving the GFF, K&S and MCYS.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 36

NBA roundup:

Friday January 01, 2021

Milestones for James, Hammon as Lakers beat Spurs

L

eBron James scored 26 points, including two key baskets down the stretch, to lead the visiting Los Angeles Lakers to a 121107 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

On his 36th birthday, James scored in double figures for the 1,000th consecutive game, expanding his NBA-record streak. He added eight assists and five rebounds.

Dennis Schroder scored 21 points for Los Angeles, Anthony Davis hit for 20, Wesley Matthews had 18 the Lakers.

Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon made history when she took over leading the team after the ejection of head coach Gregg Popovich, who received two technical fouls late in the first half. Hammon became the first woman to take charge of an NBA team.

Dejounte Murray led all scorers with 29 points and added seven rebounds and seven assists for San Antonio. DeMar DeRozan scored 23, Patty Mills had 12 and Lonnie Walker IV pitched in 11 points for San Antonio, which was without center LaMarcus Aldridge (sore left knee).

Los Angeles Clippers 128 -

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs guards Patty Mills (8) and Dejounte Murray (5) in the third quarter at AT&T Center. (Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports) Portland Trail Blazers 105 Kawhi Leonard recorded 28 points, seven assists and three steals in his return to the lineup, and he led Los Angeles to a victory over visiting Portland.

Paul George added 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists as Los Angeles posted its second straight blowout victory following a franchise-worst, 51-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

CJ McCollum made 7 of 11 3-point attempts while scoring 25 points for the Trail Blazers. Damian Lillard scored 20 points but was just 3 of 14 from the field, including missing all eight of his shots from behind the arc.

Boston Celtics 126 Memphis Grizzlies 107 Jaylen Brown scored a career-high 42 points before sitting out the fourth quarter of Boston’s victory over

Man Utd, Man City to play rescheduled Premier League games in January

visiting Memphis.

Jayson Tatum scored 16 points and Marcus Smart made four 3-pointers to finish with 14 points for the Celtics, who have won 10 in a row against the Grizzlies.

B o s t o n ’s l a s t l o s s t o Memphis was a 101-98 decision on Jan. 10, 2016.

J o n a s Va l a n c i u n a s collected 20 points and 11 rebounds and Gorgui Dieng added 17 points for the Grizzlies.

(Reuters) - Manchester United and Manchester City will play their rescheduled fixtures from the opening weekend of the season in January, the Premier League announced yesterday.

Both Manchester clubs did not play on the opening weekend in September due to their participation in the knockout stages of last season’s European club

competitions which ended only in August due to the COVID-19 hiatus.

Burnley will host second-placed United on Jan. 12 while City host Aston Villa on Jan. 20.

The fixtures add to a packed schedule for both Manchester clubs who also play each other in the League Cup semi-final on Jan. 6 before they begin their FA

Cup campaign the following weekend. City, eighth in the standings, have two games in hand after Monday’s match at Everton was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak at their club.

City’s first team have since returned to training after their facilities were closed for two days but the league has yet to reschedule the game against Everton.

rebounds. Herro and Dragic — Miami’s top two point guards — combined for 47 points, 20 rebounds and six assists in 55 minutes.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists, recording his 19th career triple-double.

However, Khris Middleton, who scored 25 points Tuesday, was held to eight points on Wednesday as he made just 3 of 15 shots.

Charlotte Hornets 118 Dallas Mavericks 99 First-round draft pick LaMelo Ball had his first strong outing in the NBA, and his 22 points helped Charlotte prevail at Dallas.

Reserve Miles Bridges contributed 20 points and a career-high 16 rebounds and Terry Rozier had 18 points for the Hornets, who have won in five of their past six visits to Dallas.

P.J. Washington and Gordon Hayward posted 11 points apiece and Jalen McDaniels added 10 points for the Hornets.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 18 points, Jalen Brunson’s 16 points and Maxi Kleber’s 12 points were tops for the Mavericks. Luka Doncic was held to 12 points on 4for-10 shooting from the field in just 24 minutes.

(Field Level Media)

Edinson Cavani:

Man Utd forward banned over Instagram post

B

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaan, Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic and Edison Cavani celebrate after the match.

