Kaietur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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

Back to school!

Monday Edition January 03, 2022 - Vol. 15 No. 01 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 64,619

- Most students to return to face-to-face learning from today

Govt. gears up to dive into oil account - as Ali says money to be spent on citizens’ welfare

$30 million GECOM needs worth in fundamental equipment restructuring - PNCR urges broad consultations on destroyed proposed changes in GPHC fire to election laws

The protest continues for change to ExxonMobil’s contract.

Row over gold leaves Venezuelan dead

Condemnation of new oil fund law grows …citizens warn that unilateralism, triumphalism will hurt PPP/C in 2025

Crumbs for you from your massive oil find

@11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

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Condemnation of new oil fund law grows …citizens warn that unilateralism, triumphalism will hurt PPP/C in 2025

G

uyanese continue to speak out against what they deemed the flawed Natural Resources Fund Bill which was hurriedly passed in the National Assembly last week.

Government has since mobilised all of its surrogate organisations to hail the new law as revolutionary and good for Guyana. The law has been widely reviled by most civil society organisations and commentators here, but was rushed through the Parliament amid chaotic scenes last Wednesday. The opposition has raised concerns about the legality of the passage of the bill which was also hurriedly signed into law by President Irfaan Ali mere hours after its passage.

US-based Guyanese, Dr Jerry Jailall in offering his thoughts on the passage of the bill said in a letter that the Guyana Government chose to go fast and alone in forcefeeding the Natural Resource Fund Act on the nation, using i t s o n e - s e a t m a j o r i t y.

“Despite its sloganeering about “One Guyana,” the PPP's Engine Room essentially told the Opposition PNC and civil society representatives asking for more time for consultation, to go to hell,”

Jailall wrote in a letter to the press. He said the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, said “the key stakeholders, a n d n o t o rg a n i s a t i o n s without known supporters or members, should lead these advocacy and lobby efforts…that some of these organisations do not have many members or supporters but are sometimes 'taken seriously' in Guyana and internationally.”

“So how about the PNC representing the large group of 217,920 people who voted for them?” Using your standard Mr. VP, do they not have a right to ask for consultations? And Mr. VP, where in the Constitution or Article 13, does it have your litmus test that people who speak out must belong to groups with large memberships? Does every citizen not have a right to influence national decisionmaking? Or is it that the groups must be pro-PPP, with mentally lazy “Yes men” and lackeys?”

Jailall said the PPP won in imposing its bill without any debate, “but it ended up being a pyrrhic victory, that may turn out to bite them in a place they don't want to be bitten. Its unilateralism and triumphalism may hurt them in 2025,” Jailall reasoned. He added: “The PPP has

Dr. Jerry Jailall

Former Prime Minister and Mayor, Hamilton Green probably already lost all those crossover votes that catapulted them in the 2020 election.”

Jailall made reference to the petition that was signed by 64 Guyanese nationalists and the many statements issued by organizations such as the Policy Forum Guyana, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Guyana Bar Association, Trade Union Congress, the Transparency Institute of Guyana, the Article 13 group and others calling for more consultation.

He said the nation has been fractured for so long with no healing in sight, that people say “Guyana nah gat good…Guyana gone fuh channa.” “We are such a rich,

Row over gold leaves Venezuelan dead New Year's day turned out to be a tragedy for two friends after one allegedly killed the other during a row over gold at Arau Mountain Top, located in the Cuyuni district, Region Seven.

Killed, reportedly from a blow to the head with a piece of wood, is Animal Sonja, 51, a Venezuelan national of Valencia, Venezuela.

According to police, Sonja received the fatal blow between 02:45 and 03:00Hrs on Saturday. His friend, a 21-year-old, accused of killing him was nabbed by police yesterday at Kaikan, a village located not too far away from the

Arau Mountain Top. Kaieteur News was told that both the suspect and the victim had arrived to Arau some time back looking for work. They reportedly setup camp at the mountaintop and would normally work in the nearby mines located there. This newspaper understands that on Friday evening (old year's night), Sonja had gone over to the camp of the suspect's sister to welcome the new year.

The suspect was present there too and amid the festivities and celebrations, an argument broke out between them.

Investigators reported

that the row was over gold that the suspect owed Sonja.

The argument turned violent and eventually marred the celebrations after the suspect found a piece of wood and hit Sonja to the head..

Police stated that Sonja fell to the ground and remained motionless and the suspect fled the scene.

The matter was reported to ranks stationed at Arau and they visited the scene. Sonja was later pronounced dead.

Police had also taken into custody the sister and b r o t h e r- i n - l a w o f t h e suspect to assist with their investigations.

lucky nation, with an abundance of resources, yet our people have remained poor and destitute for over six decades under both the PNC and PPP. We have become a nation dependent on barrels and foreign remittances, and now we can add hampers and “Because We Care” pittances to that list. We don't have natural disasters as other countries which have to deal with hurricanes and earthquakes. Our disasters are man-made. They are called PNC and PPP, and there is no end to our misery until a credible third force emerges again. Nation, while we remain a “House Divided,” and renegotiation t a r r i e s , Exxon/HESS/CNOOC are dancing all the way to the bank. Instead of fighting the oil companies together for a better oil deal, the PPP and PNC are fighting each other over the NRF while the oil companies' shareholders are giddy with oil profits from their Guyana investments.

Wake up Guyana!”

Future of the oil-rich country Adding his voice to the issue, Working People's Alliance (WPA) Executive, Tacuma Ogunseye said in a letter to the press, the year 2021 will go down in the annals of Guyanese political history as the year that shaped the future of this oilrich country. “Unfortunately, confrontation and conflict driven by the negative policies and governance of the ruling PPP/C government - are unavoidable,” He said in the last few months, the PPPC has demonstrated beyond any shadow of a

doubt its commitment to its previous governance style of domination and dictatorial governance, leaving the most optimistic of their election allies in political sinking sand and trying to hold on to the PPP/C's elusive “democracy”.

“The government proposed electoral reform draft bill, the imposition of a partisan CEO in GECOM and most grievous, the recent passing of the National Resource Fund (NRF) despite widespread criticisms fell on deaf ears.

Their rejection of a compromise for the bill to be sent to the Parliamentary Select Committee, allowing the nation more time to discuss it, is most egregious.

The government response to this reasonable demand from Guyanese across the political/race divide at home and aboard amounts to a squandering of the "democratic dividend" it received in the post-2020 elections. They have thrown down the “gauntlet". It is now for the masses, the political opposition in/out of the parliament, and civil society to rise up in defense of the nation's patrimony which is being expropriated by the rulers,” Ogunseye said.

He said the hurried passage of the bill, and what is likely to occur, “is simply a matter of the rats wanting to run away with the cheese in broad daylight.”

Surendra Dhanpaul, had struck a more optimistic note the day after the passage of the bill, imploring President Ali to withhold his asset, but this was not to be. “I write today asking that President

Ali withhold his assent on the same principle that his predecessor did. President Ali is in a uniquely advantageous position to listen to the people and organisations which do not support passage of the Bill but ask for further consultation before the Bill is law. Listen and hear the people, many of whom voted for you. This is not giving into the opposition. This is listening to the people and telling them “I hear you,” He had called on the President to show integrity. “This is the one quality that he explicitly specified that he would require of Board members.

Show us what integrity means to you, President Ali.” Dutch disease Another letter writer, V. Singh, said for anyone following the developments with regard to the Natural Resources Fund Act, from its first iteration by the previous government to this one laid and passed by the current government, there are a few changes that could be concerning and that raise questions which could affect our development as a nation.

“My understanding of the macroeconomic committee (MC) in the previous version of the Act is that it served as a check on the spending power allowable by the Fund. As we all know, inflation triggered by the supply chain disruptions has already translated into a higher cost of living for us in Guyana.

Inflation reported by the Bureau of Statistics has been higher this year than probably in more than a decade. Undoubtedly, part of (Continued on page 21)

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Kaieteur News

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

Two judicial appointments hijacked How long more will this offensive and embarrassing state of affairs in Guyana’s judiciary continue? For how much longer will the unending distrust of our bitter partisan politics hold this country hostage?

When will we get to that point where there could be confirmation of the acting holders to the two top positions in this nation’s judicial system? Our article titled, “Partisan politics responsible for 20-year impasse on judicial appointments of Chancellor, CJ” (KN August 8) says it all.

It is where we are, where we are not going, because we cannot bring ourselves to think any more on anything, for fear of political implications, despite declared confidence in the judiciary.

Now the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Lenox Shuman, has called on President Ali to consult with the Opposition and do away with this 20-year embarrassment. We note Mr. Shuman’s similar call for the Commissioner of Police and Chief of Staff, also commendable, but because they are of much shorter duration, we focus on the Chancellor and Chief Justice, both acting, and both women.

Guyana cannot look good before the world, even before ourselves, when we look in the mirror. Our political leaders both sides of the harsh, perilous divide look worse, in seeking to shift the blame to the other. It is always the wicked other side, while we make fools of ourselves when we mention the word democracy. Past and current governments blame previous and current oppositions. Thus, we remain stuck in the same place, with the inevitable fallouts on wider society.

But nobody cares about that, or has a care for the humiliating position in which two fine and faithful female jurists have been placed. What could be wrong with these two women? What is it that diminishes them to such a degree that they cannot be about the legally immaculate, the judicially sagacious? How prejudiced and partial can they be, as they seem to be assessed, in the eyes of those whose hands their fates have resided for 20 long years and which surely must represent the unequal in torturous suspension?

When these two women have been dragged through the partisan gutter like this, then the damage inflicted is felt in places that go beyond them. It is more than the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary and acting Chief Justice, who are held to ransom, but all women and, we daresay all men; all Guyana too. As they are shamed, so are we. It is also enlightening how much we can patter about democracy and constitution, but only when either or both serves our narrow visions and purposes.

Still further, it is instructive how strong and determined our political leaders can be, when the objects of their uncertainties and their resistance are local in origin and local in presence. But, on the other hand, how frail and faded and failing they all (that same tough political leadership) can be when they have to confront, deal, and overcome those who are from the outside. Since we do not wish to tamper with this fierce focus on the judicial, our only hint would be that leadership strength is damnably feeble, when the national commercial interests are involved, and in the balance. Then, they are weak and unsteady, and so unlike the muscular robustness that they summon to thwart judicial appointments for two decades running.

As this impasse goes on, the independence, and necessary appearances of independence, of this country’s judicial apparatus and architecture take a body blow. Part of the inevitable fallout will always be questioning and second-guessing the decisions that come from those entrusted to be impartial and unseeing where the dispensation of justice is concerned. It will be more than about how such a decision was arrived at, perhaps still more importantly, why it had to be so. When such becomes the norm, then our very system of justice suffers and all because the vital trusts that belong have been played politics with, and now stand hopelessly, maybe irretrievably, shattered. This is one public example of how our partisan politics has clouded our minds and fatally poisoned our souls.

Monday January 03, 2022

KN’s Glenn Lall is my pick for “Person of the Year for 2021” Dear Editor, If I had to pick a person as the “Guyana 2021 Person of the Year,” it will be the indomitable nationalist, Mr. Glenn Lall, who reminds me of Dr. Jagan fighting for the poor masses in our “rich Guyana of poor people,” as our President describes us.

I have considered mainly folks involved in oil and gas, and environmental advocacy, such as nationalist Mr. Christopher Ram, for his keen insights on oil and gas issues.

Mr. Anand Persaud, editor of the other independent newspaper, Stabroek News, has done excellent editorials and coverage of oil and gas issues. Melinda Janki and Troy Thomas are heroes for their lawsuit against the EPA granting the oil companies a 23-year environmental permit versus 5 years as per

regulations, and their courage to file another pending environment lawsuit. Auditor General Deodat Sharma has done yeoman’s work in auditing our national accounts revealing the haemorrhaging of national funds in almost all Government agencies.

Simone Mangal-Joly and Dr. Janette Bulkan have been warriors for the environment.

Darshanand Khusial, Mike Persaud and Prof. Das’s leadership of the Oil and Gas Governance Network has produced numerous letters in the media on oil and gas research and education and related issues.

In my view, the renegotiation of the oil contract with the oil companies, is Guyana’s number one priority and urgent imperative. Our

working poor will never rise above their current predicament unless Guyana gets more income from a better deal that includes a higher royalty, higher profit share and requiring the oil companies to pay taxes as they do in other countries.

