Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR Canadian

Tuesday Edition January 05, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 01

oil service companies flock to Guyana

NEWS

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

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Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 103,997

Guyana could project… be heading for environmental and economic disaster Gas to shore

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- Int’l lawyer alarmed no EIA done to date Failure of Govts. Director of Drunken driver to punish corrupt Atlantic Fuels begs cops for party members released on mercy after undermines $300,000 bail slamming into cars governance for falsified - Commander plans to ‘name p.

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- says Greenidge

invoice

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and shame’ errant drivers

Ghana fines oil companies for failing to honour work obligations p.

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- While Guyana embraces non-compliance Jobs are a tiny part of Local Content. Listen to what it is really about at 11am today on The Glenn Lall Show. (Rebroadcast)

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday January 05, 2021

Gas to shore project…

Guyana could be heading for environmental and economic disaster W

hile the People's Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) administration has continued where its predecessor left off on establishing a project to bring gas to shore so as to meet the increasing energy

demands of the city, some industry stakeholders are now advising against it as they believe the project has the potential to land Guyana in environmental and economic disaster.

During a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio's programme,

- Int'l lawyer alarmed no EIA done to date

Guyana's Oil and You, I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a w y e r, Melinda Janki, bluntly stated that the authorities of the day are actually embarking on a “lunatic project” which will place

more massive debt on the backs of Guyanese.

According to a 2018 feasibility study that was handed to the former A P N U + A F C administration, a whopping US$304M is needed for ExxonMobil and its partners to bring natural gas from the Stabroek block to Guyana's shores.

The feasibility study, which was compiled by Energy Narrative, a USbased market analysis firm, states that out of the US$304M, ExxonMobil would be responsible for US$165M, which will be used for pipeline construction costs.

The remaining US$139M for the construction of the onshore infrastructure will have to be financed by the Government of Guyana. Also, Guyana would still have to pay for the transportation of the gas but that price is currently

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki under negotiations between the PPP/C and ExxonMobil.

Further to her concerns about the increase in debt, Janki expressed that the nation is supposed to see an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the project before thought is given to its execution.

Considering that the law requires EIAs to be done for

projects of this nature, Janki is of the belief that the gas to shore venture in its current state, is illegal.

The lawyer also contended that Guyanese are yet to see a current economic analysis which shows that this project is economically sound for Guyana in the long run as opposed to going the route of renewable energy.

Taking the foregoing factors into consideration, Janki said that the gas to shore project is a foolish proposition.

Also sharing similar sentiments during the radio p r o g r a m m e w a s To m Sanzillo, Director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA).

During the discussions on Guyana's proclivity to bring gas to shore in a mere four years, Sanzillo said he can certainly appreciate the (continued on page 17)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

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Ghana fines oil companies for failing to honour work obligations T

he Republic of Ghana fines oil companies that fail to deliver on the work obligations committed to in their contracts, in order to deter inactivity on the oil block. Guyana does not.

Instead, Guyana has embraced non-compliance with work obligations by granting extensions.

I n p e t r o l e u m agreements, the work programme is a feature. It holds the contracted company to a minimum work obligation to complete tasks by a certain period. The contractor would have to complete a seismic study or drill a well within a specified period. In addition, the company would be required to commit a budget to each task.

The African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP) is a think-tank that conducts high quality research, analysis and advocacy in the energy and extractives sectors in Africa.

- While Guyana embraces non-compliance In a report titled ' P E T R O L E U M CONTRACTS MONITOR, 2019; A PUBLIC INTEREST REPORT', the firm said that Ghana's petroleum agreements have an ex p lo r atio n p er io d between six and seven years.

The periods are subdivided into three phases with specific milestones and expenditure requirements: the initial phase, the first extension period phase and the second extension phase. A company can move on from initial phase to the first extension period if it has satisfied the minimum requirements under the initial phase.

The rule also applies for the transition to the second extension.

“If a contractor does not deliver the terms specified, there are sanctions to be applied,” ACEP said.

“Similarly, if the contractor delivers more than was expected for a period, the company is credited with the extra delivery in the extended period.”

This is an excerpt from a petroleum agreement with Swiss African Oil Company Limited: “Work accomplished in any period in excess of the above obligations may be applied as credit in satisfaction of obligations called for in any other Period.

Without prejudice to Article 23.3(e), should Contractor fail to perform its

Director of Atlantic Fuels released on $300,000 bail for falsified invoice

T

he Director of Atlantic Fuels Inc. yesterday appeared before a city magistrate and was placed on $300,000 bail for allegedly falsifying an invoice and declaring it to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The defendant, Eugene Gilbert, 67, made his appearance before Principal Magistrate, Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court, when the charge was read to him and which he denied.

On Monday, December 28, 2020, the GRA filed the matter in the court against the fuel company. According to a court document seen by this publication, CommissionerGeneral of GRA, Godfrey Statia, is listed as the complainant and Atlantic Fuels Inc. is listed as the respondent.

The fuel company is owned by former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of t h e G u y a n a Wa t e r Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van West Charles.

It is alleged that on November 12, 2020 at the GRA, Camp Street,

Charged: Director of Atlantic Fuels Inc., Eugene Gilbert

GRA CommissionerGeneral, Godfrey Statia

Georgetown Headquarters, Atlantic Fuels Inc. caused to be made and subscribed a false declaration on invoice number 100 valuing $100,000 for customs declaration reference number GY 410C, contrary to section 217 (1) (a) of the Customs Act, Chapter 82:01.

As such, the charge was laid in relation to under invoicing by the fuel company.

The fuel company had allegedly been caught

recording less than the amount of fuel in a shipment which caused the revenue authority to lose revenue and this is not the first time the fuel company has been caught up in allegations of tax fraud. In 2019, GRA investigations revealed a similar situation involving Atlantic Fuels Inc. Magistrate Marcus granted Gilbert bail in the sum of $300,000 and the matter was adjourned to February 21, 2021.

Minimum Work Obligations under Article 4.3(a), (b) or (c) as applicable, Contractor shall pay to GNPC, an amount equal to the unspent amount of the Minimum Expenditure Obligation for the relevant Exploration Phase.”

GNPC is Ghana National Petroleum Corporation, the

state agency charged with exploration, licensing, and distribution of petroleumrelated activities.

When it comes to Guyana, there is no such provision to hold oil companies accountable for the failure to honour their work obligations.

In fact, one company – CGX Resources Inc. – held on to the Demerara Block for eight years without drilling a single well, despite being required to drill at least one well within the first four years of having the licence.

At the end of the fouryear period, CGX was

required to give up 15 percent of the contract area or the entire block and renew the licence for another three years.

In 2017, it exercised the option to relinquish 15 percent of the block and renewed its licence for three years. The David Granger administration approved the renewal even though CGX did not honour its work obligations completely.

Further to this, the petroleum agreement notes that if it acquires the renewal, CGX should drill two wells.

Instead of honouring this, it approached the coalition regime in 2017 to approve a work programme with fewer obligations.

The Addendum states (continued on page 19)

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

Recipe for bankruptcy In this society when a well-meaning citizen, no matter how neutral he or she may be, dares to open his/her mouth and offer a comment, or take a stand, on a controversial issue, there is the high risk of being branded - in sharp terms, sometimes vile, too - as being the worst sort of partisan. That has been the case with race and politics, and oil management and economics. In terms of the latter, this is just what an outsider, not a so-called biased Guyanese, is doing. The fact that he is a foreigner and a Caucasian one at that, only adds to his clout and authenticity.

“Gas to shore project, a recipe for bankruptcy - US Financial expert” (KN January 01). Imagine that as the main headline that greeted Guyanese on New Year’s Day. Tom Sanzillo, Director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) laid it on the line with that statement about the Gas to shore project being “a recipe for bankruptcy,” when he touched upon what is a high priority project with all kinds of promises and expectations dancing in the heads of Guyanese. Like we say, if a Guyanese were to risk saying that, he could be run out of town.

“Such a venture could prove financially detrimental to Guyana, especially when one considers the nation’s weak capacity to negotiate fair deals for the country.” Since almost all local politicians are in favour of this venture, Sanzillo, the expert, is not likely to attract many friends in Guyana’s high political circles. He would have just stepped on more than one set of toes. Among them are those, who consider themselves world class experts in the field of financial deals.

That may be so, but one group after another either had the wrong people at the table in deal after deal (and we speak not of oil only on this), or they thought they knew more than they actually did. Which is why in government after government, we end up with what we get, be it bauxite, gold, and now the big daddy of them all, oil. In contract talks, big or small, they seem to almost always fail us with the financial end, leaving the citizens of this country, holding the bag, and with dashed expectations.

Making clear his unfavourable position in no uncertain terms, Mr. Sanzillo noted that while there is appreciation for this country’s high desire to be involved in a gas to shore project, with its attendant benefits of making a dent in high electricity costs and frequent power failures, he had to stress that the “manner in which Guyana went about negotiating a lopsided deal for oil provides no evidence that it can confidently do otherwise for bringing gas to shore.

We at this paper have no choice but to agree wholeheartedly, though there is some embarrassment in the admission.

To present the thrusts of what Mr. Sanzillo said some more, we quote him directly: “I have to be frank about this…gives me no confidence that the country has any ability to negotiate the best price for a pipeline and other infrastructure to bring gas to shore…There is no evidence of that. In fact, one has evidence to the contrary.” We believe that this expert knows what he is talking about so strongly, so we understand “gives me no confidence” and “any ability to negotiate the best price for a pipeline” and “there is no evidence of that….”

The fact that we have tied yet another bundle with Exxon to build a pipeline and bring the gas from facility to shore means, that Guyana would have to pay the company for transporting the resource. Mr. Sanzillo has certainly enlightened us and for that we thank him. We now have to go where all of this leads inescapably. There is no question that ExxonMobil is among the best to build a pipeline and then move the gas to a shore-based facility. We know nothing of any such things, but we keep allowing Exxon to tie us up in knots.

And on each occasion that Guyana’s political people has done so, Guyanese citizens end up footing the bill.

Since it is Exxon that is involved (once again) in this, the bill could be for an arm and a leg, if not more. For every time that Exxon’s name is part of the mix, we have been shafted.

Our leaders allow the company to do this to us. Look carefully, just as how it is a recognized oil and gas power, so also Exxon is recognized as a world class biller with every

More about the police promotions Dear Editor, Further to my letter expressing my concern over the public spat with regards to senior level promotions at the Guyana Police Force (GPF), some folks have asked me to elaborate.

I reminded them that the matter is now in court and that the Chief Justice (ag) has issued an order to the effect that the status quo remain intact until a ruling is made.

I pointed out that the quarrel seems to be over who was overlooked for upward movement from Senior Superintendent to the higher ranks of Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.

My own view is promotions should not be for the sake of promotions…rather it should be based on qualifications, experience, competence, personal character, incorruptibility and ability to

think things through and to make judgment calls that would not bring the force into disrepute.

The question therefore is whether there are vacancies in the current strength of the GPF at the rank of Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner that can be filled by Senior Superintendents, so that there can be greater strength at, and upward mobility to the next two higher ranks in the GPF. I wish to point out that the strength of the Guyana Police Force at the rank of Deputy Commissioner is four.

Currently the existing strength is one (acting) hence, there are three vacancies. The strength of the GPF at the level of Assistant Commissioner is 12, the current strength is three…hence, there are nine vacancies.

The strength of the GPF

at the level of Senior Superintendent is 17 - the current strength is six; hence, there are eleven vacancies.

Traditionally, the Commander of a Police Station District or Division would be an Assistant Commissioner because of seniority, experience and authority to lead among other attributes. In exceptional circumstances, where the strength at the rank of Assistant Commissioner is not sufficient enough for dispatch to head a division, then a Senior Superintendent would be put in charge of a police division.

However, since the previous administration increased the number of Police Divisions or Station Districts from11, then it is reasonable to expect that an Assistant Commissioner would be put in charge of each of the eleven divisions.

This is critical given the

demographics, the strategic importance of some regions as well as the new approaches to economic and social development by the new government.

With most police divisions being headed by Senior Superintendents, the question is why not promote them to Assistant Commissioners in fulfillment of a long standing tradition?

This would allow for the upward mobility of ranks at the level of Superintendent to be promoted to the rank of Senior Superintendent and ranks at the level of Deputy Superintendent to be promoted to Superintendent and so forth.

In any promotions contemplated, the question of remuneration will obviously have to be given due attention and consideration.

Clement J. Rohee Fmr. Minister of Home Affairs

PPP reversing into the future with COVID-19 Dear Editor, David Granger’s APNU+AFC administration did good for the economy.

Even before the advent of ‘First Oil’ analysis of the performance, the economy showed great prospects.

Rawle Lucas, comparing the early years of the Jagdeo and Granger economies stated: “In the case of the former President, the period of measurement was from 2001 to 2004. In the case of the current President, it was from 2015 to 2018. In the first four years of the Jagdeo administration, the performance of the economy was dismal. The highest growth rate of the economy was 1.9 percent. In the case of Granger, the highest growth rate was 4.1 percent.

Granger’s best performance was more than two times better than that of Jagdeo.

The slowest growth rate under Granger was better than the best rate of Jagdeo.”

Ceteris paribus, under normal circumstances there is a clear indication where the economy would have been heading, from good to great.

Even the Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, recently noted that the Granger administration for two

consecutive years - 2017 and 2018 - did not withdraw money from the Consolidated Fund, an unprecedented financial feat by any Guyanese, perhaps by any regional government.

By mid-2019, more than a dozen oil well discoveries later, the NASDAQ declared Guyana “the fastest growing economy in the world” with the IMF declaring an 86% growth rate in 2020.

Then COVID-19 happened; nothing was normal again. Gleaning from Juan Edghill’s Budget speech last September, the state newspaper noted growth projected between “48.4 percent and 51.2 percent by the end of this year [2020].”

The same entity stated most recently: “Guyana continues to lead global economic growth, closing 2020 with an average real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 26.2 percent.”

Our growth rate is being revised downwards. No one expects miracles, if any, will match the plague of an unprecedented period, and we do not need facades. Our people deserve the truth on what it will take to get us from where we are as a nation.

Guyana is not alone; there is no need for shame, as we are a resilient people.

crumb going to it.

