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January 13, 2022 - Vol. 15 No.02

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In response to low fish catches…

Pres. Ali promises fishermen $8M profit from fish cage, still in experimental stage

An illustration of a fish or marine cage.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

Former Suriname oil boss Guyanese will have no say in how oil urges Guyana to have money will be 24hr surveillance offshore spent - Patterson p.8

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

Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Former Suriname oil boss urges Guyana to have 24hr surveillance offshore W

hen it comes to the regulation o f i t s p e t r o l e u m i n d u s t r y, Suriname authorities ensured that the requisite monitoring systems as well as the human resources needed are always in place to keep a watchful eye of every move an oil company makes with their resources.

In this way, Rudolf Elias, former Head of StaatsolieSuriname's National Oil

Company (NOC) said the authorities of the Dutch speaking nation achieved two objectives. The first he said is that they ensured there is respect for the rules and regulations in place since “what gets regulated gets d o n e . ” A n d s e c o n d l y, officials are able to learn and grow their knowledge based on various aspects of the sector.

Given the benefits that accrue from the foregoing,

Elias said he would encourage Guyana to follow suit as soon as possible. Elias who is also an international consultant with over 30 years' experience in the industry made the foregoing statements, among others, during an interview on Kaieteur Radio's Programme: Guyana's Oil and You. Elias said, “We are always present for two reasons: one, it's to see what

is happening because you want to know firsthand what is going on with your resource and second is you want to learn…You want to keep an eye out and know where are the layers, know what the oil sands look like.

So we always have a driller and a geologist on board 24 hours, seven days a week on every vessel out there.”

He added, “But we are also there of course to learn because the experience for a

Former Staatsolie Boss, Rudolf Elias

EPA Head, Kemraj Parsram

young geologist when she sees oil for the first time, I mean that's quite an experience you know. I remember the geologist that saw the first one at the Apache (operated block). He said, 'Rudolph, there's oil! It's discovery!' And then three or f o u r w e e k s l a t e r, t h e government announced that there was a discovery.”

In light of the benefits he has been able to have a front row seat to Elias said he

would advise Guyana to do the same; to have on every drillship, a Senior geologist and a junior to get the experience of what it takes to find oil and to be in charge of their country's resources.

For the time being, Guyana does not have the level of monitoring practiced by its Dutch speaking counterpart. But this state of affairs would not be the case for much longer since the (Continued on page 15)

Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

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In response to low fish catches…

Pres. Ali promises fishermen $8M profit from fish cage, still in experimental stage Acknowledging that there are credible reports and concerns about low fish catches plaguing the agriculture sector, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said fishermen will be able to breathe a sigh of relief quite soon as his government has come up with an innovative solution.

According to the Head of State, the government will be examining, in collaboration with fisher folk, the establishment of marine cages.

Often times referred to as “cage culture” this experimental method of aquaculture involves the confinement and production of fish inside some type of mesh in existing water resources such as ponds, rivers, estuaries, open ocean, etc. The mesh retains the fish, making it easier to feed, observe and harvest.

Preliminary research conducted by Kaieteur News notes however that this form of aquaculture is still in its trial stage even though some countries have had some degree of success with a limited number of species.

Speaking to stakeholders during the launch of the

government's Agriculture a n d I n n o v a t i o n Entrepreneurship Programme at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre ( A C C C ) o n T u e s d a y, President Ali said, “We are not sitting back and being an observer to the discussion on the reduced fish catch out there. Globally, there is a reduction and we are seeing scientific explanation as to why that reduction is there.

There is no political direction or directive for the fish not to come here.

This is a global issue and how will we address it? We have started in Region Six with a project for swamp shrimp and we are investing in that but while we are doing that we have just completed the prefeasibility for two things: first aquaculture, looking at the growing of prawns and tilapia.”

The Head of State said too that the government has already identified 100 acres of land for prawn production that would give the administration enough capacity to ensure the existing demand is met.

In Hinterland communities, he said the

government is looking at marine cages in the rivers where the water is flowing to grow tilapia there in a more natural environment which reduces the cost of operations and helps boost hinterland livelihood. For the fisher folk on the coast, he said A g r i c uExxon l t u r e flaring M i n i s at t e r, their Zulfikar Mustapha will Liza Destiny operations engage them shortly on a offshore similar marine cage Guyana project that would guarantee a set volume of production annually.

“When you examine the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali numbers, each one of those marine cages can bring in a net value of close to $8M annually and you can pay Global Seafood Alliance back for the investment (GSA), an international nonwithin six months. So we are governmental organization not sitting back. We have a dedicated to advancing r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o f i n d responsible seafood practices solutions and that is what we since 1997, it was noted that worldwide, interest in are doing.” commercial marine cages has While the President touts been growing. marine cages as one of the It noted for example that possible solutions to the s e v eral nations have reduction in fish catches, a t t e mpted submerged there are numerous research Atlantic salmon farming, papers which indicate that this route may not be the with farms deployed or under s a f e s t a n d m o s t development in New environmentally friendly for Zealand, China, Chile and Scotland. fish.

Despite significant According to a paper by

interest, GSA said, “the submerged culture of salmonids has had limited success. While small-scale trials with submerged cages in freshwater settings demonstrate they can be used to overwinter salmon beneath surface ice, a range of studies at industry scale demonstrate mixed results on submergence as a viable production method.”

They noted for example, “Salmonids grow poorly when held in submerged cages for longer than a month in the on-growing phase in seawater.

Even when continuous lighting reduces some of the negative side effects of submergence, growth rates are still lower relative to surface cages.”

Overall, GSA said if marine cages or the submerged culture of fish is to mature and fulfill its promise, research to empirically document p r o d u c t i o n a n d environmental benefits, and issues surrounding fish welfare throughout the production cycle need to lead the way. For the time being, this evidence does not exist.

It further added, “Robust, industry-scale experiments of new production technologies are difficult to conduct, but possible, and significant co-investment from government and industry is required to achieve them. Conducting meaningful scientific research will thus assist in ensuring the successful adoption of submerged culture, where possible.”

(See link for referenced a r t i c l e : https://www.globalseafood.o rg/advocate/a-review-ofmarine-fish-aquaculture-insubmerged-cages/0 Another research paper reviewed by this newspaper also supports the inconclusiveness of marine cage success as it states: “Closed fish cages have gained increased interest in marine aquaculture.

However, knowledge on the seakeeping behaviour of a floating closed cage and the influence of the contained water inside the cage are still limited.”

Kaieteur News will continue the examination of this matter in a subsequent feature.

Public Works Ministry pays out $280M to staff under line item that deals with maintenance of road - AG report finds

The Ministry of Public Works in 2020 paid in excess of $288 million to staff who were not catered for in the 'Employment Costs' under the Approved Estimates of Current Expenditure for 2020, via which provisions can be made for the payment of wages and salaries to contracted and temporary employees.

This is according to the Auditor General's (AG) Report of 2020.

The AG, Deodat Sharma, in the document detailed that the sum was as a result of an increase of 114 employees, which represented approximately 131 percent from the eighty-seven employed as at December 2019.

It added the sum expended in 2020 included amounts totalling $32.358M

and $19.162M, which were deducted and paid to the National Insurance Scheme and Guyana Revenue Authority, respectively.

However, the employees were not included in the Approved Estimates of Current Expenditure for 2020, under employment costs. As a result, the Ministry's expenditure for 'Employment Costs' was understated by the sum of $288.075M. “It should be noted that a similar situation existed in 2019,” the Report highlighted.

In response, the Ministry explained that the employment cost for the Special Projects Unit (SPU) was catered for under the Maintenance of Road line head for the year 2020 and not under the Ministry of Public Works Employment

Cost.

It said that the employees of the SPU are temporarily employed and are daily rated workers for which there is currently no other appropriate line head to cater for such employment. It added the cost is also considered a component of maintaining roads, hence further reason for allocating it to that line head.

Moreover, the Ministry reasoned it has always been the practice to cater for wages from this line item head, which continuously gained approval from the Ministry of Finance.

In flagging yet another matter with regard to the staff in the SPU, the AG reported that the personal emoluments of 19 employees who are skilled or semi-skilled were paid under this Line Item.

“However, it should be noted that Line Item 6115 caters for semi-skilled and unskilled s t a ff . M o r e o v e r, t h e designations for 16 of the 19 employees are on the 'List of Approved Positions' under the Ministry, as contained in the National Estimates of Expenditure,” the report added.

In responding to the findings of the AG, the Ministry said that the Head of Budget Agency stated that employment within SPU is generally temporary - oneyear durations. As such, it cannot be effectively captured under line-item 6115 which deals with the employment of unskilled and semi-skilled workers, who are either permanent or in the process of becoming permanent, as transitioning to the pensionable

establishment.

T h e P u b l i c Wo r k s Ministry further explained that due to the unconventional work , capacity and hours which generally leads to overtime, is not catered for under line item 6115 head. In addition, the government agency pointed out that there are a few skilled employees working under the SPU and that the matter has gained the attention of the relevant parties.

In this regard, the Ministry assured there is a joint effort between the Public Service Ministry and the Ministry of Public Works to transfer those employees.

Additionally, conditions of SPU contracts restrain employees from receiving certain employment benefits.

As such, the rectification of

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill this matter is actively being considered.

As a consequence, the Audit Office again recommended that the Head of Budget Agency ensure propriety of expenditure is considered when the Ministry's Budget is being prepared.

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Where are the guardians of democracy?

For five unending months as this society hung agonizingly on the edge, and in great nervousness, there were many agitated Guyanese gathering daily around certain flashpoints. It was during last year’s election impasse.

They were around GECOM, they surged around Ashmin’s on the High Street, and they huddled around the Arthur Chung Conference Centre - some even wrote letters and other articles in this newspaper.

They were assembled in all these places with intense interest, and unrestrained energies for good causes, such as ‘free and fair’ and electoral democracy mainly, and for other ideals, including the rights of man. These were all good and great things in a hard time of test for this country.

But, today a strange thing is now the norm in Guyana.

These great Guyanese, these noble patriots have all disappeared somewhere into the shadows that grow deeper by the moment.

They can’t be found anywhere, except where there are good times, and great rewards being doled out, and lovely stories of what was sacrificed to get the just desserts that they now swallow by the gobs.

There is a tragedy here, which makes it even more inexplicable and beyond the grasp, because it comes so soon after all those long days and cold nights in the open air, while they performed unpaid and unasked for guard duty.

Today, when there is this great oil robbery in Guyana, the patriots and other people who were so consumed about democracy and free and fair elections no longer have a tongue, have lost their heads, so they can’t think anymore, and with that it appears that they are contented.

What they fought for was of more than themselves, but for the sum of the six races of Guyana in all their numbers.

The result of that struggle has to be more than a bottle of rum and being around powerful people, who drop a penny in their pocket, while their peers grow poor and more pitiful in the forlornness of their hopelessness.

Here it is, that these stalwart Guyanese who were luminous for majestic moments, who stood for something, today stand for nothing. We at this publication will be so bold as to share with them, our fellows under the Guyanese flag, that democracy is not this cheap. Nor is free and fair ever made so foul by their hustling for any cheap dollar, their sheltering in any sleazy corner with sleazier leaders, who promise the sleaziest of toys and trinkets while a world of mistakes multiply and Guyanese are more impoverished for it. We are more than ashamed, disappointed, embarrassed that this is the sum of the vision of those Guyanese patriots who congregated in this place and that, and shouted themselves hoarse, only for today the wonderful things that they fought for, to come to this.

Our oil is worth billions upon billions, and we are happy with what our poor Indian and African grandfathers and grandmothers called ‘bit na haff.’ We think that many of those long-gone forefathers would shake their heads, including our indigenous ones. It is that their hard and stormy lives were sacrificed to the cruelties of slavery and indentureship to till the fields and fill the ships with sugar and rice, and to dream that one day their children will be wise enough and strong enough to break the chains of this inhuman bondage, because a rare discernment came.

It was that they are being used, and their grandfathers did not bear the brunt of the burdens on their backs for their descendants to live with the same slave masters, but in a new era and for a new product that brings them even more fabulous riches. As our oil and gold and whatever else are being carted away, the sad part is that there are these new Guyanese enslaved.

Those enslaved by a quick dollar who think of themselves as millionaires, but are nothing other than midgets with that kind of mind. Men glad to be used, for the opportunity to stoop.

Is this what democracy and free and fair has come to in Guyana? Pennies for paupers? A breed of the newly enslaved from leaders to followers, losers all? This cannot be the Guyana of the future, surely?

Thursday January 13, 2022

SAVING THE FISHING INDUSTRY DEAR EDITOR, I have been following the concerns of the fishing industry most recently expressed in the mainstream and social media. As part of the industry myself, I am also feeling the squeeze.

Rest assured, this issue is not one that fisher folks are experiencing now but we are only now hearing about it because it has crossed a significant economic threshold.

Majority of the smaller operators will not be able to produce evidence of the reduction in catches over the years since they do not keep records but larger operators who do keep records will be able to provide those records to show the reduction in their

catches. Better yet the Trawlers association of Guyana will be able to provide some reliable data as well.