(Pool via Reuters/Laurence Criffiths)

Memphis played its first game without Ja Morant (ankle), then saw Grayson Allen limp to the locker room in the second quarter with a sprained left ankle.

Brooklyn Nets 145 Atlanta Hawks 141 Kevin Durant scored 33 points and Kyrie Irving added 17 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter as Brooklyn outlasted Atlanta in New York.

Durant registered his first double-double as a Net by adding 11 rebounds, and he missed his 13th career triple-double by two assists.

Joe Harris added 23 points, and Jarrett Allen added 15 points and 13 rebounds for Brooklyn.

John Collins and Trae Young scored 30 points apiece for the Hawks, who were seeking their first 4-0 start since 2010-11.

Miami Heat 119 Milwaukee Bucks 108 Reserve Goran Dragic had a game-high-tying 26 points as Miami recovered from a miserable performance against Milwaukee to beat the visiting Bucks, who had beaten the Heat 144-97 one night earlier.

Miami’s Bam Adebayo had 22 points and 10 assists while Tyler Herro put up 21 points and a career-high 15

BC Sport Manchester U n i t e d ’ s Edinson Cavani has been given a three-match ban and a £100,000 fine for a social media post containing a Spanish phrase that is offensive in some contexts.

The Uruguayan, 33, pleaded guilty to a Football Association charge of using insulting and/or improper words.

Cavani sent the message after scoring a winner at Southampton on 29 November.

The striker subsequently deleted the post and apologised when the meaning that could be attached was pointed out.

Along with the ban and fine, Cavani must also complete a “face-to-face” education programme.

Cavani’s ban will begin immediately, ruling him out of United’s Premier League game with Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.

He is also set to miss the EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester City on 6 January and FA Cup thirdround tie with Watford on 9 January.

Cavani issued an apology shortly after posting the message on Instagram following United’s 3-2 comeback win against the Saints.

“It was intended as an affectionate greeting to a friend, thanking him for his congratulations after the game,” said the former Napoli and Paris St-Germain striker.

“The last thing I wanted to do was cause offence to anyone.

“I am completely opposed to racism and deleted the message as soon as it was explained that it can be interpreted differently.”

The FA charged Cavani for the post on 17 December.

With reference to new guidelines agreed in the summer, it said the post was

alleged to be “insulting and/or abusive and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute”.

It was also alleged “that the comment constitutes an aggravated breach” which “included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin”.

In response to the ruling, a Manchester United statement said: “Despite his honest belief that he was simply sending an affectionate thank you in response to a congratulatory message from a close friend, he chose not to contest the charge out of respect for, and solidarity with, the FA and the fight against racism in football.

“The club trusts that the independent regulatory commission will make it clear in its written reasons that Edinson Cavani is not a racist, nor was there any racist intent in relation to his post.”

Kaieteur News

Friday January 01, 2021

PAGE 37

GFF/K&S/MCYS Bounce Back Football – Final

A grudge match of sorts between Linden and Georgetown to bring the curtains down tonight

By Franklin Wilson

F

ootball returned to a competitive nature albeit for two days on Tuesday night at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, a venue that haven’t been used for the sport in years when the first of two nights of the Bounce Back tournament organised by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Kashif & Shanghai Organisation (K&S) and the Ministry of Culture Youth And Sport (MCYS) was contested.

Respective All Star teams from East Coast, Linden, West Demerara and Georgetown including some players from the East Bank of Demerara combined to bounce back against the challenges which have been presented by the world pandemic, covid-19.

It was a welcome return to some spirited rivalry and the players did not disappoint as they went about the business of outdoing each other in style.

Fitness was always going to be a challenge given the inactivity for so many months but it was a good showing on the part of all four teams as their respective technical staff tried their best to outwit each other.

In the end however, it

The Linden All Stars team, like the others, following Covid-19 protocols on December 29th, the first night of the Bounce Back football tourney.

was the traditional powerhouses, Linden and Georgetown easing to wins which have set up what is anticipated to be a riveting final tonight at the same venue when the lone match will kick off at 18:00hrs.

