Kaieteur News

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Lowenfield takes Saturday Edition NEWS court action to prevent Govt. commissioners from participating in his dismissal p.

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AIETEUR

July 10, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.26

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

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

Price $80

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EPA replaces new guidelines with outdated model 6 days before asking ExxonMobil to do EIA for US$900M gas-to-energy project p.

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Change Exxon’s contract!

Man who crushed goldsmith to death charged, placed on $500,000 bail p.

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Man in custody for raping 16-year-old p.

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Guyanese continue to protest.

Police officer committed to stand trial for

rape of minor

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Guyanese oil and gas workers complain of mistreatment- GAWU p.3

Exxon already took out US335M for clean-up cost down the road, while our leaders are begging for covid aid

@11:00am on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

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South Korea helps GRA EPA replaces new guidelines with outdated model 6 days before with Customs Administration Modernisation Project asking ExxonMobil to do EIA for I US$900M gas-to-energy project

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n June 22, 2021, t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it had taken the decision to withdraw the Revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines (2020) for Mining, Forestry, Hydropower, Thermal Power, Electricity Transmission and Offshore Petroleum Exploration and Production.

It has opted instead to use guidelines from two decades earlier, which is—the EIA Guidelines (2000) Volumes 1-5 (Generic; Forestry; Mining; and Electricity Generation).

The announcement came six days before the EPA announced that ExxonMobil applied for environmental authorisation for the US$900M gas-to-energy project, while adding that it requires the company's local affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), to conduct an EIA before it considers giving approval.

The excuse given by the EPA for walking back on the 2020 guidelines is that it needs to facilitate broader consultations on the documents. The timing of this decision was raised by a concerned Guyanese, Simone

Mangal, during a virtual public scoping for the gas-toshore project on Thursday.

However, the EPA officials chairing the engagement offered no comment on her statement.

The press, in recent months, has advocated for transparency and due diligence on the gas-to-shore project. Kaieteur News has shown how many other countries have been adversely affected because of their failure to ascertain the integrity of the project.

One recent incident involving a compromised gas pipeline in the Gulf of Mexico raised a stir in international

news. The gas leak was so significant that it literally set the ocean on fire, with many news agencies calling the sight an 'eye of fire.'

Guyana's EPA announced that ExxonMobil would have to conduct an EIA for the project, on June 28, starting a 28-day period of public consultation. In addition to virtual and in-person consultations being conducted throughout the period, persons may contact the EPA to air their concerns.

The concerns raised about the environmental impact of the project will be considered when determining the scope of the EIA.

CDB President visits Guyana

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n keeping with an aid agreement between Korea Customs Service (KCS) - a tax organization in South Korea under the Ministry of Economy and Finance - and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), a delegation of six consultants from Korea Customs Service (KCS) recently visited the local tax body and commenced consultations for the Modernisation of the Guyana's Customs Administration.

The 50-day visit to Guyana is part of an effort to strengthen cooperation between GRA and KCS, which will conclude with the delivery of a final report, detailing recommendations

for a future model for Guyana's Customs Administration.

During the visit, the project team is expected to i n t r o d u c e U N I - PA S S , Korea's e-customs clearance system and hold seminars on Korea's Customs Administration to share its experience and know-how.

The two countries expect that the consulting project, which is expected to be for a duration of eight months, will bring shifts in Guyana Customs Administration in various fields, including risk management, cargo management and item classification, and will contribute to the automation of Guyana's Customs Administration.

CDB President and Dr. Ashni Singh at the Eugene Correira International Airport

enior Minister with responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President, Dr. Ashni K. Singh, warmly welcomed newly-appointed President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Hyginus 'Gene' Leon, who

arrived at the Eugene Correia International Airport just before noon yesterday.

The CDB President is in Guyana on an official visit to meet and have discussions with President, Mohammed Irfaan Ali, and other officials.

Health Ministry records 3 more COVID-19 deaths

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esterday the Ministry of Health (MoH) reported that another three persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease have died.

According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of a 75-year-old man from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), a 66year-old woman and a 36year-old man, both from Region Five (MahaicaBerbice).

All three persons died over a two-day period (June

- 1 child remains in ICU 7 to June 8) while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 489.

Further, the Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 77 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 20,834.

The dashboard also shows that 11 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during his daily COVID-19 update yesterday stated that three children are still hospitalised; one child remains in the COVID-19 ICU. According to the Ministry, there are 87 persons in institutional isolation, 1,336 in home isolation and 10 in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 18,911 have recovered from the virus.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

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Lowenfield moves to court to prevent Govt. commissioners from participating in his dismissal E

mbattled Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM), Chief Elections O ff i c e r ( C E O ) , K e i t h Lowenfield, has filed an application in the High Court seeking several actions, one of which includes an order to prevent Governmentnominated GECOM commissioners, Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shaddick, from participating in the discussion of a motion tabled for his dismissal from GECOM. Lowenfield's lawyer, Nigel Hughes, filed the application on Tuesday.

According to a document seen by this publication, GECOM is the namedrespondentinthematter.

Lowenfield is seeking a declaration that he is entitled to the protection of the rules of natural justice and the right to a fair hearing and determination for the motion of his dismissal brought by Gunraj and

seconded by Shaddick.

Secondly, he made an application for an order restraining the two named Government commissioners from participating as adjudicators in the hearing of the motion for his dismissal.

Thirdly, Lowenfield wants a declaration that Gunraj and Shaddick, cannot properly participate, hear and determine their own complaint against him, in the motion for his dismissal.

Lastly, the CEO is seeking a declaration that GECOM, the name respondent in the matter, having determined that there shall be a hearing of the motion for his dismissal, is bound to provide him with a fair hearing, including the protections of the rules of natural justice.

According to Lowenfield, the grounds for his application among other things is that he is entitled to the rules of natural

GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield justice, to a fair hearing in keeping with the terms of his employment contract, including the right not to have Gunraj and Shaddick participate as adjudicators in the hearing of their own complaints against him.

He then stated that the two

Guyanese oil and gas workers complain of mistreatment - GAWU

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n a statement to the media yesterday, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) disclosed that it is in receipt of numerous complaints from Guyanese who say they are employed in the oil and gas sector and are being treated unfairly.

The Union said these complaints were recently lodged with its oil and gas branch. Expounding further, GAWU said chief among the complaints received was the notion that the Guyanese employees appear to be inferior to their foreign counterparts.

Despite there being

identical duties in some cases, GAWU said the Guyanese workers have lamented that there exist vast discrepancies in their respective rates of pay.

Additionally, “they are required to work extended periods consistently.

Apart from that, after their long shifts they are required to attend meetings and undertake other briefings without any pay, thereby restricting their time to rest and recuperate for another day's work. This they shared is taking a significant toll on their physical and mental well-being.”

Kaieteur News understands that the workers indicated to the Union that

even when there is a brief respite in their substantive duties, they are made to undertake tasks, which are not within their job descriptions.

They indicated that they are not unwilling to work but the manner of communication from some foreign supervisors and managers leave a lot to be desired. GAWU said this has led to many workers feeling like they are lesser beings.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union have consequently stated that it will fight for there to be better treatment of locals while adding, “The nation's workers must be treated fairly and without any prejudices.”

Cop committed to stand trial for rape of minor

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police officer, Michael Kendall, was yesterday committed to stand trial in the High Court for the alleged rape of a minor.

Kendall was committed to the High Court using the paper committal process. He was committed by Principal Magistrate, Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

This publication had reported that Kendall and Eon Franklin were jointly charged in March 2021 for the alleged rape of a minor.

They were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that on December 3, 2020, at Georgetown, they raped a child under the age of 16.

Both men were placed on $300,000 bail each on their

first court hearing.

Principal Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ruled that based on the evidence that was submitted to the court, she found sufficient evidence against Kendall for him to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.

As such he was committed but remains out on bail. Franklin's matter is still ongoing.

Government-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj Government GECOM commissioners in the deliberations of his dismissal “infected the deliberations of the Commission with bias.”

Lowenfield along with other GECOM officials are currently before City Magistrates for electoral fraud.

Those charges stemmed from a series of alleged grave violations by the GECOM

Government-nominated GECOM Commissioner, Bibi Shaddick workers connected to the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections and for their defiance of the instructions by the GECOM Chair, Justice (Ret'd) Claudette Singh, who instructed that the recount figures be used for the final results of the elections.

Last month, GECOM had decided to send Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers, and Region Four

Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, on annual leave pending the outcome of discussions on a motion seeking their dismissal.

According to reports, the decision to instruct the officers to proceed on annual leave followed a statutory meeting of GECOM Commissioners.

According to a statement disseminated by the Commission, the trio proceeded on leave with effect from Monday June 28, 2021.

Lowenfield's alleged involvement in the attempt to rig last year's elections has left him facing three counts of misconduct in public office, three counts of forgery, and the two conspiracy charges.

According to reports, Myers and Mingo are also before the court facing multiple electoral fraud charges. It was reported that Myers is facing two counts of misconduct in public office and two conspiracy charges, while Mingo is facing four charges alleging misconduct in public office, forgery, and conspiracy.

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Saturday July 10, 2021

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

Haiti - a different kind of attempted overthrow The last thing that struggling Haiti needed to occur was this bloody assassination of its unsteady and under siege President, Jovenel Moise. We say bloody because it was a barbarous job where reportedly 12 bullets mowed down Mr. Moise. It was also botched, because his wife has been critically injured in the attack. As regrettable and deplorable as is the death of Mr. Moise, and the manner in which it occurred, it was more than the taking of his life, and serious injury to his spouse that was undertaken and resulted. It was an attack on Haiti itself, with countless questions waiting to be answered, if they ever will be, and the first of which is who?

The dead president’s rule was not only ill-fated, but it was also unsteady, as he was about to install his seventh Prime Minister, when brutal death came, and from early appearances, from foreign hands. For a country long unstable, and wracked by unending internal discontent, foreign interlopers and interventions are the last things that this impoverished society can handle. Again, we at this paper must ask this simple question: who is behind this attempted destabilising and ultimately responsible? We speak not of the triggermen, the now much-bandied about, and much accepted official blanket of foreign “mercenaries.”

