Kaieteur News

“Windfall tax is to ensure oil companies pay

lawsuit to block tax on 'big profits' -EU fair share in these difficult times”

Commission respond to

The European Union (EU) has responded to American oil giant, ExxonMobil, lawsuit to challenge and stop the Commission imposed windfalltaxes.

In their response, the European Commission maintained its position that the windfall tax was imposed fully compliant with EU's law and elaborated that the windfall tax is expected to ensure, “the whole energy sector pays its fair share in thesedifficulttimesformany to address the extraordinary energy crisis…” - Offshore Energyreported.

Kaieteur News had reported that on December 28, 2022, Exxon filed the lawsuit against the EU, arguing that the Brussels exceeded its legal authority byimposingthelevy

Awindfalltaxisaone-off t a x i m p o s e d b y a Government on a company, specifically targeting those

that benefit from something theywerenotresponsiblefor In this instance, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has sent oil prices soaring andtriggeringacostofliving crisisinmanycountries.

Amid the war, oil and gas companies have been seeing record-shattering profits and as such, many Western G o v e r n m e n t s h a v e introduced a windfall tax on the big profits to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis and balancetheireconomy

Back in September 2022, Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, disclosed a set of five measures, including “a solidarity contribution from fossil fuel companies” in a bid to “protect vulnerable consumers and businesses” from the energy market volatility and high prices, as “oil and gas companies have alsomademassiveprofits.”

As a result, the EU decided on an emergency intervention to “address high

energy prices” with a new regulation, which includes a temporary minimum 33 percent tax as “a solidarity contribution” on the fossil fuel and refinery companies' profits from 2022 or 2023 –depending on the country –which exceed a four-year historical average by 20 per cent.

The Financial Times had reported that the lawsuit is the most significant response yet against the tax from the oil industry The action threatens the viability of a l e v y t h e E u r o p e a n Commissionsaidwouldraise €25bn “to help bring down energy bills” Exxon had announced that the lawsuit was filed by its German and Dutch subsidiaries at the European General Court in LuxembourgCity

The lawsuit challenges the Council of the EU's legal authority to impose the new tax — a power historically reserved for sovereign countries — and its use of

emergency powers to secure member states' approval for themeasure.

To get more information about this case, Offshore Energy contacted the European Commission and ExxonMobil.

OffshoreEnergyreported tht while no response from ExxonMobil has been received at that time, two spokespersons for the EC,

Arianna Podestà and Daniel Ferrie, confirmed that the European Commission has taken“noteoftheapplication

against the Council Regulation. It will be now up to the General Court to rule onthiscase.

The Commission maintains that the measures in question are fully compliantwithEUlaw.”

“The Commission would like to recall that in September this year, it proposed an emergency intervention in Europe's energy markets to tackle recent dramatic price rises. The proposal was presented in a spirit of solidarity under Article 122 of the Treaty to address the serious energy crisis. On 30 September, the Council agreed on a Council Regulation which introduced common measures to reduce electricity demand and to collect and redistribute the energy sector's surplus revenues to final customers,” addedthespokespersons.

F u r t h e r m o r e , t h e spokespersons outlined that the European Commission put forward “a temporary solidarity contribution on excessprofitsgeneratedfrom activities in the oil, gas, coal and refinery sectors, which are not covered by the inframarginal revenue cap” withintheoverallframework of the package measures proposedtotacklethecurrent energycrisis.

The aim behind this proposal is to maintain investment incentives for the green transition while “redirecting collected revenues to energy consumers, in particular, vulnerable households, hardhit companies, and energyintensive industries,” as pointed out by the EC spokespersons.

It was also emphasised that this temporary solidarity contribution could generate around €25 billion (over US$26.65billion)ofpublic

(Continued

on page 9)

European Commission

President, Ursula von der Leyen

...as

Exxon's

Guyanese fishers to pay $1M to rent fishing licence from Surinamese counterparts

Gu y a n e s e fishermen, who o p e r a t e i n Suriname waters, are biting their finger nails in anticipation of a massive hike in fees, for the rental of the country's SK fishing licence. Kaieteur News was told that come March, when new licences are expected to be issued by the Surinamese government, Guyanese operators will now have to pay as much as US$5,000 to rent the operating document fromSurinamesecitizens.

Local operators had hoped that the government would be able to work with itsDutchcounterparttohave Suriname issue licences directly to Guyanese boat owners,sincethelocalswere charging as much as US$3,000 to rent the document, they were getting from the government for US$30. One year since the Guyana government had said that Suriname was willing to issue more than a 100 SK licences to Guyanese, the licenses have notbeendelivered.Andwith the Surinamese licence holders geared to increase their fee to Guyana one million dollars, local operators are contemplating their next move, as they say the new charge will significantly weigh on the profitability of their fishing business.

Impossiblerentalfee

“No. Ah done we done hay now,” one boat owner said with much dismay He told the Kaieteur News that “when we had asked for the licence, the concern was that the licence man dem were exploiting us. They were charging in excess of US$3000 for a licence that they were purchasing from the Surinamese government for about US$30. What we have now is that to get the licence, all the boats have to park in Suriname, we catch got to sell there, and all we businessgottobedonethere.

Butwhatwearehearingnow isthattheywillberaisingthe licence to US$5000 and that is unbelievable, ” he explained.

A n o t h e r B e r b i c e operator who spoke with Kaieteur News over the phone said that the new charge will be “impossible” to pay because it will take a fishing boat at least six

monthstomakebackjustthe rental fee. “And we have to pay cash and all the money one time. It will take about sixmonthstomakebackthat money and that is just the licencealone.Thenyouhave to think about maintenance, you got to cater for one, one badtripinbetween,whenthe boat ain't make no money and you got to make another trip to cover up that expense. Andweain'ttalkaboutifyou got to repair engine or you loseaseineofsomethinglike that.”

BoatsinSuriname

To have the SK licences, Guyanese boats will now have to be parked in Suriname. To get home, the boat workers will have to take another boat to Guyana and make the trip back when it is time to work. The newspaper was told that 90 percent of Surinamese licence owners do not own boats. They use Guyanese boats to uplift the licence, so astheregisteredownerofthe boat, the boat must be left in Suriname where the catch mustbesold.

Guyanese operators see the travel back and forth as stressful, they also lose money when all their catch which is also sold at a lower priceinSuriname,isnotsold and some refused to reduce the size of their boats as required by the authorities. They say too that Suriname does not have enough space to park boats and there is no security

Kaieteur News was told that only two Saturdays ago, a Guyanese boat got “duck” inSuriname,becauseithada leak and the boat owner needed permission from the authorities to have the boat returned to Guyana for repair It took the boat owner about two days to get the permission required, but by then, the vessel had taken in so much water, its engine, equipment, food and other items got damaged, while

somefloatedaway Thatboat owner suffered about $800,000 in losses, it was related.

Dyingfishingindustry

The operators told the newspaper that slowly but surely, the fishing operation is dying in Berbice, since the entireregionfishesmainlyin Surinamese waters. Many families who depend on the fishing industry are at risk as well as the small operators who also benefit from the industry Forone,fishingcooptsandlandingsiteswillbe significantly hampered by the current situation, the newspaper heard. Some cooptsprovidevariousservices to boat owners and provide employment to community persons.

Apart from those employed on the fishing boats, “hustlers” who earn a living selling and cleaning fish will be affected once all the business is done in Suriname “The co-opt would have no one to sell fuel to, our ice machine wouldn't be needed and will havetobeclosed.”

The newspaper was told that already co-opts are scaling down on business andstaff.Eachboatthatgoes to sea purchases food for at least $80,000 and more from market vendors; they purchase fuel, and other n e c e s s i t i e s a d d i n g immensely to the regional economy

The local fishermen say they are also considering when Suriname finds oil, what will become on them, since Georgetown fishers continue to speak of low catches. “We don't know what will happen when Suriname starts to do their exploration and start pumping oil because that's the cry from the fishers in Georgetown. Every time we got fishers organization with fishers from Essequibo and G e o r g e t o w n , t h e y complaining that the catch is

nottherelikebefore.”

FAO fish study still unavailable

The fishermen say they are still unaware of the true reason for the low fish catch because the government is still to release the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) fish study that was done last year They said what they know is what was reported in the news about toomuchrainfallandchange in water to cause the fish to migrate.

The men contended that throughouttheyears,rainfall neveraffectedtheirbusiness, and they enjoyed decent catches.

The men said that for them, the rain brings more

fish because “the May-June seasoniswhatwereallylook forward to as we fishing season ” The concerned fishermen even questioned the authenticity of the study as they claimed that those conducting the study never visited their landing sites.

They claimed that the FAO and the EPA were the agencies undertaking the study, and the named scientist with the FAO is basedinSuriname.

They said that the scientist made contact with local co-opts and processing facilities,sotheysuspectthat that is the information that wasusedforthestudy

They say however that if the study is to determine whether the oil is playing a

role, “they must be out there in the ocean taking samples to know if it's oil or other contaminants in the water Everybody know that when these oil drills go down and they use chemicals and the whole process, nobody is monitoring that, we ain't got no body out there seeing if it's the right chemical Exxon usingortherightquantity.”

Government had given fishermen across the country a $150,000 grant last year They say while they are grateful for the $150,000 grant, it was unfortunately not enough to even take some boat workers out of debt. They are urging the government to assess the situation facing the local industry

…'Ah done we done hay now'- fishermen

Guyanese fishermen at work

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456

Editor: NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

No EIA

We thought that the people at Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would have learned a sharp, embarrassing lesson in the matter of Schlumberger and the waiving of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). TheCourtcamedownhardontheEPA,andthethinkingwas thatamendswouldbemadegoingforward,thattherewould be a stronger, better, wiser EPA. We have to admit that we were wrong all along, that to expect anything that protects and looks out for the interests of Guyanese is a lost cause withGuyana’sEPA.

For what we have happening again is that, according to Guyana’sEPA,thereisnoEIAneededforthe300-megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant at the Wales complex. Clearly, the EPA has its head up in a place that is dark and unmentionable. By what standard of comprehensive evaluation does the EPAconclude that the impacts from the powerplantwouldbenegligible,henceanEIAexemptionis granted? Given what a Texas-based group that did a cumulative assessment stated in the clearest terms about a separateEIAforthepowerplant,whyistheEPAgoingdown this EIA road? If most of these sensitive structures and plants, from what comes out of the EPA, do not require an EIA,thenwhatdoes? Doesanythingofsignificancerequire an EIA? From our assessment of the EPA’s postures and actions,wewouldhavetoanswerinthenegative.

The EPAhas dug itself into a deep hole. In an effort to justify the EIA exemption for the power plant stand-alone EIA, Guyana’s EPA made mention of the Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA) done by an independent entity, which encircled ExxonMobil’s Gas-To-Energy (GTE), the Natural Gas Liquids Plant, and the power plant now under the microscope for an EIA. According to the EPA, the completed “CIAconcluded that there will be no significant impactsfromthecombinedactivities/projects.”

In contrast to that clear, bold statement by Guyana’s EPA, the people who conducted the Cumulative Impact Assessment, Environmental Resources Management, said what can only be interpreted as the opposite. The company made sure that they went on record to insist that the power plant being pursued by the Guyana Government would still require its own separate ‘Environmental Authorization process’(“Govt. relies on non-existent EIAstudy for Power Plant”-KNJanuary7). Justsothatthisiscrystalclear,here areERM’sownwordsfromitsstudy:“ThePowerPlantwill notbeownedandoperatedbyEEPGLandisbeingproposed by a separate proponent under a separate Environmental Authorisationprocess.ThePowerPlantthusisnotincluded in the Project within the EIA (with the exception that the Power Plant is considered as part of the cumulative impact assessment)”. We take this to another level and ask another question:howdothepeopleattheEPAlookatthemselvesin the mirror? And another: how do they live with themselves when there are these EIAdevelopments that are nothing but a repeated repugnance? Daily, there is greater clarity on why the PPPC Government was so quick to get rid of the formerEPAExecutiveDirector,Dr VincentAdams. Wecan almost hear the echoes: a separate EIA is needed, and a separateEIAitwillbe.

We do not want to give the EPAan exemption, but there is the strong sense that this crucial State agency is only following orders from the politicians, who could care less about environmental impacts, and possible exposures to those in the vicinity This is par for the course because not too long ago, the Government was all confidence that it had sufficientequipment,coverage,andreadinessintheeventof a fire, or other problem, at the Wales complex, where the power plant is to be constructed. What is going on here? Why is Guyana’s EPAgoing to such lengths to insist that a separate EIAis not required for the Power Plant, that it was fully covered under the combined study (CIA), when the peoplewhodidtheEIAstudyissayingotherwise? Ineffect, that it was not? Something is afoot, and it is neither protectivenorconfidence-buildingforGuyanese.

