Kaieteur News

Massive exploitation taking place in Guyana at the hands of clueless or corrupt Politicians -USCommentator

By: Davina Bagot

A United States (US) Commentator on Latin America issues in one of his latest writings published by News Americas has called out American oil major, ExxonMobil, for its “massive exploitation of Guyanese” urging that the present day situation is equivalenttocolonialism.

N e w s A m e r i c a s , according to its website is a newsnetworkthatistheonly dailysyndicatednewswirein the US, dedicated to covering the Black

Immigrant Community from the Caribbean and Latin America News Americas focus is on Immigration and Immigrant news on the Caribbean and Latin American Immigrant Communities in the US, marijuana news, as well as breaking news from the Caribbean and Latin America including business news, travel news, politics andentertainment.

One of its writers,Arthur Piccolo,inhispiececalled'Is Guyana getting screwed by Exxon?'madeitpellucidthat the 2015 oil discovery by Exxon has positioned the nation to become the fastest growing economy on Earth but this is only good news if “you are OK with the massive exploitation of Guyanese taking place at the hands of oil super giant Exxon, and either corrupt or c l u e l e s s G u y a n e s e GovernmentOfficials.”

He explained that the situation is “another potent example of colonialism that is alive and well in the Caribbean and that undermines the integrity and the potential of the Caribbean.”

Piccolo said that the deal Guyana signed with Exxon in 2016 splits the income from the massive Stabroek Block evenly between Guyana and the company 50/50.While this may sound fair, he argued “It is a sucker deal no nation should have evermade.”

The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) allows Exxon to deduct 75 percent upfront towards the cost of developing the resource, while the remaining 25 is divided betweenthetwoparties.

According to Piccolo, “The deal should be 75% to Guyana and 25% to Exxon and indeed Guyana could have negotiated even better if it was serious- 80% to Guyana. What is the

difference for Guyana? Hundreds of billions of dollars lost to Guyana that Exxon will add to its huge profits for no good reason at all.”

The Writer contended that it is time to force Exxon to renegotiate its deal with Guyana. He quoted a section of a recent article by the Business Week Magazine, published by Bloomberg which stated, “In 2016, after t h e d i s c o v e r y w a s announced, Exxon and Guyana amended the original exploration deal they'd signed in 1999. The new contract, which split the oilrevenue50-50,witha2% royalty paid to the Government,struckindustry analysts as an unusually sweetdealforExxon.”

Meanwhile, Tom Mitro, a senior fellow at Columbia University's Center on Sustainable Investment, was quoted as saying, “It's the most favorable I think I've ever seen in the industry, anywhere.”

That article also explained, “Exxon defends the contract, saying that it took on significant risks by gambling on a country with no history of oil production and very little energy infrastructure.”

“The terms of our petroleum agreement with the Government of Guyana are common in the industry and competitive with other countriesatasimilarstageof resource discovery,” a Spokesperson for Exxon says.

“But the terms with Guyana were drawn up after the discovery had been publicized as being unusually large “Exxon makes the argument that they didn't really know how much resource was there,” Mitro says “Well, they did ””Piccolo pointed out that Rystad Energy AS, an Oslo-based Consultant, said the global average for a Government's take in offshore projects is 75%.

The Writer argued that Guyana should have gotten more with an oil field as large as the Stabroek Block thatisalsoeasytodrill.

“The sheer geographic size of Exxon's lease –26,806 square kilometers (10,350 square miles) – also matters.

It's about nine times larger than Exxon's average

international offshore lease,” Mitro has calculated, and roughly 100 times larger than the average lease in the GulfofMexico.

“The Guyana contract includes an unusual provision allowing the company to immediately recover costs for additional exploratory work anywhere within that area Exxon effectively pays itself back for those costs out of the oil that otherwise would go to

are so stupid, the rich and powerful can get away with anything,”heargued.

The American Writer continued that while Guyanese would be so much better off with hundreds of billions more than it is presently getting, the funds will instead go to one of the richest companies in human history – Exxon and their wealthy stock owners, “who would have gotten richer from this deal, even if it was

where exploration activities arepresentlyongoing.

The PNC/R's position on renegotiation of the Exxon deal

Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNC/R), Aubrey Norton, has said that he does not believe there should be a renegotiation of the deal as he respects 'sanctity of contracts' like his colleagues in the PPP At the same time, Norton explained that Government should seek more benefits out of the existingcontractbyensuring thorough audits of the expenses are conducted.The Party also supports the idea ofwindfalltax.

In September last year, it said the PPP should increase the royalty rate when Brent Crude is above a determined price.Awindfalltaxisaoneoff tax imposed by a government on a company, specifically targeting those that benefit from something they were not responsible for

AFC- the lone political supporterofrenegotiation

Though previously a stern advocate of the 2016 PSA, the Alliance For Change(AFC),thecountry's thirdlargestPoliticalPartyis in support of a renegotiated oildealwithExxon.

Guyana

forrenegotiation

In an interview with Mikhail Rodrigues, popularly known as the Guyanese Critic in August last year, the ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge shot down the need for Guyana to renegotiate the lopsided deal.

Routledge in responding t o t h e q u e s t i o n o f considering a renegotiation of the oil contract said, “The businessweareiniswedon't know what's coming or what's in the corner. It may look great today but I would say we kind of made it look easy so far. A lot of the resource that we found is going to be more difficult to develop. The return on those won't be as good as the Liza Field. The first Field that we found was the best resource thatwefoundintheStabroek Block. That was where we started.”

the Government Most p r o d u c t i o n - s h a r i n g agreements covering large areas allow such deductions only within small, specified areas,” Mitro said, “not everywhereunderlease.”

T h e A m e r i c a n Commentator said that even though Guyana will realize tremendous income it never had before in the coming years from this deal, this simplyisnotenough.

“Thereisanameforwhat is taking place – it is called Colonialism. The rich and powerful lord it over the weak and the poor And as always happens in these cases, the powerful either buy off those who can stop them, or the Local Officials

fairtoGuyana.”

PPP'sposition on renegotiation

E v e n t h o u g h i t committed to renegotiating theoilcontractintheleadup to the 2020 elections, the People's Progressive Party (PPP) Government has now decideditwillnotamendthe deal with Exxon as it fears it would deter future investmentsinthecountry Instead, the President I r f a a n A l i - l e d A d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a s committed to securing more benefits out of future oil deals, through a new PSA. This new deal will govern some 14 oil blocks presently up for auction as well as the Kaieteur and Canje blocks

In August last year, the Leader of theAFC, Khemraj Ramjattan, told this newspaper, “I would be one of the first Parliamentarians t o s a y i f t h e n e w Government here is going to renegotiate a better contract, out of the one my Government signed, I am in support of that.”It was the AFC's Raphael Trotman, former Minister of Natural Resources that entered into the agreement on behalf of Guyana.

D u r i n g a P r e s s Conference September last, the AFC reasoned that when the Coalition Government renegotiated and signed the PSA with US oil giant, ExxonMobil, the country h a d o n l y f o u n d approximately 1 1 billion barrels of oil in the Stabroek Block. Six years later, over 10 billion more barrels have been discovered in the country's Exclusive Economic Zone, a major increase that validates the calls for a renegotiation of thelopsideddeal.

Exxon shoots down need

He went on to explain that so far, the reservoirs havenotbeenaslucrative.At the same time, the high price of oil on the global market “will almost certainly fall” which means that the businessmustbe“robustand durable” for all stakeholders to allow them to continue investing in the production of Guyana's oil and gas resources.

The 2016 PSA

ActivistsinGuyanahave beenlobbyingforchangesto be made to the 2016 PSA as Guyana receives a mere two percent royalty for its sweet light crude and settled for 50 percent profit sharing, after Exxon takes 75 percent of the earnings to clear its expenses.

The deal that the oil company often brags about to its shareholders, also forces Guyanese to pay their share of taxes, amounting to millions of US dollars each year This figure is likely to further balloon as more operationscomeonstream.

Inaddition,thecountryis allowing ExxonMobil to operate offshore without Full Liability Coverage in the event of an oil spill, which means that the risk is borne by Guyana. Another key provision that is lacking in the document, is ring fencing provision, which wouldavoidtheoilcompany from using the petroleum revenue in one field to cover forexpensesinanother

...says ExxonMobil wealthy stock owners would still get richer from a fairer deal with

ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Leader of the PNC/R, Aubrey Norton

AFC Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Pretending that Guyana’s challenges are the same as they were before oil is delusion

NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

A DISASTROUS YEAR

The front page of KN on Tuesday, January 03 roared with the banner headline of ‘Adisastrous

year for Guyana’s oil sector’ –Patterson’. The word ‘NO’appears a staggering seven times, relative to the important things that the PPP/C Government has not done. Half or any three to four of the huge failures by the PPP/C Governmentwouldhavebeenenoughinanothercountryto getitkickedoutofpower,runoutoftown.

We go through the seven ‘NOs’, representing enormous failuresofLeadership,crisisofpoliticalwill,andthebestthat could be said about this Government is that it is criminally irresponsible,withelementsofcollusionwiththeforeignoil companies.

Obviously, there is an art to the stonewalling by the PPP/C Government that now catches its people with their pantsdown,andsewageallovertheirfaces.

Itisjustoverayearlaterandalreadythenation’sOilFund is being operated like a political petty cashbox. That is, something to be opened whenever it pleases, and millions taken out of it, without so much as a penny left to show for anywithdrawal. Therealityis“2022closeswithnotraceof US$600M drawdown from the Oil Fund.” The possible crimes that we warned about have already started, well underway. It would be interesting to hear what the PPP/C Spokespeoplewiggleoutofthatboobytrap.

More importantly, it raises serious questions about the layers of people that were put over the Oil Fund (NRF, properly)ofwhichabigproductionwasmadeofhowmuch of a check and balance they would be, how vigilant as watchdogstheywillprove. Theymusthavegottencaughtup in the holiday traffic, so they missed both meetings and memo.

Veryseriously,somebodyfellasleepatthewheel,andis stillsleeping. Infact,awholecompanyofthemarenothing but useless to Guyanese, in that such an abomination could have taken place (US$600M withdrawn and quickly vanishing). We had feared that they would be subject to manipulations/rearrangements by the political directorate, and now there is this incredible development. The men overseeingtheNRFshouldallhangtheirheadsinshame,as thereisnoconfidencethattheyhaveanypurposeotherthan aswindow-dressingforthePPP/CGovernment.

Another alarming disclosure (‘NO’) concerns the auditingofExxonMobil’sUS$7.3Binbills. Thisisnotspare changeforthispoorcountry,butabigchunkofcashthatcan make much difference in the lives of Guyanese. The audit wasfirstscheduledtobecompletedbylastSeptember Then there was something from the Vice President about December, and a preliminary report coming out then. It is nowJanuary2023andthereisashroudofsilencearoundthe absence of any Audit Report whatsoever on ExxonMobil’s bills. Puttingthebestfaceonthis,itispossiblethattheAudit Teamunearthedsomebombshells,andnowExxonMobiland thePPP/CGovernment(theyareone)arerunningforcover and buying time to cook-up some new scheme with those bills. Ontheotherhand,itcouldbethattheAuditTeamisstill scratching around and trying to come up with something to justifyitsexistence. Regardlessofwhichscenarioapplies,it ispasttheDecemberextension,andthereisNOAuditReport onthatUS$7.3Binbills.

Abig “NO” involves Independent Regulators, of which there is no one in place after seven years of oil being discovered. Since it is the PPP/C Government that is in charge of the oil, this is not surprising. For a truly Independent Regulatory body would mean accountability and transparency, even incorruptibility, with everything in Guyana’soilsector

For all its propaganda, the PPP/C Government is clever enough to detect where danger lies, and Independent Regulators represent clear and immediate danger The PPP/CGovernmentisnotgoingtoriskthem.

