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Govt. pumping $200 million into

Friday Edition January 28, 2022 - Vol. 15 No.04 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 75,560

unproven fish cage initiative ...says investment will help revive industry hard-hit by low catch

Hess, Exxon hurry to appraise latest multi-million barrel discovery at Lau Lau well ...excited to understand scale of future profits Teen stabbed to Pregnant death trying to woman Change the defend mother stabbed contracts! from abusive to death by stepdad ex-partner

$21.1B budgeted for New Demerara River bridge ...another $946M to keep existing structure floating

Guyana loan portfolio to double this year Corruption is widespread in Government Agencies and Public Enterprises! @11:00hrs on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Govt. pumping $200M into unproven ...says investment will help revive fish cage initiative industry hard-hit by low catch T he Government of Guyana (GoG) has allocated $200 million in Budget 2022 to offset the production of fish, through its marine cage initiative, which still remains in trial-stage around the world.

M a k i n g t h e announcement was the Senior Minister in the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, during the reading of the Budget on Wednesday.

He told the National Assembly that a total of $743.7 million has been set aside this year, for the development of the fisheries and aquaculture subsector.

Of this amount, “Budget 2022 provides a sum of $200 million to introduce and develop marine cage fishing which will enhance the production of prawns and tilapia.

This will provide an important alternative production modality for Guyana's fisherfolk.

Additionally, Government will continue to improve the

supportive infrastructure for the fisheries industry,” the finance minister said.

This experimental method of aquaculture involves the confinement and production of fish inside some type of mesh in existing water resources such as ponds, rivers, estuaries, open ocean, etc.

The mesh retains the fish, making it easier to feed, observe and harvest.

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

In his presentation, the Finance Minister acknowledged that the fishing industry has been facing “challenging times” even though a report formerly presented by him pegged growth in the sector at some 15.7 percent.

Notwithstanding this, the Minister explained that the government has been working closely with the sector to help overcome the

A floating-type fish cage designed by AquaTec.

challenges and encourage growth.

In this regard, Dr. Singh highlighted that the PPP administration has facilitated the creation of an Aquaculture Committee, and rolled out a programme to promote the improvement of brackish-water shrimp production on the Corentyne Coast.

The project which is

currently in its first phase provides for the rehabilitation of 23 shrimp farms in Region 6, resulting in higher shrimp production in this category during last year, when compared to 2020.

In this regard, the Finance Minister related that the government will continue to support this programme, with $230 million budgeted for the

second phase of the brackishwater shrimp production initiative this year.

“Both phases are expected to raise aquaculture production by over 300 percent moving brackishwater shrimp production to 500,000 kg per annum,” Singh informed.

On the other hand, he noted that sums have also been set aside for the

greenhouse at the Satyadeow Sawh Aquaculture Station to be upgraded for the promotion of aquaponics, as a climate smart option for food production.

Research will also be undertaken in indigenous high-value species and the use of local low-cost feed ingredients into aquafeed development, according to him.

Govt. talks up insurance in budget, but ignores coverage for 'oil spill' The Liza Unity FPSO

The importance of insurance for families and households was passionately touted during the reading of this year's budget, but there was no mention of an effort to secure insurance for the oil operations in the Stabroek Block.

Addressing the National Assembly during his third Budget presentation since taking office, Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, in announcing as part of measures of relief for Guyanese, noted that as more citizens “enter the world of work and start earning an income, and as their

disposable incomes increase, they become better able to make provision for unforeseen adverse circumstances, such as by taking out life and medical insurance.”

According to the minister, “we would like to encourage as many of them to do so, since it enables individuals and their loved ones to better cope with these adverse circumstances when they occur.” To this end, he said government is proposing to allow 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.

This deduction, he said, will reduce the amount of taxable income and ultimately the tax payable by the Taxpayer, while at the same time secure assurance and assuage the concerns of many citizens on their long term health care needs and the needs of their family in the unfortunate circumstance of their demise.

This measure is projected to cost approximately $1.1 billion, according to Dr Singh. His presentation

which included reference to the oil and gas sector on numerous occasion was deafeningly silent on insurance being demanded from the parent companies of the oil companies operating in Guyana's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

These include ExxonMobil the parent company for Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Hess Corporation the parent company for Hess Corporation Guyana and China National Offshore Oil Company's local subsidiary.

In November last Vice

President Bharrat Jagdeo had disclosed to members of the media that efforts are afoot to secure up to US$2B from ExxonMobil to cover any damage that may result from t h e U S $ 9 B Ye l l o w t a i l Project, the fourth to be developed in the prolific Stabroek Block.

The government's pursuit of this US$2B commitment comes on the heels of years of criticisms from Kaieteur News and other industry stakeholders regarding the absence of any formal guarantee from ExxonMobil that it would cover in full, the shortfall of costs associated

with an unmitigated spill which are not covered by of the subsidiaries. From the commencement of oil production in December 2019 to the end of 2021, there were 69, one million barrel lifts of oil exported from Guyana, of which 9 were for Government.With the arrival of the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) vessel, it is expected that with two vessels in operation this year, it is anticipated that there will be 94 million barrels of oil produced in the block this year from the Stabroek Block.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 28, 2022

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Remaining Norway Govt. to put more money to finance 'hope cameras on the streets canal' type projects - Dr. Singh

Guyana and Norway back in 2009 inked an agreement under which it would earn up to US$250M for carbon services provided.

Guyana and Norway back in 2009 inked an agreement under which it would earn up to US$250M for carbon services provided, some of which was uplifted and expended on various projects.

The remaining funds yet to be uplifted, will this year, according to Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, will be used this year to fund several 'Hope Canal type projects. According to Dr. Singh in his more than five hours long presentation, “…alongside the requisite institutional strengthening, the majority of this sum will be invested in building out major new outfall channels in Regions 5 and 6, similar to the Hope Canal, to strengthen our climate resilience.”

To this end, he pointed out, “…this final allocation of the amount earned through the Guyana-Norway partnership means that this year will see the first phase of Guyana's Low Carbon Development Strategy draw to a close. When combined with investment income, he pointed out that “this totals just around US$54M.” He said, “it also means that Guyana can now pivot away from catching up and repairing damage, and instead we can refocus on a vision for the future.”

Prefacing his announcement with regards the use of the last of the funding from Norway, Dr Singh noted that as a new oil and gas producer, it becomes doubly important for Guyana to maintain and demonstrate “our strong global credentials on climate issues.”

Dr Singh used the occasion to remind that at the heart of the original LCDS, “was a mechanism to monetise the value of forest

climate services, under which Guyana was eligible to earn up to US$250 million through a partnership with the Government of Norway.”

He lamented however, “regrettably, during the period 2015 to 2020, over US$135 million of those revenues, well over half of what had been earned, was ignored and left unallocated.” Other programmes, he said, that had started before 2015 slowed down and effectively stopped. “Since resuming office, the task of repairing these failures and recovering from the lost years has begun,” he boasted that in Budget 2021, we unblocked over US$85 million of the US$137 million that had been left unallocated.”

To this end, he said work resumed on solar energy, Amerindian land titling, ICT access for the hinterland, and sustainable land management projects funded through the GRIF. “The benefits of all these investments will fully materialise over the course of this year and early 2023 and these benefits will last long into the future, bringing economic and social benefit to tens of thousands of Guyanese,” according to Dr Singh.

Having pointed out that this tranche would represent the last to be had from the Norway Agreement, Dr Singh used the occasion to

reference the expanded v e r s i o n o f t h e initiative—LCDS 2030.

This, he said, has at its core, Integrating Guyana's forest climate services with emerging global carbon markets; Supporting Guyana's economic transformation through cleaner, cheaper energy; Investing in adaptation to climate change and building resilience, so that the extreme impacts of floods, droughts and other weather events can be lessened in the future; and contributing to the global effort to address climate change and biodiversity loss, both in terms of managing our natural resources responsibly as integration with carbon markets advances, and in terms of responsible stewardship of our oil and gas sector also.

...$400M allocated to rebuild Brickdam Police Station

The government has budgeted some $47.9B to boost public safety and security here, $400M of which will be used to rebuild the Brickdam Police Station which was gutted by fire last year.

Some $2.5B has also been proposed to expand the Safe City Programme outside of the city, with more CCTV cameras to be installed countrywide.

Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh made these announcements on Wednesday during his 2022 budget presentation. Singh said the $47.9B allocation will be used “towards ensuring the restoration and preservation of law and order at all levels in our society”.

He noted that his government's aim is to create an environment for citizens, the business community, investors and visitors, to feel confident that they and their properties are being protected. The government believes that one of the ways it can achieve this goal is by increasing the deployment of resources in all Police Regional Divisions. Out of the $47.9B allocated for the sector, some $4.9B is expected to strengthen the assets of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

According to Singh, one of the ways that his government would like to

strengthen the Force's assets is by commencing works on a multi-story building to consolidate the operations of the Brickdam Police Station that was flattened by fire in October 2021. For the construction of such a building, some $400M has been allocated in the 2022 budget.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e government wants to spend some $2.5B to expand its Safe City Programme outside of the city. This involves countrywide installment of CCTV cameras that will be monitored centrally and at Regional Command Centres to be established soon. Some of the $2.5B will also be used to buy satellite phones and more body cameras for the force.

Singh added that $99M was also allocated in this year's budget to support Community Policing Groups (CPG), which has proven to be very effective in fighting crime, especially in rural and hinterland communities. The government also wants to spend $120M for payments to local and international educational institutions to train police ranks in crime and traffic management.

As it relates to the Guyana Prison Service (GPS), Singh announced, that in addition to the $2B that was spent last year on

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn. prison infrastructure, another $2.3B will be needed to continue this initiative.

The $2B spent, according to Singh, was mainly for the completion of the first block at the Mazaruni Prison and to initiate the construction of three prison blocks at the Lusignan Prison. Singh went on to explain that his government would like to have an additional $2.3B which is for the continuance of works at the Lusignan Prison and to transform it into a “modern facility” that will house male and female prisoners. The “modern facility” is said to include a vocational school, an infirmary annex, a prison headquarters and a command centre.

The Senior Minister (Continued on page 18)

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Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Budget – flattering to deceive

T

he new budget is a good exercise in mathematics with lots of numbers thrown about either to impress Guyanese or to pull the wool over their eyes. There are percentages, statistics, comparisons and, of course, billions bandied about. We struggle to understand how Guyanese who still have their head on could take seriously and thankfully what the PPP/C Government put forward as the 2022 budget. Comparatively speaking, this year’s budget is almost double that of last year’s with a staggering 43.4 percent increase. Similarly, national growth is forecasted to be 47.5 percent, also a fantastic number. It gives the impression that Guyana is on the move, and one where the man-in-the-street is the early beneficiary of this country’s oil wealth embedded in what is now fashionable to call the oil budget. As usual, truth is the first casualty of political scoundrels, long versed in couching serious matters in numbers that are supposed to inspire confidence, but fall short of that particular objective.