It is a term of art, and says much, while still concealing much more. Soldiers of fortune are ever-present and always available. But for such adventurous guns-for-hire, foreigners to be sufficiently motivated (incentivised) to storm a country’s presidential residence and riddle its leader with bullets, and seemingly casual disdain for the welfare of nearby family, takes a lot to swallow. That is, all by themselves. There are many missing pieces, and all mysterious. It reminds of that failed assault from not too long ago in Venezuela, against an also unpopular and unsteady leader, and which has all but disappeared off the radar of coverage or interest.

It is understood that among those encircled and arrested are some of the fallen president’s own countrymen.

Would this turn out to be, when all stones are uncovered (if ever), another botched secretly sponsored official operation? Russia, China, and Iran, the usual scapegoats, are seemingly unblemished in this deadly affair. Aside from the homegrown participators themselves, this leaves only a couple of interested parties from the north and more distant Europe, in the grand scheme of things and the book of considerations. It does not make for inspiring reading just like it did in that amateur attempt in Venezuela. Still, because this is the 21st century with all of its noble ideals, especially from the Big Powers, one would have thought that such messy affairs are best left for the locals to lead the way and do their own heavy lifting. Current narratives are of the English and Spanish speaking among the invaders, which sounds like either Columbians or Dominicans massaged to be the fall guys. Who are the real brains behind the triggermen in this bloody Haitian caper? Who should have known of such a plot involving such a relatively sizable group of “mercenaries”?

As we present all this, we remind our reading audience that Haitians had dared the unimaginable, which led to the unforgivable. Some fiery patriots with illustrious names, Toussaint Louverture, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and Henri Christophe, have gone down in history as the leaders of the only successful revolution against oppressions of European masters. The harsh price that that country has had to pay, in one form or another and under the heel of the foreign boot, in the centuries since stand as a testimony to the example made of Haiti. It is simple, final: don’t ever dare to think this, and worse, don’t ever again.

It is why Haitian society has been kicked around, played games with, by despotic leaders, and always with some foreign orchestration in the murk and muddle. This invisible, but potent foreign hand and probable intellectual underpinnings, repeat the age-old story, with the same results. A society weakened, and its citizens the doormat of all comers and wherever they go. We make no conclusions, as yet. But we watch and weigh, as we wish that Haiti will emerge from this in one piece.

EPA/Exxon sham scoping meeting leaves more hours to put to flare yet more? questions than answers astheitfiretookout.five In Guyana, someHow can we trust Exxon DEAR EDITOR, In one of his songs, Johnny Nash sang, “There are more questions than answers, and the more I find out, the less I know.”

This is so apt to describe the EPA’s online Forum held on Thursday, and the Government’s proposed Gasto-Shore project.

In a Zoom meeting on Thursday, nearly 80 people joined the Forum.

They peppered the EPA with questions but got the canned, pre-packaged, bureaucratic responses where words were used but nothing was said to enlighten the participants whose enquiring minds wanted to know the finer details about the gas project.

There were distinguished Guyanese in attendance (including many in the Diaspora) such as Professor Jannette Bulkan, Professor Maya Trotz, the Oil and Gas Governance Network’s head Darshanand Khusial, Mike Persaud and Dr. Jerry Jailall, Dr. Marie Correia, Dr. Raquel Thomas, Dr. David Singh, Simone Mangal-Joly, Roweena, David Modeste, marine biologists and others.

It was heartening to know that so many Guyanese were concerned and cared about the impact of this proposed project.

Only if they will all form a united front and raise their voices will our Government pause and listen rather than to sign another secret, “Dollar Store” deal with Exxon as the PNC did.

We should not sit idly by

and let successive governments screw the nation with bad deals.

The inadequacy of the Guyana Environmental Protection Agency was on full display as the apparent young, inexperienced staff could not provide answers to most questions, or dodged questions altogether.

The Exxon guy who was there was shielded from questions that Exxon should answer. Below were some questions and comments at the Forum: · Can the EPA make the application public, please? · Can the gas-to-shore studies by the previous Government on location and feasibility be shared with the public? · The Escazu agreement ratified by Guyana requires more openness and background documentation now. · Please clarify how this project plans to avoid the take-and-pay problems in Ghana. · Will flaring out at sea stop once, the gas is being diverted to land? · Why is it that in the case of a wellhead blowout, the companies have nothing in place to safeguard or protect this country? · Why are we allowing “shell” companies to operate here when they have no assets and can declare bankruptcy and run in the event of a disaster?

Change the law to prohibit “shell” companies. · Images of a gas fire in Mexican waters should send shivers down our spines

times our fire engines show up at fires with no water in their tanks.

This gas fire in Mexico should cause us to be ever more vigilant about this gasto-shore project. In a project with 220 kilometers of pipelines, the risk of disaster is great. Look at Exxon’s ongoing, long running problem with the gas compressor. · Guyana is not now monitoring oil production onsite and has to give notice if it wants to visit the FPSO. How will there be better monitoring of this gas-to-shore project? What is Guyana’s/ EPA’s capacity to monitor such a project that would have 220 kilometers of pipelines to monitor? · The EPA was sued for giving Exxon a 20-year permit and the courts found that to be illegal. How can we trust the EPA with limited talent and inadequate staff to monitor another big project? · Who are the technical experts at the EPA who will be evaluating the scope of the project? · Exxon has not answered the questions raised whether they are carrying full insurance for oil spills, accidents, etc.

Why the silence? EPA needs to get a full, complete description of the proposed insurance coverage. · Why should the Guyanese people trust Exxon with a new gas-to-shore project when it has a poor record on protecting the environment and has engaged in excessive flaring, and continues to ask for permission

if it cannot solve a simple gas compressor problem? And the current oil deal seems to place the responsibility to pay for oil spills on the people of Guyana.

Before approving the project, ask Exxon to release its current insurance coverage for oil. · This project should be discussed by Parliament and involve the Opposition.

The natural resources of Guyana belong to the people.

They are not the property of politicians and parties. One Government blames the other for a bad contract.

This new Government must approach this project with full openness and transparency. Discuss the project in Parliament before approval. · Is the EPA now monitoring the flow rates and the contents of the discharged processed water from the FPSO? · There may be significant socioeconomic impact on the fisher folks. There are already reports that fish stock has decreased. What systems are in place to compensate these fisher folks? · Two of the pollutants mentioned in the presentation are mercury and hydrogen sulphide.

Have the other emissions (liquid, solid, vapour) expected as a byproduct of the gas refining and associated processes been identified and how would these be addressed with respect to mitigation, and impact to the proximity of these plants?

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

Is Guyana heading into an authoritarian regime?

DEAR EDITOR, Recently, the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, announced in Parliament that the government is asking for G$700 million for the GDF for what she called a Regional Joint Support Team (RJST) which had already been set up.

While there was little information to be gleaned from her about this special team, a few things have been told to the nation.

These include that it will: be a crime-fighting unit, have bases in all 10 Regions and aid the Guyana Police Force in this regard.

However, according to recent statistics, the GPF does not need assistance to fight the ordinary and numerous

petty crimes, which are occurring at the moment.

Specifically, the GPF has recorded a 38.4 p ercent decrease in armed robberies committed with guns for the first four months of 2021.

The Force has also

indicated that for the same period, armed robberies perpetrated with the use of other instruments decreased by 47.7 percent. https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2021/07/05/brazen-acts-ofrobbery-becoming-a-normaround-the-city/.

Ms. Teixeira advised this unit would consist of members of the GDF and GPF but would not be responsible to either of the two organisations. She avoided answering questions about who its leaders would be, “as this is a matter of national security.” Guyana has special crime-fighting units, which include CANU to deal with drugs, The Major Crimes Unit to deal with s erious and

organised crimes, and The Financial Intelligence Unit to deal with financial crimes. They have very clear and specific purposes, which are known to all and sundry. However, this new RJST Unit is shrouded in secrecy and apparently has been established for an

entirely different purpose from other such units, one that the government is not disclosing at the moment.

The issue is: What is the purpose of this special RJST? The government needs to answer this question, or its silence will continue to lead to a myriad of speculation on the unit’s purpose, promoting the very, “hysterical thing” which Ms. Teixeira says we should not worry about. h t t p s : / / www.stabroeknews.com/ 2021/06/20/opinion/editorial/ regional-joint-support-team/ The PPP government has already utilised the controversial Cyber Crime Bill to silence two opponents.

This new, insufficiently explained unit will increase fear in an already tense Guyana.

Will this unit be used to target persons who fall foul of the government?

Stabroek News asked, “How in a democracy does a government create what

sounds like a parallel police force since it is outside the control of the police and was not preceded by the passage of any special legislation, and yet does not consider it necessary to inform the public or answer parliamentary questions about it?” SN continued, “The new force is just sneaked in, and there is no prior debate, no consultations, no explanations, no justifications.

This is how authoritarian regimes operate, not democratic ones.” Is this where Guyana is heading, into an authoritarian regime?

Having just come out of a tremendous fight for democracy, are we now heading down another nasty pathway? Guyana has a very bad history of special squads or units, which were labelled as crime-fighters; none of which ended well. What is to stop this unit-going rogue, into its own deals?

Regards Jonathan Yearwood

Saturday July 10, 2021

MISMANAGED AND SPECIAL DEAR EDITOR, I read, with great amusement a letter by Juan Edghill, in which he claimed that “the PPP/C Government inherited a failed, mismanaged, nonimplementing project when it came to office in August 2020” - this statement demonstrates that his grasp for the truth remains elusive.

The IDB and the PPP government signed a loan agreement 2741/BL-GY on June 21, 2012 for the sum of US$66.2M. The loan had several components - Sheriff/Mandela rehabilitation US$42M, East Bank Berbice US$8M, with the remaining amount for studies such as the Wismar Bridge. As of June 2015, some three years after the loan agreement was signed, less than one percent (1%) was disbursed – that’s correct, three years and less than US$1M was expended.

The reason for this abysmal implementation would be of little surprise to the Guyanese public – FRAUD and CORRUPTION. By May 2015, the projects under this loan were advertised twice and, on both occasions scrapped, due to corrupt practices.

In fact, the country’s entire IDB loan portfolio was threatened with suspension, due to fraudulent practices discovered after these tenders were received and recommended for awards by the PPP Government. The IDB’s Office of Institutional Integrity (OII) conducted internal investigations, which uncovered massive fraud and corruption under the PPP with regards to the tenders for Sheriff/ Mandela and East Bank Berbice roads. It was left to the coalition administration to address these ills and to regain the confidence of the international financing agencies that public procurement can be executed by the Guyanese people in an open and transparent manner (I would be happy, with the permission of

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Kaieteur News

the IDB, to go into the specifics of these proven fraudulent acts).

