Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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

GTU hails Wednesday Edition 'isolation day' a success January 12, 2022 - Vol. 15 No.02

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 77,770

…says 60% of teachers did not report for duty

Despite no EPA, FDP approvals…

ExxonMobil races ahead with another multi-million th $$$ contract for 4 Project $2.1B spent to repair hinterland roads last year

The protest continues for change to ExxonMobil’s contract.

Lone company Nandlall bids $37M to moves to CCJ supply AC units for elections for forensic lab petition case

Speaker “waters-down” Gas-to-Shore Motion ...finally places it on order paper three months after submission Our leaders are collaborating with the foreign financial slave masters to enslave the citizens of this country while they loot our treasure trove. @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday January 12, 2022

Contracts for new Demerara River bridge, other projects to be signed in first quarter Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill on Monday announced that the

contracts for the $11.6B Ogle to Eccles four-lane road, the US$190M Linden

to Mabura road and the construction of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge will be signed before the conclusion of the first quarter.

Edghill who made the announcement during a news conference on Tuesday, noted that the road projects are still in the procurement stage, while a team is currently concluding the negotiations and administrative details to prepare the contract for the

new bridge.

According to Edghill, the Ministry was able to achieve 85 percent of its work programme for 2021, while the remaining two road projects account for the 15 percent.

“Everything we set out to do in 2021, we are able to do it and we lost some time particularly on the foreign funded programmes as a result of engagement in a very iterative process with the financial institutions and

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill

the international agencies, in the case of the Linden to Mabura Hill road and the Indian Government for the Ogle to Eccles road,” he mentioned.

According to the Minister, the $34B Linden to Mabura road is at the procurement stage; presently engaging the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). “We hope to have that concluded within a matter of weeks,” he assured.

In December 2020, it was announced that the CDB, the Government of Guyana and the United Kingdom Government have partnered to fund this US$190 million project, for the upgrading of approximately 121km of road from Linden to Mabura Hill to an asphaltic concrete road that would improve the connectivity between Guyana’s hinterland and the coastal areas.

According to reports, the Bank is putting US$112 million through a loan towards this project, the government is putting US$12 million, and the UK Government is putting US$66 million.

This project will represent the first phase of the much-hyped Linden/Lethem roadway, which would improve travel time to Brazil and connections to thousands of hinterland people.

The unpaved 450km road from Linden to Lethem is often impassable in the rainy season, due to flooding along low-lying sections of the road. The upgrading of the road will provide yearround connectivity between Linden and Mabura Hill, improving conditions for many locals.

As for the Indian funded bypass road, Ogle to Eccles, Minister Edghill noted, “that is also at its final procurement stages in terms of its evaluation and preparation for an ward of

contract.” In December, bids were open for this project, which saw three firms vying for the contract.

The construction of the 26km four-lane road will also include drains, sidewalks and corridor, linking two main prominent areas in the country. Besides linking communities on the East Coast and the East Bank of Demerara, it will also play a key role in terms of diverting traffic.

The Ogle to Eccles road project is estimated to cost some US$48,676,922.

“I like to assure you that contracts for both of these projects will be signed before the conclusion of the first quarter of 2022, and works will begin to advance,” note the Minister.

As for the signing of the contract for the new $51.2B Demerara Harbour Bridge, it was assured by Edghill that that would take place soon.

At the conference, he shared that “A specially appointed team is concluding the negotiations and all the administrative details to prepare for the signing of the contract for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. Between the week before Christmas and today, six such meetings were held and the sun is getting ready to shine brightly because we should have a final contract agreed on in the very shortest possible time.”

Kaieteur News understands that the construction of the new bridge is expected to conclude within two years.

This four-lane, high-span fixed bridge, which is commonly referred to as a “flyover bridge” is set to be built with the lifespan of 50 years and will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime.

Following a no objection by the Cabinet last year, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited was selected to construct the new bridge.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 12, 2022

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Speaker “waters-down” Gas-to-Shore Motion The Speaker of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, Manzoor Nadir, has finally approved a motion by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), David Patterson on the controversial US$900 million Gas to Shore Project, submitted over 70 days ago, but not before removing a number of critical resolved clauses.

In response to a letter Patterson sent on Saturday, the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs, informed the MP that the Speaker has approved the Motion to be published on the Notice Paper. Approval was granted by him on January 10, 75 days after submission by Patterson.

According to the document “His Honour examined the motion, as altered by him and amended by you, and found it to be in order”.

In his motion, Patterson asked that the Gas-to-Shore Project’s final decision be put on hold until the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources presents its

- finally places it on order paper three months after submission

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson Report to the Assembly for debate and approval.

The Shadow Oil and Gas Minister has requested that comprehensive studies be conducted by independent, internationally-recognised consultants to inform the decision. Furthermore, the motion outlines that an investigation should be done to understand the geological, environmental, and safety risks with mitigative actions, from pipeline leaks, ruptures and movements that may be caused by defective construction, aging, corrosion, seabed landforms,

mudslides, hurricanes, tsunami, faults, fractures, and seismic activities such as earthquakes and volcanoes.

Additionally, the MP requested analyses of the available technology for real-time monitoring of the deep-water pipeline to ensure its integrity and reliable detection of subsurface leaks and the environmental, safety and health risks with mitigative actions associated with accommodating the gaps in technology.

The motion also calls for the investigation of the

$2.1B spent to repair hinterland roads last year During 2021, a number of roads in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 were rehabilitated and constructed by the government to a tune of $2,150,000,000, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodar Indar said.

He made the disclosure during a news conference on Monday. The minister said some major works were done last year on these roads because some were either destroyed by heavy rainfall or by heavily loaded trucks.

In Region One, Minister Indar noted that roads were constructed with concrete, a move taken by the ministry to move away from laterite roads. “We are moving away in some of the communities from the laterite roads to concrete roads especially in the Mabaruma area, Kumaka to Kwebanna and so on.

Although we have the laterite roads, we did maintenance of those. We are pushing kilometer of road every year to make sure that the entire stretch is concrete, so in Region One we have started the process there,” he explained.

Similar to that, laterite roads in Region Seven, mainly in the Kaburi area, Butakai and Puruni were also maintained because these were roads destroyed by severe flooding.

“Rainfall continues to be a serious impediment as well as very heavy laden trucks that continue to use the road when there is down pouring and cause damage to the road that we have to be constantly repairing. So there is a lot of works that were done in region seven,” he added.

As it relates to Region Eight, Indar noted that works were done on the Denham Bridge and culverts around the area.

“We invest $100 million in the ground of communities within the North Paramakatoi

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar areas for community engagement projects in a number of communities; Kopinang, Monkey Mountain area, Paramakatoi, Chiung Mouth and some other areas,” he mentioned.

Further, rehabilitation of roads was done in Region Nine, from Lethem to Aishalton, while upgrading of asphaltic roads were done between Lethem to St. Ignatius. Due to the flood which occurred earlier in the year, it would have destroyed the Annai to Lethem road where works had to be done. Roads works, according to the Minister, were executed from Karasabai to Yurong Paru also.

“In region 10, there is a number of roads we did in terms of the Mabura corridor. Again heavy laden trucks and rainfall continue to destroy these as we build. It’s continuous building but is has to be done,” the Minister related.

Other locations where road works were done in that region are Kwakwani, Rockstone, Muritaro and Malali. Lastly, Indar stated that a lot of rehabilitated works were done on the hinterland airstrips which too were destroyed by immense rain fall.

h e a l t h , s a f e t y, a n d environmental risks with mitigative actions posed by the shallow draft and worsening marine traffic congestion at the mouth of the Demerara River; and “an analysis of the economic, social, and environmental renewable alternatives such as solar, hydropower and wind, including an energy mix with phasing, thereof; consistent with our overall effort to achieve a low

carbon economy and compliance with the Paris Agreement on climate change”.

The motion will be debated on January 24.

In a brief telephone interview, Patterson said that he was happy that the motion will finally be allowed. He however reminded that certain aspects of his initial request have been removed by the Speaker.

One such omitted clause,

w as seeking discussions on gas leakages and exposures in the marine environment, which have shown to be highly toxic to fish, and living organisms and the e c o l o g y, w h i c h c o u l d devastate the fishing industry.

Another of the omitted clause from the motion had indicated that “whereas determined in a March 2021 United States Bureau of Continued on page 18

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 12, 2022

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

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

EDITORIAL

Brazil - We agree

W

e have always said do what is right for the peoples of this country and we are with whichever leader or group that is responsible.

We have no axe to grind, nothing to prove, as our record of calling out all the major political parties over the years stands on its own merits. So, when Guyana’s President Ali looks to and speaks of neighbouring Brazil in the right terms and with the correct visions, we are all for it.

We are with the President and PPP/C Government when the most recent public posture is that Brazil is more than a neighbour, it is vital partner (“Guyana wants Brazil to be a ‘very strong strategic partner’ -President Ali -discusses agenda for visit with Brazil President” -KN January 11).

We couldn’t agree more, as it makes for much sense.

Now that the President has said so, he must work diligently so that this is more than a nice, catchy phrase, which no one can disagree with, and make it come to mean something.

Brazil is the Latin Americas regional giant hands down, and in many ways, all of which stand to the benefit of little Guyana perched next to her, and stirring into life with its oil discoveries.

Despite some ups and downs and being overshadowed in some respects by OPEC neighbour Venezuela in the oil world, Brazil has been a constant and meaningful presence in this same global oil sector, into which Guyana now steps with many mistakes already chalked up against its name.

We can learn from Brazil, for where Venezuela has been the highflyer and sprinter, Brazil has been more of a marathon runner, steady at the wheel, while navigating some bumps in the road, and dealing with the occasional flat tyre in its own oil.

Nevertheless, Brazil has accumulated a lot of oil knowledge and wisdom that could be of meaning to Guyana, but only if we are prepared to listen and learn, and not pretend to know more than we do.

Brazil is right here with its giant oil sector, both onshore and offshore, and from those, there is so much oil wisdom to be obtained. Given our own stumbling start, we would be missing a golden opportunity not to capitalise on what is right on our doorstep.

Beyond oil, President Ali did note that our geographical location next to each other facilitates linking between our two countries, which in and of itself makes a strong statement and sends strong signals.

One of those signals that some astute Guyanese have been talking about for years now is that given the size and muscle of Brazil, Guyana must be sensible in finding ways to work with it and enable the presence of a counterbalance on our side in our relationships.

As significant as that is, and of inestimable value in times of trouble and tenseness, it is but one space that must be explored, since there are many others begging for the taking.

Trade is one, which Guyana’s President Ali spoke of, and it certainly has teeth. Preferential agreements involving tariffs and quotas, once finalised, would both go a long way on cementing what could be an enriching relationship to both countries, and those citizens taking advantage of the arrangements formalised.

Among the commodities identified for special mention were bauxite and rice, with the objective for the latter being greater export tonnage to Brazil. Both bauxite and rice could use a facelift and generate not only increase revenues to Guyana, but they could call for more of our people being gainfully occupied in both sectors, one industrial, the other agricultural.

It is our belief that Guyana being a part of a viable longterm relationship with Brazil makes for the most sense, and stands to favour the interests of this struggling society, which already has thousands of Brazilians in our presence.

