Kaieteur News
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Friday January 14, 2022
Newspaper Publisher files historic legal challenge to ‘oppressive, discriminatory’ tax provisions in Exxon Stabroek Block Contract By Kiana Wilburg
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aieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall, in an historic move, filed a case in Guyana’s High Court on Thursday, which challenges some of the most repressive tax provisions of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited. The case which was prepared and filed by his Attorney-at-Law, Mohamed R. Ali, outlines that many of the provisions listed under Article 15.1 of the Petroleum Agreement, dated June 27, 2016 between the Guyana Government and the oil companies, grants exemptions to persons other than licensees, which violate the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act, the P r e v e n t i o n o f Discrimination Act, and the Constitution. In light of this, Lall through his lawyer, contends that the provisions are unlawful, null and void, and of no legal effect. With respect to violations of the P e t r o l e u m L a w, L a l l contends that this occurs at Article 15.1 of the oil contract which states: “…no tax, value-added tax, excise tax, duty, fee, charge or other impost shall be levied at the date hereof or from time to time thereafter on the Contractor or Affiliated Companies, in respect of i n c o m e d e r i v e d f ro m Petroleum Operations or in respect of any property held, transactions undertaken or activities performed for any purpose authorised or contemplated hereunder …….” L a l l ’s l a w y e r a l s o flagged paragraph 2 of Articles 15.10 of the Agreement which states: “Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Article, Affiliated Companies or Non-Resident Sub-Contractors shall not be subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act (Cap 81:01) and Corporation Tax Act of Guyana (Cap 81:03) during the expiration period on income earned in Guyana for any given tax year if the Affiliated Company or NonResident Sub-Contractors
Attorney-at-Law, Mohamed R. Ali has conducted business for one hundred eighty-three (183) days or less on a cumulative basis in the tax year of assessment.” Lall’s attorney said too that Article 15.11 of the Petroleum Agreement which states: “There shall be no tax, duty, fee, withholding, charge or other impost applicable on interest payment, dividends, deemed dividends, transfer of profit or deemed remittance of profits for Contractor’s, Affiliated Companies’ or Non-Resident SubContractors’ branch in Guyana to its foreign or head office or to Affiliated Companies,” is also a violation of the petroleum laws. His lawyer also flagged Article 15.12 (ii) of the deal w h i c h s t a t e s : “Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Article, expatriate employees of Contractor, Affiliated Companies or Non-Resident SubContractors shall not be subject to the provisions of the Income Tax Act of Guyana (Cap. 81.01) and shall not be liable for personal income tax in Guyana on income earned in Guyana for any given tax year if the expatriate is physically present in Guyana for one hundred eighty-three (183) days or less on a cumulative basis in the tax year of assessment.” For all intents and purposes, the Applicant, Glen Lall, contends that
“licensee” as defined by the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act refers only to the Stabroek Block partners, being: Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited and HESS Guyana Exploration Limited, and not to any other person. The Applicant will therefore argue that any exemptions referred to in Articles 15.1, 15.10, 15.11, and 15.12 (ii) purporting to extend concessions to persons other than the licensees are not consistent with the provisions of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act which does not allow for this and therefore violate the oil law. FINANCIAL ACT VIOLATIONS Lall contends that several tax articles of the agreement which include 15.5, 15.7, 15.9, 15.10, 15.11 and 15.12 of the Petroleum Agreement violate the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act. Article 15.5 of the Petroleum Agreement provides as follows: “The Contractor shall provide the Minister with the Contractor’s income tax returns to be submitted by the Minister to the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority so the Minister can pay income tax on behalf of the Contractor as provided under Article 15.4 (a). On such returns, the Minister
Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall shall note that he is paying the income taxes on behalf of the Contractor, so that the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority can properly prepare the receipts required under this Article 15.5. Within one hundred and eight (180) days following the end of each year of assessment, the Minister shall furnish to the Contractor proper tax certificates in the Contractor’s name from the Commissioner General, Guyana Revenue Authority evidencing the payment of the Contractor’s income tax under the Income Tax Act and corporation tax under the Corporation Tax Act. Such certificates shall state the amount of tax paid individually on behalf of the Contractor or parties comprising the Contractor and other particulars customary for such certificates.” Article 15.7 of the deal states: “Subject to the conditions of section 49 of the Act, the Minister may remit in whole or in part, or defer payment of, any ro y a l t i e s p a y a b l e b y Contractor.” Lall said the foregoing, along with other provisions in the contract, cumulatively, alter certain tax laws to grant remissions, concessions and waivers contrary to section 6 of Financial Administration (and Audit) Act. Lall, through his lawyer, is therefore asking the court to grant a declaration that Article 15.7, among others,
violate the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act and is unlawful, null and void and of no legal effect. Lall is also arguing that Articles 15.4 and 15.5 of the Petroleum Agreement requiring the Minister responsible for Petroleum to pay taxes for and on behalf of the Licensees and for the Commissioner General to issue certificates to that effect is therefore a violation of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act as well as the Financial Administration (and Audit) Act and should therefore be deemed unlawful, null and void and of no legal effect. It was further noted, in the legal documents filed, that Article15.12 of the Petroleum Agreement is discriminatory to Guyanese employees by exempting from personal income tax, income earned only by expatriate employees of the C o n t r a c t o r, A ff i l i a t e d Companies or Non-Resident Sub-contractors who are physically present in Guyana for 183 days or less on a cumulative basis in the tax year of assessment. Lall is therefore seeking a declaration from the court that the said section is null and void and of no legal effect. REASONS FOR CHALLENGING CONTRACT Asked about the reason for his court challenge to the contract, Lall told this
newspaper that when one takes into consideration, the extent to which the provisions of the contract create oppressive circumstances that hinder locals as well as the extent to which it breaches the laws, there is no way he could sit back and not take action. What also incensed the KN Publisher is how costly these provisions are to the nation. Lall said, “When you take into account the cost of these provisions to the country, the enormous revenue Guyana is giving away and the impact it can have and it will have on the country and its citizens, it is unimaginable. It must therefore be challenged. For example: We gave away US$720M in 2020 alone in taxes to the oil companies and that was a figure from the Auditor General’s report.” The Publisher continued, “But even that is not entirely accurate, if we are to take into account what is being given away, when we look at the oil production figures. But let me give an example of what that US$720M could do for us. Had Guyana collected that, it could have increased the public service salary 10 times. It could have given us a bridge across the Demerara and Berbice Rivers and another from Parika to Leguan half way. And I don’t want to talk about the number of roads that US$720M could have repaired or fixed. These are the things that have been eating away at my soul that forced me into moving to the courts.” Lall said he moved to the courts not just as the Publisher of the newspaper who is passionate to his duty to the people, but as a citizen, who refuses to sit idly by while the lion’s share of the oil wealth is given to foreign companies and Guyanese are relegated to eating the crumbs that fall from the table. Lall who said the case was in the making for just over nine months categorically states that he reposes the absolute confidence in the judiciary here to determine the case but noted nonetheless, that he is prepared to go all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on the matter.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
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CARICOM Private Sector group says Local Content Law breaches Treaty of Chaguaramas …sparks outrage from local private sector Local Private Sector organisations have come out to defend Guyana’s recently approved Local Content Legislation, in light of reports that the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation (CPSO) has raise concerns that the law might be in violation of the Treaty of Chaguaramas. Similar concerns were raised by Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson, during the debates of the legislation December last, but were shot down by the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. At the time Patterson had asked the government for assurance on whether the legislation was compliant with the regional treaty. The Treaty of Chaguaramas is an agreement that Guyana signed onto back in 1973, along with other Caribbean nations for the co-ordination of foreign policies and cooperation in several areas including labour administration and industrial relations and social security, among others. According to the Revised Treaty of
Chaguaramas, signatories must “promote and develop policies and programmes to facilitate the transportation of people and goods”. It goes on to state in Article 26 that Member Sates shall establish and maintain an efficient system of consultations at the national and regional levels in order to enhance the decision-making process in the Community. Moreover, the agreement clearly states in Article 32 (1) that “The Member States shall not introduce in their territories any new restrictions relating to the right of establishment of nationals of other Member States save as otherwise provided in this Treaty”. Meanwhile, Article 38 adds “Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the Member States shall remove discriminatory restrictions on banking, insurance and other financial services”. This therefore means that Guyana must not discriminate against its sister nations, when it comes to the provision of jobs and services. However,
Guyana’s long awaited Local Content Law, passed only December 29, 2021, is specific in terms of the local capacity it intends to employ to service the oil and gas sector. The Law indicates that by the end of 2022, Guyanese and Guyanese Businesses must provide 90 percent of Office Space rentals, 90 percent of accommodation services (apartments and houses), 50 percent equipment rental, 75 percent surveying, 75 percent Administrative Support and Facilities Management Services, among others. It also states that 100 percent of Immigration Support Services and Work Permit, Visa Applications, Visa on Arrival and In-Water Activity Permit are to be provided by Guyanese and Guyanese Businesses. The Legislation explained “Guyanese company means (a) any company incorporated under the Companies Act- (i) which is beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals who ultimately exercise,
Cop accidentally shoots self in patrol vehicle
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rank attached to the Impact Base at the Brickdam Police Station accidentally shot himself in the leg on Thursday just as he and his colleagues were about to speed off for duty in their patrol vehicle. He was identified as Sergeant Clive Clarke and was treated for his gunshot injury at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). Kaieteur News was told that Clarke and his colleagues were at a location in the city when they received a call to respond to an incident. When they entered the car, Clarke’s 9mm pistol went off and he was struck in the leg and they were forced to divert to GPHC instead of responding to the incident. This was not the first time that Clarke had been shot in the leg. In 2019 Clarke and his
Clive Clarke receiving award back in 2019 for his bravery during the shootout that had left him nursing a gunshot wound to his leg.
colleagues responded to a robbery on Norton Street and were confronted by the bandits. Three bandits were killed during the shootout
and Clarke was injured from a gunshot wound to his leg. That year however, Clarke was awarded by the force for his bravery.
Chairman of the Caricom Private Sector Organization, Mr. Gervase Warner individually or jointly, voting rights representing at least fift0one percent of the total issued shares of the company: and (ii) that has Guyanese nationals holding at least seventy-five percent of executive and senior management positions and at least ninety percent of nonmanagerial and other positions; or (b) any partnership between Guyanese nationals and a company constituted under subclause (a) in accordance with the Partnership Act”. It defined Guyanese national as a citizen of Guyana. The Laws therefore would prevent foreign businesses from posing as a local one. Although the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) has flagged possible violations in the Local Content Act, it did not specifically highlight which clause/s breach the Treaty of Chaguaramas. Chairman of the Organization, Mr. Gervase Warner, in an email seen by this publication outlined “The legislation recently passed by the Government of Guyana (Gog) is attached for those interested in reviewing. At the Executive Committee today, we agreed that the legislation appears to violate several provisions of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas”. “As a result” the Chairman pointed out “the CPSO will take on raising these concerns first to the GoG then ultimately to the Caribbean Community”. In this regard, the Chairman of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, said that as former Chairman of the Trade and Investment
Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) President, Timothy Tucker Committee of the body its, CARICOM sister countries would frequently throw a barrier “to block the progress of Guyanese businesses”. He explained that the Trade and Investment Committee was responsible for ironing out issues affecting members of the chamber when it comes to trade and offers support for members, promoting of members’ businesses and help with Investment for members of the GCCI. “I would have been involved with several projects that were aimed at creating new industry, building capacity for new and existing businesses, building support for existing industries. All together the goal was to develop and build a better private sector. But almost every time we took one step forward, one of our dear CARICOM sister countries threw a barrier to block the progres s of G uyanes e business,” Tucker related. He said one example was the Chamber’s ‘beekeeping’ project where it trained 40 persons in apiculture. Even though 40 new entrepreneurs were ready to develop their trade and export their product, they were restricted by law. “Because our major transshipment hub (Trinidad) has a law on their
books since 1935 that prohibits honey that isn’t from Trinidad, coming within close proximity of their shores. this law has been challenged by Dominica at COTED (Council for Trade and Economic Development) for years,” the Business executive complained. “The point of this message is, something as small as Guyanese honey has been blocked from being exported, not just to Trinidad, but to any country that Guyanese have to use Trinidad as transshipment to get to. Years before, a shipment of honey that was being transshipped by Laparkan was seized and destroyed. Laparkan was fined 5000 USD by Trinidad. This whole case is in violation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and Tr i n i d a d c o n t i n u e s t o dismiss, disobey and disregard COTED’s ruling and by extension CARICOM,” Tucker reasoned. He opined that if CARICOM does not have “power” over Trinidad, Guyana should not be part of the organisation. Alternatively, he suggested that Trinidad be expelled from CARICOM for its “continued violations” of the (Continued on page 24)
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Friday January 14, 2022
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
Just about total control of oil wealth
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e pointed to it from Day One when the NRF 2021 Bill first made its shocking late year appearance, and was still to be finalised into law. From the inception, we had it right, and as more of the finer underlying arrangements come to light, the more disgusted it sounds, smells, and looks. In a nutshell, this Natural Resource Fund Act of 2021, as it currently stands, is an abomination. And we say this because there is almost total control of its Board of Directors in the dirty hands and dirty minds of Guyanese politicians. This is a recipe not just for disaster and tragedy but also for societal deterioration and eventual collapse.It does not matter who is the minister of the hour, or the government (political party) that is in power, but as this repulsive law now stands, the responsibility for naming the majority on the NRF Board of Directors will be in the hands of those in power who call the shots. In other words, name three out of the five voting members, and that is in the end of the story. We say not to get carried away by investment committee and other layers, for they would be little else but creatures of the people in power, and we are all familiar with how credible and ethical they have been. We also recommend that our fellow citizens do not get bogged down in those other red herrings that have their purpose. As examples, those who must have considerable experience in law, finance, and business, among other requirements or those would not be eligible because of either conflict or medical fitness or general unsuitability. These are all shams, from teams of men who sat down and studied how to help themselves to the nation’s wealth. Now, it’s off to the races with more of their wastages at best, or massive corruptions at worst. Opposition and civil society can talk cheese, but the game is over. The rest of us can talk about ex-officio and subcommittees and expert advisors and voting and non-voting power, but we and this nation will be in the same leaking boat. That is, shedding tears, and now belatedly wishing for the best. For what would be firmly in place are handpicked men, who are given their marching orders on what is expected of them. Further, all Guyana can rest assured presently that those selected (screened carefully and smartly cherrypicked) would only be of a certain kind of mentality, and will know what to do and when. What is going to be in place are men and women, who form a rubberstamp board, and who will be untroubled by any degree of criticism of their deliberations and work. The leaders in Government would say that every provision in the law was followed and they would even be so barefaced as to say, if not challenge, critics to identify which local law or part of the NRF law of 2021 has been violated. And that this is how the democratic process works. The powers of the day will also point out that the decision-making process on the Board itself is independent and free of leadership interference. It is what they have been saying of Guyana’s meaningless Environmental Protection Agency, and of other bodies with crucial national responsibilities. But as most Guyanese know by now that is a stable loaded with horse dung. Thus, we urge fellow citizens to pay attention, get involved, and even to get angry. Because if we get so complacent and so disengaged as to say and do nothing, then the oil money is as good as gone, with nothing to show for it, but the regrets of having done nothing to safeguard the interests of our children and their children. To say it in the kind of language that our fellow Guyanese would easily understand: cat would eat not just our dinner, but breakfast and lunch and just about every day. Of course, there may be the fallback option of hoping for a job as a cleaner or driver or shoe shiner with the foreigners ripping us off or of obtaining a visa from the United States Embassy and starting over in America.