There are all this budgetary and growth increases in the air, and Guyanese still labour to figure out what is in it for them. Not well-established and well-provided for comrades in the bosom and the commercial sector, but regular citizens who are left openmouthed at the stinginess of the Government’s provisions for them in this sprawling budget. Certainly, the Government has earmarked billions for multiple sectors, but it is miserly and cheap to the point where run-of-the-mill Guyanese are forced to be content with nickels and dimes. For here it is in a time of plenty the Government’s budget left vital areas where it could have improved the lot of empty-handed Guyanese in a state of powerful disgust. Old Age Pensions went up by a mere $3,000 a month, which is considered generous. It would be a rejected tip for a cup of coffee, where the big people sup in Guyana. The income tax threshold should have been doubled to aid lower income Guyanese workers and different tiers of them, but that was a scant $10,000 upward move; if the Government was really interested in prioritising the wretched in this country, those numbers have to have more bite. Instead, it is a few pennies for paupers, and plenty for insiders and those standing by to exploit the opportunities facilitated by Government’s largesse for them.

There is GuySuCo receiving $6 billion in new money, gas to energy almost $21 billion, education $74.4 billion, and public safety and the security sector almost $48 billion.

All those areas offer rich pickings for the wellincentivized private sector to capitalise still more, at the expense of Guyanese who need more. More importantly, and as all Guyanese should know, those areas and those hundreds of billions present endless openings to rip-off taxpayers, and rob them blind. It has happened before, and now with corruption again on the rise, it is open season for siphoning significant amounts of those budgetary allocations, through the contract award process, and the public works that it is supposed to address. Somehow, those projects always end up on the shabby and sordid side, as in poorly executed, barely holding up, and little value for money. We learned of increased grants for children, by itself encouraging, but which could have been better handled in advance tax credits, if only to stave off the corruptions that have been part and parcel of grant monies and relief monies. There is more money to feed the less than one percent people in this country, which means more skullduggeries and stealing. It also means that there should have been more for the little people who lose hope that they will get something palpable from this oil money.

The Government is aggressive with projections for GUYSUCO and rice, with those almost doubling, and the fishing sector is given a boost with similar optimism dominant. Somebody is gaming these numbers, selling gullible citizens a pig in a poke, several of them.

With all this paper wealth sloshing about, hard-up citizens should have received a fairer share. And with all that budget money in play, it is feeding frenzy time in selected PPP/C and private sector ranks. What difference is this oil making for those at the bottom?

The national budget – a poor man’s perspective DEAR EDITOR, The national budget is now out in the public for the people to review the pluses and minuses, the excitements, and disappointments. Purely from the perspective of those lower on the ladder in Guyana, it is an abomination, one more hope shattered.

I speak mostly on behalf of the expectant poor, the struggling, back-to-the-wall working class of Guyana, the suffering masses out there.

This national budget just unveiled cannot be described as anything other than a major letdown. For sure, there are some morsels in it for them, but those are so paltry (in Guyanese parlance ‘maaagah’) as to mean nothing. The provisions for those at the bottom or close to it are insulting, and this in a country where the talk is of one of the highest, if not the highest, GDP in the world. I agree that that is not immediately translatable into overnight riches for besieged Guyanese, but any relief for the poor and weak and vulnerable citizens in our midst has to have some substance, some semblance of care and compassion. I regret to say that those two kindnesses have fled this land; at least from the side of the thinkers and planners in this PPP/C Government.

There was nothing generous or considerate in this year’s budget for the shorthanded; they have been shortchanged by the President, Vice President, and the Minister of whatever he is, the one who did the presentation. It is callous.

Callous that the income

tax exemption is raised by a mere $10,000 or $120,000 annualised. I don’t think that that makes much of a difference. It would have been-fair and balanced, and considerate, too-to deliver an exemption representing an increase of at least $25,000 monthly, or $300,000 annually.

There is a difference-maker and one that casts a wider net; a level closer to a beefedup exemption closer to $1,250,000 annually would have been more acceptable.

Regarding those in their silver years, pensioners, that $3,000 monthly increase is another insult heaped upon a section of Guyanese (some 10% of the population) who could use any helping hand they are able to grab. I thought that if $10,000 monthly was too high in one leap, then $5,000 would make the cut. Clearly, the PPP/C Government searched long, and looked hard, for ways to kick then stick it to those Guyanese who are down and almost out.

There was talk of cost-ofliving ease, compliments of a vigilant and neighbourly government that is there in a time of stress, and if monthly markets are the best that the PPP/C Government can come up with, its leaders and driving forces should hang their heads in shame, except that they have none left.

Somehow, monthly markets sound to me like those KSI (Knowledge Sharing Institute) concoctions that Burnham came up with, and created quite a stir. Removing hustling, possibly exploiting ‘middlemen’ with mystery mechanisms and new men conveys to me replacing one

pack of schemers and gougers with another, maybe one more affiliated and controlled, and empowered to do their own obscene dances before needy Guyanese.

Editor, if the PPP/C Government and its leaders are sincere about spiralling cost of living pressures, don’t demean the Guyanese people further, look for ways to offer them genuine eases that register with them, where such count, as in the pocket and a little more to spend; forget about saving, just to spend and get by. Like a reasonable reduction in VAT, to nothing above 10 percent.

Like a greater increase in the excise tax on gasoline than what was offered. Like a larger child education credit, or a six-figure deduction for each child. And these are just a start. This is what matches the projections of being a nation with the highest GDP in the world. Whoever came up with these so-called relief measures for the smaller man and woman, and their dependents, should be hanged in effigy, and then publicly drawn and quartered.

In addition, there are preparations for withdrawals from the oil fund, with the groundwork laid, which are more akin to raids. The word from ranking government spokespeople was that borrowings will be reduced as a consequence, then it was of additional borrowings.

Surely, a little more could have been earmarked for those not in the private sector, not among the connected cronies, not found where the big money, the bulk of the budget spending, will

take place. No less a person than Guyana’s Hon. Vice President alerted last week of visions for infrastructure and ICT. I say that is good, but the people can’t put those in the pot, or pay the market vendors with that, or pay the minibus operators with bitumen and routers and motherboards. Of course, when the billions are smartly expended in those sectors for schools and roads and clinics (and airports and bridges, too), then there is the perfect camouflage to continue the criminalities long perpetrated here, but only on a more massive, unprecedented, and unimaginable scale. If oil fund money in tandem with borrowings are enough to make bankers drool all over themselves, then it does not demand much wisdom to appreciate what both do for crooked politicians and their cohorts in the public service and private sector. The layouts from oil fund and loans taken are sure to make them go into uncontrolled frenzies, given the visions of what could happen. This is from the perspective of those well-positioned private sector fat cats grinning in ecstatic anticipation and licking their lips, who I have barely touched. On the other hand, the outlook of poor, financially handicapped Guyanese, on whom I have focused, this national budget must qualify as an unparalleled disaster, no less than one which intensifies their disappointments and humiliations, and adds to their ongoing agonies.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Government Hedges against Rising Prices Using Budget DEAR EDITOR, President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to include a “sizeable allocation” to deal with the global increase of prices for households and businesses is prudent economic policy. This will be a welcome relief to households and businesses as they see the prices in their market basket increasing as a result of supply shocks and production slowdown due to the pandemic.

As was witnessed globally and in Guyana, there are sharp increases in prices due to by two economic events.

Firstly, consumers began to spend more in 2020, which caused prices to increase rapidly due to the increased amount of money in circulation. Secondly, the pandemic caused major disruption to the supply chain, the flow of goods to consumers from across nations.

During the lockdown, many producers slowed production of goods. However, as we return to some normalcy, they are having diffi-

culties with labour shortages and access to raw materials.

These are the main contributing factors of our current inflationary state.

Inflation is one those economic phenomenon that will be immediately felt by households and without quick drastic actions by the Government, households could see the price of their meals become more and more expensive and their pay cheques buying less.

Although Guyana has seen a drop in its inflation rate to 1.3 percent in the last year, there are price increases in household items.

Globally, we see that the typical breakfast is more expensive than it has been for the last 40 years. In the US, inflation is at a 39-year high of 7 percent. Inflation typically also impacts low and middle-income families because the prices of groceries, utilities, gas, and clothing would rise dramatically.

Guyanese are susceptible to price increases in staple com-

modities such as cooking oil, flour, dhal, bread, gas, etc. It makes practical financial sense to introduce a policy response through budget allocations as the Government is doing.

In his budget message, President Ali stated that budget allocation will be used to “…reducing burdens, enhancing welfare, giving back more to the population, enhancing livelihood, improving living conditions, and improving the quality of life of the Guyanese people”.

This response will fundamentally reduce the impact of increasing prices on Guyanese especially low to middle-class. Government is right on track, making this a priority to tackle immediately and lessen the burden.

President Ali’s policy response to the rising costs of living is effective economic policy and using all the tools at his disposable to ensure that Guyanese are cushioned from this price increase, timely policy move.

Typically, central bankers would implement disinflationary policies with the intent to reduce inflation through contractionary policies that reduce aggregate demand, which takes time.

However, in this case when prices are increasing across the globe and for every nation, domestic governments can moderate these increases through fiscal policy actions and specifically this is what the Government of Guyana is doing through its proposed budget, acting swiftly.

This anticipatory action will reduce the impact of rising prices to Guyanese and will allow Guyanese families to get help to cushion this global economic price shock.

This signals that Government is focused on Guyanese households and businesses.

Good proactive economic move from the Government, using the budget process to better lives!

Sincerely, Dr. Tilokie Arnold Depoo

Friday January 28, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Rai embraced Coalition Politics No Putin-Medvedev, JagdeoDEAR EDITOR, Prof. Clem Seecharan wrote a striking, eloquent commentary on the iconic Indian leader Balram Singh Rai (Jan 24). But there was one slight omission – Rai’s desire to win seats in the 1964 elections in order to join a coalition to negotiate for Indian interests. Unlike most other Indian leaders at the time, Rai recognised that Indians would be excluded from the post 1964 government and made an appeal for Indian votes so as to champion their interests. In this regard, Rai was Madisonian (the American founding father who advocated for a constitution that would represent a coalition of interests). It showed that Rai was ahead of other politicians and political scientists in Guyana. He understood and was willing to apply the political theory of government that would be a coalition to represent the interests of the various groups in the society.

It appeared that Rai mastered the concept of political pluralism in a multi-ethnic society and the necessity of power sharing. Earlier, Rai opposed the PR system and advised Dr. Jagan to reject it because he knew that Indians did not have the numbers to give PPP a convincing victory at the polls. And when PR was adopted, he recognised the importance of Indians winning seats to be part of a government.

Prof. Paul Tennassee stated on Globespan (Jan 19) that Rai told campaign gatherings that no party would win a majority of seats in the 1964 election and that a coalition government would be necessitated. Rai concluded that Indians would be excluded from the coalition because no party would enter into a coalition with the PPP as there was going to be a coalition of the anti-communists. The PPP was painted as a community party by the US and UK and the Christian bodies, all of whom were opposed to Jagan and an Indian led government. Rai concluded that neither Burnham nor Peter D’Aguiar would enter into a coalition with Jagan who told gatherings he would not form a coalition with UF because it was capitalist. Burnham publicly stated he would not form

a coalition with Jagan because he was communist. The US and UK also opposed any coalition involving PPP. Rai did not want Indians to be left out of an expected coalition government. So Rai appealed to Indians to give him seats to bargain on their behalf. In this sense, he was way ahead of other politicians as he recognised the need to have a government of a coalition of (ethnic identity) interests – an extension of Madison’s theory in which groups would remain divided and champion their own interests in government.

From the start, the PPP and Indians were doomed.

But Jagan was convinced he would win if all Indians voted for him. The US and UK changed the political system to bring about Jagan’s defeat.

So it was impossible for Jagan to win, and at public meetings, Rai pleaded on Indians to give him four seats to negotiate on behalf of their interests.