There are not enough bad words to describe the deal signed by the PNC and which the PPP has vowed they will not renegotiate. Mr. Glenn Lall is the strongest, loudest, daily voice against this rape of the nation and governmental sins against the people of Guyana. When the church people are in deep slumber, when civil society is yet to awaken in masses, when we have mostly scaredy-cat lawyers with little moral courage to take cases to fight against the bad oil contract, when the business

associations have become lapdogs for the Government, and many people are on selfimposed silence, Mr. Glenn Lall’s voice booms loudly to warn the nation that we are being shortchanged in oil and gas and other natural resources, and that we must do something about it now.

Amidst numerous libels calculated to intimidate Glenn and close down his newspaper, and the wooing away of his staff by those who do not like the KN’s activist journalism on oil and gas and corruption, Glenn cannot restrain himself as he exhorts his newspaper readers and radio listeners, that Guyana has a bad deal that must change now. His passion is a cross between the Prophet Jeremiah saying his message is “a burning fire shut up in (Continued on page 5)

Omicron may have arrived in Guyana more than a week ago Dear Editor, It is highly likely that the Omicron variant arrived in Guyana at least more than a week ago. Why? There is an influx of travellers from regions where this variant is surging. Several such travellers are COVID positive and are in isolation in this country.

Also, the number of COVID cases dramatically increased within this week.

This rapid transmission fits the behavioural profile of the Omicron strain. We all know that this strain is highly transmissible. However, the honourable Minister of

Health seems to be asleep on the job. Up to Friday, he continued to insist that this variant has not reached Guyana. On what basis is the Minister saying this? What is his evidence for saying this? Has he done a sequence analysis to back up what he is saying?

The Minister talked about sending samples overseas only when he feels that the variant has arrived in Guyana. I also do not understand why the Minister wants to send COVID samples abroad for sequencing. We can perform our own gene sequencing

here in Guyana and this will be far more efficient for patient care. This technology is ridiculously cheap. Further, I do not understand why this government always compares Guyana to other Caribbean countries.

For this government, Guyanese are not entitled to anything the Caribbean does not have.

This is the kind of stupidity by the PPP/C Government. Why hold this country back and destroy lives by making such useless comparisons?

The Caribbean does not have the great volume and variety of natural resources

like we have in Guyana. We should never be struggling to purchase a simple gene sequencing machine with our immense natural resource wealth.

How can this government afford the gas to shore project which runs into tens of millions of dollars but cannot afford a simple machine that costs only a few thousand dollars to save human lives? Where is the logic? Where is our priority? Where is our heart? Clearly, our wealth is mismanaged and our lives compromised by this PPP/C Government.

Regards, Annie Baliram

The “role models” performed for the world to see Dear Editor, A while back Minister Charles Ramson came under fire by APNU+AFC cabalists and their media and NGO satellites because he decried the lack of role models in PNC/APNU+AFCsupporting enclaves for young people to emulate.

Typically, the divisive cabal made the contretemps into a race issue.

The young Minister, who had embarked on a multipronged approach to youth development countrywide, was touched and encouraged by the interest of youths who had been relegated to the periphery of existence during the APNU+AFC’s tenure in office.

Ramson’s hands-on approach to youth development is transforming lives that were once hopelessly mired in poverty and even anti-social conduct.

The youngsters veered to the Minister, who, together with recreational facilities, gave them hope for a better life and a brighter future, prompting young Ramson to utter those fateful words because their own leaders had clearly failed them by providing no opportunities for enhanced lifestyles and upward advancement and instead engaged in corrupt, self-serving/enrichment, vulgar displays, and unconstitutional, undemocratic actions.

Fast-forward to Wednesday, December 29, 2021, when events that transpired in Parliament vindicated Ramson’s assertion that PNC/ APNU+AFC leaders provide no role models but the opposite instead. Subsequent to MPs returning to the National Assembly from a brief intermission on

Wednesday afternoon after the Local Content Bill was successfully passed, members of the National Assembly were scheduled to debate the Natural Resource Fund Bill 2021 upon its resumption. Instead, true to their destructive, hypocritical, unpatriotic nature, opposition Members of Parliament attempted to halt the reading of the Natural Resource Fund Bill by the Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

The disruptive ruckus did not daunt the minister or the Government Members of Parliament, because his colleagues ring-sided him physically surrounding him, thus allowing him to continue his presentation of the Bill.

However, the cacophonous commotion took a sinister turn when the rabble, led by Opposition Member Annette

Ferguson attempted to steal the Speaker’s Mace, which was heroically protected by a parliamentary staffer, who wrapped his arms and feet around the instrument.

These, then, are the PNC/ APNU/AFC role models, but the nation’s youths have become enlightened and no longer allow themselves to be misled into anti-social behaviour by self-serving, power-hungry ‘leaders,’ who have always led them astray.

They are looking forward to a bright future with fulfilled promises of ‘the good life’ under the Irfaan Ali-led PPP/ C government.

Punitive consequences should ensue, but maybe this was a plan for the Speaker to remove one of the disruptive elements from Parliament, paving the way for Norton to get a much-coveted seat.

Yours Truly, Alvin Hamilton

Monday January 03, 2022

CJIA staff outstanding Dear Editor, I went to Guyana for a week on an emergency visit.

Both on my arrival and departure, I was pleasantly struck with the highest quality of staff attendance and behaviour in all departments - security, immigration, customs, etc. indeed, most staff went way out of the previous cold, candid job required courtesy

to be so warmly friendly and helpful.

One female officer personally ushered and fasttracked me and my wife through immigration and custom as “senior citizens”.

And while neither of us felt or behaved over 40, I got the chance to experience the feeling of elation that fake diplomats and wheel-chair passengers feel.

But I am certain President Ali’s hospitality training programme, and what I observed as abandonment by Guyana’s young people of racial and political dogmas, are beginning to pay dividends. My kudos and bouquets to Guyana’s young professionals at the CJIA Airport.

Yours truly, Gokarran Sukhdeo

I can say we have nothing of our own Dear Editor, I shall pour out my heart here. We love to speak and write of lovely things in lovelier terms. I am yet to come across some penmanship like Guyanese.

We can educate others about Santiago Principles, the Paris Agreement, and Kyoto

Protocols more than anyone.

I stop. Now I restart.

How about if we have the Guyana Guidelines? Or the Georgetown Goodness (or Berbice) Arrangements?

Made by us. Not the PPP alone. Not the PNC alone. Or Africans or Amerindians or Indians or Mixed? If we can

never sit civilly as a society and speak, then who are we?

If and when we always need (require) outsiders to fix us, then what kind of creatures have we become?

More importantly, who and what have I become?

Sincerely, GHK Lall

What is the use of having wealth and living in squalor?

Dear Editor, Whenever I drive through the littered streets of my neighbourhood, having at some corners, make shift dumps composed of shopping bags bursting with used diapers, “sal bags” tied up with the tins and bottles from someone’s kitchen and all manner of disgusting material I reflect on all the news and hoopla of Guyana’s newfound wealth and how all this money seems only to lead to massive projects and the pockets of large contractors, but never something like garbage collection or nationwide awareness of garbage, what is biodegradeable and what is not, etc.

I understand that projects are great for the news cycle where a politician can stamp his party, face and smile on the public during a lavish ribbon cutting ceremony.

Environmental care is not a project, it is a never-ending job, perhaps this is one of the reasons it never seems to have priority in the agenda of government officials. “This project will create a million jobs”. Not only money is needed but a good quality of life. I can tolerate less wealth if it would mean living in a pleasant, clean and orderly environment. What is the use of having wealth and living in squalor?

I reflect at the Guyana cultural performance at the Dubai Expo, it was centred on

the beauty and natural splendor of the country.

While watching it, I wondered how the audience would react having then to watch a video detailing the waterways of Guyana being used as a watery dump site. It is shameless to put together such a promo then having no effective environmental policy that deals with refuse and garbage across the country. Nature have given us everything in this country, it is not our accomplishment, we have done nothing to earn it. What can be an accomplishment is tangible gratitude exhibited by preserving and encouraging it.

I live in a housing scheme where there is no garbage collection and no dump site.

As a result, some residents just bag their garbage and throw it in the trench, others drop off their garbage from their car on the parapet a street or two away from their own residence. A while back, a neighbouring NDC agreed to send their tractor to pick up garbage that the residents would bag and put in front of their property. It was done as a favour to us because “land rates” were not being collected from us. These

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“rates” were not collected because the housing scheme is not “handed over” to the NDC. On inquiring from a very senior government official about this and the garbage situation, he admonished us that we have not fully occupied the scheme and thus it cannot be handed over.

I don’t know if he thought we were a hive-mind acting in unison. How in the world is the common resident responsible for the occupancy of the community is beyond me. In spite of the occupancy problems, people that want a house lot there cannot get one because they have already been bought by people residing overseas, or in their real homes. When I say “real homes”, many have bought these lands while already owning and occupying property elsewhere, their intention is to turn over these lands for a profit and thus the land remains undeveloped and unoccupied. The criteria for gaining one of these lands was having no other land and establishing a building on the land within a short time.

Failure of meeting the criteria, according to the government document, can result in not (Continued on page 6)

Speaker showed weakness during the Mace grab Dear Editor, The Speaker of the National Assembly showed weakness in dealing with the acts by some Opposition “MP’s” during the ruckus in parliament when they tried to steal the Mace and behaved in cruel and disorderly conduct, unbecoming actions of lawmakers.

This was not far from the January 6th, 2021 uprising in the United States Congress when Donald Trump’s diehard supporters stormed the building, except that this dastardly act in Guyana was committed by “elected” MPs. These MPs should have been immediately ejected from the sitting of Parliament and have the necessary

suspension put in effect later on. By the way, where were the Parliamentary security?

And, how did the MPs gain access to the control room in order to detach the cables?

When a British MP touched the Mace during the Brexit debate, that MP was immediately ejected from the House and then suspended thereafter.

When are government officials going to stop allowing themselves to be bullied by some people who think that it is their God given right to rule and pillage the country? I ask of these fellow country men and women: if you want to rule this country, please win a Free and Fair election.

Hasn’t LFS Burnham done enough damage to this country? It may be time to bring back the Westminster System of Parliament where each MP gets elected to represent a certain Riding or Constituency, instead of the PR system where anyone is appointed from a “list of candidates”.

How many countries use the PR system in the world?

Mr. Speaker, please show some guts and decisiveness the next time something similar happens, and there will be a next time.

As they say “Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way”.

Regards, Rahman Mohammed

Hear Mrs. Mootoo’s cry: When will we have Religious Education back in school?

Dear Editor, On the 11th December, 2021, a stalwart transitioned from this life into eternity. She was born in Sri Lanka but grew up in Malaysia.

However, she made the then British Guiana her home, having gotten married to our own Dr. Leslie Mootoo. I speak of no other than the late Savithiri Mootoo.

She was always dressed in her traditional sari, and endeared herself in the hearts of all those with whom she came in contact during her sojourn here on planet earth, which spanned more than nine decades! As I listened to the various tributes at her funeral service, from persons from all walks of life, I could only conclude - What an amazing woman!

She had a passion for children and was consumed by her love and fear of God and faith in Jesus Christ. This passion drove her to make numerous phone calls to whoever would listen as she pleaded... “When will we have religious education back in schools?” Those calls were countless! She herself had come to have a personal relationship with God through religious education in her

school, and as the declining moral state of our society registered on her, she continued to make those calls, crying in agony...” The children need to know God! When will we have religious education back in schools?”

I’m sure as we have an honest glance backward at activities in our classrooms as compared with some of what we have seen on the internet recently, we’ll be sure to

conclude that this young generation (of course with exceptions!) is crying out for moral moorings and spiritual guidance. Things (money, material resources, even education) do not satisfy the soul. They do benefit us for a time, but soon, despite all our degrees and accolades, we must lay them all down when death knocks at our door.

Particularly with so many (Continued on page 6)

KN’s Glenn Lall is my...

From page 4 my bones” (Jeremiah 20:9) and the Ancient Mariner in the “Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” under a compulsion to tell his story.

KN produces news and research daily on oil and gas to help educate the nation.