Georgetown had to stave off a spirited challenge from the West Demerara team to earn a 3-2 win, while the opening match saw Linden playing smart and eased to a 4-2 triumph against the nagging East Coast side.

Head Coach of the Linden All Stars, Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard, in an invited comment indicated that fitness would have always been a challenge for the players across the board given the fact that no competitive action would Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard during the 2019 historic Concacaf Gold Cup campaign.

have been possible since early this year.

But even with that said, Pollard, a fierce defender in his playing days as well as a former National Captain, said he is of the view that players handled themselves well in the circumstances, delivering exciting moments in both matches.

“It was a good win for us nonetheless, our team has a lot of quality, but quality without practice would result in that class not coming to the fore.

With regards to the final against Georgetown, most of the guys know each other and it would be a very good game. Coach Dover and his staff are doing a great job with the Georgetown team but this is a great opportunity

for Linden to get back some bragging rights after a long time. I do believe this is what football has been missing, that Linden, East Coast, B e r b i c e , We s t S i d e , Georgetown rivalry.”

Pollard further noted that it is a well known fact that Linden was the powerhouse in the early days but then Georgetown took over, “So I think now we are looking to shift back the power to the Mining Town. Yes it is a grudge match.”

Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover was in high praise for his team and the way they handled themselves despite the long layoff from the game.

He stated that his charges demonstrated that they have the ability and potential to grow and become better; they just need to be a little more committed and work a bit harder to develop and attain their true potential.

The experienced tactician noted that once the green light is given for a return to competitive play, regular competitions would contribute to players on field development.

“Being actively engaged week in and week out would certainly go a long way in aiding in these talented players moving to the next level for themselves and the nation.”

His analysis of the match

against West Demerara was that it was very competitive and exciting despite the lack of action for some time, pointing out that it could have gone either way.

“I’ve got to congratulate Coach Heywood and his staff for the work that they have done with the West Side team, they played well and seemed hungrier and wanted it much more that the Georgetown team. They took the fight to us and demonstrated good skills, coordination, technical ability, tactical discipline and awareness.”

Coach Dover also cited that it always unfortunate when a team concedes an early goal and even though they {West Demerara} did so, they never dropped their heads and continued to fight until the final whistle.

“So, it was a game of rich entertainment and I’m very sorry that fans were not there to be entertained.”

Looking ahead to the final against old rivals Linden tonight, Dover posited, “Leading to the final, I would say our approach would be just as serious as we did against the West Side team, we want to maintain playing good, scoring goals whilst conceding less so that we can come out on top.

But we would not be taking Linden lightly because we all know the

historical rivalry between Georgetown and Linden.”

He reminded that the lads from the Bauxite Mining Town have as their lead technical and tactical strategist, former national defender, Charles ‘Lilly’ Pollard along with some very good players.

“We would be very respectful but serious with our approach to the game so that we can triumph.”

All the action would be carried live on NCN Ch. 11, Enetworks and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Facebook page.

Linden All Stars: Abumuchi Benjamin (Georgetown), Sese Norville (East Bank), Curtez Kellman (Georgetown), Pernel Schultz (Georgetown), Colin Nelson (Georgetown), Shemar Fraser (East Coast), Eric Moore, Kelon Major, Omar Brewley, Omarie Gordon, Romain Adams, Deshawn Joseph, Shane Lucky, Clive Hudson, Kendall Lewis, Kevin Charles, Denzil Fordyce, Andre M a y e r s , R a j a n Ramdeholl, Delon McAllister.

Manager - Seon Barratt, Head Coach - Charles Pollard, Assistant Coach Troy Nelson, Goalkeeper Coach - Eon Deveira, Equipment Manager Quacy Paddy.

Georgetown All Stars: Alex Murray, Joel Yap, Rafael Edwards, Jeremy Garrett, Lionel Holder, Trevon Lythcott, Joshua Campbell, Lazon Lord, Daniel Wilson, Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett, Kelsey Benjamin, Kimba Braithwaite, Orin Yarde, Dorwin G e o rg e , S t e f a n Reynolds, DaCosta Aboagye, Nicholas McArthur, Delon Lanferman.

