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GEA Inspector Tuesday Edition NEWS caught on tape soliciting fuel deal …was lobbying for business for ‘friend’ without requisite licence AIETEUR

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July 13, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 27

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 75,970

It is unpatriotic for Guyana to be illegally paying Stabroek Block partners’ income taxes p.

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- PPP/C must decide if it will stand with the country or oil companies - Ram Govt. looking to buy long range drone to help 12p. fight crime

The protest calling for a change of Exxon’s contract continues.

Two children drown one hour apart

Vendor slapped by thieves for warning 17p. victims GRA officer killed by 13p. landlord’s son during p.

6 eviction row

Private investors/consortium for gas-to-shore project p. 8

…to assist in designing, financing power plant, etc. @11:00am on Jagdeo and Exxon giving us a tablet Kaieteur Radio that they themselves can’t swallow 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 13, 2021

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It is unpatriotic for Guyana to be illegally paying Stabroek Block partners' income taxes E

ven though there are countries around the world which take on the burden of paying the income taxes of oil companies, it only occurs because the nation's laws allow for it. However, this is not the case in Guyana.

According to the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the Stabroek Block, Guyana has agreed to pay the income taxes for ExxonMobil, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana even though the nation's laws do not allow for this to occur.

Upon highlighting this major illegality in his recent writings, Chartered Accountant and attorney-atlaw, Christopher Ram, categorically stated, that the PPP/C government must decide if it will stand on the side of the country or the oil companies. He stressed that it is unpatriotic for the country to be paying the taxes of these oil companies

- PPP/C must decide if it will stand with the country or oil companies - Ram when the law makes no provision for this to occur.

Ram said that the choice for the government on this matter should be an easy one while adding, “We should not allow ourselves to be colonised all over again.”

Expounding further, Ram was keen to point out that the current arrangement of paying the income taxes for the oil companies is called the “Pay on Behalf” (POB) system. He said it is in 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 noted that Section 51 of the PEPA

provides for the modification of four Acts in respect of licencees 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, and the burden of paying same 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 include any provision regarding the POB formula since the law does not permit same.

Ram therefore concluded that former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, went beyond his powers to extend concessions to persons who do not hold licences or agreements that are in agreement with the law of the land.

The Chartered Accountant said, “The Granger Administration, which signed the 2016 Agreement, and the PPP/C Administration before and after it, will have an enormous task of justifying whether and how a modification or inapplicability of a tax law

c an 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 other agreements is illegal.

With this in mind, Ram said, “it seems that the oil companies might have thought that the vaguely

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram worded Order No. 10 of 2016 (that was passed by the Granger Government in Parliament) to give effect to the Petroleum Agreement, would allow the pay-onbehalf-of trick. But the FAA deals with that as well. It provides that no Order (or other subsidiary legislation) will be valid unless the Act under which the subsidiary legislation is made expressly permits the remission, concession or waiver.”

Ram added, “The Order is made under the PEPA which does not, even by implication, let alone expressly, permit the POB formula.”

In conclusion, the Chartered Accountant said it is clear that the Stabroek Block Agreement contains several provisions that are not in keeping with the

Roll-out of second dose of Sputnik V vaccines commences today is happening globally. There have been several outbreaks around the world with the Delta variant and this particular vaccine seems to be doing very well against the Delta variant, so there

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony

T

he roll-out of the second dose of the Russian Sputnik V vaccines will commence today. This was announced by Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, during his COVID-19 update yesterday.

After weeks of delay in the shipment of the batch of second dose, the Minister stated that the doses have arrived in the country. “You would recall we had some difficulties in sourcing the second dose because of what

have been a global shortage of the vaccine. We have now been able to get the second dose Sputnik V into the country and as of tomorrow (today) we will start administering the second

dose of the Sputnik V,” he disclosed.

Even though, he did not state how many doses have arrived, Dr. Anthony noted that by next week another batch is slated to arrive in the

country.

Since the duration to get administered the second dose of this vaccine is four to 12 weeks, persons who received their first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine back

in April will be given first preference, the Minister said.

