Kaieteur News

K

Govt. wants more NEWS emergency funds for ‘cash giveaways’

Thursday Edition

AIETEUR

July 07, 2022 - Vol. 15 No. 27 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 75,021

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

Stabroek Block revenues for 2020-2021 pegged - earnings more than Guyana's at $740.7B national budgets for same period Police wrap up probe into theft at Diamond - awaiting Health Ministry’s Drug bond valuation of missing items COVID-19 kills ‘Cost of living two Reg. 4 men to double by year-end’

- 144 new cases detected, two persons in ICU - Central Bank warns

GUYOIL threatened with legal action over botched ‘fuel deal’ Police Service Commission actions lawful although body not fully constituted - AG - says constitution provides for quorum which can act

Failure to use World Bank loan further exposes Guyana to Exxon’s exploitation - IEEFA

Kaieteur News

PAGE 02

Thursday July 07, 2022

‘Cost of living to double by year-end’ T

he cost of living is on the increase and is expected to more than double what it has increased during the first quarter of the year according to analysis conducted by Central Bank—the Bank of Guyana (BoG)—and documented in its latest quarterly report on the nation’s financial state of affairs.

According to the Bank’s report, at the end of March, the inflation rate for the country stood at 1.7 percent, mainly driven by increased prices in the fuel and food categories.

As it relates to projections however, BoG forecasts the end of year inflation rate is expected to be 4.1 percent, primarily as a result of higher world food and oil prices, due to supply shortfalls.

It was noted that during the first quarter for the year, the global economy also saw declining economic growth from was projected largely due to the ongoing RussianUkraine war that continues to hamper the global recovery, resulting in slower GDP growth and rising

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

This would be on track with the projections of Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, when he presented his Budget for the year and forecast the 4.1 percent increase in inflation for the year.

According to the BoG report, Global growth is projected to slow to 3.6 percent for 2022, representing a downward revision of 0.8 percentage from the previous forecast.

“It is expected that the effects of the war will continue to spread far and wide, mainly through commodity markets, trade and financial linkages,” according to the BoG, analysis which cited the World Economic Outlook, April 2022.

According to Guyana’s Central Bank, inflation was already surging prior to the war due to soaring commodity prices and pandemic-induced shortages and it is likely that warrelated shortages will

intensify the pressure, mainly through the higher prices for energy, metals and food.

Nonetheless, the bank forecasts that the Guyanese economy is projected to record real oil GDP growth of 49.6 percent while the non-oil economy is estimated to grow by 7.5 percent.

“This significant growth is expected to be mainly a result of expansions in all major sectors of the economy, as all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, and the economy has been fully reopened.”

It was noted additionally, that output of oil is expected to greatly increase with the introduction of the Liza Unity.

According to BoG, however, notwithstanding, the end of year inflation rate is expected to be 4.1 percent, mainly as a result of higher world food and oil prices, due to supply shortfalls.

It was noted that Urban Consumer Price Index (CPI) which swelled by 1.7 percent and the specific categories food, housing and transportation were among

the most hard hit sectors.

There reported noted that for the first quarter of the year, there was an increase in prices for categories of food by 2.4 percent, housing by 1.5 percent, transport and communication by 1.3 percent and education, recreational and cultural services by 1.0 percent.

“The increase in food prices was driven by the higher world food prices, as they reached their highest recorded level ever documented by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Higher oil prices on the

- Central Bank warns

global economy, stemming from the Russian-Ukraine conflict, also contributed to the rise in food and transportation costs locally while conversely, a price decline was recorded in the category of clothing by 0.1 percent.

In January last when Dr. Singh presented the National Budget, and addressing the inflationary pressures that had already been amplified the world over, he observed that “global inflation is at its highest in at least a decade and, in some places, inflation is at its highest in over four decades.”

IDPADA-G calls for equitable distribution of State resources The International Decade for People of African Descent AssemblyGuyana (IDPADA-G) has expressed condolences to the family of Quindon Bacchus and all of the aggrieved on the death of their son, brother, parent and friend. The organization also condemned the attacks on vendors and other citizens at Mon Repos during last week Tuesday protest.

In a statement, I D PA D A - G s a i d t h e villagers of Golden Grove were forced to suffer added pain, where civilians were pelleted through the unrestrained behaviour by those who should serve and protect and those trained only for combat. “We likewise empathize with the victims who suffered losses from the terror of robbery.

We regret that on Tuesday, 28 June 2022, the hitherto peaceful exercise of the right to protest and petition the Government for alleviation and redress was hijacked by misguided elements and descended into unacceptable riotous

conduct. We forthrightly and unreservedly condemn the destruction of property of our fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters mostly of East Indian descent, in the vicinity of the Mon Repos Market. The values, aims and objectives that inform I D A PA D A - G a n d t h e inherent virtues it embraces in respect to human rights, are directly opposed to any such conduct.”

The organization said it is concerned about the state of ethnic relations in Guyana country and calls upon those in authority, inclusive of the organs and institutions of the State to acknowledge the schisms of ethnic relations in Guyana; admit the historical origins; and resolve to confront these ethnic tensions collectively and nationally.

“While the recent events on the East Coast, namely Golden Grove and Mon Repos, clearly point to institutional deficiencies and distrust in the operations of the Guyana Police Force and the justice system, they can be traced (Continued on page 13)

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 03

Failure to utilise World Bank loan further exposes Guyana to Exxon exploitation - IEEFA G

u y a n a ’ s downgraded performance on the World Bank Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP) loan is another indicator of how financially exposed the country remains when it comes to effectively protecting and managing the oil sector.

Given that the country’s i n s t i t u t i o n a l c a p a c i t y, building priorities seem not to be moving apace with oil resource development, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) has reiterated the grim financial and environmental position Guyana further faces by not utilizing the 2019 loan.

The IEEFA has argued that not only is Guyana receiving “too small a portion of the (oil) project revenue but also is at risk due to weak environmental and

f i s c a l c o n t r a c t requirements.” The agency said that given the haste to move forward with drilling, the government and the oil companies have left Guyana and its people exposed to a series of pollution and

financial risks.

It was explained that one of the most important fiscal issues facing Guyana is determining if the oil companies are complying with the oil contract. Careful scrutiny of paperwork submitted with each oil lift and profit statement is important to make sure Guyana is protected.

However, the World Bank review makes it clear that the government of Guyana does

not have the right protections in place.

Recognising also that other solicitations for services to upgrade environmental monitoring and oversight were apparently dropped, the

IEEFA opined that if Guyana had awarded and implemented the contracts, “it could have avoided a recent embarrassing judicial ruling that found the government broke the law by giving ExxonMobil a 20-year permit when the law only allowed for the award of a five-year permit.”

The IEEFA said that the World Bank makes grants to help countries work in good faith to provide a stable, predictable economic

Caricom to host conference on rising crime

- heads agreed to improve info-sharing on gun crime intelligence

Amid spiraling crime rates across the Caribbean, Caricom heads have agreed to convene a meeting of the Conference to address crime and violence as a public health issue at the earliest opportunity.

At the conclusion of their summit in Suriname this week, the heads said in a communiqué that they welcomed a briefing on the security situation in the Community from the C A R I C O M Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS).

According to the communiqué, they mandated the Council for Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) to lead the preparations for the meeting along with the Council for Health and Social Development (COHSOD) and relevant public health personnel.

Heads of Government further agreed to improve sharing of gun crime intelligence with the regional gun crime unit and to strengthen the cooperation in sharing of intelligence among law enforcement personnel of Member States.

Only recently, Prime

Minister Dr. Keith Rowley said he wants to declare violence a public health emergency in Trinidad and Tobago owing to rash of murders. He was speaking at the Piarco International Airport before leaving for the 43rd regular meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Suriname, the Trinidad Guardian had reported. “We seem not to be able to get away from the many aspects of violent crime, coming from a number of directions.

Notwithstanding our best efforts, every single day there is a spate of violent crime, largely driven, but not only driven by firearms and defying logic,” Rowley said is quoted in the newspaper as saying.

He cited seven of the 13 killings–four murdered on the North Coast and three killed in a police-involved shooting in Port-of-Spain.

Rowley said there were many people prepared to risk their lives by arming themselves and engaging the police. “It is very discomforting to know that our security people on so many occasions have to do the reasonable thing of responding to people who are armed, and what does

the population expect?” he asked.

The Prime Minister said police officers cannot “walk away” from people with illegal firearms and after these confrontations, there is the “unnecessary loss of life.” He said the Government was prepared to declare violence a public h e a l t h e m e rg e n c y.

However, he could not give a timeline or details on how this would be achieved. “I just raised it as a matter that we have to focus on, it’s a specialist area, and it involves the entire national community seeing it that way. I don’t think we are ready for the timeline yet,” he said.

Rowley said it was a proposal the Government was contemplating before the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. He said at that time, it would have been implemented under the National Security Ministry as an outreach and training.

“It is something that we need to go back to because this is more than just the evening news and somebody accidentally getting something done. It is just too prevalent and it is, unfortunately, desensitising the population.”

environment. And given Guyana’s own situation, it could learn from the experiences of other countries that work with international oil companies.

“For many countries, the significant benefits from the

venture turned into major scandals. Some combination of poor fiscal planning, lax environmental enforcement or undisciplined money management and spending usually spell trouble, either in the form of tragic environmental accidents or money ending up in the wrong pockets.”

T h e I E E FA s t a t e d nonetheless that the benefits from the World Bank grant program have yet to be demonstrated. “Oil companies and their project partners often object to environmental and fiscal rules because they take time—and in the oil business, time is money.” As such, ExxonMobil and its partners want to move quickly and given the recent turns of the oil market, more volume extracted at today’s extraordinarily high prices is a strong reason to move quickly.

IEEFA said that over the long term, ExxonMobil has seen revenues drop over the last decade as oil’s market position has been eroded by competition, and several ExxonMobil projects in Canada, Russia in 2018 and again in 2022, and the United States have come up short.

The government of Guyana is similarly in a hurry, because the demand for oil may dry up before the wells.

T h e Wo r l d B a n k ’s expression of concern is nonetheless a warning that unbridled speed of oil development poses risks, the IEEFA posited. They said that the companies have paid more than USD$700 million to Guyana for its share of profit oil and royalties, “yet Guyana has released no audit assuring the public that it has been paid the right amount.

The public also does not know how costs have been applied to the project.” In the meantime, flaring pollution and other risks continue.

“When a country makes a promise to reach for higher ethical standards and then walks back on the deal, it is worth asking a few questions,” the IEEFA stated.

In 2019, the David Granger led administration sought US$20M from the Wo r l d B a n k f o r t h e

enhancement of legal and institutional frameworks and the strengthening of the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector. Since the current administration had not requested any disbursements from the loan, the project’s overall implementation had been downgraded to ‘ M o d e r a t e l y Unsatisfactory’, with around 24 percent of the total credit disbursed and no disbursement requests received by the Bank since October 2020. As late as December 2021, the World Bank said that government highlighted its intention to “refine the scope of the project to bring it in line with current government priorities.” The US$20M project has four components: C o m p o n e n t A – Enhancement of Legal Framework and Stakeholder Engagement: (US$3.20 M), Component B – Capacity Building of Key Institutions: (US $10.70 M), Component C – Enhancement of Fiscal Management Systems: (US$3.50 M), and Component – D. Project Management & Project Preparation Facilities: (Cost $2.60 M). The Bank said it remains on standby awaiting any guidance from the Guyana government.

Govt. wants more emergency funds for ‘cash giveaways’ President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has signaled his government’s intention to head back to Parliament for more funds to support ‘cash giveaways’ and immediate infrastructural works for communities across Guyana.

He made this known while speaking to the media during a recent cocktail event held at the Pegasus Suites, Kingston, Georgetown, to commemorate 50 years of friendship between China and Guyana.

Ali told reporters on the sidelines of the event: “I want people to understand, I want to work with people. I will come to every community. I will come to every door. I want to work with people. I was in ‘South’ (South Ruimveldt) and immediately, there are things that have to be done, right away”.

To support this initiative,

President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Ali made it clear that his government will need more cash and is already making preparations to get that money from the National Assembly. He said, ‘I have already asked the Minister of Finance to immediately work on a supplementary provision”.

A supplementary provision means that the

government will be seeking additional funds than what was budgeted or approved by National Assembly for a specific project and most likely, it will have to come out from the Contingency Fund.

Once that extra cash is approved, Ali promised that his government will continue to dole out handouts and other forms of assistance to citizens across Guyana. “I will go in Buxton, I will go in Canje, I will go in the Rupununi, wherever it takes, because I want to work with every single Guyanese, every single group”, Ali told reporters.

The government had already set aside a total of $5B in this year’s budget to mitigate the effects of the rising high cost of living due to the Covid-19 and the ongoing Russian Invasion of Ukraine. Consultations were (Continued on page 8)

PAGE 4

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

President Ali is the President that we must always remember

W

e have a position to share with the President of Guyana. We put a few things before him in the hope that he will spare the time, and give them the most careful consideration. We do our duty, as heavy as it is, in bringing what we do to him. He must find it in himself, through self-belief, conviction, and courage to do the fullness of the duties that his national office requires of him.

His Excellency, President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, is the President of Guyana. President Ali is the head of state, there is no other presently. He must always remember that never ever forget that, in the hustle and bustle, the pressing nature of his duties. We appreciate that he cannot be everywhere or do everything himself. But he must also appreciate that whatever those in his Government do fall under the range of his responsibilities, and of which he is answerable because he has ultimate ownership.

We have this increasing oil wealth, as more and more explorations are pursued, and more and more discoveries are announced. The President has two men named as chief stewards, the most senior superintendents, of this nations natural resource blessings, of which oil towers above all the others. The first is the Hon. Vice President, and the second is the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources. President Ali has delegated full oversight of our wealth to these two men, and he must use every muscle, engage every fiber and cell in his youthful body, to satisfy himself, ensure, that both of them are doing what is best for the expectant peoples of this poor country. He must do so because he has to stand before the Guyanese people, and guarantee that they are in good hands.

Hands that are honest because they are clean, as in untarnished.

Hands that are caring, because this wealth means so much for the poor of Guyana. Hands that have no smell about them because they have only done what is right by the peoples waiting, longing, and waiting. This is what Mohamed Irfaan Ali, as national leader and this societys most senior citizen, has as a duty and burden on his own hands. It rests on his head also, and once his heart is committed unfailingly to do what is right with this wealth of ours, then he will not stand idly by, and allow anyone of these junior members of his governance team to think of playing games, or actually to engage in them to the detriment of this nation.

We at this paper, and many in this nation, have our concerns that the Vice President is doing what is best for Guyana with this oil, with how he goes about making excuses, pretending at protecting the interests of Guyanese, while what he does is mostly beneficial, pleasing, to ExxonMobil and its partners. President Ali had to have heard that from his own inner circle, the wider fold of his own supporters. He cannot be that deaf or blind, since nobody is, and not with the huge tilts that favour Exxon, and which hurt Guyanese. We dont think that he is, for he has to have his own instincts and intuitions, his own commonsense that things are not as they seem, or as is presented by the Vice President, and therefore he must be aware.

Since he must be aware, President Ali cannot claim ignorance, he cannot seek the comfort of distance, he must not retreat into silence. Such are not part of the apparel of presidents, true national leaders. For whatever the Vice President and the Natural Resources Minister do in their management of our wealth automatically is his to own, be such positive or negative, rewarding or destructive. A large number of things from the mind and the hand of the Vice President causes heavy hearts, generates great alarms, and leaves lots of questions unanswered. Is this Guyanese leader, a former president himself, for this country and for us or is he busy working out what suits his own way of thinking?

