Kaieteur News

ExxonMproposesanotherenergyplanttotakeoff massiveamountsofgasfrom4th&5thprojects

Inlightofthesignificant quantitiesofgasthatwillbe produced from ExxonMobil Corporation’sYellowtailand Uaru Projects in the StabroekBlock,theoilgiant h a s f l o a t e d f o r consideration, the establishment of another onshoreprocessingfacility This recommendation was provided in its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its already sanctioned Yellowtail Project The suggestionwasalsorepeated in the EIA for the Uaru project, which is awaiting governmentapproval.

Currently,authoritiesare buildinganoverUS$2Bgasto-energy project that will utilize excess gas from the Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two Projects. That venture is expected to come on stream by 2024 and last for20years.

Given the massive amount of gas that will be availablefromtheYellowtail and Uaru developments, Exxon said the supporting ships will be built to allow

Guyana the option to export gas,beittoonshorefacilities orfurtherafield.

AccordingtotheEIAfor the Uaru development, Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) said it contains material quantitiesofassociatedgas.

Thesubsidiarysaidakey useforthisassociatedgasis for fuel in gas turbines for power generation on the Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. EEPGL said gas not used as fuel is then available for alternative uses. In this regard, EEPGL said there are three primary options:flaring,re-injection, andexport.

It was noted that routine flaringofassociatedgasisa method to deal with natural gas production in oil developmentsbutintroduces significant environmental hazards and would not meet regulatory expectations in Guyana.

EEPGL said its subsurface studies indicated significant value in gas re-

injection for reservoir pressure maintenance and recovery uplift purposes, thus supporting related facilities investment EEPGL said it worked extensivelywithleadinggas compression contractors on studies that ultimately confirmed the technical feasibility of reinjecting gas into the Uaru, Mako and Snoekdevelopmentfields.

Further,EEPGLsaidgas export options were also considered. In this regard, it notedthatthereiscurrentlya separate project being proposed to transport a portion of the gas (on the orderof50MillionStandard

Cubic Feet of Gas Per day –Mscfd)fromtheLizaPhase 1 and Liza Two FPSOs to shore, where it would be used to generate power in a gas-firedpowerplant.

As this project would satisfy the currently identified gas demand in Guyana,theEIAsaidthereis not enough additional demand in Guyana to consume the quantities of associated gas that will be produced from the Uaru Project which is expected to peakataround540MMscfd.

The EIA said, “A decision with respect to the export of gas from the Uaru Project will be made in the

future;gasexporttoshoreor another phase of field development may be considered.”

Whatever Guyana’s decisionis,Exxonsaidspace reservation and basic design connections to allow for export are included in the projectscope.

Forthetimebeing,itsaid gasre-injectionwasselected

for associated gas management due to the additional oil recovery it provides, the environmental advantage it represents as compared to flaring, and the limited availability of feasiblegasexportoptions.

It should be noted that EEPGL made similar recommendationsforits

Guyanese swimmer on vacation in U.S. killed in accident

AlocalswimmerwasonMondaykilledinaroadaccident whileonvacationintheUnitedStates(US).

The dead man was identified as Robert Taylor, 34, a memberoftheSilverSharkAquaticSwimClubinGuyana.

Taylorwasreportedlykilledaround07:00hrsonMonday afterhewasstruckbyacarwhilecrossinganintersectionin Freehold,NewJersey,US.

Reports from NJ.com, a media house in New Jersey, suggestthatTaylorwasusingacrosswalkattheintersection ofRouteNineSouthboundandSchibanoffLaneinFreehold whenhemethisdemise.Thedriverofthecarwasidentifiedas a63-year-oldwoman.

DEAD: Robert Taylor

An artist’s impression of the US$2B gas-toenergy project Guyana is landing at Wales

Over one million barrels of toxic waste to be dumped overboard daily at 5th project

United States (U.S.) oil giant, ExxonMobil plans to dump more than a million barrels of toxic, oily chemicals overboard daily during the life of the Uaru project,estimatedatsome20 years.

This information is c o n t a i n e d i n t h e

Environmental Impact

Assessment (EIA), composed by the operator’s consultant, Acorn International.

According to the study, about 300,000 barrels per day (BPD) of produced water, including oil and grease; residual production and water treatment chemicals, among others will be dumped overboard fromtheproject.

About2,264,332perday ofcoolingwaterwillalsobe thrownoverboard.

Bilge water from the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, which refers to a mixtureofwater,oilyfluids, lubricants, cleaning fluids, and other similar wastes, will also be discharged into the local waters. According to the document 1,800 BPD of this toxic waste will be dumped.

There will also be other types of wastes that will be discharged from the FPSO that specific daily figures were not given for For instance,theConsultantsaid 827,000 barrels of ballast waterwillbedumpedduring the operation. Ballast water is water carried in ships’ ballast tanks to improve stability. It is taken up or discharged when cargo is unloadedorloaded,orwhen ashipneedsextrastabilityin poorweather.

Research conducted by this publication indicates that when ballast water is loaded by the ships, many

microscopic organisms, toxins and sediments are introduced into its ballast tanks Many of these organismsareabletosurvive inthesetanks.

If suitable conditions exist, these species that are discharged in often times new environments will reproduce and become invasivespecies.

Another85BPDofblack

waterorsewagewillalsobe released overboard during the operations at Exxon’s Uaruproject.

In total, about 6,171 tonnes of non-hazardous wastewillbegeneratedover the first seven years of the project and another 5,546 tonnes of hazardous waste during the same period (2025 to 2030) This amountsto11,717tonnesof

ExxonMproposesanotherenergy...

Frompage2

US$10B Yellowtail Project. In the EIA for thatdevelopment,thesubsidiarysaidthereis not enough additional demand in Guyana to consumethequantitiesofassociatedgasthat will be produced from the Project which is expectedtopeakataround450MMscfd.

It said, “A decision with respect to the exportofgasfromtheYellowtailProjectwill bemadeinthefuture;gasexporttoshoreor another phase of field development may be considered. Space reservation and basic design connections to allow for this are includedintheProjectscope.”

The same was also noted in the EIA for theUS$9BPayaraProject.Inthatdocument, EEPGLsaidtoothatthereiscurrentlyavery limitedgas industry in Guyana; hence,there is not enough room for the domestic

consumption of gas from this project. For Payara, gas is expected to peak around 395 MMscfd.

While gas export facilities were not installed on the Payara FPSO due to the operator’sstrategytomaximizegasinjection, Kaieteur News understands that they can be added if future gas export from Payara is pursued.

Taking the foregoing projects into consideration, Guyana would be producing over1.4billioncubicfeetofgas.Notably,the PPP/C Government has said that a gas strategyisbeingworkedontodeterminehow Guyanawillutilizethisresource.

In the meantime, Exxon already has its sight set on presenting a sixth project for approvalthisyear Itisalsoeyeingaseventh shipfornextyear

wasteduringtheperiod.

The study was keen to note that some of these

-Exxonstudyreveals

wastes will be treated to meetrequiredstandards,but while this assurance was given,Guyanaislackingthe necessary monitoring systemstoensurethesetoxic chemicals are indeed being treated prior to offshore dumping.

Thisnewspaperreported backin2021thattherewere no monitoring systems in place at the Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) to monitor the wastes being disposed by Exxon The agency had said that it does not monitor the treatment of hazardous waste, by Exxon before such substances or materials are dumped into thecountry’swaters.

This information was related by the Executive Director of the agency, KemrajParsram.

Theannouncementcame at a time when local fishers have been complaining bitterly of a decline in their catch, which they believe is as a result of oil and gas activitiesoffshore.

Parsram told Kaieteur News that while the agency does not have systems in place to verify that ExxonMobilisdoingitspart to keep the environment safe, the EPA would from time to time visit, to ensure thatthecompanyiscarrying outthisrequirement.

He explained, “The EPA has, with any operation,

conducts periodic monitoring exercises at all offshorefacilities”.

Even more surprisingly, EPA said that the agency relies on the company to submit daily reports to the Government of Guyana, whichincludesadherenceto dischargeparameters.Ifany flaws are highlighted in these reports, only then wouldtheagencyact.

According to him, “The data in this report is processed by the EPA to monitor and determine trends or any anomalies or deviations from standards setinpermit”.

Parsram at the time however assured that the agency is in the process of strengtheningitscapabilities to conduct “real time” environmental monitoring offshore Guyana This includes a combination of acquiring sensors, satellite tracking services and partnerships with stakeholders to conduct surveillanceandmonitoring, hesaid.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s subsidiary, in its Revised Cradle to Grave Waste Analysis Study says that all wastes generated from offshore operations are eithertreatedanddischarged offshoreorsenttoonshore

Kaieteur News

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

EDITORIAL

PLIGHTOFOURFISHERFOLK

Guyanese just cannot win, get a fair share. They get shafted at home by their own, and they get

taken advantage of beyond our shores. In addition,outsiderscomeinsideourbordersandtreatuswith contempt, dismiss us, as though Guyanese are to be pushed around, kicked around, and then jumped upon, without any regardforlaworrules,orthoseincharge.

ThenewestversionofGuyanesetohitthenewsinvolves ourfishermen.

The latest development in the media is that “Guyanese fishers to pay $1M to rent license from their Surinamese counterparts” (KN January 9). So that readers fully appreciatetheholeinwhichourfishersareforced,$1Misto rent the licence from others, a kind of subletting arrangement,andnotactuallytoownaninstrumentintheir names, as issued by the proper Surinamese authorities. It couldbethatouroilhaspromptedsomeenvyacrosstheriver, oritcouldbethatGuyanesearejustviewedanddiscardedas doormatsoverwhichallandsundrycanwalktotheirhearts content.

It would be interesting to observe how the nation’s two topleaders,thePresidentandtheVicePresident,reacttothis latestabomination,thispunishingpracticethathasnothingto do with good neighborliness and trusted partners, but is of whatcontinuestheexploitationofGuyaneseinmanywalks oflife.

Right here in Guyana, our workers in the oil and gas sectoraretreatedlikedogs;orifagentlerdescriptionisfound more palatable, like second class citizens and beggars. Foreignerscomeheretoexploreouropportunities,andthey aremanyandrich,yettheyfindsatisfactionintreatinglocals whoworkforthem,asthoughtheyarelepers.

Therefore,theycanbetreatedinanymannerthatpleases thewhimsandschemesofthosewhoplantrootsheretomake money hand over fist. It does not matter that some of the foreignersarefromtheancientCARICOMbrotherhood,for Guyanese workers are still abused and subject to contempt andongoinghumiliation. ItiswhereGuyaneseworkersare shortchanged with overtime, through a slew of clever concoctions that are supposed to be honest calculations. Then,someareleftexposedandstrandedwithoutinsurance coverage, when they are temporarily off the worksites and underapprovedconditions.

Intheminingsectornottoolongago,therewerereports that the Chinese were mistreating and abusing Guyanese citizenswhoworkedforthem,withcomplaintslodgedabout different treatment, different reception and recognition. In thestrugglingbauxiteindustry,theRussianshadseenitfitto extend hostility and vulgarity to Guyanese workers, even lockingthemoutfromthejobsites,asifintotaldisdainofour labourlaws,andsimplerespectforourgovernment.

The Ministry of Labour has been called upon to intervene,andithastosomelimitedextent,whichleavesalot tobedesired. Somebodyatsomelevelintheofficialrealms of Guyana need to manifest the sharp anger, the zero tolerance, at what has been the repeated experiences of Guyaneseworkersinonefieldafteranother Guyanesetrade unionshavecarriedonwiththeirfightstorepresentworkers, but they are still grappling to get the kind of satisfactory resultsthatarethebirthrightoflocalworkers.

OurgovernmentshavetreatedGuyaneseinamannernot toofarfromgarbage. Now,asifoncue,foreignerscomehere andbehaveinthesamemanner,confidentthattheywillnot be called to account, and that they can continue with their exploitations and the excesses meted to local workers. Takingtherecordsofallthistogether,itdoesnotsurprisethat the Surinamese have gotten into the game of taking advantageofGuyanesefisherstoextracttheirpoundofflesh. Itisahugeamountofmoneyforthemererentingofafishing licence,that$1M.

The reaction of those who feel the brunt of this latest brutalization is best summed in a single sentence by the fishermenthemselves:“ahdonewedonehaynow.”

There is a certain grimness to that hopeless declaration. Thesadrealityisthatitistruthforourfishers.

Is the Eugene F. Correia InternationalAirport Really an InternationalAirport?