Exxon is without equivalent, due to its American origins, in providing the necessary protective buffer for us. That is part of Guyana’s unique price in dealing with oil. And since we also owe so much to America for its recent role in electoral democracy here, dealing with Exxon on its terms is a further piece of what is becoming very costly for Guyana. If we continue like this, then we might as well all go back to focusing on our agriculture base.

In an international publication, Foreign Affairs, in a recent essay: “To Stop a Pandemic,” Jennifer Nuzzo states: “The novel Coronavirus hit a world that was singularly unprepared for it. Lacking the capacity to stop the spread of the virus through targeted measures— namely, testing and tracing— countries were left with few options but to shut down their economies and order people to stay at home. Those policies worked well enough to slow the growth of cases by late spring. But over the summer and into the fall, governments faced pressure to relax those restrictions, and cases rose.”

We know the realities here in Guyana. The PPP/C favored a rapid reopening of the economy backed by soft enforcement of COVID-19 regulations, hoping to produce what Irfaan Ali called in his New Year’s message, to the nation, the “springboard from which our nation will leap into recovery.”

A column, ‘Peeping Tom,’ however, recently delivered a dose of reality, stating the springboard “metaphor could not be more inappropriate. It is like saying that hospitalization will be the trigger for recovery. Recovery is more crawling than leaping or springing.”

On the economic front, as others, the nation does not see a sound strategy by the PPP/C. The National Assembly approved a COVID-19 package last September, while pointing out the deficiencies in what the administration proposed.

Even with recommendations,

noting the financial package needed more work, the government understandably rushed ahead only to amble back for a supplementary budget approval for more COVID cash, the distribution of which is the definition of shambolic.

No sooner was approval acquiesced, comes the announcement of “a one-off cash grant of $25,000 each to workers of the entire Public Sector, including those who are currently employed at GuySuCo”- sums not granted by the House, but which may have been if the present powers were operating within a rudimentary policy framework.

In the vacuum comes the current ‘cake shop’ methodology; with three former Ministers of Finance in government - this is incredible, even epic.

There is now a scramble to compose a team which can focus on the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines. Some irrelevant bills, frankly speaking given the fierce urgency of the moment, have come before the National Assembly to pad the government’s promised robust legislative agenda but consequential prescriptions as the proposed bill articulating the legal framework for the roll out of vaccines is yet to be tabled.

If the last lengthy hiatus is any measure, we can look forward to the National Assembly being reconvened in April. The PPP/C are not leading forward, they are reversing into the future.

Sherod Avery Duncan, MP.

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Don’t Steal - the Government hates competition

Dear Editor, Ron Paul running for US President popularized the phrase: “Don’t Steal; The Government Hates Competition.”

Rothschild and Block wrote an article with that same title. Another variant of that theme is: “Don’t steal, don’t lie, and don’t cheat, the Government hates competition.”

Guyana’s perpetual curse since independence is that corruption runs rampant in Government regardless of which party is in power.

Corruption in giving away oil blocks or flipping lands on their way out, to awarding oneself a million-dollar bracelet, when the working poor makes $44,000+ monthly as a minimum wage, is simply disgustingly sinful.

People in government service are thieving left and right. The more projects done, the more thieving is done. It seems as if the goal of being in government is to steal as much national assets that you can get your sticky hands on, before your term is up.

While one party may have stolen more than the other while in Government, it’s not a case of one is “sinner” and the other is “saint.”

They both tend to take us from democracy towards kleptocracy. That’s why you have to watch them like a hawk and make them accountable. For those of us who voted for the PPP/C, this is our scared duty.

In this regard, the Kaieteur News and Stabroek News are to be commended for their watchdog roles in the society in their investigative reporting and exposes.

The KN’s “Fleecing of Guyana Series” is most welcome. What I don’t understand is that the Auditor General’s report comes out, identifying fraud and wrongdoings, but you do not hear of anybody being

charged and penalized, or anybody going to jail, or nobody being surcharged or paying back funds misappropriated. Why? People of Guyana, is the AG’s office simply to report crime and nothing happens?

How do we stop this?

Recently, we read about the Ministry of Health destroying nearly a billion dollars’ worth of medicines because they were expired. My question is how many people were fired for such malfeasance? Who were punished for this? How did this happen? Who were the supervisors? Can a poor country, with a long list of needs afford to operate like this? How is it they always tell you there is no medicine and they give you a prescription to go and buy it yourself, and billions are lost due to malfeasance in the Government?

How will this stop going forward? What are the system changes to prevent these scams?

Let’s look at some distressing recent headlines from the AG’s reports for 2019: •”DHB Manager gifted himself $897,000 bracelet from public funds.” (The B o a r d s h o u l d b e f i r ed instantly if they approved this. This is over 16 months of salary for a minimum wage worker).

•”Harbour Bridge pays TT Company $9M one year before company registered.”

•”Asphalt sold at Garden of Eden Plant goes 10 miles to be weighed, despite scale right next door.” (“It is alleged that the scam is facilitated where the Ministry of Public Works would order a certain amount from the plant to be billed to the Ministry.

However, they would have collected less resulting in the difference being sold at a discount to contractors,” the report stated in its conclusion).

•”GDF had expended $91.629M on the maintenance of 30 vehicles,

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which represented an average maintenance cost of $3.054M per vehicle.”

•”Almost 2 years later: $488M asphalt plant built

by APNU/AFC, a white elephant.”

•”Guyana still waiting on CCTV system purchased by APNU/AFC in 2015.”

•”Education Ministry paid $28M for foundation design, and then abandoned it.”

•”Audit launched after $250M SLED budget cannot be accounted for.”

• ” F m r. A P N U / A F C Govt. cannot account for $200M in furniture, equipment.”

•”Unauthorized vehicle collected $181M in army fuel.”

The above are only a tiny sample of scams in the Government arena. That is why your roads and streets cannot be paved, and hospitals are short of basic supplies. Guyana is rich but they are thieving out the money, and wasting it on useless things such as the Ethnic Relations Commission gobbling up $220 million a year.

I agree with President Ali when he said: “We must not remain a rich country of poor people,” noting that the bounty of Guyana must be shared across the population.

Guyana has always been rich but it’s the rich getting richer, and the poor getting poorer.

People of Guyana, wake up!

KN, SN and others have also been warning us that we are oil rich but still poor. We must not allow only those in Government and those close to the Government to be rich, and we remain poor.

Dr. Jerry Jailall

Facilitating rebuttal is up to the Editor Dear Editor, Trust Mr. Eusi Kwayana to write a letter to embellish his true to lifelong form “gimme gimme” clamour as he did in the KN of 1-2-21 titled: “An uncomplimentary picture.”

Having listened to a Voice of Guyana broadcast aimed at foreigners, we saw Mr. Kwayana wrote: “I feel bound to recommend to government media that equal time should

be offered as early as possible to the official representatives of the previous Coalition government to respond as it sees fit, and is inclined to do, to the indictment placed into the public area by the Honourable Minister of Finance on December 29, 2020.”

While one cannot begrudge Mr. Kwayana’s efforts to hear from his side, one must be reminded that he

never fails to display his historical bias.

As a keen observer of Guyana’s politics, does Mr. Kwayana not expect the Opposition to have recourse to press releases to make their rebuttal? In a democracy, Mr. Kwayana should know it’s up to the reporter and editor to make a balanced presentation in the media.

Sultan Mohamed

Which laws allow Guyana to repay Exxon its pre-production costs?

Dear Editor, I read in the media that Guyana owes ExxonMobil over US$1B for pre-contract and pre-production costs as an investor in the oil industry.

According to the media, we are supposed to reimburse the company for this

investment.

I am a Guyanese businessman who opened a small business and I also had some pre-production costs.

Please let me know and if you do not know, please find out for me which of Guyana’s laws allows the poor people

of this country to reimburse a rich company like ExxonMobil, for their investments.

I understand that this investment is tax free but I am required to pay tax for my small business.

Mahendranauth Sayroo

Govt. should release the Wales assessments for gas-to-shore project Dear Editor, In the Stabroek News’ January 1st edition, the following appeared: “We have now settled on the location which is Wales Estate.” This was Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, telling Stabroek News as he explained that “the critical decisions regarding the geo-technical, geophysical and the environmental studies, that will advance the project, have been made.”

Since that revelation, many commentaries have appeared concerning the feasibility of the gas-to-shore project and most recently criticisms on the suitability of the proposed location.

Since the Vice President enumerated that all the relevant studies have been conducted at arriving at the location, it would be prudent for the government to

publicly release those assessments so as to calm any fears members of the populace might have on this important and costly project.

Clinton Urling

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Audits proves inept leadership Dear Editor, Once again, the recent audits undertaken by the AG have proven to anyone who was still hesitating on the poor performance of so many government entities, that the majority were headed by individuals who were not fit to be at the helm.

The last month of reports of huge financial mismanagement in so many entities/ministries, is more than pitiful. The recent article

by KN of January 4: “Public Infrastructure Ministry overpaid millions,” is just the latest in an endless stream of financial incompetence and a general inability to manage other resources.

Guyana is stepping onto the global stage, and so many are concluding that we can’t handle our finances.

This wholesale inability to manage and oversee the people’s assets is reason enough for a lifetime ban from any government job in the future - but I’m sure they realize that by now.

The audit reports should name and shame all these people, and their enablers who signed off on disbursement of unaccounted and wasted funds.

Let’s also see the names of government officials, whose signatures are on uncompleted projects.

One thing these audits certainly prove is that audits should be conducted several times annually; at least at the end of every quarter and should be a mandatory business practice.

Chi Kansi

New Govt. should reinstate Kissoon at UG Dear Editor, I am calling on the new Irfaan Ali led administration to give back Freddie Kissoon his job at the University of Guyana. Throughout the fivemonth rigging saga, many individuals (including notable figures at the university) showed their slip in standing in solidarity with the rigging process.

While figures like Mark Benschop and Rickford Burke incited their supporters night after night possibly for opportunistic reasons, Mr. Kissoon threw away his grouse with the PPP/C and advocated for the will of the people to be realized. That

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

advocacy came from someone who lost his job during the Ramotar government of which he was a harsh critic of.

We need figures like this man (Kissoon) and less of despicable characters who reared their heads, reaching out to our youth. And it is my contentious belief that Mr. Kissoon’s wrongful termination be rectified and he returned to UG. After all, the new Government should be grateful for activists such as Kissoon, who fought hard against the return of a Burnhamite dictatorship.

Suresh Kissoon

The PPP/C should not pay these legal fees Dear Editor, As I absorb local and U.S. news, things come to light on how deranged elections have made people. I am also now fixed in my belief that elections are not wholly responsible for some of the derangements. They were deranged to begin with, which conveys that some, whether Guyanese or American should not be outside of the appropriate institutions, inclusive of medical and corrective.

I begin in Guyana, and our 19-month long hysterias and outright madness.

Compliments of recent audits, the revelation is that a huge sum was spent for legal fees, with taxpayers now responsible. The local people who initiated procurement of foreigners should be charged.

I say this understanding that few charges would stick; only the poor and unconnected are made to pay. On this I don’t mind being absolute, which should tell of my confidence in nearly every system around, including political and judicial.

Next, I would give the foreign legal eagles recruited a pass, since they responded to a professional call. As for most of the local attorneys, whether they live here or not,

I would be unsparing of these opportunists and grave robbers.

Editor, they were not in a principled legal contest.

These legal carrions were feasting on an open gravy train, which the public now finds out that it is holding the bag for the bill.

I recall that, sometimes, some resorted to the media to attack those who were calling for the former president to concede graciously; I was so targeted.

At the time, I chalked up the bitter and personal to the usual partisan politics that prevails in most places, and as an irrational and sickly aspect of the quest for political power, however delusional. My thinking was that these fellows were serving pro bono. It is only now with $170M due that the picture is becoming clearer.

It is that I was interfering with the monetary action (the gravy train), where the public was picked dry under the guises of due process, the constitution (however bizarrely interpreted), and all the rest of utter depravities that were held out as part of principled electoral approaches. When I dared to state, after personally satisfying myself that this

elections business was over, that it was time for the president to do the right thing, I was closing down the bank, so I was attacked.

Having discovered that money and not electoral integrity was the source, so infuriating that I would hang some of them in the Stabroek Market square in the middle of the day.

I would be the hangman; the public should also volunteer to hang the gamesmen; because one way or another, the bill has to be paid. On this one, I call upon the PPP/C not to pay a single cent. Local legal people are so low that they would exploit paupers. But enough about this regional madhouse.

Editor, I should get a prize for picking these asylums; first Guyana, then the good old USA. I think that, given what is happening there, the U.S. has deteriorated to a state that is worse than here, on things democracy.

If it were just men like the president and the former mayor of NYC, then that is expected, since both are so far gone that no penalty would be harsh enough. But there are those Republicans, of the august and venerable senate, who have lost any claims at decency and honor, those

attorneys who would rob widows and orphans to make a dollar, and all under the name of vaunted principles of democracy.

For when the incumbent in the White House could initiate an hour-long conversation with Georgia’s Secretary of State Raffensperger to twist his arm, and all but bully him into cheating, how different is he from Guyanese re-arrangers?

The pursuit of power, indeed, makes many men mad. I wonder as to the whereabouts of Her Excellency, Ms. Sarah Ann Lynch, who should now be ashamed of having lectured and hectored this backward place about democracy.

The Ambassador Plenipotentiary was and is in no position to educate or pressure anyone in any place about the beginnings of democracy. I don’t know about her, but I am twice shamed and that is for the two places loved; perhaps that is why I can show my face and speak out.

As I ponder all of this, I conclude these engagements are not about democracy or justice or principle or honor; it is about power and money, by any means.

GHK Lall

“Drill Baby Drill” Dear Editor, It is clear from your headline, “In the Absence of Nationwide Consultation, Jagdeo single-handedly dictates Guyana’s Depletion Policy to be Drill Baby Drill,” you did not understood the explanation Dr. Jagdeo provided Glenn Lall during an interview a couple of weeks ago (on Kaieteur Radio) about depletion rates and you stubbornly refuse to accept what is going on in the world outside of Guyana.

Global warming is a reality and serious measures are being taken to reduce and eventually eliminate the production of Greenhouse gases, namely Carbon Dioxide (CO2).

The main source of CO2 is the burning of fossil fuel which comes from the stuff Guyana has recently discovered in significant quantities off shore.

