Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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

US$300M Vreed-en-Hoop shore base facility…

Area cleared for dredging crosses

Friday Edition July 08, 2022 - Vol. 24 No. 30 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 79,910

traditional fishing grounds

‘Keep an eye on Exxon's p. 3

accelerated development'

...Fmr. Finance Minister

stresses need for robust oversight of production costs

'Ineligible' Man charged police ranks with murder of promoted' ....Former assistant commissioner cites lack of due diligence

Nemon Persaud

Mon Repos granny

Govt. raises billions from private interests to finance 'biggest budget ever' ...represents additional debt to be repaid in future

Paying Exxon's taxes cost …collected US$21.2M Guyana more than the in first year, pays US$27.5M to GRA Royalty it collects for oil companies

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

Govt. raises billions from private interests to finance 'biggest budget ever' Bank of Guyana

...represents additional debt to be repaid in future

T

he Guyana Government this year presented its biggest budget ever- set initially at $553B but will increase, as already signalled

by Head of State, President Irfaan Ali when he referenced a resort to supplementary spending by the state.

The 2022 Estimates is the first year in which the

country's budget is being financed in part by monies accrued from the country's oil earnings.

According to the Bank of Guyana, in order to finance this budget h o w e v e r , government in APNU+AFC spokesperson on addition to loans finances, Juretha Fernandes and grants, raised in excess of $50B from during the period, there were the sale of Treasury Bills. seven Treasury bill auctions, The state of affairs is totalling G$53.4B, during documented in the Central the first quarter of 2022, all of Bank's first quarterly report which were issued for fiscal for the year, which noted that purposes. while the country's total debt Additionally, it was noted stock owed externally and that the stock of debentures domestically increased to decreased by G$244 million more than US$3B, the to G$205.3B from G$205.6B domestic debt increased at end December 2021. mainly on account of a “This reduction in stock was growth in the stock of a result of a payment made treasury bills at the end of the towards the NIS debenture review period. during the review period.”

It was noted that the As it relates to stock of treasury bills repayments made, the Bank increased by 19.4 percent of Guya n a n o t e d t h a t mainly as a result of higher domestic debt service issuances of treasury bills payments decreased by “for budgetary support.” 1 7 . 4 p e r c e n t d o w n According to the Bank of G $ 5 . 2 B t o G $ 2 4 . 3 B Guyana report, the stock of from G$29.5B in March 364-day treasury bills 2021. accounted solely for this Principal payments increase and grew by G$28B decreased by 17.2 percent or to G$173.7B. G$4,975 million while “On the other hand, the interest payments fell by 29.2 stock of 182-day treasury percent or G$134 million. bills remained unchanged at According to the Bank's G$352 million from the end- report, the former was December 2021 level; There primarily as a result of lower were no issuances of 91-day principal repayments for treasury bills during the 182-day treasury bills by review period.”

G$4,975 million during According to the report, (Continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

PAGE 03

‘Keep an eye on Exxon's

accelerated development’ ...Fmr. Finance Minister stresses need for robust oversight of production costs

By Zena Henry

R

ecord high oil prices have seen operators chasing a speeding bullet to capitalise on returns. But the current situation could leave the country's already vulnerable oil industry even more exposed, former Finance Minister Winston Jordan has opined.

Jordan is concerned that the higher prices have encouraged oil companies to increase production, while earning more money from its sale of the resource.

The problem however, is that Guyana is not on par with the accelerated pace

because it does not have the in-house expertise to monitor the sector and to ensure that the bills coming in from the operators are legitimate.

ExxonMobil and its partners have expressed satisfaction in its local investment ahead of climbing inflation rates that are at this point, a major hindrance to developing and thus increasing resource production to balance out oil prices.

This means that Exxon and its partners' returns from their investment in the Liza 1 and 2 wells is significantly higher than the sums the companies would have

Fire Service confirms arson destroyed cop's home A fire on Wednesday at We s t R u i m v e l d t , Georgetown left a police rank and her brother homeless and the Guyana Fire Service has confirmed that the inferno was maliciously set.

Homeless are, Alfa Daniels, a policewoman, 25, and Shamar Daniels, 23. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in a statement on Wednesday evening stated, “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the fire was set by a relative.

Fire fighters were alerted around 09:47hrs that a house at 389 Corlita Street was on fire and rushed to the scene to contain the blaze.

Neighbours had told reporters at the scene that they saw smoke emanating from the building and raised an alarm. When fire fighters arrived they were able to confirm that no one was home at the time. They were able to contain and put out the blaze. The siblings

The policewoman who was left homeless, Alpha Daniels arrived later and were shocked. The police rank told reporters, that they were not able to save anything from the house. According to the GFS, the house was owned by the siblings' late mother Sherry Daniels who passed away recently. It is believed that the motive could be driven by a dispute between siblings for the property.

Investigations continue.

Clarification

Rate of Cost of Living to double by year-end Kaieteur News would like to offer a clarification to a caption for one of our featured articles in Thursday's edition—“Cost of living to double by year end -Central Bank warns.”

The headline should have conveyed that it is the rate of the cost of living that will double by year end. Kaieteur News apologises for the misrepresentation.

pumped into the project.

To further capitalise on the high prices, the companies are drilling more and are expected to bring on stream new floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) every year, possibly until the 11billion barrel 'line of sight' oil is covered by the estimated 10 FPSOs. “For us, that 75 percent recoverable investment is coming to the oil companies faster than they would have expected while Guyana does not have the personnel in place to examine and check for the legitimate cost,” the former finance minister explained.

Jordan told the newspaper that what is also of concern is the country's inability to ensure that other cost, for example, from other investments, are not appropriated to the faster 75 percent payback, “given the open nature of the contract.”

Jordan was referring to among other things, the lack of ring-fencing in the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement where revenue from one project is not protected from being utilised in another.

With the country's dismal capacity in securing the oil industry, the former minister is adamant that the country may never draw down on the bigger profits that would be slated for Guyana in the future if certain measures are not put in place.

To amplify his point, the former finance minister

argued that the folly situation existing is that almost four years after first oil, “Guyana is still to have personnel in crucial areas of oversight.

R i g h t n o w, ” J o r d a n continued, “we rely heavily on Exxon to tell us what we want to know.” He suggested however that Exxon would do no such thing as it obviously would operate in its best interest.

Given the dire situation, Jordan thus questioned the government's purpose for shunning the 2019 US$20M World Bank loan that was meant to enhance the local legal and institutional frameworks and strengthen the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector. “I don't know why they have not used the loan. They have not hired the requisite personnel,” Jordan charged. He said that with the right people in place, Guyana could recover tremendously more money since the technical and forensic personnel would be looking out for the country's affairs.

The openness of

Guyana's PSA is a real worry for the c o u n t r y, h e emphasised.

The lack of r i n g fencing, the need for specialized personnel is among t h e troubling areas to be addressed.

“And that's Jordan wants government to give where we should back the US$20M loan if be really concerned,” the they wish not to use the sums. former minister capacity. The Irfaan Ali led opined.

I n M a r c h , G u y a n a administration has instead received a downgraded score highlighted their intension to on the performance of the “refine the scope of the Wo r l d B a n k G u y a n a project to bring it in line with Petroleum Resources c u r r e n t g o v e r n m e n t G o v e r n a n c e a n d priorities.”

Those priorities are still Management Project (GPRGMP) loan as three b e r e v e a l e d b y t h e In the years after the former David g o v e r n m e n t .

Granger led administration meantime, Guyana remains secured the loan the new overexposed to oil company administration is yet to exploitation, some oil and utilize the money for the gas experts have warned.

Guyana moved from important task of building (Continued on page 12) local oil and gas sector

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Friday July 08, 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

Treading the tightrope between loyalty and integrity

T

he challenge is great even for those inclined to walk a straight line in normal circumstances. It gets greater when matters are not so normal, as in a brother or comrade is in trouble, a leaders grip is threatened because he is operating in an increasingly tortured situation.

This is where Prime Minister Boris Johnson stands currently, and because of this many of his close colleagues, comrades in arms in many a political battle, have had their work cut out for them, with the ground on which they stand cut out from under their feet. They have little to stand on, not much going for them.

It is what brings up this most delicate of situations, where choices have to be made since so much is at stake.

Like ones integrity, which is foremost for some members in Englands House of Commons. The choice is clear, but it rubs harshly: to stand blindly by their leader, or to be about what carries to another day, by holding onto ones principles, ones standards, and in so doing, clutching tightly to ones honour. Over two dozen British Members of Parliament, from the Tory side of aisle, the government benches no less, have cut ties to their troubled Prime Minister, and abandoned him to his inevitable fate.

Sajid Javid spoke with powerful eloquence for all those in his Conservative ranks who still possess some personal self-esteem left, some residual individual dignity intact. He coined a majestic phrase that is sure to leave a ringing impression with many. At least, those who hold the ethical, noble, and idealistic high. His words were that there can be the greatest difficulty in “treading the tightrope between loyalty and integrity.” But, in the end, integrity must always win out. Sajid Javid is one such person, which is why he gave up his senior ministers post in the now crumbling Boris Johnson cabinet, the almost gone Prime Minister, now hanging on by his fingernails until the autumn.

Though this is so much about Boris Johnson and his leadership weaknesses and failures, it is more of men like Sajid Javid, who do not shrink from making the difficult choices that political life throws at them. Though it is never a simple matter to part from ones leader, especially when under siege. But to save oneself when caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, then there is one choice, one only, which is to separate self and go as quickly and cleanly as possible, before it is too late. Treading the tightrope between loyalty and integrity means that there are those times when one has to be sacrificed. For the honourable, it is loyalty which is only casualty and at every opportunity.

It would be a remarkable development in this country to observe our own political participants on the national stage in the PPP/C Government, the present APNU+AFC Coalition Opposition, calling out their leaders, and condemning them for their failures at the top. Sajid Javid blasted Boris Johnson because he was the kind of man he had to be and none other. This goes both ways and our leaders in the major parties should be dismissing their ministers, their comrades, their very helpful loyalists, when they breach standards of integrity that stand on their own, make their own accusations, condemn and judge as verboten.

Here, we have senior politicians, leading men of the law, who see nothing wrong, no matter how long and hard they look, that is, if they really did look at all. We have leaders and loyalists covering for each other with nauseating regularity on everything: charges, oil, personal and public corruptions, which is why we have the Guyana that we have, and with which we struggle to cope. Oldtimers do it, the newcomers also.

Our mediators in parliament are distinctive cluelessness about their duty to country and integrity, and always make it their responsibility to come out on the side of loyalty, regardless. Bribery allegations, unethical leadership, and ministerial records thunder with revealing whispers, and still there is this craven allegiance to what is dirty. Because of men like these, we have a country like this. They tread, lean, love loyalty more than integrity.

Deep dredging offshore Plantation Best, West Bank Demerara, across traditional fishing grounds DEAR EDITOR, I have not noticed any comments in the local Press on MARAD Notice to Mariners number 113 (2022) dated June 28, 2022. This Notice defines a sea area of 119 square kilometres offshore from Plantation Best where the biggest of the oil field shore bases is being constructed, which will be deep-dredged up to the end of this year. The clear intention is to allow much larger ships to navigate the Demerara Ship Channel into Georgetown Harbour. The area defined for dredging crosses traditional fishing grounds of the artisanal fishermen. Few fishermen read the newspapers and I am not aware of any other attempt to inform them of the disruption to their business.

The two trailing suction hopper dredges (TSHD) are owned by a Dutch company (Jan De Nul) and flagged in Luxembourg, and can dredge

to a depth of 30 metres. The present entry channel is much shorter, narrower and only dredged to 5-6m deep. The two dredgers have capacities of 18,000 m3 (https:// www.jandenul.com/sites/ default/files/2021-03/ G a l i l e o % 2 0 G a l ilei%20%28EN%29%20.pdf) and 4,000 m3 (https:// www.jandenul.com/sites/ default/files/2020-10/De%20 Bougainville%20%28EN%29.pdf).

It seems from the MARAD notice number 113 that ExxonMobils intention is to triple the depth of the channel to 15 metres.

A second MARAD notice, number 116 dated 01 July, announces that dredging has started.

By its nature, dredging disturbs the natural environment and, here, affects the livelihoods of fishermen. Fishers have both legal and customary rights to their traditional fishing grounds. I cannot find any call

by the Environmental Protection Agency to demand an Environmental Impact Assessment. Where is the dredged mud to be discharged, between now and the end of 2022? The EIAs for the first four fields (Liza-1, Liza-2, Payara and Yellowtail) all disclaim attention to dredging.

This is stated to be associated with and the responsibility of the shorebase owners/operators, and is expressly excluded from the EIAs. The EPAs covering statement for the Liza-2 EIA mentions pipe yards and bonds onshore but not any dredging.

Editor, we read daily in your newspapers celebratory statements about 11 billion barrels and counting of oil.

That oil is being pumped at breakneck speed, at a pace determined by the Operator, with our government in the role of enabler and cheerleader. We can see from

the Government of Guyanas own websitehttps:// p e t r o l e u m . g o v. g y / d a t a visualization that oil production from FPSO Liza Destiny from the Liza-1 field has been de-bottlenecked to over 150,000 bpd by May 2022.