He said, “so they are now coming closer to that 90 days period and we want them to (continued on page 12)

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Public consultations a farce masquerading as disclosure We get this off our chest, and on the table, so that Guyanese can look at this farce being played upon the nation, and making total fools of all citizens. It is this masquerade called public consultation. Having been there ourselves in face-to-face and arm’s length nearness, this is what we have to say about public consultation: it is another of Jagdeo’s jokes, another rabbit in the big bag of Jagdeo’s jests, he toys with the people, including those faithful supporters who believe what he says, but are due great disappointment.

The first thing we noted in Friday’s consultation at the Umana Yana was that the man from Exxon, Mr. Mike Ryan, only answered those questions that he wanted to answer, those he felt comfortable responding to, and those relaying the stories that Exxon and the PPP/C government wanted to sell. By now, everybody should know that when the PPP/C government is mentioned with reference to oil, it means the Vice President, and no one else, not even the nation’s head of state himself. The VP is not just Guyana’s oilman; he is Guyana’s only oil power and oil authority.

What he says goes, and both he and Exxon have put their heads together, and cooked up a nice, sweet story, intended to soothe Guyanese, who are so trusting (or lost) as to believe them. In a nutshell, what Exxon and the VP are doing is selling a Guyanese a bill of goods. It is not pretty, not clear, and definitely not clean. For younger Guyanese, who are unfamiliar with the term, to ‘sell someone a bill of goods’ means to present them with a lie, or a fraud, and try tirelessly to convince them it is truth, they are sincere, and they are dealing with the real thing. And they should not want to lose out.

But on this gas-to-shore project and this pretense at public consultations, Guyanese have already lost, they lose out and don’t know, don’t care to know, or don’t want to know.

Regardless of who does or doesn’t, we at this paper want to know, since so much is involved, and so many crimes have occurred, with many more costly ones to come, with this oil of ours.

From the secret sale of the rich Canje and Kaieteur oil Blocks to mystery men, to the secrecies from the VP about review reports and the other things he conceals from Guyanese until cornered, and then not even having the decency to come clean, to now this late developing, but ballooning, mystery about a third party involved in the Natural gas coming from the offshore project.

Why are we, the Guyanese people who own this oil, only learning about this now? And then by default, under duress, and still only part of the story, since the identity of the third party destined to receive this oil of ours is a closely kept mystery. This is our position: it might be a mystery currently to Guyana, but it is not a mystery to either the people at Exxon or to the man who knows everything, especially the extended and expensive skullduggeries, surrounding this oil of ours in general, and regarding this white elephant in waiting, this gas to shore project, specifically.

For the enlightenment of our fellow citizens, Vice President Jagdeo had gone on record stating that the economics and underpinnings of this gas-to-shore project are so simple that it is a ‘no brainer,’ and that even someone possessing a ‘tiny brain’ would have no difficulty understanding what is involved, and how beneficial it would be to Guyana’s energy needs.

It was so simple that he somehow forgot to remember to tell Guyanese about the flow of the Natural gas produced and where and in whose hands, it ends up. What else has the VP withheld? Why do things have to come out this way? What about this clean gas could be so dirty that it must be hidden?

We were willing to support this project, when convinced with its bona fides, now we distance from it. Too much unsaid, too much trickery, too much of the same old dirty, leadership stories.

I forecast controversy dogging the PNC Congress if it takes place in October Dear Editor, Confirmation comes daily as to why we are where we are, and how the mighty PPP gets away with what it does.

The latest word came from the mountaintop where Guyana’s opposition resides: October.

The party’s long-delayed, much anticipated Congress may occur in October. This says much about what goes on here, which is where I go.

If this Congress is in October, it would be approximately 18 months since a new government took office, and the opposition is what passes for an opposition. During most fortuitous developments, the most unparalleled, in this country, there is no opposition. Nothing. I amend: nothing but the PPP government, which has been one of underworld governance, one-man gangsterism, and a government that Guyana does not grasp fully re. machinations and perversions. PPP supporters don’t care, and PNC loyalists despair; one celebratory, the latter hallucinatory, and both on downward trajectory to oil purgatory.

But this is not of the PPP

government, but of the opposition, all of PNC and AFC, and the other patsies.

It is of the vacuum we have here, a cluster of duty-free parliamentary vagrants, shameful to say, we are calling it a day, and let the Guyanese people know where they stand. Instead of leaving them hanging and hoping and hurting themselves, with the foolishness that they have something on which to hold. I think those things are gone.