Tennassee said that Rai stated that he would demand the Ministries of Home Affairs and Agriculture with himself occupying the former and Jainarine Singh the latter. Rai also planned to negotiate for Ministry of Education and one more ministry. Jagan, convinced that he would win a majority of seats if all the Indians voted for PPP, urged Indians not to split their votes. Rai was rejected not winning any seat and therefore could not negotiate for Indian’s behalf. Some wealthy and middle class Indians voted UF. Jagan was short of a majority. Burnham’s PNC and D’Aguiar’s UF formed a coalition.

Indian representation was excluded from that government. The PPP was not allowed in government until October 1992. The UK kept the Indian PPP out of office

not because of race but ideology. Both the US and UK convinced Burnham to included Rai in the government.

But Rai rejected Burnham’s offers. As a man of political integrity, since the Indians rejected him, he could not enter into a coalition or accept Burnham’s offer to represent them. Burnham also made offers to Fenton Ramsahoye who rejected them. Had Rai won seats, the politics of Guyana may well have been different as Indians would have had bargaining power since 1965. Also, had Fenton or Rai joined Burnham, the politics may well have been different. Maybe there would have been no place for Shridat Ramphal, Mohammed Shahabudeen and other prominent Indian luminaries.

During the 1960s, mathematically, Rai made sense on coalition politics.

But since 1968, and thru 2006, it was possible for PPP to win a majority because of ethnic support and therefore multi-party coalition was not necessary. However, since 2006, the demographics have changed in which no ethnic group has a majority.

If parties play by the rules of the game, don’t attempt to rig, put together a good team of players, then it is possible for a party to win over members of other groups as happened in 2011, 2015, and 2020 and to win an election as happened in the last two elections.

Of course, the government must serve the interests of their coalition unlike what happened between 2015 and 2020 when the AFC failed to deliver resources to its Indian and constituents and paid a price at the polls.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Ali Tandemocracy in the Opposition Confabulation DEAR EDITOR, There will be no PutinMedvedev, Jagdeo-Ali tandemocracy in the opposition coalition. We are rebuilding on the grounds of the wishes and will of our supporters; the rank and file out there. Yes, the ordinary man and woman whose voices MUST guide us as we prepare ourselves to defeat the wicked regime. The PPP will

be defeated because they entered office on a lie. We must not be like them.

Let us be organic; the wishes of our supporters MUST empower us. And we know who they want to lead the opposition. Take the one week to facilitate a space in Parliament for the people’s leader and let us get on with the business of representing all Guyanese against the ty-

rannical, racist and corrupt PPP. I have no doubt that my friend Roysdale Forde will be groomed to be a genuine leader of the Party one day and not an Ali or Medvedev to anyone who is stepping down seems to have ulterior motives.

Sincerely yours, Norman Browne Political Activist

Focusing on the unvaccinated not boosters DEAR EDITOR, It has recently come to light that there is a possibility that boosters may be required to enter Guyana.

Worldwide, the Omicron variant is rolling through countries. Here in Guyana, over 90 percent of private businesses are not checking customers for vaccination status.

My favourite driver from one of the well-known Georgetown taxi companies has a fake vaccine card, which he surely got with the help of some medical personnel. Included in this mix are those fully vaccinated, yet pictured maskless indoors even in public settings. We are in our third year living with COVID19. Realistically, those who have not been vaccinated, regardless of country of residence, are unlikely to get vaccinated. For this prolific writer who is double vaccinated with Pfizer, a booster will be taken with much reluctance; but the booster only lasts for 10 weeks. Then what? What is the possibility of individuals getting boosted over and over again? At the moment,

very unlikely. The country of Israel is now on their fourth vaccine jab. Britain has just removed most of their COVID restrictions. The messaging has to change.

COVID will be here for many years, with the possibility of different variants

paying us a visit. In English, COVID is not going anywhere soon. We just have to learn to live with COVID, tighten the screws on the unvaccinated as some European countries have done and keep everything open.

Chi Kansi

Shameful increase for pensioners DEAR EDITOR, The $3000 increase for pensioners by the PPP/C government is shameful. It is an abomination. With the oil money coming on board surely the Ali government can do better.

They should give them at least a $10,000 increase.

Come on people. Have some sensitivity for poor people!

Sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

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Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

Budget 2022 DEAR EDITOR, The budget speech by Senior Minister Dr. Singh was presented very clearly and eloquently. I have enjoyed hearing him speak since our days together at Queen’s College. The thoroughness of the budget as it pertains to each sector our economy and pillar of our society is commendable. My only area of concern has to do with our sea defence and water management system. Five billion dollars to add canals that are similar to the Hope Canal in Region 4 is a good step in the correct direction, but given

that even with the Hope Canal severe flooding in Region 4 still occurs, we must look beyond this approach as an acceptable long-term solution. The funds allocated for sea defence should be able to carry out the planned work and in addition, it should be able to start the development of the engineering plans needed to build a stronger sea wall and water management system along the Atlantic coast. It is time to bring on board a strong engineering team or firm to develop the long-term solution needed so that the cost estimates can be

completed, the funds secured and the implementation started.

The cost of materials will continue to increase in the future, thus making the timing of execution very important. We must approach the development and implementation of a holistic sea defence and water management plan with an increased sense of urgency. Otherwise, the planned investments along the Atlantic coast will be at risk due to future severe flooding.

Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

Guyanese were teased with promotional clips that the budget will help offset cost of living, and we thought this was intended for ALL citizens, especially those struggling a bit more.

Each Guyanese should take a look at that massive OIL budget and ask the question: What's in it for me as a citizen of this country, especially a taxpaying, law-biding one?

Whatever it offers, it is not nearly enough, not when we have leaders who are bleeding us from every angle to satisfy their insatiable greed.

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Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Legislation underway to strengthen Guyana's food safety systems -Min. Mustapha The government has, since taking office, made headway with strengthening Guyana's food system.

This is according to A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha, who disclosed that additional legislations are being developed with the objective of establishing a sound and comprehensive national and regional legislative framework for several areas in agriculture.

The minister made this disclosure recently while delivering opening remarks at the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) and World Health Organization's (WHO) five-day workshop for the assessment of the Guyana national food control systems using the FAO/WHO food control system assessment tool.

“This year we'll also see a

revolution in the legislative framework of our country in strengthening the legislative agenda with the objective of establishing a sound and comprehensive national and regional legislative framework for plant and animal health, food safety, and fisheries. Model bills, protocols, measures, and guidelines were developed recently through extensive consultations with various stakeholders. “ P r e s e n t l y, w e a r e looking at amendments to strengthen the Food Safety Bill, after which, it will be taken to the National A s s e m b l y f o r consideration,” Minister Mustapha disclosed.Further, the minister said that Guyana has partnered with international agencies and other stakeholders to develop three additional regulations aimed at moving Guyana's

food system forward.

“We've also collaborated with the Inter American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture (IICA) and other stakeholders to develop three additional pieces of legislation so that we can strengthen our local food system.”

The Minister said those regulations are the Aquaculture Regulations to accompany the Aquaculture Bill; the General Plant Health Regulation; and the Crops and Livestock Registration, Identification and Traceability Bill.

CATFISH BAN Minister Mustapha also took the opportunity to update the participants on the progress made thus far by the government in its efforts to restore the export market of catfish species to the United States.

He said, “We are working

very aggressively to resume the exportation of catfish to the United States. So far, we've met most of the protocols in terms of the fisheries regulation. We've updated it and very shortly that will be published in the Official Gazette.”

H e s a i d t h e Environmental Protection Agency is presently working with other stakeholders to conduct testing of the waters where these fish are being harvested while adding that the inspection manual is almost completed in terms of being updated. “So it's safe to say that we've made significant progress over the last few months to ensure that we are once again in compliance with the established regulations so that our country can once again export these products to North America,” Minister Mustapha said.

The workshop, which

will run from January 24 to 28, stems from a prior assessment that identified the need for capacity building to strengthen key areas within Guyana's current food safety system.

The aim of the workshop is to commence the process of implementing the FAO/WHO assessment tool which seeks to assist countries in assessing the effectiveness of their food control system, regardless of its level of maturity.

The tool proposes a harmonized, objective, and consensual basis to analyze the performance of Guyana's national food system to identify priority areas of improvement and plan sequential and coordinated activities to reach expected outcomes.

Starting from Monday last, 64 officers from the Guyana Food Safety Authority, the Environmental

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

Health Unit, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Carnegie School of Home Economics along with other agencies within the Ministry of Agriculture will be provided with training kits and technical advice from international experts who will lead the training sessions on how to conduct a food control assessment and analyze the effectiveness of (Continued on page 16)

$300M allocated to replenish small business fund Budget 2022 has allocated $300 million for the replenishment of the Small Business Development Fund (SBDF).

This will assist aspiring small business owners with the adequate funds to start up their business, or even those small business owners who are having problems obtaining the adequate funds for various aspects of their operations.

In 2021, the Small Business Bureau (SBB) successful distributed 746 small business development grants at a value of $329 million, of which 61 were COVID-19 relief grants valued at $13.4 million.

Tourism Minister, Oneidge Walrond previously told Kaieteur News that some 134 grants have already been approved and will be disbursed during this month.

The minister previously stated that she is quite elated they were able to distribute so many grants. She further acknowledged that since the SBB was established in 2010 last year held the highest number of grants it has distributed, and at such it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff at the Small Business Bureau.

Furthermore, training will be provided to small business owners in areas including business management, recording

keeping, business plan writing, amongst others, which will enhance the capacity of small business o w n e r s t o e ff e c t i v e l y develop and manage their businesses. The Government of Guyana (GoG) through the SBB will also establish an ecommerce marketplace for small businesses to market goods and services which will, no doubt, support their resilience, helping to maintain and increase revenue.

Persons who are desirous

of applying for a small business grant must have compliance certificates from both the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), proof of business registration, the SBB's registration form, and a business proposal.

Meanwhile it is expected that six Small Business OneStop Shops, across Regions 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, are anticipated to be held throughout the course of this year, targeting 500 beneficiaries.

Blairmont man wanted for rape of minor Forty-year-old Mark Anthony Amsterdam, of Lot 43 No. 3 Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, is wanted by the police for the alleged rape of a child under 16.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement yesterday noted that anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of Amsterdam is asked to contact to the police on 2266978, 225-8196, 455-2236, 684-0839 or the nearest police station.The GPF assures citizens that all information will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Wanted, Mark Anthony Amsterdam.

Friday January 28, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The PNC/R wants corn and husk T

he PNC/R is in a domineering mode.

After the recent elections of the party’s abbreviated Congress, the new executive demanded ‘corn and husk’.

The party wanted it all. It insisted that its new Leader be also the Leader of the Opposition as well as the Representative of the List.

To paraphrase what Burnham once said, “it is all or nothing.”

The PNC/R while claiming that it wants all hands on deck is not prepared to have different poles of power or responsibility, within the party and within the National Assembly.

The party could have dictated the positions and posture of its parliamentary representatives without the need to seize the post of the Leader of the Opposition.

But it appears that internal power sharing is not part of the party’s new dispensation.

And it is a new dispensation.

What has taken place within the party was effectively a culmination of the rebellion which occurred within the PNC/R after the decision of David Granger to accept the lawful declaration of the Guyana Elections Commission and after his decision to exclude certain individuals from returning to the National Assembly. From that moment, the rebellion intensified.