This is what President Ali must be concerned about because he is in charge, and it is his record and name.

Police may it be a real new dawn DEAR EDITOR, The Guyana Police Force celebrated its officers promoted to senior ranks on Tuesday, and it was occasion for the brass to appear. Minister Benn, acting Top Cop Hicken, and PSC Chair Bishop Findlay all graced the occasion and congratulated the newest layer to the cream of the GPF. The words of acting CoP Hicken arrested me, when he said that this should be seen as “the dawn of a new era” (SN and KN July 6). It is worth repeating “the dawn of a new era” for it is of stirring simplicity, yet possesses such profoundness, because of what it could mean for both the GPF and the people of Guyana, none excepted.

There are many things, which I wish to say about this expectant hush of the “dawn of a new era” for the GPF; I take a positive approach, not skeptical one, today.

Too much is in the hands of the GPF, and despite histories of being in the wrong hands leading to the wrong outcomes, the thought-indeed, vision and hope is that

this time it will be truly different, and not be one more false dawn, another failed era, of regret and reciprocal recrimination. I give the acting CoP and the Bishop Chair (even the minister) the benefit of trust, by saying that they are sincere, though I dont know why I do so.

Perhaps it is because if we dont have a professionally functioning GPF, then the alternative is frightening. If we have an old dawn then all we will have is what we have had forever, be such in the forms of suspicions, speculations, conclusions, and the unchallengeable realisations of endless corruptions. In the end, those mean more pain and anguish, more uncertainty and agitation, on the part of the Guyanese people; those who have to defend it come what may, those who take offense at its actions, whatever those are and whichever dark, damaging places they lead.

The dawn of a new era in the GPF would mean where I can trust from the supreme commissioner to the simple

constable, most, if not all of them. Most regrettably, I dont of most; and when I do so, there is the awareness that the Guyanese people agree with me on this one, including those PPP brothers and sisters who thrive on despising naysayers like me. Help us to reverse that outlook, give me something to work with, and I am capable of supplying with a river of powerfully pleasing and thought-provoking phrases more sublime than the dawn of a new era for the GPF, but only as such can be confirmed by circumstances and the people standing guard over us.

Nothing would delight more. Nothing would give me the spirit to give back to those of whom so much is being asked (to paraphrase the scriptural excerpt put to spirited use by Mr. Hicken in his opening remarks).

But first, editor, he and his people have to live up to the glory of that dawn and let it extend by every lawful method and practice into each and every hour of every day and for the benefit of every

citizen in every corner of this country. It is a crooked country, which is the first of many challenges; and a divided and hostile one, too. To address these weaknesses, the GPF cannot be of the exact same internal makeup as those over whom they stand as sentinels.

That is, crooked, hostile, and divided. We need men and women of honour, and I begin with Mr. Hicken; yes sir, I do not spare any rods, anyone either.

He must set the standard, a high bar; I am willing to forget yesterday, start over, like I begin each day with a little learning, a bit of forgiving, in the quest for some more understanding.

How much we need all this, and we can get this much yearned-for, this elusive dawn that has never dawned yet. But only if we are genuine and honourable, and all the way from the top. I look beyond acting Top CoP, Bishop, minister, to the heights.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Oil funds should be divided into four roughly equal baskets DEAR EDITOR, Guyana will receive half the profit oil, ranging from a minimum of 12.5% of sales to considerably higher percentages, depending on the average price of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas over the next seven to ten years.

This is in addition to the 2% royalty on sales of oil; natural gas liquids; and natural gas sold by the operators.

Like in any business, the operators will first take out their operating expenses.

Then, on a monthly basis, they will recover some of their capital expenses and exploration expenses but by stipulation in the agreement, they cannot expense and recover an amount greater than 75% of sales. This stipulation means that there will always be a pool of money, representing 25% of sales, that the parties have designated as “profit oil”, whether or not there is an actual profit. Luckily for all parties in this agreement, the price of oil has been so high this past year, there is a bonanza of profits for all of them.

In addition to the operators covering their monthly operating expenses to produce the oil and gas, they are allowed each month to recover a portion of their capital expenses which they invested in developing the infrastructure required to pro-

duce the oil; and to recover a portion of the exploration expenses they incurred to find the oil and determine where to position their production hardware. Until they recover those expenses, Guyana will continue to receive 12.5% of sales as “profit oil”. But when those expenses have been recovered, by the firms that paid them to start with, then Guyanas share of a half of the profit could be much higher than 12.5% because the profit oil, instead of being limited to 25%, would now, with no more deductions for prior spending, be much higher, 30% or 40% or 50%, depending on the price of oil.

Editor, in a prior letter to you, I calculated that at an average price of oil of $68 per barrel over next 30 years; with an expected ultimate recovery of 10 billion barrels of oil, not counting sales of natural gas liquids or natural gas; operating expenses of $32 per barrel; and capital expenses averaging $8 per barrel, Guyana would receive US$150 billion over the economic life of the Stabroek block. Please note that I included the exploration expenses in the capital expense category because with a find of over 10 billion barrels, the exploration expenses are less than twenty cents per barrel of oil discovered. A total take for Guyana of US$150 billion out of total sales of

US$680 billion is 22%, averaged over the economic life of the field.

I believe that these are conservative estimates. The price of oil has been over $100 per barrel for several months.

It can free fall any time, I know. I have lived through many booms and busts and have the scars to prove it. But after my first bust, in 1982, I saw a bumper sticker here in Midland that read: “Dear God, please send us another oil boom and I promise not to p*ss it off this time.” I have kept the promise.

Oil is a cyclical commodity. So is natural gas. But now, its not only the price that can destroy producers. Environmental concerns, though temporarily partially forgotten because of the shortages, will confront producers when natural disasters linked to climate change and fossil fuel consumption force a choice.

Even then, I believe that Guyanas high quality Brent oil, close to major markets, with one of the lowest production cost in the world, tied to the navel of one of the largest oil companies with deep market penetration and powerful lobbying contacts, will continue to be in demand until the Stabroek block dries up.

Editor, I understand and I am sympathetic to the concerns that Guyana is not get-

ting more money now for its oil. I spoke about the flaws in the PSA at length at my Moray House talk three years ago. In fact, I tried to console the audience with a riff based on that old primary school poem, “If”: IF (July 2019 at Moray House) If all the tax shenanigans were not included If Guyana was not required to change its laws to make any illegalities legal If the signing bonus was not a pittance of the norm If the fallacy of Venezuelan “protection” were not foisted If there were ring fencing to bar extraneous expenses If the royalty percentage resembled par If your leaders did not susu with the IOC s If there were not such lopsidedness in knowledge What a great contract that could have bee.

Editor, the fact that the operators get to recover their initial capital outlay up front is not a concern in my mind.

In all of the little businesses I was involved with, either as the operator or as an investor, the party that puts in the cash get their money back first. I have been on both sides and it seems fair to me.

Guyana will be (Continued on page 5)

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 5

Kaieteur News

Domestic terrorism at Mon Repos condemned DEAR EDITOR, OWOC denounces the domestic terrorism on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, meted out to innocent, defenseless market vendors working hard to sustain their families. When the day started for the vendors, little did they know they would have to run for their lives abandoning their meagre possessions, as marauding bands of thugs descended upon them violently

as they sat in their stalls waiting for customers and earnings for the day to feed their families.

Vendors struggle daily to eke out a living in these hard, “guava season” times. For them to abandon their phones, moneybags, vehicles, and goods to flee from the attacks of the domestic terrorists, has traumatised the most vulnerable among us. As we witnessed tears flowing

Oil funds should...

From page 4 receiving 12.5% of sales and 2% in royalty until the operators and investors recover their money. I wish it were more. In fact, I wish this whole deal was based entirely on royalty. The US government gets 15.5% royalty on oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. The current talk about increasing royalty rates is mostly about on shore leases.

Guyana will receive a lot of oil money even now, and I suspect will have to stretch its manpower and management resources to successfully deploy the funds as fast as it will be coming in. My belief that the funds should be divided into four roughly equal baskets over the long term and used concurrently, is stronger than when I first proposed it three years ago.

1: LIVE - immediate improvement in societal living conditions 2: BUILD - infrastructure for the long term 3: SAVE - build the NRF for when the oil revenue drops 4: GIVE - cash transfers to all Guyanese living in Guyana.

The influx of vast sums of money into Guyana for oil that is produced and sold mostly offshore, will cause huge inflation locally, quite apart from worldwide inflationary pressures. Cash transfer will add to the inflationary pressure at the national level but will soften its impact to individuals overall, when they actually receive the cash.

Looking at Guyana from the outside, I believe everything that can be done to prevent events such as those of last week should be done now.

Editor, a natural question is, when does Guyana start to receive a higher percentage of sales? I will take a shot at the answer but with several caveats. At $68 per barrel, there will be $19 per barrel (75% of 68) less $32 for operating expenses) available for capital cost recovery. At a capital cost of $8 per barrel for 10 billion barrels, the total amount to be recovered is US$80 billion. So, dividing 80 billion by 19, it would take 4.2 billion barrels of oil to recover US$80 billion! That is roughly when 42% of the Expected Ultimate Recovery from the Stabroek Block is produced.

At an average production rate of 1.25 million barrels per day, it would take nearly ten years.

Of course at a higher price for oil it could be much shorter. If the price of oil were to stay at US$100 per barrel, it would be less than seven years, if the operators can crank up production to 1.25 million barrels per day in the next four years!

But note, if the operators increase production to 1.25 million barrels per day, without any new finds or technological improvements in oil recovery, the Stabroek block will be “dry” in about twenty five years.

Yours faithfully, Tulsi Dyal Singh, MD

down their faces recalling their trauma, we wonder where our society is heading under the current trajectory, where the PPP Government is unable to keep its citizens safe.

Many questions come to mind. The group that started out from Golden Grove was on the road for almost three hours. Where were the police?

Why did the police not take action earlier before the Mon Repos vendors were robbed and pillaged? Did police “Intelligence” not know this event was going to happen?

Who instructed the police not to take pre-emptive action? Did the so-called “protest” activity have a permit?

Why was there no police presence at the Mon Repos Market?

Why were the vendors not informed to lock up their stands and take preventative action? The Police Force and Government must answer these questions.

We advise the Opposition

PNC not to delight in the woes of the Government because “a hole in the boat, is a hole in the whole boat.” Violence by perceived PNC supporters against perceived PPP supporters does not score points for the PNC. We offer our deepest sympathy to the Quindon Bacchus family who allegedly was shot by a policeman.

Families deserve answers when their loved ones die under questionable circumstances. However, we note that when citizens feel aggrieved about police actions, the law and inquiry processes must be allowed to take its course. A Civil Society cannot survive if people are impatient and take matters into their own hands. Terrorising innocent people must be condemned by all. We look forward to policy and policing changes to prevent such terrorism in the future. OWOC expresses its sympathy and solidarity to all the victims.

Our Wealth, Our Country

Yes Freddie, we still have hope DEAR EDITOR, Freddie Kissoon has recently written a column in which he stated that, as much as there are bad people in Guyana, there are still many good people.

He wrote about his experience when his car battery went dead and a driver saw him, stopped, and offered to help.

I agree with Freddie.

Recently, my high school classmate, in the 1960s, Joseph Ragnauth, visited Guyana. He took the Airport Mini Bus Taxi Services.

After he was dropped off, he realised that 4000.00 US in

an envelope was not in his pocket.

The airplane officials and the taxi driver were asked to check the seats respectively. The money was not found.

The next morning, however, the door bell rang and Joseph answered the door.

There is the taxi driver, Victor Powley, standing with an envelope in hand, telling Joe that he found the money in his mini van this morning. Amazing! Yes Freddie, we still have very honest people and hope, in Guyana. God bless the taxi driver.

Ganesh Harilal

Remembering the Son Chapman DEAR EDITOR, Fifty-eight years have passed since that fateful day when more than 40 of Linden’s own were massacred on the Demerara River as they travelled home on the Son Chapman launch at 16:00 hours on Monday, July 6, 1964.

It has been said that ‘To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.’ How very true!

The men, women, and children who died on the Son Chapman 58 years ago live on in the hearts and minds of their families and friends.

AND the people of Linden.

Many of us alive today never knew the men, women, and children of the Son Chapman massacre. Yet, we remember them and reflect on their experience because - by their deaths - we have an example of what hatred and brutality can lead to...senseless loss of life and endless suffering.

Incidents such as the Son Chapman massacre and the July18 Tragedy of 2012 must never again occur. We must take the lessons taught by tragedies such as these to guide our actions in the here and now. For our society to allow such tragedies to reoccur would be indicative of our collective unwillingness to learn and grow as a society.

The survivors of the Son Chapman - 6 crewmen and 26 passengers - must also be remembered for they represent God’s never ending mercy and the resilience of the people of Linden. This experience has made us stronger.

The people of Region 10 are known for staring adversity in the face and have overcome May God rest the souls of the men, women, and children of the Son Chapman.

And may God bless the people of Linden and Region 10.

Sharma Solomon

PAGE 6

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

Some Russians wont halt war protests, despite arrest fears (AP) - Ever since Russia invaded Ukraine, Anastasia has started her day by composing an anti-war message and posting it on the wall at the entrance of her apartment block in the industrial city of Perm in the Ural Mountains.

“Do not believe the propaganda you see on the TV, read independent media!” reads one. “Violence and death have been constantly with us for three months now take care of yourselves” reads another.

The 31-year-old teacher, who asked to be identified only by her first name because she fears for her security, said she wanted “a safe and simple method of getting a message across.”

“I couldnt do something huge and public,” she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. “I want to get people to think. And I think we should influence whatever space, in whatever way we can.”

Despite a massive government crackdown on such acts of protest, some Russians have persisted in speaking out against the invasion even in the simplest of ways.

Some have paid a heavy price. In the early, wintry days of the invasion in February, authorities moved quickly to quash demonstrations, arresting people who marched or even held blank signs or other oblique references to the conflict. Critical media outlets were shut down as the government sought to control the narrative. Political opponents were singled out by President Vladimir Putin or commentators on state-run TV. Lawmakers rubberstamped measures that outlawed the spread of “false information” about what the Kremlin called a “special military operation” and disparag-

ing the military, using them against anyone who spoke out against the attack or talked about the atrocities Russian troops were alleged to have committed.

As the war has dragged on into the languid days of a Russian summer, some like Anastasia feel guilty that they cannot do more to oppose the invasion, even within the constraints of the new laws.

When Russian troops rolled in Ukraine on Feb. 24, Anastasia said her first thought was to sell all her possessions and move abroad, but she soon changed her mind.

“Its my country, why should I leave?” she told AP. “I understood I needed to stay and create something to help from here.”

Sergei Besov, a Moscowbased printer and artist, also felt he couldnt stay silent.

Even before the invasion, the 45-year-old was making posters reflecting on the political scene and plastering them around the capital.

When Russians voted two years ago on constitutional amendments allowing Putin to seek two more terms after 2024, Besov used his old printing press with hefty wooden Cyrillic type and vintage red ink to print posters that said simply: “Against.”

During the 2020 unrest in Belarus over a disputed presidential election and the ensuing crackdown on the protesters, he made posters saying “Freedom” in Belarusian.

After the invasion of Ukraine, his project, Partisan Press, started making posters saying “No to war” the main anti-war slogan. Video of the poster being printed became popular on Instagram, and demand for copies was so great that they were given away for free.

After some of his posters were used at a demonstration in Red Square and some people displaying them were arrested, it became clear that the police “would inevitably come to us,” Besov said.

They showed up when Besov wasnt there, charging two of his employees with participating in an unauthorized rally by printing the poster used in it.