None of this is unexpected, and we had said so in some shapeorformin2022. Nowweareprovedaccuratein2023. Guyanesecancontinuetowaste2023,andallowthePPP/C Government to get away with financial and other murders. Ortheycanstandupandfightback.

DEAREDITOR, realize that in a nation of On the other hand, when on the shocking rise of The President’s recently extreme wealth poverty is the issue of nationalization inequality locally, a topic aired interview with unacceptable.Hecommitted was raised the President that the PPP seems terrified international news agency, not to its swift eradication, seemed unable to spot that toaddressinanyform.Ihave Al-Jazeera, reveals one of but to the same mediocre thequestionwasreallyabout attributedtheselapsestoPPP the core issues plaguing the development strategy the Guyana’s willingness to confusionandincompetence PPP.Putsimply,theyseemto PPPhasalwaysespoused.In defend its legitimate rights. but of course some would be struggling to come to the second-poorest country It is no wonder then that the say the PPP is deliberately terms with the challenges in the hemisphere (as nationistenselyawaitingthe refusing to acknowledge the that come from natural Guyana was under the PPP) long overdue release of the challenges oil has brought. resource windfalls like poverty might have been a audit of Exxon’s cost SomewouldarguethePPPis discoveringoil.Iwill,infact, painful reality, but in a recoveryexpenses.Notonly focused on stealing take this even further, and country with the second- isthisdelayalarming,weare everything in sight. I shall say that they seem to be so mostbarrelsofoilperperson yet to see whether the notinthisletter,becausethe shockedatGuyana’ssudden, in the world? Guyana Government has in fact incompetence we are extreme wealth, that they increasingly resembles the tasked the Auditors with witnessing is more than can’t recognize the scale of most classic case of the fulfilling Guyana’s enough to give anyone whathashappened. resource curse, Equatorial legitimate right to identify pause.

The President says that Guinea, where standards of whether or not costs have Instead, I will point out he doesn’t like the term livingactuallydeclinedafter beeninflatedandthecountry that fighting poverty and “resource curse,” which oilwasdiscovered. robbedbillionsofdollars. inequality are centerpieces referstothechallengesfaced Don’t believe Guyana is When the conversation of the Opposition’s Peopleby countries blessed with onthispath?Iwouldhumbly moved to Sovereign Wealth Centered vision for Guyana, abundant resources. He says pointyoutothesevererecent FundsthePresidentfailedto thatweseeeducationnotasa that since the PPP knows cost of living crisis, coupled m e n t i o n t h a t h i s b u z z w o r d b u t a how to govern well without with the Government’s Government removed or transformative tool, that we resources, they are ready to refusaltoprovidesubstantial diluted several Oversight r e c o g n i z e t h e govern now that resources assistance to those in need. Committees in Guyana’s, mismanagement and areavailable.Thisisexactly Thishaserodedstandardsof rendering our country discrimination plaguing the what someone would say if livingswiftly,atatimewhen vulnerable to the extreme society they had no idea about the the country’s oil revenues inflationary pressures we We recognize these history of resource-rich surged. saw inVenezuela, as well as issues because we developing countries His Further, it has been lopsided, discriminatory understand that Guyana has assertion that the PPP is repeatedlydemonstratedthat resource allocation He changed radically, and these ready to govern couldn’t be even at the beginning of touted Guyana’s Parliament, changes need to be furtherfromthetruth,firstly Guyana’s oil boom there is but that body can do little to addressed. Pretending that because the PPP has no enough revenue to stop relentless local Guyana’s challenges are the stellartrackrecordtorelyon substantiallyraisewagesand procurementfraud(evenless sameastheywerebeforeoil and secondly because the salaries throughout the nowthatitsPublicAccounts isdelusion.Iwouldinvitethe challengeswefacetodayare public service, as well as in Committee has not been President to read Alice in quite different than they theprivatesectorthroughthe meeting due to government Wonderland.Hemightfindit were during their previous salary top-ups the members’absence). tobeveryinstructive. timeinoffice.

Opposition has proposed Eagle-eyed readers Yours,

Asanexample,whenthe Thiswillsharplycutpoverty would recognize that in an ElsonLow, questionofwidespreadlocal figures, mitigate the cost of earlier iteration of this Economic and Youth poverty was raised, the living crisis and eliminate interview I was also PolicyAdvisortotheLeader Presidentseemednottoquite theworkingpoor interviewed. I commented oftheOpposition

President must step on accelerator for renegotiation, and against shoddy work, corruption, lack of transparency

DEAREDITOR,

continuous.

The President must take duringtheelectioncampaign

IlikePresidentAli’sNew ThePresidentmustbehis “accelerator” lessons from has no “sanctity” They Year speech vowing to step own man and rein in the VP Exxon. While royalty and trickedus. on the “accelerator” on on the oil contract profits are still low and Exxon is moving ahead several progressive projects renegotiation issue. It was contracts have not been speedily with logistics for onhislist.(‘Gov’ttostepon the President who said we renegotiated (Exxon gets 86 projects whether they have accelerator this year – Ali ’ would “review and ½% of all oil income while the appropriate approvals or SN,January1,2023).Under renegotiate” everything, so Guyanagets13½%),Exxon not. Government is using a the PNC/PPP for 60 years, weholdhimaccountablefor and friends are moving full useless statistic that is Guyana is behind in hiswords.Thenationrejects steamaheadtoextractallour misleadingwhentheysaywe everything although we are thenotionthatthePPP/PNC oil to make their have the fastest growing the richest country in will not renegotiate the rich shareholders filthy rich.The economy, when what is CARICOM. Some say the StabroekBlockthatcontains Exxon man has pressed the meantisthatExxon’sprofits PNC/andPost-JaganPPPare the abundance of our wealth acceleratorallthewaydown; aregrowingandaccelerating our generational curses. So, that is supposed to fund all theirvehiclehasnobrakesor to the extent that they make we must run longer, faster, our dreams and wishes for a low gears. While the deal is enormous windfall profits, harder to fix everything. If betterlife. lopsided in Exxon’s favour, and they pay no taxes on the President is successful, The President must step everything is in high gear to theirincome. we can even call him “The on the accelerator towards extract our oil resources at For Exxon, Guyana oil Accelerator President.” The renegotiation, and the VP full speed, while our current sweet bad, but it is bitter for President needs to press the must not step on the brakes crop of sellouts in the us Guyanese, did your accelerator on the good when he does Nation, GovernmentandOpposition personal economy grow by things, and press the without renegotiation, our vow they will not 50+%?Didyourrealincome accelerator against the bad oil will be finished and we renegotiate The PPP’s go up by 50+%, or was it things. And once we are wouldstillbeapoorpeople, promise - their “Manifesto Exxon’s incom

and accelerating,setiton“cruise and future generations will Contract with Guyana” - to economythatwentupand control” so the progress is bedestitute. “review and renegotiate”

China’s optimisation and adjustment of COVID response measures are good for the world

DEAREDITOR, China, nucleic acid test the number of severe Omicron variant is highly medicines as a precaution, transparent manner with the Happy New Year!, Dear within48hoursbeforeflight casesanddeaths,andbought transmissible, its mortality resulting in some temporary international community, friends! Last weekend, departure is still required, precious time for the rate has been significantly shortages in certain including the WHO We peopleinChina,Guyanaand but no nucleic test will be research, development and reduced. locations. sharedthegenomesequence around the world organised mandatory upon arrival and application of vaccines and Experts say that 99% of China has now taken of the virus at the earliest various lively New Year’s no centralised quarantine therapeutics, and for getting those infected can fully variousmeasurestoincrease opportunity, making Eve events and exchanged willberequired. medical supplies and other recoverin7-10days. the production of key drugs. important contributions to greetings and wishes among This is another resourcesready,contributing Second,Chinahasbuilta The daily production the drug and vaccine friendsandfamily adjustment China has made significantly to global solid immune barrier Data capacityofbothparacetamol researchanddevelopmentin Some Guyanese friends to its approach based on a solidarity against the show that China has and ibuprofen has reached countries around the world. askedmeaboutthesituation comprehensive assessment pandemic and to world administered 3.4bn doses of more than 75million tablets, C h i n a ’s r e l e v a n t of the pandemic in China, of the pandemic situation, economicrecovery. COVID-19 vaccines. To which is well catered to the Departmentshavesharedthe and several Guyanese representing a shift of focus Benefited from dynamic break the number down, market. genome data of the virus newspapers also paid fromstemminginfectionsto Zero-COVID policy, 90% of people are fully I n a d d i t i o n t o fromthelatestCOVIDcases attentiontoit.China’srecent preventing severe cases and globallyspeaking,Chinahas vaccinatedand86%ofthose strengthening drug supply, in China via the Global optimisation and adjustment further minimising the had the lowest rates of aged 60 and above are fully we have been vigorously Initiative on Sharing Avian of COVID response impact of Covid-19 on infection and mortality over vaccinated.Third,Chinahas promoting the booster shot, Influenza Data (GISAID). measures,whicharerational economic and social three years Despite the accumulated a great deal of w i t h a f o c u s o n The Departments will choice made in light of the activities Since COVID pandemic, average life experience in the fight s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e continue to closely monitor latest COVID situation, began, the Chinese expectancyinChinawentup against the virus and has vaccination and health whether the virus would would significantly Government has always put from 77.3 to 78.2 years. significantly increased its management of senior mutate,shareinformationon contribute to the recovery the people and their lives Even when the global capabilities in drug people Relevant Chinese COVIDinatimely,openand and growth of the world above all else. We have Human Development Index development, medical Departments have worked transparent manner in economy, and facilitate poured all our efforts and dropped for two years services and material actively to open more fever accordancewiththelaw,and people-to-people exchanges resourcesintoprotectingthe straight, China went up six supplies. clinics, optimise diagnosis work with the International between China and Guyana life and health of every places on the Index. China In addition, the Chinese and treatment mechanism, Community to address the aswell.Here,Iwouldliketo Chinese From newborn attachedgreatimportanceto people have gained more and beef up medical COVIDchallenge. make some introductions to babies just 30 hours old to balancing COVID response confidenceagainstthevirus, resources. The International you. elderly people over the age with economic developing. and are more concerned We have mobilized as Community has responded Since November 2022, o f 1 0 0 , a n d f r o m China’s average economic abouttheirdailylives,work, many resources as possible positively to China’s China has adopted the 20 international students to growth rate for 2020 and studiesandlivelihoods. to protect the elderly with provisional measures on refinedmeasuresand10new other foreign expatriates in 2021 was 5.1%, making it Adhering to the underlying health cross-border travel that will measures to refine its the country, every life was one of the best-performing ‘adopting a science-based conditions, pregnant and be implemented shortly COVID response measures, equallyandfullyprotected. majoreconomies. approach, and taking lying-in women, children American, British, German and announced that, starting Overthepastthreeyears, At present, the situation targetedmeasures’principle, and other key groups, and andotherForeignChambers from 8 January, Covid-19 we have effectively ofthepandemicinChinahas the focus of China’s anti- made every effort to reduce of Commerce in China, and will be managed with responded to five global evolved, and the recent COVID measures has severecasesanddeaths.Ina most Foreign Diplomatic measures against Class B COVID waves and avoided optimisationofmeasuresisa shifted from stemming word, China’s adjustment of MissionsinChinanotedthat instead of the more serious widespread infections with rational choice after a infections to preventing COVID response measures this will clear the way for Class A infectious diseases the original strain and the comprehensive study and severe cases, which reflects is by no means “lying flat”. resumption of people-toin accordance with the law Delta variant, which are scientificassessment. the voice of the general Onthewhole,andtheCovid people exchanges and There will also be relatively more pathogenic

First, practices in many public and once again situation in China remains business travels, rebuild provisional cross-border thantheothervariants. countries,includingGuyana, reflects the commitment of predictable and under Foreign Investors’ travel rules. For Visitors to Wehavegreatlyreduced haveshownthatalthoughthe puttingpeopleandlifefirst. control. Since the start of confidence in the Chinese Countries adjusting the COVID-19, China has been market and contribute to COVID policy would sharingrelevantinformation restoringoptimismand invariably go through a and data in an open and (Continuedonpage6) period of adaptation. China is no exception as we shift gear in our COVID policy Recently, as the number of infections increases, some people have hoarded

Presidentmuststeponaccelerator...