They focus on the best practices as well as the dark sides of the oil industry and its governance. Glenn does Tik Tok videos, YouTube videos, and recently was seen

in the picket line calling for consultation for the Natural Resource Fund Bill. Glenn is Guyana’s prophet for such a time as this, when other voices are silent. A grateful nation salutes you Mr. Glenn Lall as you continue to do God’s will in oil and gas fighting for our poor and dispossessed. Best wishes to you and family and the excellent staff of KN. Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

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Monday January 03, 2022

Send a strong message - revolting MPS must be punished Dear Editor, I join the Government’s call “…for (some serious) consequences against some members of the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Opposition over their actions in the National Assembly, during Wednesday’s debate of the Natural Resource Fund Bill.”

My take is that APNU/ AFC and their few followers are still in the ‘rigging mode’ that was manifested during the post March 02, 2020 period, when they tried to

steal the Guyana elections.

During that time, they were brazen, shameless and totally unruly. On Wednesday, these traits came to the fore, when they sought to block the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill.

According to Gail Teixeira, who expressed concerns over the ‘no-boundary’ posture of the Coalition Opposition, “This display that we witnessed must not be taken lightly by anybody whether they like the PPP (People’s Progressive Party) or not, whether they like the

government or not, whether they like the Bills or not. The issue is that the National Assembly, the legislature of the Guyana Parliament, was violated. It was defiled repeatedly with the worst thing happening nearly at the end, and that is, the seizure, attempt to steal the Mace of the Guyana Parliament.”

I recall, back in 1992, Former Indian President, KR Narayanan, described indiscipline and disorder in the legislative bodies as “Infantile disorders or the measles of the middle-age”

Hear Mrs. Mootoo’s cry: When will we...

From page 5 homes in crisis, the instilling of good morals in our schools via religious education will surely have a positive impact on our youths and on the nation as a whole.

Dear Minister of Education; dear Chief Education officer, I raise my

voice in support of Mrs. Mootoo’s wish and echo her sentiments - When will we have Religious Education back in schools?

As the doors of our schools re-open in 2022, albeit cautiously, I pray God’s grace and wisdom enfold those in charge of leading the

Education sector and may our children sense and know their value as they embrace the love of God that protects them from dangers seen and unseen.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Regards, Claudia Heywood

What is the use of having wealth and living in...

From page 5 getting the land or having it repossessed. Up to today I have not seen one of these lands repossessed to give someone with immediate need and the government continues to establish

housing schemes enmasse. I understand these things are good for the economy and the contractors, but they create large and enduring problems for the people.

We the people, require the people that are responsible

for spending the oil wealth to think deeply about the wellbeing of the people, not only in terms of projects but in quality of life. The garbage situation is truly a shame on Guyana and all Guyanese.

Concerned Guyanese

which “...are bound to pass, but pass they must, otherwise the system will be in mortal danger”.

At the time, an unholy disruption had taken place, and consequently, the Speaker of India’s parliament suspended 25 opposition MPs for “causing grave disruption”. Before that, the MPs, who had been protesting with placards in the well of the house, were warned and verbally reprimanded.

On the day in question here, Opposition Members of Parliament protested the hearing of the NRF Bill, which they wanted to be sent to the parliamentary Special Select Committee for review.

However, in being overruled, they resorted to disrupting the session. As was witnessed on the occasion and which can now be seen

on social media, Coalition MPs stood banging on their desks when the Bill was called up for debate and subsequently gathered in the pit of the Dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where National Assembly sittings are now being held due to the COVID19 pandemic.

The Bill was eventually passed, but the Opposition’s protest escalated into a physical confrontation with Parliament staff, after one of the Coalition MPs snatched the Parliament Mace from in front of the Speaker.

I remind our readers that “… no matter where parliament sessions are being held, the space in the middle between the Government and Opposition sides is sacred ground and a peace zone.”

Therefore, it is forbidden territory and no one is ever

allowed to be in that area.

However, it was stormed by the Opposition’s MPs. The behaviour was so raucous, it resulted in the compromising of the Control Room, as the internet was disconnected and the loudspeaker system shut down.

I concur with the Parliamentary Affairs Minister that the “… events in the National Assembly were not spontaneous but were preplanned, organised and orchestrated prior with the aim of delaying the passage of the NRF Bill…” I also believe “… there must be consequences … whether it’s a civil court, whether it’s a criminal court or whether it’s a ruling of the Speaker.” I think too that the discipline must be meted out in a just and prompt manner.

Yours truly, Attiya Baksh

Peeping Tom Right on Mace Dear Editor, Reference is made to Peeping Tom’s explanation of the relevance of the Mace in parliament. An opposition parliamentarian attempted to remove and hide the Mace while the staff tried to protect it.

It pertains to the passage of the NRF Bill. As Peeper noted there is an opposition claim that the NRF bill was not properly passed because the mace was missing from its rostrum in parliament. Readers also seem to believe that claim. I studied comparative politics. In all of the many courses I took in political science and countless readings of legislative procedures and constitutional law while studying for the doctorate, a mace has nothing to do with legal passage of legislation.

The mace refers to the authority of the Speaker. It is a symbol of power and respect to the Speaker.

Whether the mace is original or a copy is immaterial to legislation.

Even if the mace is

required for passage of a bill or for its presence when legislation is being debated and or passed, its absence from a proceeding does not make a legislative act unconstitutional if the mace is deliberately removed from the assembly. If the preceding were the case, then all an MP had to do to prevent legislation is to grab the mace and leave the House with it.

No court would support such an act or rule against passage of a law under such circumstances and declare it unconstitutional.

When I was a clerk in the Bronx Supreme Court in the early 1980s while a university student, I was privy to a case in which the judge ruled

against a petitioner who challenged passage of decision in an organisation.

The petitioner frequently walked out of the organisation meeting just before voting and claimed the decisions were illegal. The judge ruled that his deliberate absence from voting and attempts to prevent a quorum through his walkouts of meetings does not void a decision made by the majority of the rest of the members in attendance.

Thus, the absence of an original mace deliberately removed or the use of its duplicate during passage of a bill in an assembly does not make it unconstitutional.

Yours Truly, Vishnu Bisram

Does Mr. Norton accept the Govt. or not?

Dear Editor, He speaks from both sides of his mouth.

Does h e a c c e p t a n d recognise the president and government as duly

and constitutionally elected, or doesn’t he?

Seems he still does not accept this reality.

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

T N U L B . . .

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Monday January 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

It is 2022. Must we continue to turn a blind eye to the evils that plague this land? We think not!

We at this publication are optimistic that this year will be one of hope.

We hope for a year in which the people of this nation will stand up and speak out with such alacrity that our leaders will have no choice but to put measures in place to ensure that Guyana reaps all possible benefits so that ALL of our people can benefit, not just a few.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Monday January 03, 2022

Govt. gears up to dive into oil account ...as Ali says money to be spent on citizens' welfare

A

mid fears that the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) would be abused and misused with no jail time for the offenders, President Irfaan Ali in his New Year's message has hinted that funds will be transferred from the account to better the lives of Guyanese.

Ali did not give any specifics as to what projects or how the money would be used to better the lives of

citizens, but in the said speech he spoke about granting more scholarships for oil and gas studies and also improving housing.

“Of course, I know that you – the people of our One Guyana, expect to see benefits from the NRF flow to you, to improve your lives now; to deliver more jobs and better wages.

Therefore, it is obvious that some of the money from the NRF, which now stands

at approximately US$534 million, must be spent on your welfare and wellbeing,” Ali said. The objectives of the NRF are to: ensure that volatility in natural resource revenues do not lead to volatile public spending; ensure that natural resource revenues do not lead to a loss of economic competitiveness; fairly transfer natural resource wealth across generations ensuring that future

generations benefit from natural resource wealth; and use natural resource wealth to finance national development priorities, including any initiative aimed at realising an inclusive green economy.

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan believes that Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, intends to use the oil money in a manner that will score him political points. He said,

“Jagdeo may very well take it and do as he likes, conveniently to win an election. Buy votes and (to fund) projects that might very well not be in the interest of Guyana, like reopening the Skeldon Estate and all kind of nonsense…”

In fact, he explained that the former APNU+AFC administration was guided by international best practices when it drafted the Natural Resource Fund Act and it was decided to not have the monies accessible to politicians. In this regard, Ramjattan said, “the politicising of spending of oil monies is an abhorrent act...that is a very retrograde step from what we did and it is a tremendous (sign of) bad governance”.

Ali for his part in his New Year address said that the new legislation, which was hurriedly passed in the National Assembly last week despite warnings from the opposition and civil society, provides a mechanism by which the Parliament will approve the transfer of funds for projects and programmes that the Government has to carry out. Commentators have said Ali's remarks ring hollow as his government holds a one-seat majority in the Parliament, which it has been using to its advantage to pass bills and undertake other actions without considering the opposition.

The recent passage of the new NRF is an example of this and commentators have argued the same approach would be taken when it comes to withdrawing funds from the NRF account.

The President also said when transfers are made, to what department, for what purpose, and the results of the spending - all have to be made public.

“It has to be audited. The audited report has to be presented to the National Assembly and of course the PAC will have a chance to review the Auditor General's report.”

Ali reminded that the World Bank has projected that, over the life span of oil and gas production, Guyana could earn US$72.8 billion in revenues from the multiple offshore projects that will be operational.

“Surely, it is right, that with full and adequate supervision by reputable persons, nominated by parliament and the private

President Irfaan Ali sector, a portion of those funds should be spent on improving the lives of the people of Guyana – all of them – and bettering the conditions in which they live.”

“I have said it before, and I say it again now, I do not want a rich Guyana of poor people. Yes, Guyana must be rich so that never again should we be among the poorest in the world; never again should our poor have to be nomads, seeking survival in other parts of the world; never again must we be subjected to insults and contempt. But, our people must share in the benefits of the wealth that is now Guyana's – and share in it without fear or favour.

It is the right of their birth and a right that has been earned by them and their foreparents who toiled, sweated and sacrificed to make Guyana their beloved homeland.”

It must be noted, that although Ali spoke about citizens' right to benefit from the oil wealth, his government did not consult them on the drafting and passage of the law, from which the benefits will be derived.

Former Government Minister, Ronald Bulkan during a protest against the bill last week contended that the law “violates what is known as the Santiago Principles to which this administration committed to in its manifesto among others.”

He said the Santiago Principles says, among other things, that it is the owners of the resource who have to decide how it will be spent.”

According to Bulkan, the owners of Guyana's wealth “as we all know is not a government, it is not a political party, it's not the coalition nor is it the PPP…”

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

PAGE 09

We are fighting over crumbs!

The oil companies have us where they want us. They must be very amused at the drama which unfolded in the National Assembly last Wednesday.

The parliamentary representatives of the Government and the Opposition were at odds with each other over the Natural Resources Fund Bill. Ruckus unfolded during its passage.

The parliamentary Opposition was not interested in political compromise. They spurned a meeting with the government. The meeting was ostensibly called to discuss their objections to the Bill but only two persons turned up from the Opposition side.

On the Local Content Bill, the Opposition had tabled 14 amendments and 10 of these were accepted, a historic development in compromise in the National Assembly. However, the Opposition was more interested in burying the Natural Resource Fund Bill in a Select Committee where it would have languished, thereby preventing use of the oil proceeds in the forthcoming Budget. The government was clearly opposed to this manoeuvre and therefore pushed through the Bill.

The Opposition was not prepared nor did it have any intention of debating the amendments to the Natural Resources Fund Bill. Its protests outside the National Assembly demonstrated how ill-prepared it was. One banner called for insertion of the Santiago Principles

without recognising that the Bill itself committed to these principles.The Opposition would have found itself in a tangle had it opted to debate the PPP/C's Natural Resource Fund Bill. Because in as much as that Bill was flawed, the original Bill which was tabled and passed by the APNU+AFC after the passage of the no-confidence motion, was even more flawed.

It would have been difficult for the APNU+AFC to criticise, for example, the governing Board of the Natural Resources Fund, when the APNU+AFC's own Natural Resources Fund Act, made no provision for such a governing Body but instead placed too much authority in the Minister of Finance.

The APNU+AFC's formula for withdrawals from the Fund was described as complex and opaque. The PPP/C's formula was far simpler but the devil was in the detail. It now permits the PPP/C to withdraw substantial sums. But the APNU+AFC did not recognise this deficiency and even if it had it would have been hard pressed to defend its own formula.

