Kaieteur News

Brian Pitam

ExxonMobil’s fifth project to cost Guyana US$12.6B

Ex x o n M o b i l equipment, and installation

F P S O , E E P G L ’ s Corporation’s and operation of a Floating Environmental Impact fifth project at the Production, Storage, and Assessment states that oil

Uaru-Mako field Offloading(FPSO)vessel. production will average at which holds over 1.3 billion EEPGLhas not yet made 250,000 barrels of oil per barrels of oil in the Stabroek a Final Investment Decision day It was keen to note that Block is expected to cost on the project, and is peak rates may be higher Guyana over GY$2 6 continuing to evaluate cost during the lifetime of the Trillion(US$12B). considerations during the project, depending on Project details for the project development multiple factors such as latest venture by Exxon’s process. For the purposes of reservoir pressure, number subsidiary, Esso Exploration the Uaru Development of wells, equipment and Production Guyana Project Environmental reliability etc. It states at Limited (EEPGL) are Authorisation process, page 146, “Currently, the currently under review by EEPGL said the cost is FPSO basic design has an t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l estimated to be $2 638 upper production limit of ProtectionAgency(EPA). trillion GYD ($12 683 263,000 BPD (42,080 m3)

The Environmental billionUSD). peak oil production rate. For Impact Assessment (EIA) A preliminary schedule the purposes of the EIA, states that the Uaru anticipates that FPSO and production up to 300,000 Development Project will other fabrication and bpd is considered to assess develop the Uaru, Mako and installation works will begin potential impacts from the Snoekoil-richfieldswiththe in 2024 following the project and cover potential potential to develop other completion of engineering production optimization resources within the Licence and will take approximately after facility start up. If area. three years. Development during the detailed design The project scope well drilling may also occur stage or during production i n c l u d e s d r i l l i n g during this period. operations an opportunity to approximately 38-63 Production operations are expand the upper production development wells; expected to begin in 2027 limit arises, the project will installation and operation of and will continue for at least documenttheevaluationand Subsea Umbilicals, Risers, 20years. justification and an updated and Flowlines (SURF) With respect to the upper production limit will

Map showing the location of the Uaru Project Development Area within Stabroek Block

beavailable.”

units (ODUs), two main different drill ships. Most of

It was also noted that the fibre optic trunk lines to these roles will require prior project will be producing shore, and fibre optic cables offshore oil and gas industry 540 million standard cubic routed from the Destiny, experience and specialized feetofgasperday Unity, Prosperity, and One expertise.However,theprior I m p o r t a n t l y , GuyanaFPSOstotheODUs. development of the Liza telecommunications EEPGL plans to connect Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, equipment will also be this Project’s FPSO into the Payara and Yellowtail installed on the FPSO to existing fibre optic Projects has resulted in enable safe operation of the infrastructure back to shore, continuouscapacitybuilding facilities in normal and which will consist of two of the workforce, as emergency conditions fibre optic cables connected additional personnel are Kaieteur News understands from a Uaru subsea drill upskilled and given greater that this equipment will centre back to the existing responsibilities. allow communication with two ODUs. From the Uaru The EIA states that this the offices, shorebases, subsea drill centre, the fibre will create opportunities to support vessels, helicopters, optic cable will connect to increase the pool of semiand tankers, as well as theUaruFPSOviaoneofthe skilled and skilled workers communication within the dynamic umbilicals, which thatcansupporttheproject. FPSO. willcontainfibrestrands. During long-term

EEPGL had previously In terms of employment, production operations, the installed the Fibre Optic itwasnotedthattherewillbe in-country, direct offshore Cable Project, which a demand of up to 540 workforce will peak at provides the fibre optic persons required to drill and around 100 to 160 people c o m m u n i c a t i o n c o m p l e t e t h e U a r u during periods of higher infrastructure from the developmentwells.Kaieteur maintenance activity and Stabroek Block to shore, News understands that the during offloading of an enabling high-speed, low- majority of these personnel FPSO. latency communications and will work in the offshore The EIA also states that data transfer between environment on drill ships. during periods of regular EEPGL’sFPSOsandshore. In addition, there will be operations, the workforce

The fibre Optic Cable between 10 and 15 trips per requirement on an FPSO is Project included installation week of the support vessels estimated to be on the order of two optical distribution that will be assisting the of90to100people.

Govt.tounveil2023oilbackedbudgetonMonday

FAO Food Price Index dipped in December

Senior Finance Minister,

revitalization of the Dr Ashni Singh announced country’s sugar industry yesterday that the national Therewerealsoprogrammes budget for 2023, which will that the Government feature another multi- implemented in partnership million dollar infusion of oil with private sector bodies revenues,willbeunveiledon and other stakeholders, Monday,January16. especially with regard to the

In a statement to the tourism, hospitality and media, Dr Singh said over agriculture sectors. Several the last several months he relief cash grant measures and his team have been were also implemented and meeting and consulting with saw thousands of citizens various stakeholders

a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y including the private sector, benefitting from the relief.A governmentministries,other number of areas had been agencies and civil society devastated by flooding and Only last week, Dr Singh Government also provided saidthePeople’sProgressive relief for affected persons P a r t y / C i v i c ( P P P / C ) especially those who had Government, led by suffered loss of crops and President Irfaan Ali hosted presented since by the livestock. anotherconsultativemeeting current administration, and T h e h e a l t h , at State House with the second one for Dr Singh infrastructure and education representatives from several who commenced his current sectors also saw major private sector and other tenure as Senior Finance injections in Budget 2021 as agencies to listen to their Minister in November 2020. the COVID-19 Pandemic concerns and receive Prior to this, Government’s wasongoing. suggestions for Budget first Budget for their current Budget 2022 also saw 2023. These all formed part term was presented in major injections in a number of possible inclusions as the August2020. of sectors including more Budget 2023 planning The second Budget in e x p a n s i o n o f t h e processcontinues. 2021 was presented under Government’s housing

As with Budget 2022, the theme ‘A Path to drive, the infrastructure this year’s Budget is Recovery, Economic sector catapulted with an expected to see critical Dynamism, and Resilience’ increased number of roads development programmes while the third was unveiled and bridges constructed, for Government being fast- under the theme ‘Steadfast energy expansion and tracked and many more Against All Challenges, diversification, provisions expanded to reflect Resolute in Building Our for persons with disabilities, Government’s continued OneGuyana.’ several injections toward transformational agenda for Budget 2021 comprised Amerindian and Hinterland the country which has been a number of developmental developmentasGovernment taking it forward at a rapid measures and also included proved its commitment to pace over the last two years funding for the construction bettering the lives of the and months since the of a number of housing indigenous people. It also PPP/C’s return to office in schemes and expansion of saw large injections in the August2020. existing ones along with health, education, and ItwillbethethirdBudget i n v e s t m e n t i n t h e securitysectors.

Cashless food ordering app launched

without the hassle of waiting on hold, or tracking down a deliverydriver,”saysShoaib Juman-Yassin, Co-Founder

‘GTEats’, Guyana’s first for the busy, hungry and General Manager “For cashless food ordering and consumer who wants to localfoodbusinesses,our delivery app on Monday order and pay in seconds (Continued on page 16) announceditsofficiallaunch with service available to customers in the greater Georgetown area. The ‘GTEats’ app, available for free download in both the Apple and Google Play stores,isaimedatconsumers who value convenience and service and prefer a digital, cashless food ordering and deliveryexperience.

Delivery fees are calculated based on distance and the app allows consumers to track their order in real time along with the name and photo of the deliverydriver

“Our service is designed

The index of world food productioninSouthAmerica international cheese prices, prices dipped for the ninth as well as declining crude oil reflecting tightening market consecutive month in prices. conditions, drove the December 2022, declining The FAO Cereal Price monthly increase in the by 1.9 percent from the Index decreased 1.9 percent index, while international previous month, the Food from November Ongoing quotations for butter and a n d A g r i c u l t u r e harvests in the southern milk powder declined. The Organization of the United hemisphere boosted wheat FAO Sugar Price Index also Nations (FAO) reported last exportable supplies, while rose, increasing by 2 4 week. strong competition from percent from November,

The FAO Food Price Brazil drove down world mostly due to concerns over Index averaged 132.4 points maize prices Conversely, the impact of adverse in December, 1.0 percent internationalricepricesrose, weather conditions on crop belowitsvalueayearearlier buoyed byAsian buying and yieldsinIndiaandsugarcane However, for 2022 as a currency appreciation crushing delays in Thailand whole, the index, which against the United States andAustralia. tracks monthly changes in dollar for exporting Looking back on 2022 the international prices of countries. As noted, the FAO Food commonly-traded food The FAO Meat Price Price Index average over commodities, averaged Index in December dropped 2022 was notably higher 143.7 points, 14.3 percent by 1 2 percent from thanthepreviousyear,which higherthantheaveragevalue November,withlowerworld on top of large increases in over 2021. “Calmer food prices of bovine and poultry 2021 catalyzed significant commodity prices are meats outweighing higher strains and food security welcome after two very pig and ovine meat prices. concerns for lower-income volatile years,” said FAO International bovine meat food-importing countries Chief Economist, Maximo prices were impacted by andtheadoption,inspiredby Torero. “It is important to lacklustre global demand for FAO, of a “Food Shock remain vigilant and keep a medium-term supplies, Window” lending facility by strong focus on mitigating while more-than-adequate the International Monetary global food insecurity given exportsuppliespusheddown Fund. Worldpricesofwheat that world food prices poultrymeatprices.Pigmeat and maize reached record remain at elevated levels, prices rose on the back of highs over the year The with many staples near strong internal holiday average value of the FAO record highs, and with prices demand, especially in VegetableOilPriceIndexfor of rice increasing, and still Europe, all of 2022 reached a new many risks associated with The FAO Dairy Price record high, while the FAO futuresupplies” Index increased by 1 2 Dairy Price Index and Meat Vegetable oil world percent in December, Price Index marked their quotations led the decrease, following five months of highest full-year levels since with the FAO Vegetable Oil consecutivedeclines.Higher 1990. PriceIndexdown6.7percent from November to reach its lowest level since February 2021 International quotations for palm, soy, rapeseed and sunflower seed oils all declined in December, driven by subdued global import demand and prospects of seasonally rising soy oil

Apology

Kaieteur News wishes to apologise to Ms. Amisha Sarjoo, Miss Teen India Guyana 2019, whose photograph was featured as ‘Beauty of the Week’last Sunday 8 January, 2023withawrongnameandcaptionaffixedtoit.

The photo published was indeed that of Ms Sarjoo but undertheincorrectnameofAlisaMcKenzie.

Senior Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh

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EDITORIAL

SELF-INSURANCE: THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE

Self-Insurance should bring home to all Guyanese how ExxonMobil does not miss a beat where

makingmoneyisconcerned.

When ExxonMobil decides on self-insurance it saves huge sums of money, while leaving the citizens of this country wondering how protected they are. How protected Guyanese are in the event of a massive oil spill, or other catastrophic development, to which we are totally vulnerable,buthavenoidearegardingwhatandhowmuch insurance ExxonMobil has taken out for its Guyana operations.

This is a poor country now experiencing some tiny droplets from its immense oil wealth. ExxonMobil’s criminal2016contracthasseentothatwithanarrayofterms and conditions that devastate this nation’s economic potential, degrade it financially, and leaves Guyana hurting badly Self-Insurance is another costly area in which this countryisbeingtakenadvantageof,andexposedtodangers ofwhichwearestilltograsp. Theinsurancecoveragesthat ExxonMobil should get, and from which our laws mandate that Guyanese participate, are just not happening because approval was given by the previousAPNU+AFC Coalition Government to the company to pursue self-insurance. ExxonMobil arranges insurance with close relationships (possiblyaffiliates),shareorsaveinthemultimillion-dollar premiums. It is yet another scheme where this predatory American company makes another killing from Guyana’s oil.

Our local insurance companies lose rich business opportunities, and the national treasury collects no taxes. But there is an infinitely worse consideration that is frightening to contemplate. When ExxonMobil engages in Self-Insurance, the company determines how much coverageandforwhatspecifically,andaboutwhichGuyana has absolutely no say ExxonMobil retains the associated risks for itself, which raises the question about why any Governmentofthiscountry,anyNationalLeader,wouldbe comfortablewithsuchanarrangement,permitittocontinue. ExxonMobilhasbeentheworstpartnerthatthiscountryever could have found to explore, develop, and exploit its oil wealth. To have the insurance risks, liability requirements (ceilings)allinthehandsofExxonMobilhastobemorethan unwise,itisthemadnesstoexcess.

For example, the insurance coverage that ExxonMobil takes out could be woefully short in helping to defray the possibly billions (US) of dollars in damages done by an oil spill. Considering the sprawling nature of deep-water oil spills, the unimaginable in terms of environmental destructioncouldbeinflictedonnotonlyGuyana’sshoreline andGuyaneselivelihoods,butinothercountriesintheregion andtheireconomiesandwayoflife.

TohaveExxonMobil,therefore,beresponsible,thesole decision maker, as to what constitutes proper liability coverage is the equivalent of signing away our life, this nation’s prosperity, and giving the company the deed. It is tantamount to giving a serial sex offender custody of one’s children, and never looking back to determine what is happening.