DEAREDITOR, operations that happen EFCIA which is one of the international flights to Ithasbeenover8months withintheinteriorregionsof busiest airports in the Suriname daily and nowthatthex-rayscreening Guyanajustbecauseoftheir Caribbean Region is being Caribbean Airlines operates equipment at the Eugene F location close to the capital, left to waste away by poor out of EFCIA on a daily CorreiaInternationalAirport Georgetown. That being the management (OAI). When basis Yet the facilities, (EFCIA) has been out of only thing that separates the question is raised as to equipment,staffandmindset service. When inquiries EFCIA from a bush whythingscannotbedoneor of management are that of were made to management, operation We have whydon’ttheyinvestmoney the 1990s respectfully We it was explained that they individual operators such as andupgradethefacilitiesand cannotexpecttosucceedand cannot find qualified Jags Aviation and Trans equipment, the same answer improve our environment technicians to repair the x- Guyana that have invested has been used for the last and situation if we keep ray equipment and that at into upgraded facilities and decade, the company has no doing the same thing over times, the decision to hire equipment that far outshine money, EFCIA is always andoverandnotgettingany certainpersonsforthejobis and outperform EFCIA. So broke.Ifindithardtobelieve better results.Whatever was politicalinnature. whyisitthatEFCIAisbeing thatthebusiestairportinthe working in the 1990s for Idonotunderstandwhat left to the scavengers? How Caribbean is always broke EFCIA is not working in was meant by the hiring of is it that the relevant even with all the new air 2023 anymore. The entire personstodoajobhastobe authorities such as the operators that are operating agreement between the political in nature The Guyana Civil Aviation outofEFCIAfortheoiland Government of Guyana and EFCIA as I am aware is Authority (GCAA) not gas sector Is it that OAI is OAI needs to be relooked at operated by a private entity stepped in and suspended mismanaging the funds? and the Government has a known as Ogle Airport Inc. operationsatEFCIAoreven Why hasn’t the Government national and social (OAI). The government of tighten the noose around of Guyana, Ministry of responsibility to ensure all Guyana awhile back had them in order to get basic Public Works, step in and ports of entry are well entered into an agreement security and safety offeranolivebranchtoOAI equipped, have trained and with OAI to manage and equipmentoperational? The and relook at that PPP competent staff and operate EFCIA in what is processisburdensomewhen agreement that was put into management. The GCAA is known as a Public Private you have to physically open place decades ago and take the national authority for Partnership (PPP). At the and inspect every piece of back control of EFCIA and oversight for aviation in time,Iguessthiswasagood cargo and baggage before it giveitthenecessaryfacelift, Guyana and it seems year option but however in 2023, isloadedontotheaircraftfor upgrade and management after year, EFCIA has been theEFCIAdoesnotmeetthe transport. This has been an structure, training and allowed to slip through the standardorrequirementtobe on-going issue for well over qualitycontroloversightthat cracks and crevices of the considered an international 8 months. The government itneeds?EFCIAislocatedin GCAA’s regulations or airport. At best, it is an has and still is investing the heart of our country It maybe,asitwasexplainedto upscale bush operation that hundreds of millions of serves all our interior me,itispoliticalinnature. wehavehereatOgle. They dollarsintotheCheddiJagan locations, our oil and gas Kindregards, are one step above bush InternationalAirportandyet sector exclusively, we have JohnTaylor

Misuse of Government database by Minister Rodrigues

DEAREDITOR, place to prevent the was issued for by the allocation because I have Late last week, Hon overridingofpolicies? Ministry another property via Minister Susan Rodrigues 2. How many persons The government spend inheritance. I call on the indicated that Mayor Ubraj have breached those mymoney,asataxpayer,and president to change this Narine allegedly engaged in policies, other than the develop these housing policy, which will be in line land fraud by receiving a mayor? schemes and yet I cannot with his one Guyana vision, governmentissuedhouselot 3.Whathasbeendoneby receiveahouselotbecauseI so that all Guyanese can while being the owner of the Ministry after a policy have another property that benefit from at least one “properties” elsewhere breachhadbeenidentified? wouldhavebeenobtainedby government house lot While it is of concern that 4. Who authorized the anothermeansoutsideofthe allocation regardless of if any political figure “gaming breach of the policies at the government’s housing lot they have another property the system” to receive Ministry and will they be programme is quite unfair I that was obtained from preferential treatment is punished? amwaitingforoveradecade outside the government quite alarming, the fact that Further, why hasn’t the now for an allocation and I housingprogramme. Minister Rodrigues used the Ministry done any am now wondering if I Regards, CH&PA database to enforcement work with haven’t received an M.Perry investigate a political regards to persons obtaining opponent is even more governmentissuedlandsand alarming. then selling them at

On the face of it, it significant higher prices? If appears that the Minister they have, they should misused that database for publishthisdata.Whyhasn’t political gain, which should the Ministry done any work neveroccur IftheMinisteris with regard to repossessing conducting such an lands that have been investigationintopersonson abundant by the recipients? a whole that have received In the Diamond, Tuschen government issued land and many other housing againsttheMinistrypolicies, schemes, there can be found the following should be a lot of land that have not madepublic: been developed by the 1. What systems are in recipients for the purpose it

Fickle-minded treasurer

DEAREDITOR, Jan 9) Really! Can such a First, he did not want to personbetrustedwhodonot play anymore after signing have the conviction to stand several blank cheques and by a decision he believed resigned, amid allegations wasrightinthefirstplace? I levelled against the leader think not Such fickleNow he wants to rescind his mindedness has no place in resignation and play again, serious party business and afterblamingandwantingto for a serious position as make scapegoats of treasurer Trust has to be unnamed persons for his earned all over again. It resignation and keeping shouldnotbeautomatic. internal party business, Regards, internal (Demerarawaves

I agree with PresidentAli that PNC using the Mocha holdout squatters as political fodder

DEAREDITOR, authorities, the 5 squatters have to do what we have to /476723224662212).

a race issue, never a That’s the same PNC I have to agree with being used by the PNC for d o ” The issues of squatting discrimination issue, as the egging on the 5 remaining President Ali and the narrow, political motives, (https://wwwfacebook com and roadside vending are PNCandtheir“racebaiters” squattersnottomovesothey Government side when they stand to lose both “corn and /collin croal/videos/730205 long running issues under arechurningitup. can use the pictures of the saythattheOppositionPNC husks” as we say in the 824945589). both the PNC and PPP Thefactthatmostpeople unavoidable last resort isinstigatingandpoliticizing country The public road There was another video Unauthorized structures given house lots are people bulldozing for political the issue of moving the works in Mocha are behind showing a Harris report on weredemolishedbyboththe who usually support the mileage. remaining 5-7 holdout schedule.

Prime News where 21 PNC and PPP Governments P N C s h o w s t h a t The PNC created squatters who have refused Videos on the web show structures were demolished overtheyears. Government is acting with squatting They squatted Government offers for a PNC Minister of in “A” field South Sophia All factors considered, it goodfaith. illegally in Government for alternativelandandhousing. Communities saying in during the PNC Coalition’s seems as if the Government G o i n g f o r w a r d , 28 years through rigging Now that the bulldozing 2017, “squatters must t i m e has done due diligence, Government must respond until they were defeated in exercise led to throwing of prepare to get off the (https://wwwfacebook com exercised patience, and swiftlywhenpeoplebeginto 1992. petrol bombs at the squatting lands” and “we /joseph.hamilton.752/videos made a good faith effort to squat on public lands They squatted illegally provide alternative house Squatting has become a again for a year after they lots and housing for people strategy for land grabbing. were defeated in the who were allowed to squat We must be strict with December 2018 nofor too long Twenty+ planned development and confidence motion, and squatters accepted zoningrules.

PresidentsAli, Santokhi get Positive Ratings at PBD

DEAREDITOR, convention and at public presentations to the August The Presidents of places visited by this writer body Guyana and Suriname, Shri outside the convention. The This writer went around I r f a a n A l i a n d speeches were carried live interviewing delegates and Chandrikapersad Santokhi onTVandsocialmedia.The membersofthepublicabout respectively, won the hearts public also praised the theremarksofthethreemain of attendees of Pravasi speeches of the three speakers. Bharatiya Divas 2023 with political leaders as obtained At dinners and lunches, their eloquent soaring from impromptu random people also said the two speeches at the convention interviews. Presidents gave remarkable on Monday January 9. Both Several thousand speeches. It is not likely leaders are in India to be delegates, including some people will forget their honouredbythegovernment thirty from Guyana, graced namesandfaces. of India for their political theevent.Sectionsofthecity Amongthewordspeople achievements with Pravasi of Indore, where some used to describe their SammanAward, the highest Guyanese and Surinamese speeches were: impressive, honourgiventoanIndianin trace their roots, came to a presidential, emotional, thediaspora. standstill on Monday to excellent, confident, good,

In their remarks, the w e l c o m e t h e t w o positive, eloquent, selfPresidents gave excellent distinguished sons of the assured, graceful, counsels to the government diasporaandthePMandthe gentlemanly, warm, of India on its future thousandsofguests.Crowds benevolent, focused, clear, interaction to the diaspora. lined the route to catch a charming, nice, wonderful, Their speeches were well glimpse of the PM as he inspiring, among others. received by the audience traveled from the airport to Additional words used to with interruptions of the convention center President Irfaan included applause. Trafficwastotallyshutdown youthful and considerate

squattedinGovernmentfora Government offers and TheMochacommunity’s traumatic 5 months after happilyreceivedtransported hypocrisy towards squatters they were defeated at the properties. wasondisplayaccordingtoa 2020electionsandhadtobe

There are videos where 2017 article, when the PNC thrown out by a CCJ they testified that they were Coalition was in power - decision. treated fairly, that the “Mocharesidentsinsultedat Ourpoliticsisapoisoned Government officials were moves to relocate squatters chalice. If PPP says or does supportiveandresponsive. to community,” (NR, Oct. “A”, PNC says they should

Itseemsasiftheholdouts 14,2017). have done “Z”. They both were being encouraged by The article said, wanteachothertofail.They Opposition politicians who “Majority of residents go out of their way to used them as pawns to fight residing in Mocha/Arcadia politicize everything, politicalwars.So,while20+ on the East Bank of especiallyiftheycaninvoke squatters took a “growth” Demerara(EBD)areagainst some race demons The mindset approach (a la government’s unilateral politics of expose, oppose, Spencer Johnson’s “Who decision to relocate and depose is used for all Moved My Cheese”), 5-7 Lombard/Broad Street situations. squatters allowed squatters to their Theyneveracknowledge themselvestobeina“afixed community... Residents in e a c h o t h e r ’ s mindset” and refused the thecommunityhaveapplied accomplishments. As we Governmentoffers.Iamnot for their own house lots for become a modern society, sure throwing petrol bombs years but their applications we have to deal with at operators of heavy are not yet processed…The squatting, obstructive machineryisasmartthingto NDC Chairman also noted roadside vending, littering, do. that most residents do not etc.

The President’s traditional Presidents and the Prime The delegates and local Indian outfit also impressed Minister Shri Narendra support staff of the event theguests. Modi dominate the talk praised the two foreign Yourstruly, among attendees at the distinguishedguestsfortheir VishnuBisram

The speeches of the two forthePM.

In the US, we use want the squatters to move It’s a dirty job to condemnation and eminent into their community regularize longstanding domain routinely with legal b e c a u s e o f t h e i r issues, but somebody has to owners to facilitate public ‘questionablecharacters’…” do it. In these matters, I works. In Mocha, they are They were eventually support the Government’s notlegalownersoftheland, resettled to Prospect and efforts. buttheGovernmenthasbeen Cummings Lodge - mostly Sincerely, mostgracious. Itwasnever Indiancommunities. Dr JerryJailall

Linden, Bartica get their drinking water from the adjacent rivers/creeks which are not polluted by the crude oil

DEAREDITOR, Officer (CEO) of Guyana operations which is sources along its Atlantic the coast will limit the Finally,theArticlestated

The right to vote must not left to hostile poll worke

DEAREDITOR, biometrics fulfills both the d o o r I t w o u l d No. It must not be left ID and attestation disenfranchise a significant exclusively to the election requirements mandatory for number of voters to swing official at the polling site to v o t i n g ” G E C O M the elections nationwide by determine who is eligible to Commissioner, Mr Vincent hostile GECOM officials vote That is conferring Alexander was of the who are rigging it from the significant power to opinion that “If the person startergate. GECOM officials who are does not have an ID card, If horses lined up at the known to be hostile to the he/she can attest to being a starting gate at the last PPP There must be checks person on the list and by minute,mindyou,theyareto andbalances. virtue of that attestation, be examined; however they

In a NewsArticle on the Water Incorporated (GWI) impacting Guyana’s Coastland and there are distance any polluted salt that the proposed gas-toabove referenced subject disclosed that the Demerara waterways. reasons to believe that watercouldenterintoinland energy project to be located which appeared in KN on Riverisbecoming‘moreand Guyana is extracting unintentionaloilspillsinthe waterways. atWalesontheWestBankof Jan. 05, the Chief Executive morepolluted’becauseofoil crude oil from underground oceanaredriftingwestwards Before any changes are Demerara will likely pose bytidalcurrentsandentering made to the existing and greatdangertothecountry’s someestuarinewaterways. proposed rivers sources of main groundwater aquifer Most of the country’s drinking water, GWI should there which was stated to coastal potable water comes carryout laboratory testing provide about 90% of all from artesian wells while of the waters to determine domestic and commercial that for Georgetown and its their pollutants including water. environs is derived from the odor, suspending materials Fortunately, Wales does East Demerara Water anddiscoloration. not sit on Guyana’s main Conservancy (EDWC). Based on the laboratory groundwater aquifer since Thereisnoevidencethatany findingsactioncouldthenbe most coastal artesian wells of these sources of drinking taken to determine the get their water from waterispollutedbythecrude viability of changing the independentaquifers. oil being extracted from the existing water sources vis- It is very unlikely that coastland’s oil-bearing a’-vis chemical and other NaturalGasLiquidsfromthe rocks. treatments costs and proposed gas plant will Linden, Wismar, Bartica establishwhichwatersource percolate into the and other riverine would be economically groundwaterandpolluteit.If communities get their justified.

