Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Cart before the horse? Sunday Edition NEWS Govt. inviting project proposals before ironing out gas strategy

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

January 21, 2024

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ExxonMobil and partners to recover full US$10 billion cost for 4th project in 2024

before operation begins Trio wanted for money laundering, financial crimes

Palestinians accuse Israeli forces of executing 19 civilians in Gaza Linden Shallow grave murder… Man said he

accidentally killed girlfriend, but buried her intentionally

US, Europe already snapping up Guyana’s Payara crude

Govt. to fork out $44B to service ballooning debt in 2024 - Jagdeo ...as Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Culture Youth and Sport receive $9B each

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

Sunday January 21, 2024

Kaieteur News

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Govt. reinstates ‘conflicting’ public servants for another year to serve on EAB The Government of Guyana (GoG) has reappointed the immediate past president of the Environmental Assessment Board and members to serve for another year.

According to a Gazetted Order, dated December 29, 2023, Head of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), Dr. Mahendar Sharma will chair the Board, while Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Mr. Joslyn McKenzie and Chief Hydrometeorological O f f i c e r, D r. G a r v i n Cummings will serve again as Board members.

The Government Notice stated that Cabinet has approved the Board of Directors for a period of one year with effect from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024.

This Board is a mandatory body, required by the Environmental Protection Act in Section 18.

It tasks the members of this board with the responsibility of conducting hearings into all appeals made by the public, regarding Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EIS). It also says the Board may recommend whether an EIA should be rejected, amended, or accepted, whether a Permit should be issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and what terms and conditions should be included in the Permit.

In summary, this Board plays a critical role in approving projects that may impact the environment.

Government projects are also subjected to the scrutiny of this process.

During their previous tenure, Environmental rights activist, Simone MangalJoly flagged what she described as a conflict of interest in the appointments with the country’s Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali. Given the individual functions of the appointed members in their respective state-owned entities, MangalJoly told President Ali in a

letter dated March, 10, 2023, “It is disappointing that rather than address the issues of conflicts of interest with government duties, you have doubled down and appointed a board with two of three members having direct conflicts of interest with their government duties.”

She went further to note that this decision is in fact a step backwards as the Board now lacks in its entirety any members with expertise in environmental protection, coupled with the fact that it is built with government representatives.

She reasoned that since the advent of oil production in Guyana, most of the matters brought before the EAB have had to do with projects directly related to areas within Dr. Sharma’s and Mr. McKenzie’s remit.

Mangal-Joly highlighted that Dr. Sharma is charged with overseeing the development of all types of energy projects in Guyana, including fossil fuel-based projects. He was previously Chairman and Director of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL); meanwhile, Mr. McKenzie’s Ministry has chief responsibility for promoting petroleum development.

She was keen to note that while these individuals are no doubt competent; their employment situation and government duties result in a glaring lack of separation of powers and present a high probability of conflict of interest in matters that come before the EAB. The environmentalist argued that the EAB is an appeals body that has a legal duty to be impartial in its consideration of matters.

“The Environmental Protection Act mandates that members must be unencumbered by conflicting loyalties and duties. Without this, there can be no public trust and confidence in the impartiality of the body or transparency and accountability in the decision-making process,” she urged.

The environmental

advocate explained to the President in her letter, “Your decision to appoint members with conflicts of interest to the EAB and to exclude nongovernmental and suitably qualified environmental professionals sends a message to citizens and potential investors that the government is not committed to good governance and protecting the environment, and instead may prioritize business and special interests over public health and safety. You have missed an instance for positive development into a nation where government acts with propriety to fulfill its duty to protect the public interest and create a stable

From left, Chairman of the EAB, Dr. Mahendar Sharma with EAB members, Dr. Garvin Cummings and Joslyn McKenzie. and predictable investment climate for businesses.”

She therefore said, “I urge you to reconsider your decision and appoint government and non-

government members to the EAB who are free from conflicts of interest and have proven qualifications and commitment to sound environmental management.

This will help create a stable and predictable context for investors, protect the public interest, and enhance the government’s reputation for good governance.”

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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EDITORIAL

Sunday January 21, 2024

Kaieteur M@ilbox Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Findings of the COI into the Mahdia Fire appear “misleading and inadequate”

US$2 billion “Fire sprinklers are a home’s possessions. Also, f o r a t i m e - c o n s u m i n g D E , widely as the according to the non-profit escape.”

The reported outcome of guarantee mystery the Mahdia Fire COI appears single mostrecognized The National Fire effective method H o m e F i r e S p r i n k l e r EAR

Guyanese have watched openmouthed at Bharrat Jagdeo, Guyana’s chief oilman and now chief policymaker, going around in circles on anything and all things that pose a problem to ExxonMobil’s interests. Citizens have been treated to the mystery of Jagdeo doing his best to be what he is not, viz., a man lacking in understanding, a leader who doesn’t know what he is about. He did it for ExxonMobil on many occasions and for many issues with this oil that now means so much for the Guyana economy and, more importantly, Guyanese. Bharrat Jagdeo did it, was a tower of strength, for ExxonMobil with regard to the full parent guarantee that the Guyanese people need if there is a devastating oil spill offshore.

It was Jagdeo, who put forward and insisted that a US$2 billion guarantee from ExxonMobil could be had. Jagdeo was the one who took the lead and stood tall for the US$2 billion cap, in that it would be worthwhile, would foot the bill in the event that there is a damaging oil spill. In the tortured twists and turns over a full parent company guarantee from ExxonMobil, that which was whittled down to US$2 billion by some mystery formula, it is now the turn of the oil behemoth to add to the deceptions that have plagued the calls for this guarantee from the inception. To paraphrase astronaut John L Swigert’s immortal words: ‘Georgetown, we have a problem…’ It is more accurate to say that ‘Guyana has had a problem from the beginning with first obtaining the full parent company guarantee, which was dead in the water, and now even this US$2 billion parent guarantee of coverage if there is a leak, blowout, or spill of alarming magnitude.

It is all unfolding before the Court of Appeal, and in full public view. The Guyana Government is contesting the order of the court to produce the evidence of the US$2 billion guarantee from ExxonMobil.

The guarantee document cannot and will not be produced, as Guyana’s court doesn’t have jurisdiction. This is beyond belief: the Guyana Government is handcuffed, the Guyana parliament is powerless, and now a senior court in Guyana is devoid of jurisdiction in the production of a binding document that evidences what Bharrat Jagdeo and ExxonMobil have been selling all along. Where is the problem with something that is simplicity itself? What could be the problem that stands in sturdy defiance on the delivery of evidence about the US$2 billion that the government of the Guyanese people and the American company both said was the best thing for this country? What could ExxonMobil be up to, what kind of low trick in its arsenal, that prevents it from presenting to Guyanese (and the world) that its commitment is intact, and that Guyana has had this US$2 billion in operation. The objection and failure by ExxonMobil, with the complete corroboration of the PPP/C Government, to step forward and hand over the binding guarantee document has all that is ominous about it. But it also signifies something else. That is, while ExxonMobil is ramping up daily oil production in its Guyana oilfields at breakneck speed, there is no financial coverage, no financial protection blanket, of any sort.

There is little to no room left for any other interpretation of how Guyana is dangerously exposed at this time. This country is naked and vulnerable, thanks to the seeming caprices of ExxonMobil, and this is what Jagdeo bends his back to, is the picture of unconcern. The PPPC Government and the oil company have been secretive on expenses, on interest rates, and with new oil discovery data. Still, we would not have believed that the production of evidence on the US$2 billion parent company guarantee would also be classified information, meaning that it must be kept a secret.

The question now for Guyanese is whether such a guarantee document actually exists.

This oil patrimony had all the ingredients to be a boon without equal for Guyanese. Most harrowingly, in the hands of Jagdeo and ExxonMobil, it has turned out to be a battering ram to beat Guyanese into abject surrender. The secrecy over the US$2 billion parent guarantee is the latest proof.

DITOR

to be misleading and inadequate. In the news, it was stated that “Despite identifying inadequacies in the fire prevention measures, Major Singh emphasized that even with a betterequipped facility; the tragic outcome might not have changed given the intentional nature of the fire and its rapid spread”. I would encourage the members of the commission to research the benefits of a sprinkler system and compare the impact it has on a building on fire vs. a building without such a system. According to www.firesprinkler.org:

for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages – before they can cause severe injury to people and damage to property.”

“Fire sprinklers provide valuable time to escape a fire. The National Fire A c a d e m y ( N FA ) , t h e International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and the U.S. Fire Administration (UFSA) all recommend fire sprinkler systems…”

“A single sprinkler controls a home fire 90 percent of the time, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), saving a majority of

Coalition, the average fire loss in a house with a sprinkler system is $2,166 USD as opposed to $45,019 USD in a home without the protection. Sprinkler systems reduce fire damage by up to 97 percent.”

“Fire sprinklers immediately respond to a fire while it is still small, controlling the spread of deadly heat, flames and toxic smoke – whether or not the occupants have appropriately responded to the signaling smoke alarm.

Fire sprinklers make up for human error, and they provide a life-saving cushion

Protection Association in the USA also states that “If you have a reported fire in your home, the risk of dying decreases by about 80 percent when sprinklers are present”.

CRG encourages the members of the COI to revisit their findings and ensure the scope of the investigation encompasses the use of fire sprinklers and the impact on the outcome of the fire if the facility was equipped with a sprinkler system. In addition, it is inappropriate to place any blame on the parents and (Continued on page 05)

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

PAGE 05

Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox The PPP government should prioritize investing in the University of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, During a recent press conference, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo made comments about the University of Guyana that can only be described as idiotic.

It is important to note that the PPP government has never supported the University of Guyana since 1992, yet they have consistently neglected the university in terms of financial support. Despite the immense potential and talent that exists within the university, the government has failed to provide adequate resources to improve its infrastructure, faculty, and research facilities.

Rather than allocating significant sums of money toward programmes like the recently introduced Goal programme, the same money can be redirected to the University of Guyana to promote sustainable development and economic growth. The PPP government should prioritize investing in the University of Guyana as it would not only benefit the institution but also contribute to the overall advancement of education in the country.

Furthermore, it is baffling that the PPP government continues to support the sugar industry, which has been a drain on the economy for decades. Billions of taxpayers’ dollars have been spent on an industry that consistently failed to make a profit. This money could be put to much better use if it were allocated to improving the University of Guyana, thereby creating a more advance and conducive learning environment for students and enhancing the country’s human capital.

In this context, it is crucial to acknowledge the commendable efforts of Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed. Despite limited resources, she has done an excellent job managing the university and providing quality education to students. Her dedication and innovation in the face of adversity should be recognized and supported by the government.

It is disappointing to see Vice President Jagdeo making uninformed and senseless remarks about the university. Rather than talking rubbish, he should

focus on implementing policies that promote free university education and ensure that all Guyanese have equal access to quality higher education. Education is the cornerstone of development, and it is essential that the government recognizes and prioritizes this for the betterment of the country.

In conclusion, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s ignorant comments about the University of Guyana demonstrates a lack of understanding of the government’s role to invest in education sector. The PPP government should redirect its resources from failing industries towards supporting the university and providing free education for all. The excellent work of Vice Chancellor Paloma Mohamed deserves recognition and support. It is time for the government to stop talking and start implementing policies that will truly benefit the future of Guyana.

Pt. Ubraj Narine, JP, COA Former Staff Sgt. (GDF), Mayor City of Georgetown

Why are these animals allowed in this country?

DEAR EDITOR: Last Tuesday morning, at Hampshire Village, Corentyne, in a bloody, savage, manner, the life of Latchminen Permaul was snatched away by a trio of pit bulls. There is no evidence that Mr. Permaul had done anything to provoke these animals. Indeed, he could not have done so, since he was drunk and asleep in public. A not too uncommon sight in rural Guyana.

For too long, editor, the owners of these voracious killing machines have been allowed to get away with a fine, or perhaps in rare cases imprisonment. Meanwhile, the relatives of this hapless

victim, if he had any, must come to terms with his loss.

He was unemployed, but perhaps a father, a brother, but certainly a fellow human being. Yes, he was one of us.

My question is, why are these animals allowed in this country, and if a case can be made for their admission, why are they allowed in public places? I will tell you why.

Our leaders are too busy fighting over the oil money and scheming how to deny pensioners their just deserts.

It is pathetic to see these poor souls (some too feeble to go unaccompanied, on the first, or there about of every month) congregating to

collect the paltry, pitiable, pittance. How about a three thousand dollars increase from a one trillion-dollar budget?

Mind you, we are frequently reminded that we have the fastest growing economy in the world, enough oil to make rulers of Saudia Arabia green with envy, and further enrage that rapacious bully to the west of us, who would never, never invite our own Dave Martins to have a beer, though I doubt whether Dave would accept whether it is offered once, or is offered twice.

Colbourne (Colbert) Wilson

There should be more responsible management and consistent practices regarding mangroves DEAR EDITOR, It seems that the policy of promoting mangroves as a natural phenomenon to safeguard against high tides along Guyana’s coastline has become emotional and inconsistent.

I experienced what Sherwood Lowe expressed in his letter, “Could our mangrove forests be too much?” (KN, Nov 26, 2023). Mr. Lowe lamented that East Coast Demerara residents “are experiencing not only a physical disconnect from the ocean but also a psychological and emotional one.” It was disconcerting as I strolled by the seawall recently and heard the waves but could not see them because mangrove trees took over the shores; it was a depressing experience!

Last week, I visited the Mangrove Research Centre to discuss what I perceive as

an ill-conceived plan for the mangroves.

U n f o r t u n a t e l y, t h e Mangrove Project Coordinator was absent, so I spoke with her assistants. I inquired about the existence of a comprehensive plan for mangrove planting, but they informed me that only the coordinator could adequately address that question.

I also asked about the impact of mangrove proliferation on communities—physical, social, and psychological impacts—and shared Mr. Lowe’s letter, but they did not respond to this query.

I have not received a proper response when I asked how mangroves affect local habitats such as corrida trees. Regarding the impact on the fishing i n d u s t r y, t h e o f f i c e r indicated that it is a positive factor for fishermen; I trust

Findings of the COI into...

From page 04 victims of the fire due to cultural norms in the area.

The use of security guards, security cameras and other security monitoring processes instead of window grills and door grills to ensure compliance with dormitory safety rules would overcome and cultural concerns uncovered by the COI. The neglect of safety concerns reported by representatives of the government leading up to the

fire continues to be an area that the COI should have been able to clarify. We must not turn a blind eye to negligence. Hopefully, the full report of the COI will shed some light on this issue and provide the necessary recommendations for the correction and effective prevention of such neglect reoccurring in the future.

With concern, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

that she is correct in her conclusion.

While mangroves are revered for their ecological significance and act as a buffer against the raging ocean, the unchecked proliferation of mangroves is a cause for concern.

One troubling observation is that it seems only rural areas are targeted for mangrove proliferation; for instance, the Kitty seawall needs mangroves.

Georgetown residents can come and enjoy the beauty of the ocean, but this luxury is not extended to people in rural areas.

When I asked about this inconsistency, the officer in the Mangrove Research Office suggested that it is probably due to a difference in the “salinity of the soil”!

Thus, Georgetown citizens and guests of Ramada Inn and Pegasus are considered (Continued on page 09)

Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 21, 2024

EPA not legally obligated to show proof that $2B parent company guarantee was lodged - Jagdeo Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is under no legal obligation to release proof that a $2 billion parent company guarantee was lodged by ExxonMobil Guyana in keeping with an order of the Court.

The VP made this disclosure in response to a question posed by Kaieteur News at his weekly press conference last Thursday; moments after Sanjeev Datadin, a lawyer representing the Stateowned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), challenged the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeal to order ExxonMobil Guyana to produce evidence that it

Vice President - Bharrat Jagdeo

Litigant: Godfrey Whyte

Litigant: Fred Collins

has lodged the $2 billion parent guarantee in the event of an oil spill here.

Datadin raised the issue of jurisdiction in the case where two Guyanese challenged the oil company over the failure to provide unlimited liability coverage

to Guyana in the event of oil spills.

Pending the final outcome of an appeal, presiding Justice Rishi Persaud had ordered ExxonMobil to lodge a US$2 Billion parent and/or affiliate company guarantee.

Since that order that was issued on June 8, 2023, the litigants, Frederick Collins and Godfrey Whyte said their lawyers have been unable to secure a copy of the said guarantee for perusal.

A summons was subsequently filed on

November 1, 2023 for orders directing the EPA and Exxon to produce a copy of the US$2 billion guarantee.

Speaking on the issue, Jagdeo said that in his personal capacity, he sees nothing wrong with the document being made public. However, as VP, he cannot tell the EPA how to conduct its business.

According to the Vice President, the EPA views the request to see the document that it is not legally required to release, as opening the door for an avalanche of similar requests.

The environmental body, he claims is not willing to entertain such requests.

Jagdeo said: “I spoke with the EPA about this, their

biggest concern is about the avalanche of requests that this could trigger. In principle, I don’t see a problem with the guarantee because a guarantee is there to be made public …”

He continued: “[However] It is up to the institution and I can’t override the institution, when it says to its lawyers under the law, there are documents we have to make public and documents we don’t have to make public and this is one of those documents because where does it stop and if we start doing this every day, we will have a request not just oil and gas sector but every sector for documents that are (Continued on page 56)

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

PAGE 07

Govt. to fork out $44B to service ballooning debt in 2024 - Jagdeo ...as Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Culture Youth and Sport receive $9B each

T

he Government of Guyana (GoG) has set aside $44 billion in this year’s budget to service its ballooning debt.

Vice President and former Finance Minister, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during his weekly press conference on Thursday was defending the country’s first trillion-dollar fiscal plan when he announced that portion that will be used for debt servicing.

T h e $ 4 4 B o r approximate US$220M vastly exceeds the sum allocated to various

government ministries. For instance, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport have each received about $9 billion to finance their development agenda.

In 2023, some US$177.3 million in revenue went towards debt service, up from US$150.2 million in 2022.

The growing payments to service the country’s debt stems from a conscious decision of policy makers that believe Guyana’s forecast of revenue from the oil and gas sector justifies its borrowing agenda.

The Vice President at his recent media engagement pointed to the expansion of the oil sector and the revenues likely to flow from this stream.

He explained, “Our future revenue, if we forecast based on oil production even for the approved projects and Whiptail which will be approved, if we only factor in production at those levels, at say current oil prices at the volume that we expect to produce from those projects, the revenue for the state in the outer years, that is maybe by 2028- 2030 we could be

(receiving) US$5.7 to 6B.” The former Head of State noted too that the country is poised to receive US$2.6 billion in oil money this year which exceeds its total external debt.

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Volda Lawrence has posited that while politicians bank on revenues from the oil sector to repay loans to its international creditors, Guyana could find itself in a dangerous trap, quite similar to the one that ensnared oilproducing states like Nigeria and Ghana.

“Sir, the government’s

eschewing the use of the burgeoning natural resource funds, in preference to borrowing from any and all sources, on the assumption that oil prices will remain high, thus allowing easy repayment of loans taken today, is falling into the same trap as did Ghana and Nigeria, for example,” Lawrence said during the 2023 Budget Debates.

The former Health Minister warned in her presentation that any collapse in oil prices will leave the country dangerously exposed to situations like those that

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo unfolded in Sri Lanka and Uganda.

Those nations, deeply indebted are still struggling to reach debt service commitments, leaving the population without access to electricity and other key services.

Trio wanted for money Fmr. Finance Minister laundering, financial crimes secures $7.5 million

judgment against KN - decision to be appealed

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) through the Special Organised Crime Unity (SOCU) has issued wanted bulletins for three persons believed to be involved in money laundering and other financial crimes.

The trio is Rajeshwar Persaud also known as ‘Raj Persaud’ or ‘Dave Persaud’; Swastie Singh also known as ‘Shanta’ and Jason Vanlange.

The three persons are wanted for questioning by SOCU. According to the police, Persaud’s last known address was Hubu, East Bank Essequibo (EBE) and Lot 10 Public Road Prospect, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Singh’s last known address was Hubu, EBE and Vanlange’s last known address is 20 Avenue, Diamond Housing Scheme, EBD. Reports are that in February 2019, Persaud targeted several persons in his fraudulent schemes which involved him selling properties and vehicles he did not own.

Further, it is alleged that Persaud pretending to be a police officer allegedly collected large sums from persons claiming th

that he could assist them with police related matters.

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the three wanted persons is asked to contact the SOCU on 225-3079, 2253084, or the nearest police station.

Former Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan has secured a $7.5 million judgment against Kaieteur News. The judgment was handed down by Justice Fidela Corbin on Friday. The newspaper has since taken steps to appeal the decision.

Back in 2019, Jordan had filed a lawsuit for libel against Kaieteur News and its then Editor-in-Chief Adam Harris, seeking damages of over $50M for libel.

The libel was allegedly committed by the newspaper on October 18, 2019, when it published a letter to the editor under the caption, “Terminate a monster in its shell or it will come back to haunt you.”

According to the suit, the article portrayed the minister as “corrupt, immoral and was capable of corruptly influencing and or affecting and did so corruptly influence or affect a decision to terminate a Contract between ‘the Trinidadian Company’ and GuyOil and criminal means.”

The former minister also sought $50M in damages for libel allegedly committed by the online version of the

newspaper on October 18, 2019, when it published the article.

According to the lawsuit, as a result of the headlines and articles and its dissemination, both online and offline, the claimant’s personal and professional reputation and standing has been irreparably and severely damaged, lowered in the estimation of rightthinking members of society and the Claimant has suffered and continues to suffer financial injury, constant distress, humiliation, embarrassment, indignity, pain and suffering.

The statement of claim avers that the words meant and were understood to mean that the Claimant required a bribe, caused or conspired with others to require or request a bribe, if the bribe was paid to the Claimant a contract between “the Trinidadian Company” and GuyOil would not have been terminated and that the Claimant was capable of corruptly influencing and or affecting and did so corruptly influence or affect a decision to terminate a contract between the “the Trinidadian Company” and GuyOil.

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan In determining the quantum of damages, Justice Corbin took into consideration all the circumstances including the nature and gravity of the allegation which imputed criminality and dishonesty to the Claimant, the effect which it may have on the Claimant’s feelings 15 and in mitigation, the fact that the Defendants published an apology.

Taking all the aggravating and mitigating factors into consideration and having regard to the purpose of an award of damages, the judge determined damages in the sum of $7,500,000.00.

sKaieteur weN ruetNews eiaK

PAGE 08

Sunday Monday January May 02, 21, 2022 2024

ExxonMobil and partners to recover full US$10 billion cost for 4th project in 2024 before operation begins E

xxonMobil and its partners, Hess and CNOOC, are set to recover US$12.6B in expenses in 2024, one year ahead of delivering the US$10B Yellowtail project, under the lopsided production sharing agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block, situated off the coast of Guyana.

Kaieteur News last week noted that the financial arrangement between ExxonMobil, its partners, and the government of Guyana has led to a significant disparity in projected revenue distribution this year.

In 2024, it is expected that these oil giants will generate around US$14.7B in earnings for them from crude oil production. In contrast, Guyana is projected to receive US$2.1B from its share of the crude, totaling US$16.8B in oil exports.

Guyana's entitlement

includes 25 out of 202 projected lifts of crude, amounting to 25 million barrels of crude for the year.

Additionally, the country is expected to earn US$320M in royalties, bringing its total earnings from oil production and royalties to about US$2.4B in 2024.

Most of the US$14.7B that Exxon and its partners are earning is categorized as cost oil, representing the recovery of expenses they claim were incurred in exploring and developing the Stabroek Block.

ExxonMobil, having received approval for five offshore oil developments in Guyana, with a sixth to be approved soon, has total development expenses for these projects at approximately US$54B. In 2024, 75% of the crude, amounting to about US$12.6B, is allocated for cost recovery. This is in accordance with the PSA,

which allows the oil companies to use 75% of the annual crude production to recover their expenses. The cumulative costs recovered

by ExxonMobil by the end of 2023 are projected to have exceeded US$18B.