Mr. Warner should at least be less hypocritical to the people and a country that have treated him and his Guyana companies most hospitably DEAR EDITOR, An internal communication from Mr. Gervase Warner, President and CEO of the Massy group in Trinidad suggests that he is using the CARICOM Private Sector Organisation(CPSO) to pursue what the Memo claims are the several violations of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas embedded in the recently passed Local Content Act of Guyana. To make matters worse, Mr. Warner tells his colleagues that he would delegate to a Guyanese, Mr. Suresh Beharry, the task of assisting with the communications strategy and to approach the Government of Guyana. Whatever the merits of alleged violations, Mr. Warner should at least be less hypocritical to the people and a country that have treated him and his Guyana companies most hospitably, for fifty-two years. Instead, there is a good dose of irony as well.
Mr. Warner cannot be unaware that ever since 1969 Trinidad and Tobago has practised, unapologetically, one of the most stringent and exclusive local content regimes in the entire Caribbean region, “predicated on maximizing citizens’ ownership, control, and financing of all activities along the energy resources sector” (World Bank Study, 2008). Mr. Warner of course sees nothing wrong with that. Nor apparently of the following quotes from Trinidad and Tobago Local Content & Local Participation Policy and Framework, issued on October 7, 2004 – incidentally, three years after the signing of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas on July 5, 2001. “It is the intention of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago that the country will maximise the level of participation of its national people, enterprises, technology and capital.” “The Government, as
caretaker and manager of these assets, has an obligation to ensure that the exploitation of these resources is conducted in a manner that generates maximum benefit to all the people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.” “The issues of local content and participation have recently gained prominence internationally and are a major feature of policy initiatives in both developed and developing countries.” “Local Content – maximising the level of usage of local goods and services, people, business and financing.” Now that Guyana has introduced legislation far less stringent than that of his home country, Mr. Warner believes that Guyanese and their Government are not entitled to a right to develop local capacity. Even as I caution against any overreaction to Mr. Warner, we have to resist the open demonstration of such uninformed selfishness. I am hoping that Mr.
Warner would offer both a clarification and an apology to all Guyanese for his poor judgment and even poorer choice of words. And finally, I would like to commend for Mr. Warner’s reading the following extract from the World Bank Study, titled Local Content Policies, dealing with violations: “Under WTO rules many forms of LC are prohibited they are perceived as protectionist and trade-distorting measures. Nevertheless, there are multiple examples of violation of WTO rules in the form of WTO members pursuing LC policy. At the same time no country-to-country level case has been pursued under WTO regulations in the O&G sector. There is a clear weakness in the WTO’s dispute-settlement system but, more importantly, interpretations of LC requirements vary making it costly to pursue disputes and damaging for the relations between countries.” Christopher Ram
Where is this distinguished gentleman Freddie? DEAR MR. EDITOR, On Sunday, January 9, 2022 in the letter section of the Kaieteur News, Jai Lall wrote and I quote “One of Guyana’s leading historian, sociologist, philosopher, political analyst, critique, lecturer, academia, researcher, educationist, writer, columnist, reporter and an achiever in a host of other accomplishments, Freddie Kissoon”, which I endorse and the full contents of the letter. I have been reading Freddie’s articles for many years and I thoroughly enjoyed his writing. I have not yet seen an article from that great gentleman on the raging debate on the oil in Guyana which is very puzzling to me. I have read Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atlaw Christopher Ram,
telecommunications expert Yog Mahadeo and Jonathan Yearwood and many others. Glenn Lall who is mounting a campaign against the oil contract where he is trying to educate Guyanese about the deficiencies in the contract. Mr. Lall is on the social media TikTok and on Kaieteur Radio, three days a week on his call-in show. He has been outlining the inadequacies of the contract and informing Guyanese about the path their country is going. Furthermore, he is trying to organise a national demonstration. However, a demonstration was held on the same day the Assembly voted for passing of the NRF Bill. It was reported that the leader of the PNC/R Mr.
Norton was present but no mention of Freddie. Did Freddie attend? I was listening to the Glenn Lall Show just before Christmas where a caller asked about Freddie’s silence on the oil debate. Mr. Lall defended Freddie and other journalists’ silence by saying that Freddie like his politics and the other journalist are not knowledgeable about the oil. I totally disagree, this honourable gentleman gets involved in any public issue so long it affects the lives of Guyanese. I have read many articles by Freddie being critical of the judiciary, police, the banking sector, roundabouts, post office, GTT, ethnic groups and many more and they are not political
issues. I am surprise that such a national issue Freddie has not written on. He is a great researcher and if he lacks the knowledge, he will research the topic and return with very compelling points. In my view, this debate is lacking the input of Freddie’s views whether for or against. If he shares the views of Mr. Lall and they come together, it will be a tsunami in Guyana because people from all walks of life will join. Finally, persons within the Caribbean are asking the question, where is Master Freddie, the researcher, philosopher and the political analyst? Freddie, we are waiting to read your views. Sincerely, Morris Springer
Guyanese have undermined the health care system DEAR EDITOR, Welcome to the new year, ringing in 2022 and bidding goodbye to 2021, a year of more frustration and less determination. The year is already two weeks old and the hustle and bustle of the way of life in Guyana has already taken birth, growing daily as nurtured by Guyanese blood, sweat and tears. This year, Guyanese are suffering from a terrible hangover, no, not from mixed drinks and/or drinking too much, but from a continuing problem, which began since the beginning of 2020. You guessed right, yes, it’s the COVID-19 virus, a
pandemic that has castrated the world at large from being progressively productive to being counterproductive in many respects and areas. Guyana was not spared from the plague. In fact, this nation saw a tremendous escalation in the number of new cases tested positive. The holiday season was a period when most Guyanese took to the fun and frolic of celebrating Christmas, Boxing Day, old and New Year’s Day with the pomp and sagacity of a tradition, too hard to break away from and too important not to be observed. Most, if
not all COVID-19 protocols were overlooked, abandoned or ignored, placing less emphasis on safety and security and more on festivity and joviality. As a result, most Guyanese let down their guard momentarily and pretended that all’s well and nothing will happen and, encouraged rather than discouraged the blatant disregard for protective and preventive measures. This carefree, cavalier and careless cajoling at the end of the year was a compromising contrast when comparing the concerned, careful and conscious connectivity at the
beginning of the year. This irresponsible behaviour has produced a devastating effect on the entire nation, including employers, employees, families and medical personnel, who are paying a high toll for this callous act. There has been a tremendous surge as evidenced by employee’s absence and ultimately being tested positive for COVID-19. In the US, Reuters reported a record breaking 132,646 people hospitalised with COVID. The US is even advising against travelling to neighbouring Canada as a result of the high (Continued on page 6)
Friday January 14, 2022
Launch of Caribbean Voice Magazine on Health DEAR EDITOR, I am impressed with Caribbean Voice Magazine that was launched as a new online magazine on mental health and other psycho-social related subjects. It is a different kind of magazine on social and psychological health never before published on or about the Caribbean with relevance to other societies like the Caribbean diaspora in North America and Europe. The goal is to publish quarterly. The first issue of this new, colour, super-sized quarterly magazine came out last week. It is powerful. The front cover is laced with several pix and an assortment of topics covered inside. There are also two photos of Bajan superstar Rihanna (one when she was abused by a boyfriend and another of the real singing sensation). The magazine is 124 pages divided into several sections. It contains reports, comments, views, and ideas on various matters relating to psychosocial health designed to inform the public of issues as it is to combat social pathologies. The magazine is very comprehensive and informative packed with information on so many topics. It has the information on problems facing people, including famous personalities. Well-known journalist
Annan Boodram is the person behind it. He has had a lot of experience in publication having put out several in New York on Guyana and the Caribbean. He is also one of the earliest trained Guyanese journalists in America. He served as editor in chief of several publications. He worked as a reporter in Guyana. And over the last three decades in New York, he penned many articles on varied social subjects. The editorial gives a perspective on the scope, purpose, and objective of the magazine. The contents include topics like domestic violence (in Guyana, TT, St. Lucia, etc.), info on domestic violence hotlines in several countries, gender based violence in several countries, child abuse, sex abuse, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide, mental health training, trauma, mindfulness, PTSD, bullying, cyber bullying, human trafficking and other pathologies, NGO Spotlight, caring for animals, debunking myths, self-care, quotable quotes, a mental health calendar, and much more. There is a message from Nobel Laureate Malala. All of the topics or the contents have had a tremendous impact on our lives. Readers will find short reports, views, comments, and extracts of well-known per-
sonalities including legendary Ramnaresh Sarwan, cricket fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi of South Africa, Nobel Laureate Malala of Pakistan (and UK), Nicky Minaj, Priyanka Chopra of (Bollywood and Hollywood) India, and several other famous figures from the world of entertainment and sports. There are profiles on activism. The Caribbean Voice Magazine brings together writers with differing viewpoints. The objective is to educate the public so they can combat social ills and help those afflicted with various psycho-social ailments. The editorial advises good mental health practices, noting that, “without good mental health there is no optimal health”. The magazine can be read online as a flipbook, with no need for a subscription or payment of a fee. It can be read at: https:// w w w. f l i p s n a c k . c o m / caribvoice/the-caribbeanvoice-magazine.html. Individual or business contributions as well as sponsorships to sustain the magazine are welcomed. Feedbacks on stories and responses to published items are welcomed as are new contributors. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Politics must end and governance begin DEAR EDITOR, I had set a ceiling of 300 cases daily as a reasonable level to step out. After, 700, 967, and 1016 cases in an alarming daily parade, it was a relief to learn of over 400 new cases one day. I thought I would settle for 400 as a number with which I am comfortable to get some outside business; that went out the window in a hurry. The newspapers on Wednesday and Thursday reported 665 and 1000 new cases respectively. The official “sound-bites” included ‘no time to panic’ and ‘situation under control.’ I agree with the first, as that doesn’t do anybody any good, and as for the latter, my thinking is unprintable. Both for the words and the source of them, such is my rage and disgust at what we have here for leadership in this country, and at a time like this. In sum, this is the wisdom of a government filled with a combination of youth, experience, education, and wisdom. That is, according to its leaders and players. Nothing contradicts truth and reality more. Nothing rises to the level of the vacuousness of a leader, the
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Kaieteur News
extents of whose understanding of what national governance represents are limited to sound-bites, some sickly sweet, all pungent and perverse. Daily, I receive a call relaying that somebody I know has been infected. And daily, there are these absurdities and asininities from the head right down. Oh, and when such reports of infections come, it is sometimes accompanied by the news that a spouse or a child, occasionally a whole household has been similarly impacted. If all family members haven’t tested positive, then they have to be away from the outside, as in quarantined. Still, these men with so-called doctorates and doctor’s training
don’t have the integrity, honesty, and decency to call things as they are. They lack the care and prudence that are essential ingredients for responsible national stewardship. The Education Ministry is endangering students and (Continued on page 6)
GAWU’s matters are addressed in keeping with the agreements and not through any preferential status DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU finds it necessary to offer a response to Mr. Lincoln Lewis’ letter titled, “There is no equity in what GAWU describes and that of BCGI by the Ministry of Labour”. Mr. Lewis begins his letter by again alleging that the GAWU enjoys, in his mind, “preferential treatments” by the Ministry of Labour. He articulates this view against the background that the Ministry addresses grievances brought to it through the grievance procedure outlined in agreement the Union has with enterprises where it enjoys bargaining rights. We fail to see how this could be seen as preferential as our Union pursues matters through the grievance procedure and would seek, when necessary, the Ministry’s assistance to bring about a resolution. The GAWU is at a loss to find a logical connection to this being preferential. Rather, contrary to Lincoln’s seemingly warped views, we are pursuing our
responsibilities to our members. We share the view that the Ministry has a role in seeking to resolve disputes between workers/unions and employers. That is a one of the main functions of the Ministry. Of course, as Lincoln well knows, the discussion of matters does not begin at the level of the Ministry but follows a stalemate at the bilateral level. It is against this background that GAWU addresses grievances with the Ministry. We recognised, from media reports, this was the Ministry’s position relative to the GPL matter, which Mr. Lewis harps about in his letter. In that case, we saw, bilateral discussions were not exhausted in that case. Mr. Lewis goes on to speak about Minister Joseph Hamilton relative to the GTU’s recent ‘isolation day’ activity. We do not hold any brief from the Minister who certainly is more than capable of offering his own response should he so choose. It is said that the Minister would react differently were it GAWU.
