Kaieteur News
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Monday January 17, 2022
Given Guyanese lack of capacit
y...
American group and TT firms take over Exxon’s multi-million dollar waste management contracts In light of the fact that there is a limited number of Guyanese service providers of hazardous and nonhazardous waste management, Tiger Rentals- a U.S. based energy rental and service company with its subsidiaries in Guyana and Trinidad, have been dominating the majority of ExxonMobil’s multimillion dollar waste management contracts. Also getting a piece of the pie are five Trinidadian firms: Oil Mop, Enviro Care (Preysal), CamQuip, T i g e r Ta n k s , C h a g u r a m a s Shorebase. This is outlined in ExxonMobil’s Comprehensive Waste Management Plan (CWMP) s u b m i t t e d t o G u y a n a ’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last year. The document was prepared by the American multinational in keeping with the requirements of the Payara Environmental Permit that demanded same be done. According to the document, wastes received from offshore are managed at Tiger Rentals Guyana and Sustainable Environmental Solutions (SES) Guyana Inc, which was formed in 2020 by the Guyana
Shore Base Inc. after being awarded a long term contract by ExxonMobil. This award covers the management of hazardous waste, non-hazardous waste, and the treatment of drill cuttings. The company, which was launched officially in April, 2021, comprises Gaico Construction, General Services Incorporated and Corena Group, which operates as Gaico Corena Environmental Services, and the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI). The CWMP states that both Tiger Rentals and SES have a design/processing capacity sufficient to treat and store hazardous wastes. Exxon noted that TRG, which is located at GYSBI at Plantation “A”, Houston District, East Bank Demerara, is currently the primary provider of hazardous and nonhazardous waste services to EEPGL projects. It said TRG employs a variety of waste treatment technologies (sorting/segregation o f r e c y c l a b l e s , physical/chemical/and thermal treatment of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes) and
discharges its treated fluids as permitted to the Demerara River. TRG, the document notes, sends its treated non-hazardous solid waste as well as other wastes received (including general waste, paper/cardboard, and scrap wood) to the publicly owned and operated Haags Bosch Landfill (HBL). Kaieteur News understands that TRG receives wastes from Exxon directly, as well as many other companies involved with the offshore oil exploration and production operations. Even as these companies continue to dominate the contracts for waste management, it is important to note that the Local Content Law makes no provision for there to be technology transfer for locals to build their capacity and eventually dominate this aspect of the industry. ABOUT CWMP The Comprehensive Waste Management Plan (CWMP) is a cradle to grave document based on a holistic review of ExxonMobil’s subsidiary and Stabroek Block operator, Esso Exploration and Continued on page 16
An Incinerator unit that is use as part of Tiger Rentals Guyana’s waste management operations.
Kaieteur News
Monday January 17, 2022
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AG flags breaches in procedures at Amerindian Affairs Ministry The Auditor General (AG) in his 2020 report has found several breaches in procedures regarding the purchase of items, and the subsequent handing over by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, under the watch of its former Permanent Secretary, Sharon Hicks, who was recently charged on allegations of corruption. The AG, Deodat Sharma, found that purchases totaling in excess of $32 million were made, however, he was uncertain if the items bought were of benefit to the respective communities since at the time of the audit it was unclear whether the items were delivered or put to use. He said in one instance, some $22.851 million was expended for the purchase of two Toyota Land Cruisers for Kaibarupai and Waipa Villages in Region Nine. “The approval was granted by NPTAB on 24 November, 2020 and the contract was signed on 18 December, 2020. The sum of $11.425M was paid to the supplier on 13 January, 2021. The Land Cruisers were registered on the 29 J u l y, 2 0 2 1 a n d w a s physically verified in August 2021,” the Report detailed. However, at the time of
- $22M Land Cruisers purchased for villages still to be handed over r e p o r t i n g i n Sept ember 2021, the vehicl es were still in the Ministry’s compound and were not handed over to the villages. As a result, the intended benefits of the vehicles are still to be achieved, the AG contended. In response to the finding of the Audit Office, the Head of Budget Agency stated that the Ministry acknowledged the finding and explained that the agency faced some “unforeseen challenges” during the process. It was also noted that due to the deplorable condition of trails, deliveries were not possible. As a consequence, the Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency ensure that the vehicles be put into use as intended, so that the benefits can be derived. In another instance, the Auditor General found that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs purchased a generator valued at $5.904 million for St. Cuthbert’s Mission and while the
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Sharon Hicks Ministry claims to have handed over the equipment, there were no supporting documents to prove same. “The generator was received on 16 January, 2021 and reportedly handed over to the community. However handing over records were not submitted for audit. As a result, it could not be determined to whom the generator was handed, and whether it is being used as for the purpose(s) intended,” Sharma said in the Report. To this, the AG said that
Policeman Narine sues Rickforde Burke for over $5M in libel damages Inspector Prem Narine, has filed legal proceedings against, Rickforde Burke, in his personal capacity and as the President of Caribbean Guyana Institute of Democracy (CGID) seeking over $5 million in libel damages, among other things. Through his lawyers, Sanjeev Datadin and Donavan Rangiah, the policeman filed the legal proceedings in the High Court against Burke. However, since Burke does not live in the jurisdiction, Narine approached the court for permission to serve the legal proceedings on Burke who is out of the jurisdiction. After the court heard Narine’s lawyers’ submissions - the court ruled and permitted Narine to serve the documents on Burke. The documents will be served on Burke via FedEx, a courier service, addressed to Burke’s office of CGID, which is located in
President of CGID, Rickforde Burke
Inspector, Prem Narine
New York, United States of America. According to a document seen by this publication, Narine is not only seeking damages for libel in an amount in excess of $5,000,000, or such amount to be determined by the Court at trial, he is also seeking: exemplary damage; an interim injunction restraining Burke, whether by himself, agents or
otherwise from publishing or causing to be published the same or similar defamatory words;; any other relief the court deem fit and cost. The policeman said Burke caused serious damage to his reputation in his personal and professional life, from a series of posts made on his Facebook blog/page in relation to Narine.
the Head of Budget Agency stated that the asset was removed from the Ministry Stores to the Village. The Audit Office therefore recommended that the Head of Budget Agency obtain the relevant records and submit same for scrutiny. Additionally, the sum of $3.925 million was expended for the purchase of solar radios for hinterland communities. While the equipment was received by the Ministry they were not put into use. As a result, the intended benefits of the radios were not achieved. In response to this finding, the Head of Budget Agency stated that the solar radios were in possession of the Ministry and would soon be delivered, as planned. The
Audit Office recommended that the Head of Budget Agency ensure that the equipment be put into use as intended, so that the benefits can be derived. More than two months after she was allegedly caught red-handed collecting a bribe from a contractor, Hicks was charged on December 17, 2021 for the offence. Hicks, 42, of Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, in the company of her lawyer, Sase Gunraj. She denied the charge, which stated that on October 7, 2021, at 251-252 Thomas and Quamina Streets, Georgetown, while being an agent employed by the Government of Guyana, she obtained from Heramainie Chintamanie, for herself, $200,000 as an inducement or reward for processing the payment requests for security services provided. Gunraj made a bail application for his client to be released on bail and it was granted by the Magistrate. The defendant was placed on $100,000 bail and the matter was adjourned to December 20, 2021, for statements. The AG report has since flagged several transactions
t h e P S was involved in. For instance, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs last year, not only sole sourced the purchase of 112 tractors and trailers for Amerindian Villages and Communities on the basis of market research and non competitive bidding, but the cheques were drawn up for payment even before a contract was signed. The Auditor General in his report found that Cabinet granted its “No-objection” on December 30, 2020 for the award of a contract in the sum of $446.880M for the supply and delivery of 112 tractors and trailers for the Amerindian Communities and Villages. According to the report, the award was made using the single source method of procurement on the basis of market research, which revealed that Mahindra Tractors are the most economical tractors on the market with the four-wheel drive and 75 horse power needed for development in the Amerindian Communities/Villages. Compounding the situation, it was noted that the contract was signed between the Ministry and a local supplier on 31 December, 2020—the last financial day for the year.
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Kaieteur News
Monday January 17, 2022
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Saving lives Sometimes we love them, and sometimes we hate them. But love them or lump them, we can’t do without them. We cannot do without nurses.A medical facility cannot run smoothly without them, their comforting presence, their soothing patience, their reassuring skills. This is what we were reminded of in startling fashion from a news story we carried of what took place at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) recently. “Cardiology nurses save heart attack patients within hours at CHI” (KN January 14). The caption alone tells the urgency, the life and death scenario that played out twice within a short span of time at the Caribbean Heart Institute (CHI) located in the GHPC complex. The details are that two middle-aged males who had threatening heart episodes from blocked arteries experienced further complications upon arrival at the GPHC,during remedial procedures in motion at the CHI. In layman’s terms, a bad situation quickly deteriorated into an emergency one, and not once but twice. According to Dr. MahendraCarpen, Head of Medical Services and Cardiology at the GPHC, an Interventionist Cardiologist himself, this was where the sterling efforts of Nurses Nantonand Rhanlallcounted. They successfully carried out appropriate emergency procedures and were able to give the two men another lease on life. Dr. Carpen was full of praise for the hard work of the two nurses and their willingness to go the extra mile during the ongoing pandemic. As our article related, Dr. Carpen is proud of the teamwork of the nurses in his department but it was also good to read that other nurses, not attached specifically to CHI, came across from the GPHC to lend a helping hand throughout the remainder of the procedures being attempted. This is a good story and we at this paper were glad to cover it and salute the two nurses, Ms. Nanton and Rhanlall for their life-saving efforts. Too often we take our public servants for granted.We sometimes treat them with disdain, while conveniently forgetting that they have to perform in a job that not many raise their hands to being interestedin when they choose a demanding lifetime career.This is the particular lot for nurses, who we only hear, of how rough and crude they have been, from those on the receiving end of what were clearly instances of unprofessional conduct. This does severe injustice to those other nurses, who quietly toiltirelessly at their workstations, while presiding over their charges. As we said before, it is a demanding job, but even that is an understatement, when one considers the range of illnesses and areas that a nurse may be responsible for on any given day. There is pain and woe, and all the frustrations and furies that sometimes accompany such illnesses as well as the dread of patients, and pressure from the hovering presence of worried family members. Everybody wants answers, and they want them immediately and authoritatively. In terms of the latter, they want to hear what is acceptable to them, because it comforts them and boosts their confidence that all will be well. From distressed mothers, to crying babies to accident victims, the demands are endless in what could at times feel like a largely thankless job. Victims of violence, be such from gun or knife or whatever other weapon is used, pose their own challenges, and test the skill and professionalism of nurses, who have to hear and bear whatever is thrown their way. Those are part of the normal routines, which have now taken a different turn, a dangerous one, with the onset of the ongoing pandemic in all of its mutations and mysteries. Nurses now have to fear for their own safety and that of their loved ones at home. In addition, they are called upon to deal with relatively huge numbers of possibly virus infected patients which have brought about serious emotional and psychological stress on nurses, as they go about their jobs with a step that is now heavier and slower than usual. For all these reasons, we must treasure nurses more.Respect them more, and appreciate them more for what they do daily for us, the less than professional ones notwithstanding.