For opposition supporters harbouring dreams of a political and leadership resurgence. For clear thinking, unaffiliated Guyanese who entertain ideas of checks and balance and similar bulls. I chose the verb ‘entertain’ because that is what we do: delight ourselves with mournful music and watered-down rum, of which oceans are needed to make us see some sense.

Editor, let me share what sense is. I wrote somewhere that the PPP and PNC have always been in bed. Think of this now: if Congress takes place in October, I forecast controversy dogging it afterwards. If by some manmade miracle that does

not materialise, then it would take the PNC (and AFC) practically into 2022 to get going re. visions and approaches and tactics. That is very late; oil boat and governance boats have already sailed. The people’s money boat, too, would have been ransacked and pillaged by the PPP, which is already neck deep in cash corruptions (COVID-19 and floods).

Moreover, I think the opposition (like PPP) has been neutralised on oil.

Believe me, I know how the outsiders operate. Guyana doesn’t stand a chance, and of that, I offer PPP leaders and the leaderless opposition party. PPP leaders have been castrated, which was an easy job, with top men volunteering joyfully; while those of the PNC have been disemboweled first, then denuded. In aggregate, they represent an all-around Guyanese disgrace.

Editor, think of this, too.

If trusted PNC people were so corrupt that they are accused by their own of taking PPP elections money (suspected Exxon money), then how can either party refuse Exxon’s money and not try this utterly unconvincing stupidity

about legitimacy? I think that both parties drink from Exxon’s well, and take Guyanese for a ride, rendering them fools. Meaning, the 99.99% of them that care not, think not. I will do the dirty job of thinking: listen to President and Vice President and their lips are frozen. Do identically with all Opposition Leaders, and silence reigns. Where clean and open oil management are concerned, our politics is a monastery: vows of silence.

The religious monks and nuns wait on heaven. PPP and PNC leaders get theirs right here. It is the price of silence, the expense of inaction, the cost for vacant leadership stares and states.

Exxon has the deep pockets to step up for political cowardice, to sponsor ongoing division, to foster delay and dilly-dallying. It does.

I tender the opposition, which is a stealth job in the making; and the government a done deal with its leaders hogtied hand and foot. It wasn’t just the PNC that lost; the PPP did, too. Citizens did most of all.

Yours truly, GHK Lall

Inherent in any democratisation process will be apparent contradictions and missteps Dear Editor, The turbulence through which the Guyana Police Force is currently passing was to be expected. Its genesis springs from the current phase of democratisation sweeping through the nation following the failed attempt by the APNU+AFC to return to government by fraudulent means.

Inherent in any democratisation process will be apparent contradictions and missteps that will, for one reason or another, attract criticism from those who feel a sense of disappointment because of perceived unfulfilled promises, the slow pace of the trickledown effect, the complexities of the transformative process or the slavish adherence to the adage; ‘The more things change the more they remain the same.’

With the winds of change from one administration to another, comparisons will be made as regards the form and content of governance at the State and government levels.

And with an electorate almost evenly divided, win or lose by narrow margins, will cause comparative analysis to be made that tend to blur or taint

reality today or what existed yesterday.

Judgment calls will be made about the performance of government departments and agencies. The upper echelons of government will be criticised for one reason or another. Allegations of political interference in Constitutional bodies will be fast and furious. Not even the heads of those institutions will be spared. Sections of the media will keep up the pressure on government.

But notwithstanding all the noise and allegations and accusations flying left, right and center, there is one saving grace in which we can all seek comfort, that is the parliamentary democracy we have with its inherent checks and balances and, under whatever we see and hear is accommodated.

The Guyana Police Force will be no exception to the impact of the transition from one administration to another, though it is the class nature of the administration that really matters. The Force is neither insulated from, nor immune to the winds of change. And, all things being equal, it will be subjected to harsh judgment and scrutiny by those who once strutted

the corridors of power. Small wonder why cries claiming the Force has been ‘weaponised’ and loose talk about a ‘parallel force’ being created can be heard from the mouths of those who once praised the Guyana Police Force.

The GPF has a special carve out in Guyanese society. It’s role and place inter alia is, ‘To ensure the maintenance of public order and safety throughout Guyana...’