The case has dragged on for over three months, he said, causing all of them lots of stress over whether they will be penalized and to what extent.

Besov has stopped printing the “No to war” posters and went for subtler messages such as “Fear is not an excuse to do nothing.”

He considers it important to keep speaking out.

“The problem is we dont know where the lines are drawn,” Besov said. “It is known that they can prosecute you for certain things, but some manage to fly under the radar. Where is this line? It is very bad and really difficult.”

Sasha Skochilenko, a 31year-old artist and musician in St. Petersburg, failed to stay under the radar and is facing severe consequences for what she thought was a relatively safe way to spread the word about the horrors of war: She was detained for replacing five price tags in a supermarket with tiny ones containing anti-war slogans.

“The Russian army bombed an arts schools in Mariupol. Some 400 people were hiding in it from the shelling,” one read.

“Russian conscripts are being sent to Ukraine. Lives of our children are the price of this war,” said another one.

Skochilenko was really affected by the war, said her partner, Sophia Subbotina.

Attitudinal changes needed DEAR EDITOR, A relative of mine who recently visited Guyana after over a decade was high in praise for the professionalism of the staff at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

This is good for the image of Guyana especially at this time when the country is in the cusp of transformative and modernisation.

This transformation process is already evident on arrival at the new-look CJIA which now compares favourably with other airports in the region.

There is no doubt that Guyana’s is currently undergoing a massive

infrastructural overhaul but such a development must also be buttressed by attitudinal changes on the part of Guyanese, among which must be a high degree of professionalism, respect for the rule of law and also the democratic norms of society and governance.

Guyana’s international profile as a country is changing thanks to our new status as an emerging oil and gas economy but also as a result of our proactive role on the international stage.

President Ali and the PPP/C administration must be given credit for the enormous strides the

country is making both from the perspective of good governance and raising our profile in the Caribbean and beyond. As we observed CARICOM Day a few days ago, we need reflect on how stronger we are together as a member of the CARICOM family both in terms of the preservation of our democracy and our territorial integrity.

This is why attempts to damage our image as a rulesbased society must be condemned.

There can be no place for any display of hooliganism as recently happened on the East Coast of Demerara.

Hydar Ally

T N U L B . . .

T B N U T L N T B .

U .

L .

L T B .

N .

U .

N U T L N B .

U .

T .

L N T U N B .

N U .

L U L LUNT. B .

T . .

T T N N B U B .

U .

L .

L T B .

B . .

N . . .

T U T L N N T U Ministers or firefighters?

U L N L B U .

B . .

L . . .

T B T . .

N .

N T U L N LU B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . .

B .

U . .

T L .

N T B . .

U N .

L N T B U N . .

L .

U T L B . .

N B . . .

T U .

L N T B U . .

L .

UN T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L B U UN .BLUNT. . .

L .

T B . .

N .

T U .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . .

L N .

T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B U . .

L N .

T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU .

T .

N .

N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B .

L .

N .

B T . . .

N T U N N N L U U U B L .

L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

Today we report that the Irfaan Ali administration will soon be approaching the National Assembly for more money to fund their ‘cash-giveaway’ scheme.

It is a giveaway, because instead of putting together a sensible, comprehensive plan of cash transfers, we have a administration going around the country sharing money to a selected few. We have said here before that Guyanese can benefit far more if our leaders would seek adjustments to the oil contracts with ExxonMobil and their partners, which can guarantee this country higher royalties and profits.

Instead, we see the President, Vice President, Prime Minister, and the Cabinet of Ministers making the rounds daily for photo-ops and malas and delivering fine speeches.

The tight arc of such endeavours speaks of the work of firefighters putting out fires, while hauling themselves contentedly away that another potential flare-up has been tamed. It is of reacting to the moment, instead of responding in a manner that is laced through with what is comprehensive, also viable. Not just for the beleaguered and upset Africa community, but also for the entire range of communities that make up this Guyanese nation.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Thursday July 07, 2022

CARICOM mulls inter regional ferry service - initial focus to be Guyana, TT, Barbados and Grenada

C

aricom leaders have mandated the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to commence a proposed roadmap study on the factors needed for successfully establishing a fast ferry service for the transportation of agricultural produce within the region.

The ferry will have an initial focus on trade between Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, and Barbados, Caricom said in a communiqué released following the heads summit in Suriname which concluded this week.

According to the communiqué, Heads of Government considered the R e g i o n ’s n e e d f o r a significantly enhanced transportation system that can bolster food security and deepen regional integration.

“Heads of Government welcomed an update from the Prime Minister of Barbados on advanced discussions with the United Arab Emirates regarding support for both a traditional ferry and fast ferry service

for the Region and noted that a related proposal from the Capital Abu Dhabi is being awaited,” the communiqué noted. Besides, the heads also agreed to establish a Working Group to provide oversight of the project which will include representatives from the Governments of Barbados, Grenada, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as the CARICOM Secretariat, Caricom Private Sector Organisation (CPSO), and the CDB. The matter of improved transportation and connectivity had been one of grave concern over the years and it was raised again at the recently held Agriculture Expo hosted in Guyana. The CARICOM Heads of Government at the exposition called on investors to allocate funding to transport goods throughout the Community.

Premier of Montserrat, Joseph Farrell had rallied investors to support the acquisition of “at least two ships, one going north and one going south, so that we

can move our products from one country to the next.”

Prime Minister Keith Rowley had also referred to the multipurpose vessels that were donated in the era of the West Indies Federation by the Government of Canada to the Region, and told investors, “If you really want to help CARICOM …, one of the best things that you could do is to help the team of governments to fund and have operating, within the CARICOM Region, vessels of that nature so as to bring our people together by seas…It has been done; it needs to be done. Goods and services by sea after by rail is always the cheapest,’’ Dr. Rowley asserted.

For his part, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minster, Gaston Browne, said it is imperative to find the means to “move our goods”, as he pointed out that it was easier to ship goods from Miami than within the Region. “If we don’t have transportation then all our efforts would be in vain… In this regard, reliable transportation by sea and by air is imperative and

urgently requires attention. It is imperative and urgently demands attention,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister of the Bahamas, Chester Cooper also threw out the challenge for the Caribbean to develop a strategic plan t h a t t a rg e t s l o g i s t i c a l transport and connectivity issues.

Slow pace of CSME Meanwhile, also at the summit Heads of Government expressed disappointment at the slow pace of implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and took immediate steps to move the process

forward. They noted in particular the area of movement of skilled workers and in that regard agreed to definitions of and qualifications for household domestics, an agricultural worker and private security officer which are agreed categories for free movement.

“Heads of Government mandated the Secretariat to convene meetings of the Registrars of Companies and the Ministers with responsibility for companies before the end of July 2022 to elaborate the steps to enable Member States to implement the principle of mutual recognition of any company incorporated in another CARICOM Member State and report to the Conference at its meeting in September,” the communiqué stated.

Heads of Government acknowledged online solutions designed to increase efficiency in the delivery of services to the Region have been advanced.

These include – the Labour Market Information System (LMIS), Online Companies Registry System (OCRS), the Community Public Procurement Notice Board (CPPNB), the CARICOM Rapid Alert System for Exchange of Information on Dangerous (non-food) Goods (CARREX) and the CARICOM Interactive Marketplace and Suspension

Procedure (CIMSuPro).

The 43rd Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) was held from 3-5 July 2022. Chair of the Conference, the President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi presided over the proceedings.

Other Members of the Conference in attendance were: Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne; Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Philip Davis; Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, Q.C; MP; Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceño; Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit; Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell; President of Guyana, His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali; Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry; Premier of Montserrat, Joseph Farrell; Prime Minister of Saint Lucia, Philip Pierre; the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr Ralph Gonsalves; and the Prime Minister of Trinidad a n d To b a g o , D r t h e Honourable Keith Rowley.

Jamaica was represented by Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson-Smith Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade; St Kitts and Nevis was represented by Ambassador Lionel Sydney Osborne, Ambassador to CARICOM.

Govt. wants more emergency funds for...

From page 3 held for measures to be put in place on how the money should be spent, the administration had said.

Recently, government handed out cash to sugar workers; children living with disabilities; hinterland residents; farmers among others. Millions were also used to compensate vendors, whose stalls were looted during a violent protest at the Mon Repos Market on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). It is unclear if the entire $5B has been expended; however, in a recent press conference held by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, he assured that there is still cash available from the allocation. Nevertheless, Ali is still making plans to access more funds for the continuation of his government’s outreach initiative.

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Uncle Jai has to “Ask Cynthia” There is a regular caller to the Afternoon Request Show.

It is usually aired on NCN 560 Mhz from just after 4pm on some weekdays. The show is hosted at present by Uncle Jai. There are quite a few regulars who make it their duty to call in religiously. One particular caller usually requests one of two tunes “Big Iron [on his Hip]” by Marty Robbins and “Ask Cynthia” by Sir Don. For months on end, the caller used to call in and ask for the Marty Robbins hit.

Then after the then host asked him if he could not request any other tune, he switched to the song made popular by Sir Don. It is almost certain that once this caller gets through to the programme that he will ask for either one of these tunes. Yesterday, he called and initially seemed to be asking for the Marty Robbins tune to be played by requesting “Ask Cynthia.”

Then another person called in later and requested the tune “Big Iron”. Uncle Jai, the new host, told the caller that he was not going

to do so. The caller protested and demanded to know why.

Jai did not give a reason except to say that a caller from Linden had called and told him that the song was inappropriate and having reviewed the video, he agreed.

The caller, who was requesting the song, demanded to know the reason. Uncle Jai urged him to go and listen to the tune. He also told the caller that the songs message was not right and he would not play that tune and asked the caller to pick another one.

Big Iron” has been a popular country song. It relates the story of a duel between an outlaw called Texas Red and an Arizona Ranger.

The Ranger rode into town with a .45 calibre Colt single action army revolver on his hip. The Ranger and his gun were intimidating because no one dared to ask a question.

“Big Iron” is a popular song which has been around since 1959. In the fictitious duel, which the song narrates, the outlaw Texas Red is shot down by the Ranger. Texas Red had been challenged before by 20 other gunmen but

had killed all of them. So he was supremely confident that the Ranger would be his 21st victim.

The “Big Iron” was really a big gun with a 12 inches barrel which Marty Robbins had seen in a gun store and which became the inspiration for the song. The owner of the store also had a personal gun which he nicknamed, “Big Iron.”

“Big Iron” was a hit for Robbins. He went on to become a highly popular country singer with hits on the charts right up to his death in 1982.

Uncle Jai, however, insisted that he was not playing that song on his programme because it sent the wrong message. This despite the imploring of another caller who told Uncle Jai that there was nothing suggestive about the “Big Iron” at least not biologically.

So it does seem as if, in so far as the Afternoon Request Show goes, that “Big Iron” the Marty Robbins hit will not be heard on the programme.

But certainly, “Ask Cynthia” can still be re-

Dem boys seh...

De weather don’t lose in Guyana It raining nuff in Guyana.

But some place getting more rain dan others. Some place flooding while others nat flooding. But dat is how it does always be with de rainy season.

We gat to thank de high heavens dat de whole country nah under water at de same time. Otherwise de economy gan be totally destroyed.

But in some areas people looking fuh help. Never mind de water does usually rise and fall. Hamper does share out and all dem people wah get lil

water accumulation looking fuh dem hamper.

Dem should be looking fuh save dem crops. Imagine we getting lil rain and de price of vegetables gan sky high.

Ochro selling 2lbs fuh $500.

Plantain gan back to $250 fuh a lb. Bora is now $300 fuh a tiny bundle and callaloo is a few strings fuh $200.

And we talking about food security and feeding de Caribbean. We cant even keep we prices stable much less fuh be able to guarantee year-long supply to dem odder Caribbean countries.

Every time rain fall, “greens” does be short. And when de weather dry fuh too long, yuh does hear dat de farmers need rain. De weather cant lose in Guyana. Is bad when it raining and it bad when de sun shining.

And when de rain fall, it does be nuff flooding and mo excuse.

And when de sun shine fuh too long without rain, we does get drought.

Guyanese caught between a wet and a dry place.

Between flood and drought.

Talk half. Leff half.

quested. No one has yet called in to complain about that particular tune.

I believe that Uncle Jai should have a second look at the lyrics of “Big Iron” and rethink his position on that song. For country lovers, “Big Iron” is a classic and has been covered ever since by many singers, including

Johnny Cash.

There is nothing obscene, vulgar or tasteless about the message of the song. Indeed, the Ranger ends up being the good guy who removes the presence of the bad outlaw.

And if he has any doubts, he can “Ask Cynthia”. She euphemistically knows everything, down to why the West

Indies cricket selectors dropped David Holford.

(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

Thursday July 07, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Nocturnal conversation with Selwyn Pieters on the seawall I was with my dog on the seawall on Tuesday evening, when prominent attorney, Selwyn Pieters, passed by.

He stopped and reminded me of two things. The very day was his anniversary of being accepted to practice law in Guyana and that same day marked 10 years since he first met me at his call-to-the bar ceremony.

He asked me if I can recall that day, I said no. He smiled and told me I am getting old. I think he is right.

We walked to the spot where my dog was sitting and Selwyn asked me to comment on my position of Indians being vulnerable

which he said he read in my column on the Mon Repos violence.

My response was that since 1992, there has been a concatenation of violent mayhems against Indians thus there exists the question of Indian victimhood in this c o u n t r y. S e l w y n t h e n inquired about the possibility of the agent provocateur factor. I rejected that with an explanation.

First, I opined that the infiltration theory was an automatic response by African leaders to mask the national embarrassment they faced. Secondly, more than a dozen attackers were

involved. I pointed out that in a thinly populated society like Guyana, it was not possible for PPP actors to pay more than a dozen infiltrators and all have since been tight-lipped.

Then I described what my investigation into the Buxton killings of 20022006 revealed. Many youths were killed by extra-judicial squads because they would inform their friends that they were doing work for the gunmen and the pay was plenty. Their friends would tell other friends and eventually word got back to villagers and the police and extra-judicial groups ended

up with the information.

This is a small population where everyone knows everyone and somewhere along the line, information becomes public knowledge. One Saturday morning during the Buxton madness, I was at the Banks DIH outlet at Bar and Alexander Streets in Kitty when I ran into one of the y o u t h s i n Wortmanville/Werk-en-Rust who lived not far from my mother-in-law’s supermarket.

I didn’t see him in ages.

When I enquired about him, he told me about Buxton and how he got involved. I got solid information from him.

This is how secrets are impossible to bury in small populated countries. Do you know how Glenn Lall came to know that a man named Oswald Griffith threw that miasmic substance on me?

(For the umpteenth times, it was not faeces. It was Adam Harris who jokingly printed that in KN and it has since stuck).

Griffith told his cousin that he did it when he read it in the newspapers. His cousin was annoyed with him because the cousin told him that Glenn was nice to him when Glenn had a shoe

store in Stabroek Market.

He told his cousin he was sorry and he confessed to Glenn in the presence Frederick Kissoon of Adam about the persons who paid do not do it deliberately. him. Griffith was killed Rather it is an act of naivety. mysteriously days before he They simply like to talk and was to testify at the trial of they feel no obligation to Kwame McCoy, Jason their paymasters.