The data that I have seen from one large operator suggest a massive drop in catches per trip and a significant increase in the length of a trip over the last six years. This means that the fishermen are spending more time at sea and catching less.

Further that translates to more fuel, more food for sailors, higher maintenance cost, less trips per month and less income.

The impact is translated to their homes where, bank payments, GPL bill, telephone bill, household grocery, etc have a constant refilling cycle.

From what I have seen and what I am hearing I can conclude that their cries are genuine, there is a problem.

The question is where do we go from here? Why are they not catching? Are the species dead? Have they migrated?

Have their behaviour changed? Have they changed feeding/ spawning ground?

Are we over fishing? These are questions that need to be answered and answered urgently.

If we as a nation nonchalantly cast aside the concerns of these people then we are ripping away bread from people’s mouth. Our most highly respected Vice President argued that there is no evidence that the oil and gas industry caused the

reduction in catches.

Reciprocally, there is no evidence to suggest that it did not as well.

This alone demonstrates the genuine need of urgent scientific research to come up with answers.

The time is now most opportune to hire a respected marine biology body to examine the situation and make recommendations for the authorities to implement.

In my own humble way I would encourage the Government of Guyana to make a genuine effort save and industry.

Don’t do to the fishing industry what APNU did to our sugar industry.

Sincerely, Rohit Singh

Public Interest Litigation: Appeal to lawyers to take up fishermen case against Exxon DEAR EDITOR, When the interests of the public are impacted by unjust policies or actions of private entities, the people have a right to seek legal redress. The constitution grants the public this right thought it may not be expressly stated in constitutions. Lawyers went to courts to enforce this right in several countries establishing precedents that judges cite to make rulings. It is in this context that I suggest public interests litigation against Exxon. Public interests litigation empowers and protects the poor and downtrodden. Public interest litigation is judicial action for protection of public interests.

The court tolerates such judicial activism. The court itself is judicially active if it feels peoples’ rights are affected by policymaking or actions of others.

It is not necessary for an affected person to file the litigation. Anyone can approach the court for redress. The court entertains the matter because of its importance to the public.

The court can also take up the matter with a complaint

and proceed suo moto on the petition of any public spirited person on any matter pertaining to the public like preventing fishermen from catching fish without justifiable reason and without offering compensation. The court will compel the defendant, if there is evidence, to respect the public’s rights and fine it/him/her if necessary.

Public interest litigation is known to be a vehicle for building jurisprudence of democratic countries especially India, US, UK, Canada, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, etc. It is also a vehicle to enforce basic rights not stated in a constitution. Public rights are rights obvious to the eyes and meant to be included in a constitution but not clearly stated. Once the court rules in favour of the petitioners, those rights become law as though they are written in the constitution or legislated by parliament.

Many such laws have come into being in the US through court rulings in public interest matters. It takes a courageous lawyer in a third world country to file such cases. In Trinidad, Ramesh led the ini-

tiative in the 1980s. And when he became AG in 1996, he drafted several public interests laws like empowering the public to get information from the government that was a secret prior to his intervention. In Guyana, only a few lawyers have the testicular fortitude to challenge the status quo. I don’t know of any lawyer in Guyana who files public interests litigation.

They are all fearful of the government, a fear that goes back to the emergence of Burnhamism right after the country gained independence in May 1966. Burnham abolished the Privy Council and no one challenged him.

Burnham declared Guyana a banana republic and no one challenged him. Burnham rigged elections and he was not challenged. Burnham banned basic goods and there were no challenges.

Burnham established national service and implemented kick down door banditry and so many other criminal acts and no one took him to task. Had lawyers taken Burnham and the governments to court, maybe Guyana would not have descended into a dicta-

torship. It was unlikely that the court would have ruled against Burnham. But we would not know unless he was challenged. Now, Exxon prevents fishermen from doing their trade in traditional waters affecting their career or basic living. That is a test case for public interests. Can Exxon prevent the fishermen from their catch without compensation? If a Ramesh were in Guyana, he would have already filed a class action against Exxon. The fishermen and the poor have no money to challenge Exxon and powerful business or political interests. It is imperative that caring and compassionate lawyers take up their case. It is a no brainer for victory. And Exxon will have to pay court costs. I appeal to lawyers to please take up the fishermen case. Had I been a lawyer licenced to practice in Guyana, I would have done it pro bono (free). Such a case has far reaching implications. It could lead to Exxon forever compensating the fishing industry if it can be shown that the industry will not recover.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

The President has to do something to alleviate the suffering of the poor DEAR EDITOR, Two days ago my wife came home after doing some shopping and marketing and was very angry, shouting out ‘what is this country coming to and how will poor people survive in this oil economy, and Irfaan and Jagdeo have to do something”. After allowing her to calm down, I asked what is the problem and she reeled off a long list of items that she bought and the prices she paid. Then came the bombshell. She told me compared to six months ago,

the prices of some items have risen by as much as $1000.

For example, rice was $2,600 for a five-gallon bag. It is now $3,600.

Cooking oil was $2,000 for a five litre bottle. It is now $3,300. Milk powder was $800 for one pound. It is now $1,260. Flour, sugar, peas, potatoes, garlic, onion and all pasta products have risen by between $200 and $300. The prices of snapper, mullet, bangamary, butterfish and catfish have risen by as much as $800 to $1200.

Editor, to say I was flabbergasted is an understatement. I am aware of the supply chain crisis, but how come fish, fruits and vegetables are so expensive and not to mention rice and sugar that we produce right here in Guyana.

What is going on? How will poor people survive in this country? I shudder to think how the pensioners of this country are surviving.

I don’t know if we are already suffering from the resource curse, but what I do know is that the President of

this country has to do something to alleviate the suffering of the poor and pensioners of this country. I do hope this letter caught his attention or someone bring it to his attention, so that we can hear something positive from him, after all, he, his cabinet, parliamentarians, businessmen and contractors do not have to worry about the high cost of living, because their bread is well buttered.

Yours faithfully, Imtiaz Baccus

Thursday January 13, 2022

A TRULY CLUMSY PUBLIC SERVICE DEAR EDITOR, If I were to ask for anything in Guyana, I would ask President Ali to sanitise and improve the Guyana Public Service. The ineptness, inefficiency, and unprofessionalism of this entity have been highlighted ad nauseam. Complaints of ‘comeback later, fill out this form properly, more identification needed’ and a litany of excuses substitute for adept and dexterous performance.

The pervasive alleged paying of bribes to obtain simple documents seems to be the perpetual order of the day as the public gets frustrated and enraged by such unlawful sloppiness in the workforce.

In other words, the axiom “you grease my hands, and I will grease yours” has become a daily routine for many public servants.

Take for instance the Passport Office. Numerous persons are frequently turned away because as reported in this and other media outlets only 100 applicants are being ‘processed’ daily. Applicants are told to come back tomorrow, even if they live in Bartica or in Lethem! Just imagine lines being formed as early as 4:00 am at the passport office!

This is also true when one must obtain a birth or death certificate. People have reported that they had to travel to Georgetown three, four and sometimes five times from far away to obtain a death or a birth certificate. These trips

are very costly to the poor who are struggling to survive in a country where inflation has skyrocketed to almost 35 percent.

Another problem with public servants of all ranks which I would ask the president to investigate is that they do not answer their office phones and they do not return phone calls. And they are dishonest if they promise to call because very rarely do public servants inform the public by phone that their documents are completed and they should collect them.

And it is known that the few that answer the phones are often rude, arrogant, and disrespectful to the public. One of the moderators of GLOBESPAN TV, Dr. Asquith Rose has stated on several occasions that most public servants behave as though they are the people’s bosses and not their servants and that they do not answer their phones or return phone calls.

The post-independence public service was a role model for CARICOM; then it became overly politicised and bloated by past and present governments. To obtain a burial or cremation permit or replace an ID card in Guyana is like fighting a war for months if not for years, because that is the time it takes to obtain the aforementioned documents. The salient issue with Guyana’s public service is not only the carelessness and care-free attitude of pub-

lic servants, but a don’t care attitude/mindset that has infected a huge segment of public servants. However, it is said that the improvement of any organisation must be inspired by its leaders which fits neatly into the saying that if want to groom a tree you must start at the top.

Another issue in the public service that needs to be addressed is the lack of courtesy and professionalism.

This trait is widespread in that it exists in almost all Ministries and state agencies. Public servants are known to radiate the aura that they are doing the public a favour, rather than doing their job which they are paid to do.

Many can be seen polishing their nails, fixing their hair, using their cell phones, or eating at their desks. Mediocrity has replaced efficiency and professionalism. Complaints against unmannerly employees, for the most part, often fall on deaf ears. With the present conundrum, it begs the question: can the public rely on the management to fix these problems given that they have caused the problems in the first place? Retraining and re-educating public servants to serve the people must be done urgently. As the situation now stands, a Black Hole phenomenon is the most appropriate description of Guyana’s Public Service.

Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine,

Guyana’s slow roll to workplace all the relevant information. modernisation The usage of the word

DEAR EDITOR, There is no end in sight to the amount of $$$ that is untraceable in all the various government agencies. Re: The article: “Auditors unable to verify over $70m spent on D’Urban Park”, as appeared in KN 11th. Here we are; already 22 years into the 21st century and what is consistently a common thread in these cases, is the absence of adequate online systems in place to trace/track/validate expenses or even sign off on work done.

We are using (it seems) SOLELY paper records and documentation in some format. Still? These different

variations of paper records tend to get conveniently “lost”, or not found. For a fact, there are extremely bright UG graduates who can implement proper workplace online systems, to retrieve all and everything. These individuals are right here - in Guyana. So why aren’t they a part of the solution?

Instead of MICROMANAGING basic business operational decisions from parliament, or at ministerial levels, it seems that heads of key organisational units are not given the green light to make decisions in creating modern/online workplace solutions that capture

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“Transformational” as it relates to the future economy is overkill at this point.

Will that be achievable when critical government institutions are so heavily dependent on hardcopy records? (Pen and Paper). To board an aircraft on Caribbean Airlines to come to Guyana, travellers’ key passport data are scanned (not typed), and the passengers photo is taken at the gate-All in three minutes or less.

Will the government bring in the younger generation OR at least folks who are IT savvy to get us faster, into a more modern and efficient mindset?

Chi Kansi

CUT THE SPEAKER SOME SLACK DEAR EDITOR, As I listen to all the hubbub over the Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, I find myself drawn into taking this peculiar defensive position: let us all cut the Speaker some slack.

I must warn, though, that there is a downside to that, as that adage may click smartly into place -give a man an inch, and he grabs a whole mile. So there!

Anyhow, the Speaker should be excused, since he is new to the job, this weighty responsibility to the sensitive tasks of presiding over the august house of the people.

It certainly was to his disadvantage that he is clueless on most things, except what pleases you know who?

Those people that put him there, so he has to measure up, and in trumps. Now there is a dirty word for all the political purists and moralists.

Like I said, the man is new, and most of us have been in that position, which prompts us to try to prove that we are

the best thing since Steve Jobs (slice bread lost out). So what if the big man got carried away with the importance of the job, or that it went to his head? He who wants to cast the first stone, go ahead.

Make my day.

Editor, I am excusing the Speaker for the slight error in misinterpretation. He failed to appreciate that the holder of that office has to be as clean as a PPPC awarded contract.

It should be noticed that I left out ‘government’ which I assure one and all was not a mistake. What the party wants, it gets the government to do. The Speaker erred in the small area of not seeing the office as mediator (of what is pornography and bad behavior among rambunctious boys and girls) and arbitrator (of time for that creature called an opposition -yes, space has to be made for it, too), but as one of executioner. Just ask the Shadow Minister of Oil and Gas. What is a little difference of opinion among friends,

come on?

But not so fast, for if the Speaker thinks I am going to let him off the hook, I refer him to that gone vagabond, Ray Charles, ‘You don’t know me.’ Yessir, you can say that again. There is one area where the Speaker had fallen down rather consistently, and conveniently so, which makes matters even more embarrassing. I take great pains in letting him know (humbly, of course) that Speaker of the National Assembly means that the incumbent must speak from both sides of his mouth.

He can’t speak from the PPPC side of his mouth alone, for that would lead to those same charges levelled against him. Or, perhaps, it might be more accurate for me to say that were hurled at his sorry head. My suggestion to him is to tell the people that he is sorry, that it would not happen again, and let’s all kiss and be friends.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

CARICOM Secretariat solar PV system DEAR EDITOR, The first thing the ordinary citizen asks after learning about a renewable energy is, “How much will it cost for me?” Therefore the Hon Prime Minister and Minister of Energy in https://dpi.gov.gy/pmhopeful-caricom-solar-plantwill-help-promote-renewableenergy/ is really dashing

hopes that the CARICOM Secretariat solar power system will help promote this kind of renewable energy.

The reason is simple. The US$7M cost is eight times current prices for 400 kW, even with an energy management system.With that kind of price the only projects it helps promote are oil and gas

related projects for enrichment of the fossil fuel companies getting a non-taxable 85.5%, while Guyanese companies and citizens pay their taxes to a government that is incapable of comprehending the technology of exploitation and of auditing its natural resources and finances.