Manager - Frank Parris, Head Coach - Wayne Dover, Assistant Coach Anthony Benfield, Goalkeeper Coach - Calvin Allen, Medical - Denzil Hernandez.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 38

Friday January 01, 2021

GTT selected as telecommunications provider to Maraiko Bay Megaproject

An artist impression of what the project will look like.

T

he Guyana Telephone and Telecommunicati ons Company (GTT) has been selected as the preferred telecoms provider to the billion dollar real estate, megaproject being built in Maraiko Bay, Mahaica which involves a major golf course.

T h e C I M G R O Construction and Investment Group (CIMGRO) that is spearheading the project, made the announcement today following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

between the two entities.

The MOU is based on GTT’s provision of ‘complete telecommunication services’, inclusive of Blaze high speed fiber internet, Biz fiber shared bandwidth service, Dedicated Internet Access, Postpaid Mobile, PBX and full Cloud management as would be needed by the CIMGRO team and the future residents and occupants.

“GTT looks forward to supporting the continued growth of Guyana – and in this case, the CIMGRO team and those who would reside

and establish businesses in Mahaica, as a result of this massively ambitious and eagerly anticipated project,” said Eshwar Thakurdin, GTT’s VP of Sales.

Thakurdin elaborated that the MOU also provides for GTT to be the recommended provider of choice for services to the single-family homes, multifamily townhouses and condominiums, hotels, medical center and hospital, shopping mall and business center, commercial areas, restaurants, supermarkets, recreation and sports center

‘Utter nonsense’ - WI legend Ambrose dismisses arguments made for Chemar Holder Test omission SportsMax - West Indies fast bowling legend Curtly Ambrose has rubbished suggestions conditions in Bangladesh are a good reason for up and coming fast bowler Chemar Holder to be left out of the Test team for next month’s tour.

The 22-year-old made his debut under difficult conditions in New Zealand, earlier this month, performing creditably despite a heavy loss for the West Indies. Holder ended with figures of 2 for 110, with one maiden, but often providing some testing deliveries despite not claiming more wickets.

For next month’s tour, despite 12 first-team players opting not to take part in the series, there is no space in the Bangladesh Test squad for Holder. One of the players missing is West Indies captain Jason Holder, who typically makes up part of a pace bowling quartet alongside Shannon Gabriel, Kemar Roach, and Alzarri Joseph.

Some believe Holder would have proved a

Windies fast bowler Chemar Holder.

Officials of GTT and the Maraiko Bay project: From left Sudama Ramalingum, Vishwanauth Ishwardin, Ragindra Persaud and Sheik Haniff after the signing of the MOU. and other facilities earmarked for construction.

Maraiko Bay prides itself on being the gold standard for communities in the entire region and will possibly be the only one of its kind with just 34% of the entire project allocated for housing with the rest dedicated to amenities and green areas. “ We t h o u g h t o f everything, places of worship, security and fire stations, school, hospital, recreation and of course amazing shopping!” said COO Rudy Ramalingum.

The COO shared that over the Christmas holidays, CIMGRO launched its unique showroom in the Giftland Mall and attracted hundreds of interested buyers, all anxious to cash in on the pre-construction pricing and promotions b e i n g o ff e r e d b y t h e

developer in Maraiko Bay, G u y a n a ’s f i r s t t r u e community that is living up to its motto of ‘Live, Work and Play’ by providing residents with every conceivable amenity at their fingertips.

“The reaction of visitors to the showroom ranged from amazed to a sense of pride that a Guyanese company would be the first to provide the standards and quality of a world-class community sought after by expats and re-immigrants, while still being affordable enough for local residents,” said Ramalingum.

R a m a l i n g u m underscored that with the announcements of potential construction of hotels in the past few weeks, only Maraiko Bay Golf Resort offers the amenities such as world-class championship

golf course, marina, fabulous beach and ecotourism that will boost tourism and money spent in the country.

Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali reemphasized that message that now is the perfect time for prospective residents and investors to grab a piece of the incredible development opportunities that the Mahaica corridor offers when he spoke to the diaspora in Canada, saying that they should come home and not just send money.

Additional MOU announcements with other major companies in the region are expected as the megaproject moves forward at a pace yet to be seen in recent years as the rush to fill the housing and services needs in Guyana increases.