The PNC is just trying alongwiththeverificationof are disqualified by some another gimmick with particulars such as date of “official who must go biometrics implementation; birth, registered address, beyond reasonable doubt” butthiswouldnotwork.It’s inter alia, under oath, is were to rule they cannot be amatteroftrustandthePNC allowedtovote. allowed to enter at the start simply cannot be trusted. The ID card and the (right to vote) of the race The PNC tried several attestation are optional how would any horse or methodstogetelectedinthe mechanisms used to horses reach the end line past. This includes overseas determine the person’s (readvote).? voting, proxy voting, identity and to his/ her

In the 1961 and 1964 confiscating ballot boxes en entitlement. elections there was no masse and taking it to GDF In other words, the hullabaloo about the voting headquarters and counting election official must, processwhatsoever ballots at a central location beyond reasonable doubt or OnlywhenthePNCtook with intimidating armed positive degree of power all hell broke loose forcespresence. probability, based on which about election shenanigans.

When the boxes were of the standards GECOM It’stimewehaveafairfight opened,wadsofballotswere applies, determine that a in all future elections bereft found tied by rubber bands. voter has presented himself o f h a r u m s c a r u m The PNC just cannot be orherselftovote.” suggestionsfromthelikesof trusted. This suggestion by Mr Mr Alexander

WritingintheSNof1-8- Alexanderisanothertrickto Sincerely, 23 titled: “The use of get power through the back SultanMohamed

GWI has evidence that this drinking water from the Thereisnodoubtthatthe has occurred elsewhere it adjacentrivers/creeksand/or Watooka Conservancy and shouldmaketheinformation rainfall which are not the new Bartica source for available to enable polluted by the crude oil alternative drinking water Guyanese to make a being extracted along the will need to have the water determination before any coastland. treated for some pollution, fundingisearmarked.

The tidal currents discoloration and filtration Yourstruly, travelling westwardly along andnotjustdisinfection. CharlesSohan

Dasrat Str., Triumph is also a community road

DEAREDITOR, Demerara is placed atop the recently a notable factory Happy to hear of Public agenda, failing which we ownerfromtheareadecided Works Minister, Juan wish to invite US to commence building up a Edghill’s remarks about Ambassador, Sarah-Ann lot in Dasrat Street, rehabilitating 1200 Lynch,tovisit,asherpowers presumably to build his community roads across to make the right things house, nearby his factory Guyana in article carried by happeniscertified! However, he decided that DPIon7thJanuary2023. This street has been thisNorthWesternsectionof Triumph villagers neglected for 40 years, the poor road, next to his surmisedthattheregularand despite the presence of the factory, is owned by him, numerous letters regarding Region4RDCattheheadof thusblockeditwithsand.He Dasrat Street to Bishop it. The previous government has also dumped tons of Edghill’s Ministry, Minister came along a few years ago waste material on the Dharmlall’s Local and did a third of the road, parapetsallowingthetrailto Government Ministry and forgettingthatpeopleresided flood and preventing letters to the press over the alongtheremainingpart,see excavatorsfromclearingthe past few years pre-empted photosattached. nearbytrench. the President’s vision to It is hoped this No one can speak to him l a u n c h t h e 1 0 0 0 + administration will allocate anylongerashehasbecome communityroadsinitiative. the first of the 1200 roads to whatisnowknownasa‘big

It would therefore be be done here in Triumph boy’ with ‘high up’ reassuring if Dasrat Street, Frontandmakeitasignature connections. He gets more Triumph Front, East Coast moment for this wide- upset with you if you ranging and commendable complaintohim.

p r o j e c t P r e v i o u s No vehicle can traverse engagements and letters to thispieceoftrailwayputting the Region 4 RDC and the pressureontheothersection BV-Triumph NDC were all whichisalreadydeplorable. futile.

Regards,

To compound matters, MohanLall

Opposition goes to Parliament for true cost, terms & conditions for gas-to-energy project

Member of Parliament, Volda Lawrence has tabled several questions in the National Assembly to ascertain the financing arrangements in place for multi-million dollar gas-toenergyprojectbeingpursued by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) Governmentincollaboration withExxonMobil.

Inthequestionsposedto Prime Minister, Brigadier (retired) Mark Phillips, Lawrence asked for the nation to be told the cost of the gas-to-shore pipeline project, and where or whom the government is sourcing thefinancingfrom.

Lawrence also asked for details on the associated terms and conditions. The former minister called on Phillips to state if there would be a contingent liability on the Government ofGuyanaifExxonisunable torepaytheloanitwoulduse to cover the cost of the pipelinethatwouldtransport the gas from the Liza One andTwoProjectstoonshore facilitiesatWales.

At a press conference held inApril last year at the Arthur Chung Convention

Centre (ACCC), several government officials told reporters, editors and publishers that the gas-toenergy(GTE)projectwould costroughlyUS$900M.

Specifically, Winston Brassington, Head of the GTE task force had explained the estimate to be as follows: US$570 –US$630M for the offshore pipeline and “riser”; US$80 – $100M for the onshore pipeline; US$120M for the gas plant and between US$40 – US$50M for infrastructure.

Revelations by Esso Exploration and Production G u y a n a L i m i t e d (EEPGL)—a subsidiary of E x x o n M o b i l Corporation subsequently exposed that the project estimate would be much higher than the independent media were originally told.

In its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), EEPGL explained that it is responsible for building out a 135-mile pipeline that would connect to the Liza Unity and Liza Destiny vessels in the Stabroek Block.

That pipeline would transport 50 million cubic feet of gas per day to facilities built on the west

Opposition MP, Volda Lawrence

bankoftheDemeraraRiver

Upon arrival, a Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant will createdrygas—usedmostly to power a 300MW power plant as well as other usefulliquidssuchasethane and propane Those two plants are to be constructed bythegovernment.

EEPGLwaskeentonote in its EIA that the conservative estimate for building the pipeline was US$1 3B Kaieteur News previously reported that Guyana would be using a portionofitsoiltopayback Exxonforthisinvestment.

On several occasions, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said the cost for the gas-powered plant and the Natural Gas Liquids facility would only be known after theStategoestotender Last week, the government finally inked a US$759M Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for the 300 megawatts (MW) combined cycle power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility

This agreement was sealed with a US-based partnership CH4/Lindsayca. With ExxonMobil’s modest estimateofUS$1.3Bandthe US$759M contract recently signed, it therefore means thattheprojectisexpectedto cost more than US$2B, a significant jump from the previous estimate proffered byBrassingtonlastyear

Despite such an astronomical increase, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo insists that the promiseofa50percentslash in electricity costs is still doable. He said this was catered for “in simulations” that were done by governmentspecialists.

Another new detail that recently came to light is the fact that government will be approaching the US Exim Bank for a loan to cover the costs associated with the US$759M contract This was revealed by Jagdeo in December2022.

He said too that government is hopeful that when products such as cookinggasaremadebythe NGL facilities, it would be sold, and a portion of the profitswouldgotorepaying investorstheirUS$759M.

This newspaper also reportedthatEngineersIndia Limited will supervise the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of the onshore plant facility It is expected to hire another firmtooperatetheproject.

Government has said it remainshopefultobringthe project on stream in 2024. Two years after its operationalization, Jagdeo saidconsumerswouldenjoy reducedelectricityrates.

National Registration Act amendments allow for registration transactions to be done continuously

TheNationalRegistration (Amendment) Act No 26 of 2022, which was assented to on December 13, 2022, has paved the way for registration transactions to befacilitatedonacontinuous basis by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

T h e E l e c t i o n s CommissiononTuesdaysaid that previously, eligible persons could have only applied for new registration andchangesorcorrectionsto their particulars during specific periods determined byGECOMsuchasduringa Cycle of Continuous Registration or Claims and Objectionsrespectively

However, with the amendments to National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08, GECOM is now mandated to facilitate registration transactions throughouttheyearwithtwo breaks to facilitate the publication and finalization of a valid Official List of Electors(OLE).

As such, any eligible person can now conduct registration transactions between the periods January to May, provided that they willbe14yearsandolderby June30,orduringtheperiod July to November, provided thattheywillbe14yearsand olderbyDecember31,ofthe givenyear

Persons desirous of conducting registration transactions must be Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, registration or naturalization,orisacitizen from a Commonwealth countrylivinginGuyanafor one year or more, to apply

for registration, providing that they was never registered

Existing registrants who aredesirousofupdatingtheir records, such as by an application to correct or change their names, date of birth,occupationortoupdate their addresses, are advised thatthosetransactionswould also be facilitated continuously during the periodsoutlinedabove.

The GECOM said that in compliance with the amendment to the National Registration Act, the Commission is currently facilitating registration transactions at all its Registration Offices countrywide with effect fromJanuary3,2023–May 31,2023.

Further, it is of crucial importance to note that the amendments to the Act have also outlined stiffer penalties for registration offences, withprovisionforfinesofup to $5 million and imprisonmentforasmanyas five years Registration offencesaddressedintheAct include where persons deliberately provide false information.

In this regard, the Commission is encouraging persons to ensure that they conducttheirtransactionsina timely manner, abide by the legal registration provisions and are cognizant of the amendments to the Act that could have serious consequences. The amended Act can be accessed on GECOM’s website at www.gecom org gy or further information and perusal

Over one million barrels...

Frompage3

facilitiesforrecycling,treatment,ordisposal/discharge. Wastes generated from offshore operations are managed inoneoftwoways.

“Wastes are managed directly on the drill ships, FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading), or other vessels using on-board recycling, treatment, and discharge methods or wastes are transported to onshore facilities for recycling, treatment, and discharge or disposal,” the documentexplains.

PRIDE AND ANGER

Aperson is something said, done or yourfeelingsofhurt,anditis control our pride is on our wrong, it is better to allow supposed to omitted by the weaker besttoactoutofcompassion roadways.Thereistoomuch thepassionofthemomentto have pride in person.Ihaveseenpowerful and love rather than anger verbalabusetakingplaceon subsidebeforeresponding.

himself or people behaving as if they andhatred. our roadways. If someone It is also important, herself, his or her are lords and demanding a The many incidents of drives in a manner that is before responding, to greaterproblem. achievements, his or her levelofrespect,whichifnot domesticviolenceinGuyana reckless, it would be much question our feelings and to

(The views expressed in family,hisorherfriends,and forthcoming results in a arenotgoingtoabateunless more helpful, rather than ask why it is that we are this article are those of the most of all in his or her vicious campaign of we deal with the root causes cursingthemout,iftheycan feeling the way we are author and do not country.Inthisregard,pride h a r a s s m e n t a n d oftheviolence. beadvisedinafriendlytone feeling. If the answer to that necessarily reflect the is a good thing. Sometimes, victimization against the One suggestion which thatwhattheyaredoingmay is because our pride was opinions and beliefs of this however, pride can be a bad weak.Thedownfallofmany has been made is for be injurious to others offended, then it is the n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s thing.Beingtooproudcanat agreatpersonhasbeenhisor countrywide anger Similarly, in the home, if offended person rather than affiliates.) times be the downfall of her pride. It is pride that management classes But someone does something the offender who has the many sometimes drives people to which target audience will Not being willing to say violence. Each day you pick theseseminarsmeet? sorry; not being willing to up the newspaper and you Will they reach down to deal with an insult from read stories of violence those households which someoneweconsidertobea Each day somebody dies need it the most, and how lesser being; not being because someone else could will those households be willing to say sorry; not not control his or her anger. identified? And would being willing to ignore the Andthereasonthattriggered training persons on how to ignorant;notbeingwillingto that anger is because dealwithangerendthecycle compromiseandtreatothers someone did something to of violence? What needs to like human beings, are all offendanother’spride. be understood is not only symptoms of a pride which How many times do we how to deal with anger, but can lead to our own not pick up the newspaper more importantly, why one downfall. and read about another becomes angry I am sure

Each time I drive on our unnatural death in our that if a detailed assessment roadways, I see how pride country? The cause was a wasdoneoncasesofanger,it makes us lose our temper I quarrel in which the ego of willbefoundthatthesource see situations where a both persons did not allow ofangerhastodowithpride. vehiclemaycauseanotherto one to walk away This Controlling our ego, veer from its path, and quarrel leads to someone learning to understand how insteadoftheaffecteddriver feeling that another should todealwithsituationswhich simply excusing the actions not be doing or saying offendourpride,istherefore of the other, he instead lets something, leading to anger, critical to understanding offamouthfulofprofanity I and eventually to violence why there is so much have seen motorists curse andmurder violence within our society out each other, and for no If only we can learn to Itisterribletoseehowlives apparent reason other than suppress our pride, there are being destroyed in this somebody did somebody wouldbelessviolenceinour country because persons are wrong.Itisbecauseofpride country, and particularly in seeking to get even rather this happens, with neither our homes and in our thanfindingthesolutiontoa sidewillingtoletbygonesbe relationshipwithothers. problem Even if that bygones, interested in I h a v e a l w a y s solution entails someone winning a battle rather than emphasized that sometimes having to give up ground, it solvingaproblem. itisbestwhenyouarewrong is far better than having to I have seen situations to not react; when you are assert one’s pride through where the powerful go after insulted to not respond, destructive and violent the weak, simply because because your response actions. their pride was hurt by invariably will be based on Agood place to begin to

Dem boys seh...

COPYCATTING IS A GOOD THING SOMETIMES

De Pee Pee Pee Cee learning from de overshadowbywhatdeCoal-AShunbindo HapNu/HayEffCee.DeOppositionteach whendemwentindeh. demafewthingswhichdemcopying. Butiswantingdemboywantdemfuh Fuh one, some of dem contractors do dat dem nah do as yet, dem boys getting 30% advance fuh dem small rememberwhendeCoal-a-Shunbinensure contract.Itmeansdatdemsmallcontractors dat dem cambio could only have a three nah gat to mobilize money from bank. At dollar spread between the buying rate and least nat as much. So is big help fuh dem desellingrateofcurrency Datusedtokeep smallcontractorswahnahgatnuffassets. thingsincheck.