Solar, wind and other

sources of renewable energy are now becoming widely used around the globe and several countries have pledged to phase out the internal combustion engine so as to curb CO2 production to ensure they meet and adhere to agreed upon CO2 emission limits.

There is also carbon tax, cap and trade and other levies (that are already being imposed on oil producing and oil consuming countries) and will be coming to Guyana and the rest of the world in the not-too-distant future.

These taxes and levies are intended to discourage oil consumption/production and encourage the use of alternative and renewable sources of energy.

These are facts Dr. Jagdeo went to great lengths to explain and simplify but Glenn Lall’s incredulous response was: “I understand but I do not agree.”

His failure to recognize and

accept what is happening in the world around him blinds him to the fact that the burning of fossil fuels has become unacceptable and intolerable.

Dr. Jagdeo is no fool and his reasoning is sound. He is well versed in what is happening around the world and is trying to ensure Guyana does not lose out during that limited window of opportunity that exists for it to extract as much wealth as possible for the benefit of its people and their future.

He is not grandstanding, nor is he being reckless. He has his country’s best interest at

heart.

In the industrialized world today, the race is on to develop better storage batteries, more efficient solar panels and improved energy efficiency in every machine, appliance and gadget known to man. We have great examples where decreased demand and lower prices devastated the sugar and bauxite industries in Guyana.

Is it not clear to see this will also happen to Oil? Failure to learn from the past ensures those mistakes will be repeated.

Dennis Balgobin

Open letter to President Ali: 20% Withholding Tax is double taxation Dear Editor, Dear Mr. President, when we work, tax is taken out from our wages. When we put some of our money into a savings account at a bank, and when we earn interest from our savings, the bank usually deduct 20% from our interest - that deduction is known Withholding Tax. That means we are paying taxes on money that we already paid taxes on.

Double taxation is unfair, especially to us poor people.

I am hoping that this letter is published before Budget 2021, so Government can consider it for approval.

Mr. President, can you please instruct the banks to stop taking the 20% Withholding Tax - because we already pay taxes on our wages. How could it be fair for us to pay again?

Mohamed Azad

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

The Coalition, now in Opposition, has forgotten its mandate

According to the results of the March 2 elections, more than 217,000 voters believed in them.

After just a few months in Opposition, the Coalition has done what many thought was impossible.

It has partnered with the People's Progressive Party/Civic on one issue‌oil and gas.

On this one issue, the Coalition had a chance to stand tall and do the right thing.

Instead, it has remained a silent partner in the rape of Guyana's offshore wealth.

But the Coalition still has a chance to redeem itself. Will it choose to act ignominiously or will it be able to stand tall?

We, Guyanese, deserve so much more!

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Tuesday January 05, 2021

GAWU says 60-odd workers fired at Wales T

he state-owned holding company – the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) – on December 31, 2020 fired, “without the hint of warning”, approximately 60 workers who were employed by the state-owned company at Wales Estate. This is according to the Guyana Agricultural and General Wo r k e r s U n i o n (GAWU).The estate was closed in late 2015.

The workers were mainly engaged in providing security as well as other labouring tasks. “The sudden termination dumbfounded the workers who were completely unprepared for the bombshell announcement,” GAWU said in a statement.

“The workers, during last year, had approached the GAWU to speak on their behalf. The union on November 06, 2020 applied to

the Trade Union Recognition and Certification Board (TURCB) seeking to be recognised as their bargaining agent. Following receipt of our application, the TURCB approved the conduct of a survey, in keeping with the Trade Union Recognition Act.” GAWU said that the survey sought to determine whether the union enjoyed the workers' support.

However, the union said, NICIL appears to have other ideas. “Attempts to commence the survey were shortcircuited by the NICIL which, on two occasions, did not turn up for meetings organised by the TURCB to commence the process. Subsequently, NICIL, by letter of December 11, 2020, wrote the TURCB seeking to commence the process, strikingly, on December 31, 2020. The Board, having considered the letter, had

- NICIL justifies decision acquiesced to the request.”

GAWU said that it is convinced that NICIL never had intentions to have a union represent the workers.

“But as hindsight has now revealed, it appeared, that the letter was, seemingly, a deliberate ploy to thwart the workers attempt to secure a union of their choice. The action of NICIL brings back painful memories for the union which faced similar challenges as it confronted the plantocracy in seeking recognition on behalf of the field and factory workers in the sugar industry.”

The union noted that it is unbelievable, that in this 21st century, workers must still face such travails to secure union recognition.

“Worse yet, such actions are initiated by a company that

is owned by the state. The GAWU, earlier this morning, wrote TURCB Chairman, Dr. N. K. Gopaul to apprise him of the developments. In our correspondence, we pointed out that the actions of the NICIL are in grave contravention of the Trade Union Recognition Act. Moreover, we noted that the Act has identified such conduct as criminal and we sought the Board's immediate intervention to apprehend the matter and ensure that the workers' rights are upheld.” The union said that it finds the actions of NICIL to be deeply disturbing.

“For the workers, given the depression that has gripped Wales since the estate was closed at the end of 2016, it represented a cherished source of sustenance. We are aware o f t h e e ff o r t s o f t h e incumbent administration as they seek to breathe life back into the former estate communities and the actions of the state-owned holding company, in our view, serves to gravely undermine those efforts.”

Meanwhile, NICIL, in a statement yesterday, said that as a state institution, it was integral in following through on the Government's vision to revitalise the sugar estates and in so doing handed over the vested estates - Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore Estates - with effective date from September 30, 2020 to

the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

“Government's initiative for the Wales Estate was addressed under the creation of a flagship project captioned, 'The Wales Development Authority (WDA)'.

This project will represent a new era in agricultural development and will see the employment of modern economic models across various sectors.”

NICIL noted that the Wales Development Authority will be a new area of development that will benefit from special incentives and from a special tax regime to motivate investors in manufacturing, industrial development, warehousing, connectivity and wharf development.

“NICIL therefore sought to reorganise its operations across its varied locations, given that from 2017 most of the equipment and machinery of the Wales Estate were transferred to other estates to enhance their operational efficiency and optimise their operations. Other remaining assets were utilised in NICIL's Rice Cultivation Project, which was discontinued in October 2020 given that it was not feasible to continue thereafter.”

NICIL explained that it maintained 49 fortnightly paid workers as at December 31, 2020. “These workers were

deployed in various fields including Administration, Compound Maintenance, Field Workshop, Agriculture with Security workers making up the majority of workers, namely 32 workers on record.”

NICIL disclosed that the security workers were allowed to secure employment through the recently engaged private security company and the other workers would be contracted as necessary on an ad-hoc basis to provide maintenance services on the estate.

“At the time of NICIL's receipt of a letter from Trade Union Recognition & Certification Board (TURCB), plans were already in train to effect the transfer of the Wales Estate to facilitate the creation of the Wales Development Authority.

NICIL's actions to separate from fortnightly paid workers were in full support of its intent to ready the estate for the ultimate transition.”

NICIL said it would have further facilitated the employment of several workers by referring them to the independent security company, which is now tasked with securing the immovable assets of the Wales Estate during this brief transition phase.

“NICIL remains committed to working in tandem with Government's vision for furthering the developmental goals of Guyana,” the NICIL statement said.

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Pump, Baby, Pump!

E

xxonMobil is no longer the greatest threat to Guyana's future. Bharrat Jagdeo has now become the greatest obstacle to this country's long-term prospects. Bharrat Jagdeo is the government's point man for oil and gas. But he is pointing the government in the wrong direction.

Listening to him recently on the Kaieteur Radio (99.1, 99.5 FM) was a deeply disturbing experience. The man is out of his depth when it comes to a Depletion Policy.

Jagdeo is in the wrong Ministry. Unless Irfaan Ali is able to rein in Jagdeo and limit his involvement in the oil sector, Guyana's future is doomed.

What Guyana's oil sector needs now more than ever is effective regulation and policy-making. Not excusemaking.

Jagdeo was questioned on the radio programme Guyana's Oil and You about the country's Depletion Policy. He danced around the issue and eventually offered an excuse rather than an explanation.

His excuse is to the effect that oil production should be intensified since with the thrust towards renewables, fossil fuels are going to be phased out. It is therefore best that Guyana extracts as much of its oil as fast as it can

before the fossil fuel market crashes. This is the essence of the excuse he has made.

And this constitutes the essence of his belief about an Oil Depletion Policy.

Jagdeo's idea of a Depletion Policy effectively hands the management of Guyana's oil to the oil companies. The policy is a licence to them to pump as much as they want because Guyana has to maximize its earnings before fossil fuels usage is reduced and prices tumble.

Jagdeo is clueless about the future of oil. Renewables will not replace fossil fuels as the main sources of energy in the next 100 years. But even if Jagdeo's predictions are true, this is all the more reason why a Depletion Policy should have been in place to ensure that his doomsday scenario does not occur.

Fossil fuels are not going to disappear anytime soon. A recent study found that, at best, by 2040, fossil fuel usage will decline by a mere 25 percent, from its present level of 85 percent of total global energy consumption to 60 percent. But even this prediction is premised on meeting the targets for reduced emissions under the Paris Agreement. And we know that even before the pandemic, the ambitions under the Paris Agreement were not being met.

Jagdeo is presuming that because of the investments now being made in renewables that oil demand is going to fall and thus it is best that Guyana capitalizes.

In so doing he fails to make a fundamental distinction between usage and demand.

The fallout of global consumption of fossil fuels does not translate necessarily to a decline in fossil fuel demand. Even if fossil fuel usage declines, the demand for fossil fuel will still be high given its share of total energy consumption The world's population is going to increase by about 1.5 billion by 2040 and global output is estimated to double by them. Renewables are incapable of driving this increase output and therefore fossil fuel demand is expected to be high for the next 60 years.

It is going to be costly to transition to renewables. The world's transportation sector is one of the major guzzlers of energy. And it will not be cheap to move towards renewable energy use in transportation. Neither will it be cheap to close fossil fuel energy plants and replace these with renewable energy generation. Down to condoms are made from petroleum.

Jagdeo may have been blindsided by the investments being made by oil companies in renewable

Condom boys mek out of oil seh...

Dem

D

em boys wan know if de Vee Pee know that oil don't spoil and how oil nah going out of style.

Oil gan deh hay for a long time.

De by-products from oil (petroleum) does be used to mek a lot of things, including CDs, DVDs, toothpaste, bicycle tyres, inks, ladies stockings, cosmetics, aspirin, panty hoses, vaporisers, sunshades, l u b r i c a n t s , p o l y e s t e r, fertilisers, solar panels and most important of all condoms.

Dem boys want to remind de Vee Pee about dat one because he feel oil gan done. If oil done weh we gan

get de condoms from. A lot of things gan happen wah not expected.

It reminds dem boys about de story of de three nuns. Dem nuns bin talking and de first one seh, “You would never believe what I discovered. I found a phone in the priest's room."

“Oh that is nothing,” said the second one, “I found condoms in one of his drawers.” And then she added, “I poked holes in all of them.”

The third nun exclaims, "Oh sh*t!”

But de best of all was de man wah went to de doctor and explained how he always used a condom and he can't explain how his

girlfriend got pregnant.

De doctor turn to he and said, “Let me tell you a story: a hunter carried his gun with him everywhere he went.

One day, he mistakenly grabbed his umbrella and went out.

A lion attacked him and hoping to scare it off he pointed the umbrella at it like a rifle and yelled Bang! and the lion dropped dead.

The man turned to the doctor and said “That's impossible; someone else must have shot it.”

I'm glad you understood the story, said the doctor.

Talk half and pray that de Vee Pee understand dat oil gan deh around fuh de next 100 years.

energy. But he will be naïve to believe that the oil companies are doing this because they recognize that renewables will be the next major energy wave. The oil companies are investing in renewables to control the market and to ensure that it does not displace fossil fuels.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has long recognized that oil is here to

stay. The organization's Secretary General, four years ago, told a conference in Paris that fossil fuels will account for three quarters of the world's energy mix by 2040. He said that he did not envisage a scenario in which non-fossil fuels would come even close to overtaking fossil fuels in the decades ahead.

It is therefore tragic to see a man who was once

hailed as a Champion of the Earth, expressing support for a Depletion Policy which will allow the oil companies a licence to pump as much as they want and as fast as they can.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Tuesday January 05, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Afro-Guyanese in 2020: Bonfires of deceit T

he expression of powerful deceit by an African Guyanese leader in 2020 that rippled my soul more than any other was Eusi Kwayana. You have to understand why I singled him out. The greatest irony in philosophy is that something that is wrong can also be logical.

It was wrong for PNC and AFC leaders to claim that the opposition rigged the 2020 election. But that pathway is logical because such people still want to have the power, which they enjoyed for five years and they are going to invent a false dictionary to keep the teachings going.

In the case of Kwayana, he was an icon seen by a multi-racial Guyana as a man of integrity. But in

2020, he deliberately fooled African-Guyanese by pretending that he didn't have the facts of the rigging because he was far removed from Guyana while in the same breath, he was regurgitating facts of what was taking place because these convenient facts suited his game of deceit.

I wrote so much about Kwayana's dishonesty that I don't care to mention his name any longer on this page but I guess I will have to if he continues to deceive that section of Guyana that he claims he loves – AfroGuyanese.

For 10 months (March to December), the African people were deliberately lied to about the 2020 election by their own leaders who for selfish reasons refused to explain to their

constituencies why their party lost so these Guyanese can better understand the country in which they live. It is an expression of the worst kind of evil that exists in the mind of cunning politicians.

Let's look at an analogy from test cricket. Two weeks ago, India was beaten by Australia and endured its lowest score ever in its history – 36. The cricketing authorities told the losers why they were beaten – they batted like fools and humiliated a great nation.

The next test, India beat Australia by a huge margin.

Why? Because they knew why they lost and armed with that knowledge, they corrected all their mistakes.

Last year, I met African Guyanese right here and received emails from some of them abroad who are

convinced without malice in their minds that the PPP rigged the 2020 election. No amount of evidence can convince them otherwise.

Why? Because they don't like the PPP and they believe the worst things their leaders tell them about the PPP. Which country such thinking reminds you of?

The USA under Trump.

He has managed to convince large swaths of White America that the Democratic Party is the party of Blacks and Hispanics who want to dominate White America.