Frompage4 NGSAexam,rampantcrime, ourgenerationalpoverty theymade“moreprofitsthan efficiency in the court Recent pictures of the God,”asUSPresidentBiden system (appointing a full destitutioninthePlasticCity said. So don’t be fooled by complement of magistrates, community and Parika Sea theoften-quotedstatisticthat judges,andappointmentofa Dam Squatters are an the economy grew by 50+% CJandChancellor).Whyare embarrassmenttoanoil-rich when you could have barely we still building small country Press the afforded to buy chicken at matchbox houses flat on the accelerator to fix that. It’s Christmas That statistic groundforpoorpeoplewhen our wealth and our country, means nothing to our poor we know that flooding is a and we must care. Wake up people How about a big problem and the seal Guyana! headline that says, levelisrising.

Sincerely, “Guyanese income Put the brakes on that, not Dr JerryJailall increased 50% because PPP the accelerator What Government renegotiated nonsenseisthat?Whyinthis the worst oil contract in the oil-richcountrythatboastsit world?”Our President must has50+%economicgrowth, make sure he presses the we have only 3 operable CT accelerator hard to establish ( C o m p u t e r i s e d modern systems to improve Tomography)scanmachines transparency, governance, for the whole country? Isn’t accountability, disclosure of thatshameful? all agreements involving The President must step on substantial natural resources the accelerator to stop and projects, audit of oil corruption and kickback in accounts, removing all procurement, awards of inequities among the 10 over-priced contracts, regions. shoddy contract work being Presstheacceleratortofixall approved, and disposal of water, health, flood control, national assets and natural power generation, resources The national educational inequities aspirationisthat2023willbe flowing from a useless a breakthrough year against

PPPmust provide the list of 200 additional taxes they were imposed by the Coalition

DEAREDITOR, Editor, for the benefit of Many of the taxes/fees were that the Coalition never Bharrat Jagdeo in the make the pathological liar An article by Pepping your readers, the PPPC took increasedby100%. increased taxes but instead NationalAssembly,in2018, appear the hero, or to gain TominKaieteurNews,dated office in October 1992. In There were also lowered taxes, widened the to produce the evidence of acceptance or sympathy, December 17, 2022, their first budget on March increases in taxes when tax base, increased the ‘200 New Taxes’ while there’s seemingly headlined ‘The Government 1 2 , 1 9 9 3 , t i t l e d budget 1994 was read on compliance, improved imposed by the Coalition nothing to be gained from should provide the ‘Reconstruction for Human March7,1994. administration, and closed Government. otherlies.” evidence,’ caught my Development,’ a number of This resulted in loopholes to tax evasion. Todate,thepublicisstill This quote can be attention The article taxes were increased. For increased taxes for ‘motor Additionally, if one is to waiting for him to provide attributedtothePPP/C. highlighted many issues, Hotel Accommodation, a vehicles other than review the budget speeches, theevidence. I end by encouraging including that of racism and 10% fee was charged on minibuses,valueorrent-free specifically budget 2017, When Guyana was hit Guyanese to indulge in discrimination. rooms.Thistookeffectfrom quarters or residence, presented by Former withitsfirstCOVID-19case critical thinking in the new But the comment about March15,1993.Also,taxes, increase in licenses for TV Minister of Finance, Mr inMarch2020,severaltaxes year theCoalitioninstituting‘200 licenses and other fees dishes, both at the personal Jordan, they will observe and fees were adjusted Fact check every Taxes on the Guyanese administeredby and commercial levels, that many of the measures downwards,includingtaxon statement made by the people’, another blatant The Inland Revenue including transmitting did not attract new taxes, domestictravel.ThePPPCis PPP/C and not fall for the piece of the PPPC’s Department’s License stations’, (reference pages rather adjustments were now claiming ownership on campaign propaganda and propagandachorus,drewmy Revenue Department, were 55-61 of budget speech for madetoafewexistingtaxes thisinitiative. glaringomissionsoftruth. irehencethisletter. increased. These included: 1994). whichhadnotbeenadjusted Editor, there is the Yourssincerely, Like Peeping Tom, I do License fees for vehicles, I was still in high school inover20years. Idorecall common saying, “some lies AnnetteFerguson have searching questions trading and betting shop at that time, but I gather Mr. Jordan challenging Mr. seem to be told in order to MemberofParliament and would like the PPPC licenses,roadtrafficvehicles citizens expressed their regime to provide the fees, airport departure tax, displeasure at these information to support these tax on airline tickets, unreasonableincreases. ridiculousstatements. professional fees and Former Minister of Letthemmakepublicthe revenuestampsonpassports Finance, Mr Winston D. list of 200 additional taxes (Annex 2 on page 46 of the Jordan, has on numerous institutedbytheCoalition. budget speech of 1993) occasions reminded citizens

Managingfuture decommissioningexpenses

DEAREDITOR,

Thisratesurpassesthatofthe decommissioning process Exxon has been kind inflation rate being Theestablishedtrustaccount enough to share with the experiencedintheUSA. must be used for all nation the initial We should also make additional wells with all decommissioning costs that these funds available for future costs being placed have been put aside for the reinvestment by Exxon within the account which work to be done 20 years to during the 20 to 30 years will continue to earn at a 30 years from now What remaining on the wells that minimum rate that is Vice President Bharrat they have been set aside to equivalent to the internal Jagdeo is proposing has its decommission. WACC of Exxon. This will merits. However, I would Thus, the funds will become the benchmark rate suggest a further look at the continue to grow faster than throughout the existence of range of royalty rates for inflation over the long term thesharedtrustaccount.This suchanoperation.Providing and also provide additional iswhatExxoncandoifthey flexibility with price interest earnings for the have exclusive rights over movement would also allow country Inaddition,Guyana the funds during the 20 year for continued profitability at willbeabletoreducethecost to 30 year period The the lower end of the price ofExxon’soperationsinour proposed alternative spectrum. oilsector approach will allow them to

Another alternative If near the end of the continuetohaveaccesstothe optionforJagdeotoconsider productive life of the well funds,buttheinterestearned in addition to the proposed Exxon chooses to sell to will benefit the people of managementstructureofthe another party, we can Guyana while also decommissioning funds, stipulate in the contract that guaranteeing full coverage wouldbetoholdthefundsin Exxonwilltransferitsrights of the predetermined future a shared transparent trust overthesharedtrustaccount decommissioningcosts. accountwherethefundscan to the new owner who will Bestregards, begrownatarateequivalent alsobeboundbythetermsof

toExxon’sweightedaverage the initial contract, which

Mr.JamilChanglee

Chairman

cost of capital (WACC), ensuresthatthefundswillbe T h e C o o p e r a t i v e which is currently 9.55%. u s e d f o r t h e

China’s optimisation and adjustment...

Frompage5

Guyanese friends have been emerge, and exchanges

Embassy in Guyana) posted to improve, the effects of reinstating China as a the top 10 happiest cities in policies to stabilise Priority Investment China for 2022, and economicgrowthcontinueto Destination.

Tourism Departments of liking and commenting to between Chinese and other many countries including express their desire to travel peoples become easier, Thailand, Australia, New to China. I believe that by China’s long-subdued Zealand, Denmark, Norway, relying on the pandemic consumer demand will be Netherlands, Spain, prevention policy that is in released,investorconfidence Portugal, Austria and line with China’s national will be boosted and the Switzerland warmly conditions, and through the economy will rebound welcomeChineseTouriststo united efforts of the whole strongly Thisisgoodfornot visitandtravel. countryanditspeople,China just China but the entire

They have posted on the will be able to quell the global economy including Chinese social media pandemic, and normal Guyana. ‘Weibo’ that “it has been exchanges between China Regards, threeyears,wemissyou”. and Guyana will gradually GUOHaiyan Recently, our Embassy’s resume As the Covid-19 Chinese Ambassador to Facebook page (Chinese situation in China continues Guyana

Guyana's indebtedness to China set to surpass Sri Lanka-FormerAuditorGeneral

“While Guyana's medium-term economic prospects appear very favourable due to anticipated oil revenues, the Authorities should nevertheless exercise restraint in Government spending, given the volatilityofoilprices.”

This is the advice of former Auditor General (AG), Anand Goolsarran, in his Tuesday Column, published in the Stabroek News,onthe2021AuditorGeneral ReportonthePublicAccounts.

His counsel comes at a time when Guyana's loans from China are set to surpass that of Sri Lanka, whichstandsatsome20percent.

In drawing reference to that country, the former Auditor General pointed out that Sri Lanka

isnowinastateofsevereeconomic crisis after years of economic mismanagement coupled with the impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, Guyana had six loans with the Export Import (EXIM) Bank of China totalling US$240 451 million This represented 17.5 percent of the country's external loan portfolio accordingtoGoolsarran.

To this end, the former AG wrote “Last week, the Authorities announced the signing of two loan agreements with the China (Bank) in the sums of US$192 million and US$172 million for the East Coast Demerara road expansion project and the construction of the New

Demerara River Bridge respectively

With these two loans, Guyana's indebtedness to China is set to overtake the 20 percent incurred by Sri Lanka which is currently in a stateofsevereeconomiccrisisafter yearsofeconomicmismanagement combined with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Goolsarran reminded that in December 2017, the Sri Lanka Government handed over the Hambantota Port to China which included 15,000 acres of land around it, for use for 99 years. The Port was constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company with financing from China's Exim Bank. This development occurred

after the State failed to make good on its commitment to repay the loan.

GoolsarraninhisColumnmade the point that Sri Lanka's experience has important lessons for Guyana since the incurrence of excessive debt; both internally and externally, can adversely affect the economy Itwasonthisnotethathe warned that while the country's prospects seem favourable due to the anticipated revenue from oil and gas, government should exercise restraint given the volatilityofpetroleumprices.

Further, “with global warming and climate taking their toll worldwideaswellastheeffectsof (Continued on page 21 )

Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran

...warns Govt. to be weary of volatile oil prices and exercise restraint in spending

GLENN LALL AND THE TRENCH WATER

When the older billions of dollars were discoloration. Anyone who It should accept that In the meantime, GWI can (The views expressed in generation expended on upgrading the has seen a bucket in an area there is a problem and suggest measures, including this article are those of the a t t e n d e d country’s water and where there is untreated commit to fixing it within a filters, which households author and do not

school, you sanitationsystem. water will recognize the settimeframe. canutilizetoextracttheiron necessarily reflect the always knew when a Despite this, it had to stains caused by the heavy Naturally, this involves content from the well water opinions and beliefs of this classmate of yours took a take the commissioning of ironcontentofthewater putting in place a water which is being fed to their n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s bathinthetrench. thewellat Noitgedacht,for But GWI is contending treatment plant for the area. homes. affiliates.)

The trench water left a some3,500residentsofthat that problem with the water distinct (not stink) smell on and surrounding areas to has to do with the Residents them. That was a long time benefitfroma24-hourwater interfering with the water ago. But it has now been supply supplysystem. revealed that Guyanese are But what is the use of Is it not GWI’s still bathing with trench having a 24-hour supply of responsibility to protect the water water if the water cannot be system?