Again, Mr. Lewis makes such accusation without any shred of evidence but goes on, in our view, to malign our Union in a wild and unsubstantiated fashion. We get to the meat of the matter, we believe, when Mr. Lewis addresses his Union’s issues with the BCGI. Again, we cannot offer a response for the Ministry on the matter. However, we fail to see how our efforts to ensure the rights of our members are respected be contrasted with the situation between the BCGI and the GB&GWU. Certainly, Lincoln and his Union may want to assess what other steps it could take outside of the Ministry to address the apparent strong concerns. The GAWU, in the past, utilised other avenues to ensure workers receive justice. We remain proud of our efforts to ensure workers’ rights are upheld and we do not believe we should be loathed for our work. Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine President GAWU
Harmon vs. Norton
DEAR EDITOR, Six letters in each name – both ending with ‘on’. There is the issue of which is ‘pro’ or which is ‘con’ for the current leadership role of the ‘Opposition’, despite the overwhelming disparity resulting from an acceptable voting process, about which there could be no logical argument within the ‘Party’. The ‘loser’ should recognise that he sets a poor example, albeit of conceit – that justifies his candidacy being so deservingly rejected. That he cannot reconcile to
his being assessed as a mishap speaks volumes of his inability to conduct a critical evaluation of self – a pathetic weakness (leader or not). He, therefore, does not emerge as an exemplar. Indeed he never was, allowing his limitations to overflow into those of the Party, and of course as representative of the Opposition. There is so much need for self-analysis, in which case, he should ask his marginalised support for advice, including about how neutral witnesses, local and
overseas, view his obsession with failure. So it is appropriate that commentators should evaluate Harmon’s contribution to the present internal contest as no more than a ‘dead lock’ whose ‘key’ is no longer viable or voteable. There is just no ‘harmony’. It is not about self, but the larger interests. This is not about Norton, but the larger interests. For that matter, both can learn of humility from those who preceded them – like Desmond Hoyte. Civic Observer
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Guyanese have undermined the... From page 4 impact in that country also. Europe is no way any different. To complement this nefarious lapse, the Coronavirus disease took a turn for the worse when Omicron was presented as a gift to the world through the generosity of Santa Claus. This contagious infection submerged after the Delta variant emerged, and now, doctors and nurses are challenged to curtail its multiplicity and devastating effect. In addition, despite appeals from all sources, medical and non-medical, a number of people refuse to take the vaccine’s first and second shots and the booster. Recently, most deaths incurred show that those who succumbed to the disease did not receive any shots. From 3rd January, 2020 to current, records for Guyana show that there have been 47,005 positive reported cases and 1,075 deaths, Region 4 being the hot spot. Some 451,724 tests have been conducted throughout the country. Recovered cases amount to 38,346. A total of 415,611 persons (81% of adults) received the first dose vaccine while 301,918 (59%) have received both doses. Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony last Tuesday stressed that, “Booster shots are now widely recommended. Six months after your last shot, immunity of persons starts to wean….but, what they have found is that if between 5-6 months you are given a third dose, then the immunity remains quite high.’
Friday January 14, 2022
Kaieteur News
Emergency Medicine Specialist attached to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Dr. Zulfikar Bux, could not help but to emphatically elaborate on the important, significant and essential need for the booster shots. According to his weekly report, “Evidence has emerged which shows persons who have taken their booster being 40 times less likely to have symptoms if they get exposed to Omicron,” he advised. Dr. Bux who also heads the Emergency Room at the GPHC also stressed the necessity for the immunity system to be in “tip top shape and ready to battle.” COVID-19 protocols recommended include: get vaccinated, take the booster shot, promote social distancing, avoid large gatherings, wash your hands as often as possible, sanitise, wear surgical masks preferably, maintain clean and safe environment, eating healthy, getting sufficient rest, exercise adequately, keep a low stress level, daily intake of Vitamins C, D and Zinc, cough in your arm folded, get tested and stay home if showing any signs of the symptoms. Symptoms vary and can range from mild to severe illness, appearing 2-14 days after exposure. Symptoms may include a single sign or a combination: cough, shortness of breath or breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell. The costly repercussions have brought a severe strain on the hospital system.
Hospitals throughout the country are being affected devastatingly. The Human Resource Department has seen a rise in absentees from the inception of the year. Employees are coming to work and showing obvious signs of the COVID-19 symptoms. They are being sent home and advised to be tested. In most cases, a positive result confirms the worse. Doctors, nurses, clerks and labourers are also being tested positive as a result of constant and over exposure to COVID-19 patients. This loss of manpower is affecting the health system and hospitals are working under severe, strenuous and sacrificial conditions. This additional burden was unnecessarily and avoidably placed on the shoulders of the management of the hospitals. They are at their wits end to cope with this reckless challenge. Could this have been avoided? Had Guyanese not indulged in all the frivolities, meeting and mixing, would this escalation still have materialised? Even if with all the socialising, had Guyanese abided with all the precautions, would this predicament still have taken place? It’s now water under the bridge and Guyanese are paying a big penalty with a heavy toll. Guyanese have undermined the health care system and have contributed to the precarious shortage of medical services from the professionals, through negligence, nescience and malfeasance. Respectfully, Jai Lall
Lenox Shuman is 100% behind NRF and Local Content Laws DEAR EDITOR, I wish to express my views on the two bills recently passed in Parliament, the NRF Bill and the Local Content Bill. Having finally and fully studied the NRF Bill and its conformity to the Santiago Principles, I reiterate my complements to the Government of Guyana for tabling and now passing this piece of legislation. We are at a critical juncture in the history of Guyana and I recommend that we all take a little time to pause and examine the plusses of this bill. While I am constrained in Parliament by the Joinder agreement, which binds the tri-party agreement and voting, I express my support for the NRF Bill. It is my view that the criticism of the Government is misplaced in the Bill’s content but is justified on its process. Firstly, while the legislation may not have benefitted from the kind of public scrutiny that we feel should have obtained, there is nothing illegal in what the Government has done. It is all provided for in the Constitution of Guyana and the Parliamentary Standing Orders which the government has committed to reviewing in due course. While my expectation was for a more consultative process to be engaged, the reality is the nation suffered tremendously in the last three years; firstly from an exhausting process from the no-confidence motion in December 2018 to elections, and then an arduous five months struggle; a global pandemic in COVID-19 that still continues to wreak havoc on our country; and some unprecedented flooding all of which produced some devastatingly negative effects on our economy. Notably, the attempted theft of the
2020 election does not give rise to an environment that fosters consensus building on anything in Parliament as one party seems bent on creating a destabilising environment as is continuously demonstrated by their actions and behaviour in Parliament, and the other is asked to govern in that environment. Ultimately, the aim is to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and prudent governance of the fund with the apex oversight body being the National Assembly with the Public Accounts Committee as its informative tool. Those are further supported by the of the Bank of Guyana, the Board of Directors, and the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration all in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance and all of these are included in the Bill and all are legal entities. I reiterate my compliments to the Government of Guyana for going the route of a Natural Resource Fund (NRF), and that the benefits of the oil and gas industry should assimilate to all citizens of Guyana, and that the NRF should be part of the machinery which facilitates this. Above all, we have an obligation and responsibility to not leave our future generations in debt and in a better environment and it is important that the government is given the latitude to ensure this reality and reduce our sovereign debt and borrowing. With such considerations, it is commendable that the Government sat on the fund for close to two years when they could have addressed the structure and drawn down on the fund, but did not. That they took no such opportunity and instead delayed it to better gauge the
fiscal needs and trajectory of the country no doubt signals their intent to be responsible and prudent managers of the economy. This is further complemented and supported by the announcement of an expert from Harvard to develop a macro-development strategy and plan for all of Guyana and I commend them for indicating their intent in that direction. It is my hope and expectation that the specialist being brought in will be given a clear mandate to establish a strong collaborative partnership with the University of Guyana and other members of Guyana’s Academia to develop a Guyana Solution. As it relates to the Local Content Law, it was long overdue and as the government has committed that there is still room for intervention, I have RE-SUBMITTED 16 pages of input to the Hon. Vickram Bharrat with hopes of having the LCL recognise and address the organic nature of Indigenous Communities and the possibility of the ratification of ILO169. I have noted the assault on the LCL by businesses from our Caribbean neighbour and state that their complaint should find no quarter in Guyana as our citizens have been maltreated in Trinidad and others for decades without any opportunity for reproach. Guyanese should never be maltreated anywhere in the world least of all be disenfranchised at home and the time is ripe for Guyana to rethink its place in CARICOM. I support the NRF and Local Content Laws 100% Guyana first! It is time we put Guyana first and not permit political games to destroy our collective futures. Lenox Shuman
The GPSU is very concerned for all workers, more so Public Servants DEAR EDITOR, I write on the issues raised in Kaieteur News of January 5, 2022 by Mr. Seepaul Narine, President of the Guyana Agricultural Workers Union
(GAWU). In his letter to you, he took umbrage to the disclosure in the New Year message of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) that Governments have invested
recklessly into the unprofitable GUYSUCO giving at least 48,457 billion dollars, as subsidies and contributions, since 2015. (Continued on page 22)
Politics must end and... From page 5 adults. Yes, the situation is under control. At a time like this, the government is so arrogant and full of itself that it refuses to engage with the recognised representatives of the teachers. Thus, we have dueling numbers about the percentage of educators that turned up for duty, while national numbers march relentlessly upward. This is not
the way to run a school system in the worst of times or any system for that matter. I remind the Hon. Minister of Health of his “Hippocratic Oath”, which as he should know takes precedence over any political loyalty one. Of course, I know that I am whistling in the wind and talking to myself. Surely, Guyana did not elect or se-
lect one or the other political insect to pilot the ship of state, only for them to run it aground. Politics must end; some governance must begin. If that is rejected today, then there will be that day when it is compelled by circumstances. Stop imperiling Guyanese with political grandstanding. Sincerely, GHK Lall
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Friday January 14, 2022
Kaieteur News
If the people will not stand up for their rights, we at this publication will.
Demonstrating this by action and not merely words, Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper, has taken on the State to have much needed benefits to be clawed back for the people of this nation. Guyanese, Glenn Lall does not have to do this alone. We must all come to the realisation that we are in this fight together.
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Friday January 14, 2022
COVID infected murder suspect shot twice in standoff with cops
A
murder suspect infected with Covid-19, on Wednesday last, was not going to let police arrest him without a fight. The suspect identified as Jason Bailey, 29, aka “Bobby” proved to be a handful for Region Three police ranks when they turned up at an abandoned school building located close to the Leonora Market on the West Coast Demerara (WCD) to arrest him. In order to detain him, ranks from Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) SWAT team
had to be called in, but they too had to work hard just to catch the suspect. Armed with cutlass in hand, Bailey fired chops at them and they were forced to shoot him. According to police, the ranks fired three shots at him and one of the bullets struck him in the palm of his hand while another hit him in the arm. Although wounded, Bailey continued to fight by firing chops with his cutlass at the ranks. He even managed to climb onto the roof of the abandoned building. The SWAT Team
reportedly told him to come down from the building and drop the cutlass but Bailey was determined to make them climb up to the roof as well. They eventually managed to get hold of him and placed him in handcuffs. They took him to the Leonora Cottage Hospital but the doctors there referred him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). There he was tested and it was found that he was also infected with Covid-19. Later, Bailey was further transferred, to the Covid-19
Hospital at Lilieendaal. Bailey is a homeless man accused of chopping another vagrant to death earlier last week. That vagrant was identified as Nazim Mohammed called ‘Cut Up.’ He was chopped fortyfive times by his attacker while resting on a stall at the Leonora Market. Residents had called on the police to take action because Bailey is known to be always armed with a cutlass and considered dangerous. They were fearful that he would attack someone else.
Bailey on the rooftop of the abandoned building as SWAT team ranks tried to arrest him on Wednesday.
Friday January 14, 2022
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Kaieteur News
Guyana’s Local Content Law is in violation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas The reaction of sections of the local private sector, to a suggestion by a regional private sector body, that the Guyana’s local content law may be in violation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, is nothing short of paranoid. One representative of a local private sector organisation is reported to have said that if the laws are indeed in contravention of the Treaty, then Guyana should withdraw from the CSME. A representative of another representative body is reported to have found the idea, of the law being in contravention of the Treaty, to be amusing. We will eventually know who has the last laugh as Guyana did on two previous occasions before the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Guyana was twice taken to the CCJ over violations of the Revised Treaty. On both occasions it lost – in one instance, it was spared having to pay compensation; in the second case, the APNU+AFC paid compensation to the aggrieved party. In the second instance, a Surinamese company named Rudisa Beverages and Juices challenged the environmental levy, which it paid on imported beverages manufactured in Suriname, a member state of the CARICOM. The company contended that the environmental tax should be regarded as an import tax, which would make it in violation of the Revised Treaty. Guyana admitted that the environmental levy was in violation of the Revised Treaty. The Court concurred. In the first instance, Guyana had waived the duty on extra-regional cement. This decision was challenged as being in violation of the
Treaty. Guyana also conceded in that case. Guyana therefore is fully aware of the implications of being in violation of the Revised Treaty. Guyana recently tabled local content legislation. In the discussions on local content legislation, there were concerns, including in this column, that were there to be differential treatment between local companies and regional companies, the laws would be in violation of the Revised Treaty. In a letter published in this newspaper on September 9, 2021, Lynn Nichols noted the comments attributed to Vice President where he is alleged to have said that when it comes to local content for the oil subsectors, there will be areas carved out only for Guyanese companies including “transportation, logistics, cleaning services, food supplies, rentals, landscaping, among others.” The writer also referred to statements reportedly made by President Irfaan Ali who is reported to have made a comment making reference to local content laws applicable to Guyanese and Surinamese companies. Nichols pointed out, correctly, that “under the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, Member States are required to ensure that nationals of one Member State have on a non-discriminatory basis, access to land, buildings and other property situated in the territory of another Member State for purposes directly related to the provision of services…” The writer noted that, “There is nothing to stop a Trinidadian from buying land here, building apartments and renting to oil and gas workers. Nor can transportation
companies from the same country be restricted from offering logistical services to the oil sector, as is the case for three entities already here. Any local content legislation or even policy position must comply with the CSME. This would preclude such proposals as the requirement that Caribbean companies engage in joint ventures with Guyanese to conduct activities in the oil and gas sector.” In a presentation entitled, the Caribbean Court of Justice and the Caricom Single Market and Economy, “the Hon. Justice Rolston Nelson, then a judge of the CCJ had noted in 2005 the following: “As regards the Single Market, the Revised Treaty provides for the removal of all restrictions on the free movement of goods, services, capital and the establishment of businesses. These freedoms are to be complemented by what is now a limited freedom of movement of persons.” To support his contention, he cited Articles 79; 33 and 34; 36 and 37; 39 and 40; 45 and 46. Those who are unable to find any instance in which the Treat can be violated by local content laws may wish to refer to those sections and to the presentation by the learned Justice. The fact that Guyana is hoping to set aside certain sectors for 100% or even 70% exclusive local participation and the fact that by local means Guyanese companies, would suggest that the provisions which impose these restrictions are in violation of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Also any requirement that regional firms must partner with local companies to participate in certain prescribed
Dem boys seh...