These are very high-risk strategies for Guyana. There is no national conversation on the negative externalities of this reckless pace of extraction which are and will be borne, now and into the future, by Guyanese and the non-human life forms with whom we share our territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone.

Through your newspaper, I call for an explanation from the EPA of why there is no EIA for this dredging. I also call for protection of the legal and customary rights of fishers to their traditional fishing grounds.

Yours truly, Janette Bulkan

President Ali is “A Man for All Seasons” DEAR EDITOR, Guyanas young and restless President, H.E. Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, has become a global trotter, spanning continents, crossing seas and oceans, flying over forests, deserts and mountains, visiting lands, far and near.

Possessing a bold and beautiful personality, he is meeting people of all races, religions, genders, colours, nationally, regionally and internationally. Braving all weathers and climatic conditions, shunning pride and prejudice, he presents himself as a simple, humble and friendly representative of a thriving and striving nation of potential wealth from her natural resources and agricultural products. As the world turns to accept, embrace and welcome him, his audiences listen to his powerful speeches, words of sincerity and his inspired messages. His charismatic flamboyance attracts the crowd to catapult him in the limelight and usher him in the front seat without reservation or hesitation. The memories from his recent visits are still fresh and akin to “A Man for all Seasons.” His visits include: London Caribbean Councils House of Lords Annual Reception; Guyana Festival Committees Dinner in Toronto; The Ninth Summit of Americas in California;

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda; Suriname Energy, Oil and Gas Summit and Exhibition; AGROFEST22 in Barbados and the 43rd Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Suriname.

Dr. Ali knows no fear and the word failure does not exist in his vocabulary, knowing that optimism lies in his positive approach, determined to market his people, country and products for their highest values. His admirable popularity is the window to the world which easily allows him to win friends and influence people and all doors are automatically opened to meet and greet him with open arms and extend the hand of friendship. The world is growing to respect President Ali for his dynamic leadership, his energetic enthusiasm and his integrity to be an honest, frank and fair speaker. His Excellency does not cower behind cloaked costumes, hide behind hidden agenda, issue veiled threats, speak with forked tongue, mislead with crafty and cloudy words, pollute the atmosphere with uneasiness, make unrealistic demands nor ask unreasonable questions.

He was well received last year at the UN Framework convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties

(COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland and also at EXPO 2020, Dubai. At the UN General Assembly in NY Sept21 (UNGA76), he revealed to interviewers that Guyana will be receiving high-level visits from Kenya, Colombia, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Latin America, the Caribbean, EU and Asia, all of which materialised. Prior to this visit, he was also in Mexico for the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC) Summit.

President Irfaan Ali recognises that Guyana is going through a period of growing pains and has many obstacles and hurdles to overcome internally and externally. His job is no piece of cake and does not come with a written manual. Being the chauffeur at the wheel, it is far from driving any Miss Daisy on a quiet Sunday afternoon. From the inception, heavy traffic prevailed at the time of swearing into office, and, he and his ministers were cognisant of the many problems the country and people were taxed with. That did not daunt nor deter him but made him more determined to create a pathway to clear all impediments blocking the road to progress and prosperity. There is little room for errors and mistakes, and, he is daily flaunted by critics, hunting to find faults to

discredit him and punch holes in his bag. Not surprisingly, His Excellency has been involved personally along with members of his cabinet on out-reach programmes to all the 10 Regions, meeting and greeting Guyanese from all spectres of the community, listening and learning, advising, making suggestions and recommendations and solving problems on the spot. He has initiated a number of cash grants to all qualified stake holders affected by economics, politics and nature via financial constraints: the fired sugar workers during the Granger regime compensation, flood relief, school relief, medical relief dialysis and handicapped, farmers relief, COVID -19 packages, business startups, unemployment relief, easy bank loans for house construction, etc.

It is not by luck and chance that he is not above the law, but by sheer diligence and not negligence, President Mohammed Ali is guided by established rules and regulations, protocols of precedence, the constitution and mandatory guidelines.

He is not a one-man show as evidenced from previous dictators, but, he refers to his advisors for (Continued on page 6)

Friday July 08, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Spirit and letter of the procurement laws How does “trafficking DEAR EDITOR, As each new day dawns it becomes increasingly crystal clear that GuySuCo is embarking on more wastage of taxpayers monies.

The Vice President had promised in November 2021 that GuySucCos Management will be fortified and that this does not depend on whether the CEO stays or not.

Months down the line it is the CEO who is now strengthened and empowered to do as he pleases embarking on wasteful spending, the recent Cabinet decision to purchase the unsuitable articulated to perform tillage operations is another prime example and another costly one is the decision to increase the LGRP application on the estates by nearly 100 percent.

The CEO had said that he worked hard to implement the spirit and letter of Section 24 of the Procurement Act. However, the spirit of the law will suggest that the procurement of assets should bring benefits to the procuring entity.

If the items so procured do not benefits the entity but results in wastage of financial resources, is it enough that the letter of the law is being stringently applied?

The spirit of the law is the aim or purpose of the law when it was written and this is what needs to be understood. In its Pre-

amble the Procurement Act speaks about promoting the objective of maximising economy and efficiency in procurement and this is echoed by GuySuCos Procurement Manual which went further and speaks about the execution of works of right quality at the right time and at right prices and specifically states that the objective is maximising economy, efficiency and effectiveness in procurement.

The procurement of the highly controversial articulated and the spending of $200 million and then $1.6 billion (a total of $1.8 billion) clearly is against the spirit of both the Procurement Act and GuySuCos Procurement Policies, Procedures and Rules.

The Report which was submitted on the articulated tractors and the big controversy created at the last Board meeting which led to the resignation of the Chairman caused a rift in the Board and the dissenting voices were smothered.

The articulated tractors are not the capable of executing the right quality of works and are clearly not at the right prices.

It has been proven that the John Deere tractors can do both ploughing and harrowing, the articulated ones could only do harrowing and although it may be slightly more efficient at

harrowing, its operating costs are more and what is more alarming is that the price is twice that of the John Deere. There goes the spirit.

The CEO made a statement which is meant to mask the reality when he said that he commits no act without Cabinets approval.

And he does not act without permission, Whatever Cabinet says, I jump.

I dont do anything without written permission.

What the CEO failed to highlight is the fact that the evaluation report is submitted by the Corporation and that report would have recommended the purchase of the articulated tractors and that Cabinet may only object to the award the procurement contract if it determines that the Corporation failed to comply with applicable procurement procedures (GuySuCo Manual Volume 2 Sections 43.1 and 43.2).

The reality is that these tractors are unsuitable and costly and the supplier may not be able to deliver because of the precarious financial position the company currently faces.

Another costly and wasteful venture which will amount to wastage of more than $500 million in the procurement of Low Grade Rock Phosphate (LGRP). In an email dated 16th June, 2022, the CEO agreed with Dr. Homenauth that the formula currently used as the basis of liming requirements for GuySuCo is correct and only a minor adjustment is required and that was to increase the CaCo3 content.

Based on this recommended calculation only 25% more LGRP is required.

However, the CEO passed an instruction that the LGRP application on the estates will increase from 3 tonnes per hectare to 6 tonnes per hectare-a 100% increase.

Therefore, the procurement of LGRP will be doubled.

Why this willful wastage?

Are we maximising economy, efficiency and effectiveness in procurement at GuySuCo? It is apparent that there is no regard for our taxpayers dollars and the Treasury is readily available to be looted.

This Government must act decisively now rather than later.

Yours sincerely, Narendra Lall

in person” at the post at what I heard. I office goes? horrified dont usually use the post ofDEAR EDITOR, On Friday July 1st, I sent my gardener to Providence Post Office to mail a birthday card to my daughter in the US who will be celebrating her birthday later this month. I gave him $200.00. I put my address on the back of the card. To my disappointment when I returned from work on Wednesday I saw the envelope among some other mails on my counter. I immediately questioned the helper who says that they cleared the mailbox and found it and they were bewildered too.

Today, Thursday I send the mail back with extra money to find out what was the problem and to just put the extra stamp and let it go as now I am certain the card would reach after the birthday.

To my astonishment my helper returned a few minutes later with the card in hand saying that the Post Master General (PMG) says that I need to put my daughters and my telephone numbers on the card as it has to do with “trafficking in person”. I was totally taken back by this and

fice so this has me wondering what really goes on there?

If to post a simple birthday card this is the horrors you have to go through, the GPO should inform the public of these developments as I cannot figure out how a post card and trafficking in person goes together. I did write the telephone numbers and send it back with a request for the PMG to give me a call to explain such.

She did not call. She sent her number but I refuse to call as they are Public Servants working and answerable to the people not the other way around. I want also to understand if its legal to put ones telephone number on mails that are in the public domain as this puts me and my daughter more at harm.

I am still curious and waiting on an explanation as to how “trafficking in person” at the post office goes and I also would like to know that if I didnt put my return address what would they have done with my card??

Regards, Saudia Ferouz

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Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Senior must educate the younger generations about what transpired in our history DEAR EDITOR, July 10th, 2022 marks 44 years since the rigged Constitutional Referendum of July 10th, 1978. This event set the stage for the creation of the New People’s Constitution which was imposed on the Guyanese Nation on the 6th of October, 1980.

The Constitutional Referendum of July 10th, 1978 changed article 73 of the Constitution and brought an end to any further Referendums that would abolish the entrenched provisions in the constitution including the powers of the president, the dissolution of parliament, and the electoral system. And instead, allow them to be changed by a twothirds majority which the PNC had at that time.

General Election was due to be held in 1978, no later than the 25th of October 1978.

Five years earlier, the PNC massively rigged the general election of 1973 giving itself a two-thirds majority. While Guyanese unsuspectingly awaited the date for the new General Election, then leader of the PNC and Prime minister of Guyana Linden Forbes Burnham postponed the date for the election. He cunningly devised a strategy he introduced on the 1st of April, a constitutional amendment bill number 8 of 1978 in parliament which amended article 73 of the constitution.

The objective of the PNC was

to put off the General Election due that year.

The bill was passed by the PNC majority but most people at the time were unaware of what had happened as Guyanese were living under siege, experiencing blackouts, severe water shortages, and shortages of essential items.

People lined up outside Resal Maraj in Water Street for long periods of time just to get a pint of coconut oil. Soap, toilet paper, and matches were only available on the black market. Opposition to the bill was broad-based, it included the PPP, the WPA, the Guyana Council of Churches, the People’s Democratic Movement, the Liberator party, the Rice Producers Association, Guyana Agricultural Workers Union, and the Civil Liberties Action Council. Soon after another anti-bill grouping was founded. The Concern Citizens Committee(CCC), included lawyers, architects, medical professionals, educators, lecturers from the University of Guyana, Trade Unions, and the Guyana Council of Churches as observers. The PNC cracked down on the opposition and in order to stem the flow of information controlled the importation of newsprint. The Catholic Standard was forced to print on a photo stenciled format on a much smaller scale. The Chronicle refused to accept paid

advertisements by the opposition. A peaceful picket outside Parliament was attacked by PNC thugs and picketers were severely beaten including National poet Martin Carter. The PNC government went ahead with organising the Referendum without consulting the opposition, the CDD, and CCC. Referendum day July 10th, 1978 had shown from early morning that voters had heeded the opposition boycott call. There was a small trickle of voters, even in PNC strongholds their supporters figured the party had it all covered. The PNC frantically at the last moment could be seen recycling activists in motor vehicles and cycles.

According to the CDD, the CCC, and the PPP, the massive boycott by the electorate resulted in only 14 percent of the electorate turning out to vote. The symbols were the House meant Yes and the Mouse meant No! Within two days the votes were counted in the absence of opposition observers. The results of the Polls stated that 71.45% of the electorate voted and 97.7% supported the Referendum proposal.

There was widespread condemnation and outrage by the opposition and civil society in Guyana and the diaspora over the bare-faced and blatant rigging of the referendum which was to

usher in the PNC Dictatorship.

On July 17th, 1978, the PNC government using its 2/ 3 parliamentary majority amended the constitution and extended the life of parliament thus avoiding the need for General Elections.

Four days later Parliament reconstituted itself into a Constitutional Assembly to draft a new Socialist Constitution for Guyana.

A reconvene parliament approved by the PNC 2/3 majority the PNC draft which became the New People’s Constitution of Guyana.

The New Constitution created an Executive President with unlimited Power. The former Ceremonial president Mr. A u t h o r C h u n g stepped down making way for Burnham.

The PPP boycotted the Parliamentary session on October 6th, 1980. Deemed the Constitution Fraudulent and called on Guyanese to reject the constitution which it ridiculed as the Chronicle only fit for use as toilet paper and as the concoction of a mad dictator.

The PNC on the other hand said the Constitution was necessary to ensure the transition from a Capitalist to a society founded on Socialist Democracy. The constitution offered the broad masses of Guyanese the opportunity to participate in the important decisionmaking processes in the

economic and political life of our country. However, the allembracing powers of the Executive President to immunity and protection from prosecution do not accord with Socialist Democracy or People’s power, rather it offere d the Executive effe ctive and total control of the population. The PNC swiftly moved and called a General Elections on December 15th, 1980, and once again notoriously rigged the election giving itself 78 percent of the votes.