The rebellion is now being replaced by a domineering mode. But this is hardly a novel development for the PNC/R. No doubt, it was the party which decided that the PNC/ R divorce itself from the AFC for the 2018 local government elections. No doubt, following

those elections, it was the party which opted to insist that the AFC was overrepresented in the National Assembly.

This inevitably bred tensions within the Coalition and led to the still secret revisions to the Cummingsburg Accord.

The party could not also have been unaware also of the strains which resulted from the failure to initially announce Khemraj Ramjattan as the Coalition’s Prime Ministerial Candidate for the 2020 polls or about the decision to remove the architect of Big Tent politics, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine, as Minister of Education.

The domineering mode of the party was shown within the government.

The AFC was reduced to the PNC/R’s doormat. It could not even belch following the decision – which was opposed by one leader of the AFC – to supersede David Ramnarine as Commissioner of Police.

Nor did it vent any public dissatisfaction to take away the oil portfolio from the Minister of Natural Resources.

The domineering even was evident within the National Assembly. The AFC had negotiated a safeguard mechanism as part of the original Cummingsburg Accord.

It opted for a neutral Representative of the List so as to prevent the PNC/R from violating the agreement reached between the sides.

The person chosen was Professor Harold Lutchman.

Stabroek News recently reported him as saying that the position of Representative of the List was just a formality and that he was not part of any decision-

making process.

The report went on to state that “He had explained that if changes needed to be made, the then President made it and sent the documents to him for his signature.”

The PNC/R even encroached on the portfolios of the AFC. It has been suggested that even though the AFC held the ministerial portfolio for information, the decision to remove two columnists from the Guyana Chronicle originated outside of the AFC. Ironically, the PNC/R owed its return to power to coalition politics and not to election rigging, long associated with past PNC elections victories.

Coalition politics requires consensus, compromise and conciliation not domination, despotism or dictatorship.

The PNC/R now wants to dictate who should be the Leader of the Opposition and who should be the Representative of the List. It made its decision without any consultation with the AFC or APNU. The party decided, thereby clearly demonstrating how it intends to operate henceforth.

Unfortunately, the laws of Guyana, including the Constitution, do not expressly make provision for the removal of the Representative of the List.

The APNU+AFC, much less the PNC/R, is not free to decide on a replacement for the Representative of the List.

Nor do Guyana’s laws provide for the Deputy Representative of the List to automatically succeed the Representative of the List.

The question, therefore, of removing or replacing the Representative of the List does not reside with the PNC/

Dem boys seh...

De bigger de Budget, de langer de speech De Fine Ants Minister setting down de marker.

Every year de man breaking record. Every Budget is larger dan de previous and becomes de largest in de history of de country. De man shaart but he standing tall.

De man shaart but he story lang. De man also setting record for de length of de speech. Last year was de longest ever.

De man shatta dat record dis year.

When de man start he speech on Wednesday, one ah dem MP realise dat he

fuhget he briefcase in Essequibo.

De man jump in he car, drive straight to Parika, ketch de speed boat, travel all de way to Charity, collect he briefcase and den mek de same return journey.

On he way back to de parliament, he did feel tired and decide fuh tek a snooze.

He fall to sleep fuh one whole hour.

He decide it too late fuh guh to parliament since he feel de session gan finish. So he guh home.

When he turn on he radio, he hear de Minister still

talking.

De man talk fuh 5 hours 15 minutes. Dat gat to be in de Guinness Book of World Records fuh de longest Budget Speech ever.

Dem boys wondering who gan give de wrap up speech. Dem praying is de Pee M and not de Fine Ants Man. Dem boys hear some ah dem parliamentarians talk how next year dem gan walk with pillow and cot. Because de bigger de budget, de longer de speech.

Talk half and leff de rest fuh later.

R. Having already decided on who is the Representative of the List, a legal vacuum exists in terms of that person’s removal or replacement from parliament. But given the mode the PNC/R is in, do not

be surprised if it invents its own rules.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday January 28, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Kissoon, Gaskin, Roopnaraine: More notes on race and class David Hinds recently declared me a madman and wrote that I am compromised. Mark Benschop said the PPP pays me $500,000 monthly. Adam Harris said he would not be surprised if the PPP is paying me. Dr. Melissa Ifill said I am concerned about earnings.

For the record, I have no relationship with the PPP as a party and I have no financial arrangement or otherwise with the Government of Guyana from the time I was born and never had one.

In an interview, Khemraj Ramjattan referred to me as a PPP agent and in the same breath wax lyrical about Dominic Gaskin. Ramjattan

stated that Gaskin is still the treasurer of the AFC where he remains a member.

In assertion by the AFC in March 2020 that the APNU+AFC won the election, one of the top leaders of the AFC, Dominic Gaskin rejected that claim of victory and asserted that the results were wrong. It was not only the firing off of a national nuclear weapon but it had international effect. In any other country, Gaskin would have been expelled from his party not because he spoke the truth but because he went against the stables.

The man making that statement was from the leadership of the party in

power at the time and the sonin-law of the president. At the t i m e o f M r. G a s k i n ' s announcement, I was exposing the election conspiracy in my Kaieteur News columns and on Kaieteur Radio. But I was the subject of ridicule of many Facebook postings. The frenetic claimers of an APNU+AFC said not a word against Gaskin.

In July, when the election fraud by APNU+AFC was still in full swing, Mr. Gaskin delivered the death blow to the hopes of APNU+AFC that they will succeed in having illegal power. Mr. Gaskin on his Facebook post of July 17 tore the claim of

victory to pieces. His sentences were no different from those contained in my columns.

To date, the lunatic fringe, the usual suspects, and those associated with them continue to attack Frederick Kissoon. But if you come from another planet you would never believe that one of the leaders of the party in power at the time of the election boldly denied that his party won the poll.

In private conversations and on their email strings I am described as the worst thing in Guyana while in the AFC, Gaskin's colleagues continue their friendship with him. Why is Gaskin seen in this way and I am singled out for mistreatment?

The answer is class and colour. It is psychologically impossible for the people of class and colour to attack Gaskin. He is white, E u r o p e a n , a n d quintessentially middle class. I am a dark-skinned co..lie with no connection to wealth and eugenics. I am lower in the ladder of humans to Gaskin so there is no insult in attacking me.

Now mind you, I see what Gaskin did as patriotic and I see him in a positive light so what is written here is not a criticism of him, I am looking

at the mind of a dangerous undemocratic class of people. The same brushed that has tarred Kissoon was used against that Berbician Frederick Kissoon co..lie, Charrandas Persaud. Kissoon and f r o m a n y Charran are driven by money Indian in or out of Guyana.

Comparing my cultural, thus their political stance. political and ethnic evolution Someone with the class and colour of Gaskin is above w i t h R o o p n a r a i n e i s comparing a spoon and a those indignities.

I t i s a p e r m a n e n t , tractor. I am far more imbued colonially driven instinct that with things Indian than exists in the minds of Roopnaraine. Roopnaraine Guyanese people. Those with was criticising the PPP class and colour have cleaner government like me since DNA and purer blood than way back in the early dark-skinned Guyanese from n i n e t i e s . R o o p n a r a i n e low earning classes. When it formed a bond with the PNC comes to two Indians – after 2010.

But he was never called a Frederick Kisssoon and self-hater.

Why? He is from Rupert Roopnaraine – who have criticised the long rule the crème de la crème of of the PPP, Indians treat s o c i e t y. H e i s l i g h t Roopnaraine with respect complexioned, went to and adulation but I am Q u e e n ' s C o l l e g e a n d vilified and called a self- Cambridge University, and is completely westernised. hater.

Prominent Indians in and Those Indians who ridiculed out of Guyana have publicly me for years as a self-hater derogated me in the worse admire Roopnaraine for his possible manner. They have class status. For them, I'm written how I lost my way a just a co..lie nobody so I am long time ago and have easy target.

(The views expressed in become a hater of my own race and I hate myself for this article are those of the being Indian. There has never author and do not necessarily been even one word so reflect the opinions of this vitriolic about Rooopnaraine newspaper.)

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Pregnant woman stabbed to death by

ex-partner Police are searching for a 34-year-old East La Penitence, Georgetown man, identified as Terrence Thomas, who allegedly stabbed his pregnant exgirlfriend, Loretta Simon, 28, to death on Thursday afternoon at her mother's CField Sophia home.

According to police, the victim who resided at C o o p e r S t r e e t , Albouystown, was stabbed in the region of her heart around 13:00hrs. Simon was reportedly visiting her mother that afternoon when the suspect turned up. She had gone out to meet him and according to reports, he reportedly asked for a glass of water and permission to use the washroom but she refused him entry into the home.

Police investigators reported that during the exchange of words between the pair, Thomas demanded an explanation from the woman for leaving him, which sparked an argument between them. Simon then

Victim: Stabbed to death, Loretta Simon Simon's body being removed from her mother's home.

Suspect on the run for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend. reportedly ordered the suspect to leave her mother's premises.

Investigators stated that the suspect suddenly whipped out a knife from his pants waist and stabbed the woman.

She ran a short distance before collapsing and died at which point, the suspect threw the murder weapon into the yard and fled.

Simon's relatives reportedly

found her body lying at the back door of her mother's house. Police and a medical team were alerted.

Grieving relatives of the victim related that she was pregnant during the time of her murder. Kaieteur News learnt that the suspect had left his home early Thursday morning to drop a relative to school on his bicycle.

He did not return until (Continued on page 16)

Teen stabbed to death trying to defend mother from abusive stepdad Dead Isaiah Edwards and his mother.

[Picture taken from News Source Guyana]

A 19-year-old boy who was stabbed by his stepf a t h e r o n We d n e s d a y succumbed at the Infectious Disease Hospital located at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on Thursday.

The dead teen has been identified as Isaiah Edwards, 19, a construction worker of East La Penitence, Squatting

Area Georgetown.

According to the police the incident occurred on We d n e s d a y a r o u n d 18:30hrs.

It was stated that the teen's step-father began assaulting his mother because she did not finish cooking; as such the teen intervened. Kaieteur News

understands that the suspect reportedly became annoyed and picked up a knife and attacked the teen and his mother.

This resulted in the teen being stabbed to his right hip.

The suspect then fled the scene, while Isaiah and his (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

Friday Friday January October 28, 29, 2022 2021

PAGE 13

Hess, Exxon hurry to appraise latest multi-million barrel discovery at Lau Lau well ...excited to understand scale of future profits Earlier this month, Kaieteur News had reported that partners on the Stabroek Block—ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation, and CNOOC Petroleum Limited— recorded two more major discoveries in the offshore concession. These were made at the Fangtooth and Lau Lau wells.

But given preliminary forecasts that the finds, hold approximately half a billion barrels of oil resources, the partners are now hurrying to conduct appraisal work so as to have a better understanding of the scale of profits they stand to make in the future.

Elaborating on this front during its recent fourth quarter earnings call for 2021 was Hess Corporation. Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess said, “…With these discoveries, the gross discovered recoverable resource estimate for the block is now

more than 10 billion barrels of oil equivalent – and we continue to see multibillion barrels of future exploration potential remaining.”

He added, “Positive results at Fangtooth, our first standalone deep exploration prospect, confirm the deeper exploration potential of the block. Both discoveries further underpin our queue of future low cost development opportunities.”