The US$12.6B expected to be recovered in 2024 exceeds the US$10B development cost of the Yellowtail project, which was approved in 2022 and is projected to start production in 2025.

This means ExxonMobil and its partners will effectively recover the Ye l l o w t a i l p r o j e c t ' s development cost before delivering the project.

This situation underscores the danger of the absence of ring-fencing in the Stabroek Block PSA, a crucial financial safeguard in the oil and gas industry.

Ring-fencing prevents the mixing of funds from

The Stabroek Block

different projects and ensures profits from a specific project are used solely for its associated costs. Without ring-fencing, the development expense of the Yellowtail project can be recovered from ongoing

production from Liza-1, Liza-2, and Payara.

Vi c e P r e s i d e n t D r.

Bharrat Jagdeo has not pursued ring-fencing provisions in the belief that they might act as a disincentive to investment.

Jagdeo accepts that ringfencing could increase Guyana's immediate benefits from the Stabroek Block's wealth, yet prefers to allow the companies to recover their expenses more quickly and extensively.

Zijin to fully commence underground gold mining – Min. Singh …equipment, other assets on its way Aurora Gold Mines (AGM), piloted by its Chinese owner, Zijin Mining Inc., is gearing up to initiate comprehensive underground mining operations in Guyana.

The announcement was made during the 2024 Budget presentation made

by Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Minister Singh underscored the consistent growth in gold production at AGM and revealed that crucial equipment and assets are enroute to facilitate the complete commencement of underground mining operations. Additionally, he highlighted the upcoming development of a 16megawatt solar farm in 2024, aimed at supporting the mills. However, a specific timeline for these endeavors was not disclosed during the presentation.

“Gold mining operations continue to offer profitable opportunities for both international and domestic investors and prospects for gold remain positive both at the large scale as well as the small and medium scale level,” the minister said.

According to Dr. Singh, at the large-scale end of the spectrum, exploration activities continue to indicate very strong resource potential. Currently, AGM is the only large-scale gold operation in the production stage. In 2026, Eagle Mountain, Marudi, Oko West and Wenot mining projects (all owned by Canadian mining companies) are expected to start production – all largescale operations.

Zijin Mining Group's presence spans across 17 provincial-level regions in China and encompasses operations in 15 countries worldwide, including their

An aerial view of the Aurora Gold Mines operation ventures in Guyana. Their foothold in Guyana's mining landscape was solidified in August 2020 when they acquired the largest gold mines operation in the country from Canadianowned AGM for a substantial sum of US$238 million.

Notably, efforts have been made for the release of mining contracts from the Government of Guyana, particularly large-scale contracts, as per Guyana's commitment to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). Despite these requirements, the administration has been slow to disclose these agreements.

The Aurora gold project, originally developed by Guyana Goldfields, operates in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni region as both an open-pit and underground mining operation, sprawling across an extensive area of 12 square kilometers or 2,965 acres.

Zijin now has full ownership of this project, which is actively operational and characterized by Orogenic gold deposits. It boasts substantial Mineral Resources, inclusive of Mineral Reserves, containing approximately 6 million ounces of gold with a grade of 2.54 grams per tonne.

Guyana's annual gold

declaration has been on the decline since 2017.

In fact, the gold, diamond and bauxite sectors have recorded a steep decline in declarations for 2023, when compared to the previous year. This was revealed by Senior Minister on Monday.

Dr. Singh reported that the gold sector recorded a decline of 11.2%, on account of lower declarations from small and medium miners.

He explained, “Total gold declarations fell to 432,113 ounces last year. The single producing foreign operator recorded an estimated 7.8 percent increase in declarations, with 109,358 ounces declared in 2023.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh

However, this was outweighed by the lower declarations from the small and medium-scale operators, whose output fell by an estimated 16.2 percent to 322,755 ounces.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

PAGE 09

Guyana is borrowing its way to prosperity It was just a short while ago that the media was being regaled with stories about the difficulties of having climate financing being channeled through multilateral agencies. One could have almost breathed a sigh of relief that the country is now so much more a fortune position now that it is flush with oil revenues.

But then came the wakeup call. The Vice President is reporting that 40% of the Budget will come from loans.

For an oil-producing country, with a US trillion-dollar budget to announce that 40% of its planned expenditure this year will be backed by loans is cause for concern. As if to confirm the increasing reliance on loans to finance g o v e r n m e n t ’s c a p i t a l programme, the government is once again proposing to increase the country’s debt ceiling. This will allow it to borrow more, much of which will be backed by the country’s future projected oil revenues.

So why then, it needs to be asked, was it being suggested that we have to pump as much oil as we can and as fast as we can. If we

are taking loans, including long term-loans, backed by our future oil revenues, should we be in a hurry to extract all the oil we have? What will happen when the oil is finished? One of the things which Glenn Lall has been harping over repeatedly has been the absence of ringfencing. He has been demanding that the government ring-fence its oil projects. His rationale is that this would allow us to earn billions of US dollars more and therefore not have to run cap in hand to beg international governments and banks for loans.The government’s excuse has been that long-term benefits will accrue by not ringfencing. In other words, immediate benefits are being forgone for long-term benefits. This column has pointed out where this excuse is in direct contradiction to pursuing a narrow window for the exploitation of oil. By the government’s logic, by the time those long-term benefits are available, renewable energy would have superseded fossil fuels and oil would be interred in

the economic graveyard. But the government does not see the flaw in its logic On the other hand, if we had ringfenced the oil projects, there would have need for us to borrow loans of 40% of our Budget. But do not tell that to our financial gurus. They do not wish to be lectured to by anyone. We are borrowing 40% of our Budget despite almost 25% of the Budget coming from withdrawals from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF). Withdrawals from the NRF constitute a staggering 77% of non-oil revenues. This is the extent to which Guyana’s budget is literally floating on oil and the extent to which it is imbalanced.

Withdrawals from the NRF may end up higher because no one should seriously consider the present Budget numbers as final given the fact that last year alone at least 3 supplementary spending bills were tabled in the National Assembly, making a mockery of budget planning. In December 2024, the government passed a Supplementary Appropriation Act of almost

There should be more responsible...

From page 05 privileged. This inconsistency is troubling!

We must balance preserving the invaluable benefits of mangroves and preventing their overgrowth. Responsible management practices, community engagement, and scientific intervention are essential to curb uncontrolled proliferation

and ensure a sustainable coexistence between mangroves and the impacted communities.

The mangrove policy should also be consistent and not elitist, as it appears to be now.

Yours truly, Dr. Devanand Bhagwan

DEM BOYS SEH

De numbers game again Every week, dem police comin’ out like a parade announcin’ how much people dem done ticket and charge for traffic offences.

Like dem gat some secret competition to see who could hand out more pieces of paper than de odda. But me ah seh, “Wait nuh! Wah dis really tellin’ we?”

De police dem actin’ like dem deh in a marathon, runnin’ to chalk up numbers like medals. But hold on a minute, nah! Wha we really want fuh know is, how dem numbers stackin’ up against last year? We need de comparative figures to unravel dis traffic ticketin’ mystery.

It’s like yuh deh in school, and yuh get a grade on a test. Yuh go home, and yuh mudda ask, “How yuh do?” Yuh can say, “Ah get 85%,” but yuh mudda ain’t

goh satisfied till she hear, “Last time ah get 60%, so ah improve.” See, numbers alone don’t tell de whole story; yuh need dem side by side like bread and butter.

So, me ah suggest de police start tellin’ we how much more people dem chargin’ compared to last year. Otherwise, it’s like boastin’ ‘bout how much flour yuh got but nah mentionin’ yuh ain’t got no sugar fuh de bake. We need de sugar, we need de context, we need de before and after, like a good storybook.

It remind dem boys about de time a traffic policeman stop a man for going too slow on the highway. De policeman ask de driver, “Why are you going so slow? You’re holding up traffic!”

“Well,” says the man,

“the signs say Highway 40.” ”That’s the road number,” says the policeman, “not the speed limit.”

Then he notices a woman in the back seat, trembling all over. “Is your passenger all right, sir?” he asks.”Don’t worry officer,” says the man, “my wife is always like that when we come off Highway 170.”

So, dear traffic ticketin’ champions, give we de full story. Show we how much better yuh doin’ this year compared to de last. If yuh really want applause, let we hear how much yuh improve. Until then, dem numbers just floatin’ ‘round like lost sheep waitin’ fuh a shepherd. We need de shepherd; we need de comparison – bring it on!

Talk half. Leff half.

G$26B; in August, it was US$61B; and in April, mere months after presenting the Budget, the government again was forced to appropriate G$31B. This year, the government is also banking on carbon credit inflows of G$43B. The government may be in for a surprise because there is no indication as yet whether Chevron will honour the arrangement entered into by Hess. Recent reports also suggested that Chevron may be forced to cut back on staff as a result of certain problems. Oil revenues should have allowed greater fiscal space for the government to reduce the burden of taxation on the population. Some 56% of the projected revenues will come from tax revenues despite the massive inflows of petrodollars. By now, we should have been able to reduce the VAT to 10%,

especially considering the many exemptions and exceptions to paying VAT. The Budget is too large.

Guyana does not have the absorptive capacity for such a Budget. Our economy is already showing signs of overheating. Having such a massive Budget will lead to squander mania. Imagine, a few days ago, plans were announced to spend some G$800M to build a nursing school in the region, a region with less than 50,000 persons.

We can hardly effectively man the existing hospitals in the country. Yet we are building 12 new hospitals across Guyana.

No wonder the contracting class is smiling… all the way to the bank.

The government is building a hospitality training center in Region 6.

This hospitality sector in Region 6 and its adjoining regions is weak. This year alone, half of a billion dollars will go into that

institute. When that institute is finished, it will end up costing some G$2.6 B? But who will go all the way to Region 6 for training?

No wonder we are contracting more debt. This year, we are borrowing from India, China, Sweden, Saudi Arabia, IDB, IFAD, IDA, Islamic Development Bank and Canada. Beg, borrow and buy is the philosophy of the government and its trillion-dollar Budget 2024.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10 S

UTH

D TR

HAR

HK

BY G

L

LAL

Sunday Monday January May 02, 21,2022 2024

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

Budget 2024 - the ecstasy and the agony The PPP Government recently received the best testimonials that could be had, and they came from two conspicuous sources.

The sources are ecstatic about the provisions in this year's budget, and that ecstasy should be enough to persuade the citizens of Guyana, as to what went into the budget, and who came out as winners.

They are the ones championing the 2024 budget.

I would be duty bound, too, to let the world know of my delight if such were the circumstances that came to my group. In this the eighth and final writing on this year's budget, there is stepping aside and let the joy of those who made out like conquerors in the numbers and narrativesbible that is now Guyana's 2024 budget.

The Private Sector is grateful, if not overjoyed,considering what is in the budget, and what it means for its constituents.

There is $204.1 billion for upgrading roads and building other infrastructural components. In Wall Street parlance that is one hell of a predators' ball.

Or to expand upon Gordon Gekko, greed is not

just good; greed is glorious.

Why, in Guyana, greed may even be godly. There we are, $204.1 billion to upgrade cement and macadam, and this while numerous Guyanese are themselves in a dilapidated physical and mental state. The applause also came for the $97.6 billion for irrigation and drainage in the agricultural sector.

I will keep an open mind: the effects of that near $100 billion-dollar budget allocation are going to mean something to those who struggle to buy greens and veggies. That is, cheaper agricultural products. It is a public secret that the private sector has considerable input and influence in the budget process, what is as good as a seat at the table and insider status.

What the private sector wants, the private sector gets.

Hence, all the lush encomia, given its takings from the 2024 budget. The private sector is parading its praises publicly (quite reasonably); private citizens not-so-wellprovided-for in this year's budget, take it on the chin.They are in agony; they shrink and shudder. They have no choice, no say, and no stature to make a pitch, or

difference, for themselves.

On a related note, I think it was the money maestro, Dr. Ashni Singh, who was proud to report that the budget had no new taxes. See what I mean: the private sector doesn't even have to ask, and it prevails.

With respect to Dr. Singh, the mere mention of taxes in today's Guyana is pure blasphemy. Since the private sector is off-limits where taxes are concerned, then that only leaves poorconsumers.

No taxes are good; no Guyanese working, like those citizens of Persian Gulf c o u n t i e s i s b e t t e r.

Recognizing that sometimes I go too far; I take that back.

Unlike Kuwatis and Qataris, Guyanese know only work, and must work.

With unpalatable budgetary provisions that they must cope with somehow, some pensioners have to hit the road, and the poor had better scramble for a second job to keep their heads above water.

Then, the manufacturing sector joined the praise and thanksgiving line.

The Demerara Harbour Bridge and Ogle to Soesdyke Highway, plus others, mean lucrative business for the group.

It would be incomparable

ungratefulness to be anything other than fully pleased.

With a half billion (agroprocessing), $3.3 billion (industrial estates rehab), $8 billion (HR development) and another $2.8 billion (skills training), there are opportunities galore for the manufacturing people to have a profitable 2024.

They can start filling in the blanks for their 2024 income statement from now; it is all in the black and boldly so. In a nutshell, the PPP Government's business-tilted budget did extremely well for the manufacturing sector; thus, the accolades rolled out and are rolling along.

The manufacturing sector did so well that it had room for the charitable: the woeinfested in Guyana now have $4.8 billion more in disposable income.

According to the manufacturing folks, they also should be happy, for there is nothing to complain about.

In creole, “dah is like a maan who belly full telling a hungry belly maan, doan worry yuh doin well, yuh gon come in fuh mo later”. The lotto winner patronizing the consolation winner that he did great. Just keep on scratching away devotedly

buddy, and hope for the best. We are in this together.

Yessir, but unsaid is who is on top, and who is in a hole, a deep one without a ladder (or safety net).

This is the other side of the highly skewed 2024 budget equation: the lowlevel workers and the lowon-the-totem-pole Guyanese.

Whereas the smart people and the rich people in the private and manufacturing sectors are all ecstasy, there are those Guyanese in the majority that live in agony.

So much in the budget, yet so little for them. It is transformative for the private sector, but does it have to be so punitive to the poverty sector?

T h e r e i s t h e transformational for the tight clusters of insiders in Guyana's budget, but there is enough to spread some of the inspirational to the multitudes of outsiders in one of the richest countries in sight. This is the agony which Guyana's impoverished masses live with, grapple. If not now, then when?

I leave this little carat

behi nd. The Vice President was cute enough to say months ago that pensioners will get $7,000 total increase for 2024 and 2025. They got $3,000 so far for 2024, which the great Ashni Singh reported represents a 75% increase since the PPP is back.

When the $4,000 left from Dr. Jagdeo's earlier cleverness is announced in 2025, it would be a 33% increase over 2024.

Dr. Singh, the majestic Guyanese wiseman, would then be able to say that it is now a 100% increase from when the PNC was at the helm.

It is why I love these guys. They have perfected the art of blindfolding the Guyanese people, while smartly picking their pockets. And playing with their minds.

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

No conflict of interest in Booker Tate's involvement in all aspects of Skeldon Factory - Jagdeo …says separate company team had oversight over construction

T

he Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo continues to defend Booker Tate's involvement in all aspects of the Skeldon Sugar Factory.

On Thursday, at his weekly press conference at the Office of the President, the VP explained why the company was involved in the design, management, and evaluation of the bid and the oversight of construction.

Citing this as an apparent conflict of interest, this publication asked him whether it was not a conflict of interest to have Booker Tate involved in the design of the Skeldon Sugar Factory, the evaluation of the bids, and then also be the Project Manager of the very project that it designed and helped pick the contractor.

Jagdeo disagreed that it was a conflict of interest.

“Booker Tate was managing and therefore management had a role in the evaluation of the bids.

So now that we've established that they were hired to do the feasibility study, to design the factory that they helped assess the bids, and then a separate Booker Tate team, not the management team, was selected to oversee the design, the construction,” he said.

He said because Booker Tate designed / participated in the design of the building, “I think it was thought at the board level because this is a decision of the board that it would be best to have them oversee the construction of the building.”

He explained that the decision and selection was done by “the best technical people with no political

involvement.”

Jagdeo said the government, “established now that they were sued by this government, the PPP government for not fulfilling their role to ensure that the Chinese contractor see that they fulfilled the requirements of the contract.”

“In fact, they reviewed a design and approved elements of the design that failed, like the punt dumper etc... the conflict of interest is not the question here it is the professional services that they should have offered.”

The controversial Skeldon Sugar Factory has been riddled with problems ever since into begun operation in 2009. It has been a under the microscope from its construction under Jagdeo's tenure as President, to its opening and the

millions poured into it to keep it afloat.

Over the years, a substantial number of concerned citizens have written to various publications in Guyana calling it an 'industrial white elephant,' a 'dead duck' and the death of sugar, amongst others.

This publication reported in October 2008 that BookerTate would not hold the responsibility for managing the implementation of the agricultural component of the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project, familiarly called the new Skeldon Factory at the time.

Booker-Tate was called in to manage the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) in 1990. The management team was scheduled to stay on board at the corporation for six

months following the commissioning of the new Skeldon Sugar Factory, after which an international tender for management services was expected to be advertised.

Fast forward to December 2010, Kaieteur News reported that Booker Tate sued the state-owned entity, in excess of £664,000 (G$208M) for unpaid fees.

According to court documents filed by attorney Nigel Hughes, local lawyer for the UK-based sugar consultant, two separate actions were filed against GuySuCo. In 2014, the tables turned when on July 15th this publication reported that because of the problems with the multi-billion-dollar Skeldon sugar factory has ended up in the courts with GuySuCo suing its former European manager for

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo US$30M. Then Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Raj Singh, while testifying before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services, admitted that GuySuCo did not get what it asked for.

As a matter of fact, the Skeldon Factory was built with design flaws, that almost five years after its commissioning, which led the facility to underperform.

Sunday January 21, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

SUNDAY ExxonM boasts to shareholders of low payback period on investments as Guyana ignores advice to ring-fence Stabroek Block projects United States (U.S.) oil major, ExxonMobil in its Corporate Plan Update recently informed its shareholders that its capital expenditure is expected to be repaid in less than 10 years.

Exxon said last month, “The company now anticipates total annual capital expenditures and exploration expense of $23 billion to $25 billion in 2024 and $22 billion to $27 billion annually from 2025 through 2027, generating an average return of approximately 30%.” It was keen to note, “Greater than 90% of the capex has payback periods less than 10 years.”

The oil company assured its shareholders that its capital allocation approach prioritizes competitively advantaged, high-return, low-cost-of-supply, valueaccretive investments that enable ExxonMobil to lead the industry now and through the energy transition.

ExxonMobil is the o p e r a t o r o f G u y a n a ’s lucrative Stabroek Block.

The company holds a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Already more than 11 billion barrels of oil has been discovered in the Stabroek Block by the consortium. To date, the Government of Guyana (GoG) has sanctioned five projects with three already in operation. A sixth development is presently pending approval.

Each project has an estimated life of 20 years. In normal circumstances, the repayment of a project would commence after oil production starts, however, ExxonMobil Guyana has been shortening Guyana’s share of profits in order to finance projects in the Stabroek Block before they start oil production.

It was reported in July 2023 that ExxonMobil deducted millions of USdollars in decommissioning costs, to clean up the third and fourth developments in the Stabroek Block, even though these projects were

yet to commence oil production.

No ring-fencing In the absence of a ringfencing provision, Exxon has been utilizing the revenues generated from the oil producing projects to fund projects that are yet to come on stream as well as its exploration campaign across the Block.

Flagging what he described as “shortsightedness” on the part of the government for failing to ring-fence the Stabroek Block projects, prominent Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram said Guyana is haemorrhaging US millions.

Ram last year during a radio appearance on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/ 99.5 FM argued that no competent leader would allow such an abysmal act to continue. A ring-fencing provision would mandate that each oil project pay for itself only. In this manner, once the project has been repaid, Guyana would benefit from 50 percent of the earnings there. Ram during the radio programme however argued that Guyana has failed to ring-fence the Stabroek Block projects, allowing the currently producing projects to pay for a number of other costs in the Stabroek Block, such as exploration activities for instance.

The lawyer was keen to point out that Guyana not only allows for one project to pay for other costs, but these payments are also unrestricted or unlimited.

Ram told listeners, “Now nobody in their right mind, nobody who understands the concept of a production sharing agreement would allow that but our government does, so we lose millions and millions of USdollars in money that should have come to us, helping Exxon and their friends to

explore for oil so that by the time they have to relinquish anything, they have already used up the entire area.”

The lawyer concluded that Guyana is being “conned” by the multinational oil corporation. According to the lopsided PSA Guyana signed with ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC, the Contractor can deduct up to 75 percent of the revenues generated each month towards the recovery of cost while the remaining proceeds are split as profits equally with Guyana.

T h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s position is that the projects will not be ring-fenced so as to ensure investment continues in the Stabroek Block to fast track production.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had explained to reporters during a press conference: “We admitted that we are foregoing revenue now in exchange for massive future income because it’s going into new projects that will increase production, and so even with the same share of the 50/50, plus the two percent royalty that the future income, because of the bigger scale will be massive in Guyana’s case and we are deliberately foregoing that in this period for that purpose and then trying to grab this bone now could cause you to lose all the bones, the bigger bones too in the future.”

Jagdeo continued, “If there is no ring-fencing, therefore it would take a bit longer to get revenue, so it comes back in the end, more revenue but it comes from a larger production so the revenue increases dramatically if the money that would have come in earlier gets reinvested…because if you end at one project and you ring-fence and you collect and there is no new investment well then you

will not get any additional resources in the future.”

Guyana has been repeatedly advised by independent international experts to ring-fence its oil projects to ensure the country benefits from its resources early on, as this would help to improve the n a t i o n ’s e d u c a t i o n , infrastructure and health services among others. This is particularly important for Guyana, a new-comer to the s e c t o r, a s t h e w o r l d transitions to cleaner sources of energy, causing a decline in oil prices.

No independent meters 4 years later to monitor ExxonMobil’s oil production unacceptable – Norton “We should not rely on Exxon to give us information. To me that is unacceptable. I’ve said that before, I want to make it clear here again.”

That was the position of the Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, shared with journalists on Thursday during his weekly press engagement.

Norton while responding

Sunday January 21, 2024

to a question from this newspaper regarding his position on the lack of independent meters to verify the production rates being reported by American oil giant, ExxonMobil shared the view that Guyana must have its own mechanisms in place.

“I believe we need our own meters so that we can monitor and know what is happening,” he said.

When asked about his views on Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo’s plan to use a cable from Exxon’s Control Centre to monitor the offshore activities, Norton urged that the country instead develop its own systems to monitor production. He reasoned, “I believe Guyana has to establish its independent capacity to monitor oil and gas and it should not be relying on Exxon.

The only time I think they must be relying on Exxon is when Exxon is preparing the bills for the audit. I have consistently said I am concerned we are not developing the capacity to monitor and audit what is happening so in that regard I think I’m clear.”

Recently, a Trinidadian Consultant who gained 30 years of experience with BP TT pointed out that for Guyana to reap the true benefits of its rapidly developing oil and gas sector, the country must implement an independent system that aids in the verification of the daily rate of production by American oil major, ExxonMobil.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) is the operator of Guyana’s oil rich Stabroek Block. More than

11 b i l l i o n b a r r e l s o f resources have been discovered offshore by the company since 2015.

Production activities officially commenced in December 2019.

The company now has three Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels in operation, producing an average 500,000 barrels per day; however, Guyana is yet to put measures in place to verify the daily rate of production. Consequently, the country accepts the production figures reported by the company and allows for its resources to be exported without robust verification techniques in place.

Former Head of Maintenance and Reliability at BP Trinidad and Tobago, Kuarlal Rampersad in an interview with Kaieteur News strongly urged that Guyana avoids the mistakes made by the twin island republic.