Government leaders are aware and have spoken of the need for boots on the ground, as in workers in due course, and it goes without saying that Brazilians will be a notable part of that incoming mix.

As President Bolsonaro himself said, the agenda looks “very promising.” It is as a place from which to start as any.

HATS OFF TO DR. ZULFIKAR BUX DEAR EDITOR, The Coronavirus pandemic continues on its destructive path with no end in sight. As cases here and abroad continue to rise, and as the experts experiment with various drugs and work painstakingly at producing various vaccines, the word that’s out remains - there is no definitive cure. Notwithstanding this dismal prognosis, we continue to hear positive results from persons who used and have been using simple every-day natural products that cost very little and are readily available.

I have seen videos online, and also have first-hand knowledge of persons here in Guyana and overseas who have successfully used these products and have recovered from COVID-19.

I am talking about ginger, turmeric, garlic, lemon grass and other ‘bush teas’ and drinking lots of water and hot liquids. Also, persons who have crushed onions, put them in a soft cloth and placed them on their chest have experienced relief from congestion and were able to breathe more easily.

Everyone acknowledges the utmost importance of having a healthy and heightened immune system. I have listened to knowledgeable medical personnel explain the benefits

of adding supplements of zinc and vitamin C to our diet (Lists of foods containing zinc and vitamin C are easily available on the internet) in order to boost our immune system.

Kaieteur News of Tuesday, January 11th. 2022, greets us with the bold headline: ROBUST IMMUNE SYSTEM NEEDED TO COMBAT OMICRON. This is according to Medicine Specialist, Dr. Zulficar Bux, who has always presented a balanced approach to fighting this pandemic.

Nevertheless, while endeavouring to boost our immune system, we must continue to take precautionary measures - staying home as much as possible, practising social distancing, wearing masks, sanitising.

Here are some cases in point.

My friend in NY was diagnosed with COVID-19. As her condition worsened her husband called for an ambulance.

The ambulance came, but the seasoned ambulance driver advised her NOT to go to the hospital as she would be in the waiting room among many others.

They took his advice, and cared for her in a secluded area at home, being careful to use masks and sanitisers. She told me that when she visited Guyana late last year, she had taken back with her lots of “tea

bush” including lemon grass.

So her husband and sons fed her a constant diet of teas, chicken soup, along with the juice of ginger, turmeric and also garlic. She has fully recovered.

My other overseas-based friend related that she and her entire household - husband and children - became sick with flu-like symptoms. She too was advised by a nurse acquaintance of hers to selfquarantine. So her husband, in doctor-like fashion, boiled all of the aforesaid ingredients and had every member of the family drink regularly.

By this time her daughter had also lost the ability to taste and smell.

In less than two weeks the entire family was back on their feet. I can think of other recoveries that tell the same story.Some persons boil the ingredients. I prefer to use them raw, so I blend together ginger, turmeric, lemon juice, and a few cloves of garlic, with water and strain. A bit of honey makes it more palatable. Some persons may not be able to stomach the taste of raw garlic, and the experts say that too much heat lowers its potency, so I sometimes dice it finely and sprinkle it on hot food - - rice, greens, etc. In that way the salient nutrients are preserved and the dish is en-

hanced by a tantalising aroma.I wish I could accurately tell you what quantities are needed as you blend ingredients together, but I cannot. Nevertheless I encourage one and all to use these commodities daily, if possible, in small quantities (my family does!) as a prophylactic and hopefully curative attempt at arresting the virus.

Lastly, I was told by a former employee of UNDP, that while he worked there, IAST staff, were sent to India, under UN auspices, to be trained in ethnopharmacology.

This has been defined as “the scientific study of substances used medicinally, especially folk remedies, by different ethnic or cultural groups.” I am aware that traditional medicine does not normally take on board this branch of ‘ science’, but we should all be aware that the Pharmaceutical Industry frequently does research among Indigenous Communities here and elsewhere then uses that “Intellectual Property” for their own PROFIT. I am in no way down-playing the use of vaccines, but desperate times require desperate and sometimes unconventional measures. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

We can indeed get through this together.

Claudia Heywood

Fishermen should take Exxon to court for loss of income DEAR EDITOR, Fishermen complain that they cannot meet expenses in ocean outings. They are losing a lot of money in every outing. Some have put up their fishing boats for sale.

They believe that the oil industry has impacted their fish catch. They assert they ever since oil exploration began, their catch has declined sharply. No scientific linkage has been made. Is it the oil industry or overfishing by Chinese vessels operating in Guyanese waters responsible for low catch by local Guyanese fishermen? The fishermen have asked for compensation but have not given thought of court action.

Justice can only be obtained in a court hearing.

Thus, the fishermen should seriously consider filing a class action lawsuit.

This will also be considered a public interest lawsuit – unprecedented. A case and the ruling will build legal careers.

In the US and Trinidad, there are public interests lawsuits that build reputation of unknown lawyers. Conservative courts (majority of judges) and pro-government judges are not supportive of public interest litigation but liberal judges tend to be proenvironment and supportive of public interests issues. In neighbouring Trinidad, al-

most every public interest cases were won. Guyanese Fenton Ramshoye won several public interest litigation in Trinidad. He did most for free. In Guyana, lawyers should donate their services to public interest litigation.

This fish and oil matter can be a test case.

In Trinidad, Ramesh Maharaj was the lead local lawyer for public interest cases going back to the 1980s. He did not charge clients on public interest matters.

In several cases, he told me he did not expect to win in the High Court or Court of Appeal because of biased judgments. But he was confident he would win at the White Man’s court (Privy Council).

Our own Sir Fenton Ramsahoye told me same – lack of faith in local courts.

Fenton and Ramesh won almost all their cases at the Privy Council.

And they received millions of TT$ for court costs and legal fees awarded by the CCJ. There is equal justice in White countries; Guyana should follow that model.

The fishermen should consult with a local lawyer to take their case pro bono. Such a case provides an opportunity for a lawyer to make a big name in a lawsuit against Exxon. They would get international attention and they

would win.

The fishermen would get fair compensation for the rest of their lives if it can be proven that oil exploration impacted their livelihood (low catch).

The evidence is clear in several other countries! But it must be demonstrated in Guyana. It has been established by Marine biologists that seismic blasts associated with oil exploration scare away fish. There are many articles in leading science journals that seismic blasts affect fish life, driving away fish. In my own biology research in the lab, noise and strong waves scare away fish.

Exploration seismic waves and drilling noise could be reasons there is low catch in addition to Exxon preventing fishing boats to

fish in rich fish waters. But the fishermen claimed that Exxon security prevented (and still prevents) fishing boats from operating in the area of oil exploration, seismic blasts, drilling, and production – areas where they used to catch fish.

That, in and of itself, affects fishing and the livelihood of the fishermen. That entitles them to compensation.

The latter point is justifiable reason why fisher folks and everyone affiliated with the fishing industry (fishing companies, exporters, etc.) should be justly compensated.

They should file a class action lawsuit as would be done in Trinidad. Fish businesses should join them.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Just asking…

DEAR EDITOR, What about licenses for our POLITICIANS to bring them too in line with professional standards? Do we not deserve politicians to perform to the high standards we expect from other professionals?

Compared to teachers and other professionals, politicians in Guyana have the most important roles in our livelihood.

Perhaps the Code of Conduct for politicians that ex-Prime Minister Nagamootoo worked on could be improved and used to grade politicians.

Just asking…

Muhammad Alli

Wednesday January 12, 2022

The police force should focus on minor crimes quickly graduate to become serious crime the root of crime offenders.

DEAR EDITOR, I recently read with great interest the editorial of Kaieteur News dated January 05, 2022 under the caption, “Massive crime reduction would be most welcomed.”

This editorial has titillated me to activate my laptop, put my fingers on the keyboard and again share some views on the crime statistics released by the Guyana Police Force.

In the opening paragraph the editor posited, “Last year Region 4 Commander of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) said that there was a reduction of crime from the previous year (KN September 3). It is not an ordinary reduction in serious crime, but a ‘massive’ one, which the statistics, on the face of things, seem to reinforce.

Yet, there is the continuing struggle to reconcile statistics with reality, and soothing statistics with gnawing perception that the crime situation is not massively reduced in Region 4. Not reduced at all, but is going the other way, meaning that it is increasing and everywhere.”

The writer further mentioned that the last thing that the paper would want to do is to think that Region 4 Commander, Simon McBean is a party to any kind of statistical slickness. The paper thinks too well of Commander McBean, and he has not given any cause for the papers to be otherwise.

I share the same view about Commander Simon McBean. I know him well.

While I was the Commandant of the Felix Austin Police College ‘B’ Division I recruited McBean. He will always remember how ackward his Interview for Selection for the GPF was with me.

I designed it that way. Although he was highly qualified on paper I rigorously tested him to find out what he was made of.

With extreme difficulty he passed the interview. He became a recruit and is now an Assistant Commissioner of Police - the number four person in order of seniority in the GPF. He should have been higher. He is without any doubt Commissioner’s material. I have the greatest confi-

dence in him. I trust his honesty.

Back to the editorial.

The editor stated, “For sure, the numbers look lovely, but they don’t add up. They don’t have the strength of believability to them and worst, they do nothing to ease the feelings with which Guyanese live, not just in bustling Region 4, but throughout Guyana. There is this nagging sense that something is wrong, something is missing, and as much as we want to accept what the GPF, through Commander McBean shared with us, we are hesitant and stubbornly so.”

Let me reiterate.

The present police crime analysis became popular after Laurie Lewis became Commissioner of Police during 1990. Subsequent Commissioners, Floyd McDonald, Winston Felix, Henry Greene, Leroy Brumell, Sealall Persaud, Leslie James and present Top Cop, Nigel Hoppie adopted the formula without any change and used it as their performance appraisal although over the years crime and criminal modus have evolved.

The present police administration has even influenced the President, Minister of Home Affairs and other Government officials to boast that the police are efficient and effective in their effort to reduce crime based on the stats presented. Of the 11 categories of serious crimes, 4 are classified as various form of robberies when there should only be 1. Robbery is robbery.

There is no place for Domestic Violence and other sexual offences under the Domestic Violence Act apart from Rape.

Drug trafficking is not listed as well as trafficking in person, corruption and conspiracy to defraud which SOCU likes to target and other serious crimes. Should the list of serious crimes be reviewed in keeping with the current reality?

The focus is on serious crimes while less serious crimes go almost unnoticed.

Hence, perpetrators of those crimes, particularly those committed by youths are not effectively targeted. As a result, the perpetrators of those

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Kaieteur News

It is apposite to note that there is what is known as the “dark figures in crime.” That is crimes not reported for diverse reasons. In addition, there is the possibility of “Ghosting,” falsifying patrol logs to “make the numbers come out right.”

Words I used to hear keep ringing in my ears, “cock the stats so that we can look good. Don’t record that crime, it will make our stats look bad.” I do not know if ‘Ghosting ‘ is presently taking place in the GPF. It should not be overlooked.

Presenting stats to paint a picture that the police are on top of crime is meaningless when citizens feel otherwise and has a perpetual fear of crime. Rather than looking at crime rates, cases clear up rates and response time, evaluation should focus on whether or not the police are effective in fulfilling their responsibility to the citizens they swore to serve and protect. The police are considered effective when they produce the perception that crime is under control.