For these and other similar reasons, the APNU+AFC found itself in a political and moral conundrum. It could not effectively criticise the PPP/C's Bill without exposing its own highly flawed original version. It therefore set the stage for what unfolded in the National Assembly.

The oil companies could not have been more pleased.

Here were the country's two

main political groupings fencing with each other over amendments about the management and oversight of the oil revenues, while they, the oil companies, are creaming away the country's wealth. The oil companies must be having a good laugh at our expense. Here it is, the country's two main political groupings squabbling over the crumbs which are being thrown its way: 2 percent royalties and 12.5 percent profit oil.

The Natural Resources Fund has been established for two years and all that the country has received thus far is less than US$600M. This is what the country's political parties are fighting about.

US$600M, and whatever is to follow, cannot fix the problems of this country in the next 10 years. We live in a country in which the majority of communities do not have concrete drains or proper waste disposal systems. The septic tank still remains the principal means of sewage disposal for the majority of households.

We live in a country in which the roads in many villages are in a poor state.

Many of them are sand roads. Few communities have road lights.

We live in a country in which the drains are choked with garbage and overgrowth and the outfall canals have not been dredged in decades. We live in a country in which floods occur after a few inches of rainfall, and where the pumps and sluices cannot remove the water quickly from the land.

We live in a society

New Year! boys seh...

Old ways!

Dem

Is a new year but de more things change, de more dem remain de same. In Guyana is always two steps forward and three steps backwards.

We bin doing nice, nice with de virus.

De number of active cases bin come down to a manageable level. De ICU cases also low. But now de number of infections and active cases start to change direction and dat mean mo people gan end up weh dem nah want end up.

Is suh when we nah like hear, we does gat tuh feel.

Dem boys nah know whether is de Christmas

festivities or de Omicron or both, but de spike in de numbers is frightening.

Yesterday was 281 new cases.

Fuh a lang time we nah had dem numbers.

But is suh with we. It gan be another lang haul.

Was too much partying tek place during de Christmas and New Years.

People coming together in dem hundreds and dozens without masks. And in dem conditions de virus must spread. And if is Omicron it can spread rapidly.

We nah gan know if is de new variant because even

though we rich in oil, we nah gat de means, as yet fuh test fuh de variant. And de guvament does like keep things secret.

Imagine dem bin know fuh months dat de Delta variant in Guyana and dem nah tell people until months after. No wonder we deh in de mess we deh in now.Is a New Year but things nah gan change fuh de better anytime soon. De enforcement slack, de guvament setting a bad example with dem public events and de people following dem.

Talk half and leff de rest fuh later!

where people are being robbed and killed almost daily. Anyone who has taken a drive around the country during the wee hours of the morning would recognise how susceptible citizens are to criminal home invasions.

We live in a country in which education is in a crisis.

Half of our children fail the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.

We live in a country in which health care leaves much to be desired. If you are seriously sick and require specialised care and do not have money to seek treatment at a private hospital, you face a lifethreatening situation.

We live in a country in which government expenditure is inverted.

Instead of the bulk of the money being spent on capital expenditure, as in most Caribbean states, Guyana is spending more than 60 percent of its expenditure on the upkeep of a highly incompetent public bureaucracy.

To fix these and the many other problems requires money, lots of money. And what was negotiated with the oil companies by the APNU+AFC cannot provide the returns to fix those problems within the next 10 years. The 2 percent royalties and the 12.5 percent profit oil simply will not suffice.

Instead of therefore

fighting over the crumbs, which we are receiving, the government and the Opposition should be addressing their minds to renegotiating the oil contract. Instead of squabbling over the management and oversight of the Natural Resources Fund, the two main political entities should be looking at how the country can obtain a better deal.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Monday January 03, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

2021 Review: Part 1 - a year of nasty narratives I

believe deep in my heart, not just at the superficial level, this country has people with some of the most disturbing character substance you don't find elsewhere. It is impossible to find words to describe this possession. I wanted to use the adjective, “astonishing,” but that would not even vaguely paint the canvass.

W h e n T r u m p consolidated Republican ideological fixations in the US, I saw some frightening mental output from people that you thought you would never see in a democratic, great country like the US. But I have seen levels of human failings in Guyana since the no-confidence vote (NCV) in December 2018 that reached a crescendo in March 2020 that have no parallel in the US since Trump became President.

What this means is that 2019, 2020 and 2021 in Guyana have produced some of the

worst traits in the human character.

Last year, I saw a gentleman interpreted the passing of the Natural Resource Fund Act (NRFA) of December 2021 as the final act that will cause Guyana to implode.

I watched this emanation with disbelief. How can anyone compare the NRFA with the danger, deception, depravity in what happened with the NCV and the fivemonth long election rigging?

Most people in the world believe that during the March 2020 rigging, Guyana would not have survived.

The Prime Minister of Trinidad sentiments echoed throughout Guyana.

He said, “This is not going to end well.”

It ended well and Guyana survived because the entire world, not sections of the global community, but the entire world came out against the rigging.

What happened in 2021,

thus the headline of this column, is that there was born a number of narratives by people either involved with the opposition PNC+AFC and their Meta (Facebook) surrogates, people for class and racial reasons who do not want the PPP in government and certain other persons looking for relevance and social survival.

The entire gamut of these associations gives no recognition and attach no importance to three episodes th at almo s t d es tr o y ed Guyana – the NCV (2018), the March election (2020) and post-election opposition inspired violence in Region Five (2020).

What we saw in 2021 was the elevating of the NRFA as the single, most destructive political act in recent time that will create instability and cause implosion.

Let me state my position before we look at the

disturbing character substance mentioned in the opening paragraphs above.

I b e l i e v e a l l governments, without exception will not get total support from the society and will make mistakes as time moves on.

The Government in Guyana is no exception. The f i r s t n o n - W h i t e Vi c e President in the US is receiving declining popular support. I believe Mia Mottley may not win all the parliamentary seats in the forthcoming elections in Barbados.

The PPP in Government will do things that will engender criticism. All government will face that situation.

Biden is facing it in the US. Any PPP supporter that doesn't believe that is hiding his/her head in the sand. I did not agree with the numbers that were retrenched from GWI. I felt the state should have absorbed them

elsewhere. One of those employees grew up in front of me in Wortmanville and I sought Frederick Kissoon employment for him p olice to do PPP's work, the and the Minister of Labour, Joe Hamilton was sudden evil transformation kind enough to facilitate of the GECOM chairperson and the NRFA. All are him.

I did not agree with the written and promulgated by s h a p e o f M i n i s t e r people who prioritise these Dharamlall's criticism of two narratives over others to suit judges but he withdrew the their narrow political and racial interests. remark.

But more importantly by To this day, Granger and Harmon have not apologised certain sections of civil for their rhetoric that led to s o c i e t y a n d c e r t a i n mayhem in September 2020 individuals that do not in Region Five in which consider the victims of the buildings were burned, cars Region Five mayhem in were damaged, people were 2020 worthy of being mentioned. I hope the attacked.

So in 2021 we had the victims' ethnicity isn't the influx of certain nasty reason for this insane narratives by some who live hypocrisy.

(The views expressed in happily outside of Guyana, and will not live and work this article are those of the author and do not here.

The narratives include: necessarily reflect the mas s victimis atio n o f opinions of this newspaper.)

African Guyanese, use of the

Monday January 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Monday January 03, 2022

Speaker must provide list of MPs he said voted for NRF Bill ...Forde says coalition exploring legal challenge

The main opposition, APNU+AFC is calling on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, to produce the list of Members of Parliament (MPs) who voted in favour of the new Natural Resources Fund Bill, which will govern the finances garnered from oil and gas sector.

In an interview with this publication, Attorney-at-Law and MP, Roysdale Forde explained that the Speaker of the House has laid out the grounds for the passage of the Bill to be challenged legally, during his own press conference last Thursday.

On December 30, 2021, Mr. Nadir hosted a press

conference where he told media operatives that in order for the Bill to be considered approved—with the 33 members of the government voting in favour of the Bill, inclusive of its 47 Articles and Two schedules—there only needed to be a quorum for the sitting and for the Mace to be in place. He went on to explain that on his ascension to office, he had foreseen the need for a replica Mace, and so it was made.

Section Seven (1) of the Standing Orders indeed states that “The quorum of the Assembly and of a Committee of the Whole Assembly shall consist of

one–third of all the elected Members (excluding the Member in the Chair)”.

When it comes to the symbol of authority in Parliament, the Mace, Attorney Forde argued that the Standing Order makes no provision for a replica to be used.

According to him, “I believe that the press conference with the Speaker himself, explained the potential ground for (legal) challenges. He said the Mace was not there and that he used a replica of the Mace. If you check Parliament's website, there is a statement there that without the Mace in the House no proceedings or

laws can be passed”.

Forde added, “There's no basis for a replica. There's no provisions for that. If you check the website you would see the discussions on the Mace. They would show you the Mace and that has been recognised by the Parliament as the Mace. That's the only thing that is the Mace. So he could have taken a piece of wood and four eggs out of his pocket and called it the Mace then. The Mace is what is recognised as the Mace and that (replica) has not been recognised by custom or tradition, as being the Mace”.

Moreover, the MP said he believes the replica that was used in Parliament on

Wednesday when the Bill was passed was something “created” by the Speaker or gifted to him by “certain segments of society” to be used only for display purposes for students, or persons participating in mock debates.

With regard to the quorum required for the Bill to be passed, Forde said that the Speaker himself would have agreed that several MPs were not in their seats when the voting took place, amid whistle-blowing, placard protesting Opposition MPs. “Shortly before I put the question on the Natural Resource Bill and it's there live on the recording, I called for Members to take their seats, because a person can only speak or vote from their seat. And I kept monitoring and I noticed that they had almost all of the Government members in their seats,” the Speaker said during his Press Conference.

In this regard, Forde argued that the Speaker here would have admitted that some government MPs were not in their seats when the voting took place to pass the controversial Bill. “There were MPs joining virtually.

The Speaker would have to indicate whether those MPs were afforded the right to vote given that they were cut off during the process,” the Attorney said.

Even more importantly, Forde said that Mr. Nadir must produce a list of the MPs whose votes were counted. “If you are voting, then you must be in your seat, so the Speaker would have to indicate where the MPs were, and who the MPs were that voted in favour of the Bill,” he contended.

The Opposition representative further pointed out, “These are all questions that the Speaker himself would have to answer and every time he opens his mouth on the issue, he raises more questions than answers. He actually indicates clearly for the country to see that there were gross irregularities that went to the core of the proceedings, the core of the viability and legality of the proceedings”.

Section 49 of the Standing Orders of Parliament allows for the 'Collection of Voices' for the process of voting. Section 49 (1) says that “At the conclusion of a debate upon any question the Speaker or Chairperson shall put that

Senior Counsel and MP, Roysdale Forde question for the decision of the Assembly, and shall collect the voices of the Ayes and of the Noes, after which no further debate may take place upon that question”.

Section 49 (2) goes on to explain that the result shall be declared by the Speaker or Chairperson stating “I think the Ayes have it” or “I think the Noes have it” as the case may be; however any elected Member of Parliament may challenge the opinion, by claiming a 'division'.

Section 50 (1) points out that “If a division is claimed, it shall be taken by the Clerk calling each elected Member's name and asking each such Member separately how he or she desires to vote and recording the vote accordingly. The Clerk shall then announce the number of those who have voted for, those who voted against the proposal and those who declined to vote and the Speaker or Chairperson shall declare the result of the division”.

The Opposition MPs resorted to protest action in the National Assembly, after their calls were ignored for the NRF Bill to be sent to a special select committee, which would allow for, not only consultations on the legislation, but also proper consideration of the citizenry, given that the Bill was tabled just about two weeks only, before it came up for debates.

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure and Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson had told Kaieteur News that due to the nature of the bill, it was only fitting that the National Assembly and the nation at large be given three months to fully scrutinise the document that contains more than 30 pages of information.

In addition to Opposition calling for more time, this newspaper was told that a (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

PAGE 13

GECOM needs fundamental restructuring The People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) said it welcomes the Electoral Reform Group's (ERG) response to Government's proposal to amend the Representation of the Peoples Act, noting that while there are areas of disagreement, many of the proposals averred are acceptable.

“The fact that the Electoral Reform Group sees dialogue as important to the resolution of the problems is teemed with potential for the areas of disagreement to be addressed,” the PNCR said in a statement.

