Kaieteur News

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Venezuela says NEWS Guyana, Caricom on hostile manipulation campaign AIETEUR

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Saturday Edition January 30, 2021 - Vol. 15 No. 04

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 86,578

Flaring at Liza well to increase as ship’s gas compressor malfunctions again p.

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Guyana’s high quality oil allowed it to survive COVID-19 storm - Analyst Man gets 18 Wanted man Forensic audit requested months for killed following into overpass exposing penis to his mother gunshot to left eye elevators p.

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Prosecutor pussyfooting on murder case of money changer, daughter p.

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Dutch court orders Guyana bans air petroleum giant travel from to pay Nigerian Brazil for p.

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farmers for oil leaks

30 days

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Listen to a fiery discussion on how ExxonMobil has disregarded the safety of the Guyanese people, to increase returns to its shareholders at 11:00 hrs on 99.1/99.5FM Kaieteur Radio!

Kaieteur News

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Saturday January 30, 2021

Guyana bans air travel from Brazil for 30 days The Guyana-Brazil land border in Region Nine

The Eugene F. Correia International Airport

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he National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) has suspended air travel from Brazil for the next 30 days in light of the new COVID-19 variant detected there. This ban comes as a

part of the government's increased effort to curb the spread of the new variant here, given Brazil's proximity and the nation's lack of testing capacity.

The Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation

Authority, Egbert Fields told Kaieteur News yesterday, that the order was given by the NCTF on Thursday which took immediate effect following their pronouncement.

The new variant that was

detected in Brazil earlier this month has been identified as the “P.1” strain which is said to be highly infectious, meaning that it spreads faster and more easily.

It is of three new mutations found between the

last quarter of 2020 to January. The other two strains are the B-117 strain found in the United Kingdom and the 501Y.V2 strain which was identified in South Africa.

Notably, as air travel from the country is now restricted and the Takatu land border crossing in Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo) which links Guyana to Brazil is also closed, persons from Brazil can no longer travel to Guyana through the official points of entry. The land border has been closed since March last year when Guyana shut down all

borders after recording its first case.

J u s t r e c e n t l y, t h e Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony had announced that the land border will remain closed as the government is extremely concerned about the newly detected strain, and a possible spread to Guyana that could overwhelm the health system.

He lamented that it is a health hazard for a country like Guyana, saying, “And if this is more transmissible, then more people are going to get infected and if more people are going to get (continued on page 8)

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 03

Flaring at Liza well to increase as ship's gas compressor malfunctions again

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l a r i n g a t ExxonMobil's Liza Destiny FPSO will increase above pilot levels after a technical issue with the ship's gas compressor was encountered.

This was reported yesterday by the oil giant's subsidiary, Es s o E x p l o r a t i o n a n d Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

In an operations update, ExxonMobil said that the issue relates to the seal on the gas compressor. It said that malfunction will cause a temporarily increase in flaring in order to maintain safe operations.

Commenting on the matter, Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana said, “We are disappointed that this

unexpected issue has occurred and we're working diligently with the vessel's owner and the equipment vendor to understand and fix the issue as quickly as possible.�

The statement noted too that government authorities have been informed and regular updates will be provided.

Questions were posed to Exxon's Public and Government Affairs Advisor, Janelle Persaud, by Kaieteur News and other media entities as to whether the temporary increase in flaring will exceed 15 million cubic feet per day and whether production will be at a slower pace.

In response, Persaud stated that later updates will be provided.

It was only last year December that the company reported that it had successfully commissioned the gas injection system, which was fixed months after malfunctioning.

That state of affairs had resulted in over one billion cubic feet of gas being flared along with the release of toxic chemicals.

Exxon was only meant to briefly flare gas at project start-up in late December 2019 to test and fully commission the gas compression and injection systems at the site.

However, the company would end up flaring gas way longer than expected, for more than a year in fact.

According to an Environment Protection

Man gets 18 months for exposing penis to his mother

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man was yesterday found guilty of exposing his penis to his mother and he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

The defendant, Randy Joseph, 29, of Determa Street, Mackenzie, Linden, appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune in the Linden Magistrate's Court.

Joseph made his first court appearance on October 21, 2020, and he denied the charge which stated that on October 17, 2020, at Determa Street, he exposed his genitals to his mother.

In handing down her ruling, Magistrate Fortune stated that the prosecution

has produced enough evidence against Joseph and as such, sentenced him to 18 months behind bars.

According to the facts of the charge, Joseph lives with his mother, and on the day in question he took off his clothes walked into his mother's bedroom and played with his penis in front of her. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. Joseph was later arrested and charged with the exposure of his genitals.

Kaieteur News understands that Joseph was previously charged with felonious wounding committed on his mother.

Flaring at the Liza Destiny FPSO

A g e n c y ( E PA ) b r i e f , ExxonMobil had said that the third stage-flash gas compressor and suction silencer had been sent for repairs in Germany and were returned to the Liza Destiny FPSO in late October, 2020.

The EPA had said that

same was being reinstalled and was expected to restart functioning in midNovember. Exxon, according to the November update, had expected the equipment to take one to two weeks of testing to confirm that the repairs and modifications

Nigerian wanted for fraud

A

ed: Want Victor a Chiamwunonso k Nigerian man is wanted by the Chu

Guyana Police Force (GPF) for questioning in relation to falsely obtaining $13,000,000 between January 3, 2020, and November 6, 2020, from Bhagwaindai Azimulah.

Anyone with information on the w h e r e a b o u t s o f C h i a m a Vi c t o r Chukwunonso, 41, of Lot 3538 Stevedore Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt and Lot 143 Campbellville Avenue, Georgetown, is asked to contact the police on telephone numbers; 226-6978, 225-8196, 226-2870, 226-7065, 227-1149, 226-7065, 225-6940, 911 or the nearest police station.

worked.

Notably, at the end of October, the company had flared more than 16 million cubic feet of natural gas, thereby making Guyana one of the top five countries in the world for volume flared per year, per capita.

PAGE 4

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 30, 2021

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

Raising the debt ceiling Of course, this was always in the works and budgetary matters had to come down to this. That is, raising the debt ceiling. In view of the many billions that were and are now so casually spoken of, and engaged in, it should be clear to any right thinking and concerned citizen - all Guyanese citizens - that this spells serious trouble for today and tomorrow. And we at this paper say this, because it should be more and more obvious that the nation’s debt ceiling does not have a limitation, that what is already high is going to break through restraints, because under the current administration, there is no such care or concern.

In the almost six months that the PPP/C government has been in office, there has been one abiding characteristic that has surged close to the top. It has been borrow and borrow, and then borrow some more. It is no longer even in the millions, but billions of dollars, with the count still going on in the usual carefree manner. This government is behaving like a drunken sailor on an extended shore rampage, splurging and spending at will, and for anything and everything, that attracts human fancy. We remember the miners (pork-knockers) of old, who having made a strike engaged in a free for all celebration, an endless round of such.

It has been borrowing to address COVID-19 pandemic needs, which is certainly an area with which there can be no quarrel, no complaint, and especially when clear and clean accountability accompanies such borrowings and related spending. As to be expected, part of the massive borrowing requirement has been placed squarely at the feet of the previous coalition government, which was involved in numerous costly excesses that have since come to light.

That was safe and sure to be found appealing, though somewhat timeworn and overdone at this stage. But it is a target that cannot be ignored, or a well aimed shot not to be passed by, when it cannot be robustly defended.

In all of this, there has been interest, and some concern, about where the funding was going to be sourced from relative to the mini-budget measures announced by His Excellency last year. Again, it cannot be contested that some of the relief measures put in place were most timely, and made a difference in the lives of many Guyanese, particularly those on the lower end of the economic and social ladders. But there was some alarm then, which is intensified even more so now, as to how all of the spending programmes were going to be funded. Running a huge deficit or taking full advantage of many readily available and enthusiastic lenders was among the options believed to be on the table.

Well, the flurry of borrowings in the last several months did provide an indication of what was the mindset of government leaders. So, that has been put to rest, but it is a restless state, now compounded by astonishing budgetary moves. The problem is that now the senior minister responsible for the nation’s finances has moved to the National Assembly to table two orders seeking clearance to increase this country’s debt ceiling. It is not just that he is the point man signalling where the PPP/C is heading (and taking us willingly or unwillingly with it), but of the staggering amounts that are involved.

The orders speak of increasing domestic debt by a whopping 233 percent and external debt by 65 percent. Those are not chickenfeed numbers, and when translated into dollars, the heaviness of the burdens intended to be heaped on present and future generations are stupefying. On the domestic front, the increase proposed is by $350 billion from $150 to $500 billion. There is nothing incremental about such numbers, but the equivalent of mortgaging the house several times over, with liens all over the place. They are going to come due at some time, and no matter how generous and ‘soft’ those borrowings are, they can come back to haunt.

It is our belief that a more gradual vision and approach would get some mouthwatering projects done, while not saddling us to the albatross of weighty debts and debtors hanging around the nation’s neck. It does not have to be every expensive thing under the sun and all at once.

And it is so, because when that 65% (another $250 billion) increase sought for foreign debt is contemplated,

Budget ceiling - the latest confirmed how things will be DEAR EDITOR, Guyanese should never be amazed at the audacity and arrogance of the current PPP government; I have been there for the longest time.

Those two recent Orders placed before the House of the People to increase the budget ceiling, stand as confirming testimony of how PPP leaders operate and conduct the business of this country today and what they hang over the nation’s head.

I will not quantity or offer comments specific to what was recently brought before the National Assembly by the Hon. Minister responsible for Finance in the Office of the President, which circuitous arrangement I hope that I got right. But I will tender this, and in a measured manner, so that a sober pausing will come, and still more thoughtful probing will follow. What the Hon. Minister put before the legislature is very specific, regarding the numbers envisioned that are going to be needed to assist in riding the tides of the past, and the challenges from and visions for the future.

That cumulative proposed addition of six hundred billion dollars to the nation’s debt ceiling is not spare change or beer

money; for those associated percentages choke in the contemplation, and especially since they have all been packaged in one overpowering dose. It is like rushing forward and diving into the unknown (think COVID-19 pandemic vaccine) and all in one heavy shot right from the get-go. It is almost too much for the mind to manage.

Editor, I agree that much damage was inflicted by the shenanigans of the last government, but I am watching and learning how those are being amplified to justify in part the extravagant (some may say obscene budget sums for domestic and foreign debt ceilings). I sense the rafters are being removed, and Guyanese are going to get soaking wet with debt and sick from the storms that could come.

I say this because, beyond any doubt, the PPP government is placing its borrowing eggs in relation to the offset of a single basket.

That basket is oil, and anticipated oil revenue streams, that promise the enriching and regal. They conveniently forget that the oil market is volatile and cyclical, and that the downdrafts can be long and

draining. That is when that debt ceiling, which will be approved along straight party lines, is going to trap and hold hostage Guyanese under conditions not to be pondered today.

Separately, it is noteworthy that the PPP, via this debt ceiling exercise in the National Assembly, is clear and open with what it wants and how it desires to make good on its visions.

What is also noteworthy and stands in stark contrast, is that government leaders have been neither clear nor open, in the least, on the very underpinnings of what will be used to collateralize and float that increased debt ceiling, and all of its related expensive servicing. His Excellency, President Ali has not been clear or open, merely stingy and sneaky with any information sharing on oil projects, oil reports, oil reviews, and oil developments. His comrade in arms, or commander in chief, the Hon. Vice President, also has been incomparably exemplary in walking between raindrops, dancing on pinheads, and shrinking and skulking from anything that should be disclosed to the Guyanese public on the nation’s oil activities, as a

simple issue of their need to know. Both the President and Vice President, through the minister responsible for finance, tell us a mouthful and the potentially bone crushing about debt ceilings. But as matters relate to the real stories behind all that is going on with this oil, they have mostly been utterly silent. They release what is pleasing to them; they share what does no harm to their hidden interests; and, by those same tokens, they conceal the bulk of the details, as to what is being done right, what is suspected to be all wrong, and of which there are no intentions to cure.

Because of all this, one is hard pressed to welcome still this oil of ours as a blessing, not when it is being rapidly and doggedly converted into a confirmed curse, thanks to the underhanded actions of the PPP government, with tacit assistance from what is now a lost and ramshackle opposition. I would strongly suggest that Guyanese manage themselves as to what they should expect from this fossil fable of ours, which may turn out to be just that in the long run.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

The right to inclusive decision-making DEAR EDITOR, The next few months are critical for shaping the legal and policy framework that will govern Guyana for years to come. Government has indicated its intent to move forward on electoral and constitutional reform – albeit as two distinct processes.