They must conduct regular environment scanning.

That is to say, they must do both internal and external scanning.

They must go to their customers - the public and find out how well they are doing.

The police have persons with First Degrees and Masters who can do effective community surveys to get a clear picture of their overall performance, rather than depending solely on crime statistics to measure their performance.

The police are concentrating on the fruits of crime when they should focus, in a major way, on the root of crime and hone their human and other resources to deal with the situation. Pick the fruits and others will quickly emerge.

Cut the main root and the tree will die. I will elaborate more on this concept in another letter to the editor.

Yours respectfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

OUR NEW YEAR PRAYER

DEAR EDITOR, The calendar says January 10, 2022. The early morning sun in Prashad Nagar pierced through my window.

I couldn’t tell where else the sun was shining. There was just this feeling of doubt overwhelming me – alone. But then, as if empathetically, the light faded into a contemplative darkness – still alone.

With whom, I reflected, could I share this sense of loneliness, separateness, if not abandonment, at 09:00 hrs. this Monday morning?

On further thought it must be just self-indulgence, with no one to call and share this moment of contemplation.

The fact is that I feel overcome by the prevaricatory environment in which our ‘New Year’ has entered. There is nothing ‘New’ and certainly nothing to be ‘happy’ about.

It is all a chimera – worldwide, with deaths surging in this global pandemic that speaks in every conceivable language so that all can under-

stand and into which we may all succumb.

So at the beginning of 2022 in Guyana, I could only wonder at the futility of our profound self-defamation ignoring the prospect of almost total depletion – of material sustenance, not to mention the boastful declaration of abandonment of our spirituality.We do not seem to be warned by the progressive deterioration in nearby, and far-flung ‘developed’ and ‘underdeveloped’ countries (so called) compared to whom we are – just ‘villages’ in the most fundamental sense. We simply think, behave ‘small’, as we paltrify one another with our petty provocations, pushing one another downwards into the depths of unforgivable division, boasting of ‘ethnic’ triumph over what indeed is but a pyrrhic victory, over our humanity.

Should we not ask ourselves the silly question of how and who will win? Or are

our progeny already debating this answer – this masquerade? For in another schizophrenic breadth, we speak of ‘team spirit’, a conjuration in the midst of ‘ethnicity’, however defined in ‘one’ nation of six ‘peoples’ (or are we just ‘races’?)

So we must ponder on the profound conundrum of ‘unity’ in ‘ethnicity’ – in a village of flooded waters. How, and for how long, will we stay afloat, for we are not all swimmers – a capacity so much needed in the admixture of climate change.

But most immediately in 2022, the priority is to save lives – of every ‘ethnicity’. It is not enough to contain the infections. Rather, the situation presents a profound opportunity for us to be inclusive, embracive, to ‘unify’ in constructing a proactive strategy for containing the pandemic that threatens all ‘ethnic humanities’.

This should be our prayer.

E.B. John

Our society has descended into a series of lawlessness DEAR EDITOR, I watched in horror the surveillance video of the Corporal being crushed to death because of the lawlessness that pervades in our society.

It is obvious that the pedal cyclist coming in the opposite direction (being on the wrong side of the road) caused her to drift into the truck’s path as her path was blocked by a parked car.

That lady got up that morning and was heading to work to earn a decent living, never thinking that her life would have ended so tragically.

Our society has descended into a series of lawlessness.

The entire system from the school to the man in the street needs to undergo classes/ training in ethics, etiquettes, respect, manners, etc., in all aspects of life. Social behaviours in all areas of life have degenerated to the point of persons nonchalantly saying “only in Guyana”.

The school system has to start at an early level to introduce this as a subject. Social and Emotional learning is integral at this level if we want to see real changes in the fu-

t u r e .

The police force needs to change the entry levels from primary school to secondary school education with at least five subjects including Maths and English at Grade 3. The government has to be strict with officers collecting bribes to pass persons to get driver’s license.

This is one of the dangers as person don’t know the rules of the road resulting in more accidents. We need more police officers to traverse the roadways and stop minibuses and hire cars from “boring” thus disrupting the smooth flow of traffic and law abiding citizens from traversing the road ways in peace and order.

The travelling public needs, through the media outlets, to be taught the rules of the road. You can clearly see that drivers don’t know the rules

How massive?

DEAR EDITOR, It is touted as massive cleanup exercise of the city to be undertaken over a two-day period. How massive, one wonders?

Shamshun Mohamed

of how to enter and exit the circles being placed on our roadways. The circles are an excellent idea as it would allow traffic to flow smoothly without allowing a backup for too long.

Pedestrians and pedal cyclists need to learn which side of the road to walk or ride on.

Parking on roadways and encumbrances need to be streamlined along with car parks mushrooming up at most entrance to neighbourhoods.

The engineers and planners have to keep in mind that if you are going to be developing new neighbourhoods, car parks need to be included.

When building new roadways (Continued on page 6)

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Wednesday January 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

WHITHER UNITY – ON ANYTHING DEAR EDITOR, It is the predawn hours, and I am thinking: where is this country going? Can it get anywhere, given its present state of mind, meaning that of its leaders and peoples?

Where could it go, considering the partisan rancor and rancidness that are the deepseated norm?

Where could it end up, when the raw emotional power, divisive racial power, courses through everything and everywhere in this society? The trouble is, I think I know, but it is of those places that I go. In the next instance, there are some answers that don’t come readily, and of those, I am sure.

Editor, I will now share where all of this takes me. It’s not the finest of spaces at all.

We had a brutalising span just recently followed by victory then great waves of the celebratory, mostly the selfadulatory.

There was a grand gala of words at the National Cultural Centre in a splash called the inaugural. A lovely spectacle, it was. Lots of words like smoke from a dirigible. Since then we have lived with what is kindly called the collapsible. It is what I term the presidency, now reduced to a paper-bag institution.

One would have thought that after the cascade of rhetoric, that the courage (and decency, even integrity) would have been searched for, maybe found, to right the listing ship that is broken Guyana. It is broken, isn’t it?

I believe it is more than di-

vided, it is broken, and all the pieces are not in hand. Astonishingly, there is this mockery of something beautiful called ‘One Guyana.’ I love it.

I really do. Except, show me the marbles, please. And this is the heart and soul of my thinking and writing at this unholy hour (perhaps?) is there anything righteous left in this society anymore, but that’s another story for another day.

I thought that the one thing that this country needed more than anything else, after that long, bruising (I did say brutalising) romance of December to August, that the first order of business would have been mending. Yes, it is as simple as that, and desired too.

WRITING ON THE WALL DEAR EDITOR, THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL and it’s happening right before our very eyes. Every Guyanese, young and old, should take absolute note of what is happening to us. Our present Government must unabashedly think the populace of Guyana (except for a few), are complete idiots.

First, they borrow millions of US dollars from the Chinese.

Then they do away with the safe keeping laws of our Natural Resources Fund by the previous Government and implement their own, “no jail time” law for the misuse of our oil money.

Rush the NRF Bill through Parliament and now they want

to accelerate development of the Stabroek oil block. Is President Ali and VP Jagdeo serious? Are they so blinded by their own conceit that they think the rest of this nation are all ignoramuses.

Heaven help this nation as we pray for guidance from above.

There is a God in heaven who hears the prayers of all who seek HIM. The original story of the writing on the wall can be found in the Bible chapter 5 in the Book of Daniel), and tells how Belshazzar holds a great feast and drinks from the vessels that had been looted in the destruction of the First Temple.

A hand appears and writes on the wall. The terri-

fied Belshazzar calls for his wise men, but they are unable to read the writing.

The queen advises him to send for Daniel, renowned for his wisdom. Daniel reminds Belshazzar that his father Nebuchadnezzar, when he became arrogant, was thrown down until he learned that God has sovereignty over the kingdom of men (see Daniel 4). Belshazzar had likewise blasphemed God, and so God sent this hand.

Daniel then reads the message and interprets it: God has numbered Belshazzar’s days. He has been weighed and found wanting, and his kingdom will be given to the Medes and the Persians.

Yours truly, Gloria Holder

There I said it. Why and how?

Listen a moment longer, please. A united people have muscle tone and muscle power.

They get ideas - about unfairness of contracts.

About having so much newfound wealth, and not tasting any returns from it.

Indeed, $25,000 is useful, but soon yesterday’s newspaper.

Unity means strength, and in that, there are all kinds of possibilities.

Alarming to some! Unnecessary too, if the local political powers are listened to, save they dare not speak publicly.

So, they give the dirty job to the young leader. He craved the job, didn’t he?

Well, let him do some work, who cares that it is a dirty job; many rolled into one.

So, instead of sincerely (an extinct species here) working at healing, his orders have been to go the other way.

And he has, which is why I thought that we have a fulsome paper-bag presidency. Look at it, and listen to it; chew on it, if such is palatable. A paper-bag is thin and fragile and shapable into

anything desired. That is what we have, and there is total transparency.

I remember now that there was talk about unity amid the rush of emotions spearheading the other two, which were transparency and accountability.

Editor, I asked to be pardoned, but somehow all three got lost along the way. Regarding unity, we forfeited every occasion that came and called for it, only to end up worse for such egregious failure.

Sorry, it is almost automatic for me to use such words, which discipline now sends in another direction.

There was that post national period (December to August) of perversity, obscenity, and what else, oh, there it is, utter stupidity.

We let that one go early, as the boys had to celebrate.

Then there was the phase one of the virus.

Well, boo to you. Next, the waters came, aka the worst natural/national disaster, and it was the same Lone Ranger story. The wicked part of me whispers that there was resistance to outsiders seeing how

the relief billions in both COVID-19 and flood went down. Well, blow me down, and they did.

Then, came COVID-19 part two, and here we go again. From the side of my mouth, I mumble about that NRF bill/law. Come on folks, get real. Opportunity for unity? And share the booty?

Get outta here. That’s where the action is, buddy.

Meanwhile, some people are delirious the way things are. No! they are not PPP supporters. Sorry about the ‘C’ left out, no offense meant.

Incidentally, they are not even locals. Well, mouth open…. It is good to keep the natives this way, meaning, at each other’s throat, and that’s mighty fine, mighty fine.

Editor, that’s the sum of my thinking. It is the everlasting Guyana story, and it ain’t pretty. No sir, it is not.

Oh, one more thing -the evil that men do, doesn’t live after them.

It lives with them. The problem is, I have to coexist with this damn nonsense.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Our society has descended into a series...

From page 5 to take into consideration making turning lanes and leaving enough reserve for future developments.

Do not give out the house lots right up to the roads.

We see how this can hamper development.

Grove is a good example of how difficult it would be to widen that part of the road thus the bottle neck will continue.

And recently, there is an increase in vehicles traversing the road ways with sirens.

You pull into the corner because you give way to ambulances, fire truck and police vehicles.

Now you notice when the vehicles pass that it is civilian vehicles that are taking advantage of the use of siren.

I hope this situation can be nipped in the bud before everyone gets one and the situation gets out of control.

My focus today is only on the road aspect of what has to be taught to make our society a more civilised one.

There is so much more to be corrected and rectified.

Let’s be the change we would like to see.