De police gat dem wuk fuh do Wan allegation mek against a political figure and de man had to go down to de station. Now wat is wrong with dat? If de police get a complaint, dem gat an obligation fuh investigate dat complaint. Wah dem muss do? Ignore it? De police gat to question de person against whom de allegation was made. But it looks as if as soon as you arrest a politically-exposed person dese days, yuh does be greeted with allegations of political witch hunt. It is true though dat sometimes de police can be
far from professional. Dem boys see a video yesterday of a campaign against tinted windows. And de level of professionalism was far from satisfactory. De police gat no right asking a person if he is de individual who does do funny videos on social media and sometime he does mek fun of de police. Dem comments can be taken to be prejudicial, meaning dat de police open up demself to charges dat de action taken against de person may be influenced by de fact dat de person mekin’ video which does poke fun at de police. De police gat to be more
professional. Dem should stop with these unnecessary comments and do dem wuk how dem supposed to do it. Yuh does gat to be careful wah yuh talk when yuh in uniform. Because any little thing yuh seh nowadays can be used against yuh to claim dat yuh was not being fully professional. If yuh checking fuh tint, check fuh tint. If yuh ain’t gat yuh tint meter with yuh. Guh and get yuh tint meter with yuh because yuh never know when yuh gan meet up with dat lawyer fellow from Berbice. Talk half and leff half.
activities of the oil and gas sector can be considered restrictive to the free movement of capital and services and, therefore, equally in violation of the Revised Treaty of
Chaguaramas. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
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Friday January 14, 2022
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Permanent nonsense of MovieTowne, temporary nonsense of the army
F
or the entire year of 2021, into 2022, the southern access to the MovieTowne complex which includes the foreignpatronised Massey Supermarket had the smell of sewage. The new unnamed road, from the southern gate to where Massy is located to the end of the road, smells of sewage. For the past three years, there have been periodic break-down of the sewage system in that establishment. It looks like it cannot be solved. I was driving out with my daughter and I
encountered the general-manager of Massy, Mr. Singh. I conveyed what my daughter told me after dining at Hard Rock café. There is the smell of sewage. In the year 2021 and for the beginning of 2022, literally dozens of thousands of people have gone to both the MovieTowne Mall and Massy. To date, not one soul in this country has alerted the central government and the Georgetown City Council that this sprawling complex has a sewage problem that urgently needs to be fixed. If no one ever complains what happens? It becomes normal and those dozens of thousands will increase in numbers and the story will never be told. In other words, that smell will be accepted and the source of the problem will never be fixed. Here was my suggestion to Mr. Singh and here is my suggestion to those who patronise that place. You will not experience the full weight of the problem if you just drive in. You will just get a slight smell. Park and walk at the entrance and onto the side street and the story of what people have become in Guyana will hit you hard. That
problem at the car park of MovieTowne has now been accepted by the world’s most inscrutable nation. The word inscrutable is simply not the right word to describe this country. Here is more evidence of something that has fallen over the people who live here and no genius in psychological studies can explain it. Do not take my word for what you are about to read; go to Carifesta Avenue and see this madness for yourself. The government awarded a contract to the army to fill with clay bricks, the median that separates Carifesta Avenue. This is a very narrow median that from Vlissengen Road is about 8 inches in width and when it reaches Marian Academy it gets wider about three feet. Here is what the army has been doing and not one soul has exposed this nonsense. The project started at the beginning of December last year. Since then the army prevents western traffic flow on Carifesta Avenue. It means that you have to turn into seawall road. The seawall
road is not available to Guyanese any longer. Every afternoon, there are bacchanalian abandonments between Camp Road and the Kitty pump station and the road is blocked off with insensitive revelers. To travel on the seawall road, your car has to go on top of the wall itself or ride the waves of the Atlantic Ocean. The army was putting down its clay-bricks during the hectic traffic hours of the holiday season with total insanity occurring when you turn into seawall road, and not one traffic cop was there to prevent the chaos. Last Friday, a poor driver of a low-bed truck carrying an excavator didn’t know what goes on the seawall road. So since that was his only route because the army was at work, he turned into the seawall road. He couldn’t pass. Traffic was stalled. I called Eve Leary traffic office three times. They didn’t send a rank. The army is still putting down its clay-bricks on a project that cannot by any stretch of the imagination be referred to as an engineering project. A group of masons could do that job in two
Frederick Kissoon weeks. It is now going onto seven weeks. Last Tuesday, I stopped to speak with the officer in charge. I asked him how long the project was going on. He said he cannot recall. I told him to look into the car, he will see my dog. I told him I know when the work started since I take my dog on the seawall daily so I saw when his men started the job. He said that the work on the seawall enhancement is still going on so why criticise his operation. How can you compare the total landscaping of the seawall project of the First Lady that runs from Battery Road, Kingston to the Bandstand with putting down less than a thousand clay-bricks on Carifesta Road? Today, the confusion will continue. If there is a God, he has to save Guyana ASAP. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Friday January 14, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
Police looking for boldface rapist
P
olice are on the lookout for a man labeled as a “boldrapist”. He is being accused of raping a girl under the age of 16 almost two years ago. Not only did he rape the teen but according to police, he continued to harass her repeatedly to have a relationship with him. Police did not disclose where the man had raped the teen but Kaieteur News understands that it had occurred at a location on the
East Bank of Demerara. On September 17, 2020, the “bold rapist” took his victim into his house and raped her. She did not tell anyone what had happened to her but the suspect continuously harassed her with phone calls. The teen decided to report the matter to her mother and later to the police on January 25, 2021. To date however, police are still making efforts to locate the “bold rapist”.
Dead man found in businessman’s yard at Kitty
T
he body of a man w a s , o n We d n e s d a y morning, found in the Kitty, Georgetown yard of 67-yearold businessman, Zaimel Mohamed. The discovery was made at about 07:30hrs. Mohamed said he went downstairs in his yard and made the unfortunate discovery of the male of East Indian descent lying motionless on his back. Police said the man’s age
and address are unknown and is only known as “Bolo”. During their first phase of the investigation, it was revealed that the body of the man was examined and injuries were seen to the back of his head and left hand above the wrist. The body was pronounced dead by a medical doctor at the Georgetown Public Hospital and was taken to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home to await a postmortem examination.
Work place fatalities reduced by 16% in 2021 - Ministry of Labour The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department of the Ministry of Labour has reported a 16 percent reduction in workrelated fatalities in 2021, a significant reduction when compared to the previous year. This reduction of workplace fatalities was particularly noted in the mining and construction sectors, the Department of Public Information reported. According to reports emanating from the Labour Ministry, at the close of the year 2020, a total of 32 workplace fatalities were recorded across all sectors, with mining being the number one contributor. This was very worrying and as such, immediate steps were taken to address the matter. The Ministry, through its OSH Department embarked on a rigorous campaign to create safer workplaces throughout the nation. This was done in conjunction with local businesses and supporting agencies. Several outreaches and public awareness activities were
conducted in mining communities in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine. Many workers were reached with safety and health messages through radio, television and the widespread distribution of brochures, flyers and posters. Addressing the achievement, Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, M.P, indicated that workrelated deaths are unacceptable and safe workplace practices should top the priority of employers. Minister Hamilton said based on his observation while there has been a decrease in the number of fatalities, much more work needs to be done. He, and his Ministry will continue to tackle unsafe workplace practices through regular inspections and audits. He also holds the view that greater collaboration among employers and employees, officers of the Ministry of Labour and partnering/ collaborating agencies could contribute (Continued on page 22)
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Friday January 14, 2022
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MP Duncan arrested, released on $100,000 bail - allegedly called GECOM IT manager ‘Jagabat, trench crappo’ Opposition, Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan was on Thursday arrested and later released on $100,000 station bail on allegations that he referred to the IT Manager of the Guyana Elections Commission as a ‘Jagabat and Trench Crappo.’ In a statement, police said Duncan was arrested for allegedly making the derogatory remarks against Aneal Giddings during his ‘In the Ring’ Talk Show. In confirming the arrest, the Guyana Police Force said Duncan was arrested at around 11:00hrs on Thursday to assist in an ongoing investigation in relation to a cybercrime offence. According to the police, at around 11:30hrs on Wednesday (January 12), Giddings, a 36-year-old resident of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, filed a complaint against Duncan, in which it was alleged that the Opposition MP made a number of derogatory statements against him on January 11 during his show, ‘In the Ring.’ Duncan is alleged to have referred to Giddings as a ‘jagabat’ and a ‘trench crappo’ amongst other disrespectful names, which are said to have caused significant emotional stress and humiliation. According to the police, the video was identified and downloaded from the Facebook page under the name ‘Sherod Avery Duncan’ by Inspector Blair. A statement was taken from Giddings. The investigation is ongoing. Meanwhile, following the arrest of Duncan, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has denounced what it described as the unwarranted and unlawful deprivation of the rights and freedom of Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan. Duncan was summoned by the police to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Thursday morning for questioning in connection with a cybercrime probe. “The Party is calling for an immediate end to this season of politically inspired harassment by the PPP. We will not allow this type of harassment of former public servants or any citizen by agents of the state to stand. This must stop. We are calling on all Guyanese to join us in strongly condemning this abuse of state power and the
persecution of innocent citizens,” the PNCR said in a release. The PNCR said it stands firmly with Mr. Sherod Duncan and will do everything to ensure that his rights, especially his freedom of expression, are no longer violated. “The Party demands an immediate investigation into what is clearly a planned, coordinated and orchestrated political attack.” For his part, Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon said the arrest of Duncan is yet another episode of the PPP’s bid to silence its critics. “I have said many times in the past and even after the arrest of former Finance Minister, Mr. Jordan, and the publishing of a wanted bulletin for Mr. Rickford Burke, that the PPP is blatant in their attempt to silence those who expose and challenge them. It shows clearly that we are being governed by a dictatorship, which refuses to allow others to criticize its poor attempt at governance, [its] mismanagement and double standard when it comes to addressing issues,” Harmon said in a statement. He said the facts emanating from an official police release on the issue in question reeks of political mischief. “It brings into question a known character that is infamous for his alleged malpractices at GECOM. The juvenile statements of concern reported by the GECOM Information Technology M a n a g e r, c o m e s a s a distraction to the eroding structures currently existing at GECOM.” “We have noted the selective use of the Cybercrime Act to conveniently target members of the Opposition in an effort to muzzle us but rest assured, we shall not be moved. The APNU+AFC stands committed to transparency and accountability and is firmly behind the Hon. Sherod Duncan, M.P. in his continued journey to apprise his viewership, and by extension the people of Guyana and the international community on the rampant corrupt practices of the PPP administration and the conduct of all public officers. The APNU+AFC coalition is calling on the Guyana Police Force to rid itself of political interference and conduct itself in a professional manner in keeping with its mandate to serve and protect the people
of Guyana.” Adding its voice, Alliance For Change also condemned what it describes as the political witch hunt and political persecution of vocal critics of the PPP regime and specifically the arrest of Duncan. “Tyranny, authoritarianism, weaponised police force turned against the people and the destruction of a major tenet of democracy (free speech), all of which Hon. Duncan opposes, have now been mobilized against him. The Alliance For Change vehemently condemns the unjust arrest of Hon. Duncan and calls on other civic bodies to do the same.” The AFC said: “This
installed regime, and anyone holding public office is neither infallible nor above critique, and ought not to attempt to silence those who would speak out against their mismanagement. The AFC demands the immediate release of Hon. Sherod Duncan M.P and the dropping of all trumped up charges against him. The AFC further calls upon the international diplomatic community to condemn this heinous act of oppression against freedom of speech that must be held sacred in our democracy.” The Youths For Changethe youth arm of the AFC also “strongly condemns the arrest of Hon. Sherod
Duncan MP on frivolous and unjustifiable grounds, at a time when murderers, rapists, abusers and robbers are walking free and the
Member of Parliament, Sherod Duncan
citizens of Guyana are still waiting for justice for those serious crimes.” The YFC said the arrest (Continued on page 21)
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Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
Bids out for design, feasibility study for Guyana/Suriname Bridge Public Works authorities during the site mapping of the Corentyne River Bridge.