The Consultant warned that in the absence of this, the company can provide its own figures on the number of barrels leaving the country which cannot be disputed by Guyana. Read more here: https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2024/01/01/govtmust-install-independentmeters-offshore-lab-forguyanese-to-benefit-fromoil-bonanza-tt-consultant/ Meanwhile, VP Jagdeo when asked about the government’s intentions regarding the monitoring of ExxonMobil’s production during his end of year press conference in December said plans are advancing with the fiber optic cable to link Exxon’s onshore facilities to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in the Stabroek Block.

Interestingly, Jagdeo said that once Exxon’s headquarters in Ogle, East Coast Demerara, is completed, it will enable real-time monitoring and possibly control offshore production activities.

Jagdeo explained that while government is hopeful to get a connection with the cable, he indicated plans for the government to establish its own means of monitoring, using satellite technology.

“Right now, we are in discussion with a couple people but most likely [government] will have to go to tender for a system using (Continued on page 13)

Sunday January 21, 2024

From page 12 s a t e l l i t e t e c h n o l o g y.

Because we don’t have that cable as yet, but later we can probably use the same cable to the things that you’re saying,” the Vice President said.

MONDAY Opposition Leader now wants data on Exxon’s well to decide if ring-fencing project is correct path for Guyana In a recent press c o n f e r e n c e , G u y a n a ’s political opposition asserted that they require detailed well specifics and expert advice before conclusively determining whether ringfencing projects within ExxonMobil’s Stabroek Block is the correct path.

On Thursday, Leader of the Opposition (LOO) Aubrey Norton was asked about the ring-fencing of Exxon’s multi-billion-dollar projects in the Stabroek Block. Norton argued that, as a relatively new player in the oil and gas industry, Guyana lacks technical capabilities, urging a cautious approach.

He emphasised the need to engage experts and thoroughly assess available options before committing to ring-fencing.

“It is easy to say do one, do two without looking at the consequences without the experts’ knowledge,” the Opposition Leader said.

Ring-fencing, in the realm of oil and gas, is a financial safeguard to segregate the economic activities of distinct projects. This strategy prevents the mix of

funds from different ventures, ensuring that profits generated by a particular project are solely utilized to cover its associated costs.

It should be noted that the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed by the previous Coalition government, stipulates that a whopping 75 percent of the monthly revenues are to be deducted as costs to repay the companies’ shareholders, while the remaining proceeds are split as profits equally with Guyana. In the absence of a ring-fencing provision, the companies have the leeway to use the profits from producing oil projects to pay for others that are yet to commence production. A ring-fencing provision would therefore prevent oil companies from using revenue generated from a production field to offset costs in another project. It would also mean that when that project cost is repaid, Guyana would enjoy 50 percent of the revenue generated there.

T h e O p p o s i t i o n ’s economic advisor, Elson Low echoed similar sentiments as Norton. Low stated that access to detailed offshore operations data, particularly regarding the complexity and nature of the wells, is crucial for informed decision-making. The advisor underscored that the information available on well size and other aspects is insufficient, emphasizing the necessity of a holistic understanding of the wells’ complexity and deposits.

“One of the reasons that we say when we’re in office

Kaieteur News

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton we will review this data and seek expert’s advice is because we want to ensure that it is clear what the correct path forward. The leader just mentioned that we don’t want to sway investors. Especially if we’re looking at circumstances where ring fencing is not appropriate but in order for us to really be able to put forward a final decision and to approach this issue, we will need access to that data and to that end we have been calling for access to data,” the Opposition economic advisor said.

The Opposition advisor said, “What we’re saying is ring-fencing is something we’re looking at but it’s not a hard and fast approach rather it is dependent upon getting access to more information.”

Low stressed the importance of considering the financial implications of well complexity on investor decisions and expressed a need for additional information to gauge

potential negative impacts on investment decisions.

“So we need to get additional information so that we can get a sense of how investors will look at different well prospects and therefore, whether ringfencing will impact the investment decisions negatively or not cause an impact therefore we need access to that information but also the appropriate expertise to be able to guide us as we make that evaluation,” he responded.

Notably, during one of his 2023 press conferences, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo accepted that ringfencing the oil projects will allow Guyana to benefit more from the wealth generated in the resourcerich Stabroek Block, immediately. Despite his acceptance however, the VP is unwilling to affect any changes to the lopsided deal that United States oil giant, ExxonMobil and its partners.

6th oil project: AFC wants strict timeline for audits, ring-fencing, full protection from Exxon for oil spills As the Government of Guyana (GoG) prepares to award ExxonMobil a sixth licence to develop the Whiptail project in the Stabroek Block, the Alliance For Change (AFC) is calling on the administration to ensure measures are taken for Guyanese to benefit from the vast natural resource.

At its first press conference of the year, the party listed a number of measures that should be taken by government in that regard.

The AFC’s point man on Oil and Gas, David Patterson, was keen to note

PAGE 13

Opposition’s economic advisor, Elson Low that by now, Guyanese should be enjoying greater profits from the sector.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) commenced production activities in December 2019 at the Liza One project.

Guyana now has three producing projects but continue to see meagre profits.

Patterson explained that due to the absence of a ringfencing provision, Guyana is yet to enjoy the real value of the 50/50 profit sharing arrangement as the company continues to deduct 75 percent of the income towards cost.

When asked what specific changes should be made by government in approving another project, the Member of Parliament (MP) directed this newspaper to his 34-point amendments to the Petroleum Activities Bill.

N o n e o f t h e recommendations proffered by the party were accepted by government and the legislation was passed as is, back in August 2023. The MP pointed out that had government taken on the suggestions, the new principles would have governed the 6th development as well as all future projects.

Patterson in his submission to the National Assembly made a case for timely audits to be conducted. He said, “All audits for money deemed cost recoverable under any production licence shall be completed within nine months of the end of each fiscal year. The Minister shall submit all audit reports to the National Assembly at the earliest possible time thereafter.”

He also recommended that a ring-fencing provision

be implemented to avoid the revenues in one project from being used to finance other activities across the Stabroek Block.

Meanwhile, with regards to full protection for the country from an oil spill, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure said, “the licensee shall undertake to provide full liability coverage, inclusive of appropriate insurance and a parent company guarantee which shall be in force for each oil field development.”

These are a few of the key provisions the AFC believes government should consider when approving the 6th project.

According to project documents, the Whiptail development project is pegged at US$13B and will develop the Whiptail, Pinktail, and Tilapia fields, along with potential additional resources, if determined to be feasible and economically viable.

The current development plans for the project include drilling via drill ships to produce oil from approximately 40 – 65 production and injection wells. Production is expected to begin between the fourth quarter of 2027 and the second quarter of 2028 with an expected field life of at least 20 years.

A c c o r d i n g t o ExxonMobil, the project will be designed to add up to 275,000 barrels of oil a day to existing daily production volumes in Guyana with the associated additional revenues to the government of Guyana, while continuing a steady expansion of opportunities for Guyanese to participate in the petroleum industry.

Chief policymaker for the local petroleum sector, (Continued on page 14)

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From page 13 Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said at his first press conference for the year that the project is on track for government approval this quarter.

Jagdeo said he could not confirm a specific date for the approval but assured that it remains on schedule. “I know the assessment is being done by our external consultants,” he said, while cautioning that the process could see Exxon being asked to supply additional information. “I can’t tell you on a daily basis where they are because I don’t track that.

But I think that it’s still on track so far for that, for the first quarter,” the Vice President added.

TUESDAY BUDGET 2024 set at $1.146 Trillion - Reveals plans to increase debt ceiling, revise rules for withdrawals from oil account - Economy projected to grow 34.3 percent this year Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday unveiled a $1.146 Trillion budget for 2024 under the theme, “Staying the Course: Building Prosperity for All.” This is the first time Guyana has passed the trillion dollar mark for its budget which will utilise a portion of the oil revenues saved in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF).

Notably, this year ’s budget represents a 46.6 percent increase over 2023’s budget which was $789.1B. To meet this astronomical spending plan, Minister Singh revealed that government will be approaching the National Assembly for an increase in the domestic and external debt ceilings. He said this will provide the flexibility needed to optimise on the financing mix while at the same time safeguarding debt sustainability.

Minister Singh also revealed that there will be a revision to the NRF withdrawal rule which, once approved, will result in an upward

revision to the NRF withdrawal amount to take effect from this fiscal year. He said the revised withdrawal rule will retain the important feature that, as production and revenue ramp up further, an increasing share of the inflows into the NRF will be saved relative to the share transferred to the Consolidated Fund to finance national development priorities.

Speaking to the nation’s economic performance, Minister Singh who presented for exactly five hours and 20 minutes, revealed that the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was projected to grow by 25.1 percent for 2023, with non-oil GDP expected to expand by 7.9 percent. “I am now pleased to report that Guyana’s real GDP is estimated to have grown by 33 percent overall in 2023, with stronger-than-expected expansion of 11.7 percent in the non-oil real GDP,” the minister said.

He further noted that the expansion of the overall real economy in 2023 can be largely attributed to continued growth in oil and gas activity. In this regard, the minister recalled that there was the notable achievement of first oil at the new floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel, called Prosperity, in November at the ExxonMobiloperated Stabroek Block.

Additionally, while growth in the non-oil economy was mainly driven by expansions in the construction and services sectors, he said notable increases were also observed in all subsectors within agriculture, forestry, and fishing and manufacturing, as well as in the other mining and quarrying subsector.

With respect to 2024 growth rates, Minister Singh said Real GDP is projected at 34.3 percent.

Once realised the minister said this will represent the fifth consecutive year in which the Guyanese economy will be growing at more than 20 percent, and will result in Guyana growing at an annual average of 38.8 percent over that five year period. Minister Singh said the projected expansion this

Sunday January 21, 2024

Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh year can be primarily attributed to further increases in oil production as the Prosperity FPSO ramps up its operations.

Importantly, Minister Singh said the non-oil economy is projected to grow by 11.9 percent this year, driven by consistent expansion in all subsectors in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector, continued expansion in construction and services, as well as a recovery in bauxite and gold mining. Should this be achieved, he said this will mean the non-oil economy would have recorded four years of consecutive growth, and an average growth rate of 9.9 percent annually since its 7.3 percent contraction in 2020.

Turning to measures aimed at improving the lives of Guyanese, Minister Singh noted that government has maintained zero percent Excise Tax on petroleum products since March 2022. “As world market fuel prices remain volatile, we remain responsive to absorbing the impact of elevated fuel prices as a means of mitigating the transfer of higher fuel cost to the Guyanese people,” the minister said. He noted that this measure will be kept in place while fuel prices remain elevated. At current prices, Minister Singh said this measure results in Government foregoing an estimated $40 billion annually.

Minister Singh recalled that in August 2021, government had adjusted freight charges to the prepandemic levels for the purposes of computing import taxes and in order to combat the increase in

shipping costs which were passed on to consumers by importers. He said this measure will be extended for a further 12-month period from January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024, at a cost of over $6 billion.

It would be recalled that Government had launched the parttime job programme in 2022, in which one person per household was able to earn $40,000 by working 10 days per month in public offices in proximity to their homes. In 2023, Minister Singh said over 15,000 persons were employed through the programme in several regions, placing over $6 billion in disposable income into these households. In 2024, Minister Singh said this programme will continue and be expanded, with over $10 billion allocated.

To address other cost of living pressures, Minister Singh said $7 billion is allocated for measures to be determined after consultations with stakeholders.

In support of the development and expansion of small and medium enterprises as it relates to the cost of financing, Minister Singh said government will partner with the commercial banks to lower the interest rates on loans up to $5 million, thereby reducing the cost of financing for small businesses.

In recognition of the importance of sports and technology to human and economic development, and in particular to young people, Minister Singh announced the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) and duty on sports equipment. He also announced the removal of VAT on essential cell phone accessories, such as chargers, charging cables, and headphones, along with phone components for repairs.

With respect to Old Age Pension (OAP), Minister Singh said this will be increased from $33,000 to $36,000 per month. He said this reflects a 75 percent increase in pension since resuming office in 2020, and will benefit 76,000 persons, placing an additional $2.7 billion of disposable income in their hands.

Regarding public assistance, he said this will increase from $16,000 monthly to $19,000 with effect from January 1, 2024. Minister Singh said this represents a more than doubling of the public assistance since the PPP/C

Government resumed office. He said this will place $1.2 billion in additional disposable income in the hands of over 35,000 persons.

To promote eye care for school children and pensioners, Minister Singh said government will provide a $3,000 voucher towards the cost of an eye test for over 205,000 school children and 76,000 pensioners at a cost of over $840 million, to determine whether the person tested requires spectacles to aid their vision. For those who require spectacles, a $15,000 voucher would be provided towards the cost of the spectacles for the above category.

This measure is estimated to cost $955 million.

In the case of school children and pensioners living in the hinterland where testing facilities might not be readily accessible, an alternative arrangement will be put in place. The total cost of this intervention aggregates to $1.8 billion.

While noting that the early detection of cervical cancer is important to reducing illness and death from the disease, Minister Singh was pleased to announce that government will provide a voucher of $8,000 for women between the ages of 21 to 65 years of age, to meet the cost of Cervical Cancer Testing. This intervention will cost an estimated $2.8 billion.

In order to promote household fire prevention capabilities, the minister announced the removal of VAT and Duty on fire extinguishers and smoke alarms.

Noting that the Current Minimum Pension paid by the National Insurance Scheme is $35,000 monthly, the minister said this will now move to $43,075. He said this will result in $2.6 billion in additional disposable income to the benefit of over 27,000 persons.

With respect to Survivor’s Benefit which is payable to the Dependants of a deceased insured person, the minister said this will move from $17,500 monthly to $21,537. Minister Singh said this will make an additional $600 million of disposable income available to over 12,000 persons.

Regarding the Invalidity Benefit which is paid by NIS, Minister Singh said this will move from $35,000 monthly $43,075.

This will make an additional $24 million of disposable income available to over 200 persons.

Minister Singh also announced that government will offer eligible persons with contributions ranging from 700 to 749, the option to accept as full and final settlement, a one-off grant depending on the year in which the last contribution was made. This intervention can benefit over 3,800 persons at a cost of $550 million. Turning to the ‘Because We Care’ Student Grant, Minister Singh said this increased from (Continued on page 51)

Sunday January 21, 2024

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Our aim is to make quality dental services available to everyone at an affordable cost.

Sunday January 21, 2024

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O' Beautiful Guyana! Chinese styled pavilions,

s l l a f r Wate The

children's activity centre, open air theatre for Joe Vieira Park

DJ Satoru of Artical pride

An artist's impression of the new Joe Vieira Park

Diamond Sunshine of Kosmik Movement from the USA

Fostering talent, shaping perspectives

Several pieces on display at the exhibition (Photo: Sabine McIntosh)

Armageddon sound clash 2024 to feature female DJ, Japanese sound system

Deaf Artistry Unveiled

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Lieve Blanckaert

Born and raised in Georgetown, Guyana, the stunning Lieve Blanckaert is the proud founder of Habitual Lifestyle, a company that focuses on holistic living.

Beyond her decade-long philanthropic efforts, Lieve is as an Operations Manager in the mortgage business, however her pursuits does not end there, she effortlessly weaves modeling into her life and is signed with a prestigious model agency in the USA all while indulging in traveling the world and spending quality time with friends and family. As Guyana’s beauty ambassador, she holds three prestigious titles, including Miss India Guyana 2015 and Miss Universe Guyana 1st runner-up 2023. Lieve shares this powerful advice: “Embrace a holistic mindset: what you think, you become; what you feel, you attract; what you imagine, you create.”

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FROM CRISIS TO DEMOCRACY: OAS SHINES IN GUATEMALA’S POLITICAL TRANSITION

By Sir Ronald Sanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.)

The Organization of American States (OAS) demonstrated its continuing relevance and importance to member states by playing a constructive role in ensuring the transition of government in Guatemala, despite numerous attempts to disrupt the process.

Undoubtedly, had the OAS and its SecretaryGeneral, Luis Almagro, supported by key member states of the Permanent Council, not played an active role as mediator, negotiator, and influencer, Guatemala would currently face a constitutional crisis and civil unrest.

As the run-up to the Presidential and legislative elections in Guatemala approached in June 2023, signs of trouble were evident.

Much of the concerns centred around the deterioration of the rule of law, threats to judicial independence, and the activities of the country’s Attorney General, Consuelo Porras, and the Special Prosecutor in the Public Ministry, Rafael Curruchiche. The European Union (EU) was among the international bodies that had persistently expressed concerns about Porras.

Under the direction of Porras and Curruchiche, the Public Ministry used its “independence,” and absence of any institution to oversee its activities, to pursue a campaign of political intimidation against political persons and parties.

After the July 2023 elections in which Bernardo Arévalo emerged in second place as a contender for the Presidency of the country, the Public Ministry focused its attention on disqualifying him, his running mate for the Vice Presidency, Karin Herrera, and his Semilla (Seed) Party.

When Arévalo obtained an overwhelming majority at run-off elections on 20 August 2023, the Public Ministry intensified its

already strident efforts to disqualify him and the Semilla party candidates.

Taking advantage of the interregnum before Arévalo could be sworn in as President on 14 January 2024, the Public Ministry intensified its efforts against him and the Semilla Party.

These actions created great concern in the international community, and especially among certain member states of the OAS Permanent Council, that the transition of power, in accordance with the will of the majority of the Guatemalan electorate, would be overturned promoting civil strife.

Sensing the need for a constructive high level OAS diplomatic intervention in Guatemala to try to ensure that the looming crisis did not occur, an informal meeting of the Permanent Council in the July 2023, agreed that SecretaryGeneral Almagro should go to Guatemala to use his good offices to try to guide all parties away from the abyss to which they were being led with the Public Ministry as the chief pilot. Recognizing that the consent of the government of Guatemala was necessary for Almagro’s visit, a behind the scenes agreement was reached that the Government should invite him, and importantly, that he should go with the full backing of the OAS Permanent Council.

The OAS already had an Electoral Observer Mission in Guatemala. It had done a courageous and highly professional job in overseeing the first round of elections held in June 2023, but had a technical team on the ground since January 2023. The preliminary and final report of the Mission had helped to advise both the Permanent Council and Almagro of the political challenges that were brewing and the fragility of the situation.

In what should be regarded as Luis Almagro’s finest moment as Secretary General, he embarked on a successful “good offices” mission to ensure the transition of Government.

Between August 1, 2023, and January 15, 2024, he visited Guatemala six times, meeting all relevant players.

On December 15 and 16, 2023, as Chairman of the Permanent Council, I participated in high level meetings with him.

The task was formidable;

forces unwilling to relinquish power persisted in a relentless campaign of persecution, with the Public Ministry at the forefront.

This caused Almagro to declare, fearlessly, in early December 2023, that: “The Public Prosecutor’s Office is still bent on bringing cases from the past to affect the transition.”

In addition to his own good offices’ role, Almagro also dispatched two supporting special missions with the agreement of the Guatemalan government.

One was a “transition mission” and the other a “mediation mission.” The latter was sent as a result of peaceful protests, initiated by the indigenous and ancestral communities on 2 October 2023, against the Public Ministry and in support of Arévalo and the Semilla party.

As part of the OAS’ involvement in ensuring that the will of the electorate was respected, amid the continuous efforts to deny the installation of Arévalo and Herrera, a five-member group of Ambassadors, representing the Permanent Council, went to Guatemala from 12 to 14 January 2024 for discussions with the parties, including the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Private Sector, and the ancestral communities.

All of this proved to be vital. The Public Ministry never ceased its attempts at prosecution. Up to two days before the inauguration ceremony, it still tried to remove immunity from the Vice President-elect in order to pursue investigations against her. And on January 14, 2024, the day of the inauguration which was scheduled for 2 pm, the opposition forces fought a desperate, last-minute action in the Congress to stop the installation of Arévalo and Herrera.

It fell to Luis Almagro to issue a public statement, late that night, on behalf of all Presidents, Foreign Ministers, and diplomatic representatives, calling on the Congress “to fulfil its constitutional mandate to hand over power as required by the constitution” and stressing that the will of the Guatemalan people “must be respected.”

The situation in Guatemala is still not finally settled. A decision by the Constitutional Court, issued

on January 17, 2024, questioning the composition of the Board of the Congress, has opened a new area of controversy. Fortunately, the same decision “validated” the swearing in of the P r e s i d e n t a n d Vi c e President. Further, the Public Ministry remains headed by an Attorney-General who is palpably antagonistic to the new government, but who is insulated from removal by any institution or organ unless she is “convicted of an

intentional crime.”

It is unlikely that once she holds office – and she is there for another 2 years – that her campaign, obviously supported by powerful groups, will end.

Therefore, while the OAS has proved its relevance and importance by its vital work, in relation to Guatemala, that work is not yet over.

The task of supporting democracy, the rule of law

Sir Ronald Sanders and inclusive social and economic development in Guatemala remains on its agenda.

Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

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GAFDD warns of salmonella contamination of some Quaker Oatmeal cereals The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) of the Ministry of Health is warning the public of a voluntary recall notice issued by the Quaker Oats Company for certain Quaker Oats Cereals that is the Quaker Oatmeal squares cinnamon, Quaker Oatmeal Squares Brown Sugar, Cap ‘n Crunch OOOPS All berries Cereal.

This recall is initiated due to the potential contamination with Salmonella, a bacterium known to cause severe infections, particularly posing risks to young children, frail or elderly individuals, and those with weakened immune systems. Typical symptoms of Salmonella infection include fever, diarrhoea (potentially bloody), nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Consumers who have consumed any of the above listed products and experience any of the aforementioned symptoms are strongly advised to seek medical attention at their nearest health facility.

The affected Quaker Oats Cereals were produced in the United States and distributed in Guyana. Consumers in possession of the recalled products are urged to discontinue use immediately and return them to the original point of purchase.

The GA-FDD is actively monitoring the situation and collaborating closely with the importer and distributor to swiftly remove all affected products from circulation within the local market.

For a comprehensive list of affected products that have not been imported into Guyana by the authorized importer, please r e f e r t o http://www.quakergranolarecall.com/.

For further information or inquiries, individuals can contact the GA-FDD at 2228859/222-8860 or via WhatsApp at 2228011. The GA-FDD emphasizes the importance of consumers taking immediate action to avoid the recalled products, prioritizing their safety and well-being.

The Quaker Oatmeal Cereal that were recalled due Salmonella contamination

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Foods that can trigger IBS and Abdominal discomfort Dr. Zulfikar Bux Emergency Medicine Specialist Last week, I would have discussed Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which causes discomfort for 1 in every 10 persons. This condition causes persistent, life-long abdominal pains with either diarrhea or constipation, and quite a few other associated symptoms. Studies have shown that certain foods are more likely to trigger the effects of this condition and should be avoided.

Incidentally, most of these IBS trigger foods that we will discuss today, also play a major role in abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas, reflux and fatigue in non IBS individuals. It is therefore advised to decrease the use of the foods below, especially if you suffer from IBS. Dairy/Lactose Experts estimate that close to 70% of our population has some form of lactose intolerance or sensitivity. Those that cannot digest lactose at all, will have more severe symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting while most others who can partially digest lactose will have bloating, gas, reflux and abdominal discomfort. The following foods which composes of dairy milk are high in lactose: * Ice Cream

Yogurt Cheese Cakes with milk additives Chocolates High FODMAP Foods Fodmap is the acronym for Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides and Polyols. High FODMAP foods are a collection of short chain * * * *

carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the gut of some (including IBS sufferers) leading to bloating, gas and abdominal discomfort. The following are examples of high FODMAP foods: * Garlic * Onions * Legumes such as peas, beans, peanuts

* High fructose fruits such as apples, melons, mangoes * Sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, Sorbitol, mannitols * Grains such as wheat, barley, rye Caffeine Caffeine stimulates gut motility which tends to trigger contractions and abdominal pains in persons with IBS. Caffeine also aggravates stomach ulcers and reflux symptoms in the regular population. High caffeine foods include: * Coffee * Cocoa beans and chocolates * Energy drinks Gluten containing foods Studies have shown that a gluten free diet for 6 weeks reduced symptoms in IBS patients. Most IBS patients are not intolerant to gluten but they tend to have difficulties in fully digesting it and this causes abdominal pains, bloating, fatigue etc. Foods rich in gluten include: * Wheat and wheat flour * Barley * Rye * Beer * Cereals * Pasta * Pastries and cake and any product made with wheat flour

Spicy foods In general, Spicy foods that especially contain capsaicin tend to be an irritant to the lining digestive tract. This irritation is much higher in IBS sufferers and they tend to have diarrhea and abdominal pains.