All this is in the hands of ExxonMobil because one Governmentaftertheotherhasallowedthisabominationto continue unaddressed, unchecked, and unchanged. The APNU+AFC Coalition failed this country by essentially clearing the way for ExxonMobil to obtain Self-Insurance foritsoperationsinGuyana’soilsector.SincethePPPChas returnedtopower,ithasmadenomovetocorrectthisgrave danger, and what amounts to billions in lost revenue to this country’sbusinessesandcoffers. ExxonMobilandPartners continuemonopolizingallcomponentsrelatedtorisk,losses, liability,anddamagesintheiroffshoreoperations.Thiscan be nothing but total insanity, and inexcusable leadership frailty and impotency Which self-respecting Government would want for ExxonMobil to have any involvement in matters of money (insurance, liability, damages), after the ugly, criminal record it has compiled where dealing fairly withthiscountryisconcerned?

Attacks on Brazil’s democracy must be condemned

DEAREDITOR, Brazil including Supreme terms.

Healing of the nation Another storming and Court, by rampaging, Theattacks,comingasit must begin. it is hoped the wanton destruction to rioting, and die-hard did on the heels of the new government would be governmentbuildingsplaces supporters of the former inauguration of the new able to overcome these democracy under threat as president – ‘well groomed’ president, tells of a country challengesandsetbacks,asit people(supporters)refuseto by that other storming of a torn apart and democracy in crafts a vision for the future acceptthereality government building on perceivedtatters. Thismust andtheentirecountry

The recent acts of January 6, must be change, the narrative must Regards, vandalism to key offices in condemned in the strongest change. ShamshunMohamed

Democracy must at all times be the basis for governance

DEAREDITOR, Actions such as these have was made by the political ousted President. A similar The recent attempt in no place in the civilized opposition to obtain power situation took place in neighboring Brazil to storm societies and can only serve by way of subversion of the Boliviaafewyearsagowhen the presidential palace and to undermine constitutional democratic process during Evo Morales was removed other government buildings democracy and the rule of theMarch2020Generaland frompowerbeforetheendof mere days after the historic law Regionalelections. his term in office inauguration of President Fortunately, the actions, The situation in Latin Democracymustatalltimes Lula da Silva bears some supposedly by far-right America,andforthatmatter be the basis for governance. strikingresemblancetowhat elements loyal to former the Americas as a whole, is Any departure from such tookplaceatCapitolHilltwo President Jair Bolsonaro, causeforconcern. norms is fraught with all years ago in the United have been thwarted but they Only recently the manner of danger and must StatesofAmerica. dosetadangerousprecedent President of Peru was be condemned by all those Thisisindeedaworrying of ignoring the will of the removedfrompowerinwhat who cherish the ideals of development.Itspeakstothe majorityandtryingtoobtain can be regarded as a d e m o c r a c y a n d fragility of democracy in power by illegal and ‘constitutional coup’ which constitutionalgovernance. some of the more advanced unconstitutional means. In has resulted in protest Regards, countries in the world Guyana, a similar attempt actions by supporters of the HydarAlly

Teachers should not be using their own resources in classroom

DEAREDITOR, given the resources in order withover60SBAtomark. teachingGrade10or11must Asourcountrydevelops, to be effective in the Why should I use my be given a laptop to use. it is expected that our classroom. personalphoneandlaptopto Often times, we need to education system evolves to Because of the low markstudents’SBA?Inmost checkthestudent’sworkand meet the needs of our salaries of Teachers, most subjects, students only providefeedback. country live pay cheque to pay submit soft copy of their Howisthatpossiblewith

Our Teachers are cheque. SBAs and Teachers have to a smart phone? Why should therefore very important in Yet,manyTeachersoften mark those soft copies. I we use our personal laptops transformingtheeducational find ways to go deep into cannot afford to purchase a (those who own one) to sector and the country as a their pockets to buy new computer (my personal complete our work? I hope whole. resources needed for one is not functioning) and thatTeacherswillonedaybe

To motivate Teachers, effective teaching This therefore I have to mark given all the resources they they must feel that they are shouldnotbehappeningina those SBA using my needtobeeffective. valuedandcaredforbytheir developing country like personalphone. Yourstruly, employers.Teachersmustbe ours. I am a CSEC Teacher Every Teacher who is FrustratedTeacher

DEAREDITOR, who have been recognized Dannyaskedme,“Sowhyis PresidentandMr.VP?What Newsreportindicatethat by the Government of India the PPP Government do you have to lose by ‘H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan for their outstanding refusing to add ‘Indian’ to renaming the day? Or is the Ali, President of the achievements both in India ‘Arrival Day’ – an action PPP’s refusal supposed to Cooperative Republic of andabroad.OtherGuyanese supportedbythePNC.” showthattheGovernmentis Guyana, will be one of 27 who received this award If the PNC supports not an ‘Indian Government’ persons bestowed with the were: Sir Shridath Ramphal renaming of the day, can the (asthePNClikestosay)and highest honour conferred on (2003), President Jagdeo PPPGovernment explain its will not do what prominent overseas Indians – Pravasi (2004),YesuPersaud(2006), objection?Whatisthedown Guyanese of Indian descent Bharatiya Samman Award President Ramotar (2015), sideifthePNCisinsupport haverequested.PresidentAli (PBSA)–fortheyear2023.’ and Guyana Hindu Dharmic and will not invoke racism, may want to explain his President Ali joins other Sabha(2019). favouritism, discrimination, Government’sstanceonthis persons of Indian In light of this award to oranysuchcriticism?Isthis matter,whichisasimplefix, origin/non-resident Indians President Ali, my friend not a no-brainer Mr but the Government has refusedtodoit-thesameway they have vowed not to renegotiate the oil contracts so Guyanese can stay destitute In an article, ‘Holidayshouldberenamed

ExxonMobil has proven that there is no thisAmericancompanycanbe. TothePPPC company that is as tightfisted when millions Government,weurgethatastopbeputtothis are on the table. The fact that ExxonMobil Self-Insurancefraud. Letusbenefitfromthe worked overtime and doggedly behind the richcomponentsthatarepartoftheinsurance scenes to wrest self-insurance for itself is an that Article 20.2 of the 2016 Production indication of how scheming and calculating SharingAgreementrequires.

NIGELWILLIAMS

In light of award from India, why is PresidentAli’s Govt. refusing to add “Indian” toArrival Day when PNC supports it?

At this historical juncture, the human factor must be allowed to grow and develop in a sustained way

DEAREDITOR, regardinglocalGovernment, niche for themselves

Notwithstanding the viewed as efforts to lay the front, should help create the

The critical historic social security and consistent with their enduringcontributionsofthe foundation for the socio- material conditions for juncture at which our workmen’s compensation professionand/orvocational agricultural and mining economic transformation of arresting the sociocountry now stands with the amongothers. training. sectors, it is the oil and gas Guyanesesocietyasawhole. economic problems facing governing mechanism in Speculative as it might And this should be industry and the financial At this critical juncture of ourcountry place led by President Ali, seem, had those positive facilitated by government resources flowing there ourcountry’shistory,though But the poor and has several historical outcomes been allowed to who has declared time and from, provided it is there continues to be some powerless, in whatever antecedents beginning from grow and prosper again, its commitment to effectively, efficiently and turbulencesalongtheway,it regioninGuyanatheymight theearly1950’s. uninterrupted, as they were ensure that all Guyanese transparently managed that is evident that the Ali be, must not be left behind. Unlike its antecedents, by the suspension of the prosper will see us, as a country administration has Thankfully, many oil this historic juncture is constitutionin1955,andthe Essentially, the period through a successful 2023 recognizedthatthereisarole producing developing qualitatively different from removal of the 1957-1964 aheadofushasthepotential andbeyond. and place for the human nations have provided us those that preceded it in PPP Government, they to last for years to come, Inthecircumstances,the factor. withtragiclessonsthatmust April-October 1953; 1957- wouldhavelaidthebasisfor setting in motion a Ali administration has set Every opportunity not be repeated here in 1964; 1964-1967; 1967- the long-term progressive transformative momentum itself the task of addressing shouldbegiventoallowthis Guyana. 2023 must be the 1992; 1992-1997; March- developmentofourcountry. thatmayproveunstoppable. the problem of climate factortogrowandprosperin year in which Guyana must December1997;1997-1999; While the brief historic In his analysis of the change through the sale of asustainedway. reinforce, and demonstrate 2001-2011; 2011-2015 and juncture in 1953 saw the ‘Eighteenth Brumaire Louis carbon credits, its Low Inthecircumstances,the inanevengreatermanner,its from2015-2018.Allhitherto introduction of progressive Bonaparte’ the German Carbon Development revenuesflowingfromprofit d e e p a n d a b i d i n g critical junctures peculiar to socio-economicreforms,the Philosopher, Karl Marx, Strategy, and REDD plus oil and the concomitant commitment to lift the poor Guyanese political history, historic junctures of the provided an explanation for InvestmentFund(GRIF),its vertical and horizontal and powerless out of emerged as a result of 1 9 6 4‘ 6 7 p e r i o d , such occurrences His Local Content Law and growth in the public and poverty specific political conditions. compounded by that of the analysis has some relevance number of related policy privatesectorsaswellasthe Yoursfaithfully, For example, in the early 1967-1992 period, saw the to the historic juncture at initiatives.Atthesametime, push on the agricultural ClementJ.Rohee 1950’s, the maturing of the reversal of a number whichGuyananowstands: thegovernmenthasresolved political conditions, helped progressive policies and the “Mankind always sets to tackle a host of trigger fundamental policy emergenceofalegacyanda itselfsuchproblemsasitcan developmental challenges divergences from the heritage that has blemished solve, since looking at the including poverty;

existingcolonialorder oursocietytothisday matter more closely, it will unemployment; the housing This was exemplified in Seventy years after, alwaysbefoundthatthetask shortage; food security; and thepolicieslaiddownbythe history had repeated itself, itself arises only when the allocating more budgetary n e w l y e l e c t e d ‘first as a tragedy’ in 1955, material conditions for its resources for improving Burnham/Jagan united PPP ‘second as a farce’ between solutionsalreadyexistsorat socialservices. and Government at a time 2015and2020. least in the process of its And though the matter when the political economy, The wheels of history formation.” continues to be widely owned and controlled by havesinceturnedafullcircle In this regard, it appears debated in the public foreign capital prevailed placingusatanothercritical thatthe‘materialconditions’ domain, the almost The brief existence of the juncture of our country’s hasemergedorintheprocess US$1.27bln. in oil money 155-day Government history of emerging in Guyana for accumulatedin2022willbe notwithstanding, it initiated Inthecircumstances,the the solutions to socio- critical for solving in the the Education Bill, ending juncture we are at today, economic challenges facing long term economic and dual control of schools, should be viewed especially the nation. But the singular social problems facing awarded Government bythisgenerationas‘aonce and most important factor, Guyana. scholarships, introduced the in a life time’occurrence in that characterizes this But whatever the case Labour Relations Bill, lifted whicheveryGuyaneseman, current historical juncture is might be, the tasks travel bans on West Indian woman and young person the emergence of the oil undertaken by Government Leaders, initiated reforms should seek to carve out a industry on several fronts, should be

In light of award from India, why is President...

Frompage4 Dev penned, when it was There is an abundance of Government has not given Indian Arrival Day,’ (KN, a p p r o v e d b y t h e footage identifying the out any national honours May 5, 2022), it was stated, Parliamentary Committee in perpetrators of violence at whichcouldrightthewrongs ‘May5isdesignatedArrival 2004,itwascalledIAD. Mon Repos and West Coast against those of its Day. The Government side Berbice. Where are we with supporters left out of PNC It is no secretit is the day in changed it to Arrival new preemptive legislation awardlists. whichIndiansfirstlandedin Day.”While the idea of the that imposes harsher Why no Senior Counsel thenBritishGuianain1838. Indian Arrival Monument penalties for blocking roads honorslastyear,andwhyno Althoughthatisthedaythat startedunderthePPP,itwas where we have a one road ‘Guardian of Democracy’ only Indians arrived in completed under the situation If we don’t, awards as promised in a Guiana, and no other group Coalition Government in Indianswillcontinuetobear special televised address to uses it for self-reflection, 2019. We also need a status the brunt of assaults from the nation. These are easy observance,andrecognition, reportonwhereweare,with hooligans and marauding things to do, so the succeeding governments in chargingmorepeopleforthe bands. Government’s failures are Guyana have consistently Mon Repos market

Since the President is mindboggling. refused to rename it Indian terrorism, as the Attorney- gettinganawardfromIndia, Sincerely, Arrival Day (IAD).As Ravi Generalpromised. hemayalsoconsiderwhyhis Dr JerryJailall

Mocha boiling

DEAREDITOR,

recommendation for

Most Guyanese are affirmativeactioninAfrican unawarethatwhentheDutch Guyanese depressed created Canals #1 and 2 communities and wondered westwardsontheWestBank why it was not extended to of the Demerara River to the Indian Guyanese irrigate agricultural land communities in the justfurther inland, they created shuttered sugar estates Canal#3oppositeontheEast Happy days appeared to be Bank between Plantations here again in these Providence and Herstelling communities from glowing going eastwards to do the reportsbytheDPI.Thiswas same for new coffee buttressedwhenthenewPPP plantations behind the Government repaired major riverfront plantations roads – including Burnham ArcadiaandMochawerethe Blvd - in the village to the firstofsixnewplantationson tuneof$192Mandlaunched the south bank of Canal # 3 several empowerment mirroring six others on the programs.