Four international firms on Thursday submitted proposals to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office to conduct a feasibility study and provide designs for the construction of the Guyana/Suriname Bridge. The companies that submitted bids are: WSP Caribbean Limited; EGIS; TYPSA in joint venture with Leonhardt, Andra Und Partner GmbH and Firm Engineering NV; and Exp Services Inc. in joint venture with Pedelta Arcadia and CEMCO. The procuring entity for this project was the Ministry of Public Works. It was reported that the Governments of Guyana and Suriname have agreed that the Corentyne River Bridge will be built using a DBFOM (Design-Build-FinanceOperate-Maintain) model contract in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The bridge is expected to be 1.17 kilometres from Guyana to the abutment on Lange Island, 2.15 kilometres road through Lange Island and a 2.5 kilometres bridge from Lange Island to South Drain in Suriname. In October 2020, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, along with Surinamese Public Works Minister, Dr. Riad Nurmohamed, visited the
proposed site for the bridge. The following month, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the construction of the bridge during a joint press conference. President Irfaan Ali at that time said the bridge will link not only Guyana and Suriname but the rest of South America. “We recognise the enormous benefit that this can bring in the area of tourism, transportation and trade. To this end, we have expanded our discussions where we can jointly promote business opportunities and tourism opportunities for both countries. It is therefore expected that the proposed road alignment will create within its vicinity the
possibilities for a free trade zone, enhanced land value, reduce the cost of doing business and increase the ease of doing business,” President Ali stated. Speaking on the Corentyne Bridge on Monday, Minister Edghill during a press conference said “Between this week, myself and my counterparts from Suriname will be engage in a discussion to ensure that we have the final bidder selected and work going because this bridge between Guyana and Suriname over the Corentyne river is high on the agenda of both administrations and both presidents.” Below are the companies and their bids:
Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
Public Works Ministry paid 50% of contract sum in one week for last-minute bridge
One of the completed ‘emergency’ bridges done by the Ministry of Public Works at Hogg and Sessex Street (Chronicle photo)
T
he Auditor General (AG) has flagged the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) for doling out 50 percent of a $15 million contract in one week of the contract being signed on December 23, 2020. According to the AG, Deodat Sharma, in the Audited report for the various agencies for the year 2020, the contract signed was to the tune of $15.991 million for the reconstruction of the Enmore School Street Bridge. “Two payments totalling $7.995M, which represented approximately fifty percent of the contract sum, were made within one week of the signing of the contract. However, the contractor did not provide a mobilisation advance bond and a performance security of twenty and ten percent of the contract price, respectively, as required,” the audit report detailed.
It said that as a result of the bond not being provided, the Ministry would not have been in a position to levy on any bonds, if the contractor had defaulted in the contractual arrangement. As a consequence, Sharma concluded, “This is poor contract administration”. In yet another instance, the AG found that a contract was also signed on the said date to the tune of $15.908 million for the reconstruction of Sussex and Hog Streets Bridge, Georgetown. Here again the AG said that two payment totaling $8.467M, which represented about 53 percent of the contract sum, were made within one week of the signing of the contract between the Ministry and the contractor. “However, the contractor did not provide a mobilisation advance bond and a performance security of twenty and ten percent of the contract price, respectively, as required. As
a result, the Ministry would not have been in a position to levy on any bonds, should the contractor default,” Sharma pointed out. In response to the AG’s statement, the Ministry, headed by Minister Juan Edghill, explained that the projects were emergency works. According to the Ministry, “Head of Budget Agency stated that the two contracts (Reconstruction of Sussex and Hog Street Bridge, and Reconstruction of Enmore School Street Bridge) were emergency works. By the time the contract was signed and payments were processed, works had already commenced and at that stage the contractors had already purchased the majority of the materials required to execute the job”. In his recommendation to the MoPW, Sharma said that the agency ought to ensure there is proper administration of all contracts entered into.
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Kaieteur News
PAGE 16
Friday January 14, 2022
Five lucky GTT customers win big cash prizes & grocery vouchers Five more lucky GTT customers on Tuesday were still enjoying the festivities of the 2021 Christmas s e a s o n , a s t h e telecommunications company announced the final winners for its $30M Christmas promotion at its 55 Brickdam Store. Among the winners were: Kevin Boatswain who won $300,000, Odetta Hall who copped the $400,000 prize and Geeta Sammy who took away the grand cash prize of $500,000. Latoya Duesbury and Cheddie Griffith were the randomly selected in store customers who both took home a $50,000 grocery voucher. Meanwhile, Mobile Money Guyana (MMG) also brought down the curtain on its “On the Move” year-end
promotion that saw two lucky MMG customers, Jailall Udan and Farina Mohamed taking home a 43" and 50" Smart television respectively. In a press release, GTT General Manager of MMG, Bobita Ram extended congratulations to the winners and thanked them for their continued support as GTT and MMG customers. “Today, you are all winners! It means you would have either topped up your mobile, purchased a handset, paid your bill on time and in full, registered for MMG or even signed up for GTT Fibre. Whichever one it is, we say thank you for your continued support as customers and we look forward to better serving you in 2022,” she said.
GTT Final Christmas Promotion winners among GTT-MMG Representatives
The elated customers all expressed gratefulness to both companies for giving back to their loyal customers. In November 2021, GTT launched its $30
million “Together We Celebrate” Christmas promotion that saw millions being given away in cash prizes, MMG and credit topups, and gift/grocery
v o u c h e r s d a i l y. T h e company also conducted weekly cash draws in its retail stores that saw more than 25 lucky customers taking home between
$50,000 - $500,000, while numerous customers received free installation and one-month’s free service when signing up for the GTT Fibre service.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
‘Dankey wanted for killing Bamzey’
PAGE 17
An example of a 'long-reach excavator
D
etectives are seeking the public’s help in locating an ex-convict, Shemroy Hackett also known as “Dankey” and “Bad Boy”, for the alleged killing of his “smoke mate” Keion McLennon. The killing reportedly relates to dispute regarding Ganja leaves. Mc Lennon, also called “Bamzey” was shot and killed last July at a popular bus shed in Queenstown along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Another man identified only as “Fronto”, was also injured during the shooting incident. Detectives believe that Hackett, who had been jailed in 2016 for shooting at two police officers, might be Mc Lennon’s killer. Eyewitnesses who heard the gunshots that were fired at the bus shed had also recalled that they had seen Hackett running away from the scene shortly after. Anyone who may have information that can lead to his arrest are asked to make contact with police on telephone numbers, 226-7065, 227-1270, 226-7476, 226-7065, 227-9271, 227-1611, 227-1149, 227-1270, 225-6940-9, 225-3650, 226-1928, 911 or at the nearest police station.
Wanted for murder: Shemroy ‘Dankey’ Hackett. It is believed that the ex-con murdered McLennon during an argument they had over “Ganja leaves”. Kaieteur News learnt that the victim was also an ex-con and they became acquainted with each other while in jail. They reportedly had an old grievance over the illegal drugs but would still meet up at a popular bus shed to smoke together. On July 17, 2021 it was no different. Hackett, Mc Lennon and Fronto met up at the bus shed to smoke. However, the old grievance surfaced and Hackett began arguing about the leaves. The argument reportedly intensified and Hackett pulled out a gun from his waist and fire three shots at McLennon. Two of the bullets struck his victim, killing him instantly and one wounded “Fronto” who was described as a bystander.
Engineer estimate $68M for two excavators The supply, delivery and testing of two new super long reach hydraulic excavators for the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority (MMAADA), according to an engineer’s estimate, is expected to cost some $68 million. According to an invitation for bids published in Kaieteur News, it states that bidding documents may be obtained and examined by any interested bidder upon payment of a non-refundable fee in amount totaling $3,000. This can be uplifted at Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority, Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, or can interested persons can contact the MMA-ADA on telephone number
328 2291 or email address to mmaada@mma-ada.gov.gy Bidders are required to submit their bids together with the bid security to the sum of 2% of the tendered sum no later than 09:00hrs on February 8, 2022, addressed to The Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance, Main and Urquhart Streets Georgetown Guyana. The National Procurement and Tender Administrative Board, Ministry of Finance reserves the right to reject any or all bids without assigning any reason whatsoever and not necessarily to award to the lowest bidder, the newspaper notice stated.
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Orson Ferguson, GTT’s Chief Operations Officer for Business Solutions
Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
GTT supporting city clean-up exercise As the Public Service Commission (PSC) collaborated with the government to conduct a massive cleanup exercise across Georgetown, GTT has also indicated its support through the donation of 200 reflective vests and volunteers for the activity. GTT’s Chief Operations Officer for Business Solutions, Orson Ferguson,
said the telecommunications company is committed to ensuring a cleaner and greener environment. “This initiative ties back to one of our brand promises to “Strengthen our Community”. A cleaner city means a healthier environment for all, so we are happy to partner with a wide cross-section of stakeholders to make this
w e e k e n d ’s a c t i v i t y possible,” Ferguson said, according to GTT release. Chairman of the PSC, Paul Cheong, thanked GTT for its support along with all businesses that have already donated items towards the clean-up exercise. He also encouraged others to support the project through volunteerism. According to the PSC, the exercise will
include the desilting of main canals and clearing of garbage in several areas, including West Front Road, Cemetery Road, Sheriff, Hadfield, D’Urban, Saffon, Church and Sussex Streets. Anyone interested in joining the cleanup campaign team can make contact on 2250977. The Cleanup Exercise will be conducted on January 15-16, 2022 from 6am daily.
COVID-19 pandemic will cause further disruptions in Caribbean economies - ECLAC predicts The Latin America and Caribbean region will see its pace of growth decelerate in 2022 to 2.1%, after reaching 6.2% on average last year, according to new projections released on We d n e s d a y b y t h e Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). This slowdown takes place in a context of significant asymmetries between developed, emerging and developing countries with regard to the capacity to implement fiscal, social, monetary, and health and vaccination policies for
a sustainable recovery from the crisis unleashed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is according to the annual report by ECLAC entitled Preliminary Overview of the Economies of Latin America and the Caribbean 2021, which was unveiled today during a virtual press conference held from Mexico City by the United Nations organization’s Executive Secretary, Alicia Bárcena. The document indicates that the region is facing a very complex 2022: uncertainty regarding the p a n d e m i c ’s o n g o i n g
evolution, a sharp deceleration in growth, continued low investment and productivity and a slow recovery in employment, the persistence of the social effects prompted by the crisis, reduced fiscal space, increased inflationary pressures and financial imbalances. “The expected slowdown in the region in 2022, combined with the problems of low investment and productivity, poverty and inequality, calls for growth and employment creation to be central elements of public
Executive Secretary of ECLAC, Alicia Bárcena. UN PHOTO/ Eskinder Debebe policymaking while at the same time addressing inflationary pressures,” Alicia Bárcena stated. (Continued on page 22)
Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
New deadline set for completion of ‘renovated’ CJIA The deadline for the additional works, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has embarked on at the renovated US multi-million dollar Cheddi Jagan International Airpor (CJIA), is now set for June 2022. This was disclosed by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, during a press conference on Monday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). Among other Public Works Ministry agencies head was CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir. First, Edghill was keen to note, during the press conference, that the CJIA project with Chinese contractor, CHEC, remains at US$150M, $138M from the China Exim Bank and $12M from the consolidated fund – taxpayers’ money. The airport’s CEO then noted that the new work being done by CHEC, which includes the superstructure, corridor and curtain wall, is 54 per cent completed. Minister Edghill had previously mentioned that the additional works being undertaken by CHEC are at no cost to Guyana, but through negotiations with the government which the contractor agreed to do at their own expense. Ghir added, “The works by China Harbour is expected to be completed by June of this year. The work being done by CALCO, that is the new office building and rehabilitation of the airline offices, is 6 per cent completed.” The government signed a $513M contract last year with construction company CALCO for the construction of a new building attached to CJIA’s terminal building. The CEO previously explained that the new building will house a conference room, offices for the airlines and the other support agencies as well as storage bonds for the dutyf r e e s h o p s a n d concessionaires. Minister Edghill was questioned on the funding of the two additional air bridges for the airport. In September 2021, the Ministry awarded a contract for US$2M to a local company named Total Solutions for the supply of two additional air-bridges for the long ongoing CJIA project, some US$ 350,000 more than what was paid for the other air bridges. Edghill explained that the government money funded the additional air bridges expense. In fact he said, “The air bridges are
CJIA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ramesh Ghir. being funded by the Government of Guyana and that is as a result of the agreement made with the APNU/AFC, when they ended up with two air bridges and then we had to get a supplementary from the Parliament, Government of Guyana, to buy the other two.” He further noted, “So, while we’re getting the Chinese to put in the corridor, the other two make six that’s funded by the Government of Guyana. And the contracts for those have been awarded already.” While the contract cost with the Chinese contractor remains at US$150M, additional spending similar to the air bridges have been undertaken by the government, which has increased the amount of money spent on the airport which falls way below expectations and international airport standards. Kaieteur News reported that Ghir explained that the government is undertaking several multi-million upgrades to the airport which were separated into three parts. Since then he noted that the spending being done by the government is separate from the ongoing modernisation works being undertaken by CHEC. ADDITIONAL SPENDING Some of those projects are: the $513M airport office building; the US$2M for the additional air bridges; a new office building estimated to cost $25M; $38 million international apron and the taxiway Charlie; $23M for the rehabilitation of the existing roof at the airport; Construction and Rehabilitation Works of the VIP Lounge and new and existing commercial buildings of the airport at an estimated cost of $612M; $ 5 1 8 M r u n w ay w h ich comes with an Instrument Landing System (ILS) and $420 million which was recently approved by the National Assembly for a
baggage handling system for the renovated airport. Also, Ghir mentioned that within a decade a second terminal will be needed at the renovated international airport. Minister Edghill had stated that the changes the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition made to CJIA contract has caused additional monies to be spent on the project. During an interview on National Communications Network (NCN), the Minister highlighted that the additional spending and modernisation of the CJIA is owed to works outside the amended Coalition contract to which the Government has acquired the contractor to undertake and separate works that they are doing. Even though Minister Edghill had promised that the total cost for the project will not exceed US$200M, that cannot be guaranteed now as the venture is currently a work-in-progress a n d t h e P P P / C administration is still pumping money into it. BACKGROUND The airport expansion contract was signed in 2011 under then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and was passed through the truncated presidency of Donald Ramotar. When the David Granger administration took over in 2015, it said that the very defective plan needed adjustments. The then Minister of Public Infrastructure, Patterson, said that upon assumption of office, the APNU+AFC administration found that only seven percent of the work was completed. Even with the sub-standard work, former Junior Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Jaipaul Sharma revealed that the contractor spent more on certain aspects of the project than was laid out in the contract. However, he had not shared whether the contractor spent more than the contract sum. Sharma further said that the former APNU+AFC government would have decided whether to penalise the company for “breach of contract”. T h e p r e v i o u s government had also stated that it would not spend a cent more on the project, but that was not the case as a change order seen by this newspaper indicated that the administration made at least one additional disbursement of GY$6.8M for the “extra time delay and costs for the
prolongation of the project” by 807 days. The order also indicated that it was a payment, not for the first, but the third claim made by the contractor. As the country awaits the completion of the project, which falls way below expectations, taxpayers are still obligated to repay a loan of US$138M to China, which forms part of the contract sum.