Alfred Bhulai

Support for Class Action Lawsuit against Exxon and Oil Explorers DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to “Fishermen should take Exxon to court for loss of income”

by Dr. Vishnu Bisram (Jan 12).

It is not often that Dr. Bisram pronounces on Exxon, a shift away from his strong antiExxon position during the tenure of the coalition. He must be deeply troubled by the effects of Exxon’s operations on the fishing sector and the injustice of the contract that led to his call for compensation.

The public pays heed to his views; politicians and businesses also get worried when he writes against them. It is a legitimate concern of the fisher folks.

They have a right to com-

pensation since Exxon has denied them the right to fish in waters that they fished for decades. I totally support this class action lawsuit.

As rightly stated by Dr. Bisram, this is an opportunity for a winnable class action lawsuit and to make lawyers famous for taking on the mighty Exxon. It will draw attention of the international community and progressive American groups.

It will shame Exxon and the government. It will expose the lopsided nature of the contract to American lawmakers.

The fishing industry will in all likelihood be permanently disabled. Consider-

ation should be given for continuous compensation for all displace industries especially marine based industries. This will serve to improve Guyana’s take into the lopsided contract with Exxon that gives Guyana 2% royalty, 12.5% profits but pays no taxes and the government provides all affiliated services for free.

The lawsuit for compensation should include a minimum 5% of revenues. This will help to make up (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Kaieteur News

We must fix fundamentals to prevent opening up our society to larger problems from the South DEAR EDITOR, Improved border security is a must have for successful trade to be established with our southern neighbour.

An illegal immigrant from Brazil caused all kinds of concern and havoc in our indigenous communities during the onset of COVID-19.

Our porous borders have also been the source of excessive smuggling of gold from our land and the recent large find by Omai will only encourage more of this unlawful behaviour.

Our countries cannot have a serious discussion on Trade without first fixing the border issue.

Government income will be lost and visibility into the movement of goods and

people along the borders will become a larger problem if an agreement is not firstly made on how to better control the southern border.

If the most recent display of the killing of the Jaguar on the world stage by Brazilian authorities is any indication of how dissimilar our views on Nature are, not to mention the lack of respect for Guyana’s national symbols, then we are far from coming to a mutually beneficial agreement as equal partners at the bargaining table.

Brazil must be willing to improve the security along its border with Guyana and there must be a sharp reduction in the gold smuggling occurring for our two Great Nations to ink a long term trade agree-

ment that will improve trade while also ensuring improved National Security for both of our citizens and our friends in the animal kingdom.

A number of the smugglers coming in from Brazil have been found to be criminals and those of unsavory character.

Our police and court system must also be better linked to prevent Guyana from becoming a criminal safe haven for those escaping the Justice System in Brazil.

With increased trade comes this increased risk.

We must fix the fundamentals to prevent opening up our society to larger problems from the South.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee

NEW PASSPORT REQUIREMENT DEAR EDITOR, There is now a new requirement for the recommender on the application for a passport.

Seeing that passports are no longer renewable you have to apply for a new one when the old one expires.

The new requirement is that the

recommender must be a Guyanese. Seeing that the list of eligible recommenders is already small, making it only Guyanese now means that it will be impossible for overseas Guyanese to obtain a new passport.

Who was the ‘genius’ that implemented this change?

Gladwyn Meertins

NO SPIN CAN MAKE WRONG RIGHT DEAR EDITOR, The hedging and sidestepping by the authorities in their attempt at an explanation, on the recent fiasco involving breaches of COVID protocols and guidelines in the just concluded Futsal Finals, warrant serious sanctions, not only just the collaborative organisation, but those in the echelon of control, who were in

attendance and should have taken determined and firm action at the time and shut down the event.

Their contradictory standard was on full display in this instance. What is wrong simply cannot be right and no spin can make it so.

Shamshun Mohamed

Thursday January 13, 2022

An entire overhaul of the PNC needed DEAR EDITOR, Why the big hullabaloo about who is or who should be the PNC’s Leader of The opposition?

What is of public interest and continues to unfold is the greed for power which is the trademark of the executives of PNC. Why is it that a Party that wants to return to power continues to self-destruct? It is clear that like the AFC, the PNC is now rapidly disintegrating to the point of no return with members abandoning ship at regular intervals. It may be that those who are walking the plank are good riddance, but are those that remain any better?

This is not a difficult question when their track records come under scrutiny.

The name ‘PNC’ is itself a stigma which Guyanese would like not to even repeat and numerous baptisms have failed to remove it.

Mahatma Gandhi once said that, ‘I have nothing new to teach the world, truth and non-violence are as old as the mountains’.

The PNC should ponder upon these words. Has the PNC Executive members displayed any tendency to embrace the truth?

Until now they are yet to come to terms with the fact that they rigged and committed massive electoral fraud from 1968 to 1985.

They bankrupted Guyana’s economy and committed theft on a grand scale.

Yet they did not repent. They

were given another chance in 2015 which they squandered beyond redemption.

As soon as they get back into Office they began their old fiendish ways.

But this time they were in a great hurry.

The PNC will never be able to be truthful, it is simply not in their DNA. Just look at the numerous attempts to rig the 2020 Elections yet they are lying to the world that they did no such thing and it was the PPP/C which rigged the 2020 General Elections.

Will even their own members and supporters ever trust these barefaced liars?

Moreover, to add insult to injury they have proceeded with a most frivolous, spurious and vexatious Elections petition to challenge the ‘validity and outcome’ of the 2020 Elections.

They have now appealed the decision of the Chief Justice (ag) who threw out both petitions.

The PNC leaders simply cannot fathom when enough is enough. Leaders must be honest and truthful to their followers.

The PNC, if they want to be accepted by the people, must change their dirty, lying ways and accept that they indeed rigged the Elections for 1968 to 1985 and attempted to do so again in 2020 and discard of their barefaced elections petition.

But know this a new breed of young politicians are needed and I do not see anyone in the current crop.

There must be a complete overhaul.

Has the PNC been able to shed its violent and aggressive ways? The answer is a resounding NO. Let us just replay what happened in the National As-

sembly on 29th December, 2021. The PPP MPs had to create a human barrier to protect Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh as he presented the NRF Bill.

Moreover, the Speaker’s Mace, a symbol of his authority was stolen briefly which is a threat to governance on Guyana and can be deemed as ‘treacherous and anti-national’ (Minister Gail Teixeira).

There has been past ruckus in Parliament but this beats all and the signs are ominous.

0Will there be a time in the future when gunplay will be the accepted norm?

The PNC must exhibit to the masses that it has the ability to debate intelligently and if there is need to protest then that must be done without threats of violence and violence, burning, looting, sexual assault and rape.

The PNC must convince the populace that they are capable of civilised behaviour. I saw a video in which Rickford Burke, the PNC agitator in the USA, attacked Khemraj Ramjattan, the leader of the AFC, for not participating in the recent ruckus in Parliament.

Those Blacks who displayed maturity and encourage racial unity are called ‘house Negroes’- a derogatory term.

In conclusion, will the current PNC leader and his followers respect the Article 184 of the Constitution as it relates to the removal of the Leader of the Opposition?

They have displayed sheer contempt for the Supreme Law of the Land in the past but maybe they will respect it this time around.

Even internal issues bring out the worst from the PNC. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

SUPPORT FOR CLASS...

From page 5 for the lopsided contract. And the funds must be designated for the right industries rather than one a Minister who would abuse it. The funding for legal fees should come from the government. This would dispel the notion that the government and opposition are agents of Exxon rather than on the side of the fishing industry and the public.

It would be a process of unbiased transparency to allow publicly funded legal representation of the handicapped fisher folks for proper representation.

Yours truly, Jillian Adams

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

There are countries around the world that are known for their generosity to their citizens, Guyana is not one of them.

In fact Guyana has elected leaders who have high on their agenda plans to put in place a “relaxing” environment for fish and shrimp to thrive. Whether fact or fiction, Guyanese will eventually know the truth.

In the meantime leaders, what about a “relaxing” environment for citizens who can barely make ends meet?

PAGE 07

Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Guyanese will have no say in how oil money will be spent - Patterson W

ith the Head of State, Irfaan Ali, signaling his intention to “soon” appoint members to sit on the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Board of Directors, which will oversee the revenues garnered from oil and gas, the political Opposition is registering its concern over the fact that the country will not have a say in how the oil money will be spent.

In an invited comment, Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson specifically pointed to the fact that the new law provides for the President to handpick members to sit on the Board, with no input from the Opposition, which also represents a large proportion of Guyana.

Section 5 (1) of the amended legislation states “There shall be a Board of Directors of the Fund which shall comprise of not less than three and not more than five members who shall be appointed by the President, one of whom shall be appointed Chairperson by the President”.

This Board replaces the 22-member Committee the previous administration had put in place to ensure transparency and inclusion of key stakeholders such as civil society organisations and community-based organisations, the Bar Association of Guyana, the Guyana Consumer's Association; the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the Transparency International Guyana Inc. (TIGI) and the Guyana Press Association, among others.

Nevertheless, the NRF Act of 2021 clearly states that no Member of Parliament can serve on the Board.

When it comes to the functions of the Board, the Act is clear in Section 5 (5) that it shall be responsible for “the overall management of the Fund, reviewing and approving policies of the Fund, monitoring the performance of the Fund, ensuring compliance with the approved policies of the Fund, exercising general oversight of all aspects of the Fund and ensuring that the Fund is managed in compliance with this Act and all other applicable laws”.

However, the same clear guidelines do not relate to the qualifications a suitable

candidate may possess.

Instead, the NRF Act vaguely says at Section 5 (2) that “The Directors shall be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business, or administrative matters, one of whom shall be nominated by the National Assembly and one of whom shall be a representative of the private sector”.

In this regard, Patterson said there are still concerns about who will be selected by the President to sit on the Board.

He said, “We still have extreme concerns because the Act has no clear designations and qualifications in general terms like for legal or financial (persons) and there are no clear guidelines on selecting those people. I mean like what are the qualifications and the backgrounds for these persons and how its set up, the President will pick three on his own deliberations with no input from anyone”.

The MP argued that this section of the Law drafted by the government, gives no room for Parliamentarians or even the regular citizen to challenge or question who the President decides to appoint.

Patterson told Kaieteur News “the President will obviously therefore put in persons who he is very comfortable with and then with the one with the National Assembly, because the PPP has the majority they will also pick somebody who they are very comfortable with”. According to the former Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Opposition has raised concerns in the past with regard to the Private Sector, whom they believe are “closely aligned with government”.

With the removal of the 22-member Committee, formerly required under the NRF Act of 2019, Patterson said, there will be no transparency on how the oil money will be spent and managed.

“With this amount of money, it does not augur well for the country at all. That is why we were asking for more time, so that we can come up with an arrangement that is suitable for the whole country.

This what they are doing obviously is not. There was

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson no input from except from Sector (on the the former

anyone else the Private NRF Bill),” Minister

reasoned.

He added, “I do think it will be a handpicked Board to do the government's bidding

and the country will be fleeced by this Board and this Bill that has passed”.

Patterson predicts that the PPP administration will install its NRF Board of Directors before the reading of Budget 2022 so that the body will not have an opportunity to even understand its functions before the monies are withdrawn.

“They will put the Board in place just before the budget is read so that they can transfer the money so this Board wouldn't even have an opportunity in the short space of time to even figure out what they are supposed to do, but the money will already be taken away so the Board will almost be useless.

And obviously they are

going to take out the entire US$500 million in the first tranche and the Board will have no input, even though it is a handpicked Board,” Patterson posited.

He contended, “There is absolutely no transparency in this arrangement at all, it is just a smoke-screen…we would have liked people like the Toshaos Council, the Transparency International, the Regions would have had an opportunity to say how they want the money to be spent because it belongs to all of Guyana and not just the PPP”.

On Tuesday, President Ali told reporters on the sidelines of an event that the Board of Directors will soon be installed as he is still (Continued on page 26)

1000 Covid-19 cases recorded on Wednesday The surge of Covid-19 cases continues with Guyana recording 1000 new infections on Wednesday.

Some 13 persons are in critical condition at the COVID Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony during his daily COVID-19 update on Wednesday announced that the new cases now take the total active cases in the country to 7,613.

According to the minister, most of the active cases have been detected in the coastal regions, with Region Four leading with 4,878 cases, Region Three with 912 cases and Region Six with 561 cases.

With the new cases attributed to the Omicron variant, Minister Anthony is warning persons experiencing flu-like symptoms to isolate and get tested for the virus, since Omicron resembles flu. It should be noted that if a person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 they should isolate for at least five days before going to a testing site. “What we have seen with the current surge with the Omicron variant, is that the disease resembles more like flu, the symptoms are similar,” he explained.

Even though it was not officially confirmed that the new variant is in the country due to testing capacity, the minister along with health officials believes that the easily transmissible Omicron is in Guyana.

With the new surge, Dr. Anthony is also encouraging workplaces to follow and put in place the necessary COVID-19 guidelines in a bid to reduce the spread of the virus.

Since the month has started, health officials have been recording a high number of cases daily. From January 1 to date, just over 7,000 new cases were recorded.