Police forces represent the coercive arm of the State.

They have been established to quell acts of civil disobedience, violent disruptions of the peace and good order, economic sabotage, illegal financial transactions, to regulate traffic and to prevent and investigate crime. Under conditions of a dictatorship, the police is used to oppress, suppress, spy on political opponents, tap telephone conversations, intercept mail and hack Facebook accounts.

Dictatorial regimes promulgate national security acts and emergency laws that empower the police to arrest and detain persons with impunity. They are held responsible for the

disappearance and murder of journalists, newspaper editors, human rights activists, professionals, university lecturers and students, trade unionists and even religious leaders.

We only have to reflect on the experiences of the 1970 to 1980 period in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia and Paraguay to name a few in Latin America and South Africa, to recall the times when police/military dictatorships unleashed reigns of terror on their own population in the absence of democracy in any shape or form.

We in Guyana have had our taste of these experiences under the Burnham dictatorship, perhaps not to the extent as was manifested in Latin America and in Haiti under Duvalier and in Grenada under Gairy.

Nevertheless, the point must be made that politicisation within the police force began soon after the PNC assumed office in 1964. With its assumption to office, every effort was made to create a force with a leadership that was obliged to respond to the beck and call of Burnham’s whims and fancies. Police (Continued on page 6)

Tuesday July 13, 2021

To what extent are GuySuCo and GAWU cooperating in order to turn around the industry?

Dear Editor, Finally, this nation has heard of some good news from GuySuCo. Mr. Sasenarine Singh, the CEO, stated that the company has surpassed its sales target of sugar and molasses for the first half of 2021 by $734 million even though there was a shortfall in production. GuySuCo had set a target of 42,609 metric tons of sugar for the first crop, but was only able to produce 29,650 metric tons (29650/42609=69.6%) – but according to Singh, the corporation still raked in $5.9 billion.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the company on this achievement.

It is a small step towards paying off the

company’s monumental debt of $10.5 billion to Guyana, which the present government has lent GuySuCo since taking office in August 2020.

In an earlier statement, Mr. Singh lamented that only an average of 70% of the cane cutters are opting to access employment across the six estates and that mechanical harvesters were becoming mandatory to complete the workforce.

This, it can be supposed, does not have the approval of The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU), which represents the cane cutters.

Question: to what extent are GuySuCo and G AW U c o o p e r a t i n g i n order to turn around the

industry? A daily average of 30% absenteeism from any workforce is enough to have devastating effects on any industry, especially one that has been a huge financial burden on Guyana for many years.

GAWU needs to ensure that more of their members commit to the effort needed an effort, which could have f a c i l i t a t e d G u y S u C o ’s target fulfillment.

H o p e f u l l y, f o r t h e second crop, GAWU will be able to reduce the level of absenteeism among its members, and assist GuySuCo in achieving its target of 54,811 MT. This target is achievable but only if all stakeholders contribute fully.

Yours truly, Jonathan Yearwood.

We must be responsible about what we put in the public domain Dear Editor, The emergence of social media trolls who find the need to put out every aspect of our country on social media. The APNU+AFC coalition has time and time again demonstrated that they do not act in the interest of the people.

They have made several live videos, which showcase negative aspects of our country. We have seen the recent issue about the road

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Kaieteur News

works being completed along Mandela Avenue with a specific member of parliament showing what he describes as a willful act by the Government.

Putting this type of content in the public domain does not only reflect on the government of the day but all Guyanese.

With the reach that social media has in our world today, millions of people worldwide may see and make their own

conclusions of Guyanese. I am in no way contending our freedom of speech clause, however, we must be responsible about what we put in the public domain.

If the opposition, rather Guyanese at large, care about our public image and where we are headed, we would be responsible for what is posted because of the power such actions hold.

Sincerely Timothy Joseph

What is currently happening in Guyana is tragic in many respects Dear Editor, What is currently happening in Guyana is tragic in many respects, from the potentially atmospheric disastrous environmental issues (acid rain effects, etc.), adverse climate change contribution, marine pollution, and other ecological disruptive events.

Not to mention the second hand social and adverse health effects on the human population.

The preposterous political manipulation that results in ignoring sound professional practices, it is much more than an insult to the intelligence and integrity of the Guyanese populace.