PAGE 19
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill.
Kaieteur News
PAGE 20
Friday January 14, 2022
$400M spent by APNU+AFC Govt. on defective pumps - Minister Mustapha Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha has called out the former APNU+AFC Coalition Government for its poor governing strategy, as evidence of wasteful spending continues to unravel. During the Economic S e r v i c e s C o m m i t t e e ’s meeting in the Parliament Buildings on Wednesday, Minister Mustapha said the previous administration exhausted some US$2
million to procure 12 pumps from an Indian company through a line of credit. He said the equipment was still accepted, although they did not meet the standard and specification. “Those pumps are still in the defect liability stage,” the Minister asserted. The Agriculture Minister explained that government has since made significant strides to rectify the situation,
noting that the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall S.C, M.P, is playing an integral role in the process. “We are now trying very hard to get the right specifications of those pumps. What I have done is to ask the Attorney General to write the company in India because the specifications of the pumps that were supplied were not correct,” Minister Mustapha explained. Already, several
changes have been made to the engines, given the work magnitude. “Every time there is heavy rainfall around the country and those pumps come on, you have the gearbox damaging, the drive shaft not working, gear oil throwing out, so they are defective pumps and engines,” he said. Minister Mustapha pointed out that the onus was on the Coalition Government to ensure the items valued the money that was disbursed. Approximately US $1 million is outstanding before the agreement between the two nations is complete. Minister Mustapha said no more
money will be paid until the defective pumps are fixed. “The pumps came in; they went and saw them but never objected. That is why now, we are objecting to those pumps. As a matter of fact, prior to 2015, we had purchased a number of pumps from the same company and we sent technicians there to look at them, to assess the specification and we rejected those engines. Although the former government paid US$2 million already, since I assumed the role of Minister of Agriculture, I have withheld all other sums,” he added. Additionally, the
Agriculture Ministry is advancing efforts to retrieve a number of breeding animals worth some US$17 million, which the former government also purchased but were never delivered. “… we are on the verge of receiving it and we are following up very aggressively and I have had the commitment of my counterpart in Barbados to ensure they are supplied,” the Minister explained. He said the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) and the Barbadian authority are making arrangements for the animals to come to Guyana. (DPI)
Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
PAGE 21
MP Duncan arrested, released on $100,000 bail... From page 11 of Duncan is a clear violation of his right to freedom of speech. “This politically motivated arrest further portrays the Guyana Police Force in the most
negative light and adds to the rapidly declining public trust in the Police Force to guard itself against political directives. The arrest of Mr. Duncan is a glaring manifestation of
the dictatorial rule that the current administration is engaged in. The YFC calls for the immediate release of Duncan and for an end to the arbitrary arrest of members
of the opposition for calling o u t t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s dictatorship and reign of terror on the Guyanese people and for calling out public office holders for acts of mismanagement and
corruption. The YFC stands with Hon. Sherod Duncan M.P and is committed to the fight to protect our most fundamental right of free speech.
We see this as a direct attempt to muzzle any voice of dissent against the regime. This arrest can only be viewed as an act of tyranny,” the statement concluded.
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Friday January 14, 2022
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The GPSU is very concerned... From page 6 This was against the backdrop that the plight of Public Servants seemed to have escaped the very decision makers, when they were not considered for any increases in wages, salaries and allowances for 2020 and at the end of 2021, a miniscule taxable seven percent (7%) was arbitrarily foisted upon them, in conflict with the Labour Laws of Guyana. The expression of fact apparently consumed this Trade Unionist and ardent politician, who was duty bound to clarify Governments’ position, because of the unholy alliance through which his Trade Union would benefit from the retention of membership if GUYSUCO’s present structure is maintained and if the closed estates were to be reactivated. Certainly, one could not avoid noting his placid acceptance of the announced pay imposition in the Guyana Chronicle of November 19, 2021.
Now, Editor I do not remember Mr. Narine and/or his Union questioning Government’s intention or giving any support to the GPSU, when the PPP/C Government in the year 2000 engaged in Union bashing, by suspending the check-offs and deregistering the membership of GPSU and most recently ignoring Article 147(3) of the Constitution, the Trade Union Recognition Act of 1997, ILO Conventions 87, 98 and 151 approved by Parliament and are in force, together with the existing Agreement for the Avoidance and Settlement of Disputes, while imposing the 7% across the board award. However, he seeks to lecture from a standpoint of comradery to the extent that “we should be our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper…” The closure of GUYSUCO was never advocated or imputed in the GPSU New Year message, but it certainly questioned Government’s zest to pump hard earned taxpayers’ dollars into the ailing industry, while being
seemingly oblivious to the plight of “the employed poor.” In my humble opinion, GUYSUCO could be diversified and its workers retooled to ensure the industry is brought back to profitability, without the senseless injection of taxpayers’ dollars, given the loans and grants, which it has received towards this end, including the 30-billion-dollar line of credit that was guaranteed by Government in the year 2019 and of which the GPSU is well aware. The GPSU may well be ignorant of the needs of the sugar sector, but is very concerned for all workers, more so Public Servants, who are suffering daily for the want of a living wage, better standards of living and the ability to provide comfort and happiness for their families. Yours sincerely, Indira Thakurdin Guyana Public Service Union
COVID-19 pandemic will cause further... From page 18 According to ECLAC, the 2.1% average growth foreseen for this year reflects great heterogeneity among countries and sub-regions: the Caribbean will grow 6.1% (excluding Guyana) and Central America will grow 4.5%, while South America will expand by 1.4%. Meanwhile, in 2021, the region experienced higherthan-expected growth, averaging 6.2% due to the low baseline established in 2020, to greater mobility and to a favourable external context. According to the Preliminary Overview 2021, estimates point to advanced economies growing by 4.2% in 2022, being the only ones to resume the growth trajectory foreseen before the pandemic over the course of this year. Emerging economies, meanwhile, are seen growing 5.1% in 2022, but they will only resume the growth trajectory forecast before the pandemic in 2025. In 2021, 11 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean managed to regain the GDP levels seen prior to the crisis. VACANCY Kitchen assistant & counter attendants,salary $15,000 wkly.Drop application to German's Restaurant lot 8 New Market St North Cummingsburg G/Town. Vacancy at City Hotel for housekeeping staff,male or female.Call:644-2020.
In 2022, another three countries will join them, accounting for a total of 14 countries of the 33 that make up the region. It is of central importance that the combination of monetary and fiscal policies prioritises growth stimulation as well as inflation containment, ECLAC adds. This entails the need for coordinated fiscal and monetary policies and the use of all available instruments to adequately prioritise the challenges of growth with monetary-financial stability. In terms of the labour market, employment recovered at a slower pace than economic activity last year: 30% of the jobs lost in 2020 had not been recuperated by 2021. Furthermore, the inequality between men and women was accentuated, reflecting the larger care burden on women and less dynamism in the sectors in which female employment is concentrated, such as services. In 2022, ECLAC projects an 11.5% unemployment rate for women – slightly below the 11.8% recorded in 2021,
but still well above the 9.5% existing before the pandemic in 2019 – while unemployment among men is forecast at 8.0% this year, nearly identical to that of 2021 (8.1%) and still far above the 6.8% seen in 2019. The report also addresses one of the most worrisome economic issues today at a regional and global level: the rise in the price of products and services. In 2021, inflationary pressures were observed in the majority of the region’s countries, led by price increases in food and energy (inflation reached 7.1% on average by November, excluding Argentina, Haiti, Suriname and Venezuela), and these pressures are expected to continue in 2022. Countries’ central banks anticipate that inflation levels will remain above the target range established, although they will tend to converge towards the end of 2022 or early 2023. Once again, the price of energy and food in international markets, along with the evolution of the exchange rate, will be critical to determining future price dynamics.
Work place fatalities... From page 12 significantly to the achievement of an optimally safe, sound, healthy and secure working environment for all levels and categories of workers, in keeping with the Occupational Safety and Health Act Cap 99:06, Laws of Guyana and accompanying
regulations. Minister Hamilton also encouraged workers and employers to maintain a safety climate in workplaces and work towards the development of a safety culture, where everyone would benefit and everyone is “looking out for each other”.
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Guyana recorded 1,186 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday Guyana recorded 1186 news Covid-19 cases on Thursday, the Ministry of Health confirmed. According to statistics released by the ministry, a total of 13 patients are also admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) receiving treatment. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during his latest COVID-19 update on Thursday announced that the current active cases in the country stand at 8,680. He noted that 21 cases were recorded in Region One, 19 in Region Two, 93 in Region Three, 501 in Region Four, 69 in Region Five, 142 in Region Six, 38 in Region Seven, six cases in Region Eight, 76 cases in Region Nine and 221 in Region 10. The ministry dashboard shows that 121 persons are in institutional isolation, 8,413 in home isolation, eight in institutional quarantine and to date, a total of 38,569 persons have recovered from the virus.
CARICOM Private Sector group... From page 3 Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. According to Tucker, similar limitations are imposed on the exportation of meats, peppers, pineapples, ground provision, pumpkin and other local produce. Similar cases also exist for workers or work permits, registering a business or CARICOM Single Market & Economy (CSME) certificates. The GCCI President was keen to note also that in 2019, an Oil and Gas vessel support company, which had more than 60 percent of Guyanese workers -as Guyanese in Trinidad- were ordered by the Authorities to reduce the amount of Guyanese onboard, since it is in violation of the Local Content Policy. Ex-President also of the GCCI, Nicholas Boyer, in a social media post criticized the position of the CARICOM Private Sector Organization. He said, “I’ve seen an email which says that there could be possible legal challenges to (Guyana’s) Local Content Law under the Treaty of Chaguaramas. It would be quite interesting to see such a challenge mounted, as the context of the law, the email
and its sender are quite amusing”. “First, the law - the Local Content Law of Guyana affords Guyanese the opportunity to provide a select grouping of goods and services (within certain prescribed percentages) to the oil and gas industry. The schedule in the law has the 40 categories. This was heavily reduced from the initial proposed number of categories,” Boyer reasoned. Secondly, he pointed out, the email was issued by someone in a senior role at a regional conglomerate. “I am quite interested as to what this conglomerate thinks it would have to gain if they challenged this law. For instance, this same conglomerate ironically benefits from a large number of sales of vehicles to local transportation companies which provide transportation services to the O&G industry.” Moreover, the former Chamber head contended that it is the most disrespect he has seen from the conglomerates “who feel a sense of entitlement, the same ones who ironically have destroyed small businesses in their own backyard, and
thereby hurt their own oil industry; now they want to do the same to ours”. “Are they really coming to do transportation and the other 40 items that we’ve carved out for Guyanese? Is it that they either are that desperate for a piece of the pie or do they feel that entitled?” Boyer questioned. When this publication reached out to the Natural Resources Minister for a comment on the matter, he referred all questions to AG, Nandlall who said he was in a meeting and would return a call. Up to press time, the AG did not respond. Meanwhile, Mr. Suresh Beharry, in a statement to the media assured that he had not been “tasked” to intercede with the authorities in Guyana on a matter concerning apparent limits to CARICOM nationals doing business in Guyana, in the context of the recently enacted Local Content Act, as was falsely published by social media posts and even news pieces. In fact Mr. Beharry said he supports Guyana’s Local Content legislation, in particular, as it relates to the nascent Oil and Gas Industry.
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West Indies Under-19s lose to South Africa Under-19s by seven wickets in final World Cup warm-up match SportsMax - West Indies Under-19s suffered a sevenwicket defeat at the hands of South Africa Under-19s in their final ICC Men’s Under19 Cricket World Cup Warmup fixture in Guyana on Wednesday. South Africa Under-19s won the toss and elected to field first, which proved to be a good move as they were able to restrict West Indies Under-19s to 189 all out in 43.2 overs. Captain Ackeem Auguste with 52 and wicketkeeper/ batsman Carlon BowenTuckett with 45 were the chief scorers for the Windies against 3-36 off four overs from Matthew Boast and 2-
14 off five overs from Michael Copeland.The South Africans then only needed 35.3 overs to reach their target, finishing 191-7 thanks to half-centuries from captain George Van Heerden (61) and Dewald Brevis (50) as well as 36 from Ethan-John Cunningham. McKenny Clarke took 334 off five overs and Anderson Mahase took 2-31 off eight overs for the Windies. West Indies will open their World Cup campaign against Australia Under-19s at Providence Stadium today, January 14, while South Africa Under-19s will play their opener against India Under19s at the same venue one day later.
West Indies Under-19s suffered a seven-wicket defeat at the hands of South Africa.