Reform of the all-important Natural Resources Fund Act (NRFA) is also on the cards.

While this resolve is good news, the factor determining the success of these undertakings will be how well public consultation on them is managed.

In a world dominated by money, consultation is vulnerable to being undermined by ‘State capture,’ a situation in which

laws and policies are effectively shaped by powerful groups and individuals to their own advantage.

Guyana’s woefully flawed political system, already deficient in accountability to voters, is particularly vulnerable to capture of this nature.

For any claim to inclusivity in decision-making to be meaningful, a robust challenge to elite capture of the Guyanese State is needed. The most significant civic achievement in this respect came in the form of securing inclusion of Article 13 in the Constitutional Reform process of 2001.

Article 13 guarantees “No person shall be hindered in the enjoyment

there is little left by the way of optimism. Running up enormous debt (over a half trillion dollars in one swoop), and gambling recklessly, but hopefully, against future oil revenue streams, has been the failed way of other Third World countries, as piloted by their corrupt leaders, who dug huge debt holes for their societies, while lavishly helping themselves to many of those billions in borrowings, and then leaving the already poor people poorer than before.

This is the disastrous fate at which Guyanese stare, and mostly uncaringly. Our citizens are so partisan, so unthinking, so far gone, that they ignore (or submit passively to) the yokes that are wrapped around them. These immense budget increases spell danger, they speak to hard troubles down the road.

of participating through cooperatives, trade unions, civic or socio-economic organisations of a national character, in the management and decisionmaking processes of the State.” However, to date no substantive gains from this achievement have been realized.

Article 13 represents the most advanced articulation of good governance in Guyanese law.

This formulation recognizes the civic sector organizations as constitutional actors in meaningful and effective decision-making in public life.

The reality, however, is that governments, despite the constitutional weight of Article 13, have continued to be disdainful of civil society as a sector. In this respect, Guyana lags behind other CARICOM countries. The GHRA, for example as a local not-for-profit organisation, was legally incorporated in 1979 as a Company Limited

by Guarantee and required to file company tax returns at the end of every year. While the format has somewhat changed, the alternatives to company’s incorporation retains legal and patronizing (Continued on page 6)

Warning signs of white elephants DEAR EDITOR, Recently there has been news of numerous hotels about to be built in Guyana.

Are you serious? During this time, there is no tourism industry due to the effects of COVID-19. No one knows when this pandemic will end.

Even at the best of times, some hotels in Guyana struggle and you want to build more hotels without a

tourism industry?

These are clearly White Elephants projects. They are not feasible.

I just hope that it is not taxpayers’ monies being used to finance these hotels.

Whose idea was it anyway to build hotels during a pandemic, when there is no tourism industry?

Yours faithfully Sean Ori

Saturday January 30, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Lessons we must learn as we recollect Ghandi’s assassination DEAR EDITOR, In another few hours, we will be observing the 73rd anniversary of the assassination of Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi, the renowned and respected Mahatma.

On the early morning of 30th January 1948, on his way to daily prayers, an extremist Nathuran Vinayak Godse, 36 years old, Hindu extremist, shot and killed Ghandi.

The world was shocked as we tried to come to terms with the irony of Ghandi’s killing.

The irony is that he lived his life proposing nonviolence but violence was used against him.

But as we ponder on the irony, there are significant lessons that each and every one of us, particularly Guyanese, need to benefit from.

First, beware of and be able to identify the extremists in our midst. They have always and continue to be a danger, and we saw this manifest itself in the US in Washington on January 6, 2021 and we have them in Guyana.

I remain hopeful that we learn lessons, notwithstanding humankind’s inability to learn

from our experiences.

It is hoped that as a Nation, we can overcome this serious weakness.

Second lesson: We must learn as a people to help ourselves out of all difficulties.

Ghandi, after obtaining his law degrees, spent 21 years in South Africa, where he encountered injustice and arrogance of the apartheid regime in South Africa supported by the super power in Western Europe.

Information available suggests that the Mahatma concentrated on improving the conditions under which the Indians and the coloured people lived in South Africa.

As Immigrants, their horrible and unaccepted conditions were similar to those experienced by Immigrants who came to Guyana beginning after 1834.

Some students have criticized Ghandi for ignoring the plight of the black Africans in Southern Africa.

I don’t necessarily share this criticism, for here comes the lesson.

Ghandi was a Hindu and therefore empathized with his kith and kin in South Africa and the mixed group, described as coloured.

The lesson is people must

not expect outsiders to deal with their suffering and discrimination.

It is the duty and the responsibility for those suffering to throw up from among themselves men and women to provide leadership by articulating their cause and being prepared to make sacrifices.

If those suffering are unable, unwilling or just too lazy to stand up and fight, they deserve a place of inferiority in the scheme of things in the state in which they live.

This is the law of human nature.

Third lesson: Ghandi like Mandela, Martin Luther King (Jnr), Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Fidel Castro, Mao-Tse-tung, Emmeline Pankhurst, etc., were all relatively young people when they inveighed against the injustice of imperial-like domination.

Lesson for our young people.

In all our political and social institutions, the young must shed this philosophy of entitlement noticeable in a few instances. We need young people urgently at this stage of our development.

However, it must be

The real staffing question on Oil and Gas DEAR EDITOR, In all the articles written

by KN, regarding critical areas, such as the Lack of independent reviews, Feasibility studies, Oil audits, Lack of environmental impact assessment documentation, and so forth; there is one factor that enough emphasis isn’t being placed on, and that is -The Staffing Narrative. Not all of the areas mentioned above, can be achieved, if the skilled staffers are not in place to get these items done - and that is the bottom line.

Oil and Gas Issues are new to Guyana, so who are the staff in Guyana that are expected to address these issues and provide the necessary documentation?

Do they already have the prerequisite skills and years

working in the Oil and Gas Industry? If not, then that possibly is the CORE of these problems. I for one don’t believe there are many professionals in the diaspora with the necessary experience in Oil and Gas, or Environmental issues as a whole, to even tap from either.

A huge diaspora talent pool just isn’t there for Oil and Gas. We Guyanese don’t gravitate to this field, so is the government going to place job vacancies on “Glassdoor’’ which is a free and massive global website for employees and skilled candidates in so many industries, from mid-level to executive, full time, part time, even a consultancy gig? Even a rich talent pool can be found for an EPA director, which

itself needs specific knowhow.

(Why keep embarrassing ourselves in front of the foreign investors and business people new to Guyana, who will draw “conclusions” about us Guyanese; based on our decision making process, while they are sitting by the sea wall.)

This is a global economy, dominated by Zoom for a long time. Qualified candidates in Oil and Gas don’t even have to live in Guyana. A few corporate trips to Guyana for short stays will suffice - otherwise the nation will be spinning in circles and chasing its own tails, on this subject matter.

Yours faithfully Chi Kansi

young people who are willing to make personal and other sacrifices, in pursuit of their desire, to play a leading role in national affairs.

They must be saturated with traditions and take advantage of past experiences to advance education, in and out of the classroom to agitate where there is wrongdoing, irrespective of who the perpetrators are.

Confident that only this process can earn them the prize of liberation and leadership.

Lesson Four: as a people we must practice and come to really believe the value of tolerance and to respect the culture and beliefs of other people, and beyond that take heed of this profound statement by Ghandi G “ I came to the conclusion long ago that all religions were true, and also, that all had some error in them, and whilst I hold my own, I should hold others as dear as Hinduism, so we can only pray if we are Hindus, not that a Christian should become a Hindu but our

innermost prayer should be a Hindu, should be a better Hindu, a Muslim, a better Muslim, a Christian, a better Christian.” End of quote.

This is an important lesson as we celebrate the life and death of the Mahatma.

We must be passionate and proud to be who we are, whether it be black, brown or white, but that should not allow us to demean or feel that the other man’s religion and cultural practices are inferior to ours.

The extremist who killed Ghandi was upset because Ghandi attempted to place Hinduism, Christianity and Islam on the same footing.

Recall once, when posed with an aggressive question, Ghandi said, “Yes I am, I am also a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist and a Jew, and so are we.”

The lesson here, only tolerance and knowledge of all of your environment will allow us a peaceful path to progress.

Lesson Five: we must never become frustrated and give up the struggle for what is right.

Today, many Indians in South Africa do not know a lot about Ghandi because the educational system kept Ghandi’s work hidden.

This generation is taking corrective measures.

Happily, after 1994, when Nelson Mandela became Prime Minister of South Africa, the apartheid laws were dismantled and gave equality to blacks, coloured, Indians and whites.

At all times, while observing people of a different complexion, texture of hair or orientation, we must judge and deal with people, not based on any of those divisive conditions but only by their diligence, hard work, study and good character.

These are some of the lessons we must learn as we recollect Ghandi’s assassination.

To the young people I listen to on television, I am happy that many of them are forward thinking and can be considered genuine patriots.

Let them keep up their good work.

Yours faithfully, Hamilton Green

Don’t let Panday go from GuySuCo DEAR EDITOR, GuySuCo should not let Mr. Vishnu Panday go as Manager of Skeldon Estate as reported in SN some time ago.

Everyone I interacted with feels his skills, experience, and expertise in the sugar industry should be exploited for the benefit of the industry.

In fact, it would be better if Mr. Panday were elevated at

some high-level position in central management at GuySuCo, perhaps Deputy CEO with specific responsibilities. He is competent and experienced in so many areas of production that he would fit in at virtually any level of the hierarchical chain of the organization.

Sugar or GuySuCo cannot fail. So many jobs depend on

it. It contributed significantly to the growth and development of the country and still plays a leading role. I travelled around sugar estate communities. I observe the suffering of the people and how they were impoverished by the coalition regime. I grieve for the people living in the abandoned sugar (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

Responding to Maduro’s direct threat DEAR EDITOR, That the Venezuelan’s state of readiness to fight a war for their ‘Guayana Esequiba’ is now at a point approaching “ground-zero” for the residents of East Bank Essequibo, which is very close to my home on the West Coast of Demerara, is troubling to me, and well as being a former officer in the Canadian Army, Combat Arms component, in the Regular Force, and who has studied military law and passed same, through the Officer Professional Development Programme offered to servicemen by National Defence Headquarters, I have profound interest in knowing of the planning and execution of any Defence plans or policies of Dr. Irfaan Ali, since he is the Commander of the GDF, as

ultimately, those plans and policies are his responsibility as Executive President, not Carl Greenidge or Hugh Todd, as neither of these two Guyanese can plan and execute policies dealing with Guyana’s National Defence.

As I understand it, Mr. Maduro, is strongly backed by all Venezuelans, male and female, adults and children, and that they all collectively have one single sole desire – that is to say, to “reconquer Guayana Esequiba” and they have given Maduro that mandate. This saw a unanimous, accordant and consentaneous backing by all political factions in Venezuela’s National Assembly.

Indeed, Maduro’s decree has seen full legal vetting and was gazetted last week.

Venezuela can simply now

declare war and kill each and every individual who is seen as a threat to their national security anywhere in the Guayana Esequiba zone, and no one can say, or prove, they can’t, according to Venezuelan constitutional and military laws.

I have heard that during January 2021, the Minister responsible for this matter, the Honourable Hugh Todd, sees it as a threat to Guyana’s sovereignty, and has started to be in a state of readiness, aspiring to pre-empt Maduro’s actions, so he says.

Guyana, I feel, can’t procrastinate its military involvement in the matter, as it is indeed a matter that comes squarely under that sector. One can’t sit back and wait for a legal process to unfold, troubling as it is, especially when such a

...The right to inclusive decision-making From page 4 restrictions on the voluntary sector. Additional obstacles to voluntary sector development are the absurd requirements imposed by the banking sector, requiring annual financial reports and business plans at the beginning of every year as if non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were operating as businesses.

Indeed, the financial sector’s ability to impose draconian anti-money laundering legislation on every citizen with a private bank account is a prime example of how ‘State capture’ works.

The business community continues to be the default sector for political consultation. No other sector - whether trade union, professional, faith-based or voluntary - enjoys any such privileged access.

This situation is sustained, both financially and politically, by an international community, which has well and truly nailed its colours to the mast of market-driven development. Dutifully attentive politicians lavish tax waivers, duty-free

concessions and all manner of subsidies to keep the sector happy, particularly foreign direct investment.

This mismatch of sectoral access to decision-makers: the one fawned over and the rest left to their own devices is the major challenge to evenhanded consultation on laws and policy. Moreover, the stressfulness of daily living – aggravated by the Coronavirus – also challenges the ambition of participating in policy consultation.

What should be avoided in pursuit of creating a more robust civic sector is a trend surfacing in civil society itself - encouraged by the international community towards creation of a civic equivalent of the Private Sector Commission (PSC).

