Kaieteur News

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Teachers to Monday Edition NEWS ‘isolate’ from classrooms today AIETEUR

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

January 10, 2022 - Vol. 15 No. 02

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 82,718

…GTU reports 176 test positive for COVID-19; 90 students also infected

Pres. Ali and Jagdeo directed Stabroek Block partners to accelerate oil development - Hess Boss says ‘Govt. gives Kashif & Shanghai license to violate COVID-19 - Figueira blasts super-spreader football tourney amid Omicron outbreak

guidelines’ US$13M to upgrade 32 ‘bush’ bridges to international standard s e u n i t n o st c e t o r p e h T to e g n a h c for t. c a r t n o c il’s b o M n o x Ex

657 new COVID-19 cases; 3 more deaths on Sunday

‘Door opens for misuse of oil money’ - Article 13 says, following rushed passage of controversial NRF Bill

Guyana will hopefully become a role model for the world to follow in development of its on Kaieteur resources responsibly, so said Hess and Exxon. Listen to more Nancy stories@11:00hrs Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

Pres. Ali and Jagdeo directed Stabroek Block partners to accelerate oil development - Hess Boss says H

e s s Corporation's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess recently noted that the Guyana Government, particularly President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, have given

clear instructions for oil development at the Stabroek Block to be accelerated.

During a recent Goldman Sachs Conference, Hess said both Dr. Ali and Jagdeo are very pro-business while adding that their belief is that Guyana has a right to

develop its resources. “They have been very clear that they want to accelerate oil development and both publicly stated, especially Jagdeo, at the United Nations in September, that Guyana has a right to develop resources but both

said Guyana will do it in an environmentallyr e s p o n s i b l e m a n n e r, ” expressed the Chief Executive Officer.

Hess also noted that Ali and Jagdeo have been very clear to the joint-ventures that they want them to be

President Irfaan Ali capital-disciplined, and environmentallyresponsible in their offshore operations. He said, so far the government has been a “very good partner” to the Stabroek Block partners.

Given the relationship between the two, Hess said the partners are keen to work towards helping Guyana with the management of its oil wealth.

Only last week, Kaieteur News quoted the Hess Chief saying that his company and ExxonMobil are helping Guyana craft a plan to manage its oil riches.

During the same Goldman Sachs' Global Energy and Clean Technology Conference2022, the Hess Boss said the support is being provided to Michael Porter of the Harvard Business School who is part of a team in Georgetown for a project called, the Guyana Development Initiative.

Kaieteur News understands that Porter is an American academic known for his theories on economics, business strategy, and social causes.

Furthermore, Porter is the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School, and he was one of the founders of the consulting

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

firm The Monitor Group (now part of Deloitte) and FSG, a social impact consultancy. He is also credited for creating Porter's five forces analysis, which is instrumental in business strategy development today.

Expounding further, Hess said the development plan will help Guyana enhance its human capital through healthcare and education and its infrastructure.

Already, Hess disclosed that it is partnering with Exxon, also to provide support to help Guyana build an electric plant using natural gas that has been discovered in the Stabroek Block. “(We will) also look at building their national capital to manage this oil wealth and hopefully, five to ten from now, we will be looking at Guyana as a role model for how to develop resources responsibly,” expressed the Hess Boss.

In the meantime, the Hess Boss said that the Stabroek Block partners remain focused on fully understanding the exploration potential of the offshore resources in the Guyana basin, which he described as having industry leading production costs and world-class reservoirs.

Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Guyana's success with Local Content Law will only be as good as its capacity for enforcement d E : p O

By Kiana Wilburg

K

aieteur News has been at the forefront of several major local content awareness initiatives for seven years. Our most recent demonstration in this regard was the dedication of a page daily towards featuring provisions of the Local Content Law. To recap, this newspaper highlighted that the legislation cordons off 40

categories of participation down from the previously criticised 153 for maximum local participation; strips oil companies of the power to procure goods and services as they please; removes loopholes for shell companies and crooks to disguise as legitimate companies with the creation of a Local Content Register; mandates that bidders with the highest local content targets should win; and requires oil companies to

report local content use by value and not volume.

These are but a few of the praiseworthy provisions of the legislation.

However, the authorities of the day, as well as industry stakeholders are to be reminded that legislation or policies are only as good as a country's capacity for enforcement. This very point is strongly supported by a plethora of research and even in the policies and previous interviews, which

Overpaid cops still to return money - AG report The Guyana Police Force is yet to recoup millions of dollars overpaid to former ranks as well as funds remitted in their names to the National Insurance Scheme, (NIS) the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and other agencies, the Auditor General Report 2020 has highlighted.

The ranks in question had resigned or were fired from the Guyana Police Force (GPF). According to the AG report for the year 2020, the GPF which has for years been plagued with issues relating to the overpayment of salaries to staff, is now looking to go after those ranks and those who were overpaid and have not returned the money.

The report noted that some 176 officers who severed employment with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for various reasons were still paid on 14 instances totaling $1.308M. The AG Report also pointed to related deductions of $91,423, $84,498 and $164,298 which were also overpaid to GRA, NIS and other deduction agencies.

Similarly, for the years 2010 to 2012, 2017, 2018 and 2019 the Force is still to recover outstanding amounts totalling $12.396M, which were overpaid in salaries and deduction.

These overpayments were as a result of directives to payroll changes not being forwarded in a timely manner to the Central Accounting Unit of the

Senior Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus.

Force.

According to the report, the Force explained that efforts are ongoing to recover the overpayments.

The Force committed to a policy decision in respect of members of the Force whose services are terminated and were overpaid salaries that Divisional Branch Commanders are to be surcharged for their negligence.

In addition, the Audit Office recommended that the ministry continues its effort to recover the sums overpaid and to ensure systems are put in place for payroll change directives to be forwarded in a timely manner to the Central Accounting Unit of the Force in order to minimise overpayments.

Earlier this year, during a sitting of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Committee examined the Auditor General's 2016

findings on the Ministry of P u b l i c S e c u r i t y, n o w renamed Ministry of Home Affairs, which outlined that the GPF is still to recover some $2.264 million for salaries that were overpaid to employees of the Force between 2010 and 2012.

Back then, the Audit Office had also recommended a number of measures designed at improving systems at the GPF, which would have helped with overpayments.

But according to the Ministry, only 67 per cent of these recommendations were implemented as of 2016, with 33 per cent partially implemented.

Kaieteur News conducted with revered Trinidadian Local Content Expert, Anthony Paul.

Independent studies by DAI Energy and Resources Group's also provide a compelling case on the importance of capacity for enforcement, drawing from the lessons of Angola, B r a z i l , G h a n a , Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

In Ghana, for example, D A I noted that s o me multinational companies have skirted joint venture requirements by establishing illegal shell companies.

DAI's research found that these shell companies fulfill the letter of the law without actually earning revenues that feed positive impacts back into the greater Ghanaian economy.

DAI said Ghana's Petroleum Commission has attempted to crack down on shell companies, but with limited success.

Given the experience of Ghana and others, the international consultancy group warned that countries with relatively weak institutional capacity for enforcement should consider Ghana's challenges and devise an approach that ensures the return of benefits to the local economy.

Further to this, DAI said its research has also found that local participation in the form of equity ownership by

Senior Journalist Kiana Wilburg

nationals may not translate into national development objectives.

To cement its case, it highlighted that the stated objectives of local content policies in Angola, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania were capital retention, local employment promotion, technology transfer, and broad-based development.

However, the link between equity ownership and these development objectives was found to be generally weak in Angola and Nigeria. DAI said the alternative approach, as in Brazil, promotes the development of domestic value chains by incentivising foreign

companies to perform activities in-country. Taking these lessons into account, DAI said Brazil's approach is generally more effective at promoting economic development and worth consideration by other nations.

DAI further stressed the importance of robust data.

The consultancy said this is crucial for setting realistic local content targets. In Brazil, it highlighted that a detailed picture of the local supply capacity and of industry demand allowed for t h e d e s i g n a n d implementation of impactful local content interventions in (Continued on page 10)

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

A glimpse at how oil powers operate A few months ago, in one of our front-page comments, we identified four things that multinational companies do in host countries to ensure that they have a lock on the commodity that is plentiful there. Because there is great demand for that commodity, with enormous profits to be reaped, these powerful multinationals which include the big oil companies, have perfected a certain strategy that guarantees they walk away with the fruits of fabulous treasures in poor, unsophisticated Third World countries.

As we revisit what we had shared as our front-page comment, we ask Guyanese to think for themselves. To determine whether this is what may not be going on right now, and right before their eyes.

To elaborate, we said in our comment that the corporate powers, global behemoths all, do these four things. First, they manipulate and compromise, buy over and control the local political powers. Second, they woo and win over the local elite (legal, professional, commercial). Third, they set the warring people against one another, and keep them that way, using the local political powers that they control.

Fourth, while the peoples are consumed with what they have known all their lives, which is mainly poverty and the neighbour who is their enemy, they fetch away the local riches. In the end, the country is left denuded, citizens poorer and more hopeless, and elites incredibly rich.

Today, we focus on the first of the four prongs in the modus operandi of the oil companies right here in Guyana.

It is what is occurring in one huge segment of our political apparatus. It surrounds the uncertainties, indeed the looming controversy, of who is to be the Leader of the Opposition. As we address this issue to expose how oil companies function, we are in no way getting involved in the business of Guyana’s current opposition. We have no preference, one way or another, of who should or should not be the leader. But if there is a leader, who is about the Guyanese people and getting the best for us for our oil, then he is worth a thought, some space, and a few words.

From all indications, both the ruling political powers and their foreign oil partners are very nervous about the potential of one of the names caught up in the throes of the leadership fight.

He has signalled a new militancy and a determination to represent the people. Remember, they all say that, and there is another thing they say about politicians: all cats are grey in the dark.