North Haags Bosch, for However, the bonhomie instance,wasaplantationon was ruffled late last year the northern side. Arcadia when the Opposition PNC and Mocha were purchased protested vehemently that sometimeafter1860byfreed the President and his Africans. Government were “going

They came to my notice directly to the people and in 2017 when the bypassing the NDC”, APNU/AFC Government controlled by them included them in their Especially, when residents $2 6Billion Rural booed the said NDC’s Agricultural Infrastructure Chairman’s intervention to Development programme Pres Ali’s presentation. On (RAID) along with three that visit the President other African-Guyanese r e m i n d e d t h e villages–Ithaca,Buxtonand Mocha/Arcadians of the 4BV laneEccles-Diamondbypass

It was in line with our highwaythatwouldintersect d e c a d e s - l o n g

We as a community should unite and create more clean-up campaigns

DEAREDITOR, turn and the waste trailing embedded in the minds of actually doing our part in oceans.Onestudyfoundthat climatechange. Thank you for the into trenches and gutters. numerous people for years. preservingtheEarth? 18% of litter ends up in Doing your part to keep opportunity to publish this Strikingly, I recall little to “Itisonlyonestraw,”said8 The burden of litter rivers, streams, and oceans, litter to a minimum is easy, letter in your daily nothingbeingdoneaboutit. billionpeople. clean-ups falls to local resultingintrashislandslike butitinvolvesvigilance.For publication. Garbage is everywhere Conferences have been Governments or community the Great Pacific Garbage starters, do not let trash The Garden City, my and suddenly we have held, protests have been groups.Foryears,numerous Patch. Species are going escape your car, and make home for most of my life. I decided that it is damaging. happening, meetings with clean-up campaigns have extinct because of climate surehouseholdgarbagebins recall the drives to school Untilrecently,wasteenjoyed world leaders and business been created, executed and change.Thisishappening.It aresealedtightly withmychildren,sharingthe anonymity in ubiquity; we owners have been taking then failed. Why? Because isnotatheory,orahoax,itis Also, if that stretch of latest school gossips and weresosurroundedbyitthat place, but is there any ofus.Undoubtedly,Icansay not ‘it will happen,’ it has area you drive by every day simplechitchattingaboutmy we hardly noticed. No one progress? At the COP26, I that the efforts of the been happening and will is a haven for litter, offer to business ventures. But, I seemedtocareenoughtodo wasblownawaybytheloads Government and the only get worse. There is a clean it and keep it clean. vividly remember the heaps anythingaboutit. ofideasandprojectsthatcan numerous resources used do worldwide revolt against Seeing how blessed our of trash tainting the once The general approach is decrease carbon emissions notmatter.Peoplesimplydo plastic. In 2016, a Green beautiful land truly is, it is beautiful Garden City into to sit back and let it be andaidintheglobalclimate notcare!

PeacepetitionforaUK-wide time we take interest and oneofobnoxity.Iremember someone else’s problem. fight, but were any ideas Littering is a disgusting plastic ban hit 365,000 careforourenvironment.We the way bus drivers, This simpleminded attitude actually implemented? We side effect of our signatures in just four have to reduce, reuse, pedestrians, ‘druggies’ of witnessing an ill doing promisebutdowefulfil?We convenience-oriented months, becoming the recycle, refill, repair, re-gift wouldlitterwithoutacare.I nothing, part-taking or just applaud those that recycle disposable culture To largest environmental andrepeat. recallthemountainsofwaste not having the slightest care and share people’s DIY underline the extent of the petition ever presented to a It is time to implement on almost every street you in the world, has been projects but how are we problem,anditdoesnotstop government The United more strict laws and there—once trash gets free, Nations declared a ‘war’on consequences of littering wind and weather move it single-use plastic. It is time and getting rid of waste.We from streets to waterways Guyana join this revolt and asacommunity,shouldunite and eventually rivers and contributetothefightagainst (Continuedonpage16)

Live each day as if it’s your last

DEAREDITOR, you one example of my Hedied!Hedidn’tmake Ihatetobesonegativeat cousin who just died, but he it to the end of the year.All this time of the year, but I didn’tpreparetodie. hisplanstoreturntoGuyana have to bring this important Five years ago, my andbuildahouse,hetookto topic to your attention cousin received horrific and thegravewithhim. Editor,I because it’s a subject that horrifying news: Stage four couldn’t understand how a peopledon’tliketodiscuss.I prostate cancer! Even dying man whose death was am talking about preparing though he had access to the imminent could be planning for your death. Don’t live best Doctors, there wasn’t to build a house knowing your life denying you’re anything the Doctors could death was just around the going to die. Rather, live do.Hewastoldhewasgoing corner The only thing that I everydaylikethisisgoingto to die. However, my cousin couldthinkofwouldmakea beyourlastdayalive.When never accepted that he was dead man walking still you live your life this way going to die even though he planning to build a house then you would have knewthechancesforhimto whendeathwasknockingat preparedfordeath. livewerealmostimpossible. hisdooristhatdenialissuch

Most of us believe that Becausehedidn’taccepthis a powerful thing that it we’ll live a long time or prognosis, he continued to would make people believe forever so we don’t prepare live his normal life. One thattheyaregoingtoliveand when death comes. We’re example of this was a few notdie.Lookingback,Isaw caught off guard. We are months before he died, he amanwhorefusedtobelieve shocked. We didn’t think it came to visit me in Guyana. that he was going to die. wouldhappentous,notnow We talked about everything Afterattendingthefuneral,it and not so soon. But death except, that he was going to was one of the saddest always comes sooner than die. He talked about getting funeralsIattendedbecauseI we expected. Death always moremedicaltreatments.He saw a man who refused to sneaks up on us, when we talkedaboutreturningtolive give up. I saw a man who least expect it.This is why I inGuyanaandrebuildingthe didn’twanttodie,amanwho am encouraging people to house he grew up in. Even didn’t prepare ahead of time prepare ahead of time for though he was less than six for death even though he death because it’s so much monthsawayfromdying,he knew death was inevitable. easier for your loved ones was planning for the future. Simply put, two things we when you have prepared to He was denying that he was can’t escape are death and die. Editor, I’ll share with goingtodie. taxes. Therefore,Editor,I’m encouraging you to prepare ahead of time for death by livingeverydaylikeit’syour lastonearth.ThisishowItry tolivemylife.

Regards, AnthonyPantlitz

Mocha boiling

parties to escalate the named businessman Nazar their community and raise situationintotheunfortunate (Shell) Mohamed as “the real estate values Since confrontationthatdeveloped crony”. 2021, notices had been like a Greek tragedy when I called the gentleman served to 37 squatters in the seven houses were and he categorically denied Mocha abutting the planned demolishedby an excavator the claim, agreeing this highway There was a very poignant would be unethical All

Frompage5

The conventions scene when a female shop Governments have had to surrounding Government’s owner described her deal with the problem of powers of eminent domain struggles to make a decent squatters. were strictly observed even living for herself and I remember returning in though technically the children.Matterscouldhave 1979 after a 7-year overseas squattershadnoownership. escalated further after an stayandtheagonydescribed

The land was for ‘public incendiary device, was to me by several friends and use’ and the Government hurled into the excavator relatives when their o f f e r e d m a r k e t driver’scab.

squatting houses behind compensation for their Luckily, he escaped Meten Meer Zorg, were properties, alternative house alive, and the flames were destroyed two years earlier lots in surrounding extinguished before the $50 by the Riot Squad on the communities, and other million piece of equipment orders of the PNC assistance to construct new was destroyed. Two Government even though homes. Twenty-eight additional holdouts have there was no ‘public use” squatters accepted and have accepted the Government’s imperative. Ironically, the now moved into their new offers for relocation while scheme was eventually homes. The seven holdouts the others have evidently rebuilt and named “Prem claimed strong economic been convinced that they Nagar”(CityofLove”)after and social reasons for their should be paid hundreds of the 1974 hit movie of the decision since they were millions the lands would samename.InOctober2017, livingtherefordecades.The allegedly be worth after the the APNU Coalition Government attempted to highway is built. Several destroyed 20 structures of address these objections: for Opposition Commentators mainly African Guyanese at instanceleasinglandtocattle allegethatthelandwouldbe FieldASophiafor“aesthetic and sheep/goat farmers, but sold to the “Government’s reasons” but the now tonoavail. friends and cronies”, which opposition political

Sadly, these objectors in my estimation would be protestorsweremute. wereusedbytheOpposition criminaliftrue.Oneofthem While the Government hastouchedalltheeconomic and social bases in the unfortunate matter, by choosingtoignoretheethnic nature of our politics, they have raised an ‘ant’s nest’. I again commend the institutionalization of ethnic caucuses in both major partiestoexplicitlyrepresent theinterestsofthoseoutside theirethniccores. Sincerely,

More Guyanese should speak out against Govt.’s mismanagement of country

- Former EPA Head

As Guyana continues its is that people are scared and accelerated agenda in the oil intimidated to say anything and gas industry, Petroleum even though they know it’s a EngineerandformerHeadof wrong being conducted t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l against them and their Protection Agency (EPA), families.”

Dr Vincent Adams has Hesaidthatthereisafear pointedouttheneedformore that retribution will follow if Guyanese to add their voices people start to speak out for to the call for better the good of the country, not managementpractices. only in the public sector but Inarecentinterviewwith even those employed by this publication, Dr Adams private organizations. “I reasoned that while the empathize with some of the political opposition has been people who don’t wanna they are putting themselves vocal on accountability speak out but in the back a n d t h e i r f a m i l i e s issues in the oil sector and ground they know what is livelihoods in danger,” he other industries, it is more being done against the explained. important for members of people of Guyana it’s wrong While this may be the civil society to also speak butinGuyanapeoplebelieve present state of affairs, the out. “I would absolutely ask they cannot speak up or else Petroleum Engineer warned for more people to do so. A there will be retribution thatitiscriticalforGuyanese lot of times when it comes whether you work for the to stand up now, as the oil from the Politicians it government or even the and gas sector can affect appearsasifitispoliticaland private sector It’s such a thousands of livelihoods in that is why with the other small community that years to come. He warned, folks in the Civil society it everybody is dependent on “This is a serious matter can carry more weight the Ministers and who runs becauseExxonMobilandthe because it doesn’t come the Government so anybody others(oilcompanies)might acrossaspoliticalbutthefact who sticks their head out, (Continued on page 19)

GECOM staffer accused of removing flash drive with voter info from Ashmin’s building refuses to testify

Enrique Livan, the

elections, acknowledged G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Livan’srighttosilence. Commission (GECOM) Commissioner and staffer who was fingered in former Chancellor of the removing a flash drive and a Judiciary (Guyana), Carl computer with voter

Singh, however, told Livan information refused to that the CoI has evidence testify when he appeared before it that he has been before the ongoing elections identifiedincertaineventsat inquiryonMonday the Ashmin’s building on

Livan, an IT Technician March5,2020. attached to GECOM was ‘You are aware that you also implicated in allegedly have been identified in doctoring votes for District certain concerning events at Four during the March 2020 theAshmin’s building,” said General and Regional Singh. Livan acknowledged Elections. that he is aware of the His Lawyer, Eusi implication, but remained A n d e r s o n t o l d t h e silent Last week, Chief Commission, that because Elections Officer Keith his client is before the courts Lowenfield, the District on criminal charges related Four Returning Officer to the elections, the inquiry JusticeoftheAppeal Clairmont Mingo, and Commission should be (retired) ofTurks and Caicos opposition figures Volda reminded that he has the Stanley John, who chairs the Lawrence, Carol Joseph and right not to potentially Presidential Commission of Dr Karen Cummings all implicate himself at the Inquiry (CoI) into the refusedtotestify

Enrique Livan, the IT Technician attached to GECOM who was implicated in doctoring votes for District Four.

Petroleum Engineer and former Head of the EPA, Dr. Vincent Adams

BIO-METRICS IS NOT THE ANSWER!

Why change ElectionDayaffair disenfranchisement and fuel electorallosersaresour The dispense with a system that something In March 2020, there all kinds of new conspiracy PNCR has always sought to hasworkedandworkedwell that does not wasanattempttomanipulate theories. find a reason to dispute onpollingday

need fixing? the tabulation of the results

Demanding greater use elections. And the PPPC, The source of the Why fiddle with something of District Four In order to of bio-metrics will only which lost the 2015 general suspicion over the country’s which has worked relatively resolve this, agreement was delayelectionsandwillhelp and regional elections, also electoral system boils down wellandtothesatisfactionof reachedforaRecount. tosustaintheimpressionthat complained about post- to the failure of the losers to (The views expressed in allparties? And this immediately thepollingdayarrangements Election Day manipulation. accepttheirdefeat,Untiland this article are those of the Aftercloseofpollsofthe causedashiftinnarrative.to needfixingbecausetheyare Biometricsisnottheanswer unless election losers can author and do not March 2020 elections, all of there being voter flawed and vulnerable to because it does not address standupand“taketheirlicks necessarily reflect the the contestants agreed that impersonation and fraud on fraud. the core problem of losers like a man”, no amount of opinions and beliefs of this pollingwentwell.ThePPPC Election Day There was This will erode being unwilling to accept tinkering with polling day n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s described polling as having another later attempt to confidenceintheworkofthe their electoral defeat. It is arrangements will resolve affiliates.) gonesmoothly disenfranchise more than Commission rather than therefore no use trying to anything. The APNU+AFC’s 100,000 voters whose votes enhance public confidence Presidential Candidate had been counted and initswork. David Granger said that he certified as valid at the In any event, no was satisfied despite some placesofpoll. consensus will be found anomalies such as the The chances of voter about greater use of bioproblem experienced in fraud at polling stations are metrics. someareaswiththesix-digit extremely remote given the The two main political stamp.And theChairmanof checksandbalancesinplace. partiesinGuyanacanhardly GECOM surmised that the The two main political agree on the use of voting Commission had delivered parties had polling agents at machines – a proposal of free, fair and credible almost all polling stations. which has long been on the elections.