Asubject raised with trepidation

DEAREDITOR,

Huge sections of the population watched, read, listened, and absorbed what has unfolded in Mocha Today,Imakenopointabout passions, prejudices, or politics.

I am thinking of two things; one is businessoriented, while the other has tobetheworstissuetabledat this time; I raise with trepidation. I take the easy onefirst.

It is one thing to relocate a resident, who is only a resident. That is, one who lives in Mocha around that looming road, but earns their living elsewhere, possibly in occupations that have nothing to do with the land itself. In other words, they are not farmers, nor engaged in rearing sheep, cows, possibly pigs, or any such stock is remedied by the standardresponse.

The standard being here is a house lot, take this cash, and now all is set to start over, other than the nostalgia of roots and years spent in a place called home, and all that such cametomean.

What to do with a small man’s crop of animals, his otherproduce?

How to compensate him for what he has, what his breeding (and earnings) potentialcouldbe?

I don’t think that there were sane heads around this from the inception; or that good faith was practised or more sharply, when the soberest and coolest heads had to be that

of the people spearheading the charge, none could be found.

I don’t know if this is possible in Guyana, but I suspend momentarily the political and racial components, and look at this in this immovable, instinctive manner: this is my home that is under siege, underattack.

Thisismylivelihood,my earning capacity presently, my visions of the future filledinsmallblockbysmall block, as in one sheep, one cow at a time, and these things take a lifetime. What do I do then? What price to m y p r e s e n t , t o m y projections, to my unearned profits, to my own private vision of my personal prosperity?

But of that, I understand that there has not been too much conversation. I am still to finalize in my mind what I would do, how I would react, should such circumstances have to be faced.

To pour acid in the eye, there is the understanding (if accurate) that my home, my farm, my future is not in the wayofanybody,oranything; at least, not as was originally articulated and accepted. How do I believe anything that is told to me, that it is genuine, that there are no underlying subterfuges, no motives and agendas not yet visible?

In human terms, this is whatMochadistilstobehind or before the excavators, the show of force, the overwhelming power of the

Stateputonnakeddisplay

I am sorry, but this is not about‘softskills.’

Rather, it is about good faith and goodwill, and the perspicacity and sagacity, the courage also, to do what is right. Of this, I say no more.

In political terms and I venture there at this point, there are these pockets of resentment, boiling fury, simmering animosity, and poisoned mindsets, even more venomous visions H u m a n a l s o i n i t s unchanging essences How do we begin to talk about ‘One Guyana’ in this heaving context, with so m a n y o b s e r v i n g , absorbing, analyzing, and coming to their own raw conclusions What do we do about the many, tumultuous Mochas in the mind?

One of anything infers, embeds, instills, and encircles some unifying r e a l i t y ; t h e r e i s a togetherness, a steadiness, a commitment to mend whatever matters arise, rather than mangle and mash when pain clenches the teeth because the body is bent double.

I know that to raise the issue of unity and togetherness (mending and healing) at this time in Guyana is not just out of place and out of order, it is the worst of heresies, the most contemptible of subjects.

Oil has mutated us into that kind of heinous, reckless treachery Any

messenger daring to bring such a message, sound such a call is sure to find no traction, not an ear of reception

I still have my tidings to share, and they will be, regardless of who smirks, who snarls, who screams in primalrage.

We either have one country in the fullest, wisest sense of the term, or we have manyenemiesunderatentor too many scorpions in too smallabottle.

We have to bend over b a c k w a r d s a n d t r y everything to understand, to reason, to accommodate fairlyandsquarely

That is the richness of true oneness. I don’t think we even drew near to my thinking,whatIrecommend. The President ran over before he was run over As a preemption, it is powerful. But to what degree of l i n g e r i n g , s e e t h i n g antagonism?

Money may buy temporary stability, but it never can buy identity and loyalty.

The hard hand leads to a heavy heart fuels dark feelings,whichishowthings flareuncontrollaby.

In time when Mocha is thought to be forgotten, it is not. And when all the Mochasarelumpedtogether, and the sum sickens, enrages, and energizes, I hope that somebody out there, up there, listens. I trust that somebody remembers.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Pres. Ali should stop wasting time on propagandising, and focus instead on governing inclusively

DEAREDITOR

,

Mr Irfaan Ali cannot be taken at his word. It was painful to have read an article quoting Mr Ali as saying,” businesses were closing doors, facing bankruptcy under the A P N U / A F C ’ s t a x impositions,” published in Guyana Times, January 4, 2023. The President was however remiss in providing the list of names of these businesses.

This is yet another example of comments from the PPP/C’s propaganda sewer Days prior, Mr. Ali

appeared as a guest on Al Jazeera News, where he p r o v i d e d m o r e misinformation which appeared to be at odds with the well-researched journalist’s knowledge of Guyana.

Editor, you carried a recent letter by me where I challengedthePPP/Cregime to make public the 200 new taxes they claimed were imposed by the Coalition Government.

We are still waiting. I cannot fathom why they continue to peddle blatant LIES about issues which can easilybefactchecked.

I had the distinct privilege of serving in the c a r i n g C o a l i t i o n Government, which lived up toournationalmottoof“One People, One Nation, One Destiny”.

The PPP/C however continues to try to give the world the impression that under Mr Granger’s leadership, we were “bad boys.” All Guyana and the world can now clearly see the continuation of the P P P / C ’s e g r e g i o u s behaviour from their 23 yearsinoffice.

Behaviour characterised by widespread racism,

corruption, discrimination and plundering of the national coffers with impunity

Finally, I advise Mr Ali to stop wasting time on propagandizing, and focus instead on governing inclusively and framing policies to educate, feed, clothe, house, and provide good health care services for ALLGuyanese.

Use our newfound wealth to make Guyana a better place for all, Mr Ali!

Yours sincerely, Annette Ferguson Member of Parliament

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

DEAREDITOR,

The following statement concludedyourrecentarticle onJanuary7,2023regarding two maternal deaths which occurred on January 1 and January6,2023respectively, at Guyana Public Hospital Corporation the country’s largest hospital, its main teaching hospital and also the national referral hospital Last year, Dr Karen Cummings, Shadow Minister of Health, for the Opposition-led A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) said: “that considering billions of dollars that is pumped into the health sector, Guyana should not be recording maternalandinfantdeaths.”

Such a statement smacks of wanton disregard, moreover emanating from a member of the medical profession, sworn to the Hippocratic Oath, tasked with maintaining and improving the health of the nation, and above all the primary link between government and the organizationalentitieswhich make up the healthcare system of the nation. It also flies in the face of rational logical thinking, given the fact that the day of birth is potentially the most dangerous time for mothers and babies, seeing that maternalhealthandnewborn health are closely linked. Most maternal deaths are preventable, as the healthcare solutions to prevent or manage complications are well known. It is of the utmost importance that all birthsareattendedbyskilled

health professionals, as timely management and treatment can make the difference between life and death for the mother as well asforthebaby

Guyana needs to ensure all births and deaths are counted, so that an understandingcanbearrived at what to do to prevent future deaths, regardless of w h e r e t h e y o c c u r

Reviewing the causes of maternal and infant deaths assists greatly in improving the quality of health care, taking corrective actions, and preventing millions of families from enduring the painoflosingtheirinfantsor mothers If numbers are known, then effective and timely actions can be taken to prevent other babies and mothers from dying. Every time a death is noted and reviewed it has the potential to tell a story about what couldhavebeendonetosave amotherandherbaby.

Conducting mortality audits and reviews is a key strategy for reducing preventable deaths among mothers and babies. It helps health system managers understand the causes of death, and the contributing factors, so they are able to take corrective actions to improvethequalityofcare.

On the subject of record keeping and audit, while the Shadow Minister of Health expressed her inability to see any value in recording maternal and infant deaths, she however, in a speech during the Budget 2022 presentation regarding disparities along ethnic lines in the surgical training

p r o g r a m m e a t t h e Georgetown Public Hospital called for a race disparity and remuneration audit into the admitting of residents, andthehiringofregistrarsas a means of confronting and remedying theissue.

In 2016, Shadow Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony’s statement that the rise in maternal mortality cases is evidence that the health system is broken, was termed “ malicious” by Public Health Minister, Dr GeorgeNortongiventhatthe present government had inherited the situation. Dr Anthony had stated that the Health Ministry needed to have better surveillance to monitor all pregnancies, especially high-risk cases. Noting that attendance at Antenatal Clinic was crucial for the health of every expecting mother and child, Anthonyopinedthatthiswas lacking in the system and reiterated the need for better surveillance.

All women need access to high quality care in pregnancy, and during and after childbirth. What could be more tragic than a mother losing her life in the moment that she is giving life to her newborn Pressure to improve patient safety within the Guyanese healthcare environment, c o n t i n u e s t o g a i n momentum.Thisisduein (Continued on page 6)

DEAREDITOR

,

The killing of police Detective Corporal Dwayne McPherson and Kishan Bugburgh during the early morning of the first day of 2023 at Huntley Mahaicony, EastCoastDemerara,should be of concern to every G u y a n e s e T h e circumstances surrounding the killings and what is reported to have occurred immediately after should alarm all of us. It must have been the worst possible start totheNewYearforthosetwo families. My thoughts and prayersarewiththem.

Unfortunately, as in now customary when there is a serious incident the police have not seen it fit to inform thepublicofwhattranspired. Therefore, the public is left to get information from postings on social media, which we all know can be grossly inaccurate

According to one such posting, which was published shortly after the incident by someone who seems to get “scoops”, “a report of assault was made by a member of the public when the police responded. While in the area, McPherson attempted to arrest the person who the complaint was made against and a scuffle ensued as the man resisted arrest. It was reported that in the process of resisting arrest, another policeattemptedtointervene and a round was discharged.

The civilian was shot in the back and we were informed that the bullet reportedly passed through him and hit McPherson in the process also, killing both”. Another report stated that “Police Constable James reportedly statedthatasthesuspectkept fighting with Corporal McPherson, he, James dischargeda“few”roundsin their direction but saw that they were still scuffling but could not say if at that time they were injured”. The last part of this statement is pure baloneyandwaslaidbareby the autopsy report, which showed that both men were mortallywounded.

From what can be gleaned so far, after the i n c i d e n t C o r p o r a l McPhersonwaspickedupby the police and taken for medical attention. The other injured person (Kishan Bugburgh) was left at the scene. This is contrary to all the Standard Operational Procedures (SOPs) in relation to how injured

persons should be treated. According to Bugburgh’s distraught mother, she went to the Mahaicony Police Station shortly after, was ejectedandthegatewasthen locked. She further narrated her efforts to get help to transport her injured son to the hospital. According to her,aboutfourhourselapsed before she eventually secured a car to transport her son to the hospital. By that time,hewasdeceased.Ifthis is proven to be true, all the police ranks involved must bedealtwithcondignly This type of callous behavior mustnotbecondoned.

BasedonwhatConstable James is alleged to have stated, that he fired a “few” rounds, and the autopsy report which stated that Bugburgh’s body bore three bullet wounds,and that McPherson received two gunshots to his neck. This shooting was no accident. Therefore, the initial suggestionthatonlyone (Continued on page 6)

Conducting mortality audits and reviews is a key strategy for reducing preventable deaths among mothers and babies

How can a policeman decide to fire a “few” rounds in the direction of two persons who were engaged in a scuffle?

From page 5 round was discharged has proven to be a complete fabrication. Who provided thisinformation?

The fact that at least five rounds (bullets) were fired begs the question what type of firearm was used? The police have not revealed this vitalinformation.

It is very clear, based on what was reported, that at no time was the life of McPherson or any other person threatened. There w a s t h e r e f o r e n o justification for the use of lethal force. I have been repeatedly pointing out that many persons who are authorized to carry firearms, including police ranks and private security personnel, lackthenecessarytrainingto do so. The circumstances surrounding this case demand an urgent review of the protocols governing the issuinganduseoffirearms.

Guyana Police Force Standing Order #18 addresses in a very comprehensive way the issuing and use of firearms by members of the Force, especially when you may

fire(shoot).Unfortunately,it is clear that those orders are notbeingfollowed,resulting in many fatal incidents such as the one mentioned here, the killing of Quindon Bacchus and Orin Boston, and so many other unfortunatefatalshootings.I am of the view that the time haslongpassedforthisissue to be addressed in a comprehensivemanner.

How can a policeman decide to fire a “few” rounds in the direction of two persons who were engaged in a scuffle? This is reckless andthereforecriminal!