Friday January 14, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Inspiration stemming from other places and other cultures might direct your passions to a new creative project of some kind, Aries. Your mind is quick and resourceful and your energy high, so you'll probably have a busy day.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A growing sense of intimacy with a close friend or love partner is likely to stem from mutual interests. The two of you might even discuss taking a long trip together, perhaps to a distant state or foreign country.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Some images deriving from dreams or visions might provide inspiration for ideas to redecorate your house, Taurus.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A powerful romantic attraction might lead to creative or artistic inspiration.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Plans for social events to take place in your neighborhood might have you spending a lot of time on the phone today, Gemini. CANCER (June 21–July 22) This is not the day to make financial investments of any kind, Cancer, although someone may present you with some possible opportunities. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You should be looking especially attractive today, Leo, but you may feel that it's wasted because your beloved isn't around to appreciate it. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Your logical mind might try to make rational sense of the strange metaphysical ideas that are popping in and out of your head today, Virgo.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A project initiated by a group with which you're affiliated could keep you very busy today, Sagittarius. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) New ideas and concepts regarding the way you make your living might come your way today, Capricorn, which could cause a bit of a shakeup in your value system. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Group activities and social events excite your passions today, Aquarius. You'll meet lots of new people, take on some interesting new projects, and, if you haven't already, you might even fall in love. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Some projects requiring a lot of thought, which you may have been working on for a long time, could well be completed today.
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Petersen leads strong SA response after Pant’s stunning century - Peterson remained unbeaten on 48 after South Africa bowled India out for 198 ESPNcricinfo - Rishabh Pant is a shot-maker of such quality that he can take the conditions out of the equation, and for 100 runs and 139 balls in Cape Town he did just that. This wasn’t so much a Test match innings as it was
a display of jaw-dropping daredevilry. And at the end of it, India had a lead of 211 and a real chance at making history. South Africa were under siege in the chase, not just from the bowlers but from a
very chirpy Virat Kohli. Once, when he was running across from one end of the field to the other, he looked at Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen and said “Just relax guys. I can hear your heartbeat.” So began a remarkably
combative last 29.4 overs of play, at the end of which South Africa managed 101, having lost their second wicket - Dean Elgar - off the day’s last ball. But it all peaked in the 21st over. R Ashwin to Elgar. He bowls a beautiful offbreak. Tossed up from around the wicket, drifting in late, drifting in big. The left-hander prepares to nudge the ball into the leg side. He brings down a straight bat. But this drift. It is too much. It takes the ball clean past the inside edge and hits him on the front pad. Umpire Marais Erasmus puts the finger up immediately. But ball-tracking told a different story. Bouncing over leg stump. Ashwin was completely unimpressed. “Find better ways to win, SuperSport,” he said. Kohli was livid. He took an almighty kick at the turf, then walked right up to the stump mic and said, “focus on your team as well while they shine the ball, eh? Not just the opposition. Trying to catch people all the time.” KL Rahul chimed in with “whole country playing against 11 guys.” India were enraged. Elgar tried to resist their fury. But it just wasn’t to be. The South African captain fell off what turned out to be the last ball of the day and now his side is in very real danger a first home series defeat to this opposition in 29 years. Long before all this tension though, there was nothing but magic. Magic from a man named Pant. Watching him on the field really takes you back to your
childhood, back when you were running around with your brothers and your sisters and your best friends, all in search of nearest empty piece of land to play a little bit of cricket. The driveway at home. The hallway at school. Anywhere you can show off. Be silly. And bring joy. Bring joy to the most important people in your life simply by doing something you love. As adults, we grow out of that phase. Rishabh, it seems, just knows better. There was a moment, as he was nearing his century, when he chased one that was so far wide of off stump that he began to overbalance. But, instead of stopping himself and preparing to face the next ball, he just went with the flow and pretend ran a double on a pretend pitch between point and the stumps at the keeper’s end. Raucous laughter rang out in response. Most of it would have been from the Indian dressing room but can you really rule out a smile from a South African face? After all, when he attempted a reverse scoop off the 6’8" Marco Jansen and failed to connect, Hashim Amla on the broadcast said, “I would have loved to have seen that come off.” This is Rishabh Pant. He is such a thrillingly free spirit that everyone just falls in love with him. Entertaining the masses is one thing. As part of a highperforming sports team, he is also committed to winning and to do that at Newlands he needed to do more than just have a whack.
Pant walked out after two quick wickets - Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane undone by extra bounce. And within seven balls he was smelling leather. Kagiso Rabada decided to test him with the short ball but Pant was ready. He rocked back and pulled South Africa’s pace ace to the square leg boundary to get off the mark. There were other shots like that too. Shots straight out of a dream. 34th over. A down the track slap not so much to the ball but to Duanne Olivier’s spirit. 48th over. A one-handed slog sweep. For six. 60th over. A flay over point that didn’t fetch a single run but will still make the highlights because Pant went so hard at it that he lost the grip on his bat and it went flying. Pant defied logic for every second he was out there. If you want any more evidence of that, look down the scorecard, look for the next highest score. Kohli 29 off 143. That was a superb innings as well. He may not have the runs to show for it but his presence in the middle prevented the team from collapsing. Solid doesn’t come close to describing the India at the crease. But this should: he played a false shot once every 12 balls in a match where there was one every six balls. Kohli wasn’t just good. He was twice as good as everybody else. And, in a Test match that remains deliciously poised, that might make all the difference Scores: South Africa 101 for 2 (Petersen 48*, Elgar 30, Shami 1-22) need 111 runs to win.
Keegan Petersen gets creative. (AFP/Getty Images)
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ICC U-19 World Cup 2022 starts today... Windies face tough opener against Aussies at Providence By Sean Devers In 1988 the inaugural U19 World Cup was staged in Australia when the host beat Pakistan for the first of their three U-19 World Cups (1988, 2002, 2010), the most by any team. Brian Lara, Jimmy Adams and Ridley Jacobs were among seven West Indians who went on to play Test cricket but it took another decade for the second U-19 World Cup to be in South Africa when England won. Today at Providence, Guyana’s only International cricket venue located on the East Bank of Demerara, 10 minutes from Georgetown, West Indies, who under Guyanese Shimron Hetmyer, who their only World Cup in 2016, face-off with three times Champions Australia from 09:00. With the adverse weather having already washed out the warm-up game between Australia and South Africa, the track at Providence should be slow which could nullify the West Indies pace attack led by Guyanese 17-year-old Isai Thorne. This is the first U-19 World Cup to be played in the West Indies, while today’s opening games gives Providence the distinction of hosting every ICC World Cup. Both teams were beaten by pre-tournament favourites India, in their warm-up games while West Indies also went down to South Africa. In their warm-up game against India, Australian Skipper Cooper Connolly scored 117, while Tobias Snell (35), Aidan Cahill (27) and William Salzmann (26) were the only ones to reach 25 and a lot will be depended on Tengue Wyllie and Corey Miller to them a good foundation for
Isia Thorne is the quickest youth pacer in the West Indies. (Getty Images)
Aussie Captain Cooper Connolly scored 117 in thier lone warm-up match and could end as a leading batsman in this World Cup.
Mattew Nandu made 52 in the practice match. Connolly and company to build on. Connolly is embarking on his second Under-19 World Cup after playing as a 16-year-old in South Africa two years ago and has the experience and ability to finish this World Cup as one of the leading batsmen. Australia’s strengths are the batting and spin bowling which includes the ambidextrous Nivethan Radhakrishnan. Australia’s Under-19 squad only came together shortly before flying to the Caribbean because the ongoing border restrictions prevented the squad to be together before the tournament. In their first warm-up game India made 278-6 with medium pacer Johann Layne taking 3-51 while West Indies were bowled out in 43 overs for 170 with Guyanese Mat-
thew Nandu top scoring with 52, while Layne returned with the bat to hit three fours and two sixes in cameo 25-ball 33. Carlon Bowen-Tuckett made 20. In their other warm-up at Everest, West Indies were dismissed for 189 in 43 overs with Skipper Akeem Auguste leading the way with 52 with six fours and two sixes. Nandu, who opened the batting, made 19 but only Revaldo Clarke 15 and Anderson Mahase 11 of the other batsmen reached double figures and the batting is cause for concern. The hosts will hope for runs today from the
highly touted Grenadian Teddy Bishop who has just 4&9 in the two warm-up games and support from Shaqkere Parris, Jordan Johnson, Rivaldo Clarke, Giovonte Depeiza Auguste and Nandu. The spinners, in off-spinner Nandu, the son of former Guyana First-Class leg-spinner Arjune Nandu, left-arm spinners Jaden Carmichael and Giovonte Depeiza, while the skipper is capable of bowling leg-spin, are expected to feature. The pacers, including 17-year-old Guyanese Isai Thorne, the fastest bowler in the team, could find work hard on today’s track. The forecast for today is cloudy conditions with possible rain and the toss could
be important if the game is decided by the Duckworth/ Lewis & Stern. This is the 14th edition of the U-19 World Cup with Bangladesh being the defending champions. They are one of 16 teams with ten venues across three islands and Guyana which is the only English Country in South America, being used. There will be 48 matches overall, with the final slotted for February 5 in Antigua and West Indies are in Group D along with Australia, Scotland and Sri Lanka. In the other game scheduled for today at Everest in the City involves Scotland and Sri Lanka while the two games set for tomorrow will see India coming up against South Africa at Providence and Ireland versus
Uganda. West indies Squad:Shaqkere Parris, Matthew Nandu, Teddy Bishop, Jordan Johnson, Akeem Auguste (c), Rivaldo Clarke (wk), Giovonte Depeiza, Carlon Bowen Tuckett, Anderson Mahase, Johann Layne, McKenny Clarke, Onaje Amory, Shiva Sankar, Isai Thorne, Jaden Carmichael, Vasant Singh, Nathan Edwards Australia U19 Squad: Cooper Connolly(wk/c), Jack Sinfield, Harkirat Bajwa, Aidan Cahill, Joshua Garner, Isaac Higgins, Campbell Kellaway, Corey Miller, Nivethan Radhakrishnan, Jack Nisbet, William Salzmann, Lachlan Shaw, Tobias Snell, Tom Whitney, Teague Wyllie
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CWIMA congratulates Sir Clive Hubert Lloyd on his Knighthood Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) in a release has extended its warmest felicitations and commiserations onto our legendary former West Indies Captain, Sir Clive Lloyd on his ascension to knighthood on Wednesday at Windsor Castle.
We understand that Sir Clive was due to receive this prestigious award since last year, but the ceremony had to be delayed because of COVID-19. Sir Clive is the 13th West Indies cricketer to be knighted since Sir Frank Worrell first received his honor in 1964. The other 11
West Indians who have been knighted for their services to cricket are: Curtley Ambrose, Gordon Greenidge, Charlie Griffith, Reverend Wes Hall, Conrad Hunte, Vivian Richards, Richie Richardson, Andy Roberts, Garfield Sobers, Clyde Walcott and Everton Weekes.
CWIMA salutes these West Indian heroes! Sir Clive has been the most successful captain of the West Indies senior team both at the test and the ODI level during the halcyon days of the 20 years span commencing from the mid-70s right up until the mid-90s.
West Indies cricket was at its very best during this period when we ruled the world with our 4-prong pace attack instigated by the “Supercat” himself as the formula for our success. Our first taste of international success was when Sir Clive lifted the inaugural World Cup in 1974 and then again in 1979. During this 20year span of unprecedented West Indies success around the world, several quality players in our Caribbean re-
gion fell by the wayside since it was super difficult to get selected to that all conquering West Indies team. CWIMA is currently unearthing those players that could not have made the cut during those glory days of West Indies cricket and we hope that these accolades and rich history of our glory period can help to rekindle the spirit and commitment for the future success of West Indies teams at all levels, youths, seniors, and masters.
Clive Lloyd (right) displays his knighthood medal.
GCB Name Teams for 2nd trial match at Albion from 14-17 The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced the two teams for the second trial match in the GCB’s Best of Best Four-Day Tournament. As done in the first match, which ended in a draw, the second of the three scheduled matches will be led by Leon Johnson and Keemo Paul. This match was initially scheduled to begin on Wednesday January 12, 2022 but was rescheduled due to a positive COVID-19 case within the group. It will now be played at the Albion Community Centre ground on January 14-17, 2022. The scheduled time for the match is from 0930-16:30 hours each day. Teams: Leon Johnson’s Team: Chandrapaul Hemraj, Kevlon Anderson, Sachin Singh,
Leon Johnson, Shimron Hetmyer, Kemol Savory, Ronaldo Ali Mohammed, Kevin Sinclair, Leon Swamy, Chaitram Balgobin, Kevin Umroa, Sharaz Ramcharran, Trevor Stanislaus, Nial Smith, Ronsford Beaton and Demetri Cameron.Keemo Paul’s Team: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Trevon Griffith, Tevin Imlach, Vishaul Singh, Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Bramble, Keemo Paul, Aaron Beharry, Junior Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Anthony Adams, Richie Looknauth, Steven Sankar, Keon Joseph, Qumar Torrington, Sylus Tyndall and Nealand Cadogan. The dates for the third and final match will be January 2023, 2022 at a venue to be announced.
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ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup West Indies 2022...
West Indies, England, India, South Africa, and UAE share their thoughts ahead of matches Its 34 years since the hosts of the ICC Under19 Men’s Cricket World Cup went on to lift the trophy – but West Indies Captain Ackeem Auguste believes his side has what it takes. The Caribbean has welcomed 15 teams from across the world and the home side West Indies kick off the 14th edition of the tournament in Guyana today against Australia, the only team to win the tournament as hosts back in the very first edition in 1988. West Indies have been champions once before, winning in Bangladesh six years ago, and Auguste is excited by the potential of the class of 2022. He said: “I think the enthusiasm from the guys has been good, I think we have gelled well as a unit and looking forward we are very confident as a team. “I think we are a very talented bunch, everybody in this team can pull their weight. We are a team full of quality batters and bowlers and a good fielding unit too. Overall, we are very confident. “As a team we are always looking to improve, so that’s how I see it [rather than any specific areas to work on.” England have not won the tournament since 1998 but have a chance to prove their credentials from the off against defending champions Bangladesh on Sunday. England will also face Canada and United Arab Emirates in Group A and Captain Tom Prest is confident they can make a run at the title. “Obviously, we’ve come over here with the intention of winning the tournament. That’s kind of our ultimate goal as a side,” he said. “We’ve had good run outs against West Indies and Sri Lanka in the summer series in England and then we went out to Sri Lanka before Christmas in December. “We’ve had good experience against some good quality international sides, so it will be a great experience for us all to play against more opposition, top-class players from all around the world.