De second thing dat de government But de Pee Pee Pee Cee abandon dat learning from de Opposition is fuh get an policy and dem cambio now getting earlyBudget. massivespreadssomethingasmuchasnone

SouljahBaididusedtohaveheBudget dollarsbetweenthebuyingandsellingrate. in December This was a welcome relief DemboyshopedatcomenextMonday,de becausedePeePeePeeCeeusedtoinmost Fine Ants man gan put back de cap on de cases table dem Budget near de end of spreads so dat de selling rate can be kept FebruaryorearlyMarch.Nowitcomingin intact. January and all because dem nah want get Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

BOTH PPP AND APNU+AFC GOVERNMENTS FAILED SMALL DEPOSITORS

Todayaswithyesterday, things when more than ten the criteria for opening an when the letter sections of policy where if a I divert from my series of yearsagomycrusadeonthis account to the asinine the newspapers carried the depositor has one reflections on 2022 because page began against the attitude when compared to tearsofsmalldepositorsand millionorunderone of intervening stories banks’ mistreatment of foreignbanks. I was crusading against the millioninanaccount, Today,Ilookatthecriticism smalldepositors.

Aftermydaughtercame banksonthispage? they have to pay a government leaders made Where were the top back from studies abroad in What the government’s yearly surcharge of last week of the private leaders in the PPP 2019, I remember twice acknowledgement showed $5000. spoke to him continued. I bankingindustry government before 2015 relating on this page what is that there is the paralysis Think of how sinister know Dr Ganga very well. I have a fictional story andwherewerethebigwigs shetoldmeabouttheeaseof ofspiritinthiscountry?The and downright sadistic is We have enjoyed a long thatIhavebeenincludingin from the PNC and AFC opening an account in central bank’s proposed this policy So, if you are a familiarity and he is a m y a n a l y s e s a n d administration after 2015 Europe. I have published in directivestothecommercial pensionerandyouhaveyour pleasantpersonality Butthe commentaries over a long when they took the reins of these columns the countless banks came ten years late. onemillionaccountforhard centralbankhasfailedsmall period of time. I print it power? Normally, when I conversations I have had With the plethora of times in the future, after 10 depositors The tragic, when I am in a cynical writeonasubjectthatIhave with Dr Gobind Ganga, evidence before both the years, you would have paid painful tragic nature of this mood.Itgoeslikethis.Iam touched on before, I would central bank governor, on PPP and APNU+AFC Nova Scotia $50, 000 just country is that it is the reading the newspapers citethepreviouscolumns. themistreatment. governments,wherewasthe for keeping your one embodiment of the French while drinking my hot I have so many pieces Dr Ganga will readily thoughttoact? million.Thisisillegalandit saying: “The more things coffee.Iseeashockingstory condemnatory of the banks’ admit to these never-ending I am going to reveal a must come to an immediate change, the more they thatisimpossibletobelieve. attitude that I do not know dialogues and constant wrong thing by the Bank of end. remain the same.” The So speechless and where to start in citing the implorations for central Nova Scotia implemented But wait! What makes banks and other financial paralysed, the coffee spills previous articles. So I just bank intervention over the aboutfiveyearsagothathas you think the banks will houses will continue to on my leg, burns me badly decided, I would not. There years. So, the coffee burnt remained a secret Well, adhere to the edicts, which harass small depositors andIhavetoberushedtothe are just too many of them. I my leg when I read the actually, it could no longer the central bank is about to because small depositors hospital. This happened to touched on every aspect of annoyance that government haveremainedasecretafter send off? I told Dr Ganga havenoonetoprotectthem. me last week when I read this mistreatment, from leaders showed and the I exposed it. But no one about some of the (The views expressed in what the government said proof of address demand, changestheyhaveproposed. talked about it and the unnecessary burdens and I this article are those of the about the hassles the requirements for renewal of But the question will government did absolutely rememberontwooccasions author and do not commercial banks put lapsed accounts, the banks’ remain with me forever – nothingaboutit. heusedtheseexactwords:“I necessarily reflect the people through. I could not misinterpretationoftheanti- where were they, both from Donottakemywordfor willcallthemrightnow.” opinions and beliefs of this believein2023,government money laundering the PPP and APNU+AFC it.ResearchitthewayIdid. Whether he called them n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s leaders would say these legislation, complaints on governments - before 2023 Nova Scotiabank has a or not, the impositions I affiliates.)

Region 4 man is Guyana’s latest COVID-19 fatality

TheHealthMinistryonTuesdayreported that 58 new cases were recorded within the that a 65-year-old man from Region Four, last24hours,twopatientsareintheCOVIDwho contracted the Coronavirus Disease 19IntensiveCareUnit(ICU),19personsare (COVID-19), died on Sunday while in institutional isolation, 323 are in home receivingtreatmentatamedicalfacility isolation and one is quarantined

Asaresultofthis,thecountry’sCOVID- institutionally 19deathtollhasmovedto1,291. To date, a total of 70,903 persons have The Ministry via its dashboard revealed recovered.

FrederickKissoon

Commonwealth Secretariat issues new guide to help governments manage high cost to restore ocean floor

The Commonwealth Secretariat has released a new practical guide to help governments manage costly oilandgasdecommissioning activities, which are expected to surge as a result of the global energy transition.

In its newsletter, the Secretariat explained that decommissioning is a complexandcostlyprocessat theendoftheeconomiclifeof an individual oil and gas project. Decommissioning involves the safe plugging and abandoning of oil wells, removal of structures and restorationofthesurrounding areas.

“Formanyoil-producing developing countries, the decommissioning process couldcostbillionsofdollars, and if monies are not specifically set aside to pay for these activities, taxpayers may have to foot thebill,”itwasstated.

According to the Secretariat, if poorly executed, decommissioning can also have disastrous consequences for the

e n v i r o n m e n t a n d communities The Commonwealth cautioned that as the world transitions away from fossil fuels and the demand for oil and gas declines over the long-term, it becomes increasingly likelythanmanyoilandgas assets could become uneconomic sooner than expected, resulting in “strandedassets”.

Assuch,itwasstatedthat having robust systems in place to deal with decommissioning is thereforecritical.

Furthermore, it was stated that the toolkit was developed as part of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Secretariat’s Natural Resources Programme, which aims to support governments in managing t h e r i s k s f r o m d e c o m m i s s i o n i n g , containing several key elements like: an overview of the key issues and i m p l i c a t i o n s f o r governments; practical recommendations to effectively manage

decommissioning; a checklisttoidentifyareasfor strengthening the existing legal requirements and model decommissioning provisions that can be adapted to countries circumstances.

Guyana has been a m e m b e r o f t h e Commonwealth since 1970 The Commonwealth Secretariatassistsitsmember countries to sustainably manage their natural resources,intheoceanandon land,forthebenefitofcurrent and future generations. It provides technical assistance and support member countries in the development of policies, laws, design of fiscal regimes and strengthening national institutions as they seek to implement the Sustainable DevelopmentGoals(SDGs)

TheSecretariatstatedthat Commonwealthcountriesare endowed with immense and precious natural resources These include millions of square kilometres of ocean space, significant renewable (wind, solar) and non-

renewableresources(oil,gas, minerals).Itwasunderscored thatwhenmanagedequitably and sustainably, the exploitation of natural resources bolsters national resilience to economic and social crises, improving prosperityforallcitizens

The Commonwealth Secretariat’s guide to decommissioningcomesata time when American oil giant, ExxonMobil’s affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has been taking out money from Guyana’s oil production for decommissioning. It should be noted that the money

coming out is being controlledbythecompany.

Exxon’s affiliate, EEPGL is the operator of Guyana’s lucrative Stabroek Block which has over 11 billion proven barrels of oil. Under a signed deal – the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) – the oil giant has been taking out money from the first day of production (2019) to set aside as a decommissioning fee.

Based on its 2021 financial statements, for 2020and2021,ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Group, have recovered a

Increase in criminal cases before the High Court warrants more Judges

thisnumberofincreasedcasescan be disposed of timelier,” the DPP said.

She continued, “I have been advocatingforustoamendsection 27 of the High Court Act, which provides for the sittings of the CourtintheCountiesofDemerara, Berbice, and Essequibo. There are 4sittingsforDemeraraandtimeis lost with the winding down of sittings by judges as the sitting comes to an end; whereas, if there was one sitting for the year then there will be no need for winding down.”

The DPPsaid that more judges will “allow more cases to be completed” while noting that over thelastfiveyears,therehasbeenan increase in criminal sittings Further, the DPP said that consideration needs to be given to theassignmentofthejudges.

whoppingUS$355.7million for decommissioning costs which would be incurred in another18yearsfortheLiza PhaseOneProject.

During an engagement withthemediainJune,2022, ExxonMobil Guyana acknowledged that decommissioning funds are not needed until 20 to 30 years down the line. Be that asitmay,thecompanynoted that the provisions of the 2016 Stabroek Block deal allow for early recovery However, the oil giant assured nonetheless that when Guyana needs that money for clean-up, the moneywillbehandedover

The increase in the number of criminal cases before the High Courthighlightstheneedformore judges, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar AliHack,SC.saidTuesday

Speaking at the opening of the Law Year for the year 2023 at the High Court, which coincides with theopeningofthisJanuarysession of the Demerara CriminalAssizes, Ali- Hack spoke of a number of

shortcomings in the system that slows down the disposal of criminalcasesinatimelymanner

“We need more judges in the judiciary so there can be more judgessittinginthesittingssothat

Ali-Hack explained that 308 cases are listed to be heard during the January Assizes by three Judges.

“Oneofthethreejudgeswillbe sittingintheSexualOffencesCourt to hear the sexual offences cases.

Thereare134casesarelistedtobe heardintheSexualOffencesCourt. This clearly is not humanly possible. The remaining 174 cases are listed to be heard by two judges,”shesaid.

The DPP noted too that all the persons who are indicted for murder are in custody and their cases are given priority because theyareincustody

She said, “We try as far as is possible to present the cases according to this list; however, there may be a hindrance if the accused person does not have a Counsel. A person charged with murder must be represented by Counselathistrial.Iftheaccused

- cautions oil and gas assets could become uneconomic sooner than expected, resulting in “stranded assets”

An oil rig in the ocean (Commonwealth Secretariat photo)

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack SC

A section of the gathering at the opening of the Law Year for the year 2023 at the High Court (DPI)

WatchdoginstitutionsinGuyanagetting weakerascountrygetsricher

- Opposition

…Exxon’s 3rd oil project will push country pass T&T with higher GDP per capita

Guyana’s third oil project which is set for commissioningthisyearwill give the country another massive boost propelling it amongtherichercountriesin the Caribbean based on its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)percapita.Guyanais currently ranked as the fastest growing economy in the world and the US$9B Payara project, which is more than double the country’s biggest budget so far, is schedule to further prop up sums due to increased oil and gas revenue.

Guyana’sGDPpercapita is expected to push past Trinidad and Tobago, and possibly land in brackets with Barbados and St. Kitts. WorldBankfiguresasrecent as 2021 reported Guyana GDP per capita figure at around US$10,000 while Trinidad, Barbados and St, Kitts were recorded around, US$16,000, US$17,000 and US$18,000 respectively

Taking the country’s growth last year into consideration, aswellasprojectionsforthis year2023withanewFPSO, Opposition Economist, Elson Low believes that Guyana is significantly poisedtodistanceitselffrom the description it once carried as second poorest countryintheCaribbean.

He told the newspaper that news of the country’s continued growth leaves a lot to be desired where institutional capacity is concerned. He related that while Guyana is likely to push pass Trinidad’s oil economy, but still lacks the ability to deliver audited accounts of the oil and gas sector, and has already missed two deadlines “What these audits show is that as Guyana is getting richer its institutions are getting weaker, which is a classic symptom of the resourcecurse,”Lowsaid.

He told the publication that the Opposition is

preparing to raise a number of disturbing issues it has noticedwiththeoilsector,as Guyana’s condition “mirrors” problems seen in other oil-producing nations. He said, “Not auditing Exxon on time, and then potentially delivering a flawed audit, as well as failing to build auditing capacity are government failures.”

In a recent report, Low said that the expenses that incurred in oil development and production must be monitored as closely as expenses that come from building roads. “As a result, building our auditing capacity and oversight mechanisms is critical to national development.” He said the reason the Oppositionrepeatedlycalled for capacity building especially in the area of

auditing,“issowecanbetter assess expenses on a short term, regular basis, even w h i l e w e h a v e comprehensive audits from time to time. Parliamentary oversight is an additional lever All these mechanisms can be leveraged to ensure Guyana benefits fully from itsoilresources.”

I n t e r n a t i o n a l organizations and experts have been warning Guyana to build its capacity at the same pace that it is developing its oil and gas resourcetoensureprotection of its country and revenue. Up to last year, the government had failed to utilize a US$20M World Bank loan which was secured in 2019 to add trainingandskillsetstostate agents involved in the management of the oil sector That was despite the

GRA staff arrested for selling fake driver’s licence document

A Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) employee was last week arrested for selling fakedocumentationtoa35-year-oldlabourer ofBushLot,EssequiboCoast,RegionTwo.

The 28-year-old GRA employee who worked at the Authority’s Administrative Department sold a bogus driver’s examinationpasspaper–adocumentneeded toapplyforadriver’slicenceatGRA–tothe labourer

Kaieteur News understands that the labourer wanted to “cheat the system” in obtaining a driver’s licence and the GRA employee assisted him by forging the documentneededfortheapplication.