In the coming months, Chief Operating Officer for Hess, Greg Hill said the partners will complete the analysis of the exploration well results. He said too that appraisal activities will then be conducted to determine the optimal development approach and timing.

Like his boss, Hill said, “Lau Lau further underpins our queue of future low-cost development opportunities in the southeastern portion of the Stabroek Block. This discovery will also require

appraisal to determine the ultimate development approach and timing.”

Given that the partners continue to see multi billion barrels of exploration potential on the Stabroek Block, Hill said no time will be wasted to launch an aggressive drilling programme in 2022.

Hill said the partners plan to drill approximately 12 exploration and appraisal wells that will target a variety of prospects and play types.

He said these will include lower risk wells near existing discoveries, higher risk step outs and several penetrations that will test deeper Lower Campanian and Santonian intervals.

The Chief Operating Officer said exploration wells planned for the first quarter of 2022 include: Barreleye-1, located approximately 20 miles southeast of Liza. The primary target is lower

Guyana loan portfolio to double this year Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, D r. A s h n i S i n g h , o n Wednesday presented to the National Assembly the estimates for this year at $552.9B inclusive of loans—a loan portfolio that is projected to double this year.

According to the “Estimates”, Guyana's loans and grant stock portfolio is expected to be some $37B this year, up from $17B last year. The loan aspect of this p o r t f o l i o h o w e v e r, i s expected to double moving from $13.6B last year to $26.8B this year. The information is documented in the Estimates' table, documenting specific sources of financing of Capital Expenditure for loans and grants from countries and other International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank and the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB).

According to the information presented, Guyana's highest loan stock

Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni Singh, stands and will remain; the IDB projected this year to be some $11.2B, up from $9.6B last year. India is listed as the source of the next highest source of financing expected to be some $4.2B this year, up from a mere $400M last year. Loans from China are also expected to skyrocket this year moving from 779.6M last year to $1.2B this year. Grants from institutions such as the European Union (EU), Japan, the World Bank, the Caribbean Development

Bank and China is expected to account for some $10.2B of the $37B that will account for financing in the 2022 Budget with funds coming from external sources through loans and grants.

D r. S i n g h i n h i s presentation, in speaking to his administration debt management track record had said, “…over the last year, our Government has continued its wellestablished track record of prudent public debt management, despite global and domestic shocks which constrained economic activity.” These, he said, “affected government revenue, and necessitated increased government spending to curb the social a n d e c o n o m i c ramifications.” According to Dr. Singh, “in executing Guyana's public debt management functions, we have stuck, steadfastly, to the tried and tested strategy of contracting development financing in a manner conducive to both cost minimisation and risk mitigation.”

Campanian with shallow and deeper secondary targets.

The well was spud on December 30, 2021.

Next in line he said is Ta r p o n - 1 , l o c a t e d approximately 63 miles northwest of Liza, which will target lower Campanian clastics, plus a deeper Jurassic carbonate. The well will be drilled following completion of Fangtooth operations.

He noted that Patwa-1, also in the queue, is near the Turbot area discoveries in the block. He said this well is approximately 3 miles northwest of the Cataback-1 discovery, with targets in upper Cretaceous clastic reservoirs. The well is anticipated to spud in March.

Kaieteur News understands that Lukanani-1 which is in the southeastern part of the Stabroek Block, located approximately 2 miles west of Pluma is also on the list. It is anticipated to spud in March. The primary target is Maastrichtian age clastic reservoirs, with secondary objectives in lower Campanian reservoirs.

With respect to the appraisal programme in 2022, Hess said this will be focused on delineating future developments. Hill said first

quarter appraisal activities will include the Tilapia-2 appraisal well, located approximately 24 miles southeast of Liza-1. The well will appraise the February 2019 Tilapia-1 discovery in the Turbot area and is anticipated to spud in March.

In addition, Hill said, “We plan to conduct drill stem tests at Tilapia-1 and Pinktail-1.”

Turning to development activities, he said this year will include drilling for both the Liza Phase 2 and Payara projects.

Hill said initial development drilling activities will also begin for t h e Ye l l o w t a i l p r o j e c t following approval of the Field Development Plan by the government. He recalled that the Field Development Plan and Environmental Impact Assessment for Ye l l o w t a i l h a v e b e e n submitted for government and regulatory review while adding, “The government is supportive of the project and startup remains on track for 2025. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government of Guyana and our partners to realize the extraordinary potential of this world class project.”

He was keen to note as

Hess Corporation's CEO, John Hess well that a planned turnaround will be conducted in March on the Liza Destiny FPSO while adding that work activities will include production optimization work, designed to increase the vessel's production capacity. At Liza Phase 2, the Chief Operating Officer said the Liza Unity FPSO vessel is undergoing final hookup and commissioning after arriving in Guyanese waters in October 2021. Kaieteur News understands that the Liza Unity is on track to start production in the first quarter of 2022 with a capacity of approximately 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

With regard to Payara, Hill said the overall project is 66 percent complete. He noted that the hull for the Prosperity FPSO vessel is complete, and tops ide construction activities are ongoing in Singapore for planned production start-up in 2024.

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Guyana joins in celebrating nd India's 72 Republic Anniversary

P

resident Irfaan Ali said that Guyana is working on an international agenda that will propel the country to become a global leader in several areas, including the environment and agriculture.

The Head of State made the declaration last evening while delivering the feature address at India's 72nd Republic Day Anniversary Reception at the National Cultural Centre.

He said that the country would look to emulate India on its leadership qualities, especially through Guyana's expanded Low Carbon Development Strategy and its current international commitments on environmental management.

Guyana, the President noted, is already taking on the mantle of providing strong leadership in the CARICOM region to ensure food security and sustainability and will focus heavily on reducing food import bills by 25% by 2025.

Additionally, President Ali pointed out that Guyana is already following India's initiatives on energy security by means of expanding access and using renewables, by strengthening bilateral relationships, by enhancing the country's democracy, by fortifying its laws to ensure it reflects the needs and will of the people and by embarking on an aggressive transformation of the country's human resources

President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa and his wife, Ashwini Srinivasa through training and educational opportunities.

"Like India, we are also transforming infrastructure landscape, modernising our landscape, making our infrastructure system, our transportation system more e ff i c i e n t a n d r e l i a b l e .

Importantly, like India, we are also in the process of rebranding our country.

When Guyana is heard in the international community, it must be synonymous with democracy, the rule of law, safe and stable m a c r o e c o n o m i c environment and, more importantly, a people that are willing to contribute our bit to global development and a better world."

The Head of State said that as Guyana celebrates

with India, he wanted to recommit working on maintaining and strengthening "our traditional and mutually beneficial relations".

He emphasised that Guyana and India have always shared a bond of friendship built on mutual values and principles and shared interests, which have benefitted both countries.

He stated, "India has been extremely supportive of G u y a n a ' s development—From the National Stadium at Providence, to our modernising road infrastructure, the ICT Centre of Excellence at the University of Guyana, to the Indian Immigration M o n u m e n t a t

Palmyra—India's support for Guyana's development is unmistakable."

The President said that India leads by example and has helped Guyana tremendously over the years.

He pointed to the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme that has provided training to Guyanese students in various areas, including accountancy, agriculture, auditing, banking and information technology, governance, and communication, as well as its most recent educational support in facilitating opportunities for thousands of Guyanese to study at its universities through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL)

programmes.

"Through the generosity of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we were able to kick-start our COVID-19 immunisation campaign at a time when many countries were struggling to obtain vaccines."

Guyana was just one of many countries to have benefitted from this altruistic assistance, which President Ali said shows India's leadership and goodwill in the finest traditions of international solidarity.

The President added that cooperation between the two countries continue to grow

and is evident through India's support for Guyana's transportation sector, which will see the construction of a ferry to provide services to the North-West; a line of credit that will provide the country with funds to support the electrification of 30,000 households via solar power and the provision by India of drainage pumps to assist in combating the negative effects of climate change.

He also expressed confidence that the two nations would enhance their relationship moving forward.

(Office of the President)

President Irfaan Ali

Govt. floats farmers' market initiative to help cushion high cost of living In its 2022 Budget, the People's Progressive Party government has suggested a Farmers Market Initiative, among others, which it hopes will help to cushion the cost of living.

Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh told the National Assembly on We d n e s d a y t h a t , “ w e recognise the fact that there has been some upward movement in the prices at the marketplace for a number of food items. But, we also observe that the extent of the upward price movement at the marketplace is not reflected in similar price movement at the farm gate”.

He added that the increased prices reflect a number of factors, including transportation cost and multiple layers of handling and reselling from farm to

final retail. In this regard, Dr. Singh said the government will be arranging monthly farmers markets at locations to be specified in East Berbice, East Coast Demerara, Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, and West Coast Demerara in the first instance, with the possibility of extending to other locations depending on the initial experience.

“This will help our farmers find ready markets for their produce, and help consumers benefit from the price advantage of buying directly from the farmer,” the Finance Minister reasoned.

Another measure which government has suggested to further lower the inflation rate is to adjust the freight costs. He said, “It would be recalled that we implemented in August 2021

A shopper at a Farmers' Market held a few years ago. an adjustment to the freight cost component in the CIF value used for calculation of import taxes, rolling back freight costs to prepandemic levels. This had

the effect of reducing the import duties, excise taxes, a n d VAT c h a r g e d o n imported items”.

This measure was initially due to expire on

January 31, 2021; however, the Finance Minister announced that the measure will be extended onto December 31, 2022. This measure is expected to cost

in the order of $6 billion in 2022.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Minister pointed out that the cost of fuel will be reduced in a bid to reduce the cost of living. He told the National Assembly that the Government has established a mechanism whereby the excise tax on fuel is lowered when the world market prices for fuel increases.

This mechanism was used twice in 2021 to lower the excise tax rate on gasoline and diesel from 50 to 35 and then from 35 to 20 percent. In this regard, he said, “I am pleased to announce that utilising the same established mechanism, we will be lowering the excise tax rate further on gasoline and diesel from 20 percent to 10 percent, with immediate effect”.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 28, 2022

PAGE 15

$21.1B budgeted for New Demerara ...another $946M to keep River bridge existing structure floating T

he Ministry of Public Wo r k s h a s b e e n allocated, through Budget 2022, the sum of $21.1 billion for the construction of the New Demerara River Bridge, while an additional $946 million has been budgeted to facilitate rehabilitative work on the existing structure.

This is according to the Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh who made the announcement during his Budget presentation on Wednesday. Government has already awarded the contract for the four-lane, high-span fixed bridge to a Chinese contractor, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. The project is estimated to cost some US$257M. The contract was confirmed on November 1, 2021, by way of a public statement, when the Ministry of Finance announced that Cabinet granted no-objection for the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW), to engage the contractor on the multimillion-dollar project.

The proposed location for the New Demerara River Bridge will see the structure being developed

Existing DHB

EBD Public Road

VESSEL CHANNEL

Peter’s Hall

Providence

The proposed alignment for the New Demerara River Bridge. between Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara and La Grange on the Western end of the Demerara River. The project will be approached based on a DesignBuild-Finance (DBF) model with financial terms and conditions “which would be no less favourable than those submitted in

the preferred bidder's price p r o p o s a l s . ” Efforts made by this publication yesterday to contact the two subject ministers on the project proved futile.

China's State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd was sued for fraud

in the Bahamas. The company had reportedly submitted 'sham billings' and diverted monies to other projects and was subsequently disbarred by the World Bank. According to the Ministry of Finance, the proposal

by China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd,

under the DBF model contemplates a construction cost of US$256.6 million, the lowest amongst all bidders.