But whether he means it or not, can marshal enough people muscle to confront both government and foreign oil people, the people whose applecart could be upset or at least slowed down by his tactics and rhetoric, are not taking any chances. Of course, their voiceprints and fingerprints are nowhere around such local matters regarding who should be the leader.

Yet there is this delay, this hesitancy, this resistance, that makes many Guyanese ask themselves what is going on, and why this is so.

These internal contests occur from time to time, but they are usually not so visible and do not have much meaning to the wider population. Still, in this instance, there is the appearance of one who has already made it clear where he stands, and that alone is causing much consternation in both local ruling circles and at watchful foreign heights. We say it again. They do not want to be caught napping, in being complacent and telling themselves that it means nothing and is business as usual.

Thus, he must be stopped, and they will use whatever means and human agencies that are available and willing to neutralise or thwart someone who could pose a significant threat to the smooth road and express passage that have been the hallmarks of the oil business in Guyana.

For a vibrant Opposition Leader of a different kind to be allowed to take centre stage and get in the way of how business has been done, generates huge uneasiness.

Therefore, he must be stopped by any means necessary.

Fellow Guyanese, is this what could be at work in oil rich Guyana?

Monday January 10, 2022

The fleecing of Guyana never ends while poor man’s house collapses and kills wife and child Dear Editor, The fleecing of Guyana never ends while poor man’s house collapsed and kills wife and child.

My friend Suresh said, “There are not enough ‘cuss words’ to describe the treasonous oil contract signed by the PNC” and which the PPP vowed they would not renegotiate. The Exxon Head had said that at election time, both parties promised they would not renegotiate the contract. That puts the oil companies, PNC and PPP on the same side versus the people of Guyana.

When I saw the news of that poor man’s house at Bonasika that collapsed and killed his wife and child, I was quite

upset, as most of you were.

Why do our poor people have to live in such squalor, while the oil companies and their shareholders are dancing all the way to the bank with barrels full of money, which they made from the oil owned by the people of Guyana. Is the Government not ashamed to say we are a “rich nation of poor people.” Who made it like that? The people or the politicians who take turns to rape the country’s resources?

What is more outrageous is the recent news that the Auditor General’s report found that Oil companies in the Oil and Gas Sector applied to reclaim US$20M for VAT refunds from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The refunds are for the year 2020 amounting to $3.757 billion. These are claims from 61 companies in the oil industry. The big oil companies (Exxon, HESS, CNOOC) pay no income taxes or corporation taxes. Yet the Government issues Tax Certificates to them, pretending that they pay taxes, and those Tax Certificates may make Exxon and HESS eligible for tax credits from the US Government. The Guyana Government, which says it will be transparent with the Natural Resources Fund, has so far refused to release information on these tax certificates issued as requested by the Oil and Gas Governance Network about six months ago. Last year, the

Government collected G$4 billion more in taxes than expected. The Guyanese people are taxed more and more, but oil companies are collecting more and more VAT refunds. People, does that make sense to you?

So nation, the big oil companies get the bulk of the money – 84.5 percent of the gross income from oil, while Guyana gets 14.5 percent.

And now 61 oil businesses are getting almost US$20 million in VAT refunds and waivers. This money can pave all our roads in Whim and in the Whim-Bloomfield NDC, and fix that terrible Parika to Hubu Road. It can also buy more heart machines like the one burnt in the recent fire, buy medicines for our (Continued on page 6)

Road works questionable Dear Editor, Of recent, there’s been quite a lot of road works going on throughout the country and for quite some time now, I’ve been hearing complaints about the type of work. It reaches a stage where the government becomes very critical of the contractors and issuing threats of finding means to get back money from contractors who are doing flimsy work. Most vocal is Minister Edghill who continuously keeps singing the same tune to the media and I’m wondering if that strategy is just to keep the public silent.

Throughout the years, questions keep surfacing around the cost to repair/build

a road and despite criticism, huge money keeps being paid for works that in most cases are flimsy. For money to pass for these shoddy works, without a doubt, many hands have to be greased. It’s unconscionable for contractors alone to face the blame.

An in-depth investigation should be carried out and the corrupt officials must also be made to pay for their corruption.

Editor, on Friday, I was taken and shown a four corner/intersection in Zeelugt, which was completed on Thursday.

More than one contractor did the four streets, and each street edge was done differently. Whilst the street

thickness was supposed to be three inches, inspecting it, you could see it did not exceed two inches. Each contractor’s speed humps are different and the two sides/ edges of the street are different. In addition, whilst there, a canter passed and the edge started to break away immediately. No doubt that there will be greater damage in days to come. Why is the government continuously paying huge sums of money for works that are not able to provide a proper service to commuters/residents?

Finally, Editor, I videoed the various works on Friday, including the damage to upload it on the Ministry of Public Works website/Social

Media, but apparently, the dictators prefer posting what they want without giving you the privilege to show what happens. I try attaching the files in this email, but they are too large.

For your information, I will be uploading them on my Facebook page. I will also be checking how many government sites give you the option to upload videos/ images on their Facebook page or of the block that feature.

It’s no secret that Ministers in Guyana continuously post pictures of works being done, but they do not post the full story.

Yours sincerely, Sahadeo Bates

Floodgate of Corruption Dear Editor, Has the floodgate to corruption been opened? Is it much different from the previous regime? Have a new set of scamps replaced the old set? Nothing changes. The more things seem to change, they more they remain the same or get worse. In fact, it seems worse now than before. Under the previous regime, more people shared in the loot. Now, the loot is concentrated in the hands of a few greedy ones. The government work is not shared.

Everywhere there is a cry of corruption. Has volume of corruption been so high?

Every Ministry, except Social Security, Labour, and Public Administration, is implicated in graft. People talk. Workers or staff, all talk. They are not blind. Ministers and high officials live the good life just like under the coalition. The

word is almost every official in the higher ups seems to be on the take. Names are called and amounts received given.

A political party is also given funds for its political campaign. An opposition politician is getting a big cut to stay quiet. Percentages demanded are boldly stated averaging 20 but in some cases 25 percent. Lower layers of bureaucrats also ask for their ‘lil thing’. They see the people above them getting big drawbacks; they too want a share. They boldly ask for their cut. Who can blame them!

In one Ministry, engineers are openly and boldly asking contractors for their share. They too want a fancy house and a nice car.

They ask for big money like their bosses. They cite how much money has gone to Ministers and senior officials.

The engineers are asked to fix

documents to benefit preferred companies and those at senior functionaries.

So why can’t they also get their cut!

I drive around and take notice of the newly paved roads and other infrastructure projects. Under the previous regime, the roads held up for a period of time. Over the last 16 months, newly paved roads have collapsed within weeks if not days. Road work has been substandard. As I drive around, a casual inspection would show how sub-standard the road works and culverts are. That is not surprising with inexperienced contractors being given contracts for which they lack the skills and capacity. The Eccles Bypass road has been given to preferred contractors. Roads are not completed on schedule. Most of the other contracts have been given to particular

contractors, most of whom are new in that field. At least under the previous regime, contracts were given to contractors of all backgrounds. Billions of dollars have been paid for pump stations and other projects but in many cases hardly any work was done.

This government is behaving like its predecessor that it is not coming back. Has the power behind the throne been told by the international forces that government must be changed in 2025? Is this why officials are making their ‘heights’. They are doing the same thing officials in the coalition did – engrossed in getting drawbacks and fixing their sons, other relatives, friends to get contracts.

Citizens need to wake up and think of how to close the floodgate of corruption.

Yours truly, Mukesh Narine

Monday January 10, 2022

Protect yourself against the COVID-19 variants Dear Editor, The COVID-19 pandemic is decimating lives by the millions worldwide: It is practically impossible that anyone can be found who has not lost a loved one or associated to the dreaded virus.

Despite this reality, it boggles the mind why persons continue to ignore COVID protocols, refuse to take the requisite vaccines and consequently endanger their own and the lives of family members, friends, associates, and even innocent persons who are forced to expose themselves to infected persons because of their jobs; persons like taxi and bus drivers, salespersons, employees in goods and services sectors, private and public sectors and various work environments, like construction, vendors, shopkeepers, etcetera.

There are posts on social media, especially during festive occasions or commemorative celebrations, where absolute irresponsibility and lack of respect for their own and the lives of others are on full display by celebrants. They ignore the fact that the virus is not discriminatory and affects everyone, including health personnel.

At a press conference recently, featuring HE President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Health Minister Frank

Anthony and senior health sector personnel, persons were urged to take the necessary precautions, follow rules and observe protocols, not only to avoid infection and/or spread of the disease, but in a national cooperative effort to eliminate the virus in entirety countrywide and restore life in Guyana to normalcy.

While the President asserted that the government has the requisite capacity to manage the current situation, he warned that the dynamics can change day to day if hordes of people continue to flout the rules and refuse to adhere to COVID-19 protocols. While the government is quick on the uptake – being first to acquire vaccines, first to obtain booster shots and children’s vaccines and making every possible effort to curtail the spread of the disease, with the critical oxygenation needs being enough, there is continual preparation to treat emerging variants.

The team urged that persons heed the fact that the virus is easily transmissible and deadly, especially the Delta variant, although the omicron is more infectious.

Each person – President Ali, Dr. Anthony and the other health personnel stipulated the imperative of wearing masks properly, covering the face from nose to chin, and to (Continued on page 6)

Complicit in this sordid affair Dear Editor, It was good to learn of the arrest of the minibus driver in the case of the drugged school girls. But what of the bus conductor and the snackette owner who, it

seems, were complicit in this sordid affair?

They too should be made to account for their role in this matter.

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

Giants among men Dear Editor, Lives well lived, now at rest and the world is poorer for their passing. Icons in their own right, giants among

men, we remember Desmond Tutu and Sidney Poitier.

May they rest peacefully.

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

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Kaieteur News

Dr. Rodney, Our Psyche Dear Editor, Even though I supported President Granger during the 2020 election, I see Dr. Ali as the hope for our country because of a simple fact – He is our president and must meet the major challenges of his presidency by forging a united and inclusive nation.