However, when the labourer arrived at GRA’s headquarters on Camp Street on December 20, 2022, to apply for the licence and submitted the fake document, an alarm

wasraisedbyGRAemployeesonduty

The man was then detained for questioning. During that process, he told investigators that he had purchased the document from a GRA staff for $100,000, believingthatitwasagenuineone.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Eve LearywereinformedandtheGRAemployee wasarrestedlastWednesday

Kaieteur News has confirmed that the GRA staff has admitted to selling the documenttotheEssequiboresidentbutonly for $50,000. He claimed that he had gotten the fake document from another individual but according to police, he has been withholdingtheidentityofthatperson.

The GRA employee remains in custody andisassistingwithinvestigations.

institution positing that the smallest effort made by the country to improve its oil and gas management under the loan, translated to huge improvementsintheamount of revenue the country gets fromitsoilresources.

Themoneywasgearedto supportthecapacitybuilding of key institutions such as the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency among others, by providing critical training and insights regarding petroleum data m a n a g e m e n t , a n d strengthening fiscal, environmental and social management.

Since the loan was secured under the A Partnership for National Unity+AllianceForChange (APNU+AFC) government,

n e w t h e P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party government said the World Bankloanwasonholdsince it wanted the projects scope to realign with the new administration Kaieteur News recently reported that the government utilised a portion of the US$20M WorldBankloantoimprove its access to reading materials on the oil and gas sector

Documentspublishedby the Bank said that US$32,194.86 was used to hire vLex Justis Limited of the United Kingdom, to supply legal software for Guyana’s oil and gas sector Itwassaidtoallowformore efficientlegalrepresentation through access to up-to-date oil and gas articles, journals and books A two-year contract was signed on August24,2022.

GRA’s Headquarters on Camp Street

Exxon’s 3rd project, Payara will commence operations this year

Opposition Economist, Elson Low

Indigenous communities want control of their share of carbon credit revenue-Allicock

ByDavinaBagot

Former Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs,SydneyAllicock is arguing the need for Indigenous communities to be in control of their share of revenue earned throughthesaleofcarboncredits.

On December 2, 2022, the Government of Guyana inked a “historic” agreement with American oil company, Hess Corporation for the sale of carbon credits earned by Guyana for keeping its vast forest resource intact.

Some 15 percent of these resources will go directly towards Indigenous communities, accordingtoVicePresidentBharrat Jagdeo.

While appearing as a guest speakeron the Guyana Business Journal and Magazine (GBJ) panel discussion on ‘Guyana’s IndigenousPeoples&theOiland Gaseconomy,’theformerMinister saidtheresourcesmustbeusedina sustainablemannertohelpdevelop the lives of citizens in hinterland communities.

Allicock’s position comes even as government in the past has given grants and facilitated medium-term projects such as the distribution of agricultural tools.

He told viewers of the virtual showthattheamountofmoneyto be earned from the sector offers a greatopportunitytotransformthe lives of Indigenous peoples and must be used to fund wellthought-out programmes This plan of action, according to Allicock must not only ensure sustainability but offer “regenerative” options especially intheminingindustry

He said, “I would like to say that this is old pathways but new directionforallGuyanese,notonly for the Indigenous peoples. It an opportunity for us to plan to have this plan of action that will allow each and every Guyanese to benefit, but more so for us who havebeeninthehinterland,taking careofMothernaturewhilemother naturetakescareofustomakestep ups to say exactly how we should beabletomanageourdevelopment with the support of the new found riches of oil and the carbon credits.”

Allicockpointedoutthatwhile Indigenous communities are represented by Toshaos that sit on the National Toshaos Council (NTC) that is occupied by university graduates, in some instances there is still a lack of technical capability. This deficiency often lends to the dependency on the Ministry of

AmerindianAffairshesaid.

To address this issue, the formerMinistertoldpanelliststhat the funds from the oil sector, coupled with revenue from carbon credit should go towards up skilling citizens in hinterland communities.

He made the case that more indigenous villagers need to be trainedintechnicalareastobeable to participate in other sectors, rather than the traditional aspects suchasagriculture.

Allicock said he strongly believes that the funds earned for the Indigenous communities must be secured for the advancement of thiscause.

“It is also an opportunity for securityofthisfundingtobeinan Indigenous Bank For now, we couldkeepitprobablyintheBank of Guyana until we can have such persons trained in the various aspects of Banking, in project management, in the development of industries within various regions, for example cassavafoodsecurity-weneedthingslike a better facility in every region with regards to agricultural skills to help us to continue to work in having food security,” he explained.

But in addition to the agriculture sector, Allicock said it istimeforspecialinstitutionstobe

built in the Hinterland region to help Amerindians become equipped with knowledge on environmental issues and natural resourcestobeabletoplayapartin thedevelopmentoftheirvillages.

Hesaid,“Wealsoneedtohave a group of special youths studying theenvironment,naturalresources so that we could follow our development and our input and whatwearereceivingandtodecide onwhatdirectionweshouldtake.”

“Thatwouldcallfor,eventually having technical or special institutionsintheHinterlandwhere our people could be studying all these things with regards to nature,”theformerMinisteradded.

Although he is adamant that Indigenous leaders should determine how their share of carbon credit revenue is spent, Allicock said this does not mean that there should be no room for accountability

He suggested that an oversight body be instituted, comprising of officers from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, members of the diaspora and even private citizens.

Based on the agreement with HessCorporation,itwillbepaying US$15pertonnebetween2016and 2020, which amounts to US$187M. In the next 18 months, the Vice President said he expects

the payments to come to the country according to the schedule. Some$28Mofthisamounthesaid, will go directly to Amerindian communities.

Meanwhile, during the period 2021 to 2025, Guyana will be earning US$20 per tonne which is expected to rake in another US$250M for the country For the period2025to2030,Hesswillpay US$25 per tonne amounting to US$312M, bringing the total to US$750Moverthe10yearperiod.

Overall, the Indigenous communities will receive approximatelyUS$112M.

Hess is Guyana’s first client, purchasing 30 percent of the country’s carbon credits for a minimumofUS$750M.

IDB approves US$100M funding for Diamond/Grove to Timehri road project

Th e I n t e r -

A m e r i c a n Development Bank(IDB)hasapproved US$100M to begin the Diamond/Grove to Timehri road project, MinisterofPublicWorks, Juan Edghill has announced.

Theministermadethe announcement during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) at the ministry’sheadquarters.

“The Diamond/Grove to Timehri road which is what people are very concerned about will see thatupgrade.Wehavethe approval of the money from the IDB and we are at finalising the procurement for the contractor to engage in the interim,”hesaid.

The loan was requested through the IDB’s Programme to Support Climate Resilient InfrastructureDevelopment.

Under this programme, the government intends to improve road safety, pedestrian infrastructure,

andutilitynetworks.

The aim is to mitigate congestion and delays faced by commuters traversing alongthecorridor

C u r r e n t l y, t h e governmentisutilisinglocal funds to desilt all the drains and widen roads along the Diamond/Grove corridor

The drainage works are expectedtobecompletedby month end as works on the

16lotsaremovingapace.

“I am sure commuters are satisfied in as much as we haven’t solved the problem totally The ride through Grove has been significantly improved and it is moving much faster becauseoftheinterventions that we have made and we continue to do some maintenance work almost onanightlybasis,”Minister

Edghillnoted

M e a n w h i l e , t h e government is working on creatinganalternaterouteto mitigate traffic congestion along the East Bank of Demerara(EBD)corridor

Thus far, an alternate route has been rehabilitated for persons residing in the Diamond Housing Scheme to enter and exit through AvenuesAand B instead of

the usual route at the DiamondJunction.

F u r t h e r , r o a d rehabilitationisunderwayas two bridges are expected to be constructed fromAvenue AtolinkDiamondtoGrove.

Another bridge will be constructed from Grove to allow persons to exit at BusbeeDam,Craig.

“Which means you will bypass the entire Diamond/

(DPI)

Grove and come out just after the temple which is to the waterside at Busbee Dam. So that will be an alternative route and these are projects that are ongoing,”theministersaid.

Once completed, the alternate route will enable persons to travel all the way to Timehri from Diamond.

(Department of Public Information)

Former Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock

The Great Diamond road

Roxanne Myers’ lawyer gets permission to cross-examine witnesses at Elections COI

Former Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO)

RoxanneMyers’lawyerwill be given an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the March 2020 General and Regional Elections before the Commission concludes on February10,2023.

Chairman of the Presidential CoI into the elections Justice of the Appeal(retired)ofTurksand Caicos Stanley John, made this announcement on Tuesdayattheconclusionof thehearing.

“If Counsel for Ms Myers wishes to crossexamine,thattooshouldtake place that week,” the Chairman said noting that proceedingswillcontinueon Monday, February 6, 2023.

As such, the cross examination,hesaidclearly, should not occur later than February10.

In a letter, dated November 21, 2022 and which was seen by Kaieteur News, the Hughes, Fields andStobylawfirmactingon behalfofMyerswrote“...We have noted that during the course of the testimonies of some of the witnesses who have appeared before the Commission, statements have been made which refer to our client conducting various activities in relation to the conduct of the electionsin2020.Inthelight of the specific references to our client and her alleged participation in various activities, we are instructed to request that our client be permitted, through counsel, to cross-examine the witnesses on any testimony which purports to refer our client.”

The letter reminded that Myersiscurrentlybeforethe court for various criminal offences relating to the

Former DCEO, Roxanne Myers

conductofthe2020General and Regional elections Myers herself has not appearedbeforetheCoI.

Meanwhile, Tuesday’s public hearing was adjourned to February after APNU+AFC Member

FourKuwaitifirmssubmitbidsto redesignBelfieldtoRosignolroads

Four Kuwaiti firms, in joint venture with local companies, have submitted bids to redesign the road network between Belfield, East Coast of Demerara (ECD)toRosignolinRegion Five.

The redesign of the existing ECD road network isaprojectbeingundertaken by the Ministry of Public Works.

During the opening of tenders on Friday at the National Procurement and TenderAdministrationBoard (NPTAB) office, it was revealed that the four firms are Abuljebain Engineering Consultants Office (AECO) in joint venture with SRKN’gineering & Associates Limited (local); Obaid Engineering in joint venture with E&A Consultancy Inc (local); AlHabshi Engineering Consultant in joint venture with CB& Associates (local), and Beston; and Abdulaziz Alsaqabi in joint venture with NK Enterprise (local).

All the international firmsarefromKuwait.

According to its LinkedIn page, Al-Habshi Engineering Consultants Officesaiditwasestablished in April of 1994 for the purposeofprovidingabroad range of engineering servicestoboththelocaland international markets It

notedthatin1997,itbecame a fully operational independent Kuwait office, and started exploring into variousEngineeringmarkets which initiated Al Habshi Consultants entry all engineering consultancy services including Design, M a s t e r - p l a n n i n g , Supervision & Feasibility Studies further to the buildings and infrastructure disciplines.

Abuljebain Engineering ConsultantsOffice(AECO), according to its website, provides Engineering Consultancy Services to InternationalClientsthrough adopting excellence standards, providing latest technology, hiring qualified staff and continuously improvingtheircompetence, ensuring green engineering andcorporateresponsibility

As for Adel AL-Obaid Engineering Consultant Office,itswebsitestatesthat it was established in Kuwait early1997withtheobjective to provide distinctive Consulting services of engineering design studies and constructions supervision in the area of Petroleum, Infrastructure and General Constructions. In addition, the office also conducts the preparation of strategic and feasibility studies.

The upgrade of the road between Belfield and

Rosignol has been a project long in the pipelines. It was reportedinthemediathatthe road widening and redesign project was intended to be a continuation of the East Coast Road Widening and Expansion Project, which wascommissionedin2020.

TheECDroadexpansion and widening project was supposed to have two components: a four-lane expansionfromBetterHope to Annandale, and an upgrade to the existing twolaneroadfromAnnandaleto Belfield.

In 2019, it was reported that the Government had received a Grant of Kuwaiti Dinars (KD) 500,000 from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to undertake a Technical and Economic Feasibility Study for the Redesign of the Belfield to Rosignol Road Network.

The study was said to solve the issues of deteriorating roads, poor drainage and road safety along the Belfield to Rosignol stretch of roads. The redesign of the network would ensure enhanced capacity of the roads, strengthen trade and economic development and facilitate new and improved interactions among farming communities. It will also reduce delays and increase usersatisfaction.

NicolaDeniseTrotmantook thestand.AheadofTrotman takingthestand,herattorney Nigel Hughes informed the Commission that his client will not offer testimony

based on her submitting an affidavit in an election relatedcase.

Mr. Hughes told the Commissionthathewasnot Trotman’s attorney at the time the Affidavit was filed before the Courts and the Commissioners pressed him to advise his clients to have thedocumenttendered.

Commissioner and retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh noted “Ifitdoesnotincriminatein any way then the Commission really expects your assistance as counsel. The offer is made to you if youwouldliketolookatthe affidavit.Mr.Hughes,really when you came your role here before us is as counsel forasummonedwitness…so I believe you do bear some responsibility We are here not witch-hunting, we are not here to get at anybody,

we are here to ascertain the truthinrelationtoourterms of reference and if we could get your assistance, we wouldbegrateful,”

Mr Hughes maintained his position, explaining that he is unaware of the content oftheAffidavitoritsstatus.

Trotman was questioned on her role during the 2020 Elections,onthemembersof the coalition’s tabulation team including Volda L a w r e n c e , a n d conversationsshereportedly had with officials of the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) during the course of the elections.