Regards, Saudia Ferouz

Wednesday January 12, 2022

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Kaieteur News

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Wednesday January 12, 2022

Nandlall moves to CCJ for elections petition case The Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, is moving to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), to challenge Guyana’s Court Of Appeal (COA) decision that it has jurisdiction to entertain an appeal filed in relation to the dismissed election petition case.

On January 18, 2021, Chief Justice (ag) Roxane GeorgeWiltshire, had thrown out an election petition case. However, the matter was appealed and Guyana’s Appellate Court on December 21, 2021, in a majority decision, ruled that it has jurisdiction to hear an appeal challenging the decision of the acting Chief Justice.

Since then, the Attorney General and others had requested a stay on the Court’s decision, since they have intentions on moving to the CCJ over the Court’s ruling.

Nandlall has since filed his Notice of Motion at the COA, Kingston office on Monday

afternoon. According to the Notice of Motion seen by this publication, the Attorney General asked the Appellate Court to grant an order to further stay on its decision pending the appeal to the CCJ. Following its ruling last month, the Court had granted a two weeks stay, but that stay expired on January 4, 2022. He outlined that it is in the public’s interest that the proceedings before the COA be stayed pending the determination on the intended appeal at the CCJ, the final and apex court of Guyana.

At the CCJ, Nandlall will be challenging the Court’s decision to hear the dismissed election petition case.

According to the document filed, “The intended appeal is a matter of public interest, which touches and concerns national, general and regional elections and as such, are proceedings of great general and public importance.”

It was then stated that the

Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC intended appeal is an arguable one with a realistic prospect of success on the issue of whether the Appellate Court has jurisdiction to hear the civil appeal.

Moreover, Nandlall said, “This honourable court has a duty to

protect the integrity of appeals so that they are not rendered nugatory before they are heard and determined. Unless the status quo ante is preserved, the intended appeal before the [court] would be rendered nugatory, insofar as the orders granted by this court would take effect before the intended appeal is heard and determined.”

He also highlighted that for the aforesaid reasons, he respectfully asks the Appellate Court, to grant the reliefs sought so that there may be a resolution of these fundamental issues which concerns the interpretation of the Constitution, as well as, issues integral to Guyana’s C o n s t i t u t i o n a l d e m o c r a c y.

According to reports, the first election petition #99 challenging the outcome of the March 2, 2020 elections was dismissed by the acting Chief Justice, on January 18, last, while the remaining election petition #88 was also thrown out on April 26, 2021, by the acting Chief

Justice. As such, both matters were appealed by Monica Thomas and Brenan Nurse, who, on behalf of the A Partnership for Nation Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition are seeking to challenge the validity of the March 02, 2020, national elections.

Kaieteur News had reported that the Appellate Court judges who presided over the matter were: Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag), Yonette Cummings-Edwards, and Justices Dawn Gregory, and Rishi Persaud.

In the case of Monica Thomas and Brennan Nurse v the Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield and others, the Justices handed down a 2-1 decision. Justices Cummings-Edwards and Gregory allowed the appeal, while Justice Persaud dissented from their position.

It was reported that, Attorneyat-law Roysdale Forde, SC, the Continued on page 9

Wednesday January 12, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The Office of the Budget should have control over the Budget preparation Politicians – including the President, the Vice President and any other Minister should have a limited role in the preparatory work for the formulation of the country’s Budget. This preparatory work, which involves interrogating the Budget submissions made by ministries, government departments, agencies and regional administration, is a technical task which should be left to the technicians in the Office of the Budget.

The Office of the Budget is supposed to be constituted by highly trained, highly qualified and highly paid technical staff. They should be the ones doing any interrogation of the Budget submissions.

Politicians have been limited in questioning and interrogating public officials about their work. A subject Minister is allowed to question the proposals made

by Budget agencies which fall under his or her jurisdiction.

No one expects a Minister not to approve the submissions of his agency.

But to have the President, Vice President and other Ministers grilling public officials about their Budget submissions is not acceptable. To do this constitutes a breach of the divide between the policymaking aspects of government and the implementation of public administration which is undertaken by public servants and public officials.

No elected official should be involved in such a technical process. The work of Ministers is to set the policy and to provide the guidelines and parametres around which the Budget will be prepared. But the actual work of amending, altering and aggregating the various submissions by agencies is supposed to be done by technical staff within the

Ministry of Finance which is responsible for the actual preparation of the Budget.

At present, the Ministry of Finance falls under the Office of the President. There is a Senior Minister responsible for Finance and this individual falls under the Office of the President.

Guyana’s system of government is still patterned after the British model. That model places ministerial responsibility for the preparation and presentation of the Budget in the hands of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

But this responsibility is a political responsibility.

Under the British system the actual preparation of the Budget is done by the Treasury.

Guyana’s equivalent of this is the Ministry of Finance. Within the Ministry of Finance it is the Office of the Budget which is responsibility for control of the Budget preparation process.

The Office of the Budget and the Budget agencies are guided by the Minister of Finance via a Circular which is issued prior to the respective Budget submissions. The Minister is required to issue a circular which includes a timetable for submissions, the fiscal and policy objectives and the

fiscal policy objectives and priorities of the government and budget costing parametres to be used in determining the allocations to be made to budget agencies.

When the Office of the Budget is finished with its draft Budget, it sends this to the Minister for forwarding to Cabinet and within Cabinet it is the Minister who has to defend the numbers with the assistance of the Budget team.

But at the preparatory stage, no Minister, Vice President or President should be grilling public officials about their submissions. This not only constitutes micromanagement but it also renders secondary the role of technical officers whose jobs are to assess the submissions and to crunch the numbers.

The only stage at which a public official, in this instance the Head of a Budget Agency, is required to answer questions by elected officials is firstly within the National Assembly during the consideration of the Estimates of Expenditure.

Answers to questions concerning the Budget agency is done through the Minister.

Secondly, the Budget agency prepares its submissions but the law requires that this be approved by the subject Minister

Nandlall moves to CCJ...

From page 8 lead attorney representing the appellants, praised the court’s ruling. He said that, in an historic decision, the Appellate Court found that it has jurisdiction to entertain an appeal when an election petition has been dismissed on procedural grounds.

He also stated that with the Court’s decision the motion that was filed by Trinidadian Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, on behalf of Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo and

Nandlall, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, was dismissed.

However, in response to the Court’s ruling, Douglas and Nandlall requested a twoweek stay on the ruling, so that they can decide whether they will go to the CCJ for final determination, or if they will allow the appeal to go ahead.

Nandlall has since followed up on the aforementioned intention to move to the CCJ.

Dem Boys Seh…

Wait fuh de storm De COVID on de loose and people gat to tek precaution. Dem boys decide dat dem gan only go out one day per week. And on dat one day dem gan do all dem business including shopping. Fuh de rest of de week, dem boys staying home and finding wuk fuh do around de house and yard.

Dem boys also wearing mask whenever dem going out. It paying off. Dem boys did borrow some money from a lady and dem spot she pun de road. But she nah recognise dem boys.

People going fuh dem booster. But deh still gat some people who feel dem invincible from de COVID-19.

Dem walking all around de town without masks. Deh had a time when de PoPo used to arrest pedestrians fuh jay walking. But is strange dat dem stop arresting people fuh not having on de mask pun de road.

One lady seh how research prove dat de virus is not usually transmitted in school. Well, dem boys know differently. When dem boys used to guh to school, when

one person get de flu, is nuff students does get it and carry it home and infect dem family members.

But dem boys pass by a school last week and see dem children playing in de school yard. Dem set wah bin playing nah had on no mask. So is nice fuh see photograph in de papers with masked students tekkin in dem ABC. But when it comes to de D, E and F, dem boys know dat dem students nah always gat on dem mask.

Talk half and wait fuh de storm!

before being forwarded to the Minister of Finance.

However, there is no role outlined for the interrogating of these submissions and of the public officials who prepared them by any elected official outside of the subject Minister.

The Fiscal Management and Accountability Act requires that the Head of a

budget agency shall provide to the Finance Secretary any information that is requested concerning the affairs of the budget agency for which that Head of a budget agency has responsibility.

There is no mention of any role for non-subject Ministers, the Vice President or the President in grilling Heads of Budget agencies or

public officials during the preparatory stage of the Budget.

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

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Wednesday January 12, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Here is the evidence of a civil society agenda There isn’t another amazingly unthinking society like Guyana in the world. A society has to be irrational when all the independent media, the television interview programmes, the Meta (Facebook) programmes and the Zoom discussions focus only on governmental behaviour.

Yo u p i c k u p a n y newspaper or look at any television interview in the US and important nongovernment organisation, civil society actors, business companies are the subject of critical analysis. Political observers focus on Amazon and Facebook as they do on the American government.

Since Zoom and Facebook came in use in Guyana, I have not seen one, I repeat, not one debate or discussion on anything that is outside the realm of government. Looking back

on 2021 in my ongoing series, I will touch on the cheap purchase of land by one of the richest families here that thankfully was cancelled. There has been absolutely no exchange of opinion on this issue.

Since television, Zoom and Facebook came into use in this country, there has been the sudden birth of a plethora of untrained political theorists and sociologists interviewing countless guests and the basic approach to interviewing with a concomitant lack familiarity with political, sociological and journalistic tools is shockingly embarrassing.

The examples I could offer would be enormous.

When you have such an approach, vital issues that exist independent of governmental behaviour go missing. In any society things happen outside of the

actions of government that need examining and interpreting. I have not seen any polemic or debate at all, on the nature of civil society in Guyana.

Who or what is civil society in Guyana? Do they have credibility? Are they substantial entities with vast outreach in Guyana? Or do they consist of individuals just looking for their 15 minutes of fame?

An entity suddenly sprang up referring to itself as a civil society body. It is called the Election Reform Group (ERG). No one knows how many persons are in this organisation. I became suspicious of the motive of this group because it was born shortly after the five-month election rigging concluded and adamantly refused to acknowledge that the March poll was being manipulated by the rogue elements in GECOM to give

APNU+AFC a victory.

N o w h e r e i s incontrovertible evidence that Guyanese society has to be careful about civil society. The impending amendments to the Representation of the P e o p l e ’s A c t i n c l u d e separating Region 4, the largest and most cumbersome election district into 4 electoral subdivisions – south and north Georgetown and East Bank and East Coast.

This change is completely unrelated to anything that has to do with our election system. It has no bearing on how elections are administered. It is simply a reduction of overweight bureaucracy. It can be interpreted as an act of commonsense. The ERG has referred to this simple change as provocative and unjustified.

There is no evidence to

show that Christopher R a m i s a supporter of the PPP government.

In fact, Mr. Ram’s criticism of different policies of government, Frederick Kissoon including election reform is easily misunderstood. It is simply a obtainable. In a recent interview, when asked decentralisation process that about the creation of the 4 prevents “a central Mingo.” sub-districts, Mr. Ram said it Both Ram and Jonas are is just an administrative lawyers that often speak on the election laws. No one in matter.

Timothy Jonas is de the ERG is an attorney.

Guyanese should ask factor head of an opposition party, ANUG. Mr. Jonas themselves why Ram and voices criticism of many Jonas would take a different a c t i o n s o f t h e P P P position from the ERG. The government. When the same answer is simple. They will question was put to Mr. not embarrass themselves by Jonas his answer was appearing as lawyers who enlightening and the ERG cannot understand simple needs to get immediately his legal amendments.