As a result of these findings, contractors were debarred, staff resigned or were reassigned, and a complete review of the loan was undertaken as follows: Sheriff/Mandela project was revised, readvertised, retendered and awarded within the budgetary allocated sum of US$30M. Important new features such as roundabout, pedestrian overpasses, drainage, sidewalks, adequate access to communities and parking were incorporated into the project, all of which were absent under the two previous fraudulent PPP tenders.

East Bank Berbice was removed from the IDB loan but was funded and executed entirely by the Government of Guyana under the Coalition Government, since it was our opinion that the residents of these communities have suffered for too long and could not wait any longer.

The study for a new Wismar bridge was also removed from this loan and alternative funding was secured under the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The feasibility study for this project was completed in 2020 and is awaiting implementation.A new component called Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Program (AHUAP) was agreed to be funded with the remaining balance of the original loan (US$34M).

This programme was executed under the then Ministry of Communities where the main purpose was to address the poor infrastructure (roads, lights, water, etc.) in existing housing communities distributed under the previous PPP administration. It is no secret that all the housing areas distributed under the PPP lacked the basic infrastructure to make them into

communities. An assessment conducted in 2017, revealed that at least US$80M would be required to address these deficits – the AHUAP is aimed at addressing the inadequate infrastructure in communities such as Sophia, Parfait Harmonie and Dochfour – these works are currently ongoing.Some additional interesting facts should be highlighted. In late 2019, the then Ministry of Public Infrastructure informed the Ministry of Finance of our intention to terminate the contract for the Sheriff/Mandela Road, the reasons being inadequate mobilisation, poor project planning, coordination and execution plus various environmental and traffic safety breaches. It was felt then, as has proven true now, that the absurd manner in which the project was being executed, it would cause great inconvenience to the travelling public. By 2020, the Ministry was in the process of levying damages on the project from the contractor.

With the change of administration all such efforts ceased – any guesses why?

On the issue of mismanagement, the Sheriff Mandela project is now two years outside its contract completion date, and more than US$10M over budget. Monies, which the taxpayers will have to foot, due to the stewardship of the Minister of Public Works – how’s that for a failed project?

It takes a special person to claim that a project was “mismanaged,” when in fact, it was his government thru proven fraudulent acts that caused the initial delay, and on resumption of office, has caused a project to be more than 30 percent over budget and 100 percent delayed. Of course, the Minister of Public Works is one such special person.

Regards, David Patterson

WHY IS GOVT. RELUCTANT TO RENEGOTIATE OIL CONTRACT? DEAR EDITOR, During the election campaign, the PPP committed to renegotiating the oil contract.

Guyana is getting a mere two percent royalty with most countries getting an average 12 percent. If Guyana were to get 12 percent royalty, it would amount to a minimum additional US$15 billion annually just for Stabroek Block alone when the country pumps 1 million bpd; additional extraction would increase revenues to country. So the country stands to lose $15B a year just on one Block; that is money seven times the budget of Guyana that the country is losing.

That amount of money would entitle each Guyanese to receive some US$50,000 annually without having to work. In Middle Eastern countries, citizens get money from the government from oil revenues. Why can’t low income Guyanese get oil money?

Once ensconced in office in August 2020,

the PPP government, like its predecessor, foregoes its commitment to renegotiate the contract. Why? Is someone, or more individuals, in the government compromised and or a giant multi-national oil company or the US government has a file on him/them?

Is someone linked to criminals and drug enterprise in Colombia of which the giant multinational oil company has the information or file, which is used to gag him on oil matters?

With all the problems the country has had with a giant multinational oil company, why is this person so keen in utilising their services to the point of breaking laws to conduct business with it? Why doesn’t this person or others who are compromised step aside and allow Guyana or uncompromised individuals to renegotiate with the multinationals to get a fair share of royalty and profit?

Yours truly, Edward Burrowes

Wave energy is on the horizon DEAR EDITOR, The USA recently announced that its Department of Energy will be investing US$27M to develop wave energy technology and make it more commercially viable.

The UK is investing approximately US$10M to also de-

velop the technology for this segment of the energy sector.

This is a great time for Guyana to look for opportunities to participate in the development of this energy segment and become a partner in the advancement of green sustainable energy.

As part of the Guiana Shield, using our location offshore with Exxon as a corporate partner for testing and development is a good option to consider.

A US$1M investment in the University of Guyana’s Engineering School to partner with Universities in the US and the UK who are recipients of their nations investment in this energy segment would also bode well towards our

further immersion into the green energy space.

Local development of our wave energy capabilities will allow us to capitalise on local talent, local content and will add economic value for our continued growth and national expansion initiatives.

The release of energy from industrial growth and increased fossil fuel consumption has resulted in an increased level of energy within the ocean network.

The development and transition to this segment of the energy sector is both timely and opportune.

The resulting predictable energy source for a diversified electricity grid will help reduce any potential risk from our solar energy and wind energy investments.

It has been my experience that Japan is also one of the best technology developers in the world.

It is an untapped opportunity for Guyana. We must restart our relationship with that great nation and using the

wave energy segment to do so may be an option worth pursuing.

The Japanese have already gone past the development stage with the aid of Scotland and have implemented wave energy capturing technology in combination with wind energy systems.

This hybrid approach is also well suited for the current natural environment on our Atlantic coast.

Japan’s net zero greenhouse gas emissions target and their proven ability to successfully partner with technology developers for real world solutions is worth benchmarking and further exploration.

It is my hope that the current administration will take a closer look at this evolving opportunity for sustainable green energy development.

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

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Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

NEW POLITICAL REALITIES IN GUYANA DEAR EDITOR, Within recent times, we have witnessed not exactly an exodus but a noticeable movement of individuals away from the APNU+AFC Coalition.

And while there may be diverse views and opinions among political scholars and pundits about the reason or cause of this departure from that party, it seems clear to me, that certain determinants appear to have influenced and are influencing what is essentially a subtle but direct and deep change in the form and substance of politics in the coalition, in general, and the PNC/R, in particular.

These include leadership; a new and awakening political consciousness among party members, the push, by some members, for greater internal democracy in the PNC/ Coalition; dissatisfaction, on the part of members, about representation by the opposition at the national level; fear of the unknown, and the political strategy of the ruling party, PPP/C. A random search for the key determinants among the aforementioned factors would probably select any one of those elements as a key factor depending on the focus of writer.

Still, careful examination of them would bring to the fore, leadership, a new and awakening consciousness, and the strategy of the ruling PPP/C for consideration. I

would therefore confine my comments to those three factors.

Leadership: Of all the factors that are essential for the growth and development of an organisation, leadership enjoys a prominent position.

In fact, there are certain necessary governing rules for effective leadership. These include availability, influence, vision, visioning, navigation, respect, timing, connection, sacrifice, empowerment and legacy.

In essence, it is the foundation upon which every other part of an organisation rest and the center of attraction around which all other things revolve; effective leadership could be the difference between defeat and victory.

Without it there can be no coherence; no force.

Often, the cultures of political organisations are shaped by the personalities of their leaders.

However, in the case of the coalition, there does appear to be a challenge with leadership. My view is based on a number of indicators; two in particular: Public utterances: Almost everyone and anyone associated with the coalition, believes that they have the right, to make public statements and judgments about internal, and national political and other issues even when such issues do not warrant attention or comment, call

people (including ministers and state officials) out of their names, and make wild, reckless and irresponsibility utterances about anything and everything, sometimes, without first finding out the facts.

Some of their remarks have serious consequences for the coalition itself and the progress of our nation. But they do it anyway without let or hindrance and without the thought that they could be sanctioned.

It can be easily argued that an organisation’s communication channel is its critical vulnerability.

No effective political leadership would accept a situation in which everyone is saying whatsoever he or she very well pleased. Every word spoken on behalf of the party has to be in sync with the general philosophy, message and thrust of the party.

And, as a matter of course, the party assigns speaking roles to specific individuals under clear guidance and instructions from its leadership.

This is so important because if it is found that people who are publicly commenting on events are short on facts then it affects public trust – a value vital for political success.

Again, the idiom: “Loose lips sink ships” is true. What is also true is loose lips eroding public trust and confidence and engender suspi-

cious, mistrust and resentment.

Anything less than a well – structured communication plan with all of its components working in the best interest of the party and the people will result in a political jamboree with individuals wrestling one another for media spotlight and personal glory.

No platform for conversation and accurate information for members: Then, there is the undue delay of the party’s congress.

It is as if there is a delay and avoidance strategy with this event.

One year after nation and regional elections, in Guyana, there has been no congress to facilitate retrospection, introspection, mobilisation, vision, visioning, guidance, navigation (charting a new course) encouragement and hope.

Congress would provide a platform for members to get answers to questions and to access accurate information about new political realities and their roles and involvement in the new political environment.

How is it possible for this situation to prevail in the face of all that is happening in our country including, the Covid19 pandemic and its multidimensional impact on the national economy, and adverse weather conditions resulting in flooding in some Regions.

The lives and livelihoods of thousands of citizens have been and continue to be severely affected by this flooding. A deeper more critical problem with this absence of that platform for internal conversation and information is the one on democracy and political ethics.

Members are obligated to give the party a new leadership or the old/new leadership a new mandate.

In turn, the leaders have the responsibility to adequately represent its people; finding a seat at the national economic table not as spectators or the meal to be consumed but as purposeful participators.

But if there is no congress then that cannot happen. In the circumstance, internal party democracy is fettered because members are unable to elect leaders of their choice

according to their will. It would therefore be hypocritical for those involved to talk about national democracy when it is not practiced in the internal affairs of the party.

The corollary to that is no one will take the leadership serious if they do not practice with strong conviction the democracy they so fervently preach.

In fact, public comments on national issues, even nonpolitical issues, would be of very little effect if the leaders do not settle the internal affairs of the party. And in terms of the wider membership, no information is information; the rumour mill will work overtime and people will act according to their own best interests, based on gossip.

This would be inimical to the broader interests of the party.

This crisis in leadership has facilitated a new and awakening consciousness among party members especially the youths, some of whom have, not a little influence, among the young people in local communities.

This consciousness is driving an intense need for change. It is giving people the boldness to express their displeasure on the posture of the leadership of the party and to walk away from what they see as an organisation that is caught in a maze, with, apparently, no immediate plan to find a clear path to vision and success.