To all the questions posed by the Commission’s Legal Counsel, Trotman indicated that in keeping with the advice of her Counsel, she wished not to respond.

CARICOMmounts ElectionObservationMission toAntiguaandBarbuda

Antigua and Barbuda on January 18, 2023.

In a statement, CARICOM said it hasrespondedtotheinvitationextended by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to mount a CARICOM ElectionObservationMission(CEOM) toobservetheGeneralElections.

Ms.Tamai has previously served as Chief of Mission for general elections heldinJamaicain2016,TheBahamasin 2017andDominicain2019,andDeputy Chief of Mission for elections in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in 2015.

“The CARICOM Election

Observation Mission proposes to meet with leaders of political parties, the e

fficials and other stakeholders of Antigua and Barbuda and will monitor the voting process includingtheopeningofthepoll,thecasting of votes, the closing of the poll and the countingoftheballots,”CARICOMsaid. The Team will arrive in Antigua and BarbudaonJanuary11and15,2023andwill departonJanuary20,2023.

JosephineTamai,ChiefElections Officer of the Elections and Boundaries Department of Belize to head the CARICOM Election Observation Mission (CEOM)toobservetheGeneralElectionsin

Josephine Tamai, Chief Elections Officer of the Elections and Boundaries Department of Belize

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.

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.

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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.

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.

Skilled Builder required to build Panel Door. Contact: 220-2736/ 220-3833.

Kitchen Assistant required @ Soup House Restaurant. Mon-Sat, 8am-3pm, great salary along with flexible hours. Call: 697-2014.

VACANCY

Vacancy: Male Factory Workers(7am-4pm) $3500 per day, Female Factory Workers(2pm-10pm) $3500 & (10pm-6am) $ 3900. Call/ Whatsapp: 611-7839.

Water truck driver required to work on the West Bank of Demerara.Tel: 686-9296.

Experienced Child Care/ Nanny needed for 1 month old baby @ La Bonne Intention, ECD. Must speak English and required to work Mon-Fri, 7:30am4:30pm. Call: 592-688-0867.

Families of persons injured in Corentyne accident seeking justice

…as drunken firewoman charged with DUI, placed on bail

By Malisa Playter-Harry

For 32-year-old Sharon McDonald, the challenges of being a single mother are mountainous but her challenges have multiplied over the last few weeks since four of her five children were involved in a vehicular accident. McDonald, a domestic worker, told Kaieteur News that she is finding it increasingly difficult to take care of her children who have all suffered life changing injuries in the accident which occurred on Christmas Eve (December 24, 2022). The Lot 320 East Canefield, Canje, Berbice mother is contemplating her next move as she pushes against the odds to take care of her children and herself.

Eleven-year-old Shavine Laundry, 10-year-old Shaveh Laundry, 8-year-old Javeer Blair, and 5-year-old Shaniah Blair, were in the car

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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.

SERVICES

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

driven by firewoman Chandani Mohabir, 28, of East Canefield, Canje that crashed into motorcycle, injuring motorcyclist Marley Ross and killing his 2-yearold daughter Jasmin Ross who was the pillion rider on Dec 24 2022.

The firewoman, whose blood alcohol level was tested following the accident, has since been charged with Driving under the Influence (DUI) and placed on $100,000 bail. Her alcohol level showed that she was above the legal limit when she crashed into the motorcyclist.

Commander Shivpersaud Bacchus disclosed that the police is awaiting advice for possible charges.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

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

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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.

US steel for sale in bulk, delivery offered to Georgetown. Contact The Canje Group: sales@ canjegroup.com or Call: +(592)626-8671.

EDUCATION

Mohabir’s DUI charge does not sit well with McDonald who said that because of the firewoman’s recklessness, her children are suffering life changing injuries. The frustrated woman said that her 10-yearold is still traumatised from the accident while her 8year-old son suffered a fractured skull. Her 5-yearold daughter had injuries to her knee that still aches when she walks and her 11year-old daughter suffered severe brain injuries that has changed her completely.

“She has brain injuries, she don’t talk, now she trying to balance her weight and she does things that she has never done before...”

McDonald told Kaieteur News while explaining that the injuries her children are nursing has added to her already difficult life.

Unfortunately, since the children’s accident on Christmas Eve, McDonald has been unable to work as she has to care for her injured children. Luckily, with assistance from her neighbours and the children’s grandmother, she received a bit of cushion. But the help she has received so far is not enough.

“It is really tough,” she told Kaieteur News noting that she is thankful for the help she has received thus far.

McDonald said her eldest daughter “is using a lot of pampers, she gotta use Ensure, apple juice and dem kinda thing and I can’t really afford it but I am trying my best to give her because she cannot eat no solid food...”

The mother of five said the 11-year-old child had recently started secondary school and is in the first form level. The woman said it is difficult to look at her injured children struggle because they had normal lives before the accident.

But with the aforementioned difficulties faced by McDonald, she is now required to relocate from the house she rented for the past three years because she is unable to pay her $20,000 rent.

“She [the firewoman] has been walking around and talking that my children getting better.

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

“...I don’t have anyone that helps me because I do domestic work for a living and I does do it to send them to school so they can get an education and make sure they have meals on the table...” she explained.

Is that getting better? She cannot stand on her weight, she operates like a mad child and it hurt me because my child was growing good, she cannot go to school.

I cannot work because I have to look after her and

FOR RENT

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

Sharon McDonald Marley Ross is now confined to a wheelchair given the injuries sustained in the accident.

By GHK Lall

I confess to good feelings for the Hon. Prime Minister of Guyana, Mark Phillips. I recognisehisheroiceffortsto weave magic where there is mysticism and monstrosity, as captured by the caption “Government will continue tobuildonitsardentpolicyof inclusion -PM” -KN January 9. On behalf of all Guyanese, I thank the PM for his extraordinaryzealinblowing this parade ground bugle about inclusion, and his government's devotion to suchanoblecause.

But ardent, Mr Prime Minister? Surely, this is an unintended insult to the intelligence of Guyanese, especially the discarded, those struggling to reach up and touch the bottom of the bottom. It doesn't get much lower than that grim state. I offer 'unintended' for my assessmentisthatthePMisa fine Guyanese caught up in bad company; his grooming should have warned him, kept him on the straight path,

Not so fast Prime Minister

and prevented him from venturing into these treacherous political shoals. Hedonshisfullwarbonnetto fight a losing battle over a porous issue that leaves him looking worse for wear Respectfully, I say that he should have stayed retired, write his memoirs, and publicizehiswarstories.

But I am more than staggered about this business of “ardent policy of inclusion.” Obviously, the PM and I have vastly different interpretations of what ardent and inclusion mean, both individually and together In Guyana, and under the PPP Government, the two are in a state of perpetual tension, always on the edge of the slippery precipices.

It should be noted that I speak in the language of the barracks, so that the Ret'd Brigadier General and I can beonthesamepage,arriveat the same conclusions, no matter his public posturing n e c e s s i t a t e d b y

circumstances.

I take the liberty of suggestingtothisdefenderof the political faith that he consultswithscoresofEMTs treated cheaply and shabbily, thousands of public servants handled more rancidly and shabbily, and all those communities of a certain kind of people (now strangers to the PM) that have been bypassed and earmarked for exclusion Just so that the Hon. PM d o e s n ' t g e t t h e misimpressionthatImisspelt or miswrote, I repeat for his edification: earmarked for exclusion. It is a word, that one about exclusion that conjures up all types of ugly images, worse passions That is, because they are consideredPNCbastionsand part of the settled enemy camp, because they have to be taught clean and clear lessons about who is in charge, who is calling the shots, and in whose hands, theyfindthemselves.

In case that the PM is not

persuaded, I point him southward in the direction of Mocha.

It is certain that the PM cannot dig his head into the sand on that one; he may set his feet and grit his teeth, but of his head, he can't hide at all.

Of course, he is given the benefitofthedoubtinthathe still has a mind of his own, can speak from the heart,

regardlesswhosefeathersare ruffled, whose fur is rubbed thewrongway Indeed,there is a certain dogged and compelling ardency about bulldozers and excavators, but I contend that it is not of inclusion, but the other way I urge the PM to compare the deliverables in Mocha to the tender care and compassion, the swift reactions, of His Excellency in other situations impacting other communities.

I can't help but to quote thisgoodGuyaneselecturing all of us on the virtues of the PPP Government: “Our policy does not include any form of discrimination in Guyanese society.” In a less politicallycorrectera,amore caustic time, I would have called the PM a practitioner of the lovely art of ingenious innovation, of that which has nobasisinreality(andtruth), and of that which falls apart at the slightest whiff of air or touchofthefingertips.

I take it hard when I have to disagree with those who

haveservedthiscountrylong andwell. Thereisnopsychic value in saying their clothes have holes, that the linen is unwashed, and that such is both visible and permeates the air with a powerful pungency

I appreciate that the PM hastoearnhispoliticalspurs, and prove himself, but not in thisway Instead,heneedsto b e m o r e a r d e n t i n maintaining a certain dignity more becoming of an officer and a gentleman, both of whichIamsureheis.

Leave the politicking to companions who are using him, and are majestically superior than he ever could beonthisissueofinclusion.

One, which is both mirage and myth, and which will take a miracle to knit together in some form or seasonofacceptability

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaper and its affiliates.)

…denies defence motion for matters to proceed in the High Court

Magistrate grants prosecutor's application to amend electoral fraud charge

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Monday granted an application made by the prosecutor in the electoral fraud case to amend the charge against several persons who were charged fortheirallegedattempttorig the March 2020 General and RegionalElections.

People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) members, V lda Lawrence o

and Carol Smith-Joseph, along with four employees of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Denise Bobb-Cummings, Michelle Miller, Sheffern February and Enrique Livan, on Monday appeared before the Chief Magistrate at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

Kaieteur News had reported that the prosecution led by Attorney-at-Law Darshan Ramdhani, QC, made an application to the court for the charges to be amended.

The Chief Magistrate granted the application, before she read the amended charge to the defendants and theyallpleadednotguilty.

The amended charge states that between March 2 and August 2, 2020, at Georgetown, the six defendants conspired with former GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield and Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Returning Officer

Notably, Miller was slapped with an individual conspiracy to defraud charge which alleges that between March 3 and 5, 2020, at High and Hadfield Streets, Georgetown, together and with others, with intent to defraud the people of Guyana, she did not use the figures from the Statements o f P o l l ( S o P s ) f o r ascertaining the figures to make the declaration of the results for the said District Four, thereby resulting in a false declaration being made forthesaidDistrict.

The Chief Magistrate also on Monday ruled on an application that was made by the attorney for the defendants, Nigel Hughes. The lawyer had made an application to the court for

the matters to be tried before a Judge and a Jury in the HughCourtasopposedtothe Magistrate's Court. Chief Magistrate McLennan denied Hughes' application and ruled that the matter will continue at the Magistrates' Court.

The matter was then adjournedtoMarch13,2023.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had announced in August 2020, that they will b e c o n d u c t i n g a c o m p r e h e n s i v e investigation into the criminal conduct of the former GECOM officials and others, in relation to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and the eventsthatfollowed.

During the probe, several GECOM officials were arrested and placed before the court to face electoral fraudcharges.

In fact, over 30 fraud-

Opposition

office,

Families of persons injured in....

From page 16

the other children...” the single mother said. McDonald is forced to pay $16,000 to hire a taxi to take her children to clinic in Georgetownasisrequiredsincetheaccident.

The woman recounted that on the day of the accident, the firewoman who is well known to her, collected her children and said she was taking them to the Chinese shop on the public road to buy something for their Christmas. McDonald said shortly after the woman left with her children, she was received a call from the firewoman informing her of an accident and asking her not to panic. The woman said that she was told that her children were injured. The woman also has a 2-year-old daughter who waswithheratthetimeoftheaccident.

Surveillance footage seen by this publication showed Mohabir swerving into

the path of motorcyclist Ross, pelting him and his child off the motorcycle before they landed on the road. The car Mohabir was driving appeared to have been proceeding at a fast rate.Meanwhile, Ross the motorcyclist is currently confined to a wheelchair since the accident. His wife Jamasie Carmichael told Kaieteur News that her husband is unabletoworksincehesufferedabrokenleg andhand.

He underwent surgery and had steel placed in his limbs. They also have another child who is 5-years-old but he cannot start school because they are not in a financial position to send him. Both families are asking for justice to be served. Persons willing to assist Sharon McDonald can contact her on 609-8703 or 327-2024.

Jamasie Carmichael can be contacted on 690-3175.

(RO), Clairmont Mingo to defraud the electors of Guyana by declaring a false accountofvotescast.

related charges were brought against, former GECOM CEO, Keith Lowenfield, Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, Clairmont Mingo,

members, Volda Lawrence, and Smith-Joseph and also several GECOM employees.Some of the charges the defendants face are misconduct in public

conspiracy to commit fraud, forging a document andforgery–allinrelationto their attempt to allegedly rig the March 2020 General and RegionalElections.

GHK Lall

Carol Smith-Joseph

PNCR member, Volda Lawrence

Denise Bob-Cummings

Enrique Livan

Sheffern February

Trio remanded for stealing weapons from

security firm

Th r e e m e n , i n c l u d i n g a security guard, wereonTuesdayremandedto prison for allegedly stealing 11 weapons from Radar Security and Supplies Company

The defendants, 34-yearold Carlton Damion Singh called 'Fat Boy' a taxi driver of Lot 214 Independence Boulevard, Albouystown, Georgetown, 47-year-old Sheldon King called 'Noel', a security guard of Lot 165 Cooper Street,Albouystown, and 29-year-old Linton Trotman called 'Dundie', of Lot 3233 North East La Penitence, Georgetown, appeared before Chief MagistrateAnn McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

Thetriowaschargedwith simple larceny of a quantity of fire arms and ammunition valued $3.7M property of AdepemoPeters.