Visit www.cimgro.com for more information.

CGI name Squads for practice matches and Fitness Assessment suitable replacement for his namesake, but Cricket West Indies chief of selectors Roger Harper pointed out that the player had been excluded for a spinner, considering the spinfriendly nature of pitches in Asia.

Ambrose, however, does not agree and pointed out that it is crucial the young fast bowler, having shown promise, be given the opportunity to excel in all kinds of conditions.

“That to me is utter nonsense. I can’t support that. If you want to be a topclass international cricketer,

you have to be able to bowl on all surfaces, in all conditions anywhere you go,” Ambrose said.

“To me, that type of reason does not hold any water, it is disappointing.

Having made his debut in New Zealand and done fairly well on his debut, he is full of confidence, he is one of the guys for the future in my view. To be left out of the Test squad to me was a big surprise…Don’t tell me because it’s a spin-friendly environment that you are going to, you want to walk with 10 spinners, that to me makes no sense.”

As the Guyana Jaguars prepare to compete in the 2021 CWI Regional Super 50 Tournament, CGI has named two squads to participate in three practice matches to be held at the LBI ground from 0900 hours on the respective dates of Friday 4 January 2021, Sunday 10 January 2021 and Tuesday 12 January, 2021.

All players named in these squads are required to participate in the fitness assessment scheduled for Monday 4 January 2021 from 0600 hours at the Athletic Stadium in Leonora, West Coast Demerara. The teams for the three scheduled practice matches are as follows: Hetmyer X1: 1. C h a n d r a p a u l

Hemraj 2. Raymond Perez 3. Kevlon Anderson 4. S i m r o n H e t m y e r (Capt) 5. S h e r f a n e Rutherford 6. Akshaya Persaud 7. Kemol Savory 8. BhaskarYadram 9. Kevin Snclair 10. Demitri Cameron 11. Keon Joseph 12. Clinton Pestano 13. Anthony Adams 14. Vishaul Singh 15. MavindraDindyal 16. Steven Sankar 17. SachinSiingh 18. Ricardo Adams Johnson’s X1 1. Trevon Griffith 2. Tevin Imlach 3. L e o n J o h n s o n (Capt)

4. Jonathan Foo 5. C h r i s t o p h e r Barnwell 6. Assad Fudadin 7. Anthony Bramble 8. Quinten Sampson 9. Gudakesk Motie 10. Ramaal Lewis 11. Nial Smith 12. R o n a l d o AliMohamed 1 3 .

TagenarineChanderpaul 14. Devindra Bishoo 15. Adre Stoll 16. TotaramBishun 17. Richie Looknauth 18. Kelvin Umroa Note: Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul and Raymon Reifer will be on West Indies duties, whilst Keemo Paul will be otherwise engaged in cricket duties.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 01, 2021

PAGE 39

John Holder sues ECB over alleged racial discrimination

E

SPNcricinfo John Holder, the former Test and county umpire, has reportedly lodged a claim against the ECB over alleged racial discrimination during his time in the board’s employment.

As revealed by ESPNcricinfo last month, Holder and Ismail Dawood, who was on the ECB’s reserve umpire list until 2014, have previously accused the ECB of “years of racism” and called for an independent inquiry into the lack of non-white officials in the English game.

They have now gone a step further, according to a report in the Guardian, and are suing the ECB under the 2010 Equality Act, seeking compensation and a recommendation from the employment tribunal on the governing body’s future conduct.

Holder, 75, played for Hampshire before being appointed to the first-class umpiring panel in 1983. He was elevated to

internationals in 1988, umpiring in 11 Tests and 19 ODIs, and continuing to officiate in county games until 2009.

The ECB has been accused of subsequently overlooking non-white candidates. The last nonwhite appointment to the first-class list was Vanburn Holder in 1992.

“I’ve lived in England for 56 years,” John Holder told ESPNcricinfo. “And I can tell you, hand on heart, I have never experienced racism before. But when you look at these figures, when you understand what is going on, it is hard to reach any other conclusion.

