K
Top cop upset NEWS over media question about missing $3 million
Monday Edition
AIETEUR
July 12, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 27
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
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Guyana’s laws do not permit country paying taxes for oil companies - How can sanctity of contract play a role in anything that begins and ends with illegality? - Chris Ram We need greater public interest in ExxonMobil’s consultations
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Citizens in support of change to ExxonMobil’s oil contract
ince July 6, ExxonMobil in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has held a series of engagements on the US$900M gas-to-energy project. These meetings are being held with the sole intent of recording the recommendations of the citizenry on what it wants to see in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In other words, Guyanese will have a chance to say what questions it wants ExxonMobil to answer during the preparation of that document. However, what Kaieteur News has observed since the start of these public and virtual sessions is that attendance has been disturbingly low. Guyanese, it is on this note that we at Kaieteur News wish to implore you to make your presence felt. Failure to participate in your numbers at these sessions, leaves the
floodgates open for ExxonMobil to produce a document that barely scratches the surface on the dangers of this project that can leave current and future generations indebted for decades. Equally, important fellow Guyanese is meaningful participation. We implore you to read the project summary to better understand the risks this project poses to our marine life. It holds the potential to decimate the fishing industry. And that is just the tip of the iceberg. We have uploaded the project summary to the Kaieteur News website for easy access. In the meantime, we will continue to play our role in educating you on what the realisation of this US$900M debt trap means for you and your children. The next scoping meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 5:30 PM at Diamond Primary School, EBD. Please turn out in your numbers and make your recommendations.
GGMC increasingly Teenager on EPA launches $936M adopting e-services the run after project to mitigate destructive effects in face of COVID-19
raping girl, 15
- Report of gold mining @11:00am on Exxon already took out US335M for clean-up cost down Kaieteur Radio the road, while our leaders are begging for Covid aid 99.1/99.5FM
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Guyana’s laws do not permit country paying taxes for oil companies - Chris - How can sanctity of contract play a role Ram in anything that is riddled with illegality?
I
n the petroleum industry, there are several fiscal measures used by governments to attract investors to explore for oil in their backyard. But in selecting the most suitable measure, countries ought to take into account, the local factors and conditions subject to one overriding condition: they can only be granted if permitted by the tax and other laws of the country. It is on this premise that Chartered Accountant and Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram articulated in his most recent writings that Guyana made a colossal blunder when it included in the Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement, a measure called the Pay On Behalf (POB) system. According to Ram, under
such a system, the government pays the Income Taxes of ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana. The government he explained opted to pay these taxes out of its take of the oil revenues received on an annual basis. In his perusal of the oil companies’ 2020 financial statements, Ram found that the Government has to find some $5.391 billion to pay the tax liability of the two partners CNOOC and Hess alone for 2020. Both entities he noted were able to walk away as a result with a pretax profit totalling $16.175 billion. Ram said the huge problem, which he has with this arrangement is that it is conflict with two of the nation’s laws, specifically the Petroleum Exploration
and Production Act Cap. 65:04 (PEPA) and the Financial Administration and Audit Act (FAA). The Chartered Accountant was keen to note that Section 51 of the PEPA provides for the modification of four Acts in respect of licensees under a production sharing agreement. The Acts are the Income Tax Act, the Income Tax (In Aid of Industry) Act, the Corporation Tax Act and the Property Tax Act, which extends to the Capital Gains Tax Act as well. These modifications say nothing about these companies being exempted from these taxes or the burden of paying such taxes being transferred to the people of Guyana. He further noted that Section 10 of the PEPA says
agreements must be in accordance with the Act. In other words, Guyana’s Production Sharing Agreements should not and cannot lawfully include any provision regarding the POB formula since it would violate the FAA. In a telephone interview last evening, Ram noted that while the primary Agreement signed by former Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman contained the underlying illegality including an extension of the benefits to persons not entitled thereto, the Order made by former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan to legitimise the POB by way of an Order in Parliament, did not cure, but rather compounded the illegality. The Chartered Accountant said, “The Granger Administration
which signed the 2016 Agreement, and the PPP/C Administrations before and after it, will have an enormous task of justifying whether and how a modification or inapplicability of a tax law can amount to a reversal of a statutory obligation whereby a tax liability payable to the State ends up with the Government paying that tax.” The lawyer further noted that the FAA in particular appears to raise an insurmountable hurdle. In this regard, he articulated that it requires any remission, concession or waiver to be expressly provided for in a tax Act or subsidiary legislation. Since the POB is not part of the formula, Ram categorically stated that its use in the Stabroek and
Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram similar agreements are also illegal. In conclusion, the Chartered Accountant said it seems clear that the Stabroek Block Agreement contains several provisions on taxation, which are not consistent with the nation’s laws. And in such circumstances, he said it begs the following question— How can sanctity of contract play a role in anything that begins and ends with illegality?
Kaieteur News
Monday July 12, 2021
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EPA launches $936M project to mitigate destructive effects of gold mining O
n July 1, a project t i t l e d “Strengthening the enabling framework for biodiversity mainstreaming and mercury reduction in small-scale gold mining operations” was launched at the Boardroom of the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). The US$4,500,000 (GYD 936,000,000) project funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will be implemented over the course of seven years across two mining districts within Guyana, specifically in the communities of
Mahdia/Konawaruk area, Region Eight and Puruni, Region Seven. The objective of the project is to strengthen the regulatory framework and institutional capacity for the management of small-scale gold mining and to promote greater adoption of
GGMC increasingly adopting e-services in face of COVID-19 - Report The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) reported that it has been re-evaluating its operations, especially as it relates to communication with the public. “As the government continues its commendable efforts towards achieving herd immunity in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the time has never been greater...” the Commission said. It stated that there was a review of Standard Operating Procedures to improve standardisation and equivalence of response across the mining sector. The Commission also reported adopting reporting systems using Information Technology (IT) solutions to improve supervision, foster accountability and strategically deploy resources. “Notwithstanding some levels of staff rotation, the Mines Services Division was able to maintain its presence in the various mining districts with heightened education and
awareness campaigns on safety and mining practices,” the GGMC said. On the matter of occupational safety and health, the agency has made more use of social media to propagate its education and awareness programmes on mining safety. This was done in concert with the Mining School. The GGMC said that the safety of its workers as they operate in the field is a top priority. The regulator has been working to meet increasing demands for mining properties, with its Land Management Division’s Mineral Property Management System (MPMS), an e-Services application platform for medium-scale and largescale tenure. But it encountered some difficulties with the system, after encountering programming issues. “The MPMS seeks to remove the interaction with GGMC personnel in this process and places it in the domain of the customer, p r o v i d i n g e f f i c i e n c y,
transparency, and avoidance of conflicts. However, the nature of the approach has been modified to improve efficiency. Furthermore, the Land Management Division continued to work on the preparation of the files for the MPMS as well as the current processes for applicants.” GGMC said special arrangements have been made to address a backlog in applicants, as a result of the pandemic. These included systems to address basic inquiries by applicants, such as rental and penalty payments and the satisfactory resolution of tenure conflicts. A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e GGMC’s Information and C o m m u n i c a t i o n Technology (ICT) Division has been working to increase its reach. The Commission said the department’s visibility has been the most pronounced in 2020/2021, compared to previous years. “All the Divisions of the Commission reached out to ICT during this period in (Continued on page 17)
environmentally responsible mining techniques in Guyana in order to protect globally significant biodiversity, reduce mercury contamination, enhance local livelihoods and human health. The project also seeks to improve the environmental management of small-scale gold mining in Guyana, which is the largest driver of deforestation and degradation in the country and contributes to biodiversity loss, land degradation and contamination. During his opening remarks, UNDP-Guyana Resident Representative, Jairo Valvedre Bermudez noted that, “the project supports the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and related instruments, those being the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Minamata Convention, and takes cognizance of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.” He also noted that the mining sector has been of great concern due to the use of mercury and its impacts on the environment, emphasizing the project’s importance to sustainable livelihoods and human health. Also delivering remarks, was Ms. Sharifah Razack, Deputy Executive Director of the EPA, who noted that despite major contributions to the economy, gold mining has been identified as a major driver of
deforestation, forest degradation, and associated biodiversity loss. Four outcomes are intended to be derived from the project: Policy and regulatory framework strengthened and supported for oversight of the environmental impacts of the small-scale gold mining sector; Increased institutional capacity and inter-institutional coordination to mitigate and manage the impacts of small-scale gold mining; Adoption of more environmentally responsible gold mining practices increased; and Knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation implemented to support learning and upscaling. F r o m t h e implementation of the project objectives, the expected global impacts that expected going to be achieved include: a) 6,500,000 hectares of forests of the greenstone belt in six mining districts of Guyana under improved management to protect globally significant biodiversity through support to the implementation of the National Mineral Sector Policy Framework and Actions which seek to balance mineral development with other priorities such as biodiversity conservation, protection of watersheds and freshwater, preservation of carbon stocks and
s o c i o e c o n o m i c development; b) Phase-out of 10.2 metric tonnes of mercury in project intervention areas; c) 1,235 miners (10% are women) implementing environmentally responsible mining practices reducing mercury use, deforestation and safety and occupational threats, and increasing gold recovery and incomes; d) 1,209 hectares of high conservation value forests conserved in project intervention areas through improved prospecting; e) 445 hectares of forests and forest land restored in areas degraded by mining in demonstration project sites; f) 8,032 persons benefitted through awareness raising, training and reduced exposure to mercury: 1,499 miners (10% women), 2,178 Mahdia residents (42% women); 4,355 indigenous peoples (50% women). These benefits, Kaieteur News understands, will translate into direct benefits for various species, many of which are globally significant, including endemic and endangered species as well as species of economic importance to local communities and Indigenous peoples.