This task is paramount because, even though we gained our independence as a united people, we are currently a racially splintered nation. Now, with our future hitched to multinational corporations, we must realise that imperialism has morphed into that multi-headed hydra intent on maximising their profits. However, we must

not take brazen, impulsive, and contrary steps to manage our newly acquired resources by ourselves since we may not have the human, technological and monetary capabilities to accomplish this task effectively. We need these corporations. We only need to review our misstep with nationalisation. While we may debate, dissect and rationalise the demise of nationalisation, it failed.

Raised during that era, I know we were a divided nation then as we are today, 50 years later. For this reason, it is essential that we stand united as a nation and recognise that we need each other. It is my humble plea

that our president, Dr. Ali, honour our native son and national hero — Dr. Walter Rodney.

Dr. Rodney, when the PPP was voiceless, spoke against the domineering PNC. Dr. Rodney’s courageous actions and voice is still as relevant as the day when he awakened a consciousness that still resonates in our hearts. Many of us still love and honour this man because he stood for the rights of all of us. I remember being with him in the New Amsterdam market looking for an Indian woman, a centenarian, selling vegetables in the sun. Dr. Rodney was moved because she had served her country

and her country did not honour her, then, with a deserved pension.

I think we need more than a token monument for this great man. Dr. Rodney must be an instrument of light and hope for our country where we will continue to see that it is better to be loved for our high principles and not our money and power.

Dr. Ali has the opportunity to show his and his party’s moral standing by commissioning some inclusive project that will unite and awaken the youths to Dr. Rodney’s teaching and dedication to his country.

Sincerely, Stanley Niamatali

My three suggestions for the NRF Board Dear Editor, Congratulations to the government on the passage of the long overdue Local Content and NRF bills. I am intrigued by plans for the Natural Resource Fund Board. I believe that the composition of the NRF Board should reflect the most diverse, best, brightest and experienced Guyanese minds that we can find. The government has committed to us that the members of the Board will be non-political.

This will make the task of identification and selection very much harder as most of our best and brightest have already been touched by the very broad political brush as party members or are conflicted by working for political parties. I have one major fear that if realised, it will lead to more public protests. I fear that they will all be economists of a certain narrow political persuasion, ethnicity and background which is the last thing we need as it will undermine trust, confidence and credibility.

This need not be the case.

Hopefully, the government can find non-political board members from outside of the expected ethnic and politically-connected makeup of the Board. Therefore, I wish to make a comment about the Chairman and humbly offer two suggestions.

Firstly, in my view, the Chairman of the Board should be Dr. Ashni Singh who is an outstanding choice but the

political taint is clearly an issue to consider. He fits all except the non-political criteria but he is essentially a technocrat who is performing a function similar to that of managing the funds that will be overseen by the NRF Board. I humbly ask the government to consider its criteria for Chairman carefully as to me, Dr. Ashni Singh is the perfect person to be the first Chair. Dr. Singh is very well known so I need not say more. If we cannot have Dr. Singh as Chair, we need to find a suitable Guyanese with similar expertise.

Secondly and thinking broadly, my two suggestions are candidates who can add serious intellectual, professional experience, competency, credibility and most importantly, major diversity to the NRF Board.

They are Dr. David Pollard and Dr. Toussant Boyce.

I know Dr. David Pollard fairly well. He is richly educated, brilliant and well known locally as a highly rated professional. David has a PhD in theoretical physics but do not let that mislead you into thinking that he is not an expert in international finance and investments. He is versatile and competent on many issues related to

investing and financial management. He is a financial advisor and the director of a fund who has worked with major investment banks across the worlds. Most importantly, his expertise is broad at a high level and relevant to Guyana and the NRF. His recent presentations and publications on the oil industry and the NRF Bill demonstrate his knowledge of the NRF and what it will take to move forward. David’s only drawback may be the time; he served as an Ambassador but that is not necessarily political to disqualify him from being on the NRF Board.

Dr. Toussant Boyce is the most well-rounded and interesting of my three suggestions. I did not know about him until recently when he was speaking at a conference and a legal colleague drew to my attention to the fact that he is Guyanese. She said that he is one of the youngest most brilliant, humble and wellrounded and respected professional talents that Guyana has ever produced. I did some research and I agree wholeheartedly.

He graduated at the top of his classes at many institutions including UG, UWI,

Cambridge and Harvard. He has solid expertise in law, banking, international finance, accountability, anticorruption, anti-money laundering and governance.

These are areas Guyana needs to manage well. I could not find information that associated him with any political organisation nor any public service other than at the regional public service level at CDB where he currently heads their governance, integrity and accountability office. His masters and PhD from Cambridge and Harvard are in finance, commercial law, financial regulation and international finance. He has worked in local private sector in law and banking, regional investment and development banking, and with global law firms here in the US before returning to serve in the Caribbean. He is well respected and doesn’t appear to have any taint from politics nor conflicts from the oil industry. His only major drawback may be that as an apolitical professional, he is not politically connected locally in Guyana, which is also a very good thing for the NRF. Editor, to help manage (Continued on page 6)

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Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

IT IS OVER

Is Party loyalty more important?

Dear Editor, Is Party loyalty more important than taking decisions, which will take us closer to the One Guyana nation?

It is documented that the Opposition did not protest the passage of the Local Content Bill.

It is also documented that the Opposition behaved unparliamentary when the Natural Resource Fund Act was voted on.

Both these Bills were dealt with during the same session

on the same day in Parliament.

As the Opposition side behaved so differently at the voting on the Natural Resource Fund Act, should the Government side not assess if it contributed to the disgraceful behaviour of the Opposition?

Do our representatives on the Government side honestly believe that their decision not to allow adequate time for wider discussions did not give rise to the Opposition brawl?

Will we ever experience

and witness increasing opportunities for all of us and our organisations to be involved in the decision– making and management of affairs affecting all our wellbeing? Is it wrong for us to expect the Government to behave in ways which will openly prove that it is governing for all of us?

Those in power have better opportunities to effect compromises; compromises, which are for the better.

Yours sincerely, Muhammad Alli

Protect yourself against the COVID-19...

From page 5 always follow COVID-19 guidelines, especially social distancing and sanitising.

Infected persons can be asymptomatic, which means they can be carriers and can unknowingly infect innocent persons with whom they come in contact, especially vulnerable, susceptible family members, such as children and elderly and/or sick

relatives. The emerging mutations and diverse variants, such as omicron and a flu-like mutation, with Omicron projected to be more dominant are changing the dynamics into fluidity that may very well prove more deadly than the first wave of the pandemic.

I wonder how many persons are grieving today that their irresponsible, selfish

actions in pursuit of enjoyment of the moment – gyrating to loud music and getting close and personal to partners without masks on a dance floor; or simply removing masks in a close grouping for photo shoots may have ensued in the suffering, or even demise of a loved one.

Yours very truly, Attiya Baksh

My three suggestions for the NRF...

From page 5 Guyana’s oil future, we need to find more highly educated, expert and well-rounded talents with practical experience. I have offered my three suggestions. I know that many other names will be produced and examined publicly as they should. I have a few other names in

mind but alas, they are all politically tainted or just antigovernment. In my humble view, the three persons whom I have named above have precisely the kind of skillset needed for a well-respected, intellectually sound, diverse, broad, trustworthy, competent and credible NRF Board that will help to fund

the future development of Guyana.

We do not need any more drama over any future NRF appointments. The bills have passed, the government has a mandate and we all should help the government to choose wisely.

Sincerely, Asad Ally, CPA

Dear Editor, My advice to you, Joseph Harmon is to leave willingly, bow out gracefully and demonstrate that you truly love your party and its coalition partners. It is over for you.

Do not let our members and supporters rise up against you. Do not let the Guyanese people remember you as a disgraced and unwanted Leader of the Opposition holding on to a political position, which you are incapable of managing.

There is no PNC without its members and supporters.

There is no Coalition without the people behind it. This struggle is about the people and they have spoken. They have acted too.

They want change and have begun the process of strengthening the PNC/R. Their voices carry power; do not let them rise up against you.

Our members and supporters want the PPP out

of government. Many Guyanese that do not support us or the PPP want to see a better Guyana. They want to see our wealth benefit the people of Guyana. They know that will not happen under the current government.

The people are awakened; young people want a brighter future and a better country.

They will laugh at you, pour scorn on you and hate you if you selfishly stand in the way of their struggle to crush the racist PPP and save Guyana.

It is over for you. It is over for David Granger. Let us write down in the pages of history kind words about you and the role you have played in Guyana politics. It is over for you. Do not disappoint, hurt and anger our people any longer.

This is a fight against wickedness in high places; a fight you are unwilling to accept.

This a fight against principalities and powers and

wickedness in high and low places. This is a fight against rulers of darkness. You are not an evil person but your love for wealth over our people and their struggle make you a compromised leader.

This is a fight for a just Guyana. This is a fight for a Guyana that must be free of corruption.

This is a fight for justice for our people being killed by operatives of the State but more so, it is a fight to save our nation. Do not stand in the way. I beg you, I implore you, I ask of you not to be that massive barrier standing in the way of the struggle. It is over, Joseph Harmon. It is over. It is you who said that the PNC/R Leader should also be Leader of the Opposition. Keep your integrity intact. That statement caused you to fall on your own sword.

Regards, Norman Browne, Political Activist

The outcome and intent are the important factors Dear Editor, I pen this brief response to Mr. Sultan Mohamed’s letter published in the Kaieteur News Friday, January 7, 2022 edition captioned, “Ogunseye’s call for dialogue is commendable”. He was responding to my letter “All Guyanese must rethink their political approach to Guyana’s new reality.”

Mr. Sultan Mohamed response is a typical Guyanese response to political matters. The messenger rather than the message is scrutinised, and he or she becomes the issue.