The questionable agreements between the oil companies and the Government of Guyana Dear Editor, Guyana is a relatively small South American country of three quarters of a million people on the tip of the continent that was previously a British colony, British Guiana, that experienced slavery and indentureship for several centuries that ended in 1914. Within the last half of a century, Guyana lagged economically with regard to its standard of living and quality of life for its citizens behind its Caribbean counterparts and within the last two years substantial large deposits of oil have been found relative to the large deposits in Venezuela, its neighbour on its western border. Guyana has two major political parties that in the last elections held in 2020 garnered more than 95 percent of the participatory electorate where the People’s National Congress/Reform, supported by African Guyanese and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, supported by East Indian Guyanese had an almost equal number of votes. The oil agreements made
are extremely questionable by the previous and current Governments of Guyana and as regards the previous subject minister, Hon. Raphael Trotman MP, and is currently before the Guyana courts in an action lawsuit brought by the publisher of a major newspaper, Mr. Glenn Lall, against the Government of Guyana and current Attorney General, Mr. Mohabir Anil Nandlall. Mr. Hon. Raphael Trotman MP acted in his capacity as the subject Minister under the doctrine of ministerial responsibility and the then Government of Guyana, As such Hon. Raphael Trotman MP cannot be sued in his personal capacity and the legal action brought against the current Government of Guyana is correct. However, the court and the litigant have the right of legal redress to invite Mr. Raphael Trotman to explain the circumstances and reasons why he provided ministerial consent to the agreement between the oil company and the government. Here is the important point
Mr. Glenn Lall should be congratulated for this brave and needed step in the interests of all the citizens of Guyana that he took and I endorse and support him in this legal action. To bring into perspective what is at stake here, in the 2020 General Elections, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo unilaterally stated that he will not revisit the Stabroek Block agreement which at the then price of oil approached US$110 Billion and represents more than 25 years of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product. Mr. Glenn Lall is extremely successful as the owner of a major newspaper and a radio station as this case is being tried in the court of public opinion and I have my own view who is the successful party. We, including myself, have fought both the PNC/R Guyana and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic and we have lost as they quite easily and very effectively resort to dividing the nation along ethnic lines. Both of these ethnic political pariahs are powerless against the media which Mr. Glenn Lall represents as the
Stabroek News have Mr. Anand Persaud as it’s editor who literally campaigned on social media for The People’s Progressive Party/Civic in the last election and consequently have squandered and diminished his credibility. The citizens of Guyana need an international team of lawyers and request financial assistance and donations made to the defense fund in this legal battle against its Government to have the oil contracts reviewed in its entirety with the review and full force of the law. Mr. Glenn Lall has been handed a victory here in the arena of public opinion that has the Government of Guyana scrambling in every domain and quarter to seek credibility defending the indefensible. The Government of Guyana recent actions in its Parliament attempting to rush an arduous Bill providing access to the oil funds is simply horrific and denying the Opposition party requesting more time to study the provisions of the Bill with regard to accountability and (Continued on page 6)
Norton must understand that this is his time to lead Dear Editor, Over the past few days and primarily at the weekend I was inundated with calls from Guyanese around the world (no exaggeration) and many at home. I remind people that these discussions and views I proffer are exclusively mine and in no way reflect that of the PNC/R or its Leader. I made that clear in all the conversations I engaged in the past few days. In all of those conversations with people in the diaspora and on the ground in Guyana, I felt a sort of impatience coming from them in relation to Aubrey C. Norton assuming the role of Leader of the Opposition. In fact, many are angry this is not the case as yet and feel that should the situation not be speedily rectified, our supporters will sink into dormancy and become disinterested in what is being passed off for party politics with some in the hierarchy who have clearly outlived their usefulness. I was told that the people are fired up and ready to stand firmly behind Norton as Leader of the Opposition and
with the leadership of the PNC/R. I was told that no one cares about any talks with Harmon and Granger to iron out the way forward for the Coalition. I was told that there isn’t really any coalition functioning at the moment and that the PNC/R made decisions without the input of the coalition, as a matter of course in the past. A very wealthy and affluent woman from the USA told me that what is happening currently in the party is slowing down momentum and quelling a fire needed to bring the dictatorship to its senses almost immediately. People feel that what Harmon and Granger are doing is beneficial to the PPP’s agenda, today. People at home and abroad are hurt at the slow pace of having the right leader in Parliament that would effectively represent the opposition. I made it clear that the Leader of the PNC/R is a disciplined man. He loves the party and all through the ups and downs he faced, he respected the decisions of the leadership and even though those decisions made him worse off in the party, he
continued to serve with humility. He never walked away because he loves the PNC/R. Today, Norton is Leader of the PNC/R and those in the party must now act accordingly and accept with humility his right, a right given by the votes he obtained in a landslide victory, to carry the full mandate of the PNC/R. Had the people (our members and supporters) had to vote same way for the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the List it would have most certainly been a landslide victory again. Norton must now remember that the people are depending on him and his team to lead us into a successful election that will defeat the PPP. They are depending on his stewardship as Leader of the Opposition today and not sometime later to begin the struggle to bring the government in line and halt the madness in Guyana. Nobody wants Harmon anywhere near the party anymore and Norton must understand that whatever happens to the PNC now
would be seen as his responsibility; failure or success. He must no longer be bullied by this sordid grandstanding of leaders who the people have lost all confidence in and want nothing to do with. His time would be better utilised among the people demanding that the deadweight in the party go and respect the wishes of the real PNC which is the people that placed him at the helm. How he handles this situation in the party will be seen as a reflection of how he will handle the national struggle. He must not be bullied by neither because he is expected to be the answer to bullies and save Guyana. Those I have spoken to are saying let us give it another week and take to the streets in the diaspora and in Guyana to have a new and capable opposition leader. The supporters and members will not accept less. There is nothing like the dawn of a half era. It is the dawn of a new era or not. Regards, Norman Browne, Political Activist
Monday January 17, 2022
There is a time to stay and a time to go Dear Editor, It is beyond mystifying why some insist on holding on against all good sense, all that is dignified, all the odds, and all that is helpful to internal constituents and the country. It is my belief that if a man cares for the people that once looked to him for representation, and they have since clearly signalled that they have gone in another direction with a new hope, then that man makes as graceful a departure as is possible. The problem is that nothing of the sort is happening. Rather, there is this spectacle that is played out publicly that undermines and devastates a process that nobody has challenged, given the cleanliness and seamlessness of it. For all these reasons there are these circumstances, where knowing insiders have relayed to me that on every occasion that the name of the passed over one comes up, men are reduced to cursing profusely. Some are asking why? I am asking myself quietly: who does he represent? Who would want him to stick around, and for what purposes? Many have said leave quickly with a smooth exit strategy. I toss all of that in the dung heap. My thinking is taking shape.
My thinking suggests that something meaningful is involved, and it is not paltry. Oil companies in general, and Exxon in particular have perfected the art of making men seeing matters their way, and performing according to plan, as expected; maybe even demanded. Such are the precious bargains that have taken place in other oil places. The interests and welfare of the people? Let us get real, they are cannon fodder. Who are they, if nothing but a faceless, voiceless, helpless mass of humanity that is gullible, dependent, and caught between the forces of memory and history as they interpret it, and new realities of which they are at sea? I will concede that the benefits associated with politics in this country have their irresistible attractions; there is nothing about noble public service attached to offices or those who hold them. But those benefits pale into nothingness, when what Exxon could make possible through the channel of a treacherous and collaborating PPP/C leadership. There is a history there, too. I ask Guyanese to cast their minds back a little, and there is a precedent and a parallel.
Those are so close to what is being repeated today that there is little room left for discussion or argument. The conclusions were of PPP/C arrangements by the barrelhead that hobbled one leader before, that left him speechless, powerless, and all but useless. Indeed, history repeats itself, and in colour. The colour is green. There was no oil magic at work back then, it was all the power of PPP/C paper, and it was more than enough to cause bulging eyes and bulging in other things. In view of the ugly state of Guyana’s environment and politics, compromised PPP/C leadership is always on the hunt for people of standing everywhere, with whom it could do business. It goes without saying that it is not the type of business that is memorialised in documents and records; or the kind that accrues on the plus side of country interests. There was plenty then to dole out, and make things happen. As an aside, look what happened at some polling stations in Guyana during the last year’s elections wars. It was not goodwill or relationships at work, but good old capitalism. The same kind that bought John F. Kennedy the U.S. presidency, compliments of
Mayor Daly and Cook County, Chicago. Now if there was much then for political emergencies, then there are countless multiples of those figures and levels available today to put to work. Some men become victims of circumstances, hostages to their own wellknown histories, and addicts to what they find it painfully difficult to resist. Saying No is not an option since the litany of in for a penny translates into being unable to resist a pound now. Many of them, countless stacks of them, all neatly wrapped in fresh, crisp rectangles with big numbers embedded in and embossed on them. Yes, I hear about talks, and then more talks. Talk, talk, talk. What the hell is there to talk about, other than leave and don’t let the door knock off the feet. It is a tad embarrassing for me to write about this, spend time on this, when there are so many other crucial issues begging for immediate attention. In fact, I sully myself when I venture into waters such as these about who should go and who should stay. Of whom should stay and rise to prove the mettle made of, and to bring some measure of belated accountability and (Continued on page 6)
We must spend it where it matters most! Dear Editor, There was a recent article in the press stating the cost to complete sea defence works. The cost was close to $1M GYD per meter. The cost of the sea walls in the Netherlands in 1953 was $2.5B USD for a coastline twice as long as ours. In today’s dollars that cost is approximately 10 times what it was, and conditions of the sea and climate have also worsened. This means at a minimum Guyana would have to spend $12.5B USD on the sea walls along the coastline. A price that we should be willing to pay to get the job done correctly. In addition, the Dutch also revitalised a system of dikes and dams via the Deltaplan which covered 3700 KM and uses windmill
pumps to manage the sea water. Given our consistent coastal winds, the use of these pumps would also be beneficial to our system. These are all additional costs that must also be considered. The results have been stellar and the Dutch have plans to further improve their sea defence system to prevent flooding. What was a once every 100 year flood is now once every 1,250 years considering today’s climate. Keeping in mind the current frequency and severity of the flooding that is occurring along our coastline, we must restructure the infrastructure and budget strategy to reflect this urgent need. Borrowing against future oil earnings is not out of the question, but those
Foolish boycott call Dear Editor, The call to boycott the city clean up by the chief citizen (SN Jan 15) is another reason why the city is in such
a, state and stench. Such foolishness has, no place in today’s Guyana. Yours sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed
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funds must be earmarked for such a project which is focused on building up our sea defences and improving our sea water management system. This must be given priority over other infrastructure needs. Otherwise the new roads and new homes will be flooded, defeating the purpose of the investment. The Dutch engineering and construction firms that were involved in the Netherlands Delta plan have the experience and capabilities to develop and implement such a major improvement plan along our coastline, and as a Nation we should proceed in this direction. Our local businesses who are in their infancy and entering this type of engineering and
construction area should also be allowed to learn from the Dutch companies chosen to lead this project. Maintenance of the system will be easier as a result of developing this local knowledge. The current administration has many good intentions and would like to do many things to help our people, but we must continue to make the necessary sacrifices to ensure that the correct priorities are established. Thus laying a strong foundation that will eliminate the threat of Climate Change, which is currently the greatest threat faced by our nation. Best regard, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
A slap in the face of the Constitution of Guyana Dear Editor, I had the privilege of reading a letter in the Stabroek newspaper dated January 13, 2022, bearing the caption, “The tall coconut tree is still hanging dangerously over my house even after the president spoke with his minister,” where the writer indicated that he had to seek the intervention of the President as a last resort, after failing to get a response from top region #2 officials and even the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. Editor, it is extremely sad that this simple matter had to reach the President but greater than that is the worry over the disrespect to our Local Democratic Organs. A matter of this nature simply required the intervention of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) in which the village Onderneeming Sand Pit falls and that is Riverstown/ Annandale NDC. My investigation of the matter revealed that the NDC does not enjoy the privilege of functioning independently as enshrined by the Constitution of Guyana, rather is frequen t l y controlled and directed by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional D e v e l o p m e n t . Communication with several other officials of several other NDCs revealed that the Minister has a ‘WhatsApp’ group with all the Overseers of the 70 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils and it is alleged that Overseers are mandated to take their guidance and direction from the Minister and other officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development. Editor, this practice is against the principles of Local Democracy and a slap in the face of the Constitution of Guyana and the President
should not tolerate such callous behaviour from his Minister. Article 71 (1) of our constitution is pellucid and it states, “Local Government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised so as to involve as many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live.” Article 74 must also be mentioned, and it states, “(1) It shall be the primary duty of local democratic organs to ensure in accordance with law the efficient management and development of their areas and to provide leadership by example. (2) Local democratic organs shall organise popular cooperation in respect of the political, economic, cultural and social life of their areas and shall co-operate with the social organisations of the working people. (3) It shall be the duty of local democratic organs to maintain and protect public property, improve working and living conditions, promote the social and cultural life of the people, raise the level of civic consciousness, preserve law and order, consolidate the rule of law and safeguard the rights of citizens. I therefore take this opportunity as the Opposition Member of Parliament with responsibilities for Local Government and Regional Development to call on President Irfaan Ali to respect the Constitution of this beautiful country and continue the process of empowering Local Democratic Councils, which began in 2015 under the APNU+AFC administration. Allow the elected Councillors of the NDCs and Municipalities to govern in keeping with the spirit of the Constitution. Yours faithfully, Ganesh Mahipaul Member of Parliament
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The Indigenous Guyanese question Dear Editor, In Guyana’s Indigenous Villages the question of the constitution and functioning of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) is presenting some worry. Elections for Village Councils Toshaos and Deputy Toshaos were held around April 2021. While each Toshao is automatically a member of the NTC, that body must meet as a Council. At its first meeting, Toshaos will elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman and other members of their executive body. This is usually done in the month of July or closest to July. There has not been a meeting of the NTC since the election of Village Councils and Toshaos in April 2021. It means, therefore, that an executive body has not been elected. Granted that the COVID-19 pandemic restricts a lot of what would have been normal activities, there are options which exist but were never put into motion to bridge the gap between incumbent and incoming NTC executive bodies. Nothing has been put in place to allow for the extension of the life of the incumbent Executive body. Currently, there is no functioning NTC executive.