They obviously read that response.

He said that particular particular amendment and Continued on page 18 change has been

Wednesday January 12, 2022

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Wednesday January 12, 2022

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DESPITE NO EPA, FDP APPROVALS…

ExxonMobil races ahead with another multi-million $$$ contract for 4th Project Less than a week ago, the Government of Guyana issued a t e n d e r, i n v i t i n g q u a l i f i e d consultancy firms to submit their technical and financial proposals to review the Field Development Plan (FDP) for ExxonMobil’s US$9B Yellowtail Project. But before the government could even have an opportunity to scrutinise some of the applications received or even provide an environmental permit for the project, ExxonMobil is already steaming ahead with the award of more multimillion dollar contracts to ensure its 2025 startup timeline is not derailed for any reason.

On Tuesday, Italian contractor, Saipem announced that it won a contract from Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, for the Yellowtail development project. Saipem said the contract relates to the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (EPCI) of the Subsea Umbilicals, Risers and Flowlines (SURF).

Further to this, the company said Saipem’s flagship vessel FDS2 w i l l c o n d u c t t h e o ff s h o r e o p e r a t i o n s w h i l e S a i p e m ’s fabrication facility in Guyana will build the deepwater structural elements.

Francesco Caio, CEO and General Manager of Saipem, commented, “The recently opened Saipem fabrication facility in Georgetown will be involved in the execution of the Yellowtail project, ensuring a positive and tangible impact on the country”.

The first contract that was

awarded for Yellowtail occurred in November 2021.

SBM Offshore had announced that it had been awarded contracts to perform Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) for a Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) for the Yellowtail development project. The FEED contract award triggered the initial release of funds by ExxonMobil’s subsidiary to begin FEED activities and secure a Fast4Ward® hull.

The Dutch company said as well that it will construct, install then lease the FPSO and operate it for a period of up to 2 years to Exxon.

TRILLION DOLLAR PROJECT Kaieteur News previously reported that development costs for the Yellowtail project are poised to exceed US$9B or GY$1.8 trillion.

ExxonMobil said the costs are expected to be higher, since there would be a greater number of development wells and associated drilling costs, when compared to its Payara project which will also cost Guyana $1.8 trillion.

Despite the astronomical costs, Exxon believes that the project should be supported as it would generate benefits for the citizens of Guyana in several ways, which would otherwise not be there in the absence of the project.

The company said these benefits include revenue sharing

Map showing location of the Yellowtail Project. with the Government of Guyana and stressed, that the type and extent of the benefits associated

with revenue sharing will depend on how decision-makers in government decide to prioritise and

allocate funding for future programmes, which is unknown to the company and outside the scope of the EIA. Apart from the revenue sharing, Exxon said Guyanese stand to benefit from the procurement process that will follow for goods and services from local businesses in alignment with the Petroleum Agreement and the Esso Exploration and Production G u y a n a (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana—Local Content Plan, approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources in June 2021.

According to project document, Yellowtail will consist of drilling approximately 41 to 67 development wells; installation and operation of Subsea, Umbilicals, Risers, and Flowlines equipment; installation and the operation of a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel in the eastern half of the Stabroek B l o c k ; a n d — ultimately—project decommissioning.

The FPSO will be designed to produce up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day. The initial production is expected to begin by the end of 2025–early 2026, with operations continuing for at least 20 years.

The project is expected to employ up to 540 persons during development well drilling, approximately 600 persons at the peak of the installation stage, and 100 to 140 persons during production operations.

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Speaker rapped for ‘increasingly partisan behaviour’ - civil society group urges him to mend ways or be replaced Economist and civil society member, Ramon Gaskin is urging that the Speaker of the National Assembly mend his ways and be more democratic in his stewardship of the House.

In a recent interview with this newspaper Gaskin joined with the Parliamentary Opposition in criticising the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mazoor Nadir, for his behaviour. According to Gaskin, “It is true that the Speaker is not behaving in an impartial, neutral manner. As a Speaker, once you are appointed to serve, you are no longer a party man. If you look at the Speaker in the House of the Canadian Parliament, you don’t even know which party he belongs to (because) you are now the Speaker of the House and that is your business”.

In citing examples where he believe Nadir did not act in an impartial way, Gaskin said he was annoyed when the speaker did not allow the request by the Opposition to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic and the government’s response. Nadir said that he did not find it to be a matter of urgency.

In offering yet another example, the economist noted that enough time was not granted for the proper consideration of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act, given that the Bill was tabled a mere 13 days before it came up for debates on December 29, 2021.

In this regard, he suggested, “He is too much of a PPP man still. I am hoping he would improve as he goes along because he has been contributing to the ruckus in Parliament too.

The Government is not granting enough time for discussion on these important Bills that come before the House and I think he refused the idea for the thing to go to the Special Select Committee and as a result you are going to get a lot of this ruckus and improper behavior in Parliament, if the Speaker does not correct himself”.

As a consequence he urged that Mr. Nadir “mend his ways or be replaced”.

Moving forward, the civil society member

Economist, Ramon Gaskin

pointed out that the Speaker should show more flexibility in his work and be more accommodating to the Opposition, especially since they represent a large proportion of the country. He added that this call should be supported by all bodies. Mr. Nadir formerly served as a Minister of Labour for the PPP government during the period 2001 to 2011.

In a statement following the chaos that broke out in Parliament during the rushed passage of the NRF Bill, Article 13 also denounced what it described as the “increasingly partisan” Speaker, whose behaviour they said is now a matter of national concern. While the organisation said the conduct of the Opposition Members of Parliament (MP) was equally unacceptable, they noted that the reactions that unfolded were due to the “understandable” disfavour to the NRF Act. According to Article 13 “We would be equally remiss if we did not denounce the unacceptable, unparliamentary conduct of the opposition in the National Assembly over their understandable disfavour of the content of the Natural Resource Fund Act, the autocratic manner in which the Government forced its passage, facilitated by an increasingly partisan Speaker whose suitability for that post must now be a matter of national concern”.

“Those issues notwithstanding, all Members of that important arm of the State must respect its sanctity while employing all available official and legal channels to make their case. Their legitimacy, conduct and appeal are not independent variables,” the body added. The Natural Resource Fund Act Continued on page 15

Wednesday January 12, 2022

GTU hails ‘isolation day’ a success …SAYS 60% OF TEACHERS DID NOT REPORT FOR DUTY The Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) has rebutted claims by the Ministry of Education (MoE) that 74 percent of teachers reported for duty on Monday, when in fact, 60 percent of the workforce were not present, but stood in solidarity with the Union’s call for an ‘Isolation Day’.

In a telephone interview with this publication on Tuesday, GTU President, Mark Lyte said that the figures shared by the ministry were absolutely ridiculous.

The President said, “The time books would show what the numbers are across the country. What I think was meant is that 74 percent of schools were open since indeed teachers cannot close the doors, it is the CEO (Chief Education Officer) who would make that call”.

“To say that 74 percent of teachers turned out for work would be grossly inaccurate,” he continued.

On Monday, the ministry in a release said 74 percent of teachers turned out to work, despite calls to stay away from classes. This figure, according to the ministry, represents 84 percent of schools for which the Ministry received.

But according to the Union head, most schools which were opened functioned on “skeletal”

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand

President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union, Mark Lyte staff”, while some only went for one session, in support of the GTU’s call for an ‘Isolation Day’ in the wake of climbing COVID-19 cases.

He was keen to note too that Monday’s ‘Isolation Day’ was not only supported by the Union’s members, but also non-members.

According to Lyte, the GTU representatives from schools across the country would have shared the figures with the Union.

Based on reports received, he said that schools such as the Golden Grove Secondary School, East Coast Demerara had no teachers that reported for duty.

Meanwhile, the Golden Grove Primary, ECD only had a few teachers. “So what they did was take out pictures with one teacher and some children in a classroom to create the illusion that school went on as normal,” Lyte informed.

Over on the Corentyne Coast, Lyte said the Port Mourant Secondary School, where he serves as Head Teacher, had a turnout of seven teachers of the 42 on roll, contrary to reports in other sections of the media.

Ly t e s a i d h e w a s disappointed that the ministry only published photographs that showed one student in a bench.

“I challenge you and anyone else to walk into a school at any time to see how those children are seated and you would see that they are not following the protocols of the Gazetted COVID

measures,” he argued.

When it comes to the Union’s call for a two-week suspension of face-to-face learning, he explained that the ministry is yet to respond.

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

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

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

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

Teachers were urged to participate in the one-day ‘isolation’ on Monday to protest the reopening of schools for face-to-face learning, without requisite safety measures being in place.

The Union urged its teachers to remain at home, thereby abstaining from even virtual learning, in the face of the more than 175 teachers and 90 students who had tested positive for the deadly virus, based on statistics, which they received Sunday.

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

A mini health check is the first step to donating blood

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

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World Bank predicts slowdown in global growth Following a strong rebound in 2021, the global economy is entering a pronounced slowdown amid fresh threats from COVID19 variants and a rise in inflation, debt, and income inequality that could endanger the recovery in emerging and developing economies, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report.

Global growth is expected to decelerate markedly from 5.5 percent in 2021 to 4.1 percent in 2022 and 3.2 percent in 2023 as pent-up demand dissipates and as fiscal and monetary support is unwound across the world.

The rapid spread of the Omicron variant indicates that the pandemic will likely continue to disrupt economic activity in the near term, the World Bank said in the report.

In addition, a notable deceleration in major economies—including the United States and China—will weigh on external demand in emerging and developing economies.

At a time when governments in many developing economies lack the policy space to support activity if needed, new COVID-19 outbreaks, persistent supplychain bottlenecks and inflationary pressures, and elevated financial vulnerabilities in large swaths of the world could increase the risk of a hard landing.

“The world economy is simultaneously facing COVID-19, inflation, and policy uncertainty, with government spending and monetary policies in uncharted territory. Rising inequality and security challenges are particularly harmful for developing countries,” said World Bank Group President David Malpass. “Putting more countries on a favourable growth path requires concerted international action and a comprehensive set of national policy responses.”

The slowdown will coincide with a widening divergence in growth rates between advanced economies and emerging and developing economies.

Growth in advanced economies is expected to decline from 5 percent in

— says spread of COVID-19 variants, inflation, debt intensify uncertainty 2 021 to 3.8 percent in 2022 and 2.3 percent in 2023—a pace that, while moderating, will be sufficient to restore output and investment to their pre-pandemic trend in these economies. In emerging and developing economies, however, growth is expected to drop from 6.3 percent in 2021 to 4.6 percent in 2022 and 4.4 percent in 2023. By 2023, all advanced economies will have achieved a full output recovery; yet output in emerging and developing economies will remain 4 percent below its prepandemic trend. For many vulnerable economies, the setback is even larger: output of fragile and conflictaffected economies will be 7.5 percent below its prepandemic trend, and output of small island states will be 8.5 percent below.

Meanwhile, rising inflation—which hits lowincome workers particularly hard—is constraining monetary policy. Globally and in advanced economies, inflation is running at the highest rates since 2008. In e m e rg i n g m a r k e t a n d developing economies, it has reached its highest rate since 2011. Many emerging and developing economies are withdrawing policy support to contain inflationary pressures—well before the recovery is complete.