The party said it welcomes and supports the ERG's position that “There is almost unanimous agreement that GECOM is in need of

- PNCR urges broad consultations on proposed changes to election laws fundamental restructuring and reform” and that “Electoral reforms need to benefit from a national consensus if they are to have the desired effect.” In this regard, therefore, the PNCR notes the ERG position that “the single most worrying omission from the current process is the absence of dedicated spaces for stakeholders to discuss and deliberate together, as a means of achieving an increased national consensus on the proposed reforms.” In addition, the ERG reminded Guyanese that “Several observers to the 2020

General Elections noted weaknesses in voter registration which was a contributory factor in the conflicts around the elections”.

“The PNCR wishes to urge the government to let good sense prevail and become involved in a genuine process of consultation that is not dominated by the government. Such an approach will allow us to resolve many problems that emanate from our electoral process. The PNCR wishes to express its appreciation for the work of the ERG and

undertake to come to the table with and promote the interest of all the people of Guyana as we seek to attenuate our differences and build a unified Guyana,' the statement added.

According to the draft proposed changes submitted by the government under the amended law, not only can the Chief Elections Officer face hefty penalties for fraud, but other top officials within the elections machinery can face jail time for similar offences. The amended law stipulates further, that “a person who obstructs an assistant agent or an alternate

polling agent in the performance of his functions commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years”.

Accordingly, the draft amendment recommends that person who fails to follow the procedure set out in the new law in ascertaining or to ascertain the total votes cast in a district or subdistrict for each list of candidates commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10 million and imprisonment for life.

Additionally, it notes that any person who fails to deliver to the returning officer of district Region Four a true certified copy of the subdistrict tabulation form or who delivers the sub-district tabulation form with falsified information commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of $10 million and imprisonment for life.

In a statement prodemocracy group, Article 13 had said that it shares the concerns expressed by commentators that the Government's draft proposals for amendments to the Representation of the People Act (ROPA), and proposed new regulations are “inadequate and (Continued on page 21)

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

Blue Martini murder…

Appeal Court to hear case after convict challenged life sentence

T

he Court of Appeal is set to hear the case for which a mason convicted and sentenced to life in prison for murder is challenging the outcome of the verdict.

Shawn Harris, called “Shawny” or “Brukup” a 34year-old mason was sentenced to life imprisonment in January of 2020 for the murder of Sunil Singh, who was knifed to death during a row outside the Blue Martini Nightclub in 2017.

The father of three is nevertheless contending that the conviction cannot stand given the lack of evidence during the trial. He argues too that his sentence is excessive and severe in all the circumstances of the case.

As such, he wants the Appeal Court to overturn the conviction and sentence.

The man, formerly of Lot 40 Bougainvillea Park, East Bank Demerara (EBD), and Lot 131 Pike Street, Kitty,

Shawn Harris called “Shawny” or “Brukup”.

Georgetown was sentenced to life in prison by High Court Judge, Justice Jo-Ann Barlow with possibility of being eligible for parole after serving 20 years.

According to the charge, Harris on February 5, 2017 unlawfully killed Sunil Singh, also known as “Grey.” Singh was stabbed to death at the Blue Martini Nightclub on Lamaha, Street in Georgetown. Back then, Kaieteur News had reported that the victim was

identified as Singh, a 42 year old homeless man who was killed while trying to prevent a robbery from happening at the nightclub.

Reports surrounding the killing indicate that a homeless man had wrestled a bandit and his accomplices to prevent them from carrying out an early morning attack at the nightspot.

It was then; he was repeatedly stabbed about his body.

At the time of the robbery, a police release stated that the three men had visited the club after a police patrol went to enforce the 2am curfew. Singh, after observing the men acting suspiciously outside the nightclub, alerted a bartender, who refused the men access to the club by telling them it was closed.

An altercation ensued between the bartender and one of the men, who stabbed the bartender to his left arm.

Singh intervened and was struck to the head.

Monday January 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

New Year's Day bundle of joy!

Monday January 03, 2022

First Lady Arya Ali's on Saturday- New Year's Day - visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation's (GPHC) Maternity Ward to interact with mothers and distribute gifts.

The First Lady met and interacted with mothers of newborn and distributed hampers and care packages to them.

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

PAGE 17

$30M worth in equipment destroyed in GPHC fire

Some of the patients who were relocated.

The aftermath of the fire at the GPHC.

Fire broke out at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Saturday destroying some $30M worth in equipment.

According to the Guyana Fire Service, ranks responded to a report of a fire at the hospital sometime around 05:24hrs on New Year's Day by deploying water tenders from the Central, Campbellville and Albertown Fire Stations.

The fire service stated that the fire occurred in the echocardiograph (ECG) room of the hospital causing severe damages.

The fire service's prompt response resulted in the containment of the blaze, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the medical facility.

The fire which completely destroyed $30M in equipment also affected a

total of 11 patients who had to be relocated. Though it was reported that arson is suspected, Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo told the Kaieteur News that they are unable to confirm this. He however noted that at the scene of the fire, investigators discovered some form of unknown substance, which has since been taken to the lab to be tested.

Youth stabbed after refusing to repair motorcycle Steve Persaud, a 21-year-old youth who resides at Bell Plane, Wakenaam, was stabbed and bitten on Saturday by a 32-yearold man who had asked him to repair a motorcycle throttle cable.

According to a police report, Persaud was sitting in his yard with several others. At 19:30 hours, he was approached by a male suspect who asked him to repair the cable.

Persaud refused and an argument ensued.

However, moments after the suspect armed himself with a knife and stabbed Persaud

several times about his body. He received multiple injuries to his left elbow, right stomach and right thigh. The suspect also bit Persaud's left thigh.The man escaped and Persaud was subsequently rushed to the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital (WCH) by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) where he was immediately transferred to the Suddie Public Hospital (SPH) for further medical attention. The matter was reported to the police at 19:45 hrs and the suspect was arrested and placed into custody.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Bowman arrested for threatening union president Kaieteur News has been able to confirm with Region Three police that a man was arrested last Friday for using a government minister's name to threaten the life of a union president.

The suspect was identified a a bowman who works on speedboats that travel from Parika to Bartica, Region Seven.

According to information reaching this newspaper, the bowman on December 16, 2021 allegedly threatened the President of the National Mines Workers Union Guyana (NMWUG), Sherwin Downer, that he has been given the green light by a government minister (name provided) to kill him.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Downer said that it was the third time that the man had threatened him using the minister's name. He detailed that the suspect had related that he was taken to the minister's residence at Pradoville, located on the East Coast Demerara, by two prominent businessmen of Bartica.

There they allegedly had meeting with the government official during which she ordered the bowman to kill Downer. Downer said that he had gotten into dispute with one of the businessmen back in March 2021 and the feud ended up in court.

The court matter was dismissed but according to Downer he and the businessmen are still at loggerheads. Downer continued

President of the National Mines Workers Union Guyana (NMWUG), Sherwin Downer. that after the bowman revealed the identity of the businessmen, he decided to contact the minister immediately.

He even showed Kaieteur News the WhatsApp conversation he had with the minister concerning the threat. In the messages they exchanged the government official denied knowing the man and advised the union president to lodge a report against the individual that is using her name to threaten him.

A report was lodged the same day and the arrest was made on Friday December 31, 2021. The suspect has since been released on $10,000 station bail as investigations continue.

Monday January 03, 2022

Canada-Guyana Chamber donates $77M worth of PPE to Health Ministry

Treina Butts, CEO of CGCC handing over PPEs to CMO Dr. Narine Singh.

T

he CanadaGuyana Chamber of Commerce (CGCC) and partners recently donated some $77 million worth of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to the Ministry of Health (MOH).

The CGCC said it promotes and facilitates investment and trade between Guyana and Canada; and Guyana and other countries.

The chamber was launched on December 4, 2020. Canada- based Guyanese and CGCC's Cochair; Winston Kassim revealed that $$77 million of medical masks have been donated to the Ministry's COVID-19 Prevention Programme, thanks to the

generosity of the CGCC and partners, PRIMED Medical Products, Global Medic and CS World Cargo.

With regard to the donation, the CGCC's Cochair who coordinated the efforts in Canada remarked, “as a result of our bilateral partnership, we are contributing to Guyana's COVID Prevention Programme, which is particularly significant in light of the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron.”

CGCC's CEO, Ms Treina Fiona Butts noted that “the chamber is grateful to Rahul Singh, Executive Director of GlobalMedic, Primed Medical Products for providing the masks and to Chandie Singh, Director of CS World Cargo, who

facilitated the processing and container shipment to Guyana” “We must also thank the Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and the staff of Guyana's Ministry of Health for facilitating the speedy clearance of these items so they can be distributed to Guyana's healthcare facilities and workers.”

Dr. Narine Singh, Chief Medical Officer, of the MOH extended heartfelt thanks to the CGCC for the timely contribution of medical masks and gowns.

Dr. Singh also remarked that this generous gesture will bolster the Ministry of Health's COVID-19 Prevention Programme, by supporting the efforts of healthcare professionals.

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

PAGE 19

Back to school!

Amid a deepening Covid19 pandemic, with the new variant – Omicron threatening, the Guyana Government said all public schools across the country will reopen today for face-toface learning.

However, not all of the students will be required to attend school every day.

According to the Ministry of Education, students in Grades Six and in Forms Two to Six are scheduled to return for face-to-face learning every day of the week.

Students in Grade Seven will resume classes on January 10 but on a rotational system.

According to the ministry, nursery school students would be returning to school today but would continue to attend classes on a rotational basis. The ministry noted that most nursery school students would be taught four hours per day. At the primary level, the ministry stated that all classes will resume today but Grades One to Five will attend school on a rotational basis. Though children will be indulging in face-to-face learning, they will also be engaged in online learning.

“If all students can be accommodated in a school, in accordance with social distancing guidelines, then all students can attend, every day. Schools will use a rotation system only if all students cannot be

accommodated in accordance with social distancing guidelines,” the ministry pointed out.

As stated in the schedule, Grade Six students must attend school every day. For the secondary level, it was revealed that classes for Grades Eight to Twelve students will resume from today also. “Only face-toface classes will be offered.

Face-to-face classes will be held every day for everyone.

There will be no rotation,” the ministry highlighted.

At an event in Region Three, the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, mentioned that the Ministry's move to have these students return to school every day is to ensure they finish the school's curriculum in time for their examinations. “ We c a n ' t f i n i s h a curriculum and if we can't finish the curriculum, we are failing you, it means that you are going into the exams room unprepared and so next year, come January 3, grades 8,9,10,11 and 12 will all be expected to come out to school fully,” Manickchand had explained.

The minister said that the majority of the children in Grade Seven were not yet 12 years, to be eligible for their vaccine so a different plan was to be put in place for them to attend. As reported on, vaccinated or not students

are still allowed entry into their respective schools.

The Education Ministry concluded that if a parent chooses to not send their child to school, then it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that their child is engaged in learning using the resources by the Ministry, which are available on the its website.

A recent World Bank Report flagged Guyana for having one of the lowest levels of educational engagement in the region during the pandemic. Titled “An Uneven Recovery: the Impact of COVID-19 on Latin America and the Caribbean”.

The Bank cited Guatemala, Guyana, and Belize with only two-thirds of school-age children engaged in some form of education. Many countries, are highly reliant on remote learning options to keep children engaged, such as Chile, Peru, Panama, and Ecuador, the Bank also said.

According to the report, most children are engaged in some form of educational activity in the region, although engagement levels (and quality) vary considerably across countries, ranging from 64 percent in Guatemala to 97 percent in Chile. In most countries, engagement rates (including in-person attendance and remote learning) are below

Schedule of the reopening of schools for the new school term.

pre-pandemic attendance levels. Region wide, engagement in any education activities is below the prepandemic attendance rate.

This suggests severe learning losses and an increase in dropout rates, with grave implications for the accumulation of human capital. According to the Bank more than one year into the pandemic, only 23 percent of students in the region were attending school i n p e r s o n . Va c c i n e deployment and government

...Most students to return to face-to-face learning from today

policies differed greatly across the region, explaining these differences.

Educational engagement in Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, and Chile has been mainly virtual, as schools remained closed for the most part.

On the contrary, inperson attendance was more common in the Caribbean and Central America.