The advancement of the work of the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana at the national level is currently on hold. On the other hand, an instrument has been issued by the Executive to the municipalities and other Local Democratic Organs extending the life of those councils since the said Executive has failed, refused, omitted or neglected to hold Local Government elections which were constitutionally due in 2021. There was an attempt to have Regional Toshaos Council meetings at which Regional representatives were to be elected. These persons would then meet to elect the NTC executive body. No law in Guyana provides for Regional Toshaos Councils. Nothing which comes out of such meetings can be legally enforceable. There was one such meeting at Lethem, Region Nine in September 2021 where it was alleged that, the political heavy hand prevailed in the election of three Regional representatives. At that meeting it is alleged that the sitting NTC Chairman and Secretary were never acknowledged by the political organisers.
Needless to say. The entire operation was extralegal. No other attempt was made to address the NTC question. The matter died after the Lethem meeting. Will the Government of Guyana address this most urgent matter in a manner satisfactory to the Indigenous population of Guyana? I would respectfully recommend either: Extend the tenure of the last elected NTC executive. If this requires an amendment to the governing legislation, then do that. You cannot leave an institution as important as the NTC without a governing body, OR Examine a process of election which satisfies the COVID-19 regulations and does not necessitate the gathering of large numbers of persons in a single space. Use that process once satisfied and get on with the business of electing an NTC executive body. That incoming body has already been robbed of almost a year of its possible three-year term. There is a recently used model which exists. Mr. Vincent Alexander would be a valuable resource person in this regard. Yours faithfully, Mervyn Williams
The questionable agreements... From page 4 oversight by virtue of its mere one-seat majority and the partisan and unprofessional actions of its speaker, Mr. Manzoor Nadir. Mr. Manzoor Nadir acted in a highly unprofessional manner given the reasonable nature of the request and its import and Mr. Manzoor Nadir is known to be a supporter of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic who held the important ministerial portfolio of trade under its
administration. This important Bill should never have been passed in the manner in which it has and it attests to the Guyanese Parliament being, in my view, a gong show that does not represent the interests of its own citizens. Mr. Glenn Lall has made a call for Guyanese citizens to take to the streets in opposition to the manner in which the oil resources are being managed by the
Government of Guyana. Investing resources taking people on the streets may play into the hands of these two political pariahs. The legal battle goes to the next level and given Guyana’s conditions and political situation the streets may not be the arena as the most powerful weapon of choice in the arsenal of the citizens of Guyana is the media. Regards, Kris Kooblall
There is a time to stay and a... From page 5 answerability on those many things that trouble so many, prompt so much anxiety in many others, and leave this society so much lesser for it. As I depart, I recall that glittering, sweeping passage from the good book, which I
paraphrase to suit this parting message from me today. There is a time to stay and a time to go. At another time, before things deteriorated, the refrain might have right been - please stay, don’t go. Today, and of this, let there be no doubt, the groundswell
has grown into a tsunami. It is as though a million voices whisper insistently at the same time: please go, don’t stay. Stop balking, there is no more time for talking. Get going. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Similar treatment must be meted for other workers and their unions Dear Editor, Seepaul Narine is going where his predecessor, the late Komal Chand, never went. Reference is made to his letter “GAWU utilises other avenues to ensure workers receive justice” (SN Jan 14, 2022) in response to yours truly “There is no equity in what GAWU describes and that of BCGI by the Ministry of Labour” (SN, Jan 13, 2022). Whereas Komal opted for public silence against the PPP government trampling on the rights of some workers and the violating of Labour Laws and industrial relations practices, Seepaul is acting as though he’s the one charged the responsibility of carrying the torch to justify these injustices. GAWU is not faulted for being the industrial arm of the PPP because the constitutional right to freedom of association is respected (Article 147). The principle holds true for Seepaul who is in the party leadership. Where he and I shall part ways is his selective application of the universally acceptable principles that ought to bind all trades unionists, regardless of political association. His memory is jolted to some of the PPP’s most recent acts of preferential treatment to GAWU: a) Last December the government began paying out a quarter-million-dollar each to thousands of former sugar workers who were already compensated under the Termination and Severance Pay Act. An Act which yours truly, as General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite & General Workers Union (GB&GWU), and team laid the foundation for, having successfully written and negotiated the first Redundancy Package in
Guyana with LINMINE in 1993. No other group of workers in Guyana’s history, outside of sugar workers in December 2021, has received Termination Benefit under the law and the government disbursed another set of money as part of a Compensation Package. It should be noted some of these same workers have been reemployed in GuySuCo. GAWU applauded the disbursement and in their statement (October 5, 2021) stated the payout was welcome in light of what the Union felt was the “undisguised attempt [by the APNU+AFC government] to punish sugar workers and the sugar industry.” Seepaul is reminded workers laid off by the Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) were not paid their correct redundancy benefit, which the GB&GWU is fighting for, nor have they received the quarter-milliondollars payout. The hundreds of public sector workers dismissed since the PPP return to office, and who fall under various bargaining units, have not been the recipient of that quartermillion payout. If this isn’t a case of preferential treatment for GAWU, what is? BCGI workers are not asking for preferential treatment. They are demanding their grievances be addressed consistent with the Grievance Procedure in the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA). It is the Ministry of Labour that has the responsibility to conciliate in disputes brought to its attention. The BCGI matter is one such. b) Last September, sugar workers at Albion Estate proceeded on strike action for better pay. The Ministry of Labour moved
with alacrity to conciliate in the grievance. Within five days GAWU and GuySuCo signed an agreement to resolve the issue which resulted in sugar workers being properly compensated. The alacrity to which the Ministry has moved to resolve GAWU’s grievances the same treatment is not applied to unions such as the GB&GWU, Guyana Teachers Union, Guyana Public Service Union because these unions are not aligned to the PPP. I’d be more than obliged to provide more evidence for Seepaul that GAWU enjoys preferential treatment. Unlike GAWU that is being made to feel so entitled, which yours truly does not begrudge in principle, similar treatment must be meted for other workers and their unions. The government’s failure to treat all workers equal under the law, in their policies and programmes confirm the position they are discriminating against sections of the workforce. Such discriminatory practices are not only unconstitutional but are escalating ethnic tension, division and working class disunity given how the workforce is configured. Seepaul should publicly say to the workers of this nation what “other avenues” GAWU is utilising to get their grievances resolved since other unions are using the basic industrial relations procedures ensconced in the Grievance Procedure of their CLAs, which are not dissimilar from the Grievance Procedure in GAWU’s CLAs. In meantime, the Ministry of Labour and Minister Hamilton are again reminded of their legal obligation to all unions to resolve the outstanding grievances lying on their desks. Regards, Lincoln Lewis
AOAG supports Local Content Act Dear Editor, The Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) has considered and wishes to give its full public support to the Local Content Act. The Association recognises that this Legislation, enacted by our government, provides the opportunity for Guyanese companies and, indeed, the Guyanese people, to realise and develop their capacity to take full advantage and become the primary beneficiaries of the
development of our oil and gas resources. The AOAG fully endorses the fact that our government, as is universally practiced by countries committed to the development of their oil and gas resources around the world and within our hemisphere, including Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Brazil and Canada, has dedicated legislation enabling the local Private Sector to compete on a global scale in the oil and gas industry.
Our Association, representing as it does, the majority of Guyana’s domestic aviation services, is particularly pleased that this legislation affords our industry an environment for equitable participation and capacity building in the servicing of the oil and gas industry, in particular, and Guyana’s development in general locally and internationally. Yours faithfully, Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana
Monday January 17, 2022
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Balram Singh Rai passes on Article 13 defends Yog Mahadeo Former Home Affairs Minister of British Guiana, Dr. Balram Singh Rai has passed away in London at the age of 100. Singh Rai passed a few days ago in Oxford on the outskirts of London, England. Mr. Rai was a great statesman, par excellence in Guyanese politics, of astute political mind, a very brave and an ardent Arya Samajist who upheld the principles of Arya Semaj, Kris Kooblall of Toronto, Canada wrote in a letter to this newspaper. “I wish to send our deepest condolences to Dr. Balram Singh Rai’s family. He would have been 101 years on the 21st February. We salute and bid you farewell Dr. Balram Singh Rai. We thank you for your principled and outstanding service to public life in British Guiana and Guyana,” Kooblall wrote. Dr. Rai was denied a public parliamentary pension, to which he is entitled, by the Government of Guyana. His leadership and presentation skills were unmatched, Kooblall said, adding that Dr. Rai has two sons, one of whom is a medical doctor. In his last days, he was under the care of his son. British Guiana and Guyana were blessed to have such a distinguished Son in its service. He upheld the highest and impeccable standards and this stands to his overwhelming credit,” Kooblall said. Dr. Baytoram Ramharack in a letter to Stabroek News last year had described Rai as an iconic political figure, dating back to the pre-independence years. Together with Ashton Chase and Eusi Kwayana, he is one of few political leaders from the 1947 era who supported the brash young radical Cheddi Jagan in a successful bid for a seat in the colonial legislature. Rai was an attorney and a devout member of the Arya Samaj Hindu faith. Clem Seecharan recalled how Rai was viewed in his Berbice village of Palmyra, 12 miles away from Jagan’s birthplace in Plantation Port Mourant: “he was an icon…brilliant, fearless and confident…a
against attacks
- insists new grouping has no political affiliation
true ‘Kshatriya…After Jagan, Rai was certainly the most popular Indian leader in the colony”. Rai rose to political prominence in 1957 after winning a seat to the colonial legislature as a PPP candidate by defeating Sydney King (Eusi Kwayana) in a close election for the Central Demerara constituency. He served as Minister of Education (1959-61) and later, as Minister of Home Affairs (1961-62). As a PPP minister, he respected cultural diversity, advocated for the liberalization of local government and promoted “balance” in the police force through targeted Indian recruitment. He played a major role at the historical 1960 Constitutional Conference in London where the issue of self-government was discussed (other delegates included Cheddi Jagan, L.F.S. Burnham, W.O.R. Kendall, Brindley Benn, Jai Narine Singh, Robin Davis and Rahman B. Gajraj). During his tenure, dual-control of Christian-run schools was abolished. On February 16, 1962 (“Black Friday”), when British Guiana was in the throes of Continued on page 15
New Civil Society Group, Article 13, has come out against the attacks on one of its founders- Dr. Yog Mahadeo and again insisted that the organisation has no political affiliation. In a statement on Sunday, Article 13 said its members have observed the sustained attacks on Dr. Yog Mahadeo ever since the announcement of the establishment of the group. According to the body, the objectives of the Group have been publicised and reiterated that it has no political agenda. “Article 13 is open to all Guyanese to become members or supporters, of whatever political affiliation or leaning. This makes the targeting o f D r. M a h a d e o , s o unacceptable and raises the question whether he is being treated as a surrogate or as a “ringleader” who must not be free to have any independent thought or conscience; or to hold, impart, express and receive ideas and opinions; or to associate with other persons, including the right “to form or belong to political parties, or other associations”; or to participate through civic organisations in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State,” the group stated.