“When I stopped working for the ICC, I contacted the ECB to offer my services to mentor umpires. I didn’t even get a reply. Instead, ex-players, some of whom have never stood as umpires, were appointed to the role. That is l u d i c r o u s . I t ’s l i k e employing someone who can’t drive to be a driving instructor.”

Virat Kohli and Ellyse Perry honoured as decade’s best PA - India captain Virat Kohli and Australia allrounder Ellyse Perry have been named as the International Cricket Council’s players of the decade. The awards, held in place of the usual end-ofyear ceremony due to the effects of Covid-19 on the fixture calendar, were primarily decided by a panel of former players and experts, with a 10 per cent weighting on a public vote.

Kohli claimed the Sir Garfield Sobers Award for his performances across all formats, scoring an unmatched tally of 20,396 runs in the period, and also picked up the ODI cricketer of the year award. · M e n ’s p l a y e r : Virat Kohli · Men’s Test player: Steve Smith · Men’s ODI player: Virat Kohli · Men’s T20 player: Rashid Khan · Women’s player: Ellyse Perry · Wo m e n ’s O D I player: Ellyse Perry

· Wo m e n ’ s T 2 0 player: Ellyse Perry Perry went one better, celebrating a hat-trick by taking the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for women’s cricketer of the decade alongside the ODI and T20 prizes. As well as taking more wickets than anyone else, with 213, she also piled up 4,349 runs.

Kohli was prevented from a similar clean sweep with Steve Smith named Test player of the decade and Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan topping the T20 vote. Smith posted 7,040 runs and averaged 65.79 in 69 appearances to edge out a field that included England duo Joe Root and James Anderson.

The latter was one of four Englishmen to make the men’s Test team of the decade on Sunday, joining Sir Alastair Cook, Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad.

Scotland boasted both winners in the associate section, with Kyle Coetzer and Kathryn Bryce honoured.

D a w o o d , w h o represented four counties during an 11-year playing career, claims he was overlooked for promotion despite being rated a “sound, technical umpire”.

In response to ESPNcricinfo’s story in N o v e m b e r, t h e E C B announced that it had commissioned a review into the management of match

officials aimed at ensuring increased diversity.

In response to the legal action, an ECB statement said: “We are not aware of the detail of this claim from John Holder and are therefore unable to comment upon it. The ECB is absolutely committed to ensuring there is no place for discrimination, of any kind, in our sport.”

John Holder officiates during a county game. (PA Images via Getty Images)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 40

Friday January 01, 2021

BCB invites clubs to register for 2021 Under-13 and Under-15 tournaments - Clayton Lambert $1.5M gears project on tomorrow

Former West Indies opener Clayton Lambert hands over the donation of gears to Mr. Egbert Lyken Edwards of the BCB.

The Berbice Cricket Board has hit the road running as it strives to fulfill its promise to host thirty cricket tournaments in 2021 at all levels. The board is inviting interested clubs to register for the BCB/Zulfikar Mustapha Under-15 inter club and the BCB/ Romario Shepherd Under-13

tournaments. The Under-15 tournament is been sponsored by Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, while West Indies white ball allrounder Romario Shepherd in the sponsor of the Under-13 tournament.

The BCB is expected to start the Under-15 tournament around the 23rd of January as it starts preparation for the 2021 Under-15 inter county tournament which is usually held in mid or late February every year. The cut of date of birth for the Under-15 tournament is the 1st of September, 2006, while the 1st September, 2008 is the cut-off date for the Under13. Clubs are reminded that they all would be expected to prove their members date of birth if any other club protest against them. Any team that plays an over aged player would be disqualified from the tournament and face a heavy monetary fine. All players are expected to be uniformed in white, while only Berbicians would be allowed to participate in both tournaments. Clubs have until Tuesday 5th of January to register for the Under-15 tournament and midFebruary for the Under-13 tournaments.

BCB President Hilbert Foster is urging all clubs in Berbice to get their grounds in order for the 2021 season,

which is scheduled to have at least thirty tournaments at the junior, female, senior and school levels. The board intends to play off the semifinals and finals of the 2019/2020 suspended tournaments along with the 2021 Under-17, Under-19, U n d e r- 2 1 a n d f e m a l e tournaments in the first quarter of the year. The historic semi-professional league is also scheduled for the third quarter.