My final point is this: part of this new and awakening consciousness especially among young people, is directly aided by the deliberate political strategy of the ruling party, PPP/C that includes: changing old political guards, reworking its public relations including message and messaging, and remaking the image of the party.

Whatever one says about that party one must admit, even if grudgingly, that not only it is a good strategy but it is being properly executed.

Overall, the PPP/C strategy appears to be not formulistic but positioning and repositioning depending on changes in international and nation political and economic circumstances – a good level of flexibility that helps it to skillfully manoeuvre its special advantages to achieve its

goals.

Consider this, the leadership of that party, PPP/C, worked hard and got Mr. Irfaan Ali elected as the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; a remarkable play.

Then the party appointed a number of young people as Ministers of the government.

Of course, they are being guided by seniors in the party in the background as well as party policies, goals and objectives; nothing is wrong with that; that’s politics. One of the advantages of having an assembly of young ministers is that they have high energy, enthusiasm and new and fresh ideas. Almost every day, ministers can be seen in different parts of the country meeting and discussing projects or events with people. Another advantage is that, in this robotic age where advances in artificial intelligence and different technologies are becoming the new normal, they gel well with the young population.

According to a population survey in 2010 the proportion of people between the 15 and 65 years of age was 62.1 percent of Guyana’s total population.

This is an important point because it means that at the end of their first term most of them would still be relatively young with energy and experience.

More, if the current cabinet of ministers serve well then they will not only set themselves a good track record and build their political credentials but also would easily facilitate the re-election of their party.

Now, imagine the effect the PPP/C strategy is having on the thinking of youths in the other main political party.

Quite frankly, whatever the effect it appears to be increasing a desire for political reform and show of initiative among those youths and the belief, not unjustified, that they can do better than some of their seniors, on the local political stage. Simultaneously, it is reducing their tolerance level to be brushed aside or to be contented with the current political status or/ and performance of the PNC/ R and Coalition. As it is now, they are bored and uninterested.

Therefore, many would either publicly walk away or just gradually quietly disappear from active service in the party. In this way, the party is being forced to change and to play a different kind of politics. One that includes its young people in the upper echelon of its leadership not cosmetically but in a meaningful way.

Yours truly, Anthony Subner

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

The Americans know how to take care of themselves and look out for their own.

They are always several steps ahead of the game. And this is exactly what is happening with fossil fuels.

In Louisiana, projects involving renewables (solar and wind power) are estimated to result in a cost of US$1M per megawatt of energy, or close to 65 percent cheaper than the PPP/C government and Exxon gas-toshore project, which has a projected return of US$3M per megawatt of energy.

Are we this dumb to continue with a project that makes no sense? Are we this rich that, while our own people are poor, we can pay so much more per megawatt so that the PPP/C leaders and Exxon shareholders can benefit?

Guyanese: get some sense. Get up and get out and register concerns with our gas-to-shore project at the meetings now being held by Exxon. HAVE YOUR SAY! BE LOUD. BE SENSIBLE.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

PAGE 09

Granger may be old but he is not cold!

T

he reasons why many persons are leaving the PNC/R have nothing to do with the party's leadership.

Those who are leaving, however, may genuinely believe that one of the reasons, which pushed them to resign or not to renew their membership, is linked to the leadership of the party.

However, there is no leadership crisis within the PNC/R. David Granger is the leader of the party. He led the party to what many of those who are leaving believe was an electoral victory in 2020. After all, none of them has ever come out and said that the party did not win the elections.

Nor did any of them admit otherwise and expressed displeasures with the post-elections actions of the party. No one said anything publicly.

As such, how does one conclude that there is a problem with the party's leadership? In the eyes of many, David Granger did not lose the elections.

So if he successfully piloted the party to an electoral victory, which was stolen by the United States, and other western powers and handed to the PPP/C, why then would his leadership be questioned?

Did he not in the opinion of so many of his party's members lead it into victory?

Any problems with the leadership of the PNC/R therefore cannot be linked to the elections, unless those who are opposed to David Granger would have liked to have seen him remain in office despite the GECOM declaration of the results.

In a recent interview, Granger has made it clear that he had no choice but to comply with the constitutional position regarding the elections. He has said that so long as GECOM made a declaration he was obligated to respect that declaration.

This did not preclude him from challenging the results. His party has unsuccessfully done this through its elections petition. Interestingly, one of the petitions, which was supposed to have proven a series of irregularities, was defective in terms of the timeliness on its service on Granger.

However, there was a second petition, which amounted to a constitutional challenge to the Recount, the very Recount that Granger had agreed to.

So why this present issue now with Granger's leadership? What are his failings? Has he failed?

If the position is that the statements of polls in the hands of the APNU+AFC showed that the Coalition won the elections, then

David Granger delivered victory. So there should not be any fallout from the elections.

On the other hand, if David Granger is being blamed for the loss of the elections, then those who are critical of his leadership need to explain why they never conceded that the PPP/C won the elections.

Surely, they must explain this contradiction.

David Granger did not fail. It was the AFC, which faltered. An examination of the results of the elections showed that the PNC/R held its base. But it was the AFC, which failed to deliver sufficient votes to enable the Coalition to surpass the PPP/C. This so-called leadership crisis in the PNC/R is therefore all contrived. A case has not been made out for any failing of David Granger in relation to the elections.

But people have a right to decide that the party must look towards the future and to have a succession policy.

David Granger is soon going to be 76 years old.

This is not old by political standards. There are world leaders who have been older than Granger. The President of Cameroon, Paul Biya, is 88 years old.

Mahmoud Abbas is 85 years old, as is the King of Saudia Arabia. Moreover, the head

Dem

Drap to spat! boys seh...

G

uyanese nah easy! Dem does do things in dem country wah dem nah risk overseas. De authorities establish bus staps on most of de bus routes in de city.

But check and see how many of dem minibuses does stap at dem bus staps.

Right in front de police face dem does drap off people. And yuh can't blame dem drivers all de time.

Some of dem passengers want “drap to spat.” Dem don't intend to walk more dan necessary. So if dem going to a store, dem want get put off in front de store door.

Dem gat a private hospital in Georgetown name Mercy Hospital. It gat wan big tent about 15 metres from de gate. If yuh going in de hospital, yuh does gat fuh check in at de big tent fuh dem check yuh temperature and find out if yuh gat cough or fever (dem boys wan know if anybody ever admit dem gat cough or fever).

Imagine it does tek yuh 10 seconds fuh walk from de gate to de tent. But dem gat some people does ask dem car fuh drive in and drap dem to spat, even though dem car gan gat to drive to de back of de hospital, turn around and exit.

Nuff of dem Guyanese nah want walk de lil part from de gate to de tent. Dem

want drap to spat.

It mek dem boys remember de story about de three drunk men wah bin in wan taxi. De driver know dat dem three drunk so he start de engine, tun it off again and say, "We reached yuh destination." De first drunk pay he; de second drunk say "thank you" den give he money too; de third guy pelt a slap on de taxi driver.

De driver was shack thinking de third guy wasn't suh drunk after all. De driver say, "What was that for?"

De third drunk say, "Control your speed next time, you've nearly killed us!"

Talk half and don't tek worries!

of the smallest State in the world, the Vatican City, is 84 years old and just underwent intestinal surgery.

The late President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, was deposed as President when he was 93 years old.

So what are the criticisms of Granger? Is he stifling young people from

progressing in the party?

If this is the view, then why are persons over the age of the 60 contesting for leadership?

If the lack of opportunities for young persons are the reasons for questioning Granger's leadership, then why has no one 40 years or younger

thrown his or her hat into the ring for leadership? The PPP/C selected a 40-yearold to be its Presidential candidate. What happen to the PNC/R? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Saturday July 10, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The story of how Gregory Smith came into Walter Rodney's life

W

h e n t h e circumstances o f Wa l t e r Rodney's assassination became clarified, immediately after his death, Caribbean intellectual giant, CLR James, later wrote that what Rodney did does not happen in the real world. A leader of that stature does not go out and meet a person like Gregory Smith who is giving him an item, whatever the item is.

Donald Rodney, Walter's brother who went with Walter to test the transmission device that Smith was offering told me that when Walter told him about the meeting, he volunteered to accompany Walter. But even if Donald agreed, why did Walter not take one or two high-ranking WPA cadres or the WPA rank that was responsible for security?

Walter Rodney accepted his brother's suggestion and

off they went to meet Smith.

CLR James is deadly right. In the real world, a party leader will not do such things. What are the answers then? What follows is my interpretation.

First, even if Walter remarked to Donald that he was meeting Smith, because Donald at the time was not a politically active person and was not involved with the WPA, Walter should have declined Donald's invitation and settled for a known WPA cadre.

I believe Walter accepted Donald's offer because he felt he could more trust his brother to remain tight-lipped about meeting Smith and what Smith was giving him.

He didn't want that information to be known to any of the top-ranking WPA personnel.

So what happened then was that Smith was kept as a personal secret by Walter without any big wig in the

W PA , e x c e p t M o s e s Bhagwan, ever having the opportunity of being introduced to him. That is why to this day no one in the WPA leadership from 1976 when it was first formed as a pressure group to 2021 has ever seen or met with Smith except Walter's brother, Donald.

What led Walter to make that decision? We will never know. I asked Donald and he doesn't know too. But it appeared Walter was deeply disturbed at the rate of which state security were discovering covert action by the WPA. One particular incident weighed heavily on Wa l t e r ' s m i n d – t h e circumstances under which Ohene Koama was assassinated.

In possession of highpowered rifles, the WPA secured from the army, in his car trunk, Koama left the WPA's centre in Tiger Bay where all the WPA leaders

except Walter were present.

On reaching his home, Koama was literally ambushed in a hail of bullets.

As Koama lay dead on the street, Walter drove by not knowing at the time his comrade was murdered by the police.

So why no one in the WPA hierarchy knew Smith? Here now for the first time is the story of how Gregory Smith came to Walter and why Walter never showed him to any WPA leader except Moses Bhagwan.

At the time one of the most famous GDF commanders, who later became equally famous in politics, organised to plant Smith in the company of Walter using one of the WPA's most trusted leaders. I am not going to get a libel so read between the lines. You have to guess who the former army commander and the WPA's top name were.

Walter was told under no circumstances was Smith to be made known to anyone in the entire upper, middle and lower levels of the WPA. I don't know how Bhagwan

met Smith and it is for him to write publicly to say how he s a w S m i t h . Wa l t e r meticulously followed the instruction of his trusted WPA friend.