According to Article 13, via social media, Dr. Mahadeo has been accused of lobbying for a position in the Diplomatic Service; for government contracts for a business he and his wife run; a n d o f b e i n g a whistleblower, while his photograph has accompanied an article that Article 13 is in receipt of money from Trinidadian companies to finance a legal challenge to the Local Content Act. The only objective of these false and mischievous statements is to discredit Yog so that the work he is doing as part of Article 13, is compromised. “Of course, in the process, Yog is being denied the rights set out in the paragraph above, all of which are guaranteed under the Protection of Fundamental Rights and Freedom of the Individuals provisions of the Constitution. Some of these false posts have been peddled on the site for the group called Guyana Forum, News Room and PPP/C and PYO of Guyana. Not only is the Guyana Forum identified with the ruling Party but it includes many prominent members of the Government,” Article 13 stated. It added that ironically, Dr. Mahadeo hosted a TV
Business Executive, Dr. Yog Mahadeo programme during the five months following the March 2, 2020 elections in which he advocated for a fair count which eventually saw the PPP/C as victorious. Among his guests were not only the Who’s Who of the PPP/C – now President Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips, former President Donald Ramotar, Gail Teixeira, Anil Nandlall etc. - but also regional leaders and former State Department officials. “Not unrelated to this campaign against our colleague is the charge brought by the Police against Mr. Sherod Duncan, APNU+AFC Member of Parliament, for allegedly calling a member of GECOM a ‘jagabat’ and a ‘trench crappo’. If the Police are using such a low threshold to bring charges under the Cyber Crime Act 2018, then there must be a stronger case for Police action in respect of some of the attacks on Yog,” the statement concluded.
Monday January 17, 2022
Kaieteur News
Eat shine rice for one week There can be no justification, none whatsoever, for the increase in the price of locally produced food items. The increase for imported items cannot be avoided because of the massive increases in the cost of shipping but this cannot be applied to locally grown items including ground provisions and greens. It amounts to exploitation for there to be such a steep increase in prices of local produce on the markets. But the public can bring an immediate end to this exploitation by using their purchasing power. Why should the price of rice have risen so astronomically? Rice is grown locally and the steep increase in the price is unjustified. Why should the prices in fruits, vegetables and ground provisions have increased beyond the reach of the poor man? Why is a pound of plantain retailing for $250 per lb and a lb of sweet potatoes also selling for that price? There was a flood last May which severely affected the production of cash crops. Many farms were under water for weeks. The government doled out billions in support to the farmers? So why now is there such massive increases in the price of locally produced food? There is no shortage of locally grown food on the market. Or is there? After a flood there tends to be glut
because the soils become enriched and the next crop tends to be bumper crop and prices are supposed to dip. So why are prices on the rise and by so much? Obviously, there are persons who will be exaggerating the effect of the prices. They are claiming that people will starve. They know better. Prices have increased and are hurting the pockets of consumers but no one is going to starve because of the increase in prices. Some prices may be seasonal. The price of ochro for example is $300 per lb. But there are times when the price for this item is $60 per lb and other times when it can be as high as $200-$300 per lb. Tomatoes are also the same. Not every increase in prices can be deemed a result of exploitative practices. The price of bangamary has skyrocketed. It has more than doubled and this cannot be on account of the decline in catch. Some persons are cashing in on the global increase in prices and are unreasonably jacking up prices. There has to be a response to what is happening. There is a need for effective surveillance to be taking place. The authorities should be examining from where these increases are emanating. Is it originating from the farmers? Are the farmers demanding more money for produce? Or is it the middle-men who wholesale to the market vendors? Or is it the vendors
who are putting large markups on the produce? Once the source of the problem is identified, then the relevant action can be taken. If the problem is with the middle men and/or the vendors, then the government should opt to establish temporary farmers’ markets across the country where only registered farmers can sell their produce. If on the other hand, the source of the problem is the farmers, then explanations will have to be forthcoming as to why the increase, given that the DecJan rainy season has not yet been unfavourable to farmers. Regardless of the causes of the increase in local food prices, consumers have the power to arrest this situation. If the prices are too high, do not buy. You can do without the $250 per lb plantain. You can cut back on what you eat. Once no one buys the provisions, the prices will have to decline. So, while we cannot do without food, a decline in purchases will lead to a fall in prices because the produce cannot keep forever. If you have to eat shine rice for a week, do it and see how fast the prices will come tumbling down. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Dem Boys Seh…
Dog now fighting fuh security wuk One of de largest employers in Guyana is de security sector. Dem gat mo security guards dan dem gat police. Is suh when crime is a problem. Nowadays, yuh gat fuh hire security fuh watch yuh house, safeguard yuh business and stand alert even over yuh livestock. Dem wah can’t afford security guard does get dog; fierce dogs including pitbulls. But even dem rice eater does get security wuk because when dem see stranger dem does bark and wake up dem owner. Some security guards does even outsource dem night wuk to stray dogs.
Dem does carry dog food to wuk fuh feed dem stray dogs. And while dem sleeping, dem dogs keeping watch. In de morning dem does give dem dogs some stale rice and full dem belly. Dem dogs happy; de guards sleep all night pun de wuk and de place keep safe. Lang ago dem used to have tomb raider. And since not even de rich can afford to guard dem relatives tomb dem used to try not to bury dem in any expensive casket or entomb dem with any expensive jewellery. But still dem tomb raiders used to break dem tomb fuh check fuh see whether de dead gat any gold teeth in dem mouth.
One night one ah dem get ketch. He had de temerity fuh ask, “What I did?” De security of de cemetery tell he, “ Yuh mek a grave mistake!” De security business now gan get mo wuk. People now hiring security firm when dem gat to go to de market. Plantains is now Mr. Provision. It mo valuable dan gold. And deh gat plenty people waiting fuh yuh buy yuh greens fuh snatch it from yuh. So some people walking with security guards fuh protect dem when dem buying plantain. And if de plantain ripe, yuh gat to get police escort. Talk half. Leff half
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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Proposal to end guerrilla warfare in the PNC in 2022
W
e have arrived at a curious i r o n y. T h e PNC will be tabling its perspectives on reforming the governance system as the months unfold but it needs to advance solutions on its current leadership impasse. This article offers some proposals. The Aubrey Norton team has to face the reality of how David Granger and Joseph Harmon feel about him just as the forces of colour and class have to accept that Guyana has an election system and the PPP won the last contest in March 2020. Now to accept what so
graphically exists in a country is bound either to weaken your psychological integrity or reduce you to irrelevance. At the level of the PNC’s ontology, Granger does not accept Norton as being leader of the PNC. Granger feels he is not the type of philosophical material to head Forbes Burnham’s party. Mr. Granger was not chosen by Robert Corbin but by Rupert Roopnaraine with support from Clive Thomas. It shows the kind of class thinking that went into the decision to have Granger at the top of the PNC. Given his love of
Burnham, his need to preserve Burnham’s legacy, Granger will not accept the type of politician like Norton to lead the PNC. As president, Granger had no use for Norton. Granger now has the power to decide the shape of Norton’s role. It has nothing to do with vendetta, revenge or dislike. M r. G r a n g e r i s psychologically fixed on the acceptance that Norton is not the type. Granger is not going to favour transitioning Harmon out of his role. Norton does not have the legal advantage to remove Harmon as the opposition front-man. He does not have
the votes to topple Harmon in a no confidence vote. There are hard choices to make by both Harmon and Norton. If Norton chooses to cling to the illusion that the leader is numero uno in the world of the PNC then, he knows nothing about politics. There is a Leader of the Opposition from the PNC and he is not Aubrey Norton. To ensure the PNC survives and become an effective opposition, here are the configurations that must be given consideration. Norton steps down as leader and is assigned a parliamentary seat. Harmon resigns as Opposition Leader and remains in parliament. Both Harmon and Norton must agree that the PNC will appoint an interim leader from among its parliamentarians until the next congress. That person will be the Leader of the Opposition. Both Harmon and Norton will then work together with the interim appointee to become a triumvirate. Norton cannot reject this direction on the claim he was elected. Harmon will counter that with the argument that David Granger was elected by 215,000 votes to be the leader of the opposition and
h e c h o s e Harmon within a legal framework that is foolproof. The only way that legal edifice can Frederick Kissoon fall is for Granger to give it up. He Duncan. Society thus sees will not do so to let Norton him as a combination of take Harmon’s place unless Rickford Burke, Mark there is a quid-pro-quo. Benschop and CN Sharma. The person who will hold The third option is both interim positions Roysdale Forde. He is should not be problematic without baggage and is the since he/she will be part of a best lawyer to grace the PNC triumvirate and not have after Burnham, Sir Shridath total control. If there is a fuss R a m p h a l , M o h a m e d it will revolve around the Shahabudeen and Fred question of who is pro- W i l l s . I d o n ’ t t h i n k Harmon and who is pro- Llewellyn John, Desmond Norton. Hoyte and Basil Williams F o u r n a m e s I w i l l are in that category. In propose because I think none fairness to Winston Murray, of them will seek hegemony. he did not live long enough The only sticky dimension of for his skills to be judged. In the candidacy of Geeta fairness to Corbin, he has not C h a n d a n a n d G a n e s h been at the Bar consistently Mahipaul is that they are because of political duties so Indian. Can the PNC accept it is not easy to make the an Indian leader even if it is comparison. just for two years? Of the Maybe Norton and two, Mahipaul has more Harmon will not be happy e x p e r i e n c e . M a h i p a u l with those names and we worked closely with Norton could see intense bargaining. in the 2015 elections. Whatever happens, the clock Chandan worked closely is ticking and the life of the with Harmon in government. PNC is at stake. The sticky dimension of Chris Jones’ candidacy is the (The views expressed in perception in the society that this article are those of the he is part of street politics. a u t h o r a n d d o n o t He has been tainted with his necessarily reflect the association with Sherod opinions of this newspaper.)