The deceit in Guyana was such a tragedy last year that it has become a sarcoma that needs to be extirpated from the narratives of Guyanese politics. Last year, African Guyanese were treated like children by their leaders. From March right up to the end of 2020, the requiem was and still is that the PNC and African Guyanese were cheated out

of power by an Indian party.

It is moral ugliness to fool your supporters so brazenly.

The PNC (not AFC – they died a long time ago) and their surrogates led by that congenital fascist,

Frederick Kissoon Lincoln Lewis, cannot see that in 2020 they have sown the seeds of their eventual disappearance. If you tell your footballers that they are a lost cause because all the referees are biased and that they will lose no matter how brilliant they perform, they are not going to perform because they know the outcome is already decided.

The PNC is going to get fewer seats in 2025 because of how African Guyanese are going to perceive the results.

If in 2020, the PPP was in the opposition and they manage to outsmart the PNC, rig and win, now with state power and oil revenues, who then, can stop them from rigging with even greater latitude and more extensive resources?

The PNC in 2025 is destined to become a victim of its own gunshot because of what it did in 2020 to its own supporters. Large numbers of African Guyanese are not going to vote because they will say. “We know the results anyway so why bother to vote, I got better things to do.”

It is for this reason, the past hundred years and more that all over the world, small parties never win because voters say that they are too small to win therefore why vote for them. 2020 was a bad year for African Guyanese because the struggles of Walter Rodney to free them from predatory politicians like Forbes Burnham and those in the PNC did not materialise.

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

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Canadian oil service companies flock to Guyana - How Guyana is emerging as the new frontier for N.L.'s oil services sector

By Terry Roberts/CBC News – Published on Dec 21, 2020

I

t's mid-morning at Crosbie Group on Hebron Way in St. John's, and a team meeting in

the boardroom features some very familiar chatter.

Chief operating officer Mark Collett asks one of his vice-presidents, Jeremy Whittle, about progress in recruiting a new rope access crew for the offshore.

"They're actually working right now. We've got crews on the platform," says Whittle.

But Collett and his team are not talking about exterior maintenance work or deck services for familiar

In order to deliver the platforms like Hibernia or spectacular oil discoveries o ff t h e c o a s t o f t h i s services needed by this new Hebron.

They're referring to the developing country of less industry, many companies Liza Destiny FPSO — for than 800,000 people is partnered with British and floating, production, storage poised to make it one of the Norwegian firms to develop a local service and supply and offloading — vessel richest places on the planet.

That will mean big sector. anchored in deep water off Years later, the sector has the coast of Guyana, some opportunities in oil and gas, 5,000 kilometres south of St. but also in others areas such matured, but is being as health, education and pinched by a doubleJohn's. " A n d i t ' s a l l t o infrastructure as Guyana whammy of COVID-19 and a green movement ExxonMobil and SBM that has many standards?" Collett With Canada's offshore v i e w i n g o i l asks. production " Ye s . G l o b a l slumping, companies through the same standards," Whittle lens as the tobacco assures his boss. are scooping up new industry.

'It's life-changing opportunities in this South "We don't see a to watch' whole lot of It's new territory American country. g r o w t h for this fourthopportunities here generation St. John's at home right now," Collett company, and a rare sign of looks to modernize.

C o m p a n i e s a r e says. enthusiasm for an industry So companies like that has been battered by a scrambling to get their foot worldwide pandemic, and a in the door, with some 170 Crosbie have seized on growing movement to wean firms with links to the Guyana.

"Newfoundland the province off its economic Newfoundland offshore dependence on oil and gas in taking part in a virtual companies are really fit for order to combat climate Guyanese trade mission last purpose. We're small. We're year organized by Noia, the nimble. We've done this," change.

"It's exciting times," province's oil and gas says Caron Hawco, an oil industry consultant who has Collett tells CBC during an industries association.

A similar event is visited Guyana a dozen interview. times in recent years, " F o r m e , i t ' s l i f e - planned for January. studying the market and A familiar story changing to watch It's a story with many helping companies link up something like this unfold at parallels to Newfoundland with Guyanese partners. a later stage of my career."

S h e s a y s t h e Crosbie Group is part of a n d L a b r a d o r, w h i c h t h e opportunities are endless, a swarm of companies from w e l c o m e d the Newfoundland and transformative oil industry at and she's noticed a "real Labrador oil services sector a time when the fishery was lovely kinship" between that is making a play for collapsing in the early business leaders from both (continued on page 23) business in Guyana, where 1990s.

“

”

St. John's-based Crosbie Group from Newfoundland and Labrador has formed a joint partnership called Panthera Solutions. Here, a worker with Panthera Solutions is being trained in rope access techniques. (Panthera Solutions/Facebook)

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

PAGE 13

Agri. Minister establishes taskforce to monitor flood prone areas W

i t h t h e Hydromet Department of the Ministry of Agriculture recently issuing an advisory alerting fishermen and other persons residing on the Coast of instances of high waves coupled with above normal tides, in addition to the increase in rainfall, A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha recently established a taskforce to closely monitor developments in these areas.

The taskforce, which comprises a number of technical officials from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six, is mandated to report instances of flooding, heavy rainfall and breaches in sea defences and drainage and irrigation structures along the Coast and other low-lying areas.

Minister Mustapha said given the seriousness of the advisory and Guyana's geographical position, it was important to have a team in place. “ We a r e c u r r e n t l y experiencing extreme rainfall as part of our November – January rainy period. The Hydromet Department also forecasted high waves and above normal tides. With all this information at hand, it was critical for me to establish this taskforce so that information about what is happening on the ground can be filtered across the sector in a timely manner. I've also instructed our regional engineers and other officers to provide daily reports about rainfall in their

Bush Polder, Minister Mustapha reaffirmed Government's commitment to assisting farmers who were affected and instructed officers from GLDA and NAREI to conduct

A pump has been placed at the Pouderoyen sluice. (DPI)

respective areas and how it is affecting persons and their farming activities,” Minister Mustapha said.

The subject Minister further disclosed that the NDIA has been working with Regional Officials to conduct some works to ensure drainage channels in several farming communities are cleared.

This, the Minister said,

would improve the drainage capacity in these areas should there be any occurrence of flooding.

Additionally, a team from the Ministry is currently working with cash crop and livestock farmers who experienced losses recently as a result of flooding due to heavy rainfall. During a visit to flood affected areas in Black

The concrete retaining wall at the Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara which received damage. (DPI)

assessments in these areas so that some form of assistance can be given to the farmers.

“We cannot give you cash. What we can do is offer assistance in the form of seeds, fertilisers and other

planting materials. The officers are here and they will be collecting and verifying your information so that we can start distributing the materials we have to the farmers,” Minister Mustapha said.

In an effort to improve the country's drainage capacity in the long term, (continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Drunken driver begs cops for mercy after - Commander plans to name slamming into cars and shame errant drivers A

By Shervin Belgrave

drunken driver was yesterday recorded on camera begging cops for mercy after he slammed into two parked cars at Vreed-en-

Hoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Police said, Andy Deokinandan, 25, of Lot 36 Leonora Pasture, WCD, crashed into the cars around 04:15 hrs. The cars, which were parked on a bridge in

front of the Chester's Fried Chicken establishment at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, belong to a 24-year-old presidential guard of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), according to police.

Deokinandan was reportedly speeding west along the southern side of New Road when he lost control and crashed into the cars. Noting the extensive damage of the vehicles, the police were summoned to the scene.

When ranks arrived, they observed that Deokinandan could barely stand.

He was arrested and taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where ranks conducted a breathalyzer test. Police said that Deokinandan's breath alcohol content measured 159 and 167.

Realizing that he had l a n d e d i n h o t w a t e r, Deokinandan began to beg officers for mercy.

The two parked cars that were damaged because of Deokinandan's reckless driving

In a video seen by this media house, Deokinandan could be heard saying: “ow yall please a gon deal with yall, please, a does deal with Officer Grant, Officer Grant of Leonora Police Station, ah begging yall please, please.�

His pleas, however, went unanswered and he was charged hours later by her (continued on page 22)

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Fire destroys Haslingston woman's home

A

Haslingston woman lost her home to fire on Saturday. Counting her losses is Ann Eve Knights, 25, of North Haslingston, East Coast Demerara.

According to police, the woman's wooden house, which sits on concrete pillars about four feet high, caught afire sometime around 09:00hrs. Knights told investigators that she lives with her sister and had left home around 08:15hrs to order some pastries and bread for her business.

While at President's College Road, Golden Grove, she received a call informing her that the house was on fire. Knights said that she returned immediately and the Guyana Fire Service

T

(GFS) was summoned.

Firefighters responded promptly and extinguished the blaze. The firemen reported that the cause of the fire that destroyed the house is unknown at this time.

Electricity as a factor has since been ruled out.

whom was armed with a handgun, invaded the men's business premise. A CCTV footage shown to Kaieteur News, shows the suspects assaulting the shop owners as they demanded cash and valuables.

The men then took two iPhones valued at $120,000 and $80,000 respectively and escaped. Police said that they are presently investigating the robbery but no arrests have since been made.

Guyana could be heading...

From page 2 nation's desires to respond to the rising demand for electricity as well as to find a solution to the issue of power outages and high electricity costs.

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

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

In addition to this, he said that based on his observations of how Guyana's leaders intend to pursue the gas to shore project spells out “a recipe

Caribbean Motor Spares opens Grove branch

Ann Eve Knights who lost her home to fire

Chinese businessmen robbed at gunpoint wo Chinese nationals were robbed at gunpoint at Charity, Essequibo Coast last Sunday night. Police have since identified the victims as Steve Sue, 41, and his business partner, Yu Rong Cao, 37. Kaieteur News understands that the men usually run a business together at Charity.

Reports are that sometime around 11:00hrs, two masked men, one of

PAGE 17

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

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

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

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

O

n S a t u r d a y, January 2, 2021, Caribbean Motor Spares opened its second branch at 74 Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Present at the opening ceremony was Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Mr. Deodat Indar, and

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Ms. Susan Rodrigues. Also in attendance were Executive Director of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce ( G C C I ) , M r. R i c h a r d Rambarran; past GCCI President and Chairman of ActionInvest Caribbean Inc.,

Vishnu Doerga; and Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau, Mr. Lowell Porter.

They each delivered an address at the event.

General Manager of Caribbean Motor Spares, Mr. Hardial Doobay, said that the opening of the Grove branch is

in alignment with the company's mission to be the leading supplier with the widest variety of automotive parts in Guyana. Doobay also announced that Caribbean Motor Spares will be establishing a third branch in Georgetown later this month.

(Photo Credit DPI)

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Fire guts Alexander Village apartment

T

he Guyana Fire Service was y e s t e r d a y summoned to quell a fire at First Street, Alexander Vi l l a g e , G e o r g e t o w n .

However, despite valiant efforts by fire fighters a small domicile, which is situated in an apartment complex, was gutted.

When Kaieteur News arrived on the scene, firefighters had already extinguished the blaze, which started around 14:00hrs.

In addition to the firefighters, a number of police ranks were at the scene when a representative of this publication arrived.

According to the tenant of the destroyed residence, Ronald Willis, a boat watchman, “high voltage caused the fire…the television was left plugged in and we had blackout so when the current came on back, it send the television up in flames.”

Willis' gutted home is located at the back of a yard and is approximately four feet away from an apartment

The aftermath of yesterday's fire

building that houses three tenants and their families.

Willis told Kaieteur News that he had lived in the back apartment by himself for the past five years.

The fire, he said, destroyed his television, fans, blender, dishes, chair and documents. However, his refrigerator and gas stove were saved.

While the firefighters were taking statements, it was observed that only the inside of the flat concrete

structure was damaged. It was revealed that due to the quick action by the fire service, the blaze did not spread and thus failed to cause extensive damage to the structure itself.

“I left for work about 12pm and I was at the wharf… around 1:30... the neighbour call me and tell me how my apartment on fire…so I hurry back home but by the time I reach, the fire was almost extinguished, ” Willis stated.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Failure of Govts. to punish corrupt party members undermines governance - Greenidge

T

he factors which undermine good governance in Guyana are many. But chief among those challenges would be the way corruption is addressed by governments, especially when their party members are at the heart of those matters.

Making this assertion during a recent interview on Kaieteur Radio's programme, Governance, Corruption and Justice, was Carl Greenidge, the Advisor on Borders for the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration.

During the discussion, Greenidge asserted that the failure of governments to properly deal with their own party members who have engaged in corruption not only undermines good governance but the standing of the party too.

When this is observed by the public, Greenidge said, it leads to citizens harbouring the belief that one enters politics with the purpose of filling their pockets and any means by which they choose to do so is acceptable. This state of affairs, he alluded, has to be corrected, otherwise it would only

Advisor on Borders, Carl Greenidge continue to erode the moral fabric of the nation.

Also part of the problem, he said, is the way some sections of society perceive corruption. In this regard, the APNU Member said, “…The public has to look at its own attitude towards corruption; …You've got one section of the society that sees white collar crime as acceptable because nobody loses and another section of the public that regards it as absolutely vile.

So, there's a cultural element to this in which

crime, in some measure, is condoned by some elements of our community…”

Greenidge said that members of the public have to be more forceful in holding policy leaders accountable; otherwise, they become part of the challenge to good governance.

Further to the need for addressing corruption, Greenidge was also keen to point out that the poor level of dialogue between the government and political opposition of the day is cause for concern.

He holds the view that it is a critical element in the bid to improve the quality of good governance. The politician said, “If there was proper dialogue, I think we would not be in a position in which you spend 15 or more years with Chief Justices and the like, at the highest levels of the country acting and can't be confirmed.

All of this is a reflection of how poor dialogue can eat away at good governance.”

In concluding his thoughts, Greenidge said that the nation would stand to benefit more if there is improved dialogue between policy leaders and within the parties too.

21 new COVID-19 cases recorded

O

n the fourth day of the New Year, the Ministry of Health (MOH) recorded 21 new COVID-19 cases, taking the number of cases to 6,379.

The new cases were discovered in several regions, according to a breakdown in the MOH's daily dashboard.

The dashboard outlined that three new cases were discovered in Region One, seven in Region Two, two in Region Three, five in Region Four, one each in Region Five and Six and two in Region 10.

Meanwhile, the MOH reported that there are currently nine persons in institutional isolation, 264 in

home isolation and 22 in institutional quarantine.