Some action needs to be taken as soon as possible, to correct this untenable situation one way or another.

Commonsense allows one to learn from the experiences of neighbours, colleagues, associates, and even adversaries. One does not have to graduate from any of the prestigious institutions of higher learning like, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, or Howard University, to gain valuable experience.

Rocket science is now becoming the norm for practical “aerospace travel” through the application of professionally managed scientific principles.

Furthermore, it does not take a “galactic engineer” to explain the ramifications of high-risk ventures on earth and in oceans when it comes to the operations of all extractive industries

processes.

The recent “schedule of scoping events” organised and promoted by ExxonMobil and Guyana EPA, it happens to be a “sophisticated exercise of hoodwinking” that is deliberately orchestrated to appease the concerns of environmental activist in Guyana and around the world.

The concerns, questions and or matters, which ExxonMobil requests to be answered or considered in the subsequent EIA report, it will obviously be documented to “mimic” the recent experience of the Environmentalist, Simone Mangal, who failed to get a rational answer to her easily understood questions. The Exxon Guyana Manager representative, Erik DeMicco, merely “bamboosled” the attendees to believe that he adequately responded to her question(s), whereas it was nothing other than a “blinking hoodwinking” of a response.

Dr. Jerry Jailall’s July 10,

2021, commentary on the “Mickey Mouse” show that was held at the Umana Yana, he adequately addressed a bundle of facts that need to be dealt with almost immediately, but prior to the eventual release of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report that is expected sometime after July 26, 2021. We must be cognisant of the fact that “time is of essence” when it comes to the critical Gas-toEnergy Project Onshore and Offshore Guyana.

There is lots of work to be done at home in Guyana and especially in the Guyanese Diaspora, where the dirt of Guyanese talent and expertise must be engaged to help save the lives of Plants and Animals, including Humans, and most importantly Planet Earth and its surrounding Oceans.

The “sham scoping meetings” happen to be eyeopeners that must keep us ‘awake’ at this crucial time in history, throughout the world.

Yours truly, Neil. O. Wray

Was the public service salary increase claim just a gimmick?

Dear Editor, Was the claim that salary increase for public servants included in the budget just a gimmick? If it was not why hasn’t this category of

workers benefitted several months after the passage of the budget? Broken promises will not win confidence.

Yours truly, Shamshun Mohamed

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Two children drown one hour apart

Dead: Orinda August.

Two children are now dead after drowning Sunday evening, just a few hours apart, at different locations.

The first incident took place at the Hope Seawalls, along the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) between 16:00hrs. and 16:30hrs. A police report stated that 10year-old Anand Mangroo, along with his 13-year-old brother, Ajay, and eight-yearold cousin, Brian, were at the Hope Seawalls swimming

when a wave pushed the lad (now deceased) towards the Hope Koker channel.

This caused the lad to go below the surface of the water.

He did not resurface. This publication was informed that although Ajay shouted for help, no one responded.

Police subsequently came and commenced a search for the child’s body. At 20:20hrs.

Mangroo’s body was fished out of the water at the Hope foreshore. The body of Mangroo is now awaiting a post mortem examination.

The second incident, according to a police report,

occurred at Potsville, Kwakwani, along the Berbice River.

Amanda Wills, the mother of 18-month-old Orinda August, had left the child (now deceased) at home in the company of her other two children, seven-year-old Tyrel Williams and 15-year-old Ronella Couchman, to attend a funeral.

Between the hours of 17:30hrs. and 18:10hrs, Couchman was reportedly upstairs with August while her brother was downstairs playing.

When Williams later went

upstairs to check on his siblings, he saw that his older sister was asleep. Williams then decided to make further checks and discovered August lying head down in a bucket of water.

The deceased was pulled out of the bucket by her brother who then raised an alarm. August was then rushed to the Kwakwani Hospital Complex, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

No marks of violence were seen on the exposed part of the body, and according to police, foul play was not suspected.

How does an elected government reward its donors?

Dear Editor, It is a fundamental principle in politics that a political party’s existence depends solely on financial contributions made by its donors. With the financial support it receives, the party can have a successful campaign to captivate the minds of the electorate by whatever means it can. In Guyana, donors of a political party does not give large sums of money without expecting anything in return.