The following are examples of spicy foods: * Hot peppers * Paprika * Black pepper * Cumin * Chili powder Alcohol and Carbonated Beverages Alcohol and carbonated beverages are normally irritants to the gut and are known to cause a build up of gas.

This is much worse in those with IBS and beverages containing them should be avoided.

From a quick glance, it may appear that most foods have to be avoided by persons with IBS. However, most of these trigger foods are also unhealthy for those without IBS. Unfortunately, most of them trigger inflammation which is not good for anyone.

The reality is that in a world where commercial food production and profitability trumps healthy eating, these foods are easier to access and have gained popularity in most staple diets.

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g stin s... e r e e r Int eatu Cr

Snakes and humans are made from the same material

By Shervin Belgrave In Guyanese parlance and other parts of the Caribbean, people would metaphorically refer to their enemies as “snakes”especially their ex-spouses or lovers- to offend them because no one likes being compared to such a scary, venomous and lethal creature.

Although most of us hate snakes and want nothing to do with them, the reptiles and human beings are biologically made of the same material.

This similarity with humans stands out as one of the 10 most interesting facts about snakes this writer is going to share with you today.

While the reptiles are very different from humans, one of the most notable similarities is that their skin/scales are made out of keratin, just like our own f i n g e r n a i l s a n d h a i r.

According to research done

by World Animal Protection, an organisation founded in 1981 to advocate for animal rights, the snake’s skin feels

very similar to human fingernails and while snakes shed their scales, we humans also shed hair daily and can also shed a fingernail if its injured.

The difference is that we tend to cut our hair and clip our fingernails while molting or shedding is a natural occurring process for snakes.

Another interesting fact about snakes is that they have a very big family and can be found in every

country across the globe.

A recent count revealed that there are some 3,789 snake species on the planet,

making them the second largest group of reptiles after lizards. They are divided into 30 different families and

numerous sub-families.

Another interesting fact is that while reptiles lay eggs not all snakes do. Snakes living in colder climates have live births because the eggs wouldn’t survive outside of their bodies.

Snakes also do not have eyelids and this contribute to that appearance that gives us an eerie feeling. Not having eyelids means that snakes don’t blink and for this reason, they sleep with their eyes open. To protect their eyes, snakes have a thin membrane called “brille” attached to each one.

Apart from sleeping with open eyes, snakes don’t use their nostrils to smell. To sniff out food, they use their tongue, an organ in the roof their mouth called the

“Jacobson’s organ” and instead chewing their meal, snakes swallow them whole.

Last but not least, snakes are solar powered meaning that they rely on external heat and light sources for energy. The correct term for this is that snakes are ectothermic, meaning their body temperature is variable and regulated by external sources. Unlike mammals and birds that are able to internally regulate their body temperature, reptiles need to use sources of heat, like the sun, to warm up.

Source of information: https://www.worldanimalpr otection.ca/news/10-coolfacts-about-snakes https://foldscope.com/bl ogs/blog/foldscopeexplores-snake-skin

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Tracee Ellis Ross on Perimenopause and Being Child Free: ‘I Feel More a Woman Than I’ve Ever Been’ “My ability to have a child is leaving me, but I don’t agree that that’s what fertile means, I don’t agree that that’s what woman means.”

Tr a c e e E l l i s R o s s recently opened up about g o i n g t h r o u g h perimenopause at 50 years old, dropping some incredibly insightful truths about motherhood as well as being single and child-free.

Speaking on the We Can Do Hard Things With Glennon Doyle podcast, the actor challenged the societal assumption that having children is an innately central part of being a woman.

“Is it my fertility that is leaving me? Is it my womanhood? Or is it really neither?” she said. “I have to fight to hold my truth, because I have been programmed so successfully by the water we all swim in, by the water we all are

served. And I feel fertile with creativity, full of power, more and more a woman than I’ve ever been. And yet that power that I was told I must use was not used.”

She continued, “My ability to have a child is leaving me, but I don’t agree that that’s what fertile means, I don’t agree that that’s what woman means.”

Having not had children before going through perimenopause, Ellis Ross, who is the daughter of legendary singer Diana Ross, describes looking at being childless (or childfree) “with curiosity instead of heartbreak.”

“The heartbreak does come up, and I get to hold that gently and lovingly and then remind myself, ‘I woke up every morning of my life and I’ve tried to do my best, so I must be where I’m supposed to be,’” she said.

She also put into words how her body has been

feeling as she goes through t h e p r o c e s s o f perimenopause, discussing both the hilarious and heartbreaking moments in her account. “I can feel my body’s ability to make a child draining out of me,” she said.

“Sometimes I find it hilarious, as if there is a fire sale going on in my uterus, and someone’s in there screaming, ‘All things must go.’”

“As my body becomes a foreign place to me that doesn’t really feel safe or like home...I don’t know how to manage or control or fight the external binary narrative of the patriarchy that has hunted me and haunted me most of my adult life,” she continued.

As Tracee Ellis Ross navigates this new stage in her life, she mentioned redefining and “curating” her chosen family: “I don’t think I realized the gift of that until I’ve started to get

Coachella Lineup Announced, Yung Miami Trades Shots With DJ Akademiks & More Lana Del Rey, Tyler, The Creator and Doja Cat are announced as the headliners for 2024 Coachella along with the rest of the stacked lineup for the three-day festival. Drake postpones It’s All a Blur tour dates with J. Cole.

Yung Miami trades shots with DJ Akademiks after he brought up Diddy’s sexual assault allegations. Selena Gomez throws a PJ-themed birthday party with new boyfriend Benny Blanco for her close friend Nicola Peltz Beckham. Odetari shares five things about himself.

Kali Uchis tells the stories behind these photos and more.

The Coachella lineup has arrived, Drake postpones his

tour, Yung Miami has zero time for Akademiks, Selena Gomez gets cozy with boyfriend Benny Blanco, and we hang out with Kali Uchis and Odetari. It’s January 17th. I’m Tetris and this is Billboard News. It’s my favorite time of the year, and that is Coachella season.

Let’s kick things off with what’s going down this year.

Festival season is upon us and Coachella just announced their lineup. Let’s break it down.

Doja Cat, Tyler, the Creator and Lana Del Rey will headline this year’s Coachella when everyone flocks to the desert the weekend of April 12th to the 14th and 19th to the 21st, but you know Coachella has a

little something for everyone. For you Latin music lovers, there’s Peso Pluma and J Balvin. The Kpop stans have ATEEZ and LE SSERAFIM. And if you’re looking to see some killer dance moves, Tinashe, Tyla, Victoria Monét and Chlöe will all be shaking it in Indio. Lil Uzi Vert, Ice Spice and Lil Yachty are repping the rappers and Sabrina Carpenter and Reneé Rapp have pop covered.

Reneé even joked on Twitter saying she used to do drugs here and now I’m still gonna do drugs here but play a set too.

And everyone is hyped for the return of No Doubt.

They posted a video on how it all came together.

older.” She also spoke about her experiences of being single—particularly the fact that she’s been “sold” the idea that she needs to be “chosen” by a romantic partner. “We go back to this model that you’re sold, that not only are we sold it, but we are fed it and we have to drink it and it’s everywhere,” she said. “And if you’re not careful, you actually think it’s true. And it’s the only bit of news for you, which is that my job as a woman is to learn to be choosable.”

There’s a certain erasure of who we are as people, she suggested, if we’re looking to other people to choose us.

Being chosen seems to have “nothing to do with who I am, what makes my heart sing, floats my boat, makes me feel safe, makes me feel comfortable, makes me feel good, makes me feel powerful, makes me feel smart. Any of those things.”

She added, “But really

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross it’s more about how I might be seen, so that I might be chosen so that my life could mean something as a chosen woman who then gets to have a child and then be a mother and do that for a child.”

This isn’t the first time Ellis Ross has delivered sound truths about being a woman.

When interviewed by Glamour in 2022, she spoke to the power of aging: “I don’t understand the obsession with antiaging,” she said. “I think it is an honour to age, and so many people shy away from it and

don’t want to tell their age. I love getting older. I look at women who are steps ahead of me and see so much beauty and wisdom in them.

This obsession with youth that we have in our world is confusing to me because I wouldn’t go back if you paid me. There’s nothing wrong with being young. It’s beautiful. There are so many wonderful parts of that. But trying to stay that way, I just never understood. If we would let go of that, people could really just revel in how much deeper and more beautiful people get as they get older.”

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Armageddon sound clash 2024 to feature female DJ, Japanese sound system A

s the days grow closer, tensions are rising for what is slated to be a memorable 2024 Armageddon clash. This musical war is slated to take place on 27 January, 2024 at the Guyana National Stadium Tarmac will for the first time includes a female DJ straight out of the United States. The local promoter group, Empire Media Inc. (EMI) is working tirelessly to produce the largest sound clashes to ever hit Guyana.

The lone female Deejay known as Diamond Sunshine of Kosmik Movement from the USA along one of the most popular sounds from Antigua - Kanabis Sounds, Artical Pride of Japan are all expected to bring the excitement and sound; the show is anticipated to create a riveting and memorable experience. Local patrons will enjoy selections from notorious international, Fire House International Sound and Warriors Choice.

Since the launch on Sunday 10 December, 2023, Deejays have convincingly taken to their social media pages boastfully; displaying skills with short clips of them

DJ Satoru of Artical pride

th

th

juggling with the hopes of captivating their fans and gaining new ones who would support them at the event.

Tickets are on sale, the early bird which is $2,000 GYDS is almost sold out, Regular price is $3,000 thereafter, while VIP (which

is 50% sold) at $10,000 G Y D S . We encourage patrons to purchase tickets at the following ticket locations: White Castle Fish Shop (Hadfield St.), Grill King (Mandela Avenue), Guinness Bar (Plaisance Line top), Wings & Things

Patrons at the preliminary competition on December 10 last.

(Back Road), Fireside Suites (Garnette St.), Ruff Automotive &Industrial Supplies (47 Croal St. Austin Place, G/town).

Limited tickets can also be purchased from the Armageddon promo ladies as well, follow them on the road campaign and bar promotions leading up to the big day.

Empire Media Inc. continues to thank its sponsors, special mention of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kabisa, M a g n u m To n i c Wi n e , Eldorado Rum, Cole’s Screen Printing, 94.1 Boom FM, 96.1 FM, ENET, Starz Party Rental, Cevons Waste Management, Stovetop Restaurant and Exviuz Security firm. We thank you for believing in EMI as we work hand in hand in delivering a safe and fun clash experience to Guyana.

The sound clash starts from 22:00 hours on the night of the 27 January, 2024. We encourage patrons to comply with the authorities to encourage a free flow of traffic operations and timely deliverance of the event. See you there as we witness history together. th

Diamond Sunshine of Kosmik Movement from the USA

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

Sunday January 21, 2024

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Several pieces on display at the exhibition (Photo: Sabine McIntosh)

Deaf Artistry Unveiled:

An eye-catching piece done by artists Reon Herman (Photo: Sabine McIntosh)

FOSTERING TALENT, SHAPING PERSPECTIVES

V

isitors and the curious have been treated to an array of captivating artistic pieces on display at the Castellani House as the Deaf Association of Guyana showcase the work of deaf artists across the country.

The exhibition, titled “Deaf Artistry Unveiled: Fostering talent, shaping perspectives,” brings together the best of artistic work of deaf artists. Pekahiah James is the curator of the event which ran off from Thursday, January 18, 2024; it will continue daily for two weeks from 10:00hrs to 17:00hrs from Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 14:00hrs to 18:00hrs until February 1, 2024.

The artists whose works are on display at the event include paintings done by Reon Herman and Jaideo Nankissore.

In addition to the exhibition, the Deaf Association will also host a workshop, slated for January 22, 2024, for deaf artists.

The latter will also congregate for a social meet-up on January 24.

There will also be an impromptu exhibition of work produced from the workshop on January 26, 2024.

Several of the artists at the opening of the exhibition on Thursday at Castellani House (Photo: Sabine McIntosh)

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Sunday January 21, 2024

The Morgan’s Investment Inc. new Headquarters

e th f o y e n r u jo d n u fo The pro Morgan’s InvestmenptenInedcin. Georgetown I

…new Headquarte rs o

n the realm of business, the Morgan’s Investment Inc, is a distinguished company specializing in welding, fabrication, and contracting services.

The business which started 2008 in an old workshop located at Lot 2233 Ozama Street North Ruimveldt. On January 8 last, the company moved to a spanning new building 1804 Aubrey Barker Street, Georgetown.

D u r i n g a f o r m a l commissioning ceremony of their new headquarters in Georgetown, Alicia Alstrom and Alena Morgan, daughters of the proprietors of Morgan Investments Inc, Dwight and Lelawati Morgan shared the company’s profound 16-year journey.

Alstorm recalled as a young man, her father moved to the United States but later returned to Guyana.

Following his return, Alstorm noted that Mr. Morgan completed his plumbing diploma at Guyana Technical Institute (GTI). He subsequently learnt a trade at the George Union Pipe and Tank, and started working as a semi-skilled labourer, at the age of 17. As part of advancing his training, Mr. Morgan quickly learnt the trade of welding and fabrication.

Given that he was “a fast learner,” of the trade, Morgan began to surpass his mentors and was able to open his own welding ad fabricating workshop. The sole trader business was opened after he gained 18 years at the George Union Pipe and Tank.

The business started with a

single welding plan and later was given one from his former boss. It was pointed that his former employer and his wife, Mr. Morgan played an instrumental role in the success of his business.

Notably the business flourished through the years, Mr. Morgan first client was Sol Guyana Inc, the company that offered contracting jobs which included small maintenance. The work shop starting with three employees, and to date have 95 employees, and they increased.

Mr. Morgan’s daughter said, “In 2018, is where we saw all the hard efforts of the team, and we began to see the returns...when we began a three-year contract, to supply labour services to three

people at Sol Guyana Inc.” This meant ad expansion was need for the business. The expansion was to manage three depots, Rome, Ramsburg, and Timehri.

The Morgan’s Investment Inc has since provided services to Sol Guyana Inc, Shell Guyana Inc., Banks DIH, Demerara Harbour Bridge Asphalt Plant, Golf Engineering, Princess Hotel and Casino, BOSAI Power Plant and many more.

Notably in year 2021, the company was incorporated and the business saw a boost due to birth of Guyana’s now booming oil and gas sector.

Alstorm noted that due to the oil and gas sector, her parents were Continued on page 47

Founders of the Morgan’s Investment Inc. Dwight Morgan and Lelawati Morgan.

The first workshop of the Morgan’s Investment Inc.

Sunday January 21, 2024

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Sunday January 21, 2024

Development works are progressing at the site (Photo compliments of President Irfaan Ali's Facebook page)

Chinese styled pavilions, children's activity centre, open air theatre for Joe Vieira Park By: Davina Bagot

T

he Joe Vieira Park located, at Meer Zorgen, West Bank Demerara is currently undergoing major improvement works to create a modern recreational facility.

When completed, the 66,700 meter square (m2) park will feature Chinesestyled pavilions, a basketball court, football field, stands, table tennis court, children activity center, an open air theatre, landscaping works and water revetment, just to name a few.

The Park is located some 4 kilometres (2.48 miles) away from Vr e e d - e n - H o o p , W B D a n d approximately 5 kilometres (3 miles) away from Georgetown. It sits right alongside the existing Demerara Harbour Bridge on the western end of the river. The location was designated a park on March 24, 1982, according to the National Trust of Guyana.

The land was donated by Mr. Joseph Rudolph Vieira, AA, Executive Chairman of Houston Sugar Estate.

The park was name in honour of Mr. Vieria for his many contributions to the country.

The Vieira Park is managed by the

National Parks Commission and is home to numerous species of trees.

Over the years, it has served as the hub for social and cultural activities for the West Demerara District.

The park comes alive especially during the Easter period with kite flyers and other fun family activities.

Presently, clearing of the land by Chinese contractor, Qingjian Group Co. Ltd is ongoing as the development works progress.

Through the Guyana-China Friendship, the project forms part of the National Green State Development Strategy which focuses on the promotion of an inclusive Guyana for all citizens, low carbon and resilient development, and social protection.

This idea was outlined in the Protected Areas Commission's submission for funding for utilizing the Government of China's grant aid, on November 26, 2018.

In January 2020, the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Guyana signed an agreement for the China aid project under the name Guyana-China Friendship Joe Vieira Park. The upgrade works for the

facility is pegged at approximately USD 10.6 million. The facility is expected to be completed within 18 months and will provide jobs for some 30 Guyanese during its life cycle.

The newly built park, upon completion, will be handed over to the Protected Areas Commission (PAC).

A new football field will be included in the upgraded facility

An artist's impression of the new Joe Vieira Park

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

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Heatless Curls Overnight: How to Curl Hair Without Heat Step-by-Step By: Mariell Braten Website: Hair lust. com To me, you can’t go wrong with soft, curly hair.

Whether you’re going out to a party or simply staying in for the day, luscious waves and curls make for an effortlessly chic look.

Great hair can tie your whole look together, no matter what type of look you’re going for. If you’re not naturally blessed with beautiful curls though, it can be difficult replicating the look.

Di you want to know exactly how doing heatless curls works? It’s easier than you might think!

What Exactly Are Heatless Curls?

Heatless curls are just what they sound like!

Instead of using heated tools like a curling iron or wand to achieve the perfect set of curls, overnight curls or noheat curls don’t require any heat.

They’re a great technique to learn when you want to give your hair a break or simply experiment with a new curling method.

What’s more, many heatless waves/heatless curl methods are extremely easy to learn how to do!

We’ll go into a step-bystep demonstration later, but

desired look can damage your hair over time, leaving it more prone to breakage, split ends, and dullness.

With the no-heat curls method though, you won’t have to ever worry about damaging your delicate strands. And, with a little practice, you’ll get the same incredible look as you would with any heated hair styling tool! Tr y i n g h e a t l e s s curls/heatless waves is an easy way to help your hair

wondering whether or not heatless hair curlers are comfortable to sleep on, d o n ’t w o r r y ! T h e y ’ r e incredibly soft so you won’t even notice they’re even there.

T h a t ’s w h a t makes overnight curls so great!

3. Heatless Hair C u r l e r s A r e a Sustainable Alternative You may not realize it, but using heated hair styling tools day in and day

for now, let’s talk about why you might want to learn how to do no-heat curls in the first place.

R e a s o n s W h y Yo u Should Give No-Heat Curls a Go 1. Heatless Curls Are Healthier for Your Hair Probably the biggest reason why I’d recommend trying to do heatless curls overnight is that they’re much easier on your hair.

While it’s okay to sometimes use heat on your hair together with a heat protectant, using a curling iron every day to get your

stay damage-free, especially if you’re looking to give your hair a break or have brittle or color-treated hair.

2. No-Heat Curls Are Easy to Do Another great advantage of trying heatless curls overnight is that they’re super easy to do! Especially with Bamboo Heatless Curls Kit, you can wrap your hair up in less than 5 minutes.

Once you get the hang of it, you can do it without even thinking, setting yourself up for a great hair day every night before you go to bed.

Oh, and if you were

out can use up a lot of energy, especially when you leave your tools plugged in all day.

If you’re looking to reduce your daily carbon footprint, learning how to do heatless curls overnight is a simple way to do that.

Plus, Bamboo Heatless Curls Kit is 100% crueltyfree and made from sustainably sourced bamboo.

4. Overnight Curls Are More Affordable When I started learning how to do no-heat curls, I was amazed at not only how much time I was saving

every day, but also how much money I was able to save as well.

Buying and replacing curling wands and irons can cost hundreds of dollars, especially when you’re buying high-quality products.

But when I learned I could get the same results without those tools, I stopped buying them.

Now, I can save a little more of my hard-earned money or spend it on products that will help my hair stay healthy instead of damaging it. How to Use a Heatless Hair Curlers Kit Step-by-Step Now that you’re super excited to try heatless curls for yourself, it’s time to get a c q u a i n t e d with the process of how to curl hair without heat (don’t worry – it’s easy).

Here we’ll break it down into each step.

Start with clean, dry, or almost-dry hair. Place the headband on the top of your head so each end falls over one side of your hair. If you want to, you can secure the headband in place with a claw clip.

The next step in using your heatless hair curlers is to divide your hair into two sections.

This will ensure you get evenly distributed overnight curls.

Now onto the fun part!

To get beautiful no-heat curls, start by carefully wrapping small sections of your hair around the headband. Add a little more hair to each section as you go. Once you’re done wrapping your hair, secure with a scrunchie. I don’t

recommend using hair ties because they can leave dents i n y o u r h a i r . Yo u ’ v e successfully learned to curl hair without heat! You can

now sleep on the curls overnight or simply wait several hours before unwrapping your gorgeous overnight curls!

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Sunday January 21, 2024

COUNTRY PROFILE

RWANDA

Capital: Kigali President: Paul Kagame Prime minister: Édouard Ngirente Official languages: Kinyarwanda, French, English, Swahili Population: 13.46 million

collines), with its geography dominated by mountains in the west and savanna to the southeast, with numerous lakes throughout the country.

The climate is temperate to

The Coat of Arms of Rwanda

(2021) World Bank Currency: Rwandan Franc Government: Republic, Parliamentary system, Unitary state, Presidential system, Semi-presidential system About the Country Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge.

Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

It is highly elevated, giving it the soubriquet “land of a thousand hills” (French: pays des mille

subtropical, with two rainy seasons and two dry seasons each year. It is the most densely populated mainland African country; among countries larger than 10,000 km2, it is the fifth most densely populated country in the world.

Its capital and largest city is Kigali.

Hunter-gatherers settled the territory in the Stone and Iron Ages, followed later by Bantu peoples.

The population coalesced first into clans, and then, into kingdoms. In the 15th century, one kingdom, under King Gihanga, managed to incorporate several of its close neighbor territories establishing the Kingdom of Rwanda.

The Kingdom of Rwanda dominated from the mid-eighteenth century, with the Tutsi kings conquering others militarily, centralising power, and enacting unifying policies. In 1897, Germany colonized Rwanda as part of German East Africa, followed by Belgium, which took control in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations ruled through the Rwandan king and perpetuated a pro-Tutsi policy.

The Hutu population revolted in 1959. They massacred numerous Tutsi and ultimately established an independent, Hutu-dominated republic in 1962 led by President Grégoire Kayibanda.

A 1973 military coup overthrew Kayibanda and brought Juvénal Habyarimana to power, who retained the pro-Hutu policy.

The Tutsi-led Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) launched a civil war in 1990. Habyarimana

The national Flag of Rwanda was assassinated in April 1994.

Social tensions erupted in the Rwandan genocide that spanned one hundred days.

The RPF ended the genocide with a military victory in July 1994.

Rwanda has been governed as de facto one-party state by the RPF since 1994 .

The population is young and predominantly rural; Rwanda has one of the youngest populations in the world.

Rwandans are drawn from just one cultural and linguistic group, the Banyarwanda.

However, within this group there are three subgroups: the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa. The Twa are a forest-dwelling pygmy people and are often

considered descendants of Rwanda’s earliest inhabitants.