Pilot abandons plan to reestablish Guyana Airways - says APNU+AFC, PPP/C frustrated his efforts
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Airways Incorporated, Dr. Colin Abrams has abandoned plans to reestablish the airline here, saying he has not received the required cooperation from either the APNU+AFC or PPP/C administrations. Making the announcement on Sunday morning Dr. Abrams shared: “I retired early as a pilot for Delta Airlines, hoping that the previous Guyana administration, along with the current administration, would work with me, to establish a viable national carrier. I later discovered that neither had any interest in starting a dialogue to help the country of Guyana establish an airline”.
According to the pilot, the airlines slogan “Bring back national pride” is greatly needed in Guyana’s aviation sector. “It is time to hand over the reins of Guyana Airways Corporation to an individual or corporation, the Guyana Government is willing to work with. Government cooperation is absolutely necessary and greatly needed, to finally bring this overdue national project to fruition; a project I designed to benefit the people of Guyana,” he added. In this regard, the CEO said that only companies or individuals with credible offers would be considered. Back in 2018, a local Continued on page 15
Monday January 17, 2022
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‘Use meeting with Brazil President to Family, Skeldon Hospital at repair credibility on climate issues’ odds about death of infant - relatives maintain baby dies after receiving injections
- GHRA tells Guyana Govt. Ahead of Friday’s state visit here by Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) says the Government of Guyana should use the opportunity at the upcoming meeting to rehabilitate its tattered credibility on climate issues, by distinguishing its Amazonia policies, from the Brazil leader’s scorched earth approach. Bolsonaro is due here on Friday and at a recent preparatory meeting, President Dr. Irfaan Ali listed energy, food security, telecommunication, infrastructure integration and trade as some of the issues he would like to discuss with his Brazilian counterpart. President Ali also wants to discuss the possibility of Brazil assisting with the development of Guyana’s bauxite industry and increasing the quota for rice exports under a partial scope agreement. In a statement on Saturday, the GHRA said visit by Bolsonaro creates a dilemma for this country. Underscoring that closer relations with Brazil - Guyana’s major supporter on its long-standing border controversy with Venezuela - are always welcome, the GHRA said at the same time, however, it is distasteful to everyone around the world concerned with the environmental and climate crises to have to deal with President Bolsonaro personally. “Squaring this circle is the difficult task facing the Government of Guyana,” the human rights body stated. The GHRA said only last month, December 2021, over one million people worldwide signed an AVAAZ petition calling on the International Criminal Court “to take all necessary steps to start an investigation into Brazil’s, President Jair Bolsonaro, for possible crimes against humanity over his government’s policies against the Amazon and its people. We urge member states to take action to ensure that severe damage to the environment, whether widespread or longterm, is fully recognized as a crime of ecocide, and can be prosecuted under international law. The global Petition went on to state that Bolsonaro “green-lighted illegal mining and logging in indigenous lands, sabotaged environmental laws and now the destruction of the Amazon has risen by more than 20% in a year – a loss equivalent to 3,000 football fields per day”. Additionally, in 2019, President Bolsonaro accused “NGOs” of setting the Amazon forest fires, while continuously ignoring illegal clear-cutting by supporters who were emboldened by his
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali
President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro right-wing Government. “The one positive from the visit would be the opportunity it offers for the Guyana Government to engage with Brazil on environmental and climate issues and simultaneously break its own prolonged silence on where it stands on them. In stark contrast to a decade ago, when Guyana’s opposition to deforestation was globally recognized, the current obsession with oil, gas and gold mining expansion has completely swept these concerns off the table,” the GHRA said. It noted the fact that in the past year Guyana ratified and Brazil signed the Ecazu Agreement, which provides a rationale for this agenda item. Ecazu is the Regional Agreement on Access to information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. Discussion on implementation of the Ecazu provisions is not only a conversation starter; it is a mutual obligation of both parties. Indeed, ratification of the Treaty by Brazil should be proposed as a condition for Continued on page 15
Relatives of a four-month-old infant and the Health Services Department in Region Six are at odds about the death of the baby last week. The relatives said the infant died after receiving an injection for her illness at the Skeldon Public Hospital and are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter. Dead is Donna Samaroo. Kaieteur News was informed by the grandmother of the infant, Kamalawattie Rodrigues, that little Samaroo fell ill on Thursday 13th January 2022 in the morning and that she puked once and was breathing heavily. They took the infant to a private clinic in Line Path, Upper Corentyne, Berbice where the infant was examined and medication was given to control the vomiting. After seeing some improvement in the baby, they did not return to the doctor later on Thursday. Friday morning the infant began vomiting again and continued to experience breathing problem. It was at this point they decided to rush the child to the Skeldon Hospital. At the hospital, the infant was again examined and according to the grandmother they were given “a paper for the baby to get an injection” and subsequently the injection
Donna Samaroo was administered and a bottle of medicine was provided. They then left with the baby for home but when they arrived, within a matter of 30 minutes “the baby hand and suh start fall and so we go back to the hospital”, the Continued on page 15
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Monday January 17, 2022
Cops, cameras to ward off litterbugs - President promises
Soldiers assisting in the cleaning up of Georgetown. Tons of garbage were cleared during the weekend clean-up exercise.
President Irfaan Ali has promised to install cameras and deploy policemen to safeguard areas that have been cleared of garbage during the two-day cleaning exercise in Georgetown. The President made the commitment on Saturday when he kicked off a twoday clean-up of the city. The Guyanese leader said that the multi-stakeholder clean-up campaign of Georgetown will help to create a more “family-oriented city”. The President said that one of the aims of the
massive clean-up campaign is to create a city where families “can find a safe zone in which we can build not only the relationship within families but relationships within communities”. He noted that his vision of a ‘One Guyana’ and building the spirit of community within citizens was showcased during the Christmas season when thousands of Guyanese assembled every day to visit the Christmas Village on Main Street. To help ensure
that the City stays clean, he said that cameras and police will be placed at sites where persons regularly dump garbage. He called litterbugs uncaring and selfish for their disregard for rules and regulations and the environment. According to Ali, in addition to the clean-up campaign, the Government is currently working on an urban renewal plan to transform the city. He explained that while Georgetown is not a big city,
one of its beauties is that it is a “walking city”—whereby citizens can easily walk around and get their business done. However, he said, persons must be able to do this in a safe, clean and conducive environment. To a c h i e v e t h i s transformation early, the President said that the Government has set a very ambitious timeline for finishing a section of the walkway on Lamaha Street. The walkway that the President has coined the “Guyana Walk” will run
Fire destroys house at Maida Farm, Berbice
A fire of unknown origin destroyed a two-storeyed wood and concrete house at Maida Farm, Corentyne, Berbice, Sunday morning. The fire occurred around 08:45hr. The house is owned by Asif Mohamed, 47, a vendor at the New Amsterdam Market. Mohamed told reporters that he left home to take his aunt to the Eureka Medical Laboratory in New Amsterdam for a PCR test Sunday morning, when
he received a call from his wife informing him that their house was on fire. He said he ventured back home only to find the entire building consumed by the blaze. He added that he was informed that the fire began in the upper flat in a room where the fuse box is located. Mohamed said that when the fire started, his wife and some other persons were cooking in the kitchen in the bottom flat for a
function that was being hosted next door. While he could not place an exact figure to the losses incurred he did indicate that millions went up in flames. He said that he built his home “piece by piece” as the finances became available to him and this loss has left him pondering his next move. The Guyana Fire Service is conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.
from Camp Street, along Lamaha Street, beyond Vlissengen Road. He said the embankment area along Lamaha Street from Main Street to Camp Road will be restored, beautified and developed. There will be seating areas, local food on sale, and provisions for local artists to exhibit and sell their work. Additionally, the President said, there are a number of other areas that have been identified around the City where beautification projects have commenced. These include Durey Lane, the Seawall and the median along Carifesta Avenue and the East Coast Highway. BUILDING A NEW CULTURE President Ali added that in order to maintain the new look of the City, Guyanese will have to be more progressive in their approach to each other and the environment. “The environment is a demonstration of how we value each other, because if you can bring garbage and throw it in front of a school, in front of a church, in front of a named street, like Hadfield Street [which is] a national monument, then it demonstrates who you really are and this is what we have to change. We can only do this together.” The two-day project will see the clean-up of approximately 25 sites around the city. This, the President said, is not going to be a one-off exercise and is just the “tip of the iceberg”. He pointed out that there is dignity in labour and noted that once every month, there can be a collaborative effort between the Government, local bodies, the citizens and other stakeholders to clean
respective areas. “When we talk about countries that we admire, and the way in which they do things, these are examples [of] how they built a new culture; how they incorporate what seems to be the softer side of things into the culture of the country. So maybe cleaning up is a soft exercise, but it is an exercise with critical impact on the way we live and who we are as a society.” Meanwhile, in a statement last Friday, the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) said the use of the joint services to cleanup the city in the Guyana context is contemptuous and unwarranted. “For such labour-intensive exercises, a government that is genuinely interested in providing employment and income for ordinary folks should instead hire residents and small informal co-ops to undertake all works. This approach also ensures that a permanent and competent workforce is established to conduct such exercises on a routine basis, the PNCR stated. “It is also important to note that while crime is on the rise, the PPP/C is utilising policemen and soldiers to clean the city at the expense of them fighting crime and enforcing the law, which are their legitimate functions. Clearly, the PPP/C has no interest in l o c a l d e m o c r a c y, o r democracy generally. They seem hell bent on undermining APNU+AFC controlled councils so that they can remove them and appoint interim management committees. This will not work. The government needs to ensure that local democratic organs are allowed to serve the people who elect them.”
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Monday January 17, 2022
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1082 new Covid-19 cases ‘Use meeting with Brazil recorded on Sunday President to repair... - five fully vaccinated persons among nine more deaths Guyana recorded 1082 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday and the Ministry of Health also reported nine more deaths with five of the persons fully vaccinated, two of whom are children. While the country has been recording a high number of new cases per day, in just one week four children under the age of seven have lost their lives to COVID-19. This is according to data provided by the Ministry of Health. Since the start of the month, over 30 persons have died from the virus, of which four children, two boys and two
girls died between January 9 and 14. The four children are that of a 14-month-old from Region One, a six-year-old from Region Three, a threeyear-old and a three-monthold from Region Four. On Sunday, the ministry reported nine new COVID19 related deaths, among them two children. The other fatalities are those of five men, a 70-year-old and 63year-old from Region Three, a 62-year-old, a 61-year-old a n d 4 9 - y e a r- o l d f r o m Region Four and that of two women, a 72-year-old from Region Three and a 45-year-
old from Region Six. Of the nine deaths, five persons were fully vaccinated, who died while receiving treatment at a medical facility. Meanwhile, with 1,095 deaths recorded to date, the Health Ministry on Sunday reported that within the last 24 hour period, it recorded 1,082 new COVID-19 infections taking the total number of confirmed cases to 51,203. A breakdown of the new cases per region shows that Region Four leads with 670 new cases, Region Three with 193 cases, Region Nine with
67 cases, Region 10 with 40 cases, Region Six with 38 cases, Region Five with 37 cases, Region Two with 14 cases, Region Seven with 10 cases, Region Eight with eight cases and Region One with five cases. The dash board also shows that 12 patients were admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 164 persons are in institutional isolation, 10,399 in home isolation and five in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 39,533 persons have recovered from the disease.