While the captains of industry and commerce lobbying Government on behalf of the larger business community with its members consent is suited to that sector, this is not an acceptable model for the voluntary sector.

The legitimacy of civic leadership is rooted in grassroots activism. However, the

authentic delegation of power from grass roots in apex organizations is too readily replaced by ‘core groups’ and ‘steering committees’ thereby marginalizing the majority of members.

This process is also undemocratic, leaving the isolated ‘leadership’ ripe for ‘capture’ by political actors.

Trends of more transparent and democratic civic governance better suited to Guyana have begun to emerge in recent years.

During the past administration, the model adopted to manage the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) marked a significant positive development in governance thinking.

Moreover, the fact that the new Administration has elevated governance to Ministerial level also signals an intention to recognize the significance of giving life and substance to Article 13 as a precursor to revitalizing the quality of broad-based consultations.

Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association

process may take a decade to reach its mid-point, if at all, in my humble view, unlike Mr. Greenidge’s anticipation, which is two years, simply by saying that the matter is currently before the ICJ, and therein lies the sole solution to the issue, and waiting a further two years after the midpoint of two years is the best response Guyana must take. I am a Guyanese, and I don’t agree with such a nonchalant “desksitter-paper pusher” response.

My legal position on this issue is that this is not only a jurisdictional matter. This is not only about sovereignty. This is not only about a meeting of the minds between some individuals residing in Europe. This is about protecting one’s own identity, and face an aggressor in an appropriate, modern response in true likeness to what Guyana’s image is. The important collateral issue that I focus on is the fact that Maduro does not recognise another entity or body, save and except, a body consisting of his Venezuelans counterparts and our Guyanese counterparts.

Let me ask a simple question, Editor, if one who is known to

you, Editor, was to come into your backyard situate at Lot 1, Timbuktu, during the night of February 1, 2021, steal your bicycle, kill your dog, imprison your wife, etc., wherein lies your retaliation? We all know every action has a reaction. One cannot wait until, January 1, 2030, some nine years later, to allow other person(s) to deal with the problem at hand, which is essentially between you, the said known person, and the State where you both live. Another question, if you would permit me again Editor, If there is a fire in one’s kitchen, which is two feet away from one’s living room of one’s house wherein houses you and your 10 children, and one wife, which one notices has already started at 07:00 a.m., would it be sensible to wait until 11:00 p.m. to deal with it, would it?

In the first scenario, nine years is surely not the appropriate response as the case will be so dead cold by then, no solution could be derived therefrom. The perpetrator of the act will go scot-free. You have fully contributed to that solution

due to acquiescence to, and full accommodation of, his action by your inaction. In the second scenario, one would surely find nothing to deal with, as the issue will have become moot, for surely, the living room will be destroyed by the fire, which will quickly spread from the kitchen to it, because fire will destroy you, your one wife, and your 10 children – that is the attribute of a fire, it kills each and everyone it envelopes.

Guyana is awaiting a final judgement to uphold the 1899 Arbitral Award, no doubt, in my view, a Don Quixote response in light of the recent developments of imprisonment of three, not one, Editor, boatloads of fellow Guyanese seeking their livelihood, in Venezuelan jails. Editor, I trust you agree with me, that there must be corresponding action being taken by our Government in response to Maduro’s direct threat. If one can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.

Sincerely, M. Shabeer Zafar former Berbice lawyer

...Don’t let Panday go from GuySuCo From page 5 estates; they were left to fend for themselves by thousands, with no jobs. I would very much like to see sugar succeed in Guyana so that depressed communities can be rehabilitated. I am no sugar expert although I studied the role of sugar in development in several countries. I may very well be the only Guyanese who travelled to and studied sugar production in Trinidad, Fiji, Mauritius, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Durban and how Indian companies produce sugar at high returns of profit in remote parts o f A f r i c a .

(Guyanese scholar, Prof.

Paulette Pearce, wrote an excellent book on sugar management at Bookers/ GuySuCo about two decades ago. Paulette and I had the same mentor for our doctoral studies. The book should be read by those working in GuySuCo’s management and ownership). Production costs can be brought down in Guyana well below costs. It requires down to earth management all the way at the field level and empowerment of workers as their own land tillers.

If given ownership, these labourers would transform the entire sugar industry.

GuySuCo is also wreaked of theft of all kinds from labour to materials. Guyana sugar production costs is top heavy in management and capital expenditure with smaller expenditures on lower level labour who performed

slave like work to actually produce the sugar. Cane does not grow in an office. A degree does not make one a cane grower or cane expert.

Too many lives depend on sugar. It can succeed with able, competent, experienced management like Mr. Panday.

I visited Skeldon in November and again earlier this month interacting with sugar workers about his leadership skills. Besides the hundreds currently employed at Skeldon, over a thousand more are seeking employment.

Success at Skeldon will result in their employment. The workers love him and are disturbed that he is leaving.

They are in the dark why he is leaving. They say he is an effective leader, a people’s person, very hard working, assertive, trustworthy, competent and confident of himself.

Regrettably, I could not interact with Mr. Panday on sugar production on his expertise and short term as well as long-term plans for Skeldon. But former colleagues and peers spoke highly of him.

I conversed with former personnel of GuySuCo and ex board members on the imminent departure of Panday as Manager of Skeldon. They all are in agreement that he should not be let go; there is no equivalent replacement for him.

Mr. Panday is perhaps the most experienced and knowledgeable person about

sugar production currently at GuySuCo. He probably has more years in sugar than all the others in management and the board combined. If I am not mistaken, I believe he previously served in management and at a time when sugar was very profitable.

I have not had an opportunity to interact with Panday on challenges at Skeldon or working with the new board and GuySuCo management or on his economic model to transform Skeldon. But as his staff attested, he has been an effective manager for the five months he has headed Skeldon although sources tell me his hands have been tied by the board and central.

Those who worked with him in management endorsed his professionalism and skills in the industry.

They note he has an eye for detail, is organized, has excellent problem-solving skills, motivates and inspires staff, and is results oriented.

He has skills and competence to prepare a budget for the entire industry. He does not feel threatened by peers and subordinates. He motivates workers and builds trusts and relationships with them.

GuySuCo must retain Panday utilizing his expertise to increase cultivation, productivity, and expansion of markets, and to manufacture new products as well value-added packaging that fetches more money.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza, has claimed that Guyana has a “unilateral claim” to the Essequibo region.

How nonsensical it is for Venezuela to claim Guyana has a “unilateral claim” when the Bolivarian Republic is the nation that is increasingly isolated on the international stage while Guyana has the rightful support of the region?

Guyana may be small, but we will not be bullied, and we will not allow a deluded Venezuelan administration to steal our territory from us.

Not a blade of grass!

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Saturday January 30, 2021

Prosecutor pussyfooting on murder case of moneychanger and daughter T

he prosecutor for the murder case of Better Hope m o n e y c h a n g e r, A a r o n Latchman and his 18-yearold daughter Arianna Latchman, seems to be pussyfooting on the matter.

When the matter was called yesterday in the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Alisha George, Police Prosecutor, Vivian Adolph, informed the court that the murder accused who escaped from prison last year is still at large, and that he is yet to seek legal advice on the way forward in the matter from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C. The five accused of the double murder are: Mark Rufino called 'Mark,' 25, a labourer of Parika Facade,

East Bank Essequibo; Paul Chan called 'Long Hair' or 'Anthony,' 37, a conductor of 10 Dennis Street, Sophia, Greater Georgetown; Troy Abrams called 'Troy ' or 'Rasta Man,' 44, a vendor of 34 Middle Street, Agricola, East Bank Demerara; Lloyd Sadloo, 37, self-employed of 220 Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara and Sean Thomas called 'Yankee,' 41, an electrician of 59 William Street, Kitty, Georgetown.

The preliminary inquiry (PI) into the murder case was put on hold last year after Rufino escaped from the Lusignan Prison, East Coast Demerara, between Tuesday October 20, 2020 and Wednesday October 21, 2020. Rufino was among three-murder accused who escaped from the Holding Bay. On October 23, 2020,

swift and tactical action by members of the Joint Services, acting on information received, resulted in two of the escapees being recaptured, while police are still trying to locate Rufino.

On December 14, 2020, Prosecutor Adolph informed the court that Rufino had escaped from prison and asked the court for one month to recapture the prisoner. He also sought the court's permission to seek legal advice.

Yesterday however, the court was informed by the prosecutor that he has not yet obtained legal advice, while Rufino is still at large.

Magistrate George was quick to express her displeasure with the manner in which the prosecutor is h a n d l i n g t h e m a t t e r.

Dead, Arianna Latchman Dead: Aaron Latchman Attorney-at-law, Glenn Hanoman, who is representing Sadloo and attorney-at-law Lyndon Amsterdam, who is representing Thomas, also expressed their dissatisfaction with the progress of the case.

On this premise, Hanoman asked the court to discharge the matter against his client, since the prosecutor has done nothing with the matter since the last hearing, while stating that the prosecution has no evidence against his client.

“The good thing about preliminary inquiries is that you can discharge the matter

against my client and when the prosecution has enough evidence, the police can always re-arrest and charge my client,” Hanoman stated.

Amsterdam in his address to the court stated that an adjournment should only be granted if a satisfactory reason is given by the prosecutor.

Magistrate George then warned the prosecutor that better has to be done and adjourned the matter to Monday February 1, 2021.

The Magistrate then told both lawyers that she would be ready to hear their applications on the next hearing date.

Chan, Abrams, Sadloo and Thomas who are still

Still at large: Mark Rufino incarcerated, were contacted via Skype and provided with updates.

The PI for the matter commenced last February, but since then it has been faced with several delays.

Kaieteur News had reported when the five accused made their first court appearance, that they were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleged that on July 4, 2019, at Robert Street, Better Hope, East Coast Demerara, they murdered the money changer and his daughter during a robbery.

According to reports, on (continued on page 18)

Guyana bans air travel from Brazil...

From page 2 infected, then we can assume that we will get a percentage of them – a higher percentage of them coming into the hospital needing ICU care.”

Kaieteur News understands that while both land and air travel has been restricted, the weekly exchange of goods between both countries will still

continue.

The exercise which is monitored by Guyana and Brazil's health authorities is usually conducted every Thursday at the Takatu land border.

More joint service patrols will be monitoring the land border to ensure there is no illegal crossing at other unofficial points of entry.

Meanwhile, Guyana is still awaiting the COVID-19 test results from the samples sent to the Caribbean Public Health Agency to test for the new variants of the virus.

The testing for the new variants requires genetic sequencing according to Minister Anthony, but both the public and private health system lacks such resources.

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 09

Guyana will become the scrapheap of the oil industry G

uyana is not getting anything free from the oil companies. Guyana is paying for the assets which are being used by these companies in its petroleum operations.

At the end of the agreement, Exxon, CNOOC Nexen and Hess – the signatories of the agreement – will hand over to the Minister all the equipment for which the country has paid in full through cost r e c o v e r y.

For those equipment for which the full cost is not recovered, Guyana has to pay the unrecovered cost of the equipment.

Guyana is therefore the owner of the assets which are being procured, on its behalf by the oil companies. These companies should rightly be paying Guyana for the use of these assets. But they are not, because our visionary leaders did not see the necessity of negotiating for a say in expenses incurred by the oil companies.

The Production Sharing Agreement, signed between the Government of Guyana and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited.

CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited and Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, allows the oil companies free use of what is acquired for their petroleum operations. The agreement goes as far as

Dem

boys seh...

L

ong ago, old people never like fuh go fuh a lil walk. Dat is because, when yuh bin old and feeble, dem young boys and girls does pelt yuh with brick.

Nowadays, dat nah happen but still dem old people nah go fuh walk.

Because now is dem stray dogs wah attacking dem.

Dem stray dogs coming in packs and some of dem look like dem gat rabies. If dem bite yuh is wuss dan de coronavirus.

Long ago dem old men used to gat walking stick.

Dem used to use it fuh

saying these companies shall have free use of any equipment which they had used in a relinquished area and wish to now use in the remaining portion of the concession.

And while we are repaying for the assets which are being used by the oil companies, they are not paying Guyana a fee, rent or lease for their usage. They have free use of everything which is being paid for by us.

At the end of production, we have to still pay them for anything which the full cost has not been recovered. That is tantamount to you having to pay someone for living in your home.

To add insult to injury, the agreement allows for the oil companies free use of the assets by virtue of them signing some other petroleum agreement after the present one expires. In other words, they will have free use to explore and produce oil under another agreement.

These lopsided arrangements have been shoved down our throats.