This figure beats that of the month

of September which recorded approximately 6,285 cases. During an emergency press briefing last week, President Irfaan Ali had asked the nation not to panic at the situation and stressed that the government has the capacity and capability to handle this state of affairs.

Meanwhile, along with the 1000 new cases, the ministry also reported that two women who contracted the

virus have died. The fatalities are that of a fully vaccinated 80-year-old woman from Region Six and an unvaccinated 57-year-old from Region Five. As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,075. Presently, there are 109 persons in institutional isolation, 7,462 in home isolation, nine in institutional quarantine and 38,346 have recovered so far from the virus.

Thursday January 13, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The stranger next door As late as the early 1970s, when night fell, dinner was consumed, the children completed their homework, members of the household would usually sit either in the sitting room or on the verandah and discuss various matters, but mainly the events of the day.

In those days there was no television and for news we relied upon the radio. But that was not the only source of information.

Those members of the household who worked would return with their own stories and the tidbits of information they had picked up.Even the housewives who went to the market would also return with stories they had heard.

At nights, families would sit together and share these stories. They would also find some time to read or play cards before retiring.

These activities tended to bond the household and provided an environment in which everyone looked out for his or her own family.

Sometimes while chatting on the verandah, you would look over and see your neighbour and his family doing the same.

And you would exchange greetings and even discuss matters without having to leave your home.

That was one of the benefits of living in a traditional society.

Everyone within a street knew each other.

And within the home there were hardly any secrets and even when there was the odd dispute there was no shortage of people to bring the two disputants together.

There was also a great deal of

communal support. In any village, everyone got to know the other.

Even within the towns, it was unusual for a resident not to know the households on the streets in which he lived.

Thus, if someone had a problem he could always appeal to his neighbours for support which was almost always forthcoming.

Such, also, were the benefits of living in a traditional society.

There are many reasons why Guyanese survived the hard times of the late seventies and eighties. One of those reasons was due to the free exchange of information that took place withincommunities.

If for example, the then Guyana Stores would be selling cooking oil the following day and someone in the street got wind of this, that person would not keep this information to himself but would pass it on to their neighbour.

And if one member was short of a scarce commodity and another had, you could bet the latter would share with the person in need.

This was the sort of support system that helped to sustain Guyanese during the hard guava season.

With economic liberalisation, things began to change.

Liberalism is underpinned by the philosophy of personal initiative: that a man or a woman can become whatever he or she wants through his own effort.

Economic liberalism placed the interests of the community as secondary to the individual and what we had developing was a rat race

whereby everyone tried to improve his or her own lot without regard to the overall benefit of the community.

In the process, social and communal ties which had helped to sustain us for so long, began to fall apart.

Communities became highly impersonal. And with this impersonality, residents have become strangers in their own villages.

People do not mix as before and they also do not lend that degree of support that once existed.

And this is one of the main reasons why each day, we can pick up the newspaper and be horrified at what we read.Each day we read about fights within villages, about one person stabbing another over a $500 bet, of a husband forcing rat poison down the throat of his wife, of neighbour breaking into the home of neighbour and of friends betraying the trust of each other.

Attempts can be made to reverse these negative trends through strengthening community ties, but this task will always remain difficult if liberalisation continues to be the guiding philosophy within the country.

Everything cannot be left to the invisible hand of the market.

We have got to return to those values which existed in an earlier time.

A time before television when family members sat together and shared their experiences, their dreams and their fears.

A time when a neighbour would come running to your rescue without being asked and a time when having more

Dem boys seh...

When Sarah met Aubrey De Pee-N-Cee did seh how de Americans bin install de Pee Pee Pee Cee. Some of dem sidekicks did even call for Sarah fuh get recall.

But dat nah happen.

Now dem boys reading how de Comrade Leader meet with Sarah.

And he dress up in he best dan dan fuh de meeting: suit and tie and all of dat.

But dat is sensible politics. De elections done. De drama done. And de attempt to rig get halted.

Is time fuh move on.

And was a good move by de

Comrade Leader fuh meet with Sarah. It can help stop de demonidation.

Whether we like it or not, we living in wat de Americans consider as dem backyard.

America gat vested interested in Guyana and all political parties will ignore de Americans to dem peril.

De Pee N Cee did vex when de Commonwealth did issue a statement bout de Recount.

But is smart politics fuh de Pee N See fuh also not ignore de Commonwealth.

Is jus a matter of time before de British and de EU en-

gage de Pee N See. Dem gan be looking fuh signs dat de new leadership can respect democratic norms.

Dem gan feel out one another.

But is one thing fuh de Comrade Leader fuh meet with dem Ambassadors. But is another thing fuh dem accept a delegation from de Private Sector Commission and de Bar Association. Local politics is not foreign policy and in de world of politics is different strokes fuh different folks.

Talk half and keep yuh eyes open!

than what your neighbour had was not as important as it is today.

(The views expressed in

this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday January 13, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

A Friday morning stranger at my gate Last Friday morning, I was in the kitchen with my wife when the gate-bell rang.

I looked through the window and saw two men and a woman. I opened the door, and told them if they have a mail for me, they can put it in the mail-box strapped onto the gate.The lady said she came to see me. So I went down to meet them. She introduced herself as Ramona Karim. She said she left Guyana a long time ago.

She lives in Switzerland. She wanted to meet me because she reads my Kaieteur News o f f e r i n g s . We h a d a n interesting conversation.

This lady told me things I didn't know and you are immensely grateful for the knowledge because history is then recorded. Now here is the part of our conversation

that I thought ought to be put on record. This is interesting because one more false accolade of Forbes Burnham is demolished.

Supporters of Burnham eulogise him for his emphasis on things Guyanese. Burnham was frenetic about Guyana relying on its own homegrown products. When I returned from serving the Grenada government, I was surprised to see most urban households had ground provision planted on the parapet in front of their homes and in their yards.

I was told that the President urged Georgetowners to plant ground provisions and vegetables. In the same year of my return at the dawn of 1984, I was told by friends

that Burnham would be on horseback sharing out cassava sticks to residents of Georgetown south of Le Repentir Cemetery.

By that time Burnham had banned the importation of hundreds of items. The list was very long. Ms. Karim told me she worked as the secretary to the manager of Guyana Airways Corporation (GAC) so she saw the food and liquor menu each time Burnham was to travel outside. The food was always exotic and the wines and alcohol were always foreign products.Ms. Karim explained to me that she took the job at GAC after a short stint with Father Andrew Morrison at the Catholic Standard. On many foreign trips, Burnham would go with chartered private jets.

On one occasion, the pilot who stayed at the Georgetown Club, passed on the menu for food and liquor to someone who befriended him and it ended up in the Catholic Standard.

Ms. Karim told me she

Frederick Kissoon w a s immediately fired because the opinion in the corridors of power was that since she once worked at the Catholic Standard, she must have given it to Father Morrison. This incident occurred in 1982 so after 40 years Ms. Karen said she would still deny that she was the source because she wasn't. From listening to her describe the situation, it was clear to me she hates Burnham.

For a good exposure of the insane hypocrisy of Burnham and the morbid pretender he was in relation to his “buy local campaign”

see Chapter 2 of Part 3 of Father Morrison's fantastic recording of Guyanese history in his book titled: “Justice: The Struggle for Democracy in Guyana, 1952- 1992.”

From page 295 to 299, Father produced the food and liquor menus that were on Burnham's foreign trips.

Here was a leader extolling to his nation, the virtues of local alternatives even going to extreme lengths to ban hundreds of foreign items but was using the very things he embargoed.

Those pages showed what a demonic creature this former president was. All the items on the liquor list, without exception, were foreign stuff.

The foods included imported fish like salmon.

Those pages in Father Morrison's book tell a vivid tale of a leader who had tossed away every vein of decency in his system. It is sickening to hear young PNC leaders exclaim their admiration for Burnham.

One note of caution: if

you are reading this and you feel inclined to pick up a copy of “Justice” then my advice to you is if you are the fainthearted type, then don't.

“Justice” is an encyclopedia of the monumental tragedies that Burnham heaped on Guyana. But some sad parts are about the glorious role of many in those antidictatorship days that today, in advanced age support rigged elections. What a tearful irony!

On the other hand, if you are young and you want to know how terrible Guyana under Burnham was and the horrible state of existence of this country at the time, then please search the world for a copy of “Justice.” Ms. Karim came to my gate last Friday.

She said she was leaving three days after. This means she is now back in Switzerland. In her late sixties and not returning, I guess we will never see each other again.

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

Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Thursday January 13, 2022

'Honour your commitments' ...Pres. Ali urges int'l community to fulfill commitment to help SIDS fight climate change

G

u y a n a o n Tuesday urged the international community to live up to its commitment in helping small island developing states (SIDS) deal with the impact of climate change, even as Georgetown indicated its preparedness to help the region in that regard.

President Irfaan Ali, addressing the handing over ceremony of a multi-million

US dollar Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Plant to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, said SIDS, including those in the Caribbean,' are the most exposed to climate change and climate events.

“There must be a more aggressive deployment of resources to help us to advance our technologies, to help us in our mitigation measures and help us in our

adaptation measures. 'We are showing and demonstrating with the little resources that we have that we are capable of making big decisions, we are capable of providing leadership and we are capable of doing what is right and playing our part in the fight against climate change”.

But, Ali told those present at the ceremony that there is a need for support

and that it is unfortunate that while there is much talk about commitment “we are seeing no real attempt in translating those commitments to projects on the ground.” Ali said he was asked by journalists whether he believes the international community is serious about its commitments to SIDS, and his response has been 'we do not want to believe that it is not credible. We believe that the commitment is credible but there needs to be urgent action in demonstrating that commitment by not adding conditions to the countries, but by supporting the existing pipeline of projects to meet the targets we have outlined individually and collectively as a region”.

Ali said that every CARICOM country has already outlined a strategy, “but that strategy has to be supported and I use this opportunity on behalf of the region to call upon all these agencies, other organisations and all those who would have made the commitment to demonstrate that commitment by addressing the ends of the most affected area in the globe, that is the CARICOM region and to put urgent measures in helping us with our adaptation and mitigation”.

The Guyana President said that Georgetown was prepared to help the region develop its energy-intensive small and medium scale industries through energy sector studies, technology deployment as well as the enabling environment for large scale adoption of energy-efficient technology.

In addition, his country is prepared to assist the region in research, transfer and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies in the context of climate change as well as in capacity building among other areas. A CARICOM Secretariat statement said that the 400kilowatt solar generation project was undertaken through a US$17.8 million grant agreement between the governments of Guyana and Japan with seven million US dollars being used for the building energy management systems More than 1 500 solar panels have been erected, setting up servers and batteries, building a carport and allotting space for educational/recreational activities and the Secretariat

President, Irfaan Ali

said that the building is expected to get all of its energy from solar-based sources on a majority of its operating days.

“It is anticipated that the benefits the Secretariat will derive from the project will serve as an example of the transformation that can occur in public buildings across the Region and, by extension, an example of how the Region can utilise t h e r e n e w a b l e e n e rg y resources at its disposal to move towards greater energy efficiency and resilience.”

Japan's ambassador to Guyana, Tatsuo Hirayama, told the ceremony that while the coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic affected the progress of the project, Tokyo has always enjoyed a fruitful relationship with CARICOM. “Japan and the CARICOM share a number of universal values that include democracy, rule of law and market economy.

Based on these shared values Japan has enjoyed a very strong history of cooperation and mutual support with the CARICOM member countries and the Secretariat,” he said, recalling that at the JAPANCARICOM meeting held in Jamaica a wide range of projects were discussed.

“We certainly would like to continue as well as strengthen our dialogue with CARICOM member countries. We, Japan and the CARICOM also share similar challenges, nationally, regionally and globally including natural disasters, climate change and the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.” But he said

despite these challenges the cooperation and collaboration have been progressing good “making us more resilient and less vulnerable”.

He said with regards to the issue of climate change Japan at the recently held United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 26) had reiterated its commitment to net zero emissions by 2050 and reducing greenhouse gases by 2030 by at least 46 per cent. He said Japan is also providing more funding in addition to the US$60 billion announced last year “making it clear that Japan would be working vigorously to take on climate change, a common challenge of human kind”.

E a r l i e r, C A R I C O M Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett said, the ambition which this project represents is anchored within a regional strategy, which commits all member states to pursue opportunities for integrating renewable energy resources with energy efficiency measures to meet energy needs in support of economic, social architecture and e n v i r o n m e n t a l sustainability.

“Growth is fragile and vulnerable for CARICOM countries.

We are exposed to hazardous features over which we have little control or influence. The current pandemic serves as a manifestation of this. “The exposure of our countries to a variety of global shocks is greatly heightened by the challenge of adapting to (Continued on page 26)

Kaieteur News

Thursday January 13, 2022

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COVID-19 cases nearly double in the Caribbean ...PAHO urges health workers to be protected W

ashington D.C. 12 January 2022 (PAHO) – With COVID-19 infections accelerating in the Americas and the detection of the Omicron variant in at least 42 countries and territories in the region, the Pan American Health Organization Director, Carissa F. Etienne, has called on countries to ensure health workers have access to protective equipment and additional COVID-19 vaccine doses where available.