While pretending to give me the benefit of the doubt he is in fact, tearing down the messenger. “It looks like Mr. Ogunseye has had a Kafkaesque metamorphosis of sorts.” And, “Let’s concede Mr. Ogunseye’s makeover to a “new African man” for all intents and purposes is sincere. Let’s concede his call

for dialogue is genuine; therefore, most commendable, doesn’t he first need to sell himself to his fellow Africanists to toe the line that he now proposes?” These quotes say it all. I am not prepared to give him benefit that his, “commendable” is sincere and genuine. I say to Sultan Mohamed that whatever metamorphosis I had - “Kafkaesque”, magical or otherwise, it doesn’t matter, what is important is the outcome and intent. My position is the result of the evolving political situation in the country. And my sense that time is not on our side as a nation. We either act now or perish.

At no point in Mr. Mohamed’s missive, he gives recognition to the message except to state “commendable”. I want to caution that sincerity in politics has little to do with statements or utterances, but more with actions. It is the

political praxis of political actors that is important. My political involvement in public politics spans more than 50 years. And there is no need for me to “sell myself” old or new. I seek to do what is in the interest of the nation, which includes the African/ Indian and other ethnic communities.

Continuing in his cynical ways, he wrote, “Mr. Ogunseye singularly taking on such a herculean task for a new national engagement...” He ignores that my appeal is directed to the nation to embrace a line of march in the interest of the country. This is not my responsibility. It is our responsibility.

In concluding, I wish to say that Mr. Sultan Mohamed has missed the “mark”: we either clean up the national “house” or perish. I hope he gets the message.

Regards, Tacuma Ogunseye

The fleecing of Guyana never ends while...

From page 4 clinics and hospitals, provide dialysis centres in each region, and help people such as the poor Bonasika family where the house fell and killed the woman and her child.

Nation, are we running an oil business or an oil charity for rich oil companies and oilrelated businesses? Is this not like a reverse Robin Hood programme where we rob the working poor of Guyana and give the loot to the rich oil

barons and their associates with oil businesses? And the politicians get their cut too for conspiring to oppose renegotiation?

GRA Commissioner Mr. Statia cautioned that, “significant increase in (VAT) exemptions is expected in the coming years, owing to the burgeoning Oil and Gas sector, and unless policy changes are effected, exemptions are expected to grow exponentially as the industry develops and

matures, and in particular, if the Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs) for other blocks have similar provisions for exemptions.”

I call on the Government to end this corporate welfare of waivers and exemptions on VAT. Local companies are paying VAT so why should we subsidize their competitors to the tune of almost G$4 billion.

Nation does that make sense?

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

T N U L B . . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

According to one of our letter writers, Guyana is faced with a reversed Robin Hood situation --- our leaders are taking from the poor and fattening the coffers of the rich.

How does one become a leader of an entire nation and not have compassion for the people?

Guyanese, we implore you: Open your eyes and see how the leaders are throwing us under the bus.

It is very clear that they care about themselves and not about us.

This nonsensical approach to running this country must be halted forthwith; Guyanese, it is our collective efforts that will have to salvage this nation from certain devastation.

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Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

'Door opens for misuse of - Article 13 says, following rushed oil money' passage of controversial NRF Bill In registering its disappointment over the 'rushed' passage of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Bill, and now legislation, local democratic watchdogs, Article 13, has warned that the 'undue haste' opens the door for misuse of the oil funds.

On Sunday, in a statement to the media, the civil society group, which comprises of prominent, outspoken Guyanese such as Chartered Accountant and Attorney at law Christopher Ram, telecommunications expert Yog Mahadeo and Jonathan Yearwood among others said, not only does the rushed Act opens the door for misuse, but it also disregards the Santiago Principles, which speaks to transparency.

“We consider it a salutary lesson that Kazakhstan, whose model of Sovereign Wealth Fund was being considered as a potential influence for Guyana's, is now experiencing unprecedented disturbances, loss of lives, looting of private property, destruction of public property, and orders by the President to domestic and invited Russian troops to shoot to kill protesters without warning,” Article 13 said.

The body contended that in rejecting the recommendations and calls of the parliamentary opposition and civil society

The PPP proceeding with the reading of the NRF Bill in Parliament, amid protest action by the Opposition. to be consulted on some of the biggest issues of the day, most recently the NRF Act, the Administration is rejecting a core concept of the Constitution and of democracy.

In this regard, the local watchdogs stated that the administration must respect the rights of the group, since an election may grant power to a political group for the administration of the state, but such power has to be exercised within the parameters of the law.

Recently, Article 13 was dismissed by the government for its comments made on general issues, but the group notified that it will not be silenced, nor will it give up

its right to participate in the affairs of the country – a right recently affirmed by the Caribbean Court of Justice in the Ogle Airport case. The organisation pointed out that “ J u s t i c e J a m a d a r, i n endorsing the main judgment of the Court, placed the duty of the Government to consult and the right of society to be consulted in “the context of G u y a n e s e constitutionalism.” Even in the narrow case of operators at the airport, Justice Jamadar posited that those operators “have a right to consultation on this matter, and the State, a concomitant duty to engage them in this process.”

“Guyana's wealth too, belongs to the people, not to

any political party,” Article 13 reminded, even as it highlighted that governments are elected to manage the country's resources in the interest of both current and succeeding generations. “But when the Government fails to act in accordance with that mandate, the fundamental trust and confidence which holds society together are at best strained, and at worst, rendered asunder,” the body noted.

Additionally, it said that while the Parliamentary Opposition's position is understandable with regard to the Bill, it would be equally remiss if it did not denounce the unacceptable, unparliamentary conduct of

the opposition in the National Assembly and the 'autocratic' manner in which the Government forced its passage. The group said it is once again calling on President Irfaan Ali to use his immense powers to “see that the organs of the Constitution are established in the shortest possible time”.

“Not only Guyana, but the world is at a pivot point facing a systems failure in our economic, energy and the environmental models. At this critical time, Article 13 will continue to challenge the Government to demonstrate accountability and to ensure that the voices and concerns of the Guyanese people are heard, just as the Constitution requires,” the body added.

Misuse Analysts have warned that Guyana's oil wealth must not be used to fund projects which may very well leave the country bankrupt.

Economist Ramon Gaskin in a recent interview with this publication cautioned, “When you put politicians in charge of spending money and big, big money like that kind, you are going to have a lot of problems. You will have wastage, you will have squandermania and you will have corruption, all of which we have at the present time, so you will get more of it at a greater degree”.

At the end of November 2021, some US$534,040,707

was sitting in the NRF. Already the Head of State, Irfaan Ali has signaled his intention to utilise the funds on 'green economy' projects and infrastructural development. Ali told a news conference, “I made it very clear that one: we have to accelerate our infrastructure transformation; better roads, better drains, better facilities, better recreational facilities, greater lighting, greater support for security services for our accelerated i n f r a s t r u c t u r e transformation. We have already laid out what those transformative projects are”.

Even more importantly, Ali noted that the NRF will be used to bring down the cost of electricity and create 50,000 jobs as was promised on the elections campaign trail. When it comes to the Amaila Falls and the heavily touted Gas to Shore Projects which the government believes will push the country forward, Gaskin argued: “We do not know, or we haven't seen the numbers.

We haven't seen the data to show that these investments are feasible and viable. We haven't seen it, but they want to go ahead and spend the money”. The GTS project lone will cost the government in excess of US$900 million, but Guyana still does not know how much money will be generated from the investment.

'Govt. gives Kashif & Shanghai license to violate COVID-19 guidelines' ...Figueira blasts super-spreader football tourney amid Omicron outbreak Amid the steep rise in Covid-19 cases here, the main opposition has criticised the government for giving the Kashif and Shanghai organisation permission to host a year-end football tournament where spectators violated the COVID-19 protocols and there were allegedly no systems to enforce the guidelines.

In a statement issued by the Member of Parliament, Jermaine Figueira who shadows the Youth Culture and Sport portfolio, the opposition said with the extremely high rate of increase in cases of COVID-19 here in Guyana, it is most mind-boggling and unthinkable that the ministry, the National Sports Commission, the

Director of Sports, the Guyana Football Federation, the Ministry of Health and most importantly, the National COVID-19 Task Force would give permission for the hosting of the GFF/K&S year-end Futsal Competition.

“What is most concerning and very worrying is that while other groups are refused permission to hold similar events, the PPP/C is willing to risk the lives of Guyanese to permit a group that supports its political agenda to host a superspreader event amidst the COVID19 pandemic. In our view, no group should be given permission at this time, but the government seems committed to enriching its elites, family, friends and cronies at the

expense of the lives of the people of Guyana. The government needs to end this practice and not politicize COVID-19,” the MP who represents the Region 10 constituency said.

Figueira said the super-spreader event saw the attendance of hundreds if not thousands of Guyanese in and around the venue congregating clearly without observing the COVID-19 protocols, specifically the wearing of face masks and social distancing.

He said a reliable source has confirmed that at the superspreader itself, the Prime Minister insisted that entry to the game be brought to a halt because they had exceeded the numbers, which they

were permitted to host the event in a safe environment. “Unfortunately, the PM's position was overridden and the K&S group was allowed to increase their income at the expense of our people losing their lives. The PPP/C should desist from enriching their cronies at the expense of our people's lives,” the Region 10 MP stated.

Figueira said it is a known fact that COVID-19 is still with us and the most easily transmissible variant "Omicron" is here and has contributed to the rapid increase in cases among our people, especially our youth. “In this regard, it is also imperative and most important to note that decisions such as those and that of the Ministry of

Shadow Minister Youth, Sport and Culture, Jermaine Figueira.

Education will continue to place our people at risk. The Ministry of Education's decisions will have serious repercussions for children, teachers and other staff. This has already manifested in the increase in COVID-19 cases that are occurring as a result of face-to-face (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

Monday January 10, 2022

PAGE 09

The winner takes it all There was little talk during the one-term reign of the APNU+AFC about the need for new forms of national governance. But no sooner did the PPP/C return to office, the need for reform of the 'winner-take-allsystem of government is being resurrected.