The total number of recoveries to date is 5,936 while deaths have moved to 166 with the two latest COVID-19 fatalities recorded on Sunday.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e dashboard said there are four persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Ghana fines oil companies for failing to honour work obligations From page 3 that between 2017 and 2020, CGX could simply conduct additional data processing and planning for an exploration well, after which it can elect either to relinquish the entire contract area except for any discovery area or commit to doing any additional processing and planning, while securing all regulatory approvals for the

drilling of the first exploration well.

The Addendum also states that at the end of the first renewal period of three years, the company shall elect either to relinquish the entire contract area except or 25 percent of the block and renew for a second period of three years.

T h e G r a n g e r administration approved this

work programme in December 2017 in spite of the fact that the company breached its commitments during the first four years of having the licence. It also gave CGX the option of not drilling a well until 2021.

This is just one example of the Guyana government allowing the company to get away with not honouring its commitments.

PAGE 19

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Man's decomposing body found in Bartica home The wooden house where residents found the decomposed body

R

esidents of Third Avenue Bartica, Region Seven followed a strong stench on Saturday and discovered a decomposing body of an elderly man lying on a sofa inside his home.

The discovery was reportedly made around 17:00hrs.

According to the Commander of the

Division, Dion Moore, investigators do not believe that foul play was involved. Based on investigations, the man lived alone and was last seen walking around the area on Christmas Day. There were no forced signs of forced entry to the home and it appears as if he had died while sleeping.

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

Disgruntled police ranks voice concerns after being overlooked for promotions A

few Guyana Police Force (GPF) ranks have expressed dissatisfaction with the Force's recent promotion exercise. This, they claim, is due to the fact that they were overlooked over the years for promotions despite having clean records. But the ranks, who asked to not be named, insisted that a number of those who were promoted have been pending disciplinary cases against them.

The disgruntled ranks stressed that it is unfair to them and others who have worked tirelessly dedicating their services to the Force without being considered for promotions they are eligible for. Among the disgruntled ranks is a Corporal who was sent to Berbice close to a decade ago but was recently transferred to West Demerara.

The rank while stationed in the ancient county was in charge of all the police stations there. He has handled many high profile cases including several murders -- one being the highly publicized murder

of a British teen a few years. In that case an informant felt that he could trust the Corporal and provided him with information that led to the discovery of the teen's body.

"Till this day I have kept the informant safe by not revealing their identity and that ultimately led to the perpetrators being arrested and charged, but I was never acknowledged for that; other ranks took the credit for it," the rank claimed. The Corporal further mentioned that there have been several murder cases that he responded to and spearheaded investigations which led to the perpetrators being caught.

These perpetrators he said have since been imprisoned.

He added that he is always first on the scene when a crime is reported and have always dealt with matters expeditiously.

The Corporal said the last time he was promoted was in 1995, but he has since been overlooked. He believes that he is still being punished for an incident that took place nearly

10 years ago. Charges were laid against him on that occasion, but the matter was eventually dismissed and he was cleared.

"I genuinely work hard in this Force and every year there is a promotion, I look forward but then I am disappointed when I see the list. I have a family to take care of with three children and a Corporal's salary is tough because my children are getting old and they have needs.

This is also not motivating; sometimes when I wake up I don't feel like working because I feel that my hard work isn't valued. I shouldn't be punished when I am innocent," the Corporal said.

Meanwhile, a Constable from the CID department revealed that since joining the Force 18 years ago, he has never been promoted. He added that he too has worked with the Force expecting a promotion but every year he is disappointed further.

"It got ranks that get promoted that I know don't deserve it because some of

them got disciplinary cases against them or they close with people in the hierarchy. These people don't care about who work hard and honest, some of the dishonest ones getting rewarded. It could never be fair," the Constable said.

A list seen by this publication revealed the names of several promoted ranks who the disgruntled ranks believe are not deserving of a promotion. The matters against them were also outlined. Some of the promoted ranks, based on

that document, have matters that are being investigated by t h e F o r c e ' s O ff i c e o f Professional Responsibility (OPR). Other matters listed are related to assault, rape, corrupt transactions, and some are drug related.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

‘Burst head’ for man who tried to beat cop VACANCY

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There was a show down yesterday in front of the police outpost located at Stabroek Market, after a man tried to beat a cop. He ended up with a ‘burst head.’

Kaieteur News was told by eyewitnesses that the “wrestling match” between the officer and the man took place a little before 10:00 hrs.

The man was reportedly arrested by the ranks at the

dodged and returned a right hook to the suspect’s head.

The man stood up and began firing more punches at the officer. Eyewitnesses called it a brief “cuff out.”

The officer then grabbed the suspect and pulled him out of the vehicle. He dealt the suspect some more blows beating him to the ground.

Another police officer, who was standing close by, joined

in and kicked the suspect to his head.

Blood started to gush from his head and persons who were witnessing the so called “show” rushed to assist. They accused the officers of police brutally and washed the blood from the man’s face. He was then placed, for a second time, in the back of the police pickup and taken away.

CPA to conduct forensic interview with underage mom The Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) will conduct a forensic interview with the 14-year old who reportedly abandoned her baby after giving birth on New Year’s day.

The abandoned infant was found about an hour later lying in a patch of grass close to a saw mill at Kwebana Village, Moruca, Region One. A group of visitors made the discovery.

Not long after, villagers were able to locate the child’s mother in her parents’ home.

She too was in a bad state and was found bleeding.

The underage mom was given the necessary treatment by medical professionals and was transferred with her newborn to the Kumaka District Hospital.

Kaieteur News reported on Monday that police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

Speaking with this newspaper yesterday, Director of CPA, Ann Greene, said that her agency is investigating the case as well.

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market area based on robbery allegations. While sitting in the back of a police pick-up, the man got into an argument with one of the ranks.

In a video seen by this newspaper, the officer was seen arguing with the suspect who responded by cursing the cop. The exchange of words became more intense and the suspect threw a punch at the policeman, who

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it might be a case of statutory rape.

Sources had told this media house that the girl’s parents were unaware that she was pregnant. She was fearful to confide in them and kept it a secret.

When she started having pains, she suspected that it was probably time to give birth. The teenage girl reportedly crept out of the house unknown to her parents and went down to the saw mill. After giving birth she became even more fearful

about how her parents will react and decided to abandon the infant.

The teen, however, has not yet revealed the identity of the child’ father.

Greene said that a forensic interview is to be conducted with her soon. The CPA director explained that the interview is to get her to speak and if possible reveal the identity of the baby’s father.

Greene noted that forensic interviews are done with care in order to gain the

confidence especially with such cases.

“We have to take our time with her, it is a delicate situation and it must be treated with great caution,” said Greene.

She pointed out too that there is need to check the teen’s mental state and condition as well.

Villagers had described the teen as someone who might have been suffering from depression since she hardly spoke to anyone and always kept to herself.

...Drunken driver begs cops for mercy From page 14 Worship Crystal Lambert at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate's Court.

Deokinandan pleaded guilty to the offence of driving under the influence. He was fined $7,500 and his driver's licence was endorsed (offence convicted of placed on the licence). Kaieteur News has learnt that he has since reached out to settle with the presidential guard whose cars he had damaged because of reckless driving.

Meanwhile, Commander of the Region Three Police Division, Errol Watts, plans to name and shame drunk drivers.

Commander Watts said, “We need to launch a serious and continuous and sustained operation to name and shame them on all

Screen grab from the video of a drunken Andy Deokinandan begging cops for mercy. fronts.”

The commander is of the view that 'naming and shaming'

will play a key role in prevention strategies. He explained that he believes that 'naming and shaming' will play a key role in prevention strategies.

“Too many lives are lost daily, and throughout the years on our roads at the hands of private cars operators and drunken drivers,” noted Commander Watts.

He added that it breaks his heart to see how reckless these drivers can be. It pains even more, he said, when he as a police officer is “forced to answer for these irresponsible drivers…”

The commander added that the Force needs the unwavering support of the media to assist with his plan to reduce fatalities on the roadways caused by drunk driving.

Agri. Minister establishes taskforce to...

From page 13 Minister Mustapha said that his Ministry is working to develop a drainage system that can withstand the impacts of climate change, which has resulted in an increase in rainfall in a short period of time.

“As it is now, there are a number of areas that are under water because of the system we currently have. Some areas that do not have gravity flow, we have to use pumps and the pumps take a little longer than the sluice to pull the water. I am working to put a system in place where we can have both pumps and sluices operational. When the tides are low, we'll use the sluice and when the tide is high, we'll use the pumps so that we can have a 24-hour system of draining the land.

We know that Guyana is be-

low sea level and that our drainage system is only capable of draining one and a half to two inches of water in a 24-hour period.

So, when we record five and six and 10 inches of accumulated water because of heavy rains, imagine how long it would take to drain those systems. This is why it is imperative for us to have our drainage system work on a 24hour basis,” Minister Mustapha said.

The subject Minister also said this year, the Ministry plans to install a number of additional high capacity pumps to its fleet of drainage pumps.

“We're working to develop an overall structure that will improve our current drainage system. This year, we plan to install a number of new pumps across the country

since we cannot rely solely on gravity drainage. With climate change having such a great impact on the weather patterns, we have to prepare our system and have it functioning at its fullest capacity in the long term, especially since rainfall has become a lot more unpredictable,” Minister Mustapha said.

The weather has seen a section of the concrete retaining wall at the Windsor Forest sluice on the West Coast of Demerara becoming damaged.

The Agriculture Minister has since instructed the CEO and Board Chairman of the NDIA to work on having the structure fixed as soon as possible.

A pump was also installed at the Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara sluice.

(DPI)

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

Canadian oil service companies...

From page 12 Canada and Guyana.

"There's just some magic that goes on between them," she says.

"I suspect we will see at least 20 to 30 companies successfully having a good footprint in Guyana, maybe more."

Crosbie wants to be at the forefront The Crosbie Group is determined to lead the way.

The company reinvented itself in the face of economic turbulence a generation ago to capitalize on a blossoming oil industry, and now employs more local people in the offshore than any other Newfoundland and Labrador company.

But with uncertainty casting a dark cloud over the offshore, Crosbie is reaching outward. The company has expanded into the Maritimes, acquiring 50 per cent ownership in a Nova Scotia company that specializes in onshore industrial services.

More recently, Crosbie has caught the wave of excitement over Guyana.

"We just see tremendous opportunity in that region," says Collett.

Crosbie has partnered with a Guyanese company to

form a new venture called Panthera Solutions.

They're winning contracts. Training up local workers. And exporting Newfoundland and Labrador expertise to the Guyana basin. More than a dozen Crosbie employees have brought their skills to Guyana, and Collett believes it's just the beginning.

Doubling its workforce There are projections that daily oil production in Guyana could soon skyrocket to 750,000 barrels, with as many as five production platforms, and Collett wants Panthera Solutions to be the preferred service provider for exterior maintenance and specialities such as crane operations.

If all goes according to plan, he predicts Crosbie's worldwide workforce could double to some 1,000 employees in three to five years, with up to 70 percent of its business activity outside the province.

"We're just getting started," says Collett.

It helps that the key player in Guyana is ExxonMobil, the same oil giant that leads operations on the Hibernia and Hebron platforms.

So companies like St.

John's-based Atlantic Offshore Medical Services are a known quantity when they go to Guyana, since ExxonMobil is already a "major client," says AOMS CEO Liam O'Shea.

AOMS was established

by Dr. Ciaran O'Shea — Liam's father — and has been providing primary emergency and occupational medical services to the N.L. offshore for four decades, and hopes to have similar success with its new business partner in Guyana. "[If] we could build the same model that we have here [in Guyana], and be as successful there, we would probably be, I would think, at least twice the size of the organization there than we are here," says Liam O'Shea.

The next hurdle to overcome is pandemic travel restrictions that limit business interactions between the two countries.

But Caron Hawco says that hasn't dampened the excitement, or potential.

"It's just really refreshing to see Newfoundland and Labrador companies looking beyond our borders, building on what we've been able to achieve here, and bringing it somewhere else," she says.

PAGE 23

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Tuesday January 05, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Australian Open quarantine plan faces Davion Mars crowned 2020 National Blitz legal challenge MELBOURNE (Reuters) Apartment owners on the premises of a luxury Melbourne hotel are seeking to quash plans by Australian Open organisers to use the hotel to quarantine players ahead of the Grand Slam.

The apartment owners at the Westin Melbourne are concerned for their health and never agreed to international players quarantining at the hotel, their lawyer Graeme Efron told Reuters yesterday.

“My instructions are to get an injunction. So at this stage, that’s where we’re going,” Efron said.

Hundreds of players are

expected to arrive in Melbourne in mid-January and undergo a mandatory 14day quarantine as part of COVID-19 protocols before the Feb. 8-21 Australian Open.

Efron said the Westin had informed the owners on Christmas Eve about the quarantine plans and presented it as a “done deal.”

“No-one has told us that this has been mandated by a government authority to turn a partly residential city hotel into a quarantine hotel,” he said.

Owners, who include some of the country’s top business people, said they

felt “ambushed” by the quarantine plan.

“At 84, I’m in the vulnerable group and it’s shocking the way they tried to ram this through without any attempt to consult with us,” owner Digby Lewis told Fairfax media.

Westin management said their “COVID safe” plan had been shared with the owners corporation, adding that residents would use a separate entrance and lifts and have no contact with players and quarantine staff.

“Their floor will remain exclusive while there will be no reticulation of ventilation between the floors,” the Westin said in a statement.

Tennis Australia did not

Tuesday January 05, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Initiate a deep, meaningful conversation with someone you've lost touch with, Aries.

It could be that a long and ugly point of contention is on the brink of resolution.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You will find strength in your inner reserves today, Libra. Don't hesitate to let your deepest thoughts shine through. Keep your antenna up.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Your transmission may be stuck in reverse today, Taurus. This doesn't mean you can't be productive. You may need to change your approach.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You may feel a bit sluggish today, Scorpio.

Your warrior spirit would rather stay home on the couch than get up and fight.

This is fine. You may simply need a break from your quest for world domination.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Things should go well for you today. There's an added serenity in the air that will help calm your nerves. There's no need to make things more complicated than necessary.