Christianity is the largest religion in the country; the principal and national language is Kinyarwanda, spoken by native Rwandans, with English, French and Swahili serving as additional official foreign languages.

Rwanda’s economy is based mostly on subsistence agriculture.

Coffee and tea are the major cash crops in Rwanda to export.

Tourism is a fast-growing sector and is now the country’s leading foreign exchange earner.

The country is a member of the African Union, the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, COMESA, OIF and the East African Community It’s a quiet, warm afternoon in June at Rwanda’s iconic, otherwise busy Kigali Convention Center (KCC).

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Sunday January 21, 2024

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Reggae Singer Pluto Shervington Dead At 73 (DANCEHALL MAG) Reggae singer Pluto Shervington, known for his humorous songs invoking the quaint peculiarities of Jamaican culture, is dead at the age of 73.

The entertainer reportedly died at a hospital in Florida, United States on Friday morning. The I Man Born Ya singer had been living in Miami, Florida since the early

1980s.One of his closest friends, Ernie Smith, confirmed his friend’s passing. They met during Shervington’s stint with the Tomorrow’s Children band.

“I’ve known Pluto since he was a guitar player for Tomorrow’s Children, a long long time, he was a very good guitarist. He and I and Ronnie Nasralla (an impresario known for his work in ska) were tight

knit friends, I was playing solo at the time,” Smith said.

Born Leighton Keith Shervington on August 13, 1950, the singer was also known as a songwriter, engineer, and producer.

At the age of 16, Shervington joined a band called The Presidents in 1966, leaving a year later to join The Hurricanes, and then moving

on to join the Tomorrow’s Children showband.

Inspired by the success of Ernie Smith’s Duppy or a Gunman and Tinga Stewart’s Play de Music, Shervington recorded Ram Goat Liver, his first bonafide hit after going solo in 1976.

It remains one of Shervington’s most enduring (Continued on page 38)

Pluto Shervington

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Sunday January 21, 2024

2024 Calypso Monarch: 14 to compete for coveted crown R

eigning monarch Roger ‘Young Bill Rogers’ Hinds’ is among 14 crooners who will compete in the finals of the adult format of the 2024 Adult Calypso Monarch.

The finalists were announced by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports on Thursday. The event will be held on Friday, February 16 at the Tabatinga Sports Complex in Lethem, Rupununi and ministry noted that the Juniors will also compete at the same venue on February 16.

Hinds, a three-time monarch who has been competing as a singer for more than three decades, will have stiff competition from the other finalists this year.

The list includes the 2021 and 2022 monarch Faith ‘Lil Canary’ Corrica, granddaughter of the late Malcolm ‘Lord Canary’ Corrica, who also competed and won the crown multiple times.

This year, the competition boat will be rocked further when the ambitious 2020 Junior Calypso monarch winner,

Omaiah Aaliyah Hall takes to the stage. Other finalists include popular social media personality Quincy ‘Ego’ Lacon who came in second to Corrica in the 2022 competition.

Others vying for the titles include Osei ‘OKC’ Clark, Kenroy ‘Mighty Believer’ Fraser, Linden ‘The Sniper’ Thomas, Akeem Alexander, Jenel ‘Mrs. Fluffy’ Archer, Jamal Stuart, Pearl Lewis aka ‘Precious Pearl,’ Karen Bennet aka ‘Queen Bennet,’ Melon McRae and Garfield Campbell aka ‘Mighty Roots.’

Sunday January 21, 2024

Reggae Singer Pluto...

From page 37 hits for its comical take on a man’s love for goat meat and aphrodisiac qualities guaranteed to “make your daughter (woman) walk and talk”. “I actually gave him the idea to do his first hit, Ram Goat Liver, I was driving through St. Thomas and I almost ran over a goat which run cross the road and I heard a man sit down by the side of the road say ‘him shoulda dead mek we buy a pound of rice’.

I gave him the idea and he did the rest, he wrote the song,” Ernie Smith said.

In 1997, Shervington was a guest of honour on Ernie Smith’s celebration of 30 years in the business. He performed alongside Ken Lazarus and the surviving members of th e N o w Generation band at the Pegasus Hotel in Jamaica.

Shervington last performed alongside Ernie Smith at a show dubbed ‘Ernie Smith and Friends’ at Plantation Cove in May, last year.

“He will be greatly missed, a great friend,” he said.

Asked what is his favourite and enduring Pluto Shervington memory, Smith chuckled for about 15 seconds, then said: “Too many to mention,” before adding more chuckles.

Attorney and social c o m m e n t a t o r, G o r d o n Robinson, wrote on X that Shervington’s death was a tremendous loss.

“He was an icon of the day when lyrics were written with linguistic skill and humour, and music was properly structured and arranged,” Robinson mused.

After the success of Ram Goat Liver, Shervington’s hilarious follow-up single, Dat – about a Rastafarian twisting himself into paroxyms of guilt while trying to purchase pork, a delicacy verboten in his faith,

in order to buy weed was a huge hit. After being offered a wide range of choices, the Rastafarian eventually snaps at the shopkeeper to be quiet and “sell I poun’ a dat ting dere” – which is the pork, of course. The song soared to the number 6 spot in the UK Singles Chart.

Another standout single was Your Honour where Shervington’s dry wit is on display as he explored the predicament of a man caught nude in a woman’s closet by an angry cuckolded husband.

One of his most enduring hits is I Man Born Ya which was recorded at Federal Records (now Tuff Gong) with musicians Val Douglas (bass), Willie Lindo (guitar), Wya Lindo (organ), Robbie Lyn (piano) and Mikey Boo (drums).

The song, not to be confused with Neville Martin’s My Leader Born Ya, rode a way of wave of fervent nationalism to the top of local charts, especially after then Prime Minister Michael Manley demanded a pull up in front of 70,000 people on the lawns of a Jamaica House concert.

Luckily, Shervington was never branded a PNP loyalist unlike his good friend Ernie Smith whose Power and the Glory – criticising the gun violence — got him in a bit of hot water as an ugly wave of jingoism and a near civil war between bitter political factions threatened to pull the country apart in the late 1970s. Shervington was not only a talented singer, but gained a reputation as a talented bass guitarist, and as a recording engineer, notably engineering Little Roy’s 1974 album, Tafari Earth Uprising.

He left the island in 1977, and in the 1980s, lived in Miami. And from 2018, when not on tour, Shervington performed solo several times a week at the Bahama Breeze

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Sunday January 21, 2024

GNBS IN FOCUS STANDARDS IN FOCUS REGISTRATION AND INSPECTIONS – KEY FOR GNBS TO MONITOR PRODUCTS OFFERED FOR SALE

Having quality products on the local market is essential for consumers to get the level of satisfaction and benefits they require.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) monitors 17 categories of products under its Product Compliance Programme for quality and labelling to protect consumers. Products monitored by the GNBS include Electrical/Electronic appliances, tires, footwear, PVC pipes, weighing and measuring instruments, cellular phones, garments, textiles, electrical equipment and fittings, safety matches, safety helmets, gas stoves, cigarettes, furniture, toys and playthings, decorative lights, and gold jewellery.

These products are examined based on the requirements of National Standards at the ports of entry, warehouses and at sale outlets before they are sold to

the end users.

From the inception of the Product Compliance Programme, the GNBS relies heavily on registration of importers and dealers and the meticulous inspection process to ensure that items falling under its purview are fit for purpose. Additionally, these services respectively provide the necessary records of suppliers and evidence of what is offered to consumers in the marketplace. For registration, consequent to Section 22B of the Standards Act of 1984, last year the numbers of importers, manufacturers and dealers registering with the GNBS and obtaining the necessary permits to sell products exceeded the figures of the two previous years. Last year, the GNBS registered a total of 579 importers, 770 dealers and 13 manufacturers.

Completing the registration

process is mandatory before inspections of items are conducted. Regarding inspections conducted in 2023, the GNBS successfully conducted 6,618 inspections as compared with 5,793 inspections the previous y e a r. I n s p e c t i o n s o f electrical appliances led with more than 1,700 inspections conducted, followed by 906 for garments, 843 for footwear, and 823 furniture.

Inspectors of the Bureau examine products for various labelling and quality requirements including certification marks, care and use guidelines, safety precautions, physical defects, and storage in the case of tires and footwear.

Importantly, all items sold on the local market are checked to ensure they include labels in English. Inspections continue to reveal substandard items. For importation, during last year

more than 124,000 pieces of items that failed to comply with requirements were seized and removed.

Meanwhile, inspections done at sale outlets uncovered 6,395 substandard products while dealers’ premises and at manufacturers’ premises revealed that 31,205 and 109 items respectively, failed to meet the requirements of standards.

The GNBS will continue to take appropriate actions when products fail to comply with labelling and quality requirements. These actions include placing products on hold pending relabeling, request for the submission of test certificates proving conformance to quality requirements, and adjustments to the method of storage, destruction, and reshipment of noncomplying items. The GNBS takes this opportunity at the beginning of the year to remind Importers and Dealers to get registered early. Application forms are available on the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org and registration must be completed before products

are examined and released.

To reduce processing time, after registering with the GNBS, Importers have the option to pay for inspections via Mobile Money Guyana (MMG). Finally, stakeholders are encouraged to do their utmost to ensure quality products are offered for sale. It includes understanding the requirements and importing and selling standard compliant products. This

will tremendously reduce the challenges faced by the Bureau as it continues to aid consumer protection through product monitoring and other services.

F o r f u r t h e r information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0069, 2190065, 219-0062, or W h a t s A p p : 6 9 2 4627(GNBS) or visit the G N B S w e b s i t e : www.gnbsgy.org

Sunday January 21, 2024

Consumer Concerns

DDL unfurls its banner of excellence and introduces innovative technology for Guyana’s development

By Pat Dial Early last year when Demerara Distillers Ltd DDL- was making arrangements for their fresh milk project, this column welcomed their innovative and imaginative effort.

Today, consumers now rejoice at the taking off of their modern and state-of-the art facility to produce fresh milk and other dairy products.

This DDL effort is satisfying a need which has affected Guyanese consumers for over half a century for until the end of the 1950’s fresh milk as well as pasteurized milk was available to consumers in both town and country in adequate supply. From the beginning of the 1960’s, however, when the country became engulfed in political conflict which all but destroyed its social and economic life, the prosperous milk industry was one of the first casualties.

Resuscitating the dairy industry to modern First World standards was a challenge which no other company or entrepreneur felt themselves able to take on.

When Mr. Komal Samaroo, the CEO of Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL) decided to take on the challenge, consumers felt very happy since Mr. Samaroo’s stature as one of the Caribbean’s most able businessmen gave the assurance that the project will be a success .

Indeed, Mr. Samaroo and DDL has the reputation that any project they undertake is well researched and planned and will not only be profitable to the company and its shareholders but will also be of benefit to society as a whole and the dairy project is a good example: N o r m a l l y, a c o m p a n y embarking on a dairy project will tend to seek partners and technology transfer from Denmark, Holland or Germany but DDL, after comprehensive research, found Israel to be a preferable partner.

The project will not only be profitable but will be satisfying a long felt consumer need, will be improving the dietary quality of the nation, will be saving the country foreign exchange and will eventually be a net foreign exchange earner for the country.

The Project introduces to Guyana a unique method of dairy farming. The cows will not be grazed but will live in their pens where they will be fed a diet of nutritional food produced on the project’s farm. The pens will be temperature controlled to ensure the animals’ comfort and each animal would be monitored electronically to ensure its health. Over 900 animals would be imported from the United States and all the export requirements have already been completed.

Over four million litres of fresh milk would be produced per year and this would be transported to DDL’S TOPCO milk plant for packaging and pasteurization.

The farm is situated at Moblissa on the Soesdyke/Linden Highway and the main access road is being rehabilitated and a new bridge is being built to facilitate transport of milk to the TOPCO plant for final processing.

This work would have been completed within the month.

The 500 acres of land allocated to produce the animal fodder is being cleared and levelled and corn and legumes are being planted. When harvested, these crops are taken to the barn where they are formulated with other ingredients and nutritional fodder is prepared for the requirements of the different categories of animals.

Three very large wells are being constructed and these would supply adequate water for the Project. DDL is investing over $4 billion in the Project and the Project Manager is Mr. Wesley Kirton.

The Project is scheduled to be completed early next year and the consumer community is eagerly looking forward to the availability of the highest quality of milk and other dairy products on the local market.

DDL has been able to survive and prosper in a world of stiff competition by its ability to profitably diversify and meet consumer requirements: By international acclaim it produces the best rums in the world; now it is embarking on producing milk and dairy products of the highest quality!

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Sunshine Sunshine is a girl.

Always barefoot, with long brown hair stretching down her back; highlighted with the colours of autumn: rich golds and fiery reds. Her slanted cat eyes are strikingly deep purple. She glows with happiness and adventure; this is what makes her beautiful, shining from the inside out.

It's late afternoon in the Australian bush. Sunshine swings her basket as she skips past the familiar gumtrees, which are covered in long green strands of leaves softly flowing in the wind, like hair. Gentle dusk light is filtering through the trees and lighting up the grass like a fluorescent carpet. Sunshine promised her best friends they would have a feast of all their favourite foods at sunset.

Sunshine bounces and skips through the bush and greets nature as it's beginning to wind down.

Good afternoon to the magpies who are starting to sing, G'day to the grumbling wombat beginning to wake up and Hello to Mr. Moon, beginning to peek through the crisp blue sky.

Sunshine arrives at her favourite clearing just as the sun is beginning to set and unpacks her food onto a big, cracked tree stump. A blueberry pie, carrot and pine nut noodles, sweet rhubarb brownies, pumpkin rice with fluffy cream and strawberry, orange and mint juice. Sunshine sits down crossed-legged and patiently waits, feeling the sunset gently warming her skin.

One by one her friends arrive: Ruby the Rabbit.

Honey the Platypus. Atlas the Possum. Bouncy the Baby Kangaroo. And Electric the Echidna.

Sunshine greets her friends with a friendly “Good Morning!”. Being nocturnal animals, Sunshine's friends have just awoken after happily sleeping all day.

They all gather around the tree stump and fill their tummies with the goodness of food, the rainbow of tastes pulling them into a blissful half-sleep. They fall back onto the soft, long grass and watch the fluffy clouds float past above them.

Sunshine sees a dragon breathing fire and a handsome man with a kind smile. Ruby sees a bunch of big, crunchy carrots. Honey sees lots of silvery fish swimming. Atlas sees a baby possum just like her. Bouncy sees a giant kangaroo fighting evil. And Electric sees an Echidna, but instead

of spikes, she is covered in fluffy cloud.

The sky starts to turn pink, making the clouds look like cotton candy, then turning a soft violet. Her friends start to hop, scuttle and waddle home with full bellies and smiles on their little faces. Sunshine feels an immense happiness wash over her, sending her into a deep slumber.

Sunshine opens her eyes and sees that the sun has gone, and Mr. Moon is up, shining brightly like a giant glowing cream pie. Her surroundings have changed; everything is tinted a periwinkle blue and there are dark shadows swaying around her. The soft light from the moon and stars gently bathes her skin in light. She hears crickets chirping and the flutter of birds who are finding their way to bed. The smell of jasmine and honeysuckle hangs softly in the air, pulling Sunshine out of her sleep. She slowly rises, stretching like a long lanky cat, and packs up her basket.

There are glowing white flowers covering the clearing; they look like small ladies, dancing in the breeze.

Gracefully fluttering in the air are butterflies as big as her hands, with wings patterned with gold, orange and fuchsia, glowing brightly.

Sunshine is grateful for this extra light, which will help her find her way home.

She exits the clearing and starts to walk through the dream-like bush. It is very quiet; she can hear the wind rustling through the leaves and the soft sounds of the night-time animals.

Amongst the branches are lots of beady gold eyes watching her. Sunshine knows they belong to the very kind owls and cheeky fruit bats. After some time walking, Sunshine suddenly realises she isn't sure which way her home is. She starts to head back the way she came, so she can go back to the clearing and retrace her steps, but she seems to be getting deeper and deeper into unknown trees.

Sunshine closes her eyes, takes a deep breath and continues walking. Working out a plan with each step.

She has lots of friends in the forest, she will ask them for help. She stops and looks up at the shining moon through the trees.

“Gentle Mr. Moon, will you help me find my way home?,” Sunshine whispers.

“To be like the Moon, always see the big picture,”

Sunday January 21, 2024

Junior page Paper Fish

the Moon replied in a deep, chuckling voice.

Sunshine stares up in silence and waits for some more information.

“Thank you, Mr. Moon,” she finally says, continuing on her way.

Through the trees, Sunshine spots a patch of dark sky filled with stars, blinking down at her. The big picture, Sunshine thinks.

“How about you little baby stars, can you help me?” she says.

“Even though we may be small, we have so much light to give. With lots of us and determination, we can light up the world. Even within darkness, keep shining your light,” all the stars chimes.

“Thank you, baby stars,” Sunshine says.

Sunshine continues through the trees with assurance and brightness.

Keep shining through the darkness, Sunshine thinks.

As she thinks this thought, the scenery begins to change, the trees becoming sparser. Sunshine can hear the soft trickling of water in the distance. She follows the light of the moon to an opening where she finds a large river. It is sparkling dark blue like it's filled with sharply cut sapphires, with the moon and stars dancing in the reflection. The banks of the river are covered with soft green grass and mossy rocks.

It's cooler here; the fresh breeze brushes through Sunshine's long hair and cools down her hot cheeks.

Sunshine looks out across the river.

“Hello, Miss. River, it's nice to meet you,” Sunshine says.

“Good evening,” says The River, in a soothing, relaxed voice.

“I'm not sure which way my home is, could you help me?”

“With persistence, water can break through anything, even stone,” “Oh…” “That is all I have for you,” says The River.

“Ok, well, thank you very much, Miss. River.”

Sunshine sits on the banks of the river for a little while longer, swirling her feet around in the cold water to help relieve the soreness from her journey. She gets up and continues walking along the riverbank.

If I keep trying, I can do anything, Sunshine says to herself. She has now entered back into the bush, further upstream. She stops to listen.

She can hear the familiar humming whisper of Grandmother Tree in the distance!

Sunshine follows the whisper song through the trees until she reaches the giant grey gumtree. There are clusters of branches with long greyish-green strands of leaves hanging down around the tree like a curtain.

Sunshine gently moves through the leaves to find Granny's silver tree trunk, which is covered in a maze of deep lines and thick green moss.

Sunshine has been coming here since she was very little, finding comfort in the worn wrinkly bark and the fresh eucalyptus smell of her leaves. Sometimes she would fall asleep cradled in her thick branches, after playing with the rainbow beetles, laughing along with the kookaburras and talking to the possums that live among her.

Grandmother Tree is so big, Sunshine knows she couldn't fit her arms across her in a hug, but she tries anyway, lying flat against her and embracing the tree like a long-lost family member.

(Continued on page 46)

You can get creative by crafting some underwater friends. This easy paper craft will undoubtedly keep YOU occupied. All you need is the following: Supplies: Wiggle eyes Scissors Glue Colourful paper Step 1: Firstly, you fold a section of the paper into a triangle.

Step 2: Then, you cut multiple slits into said triangle.

Unfold the paper; fold each slit inward so that the end touches the center of the paper. Glue them in place.

Step 3: Next, glue a piece of circular paper over the

front to create the fish's head.

Add fish lips. Lastly, glue the wiggle eye on your new aquatic pal's head.

STAR BATTLE

Place stars on the puzzle grid in such a way that 2 stars cannot be adjacent to each other (horizontally, vertically or diagonally). Also each row, column and block should contain only a single star.

FUN WITH POETRY Do it with a smile At times when I have to deal with others, Like a sister, teacher or friend, I find the way how I look to them Does make a lot of difference.

It made me wonder why this was so, Until I asked them to tell me why; They told me that most times I look too serious, When they would feel better if I smile.

So I now try to become more cheerful, Whenever I have to speak with others; And I now find that just a smile At every time can do wonders.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

PAGE 45

TEEN TIME Continue to follow these tips which you can use to make the best of yourself and, maybe, help those with whom you associate Strive to be happy.

People often feel that, because there is nothing really exciting happening to them, then they cannot enjoy life. The fact is that real enjoyment of life does not come from thrills or extraordinary events. One can derive the greatest pleasures from the simple things around at any time – a walk in one's neighbourhood, observing the trees, the birds and animals, even the people going about their everyday tasks.

A lively conversation about what is in the news, or about what is happening in one's own life, can be just as uplifting.

The list can be endless if you tax your own mind to come up with joyful things to do. Be content with what you have. Each of us at any given time must have what

BRIDGES onnect these

C

islands with bridges until each island can be reached from any other island, and each island has as many outgoing bridges as its number.

You may only connect islands vertically or horizontally and bridges may not cross.

There may be one or two bridges connecting pairs of islands, but no more than two.

Each puzzle has a unique solution that can be found without making guesses.

Wise Use of Time Use every chance to show kindness, As you travel through life each day; This day will soon be gone forever, Like all the yesterdays.

Show brotherly love for all others In all you do and say, You will feel exalted tomorrow For the love you share today.

When you treasure every friendship, And are always helpful and kind, To all others along your way, You will leave good footprints behind.

The gift of time should never be wasted; It's God's blessings given to you, By passing His love on to others, You will find all your dreams come true.

is needed to make us happy if we only appreciate it and do not lust over what other people possess. Your own health and talents, the love of your family, how you are being successful at what you are doing, all these can

make you feel contented.

Happiness is a choice, and you can be happy in any circumstances if you have a contented mind.

Do things that work to make your time benefit you. Getting rid of distractions like watching less television will allow you time to really get connected to your family and friends, and do the things necessary to make you successful.

Read something worthwhile daily – a good book, passages from the scripture of your religion.

Some people develop a wonderful practice of writing down their thoughts about what is happening to them every day, and this can be good reading in the future, and help you to see things more

clearly. Take the time to develop your relationships with those who mean much to you. Spending time alone with a brother or sister, a father or mother, and really exploring your thoughts and feelings with them, can lead to great benefit to both of you, and give you a clear insight in how to live a better life.

Take the time to celebrate with them anything they have been successful in, and they will surely do the same for you.

It would be of immense value if you can cut these tips out every week and keep them in a place where you can readily access them.

Reading them regularly can help to impress these in your mind to help you to build your life in the future.

Every effort you make to improve yourself will benefit you immensely.

Solutions to last week’s Tea party word serch

Ripple Puzzles

Kaieteur News

PAGE 46

Sunday January 21, 2024

5 THINGS TO DO IF YOU SIT IN AN AIR-CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENT FOR LONG HOURS As your official beauty guardians, we at BeBeautiful take skin care seriously! And that's exactly why we make sure that we bring you beauty advice straight from the experts.

A couple of months ago we discussed how the blessed AC is actually harmful to your skin and if that wasn't warning enough, here we are with the second instalment of that advice.

Air conditioners work on the basic principle of dehumidifying the air. As they work on pulling out moisture from the air, they also end up pulling out moisture from your skin. This is why prolonged exposure to the AC tends to make your skin taut and dry.

Here are 5 simple ways how to take care of skin, if you spend long hours exposed to an AC. Keep yourself well hydrated Drink at least 8 plus glasses of water a day. Additionally, drink fruit and vegetable juices or coconut water. Also, you can consume mint, cucumber, water infused with various fruits and summer super foods to keep yourself adequatelyhydrated.

Moisturize well and often Use a good moisturizing product for your skin and keep a lotion for your hands on your desk. Products, moisturizers and lotions that are heavily scented are harsh on the skin and when teamed with the AC, they can cause double the trouble. So pick a natural ingredient based moisturizing product that will hydrate, moisturize and repair your skin from within.

We say, go for the Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe Body Lotion which is powered by the goodness of aloe vera.

The lotion with its fast-absorbing formula will calm skin dryness and will also leave your skin deeply moisturized and rejuvenated.