Children in wealthier households, measured by the number of assets, are more likely to be engaged in schooling, but their

attendance is also mostly virtual. Lower engagement in learning activities and low face-to-face attendance pose significant risks for children's learning outcomes and human capital accumulation. Recent estimates reveal that students in the region lost between 12 and 18 months of schooling.

Those from low socioeconomic levels were particularly affected, which suggests long-lasting negative effects on social mobility and inequality.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Monday January 03, 2022

Body with missing arm found in backdam trail A foul odour along a backdam trail, at Eteringbang, Cuyuni River, Region Seven, led to the discovery of the decaying body of man with one of its arms missing.

A c c o r d i n g t o Commander of Region Seven, Dion Moore, the body was found on Monday December 27, 2021. It was found in a clump of bush

beside a trail that leads to a gold mine called “Coro”.

Local miners told Kaieteur News that the decomposing corpse might have been lying there quite a while now. Some of them related that each time they made a trip to the mine their attention is drawn to a foul smell in the air.

At first they thought that the odour might be that of a

decaying animal but it got stronger and they could not stand the smell. Eventually they decided to carry out a search and to their surprise it was the remains of a human being. A report was made to police ranks stationed there who visited the scene.

The remains are yet to be identified but investigators suspect that it might be that of (Continued on page 21)

The Eteringbang located along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven.

Man chopped during fallout over wife A Grove, East Bank Demerara man is in critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was chopped about his body by his friend on Saturday.

Critical is Totaram Jaimangal, a 30-year-old, who resides at Third Street, Grove Squatting area.

According to police investigators, the incident reportedly occurred 14:00 hours at Jaimangal's house.

During their investigation, it was revealed that Jaimangal and his friend, a 39-year-old man, were imbibing at the premises when the older man allegedly told Jaimangal that he wants to sleep with his

wife.

Jaimangal reportedly, became enraged and took away a cutlass belonging to the suspect and attempted to chop him. He was unsuccessful and the man seized the cutlass and chopped Jaimangal to his left side rib cage area and to his right hand.

The suspect then escaped with the cutlass while Jaimangal was left lying on the ground with his injuries.

Shortly after, Jaimangal was found by his relatives and rushed to the Diamond Hospital; he was later transferred to the GPHC in a critical condition. Police are yet to arrest the suspect.

Small Business Bureau disbursed $328M in grants in 2021 The Small Business Bureau (SBB) said it distributed a total of 746 cash grants at a tune totaling over $328 million last year.

Originally, the SBB had an amount of $250 million allocated to the sector for grant distribution throughout last year, but sums which rolled over from the 2020 budget allowed the bureau to distribute to more persons than catered for.

Back in November 2021, the Bureau recorded a total of 717 grants which were distributed at that time to the tune of $314.9 million.

However, at the end of the year there was an amount totaling $328, 992,525 distributed.

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, told Kaieteur News that another

134 grants have already been approved and will be disbursed during this month.

The minister previously stated that she is quite elated they were able to distribute so many grants.

S h e f u r t h e r acknowledged that since the SBB was established in 2010 this is the highest number of grants it has distributed, and that “this is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff at the Small Business Bureau,” Waldron stated.

Persons who are desirous of applying for a small business grant must have compliance certificates from both the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), proof of business registration, the SBB's registration form, and a business proposal.

Monday January 03, 2022

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Infrastructure works to soon Condemnation of new oil fund law... begin on Charity market Significant infrastructural works on the Charity Market, Region Two, will allow vendors plying their trade there to operate within a safe environment.

In 2021, the government expended $30 million to rehabilitate the market’s tarmac, to not only create an enabling environment for businesses, but to address the region’s garbage situation.

Further interventions are being made to construct a steel-framed market shed, which will be undertaken by the Local Government Ministry and the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Engineering Corps. This forms part of a broader plan to improve the condition of the market and eliminate street vending.

According to a Department of Public Information release, vendors and residents, alike will also benefit from the clearing of secondary drains and the expansion of the perimeter fence for security purposes. This also includes the rehabilitation of the washroom facilities there.

Charity Neighbourhood Democratic Council’s (NDC) Acting Overseer, Rameez Baksh said, “our intention is to stop illegal vending on the roadside. Eventually, we are looking to create a mall effect where vendors will be able to sell their items in an orderly and secure environment. So, this phase one is

almost finished, and later we intend to construct a concrete fence right around with light. Later we also intend to extend the shed to cover the other half of the tarmac with entrance and exit.”

Baksh added that these works are also aimed at providing some security for vendors and their goods since there have been cases of burglary. “Everyone will be regularised with standard stall sizes and in order by section and category.”

It was noted that this direction will complement the rehabilitation works being conducted at Charity River dam, at the cost of $89 million. As such, about 450 meters of the road will be in reinforced concrete while the remainder will be done in asphalt. Regional Vice-Chairman, Humace Oudit said that while the road network is one of the region’s most important thoroughfare, it was sinking despite efforts to reinforce it.

“This road project will bring great relief to residents, businesses and farmers who traverse daily to transport their produce from Pomeroon to the various markets. For years, we had lobbied for this dam to be reconstructed, since every time there is a high tide, it causes flooding. So now with the government’s intervention, this will be a thing of the past.”

Speaker must provide list of MPs he...

From page 21 civil society group had also submitted a petition to the House for the Bill to be sent to a special select committee. This petition was reportedly signed by over 60 individuals but was also ignored by the PPP/C Administration that used its oneseat majority to ram it through the House Wednesday night.

Loopholes Since the Bill was tabled on December 16, Kaieteur News has been at the forefront of highlighting some of the key loopholes that could give way to massive corruption, borrowing frenzies, as well as spending sprees.

In the Bill, there are various methods of calculations for the withdrawal of the nation's oil dollars. But if there is a major natural disaster, the government has the power to override

those rules in place and withdraw any amount it deems fit for the said emergency. Importantly, there is no provision that caters for any abuse of this “emergency” mechanism.

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

According to the administration, the existing laws such as the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) are more than enough to address any malfeasance in public office.

It is significant to note however, that while the Ali administration insists that there is no need to outline explicit penalties for abuse or misuse of funds in the legislation, its counterpart Ghana, which it claimed to have consulted on the NRF

l a w, h a s s h o w n a c o m pletely different approach toward the protection of the nation's oil revenues.

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

GECOM needs fundamental...

From page 13 unsatisfactory, and fail to address some of the more fundamental problems associated with elections.”

Article 13 noted that it considers genuine electoral reforms a national imperative for Guyana's democratic development, a pre-requisite to social, political and economic progress.

The group said nonetheless, that any attempt at reform must begin with an analysis of the problem. According to the civil group, an exercise of this nature must proceed from the recognition that a deficient apparatus will produce flawed results.

Added to this, Article 13 pointed out that part of that problem is the Carter-Price model of an Elections Commission made up of competing politicians.

“This model which was intended as a temporary measure for the 1992 Elections has installed Commissioners claiming lifetime tenure and seemingly committed to doing everything but their constitutional duty.

This arrangement has to be changed by a constitutional amendment and replaced by independent Commissioners appointed by a Constitutional Commission for a limited period of no more

than two elections cycle. The proposed amendments fail to address the sore point of the List of Electors,” the civil body pointed out in the release. Among other things, the group noted that the possibility of dual citizens Guyanese being allowed to participate as candidates in elections should be examined.

The statement continued, “The proposed amendments do nothing to address the situation in which the Chief Elections Officer is also the Head of Registration – a concentration of power and functions which is unacceptable.

Pic save as GECOM

From page 3 this inflationary effect is also attributable to ramped up government spending. Without a MC, what mechanisms have been put in place in this version of the Act to manage the economic effects of ramped up public spending and the onset of Dutch Disease? At risk also is the competitiveness of our private sector,” Singh questioned.

Former Prime Minister, Hamilton Green said the proposal to dismantle the twentytwo member Committee to oversee the Natural Resources Fund is the slaughter of a fragile democracy and makes absurd the pontification of the President of One Guyana. He said an examination of the proposed Committee suggests that only one member, that is, one named by the Opposition Leader will be the only person without direct allegiance to the governing Party. He said the Government and Opposition should sit around the round-table and come up with a common strategy for the sake of this and succeeding generations. “Any unilateral approach is doomed for fail-

ure and dismemberment of our society,' Green stated.

Amendments The amendments to the legislation governing the NRF that have been put into law include two key committees and a Board of Directors to preside over the management of the nation's oil money.

Importantly, all of the members of these committees as well as the Board will be appointed by the President or his Minister responsible for natural resources.

As part of the governance structure for the NRF, the government proposes to establish a Board of Directors, which shall comprise of not less than three and not more than five persons who shall be appointed by the President, and one of whom shall be appointed Chairperson by the President.

The amended Bill proposes that the directors be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business or administrative matters.

It was noted that one of the Board members, along with one person from the pri-

vate sector will be nominated by the National Assembly.

The Bill states that the directors shall be appointed for a period not exceeding two years and shall be eligible for reappointment. Apart from the Board, there will also be a seven-member Investment Committee appointed by the Minister of Natural Resources.

The committee will include nominees from the Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General Chambers, Leader of the Opposition, the Private Sector and two ex officio nonvoting members. Also on the committee will be the Senior Investment Advisor and Analyst and a nominee from the Governor of Bank of Guyana.

The Committee would be required to take account of the current conditions, opportunities and constraints in the relevant financial matters, the principle of financial diversification with the objective of maximizing risk-adjusted financial returns and taking into account the capacity of the institutions involved in the management of the fund and the nation's ability to bear financial risk.

Body with missing arm found in backdam trail...

From page 20 a Venezuelan man. Moore related that one of the arms was missing and it bore a wound, leading detectives to believe

that the possibility exists that the individual was murdered. So far no one was reported missing from around the area.

However, local residents and miners from Eteringbang, fear it could be an individual who frequent the various mines in the area to sell bread.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

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An unvaccinated 79-yearold woman from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, has died.

This is according to the Ministry of Health, which reported that the woman died on Sunday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,055.

Meanwhile, the Ministry in its latest COVID-19 dashboard recorded 281 new infections in the last 24 hour period, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 40,060. The dashboard also shows that five patients are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 41 persons in institutional isolation, 1,297 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 37,708 have recovered from the virus.

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Monday January 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Monday January 03, 2022

City Engineer claims personal reasons behind attempts to fire him City Engineer, Colvern Venture, has alleged what he believes is a personal ploy by members of the council to have him ousted from his position.

In a statement to the press, Venture who faced previous threats of termination from the council outlined the most recent attempt to have him removed. In his statement, the City Engineer outlined that “the motion for the termination of my service from the Council, which was scheduled for discussion on December 20, 2021, but has been put for deliberations at a later date is personal rather than to deal with the work of the Council.

Among other reason for his conclusion Venture pointed to the fact that since the installment of the new Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors in 2019, he has been targeted and singled out for special attention by the Mayor and a few of his Councillors.

He noted that “public statements made by the Mayor have caused me to write to the then Town Clerk (ag), Ms. Sherry Jerrick and the Local Government Commission (LGC) on things that were found to be untrue, and to bring to their attention my concerns of utterances being made by the Mayor at meetings and in the public sphere.”

G/T Mayor Ubraj Narine.

The City Engineer noted too that while some councillors complain constantly of works not being executed by his department, the tasks or work are dependent on the timely acquisition of tools, materials, parts or components by the Finance Department of the Council.

As such, he explained, “I cannot deliver… in a timely manner. This being the case, many times, the Mayor and a few of his Councillors, including the ones that table the motion, continue to cast blame on me for not getting the work done.”

The City Engineer has been the subject of threats of termination by the council and Mayor Ubraj Narine openly b l a s t e d Ve n t u r e a n d threatened to fire him for embarrassing the council. The matter led to court action being taken by the engineer who later secured an order of the High Court, which essentially bars the council from removing him unless sanctioned by the LGC. However, this has not stopped the council from moving another motion to consider the removal of the City Engineer. That motion is yet to be deliberated on.

Venture has since reminded the Council via a lawyer's letter that there has been no approval or permission from the LGC for the matter the

Council intends to consider.

The letter that was sent by attorney for Venture, Ronald Burch-Smith, notes that the motion purporting to terminate Mr. Venture will therefore be contempt of court.

The letter states, “If this motion is considered or passed, every member of the Council and especially the Town Clerk and His Worship, the Mayor who was a party to

the proceedings and the Deputy Mayor who attended Court, risks being subject to contempt of Court.”