Exxon is acquiring whatever assets it wants. Guyana has absolutely no say in determining what is acquired, from whom it is acquired and the price at which it is acquired, even though the country will have to repay every blind cent that is spent in petroleum production.

The oil companies are housing their employees at international hotels. Some of them are bringing their pets.

Guyana is fetching the Bill.

These types of expenditure do not require Ministerial consent.

The employees of the company therefore can live lavishly, knowing that Guyana is picking up the tab and has no say in where they stay in Guyana, how much they eat and what they drink.

The Audit report is not going to reprimand managerial decisions of this nature. So the audit is no safeguard against Exxon acquiring super-expensive assets or providing luxury s e r v i c e s a n d accommodation to their staff.

Our leaders have tried all manner of excuses to justify these untenable provisions.

One went as far as saying that the total banking assets of the country is insufficient for the type of investments which are being made by the oil companies. What he did not state, is that these investments are recoverable and therefore we owe no obligations to the oil companies.

Another leader had said that the oil companies were taking a major risk because if they did not find oil, they would have lost their prediscovery exploration costs.

But that leader did not state that when oil was found the

De country going to de dogs! balance. Nuff of dem would ah fall down without dem stick.

These days you see men – young and old – with walking stick. But de stick is not fuh stop dem from falling down. It is fuh fightoff dem stray dogs wah attacking dem pun de road.

One man complaining about de amount of stray dogs dem gat pun de East Coast Road. Dem boys wan tell he is all over de place, not just pun de East Coast dem gat stray dogs. De country literally going to de dogs.

Is plenty stray dogs

around de place. Yuh can hardly walk de streets in peace without some stray dogs trying fuh bite yuh. Dat is why nuff people walking with stick. Is nah stickfighting dem into. Dem need it fuh keep off de dogs.

Long ago, dem never use to call it walking stick. Dem used to call it cane. One day de police arrest a man in Triumph fuh having a pair of canes instead of one. When he ask dem what is de reason fuh arresting him, dem reply, “Fuh co-cane.”

Talk half and na hit dem dogs; dem dog lovers gan tek yuh to court.

entire basin was de-risked and, therefore, this should have formed the basis of renegotiating a proper agreement prior to the granting of a petroleum exploration licence.

When all the surveying, drilling and pumping is completed, the oil companies will dump all the assets for which full

recovery has been paid. They will dump it in Guyana since the contract provides that they have to deliver it to the Minister of Natural Resources.

Guyana will therefore become the scrapheap of the oil companies. It will have to accept all those pipelines and other equipment which the oil companies would have

exhausted in using… and for which Guyana is paying.

That scrap has no resale value. Just like the natural gas which Exxon wants to charge us for transporting to shore!

(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

Saturday January 30, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The big, big question of 2020 T

here is a CNN news programme named “The Situation Room,” that has an interesting journalistic angle. I guess most news features in television stations around the world has that format. After the anchor, Wolf Blitzer goes into each news item, he brings in, CNN's analyst to offer their interpretations of each new event.

That angle in journalism is basic to helping people understand an occurrence that they have seen but would like to know the meaning of these happenings and why they occurred.

Every columnist and television commentator in this day and age receive questions from persons who read what they have written and spoken, and would like to understand more of that event.

I get questions frequently from people through the telephone, emails and text messages, some of which are genuine requests to explain things that they find too strange to comprehend.

People all the time ask me why the WPA turn out to be so terrible.

It was obvious that there would have been a deluge of curiosities from Guyanese

about GECOM chairman Claudette Singh last year. It is clear to anyone who kept abreast with the election rigging that she was the number one person in the news in Guyana whether rightly or wrongly.

I have been asked so many times from Guyanese abroad to explain the world of Singh during the election crisis. What follows here is my own interpretation. It doesn't mean my take is the definitive one. But I have picked up confidential bits and pieces from strategically placed people.

A caveat is in order.

Many explanations here

c o m e f r o m m y understanding of how people should act in certain situations. It doesn't mean I have proof. Many of the theories I will offer here, I have no proof. I simply assume that this could be the reason why Singh did this and did that.

Just one example before I move on. I have no evidence to castigate Ms. Singh for acting in the interest of APNU+AFC. But logical deduction leads me to believe that something was amiss when she did not intervene on We d n e s d a y 4 a n d Thursday 5 to halt Clairmont Mingo's continued presence as a GECOM employee. The proof was being shown to the world that he was tabulating Region Four votes that did not correspond to the statements of poll (SOPs).

Here now is my answer to the big, big question of 2020 - what the reason was for Claudette Singh to have acted the way she did in the five months of election drama? I will divide her conduct into three phases: the pro-APNU+AFC subtle bias; the period of expanding embarrassment, and the stage of persuasion and

coercion.

It seems that from Wednesday, March 4 to Friday March 13, the tabulation for Region Four was terribly flawed and Singh should have stepped in on Saturday, March 14 and issue a rejection edict of the Friday, March 13 action of Mingo. As a former judicial

Frederick Kissoon o ff i c e r s h e m u s t h a v e known that Mingo did not adhere to the Chief Justice's ruling to use the Region Four SOPs and be transparent in so doing. What Mingo did at the GECOM head office on Friday March 13 was a nightmare for every citizen of 60 years of age because we saw that when we were young during the Burnham dictatorship.

The second phase constituted a time of intense stress for Ms. Singh.

Whether Ms. Singh anticipated it or it took her by surprise, the world by not showing approval for the way Singh was conducting the business of GECOM and her attitude to what was now blatant rigging of the election.

I think it was in this period – March to May when Singh began to rethink her role. It is my belief that she was reeling under the pressure of international condemnation.

The final step will remain a mystery in Guyana. This is when the CARICOM recount became inevitable and Singh knew she was facing a fait accompli. The APNU+AFC had reached the point of no return. Their alibis, descriptions, accusations, lies and depravities were taking a toll on Singh. But more importantly, I believe persuasion and coercion finally drove Singh to accept the results of the CARICOM observed recount.

In this final phase, I think two women – Canadian High C o m m i s s i o n e r, L i l i a n Chatterjee, and US Ambassador, Sarah AnnLynch, began to engage Singh as women, and the women thing began to influence Singh. When she was leaving Guyana, Chatterjee said she always had faith in Singh. That was because she was able to talk Singh into doing the right thing. Singh eventually changed because US imposed sanctions she was not prepared to endure. The rest is history.

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

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Venezuela says Guyana, CARICOM on 'hostile' manipulation campaign T

he Government of Venezuela has accused Guyana of being on a campaign of manipulation on the Essequibo controversy.

Foreign Minister, Jorge Arreaza, released a statement on Thursday, saying that Venezuela regrets that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) now “echoes” that 'manipulation campaign', an

action Venezuela views as hostile. CARICOM is being chaired by Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Keith Rowley.

“The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a country with a peaceful vocation,” Venezuela said, “which has broadly shown its solidarity with all the countries of the region, always promoting relations of good neighbourliness,

respect and cooperation.

Ve n e z u e l a h a s s h o w n unconditional solidarity at times when its Caribbean neighbours have experienced difficult situations.”

This statement followed the decision by CARICOM to stand in solidarity with Guyana, in calling for the release of the Guyanese f i s h e r m e n Ve n e z u e l a detained last week. The two vessels, Lady Nayera and

Sea Wolf had been operating just off the coast at Waini Point where they were intercepted by the Venezuela Navy Vessel, Commandante Hugo Chavez GC 24, and ordered to navigate their way to Port Guiria to be held.

CARICOM had on Wednesday expressed grave concern at escalating tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, and recalled a statement it made on

Venezuela's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jorge Arreaza January 12 in which it firmly repudiated acts of aggression b y Ve n e z u e l a a g a i n s t Guyana. CARICOM said that Venezuela should respect Guyana's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and not undermine the security of the region.

Ve n e z u e l a d i d n o t appreciate CARICOM's statement, as it claims the Guyanese fishermen were engaged in illegal fishing in Venezuela's waters. Foreign Minister, Arreaza even threatened further action against any more Guyanese found in the waters of the Essequibo.

Venezuela further sought

to cast Guyana in a bad light, positing that Guyana is promoting military operations with “extraregional powers” in “controversial” waters.

“Recently,” Venezuela said, “the Defence Force of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Coast Guard Service of the United States of America developed joint military exercises in controversial waters, very close to the jurisdictional waters of Venezuela, in an area still to be delimited and in which US companies have significant economic interests, particularly in the energy field.

This fact should constitute a shared concern for the Caribbean community.”

The Bolivarian Republic said that despite CARICOM contributing to “an ominous climate of hostility”, it will continue to advocate for respect for the principles of international law. Despite t h i s , Ve n e z u e l a h a s consistently refused calls to release the fishermen its navy illegally abducted in Guyana's waters, and has rejected the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to preside over litigation concerning its claim on Guyana's territory.

Venezuela has instead called on Guyana to negotiate with it.

Wanted man killed following gunshot to left eye

A

man who was wanted by the police for some time, was yesterday morning, shot in his left eye and killed while members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were attempting to apprehend him.

The dead man has been identified as Sherwin Filley, 22, called “Red Ants” of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. According to a police report, the incident happened around 01:50hrs in an abandoned wooden shack at the Ogle Seawall, East Coast Demerara.

The report stated that Filley was wanted for r o b b e r y, r o b b e r y w i t h violence and three counts of assault causing actual bodily harm which was committed on a 50-year-old resident of Vryheid's Lust, East Coast Demerara.

Upon receiving

information, the ranks went to the abandoned shack located at the Ogle Seawall, where Filley locked himself inside. As a result, the ranks decided to use force to open the door. When the ranks managed to break through, Filley was reportedly armed with a cutlass. The ranks attempted to arrest Filley but he attacked the police officers.

One of the ranks then discharged a round which struck Filley in his eye and he collapsed to the floor. The ranks rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was examined by a doctor and pronounced dead on arrival.

Filley's body was transported to the hospital's mortuary and awaits a post mortem examination. The investigation into the shooting incident is ongoing.

Kaieteur News

Saturday January 30, 2021

PAGE 13

Guyana's high-quality oil allowed it to survive COVID-19 storm - US Analyst A

s a result of having light sweet crude, Guyana was able to survive the harsh economic pains of the COVID-19 pandemic that hit the world last year.

Making this and other comments is Arthur Deakin, an Analyst at Americas Market Intelligence (AMI) in the United States of America.

AMI, a management consultant firm, has been providing insights that unlock opportunities in Latin America via market intelligence, research and analysis.

During his first appearance on the Kaieteur Radio show, Guyana's Oil & You, Deakin was asked to share his thoughts on how Guyana was able to survive some of the toughest parts of 2020's COVID-19 pandemic, as opposed to countries that were less

“Both Brazil and Guyana that have this type of oil, in addition to their low breakeven costs, lower than US$40 a barrel. Guyana I think is US$35 for the Phase One of exploration and that price is expected to go down to US$25 in Phase Two of exploration,” Deakin said.

These factors, combined with the appeal for highquality crude, made it possible for Guyana to come

AMI Analyst, Arthur Deakin fortunate in that regard.

To this, the US Analyst reminded that because Guyana's crude is lower in sulfur content, it enjoys a high in global demand, but especially in China.

Coldingen man found dead in home

A

50-year-old man was found dead on Thursday in his Coldingen, East Coast Demerara home at around 07:35hrs.

Kaieteur News understands that the man, who has been identified as Khemraj Bhim, lived alone and was a hypertension patient at the Enterprise Health Centre.

Bhim's neighbours told investigators that they last saw him alive on Wednesday afternoon when he came asking for $200 to buy pressure tablets.

On the day of the discovery, one of the man's neighbours reported that he

had gone to Bhim's residence to check on him but after observing that his calls outside of the premise went unanswered, he ventured to ascertain if the 50-year-old was safe.

Upon entering the home and making checks, the neighbour said, he noticed the man's lifeless body on his bed. He contacted the police immediately.

This newspaper understands that the body was subsequently taken to Jerrick's Funeral Home where it is awaiting a post mortem examination. The police have since launched an investigation into the matter.

Vendor charged for wounding neighbour

A

26-year-old vendor who resides at Lot 19 'D'Field Sophia, Georgetown was charged yesterday for unlawfully and maliciously wounding his neighbour.

The defendant, Junior Beckles, appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Alisha George to answer to the charge which alleged, that on January 19 at 'B' Field

Sophia, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Damian Peters with a scissors. As a result of the altercation, it was alleged that Beckles received injuries to his head and a slipped shoulder.

He pleaded guilty with explanation and later changed his plea to not guilty.

Beckles was grant $50,000 bail and will make his next (continued on page 22)

out at the top at this “pretty bad” situation, he added.