So Smith was

Frederick Kissoon virtually an unknown in the WPA. Convicted fraudster, Robert Gates, was transported from the Camp Street jail to testify at the Rodney Commission. He said he saw Smith at a gathering at Walter's home. I doubt this very, very deeply. I read Gates' testimony and have enormous problems with it.

If Walter did not make

Smith invisible, he, Walter, may still be alive today. The thinking is quite logical.

Someone from the public, the army, the PPP, the WPA, the Catholic Church, UG, etc. that knew WPA personnel may have seen Smith knocking around the WPA and sounded the alert. The people who arranged to plant Smith were successful in manipulating Rodney.

But in the end, Rodney's inexperience led to his assassination.

Here is why. Walter only let his brother, Donald, know about Smith. But Donald was never involved in the politics of the time and wasn't interested. It meant he lacked the wider association with political society so he couldn't investigate Smith.

Walter should have asked someone he trusted to probe the background of Smith.

Sadly, maybe he didn't trust a single person in the WPA. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Children urged to participate in exciting new 'Expressive Visual Arts' competition

C

hildren between the ages of seven and 12 years old

will have the opportunity to partake in a fun initiative called the 'Expressive Visual

Arts' competition that will be rolled out just after school closes in July.

In a release, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS)

noted that the competition is in keeping with the theme of International Day of

MHSSS Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud Families 2021, which is “Families and New Te c h n o l o g i e s . ” The National Family Commission (NFC) in collaboration with the Ministry is undertaking the competition.

According to the release, “a call is being made to children across the length and breadth of Guyana to design an artistic representation of their family tree (up to three generations inclusive of the participant).”

It is anticipated that with this competition, awareness will be brought to the different types of family units and the roles and changes affecting families.

Additionally, it is expected that in gathering information on their family, bonds among children and their family members will be strengthened.

Children are urged to make use of different technologies available (Zoom, Social Media, etc.) to gather information and create their family tree. The artwork they produce will have to be in the form of a drawing or painting that expresses their interpretation of their family tree.

However, while the use of technology is encouraged to formulate designs, the submission should be of an original concept. The entry should be conceptualised, developed and completed by the child. (Family details to complete the artwork could however be obtained from family members).

Furthermore, contestants are to submit a brief summary (with a limit of 750 words) of the story behind the image and how they made use of technology to create the masterpiece. The image should be at least 1,080 x 1,350 pixels, and each participant is allowed only one entry.

All submissions must be labelled legibly with the name, age and contact information of the (continued on page 13)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

PAGE 13

Over $340 million in contracts inked as Agri.

Ministry moves forward with 2021 work programme

T

he Ministry of Agriculture on July 7 hosted a contract signing, as it advances the execution of its 2021 work programme.

The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) inked three contracts totalling G$183,750 for the supply of several critical pieces of equipment as part of the Corporation's move to revitalise and advance sugar cultivation and production in Guyana. The three contracts were signed with GENEQUIP for the supply and delivery of eight disc-ploughs, six trailing harrows and ten four-wheel drive agricultural tractors.

Five of the tractors will be used for mechanical tillage, while the other five will be used for operating mechanical

rotary drain-ditchers.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) inked a contract with Farm Supplies Limited for the procurement of a tractor and a fuel bowser totalling $10,146,000. This tractor will be used to advance agriculture activities in Region Nine.

E l e ' s Tr a d i n g a n d Hardware also inked a contract with NDIA for the supply of irrigation pipes totalling $10,254,147. These pipes will be used to supply fresh water to approximately 25 farmers in Mountain Foot/Yawong Village in Region Eight.

A&S General Store signed two contracts with the NDIA totaling $45,949,100 to execute empoldering works to farmlands along the Manicuru and Dredge Creek area, Upper

Man in custody for raping 16-year-old

A

21-year-old man was on Thursday taken into police custody after it was alleged that he raped a 16-year-old girl sometime in August last year.

Kaieteur News learnt that the incident occurred in Region Nine and that young man and the girl are related to each other.

It was reported to the

Children...

From page 12 participant, and submissions should be sent to NationalFamilyCommission 2022@gmail.com before August 30, 2021.

Submissions will be posted on the Ministry's Facebook page and it is envisaged that family members and others will promote the image on social media by sharing the image.

The 10 submissions that receive the highest number of Facebook 'likes' will be shortlisted for a final review by the judges.

Prizes of electronic devices will be awarded to the first, second, third, fourth and fifth place winners, and the announcement of winners will be made before September 15, 2021.

All entries will be judged on creativity and originality, best use of technology, clarity and neatness and overall impression of the piece and the story behind the image.

police that the two were sexually involved and according to reports, the girl was questioned, following which, she confessed to what had transpired.

A r e p o r t w a s subsequently made at the Lethem Police Station on Thursday and acting on information received, the young man was arrested later that day.

An investigation into the matter has since been launched.

Pomeroon, Region Two. In addition, Khans Construction and Transportation Services Inc., signed a contract with the Authority totalling $25,597,800 to carry out rehabilitation works on the drainage and irrigation channels in Cane Grove.

Zeebo and Sons Construction also inked three contracts totalling $35,050,730 to carry out rehabilitation works on the drainage and irrigation channels in Cane Grove.

Gen Equip Guyana Limited signed a contract for the supply of tillage implements at a sum of $29,910,000.

Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, disclosed that some of the contracts were being signed to execute works after requests were made to His Excellency,

Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, during a recent flood assessment visit to Region Two. He said a series of works would be conducted in Region Eight to assist farmers with improving their production.

“During a recent flood assessment visit to Region Tw o , t h e P resident committed to doing some empoldering to avoid future flooding. Contracts for those works will be signed today (July 7). Contracts will also be signed for projects in Region Eight.

These projects include a number of irrigation works to assist farmers with accessing water for their cultivation. In addition, there are some critical works to be done in certain areas that were affected by the recent flooding.

Several drainage and irrigation structures will also

be rehabilitated under these contracts. Persons would've made requests for these works and as a Government, we remain committed to ensuring we address the needs of the citizens,” Minister Mustapha said.

He also urged contractors to ensure works are carried out according to specifications in order to reflect positively on the lives of the beneficiaries.

“As contractors, you have an obligation to have these projects completed on time and according to the contract specification.

Although your main objective is to ensure your business prospers, the main objective of the Government is to ensure works are carried out in a manner that would have a positive impact on the lives of the citizens of this country.

I will ensure that our technical officers monitor

every stage of the execution of these works. Many times, when works are executed, they are not being done according to the project specification.

Those types of works will not be tolerated. I've been saying this and I wish to reiterate that, as a Government, we will not be accepting substandard works from contractors and we do not intend to extend contract periods.”

Minister Mustapha said the machinery being procured

by GuySuCo forms part of the Government's plan to revitalise the sugar sector.

He said the Government would continue to make the necessary budgetary allocations to advance the operations of the sugar company, as it remains committed to reopening the closed sugar estates and modernising the industry.

DJ on bail for playing loud music

P

Charged: Tony Bowen

opular Disc Jockey (DJ), Tony Bowen called “Mix Master Tony,” was yesterday placed on $10,000 bail when he appeared before a City Magistrate for allegedly playing loud music.

Bowen, 26, of Third Street, Cummings Lodge, denied the charge, which alleges that on July 3, 2021 at Taco Loco, he disturbed the peace by playing loud music.

He appeared before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts.

Bowen's lawyer told the

court that his client was never told to turn down the music and that the police just showed up and arrested his client.

Senior Magistrate Daly placed him on $10,000 bail and the matter was adjourned to July 13, 2021. The court was informed that on that date the owner of Taco Loco is expected to be charged.

PAGE 14

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Nabaclis WUA gets tractor-driven pump

A

griculture Minister, Z u l f i k a r Mustapha, recently handed over a tractor-driven pump to the Nabaclis Water Users Association (WUA) to assist with boosting agriculture production in the village.

The pump was procured at a cost of $1,100,000.

During a visit to the village last November, Minister Mustapha committed to assisting farmers with resuscitating agriculture in the villages of Nabaclis, Victoria and Golden Grove. Farmers who attended the initial meeting told the Minister that the area was once known for its agriculture production and sought his assistance with returning to the land.

After listening to those requests, Minister Mustapha told the farmers that he would make the necessary resources available to assist them with stimulating farming in the villages.

This week, the Minister made good on his commitment when he returned to the village to hand over the piece of equipment.

While offering comments during a simple handing over exercise, Minister Mustapha told residents that his ministry has been working to fulfill all of the requests made by farmers.

“When farmers make requests for works to be done, whether it is for the clearing of drains and canals, the rehabilitation of critical structures, or the installation of tubes or pumps, I try my best to have those requests satisfied. After becoming Minister of Agriculture, I

- as Ministry works to resuscitate agriculture production

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

visited the area and farmers made several requests…As a government, we have a responsibility to work with all citizens, and I want to assure you that communities like yours will not be left out of development,” Minister Mustapha said.

He also told residents that Guyana is once again s e e i n g a n u p s u rg e i n agriculture-related activities.

“My objective as Minister is to improve agriculture in this country.

When farmers produce the entire country benefits from your production. Today, we are seeing an upsurge in agriculture-related activities across the country and in years to come, your farmlands will once again be able to make their contribution to the development of this country.

Over the last five years, we've seen a rapid decline in

agriculture across the country because the necessary infrastructure was not put in place. As a government, we understand the importance of having a thriving agriculture sector so we will do what is necessary to support the farmers and boost the sector,” Minister Mustapha said.

Chairman of the Nabaclis WUA, Kenrick Wickum, while appealing to farmers for their continued support said that he desired to see the villages of Victoria, Nabaclis and Golden Grove back on their feet.

“The farmers said that we needed to develop and improve. I must say thanks to the Minister for what his ministry has done so far. I intend to see Nabaclis, Golden Grove and Victoria back on their feet again. I remember as a child, my grandparents used to feed me and my parents through farming.

If it was so then, we can do it again through the help and support of the government and the Minister,” Mr. Wickum said.

Farmers present also appealed to the Minister for improved infrastructure.

Tavel Accra, a pig farmer, sought the assistance of the Minister with the rehabilitation of the middle walk and a bridge that seemingly connects the residential area to the backlands.

“I think this bridge is very important. As a farmer, I buy like 200 bags of feed.