Voter impersonation and table from Canada – much

It was only after it massivefraudcouldnothave lesstoagreetogreateruseof became clear that the happened without the direct bio-metrics. APNU+AFCdidnotwinthe complicity of those party Voting machines will elections that the problems pollingagents. allow for the faster started.

It is therefore just a declaration of preliminary

The attempt at rigging feebleexcuseandanattempt results but the parties will was a post- Election Day to cast greater suspicion on never agree to this because affair and therefore did not the electoral system for it to thenextthingyouwillhearis and could not impugn the be claimed that voter that the voting machines integrity of the processes on impersonation took place wereriggingtheelectionsin ElectionDay right under the noses of the favorofthePPPC.

Thishasbeenthepattern parties’pollingagents. And what is to prevent since 1997. In that year’s The problems with someone from challenging elections, some of the Guyana’s electoral system the constitutionality of the runners who were supposed havelittletodowithpolling useofmorebio-metrics. to collect the Statements of day arrangements The ThePNCRhadagreedto Polls for tabulation at problems are created by the use of a voter GECOM ran off with those who are unwilling to identification card in the Statement of Polls to acceptthedemocraticwillof 1997 elections. But after it CongressPlaceratherthanto thepeople. lost those elections, it GECOM headquarters. And Demanding greater use c h a l l e n g e d t h e thisopenedthefloodgatesto of bio-metrics will not constitutionalityoftheuseof manufacturedclaimsthatthe remove the suspicion over thevoteridentificationcard, elections results were being election results. It will the very measure which it rigged. The controversy increaseit.Itwillcomplicate supported. even then was a post- p o l l i n g , i n c r e a s e

Dem boys seh...

The bottom line is that

DEH PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS IN DE PASSPORT OFFICE

We living in de 21 st century and still was reluctant fuh do when dem went in. people gat to play musical chairs in de Demdidpreferpeoplegattocomefromfar passport office. De lines did move from and line up for hours in de sun and rain outside to inside but even when yuh get insteadofprocessingdemapplicationnear inside, yuh gat to sit down and wait yuh towheredemlive.Butstilldecentralization turn. nahstoppingdewaiting.

Whendepersoninfrontofyougetcall And de odder day, dem bin short of to be attended to, de next person gat to passports. Dem boys hear was because of moveintodatperson’schair Datishowde dewarinUkraine. musical chairs going down in de passport

Apparently,Russiadidfireamissileat office. de plane wah bringing de passports to

Simple problems we can’t fix because Guyana. Ukraine return fire ar de same de public service nat customer orientated. time.Depilotdecidefuhdumpdecargoso Is time we abolish de system weh people astolightendeplaneandgetquicklyoutof gat to carry in dem application. People de crossfire. Luckily de passports end up should apply online and de biometrics landing in Poland and was found by a should be outsourced. But dat might tek shepherd who tek it into de de authorities another twenty years fuh happen because whosenditonwardtoGuyana. government bureaucracy nah like Guyana nice fuh days! Musical chairs technology in de passport office gat to keep yuh De Coal-a-Shun did decentralize de entertained. system,somethingthatdePeePeePeeCee Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

IS THERE A REBIRTH OF CREOLE POWER?

Iinterruptedmyseriesof manipulation?”

Guyana You cannot be discussions with the WPA We d n e s d a y , analyzing the contents of Dr Hintzen’slatestpiece elected in Guyana by an leaders in government. She O c t o b e r 1 4 , 2022 by devoting my (yesterday) in ITD is on the ethnic majority community has never reported on her c a p t i o n e d ; January 5 column to race monster in Guyana in There is no longer such a discussions.

“Ryhaan Shah, replying to a vicious and which he drastically construct. To get over 50 Now I ask readers to Melissa Ifill and subtle racist condemnation denigratesthePPPandPNC percent of the votes, you digest and reflect on the G u y a n a ’ s of Charrandass Persaud by for preserving the enemy at have to win vast support following exclamation of sempiternal ethnic the Stabroek News (SN) the gate. But as he rambles from other ethnic groups. Dr Hintzen in that very consciousness.” publishedonJanuary4. on, he comes close to Secondly, either intellectual articleofhis: “When people

Since my response to academic bias or scholarly bias or Creole political ask me what I am, I reply Well, the new year as an imperialist power He SN, I have resumed my mediocrity or political sympathy leading to the that I am a Guyanese h a s n o t s t a r t e d served Berkeley University series only yesterday to be propaganda. Choose which denial of reality has led Dr creole. This is how my optimistically. Here is a for those 40 years which if sidetrackedoncemore.This oneyouprefer Hintzen to proclaim that he identity was forged, and professorofGuyanesebirth my research is correct is time by an article yesterday I quote from his article: wants an alternative to the where my interactions have bemoaning the existence of funded by “imperialist intheSNbyProfessorPercy “I believe that an PPP and PNC. But we had been, and continue to be, the continuing race binary money.” Hintzenundertherubric,“In alternative to party- thatafter2006whenamulti- mostintense.” in Guyana and just when As I observed above TheDiaspora”(ITD) political rule is essential to racial organization – the Whenyoureadthis,you you thought he might save this is the fourth article This is the fourth article any successful attempt at AllianceForChange(AFC) must juxtapose it with a the nation, he informs us within a 3 month span by inaboutthreemonthsbyDr meaningful transformation -foundsympathyamongthe similar exclamation by the that he goes through life as Dr Hintzen in ITD. We Hintzen writing for ITD in organized around justice, Guyanesepeople. current Deputy Vice a Creole man. On reading need to remind readers which his theorizing on happiness, well-being, In2015,theAFCandthe C h a n c e l l o r o f t h e that I immediately that Dr Trotz is also a Guyanese politics is sustainability, self- WPA took state power University of Guyana, Dr. wondered how Swami Creole person Are we extremely flawed Please determination, and human Where was the direction Mellisa Ifill. She wrote: “I Aksharananda and Ravi witnessing a rebirth of see the following responses security. This effort has towardswhatHintzenwants am unapologetically black Devwouldreact. Creole power? But it is toDr Hintzen. been perpetually stymied by - justice, happiness, well- – always was and always Another interesting comingatatimewhenMr 1. Thursday, November the racial sentiment, being, sustainability, self- will be! I march through dimension of Dr. Hintzen’s Granger lost power and 1 - “No major, global hatred,andanimusthathas determination, and human this life and world as a article is his fulminations the AFC and WPA are investment in Guyana after (sic) moved beyond the security? blackwoman.” a g a i n s t W e s t e r n dead. Independence.” arena of politics to plague Interestingly, at the time For my take on this imperialism and its role in (The views expressed in 2.Thursday,October11, popular consciousness of of the WPA in power, the announcement, see my subjugating Third World this article are those of the -“PercyHintzenmisusesthe selfinthecountry.” editorofITD,Dr Trotzwas columns of Thursday, people. But Dr. Hintzen, author and do not workofagreatphilosopher” Thequoteaboveiseither an influential voice in the October 8 titled, “Is UG’s now in his late seventies, necessarily reflect the 3. Sunday, October 9 – intellectual dishonesty or WPA. After the WPA came Deputy Vice Chancellor, left Guyana over 40 years opinions and beliefs of this “Percy Hintzen’s flawed poor knowledge of to power, she flew into Melissa Ifill, displaying ago and settled in a country n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s analysis: Distance or contemporary politics in Guyana in 2016 to have ethnic instincts?” and hedefinitelywoulddescribe affiliates.)

oil sector moving too fast for small labour force’

down growth of economy - ILO study

highlighted that there is a need to upgrade Guyanese

The International endbadlyforGuyana. assess and, to the extent workers technical skills in L a b o u r “The accelerated possible, anticipate the areas such as rigging, Organisation expansionoftheoilandgas labour demand and skills

welding, capacity to ensure (ILO) in its December 2022 operations (in Guyana) has needs. compliance with health and study emphasised that exposed a pronounced gap The report also provides safety standards, and Guyana’s oil and gas between the industry’s an overview of how those knowledge of nautical industry is moving too fast labour demand and the needs are or could be systems. for the country’s limited availability of skilled addressed through the

Also stated in the ILO skilledworkforce. workers at the local level,” present educational reportisthatover80percent

The ILO findings were ILOsaid. infrastructure. of the total working age of highlighted in its report To this end it was stated Upon surveying Guyana’spopulationdidnot titled, ‘Prospective that if the gap is not Guyana’s private sector, the go beyond upper secondary occupational skills needs in addressed, the latter will ILOreportedthatengineers, education and that the the Guyanese oil and gas requiredworkforcethatwill industry, 2022-2026’ which be needed in the coming was published back on years, is six times Guyana’s December19,2022. currentworkforcecapacity

Kaieteur News had

Kaieteur News had reported that while reported that, according to Guyana’soilresourceshave the report, ‘Availability of placed it among the top qualified human resources’ petroleum producers in the that the gross school economy,”itwasstated. is a key bugbear to the world, the country’s lack of enrollment ratio at tertiary According to the ILO, country’s development. It technical expertise and level for Guyana is only thelabourdemanddrivenby was explained that the workforcecapacitycontinue about 12 percent, which is theoilandgassectorandits Guyanese economy would tobeabugbear muchlowerthantheaverage support services in Guyana have to overcome the

Despite this, the 44 percent in other Latin for the forthcoming years is aforementioned in order to Government of Guyana likelyslowdownthegrowth specialists in occupational America and the Caribbean estimated to be 260,000 fully benefit from the oil (GoG)earlierthisyeargave of the sector and of the health and safety, and ship countries. workers, while Guyana’s boom. American oil giant, whole economy or, at the deck crews lead the list of

Another hampering national potential labour “Although oil and gas ExxonMobil,thegreenlight very least, generate “mostindemand”jobsinthe factor is the ‘Quantitatively force is estimated to be a operations employ a wide for the fourth project inefficiencies in the level oilandgasindustryoverthe limited workforce ’ mere39,342. range of jobs, including (US$10B Yellowtail performance and for the nextfiveyears.

According to the report, Importantly, even under those occupations Development Project) and economy

However, it was stated although the quality of a hypothetical scenario associated with low(er) Vice President, Bharrat The ILO stated too that that as pointed out by the available human capital is where all unemployed, skills level 6, an important Jagdeo,hasbeenpushingfor the report is meant to private sector respondents, certainlyworrisome,itisnot underemployed, and proportion of the job oilcompaniestogofaster support the Government of thattheaforementionedjobs the only constraint in discouraged workers are openings require at least a WhiletheGovernmentis Guyana, local stakeholders, are perceived as not Guyana. “Quantitatively, trained, retrained, and up- higher technical or persistentinacceleratingthe employers, workers’ sufficiently available in the

vocational degree,” it was industry – the ILO reports representatives, TVET country big enough to serve the thedemandwillstilloutstrip statedinthereport. states that such a move can institutionsandacademiato Added to this, it was expected growth of the supplyinthemedium-term.