As cases jump three-fold in some countries, the region's ability to respond to the current wave depends on the personnel that keep primary health care centers, clinics and hospitals up and running.

“We must make sure they are protected from the worst consequences of this virus,” she said in a media briefing on Wednesday.

Over the past week, countries in the Americas reported 6.1 million new cases of COVID-19 – a 250% increase from the same period last year.

Thanks to increased vaccination in the region, the COVID-19 death rate remains stable but the hike in emergency room visits and hospitalizations has left many health systems struggling to cope.

The PAHO Director highlighted that an additional vaccination dose will “help reinforce health workers' ability to withstand exposure to the virus,” particularly in light of rising infections. While Delta continues to cause new

COVID cases in the Americas, Omicron is on track to becoming the dominant strain, spreading more quickly than other detected variants, particularly in enclosed spaces. It has already been reported in 42 countries and territories in the region, and several are now

infections can be lethal, especially for the immunocompromised and the unvaccinated,” she said, calling on individuals to keep each other safe by following public health measures such as mask wearing and social distancing, getting vaccinated and getting tested

Director of the Pan American Health Organization, Carissa F. Etienne experiencing widespread community transmission.

While reports suggest that it may cause less severe symptoms, Dr. Etienne warned that “this new wave of infections won't be “mild” for our health systems, as the Omicron variant is already challenging our health workforce and limiting care for other diseases.”

“In smaller island states, some hospitals were already strained by cases of the Delta variant, and now more hospitals face the prospect of being overwhelmed with cases,” she added.

The PAHO Director also highlighted the rise in reinfections. “Omicron

when experiencing symptoms.

Overall vaccination coverage in Latin America and the Caribbean currently stands at almost 60% and many countries, including Chile, Cuba and Argentina, boast some of the highest coverage rates in the world.

However, it is vital that equitable coverage remains a priority, the Director said. “Whether we are fighting for vaccine equity, supporting our health workers, or doing our part to reduce the risk of transmission, solidarity will pave our way out of the pandemic,” she added.

Over the past week, the bulk of new COVID-19 cases have been reported in the US, and cases are increasing in Canada's eastern provinces.

In the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and the Dominican

Republic have experienced hikes in new infections, and increases are also being seen in Jamaica, Aruba, Curacao and Martinique.

In Central America, Belize and Panama are reporting the highest

incidence of COVID and in South America, increases are particularly pronounced in Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, as well as in Argentina and Paraguay, where new cases have increased by 300%.

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Passerby saves teen from being raped by soldier P

asserby saves teen from being raped by soldier A sixteen-year-old girl on Tuesday was reportedly rescued from being raped, along the Coverden East Bank Demerara (EBD) Public Road, allegedly by a rank of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Rescuing the teen from the hands of the alleged sexual predator was a man who saw her trembling and crying by the roadside.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, he said that he was heading on an errand to the location in his car, when his attention was drawn to a heavily-tinted white car, PXX 490, parked beside the Coverden road.

The man did not stop but continued on his journey.

L u c k i l y, h o w e v e r, h e completed his errand quickly and while returning he noticed the car again but this time, according to the man, there was a young girl in tears standing not too far away.

“You could have seen that she was traumatised and I decided to stop”, related the man.

He continued that she was trembling and terribly afraid so he decided to inquire what was wrong but she did not respond immediately. By this time the heavily tinted white car had already pulled off and the man offered to drop the young lady home. “It was already dark and seeing her in that condition, I could not leave her there”, he said.

It was on the way to her

home that the young lady related that she was almost raped in the heavily-tinted car that was parked beside the road. She had managed to escape her attacker, (the driver of the white car) by unlocking one of the doors and running a short distance away but not before using her phone to take a photo of his licence plate number.

Hearing this, the man said that when he got to her home he spoke with her relatives and advised that they should report the matter to the police and track down the “sexual predator” because he could strike again.

He reportedly offered to assist them in tracking down the suspect by his licence plate number. “Whole night we working on this”, he recounted.

Their “work” eventually led them to a rank attached to the GDF. The man owns a private car but uses it to work as a taxi during his spare time.

This information was given to police and he was reportedly detained for q u e s t i o n i n g y e s t e r d a y.

Commander of the East Bank police division, Mahendra Siwnarine, confirmed that his ranks are indeed investigating the matter and at the time, Kaieteur News spoke with him, both the victim and the suspect were at one of the police stations in his district.

Kaieteur News understands that the suspect is well known for working taxi in the area and the teen

Former Suriname oil...

From page 2 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for example, led by its head Kemraj Parsram, is pursuing several systems for remote, real time monitoring of activities offshore.

The regulator told the media last year that this will be done through the acquisition of satellite services, and the installation of sensors for air quality index, among other mechanisms.

In the meantime, he said the EPA currently utilises drone technology, has amplified the use of Geographic Information System (GIS), and employs other digital technology for remote monitoring.

To c o m p l e m e n t i t s technological improvements,

the EPA he noted, continues to build the capacity of its staff members.

Along with the strengthening of its in-house capacities, Kaieteur News understands that the EPA said it has improved the requirements for Project Summaries, which must be submitted by the developers applying for environmental authorization.

In this regard, project summaries must now include the likely impacts of operations and mitigation measures that would be used by the developer.

The EPA said, too, that it has also strengthened its adherence to the Act by publishing reasons for its decisions and made Project Summaries available for public access and review.

The licence plate of the heavily tinted white car that belong to the Soldier.

was reportedly being dropped home by him on Tuesday.

Along the way he allegedly stopped the car and tried to rape her. The GDF rank allegedly grabbed the teen by the hand and hugged

her. As his victim tried to resist him, he allegedly proceeded to force himself onto her but she managed to slip out of his grip and exit the car.

Persons close to the investigation related that this

is not the first time the rank has come under the radar for trying to rape an underage girl. He is also accused of trying to rape a 14-year-old girl in the same area.

Teenage girls being raped by drivers in heavily tinted

cars might just be the trend along the East Bank of Demerara. In August last year, a 13-year-old girl was rescued by residents of Nandy Park, after she was allegedly abducted, raped and thrown out into the streets by individuals in a heavily tinted white car.

The residents told Kaieteur News that their attention was drawn to the traumatised little girl.

Concerned, they had ventured out to render assistance to the child who continually lamented that she was lost and wanted to go home.

They had taken her to the Providence Police Station and details from the investigation revealed that she was abducted while heading to a nearby shop to buy bread. To date the perpetrator/perpetrators are yet to be prosecuted.

Third phase of M&CC new

The third phase of works on the Mayor and City Council's new administrative building is expected to be completed by the end of March this year.

The $109 million four-storey structure, which will house the Mayor of Georgetown and his staff, is being constructed by Davernand Persaud. According to Assistant City Engineer, Rasheed Kellman, the project will be done in phases. The first phase was the foundation which was done by the Mayor and City Council in 2003 and the second was the structuring aspect which was done by Industrial Fabrications Inc. (InFab).

The third phase of civil works is being executed by contractor Persaud and will see the total completion of works on the ground and the first floor and the placement of windows and doors along with the completion of the external walls on both the second and third floors of the building.

Georgetown City Mayor, Ubraj Narine, stated in a previous press briefing that though he could not attest to the exact percentage of works which are completed he is pleased with the pace of works.

“We are hopeful of finishing that admin building by March month-end so that the staff of the Mayor and City Council can be in a safe, protective environment, and healthy working conditions so that they can execute their functions to the citizens of Georgetown,” he related.

Admin Building to be completed by March

The New M&CC Administrative Building which is being constructed.(Tamica Garnett photo)

Thursday January 13, 2022

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President Irfaan Ali and some of his ministers with potential beneficiaries of the programme.

Govt. targets youths in new agriculture initiative President Irfaan Ali on Tuesday launched a new initiative, titled Agriculture a n d I n n o v a t i o n Entrepreneurship Programme, which he said will bolster the agriculture sector and empower youths and create jobs.

At the launch, held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), the President said that the programme will be one part of a “more macro vision” that would eventually be expanded to every region in the country.

According to an Office of the President release, the Guyanese leader announced that the Government will provide all the resources and materials to develop 25 shade houses in the first phase that will be used to house thousands of high-value

crops such as broccoli and cauliflower.

The project would be done through interagency and inter-ministry support systems that will see collaboration from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce and the Joint Services, among other groups.

The President said that according to data, the shade house production per cycle is expected to be 3000 pounds, and with three cycles per annum, it will jump to approximately 9000 pounds per year. The wholesale value of this, he said, is $57 million, while the retail value stands at approximately $112 million. “So you are talking here about a business that can

generate in a net sense using these three costs, close to $60 to $70million annually.”

The President emphasised that the programme will be expanded in the future to have about 300 shade houses across the country. These shade houses, he noted, will be managed by past and present agriculture students who will form themselves into a company, with each becoming a shareholder.

In addition, an advisory committee would assist them in setting up and coordinating their company and operations. They are also expected to manage their business on a rotational basis.

“What will take Guyana forward is what we are doing here; building responsible leadership and having young people lead in that

responsible leadership because you are the ones who will inherit this Guyana that we want to build, and you have to be a key part of building that responsible leadership.”

The Head of State noted that the aim is to link the country's food security strategy to the regional food security system as Guyana continues to develop its agricultural potential. “So while we're working on one hand to expand local production for the local market, we are already

eliminating the barriers to the regional markets, so that we are going to expand this progressively until we are able to reach into the regional market also. So you have to see yourselves as part of a regional system and part of the local system.”

IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE The President also highlighted the importance of agriculture in entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, innovation and technology, sustainability and increasing

local content.

“If we are to become the agricultural food basket of the Caribbean, we have to grow up a thousand times, and to do that, we have to encourage more people to go into the direction of agriculture and to see a viable future out of it, and a viable future is not about sitting in an office.”

The launch of the programme was attended by dozens of young people in the agriculture sector who are either currently studying or have already graduated.

Man jailed for two years, fined $100,000 over illegal possession of gun, ammo A man was on Wednesday jailed for two years and also fined $100,000 on a charge of illegal possession of arms and ammunition at Aranka Landing Cuyuni River.

The man has been identified as Marcus King.

King had made his first court appearance at the Bartica Magistrate's Court in 2020. The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Crystal Lambert. King had pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance on March 5, 2021, and was released at the time on $60,000 bail for the offense.

King's trial came to an end on Wednesday after he was found guilty of the offense.

Kaieteur News

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Suspect in multimillion gold heist ...argues that there is no granted bail evidence in court against him Peon Lee, 35, one of the suspects charged for participating in a multimillion dollar gold heist that took place in August last year at Wallison Enterprise located in Gordon Street, Kitty Georgetown, has been granted $450,000 bail by the high court.

Lee, was employed as a chief security officer by the same company that was robbed of the $20M worth of raw gold and $38M in cash.

He along with another security guard, Delroy Jackson who was at the time, also employed with Wallison Enterprise, and a rank of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Keyon King, were charged indictably but the matter was taken summarily.

The GDF rank has since pleaded guilty and has been sentenced to three years in jail while Jackson and Lee claimed that they were

innocent of the charge.

Recently an application for high court bail was made on behalf of Lee and filed in the name of his mother. Lee through his lawyer had argued that detectives have so far failed to produce any convincing evidence to court that links him directly to the crime.

Investigators have accused him of being the master mind behind the robbery because his phone number showed up in the call logs of the GDF rank and the other security guard.

The defendant has since denied this and claimed that he had no knowledge of the robbery.

Lee alleged he was on his way to Bartica for work duties when the heist was ongoing.

It was further alleged that no stolen items were found on him. His lawyer also

made the case that Lee's name was never mentioned in a video confession made by the GDF rank.

The rank, during his confession had reportedly told investigators that it was he and Jackson that had planned the gold heist at Wallison Enterprise.

In applying for his bail, it was explained that Lee is the sole bread winner of the family and because of the ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic they have been facing hardships.

After considering their argument and reasons behind the bail application the High Court decided to grant the request.

However, Lee will have to lodge his passport and report to the Providence Police Station on alternate Fridays.

He is expected to return to court on January 20, 2022

as the case against him continues.

Meanwhile police are yet to capture three other suspects wanted for the gold heist.According to reports, three gunmen posing as customers had entered the business establishment on the morning of Thursday August 5, 2021.

They reportedly held the employees there at gun point, forced them to open a safe and then handcuffed them with plastic zip ties.

They carted off with the gold, cash, along with jewellery and phones from their victims.

Detectives were able to crack the case by tracing one of the stolen phones to a house in Sophia.

Lee and Jackson were later arrested and their investigation then led them to recovering $18M of the stolen cash in the back yard

Overworked, underpaid worker robs boss

Peon Lee, out on bail for the multimillion-dollar gold heist.

of the GDF rank, Keyon King.

The detectives had also

managed to recover a car used in the heist but its driver is yet to be arrested.

Personal Assistant to GECOM CEO fired Dismissed from GECOM, Duarte Hetsberger.

The money which was recovered by the investigators on that Monday afternoon.