From page 13 implementation of the trans-Amazon highway, long sought by both the Inter-American Development Bank and Brazil. “It remains to be seen whether the Government will seize this opportunity to re-habilitate its tattered credibility on climate issues, by distinguishing Guyana’s Amazonia policies from President Bolsonaro’s scorched earth approach. Not doing so will reinforce the current image of Guyana inviting all-comers, reputable and disreputable, into an orgy of natural resource extraction. To deter comparison with the reckless approach of the Brazilian President, the Guyana Government needs to clarify the non-negotiables which ought to distinguish Guyana’s Amazonia policies from those of its neighbour.” The GHRA said joint involvement in such discussions by all Parliamentary parties would both give credence to claims to their having espoused ‘green’ climate and ’green’ development policies, as well as give some impetus to developing a genuine national position on climate change and the environment.
Balram Singh Rai passes on From page 8 anti-budget demonstrations in Georgetown, led by Forbes Burnham and Peter D’ Aguiar, Minister Rai oversaw the crisis while every other PPP minister, including the Jagans, went into hiding. Mr. Rai countermanded an order by the police commissioner to shoot protestors if warranted. Had this happened, British Guiana would have descended further into a state of ethnic strife. Mr. Rai’s term as Guyana’s first Home Affairs Minister was short-lived after Dr. Jagan asked Governor Ralph Grey to revoke his ministerial portfolio in June 1962. This was subsequent to Mr. Rai, who was Deputy (Vice) Chairman of the PPP, being expelled by Dr. and Mrs Jagan, because of his refusal to retract his public statement that the Jagans manipulated the PPP elections for Party Chairman. Rai challenged a popular African Guyanese and former Minister of Natural
Resources, Brindley Benn (father of current minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn) for the post of Chairman at the PPP’s Congress in 1962. Rai’s complaints about the electoral irregularities, to then Attorney General Fenton Ramsahoye, evoked the cryptic response: “Comrade, why worry. The party works in devious ways.” Together with another PPP stalwart, Jai Narine Singh, Rai later formed the Justice Party, but could not secure enough votes to win a seat in the 1964 elections. During the 1964 elections, he warned his supporters that the imposed Proportional Representation system would result in the PPP being excluded from government. Rai remained incorruptible, migrating to the UK in 1970. He rejected Burnham’s entreaties and lucrative offers, even as some of the PPP’s brightest Marxist theoreticians, including Ranji Chandisingh, accepted Burnham’s carrots.
Family, Skeldon Hospital at odds...
Pilot abandons plan to reestablish... From page 10 court had ruled that the start-up airline could use the name –”Guyana Airways Corporation”. That name used to be the one the state-owned entity was operating under until it went bankrupt in 2001. The CEO and Chief Pilot, attempted to start up Guyana Airways Corporation Inc., but the process was stymied after the Deeds Registry struck off the name. Abrams, through his lawyer, Senior Counsel Bernard de Santos, took the matter to the High Court. Justice Fidela Corbin reportedly ruled that the Registrar of
Companies did not follow procedures in refusing to register the new company. Abrams said that the name Guyana Airways Corporation Inc., was chosen because it was available, with no national airline in Guyana for 18 years. He claimed that the venture was financed by him and partners. More than 80 flight attendants, pilots and more than 100 local staffers were in the process of being hired when the deregistration happened. The company was planning to start operations with two 737 aircraft.
From page 13 grandmother related. According to the grandmother, they met another doctor at the hospital when they returned and they informed the doctor that the infant was given an injection earlier. She said that the doctor told her that the infant requires another injection but within minutes after that second injection was administered the baby appeared to have stopped breathing, the grandmother said. They were soon after informed that the infant had died but that no explanation was provided as to what caused the death of the baby. She also stated that all of the documents that were given to them at the hospital were taken back by the doctors. Meanwhile, Director of Health Services in Region Six, Dr. Vishalya Sharma, in response to the allegations by the family indicated in a
press statement that the infant was rushed to the hospital by her mother on the 14th January, 2022 around 11:00 am and upon arrival of the child the doctor on duty did an assessment. Dr Sharma said the child was initially treated and was placed under observation. Dr. Sharma has disclosed that the family left without any further evaluation being done on the child and that “at no point in time the child was discharged “from our care or given any vaccines.” Dr. Sharma also stated that based on initial reports provided to them “the family after leaving the institution took the child to a religious leader.” Dr. Sharma said that all deaths that occur at any of the health institutions across East Berbice Corentyne are taken seriously and as such “all are investigated and reports submitted, this recent case involving the 4-month
old child is no different. The Regional Health Services with the staff of Skeldon Hospital wish to express sincere condolences to the family during this extremely difficult time and is available to answer any questions the family may have.” The body of the infant is presently at the Skeldon Mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination which is expected to be done on Monday, January 17, 2022. H o w e v e r, t h e grandfather of the infant, Harripersaud Samaroo, 42, a farmer, has since said that the statement issued by health services “is all lies”, he noted that at no point in time did they visit a religious leader as mentioned and that both vaccines were administered to the infant at the hospital by two different doctors. He said that “all what they say there is lies.” He wants a proper investigation to be done.
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Monday January 17, 2022
Kaieteur News
PAHO study finds…
High levels of depression, suicidal thoughts in Latin American health workers during pandemic VEHICLES FOR SALE 2001 Toyota Mark 2 in excellent condition,low mileage & clean interior. Call:617-8424.
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Washington, DC, January 13, 2022 (PAHO)- Health workers in 11 Latin American countries show elevated rates of depressive symptoms, suicidal thinking, and psychological distress, according to the results of a study led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in collaboration with the University of Chile and Columbia University. The report, The COVID-19 HEALTH CARE WORKERS Study (HEROES), shows that between 14.7% and 22% of health personnel interviewed in 2020 presented symptoms consistent with depressive episodes, while between 5 and 15% of personnel said they thought about suicide. The study also reports that in some countries, only about a third of those who said they needed psychological care received it. “The pandemic increased the burden on health personnel, and in countries where the health system collapsed, staff endured exhausting workdays and ethical dilemmas that impacted their mental health,” said Anselm Hennis, Director of PAHO’s Department of Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health. “The pandemic is not over. It is essential to care for those who care for us,” he stressed. HEROES consisted of interviews with 14,502 health
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care workers in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Uruguay, and involved academics and researchers from dozens of institutions in those countries. The need for emotional and economic support, concern about infecting family members, conflicts with families of infected persons under care, and changes in regular work duties were some of the main factors affecting the mental health of health personnel, the study noted. On the other hand, trusting that health care institutions and governments could handle the pandemic, having the support of coworkers, and considering oneself a spiritual or religious person were mentioned as some of the protective factors. “The pandemic increased stress, anxiety and depression among health care workers and revealed that countries have not
developed specific policies to protect the mental health of health workers. This is a health deficit that needs to be settled,” said Rubén Alvarado, an academic in the mental health program of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile and one of the principal authors of the study. The study stresses the urgency to develop specific policies and actions that can protect the mental health of health workers. It recommends modifying the work environment and guaranteeing adequate working conditions. It also recommends providing decent salaries, stable contractual conditions and creating spaces where teams can talk in order to unburden themselves and engage in self-care practices. The document also calls for support to be provided to health workers to care for their children or elderly dependents, given that most are women and caregivers. It
also recommends implementing guidelines to protect the mental health of staff in care facilities and making mental health services accessible. “Two years into the pandemic and many workers are still not getting the support they need. This may cause them to develop different mental disorders in the coming years, and we need to be prepared,” warned Ezra Susser of Columbia University and another one of the study’s principal researchers. In order to prevent mental health problems and promote healthy lifestyles among emergency responders, PAHO today launched a free online course on self-care . The course enables participants to recognize work-related stress, identify risk and protective factors, detect warning signs of mental health problems, and incorporate self-care strategies to achieve healthy habits.
No bail for man who robbed sex partner A 23-year-old man, Anfernee Archer of 21, Dowden Street Kitty, was remanded to prison until March 4, 2022 for allegedly robbing a man and woman who reportedly refused to pay him for sexual favours. Archer claimed that he performed a sexual act on the male virtual complainant, Mark Vanbield, who then told
him a girl would be bringing the money to pay him. The court heard that the defendant, Archer was at the Kitty seawall when Vanbield approached him and asked: “if he likes boys?” to which he responded yes. Archer claimed that he then performed a sexual act on Vanbield, and was told that a female is bringing the money
which is a total of $5,000 in payment for him. Archer then relieved the victim of one Samsung Galaxy Smart Phone valued $145,000 and a Fire Tablet valued $20,000, since the woman did not bring the money. Archer was successfully pointed out by the victims during an identification parade and both items were recovered.
American group and TT firms take over Exxon’s... From page 2 Production Guyana Limited’s (EEPGL) maturing waste management process first developed in 2015 for EEPGL’s first discovery well. The CWMP was developed pursuant to Section 5 of the Payara Development Project Environmental Permit (#20181204-PPOIX) and the Cradle to Grave Waste Analysis Study approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on September 13, 2021. Numerous topics from the Waste Analysis Study are integrated within this Plan. The Plan is intended to accommodate all projects in Guyana associated with EEPGL’s exploration and appraisal drilling, development drilling, installation and hookup, commissioning, and start up, office construction, production operations, and related activities. The plan is inclusive of the Liza Phase One Development Project, Liza Phase Two Development Project which comes on stream this quarter, the Payara Development Project, the Guyana Fiber Optic Cable, and EEPGL Guyana Office Complex Project, as well as permitted or planned drilling projects. In addition, the plan makes provision for projects currently under review by the EPA, including Yellowtail and the Gas to Energy Project. As new projects are planned or come on stream, Exxon said the Plan will be updated to address them. Kaieteur News understands that the plan, once approved, will replace and supersede previous Waste Management Plans incorporated in approved Environmental Impact Statements and permits
for ExxonMobil. It was further noted that the Plan will provide both EEPGL and the EPA with an efficient way to understand and reference waste management practices for all EEPGL waste management activities. Additionally, Exxon highlighted that the plan was informed by a cradle to grave waste management analysis, is defined by the Guyana EPA as the full life cycle assessment of waste from the point of generation to the final recycling, reuse, treatment, or disposal. Waste treatment may also result in the generation of new residual wastes to be considered. The first step in the cradle-tograve waste management approach begins with the understanding and identification of the points of generation. In this regard, it was noted that wastes are initially generated on the various types of vessels and infrastructure that are operating offshore. ExxonMobil was keen to note that its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, uses a waste tracking system that allows for the tracking of the waste from initial generation through final disposal, discharge, reuse, or recycling. The information included in the manifests is maintained in a database, and EEPGL also requires that its third-party waste management facilities use a similar tracking database to show the storage, processing, and ultimate discharge, disposal, reuse, or recycle of the wastes. EEPGL then compiles and reports this information to the EPA as part of its waste summary in the annual environmental report.
Monday January 17, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Monday January 17, 2022
McBrine, Tector star as Ireland defeat ‘sad’ Windies to claim ODI series AFP - Andy McBrine claimed four wickets and hit a half-century as Ireland edged West Indies by two wickets to win their One-Day International series 2-1 yesterday with home skipper Kieron Pollard describing the defeat as “a sad day” for his struggling team. McBrine took his total of wickets in the three matches to 10 as the West Indies were all out for 212 in 44.4 overs at Sabina Park. He then showed off his all-round talents by hitting a top score of 59 off 100 balls with six boundaries and a six. Harry Tector also played his part in what was Ireland’s first away ODI series triumph against a fellow Test nation.