In contrast, it was stated

Guyana’slabourforceisnot skilled,tobecomeemployed

FrederickKissoon

‘Guyana’s

- can slow

‘Fishermen in deeper trouble as fifth oil project kicks in’

TheEnvironmental (approximately 328 feet) of offshore will lose access to I m p a c t the (Floating Production some fishing areas that are A s s e s s m e n t Storage and Offloading currently available to them

(EIA) conducted vessel) FPSO, so the area and will have to avoid by Acorn International, the impacted will be very small, Project-related vessel traffic Consultant hired by U.S oil and fish are mobile and are wherenonecurrentlyexists. major ExxonMobil, has known to avoid areas with It said that artisanal cautioned that not only will degradedwaterquality.” fishing occurs well inshore marine fish be affected by Offshore demersal of the project area, so there the degraded water quality species, or those that live on will be no loss of access for within the fifth offshore the seafloor could be artisanal fishing. However, project site, but fishermen exposed to high levels of “Artisanal fishing vessels whoplytheirtradetherewill sediments in the water c o u l d e x p e r i e n c e also be forced to find new column during the drilling interference due to groundstoaccommodatethe operation. As it regards the movements of Projectoperation. impact of sound on fish, the related vessel traffic.” The

The study, which was EIA explained that study explained that while made public on Sunday on underwater sound modelling Notices to Mariners will be t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l and review of hearing provided to mitigate Protection Agency’s (EPA) s e n s i t i v i t i e s a n d potential interference with website indicated that, “The mechanismsfoundthatthere industrial and artisanal Project might impact marine willbea‘minor’disturbance fishing vessel navigation, fishduetothedegradationof on species within the vessel there are limitations, water quality as a result of transit corridor It particularly for artisanal c o n f i r

the permitted vessel nonetheless assured that, vessels, to the effectiveness

one-off grant

pointed out, d i s c h a rg e s ” T h o s e “Water intakes will be ofthesenotices.Theimpacts Agriculture Organization relief. that Guyana’s experience discharges include produced designed to minimise to industrial and artisanal (FAO) Though this Shadow Oil and Gas with low fish catch is not water, ballast water and entrainment of fish yielding fishing was assessed and document was promised to Minister, David Patterson unique, as other oil sewageamongothers. animpactsignificancerating rated as “minor” by the be made public since May had however said this was producing nations would I n a d d i t i o n t h e of Negligible. Other types of Consultant. last year, Government has just a band-aid approach. havefacedasimilarfate. Consultant noted that the impacts (attraction to light, Since the startup of oil gone silent on its release. In Patterson is of the view that To this end, he believes equipment used offshore auditory injury, change in production in 2019, fishers the meantime, fishermen “the mere paying of this that Government should be also has the potential to distribution due to habitat said they have experienced have been turning to compensation is an e m b a r k i n g o n a estrain or suck in fish alteration) to non-special reduced catches. While they neighbouring Suriname to acknowledgement that there comprehensive plan to According to the study, status fish are also rated are confident this was a maintain their families, but is an issue and I’ve heard address the situation rather “Modelling indicates that Negligible.” result of the petroleum now the fishing licenses them say that it’s a global thanattempttocoveritupby water quality will return to Importantly, the study operations,Governmentsaid havebecometoopricy issue but it’s being paying a small grant to the near background conditions m a d e i t c l e a r t h a t it was merely due to climate In the last quarter of exasperated by the oil parties affected from w i t h i n 1 0 0 m e t r e s commercial fishing vessels change, as reportedly 2022, the PPP commenced operations.” Further, the taxpayers’dollars.

U.S. Embassy announces 2023 Cohort of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative

The U.S. Embassy has placement, Akeem hopes to designer who works in the announced the 2023 cohort build new relationships, Artisan Products Sector, from Guyana for the U.S. network with people that leading La Vie Guyana and DepartmentofState’sYoung share common interests, and carving a niche for readyLeaders of the Americas learn about the operations of made clothing in the I n i t i a t i v e ( Y L A I ) different systems and Guyanese fashion industry FellowshipProgram. sectors, marketing, e- During the host placement, Launched in 2015,YLAI c o m m e r c e , p r o d u c t Pearlita hopes to learn how empowers emerging development, admin, and to employ the right entrepreneurs from the management. Coming into principles in the company Western Hemisphere to theYLAIFellowship,histop and brand, hire the right enable the full economic business challenge is people, and create the right potential of the region’s finance. products and environment to citizens, the embassy said in Onicak Hinds works in have a lasting positive a press release. This year’s theEducationSectoratStep- impact on the lives of YLAI fellowship program by-Step Foundation, leading women, whether they are launched in December 2022 as a senior tutor to provide employees, customers, or and will continue through intervention services for beneficiaries of the June 2023, bringing together children with autism community Coming into the 280 young leaders from 37 spectrum disorder (ASD). YLAI Fellowship, her top countries in Latin America, During the host placement, business challenge is the Caribbean, and Canada. Onicakhopestolearnhowto finance. We are pleased to announce further establish and expand Shondell Rodrigues that four young leaders from Step by Step Foundation as works in theAgriculture and Guyana have been accepted wellasincreasethebusiness’ Animal Care Sector, leading outofover1,800applicants: impact in society Coming Alana’s Fresh Organic AkeemMcDonaldworks into the YLAI Fellowship, Produce. Shondell is a in the Business Services her top business challenge is kitchen garden and smallS e c t o r l e a d i n g t h e finance. scale vegetable farmer with Professional Janitorial Pearlita Richardson is an sixyearsofexperience. Services. During the host experienced creative

Exxon’s operations have had adverse impacts on the fishing industry here

m e d b y a n the payment of a $150,000 former Minister of Public

independent Food and

for fisherfolk Infrastructure

Guyana condemns invasion of Brazil Congress by protesters

The Guyana Government international organizations, joined with other countries in including the Organization of condemning the invasion of AmericanStates,andthewillofthe BrazilCongressandtheSupreme electoratemustbefullyrespected”. Court on Sunday by supporters “These attacks on institutions of former President Jair of government by groups, seeking Bolsonaro. to overturn the results are assaults

“We condemn every attempt on democracy, which will not be and attack against the Presidency tolerated by the governments and and democratic institutions of peoples of the Hemisphere,” Prime Brazil. Those who utilise violence Minister Browne stressed. “The PresidentJairBolsonarohassaidhe being used to transport protesters tear gas as demonstrators wrapped to subvert democracy must be Government of Antigua and did not instigate the unrest in fromotherregionsofthecountryto themselves in the national flag, brought swiftly to Justice,” Barbuda stands in support of Brasília on Sunday, and has always Brasília “These buses are shouting slogans while President Irfaan Ali said in a terse democratically-elected President respected the constitution and the instruments for perpetuating surrounding the presidential statement. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his ruleoflaw crimes”,Dinosaid. palace.

“We call on all stakeholders to government, and we will make this Brazil’sMinistryofJusticesays The investigation is now trying Thisinvasioncomesjustaweek be responsible and not be part of position clear at the OAS and at the that around 1,200 people were to establish who financed the after the inauguration of this unacceptable behaviour UN,inthecomingdays,”thePrime detained and taken to the Federal protests In messages sent Bolsonaro’s leftist rival, President Guyana stands with the law- Ministeradded. Police headquarters in Brasília throughout the week on Telegram, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva abiding people of Brazil and the A joint statement has been after government palaces were organisers offered available spaces Bolsonaro, who is currently in the institutionsofthestateindefenseof issued at a North America summit stormed by protesters on Sunday in“freebuses”with“everythingfor US, lost the presidential election to democracy,”PresidentAliadded. in Mexico City, with the leaders of Most of the arrests happened in free: water, coffee, lunch, dinner”. left-wing veteran Luiz Inácio Lula Meanwhile, the Government of Canada, the US and Mexico front of the army headquarters in Inspections inside government da Silva last October Since then, Antigua and Barbuda also condemning what they describe as Brasília, where supporters of palaces include the collection of hissupportershavebeenrefusingto condemned the storming of the “attacks on Brazil’s democracy”. former President Jair Bolsonaro DNA traces left in surfaces and accept that he lost the election and CongressinBrazilbysupportersof US President Joe Biden, Mexican hadbeencampingsinceDecember personal items left behind. Drone have since been calling for military Bolsonaro. Prime Minister Gaston President Andres Manuel Lopez According to the local police, footage gathered by Brazil’s interventionandLula’sresignation. Brownealsodenouncedtheactions Obrador and Canadian Prime dozens of buses were used in the Federal Police during the attacks is Meanwhile, videos on social of right-wing groups who Minister JustinTrudeau stated they operation. also being used to help identifying media showed Bolsonaro surrounded the Supreme Court and all “stand with Brazil, as it On Sunday evening, Brazilian theprotesters. supporters smashing windows and the Presidential Palace The safeguards its democratic ministerofJusticeFlavioDinosaid On Sunday thousands of furniture of the National Congress Antigua and Barbuda Prime institutions”. “Our governments that200peoplehadbeenarrestedin supporters of Bolsonaro stormed and Supreme Court buildings. One Minister said, “Mr Bolsonaro lost support the free will of the people connection to acts of vandalism in the country’s National Congress video even showed a policeman the Presidential election, found to of Brazil,” the three leaders said in Brazil’s capital. The

be free and fair by Observers from their

Plaisance men remanded on gun, ammo charges

The duo made their first court appearance before Magistrate Alisha George at t h e S p a r e n d a a m

(GPF) had arrested the duo possession of ammunition matterwasthen

of trafficking, and

showeduptoconductaraid. four live matching containing the ganja. Both

According to a police cartridges”,theForcesaid. suspects were cautioned and after they found an illegal withoutlicence.

February1,2023. release, ranks went to the The men present were arrested. shot gun, live ammo and

minister said and Supreme Court in the capital beingpulledfromhishorseand

statement. Former Brazilian that 40 buses were seized after Brasília.Policerespondedbyfiring (Continued on page 17)

Twenty-five-year-old Delvoy Williams and 22year-old Joshua Archer both of Robert Road, Plaisance, EastCoastDemerara(ECD), were on Monday remanded to prison for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

some286smallziplockbags location around 05:15hrs asked if they were licensed Magistrates’Court.Williams filled with ganja at a house after learning that some firearm holders but they and Archer were jointly located in Plaisance. It was illegal activities were taking remainedsilent. charged for the offences of The Defendants denied reported that the suspects, place there “During the Police continued to

Kaieteur News had possession of firearm the charges that were read to were reportedly in the house search the ranks found a 12 tumble the house and reported that on Friday, without licence, possession them and they were both when ranks from the gauge double-barrel shotgun discovered a black plastic January6,2023,membersof of narcotics for the purpose remanded to prison by Sparendaam Police Station with no serial number and bag with zip lock bags the Guyana Police Force

Magistrate George The

adjournedto

Soldiers have begun dismantling the camp outside army headquarters

The firearm, ammunition and ‘ganja’ that were found in the house

Remanded, Delvoy Williams

Remanded, Joshua Archer

Teen drowned while swimming at Linden Blue Lake

Deceased, Cam Thomas

trying to make himself marketable for the world of work. “This is the worst emotional pain I have felt in a long time. My nephew was like my own son. I cannot

The body of an 18- Thomas submerged under bear this oh Lord but we will year-old Linden the water when they were do our best to trust your

T e c h n i c a l about twenty feet from the ways,”hisAuntAlishasaid. Institute student, identified eastern shore. He attempted

The incident renewed as Cam Thomas of Central to rescue Thomas but was callsforpersonstobecareful Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was unsuccessful. while using the lake for recovered from the Kara The incident was recreational purposes KaraBlueLakebydivers. subsequently reported to the without the necessary Thomaswassuspectedto police, who visited the protection such as life have drowned on Sunday scene,butsawnosignsofthe guards. between16:20hrsand16:46 young man. Divers were

The Blue Lake which is hrs while at the lake with the hired by the family to search one of Linden’s popular groupoffriends. for him and that search was tourist attractions is an According to the police successful, when his body artificial lake created as a the victim and four friends was recovered about 12:00 result of bauxite mining. had left to go swimming at hrs on Monday in the Whileenvironmentalstudies the popular Blue Lake. One vicinityofthelake. have cleared the chemical of the friends related to the The incident sent shock elements in the water as safe policethatThomaswentinto waves throughout Amelia’s for recreational use, the the water and started Ward, as the young man was depthandthestrongcurrents swimming from the eastern known to be respectable, have stirred concerns for to the western side. The 20- quiet, and humble His many Several persons have year-old friend further grieving family members drownedinthelakebefore. related that he observed saidhewasnowstartinglife,

BACIF ‘Made In Guyana’ certified

Leopold man gunned down on D’Urban Street Street

M a d e i n G u y a n a ’ certified to use the ‘Made in ceremonywasheldatthe CertificationProgramme. Guyana’ Standards Mark on (Continued on page 16)

and blue jersey was seen Leopold Street was on underhishead. Monday morning gunned

A33-year-oldlabourerof

PolicestatedthatCharles down while walking on received three gunshot D’Urban Street, Werk-en- wounds to his neck, one to Rust,Georgetown. his right jaw, one to his left

The dead man, who was jaw, one to his left-side shot 12 times, has been forehead, one to his rightidentified as Roy Anthony side forehead, one to his left Charles,called‘Skiddle’. hand, two to his right-side

According to the police, lower back, and two to his Charles was slain sometime rightshoulder around 11:30 hrs while Several 9MM spent walking in the company of shells, 5 warheads and a anotheronD’UrbanStreet. metal fragment were found

Reports are that Charles at the scene He was and another labourer, 43- pronounced dead by a year-old Dexter Lawrence, Doctoronthescene. were on D’Urban Street

According to the police, heading west when a silver hoodie, exited the car and several persons were grey old-model Allion shot Charles several times at questioned and they have motorcar with registration closerange. been able to determine that n u m b e r P V V 5 9 0 6 , The shooter quickly the registration number on approached them from returned to the car, which thecarusedintheshootingis behind and several shots turned north on to Smyth fake. rangout.

Streetspedaway Charles’ body was taken Lawrence ran in a According to police to the Memorial Gardens western direction leaving reports,Lawrencereceiveda Funeral Home and a post Charles, who fell to the bruise to his right lower mortem examination will ground. hand, which he said was soonbedone.

The duo was reportedly causedbyabullet.