GlennLall,thePublisher used even for washing

And where is the of the Kaieteur News, is purposes. evidence that the Residents from the Island of Thisisthe21centuryand are interfering with the Wakenaam, Essequibo there are persons in Guyana system and contaminating Islands. He visitedhis home who still have to use trench thewaterwithironbacteria? island over the Christmas water for cooking, washing

At the same time, the holidays and related an andcleaning. GWI is contradicting itself experience. By now the people of by claiming that there are According to Lall he Wakenaanshouldhavebeen varying levels of iron almostvomitedwhenhesaw able to enjoy not only a 24- content in water along the the colour of the water and hour sup-ply of water By coast. smeltit. nowthepeopleofthatisland And as such, the water

Herelatedthisinavideo should have been enjoying utility cannot be blamed for in which he also said that treatedwater thisproblem. some Villagers prefer to use It was shocking to learn This is a lame excuse. the nasty trench water than that only about half of the Instead of making such a the water coming through residents in Regions 2, 3, 4, facile defence, GWI should thetaps. 6, 10 and in Bartica receive explain why it is that in this

Yet, it was only recently treated water After 23 plus the third decade of the 21st that the Guyana Water y e a r s o f P P P C century, Residents are still Authority was boasting Governments, this is the receiving water with a high about a new well it had legacy of its water and ironcontent. drilledontheIsland. sanitationpolicies

While GWI cannot

InAugustofthisyear,the It was only after Glenn dictatetheamountofironin well was commissioned by Lall publicized the plight of thewaterbeingproducedby no less a person than thepeopleofWakenaanthat the well, it is well within its PresidentIrfaanAliwhoalso the Guyana Water Inc means to control the iron announced that a G$1.3B (GWI)responded. content of the water which watertreatmentplantwillbe But what a response the consumersreceive. builttoprovidetreatedwater Water Utility Agency has And this is why it is toresidents. provided. necessary to have water

It was an announcement According to the GWI, treatmentplants–something which should have raised the problem is the iron whichshouldhavelongbeen eyebrows because prior to contentofthewater thecaseforwaterusers. 2015, the PPPC had been in It is well known that the The GWI must not Governmentfor23years. highironcontentinwaterin a t t e m p t t o d o d g e

In that period tens of Guyana, causes heavy responsibility.

Dem boys seh...

NOWYUHGATTOBUYBOTTLE

WATERFUHBRUSHYUHTEETH

A man eat he belly full when he went brown. He start fuh holler fuh help saying back‘home’fuhChristmas.Heeatanything dathenahseeinggood,andhowdewaternat datwasoffered.Helashdownderoastduck, onlydarkbutitsmellingstink. de mutton curry, de fried chicken and even He tell de people how he nah like de de bake fish. Den he wash dah down with colour of de water coming out de tap. Dem some good rum and tonic. De man leggo a tell he don’t bother, we can give you de belchandwasjustgoingtotekafivewhen trenchspecial.Rightawaysleepleffdeman herememberhowdedentistdidtellhe,dat eye.Heasked,“Trenchspecial?’ hemustbrushheteethaftereverymealand ‘Yes,”depeopletellhe,“wegatawhole mekcertainhegarglewell. bucket of trench water fuh yuh wash yuh

Demangotodepipeindebathroomfuh mouthwith.” washouthemouth.Whenheturnondepipe, Isdendemandecideday, hegattoget he thought was five year old coming out of denextspeedboatoutbecausehewentinde detap.Whenhebinsmall,dewaterusedto sametrenchearlier,andheknowdecolorof comeoutlikelemonwash.Butnowittunde dewater colour of dark rum. De water bin brown, Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

THE MOST DANGEROUS MYTH IN GUYANA IN 2022

There is a deeply Wa r n e r ’s p l e a f o r writingonthelastdayofthe democracy? The case of ‘sacred space’ w r i t t e n recognition of the y e a r o b s e r v e d : Bolivia may be a graphic which they are intellectual book falsehood of the objectified “Unfortunately, national exposureofthatmyth. entitledto….”

of 1994 titled: ‘Monster’. The Monster is and international politics An elected president in For me, 2022 in “Managing Monsters: Six ourselves. Efforts to have stood in the way of Bolivia in 2020 was Guyana was the year Myths of OurTime” by one exterminate the brutes will Guyana’sdevelopmentand, removedbyoneofhistory’s in which this myth not of the world’s leading only increase our pathetic if given the chance, local deadliest manifestations of only survived but intellectuals, British monstrosity. The more fear civil society advocates, will the engineering of racial strived.Iammovingto The press’s direction in feminist and scholar, Dame and anxiety we feel, the derailthisproject….” dominance against a 35 years in the media and 2022doesnotaugerwillfor MarinaWarner more stupid and cruel we Herearetwokeenminds politicalpartyofIndigenous whatIexperiencedlastyear, the safeguarding of

Inthisvolume,Professor become” reflecting on what has leaders in which civil I never encountered before. democracy. On December Warner delves into all the As2022drewtoaclose, become of the nature of society activists and the NeverbeforehaveIreceived 30,IsawwhatIwouldnever dimensionsofmythsandthe two high-level intellectuals society in Guyana in 2022. pressplayednosmallpart. so many complaints from believe I would see in the positive and negative exposedthemostdangerous Wehavelongheldthebelief It has to be revolting to peoplethattheirletterswere mainstream media. functions they serve and myth that drew wide that the press, NGOs, civil themindtoreadthewordsof not published by the ProfessorPersaudinaletter have served. Her journey circulation in Guyana. The society and related groups Mr Ramkarran that need mainstreammedia. totheKaieteurNewsmerely begins thousands of years ubiquity of this myth was are guardians of social repeating; “…if given the Every letter that mentioned my name in backandtakesthereaderup perpetrated by the stability, watchdogs of chance, local civil society accompanied the complaint passing.The Kaieteur News tothelate20thcentury mainstream media in democratic governance and advocates, will derail this was of a viewpoint that retainedmynamebutinthe For a meticulous Guyana that can be advocates of elected project….” What project is either was sympathetic to identical letter to Stabroek analysisofthiswork,seethe described as the Mordoch- representation. he referring to? Industrial thegovernmentorsupported News, my name was taken reviewtitled:“FearofRabid likepress. But has this been the developmentinGuyana. the over direction of the out. Such petty-mindedness Dogs” by Margaret Anne In a letter in the print reality throughout the ages. Isn’tthisanoxymoronin government Many were Ihavenevereverseeninthe Doody in the April 1994 media, Professor Randolph Are the press and civil Guyanese politics that finely argued and contained pressinmycareerasamedia issueofTheLondonReview wrote in the Kaieteur News society essentially the portends danger? How can strongintellectualpoints. operative.Forme,2022was of Books. Dame Warner of December 24, 2024 the guarantorsagainstunelected civil society advocates T h e d i s t u r b i n g the year of Myth Exposure warnsusofthepowerofthe following; “When civil and authoritarian rule? Is whose raison d’être is to dimension involved andMythExplosion. myth.Onceitgetsintoyour society groups become too that a myth that has been safeguard social stability financial analyst, Joel (The views expressed in head,ittakescontrolofyour attached to politicalparties, lodgedinsideourmemory? want to undermine Bhagwandin. It has to be a this article are those of the memory or themselves act like Isn’thistoryrepletewith development? Maybe we loss to intellectual debate author and do not Here is a relevant quote political parties, they examples where civil need to quote Professor that Bhagwandin’s learned necessarily reflect the fromDoody’sreview:“One abandon a ‘sacred space’ society, NGOs and civil Persaud again for the economic points on the oil opinions and beliefs of this of the most appealing – which they are entitled society had their own answer: “When civil society industry could just be n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s mostpassionate–aspectsof to….” agenda and that agenda was groups act like political contemptuouslyrejectedfor affiliates.) Managing Monsters is Ralph Ramkarran a n t i t h e t i c a l w i t h parties, they abandon a publication.

FrederickKissoon

GUYANESE FOR SALE

understand her role in all of elections, I have raised the power to what end? Now, hyperbolicfacades. Patriots are a dead and its nuances, but still laid question regarding what the hereisthekey:powertothe Forthethirdtime,Ilayit doomedspecies. blame because of cowardice defining characteristic of purse strings. He who has on the line: money is our O u r c l a i m s a t in facing truth, addressing Guyanese is. I have the the power has mastery over raison d’etre. Money is our Independence went down reality Guyanese truth and answer the money Treasury, d e f i n i n g n a t i o n a l thedrain,washedawaybya reality, and the powerful Elections are the best consolidated fund, budgets, characteristic. Moneyisour cheap dollar Come next determination to give my placefromwhichtoproceed. allocations, line items, alphaandomega. Forthose month’s Mash Day, we own countrymen a pass that There was understanding projects and so forth who need something as shouldhavethebiggestfloat theydidnotdeserve. Idonot that elections are about who Institutionalsetups:oilfund, boring as proof, I have it. to read the Republic of spare myself since there is is to govern, unleashing tender boards, and oversight LookathowGuyanesehave Exxon(Guyana). something called part and these great existential controls are there to enable become transformed since American Ambassador parcel; or tacit condoning. struggles for power. Power and ensure that the money the discovery of oil, Lynch doesn’t even have to By looking away. By by any means, and at all follows a predesigned particularly last year. Look lift a manicured eyebrow, silence. By pretending. costs, regardless of course. To translate for at what we have mutated and papers are inked, Then,realizationcamethatI consequences. clarity:themoneyultimately into. Leaders jumping to deliver. was only making a fool of We have seen that gets to the right people, so We have Analysts We betray the poor of myself,anditistimetostop frequently, most recently that the right people above drumming up numbers to Guyana. We do the dirty being so stubborn, so two years ago. In sum, them and around them are justifywhatExxondoes. We work of foreigners by protectiveoffellowcitizens, Guyana’s elections have dealttheirshare,inwhatever have Parliamentarians willingly prostrating be they Indian or African, never been less than ugly, fashion, in the proper putting on a show in the ourselves for their dollar ttookmealongtime PPPorPNC,andallthosein gut-wrenching, and manner Guyanese selling National Assembly in Wearepeddlersofflesh:our to understand what between. Well, time has disfiguring. The strangling, out Guyanese taxpayers prostitution of education, own. We sell principle for

By GHK Lall

Ithiscountryisabout. caughtwithme,andnowthe death-dealing mindsets, There is no PPPnor PNC in intellect, honor, decency profit. And that is my last Recently, I have looked hardjobmuststart. strategies, energies brought this, for they are the same, We have Professionals and mistake: it is not principle critically and written Guyanese truth and to the process numbed. I onceinpower Itiswhywe Writersandmediaallselling thatissold,sincewhatisnot caustically about Exxon. I reality,whatarethey? What wondered where this fight to the death during themselves for a dollar there can’t be sold was half right. Similarly, dotheymeanatthesimplest? construct is called elections. Itisforthemoney Locals are much smarter Guyanese slavishly hang-up there was sharp discomfort In my searching over the COUNTRY,andhowdoesit only,andthatisthewholeof than me who ran and earned theirsign:FORSALE! Itis with the role of Her years,intheturbulencesand meshintothevolatile,toxic, the Guyana story from his Yankee dollar the hard themselves. Guyanesehave Excellency, Ambassador traumas of national combustible brews that are beginningtoend. Wecancut way2500milesaway They to be the most shameless Sarah Ann Lynch I named(misnamed)elections the nonsense with our stayedandnowtheyreapthe people in the world. SelfinGuyana. specious dissertations on rewards from their enslavers.

Ihadnoanswer Atfirst, dialectics, polemics, armchairs, accounting (The views expressed in thethinkingthatitwasabout economics, civics, and daily spreadsheets, legal briefs, this article are those of the the racial, or ethnic literary hysterics in the and traitorous media author and do not Amazingly, it wasn’t about media. For the record, we salesmanship. necessarily reflect the that, but more. Sure, it was are the poorest of frauds, Alistair Routledge has opinions and beliefs of this about power (elections worst hypocrites behind the themalldancingtohistune, n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s always are all over), but s y l l o g i s t i c a n d without lifting a finger affiliates.)

GWI says 'stink dirty' tap water at Wakenaam is nothing new

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of t h e G u y a n a Water Incorporation (GWI), Shaik Baksh on Tuesday responded to a TikTok video that was posted by Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall in which he decried poor quality of water being distributedtotheresidentsof Wakeanaam Island, Region Two.