It continues: “Please be advised that under the Contempt of Court Act. No. 25 of 2010 a person who is found to be in contempt of Court can be subject to a fine and imprisonment for up to three months. I would urge you to bring the contents of this letter to the attention of the

City Engineer, Colvern Venture.

Monday January 03, 2022

Tom Pidcock fends off Eli Iserbyt in Hulst to score second elite World Cup win VeloNews - British champion Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers) took his second elite World Cup win in Hulst, Netherlands, beating long-time rival Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen-Bingoal) yesterday.

Jumbo-Visma star Wout van Aert’s race was torpedoed by a dropped chain within the first five minutes of the race.

Whilst the result confirms that Pidcock’s form is building towards the world championships, it was also significant for Iserbyt. He now has 405 points overall in the World Cup, with teammate Michael Vanthourenhout in second place on 310 points.

With only 80 points on offer

in the remaining two races, Iserbyt has therefore won the overall World Cup. “I was feeling good at the start so I pushed on and got a gap,” Pidcock said. “Eli kept me close and at the end I made a few mistakes. I was thinking that if he does a big effort maybe he could close. On the last lap I couldn’t get into my big ring so I was being a bit cautious because I didn’t want to drop my chain.”

The old town at the center of Hulst is surrounded by a moat and steep grassy ramparts. The course is fast and technical, with firm ground and several sections of tarmac and cobbles, one of which goes straight through the centre of an ancient

windmill. But it is the steep banks that made the difference. Many were only rideable if hit at exactly the right speed and line.

Hesitation or a loss of momentum could be decisive.

Lars van der Haar (Trek Baloise Lions) led into the tight first technical sections.

Behind him the bulk of the field were blocked in a pinchpoint corner.

Not long after there was trouble too for van Aert. The Belgian champion dropped his chain on a steep bank and lost a lot of time as tried to dig it out.

Meanwhile, van der Haar and Iserbyt were stretching out the lead group. Having been on the blunt end of van

Monday January 03, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Finally, all of your efforts are being recognized. That's not to say that you can now sit back and rest on your laurels - quite the contrary!

Now is the time to put your original ideas to the test.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You have a wonderful, nurturing nature, Taurus. Those around you reap tremendous benefit from your caring soul.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) In case you do any writing or artwork today, it will seem to come from a source outside of yourself, Gemini. Is this the divine muse you've heard others talk about?

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Put that book down and get out of the house! You've been by yourself long enough; it's time to start interacting with other people.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) While you may feel the urge to put on a pair of boxing gloves and duke it out with your family, Leo, try putting on an oven mitt instead.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The people you meet today could be of tremendous benefit to you later on, Virgo.

You have especially keen vision today, so make sure to take note of everything of interest that you observe.

What you discover today, along with the people you meet, could combine in a powerful way at some future date.

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Kaieteur News

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is a time of new beginnings, Libra. Whether you are aware of it or not, you are more than ready to take on some new challenges.

You have allowed yourself to become complacent about your career.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Romance is in the air today, Scorpio. It's the perfect time to make yourself look your best and invite that certain someone to dinner.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today, you crave a little style. Sensible shoes and practical clothes get the boot in favor of fashionable shoes and luxurious fabrics.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) It isn't just royalty who gets to live happily ever after in fairy tales. You have this right as well. The conditions are ripe for attracting a special person into your life.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) While you may feel the urge to put on a pair of boxing gloves and duke it out with your family, Aquarius, try putting on an oven mitt instead.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You have an urge to hop on a plane and leave the country, Pisces. It seems that this is the only way to free yourself from the mountain of professional and social obligations that are piling up. How can you ever hope to attend all of them, or even half?

Aert’s dominance over recent weeks, the riders could see an opportunity. The problem for van Aert was that much of the course only had one line, so moving up through traffic was frustratingly slow.

Pidcock learned about van Aert’s ability to chase back to the front after at GP Sven Nys Saturday, and the Brit didn’t want history to repeat itself in Hulst.

On the third lap he went to the front and his pressure despatched everyone except Iserbyt. Coming through the pits with a strong tailwind, Pidcock attacked hard, opening a small gap.

Through the middle of the race Iserbyt refused to admit defeat, riding tenaciously to hold Pidcock at his small gap.

The British champion, however, rode a near faultless race and the gap to Iserbyt slowly widened.

By the last two laps van Aert knew that pursuing the win was a lost cause. On the last lap he overtook Toon Aerts (Trek-Baloise Lions) and finished in fourth place, a look of resignation on his face.

The Jumbo-Visma rider’s focus will now switch to the Belgian championship next weekend. Then he has to decide whether or not to ride the world championships. If van Aert skips the trip to Arkansas the rainbow jersey could be another close battle between Iserbyt and Pidcock.

Hust top-5 1 Tom Pidcock (Ineos Grenadiers): +1.03.49 2 Eli Iserbyt (Pauwels Sauzen Bingoal): +0.12 3 Lars van der Haar (Trek Baloise Lions): +0.33 4 Wout van Aert (Jumbo Visma): +1.09 5 Michael Vanthourenhout (Pauwels Sauzen Bingoal): +1.30

Sir Curtly Ambrose to...

From page 28 Nolan McKenzie volunteered his service to the BCB to conduct a batting clinic at the same time as Ambrose visit and it was readily accepted by Foster. The batting clinic would involve forty of the most promising youth batters in the county.

The fifty two years old McKenzie played nineteen first class matches for Guyana, scoring eight hundred runs with six half centuries. He is expected to work along with promising batters like Rampertab Ramnauth, Jonathan Rampersaud, Leon Cecil, Zeymul Ramsammy and Mahendra Gopilall. The BCB would like to express thanks to Dr Frank Denbow for his support and sponsorship.

Ireland players Sterling, Getkate will delay travel to West Indies for series after positive Covid-19 tests SportsMax - Ireland cricketers Paul Stirling and Shane Getkate will not travel from the United States with the rest of the team to Jamaica for the upcoming series against the West Indies after testing positive for Covid-19.

Following a final round of PCR tests ahead of the team’s departure on Friday, the duo returned positive tests and will undergo a period of 10 days of isolation. As a result, it is likely that the pair will not join up with the rest of the team until January 9, depending on the status of follow-up procedures.

The West Indies are scheduled to play Ireland in three One Day Internationals and a one-off T20 match, beginning on

January 8.

Richard Holdsworth, High-Performance Director for Cricket Ireland, admits that the period continues to be challenging, particularly when trying to balance the physical health of players with their mental well-being.

“It is a challenging time for all, but the players have responded very well to operating within the Managed Environment over the last two weeks.

A Managed Environment is different to a bio-bubble, and is an approach being used currently to try and find that balance between risk mitigation from the virus and impacts of sustained periods of isolation on the mental and physical health needs of players and staff.”

Kaieteur News

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Monday January 03, 2022

CWI will still find way to honour Gayle insists president Skerritt SportsMax - Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Ricky Skerritt, insists the organisation will find some appropriate way to honour legendary batsman Chris Gayle after the player was left out of the team’s T20 squad for Ireland and England.

Shortly after the team’s

unceremonious exit from the World Cup, the hard-hitting left-hander had let on that the reason that he had not announced his retirement at the World Cup was that plans were already underway for a final farewell match.

Two weeks ago CWI Chief Executive Officer Johnny Grave

stated on radio that the one-off match against Ireland would represent the perfect opportunity to honour the batsman.

Gayle was, however, later left out of the squad by the newly appointed selectors.

Skerritt insists the plan was never for the player to be picked for

the match and that the CWI had not yet finalised plans for a farewell event.

“We’re not defining what such a game (farewell) will look like. The planning has not yet commenced,” Skerritt told Cricbuzz.

He insists, however, that the idea remained on the cards to

honour the record T20 runs scorer.

“Gayle has been a phenomenal performer for Jamaica and the West Indies since he was a teenager. He deserves to be thanked and honored by fans.

CWI will find the right way to make that happen in a manner that Chris can enjoy.”

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

Lionel Messi.

(AFP/Sebastien SALOM-GOMIS)

PAGE 27

Lionel Messi tests positive for Covid AFP - Lionel Messi has tested positive for Covid-19 and entered self-isolation, his club Paris Saint-Germain announced yesterday.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was one of four PSG players to test positive for the virus ahead of a French Cup match against

Vannes.

Messi tested positive while on holiday in his hometown of Rosario in Argentina.

“He is constantly in contact with our medical service. When he is negative, he will be able to return to France,” PSG coach

Mauricio Pochettino told a press conference.

The Argentinian star has endured a difficult start to life in the French capital since an emotional exit from Barcelona last summer.

Messi has scored only one goal in 11 league appearances for PSG,

although he has netted five times in the Champions League.

He will miss Monday’s cup tie and Pochettino said he did not know if he would also be sidelined for PSG’s first Ligue 1 match since the winter break, at Lyon next Sunday.

The other players to test positive were full-back Juan Bernat, back-up goalkeeper Sergio Rico and teenage midfielder Nathan Bitumazala.

“They are currently respecting isolation and are subject to the appropriate health protocols,” PSG said.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Monday January 03, 2022

GFF-K&S Super 16 final

GDF down Western Tigers via penalties Western Tigers’ Trayon Bobb (left) gave the GDF defence some trouble but he was kept at bay.

G

uyana Defence Force Football Club (GDF FC) made it two in two after beating Western Tigers via kicks from the penalty mark on Saturday night and successfully defended their Guyana Football Federation (GFF)/Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) year-end Super 16

‘Letting down the team and himself’ - Simmons left frustrated after Hetmyer fails fitness test again

SportsMax - West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer has failed yet another fitness test, a situation that has left West Indies head coach Phil Simmons exasperated.

Hetmyer was left out of the team for the upcoming visits of Ireland and England after failing to pass fitness drills administered in his home country of Guyana recently.

The occasion is the third in the last three years that the athlete is failing to get a passing grade for the West Indies basic fitness requirement. Hetmyer was first left out of the squad in 2020, ahead of the Sri Lanka tour, and then again later that year during the home visit of the same team.

Simmons expressed frustration that Hetmyer was not only letting down himself but failing to maintain the required standards but also the entire team. ”It’s the same old, same old. He did his fitness assessment in Guyana and he came way below the required mark,” Simmons told members of the media during a conference call on Friday. ”Again, it is something that is heartwrenching because you know that you are part of this team, and you have to keep a certain fitness to be part of this team and you keep letting down your teammates.”

Simmons added the player was also “letting down himself.”

title at the National Track and Field Facility (NTFC) at Leonora.

The two teams played to an exciting 1-1 draw at the end of regulation and extra time, in which they didn’t disappoint the thousands of fans that showed up at the venue.

GDF FC buried all of their kicks to win 5-4 from the spot after Western Tigers had missed their third attempt.

It was yet another come from behind win for the army men after Western Tigers had taken an early lead in the game when Kevon Woodley kept his composure to finish in the 16th minute of play.

However, Colin Nelson

responded for GDF 20 minutes later to level proceedings. For the win, GDF pocketed G$2 million and the championship trophy, while Western Tigers collected G$1 million and the runners-up trophy.

In the third place playoff, West Demerara side Dem Amstel defeated Police FC 2-0.

Gideon Payne was the man on target for Den Amstel, finding the back of the net twice in the 24th and 77th minutes.

The GFF/K&S Super 16 was made possible by the following sponsors: Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports, KFC GUYANA, Mohamed’s Enterprise,

MVP Sports, Dinars Trading, DDL with Pepsi, Gatorade, Diamond Water, Statement Investment Inc., HJTV & 94.1, Stars Party Rental, Namilco, Capelli Sports, Fireside Grill N Chill, Cevons waste Management, Tony’s Jewellery Store, Daphness Foundation of N e w Yo r k , G r o u n d Structural Engineering, Fast Lane Auto Spares, Bakewell, Pegasus Guyana, C MOBILE, Jim’s Variety Store, New GPC – Mr. Bobby Ramroop, Secure Innovation and Concept Inc, SIMEXTRA TRADING G U YA N A , S u p e r i o r concrete, Fitness Express, Banks DIH and Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales.