K a i e t e u r N e w s going to purchase alcohol Uponarrivalatthescene, understands that Charles, whentheshootingoccurred. police said Charles was seen whoisnostrangertothelaw, L a w r e n c e t o l d lyinginapoolofbloodonhis was on Monday working in Investigators that when he back, clad in short blue the D’Urban Street area, looked back, the car had pants, a white vest, a pair of cleaningdrains. stopped,andaman,whowas red and blue Puma sneakers Investigations into the wearing a dark coloured on his feet, and a red, white fatalshootingareongoing.

Thomas body retrieved (NCN Linden photo)

The Guyana National The company is the first its locally manufactured fire Bureau of Standards to be certified so far for hydrants, manhole cover (GNBS) on Monday 2023. with frames, test masses and certified Brass Aluminium Joining the twenty-one saddle straps, GNBS said and Cast Iron Foundry companies already certified Monday. Limited (BACIF) under the in 2022, BACIF is now A brief handing over ‘

(L-R) BACIF’s Operations Manager Rondel Ali and Quality Manager Adrian Barkoye receives certificate from Head of GNBS Certification Dept. Ms. Andrea Mendonca, and Technical Officer, Orlando Sturge

Dead: Roy Anthony Charles called ‘Skiddle’

WANTED

Driver, Salesman & Porters to work in warehouse. Must have experience, attractive salary offered. Call: 6964444.

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

One male and female ablebodied Clerk: 225-2313/ 658-8559.

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

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

Driver/ Salesman, Bakers, Patry Makers, Puri /Roti Makers & Receptionist. Back to Eden Bakery,85 David St Subryanville, 6130475/ 613-0385.

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

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

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

One Kitchen Assistant and Delivery Boy needed. Call: 223-5021/ 223-1531.

Wanted: workers to work on Cash Crop Farm, $5000 daily and free meals included. Call: 695-6139, 6797552.

Driver/ Porter needed, ages 35-45 yrs and must have atleast 5 yrs experience along with 2 references. Call: 623-0479.

Reliable male and female Security Officer needed! Must have Military background. Contact: 603-5140.

Wanted: Experienced Supervisor, Cashier, Counter Person , Cooks and Labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts.

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

One house for rent. Call: 683-8786.

One Domestic worker/ Maid required to work 2 times per week. For more info Call: 613-7651/ 649-3783.

VACANCY

Salesgirl and Porters needed. Send Written application to Best Buy Food Supplies, Deniss and Milton Street C/ville.

Maid required to cook and clean in East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One General Domestic needed, must know to cook. Apply with written application at Keyfood, McDoom Village next to the Post Office.

Able-bodied Porter/ Salesman needed, must have cxc maths & english, with neat handwriting. Apply at Keyfood, McDoom Village or Call: 629-7426.

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

Office Assistant, Semiskilled and Skilled Workers needed. Call: 621-6969, 6157784 / 505-9107.

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

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

Office Clerk and Domestic worker required. Live-in facilities available, call: 2237500.

One male Worker and Canter Driver needed. Ages 2550 yrs, Call: 231-1408/6429191.

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

Experienced Cashiers, Kitchen Assistant & roti/ puri Cook. Apply @ Hack's Restaurant 5 Commerce St. Lathe Operator, Welder & Handyman required. Call: 645-9333/ 220-6078.

Driver required, ages 23-50 yrs. Must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles and must have car and van licence. Call: 645-8443/ 6429823.

SERVICES

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

FOR RENT

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

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

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

2 and 3 Bedroom fully furnished luxury apartments for rent, short term and long term. Tel:# 682-2585, 6911432.

1 8000 sq feet warehouse in a prime location on the E.B.D, US $10,000 per month. Call: 500-1527 or 233-3512.

BACIF ‘Made In Guyana...’

From page 15

GNBS Head office at Flat 15, Exhibition Site, Sophia, Georgetown.

Quality Manager at BACIF, Adrian Barkoye thanked the GNBS for the opportunity to be a part of the programme.

“We continuously strive to enhance what we do so we can better serve our customers. This ‘Made in Guyana’ mark will serve as a complimentary mechanism to our ISO 9001 Certification,” he said, adding that the company will work assiduously to maintain the requirements of the programme.

Head of the GNBS’ Certification Department, Andrea Mendonca who handed over the certificate, extended congratulations to the company

for achieving this milestone.

“This programme was launched with the aim of giving locally manufactured Guyanese products brand recognition, among other benefits” she noted.

The Certification is valid for 1 year and the GNBS will conduct surveillance visits to ensure the approved quality is maintained throughout the certification period in keeping with the respective terms and conditions.

The ‘Made in Guyana’ Standards mark is a registered mark that aims to provide recognition to locally manufactured products on a national, regional, and international level. It focuses on creating competitiveness for authentic Guyanese products certified under the Programme while

creating a framework for the development of quality systems within our local content.

The GNBS is encouraging more businesses to sign up to be a part of the ‘Made in Guyana’ Certification Mark Programme to give their products that competitive advantage in the local and international markets. Application forms can be accessed at https://gnbsgy.org/certification/made-in-guyana-certification/

The ‘Made in Guyana’ Certificate was handed over by Head of Certification Services, Andrea Mendonca to BACIF’s Quality Control Manager, Adrian Barkoye and Operations Manager, Rondel Ali, in the presence of GNBS Technical Officer, Mr. Orlando Sturge.

Cashless food ordering app...

From page 3 platform provides them with an opportunity to reach new customers without the headache of juggling incoming calls, WhatsApp messages, dealing with credit cards or managing the delivery process.”

The initial group of restaurants features some of Georgetown’s favourite eateries including German’s Restaurant, Shanta’s Puri Shop, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Mario’s Juice Bar & Grill, Big Kahuna Burger, Sarawak Malaysian Restaurant and Subby’s Sandwich Shop amongst others.

and the company partners with local delivery companies with a service model that improves income and safety for drivers. The ‘GTEats’ technology platform, includes mobile apps for consumers, vendors and delivery drivers and are available in both the Apple and Google Play app stores. The app features secure encrypted payments with no card information stored in the app or on the company’s servers.

within the greater Georgetown area will be able to use the service seven days a week from 10am to 8p.

The app is available for download by searching ‘GTEats’ all one word in the app store. ‘GTEats’ is a Georgetown based startup founded in 2022 by local and overseas entrepreneurs focused on bringing a fully digital, cashless food ordering and delivery experience to the Guyanese consumer.

FOR SALE

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

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

There are no upfront fees for restaurants that qualify

A convenience feature uses the consumer’s unique device ID to authenticate their payments, eliminating the need to re-enter sensitive information. Consumers

We work collaboratively with restaurants and delivery companies with service currently available in the greater Georgetown area. http:// www.gteats.com

We as a community...

From page 6 and create more clean-up campaigns. But most importantly, it is crucial to note that it does not matter how much we clean, because the waste would still be dumped at a landfill.

waste in non-harmful ways.

Many people do not feel the urgency or would hesitate at the initial cost of transitioning our energy infrastructure without considering the cost of inaction.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

SERVICES

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

EDUCATION

The only way to thwart this is to reduce the non-biodegradable garbage on landfills (items such as plastic, cardboard, glass, metals).

Perhaps, Guyana as a developing nation emerging and growing in the Oil & Gas Sector, should seek to implement different strategies of breaking down and getting rid of

Many fail to grasp how dependent humanity really is on intact ecosystems.

When racism, politics and bigotry are mixed, it becomes near impossible.

But, the earth does not belong to us, we belong to the earth.

Respectfully, Nazar Mohamed Businessman

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable. Contact:649-0956.

First Aid/ CPR/ AED: Home Nursing courses and First Aid Refresher course starting soon. Call St.John Association:225-9082 or email: stjohnguyana@yahoo.com

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

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

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor. Say no to it.

- Pres. Ali says at Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention Diaspora critical to development

The Diaspora must C o m m u n i c a t i o n s

spanning massive economic to establish platforms for the not be treated as Technology (ICT) and opportunities across almost provision of accurate and entities that are housing. all sectors of the economy,” t i m e l y d e l i v e r y o f

peripheral to The Guyanese Leader thePresidentsaid. information to the members nationhood for they are believes that it is important President Ali said his of the Diaspora and to integral to any nation’s for the two countries to Government’s intention is to counteract misinformation,” development, President continuously share their positionGuyanatobeamong theHeadofStatestressed. IrfaanAli said on Monday at experiencesinengagingwith theleadersintheworldinthe The President is thankful the inaugural session of the their respective Diasporas areas of energy, climate and for the support India has th7 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas particularly since Guyana is f o o d s e c u r i t y, a n d given to Guyana, pointing 2023conventioninIndia. now in a much stronger freshwater, as well as the directly to the aid provided “WelooktoourDiaspora economicpositionthanithas best healthcare services, and duringtheCOVID-19. to project our external everbeen. India, is an important “I am very proud of your interests,includingtoprotect The country is now the strategic partner in Guyana w o r k o f y o u r ourdemocracyandtodefend fastest-growing economy in achievingthisgoal. demonstration of what real our territorial integrity and the world, registering a real He noted that Guyana is love at home should look sovereignty, particularly Gross Domestic Product pushing its ‘One Guyana’ like”,PresidentAlisaid. from external threats. We (GDP) growth rate of 19.9 agenda that promotes unity HestatedthatthePravasi look to our Diaspora to per cent in 2021, and an and prosperity amongst all Bharatiya Divas Convention champion the international estimated growth of more Guyanese. is an important platform to causes which are germane to than50percentin2022. As such, the president fosteringdeeperandstronger our national interests, President Ali said with stressed that when policies tiesamongstateswhichhave including arresting climate Guyana’s economic are being crafted it is significantDiasporas. change. opportunities and potential, important to integrate the President Ali is on an

Indeed, we also look to i t w e l c o m e s f u l l Diaspora. Official State visit to India. our Diaspora to wield its participation from India’s Moreover, he said if the He is accompanied by influence in attracting and privatesector Diaspora is to become more Foreign Affairs Minister, unlocking markets for our “Thecountry’seconomy integrated with national Hugh Todd, Minister within products,”PresidentAlisaid. is in a full take-off mode for development it must benefit the Local Government and Since the establishment d e v e l o p m e n t , t h i s from accurate and updated Regional Development of diplomatic relations with transformative stage of information. MinistryAnandPersaud,and India, Guyana has benefitted economic development is “It is, therefore, essential otherofficials. from robust cooperation in the fields of agriculture, diplomacy, education, health, Information

DJ chopped to death during fight

Twenty-eight-year-old Brian Pitam, popularly known as ‘DJ Viper’, a formeremployeeofKaieteur Radio, was on Sunday night chopped to death during a fight at a bar located at Laluni Village on the Soesdyke/LindenHighway

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) reported that Pitam of Lot 441 Goed Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was at the time attending a birthday party along with his father-in-law, a 51-year-old truckdriver

According to the Police, Pitam was killed by three men while trying to defend his father-in-law during an attackaround21:00hours.

It was stated that Pitam was drinking at a shop when thethreesuspectsconfronted his father-in-law, and dealt finger and middle fingers Corporation (GPHC) where him a lash to his face. As along with his wrist were he was pronounced dead on such, Pitam intervened and reportedlysevered. arrival. he was dealt several chops He also sustained a deep At the time of reporting, abouthisbodybeforethetrio chop wound to the back of thePolicehadarrestedoneof rode off on motorcycles. It is the neck. Pitam was picked the suspects in connection unclear which direction they up by public spirited citizens with Pitam’s murder, while escaped. a n d r u s h e d t o t h e the manhunt continues for Pitam’sleftthumb,index Georgetown Public Hospital theothertwo.

Guyana condemns invasion of Brazil...

From page 13

Sunday is unprecedented in the country’s viciously beaten by a mob of protesters. history Many climbed onto the roof of the Congress He called the intellectual authors behind building, where Brazil’s Senate and the uprising “fanatic fascists” who Chamber of Deputies conduct their represented “everything that’s abominable” legislative business, unfurling a banner that in politics. He repeatedly said that “these read “intervention” and an apparent appeal fanatics have done something that’s never toBrazil’smilitary beforebeendoneinthiscountry”.

Images on TV channel Globo News also President Lula vowed to bring the showed protesters roaming the presidential perpetratorsofthismostdespicableinvasion palace, many of them wearing green and to justice. He said that no effort would be yellow – the colours of the Brazilian flag, spared to finding all those responsible and which have also come to symbolise the have them severely punished “with all the Bolsonaro government. In an impassioned force of the law” Lula is not currently in the speech President Lula who appeared visibly capital, and is instead on an official trip to angry said that what happened in Brazil on SãoPaulostate.

U.S. Embassy announces 2023 Cohort...

From page 12

orientation.

events and crossShondell’s top business challenge is culturalactivities. marketingandsales.

Since 2015, more than 1,240 YLAI

The 2023 YLAI Fellowship Program, Fellows have built connections with 900+ sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and U.S. fellowship placement organizations; 84 Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of percent of these Fellows attracted new State, launched in December with a virtual resources within one year of completing the Fellowship Leadership Curriculum and program.