In a public discourse which was aired on national television after the PPP/C had comprehensively won the 1997 elections, the then head of Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha of Trinidad and To b a g o , S a t M a h a r a j , confronted a local Opposition politician by observing that it is only when an Indian government is in power in Guyana that the talk about power sharing becomes pronounced.

Whenever the PPP/C is in Opposition or does not have a majority in the National Assembly, the demands for power sharing tend to disappear into thin air. After the 2011 elections for example, the PNC/R and the AFC moved quickly to exploit its one-seat combined parliamentary majority. It took command of key committees depriving the government of the day of its majority. When the Donald Ramotar administration engaged the Coalition and it appeared imminent that a compromise on the Budget could have been achieved, there was a sudden about-turn by the Coalition and the agreement was jettisoned. The Coalition then used its one-

Dem

boys seh...

Guyanese had a ball during de holidays. Dem behave like if we in normal times. Dem buy nuff drinks and cook up a storm. And invite friends and family over fuh celebrate without masks.

Dem even had roadside fete weh people bin assembling without masks.

And dem family went fuh see de Christmas Village and tek out photograph while pulling down dem mask.

Was a nice Christmas!

But is payback time! We drop we guard and de COVID deliver de knockout punch. Nuff people complaining bout sore throat, fever, running nose and even back pain. Dem

seat majority to chop and cut the Budget. Instead of compromise, it fostered confrontation. Power sharing went through the window.

During its elections campaign of 2015, the PNC/R promised that should it secure victory, it would include the PPP/C in the government. In its Manifesto, the APNU+AFC said that the practice of winner-takes-all would become history. But no sooner had the Coalition settled into office, this promise was abandoned.

The PNC/R, as the dominant party within the 2015 Coalition government, moved quickly towards dominating the AFC. The post of Prime Minister was denuded of any effective authority or any significant portfolio. And the AFC meekly succumbed to the dictates and diktat of the PNC/R. The PNC/R effectively marginalised the AFC and the WPA in the Coalition.

The AFC was dumped as a partner to contest the 2018 Local Government Elections. Another small part, the Working People's Alliance (WPA) complained bitterly about not participating in the decisionmaking of the APNU. One of its leaders labelled the Coalition a one-party government.

One of its leaders went as far as saying that the government should apologise to its supporters

because, among other things, the supporters did not vote for a one-party government.

By the time the 2020 elections campaign come along, the APNU+AFC was a house divided. The decisions which ensured this divided Coalition were not the work of any one man. It was the work of the PNC/R whose Central Executive would have had to endorse the decision taken, for example, to go without the AFC in the 2018 Local Government Elections and to downgrade the number of seats which would be allocated to the AFC in the revised Cummingsburg Accord. The PNC/R would have also had to approve of the plans to demote one of the architects of Big Tent and Coalition politics, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine.

The Coalition went into the elections lacking trust among its two main parties.

Despite the commitment that Khemraj Ramjattan would be the Prime Ministerial candidate, the PNC/R was initially reluctant to introduce him as such at its early rallies, and there remained uncertainty as to whether this promise would have been kept, had the APNU+AFC won the elections.

Coalition politics failed.

And power sharing was not even considered. There is no successful model locally and internationally on which to pattern shared governance on.

But the change in the

COVID score TKO nah bin hollering so when dem bin enjoying demselves over de holiday.

Dem testing sites gat plenty people. Even dem private testing sites wah yuh gat to pay gat line. And dem results tekking lang fuh come back. Is like dem gone around de world. Some people waiting five days and dem can't get back dem results yet. Some ah dem gan get cure from de COVID and dem gan still waiting fuh de result.

De guvament nah want close dem school. But some schools nat waiting pun guvament. Dem closing dem schools before de guvament decide. And some parents done decide dem nah

sending dem pickney to school.

De pandemic hit we hard. Is every other day we setting record for de number of infections. If was de Olympics we would ah done win gold medal.

Suh dem boys wan tell yuh fuh keep yuh guard up.

Fuh de next two weeks only, go out if yuh gat to. Send home yuh staff early so dem nah gat fuh assemble and wait at dem bus parks. Keep yuh mask on and nah invite or entertain anybody at yuh house.

If we play we cards right, we can bear dis COVID and enjoy Christmas this year end.

Talk half and stay safe!

country's demographics has created room at least if not for power sharing for political accommodation.

No ethnic or racial group can now, on its own, command a majority of the votes.

A new moment has arrived, one unfortunately none of the main political parties is ready for. The conditions are ripe for greater political inclusion.

But when political parties, like the PNC/R are more obsessed with grabbing all the political space and not even sharing power internally, there is not much hope even for political inclusion. A weak and undeveloped civil society

also means that inclusion can be ignored by the main parties.

Rupert Roopnarine once suggested power sharing at the lowest common denominator – at the local government level. This proposal was rejected. And as we are, there is reluctance to share power at the level of the party.

The new PNC/R leadership implicitly admits that there is internal factionalism. It says that it wants unity. But it wants unity with total domination by the existing leadership – its wants corn and husk. The PNC/R wants the Leader of the party to be Leader of the

Opposition and Representative of the List.

The party wants the winner to take it all.

The chatter about reforming the winner-takeall model will be sustained over the next five years. But the demand will only be for the winner not to take all at the national level. In so far as party politics is concerned unity means an all-powerful maximum leader.

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

Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Bigamy: I will contribute to the legal fee and bail of Andrew Simon If Andrew Simon is reading this, I suggest he contacts me at 614-5927. I can only contribute a tiny sum (a few thousands) to his legal fee. I will contact several lawyers to see if they can do his case for a small fee.

I will try to raise money to contribute to his bail. I cannot see for the crime of bigamy, a magistrate would impose an enormous sum in bail. I hope if he surrenders himself to the police, he is put on low station bail.

The world has changed beyond recognition since bigamy became a criminal

offence. Bigamy should not be an offence for which you should sleep in the lock-up or be given a large bail that you cannot meet.

One of the best writers I have read is Oscar Wilde. His life was ruined because he was convicted of homosexuality. One of the men who helped the Allies to win World War 2 by his codebreaking talent, Alan Turning, was castrated by law for homosexuality. He committed suicide.

Today, man can legally marry man, woman can legally marry woman.

Marijuana in today's world is

being decriminalised in many countries. I am not defending the act of bigamy but I was nonplussed to see the police issue a wanted bulletin for Simon's arrest.

Simon's picture was in all the dailies as if he is a wanted child rapist.

Who did he inflict violence upon? Who did he rob? Whose home he burglarised? Who did he threaten? Whose property did he steal? My point is the police issuance of a warrant makes it appear that bigamy is such a notorious crime that this man should be arrested on sight.

There should be a more modern approach to many low-level offences that the modern world inherited centuries ago. What the authorities need to do with Simon is to charge him, annul his second marriage and give him a warning. Why a police station should deny bail to someone wanted for bigamy.

I can't see why a magistrate should impose high bail.

I think in certain countries, a Muslim is entitled to have more than one wife. I don't think that obtains in Guyana. There are just too many obsolete laws on the books in this country

that we as a former colony should extirpate with haste. I am not suggesting bigamy is Frederick Kissoon one. But I will argue that since it is a nonl egal obligation. So, a man violent crime, it should not marries twice and may spend carry a big bail. Look at the overnight in the police intense police publicity over station and may even be Simon and you would think denied bail but wealthy folks that he is an alleged mass laugh at the law when the law murderer. demands that they pay rates My interest in Mr. and taxes. NIS payment Simon's case is the police evasion by employers is a bulletin and the possibility of criminal offence. Yet dozens being detained for a crime in of such people are yet to be which detention should not charged. happen. I could understand Should bigamy remain an why Mr. Simon ran. He indictable offence? No, it probably thinks, and he should not and like so many would be right to do so, that colonial era laws, this should the police will lock him up change. There is no word that and he may be remanded or can adequately describe the assigned a huge bail in the absurdity in the 21st century magistrate's court that he in Guyana that on filing for a cannot meet and therefore divorce, only three reasons would be on remand for can be accepted by the courts months.

– i n f i d e l i t y, d o m e s t i c Here is an absurdity that violence and desertion of the is sickening. Do you know marital home. bigamy is an indictable There is no provision in offence? So, you endure a the law that allows the preliminary enquiry in a married couple to go in front magistrate court then you go of a judge and tell the judge in front a judge and jury. that both parties agree that Aren't the courts loaded with there is no longer any desire cases with frightening to keep the marriage going so criminal contents to spend there is mutual agreement to time on a bigamy offence? terminate it.

The Mayor and his (The views expressed in deputy told me that over 50 this article are those of the percent of the large buildings a u t h o r a n d d o n o t in Georgetown do not pay necessarily reflect the rates and taxes, which is a opinions of this newspaper.)

Guyana's success with Local...

From page 3 areas such as financing, capacity building, and infrastructure investment.

Conversely, it noted that lack of data and information on local capacities has made it difficult to set local content targets elsewhere.

For example, Ghana and Nigeria mandated local content targets inconsistent with their supply capacities.

The group said that Tanzania is another case which lacks structured information management systems to manage the knowledge

required to support local content policy formulation and implementation.

DAI said both cases highlig ht the need for countries to make evidence based targets.

In light of the foregoing, it is safe to conclude that while Guyana may have passed a historic piece of legislation to capture local content benefits and opportunities; these can only be had through strict data management and impartial implementation.

The real work therefore begins now.

Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

Monday January 10, 2022

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Teachers to ‘isolate’ from classrooms today

…GTU reports 176 test positive for COVID-19; 90 students also infected …Labour Ministry threatens to cut teachers' pay

By Davina Bagot

A

mid the alarming c l i m b o f COVID-19 cases across Guyana and more specifically in the education system, the Guyana Teachers' Union (GTU) have called on members and non-members to stand in solidarity as the body engages in a one-day 'isolation' to protest the reopening of schools for face to face learning, without requisite safety measures being in place.