This aspect is a wellorchestrated ploy that a microscope is needed to magnify it.

Politics in Guyana is a huge investment with profitable returns for the donors who can only be labeled as political scientists.

I say political scientists because they can predict the outcome of their investment before casting their dice. This form of business gravitates the “tycoons” in Guyana

who will not throw their money to party that will not be victorious.

They are not fools but the ones who are smart, cunning, ruthless and greedy, but how does the winning party ensure that its donors are rewarded significantly for their investment?

The party grants its rewards in the form of contracts and various types of concessions. Overnight, its donors, “the big boys” will become contractors rewarded with lucrative contracts.

Others will be recipients of large plots of lands to facilitate their business ventures. In order for this scheme to appear transparent, companies with new names will begin to emerge, confusing the eyes of the masses - when in reality the donors are the real beneficiaries.

Today when one looks at the process that governs the awarding of contracts, it

seems as the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) by some unseen dark forces. This observation speaks volume, but let me point out that in Guyana and elected government’s first obligation is to satisfy its “big donors” while neglecting the poor masses account for a large majority of its votes.

It is these poor masses who are left behind to their own whims and folly. But how can we identify these big donors? The answer is to attend any presidential inauguration ceremony and your eyes will behold them all.

They will be the ones to receive all the lucrative contracts and the various types of concessions in very little time. That is how we will know that the repayment for their political investment has begun.

Yours truly, Ronald Alexander Drakes

...Inherent in any democratisation From page 4 ranks were compelled to sell ‘The New Nation,’ official organ of the PNC and raffle tickets as party fund raisers.

Senior ranks were coerced into attending Congresses and General Council meetings of the PNC. Many were pressed to work on weekends at Burnham’s farm at Hope Estate on the East Coast of Demerara. Promotions and appointments of Commissioners were solely on the basis of godfatherism and favouritism that was rampant in the promotion system.

According to one source, “The merit principle was seldom applied. Many ranks belittled and degraded themselves in order to find favour with an officer in the hope that they would be recommended for promotion.”

During the 2015 to mid2020 period, the APNU+AFC coalition administration sought to do as Burnham did, to remodel the GPF in their own image and sought to use it to advance their nefarious and anti-popular political agenda.

Regrettably, there were some in the Force who were so weak and spineless that they chose to surrender their professionalism, abandon the lofty standards of the Force and placed their experience and knowledge at the service of the APNU+AFC. This was manifested in so many ways, so much so that disgruntlement and demotivation among ranks became widespread. Sources say that were the APNU+AFC to remain in office for another five years there could have been rebellion by ranks in the GPF.

With the change of government in August of 2020, the GPF was, logically, caught up in the fresh winds of change, thus the positive turmoil we are now witnessing at Eve Leary. Thus what the GPF is experiencing currently is the birth pangs of a new leadership that is about to emerge.

But like the birthing of any new phenomenon a struggle will occur. That struggle is manifested in resistance by the Slowites to block a new leadership of the GPF from emerging. This is the sum total of what’s behind the turbulence and upheaval currently affecting the GPF. However, it is necessary if change is to come.

Yours truly, Clement J. Rohee Former Minister of Home Affairs

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

While we are hopeful that President Irfaan Ali has Guyana's best interests at heart, there are occasions that his utterances are worrisome. The latest was when he publicly praised the “valuable” and “respectful” relationship of the United States for Guyana.

But he has got to be the Guyanese man from Mars to take a position like that save for elections help. If it is that the US was really such a “valuable” relationship, then it would have jumped right in and pressed Exxon: don't treat Guyana this way. It is embarrassing to the American ideal of fair play. Don't be this greedy, as it makes all Americans look like rip-off artists, and gives business a bad name.

But the US is not doing so. If the US was truly “respectful” of our oil dreams and aspirations, then it would work behind the scenes to get Exxon to make some concessions. But it has not.

We hope that President Ali is not next going to say the same of Exxon: that it is a “valuable” and “respectful” relationship.

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Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

Private investors/consortium for …to assist in designing, gas-to-shore project financing power plant, etc.