Brian Pitam popularly known as ‘DJ Viper’

In May, fellows will split into During the host placement, Shondell hopes cohorts and travel to 19 cities across the to learn about strengthening business and United States for four-week professional leadership from successful entrepreneurs to placements with U.S. businesses. They will improve business ideas and contribute to her collaboratewiththeirpeerstoaddressshared community’s economic development business challenges, as well as engage in Coming into the YLAI Fellowship, virtual and in-person

President Irfaan Ali gesticulates th during his presentation at the 17 Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention in India. (Photo courtesy of Office of the President)

500 households to benefit from part-time jobs in Reg. 7

Some 500 households in Bartica and numbers at the St John the Baptist Primary surrounding communities in Region Seven School in Bartica, expressed their eagerness will now benefit from an additional $40,000 for programme. Horton Blackman, a Bartica in disposable income each month following resident who registered for a community the launch of the Government’s part-time development programme, thanked the jobsinitiativeintheregionlastSaturday Governmentfortheinitiative.

The initiative will see one person from a Adesa De La Cruz, who expressed household working 10 days for the ascribed interest in health, education and data amount, in areas like health, agriculture, analysis, said that the programme gave her education, and community development. hope to pursue a promising career in Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and education, since her own education was cut Governance, Gail Teixeira, who was abruptly when she fled Venezuela over four accompanied by Minister of Public Service, years ago. She is also pursuing accounting Sonia Parag, and Regional Officials at the under the Guyana Online Academy of launch, urged residents to take advantage of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, thejobopportunities. which she believes will be an asset to her in

“The Vice President has started this thefuture. initiative to ensure that those who are “I think this programme is a good particularly vulnerable, are able to assist initiative It would be great if the their families to improve the quality of their Government can continue providing jobs to lives,” sheexplained. people,” Thalia Gonsalves, one of the

Attendees, who turned out in their attendees,said.(DPI)

$45M to upgrade two health centres in Reg. 1

The Ministry of Local Government and PlainsEnterprisetothetuneof$24,822,800. Regional Development is set to upgrade the When bids were opened, three Contractors Health Centres at Arakaka Village and had bid for the project which was estimated Kariako Village, located in Region One to tocost$21million. thetuneof$45,903,200.

As for the Arakaka Health Centre,

This is according to the National NPTAB revealed that the Health Centre will Procurement and Tender Administration be rehabilitated and extended by Contractor, Board (NPTAB). The entity shared that on Northwest Investments Inc., to the tune of December 28 last, contracts were awarded $21,080,400. When bids were opened for following the national competitive bidding this project, three companies had submitted procedures to have both facilities bids and works were estimated to cost of rehabilitated. $22M. Of the $73B budgeted for the health

According to NPTAB, the upgrading of sector in 2022, $1B was allocated for the the Kariako Health Centre to a Cottage upgrading of Health Centres across the Hospital will be done by Contractor, Greens country

More Guyanese should speak out...

From page 8 law This society in Guyana, A g r e e m e n t ( P S A ) be here for about 25 years a small umbrella of the According to Lall, the andwhentheyaregonewhat population, has been agreement between the oil willbethelegacy?Whatwill successful in the past at c o m p a n y a n d t h e the population inherit? Half reversing illegal decisions in G o v e r n m e n t g r a n t s of the population according theindustryandensuringthe exemptions to persons other to a census I saw, shows that lawisadheredto. than licensees, which violate about 48 percent of the For instance, only the Petroleum Exploration people is 26 or below so recently a group of citizens and Production Act, the think about it 25 years or 30 took the Government to Financial Administration years from now they will all Court over a decision made (and Audit) Act and the be in their 50s plus the new by a public entity to grant an Constitution Lall’s generationtocome,whatare e x e m p t i o n f o r a n application raises several theygoingtoinherit?” Environmental Impact contentions for the court’s

According to Dr Adams, Assessment (EIA) for a consideration including the offshore activities have hazardous waste facility in a whether the agreement the potential to make the densely populated area. The between the Government of entire ocean contaminated, decisionwasoverruledinthe GuyanaandExxonMobilare meaning there will be no Courtandtheconstructionof subject to the principles of fishing and drinking water the facility was ordered to private law or public law, will be unsafe among others. stop. whether the acts of the Tothisend,heisurgingmore In addition, Dr Troy Minister of Natural locals to start holding T h o m a s h a d t a k e n Resources and certain subGovernment accountable Government to Court to articles of the Petroleum The role of civil society has reduce ExxonMobil’s Agreement were ultra vires, always been recognized as a environmental permit from and in breach of sections 10 key ingredient to ensuring the 20 plus years to five- the and 51 of the Petroleum good governance. In fact, correct time as prescribed by Exploration and Production civil society has a vital role law Kaieteur News Act(PEPA),sub-sections1A to play, not only in terms of Publisher, Mr Glenn Lall is and 1B of section 6 of the influencing policies and also presently awaiting a Financial Administration programmes but also in Court ruling, after taking the (and Audit) FAA, and holding Government and Government and Exxon to whether upon its proper politicians accountable to Court over the lopsided tax interpretation the PEPA the tenets of good provisions in the 2016 permits the payment of taxes governance and the rule of Production Sharing dueonbehalfoflicensees.

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Doubts about business and financial matters might weigh on your mind now, Aries, so much so that they invade your dreams.Thedreamsareonlya reflection of your worriestheyaren'tprophetic.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

A scheduling conflict may come up today, Taurus. A business engagement could interfere with a social event. You might doubt whether you canattendboth,butifyouplan carefully,itshouldbeOK.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Confusing communications could be the pattern for today, Gemini. Some paperwork you need to do for a task might be delayed - hung up in the mail orfiledinthewrongplace.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Today you could doubt the amount of money you might get from a business transaction. If you can, verify this before starting anything. You aren't being told something.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Ybusiness transactions that could take place in your home or perhaps involve the home might seem a bit unclear today,Leo.Beforeagreeingto anything, read the fine print and verify all the facts about whatyou'resigning.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

You might get a lot of mixed messages from friends, relatives, and colleagues, Virgo. They may say one thing while you sense that they mean something else Insist on hearing how they reallyfeel.

From page 25

‘LACK OF RESPECT’ seasons as a

OudeaNobody If Zidane tried to France forward Kylian

won Castera

many contact me? Certainly not, I Mbappe was one of the first

reacted

Le wouldn’t even pick up the tovoicehisdisapprovalafter League. The Spanish club Graet’s comments, saying phone,”hehadsaid. Le Graet’s comments were described Le Graet’s thepresidentofthecountry’s

Zidane was the first aired. commentsas‘unfortunate’. “ b i g g e s t s p o r t i n g coach to win the Champions “Zidane is France, we “These remarks show a federation” had crossed a League three times in a row don’t disrespect the legend lack of respect for one of the line. “Yet more out-of-touch when he was in charge of like that,” Mbappe said on most admired figures by comments and on top of that RealMadrid. Twitter football fans around the a shameful lack of respect,

The 50-year-old, who Le Graet’s dismissal of world and our club is which hurts us all, towards a also won the 2000 European Zidane as a potential awaiting an immediate legendoffootballandsport,” Championship with France successor to Deschamps correction,” Real Madrid shewroteonTwitter in a glittering playing career, comestwoyearsafterthe81- said. French politician Pieyreis currently without a job year-old official had backed “The statements by the Alexandre Anglade had also after he left his role with the the former midfielderto take president of the French demanded an apology from Spanishclublastyear up the reins if he was Football Federation are Le Graet, saying on Twitter: available. inappropriate for someone “Zidane is a monument of

Apart from coaching holding such representation French football and sport. A Real, Zidane also spent five and are in themselves personality loved by all unsuitable.” Frenchpeople...Ourfootball

France’s Minister for deservesbetterthanthat.”

Tuesday January 10, 2023

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Todayyoumightnotfeelsecure about your financial situation, Libra, and get a little nervous. Disconcerting information in the news about the general state of the world economy might have planted some unsettling seedsinyourmind.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

Some unsettling news about your work situation might reach you today and make you worried, Scorpio. You might question your future in this field and possibly consider a change.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You're a logical person, Sagittarius When insights come to you through ESP, you tend to doubt their validity Don't do this. If a feeling is particularlystrong,gowithit.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Doubts about a friend's motives could plague you today, Capricorn. This person seems to be acting strangely and isn't communicating. This probably has little if anything todowithyou.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A friend or family member might act strangely and seem distracted. You may wonder if heorsheisupsetwithyou.This probably isn't the case. This person has issues that need attention.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Too much reading might have youexperiencingeyestrainand possibly headaches, Pisces. It might help to have your eyes checked, but it's probably just too much stress. You might have some trouble focusing on whateverworkyoudotoday

From page 23

dismissed Imam-ul-Haq (11) earlyinPakistan’schase.

Latham dropped a tough edgebyZamanbeforethelefthander’s 15th half-century Zamanwascleanbowledsoon after while going for a slog sweepagainstBracewell.

Babar also survived two close lbws against the spinners.Lathamstumpedhim offpart-timespinnerPhillips.

Rizwan kept his cool and battedwithcrampsinthelatter half of the run chase. Salman, 13notout,hitthewinningruns with a straight six against Southee.

The second ODI is tomorrow, Wednesday, followed by the last match on Friday

Scores: Pakistan 258 for 4 (Rizwan 77*, Babar 66, Fakhar 56, Bracewell 2-44) beat New Zealand 255 for 9 (Bracewell 43, Latham 42, Naseem 5-57, Mir 2-42) by six wickets.

CARIFTA team preparation...

However, Harvey’s memorable performance on

track left the competition inawe.

Competing in the U17 event at her first outing at the CARIFTA Games, Harvey won gold in the 1500m (4:45.75), silver in the 3000m (10:51.40) and bronze in the 800m(2:14.08).

Narissa McPherson –silver (U17 400m), Javon Roberts – silver (U17 1500m) and Adriel Austin – bronze (U20 800m) are the other medallists from the country’s 13-memberteam.

player at the Sports Amelie

LaLiga club where he

was one of

the league and Champions politicianswho

to

From page 22 Anisha Gibbons won gold in the 1500m and U20 Javelin respectively

the

Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe in action. (REUTERS/ Pascal Rossignol)

CARIFTA team preparation not hampered by Track & Field facility upgrade - Hutson

By Rawle Toney

sumofGYD$78.3millionor weeks, of course permitting will formalize plans for the €352,000. theweather.” selectionoftheirteam. i t h t h e Ninvalle said the

WThe Bahamas will play He explained that the N a t i o n a l technicians are scheduled to host to the CARIFTA AAG is looking to adopt

AAG president, Aubrey Hutson

Track and arrive by the first week of Games, April 7 – 10, and some best practices from Field Centre closed for February to commence the Hutson said, with the track their regional rivals, noting, upgrades, president of the process, which has a still being open for use until “We’re going to meet as a Athletics Association of timetable of completion by the German company is body and identify the areas Guyana, Aubrey Hutson, the end of April (weather ready to begin, theAAG will and events we’re certain we s a i d t h e c o u n t r y ’s permitting). make use of the time will do well and identify preparation for this year’s The National Track and available. athletes for those disciplines CARIFTAGameswillnotbe FieldCentre,whichservesas “To my understanding, fortrials.” affected. a n e p i c e n t r e f o r they’re also going to lay the Hutsonsaidthatbasedon W h i l e w o r k h a s e n t e r t a i n m e n t a n d track in Linden, so we’re some of the performances commenced on the football international sporting looking at what will be from the National Schools field, Guyana’s lone events,wasofficiallyopened available to us. We didn’t Championship last year, the synthetic facility will be in 2015 (April 17), costing have many events planned AAG was able to identify resurfaced by German firm $1.804BorUS$5.2M. for April so we wouldn’t be some“verygoodprospects,” RegupolBSW Hutson told Kaieteur affected, except for the field along with the medallist at According to Director of News yesterday that the events But that’s not a the2022Gameswhoarestill Sport Steve Ninvalle, in an AAG met with Minister of problem because there are eligible. article published in Kaieteur Culture, Youth and Sport other venues we can utilize “As it relates to our submitted our budget to the emphasizing Guyana News on January 8, the Charles Ramson Jr, where forthat,”Hutsonsaid. medal chances, I’m Ministry and the Guyana competing in the Men’s European entity was they were told that work on Hutson said the AAG pleasantly optimistic about Olympic Association 4X100m relay at the awarded the contract to thetrack“...shouldn’tlastfor General Council will meet us doing well. We’re yet to (GOA), along with our aforementioned events and resurface the track for the more than two-to-three this weekend, where they sort out our events (we want regular sponsors and o t h e r n o t a b l e to compete in), and as I supporters,”Hutsonsaid. championships. mentioned, we’re changing Hutson reasoned that the At the 2022 games in our approach to selection to AAG will be taking a Jamaica,Guyanaendedtheir come up with the best cautious approach with participation with seven possible team,” the long- regards to their engagement medals– two gold, three servingAAGpresidentsaid. with Corporate Guyana this silverandtwobronze–while TheAAGbossexplained yearinanticipationofabusy finishing fifth in the medal that they’re still hoping to international calendar, with standings behind Trinidad send20athletestothegames the likes of the South and Tobago (23), British in Nassau, which he had A m e r i c a n S e n i o r Virgin Islands (7), The reported will cost an Championships, Pan Am Bahamas (17) and Jamaica estimated$10M. U20 Championships, Senior (92).AttoyaHarveyand “ We ’ v e a l r e a d y World Championships and (Continued on page 21)

Naseem’s 5-57 sets up Pakistan’s ODI win over NZ

KARACHI, Pakistan preceding drawn two-test kneeinjury

hander tried to flick the fast (AP) FastbowlerNaseem series, top scored with an New Zealand batters bowler but the ball Shah took five wickets as unbeaten 77 off 86 balls and couldn’t convert good starts ricocheted off his back leg Pakistan cruised to a six- eased Pakistan to 258-4 in on a slow pitch against ontohisstumps. wicket win over New 48.1overs. disciplined bowling by Hard-hitting Finn Allen Zealand in the first one-day Pakistan skipper Babar debutant legspinner Usama (29) successfully overturned internationalyesterday Azam made 66 off 82 balls Mir (2-42) and Mohammad albwdecisionagainsthimin Naseem, aged 19, and continued his red-hot Nawaz (1-38) in the middle HarisRauf’sfirstover Allen snapped up 5-57 as New form in white-ball cricket overs. hit Naseem for two Zealandwasmadetobatfirst with his 19th ODI fifty Naseem dismissed boundaries in an over and andwasrestrictedto255-9. Opener Fakhar Zaman also opener Devon Conway for a smashed Rauf for three Mohammad Rizwan, made a fine 56 in his first-over duck off a full- boundaries in a row before who was rested for the comeback match from a pitched delivery as the left- falling to a spectacularAgha Salman diving catch at short extracover

Mir tied down New Zealandthroughhisgooglies and sharp legspin, and stunnedKaneWilliamsonon 26 off a turning delivery which knocked back the off stump.