The latest Global Economic Prospects report features analytical sections that provide fresh insights into three emerging obstacles to a durable recovery in developing economies. The first, on debt, compares the latest international initiative to tackle unsustainable debt in developing economies—the G 2 0 C o m m o n Framework—with previous coordinated initiatives to facilitate debt relief. Noting that COVID-19 pushed total global debt to the highest level in half a century even as the creditors’ landscape became increasingly complex, it finds that future coordinated debt relief initiatives will face higher hurdles to success. Applying

Speaker rapped for...

From page 14 was passed in the National Assembly days before the year ended, even though calls were made by the Opposition for the Bill to be sent to a Special Select Committee for a review of its contents.

Kaieteur news understands that other petitions were made in the similar interest but were ignored by the Speaker.

lessons from the past restructurings to the G20 Common Framework can increase its effectiveness and avoid the shortcomings faced by earlier initiatives. “ T h e c h o i c e s policymakers make in the next few years will decide

the course of the next decade,” said Mari Pangestu, the World Bank’s Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships. “The immediate priority should be to ensure that vaccines are deployed more widely and

e quitably so the pandemic can be brought under control.

But tackling reversals in development progress such as rising inequality will require sustained support. In a time of high debt, global cooperation will be essential

to help expand the financial resources of developing economies so they can achieve green, resilient, and inclusive development.”

The second analytical section examines the implications of boom-andbust cycles of commodity prices for emerging market and developing economies, most of which are heavily dependent on commodity

PAGE 16

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Wednesday January 12, 2022

Bus driver, conductor on station bail for giving school-girls rum, marijuana A bus driver and his conductor, who are accused of giving rum and marijuana to three school-girls, have been released on station bail as police continue an investigation into the matter.

This is according to Commander of the Region Two police district, Denise Griffith.

She said that investigations are still ongoing and when

completed, legal advice will be sought on whether to place them before the court or not.

The men were arrested last Saturday after three school-girls of the Anna Regina Secondary School said that they were responsible for them being intoxicated.

Persons had found the

school girls intoxicated at a snackette and had alerted their teachers.

The girls had to be taken to Suddie Hospital for medical attention.

When questioned, they

told authorities that a bus driver and his conductor had given them weed (marijuana) to smoke and rum to drink.

Wednesday January 12, 2022

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

COVID-19 forced closure of five schools in Linden

S

everal nursery, pri mary and secondary schools in the Upper Demerara-Berbice Region (Region 10), have recorded positive COVID-19 cases in both teachers and students.

Some of these schools have since been closed, while some remain open. For those that remain open, teachers have advised parents not to send their children to school.

Relaying the information was Chairman of the Guyana Teachers’ Union Region 10 Chapter, Alister Fraser. Based upon data collected, Alister said at least five schools have recorded positive cases.

These are: Mackenzie High School, the Watooka Day Primary School, the Amelia’s Ward Primary School, the Wismar Hill Nursery School, the One Mile Primary School and the Christianburg Wismar Secondary School.

It is on this basis, the GTU has demanded that face-toface learning be suspended, and has marked Monday as

isolation day. “As COVID-19 cases went up, the (GTU) determined through their own mechanism of data collection that over 136 teachers and 44 students as of Saturday 8th January 2022, were affected by the virus and every day since the numbers are rising as teachers, students and ancillary staff report their results” Fraser said.

The Union Representative said they have been gathering data everyday as teachers who have exhibited symptoms get tested. Many teachers turned out to work on Monday, even as the GTU called for an isolation day, while some opted to stay home. The percentage of students who turned out is below 50.

At the Christiansburg Wismar Secondary School (CWSS), one teacher said the students had to be placed on rotation to tackle overcrowding and she is of the belief that the overcrowding during the first week of the term, resulted

...several teachers, students contract virus in several students and teachers contracting the virus.

When Kaieteur News contacted the Regional Executive Officer Dwight John, for a comment on what systems are being put in place to ensure the safety of teachers and students attending the schools that have recorded positive cases, John said the schools were fumigated for the beginning of the Easter Term and further sanitisation measures will be taken for these schools.

He said the sanitisation facilities at these schools are all functioning such as handwashing sinks.

Meanwhile, some teachers and parents continue to call on the Ministry of Education to suspend face-toface learning. “I believe that they should close schools, I am not comfortable with my children going to school with the spike in cases, it is not

Lone company bids $37M to supply and install AC units for forensic lab During the opening of tenders at the Na- posal of $37,901,677 to supply and install VFR tional Procurement and Tender Administration and Split Air Conditioner system.

Board (NPTAB) office on Tuesday, it was reAccording to Home Affairs Minister, vealed that CT Williams Technology Inc. was Robeson Benn, the project will see the instalthe only company to place a bid for the sup- lation of Air Conditioning Systems for the ply and installation of Air Conditioner Sys- Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL). tem at the Forensic Laboratory.

The company submitted a financial pro- Below are the companies and their bids Supply and Installation of VFR and Split Air Conditioner System

Board of Industrial Prequalification for Goods and Services

safe, no proper system is being put in place,” on parent, Deslain Peters said.

Minister of Education Priya Manickhand said that face-to-face learning should continue since the horrid effects of prolonged absence from school has been repeatedly studied and documented, including by the United Nations Children

Fund (UNICEF).

All the reports in the world say that school needs to be the last place to close, and the first to re-open as COVID-19 will not go away soon.

“The ministry will continue to do what is asked of us by the majority, while allowing for space for parents who don’t agree with the ma-

jority to do what is best for their children,” Minister Manickchand said.

She was also quick to point out that engaging ‘Online’ in Guyana means that more than half the school population will go without an education because of no or poor internet infrastructure. Region 10 recently recorded 203 active cases.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Here is the evidence of a civil society agenda From page 10 didn’t see the provocative dimension that the ERG sees.

There has been a relentless crusade of mine that civil society as an independent, non-partisan community is yet to emerge in Guyana. The Stabroek News described the Private Sector Commission as pro-government.

The PNC has labelled the

Bar Association as pro-government. But logic goes out the window when you ignore the anti-government label that many civil society groups wear on their sleeve.

Individuals with a political agenda are calling themselves civil society. Civil society in Guyana is as politically inclined as any party supporter.

Why should central government trust them?

Can they be trusted to be independent? My answer is no. I believe they should be non-partisan. But show me one that is.

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

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Ministry records 3 more COVID-19 deaths, 665 new cases The Ministry of Health reported yesterday that three more persons, who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, have died. As a result, the country’s COVID19 death toll has moved to 1,073.

The country’s latest fatalities are that of three men, a 71-year-old and a 77-yearold from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), and an 81-year-old from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Meanwhile, in its latest COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry recorded 665 new cases within the last 24-hour period, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 46,005.

The dashboard also shows that 13 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 89 are in institutional isolation, 6,538 in home isolation and nine in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 38,292 persons have recovered from the virus.

World Bank predicts slowdown in...

From page 15 exports. It finds that these cycles were particularly intense in the past two years, when commodity prices collapsed with the arrival of COVID-19 and then surged, in some cases to all timehighs last year. Global macroeconomic developments and commodity supply factors will likely cause boom-bust cycles to continue in commodity markets. For many commodities, these cycles may be amplified by the forces of climate change and the energy transition away from fossil fuels. The analysis also shows that commodity-price booms since the 1970s have tended to be larger than busts, creating significant opportunities for stronger and more sustainable

growth in commodity-exporting countries—if they employ disciplined policies during booms to take advantage of windfalls.

The third analytical section explores COVID-19’s impact on global inequality. It finds that the pandemic has raised global income inequality, partly reversing the decline that was achieved over the previous two decades. It has also increased inequality in many other spheres of human activity—in the availability of vaccines; in economic growth; in access to education and health care; and in the scale of job and income losses, which have been higher for women and low-skilled and informal workers.

This trend has the poten-

tial to leave lasting scars: for example, losses to human capital caused by disruptions in education can spill over across generations.

Ayhan Kose, Director of the World Bank’s Prospects Group, said: “In light of the projected slowdown in output and investment growth, limited policy space, and substantial risks clouding the outlook, emerging and developing economies will need to carefully calibrate fiscal and monetary policies. They also need to undertake reforms to erase the scars of the pandemic. These reforms should be designed to improve investment and human capital, reverse income and gender inequality, and cope with challenges of climate change.”

Speaker “waters-down” Gas-to-Shore Motion From page 3 Environmental Enforcement (US Offshore oil & gas regulator) comprehensive report, that the technology is not matured and reliable enough to ensure the integrity of deep-water pipelines and detection of subsurface leaks.”

The Speaker has however changed his mind about the cost analysis of the initiative, when compared to alternative power generating options, as he will now allow an analysis of the economic, social, and environmental renewable alternatives such as solar, hydropower and wind, among others.

In this regard, Patterson said, “We look forward to debating it and obviously a successful passage. Hopefully

we can have it sent to the Committee of Natural Resources for determination and then come back to the Parliament. It’s too big a project for the government side alone to just do it”.

Under the revised scope of works for the Gas to Shore Project, the government says it intends to build, “combined cycle turbines, multiple fuel consumption (including rich and lean natural gas [per specification to be provided upon request], Natural gas liquids and diesel) Power Plant to generate up to 300MW of power with a net 250MW delivered into the Guyana Power and Light grid at a substation located on the East Bank of Demerara.”

Additionally, the project

will include 230 Kilo Volt (KV) substation and back up fuel capacity. As it relates to the NGL Plant, this is expected, under the revised scope of works, to be able to process 60 million cubic feet of natural gas per day in the first phase and up to 250 million cubic feet of gas in the second phase. Additionally, the plant must be capable of conditioning the gas (dehydration and mercury removal) and removing heavier hydrocarbons (propane, butane, pentane plus) in liquid form.

The project, according to the Ministry, will be located at Hermitage, identified as part of the Wales Development Zone with some 150 acres of land allocated for its purpose.

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Wednesday January 12, 2022

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Rabada four-for makes it South Africa’s day as India fold for 223 despite Kohli 79 ESPNcricinfo - Kagiso Rabada is already a super athlete. But, when his captain went and fired him up, he became the kind of hero littered all over Greek Mythology. So imagine being a simple mortal and running into him on a cricket field. Fortunately for India, they had a modern-day great of their own operating in much the same way. Virat Kohli produced a masterclass of defensive batting, his 79 off 201 balls the only reason the Test match is still in the balance.Cape Town had to be the setting for one of the most compelling one-on-one battles. Dark clouds had obscured Table mountain. A bad omen for all batters. And that wasn’t enough; once they made it to the crease and looked up, they saw the grim reaper. Only he was holding a red ball instead of a black

scythe. Rabada refused to succumb to human error. Every ball was on a good length.

Everything was targeting the stumps. Nothing short. Nothing down leg. Nothing easy.

All of it at 140 kph.

Ajinkya Rahane was consumed by this onslaught.

He came in with his career hanging by a thread and Rabada snapped it with a ruthlessness that has always drawn the whole world to the art of fast bowling. Pitched up. Angling in. Moving late.

Edged. Gone. The moment was almost a physical manifestation of the kind of luck that has dogged the former India vice-captain. Like, if he were to look under his couch cushions for some change, he’d probably find a moldy old half-eaten tuna sandwich instead.