CANCER(June21–July22) It might seem like someone has dumped a bucket of water on your head today. It seems like your fire is out. Keep in mind that this is only temporary and that your internal flame will be rekindled soon.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Tension may run high today as things come to a great emotional climax. It might seem as if everyone is out to get you, Leo, but more than likely this paranoia is a figment of your imagination.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) More than likely you will be caught up in a wildly intense emotional drama if you aren't careful, Virgo. Try to stay calm and collected. Find a quiet, solitary place where you can relax. Your energy is there, but it may be more reserved and subtle on a day like this.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Your sensitivity is strong today, Sagittarius. You will find that your perception of situations is right on target with the truth of the matter.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) You may feel a bit confused today. It might seem as if the wind has suddenly been taken out of your sails. Don't get discouraged by the slow weightiness of the day. Take the opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today is an excellent day for you, Aquarius. You will be a welcome addition to any crowd. Your delightful nature is at its most active.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The world probably isn't going to revolve around you today, Pisces, so get used to it. Even though this may not be the news you want to hear, it's probably the news you most need to hear. Use your incredible passion to nurture others.

respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Melbourne, capital of Victoria state, was the epicentre of Australia’s largest second wave outbreak of COVID-19, which started at two quarantine hotels for international arrivals.

More than 18,000 infections were recorded in Victoria during the outbreak and nearly 800 deaths.

Victoria recorded three new cases on Monday, as authorities scrambled to trace close contacts from an outbreak that began in midDecember in Sydney’s Northern Beaches area.

Chess Champion

- Keron Sandiford is Junior winner Davion Mars and Keron Sandiford were crowned senior and junior champion respectively when the 2020 National Blitz Chess competition was contested recently at the Guyana National Stadium.

Mars chalked nine points, winning 10 of 11 games, only losing to Gilbert Williams in round seven.

Sandiford placed second, winning 10 out of 11 games; he lost to Mars in round two.

Veteran Rai Sharma finished third with eight wins; he lost to Mars, Sandiford and Williams. In fourth position was Junior Rapid winner Joshua Gopaul who ended on seven points.

He took the runner up spot in the junior category. Gilbert

Williams with six points placed fifth, while Uddhav Bagwandeen finished sixth on 5.5 points.

Jessica Callender who managed 5.5 points placed seventh and was top among the juniors. She was the top female performer.

The Federation Director of Tournaments, Rashad Hussain, said it was the first FIDE rated blitz tournament in the history of Guyana and is pleased to have ended 2020 on that note, with new champions being crowned.

“I would like thank the GCF executives and players for supporting tournaments in 2020. It’s time to look forward to 2021, which if things go according to plan, will be a more productive year.

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday January 05, 2021

Dimuth Karunaratne’s 91* rallies Sri Lanka as Vishwa Fernando claims maiden five-for ESPNcricinfo - South Africa still control the second Test, but after an abject first day, Sri Lanka resisted on day two, raising mild hope. First, the seamers lay siege, rolling through South Africa either side of lunch, to claim nine wickets for 84 runs - Vishwa Fernando taking five of those. Later, captain Dimuth Karunaratne produced his best innings in South Africa, to be not out on 91 by stumps.

And yet, thanks in part to centurion Dean Elgar, and the 184-run stand he put on with Rassie van der Dussen, Sri Lanka lead by only five runs, with six wickets in hand. To set a target that might test South Africa, they perhaps need 195 more.

Karunaratne is the only batsman who appeared comfortable against the home attack’s pace and bounce - this surface having got quicker on day two and expected to get quicker still on Tuesday. Niroshan Dickwella, his overnight partner, practically hung on pale-knuckled for his 18 off 47, after Sri Lanka lost three wickets for 23 in the evening session.

It had been Vishwa, however, whose left-arm angle, and ability to seam it both ways, brought Sri Lanka - even limpingly back into the contest. Before lunch, he had Quinton de Kock driving at an awayseamer just ouside off, and sending a thick edge to Kusal Mendis at second slip, who dove to his right to nab it.

After the break, Vishwa was a menace. He swung one in to Wiaan Mulder second ball of the session, to trap him in front of leg stump.

That was a marginal call, but the next lbw, several overs later, was emphatic. He jagged one in sharply at Temba Bavuma from around the wicket, and had the batsman shouldering arms to a ball that would have clattered into the stumps.

Later, he had Anrich Nortje nicking off, and then had Lutho Sipamla caught at gully to restrict South Africa to a lead of only 145, when something in the region of

Dimuth Karunaratne led from the front in Sri Lanka’s second innings, South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, 2nd day, Johannesburg, January 4, 2021 © AFP via Getty Images 250 or more had seemed likelier.

That wicket of Sipamla completed the first fivewicket haul of his career, beating the 4 for 62 he managed in Durban in 2019.

Already, Vishwa is Sri Lanka’s most successful seamer in South Africa - his 20 wickets in four Tests bettering Dilhara Fernando’s 18 in seven matches. Asitha Fernando and Dasun Shanaka took two wickets apiece as well, while Dushmantha Chameera sparked the collapse, by having Elgar caught behind on 127. After Sri Lanka’s seamers rampaged, Lungi Ngidi bowled Kusal Perera early, with a sublime, seaming full delivery in the third over. Karunaratne, though, set about establishing himself at the crease. Though clearly nervy against the new ball, edging the first of his 17 fours through the gap between slips and gully, he gritted his way through the early overs, until he found his timing, particularly off his pads.

Nortje was at times touching 93mph/150kph, but Karunaratne dispatched him for successive leg-side fours in his seventh over, and spared no-one that drifted into his pads.

W h i l e L a h i r u Thirimanne stroked a pretty 31 at the other end, joining him for an 85-run stand, Karunaratne worked himself up to an impressive strike rate. His half-century - just his second in 14 innings in

South Africa - he reached with a four down the ground off the 73rd delivery he faced. Soon after, Ngidi had two batsmen - Thirimanne and Kusal Mendis - caught edging down the leg side, and Nortje bounced out debutant Minod Bhanuka.

But Karunaratne batted as if unperturbed - his strike rate remained up at 78 by stumps.

Elgar had also maintained an excellent scoring rate, as he moved from his overnight 92 to an eventual 127 off 163 balls.

His partner, van der Dussen, had begun the day more streakily, edging a Vishwa ball in the early overs, only for Mendis to fail to hold on to the tough chance diving to his right from second slip.

Eventually, van der Dussen settled, and drove nicely, on occasion, to complete a half century before being dismissed for 68.

Elgar was much more assured. Having been dismissed for 95 at Centurion, he was almost faultless through the 90s on this occasion, and completed his century in the fifth over of the day, thrashing a short, wide ball through point for four, in a morning in which he had punished bowlers the moment they erred in length.

It was his 13th Test ton, and in there had barely barely a false stroke from Elgar until his dismissal to second ball after drinks.

Seeing a straight, length ball just outside off stump from Dushmantha Chameera, he prodded at it with hard hands

Vishwa Fernando celebrates his maiden five-wicket haul, South Africa vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test, 2nd day, Johannesburg, January 4, 2021 © AFP via Getty Images

and sent an edge to the slips.

Scores: Sri Lanka 157 and 150 for 4 (Karunaratne 91*) lead South Africa 302 (Elgar 127, van der Dussen 67, V Fernando 5-101) by five runs.

...Local cricket hit hard by Pandemic as GCB From page 25 Alvin Mohabir and Jared Allicock ended with seven and six wickets respectively, to top the bowling charts in the three-match tournament.

Mohabir, a former Guyana U-15 captain claimed a fivewicket against Berbice, Leon Cecil had six wickets in the tournament including the only hat-trick, while Isai Thorne was the fastest bowler in the tournament.

GCB/Hand in Hand U19 three-day tournament was cancelled due to Pandemic and the 50-over format has been rescheduled for mid-January, while the Regional U-15, U-17 and U19 tournaments were called off due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

In November, The GCB collaborated with Tropical Spring for its T20 Over-40 Tournament which was played at three venues in each of Guyana’s three counties and saw the return of cricket locally.

The tournament involved 16 teams with Reliance Sports Club, Invaders Masters, Imam Bacchus Over 40, Jaguars Over 40, West Demerara Masters, West Demerara Mavericks, Everest Masters, Regal Masters, RP Construction Legends, Sand Pipper Masters, Bel-Air Rubis Ultra Tec, General Marine Masters, Jai Hind Masters, Sarjoo Tigers and West Berbice Masters,

competing for a first prize of $250,000 and a runner’s prize of $100,000. KV Construction Masters pulled out after the opening round.

GCB’s Secretary Anand Sanasie said the Board opted for an over-40 tournament to mark the return of cricket after an almost nine-month absence from the field due to the pandemic because this age-group would be more responsible and should set a positive example for the other remaining tournaments planned for the year.

“As a consequence, the players of the GCB Tropical Spring T20 Over 40 Tournament, will have both the privilege and responsibility to engage in a tournament being used to facilitate a smooth return to cricket and other outdoor sporting activities,” Sanasie had added.

Territorial Development Officer of the GCB, former West Indies pacer, Colin Stuart explained the main aim of the National Over 40 Tournament was bringing former experienced players back to the cricket environment and thereby serving as an impetus for their involvement in relevant facets of the administration of the game, inclusive of coaching and mentorship.

The preliminary round of matches commenced on the Saturday 21 November

2020 and concluded on Saturday 5 December 2020.

The Quarter-Finals were held on the Sunday 6 December 2020, the SemiF i n a l s o n F r i d a y 11 December 20202 and the Final on Saturday 12 December 2020.

On the field, West Demerara Masters beat West Demerara Mavericks in a battle of the teams from the west side in the semi-final at Enmore, while Berbice side Jai Hind Jaguars, the only unbeaten team in the tournament, opposed Regal Masters in the other semifinal at Everest. Regal Masters were awarded the game after the Berbice side were found guilty of deliberate time wasting with rain and bad light threatening to rob Regal Masters of victory.

In the Final at Everest, West Demerara Masters lost to Regal Masters by seven wickets after reaching 119-8 from their allotted 20 with Chabraj Ramcharran 29, Ramesh Thakur 27 and Ganesh Persaud 24 scoring the bulk of the runs. Anthony Ifill, the best all-rounder in the competition had 2-11, while former Berbice InterCounty batsman Eion Abel had 3-10. Regal Masters reached 120-3 from 16.5 overs. Ifill (36) and Chien Gittens (35) got support from Ezad Mohammed (26) and David Dick (17) saw their team to victory.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

PAGE 27

India cricketers test negative after bubble ‘breach’

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FP - India’s team and support staff all tested negative to Covid-19 after five players apparently breached their bio-security bubble, officials said Monday, as capacity at the Sydney Cricket Ground was slashed over coronavirus concerns.

The quintet — Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini — were filmed dining inside a Melbourne restaurant on New Year’s Day. The Australian state of Vi c t o r i a , o f w h i c h Melbourne is the capital, is battling to stem a cluster of virus cases tied to a wider outbreak in neighbouring New South Wales.

In response, authorities

require restaurant-goers to dine outdoors and maintain social distancing.

While the five were allowed to continue training, they were told to stay apart from the broader Indian squad, with the entire tour party tested on Sunday.

The Indian cricket board, which has not said whether the five will be punished, Monday issued a brief statement giving them the all-clear for Covid-19.

“Playing members of the Indian cricket team and support staff underwent a test for Covid-19 on January 3, 2021. All tests have returned negative results,” it said.

Australia’s team and staff were also tested and they too came back negative.

Both teams headed to

Sydney Monday for the third Test starting Thursday, with the four-Test series level at 1-1.

They will play in front of a 25 percent capacity crowd — around 10,000 - after it was slashed from 50 percent following a backlash on social media and from some experts, given the Covid situation in the city.

There are currently an estimated 273 active cases in Australia, although many are travellers in quarantine.

It means all tickets will be refunded and fans must re-apply.

Tony Shepherd, head of Ve n u e s N S W w h i c h manages the stadium, said significant measures had been taken to ensure the safety of fans.

“There are extensive

India’s five players who apparently breached their bio-security bubble have all tested negative to Covid-19 team along with support staff. protocols being enacted for the upcoming Test, including increased cleaning,

customer service and security staff, along with dedicated social distancing

marshals,” he said.

The fourth and final Test is in Brisbane next week.

Spiceman does the spectacular as Cavani backed by Uruguay teammates, Melbourne Stars eke out 10-run accuse English FA of discrimination BC Sports - F o o t b a l l P l a y e r s ’ culture. victory over Hobart Hurricanes Edinson Cavani Association released a We w o u l d l i k e t o

S

portsMax - Let’s face it. Melbourne Stars batsman Andre Fletcher has not set the Big Bash League alight with his batting. The Grenadian batsman, who has been opening for the Stars, has a top score of 18 in seven outings.

And, after scores of 10, 10, 18, 4, 6, 12 and 12, few would argue with the growing consensus that he should be to be dropped.

However, he showed on Sunday - with two spectacular catches against the Hobart Hurricanes - that his value extends well beyond his batting skills, as he twice helped swing the match in favour of the Stars, who eked out a close 10-run victory.

Fletcher made 10 of the Melbourne Stars’ 183 for 6 from their 20 overs, thanks mainly to Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten 55-ball 97 that included seven fours and seven sixes; 36 from Hilton Cartwright and 26 from the in-form Nicholas Pooran.

Riley Meredith, who had Fletcher caught behind after his four-ball stay at the crease ended with 2 for 25 but it was Nathan Ellis, who dismissed Cartwright and Pooran, who was the Hurricanes’ best bowler with 3 for 31.

Daunting as the target might have seemed, Ben McDermott seemed headed to make light work of it with

N

Andre Fletcher

a blazing knock of 91 off just 58 balls and included eight fours and five sixes. It was while going for his sixth six that Fletcher intervened, changing the direction of the match in the process.

On the last ball of the 19th over, Liam Hatcher (1 for 45) served up a thighhigh full toss wide outside off McDermott, who flayed it flat over extra cover.

Fletcher, known as the Spiceman, raced close to 10m to his left before taking off like Superman to hold on to a spectacular catch to have the Hurricanes at 163 for 5.

Fletcher’s blinder was his second of the match.

A t th e f all o f th e Hurricanes’ second wicket, that of Dawid Malan for 26 with the score 89, Colin

Ingram and McDermott flayed the Stars’ bowling to all parts putting together a 50-run stand in just 22 balls.