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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
Eco Atlantic ongoing oil incest It had to come out in the open at some time, and we put it before all Guyana. There are some familiar names now returning to position themselves to capitalise on our riches. As reported by this paper, “Eco Atlantic grabs up shares in suspiciously awarded Canje Block” (KN June 29). Eco Atlantic is not a new name. It should not be to watchful Guyanese. And the ‘suspicious’ has always been a monstrous part of our oil sector politics and management. It is telling that in the biggest, richest development ever to hit Guyana, has been visited with mostly the hazy and ugly. It has been one ongoing leadership secrecy after another, with the latest being the acquisition by Eco Atlantic of a “10 percent interest in JHI Associates Inc.” This is another chess piece moved into place from time to time, to reveal how this nation’s oil business is handled by our political leaders in successive governments. As revealed by this paper, it was the PPP in the first instance, followed by the APNU+AFC Coalition, and back with the PPP again, which is now bent on closing out loose ends from old oil business and continuing with new ones. They are all suspicious operations, and the arrangements with JHI Associates Inc. did smack of much underhanded dealings by the prior PPP regime. We at this publication had written about, and presented at length, the dirty dealings involving the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks. Today’s PPP leaders have slipped and slid around questions. Leaders now gone, the former president and former Minister of Natural Resources, have both danced and dodged around who knew what and did what, but with one notable position being made clear. That is, nobody (repeat, not one of the former PPP leaders at the helm in their government) has taken any responsibility for the oil vulgarities and oil skullduggeries that happened with the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks. In fact, one leader was so bold as to bluster that there was no law broken. Since, as the man said, no law was broken, then it would be helpful for Guyanese to know why there was the need for such secrecy in the disposition of those two rich oil blocks, with unknown names like JHI Associates and Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas being awarded the two blocks. Both of the companies and their people had no experience in deep water oil exploration, but they somehow walked away, under cloudy arrangements and partnerships with local politicians, with two of Guyana’s oil blocks, which are proving to be fabulously enriching catches. It should not escape the attention of alert Guyanese that there is one constant in the darkness and many highly likely corruptions surrounding the handling and disposing of this nation’s oil wealth. There was one behind the scenes political leader wielding all the influence that mattered. Today, there is that one same leader again brandishing all the power relative to the decisions (and people to benefit) from our oil bonanza. At the core of all of this, there are people involved and arrangements made that reek of the suspicious, and the corrupt. The coalition has come and gone, after leaving its own legacy of huge mistakes and a series of mismanagement deeds. The PPP was there before, and started the trail of darkness on this oil, and today it continues with more of the same shady underhanded behaviours. That much has been constant, with the costly coming for this country and its citizens. In this network of secret dealings among Guyanese politicians and foreign partners, it is clear that the incestuous is at work. There is a maze of below the table relationships that all seem distant and unconnected at the beginning. Nonetheless, with the passage of time, there come these revelations of all of them feeding off of each other, and linking right back to one another. In the centre of all of these oil shenanigans are some of Guyana’s leading political players. Some are on the sidelines counting their blessings, while one is in the forefront and is the poster for deception, suspicion, and corruption. This latest Eco Atlantic share grab continues the story, and continues Guyana’s oil curse.
President Irfaan Ali has started on the wrong foot Dear Editor, The year 2020 would go down in history as a year that all Guyana should be ashamed of. Our leaders in the now Opposition criminally attempted the heist of the country while the world watched in disbelief. The swearing in of Irfaan Ali in August brought a little respite but it was clear from the onset that he had an uphill task to re-programme this country on a trajectory that was in line with its new found oil wealth. From first glance, it appeared that the new president was singing the right songs. The Opposition, which lost a golden opportunity to place this country on an enviable development path, would rue the chance in that it failed to capitalise while in power. Alas, all is not well in Guyana. Public servants were fired discriminately with the excuse of cutting costs. On the other
hand, billions were being sunk in the dead weight GuySuCo. It is hard for any to justify that. The reality is that we are back to pre-2011 where sole sourcing and discriminatory practices of awarding contracts have returned. President Ali would have garnered massive support from a number of local businesses. It is no secret that these same businesses have positioned themselves to receive significant concessions and other contracts worth billions because of executive decisions. On one hand, Guyana is taking its begging bowl to the international community for a pittance to fight the pandemic while drugs and other contracts are being given away in a shocking way. Local contractors will tell of now being sidelined. They dare not speak for fear of being targeted. A number of these new businesses are known friends
of the ruling party. The funny thing is nothing remains a secret in Guyana for long. The stories are coming out. President Ali promises to shed the baggage of past leaders whose partisanship have divided this country for 50 years. He will not boast a good legacy if discriminations continue to haunt us. The execution of a businessman on Main Street months ago was a shocking reminder of how much things remain the same although there is change. An entire video from the state’s security cameras was mysteriously wiped clean. Not a word from this administration. A cold case? Many businessmen who played a role in the 2000s to help the PPP/C end the crime wave have been forgotten. All of a sudden, the PPP/C leaders are inaccessible. For it to happen so quickly before the first year of President Ali’s presidency while he is quiet
speaks volumes. The US has found a gold mine in Guyana with the oil find. There is no sweeter deal across the globe. No government can change that. President Ali cannot argue that discriminations are not taking place in contract awards and other land and concessions to party financiers. It is glaring. This is not 2015. The world has changed. People are growing more intolerant. The powerful few benefitting from the hog of contracts will come to light. For President Ali, the warning has to be sounded. He has to divorce himself from this cronyism and persuade Guyana that he is above the fray. He must. Guyana is watching. Some 217,000 persons voted for the Coalition. They are watching too. As citizens, we have to hold our leaders accountable. May God continue to bless Guyana. To be continued. Seudatt Persaud
Guyana’s economic growth is admirable, but too many investments from outside companies may render us in a catastrophic situation Dear Editor, While we often think of economic growth as good news, it can also happen too rapidly. In light of this, I refer to an article: “Gov’t working to ‘tame’ investment interests” published in the July 4, 2021 edition of the Guyana Chronicle, in which His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali pointed out “the importance of strategizing outside investments coming to Guyana.” He reasoned that, “…when you are managing an economy like this, you have to be mindful of the consequences of overheating; you have to be mindful of the consequences of having the investments itself creating shortages.” At this juncture, I wish to commend His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali for asserting to this reality and to highlight what is currently occurring in Guyana. Over the last few months, we have seen raw material shortages escalate, resulting in excessive price increases for every conceivable commodity. This is especially true for construction materials, where we have seen steel
prices rise, wood prices rise, nail prices rise, cement prices rise, and, most significantly, the troubling surge in food prices has also become quite worrisome. This tendency has gotten out of hand for the small man, and even medium-sized enterprises like mine, who are struggling to source and purchase materials for minor repairs and construction. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the costs locally and exacerbated prices from foreign goods and materials, as well as shipping costs, which have quadrupled in certain cases. I can attest that the widespread scarcity of vital basic materials and resources, as well as rising commodities where demand significantly outnumbers s u p p l y, i s b e c o m i n g increasingly burdensome. This is unfair to us, the consumers. Worse, we all know that if things settle down, these industrialists, business people, importers, and others who were granted pricing power will be reluctant to return to normal pricing. For one thing, the
exorbitant prices placed on basic items as a result of shortages make us feel as if we are being punished. This trend may also have significant psychological consequences, such as persons finding it difficult to sustain themselves. At this juncture, I wish to make it pellucid that while I admire Guyana’s economic growth and look forward to its future, I am concerned that too many investments from outside companies may render us in a catastrophic situation. I worry that our economy may reach the limits of its capacity to meet all of the demands from individuals and companies. However, I am relieved t o n o t e P r e s i d e n t A l i ’s words when he ascertains that the, “investment interests are being thoroughly examined by Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo,” and that, “the Cabinet has taken a conscious decision to expend local funds to kickstart key projects that are important for Guyana’s development.” In light of the f o r e g o i n g , I , H a j j i D r. Roshan Khan am confident that this time around, Guyanese will not get the
short end of the stick. I am certain and patient that our policies pertaining to foreign investors into our country would favour the lives of the common Guyanese. In fact, I am certain that our foresighted government would not act as hastily as the previous one did when they signed away our oil resources without providing Guyana and Guyanese with the same benefits that Suriname provided to its citizens. The APNU+AFC truly sent us to hell. We p r e s e n t l y l a c k adequate insurance for oil spills, such that a single spill can wipe away the little bit of money, which we earn for every third shipment of oil. As a result of this, I believe the government should take severe action. I urge His Excellency Dr. Irfaan Ali and Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo to work steadfastly on this with Guyana first in mind! We need investors but we need investors with a conscience where it will be a win-win situation for all of us. Yours truly, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.