When asked to share how he sees 2021 panning out for Guyana, Deakin stated that he holds high expectations that the growth and demand for Guyana's crude will only increase.

He said with this, “China is really ramping up infrastructure and construction efforts to revive its economy and it's

definitely doing a good job so far.

So the demand for this type of oil is going to keep growing, especially as stricter environmental regulations are passed.”

Deakin also mentioned that one of the main reasons for the increasing demand of this sweeter crude was due to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) passing a law that requires ships to

reduce emissions by up to 80%.

“So in 2021, I expect a good year. I expect oil prices to stay around the price where they are or grow a little bit.

We see a commitment by some of the major producers to restrict output until there's greater certainty on oil demands around the world.

The panorama is positive,” Deakin concluded.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Saturday January 30, 2021

Forensic audit requested into overpass elevators T

he Ministry of Public Works has requested Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma, to conduct a forensic audit into the installment of five elevators at the East Bank Demerara pedestrian overpasses. The lifts have cost taxpayers some $61M. In the letter addressed to Sharma, the Public Works Ministry recalled that the contract, under the Inter-

American Development (IDB)-funded 'Road Improvement and Rehabilitation Programme: Prioritized Intervention,' was entered into with Trinidadian company, RBP Lifts, for the installation of five elevators.

However, before the delayed commissioning of the five overpasses in August 2019, it was found that the $61M elevators, which had been installed since 2018,

were defective and warranted repairs.

In the letter, it was recalled that these elevators were purchased from RBP Lifts, and had arrived in Guyana in February 2018. The installation commenced on June 11, 2018 with the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (DBHC), which took responsibility to maintain and clean the overpass and immediate

surroundings daily.

The elevators were commissioned by the supplier with the maintenance period commencing on November 1, 2018, for one year. Personnel had been identified by the DHBC to be trained for operation and maintenance of the elevators, which were also said to be manned around the clock.

The letter went on to say that the fourth quarterly

Passengers trapped in the Peter's Hall elevator maintenance was undertaken by technician, Thaddeus De Freitas, along with the DHBC personnel and buttressed by the support of technical information contained in the elevator manuals.

Despite being responsible for the elevators, the letter notes that the DHBC did not operate any of the five elevators as per the agreement.

The elevators remained closed and unused. “During this period, several incidents of vandalism occurred, including the cutting and damaging of cables, theft of lights, broken glass and an elevator door,� the document stated. In all of these incidents, the Ministry had to carry out the repairs and replacement, since the DHBC could not provide any video footage of the incidents.

The letter went on to remind that the pedestrian overpass elevators were commissioned on August 2019 and became operational to the public. For many, it was breath of relief, but shortly after the commissioning, the public observed several technical issues with the elevators.

There were reports of the doors not opening or closing, errors displayed on the elevator monitors for faults on board, emergency errors, and even cases of the elevator malfunctioning and trapping people inside for hours.

In a bid to repair these errors and malfunctions, and while still in the defects liability period, the DHBC had reached out to technician, De Freitas. However, he was only able to rectify a few.

Following the incident of persons being trapped in the elevator, Cibes Lifts GP, the manufacturer of the elevators, had responded and sent a technical team to inspect and repair the dysfunctional equipment.

However, it was noted that shortly after the repairs, the elevators became defective again. In fact, the letter stated that the elevators would work excellently for 20 minutes and then start exhibiting the same issues of not locking, opening errors, control board faults and s c r e e n d i s p l a y malfunctioning.

Again, De Freitas attempted to rectify the same, but was unsuccessful.

Then in February 2020, the letter noted that the DHBC had stopped operating the elevators at Peter's Hall, and at present, the four other elevators at Providence, Diamond, Houston and Eccles have various defects.

It is in light of the foregoing, that Minister Edghill requested the forensic audit, since he believes that the government did not get value for money in relation to the installation and operation of these five elevators.

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Saturday January 30, 2021

Dutch court orders petroleum giant to pay Nigerian farmers for oil leaks T

he Hague Court of Appeal yesterday ordered the Nigerian subsidiary of energy giant, Shell, to provide compensation for oil leaks in the Niger Delta that damaged the lands of farmers in villages of Oruma and Goi back in 2004 and 2005.

That ruling is one that may very well pave the way for new lawsuits against multinational oil companies who operate with an aura of “untouchability” as both Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and the Dutch-based mother company, Royal Dutch Shell, were held liable for the spills.

Industry stakeholders who followed the matter for years have said that such a ruling is one that Guyana should pay keen attention to since it is yet to obtain full coverage insurance for ExxonMobil's Liza Phase One and Payara projects.

The Hague Appeal Court ruling was deemed a victory for environmentalists and

especially the Nigerians whose lands were polluted by the oil. Donald Pols, Director of one of the world's largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth, hailed the ruling as a needed victory “for small communities hurt by huge companies.”

It was the Netherlands chapter of Pols' organization which had taken the civil case to court back in 2008.

“Up until this morning (yesterday), Dutch multinationals could act with impunity in developing countries and this has changed now,” Pols said, adding that “From this moment onwards, Dutch multinationals will be held accountable for their activities and their actions in developing countries. And that's an enormous victory for the rights of law globally.”

One of the farmers involved in the case, Eric Dooh, called the decision a victory “for the entire Niger Delta region. The victory is for the Ogoni people.

Victory for all that stood by

Friends of the Earth supporters unfold a banner outside the district court in The Hague, Netherlands, Friday, Jan. 29, 2021 (AP Photo)

our side, both Blacks and whites.”

During the trial, Friends of the Earth lawyers had told the Dutch court that, that leaking pipes were caused by poor maintenance and inadequate security and that

Shell does not do enough to clean up spills.

The Hague Court of Appeal held the oil multinational liable for the spills that spewed oil over a two mile radius in the two villages, as the company could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the leaks were caused by damage done by oil thieves rather than its own negligence.

According to Nigerian

law, which was applied in the D u tch civ il cas e, th e company would not be held responsible if the leaks were as a result of saboteurs.

The Dutch court also ruled that while sabotage was behind another oil leak in a nearby village, whether Shell was being held liable or not “remains open” as the court seeks clarity on the extent of the ensued damages and whether it can be cleaned.

That case will continue at a later date.

In addition to compensating the farmers, the Hague Appeal Court also ordered that Royal Dutch Shell must fit a leakdetection system to a pipeline that caused one of the spills. The amount of compensation paid to three farmers in the villages will be established at a later date.

Even after the clear ruling, Shell Nigeria expressed disappointment and continued to maintain that the oil spills were as a result of sabotage.

The company said, “Sabotage, crude oil theft, and illegal refining are a major challenge in the Niger Delta. Indeed, in 2019, around 95% of spill incidents from our operations there were due to such criminal acts.

Regardless of cause, we clean up and remediate, as we have done with the spills in this case.”

The Nigerian subsidiary further added that “Like all Shell-operated ventures globally, we are committed to operating safely and protecting the local environment.”

Back in 2013, the Hague District Court had ordered Shell Nigeria to compensate (continued on page 20)

Saturday January 30, 2021

Guyana records 58 new COVID-19 infections

T

he Ministry of H e a l t h reported 58 new infections of the COVID-19 virus via its daily dashboard yesterday which increases the country's case toll to 7,528.

The dashboa rd also shows that currently; six patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 13 in institutional quarantine, 44 in institutional isolation and 764 in home isolation.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e number of recoveries has increased to 6,541 with seven new recoveries recorded yesterday.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at 175 deaths.

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Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

Three prisons affected by new COVID-19 infections

An aerial view of the Lusignan prison

Three local prisons have recently recorded new infections of the COVID-19 virus according to the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony.

The Health Minister told the

National Assembly on Thursday that of the new prison infections; 16 were prisoners at the Lusignan Prison on the East Coast of Demerara, 33 were from the Timehri Prison in

Region 10 while four were prison officers and one was a prisoner at the New Amsterdam Prison. This gives a total of 54 new infections recorded across the three prisons.

In September last year, the Lusignan Prison alone had recorded over 200 cases of the virus, forcing the government to find proper isolation spaces for the infected prisoners. Moreover, it came just after the prison had s u ff e r e d a f i r e w h i c h destroyed several buildings in the compound, further limiting the prison space.

On Thursday, Dr. Anthony said that measures have been taken to have all of the newly infected prisoners and prison officers isolated from the general population. Steps will also be taken to ensure the safety of other prisoners and staff.

He further stated that since foregoing incidents, more nurses and doctors were added to the prison service. Measures have also been implemented to have new prisoners and visitors screenedbeforeentry.

Prosecutor pussyfooting on murder case...

From page 8 the day in question, Aaron Latchman arrived home around 15:15 hrs. and was attempting to park his car in his yard when two gunmen struck.

One o f t h e g u n m e n reportedly entered the house and shot Latchman's daughter. The other then attacked the father. The two

men got into a scuffle, which resulted in a bag ending up in a neighbour's yard.

The gunman who had shot Latchman's daughter then exited the house and came to his accomplice's aid, shooting Latchman as well. After Latchman fell to the ground, the attackers snatched up a bag of cash and fled. The

killers escaped in a car. The moneychanger and his daughter were taken to the Georgetown Public , where they were both pronounced dead on arrival.

The matter was reported and an investigation was launched.

The five accused were later arrested and subsequently, jointly charged for murder.

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

France wants to be a proactive partner with Guyana - PM - French Ambassador discusses Guyana's development and Venezuela's aggression

Y

esterday, Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret'd) Mark Phillips was told by French Ambassador to Guyana, Mr Antoine Joly, that France wants to be a proactive partner in Guyana's overall development.

The non-resident diplomat and his delegation discussed Guyana's Development Agenda and the increased cooperation between the two Governments. High on the programme was also a conversation on the aggression of Venezuela, which recently seized two Guyanese boats with fishermen in Guyana's water.

To t h i s e n d , t h e Ambassador reiterated his support for Guyana.

“We totally support the management of Guyana to solve the conflict on the border with Venezuela – that is to say, respect of the i n t e r n a t i o n a l l a w, t h e competency of the International Court of Justice and of course we regret the way that Venezuela took your boats and fishermen and I wanted to express my solidarity to the fishermen and their families and I'm hoping that they will be freed very quickly.”

The Ambassador first signalled the support of the French Government earlier this week during a meeting with the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Honourable Anil Nandlall SC. The meeting was the second between the Prime Minister and Ambassador Joly.

According to the PM, today's follow-up was to discuss the progress that has been made from October 2020 to present, with the addition of the territorial controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

“The Ambassador came to update me on the engagements he had and the progress that has been made so far after our last meeting; we spoke about police

cooperation, defence, trade, the health sector and private sector engagement. I think that we are moving in the right direction and I am very appreciative of that”.

The PM said that he was also heartened by the French position on the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy and the outpouring of support Guyana has had from other nations.

“The OAS and many countries came out in support of Guyana's position and we're happy that the French has done the same”.

The Ambassador, who resides in Suriname, told the PM that his Government was interested in developing and improving economic cooperation in the Guiana Shield.

“I confirmed to the Prime Minister that we are interested in being partners for the bridge between Guyana and Suriname, not only in the building, but in developing the vision and the need for infrastructure to link Brazil, French Guiana, Suriname and Guyana. We have a lot to do together on the Guiana Shield and to improve our economic cooperation and we are working on that.”

The Ambassador added that he and his Government are impressed with the vision of the Guyanese Government.

“What I told the Prime Minister, is that I really want to strengthen this relationship, we are impressed by the work done by the new administration, and I would come back in March to strengthen things.”

The French delegation also consisted of French Defence Attaché to the Republic of Suriname and the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Lieutenant Colonel Philippe Lamouret, French Foreign Trade Advisor and Honourary Counsel of France in Guyana, Mr Jean -Francois Gerin and several French entrepreneurs.

The Prime Minister in company with France officials

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Saturday January 30, 2021

Winners of UNICEF Guyana's Reimagine Illustration Challenge awarded tablet computers

U

N I C E F Representative Nicolas Pron yesterday presented three of the winners of UNICEF Guyana's Reimagine Illustration Challenge with Samsung tablet computers and encouraged them to work towards making their vision a reality.

In a UNICEF press

- education highlighted as pivotal for achieving a better world for children released it was noted that for World Children's Day 2020, the local UNICEF office challenged Guyanese children between the ages of eight and 18 years to draw

and submit their vision of a better world for every child.

Over two dozen submissions were received with youth sharing their vision for a greener and more

The Winners with UNICEF's Nicolas Pron sustainable world, a future without discrimination, a safer world, a more inclusive world, a healthier world, a world of more opportunities, a happier world and the future of mental health and education, among other themes.