In the video, Lall said, “The smell of the drinking waterthattheGovernmentis supplying in Wakeanaam makes you want to vomit.” He shared that during the holidays he visited his hometown in Wakeanaam, and after having a meal, “I wenttowashmyhandsandif I didn't have a good stomach all that lovely food I ate, would have come out in the sink.”

Lall went on to state that notonlywasthecolourofthe water horrifying, but the odour was atrocious, which led him to reference the smell to the fume given off, “whenpaddyisbeingsoaked to make seedlings in boxes andinthetrenches.”

According to Lall the smell of the water is so pungentthattheResidentsof Wakeanaam are unable to wash their clothes or cooking utensils with it “The Residents using the trench water rather than the pipe water, to wash their clothes and utensils- and that's how stink and dirty the w a t e r i s a n d t h i s G o v e r n m e n t , t h i s Government, have its citizens paying for,” he said. Lall had also shared that one of his school friends even informed him of similar quality of water being distributed in Tuschen, East BankEssequibo.

In response to Lall's TikTokvideo,theGWICEO held a Press Conference on Tuesday and he was joined by the Company's Head of Water Quality, Avinash Parsram. For Baksh's part he highlighted that the quality of water has always been a major issue for the GWI stating that “this is nothing new.” He said, “I will deal with the water quality issue right now especially since one media personality over the weekend has stated that there is poor water quality in W a k e a n a a m a n d Tuschen...so I want to deal withthat.”

Baksh, a former Housing andWaterMinister,whoalso at one time served as Education Minister,

Publisher,

...as CEO responds to Glenn Lall's Tik Tok video

receivedaverygoodlevelof service and this is confirmed by the Regional Chairman, the Deputy Chairman and o t h e r r e s i d e n t s o f Wakeanaam, but there is quality issues as I mentioned before, this is historical,” he noted.

Baksh went on to state that high iron content is responsible for the water woes not the GWI and noted that the same water quality issue is occurring on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two.

The GWI Boss then added that when the Noitgedacht well was commissioned, President Irfaan Ali himself had highlighted that water quality is a major concern and had noted that it is an area which has been identified for huge investments in Guyana. “So it is surprising to know that an individual can go there andselectivelyusethiswater quality (like it) is a big issue. Now we have stated at the commissioning (of the Noitgedacht well) that a new water treatment plant will be constructed on the island of Wakeanaam and we are movinginthatdirectionvery expeditiously,“ Baksh added.

explained that the aquifer in Guyana on the coastal belt because of the make-up of the Phreatic Zone, the formation of the aquifer, is higher in content. He said, “SoaswemovefromRegion Two to Region Six along the coastal belt you'll find varying levels of iron in water and this is historical, it isnothingnew.”

TheCEOaddedthatonly last year the Government of Guyanacommissioneda$50 million well at Noitgedacht, whichislocatedontheisland of Wakeanaam. To this end he noted that so far the production of that well can be described as “excellent.”

“Throughout the island we have between 15 and 20 feet of water, so residents have

While highlighting the company's plan to address the issue of poor water quality (high iron content in water), the CEO disclosed thattheyhaveembarkedona massive programme called Coastal Water Treatment According to him, under the programme 30 new water treatment plants will be constructed across the coastal belt. For his part, GWI's Head of Water Quality said the Noitgedacht well has an iron content of 6 milligrams per liter and Tuschen has an iron content of about 2.7 milligrams per liter

“Now iron has its own accompanying issues but the results generated over the last year for these wells and

t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g distribution the results indicate clearly that at all

times, the turbidity and the colour of the water have met WHO guidelines. The only

parameter that has not met the guidelines, is the iron content,"headded.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporation (GWI), Shaik Baksh

Kaieteur News

Glenn Lall

Grenadians told to brace for tough 2023

Loop News - Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has warned Grenadians that 2023 will not be easy as his administration, which was elected to office in June last year, starts laying the foundational structures for a resilient country where citizens will be more equipped to face both internal and externalchallenges.

“Thenext12monthswillnotbe easy Our team has set ambitious targetsinyearonebecausewehave a clear vision for the future of our

beloved nation,” Mitchell said in hisNewYear'smessage.

“We are also mindful that 60 months, or five years, may seem like a long time but, in the scope of governance, it can go by very quickly,”headded.

Mitchell, who led his National Democratic Congress (NDC) to a 9-6 victory over the New National Party (NNP) that had previously won all 15 seats in the last two GeneralElections,saidthatthereis muchtobedoneastheGovernment

seeks to set the island on a path toward sustainable development andself-sufficiency

“As we embark on this journey of transformation and positive change, our success, as a country and as a people, requires us to also transform our thinking. To move Grenada forward, at the pace that we would like, we need every Grenadian, at home and abroad, to beapartofournation'sprogress”.

He called on all citizens to c o n t r i b u t e t o w a r d s t h e

developmentandtransformationof the island, saying that among the threatsfacingthenationareclimate change and the increasing cost of living. “We need all hands on deck if we are to survive and thrive in a global climate that is increasingly unpredictable.

Thethreatofclimatechangeon its own, and the very real and existentialeffectsthatsealevelrise holds for the future of our island state, is enough to help us realise thatweneedtobandtogether “The

negative fallout from the war in Ukraine, on the heels of a devastating global pandemic, continuestoadverselyaffectglobal supply chains, increasing the cost of food and fuel, and worsening an alreadyhighcostofliving,”hetold citizens before explaining that saving the island from unpredictable event is a responsibilityofnationals.

“In light of all of the above, no one is coming to save us. We must saveourselves.

Good Samaritan choked and robbed at Bartica

A20-year-old

Good Samaritan was on Friday “choked unconscious and robbed” of his motorcycle, cellular phones, gold chains and cash at Bartica, Region Seven,byamanwhosoughta ridefromhim.

Police have identified the G o o d S a m a r i t a n a s Muneshwar Poorandai, a Barber of Byderado Road, Bartica and have since arrested the Suspect accused of violently robbing him in vicinity of the Bartica SecondarySchoolDorms.

According to Police, the Suspect, 21-year-old Rayon Speede, was nabbed on Tuesday after Detectives wereabletotrackPoorandai's stolen cell Speede was processed and hours later appeared at the Bartica Magistrates' Court where he was charged with robbery withviolence.

Speede was placed on $200,000 bail after pleading not guilty before Magistrate Crystal Lambert He is scheduled to return to Court onJanuary14,2023.

According to reports, Speede reportedly admitted to choking and robbing P o o r a n d a i a f t e r h e (Poorandai) agreed to drop him (Speede) home on his motorcycle.

Police alleged that Poorandai was drinking at Futu's Sports Bar in Central Bartica.AtthetimetheSports Bar was about the close, Speede approached Poorandi and requested a drop to One Mile,Bartica.

Poorandai reportedly agreed to transport Speede and the duo left on the victim'smotorcycle.

H o w e v e r , w h i l e travelling along the road, Speede allegedly placed the Victim in a 'headlock' (vice grip)andwrestledhimoffthe motorcycle.

Both men fell in the vicinity of the Bartica Secondary School Dorms, where Speede allegedly

continued to squeeze

Poorandai's neck before cuffing him several times to thehead.

Investigators disclosed that Poorandai was knocked unconscious after which Speede relieved the victim of his cell phones, $50,000 cash and two gold chains worth $130,000 before escaping withthemotorcycle.

The Victim reportedly regained consciousness a short while later and stopped a passing vehicle for help. He was taken to the Bartica Police Station where he reported the matter Ranks immediately took him to the Bartica Regional Hospital and began their hunt for the suspect.

Detectives were able to track Poorandai's phone which was in the possession of a 31-year-old man. When confronted the man told Investigators that Speede had givenhimthephonesunlock.

Speede was eventually arrestedandconfessedduring an interrogation and reportedly returned the Victim's ID card and Driver's Licence.

He also led Cops to recoverthestolenmotorcycle which was hidden in a clump of bushes.

Poorandai's stolen cellular phones and motorcycle

Suspect accused, Rayon Speede

Fire destroys Pensioner's home at Vreed-en-Hoop, WCD

A two storey wooden and concrete home belonging to a Vreed-enHoopWestCoastDemerara (WCD) Pensioner was on Tuesdaydestroyedbyfire.

The property, located at Lot 3B New Road, Vreeden-Hoop, WCD belonged to 67-year-old Harry Deodharry

InaPressStatement,the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) said that Deodharry made a call at around 11:21h indicating that the house was on fire. Fire Trucks from the La Grange, West Bank Demerara (WBD), and Eccle , East Bank Demerara (EBD) Fire Stations, were reportedly sent immediately to the scene.GFS stated that its Firefighters were valiant in their efforts and were able to contain the blaze quickly and prevent it from

spreadingtonearbyhouses.

“Valiant efforts by Firefighterstodayresultedin the containment of a major fire that threatened to destroy three houses on the West Coast of Demerara”, GFSstated.

They were however, unable to save Deodharry's home.

“…The first floor of the building was severely damaged and its contents destroyed, while the ground floor sustained water damage,” theGFSsaid.

Investigators are currentlytryingtodetermine thecauseoftheblaze.

Smoke emanating from the burning building.

Firefighters using a water pump to put out the blaze

Duo remanded to prison for D'Urban St. Businessman's murder

The two Suspects who were arrested in relation to the Boxing Day robbery and shooting to death of Shimron Adams, the D'Urban and Chapel Streets, , Businessman were on Tuesday remanded to prisonforthecrime.

Thirty-year-old Andrew 'Aids Man' Ridley of Albouystown and 20-year-old Akelow Marshall of East La Penitence, made their first cour

Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, where the indictable chargewasreadtothem.

Ridley and Marshall were not required to plead to the charge, whichallegesthatonDecember26, 2022, at D'Urban and Chapel Streets, Lodge Georgetown, they murdered 41-year-old Adams, during the course or furtherance of arobbery

Chief Magistrate McLennan remanded the Defendants to prison and they are expected to make their

next court appearance on February 2,2023.

Kaieteur News had reported that Adams of Lot 129 Macaw Drive, Kaneville, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was shot at around23:40hrsonDecember26at hisbusinessplace.

Police had reported thatAdams operated a wholesale and retail alcoholic beverage business at the three-storey building while at the bottom flat, located on the southwestern side of D'Urban and ChapelStreets.

According to Police reports, whenranksarrivedatthescenethat night, Adams' 29-year-old female friend said she arrived at the businessplaceatabout21:30h.The woman told Investigators that Adamswaswearingagoldringand a gold band and had a small bag hangingonhisshoulder

At about 23:30hrs, the woman said Adams closed his business place and started to pack items into

a freezer About ten minutes after, Adams opened the shutter for them toleavefromthebottomflat.Itwas while doing so that two persons entered the building through the

shutter and ordered them to lie on the ground.The woman told Police that they complied The two Suspects reportedly wore surgical facemasks and one of was armed

withahandgun.

Police were told that the unarmed Suspect then took off the Businessman'sgoldbandandring (Continued on page 23)

Dead: Shimron Adams

Andrew 'Aids Man' Ridley Akelow Marshall

Integrity Commission, other Key Agencies aiding breakdown of Govt. accountability - TIGI Head

Th e I n t e g r i t y

Commission is among a group of k e y C o n s t i t u t i o n a l Mechanisms created to help the Government strike a b a l a n c e b e t w e e n accountability and good governance.

H o w e v e r, a n o n -

functioning Integrity

Commission can aid with the breakdown of democracy and good governance. This is the perspective of P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI), Fred Collins.

In an invited comment,

Collins pointed to the status of Guyana's Integrity Commission which he noted h a s b e e n n o t b e e n functioningasitshould.

“The last thing I read about the Integrity Commission is that it is not functioning as it should because it is understaffed.

But if those in charge of the Commission are serious about their work, they would find a way to do their work even if it is on a lottery basis and they will get some work done rather than none at all,” CollinstoldKaieteurNews.