It was noted that initially, the Government of Guyana, through the MoPW, pre-qualified nine firms to submit bids for the construction of a two-lane dual carriageway (4 lanes) hybrid Cable-Stayed centre span bridge, with Concrete Box/T Beam Girder approach bridge structure.

Features to be included on the new bridge would be collision protection, navigation span to accommodate Handymax vessel Navigation aids, Lighting, signage, and all other ancillary works, access road with a minimum of 50 meters up to abutments and a toll collection buildings and ancillary buildings on the West Bank of the Demerara River (WBD). The construction of the new bridge is expected to conclude within two years and will be built with the lifespan of 50 years.

It will not require opening or retraction to allow for the passage of vessels, as is the arrangement with the existing structure.

Govt. mum on gas-to-shore sales pact between Exxon The Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson who tabled a motion on the US$900 million Gas-toShore Project says he is disappointed that the governing People's Progressive Party (PPP) did not utilise the opportunity to dispel negative rumours of the project, but instead still leaves several burning questions unanswered, especially with regard to the sales agreement of the massive project.

In the wee hours of Tuesday morning, the motion tabled by Patterson seeking for the project to be put on h o l d , p e n d i n g comprehensive studies was defeated, with 32 members voting against the request, 27 in favour and one abstention.

“The country should be disappointed that the Government did not use this opportunity to provide details to the several burning questions that remain unanswered - this was the perfect occasion to dispel all the rumours that the Gas-toShore project will be another white elephant project,” the Opposition MP told this newspaper in an invited comment.

He explained that, “If it (the Gas-to-Shore project) proceeds, it will be the single

largest project in the history of Guyana, and it is now clear that the government MPs (Members of Parliaments) are also unclear as to the decisions behind this project”.

During his debate speech, Patterson reasoned that United States oil giant, ExxonMobil has confirmed that before construction commences, the company will be entering into a Gas Sales Agreement with the Government of Guyana, which means that the country will be paying ExxonMobil for its own gas, in addition to the cost of the pipeline.

H o w e v e r, t h e Government is yet to provide the nation with answers to several questions regarding this Gas Sales Agreement, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure pointed out.

For instance, Patterson asked whether the gas sales agreement has already been signed and if not, when.

Furthermore, “Why are we paying for the associated gas? During discussions with Exxon, the Coalition administration insisted that we would not be paying for gas, only costs associated with the pipeline – why have the PPP reverted from this position” he enquired.

Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson makes a point to the Government during the last sitting of the National Assembly.

The Member of Parliament had also requested that the government say whether Guyana will be paying market price for its gas since history suggests that the price could vary considerably; in fact, it has even doubled in the past few years.

On the other hand, the MP asked if studies were conducted to determine the upper limit at which gas is viable as a new source of energy for Guyana and moreover, when the Gas Sales Agreement would be made public, and how would ExxonMobil be paid for the gas, among others. While these variables were left unanswered, several MPs

took to the floor from the government's side to speak of projects, which were supposedly mishandled according to Patterson. It was the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar who explained the reasoning behind the massive project being planted at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

He told the National Assembly that several things were taken into consideration including the road access to the site, the land cover suitability, site topography, site accessibility via water and several others. “You have a pipe that will bring in 120 million cubic feet of gas…the Wales location will

make sure that there is area for expansion. There is no dense population around where it's going in case of any unfortunate event that any lives will be in close proximity,” the Minister said while further making his case.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat told the House that, “Our biggest problem in Guyana and our biggest hindrance to furthering our development and to develop our country at a fast rate, other than the APNU AFC, is the cost of power generation and also the reliability of it too.”

He explained to the National Assembly that the Gas to Energy Project is designed to solve that problem once and for all.

According to him, “…we are saying to the Guyanese people that the gas to energy project will reduce the cost of electricity by over 50 percent and it is not only the reduction in electricity Mr. Speaker, it is the reliable power and added to that (is) cleaner power because the conversation on the environment and cutting emission has grown”.

GTS project details Back in December last year, the government not

only discarded the first set of proposals it received in September for the project, but also completely redesigned the scope of works, to now instead build an integrated gas fired power generation plant, in addition to a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) factory. In fact, this year's 2022 Budget also includes a $20.8 million allocation for the project.

The revised scope of works, according to a new publication by the Ministry o f N a t u r a l Resources—requesting proposals from firms to be prequalified—said, the rationale “for the combination of the Power Plant and NGL facilities, is guided by the findings of EEGPL that there will be substantial savings from combining these two facilities.”

Government through the Ministry explained that as part of the gas to Energy project it has elected, “after extensive evaluation of technical and execution f a c t o r s w i t h EEPGL—ExxonMobil Guyana—to have the two facilities be “designed and c o n s t r u c t e d t o g e t h e r. ” As such, the Ministry has since re-invited interested (Continued on page 18)

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Legislation underway...

VEHICLE FOR SALE 1 Nissan pathfinder in good condition, CAT 215 used parts.Tel:683-7225/275-0367.

Bush ready Pickup for sale 3.3M negotiable,3RZ engine 4 wheel drive with complete suspension,2002 Tacoma Extra Cab.Tel:630-3750.

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

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

One (1) male able bodied clerk.Tel:231-2029/616-5954.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040

FOR SALE Pure breed German Shepherd Pups black & tan and whiteline,vaccinated and dewormed.Contact:665-9140.

Household items.Call:6913467,whatsapp 661-1417.

1 live in babysitter to care for 2yr old.Must be vaccinated & good with kids age 3848,$20,000 wkly.Tel:626-6450/ 646-7142.

KitchenAssistant, Babysitter, Housekeeper & Sales person , must have secondary education.Call:6595559.

Professional Soup cooks and kitchen assistance and professional kichen manager, good pay.Shot hrs.Call:6751509.

Wanted skilled carpenters, mason & labourers to work in G/Town & Linden. Contact:615-7526/602-9469/6606385.

Guesthouse.Cleaners needed 2 PM-8PM. Contact James: 613-7555/225-5606.

LAND FOR SALE Transported corner Lot 90 Garnett & Republic St. Tel:622-6000.

One houselot for sale,Lot 48 Cove and John E.C.D. Tel: 664-1856/698-7152.

VACANCY PM Shift Supermarket cashiers,math & eng required. To HR dept Survival Shopping Complex,173 Sheriff St.Tel:609-2995.

Accounts Clerk.Quickbooks knowledge & accounting experience. To HR dept Survival Shopping Complex,173 Sheriff St.Tel:609-2995.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Sale! South Central Hotel. 218 South Road Georgetown 6,710 feet first, second floor.Tel:697-6572,686-0444.

Porters/Bond Clerks.Basic reading and writing skills.To HR dept Survival Shopping Complex,173 Sheriff St. Tel: 609-2995.

Western Union CSRS. Experience will be a plus.To HR dept Survival Shopping Complex,173 Sheriff St. Tel:6092995.

FOR RENT Lower flat for rent @Vigilance North E.C.D. Partially furnished with 3 bedrooms, price $60,000 negotiable.

Tel:630-3750.

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

Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

Vacancy for qualified & experienced Grade 2 Teacher.

Contact:623-1615.

From page 8 the safety control system in Guyana.

After the training, participants will conduct the assessment with the guidance of an FAO expert and led by the Food Safety Authority. The assessment will focus on the safety of the food that comes to the consumer from producers, importers, processors, farmers, fisherfolk, etc. They will examine the extent to which the current food safety processes are working and help us look for gaps and weaknesses and identify measures for improvement.

The results from the assessment will then be developed into a strategic plan to systematically and continuously upgrade the food safety system.

Pregnant woman...

From page 12 after his ex-girlfriend was killed. The suspect did not say a word to his relatives but had left hurriedly just minutes before officers showed up at his house. His relatives related that they were shocked when the ranks told them that the man is wanted for a murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Kaieteur News understands that the now dead woman had moved out and left the suspect last year owing to his abusive ways. He would however persist in having her return.

VACANCY Vacancy for experienced Canter & Hauler driver. Apply in person at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

Porters,Cleaners and experienced sales girl.Apply in person at Alabama Trading,65 Robb St Bourda.

Male & Female,age 25-45 yrs.Apply at WB Cleaning & Janitorial Services & washbay,D2 Louisa Row. Tel:503-2502.

Domestic worker to work at Peter's Hall E.B.D,must be from the E.B.D age 2545yrs.Call:231-0363/226-9492.

One clerk for TSI Eccles Office,English & Maths grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to tech serigy@yahoo.com.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank areaa.Call:6159132.

Fitter Machinist,Welder fabricator,Mechanic,Apprentice & Male cleaner.Three year’s experience.Call:642-9823 or email: techserigy @yahoo .com.

PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT INC. One Accounts Clerk.

Must have working knowledge of Quickbooks. Tel:6736210 email:pacific. development @yahoo.com.

Friday January 28, 2022

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

Four more COVID deaths, 408 new infections Two men, an 81-year-old and a 66-year-old from Region Four who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID19) disease, have died. This is according to the Ministry of Health which reported on Thursday that the unvaccinated men died over a twoday period (January 26 to 27) while receiving treatment at a medical facility. As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,156.

Meanwhile, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry recorded 408 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 58,604. Out of that number, 31,493 persons are women and 27,111 are men.

A breakdown of new cases per region shows that (Continued on page 18 )

PAGE 17

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Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

Four more COVID deaths...

From page 17 Region Four leads with 195 new cases, Region 10 with 98 cases, Region Three with 40 cases, Region Seven with 29 cases, Region Six with 23 cases, Region Two with 20 cases and Region One with three cases. The dashboard data shows that 17 patients are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 173 persons in institutional isolation, 11,818 in home isolation and 11 in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 45,440 persons have recovered from the virus.

Teen stabbed to death trying...

From page 12 mother were rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by their relatives. However, tests were conducted on the injured woman and her son and Isaiah's test came back positive for COVID-19. As such he was transferred to the

Liliendaal facility where he subsequently died. His body is presently at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem e x a m i n a t i o n . M o r e o v e r, Isaiah's mom is presently hospitalised in a stable condition and the suspect is yet

Govt. mum on gas-to-shore...

From page 13 parties to be prequalified to engineer, procure and construct the two integrated facilities.

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

Additionally, the project will include 230 Kilo Volt (KV) substation and back up fuel

capacity.

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

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

Govt. to put more cameras...

From page 3 responsible for finance noted too that, construction is currently ongoing on a second prison block at the Mazaruni Prison.

Singh continued that his government does not want illiterate inmates and plans to invest $88.9M to train 1400 of them in areas of anger management, literacy, tailoring, etc.

In order to enhance the Guyana Fire Service' (GFS) firefighting capabilities, the government has budgeted an additional $100M to install more fire hydrants.

L a s t y e a r, s o m e $140M was spent to install 139 new fire hydrants in housing areas and to repair 51.

The government also plans to spend $508M to continue works at GFS

headquarters at D'Urban Park, located on Homestretch Avenue and a fire station at Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara.

Part of this money, according to Singh, will also be spent on Fire Station at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara and the construction of facilities at New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six. Singh noted too that an additional $49.1M was budgeted for repairs and maintenance of fire stations countrywide. He stated that $255 million will be needed as well for the procurement of a hydraulic platform to bolster Guyana's firefighting capabilities along with water bowsers, ambulances and all terrain firefighting vehicles.