For face moisturisation, we suggest you go with Pond's Light Moisturiser. Infused with the goodness of vitamin E and Glycerin this moisturiser is a light, non-oily formula that is designed to work for all skin types all year round.

Use a face mist Keep a face mist handy, at your desk or in your bag and use it to keep skin dryness at bay.

Each time your skin feels parched, use the face mist as an instant pick-me-up. You can also use it after makeup to help it set in or after applying a moisturizer to lock the moisture in.

Don't depend on the AC Don't get too dependent on ACs. You can survive without them. Assert that to yourself and try to make do without it when you can.

Use a humidifier If you are someone who spends prolonged hours in the AC use a humidifier to balance the moisture in the air.If you can't arrange for a humidifier, use a bucket of water as an easy substitute.

Place this open bucket of water near the AC when it is turned on.

The water will eventually evaporate but this will maintain the humidity in the room. https://www.bebeautiful.in/ all-things-skin/skin-concerns /5-things-to-do-if-you-sit-in-an-airconditioned-environment-for-long-hours

Sunshine From page 44 If Sunshine had a real family, Granny would be it.

“Oh hello, little one. How lovely to see you!” Grandmother Tree says in a warm crackly voice.

“I'm afraid I'm lost Granny, will you help me?” says Sunshine, her face pressed against the cool bark.

“My child, learn to be strong and hold yourself tall like me. Always be connected to the ground but freely moving in the breeze.”

Sunshine takes this wisdom into her heart, like a missing piece of a jigsaw puzzle. She thanks Grandmother Tree and continues on.

The dark is closing around the forest like a blanket.Sunshine is determined to get back. She takes a big breath, straightens her spine and holds her head up. If she has found Grandmother Tree, then she mustn't be too far from home. Sunshine is learning to trust her instincts, so she exits the clearing the way her body pulls her, towards a familiar tree and into the dark forest once again.

I am tall just like a tree, Sunshine thinks, stretching up on her tippy toes as she walks. She is starting to feel a lot more confident in the way she is

traveling, imagining that her warm, tiny cottage is not too far from here.

She built it herself (with some help from her forest friends) out of wood, mud and leaves. They painted the front door a bright turquoise colour and the window frames a lemon yellow. Out the back is a small veggie patch filled with giant tomatoes, zucchinis, eggplant and pumpkins. In this meadow where her home is lives Sunshine's cow, Barna-Bella and her little calf, Patch. Barna-Bella is big, soft and brown with sparkling blue eyes, while Patch is small with long legs and matching to his mother.

Barna-Bella helps to keep the grass short in the meadow and keeps Sunshine company. Every morning, Sunshine collects Barna-Bella's extra milk, which she drinks down while it is still warm, and then churns it into butter and makes big wheels of cheese.

Sunshine's mouth is watering at the thought of all that food; she didn't realise how long it had been since she ate. As she's walking, Sunshine spots a sleepy Koala perched in the nook of a gum tree, slowly munching on some leaves. She walks to the tree, climbs up with her picnic basket and sits on a branch next to the Koala, her legs dangling down. Sunshine opens the basket on her lap and snacks on the leftover food from the picnic.

“I think I'm nearly home Mr. Koala,” she says.

The Koala slowly blinks up at Sunshine.“Remember that it is always okay to take things slow, just like me,” he says in a slow, sleepy voice.

“Thank you very much,” said Sunshine.Sunshine finishes her snacks and carefully climbs back down the gumtree and continues walking through the dark bush.

Finally, Sunshine starts to recognise where she is, and knows her beautiful home is not far away at all!

She starts to walk faster to quickly break through to the familiar meadow.

She runs through the trees and sees the shining sun peeking over the hill above her cottage. Sunshine sees Barna-Bella and Patch asleep further down in the meadow, and her beautiful home perched on the hill above them.

Sunshine says Hello to the sun which is lifting its frosty blanket to reveal a crisp light blue sky. Hello to her cottage, her flowers, her meadow and the beautiful trees. As Sunshine slowly walks through the long grass, she silently thanks all her friends for helping her make her way home.

Sunshine enters her cottage, lights a fire, toasts some marshmallows, curls up on her cloud of a pillow and falls asleep with leaves in her hair and Sunshine in her heart.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

Morgans’ along with Minister of Public Works Juan A. Edghill, cutting the ribbon at the opening of their new Headquarters.

y e n r u o j d n u o f o r p The of the Morgan’s...

From page 32 encouraged to further develop the business. To this end, the company moved to establish their new headquarters, at Aubrey Barker Street, Georgetown.

Throughout the process, the Morgans’ business faced some challenges but the company was able to overcome those difficulties successfully.

In light of that, Alena Morgan told The Waterfalls “The key to a successful business is to stay steadfast in your commitment to provide a quality service or product for your customers.”

The opening ceremony of M o rg a n ’s I n v e s t m e n t I n c .

Headquarters attracted the presence of Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, and key executives of the company

alongside valued business partners.

E d g h i l l ’s p a r t i c i p a t i o n underscored the “symbiotic relationship,” between the public and private sectors in propelling local industrial growth.

In his address, Edghill emphasized the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment, incentive mechanisms, and ample space for the growth and development of small businesses. He encouraged Morgan’s Investment Inc. to prioritize excellence over profits and to uphold reliability as a guiding principle.

“Keep excellence as your standard and not profits…Ensure that you keep reliability on the radar and as the watchword,” Edghill underscored.

PAGE 47

PAGE 48

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

Cart before the horse?

Govt. inviting project proposals before ironing out gas strategy The government has opened the floor for private companies to submit proposals for the design, finance, construction, and operation of vital gas infrastructure. This move is part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate the development of its natural gas resources.

However, the timing of this request for proposals (RFP), which precedes the finalization of a comprehensive gas strategy, has sparked concern among stakeholders about the hurry to seek proposals before completing the gas strategy.

The government has a record of putting the cart before the horse in the oil sector. Last year, the government launched the oil auction, but then stopped to overhaul the oil law in the middle of the process. This dragged out the completion of the auction.

The gas infrastructure RFP said the government wants to rapidly develop the gas resources. It aims to

establish an open-access infrastructure system that would bolster both existing and future upstream oil and gas developments.

This includes necessary pipelines and other

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo infrastructure crucial for monetizing the offshore gas.

Notably, the projects are expected to be entirely financed and owned by private entities, indicating a clear preference for limited government ownership.

The government has set a

stringent criterion for applicants, who must demonstrate their capability a n d c r e d i b i l i t y. T h e requirements include detailed project plans, cost estimates, legal agreements, and for consortiums, proof of agreement.

The deadline for proposal submissions is firmly set for 9:00 am on February 27, 2024, with the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board designated to receive and open the submissions.

This call for proposals is being issued as Guyana is in the midst of crafting a gas strategy, expected to outline the nation’s approach to developing its gas resources.

There is very little indication about what the strategy will say, given the confusion caused by the initial strategy draft, eventually rebranded as a discussion paper because of issues acknowledged by Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.

Jagdeo has been vocal Continued on page 50

PAGE 49

PAGE 50 The Prosperity FPSO that operates in the Stabroek Block

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

US, Europe already snapping up Guyana’s Payara crude

T

he United States and Europe are turning their attention to Guyana’s newest offering, Payara Gold crude.

The Payara project, operated

by ExxonMobil, started production two months ago in the Stabroek Block.

The United States already imported its firstever cargo of Payara Gold crude, according to a report from S&P Global Commodity Insights data.

The cargo, comprising one

million barrels, was shipped

by China’s CNOOC and received by ExxonMobil in Morgan City, Louisiana, on January 10.

Meanwhile, the European market is demonstrating a growing preference for Payara crude.

This shift is partly influenced by the region’s sanctions on Russian crude and refined products, as explained by S&P analysts Felipe Perez and Pat Harrington during an S&P podcast.

The necessity to replace Russian barrels has led Europe to explore alternatives, such as Guyana’s Liza and Unity Gold. Now, Payara, with its distinctive properties, is also catching the attention of European refiners.

Payara Gold, the third grade from the Stabroek Block, stands out with its heavier medium sweet crude quality, having a 28 API gravity and 0.58% sulfur content.

This differs from the earlier Liza crude (32 API, 0.58% sulfur) and Unity Gold (34.5 API, 0.41% sulfur). Payara’s unique composition is making it an attractive option for refineries, especially in Europe, which is increasingly looking for crudes with higher distillate yields, the S&P analysts said.

In market valuation, Payara is witnessing an upward trajectory. Platts assessed Payara at a 75 cents/b discount to the Latin Dated Brent Strip, an increase from its initial assessment. This surge in value shows there is growing

recognition and demand for Payara, despite it being a new crude.

Harrington explained the evolving valuation of Guyana’s crude varieties.

Liza and Unity Gold were similarly priced at first, but as European refiners started showing preferences, the pricing differed. This preference is now extending to Payara crude, which, despite its heavier nature, is becoming a favourable option for its higher distillate yield.

Despite tensions between Guyana and Venezuela over the progress of Guyana’s oil and gas industry, the global market’s focus remains on the promising prospects of Guyana’s increasing supply of crude. Guyana’s February loading programme, as observed by S&P Global, schedules six Payara Gold cargoes, along with five cargoes of Unity Gold crude and three cargoes of Liza.

ExxonMobil is the o p e r a t o r o f G u y a n a ’s lucrative Stabroek Block.

The company holds a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

With the Payara project contributing to the block’s total production of approximately 550,000 barrels per day, Guyana continues to increase its supply to global markets.

The Payara project is projected to achieve its oil production capacity of 220,000 barrels per day soon, taking total production offshore Guyana to more than 600,000 barrels per day.

Govt. inviting project proposals before...

From page 49 about the need for urgent development of gas resources, stating, “We need [ExxonMobil] to share our view that these resources must be developed, and developed urgently because of this timeline.” He further added that the government would consider other developers if ExxonMobil is not interested in gas development.

He did not say whether the government wants to ask Exxon to relinquish its gas discoveries, noting that these are discussions which must be had with the company.

During his press conference last week, Jagdeo addressed questions regarding the timing of the RFP and its relation to the gas strategy. He said the RFP and the gas strategy are separate entities and can progress concurrently. “The two are not the same, the gas strategy and the Request for Proposal.

I’ve explained that that work can go in parallel.”

Jagdeo also said the government wants to utilize the surplus gas from the Gas-to-Energy project to sustain a midsize fertilizer plant, to support the agriculture sector. The government is investing tremendously in agriculture to help meet the Caribbean region’s food supply needs.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

From page 14 $35,000 last year to $40,000.

It will benefit of over 205,000 school children in the public and private schools, placing an additional $1 billion in the hands of the parents of school children.

To g e t h e r w i t h t h e ‘Because We Care’ Student Grant, the uniform voucher allowance of $5,000 will result in parents of over 205,000 school children receiving a total of $45,000 per child, with the two grants aggregating to a transfer of $9.2 billion to these parents.

Minister Singh also revealed that the government will commence the first phase of eliminating outstanding loans owed by graduates of the University of Guyana, on the condition that these graduates can demonstrate proof of being employed or self-employed in Guyana after their graduation, for a minimum period to be specified. With respect to life insurance measures, Minister Singh recalled that in 2022, several initiatives were introduced to encourage citizens to obtain life and medical insurance policies. He said these measures allowed taxpayers a deduction from their chargeable income for premiums paid for life and medical insurance up to a maximum of 10 percent of their income or $30,000 monthly, whichever is lower.

To further incentivise citizens to insure themselves with life and medical insurance, Minister Singh announced an increase in the deductible ceiling from $30,000 to $50,000 monthly or 10 percent of income whichever is lower. This intervention will reduce the taxable income and consequently the tax payable by the tax payer and will facilitate greater access to coverage for medical cost.

Minister Singh also announced the increase of the Income Tax Threshold from $85,000 last year to $100,000 monthly, with effect from year of income 2024. As a result of this adjustment 13,000 persons will be removed from paying income taxes and will result in $4.8 billion increase in disposable income of workers.

Overall, Minister Singh said these measures will provide over $70 billion to businesses and individuals, as government continues to provide relief to the most vulnerable, and promote the

expansion of productive activity and job creation.

Int’l Lawyer writes US-EXIM Bank to block funding for Wales gas project International Lawyer, Melinda Janki has written to the United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank urging the financial institution to “respect the rule of law in Guyana” and withhold funding for the gas plants to be built at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

Janki on behalf of public interest litigants Elizabeth Deane-Hughes and Vanda Radzik wrote to the Bank on January 12, 2024. In the letter addressed to President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Reta Jo Lewis, the Lawyer pointed out that Guyana’s High Court on October 5, 2023 concluded that “…the decision by the EPA to grant the permit to Esso Guyana was contrary to law and was improper.”

Consequently, Janki said, “Eximbank should not provide funding for any project which is based on a decision (the grant of a permit) that is ‘contrary to law’. Eximbank should respect the rule of law in Guyana.”

In a press statement, the two citizens that successfully challenged the permit granted to ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) for the 12inch pipeline said that the rule of law must trump g o v e r n m e n t ’s p l a n .

According to Ms DeaneHughes, “The rule of law ought to take priority over government plans for this gas project and EXIM Bank ought not to support anything that is contrary to law. All companies and partnerships operating in Guyana, including Stabroek Block Partners, need to adhere to and follow the laws of our country, more so in debut u n p r e c e d e n t e d transformational and transformative projects”.

Meanwhile, Ms Radzik pointed out that, “The report released on 4th October 2023 by the independent global think tank, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial concluded that the Guyana Gas to Energy Project is unnecessary and financially unsustainable.

The decision to do the gas project appears to be completely irrational and unjustifiable. If that is the case, then the entire decision

to do the gas project is unlawful.” The citizens believe that Exxon is the key beneficiary of the Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project and solar is the cheaper and best option for Guyana in terms of reducing electricity bills, generating jobs and pushing Guyana towards achieving its climate goals of 100 percent renewable energy.

The GTE project entails three components; the pipeline being built and financed by ExxonMobil and the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility and 300megawatt power plant being pursued by the Government of Guyana (GoG).

In April last year, the government applied to the US-EXIM Bank for a US$646 million loan to support the gas plants. The loan is intended to support the US$759 million cost of the natural gas-fired power plant and natural gas liquids plant to be constructed by contractor CH4-Lindsayca.

The loan has not yet been approved but Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has said that tax payers’ are funding the project in the meantime.

According to Janki, USEXIM Bank should not provide funding for the gas plant since the Court clearly stated that the environmental permit granted for the pipeline, being constructed

by Exxon, was “improper” and “contrary to law”.

She said, “Without the pipeline there is no project and if the pipeline part of the gas project is unlawful, EXIM bank should not provide money for the rest of the gas project. In my view the exemption for the gas fired power plant from an EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) is also illegal. I have written to the EPA and told them.”

It must be note that this is the second letter that has been issued to the US-EXIM Bank regarding the loan pending approval. DeaneHughes in a letter dated April 22, 2023 to the US-EXIM Bank flagged a number of discrepancies in the project, requesting that the loan being sought by the government to fund the initiative be blocked.

Her points were raised with the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the institution, Reta Jo Lewis. According to the missive seen by this newspaper, that was also brought to the attention of US Ambassador, Sarah Ann-

Ly n c h , D e a n e - H u g h e s objected to the loan application by the GoG given the lack of a feasibility study. Read more here: https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2023/05/17/guya nese-woman-writes-usbank-to-block-loan-forwales-gas-project/ WEDNESDAY Amid ‘uncertainty’ over US loan Gov’t plugs another US$400M into Wales gas project ...construction of power plant to commence in second quarter The Government of

PAGE 51

Guyana (GoG) has allocated $80 billion in this year’s trillion-dollar Budget for construction of a natural gas fired power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

The allocation comes as the government enters a nine-month waiting period since it submitted an application to the United States Export Import (USEXIM) Bank for a US$646 million loan for the two plants.

The plants form part of the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project which also features a 12-inch 225 kilometers pipeline that connects to the

two Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels (FPSOs) in the Stabroek Block and ends at the Wales development site.

This aspect of the project is being financed by ExxonMobil, the operator of the Stabroek Block.

According to the 2024 Budget Estimates presented to the National Assembly on January 15, the $80B or US$400 million provision will finance construction of the two gas plants, upgrading of the transmission network and project management consultancy and supervision of the GTE project. Senior Minister in the Office of the (Continued on page 52)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 52

From page 51 President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday revealed that construction of the 300 megawatt power plant is expected to commence in the second quarter of this year.

While the gas project is being touted as a “nobrainer” project aimed at slashing consumer electricity bills by 50 percent, there is no study that justifies the expenditure of US$2 billion on the project.

The 2024 Budget Estimates pegs the total project cost of t h e v e n t u r e a t $192,583,102,000 or approximately US$963M. This does not include the US1B price tag attached to the pipeline component.

Last year the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government set aside $43.3 billion for the two power plants. In 2022 another

$104B was allocated to the Wales gas project. Minister Singh on Monday described the project as “a major cornerstone for our nation’s economic growth and developmental path in the coming years”.

He reported that significant advancements have been recorded in the works required for setting up the integrated plants and the Material Offloading Facility.

In fact, he said that the construction of a heavy-haul road was completed and is now in use to support the project. He said, “Onshore pipeline installation and first offshore pipeline installation activities which began in 2023 will continue this year to support start-up of the integrated power plant by December 2024.”

Only yesterday Kaieteur News reported that I n t e r n a t i o n a l L a w y e r,

Melinda Janki wrote to the United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank urging the financial institution to “respect the rule of law in Guyana” and withhold funding for the gas plants to be built at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

Janki on behalf of public interest litigants Elizabeth Deane-Hughes and Vanda Radzik wrote to the Bank on January 12, 2024. In the letter addressed to President and Chair of the Board of Directors, Reta Jo Lewis, the Lawyer pointed out that Guyana’s High Court on October 5, 2023 concluded that “…the decision by the EPA to grant the permit to Esso Guyana was contrary to law and was improper.”

Consequently, Janki said, “Eximbank should not provide funding for any project which is based on a decision (the grant of a

Sunday January 21, 2024

permit) that is ‘contrary to law’. Eximbank should respect the rule of law in Guyana.” It must be note that this is the second letter that has been issued to the USEXIM Bank regarding the loan pending approval.

Deane-Hughes in a letter dated April 22, 2023 to the US-EXIM Bank flagged a number of discrepancies in the project, requesting that the loan being sought by the government to fund the initiative be blocked.

Read more here: https://www.kaieteurnewso nline.com/2023/05/17/guya nese-woman-writes-usbank-to-block-loan-forwales-gas-project/ THURSDAY With Exxon due to relinquish 20% of Stabroek Block in October...

Govt. announces plans to survey potential resources in offshore blocks Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh announced on Monday during his 2024 budget, that the government will be undertaking key survey studies on the offshore blocks to better assess the potential petroleum resources available for development and production.

It is likely that this survey will target a 20 percent portion of the Stabroek Block which the government said ExxonMobil and its partners must relinquish in October. Notably, this deadline is well beyond the contractual timeline of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) which, according to its provisions, stipulate that a portion be returned to the State since last year October.

It would be recalled that Exxon had approached the David Granger-led administration back in 2020 for an extension of the timeline, claiming that it would be facing debilitating effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. Granger had granted the extension on the condition that a review would be done to ascertain if the extension is indeed warranted. When the PPP/C Government took the reins of power in August 2020, its Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo subsequently said authorities were satisfied that Exxon’s operations for the Stabroek Block were affected and allowed the extension to remain intact.

While the Finance Minister did not state which blocks would be subjected to this review, it is unlikely that it would include those blocks which companies previously returned to the State such as the Kanuku Block by Repsol, and the Demerara and Berbice Blocks by CGX. Those offshore concessions, by virtue of the work programmes outlined by their PSAs, benefited from seismic surveys, the data for which was shared with Guyanese authorities.

Speaking to other developments in the oil sector, Minister Singh said Guyana’s oil and gas sector expanded by 45.9 percent last year with the production of 142.9 million barrels of oil compared with 101.4 million in 2022. This he said is the result of improved

performance from the Liza Destiny and Unity floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating in the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block. Minister Singh also said that the commencement of production from the Prosperity FPSO in November of last year, was also a contributor to this output.

Expounding further, in 2023, Minister Singh said the Liza Destiny FPSO produced crude oil at a rate of approximately 142,000 barrels per day (bpd), and the Liza Unity FPSO produced at a rate of 235,000 bpd.

Minister Singh said encouraging accelerated production is integral to government’s plan to, among other things, secure more revenue from the sector to accelerate its development agenda.

Towards this end, he said 2023 saw a ramp-up in volumes from the Destiny and Unity production platforms, while the Prosperity FPSO achieved first oil in November 2023.

These three facilities are expected to continue their momentum in 2024.

M o r e o v e r, M i n i s t e r Singh said advancements at Exxon’s fourth project in the Stabroek Block called Yellowtail Project is on track for start-up in 2025. With another oil project on stream for 2027 and a sixth in train for 2027, pending regulatory approval, Minister Singh said production could climb well above 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) beyond 2027. This he said would make Guyana the single largest non-OPEC contributor to global supplies.

It would be recalled that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is an intergovernmental organization of 13 oilproducing nations, founded in 1960. Its members include countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, and Venezuela, among others. OPEC’s primary objective is to coordinate and unify petroleum policies among its member countries, in order to secure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers and a reliable supply of oil for consumers.

While Guyana is not a member of OPEC, its oil production is becoming (Continued on page 53)

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

From page 52 increasingly influential in the global supply of petroleum. This prominence in oil production, outside the influence of OPEC’s policies and decisions, underscores Guyana’s growing importance in the global energy sector.

World banking on Guyana to help keep oil supply stable this year- IEA director Guyana is listed as one of the countries that will help keep oil output stable this year despite tension in the Middle East and a slowing demand growth outlook.

This is according to Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), Fatih Birol. “If we don’t see any major geopolitical surprises, I expect this year a comfortable oil market, a more balanced oil market,” Birol said on the sidelines of the WEF’s annual meeting in Davos, according to a Reuters report. Birol added that the Parisbased IEA expects a significant increase in oil output from the United States, Canada, Brazil, and Guyana this year, just as global demand growth slows.

It must be noted that the extremely generous fiscal terms in the lopsided Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) have been attributed to ExxonMobil and its partners unlocking what is now the most low-cost, high-return resource base of the decade. Speaking at the Bank of America Securities 2022 Global E n e rg y C o n f e r e n c e , C h i e f Executive Officer of Hess Corporation, John Hess had indicated that the economics of the contract allows for the recovery of exploration costs before the corresponding production phase kicks in.

The Stabroek Block PSA has faced significant criticism from various stakeholders. Major concerns raised include the paltry two percent royalty which many argue does not fairly compensate Guyana for exploitation of a nonrenewable resource; the costly absence of ring-fencing provisions which allows costs from one oil field to be deducted against the revenues of another; and the permanent stability clause which forbids Guyana from introducing new laws adverse to the oil companies until 2056, barring any extensions.

Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh on Monday during the reading of the $1.146 trillion budget said encouraging accelerated production is integral to government’s plan to, among other things, secure more revenue from the sector to accelerate its development agenda. Towards this end, he said 2023 saw a ramp-up in volumes from the Destiny and Unity production platforms, while the Prosperity FPSO achieved first oil in November 2023. These three

facilities are expected to continue their momentum in 2024.

Moreover, Minister Singh said advancements at Exxon’s fourth project in the Stabroek Block called Yellowtail Project is on track for start-up in 2025. With another oil project on stream for 2027 and a sixth in train for 2027, pending regulatory approval, Minister Singh said production could climb well above 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) beyond 2027. This he said would make Guyana the single largest non-OPEC contributor to global supplies.

Meanwhile, according to the Reuters report, attacks by the Houthis on ships in the Red Sea have forced many companies to divert cargoes around Africa, adding to journey times and costs.