Twelve submissions were selected to be featured in UNICEF Guyana's Annual Calendar. At a brief ceremony today, three of the 12 winners; Sajid, 8, Elliana, 10, and Tiffani, 18, were presented with tablet computers. The other winners are from different regions of Guyana and will receive their tablets subsequently. “Young people know the future they want,” said Pron, as he thanked the youths for sharing their vision for a better world. He observed that their words were wise, positive, hopeful and creative. Many of the submissions focused on the future of education. Giselle, 10, from Region 9, shared her vision for “smart classrooms with unlimited internet access and computers that will benefit every child, using sustainable energy”.

Elliana, 10, from Region Four, wrote that while nothing can truly replace face-to-face interaction in a physical classroom, technology is pivotal for the future of education.

Pron highlighted that

education is a main priority for UNICEF. “We work very closely with the Government of Guyana to continue to develop innovative approaches to education through computers, through technology…through the internet so that everybody in Guyana has access to education,” said the Representative.

“All of us hope that the day will come soon when you will go back to school…It's essential that the schools be the first services to reopen when things get better but we will keep working with the Government of Guyana to make sure that everybody has access to education even during the time of the pandemic. It's very important. All of us must always work in your best interest, in the best interest of the child and we will keep doing so.”

T h e U N I C E F Representative commended the young people for rising to the challenge and sharing their vision and expressed hope that the tablets would aid in their schoolwork. He further challenged young people to work towards making their vision a reality.

All submissions can be found on UNICEF Guyana and Suriname's Facebook p a g e a t https://www.facebook.com/ UNICEFGuyanaSuriname

Dutch court orders...

From page 16 one of the four farmers in the case for making it unchallenging for saboteurs to open a well head that leaked onto his land.

At the same time, the court cleared the oil company of blame for polluting the other three farmers' land, ruling that Shell's Dutch parent company could not be held liable. But after both sides appealed the judgment, judges ruled in 2015 that Shell could be held liable for

its actions in Nigeria.

The judges had also mandated that Shell provide access to documents that told the true story of the cause of the leaks and how much management knew about them.

Shell has faced heavy criticism from activists and local communities over numerous oil spills and the company's close ties with government security forces ever since it began exploiting Nigeria's vast oil reserves in the late 1950s.

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

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two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you” desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-atLaw at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Application together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Application, you must file a Form 8: Evidence for Financial Relief/Division of Property (Respondent) ‘and/or Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the Application for Financial Relief/ Division of Property with Evidence is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday the 24th day of February, 2021 at 9:30 am before the ‘Honorable Madam Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln via Zoom Meeting ID: 817 2463 7445 and Password: court12 in High Court at Georgetown .

IN DEFAULT of your filing Notice of Intention the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Division of Property.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara].

The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed Dated the 29th day of December, 2020

2021- HC-Dem- C7VNo.P-1 DEMERARA IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE CIVIL JURISDICTION DECLARATION OF TITLE NOTICEROXANNE SEMPLE-BROWNE also known as ROXANNE SEMPLE of 956 E 107th Street Brooklyn New York 11236 United States of America and of lot 24 Cholrnoudeley Alley.

Christianburg. Wismar, Linden. Guyana has presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by prescription of land as described in the Schedule hereunder. Any person(s) intending to oppose the said Petition must, within one month after the date of the first publication of this notice, file in the Registry of Court in the City of Georgetown Notice of his/her opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits’ in Support thereof, and serve a copy of the Notice and Affidavit(s) upon the said ROXANNE SEMPLE BROWNE also known as ROXANNE SEMPLE. beinspected at the said Registry during office hours a , The said Petition is accompanied by a plan of the land claimed which may Dated at Georgetown.

Demerara This 4th day of January, 2021.

Ms. Kean Trotman Attorney-at-law for the Petitioner SCHEDULE Plot ‘PF’ being a portion of “d” of Lot 24 being a part of Section ‘B’ Christianburg, Linden situate on the Left Bank of Demerara River in the county of Demerara, Guyana shown and defined on a plan by , Sworn Land Surveyor dated 30th day of November, 2020 and recorded in the Department of Lands and Survey. on the 11th day of December. 2020 as Plan number 75937.

MEMORANDUM The address for s::ryice of the Petitioner is at the .Chambers of her Attorneyat-Law, Ms. Kean Trotman of Lot 18 Lyng Street Charlestown, Georgetown Demerara, Guyana.

DEMERARA IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICAT1JRF CIVIL JURISDICTION DECLARATION OF TITLE NOTICEROXANNE SEMPLE-BRO\VNE also known as ROXANNE SEMPLE Of 956 E 107 street, Brooklyn New York 11236 United States of America and of lot 24 Cholmondeley

Alley.

Christianburg, Wismar. Linden. Guyana has presented a Petition for a Declaration of Title by prescription of land as described in the Any person(s) intending to oppose the said Petition must. within one month alter the date of the first publication of thisnotice. file in heRegistry of Court in the City of Georgetown Notice of his/her opposition and an Affidavit or Affidavits in Support thereof, and serve a copy of the Notice and Affidavit(s) upon the said ROXANNE SEMIPLEBROWNE also known as ROXANNE SEMPLE . The said petition is accompanied by a plan of the land claimed which may Dated at Georgetown.

DemeraraThis 4th day of January, 2021Ms. Kean Trotman Attorney-at-law for the Petitioner SCHEDULE“Plot - LF being a portion of ‘D’ Lot 24 being a partofSectionB’ Christianburg, Linden situated the Left Bank of Demerara River in the county of Demerara, Guyana shown and defined on a plan by W.M Cole Land Surveyor dated

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Call 698-1468 LEGALNOTICE 2020-HC-DEM -CIV -FD-782 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION Application No. FD-782 Between:(BARRINGTON) SAMANTHA ONICA -and(BARRINGTON) RANDOLPH ROMAINE Applicant Respondent To: RANDOLPH ROMAINE B A R R I N G T O N Formerly of Lot 602 Section “D” Turkeyen, Georgetown, Guyana.

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...Vendor charged for wounding neighbour From page 13 court appearance on March 5.

Beckles told the court that the virtual complainant does not work and that he is always on the street corner troubling him.

Police Prosecutor, Worrel Thornhill told the Magistrate that Beckles and Peters are neighbours and that Beckles has a habit of verbally abusing the virtual complainant.

The Prosecutor made no objection to bail but asked the defendant to stay away from Peters.

Magistrate George then ordered that Peters be summoned to court.

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Saturday January 30, 2021

Saturday January 30, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Suarez Navarro dreams of Olympic return after cancer treatment

Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro in action during her fourth round match against Serena Williams of the U.S. at the 2019 Wimbledon tourney. (REUTERS/Tony O’Brien/File Photo)

Saturday January 31, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you might work on a lot of writing, Aries. It might be your own or editing the work of others. You could find what you're doing exciting and stimulating.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) If you've been thinking of taking a long trip by air, this is the day to start planning it or even leave, if you can work it in. Your excitement and anticipation are high, and your sense of adventure is at a peak.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Paperwork regarding money might need attention today, Gemini, as you could be planning to entertain visitors.

These are apt to be exciting people bringing good news and interesting information.

CANCER(June21–July22) You might spend hours on the phone today, Cancer, possibly discussing opportunities to perform services for others.

Your mental and physical energy should be high.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) New, exciting opportunities to earn more money might come your way today, Leo perhaps through new fields. Colleagues could bring information.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Friendships or love relationships formed today are rooted as much in intellectual compatibility as emotional attraction, Virgo. Stimulating conversations could take place with old and new friends alike.Creative projects go well.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You're generally intuitive, but today you could be so sensitive to others that you pick up on just about everything. Stay away from hospitals or police stations if you can.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Expect a busy day.

You're likely to spend a lot of time in the car running errands and paying visits, perhaps related to projects.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you might want to put one last burst of effort into a project, as this could make a big difference to your income and status, Sagittarius. It could put you before the public in some way.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) So many ideas are flooding your mind today that you might have trouble sorting them out if you don't write them down, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) A copious amount of physical and mental energy could focus on psychic, metaphysical, or spiritual activities today. You're feeling especially intuitive. You could almost read minds.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Social events and group activities are likely to take up most of your day, Pisces.

You could come into contact with so many people you may not be able to keep track of them all. Get contact information for all new acquaintances.

(Reuters) - Former world number six Carla Suarez Navarro said she dreams of a return to competitive action following cancer treatment and this year’s Tokyo Olympics would be the perfect stage to call time on her career.

Spaniard Suarez Navarro said in September she was diagnosed with early stage Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of cancer, and would need to go through six months of chemotherapy. But the 32year-old said on Twitter on Monday she had completed her final session.

The world number 85 last played in February 2020 and faces a race to qualify for the postponed Games, with the top 56 singles players qualifying based on rankings as of June, but Suarez Navarro is not giving up hope.

...Canadian Olympians From page 27 from those Games and really be limited in our ability to use the power of sport to lift people up, to inspire and to be role models,” said Dunfee, who finished fourth in the 50km event at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Dunfee doesn’t expect his turn to be vaccinated to come before June or July, a time when he would normally be training at altitude in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in the immediate run-up to the Games.

He said that if his training went according to plan, there was a good chance he would not be vaccinated before the Olympics.

“Our value as athletes is only as strong as our community,” he said. “We’re nothing without our communities.”

...St. Lucia Boxing From page 28 Olympic box off in Argentina in March with welterweight Dudley O’Shaughnessy and heavy weight Ryan Charles, both based in England, to the postponed qualifier which was scheduled to be held in 2020.

All the necessary protocols have been put in place at the gym regarding hand sanitizers, temperature gun and regular cleaning. Only eight boxers will be allowed in any session with three sessions being held each day.

“I don’t want people to remember me in a hospital bed so I’d like to go again into a big tournament,” Suarez Navarro told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“It would be a dream to do that - an Olympic Games to say ‘bye’ to my tennis family and also all my tennis fans.”

Suarez Navarro returned to practice in December with Italian Sara Errani in

Barcelona.

“What doctors said is basically that tennis and doing a sport was good for me so I decided to carry on with it,” Suarez Navarro said, adding she was now looking forward to her comeback to the circuit.

“I’ll feel so much joy and happiness when that moment comes. I’ll be thankful and a little bit nervous to be on court again.”

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Saturday January 30, 2021

All-Brazilian affair for Copa Libertadores final at empty Maracana

A

FP - Palmeiras and Santos, B r a z i l ’s t w o most successful clubs, go head to head at an empty Maracana stadium today in a Copa Libertadores final delayed more than two months by the coronavirus pandemic.

For the third time in four editions the trophy will return to Brazil, as Palmeiras target a second title while Santos hope to add to their collection of three — the last coming in 2011 when a teenaged Neymar scored in a 2-1 victory over Penarol.

Veteran defender Para, at 34 an elder statesman in a youthful Santos squad, was part of the team that triumphed a decade ago, ending nearly 50 years of frustration in a competition Pele won with the club in 1962 and 1963.

“I’m very happy. I can win my third Libertadores and we’re going to fight hard for it.

The game will be very difficult,” said Para, who rejoined Santos after helping Flamengo win South America’s premier club competition in 2019.

“Palmeiras are a great team, with international players. There is no f a v o u r i t e . I t ’s t w o heavyweights of Brazilian and world football.”

Palmeiras winger Gabriel Veron (L) has been tipped to become a star of the future.

The hiring of Portuguese boss Abel Ferreira, appointed following the dismissal of former Real Madrid coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo in October, has transformed Palmeiras, adding structure and clarity to a talented group.

“He’s a very intelligent coach, very clever. He really helped us to become a family.

His arrival was key for us reaching two finals,” the 20year-old Gabriel Menino, a revelation this season for P a l m e i r a s , t o l d A F P. Palmeiras also face Gremio next month in the Brazilian Cup final.

Ferreira, 42, cut his teeth

managing Sporting Lisbon’s junior and reserve teams before taking over at Braga.

He spent a year at Greek club PAOK before touching down in Sao Paulo.

He is aiming to become just the third European manager to win the Copa Libertadores.

Croatia’s Mirko Jozic won with Colo Colo in 1991 while Ferreira’s countryman Jorge Jesus masterminded Flamengo’s 2019 success.

- Buenos Aires foes vanquished Palmeiras will be appearing in a fifth final, with their sole victory in 1999 when they overcame Colombia’s Deportivo Cali

on penalties.

They held on to overcome River Plate 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals despite losing the second leg 2-0 at home.

Santos defeated River’s sworn Buenos Aires enemies Boca Juniors 3-0 on aggregate to reach the final.