The Fraudulent 1980 election came after the PNC had imposed its 1980 Constitution leaving a bloody trail behind. It systemically eroded the rights of the Guyanese people.

The return of free and fair elections in 1992 has not restored Democracy to Guyana. Constitutional Reform has been mere window dressing. Neither the PPP nor the PNC have any real interest in bringing about any radical changes in the Constitution that would benefit the Guyanese Nation which would require a 2/3 majority. Periodic elections are thus farcical as it remains the exchange of one party by the other and the institutionalisation of a succession of Dictatorships in which the ruling political Elites drain the country of its wealth and put Guyana up for sale, at the disposal of the big Capitalist

Consortiums.

The Constitutional Referendum of July 10th, 1978 remains the most crucial event that has decisively changed the course of our history.

It has unleashed such terror that has caused the migration of almost half of our population and has brought death and suffering to so many.

It is truly disappointing, and a betrayal by the PPP and the WPA that had played such an important role in the mobilisation of Guyanese from all races, classes, religious denominations, and women organisations hitherto unseen since 1953 came in the thousands in opposition to the July 10th referendum. Never did the PPP or the WPA issue a call for a COI into the p r o c e s s e s leading up to what remains the most decisive chapter in Guyanese history.

It is not too late for those militant Guyanese who participated in that struggle, most of whom are now in their senior years to educate the younger generations about what transpired in our history on that dreadful day and to yet issue a call for a COI as a way out of the continued rule by a Fraudulent Constitution and authoritarianism.

Yours Faithfully, Desmond Alli (General Secretary Guyana United artists GUA)

President Ali is “A Man for All...”

From page 4 proper counselling, guidance and advice. The sound of music is muffled by the constant cry from antagonists and protagonists, bellowing a bugle of tuneless melodies and out of sync with rhythms and beats.

He hears those sour notes and does not ignore the lesson to improvise, while, fine tuning the instrument to produce sweet, simple and soft notes.

There is always a bending curve and His Excellency flexes time out to learn and listen and to reconfigure any compromising approach to appease the satisfied

customer and consumer. But, there is the border line which determines the line of demarcation between reality and fantasy and he does not hesitate to quickly install that fence.

He is the first to always shake hands! The Honourable President makes it his duty to visit those involved in accidents, fire victims, crime scenes, wake-houses, weddings, sports activities, religious functions and can be seen at charitable events and fun-raising activities.

He is involved with his hands in numerous clean-up campaigns and when he makes a promise, he delivers.

This is no country for old men and so, his cabinet vibrates with the power of youths, ready, willing, able and culpable to handle the future of the young generation, this nation and the opportunity of providing a “One Guyana” with all the amenities and necessities to make Guyana the potential economy to be one of the worlds richest nation per capita.

Under President Alis mantle-ship, the infrastructure of this country is quickly and vastly taking the shape of a new face with numerous projects unfolding daily, new businesses opening and visitors and investors flocking this land.

He toys with an opposition which lacks integrity, maturity and sobriety.

President Irfaan Ali, lives, breathes and works for Guyana and Guyanese and thus, deserves no rotten tomatoes but only fresh tomatoes.

Yours Respectfully, Jai Lall

T N U L B . . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Everyone is crying out and complaining about the rising cost of living. Everything is being sold at higher prices these days- a global trend which economists have pinned to the Russia/Ukraine war and the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Here in Guyana, 'citizens are catching their tail' to get by and our government instead of rolling out a comprehensive programme to cushion the effects of the inflation has resorted to doling out in a very haphazard manner cash grants to selected groups of people. And if the recent flurry of grants was not enough, we reported yesterday President Irfaan Ali signaling that the government will be going back to Parliament for more funds to continue their 'cash giveaway scheme'.

In his own words Ali said: “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 have already asked the Minister of Finance to immediately work on a supplementary provision.”

We would like to tell the President that monies and programmes and promises can continue to be doled out in this haphazard, erratic, and slapdash fashion, and all that is achieved is a staying of the tide until the next set of circumstances bring a deluge of the unwanted, which covers from the unmentioned to the uncomfortable to the undesired to eye and ear.

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Paying Exxon's taxes costs Guyana more than the Royalty it collects

The Liza Destiny FPSO producing in the Stabroek Block.

…collected US$21.2M in first year, pays US$27.5M to GRA for oil companies

G

uyana under the production s h a r i n g agreement with ExxonMobil Guyana agreed to pay among other things, the income taxes to be paid by the oil companies and as such in the first full year of production, accumulated payments to the Guyana Revenue Authority on behalf of those companies amounted to $5,751,060,980 or about US$27,552,901.83.

The country in 2020 c o l l e c t e d s o m e US$184.9Million in profit

and US$21.2Million in royalty for a total of US$206M. As such, it would mean that government agreed to pay to the GRA, more money than it received in royalty payments for that year to be turned over to the tax authority representing payments made on behalf of the oil companies.

According to the Financial Statements filed, Hess Corporation listed as its Income Tax expense, some $G1,725,318,294 or

US$8.3M for its 30 percent interest in the Stabroek Block. As such, it would bring the total amount owed to GRA to be G$5.7B or about US$21.2M meaning ExxonMobil's 45 percent interest would rack up payments of some G$2,587,977,441 or US$ 12.4M and CNOOC petroleum Guyana Limited G$1,437,765,245 or US$6.9M on its 25 percent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Under the PSA at Clause

15.4 (a) it stipulates that the Minster of Natural Resources agrees that a sum equivalent to the tax assessed to be paid by the Minister to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on behalf of the contractor—ExxonMobil Guyana – and that the amount of such sum will be considered income of the contractor.

Additionally, at 15.4 (b) the Minister also agrees that the appropriate portion of the Government's share of profit oil delivered, shall be accepted as payment in full for the contractor's share of Income Tax and Corporation Tax—levies owed to the GRA. This year, Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, has predicted that Guyana will be collecting some U S $ 9 5 7 M t h i s year—US$857 being profit and US$100M being royalty.

ExxonMobil partner in the Stabroek Block, John Hess, Chief Executive Officer of Hess Corporation recently pegged earnings from the oil

block this year to be some US$2.6B for its 30 percent stake in the operations.

The Stabroek Block is currently being developed by two Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)—the Liza Destiny and Unity and the Liza I and II developments—and collectively the oil companies are set to rake in just under US$9B. The Liza Phase I development, which began production in December 2019 utilising the Liza Destiny FPSO with a production capacity of approximately 120,000 gross barrels of oil per day, recently completed production optimisation work that expanded its production capacity to more than 140,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The Liza Phase II development, utilising the Liza Unity FPSO, began production in February 2022 and is expected to reach its 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, utilising the Prosperity FPSO with a production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross barrels of oil per day.

The fourth development, Yellowtail, is expected to co me o n lin e in 2 0 2 5 , utilising 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 one 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.

Guyana's Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45 percent interest in the Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

Govt. exploring use of satellite system for online education in hinterland

T

he government h a s b e e n exploring the utilisation of Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) to facilitate online learning in schools in remote communities across the country, in an effort to make educational opportunities accessible to all children.

During a recent outreach in Kaikan, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), President Irfaan Ali announced that the government was looking at the satellite system to deliver

equitable education in the far-flung areas. VSATs are small, software-driven earth stations used for reliable transmission of data, video, or voice via satellite. “We are doing a trial very soon as they did in Peru, especially for hinterland and far-flung areas where you are connected online on a learning platform,” President Ali had explained.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, noted that the government continues to look at innovative ways for

education delivery. “The hinterland schools are at a disadvantage because they can't connect, and even if they are willing to pay privately, there are no services to connect them,” the minister said.

She added, “So, the government is looking at a range of options to see what is affordable, what is viable… might be what is effective, how we can deliver that kind of equity, and equality across the system, and VSAT is one of (Continued on page 23)

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Too little, too late!

The children writing the National Grade Six Assessment would wish that the examinations were held every day. They are treated with so much consideration on the days of the examinations.

The children are made to feel extra special on exam days.

Parents go out of their way to treat them with extreme love and affection, looking into their every need with tenderness and attention.

Parents go to great lengths to ensure that there is no psychological pressure on their children. They do not raise their voices at their children.

They do not put any pressure on them. They try to remove all forms of stress.

Parents wake up early to prepare a special meal for their children who are writing the examinations. The parents know what meals the children like and they prepare a special meal on examination day to send them on their way.

The children are encouraged to eat as much as they can and take seconds if they so wish. Parents shower affection on them. They pamper them with hugs and kisses.

They walk them to school, hug them again and wish them luck. They ensure that

they have extra pens and pencils, rulers and sharpeners.

During lunchtime, they take a very special meal for them. It is either Churchs or Pizza, things that the children like.

Before the kids leave for the afternoon session it is more hugs and kisses encouraging them to do their best.

When they return from school, they are told to take it easy, to relax. The children must be in a stress-free environment. Nothing is done to place any form of pressure on them. And the cycle of special meals, hugs and kisses and encouragement begins all over again when the second day of the examination commences. If the children were so pampered throughout the remainder of their school days as they are during examination days, their performance would be much better.

But the problem with parents is that they reserve their best behaviour towards their children for examination days.

Parents should not wait until examination days to create a pressure-free environment for their children. They should feed them well before and after the examinations. They should ensure that the children are under no pressure.

The home should be a loving environment for the children so that they can enjoy learning. Most parents expect that special treatment on examination days will have a miraculous effect on the performance of children. They do not appreciate that learning is a process, and it takes time, and children need the fullest support to bring out the best in them. Showing special love and attention on examination days is not going to reverse all those other times when children were made to feel unappreciated and unloved.

The fancy meals at lunchtime on examination days are not going to compensate for the years of previous neglect of the nutrition of the children.

It is not going to work any miracles on examination day itself. It will only, in the eyes of the children, expose the hypocrisy of some parents.

The children will privately question why it is that they are only made to feel special on examination days.

In fact all this special treatment can backfire, because when the children do not perform well, as the parents expect them to, parents are bound to vent their frustration on the children and point

Dem boys seh...

In love with inequality Aunty Priya nah understand dat people nah want equality. Dem in love with inequality.

Is only guvaments does talk bout equality. And dat is because dem want get people support but nuff ah dem leaders nah living like de ordinary man.

De average man always looking at he mattee and want wah dem gat. Dem looking at dem neighbour blinds and laughing.

Dem looking at who getting barrel and dem looking at wah dem neighbour wear-

ing. Is sheer comparison causing all dis.

Dem boys seh people want deh better-off dan dem neighbour and even dem friend. Suh dem nah want equality.

Is de same thing with education. Everybody does want dem children do good in de Common Entrance examination suh dem could get dem top schools. Dem nah want equality. Dem love de fact dat some schools better dan others.

Dem who can afford does spend thousands ah dollars

fuh send dem children to private school. Dem nah want a situation where de schools suh equal dat it nah gat incentive fuh a private school.

Dem parents gan cant boast bout how much money dem spending fuh send dem children to private school.

Everybody seh how dem glad fuh equality between men and women. But put a woman fuh drive a minibus and see how much passengers waiting fuh de next bus.

Talk half and tell Aunty Priya to fuhget bout equal schools.

to the fact that they went out of their way to make them feel special and loved during examination days.

Parents must love and show affection to their children all year round, and not just at exam time. They should show love to their children, because

this will create an environment in the home that is conducive to learning.

Many parents have little time for their children before examination. But come examination day, the children are given the best treatment. It is too little, too late.

PAGE 9

(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

Monday Friday May July 02,08, 2022 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Oil and Guyana's future I

think that any person looking at that EXXON-Guyana oil contract would conclude it could have been better for Guyana in comparison to other oil explorations around the world.

To argue however that because (1), it is an ill-shaped contract, Guyana should halt oil operations and (2) because of climate change, Guyana should get out of the fossil fuel business is not only unconscionable but plainly unacceptable.

One rebuttal to these two articulations is so potent and persuasive that it should penetrate any sensible mind, Guyanese or non-Guyanese.

The answer is three-fold. 1 – Why a small poor country should bear the burden of cleaning the world's ecological system by removing its fossil fuel industry when there is no replacement for the lost income?

2 – The industry is going to be around for another 50 years. In that interregnum, countries incredibly rich and billions of miles ahead of Guyana will sell oil within those 50 years. 3 – After the industry dies a natural death, Guyana will not have the funds to finance things that so many rich countries have t o d a y. F o r e x a m p l e , Singapore, a country of 280

square miles has a fleet of post-modern commercial airplanes one of which Guyana will not afford in the foreseeable future.

There isn't anything that surprises me about the psychic expressions of Guyanese. With over five decades of experience, I will not be surprised. We are an incomprehensible nationality but there are three things that worry me all the time.

One is that so many people that tell us about how our future should be shaped either do not live here or will not come back to live here.

Secondly, many persons that tell us what Guyana should

be like have the means to acquire medical and other treatments when a majority of Guyanese have to endure the pitfalls of local service.

My eyesight was going in 1993 and I went to Bascom Palmer Eye Hospital in Miami for treatment funded by the hospital through the instrumentality of my editor at the Catholic Standard, Father Andrew Morrison. I would not have saved my eyesight because I couldn't have afforded such American treatment.

Why then these people who live outside and literally enjoy post-modern facilities do not consult us when they arrogate the right to speak for us?