Monday July 12, 2021
The media must not allow lawsuits to censor it from presenting the truths to the public Dear Editor, It is a norm in several countries, particularly so in Guyana, to threaten or actually file (court) lawsuits to prevent the free press from exposing guilt of crime or wrong doings by public figures. Some lawsuits have merit – those where the media deliberately seeks to libel or slander. But most lawsuits, particularly against KN, lack merit; they are threatened or actually filed to gag or censor the press. And in recent years, more and more such suits are filed or threatened against KN, the most courageous of the media houses. Out of fear of lawsuits, the media is careful of what it publishes; it goes too far in not publishing worthy comments and reports to avoid lawsuits; the public needs exposure of certain facts that should be published regardless of threatened lawsuits. Bad speech is better than no speech. Public figures must be held accountable by the media. Almost everyone who regularly writes or speaks or
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comments in the media is de facto a public figure. Some letter writers don’t like to be responded even when they pen nonsense or egregious misinformation. Every politician or anyone who works for the State is a public figure. Their actions must be scrutinised; they must be willing to ‘taketh’ when they ‘giveth’. But they don’t like to have their political activities scrutinised, and they don’t like when people question their motif or actions; probity is the last word on their mind. Thus, when the media is close to exposing wrong doing, they threaten lawsuits or quickly
rush to the courts for a gag order. I don’t like court actions even when I am libeled or slandered. I believe in unfettered free speech. Thus, I am opposed to libels and slander lawsuits. That does not justify maligning peoples’ reputation without a shred of evidence as happened in the State media during the last administration. Deliberate defamatory statements should be actionable. Factual foundation is critical. Offending discourse must be punished. When I see commentaries or letters in the media of (Continued on page 18)
Many nefarious activities are being conducted at Stabroek Market Dear Editor, It’s very unfortunate to hear another person being robbed around the Stabroek Market, the latest being an employee of Kaieteur News and good luck was with him to see that he wasn’t harmed seriously. What is lost could be eventually replaced, but that doesn’t give anyone the right to go about robbing people of their honest and hardearned cash. Day or night, traversing in/ around Stabroek Market, crowd or alone, you have to be cautious. Some are lucky to get assistance whilst being robbed, but in most instances, tremendous luck seems to be on the criminal’s side. People are not happy to see someone being robbed, but they are reluctant to assist for various reasons. Criminals operating around there are not scared to pounce on anyone, regardless of your stature. Editor, tackling this plague around that area requires a lot of strategies and operations. The only time the authorities see that area as
a danger zone is during the festive season. Editor, for years, numerous complaints/letters are on record calling for a workable plan to rid that areas of it’s lifelong plague that’s haunting there. Many nefarious criminal activities are being conducted there, especially “under the clock”, mainly buying/selling stolen articles and selling of illicit drugs. Periodically, the news would surface of raids being conducted, whilst arrests are made, persecution is not present. I’ve repeatedly written of people physically holding/tugging you to either buy something you have or have something to sell you (mainly stolen jewellery and cellphone). Since I was a small boy, some of these menaces there plying that same nefarious trade, and it boggles my mind why they are not continuously being raided and haul in front of the court. It’s my opinion that consistency will rid there of this existing plague. Their activities there are mostly illegal, but the City Constables allow them to operate without any fear. Yours truly, Sahadeo Bates
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No rational mind can dispute GECOM’s legal authority to dismiss any member of the Secretariat staff Dear Editor, The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is created by Article 161 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. I have often reiterated that logic and common sense follow the law. It inheres in both logic and common sense that in whom is vested the power to hire, concomitantly, enjoys the power to fire. This reasoned and logical idiom manifests itself in Article 161 A of the Constitution. The relevant portion reads: 161 (A) (1) “the Elections Commission shall be responsible for the
efficient functioning of the Secretariat of the Commission, which shall comprise the Officers and Employees of the Commission and for the appointment of all the staff to the offices thereof… and shall have the power to remove and to exercise disciplinary control over such staff.” It must be elementary knowledge, even to lay men, that “disciplinary control” necessarily includes a power of dismissal. In the premises, no rational mind can therefore dispute GECOM’s legal power and authority to dismiss any member of the
Secretariat staff. It is common knowledge that the Chief Elections Officer, the Deputy Chief Elections Officer and a Returning Officer are all members of staff of the GECOM Secretariat. Like every other commission created by the constitution, GECOM “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority.” This functional autonomy is ensconced in Article 226 (1) of the Constitution. In the autonomous discharge of its powers and functional responsibilities, GECOM is empowered to make rules, to regulate the procedure of the
Commission and until such rules are made, the Commission shall regulate its own procedure. This characteristic of independence is guaranteed by Article 226 (2) of the Constitution in language expressed in such clarity that it brokers no ambiguity. GECOM has never made any rules to regulate its procedure in the manner contemplated by the constitution. The Commission, therefore, remains free to regulate its own procedure. Like every other Commission or indeed, entity, whose constituent members represent different and
competing interests, decisions are made by votes. GECOM is no different. Article 226 (4) of the Constitution decrees that any question for decision by the Commission shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members of the Commission present and voting at a meeting of the Commission; and if on any question, the votes are equally divided, the Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his or her original vote. Anyone, who has even a mere fleeting familiarity with how the business of an entity, whose decisions are made by votes, functions, would know that the decision-making process is initiated by the proffering of a motion. This motion is normally seconded and then debated. Upon the conclusion of that debate, a vote is taken, and the decision emanating therefrom is usually expressed in a resolution. It is a fact of public notoriety that in the exercise of its freedom to regulate its own procedure enshrined in Article 232 (4) (above), GECOM has resolved to use this universally utilised
process in treating with the issue of the removal of three of its employees. In this procedural matrix, the contention that the movers and supporters of these motions cannot participate in the debate or vote on these motions borders on such absurdity reminiscent of the proposition that 33 is not a majority of 65! To invoke the sacrosanct jurisprudential concept of natural justice in such a procedural prototype is simply to denigrate these hallowed principles. To further illustrate the ludicrosity of this type of legal reasoning, I will render just one example: applying this curious logic to two No Confidence Motions presented to the Clerk of the National Assembly against two Ministers of the Government in the name of the Leader of the Opposition, neither the Leader of the Opposition nor any Member of the Opposition can speak or vote on these two motions by virtue of the principle of “natural justice”. Yours truly, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC Attorney-General
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Monday July 12, 2021
Kaieteur News
Look at our backward and foolish political leaders.
The opposition filed a no-confidence motion in Parliament against two government ministers. Now the government turns around and threatens to file a no-confidence motion against the Opposition Leader. Guyana, isn’t this shameful? Exxon is ripping us off, and the PPP and APNU+AFC Coalition are busy ripping each other’s throats out. Are these guys for real? Surely, they can’t be this irresponsible and shameless?
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Agri. Minister forms CDC in Ithaca to enhance agriculture production Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha recently returned to Ithaca, Mahaica-Berbice to form the village’s first Community Development Council (CDC). A number of residents turned up at the Ithaca
Primary School to form the committee, which resulted in the nomination and election o f a C h a i r m a n , Vi c e C h a i r m a n , S e c r e t a r y, Treasurer, and three other members. Following the meeting, Minister Mustapha informed t
Teenager on the run after raping girl, 15 A manhunt has been launched to locate a 19year-old boy who is accused of raping a 15year-old girl in Region Seven. Kaieteur News learned that the alleged rape occurred sometime between June 23, last and July 2. It was reported to the police that on June 23, the young girl was left to stay with her aunt after her mother had gone into the interior to work. On that same day, the 15-year-old
reportedly ran away from her aunt’s care. She was reported missing to the police who then immediately conducted an extensive search for her whereabouts. On July 2, she was located, and was questioned about her disappearance. According to police report, the young girl stated that she went to the suspect’s residence where the incident occurred. An investigation into the matter is in progress.
he newly formed group that the Government will be making the necessary resources available to push agriculture in the community. “We remain committed to working with you to ensure that your community fits into the Government’s overall development drive. I visited Ithaca a few months ago and there was a call for a group to be formed to collaborate with the Government so that this community can once again become a thriving community in the country. I’m here to fulfill that commitment and this is only the beginning of good things to happen for this community,” Minister Mustapha said. The Minister also told the group that the overall goal of the Government is to ensure Guyana becomes an agriculture powerhouse in the Caribbean. He also said with the renewed interest in the agriculture sector, the Government will be working to ensure all of the
Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha with members of the newly formed CDC in Ithaca agriculture groups have the necessary resources to boost production in the various communities. Newly elected Chairman of the group Mr. Michael Jacque said the group will be working with all classes of farmers in the village. “This group will be open to all the residents of Ithaca. It will not be restricted to a particular part or group of persons within the community. I will try my best to give it my all so that we can have full development throughout the community. We are willing to work with the
Government,” Mr. Jacque said.Minister Mustapha said the various agencies under his Ministry will be working with the group. “Agencies like National Agricultural Research & Extension Institute and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority will be working with you to develop your production and livestock. NAREI will be working to ensure you develop your crops and grow new and more high value crops.” Residents who attended the meeting nominated and elected members of the
CDC. Mr. Jacque was elected as the Chairman of the group, while Mr. Utundy Grant was elected as the Vice Chairman. Ms. Jewel Sinclair was also elected as the Secretary and Mr. Adrian Douglas was nominated as Treasurer. Mr. Jermain Benjamin, M s . N ikita Sampson, and Ms. Akelia Benjamin were also elected to serve as members of the group. Minister Mustapha also distributed a number of cleaning products to the group to distribute to residents who were affected severely by flooding.