During a news conference on Sunday, the Union urged its teachers to remain at home today, thereby abstaining from even virtual learning, in the face of the more than 175 teachers and 90 students who have since tested positive for the deadly virus.

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton upon receiving the news of what he described as strike action warned that teachers who decide to stay away from work today will not be paid.

According to him, “Teachers in Guyana ought to be properly advised that heeding the call of the GTU to participate in the “Isolation Day” may be considered as an unauthorised absence from work, abandonment of their students and a gross dereliction of their duties.

In this regard, the MOE will be under no lawful obligation to pay persons who are absent and abandon their posts on Monday, 10 January 2022”.

The Minister reasoned that it is common labour

practice that a period of notice must be given to the employer before any industrial action is taken.

Moreover, labour relations practice would require the GTU to register its grievance with the MOE and enter a period of discourse before initiating any industrial action. It has been reported that GTU has written to the Chief Education Officer, Dr. Marcel Huston, but there is no report of any formal discussion being undertaken between GTU and the MOE regarding the COVID-19 issue before the call for the “Isolation Day” was made.

The union, however, through its President Mark Lyte, in laying these concerns to rest assured teachers that: “now is the time to stand up to the bullies”.

“Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen and teachers, educators in particular, we must use this forum and we are using this forum to assure you that the “Isolation Day” is on! Nothing has changed with regard to the plan…we want you to know that the threats of salary cuts must not be heeded…a salary cut may be implemented but your life is more important. In fact, you need life to enjoy your salary. Salary is no good to you when you are dead.

The choice is yours to stand with your Union…we have to stand (up) to the bullies. The time is now or never,” he charged, while promising that the Union will provide compensation to teachers who support the 'Isolation Day'.

Lyte added, “We are up

against a group of people that seek to bully their way.

Bullyism will lead to many atrocities in life and like I said…if you allow yourself to be bullied by the statement uttered (which) was absolute rubbish, you will be bullied for life”.

During the online meeting, which attracted a live viewership of almost 1000 teachers, parents and media operatives, teachers raised several concerns regarding the conditions under which school is being convened.

It was explained that in some schools, children are being forced to sit…two-ina-bench, although this violates the gazetted COVID-19 protocol, of six feet apart for social distancing.

Government reopened public schools last Monday to most students for face-toface learning, after months of closure due to the pandemic.

During the past week h o w e v e r, G u y a n a h a s recorded the most cases ever documented, reaching record breaking figures at least five consecutive days.

As a consequence, the union has called on the Ministry of Education to suspend face-to-face learning for at least two weeks.

Lyte said, “We are calling on the Ministry to suspend all face-to- face classes for two weeks so that this surge or this spike can be reduced and we can go back into a face-to face setting after those two weeks, should the spike be showing a downward trend”.

Lyte also dismissed claims by the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand that students and teachers entered the school system with the virus and did not contract it at the various institutions. Lyte said, “even if they came into the school environment and it is a community spread, we are saying that school provides a hub, or the school creates an environment for the further spread.”

The teachers' representative was keen to note that during the two weeks, the Ministry of Education ought to ensure clean and running water is made available at wash sinks and toilets as well as proper ventilation in the institutions since reports have been received that students and teachers are forced to sit in

dark rooms, due to faulty windows.

Added to the list of recommendations made by the union, it was noted that adequate cleaning agents must also be made available, among others.

Even more importantly, Ly t e t o l d t h e n e w s conference that he desires to see the government not only say it cares, but also demonstrates it through the provision of these requests.

“The Ministry of Education contradicts the gazetted COVID order which says that as far as possible, we have to avoid large gatherings.

I find the decision of the Ministry of Education to be ludicrous to enforce if you have 50 teachers on staff that they are saying that all teachers must be at school,

GTU President: Mark Lyte whether you have a class or not…it would be prudent for the Ministry of Education to have a rotation system,” the Union President highlighted.

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Kaieteur News

Monday January 10, 2022

Suspect in Nassano Landing double-murder for court today C

rime Chief W e n d e l l Blanhum said that police have received legal advice to charge with murder one of the suspects

accused of killing two men in the hinterland recently.

That suspect, Thomas Kyte, aka “Taco” had on Wednesday last turned himself at the Matthews

Ridge Police Station located in Region One after a wanted bulletin was issued for him in connection with the murders of two miners: Sherwin Goddette and Shawn France

$39 million Dennis Street bridge set to re-open in two weeks -Edghill The new Dennis Street/Eastern Highway Bridge is expected to be re-opened for use within the next two weeks, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill has said. He stated that the emergency reconstruction follows weeks after the previous, timber structured bridge, collapsed. This will see the replacement of timber piles and beams by concrete piles and beams and concrete decking. The project is

The Dennis Street/Eastern Highway bridge (DPI Photo)

being constructed by C & L Construction Inc. at a tune of approximately $39 million.

Edghill told Kaieteur News, he is satisfied with the progress of the project thus far and that the bridge is already ahead of its scheduled completion date. Construction began mid-December last year and was set to be completed two months after commencement.

last Christmas Eve. Goddette and France were brutally stabbed to death while heading to their camp just moments after leaving a bar at the Nassano Backdam Landing. Police had put out a wanted bulletin for two men but only Kyte had turned himself in. The other suspect identified as Kurtland Damon also known as Carto is still at large.

Kaieteur News was told that Kyte was interrogated and detectives had gathered enough evidence that implicated him in the crime.

Investigators did not wish to divulge more information about their investigation but said that the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack advised that he be charged with murder.

Blanhum said his ranks will go ahead and file the charge against Kyte today.

Meanwhile, the hunt continues for the other suspect who remains at large. Detectives believe that the murder of France and Goddette was an act of revenge.

Goddette and France are friends and had gone to the Nassano Landing on Christmas Eve Day to party at a bar. At the bar, France allegedly started an argument with the bartender over a bottle of champagne.

The argument turned into a fight and involved other

Thomas Kyte, the suspect who will be charged for the hinterland killings later today.

patrons who tried to defend the bar tender.

France had allegedly armed himself with a pair of scissors to fend them off and eventually stabbed one to his abdomen.

A gunshot in the air ended the fight around 22:30hrs that night and the stabbed patron identified as Devor Sthol fell to the floor severely injured.

Sthol was picked up and rushed to Port Kaituma Hospital for emergency medical attention. He was eventually airlifted to city for a surgery. However, his father Kurtland Damon, one of the suspects in the killings had learnt of the incident that left his son critically injured.

A c c o r d i n g t o information police received from witnesses, Damon and his friend, Kyte decided to ambush his son's attackers that same night fatally

The suspect who remains at large for the hinterland killings, Kurtland Damon. stabbing them on a trail leading to their camp.

By time police got to the scene, their bodies had already begun to decay.

As a result, police decided to bury them in marked graves with the intention to exhume the corpses at a later date for the autopsies.

Kaieteur News

Monday January 10, 2022

PAGE 15

City Mayor restates need for National Solid Waste Plan The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) is lobbying, Central Government and the private sector to move forward with a N a t i o n a l S o l i d Wa s t e Management Strategy.

During a press

conference held at City Hall recently, City Mayor, Ubraj Narine, maintained the need for such a plan. “I still maintain as Mayor we should come together ...and finalise a national solid waste plan [strategy] not only for the city

but for our country. I have reached out to the Minister of Local Government as well as the various stakeholders about this,” the Mayor said.

He reminded that a study was done in 2013-2014 by the Inter-American

US$13M to upgrade 32 ‘bush’ bridges to international standard The Government of G uyana w ill s oon be spending over $2.6 billion to upgrade a total of 31 bridges to international standards, stretching from Kurupukari to Lethem.

This is according to an 'Invitation for Bids' (IFB) released by the ministry which was published in Sunday's edition of this newspaper. According to the IFB, the project has been divided into six lots and will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedure specified

in the Procurement Act 2003.

The locations of the bridges to be upgraded are: Iwokrama, Pirara, Surama, Camudi Bash, Annai, Yakarinta, Genip Landing, Massara and Point Ranch.

According to the public notice, it is estimated that two bridges in lot one would cost some $379.7 million while six bridges in lot two would cost some $515.5 million. In lot three, six bridges are to be rehabilitated at some $517 million, six bridges in lot

four at some $451.8 million, another six bridges in lot five for some$489 million and five bridges in lot six are estimated at some $343.9 million. A total sum of the engineer's estimates would see this project costing some $2,696,900,000 billion.

Meanwhile, the opening of bids for this project will be conducted on February 1, 2022 at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board office which is located in the Ministry of Finance compound.

A list of the bridges to be rehabilitated along with the estimated costs.

Development Bank (IDB).

According to the Mayor, back then the IDB had stated clearly that it is willing to help implement the plan. “At this point, I believe if the government engages the IDB we will be able to move forward to set up this national solid waste plant. There are many investors that met with me and even the government that have expressed a willingness to help structure and manage the garbage situation properly,” he said.

Aimed at enhancing Guyana's Garden City image and improving its solid waste management structure, the Ministry of Local Government in 2016 outlined a comprehensive and economically viable, biofriendly initiative that will serve as a blueprint for the implementation of best practices.

The strategic framework stood to guide government's agenda on waste collection, transportation and disposal; improving the waste management infrastructure, enforcing existing legislation and promoting waste-toenergy initiatives.

The National Solid Waste Management Strategy is to

City Mayor Ubraj Narine.

inform the country's integrated efforts at converting waste material into useful resources by ensuring their full utilization and eventual exploitation for byproducts and value-added.

The objective of the strategy was to reduce the long-term environmental, social and economic impact of a broken, archaic and disorganized system of solid waste management as the

nation grapples with the resocialization of a generation which thrived under a culture of littering and unlawful disposal of garbage that has plagued the country for a number of years.