Abdulla and Shawn Hinds Oswald Griffith in his who were charged for confessions to Glenn did not assaulting me. A car smashed show any obligation to the into him on the Railway persons who planned the Embankment not too far attack on me. He simply told from where I lived late one Glenn everything. Had he night. I always believe that lived to testify, the scandal there was some eerie would have made headlines meaning of the murder in both the regional and occurring not too far from international press. my home. The point about In conclusion, it is up to the conversation at the the PNC leaders to do their Banks DIH outlet and the intelligence tasks and come Oswald Griffith confession up with at least one of the is that in Guyana, everybody attackers who will confess as knows everybody. It is not to who paid him. That possible for PPP actors to certainly will not happen. pay more than a dozen agents The answer is simple. Many provocateurs to beat up the of the protestors wanted to vendors to blame it on the attack Indians. I did tell PNC and they have all kept Selwyn that the PNC could silent so far. have shaped the protest to One of those attackers win hearts and minds. had to open his mouth by Instead, it did the opposite. now. That is how the lumpen (The views expressed in elements behave. When they this article are those of the take their money and go a u t h o r a n d d o n o t sporting, they will mouth off necessarily reflect the about their paymasters. They opinions of this newspaper.)

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Thursday July 07, 2022

‘Show us the agreement’ - months after South Rupununi residents still waiting on govt. to fulfill promise on disclosure of mining agreement

By Davina Bagot Almost two months ago, a Canadian mining company- Golden Shield Resources Inc. uncovered a significant gold find on the sacred Mazoa Hill, also called Marudi Mountain by the Indigenous people residing in South Rupununi, Region Nine.

The villagers were initially opposed to the mining activity that was set to take place, especially since they complained of not being consulted, along with their belief of the historic significance of the mountain.

Nonetheless, an agreement was signed on November 17, 2021 between the Guyana Geology and

Mines Commission (GGMC), the Rupununi Miners Association and the Canadian mining firm, to allow prospecting activities.

Villagers said they learnt of the agreement via a Facebook post and protested the deal.

Members of the Government had rushed into the community to settle the tension, and had promised to make the agreement available to the villagers but since their visit in December last year, the villagers in South Rupununi still have not seen the document signed that allows the degradation of their landmark.

Joshua Fredericks, a

representative on the South Rupununi District Council (SRDC), told Kaieteur News in an exclusive interview on Tuesday that since the announcement was made of the gold find on Marudi Mountain, no representative of the government has returned to meet with villagers to inform them of any new developments.

Fredericks, a Youth Chairman on the board explained, “No sort of meeting was held afterwards. The government didn’t send down anyone to tell us there is gold or so but of course, they will be issuing the license soon since they found the gold. I think they will go ahead with

that but up to now, no one hasn’t come to discuss how it’s going to happen or anything.”

It was on that note that he also complained that the villagers are yet to see the prospecting agreement that was promised by the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat.

The young man said, “so far, we still haven’t seen the agreement that was signed between the company and the Rupununi Miners Association. Questions have been asked when the SRDC went to meet with the Prime Minister and some other Ministers and GGMC. The Minister of Natural Resources said he would respond in a day but up to now, the letter wasn’t given to them. We still don’t know what is in the agreement.”

Fredericks reasoned that the government must find the time to conduct a face-to-

face discussion with the community, rather than meet with a few “selected” persons.

He added that with the N a t i o n a l To s h a o s Conference (NTC) expected to be hosted soon, it is anticipated that mining related matters would be addressed. However, he is worried that the few days allocated to the Conference may not be enough to iron out the broad agenda and list of concerns by the community leaders.

In this regard, Fredericks noted, “It is very rude what the government is doing since they haven’t been consulting the residents.

They will soon be issuing a license to that company and we haven’t had a follow up meeting. They’re blatantly saying that we don’t matter and they will do whatever they want to do.”

This newspaper also

spoke with Mr. Kid James, the Programmes Coordinator on the SRDC. He corroborated that South Rupununi residents are still in the dark when it comes to the mining activities on the sacred Mazoa Hill.

James, an Aishalton villager told this publication that Marudi Mountain is where the Indigenous spiritualists would go to conduct “sacred rituals” for healing. “They have higher controls and we believe if you go there, you might trigger certain reactions within the area there,” he said.

James said it is unfortunate that when other organizations come to their communities, they inform the villagers as to what they are doing, but the government on the other hand seems to have an issue with the interpretation of (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 13

Stabroek Block revenues for 2020-2021 pegged at $740.7B - earnings more than Guyana’s national budgets for same period

E

xxonMobil and its Stabroek Block partners in its first two years of full production generated a w h o p p i n g $740,794,403,781 in revenue from the sale of crude netting more than this country’s National Budget

some $740,794,403,781.

The total allocations for the two years for spending by the entire country was $713B, or about $28B more, meaning the single oil operation in the Stabroek Block in the course of its first two years of oil production generated more money than the entire

that year’s total revenue to $564,706,134,810.

EEPGL on its financial statements recently had noted that 2020 was the first time the company earned a profit of some $132B having deducted its overhead expenses from the 254B in revenues that year as

investments north of $6T. We continue to invest greater than the returns we receive and we will continue to do so for many years.”

To date, EEPGL and its co-venture partners, Hess Corporation and CNNOC Group, currently have four sanctioned developments on

during the same time.

This is according to the Financial Statements for Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEGPL)—ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited for 2020 and 2021, the first two years of oil production.

Guyana as a country, presented in 2020 a National Budget at some $330B while the following year, 2021 the National Estimates were presented at $383B. According to the records of the financial companies, between the three, total revenue from the sale of crude oil in 2020, the first full year of oil production in the Stabroek Block amounted to some $176,088,268,971.

By the following year however, this had jumped to $564,706,134,810 in revenue generated between the three. As such, it would mean for the two years, the entities would have sold

country budgeted to spend in two years.

The country during that time earned $121B in the two years from its share of profits and royalty had as its share from its producing oil blocks. According to the records, for 2020, EEGPL reported revenues at $75,429,685,670 for its 45 percent share in the oil block.

Hess in its financial records filed with the Deeds and Commercial Registry indicated that for that year $59,239,583,301 was had from the sale of its share of crude while CNOOC Petroleum Limited reported $41,419,000,000 in revenue.

The following year, EEPGL reported a jump in revenues had, realizing $254,117,760,666 for its 45 percent interest.

It would mean that Hess Guyana Limited realized $169,411,840,444 for its 30 percent interest in the Stabroek Block, while CNOOC Petroleum would have accounted for about $141,176,533,700 brining

dictated by the Production Sharing Agreement signed between the government and the companies in 2016.

Overall expenses in the Stabroek Block were up in 2021 versus 2020 mostly due to increased production costs and higher depreciation, both of which were driven by increased oil production. In its Statement of Financial Position, at year-end 2021, assets totaled $1.3trillion, an increase of 30 percent versus prior year mostly reflecting substantial incremental investments in the Stabroek Block.

EEPGL’s Vice President and Business Services Manager, Phillip Rietema at the time related to media operatives that the performance of the company underscores the years of investments required before pay off.

The VP said, “Our total investments to date total $1.3Trillion, and with our partners it is over $3Trillion.

With the plans we have in place out to 2025 will take

the Stabroek Block.

The Liza Phase 1 development, which began production in December 2019 utilizing the Liza Destiny floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) with a production capacity of approximately 120,000 gross barrels of oil per day, recently completed production optimization work that expanded its production capacity to more than 140,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The Liza Phase 2 development, utilizing the Liza Unity FPSO, began production in February 2022 and is expected to reach its

IDPADA-G calls for equitable distribution...

From page 13 primarily to the underlying socio-economic conditions and resulting inequities which, if not addressed, provide the environment for escalation of ethnic tensions,” IDPADA-G said.

“We urgently call upon Government to recognize the endemic socioeconomic and political factors prevailing in African Guyanese communities and the challenges they continue to face at the hands of law enforcement as we have been reminded by the media and social

commentators. These issues require genuine and urgent attention.

The International Decade for People of African Descent AssemblyGuyana was declared based on the need for reparative justice for the people of Africa Descent in response to the historical wrongs meted out to them, and continuing injustices up to this day.

A reality internationally recognized by the community of Nations, which in the form of the United Nations collectively declared a decade for the

People of African Descent under the theme: Recognition, Justice, and Development.

We believe that persons witnessing equitable governmental interventions and imbued with hope and confidence in the institutions of State will adequately play their part in development of their communities and country.

We are confident that collective economic progress will rid the Guyanese society of the scourge that rears its ugly head ever so often,” the statement concluded.

EEPGL’s Vice President and Business Services Manager, Phillip Rietema production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day by the third quarter.

The third development at Payara is ahead of schedule and now expected to come online in late 2023 utilizing the Prosperity FPSO with a production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The fourth development, Yellowtail, is expected to come online in 2025,

utilizing the ONE GUYANA FPSO with a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

At least six FPSOs, with a production capacity of more than 1 million gross barrels of oil per day, are expected to be online on the Stabroek Block in 2027, with the potential for up to 10 FPSOs to develop gross discovered recoverable resources.

‘Global hunger numbers rose to 828 million in 2021’ - new UN Report shows world moving backwards in efforts to eliminate hunger, malnutrition

Rome/New York - The number of people affected by hunger globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, an increase of about 46 million since 2020 and 150 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic (1), according to a United Nations report that provides fresh evidence that the world is moving further away from its goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition in all its forms by 2030.

The 2022 edition of The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report presents updates on the food security and nutrition situation around the world, including

the latest estimates of the cost and affordability of a healthy diet. The report also looks at ways in which governments can repurpose their current support to agriculture to reduce the cost of healthy diets, mindful of the limited public resources available in many parts of the world. The report was jointly published today by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United N a t i o n s ( FA O ) , t h e International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), t h e U N Wo r l d F o o d Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The numbers paint a grim picture: • As many as 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021 – 46 million people more from a year earlier and 150 million more from 2019.

• After remaining relatively unchanged since 2015, the proportion of people affected by hunger jumped in 2020 and continued to rise in 2021, to 9.8 percent of the world population. This compares with 8 percent in 2019 and 9.3 percent in 2020.

• Around 2.3 billion people in the world (29.3 percent) were moderately or severely food insecure in (Continued on page 24)

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 15

Police Service Commission actions lawful although body not fully constituted - AG - says constitution provides for quorum which can act Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall SC has rejected the contention that the ruling People Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) has not complied with the constitution in its appointment of Clifton Hicken as acting Commissioner of Police.

Nandlall shared his views on his weekly Facebook commentary “Issues in the News,” on Tuesday. His comments followed contentions raised

by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde that the Police Service Commission (PSC) is not properly constituted without the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and as such, the promotions of senior officers announced on Sunday are null and void.

Forde, who is also the Shadow Attorney General in the National Assembly, said the same obtains for the junior ranks as Clifton Hicken is also not properly appointed as the Acting Commissioner of Police and therefore could not have authorised the promotion of junior ranks.

However in response to Forde’s comments, Nandlall said that the PPP/C administration has acted in keeping with the law. He explained that the government has used the necessary doctrines to carry out its function in keeping with the Constitution and Laws of Guyana. “When our government cannot comply with the constitution, we invoke the relevant doctrines for example the doctrine of necessity… this is used when we are forced to [take action] because of the absence of certain things that

make that compliance impossible. For example, if we don’t have a Leader of the Opposition in place, the doctrine of necessary provides a legal path for an acting police commissioner to be appointed because the force cannot be left without a leader,” Nandlall explained.

The AG called Forde’s contention in relation to the composition of the PSC, “incoherent” and “wholly misconceived.” According to Nandlall, while the PSC is not fully constituted, this does not negate the commission from carrying out its functions. The issue was raised by Forde and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clinton Conway Speaking on the programme, Nandlall asserted: “I can excuse Mr. Clinton Conway for his letter in which he raised the same points because Mr. Conway is not a lawyer and he cannot appreciate the intricacies of the constitution and law… but the same point being raised by Mr. Forde is supposed to be a lawyer that because that we don’t have a five member commission that we therefore cannot act is deeply flawed.”

The AG emphasised that while he will concede that the PSC is not fully constituted because it has four of five members required by the constitution…”to argue that renders the PSC incompetent to act is an incoherent argument.”

Nandlall noted therefore that “the constitution specifically states at [Article 227 ] —which deals with the powers and procedures of commissions… that

notwithstanding a vacancy within any of the service commissions…those service commissions providing that there is a stipulated quorum are empowered to act.”

He added, “The constitution also says that notwithstanding a vacancy, the commission can act and the actions and decisions of that commission will not be affected by that vacancy.”

According to Nandlall, the framers of the constitution had obviously recognised that because of various exigencies at some point, the commissions may not have a fully composed or body in every given case and therefore, they have made provisions to allow those bodies and those commissions to act notwithstanding the absence of a member or a party.

Earlier this week, Forde denounced the move to promote the ranks in the face of questionable appointments of both the acting commissioner and the PSC. Alluding to the constitutional provisions which stipulate the composition of a full and proper functioning PSC, attorney had stressed on the fact that a properly constituted PSC requires a chairman and four members as well as the Chairman of the Public Service Commission.

The current board of PSC does not include the Chairman of the Public Service Commission since the Public Service Commission which is defunct for more than a year is yet to be reconstituted. As such, Forde signaled his intention to raise the issue in court. He said, “PSC that is

COVID-19 kills two Region 4 men - 144 new cases detected, two persons in ICU

T

he Ministry of Health yesterday revealed that two persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died. Their deaths have brought Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,258.

The latest fatalities are that of two men, a 66-year-old and a 73-year-old, both from Region Four. According to the Ministry, both persons died on Tuesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The Health Ministry in its daily COVID19 dashboard reported that within the last 24 hours, it has recorded 144 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 67,843. The dashboard also shows that two patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 39 persons are in institution isolation, 700 in home isolation and two persons are quarantined institutionally. To date, 65,844 recoveries have been recorded.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall SC. not fully in place leaves in the door open for the promotions to be challenged…In my view, the promotions are null and void.” The lawyer noted too that there are a number of court cases have been filed challenging the issue.

On Tuesday, through the office of their attorney, Selwyn Pieters, Opposition

Leader Aubrey Norton, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe and APNU+AFC MP Christopher Jones wrote to the Chief Justice asking for urgent hearings regarding their respective matters on the appointment of the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC)—an injunction to halt

Shadow Attorney General, Roysdale Forde SC. any promotion of members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) by the new PSC—and President Irfaan Ali’s appointment of Clifton Hicken as the acting Commissioner of Police.

The applications have specific contentions about the recent promotions of members of the GPF by the new PSC.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

Banks DIH intensifies recruitment drive

B

Prospective candidates being interviewed by Banks DIH officials at Patentia, Tarmac last weekend.

anks DIH Limited has intensified its recruitment drive with another exercise on Sunday July 3rd, 2022 at Patentia Ta r m a c , We s t B a n k Demerara.

Close to 60 prospective employees were interviewed by the visiting team coordinated by Mr. Shabir Hussein, Director of Engineering Services, Banks DIH said in a release. Banks DIH Limited has undertaken the Recruitment Drive to offer employment to skilled and unskilled persons who are out of jobs due to the closure of the Wales Sugar

Estate. “We plan to do more career fairs in other parts of the country”.

The next fair is due for Enmore Estate, East Coast Demerara on Sunday July 10th, 2022. A similar programme was held at U i t v l u g t , We s t C o a s t Demerara last month and persons in that area are already employed.

The recruitment team included Operations/Engineering Director Mr. Gavin Todd, Business Development Executive Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo, Human Resources Executive Ms. Sharon Nelson and Trisco Executive Mr. Trevor Nero.

Police wrap up probe into theft at Diamond Drug bond - awaiting Health Ministry’s valuation of missing items

One of the photos obtained

by KN shows drugs aback the Diamond bond after hours awaiting an alleged unauthorized pick up

By Zena Henry

T

he Guyana Police Force has completed its investigation into the alleged theft of pharmaceutical supplies at the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) drugs bond but is currently awaiting the value of the missing items. In providing an update on the probe, C r i m e C h i e f We n d e l l Blanhum told the Kaieteur newspaper that the investigation is “almost completed,” but they are still to receive the value of the

items in question.