Kaieteur News
Monday July 12, 2021
PAGE 09
THE BICYCLE TALES T
his time, I was in one of the yellow cabs proceeding eastwards along Church Street. At the junction of Camp Street, the driver braked and rolled to a stop as the traffic signal was red. It was a long wait, which allowed the roving eye to take in the beautiful treelined avenue on Camp Street, cool and inviting for a stroll in the afternoon. Ahead lay the Indian Monument Gardens caged behind a huge fence and inaccessible to the general public in the G a r d e n C i t y . There were not many cars at that time of the day but those that passed did so at a fast pace. Just as the light directing the cab was about to indicate green, a bicycle came darting along Camp Street heading north across the junction. Instead of proceeding across the road, it swung behind the yellow cab. The rider showed great dexterity, but it was not his skill that caught my eye but rather the fact that he had a passenger on the tow bar. It was a young girl, no doubt h i s g i r l f r i e n d . You do not see that very much in Guyana – boy towing girl on a bicycle. The girl seemed happy to be with the boy never mind her behind must have been sore from sitting so long on the cycle. They went along their merry way and I went along
mine, but the incident never quite left my thoughts. With the high prices for fuel and a city over congested with vehicles, bicycles would seem to be a better option to get around the heavy vehicular traffic. I n s t e a d , h o w e v e r, o f increased cycling, the very opposite is happening. More and more persons are using public transport to get around. More and more persons are buying their own cars even though bicycles can be had very cheaply. The few cyclists you see are usually young boys. You hardly ever see, not even in the villages, anymore, boys towing girls. And yet that used to be a feature of our growing up in Guyana in the day. Girls were never ashamed to hitch a ride on a bicycle, and in fact, many of them owned their own bicycles and would go for enjoyable rides to the foreshore each afternoon. The sight of that young man towing his girlfriend on a bicycle was therefore a flashback in time. It rolled back the years to an era when this was a regular sight in G u y a n a . A few days later after the sight of the couple on the bicycle, I was chatting with some fashionably dressed young ladies, none of whom was in their twenties and none of whom was married. I asked them generally
whether they ever rode on a bicycle bar. They did not seem to know what I was t a l k i n g a b o u t . When I explained that on male cycles, between the saddle and the handle, there is usually attached a metal bar which acts as a passenger seat, this was news to all of these young ladies. They never knew about this. It was a revelation to t h e m . They also did not know that there used to be a time when girls would move around with their boyfriends on these bicycles, even travelling miles to go to a wedding on a bicycle. They found it very interesting and amusing and wanted to hear more about the old days when bicycles ruled the local transportation world. I told them what I could have remembered and asked them to question their parents. They excitedly said they would. I then asked them whether they would allow their boyfriends to transport them around their neighbourhood on a bicycle. ”Noooooo!” was the unanimous answer. I told them it was fun and they would enjoy each other’s company. They looked at me as if I was nuts. I then asked them if Usher came to Guyana and offered them a ride on a bicycle, if they would accept. One of them said, “Usher
Money sharing boys seh... and line lang! Dem
Dem boys does know when money and hamper sharing. All of dem people does come out of dem house like fine ants and either sit down under big tent or line up fuh collect dem small freck or hamper. If de guvment decide fuh share out a lil G$15,000 at de Umana Yana, de line gan be from there to Suriname. But if yuh tell dem same people dem must come out and tell dem politician and oil companies how dem must share out $1M per family, dem gan ask yuh if yuh is a PPP or PNC. Dat is how we does roll in Guyana. We sitting down and listening to dem
politicians talk nonsense fuh hours just so dat we can collect a lil small change or hamper. But when it comes to fighting fuh we fair share of we wealth, de people nah even coming out to dem public consultation. Last Friday dem bin gat a public meeting on de gas-toshore project. Only a handful of dem people tun up. A small group bin protest outside. God Bless dem! At least dem fighting fuh we wealth. But what happen to all dem wah prefer fuh line up fuh two jill but nah want stand up fuh de millions wah dem oil company robbing dem.Dem boys remember also how dem nurses bin
protest over some lil $5,000 risk allowance. But if dem fight fuh we fair share of we oil wealth, dem bin nah gat to protest anymore. Dem salary would double. One of dem union want to know when public servants’ salary gan increase. Dem want negotiations. Dem boys tell dem dat de increase gan pay Christmas time, as usual. And dem workers prefer it dat way. But dem unions nah call pon dem politicians fuh negotiate a new oil agreement. Talk half and wait fuh yuh five percent increase at Christmas!
would ride in a limousine, not a bicycle.” They asked me to tell them some more bicycle tales. So I told a tale I had read before about a man who was towing his wife on a carrier behind
the saddle, which meant that she was seated behind him. Suddenly, a police patrol pulled up and the cop inside said, “Hey buddy, your wife fell off about a mile back.” ”Oh,” said the man, “for a
while I thought that I had gone deaf!” (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Monday July 12, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
I don’t want to and will never be Peeping Tom In the space of two months, my article was the same in the Peeping Tom column and Peeping Tom’s piece appeared under my name. This happened three times the past two months; the latest is last Saturday in the e-paper where my analysis of the Walter Rodney/Gregory Smith tragedy appeared under both
names – mine and Peeping Tom.As usual, I had calls and received emails. Some folks t h i n k t h a t K a i e t e u r ’s management did a slip up and revealed the identity of the anonymous writer thus exposing me. I have been in the public eyes for decades now and by now, a little bit of who I am must be out there. I will never allow myself
to be intimidated by others to the extent that I express myself anonymously. That has never been me, that is not who I am, that will never be me in the future. I have learnt one crucial, priceless, lifesaving lesson in life - do not live your life to please people who don’t give a damn about you, do not feed you and couldn’t be bothered with your existence. At an early age, I passed on that philosophical lesson to my little daughter when she was growing. I emphasized that she must show respect and deference to those that care about her and those that she takes her plate to. I was very emphatic about my teaching that she must not alter or reshape her personality based on what strangers think or how strangers laughed at her. I am a very aggressive and combative person in defending what I believe in. No human being can stop others from disrespecting you or laughing at you or bad-mouthing you. That is an impossibility. But you can and must defend yourself if they think they can write about you, or speak in your
face and you choose not to respond because they have more societal status than you. I am a happy man that my only kid does not embrace that weakness of character.My praxis in more than 50 years old (yes, I am getting on in age – I am now an old man) and I have never been afraid of anyone with power, money and status. They will not deter me in criticizing them if they offend the basic values of life that I believe in. I will not be silent if they violate the rights of anyone in this country or elsewhere. I will denounce them using my name. I will not hide under my wife’s dress when I open my mouth, raise my finger or use a keyboard. I have criticized every president in this country facing terrible consequences under Presidents Forbes Burnham and Bharrat Jagdeo. I chose that pathway and I walked it in my own way. I have criticized wealthy family heads and powerful companies using my name. I have received far more libel writs as a columnist from prominent citizens than any in the
history of the newspaper business in any C A R I C O M country. I don’t know who Peeping Tom is. I have absolutely no interest in knowing that Frederick Kissoon identity. The identity stands out for me. I don’t never made me curious and it will never. About 15 want to be a superior person year ago, I did comment on in relation to anyone. And I this page that I think persons would not live my life should not attack public acknowledging someone is figures and criticize their an inherently superior character and lives using a person to me so I will hide false name.I understand the and criticize him/her. If the next time, there is a need for whistleblowers to r e m a i n f a c e l e s s a n d repetition of my column nameless. I could accept the appearing under my name use of pen name when one and in the same edition it analyzes broad social issues appears under the sobriquet or specific processes. But to of Peeping Tom, then I actually use insulting and would hope that the reader demeaning terms to describe would understand that it was real people who are known in a mistake by the lay-out society is not an act I could artist. I have my faults and ever support. It cannot be flaws but I will not run and argued successfully using hide from a fight. I grew up a n y p h i l o s o p h i c a l too tough in Wortmanville in south Georgetown to live a perspective. Why someone would life of fear and cowardice. (The views expressed in choose that pathway, I don’t know and don’t care to know. this article are those of the What I know is that I would a u t h o r a n d d o n o t never go in that direction and necessarily reflect the one reason among many opinions of this newspaper.)