The TIGI President said, “Politicians seem to think democracy is elections but is about the functioning of every single mechanism and constitutionally mandated to helpguardagainstcorruption and assist with transparency andgoodgovernance.

The EPA, for example an very important agency, is being used as a rubber stamp forwhatevertheGovernment says…

The Government is only interested in votes when that time is passed, they are very comfortable with having these Key Agencies u n d e r s t a f f e d a n d unsupported because it does notbenefitthem.”

Collins asserted that if Guyana is to experience 'real democracy' then “the Politicians should be able to work and support these Agencies so as to make them functionadequately.”

Collins comments follow statements made by former Auditor General of Guyana,

of TIGI, Fred Collins

AnandGoolsaran.

Goolsaran in his January 3, 2022 Edition of the Stabroek News, pointed to the lax approach of the IntegrityCommission.

Among other things, the former Auditor General noted that the Integrity Commission needs to get its act going, especially as regards: arranging for the prosecution of Public Officials who have failed to submit their financial declarations, investigating apparent mismatch between declarations and ownership of assets (inclusive of beneficial ownership), as

well as observable lifestyles, conflicts of interest, and violations of the Code of Conduct.

T h e I n t e g r i t y Commission was established to ensure that persons in public life maintain high standards of integrity in the performance of their public functions. This assists in the improvement of the s t a n d a r d s o f g o o d governance, transparency, and accountability in government.

T h e I n t e g r i t y Commissionisdutyboundto receive and verify the accuracy of declarations of financial affairs from public officials.

Integrity Commission Act states that, anyone who fails to make a declaration without reasonable cause shall be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine of $25,000andtoimprisonment for a term of not less than six months nor more than one year

Section 2, Chapter 22 states specifically, “Any person who—(a) (i) fails, without reasonable cause, to file with the Commission or thePresident,asthecasemay be,adeclarationwhichheis (Continued on page 23)

Three more die from COVID-19; 18 new cases

The Ministry of Health ( M o H ) o n Tu e s d a y announced that three more persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease died while being treated at the hospital.

As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,289. According to the Ministry, thelatestdeathsarethatofan 83-year-old woman from Region Four who died on December 29, a 59-year-old man from Region Four who died on January 1 and a 58year-old man from Region FivewhodiedonJanuary2.

Further, the Ministry via its daily COVID-19 dashboard, revealed that withinthelast24-hourperiod 18newCOVID-19infections were recorded, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 72,261. Presently, there are two patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 17 persons in institutional isolation, 304 in home isolation and to date; a total 70,649 persons have recoveredfromthevirus.

President

Guyana's indebtedness to China set to surpass...

From page 8

the war between Russia and Ukraine, who knows what the futureholdsfortheoilindustry,”he reasoned The former Auditor General was keen to note that Government needs to intensify efforts aimed at ensuring that the

economy is sufficiently diversified as the performance of the non-oil economy makes “the real difference” in the lives of ordinary citizens.

As Guyana continues to ignore advice of Financial Institutions regarding “cheap loans” from

Chinese Lending Institutions, the Bank of Guyana in its first quarter report of 2022 revealed that the country'sexternaldebtisovertaken bymoneyitborrowedfromChina.

It was noted that the China Exim Bank accounts for 39 5 percent of the country's total

external debt. Additionally, debt repayment to the China Exim Bank accounted for 82 percent of debt repaymentstobilateralcreditors.In the first three months of the year, US$10.6 million alone was paid to theChineseLendingInstitution,up by 1 4 percent The increase,

according to the Central Bank, was as a result of higher principal repayments during the review period.At that time, Guyana's total stock of public debt, which comprises both external and domestic debt stood at US$3.248 billion.

WANTED

Driver, sales man, porters to work in warehouse. Must have experience , attractive salary offered. Call: 6964444.

Nimbus Water System are Now Hiring Porters. Apply with application at Lot 79 Albert and Laluni Streets, Queenstown. Contact 6220445 or 685-7659

Taxi drivers needed at Princess Taxi Service, Ramada Hotel. Call: 265-7075/ 76 or 616-5419, 690-2242.

One mature live-in maid, 45 years and older. Salary $80,000 monthly, call: 6662462.

Wanted: Maid $4,000 daily/ $40,000, 10 days & skilled Labourers $4,500/$7,000 daily. Call: 682-5230/ 6154414.

One male able-bodied Clerk. Tel: 231-2029, 616-5954.

One male and female able bodied clerk: 225-2313/ 658-8559.

Urgently needed 3 kitchen assistant, $20,000 wkly, 1 cook $30,000 wkly and 1 dishwasher $18,000 wkly. Call: 633-1933/ 688-9507.

Whole Day Domestic to work in Bel-Air Park , excellent salary & conditions. Call: 226-2322.

Diesel Mechanic, Security and Cook to work in Charity, Essequibo. Contact: 687-5814/ 688-0417.

Security, Drivers/ Expediters and Porters. Contact: 223-5273/74 or 627-9647.

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

Maid to cook and clean, must be child friendly. Excellent salary and working conditions offered. Call/ Whatsapp: 653-7776.

Live in Domestic, must know to cook $30-40,000 wkly , 3540yrs and 1 day off. Call: 646-7142.

EDUCATION

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

VACANCY

Sales girls and porters needed. Send Written application to Best Buy Food Supplies, Deniss and Milton Streets, C/ville.

Cook/Baker, Pitmen, Servicemen and Hauler Operator for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call 615-0545.

Able bodied porter, Salesclerk needed @ Telles Steel & Hardware. Must have CXC Maths & English and must be Computer Literate. Call: 231-3265, 226-6771

Water Delivery Driver and Porter for E.C.D. Tel: 6761363/ 692-6768.

Urgently needed qualified and experienced daycare & preschool teachers. Contact: 600-9229/ 231-4885.

For experienced Lorry/ Hauler driver. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, 65 Robb Street, Bourda.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area call 615-9132.

One General Domestic needed, must know to cook. Apply with written application at Keyfood Mc Doom Village next to the post office.

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

Vacancy: Network Technician needed, A+ and Network + will be an asset. Contact Somal: 624-7155.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

DAF CF85 Double Axle Twin Steer Dump Trucks for sale. Call 612-8369 for inquiries.

One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:6490956.

2012 Nissan Frontier 42,000 Miles, Good working condition $3.5 M Negotiable. Call: 225-3739

Broken power pole causes major blackout on in Region Three

DEAR EDITOR,

At approximately 05:19hrs Tuesday morning, the top end of a primary pole on the Edinburgh Feeder corridor, completely broke off in the vicinity of Blankenburg, West Coast Demerara.

The magnitude of fault current (conductors/phases coming into contact) from this broken pole resulted in the gen erators at the Vreeden-Hoop facility going offline and triggered a cascading effect on generators at the company’s Kingston Power Plants.

The sudden loss of approximately 53 Megawatts of generation disrupted service to cu stomers in Central Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara, West Bank Demerara and East Bank Essequibo.

Incremental restoration commenced immediately and at approximately 05:57 hrs the first area was repowered.

Most areas were repowered at approximately

09:20 hrs. However, customers of Blankenburg, La Jalousie, Den Amstel and Hague, West Coast Demerara remained without power due

to remedial work on the broken structure. Power was restored to those areas at approximately 13:00 hrs. Our company continues to work assiduously to eliminate widespread outages and remains cognizant of the

inconveniences that result from service disruptions.

Best regards, Ranetta La Fleur Asst. Corporate Communication Officer Guyana Power and Light Inc

FOR SALE

Houses for sale in Hasinglton, Tuschen, Providence & Diamond/ Little Diamond. Call: 6736210/ 227-8274.

FOR RENT

One self-contained room available for rent in shared apartment. Suitable for single male. Call: 668-5296.

SERVICES

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

Repair & install fridge, freezer, washer & dryer, AC units, stove, etc. Whatsapp/ Call: 637-4927, 654-9511 or 683-8734.

For all grill works, contact Corney on # 610-8083/ 6221987.

afterseeingphotographsand Ridley was arrested on text messages in her phone. December 28 while She said Ridley took away Marshall was arrested the From page 19 Suspect, who was armed shoulder bag, picked up the that the woman who was her phone and told her that next day near the Berbice and ordered him to get up. with the firearm, discharged Businessman's phone and with Adams on Boxing he will rob Adams. The Bridge Meanwhile, the Hefollowedtheinstructions a round at Adams, which the woman's cellphone and Night told Investigators that womansaidshebeggedhim Guyana Police Force (GPF) given.TheSuspectthenheld struckhimtotherightsideof made good their escape she shared a relationship to change his mind hadissuedawantedbulletin onto the Businessman's his abdomen. As a result of through the shutter On with both Ridley and the However, the Suspect for Ridley in connection shoulderbagandpulledatit, this,theBusinessmanended December 29, Police Businessman. The woman robbedandshotAdams.This with the murder of Dexter butAdamscontinuedtohold up releasing the bag and sources close to the reportedly told Police that publicationhadreportedthat McFarleneofLaingAvenue, onto the bag to prevent the collapsedontheground.The investigation, in an Ridley had found out about following the incident, inNovember Suspect from taking it. The Suspect removed his interesting twist, revealed herrelationshipwithAdams

Duo remanded to prison for D'Urban St. Businessman's...

RepublicanMcCarthyheadsfor defeatinthirdU.S.Housespeakervote

Reuters - Republican presidency, only to draw McCarthy - or any Kevin McCarthy’s bid to strong opposition from his candidateforspeaker-will becomeSpeakeroftheU.S. party’srightflank. need to unify a fractious House of Representatives House Democratic caucus to win the gavel. ran into trouble in a series leader Hakeem Jeffries Democrats hold a slim of votes on Tuesday, as outran McCarthy twice in majorityintheSenate. hardline conservatives Tuesday’svotingby212to CULTUREWARS rebelled against him, 203 votes Hardline McCarthy’s hardline leavingthenewRepublican c o n s e r v a t i v e opponents are concerned majorityinturmoil. RepresentativeAndyBiggs that he is less deeply

In what could prove to ranagainstMcCarthyinthe investedintheculturewars be a brutal showdown initial ballot and received and partisan rivalries that between hardliners and the 10 votes A majority of havedominatedtheHouseoverwhelming majority of thosevoting,notaplurality, and even more so since House Republicans, is needed to determine a Trump’s White House McCarthy twice fell short speaker years. of the 218-vote majority In the second vote, Before the vote, needed to succeed popular conservative McCarthytriedtopersuade Democrat Nancy Pelosi as Jordan sought to rally the holdouts during a speaker Itwasthefirsttime support for California closed-door party meeting, in a century that the House RepublicanMcCarthy,only vowing to stay in the race failed to elect a speaker on to find himself put forward until he gets the necessary thefirstvote. as a nominee by McCarthy v o t e s , b u t m a n y M c C a r t h y a l s o opponent Matt Gaetz of participants emerged from appeared to lack enough Florida. thegatheringundaunted. support as the voting went “We need to rally Itwasnotclearwhether into a third round on around him,” Jordan had McCarthy, who has the Tuesday afternoon, with at said in an impassioned support of a wide majority least20Republicansvoting speech on the House floor of his caucus, would have for popular conservative “I think Kevin McCarthy’s thesupporttoovercomethe Representative Jim Jordan therightguytoleadus.” hard-line opposition and to try to block McCarthy, Jordan, 58, is a staunch win the speakership. He eventhoughJordandidnot ally of former President once before, in 2015, tried put himself forward as a Donald Trump and a co- for the speakership and candidate. founderoftheconservative failed amid conservative McCarthy showed no HouseFreedomCaucus. opposition. sign of withdrawing from A former college McCarthyhas spenthis thecontestafterthesecond wrestler who represents a adult life in politics - as a ballot, telling reporters: congressional district in congressional staffer, then “Westayinit‘tilwewin Ohio, Jordan was statelegislatorbeforebeing itwilleventuallychange.” nominated onTuesday as a elected to the House in A protracted speaker rivaltoMcCarthybutthree 2006 As speaker, election could undermine timesvotedforhim. McCarthy would be well HouseRepublicanhopesof Jordan is preparing to placed to frustrate Biden’s movingforwardquicklyon oversee the House legislativeambitions. priorities including Judiciary Committee’s But any Republican investigations of President investigation of the Justice speakerwillhavethetough Joe Biden’s administration Department and FBI under task of managing a House and family, as well as Biden. Republican caucus moving legislative priorities It was a disconcerting ever rightward, with involving the economy, starttothenewmajorityfor u n c o m p r o m i s i n g U.S. energy independence McCarthy and highlights tendencies and - at least andbordersecurity thechallengesRepublicans among some lawmakers -

Astandoff would leave couldfaceoverthenexttwo closeallegiancestoTrump. theHouselargelyparalyzed years, heading into the The record number of and could force lawmakers 2024 presidential election. voting rounds to elect a to consider another Their slim majority gives Housespeakeris133overa candidate. In addition to greater clout to a small two-month period in the Jordan, incoming Majority group of hardliners, who 1850s The Democrats Leader Steve Scalise was want to focus on dealing picked Jeffries to serve as seen as a possible defeat to Democrats and minorityleaderafterPelosi, candidate. McCarthy had p u s h i n g v a r i o u s the first woman to serve as served as the House i n v e s t i g a t i o n s speaker,announcedthatshe minority leader and sought Republicans won a narrow would step down from her to become speaker, a 222-212 majority in leadership role. She will position second in the line November’s midterm remain in office as a of succession to the U.S. election, meaning that representative.