This matter calls for a thorough investigation, beyond what the Police Office of Professional Responsibility is capable of conducting.Ihavenotedthat no mention was made of the P o l i c e C o m p l a i n t s Authority, which has a statutory responsibility to supervise investigations into mattersofthisnature.

Any proper investigation must look at the training, retraining and qualification of ranks who are allowed to carry firearms and the type of firearms to be carried in

specific circumstances. This tragic incident cries out for a Board of Inquiry or some similar body to be commissioned to conduct a comprehensive review of what transpired. Not only what transpired at Huntley Mahaicony half an hour into the new year but the whole system relating to all aspects of training and use of firearms by members of the Guyana Police Force, private security personnel and all persons licensed to carryfirearms.

T h e a c t i n g Commissioner of Police visited the relatives of the deceased persons and promised to be transparent and to give frequent updates on the progress of the investigation. Well, at the time of writing this letter, it has been almost one week since the killings and I am not aware that the police have provided the promised updates So much for transparency and frequent updates!

Regards

Paul Slowe CCH, DSM, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

Demoralised and badly treated Staff of N.I.S

DEAREDITOR

, We would like to thank you and the Publisher for a very good job you all have been doing in assisting all vulnerable persons in this country who don’t know where to turn for assistance. There has been a big fraud at N.I.S involving staff from the New Amsterdam Office, Records Section, Finance Section and Pensions Section in Georgetown. The persons guilty at New Amsterdam were punished along with innocent persons who don’t know anything. That fraud involves millions of dollars but was kept a secretbyseniormanagement and board. Investigations are stillongoing.

T h e p e r s o n s i n Georgetown were not punished although the audit reportsandevidenceconfirm that they were guilty This is sobecausetheyarefriendsof the most Senior Manager in theorganisation.Thesesame persons continue on a daily basistodotheirquestionable activities with no one being sanctioned. They even asked the pensioners for money to have their claims processed atBrickdam.Theydemandit with menace because the persons are given envelopes at the counters to put the money There is evidence on our phones but who can we trust to disclose. There are serious instances of discrimination, favouritism and nepotism in the organization, persons not qualified for positions are being rewarded for their loyalty to gossip and carry news to the most high Office at Brickdam. Positions are

being created for them for their loyalty We are totally fedupandneedhelpbecause itistakingatollonourhealth andfamily Everyday,weare being threatened of losing our jobs by the Board and high Managers; not for wrong doings but, because wespeakoutagainsttheantidemocratic standing in the organization.

Another point is that at recentoutreachesinBerbice, we have spoken to two DirectorsoftheBoard,about our daily problems. They toldthemost seniormanager ofwhattranspiredrightthere in Berbice and now we are being threatened of our jobs and are being discriminated against. Imagine we have to buy toilet tissues and other cleaning agents for our own in doing the organization work. The Stores at Camp Street never have. We pool our money What makes us different in Berbice than our colleagues in Georgetown. Even some of the other offices in Essequibo and Demerara complain of putting their personal money to buy the things that managementmustprovide.

All the offices are in a state that is not befitting for an Office environment. How can we produce having to work in such conditions. We invite the media houses to visit all Offices and they would see for themselves. We cannot take it any more since we are blamed for not producing but there are inhibitors to us working and serve our population. We are willing to serve but how can weundersuchconditions.

In closing, we call on the

President, the Opposition Leader, Minister of Finance and all other stakeholders of democracy to assist us. Why are the innocent persons punished and not the guilty ones right in Georgetown? Imagine in the fraud pension processed within days at Brickdam and we have persons waiting for months and years and still cannot get theirpayments.

There is evidence to show that people paid persons at Camp Street to update their contributions in the fraud. These are all loyalists to the most high officeintheorganization.

Please we call on every media house to visit every office in Berbice and other areas to interview us and we will talk. We have all the proof of all the fraud on recording and documents that we are willing to release to any media house right now Justvisitusandwewill comply since we cannot bear it anymore. Every day we go to work not knowing what is next because we are being threatened of our jobs when we speak out by members of the Board and Senior Management.

In concluding, we call on the authorities to insist on havinganexternalauditvery soon of the organization since internal cannot be trusted they are loyal to m a n a g e m e n t T h e procurement section is also full of fraud as there is a waste of the citizens money Only friends and cronies have contract In one instance, we have the evidenceoftheLinden

(Continued on page 16 )

From page 5

great part to the multiplicity of released reports over the last decade and even more recently that have indicated the number of pregnant mothers admitted to hospital with deadly adverse outcomes. Mortality rates are important indicators of quality and patient safety, and because nurses provide most of the ongoing care to hospitalized patients, it is reasonable to assume that nursing care structures and processes a subset of hospital characteristics are important determinantsofpatientmortality

In the USA since 1987, the Center for Disease Control initiated national surveillance of pregnancy related deaths. CDC conducts national pregnancy-related mortality surveillance to better understand the risk factors for and causes of pregnancyrelated deaths in the United States. The Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System (PMSS) defines a pregnancy-related death as the death of a woman while pregnant or

within 1 year of the end of pregnancy from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy

Conclusively, as Guyana stands on the threshold of becoming one of the most promising new oil and gas hotspots on the planet, it is imperative that urgent measures be instituted to ensure that wombs are no longer transformed into tombs, nor is childbirth seen as the last day on earth for motherorchild.

From henceforth for all the previouslystated reasons, all maternal and infant deaths should be recorded with full pertinent details supplied and verified, in addition to serving as the mechanism for holding all those responsible, accountable for meeting targets to reduce maternal and infant deaths. Birth is anoccasionforMirth.

Sincerely

Yvonne Sam R.N., S.C.M., R.M.N., BScN., M.Ed., Dip.Adult Ed.

Sharp decline in exports from Guyana

...high prices, war in Ukraine cited

Exports from Guyana fells from 68.1% in 2021 to 16.8 last year, a new report from the Inter-American DevelopmentBankhassaid.

According to the Bank, the value of goods exports from Latin America and the Caribbean increased at an estimated rate of 18.8% in 2022, which represented a s h a r p d e c l i n e T h e downward trend in the region's external sales consolidated during this period, after growing 27.8% in2021,accordingtoareport bytheIDB.

The region's export performance was mainly explained by higher prices, while volumes lost momentum. In the coming months, the export growth rate is expected to slow in response to the downward trend in commodity prices, the war in Ukraine, restrictive monetary policies to reduce inflation and the slowdown in global growth, the latest edition of Trade Trends Estimates: Latin America and the Caribbean has found. “After a rapid recovery in 2021, a series of global shocks have sent exports from Latin America and the Caribbean into a slowdown that will continue into 2023. Reversing this trend will be key to shoring up economic growth in the region, ” said Paolo Giordano, Principal Economist at the IDB's

IntegrationandTradeSector, who coordinated the publication The region's externalsalesweredrivenby shipments to the United States, which are estimated to have grown by 21.3% in 2022. Demand from the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean's major trading partnerssloweddramatically compared to 2021. Sales grewby2%toChina,14%to the European Union, and 25.6% to Latin America and theCaribbean.

ExportPrices

In 2022, the prices of most commodities exported by Latin America and the Caribbeanclimbed.Between January and November 2022, the year-on-year prices of oil (43%), coffee (29.1%), soybeans (13%) and sugar (5.5%) all increased. In contrast, the prices of iron ore and copper fellby28.9%and4.9%yearon-year, respectively. According to the report, the shock caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine “further increased the prices of LAC's main export commodities.” However, “in most countries, the uptrend changed direction in the middle of the year in response to slowing global demand, forecasts of low growth, and the appreciation oftheUSdollar.”

Exports are estimated to have grown by 18.2% in South America in 2022 after

increasing by 36% in 2021. The upturn in commodity pricesexplainedmuchofthis performance, which benefited from the dynamism of intraregional trade and was particularly hard hit by the cooling of demandfromChina.Exports f r o m M e s o a m e r i c a increased by an estimated 18.8% year-on-year in 2022 after growing by 19.4% in 2021. Unlike the rest of the region, Mexico experienced a continuous increase in its export grow th rate throughout the year due to the rise in volumes shipped to the United States Although exports from Central America slowed significantly in 2022 in comparison with 2021 (26.6%), they nonetheless grew by 13.6%, boosted by demand from within the regionandtheUnitedStates.

Exports from the Caribbean rose by an estimated 38% in 2022 after growing by 44.4% in 2021.

The United States accounted for most of the increase, followed by the European Union. Latin America and the Caribbean's total imports increasedatanestimatedrate of 26 3% in 2022, after growing by 37.4% in 2021.

The report was prepared by the IDB's Integration and Trade Sector and its Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean (INTAL).

Supporters of Bolsonaro invade Brazil Congress, Supreme Court

Thousands of supporters of Brazil's

ex-president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the country's National Congress and Supreme Court in the capital Brasília on Sunday afternoon. Police responded by firing tear gas as demonstrators wrapped themselves in the national flag, shouting slogans while surrounding the presidentialpalace.

This invasion comes just a week after the inauguration of Bolsonaro's leftist rival, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Bolsonaro,whoiscurrentlyintheUS,lostthe presidentialelectiontoleft-wingveteranLuiz Inácio Lula da Silva last October Since then, his supporters have been refusing to accept that he lost the election and have since been calling for military intervention and Lula's resignation.

Meanwhile, videos on social media showed Bolsonaro supporters smashing windows and furniture of the National Congress and Supreme Court buildings. One video even showed a policeman being pulled from his horse and viciously beaten by a mob ofprotesters.

Many climbed onto the roof of the Congress building, where Brazil's Senate and

Chamber of Deputies conduct their legislative business, unfurling a banner that read “intervention” and an apparent appeal to Brazil'smilitary.

Images on TV channel Globo News also showed protesters roaming the presidential palace, many of them wearing green and yellow – the colours of the Brazilian flag, which have also come to symbolise the Bolsonarogovernment.

In an impassioned speech President Lula who appeared visibly angry said that what happened in Brazil on Sunday is unprecedented in the country's history He called the intellectual authors behind the uprising “fanatic fascists” who represented "everythingthat'sabominable"inpolitics.He repeatedly said that "these fanatics have done something that's never before been done in thiscountry".

President Lula vowed to bring the perpetrators of this most despicable invasion to justice. He said that no effort would be spared to finding all those responsible and have them severely punished “with all the force of the law” Lula is not currently in the capital,andisinsteadonanofficialtriptoSão Paulostate.

Govt. to upgrade 1,200 community roads this year - Edghill

G

2023,

1,200

community roads this year, Public Works Minister Juan Edghillhassaid.

Minister Edghill said the ministry will be joining forces with the ministries of housing and water and local government and regional development, to execute the transformative project “Very early in the new year, you will see works being executed in about 1200 roads across the country in every local authority area,” Edghill is quoted in a DPI release as saying.

“I know somebody might be thinking 'I hope my road will be in that list' but just think about the thousands that were done in 2022 and the hundreds that were done in 2020 and 2021 when we came into office. And with this additional 1,200 that will be coming out early in

M i n i s t e r E d g h i l l highlighted that most of the works under the community roads programme are awarded and will be e x e c u t e d s h o r t l y

Additionally, the ministry will be focusing heavily on advancing farm to market access roads, which will significantly support agriculturaldevelopment.

The development and maintenance of hinterland roadsareotherfocusareasof the government, with over 100 kilometres of hinterland road currently being rehabilitated in rigid pavement concrete

Meanwhile, major projects that were launched in 2022 are well on the way to completion, including the Conversation Tree to Durey Lane, which will see the completion of a four-lane

“There will be major work in terms of our road network in 2023, we will see actual work on the East Coast Demerara upgrade w h i c h w i l l b e w o r k undertaken from Sheriff Street all the way out on the East Coast, improving the whole corridor to four lanes.

“Our main access roads we are continuing to build out…we want to continue with the road Ogle to Eccles which is being funded by the Indian Exim Bank, these are all projects that you will see visibly before your eyes,” he added.

Theministerrelayedthat 2023 will be a very robust and exciting year for the ministry, in terms of project execution.

Table shows decline in exports from Guyana in 2022

will see actual work being done.”

road. The Cemetery Road to Mandela Avenue four-lane road will also be completed alongwiththeIndependence Boulevardproject.

Oldmaybegoldbuttheyoungare allaround

There was a time when politics was the vocation of the young Both Forbes Burnham and Cheddi Jagan were young men when they becameinvolvedinpolitics.

B o t h m e n w e r e politically active before they made their entry into ministerial positions and legislative politics respectively

Forbes Burnham was thirty years old when he became Guyana’s Minister of Education. Cheddi Jagan was 29 years when he was elected to the Legislative Council Both had been active in politics years before.