A

39-year-old man who is e m p l o y e d a s a driver/salesman at Fernandes Guyana Enterprise Incorporated located at VVB Durban Backlands, has claimed that he staged a robbery against his boss, sometime around 17:45hrs on January 10, 2022 after he was being overworked and underpaid.

The staged robbery reportedly occurred at Dookie Sand Road, Soesdyke EBD. The man has been indentified as Rudolph Forde who resides at One Mile Turn, Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

State investigators explained that Forde reported to the Timehri Police Station that he was robbed of an undisclosed sum of money, property of

Fernandez Guyana Inc. (the company he works for as a driver/salesman) by two men on a white and gold Honda XR motorcycle without a registration number. Forde claimed that one of the 'bandits' was armed with a handgun.

Police said due to some inconsistencies in his initial report, further investigation was done at which time he admitted to staging the robbery because he felt that he was being overworked and underpaid by the company.

Forde then took the Anti-Crime patrol unit to his residence where he proceeded to a derelict car parked in his yard. He then opened the trunk of the vehicle which led to the recovery of a black plastic bag containing an (Continued on page 26)

D

uarte Hetsberger, 39, who served as the personal assistant to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, has been dismissed from his post at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on allegations of tampering with computers belonging to the entity.

The GECOM recently appointed Vishnu Persaud as the new CEO. When contacted by this publication, Government nominated

GECOM commissioner, Sase Gunraj, confirmed Hetsberger's dismissal.

Kaieteur News was told that Hetsberger, who is also a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was dismissed following an investigation which was launched by Persaud. That investigation revealed that data from several computers belonging to the GECOM's secretariat was wiped.

Gunraj explained that the CEO noted in his report that (Continued on page 26)

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Kaieteur News Sase Singh can write; let him defend himself

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Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

'Honour your commitments'...

From page 12 extreme weather events, which interrupt economic development and force us to PROPERTY FOR SALE Lot 626 Kuru Kururu lease land,three bedrooms house.

Tel:693-8789.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 2001 Toyota Mark 2 in excellent condition,low mileage & clean interior. Call:617-8424.

Mazda 2009 Red $1.650 neg, Mazda (Alexa) 2009 Red. Tel:614-0562.

WANTED Looking for honest & reliable person for light work and to look after person,live in work age 40 up.Tel:231-4933.

Motor Lorry drivers needed and Porters. Tel:627-1835/ 626-4691.

LAND FOR SALE Cummingslodge 2acres,P rovidence,Friendship, Eccles,IndustrialSite, Yarakabra Highway, Cornelia Ida.Contact Ray's Realty 6279685.

Females ages 25-40 to take care of elderly male in Trinidad,accomodations provided.Call:+1(868)-3864621.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Repairs and servicing, refridgerator, treadmill, washing machine, stove, pressure pump, filtration system dryer, deepfryer etc 694-9733

PENPAL Male seeks female,ages 18-35 ,for relationship.Call:- 6950331.

African Guyanese male seeks a loving female companion( 30 and above) to live with. Call:603-9085.

FOR SALE Pure breed German Shepherd Pups(quality bloodline) black & tan.Contact:6659140.

For Sale pure breed german shepherd.Call:648-0111.

WANTED Wanted Machinist.Tel:2235273/621-5907.

One male able bodied clerk.

Tel:231-2029/616-5954.

Live-indomestic, Georgetown.Male & Female for the interior.Tel:632-5459/ 687-7638.

FOR RENT One two three bedroom apartment,in Providence and Diamond for rent.Call:6046664 or 216-2299,682-6238.

One apartment for rent.First St Mon Repos E.C.D market street.Tel:614-0005/602-4105.

2 bedroom apartment, Betterhope E.C.D $55,000 between 8am-5pm. Tel:6173001.

Two bedroom apartment to rent on E.C.D.Tel:629-6237.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Sheriff St,Republic Park, Ogle,Diamond,Enterprise C,Windsor Forest,Zeelught West Coast.Contact Ray's Realty 627-9685.

Houselot for sale in Culvert City Lethem,2.5M Neg near Airport & ball field.Tel:6583303.

Wanted one secretary 18 to 35yrs.Tel:660-8905,call or whatsapp.

Females & Males to work at a car wash located in Campbellville.Tel:619-2292.

Female Cashier/Server for snackette and bar.Tel:6292044.

Wanted experience taxi driver at Princess Hotel. Contact:616-5419,265-7075,2657076.

Porters & Salesgirls.Apply at Best Buy Food Supplies with written application at 1E Dennis C Middleton St Camp bellville Georgetown.

COOKAND MECHANICTO WORK IN CHARITY. ATTRACTIVE RENUME RATION, ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED. CONTACT: 688-0417/600-1199.

Urgently Needed! Dried carilla bush.Contact:6098281/693-3003.

Live in general domestic 3045 yrs,salary $30,000 wkly.Tel: 610-3974.

adjust public and private sector investment to the severe losses and damages caused by these events. “ She said that the innovative design principles, which underlie this project, take the natural hazards of the project site, such as flooding into consideration and reflects the approach promoted within integrated resource and resilience planning, through which CARICOM member state are already developing Integrated Resource and Re-

silience Plans. “These plans promote the “shifting” of their electricity systems away from the traditional, legacy designs to modern, smart and resilient alternatives that are capable of more effectively supporting their national targets on sustainable energy and climate, in particular, and their sustainable development and investment goals in general.”

She told the ceremony that the new power generation system is expected to

generate more electricity than is required by the Secretariat for its operation on an annual basis and the expectation is that the available excess energy would “feed in” to the utility grid during its off-peak operation periods.

“The Secretariat is seeking to conclude the legal arrangements, which will attend the bi-directional flow of electricity with Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL), within this quarter.

(CMC)

Guyanese will have no say in...

From page 8 examining the potential names.

Ali was quoted as saying, “The selection of the Board will be urgent and you will be surprised, but definitely I have been examining names… and I think that the people have entrusted me with the responsibility, and I intend to execute that responsibility with great honour, dignity and integrity and you will see

VACANCY Car wash attendants, ages 1828, (preferably from EBD) to work at Vintage Car Wash in From page 17 the computers that were tampered with are Eccles. Call 617-2027. under Hetsberger's control. It was also stated One clerk for TSI Eccles that after being confronted by GECOM's InOffice,English & Maths formation Technology (IT) Department, the grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or explanation that was given by the officer was email application to tech not admissible. serigy@yahoo.com.

The new CEO launched the investigation into the matter after Hetsberger was offered Maid to cook and clean for East Bank areaa.Call:6159132.

that in the Board”.

Patterson said that the President's statement was highly amusing, since the evidence or track record of the PPP would point to the opposite of those qualities mentioned by him.

He said, “It is almost laughable to think that they would do what is transparent and non-corrupt. The history doesn't support that”.

Personal Assistant to GECOM CEO...

Experienced cashier,counter server,roti/puri cook, cleaners & pastry maker.Apply at Hack's Halaal,5 Commerce St. Driver/Office Assistant.Call or email: 223-4172, elite protectionservicesgy@gmail.com.

Pump Attendant/Cashier, shifts (6am-2pm & 2pm10pm).Shell Station Providence E.B.D, email: Shell ramsburg@gmai.com.

Cook/Baker/Pitmen and Hauler Operator for interior location. Applicants must be experienced.Call:618-2020 or 231-2250.

Time Clerk,Cleaner,Office Assistant,Labours,Maintenance Workers to work with P.S.G.C.S.Call:621-6969/6157784.

Cashier to work at Superbet.

Tel:618-3575.

Vacancy exists for male worker to work shift + one female cashier @Del Ice co.Call:231-1408/642-9191.

PM shift Cashiers, Accounts Clerk,Porters & Bond Clerks,Western Union CSRS. Tel:609-2995 email: survival.h umanresources @gmail.com.

One salesman,able bodied porters.Experience in writing bills,stocktaking & cashing.

Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

Maintenance guy,Laundry Attendant & Receptionist,30-45 yrs old.233 South Road Lacytown.Tel:225-0198.

several opportunities for reassignment including that of Registration Officer, but he turned down the opportunities. However, he could not have retained his position since he was hired by the former CEO. It was noted that a report in relation to the findings of the investigation was purportedly submitted to the commissioners of GECOM for perusal.

Overworked, underpaid worker...

From page 17 undisclosed sum of cash which he indicated was the property of Fernandez Guyana Inc. The money was counted in his presence and it amounted to $ 129,730.

The suspect was then arrested pending

charges.

The money was lodged by serial numbers to be produced as evidence.

Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum has since confirmed that Forde is slated to appear in court today to face charges.

Thursday January 13, 2022

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Thursday January 13, 2022

Politicians in Suriname demand impeachment of ministers over 'corrupt' deal with foreign energy company Suriname's main opposition party is demanding that three of the country's ministers be prosecuted for breaking the law when they entered into a billion-dollar contract with Danish-owned Company Hybrid Power System Group (HPSG).

Suriname's Foreign Minister acknowledges in an interview with Danwatch that the law has not been complied with. Suriname's Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin acknowledges to Danwatch that mistakes have been made in the process, but says there has been no

corruption involved in the HPSG agreement. The agreement with the Danishowned company Hybrid Power System Group should have been the first step for a small country in South America, Suriname, towards becoming a green superpower in South

America. However, following danwatch and Ekstra Bladet's revelations last November that HPSG has lied about its partners and has no experience with green energy, the case has become a major political scandal for the country's government.

And now the HPSG scandal is taking another unexpected turn. Suriname's main opposition National Democratic Party (NDP) announced on Wednesday a petition to the country's Attorney General to launch criminal proceedings against the three ministers who have signed the billion-dollar agreement with HPSG. Ministers are accused of breaking the country's Electricity Act and anticorruption law.

In a recent interview with Danwatch in Suriname's capital Paramaribo, the country's Foreign Minister A l b e r t R a m d i n acknowledged that the law has not been complied with, but he denies that there is corruption.

"There has been no corruption in this process, and we have been completely transparent and open about the purpose of this enterprise.

There has been no criminal activity," Albert Ramdin told Danwatch.

'Damaging our economy' According to the petition to Suriname's Public Prosecutor's Office, the electricity agreement is 'disadvantageous in every respect, burdensome and detrimental to our economy'.

Under the agreement, Suriname has committed to buy electricity from HPSG for around DKK 15.8 billion over a period of 25 years.

But the opposition does not believe that Suriname needs the amount of energy that the state should absorb from HPSG's green hydrogen power plant, which is scheduled to be completed next year. The agreement is therefore, according to the opposition NDP, in violation of the country's antic o r r u p t i o n l a w, w h i c h stipulates that politicians and officials must not enter into agreements that intentionally inflict a financial disadvantage on the state or

Suriname's Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin

stipulate financially unfavourable conditions.

And then the NDP believes that the contract which was signed by the foreign minister, the finance minister and the minister of natural resources - was a violation of Suriname's Electricity Act, which requires energy contracts to be obtained through public tenders, where several companies have the opportunity to bid for the contract.

But HPSG won the billion-dollar contract without a public tender.

According to one of Suriname's most prominent politicians in the debate over corruption, suspicions of corruption in the HPSG agreement are widespread among the public and among politicians, but the burden of proof can become difficult to lift in a courtroom.

"It can be very difficult to prove this claim. The strongest accusation is the violation of the Electricity Act, which, among other things, has disregarded the requirement for public tenders," Angelic Castilho, political leader of the anticorruption party DA91, told Danwatch.

'No corruption or crime' Danwatch visited Suriname in December, where we interviewed the country's Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin at his office in the capital Paramaribo. He denied that there has been corruption in the process, but acknowledged that the law has not been complied with.

"We are pleased with your investigation because it has given us a lot of information and it points to some inadequacies," Foreign Minister Albert Ramdin told Danwatch.

'But I want to make it clear that there has been no crime or corruption involved in this case. “Absolutely not."

The foreign minister acknowledges that the electricity deal was not put out to public tender, but he says the responsibility lies with Suriname's state electricity company. "No, there was no public tender because all energy is drained by the electricity company.”

- But it's illegal under Surinamese law?

"Yes. So the law is the Electricity Act. And I think the electricity authorities have issued a statement on it."

– But under Surinamese law, there must be a public tender, and this was not done?

"I have to take a closer look. I know that this is a problem that has taken place.

It hasn't been picked up by the experts, otherwise they wouldn't have advised like that." It remains to be seen whether Suriname's attorney general, Garcia Paragsingh, will bring a case against the ministers.

The Public Prosecutor's Office has not returned Danwatch's request for comment.

(Danwatch news https://www.facebook.com/p olitiektrafassi)

Thursday January 13, 2022

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Kaieteur News

NBA roundup: Suns stop Raptors’ winning streak Reuters - Devin Booker hit the go-ahead jump shot with 1:02 to play and the visiting Phoenix Suns went on to end the Toronto Raptors’ six-game winning streak Tuesday night with a 99-95 victory. Booker’s 19-footer gave Phoenix a one-point lead and Chris Paul followed with a 16-footer with 32.5 seconds left. OG Anunoby’s layup cut Toronto’s deficit to one with 14.1 seconds to go. Booker restored the three-point lead with two free throws with 6.5 seconds left.