Monday July 12, 2021
Kaieteur News
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sweN rueteiaK
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Monday July 12, 2021
Linden to Bartica trail was left in a deplorable state for months - Mayor, - Maintenance contractor blames rain trucker Photos taken six weeks ago of the Linden to Bartica trail
T
ruckers and the Mayor of Bartica, Region Seven, Gifford Marshall have noted that the Linden to Bartica trail was left in a deplorable state for months, thereby affecting the supply of essential goods to the town and the various mining areas. The maintenance contract for the road which stretches some 30 kilometers from Linden, Region Ten to Bartica, Region Seven, was awarded to Association Construction Services (ACS). ACS signed the contract this year with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) which falls under the Ministry of Natural Resources. A trucker, the Bartica Mayor and a representative of Troy Resources, an
Australian mining company, have related that before the works began the road was almost impassable. They related that it was left in that state for almost four months. The trucker, Bharrat Nandlall, said that he fetches logs from 72 Village to Omai. When the trail is in good condition, explained Nandlall, a trip takes only two and a half hours. Due to the state that the road was in, the trucker related that it took him four hours to make the same trip. He pointed out that there are locations along the road that are horrendous and described them as huge ponds. The trucker said a number of other trucks would get stuck in the ponds (Continued on page 14)
Kaieteur News
Monday July 12, 2021
PAGE 13
Top cop upset over media question about missing $3M It seemed as if the Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie got upset yesterday over the media’s question about an alleged disappearance of reward money totalling $3M. This assumption came after Hoppie “mistakenly” replied to the question posed by journalist Travis Chase in the Joint Services/Press Team WhatsApp group. Chase had posed his question directly to the Director and Deputy Director of the Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Mark Ramotar and Stan Gouveia respectively. Chase had asked “Morning Stan, Mark …… can you confirm that the $3million-dollar reward in the Joel and Isiah Henry case was handed over to CID and that part of that sum- if not all disappeared under the watch of two very senior officers?” The $3M reward that Chase was referring to was relevant information on the murder case of cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry.
Hoppie who is also member of the WhatsApp group responded, “Do not do any response”. Hoppie deleted the message immediately after but not before Kaieteur News took a screenshot of the reply. It is assumed that Hoppie did not know he was replying in the media group and might have thought that he was responding directly to Ramotar or Gouveia. His response, however, was not taken lightly and was criticised in the group by other journalists including the President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir. It was only on Tuesday last that the CCU had invited editors of the various media houses to a meeting. The meeting was held with the objective of improving the communication between the media and GPF. Some of the concerns that were raised by the editors were top police officials such as Hoppie and others “dodging” the media, out rightly refusing to
Hoppie’s response to the question about the alleged missing reward money.
Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie. answer questions on key issues and not answering their phones. The CCU had promised that it will relate the editors’ concerns to relevant heads of the Force in an attempt to improve the relationship between the media and the police. So far, it seems as though those promises will not be fulfilled because it appears as though top police officials are reluctant to change their ways.
Second suspect in Roy Ross’s murder arrested in Mahdia The second suspect who was wanted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in relation to the murder of Roy Ross of Swan Village, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, was arrested yesterday in Mahdia, Region Eight. Back in May, the police had issued a wanted bulletin for Adolph Joseph also called “Black Boy” of Swan Squatting Area after receiving information that he too was involved in the murder.His arrest was confirmed by Commander of Region Four ‘B’, Mahendra Siwnarine, yesterday. This publication had reported that the father of two was murdered between April 4 and April 5, last at his Swan home. In April, Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman, had remanded 23-year-old Ewert Calistro to prison for his killing. According to police reports, on April 5, sometime around 06:00hrs, a motionless Ross was found lying in a pool of blood in his living room. His body, which bore several stab wounds, was found by his one of his neighbours. Kaieteur News learnt
Arrested: Adolph Joseph.
Stabbed to death, Roy Ross.
that he was last seen alive around 23:00hrs on April 4 by his girlfriend, whom he lived with. The day Ross was discovered dead, the police had taken several persons into custody who they believed was involved in his death. Calistro who was among the group reportedly admitted to detectives that he was guilty of being involved in the man’s killing. During his confession, he implicated another individual who he claimed fatally stabbed Ross. That individual was Joseph who is now in custody.This media house
was informed that Calistro, in the company of another person went to the dead man’s home with the intention to “commit an unlawful sexual act on one of the occupants of the house” with the expectation that Ross was not at home. In his confession, the young man said that upon their arrival at the house, they were confronted by Ross and a fight reportedly broke out. The scuffle led to the father of two being stabbed about four times across his body. An investigation was launched immediately into the Ross’s death.
One example to support this view relates to an issue raised by media houses during the recent meeting about the presence of a social media commentator in the
WhatsApp group. Once again, the CCU had promised to address the concern and moved to delete the social media commentator from the
group. Much to the surprise and disappointment of many, the said person was re-added to the Joint Services/Press Team WhatsApp group.
Govt. will ensure diverse, resilient economy - Finance Minister tells CDB President Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh says the Government’s vision is to achieve a diverse and resilient economy. The Minister was speaking on Saturday last at a review meeting for the projects being facilitated by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The meeting which included newly elected CDB President, Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon and his delegation, was hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. Minister Singh said, “It goes without saying that the extraction, production and export of oil promised the opportunity of a very significant transformation in Guyana. But we recognise with the abundance of examples around the world that becoming an oil and gas producer is by no means on its own an assurance of prosperity and long-term wellbeing for a country. In fact, the world is replete with examples of countries that have discovered, produced and exported oil but are yet to discover the prosperity that oil could beckon if it were, and if the broader economy were to be managed in the soundest possible manner.” Dr. Singh said the Government has constantly iterated the importance of a robust, widely diversified economy, and a particularly competitive non-oil
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh
economy. Despite the promise of prosperity, the Minister said the Government is under no illusion about the vulnerabilities faced by Guyana. He related the struggle the country has faced with the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding. The senior Minister also noted the wider effects of climaterelated disasters on the Region. Dr. Singh then thanked the CDB for the contributions it has made to Guyana’s development, dubbing it an “outstanding partner”. “I wish to say Mr. President that Guyana has always been a proud member and we are even more so now, a proud member of the CDB, and a very proud member of CARICOM, and a proud and staunch defender and advocate of the regional integration movement,” he told the CDB delegation. Minister of Public Works, Hon. Bishop Juan
Edghill; Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon. Deodat Indar; Minister of Housing and Water, Hon. Collin Croal; Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Wa t e r, H o n . S u s a n Rodrigues; and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Hon. Oneidge Walrond were also part of the meeting. During the afternoon, the CDB President was escorted to the locations of some projects the Bank has facilitated, on the East and West Bank of Demerara. Ministers Edghill and Croal led those expeditions. Dr. Leon was also shown some of the infrastructural projects, which the Government is currently advancing. The CDB President along with his delegation wrapped up a two-day visit, which is the first since he took up the post in May. Dr. Leon told DPI on Friday that similar visits will be made to other CDB member countries.
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Monday July 12, 2021
Kaieteur News
Linden to Bartica trail was left in a deplorable... From page 12 and one would have to wait hours for more trucks and tractors to pull those vehicles out.In fact, Nandlall told this newspaper that his truck has been left stranded for a month now and he is currently brainstorming a way to get it
out because he has workers depending on him.A r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f Tr o y Resources detailed too that his company could not get trucks in with essential supplies. As a result, the representative explained that measures had to be taken to get those essential
supplies on a plane. This move, he said, drove up the cost to get the supplies needed for the company’s operation. He noted that the condition has improved recently but supplies are arriving at a reduced capacity
since works are ongoing. The Bartica business community echoed this sentiment too.Marshall, the Mayor of the Bartica, shared his own experience as well. He said that in a pick-up, it would take a little over two h o u r s t o e n t e r
Bartica.However, during a recent trip to Linden and back, it took him hours. The Mayor recalled that he had left around 14:00hrs and returned around midnight. Marshall said that in previous years, the trail has never reached that stage and
pointed out that questions were raised about the contractor responsible for the maintenance of the road. He highlighted that some wanted to know if ACS is capable of carrying out the maintenance works. Others, he said, questioned whether or not ACS might be slacking on its duties. The Mayor had written to the government on behalf of his town requesting an intervention. Though he did not receive a formal response, works on the road had started and Marshall said that he has received reports that it is in a fairly good condition again. He along with the authorities from Linden, Region 10 is planning to make a site visit soon to inspect the ongoing maintenance works.Meanwhile, Kaieteur News had reached out to ACS for a comment. Its managing Director, Peter Lewis said that his company had only signed the road maintenance contract some three months back. The trail Lewis stated was in a deplorable state before
the company commenced work. For the first month he noted, ACS had to use its machines to pull out trucks that were stranded along the road. When it began to carry out the maintenance works, the rainy weather proved to be a major setback. Lewis further noted that only a few sections of the road are bad while adding that the problem lies at two hills located along the trail. He related that GGMC is currently creating new designs for the hills in order to remedy the situation. Currently, the company representative said three graders are working on the trail and a fourth is to enter sometime soon. Lewis did not disclose how much his company is being paid for the maintenance works but noted that it is a one-year contract with GGMC. The Managing Director said he would prefer that GGMC reveals the cost of the contract along with answers to any other queries. Kaieteur News contacted GGMC yesterday on the said matter but was referred to the Ministry of Natural Resources. This newspaper also tried contacting the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat but his phone rang out. Messages to his WhatsApp account were also left unanswered.
The Linden to Bartica trail was previously maintained by Mekdeci Mining Company (MMC). A representative told this newspaper that the company was not granted the road maintenance contract for the last two years.