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Kaieteur News
Andy McBrine bats during his half century. (espncricinfo) The 24-year-old finished with 52, his third successive half-century and seventh in his last 10 matches. “It’s a sad day for us and West Indies cricket,” admitted
Pollard. “We take responsibility and me too for the performance on the field. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.” He added: “We just
Monday January 17, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your life circumstances may have altered so much in the past few months that you could be in an entirely different space than ever before, Aries. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may have preferred not to acknowledge your own psychic abilities in the past, but today they could prove impossible to ignore. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) The recent completion of one or more long-term goals may cause you to pause today and consider what you're going to aim for next. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Recent career advances may have you wondering where to go next. You could be considering taking some time off to travel or perhaps advance your education. You aren't likely to want to rest on your laurels. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A new and highly compelling interest may have captured your imagination. You could find it difficult to think of much else, Leo, and so it might be a good idea to try to find the most beneficial ways to pursue this subject. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today you might turn your attention toward discovering new ways to advance yourself financially, Virgo. You're likely to be more aware than usual of your inner power. Reading about various possibilities could be enlightening.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Events both in your personal and public arenas could give you a new and unexpected sense of power over your own destiny. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Visitors in the home could share stories of strange experiences of some sort, perhaps intense and vivid dreams, visions, or maybe premonitions that have come true. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you could enter a new romantic relationship, or you could experience a new sense of unity and commitment within an existing one. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you're likely to be feeling especially fit and healthy and able to take on the most monumental of tasks. Therefore, you could well decide to clean out the basement or tear all the weeds out of the backyard. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) An intense conversation with a close friend or romantic partner could bring you closer to this person. You probably share a number of goals. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Discussions with others could result in new plans and opportunities for advancing yourself on any level you wish: career, financial, or social. Inner resources may come to light that you might not have been aware of before.
haven’t been up to standard. Now we need a holistic approach to go forward, not just on the field. “It won’t happen tonight. We have to get together and decide where we want to take West Indies cricket.” When McBrine departed in the 31st over, the 28-yearold all-rounder had taken Ireland to 152-3, helping his team recover from losing opener William Porterfield to the first ball of the innings to Alzarri Joseph. McBrine’s second career half-century ended with a lazy swipe to Odean Smith which was gobbled up by Shai Hope behind the stumps. However, Ireland, who were missing several players including regular captain Andy Balbirnie because of Covid, still had to endure a nervy finish, quickly slipping from 190-4 to 208-8 before Craig Young steered the winning boundary with 31 balls to spare. It was a memorable series for McBrine — he also suffered concussion after being hit on the head in the first game. After West Indies were put in, he claimed 4-28 from his 10 overs of off-spin. The home side were 119-7 at one stage before former skipper Jason Holder (44) and Akeal Hosein (23) repaired some of the damage. Hope top-scored with 53 off 39 balls, hitting nine fours and one six as he dominated an opening stand of 72 in 11 overs with Justin Greaves. McBrine particularly shone when he removed Nicholas Pooran, Shamarh Brooks and skipper Kieron Pollard in quick succession to put Ireland within touch of a famous series victory. “It means a lot as the last three, four weeks have not been easy,” said McBrine. “But we have show great spirit.” West Indies won the first game by 24 runs before Ireland levelled the series with a five-wicket victory. The matches form part of the qualifying path for the 2023 World Cup. Brief scores: West Indies 212 all out in 44.4 overs (Shai Hope 53, Jason Holder 44; Andy McBrine 4-28): Ireland 214-8 in 44.5 overs (Andy McBrine 59, Harry Tector 52, Paul Stirling 44). Result: Ireland won by two wickets Series: Ireland 2-1
Australia romp to victory as... From page 23 the break to remove Dawid Malan for 10 in similar style with the batsman chopping on. Crawley had made 36 when he became the 22-yearold all- rounder’s third victim, and England were in serious strife when Ben Stokes holed out for five to Nathan Lyon at deep square leg off Mitchell Starc. Root got his side over the hundred mark but fell for 11 when a Scott Boland delivery skidded low along the surface and into his off stump, leaving the England captain destined to head home still without a test century in Australia. Boland, playing only his third test, took 3-18 and Cummins 3-42 as they shared the last five wickets, leaving veteran England seamer Stuart Broad unbeaten on one in what is likely to be his last test match in Australia. “It hurts, it was a poor display with the bat today,” said Root, who said he would like to continue as England captain. “It felt like we had a real opportunity to go and win this test match and there
were some very poor dismissals in there after a very promising start. “Disappointing to be beaten as heavily as that when we felt very much in the game.” Australian batsman Travis Head was named Man of the Series for his 357 runs, despite missing the Sydney match after contracting COVID-19. His two centuries, including 101 in the first innings of the fifth test, was one more than the whole England team managed on the tour. “At this level, you’ve got to bang out performances and we’ve not managed to do that at all on this trip,” Root added. “As a batting group, far too many times we’ve been bowled out for less than 200 and you’re never going to win test matches if you don’t get runs on the board.” Scores: Australia 303 (Head 101, Green 74) and 155 (Carey 48, Wood 6-37) beat England 188 (Cummins 445) and 124 (Boland 3-18, Green 3-21, Cummins 3-42) by 146 runs.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball past Los Angeles Lakers forward Trevor Ariza (1) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. (Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Kaieteur News
Monday January 17, 2022
NBA roundup: Nuggets win another blowout, this time over Lakers
R
euters - Bones Hyland had career highs of 27 points and 10 rebounds, Nikola Jokic had 17 points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds, and the host Denver Nuggets routed the Los Angeles Lakers 133-96 on Saturday night. Jeff Green scored a season-high 26 points, Will Barton scored 12, Aaron Gordon and Davon Reed had 11 each and Monte Morris scored 10 for Denver, which has won two straight in blowout fashion. The Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 140-108 on Thursday. LeBron James had 25 points and nine rebounds, Russell Westbrook scored 19 points and Dwight Howard had 13 for the Lakers, who have lost three straight. The Nuggets led by five after the first quarter, and then opened up a doubledigit lead in the second. They built a 102-79 lead after three quarters. It marked the second straight game the Nuggets have reached 100 points after three quarters after scoring just 85 in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers tomorrow night. Raptors 103, Bucks 96
Pascal Siakam notched his first triple-double of the season as Toronto took down host Milwaukee to complete a three-game sweep of the season series. Siakam had 30 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead the Raptors to their seventh win in the past nine games. OG Anunoby added 24 points on 9-of-23 shooting, and Fred VanVleet added 17 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo paced Milwaukee with 30 points and six rebounds even though he shot only 6of-17 from the field. Grayson Allen chipped in 18 points, and Khris Middleton had 16. Bobby Portis posted 11 points and 11 rebounds to tally his third double-double in his past five games. 76ers 109, Heat 98 Joel Embiid saved 11 of his game-high 32 points for the final 6:18 to win an entertaining duel with Omer Yu r t s e v e n a n d l i f t Philadelphia over host Miami in a duel of two teams playing for the second time in two nights. Embiid completed a double-double with a gamehigh 12 rebounds, while Tobias Harris added 22
points and Seth Curry 21 for the 76ers. Yurtseven, an undrafted rookie sensation, nearly matched Embiid with 22 points and 11 rebounds, both team highs, for the Heat, who saw a four-game winning streak come to an end. Nets 120, Pelicans 105 James Harden totaled 27 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds as Brooklyn survived the loss of Kevin Durant to a sprained left knee in a victory over New Orleans in New York. The Nets never trailed and the game was tied once in the opening minutes, but they lost Durant after he collided with teammate Bruce Brown on defense midway through the second quarter. Harden had the doubledouble at halftime when the Nets led 69-41. For the game, Harden shot an efficient 9-of-15. In other results: Knicks 117, Hawks 108 Trail Blazers 115, Wizards 110 Mavericks 108, Magic 92 Cavaliers 107, Thunder 102 Celtics 114, Bulls 112 Spurs 101, Clippers 94 (Field Level Media)
Watkins, Harry, Bulkan triumph at Crown Mining Golf tourney The Crown Mining Golf championship, featuring its exclusive TOLSEN brand of heavy duty construction equipment, exceeded expectations. Golfers were in good form and competition was intense among the 35 participants, but there were two clear front runners when the dust settled. Englishman Tom Watkins separated himself from a strong field to cart off 4 trophies including overall best gross 73. David Harry was the overall net champion with an impressive round which included 5 birdies en route to a best net score of 67. Overall winners were: Under 9 Handicap Flight: 1st Tom Watkins, Gross 73 hc 4 net 69 2nd Ravindra Harry, Gross 77 hc 8 net 69 10 to 18 HC flight: 1st David Harry, Gross 79 hc 12 net 67 2nd Paton George, Gross 84 hc 13 net 71 19 to 36 HC flight: 1st Ronal Bulkan, Gross 90 hc 21 Net 69 2nd Eureka Giddings, Gross 94 hc 24 Net 70
Tom Watkins carted off the longest drive trophy, while Kasim Khan took home the Nearest to the Flag prize. At the trophy presentation David Harry and Tom Watkins stood tall among the impressive array of new heavy duty TOLSEN tools on display in the background. Company Executives Manager Nadine Persaud was on hand and thanked all attendees along with the Lusignan community for hosting the Crown Mining golf championship. Nadine reminded of the close to decades long partnership the company has shared with LGC and committed to many more years of this enduring partnership. The Lusignan Golf Club Executive Committee wish to thank all attendees and staff for their continued adherence to all Covid protocols and look forward to doing its part to responsibly grow the game of golf in Guyana. The club is aiming to expand the game and its values to underserved communities.