Do they speak for us when they demand we scrap the fossil fuel industry because it is harmful to the environment? Do the Guyanese people want this?

The third factor is the state of development of Guyana. Lady luck smiled on us. We will have a few petrodollars. We need the money.

The industry will dry up and we will still need the money because our development is so low. Whenever I write about Guyana's low level of development and how far we are behind a majority of Third World countries, I

think of two memories about UG. I entered UG in 1974 as a freshman, and I have observed several times in these Frederick Kissoon columns that the first i n dustry in Guyana. structure that you see The reason is that they see when you enter the compound of the university what other small, poor itself is the security lodge countries have and we are not built when UG moved to even near to having those Turkeyen. It is the identical t h i n g s . A g a i n s t t h e thing in 2022. Please do the background of our poverty, arithmetic for yourself. How can there be Guyanese that many decades there are from can tell the citizenry of this country that the fossil fuel 1974 to 2022?

The second memory has industry is an environmental to do with the then head of the threat and Guyana should get s t u d e n t u n i o n , J a s o n out of it?

The answer is yes. There Benjamin, who is long gone are such people. And my from Guyana.

He went to UWI in question is; do they speak for Jamaica on student business. us? If the answer is yes, then I When I saw him on campus live in another country. the night of his return, I will Guyanese all over this never forget his expression. country believe that the Since I will never forget it, I EXXON deal could have been better. know it by heart.

But they want the This is how Jason exclaimed, “Freddie, Freddie c o n t i n u a t i o n o f o i l boy yuh should see dem exploration because they people gym.” He was know Guyana needs the referring to the student gym money. They know there is at Mona Campus and made no godfather waiting to save an unfavourable comparison us.

(The views expressed in with what obtained at UG at the time, a description of this article are those of the author and do not which I will avoid.

Anyone who has been necessarily reflect the abroad will embrace the oil opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

non-oil 'Ineligible' police Jagdeo rankshoping promoted' sectors will meet ...Former assistant commissioner cites lack of due diligence

T

h e r e c e n t promotion of officers of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is being called into question for a lack of proper due diligence which has led to a number of persons who are under discipline being

elevated.

Retired Assistant Commissioners of Police, Clinton Conway criticised the list of officers who were approved for promotions calling it bloated and defective. The former officer who was also an immediate

past member of the Police Service Commission (PSC)the body responsible for sanctioning promotions within the GPF noted the speed at which, the list of some 250 members of the GPF was approved. Conway said the alacrity with which

growth projections

the promotions were handled is testament that no proper vetting of the names on the list was done by the current PSC. Conway noted specifically that the recommended list was produced on Friday last and

by Saturday the list was approved. He said: “This makes one wonders, was there any due diligence on the names of the persons listed for promotion?… And we know from experience that you can't depend on the list coming from police headquarters because that list is usually padded and filled with names of cronies and friends of the higher ranks.”

The retired Assistant Commissioner stressed on the due diligence which is required before a final list for promotion is made.

He said: “You can recall that this exercise would sometimes take weeks because we had to go through the list to see if any of them [the officer and ranks] had criminal matters pending etc...”

“Certainly, there was not enough time for the commission to look at individual files to check for among other things: nominees with disciplinary and other matters pending investigation; persons recently convicted for breaches of disciplinary offences; those who passed the appropriate qualifying examinations, seniority, education qualification, merit and ability, together with efficiency and experience; and to be guided by the principles of selection for promotion imbedded in the Public Service Commission Rules that are enshrined in Article 29 (1 – 3) of the Constitution.”

The retired policeman said, that the decision by the new PSC which is headed by Senior Pastor, Patrick Findlay is “a flagrant violation of the letter, spirit and intent of some of the most sacrosanct constitutional procedures.

According to Conway, a cursory look at the list of promotions revealed that

Retired Assistant Commissioners of Police Clinton Conway. there are many more irregularities.

He noted that “several of the very senior officers promoted have disciplinary and other matters pending against them which the Chief Justice ruled is a bar to promotion; numerous super sessions without justification took place.” “Of the twenty one officers who were elevated to superintendents, fifteen w e r e a s s i s t a n t superintendents and one was an inspector an unprecedented move,” the r e t i r e d o ff i c e r a d d e d .

According to Conway, the list of promoted officers also contained one sergeant who did not even write the qualifying examination. “…he was promoted to assistant superintendent; there were many other promoted ranks who did not pass or even write the e x a m i n a t i o n ; S e rg e a n t Dameion Mc Lennon who was promoted to the rank of Cadet officer and who was under investigation in relation to the murder of Quindon Bacchus will be facing the Court on a criminal charge of attempt to obstruct the course of justice…” Conway added as he noted the irregularities contained in (Continued on page 23)

‘Keep an eye on Exxon's...

From page 3 'Moderately satisfactory' to 'Moderately Unsatisfactory' with around 24 percent of the total credit disbursed and no disbursement requests received from the Bank since October 2020.

As late as December 2021, the World Bank said that government highlighted its intention to “refine” the loan.

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.

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

86 new COVID-19 cases recorded From some 604 COVID-19 tests conducted, the Ministry of Health on Thursday reported that it recorded 86 new cases across the country within the last 24 h o u r s .

The new infections which now bring the total number of confirmed cases to 67,929 were detected in Region Four which recorded 50 cases, Regions One which recorded nine cases, Region 10 which recorded seven cases, Region Two which recorded six cases,

Region Three which recorded four cases, Regions Seven and Nine which recorded three each and Regions Five and Six which recorded six, two each.

The Ministry via its dashboard reported that three patients are admitted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 37 persons are in institutional isolation, 784 are in home isolation and two are in institutional quarantine. Additionally, a total of 65,884 persons have recovered from the virus.

PAGE 13

PAGE 14

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Man charged with murder of Mon Repos granny ...court hears he had invaded victim's home to collect money owed him

T

he 26-year-old man who reportedly confessed to brutally stabbing to death Mon Repos resident, Agnes Dillion, 86, last week Wednesday, was on Thursday remanded to prison.

Nemon Persaud, a labourer and construction worker called “Boyie” was on Thursday charged with Dillon's murder at the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

Remanded for murdering Mon Repos granny, Nemon Persaud.

Murdered,Agnes Dillon

The charge was read to Persaud by Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge which alleged that he had stabbed Dillon to death sometime between Tuesday and Wednesday last at her rented Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home.

The court heard that he had confessed to investigators that he killed Dillon under the influence of alcohol because she had owed him money for a weeding job. Persaud allegedly confessed that he had visited the woman earlier on the day and asked for his money but she denied owing him anything. He left and went away but had started to drink rum. Persaud (Continued on page 23)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

PAGE 15

Ferry that runs Parika-Supenaam out of service for one month

T

he Transport and H a r b o u r s Department (T&HD) on Thursday announced that the MV Sabanto which operates the Supenaam to Parika route will be out of service for a month.

The vessel which docked since Tuesday is set to undergo some $124 million in rehabilitation works by Dock Yard. Some of the rehabilitation includes checking of the underwater fittings, to see what can be serviced and replace,

changing of the plates, painting of the exterior and interior of the vessel, servicing of other machinery, electrical and plumbing maintenance work just to name a few.

The Department stated that while Sabanto will be out, the MV Kanawan which recently returned to the waters after a month of docking will carry out the daily Supenaam to Parika schedule with departure time from the Supenaam Stelling at 05:00hrs.

“The vessel will continue

Man wanted for stalking, attempting to kill woman nabbed in Region Two T h i r t y - t w o - y e a r- o l d Fadil Shaw, who was wanted by the police for wounding a 31-year-old woman of Timehri, East Bank Demerara in 2020, was on Thursday arrested by police ranks at Three Friends, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. According to the police, Shaw, a labourer of Timehri, is also accused of stalking and attempting to kill the same woman about two months ago. Shaw is presently in custody at the Anna Regina Police Station pending charges.

Captured, Fadil Shaw

on a TOUCH AND GO basis throughout the day depending on the traffic and tide. The MV Kanawan will be supported by the MV Malali,” the T&HD stated.

Kaieteur News had reported that both vessels are slated to undergo rehabilitation this

year. Senior Minister with the responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who presented this year's budget, had announced that over $500 million was allocated by the government to rehabilitate these two vessels and the Makouria

Ferry.

“The rehabilitation of our ferry vessels, which facilitate the travelling public, is also critical for the movement of people and c a r g o . To t h i s e n d , Government has allocated, in 2022, the sums of $2.1

The MV Sabanto

billion for the construction of a new ocean-going passenger and cargo vessel, which will ply the North West District route and $562 million for the docking of Makouria, Sabanto, and Kanawan,” the Minister had said.

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

No engagement from AG office on electoral reform within past year - IRI ...Nandlall says Govt. will engage group at a later stage

By Rehanna Ramsay While there have been initial engagements between the office of the Attorney General (AG) and International Republican Institute (IRI) on matters related to Guyana's much anticipated electoral reform, those discussion have not progressed further within the

past year.

This is according to Resident Programme Director of the IRI, Dorota Ryzy. Ryzy responded to email from this publication on the status of the IRI's work with electoral reform particularly with the AG's office. This comes even as the Government of Guyana forges ahead with efforts

towards reviewing the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) to iron out ambiguous provisions and include penalties for persons attempting to carry out electoral fraud.

Both Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Attorney General, Anil Nandlall SC had previously disclosed that the IRI would be engaged in

the process of bringing about a change to the elections laws to prevent acts of fraud.

Ryzy said that during an initial engagement the IRI offered to contract a regional legal expert to support the Attorney General's Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs with reform efforts in an initial meeting with Guyana's Attorney

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C.,is flanked by Resident Programme Director of the US-based International Republican Institute (IRI), Dorota Ryzy (at left) and Local Programme Coordinator, Sara Bharrat during a meeting last year.

General Anil Nandlall in April 2021.

Later in a follow-up meeting with a government delegation including the AG and Vice President in May 2021, she explained that the offer was restated. However the IRI Programme Director noted that since then, “There was

no engagement on this offer over the past year between the AG and IRI.” Ry z y n e v e r t h e l e s s expressed optimism that there will be engagements on providing technical support to the office in the future.

“In May 2022, during a (Continued on page 19)

Linden man gets one year for trafficking ganja Robert Vyphuis, a 37year-old gold miner of Nottinghamshire, Linden, was on Tuesday sentenced to one year in jail and fined $603,600, for trafficking 402 grams of cannabis.

Vyphuis was intercepted on Sunday in Mabura in front of the Mabura Police Outpost, on a motorcycle. A search was carried out on his person and belongings during which a bulky transparent plastic bag containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was found on the motorcycle.

He was arrested and taken into custody as the cannabis was weighed and lodged at the Mabura Police O u t p o s t . O n Tu e s d a y, Vyphuis appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune in the Linden Magistrate's Court.

Jailed, Robert Vyphuis He was charged for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking: contrary to section 5(1) (a) (i) of the narcotics drugs and psychotropic substance control act chapter 10:10. He pleaded guilty and was subsequently sentenced and fined.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

US$300M Vreed-en-Hoop shore base facility…

PAGE 17

An impression of the VEHSI project.

Area cleared for dredging crosses traditional fishing grounds The two Trailing Suction Hopper Dredges' (TSHD) [Photo credit: Jan De Nul Group]

...Dr. Janette Bulkan calls on EPA to explain why there is no EIA for dredging

U

niversity of British Colombia (UBC) Professor, Dr. Janette Bulkan has complained that the area cleared for the dredging that will be done at Plantation Best, West Bank Demerara, for the US$300M Vreed-enHoop shore base facility crosses traditional fishing grounds.

As such, Dr. Bulkan called on the Environmental Protection (EPA) to give an explanation as to why there is no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the dredging that will be done at Plantation Best for the facility. On June 21, last, the sod was turned for the Vreeden-Hoop Shorebase Inc. (VEHSI) which will sit on 400 hectares of coastal land.

The VEHSI is being constructed by NRG Holdings Incorporated, a 100-percent Guyaneseowned consortium along with Hadi's World Incorporated, National Hardware Limited and ZRN Investments Incorporated are the Guyanese investors involved in the project. They have partnered with Jan de Nul Group, a Belgian engineering and construction firm.

Kaieteur News had

Assistant Professor at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Janette Bulkan reported that the construction of the US$300 million facility is for oil major ExxonMobil Guyana, to provide shore base services to its upcoming U S $ 1 0 B Ye l l o w t a i l development offshore Guyana. It was reported that several vessels are already in Guyana's waters to commence the first phase of the project with a December 2023 deadline for completion.

In referencing Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) notice to Mariners number 113, dated June 28, 2022, Dr. Bulkan stated that (Continued on page 19)

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

Area cleared for dredging crosses...

From page 17 the notice defines a sea area of 119 square kilometres offshore from Plantation Best, where the biggest of the oil field shore bases is being constructed – this is to be deep-dredged up by year end.

According to Dr. Bulkan the clear intention is to allow much larger ships to navigate the Demerara Ship Channel into Georgetown Harbour.

It was noted that there are two Trailing Suction Hopper Dredges' (TSHD) owned by Jan De Nul and flagged in Luxembourg, Europe. She explained that the two TSHD: “Can dredge to a depth of 30 metres. The present entry channel is much shorter, narrower and only dredged to 5-6m deep.