Its purpose is also to ensure that Guyana's natural resplendence and unspoiled beauty remains intact and consequently preserve and ensure the health and (Continued on page 16)

Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Monday January 10, 2022

Monday January 10, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Novak Djokovic: Australia loses bid to delay tennis star’s visa appeal BBC News - A bid by the Australian government to delay Novak Djokovic’s appeal against deportation has been rejected by a judge overseeing his case.

The government had requested the tennis star’s court hearing be postponed until Wednesday, but it will instead begin as scheduled this morning. Djokovic was denied entry to Australia after landing in Melbourne last week to defend his Australian Open title.

His case has caused a huge outcry and made headlines around the world.

The world number one men’s tennis player - who has said he is opposed to vaccination - is in an immigration detention centre as his lawyers prepare to appeal against a decision by

Australia’s federal government to cancel his visa.

Djokovic, 34, had been granted a medical exemption to play in the Australian Open tournament in a decision that infuriated many ordinary Australians who have been living under some of the world’s strictest Covid rules.

On Saturday, Djokovic’s lawyers submitted a 35-page document arguing that their client fulfilled the criteria for a vaccine exemption certificate because of a recent Covid infection, which was confirmed by a PCR test on 16 December.

There had been no prior announcement of Djokovic’s Covid infection, and photos have since emerged of the player apparently attending events in the Serbian capital Belgrade maskless at around

the time he tested positive.

It is unclear whether he knew he had Covid when the photos were taken.

The Australian government has insisted that a recent Covid infection only offers an exemption for residents - and in its own submission to the court on Sunday, government lawyers said the tennis star had been given no assurance a medical exemption would be accepted.

It appears that Djokovic’s team will effectively tell the court that the decision to revoke the visa was affected by a variety of “jurisdictional errors” - but that the government will firmly reject any attempt to have its processes ruled invalid.

Djokovic’s lawyers have said he was kept at the

Monday January 10, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Do you have plans to go to a party tonight? Don't cancel them. If you're single, an exciting new potential love partner might be introduced to you, and you could spend the entire evening together.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) An exciting group activity, perhaps one involving a number of your friends, could take place today, Libra. Your mind may be going a thousand miles an hour throughout the day.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Some unexpected changes could happen today, Taurus.

You could find yourself confronting the prospect of having to get used to some new and totally state-of-theart equipment that you've never used before.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Surprising and very fortunate events could take place today. This could be an advancement that you weren't expecting. The introduction of an interesting new person could raise your pulse.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Are you flying today, or perhaps going somewhere by train? If so, you might meet someone fascinating on the trip. Don't be shy.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Are you in an especially adventurous mood, Sagittarius? This is the sort of day when you can try just about anything new and still come out in one piece.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Have you just bought some new equipment for your home? This could be a new computer, a state-of-the-art entertainment system, or perhaps a new appliance.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Study of the occult sciences, whether historical or hands-on experiments, should prove fascinating and enlightening for you today, Capricorn.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) An unexpected phone call, perhaps from an old friend, could come your way today, Leo. This person is apt to have good news for you, although he or she may be in a rather melancholy mood.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The opportunity to take a trip by air, perhaps at someone else's expense, could come to you today, Aquarius. This might be business related or it could be educational in some way.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A financial windfall might be in the stars for you. This isn't anything you would have expected. Perhaps it's a bonus, repayment of a loan you'd long since forgotten, or a settlement of some kind.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Some rather bizarre dreams could come to you tonight, Pisces. The symbols may include people or objects that you would never have thought of consciously in a hundred years.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia, seen here last year in Melbourne, is preparing to appeal his deportation. immigration control point at Melbourne Airport for about eight hours after he arrived, and that he had little communication with them during that period - which the Australian government says was in no way unfair to the tennis star.

Yesterday, a court order by Judge Anthony Kelly stated that the request to delay the hearing until 12 January had

been “refused without prejudice” and that submissions must be presented to the court at 10:00 local time today.

Last week, Tennis Australia said it would need to know whether Djokovic was participating in the Australian Open so that it could schedule his games in the competition.

While he awaits a final

decision, Djokovic’s lawyers have asked he be moved from the immigration detention hotel that has often been criticised by refugees for its poor conditions, to “a more suitable place of detention” that would allow him to train ahead of the Australian Open.

Australia’s pandemic border rules ban foreigners from entering the country if they are not either double vaccinated or have a medical exemption from having the jabs.

While foreigners can fly in to Australia on a visa applied for online, they must still clear immigration customs on arrival at the airport.

The Australian Open begins on 17 January in Melbourne.

England hold on in thrilling finish...

From page 21 resistance from Bairstow and Stokes, Australia were able to dismiss England for 294 in reply to their first inning 416-8 declared.

Khawaja’s second century and a 179-run fifth-wicket partnership with Cameron Green on day four put the hosts in a position for a second declaration on 265-6.

Cummins defended his decision to leave the second declaration until quite so late on Saturday, blaming in part the weather forecast.

“I thought the wicket was still not playing too many tricks,” he said. “I thought if they batted really well, 350 was achievable out there.”

Scores: England 294 (Bairstow 113, Stokes 66, Boland 4-36) and 9 for 270 (Crawley 77, Stokes 60, Boland 3-30) drew with Australia 8 for 416 dec (Khawaja 137, Smith 67, Broad 5-101) and 6 for 265 dec (Khawaja 101*, Green 74, Leach 4-84).

BCB renews sponsorship for...

From page 20 three days of fast bowling clinics at the Albion Ground.

The sponsorship was handed over by a representative at the Princess Hotel in Providence and would cover all the cost of the visit including stipend, air line ticket, accommodation, meals etc.

The BCB would also be distributing close to one million dollars worth of cricket balls to the twelve teams that would be playing the board’s 2022 first division season. The distribution would be done as part of the BCB Patron Fund, which is financed by Patron Vickram Bharrat, Minister of Natural Resources. The donation of balls should allow the clubs to play the entire 2022 season.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Mr Chandradat Chintamani hands over sponsorship to Hilbert Foster, BCB President.

Monday January 10, 2022

BCB renews sponsorship for Ivan Madray memorial 20/20 Knockout tournament - Receives sponsorship for Sir Curtly’s visit, 12 clubs to receive $1M worth of balls The Berbice Cricket Board on Friday last attracted another sponsorship as it forges ahead with its plans for a very active 2022 cricket season despite the ongoing covid pandemic. The board President Hilbert Foster, who also serves as the Marketing Manager was able to get Chandradat Chintamani to renew his sponsorship of the Ivan Madray Memorial 20/20 first division tournament.

The sponsorship worth $380,000 was handed over to Foster in the Water Street, G e o rg e t o w n o ff i c e o f Chintamani, who is the General Manager of Muneshwar Ltd. The Madray Cup is one of at least four first division tournaments that the vibrant BCB hopes to play in 2022.

The board has already obtained sponsorship for the Te n e l e c I n c 5 0 o v e r s tournament from overseas based Berbician Bobby

Deonarine and plans to lobby for a forty overs tournament and another 20/20.

Foster expressed thanks to Chintamani for his support and committed the board to organising a tournament of the highest standard.

Chintamani had sponsored the tournament in 2018 and 2019 before the covid 19 pandemic forced the cancellation in 2020 and 2021. The teams that would play in the third edition are: West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warrior, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour, Port Mourant, Upper Corentyne, Skeldon and Berbice River.

The involvement of the Berbice River team would be historic as it would be their first time playing at the first division level in the county.

Foster, disclosed that the BCB wants to give all persons across the county the opportunity to develop their potential and as such the riverain team was been given the chance to play at the highest level in the county.

Chintamani in brief remarks stated that he was very impressed with the development in Berbice cricket and was delighted to contribute to BCB. The Berbice born business executive explained that Madray had played a major role in his early development and as such, he was pleased to keep his memory alive by sponsoring the tournament in his name. Madray was the third Berbician to play test cricket after John Trim and Rohan Kanhai. He played two test matches in 1958 before migrating to England where he died in 2009 at the age of seventy five years.

The first two editions were won by Young Warriors CC in 2018 and Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour in 2019.

Meanwhile, Foster on Friday last also collected the $1.3M sponsorship from Dr Frank Denbow for the upcoming Sir Curtly Ambrose visit to Berbice.

Ambrose would be visiting the county from the 9th to 14th of February to host (Continued on page 19)

Monday January 10, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

England hold on in thrilling finish for Ashes draw SYDNEY, (Reuters) England’s walking wounded defied the Australia bowling attack to bat out a dramatic final day of the fourth Ashes test for a morale-boosting thriller of a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground yesterday.

Stuart Broad and James Anderson steered England to 270 for nine at the close of play in the evening gloom, well short of the victory target of 388 but a huge turnaround after heavy losses in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins was unable to use pace in a tense final three overs because of the fading light and his predecessor Steve Smith took his first test wicket in almost six years to dismiss Jack Leach for 26 with his leg spin.

That left Australia needing one wicket in the last two overs but Broad and Anderson, despite as many as eight fielders crowding around them, stood firm to frustrate the home side.

“It’s been a difficult tour, but we stood up and found a way to get a result out of this game,” said Root.

“We wanted to put pride back into the badge. The way we went about it in this game, we did that. We know there’s a long way to go. It would be nice to front up again next week and go one better.”

Opener Zak Crawley had led off the rearguard with an assured 77 and Ben Stokes, who famously steered

England to a dramatic victory at Headingley in the last Ashes series, chipped in with 60 runs despite being clearly hampered by a side injury.

Root, although not reaching the heights he can as a batsman, played his part with 24 runs in a partnership of 60 with Stokes for the fourth wicket after rain had stopped play for an hour after lunch.

First innings centurion Jonny Bairstow, playing w i t h a t h u m b i n j u r y, contributed 41 before becoming Scott Boland’s 14th victim in the paceman’s second test.