Booker finished with 16 points before fouling out. Jae Crowder led Phoenix with 19 points, Deandre Ayton added 16, and Paul had 15 points and 12 assists. Anunoby had 25 points for Toronto, Pascal Siakam added 22 points, Fred VanVleet scored 21 and Chris Boucher had 13 points and 16 rebounds off the bench. Clip-

pers 87, Nuggets 85 Amir Coffey registered 18 points, seven assists and four steals and Los Angeles overcame a 25-point, third-quarter deficit to stun visiting Denver. Los Angeles worked its way back from the 25-point deficit to take an 83-81 lead on Coffey’s 3-pointer with 2:30 remaining.

Nicolas Batum connected for another trey to cap a 52-22 burst and give the Clippers a five-point edge with 1:47 to play. Reggie Jackson and Terance Mann added 13 points apiece for Los Angeles, which scored just 28 firsthalf points. Denver’s Aaron Gordon posted season highs of 30 points and 12 rebounds and Nikola Jokic added 21 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

Pelicans 128, Timberwolves 125 Brandon Ingram scored a game-high 33 points, including a tiebreaking

3-pointer with 1.3 seconds left, as host New Orleans ended Minnesota’s fourgame winning streak. Josh Hart added 21 points, Herbert Jones scored 14 and Jonas Valanciunas had 13 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans. Anthony Edwards scored 28 points, 16 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Timberwolves. Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 points, Malik Beasley had 18 off the bench and D’Angelo Russell tallied 18 points and 10 assists.Grizzlies 116, Warriors 108 Ja Morant scored a gamehigh 29 points and the Memphis Grizzlies won their 10th straight game, outlasting visiting Golden State.

Ziaire Williams scored 17 points, and Tyus Jones added 17 points and eight assists off the bench for the Grizzlies.

Brandon Clarke finished with 14 points. Jaren Jackson Jr.

Thursday January 13, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) If Today you could find yourself searching for a particular piece of knowledge that you need in order to move on with something you're doing, Aries.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your mind is sharp, quick, and full of ideas, Libra. Discussions with others bring useful information that could well open new doors for you if you make the most of it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today you might find yourself working with an exciting group of people, Taurus. Perhaps this involves an opportunity to increase your skills or a new project or even a whole new job.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Newspapers, books, and TV are apt to bring a lot of new, exciting, and useful information your way, Scorpio.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Social events could put you in touch with some exciting new people, Gemini. They may either share a current interest of yours or bring you opportunities to expand your interests.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Contacts made through friends or colleagues, perhaps younger people, might bring new ideas for bettering your home life, Cancer.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The opportunity to make a change in your life, which you may have been contemplating for a long time, could finally manifest itself today, Sagittarius.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Paperwork involving money could be a real drag today, Capricorn, but someone close to you might just show you a way to get it done quickly and efficiently on computers or via another technological innovation.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Discussions with close friends, children, and romantic partners take on an especially exciting aura today, Leo.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your mind always tends to be quick and agile, Aquarius, but today you might find it going a thousand miles an hour as a result of intriguing new information received through books, newspapers, television, or the Internet.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Some new equipment made available for your use might prove fascinating, Pisces, and you're apt to want to learn as much as you can about how it works.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Some new equipment made available for your use might prove fascinating, Pisces, and you're apt to want to learn as much as you can.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) dribbles the ball as Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher (25) defends during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena. (Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports) scored 13 and secured a game-high 11 rebounds.

Stephen Curry notched his second triple-double of the season, scoring a teamhigh 27 points and adding 10 rebounds and 10 assists for

the Warriors. In his second game after a 2 1/2-year absence, Klay Thompson scored 14 points. Bulls 133, Pistons 87 Nikola Vucevic scored 22 points and DeMar DeRozan contributed 20

points and 12 rebounds as host Chicago defeated Detroit for the 10th straight time.

Lonzo Ball scored 18 points for the Bulls, who matched a season high in points and 3-pointers (18) as they won for the 10th time in 11 games. Vucevic amassed 16 points in the third quarter, outscoring the Pistons by two. Josh Jackson paced the Pistons with 16 points, Saddiq Bey scored 14 and Isaiah Stewart 11.Wizards 122, Thunder 118 Kyle Kuzma scored 29 points as Washington opened an eight-game homestand with a win over Oklahoma City.

Washington has won back-to-back games while the Thunder has lost the last five and seven of eight. Spencer Dinwiddie had 22 points and 10 rebounds for Washington while Kentavious CaldwellPope added 16 points. Oklahoma City’s Shai GilgeousAlexander finished with 32 points and eight assists on 13of-22 shooting. (Field Level Media)

Wiltshire birth anniversary dominoes set for Sunday Senior Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association Mark Wiltshire will be hosting his birth anniversary competition on Sunday at Transport Sports Club.

Entrance fee is $15,000 and the winning team will take home a trophy and $180,000, runner up a trophy and $75,000, third place a trophy and $35,000 and fourth place a trophy and $20,000. The female player that shared the first love and the player in the final will be given $5,000 each, while the female player that shared the first double love will receive $5,000 and a hamper. The first three teams that register will be required to pay $12,000 and all GNDA rules will be in effect. Double-six time is 14:00hrs.

Gauff beats...

From page 30 before sealing a 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 7-6(4) victory over the second seed to set up an allAustralian clash with Aleksandar Vukic in the last eight. Russian third seed Karen Khachanov saw off Italian Gianluca Mager 7-5 63, while fourth seed Marin Cilic defeated Spain’s Jaume Munar 7-6(6) 6-2.Cilic will next face the in-form Tommy Paul, who has won 12 of his past 14 matches, while Khachanov will play France’s Arthur Rinderknech for a place in the semi-finals.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday January 13, 2022

Gauff beats Kostyuk, five Americans in Adelaide quarters ADELAIDE, (Reuters) Coco Gauff battled to a 6-3 57 6-3 win over unseeded Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk at the Adelaide International 2 WTA tournament yesterday to join four other Americans in the quarter-finals.

Madison Keys, Alison Riske, Madison Brengle and Lauren Davis also won their

respective matches in the round of 16 earlier in the day to book their spots in the quarter-finals which will take place on Thursday.

Gauff, who pushed world number one Ash Barty before losing their second-round meeting in the Adelaide International 1 event last week, raced ahead 4-1 in the open-

ing set against Kostyuk before grabbing the early lead in the match.

Kostyuk raced to 5-3 in the second set and wasted three set points to allow Gauff to draw level, but dragged the clash into a decider when the third seed sent a forehand wide.

A decisive break in the

seventh game of the third set gave Gauff the upper hand again and she held her nerve to prevail.

Earlier, former U.S. Open runner-up Keys hardly broke sweat in her 6-1 6-3 demolition of Czech Tereza Martincova while Riske was equally ruthless as she powered past Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine by a similar scoreline.

Brengle downed Swede Rebecca Peterson 6-3 6-2 while Davis was made to work hard by Jasmine Paolini before coming away with a 46 6-4 6-4 win.

Former French Open runner-up Marketa Vondrousova surrendered a match point

against unseeded Croatian Ana Konjuh who completed a 4-6 6-2 7-6(3) victory in an epic Centre Court battle that lasted two hours and 21 minutes.In the men’s event, Brazilian lucky loser Thiago Monteiro advanced to the quarter-finals after top seed Gael Monfils of France retired while 7-6(2) 3-6 0-1 down.Monteiro will play Corentin Moutet in his next match.

Tournament organisers said later that Monfils retired due to a neck injury.

Earlier, local hope Thanasi Kokkinakis withstood a barrage that included 23 aces from American John Isner (Continued on page 29)

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup West Indies 2022...

Bangladesh, India and Pakistan record impressive victories in warm-up matches Bangladesh, India and Pakistan all recorded impressive victories as the warm-up matches for the 2022 ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup continued on Tuesday with the tournament just around the corner.

India chased down 269 to triumph over Australia, Pakistan eased past Canada, while Bangladesh impressed against Zimbabwe. Elsewhere, after England’s warmup match with Afghanistan was postponed, the Young Lions faced UAE in St Kitts.

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

India produce impressive run-chase to beat Australia The two most successful teams in the history of the tournament took the field against each other on Tuesday in Guyana, ahead of the finals beginning later this week. And it was India who got a confidence boost going into their opener with South Africa on Saturday, taking a nine-wicket win over the Aussies.

Australia won the toss and were able to post 268 runs, with 18-year-old captain Cooper Connolly taking centre stage. The all-rounder made a wonderful century which included 18 boundaries at a strike rate of 93.60, which only finally ended after an excellent delivery from Raj Bawa in the 46th over.

The other end was less fruitful for the Aussies, but Tobias Snell also impressed (35 from 35) to help his team towards their final total.

India’s response was sub-

lime, Hanooor Singh led the way with a century which included 16 fours, supported

by Shaik Rasheed’s 72. Both players unfortunately retired hurt, but captain Yash Dull was able to lead his team comfortably over the line, with 15 deliveries in reserve.

Bangladesh win warm-up contest with Zimbabwe After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bangladesh posted a decent total of 277, particularly after a tricky start when opener Iftakher Hossain edged to slip in the third over departing for just 1. But Aich Mollah got his side back on track, making 82 from 82 deliveries with three sixes along the way.

Wicketkeeper Md Fahim also chipped in with a timely 33, before captain Rakibul Hasan went after the Zimbabwe attack, hitting 36 before being run-out. Tailender Ripon Mondol then managed a quickfire 39 from 26 balls to take the 2020 champions up to their final total. Zimbabwe’s reply didn’t start on solid ground when opener Panashe Taruvinga went for a duck.

The next man in Steven Saul, launched a counter-attack, scoring 39 from 45 deliveries, but once he outside edged to Fahim his team were facing an uphill task. They were eventually bowled out for 110 runs.

England edge tight contest with the UAE England produced a middle-order rally to beat UAE in an exciting finish by two wickets. Batting first, the UAE posted a credible 191-9 in their innings, even with losing openers Kai Smith for a duck and Shival Bawa for just eight runs. However, Dhruv

Parashar and captain Alishan Sharafu hit a combined 62 to keep Emiratis in the contest.

Josh Boyden was the pick of England’s bowlers with figures of 5-42. But Sharafu’s team refused to go quietly, with tailenders Adihya Shetty and Jash Giyanani scoring 21 and 15 respectively. Set 192 to win, England’s response got off to a bad start when George Thomas was bowled

by Sharafu with the first ball of the innings. Lancashire rookie George Bell then took centre stage to steer England back on track. Arriving at the crease with his team 23-3, Bell produced a wonderful 75 not out from 120 balls. Assisted

by James Sales (29) and Tom Aspinwall (33) the 19-yearold helped his team secure a narrow two-wicket win ahead of their next warm-up game against Papua New Guinea on Wednesday. Pakistan top order shine in win over Canada Pakistan put an impress display against Canada as they build up to their Group C opener against Papua New Guinea on Saturday. The men in Green won the toss and put the Canadians into bat in Conaree and quickly reduced them to 31-4. Ethan Gibson offered some resistance with a stubborn 55, but Mihir Patel’s team were eventually bowled out for 164. Pakistan’s response started poorly when Haseebullah departed for just 3, but his opening partner Mohammad Shehzad scored 67. He was joined at the crease by Abdul Faseeh hit 72 unbeaten, to help his team to an eight-wicket victory. Canada start their tournament against UAE on Saturday in St Kitts and Nevis.

Thursday January 13, 2022

Bumrah takes five as India move ahead in third test CAPE TOWN, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Jasprit Bumrah took 5-42 as India bowled South Africa out for 210 and then drove home their advantage with the bat as they ended day two of the decisive third and final test on 57 for two in their second innings at Newlands yesterday.

India’s lead is 70, already a sizeable one on a difficult, seaming wicket that is offering plenty of assistance to the bowlers as 22 wickets have fallen on the opening two days of the contest.

Captain Virat Kohli is not out 14 in an unbeaten partnership of 33 with Cheteshwar Pujara (9) and they will attempt to take the game away from the home team on the third morning as they chase a first ever series win in South Africa.

Both openers have been dismissed as Mayank Agarwal (7) was caught by Dean Elgar off Kagiso Rabada and KL Rahul (10) was grabbed by Aiden Markram at slip from the bowling of Marco Jansen.

Bumrah gave a masterclass of seam bowling in the South African innings as he got the ball to move both ways and at times leap off the surface.

“There was a phase in the middle (of the day) when not a lot was happening, but we stayed patient,” Bumrah told reporters.

“It does seam a lot more with the new ball, and shapes more. But as you spend more

WI cricket legend Clive Lloyd honoured with Knighthood

Clive Lloyd (right) displays his knighthood medal. (CWI facebook) Keegan Petersen gets creative • Jan 11, 2022 © AFP/Getty Images time out there the seam goes down and it gets relatively easier (to bat).

“When bowling with the new ball, you have to make the most of it.

“I was trying to focus on the things I can do and generate a good rhythm, and when I am in that frame of mind I usually have a lot of fun and enjoy my game.”

Keegan Petersen scored a career-best 72 for the home side but played almost a lone hand in the innings with the next highest score being Temba Bavuma’s 28.