Meanwhile, dozens of Under-15 and Under-17 players drawn from nineteen clubs would benefit from the distribution of $1.5M worth of cricket gears and white uniforms under the BCB/Clayton Lambert Youth players gears project.

The gears include bats, batting pads, batting gloves, helmets, wicketkeeping pads and gloves, forearm guards, thigh pads, batting rubbers among others.

The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association and Berbice River Cricket Association would also receive donations of cricket balls and gears. The presentation of the items would be done tomorrow 2nd of January at the Area ‘H’ ground at 3PM. It would launch the BCB list of programmes for 2021. The BCB intends to assist at least 200 youths in 2021 with gears, uniforms, bicycles and educational materials.

Dominoes action set for Turning Point today Turning Point will be hosting a four-game sixsitting dominoes competition starting today at 14:00hrs.

Entrance fee is $10,000 and teams are asked to be at the venue at least 30

minutes prior to the start of play.

The competition is being organised by Mark Wiltshire and Colin Mc Ewan.

Interested teams can contact Wiltshire on 6598672.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 01, 2021

PAGE 41

Archery Guyana certifies first batch of National Archery Judges Archery Guyana congratulates the recent graduates of the Inaugural Online Archery Judges Seminar hosted by Archery Guyana in collaboration with Wo r l d A r c h e r y ( t h e International Governing Body for Archery) to train National Archery Judges.

This training seminar offered a unique opportunity to the eleven Guyanese participants who together with over 200 persons within the Americas who attended this Training Seminar to develop a new skill set. They are now uniquely placed to assist with the advancement and development of the discipline in Guyana.

National Judges are held in high esteem and depending on their personal commitment this can also open a pathway into becoming a Regional Archery Judge on the WAA (World Archery America’s) and possibly an International J u d g e o n WA ( Wo r l d Archery) roster of Judges.

This therefore has the possibility of providing a very meaningful experience for the dedicated and diligent Judge.

In this regard, the Secretary-General of Archery Guyana, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, congratulated all participants for successfully completing

The successful certified National Archery Judges who will give the sport a boost locally. the Course and expressed great delight in the next step and what this means for Guyana moving forward with the hosting of National, Regional and International Competitions.

She expressed congratulations to the following 5 certified National Archery Judges: 1. M r . M o h a m e d Khan 2. Mr. Robert Singh 3. Dr. Ricardo Stuart 4. M r .

R y a n McKinnon 5. Mr. Nicholas Hing She expressed further congratulations to the following 5 certified National Judge Candidates: 1. Ms. Mala Mahadeo 2. M s . E l i z a b e t h Mason 3. Mr. Samuel Arjoon 4. Ms. Samira Duncan 5. Ms. Audia Moe

ICC Test Rankings:

Kane Williamson takes top batting spot over Steve Smith and Virat Kohli

Kane Williamson has scored 498 runs in only six Test innings in 2020. (Getty Images) BBC Sport - New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has overtaken Australia’s Steve Smith and India skipper Virat Kohli to top the ICC Test batting rankings.

It is the first time since 2015 that Williamson has held the top spot.

He has scored a careerbest 251 and 129 in two Tests

this month.

Kohli remains second overall, while Smith’s poor start to the Australian summer has seen him drop to third - the first time since November 2015 he has been outside the top two.

Smith, who had held the top spot since February, has scored just 10 runs across (Continued on page 33)

rt Spo

Wayne Dover

Linden All Stars (white & black) would be seeking to arrest their Georgetown counterparts in tonight’s final. (Zaheer Mohamed photo).

GFF/K&S/MCYS Bounce Back Football - Final

A grudge match of sorts between Linden and Georgetown to bring the curtains down tonight

Restaurant Manager, Wendy Fernandes presents the sponsorship cheque to co-founder of the K&S Organization, Kashif Muhammad in the presence of (from left) GFF president Wayne Forde, Minister of Sport, Charles Ramson Jr and Aubrey Shanghai Major.

KFC throws support behind GFF, K&S, MCYS Bounce Back Football Virat Kohli and Ellyse Perry honoured as decade’s best Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.