Tom Latham (42) and Daryl Mitchell (36) rebuilt the innings with a halfcentury stand before falling t o M i r a n d N a w a z respectively New Zealand slipped to 147-5 in the 32nd over

Michael Bracewell, who top-scored with 43 off 42 balls,andGlennPhillips(37) also had good starts before Naseem returned and picked up four wickets in his return spell.

Naseem was on a hat trick after he clean bowled Bracewell and debutant brisk 21

Henry Shipley, but Tim contributed 15 to

Southeedeniedthepacer

and Southee half-century stands with

get New Zaman and Rizwan after

Zealandpast250runs. offspinnerBracewell(2-44) Mitchell Santner made a Babar featured in two (Continued on page 19)

Pakistan’s Mohammad Rizwan plays a shot during the first one-day international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Pakistan’s Naseem Shah bowls during the first one-day international cricket match between Pakistan and New Zealand, in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan)

Top teams to meet at East Coast Mash Cup tournament

Tournament to kick-off on January 20

Some of Guyana’s Amstel FC and Pouderoyen first night action, the top teams will FC. tournament continues on

collide at the East Golden Grove Dynamic January22,27,29,February C o a s t M a s h C u p FC,VictoriaKings,Paradise 3,5,and10andthefinalson tournament, set to kick off FC, Melanie FC, Buxton February18. Friday, January 20, at the United, Buxton Stars,Ann’s According to the GoldenGroveGround. Grove United, and Mahaica organisers, the concept T h e 1 6 - t e a m Determinators are the teams behind the tournament is to tournament, hosted by hailing from East Coast see the rebirth of football GoldenGroveDynamicFC, Demerara. on the East Coast of will carry a winner’s purse The tournament, being Demerara of$500,000. played using the ‘win or go The organisers are Rosignol United is the home’ format, on the grateful for support shown lone Berbice side in the opening night (January 20), from teams outside of the tournament, while the will see Victoria Kings East Coast area, adding that Guyana Defence Force taking on Mahaica it demonstrates the (GDF), Guyana Police Determinators from 6:00 collective effort needed for Force (GPF) FC, Fruta pm, followed by a clash the sustenance and Conquerors and Santos are between home side development of football in theteamsfromGeorgetown. Dynamic FC and Buxton Guyana.

Reigning ‘West Side’ United. Second place team will Champions, Slingerz FC, With all matches pocket$250,000,thirdplace will lead theWest Demerara happening at the Golden $150,00 and fourth place pack, which includes Den Grove Ground, following $100,000.

Ronaldo set to face PSG, Messi in first game in Saudi Arabia

P A R I S ( A P )

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first gameinSaudiArabiaissetto be against Paris SaintGermain and a possible reunion with his career-long rivalLionelMessi.

PSG said Monday it will play a Jan. 19 friendly in Riyadh against a composite team of players from Ronaldo’snewclubAlNassr and Al Hilal, the current Asian Champions League titleholder

Ronaldo should have to waituntilJan.22tomakehis formal debut for Al-Nassr in a league game against Al Ettifaq. in November ahead of the visiting Saudi Arabia during World soccer rules WorldCup.Ronaldoslapped a two-day break in the require the 37-year-old star a mobile phone out of a fan’s region, including a visit to tofinishservingatwo-match hand following a game Doha for promotional work suspension imposed by the againstEvertonlastApril. with the club’s portfolio of EnglishFootballAssociation Qatar-owned PSG is Qatarisponsors.

Nabil)

Harden’s triple-double helps 76ers cruise, Durant hurt in Nets win

AFP - James Harden’s 20-point triple-double helped carry the shorthandedPhiladelphia76ersto a convincing 123-111 NBA victory over the Pistons in DetroitonSunday

Harden added 11 reboundsand11assistsinhis second triple-double of the season and had plenty off support despite the continued absence of star center Joel Embiid and P.J. Tucker

Embiid missed his third HayesledthePistonswith26 with 29 points while Durant straight game with a sore left points in the defeat, finished with 17 in 30 foot while Tucker was out equallinghiscareerhigh. minutes on the court. Butler withasinusinfection.

Harden reached a career led Miami with 26 points

“He was terrific,” Sixers milestone during the game, whileTylerHerroadded24. coach Doc Rivers said of becoming the 27th NBA At Memphis, Desmond Harden but noted it was a player to score 24,000 career Bane scored 24 points and “goodteamperformance.” points Harden’s former Tyus Jones added 21 to lead

Montrezl Harrell scored Brooklyn Nets teammate, the Grizzlies over visiting a season-high 20 points, his Kevin Durant, went out with Utah123-118. thirdstraightgamescoringin arightkneeinjuryinthethird Memphis improved to double figures, and quarter of Brooklyn’s 102- 25-13, a half-game behind combined seamlessly with 101victoryatMiami. Western Conference leader Harden to keep the Sixers Australian standout Ben Denver offenseclicking.

Simmons blocked a shot but In Toronto, Pascal

“We keep talking about fell back into teammate Siakam scored 27 points and pace,” Rivers said “We Durant’s knee, causing the Scottie Barnes contributed played really quick, really concern that sent Durant to 22 as the Raptors handed the fast throughout the game, thelockerroom.

Portland Trail Blazers a kept the floor spaced,kept Duranthasaveraged30.0 seventh straight road defeat, going downhill kept making points and 6.8 rebounds a 117-105. plays,advancedtheball. game for the Nets, who DamianLillardscored14

“The only way you can improvedto27-13,onegame of his 34 points in the fourth do that is with stops behind NBA pace-setter quarter, but the late surge Obviouslyinthefirsthalfwe Boston in the Eastern wasn’t enough for Portland gotthose.” Conference. to turnaround their road

Tyrese Maxey scored 23 Royce O’Neale’s jumper fortunes against a Toronto points,andthe76ersreserves with three seconds team that snapped a threescored 48 points as remaining created the final gameskid. Philadelphia pushed their margin while Jimmy Butler Myles Turner had 29 lead to 23 points midway missed a layup at the buzzer points and nine rebounds to throughthefourthquarter forMiami. lead the Indiana Pacers over French guard Killian Kyrie Irving led the Nets visitingCharlotte116-111.

Cristiano Ronaldo. (AP Photo/Amr

James Harden

Sherwin Johnson calls time on FIFA Referee career

One of Guyana’s most available to render my Guyana both locally and sacrifice. On behalf of our highly respected referees, services in any way possible internationally I would also football fraternity, I wish Sherwin Johnson, has which will aid in the like to thank the secretariat him every success in his announced his retirement development of football in staff for their support during futureendeavours.” after13yearsonthefield. Guyana,”Johnsonsaid. mytenure.”

In an invited comment, Johnsonblewthewhistle The 43-year-old has GFF President Wayne GFF Council Member and on his top level career, controlled a total of 285 FordecongratulatedJohnson Former FIFA Assistant having officiated in matches matches, including 228 on his career and thanked Referee Dion Inniss said across the Caribbean regionaland57international him for the significant role Johnson exemplified dignity Football Union (CFU), games between 2012 and he has played in the and professionalism at all ConcacafandFIFA. 2022 He regards the professionalization of timesonthepitch.

The FIFA-accredited Concacaf Caribbean Club refereeing in Guyana over “Thanks to Sherwin for official refereed his final Shield tournament in 2019, thelast13years. the contribution he has made match on January 1 at the where he refereed two “Mr Johnson served his not only to officiating in National Track and Field matchesandwasapartofthe fraternity with a measure of Guyana, the Caribbean and Centre, West Demerara, in officiating team in the final, dignity and professionalism thehemisphereforthelast13 the Final of the One Guyana asthehighlightofhiscareer. that I have come to truly years, but to football in President’s Cup Football “I wish to express my admire. He represented the general.Manytimesreferees Tournament. sinceregratitudetoPresident GFF with distinction in his are not given the necessary

“Being a referee for Wayne Forde and the internationaldutiesasaFIFA words or kudos for the thirteenyearswasanhonour Council of the Guyana match official and has sacrifices they make for the I genuinely enjoyed those Football Federation (GFF) consequently paved the way game as foot soldiers of years and I officiated with and the Guyana Referees’ for those that are willing to football He has done a pride and dignity Even as I Council for affording me the follow his example of hard yeoman service to the game retire as a referee, I will be opportunity to represent work, discipline and overtheyears.”

‘Go back for Pybus’

- former Windies bowler believes CWI should consider shock approach for former coach

SportsMax - Former West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell believes serious consideration should be given to attempting to retrieve the team’s former coach Richard Pybus for the recently vacated position of headcoach.

Pybus was sacked in controversial circumstances fouryearsagoaspartofaraft ofchangesmadebythethenincoming Cricket West Indies administration of president Ricky Skerritt and his vice president Kishore Shallow

The move had proven to lessthantwomonthsaway drastic reversal is another Indies, I would have been be particularly unpopular at With the post once again thingentirely willing to cut off my nose to the time, given the fact that vacant following the “Why can’t we go back spite my face for him...how West Indies, under his resignation of Phil for him (Pybus) he was do you know why a man leadership had only just put Simmons, Powell believes doing a good job and we becomes a man when he can together an impressive the opportunity could exist havetriedanotherwayandit accept that he was wrong, performance in a Test series to correct what many seems as if things didn’t go apologize and move on,” win against England and consider to have been a downtherightroad,”Powell Powelladded. showed plenty of good graveerrorinjudgment. told the Mason and Guest Prior to his appointment qualities in a battling 2-2 tie As to whether the 54- radioprogram. as coach of the team, Pybus in the ODI series between year-old Pybus, who is Asapartoftheirelection endured somewhat of a theteams. reportedly shortlisted for the platform, the Skerritt, rocky tenure, serving as

In addition to that, South Africa job, would be Shallow administration had High Performance director several stakeholders and interestedinreturningaftera promised to give priority to in February 2018, having even some players advised d e p a r t u r e i n s u c h Caribbean-born individuals previously served as West the administration against acrimonious circumstances, fortopleadershippositions. Indies director of cricket making so many changes or whether the CWI be “IfyoulookatPybusand from 2013 to the end of with the 2019 World Cup willing to make such a what he did with the West 2016.

FIFA Referee Sherwin Johnson retires from the ‘beautiful game’.

French football Pres. apologises for ‘awkward remarks’ on Zidane after backlash

Zidane was one of the favourites to take charge of the national team if Didier Deschamps had stepped down but his contract was extended after he led France totheWorldCupfinal,where they lost to Argentina in Qatarlastmonth.

When asked if Zidane, a consideration for the player World Cup winner with he was and the coach he has Francein1998andanational become,” Le Graet said in a icon, would now manage the statement reported by Brazilian national team L’Equipe. instead, Le Graet had told “I admit that I made RMC: “I don’t give a damn, awkward remarks which he can go wherever he created a misunderstanding. wants.” Zidane knows the immense

Le Graet added he would esteemIhaveforhim,likeall not even pick up the phone if Frenchpeople.”

Zidane called, prompting a On Sunday, Le Graet had backlash and his subsequent said Zidane was on the radar apology andhadplentyofsupportbut

“I would like to present stood no chance of replacing my personal apologies for Deschamps. these remarks which “Who can make serious absolutely do not reflect my reproachestoDeschamps? t h o u g h t s , n o r m y

(Reuters) - France Football Federation (FFF) president Noel Le Graet apologised to Zinedine Zidane yesterday after his comments on the former Real Madrid coach drew the ireofplayers,politiciansand eventheSpanishclub.

Former West Indies fast bowler Daren Powell believes serious consideration should be given to bring back former coach Richard Pybus.

Zinedine Zidane

Some members of team Guyana at the opening ceremony of the 2022 CARIFTA Games (Emmerson Campbell photo).

The star-studded ‘West Side’ Champions, Slingerz FC, will be one of the 16 teams participating in the East Coast Mash Cup knock-out football tournament.