Petersen, in just his fifth test, showed admirable patience as he batted for 166 balls before becoming the fourth victim for Bumrah when he edged to Pujara at slip.

It is the kind of surface where batsmen never quite feel settled at the crease and

the fact that the ball might misbehave at any point is always in their minds.

Mohammed Shami (2-39), Umesh Yadav (2-64) and Shardul Thakur (1-37) were also among the wicket-takers for the tourists.

“We will keep an eye on how the wicket is going, but it is about keeping the disciplines up, bowling as a unit and applying the pressure by giving less boundary opportunities,” Bumrah said.

The series is level at 1-1 after India won the first test before South Africa bounced back to claim the second.

Scores: India 57 for 2 (Kohli 1 4 * , P u j a r a 9 * , Rabada 1-6, Jansen 1-7) and 223 (Kohli 79, Pujara 43, Rabada 4-73) lead South Africa 210 (Petersen 72, Bumrah 5-42) by 70 runs.

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup West Indies 2022...

Change to ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup tournament schedule The fixture schedule for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 has been updated after the delayed arrival of Afghanistan into the region.

After successfully obtaining the necessary visas for travel, Afghanistan will arrive in the West Indies and undergo their required quarantine period.

To ensure all fixtures could be completed, four out of the six group C matches in Trinidad and Tobago have been rescheduled as follows: 15 January - Zimbabwe v PNG – Queens Park Oval.

Rescheduled from 20 January.

17 January - Pakistan v

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Zimbabwe - Diego Martin Sporting Complex. Rescheduled from 22 January. 18 January - Afghanistan v PNG - Diego Martin Sporting Complex.

Unchanged.

20 January - Pakistan v Afghanistan - Brian Lara Cricket Ground. Unchanged.

22 January - Pakistan v PNG - Queens Park Oval. Rescheduled from 15 January 22 January - Afghanistan v Zimbabwe - Diego Martin Sporting Complex. Rescheduled from 16 January.

All matches will begin at 09:00hrs local time.

The changes were approved by the Event Technical Committee which comprises Chris Tetley, ICC Head

of Events (Chair); Ben Leaver, ICC Senior Event Manager; Fawwaz Baksh, Tournament Director; Roland Holder, WICB Representative; Alan Wilkins and Russel Arnold. ICC Head of Events, Chris Tetley said, “We are delighted that the Afghanistan squad have received the necessary visas and will be able to travel to participate in the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022.

“We have reworked the fixtures for group C to ensure that all matches can take place within the allocated timeframe and would like to thank the participating Members for their flexibility in finding a solution.”

ITV News - Cricket legend Clive Lloyd has finally received his knighthood after the ceremony was delayed due to Covid.

The Guyana-born batsman, 77, was honoured for his service to the game, and played for Lancashire from 1968 until 1986, as well as captaining the West Indies from 1974 until 1985.

He made a huge contribution to Lancashire’s one-day successes and went on to win two One-Day League titles in 1969 and 1970 and four Gillette Cups between 1970 and 1975,

with a memorable 126 against Warwickshire in the 1972 final at Lord’s.

After retiring Lloyd, who is a huge Everton fan, coached the West Indies and worked for the International Cricket Council before settling in Greater Manchester.

The Lancashire legend is a Vice President at Emirates Old Trafford and was on the Club’s Committee from 1993 until 2012.

Lloyd, a left-handed batsman, played in 110 Tests and 87 One-Day Internationals, making his Test debut in De-

cember 1966 against India.

He captained the West Indies between 1974-84 and is one of the most successful Test captains of all time.

During his captaincy the side had a run of 27 matches without defeat, which included 11 wins in a row.

He was also the first West Indian player to earn 100 international caps.

In 1971, Lloyd was also named as Wisden’s Cricketer of the Year, while in 2009 he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.

Chattergoon, Gordon and...

From page 32 which bears his name. The tournament is scheduled for the Edinburgh Cricket Ground and would be played between Edinburgh, East Bank Blazers, Tucber Park and Guymine.

Gordon has indicated his willingness to be a long term sponsor and stated that he was pleased to be associated with the development of the game in his home county. The thirty four years old Gordon played five One Day International matches for Canada, taking six wickets at an average of 31.83. Foster, who

was recently re-elected for his third successive two-year term, stated that the BCB in 2022 would be organising at least ten grass root tournaments and he was very pleased that former players were giving back to the game which made them household names.

The objectives of the tournaments are to allow lesser clubs the opportunity to win a BCB tournament, to promote the game in villages across the county and to identify new talent for the future.

PAGE 32

ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup West Indies 2022...

Scotland, Sri Lanka, Ireland, Uganda and PNG look ahead to the start of the ICC U19 Men’s CWC 2022 Scotland captain Charlie Peet says his team is looking to take inspiration from their senior counterparts ahead of the ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup starting this week.

The Scots begin their campaign tomorrow against Sri Lanka in Guyana, before also taking on the host nation West Indies and Australia.

Peet’s team may only have been at the World Cup as a late replacement for New Zealand, who withdrew over quarantine issues, but the skipper believes Scotland can once again impress on the international stage. He said: “The senior team are obviously a huge inspiration for what they did at the T20 World Cup [making the Super 12s]. “Quite a few of our guys play with and rub shoulders with the first team quite a lot, so to see them put in those sorts of performances against the best teams in the world gives us the inspiration to think that we can do the same.” The left-arm spinner also revealed that, while his team is raring to go now preparation is complete; the news on their participation took a while to sink in.

He added: “It was obviously a pretty big surprise for us to find out we’d qualified when we were all extremely disappointed with the way the qualifiers turned out. It was quite surreal when we were told; it didn’t really sink in for a while.

“But after that we got straight back into training and we had a good couple of tough months at the indoor centre.”

Unlike Scotland, who were at the 2020 tournament, Uganda are at their first U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 16 years, after last qualifying for the 2006 edition in Sri Lanka. They are in a toughlooking group B alongside India, Ireland and South Africa, but will be desperate to make an impact after so long away from a major finals.

Captain Pascal Murungi says his team’s performance levels and overall development, is just as important as their results. He believes just to have the experience of a World Cup is already a huge success.

“For us every game will be like a final,” Murungi explained. “We’ll try to give the best of ourselves. It is not about us saying ‘we have to win two games or it’s a failure’. Our mind-set is totally different, but we just want to

Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

show what we can do.”

Although his team lost to Scotland in their final warmup game the performance-levels didn’t concern the Ugandan skipper.

He added: “That was a warm-up game and we were trying a few different strategies, it was all part of the final preparation. I think now we are ready to deliver our best over the next few weeks. We just want to get the best out of ourselves I believe we can do that.” Former-finalists Sri Lanka have also been given a tough draw on paper. They will face three-time champions Australia and host nation the West Indies, as well as Scotland in Group D. But facing the Scots first could provide an opportunity for Farveez

time, Mahela Jayawardene is working with the under-19 team as a consultant coach during the tournament, providing invaluable experience to the younger group.

He added: “Mahela has helped our team and he has a great knowledge. We can do a great job with him.”

Ireland captain Tim Tector, the third consecutive Tector brother to captain Ireland U19s at the World Cup spoke ahead of their first match against Uganda. “It’s great to have them (Jack and Harry) do it before, they were able to give me a few tips before I came out here. It’s certainly a weird one being the third brother to do it – I’ve had a lot of questions about it but it’s great we’ve all been able

Maharoof’s team to build momentum in their attempt to qualify for the Super League play-offs. They also laid down a marker with a warm-up win over Ireland on Monday. Skipper Dunith Wellalage says his side are in a good frame of mind heading into their opener and believes they will have the required fight to challenge their first-round opponents. “We have a good side and my players are really excited for the World Cup,” he said. “We’re in a good mindset and this World Cup is a good opportunity for us. In the last few months, we played a first series against Bangladesh and then a second against England.

“After that we went to the Asia Cup and were the runners-up. Now we’re at the World Cup and have prepared really well. Our strength is our batting. We have a good batting line-up and a good balanced side. “The first match we play is Scotland and then Australia and West Indies. I think the West Indies and Australia are good sides so I think we can give a good fight against those teams.”

Wellalage is also pleased that one of his country’s most successful captains of all-

to do it. “Jack was the first to get into cricket, he started when he was seven or eight but where we lived a few years ago we had quite a big garden at the back, and we played a lot of backyard cricket and we were always talking about cricket around the dinner table. “We have Uganda first up and our focus is on that first, we are pretty confident for that game but you’ve got to take it one game at a time. India will be a different challenge in itself – none of us have ever played a game on TV before so that part about it will be a bit different. There’s always going to be a few nerves about playing those big games, but I think when the time comes and when we step over the rope we will be ready to go.”

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea suffered a 250-loss to an impressive UAE side in Monday’s warm-up match.

But their captain Barnanbas Maha is hopeful his team will be better for the experience.

He said: “We were a bit rusty after travelling. But we are here to learn and compete.

And I think we can learn a lot from that match and hopefully prepare ourselves for the Pakistan game (on Saturday).”

Chattergoon, Gordon and Nandu renew sponsorship for BCB Grass root tournaments Three former national players from the Ancient County of Berbice are the latest sponsors on board with the Berbice Cricket Board as support continues to pour in for the organisation.

The Board has already attracted millions of dollars for its 2022 list of activities as numerous sponsors either renew their sponsorship or come on board for the first time. The three former national players last year came on board to sponsor grassroot tournaments as the BCB sought to bring the game to a new generation of cricket fans. Former West Indies under19 player Hemnarine Chattergoon who also played at the first class level for Canada has renewed his sponsorship for a four team tournament in his native

Hemnarine Chattergoon

Arjune Nandu village, Fyrish. The teams to play in the tournament would be Fyrish, Kilcoy, Courtland and Sand Reef. It would be played under the name Dianand and Shamshadbhagam Chattergoon Grassroot tounament, in memory of Chattergoon’s late parents.

The former West Indies junior player also informed Foster that his wife would also sponsor a four team tournament at the Kendall Union Ground in memory of her late mother Lila Ramkissoon, who hailed from the No 19 Village.

The teams to participate in that tournament would be Kendall Union CC, Kendall Union All Stars, Canje Titans and No 1 Village CC. Chattergoon stated that he was very impressed with the

leadership of the current BCB executives and would continue to support the board as long as the current team is in place. Arjune Nandu, a former national player who played four first class matches for Guyana during 1988 to 1992 is sponsoring the Lillian Nandu Cup at the Port Mourant ground.

The four teams would be the home team, University of Guyana Elite, Rose Hall Tigers and Tain/Clinton.

Naidu would be sponsoring the tournament in memory of his late Grandmother, Lillian Nandu.

Former national senior fast bowler Jermey Gordon, a product of the Tucber Park Cricket Club has agreed to sponsor the second edition of the grassroot tournament (Continued on page 31)

Jeremy Gordon

18 Boxers on Coach Daniels’ radar ahead of AMBC Continental Championship With Guyana set to compete at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Continental Championship in Ecuador, 18 boxers were shortlisted by National Coach, Lennox Daniels, to begin preparation, according to the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA).

Olympian and Youth Commonwealth Games silver medalist, Keevin Allicock will lead the bunch, which includes the Jackman sisters, Abiola and Alesha, Mark Crawford, Richard Howard, Patrick Harvey, Travis Inverary, Jamal Eastman, Joel Williamson, Desmond Amsterdam, Colin Lewis, Julius Kesney, Quacy Abrams, Emanuel Pompey, Delroy Fordyce, Renaldo Niles, Aluko Bess and Richard Subraty.

Daniels also met will several coaches from around the country on Tuesday at the Andrew Lewis gym, with the GBA president, Steve Ninvalle noting that “It was the largest meeting of coaches in a while, and all were in agreement that Daniels was the best man for the job.”

“This is our structure that we’re going to be moving ahead with. The National Coach will have consultation with other coaches. Name a national team that will be continuously training, but as it gets to tournaments, whether national or overseas, as it comes closer to that time, they will start meeting much more and then lead to encampment,” Ninvalle said.

Ninvalle pointed out that, “From the executive level, we have confidence that this will

bear fruit; we have confidence in our National Coach. He brings a different style to coaching and we’ll start with this because we’re preparing for our first major tournament which is the AMBC Elite Championship.” Ninvalle reasoned that the GBA expects Daniels to “Bring his unique style of coaching towards the team’s preparation, and we at the Executive level expect to see a mark difference in the way in which our fighters are prepared.” The AMBC Elite Continental Championships will take place Guayaquil, Ecuador, from March 22 to April 2. The medalists in each of 13 men and 12 women weight categories, according to the AMBC, will receive prize money, US$10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second and $2,500 for third place.

Thursday January 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Keevin Allicock

WI cricket legend Clive Lloyd honoured honouredwith with Knighthood

18 Boxers on Coach Daniels’ radar ahead of AMBC Continental Championship t r o Sp

Sir Clive Lloyd during the ceremony at Windsor Castle.

India's Jasprit Bumrah celebrates taking the wicket of South Africa's Aiden Markram with teammates.

(REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham)

Bumrah takes five as India move ahead in third test 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.