It was a partnership that was threatening to take the match away from the visitors when in the 17th over, Billy Stanlake (1 for 41) bowled one full and wide. Ingram sliced it in the air over extra cover. Fletcher charged in, misread the flight of the ball and then adjusted as the ball began to tail away towards the boundary rope.

At the last minute, Fletcher dove to his right and snatched the ball inches off the ground before breaking out into a celebratory dance.

It was then 139 for 3, with the Hurricanes still in the hunt until Fletcher struck out in the field once more.

has been backed by his Uruguay teammates after he was suspended for three games and fined $136,000 by the English Football Association for using an “improper” term on social media.

Cavani, 33, responded to a friend on Instagram with the message ‘gracias, negrito’ after his late winning goal at Southampton in November.

The FA stated that the term was “insulting, abusive, improper and brought the game into disrepute” and added that it “included reference, whether express or implied, to colour and/or race and/or ethnic origin.”

Manchester United have since released a statement saying that Cavani is not racist, as the Uruguayan superstar accepted the charge.

Cavani insists this was a misunderstanding and purely down to cultural differences between what the term means in some parts of Uruguay, and more widely in South America, and the UK. Now, the Uruguayan

statement backing Cavani, with Luis Suarez and Diego Godin both sharing the statement publicly and backing Cavani, while calling the English FA for a ‘discriminatory act’ against Uruguayan people.

“We must condemn the arbitrary conduct of the English Football Association.

Far from condemning racism, the English Football Association has itself committed a discriminatory act against the culture and way of life of the Uruguayan people. Edinson Cavani has never committed any conduct that could be interpreted as racist.

He merely used a common expression in Latin America to affectionately address a loved one or close friend.

“To sustain that the only way to obtain a valid interpretation in life is that which lies in the minds of managers of the English Football Association is actually a true discriminatory act, which is completely reprehensible and against Uruguayan

publicly defend Edinson C a v a n i ’s i m p e c c a b l e character and of course our country’s culture.

We are all against any kind of discrimination; however unfortunately, through its sanction, the English Football Association expressed absolute ignorance and disdain for a multi cultural vision of the world.

“The first rule to fight against racism is to respect such different ways of life and cultures.

We request the FA to immediately overturn the sanction imposed on Edinson Cavani and reinstate his good name and honour in the world that has been so unfairly tarnished by the reprehensible decision.”

It is quite clear the FA will not rescind the ban, and for Luis Suarez to be involved it is dragging up a somewhat similar incident in his past.

In 2011 the former Liverpool striker was banned for eight games by the FA for allegedly using a racist slur towards Manchester United left back Patrice Evra.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Moeen Ali tests positive for Covid-19 as England arrive in Sri Lanka ESPNcricinfo - Moeen Ali has tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Sri Lanka.

England’s touring party landed in Sri Lanka on Sunday, January 3 ahead of their two-Test series and were tested on arrival.

Although the ECB initially reported that all results were negative, it has subsequently transpired that while Ali’s lateral flow test - the quicker version of the test which takes only 30-minutes or so to complete - was negative, the more accurate PCR test, which takes longer to analyse and was also carried out at the airport, was positive.

The ECB have also

Moeen Ali has tested positive for Covid-19 on arrival in Sri Lanka. ©AFP/Getty Images confirmed the result is not a false positive, though Ali is understood to be asymptomatic at this stage.

Concacaf statement regarding U-20 and U-17 Men’s National Team Competitions

D

ue to the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the football calendar and continued concerns over international t r a v e l , F I FA r e c e n t l y announced the cancellation of the FIFA U-17 and U-20 M e n ’s Wo r l d C u p s , scheduled to take place in Peru and Indonesia in 2021, respectively.

Given FIFA’s decision,

the continued uncertainty regarding the impact of COVID-19 in our own region and concerns regarding youth teams traveling in this environment, Concacaf has c o m e t o t h e d i ff i c u l t decision to cancel the 2020 Concacaf Under-17 Q u a l i f i e r s a n d Championship, and the 2020 Concacaf Under-20 Championship.

CGI’s planned Fitness Assessment and Practice Matches have been tentatively rescheduled The fitness assessment which was scheduled for yester, Monday 4 January 2021 and the three practice matches which were respectively slated to be played on Friday 8 January 2021, Sunday 10 January 2021 and Tuesday 12 January 2021 have all been postponed, a release from Cricket Guyana Incorporated (CGI) informed yesterday.

As a consequence, the tentative rescheduled dates for these activities are Friday

16 January 2021 for the fitness assessment at the National Track and Field Stadium in Leonora from 0600 hours, and three One Day 50 Overs practice matches which will each commence at 0900 hours at the LBI ground on Monday 18 January 2021, Thursday 21 January 2021 and Saturday 23 January 2021.

The senior cricketers involved in these exercises along with the various officials are asked to note the rescheduling of these events.

He will be required to undergo a 10-day period of self-isolation, in line with the Sri Lankan government’s quarantine protocols.

England are currently staying in Hambantota, but are due to move to Galle on January 10 ahead of the first Test. Ali will be driven to new accommodation, a private hotel not in use by the rest of the team, in Galle on Tuesday January 5.

An ECB spokesperson said that it was “too early to confirm” whether Ali could

play in the first Test, which starts on January 14, but with his self-isolation ending the day before, it appears certain that he will miss it. He was England’s joint highest wicket-taker (with Jack Leach) on their previous Test tour of the country in 2018.

Chris Woakes has also entered self-isolation after being deemed a close contact. An ECB statement said that Woakes “will observe a period of selfisolation and further testing”. It is understood that isolation period will last for seven days from the date of the positive test on Sunday.

England had been due to start training this afternoon after another round of tests in the morning, but are now due to train for the first time on Wednesday instead. Further testing will take place today and Thursday.

The tour party have been in quarantine in individual hotel rooms since they arrived and observed social distancing protocols on the journey.

The news comes three days after Joe Root,

England’s captain, said that a positive test would not necessarily put an end to the tour, instead suggesting that the squad would have to “manage it as [well] as possible”. England’s last two overseas tours - to Sri Lanka in March 2020, and South Africa in December - have been abandoned early due to concerns about the virus.

“They are decisions that have to be made by the medical staff and the people entrusted in making those decisions. I don’t think it’s a player decision, even though guys have the opportunity to opt out if they don’t feel safe,” Root said.

Ali was, alongside Dom Bess and Leach, one of three front line spinners in the main Test squad. There are, however, three more (Mason Crane, Matt Parkinson and Amar Virdi) among the players on standby. England included three spinners in the team that won in 2018.

The timing, from a personal perspective, is far from ideal. This tour was seen as something of a crossroads for Ali, with a

chance to reestablish himself in the longest format and a possibility that England might move on from him if he was unable to do so. He has not played a Test since August 2019.

Ali’s cousin, the former England swing bowler Kabir Ali, was also diagnosed with Covid a few weeks ago and was obliged to pull out of a stint coaching in the LPL as a result. He has subsequently made a full recovery.

It is not clear at this stage what strain of the virus Ali has. The UK has recently been hit by a new strain which is understood to be up to 70 per-cent more transmissible than the previous version and has seen positive cases running at more than 50,000 a day over much of the last week.

Should this prove to be the new strain, there is sure to be increased doubt over the wisdom of people travelling from the UK for any reason. That could have an impact on the plans for not only this tour, but the tour to India that follows.

Williamson’s 112 helps New Zealand cut Pakistan’s lead in 2nd test

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HRISTCHURC H, New Zealand (AP) — Kane Williamson posted his third century in consecutive matches this summer and shared an unbroken 215-run partnership with Henry Nicholls which steered New Zealand close to a firstinnings lead over Pakistan on the second day of the second cricket test.

Williamson followed his innings of 251 in the first test against the West Indies and 129 in the first test against Pakistan with an unbeaten 112 on Monday as New Zealand reached 286-3 by stumps in reply to Pakistan’s 297. Nicholls ended the day 89 not out, following his 174 in the second test against the West Indies and his 56 in the first test against Pakistan.

Williamson’s century was his 24th in tests and again came at a crucial time for New Zealand as it played under the pressure of Pakistan’s impressive first innings total, achieved as it batted first after losing the toss.

New Zealand lost three wickets on either side of lunch — Tom Latham (33) and Tom Blundell (16) after

a 52-run opening partnership and Ross Taylor (12) early in the second session when it was in trouble at 71-3.

Williamson and Nicholls batted slowly, cautiously through the middle session to re-establish the innings, adding only 79 runs and grafting the first 50 runs of their partnership from 105 balls. The New Zealand run rate dropped to around 2.6 during the session as Pakistan’s bowlers kept up an accurate attack.

But Williamson accelerated as tea approached, taking a series of boundaries close to the interval and keeping up the tempo into the evening session as the aging ball made the Pakistan attack less threatening.

He went from 78 to 94 with four boundaries from the 60th over bowled by Naseem Shah; moved on to 95 with a single, to 99 with a pulled four from Faheem Ashraf and then to his century with a further boundary from Faheem.

Williamson’s half century had taken almost three hours and 105 deliveries; he went on to his century in 239 minutes from 140 balls,

adding the second 50 from 35 deliveries in an hour.

Pakistan was helpless as Wi l l i a m s o n a n d N e w Zealand’s total mounted and as they watched their firstinnings total almost eclipsed.

The Hagley Oval pitch was troubling for batsmen on the first day and for most of the first two sessions Monday. There was enough pace and bounce, enough lateral movement both in the air and off the pitch to make batting a little precarious.

Pakistan overcame that on day one with innings of 93 from Azhar Ali, 61 from Mohammad Rizwan and 48 from Faheem which gave it a total close to 300 which was impressive in the conditions.

Latham and Blundell gave New Zealand a solid start but the testing nature of the pitch was still evident with the loss of quick wickets around lunch.

Blundell was trapped lbw by Faheem and Latham’s was an extraordinary dismissal: he edged into the slip cordon where Shan Masood at second slip defected the ball to Haris Sohail at first who held a reflex catch.

Masood needed no assistance with the catch which removed Taylor from the bowling of Mohammad Abbas.

Nicholls had some luck as he built his innings. On 3 he edged a ball from Shaheen Afridi to Rizwan behind the stumps and was walking when the television umpire called the no-ball which granted the New Zealander a fortunate reprieve. At 86 he was dropped by Rizwan off Afridi in the second over of the second new ball.

In between, Nicholls passed 2,000 test runs but he ended the day limping after sustaining a calf muscle injury.

Williamson had fewer anxious moments, mainly due often to his ability to leave the ball late outside off stump, his soft hands which reduced the danger of catches at slip or gully and his recognition that driving wasn’t cautious on a pitch which still offered some late movement from the seam.

Stumps New Zealand 286 for 3 (Williamson 112*, Nicholls 89*) trail Pakistan 297 (Azhar 93, Jamieson 569) by 11

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 29

Bangladesh leave Mashrafe Mortaza out from preliminary squad for West Indies ODIs ESPNcricinfo Bangladesh’s selectors picked a 24-man preliminary squad for the ODI series against West Indies later this month, and the one player they didn’t pick has become the main talking point: Mashrafe Mortaza, the country’s highest wickettaker in ODIs and longestserving captain. This is the first time Mortaza has been dropped from the ODI squad since making his debut in November 2001, though he has missed a lot of cricket over the years because of injuries.

One high-profile name that did make it, into both the preliminary Test and ODI squads announced on Monday, was Shakib Al Hasan, back in the national reckoning after his one-year ban for not reporting a corrupt approach. Shakib was Bangladesh’s Test and T20I captain before his ban, but now returns as an ordinary member of the side.

Those selected will, from next week, take part in a training camp and play two practice matches on January 14 and 16, before the squad is trimmed closer to the ODI series that begins on January 20. This is going to be B a n g l a d e s h ’s f i r s t international series since the Covid-19 pandemic stopped cricket in the country in midMarch. There have been two domestic tournaments but a number of home series and away tours have been postponed. Last month, West Indies agreed to this shortened tour.

The decision on 37-yearold Mortaza has come at a significant time as the Bangladesh team builds towards the 2023 ODI World Cup. Chief selector Minhajul Abedin said the decision on Mortaza was a collective one, taken by the selectors and the team management.

“We respect him, he has done a lot for the country,”

Abedin said. “I have spoken to him in detail, so there’s not going to be any misunderstanding. It was a tough decision but we have to consider the reality, and keep looking forward. We took a combined decision after long discussions with team management, and considering everything [decided to] to put off Mashrafe. We discussed everything. We didn’t leave anything out. Everyone participated in the discussion including the fitness trainer and bowling coach. For the player who replaces him, it will be a fresh start. We have to expose our young players.”

Abedin also said that the decision on whether to retire or play on lay with Mortaza.

“Whether he continues playing or not, is entirely up to him. We cannot really say anything about what his performance is going to be.”

Speculation over Mortaza retiring has been a

long-running affair, with the topic first cropping up during the 2019 World Cup. But Mortaza has been adamant about continuing to make himself available in ODIs, even though he resigned from captaincy last February following Bangladesh’s 3-0 ODI series win against Zimbabwe, their last international series before the pandemic-forced lockdown.

As recently as in the Bangabandhu T20 Cup last month, Mortaza took a fivewicket haul after joining Gemcon Khulna belatedly in the tournament. But there have been growing calls from within the BCB and the team management for him to retire from international cricket. Bowling coach Ottis Gibson even said in a Prothom Alo interview that Mortaza was no longer in head coach Russell Domingo’s plans for the ODI side.

“I think if Russell is now

WADA 2021 anti-doping code, int’l standards, athletes’ anti-doping rights act now in force Montreal – The World Anti-Doping Agency ( WA D A ) r e m i n d s stakeholders that, effective today, the 2021 World AntiDoping Code (Code); the following International Standards (Standards); and, the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act (Act) have entered into force.

The documents, which were subject to a two-year stakeholder consultation process, were approved on 7 November 2019 during the Agency’s World Conference on Doping in Sport that was held in Katowice, Poland.

1. International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (ISCCS), 2. International Standard for Education (ISE) (New), 3. International Standard for Laboratories (ISL), 4. International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information (ISPPPI), 5. International Standard for Results Management (ISRM) (New), 6. International Standard for Testing and Investigations (ISTI), 7. International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE).