Integrity Commission, other....

Frompage20

Tribunal, as the case may be, or gives required to file in accordance with the incompleteorfalseinformationpursuantto provisions of this Act; or (ii)knowingly therequest.” fileswiththeCommissionorthePresident However after it was reconstituted last adeclarationthatisnotcompleteorisfalse year,theCommissionpublishedanoticein in any material particular; or (b) fails, the daily newspapers calling on Public withoutreasonablecause,tocomplywitha Officialstodeclaretheirassetsbytheendof requestmadeundersection18or21(2)by the year However, as of July, 2022, the the Commission, the President or a Commission stated that it had only five Tribunal,withinthetimespecifiedtherefor declarationsfromatotal1232officialswho by the Commission, the President or the werescheduledtosubmittheirrecords.

$89MtoinstallA/CatCliffAndersonSportsHall

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will be spending some $89M as part of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall rehabilitation project to installtheheating,ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

T h e N a t i o n a l Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office has announced via its website that ECS Construction & GeneralSupplieshaswonthe bid to do the works at the sport facility The contract valued at $89, 840, 020 was awarded on December 19, 2022.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that this is ECS Construction's second contract in the Sports Hall rehabilitationproject.

In November, the company had won a $97M contract to have the front the

buildingredesigned.

This means that ECS Construction has been awarded a total of $186M for thetwoprojects.

DuringavisittotheSport Hall back in November, Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture Charles Ramson had told Kaieteur News that the $97M covers only the first phase of the rehabilitation project.

The minister explained then that the work at the Sports Hall will be done in phases that will run concurrently.Speaking of the first phase, the Minister had said: “this one is for the redesign of the front section, the entire front section is going to be pulled down and bemodernized.”

This specific phase is expected to be completed in eight months The other phases will see the entire

facility air conditioned, and the installation of bucket seats. The Minister disclosed thattheSportsHall'sflooring will be enhanced as well while the bottom sides of the building are to extended “to give us a little bit more room.”Ramson said that the Sports Hall is old and rehabilitation is aimed at modernizing the facility “You know we are in a moderncountry

Weneedtohaveamodern facility especially a modern indoor facility, it would be the only air conditioned facility that is indoor in the country and that's important notonlyforthesportsthatwe play there currently, let's say we wanna host international boxing this would be a good facility for that,” he explained.

Following the tender to rehabilitate the facility, the

Coach accused of rape asked to step down from position held at Sports Commission

The Athletics Coach accused of raping a 14-yearold girl on November 25, 2022 has been asked to step down from his position held at the National Sports Commission and Trainer at an Athletics Club, until the investigation is completed, well placed sources told KaieteurNews.

The Coach is on a $100,000 station bail as Detectives continue their wait on a Forensic Interview R e p o r t f r o m t h e Social/Welfare Officer to complete their case file. A Forensic Interview Report is the Victim's statement againsttheSuspectandifitis n o t s u b m i t t e d t o Investigators, he cannot be charged.

It has been more than a month since the Coach was arrested and according to Region Three Commander, Mahendra Siwnarine, Police arestillawaitingtheForensic Reporttocompletetheircase file before sending it to the D i r e c t o r o f P u b l i c Prosecutions (DPP) Office forlegaladvice.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that this is not the first time that allegations of raping minors have been leveled against the Coach and many fear that this case too might not make it before thecourts.

According to reports, the

Coach allegedly sexually assaultedthe14-year-oldgirl after a training session at the Leonora Track Field Centre, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

KaieteurNewslearntthat he was prepping a number of athletes for the National Schools' Championship held in December last year and at the completion of the routine training sessions, he allegedly lured the girl into one of the rooms where he sexuallyassaultedher

TheVictimlaterconfided in a friend about what had happened to her and contact was immediately made with a Welfare Officer. Her parents were informed and an official report was lodged withPolice.

Since his arrest, the President of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, during a recent appearance

on the State owned National Communications Network (NCN), made it clear that the Local Governing Body for track and field, does not condone inappropriate behaviour by their affiliated Coaches.

Hutson was at the time responding to the rape allegation made against the prominentNationalCoach.

“The AGG does not condone misconduct from ourCoaches.

We don't condone the kind of relationship that some Coaches may want to have with Athletes,” Hutson s a i d w h i l e a d d i n g , “relationships should have its borders, and any Coach, who would want to cross the border where he's going to knowingly try to have a sexual relationship in any form with any athlete, is not c o n d o n e d b y t h e Association.”

Ministryhadalsoinvitedbids fortherepairofthemainroof which is estimated to cost $ 1 2 5 M , e l e c t r i c a l installation works which is

estimatedtocost$37.9Mand the heating, ventilation and, air conditioning (HVAC) installation works, estimated tocost$74.2M.

It was reported that the Ministry received some $3.2 billion in the 2022 budget for the continued development ofsportinthecountry

Brazil bids farewell to beloved soccer star Pele

(Reuters)

-Emotionalcrowds bid Brazil soccer legend Pele a final farewell yesterday, lining the streets of Santos to watch his coffin taken to its final resting place from the city's stadium where 230,000 mourners had filed past his opencasket.

Young and old embraced as the funeral procession wound its way through the costal city's streets for hours, with some fans in tears and others cheering and drummingfor anationalhero who rose from barefoot poverty to become one of the greatest and best-known athletesinmodernhistory

"It's an irreparable loss for Brazil," said Brazil's newly sworn-in President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

"Pele,inadditiontobeingthe best soccer player in the world, was a humble, simple man."

Pele died last week at the age of 82 after battling colon cancerforayear Hewaslaid to rest at the city's Ecumenical Memorial Necropolis, a 14-storey vertical cemetery with views of the soccer field in Santos thatmadehimastar

Pele's funeral procession had left the city's Vila Belmiro stadium, home of Santos Football Club, yesterday morning Pele playedfrom1956to1974for the team, scoring more than 1,000 goals. During a 24hour wake fans queued for hours to pay their respects, evenovernight.

One of yesterday's most

movingmomentscamewhen the firetruck bearing his coffin halted outside the home of Pele's 100-year-old mother Crowds there applauded and chanted "Pele is our king," before holding a minute'ssilence.

Pele's sister Maria Lucia Nascimento, 78, watched in tears from a balcony and thanked the crowds in a brief TVinterview

Pele's son, Edson Cholbi Nascimento, addressed the crowd by the cemetery as fireworks greeted the arrival of the coffin and mourners sangtheSantosanthem.

"Iwantedonbehalfofthe wholefamilytothankyoufor all the love, the respect," he said."It'sanhonor,it'sagreat pride. Once again thank you. Nowhewillrest."

Wednesday January 04, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

There's a sober feeling to the day that may leave you feeling a bit down, Aries. There may not be any specific instance or situation that causes you to feel this way,sodon'tsweatit.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

People may be extra stubborn today, so try to avoid any confrontations that could lead to full-scale war Your emotions may feel restricted and restrained, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Your freedom-loving nature may seem a bit dampenedtoday,Gemini,but don't let it get you down. Thingsmightnotbeliningup perfectly, but that's no reason togetfrustrated.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Todayisagreatdaytoget rid of the stuff that's cluttering up your life, Cancer Gettotheheartofthe issueandstopbeatingaround thebush.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Don't sweat the small stuff, Leo. You may feel like something is restricting your otherwise light, witty nature, butdon'tworryaboutit.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

There are opportunities open to you now whether you realizeitornot.Itmaybehard to be aware of them today, giventheastrologicalweather

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your emotions may feel restricted today, Libra. You may feel bad about somethingyoudidinthepast. Somehow your heart isn't abletoletitgo.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You're going through a period of major evaluation andassessmentofcertainlife projects Today's energies bring much of that tension into focus, Scorpio, and put it.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Try to stay disciplined a n d f o c u s e d t o d a y, Sagittarius. This may be easier said than done, but it's crucial for preserving your sanity

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You're going through a time in which you have the opportunity to make tremendous advances, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Don'tmesswithsuperiors or people in authority today, Aquarius, or you might end up in some serious hot water Take it easy and try not get bogged down by negative emotions.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You're going through a time of great preparation right now, Pisces, You're building the foundation for a major life project This period isn'ttobetakenlightly

The mausoleum where Pele now lies will be open to

the public within seven days, the cemetery said.On the streets of Santos, the city of 430,000 where Pele lived for most of his life, some struggled to come to terms withhisloss.

"I'm still trying to get my head around this. No matter howmuchweprepare,weare neverreadyforthefarewell," said Pele fan Marcelo Caverna. "We are not just saying goodbye to our king, we are saying goodbye to a genius, a legend of the Brazilianpeople."

"You can see that the whole city has stopped. The whole world stopped," said mournerEzequiasLeonardo.

STADIUMWAKE

FIFA President Gianni Infantino was one of the first toattendthestadiumwakeon Monday and said he would ask football associations around the world to name a stadium after Pele, the only man to win the World Cup threetimesasaplayer.

Some soccer stars attended the wake, including former Brazil midfielder Ze Roberto, who helped place Pele's coffin in the center of thefieldonMonday

"Longlivetheking,"read a giant banner inside the stadium.

Lula had stood for about 30 minutes next to Pele's casket, draped with a Brazilianflag,inthecenterof the soccer field and he comforted Pele's family members.

Former soccer player Clodoaldo, who played alongside Pele at Santos and with the Brazilian national teamtoldreporters,"Iwentto the mourners... and I kissed themall,asifPelewashere.I am sure that's what he would do."“I kissed each one of them on the head. It's a way for Pele to give thanks for all thatishappeningtoday."

General view of fans as the casket of Brazilian soccer legend Pele is transported by the fire department, from his former club Santos' Vila Belmiro stadium. (REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)

Badminton Year in review

From page 29

interested persons rather than them comingtous.

2. For 2023 the Association plans on distributing Racquets, Shuttlecocks and Nets to schools

Hopefully in the outlying regions where we think that the

outdoor aspect of the Game “AirBadminton” will be more readilyaccessible.

The shuttles for this aspect of the game will be modified for playing outdoor and for the wind factor

These donations will be made possible through our international

affiliations Badminton Panam and theBadmintonWorldFederation.

3.Wewillalsocontinuetowork with our senior players as Panam Games and Olympics 2024 are soonapproaching.

We are hoping our national players Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani can qualify for

Olympics2024. However, to do this we will need to attend at least 6-7 international tournaments in the region and further afield in 2023. We're hoping to solicit the help of our corporate sponsors, the National Sports Commission and theGuyanaOlympicAssociation.