The Iran-aligned Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians during Israel’s ongoing war with Gaza. Birol noted that so far production has not been impacted by these disruptions. He said that he did not expect a major impact on oil prices, unless one or more major oil producing countries were to get directly embroiled in the conflict.

“I don’t expect a major change in the oil price because we have an ample amount of oil coming in the market,” he said. Brent crude futures /LCOc1 were trading 1.4% lower on Wednesday at $77.21 per barrel, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures (WTI) CLc1 were down 1.0% at $71.69.

O/R. The IEA expects world oil demand to grow by 1.1 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024. It expects non-OPEC supply growth to reach 1.2 million bpd next year.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), forecasts demand growth of 2.25 million bpd in 2024. “Moderate oil prices” would be good for economic growth in the context of high inflation rates, he said. Birol highlighted elections in the United States and India, Middle East tensions, and climate and the clean energy transition as some of the key risks in the year ahead.

Dr. Singh also on Monday revealed that there were 142 lifts of crude oil from Guyana’s three

producing oil ships, which amounted to 142 million barrels of oil produced from the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels being operated by the ExxonMobil-led consortium in the Stabroek Block. Minister Singh said Guyana received 17 lifts or 17 million barrels. Minister Singh said six lifts were from the Liza Destiny while 11 were from the Liza Unity.

Speaking to the revenues for 2023, Minister Singh said the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) received US$1.4B from the sale of Guyana’s 17 lifts. In providing a breakdown, he said US$576.6 million was from the Liza Destiny while US$822.3 million was made from Liza Unity.

With respect to royalty payments from ExxonMobil and its partners, he said US$218.1 million was received.

Overall, he said US$1.6 billion in petroleum revenue was deposited into the Fund. At the end of the year, Minister Singh said the overall balance, inclusive of interest income, stood at US$2 Billion. With three oil ships in operation, Minister Singh said it is projected that there will be 202 lifts of crude oil from the Stabroek Block, 25 of which are estimated for government. Consequently, Minister Singh said earnings from the government’s share of profit oil are estimated at US$2.1 billion in 2024, while royalty payments for the year are projected at US$319.9 million. Guyana is therefore expected to earn a total of US$2.4 Billion in oil revenue for 2024.

Additionally, based on 2023 deposits, Minister Singh said an estimated US$1.1 billion or $240.1 billion can be withdrawn from the NRF in 2024 and transferred to the Consolidated Fund to support the country’s development agenda.

FRIDAY Oil companies to walk away with US$14.7B this year, Guyana only getting US$2.1B Out of US$16.8B in oil exports to be generated in 2024, Guyana is expected to receive US$2.1B. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil and its

PAGE 53

partners in the Stabroek Block will cart off US$14.7B. Guyana’s US$2.1B in oil export earnings are the payments Guyana expects to receive from the sale of its share of profit oil. Out of 202 projected lifts of crude, Guyana will get 25. With each lift being approximately one million barrels, Guyana’s entitlement this year is 25 million barrels of crude. Each lift will be marketed and sold by Guyana’s hired marketers, and the funds will be deposited into the Natural Resource Fund.

In addition to profit oil, the oil companies are mandated to pay Guyana royalties of 2% of the crude produced and sold. Government expects US$320M in royalties this year. Added to the profit oil export earnings, Guyana would be making about US$2.4B from oil production in 2024 - a figure that will pale in comparison to the massive earnings of ExxonMobil and its co-venturers in the Stabroek Block.

The Stabroek Block production sharing agreement (PSA) entitles the oil companies to 177 million barrels or 177 lifts. These lifts include crude mostly for cost recovery, and some for profit oil.

Oil companies are projected to cart off US$14.7B in value from the production of Guyana’s crude. That is US$12.6B more than Guyana’s projected oil export earnings. That difference alone is enough to pay for this year’s entire national budget TWO TIMES - and still have enough left back to pay for the Gas-to-Energy integrated natural gas liquids plant (NGL) and power plant facility TWO TIMES. The daylight carting off of most of the value continues the tradition from previous years. Last year, Exxon and partners made away with US$10B out of the US$11.6B in oil exports. The year before that, they got about US$8.6B out of the US$9.9B. This state of affairs is due to the fiscal terms of Exxon’s PSA, which are held stubbornly in place by a rigid stability clause approved by the previous administration. With ring-fencing provisions absent from the contract, there is no doubt that millions of United States dollars in revenue losses are

slipping through the cracks.

Despite this status quo, there is neither political will nor intention to renegotiate this contract, on the government’s part. Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said that saving extra funds immediately by ringfencing the projects now, could interfere with Guyana’s long-term investment prospects.

So far, Exxon managed to secure approvals for five offshore developments from two administrations without ringfencing provisions and a better deal for the latter projects. Late last year, Exxon added a third floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to the Stabroek Block. Production shot up to 550,000 barrels of oil per day, according to Exxon’s last press release. It is expected to reach 620,000 barrels per day this year.

SATURDAY Citizens should support Govt.’s proposal to use more money from oil account to reduce reliance on loans -VP Jagdeo Citizens, particularly those who are often critical of the government, should be in full support of the administration’s move to use more money from the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) as it would reduce reliance on external loans. This explanation was provided by Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference on Thursday at Office of the President.

The Guyanese official made the foregoing remark in response to a question from Kaieteur News. The Vice President was asked to say how the Guyana Government plans to keep the resource curse at bay in light of its plans to increase the debt ceiling for a third time as well as to revise the withdrawal rules for the NRF to access more funds.

The Vice President reasoned that the debt ceiling is not being raised to facilitate random squander mania, but rather, to allow for strategic investments in a number of transformative projects.

In this regard, he cited the gas-toenergy project in which the government is financing from a US$660M US Exim Bank loan, pending approval. He said the debt ceiling has to be shifted upwards to accommodate this.

“As I pointed out, that we would see this intense period of build out of a lot of our infrastructure that are urgently needed to support continued growth in the economy but once they are completed, you will see a steep fallout in the budget. The budget would be reduced significantly in the in the outer years because once you finish building the 12 hospitals and the bridges and the power plant, then you don’t need to expand (Continued on page 54)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 54

From page 53 anymore,” the Vice President said. He added that government by that time will consider whether to bring down the debt ceiling.

In the meantime, he assured that even when the debt ceiling is raised; it does not mean that the government will borrow the maximum. He also reassured that this approach will not affect Guyana’s low debt-toGDP ratio.

With respect to the government’s proposal to revise the withdrawal rules for the NRF to use more oil revenues, Jagdeo said this is another key part of the government’s strategy to

maintain low and sustainable debt levels.

He explained that government was very conservative when it set the initial withdrawal rules in the NRF Act which was updated and passed in 2021.

He reminded however that it was government’s intention to wait until the NRF hits a US$3B threshold before moving to access more.

According to the 2024 budget, Guyana’s NRF inclusive of interest closed 2023 with US$1.9B. Government said it expects to receive US$2.4B in oil revenues for 2024.

Government said it projects

to transfer at least US$1B this year based on the current withdrawal rules for the NRF. When the new rules are passed, citizens will know how much more will be assed for budgetary support.

The Vice President said this approach should be supported by the usual critics of government, adding that it reduces reliance on more loans.

Overall, Jagdeo said this two-tiered approach will not plunge Guyana into the clutches of the Dutch Disease.

The Dutch disease refers to a situation where a c o u n t r y ’s c u r r e n c y appreciates due to large

revenues from natural resource exports, leading to a decline in other sectors like manufacturing and agriculture. Jagdeo noted that this currency appreciation is a hallmark of the Dutch disease, which is in turn a symptom of the broader ‘resource curse’ - the paradox where countries with abundant natural resources often experience less economic growth and development than those with fewer natural resources.

In the context of Guyana, the government’s strategy to spend significantly from the NRF for transformative projects, such as the gas-toenergy initiative, is intended

Sunday January 21, 2024

to diversify the economy and avoid over-reliance on the oil sector. This diversification is crucial to evade the Dutch disease, as it prevents the economy from being singularly dependent on oil revenues, which can cause other sectors to stagnate and the local currency to appreciate excessively.

Govt. doing internal surveys not seismic work for offshore blocks-VP Jagdeo clarifies While Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh announced on Monday during his 2024 budget presentation that the government will be undertaking key survey studies on offshore oil blocks, it is not to be confused with seismic work.

This clarification was offered on Thursday by Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during a press briefing.

“We have no immediate plan to do seismic work funded by the Government of Guyana,” the official said.

The chief policymaker asserted that this survey simply entails an internal assessment of all the available data on Guyana’s offshore oil and gas concessions so that authorities may be better able to assess the potential petroleum resources available for development and production. He said this survey will also allow government to put all the information into a unified format.

F u r t h e r, t h e Vi c e President explained that this initiative and its importance became quite evident during the preparation of data for potential bidders participating in Guyana’s first oil blocks auction, launched back in December 2022.

Additionally, he said the compilation of the data will include all the information now available since the bid allows for a smoother process for the next auction.

He said too that this streamlining will also take into account data pertaining to the 20 percent portion of the ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block, due to be returned to the State in October.

F u r t h e r, t h e Vi c e President said the relinquished portion could form part of Guyana’s next auction, noting that

government has to consult with its advisors on the right timing for hosting same.

“We’re going to talk to our advisors to see what’s happening in the world of auctions and what’s the right timing because they’re more attuned to what’s happening globally. We have to fit any option that we may pursue in that context,” the official said.

For the time being, he said government is focused on concluding the first auction which was launched in December 2022.

Government had announced that a consortium led by four AfricanGuyanese women, represented by Sispro Inc., secured two blocks: the shallow water block S3 and the deep-water block D2.

To t a l E n e r g i e s E P Guyana B.V., in partnership with Qatar Energy International E&P LLC and Petronas E&P Overseas SDN BHD, won the shallow water block S4.

ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess New Ventures Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited were awarded the shallow water block S8.

International Group Investment Inc from Nigeria was selected for two shallow water concessions, S5 and S10.

Liberty Petroleum Corporation and Cybele Energy Limited, an American and Ghanaian partnership, secured the shallow water block S7.

L a s t l y, D e l c o r p Incorporated, in collaboration with Watad E n e r g y a n d Communications Ltd and Arabian Drilling Company, obtained rights to the deepwater block D1.

These companies are now undergoing a due diligence process, as part of Guyana’s rigorous oversight of the oil sector.

Once their agreements are signed, the companies will be expected to pay a 10 percent royalty and a 10 percent Corporate Tax. Their contracts will also stipulate that cost recovery be capped at 65 percent in a given year, while profits will be shared 50/50 between the parties.

For shallow water blocks, companies have to pay a minimum signing bonus of US$10 million while a minimum of US$20 million is set for deep water concessions.

Sunday January 21, 2024

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 56

Sunday January 21, 2024

Kaieteur News

EPA not legally obligated...

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From page 06 submitted in this manner to us.”

He noted that the evidence that the money was lodged is a matter between the two parties—the EPA and Exxon. Further, the VP said the ultimate decision is to be made by the Court of Appeal.

“I don’t want to as a politician to override any agency…For me publicly, it is a matter for the Court, if the Court believes that the public interest to see this document overrides their allegiance to their law and the court rules that way then they will have to make it public,” Jagdeo added.

Last Thursday, when the matter came up before the Court of Appeal, Datadin told the Court, that his client, the EPA’s instructions are not to acquiesce to the summons at this time.

“My instruction at this time is to resist the application while they will consider their position as it relates to the disclosure. It is not as if one person can do it, they want to speak to the members of the board as it relates to that…between last week and today they haven’t been able to do that…,” Datadin said.

He related too that his position on the application before the court is that the court does not have the jurisdiction to proceed with that sort of order. As such, the lawyer has requested time to address the court on the issue of its jurisdiction. In response, Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam who is representing Collins and Whyte, the litigants in the matter pointed to the fact that ExxonMobil has been dragging its feet to provide proof that it lodged the sums with the Court.

Jairam reminded that the judge made the order to lodge the sum since June 2023, and though the litigants have used appropriate mediums to request to see the proof that the $2B was lodged with the Court, they have not provided with any.

“Exxon is playing with fire…l am going to file contempt proceedings and I am

going to argue that they are not in compliance. Since they are being difficult and adversarial, I will take a very hard view and they will end up at the CCJ,” Jairam added.

For his part, ExxonMobil Guyana’s lawyer, Senior Counsel Edward Luckhoo told the Court that the company has complied with the order and lodged the $2billion guarantee.

However, since the Court must hear the contentions raised by the EPA, he said he too will submit a response to the point of jurisdiction. As such, the court ordered the lawyers to make their submission on the issue of jurisdiction on or before January 22, 2024. Senior Counsel Jairam was granted until January 25, 2024 to respond to the jurisdictional contentions. The court will hear the oral argument on February 1, 2024 at 11:00 am.

The litigants filed a case in September 2022 asking that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) be ordered to secure from ExxonMobil Guyana, unlimited liability coverage for oil spills. In so doing, Guyana would be fully protected from any hidden costs associated with an unmitigated spill from one or more projects in the Stabroek Block.

On May 3, 2023, High Court Judge, Justice Sandil Kisson ruled in favour of the litigants and ordered the EPA to secure an unlimited parent and/or affiliate company guarantee for oil spills. To circumvent compliance with that order, ExxonMobil and the EPA through their lawyers, appealed and were successful in staying Justice Kissoon’s decision.

Pending the final outcome of the appeal, Justice Persaud ordered Exxon to lodge a US$2 Billion parent and or affiliate company guarantee.

Since that order was issued on June 8, 2023, the litigants said their lawyers which include Jairam SC, Melinda Janki and Abiola WongInniss have been unable to secure a copy of the said guarantee for perusal.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

PAGE 57

Linden Shallow grave murder… Man said he accidentally

killed girlfriend, but buried her intentionally

S

haquawn Alleyne, popularly known as “ISWE Boss,” reportedly told investigators that he accidently shot his girlfriend to death but burying her body in a shallow grave in his backyard at Canvas City, Linden, Region Ten, was intentional.

Alleyne was nabbed last week in Suriname on a wanted bulletin which was issued for him by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for the murder of Shonnette Dover, his 19-year-old girlfriend.

T h e w o m a n ’s decomposing body was found on April 29, 2021, some 28 days after she went missing. Alleyne has been on the run for nearly three years after he managed to fool the victim’s relatives and an entire nation with a façade he portrayed of an innocent, heartbroken man who was

In police custody after three years on the run, ‘ISWE Boss,’ Shaquawn Alleyne deeply worried about his girlfriend’s disappearance.

Finally captured an in the custody of the Police Force,

Alleyne reportedly admitted to accidently shooting his girlfriend to death. “…it wasn’t intentional act, it wasn’t premeditated,” Alleyne reportedly told police.

He alleged that Dover had made breakfast on the day in question and they were all sitting in his living room when he sent her 15year-old sister to fetch him his .38 revolver.

The ‘ISWE Boss’ continued that while cleaning the weapon, he pulled back the hammer and was pointing it and waving it around.

Dover, he claimed, cautioned him about playing with the weapon but his finger fell on the trigger and it went off.

“I see smoke in the living room and Shonette lying motionless with a wound in her forehead and

Murdered, Shonette blood coming out,” Alleyene alleged to investigators, before relating to them that the decision to bury her body in a shallow grave and lie to her parents about the crime, was premeditated and intentional.

“Me and (Shonette’s sister) didn’t want the family to feel that pain knowing

Shonette was dead, me and she came up with a plan not to let anyone know what happened, we then dug a hole and bury Shonette in the backyard and said we would tell everyone she leave for work and hasn’t come home back,” Alleyne reportedly confessed.

Alleyne further alleged that when police moved to arrest Dover’s sister for questioning, he sold his gun to man at Linden and “beat out to Suriname.”

According to media reports, Dover ’s sister c r a c k e d d u r i n g interrogation and led police to her sibling’s body after telling the lawmen that the woman was shot dead by her boyfriend. She was subsequently charged but by the time police learnt a b o u t D o v e r ’s death,

Alleyne had already disappeared from their radar.

News that Alleyne allegedly killed Dover left her parents and other relatives in a state of shock.

Dover’s grandmother said at the time, “I never suspected that he was involved. I didn’t expect that he would do anything of this nature, never ever think that would have happened and I want to believe he threatened her (the 15-year-old) because she never exposed or tell us anything…So according to my knowledge, she was threatened, that is why she kept silent.”

Kaieteur News understands that the suspect was even assisting the relatives in their search for the missing Dover before fleeing the jurisdiction.

Kaieteur News

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Sunday January 21, 2024

Palestinians accuse Israeli forces of executing 19 civilians in Gaza Footage, witness accounts shared with Al Jazeera reveal how Israeli soldiers carried out executions in Gaza last month.

Aljazeera - Israeli soldiers executed at least 19 civilians in Gaza City in December, said witnesses who recounted how women and girls were separated from their families, beaten and strip-searched.

Human rights groups have been gathering testimonies of the alleged summary executions and Al Jazeera has obtained footage and witness accounts from members of one family about the assault that took place on December 19.

“Tanks and bulldozers surrounded the building.

Shells had been hitting the building for days. The situation was desperate,” said Umm Odai Salem,

whose husband was among those killed. The Israeli soldiers stormed the building. “They banged on our door. My husband … told them we are all civilians.

They took him to another apartment. I followed them, pleading with them to let him go because we are civilians,” she said. “They beat me and my daughters. They put us women in one place and threatened us with guns and knives. They made us strip.

They searched us, insulting us using the most terrible words,” Salem added.

The soldiers disregarded their pleas and proceeded to “execute” all the men they rounded up outside.

“My husband was one of

the 19 men killed in this building. They ordered them to bend down and executed them. They killed them all.”

‘She was dying’ The footage shows the bodies of men with the entry holes of bullets in their back.

After the men were killed, the apartment that Salem and her daughters were sheltering in was hit, one of her daughters told Al Jazeera, killing her threeyear-old sister, Nada. “I was holding my sister in my arms.

Then the shelling resumed. Nada was hit. She made some soft sounds. She asked for some water.” “I thought she was crying. But she was dying. Shrapnel had

entered her head, eyes and neck. My sister tried to carry her body but she fell from her arms at the door.” William Schabas, professor of international law at Middlesex University in London, says the footage, along with testimonies, would constitute evidence in the International Criminal Court. “I should add that it’s not really important to demonstrate that they’re civilians. Summary executions even of fighters, even of combatants is a war crime,” he told Al Jazeera.

Schabas, who was a chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry on the 2014 Gaza war, added that beyond testimonies and footage of bodies, prosecutors would need to submit the identity of perpetrators to get this to court in the first place.

“That’s one of the great

challenges in a situation like this, [which] is actually finding out who were the people who fired the weapons or gave the orders,” he said. ‘Systematic’ killings Muhammad Shehada, of the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor in Copenhagen, told Al Jazeera his organisation believes there is a pattern of a “systematic” killing taking place on the ground.

“In at least 13 of field executions, we corroborated that it was arbitrary on the part of the Israeli forces,” said Shehada, the group’s chief of programmes and communications.

The monitoring group’s members who visited crime scenes and gathered testimonies from witnesses and family members of those who were killed, as well as reports from the health ministry in Gaza, said the

soldiers have a sense of impunity.

Israeli forces have previously been accused of executing civilians since the current conflict erupted on October 7.

In December, citing one instance, the United Nations human rights office called for an independent inquiry into allegations that Israeli soldiers executed at least 11 Palestinian men in Gaza in what it called “a possible war crime”.

The key issue is how such probes would be conducted, analysts say, since none of the entities that could investigate alleged Israeli crimes against Palestinians is currently allowed into the Gaza Strip.

Many Palestinians have also accused Israeli forces of mistreatment and torture after being held in Israeli prisons.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

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BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

SUNDAY – JANUARY 14, 2024 Free speech The human right to freedom of speech is under threat in Guyana.

Journalists are no longer free to carry out their duties over fear of intimidation. The disrespect at press conferences is ripe by those in high offices yet they boast of Guyana being a free country.

The government is doing all it can to save face as the country attracts global attention for its newfound oil wealth, dismissing critical remarks by the Opposition and even members of civil society- attacking those who seek truth.

The truth is that even a house wife these days are afraid to speak against the government of the day as she fears her children might be victimized. This is the nasty and painful truth, just check the 2021 Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Report.

MONDAY – JANUARY 15, 2024 Tip-toeing around the Israel question T h e G u y a n a Government's hesitancy or refusal to end diplomatic relations with Israel as a consequence of that country's assault on the people of Palestine leaves much to be desired.

Several persons, including top members and executives of the PPP have repeatedly called for the suspension of diplomatic relations. Even the President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has referred to the atrocities as televised genocide, yet his Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo who calls the shot in the government will not budge.

We believe such a move at isolating Israel diplomatically would be symbolic but also send a powerful message that Guyana does not condone the violation of international law.

Initially, Jagdeo's position was that many of the Middle Eastern states had not broken diplomatic relations with Israel when the conflict first started. In other words, he was saying why should Guyana take a lead when Middle Eastern countries were not isolating Israel. The least Guyana, can do is to send a powerful message by suspending or severing diplomatic relations with Israel. But don't dare mention that to Jagdeo - he is full of excuses.

TUESDAY – JANUARY 16, 2024 Biggest budget ever…

Yesterday, Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President presented the Government's budget. It was a long speech, interrupted by loud heckling from the opposition.

Dr. Singh at times appeared ruffled, meaninglessly responding to the Opposition who took pleasure in taunting him. At the end, he delivered what many expected- a budget full of fluff, plenty big figures and nothing really to lift the people of this country out of poverty.

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 17, 2024 Big budget, big loans, big debts The trillion-dollar budget unveiled by the Guyana Government on Monday remains the 'talk of the town'.

It is a budget that is big on numbers, but small on support for the ordinary Guyanese. Yet, we can expect the full choir coming out to heap praise on the document.

Expect in the next few days to hear from the PSC, GCCI, GMSA, FITUG, GAWU and the three letter writers: Joel, Randy and Jai Lall all singing for their supper.

They will ignore the fact that the government is preparing to increase the debt ceiling to borrow more to fund the $1.146trillion budget. They will also ignore the fact that the national debt increased by 23% and that despite all the billions allocated for this and that the government could only throw an obscene $3,000 for pensioners and another $3,000 increase for the disabled.

THURSDAY – JANUARY 18, 2024 The budget and the people The PPP/C Government may pride itself on its GY$5,000 per annum increase for children, and think that that kind of assistance represents big money for poor people.

S i m i l a r l y, a m e a g r e GY$3,000 per month increase for 76,000 old age pensioners is more than shaming the elderly, it is a vulgar insult that does not have much by way of comparison.

Which leader with any self-regard, any decency about him, would even think about Guyanese who are

fixed income, sometimes one income only, and increase it by an obscene $3,000 in a more than trillion-dollar budget? Which national government of pride, with some degree of purity about it, would think a $3,000 increase for the elderly and another $3,000 increase for the disabled is a bonanza for those in dire need?

FRIDAY – JANUARY 19, 2024 Let's have a clean parliamentary debate!

Come next week, Parliamentarians will make their contributions to the 2024 budget debate. For the sake of the current and future generations, we urge you to

conduct yourselves with decorum; resist the temptation of turning the National Assembly into an early morning cuss out in a tenement yard.

Resist the temptation of contaminating the House with your foul expressions.

Show some respect for yourselves and colleagues.

Remember, the seats you occupy are not just furniture; they are symbols of the trust and expectations of the Guyanese people.

A c t w i t h t h e responsibility and decorum befitting your roles as Leaders of our nation. Give us a parliamentary debate to be proud of.

Let 2024 be the year you

e m b o d y t h e m a t u r i t y, wisdom, and discernment that your positions demand.

SATURDAY – JANUARY 20, 2024 We demand an independent assessment of our offshore resources!

Vi c e P r e s i d e n t D r.

Bharrat Jagdeo's insistence on accelerating Guyana's oil sector policy is not only misguided but alarmingly negligent.