When the truck came the other day, it had to turn back because it can't come in this part and the bridge cannot take the weight of the truck.

So its production cost going up as a farmer. We'd also like for the machine to keep helping us with the land clearing because we have farmers who'd like to expand,” Mr. Accra said.

Godfrey Henry, another farmer said that he was happy that the Minister kept his promise of assisting farmers in the area. He also appealed to the Minister to have the Nabaclis pump restored.

“Minister, I'm very happy. During the last meeting when I made my presentation, I asked the Minister, on his next visit, he (continued on page 16)

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Nabaclis WUA gets tractor...

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600.

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One bedroom apartment kitchen,livingroom and b a t h r o o m included.Cummingslodge E.C.D,222-0401 or 659-8995.

3 b e d r o o m s unfurnish,Herstelling $150,000.2 bedroom furnish Regent st $130,000.Contact:680-0738.

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For cleaners,clerk,labours and maintenance workers to work with P.S.G.C.S.Call:6216969,615-7784.

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Incomplete house and 20 Rod land for sale.Contact: 692-3272/626-6999.

FOR RENT Three bedroom house to rent on E.C.D.Tel:601-2515.

One welder/fabricator & one diesel mechanic,must have knowledgeof hydraulics.Call: 628-1300 Immediate vacancy exists for maleworkerstowork shifts.Ages 25-45 yrs.Call: 231-1408/642-9191.

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For welder.Apply at Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

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LAND FOR SALE M o n t r o s e E.C.D,16M.Contact:6800738.

VEHICLES FOR SALE 2-Volkswagen/Jetta 1400 CC recently arrived duty paid.Call:623-3839/ 6555117.1 Red & 1 white.

One experience hauler truck driver to work full time at A&R Trading.Call:661-1254/ 659-1771.

Kaizen Environmental ServicesInc.Employment Opportunities:Laboratory Manager & Senior Laboratory Technicians.Submit applicationsto: careers@kaizen-tt.com Able-bodiedLorry driver.Telles Steel & Hardware.Call:226-6771,2313265.

Vacancy for two(2) dispatcher@Confidential Cabs.Contact:231-5784.

WANTED Taxi and Mini Bus Driver.Call:225-3234,6281183.

Factory Workers.Must have asoundsecondary education,for more information please call:223-0090.

From page 14 must come to the backdam.

Mr. Minister, I'm happy to see that you fulfilled that commitment. I'd made a request, and I'm happy to remind you. I'm happy that we got the pump.

It is going to be used to do whatever it can. I'm asking that in your 2022 budget, kindly give us back the Nabaclis pump. That pump, which is on the east sideline dam, was the major pump that drained this entire area,” Mr. Henry said.

Residents also asked the Minister to engage the Minister of Public Works and have him conduct a site visit to assess the state of the roads in the area.

After listening to the farmers' requests, Minister Mustapha invited them to visit his office to discuss all the agriculture needs in the community so that a work program can be developed. He also told residents that he was committed to working with the various interest groups in the villages to improve their agriculture economy.

VACANCY Counter attendant girls to work at Dian's Deli food outlet.Call:621-7862.

For porters.Apply at Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

1 secretary between ages 2535 year old.Call:683-8734.

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

Driver who caused death of Venezuelan woman in Stewartville accident gets $880,000 bail

T

hirty-three-yearold Anthony Ralph, the driver of the motor car that was involved in the horrific accident at Stewartville, We s t C o a s t D e m e r a r a (WCD), last month, which claimed the life of a 20-yearold Venezuelan woman, was released on $880,000 bail after he was charged for causing her death.

The mother of one was killed after the driver of the car in which she was travelling, lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a utility pole. The car had split in two as a result of the impact. The driver was among four others who were injured.

Ralph of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, made his

first court appearance in the Leonora Magistrate's Court on Thursday before Magistrate, Zameena AliSeepaul, where he was slapped with five traffic charges.

He was not required to plead to the charge, which states that on June 21, 2021, on the Stewartville Public Road, he drove motorcar PRR 2014 in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Alejandra Brazon of Stewartville, WCD. Ralph was also charged with being an unlicensed driver, having an unlicensed motor vehicle and for using an uninsured and uncertified

The car after the accident

vehicle. The defendant was granted bail to the tune of $800,000 for the causing death charge and $20,000 bail each for the other four offences.

According to reports, moments before the tragic accident, Ralph was heading east along the northern side of the public road at a fast rate when he reportedly overtook another vehicle, which was heading in the same direction.

Reports suggest that after overtaking the vehicle and while returning to his lane, the 33-year-old lost control of his car and crashed into a utility pole located on the northern side of the road.

Ezekiel Funeral Parlour, where a post mortem was conducted. An investigation was then launched into the fatal accident.

Video footage of the accident shows the car's left side facing the post before impact. After the collision, the car was split in two causing the occupants to be thrown out and into a nearby trench.

They were all picked up in an unconscious state by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Leonora Cottage Hospital where they were examined. Brazon was pronounced dead on arrival while Ralph, Urelis Gonsalves, Alexandra (only name given) and Kataleena (only name given) were hospitalised in stable condition.

Brazon's body was removed and taken to the

PAGE 17

Killed, Alejandra Brazon

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

Saturday July 10, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

Man who crushed goldsmith to death charged, placed on $500,000 bail Thirty-four year-old Tillackram Dindial, a truck driver of Lot 21 Hope West, Enmore, East Coast Demerara, was arrested on Monday after he ran over a goldsmith with his truck. He was charged on Thursday for causing death by dangerous driving, contrary to Section 35 (1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.

He appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate, Fabayo Azore, where he pleaded not guilty. As a result, he was placed on $500,000 bail to return on August 8, 2021, for trial.On Monday around 19:30hours, Rajin Persaud, 38, a goldsmith of Foulis, East Coast Demerara, was crushed to death by motor lorry GWW 8721, which was driven by

Tillackram.Kaieteur News understands that the motor lorry was stationary on the northern parapet of the access road in the vicinity of the driver’s premises offloading some sand. As the driver of the motor lorry lowered the tray and started to reverse, his wife shouted at him indicating that he ran over one of their dogs.Upon checking, he observed an identifiable male under the truck with what appeared to be blood about his body.He was then picked up by public-spirited citizens and escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead by a doctor. A breathalyser test conducted on the driver of motor lorry GWW 8721, which revealed no alcohol present.

Saturday July 10, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Can Messi end Argentina’s 28-year wait in Copa America final?

Lionel Messi has the chance to win his first major tournament with Argentina when they meet Brazil in the final of Copa America in Rio today. Messi, 34, has won 10 La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues during a trophy-laden career at Barcelona.

But the six-time Ballon d’Or winner’s only success with the senior Argentina team is at the 2008 Olympics in China. “We’ll try to stop him achieving this objective,” said Brazil defender M a r q u i n h o s .

The 2021 Copa America is Messi’s 10th major tournament with Argentina - comprised of four World Cups and six editions of the competition to determine the champions of South America.

They have not won a top-level tournament since the 1993 Copa America, and defending champions Brazil stand in their way this time.

Messi, who is out of contract at Barcelona, has scored four times already in the tournament.

Brazil’s Neymar, a former team-mate of Messi’s at Barca, is also looking to seal a first major success with his country in the first ArgentinaBrazil Copa America final since 2007. ”We’re going to play a final against our eternal rivals, the lifelong ones, the two most powerful national teams in South America and we hope it will be a great match,” said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni.

This year’s Copa America,

Lionel Messi and Neymar. delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic, was scheduled to be the first in its 105-year history to be held in two nations - Colombia and Argentina. However, the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) decided in May to move games away from Colombia after a wave of civil unrest

Saturday June 10, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) An unexpected and perhaps unwelcome call or email from a co-worker might mean you have to work some extra hours, Aries. This could be frustrating.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You may have been saving up for something you really wanted, Taurus, when an unexpected expense compels you to spend some of your savings.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some hidden problems in your house could suddenly appear, Gemini. This could involve plumbing, electricity, or the walls. Repairs are definitely indicated.

CANCER(June21–July22) Some strange communications could come your way today, Cancer. Hang-ups or blank emails could have you wondering who the person is and what they want from you.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) A group you're affiliated with could find some discrepancies in their financial records and ask you to check into it, Leo. This is probably due more to mistaken entries or lost pages than to any major disaster.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Secrets that someone close has been trying to keep hidden could come out today, Virgo. This may or may not be something Earthshaking, but either way, some quick damage control might prevent them from becoming common knowledge.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Some strange news concerning friends who live far away could come to you secondhand today, Libra. Attempts to reach the people in question may prove fruitless, at least now.

SCORPIO (Oct.23–Nov. 21) Some rather unsettling insights into a friend's thoughts and feelings could come to you today. Your intuition is keener than usual, Scorpio, so trust your instincts about everyone, even strangers.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A disagreement with a friend or family member could cause confusion and hurt feelings if it isn't nipped in the bud. Communication is the key, Sagittarius.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Plans to get some long-neglected tasks done around the house or yard may be interrupted by a phone call from someone dear who lives far away.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Plans to get together with a close friend or romantic partner might go awry due to circumstances beyond your control, Aquarius. Sudden events could necessitate being out of touch.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) A member of your household has perhaps been withholding some negative emotions for a long time. He or she may finally let loose with everything today.

there.

It was then announced Argentina would no longer host the four-week tournament after the country saw Covid-19 cases grow quickly.

A last-minute decision to switch it to Brazil, which staged the 2019 edition, amid a surge in coronavirus cases was criticised by Brazil’s players.

All matches have been played without fans inside grounds. The final, originally

scheduled to be held in the Colombian city of Barranquilla, will also take place without fans at the iconic Maracana stadium scene of Argentina’s 1-0 defeat by Germany in the 2014 World Cup final.

Ten countries were split into two groups of five, with the top four from each group advancing to the quarter-finals.

Hosts Brazil - third in Fifa’s world rankings - got the tournament under way with a 3-0 win against Venezuela in B r a s i l i a .

Both Argentina and Brazil finished top of their respective groups. They were joined in the last eight by Uruguay, Paraguay, Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador. Two of the four quarter-finals were decided on penalties - Uruguay, the most successful side in the competition’s history, lost to Colombia, while 2019 runners-up Peru beat Paraguay.