Every unstoppable force

needs an immovable object.

Joker has Batman. Global warming has Greta Thunberg.

And Rabada had Kohli. There was a period between the 47th and the 49th overs when this showdown hit fever pitch.

There were plays and misses.

There was an edge that fell short. There were oohs. There were aaahs. There were wry smiles. But there was no wicket.And that’s the genius of Kohli.

He walked out at a time when South Africa’s bowlers were producing one false shot every four balls. India were under siege. To survive a situation like that, you need clarity of thought and conviction of method. Kohli displayed both. He left 64.7% of the first 100 deliveries that were outside his off stump. In the last five years, over 1100 innings, only four batters have ever

Wednesday January 12, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Memories from the distant past, perhaps as far back as early childhood, could keep popping into your conscious mind today, Aries.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) An object that you treasure, perhaps a family heirloom, could be missing, Taurus.

Don't panic. It's probably somewhere in the house, although it may have slipped behind something or had a pile of other stuff put on top of it.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you might play detective, Gemini. Something or someone, perhaps a pet, has gone missing in your neighborhood and you'll be out there leading the charge.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Worries about money that plague you today could well be misplaced, Cancer. To all appearances, the financial road might temporarily get a little rough, but probably all is not as dire as it seems.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is not the day to do indepth research of any kind, Libra, whether it's an intellectual subject or how to put together a new computer system.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A friend you've known for years might suddenly shock you by saying some unkind things that you would never have expected of him or her, Scorpio.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Have you just recently reached a cherished goal, Sagittarius? If so, you might temporarily be confused as to what you're going to pursue in the future.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You might be introduced to a new colleague, Capricorn.

Don't be surprised if this person makes your flesh crawl.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Rational thought gets muddled today as everything seems to be happening to you at once, Leo.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Perhaps it's best if you stay away from your current love partner today, Aquarius.

Your friend is having some very draining hassles with family and on the job and won't be in the best of moods.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) A strange communication could come from a person who doesn't leave a name and whose voice you don't recognize, Virgo. It might, however, sound important and therefore could bother you throughout the afternoon.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you might want to concentrate on one of your private projects for which you have a lot of passion, Pisces. If one of your family members keeps you from working on this project, explain just how important this is for you.

been more restrained.

This was a sharp change in mindset from the way he played (and got out) in Centurion, one that was enabled by a subtle change in technique. Sunil Gavaskar was quick to spot it on the broadcast. The former India captain said of the current India captain that his front foot was now moving down the pitch in a straighter line. In the first Test, because he was looking to play at everything, his front foot kept moving too far across, taking him towards deliveries that he had no business getting close to.

Here, Kohli was determined to make South Africa’s bowlers come at him. And it worked. He played only 16 false shots in 201 deliveries.

That count for the rest of the team: 48 in 271.

Amid two outstanding individual displays, there was Cheteshwar Pujara’s 43 and Marco Jansen’s three-for, both competent efforts, high-

lighting the strengths that each of them have. Jasprit Bumrah chimed in as well, picking up the wicket of Dean Elgar late in the day, and at the end of it all, we have a Test match - a series decider -

poised in the most tantalising fashion.

Scores: South Africa 17 for 1 (Markram 8*, Maharaj 6*, Bumrah 1-0) trail India 223 (Kohli 79, Pujara 43, Rabada 4-73) by 206 runs.

Sri Lanka, UAE and Scotland triumph in latest...

From page 23 71 runs thereafter.It was a run out that finally broke the opening partnership as Ronald Lutaaya departed for 17 before Oliver Davidson (3/ 14) dismissed three of the top five and another run out left them at 63 for five.

Scotland skipper Jamie Cairns went on to get himself a threewicket haul for the concession of just 15 runs as Cyrus Kakuru (top scorer with 25), Pius Oloka (5) and Miyaji (2) all fell to the slow left-armer.

Nuwagaba was the last man out for five off the bowling of Lyle Robertson in a total of 112 as Uganda slipped to 107-run defeat in 31.2 overs.

Scores in Brief

Sri Lanka Under 19s beat Ireland Under 19s by 128 runs, Providence Stadium, Guyana Sri Lanka 233-7, 43 overs (Shevon Daniel 75 retired not out, Ranuda Somarathne 33; Nathan McGuire 2-40, Daniel Forkin 1-21) Ireland 104 all out, 31.4 overs (Joshua Cox 45 not out, Scott MacBeth 11; Wanuja Sahan 3-5, Chamidu Wickramasinghe 2-7) United Arab Emirates Under 19s beat Papua New Guinea Under 19s by 250 runs, Conaree Cricket Field, Basseterre, St Kitts United Arab Emirates 3215, 50 overs (Kai Smith 145, Dhruv Parashar 52, Punya Mehra 41; Barnabas Maha 133, John Kariko 1-40) Papua New Guinea 71 all out, 28 overs (Christopher Kilapat 27, Peter Karoho 14; Aayan Khan 3-10, Adihya Shetty 2-10, Nilansh Keswani 2-16) Scotland Under 19s beat Uganda Under 19s by 109 runs, Everest Cricket Club Ground, Georgetown, Guyana Scotland 219-9, 50 overs (Charlie Tear 50, Jack Jarvis 33; Edwin Nuwagaba 3-29, Juma Miyaji 2-30) Uganda 112 all out, 31.2 overs (Cyrus Kakuru 25, Ronald Lutaaya 17; Oliver Davidson 3-1 4, Jamie Cairns 3-15)

Tarson looking...

From page 25 continues to put in the works.

He stated that Tarson is a disciplined individual and has what it takes to dominate the sport for quiet sometime.

Abdool pointed out that despite Tarson’s job being taxing, he would train hard in the gym and this is really exciting to see from an athlete.

Meanwhile, Abdool is currently preparing athletes for the upcoming novice competition.

Abdool explained that due to the short notice he received he had to limit the programme.

“Most programmes run for 12 weeks and I would have liked to be given a longer notice so that athletes can peak at the right time,” he stated.

Abdool said he is somewhat disappointed with not being able to prepare the athletes sufficiently. “The training is tough and we prefer adequate notice so we can design our programme to suit and get the best out of our athletes,” he said.

The novice competition is set for February 13.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Olympic champion Jepchirchir headlines Bostonwomen's field (Reuters) - Olympic champion and New York City Marathon winner Peres Jepchirchir will headline a highly decorated women's field at this year's Boston Marathon.The Kenyan, who won Olympic gold and the famed fiveborough marathon last year, will make her Boston race debut on April 18."My high expectations is to be a winner and I would like to arrive at the day of the race

in my best shape," she said in a statement.She will be joined in field by former Boston winners Edna Kiplagat and Des Linden, 2021 London champion Joyciline Jepkosgei of Kenya, as well as Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Molly Seidel of the United States."We are delighted to welcome the fastest and most accomplished women's field in the history of the Boston Marathon," Boston

Athletic Association President and CEO Tom Grilk said in a statement.The wheelchair event will feature five-time c h a m p i o n Ta t y a n a M c F a d d e n , Paralympic marathon gold medallist Madison de Rozario and Manuela Scar, who picked up wins in Berlin, London Peres Jepchirchir of Kenya celebrates after winning and Boston last year.The men's professional field will be announced the women's race at the New York City Marathon.

(Seth Harrison-USA TODAY Sports) tomorrow, Thursday.

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup West Indies 2022

Sri Lanka, UAE and Scotland triumph in latest warm ups Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates and Scotland all recorded impressive victories as the warm-up matches for the 2022 ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup continued in the West Indies.

In Guyana, Sri Lanka notched a 128-run triumph over Ireland and Scotland were winners by 107 runs over Uganda, while the biggest win of the day came in St Kitts for UAE, as they were 250-run victors over Papua New Guinea.

M e a n w h i l e , Afghanistan’s scheduled warm-up match against England was postponed due to delays in the Afghanistan squad obtaining the necessary visas to enter the West Indies.

The ICC U19 Men’s CWC starts on January 14, with all teams now entering the final stages of preparation.

Sri Lanka shine in shortened match Despite overnight rain in Guyana shortening the match between Sri Lanka and Ireland to 43 overs per side, Shevon Daniel helped lead the Sri Lankans to an impressive 128-run victory.

Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl, but opener Daniel attacked from the off as he score 75 from 72 balls, including eight fours and a

six.

Opening partner Chamidu Wickramasinghe being run out for five and No.3 Sakuna Liyanage being trapped LBW by the pick of the Irish bowlers Nathan McGuire (2/40) couldn’t slow Daniel, who retired not out with the score at 122 for two.

The middle order picked up the slack from there as Sadisha Rajapaksa (22), Pawan Pathiraja (25) and Ranuda Somarathne (33) all had cameos to push the Sri Lanka total to 233 for seven from 43 overs, with three of the dismissals being run outs.In response, the Ireland top order failed to build a foundation with Wickramasinghe clean bowling both openers Liam Doherty and captain Tim Tector to end with figures of two for seven from four overs before Wanuja Sahan (3/5) picked up the mantle to cheaply dismiss Philippus le Roux, Scott MacBeth and McGuire.

No.3 Joshua Cox was the lone source of Irish resistance as he resiliently made 44 from 86 balls but with wickets tumbling at the other end, there was little he could do to stop his side being dismissed for 105 from 31.4 overs – Jamie Forbes the last man out when he was bowled by

Afghanistan set to leave for the Under-19 World Cup on January 12 ESPNcricinfo Afghanistan will leave for the Caribbean on January 12 to take part in the upcoming Under-19 World Cup, the ACB confirmed in a tweet yesterday. The team will be flying from Dubai, where they have been stationed since the end of the Under19 Asia Cup that ended on December 31.

Earlier in the week, doubts had been cast over Afghanistan’s participation in the tournament due to visa glitches, with the ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley stating that the global governing body had been working closely with the ACB and other relevant stakeholders “to try and find a resolution to the problem and allow the team to travel.” As a result, Afghanistan’s two warm-up

games, against England on January 10 and UAE on January 12, were cancelled.

Afghanistan are placed in Group C for the tournament, alongside Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea. As things stand, Afghanistan are set to open their tournament on January 16 against Zimbabwe in Diego Martin, Trinidad. It remains to be seen if this schedule can be stuck to, given various quarantine requirements.

T h i s w i l l b e Afghanistan’s seventh appearance in the Under-19 World Cup. Since first qualifying in 2010, they’re made every subsequent edition. Their best finish came in 2018 in New Zealand, where they made the semi-finals.

Matheesha Pathirana for a duck.

The 128-run triumph was the perfect tonic for Sri Lanka as they continue preparations for a group that includes Australia, hosts West Indies and Scotland at the upcoming ICC U19 Men’s CWC. UAE lay down a marker United Arab Emirates impressed with both bat and ball as they recorded a dominant 250-run victory over Papua New Guinea in Basseterre.Having lost the toss and been asked to bat, UAE opener Kai Smith set about punishing that decision with a brilliant innings of 145 that came off just 139 balls.

Smith plundered 19 fours and a six as he built three big

partnerships with his toporder teammates, starting with an opening stand of 72 alongside Shival Bawa, before Bawa was caught by Malcolm Aporo off the bowling of John Kariko for 23.