Hopefully we can come out on top. “It would be amazing to win. To even be at a global tournament, at a World Cup is a great feeling for all of us. I think to win the tournament as well would be an unbelievable feeling for all of us.” South Africa are gunning for a second ICC U19 Men’s CWC title after triumphing back in 2014 and skipper George van Heerden has promised an exciting brand of cricket, even on unfamiliar Caribbean pitches. “We want to be as aggressive and attacking as we possibly can without being frantic,” explained Van Heerden. “We’ve learned a lot about the conditions – playing in St Vincent, the pitches were quite a bit slower than we were used to and turned quite a lot more than the pitches back in South Africa. “With all the different grounds in West Indies, we’ve looked at the average scores and some of them are a bit lower than we’re used to back home. “We might have to be a bit more measured in our approach and it won’t be as helter-skelter as the T20s were. We’ll still stick to our brand of being attacking and aggressive though.” South Africa open their Group B campaign against India in Guyana on Saturday, a side beginning their bid for a fifth title. They will be captained by Yash Dhull and head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar believes the youngster has the perfect temperament for the job. “The primary quality you need to become a captain of any team is that you should have the respect of your team,” explained Kanitkar. “Without that, you can be a good captain or player, but you would not be able to do the job. Yash has got the respect of all his players. “He is able to take tough calls on the field when it is needed, every time a captain cannot be told to do things. The captain needs to take his own decisions and Yash can
do that. “It is pretty instinctive – Yash’s instincts are fine and he is able to do justice to the job.” And for his part, Dhull knows exactly who he is looking to emulate with his captaincy responsibility. He said: “Virat Kohli’s attitude on the field while bat-
ting and leading the side, I have the same and I try to do the job in the same manner.” Meanwhile, UAE captain Alishan Sharafu has a target in mind and that’s to reach the Super League stage after narrowly missing out in South Africa two years ago. “I think obviously we want to go match by match
but our collective goal would be to at least go through to the Super League which we couldn’t do last time,” he said. “That would be the biggest goal of the tournament. Obviously we go one match at a time and prepare for every game separately and pretty much do well in all of
them. “They’re all very good teams, and we want to focus on one game at a time, not the group as a whole, and prepare for every game differently based on our strengths and not worry about the opposition too much. We just want to back our preparation and go from there.”
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Kaieteur News
Djokovic in Australian Open draw but may still be kicked out MELBOURNE, (Reuters) Tennis world No.1 Novak Djokovic was included in the Australian Open draw as top seed yesterday though the government could still kick him out in a row over COVID19 vaccination. The draw was delayed for an hour without explanation, even as Immigration Minister Alex Hawke mulled whether to exercise discretionary power to cancel Djokovic’s visa over concern about the his medical exemption from Australia’s strict vaccine rules. Should he still be here, the unvaccinated defending champion will face fellow Serb Miomir Kecmanovic for his opening match, probably on Monday or Tuesday. The saga has intensified global debate over rights of choice for vaccines and become a tricky issue for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he campaigns for re-election. Australia is due to hold an election by May, and while Morrison’s government has won support at home for its tough stance on border security, it has not escaped criticism over the botched handling of Djokovic’s visa. Melbourne’s The Age
newspaper said Djokovic would immediately appeal in court any attempt to deport him, with a decision expected on Friday, and tournament organisers preparing contingency plans for a new draw in case. A source in Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Liberal Party said the government was “strongly leaning” towards revoking the visa again, the newspaper reported. Djokovic, who practiced again at the Rod Laver Arena on Thursday, fuelled widespread anger in Australia by heading to Melbourne with a medical exemption from requirements for visitors to be inoculated against COVID-19. On arrival, Australian Border Force decided his exemption was invalid and put him in an immigration detention hotel alongside asylum-seekers at for several days. A court on Monday allowed him to stay on grounds that officials had been “unreasonable” during the seven-hour interview process in the middle of the night. The government must now decide whether to let Djokovic remain and bid for a record men’s 21st major title.
Australia has endured some of the world’s longest lockdowns, has a 90% vaccination rate among adults, and has seen a runaway Omicron outbreak bring nearly a million cases in the last two weeks read more Djokovic’s cause was not helped by a wrong entry declaration, where a box was ticked stating he had not travelled abroad in the two weeks before leaving for Australia. In fact, he had travelled between Spain and Serbia. Djokovic, 34, blamed the error to his agent and acknowledged he also should not have done an interview and photoshoot for a French newspaper on Dec. 18 while infected with COVID-19. ‘BOOT HIM’ “After hearing about what Djokovic said about how he made mistakes on his form and those little slips, I reckon he’ll kick him out,” Melbourne resident Tyler Agnew said of the minister’s pending decision. “No one can stuff that badly on little things like that, that’s just pretty basic stuff. I reckon he should and will boot him.” Anti-vaxxers, however, have hailed him as a hero while Djokovic’s family and the
ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup West Indies 2022...
Robust Bio Security protocols in place for ICC U19 Men’s CWC 2022 The International Cricket Council yesterday outlined the bio security protocols that have been put in place ahead of the ICC Under19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in the West Indies to ensure as safe and smooth a tournament as possible. The ICC’s priority is the health and safety of all participants and the communities in the West Indies, to create a setting that is safe from both a physical and wellbeing perspective with welfare of all participants being the key issue. The ICC has set up a Biosafety Scientific Advisory Group (BSAG) headed by an independent chair in partnership with participating Members and host nation governments. BSAG will oversee all issues relating to biosafety through the tour-
nament and will meet regularly, ensuring any COVID-19 related issues that arise are dealt with appropriately with independent expert scientific and medical advice. Teams, Broadcasters and Match Officials will have undertaken quarantine on arrival in the Caribbean, underpinned by diagnostic and surveillance testing and are now in Managed Event Environments (MEEs). The event is taking place across four countries and the MEE will be maintained in each and whilst teams are travelling. ICC Head of Integrity, Alex Marshall said “The ICC has planned a robust and proportionate biosafety plan for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022 in partnership with Cricket West Indies and the four host country governments in line with glo-
bal sports body best practice. “We want the focus to be on the cricket and to ensure that it is played in a safe environment where players enjoy what for most of them is their first World Cup experience.” “We are fully expecting a number of positive tests with regular testing of all participants, and that will be managed according to our biosafety plan and under the guidance of BSAG. Merely registering a positive PCR test result within a team will not result in the automatic postponement or cancelation of fixtures. The main principle is to continue playing with appropriate mitigations in place if it is safe, practicable and proportionate to do so. Thanks to our hosts and the teams for their commitment to delivering a safe World Cup.”
Serbian government have portrayed him as a victim of persecution. Though no stranger to past controversy, the uproar was getting to Djokovic, Australian former tennis player Todd Woodbridge said after meeting him yesterday. “He is still very aware he may not get to the starting blocks for round one,” Woodbridge, who is now a commentator, told a tournament television programme. “He is very, very visible ... it’s taking a toll on him.” An online poll by the News Corp media group found that 83% favoured the government trying to deport Djokovic. “I would just say though, you know, just get vaccinated. That is the key,” said Daniel Andrews, premier of Victoria state where Melbourne is the capital. “That’s what I’ve said to every single Victorian, that’s what I’ve done, that’s what my kids have done, that’s what families, 93% of our community has done that, and I’m very proud of them for doing it, I’m very grateful.” There may also be resentment in the dressing room, where all but three of
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic gestures as he practices at Melbourne Park as questions remain over the legal battle regarding his visa to play in the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, January 13, 2022. (REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) the top 100 men are inoculated. “Sometimes your personal beliefs have to be trumped by what’s good for the greater good, for those around you, for your peers,”
tennis great Martina Navratilova told Australian TV, urging Djokovic to “suck it up” and go home. “Get vaccinated or just don’t go play.”
BHS and Anna Regina join Chess in Schools’ programme
Over 100 students in recent months have been exposed to chess. The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has now expanded its ‘Chess in Schools’ Programme to reach over 30 children in two new secondary schools. The Bishops’ High School and Anna Regina Secondary have now become the latest schools to benefit from the comprehensive online training for youth development in the sport. This initiative was formed through collaboration with Bishop’s High School Physical Education teacher, Daniel Benjamin, and Headmaster of the Anna Regina Secondary School, Lalljeet Rooplall.
Over 30 students are now engaged in training which commenced last Sunday and is set to continue the course over the next six weeks. The initiative targets youths aged seven (7) to fifteen (15) years-old at all skill levels, but older students are also able to participate. The GCF’s online training has restarted for the year 2022 with over 60 new entrants and 60 continuing students from over 20 schools from every County in Guyana. Some of the country’s best and brightest minds have eagerly grasped at the oppor-
tunity to learn the game. The federation’s goal of discovering new talent and expanding the reach of the game to every region in 2022 is well on its way despite the pandemic. More than 100 students have been exposed to chess over the recent months thanks to the proactive use of technology by theGCF. The GCF’s ‘Chess in Schools’ team continues to promote the game and are willing to collaborate with any group that is interested in the development of the sport and Guyana’s children.
Kaieteur News
Friday January 14, 2022
PAGE 31
CEG donates cricket bat & Cricket uniform to Beharry C
r i c k e t Equipment Guyana (CEG), a recently established business, the brainchild of young Ajay Gainda, has donated a SS cricket bat and an SG white cricket outfit along with a floppy hat to all-rounder Aaron Beharry as he prepares to tour Sri Lanka with the Ontario Cricket Academy youth team. The tour is set for March 11-21 and will include matches in the T20, 40 overs and 50 overs categories. This is the 14th international tour for the OCA, 6th to Sri Lanka since 2010. Beharry, who bowls right arm off spin, is a solid middle order right handed batsman who represented Berbice two years each at the under15 and under19 levels. He is currently a member
of the Everest Cricket Club in Georgetown, LBI Cricket Club on the East Coast of D e m e r a r a a n d Yo u n g Warriors Cricket Club in Berbice. At a simple presentation held recently, Ajay Gainda, stated that his family has been following the progress of Aaron over the years and is very impressed with his skills and attitude towards the game hence, the gesture. Ajay is the manager of Cricket Equipment Guyana which is located at Bel Air Rubis Gas Station, Bel Air Public Road, Greater Georgetown and is the only authorized distributor of authentic SS and SG brand of cricket gear. The sole authorized importer of the gear is the popular Gainmart Supermarket, University of Guyana Public Road. Ajay
said that he and his family through their new brands are delighted to assist Aaron on this tour and in his future career and wish him every success. He also indicated that the store sells top quality cricket gear at the best prices in Guyana with the aim of making it affordable to cricketers around the country. Ajay himself is a solid right hand opener and right hand off spinner who represented Guyana at the Under15 and Under17 levels and was eager to showcase his talent at the Under19 level with the hope of representing the West Indies at the 2022 Youth World Cup currently being held in the Caribbean for the first time. Unfortunately, Covid 19 resulted in the suspension of
all cricket in the Caribbean, including the Regional Under 19 tournament. In response, Aaron, Canadian born and the son of former Berbice Senior Inter County all-rounder and current Guyana Cricket Board Executive, Anil
Cricket Equipment Guyana Manager Ajay Gainda left hands over bat to Aaron Beharry.
Beharry, said that he was humbled by the thought and initiative and promised to do his best and make everyone proud. He added that he is working hard on his fitness at the LBI Facility and New Trafford.
In addition, he is doing gym work. He thanked Coach Tribhawan Jagessar, formerly from East Canje, Berbice who now lives in Canada for the opportunity t h r o u g h h i s recommendation. (Sean Devers)
Ireland tie series 1-1 with 5-wicket D/L win over West Indies in 2nd ODI SportsMax - Ireland secured a five-wicket win via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method to tie their 3-match One-Day International series with the West Indies 1-1 at Sabina Park yesterday. Ireland’s opening pair of William Porterfield and Paul Stirling got off to a strong start reaching 37 off 4.5 overs before Stirling was dismissed for 21 by Akeal Hosein. Ireland brought up their 50 in the eighth over with Porterfield on 22 and Andy McBrine yet to score. Roston Chase removed Porterfield with the final ball of the 10th over for 26 to leave the Irish on 60-2. McBrine and Harry Tector formed a decent partnership and brought Ireland’s score past 100 before McBrine was dismissed by Romario Shepherd to become the
Ireland celebrate a wicket during the West Indies innings. third wicket to fall for a well-played 35, in the 20th over, to leave Ireland at 104-3. Tector (46) and Curtis Campher (11) were the batsmen at the crease
when Ireland brought up their 150 in the 29th over. Tector brought up his sixth ODI 50 and second in the series off 69 balls in the 31st over but in the same
over was bowled by Hosein. Curtis Campher was dismissed for 12 to leave the score on 157-4 with Ireland needing 73 more runs to win from 115 balls. A long rain delay during the 32nd over meant that upon the resumption of the game, Ireland only needed 11 more runs to win off 28 balls after the overs were reduced from 50 to 36 by the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. Kieron Pollard removed George Dockrell in the 33rd over for five, with the Irish needing just three more runs to win before Gareth Delaney hit the winning runs off Pollard to close the innings at 168-5. Harry Tector finished 54 not out for the Irish against Akeal Hosein’s 2-51 off eight overs. Earlier, the West Indies recovered from being 111-7 to be
bowled out for 229 in 48 overs thanks to a well-made 50 from Romario Shepherd and an aggressive 46 off 19 balls from Odean Smith against a four-wicket haul from Andy McBrine, who was voted man of the match, and a three-wicket haul from Craig Young. The third and final ODI will take place on Sunday at 9:15 AM Jamaica time at the same venue. Scores: West Indies 229/10 (48 overs) Romario Shepherd 50 (41), Odean Smith 46 (19); Andy McBrine 4/36(10), Craig Young 3/42(8). Ireland 168/5 (32.4 overs) Harry Tector* 54 (75), Andy McBrine 35 (45); Akeal Hosein 2/51(8), Romario Shepherd 1/12(4). Result: Ireland win by 5 wickets (with 20 balls remaining) (D/L method).