Blanhum explained that the Ministry would have conducted an appraisal to ascertain the missing items.

He said that the audit of the bond was conducted by the ministry, but was sent to the police with “no value” provided for the list of items.

Once that information is provided, the file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for advice, Blanhum related.

The Crime Chief could not go in-depth on the investigation, but he did inform that several of those (Continued on page 20)

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 17

Lindeners remember victims of Son Chapman massacre

Wreaths were laid in memory of those who perished

- told not to ignore threats on their lives, livelihoods

By Vanessa Braithwaite It was nothing but a sombre mood on Wednesday as Lindeners joined regional officials to pay homage to the more than 40 persons who were killed when someone bombed the Son Chapman launch that was at the time travelling from Georgetown to Linden with mothers, fathers, children, bauxite workers, market vendors and many other community stalwarts.

While the memorial is done yearly, this year seemed to be more impactful, given the recent

what happened,” he claimed.

Speaking of more modern incidences, Norton said there is a historical context in which these things occur, citing the death of the Henry boys, Orin Boston and most recently Quindon Bacchus. “One sees a history of first open aggression and the aggression changed its form as we moved along, it came to a head when Shemroy Bouyea, Ron Sommerset and Allan Lewis were murdered.” Any future approach of force, Norton said will not be taken lightly.

Regional Chairman Deron Adams described the

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton and other leaders of Region 10 during the ceremony

in the days and months before July 6th, 1964, who carried on with life and living in the shadow of the threat of this thoroughly reprehensible act, we continue today to carry on in

the face of threats to our social life, to our economic life and even at times to our very lives, sometimes thinking that the unthinkable will not befall us.”

Former Regional

Chairman Sharma Solomon said the incident still remains relevant in our present society as Guyana continues to struggle with race and political prejudice. “I say to you this morning, that today we see those same conditions of ideologies from afar, we see those same conditions of a new political or economic independence and we see that people are using the opportunity to exploit once again the issues of race and politics, we must be mindful,” he warned.

The memorial service saw the attendance of the relatives of those who passed away many years ago. Son of the owner of the launch Joseph Chapman said that for next year’ memorial, the

A section of the audience deaths of civilians that resulted in heated protest actions. The memorial started with a march-past from Burnham Drive, and proceeded to Christianburg.

It was a blood bath in the peaceful Demerara River, a site never seen before and unfortunately by small children that traumatised them for decades.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, who gave the feature address, said he was merely seven-years-old when the tragedy struck. He was living close by. “I remember that the police came to stop the music telling us that there was a tragedy in the Demerara River, so we were compelled to stop the music, it got worse when we recognised that two parents on that launch had children in my class,” he remembered. Norton blamed the political climate at the time and laid the blame at the feet of the sitting government at the time for the tragedy. He said it was spurred by racial tension that was occurring in other parts of the country. “Having created conditions of heightened tensions, the People’s Progressive Party prepared the conditions for

event for what is was, tragic.

Being one of the most catastrophic national events, Adams said the knowledge must be passed on to youths.

“As a terrorist event of this nature, the bombing of the Son Chapman launch has no equal in Guyana or the Caribbean and the Americas, where we share geographic and cultural ties. The single largest blow to rob innocent citizens of their lives and leave a community reeling from its impact, the bombing of the Son Chapman is certainly one of the most impactful events in our history, and has shaped who we are as descendants and residents of this town in ways that are often not even realised.”

He also warned residents to never take threats on their lives or their community lightly, noting that news of the bombing had circulated before it even happened.

“Never ignore as too farfetched or too outlandish, threats to our community and person…Linden has had its fair share of threats over the years that we had treated too lightly or dismissed as too big for those who threaten us to carry out. Just like the residents of Linden

family will fund the construction of a more permanent monument where the names of those who perished will be engraved.

Following the ceremony, regional officials laid wreaths on the monument that stands at the Christianburg site. The Son Chapman tragedy occurred on July 6, 1964 at approximately 16:00 hrs.

The vessel, captained by Herman Softleigh, had just left the docks of Hurudaia, a timber grant settlement 16 miles up the Demerara River after letting off three passengers. About 300 yards from Hurudaia, a loud explosion occurred killing 43 persons inclusive of four (Continued on page 22)

PAGE 18

The new gearbox being installed at the Uitvlugt Sugar Factory. (Photos: GUYSUCO)

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

Uitvlugt Estate to resume operations next week - availability of workers could prove difficult After being out of operations for over three months due to mechanical issues to one of its critical parts, the Uitvlugt Sugar Factory is expected to be back in full operation in a n o t h e r w e e k ’s t i m e .

However, industry insiders said that the estate could struggle to find fields and factory workers.

While the factory was down, a number of the

workers were urged to seek alternative jobs. Some were also offered part-time jobs outside of the industry. “It might be difficult to get some of those folks to come back to the industry,” a source close to GuySuCo told this newspaper. Asked about this Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha said quote the opposite, assuring: “there is enough workforce to get the operation going again. There are indeed enough workers who will resume work when the facility is opened.” He added that with the factory in the process of opening, it would certainly boost sugar production in the country.

When this factory was closed only two estates, Blairmont and Albion were in operation. Not answering directly how much the absence of the Uitvlugt factory not being in operation would have contributed to the shortfall of sugar production in the country, the minister related that now with it slated to be opened, “we will have more production and sugar be produced.”

Meanwhile, Mustapha also informed this publication yesterday that the mechanical problem at the factory has now been fixed. The Uitvlugt Sugar Estate has been closed since March this year due to mechanical issues of its #1Mill turbine gearbox. The gearbox which had to be replaced with a new one was being sourced from Texas.

The new part which arrived this week is now being installed. “They (GUYSUCO) did some trials on it and they say it’s running good. Now they are looking to see whether, they will start the crop shortly. This morning I spoke to the acting CEO and he told me that they will be meeting with the workers shortly and they are looking at the weather to start to burn cane so that the crop can start there at Uitvlugt.”

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GUYSUCO) in a Facebook post on Monday had stated that the factory’s team successfully completed machinery and steam trials with the installation of the new gearbox, which is a critical p a r t o f t h e f a c t o r y ’s operation. “Management will consult with workers in

preparation for burning the fields this week, after which grinding is expected to begin if favourable weather permits,” the post stated.

Meanwhile CEO of GUYSUCO, Sasenarine Singh when contacted for an input with regard to the specifics, declined to comment saying he was unwell at the time and was in fact on sick leave.

GUYSUCO has in recent years been plagued with declining production while cost remains high leading to bailouts from the government.

The Corporation last year produced 30,865MT less of sugar when compared with 2020. Based on a report, GuySuCo’s pre-audited production stood at 58,025MT of sugar in 2021 compared to 88,890MT in 2020. Despite the significant shortfall, the Corporation had said it met all the needs of the local market for 2021.

It was explained that the shortfall was a result of the loss of some 35 percent of the standing cane during the 2nd Crop of 2021 due to the flood. “At Albion, where 50 percent of the production was programmed to be made, the mortality rate for the standing canes planned to be harvested for the 1st Crop of 2022 is estimated at 80 percent due to the floods. On the Berbice Estates where more than 77 percent of the production is made, the rainfalls in 2021 were 72 percent more than the previous year,” GuySuCo detailed, while noting that it drained some 4.5 million tonnes of water off the land daily during the 65-day flood.

The ailing sugar corporation has, over the years seen a continuous decline in performance in terms of production but has seen billions of dollars from the nation’s coffers being plugged annually into the industry. In its Mid-Year r e p o r t l a s t y e a r, t h e Government had acknowledged that the sugar industry continues to decline. In the financial report, the Ministry of Finance said that at the end of the first half of 2021, GuySuCo produced 29,650 tonnes of sugar. “This performance reflects the record high levels of rainfall, which resulted in (Continued on page 24)

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 19

GUYOIL threatened with legal action over botched ‘fuel deal’ ...as importer claims US$3.6M in compensatory damages

The Guyana Oil Company’s (GUYOIL) woes in relation to an ‘incomplete’ transaction involving Jayson Aaron of Aaron’s Royality Inc., and the supply of a quantity of fuel valued some US$3.6M, is deepening with the fuel dealer now demanding payment, failing which he will proceed with legal action.

Writing on behalf of his client, Attorney–at-Law, Eusi Anderson, in a missive to GUYOIL’s General Manager, Molly Hassan, referenced an oral agreement b e t w e e n t h e A a r o n ’s Royality Inc.’s principal and the oil company in April last for the supply of D6, Heavy Fuel Oil. According to Anderson, in that agreement, the company was contracted to supply “and you agreed to accept delivery worth a total

Jayson Aaron of Aaron’s Royaltity Inc. of USD$3,601,000.”

To this end, it was explained that “it was always a term of our oral agreement that upon notification of the fuel’s arrival in international waters, proximal to Guyana, your entity would take possession and delivery of same in those waters and

escort ship to the port of discharge.”

According to Anderson’s missive to GUYOIL, the State Company had agreed to accept responsibility for taxes, freight and other official charges where applicable.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, i t i s claimed that GUYOIL was notified between June 14 and 17 last year, “of the arrival of an initial shipment valued around USD$1.8M.” and that GUYOIL, “failed to accept delivery or take possession as agreed.”

Anderson further stated that GUYOIL failed and or otherwise refused to make arrangements for balance of the remaining USD$1.8M.” As a result, the attorney action on instructions of his client, notified GUYOIL of their demands, namely to first comply with the initial agreement or alternatively,

The specifications for the fuel that was being requested

pay compensatory damages to the tune of US$3.6M together with an interest calculated at four percent per annum until the amount has been paid off.

It was noted that, “there is an appetite on our part for a counteroffer within the bounds of reason.”

According to the letter seen by this publication, should the demands not be met by July 14, then such will be taken as impetus to institute legal action against GUYOIL. This publication had reported in April last year that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) had seized

a shipment of fuel at the centre of the imbroglio, involving Aaron and Aaron’s Royalty Inc., At the time, it was explained that Aaron did not have a fuel import licence but had brought in the shipment close to Guyana’s waters as per agreement with GUYOIL officials.

Aaron at the time had explained that under his verbal agreement with the entity’s officials, GUYOIL was supposed to send their pilot ship to escort the vessel from international waters, on arrival. This did not happen.

He had told Kaieteur News, “I have it in wording

from the owner of the vessel, that’s what he told me; the Coast Guard gave instructions to [the] lighthouse to radio the vessel, to tell the vessel to come in” after which it was formally detained. He shared with this publication what he classified as the last known location for the vessel via satellite tracking. The vessel has since been moored at the Ruimveldt Sugar Terminal.

Regarding the fact that he did not have a fuel import licence, Aaron explained that under the agreement which he had with the GUYOIL Director and senior official (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday July 07, 2022

Police wrap up probe into theft at Diamond...

From page 16 arrested for the missing supplies are currently out bail.

Outside of this, credible information reaching the newspaper has stated however that investigators would have received pertinent information to show that several of those arrested indeed had information about the missing items. The law enforcement source told the publication that photo and even video evidence were provided

to the police showing the drugs outside of the facility, allegedly awaiting its removal from the premises.

Kaieteur News was told that the police heard that several senior persons, some of whom are posted at the Health Ministry were well aware of the illegal acts even before the police were called in to investigate the case. The information said that employees at the drug bond would have secured the video and photo evidence and provided it to both the Health Ministry and the Diamond bond Human Resource heads. Evidence was reportedly provided to the warehouse supervisor and Director among other named persons, but no action was said to have been taken to address the problem.

The Kaieteur News was told that the Diamond bond issue came up when the Guyana Revenue Authority went into a city business

to conduct its work and found that drugs in the business’s possession were not obtained legitimately. The drugs’ batch number was traced back to the Diamond bond after the business owner reportedly identified persons from there whom the items were procured.

At least 13 persons were said to have been arrested in connection with the matter, including senior and junior staff members. The source told the Kaieteur News that while the theft of the ministry’s supplies seems to be a regular occurrence, some would want investigators to believe that the issue is a small matter of simple larceny. “But this is not the case,” the newspaper was told. “Several persons were aware of what was happening. Several senior staff members were told about the movement of the drugs, but no one seemed to have done anything.”

The newspaper was told that

according to information received, the removal of the ministry’s items was so massive, that even security guards were said to be involved. He said that investigators were told that the drug bond would have changed at least three security guards, and at one point, the security agency itself was changed, but the removal of the ministry’s property continued. It was said too that removal of the bond’s contents usually occurred at nights where the drugs would be placed at the back of the facility to be uplifted by the potential buyer. It is for this reason the security guards were involved, the newspaper was told.

Kaieteur News understands however that the Health Ministry would have claimed that several millions in drugs went missing. A ministry insider said that initially some $2M in items was said to be missing. To date, authorities are allegedly claiming more than

$13M in missing items. The source was unable to say whether that information was reported to the police. Kaieteur News was unable to reach Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony for a comment as several calls to his cell phone went unanswered.

Several ministry staffers were arrested in relation to the drug matter; some persons were on the police radar while others were fingered as persons of interest.

Terrence Williams, for example, was fingered as a person of interest.

When intercepted by police ranks, Williams was said to have almost five million dollars in his vehicle as well as two firearms for which he had no licence. Williams also attempted to bribe a police rank with more than a million dollars in return for his freedom. Five charges were later instituted against the bond staff and he was remanded to prison.

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

PAGE 22

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

$25M in streetlights for low-income schemes in Region Three

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956.

Tractor Massy Ferguson 1.65 model, $1.8Mil.135 $1.2Mil. F150 Ford sport $900,000, Ford Ranger Sport $800,000.

Call:682-5230/615-4414

Thousands of residents within six low-income communities in Region Three are soon to benefit from a streetlight installation project, under the Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP).

AHUAP is being executed LAND FOR SALE by the Ministry of Housing and Water through the CenLand 45x85 @Belle West tral Housing and Planning W.B.D $2.5million.Tel:655- Authority (CHPA) and 7405. funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is

VACANCY

WANTED SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

FOR SALE Household furniture & articles. Contact:227-3626.

FOR RENT Small business place to rent,26 Norton & Creen Georgetown $60,000 monthly.

Tel:671-5307.

1 unfurnish room to rent @Parfaite Harmonie W.B.D $25,000 per month.Tel:6557405.

1 bedroom apartment for working couple/single person $35,000 monthly, light & water included. Tel: 623-0076.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Prime Business Spot. Contact:683-3088 between the hours of 8:30-5:00pm Monday-Friday.

1 two story concrete building in Bent St,price $46million. Contact:227-3626.

Factory workers male & female.Apply to R.P's Enterprise area "k" LeRess ouvenir E.C.D.Tel:220-2818.

Pitmen & Technical assistant for interior location. Applicants must be experienced.

Call:231-2250.

Accounts Clerks,quickbooks knowledge & accounting experience.Tel:609-2995, email:survival.human resources @gmail.com.

Canter driver,must be able to work flexible hour,female to I n v e n t o r y / D a t a E n t r y work in interior, live in maid Clerks,survival shopping 603-1300. c o m p l e x . Te l : 6 0 9 - 2 9 9 5 , email:survival.human reOne bodywork man to do sources @gmail.com. preparation work at Industrial E.C.D.Call:649-4964. Supermarket cashiers,math & english required.Tel:227Looking for a Rough Dia- 5286-9,609-2995,email: mond grades with 20yrs ex- survival.humanresources perience in the Rough Dia- @gmail.com. mond Industry.Call:658-6080. Bond Clerks/Porters.Tel:2275286,609-2995,email:survival.