Both Burnham and Jagan, when they were together, were criticized by those who were against the change the two leaders were forcingonthecountry

These leaders were described as enthusiastic but inexperienced young men. These were the labels that were pinned on them. In other words, they were seen by the colonial authorities as reckless Young Turks who neededexperience.

They did not do too badly They led the country topoliticalIndependence.

Politics was like a bottle of tonic. It invigorated the nation. That did not last too long though. There came a time when our young people became so fed up with politicsthattheyoptedoutof it. In the late seventies and early eighties, politics was a frightening experience for oppositionsupporters.

The fear, the repression and the violence scared many a young person from dabblinginpolitics.

That situation began to change with the return to democracy

The PPP returned to officein1992.Bythen,most of the older generation of leadershaddied.Mostofthe then leaders were middle aged but this did not stop the party from investing in youngpeople.

Bharrat Jagdeo was just overthirtywhenhebecamea Minister and he was below thirty-fiveyearsofagewhen he became President of Guyana. Both IrfaanAli and Robert Persaud became

MinistersoftheGovernment ataprettyyoungage.

The PPPC has also appointed a number of young persons as Permanent Secretaries. In fact, there wereanumberofyoungmen who were appointed PermanentSecretariesbythe People’sProgressiveParty

Theydidnotdotoobadly administratively Any criticism of them had nothing to do with their ability to administer their ministries.Noonesuggested that they were too young for their jobs. I am therefore at my wits end to understand why the APNU+AFC coalition implemented a policy of some junior Ministers having to understudy their senior counterparts. There was no needforthis.

Throw these Ministers into the deep end of ministerial work just as how Burnham and Jagan were thrown into politics at a young age. These young Ministers do not need to understudy anyone The onlywaytheywilllearnisby beingonthejob.InGuyana’s

Windfalltaxistoensureoilcompanies...

From page 2

revenues, to be redistributed by the Member States subject to compliance with EU law Within their statement, Podestà and Ferrie elaborated that this windfall tax is expectedtoensure“the whole energy sector pays its fair share in these difficult times for many to address the extraordinaryenergycrisisresultingfromthe weaponisation of the energy supply by Russia.”Moreover,thespokespersonsforthe EC highlighted that this tax, targeting “the extraordinary surplus profits that the fossil fuel industry has made due to the energy crisis,” complements the revenue cap on inframarginaltechnologies.

This is expected to enable the solidarity

contributions to be “both fair and proportional,” as underlined by Podestà and Ferrie.

Inaddition,thiswindfalltaxonfossilfuel companies' profits – as a European instrument–isanticipatedtohelpinavoiding “negative spillovers within the internal energymarketstemmingfromuncoordinated national measures,” while ensuring “consistency with the objectives of REPowerEU, ” concluded the EC spokespersons.

As there are no time limits on the EU court to make a decision regarding this case, years can pass before a judgment is pronounced, thus, the lawsuit does not preventthelegislationfromtakingeffect.

Dem boys seh...

Dis thing spreading faster than COVID-19

Dem boys din warn y’all It happen again! Yesterday insurrectionists storm de Congress and Supreme Court of ah we neighbour Brazil! It was likehistoryrepeatingitself.

Democracy is under threat around de world. And it start right hay in GuyanainGuyana.

Dem does call Guyana copycat. But nuff people does copy from we. And now everybody gan start question election results around de world. Guyana start a fad and it spreading

fasterdan COVID.

Demboysbin talkhow wah happen in Guyana between March 2020 did inspire events in America.

De top man in Uncle Sam bin following all wah bin happening in Guyana. And when he time come fuh stand up and tek he licks like a man, he get ideas… fromGuyana.

He start to talk about fraud and about getting extra votes from Georgia. He learnt good from dem vagabonds in Guyana.And America lose its reputation

as de bastion of democracy Den 2 years ago, de man supporters storm de Capitol weh de Congress does meet. Some people bin get mislead to believe dat was a revolution dem leading. And all because people see how an attempt was made to steal elections inGuyana.

Now de same thing happen in Brazil And guess what colours dem wah do de mischief bin wearing? Yellow and Green!

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

headypoliticalenvironment, everyonelearnsquickly

The fact that someone is young should not be used as an excuse for him or her being made a Junior Minister

In fact, this is a disrespectfullabeltocallany Minister Youngpeoplehave a lot of energy and therefore more of them need to be madeMinisters.

There is nothing wrong with having experienced persons as Ministers. There is nothing wrong with having elderly persons as Ministers. So long as these older folks can keep their

eyesopeneighthoursduring the day, they should qualify to be Ministers. You do not want Ministers who are nodding off all the time. We saw a lot of that in the previousparliament.

Old may be gold but the young are all around. With age comes wisdom and experience. Some of that is needed. But also needed are youthful exuberance and drive.

Young people have to be given a chance because a government is supposed to reflect the population. The bulk of Guyana’s population is comprised of young

people. They need to see themselves reflected in the government.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

2022 proved you have to reject false prophets

There was a statement Leonard Gildarie made on one of the programmes last yearon The Gildarie-Freddie Kissoon Show He was right inwhathesaidbutthepicture wasnotcomplete.

Gildarie rightfully condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We all must Russia was wrong; there is no question about that. But we must be careful not to let other people narrativesgetintoourheads.

The very countries that want the world to condemn Russia support Israel that annexed the Golan Heights which is Syrian territory and occupies territory that the Palestinians want to have as their country I told Gildarie when we condemn Russia,

wemustdothesametoIsrael.

Years ago, when Barack Obama was president, I told my daughter that if at the dinner table, her friend says shedislikesObama,shemust avoid a confrontation but let the table knows that she admires Obama. My point to mykidwasthatifyouletthat friend offer her opinion without an input from others around the table, then that opinioncanswaythetable.

Last year was a terrible year for the survival of moral righteousness but there were manyofuswhodidnotallow other people to propagate their narratives without a voice of response. I keep telling young people I meet that they must never just shrug their shoulder and say,

“I couldn't be bothered with replying.”

You must respond because when you do, others learn and it makes others know the facts of life and it allows them to make judgments that preserve their moralwell-being.

The writings of financial analyst Joel Bhagwandin were an inspiration last year If you read his analyses and statistical outlays last year, then you were able to reject the propaganda that flowed from people who want you accept their narratives which are false constructs. I read an analysis of the Mr Bhagwandin on the financial performance of the APNU+AFC government and it was a learning experience.

Using Bank of Guyana statistics, not normative discourses, not his viewpoints but official statistics, Mr. Bhagwan showed that the incoming regime in 2015 inherited a healthy treasury that was empty by February 2020. For a n a c c o u n t o f M r Bhagwandin's displayed statistics see my column of Wednesday, August 10,

2022, titled, “Self deception: More facts for African Guyanesetodigest.”

Last year, more than two dozen persons, half of whom areGuyaneselonggonefrom Guyana and never ever coming back, signed a letter in the Stabroek News advocating that Guyana participate in helping save PlanetEarthbyscrappingour fossilfuelindustry

Last year, there was an advocacy by Ms. Isabelle DeCaires of the Stabroek News for Guyana not to pursue a relationship with SaudiArabia because it is an authoritarian state. Think of if there wasn't a rejection of those constructs with an analytical explanation, how innocent minds could have bought into those false narratives.

First, extremely rich countries, some of whom are post-modern societies and where those expatriate Guyanese live, have thriving fossil fuel industries that continuetomakethemricher But poor Guyana must save the planet and those very expatriate Guyanese will write another letter scorning Guyana for the ancient levels

o f i t s

infrastructure.

S e c o n d l y, whymustGuyana ostracize Saudi Arabia when no other country in the world does it and Ms. DeCaires' own country where she lives, the UK, has ongoing security and trade relations withtheSaudis?

Last year saw some episodes of hypocrisy that was not good for one's stomach. A Commission of Inquiry into the fiasco of the March 2020 elections began and witnesses after witnesses testified to a situation that made the rigging of the elections of 1968, 1973, 1980, 1985 and the 1978 referendum look like child's play

But the usual suspects that was quick to jump of Charrandass Persaud for his unacceptable indiscretion to date has not signed a letter to the newspapers offering their views on what the nation has heardsofar

What Charran did was terrible. His position as High Commissioner became untenable. But it is equally

w r ong to deny peopletheirfighttovote.And if you can write a letter on condemning what Charran did, moral obligation compelsyoutowriteonwhat is coming out of the Commission.

It is when decent humans reply to these episodes of hypocrisy, the eyes and minds of others are opened up. The year 2020 was not a good one for moral cleanliness and I will continue to assess that disappointing year No amount of post-modern infrastructure will save a country if it doesn't have humans possessed of a conscience.

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

Frederick Kissoon

Likely oil spill from Exxon's fifth project can have far-reaching impacts on Caribbean states

Ac o r n International, ExxonMobil's new Consultant has completed and submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the fifth offshore oil project, the Uaru development in the StabroekBlock.

The 3,178 paged document that contains four volumes of data, points out the dangers associated with the oil project, actions for mitigation and background on the Consultant among other factor associated with theproject.

Notably, the study warns that an oil spill from the project can have farreaching impacts on Guyana's sister Caribbean states This is especially alarming for the nation, as the oil company as well as the government of Guyana remains silent on full liability coverage in the eventofaspill.

This is a guarantee, usually in the form of a signed letter, that the parent company- in this case ExxonMobil- would cover all costs associated with the spill that its operatorEEPGL, a limited liability company-cannotcover.

Instead of this level of protection, the Guyana government has accepted US$600 million coverage per oil spill disaster that is currently being held by the operator In addition, it was reported that negotiations are ongoing for a US$2.5 billion parent company guarantee.

Expertshavewarnedthat this meagre amount is unacceptable, given the dangers associated with the offshoreactivities.

According to the study, “Oil spill modelling indicates that transboundary impacts could potentially occur under the three largest spill scenarios considered assuming no mitigation measures were i m p l e m e n t e d T h e

modelling results for these scenarios indicate there is the potential for an unmitigated oil spill to reach three main geographic regions: Trinidad and Tobago, the northern South American coast, and the so called ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao; the southernLesserAntilles;and the south-western Greater Antilles.”

It explained that an unmitigated oil spill from either of the loss-of-well-

- new EIA reveals

control events during the December through May season would take a westnorth-westernly route throughtheGulfofPariaand across the southern edge of theCaribbeanSea.

Meanwhile, strong winds between December and May can affect theABC Islands, and the southern Lesser Antilles would have themostexposuretooiling.

“An equivalent spill during the June through November season would track slightly more to the north,awayfromthewestern Venezuelan Coast and further north in the western Atlantic toward the central and southern portions of the Lesser Antilles. This plume would cross the Caribbean Sea, and eventually continue toward the Greater Antilles.

Mitigated oil spills from each of the two loss-of-wellcontrolscenarioswouldonly have the potential to reach Trinidad and Tobago and would reduce the extent of shoreline oiling associated with spills under both scenarios relative to the corresponding unmitigated spill,”theEIAnotes.

Trinidad and Tobago, due to its location at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles, has the highest probability of any of the Antillean islands to be affected by shoreline oiling as a result of a loss-of-wellcontrol event. In fact, “the probabilityofoilingatleasta portion of the coast of Trinidad and Tobago and/or its coastal waters is approximately 10 to 100 percent for both the unmitigated Most Credible (Worst Case Discharge) WCD and the maximum WCDscenarios.”

Models used during the study also indicated a five to 90 percent probability of surface oil reaching the Venezuelancoastalzone.

Mitigation of transboundaryimpacts

While these dangers are likely to occur during the production of oil at the fifth project, the EIA highlighted some mitigation measures that can reduce these harsh impacts.

It said that implementing the Oil Spill Response Plan (OSRP) would help to significantly reduce potential trans-boundary impacts just as it would reduce impacts within the

G u y a n a E x c l u s i v e EconomicZone.

I n a d d i t i o n , t h e Consultant pointed out that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited ( E E P G L ) , E x x o n ' s subsidiary and the operator the Stabroek Block, has put in an interim solution that will facilitate installation of a capping stack on the well location This process however would occur “5 days (with an additional 12 hours to finalize the closing of the well and stop the flow ofoil).”

Thismeasure,alongwith a combination of other measures, such as the use of dispersant application, would significantly reduce trans-boundary impacts, the EIAexplained.

Additionally, the Consultant said that EEPGL will work through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the direction of the Government of Guyana, with representatives of the respective countries that could be potentially impacted by a large oil spill to be prepared for the unlikelyeventofaspill.