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Friday January 28, 2022

Friday January 28, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Kemar Roach handed ODI recall as Desmond Haynes picks first West Indies squad ESPNcricinfo - Desmond Haynes has marked his first squad since replacing Roger Harper as West Indies’ lead selector by handing Kemar Roach an ODI recall after twoand-a-half years out of the side for February’s series in India. Roach is one of six additions to the squad that lost 2-1 at home to Ireland this month, with Roston Chase and Justin Greaves among the players dropping out of the squad after lean series with the bat. Fabian Allen has recovered from Covid-19 and replaces Gudakesh Motie in the 15-man squad, while Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo and Brandon King strengthen the batting group and Hayden Walsh Jr. offers an extra spin option. Jayden Seales and Devon Thomas, neither of whom featured against Ireland, also lose their places. Romario Shepherd is the lone Guyanese to make the cut.

Friday January 28, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Share more of your passion, love, and happiness with the people around you, Aries.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Drastic shifts in your emotions might be causing you to doubt certain instincts or feelings you have, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today is one of those days in which you just want to lie on your back on the ground and look up at the clouds, Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) You're most likely going to be very drawn to the things that you can't have, Cancer.

Instead of getting upset and frustrated by the fact that you aren't getting what you want, look for the lesson in the situation and the reason why you really don't need those things at all.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may find yourself staring at a blank page for what seems like hours on end while you try to get down on paper what you really want to say, Leo. Perhaps your motivation is flagging.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) If you find yourself needing to do something in order to escape your life for a while, Virgo, then maybe you need to examine your life more closely.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Keep your fun-loving spirit pure, Libra. Be careful that you aren't making witty conversation or entertaining jokes at someone else's expense.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your emotions are likely to deceive you today, so be careful about making a judgment about something, Scorpio. Make sure that you take your time and gather all the necessary facts or else you may end up making an impulsive decision that you regret later on.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Make your time spent with others much richer by contrasting it with time spent absolutely alone, Sagittarius.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Attend a lecture or some sort of intellectual discussion in which people are actively expressing their ideas and strong opinions, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your imagination is in all likelihood drawing you to faraway places, Aquarius, and you may find yourself daydreaming constantly.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Remember that there is a spirit in everything around you, Pisces. Just because we can't perceive something with our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or fingers doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

Roach has not played any white-ball cricket - either List A or T20 - since his most recent ODI, against India in 2019 but Haynes said that he had been recalled with an eye on early wickets. ”Kemar Roach is one of our leading fast bowlers,” Haynes said, “and we believe we need bowlers up front to get early wickets. Kemar, with an economy rate of five, is certainly good enough to play.” The three-match ODI series, which will be played in Ahmedabad on February 6, 9 and 11, is part of the ODI Super League which forms the pathway for the 2023 World Cup, which is scheduled in India in October-November next year.

After the shock series defeat against Ireland, which preceded the ongoing T20I series against England, West Indies captain Kieron Pollard had underlined that his team had a “batting problem”. Hav-

ing successfully defended 269 in the first ODI against Ireland, West Indies struggled in the final two matches, scoring 229 and 212.

Greaves struggled in all three matches and has now been replaced by Bonner, who made his ODI debut in Bangladesh series last year.

Haynes said that Bonner had come on “leaps and bounds” in recent years and that he deserves “an opportunity to play in the 50-over format” and stressed his desire for competition for places ahead of the 2023 World Cup in India. ”We want to have competition for places,” he said.

“We want to reach a stage where we have a lot of players fighting for positions. We want to broaden the pool of players we have to choose from. The team we have selected is a very good side and we are looking at this tour as part of the preparations for the World Cup in India in 2023.”

While the India tour also comprises three T20s, which will be played in Kolkata on February 16, 18 and 20, Haynes’ panel has opted to wait for the England series to finish before picking the squad.

West Indies ODI squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian Allen, Nkrumah Bonner, Darren Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Kemar Roach, Romario Shepherd, Odean Smith, Hayden Walsh Jr.

Boxing, Tennis...

From page 22 Dr. Ashni Singh during his presentation in Parliament on Tuesday stated that $1.4 billion is budgeted for sports infrastructure and development, including for the completion of the synthetic tracks in regions six and 10, multi-purpose sports facilities, the erection of stands at the National Track and Field Center, rehabilitation works at the National Stadium to support the Cricket Academy; construction of pavilions at Region Six and 10; and the procurement of sports gear.

A total of $250 million is also budgeted for the continued improvement of the community grounds.

That aside, the sum of $45.8 million is also allocated for maintenance of sport facilities, including Mackenzie Sports Club, Kwakwani Recreational Centre, National Aquatic Center and Colgrain Pool.

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Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

Boxing, Tennis & Athletics bodies satisfied $2.2B allocation for Sports in historic 2022 National Budget The 2022 National Budget as resented by Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister with responsibilities for Finance under the Office of the President, has seen an almost 50% increase in funds being allocated for the development of sports in Guyana with $2.2B this year as opposed to the $1.5B in 2021. Yesterday, the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), in a correspondence to the media, saluted the Government of Guyana, “For pro-

ducing a solid, comprehensive and transformational Budget 2022. The historic amount allotted to sports will no doubt see further development in the fraternity and hopefully, will have a lasting impact on athletes and officials.””The GBA has been working closely with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. and wishes to go on record as being supportive of this budget. With sport being put on

the front burner, we envision an exciting and progressive time ahead for the local sport fraternity,” said GBA Secretary, Stacy Corriea.

Guyana Table Tennis Association President, Godfrey Munroe As President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) noted that this is truly an exciting time to be involved in sports development in Guyana as he is heartened and enthused. Munroe

posited that while understanding that this would not be the silver bullet which solves all sporting needs, given the stage we’re at currently in our sport development cycle and given the many inputs required reach: “It has shown the Government of Guyana commitment to building and advancing the future prospects for our sporting success as a nation, I believe it is unprecedented and a step in the right direc-

tion and wish to applaud the Government, the Hon. Minister Mr. Charles Ramson Jr., the Director of Sports Mr. Steve Ninvalle and their team for taking on board the aspirations of national associations athletes, coaches and administrators and for their creativity and vision.

He noted that the funding provides a platform for the implementation of key scientific pillars proven for sporting success based on the SPLISS Model of Sporting Success, more resources will translate to building back key developmental structures in our sports architecture. ”The rehabilitation of several community centres/grounds creates the framework for national sports organisations to build key networks regionally and have more places for their activities in addition to having more persons become actively involved, reengaged in sporting activities.

A catalyst for a healthier and fitter nation.”

Munroe further noted that the building of regional facilities in the three Counties are key projects that will lend to the decentralisation of sports in the near future and is critical to achieving mass participating a key pillar required for creating sporting success equity and performance. ”These combined with the rollout out and implementation of the nursery academy, elite programmes and competition programmes in the twelve (12) core sports being piloted and supported by the Ministry of Culture Youth and sports and National Sports Commission which caters for the implementation and establishment of talent identification programmes nationally, coaches training and support, student athlete development and support , recreational

sporting engagement activities at the varsity and intramural in the school community club organisational levels, introduction of science and technology, high performance training , truly provides the catalyst and lays the ground work for putting sport on a sustainable and higher performing platform.”

The former National Player further noted that, “It is critical that we as national federations network and synchronize our activities and programmes in alignment with these programmes and in keeping with our International federations, our Olympic Committee in order to truly maximize and accelerate our sport development at all levels nationally.”

Athletics Guyana President, Aubrey Hutson Meanwhile, President of Athletics Guyana (AG), Aubrey Hutson, shared similar sentiments and especially hailed the move of budgeting for the construction of additional stands at the National Track & Field Center.

However, he shared that although he has not heard anything about the rehabilitation of the synthetic surface at Leonora, he is optimistic that funds will be put aside for that since the premier track facility of the country is set to host International events soon inclusive of the Aliann Pompey Invitational and the 50th Carifta Games in 2023.

In addition to the track that needs “Urgent attention”, Hutson revealed that he is optimistic that some funds will be available for the upgrade of the bathroom facilities at the venue, something that is critical if Guyana were to host an international level event.

Minister of Finance, (Continued on page 20)

GTA President welcomes amplified allocation of funds in 2022 National Budget On behalf of the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA), President; Cristy Campbell has welcomed the amplified allocation of funds in the 2022 budget to further enhance sport in Guyana.

In a press release, Campbell who became the second female to ever be President of the GTA in April of 2021, stated: “The Hon. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr.

Charles Ramson, the National Sports Commission, and the GTA have engaged in meaningful discourses recently to create pathways to enhance facilities, players, and coach education in our sport.

Therefore, the Guyana Tennis Associ a t i o n i s o p t i mistic that tennis will continue to benefit from government funding to achieve our 2022 goals and objectives.”

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

Afghanistan join England in ICC U19 Men’s CWC Super

League Semis Afghanistan produced a sensational fight back to edge Sri Lanka in a thriller and secure a place in the semi-finals of the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2022. Despite only setting a target of 135, a superb performance with the ball means Suliman Safi’s side just did enough to progress from the Super League quarter-finals.

A composed late spell at the crease from Sri Lanka’s skipper Dunith Wellalage looked for a while like he would pull his team over the line, but it was not meant to be as Afghanistan edged the low-scoring thriller to reach the final four, matching their achievement from the 2018 tournament in New Zealand.

They will now face England in the first Super League semifinal at the Sir Viv Richards Cricket Ground on 1 February.

Afghanistan bowlers come alive to launch superb fight back Wellalage’s team elected to field after the winning the toss at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and for the first few overs it was difficult to tell whether it was the correct decision. Afghanistan openers Nangeyalia Kharote and Bilal Sayedi looked solid for the opening ten overs before Traveeen Mathew struck with a wicked delivery that removed Sayedi. Kharote departed in the very next over and when skipper Suliman Safi was trapped LBW after making just one, Afghanistan were reeling.

Ijaz Ahmadzai lost his wicket without troubling the scoreboard, but fellow middle-order batsman Abdul Hadi was able to steady the

ship with a crucial knock. The left-hander came to the crease with his team struggling, but he managed to make 37, including four boundaries, before he was stumped after a clever delivery from Dunith Wellalage.

Vinjua Ranpul then helped clear-out the tail for Sri Lanka, ending with a five-wicket haul at the expense of just ten runs.

When he trapped Izharulhaq Naveed, Afghanistan were all out for just 134 runs.

The Sri Lankan reply was on shaky ground from the start.

Opener Sadisha Rajapaksa went for a duck in the opening over, and his replacement Shevon Daniel went for just two after he was clean bowled by Bilal Sami.

After 13 overs, they were in a worse position than Afghanistan were during their innings. Nor Ahmed then produced a cracking delivery to remove Ranuda Somarathne and put Sri Lanka in real trouble.

From that point, their dreams of lifting a first ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup were fading fast. However, the eight wicket partnership between captain Wellalage and Raveen de Silva looked like it might save the day, taking Sri Lanka from 43 runs for seven to 112.

Kharote then took the crucial wicket of the skipper, who played cheaply, before Naveed claimed the wicket of de Silva to set-up a nerve jangling finish. Sri Lanka got to within five runs of victory, but their fourth run-out of the innings cost Mathew the final wicket and gave Afghanistan a dramatic victory.