Live in domestic.Must know humanresources@gmail.com. to prepare indian dishes 30- Drivers,valid drivers license 50yrs salary 30-35,000 wkly (with motor lorry).Tel:609610-3974.

2995, email:survival.human resources@gmail.com.

Porter,stock clerk,counter Western Union CSRS,CXC clerk,experienced cook & puri/roti maker.Call:648-8279/ math & english.173 Sheriff St.Tel:Tel:227-5286-9,609231-6591.

2995,email: survival. human Female to take care of an eld- resources @gmail.com. erly male,age 25-40 in Engineering consultant.Send Trinidad. Accommodations application to clearview @ provided.Call or WhatsApp cconsultingservice.com,361 +1(868)683-1528.

Eccles E.B.D.Tel:665-9693.

Labourer $4,000 daily, skilled Fitter Machinist,Welder fablabourer $6,000 daily, maid ricator ,Mechanic with 3 yrs wanted $3,500 daily. Call: experience,Apprentice & 6 8 2 - 5 2 3 0 / 6 1 5 - 4 4 1 4 Male & Female cleaner 642-9823 email:techserigy One Sale Girl for snackette. @yahoo.com.

Must be able to assist with One male sales rep,age 20cooking. Age 22-45. Call: 695- 25.Must have knowledge of 6401. auto accessories. Contact: 610-0340.

Farm workers in Timehri.

One clerk for TSI Eccles ofTel:617-2032/617-2047. fice English & Math, grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to techserigy @yahoo.com.

Tian Tian Hotpot Chinese Restaurant - 2 Waitresses, 2 Kitchen Assistants. Call:6722222/645-5888. Next to ChiVACANCY nese Embassy. Track 'C' Receptionist,Hotel Atten- Mandela Ave. Durban dant & Merchandisers Backlands, G/town. .Email:info@vgiworld.com tel:640-0673/227-7714/231- Moulder/CNC Operators, Joiners,Finishers& 0951/4.

Labourers. Email CV to Maid to cook and clean for shivrattanmoulding@gmail.com/ East Bank area. Call:615-9132. Call: (592)220-2736.

designed to enhance the quality of life for low-income populations through better access to housing, infrastructure and improved accessibility and mobility. The communities to receive the streetlights are: Schoonord, La Parfaite Harmonie, Westminster, Onderneeming, Recht Door Zee and Lust-enRust. Scope of works include the supply and installation of 80 watt stand-alone solar integrated street lights, with the lamp comprising of a solar panel, charge controller and battery. The contract was awarded to N. Balgobin & Sons Contracting Services & Electrical Supplies and has been divided into two lots.

Sixty-two streetlights will be installed at Lot One to the tune of $12,671,360. Meanwhile, Lot Two will see the installation of sixty streetlights at a cost of

$12,530,000. Pole planting is ongoing and the installation of the streetlights is slated to commence in the coming days. The project is set to run for a period of 210 days.

Lindeners remember victims of Son...

From page 17 children. Pandemonium broke out as the 27 persons and six crew men who were on the decks of the boat, and who survived the explosion, swam to shore while others were rescued by other vessels before

the vessel sank. By July 8, 32 bodies had been recovered from the river and taken to the Mackenzie Hospital morgue.

Two badly decomposed bodies were buried at Hurudaia and two in Georgetown. Some of the

bodies that were identified and buried were: Jean Abrams, Winifred Giles, Irene Jordan, Daphne London, Edna Dublin, Carmen Carrlyn, Alphonso Peters, Joseph Brittlebank, Frank Adams, and Evande Adams, among others.

‘Show us the agreement...’

From page 12 “free, prior and informed consent”.

The community representative noted, “We are being excluded from such a big investment that is taking place right in our backyards and it doesn’t sit down well with us.

It must happen in a proper way. Regulations must be followed and if there are issues, there must be a proper process for addressing those issues and things like that. So we are saying without that agreement, we don’t know what is in there.”

Further, he argued, “We heard about jobs and so on but the number of people being employed is very minimal.

We may have just about a dozen people from the community who actually have direct jobs and those are lowlevel jobs for security and those kinds of things. So what we would like to know is if mining is the only solution to create jobs and so on in our communities? I think the answer is no and it’s very shallow in terms of how they look at development in our communities.”

The Programmes Coordinator pointed out that mining is not new to the village and he knows for a fact that the larger population does not look to the sector as a source of income for their homes while contending that, “We should not be sidelined in terms of where development takes place in the South Rupununi District because

government and investors think it’s a prime place. Culturally, it means so much more than just an area that can be exploited for money.”

Gold find On May 17 last, Golden Shield Resources Inc. boasted on its website in a release to its shareholders that the results of its drilling activities in Guyana have yielded significant results.

It said drill results from an initial hole of a 13-hole, 3,000metre programme at Mazoa Hill, the most advanced of eight prospects at the company’s flagship, 5,457hectare, Marudi Mountain gold project located in the Rupununi District of southwestern Guyana namely the “Marudi Project.”

At the time, drilling of the remaining four holes of the programme was progressing and was slated to be completed by the end of the month. According to the company in a release, Golden Shield interprets gold mineralisation to occur in a series of en-echelon highgrade shoots defined by intense silicification within a broader silicified zone, previously described as quartzitemetachert (QMC).

Prospecting In December, Minister Bharrat issued a statement to the press in which he explained that the Prospecting License (PL) issued to the company would not permit mining within the boundaries of the PL. The PL specifically

states that the “Licensee is granted the exclusive right to occupy for the purpose of exploring for Gold and Precious Metals and Minerals but not to be worked for a profit”. The PL holder is required to furnish the Commission with all the results of any exploration work on a semiannual basis”. Meanwhile, it was pointed out that the licensee will implement a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programme of up to a total of US $250, 000 over the life of the PL which will benefit surrounding Amerindian Communities.

Therefore, for the fiveyear validity of the PL, there will be no large-scale mining by the company in the Marudi area, except the Region Nine small scale miners, whereby a Special Mining Permit (SMP) was granted to regulate and monitor their mining activities.

The SMP will conduct its activities approximately 1000 acres within the Marudi area.

The operations, according to the Ministry, will be guided by strict monitoring policies.

This will include; a Mine Plan, a Mine Closure Plan, a Social Responsibility Plan and an Environmental Management Plan. These plans will be submitted to the GGMC for approval and is expected to be adhered to by all miners.

In addition to these measures, an Environmental Bond will be required to be paid to the Commission, as insurance.

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 23

PAGE 24

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

China: MI5 and FBI heads warn of immense threat (BBC) - The heads of UK and US security services have made an unprecedented joint appearance to warn of the threat from China.

FBI director Christopher Wray said China was the “biggest long-term threat to our economic and national security” and had interfered in politics, including recent elections.

MI5 head Ken McCallum

said his service had more than doubled its work against Chinese activity in the last three years and would be doubling it again.

MI5 is now running seven times as many investigations related to activities of the Chinese Communist Party compared to 2018, he added.

The FBI’s Wray warned that if China was to forcibly take Taiwan it would “repre-

sent one of the most horrific business disruptions the world has ever seen”.

The first ever joint public appearance by the two directors came at MI5 headquarters in Thames House, London. McCallum also said the challenge posed by the Chinese Communist Party was “game-changing”, while Wray called it “immense” and “breath-taking”.

‘Global hunger numbers rose to 828...’

From page 13 2021 – 350 million more compared to before the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic.

Nearly 924 million people (11.7 percent of the global population) faced food insecurity at severe levels, an increase of 207 million in two years.

• The gender gap in food insecurity continued to rise in 2021 - 31.9 percent of women in the world were moderately or severely food insecure, compared to 27.6 percent of men – a gap of more than 4 percentage points, compared with 3 percentage points in 2020.

• Almost 3.1 billion people could not afford a healthy diet in 2020, up 112 million from 2019, reflecting the effects of inflation in consumer food prices stemming from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures put in place to contain it.

• An estimated 45 million children under the age of five were suffering from wasting, the deadliest form of malnutrition, which increases children’s risk of death by up to 12 times. Furthermore, 149 million children under the age of five had stunted growth and development due to a chronic lack of essential nutrients in their diets, while 39 million were overweight.

• Progress is being made on exclusive breastfeeding, with nearly 44 percent of infants under six months of age being exclusively breastfed worldwide in 2020. This is still short of the 50 percent target by 2030. Of great concern, two in three children are not fed the minimum diverse diet they need to grow and develop to their full potential.

Looking forward, projections are that nearly 670 million people (8 percent of the world population) will still be

facing hunger in 2030 – even if a global economic recovery is taken into consideration.

This is a similar number to 2015, when the goal of ending hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition by the end of this decade was launched under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

As this report is being published, the ongoing war in Ukraine, involving two of the biggest global producers of staple cereals, oilseeds and fertilizer, is disrupting international supply chains and pushing up the prices of grain, fertilizer, energy, as well as ready-to-use therapeutic food for children with severe malnutrition. This comes as supply chains are already being adversely affected by increasingly frequent extreme climate events, especially in low-income countries, and has potentially sobering implications for global food security and nutrition.

“This report repeatedly highlights the intensification of these major drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition: conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks, combined with growing inequalities,” the heads of the five UN agencies (2) wrote in this year’s Foreword. “The issue at stake is not whether adversities will continue to occur or not, but how we must take bolder action to build resilience against future shocks.”

Repurposing agricultural policies The report notes as striking that worldwide support for the food and agricultural sector averaged almost USD 630 billion a year between 2013 and 2018. The lion share of it goes to individual farmers, through trade and market policies and fiscal subsidies.

However, not only is much of this support market-distort-

ing, but it is not reaching many farmers, hurts the environment and does not promote the production of nutritious foods that make up a healthy diet. That’s in part because subsidies often target the production of staple foods, dairy and other animal source foods, especially in high- and upper-middle-income countries. Rice, sugar and meats of various types are the most incentivized food items worldwide, while fruits and vegetables are relatively less supported, particularly in some low-income countries.

With the threats of a global recession looming, and the implications this has on public revenues and expenditures, a way to support economic recovery involves the repurposing of food and agricultural support to target nutritious foods where per capita consumption does not yet match the recommended levels for healthy diets. The evidence suggests that if governments repurpose the resources they are using to incentivize the production, supply and consumption of nutritious foods, they will contribute to making healthy diets less costly, more affordable and equitably for all.

Finally, the report also points out that governments could do more to reduce trade barriers for nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables and pulses. (1) It is estimated that between 702 and 828 million people were affected by hunger in 2021.

The estimate is presented as a range to reflect the added uncertainty in data collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions.

The increases are measured with reference to the middle of the projected range (768 million).

Uitvlugt Estate to resume operations...

From page 18 waterlogged soils, particularly at the Albion Estate, and strike action that resulted in over 5,600 man-days being lost,” the Mid-Year Report indicated. As such, it was emphasised that the sugar industry declined by 22.4 per-

cent when compared to the same period in 2020.

Some of the reasons indicated were a 30 percent mortality of mature cane at Albion estate, 10 percent at Uitvlugt and five percent at Blairmont due to the floods. Another 15,000 tonnes of sugar in the

second crop were also expected to be lost, based on the Report. It should be noted that for last year alone, GuySuCo received over $6 billion from the national treasury for its operations and this year it received a further $6B in the budget.

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 25

GUYOIL threatened with legal action over...

From page 19 who engaged him, they were to – on the ship’s arrival – use their “fuel permit to bring the ship with the cargo in.”

According to Aaron, “I told them in the beginning, I didn’t have a permit and it was being processed at GEA and they said that after this shipment, they would speed up the process of my permit.”

Elaborating on the agreement, Aaron had told this publication he

had requested a contract but “they said, when this emergency load is received, they will put everything in place for a contract; so basically, this was supposed to be a trial run for my company with them.”

This publication understands the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has also launched an investigation into how ARI managed to import the fuel without a licence. GEA head Dr. Mahender Sharma, when asked yesterday, would only

confirm that an investigation has been launched into the matter. He declined to comment further, saying that he did not want to prejudice the investigation.

According to Aaron, he is expected to meet with the GRA today on the matter.

Aaron had at the time issued several ultimatums to GUYOIL to conclude the transaction with him or he would expose that officials of the company had contacted him to

procure the fuel and that there was some corrupt aspects to what was subsequently required of him to secure the deal. He told Kaieteur News that the deal between him and the GUYOIL officials was squashed, since, according to him, the officials had found another dealer that was offering a higher pay off. This publication understands that that other purported arrangement also fell through at the time, since GUYOIL

ended up purchasing the fuel for GPL from Staatsolie, the Surinamese state-owned oil company.

Two directors, Sean Persaud and Akanni Blair of the fuel company were later sacked from GUYOIL in an ensuing investigation which had found the two being implicated in recorded conversations and whatsapp thread messages discussing the transaction.

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Guyana beat Leeward Islands by 10 wickets at CWI U19 C/Ships Guyana defeated Leeward Islands by 10 wickets when the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Under-19s Rising Stars T20 Championship continued yesterday in Trinidad.

Pacer Cyanna Retemiah made early inroads, uprooting the stumps of openers Sheanna Wallace (00) and Kimberely Anthony (12) and also bowled Trishanie Warner (01), leaving the score on 283 after Leeward Islands won toss and decided to bat at the

Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

They never recovered and were bowled out for 61 in 18.3 overs as six batters failed to score. Jahzara Claxton made 18 while extras contributed 26.

Niveena Ramnauth claimed 3-3 from four overs while Retemiah, who is also a former National Schools’ cycling champion and hails from Wakenaam, snared 3-14 from four overs and Realeanna Grimmond 2-9. Guyana then raced to 62 without loss for victory in 7.4 overs.

Grimmond struck six fours in an unbeaten 33 of 29 balls while Naomi Barkoye was not out on six. Grimmond was named player-of-the-match.

The Guyanese remained unbeaten, following their imposing nine-wicket win over Barbados in the opening round on Tuesday. At Diego Martin Stadium, USA defeated Windward Islands by 8 wickets. Windward Islands took first strike and managed 105-5. Jannellia Glasgow made 28, Crisa Smith 17 and

Earnisha Fontaine 10 not out.

Bhumika Bhadriraju took 217. USA responded with 106 for 2 in 17.4 overs. Laasya Mullapudi led with 37 and Lisa Ramjit scored 36.

Jannellia Glasgow took 2-34.

Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago beat Leeward Islands by 138 runs at BLCA. Trinidad and Tobago posted 164-2. S. Samaroo scored 63, S. Shaw 53 and D. Joseph 21. Leeward Islands were bowled out for 26 in12.1 overs in reply.

Samaroo claimed 4-0.

V Net triumph in dominoes, Mohamed’s XI...

From page 28 runs in the 15-over softball fixture which was played at G Square Cavaliers ground, Belle Plaine.

Mohamed XI took first strike and posted 97-4.

Nokta Moses struck two sixes in a top score of 29 while Imran Khan made 11 and Navishaul Pooran 10.

Zameer Zaman took two wickets while there was one each for Anil R a m r a t t a n and Kamal Budnarine.

Hussain XI responded

with 90-5.

Zaman made 19, Hussain 15 and Maha s e Ramnarine 13.

Andy Dindyal two wickets and Pooran one.

Moses was named man of the match.

The day’s activities was organized by a g r o u p o f Wa k e n a a m residents and spons o r e d b y V N e t Communications, Imran Hussain General Store of Enmore, Tom Singh, Azam Aslam, Saif Hussain and Trophy Stall.

Guyanese Pugilist to be inducted...