TheUaruproject

The project is located in the Uaru, Mako and Snoek fields (collectively referred to as the Uaru field) a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1 9 1 kilometres or about 119 miles northeast of the coastline of Georgetown in waters approximately 1,700 to 1,900 metres (5,577 to 6,234feet)deep.

Exxon has proposed to produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day at the site. It said that initial oil production is planned for late 2026 and May2027.

To support this timing, development-well drilling is plannedtostartinmid-2024. Production will continue for atleast20years.

The project will consist of drilling approximately 38 to 632 development wells (including production, water injection, and gas reinjection wells); installation and operation of Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, and F l o w l i n e s ( S U R F ) equipment; installation and operation of a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block and u l t i m a t e l y, P r o j e c t decommissioning.

FPSO Vessel

Major City Stabroek Block

Uaru Project Development Area

Yellowtail Project DevelopmentArea

Liza Phase 2 Project DevelopmentArea

LizaPhase1ProjectDevelopmentArea

Payara Project Development Area

Country Boundary (HS)

Map depicting the location of the Uaru project in Guyana's Stabroek Block

Bandits chop, rob man in backdam trail

An excavator operator was last Monday chopped and robbed of his gold by two men along trail in Aranka Backdam,RegionSeven.

The operator identified as Shun Caetan, 45, was at the time heading to a landing to board a boat and leave the backdam.

His journey turned into a tragic one reportedly around 04:00hrs, after two menattackedhim.

Kaieteur News was told that the men chopped him to the left side of his head and left shoulder before grabbing his haversack containing his wages in raw gold and some extra to buy excavator partsforadredgeoperator

The men escaped into the forest leavingawoundedCaetanbehind.

AbleedingCaetansomehowmanaged tostrugglethroughthetrailuntilhefinally reached the landing. He was assisted by somepublic-spiritedcitizensandboarded aboat.

He stopped at the Aranka Police Outpost and reported the matter to police before continuing his journey to Bartica, wherehereceivedmedicalattention.

Shaun Caetan

Itissuspectedthattheperpetratorsmightbe two strange men who entered the backdam recentlyunderthepretenseofpunting(hustling forgoldwithabatel).

The men were reportedly seen on a spending spree after Caetan was robbed. It is alsosuspectedthattheyarealsoresponsiblefor stealing a number of sluice box mats (mats that trapgold)fromminingoperationsinthearea.

Police are currently investing the robbery andareonthelookoutforthetwosuspects.

Georgetown

Stabroek

-

Former EPA Head

he decision by the Environmental P r o t e c t i o n Agency (EPA) to exempt government's 300 megawatt (MW) gas-fired power plant f r o m a d e t a i l e d Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) shows a pattern of continued n e g l i g e n c e b y t h e government, towards the environment and health of its citizens.that there is need for another EIA and now they are not doingit,”hesaid.

This is the position of Dr Vincent Adams, a Petroleum Engineer and former Executive Director of the localEPA.

In an exclusive interview with Kaieteur News on Sunday,thespecialistsaidthe waiver of the impact study was not grounded in logical reasons. In fact, he argued that the decision of the EPA was“sheernonsense”.

To explain his position, Dr Adams said, “They gave six reasons and at number three, they tried to say that there would be no particulate matter but that is total nonsense. Gas is made up of particulate matter, that's what the flue gas is made up of, so whoever wrote that, for somebody at the EPA to be saying that I would be embarrassed.”

Additionally, he pointed out that the EIA done for the natural gas pipeline aspect of theprojectsaidthataseparate EIAwouldberequiredforthe powerplant.

“That means it was clear

Thirdly, the Petroleum Engineer reasoned that the EPA in its decision also explained that this project is in the “footprint of an EPA approved Gas to Energy Project that was subjected to a comprehensive EIA, including a Cumulative Impact Assessment (CIA). TheCIAconcludedthatthere willbenosignificantimpacts f r o m t h e c o m b i n e d activities/projects.”

Dr Adams however explained, “When I read that it's in the footprint, I don't knowwhatthatmeanstostart with but what should be asked is well you say it's in the footprint and it shows cumulative impacts, how the hellcoulditshowcumulative effects when the people who wrote the EIA for the first aspect said an EIA is needed forthegasplantproject?

Thatmeansitwasn'teven considered as to what that cumulative effect would be because you hadn't done the study.”

HechallengedtheEPAto tellthepublicwhattheworstcase scenario with the existence of gas plant would be as outlined in the CIAand whatderivedtheseimpacts.

The former head of the regulatory body pointed out that while companies' sole intent is to make money, government's responsibility istosafeguardthecountry

“To me, a company is there to make money That is the bottom line, that's how those guys get paid and those big fat bonuses. They cut the corners and take the risk, hoping that nothing is going tohappen.

The Government's responsibility is to make sure that the health, safety of the environment of the nation and the people are protected and that's where they are being very neglectful,” Dr Adamsnoted.

He said that this project shows that a pattern in the oil i n d u s t r y w h e r e t h e administration has sat back and allowed U.S oil major, ExxonMobil to break the lawsofGuyana.

He explained, “This shows a pattern because if you go back to the oil industry itself where they are neglecting matters such as flaring, the government not forcing Exxon to comply withourownlawstohavethe

parent company guarantee. They are dumping water into the ocean; this shows a clear pattern of neglect by the government towards the people's health, safety and theenvironment.”

Dr. Adams urged that an EIAis required for the power plant as there are presently unknown risks that can impact the population. He said that there are plans to develop a new Demerara River Crossing, which will likely attract further developments in Region Three, where the power plant isbeingdeveloped.

This he said can put hundreds and possibly thousands of lives at risk in theeventofanexplosion.

“A project of this magnitudewasneverdoneso how can we know the impacts and how can we dismiss it to say well the impacts will be negligible? What happens if there is an explosionoverthere?

They have plans to put in a fertilizer plant and all of that there in the future but all of this is highly hazardous,” theformerEPAChiefargued.

He said it is important to never put production ahead of schedule and safety, as safety should always be the toppriority

On January 6, the EPA in a public notice published in the Guyana Chronicle announced that an EIA was not required for the 300 megawatt gas-fired power plant being pursued by the GovernmentofGuyana.

The country's High Court hadonlydaysbeforegavethe EPA a clear definition of the reasonsthatmustbeincluded in its determination for granting an exemption of an impact study, but the Regulator has issued yet another waiver on its own grounds.

Justice Nareshwar Harnanan told the Court that a c c o r d i n g t o t h e Environmental Protection Act, EIAs must “(a) identify, describe and evaluate the direct and indirect effects of the proposed project on the environment including— (i) human beings (ii) flora and fauna and species habitats (iii) soil; (iv) water; (v) air and climatic factors (vi) material assets, the cultural heritage and the landscape, (vii) natural resources, including how much of a particular resource is degraded or eliminated, and how quickly the natural systemmaydeteriorate,(viii) the ecological balance and ecosystems, (ix) the interaction between the

factors listed above, (x) any other environmental factor which needs to be taken into account or which theAgency may reasonably require to be included, and (b) assess every project with a view to the need to protect and improve human health and living conditions and the need to preserve the stability of eco-systems as well as the diversityofspecies.”

The Judge explained that while these parameters must be taken into consideration for the impact study, in like manner, the EPA's reasons forwaivingsuchastudymust reflectthesestandards.

“ThisCourtisoftheview that in the light of the extensive range of factors to be considered in an EIA under sub-section (4), where 'reasons'mustbegivenbythe EPA for their decision to either require or exempt an EIA for a project applied for under section 11(1), these reasons should reflect the standard expressly laid out in sub-section (4),” Justice Harnananstated.

The300MWpowerplant is a component of the GTE project in which the Governmentispushing,even in the absence of updated feasibility studies and environmental safeguards beinginstituted.

This project is now pegged at over US$2 billion, with a 190 kilometres pipeline to be laid by ExxonMobil to the tune of US$1.3 billion and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility andpowerplanttobebuiltby Government at a cost of US$759M.

Batavia village in Region Seven will experience tremendous development as the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs facilitated a US$20 millionquarryingprojectthat will be undertaken by a private company – EKAA HRIM Earth Resource ManagementInc.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai signed a 15-year agreement with the Batavia Village Council and representatives of EKAA HRIM Earth ResourceManagementIncto formalise the project. Under this agreement, 1,089 acres of land will be leased to the company; 13 acres will be used for mining while the remaining will be a buffer zone.

“Theyhaveaddressedthe lease fees and they are satisfied that they will get the marketrate,theyhaveagreed to that and incrementally, the buffer zone will have a different rental fee but incrementally it will be increased over the 15 years.

“They have also agreed that their tribute as specified by law under the Amerindian Act that the village will have and have agreed for the tribute to be paid by the company to them and this is the tribute based on production,”MinisterSukhai informed media operatives onFriday

The Amerindian affairs minister added that this investment will play an importantroleasgovernment is rolling out a massive

infrastructure agenda. “For the Amerindians it's another step whereby they are contributing to the overall development of our country andIamsuretheyarepleased just as well as I am, that we can together, as partners address this matter and to be part and parcel of national development,” Minister Sukhaistated.

Forty percent of the labour workforce will be sourced from the village creating hundreds of jobs for locals, director of the company, Jesvin Pradee Kumarnoted.

This, ties in with the government'scommitmentof providing 50,000 jobs during itsfirstfiveyears.

Meanwhile, Toshao of Batavia, Orin Williams

expressed elation that a project of this magnitude is being undertaken in the community “This is a very good opportunity for us to improve the lives of our residents in the village and

we have seen this project as a project that will change a lot of things for the lives of our people.

historical moment,” he expressed. Construction will commencesometimein2023 and the ministry will have

oversight to ensure t r a n s p a r e n c

project in Batavia

Insurance law does not allow Exxon to provide its own insurance for oil sector

…industry operators say Minister cannot give company permission

The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) that Guyana has with Exxon Mobil and partners require them to have insurance to conduct its oil business here in Guyana.

They must have insurance for property loss, pollution, employee liability and asset coverage among others.Italsosaysthat'totheextent of applicable law, rules and regulationssuchinsurancecouldbe provided through the contractor's affiliate insurance companies. It saystothat'subjecttotheminister's approval, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, the contractor… shall have the right to self-insure part or all of the aforementionedinsurances…”

This means that Exxon has the leewaytoplaceinsurancetoprotect Guyana's environment, its assets and other valuables, with itself or withacompanyithastiesto.

Local insurers and brokers are

adamant that Guyana's laws do not allow this situation, nor was it changed to accommodate the “cleverly worded” provisions statedinthePSA.

The insurance operators say that where the PSA speaks about the approval for insurance by affiliatecompanyto the extent of applicable laws and rules, and through t h e m i n i s t e r, provide conditional provisions for the oil companies to securetherighttoself-insure.

They say however that “the extent of applicable law, rules and regulations is actually nil, since the GuyanaInsuranceAct,whichisthe applicable law, does not permit it.”

And where the PSAspeaks directly to the oil company self-insuring through the minister's permission, the government official does not have the legal power to do so, the

insurers said. “This is allowing for the circumventing of third-party commercial insurers and local insurers.

The intention is again defeated because the minister cannot approve or make legal a breach in law,inthiscase,theInsuranceAct.”

nsured oil companies keep the risk themselvesandarealsoresponsible for paying liabilities and losses incurred through their operators.

The problem with that is that sometimes liabilities from operationmishapscouldbesohuge that it surpasses the capabilities of the affiliates or captive companies, created by the oil companies to cover their policies

insurers are said to keep rigorous levels of risk management and couldcancelcoverageifconditions of policies are not adhered to. Stringent checks and balances are conducted to ensure a properly placedcoverage.

Operators say that without their involvement Guyana ability to say whethertheoilcompaniesareusing best practices and managing risk appropriately is almost nonexistent.

It was noted that despite the clever wordingofthePSA,Guyana'slaws are quite adequate to address attemptsforself-insurance.

And until the laws are changed, the insurance operators say that the current provisions are open to be legally challenged or rectified by the regulator of the industry, the BankofGuyana.

The insurance agents say selfi

Guyana moving apace with national alliance with Regional Security System

y Robert Persaud has highlighted an agreement to strengthen the safety and security of all Guyanese citizens

According to Persaud, President Irfaan Ali recently gave ascension documents affirming the nation's alliance with the CARICOM Regional SecuritySystem(RSS).

Persaud said: “The RSS, us being part of that, wouldbeanaddedassetto our National Security Systemasitwere,andour lawenforcementagencies in their ability to coordinate, to tap expertise, and to be in a better position to make all ourcitizenssafer.”