The defendants were not required to plead to the charge and they were all remandedtoprison.

Thematterwasadjourned to January 25, 2023. Singh was also slapped with two

individual charges for the unlawful possession of ammunition and possession ofnarcotics.

Kaieteur News had reported that the weapons were stolen from the company between 10:00h on December 25, and 18:30h on December26,2022.

The weapons that were stolen are two singlebarrel shotguns valued at $950,000; four 9mm Taurus Pistols valued at $1,400,000; five Taurus 32 pistols valued at $1,425,000; 25 12-gauge cartridges, 538 .32 ammunition, and 18 9mm roundsofammunition.

This publication had reported that the firearms

were stolen from company's office located at Carmichael Street,Georgetown.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had initially reported that Radar Security and Supplies' office is located in the middle flat of a threestoreywoodenbuilding.

According to the police, there is an office to the western side, which has a wooden door to the eastern side, secured with a manufacturedYalelock.

In the said office, there is a steel 'strongbox' where the security firm secures the firearms and ammunition. The strongbox is secured with two padlocks and inside the strongbox; the firearms are chained and padlocked

withthreepadlocks.

It was reported that on Christmas Day, the firm's Chief Security Officer, a 72year-old from Guyhoc Park, checked the firearms and all were intact. Around 18:30 hours on Boxing Day, a 65year-old Weapons Training Officer from Enterprise, East Coast Demerara (ECD), visitedthelocation.

The police reported that the Weapons Training Officer observed that the door to the office was not secured, but rather it was left ajar

He then entered the office, where he observed that the padlocks on the strongbox were cut off, the chain that secured the

Second driver charged with causing

firearmswasalsocut,andthe firearms mentioned were missing.

However, two other shotguns were left in the strongbox.

The Weapons Training Officer then informed the owner of the security service a49-year-oldbusinessmanof Diamond, East Bank

Demerara (EBD) When detectives arrived on the scene, they observed that the padlocks and chain were indeedcut.

The two shotguns were removed from the strongbox andlodged.

The office was checked, but there were no signs of breakage.

Increase in criminal cases before the...

From page 12 person cannot afford a Counsel, then the State must provide a Counsel for that accusedperson.”

and the prosecution of chargesisnoexception.

Added to this, Ali Hack said persons who are charged with sexual offences ought to have a Counsel appearing for them atthetrial.

…placed

bail death of Lusignan pedestrian

on $100,000

The second driver involved in the death of Prahalad Sawh, the pedestrian who was killed in a hit and run accident on the Lusignan Public Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) last year, was on Monday charged with causing death bydangerousdriving.

The driver, Wavell Lamatt, 44, of Beterverwagting, ECD made his first court appearance at the Vigilance Magistrates' Court before Magistrate Fabayo Azore where the charge was readtohim.

Lamatt pleaded not guilty to the chargewhichallegesthatonAugust15, 2022atLusignanPublicRoad,hedrove motorcar PVV 854 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the deathof54-year-oldSawhofLusignan.

He was placed on bail to the tune of $100,000.

It was reported that on August 15, around18:55hrs,theaccidentinvolving Sawh, Lamatt and motorcyclist 31year-old Leon Lewis of Lot 175 Nkrumah Street, Annandale, ECD occurred.

According to police reports, the motorcar (driven by Lamatt) and motorcycle (driven by Lewis) were proceeding east along the southern lane of the northern carriageway of Lusignan Public Road, when it was

alleged by the motorcyclist that he was behind a minibus and suddenly saw a shadow walked across the road from southtonorth.

Lewis said when the bus passed; he saw a pedestrian in front of him crossing and was so close that he collided with the pedestrian causing them to fall on the road surface where they both received injuries about their bodies.

After the collision, Lewis reportedly picked up his motorcycle and left the scene of the accident. The man sought treatment at the Balwant SinghHospital.Hewasfoundbypolice at the hospital and subsequently transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and was placedunderpoliceguard.

Meanwhile, on the night on the accident, Lamatt had told police that while proceeding east along the public roadatanormalrateofspeedbehindthe motorcyclist,hesawsomeonelayingon the road way and he pulled north to avoid a collision but despite his effort, heranoverthesaidperson.

Lamatt said he then pulled his vehicle to the northern side of the road and stopped to investigate when he discovered a male laying on the road surfacemotionless.

The police and ambulance were summoned to the scene. Sawh was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Police had reported that a notice of intended prosecution was served on the driver of the motorcar who was placed in custody to assist with investigations. A breathalyzer test found no trace of alcoholonhisbreath.

On August 19, 2022, Lewis was charged with causing death by dangerous driving and was granted bail to the tune of $500,000. He had appeared in the Sparendaam Magistrates' Court where he had pleadednotguiltytothecharge.

She noted an accused person must not personally c r o s s - e x a m i n e a complainant, hence, a personchargedwithasexual offence must be provided by the State with a Counsel at thetrialiftheaccusedperson cannotaffordone.

TheConstitutionalrights ofanaccusedpersoninclude the right to cross-examine the witnesses for the prosecution which includes the complainant. However, the DPPsaid this sometimes poses a hindrance to the prosecutionproceedingwith acase.

“As I mentioned earlier, there has been an increase in the number of cases listed to be heard at the Demerara Criminal Assizes. The cases for Demerara Assizes increased from 230 in January 2018 to 307 for this January 2023 Assizes. This 33 percent increase. The increase commenced in 2019 when the October list had 322 cases listed compared to the January October list for the said year whichhad260.”

She stressed that no systemiswithoutchallenges

The DPP noted that the summoning of witnesses to attend court and the summoning of accused persons who are on bail to attend court is the greatest challenge which State Counselfaces.

She explained that “People move from the addresses which they give at the time of the commission of the offence and so at times, by the time the case is ready for hearing, they cannot be located. Another challenge is the number of judges sitting in the criminal sittings.”

Further, the DPPpointed to the need for a bench book (guidelines) to be used by judges at the trials in these sittings.

She explained a bench book would provide standard directions which judges would use in the summing up and would reduce the need for appeal. In some cases, the appeal is being allowed because the defencewasnotfairlyput.

According to the DPP, when defences are not adequately put by the judges at the trial this can be a ground for the Court of Appeal allowing an appeal andorderingaretrial.

She noted that “Retrials are costly to the State and puts a strain on an already overburdened system. The casehastobeaddedontothe alreadylonglist.”

Remanded, Linton Trotman

Remanded, Sheldon King

Remanded, Carlton Damion Singh

Charged, Wavell Lamatt

…Secretariaturgesthemto

comeforwardwithcomplaints

Guyanese workers accuse Halliburton of flouting Local Content Law

Halliburton’s Office is located on the third floor of this Lot 103 Carmichael Street, building minus any identifying signage.

Guyanesemakingclaims against alleged noncompliant local content oil and gas companies must make reports to the Local Content Secretariat so that appropriate action could be taken to address the matter This is according to the agency’s Public Relations OfficerMikailaPrince.

Kaieteur News in the pasthadreportedrecentlyon locals who say that oil and gassubcontractorsarehiring foreigners and paying them higher salaries than Guyanese despite them being able to do the same work.Aformer employee at HalliburtonGuyanaInc.has also accused that company offailingtoadheretothelaw w h e r e G u y a n e s e employment is concerned.

The employee, who parted ways with the US oil field service provider last year, said that the company continues to ignore the law in relation to purchases and Personnel. “Presently, their Local Content record stands at a dismal approximate 23 percent to 25 percent in termsofpersonnel.

Additionally, they are continuing to hire Expats for positions which locals can fulfill They are bringing in Expats from the Region,todothesamejobs as locals and pay them higher salaries, provide housing allowances, vehicle allowances, etc , ” the former logistics staff said He explained that the majority of the local workers are paid “pittance in comparison to the expats who are primarily Venezuelans&Brazilians ”

The staffer said that in the eight years Halliburton has been in Guyana “there has been no local employee promoted to a supervisor or Coordinatorpositionandthe internshipisbeingdisguised as a way to improve Local

Content reporting but 90% ofthetimetheinternsdonot transition to permanent staff.”

In the meantime, “the localswhoarepermanentare stifledandnotpromotedand aremadetowatchtheexpats receive a higher salary & benefitsforthesametypeof jobsdone.”

Outside of that, it was alleged that a Procurement Specialist was relocated to another department in the company, “even though he has been instructed to r e m o v e f r o m t h e organization in Guyana as issued by the Local Content Secretariat & Ministry of NaturalResources.”

SupportServicesinclude logistics Specialist, Materials Specialist, Finance & Admin, Real Estate Coordinator, Health & Safety Specialist, InventoryandTechnicians.

Contacted on the issue Country Manager for Halliburton Vahman Jurai denied allegations of not meeting the local content employment requirement He told the publication during a telephone conversationthattheoilfield service provider “…is in compliance with the local content policies process and obligations and actually, we have exceeded our employment percentages as itrelatestolocalcontent.”

Hesaidwhiletheformer employee may be making such allegations, it could be that the employee didn’t understand the law He said “ a l o t o f p e o p l e misunderstand the local content policy ” Jurai offered the newspaper more information, but requested thatitbeputinwriting.

In relation to the allegations, Prince said the Secretariat has received no official report on any of the allegations made. She said

“We haven’t been informed officially and so I can’t comment on veracity of the claim. I can’t confirm or denywhetherthisisactually the situation that’s happening at Halliburton and other companies operating here, what I can say though is that these companies are required to submitannualplansandhalf yearplans.”

Princeexplainedthatthe annual plan represents a projection of how much companies are going to spend on services, who was employed, and how many persons were trained. The halfyearplanshecontinued wouldgivethesecretariatan idea of the locals who were actually employed, trained as well as information regarding procurement. She insistedthatattheendofthe year, all companies are supposed to meet the specific target of 90 percent Guyanesestaffwherelegally required.

She told the publication that the secretariat celebrated its first anniversary just days ago and they are awaiting the companies’ plans to ascertainwhethertheyarein keeping with the targets undertheAct.

She said that the Secretariat is awaiting the companies’ end of year reportfor2022whichshould beinbytheendofthemonth.

Prince noted that the Secretariat has methods in place to verify if what the companies are saying is actually what’s on the ground. She reminded that there are penalties for companies not conforming to the law which include a fineofasmuchas$50M.

She urged therefore the citizens with complaints take it to the Secretariat where it could be looked into.

PresidentAlireceivesIndia's highestoverseasaward

President Irfaan Ali was on Tuesday conferredwiththePravasiBharatiyaSamman Award(PBSA)fortheyear2023,byPresident ofIndia,HonourableDroupadiMurmu.

The award ceremony was held at the valedictory session of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2023, Indore, India.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is the highest Indian award for non-resident Indian and overseas citizen of India or an organisationorinstitution,establishedandrun by non-resident Indians or persons of Indian origin.

President Ali was among more than 20 awardees who have been recognised by the Government of India for their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad. He was honoured for his performance in politics/communitywelfare.

He was invited as the chief guest for the convention and is accompanied by Foreign AffairsMinister,HughTodd;Ministerwithin the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, Anand Persaud, and otherofficials.

India’s President, Droupadi Murmu underscoredthattheconfermentwillserveas an encouragement to the awardees, allowing themtopursuegreaterheightsinthefuture.

India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K.JSrinivasacongratulatedPresidentAli for being the recipient of the prestigious award, noting that it is recognition of his efforts to bring about rapid and equitable developmentinGuyana.

Dr SrinivasacalledonGuyanesetowork forthegrowthandsuccessofthenationandto play an active role in fulfilling the country’s uniquedestiny

President Irfaan Ali receives the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (DPI)

President Irfaan Ali with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (DPI)

Shanika Bruce replaces Cherry Ann Fraser for Women's T20I Tri-Series in South Africa

ST JOHN'S, Antigua –

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel announced that seam bowler, Shanika Bruce will join the team in South Africa for the upcoming T20 International (T20I) Tri-Nation Series against hosts South Africa and India. She comes in as a replacement for Cherry Ann Fraserwhohasbeenruledout duetoinjury Bruce represented the West Indies Women's 'A' Team in 2021 when Pakistan toured the Caribbean. She has played three T20Is for B a r b a d o s a t t h e Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England last year

The Tri-Series will be played from 19 to 30 January and forms part of the preparations for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup

which will also be played in SouthAfrica.

Lead Selector Ann Browne-John said, “It's unfortunate that Cherry Ann Fraser has been ruled out of the Tri-Series and ICC Women'sT20WorldCupdue to injury Fraser has shown improvement during the recent series against England and would have provided another fast-bowling option fortheskipper Shanika Bruce will replace Fraser in the TriSeries squad. Bruce had a successful regional tournament last year and was oneofthetopbowlers,soasa result we believe she is the right fit for the team at this time.”

The West Indies Women will play at least four matches, playing two matches each against hosts

South Africa and India. The two leading teams will then play each other in the TriSeries Final on 2 February West Indies will also play a warm-up match against SouthAfricaaheadoftheTriSeries at Beacon Bay on 16 January

Final squads for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa must be submittedby2February The eightheditionofthemarquee ICC Women's event will begin on 10 February with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. West Indies have been drawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, PakistanandIreland.