As it relates to the International Standard for the List of Prohibited Substances and Methods (Prohibited List), it is reviewed annually via a separate stakeholder consultation process; and, was published separately.

The 2021 Code, which follows on from previous versions that entered into effect in 2004, 2009 and 2015, includes a number of important changes to global anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within AntiD o p i n g O rg a n i z a t i o n s (ADOs) around the world. It works in conjunction with the eight Standards that foster consistency among ADOs in technical areas.

The Athletes’ AntiDoping Rights Act, which was developed by WADA’s Athlete Committee in consultation with thousands of athletes and stakeholders worldwide, is based on the 2021 Code and Standards and aims to ensure that athlete rights within antidoping are clearly set out, accessible, and universally applicable.

WA D A D i r e c t o r General, Olivier Niggli said: “WADA is grateful to its

stakeholders worldwide which contributed significantly to this strengthened World AntiDoping Program that took effect from January 1.

Beyond harmonizing and coordinating antidoping programs worldwide, its purpose is to protect athletes’ fundamental right to participate in doping-free sport and to promote health, fairness and equality for athletes worldwide. I am convinced that, by reinforcing our efforts as a united anti-doping c o m m u n i t y, t h i s n e w Program will help us drive further progress for athletes and sport worldwide.”

Code Implementation Support Program - WADA also wishes to draw your attention to the Agency’s Code Implementation Support Program (CISP), which was launched on 4 May 2020 and provides resources to prepare Code Signatories and other stakeholders for implementation of the new Code and Standards.

Obtaining printed copies of the Code - In keeping with WADA’s

sustainability efforts, in recent years the Agency has minimized print in favor of making its publications available digitally. However, given the importance of the Code, which will live for a number of years and be used on a daily basis by the Agency’s stakeholders: • At the end of November, WADA mailed a limited quantity of printed English or French copies to Code Signatories; • The Agency has made English and French printready versions available on our website (as linked above) for stakeholders to print locally; and • We are putting a mechanism in place for stakeholders and others that may wish to purchase printed copies in English and/or French; regarding which, we will provide more information on our website in the coming days.

Should you have questions or feedback regarding the Code, the Standards and/or the Act, please contact code@wadaama.org; or, questions or feedback related to CISP, p l e a s e c o n t a c t 2021CISP@wada-ama.org.

Shakib Al Hasan returned to competitive cricket at the Bangabandhu T20 Cup. (Getty Images)

trying to build a team for the future, then I don’t know what part Mashrafe will have to play in that. Perhaps now is his time, with all that’s going on in the world, to move on,” Gibson had said.

“He can find other ways to pass on his vast knowledge and experience to the young guys. I don’t think he has to be on the field to be able to pass on what he has learned over his career. He needs to find other ways to pass on that message.”

More recently, BCB president Nazmul Hassan held a similar view when asked about Mortaza’s potential selection for the West Indies series.

“If his fitness is taken into consideration, he is unlikely to be selected,” Hassan told the Dhaka-based Ekattor TV last week. “But he loves taking on challenges. Whether he will play or retire, only he can decide. I haven’t had any discussions with him about it. I think he is having indecision, which is a surprise because as long as he was the captain, his decision-making was clean and clear.

“Even if he is in the squad, I think it will be difficult for him to be in the playing XI. We are building towards the future, so don’t really know how long we will get his service. There’s no guarantee that if he get him in one series, whether we will get him in the next one. We also have to consider who we are going to drop to make room for Mashrafe, so these are not

easy decisions.”

Abedin said that the selectors had decided to take a look at a larger pool of players for the ODIs with the 2023 World Cup very much in mind. “We are focused on the 2023 World Cup. We have a lot of ODIs from this year, in all formats, which is why we made a bigger pool.”

The selectors have called up Shoriful Islam and Parvez H o s s ain Emo n in th e preliminary ODI squad, following performances in last year’s Under-19 World Cup and recent domestic games. There were no such rookies in the 20-man Test group, which instead focused on tried-and-tested first-class performers.

Bangladesh’s preliminary squads: ODIs: Tamim Iqbal (capt), Momimul Haque, Taskin Ahmed, Khaled Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mustafizur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mohammad Mithun, Taijul Islam, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, Yasir Ali, Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain Tests: Momimul Haque, Taskin Ahmed, Tamim Iqbal, Khaled Ahmed, Shakib Al Hasan, Hasan Mahmud, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mustafizur Rahman, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mehidy Hassan Miraz, Mohammad Mithun, Taijul Islam, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan, Yasir Ali, Shadman Islam, Saif Hassan, Nayeem Hasan, Abu Jayed, Ebadot Hossain

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

NBA roundup:

S

tephen Curry exploded for 21 of his career-high 62 points in the first quarter Sunday night, helping the Golden State Warriors take a lead they never relinquished in a 137122 victory over the Portland Tr a i l B l a z e r s i n S a n Francisco.

The game was a rematch of a 123-98 Trail Blazers win on Friday night in a game also played at the 2-year-old Chase Center in San Francisco.

Curry topped his previous high of 54 with two free throws with 2:23 to play.

But he wasn’t done. With the Warriors comfortably ahead, Curry bombed in consecutive 27-footers, the second of which came with 42.2 seconds left to cap his 62-point night.

The 50-point night was the NBA’s first of the season, while the 60-pointer was the first for a Warrior since Klay Thompson had 60 in 2016.

The last Warrior to record more than 62 points in a game was Rick Barry with

Tuesday January 05, 2021

Curry’s 62 points propel Warriors

64 in 1974.

Los Angeles Lakers 108 Memphis Grizzlies 94 LeBron James had 22 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, and Lakers pulled away late to defeat host Memphis.

Anthony Davis had 17 points, nine rebounds and three blocks; Montrezl Harrell added 16 points and nine boards; and Wesley Matthews contributed 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 4 of 6 3-pointers, as the Lakers won their third in a row. Dennis Schroder added 11 points.

Kyle Anderson scored 18 points and Jonas Valanciunas chipped in 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Tyus Jones also scored 14, while Desmond Bane had 13.

Chicago Bulls 118 - Dallas Mavericks 108 Zach LaVine led all scorers with 39 points and Coby White scored 21 of his 23 points after halftime to boost host Chicago to a victory against Dallas for its third win in four games.

LaVine shot 14 of 25 from the floor and was 8 of 9 from the free throw line, outdueling the Mavericks’ Jalen Brunson, who scored 31 points on 11-for-17 accuracy from the field.

Dallas played without star Luka Doncic, who suffered a quad contusion during Friday’s game against the Miami Heat.

Otto Porter Jr. (15 points) and Daniel Gafford (12) also finished in double figures for the Bulls. Josh Richardson and Kleber scored 16 points apiece for Dallas, and Tim Hardaway Jr. chipped in 13.

Boston Celtics 122 Detroit Pistons 120 Jayson Tatum hit a fallaway jumper with 2.9 seconds remaining to give visiting Boston the win over Detroit.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 31 points, and Tatum had 24 points, 12 assists, eight rebounds and two blocks. Marcus Smart had 17 points and 10 assists, Daniel Theis contributed 15 points and Tristan Thompson added 12 with 11 rebounds.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is splashed with a water bottle by guard-forward and brother-in-law Damion Lee (1) after Curry scored a career high 62 points at Chase Center. (Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports) Jerami Grant had 22 points and six rebounds for the Pistons, and he tied the game at 120 with two free throws with 22 seconds remaining.

Washington Wizards 123 Brooklyn Nets 122 Thomas Bryant converted a go-ahead dunk with 14.9 seconds remaining the visiting Washington hung on to win in Brooklyn, N.Y. Bradley Beal led the Wizards with 27 points, 10

rebounds and five assists.

Russell Westbrook missed his fifth straight tripledouble to start the second, finishing with 24 points, 10 assists and five rebounds.

Bryant also posted a doubledouble with 21 points and 14 rebounds to help the Wizards win their second straight following an 0-5 start.

Kyrie Irving paced all scorers with 30 points and also had 10 assists for the Nets. Kevin Durant added 28

points, 11 rebounds and seven assists but also committed six of Brooklyn’s 20 turnovers as the Nets lost for the fourth time in five games.

In other results: Los Angeles Clippers 112 Phoenix Suns 107 Utah Jazz 130 - San Antonio Spurs 109 Denver Nuggets 124 - Minnesota Timberwolves 109 (Field Level Media)

FIFA President meets UAE dignitaries in Abu Dhabi

© FIFA.com FIFA President Gianni Infantino met with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, President of the UAE Football Association.

The promotion and advancement of Emirati football, the game’s role in consolidating the values of tolerance and cooperation, as well as the most important challenges and difficulties faced by event and competition organisers in light of the coronavirus pandemic, were among the

topics discussed.

The FIFA President also lauded the UAE’s keenness to host events that bring together sports stars, fans and stakeholders from different countries of the world, to discuss ways to develop the sport.

The meeting was also attended by Sheikh Mohammad bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority, Member of the Executive Council, and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, Undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday January 05, 2021

PAGE 31

BCB donates $220,000 worth of Covid 19 protective to teams, clubs and umpires - Preparation starts for 2021 Junior cricket season

Representatives of the clubs poses with the donated items at the Area H Ground.

Businessman Ishwar Singh

“This cricket board is fully committed to the overall welfare of our young players on and off the cricket field and we not only talk the talk but also prepared to walk the walk.

We are aware of the danger of the Covid 19 pandemic and as such we want to protect our players as much as possible.”

Those were the words of Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster at a special presentation ceremony at the Area H ground of Covid 19 protective items to representatives of over 20 clubs with junior sections.

The donation was a two hundred and twenty thousand dollar investment by the BCB and was made possible by donations from the Office of the Prime Minister, former inter county player Ishwar Singh and the RHTYSC, MS. The BCB President stated that the board is preparing to start its 2021 junior cricket tournaments at the under 13,15,17 and 19 levels and as such was working overtime to make sure that it plays its part of making sure that every player and official is properly protected during the ongoing pandemic.

The BCB and the RHTYSC, MS have already published a Covid 19 educational poster, which has been widely distributed to clubs across Berbice, while clubs have also benefitted from donations of food hampers for less fortunate members.

Representatives of the clubs received 200 face masks, fifteen face shields and bottles of hand sanitizers each with the commitment of more to come as the board is able to obtain sponsorship.

Among the clubs that received the items were Linepath CC, Rama Krishna Academy, Scottsburg CC,

No 72 Cut and Load, No 73 CC, Port Mourant CC, Albion, Young Warriors CC, Tucber Park CC, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh, Blairmont, Bush Lot Rising Star, Achievers, Guymine and East Bank Blazers.

The President announced that all junior players would be required to wear a mask off the field along with a face shield, while they would also be required to sanitize their hands regularly.

Clubs would shortly receive in writing, the rules they are expected to follow for their own safety. The board also handed over five hundred face masks and a set

of face shields to the Berbice Cricket Umpires Association as part of their continued assistance to umpires.

President of the Association, Joseph Simon expressed his appreciation to the BCB and hailed the outstanding work of the Foster administration over the last three years to lift Berbice cricket even higher.

BCB Secretary Angela Haniff expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Ishwar Singh for their investment into Berbice cricket and urged the clubs to make sure that the items are used for the intended purpose.

Local cricket hit hard by Pandemic as GCB could only hold two tournaments in 2020

By Sean Devers When the covid-19 pandemic hit Guyana in March the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) had only completed their GCB/Rubis U-17 Inter County tournament. It took nine months of inactivity before

cricket resumed with the GCB/ Tropical Spring T20 Over-40 Tournament as 2020 ended as the worse year for the World in all aspects of life in a hundred years since the Spanish flu struck in 1920.

In January, Demerara

Anthony Ifill (right) was the leading All-Rounder in the O-40 Tourney. (Brandon Corlette photo)

won the GCB/Rubis U-17 Inter-County tournament.

In the final round at Everest, Berbice beat the Select U-15 by eight wickets. The U-15s made 97 from 40.3 overs with Nicolas Sheopersaud top scoring with 27. All-rounder Leon Cecil captured 6-14, while Jonathon Rampersaud supported with 3-29. Berbice replied with Mahendra Gopilall making 54, while Hemindra Gordial finished unbeaten on 30.

At Bourda, host Demerara began the final round with 18.5 points, while the lads from the Ancient County had 18.4.

Demerara, on the back of Movindra Dindyal’s 40, fell for 168 in 41.2 overs. Ryan Atkinson had 3-33 and Skipper Aryan Persuad took 3-36 for Essequibo who were dismissed for 134 in

Regal Masters won the Tropical Spring O-40 League.

45.5 overs despite 34 from Renaldo Scouten.

Rudranauth Kissoon bagged 4-25 as Demerara won by 34 runs to take the title.

Berbice U-17 opener Gopilall finished with scores of 58, 05 and 54* in 117 runs.

Guyana and West Indies youth player, Rampertab

Ramnauth ended as the second leading scorer with 104 runs and had a highestscore of 78, while his West Indies U-16 teammate, Mavindra Dindyal made 102 runs with a high-score of 50.

He also scored a delightful 40 in the final when he won the Man-of-the-Match

award. Essequibo’s captain Aryan Persaud, Berbice captain Zeynul Ramsammy, Wi c k e t k e e p e r S h e m a r Yearwood were the other batsmen to reach fifty in the four-team competition.

In the bowling department, off-spinners (Continued on page 26)

rt Spo Speculation over Mashrafe Mortaza’s retirement has been doing the rounds for two years now. (AFP)

Keron Sandiford (left) and Davion Mars.

Bangladesh leave Mashrafe Mortaza out from preliminary squad for West Indies ODIs New Zealand batsmen Henry Nicholls, left, and Kane Williamson run between the wickets.

(John Davidson/ Photosport via AP)

BCB donates $220,000 worth of Covid 19 protective to teams, clubs and umpires - Preparation starts for 2021 Junior cricket season CGI’s planned Fitness Assessment and Practice Matches have been tentatively rescheduled

Davion Mars crowned 2020 National Blitz - Keron Sandiford Chess Champion is Junior winner

Williamson’s 112 helps New Zealand cut Pakistan’s lead in 2nd test Moeen Ali tests positive for Covid-19 as England arrive in Sri Lanka

Moeen Ali in training, South Africa vs England, Newlands, Cape Town, ODI series, December 3, 2020 ©Getty Images

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