The two dredgers have capacities of 18,000 m3 and 4,000 m3. It seems from the MARAD notice number 113 that ExxonMobil's intention is to triple the depth of the channel to 15 metres.”

It was highlighted that MARAD notice 116 dated July 1, states that the dredging has started. Dr. Bulkan stated that the area cleared for dredging crosses traditional fishing grounds of the artisanal fishermen.

“Few fishermen read the newspapers and I am not

aware of any other attempt to inform them of the disruption to their business,” Dr. Bulkan added.

She explained that by its nature, dredging disturbs the natural environment and, in Guyana, affects the livelihoods of fishermen.

She then highlighted that fishers have both legal and customary rights to their traditional fishing grounds.

To this end she said, “I cannot find any call by the Environmental Protection Agency to demand an Environmental Impact Assessment.”

D r. B u l k a n t h e n questioned where will the dredged mud be discharged, between now and the end of 2022. She then pointed out in her letter that while the EIAs for Exxon's first four fields, Liza-1, Liza-2, Payara and Yellowtail, all disclaim attention to dredging – dredging is stated to be associated with and the responsibility of the shorebase owners/operators. In further making her point, Dr. Bulkan stated that the EPA's covering statement for the Liza-2 EIA mentions 'pipe yards and bonds' onshore but not any dredging.

According to Dr. Bulkan there was celebratory

statements in the newspapers about 11 billion barrels and counting of oil. To this, Dr. Bulkan said: “That oil is being pumped at breakneck speed, at a pace determined by the Operator, with our government in the role of enabler and cheerleader. We can see from the Government of Guyana's own websitehttps://petroleum.go v.gy/data-visualization that oil production from FPSO Liza Destiny from the Liza-1 field has been debottlenecked to over 150,000 bpd by May 2022.”

She added that the aforementioned are very high-risk strategies for Guyana, particularly since there is no national conversation on the negative externalities of the reckless pace of extraction which is, and will be borne; not only now but also in the future, by Guyanese and the nonhuman life forms which share the territorial sea and Exclusive Economic Zone.

In closing, Dr. Bulkan said, “Through your newspaper, I call for an explanation from the EPA of why there is no EIA for this dredging. I also call for protection of the legal and customary rights of fishers to their traditional fishing grounds.”

No engagement from AG office on electoral....

From page 16 meeting with VP Jagdeo, IRI offered to contract a legal expert to support government through the Ministry of Legal Affairs with consolidating the legal framework for elections,” Ryzy said in her emailed response. According to her, the offer is currently under consideration by the AG. “IRI looks forward to working with the AG and all Guyanese stakeholders to support strengthening electoral processes in Guyana,” she said.

In the meantime, AG Nandlall in response to queries from Kaieteur News explained that the government has not aborted the plan to engage the group.

He noted that the administration is currently involved in the exercise of amending the electoral laws namely the Representation of the People Act. He said too that IRI will be engaged at some point of the exercise, just not at this juncture.

According to Nandlall, from the onset of the exercise, the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) administration made it abundantly clear that electoral reform would be government-driven.

The AG said: “the process requires consultation and input from national stakeholders. We promised that there would be public consultations. One set of the work has been completed and there were public consultations on the Representation of the People Act. Another set of reforms are set to take place and that will also require more consultation.”

“So, it is not that we have rejected the offer of the IRI, we indeed engaged the IRI and explained to them that this component of the work is one which will be done by the government,” he added.

The AG said that the IRI will be engaged at a suitable time for the required support which is to consolidate the electoral laws into one compendium with the relevant laws of Guyana.

Nandlall said that the process to reform the electoral law has gone on smoothly.

He assured too, that the reforms being pursued are balanced and in no way intended to create any electoral advantage in favour of any political group or party. “…the work that is being done is intended to create elections machinery that is stronger more

transparent and democratic than that which currently exists. The reform is intended to create laws which can in no way be interpreted as self-serving or politically partisan,” the AG assured.

At the interim, the IRI Programme Director has revealed that the programme focuses on providing technical support to key actors (including government, the opposition, the electoral body, and civil society) on regional and international best practices for electoral reform processes while encouraging Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to advocate for electoral reform.

“We hope this will better enable Guyanese and their leaders to advance electoral reform for Guyana based on their own priorities.

Since April 2021, IRI has engaged more than 40 groups of Guyanese stakeholders and supported discussion spaces on reform. These spaces give opportunity to discuss, in neutral and c o n s t r u c t i v e m a n n e r, different stages and aspects of electoral reform and include a program advisory committee to review and build consensus on ideas for reform,” Ryzy said.

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Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Berbice DV shelter to be extended and rehabilitated The shelter for domestic violence victims in Berbice will be extended and rehabilitated for an estimated cost of $14 million.

This is according to the latest opening of tenders at the NPTAB office. The entity undertaking the project is the Ministry of Human Services

Ministry of Human Services and Social Security Rehabilitation and extension to existing building at the DV shelter, Berbice.

and Social Security. At the office it was revealed that 13 contractors are vying to execute the works on the facility.

As reported on, the Human Services Ministry was allocated some $19.7 million from this years budget to rehabilitate two domestic shel-

ters to better provide services for victims of sexual and domestic abuse. The ministry too, is looking to undertake a number of rehabilitation

works at the Palms and also at the Guyana Women Leadership Institute.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Repairs to windows and external painting at Guyana Women Leadership Institute.

Repairs to roof and ceiling at Guyana Women Leadership Institute.

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Construction of administrative building at the Business Incubator Centre.

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Procurement of enclosed truck with tail lift.

Repairs of windows to Block A at Palms Geriatric Facility.

Guyana Defence Force Supply and installation of fuel tanks- Base Camp Ayanganna.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

Govt. added US$124.4M in debts to Guyana in first three months of 2022 The Bank of Guyana (BoG) report, documenting the country's performance in the first three months of the year, has found that the state now owes an additional US$124.4 million in debt, bringing the total to US$3.248 billion.

According to the document, "the total stock of public debt, which comprises both external and domestic debt, increased by 4.0 percent or US$124.4 million to US$3,248.6 million compared to the endDecember 2021 position."

It was explained that the domestic debt stock increased to G$389.469 billion or US$1.868 million during the review period, on account of increased issuance of treasury bills for Central Government's budgetary financing. At the end of December 2021, the total domestic debt stood at G$361.513 million or US$1.734 million.

The Bank noted that domestic debt service payments decreased by 17.4 percent, as a result of lower principal repayments on treasury bills, particularly, the 182-day bill.

"Total domestic principal and interest payments were G$24,004 million and G$325.2 million, respectively. Domestic debt

- BoG Report s ervice payments accounted for 44.8 percent of government revenue."

Notably, during the first three months of the year, the stock of external debt decreased to US$1,383 million on account of declines in both multilateral and bilateral debt stock during the review period.

This was attributed to higher debt service payments to both categories of creditors, BoG said.

Meanwhile, external debt service payments, which accounted for some two percent of export earnings, increased by 3.3 percent, mainly due to increased principal payments to both multilateral and bilateral creditors, and higher interest payments to multilateral creditors.

"Reserve money fell by 3.7 percent while broad money grew by 1.3 percent during the first quarter of 2022.

The former reflected a decline in net foreign assets of the Bank of Guyana while the latter was on account of expansions in net domestic credit and other items (net)," the Report explains.

Police probe alleged sexual assault of schoolgirls by teacher at Berbice School

A

teacher attached to a school in Berbice i s u n d e r investigation for allegedly sexually assaulting a number of school girls.

Regional Chairman for Region No.6 David Armogan has confirmed that an investigation has been launched by the Education Department and Teaching Service Commission into an allegation of sexual assault committed by a teacher on a third-form student of a Berbice school.

Armogan stated that the report was made Wednesday 6th July 2022 and an internal investigation was subsequently launched. He noted that the matter has not been reported to the police at this stage, but could very well be done following the findings of the internal probe.

Kaieteur News was informed that the alleged victim spoke about what had taken place with her fellow students and it reached the ears of teachers at the school. It was subsequently reported.

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Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Monkeypox party warning 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

WANTED Live in domestic.Must know to prepare indian dishes 3050yrs salary 30-35,000 wkly 610-3974.

Porter,stock clerk,counter clerk,experienced cook & puri/roti maker.Call:648-8279/ 231-6591.

Female to take care of an elderly male,age 25-40 in Trinidad. Accommodations provided.Call or WhatsApp +1(868)683-1528.

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

Labourer $4,000 daily, skilled labourer $6,000 daily, maid wanted $3,500 daily. Call: 682-5230/615-4414 One Sale Girl for snackette.

Must be able to assist with cooking. Age 22-45. Call: 6956401.

Farm workers in Timehri.

Tel:617-2032/617-2047.

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

VACANCY

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

LAND FOR SALE Land 45x85 @Belle West W.B.D $2.5million.Tel:6557405.

Receptionist,Hotel Attendant & Merchandisers .Email:info@vgiworld.com tel:640-0673/227-7714/2310951/4.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call:615-9132.

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

Call:231-2250.

Engineering consultant.Send application to clearview @ cconsultingservice.com,361 Eccles E.B.D.Tel:665-9693.

Fitter Machinist,Welder fabricator ,Mechanic with 3 yrs experience,Apprentice & Male & Female cleaner 642-9823 email:techserigy @yahoo.com.

One male sales rep,age 2025.Must have knowledge of auto accessories. Contact: 610-0340.

One clerk for TSI Eccles office 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 Chinese Embassy. Track 'C' Mandela Ave. Durban Backlands, G/town.

- Officials caution against close contact, urge citizens to recommit to health protocols amid new threat (JAMAICA GLEANER) As plans for entertainment and other activities for the summer get into high gear, Chief Medical Officer Dr Jacquiline Bisasor McKenzie is warning party-goers to observe the well-established protocols to reduce the likelihood of transmitting infectious diseases such as COVID-19 and monkeypox.

Monkeypox is a rare disease that is similar to smallpox and can be passed on by contact and droplet exposure.

At an emergency press conference yesterday hosted

by Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and other senior health officials, it was announced that a male who recently travelled from the United Kingdom had tested positive for monkeypox.

Tufton told journalists that the male presented to the public health system on July 5, having entered the country five days earlier.

The patient has been isolated and his close contacts have been quarantined following contact tracing.

Bisasor McKenzie noted that Jamaicans should by now be sensitive to the spread of diseases through close contact.

She also reminded the country that the COVID-19 pandemic was still around, noting that close contact should be avoided to prevent the spread of the disease.

Bisasor McKenzie cautioned that no one knows

VACANCY

Moulder/CNC Operators, Joiners,Finishers& Labourers. Email CV to shivrattanmoulding@gmail.com/ Call: (592)220-2736.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles,age 2350 car/van licence. Call:6429823.

Counter Staff at People's Choice Mobile.Tel:679-9449.

Lorry Driver - 34 Tubuka Road Meadowbrook Gardens. Call: 664-2172/611-3922.

2 female Bartenders able to work flexible hours. Apply at August Beverage Ice house.

27 Norton Street.

when a new and more severe strain will develop.

The evolving health threat comes as the local party season is preparing to shift into full gear with a heightened roll-out of summer parties and carnival, the latter attracting up to 100,000 revellers annually.

Lockdown-weary partygoers and promoters hit by losses and meagre earnings since 2020 are seeking to indulge after the entertainment sector was placed on ice for the greater part of two years as the Government sought to keep COVID transmission rates in check.

The potential for these events to become superspreaders is not lost on health officials as they urged caution during yesterdays briefing.

“So for everybody who is planning to go out there and party, I should hope that they bear this in mind: that close contact is still something that is to be avoided and to use your precautions the wear-

ing of masks, sanitising, handwashing frequently to prevent contact,” Bisasor McKenzie said.

The chief medical officer urged Jamaicans who are sick to stay home as some of the symptoms of monkeypox are similar to those of COVID-19.

Most monkeypox patients experience only fever, body aches, chills, and fatigue.

People with more serious illness may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body.

“Once you recognise that you start to have a rash, then there is the possibility of monkeypox, even more reason for you to stay home,” she stressed, further advising Jamaicans to cover any kind of rash that develops on the skin in an effort to protect others.

The incubation period for monkeypox is five to 21 days, but Bisasor McKenzie explained that there is uncertainty as to whether a person can transmit the disease during this time.

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

'Ineligible' police ranks promoted' From page 12 the promotion list.

No hindrance Meanwhile, in responding to criticisms of the list, newly promoted Assistant Commissioner Calvin Brutus assured ranks that all efforts will be taken to ensure recent promotions not hindered by “sinister” actions. According to Brutus several newly promoted officers and ranks of the Guyana Police Force, some

of their family members, relatives and friends, have raised concerns regarding the apparent impending legal challenges to the promotions released on July 3, 2022, by the current P o l i c e S e r v i c e Commission and Administration of the Force. Brutus noted that in a d e m o c r a t i c s o c i e t y, everyone alleging injustice is afforded equal access to the judicial organ of the State.

According to him, the recommendations for promotions focused on satisfying a large number of existing vacancies at all levels within the GPF which was left unsatisfied by the previous PSC. This led to the all-time low morale of members of the Force who were distressed about the seemingly infinite litigations concerning police promotions, Brutus said.