Friday 28 January fixtures:

STSC to host day of sports on February 6 The South Turkeyen Sports Committee will be hosting a pre-mash day of sports on February 6 at C Field Second Block, Sophia commencing at 09:00hrs.

Teams will compete in 3a-side small goal football at the U-14 and senior levels while there will also be king and queen dominoes.

The committee is seeking sponsorship in the form of trophies, medals and cash prizes for the winning and runner-up teams. Interest sponsors can contact the committee on 666 2950.

All covid-19 regulations will be observed.

Meanwhile, Roshad McKenzie’s team defeated Brandon Wray’s team 2-0 in the STSC U14 3-a-side small goal competition which was contested recently. In the senior division, Akim McKenzie’s team needled Keron Gary McPherson’s team 1-0.

McKenzie slotted home the winning goal which landed him the MVP prize.

Trophies and medals were donated by Bannas Foundation and Johnny Barnwell.

Bannas Foundation also presented football attire to the U14 players in Sophia.

Super League: Quarter-Final, Pakistan v Australia; Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground Plate: Semi-Final, UAE v West Indies; Queens Park Oval Play-off Semi-Final: Uganda v PNG; Diego Martin Sporting Complex All matches start at 09:00hrs local time

PAGE 23

Afghanistan players celebrate as they claim the last wicket to defeat Sri Lanka by four runs in the ICC U19 CWC on Thursday in Antigua.

(Photo credit - ICC Media)

PAGE 24

Friday January 28, 2022

Kaieteur News

BCB/Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh U15 Trials...

Ivan Madray XI wins tournament; final match set for Saturday

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is cur rently hosting a three match tournament as it continue preparations for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board Under-15 Inter County tournament. The BCB Selection Committee, chaired by Balram Samaroo last weekend had named three teams to play in the three match tournament to come up with a 15member team.

The three teams were named after the first three test players from the county, John Trim, Rohan Kanhai and Ivan Madray.

On Saturday last, the Ivan Madray XI defeated John Trim XI by five runs at Albion Ground and returned on Wednesday to defeat Rohan Kanhai X1 by 120 runs at the Jai Hind Ground.

On Saturday, Madray XI batting first were dismissed

for 129 off 49.5 overs with Jayden Edwards 29, Dave Prettipal 19, Sohail Mohamed 15 and Aiden Semple 10 the leading scorers. Bowling for Trim XI; Gilbert Griffith took 2-13 with one apiece for Arif Khan, Matthew Perriera and Akash Sukhlall.

In response Trim XI were dismissed for 124 from 47 overs.

Vishal Williams 28, Farhan Ballee 12 and Navin Boodwah 11 top scored while Engrique

Mickle snared 3-13 and offspinner Richard Ramdehol, 23, Dave Prettipal and Abdullah Azad took a wicket apiece as well.

On Wednesday last, the eventual champions batting first rattled up an imposing 256 for 9 from their 50 overs with skipper Sohail Moahamed top scoring with 49; he received support from Razam Kobeer with 34, Adrain Hetmyer 31 and Dave Pretpal

2 4 .

The most successful bowlers for Kanhai XI were Ravin Boodwah 3-10, Yoganand Mohan 2-17 and Rosahwn Crandon 1-22.

Needing 257 from 50 overs to win, Kanhai XI were bowled out for 130 runs from 37.3 overs.

Ricardo Ramdehol was the leading batsman with 24, Roshawn Crandon 20 not out and D. Samaroo 19.

Bowling for Madray X1, Lall Behari had 2-11 and G. Mickle 2-13. The final match would be played tomorrow at the Chesney Ground between the Rohan Kanhai XI and John Trim XI. The BCB Selectors would select the Berbice team on Sunday.

The matches are being sponsored by BCB overseas donor, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh.

Kaieteur News

Friday January 28, 2022

PAGE 25

Harpy Eagles 4-day trial game…

Barnwell returns to National Trials with pugnacious 66; Shares 99-run 9th wicket stand with Junior Sinclair

By Sean Devers A 99-run ninth wicket stand between the experienced the Chris Barnwell and the promising Junior Sinclair rescued Leon Johnson's X1 from a precarious position of 49-8 on the second day of the Guyana Harpy Eagles third and final four-day trial game at Providence yesterday.

The matches are being used to select Guyana's team for their first two games in the 2022 First-Class season with the renamed 'Harpy Eagles' expected to leave for Trinidad on February 6. At stumps yesterday, Keemo Paul's X1 were 112-6 in their second innings enjoying a lead of 144 runs with four wickets in hand going into today's penultimate day.

Paul's X1 lost Trevon Griffith (16) off Cameron at 26-1, Ramon Perez (15) LBW to Barnwell and Movindra Dindyal who played a big drive at a ball he could have left alone and edged Cameron, one of a good of young fast bowlers, to leave the score on 51-3.

Kemol Savory and Akshaya Persaud took the score to 105 before Savory (23) was

LBW to Gudakesh Motie and Persaud (36) was LBW to Anthony Adams at 112-6.

Earlier, Paul's X1 which made 182 in their first innings, bowled out Johnson's X1 for 150 despite the batting of Barnwell who made 66 from 119 balls, 150 minutes with 10 boundaries and 20-year-old Sinclair, whose entertaining 41 included four fours and two sixes and came from 61 balls and 97 minutes.

Nail Smith (4-40), Keon Joseph (2-13) and Ronsford Beaton's 2-27 took the wickets for Paul's X1. On a day blessed with glorious sunshine, Paul's X1 resumed at 179-9 and quickly lost Smith (2) LBW to Motie.

Johnson's X1 began their reply in sweltering heat on a track with a tinge of grass with good pace and carry and were immediately on the back foot when Tagenarine Chanderpaul fell to Beaton for two at 3-1 before the lively Smith bowled Chanderpaul Hemraj (15) at 21-2 to trigger a familiar batting collapse seen at all levels of West Indies cricket,

by Lunch the score was an embarrassing 48-7.

Vishaul Singh, who hit three

fours including a hook off a fired-up Keon Joseph and Tevin Imlach (7) carried the to 38 under a blue sky and lush green and lightning fast outfield, before Imlach was L B W t o S m i t h .

Wicket-Keeper Anthony Bramble (1) did not last long and was soon stupendously taken at first slip by Griffith, diving low to his left as Joseph from West Berbice, struck at 39-4. The 33-yearold Singh had his leg stump knocked out by Smith without addition to the score.

Smith, who like West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd, plays for New Amsterdam side Tuber Park, comprehensively bowled Sachin Singh for a duck as he was beaten for pace, playing back, at 43-6.Pestano, who awkwardly fended a quick short ball from Smith, was soon removed by Joseph on the stroke off Lunch. Just after the interval, Renaldo Ali-Mohamed fell for a duck to leave the score on 49-8.

But Barnwell took the attack the bowlers with some imperious extra cover drives and cuts past point for boundaries on the lightning fast outfield. Junior Sinclair started cautiously and along

New GPC Inc. to fund GCF online Education Programme

Nathan Gurcharran The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is elated to announce further financial support towards its online programme for teaching the sport to young Guyanese.

The New GPC Inc. has donated 100,000 for the purchase of premium “gold” licenses on Chesskid.com, the online platform used by the Federation to introduce young players to the game of chess and also for them to access the numerous chess lessons and puzzles.

With this donation, 31 children will have access to

Chesskid.com for free in 2022. Gold membership on the Chesskid.com platform allows children the opportunity to access an unlimited number of puzzles, tactical exercises, challenges, educational videos and lessons among other learning resources.

Young chess players will have the opportunity to learn and play online chess with their peers as well as players from around the globe.

This support will be especially invaluable since the GCF has seen its membership triple over the

last three months as the chess in schools programme continues to expand.

Also, as the sport has begun to venture out of Georgetown, there are plans to expand the sport to Linden and Essequibo in the coming months.

The New GPC Inc. is a top local manufacturer and d i s t r i b u t o r o f pharmaceutical products in Guyana.

The GCF wishes to thank the New GPC Inc. for its generous contribution towards development of chess in Guyana.

with Barnwell embarked on 'operation rebuild' as Barnwell showed the value of experience.As Sinclair gained in confidence, the partnership blossomed as Barnwell, not invited to the first two trials in Berbice, reached his half-century from 65 balls, 96 minutes with 10 fours.After getting to 41, Sinclair who has been very impressive in his first National Senior Trials, was caught and bowled by West Indies left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul at 148-9, before Barnwell was removed by West Indies offspinner Kevin Sinclair leave Motie on two.

Chris Barnwell smashes Nial Smith for four in his entertaining 66 at Providence yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

GCB name Guyana Harpy Eagles squad for first two rounds of WI Championship 2022 The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has announced a 15-man squad for the first and second rounds of the West Indies Championship 2022. The Guyana Harpy Eagles will play Windward Inlands Volcanoes from February 9-12, 2022 and Leeward Islands Hurricanes from February 16-19, 2022. Both matches will be played at Q u e e n ' s P a r k O v a l i n Tr i n i d a d .

The Guyana Harpy Eagles squad: Leon Johnson (Captain), Keemo Paul (Vice Captain), Chandrapaul Hemraj, TagenarineChanderpaul, Vishaul Singh, Askhaya Persaud, Anthony Bramble, Tevin

Imlach, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Nial Smith, Clinton Pestano, Shimron Hetmyer, Keon Joseph and Antony Adams.

The reserves are: Kemol Savory, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Ronsford Beaton, Trevon Griffith and D e m i t r i C a m e r o n .

The squad and reserves are currently engaged in the third and final trial match at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence after which preparation will continue with intensive practice and fitness training under watchful eyes of the team management lead

by Head Coach, Esuan Crandon.

NSC hails 2022 National Budget as most wide-ranging and transformational The National Sports Commission (NSC) has dubbed the 2022 National Budget, read by the Hon. Ashni Singh as the most comprehensive and transformational in Guyana's history and has almost doubled that given to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport last year.

The allotment to the NSC will ensure that the local sport fraternity has a reinforced foundation which will allow associations to better march to the rhythms of progress.

The recent budget allocation to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport does not only have historic significance for the NSC and sport in Guyana, but reaffirms that the PPP/C Government's manifesto promises are being delivered.

“We recognise that in less than two years the government has remained true to its word

by not only returning sport from being a department to its rightful place of a ministry, but also to provide resources that adequately caters for Guyana to take its rightful place among the best in the world of sport.

The 2022 budget disbursement will allow sportsmen, w o m e n a n d associations to breath even easier as they can stand certain of solid support from the NSC, which has strengthened its relationship with the fraternity through monthly engagement with associations.”The NSC takes this opportunity to applaud the Irfaan Ali led Government's unflinching support which further enhances the development of sport, allows for more and better equipped facilities, stronger support for athletes and sustained development of officials.

Cristy Campbell - GTA President

Youths would now be able to access chess lessons and puzzles with the New GPC sponsorship.

New GPC Inc. to fund GCF online Education Programme Afghanistan join England in ICC U19 Men's CWC Super League Semis

GTA President welcomes amplified allocation of funds in 2022 National Budget

NSC hails 2022 National Budget as most wide-ranging and transformational

Dr. Ashni Singh during the 2022 Budget presentation on Wednesday last.

Mr. Charles Ramson - Hon. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport

t r o Sp

Aubrey Hutson - AG President

Godfrey Munroe - President GTTA

Boxing, Tennis & Athletics bodies satisfied $2.2B allocation for Sports in historic 2022 National Budget p.29

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