Thursday July 07, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today you'll find that you're the missing puzzle piece that people need in every situation, Aries. Engage in light conversation in social arenas and feel free to turn your charm up full blast.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may find that people want to do a great deal of talking but not a great deal of feeling today, Taurus. Go ahead and put your emotions on the back burner and let your mind take over.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You should be able to evaluate your emotions from a very neutral, detached perspective today, Gemini. Use this opportunity to take action based on what you feel.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) If you're talking about another person today, Cancer, make sure you aren't saying anything that would be upsetting if they were standing right there. Gossip may be running rampant.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It's important for you to get outside and feel the wind blowing, Libra. Reconnect with nature and be aware of the four elements. Take deep breaths and fill your lungs with this energizing life force.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Make practical use of the thoughts you have synthesized over the last few days, Scorpio. Stretch your boundaries and extend your wisdom to the people around you. This is a day to take action. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This is an important day for you to make valuable connections with others, Sagittarius. You'll find yourself engaged in fastpaced, witty conversations and debates from which you can learn.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It could be hard for you to get a handle on things today, Capricorn, as your focus seems to jump from one subject to the next without finding resolution for any.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You might find yourself a bit unfocused and confused about which way to go, Virgo. The baffled look on your face isn't helping anyone else figure out how to help you.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You might come across strong opposition today from someone who seems to want to cut straight through to your heart, Aquarius. In reality,

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) You might find yourself a bit unfocused and confused about which way to go, Virgo. The baffled look on your face isn't helping anyone else figure out how to help you.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Act on your instincts today, Pisces, and you won't go wrong. You may need to give up a bit of control and put logical thinking aside for the day. Let the wind take you where it wants you to go.

From page 32 partner, and St Clair proved the perfect candidate.

As he played an instrumental role in the RussianAustralian becoming undisputed world champion, St Clair’s natural talent and skill caught the eye of Tszyu’s trainer, Johnny Lewis.

Lewis believed that St Clair had what it took to become a world champion himself and became his trainer. He became part of Australian boxing history when he challenged and prevailed against Cassius Baloyi for the IBF Super Featherweight title.

Since retiring, St Clair has continued to share his boxing skills and knowledge at Gairy St Clair Boxing and Fitness Gym in the southern Sydney suburb of Gymea.

Today, the gym is a breeding ground for some of boxing’s brightest rising stars, including one of Australia’s newest boxing superstars, George Kambosos Jr. Along with his family, one of St Clair’s greatest passions is giving back to the boxing community.

He and his team host several fight nights a year to showcase young fighting talent, and give them a chance to elevate their careers. St Clair will this year be hosting his first professional fight night with two world title fights and fighters from Guyana, Australia, Pakistan, Fiji and the Philippines being part of the card.

St Clair continues to inspire fighters across the world, especially in his home country of Guyana.

His dream is to make a difference in the lives of Guyanese children, by showing them that no matter where you come from, with hard work and good values you can become whatever you want. St Clair is currently working towards sharing his

story in his upcoming book, which he is writing with Nicki Price.

The Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame Induction Dinner will take place on Friday, August 26, 2022 at

7pm at Crown Conference Centre, 8 Whiteman St, Melbourne.

Tickets are now available directly from the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame for $210 per person.

PAGE 28

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

Red-hot West Indies look to inflict more misery upon Bangladesh today ESPNcricinfo - Big picture - In West Indies’ quest to build momentum ahead of this year’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh could well be blown away if they are not

careful. The way the home side blasted them out of the contest twice in Dominica last weekend could have done enough damage to the visitors’ already shaky posture in

T20s. However, Bangladesh have shown this year that they can turn things around, so that could be their only inspiration. Otherwise, they might need Georgetown’s inclement weather to help them out.

West Indies will feel hard done by in the first game in

Dominica when the umpires decided to abandon the match in full sunshine. They had kept Bangladesh to 105 for 8 in 13 overs, which would have given them an easy chase. Still, the hosts bounced back on the following day with Brandon King and Rovman Powell getting them to 193 for 5, before the bowlers closed out the Bangladesh batters effectively.

Nicholas Pooran changed his bowlers quite well in both games, particularly mixing his fast bowlers with legspinner Hayden Walsh Jr. Romario Shepherd, too, has stood out with five wickets in the two matches.

Bangladesh didn’t really threaten West Indies’ bowling, barring a few moments.

In the first game, they fell away from 56 for 2 to 77 for 7, before Nurul Hasan struck a couple of big hits towards the end. Shakib Al Hasan and Mosaddek Hossain did a similar job only after the required run-rate ballooned to 19 an over. It was too little too late. But this is high time for Bangladesh to turn things around after losing their last seven international matches.

A win over an exciting West Indies side would do a lot to improve their confidence.

In the spotlight Rovman Powell has been around the West Indies setup for a few years and has even captained them in a few games. But now he is flourishing in a new role of the lead finisher in the white-ball side, particularly with the T20 World Cup coming up.

Powell showed his big-hitting ability in the IPL this season, and he is certainly valuable

Shakib Al Hasan sends a ball to the leg side. (AFP/Getty Images)

in a T20 line-up. His 28-ball unbeaten 61 against Bangladesh in the last game certainly showed that he picks the right bowlers and moments to shift the momentum in a match quite quickly.

When Powell was going berserk against Shakib and Taskin Ahmed, left-arm quick Shoriful Islam pulled things back with tight overs at the death. He has come back into the Bangladesh side after an injury, bowling accurately, and increasingly showing the smarts with his skillset. Being flown in for the second Test in the West Indies, Shoriful has proved that he can be just as valuable as Mustafizur Rahman with the red ball. In white-ball cricket, too, he is Bangladesh’s first-choice option, along with Taskin and Mustafizur.

Team news The hosts are likely to go with an unchanged side after the convincing win in Dominica.

West Indies (probable): 1

Kyle Mayers, 2 Brandon King, 3 Shamarh Brooks, 4 Nicholas Pooran (capt & wk), 5 Rovman Powell, 6 Odean Smith, 7 Romario Shepherd, 8 Romario Shepherd, 9 Obed McCoy, 10 Akeal Hosein, 11 Hayden Walsh Jnr Bangladesh have very little room in the rest of their squad to make changes. They only have Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Nasum Ahmed fit, while Munim Shahriar is nursing a back injury. Bangladesh (probable): 1 Litton Das, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mahmudullah (capt), 5 Afif Hossain, 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Mosaddek Hossain, 8 Mahedi Hasan, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Shoriful Islam, 11 Mustafizur Rahman Pitch and conditions Another interrupted match is likely as heavy rain is in the forecast for Georgetown during Thursday afternoon. The last two T20Is at this venue, last year in August, were also abandoned due to rain.

V Net triumph in dominoes, Mohamed’s XI capture softball title V Net won the dominoes competition while Zaheer Mohamed XI took the 15-over softball title when a day of sports was held recently in Wakenaam.

V Net defeated Underdog and All star in the dominoes competition which was held at Carlosh Sports bar at Good Success. V Net and All star both chalked 14 games while Underdog made 13 in the opening sitting, while V Net took the lead following the second round, totaling 29 games as Underdog occupied second place on 27 and All star third on 25.

V Net continued to dominate and marked 17 games in the third sitting, taking their score to 46 while Underdog made eight to be 35 and All star 10 to take their tally to

The victorious V net team and sponsors 35.

V Net stretched their advantage as they took their overall games to 62 in the fourth round while Underdog and All star were both tied on 47.

The fifth and penultimate round saw V Net scoring 15 games, Underdog 14 and All

star 13.

V Net totaled 78 games while Underdog placed second on 64 and All star was third on 62.

Anil Ramrattan took the MVP prize.

Meanwhile, Mohamed XI beat Saif Hussain XI by seven (Continued on page 27)

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Rupununi FA Male and Female Senior Leagues

Paiwomak and FC Basin male teams qualify for quarterfinals

of the North Rupununi Leg Paiwomak FC and F.C. Basin male teams are safely into the quarterfinals of the 2022 Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Senior League as action in the penultimate round of the North Rupununi leg continued Saturday last at Annai Sports Ground.

Paiwomak, at the end of four rounds, heads the points standings in Group A with 10 despite a 0-0 draw with a determined Challengers outfit. In a fast-paced game with few clear chances, Challengers and Paiwomak battled valiantly for 90 minutes but a

draw was probably a fair result for both teams.

Challengers will now face off against Surama in the final match of Group A which will be played this Saturday, both teams still have a chance of qualification with a victory.

In the female encounter, defending champions Paiwomak limped to another draw against a youthful Challengers team.

The 0-0 result means that with three draws and a win from four games, Paiwomak only have six points and can be overtaken if Challengers, with five points, win their game in hand on Saturday against

CPL 2022: Amir and Lamichhane join Tallawahs The Jamaica Tallawahs have announced their overseas signings for the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which gets underway on 31 August.

Left-arm seamer Mohammad Amir will be joining the Tallawahs for the first time having represented the Barbados Royals last season, claiming 11 wickets at an average of 13.54.

The other four overseas players have all had experience with the Tallawahs in the past. Nepalese leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane was with the franchise in 2020 where he took 12 wickets and went at an economy rate of just 5.27 runs an over.

Imad Wasim, Chris Green and Miguel Pretorius were all with the Tallawahs in 2021 and will return this season as overseas signings.

The Tallawahs will have seven more spots to fill at the Hero CPL draft with details of these picks released during the draft show which will be broadcast this Thursday – 7 July – at 9am Eastern Caribbean Time.

Jamaica Tallawahs line-up includes: Rovman Powell (R), Sandeep Lamichhane (S), Fabian Allen (S), Imad Wasim (S), Brandon King (S), Kennar Lewis (R), Mohammad Amir (S), Shamarh Brooks (R), Migael Pretorius (S) And Chris Green (S).

CPL 2022: Du Plessis, David and Wiese back with Kings The Saint Lucia Kings have announced their overseas signings for the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League which gets underway on 31 August. Faf du Plessis, who captained the Kings to a second successive Hero CPL final in 2021, will return for this season. He will be joined by Tim David and David Wiese who were both instrumental to the Kings success during the 2021 season. This season will also see the return of Scott Kuggeleijn who played for the Kings in 2020, where he finished as the tournament’s

leading wicket taker that season. The Kings have one more overseas spot left to fill and this will be announced in the coming weeks. he Kings will have six more spots to fill at the Hero CPL draft with details of these picks released during the draft show which will be broadcast thisThursday 7 July – at 9am Eastern Caribbean Time.

Saint Lucia Kings: Faf Du Plessis (S), Tim David (S), Roston Chase (R), Johnson Charles (S), Kesrick Williams (R), David Wiese (S), Alzarri Joseph (R), Scott Kuggeleijn (S), Mark Deyal (S) and Jeavor Royal (R).

Surama.

Over in Group B, FC Basin males and Strikers F.C. female team are comfortably into the quarterfinals.

Falcon’s males must win or draw their last match against FC Basin on Sunday to go through to the North Rupununi playoffs.

A defeat for the Falcons will mean that Strikers go through on-goal difference.

Over in East Central, Group A play, Galaxy Warriors female team lost by a 1-4 margin to Flash FC which has now moved to the top of the points standings on 11. Juliet Roberts opened the scoring for Flash FC in the 30th minute.

Strikes from Odessa Dorrick in the 37th minute, Merriza Augustine in the 59th minute, and Shonnate Thomas in the 62nd minute saw Flash winning comfortably.

Latoya Dorrick scored the

Titans male and female teams’ edge closer consolation goal for Galaxy Warriors in the 43rd minute, In the male game, Galaxy United and Flash FC battled to a 3-3 stalemate. Felix John netted all three goals (30th,35th, 89th) for Galaxy Warriors but goals from Leyland Roberts in the 13th minute, and a double from Kim Dorrick (35th, 70th) ensured that the points were shared.

In Central Rupununi, at the Far East Ground, Tabatinga’s male team recorded a 5-0 win over Far East United to move to 19 points to remain in the second position on the table. Emerick Williams (2nd, 75th) and Carlos Isaacs (10th, 38th) got on to the score sheet with a brace each, while Ricardo Martin rounded off the scoring in the 89th minute.

Over at Gladiators Ground, Shenika Xavier opened the scoring in the 15th minute for Snatchers FC in their female match, but Eleni Araujo

equalised for Gladiators FC in the 55th minute as the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Gladiators FC have moved to the top of the female points standings with 17 but can be overtaken by Guyana Rush Saints who have a game in hand and are on 16 points.

In the male match, an Orlando Francis strike in the 42nd minute followed by an Antonio Dutra strike in the 80th minute was enough for Gladiators FC to take care of business against Snatchers FC by a 2-0 margin to hold down the third position with 15 points.

At Aishalton Ground in Deep South Rupununi, Titans United male and female teams comfortably defeated Potarinau Sky Kings female team 3-1 and Shirriri FC male team, 6-1in the first leg of the South Central/Deep South Rupununi playoff.

Pauline Ambrose of Potarinau

Sky Kings opened the scoring in the 32nd minute but a strong second half by the home team saw Faustina Ernest with a goal in the 56th minute, Melessa McCracken in the 71st minute, and Vanytta Dasilva in the 79th minute complete what was eventually a comfortable victory for Titans.

In the male match, Ben Realine netted a helmet-trick for Titans United with goals in the 5th, 19th, 32nd, and 49th minutes while Raphael James netted a double 43rd and 64th minutes.

Simon Peter netted the consolation goal for Shirriri FC in the 68th minute.

Shirriri and Potarinau Sky Kings FC now have substantial d e f i c i t s t o overturn if they will have any hope of qualifying for the quarterfinals when the return legs are played on July 16th, next.

PAGE 30

West Indies “A” to face Bangladesh “A” in St Lucia in four-day “Tests” and 50-over matches

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) and the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) yesterday announced the match schedule for the West Indies Men’s “A” Team series against B a n g l a d e s h M e n ’s “ A ” Team in August.

The series will be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia and will feature two four-day first-class matches and three 50-over matches from 4 to 20 August.

This will be the first West Indies Men’s “A” Team series since 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic restricted opportunities and the resumpti o n o f We s t Indies Men’s “A” team matches sees the return of a key development opportunity for players pushing for selection to the West Indies senior team and for emerging players to build

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

their First-Class International experience.

Roland Holder, CWI’s Senior Operations Manager said the series will provide exposure for a number of players and noted it was part of CWI’s commitment to continually developing talent for the international level.

He said: “ We a r e pleased to have confirmed the itinerary for the Men’s ‘A’ Team series with the BCB and we are excited to host Bangladesh in the region again.

This is a vital part of the development of our players in the pathway toward full international selection, and no doubt this upcoming series of matches in Saint Lucia will provide a platform for further exposure and progress.”

He added that CWI and BCB are also in the planning stages for a reciprocal tour by West Indies “A” to

Bangladesh in 2023.

BCB CEO Nizam Uddin Chowdhury said the “A” Series provides an excellent opportunity for players of both teams to prepare for international commitments.

“The international schedule is getting busier by the season and therefore it is very important for the cricketers to keep themselves ready through good competitive cricket.

We thank CWI for accommodating the A tour.

The four-day ‘Tests’ and the One-Day matches will be invaluable experience for the players,” he noted.

“The BCB and CWI share a warm longstanding relationship and have worked tirelessly to make this tour happen.

I hope we will see more reciprocal programmes between the two boards in the future.”

MATCH SCHEDULE At Daren Sammy Cricket Ground 4-7 August: 2nd Four-Day “Test” – local start time 10am (9am Jamaica) 10-13 August: 2nd Four-Day “Test” – local start time 10am (9am Jamaica) 6 August: 1st 50-over match – local start time 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica) 18 August: 2nd 50-over match – local start time 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica) 20 August: 3rd 50-over match – local start time 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica)

Crashes, chaos and carnage on the cobbles as the Tour de France is shaken to pieces The Telegraph - Simon Clarke won stage five of the Tour de France in a photo finish in Arenberg as defending champion Tadej Pogacar took a big step towards a third straight title on a bad day for the Jumbo-Visma team of race leader Wout van Aert and Primoz Roglic.