Leading the Palmeiras attack is ex-Shakhtar Donetsk forward Luiz Adriano while captain Felipe Melo, formerly of Juventus and Inter Milan, has recovered from an ankle injury after missing the previous knockout rounds.

Luiz Adriano and Rony Barbosa have both scored five goals in the tournament, matching the tally of 19year-old Santos marksman Kaio Jorge, who has paired up effectively with exChangchun Yatai forward Marinho.

Palmeiras winger Gabriel Veron, 18, has reportedly attracted interest from Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona, and the club could listen to offers at the end of the season.

This weekend’s showpiece is just the third Copa Libertadores final featuring two Brazilian clubs. Sao Paulo defeated Athletico Paranaense in 2005, and Internacional beat Sao Paulo the following year.

Carlos Tevez (L) and Boca Juniors were knocked out by Santos in the semi-finals.

Santos boss Alexi Stival, often known as Cuca, hopes to emulate Brazil’s 2002 World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari and become the fifth Brazilian coach to win the Copa Libertadores twice, having guided Atletico Mineiro to glory in 2013.

The winners will also jet off to Qatar to take part in the FIFA Club World Cup, with a semi-final on February 7 against either Tigres of Mexico or Asian champions Ulsan Hyundai before a potential final against European champions Bayern

Munich.

Traditionally decided over two legs, the final between the Sao Paulo rivals will again be played as a oneoff contest in a country among the worst-affected by Covid-19.

The iconic 80,000capacity Maracana stadium has served as the site of one o f R i o d e J a n e i r o ’s coronavirus field hospitals, as part of Brazil’s effort to stem the health crisis.

Brazil has recorded more than 218,000 coronavirus deaths — a toll second only to that of the United States.

Nauman and Yasir shine as Pakistan beat South Africa

A

FP - Nauman Ali m a d e a spectacular debut with five wickets and fellow spinner Yasir Shah grabbed four to give Pakistan a seven-wicket victory in the first Test against South Africa in Karachi yesterday.

Nauman, making his Test bow at the age of 34, finished with 5-35 and Yasir took 479 as South Africa slumped to 245 all out in their second innings on the fourth day on a wearing National Stadium pitch that favoured spin bowlers.

Pakistan, needing 88 for victory, lost openers Abid Ali, Imran Butt and Babar Azam for a total of 52 runs before achieving the target in 22.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.

The second Test starts on February 4 in Rawalpindi.

Azhar Ali was 31 not out while Fawad Alam — who hit a fighting hundred in the first innings — hit the winning boundary.

Nauman Ali turned the match in Pakistan’s favour on his debut.

It was only Pakistan’s fifth victory against South Africa in 27 Tests.

Anrich Nortje bowled Abid in the first over after lunch and then had Butt caught behind to finish with figures of 2-24.

Azam, on his Test captaincy debut, was

dismissed leg before by Keshav Maharaj.

“The credit goes to the players,” said Azam. “Our bowling was outstanding on a slow pitch and the way Yasir and Nauman bowled, it helped us get wickets.

“When we lost four early wickets Fawad and Azhar

put on a good partnership as they showed their experience. It gave us a boost and a very crucial lead.”

Azam’s counterpart Quinton de Kock, who endured a miserable 50th Test of his career, rued South A f r i c a ’s f i r s t i n n i n g s collapse.

“I think our first innings cost us the game,” said de Kock. “That was a big reason for our loss.”

It is South Africa’s first tour of Pakistan in 14 years, after a deadly attack on Sri Lanka’s team in 2009 halted visits by foreign sides.

De Kock dismissed suggestions that South Africa took too long to adjust to the conditions. “We practised enough here but I think we were a bit soft in the first innings,” he said.

- Rapid conclusion In a spinners’ battle on a brownish wicket, Nauman recorded figures of 7-73 and Yasir 7-133. In contrast, South Africa’s spin bowlers managed just four wickets.

Pakistan had taken a crucial 158-run first innings lead thanks to a fighting century from Fawad and half centuries from Faheem Ashraf and Azhar.

The writing was on the wall as South Africa lost nightwatchman Maharaj on the first ball of the day,

bowled for two by pacer Hasan Ali. De Kock followed his 15 in the first innings with just two runs as he was caught off a lazy push off Yasir.

Temba Bavuma, who scored 40, added 42 for the seventh wicket with George Linde before being the last man out as Nauman took the last four wickets in a rapid 22 balls.

Having earlier removed Aiden Markram, who was caught by Abid Ali, Nauman dismissed Linde for 11, Kagiso Rabada for a single run, and Anrich Nortje for a duck, before trapping Bavuma lbw.

His impressive performance made him just the 12th Pakistani bowler to take five wickets in an innings on his debut.

Scores: Pakistan 378 and 90 for 3 (Azhar 31*, Azam 30, Nortje 2-24) beat South Africa 220 and 245 (Markram 74, van der Dussen 64, Nauman 5-35, Yasir 4-79) by seven wickets.

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

‘Are you going to punish them?’

- CWI president Skerritt shocked by lack of sensitivity for COVID impact on players

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portsMax - Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Ricky Skerritt, is adamant that the recent refusal by senior players to take part in the ongoing tour of Bangladesh and the subsequent results must be framed within the broader context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The regional team was on the wrong side of a 3-0 mauling, at the hands of Bangladesh, in a lopsided series that showed a tremendous gulf in quality between the two teams.

The result could not have been entirely unexpected, as a full-strength Bangladesh comfortably beat a fullstrength West Indies team in

2019.

The JasonMohammed team that took the field last week had at least eight players making their international debut.

Skerritt’s administration has made it clear that players who opt out of tours during the pandemic will not be punished, believes that the threat that the disease poses to the players must be acknowledged.

“We have to deal with the reality that players are facing a tremendously stressful decision about their careers and whether they participate in cricket under risky situations; even though cricket West Indies and other boards are doing everything possible to minimize the risk,” Skerritt told the Mason

and Guest radio show.

“What do you do to get the best players on the park, when many of the best players are reluctant to travel and choose not to play?

Are you going to punish them? Are you going to say if you don’t play then you don’t play again ever, then you lose them forever?”

“I listen to some of the discussion’s about COVID and I wonder if we believe that COVID only affects us individually and we should be fearful, but players and others shouldn’t.

So what has happened with this particular tour and the two tours before, during COVID is that you could not get all of your best players on tour at the same time.”

Windies must close talent development gap to be competitive again - Richardson

Andrew Richardson insists the West Indies must close the distance between themselves and top-class cricketing nations.

SportsMax - Windward Islands Volcanoes coach and former regional fast bowler, Andrew Richardson, insists the West Indies must close the distance between themselves and top-class cricketing nations, in terms of talent development, if the team is ever to be truly competitive again.

World cricket powerhouses India recently earned plenty of plaudits for a stunning win over Australia, with a squad full of mostly inexperienced developing players.

The West Indies on the other hand, once the world’s best cricket team, have suffered lopsided defeats at the hands of England, New

Zealand, and most recently Bangladesh. The defeats have led to renewed criticism of the regional team in some quarters, but Ricardson insists the world’s top team are simply reaping the fruit of their labour, which took the form of talent development.

“It’s a correlation that the boards that have the luxury of having more coaches employed, more facilities, more players on contracts, more A team tours, more money invested in development, are the countries that have been doing well,” Richardson told G r e n a d a ’s Ta l k s p o r t s program.

“Case in point, India has

PAGE 27

CWI and Vibes Radio agree new partnership for West Indies LIVE radio commentary ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Cricket West Indies (CWI) yesterday announced a new two-year agreement with Vibes Radio, in Dominica, for exclusive radio commentary rights to all We s t I n d i e s h o m e international matches and regional tournaments, ensuring cricket fans across the West Indies can follow every West Indies home international match and all regional tournament matches on their radio.

CWI have created this exciting new radio rights opportunity with Vibes FM in Dominica to ensure that the magic of West Indies cricket can be accessed in every corner of the Caribbean.

Vibes Radio is working with a network of radio stations across each Caribbean nation to provide exciting ball by ball commentary access to all h o m e Te s t s , O n e - D a y Internationals, and T20 Internationals for the West Indies men’s and women’s teams. Fans will also be able to acces s ball-by-ball commentary for all men’s and women’s CG Insurance Super50 Cup matches, the f o u r - d a y We s t I n d i e s Championship and the women’s T20 Blaze.

As a result of the partnership, for the first time, Cricket West Indies will provide digital live radio commentary to fans in the

Caribbean and around the world via the Windies Cricket YouTube channel a n d t h e http://www.windiescricket.c om website.

Vi b e s R a d i o w a s awarded the contract following a “Request for Proposal (RFP)” process which attracted and evaluated bids from entities across the region.

This year, West Indies are due to host Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in bilateral series starting in March and running until August. The new partnership will start with the CG Insurance Super50 Cup 50-over tournament to be played at the Coolidge Cricket Ground and Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, from Sunday, February 7 (the full match schedule at http://www.windiescricket.c om).

CWI Commercial

Director, Dominic Warne s a i d : “ O n e o f C W I ’s strategic goals is to increase access for fans to West Indies and regional tournament cricket across the region.

Thanks to this partnership with Vibes Radio, Dominica, we are providing the opportunity for fans everywhere to be transported by the magic of radio commentary to follow the fortunes of the West Indies and their home franchise teams.”

Alyan Christopher, Head of News and Sports for Vibes Radio, Dominica, said: “Vibes Radio is extremely delighted to join with CWI and be part of the West Indies cricket family. We are the ‘champion station’ and cricket is the number one sport, so this is the beginning of a great partnership, starting with the CG Insurance Super50 Cup next month.”

He added: “Broadcasting the game to the fans of the region and the world is a major step forward for us and we will bring our unique voice to the radio commentary. This is a great opportunity to share the stories of the amazing men and women who fly West Indies flag.”

Vibes FM, Dominica, and CWI will confirm the full list of partner radio stations featuring the live commentary in the coming weeks.

Canadian Olympians against skipping COVID-19 vaccine line an academy just for fast bowling,” he added.

“In the 80s, not to knock anything from the Lloyd and Viv Richards era, we had awesome talent. During that time, if you check the history, most teams were setting up their academies to improve their game. We didn’t set up our academy until around 2000. So, they have been reaping the success of what they have put in.”

Richardson insisted that the region still has the talent and pointed to the team’s performances in the youth competitions to stress the point. The West Indies won the U-19 World Cup in 2016 and were runners up in 2004.

(Reuters) - For some Canadian athletes heading to the Tokyo Olympics this summer, the thought of receiving a vaccine against COVID-19 before a fellow citizen in greater need would undermine the meaning of being an Olympian.

Va c c i n e s a g a i n s t COVID-19 will not be mandatory for athletes and team staff at the Games, but Dick Pound, a Canadian and the longest-serving member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has said athletes should be given priority for the Olympics to take place as planned.

The IOC has said it is against athletes skipping lines in their countries, while

the Canadian Olympic Committee has said it was preparing for the Tokyo Games under the assumption vaccines might not be widely available to its athletes before they open on July 23.

“We really need the vaccine to get into the arms of the people who are most at risk, those in long-term care homes, those in the front lines,” Canadian wrestler Erica Wiebe, the reigning Olympic champion in the 75kg class, told Reuters.

Wiebe, who travelled to Serbia last month for the Individual World Cup after the longest competition hiatus of her career, said her participation in the Tokyo Games did not depend on

being vaccinated, even though her sport requires close contact with other competitors.

Some countries have already begun vaccinating athletes or plan to inoculate their Olympic delegations before the Games. Israel’s Olympic Committee said on Wednesday it had already inoculated half its Olympic delegation and would complete the process by the end of May. In Canada, racewalker Evan Dunfee worries that if athletes were to be given priority, it “would sour public opinion and just turn the community against us.”

“I think we’d come home (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Saturday January 30, 2021

Barry replaces Harper as GCA President Former Guyana batsman Neil Barry was elected President of the Georgetown Cricket Association when the body held its annual general meeting on Thursday night at Muslim Youth Organisation.

Barry, who previously served as Vice President, was elected to serve as head of the association for the term 2021 to 2023 with outgoing President Roger Harper’s tenure expiring after serving five consecutive terms.

Azad Ibrahim was elected as first Vice President, while Harper will serve as second Vice President.

Deborah Mc Nichol is the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary is Captain Andrea McFarlene, Imran Ally was elected as Treasurer, while ASP Amrit Das is the Assistant Treasurer.

Attorney-at-Law Emily Dodson will serve as the Marketing Manager, the Public Relations Officer is Divesh Ramjattan, while Parmesar (only name given) is the Auditor.

Members of the newly elected GCA Executive with President Neil Barry (3rd from left).