Dhruv Parashar came to the crease and made 52 in a partnership of 133 before a third-wicket stand of 77 with Punya Mehra (41 off 25) took the UAE total towards 300.

Smith finally perished for 145 with just 13 balls remaining in the innings and the score on 298 before UAE took their final total up to 321 for five from 50 overs.

Their bowlers then capitalised on that mammoth target as Papua New Guinea were reduced to 22 for four, with Ali Naseer taking one

for three with three maidens in a suffocating five-over spell, as fellow opener Nilansh Keswani (2/16) helped himself to a pair of wickets at the other end.

PNG opener Peter Karoho (14 from 18) and No.6 Christopher Kilapat (27 off 40) were the only batters to reach double figures as Aayan Khan’s three for ten helped skittle them for just 71 from 28 overs and seal a 250-run triumph.

Scotland impress to beat Uganda Scotland may only have been a late replacement for New Zealand in the 2022 ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup but they signalled their intention to make some noise in West Indies with a 107-run warm-up win over

Uganda.Batting first, they posted a creditable total of 219 for nine from their 50 overs, with opener Charlie Tear steering the innings as he made 50.

In fact, Scotland received useful runs all the way down the order as Sam Elstone hit 29, Jack Jarvis contributed 33 before being run out and Charlie Peet added 26 late on.The Ugandan bowlers did take wickets at regular intervals with Edwin Nuwagaba (3/29) and Juma Miyaji (2/30) doing most of the damage but the Scots still gave themselves a target to defend.

Uganda made a promising start with the bat, reaching 41 for none in the ninth over but would go on to lose all ten wickets for just (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Wednesday January 12, 2022

GFF thanks stakeholders for Dr Puran Singh and Brian support of year-end tourneys Ramphal pumps $850,000 into The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) held a press conference yesterday at the Dadanawa Street head office during which the body thanked all stakeholders and gave a report on the recently concluded year end competitions which was deemed a massive success by head of the body, Wayne Forde.

Forde posited, “I would like to begin my remarks by extending our deepest gratitude to the media fraternity for the remarkable work done in covering the End of Year Tournaments over the past six weeks. I would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to our Government of Guyana, Corporate Sponsors, the National Health Authorities, The National Security

Services and the many private individuals and companies that came on board to support the successful return of football over the year-end period.”

The administrator continued, “This was an unprecedented undertaking, with two senior male and one female tournament running concurrently, and it would not have been possible without the support, commitment and generosity of our partners in corporate Guyana as well as the Government of Guyana.”

“In particular, I would like to personally say thank you to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Mr. Charles Ramson Jr. and to KFC for their continued support for the development of football.”

Forde noted the challenges faced in staging the tournaments in this pandemic period, noting that the main issue was during the final of the futsal event. He said there were lessons to be learned going forward on how to deal with this type of challenge.

Communications Officer of the GFF; Keeran Williams, disclosed that the GFF was able to achieve one of its goals of maximising its reach on social media. He indicated that the GFF is now the most followed Sport Association in Guyana, reaching in excess of 400,000 persons in the past 28 days.

In addition, it was noted that a total of over 5000 fans witnessed all of the matches live.

CWI and CI announce revised tour schedule for 2nd and 3rd CG Insurance ODIs Matches set to be played on Thursday and Sunday at Sabina Park KINGSTON, Jamaica – Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Cricket Ireland (CI) have confirmed changes to the match schedule for the ongoing CG Insurance One-Day International Series.

The second CG Insurance ODI will now be played tomorrow, Thursday 13th January with the third and final CG Insurance ODI on Sunday 16th January at Sabina Park. First ball is 9:30am local time (10:30am Eastern Caribbean/2:30pm Ireland).

The rescheduling occurred following five COVID-19 positive cases, as well as injuries in the Ireland camp leaving the Ireland squad depleted ahead of the 2nd CG Insurance ODI which was originally scheduled for Tuesday, 11 January.

As a consequence the one-off CG Insurance T20 International has been cancelled to allow for this revised schedule and to avoid impact on the teams’ travel plans and subsequent fixtures.

These ODI matches form part of the ICC ODI Super League with both teams having the opportunity to win points to be one of the top seven teams, excluding hosts India, to gain automatic qualification for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. West Indies lead the three-match series 10 following their 24-run victory in the first CG Insurance ODI on Saturday.

Live coverage is available on ESPN Caribbean in the West Indies and BT Sport in the UK and Ireland as well as with CWI’s broadcast partners around the world.

REVISED CG INSURANCE ODI SERIES SCHEDULE (at Sabina Park) Start: 9:30am (9:30am (10:30am Eastern Caribbean/2:30pm Ireland) 8 January: 1st CG Insurance ODI – West I n d i e s w o n b y 2 4 r u n s (https://bit.ly/3zNWgZ9) 13 January: 2nd CG Insurance ODI 16 January: 3rd CG Insurance ODI

BCB programmes for 2022 Hetmyer and wife to sponsor second edition of trust fund The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) under the leadership of Hilbert Foster continues to attract sponsorship as it strives to work hard to develop the game in the Ancient County.

The current leadership under Foster’s guidance in 2018 inherited a meagre forty three thousand dollars when it took office and since then has raised over sixty million dollars in cash and kind for the unmatched development of Berbice cricket.

On Monday last, two of the BCB most faithful sponsors - Dr Puran Singh and Brian Ramphal both informed the board that they would be renewing their annual sponsorship for 2022.

Dr Singh is the younger brother of Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh, one of the major sponsors of Berbice cricket and is based in his adopted home of Barbados. He first came on board as a BCB Sponsor in 2019 and has invested close to one million dollars of his personal funds into the county.

In 2022, he would be sponsoring the BCB National Players Scheme at the cost of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Under the Scheme, the BCB would provide a stipend of ten thousand dollars to every Berbician who makes the national team at the under 15, 17, 19 and female levels.

Foster expressed thanks to Dr Singh for his continued support and reassured him that the funds would be used for the intended purpose.

The stipend, he stated

Dr Puran Singh, Brian Ramphal would serve as a motivation to the players. Cricket West Indies, he stated is planning to resume cricket at the junior level and the BCB was confident that its players would make up the majority of the different teams due to the massive investment in their development. Dr Singh stated that he was very impressed with the work of the board and its visionary leadership. He noted that he was very pleased to be a part of the team that has done so much and pledged to continue his support in the future.

Brian Ramphal is a very successful overseas based entrepreneur who invests in the Tech Industry. He came on board as a BCB Sponsor in 2018 after being introduced to Foster by former BCB Secretary Oscar Ramjeet. The USA based Ramphal to date has donated close to three million dollars to the vibrant cricket board

and would be investing five hundred thousand dollars in 2022.

The sponsorship would cover the cost of an under 19 tournament in West Berbice along with educational grants to players in the same area. The hosting of the 2022 BCB Mother and Father of the year award along with the o v e r a l l B C B Aw a r d Ceremony which is expected to be held in late April. A very prominent Caribbean sports leader has already agreed to be the main speaker at the Brian Ramphal 2022 BCB Awards Ceremony which would be held at the St Francis Community Centre. Foster hailed Ramphal as one of the main reason why his presidency was so successful and expressed thanks to him for his support over the years. Ramphal stated that he was delighted to be associated with the BCB as it was making a positive difference in the lives of youths.

Meanwhile, West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer and his wife Nirvanie on Friday reassured the BCB that they would be renewing their sponsorship for the Hetmyer Trust Fund. Last year, the couple had sponsored the first edition of the fund at the cost of one million dollars.

Over eighty clubs received cricket balls, while ten youths also received educational grants. The BCB would provide cricket balls to all the clubs in the county with funds donated by the Hetmyers in 2022.

T&T Olympic bronze medalist Deon Lendore dies in car crash SportsMax - Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Bronze medallist Deon Lendore died Monday night after reportedly succumbing to injuries he suffered in a car accident in Texas.

The 29-year-old from Arima, whose 400m personal best was 44.36, was part of the Trinidad and Tobago team that won bronze in the Men's 4x400m at the 2012 London Olympics and silver at the 2015

World Championships in the same event.

Individually, Lendore won bronze medals in the 400m at the World Indoor Championships, in Oregon, in 2016, where he was also part of T&T's bronze medal-winning 4x400m team and Birmingham in 2018.

A three-time Pan Am Junior Championships silver medallist, Lendore also had a wonderful junior career, which

resulted in him excelling at Te x a s A & M U n i v e r s i t y, winning the Bowerman award in 2014.

President of the Trinidad a n d To b a g o O l y m p i c Committee, Brian Lewis, reacted to the unfortunate news.

“Words cannot adequately express our sadness at the devastating and untimely loss.

Deon has flown the Trinidad and Tobago flag with pride, honour, patriotism, and an

indomitable will throughout his career while helping and inspiring many. We express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, teammates, coaches, and all who he would have touched. May Deon Rest and Sleep in Eternal Peace,” he said.

Lendore represented T&T at three Olympic Games in 2012, 2016 and 2021 and three World Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2019.

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Bronze medallist Deon Lendore.

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Tarson looking to achieve new heights in new season Hardat Tarson

By Zaheer Mohamed

B

erbician Hardat Tarson will be looking to achieve new heights when the new powerlifting season commences. Tarson of Hardcore Barbell gym of Rosignol, West Berbice was crowned overall champion at the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation Senior Championship which was held in December last.

Tarson had a total lift of 762.5kg including a squat of 287.5kg, bench press of 175.0kg and a deadlift of 300kg at the competition.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport Tarson said he is working hard in order to achieve his goals in the new

Kaieteur News

Spain has no record of Djokovic presence in December, Foreign Minister says MADRID, (Reuters) Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares said yesterday that he does not have any information on whether tennis star Novak Djokovic had visited Spain before travelling to Australia.Asked by a reporter if he knew whether Djokovic had entered Spain

season. “I am always confident because I train hard and I want to set records and to do well for my country once I am given the opportunity,” he added.

He feels that proper and prior preparation is the key when heading into a championship and showered praises on Almighty God for his performance.

“The training is tough, but I relish the challenges and am looking forward to the next competition,” he said.

Tarson also credited his coach Farouk Abdool who has been an inspiration.

Meanwhile, Abdool said Tarson is an exciting athlete and he can go places once he (Continued on page 21)

PAGE 25

in December, potentially invalidating a declaration the player completed on travelling to Australia, Albares responded: “I have no record of this presence of Djokovic.”“We have not been contacted by the Australian government to r e q u e s t s u c h documentation,” he added.

Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares attends a news conference following his meeting with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (not pictured) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Athens, Greece December 14, 2021.

(REUTERS/Costas Baltas)

Afghanistan set to rt o p S leave for the Under-19 GFF thanks World Cup on January 12 stakeholders for support of year-end tourneys

Noor Ahmad is part of the Afghanistan U-19 squad. (Getty Images)

President of the GFF during yesterday’s media brief.

Kagiso Rabada celebrates after having had Virat Kohli caught behind. (AFP via Getty Images)

Rabada four-for makes it South Africa’s day as India fold for 223 despite Kohli 79 CWI and CI announce revised tour schedule for Matches set to be played on 2nd and 3rd CG Insurance ODIs Thursday and Sunday at Sabina Park Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.