Even more repulsive is his blind trust in ExxonMobil who he allows to dictate how and when our resources in the Stabroek Block must be developed. This is an outrageous abdication of responsibility towards the

nation's patrimony. These resources are the birthright of the Guyanese people, not a commodity to be handed over to American corporations!

Moreover, the government's failure to independently verify the oil and gas reserves is a glaring omission and a betrayal of trust towards both current and future generations.

It's unacceptable and irresponsible to manage our national resources based solely on Exxon's declarations.

It's high time the government takes charge and stops this shameful relinquishment of control over our national wealth.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

Sunday January 21, 2024

The Minster has spoken on horseracing Legislation, but a number of questions still unanswered

By Samuel Whyte We all should be happy.

The Minister has spoken, the Horseracing Legislation is to be tabled in Parliament this year. Being tabled in Parliame n t a n d b e i n g passed are two different things. However, if it could be passed this year would be wonderful.

With the announcement that the Legislation is set to be presented in parliament, a number of fans are optimistic that things will be done in order.

But others are saying not so fast and are asking a number of questions.

To begin with, things are not as honky dory as it seems.

Before I go any further, let

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Kaieteur News

me state that there seems to be much misconception about what is being written in the media. As was mentioned before, journalists are not here to pick fights. But to ask probing questions, seek out the facts, lobby and advocate for changes and betterment among other undertakings.

My attention was drawn to some jumbled attempt to answer or discredit what was written in the media before.

However, it is not worthy to answer since that attempt was feeble and mostly went askew. We are not here to debate, but present the facts and ask

questions.

Facts are stubborn things.

The aim is to see the horseracing industry on one page and that it progress like the days of Durban Park or even better. As the saying goes “We have Money Now”.

Questions being asked include: Who did the minister meet with, who appointed those persons, which clubs or track are they representing? What about top clubs and other prominent horse owners and personalities and other top stables. Why weren’t they invited? What about broad based consultation like what was done in relation to the Cricket Legislation?

Sunday January 21, 2024 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) People are apt to try to hit you square on the head with their ideas and thoughts today, Aries, so be ready for the onslaught of information that may come your way.

There's a distinct advantage.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) People would be foolish to challenge your thinking now, Libra. The power behind your words is volatile, and you may find yourself going to extremes in order to get your point across.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Anchor yourself in practical matters before you try to prove your point to others.

There's a great deal of primal energy rising within you today and searching for some sort of outlet.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your old ways of thinking have carried you quite far, Scorpio, but you may now find that it's time to seek a new platform for your ideas.

Look for more adventurous ways to express yourself. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) One quick phone call to a friend may turn into a long discussion about the meaning of life, Sagittarius.

Be conscious of the fact that there's a great deal of momentum building in your mind now.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Don't take no for an answer today, Gemini. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There's a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Be a pioneer thinker today, Cancer. There's a noble courage in your thoughts, so don't let this quality go to waste. You will be surprised at how cutting edge you can be when you put your mind to it.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) It could be that you feel a bit of pressure today to start or create something that you aren't quite ready for, Capricorn. There is hesitation on your part that indicates you should take it slowly .

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will, Leo. Let others know that you won't be a pushover. Your opinions are extremely important,

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Move forward with your plan of attack today, Aquarius. There's an anxious rumble within you that's urging you to get going with a current plan. You have all the facts you need,

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Today may be one of those days in which you come to a four-way stop and no one knows whose turn it is.

Don't sit and wait for everyone else to go first, Virgo.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Add spark to your life today, Pisces. It could be that things are getting stale and boring. If so, consider the possibility that you simply aren't challenging yourself.

Outspoken veteran and prominent Horseracing personality Mrs. Chan Kennard stated that the Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) was not involved.

She noted that other prominent clubs were also not involved, but why?

Horseracing magnate Colin Elcock of the Elcock Racing Stable nor the Ryan Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sports Facilities were not a part of the activity.

It is not certain which clubs were represented.

Clubs like the Nand Persaud Sky Plus Turf Club and Norman Singh Memorial Turf Club were not a part of the activity. Are these clubs disbanded and who disband them? What about the Budhan Memorial Turf Club?

Mrs. Kennard reminded that there were two previous legislations drafted by two former imminently qualified Legal minds and horse racing entrepreneurs. Senior Counsel and Horseracing stalwart Marcel Crawford complied one and the late former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard the other. There were inputs from another stalwart the late Insanally Habibulla, among others.

There is also the Rules of Racing. Those documents had something for everyone, including stud books, racing without the use of banners, drug use, illegal betting and infighting, issues of horse owners, Trainers, Jockeys, Grooms and even spectators.

Persons involved in the sport should not be a part of the authority. Yet one cannot understand why p eople are placing themselves into conflict-ofinterest positions.

There were other big sponsors before that sponsored races exclusively like Clico and Digicel, but they were not involved in the administration of the day’s activity.

One is not sure what this document contains since there has not been any broad based consultation so far.

The passage of the legislation should see a legal Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) being put in place to oversee the proper conduct of the sport.

Coco Gauff thrashes...

From page 65 [Parks] as a person, that she’s a similar mindset to me, has a lot of big goals and expects a lot from herself. I feel like she wouldn’t have been nervous in the moment,” Gauff told reporters when asked whether she felt her opponent was nervous during the match.

“I don’t even think she was. I think today just wasn’t her day.” While Gauff continues to impress in Australia, another teenager is causing waves at this year’s tournament.

Russian teenager stages comeback Mirra Andreeva, 16, has already beaten No. 6 seed Ons Jabeur at Melbourne Park this week and the Russian continued her impressive form by staging a remarkable comeback against France’s Diane Parry.

Having shared the first two sets, Andreeva looked to be heading out after falling 5-1 down in the deciding set. Incredibly the youngster somehow fought back, saving a match point on her way to a 1-6 6-1 7-6 victory. “Maybe being harsh on myself actually helped me. I don’t know. I just

try to think positively,” Andreeva told reporters after the win.

“This harshness, let’s say, helped me with it because I am not very positive in my head usually. I don’t know. I just kept pushing myself. I was saying not good words to myself. I think that helped me, that pushed me.”

After the match, threetime grand slam champion Andy Murray praised Andreeva for her resilience after watching the youngster fight back to win the match on television. “Maybe the reason she turned the match round is because of her mental strength,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, criticizing a commentator who he had heard question the teenager’s mentality.

“Maybe she turned the match around because she is hard on herself and demands more of herself when she’s losing/playing badly? Winner.”

Andreeva will face either Australian Storm Hunter or Czech Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round, while Gauff will play Poland’s Magdalena Frech.

Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket...

From page 62 Cricket Zone USA. Additionally, the club would like to express appreciation to the members of the touring party for their personal contributions. The RHLCC squad reads; Aleem Baksh, Altaaf Habibulla, Anthony Adams, Clinton Pestano, Danesh Deonarain, Diquan Murray, Dominique Rikhi, Emanuel Seecharran, Hafeez Ali, Joemal LaFleur, Kumar Dass, Leon Mohabir, Naresh Rambharos, Nirshaw Khan, Randy Boodhu, Samuel Raghubir, Shamal Angel,

Shiv Sangalemaa, Suraj Singh, Tooneshwar Kirstona, Trevor Henry and Varun Mangla.

The 2024 Liberty Sports Club Inc. is based in Queens, New York. The club’s cricket team, RHLCC is playing in its 31st season and is locally supported by: SVC LLC, TOP Marketing Group, Century 21 Professional at 119-17 Rockaway Blvd, MK Workforce, S&A Workforce, Bhesham Plumbing and Heating, Cricket Zone USA, Universal Mixed Martial Arts, Rockaway Group of Companies and Galaxy Maids.

Sunday January 21, 2024

Kaieteur News

PAGE 62

Top seed Swiatek dumped out of Australian Open as Alcaraz shines AFP - World number one Iga Swiatek joined the rapid exit of top-10 women’s seeds from the Australian Open yesterday as Carlos Alcaraz sent a chilling warning to his rivals.

P o l a n d ’s S w i a t e k came into the third-round match against Czech teenager Linda Noskova on an 18-match unbeaten run, targeting a first title at Melbourne Park.

But the tournament is turning into a graveyard for the stars and the 22year-old four-time major winner lost her way after winning the first set, going down 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

A crestfallen Swiatek said she felt the match was under control until she was broken in the second set.

“I feel like I did really everything I could in pre-

season to improve some stuff that I wanted to,” she said.

“Then I came here and I wasn’t playing kind of natural anymore.”

Noskova, playing in her first Australian Open, said she was “speechless”.

“I knew it was going to be an amazing match, but I didn’t really think it would end up like this,” said the 50th-ranked player, who faces Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina next.

Just three of the top 10 women’s seeds remain in the draw at the end of the first week — defending champion and hot favourite Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Barbora Krejcikova.

- Alcaraz stars A day after defending champion Novak Djokovic returned to top form, men’s world number two Alcaraz

laid down a marker in a lopsided contest against Chinese teenager Shang Juncheng lasting just 66 minutes.

The 20-year-old, playing a tour-level match against a player younger than himself for the first time in his career, was leading 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 when his 18-year-old opponent had to retire.

Shang entered the clash on Rod Laver Arena with his upper right thigh strapped and received treatment on the injury during the second set.

Dominant Alcaraz did not face a single break point to set up a last-16 meeting with Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic, who saved two match points to beat last year ’s semifinalist Tommy Paul 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 6-0.

The Spanish second seed is vying with Djokovic for the number one ranking and if they both reach the final it will double as a straight shootout for the top spot.

Alcaraz, who missed last year ’s Australian Open with an injury, said it was “not the way anybody wants to move on” after the injury to Shang.

But he added: “This is the first time I have moved to the second week in Australia. It feels special.”

Third seed Daniil Medvedev brushed off the after-effects of his 3:40 am finish in his secondround match on Friday to beat Canada’s Felix AugerAliassime in straight sets.

Medvedev, who faces Portugal’s world number 69 Nuno Borges next,

admitted the early-hours finish had taken its toll.

“It was not easy, I’m not feeling fresh, I’m not feeling 100 percent,” said the Russian, who lost to Djokovic in the 2021 Melbourne Park final and Rafael Nadal a year later.

“It was tough, especially after the last match I had.”

Borges, who beat 13th seed Grigor Dimitrov, is the first Portuguese player in the Open Era to reach the round of 16 at the Australian Open.

There were also wins for ninth seed Hubert Hurkacz and 19th seed Cameron Norrie, who put out 11th seed Casper Ruud.

Britain’s Norrie will play sixth-ranked Alexander Zverev, who brushed aside unseeded American Alex Michelsen in straight sets.

In the women’s draw, two-time champion Victoria

Azarenka rallied past fellow Grand Slam winner Jelena Ostapenko 6-1, 7-5, winning the last five games.

“I think I’m just ready to give whatever it takes,” said Azarenka, who won back-to-back Australian Opens in 2012 and 2013. “ I l o v e a challenge, I love the challenge whenever something is difficult. I love to do that, that makes me excited. I think that brings out the best in me.”She will meet Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska for a place in the quarterfinals.

Chinese 12th seed Zheng Qinwen said she was inspired by Chinese great Li Na’s win in the 2014 final after she beat compatriot Wang Yafan 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10/8).

Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club will bowl off 2024 with a tour of Guyana January 27 The New York-based Richmond Hill cricket club will commence the new season with a tour to Guyana where they will play games in Berbice, Essequibo, and Demerara. The tour will get underway on January 27th and will conclude on February 4th. The squad is set to feature long-time members such as Dominique Rikhi, Trevor Henry, Leon Mohabir, Altaaf Habibullah and Naresh Rambharos as part of the traveling contingent, while Clinton Pestano, Anthony Adams, Jomal LaFluer and Shamal Angel are the local Guyanese who will join the squad.

The majority of the travelling contingent from New York and Toronto will arrive in Guyana on Thursday, January 25th, and are expected to have their first net session at Malteenoes Sport Club later that day. From there the squad heads to Berbice for games on January 27th and 28th. The first encounter is slated against Tucber Park Cricket Club at Blairmont Community Center while on Sunday they will play against Rose Hall Youth and Sports Club at Rose Hall Community Center.

Following the first weekend in Berbice, RHLCC will head to Essequibo where they will be hosted by the Essequibo

Cricket Board and local clubs. On Tuesday, January 30th the team will head to the island of Wakenaam to play two games before returning to Essequibo Coast on January 31st to play two other matches-first and second divisions.

The team will return to Georgetown for the final round of games of the tour.

On Saturday, February 3rd, RHLCC will take on host Enmore Cricket Club in one 30-over encounter. The tour will culminate with Everest Cricket Club hosting two m a t c h e s o n S u n d a y, February 4th. One of the two matches will be against Everest’s first division team and the other against the Everest Masters Team.

This Guyana tour marks the second outing for RHLCC. The first was in 2023 when the club travelled to the British Virgin Islands and played two games hosted by the BVI Cricket Association.The RHLCC management would like to commend New York-based businesses and persons for their contributions to the tour. MK Workforce and Michael Kellawan, Rockaway Group of Companies and Mr. Hafeez Ali, Universal Mixed Martial Arts, Bhesham Ramnath, and Bhesham Plumbing and Heating and (Continued on page 60

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

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Saumy Pandey leads India to victory; England ease past Scotland Ubaid Shah, Naseem’s brother, plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s thumping win against Afghanistan ESPNcricinfo - India Undr-19s 251 for 7 (Adarsh 76, Saharan 64, Mridha 543) beat Bangladesh Under19s 167 (James 54, Pandey 4-24, Musheer 2-35) by 84 runs Bangladesh Under-19s, who had beaten India Under19s in the Asia Cup in D e c e m b e r l a s t y e a r, threatened to cause another stir when left-arm seamer Maruf Mridha took five wickets in the Under-19 World Cup in Bloemfontein.

Maruf’s strikes kept India to 251 for 7, but Saumy Pandey trumped Maruf with 4 for 24 and bowled his team to victory.

Musheer Khan, the younger brother of Sarfaraz Khan, pitched in with two wickets, including that of Mohammad Shihab James, who top-scored for Bangladesh with 54 off 77 balls. The rest of the batters collapsed around James as Bangladesh were bowled out for 167 in 45.5 overs.

Musheer also effected a direct-hit to sink Bangladesh. Pandey was the

most economical bowler on the day, conceding just 2.44 an over.

Earlier in the day, India’s innings was built around half-centuries from opener Adarsh Singh (76 off 96) and captain Uday Saharan (64 off 94). Aravelly Avinash (23 off 17), who was picked by Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2024 auction, and Sachin Dhas (26 off 20) then gave the innings some late impetus.

Pakistan Under-19s 284 for 9 (Shahzaib 106, Baig 55, Khalil 4-51, Bashir 2-52) beat Afghanistan Under-19s 103 (Numan 26, Ubaid 4-26, Zeeshan 3-17) by 181 runs Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Zeeshan, who has been part of Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL, took seven wickets between them to skittle Afghanistan Under19s for 103 in their chase of 285 in East London.

Opener batting Shahzaib Khan had laid the platform for Pakistan Under-19s’ 181run victory with 106 off 126 balls. His knock contained

Squash Association thrilled with allocation for sports in 2024 budget The Guyana Squash Association is thrilled to see the unprecedented $4.6 billion allocation to sports in the 2024 budget. The commitment to allocate the highest-ever funds reflects a profound understanding of the significance of sports in the health and socilisation of our youth, and the pivotal role it plays in fostering national pride and unity.

Lorraine Ince- Vice President of the Guyana Squash Association, noted in a release, “The increased funding opens doors for talent development programmes, grassroots initiatives, and elite training opportunities, ensuring that young athletes from all backgrounds have a fair chance to excel.

In addition, the inclusion of duty-free access for sporting equipment will facilitate easier access to quality gear for athletes

nationwide. This progressive step will undoubtedly enhance training facilities for many of the sports in Guyana; hopefully allowing wider access to more potential athletes.

In essence, the elevated sports budget brings in a new era of athletic excellence and national pride. It symbolizes a commitment to the holistic development of our youth and sets the stage for a thriving sports culture that goes beyond individual successes, contributing significantly to the overall growth of sports in our country.

The GSA looks forward to continuing to build on the strong relationships we have with the Ministry of youth Culture and Sport and other governing sport associations to move squash and other sports forward into the international arenas.”

ten fours and three sixes. He added 92 for the third wicket with Saad Baig, who hit 55 off 52 balls, to set Pakistan up for a big total. Khalil Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, returning 4 for 51 in his ten overs.

Pakistan’s total looked even bigger when Ubaid and Zeeshan ripped through Afghanistan’s top and m i d d l e o r d e r s .

Wicketkeeper-batter Numan Shah was the only Afghanistan batter to pass 25 in the chase. Amir Hassan and Ahmed Hussain picked up a wicket each as Pakistan bundled Afghanistan out in

26.2 overs.

England Under-19s 178 for 3 (McKinney 88, Denly 40, Faisal 2-30) beat Scotland Under-19s 174 (Gould 48, Dunk 40, Farhan 3-22, Benkenstein 3-41) by seven wickets E n g l a n d U n d e r- 1 9 s enjoyed a winning start to the Under-19 World Cup, easing past Scotland Under19s in Potchefstroom.

Luc Benkenstein, the son of former South Africa international Dale, sealed the victory with an unbeaten cameo after setting it up for England with a three-wicket haul. Farhan Ahmed, who is the brother of England

Luc Benkenstein picked up key wickets in the middle overs. (ICC via Getty Images) international Rehan, also bagged a three-wicket haul to help England dismiss Scotland for 174.

Captain Ben McKinney then hit 88 off 68 balls to rush his side to victory, with seven wickets and 142 balls to spare. He forged a 106-run partnership for the first wicket with Jaydn Denly, who made 40 off 50 balls.

After Scotland were

asked to bat first, they never got going and lost wickets in clusters. They didn’t even have a single half-century stand in their entire innings.

Owen Gould top-scored for them with 48 off 61 balls, including five fours and a six. The other nine batters scored a combined five boundaries. Harry Armstrong was absent hurt for Scotland.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 64

Sunday January 21, 2024

Archery Guyana declares Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, NSC hit the bullseye Archers take to the line during a recent competition.

The Board of Directors c o m m e n d e d t h e unprecedented allocation of $4.6B in the 2024 budget to the sport sector. This is definitely a step in the positive direction for the development and sustainability of sport in Guyana, a release from the association informed.

Archery Guyana wishes to recognise the tremendous support of and appreciates t h e t i r e l e s s e n e rg e t i c Director of Sport, Mr. Steve Ninvalle who has not only raised the level of Archery in Guyana but other sports.

Assistance is particularly rendered to Archery Guyana with not only support for prizes at competitions hosted, but for use of

shooting facilities for practice and competitions. A constraint has always been the shared use of venues and it is hoped that a dedicated Facility for Archery can be supported in the future.

Archery Guyana further lauds the announcement of the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) and duty on sport equipment. This is particularly timely amidst a Level 1 Coaching seminar being conducted in Guyana with 21 new Coaches.

According to President of Archery Guyana, Mrs. Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, this means that each coach by next week will have their respective school(s) to return to and to serve as Coaches to the

School clubs. The sport has automatically grown and students will need equipment. It will definitely alleviate the financial burdens of parents, schools, sports clubs and archers all over Guyana.

The Board of Directors of Archery Guyana would like to thank the Honourable Minister Charles Ramson Jnr, Ministry of Culture, Yo u t h a n d S p o r t , t h e Government of Guyana, Director Steve Ninvalle and his team at the National Sports Commission for recognising that our sports sector is undergoing its greatest transformation in the history of our country and looks forward to our continued collaboration.

Kaieteur News

Sunday January 21, 2024

PAGE 65

New sponsors branding with horseracing Confidence in the future of horseracing increased many folds after the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, C h a r l e s R a m s o n J r, announced on January 12, at Arthur Chung Culture Centre, that Legislation to regulate the sport should be laid in Parliament in the coming months.

This announcement propelled a renewed confidence in the sport according to racing promoter, Fazal Habibulla, who will be staging the new season’s Day 2 race card on Sunday January, 28 at his Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) venue at West Coast, Berbice.

Habibulla, whose father the late racing icon, Sonny Habibulla, served the industry with Rising Sun Turf Club (RSTC) race course and by importing horses from Trinidad, also followed in his dad’s shoes as he took the baton, and continued the trade prior to his dad’s death one year ago.

Habibulla stated, “There is a big demand for horses, and this increased significantly after the Honourable Ramson jr’s announcement that Legislation to regulate the sport will be laid in Parliament shortly.”

Habibulla outlined, “Minister’s announcement has paved the way for the sport to grow. I can tell from the interest shown by new owners to get horses. I am staging racing at Rising Sun next Sunday.

A number of new sponsors have come on the racing band wagon. They realised that horseracing can take their product to a wider audience.”

“For example Shi Oil, Fuel Distributor is a first time sponsor. This company is the largest oil supplier adding their name to the sponsorship of the 1,100metre feature event for horses classified E & Lower.

We also have Just Friends comprising Stuart Gonsalves, Zaid Khan and Densil Jagroop. This just

Coco Gauff thrashes childhood friend, while teenager Mirra Andreeva continues stunning Australian Open campaign

Mirra Andreeva staged a remarkable comeback to reach the fourth round.

(Julian Finney/Getty Images) CNN - American Coco Gauff looks to be establishing herself as a serious contender for this year’s Australian Open title after yet another straight-sets victory, this time against fellow US star Alycia Parks on Friday.

The reigning US Open champion needed just over an hour to beat Parks – 6-0 62 – and progress into the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

Gauff and Parks have known each other for over a decade, since practising together in Florida as

children. But there was no sentiment from Gauff as she raced through the first set without losing a single game.

The 19-year-old once again relied on her impressive serve to dominate Parks who struggled to find her usually powerful service game.

Gauff carried her momentum into the second set which proved almost as comfortable as the first – the teenager converting all five of her break points in the match, while never facing one herself. “I just know (Continued on page 60)

Fazal Habibulla

New sponsors on board for next week’s horseracing at Rising Sun. goes to show how interest is peaking in the sport. This happened after Minister Ramson jr announced legislation to regulate horseracing will be tabled in P a r l i a m e n t s h o r t l y, ” Habibulla revealed.

Slingerz Racing Stable whose owner, Javed Ali is involved in the sport explained, “Shi Oil is the leading Guyanese-owned fuel distribution company in

Guyana. They have a lot of customers countrywide, especially in the whole region of Berbice, and the rice farming communities.

The company is always giving back in different sporting disciplines. We are part of the horseracing fraternity, and it is only right that we give back, and help grow the sport. It is the first time the company is adding its brand in sponsoring the

races. The company continues to do more, and is now supporting the horseracing industry to develop.”

Habbulla also thanked sponsors, AJM Group of Companies, KP Jagdeo General Contractors, T&R Construction Services, Eagle Eye Constructions Company, Jumbo Jet Group of Companies, Bank DIH, a n d R a m e s h S u n i c h ’s

Trophy Stall.

He shared, “It will be a very exciting race day with a mix of USA-bred, Brazilianbred, and T&T-bred and home bred horses. So do not miss out on a race card in which the majority of races are written to highlight Guyana-bred horses in action.”

Post time for the sevenrace card is scheduled to get underway at 13:00hrs.

The New York-based Richmond Hill cricket club.

rts o p S

Richmond Hill Liberty Cricket Club will bowl off 2024 with a tour of Guyana January 27

Saumy Pandey registered figures of 4 for 24. (ICC/ Getty Images)

Shahzaib Khan almost batted through the innings, scoring 106 from 126 balls.

(ICC via Getty Images)

Saumy Pandey leads India to victory; England ease past Scotland Ubaid Shah, Naseem’s brother, plays a crucial role in Pakistan’s thumping win against Afghanistan

Top seed Swiatek dumped out of Australian Open as Alcaraz shines Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.