St. Lucia Boxing Association invests in acquiring state of the art equipment

David ‘Shakes’ Christopher

The St. Lucia Boxing Association recently invested $60,000 ECD in purchasing state of the art equipment for the refurbished boxing gym in Vigie Castries and wishes to express gratitude to the sponsors: Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, St Lucia Olympic Committee and the St Lucia National Lottery.

President of the St. Lucia

Boxing Association David C h r i s t o p h e r, a s e n i o r Caribbean boxing official, lead a fact finding search to obtain the best prices from the international makers of Boxing equipment, and decided on a Chinese brand out of Beijing. David worked closely with the swimming association president Eddie Hazel, who owns a shipping company, to arrange the best shipping prices and the

$60,000ECD includes shipping and custom charges.

Over the last week the new modern equipment was installed in the new facility and when the present pandemic conditions are reviewed the requisite brackets and storage facilities will be put in place.

Prior to the closure of the gym on Friday 15th January, the response of boxers both

male and female turning up to the gym was most encouraging according to St. Lucia boxing president David Christopher and the association plans to introduce a registration form to all boxers which will provide information on the boxers email and contact numbers and that of parents/guardians. When this exercise is completed and all the forms have been handed out and returned, Vice President Robert Joseph will proceed to create a data base so that each boxer will be presented with a photographed identification

card.

Despite the pandemic the St. Lucia boxing association provided an online course for coaches and was able to qualify two former boxers Dalton George and Miguel Auguste, while three young boxers have been earmarked to attend the Pan American youth championship in Colombia during the month of September 2021 that will include the Caribbean schoolboys champion 18 year old Gilchrist Medar.

St. Lucia also hopes to send two qualifiers to the (Continued on page 25)

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 29

Senior Chess C/ship Brathwaite makes patient underway today 85, but WI middle order collapses against BCB XI

T

his weekend will see tons of chess action taking place at the National Stadium at Providence as some of the country’s brightest prospects compete in the National Senior Chess Championships being staged by the Guyana Chess Association (GCA).

This competition replaces the one that was scheduled for 2020 but had to be put off because of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, having had their calendar approved by the COVID-19 Task Force, the GCA will go ahead with staging this competition today and tomorrow.

The competition is expected to run every weekend until completion, with only the two players in a game being present in the room.

Reigning champion and FIDE Master, Anthony Drayton, will be testing his skills against Candidate Master Wendell Meusa, who is keen on reclaiming the title. Former champion and Candidate Master, Taffin Khan will also be vying for the top spot.

The likes of Loris Nathoo, Glenford Corlette, Davion Mars, Errol Tiwari, Saeed Ali, Roy Sharma and Justino DaSilva are among the other players who have qualified for the competition.

In addition, Adrian Roopnarine, Shiv Nandalall and Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) President Frankie Farley are among a list of standby players.

Commenting on the upcoming competition, Farley noted, “It should be a very interesting tournament. Possibly, it can have some upsets, but we expect great talent and good results from the tournament.”

The championship schedule is as follows: Round 1 – Saturday, January 30th @ 2pm Round 2 – Sunday, January 31st @ 9am Round 3 – Sunday, January 31st @ 3pm Round 4 – Saturday, February 6th @ 2pm Round 5 – Sunday, February 7th @ 9am Round 6 – Sunday, February 7th @ 3pm Round 7 – Saturday, February 13th @ 2pm Round 8 – Sunday, February 14th @ 9am Round 9 – Sunday, February 14th @ 3pm

S

portsMax - West Indies captain, K r a i g g Brathwaite, led the way with 85 as the regional team was dismissed for 257 on day one of a three-day warm-up match against Bangladesh Cricket Board X I on Thursday.

The opener’s tally came from 187 balls, with 10 fours and no sixes. Other scores of note from the innings saw fellow opener John Campbell fall just short of a half-century on 44 and Kyle

Myers add 40.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the regional team put 67 on the board before Campbell was dismissed by Shahadat Hossain in the 19th over.

The regional team then tumbled from 110 for 1, to 131 for 5 as the middleorder of Shayne Moseley, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, and Kavem Hodge collapsed. Mosely added 15 before being dismissed, and the team lost its next three wickets for just

11 runs.

It took contributions from Joshua da Silva, Kyle Mayers, and Alzarri Joseph, who made scores of 20, 40, and 25, to drag the visitors past the 250-run mark.

Leg spinner Rishad Hossain led the way for the Bangladesh XI with a fivewicket haul, while pacer Khaled Ahmed picked up three. At the close of play, Saif and Shadman Islam guided the hosts to 24 without loss, having batted for eight overs.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Saturday January 30, 2021

Serena Williams, Nadal, Halep win at Adelaide exhibition ADELAIDE, Australia (AP) — Serena Williams was preparing to play Naomi Osaka at an Adelaide exhibition tournament yesterday. But first things first — after 14 days in quarantine because of the COVID-19 pandemic regulations in Australia, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion took her daughter to the zoo.

Williams said she’d been crossing off the 14 days of quarantine on a calendar, having spent the time with her three-year-old daughter Olympia.

“We went to the zoo,” Williams said of her first movements outside of quarantine. “I am so glad it’s over because to be in a room (for so long) with a threeyear-old and being her best friend is definitely difficult, especially after training and working out.

“Honestly, I wouldn’t trade anything, spending hours and hours and hours with her was really fun.”

The visit must have been a good pre-match tonic for Williams. She beat Osaka 62, 2-6, 10-7. Both players showed obvious signs of rustiness, hitting set-up winners out of play or netting relatively easy shots.

“Thanks every one for

Spain’s Rafael Nadal makes a backhand return to Austria’s Dominic Thiem during an exhibition tennis event in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Jan 29. 2021. (Kelly Barnes/AAP Image via AP)

having us. We honestly haven’t played in front of a crowd for over a year, it’s been a really long time, so this is really cool,” Williams said.

She acknowledged the tough 14-day quarantine restrictions that were in place to allow the Australian Open to take place beginning Feb. 8.

“Thanks for trusting us with your laws, (it) was great,” Williams added. “We

were so happy just to be here, and now it’s worth it.”

No. 2 Rafael Nadal beat U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem 7-5, 6-4 to open night play in Adelaide on hard courts at Memorial Drive.

In an on-court interview following his win, the oftinjured Nadal had a deadpan response when asked how he stays so young-looking at the age of 34.

“You are not in my

b o d y, ” N a d a l r e p l i e d , smiling.

Second-ranked Simona Halep beat No. 1 Ash Barty 3-6, 6-1, 10-8 in the final match of the night. It was Barty’s first match in 11 months due to coronavirusrelated travel restrictions and her decision not to defend her 2019 title at last year’s delayed French Open.

Earlier Friday, topranked Novak Djokovic missed the start of his scheduled exhibition match against emerging Italian talent Jannick Sinner, who

was Nadal’s quarantine practice partner. Djokovic got treatment for a blister on his right hand, leaving Sinner to play Filip Krajinovic, but the eighttime Australian Open champion arrived on court at the start of the second set to cheers from the crowd.

Krajinovic won the first set 6-3 and Djokovic the second by the same score to give the Serbian tag-team victory.

“I am sorry that I didn’t step on on the court from the beginning, I had to do some treatment with my physio,” Djokovic told the crowd in a post-match interview. “I wanted to play, I wanted to get out there.”

A television close-up had earlier showed a large blister on the palm of his Djokovic’s right hand, where his racket would sit.

“It’s part of what we do, we learn over the years to play with the pain,” Djokovic said. “But I saw the crowds and the emotion was so strong for me to come out, I had to play.”

A few hours earlier, Djokovic, who has already had COVID-19, celebrated the end of his quarantine with a barefoot walk in a local park.

“Just putting bare feet on the ground,” he said. “Just doing something that I didn’t have a chance to do. So just

having space, that is what we all kind of missed.”

T h e A d e l a i d e tournament is the only Australian Open tune-up tournament that isn’t being played in Melbourne. The others, including the ATP Cup and three WTA events, will start getting underway from Sunday.

In Melbourne, the first of the players to leave quarantine were greeted with the city’s often fickle weather — rain showers.

The National Tennis Centre at Melbourne Park has eight indoor courts and officials were expected to be inundated with requests from players, particularly those who have been in hard lockdown, for court time.

Those 72 players, who were on board the same three charter flights as the nine passengers who tested positive to COVID-19, have been unable to leave their rooms while others have been able to train for up to five hours a day.

Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley said players who had been in hard lockdown would be given priority.

“We’re going to have a great deal of empathy for supporting those who have been in hard lockdown and I’ve already made that commitment to them,” Tiley said.

Saturday January 30, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 31

Derick Kallicharran donates cricket gear to Tain CC

Tain CC Executives Adrian Downer, Tekha Pooran and Raju Singh with the cricket gears.

Tain’s cricket club Executive Adrian Downer presents gear to a player on behalf of ex Guyana & West Indies ‘B’ player Derick Kallicharran.

Derick Former Berbice, Kallicharran Guyana, West Indies ‘B’ and USA cricketer, Derick Kallicharran is not only giving back to the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) but also the Tain Cricket Club in Port Mourant Berbice.

The idea was born out of the need for cricket gears for the team that plays at second division level.

Tw o y e a r s a g o , Kallicharran, the brother of former West Indies Captain Alvin Kallicharran, was approached by the Club which is located in the Village where he grew up and has now fulfilled that request. The 62-year-old Kallicharran, the uncle of the Nagamootoo brothers; Mahendra and Vishaul, now live in the USA, said he wanted to give back to his Village club and was

impressed with how cricket is being run in his home County.

Kallicharran who played 39 First-Class matches and took 98 wickets with his legspin, toured Zimbabwe in 1983 with the West Indies ‘B’ team.

Kallicharran, who played for the USA in the 1994 ICC Trophy, said he hoped that the gears would be used with care and help to

make the players more comfortable.

Ta i n C r i c k e t C l u b Executive, Adrian Downer, who presented the gears to several players, said the club will benefit tremendously from the gears as they participate in Berbice cricket.

The Hilbert Foster led BCB is easily the most vibrant cricket Board in Guyana, while Berbice has the most cricket competitions in Guyana.

Several prominent Berbice cricketers and even those who have never played for Berbice like former Guyana and West Indies Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan have supported Berbice cricket in the recent past.

(Sean Devers)

Young women bowlers Soogrim, Schultz, impress West Indies Women’s Coach Walsh SportsMax - West Indies Women’s Head Coach Courtney Walsh was impressed with the efforts of emerging bowlers Steffi Soogrim and Kaysia Schultz who delivered standout performances during the squad’s first intra-squad 50-over match Antigua Thursday.

Soogrim returned figures of 3 for 5 from 4.5 overs while Schultz had figures of 3 for 36 in the match won by Anisa Mohammed’s XI over Stafanie Taylor’s XI. “We had a low-scoring game, but I was particularly pleased to see the effort by all the ladies on both teams. Even more impressed with the likes of young Soogrim and Schultz, the way how they bowled and the effort they put in. Also, the opening attack of Connell and Aaliyah Alleyne kept the batters on guard,” Walsh said.

“It was a challenging wicket when we saw Deandra bat and then later on when

Stafanie and Hayley batted, chasing the low score. We saw some good signs, a lot of positives to work from but still work to be done. I think all in all it was a good outing for just the first game and definitely, we will be working on improvements for the remaining matches.”

Batting first, Mohammed’s XI were bowled out for 112 in 30.5 overs thanks largely to Soogrim and Shamilia Connell who took 2 for 14 from the four overs she bowled. Deandra Dottin did her best to counter to incisive bowling scoring an unbeaten 51 while facing 80 balls.

Chasing 113, Taylor’s XI lost Hayley Matthews for 19 and Taylor for 26 as the side were bowled out for 104.

The 23-year-old Schultz was the standout left-arm orthodox bowler exhibited good control already demonstrating the benefits of the camp.

Brathwaite makes patient 85, but WI middle order collapses against BCB XI Kraigg Brathwaite struck 85 to lead the West Indies.

t r o Sp

Senior Chess C/ship underway today Anthony Drayton

Serena Williams, Nadal, Halep win at Adelaide exhibition

Young women bowlers Soogrim, Schultz, impress West Indies Women’s Coach Walsh

Emerging bowlers Steffi Soogrim (left) and Kaysia Schultz have impressed coach Courtney Walsh.

Derick Kallicharran donates cricket gear to Tain CC Naomi Osaka, left, of Japan and Serena Williams of the U.S. walk from the court together following an exhibition tennis event in Adelaide, Australia, Friday, Jan 29. 2021. (Kelly Barnes/AAP Image via AP)

St. Lucia Boxing Association invests in acquiring state of the art equipment

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