Govt. exploring use of satellite...

From page 8 the things we are looking at.”

The initiative will complement the ministry's quest to improve the delivery of education, and the learning experience of children in hinterland areas through the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC). The expanded project has seen television sets being mounted in identified schools in Regions One, Seven, Eight, and Nine. Each school is outfitted with a solar panel system complete

with batteries, and a satellite dish to ensure the channel can be accessed.

The intention is to ensure that all students can benefit from a channel that is dedicated to airing timetabled educational content that aligns with the local curriculum for every grade.

This will improve the level of blended learning that takes place within schools, whereby teachers can employ more audio-visual approaches to teaching. The

South American nation of Peru is among several countries utilising VSATs to connect thousands of Peruvian school children in an effort to reduce educational disparities in the c o u n t r y. T h e K y r g y z Republic, a country in Central Asia, had also partnered with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to connect one of the most remote schools in the country to internet in 2020. (DPI)

Man charged with...

From page 14 returned later and entered the woman's home through a window and confronted her. The woman reportedly started to scream and he stabbed her to death.

An autopsy also revealed that multiple stab wounds had caused Dillon's death.

Persaud was remanded to prison and the matter transferred to the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court. His next court day is set for September 12, 2022. Dillon's body was found around 12:00hrs last Thursday by her concerned landlady. Dillon was last seen alive the previous day around 17:00hrs washing

some clothes in her yard.

The landlady had said that it was “unlike Dillon not to be up and about early in the morning” so when the woman failed to come out of her flat she became worried. She called Dillon's phone but she never answered. When the hours continued to roll by and there were still no signs of Dillon. She called a neighbour to assist her in prying open a window in the pensioner's flat. It was then that they saw her bloodied remains on her bed. Dillon was a former security guard and lived alone at Mon Repos. Her confessed killer lived only a few corners away from her.

Govt. raises billions from private interests...

From page 2 the first quarter of 2022.

Even with US$607 million on hand from its oil earnings, Budget 2020 is being financed also through loans from overseas and local partners for loans to fund its “transformational development agenda.”

“We are going to be striking the right balance. We are going to be striking an optimal balance between alternative sources of financing and so what you will see in Budget 2022 is a combination of financing from domestic revenue sources.

This is of course the domestic revenue we collect in things like tax and non-tax revenue…the Natural Resources Fund will also be a source of financing for the 2022 Budget so that's a second major source of financing. A third major

source of financing will be external borrowing,” according to Senior Minister within the Office of the P r e s i d e n t , D r. A s h n i Singh,had had in January last indicated that, “…what that allows us to do, is to be able to implement this accelerated development agenda to meet these urgent development needs and to implement this accelerated development agenda while keeping borrowing at an absolute minimum.” Budget 2022 was following its presentation to the nation, dismissed as more debt by the political opposition.

A Partnership for National Unity, Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) spokesperson on finances, Juretha Fernandes had contended during the debates that, “this abomination, which the PPP/C calls a budget, lays out a plan to add

a further debt burden of $100 billion while emptying the Natural Resource Fund of $126 billion.” She expanded saying, “let me put that into context for the Guyanese people, the PPP/C has outlined a plan to place a debt burden of $476,000 on the shoulders of every Guyanese family while they also withdraw the $600,000 per family that was saved in the Natural Resource Fund ( N R F ) . ” This, she said, represents $1,076,000 per Guyanese family or $90,000 per month for every Guyanese family.

According to Fernandes, that money was more than enough to immediately end extreme poverty in Guyana and make hunger and homelessness a distant memory for the countless thousands of Guyanese who struggle in the depths of extreme poverty.

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Friday July 08, 2022

Friday July 08, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Mohabir to lead strong Guyana Under-17 Team Alvin Mohabir has been appointed Captain of a strong Guyana Under-17 squad. The national team will participate in the Cricket West Indies Regional Under-17 Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago from July 17-28.

Mohabir will have former West Indies Under-15 batsman, Rampertap Ramnauth, as his deputy. The squad also includes exiting young batsman Mavindra Dindial, Jadon Campbell and Zachary Jodha who are all returning from the last Regional Under-17 tournament.

Jonathan Van Lange, who was the leading run scorer in the just concluded GCB Under-17 Inter-County Tournament has also been included in what should be considered a very strong batting line-up,

while new comer and captain of the GCB Rising Star XI, Kevin Kisten, will be the wicket-keeper. Promising young West Indies Under-19 fast bowler, Isai Thorne, has been left out due to a chronic knee injury.

Neil Rudder has been appointed Manager while Garvin Nedd returns as the coach.

The squad is expected to commence training preparations for the Regional tournament on Saturday, July 9, 2022 at the LBI Facility a release from the GCB informed.

The full squad reads: 1. Rampertab Ramnauth (Vice Captain) 2. Jadon Campbell 3. Romeo Deonarine 4. Anthony Khan 5. Marvindra Dindyal

Alvin Mohabir

6. Alvin Mohabir (Captain) 7. Zachary Jodha 8. Jonathan Van Lang 9. Nityanand Mathura 10.

Kevin Kisten (W.keeper/Batsman) 11. Bruce Vincent 12. Goucharran Chuli 13. Dillon Ramsaroop 14.

Sasenarine

Harricharran The standby players are as follows: 1. Thaddius Lovell 2.

Shiloh Adams (Wicketkeeper) 3. Sanjay Algoo 4. Jayden Dowlin 5. Krsna Singh 6. Shazzif Mohamed 7. Nyron Hick

Chin Singh from NYC...

Friday July 08 , 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Keeping things in balance will be a challenge today, Aries. You're likely to find that there's conflict brewing that doesn't seem to want resolution. It's OK. Don't press the issue.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You could find that what was so light and active yesterday runs into roadblocks today, Libra. It might seem as if you're suddenly heading straight for a brick wall regarding.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Tension is likely to arise in many different areas of your life, Taurus. It's possible that you're either too dreamy or too practical for the issue at hand.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The pace of things is likely to slow down a bit compared to what was happening yesterday, Scorpio. This is probably for the best. Take this time to do some planning and stabilizing. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You might find that there's a quality of dreaminess to your emotions today that keeps you from focusing on the task at hand, Sagittarius.

People are likely to be stubborn and confused.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Yesterday's trajectory might run into a couple of snags today, Gemini. You could find that your dreamy nature conflicts with the planned and steady.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Try to keep yourself in line with your emotions today, Cancer. It's possible that a powerful yet subtle force is slowly trying to pull you off track.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Little voices are whispering in your ear today, Capricorn.

They could be asking you to join them in the clouds.

You might get the feeling that there's a lot of tension.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You could find that an emotional issue rubs you the wrong way today, Leo. Your tendency is to want to escape. Try to do so in a healthy manner.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Someone could be prodding you to take action today, Aquarius. It might be best if you beat them to it and motivate yourself. Stay a step or two ahead of the herd

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Your artistic side may want to take to the airwaves in some way today, Virgo. Perhaps you should consider building your own website or getting a spot on a local radio show.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might experience a great deal of emotional confusion today, Pisces. There's a debate brewing inside you. You're having a hard time deciding whether to pursue the practical.

From page 30 RHCCCC received two, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails.

Cricket related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana.

Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients.

Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify talent. Progressive and well managed clubs will also benefit.

We take this opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Ariel Tilku, Aaron Beharry, Leanna Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romesh Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Kelvin Brijlall, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Daniel Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies and Ajay Gainda of Cricket Equipment Guyana, Gajanand Singh, Peter Ramkissoon, Rabindranath Saywack, Roshan Gaffoor, Ameer Rahaman, Chin Singh, Denesh Chandrapaul and Dr Cecil Beharry. Thanks to the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture. Distribution will continue. Those desirous of contributing to this venture can contact Anil Beharry on 6236875 or Kishan Das on 1-718664-0896. (Sean Devers)

Windies Masters lose two...

From page 30 wicket started another slump and Windies were staring a massive defeat at 81 for 8 before Hafiz Maohamed joined Dhaniram to add 49 runs for the 9th wicket. Madurasinghe was the chief architect of the Windies demise with 5 for 30 off his 9 overs. Sunil Dhaniram was left stranded on 83 laced with 12 boundaries with Windies only batting 34.5 overs.

Sunil Dhaniram was declared the man-of-the-match for his excellent innings of 83 which was laced with 12 beautiful boundaries, an awesome bowling spell and holding onto a catch out in the deep.

Windies were set to be in London to play their 3rd ODI against a powerful England side at Broxbourne CC yesterday, then against India at Gravesend CC today.

Winners receive rewards for Janet...

From page 31 programme which was played in regions 3, 4 & 6.

This year's winners were Canje/New A m s t e r d a m Berbice High School, Corentyne Port Mourant Secondary School, Region #3

Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary School , East Coast President's College, Georgetown Charlestown Governme n t S e c o n d a r y S c h o o l & E a s t Bank Covent Garden Secondary School.

Edwin Allen ‘speed twins’ to go...

From page 27 performance by Tina at the national championships several potential sponsors were chasing their signatures but according to a report in the Jamaica Observer, one of those companies managed to move ahead of the rest and seal a deal that will see the girls ending their respective impressive high school careers.

At MVP, Tina and Tia Clayton will most likely be under the gu i d a n c e o f Stephen Francis, who has enjoyed tremendous success over the past d e c a de with two-time Olympic champion ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce and Elaine Thompson-Herah, the only woman to win the 100/200m double at consecutive Olympic Games.

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Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Tunisian Jabeur downs Maria to become first Arab in major final LONDON, (Reuters) When Ons Jabeur sealed the match point that made her the first Arab to reach a Grand Slam final at Wimbledon yesterday all she could think of was rushing over to her vanquished barbecue buddy at the net to give Tatjana Maria the tightest of hugs.

While Jabeur’s coach Issam Jellali jumped to his feet with raised arms to join 15,000 cheering fans in hailing the first African woman to reach the title match, Jabeur simply smiled as she ended Maria’s remarkable run with a 6-2 3-6 6-1 victory.

She then immediately turned her thoughts to fulfilling a vow she had made on the eve of the contest — that the “hug at the end will be amazing”. She was not wrong.

The two players held each other across the net for what seemed an eternity, with both whispering into each other’s ears.

With the cheers still ringing around the stands, Jabeur pulled Maria to her side of the court and joined in the applause to salute the 34-yearold German who had become

the first mother of two in a Wimbledon semi-final since Margaret Court in 1975.

“I don’t know what to say.

It’s a dream come true from years of work and sacrifice.

I’m happy that’s paid off and I’ll continue for one more match,” Jabeur told the crowd after setting up a final showdown with Russian-born Kazakh 17th seed Elena Rybakina.

“Physically Tatjana is a beast, she doesn’t give up... she has to make me a barbecue for all the running I did on the court!” joked Jabeur, who is called “Aunt Ons” by Maria’s eldest daughter Charlotte.

Maria’s unexpected showing has been the feel-good story of these championships, with the German, who was ranked outside the top 300 in January, finally making the last four in a Grand Slam at the 49th attempt.

In fact, before this week her best performance at a major was a solitary third-round run at the All England Club in 2015. Of her previous 48 attempts, she did not even progress past qualifying 14

times.

“I wanted to share the moment with Tatjana at the end because she’s such an inspiration for so many people including me, coming back after having two babies I can’t believe how she did it.

“Let’s not play again, I’m good for now!”

PROUD TUNISIAN Before the players stepped on court, American great Billie Jean King said Jabeur was “using tennis as a platform to help Tunisia, help Africa and help Arabs” and the 27-year-old did just that as she beat Maria for the first time in a main Tour-level match.

“I’m a proud Tunisian woman standing here today I know in Tunisia they are going crazy right now,” said the third seed.

“I just try to inspire as much as I can - I want to see more Arab and African players on the tour, I love the game and I want to share the experience with them.

“I saw some juniors playing out there and I hope to see them out here on Centre Court one day.”

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur in action during her semi final match against Germany’s Tatjana Maria.

(REUTERS/Hannah Mckay)

While 27-year-old Jabeur was out to inspire a continent, Maria wants to show her two young daughters that it is never too late to follow your dreams.

Australian great Court was among those watching on from the Royal Box as Maria was forced to save three break points in the opening game.

However, the 103rdranked German was unable to prolong that resistance as

she dropped serve in the third and seventh games before Jabeur sealed the opening set when Maria smacked a backhand long.

Jabeur often caught Maria off guard with an abundance of canny drop shots and angled slices. However, when she hit one spectacular effort while twirling 360 degrees, the German chased it down to win the point.

Maria refused to hand victory on a platter to an op-

ponent she calls “family” as she broke for a 3-1 lead in the second and held on to that advantage to draw level when the third seed sliced yet another backhand into the net.

But Jabeur finally lived up to her world number two billing to run away with the third set and bagged the most important point of her career to date when Maria swiped a forehand into the net.

Friday July 08, 2022

Clinical Rybakina eases past Halep to reach Wimbledon final LONDON, (Reuters) Elena Rybakina powered into the Wimbledon final by dismantling former champion Simona Halep 6-3 6-3 yesterday with a clinical display to reach her maiden Grand Slam showpiece.

Halep was caught in the crosshairs of an onslaught from the Russian-born Kazakh, who pummelled her Romanian opponent with rasping serves and savage forehands to set up a Saturday showdown with Tunisian Ons Jabeur.