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espite no d e t a i l e d financial or other studies being completed, the Government of Guyana says it has f i n a l i s e d t h e Wa l e s Development Zone (WDZ) as the termination point for the pipeline from the Liza Area in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana and as such is seeking private investors or a consortium to be part of the project.

This is according to an Expression of Interest (EOI) advertised by the Ministry of Natural Resources, which

said in the invitation that it is calling for Joint participation in the proposed gas-to-shore project with the government and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana.

According to the advertised EOI, the government and EEPGL are looking for partners “in designing or utilising the outputs from an NGL (Natural Gas Liquids) / LPG (Liquified Petroleum Gas) facility and related facilities.”

This includes, according

to the Ministry, design, construction, and financing of a power plant fuelled by Natural gas, where the power will be delivered into the Guyana Power and Light's (GPL) distribution grid. This is in addition to industries that can utilise Natural gas for, “Natural gas driven developments and growth.”

According to the invitation, interested parties can bid to take part in any of the elements individually or collectively. It was noted however, any submission for the first and third aspects of the project, namely design

and utilisation of gas or the industrial park, “must demonstrate the nexus between the projects as detailed.”

Responses to the EOI, the Ministry said, should contain adequate information including the capabilities (technical and financial), track-record, profile and relevant information on the applicant or consortium.

This, in addition to, evidence of financial resources available for the proposed project and should include a business plan.

That plan, the Ministry said, must include a description of the proposed project, details on land required and related infrastructure, required quantities of gas and electricity (capacity [MWhr] and energy [kWhr]), with information on expected pricing, volumes, and ability to manage potential variable gas flows.

The Ministry in its invitation noted too, that the

decision on Wales was taken after extensive evaluation of multiple sites with ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

The Wales Development Zone (WDZ), it said, has been identified as the termination point for the pipeline from the Liza Area in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana.

The WDZ encompasses over 14,000+ acres of land of which approximately 1,300 acres will be set aside for heavy Industry/gas-related investments.

The project, according to stakeholders, is expected to see some 27 kilometres of pipeline being buried from the Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) location to Wales, in addition to some 200 plus kilometres of pipeline from the Stabroek Block where the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel is located.

According to the administration, WDZ will be the location for the

termination of the gaspipeline measuring over 225 km from the Liza Area.

Additionally, it will involve the establishment of a gas-processing plant (GPP) and a Natural gas liquids facility (NGL) capable of producing at least 4,000 bbl./day, including the fractionation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

The private partners will also be expected to take part in the operations of the establishment of a power plant to generate 150 MW, with an additional 150 MW as a second phase in addition to the establishment of an industrial park comprising industries that can utilise gas, steam and/or electricity.

Interested parties have been given up to August 29 to submit proposals.

Additionally, “proposals will be especially welcome for small scale ammonia/urea, protein synthesis, cement, glass manufacture, ceramics, and other industries that rely on (continued on page 13)

Eco Atlantic raises CAD$6.1M to drill another well in Canje Block

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Canadian oil exploration c o m p a n y operating in the Canje Block—Eco Atlantic—has had its application approved to issue more shares in the company to a private equity partner in order to raise several million dollars to pursue another well in the Canje Block.

The news comes just days after announcing that its Jabillo-1 well was unsuccessful and as such had to be abandoned and capped.

M a k i n g t h e announcement on Friday last, the company which boasted licences in the proven oil province of Guyana said, “it has received approval from the TSX Venture Exchange for its private placement with Africa Oil Corp. ('Africa Oil') and Charlestown Energy Partners LLC ('Charlestown Energy') to raise approximately CAD$6.1 M.” Announcing the original application for the sale of shares on June 28, last, Gil Holzman, Co-Founder and

Gil Holzman, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic Chief Executive Officer of Eco Atlantic, had observed, "our strategic partners at Africa Oil are further increasing their shareholding through the placement, and we welcome the investment from Charlestown Energy Partners.”

The move, he noted, will provide, “Eco with additional funds for the JHI

transaction and enables the second well on Canje Block, Sapote-1, and preserves enough cash for the drilling in our Orinduik Block.”

He said at the time, Eco and Africa Oil are committed to jointly seek, analyse and fund exploration opportunities, and Eco greatly appreciates their technical contribution and capital support as we move forward.”

Announcing the approval of the sale of shares on Friday, the company noted that the terms of the application remain unchanged.