Kaieteur News
Monday July 12, 2021
PAGE 15
Agri. Ministry to move ahead with plans to resuscitate Ebini Research Station The PPP/C Government has signaled its intention to r e s u s c i t a t e G u y a n a ’s agriculture sector. Since taking office, the Government has been making several strides towards improving the sector through investments in areas of improved research and technology. These plans were further expressed by Agriculture Minister, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha during a visit to the Ministry’s Research Station in Ebini, which is located in Region 10 along the Berbice River.Although the station has established orchards, a germ-plasm coconut plantation, and demonstration farms for crops like corn, over the years, the station was unable to make an impact on the overall development of the sector. Minister Mustapha said although some amount of research is being done at the Ebini Research Station, it is not being done on a scale that is required. “This station was not only established to research new things but also to test existing varieties and genetic material for both crops and livestock species. Although the staff here have been doing some amount of research, it isn’t being done on a scale that could make an impact on the sector’s development. With Guyana now taking up the leading role in advancing the agri-food system in the Caribbean, I will be working to refocus the operations of this facility. Our agencies here have been operating without uniformity. Officers have not been working with a general work programme and that has to change. I intend to appoint an agriculture coordinator to manage the station. That way, our agencies can have some amount of synergy rather than continuing to work in isolation,” Minister Mustapha said. The Minister also said his Ministry is looking to establish and rehabilitate a number of critical infrastructures in the station. “In addition to changing the way our agencies operate in Ebini, we’ll be embarking on a number of rehabilitation projects. We’ll also be putting some critical infrastructure in place, like the research lab, the training room, the water system, and seed storage bond,” Minister Mustapha said. The Guyana Livestock Development Authority has been able to have relatively good successes in Ebini. At present, GLDA has a herd of
over 1000 heads of cattle for both dairy and beef production there. Additionally, Ebini is home to over 500 heads of Barbados Black-Belly Sheep, the largest single flock in the Caribbean. “We have a number of breeding animals here. In terms of cattle, we have five different breeds at the research station here. We have to ensure that we enhance our stock especially now that we are looking to expand our livestock sector. A lot of work will have to be done here especially with the new abattoirs that we will be c o n s t r u c t i n g . G L D A’s breeding programme will have to be ramped up to ensure farmers have greater access to quality breeding animals,” Minister Mustapha said.As it relates to crop research, Minister Mustapha expressed his dissatisfaction with the facility’s production. “The coconut germ-plasm also needs a lot of work. I was not satisfied with the condition of the trees. I was also informed that for the years that the plantation has been in existence, it has not been producing the way it should. I’ve since instructed the CEO of NAREI to look into it because if this plantation is supposed to be the model cultivation with the capacity to supply the entire country with stock, it should be in a position to produce. “ The Minister also said investments will also be made to facilitate the large-scale production of crops like corn and soya bean. “We are also embarking on new projects like largescale production of crops like corn and soya-bean. There is a trial plot in Tacama that is being done by a group of private investors. The government will also be investing close to $500 million to construct an access road to go to that area, and in another two years, that cultivation will be tremendous. We are looking to become self-sufficient in the production of proteins for the poultry sector and to export to the Caribbean. Guyana has the potential to do great things in agriculture. For years, the sector lacked the leadership needed to advance the sector and now that we have resumed office, the PPP/C government will be providing that leadership to ensure Guyana’s agriculture sector.” Minister Mustapha said he remains optimistic that with the importance being placed on agriculture in Guyana once
again, research stations like the one located in Ebini will be able to fulfill their intended purpose. The Ebini Research Station is one of the oldest continuous research entities in Guyana, established in 1940. The station initially started as a livestock research station. The crop research station was established in the early-mid 1960s. Over the years, the station has been responsible for the development of a number of crop and livestock farming systems applicable to the Intermediate Savannahs.
Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha engages Ministry staff in Ebini
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Kaieteur News
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Monday July 12, 2021
Cop confirms probe of MP’s $1m tax exemption NEWSDAY - While he could not give much details on the nature of the enquiry and how far it has progressed, Police Commissioner Gary Griffith yesterday confirmed a probe has been launched into allegations that a sitting member of Parliament facilitated a tax exemption of $1 million for a member of public to buy a luxury vehicle. On Saturday, the Prime
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Kaieteur News
Minister revealed that allegations were being investigated by the police. Dr Rowley was responding to critics who questioned if it was appropriate for ministers to receive tax exemptions on the importation of luxury vehicles. Contacted for comment, Griffith said, “All I can say is I can confirm there is such an investigation ongoing.”
Moise “riddled” with bullets, says widow
Police sources yesterday, also confirmed that there was a probe underway which involved different arms of the police’s white collar crime units. They said the investigation was being dealt with using senior officers from the Fraud Squad, AntiCorruption Investigations Bureau (ACIB) and the Financial Investigations Bureau (FIB).
Bajans have to pay for quarantine stay Daily Nation Barbadians returning home are to pay for quarantine accommodation. One of the casualties of Hurricane Elsa was the Paragon quarantine facility in Christ Church, which was left unfit to house arriving travellers waiting out the required COVID-19 grace period after testing. Prior to the hurricane, patients there were moved out by authorities. Based on information
from the Department of Emergency Management there were 2 372 reports of damage. Saturday, Minister of Health Jeffrey Bostic confirmed the damage to the main quarantine facility, saying there would be no replacement, but rather arrivals would have to pay at the Government-approved locations. He did not address how long the facility, located near the airport in Christ Church,
The late President Jovenel Moise and his wife Jovenel Moise
Minister of Health, Jeffrey Bostic would be off the list of locations.
Leaked testimony from Haiti suspects says plan was to arrest, not kill president PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - A group of Colombians and Haitian Americans suspected of assassinating Haitian President Jovenel Moise told investigators they were there to arrest him, not kill him, the Miami Herald and a person familiar with the matter said yesterday. Moise was shot dead early on Wednesday at his Port-au-Prince home by what Haitian authorities say was a unit of assassins made up of 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans, plunging the troubled Caribbean nation into deeper turmoil. Washington has so far rebuffed Haiti’s request for troops, though a senior U.S. official said yesterday that Washington was sending a technical team to assess the situation. Citing people who had spoken to some of the 19 suspects detained so far, the Miami Herald said they said their mission was to arrest Moise and take him to the presidential palace. A source close to the investigation said the two Haitian Americans, James Solages and Joseph Vincent, told investigators they were translators for the Colombian commando unit that had an arrest warrant. But when they arrived, they found him dead.
Some of the suspects in the assassination are shown to the media, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. REUTERS/Estailove St-Val Haitian police did not reply to a request for comment. The news follows reports that some of the Colombians had said they had gone to work as security personnel on Haiti, including for Moise himself. The Miami Herald reported the detained Colombians said they were hired to work in Haiti by Miami-based company CTU Security, run by Venezuelan emigre Antonio Enmanuel Intriago Valera. Neither CTU nor Intriago could be reached for comment. Social media profiles that appeared to belong to Intriago included a Facebook photo showing a man in tactical gear pointing a highpowered rifle. Other photos
on Instagram showed ammunition, guns, and people engaged in tactical training. Photos and X-ray images posted on social media at the weekend said to be from Moise’s autopsy showed his body riddled with bullet holes, a fractured skull and other broken bones, underscoring the brutal nature of the attack. Reuters could not independently confirm their authenticity. Via social media, Haitians in parts of the capital Port-auPrince were planning protests this week against the interim prime minister and acting head of state Claude Joseph. Joseph’s right to lead the country has been challenged by other senior politicians, threatening to exacerbate the turmoil engulfing the poorest country in the Americas.
BBC NEWS - The injured widow of Haiti’s president described the moment assassins “riddled” her husband with bullets after bursting into their home in the middle of the night. Martine Moïse said the attack happened so q u i c k l y, h e r h u s b a n d Jovenel was unable to “say a single word”. President Moïse was killed on July 7, allegedly by 28 foreign mercenaries. Martine was also injured in the attack, and later flown to Miami for treatment. O n S a t u r d a y, s h e posted a voice message to her Twitter page vowing to continue his work. A number of people confirmed it is the president’s wife. “In the blink of an eye, the mercenaries entered my house and riddled my husband with bullets,” Mrs Moïse says in the recording, describing the moment the attackers killed her husband.
“This act has no name because you have to be a limitless criminal to assassinate a president like Jovenel Moïse, without even giving him the chance to say a single word,” she continued. She suggested her husband was targeted because for political reasons – in particular, mentioning a referendum on changes to the constitution which could have given the president more power. The unnamed people, she said, “want to assassinate the president’s dream”. “I am crying, it is true, but we cannot let the country lose its way,” she added. “ We c a n n o t l e t t h e blood of President Jovenel Moïse, my husband, our president whom we love so much and who loved us in return, flow in vain.” Jovenel Moïse, 53, was president of Haiti, the poorest nation in the
Americas, since 2017. His time in office was rocky as he faced accusations of corruption and there were widespread demonstrations in the capital and other cities earlier this year. Parliamentary elections should have been held in October 2019 but disputes have delayed them, meaning he had been ruling by decree. He had planned to hold a referendum on the proposed constitutional changes this September. In February this year, on the day the opposition wanted him to leave office, Moïse said an attempt to kill him and overthrow the government had been foiled. It is still unclear who organised Wednesday’s attack and with what motive. A number of questions remain unanswered, including how the alleged assassins were able to enter the property. Moïse’s bodyguards are due to be questioned next week.