FULL SQUAD

Hayley Matthews (Captain)

AaliyahAlleyne Shanika Bruce Shemaine Campbelle

Wednesday January 11, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Good news regarding writing, speaking, or publishing could come your way today You might feel terribly bored with life and suddenly have the urge to get awayforawhile.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20)

Paperwork regarding a bonus, settlement, or dividend of some kind might need to be executed today It will probably be boring. You willgetitdone.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Strained nerves and trepidation about unpleasant tasks could have you on edge and likely to take your stress out on those closest to you. Trytoavoidthis,Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Yo u m i g h t f e e l overworked today Your energycouldbeflagging,and youmayevenfeelfeverish.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today you're apt to feel especially romantic. Novels, movies, and poetry about love will be appealing. If you're currently romantically involved,considerplanninga special evening with your partner

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22)

Arushofactivityathome is probably going to involve preparations for a journey or event. More than one visitor could arrive during the courseoftheday

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You may experience increased physical and mental activity today Perhaps you will have to do a lot of reading or writing very quickly, make a number of phone calls, or run more errands than you have time for

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You might discover a hiddentalentforwriting,orif you already know this, you may find that your skill is greaterthanyoususpected.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You might feel on edge today but not know why.You may jump at unexpected noises or think you see or hear things that aren't there. Youaren'tgoingcrazy

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Youmaywonderifyou're losing your memory today You might have the strange feeling that there was something you had to do but can'tquiterememberwhat.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Today you might have to do a lot of communicating with friends. Perhaps you need to make phone calls or catchuponcorrespondence.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Aprominent male author whose work you enjoy might publishanewbook.Youmay consider doing some writing of your own, particularly if youhaveastorytotell.

Shamilia Connell Britney Cooper Chedean Nation Afy Fletcher

Shabika Gajnabi Sheneta Grimmond

Chinelle Henry Karishma Ramharack Kaysia Schultz

Shakera Selman

Stafanie Taylor

Rashada Williams

FULLMATCH

SCHEDULE

16 January: warm-up match vs South Africa XI at Beacon Bay (start time TBC)

T20I Tri-Series Match Schedule (all matches to be played at Buffalo Park, East London)

21 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

23 January: vs India, 7pmlocaltime(1pmEastern Caribbean/12noonJamaica)

25 January: vs South Africa, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am

Jamaica)

30January:vsIndia,3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8amJamaica)

2 February: Tri-Series Final, 3pm local time (9am Eastern Caribbean/8am Jamaica)

Guyana's attendance...

From page 22 and several other factors, but we're happy to have it back thisyear,”Ninvallesaid.

Ninvalle stated that TrinidadandTobagoagreedto send two female boxers and theywilltouchgloveswiththe Jackman sisters (Abiola and Alesha).

“We haven't had any competition in a while for our female boxers. So, we want to ensure, at least for the next four years, we have regular competition for them,” the GBAheadsaid.

From page 24

D e c e m b e r 2 0 2 2 A spokesperson forAlves, asked by Reuters for comment, said the player "vehemently denies" all allegations. Alves is currently in Mexico playing for Pumas UNAM.Alves told Antena 3 in an interview last week that he was at the club with other people but he denied any such behaviour."I was dancing and having a good time without invading anyone's space," he said. "I don't know who this lady is...How could I do that to a woman?No."

Full-back Alves became theoldestBraziliantoplayina World Cup match when he captained the team against Cameroon in Qatar earlier in December

He also holds the record for most career trophies with 43, counting club and internationalcompetitions.

Dani Alves under...

Shanika Bruce (Getty Images)

Guyana's attendance at IBA Golden Belt Series in Morocco in limbo

By Rawle Toney

Gu y a n a ' s participation at the International Boxing Association (IBA) IBA World Boxing Tour Golden Belt Series Tournament in Morocco hangs in a balance according to president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), SteveNinvalle.

While Keevin Allicock, Desmond Amsterdam and Colin Lewis have been selected and registered for t h e t o u r n a m e n t i n Marrakech, January 31 –February 12, Ninvalle highlighted that with airfare of USD 3,450 per boxer and Coach Terrence Poole, the country's attendance will be deliberated.

“Airfare will be the determining factor with regards to if we attend the Championship or not. The airfare is staggering, and we h a v e n ' t f a c t o r - i n accommodation, per diem and other expenses yet,” Ninvallesaid.

According to IBA, the tournament in Marrakech will become the third event oftheWorldBoxingTour.

The World Boxing Tour (WBT)consistsofaseriesof eventsthatareclassifiedinto

fourcategories;theDiamond Belt, Golden Belt, Silver Belt and Bronze Belt tournaments.

The IBAhighlighted that the WBT tournaments will contribute to the new IBA ranking system, which will allow boxers to collect valuable points in each tournament.

These points will help define not only the most successful boxers at the end of the year but also the most successful National Federations, having generated the highest results throughouttheseason.

Meanwhile, Ninvalle

said the GBA though u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e tournament in Morocco will have to choose between sending a team to the North African country or the IBA Male and Female World Championships.

The IBA Women's Championship will take place in India, March 15-31, w h i l e t h e M e n ' s Championship is set for Tashkent,Uzbekistan,May1 –14.

“Attending the World Championships is a must,” Ninvalle said while adding, “We've sent teams to the last two World Championships, but this time around we are also attending the Women's World Championship. That is for certain,” the GBA presidentnoted.

Ninvalle pointed out that Abiola Jackman will be heading to New Delhi as the GBA shifts their focus and attention to give more exposure to their skilled femaleboxers.

“We have the second edition of the Patrick Forde Memorial on February 19 and we're doing that with Alfred McDonald. We haven't had them since 2019 andthat'sbecauseofCOVID (Continued on page 21)

GBA president, Steve Ninvalle

Golf students shine as brightly as the sun

The sun came out in its glory as 57 students from Rosignol Secondary School came to the Nexgen Golf Academy yesterday in preparationfortheirSBAfor CSECPEgolfthisyear Last year Sir Kevon Jawahir had 38 students take and pass golf at CSEC for the first time in Guyana's history and this year, he has surpassed thatnumber,onceagainwith more than 64% of the participantsbeinggirls.

Joining the coaching staff for the event was multiple-time Guyana Open Wo m e n ' s C h a m p i o n Christine Sukhram, who along with Head Coach

Aleem Hussain, Philip Haynes and Al Wilson spent severalhoursworkingonthe various aspects of the game with the students The session concluded with a mini tournament with girls vs. boys which ended up with Devena Chanderpaul winning for the girls, defeating Dharmendra Sahadeoinaplayoff. A few weeks ago, Bush Lot Secondary had 53 students at the Academy for their PE Golf SBA, once again showing that the sport is rapidly becoming popular in all regions around the country and not just focused inthecity

Education Officer Mr. Saddam Hussain has indicated his full support, "The rapid growth of golf in Guyana has peaked our interest and as we try to ensure that more students take up PE as a subject, the fact that so many young womenareinterestedingolf, we definitely want to see it grow in our system from Grade7andup."

Asked what were the plans for 2023, President of t h e G u y a n a G o l f Association,AleemHussain, said that an affiliation with an internationalorganization was in the works as well as several major tournaments scheduled for schools,

regions and Caribbean Drive, Chip and Putt Junior Tournament in addition to several Guyana Tourism

Authority activities throughout the year "Our

main focus is on creation of playing facilities since it's obvious that Guyana has the potential to dominate in the Golf arena and we want to build an Olympic team as

soonaspossible."

For more information on golfing in Guyana, visit the Nexgen Golf Academy on Facebook or Instagram or call645-0944.

Newly appointed Chief

Students from Rosignol Secondary School participate at the Nexgen Golf Academy in preparation for their SBA for CSEC PE golf this year.

RHTYSC Names Cricket Captains for busy

BCB 2023 season

With the Berbice Cricket Board planning for a busy 2023 on the cricket field, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club has started early preparation by naming the captains of their different teams for the year The Cricket Development Committee of the club under the chairmanship of Robby Kissoonlall made the s e l e c t i o n a f t e r a comprehensive review of the club's performance in 2022 and the players personal discipline, attitude and leadershipabilities.

CWI Emerging player and former West Indies under19 player Kelvon Anderson was selected to l e a d t h e N a m i l c o Thunderbolt Flour first division team that would include players like Clinton Pestano, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tydnall, Eon H o o p e r , J o n a t h a n Rampersaud among others. Andersonwouldalsoleadthe club under23 team for the year

West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle would be in charge of the Metro Female Team, while Ryan Kissoonlall would lead the Bakewell Second Division team.

Ten years old Dharvish Narine is the captain of under11 team, while the followingappointmentswere also announced - Leon Reddy (Poonai Pharmacy under13) Sohail Mohamed (Farfan and Mendes under15), Romesh Bharrat (Bakewell under17), Matthew Pottaya (Pepsi under19) and Jonathan

Rampersaud (Namilco under21). Reddy, Mohamed, Pottaya and Rampersaud are all national junior players, while Bharrat is a Berbice intercounty

The RHTYSC,MS in 2022 produced a record twenty two national players at all levels and also forty for B e r b i c e C l u b Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the objectivein2023wouldbeto increase the tally of both the inter-county and national pool, while expanding the number of players at the under13level.

The club has launched an aggressive recruitment drive by visiting primary schools in the Lower Corentyne area and the response has been positive.

The players are currently undergoing special coaching under the RHTYSC Kiddies Academy programme and would be available for selection to the club under11 and13teams.

Organising Secretary Robby Kissoonlall, who also serves as the club cricket

manager, stated that massive investment would be made into obtaining the necessary equipment and gear to cater forthenewmembers.

He also stated that the club would place special interest in ensuring that the players perform well in their pursuitofeducation.

They would benefit from assistance of school bags, educational materials, bicycles and educational grants under the club say no/say yes campaign Additionally, each cricket team of the club would be required to successfully complete a minimum of t w e n t y p e r s o n a l development projects in the year as part of the club's effort to make a positive difference in the county of Berbice.

The projects would be held under a wide range of sub headings including charity, educational, social, anti drugs, medical o u t r e a c h e s , y o u t h information, community development, religious and awards.

Dani Alves under investigation for sexual assault, court confirms

Alvesdeniesanywrongdoing.

ThecourtinBarcelonasaidinastatement it had opened proceedings "for an alleged crime of sexual assault as a result of the complaint filed by a woman for events that

month."

The statement did not specifically name Alves but a court spokeswoman confirmed to Reuters that he was the subject of the complaint. She said the case was under investigation but the court had no more

information.

Spanish media had reported that a woman had accused Alves of touching her beneath her underwear without her consent when she waswithfriendsatanightclubinlate

Kelvon Anderson

Dharvish Narine,

Romesh Bharrat Matthew Pottaya Leon Reddy

MADRID, (Reuters) - Former Barcelona and Brazil defender Dani Alves is under investigation over an allegation that he sexually assaulted a woman in a nightclub in Spain last month, Catalonia's Supreme Court saidyesterday

allegedlyoccurredinanightclubinBarcelona last

Brazil's Dani Alves during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

- Anderson to Captain Namilco Thunderbolt first division team

Danns lands Head Coach job at Macclesfield Town FC T

Golden Jaguars midfield maestro, Neil Danns, has been appointed Head Coach of Macclesfield Town Football Club, a team which competes in the Northern Premier League on the EnglishFootballpyramid.

Danns will have Mark Duffy as his Assistant in a deal that initially spans until the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

According to a club statement, “Since being named in an interim capacity last month, there can be no

doubt that both our performances and results haveinspiredusall.”

The club went on to state that the passion, desire, and work ethic shown by the entire squad has been clear for all to see – exemplifying the fact that the players are unwaveringly behind the newCoachingTeam.

Midfield ace Danns signed for Macclesfield FC on a non-contract basis in September,2021.

Danns made a total of 85 league and cup appearances

for Colchester United, after joiningthemfromBlackburn Rovers in December 2004, initiallyonloan.

The former Crystal P a l a c e a n d B o l t o n Wanderers favourite had a trial spell with League Two Oldham Athletic before joining the reformed Macclesfield.

Since lacing up for Golden Jaguars in 2015, Danns found the net 11 times, while assisting on most of Guyana's goals since then.

D'Andrade places third in Bigi Broki Waka's return

Guyanese Lionel D'Andrade copped a podium finish in the return of the annual Bigi Broki Waka 5K, 10K Road Race held in Surinameoverthepastweekend.

The 42-year old clocked a time of 40 minutes and 37 seconds (40:37s) to place third in the 10K Seniors Division behind the winner, Pikentio Shaquille, who stopped the clocked at 38:37s and second place finisher, Hunswijk Sercio, who ran an even 40 minutes.

In the race that had 460 starters participating in the walk/jog, 5km and 10km activities, D'Andrade told Kaieteur Sport that it proved be a tough performance for him because he had some additional weight to

shedpriortotheevent.

However, he was able to dig deep and salvage a good result in his first event of the year

The distance athlete also added that his next event is geared for this weekend in Trinidad and Tobago but he will not compete becauseheisallowinghimselfafullrecovery before participating again, which is expected tobeinFebruary

Meanwhile, D'Andrade paid homage to hissponsor,Builder'sLumberYard,theentity thathascontinuouslysupportedtheathleteon his journey.The last Big Broki Waga was staged in January 2019, prior to the arrival of theCOVID-19pandemic.

Lionel D'Andrade (left) on the podium with Pikentio Shaquille (centre) and Hunswijk Sercio, during the award ceremony.

Danns lands Head Coach job at Macclesfield Town FC

Desmond Amsterdam, Keevin Allicock and Colin Lewis at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England (Rawle Toney Photo)

Rosignol Secondary School

Golf Academy

Shanika Bruce