The cobbled stage of northern France had a huge say in the general classification battle as Roglic crashed on a roundabout, his teammate Jonas Vingegaard suffered a costly puncture, and the likes of Geraint Thomas and Adam Yates were caught up in the chaos to lose time.

Clarke edged out Taco van der Hoorn to claim IsraelPremier Tech’s first Tour stage victory, but the biggest winner was Pogacar who used a late attack to pick up considerable time on his rivals.

Van Aert showed he was willing to relinquish yellow as he spent the final 30km working to salvage the day for his team-mate Vingegaard, closing a gap to Pogacar that had been nearly a minute to only surrender 13 seconds by the end.

That means he now leads

Simon Clarke won the stage – (Getty Images) by 13 seconds from Neilson Powless and 14 from Edvald Boasson Hagen - two riders who had been in the breakaway - with Pogacar sitting fourth 19 seconds down.

But the Slovenian picked up 13 seconds on Vingegaard, Thomas, Yates and others, while Roglic surrendered more than two minutes, while another general classification hopeful Jack Haig crashed out entirely.

For Clarke, 35, his first individual Tour stage victory comes after a winter in which he thought his career might

be over after the break up of the Qhubeka-Assos team.

“After the winter I had, I had no team, having Israel ring me up and give me that chance, it just gives you such a reality check,” he said.

“As you’ve seen this season I’ve come out in every race swinging, trying to make the most of every opportunity...

“I m o v e d t o E u r o p e when I was 16 and I’m 36 on the second rest day [of the Tour]. It’s been 20 years now and today the dream comes true.”

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Former West Indies captain Merissa Aguilleira continues cricket journey into coaching Merissa Aguilleira with Chris Brabazon

P O R T- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad – Former West Indies Women’s captain and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup winner Merissa Aguilleira recently took part in further Coach Development initiatives aimed at supporting her journey towards becoming a professional coach.

Aguilleira who is also t h e Tr i n i d a d & To b a g o Cricket Board (TTCB) technical director (TD) for women’s cricket, participated in the face-to-face component of the CWI Representative Coaching Programme (Level 2) which was held at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, Trinidad on 13 and 14 June.

Aguilleira has been involved in recent cricket series, including the Trinidad & Tobago Women’s tour of Barbados in May and the Cricket West Indies Women’s Tournaments (CG United Super50 and T20 Blaze) in Guyana. She is also playing a major role in the CWI Women’s Under-19 T20 event as Tournament Director. She is recognized among the most successful women’s cricketer for West Indies and she explained why she has taken up this coaching journey.

“I always liked the idea of coaching. I remember, I spoke to someone recently when I was trying to get involved in match refereeing.

And while I had another discussion with the person I remember seeing him looking at me, and he was like, ‘you’re supposed to be a coach’. I really started to think deep within myself that this is something I really need to get myself involved in,” Aguilleira said.

“I’m passionate about cricket, I have a lot of knowledge about the game.

I think it would be very selfish of me not to pass it on to the next generation.

I have a vision of where I want to see West Indies cricket go, so it’s really important that we have persons who are passionate about the game and willing to take up that mantle of really caring women’s cricket and pushing it forward, to the rightful position that it’s supposed to be … it has to be in with our dedication and our commitment.”

She added: “I think when you’re a coach, all these things can tie into developing w o m e n ’s

cricket and really selling a brand. And once you build that coaching philosophy, and what you really want the players to look like, and you want them to be, I think that can also make West Indies cricket stronger.

So, I’m passionate about this, happy that I’m getting myself involved in it, and I look forward to it.”

CWI Coach Development Manager, Chris Brabazon had the following to say on the role CWI are playing in supporting Aguilleira’s transition into coaching as well as the broader strategic approach to recruit and train female coaches.

“There is a need for more female coaches at all levels of our West Indies Cricket Pathway across the region.

If we can increase the number of female role models in our cricket, we are much better placed to engage and inspire the next generation of girls to take up the game and continue through to the senior ranks”, said Brabazon.

“We have managed to train and accredit over 150 female coaches from Foundation to Level 2 over the past two years and it is

great to now be putting p r o c e s s e s into place for Merissa and other experienced players and coaches to go on and play a key role in the High-Performance

r e a l m o f We s t I n d i e s cricket”, Brabazon further explained.

He continued: “To have Merissa involved is fantastic as she is such a

knowledgeable and passionate cricket person, a well-respected figure, and a great role model for our players and coaches. So, we want to make sure that we support her on her coaching journey as much as we can.”

Aguilleira started her international career in 2008 and finished in 2018 w h e r e s h e p layed 112 ODIs and 95 T20Is. She was a member of the T20 World Cup-winning team in the memorable final against Australia at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in 2016, the bigg e s t s u c c e s s i n We s t Indies Women’s history.

A classy right-handed batter and wicket-keeper, she captained the West Indies to the ICC Women’s World Cup final against Australia in 2013 in India and to three ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2010 in Saint Lucia, 2012 in Colombo, Sri Lanka and 2014 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

To learn more about the CWI Coach Development Programme, please head to the following link: https:// www.windiescricket.com/ news/coaching/

PAGE 32

Thursday July 07, 2022

Kaieteur News

EBFA Senior League CPL 2022: De Kock and Miller join Barbados Royals Timehri Panthers, Agricola The Barbados Royals have announced their overseas signings for the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League which gets underway on 31 August.

Quinton de Kock will appear at Hero CPL for the first time, bringing with him a huge amount of experience. De Kock has played more than 250 T20 matches for South Africa and franchises around the world.

He will be joined by fellow South African David Miller who will be playing for his third Hero CPL team having previously appeared for the Jamaican and Saint Lucian franchises. Miller has more than 8000 T20 runs at a strike rate of 138.

Pakistani batter Azam Khan is returning to the Royals for a second successive season having made his Hero CPL debut in 2021.

Afghan spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman will be with the Royals in 2022 having previously played for the Jamaica Tallawahs. Mujeeb has raced to almost 200 T20 wickets and has become a sought-after bowler around the world.

The final overseas spot will be filled by South African all-rounder Corbin Bosch who recently joined the Rajasthan Royals at the India Premier League.

Expressing his thoughts on the team’s overseas signings, Head Coach Trevor Penney said: “We are de-

post easy wins; Swan stun Friendship in 10-goal thriller

Quinton de Kock and David Miller will be reunited at this year’s CPL. (BCCI) lighted to have signed some plying his trade in T20s gloof the best overseas players bally and is a quality and poof the T20 format, who we feel tentially effective addition to will complement our reten- our spin department. From my tions perfectly. Quinton is a perspective, these signings proven match winner who are an indication of the kind has delivered for both his of cricket we want to play here country and all the franchises at Barbados, and I’m confihe’s played for around the dent going into the drafts that world, and we are delighted we’re building a talented and that he’s chosen the Royals dynamic squad to vie for the as the team to start his CPL title this season,” added the journey at. On the other hand, 54-year-old Penney. having worked closely with The Royals will have five David Miller and Corbin more spots to fill at the Hero Bosch at the Rajasthan Roy- CPL draft with details of these als, we know exactly what picks released during the draft they bring to the table and at show which will be broadcast the same time, they also un- on 7 July at 9am ECT. derstand the philosophy of Barbados Royals: the Royals perfectly.

Quinton De Kock (S), Jason “We are also happy to Holder (R), David Miller (S), have the energy and excite- Mujeeb Ur Rahman (S), Obed ment that Azam Khan can Mccoy (S), Kyle Mayers (R), bring to the group, having Azam Khan (R), Hayden seen him perform for us last Walsh (R), Oshane Thomas season. While Mujeeb ur (R), Devon Thomas (S), Corbin Rahman is a world-class spin- Bosch (S) and Nyeem Young ner who has made his name (R).

Guyanese Pugilist to be inducted into Australian Boxing Hall of Fame

By Sean Devers When Gairy “Superman” St Clair defeated Cassius Baloyi to become World Champion in 2006, he was a long way from the Georgetown streets of his youth in Guyana. The story of how the former IBO/IBF world title holder overcame all odds to be at the top of his sport is an inspiration to young fighters all over the world.

Gairy St Clair will reach another incredible career milestone this year when he will be inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame.

This tremendous honour recognises his achievements in representing Guyana and Australia on the boxing world stage and his commitment to supporting the champions of tomorrow. St Clair will join this elite group of boxing legends when the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame

Gary St. Clair Induction Dinner will be held at Crown Melbourne on Friday, August 26, 2022.

“I am extremely grateful to have been selected by the board to be inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame,” says Gairy St Clair.

“Australia has been my home for nearly 20 years and I truly love this country. It is a true honour to be

recognised alongside the greats of Australian sport.”

Born on February 2, 1975, at Georgetown Public Hospital in Guyana, Gairy St Clair was a fighter from day one.

Growing up in poverty as one of nine children, the odds of survival were stacked against him. However, legendary Guyanese fighter Cliff Anderson saw promise in the young St Clair and took him under his wing.

St Clair represented Guyana on the world stage at the Commonwealth Games in British Columbia, Canada at the age of 19, and turned professional the same year. He had always envisioned the United States as being the place where he would further his career, but it was a call from Australia that changed his life.

Sydney-based Kostya Tszyu was in need of a sparring (Continued on page 27)

Timehri Panthers trounced St. Cuthbert’s Jaguars 8-2 on the back of a Tyrone Burnette hat-trick; Swan Football Club stunned Friendship All-Stars 6-4, while Agricola Red Triangle brushed aside Diamond United 8-0 when rivalry in the East Bank Football Association Senior League continued this past weekend at the GFF National Training Centre, Providence, EBD. Contesting the feature match on Sunday, Timehri Panthers, despite their opponents showing some early signs of a fight, paced themselves well to take full points. Burnette opened the scoring in just the 5thminute, but St. Cuthbert’s Jaguars fired back with a goal of their own to draw even in the 18th minute through Shawn Paul.

Orin Solomon then tucked in a double in the 23rd and 26th minute to hand back Timehri the ascendancy.

St. Cuthbert’s Jaguars then reduced the deficit in the 35th minute when Ravon Andrews scored.

That was the last goal for St. Cuthbert’s as the reigning league champions on the East Bank wrested total control. Shawn Steele scored in the 39th minute to restore the two-goal cushion for Timehri.

Burnette was again on target in the 46th and 71st minutes to complete his hat-trick. Jarel Walcott (60th) and Antwone Denny two minutes later completed the job for Timehri Panthers.

In Sunday’s main supporting game, Swan Football Club notched their second win when they stormed to an exciting 6-4 win over Friend-

Anderson Webber (left) and David Lonke – Swan FC goal scorers

ship All-Stars. Leading the way was 14-year-old Anderson Webber who enjoyed a good day at the office with five goals also known as a glut. He rocked the nets in the 21st, 49th, 65th, 68th, and 74th minutes after teammate David Lonke opened the scoring in the 10th minute. Friendship All-Stars got their goals from Jamal Scott with a hattrick in the 13th, 26th, and 29th, minutes, while Shamar Montooth converted in the 16thminute. Meanwhile, in the lone encounter on Saturday at the same venue, Agricola Red Triangle made light work of Diamond United,

another young team in the tournament, winning, 8-0.

Teenager Eon Daniels led the way with a hat-trick which came in the 66th, 72nd, and 73rd minutes, while elder statesman, Kacy John supported well with a brace in the 69th and 78th minutes.

Inking their names on the score sheet were Linden Pickett (16th), Jadon Paul (37th), and Brian Price in the 76thminute as Agricola maintained their unbeaten run thus far with their third win in as many matches. The top two teams from each group would advance to the semifinals following group play.

Kaieteur News

Thursday July 07, 2022

PAGE 33

No.2 Anderson survives the upset scare, moves into quarterfinals The men’s number twoseeded, Donnie Anderson, survived a see-saw battle against the skilled-lefty, Ronald Murray, in a highly entertaining match and notched a hard fought 4-6 / 62 / 6-4 win.

Anderson, a semi finalist last year, dropped the opening set after leading 2-0.

The 19-year-old appeared to be in his comfort zone and was a point away from securing the early break for a 3-0 lead, before Murray fired a return winner to level the game at deuce. The third game went to numerous deuces before Murray blasted two forehand winners to immediately get the break back.

Murray’s hard-hitting and sharp angles troubled the number two seed and awarded him the opening set 6-4.

With the match being postponed to the following day due to inclement weather, Anderson opened the second set with a love service hold. The former boy’s champion displayed some brilliant tennis to break Murray three times and take the second set 6-2.

Anderson carried the same momentum into the final set and fended off a spirited fight from Murray to eventually prevail 4-6 / 6-2 / 6-4.

Other notable results: Men’s Open Singles:

2018 finalist, Jonathan Fagundes defeated Delon Fraser 6-2 / 6-0 to make his first quarterfinals in three years.

Harvey Stoll dominated Matthew Sing 6-1 / 6-0, and Saevion David-Longe battled past Philbert Clarke 6-4 / 6-2. Both winners are advancing to their first round of 16.

Ladies’ Open Singles: Last year’s finalist and number one seed, Renola Jordan dispatched Karen Hulefeld 6-0 / 6-0 in the quarterfinals.

Men’s 35 & Over Singles: Steve David-Longe advanced to the semifinals with a 7-5 / 6-0 victory over Surrendra Khayyam.

Tahir and Shamsi with Warriors for 2022 Tabraiz Shamsi (Instagram) Imran Tahir (Getty Images)

The Guyana Amazon Warriors have announced their overseas signings for the 2022 Hero Caribbean Premier League which gets underway on 31 August.

Imran Tahir will be back with the Amazon Warriors for the fifth consecutive season. Tahir is the record wicket taker for the franchise with 60 wickets from 43 matches.

Tahir will be joined by fellow South African wrist spinner, Tabraiz Shamsi, who has Hero CPL experience with the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots from 2015 to 2018. Shamsi, the number one ranked bowler in T20 Internationals, has 33

wickets at the CPL. The Amazon Warriors batting is bolstered with the addition of South Africans Colin Ingram and Heinrich Klaasen and Ireland international Paul Stirling.

The Amazon Warriors will have six more spots to fill at the Hero CPL draft with details of these picks released during the draft show which will be broadcasted this Thursday – 7 July – at 9am Eastern Caribbean Time.

GUYANA AMAZON WARRIORS-Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Tabraiz Shamsi, Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Colin Ingram, Chandrapaul

Hemraj, Paul Stirling, Heinrich Klaasen, Keemo Paul, Gudakesh Motie.

The 2022 men’s Hero CPL tournament will take place from 31 August to 30 S e p t e m b e r. T h e h o s t countries for 2022 will be St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana. In 2022 there will be the first running of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) which will feature Barbados Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors and Trinbago Knight Riders.

The WCPL will take place in St Kitts & Nevis from 31 August to 4 September. For further information visit www.cplt20.com

Donnie Anderson (left), survived a see-saw battle against the skilled-lefty, Ronald Murray.

s

rt Spo

Gary St. Clair displays his titles won.

Rovman Powell was at his blistering best in the second T20I. (AFP via Getty Images)

Guyanese Pugilist to be Red-hot West Indies look to inflict inducted into Australian more misery upon Bangladesh today Boxing Hall of Fame The Guyanese celebrate the fall of a Windward Islands wicket.

Guyana beat Leeward Islands by 10 wickets at CWI U19 C/Ships Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.