Jos Buttler, also nursing a finger injury which has ruled him out of the fifth test, scored 11 runs from 38 balls before becoming one of two batsmen to depart in three deliveries from Cummins with the new ball.

“There was clearly a bit of pain relief required,” Root added.

“It’s not just physical element but the psychology of knowing that you’re going into a pressure situation not 100%. To then be able to perform at the level some of the guys did was phenomenal really.”

It was a second year in a row that Australia had failed to dismiss their opponents on the final day of the SCG test to secure victory after India batted out a draw last year.

“It was a great game of test cricket. We came close.

We’d have loved to go fournil but it was a good match,”

said Cummins.

“When you are that far ahead in a game, of course you want to win it. We got close but just not close enough.”

SETBACKS TO ADVANTAGE Australia had dominated the majority of the match, declaring twice and turning every apparent setback they faced into an advantage.

Man of the Match Usman Khawaja came into the side for his first test in more than two years and scored centuries in both innings as a middle order replacement for Travis Head, who had tested positive for COVID19.

Frontline quick Josh Hazlewood was unavailable for a third straight match because of injury but that only allowed Boland to continue an extraordinary start to an unlikely test career.

The 32-year-old took 6-7 on debut as England were skittled for 68 in their second innings in Melbourne.

He took 4-36 in the first innings and 3-30 in the second in Sydney, finishing with an unprecedented average of 8.64 among bowlers who have 10 or more deliveries in tests.

Boland took two wickets at a cost of no runs in four maidens in an extraordinary spell at the start of day three when England lost three batsmen without scoring a run for 53 deliveries.

Despite some gritty (Continued on page 19)

James Anderson and Stuart Broad walk off after the match ended in a draw. (Getty Images)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Monday January 10, 2022

Chintamani is new Leguan CC chairman Viren Chintamani was elected as chairman of the Leguan Cricket Committee when the body held its elections on Saturday last.

Phillip Assing will serve as the Vice President, Janice Carter - Secretary, Harvey Gobin- Assistant Secretary, Mustapha Zaman- Treasurer, Jonathan Sharma- Assistant Treasurer, Sharon StephenPRO. The committee plans

to commence the season shortly with tournaments for all age groups. They also plan to host training for umpires and capacity building programmes for clubs.

Those elected will serve for a two-year period. The elections were held under the supervision of the cricket ombudsman Malcolm Peters.

Leguan Cricket Committee’s Viren Chintamani (L) with members of the newly elected body.

Latham, Conway, Young feast on mediocre bowling to push Bangladesh to a corner

E

SPNcricinfo New Zealand have bounced back from the Mount Maunganui reversal, and how! They made 349 for 1 on the first day of the second Test in Christchurch after being asked to bat, with Tom Latham leading the way with an unbeaten 186, his first century as captain.

Devon Conway had another great day, though he might have a nervous night as he finished the day on 99. And Will Young, the only man to be dismissed, hit 54.

Latham and Conway have added 201 runs for the unbroken second wicket, following the 148-run stand between Young and Latham for the first wicket. It was the first hundred-plus stand for the opening wicket in the first innings in New Zealand since 2012. And they have already put on more runs than ever before for the first two wickets in a Test in New Zealand, topping West

Devon Conway ended the day one away from yet another Test century. (Getty Images)

Indies’ 289 in 2000.

The same Bangladesh bowling line-up that struck so regularly in the previous game, was pedestrian at best

on the day as they conceded 44 boundaries in 90 overs.

Ebadot Hossain, the star of the Mount Maunganui win, went wicketless in his 21

overs, conceding 114 runs.

Shoriful Islam took the only wicket to fall. While Taskin Ahmed and Mehidy Hasan Miraz couldn’t quite stem the run flow.

Latham had a field day driving, cutting and guiding the ball through the off-side.

He struck 21 of his 29 fours through this area, looking particularly great whenever he had a bit of room. He was also quick on anything short, pulling the ball with ease.

Conway started with a beautiful cover-driven four off Mehidy, and towards the end of the day, blazed one through the covers off Taskin, highlights of his innings so far, which has already included ten fours and six.

During the last session, Latham reached his 150 off 199 balls, before moving to his highest score against Bangladesh, topping the 177 in Wellington in 2017.

Conway, too, picked up pace but there was a semblance of

control from Bangladesh as they used spin for an extended period.

Latham had reached his 12th Test century in the middle session to lead New Zealand’s supremacy. They raised their run rate in the afternoon, scoring at 3.92, as opposed to the 3.53 in the first session. But Bangladesh had their chances, twice denied by the review and once by their own frailties.

Early in the first session, Latham overturned two lbw decisions off Ebadot in the same over. Then, in the first over of the second session, Litton Das dropped Young diving to his left from second slip, even though it seemed the ball would have carried to first slip. To make matters worse, the bowler, Ebadot, had to run all the way to the boundary to stop the resultant overthrow.

Ebadot’s figures were

further dented when there was another four overthrows in his next over. It underlined Bangladesh’s enthusiasm, perhaps. But they did remove Young, caught off Shoriful at point. It was Young’s third consecutive dismissal in the 50s.

Soon enough, Latham reached his fastest Test century, off 133 balls, to the applause from his wife, young son and father, who were all in the stands.

Bangladesh’s poor luck started even before the toss, when they lost Mushfiqur Rahim to a groin injury. This is the first time in more than 12 years that they are playing a Test without Mushfiqur, Tamim Iqbal, Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah.

Stumps New Zealand 349 for 1 (Latham 186*, Conway 99*, Young 54, Shoriful 1-50) vs Bangladesh.

Tom Latham scored his first Test century as captain.

(Getty Images)

Kaieteur News

Monday January 10, 2022

PAGE 23

GFF, KS inaugural KO Futsal Final

Sparta Boss take $1M with thrilling win over Bent St Gold is Money beat Leopold St in 3rd place playoff 3-1

By Sean Devers P r e - To u r n a m e n t favourite Sparta Boss were made to work hard for 5-3 win on penalty kicks over Bent Street to take $1Million first prize and the title of first champions of the Guyana Football Federation, Kashif and Shanghai knockout Futsal tournament Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The spirited Bent Street, led by the skilful and energetic Jermaine Junor whose second half goal made him the tournament’s leading goal scorer, had to settle for the $500,000 runners-up prize in the thrilling finale of what has been eight nights of entertaining football.

In the third place play-off between Gold is Money and Leopold Street, a brace from Jamal Pedro and a goal from Simeon Moore spearheaded Gold is Money to 3-1 win after leading 2-0 at half-time.

Darron Niles netted the lone goal for Leopold Street.

For their third place

finish, Gold is Money collected $250,000, while Leopold Street took $100,000.

S p a r t a B o s s ’ Ry a n Hackett, who scored a goal in each half of the riveting final which ended 4-4 at extra time, was named MVP of the finals and earned himself a Hero Motor Cycle.

The other individual prises will be presented at a later date.

The atmosphere was electric with the raucous sold out crowd, which included Politicians, prominent sporting personalities and singers Mandela who performed at the break and Abel Stokes and sang Guyana’s National Anthem before the final and his version of ‘Smile Guyana’, on their feet, nosily cheering on their team.

The aroma of Bar-B-Q Chicken in the air and pulsating dancehall music coming from the speakers in the ‘Hall’ added to the entertainment of the Mask wearing capacity crowd of

over 2,000.

And when, in the ‘wee’ hours of Sunday morning, the burly Devon Charles executed the million dollar save during the penalty shoot out to prevent a bullet like shot from Colin Nelson from scoring, pandemonium broke out as Sparta Boss supporters went wild with excitement and relief as their team collected the symbolic Cheque from Ministers Ramson Jnr and Edghill in the presence of Kashif

The Tournament’s leading goal scorer Jermaine Junor (right) showed lots of skill in a losing effort in riveting final on Saturday night. (Sean Devers photo) Muhammad and Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major.

In the fourth minute of the final, Bent Street’s Clive Nobrega powered a shot past Charles, (the most successful custodian in the tournament; conceding just 4 goals in 3 matches) to the joy of their fans and highly favoured Sparta Boss knew they were going to have a big fight for the first prize money.

Three minutes later Hackett beat Omar Jones for

the equaliser and the noise from the Sparta fans was deafening.

However, several excellent saves by both goalies resulted in the first half, which produced entertaining football, ending 1-1 although Bent Street, fired up by the live-wire Junor, played the slightly better football.

Early in the second half Hackett scored his second the of what was turning out to be a hard fought contest as

They resorted the passing the ball around to eat up the remaining time.

But Sheldon Shepherd beat Jones seconds before the buzzer and with score 4-4 it was now down to a penalty shootout to decide who the inaugural champions would be.

With the ram-packed Sports Hall on its feet, Shepherd took the first shot and scored for Sparta Boss, while Daniel Wilson beat a sprawling Charles.

Jamal Pedro dribbles past the opposition to score his 2nd gold for Gold is Money in the 3rd place game which won 3-1. (Sean Devers photo)

The sold out crowd was on its feet during the thrilling final.

(Sean Devers photo)

Sparta Boss upped their intensity. Three minutes later, Junor scored his eighth goal of the tournament in fast paced battle to make it 2-all as both teams searched desperately for the winning goal, but, in a match of high quality Goalkeeping, full time ended with the teams’ level 2-2 on the electronic scoreboard. National player Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson opened the scoring for Sparta Boss in extra time before Pernell Schultz scored twice in quick time and Bent Street were sensing victory with them leading 4-3,

The roar of the pumped up crowd could be heard all the way in Bent Street and in Tu c v i l l e w h e n C o l i n Nelson’s kick was saved by Charles, who was twice warned for coming out too far before the ball was kicked. A penalty was also given as the ball appeared to hit the top of the left upright but the Referee deemed it had hit the inside post.

While all five kicks penetrated Jones and just three beat, ‘the Wall’ Charles, including the controversial one, it meant Sparta Bosses has emerged winners 5-3.