...GGMC increasingly adopting e-services From page 3 order to have viable solutions to aid their work process. Typically, these interventions were as simple as creating linkable databases so that access to data and updating of information was better managed for reporting and analysis, for example within Mines Division.” Established services in observance of COVID-19 measures include an online public help desk; the posting of a searchable list of published claims; introduc-
tion of self-service kiosks in Mines Division and at Land Management Division; the availability of all applicable forms online and 3rd party payment options such as MMG (Mobile Money Guyana). The Commission also reported that its Special Projects Unit (SPU) is employing some ICT solutions to manage the performance of contractors and to assist in their own reporting. “The ICT Division continues to work across the spec-
trum to enhance the Commission’s work.” Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, has hailed the mining sector as a staple of the Guyanese economy, while noting that the government intends to keep the sector alive throughout the pandemic, even as oil money sits in the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) untouched. The Government is working to facilitate increased investments, and production in the mining sector.
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...The media must not allow lawsuits The current state of the prominent From page 5 us who did some studies in truths. individuals threatening a journalism. And almost all writings, street known as Agriculture Road lawsuit, right away I draw a The publication must which I see in papers speak conclusion that the individual provide a fair and accurate truthfully. having poorly maintained has something to hide. And report of an event or source Yet, public figures is dulling its shine roads. indeed, several of them have cocoa in the sun fearing the rain. On publishing matters, editors have great discretion to determine what information to publish. But writers and editors must take all measures to provide for “fair reporting”, a concept learn by those of
documents. It simply means that measures were taken to verify a report or commentary, and that no malice was intended in its publication. Comments and reports must not intentionally and deliberately, with knowledge and malice, publish materials that recklessly disregard
threaten lawsuits. The media must not allow lawsuits (threatened or filed) to censor it from presenting the truths to the public. And public figures must restrain themselves from filing or threatening lawsuits. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
Dear Editor, The current state of the prominent street known as Agriculture Road, Triumph is dulling its shine. From observation, the issue that had started as a minor pothole nevertheless spiraled into a lineage of potholes. When one approaches the street headed by that of the Republic Bank, he/she is greeted by an unpleasant family of holes ranging from great to small. Moreover, the matter is deceptively small because you are welcomed with a stretch of asphalt surface but it progressively transforms into small holes that eventually give rise to larger holes. One could only imagine the tragedies that await those who are not familiar with the street. Furthermore, heaven forbid having to drive through this unknown street on a rainy night as the rainfall would blanket the holes and form the illusion of a first class road. It was only a few nights
ago, I witnessed a driver losing their entire front right tire in the middle of the night. All I could have done was say a short prayer while passing by and rebuke any frightful accidents that could occur due to these conditions. My heart goes out to every driver that has to navigate the likes of Agriculture Road due to its current state. The fact that the poor state of such a popular street that serves as a path t o G u y a n a ’s S c h o o l o f Agriculture and National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute remains a mystery to me. It leaves me room to imagine how many other streets are going unnoticed in our beloved country. As a result, I formally and humbly call upon the Minister of Public Works, Honourable Juan A. Edghill, to please look into t h i s m a t t e r. I s t r o n g l y believe that we as a country can do better. We can break the stereotype of
I believe we can change the mentality and the saying “is Guyana we deh!”, every time we inadvertently end up in a pothole. We have the resources and most importantly, we have the capable, skilled and educated minds to change this dire situation. I am convinced that solving small issues like these in order to help our fellow Guyanese is the true meaning of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. Our treasured motto does not only encompass our shared history and culture that we strived for but also looking out for all of our drivers on the roadways. It is with great hopes that you please let these issues be highlighted for the best interests of all the residents and visitors of Agriculture Road especially those that are drivers. Yours truly, Rachel Cecil University of Guyana student
Monday July 12, 2021
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11 patients in COVID-19 ICU, 29 new infections
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lthough no deaths h a v e b e e n reported over the past 24 hours, yesterday, the Ministry of Health announced that there are 11 patients in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The country’s COVID-19 death toll remains at 492.The Ministry, in its daily COVID-19 dashboard
recorded 29 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 20,953.The dashboard also shows that there are 84 persons in institutional isolation, 1,313 in home isolation and no one is in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 19,053 persons have recovered from the virus.
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Monday July 12, 2021
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Blake clocks sub-10 again at American Track League SportsMax - 2011 World Champion Yohan Blake clocked his fastest time this year after winning the men’s 100m at Friday’s American Track League in Atlanta, Georgia. The 31-year-old got a solid start before putting away the field to finish in a time of 9.95. The Jamaican was the only athlete in the field to dip below 10 seconds. American Elijah Hall was second in 10.08 and his compatriot Kyree King third in 10.12. Another Caribbean athlete in the race, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Jason Rodgers was fifth in 10.26. Another Jamaican, Javoy Tucker finished eighth in 10.35. Blake finished in second position at his country’s national trials two weeks ago but has vowed to leave the Olympic Games later this month with a medal. The sprinter, who has the second-fastest time recorded over both the 100m and 200m was excited by his performance with the Olympics just a few
Yohan Blake weeks away. “I am very excited about the time; give God thanks,” said Blake. “This is going to be my last Olympic, and I am looking forward to it. Definitely, I am not leaving that stadium (Tokyo 2020) without a medal.”
Monday July 21, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Legal papers might need attention today, Aries. This could concern a positive development in financial matters. Though you might not be too clear on the language, you will still be glad to do it.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Your intuition could bring you an interesting opportunity to increase your income in an unconventional way. Others may think the idea strange, but for you it's definitely worth considering.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) A new romance or friendship could develop with someone who's very creative and shares your spiritual values. This is a very positive development, Taurus.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Social events could put you in touch with interesting people involved in intriguing fields like astrology, alchemy, and other occult sciences, or perhaps in social, political, or humanitarian causes.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You could have heightened psychic awareness today, Gemini. You will probably notice it first when you pick up thoughts and feelings of family members. CANCER(June21–July22) Someone who lives near you who may not have said much to you before could suddenly strike up a conversation that results in a new friendship. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Some paperwork might need execution today. This may be tedious, but it's apt to open new doors for you and pave the way to more success and good fortune. Writing might be involved in some way. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Strong intuitive rapport with someone who lives far away could create a desire to contact this person. This is a good idea, Virgo, as this person may be going through a positive transition in life and eager to share the news. This communication could bring you closer together, so go for it.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) More pleasant conditions that are a lot easier to deal with could lull you into a new sense of security in your relationships. Personal and professional interactions should be especially warm and supportive. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Your sharp intuition and imagination could bring enlightening spiritual insights, Capricorn. Metaphysical or religious books could be especially appealing. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Some intense dreams about someone you haven't seen for a long time could have you wondering what this person is doing now. It might also awaken the desire to be in contact again. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Social events or group activities concerned primarily with spiritual, metaphysical, social, or humanitarian issues could take place in your community today, Pisces.
...Djokovic triumphs at From page 22 and an Olympic gold in the same year. The 34-year-old, who came into the title clash having beaten Berrettini in both of their previous meetings, opened a 5-2 lead in the first set with an early break but the Italian fought back to force a tiebreak which he clinched to draw first blood. It was only the second set the Serbian had lost in this year’s championships. He reacted by racing to a 4-0 lead in the second set before going on to level the match. A single break of serve in the third and two more breaks in the fourth were enough for Djokovic to close out the contest in front of a raucous Centre Court crowd, who kept on chanting the Italian underdog’s name. Djokovic sealed his place in the record books on his third match point when Berrettini’s backhand slice landed in the net. “That was more than a battle,” Djokovic said. “Winning Wimbledon was always a biggest dream of mine when I was a kid....I have to remind myself how special this is, and not take this for granted.”
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Djokovic triumphs at Wimbledon to secure record-equalling 20th major LONDON, (Reuters) World number one Novak Djokovic beat Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-3 yesterday to win his sixth title at Wimbledon. His third straight triumph at the All England Club also earned the Serbian
a 20th Grand Slam title, equalling the men’s record haul held by Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal of Spain. “It means none of us three will stop,” Djokovic said during the presentation ceremony when asked what the milestone meant to him.
“I have to pay great tribute to Rafa and Roger. They are legends of our sport and they are the two most important players that I ever faced in my career. They are the reason that I’m where I am today. “They’ve helped me realise what I need to do in
order to improve and get s t r o n g e r m e n t a l l y, physically, tactically. “The last 10 years have been an incredible journey. It’s not stopping here.” Having also won the Australian and French Open titles in 2021, Djokovic only needs to win the U.S. Open
to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar slam. “I could definitely envisage that happening. I’m gonna definitely give it a shot,” Djokovic added. “I’m in great form and obviously playing well and playing my best tennis at
Grand Slams. It is the highest priority that I have right now at this stage of my career. So let’s keep it going.” He also completed the third leg towards achieving the Golden Slam. No man has ever won the four slams (Continued on page 21)
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Italy beat England on penalties to win Euro 2020
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O N D O N , (Reuters) - Italy w o n t h e E u r o p e a n Championship for the first time since 1968 as Gianluigi Donnarumma saved two England penalties en route to a 3-2 shootout win after the teams had fought out a 1-1 extra-time draw at a raucous Wembley yesterday. The giant keeper saved from Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka after Marcus Rashford hit a post, as Federico Bernardeschi, Leonardo Bonucci and Domenico Berardi all scored for the Italians. Luke Shaw had given England a dream start with a superb goal after two minutes but Italy, who offered almost nothing in response in the first half, gradually took command as the hosts sat back and levelled through Bonucci after 67 minutes. It was the first final to be decided on penalties since Czechoslovakia beat West Germany in 1976 and will be wildly celebrated in Italy
England players console Bukayo Saka after his penalty miss led to their defeat in the final. (Pool/AFP via Getty Images) after they lost in the final in 2000 and 2012. They made most of the running after halftime and in extra time and England can have few complaints after their early promise faded away.