“I think that's the ultimategoal,anditispart of how we can work and collaborate with our regional institutions. That isonesuchfacilitythatthe President, in his wisdom, has decided to be part of,” headded.

The RSS was initially created as a collective response to security threats impacting the region's stability The first members wereAntigua & Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia,andSt.Vincentand

the Grenadines, who agreed on “mutual assistanceonrequest.”

The regional body aims to ensure the stabilityandwell-beingof Member States through mutual cooperation in order to maximise regional security in preserving the social and economicdevelopmentof citizens.

Guyanahasinthepast requested help from the RSS to address security matters, with the most r e c e n t b e i n g a n investigation into alleged corrupt practices in the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Ali first signed the protocol in March 2022 at the 33rd Inter-sessional meeting of CARICOM HeadsinBelize.

The announcement comes even as Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips disclosed that the government will continue to build on its ardent policyofinclusion,which will see broad-based benefits and increased opportunities for all Guyanese.

The Prime Minister, who was speaking during a s t a k e h o l d e r s ' engagement at State House on Thursday last

underscored that, “Our policy does not embrace a n y f o r m o f discrimination in the Guyanese society. In fact, what we are doing is also knocking our heads together to determine ways in which we can evolve many of our peopleinGuyana.”

He noted that the prolonged allegation that the government is noninclusive, by a certain section of the society is without merit, especially since the administration has a track record of m e e t i n g c i t i z e n s regardless of their location, race, colour or religiousbeliefs.

H e s a i d t h e government is also moving apace with its national security strategy to improve the security networkinGuyana.

The Prime Minister noted too that key players including the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force are sternly addressing the nation'ssecurityissues.

“Because as we grow, it is important that we c r e a t e a s e c u r e d environment to attract investment and alleviate any fears in our society,” hesaid.

Governments are then left saddled with huge bills in cleanup cost, liabilities among others,andinmanycases,endupin courtfightingwithoilcompaniesto have them address the issues causedbytheiroperations.

Outside of this, taxes are lost when the oil companies are able to keep the risk because local companies are not involved in the multi-million-dollararrangements, so there is nothing to be gained by the government. All the ceding commissions, premiums and other revenues garnered from the placement of the policy is received by the oil companies' captives and affiliatesoutsideofGuyana.

There is also the loss of risk management scrutiny and best practices.

Third party commercial

The operators insist that when the oil companies are self -insure it doesnotrequiretheinvolvementof locally registered insurers. So, to lookliketheyarefollowingthelaw, they will hire a local company to front.

The fronting fee is the sum that thelocalinsurancecompanywould be paid to pretend as if they are managing the insurance coverage in country, when in reality, the coveragewouldbeownedbytheoil company's overseas affiliate or captivecompany

Local insurers say that because insurance for pollution, transit risk, business interruption, third party and employers' liability among others carry huge premiums, the money lost to the industry and that in taxes to the country remains significant.

Guyana's Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud

WANTED

Driver, Salesman & Porters toworkinwarehouse.Must have experience, attractive salary offered. Call: 6964444.

Onemaleable-bodiedClerk. Tel:231-2029,616-5954.

Onemaleandfemaleablebodied Clerk: 225-2313/ 658-8559.

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Security,Drivers/ExpeditersandPorters.Contact: 223-5273/74 or 627-9647.

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

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Seamstress,Tailor,Block Maker and Carpenter wanted. Call/ Whatsapp: 691-1918.

One Kitchen Assistant and DeliveryBoyneeded.Call: 223-5021/223-1531.

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Driver/ Porter needed, ages 35-45 yrs and must have atleast 5 yrs experience alongwith2references.Call: 623-0479.

ReliablemaleandfemaleSecurityOfficerneeded!Must have Military background. Contact:603-5140.

Wanted: ExperiencedSupervisor, Cashier,CounterPerson , Cooks and Labourer Apply@Shanta's,225Camp and New Market Sts.

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TaxiDriversneededatPrincessTaxiService,Ramada Hotel.Call:265-7075/76or 616-5419,690-2242.

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Salesgirl and Porters needed.SendWrittenapplication to Best Buy Food Supplies, Deniss and MiltonStreetC/ville.

Maid required to cook and cleaninEastBankarea.Call: 615-9132.

One General Domestic needed,mustknowtocook. Applywithwrittenapplication at Keyfood, McDoom Village next to the Post Office.

Able-bodied Porter/ Salesmanneeded,musthavecxc maths & english, with neat handwriting. Apply at Keyfood,McDoomVillage orCall:629-7426.

Vacancy: Network Technician needed, A+ and Network+willbeanasset.ContactSomal:624-7155.

Office Assistant, SemiskilledandSkilledWorkers needed.Call:621-6969,6157784/505-9107.

Delivery Clerk, Office Assistant, Sales Clerk & Labourerneeded. Apply@ Lens Hardware, Call: 2271511/645-1613.

Full-time Joiner and Spray man required, must have atleast 10 yrs experience. For more details, call/ whatsapp:600-4927.

Office Clerk and Domestic workerrequired.Live-infacilities available, call: 2237500.

One male Worker and Canter Driver needed.Ages2550yrs,Call:231-1408/6429191.

Carpenters,Labourers,masons&Skilledmen needed, wages $7,000-$10,000 per day & Labourer 5-6K per day. Call: 650-1394, 6927110.

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

Three bedroom Apt upstairs unfurnished in Vreed-en-hoop and 2 and 3 bedrooms furnished in Providence and Diamond. Call/Whatsapp:604-6664, 682-6238,216-2299.

Three bedrooms upstairs Apt for rent @ Diamond E.B.D.Preferablecoupleor single person. Call: 6282412.

2 and 3 Bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments forrent,shorttermandlong term.Tel:# 682-2585, 6911432.

Onehouseforrent.Call: 683-8786.

Apartment for rent. Call: 233-0327/602-6734.

Supply of pharmaceuticals contract attracts billion dollar bids

The Ministry of Health’s contract for the supply and delivery of pharmaceutical supplies has attracted two billion dollar bids when tenders opened on Thursday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board(NPTAB)office. Four entities submitted

bids for the contract. Two of the suppliers New GPC Inc. and Total Health Care Solutions$2.1billionand$1.1 billion bids, respectively while Massy Distribution submittedabidfor$264.520, 640 and BPI Guyana Inc. submittedabidfor$415.286, 690.

Meanwhile, four firms alsosubmittedtheirfinancial proposals for the rehabilitation/ construction of the Liliendaal and Ogle drainage catchment banks area. This is a project being undertaken by the Ministry ofAgriculture.Belowarethe companies and their bids:

MinistryofHealth Supply and delivery of pharmaceutical supplies.

SERVICES

Visa Application: Canada andUK&U.S.A.Graphics design & advertisements.

Wedding decorations & elderlygrooming:hair,nail etc.Call:626-7040.

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

FORSALE

Houses for sale in Haslington, Tushen, Providence & Diamond / Little Diamond.CallPacificDevelopment Inc: 673-6210/ 227-8274 or 917-7715202.

Household items for sale: freezers, chair set, tools, wares,etc.Call:689-4143/ 650-5100.

MinistryofEducation Rehabilitation/ construction of water supply systems at secondary schools and dormitories in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine.

MinistryofAgriculture

Rehabilitation/ construction of Liliendaal and Ogle drainage catchment banks area.

EDUCATION

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

FirstAid/CPR/AED:Home Nursing courses and First AidRefreshercoursestarting soon. Call St.John Association:225-9082oremail: stjohnguyana@yahoo.com

VEHICLESFORSALE

OneHondaCRV,fullyloaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable. Contact:649-0956.

Chinareopensbordersin finalfarewelltozero-COVID

HONGKONG/BEIJING, Jan 8 (Reuters) - Travellers streamed into China by air, land and sea on Sunday, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened bordersthathavebeenallbut shut since the start of the COVID-19pandemic.

After three years, mainland China opened sea and land crossings with Hong Kong and ended a requirement for incoming travellers to quarantine, dismantling a final pillar of a zero-COVID policy that had shielded China’s 1.4 billion peoplefromthevirusbutalso cut them off from the rest of the world.

China’s easing over the past month of one of the world’s tightest COVID regimes followed historic

protests against a policy that included frequent testing, curbsonmovementandmass lockdowns that heavily damaged the second-biggest economy

Long queues formed at the Hong Kong international airport’s check-in counters for flights to mainland cities includingBeijing,Tianjinand Xiamen.

HongKongmediaoutlets estimated that thousands were crossing.

“I’m so happy, so happy, so excited. I haven’t seen my parentsformanyyears,”said Hong Kong resident Teresa Chow as she and dozens of other travellers prepared to cross into mainland China from Hong Kong’s Lok Ma Chau checkpoint. “My parentsarenotingoodhealth

and I couldn’t go back to see them even when they had colon cancer, so I’m really happy to go back and see them now,” she said. Investors hope the reopeningwillreinvigoratea $17-trillion economy suffering its slowest growth in nearly half a century. But theabruptpolicyreversalhas triggered a massive wave of infections that is overwhelmingsomehospitals and causing business disruptions. The border opening follows Saturday’s start of “chun yun”, the 40day period of Lunar New Year travel,whichbeforethe pandemic was the world’s largest annual migration, as people returned to their hometowns or took holidays withfamily

Demoralised and badly treated...

VEHICLESFORSALE

2012NissanFrontier42,000 Miles,Goodworkingcondition $3.5 Negotiable. Call: 225-3739

From page 6 Office residence and the Leonora Office where the contractor is closely aligned to the Manager who was at that Office and is a close associate of the most senior manager at Brickdam. He evendidworkattheirhomes andN.I.Spaidforthat.There aremoreevidencethatweare

willingtogiveout.Pleasewe are in desperately in need of help. If that is not given we will share information in the form of cogent evidence to everyone including the insured population and all media houses.

Sincerely

Demoralized members of Staff NIS.

Govt. will continue to build on its ardent policy of inclusion – PM

The Government of Guyana intends to foster greater inclusivity in the way it administers the affairs of the country, in an effort to realise greater benefits and increased opportunities for all Guyanese, regardless of location, race, colour, religious belief or political affiliation. This is according to Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips who was at the time delivering r e m a r k s d u r i n g a stakeholders' engagement at StateHouseonThursday.

The Prime Minister emphasized that, “Our policy

doesnotembraceanyformof discrimination in the Guyanese society In fact, what we are doing is also knocking our heads together to determine ways in which we can evolve many of our peopleinGuyana.”

He alluded to the prolonged and baseless allegation being made in some sections of the society, thatthegovernmentpractices non-inclusiveness in the way it operates. The Prime Minister was quick to point out that such allegations are without merit, especially sincetheadministrationhasa

track record of meeting citizens regardless of their location, race, colour or religiousbeliefs.

E x a m p l e s o f government's attempts at inclusivity can be seen through the Ministry of Labour which declared that persons living with disabilities should be provided with equal employment and training opportunities.

Notably too, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security continues to push to eliminate all economic,socialandcultural

Sand trucks to temporarily operate from National Stadium's outer parking lot

Sa n d t r u c k

operators will s o o n b e temporarily relocated to the outer parking lot of the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD), the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported.

During a meeting on Saturday with sand truck owners and operators who ply their trade in the vicinity of DSL Cash and Carry, Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara Public Road, Ministers of Public Works Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar discussed relocation from their current operating space.

The Ministers told the drivers that given the complaints of businesses that have been affected by their operations at the Industrial Site area and the dangers of them operating at the side of the East Bank

road, there is need for them toberelocated.

“Our engagement with you today is to see how we cangetanarrangementwork out.

We know a lot of householdsaredependingon you, and people in construction are depending on you, but relocation is a must, and with this relocation, we can guarantee that everyone will know wheretofindyou,yourwork will not be hindered, we will put that out there, everyone will know where to find you,” Minister Edghill guaranteedthetruckers.

According to Minister Indar, President Irfaan Ali instructed that the sand truck owners and operators be engaged about a temporary location“untilwegetamore permanentspaceforyou.

“There is a parking lot between here [the Stadium] and the Princess Hotel, we cangetthatopenandsituated

for you so that you can come and park and sell your sand.

Minister Indar has already engaged the Minister of Culture,YouthandSportson the matter and he has given the go-ahead,” Minister Edghill told the stakeholders who agreed that they needed to move from the Industrial Sitearea.

Meanwhile, a team from theMinistryofPublicWorks will visit the area in the coming days to ensure the parking lot is cleared and outfitted to accommodate thetrucks.

The ministers will also meet with the taxi drivers plying their trade from the main entrance of the parking facility, to discuss relocation aswell,whileameetingwith vendors who are currently operatingfromthesideofthe road just outside the parking lot,isalsoontheschedule.