Halep, the champion in 2019 who had not dropped a set at the All England Club since the second round of that tournament, did not help her cause with a string of double faults to hand Rybakina chances at key moments.

Yet the 17th seed needed little assistance, as she became the first player from Kazakhstan to reach a Grand Slam final.

“I don’t know how to describe it but it was really, really good,” the 23-year-old said after wrapping up victory to become the youngest Wimbledon finalist since Garbine Muguruza in 2015.

“Usually, of course, I have ups and downs and it comes from the nerves. But I think today I was mentally prepared and I did everything that I could and it was an amazing match.”

The Centre Court crowd had willed Halep to get into the contest but the 16th seed was a clear second best from the start as she attempted to go toe-to-toe from the back of the court.

Rybakina just had too much power and aggression for the Romanian, who seemingly wilted under the pressure.

CONSTANT MENACE The opening point of the match had set the tone for remainder of the clash as

Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina celebrates winning her semi final match against Romania’s Simona Halep. (REUTERS/Toby Melville)

Rybakina powered down a 113 mph service winner, before holding serve to love and immediately breaking to take control.

Halep looked under pressure throughout the opening set, failing to create a break point while Rybakina pounced on a series of tame second serves from the 30year-old Romanian and looked a constant menace.

Cool as ice, Rybakina, who would not have been allowed to play at this year’s Wimbledon had she not switched allegiance from Russia in 2018, brought up three set points with another searing 118 mph ace and took the opener when Halep sent a forehand wide.

The All England Club (AELTC), which organises the Grand Slam, and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) banned players from Russia and Belarus at tournaments in Britain following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a ‘special operation’.

Halep, who had missed the 2020 edition of

Wimbledon due to injury and contemplated retirement last year, had looked like a player rejuvenated as she stormed into the semi-finals.

But after her run of winning 21 consecutive sets at Wimbledon was brought to an end, she never really looked like fighting back.

Halep’s three double faults in the first game of the second set saw Rybakina snatch an immediate break and while the Romanian fought back to level the contest at 2-2, parity was short lived.

Another double fault allowed Rybakina to break again for 3-2 and four games later the Romanian was at it again as her ninth double fault opened the door for the Kazakh to seal the deal with a backhand return down the line on match point.

“Simona’s a great champion and we had many tough matches before,” Rybakina said. “I was really focused today and I’m really happy with my performance because I think that I played really solid.”

Edwin Allen ‘speed twins’ to go pro, join MVP, according to report SportsMax - Edwin Allen High School speed twins – Tina and Tia Clayton – will go pro and join the MVP Track Club, according to a report published in the Jamaica Observer.

The twins, who turn 18 on August 17, have been standout high school athletes for the past few years with Tina developing more quickly than her sister Tia over the past couple of seasons.

Both were members of

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Kaieteur News

Jamaica’s 4x100m team that set a world record 42.94s at the World U20 Champions in Nairobi, Kenya last year. Both were also members of the team that ran 42.58, a world record at the 2022 Carifta Games held at the National Stadium in Kingston in April. However, that time was not ratified by World Athletics when Jamaican authorities failed to test Tia, who had won the 100m title the night before.

At the National Champi-

onships at the end of June, Tina, the World U20 100m, set a new national U20 record of 10.96, breaking the previous record of 10.97 set by Tokyo Olympic gold relay medallist Briana Williams.

Tia, the Carifta Games silver medallist, who was third at the national championships, boasts a personal best of 11.25.

Sources indicate that on the basis of the incredible (Continued on page 25)

GFF/Women Development League

Santos and Police record comfortable victories

When the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women Development League (WDL) continued on Monday last at the GFF National Training Centre, Santos FC got past New Amsterdam United 10-2, while Police FC arrested Potaro Strikers of Bartica, 15-1.

Santos, contesting the feature match, was led by Akellah Vancooten who was on target on five occasions during the encounter, Rose Flue tucked in a hat-trick while there was one apiece for Breeann Solomon and Alexandra Baptist.

Police took on Potaro Strikers in the openi n g match-up and made light work of their opponents, thanks to a seven (7) goal performance from National player, Annalise Vincent whose teammate at the national level, Tiandi Smith

Santos’s goal scorers from left, Akeelah Vancooten, Breann Solomon, Alexandra Baptist, and Rose Flue. scored a hat-trick.

Siasi Adams netted twice with one each for Shantel Green, Melina Larson, and

Marta Chane.

Matches were set to continue yesterday. More play is set for Saturday.

Tiandi Smith (left), Annalise Vincent, Shantel Green, Melina Larson, Marta Chane, and Siasi Adams – Police FC scorers.

PAGE 28

Rafael Nadal withdraws from Wimbledon semifinal vs. Nick Kyrgios with injury Yahoo Sports - Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from his Wimbledon semifinal match versus Nick Kyrgios with an abdominal tear.

Nadal announced the decision in a news conference yesterday. Kyrgios will advance to the Wimbledon championship match in a walkover.

“Unfortunately, as you can imagine, if I am here, I have to pull out from the tournament,” Nadal said.

“As everybody saw yesterday, I had been suffering with pain in the abdominal.

I was not OK there, as yesterday I said. That’s confirmed. I have a tear in the muscle in the abdominal. ...

“I was thinking during the whole day about the decision to make. ... It’s obvious that if I keep going the injury’s gonna be worse and worse.

That’s the thing I can say now and feel very sad to say that.”

Nadal added that the abdominal injury prevents him from performing his “normal movement” during a serve and that he didn’t believe he could win two more matches playing through the injury.

“For respect to myself in some way, I don’t want to go out there and not be competitive enough to play at the level that I need to play to achieve my goal.”

Nadal’s withdrawal ends his quest for a calendar Grand Slam.

He entered play at Wimbledon having won the the Australian Open and the French Open. It also prevents Nadal from extending his lead as the all-time winningest man in Grand Slam history. Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam wins are two more than Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, who claim 20 each. Djokovic — the tournament’s No. 1 seed — will play No. 9 seed Briton Cameron Norrie in the semifinal round on Friday.

The winner will advance

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Spain’s Rafael Nadal during practice.

(REUTERS/Matthew Childs)

Rafael Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon on Thursday ‘with an abdominal tear. (Frey/TPN/Getty Images) had dealt with the injury durto face Kyrgios in the final.

Nadal played through ing the last week but that it intensified on Wednesday. pain in quarterfinal win “Yesterda y w a s t h e Nadal, 36, advanced to the semifinals via a five-set win worst day,” Nadal continover American Taylor Fritz ued. “I was, honestly during the week — I did tests on Wednesday.

He played through the to see how things evolved. lingering abdominal injury It was obvious that yesterduring the match and re- day after the match that the quired a medical timeout to very small thing that I had days ago increased.” take anti-inflammatories.

He added that he expected His father Sebastian appeared to call for Nadal the injury to sideline him from to retire from the match competing for 3-4 weeks.

“I hope these three, four from the stands because of weeks will allow me to do my the injury.

H e r e m a i n e d o n t h e normal calendar,” Nadal said.

The US Open — the final court to win 3-6, 7-5, 3-6, 75, 7-6 (10-4). He said after Grand Slam of the year — is the quarterfinal win that he scheduled to start on Aug. 29. had thoughts during the Nadal has won Wimbledon match that he might not be twice (2008, ’10) and is a fourtime winner at the US Open able to finish it.

Nadal confirmed that he (2010, ’13, ’17, ’19).

Pogacar wins Tour stage six to take yellow jersey from Van Aert LONGWY, France, (Reuters) - Twice defending champion Tadej Pogacar stormed to victory in stage six of the Tour de France yesterday with a late lung-busting effort and snatched the overall leader’s yellow jersey from Wout van Aert.

It was the seventh Tour stage win for the Slovenian, who finished ahead of Michael Matthews and David Gaudu in the 220-km journey from Binche to Longwy, the longest in this year’s race.

“Every time I win it is even better; the first two hours were so crazy, a lot of teams pulling in the peloton,” said Pogacar.

“The team did an incredible job bringing me to the perfect position. It was not a pure sprint, it was hectic. I guess I had good legs. I am super happy to take the win, anything else is just a bonus.”

The UAE Team Emirates rider benefited from 2020 runner-up Primoz Roglic, who dislocated his shoulder during the fifth stage, mistiming his sprint and sped away from his compatriot in the last few metres to take the win.

Pogacar leads American Neilson Powless by four seconds in the general classification with Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark 27 seconds further back in third.

Belgian Van Aert, flanked

by Jakob Fuglsang and Quinn Simmons, led the breakaway and the JumboVisma rider put on a remarkable show to open up a gap of two minutes before being swallowed by the peloton with 11km to go.

But the decision to attack

Uae Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogacar crosses the finish line to win stage 6.

(REUTERS/Christian Hartmann)

Uae Team Emirates’ Tadej Pogacar celebrates on the podium wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey after winning stage 6.

(REUTERS/Christian Hartmann) the stage alone proved to be a costly miscalculation as an exhausted Van Aert slid down the peloton after being caught and lost his overall lead.

“That was the plan as soon as we saw Wout go in the breakaway — we can let him burn himself and try to go for yellow at the end,” said

Powless of EF Education– EasyPost.

“The bonus seconds at the end took it away. Really disappointed we couldn’t get yellow in the end, the whole team committed to it.”

Friday’s stage seven is a 176.5-km ride from Tomblaine to La Super Planche des Belles Filles.

Shai Hope joins Guyana Amazon Warriors...

From page 29 Kock, Jason Holder, David Miller, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Obed McCoy, Kyle Mayers, Azam Khan, Hayden Walsh, Rahkeem Cornwall, Oshane Thomas, Devon Thomas, Joshua Bishop, Justin Greaves, Corbin Bosch, Nyeem Young, Teddy Bishop, Ramon Simmonds.

Jamaica Tallawahs: Rovman Powell, Sandeep Lamichhane, Fabian Allen, Imad Waseem, Brandon King, Kennar Lewis, Mohammad Amir, Shamarh Brooks, Migael Pretorius, Chris Green, Raymon Reifer, Jamie Merchant, Amar Mangoo, Shamar Springer, Nicholson Gordon, Kirk McKenzie, Joshua James.

Guyana Amazon Warriors: Imran Tahir, Shimron Hetmyer, Tabraiz Shamsi,

Odean Smith, Romario Shepherd, Colin Ingram, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shai Hope, Paul Stirling, Heinrich Klaasen, Keemo Paul, Jermaine Blackwood, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Matthew Nandu, Junior Sinclair.

St Kitts and Nevis Patriots: Dwayne Bravo, Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher, Wanindu Hasaranga, Sherfane Rutherford, Dwaine Pretorius, Darren Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Dominic Drakes, Dewald Brevis, Izharulhaq Naveed, Joshua Da Silva, Jon Russ Jaggesar, Keacy Carty, Kelvin Pittman, Jaden Carmichael, Qasim Akram. St Lucia Kings: Faf Du Plessis, Tim David, Roston Chase, Johnson Charles, Kesrick Williams,

David Wiese, Alzarri Joseph, Scott Kuggeleijn, Mark Deyal, Jeavor Royal, Matthew Forde, Leroy Lugg, Preston McSween, Larry Edwards, Akeem Auguste, Rivaldo Clarke. Trinbago Knight Riders: Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Nicholas Pooran, Colin Munro, Akeal Hosein, Seekkuge Prasanna, Jayden Seales, Ali Khan, Tion Webster, Khary Pierre, Anderson Phillip, Terrence Hinds, Leonardo Julien, Shaaron Lewis, Ravi Rampaul. Qasim Akram will be with the Patriots until September 12 when he will be replaced by Wanindu Hasaranga Ravi Rampaul will be with the Knight Riders until September 12 when he will be replaced by Maheesh Theekshana.

Friday July 08, 2022

Shai Hope joins Guyana Amazon Warriors, St Lucia Kings signs Rahkeem Cornwall in 2022 CPL draft Shai Hope will join the Guyana Amazon Warriors for the 2022 Hero CPL season. (CPL)

SportsMax - Shai Hope has signed for the Guyana Amazon Warriors as the draft for the 2022 season of the Caribbean Premier League was completed yesterday.

Hope he will join Ronsford Beaton and Veerasammy Permaul in the many-time bridesmaids, who will be hoping to go one better this season.

Meanwhile, Rahkeem Cornwall has moved from the Saint Lucia Kings to join the Barbados Royals. The Royals also picked up exciting young batter Teddy Bishop and

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Kaieteur News

seamer Nyeem Young.

Two-time champions, the Jamaica Tallawahs picked up Trinidadian batter Amir Jangoo and experienced Barbadian seam bowler Raymon Reifer while St Kitts & Nevis Patriots re-drafted Joshua da Silva and Jon Russ Jaggesar.

They have also brought in Keacy Carty and Jaden Carmichael.

Saint Lucia Kings signed upcoming talent Ackeem Auguste who captained West Indies at the 2022 Under-19 Cricket World Cup along with Preston McSween and Leroy

Lugg.

Four-time CPL winners Trinbago Knight Riders redrafted the experienced Khary Pierre along with fellow Trinidadians Anderson Phillip and Terrence Hinds.