It was nevertheless heartbreaking for most of the 67,000 Wembley crowd as England came up short in their first major final since they won the World Cup 55 years ago. It had all started so well
when Harry Kane spread the ball wide to Kieran Trippier and he instantly repaid coach Gareth Southgate’s faith in recalling him by sending over a curling deep cross that the fast-arriving Shaw met on the half volley to hammer
inside the post for his first international goal. England had taken an early lead in their 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia before eventually being outplayed and beaten in extra time, but they did not look like giving up the initiative on home soil, playing on the front foot, though failing to threaten Donnarumma. CRISP SHOT England keeper Jordan Pickford was similarly untroubled as Federico Chiesa’s crisp shot went just wide and Ciro Immobile’s blocked effort were all Italy had to show for a disjointed half. England’s well-drilled defence, which had conceded just one goal, via a Danish free kick, in their six previous tournament games, held them at arm’s length and Italian frustration was summed up by centre back Bonucci letting fly wildly from 35 metres with the last kick of the half – much to the disgust of his team mates.
Pickford was called into action after 57 minutes, blocking a Lorenzo Insigne shot and then getting down to palm away from Chiesa as Italy began to apply pressure, pinning England back. It paid dividends when Bonucci pounced from close range after Pickford had turned Andrea Belotti’s header onto a post. England could have no complaints, having virtually invited their opponents on and offered almost nothing in attack, and they would have been somewhat relieved to go into extra time. It was a similar story in the first additional 15 minutes, though England did briefly force their way back into the game in the second period, albeit without either side creating anything to reward the crowd for their waves of noise. So it went to penalties, where England’s young guns failed and Italy took the glory.
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Dustin Poirier beats Conor McGregor after Irishman breaks leg in the first round at UFC 264
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BC Sport - Conor McGregor was sensationally defeated for the second time in two fights after breaking his leg at UFC
264 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The Irishman, 32, was stopped after the first round against former interim lightweight champion
Dustin Poirier. Replays showed his ankle rolling over as he stepped backwards seconds before the end of the round and the fight was stopped by
doctors, handing Poirier a second straight win in their trilogy. “This is not over,” McGregor said. “If I have to take it outside, let’s take it outside,” he added as he was interviewed while sitting on the canvas with his ankle strapped in a protective cast, before being taken out of the ring on a stretcher. UFC president Dana White said after the fight McGregor had broken the lower tibia in his left shin. McGregor had defeated Poirier via first-round TKO at UFC 178 in 2014, but the American, also 32, evened the score with a secondround TKO at UFC 257 in January. It meant the rivalry was perfectly poised heading into their trilogy bout in Las Vegas, and it was Poirier who emerged victorious in unfortunate circumstances. The action was fast and furious as McGregor switched his tactics from the second fight and opened up with a succession of kicks. But Poirier kept his cool and, after fending off McGregor’s early attacks, pushed forward with a flurry of punches before eventually forcing the action against the cage. McGregor attempted to surprise Poirier with a guillotine choke, but the
McGregor is carried out of the octagon. (Getty Images)
American stayed calm and escaped before punishing McGregor with heavy punches and elbows from top position. And when the fight returned to the feet, both men attempted to throw huge shots, with McGregor rolling his ankle when stumbling backward. Poirier then poured on the pressure in search of a finish, but the Irishman was saved by the buzzer. However, it quickly became apparent that McGregor had suffered a serious injury, with replays showing the Irishman’s leg breaking as he stepped backward. White-hot atmosphere The event was the first time the UFC had played to a full crowd in its home town since UFC 248 in March 2020, as a capacity crowd packed the 20,000-seat TMobile Arena in Las Vegas. The level of anticipation was down in large part to an
ill-tempered fight week that saw McGregor turn up the heat on Poirier in an attempt to get under the Louisiana man’s skin as the fight drew closer. While the build-up to their second bout at UFC 257 was remarkably cordial, tensions were sky high before the trilogy bout, with McGregor issuing a chilling warning to his opponent ahead of fight night, declaring, “I’m gonna make this man pay with his life. And I mean it!” after the pair faced off at the ceremonial weigh-ins on Friday. It meant the atmosphere inside the arena was electric by the time both men made their walk to the octagon. And tensions were still high at the conclusion of the bout, with Poirier suggesting a checked leg kick caused the initial injury to McGregor and his stumble later in the round exacerbating the injury and forcing the stoppage.
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Gordon Spencer is new Powerlifting President; Roger Rogers is Secretary - Promises to lift the standard of the game throughout Guyana By Franklin Wilson aving served in every other position on the executive before in the past decade, the one position that has eluded him from an administrative perspective was finally attained on Saturday morning last at the Racquet Center, Woolford Avenue. By an overwhelming majority (17-5), Gordon Spencer was elected President of the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) in a two-way clash with former PRO/Organising Secretary and Secretary (Ag), Runita White. Spencer has replaced Ed Caesar who held the post for the previous five years. All but one of the previous executive members returned to serve, Andrew Austin who served as Treasurer before was elected u n o p p o s e d a s Vi c e
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President. With some not seeking re-election, they still indicated that they are willing, ready and able to serve once called upon to do so, including the past President. Other members elected, all un-opposed were General Secretary Roger Rogers, Treasurer Candace Lam, Public Relations Officer/Organising Secretary Mark Seymour and the three Committee Members, Thruston Pearce, Franklyn Brisport-Luke and Brian Sukhdeo. One area of contention during discussion of the various reports (President’s Report for 2020- Present, General Secretary’s Report for 2020- Present, Treasurer’s Report for 2020Present) presented was from the Treasurer. The new President has undertaken to deal with this matter so that any doubts can
Members of the GAPLF during Saturday’s AGM at the Racquet Center, Woolford Avenue. (Franklin Wilson photo) be cleared up and then report back to the general membership. In his acceptance remarks, Spencer, whilst thanking Caesar and the rest of the previous executive members for serving the sport well, has promised to lift the standard of the sport throughout Guyana. Acknowledging that athletes, administrators and other officials have all
combined their efforts to bring the sport to where it’s at today, Spencer, also an IPF Level 11 Referee said they’ll continue in that vein. “We’ll use this platform to continue to build. The important pillar in this federation is our athletes, and we want to give them all the opportunities available so that they can build themselves as sportsmen and women.
The intention is to work closely with all agencies affiliated with sports, sports management and health so that we can offer our athletes the best possible advice.” Being a strength sports, Spencer noted that regular education exercises on eating right and caring muscles among other important areas would be pursued. The engaging of the
Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport as well as the Tourism Ministry would be done shortly, Spencer informed. Meanwhile, Principal of the Kuru Kuru Cooperative College, Mr. Hansen Elliot, who conducted the elections, made an offer to the new body to provide training on accounting procedures and practices for the entire GAPLF Executive.
Rebel Junior Tennis tournament
Scotland, Anderson (Boys U16), Jordan (Girls U-16) reach Semis
Gerald Scotland (right) beat Elwin Levius in the Boys U14s.
Norella Jordan (right) defeated Devanie Arjune in the Girls U16 Quarter Finals.
In picture perfect conditions in sweltering heat on Friday and Saturday at the GBTI Tennis Court in Diamond the Rebel Tennis Club held its first tournament and after two days Norella Jordon advanced to the semi-final of the Girls U16 division. In a tournament played without spectators because of the Covid-19 restrictions, Niomi Erskine defeated her cousin Kimora Erskine 5-3, 4-1 on round robin play in the Girls U12 division. In the Boys U12s, Nathan DeNobrega defeated Jonathan Jordan 4-2, 4-0, while Elwin Levius defeated Jordan 4-1,4-1. In the Girls 14s Norella Jordan defeated Malia Maikoo 4-0, 4-0, while Renola Jordan defeated M. Maikoo 4-0, 4-0 and Renola Jordan defeated Norella Jordan 4-0,4-1.
In the Boys 14s Gerald Scotland defeated N. Arjune 4-0,4-1, N. Arjune defeated Elwin Levius 0-4,4-2, 10-7, Gerald Scotland got better of Elwin Levius 4-2,4-2, Denzel Luthers beat Isaiah Cambridge 2-4,4-2,10-6, Ricky Romescindo got past Denzil Luthers 4-1, 2-4, 119, Isaiah Cambridge defeated Ricky Romescindo 4-2,4-1 and R. Romescindo triumphed against Nathan DeNobrega 4-0, 5-3. Girls U16s, Norella Jordan defeated Devanie Arjune 7-5, 6-0 in quarter finals play, while in the Boys U18s, G. Scotland defeated S. Murray 7-5, 6-1 and Donnie Anderson defeated Isaiah Cambridge 6-4,7-5 in quarter finals play. The tournament was scheduled continue yesterday, resumes on Friday and Saturday while concluding next week Sunday. (Sean Devers)