4. By April 2023 we should be aware of the players who will qualify for the Panam Games in Santiago,ChileinOctober2023.

5. Once again we look forward to having our own home this dream should be realized by the end of 2023.

Can'twait.

Badminton Year in review

“I would say for the year 2022 the Guyana Badminton Association had a successful year,” noted Association head Emily Ramdhani in a report to the media. The report as follows, informed on the activities during the pastyear

1. The year started off with the launch of the B a d m i n t o n N u r s e r y Academy on January 03, 2022 and resumed at the Queens College after refurbishment of the Badminton Courts in the Auditorium.

2 In March 2022, Narayan Ramdhani and Priyanna Ramdhani had a verysuccessfulyearonthe Collegiate Circuit when Narayan got 1st in the Provincial Men's Singles Championship and Priyanna got 3rd in Women's Singles.

Argentina represented by MatthewBeharry

5 Commonwealth G a m e s i n J u l y i n Birmingham, England. We wererepresentedbyNarayan & Priyanna Ramdhani who qualifiedtoparticipate.

6 South American Games in Paraguay October, 3 persons were qualified Narayan, Priyanna and Akili Haynes.

7 E l S a l v a d o r International where Priyanna Ramdhani was given a Gender Equity travel Grant by Badminton Panam to participateinDecember

In March 2022, the GBA visited the community of St. Cuthbert's Mission and promoted AirBadminton, we also donated equipment for the community to continue playingthesport.

better of us but we had a young team compared to them A team we will continue to work with Again, 3 persons were from the Badminton Academy, two from Berbice and the o t h e r s f r o m Yo n e x BadmintonClub.

5. We were schedule to h a v e a n o t h e r l o c a l tournament and for the first time the Gokarn Ramdhani Classic, a memorial tournament to honour our late President. This was a brainchild of our Hon Minister, Mr Charles Ramson.However,duetothe refurbishment of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and clashes with other sport discipline we were unable to have this tournament but we are looking forward to having it done bigger and

They then went on to the Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association (Nationals) where Narayan got 4th in singles and Priyanna got 3rd in Doubles. Narayan Ramdhani won the coveted All Canadian Award 2022 and also the Athlete of the Year and All Conference Award.

3.We were represented at 5 international tournaments beginning in April, where N a r a y a n R a m d h a n i , Priyanna Ramdhani, Akili Haynes and Tyrese Jeffrey participated in the Panam Individual Championship in El Salvador where Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani got tothequarterfinals.

4 In May, South American Youth Games in

The local Tournaments

were:

1 GUMDAC AB&C Division Tournament in April

2 The GBA held a tournament to commemorate World Badminton Day, whichiscelebrated Worldwide on July 5 this wastheinauguralyear

3. GBA National Junior TournamentinOctober,2022 where students from the N u r s e r y B a d m i n t o n Academy participated as well as a few players from Berbice.

4 The other local tournament we had which can also be considered an internationaltournamentwas the Inter-Guiana Games in November Suriname got the

betterin2023.

We are very happy with the progress of having the Sports Hall completed which was long overdue. I would say for 2022 the major accomplishment which was made possible through the Hon. Minister of Sports Mr Charles Ramson, The National Sports Commission and the Government of Guyana was finally, a home for Badminton. We are truly grateful and extremely excited over this huge accomplishment. Hats off to theStakeholders.

Plansfor2023

1. Our plans for 2023 are to continue to grow the sport of Badminton in Guyana. Our first order of business will be our Biennial General

Meeting thereafter we will continue the Badminton Nursery Academy, maybe

takeittoafewotherlocations maybe Bishops, St. Roses etc. Maybe even Berbice,

Linden,Essequiboaswefind it'seasierforustogoto (Continued on page 28)

The Guyana Badminton team – (from left) Narayan, Emily and Priyanna Ramdhani at the Commonwealth Games. (Rawle Toney photo)

Axar Patel's heroics help India beat Sri Lanka in...

from a page 27

Hooda then struck 41 not out off 23 balls, including four sixes. Patel scored three fours and one six. They put on 68 runs off 31 balls forthesixthwicketasIndiamadegooduseof the death overs.Sri Lanka was further put on the back foot as Mavi struck twice early on. He bowled Pathum Nissanka (1) and had Dhananjaya de Silva (8) caught.Sri Lanka

was down to 68-5 in 10.4 overs. India's fast bowlers did most of the work. Umran Malik scalped 2-27 in four overs, while Harshal Patelreturned2-41.DasunShanakascored45 off 27 balls to resurrect the innings.Wanindu Hasranga scored 21 off 10 balls to help him. Together they turned the game around before Mavi dismissed Hasranga in the 17th over.Malik dismissed Shanaka in the 18th

over as Sri Lanka was down to 1328.ChamikaKarunaratnefoughtwith23off16 balls but he was unable to cross the finish line. Harshal Patel had conceded 16 runs in the penultimate over, before Axar Patel (031)heldhisnerveforIndia'svictory

It was India's third narrowest win (by runs) in T20s.“I was to put the team in difficultsituationsanditwillhelpusinbigger

games," Pandya, India's new T20 skipper, saidafterhisfirstwinonhomesoil.“We,asa team, are quite good in bilateral (series), and that is how we will challenge ourselves.”The second T20 will be played in Pune on Thursday

Scores: India 162 for 5 (Hooda 41*,Axar 31*) beat Sri Lanka 160 (Shanaka 45, Mavi 4-22)bytworuns.

CM Meusa storms to victory in Rapid Chess Championship

- Corlette, Neto, Callender take top spots

Candidate Master Wendell Meusa won the O p e n R a p i d C h e s s

Championship scoring a remarkable eight points after nine rounds of play at the School of the Nations on January2,2023.

Hisonlydefeatwasatthe hands of Saeed Ali, who finishedfifthoverall.

Coming in second, just one point behind the champion is Glenford Corlette Corlette lost to Meusa and Davion Mars, who finished in fourth place with6.5points.

Also finishing on 6.5 is third-place finisher Roberto Neto, who edged Mars by a direct encounter tiebreak for theprize.Netolostinaround four clash to Meusa, round six against Corlette and then proceeded to draw his match with Saeed Ali in round seven.

The top female was Jessica Callender, who finished ninth overall with four points. Her losses came against Meusa, Owen Mickle, Mars, Michael Chapp-JumboandCorlette.

Fifteenplayerscompeted

in the one-day event under a time-control of 10 minutes per player with a one-second incrementaftereachmove.

This event was just the first in a packed year of tournaments for the Guyana ChessFederation.

Anthony Drayton was the tournament organizer and chief arbiter for the tournament.

The top player in the eventreceived$50,000cash. Second prize was $30,000, third prize $20,000 and the best female was awarded $20,000.

Axar Patel's heroics help India beat Sri Lanka in T20

MUMBAI, India (AP)

—AxarPatelheldhisnerve in the final over to help India beat Sri Lanka by a narrow two runs in the first T20yesterday.

Patel restricted Sri Lanka, which needed 13 runs, to just 10 in the last over and India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Shivam Mavi also took 4-22 on debut as Sri Lanka was bowled out for 160 (20 overs). This was after Patel had scored 31 not out off 20 balls to help India reach162-5(20overs).

Put in to bat, India struggled to get a good start.

Debutant opener Shubman Gill (7), vice-captain Suryakumar Yadav (7) and

Sanju Samson (5) were dismissedcheaply

India was down to 46-3 in 6.5 overs before skipper Hardik Pandya steadied the ship with 29 off 27 balls. He put on 31 runs for the fifth wicket with Ishan Kishan (37).The duo was dismissed by the 15th over with India placedat94-5.Deepak

(Continued on page 30)

Wendell Meusa (left) and the other top performers of the Senior Rapid Chess Tournament. T

Pacer

Indian players celebrate after winning the the first Twenty20 cricket match between India and Sri Lanka in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023.

(AP Photo /Rafiq Maqbool)

GFF President Wayne Forde donates football equipment to youths in Albouystown on New Year's Day

On January 1st, 2023 President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, visited Albouystown andinteractedwithanumber o f b u d d i n g y o u n g footballers.

During the visit, President Forde handed over a quantity of Balls, Cones and Bibs to Coach Clifford AnthonyakaZebulunwhois a senior member of the community and for many years has been volunteering his time as a coach and

mentor to young Boys and Girls.

During his interaction President Forde also played ina5V5Minicompetition.

“I know how important football is to all of you and I can see how well you can play because of the many hoursyouspendinthestreets playing. I want ask you a big favor - please also spend some of that time on your school work in the evening. Education is your safest bet tohavingabetterlife.

Iwillcontinuetoprovide

Coach Zebulun with more equipment to do this important work and will be backheretoofficiallylaunch ainter-streetweekendknock out competition for Boys, Girls and adult players as well. It is my intention to visit many more inner city communitiesandsupportthe work of community Coaches.”

T h e v i s i t t o t h e community was coordinated by Coach Sampson Gilbert, who is a Coach educator assignedtotheGFF

GFF President Wayne Forde (left) involved in a football contest with some of the Albouystown youths.

GFF President Wayne Forde (right) with some of the youths and the donated items.

Ijaz

Singh, GYMMAF President

Guyana to attend IMMAF World Championship in Serbia

By Rawle Toney

Gavin Singh, president of the Guyana Mixed Martial A r t s F e d e r a t i o n (GYMMAF), has confirmed the country's participation at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation ( I M M A F ) W o r l d Championships.

Speaking to Kaieteur News yesterday, Singh stated that the GYMMAF is working on sending several fighters to the event, set for February12–18inBelgrade, Serbia.

SinghsaidtheGYMMAF will soon announce the number of athletes and officials heading to the prestigiouschampionship.

Hosted by the Serbian MMA Federation, the

tournaments will take place at the Štark Arena in Novi Beograd(Belgrade).

The Championships will hold six weight divisions for female athletes, from Atomweight to Lightweight, and ten for male athletes, from Strawweight to Super Heavyweight.

There will be both the Senior and Junior categories. The GYMMAF will have until January 13 to confirm theirrepresentatives.

T h e 2 0 2 2 Wo r l d Championships will be the first edition of the competition to take place following the introduction of c l o s e d c o n t i n e n t a l championships.

This year's continental championship saw new stars emerge along with some

familiar faces cementing theirplaceamongsttheelite.

Guyana made their international debut at the IMMAF Amateur World ChampionshipinAbuDhabi, the United Arab Emirates in January2022.

Team Guyana, which

included Ijaz Cave and Corwin D'Anjou, incurred lossesattheirfirsthurdle.

D'Anjou suffered an unfortunate first-round exit, losing to Ireland's Adam McEnroe via a second-round technical knockout (TKO) in t h e i r We l t e r w e i g h t

encounter.It was a debut to forget for D'Anjou, who was stopped with one minute 51 seconds (1:51) remaining on the clock by the Irishman in Cage One.On the other hand, Cave was eliminated in his debut at the Round-of-16 stage. Cave was knocked out

(KO'd) by Sweden's Robin Enontekio in the first round of their Light Heavyweight Divisionalclash.

Guyana also participated, for the first time, at the I M M A F ' s P a n A m Championship in Monterrey, Mexico,inJune2022.

Cave in action against Sweden's Robin Enontekio at the IMMAF World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Corwin D'Anjou in action against Ireland's Adam McEnroe at the IMMAF World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

Gavin

GFF President Wayne Forde donates football equipment to youths in Albouystown on New Year's Day

Sports

Brazil bids farewell to beloved soccer star Pele

Members of the National Guard are pictured as the casket of Brazilian soccer legend Pele is transported by the fire department, from his former club Santos' Vila Belmiro stadium. (REUTERS/Amanda Perobelli)

GFF President Wayne Forde (left) hands over a quantity of Balls, Cones and Bibs to Coach Clifford Anthony aka Zebulun in Albouystown.