Sir Curtly Ambrose to visit Berbice from 10th to 14th of February for historic fast bowling clinic - Nolan McKenzie to conduct batting Clinic as well The vibrant and progressive Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would be taking its coaching programme to a next level f r o m F r i d a y 11 t h o f February when it host two major clinics for fast bowlers and batsmen in the Ancient County. Legendary West Indies fast bowler Sir Curtly Ambrose would conduct the fast bowling clinic, while former national opening batsman Nolan McKenzie is expected to host a batting clinic.

BCB President Hilbert Foster at the board Annual General Meeting on the 19th of December last year had unveiled a massive coaching programme as part of his administration plans for the period 2022 to 2023. Foster stated that the board would invest heavily into coaching to make sure that every potential in the county is given the opportunity to develop and also to lift the standard of the county cricket to another level. The BCB, he stated, was aiming to produce a total of ten West Indies players at all levels over the course of the next few years.

Clinics would be held for fast bowlers, off spinners, left arm spinners, leg spinners, captains, wicket keepers, batsmen, while investment would also be

made in producing more coaches for the county. The BCB would be organising clinics for pre level one coaches, while sessions would also be held for umpires, match referees, scorers and managers in an aggressive developmental programme.

Foster, stated that he was contacted by overseas based Guyanese Medical Doctor, Frank Denbow, who stated that he would like to sponsor a fast bowling clinic once the BCB can get Sir Curtly Ambrose to conduct it. Dr Dendow informed the BCB President that he was very impressed with the raw talent of Isaiah Thorne and wanted to invest in his development along with other fast bowlers. Foster immediately contacted the legendary fast bowler who readily agreed but had to find a suitable date to visit.

Eventually the parties agreed that Sir Curtly would arrive on Thursday 10th of February and depart on the 14th.

The fast bowling clinic would be held on Friday to Sunday with about forty players. The BCB Selection Committees headed by Albert Smith and Balram Samaroo would host a series of sessions before selecting the fast bowlers for the sessions.

Sir Curtly is expected to pay courtesy calls on several government officials including Minister of Sports Charles Ramson Jnr and would also be involved in inspiration sessions with administrators across the county, a answer and question session and visit the Upper Corentyne area.

Dr Denbow is also expected to be in the county for the clinic and he has expressed confidence that his sponsorship would result in the county producing more fast bowlers in the future. Berbice is more known for producing spinners like Ivan Madray, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Devendra Bishoo, Veersammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie.

Fast bowlers produced have i n c l u d e d J o h n Tr i m , Leslaine Lambert, Ray Joseph, Brandon Bess, Romario Shepherd and Nial Smith.

Ambrose is widely considered a legend of the game and one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time. He played 98 tests for the West Indies taking 405 wickets at the remarkable average of 21.00, while he played 176 One Day International matches taking 225 wickets at 24.1.

Former national player (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

PAGE 29

Chelsea battle back to draw 2-2 with Liverpool in classic Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in action with Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger. (Action Images via Reuters/ Peter Cziborra)

Chelsea’s Mason Mount shoots at goal. (REUTERS/Toby Melville)

L

ONDON, (Reuters) Chelsea recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Liverpool in a breathless encounter between the two faltering title chasers at Stamford Bridge yesterday, with the stalemate leaving Manchester City 10 points clear at the top.

All the goals came in the first half with Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic bringing Chelsea level just before the break after Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah had put Liverpool in front.

The result meant Chelsea remained second on 43 points from 21 games, one point ahead of Liverpool, who have a game in

hand. Leaders Manchester City have 53 points from 21.

Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk said it was not inevitable that City would end up with the title.

“Nothing is impossible,” he told the BBC. “It’s a big gap but it’s football and anything can happen.”

With both sides weakened by absences - and Chelsea dropping striker Romelu Lukaku after he criticised Thomas Tuchel’s tactics Liverpool quickly had the game in their grip through Mane and Salah before they depart for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Mane, who escaped with only a yellow card after elbowing Chelsea

captain Cesar Azpilicueta in the face in the opening seconds, capitalised on an error by Trevoh Chalobah to open the scoring in the ninth minute.

Salah doubled the lead 17 minutes later when he ghosted past Marcos Alonso to reach a Trent Alexander-Arnold pass and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from a tight angle.

Chalobah redeemed himself after his earlier mistake with a lastgasp tackle to stop Salah scoring a third for Liverpool, whose coach Juergen Klopp was also missing due to COVID-19.

CHELSEA RESPOND The Blues clawed their way

back into the game in the 42nd minute when Kovacic majestically volleyed in off a post from the edge of the box after a punched clearance

by Liverpool’s reserve keeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Four minutes later, Chelsea were level when Pulisic latched onto a pass by N’Golo Kante that beat Liverpool’s offside trap and the American forward coolly lifted the ball over Kelleher into the net.

Both sides went close in the second half with Mendy and Kelleher pulling off good saves.

Mendy, who is also due to head to the Africa Cup of Nations which starts on Jan. 9, palmed away a Salah shot in the 57th and had to

repeat the feat two minutes later to save from Mane.

In the 62nd, Kelleher replacing Allison Becker, one of three Liverpool players out due to COVID-19 - saved a close-range header by Pulisic.

Twenty minutes later the Ireland keeper was in action again to stop a Mason Mount shot.

Pulisic said the hosts felt stunned to be two goals down.

“It was an incredible first half,” he told the BBC. “You feel after we got the momentum and get back 2-2 it’s a bit frustrating not to get the winner but probably a fair result in the end.”

Novice Joy inspires Bangladesh to 175-2 as New Zealand toil AFP - An unbeaten 70 by Mahmudul Hasan Joy, backed by 64 from Najman Hossain Shanto, put Bangladesh in a strong position at stumps on day two of the first Test against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui yesterday.

The tourists were 175 for two at the close of play, trailing New Zealand by 153 with eight wickets in hand and the pitch playing true.

It was only the third innings in Tests for the 21-year-old Joy, who was dismissed for nought and six in his one previous outing against Pakistan last month.

But he played with plenty of maturity on a day that belonged to the tourists, facing 211 deliveries for his unbeaten 70 and forging a 104-run partnership with 23-yearold Shanto which impressed New Zealand’s only successful bowler Neil Wagner.

“The younger guys that played today played phenomenally,” Wagner said. “They played quite patiently, they didn’t give many opportunities and they sort of hung in there.

“When the ball was there to score, they scored and when we looked like trying to get them out they left well and defended well.”

But Wagner said the Test

outcome was still far from clear with three days remaining.

“There’s still a lot of cricket left and that’s the beauty of Test cricket going five days.

“The wicket might take turn but also create opportunities later down the track if those cracks do come into play.”

New Zealand resumed the second morning at 258 for five and were all out before lunch for 328, their lowest score on a home wicket in nine Tests against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh then enjoyed ideal batting conditions as they made a solid reply.

- Free-flowing shots They survived several near misses early in a test of concentration, but what began as a fight to survive gave way to an abundance of free-flowing shots by Shanto and Joy. They put on 104 for the second wicket with Shanto bringing up his 50 with a huge six over the long-leg boundary.

He then played an audacious one-day stroke when he stepped away from a short Neil Wagner delivery, exposing all three stumps, and guided the ball past the closecatching cordon for four.

Wagner proved the most

Mahmudul Hasan Joy celebrates his half-century • Jan 01, 2022 © Getty Image dangerous of the New Zealand bowlers and claimed the wicket of opener Shadman Islam for 22 with a diving catch after a low full toss

was chipped back.

He then saw off Shanto with a succession of short deliveries before pitching up an outswinger

which the batsman edged to Will Young in the gully.

He had struck Shanto on the body with his first ball to the new batsman and, when Joy was on 20, was frustrated by having an appeal for lbw turned down.

New Zealand decided not to review and ball-tracking technology indicated the ball would have hit the stumps.

New Zealand, having made a promising start to be 139 for one on day one, fell apart on the second morning to be all out for 328 with only last man out Henry Nicholls (75) showing any resistance as the Bangladesh spinners did the damage.

Mehidy Hasan took three for three in the space of 21 deliveries while Mominul, a part-time spinner, removed Nicholls to go with the dismissal of Conway to lift his total career scalps to six in 48 Tests.

Of the recognised bowlers, Shoriful Islam finished with three for 69 and Mehidy took three for 86.

Stumps Bangladesh 175 for 2 (Joy 70*, Shanto 64, Wagner 2-27) trail New Zealand 328 (Conway 122, Nicholls 75, Shoriful 3-69, Mehidy 3-86) by 153 runs.

PAGE 30

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

Kaieteur News

Monday January 03, 2022

PAGE 31

Fantastic Year for Golf in Guyana -Despite Covid-19

Golf made an impact in the schools in 2021.

President of the GGA Aleem Hussain gives instructions to a youth at the Academy.

W

hile the pandemic literally shut down sports worldwide, in Guyana the game of golf through the exclusive efforts of the Guyana Golf Association, Nexgen Golf Academy and Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit, took advantage of the conditions and soared to extraordinary heights in 2021.

In July 2020, President of the GGA Aleem Hussain made a bold prediction that he would make golf the number one played sport in Guyana in less than two years, a sport that had less than 100 persons involved at the time. To many, it sounded like wishful thinking, in a country that is rooted in cricket and football.

However, in January 2021, the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit and Department of Secondary Schools, guided

by Permanent Secretary Alfred King, Ms. BarkerKing and Ms. Gonsalves, partnered with the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy to develop a syllabus for teaching golf to students as a PE sports elective in CXC/CAPE. With strong partnerships, dedication and an unwavering sense of commitment, the incredible results are almost beyond belief. The Nexgen Golf

Academy has trained 1,017 new players and 102 Physical Education teachers from six regions (82 schools) around the country at the Woolford Avenue location.

With an average of 100 students per school now having access to the sport, along with students from private educational institutions Nations, C a m i l l e ’s a n d Te x i l a American University, that means there are now over 10,000 potential players in the country.

Asked how this was done in just a single year, constrained by the pandemic, Hussain thanked the supporters of the game, local and international who rallied behind the vision to make it reality. “It was with the help of new supporters, the majority who were never involved in the sport, who responded to the call and the new golfers of Guyana are grateful for their support.”

Hussain said it would be remiss to not list the names of those whose sterling contributions have forever changed the history of golf in Guyana: William and Aleena Knight of the Shafura Hussain Foundation in New York; Danny Ramnarain; Anwar Buddy Shaffie; Sally Jack; Al Badrudin; Ray Ramroop; John Somwar and several overseas based Guyanese golfers, along with the GuySuCo

Corporation; Assuria General Insurance; Copa Airlines; Blue Life Waters; Trophy Stall; Ansa Mcal; To o l s i e P e r s a u d L t d ; Kanuku Suite & Apartments; Kanuku Tours; Regus; Angel Seafood Restaurant & Bar; Sunshine Snacks; Ram & Mcrae; Panko Steel Construction; H. Nauth & Sons; AR Printery; Ramchand Auto; Bissessar Shipping Company; TMK2020 Inc.; CS World Cargo & Logistics; Sterling Products; Caliper Drones; PasCargo; Nexgen Global Group; New Trend Auto; SUPERGRAPHICS; Tristone Investment and Auto Sales and Maraiko Bay Resorts.

On all fronts, the GGA and Nexgen Golf has raised the bar and expectations for sports organizations in Guyana by showcasing how fundraising can be done for charitable causes such as C a n c e r Aw a r e n e s s , Orphanages, Student Groups, and other worthy activities.

Hussain explained that his focus is now shifted to construction of golfing facilities and how overcoming that challenge will impact the growth of the game. “Golf requires a larger playing field than most other sports, so to overcome cost I designed a compact course that only requires 6-10 acres of land. This will allow everyone to experience the

various aspects of the sport, allow it be easily lighted and located close to populated areas for easy access by children and families.

“Our challenge is twofold..access to land and funds to construct. Nexgen Global has funded all of the development so far with contributions of equipment and services from several supporters. A modified golf

facility costs G$12-15m to construct but will give thousands of players a chance to learn the sport and a lifetime of fun. Imagine if there could be full support behind the development, we would have been much further along.”

Wi t h c o n s t r u c t i o n underway for the Crane/Vreed-en-Hoop golf facility and Maraiko Bay

Resorts 18-hole championship Golf course and design plans for Ashmin’s Resort taking shape, and statements that the government is proposing to construct as many as three 18-hole courses according to Minster of Sports Charles Ramson, it does look like a Christmas wish will come true and in 2022, Guyana will be a Golf Nation.