Chile, the 2016 winners, included Blackburn Rovers forward Ben Brereton - he scored the winner in the 1-0 group victory over Bolivia to help his side reach the quarter-finals, where they lost 1-0 to Brazil.

In the semi-finals, Argentina needed penalties to get past Colombia, while Brazil beat Peru 1-0.

Argentina, eighth in Fifa’s world rankings, have lost four Copa America finals since they last won the competition in 1993. However, they have the chance to draw level with Uruguay on 15 wins.

Paris St-Germain winger Angel di Maria, a bright spark when he came on in the semifinal against Colombia, has mostly started on the bench along with new Barcelona signing Sergio Aguero.

Despite winning the 2019 edition, Brazil (with nine) are third in terms of Copa America triumphs. They left the likes of Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior on the bench for their semi-final, while Manchester United’s Fred has been preferred to Liverpool’s Fabinho in midfield. ”Brazil versus Argentina is much more than a simple game of football,” added Marquinhos. “These jerseys make the world stand still to watch their games.”

New West Indies “Rookie Camp” ...

From page 25 life as professional athletes.

The topics that were covered were all relevant to their careers now and for life after cricket, as we continue to focus on a holistic approach to player development.”

The players were very receptive and spoke highly of the benefits from the day-long event, which was executed via Zoom meeting. Kirstan Kallicharan of Trinidad and Tobago Red Force said: ”It was a really great presentation and I know most of the stuff I heard and saw I can apply it in my daily lifestyle.

Everything was well organized and it’s always a great pleasure being able to gain knowledge from persons with such an experienced background in all different aspects of life.”

Kofi James of Leeward Islands Hurricanes said: “The key thing for me was the impact. I listened carefully and everything said was very impactful for me and I know I will use the information wisely throughout the rest of my career. Hopefully we can have other sessions similar to this where we can learn more and ask more question as we grow in our careers.”

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Boxing team off to Mexico for AMBC - Minus Jackman and Inverary Youth Qualifiers A five-member team Inverary will not be able to news that I couldn’t get to consisting of Coach Terrence Poole, Travis Inverary, Alesha Jackman, Wayne Castello and Patrick Harvey were scheduled to leave the shores of the ‘Land of Many Waters’ at midnight with the destination being Guadalajara, Mexico for the American Boxing Association’s (AMBC) Junior Championship Qualifiers from July 11th – 19th.

However, that team came up short with Caribbean Champion Alesha Jackman, who has been training relentlessly to be match fit, confirming to Kaieteur Sport that she along with Travis

m a k e t h e t r i p .

Jackman explained that there was insufficient documentation to process her visa application when they visited the Mexican Embassy on Thursday last and they were again unsuccessful on Friday ( y e s t e r d a y ) .

Jackman, who lost her mom, last month, stated that she was very disappointed in not being able to make the trip but vowed to continue working hard because she is certain her time will come.

She mentioned that, “I had to shed a lot of weight to be competition ready and I was really hurt when I got the

t r a v e l . ” However, Coach Poole along with Wayne Castello and Patrick Harvey have left for the tournament which will see successful fighters competing at the first Panam Junior Championships, scheduled for November 25th – December 5th in Cali, C o l o m b i a .

Poole had mentioned during an interview earlier in the week that having young fighters exposed to international competition will augur well for their development and that he is confident that the team will do themselves and the Guyana proud.

Saturday July 10, 2021

Matthews and Mohammed magic give West Indies 2-0 lead over Pakistan Another clinical performance from West Indies Women’s saw them dominate Pakistan Women as they easily won the second CG Insurance One-Day International, yesterday.

The home side stamped their authority from the start and were comfortable winners early in the

a f t e r n o o n .

Led by a superb spell from Anisa Mohammed, the West Indies dismissed the visitors for just 120 off 42.4 overs.

The experienced off-spinner ended with 4-27 off 9.4 overs.

She also held a superb diving catch after she ran from slip to leg-slip. Two

Pakistan Women Innings (50 Overs Maximum) Batting R

Muneeba Ali c Mohammed b Matthews 37 Ayesha Zafar c Kyshona A Knight b Selman 4 Javeria Khan (c) c Selman b Connell 5 Omaima Sohail lbw b Ramharack 19 Nida Dar c Ramharack b Matthews 20 Aliya Riaz b Mohammed 26 Sidra Nawaz †c †Kycia A Knight b Mohammed 2 Fatima Sana c sub (CS Fraser) b Ramharack 2 Diana Baig b Mohammed 2 Nashra Sandhu lbw b Mohammed 0 Sadia Iqbal not out 2 Extras (w 1) 1 Total (42.4 Ov, RR: 2.81) 120

other off-spinners – Hayley Matthews (2-17) and Karishma Ramharack (2-27) – also bowled brilliantly to follow-up the impactful new balls spells from fast bowlers Shakera Selman (1-16) and Shamilia Connell (1-15).

In the second half of the match, West Indies easily reached the target on 121-2 off 31.1 overs. Matthews completed a great all-round game to be named CG Insurance Player-of-theMatch. The right-hander played some superb off-side strokes as she topscored with 49 off 58 balls – which included nine fours.She added an opening stand of 65 with Kyshona Knight, who ended on 39 not out off 89 balls with four boundaries.

Knight and her twin sister Kycia (12) added 32 for the second wicket.

Deandra Dottin then came to the crease and hit three spanking fours to close on 13 not out.

Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Ayesha Zafar, 3.2 ov), 2-13 (Javeria Khan, 4.5 ov), 3-60 (Omaima Sohail, 16.1 ov), 4-79 (Muneeba Ali, 22.2 ov), 5-96 (Nida Dar, 28.4 ov), 6-104 (Sidra Nawaz, 34.6 ov), 7-115 (Aliya Riaz, 38.6 ov), 8-117 (Fatima Sana, 39.6 ov), 9-117 (Nashra Sandhu, 40.5 ov), 10-120 (Diana Baig, 42.4 ov) Bowling

O M R W ECON WD NB Shamilia Connell 5 1 15 1 3.00 0 0 Shakera Selman 5 1 16 1 3.20 0 0 Stafanie Taylor 6 1 18 0 3.00 0 0 Anisa Mohammed 9.4 1 27 4 2.79 1 0 Karishma Ramharack 9 2 27 2 3.00 0 0 Hayley Matthews 8 3 17 2 2.12 0 0 West Indies Women Innings (Target: 121 Runs From 50 Overs) Batting

R Hayley Matthews run out (Diana Baig)

49 Kyshona Knight not out

39 Kycia Knight † run out (Fatima Sana/†Sidra Nawaz) 12 Deandra Dottin not out

13 Extras (nb 1, w 7)

8 Total (31.1 Ov, RR: 3.88)

121/2 Did not bat: Stafanie Taylor (c), Chedean Nation, Britney Cooper, Shamilia Connell, Anisa Mohammed, Karishma Ramharack, Shakera Selman Fall of wickets: 1-65 (Hayley Matthews, 17.5 ov), 2-97 (Kycia Knight, 27.1 ov) Bowling

O M R W ECON WD NB Diana Baig 5 1 14 0 2.80 2 0 Fatima Sana 3 0 20 0 6.66 1 1 Nida Dar

10 4 13 0 1.30 1 0 Sadia Iqbal 4.1 0 18 0 4.32 0 0 Nashra Sandhu 5 0 41 0 8.19 0 0 Omaima Sohail 4 0 15 0 3.75 3 0

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

PAGE 23

CG Insurance T20I McCoy, Walsh Jr.

and Russell hand West Indies series lead The West Indies fought back to acquire an 18-run victory in opening game of the five match T20I series against Australia last night at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia.

Following a half century from Andre Russell, Obed McCoy and Hayden Walsh Jr. demolished the visitors as they lost their last six wickets for 19 runs.

The West Indies were without skipper Kieron Pollard who has a minor injury and Nicholas Pooran Captained the regional side for the first time while Josh Hazlewood earned the final bowling slot in the Australian side.

Australia opted to bowl and Josh Hazlewood put the West Indies on the back foot early on as he removed Evin Lewis (00) and Chris Gayle (04) to reduce them to 24-2.

Lendl Simmons struck two fours and two sixes before he was caught at the wicket off Mitchell Marsh for 27 off 28 balls.

Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran added 30 for the fourth wicket before Pooran was run out for 17 off 16 balls with three fours,

while Hetmyer was removed

by Marsh for 20 which came off 25 balls and contained a s o l i t a r y b o u n d a r y.

Russell provided much impetus to the innings as he slammed three fours and five sixes in an entertaining 51

Hayden Walsh took 3-23

off 28 balls before he was bowled by Hazlewood.

Fabian Allen was unbeaten on eight while Dwayne Bravo who hit a six off the last ball finished unbeaten on seven as the West Indies managed 145-6.

Hazlewood captured 312 and Marsh 2-26.

Australia lost opener Aaron Finch caught off Allen for four with the score on eight, but Matthew Wade and Marsh steadied the chase with a second wicket stand of 38 before Wade was taken off Russell for 33 off 14 balls with one four and t h r e e s i x e s .

Fast bowler Obed McKoy removed Josh Philippe for one, but Marsh kept his team in the hunt as he added 36 for the fourth wicket with Moises Henriques who fell

to Allen for 16.

Leg spinner Hayden Walsh Jr. produced an incisive spell to help restrict t h e v i s i t o r s .

He uprooted the stumps of Ben Mc Dermott for two before he had Marsh caught and bowled for a top score 51 off 31 balls which included five fours and two sixes.

Marsh dismissal virtually signaled the end of the chase as Mc Koy had Ashton Agar caught and bowled for one while Walsh Jr removed Dan Christian for

10 to leave the Australians at 1 2 5 8 .

Mc Koy continued to maintain a decent line and wrapped up the innings with the wickets of Starc (03) and Hazlewood (00) as the Australians were bowled out for 127 in 16 overs. McCoy grabbed 4-26, Walsh Jr picked up his career best 323 and Allen had 2-24.

McCoy was named man-ofthe-match.

The teams will meet again today at the same venue from 7:30pm (6:30pm Jamaica Time).

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Saturday July 10, 2021

Mark Cavendish equals Eddy Merckx’s Tour de France stage win record of 34 BBCsport - Britain’s Mark Cavendish made history in the Tour de France as he equalled Belgian great Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins. The DeceuninckQuick Step rider won the sprint into Carcassonne by a few inches ahead of teammate Michael Morkov. ”It’s what I dreamed of as a kid. I’ve worked so hard for it,” said Cavendish.