Saint Lucia Kings and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots each have one overseas spot yet to be filled, these players will be announced in the coming weeks.

With the draft now completed the teams for the 2022 Hero CPL are as follows: Barbados Royals: Quinton de (Continued on page 28)

Buttler humbled as India beat England by 50 runs in 1st T20

Guyana aim to reclaim Junior Caribbean Squash Championship - to host Junior C’bean tourney from tomorrow

By Zaheer Mohamed Guyana will be looking to capitalise on home advantage as they aim to reclaim the Junior Caribbean Squash championship when the tournament commences from tomorrow, Saturday, in Georgetown.

Guyana held the title for 12 straight years before they were toppled by Barbados in 2017; Barbados won until 2019, the year the tournament last was held.

Matches will be held at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street and the National Racquet center on Camp Road and Woolford Avenue.

Speaking at the launching of the tournament yesterday at the Georgetown Club, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle lauded the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) executive and pledged government’s continued backing.

“I think squash is in really good hands, Squash was the first core sport to start their academy and we will continue to lend support,” he posited.

Ninvalle stated that they are currently looking to build a doubles court which will aid in the development of the sport.

“The National Sports Commission and by extension the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport is looking to see how soon we can build a doubles court for squash so that we can host more international tournaments and which will assist in the development of the sport,” he added.

Ninvalle noted that Squash has represented Guyana with distinction.

Steve Ninvalle

Godfrey Munroe of the Guyana Olympic Association stated that Squash has been an exemplary sport and encouraged the players to strive for greater heights.

“Squash has been a sport that we always look forward to support because of its leadership and performance of the players,” he posited.

Digicel representative Vidya Sanichara said they are pleased to be part of the sponsorship, while Vice President of the Guyana Squash Association David Fernandes expressed gratitude to the sponsors and urged the players to make full use of this opportunity.

The schedule for the event is as follows; Saturday 9th July Welcome Dinner National Racket Centre Woolford Ave- PM; Sunday 10th - Tuesday 12th July Individual Championships AM

and PM at the Georgetown Club Camp Street and the National Racket Centre; Wednesday 13th July Team matches begin AM; Wednesday 13th July Opening Ceremony 4pm National Racket Centre; Wednesday 13th July Team matches PM; Thursday 14th -Friday 15th July Team matches AM-PM; Saturday 15th July Team Finals AMPM. The teams that will battle for supremacy are Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Vincent & The Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and the host nation.

Among the sponsors are GOA, Digicel, Ministry of Sport/National Sports Commission/John Fernandes Ltd., MVP Sport, E Networks and Bounty Farm Ltd. The tournament will conclude on July 16.

The ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival

Hardik Pandya celebrates after dismissing Liam Livingstone. (Getty Images) SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Jos Buttler endured a rocky start to life as England’s limited-overs captain after falling for a golden duck in his side’s humbling 50-run loss to India in the first of three Twenty20s.

Tasked with continuing England’s white-ball success following Eoin Morgan’s international retirement, Buttler began by having his leg stump knocked back at the outset of the reply to India’s 1988.

England lurched to 334 before eventually subsid-

ing to a sorry 148 all out from 19.3 overs, with the excellent Hardik Pandya following up his 51 from 30 deliveries with 4-33 at the Ageas Bowl.

There were cameos from Rohit Sharma (24 off 14), Deepak Hooda (33 off 17) and Suryakumar Yadav (39 off 19) in India’s innings, with Chris Jordan’s 2-23 going a long way to keeping the score below 200.

Jordan had a modest w i n t e r a n d p a r t i c u l a r ly struggled at the death, but this was an impressive showing on an evening where En-

gland used seven bowlers, with Moeen Ali taking two wickets but leaking 26 in his two overs while fellow spinner Matt Parkinson and leftarm quick Tymal Mills were also expensive. The total was always likely to challenge England, without Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow due to their test commitments, and they received a hammer blow as Buttler was taken out in the first over.

Scores: India 198 for 8 (Hardik 51, Suryakumar 39, Hooda 33) beat England 148 (Moeen 36, Hardik 4-33) by 50 runs.

Kwakwani Secondary, President’s College, D-UP Academy among latest winners Play in the ExxonMobil National School Basketball Festival continued on Wednesday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with teams which included Kwakwani Secondary, President’s College and D-UP Academy among the latest winners.

In Girls Under-16 action President’s College (A) overcame Mackenzie High 16-0 with Renee Liverpool 5 points, 4 rebounds and Ronessa Romalho 5 points leading the scoring.

President’s College (B)

then brushed aside Lower Corentyne 16 points to 2, with Lancianna Smith scoring 6 points, pulling down 4 rebounds and effecting 4 steals.

Kwakwani Secondary scored the highest amount of points of the day, pouring in 49 points to defeat GT Academy who could only manage 19 points.

Shania Sears 19 points, 5 rebounds and Natalya Clarke 10 points, 10 rebounds and 6 steals led Kwakwani, while Kassidy Woolford responded with 13 points for GT Academy.

In the Boys U16 department, D-UP Academy scored 43 points to defeat Kid Rock Academy with 25.

Tieshon Kitt 13 points, 4 rebounds, Kieshawn Kitt 9 points and Lorenzo Benn 6 points, 14 rebounds were the top performers for the winners.

ExxonMobil Guyana is the major sponsor of this year’s tournament with support also coming from the National Sports Commission, G-Boat Guyana, Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, and Banks DIH Ltd.

PAGE 30

Pooran powers Windies to 5-wkt win as Bangladesh lose 3-match series 2-1

By Sean Devers at Providence An entertaining unbeaten 74 from 26-year-old West Indies Captain Nicholas Pooran spearheaded his team to a five-wicket win against Bangladesh yesterday at Providence as the regional side won the three-match T20I series 2-nil after the first game in Dominica ended in a no-result.

On day in which several streets and Yards in the City were under water from heavy overnight and morning rain the game commenced just 30 minutes late, a testament to the superb drainage at a venue widely regarded as one of World’s fastest drying cricket grounds.

Bangladesh, 1-nil down in the three-match series, elected to bat on a track with a tinge of green and a still fairly fast outfield despite the consistent rain.

Led by 50 off 38 balls with two fours and two sixes from Afif Hossain, 49 off 41 balls with 3 fours and two sixes from Litton Dass and a cameo run-a-ball 20 by Mahmudullah which included two fours and a six as Bangladesh, who has not beaten West Indies in a T20I on West Indian soil, reached 163-5 in 20 overs.

Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr had 2-25 for West Indies who responded with 169-5 with 10 balls to spare as Pooran ended the contest with a six off Mahmudullah over long-off.

Pooran finished unbeaten on 72 from 31 balls with five fours and five sixes while Kyle Mayers smashed five sixes and two fours in his 38 balls 55 as the pair added 85 in a destructive partnership.

When West Indies began their chase, Brandon King (7) fell to Nasum Ahmed at 9-1 after hitting a six off the first legal delivery of the innings

Kyle Mayers (L) and Nicholas Pooran (R) of West Indies take a single. (Photo: AFP) and it was soon 22-2 when Mahedi Hasan got rid of Shamarh Brooks (12).

Odean Smith, surprisingly asked to bat at four, was lbw to Shakib for two at 43-3 before Pooran joined Mayers.

The pair went after the bowling with disdain with boundaries coming at a fast and furious pace as the partisan gathering danced and as they waved flags in the stands.

Mayers brought up his first fifty with a six off Mosaddek Hossain, while Pooran soon reached his ninth half-century before a glorious cut off Shoriful Islam found the gap between point and short third man as not a man moved as the balls raced the boundary.

Mayers clobbered Hossain for six to the delight of the fans before he was removed by Nasum Ahmed at 128-4.

Rovman Powell (5) departed at 153-6 before Pooran ended the contest in emphatic fashion.

Earlier, a small, but vocal working day working crowd watched as Anamul Haque

and Litton Das provided the tourists with a good start in sunny conditions.

Anamul (10) flicked Smith for four before he got an outside edged as he tried to work a short ball of Smith into the on-side and was taken at third man in the fifth over at 35-1.

The dangerous Shakib (5) was soon removed by Romario Shepherd at 42-2.

Mahmudullah joined Dass and they batted confidently, but with the stand at 57 and the score on 99 Dass was removed by Walsh.

Mahmudullah hit Shepherd for back to back boundaries including a six and along with Afif Hossain added a further 49 before Walsh struck again when h e t r a p p e d Mahmudullah LBW at 1484.

The 150 was posted in the penultimate over before Afif Hossain was run out while Mosaddek Hossain smashed two fours in 10 from six balls to take Bangladesh to a 160 plus total.

The first match of the three ODIs will be start on Sunday from 09:30HRS.

West Demerara and East Bank play to a draw

West Demerara and East Bank Demerara played to draw when the Demerara Cricket Board U19 inter association two-day tournament commenced recently at LBI. B a t t i n g f i r s t , We s t Demerara managed 192 all out with Sachin Balgobin scoring 49 not out, Avinash

Friday July 08, 2022

Kaieteur News

Persaud 34, Nicholas Rajpat 22, Nityanand Mathura 17 and Anthony Sanicharra 16.

Joash Charles claimed 438, Anthon Lin 2-27 and Krsna Singh 2-48.

In reply, East Bank were 47-6 when play was halted.

Alex Leal made 18 as Balgobin took three wicekts and Mathura two.

Sachin Balgobin

“Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”

Chin Singh from NYC contributes to project Chin Singh of New York City made a contribution of $40,000 to the “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”, Project which is a joint initiative by Kishan Das of the USA and former BCB President and current GCB member, Anil Beharry.

At a simple presentation held recently in NYC, Chin said he is pleased to support this noble venture and observed how many young and talented cricketers and clubs have benefited so far from this project.

Chin is a member of the NY East Canje Reunion and plays a major role in raising funds to give back to various charities in Guyana with the annual prize giving exercise for NGSA students in the East Canje area benefitting from an annual average of G$800,000, leading the way.

This initiative is to help identify and nurture young talent and at the same time encourage them to educate themselves with the hope that they will represent Guyana and West Indies.

Total cricket related items collected so far: $170,000 cash, two trophies, eleven cricket boots, seventeen pairs of batting pads, nineteen bats, thirteen pairs of batting gloves, nineteen thigh pads,

Chin Singh (left) makes his contribution to Anil Beharry in NYC. one wicket keeping pad, one arm guard, six cricket bags and two helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket keeper/batsman.

To date, thirty-six young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from three junior gear bags, two trophies, one arm guard, thirteen bats, one box,

two helmets, nine pairs of cricket shoes, nine pairs of batting pads, one bat rubber and eleven pairs of batting gloves. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats.

Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, while (Continued on page 25)

Windies Masters lose two on the trot against Wales Sunil Dhaniram stars with an unbeaten 83 Once again in gloomy conditions at the picturesque Ynystawe Cricket Club ground, Windies skipper Zamin Amin won the toss and inserted the opposition to take first strike.

The Wales openers, Iwan Rees and Rowan Evans, made great use of the opportunity by giving their team a solid opening partnership of 90 runs before Zamin Amin won a LBW verdict against Rees who contributed a well composed 42 off 63 deliveries. His exit brought former testite, Matthew Maynard to the crease who displayed his class with a polished half century at better than run a ball whilst adding 74 with Evans for the 2nd wicket. Evans finished on 68 off 113 deliveries to anchor his team to 216 for 5 when their overs expired.

The Windies Masters did well to bring back the game and limit Wales to their eventual score. Zamin Amin finished with 2 for 35 off his 9 overs with a wicket apiece for Sunil Dhaniram, Narine Bidhesi and Azad Mohammed.

Beginning their reply, Windies lost Anthony Sahadeo off the very first ball, caught at slip off the wily Malith Madurasinghe. They then lost Ishwar Maraj and Narine Bidhesi in quick succession to leave the Windies reel-

Sunil Dhaniram

ing at 4 runs for 3 wickets, all going to Madurasinghe who got appreciable swing with the new ball. Rajendra Sadeo and Sunil Dhaniram then tried to repair the damage by adding 47 runs for the 4th wicket with little or no trouble. Sadeo tried an expansive cut and had a faint nick to the keeper after making 26 off 30 deliveries and was looking very comfortable at the crease before that injudicious shot. His (Continued on page 25)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 08, 2022

PAGE 31

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle & Sports Officer A. Munroe along with all the winners.

Winners receive rewards for Janet Jagan Memorial Schools Windball tourney

T

he winners in this year's Janet Jagan Memorial Inter schools Female Windball cricket tournament from Regions 3, 4 and Georgetown received their awards from Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle at a ceremony held at the National Gymnasium this week.

In the opening remarks, Sports Officer A. Munroe thanked the Director of Sport and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports (MCYS) for support in this

programme.

DOS Ninvalle in his brief remarks give a history about the Former and first female President of Guyana and her contribution this nation, he also stated as part of the one Guyana in which President Dr. Irfaan Ally speaks about, he made it clear that come next year this tournament would be spread across Guyana.

He DOS applauded the work of Munroe in organising this year (Continued on page 25)

President's College winner receives her trophy.

ts Spor

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Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle with (sitting center), GOA representative Godfrey Munroe (L), Digicel's Vidya Sanichara (R) with members of the team. (Zaheer Mohamed photos) 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.