Approximately 15 sand truck operators/ drivers attendedtoday'smeeting.

practices that impede equalityandequity

Speaking specifically to government contracts, the prime minister made it pellucidly clear that there is no discrimination in the process.

In fact, he said the government is looking to embark on a massive plan that will allow small contractors to enhance their knowledge on the correct

biddingprocedure.

“We would like to come up with a strategy that will educate our people, not only to award small contracts, but to do it in such a way that it would be a training ground for a small contractor,” PM Phillipsnoted.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e government is also moving apace with its national security strategy to improve the security network in

Guyana, the prime minister disclosed.

He noted that key players including the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force are sternly addressing the nation's securityissues.

“Becauseaswegrow,itis important that we create a secured environment to attract investment and alleviate any fears in our society,”hecontended.

Minister of Public Works

Juan Edghill interacts with sand truck owners and operators on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of DPI)

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips making a presentation with stakeholders' engagement at State House last Thursday at State House (DPI Photo)

NBAroundup: Luka Doncic sizzles as Mavs best Pelicans

Reuters - Luka Doncic hadhisninthtriple-doubleof the season and the host Dallas Mavericks rode a dominant start to a 127-117 victory over the shorthandedNewOrleansPelicans on Saturday night.

Doncic had 34 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his third triple-double in his last six games. Christian Wood scored 28 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 18, Jaden Hardy 15 and Spencer Dinwiddie 12 as the Mavericksracedtoa19-point lead at the end of the first quarter and remained in control.

JonasValanciunashad25 points and 10 rebounds, Naji Marshalladdedacareer-high 24 points, Herbert Jones

scored 16, Jose Alvarado 14 and Kira Lewis Jr. 12 to lead the Pelicans, who played withouttheirtopthreescorers — Zion Williamson (hamstring),BrandonIngram (toe)andCJMcCollum(rest) — who average a combined 67.2pointspergame.

ThePelicanstrailedbyas many as 23 points in the first half, butAlvarado scored six quick points to get them within 14 early in the third quarter TheMavericksrebuilt theleadto18beforeAlvarado madea3-pointerandassisted on a basket by Jones to trim theleadto78-67.Dallastook a 97-81 lead into the fourth quarter,andNewOrleansgot within six points with 32 seconds left but didn’t score again.

Lakers136,Kings134

Dennis Schroder made two free throws with 3.6 seconds left, LeBron James recorded 37 points and Los Angelesincreaseditsseasonbest winning streak to five games with a high-octane victoryoverhostSacramento.

James added eight rebounds and seven assists, while Thomas Bryant scored a season-high 29 points on 12-of-14 shooting and collected14reboundsforLos Angeles.Schroderwas4of5 from 3-point range while scoring27points,andRussell Westbrook had 23 points and matched his season best of 15 assists for the Lakers.

De’Aaron Fox had 34 points and nine assists and Domantas Sabonis had 25

points, 12 rebounds and seven assists before fouling out for the Kings. Harrison Barnes scored 18 points, Kevin Huerter added 17, KeeganMurraytallied16and Trey Lyles had 11 for Sacramento.

Celtics121,Spurs116

Jayson Tatum scored 34 points and had the gamewinning jumper with 33.7 seconds to play as visiting Boston outlasted shorthanded San Antonio.

After a timeout, Tatum’s step-back jumper in the lane onDerrickWhite’s11thassist of the game gave the Celtics thelead.JeremySochanthen misseda3-pointerandTatum hit a free throw with 4.9 seconds remaining to push the advantage to three points. He missed the second attempt, but Al Horford grabbed the offensive rebound before Malcolm Brogdon was fouled and closedoutthegamewithtwo free throws.

good. Chicago outscored Utah42-29inthefinalquarter despite playing for the secondnightinarow.Nikola Vucevic contributed 15 points, 16 rebounds and four assists.

Lauri Markkanen, who played the first four seasons of his NBA career with Chicago,scored28pointsfor theJazz.

Rookie Ochai Agbaji picked up 19 points off the bench, Jordan Clarkson added 18 points and Jarred Vanderbilt totaled 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Magic115,Warriors101 PaoloBancheroscored25 points in 31 minutes, Franz Wagner chipped in 24 points and Orlando ran its winning streak over last year’s NBA finalists to four with a defeat of Golden State in San

Francisco.MarkelleFultzand ColeAnthonycontributed16 points apiece, while Wendell CarterJr.added13pointsand 10 rebounds, helping the Magiccompletea2-0seasonseriessweepofthedefending champs after having swept a pair at Boston last month. In theopenerofanine-day,fivegame trip, the Magic trailed only briefly early on, but led just 71-65 in the third minute of the third quarter before takingcommand.

Anthony Lamb put up a career-best 26 points for the Warriors, who got Andrew Wigginsbackfrominjuryand sawAndreIguodalamakehis season debut, but were unexpectedly forced to go without Klay Thompson due to soreness in his surgically repairedleftknee.

—FieldLevelMedia

Monday January 09, 2023

ARIES (Mar.21–Apr.19)

Your immediate goals and wishes might suddenly appeartocometogethertoday, seemingly of their own accord.Thismightbestrange, Aries, and perhaps a bit frightening.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

If you've been working toward manifesting extra money in your life, Taurus, you will probably see it happen today. Copious physical and emotional energy

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Obstacles that you encountered in attaining your cherished goals could suddenly seem to melt away, clearing thewaytomakeyourdreams cometrue,Gemini.

CANCER(June21–July22)

A lot of activity could occur at home today, Cancer Perhaps you will have visitors or do some work on the house.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Whatevergoalsyou'vebeen trying to reach may finally become reality today, Leo. Finalizing everything could involve a lot of running around in the car and meeting with other people.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Eventsoverwhichyouseem to have no control seem to be coming together to make thingshappenforyou,Virgo. You might find this a bit frightening, but don't let it get to you.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Your energy is probably high today, almost to the point where you feel you mightbeabletorunamarathon! Seriously, Libra, you're probably thinking in terms of getting out of town forawhile.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21) Yourinnerpowerisprobably atanall-timehigh,Scorpio. You should be feeling especiallyconfident.You'relikely to have a stronger influence on others than usual.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Some fascinating conversations with friends, relatives,andotherscloseto you could take place today, bringing new ideas your way,Sagittarius.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)The Your career and financial goals should be within your grasp,Capricorn. Both your physical energy and inner power are operating at their peak, making this an ideal day to makeclearplans.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Today you're likely to feel like the powerful creature you are, Aquarius. Your physicalenergyishigh,and youlookandfeelgreat.Your intellect is sharp.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20) Your intuition should be very high right now, Pisces, asisyourpowerofmanifestation. Today you need to try to curb your thoughts and only think beautiful things.

Jaylen Brown added 29 points for Boston, with Brogdon scoring 23. Zach Collins racked up a careerhigh-tying 18 points and 12 rebounds for San Antonio. Josh Richardson and Tre Jones added 18 points apiece whileRomeoLangfordhad14 againsthisformerteam.

Bulls126,Jazz118

Zach LaVine scored 36 points and DeMar DeRozan added 35 as host Chicago tallied its third consecutive win by rallying past Utah.

LaVinehitthreeofhissix 3-pointers during a pivotal stretch during the fourth quarter when the Bulls surged ahead of the Jazz for

South Africa hold out...

From page 22 first innings with a superb divingcaughtandbowledoff Kagiso Rabada for three.

Hazlewood finished with fourfor48whilehispacepartner Pat Cummins took three for 60. Cummins finished as theseriesleadingwicket-taker with12wicketsat16.91.Australia missed out on a series cleansweepafterwinningthe opening Test by a six-wicket rout in Brisbane inside two days,thenhammeringtheProteas by an innings and 182 runs in Melbourne.

ThefinalTestdrawmeans Australia have yet to mathematically seal a place in the WorldTest Championship final in London in June ahead of next month’s series in India.Scores:SouthAfrica255 and 106 for 2 (Erwee 42*, Bavuma17*,Hazlewood1-9) drewwithAustralia475for4 dec.

Cool Runnins win Trophy Stall dominoes in Wakenaam

Cool Runnins emerged victorious when the Trophy Stall dominoes competition was contested recently at Carlosh Sports bar in Good Success,Wakenaam.

All star maintained a narrow lead from the first to the fifth round while Cool Runnins and Mean Machine followed in second and third positionrespectively

All-Star went into the final round on 60 games, while Cool Runnins had 59 andMeanMachine56.

In a closely contested affair Cool Runnins came out on top with 72 games while Mean Machine placed second on 71 and All-Star thirdon70.

Naomi Osaka withdraws from Australian Open

M

E L B O U R N

E , Australia (AP) — Two-time champion Naomi Osaka has confirmed she will not play at the Australian Open, adding her name to a growing list of notable withdrawals.

Organizers confirmed in a tweet yesterday that Japan’s Osaka, the Open champion in 2019 and 2021, will not be playing in Melbourne.

“Naomi Osaka has withdrawn from the Australian Open. We will miss her at #AO2023,” the tweetsaid.

The25-year-oldOsaka’s rankinghasslippedto47and she hasn’t played since S e p t e m b e r a f t e r withdrawing during the second round in Tokyo. She won her first round match at that tournament when Australia’s Daria Saville withdrew after one game with a knee injury. Osaka won only one completed

match since May and was beaten in the first round of h e r t h r e e p r e v i o u s tournaments, including the USOpenatwhichshealsois atwo-timechampion.

Last week she posted pictures on social media of a trip to Europe with her United States rapper boyfriend Cordae and had been considered unlikely to play in the first Grand Slam of the season Ukraine’s DayanaYastremskahasbeen promotedtothemaindrawin her place. Osaka took a

mental health break after missing the 2021 French Open and later said she had been struggling with depression and anxiety for several years. Her absence from Melbourne adds to uncertainty over when or if shewillresumehercareer

The Australian Open which starts on Jan 16 already has lost several leading players including men’s world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz who pulled out Saturday with an ankle injury

Cecil Ramnarine made 17, while Tom Singh and Krishendat Hansraj chalked 14eachforthewinners.

James Ramnarine scored 15, Mohamed Azam Aslam made 14 and Ano Kumar 12

forMeanMachine. Vijay Persaud and Khemraj Surujpaul marked 14 apiece for All-Star and Raj Narine Singh made 10. Cecil Ramnarine was named man-of-the-match

Naomi Osaka

The victorious Cool Runnins team.

Cecil Ramnarine (R) collects his MVP prize from Amit Ramnarine.

Callum Harriott included in Shabazz plans for Nations League

-Nationalteamreturnstotrainingtomorrow

By Rawle Toney

Gillingham Football Club winger, Callum Harriott, has been included in Coach Jamaal Shabazz’s overseas contingent for the r e s u m p t i o n o f t h e

C

O

NCACAF Nations L e a g u e a n d o t h e r engagements for the Golden Jaguars, the country’s senior Men’s National football team.

Harriott featured on Saturday in his club’s 1 – 0 defeattoLeicesterCityinthe thirdroundoftheEnglishFA Cup.

TheformerEnglandU19 andReadingFCplayer,since his debut for the Golden Jaguars in 2019, has been an important component for Coaches Michael Johnson, Marcio Maximo and now Jamaal Shabazz. However, Harriott was out for a year following a rape allegation i n w h i c h h e w a s unanimously found not guiltyinAugustof2022bya jury after four hours of deliberations following a five-day trial at Ipswich CrownCourt.

The 28-year-old, who maintained his innocence since the allegation in July 2021, would return to sign with League Two club Gillingham FC last November, being seen by Coach Neil Harris’ side as a player that can add value to theirclub.

Shabazz, speaking exclusively to Kaieteur News, said he was happy to have Harriott’s inclusion, adding, “Almost all of the players based overseas are part of my plans, especially Callum Harriott. But we will want to make sure that they’re having regular playingtimeandareactive.”

The Trinidadian Head Coach said the players will be narrowed down based on their ability to fit into his g a m e m o d e l a n d c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e programme.

According to Shabazz, “The last occasion in my effort to get better quality players into the team, I listened to the players, they all said the right things, but

on the pitch, they were not disciplined, and the game model and chemistry was affected ” The Golden Jaguars will bounce back into action officially on March 23 in an away game against Bermuda in Hamilton after winning the firstlegattheNationalTrack and Field Centre 2 – 1, thanks to goals from Trayon BobbandOmariGlasgow

Almost 70 players will go into training tomorrow (January 10), and Shabazz warned that being based locallydoesn’tmeanaplayer isentitled.

“Ithinkthelocally-based players are always in our eyes and always have a bite of the cherry However, it’s not a foregone conclusion that because they’re here, they’re in,” the candid coach highlighted.