Briton Simon Yates of Te a m B i k e E x c h a n g e abandoned the race following a crash in which several riders fell down a r a v i n e .

Tadej Pogacar of UAE-Team Emirates remains in the leader’s yellow jersey on a day that will be remembered

for Cavendish’s exploits, 13 years on from his first win at the Tour. An emotional and physically drained Cavendish embraced each of his team-mates at the finish and cried out “we’ve made history” as he hugged Davide Ballerini.

Cavendish added: “I’m so dead - 220km in that heat, in that wind. I went so deep there - they boys were incredible. I can’t believe it.

“For a lot of the day it didn’t feel like it was going to happen.

I was so on the limit. You saw that at the end [which was] slightly uphill. ”It is just like my first one [win on the Tour]. It was what I dreamed of as a kid

and it is what I dream of now.

I have worked so hard for it.”

If Cavendish can survive the mountain stages in the Pyrenees to come, he could yet eclipse the mark that Merckx, a five-time overall winner of the Tour, set in 1975.

The Manx rider should have two more opportunities to take the record outright, first on stage 19 into Libourne and then on the final day of the race on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where he has previously won f o u r t i m e s .

The 219.9km stage from Nimes was tagged as a day for the breakaway but Deceuninck-Quick-Step largely maintained control of

Mark Cavendish matched Eddy Merckx’s Tour de France stage wins record with a stage win in Carcassonne

Concacaf Statement – Curaçao Delegation at 2021 Gold Cup All national teams participating in this summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup are following strict health and safety protocols, including regular COVID19 testing.

Ahead of the start of the Gold Cup Group Stage, all competing national teams went through several rounds of testing and, unfortunately, the Curaçao delegation returned a significant number of positive results across their staff and players in the last round of testing.

All of the individuals were immediately isolated, and Concacaf and the Curaçao Football Federation are ensuring that they are being o ff e r e d t h e n e c e s s a r y support. Although several

Curacao players returned a negative test result, local state guidelines require several of them to isolate due to being close contacts of those who tested positive.

In light of these circumstances, Concacaf and the Curaçao Football Federation have mutually agreed that Curaçao will not participate in the Gold Cup. Concacaf and the Curacao Football Federation have made every effort to find a solution that would enable Curaçao to compete, however the health and safety of the Curaçao players and staff, and all participants in the tournament, must be p r i o r i t i z e d .

The next highest ranked team from the Gold Cup

Preliminary Round (Prelims) is Guatemala.

This is based on performance on the field (wins, draws and goal difference) in the Prelims matches played at DRV PNK Stadium in South Florida from July 2 to 6.

On this basis and per the Gold Cup regulations, the Concacaf Council has unanimously approved an emergency proposal for Guatemala to replace Curaçao in Group A. Guatemala’s first Gold Cup Group Stage match against El Salvador will be played on Sunday, July 11 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

Further details will be confirmed as soon as possible.

the peloton with Ballerini and Morkov, arguably the world’s best lead-out rider, coming to the fore late on.

Stage 13 results: 1. Mark Cavendish (GB/DeceunickQuick-Step) 5hrs 04mins 29secs 2. Michael Morkov (Den/Deceunick-QuickStep) Same time 3. Jasper Philipsen (Bel/AlpecinFenix) 4. Ivan Garcia

(Sap/Movistar) 5. Danny v a n P o p p e l (Ned/Intermarche-WantyGobert) 6. Alex Aranburu (Spa/Astana) 7. Christophe Laporte (Fra/Cofidis) 8.

Andre Greipel (Ger/Israel Start-Up Nation) 9. Magnus Cort (Den/EF EducationNippo) 10. Jasper Stuyen ( B e l / Tr e k - S e g a f r e d o ) .

General classification after

stage 13: 1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates) 52hrs 27mins 12secs 2.

Rigoberto Uran (Col/EF Education Nippo) + 5mins 18secs 3. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/Jumbo Visma) +5mins 32secs 4. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/Ineos Grenadiers) +5mins 33secs 5. Ben O’Connor (Aus/AG2R Citroen) +5mins 58secs.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 10, 2021

PAGE 25

GGA & Nexgen Golf Academy Programme Another set for August deemed a success W

ith 60 players from ages 417 enrolled in the Guyana Golf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy programme, parents and children are calling for another such camp and the demand has led to a second camp scheduled for August 2-14.

Three days per week, dozens of eager golfers and parents converge on the Academy on Woolford Avenue for two hours of learning and fun that extends beyond just Golf.

This week, youngsters were given the opportunity to learn about Archery and table tennis whilst parents relaxed and enjoyed massages compliments of the GGA and Modfin Salon a n d S p a .

The Camp is scheduled to conclude on July 17th with a

skills competition for parents and children to win prizes.

The Camp was dedicated to the memory of Coach Colin Ming who was a key partner of the Academy and Golf in Guyana.

The Ming family and Neil Jones from Florida continue to support the development of the youth programme and have pledged additional equipment which is already on the way to Guyana.

The Archery Team led by Coach Narda gave youths and parents a chance to enjoy another sport and at their insistence, a second day had to be scheduled.

C o a c h M i g u e l Wo n g along with members of the Titans Club and the Guyana National Table Tennis team gave the youths great support in both physical training and table

t e n n i s . ”This has been an amazing experience for the children and we are extremely grateful to our sponsors who made it possible for everyone to have a fantastic a c t i v i t y, ” s a i d G G A President Aleem Hussain.

“Our coaching team led by D r. J o a a n D e o , R u s s Hayward, Al Wilson Jr., and Miguel Wong gives us the ability to provide the best experience possible.”

Hussain emphasised that sponsorship by Assuria General Insurance; Copa Airlines; Blue Life Waters; Trophy Stall; Ansa Mcal; Toolsie Persaud; Kanuku Suite & Apartments; Kanuku Tours; Angel Seafood Restaurant & Bar; Sunshine Snacks; Ram & Mcrae; Puran Brothers; Crown Mining; Panko Steel Construction; H. Nauth &

Participants going their paces at the golf academy Sons; AR Printery; Bissessar Shipping Company; CS World Cargo & Logistics; Sterling Products; Caliper Drones; PasCargo; Shafura Hussain Foundation; Gtt and NexGen Global Group made it possible for children from Scouts, Lions and Enmore Orphanage to take part in the Camp.

It was support from these companies and Sunshine Snacks, Sterling Products and Blue Life Waters, that the GGA was able t o provide everything the youths needed to make them “Happy C a m p e r s ” .

H u s s a i n h i n t e d that partnerships with other

Sports Associations would s e e i n n o v a t i v e developments that would expand the culture of covid compliant activity across several sports disciplines.

For more information on Golf and other activities, visit nexgengolfacademy on Facebook and Instagram or call 668 7419.

NBA Finals Phoenix Suns beat New West Indies “Rookie Camp” offers

Milwaukee Bucks 118-108 in young players tools for development

game two to take a 2-0 series lead BBCsport - Giannis Antetokounmpo scored a game-high 42 points but his Milwaukee Bucks trail 2-0 in the NBA Finals after losing 118-108 to the Phoenix Suns. Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s most valuable player of the past two seasons, has overcome a knee injury to play in the finals and added 1 2 r e b o u n d s .

Devin Booker led the Phoenix, scoring 31 points, while Mikal Bridges posted 27 and Chris Paul scored 23.

Milwaukee hosts game three of the best-of-seven series on Monday. Suns coach Monty Williams was quick to praise Booker for his contribution over the opening two games. ”Devin wants to prove to everybody he’s one of the best players in the league,” Williams said. “Not just from a stats perspective. He wants to prove it by winning and being competitive. “He wants to separate himself from everyone else, to show that he can lead a team to

Action in game two on Thursday night.

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

win, and he’s getting the chance to do it on the big stage.”

The Suns are looking to win the title for the first time in their 53-year history and Booker says there is still a long way to go. “It’s a 0-0 mindset for us going into game three,” the 24-year-old said. “We’re locked in but we understand that’s a really good team over there. “We know it gets rowdy in Milwaukee but I think we’re ready for it.”

Kofi James of Leeward Islands Hurricanes

St John’s, Antigua – As part of Cricket West Indies (CWI) ongoing commitment to player development, the inaugural “West Indies Personal Development Rookie Camp” – was successfully held to serve both as an induction process and an information-sharing exercise for all players who were awarded regional franchise contracts for the f i r s t t i m e .

Addressing the players at the event were experts in the field of Sports Nutrition, Personal Finance, Player Agency and Representation, Social Media and Personal Branding, along with representatives of the West Indies Players Association ( W I P A ) .

There was also a question and answer session with former West Indies Test captain Denesh Ramdin,

Kallicharan of T&T Red Force

which gave the players the opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics. Ayana Cooper, CWI’s Player Development Manager, who was responsible for the construct and delivery of the event, was pleased with the response from the players a n d s a i d : ”Our intent in hosting the Personal Development Rookie Camp was to provide first-time contracted players with critical information that would support their transition into the world of professional cricket.”

Cooper added: “At the camp, vital insights about various aspects of the professional game were discussed and I would like to thank everyone who presented at the event for sharing their time and expertise with the guys. I have been receiving some really positive and fantastic

feedback from the cricketers who attended the event; this is definitely an initiative that the organisation intends to continue on an annual basis as we are always trying to find new avenues in which to s u p p o r t o u r r e g i o n ’s professional cricketers both on and off the field.”

J i m m y A d a m s , C W I ’s Director of Cricket, also noted that the event would be an annual one and that it aligned with the organization’s strategic objective of producing world class players. He added: “We are pleased to have delivered our first ever Rookie Camp to our ‘Rookie’ players heading into the 2021-22 season. The event will become an annual fixture where we share information with each yearly cohort to assist them in adjusting to (Continued on page 21)

Matthews and Mohammed magic give West Indies 2-0 lead over Pakistan Hayley Matthews during her innings

Anisa Mohammed delivers a ball © WICB

Patrick Harvey

t r o Sp CG Insurance T20I Obed McCoy who spearheaded the WI bowling with 4-26, being congratulated

by Dwayne Bravo after taking a wicket.

Alesha Jackman

Boxing team off to Mexico for AMBC Youth Qualifiers Jackman and Inverary misses flight

Andre Russell

McCoy, Walsh Jr. and Russell hand West Indies series lead

Travis Inverary Wayne Castello

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