Monday January 17, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Djokovic flies out of Australia after losing court appeal MELBOURNE, (Reuters) - Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic flew out of Australia yesterday after a court upheld the government’s decision to cancel his visa, capping days of drama over the country’s COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status. The unanimous ruling by a three-judge Federal Court bench dealt a final blow to Djokovic’s hopes of chasing a record 21st Grand Slam win at the Australian Open that starts today, dismaying his family and supporters. The Serbian player went to the airport in Melbourne just hours later. Federal agents escorted him and his team from the business lounge to the gate, where he boarded an Emirates flight bound for Dubai. The flight took off shortly before 11 p.m. (1200 GMT). In a rollercoaster ride, the world’s top men’s player was first detained by immigration authorities on Jan. 6, ordered released by a court on Jan. 10 and then detained on Saturday again pending yesterday’s court hearing. Djokovic said after the ruling he was extremely disappointed as it meant he could not take part in the tournament. “I respect the Court’s ruling and I will cooperate with the relevant authorities in relation to my departure from the country,” he said in a statement, wishing the tournament well. Djokovic, 34, had appealed against Immigration Minister Alex Hawke’s use of discretionary powers to cancel his visa. The minister had said Djokovic could be a threat to public order because his presence would encourage anti-vaccination sentiment amidst Australia’s worst coronavirus outbreak. Chief Justice James Allsop said the court ruling was based on the lawfulness
and legality of the minister’s decision in the context of the rounds of appeal lodged by Djokovic’s legal team. “It is no part of the function of the court to decide upon the merits or wisdom of the decision,” Allsop said, adding that the three judges were unanimous in their ruling. Full reasoning behind the ruling would be released in coming days, he said. The player’s family said they were “very disappointed” by the decision and the fact Djokovic had to leave Australia. “Despite the scandalous behavior towards Novak, we believed that the sport would win,” they said in a statement. ‘KEEP BORDERS STRONG’ The player’s visa saga has fuelled global debate over the rights of people who opt to remain unvaccinated as governments take measures to protect people from the two-year pandemic. The controversy became a political touchstone for Prime Minister Scott Morrison as he prepares for an election due by May. His government has faced criticism for its handling of Djokovic’s visa application. Morrison welcomed the court’s ruling, saying the decision will help keep borders strong and Australians safe. “It’s now time to get on with the Australian Open and get back to enjoying tennis over the summer,” he said in a statement. Djokovic had been granted a visa to enter Australia, with a COVID-19 infection on Dec. 16 providing the basis for a medical exemption from Australia’s requirements that all visitors be vaccinated. The exemption was o r g a n i s e d v i a Te n n i s Australia. That exemption
prompted widespread anger in Australia, which has undergone some of the world’s toughest COVID-19 lockdowns and where more than 90% of adults are vaccinated. The government said recent infection alone did not meet its standards for an exemption. WEEPING FANS But the player also had some support, especially in his native Serbia and from Serbians living in Australia. Serbian prime Minister Ana Brnabic said: “I think that the court decision is scandalous, I am disappointed, I think it demonstrated how the rule of law is functioning or - better to say - not functioning in some other countries.” In the Serbian capital B e l g r a d e , D j o k o v i c ’s hometown, many support him though some felt he should have been vaccinated. “I think Australia should be ashamed of itself and that the decision was not a just one. I am sorry for Novak as a tennis player and as a
person,” said Danilo Mircic, a student. “If I were him, I would get vaccinated and avoid problems in the future,” said Aleksandar Janjic, a middleaged computer programmer. read more In Melbourne, around 70 Djokovic fans, including young children, sang folk songs and chanted in the Federal Court plaza while they waited for the court’s ruling. They gathered around a loudspeaker to hear the judge reading out the decision. Afterward, two women were weeping, while others started up chants for a short while before the crowd dispersed. “What they did today is everything except justice,” said Natasha Marjnovic, 44, a Djokovic supporter wiping away tears. “They killed a beautiful sportsman and his career and for all of us who love tennis.” DISRUPTION TO TENNIS T h e m e n ’s t e n n i s governing body ATP said
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic. (REUTERS/Loren Elliott) “today’s decision to uphold Novak Djokovic’s Australian visa cancellation marks the end of a deeply regrettable series of events”. It added in a statement that decisions of legal authorities regarding public health must be respected. Tennis Australia said it respected the decision. On the tennis circuit, fellow players had become
impatient for the media circus to end. But several voiced sympathy for Djokovic following his legal defeat. “The situation has not been good all round for anyone. It feels everything here happened extremely last minute and that’s why it became such a mess,” said former world No. 1 Andy Murray.
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Kaieteur News
GCA U-15 programme starts today at MYO All involved must be fully vaccinated The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Under15 Cricket Clinic/Drills and Trial matches are schedule to start from this afternoon from 3:15pm at the MYO ground where a Rapid Test for all players will be done. The players will also have counseling during the sessions on the importance of the vaccination if they are to move forward from the group. All players must walk with a copy of their Birth Certificate, Vaccination Card, Face Mask, Sanitizer, white top, Track Pants, Boots, Socks, Water Bottle with their names on it and Cricket Equipment. The following players in the group ‘A’ are required to turn up at MYO ground today for 3:00pm and the players in group ‘B’ to turn up tomorrow. Please note all players must be born on or after 1st September 2007. Mark Harper is the Technical Director and the coaches who will be conducting the
sessions are Travis Dowling, Jermaine Neblette, Kervin Ross, Jeremiah Harris and Qusan Nedd along with trainer Neil Barry jr. Group A: For today and Wednesday: Joshua Charles, Kishan Silas, Arun Gainda, Thierry Moore, Jonathan Mentor, Narinda Isurdeen, Amir Samad, Aaron Kissoon, Rishi Seodat, Daniel Kissoon, Jason Wahid, Adrian Kissoon, Sameer Bhola, Shawn Thompson, Torrel Assàye, Peter Khan, Randel Manoharlall, Nicholas Nieuelder, Anthony Israel, Shemarion Gomes. Group B: for Tomorrow and Thursday: Joshua Narine, Emanuel Lewis, Reyaz Latif, Dave Mohabir Dhanish Persaud, Ravin Singh, Kwesi Wilkinson, Mickel Sharma, Anthonio Chan, Nicholas Sulker, Hezekiah Hohenkirk, Alex Gonsalves, Darwin La Rose, Nicholas Archer, Jermaine Fyffe, Ryan Khan, Omarion Allen, Kerron Toppin, Trilok Nanan.
Monday January 17, 2022
Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh pumps $2.1M into Berbice Cricket as support continues to pour in “I am very impressed with the work that the Berbice Cricket Board is doing and I even more impressed with the way, my funds are been accounted for. I am proud to be associated with the board and it gives me pleasure to continue my support,” the words of overseas based Guyanese medical doctor, Tu l s i D y a l S i n g h , a s announced his renewal of his personal sponsorship for Berbice cricket for the year 2022. The long time supporter of Berbice has between 2018 to 2021 invested over seven million dollars of his own funds to assist the Hilbert Foster led administration. Foster disclosed that with Dr Singh assistance, the BCB was able to conduct widespread coaching sessions across the county and also hosts special coaching clinics for every department of the game, mini academies, county wide cricket academies and properly prepare inter county teams. Dr Singh sponsorship also assisted the BCB to restore its office to international standards,
provide every club in Berbice with a five gallon water pitcher and the purchasing of over twenty grass cutters for the BCB ambitious ground enhancement project. Dr Tulsi also provided funds for the BCB historic coaching manual which was published late last year and has also invested heavily into the BCB aggressive say yes to educational programme. In 2022, the Palymra, East Canje born medical doctor would be investing a total of $2.1M into the game. Six hundred and fifty thousand dollars would be used to purchased two more cricket covers for the county, $875,000 would be for a county wide coaching programme, while $575,000 is for the hosting of a county wide cricket academy in July for seventy youths. Foster hailed the cooperation of Dr Singh and noted that he was one of the main reasons why his term of office has been so successful. He reassured Dr Singh that his funds would be used for the intended purpose and that every cent would be accounted for. The BCB, as it has
Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh always done, would provide regular reports with newspaper clippings and photos to the donor. Special emphasis would be placed on coaching in 2022 as the BCB strives to indentify the next set of Berbice players. Coaches including Winston Smith, Leslie Solomon, Travis Hardcourt, Balram Samaroo and Delbert Moore would be dispatched across the county to all the clubs with junior sections. Additionally, the BCB would be working along with Cricket West Indies to have at least twenty more level one coaches in the county as part of its c o m p r e h e n s i v e developmental programme. The BCB in 2022 also hopes to complete a coaching video to go along with the manual.
Kaieteur News
Monday January 17, 2022
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Man-of-the-Match -Junior-Sinclair had match figures of 11-59 at Albion. (file photo)
GCB 2nd four-day Trial game at Albion (3rd day)
MOM 11-wkt haul from Junior Sinclair highlights final day Led by Man-of-Match Junior Sinclair, who followed up 5-18 with 641 yesterday, Keemo Paul’s X1 defeated Leon Johnson’s X1 by eight wickets with over a day and session to spare in the second GCB four-day Trial game at Albion. Set 67 to win, Paul’s X1 reached 712 with Tagenarine being bowled by Kevin Sinclair for three from 20 balls off 19 minutes at 22-1 before Nial Smith removed Trevon Griffith for a quickfire 30 from 19 balls and 33 minutes with five boundaries with the score on 40-2. Tevin Imlach (8) and Seon Glasgow (26) took their team to victory. This game is being used to select the Guyana Harpy Eagles for next month’s Regional First-Class tournament. A final trial game is scheduled from January 30 to February 2 before the
squad is selected for their three ‘away’ games in a tournament which has been reduced from 10 to five rounds due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic. The first Regional game is set for Barbados on February 9 and it is understood that a decision on whether newly appointed West Indies Selector Ramnaresh Sarwan or new GCB Chairman former Guyana batsman Rabindranauth Seeram will select the Guyana Harpy Eagles touring party has not been made as yet. Also due to the Pandemic, which prevented cricket being played in Guyana for close to two years, some young players have been included to give them exposure and a chance to play competitive cricket. Resuming the third and penultimate day on 116-7 with a slim lead of 19,
Over $150,000 up for grabs in Master of Guianas online tourney.
Johnson’s X1 reached 146-9 by Lunch in a session affected by rain. Junior Sinclair picked up both wickets after Sharaz Ramcharran (23) and Javed Karim had added 41 for the eight-wicket. T h e l a n k y o ff - s p i n n e r h a d Ramcharran caught and bowled before bowling Leon Swamy for a duck when rain stopped and an early lunch was taken. After the interval off-spinner Richie Looknauth broke a frustrating 19-run last wicket stand between Karim and Chaitram Balgobin (13) when he trapped Balgobin LBW to leave Karim unbeaten on 36 from 144 balls, 144 minutes with three fours. Needing 67 to win, Paul’s X1 got to the target in 58 minutes while losing both openers. (Sean Devers)
Master of the Guianas Chess tourney set for this Saturday
A
thena Chess is organizing the first edition of the Master of the Guianas chess tournament this Saturday, January 22. It will be an online chess tournament which will start at 18:00 hrs. The tournament is open to all chess players from Guyana and Suriname with a prize pool of US$650 available for the winners. Currently, it is a difficult for chess clubs to organise meetings due to the COVID-19 so the alternative has been to online platforms. The tournament will be played entirely on http://www.lichess.org which is a free and open-source chess platform that is maintained by volunteers and donors. On average, three million games are played daily
by chess players all over the world. Chess players from Guyana and Suriname already actively use this platform to play chess. The Swiss system format will be used with nine rounds being completed. The pace of play is 5 minutes (without increment) per person per match. After the final ranking on the standings list, the winner will receive US$250, the second place US$100, third US$50, best female player US$100, best U18 US$75 and best U16 US$50, furthermore some consolation prizes will also be available. The entry fee is set at GY$750. For more information and registration interested persons should visit https://athenachess.com/motg.
Australia romp to victory as England fold meekly yet again (Reuters) - Australia underlined their utter Ashes supremacy by crushing England’s hopes of a consolation victory and winning the day-night fifth test by 146 runs with two days to spare in Hobart yesterday to seal a 4-0 series triumph. Brittle English batting has been commonplace in the 11 years since the tourists last won a test on Australian soil and the collapse under the Bellerive Oval lights was remarkable only in that it came with victory a possibility. In the ascendancy for the first time in the series when they were 68 without loss chasing 271 towards the end of the second session, England lost 10 wickets for
78 runs in little more than an hour and a half to crumble to 124 all out. Australia’s pace bowling was of the same high quality as it had been throughout the five matches, but some of the shots offered by the batsmen indicated that England had given up on any hope of even extending the contest into a fourth day. Thumping victories in Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne had secured the urn for Australia before the turn of the year and only by batting out the final day did England secure a draw in Sydney. Australia captain Pat Cummins was quick to offer thanks to Joe Root and his squad for touring despite the health protocols in place
because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but naturally his main thoughts were for his own side. “It’s incredible,” captain Pat Cummins told reporters. “Everything’s gone to plan, t h e r e ’s j u s t s o m a n y positives to take out of it and for this team to be part of Ashes history, it’s just been phenomenal.” One of the few highlights of the series for the tourists has been the bowling of paceman Mark Wood and his career best 6-37 helped dismiss the hosts for 155 early in the second session to set England up for a shot at victory. DECENT START Rory Burns and Zak Crawley made a decent start to the chase with England’s
Australia celebrates their Ashes series win • Jan 15, 2022 © Getty Images
highest opening partnership of the series but the match soon reverted to a more
familiar script. Cameron Green (3-21) began the rout when he
dismissed Burns for 26 to bring up tea, returning after (Continued on page 19)