Shabazz said he will be working with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on getting international matches for the local lads b e f o r e t h e i r recommencement of the NationsLeague.

Zabeer Zakier is ECUSA President

“I want to see these players. I want to select the best of our boys in Guyana,” Shabazz said, while adding, “Because at the end of the day,Ihavetofacethenation, I have to face the likes of Rawle Toney (Kaieteur News) and Duncan Saul (Stabroek News) …I have to face the people all over the country ” To strike a balance, Shabazz believes mechanismsshouldbeputin place to travel overseas to have a closer look at the talent available in the diaspora, pointing out, “I have a direct responsibility to the people of Guyana and the support must be there for me to travel and see these players.”

The Golden Jaguars are sitting second in Group B of L e a g u e B i n t h e

CONCACAF Nations League behind an unbeaten Haitionsixpoints.

The Haitians are at the top of the table on 10 points followingback-to-backwins against Guyana (6-2, 6-0) andMontserrat(3–2),along with a goalless draw with Bermuda.

Guyana apart from their defeat to the Haitians had wins over Montserrat (2 – 1) andBermuda(2-1).

Following their away

game against Bermuda, the Golden Jaguars will return home to play Montserrat in their final Nations League gameonMarch27.

Itisnotcleariftheteam’s final home game will be played in Guyana, since the National Track and Field Centre, the venue used for International Football, is closed for repairs and upgrade to the field, with an estimation of completion in April.

Zabeer Zakier was elected president of the Essequibo Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association when the body held its election of office bearers recently atAnna Regina fire station.

Dawchand Nagasar was elected Vice

President, Wazeer Dhanraj Secretary, Daniel Stoll treasurer and Yogeshwar LallAssistant SecretaryTreasurer

The committee members are Shameer Hussain, Randolph Lodichan and Daniel Dass.

Callum Harriott

President Zabeer Zakier (3rd from right) and other members of the newly elected executive.

South Africa hold out for rare draw to deny Australia series sweep

AFP - South Africa were untroubledastheybattedout for their first draw in almost six years on the final day of the third Test in Sydney yesterday, denying Australia aserieswhitewash.

Australia went into the fifth day of the rain-ravaged Test requiring 14 wickets for an improbable victory, but the Proteas comfortably negotiated their way through to earn a first draw in their last 47 Tests going back to NewZealandin2017.

The teams shook hands withfiveoversleftandSouth Africa at 106 for two in their second innings with Sarel Erwee unbeaten on 42 and TembaBavuma17.

Australia enforced the follow-on after Josh Hazlewood led the way with four wickets to dismiss the Proteas for 255 — 21 runs short of their target, but their highest innings total of a dismalseries.

“We tried different things, kept putting balls in good areas and hoped the luck would turn,” Australia

skipperPatCumminssaid.

“We were up against it, we had 150 overs to take 20 wicketsonagoodsurface.”

Australia could only muster two wickets in South Africa’s second innings with skipperDeanElgaryetagain failing along with Heinrich Klaasen.

Elgar fell for the fourth timeintheseriestoaleg-side catch by wicketkeeper Alex Careyfor10.

Cummins peppered him with a rising delivery and targeted Elgar’s technical batting flaw off his hips for yetanothercheapdismissal.

E l g a r f i n i s h e d a miserable series with just 56 runs from six innings at an average of 9.33, raising yet more questions about his future as South Africa’s Test skipper

“Touring Australia is nevereasy,”Elgarsaid.“The message to the group yesterday was to fight it out ondayfive.

“Only three or four guys have played here before, so there are a lot of learnings. It

is a tough place to tour, maybe the toughest in the world.

“Test cricket teaches you resilience When things aren’t on your side, you still have to wake up and try again.”

Australia opener Usman Khawaja was named manof-the-match for his unbeaten 195 in Australia’s first innings declaration of 475-4.

Fellow opener David Warner was man-of-theseries, based largely on his d o u b l e c e n t u r y i n Melbourne.

-LyondistraughtAsked about his feelings onbeingstrandedshortofhis first Test double-century by the declaration, Khawaja said: “I would have loved to getadoubleton.

“But this is what cricket is about You play for milestones but you also need todothebestfortheteam.”

Australia had some chances on the final day and leadingspinnerNathanLyon was left distraught when two

contentious reviews involving Klaasen went against him Klaasen survivedastridentlegbefore w i c k e t a p p e a l a n d subsequent review on 27. A runlateralowcatchbySteve Smithwasgivennotoutafter a review with the third u m p i r e R i c h a r d Kettleborough ruling that part of the ball was touching the grass when it went into

Smith’sfingers.

Smith was adamant he took the catch. “I was pretty certain I caught it, but it was deemed the other way It’s the umpire’s call and you moveon.”

But Klaasen didn’t last muchlongerandwasbowled byHazlewoodfor35.

Hazlewood had earlier made a crucial doublewicket breakthrough to help

wrap up South Africa’s first innings He removed the stubborn Keshav Maharaj leg before wicket for 53 off 81 balls, ending a 85-run partnership with Simon Harmer

Hazlewood struck again removing the stoic Harmer, bowling him off an inside edge for 47 from 165 balls. LyonwrappeduptheProteas (Continued on page 19)

Guyana likely to compete

in three disciplines at 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games

ByRawleToney

W i t h t h e Yo u t h Commonwealth Games set forAugust 4 – 11 inTrinidad and Tobago, Guyana will likelycompeteinthreeofthe eight disciplines at the seventheditionoftheevent.

T h e Y o u t h Commonwealth Games was first held in Edinburgh, Scotland,2000.

This year, it will cater to athletes ages 16 – 17 in Sevens Rugby, Track and Field, Tennis, Beach Volleyball, Cycling, fast5 Netball, Swimming and Triathlon.

Beach volleyball will include 12 women’s and 12 men’s teams, fast5 netball will have eight women’s teams and rugby sevens will have six men’s and six women’steams.

A source close to the G u y a n a O l y m p i c A s s o c i a t i o n ( G O A ) explainedthatthey’renotyet sure about the allocation of athletes and officials that willbeofferedtoGuyana.

Atthe2017gamesinThe Bahamas, 10 athletes represented Guyana in Boxing (Christopher Moore

and Keevin Allicock), Judo (Joshua Buchanan), Track and Field (Kenisha Phillips, Onassha Rogers, Tremaine Brown, Daniel Melville and Claudrice McKoy) and swimming (Daniel Scott and KenitaMahaica).

Julian Edmonds (track and field), Paul Mahaica (swimming), Seibert Blake (boxing) and Raoul Archer (judo)werethecoaches.

This time around, at the games which will be hosted for the second time in the Caribbean, the source said it is highly likely that Guyana willfeatureintrackandfield, swimmingandcycling.

T h e r e s p e c t i v e federations/associations of the selected disciplines will betaskedwithteamselection andcoaches.

BeachVolleyball, netball and the triathlon are nonexistent in Guyana, while SevensRugbyisn’tplayedat the stipulated age for the Commonwealth Youth Games As it relates to tennis, the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s (GLTA) primary focus recently is at the youth level, butoutsideoftheeligibleage

for the games in the Twin IslandRepublic.

Meanwhile, a Trinidad Newsday report stated that Track and field at the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games have been shifted from the Dwight Yorke Stadium in Tobago to the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo.

With the change in venue, swimming, cycling and track and field will now beheldinTrinidadandrugby sevens, fast5 netball, beach volleyball and triathlon will takeplaceinTobago.

In Trinidad, the National AquaticCentreinCouvaand the National Cycling Velodrome, also in Couva, willbeused.

In Tobago, Pigeon Point will host beach volleyball and triathlon will be held in Buccoo. It is not confirmed which venues will be used for rugby and netball. At the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games in The Bahamas, boxer Keevin Allicock won silver in the men’s featherweightdivision.

To date, it stands as Guyana’s only medal at the games.

South Africa and Australia concede to a drawn game.

Man City crush passive Chelsea in FA Cup

M A N C H E S T E R , (Reuters) - Manchester City cruised to a 4-0 win at home to Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup yesterday, enjoying their third successive win over Graham Potter’s side in the space of twomonths.

Elsewhere, League Two (fourth tier) side Stevenage pulled off the shock of the weekend by winning 2-1 at Premier League Aston Villa, scoringtwogoalsinthefinal few minutes. Riyad Mahrez whipped in a free kick to put City in front in the 23rd minute, having scored the onlygoalinthe1-0victoryat Stamford Bridge in the PremierLeagueonThursday and in the 2-0 success over ChelseaintheLeagueCupin November

Newly-crowned World Cup winner Julian Alvarez doubled their lead on the half-hour mark, the Argentina striker converting a penalty after aVAR review spotted a handball from Kai

Havertz Phil Foden completedaslickteammove involving England team mate Kyle Walker to score City’s third in the 38th minute and effectively endingthegameasacontest.

The hosts won another penalty late in the second half and although Alvarez wasstillonthepitch,Mahrez took the ball and slammed it past Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in the 85thminute.

City will play at home in the fourth round against either Premier League leaders Arsenal or League One side Oxford United, whomeettoday

Villa took the lead against Stevenage through French midfielder Morgan Sanson in the first half but their afternoon unravelled when Leander Dendoncker was sent off for tripping Stevenage midfielder Dean Campbell, leading to a penaltyforthevisitors.

JamieReidconvertedthe

penalty to equalise in the 88th minute and moments later Campbell scored to clinchanunlikelyvictoryfor Stevenage, who will visit Stoke City in the fourth round. Earlier yesterday, Leeds United staged a late comeback to draw 2-2 at

Djokovic survives marathon before winning Adelaide title

AFP - Top seed Novak Djokovic saved a match point yesterday before defeatingSebastianKordato w i n t h e A d e l a i d e International and reinforce his status as a heavy title favourite for the Australian Open.

The 21-time Grand Slam winner needed more than three hours to stamp his authority on his unseeded American opponent, son of former world number two Petr Korda, 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 In doing so, Djokovic extended his unbeaten streak in Australia to34straight matches.

The winner of 92 career titles now heads to the Australian Open in about a week with momentum in his bidtosecuretheGrandSlam fora10thtime,helpedbythe absence at Melbourne Park of injured world number one Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, the 2007 champion at Adelaide in the early days of his career, called the preOpen tune-up week “very special for me”, thrilled by o v e r w h e l m i n g f a n enthusiasm.

“It’s been an amazing week. To be standing here is a gift definitely,” said the Serbian world number five,

who missed last year’s Australian Open after being d e p o r t e d o v e r h i s vaccinationstatus.

“I gave it my all today and throughout the week in order to be able to get my handsonthistrophy

“The support I have been getting in the last 10 days was something that I don’t think I’ve experienced too many times in my life,” he added, with packed proDjokovic crowds whenever heplayed.

“It definitely felt like playingathome.”

Djokovic nullified Korda’s match point while serving at 5-6, 30/40 in the second set, coming good on anoverheadtomakethesave before the set moved into another tiebreaker which the Serbwon.-‘Greatstarttothe year’ - Korda, 22, was

playing his fifth career final and said the experience boded well for the rest of the season.“Itwasagreatstartto the year, I wish I could have gotten it done today, but I know there’s a long journey to go and a lot of positives from this week,” he said.“I thinkwe’re(heandhisteam) aregoingtohaveagreatyear together ”Djokovic, who showed no sign of the leg problemwhichbotheredhim onSaturdayduringhisdefeat of Daniil Medvedev, agreed, paying tribute the faste m e r g i n g American “Amazing effort todaySeb.

I’d probably say you were closer to victory today than I was. It was decided in one or two shots, one or two points,” he said.“Tough luck today but the future is bright foryou.”

Cardiff City and force a replay. The Championship (second-tier) side got off to a flying start thanks to firsthalf goals from Jaden PhilogeneandSheyiOjo.

But Leeds, who have pulled off their share of thrilling comebacks under

Jesse Marsch, levelled in addedtimewithastrikefrom 18-year-old forward Sonny Perkins, who had only been on the pitch for six minutes, after Rodrigo Moreno had reduced the deficit in the second half. Walsall beat Stockport County 2-1, Stoke

City won 3-0 at Hartlepool, Blackburn Rovers beat Norwich City 1-0 and Derby County beat Barnsley 3-0 to also make it to the fourth round. Bristol City and Swansea City will meet again in a replay after drawing1-1.

Novak Djokovic

Chelsea’s Denis Zakaria in action with Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji and Stefan Ortega. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez shoots at goal as Chelsea’sBashir Humphreys and Conor Gallagher attempt to block. (Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff)

Guyana’s Callum Harriott in action for Gillingham FC.