Application had to be made to the London Stock Exchange for the 14,945,913 new common shares to be issued pursuant to the Subscription (the 'Subscription Shares') to be admitted to trading on AIM ('Admission').

Admission was projected to take place on July 15, 2021, but this has since been moved up, meaning Eco is likely to secure the cash through the transaction earlier than planned.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 13, 2021

PAGE 09

The Opposition and the Govt. can work together F

orty thousand persons, the majority not wearing masks, jammed the Wembley Stadium on Sunday night to watch the Euro 2020 finals. They could do this because coronavirus deaths are extremely low in the UK even though infections are high.

The pandemic is coming to an end. Once the situation stabilises in India, Brazil, Indonesia, Russia, Colombia and Argentina, it will mark the end of the pandemic.

However, do not think for one moment that the local epidemic is near to its climax.

Five elderly persons were reported as dead yesterday.

These persons succumbed to coronavirus-related causes.

The average age of the group was 77 years. The youngest was 65 and the oldest was 92.

Over the weekend, the death of a centenarian was reported. That person was 102 years old.

The majority of those dying recently were elderly persons. But the majority of those being infected are young persons.

However, do you believe that the 102-year-old person and the 92-year-old person were out cavorting on the streets not wearing a mask Do you believe that?

No, a more plausible

Dem

boys seh...

D

e President of de See Dee Bee visit Guyana and he meet with Prezzie and de Minista of Fine Ants. Dem boys bin expect nuff talk about flood relief and improving drainage and irrigation. But de news report how Prezzie talk about private sector support.

De government gat a complex fuh de private sector. Dem smitten by de private sector. As soon as dem open dem mouth is only private, private sector yuh hearing. Meantime dem poor people ketching dem tail with de high prices in de market.

Dem boys hear recently

hypothesis is that the majority of the elderly who are dying because of being infected in their own homes and by members of their own households.

It is most likely that those dying were infected by a younger person, either someone from their own home or someone who came to visit them.

But we have reached the stage where those who are dying have only themselves to blame. They should have been vaccinated. If they were fully vaccinated, they would have stood a decent chance of surviving. Numbers from the United States have indicated that since the vaccination started in that country, 99.5 percent of those who died were not vaccinated.

Even with the first shot of a two-shot vaccine, you do have some protection, according to the experts. In Guyana, a regional official died from complications of the coronavirus, even though he was vaccinated. But guess what, it takes between 2-3 weeks for immunisation to develop and this official died within the two weeks period.

But no one has asked why he was not vaccinated earlier.

He could have since the vaccine was open to all ages since the 16th April 2021.

There is no excuse for not being vaccinated. Some of the

elderly however may not be vaccinated because they do not have persons who are willing to take them to be vaccinated. Some of their relatives may be of the misguided belief that since these elderly may be cooped up at home there is little chance of them being infected.

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

Some of the very persons who may be reluctant or lazy to take their elderly relatives to the vaccination centres could be the very persons who will bring the virus into the home and leave their elderly relatives stricken.

Deaths should be rare in Guyana. Guyana was vaccinating persons when the rest of the Caribbean was scrambling to get vaccines.

But people – including highly educated persons - are listening to conspiracy theories and are refusing or delaying their vaccination.

Only about half of the country's adult population has so far been vaccinated. And in recent weeks, the dailyvaccinated rate turned into a drizzle. Over the past 12 days, only 6,319 first shots were administered. This averages around 525 per day.

The government had been hoping for 10,000 per day.

This is why this column has been saying that it is time for a stronger focus on vaccinating the elderly; those

Greens mo valuable dan gold dat a man had to hire bodyguards fuh go to de market… fuh buy greens.

Dem choke and rob gang now more interested in 'greens' dan in gold.

Since dem boys small dem eating vegetables because de doctor seh how it does mek yuh live lang.

Deh had a man who ask he doctor, "Doc, do you think I'll live to be a 100?''

De doctor asks de man "Well, that depends. Do you drink?"

"Oh, no sir! I abstain from all alcohol. Soda, too. I just drink plenty of fresh water."

"Do you smoke?"

"No, sir! Never smoked

in my life, and I stay away from any place with second hand smoke."

"Do you eat a lot of sugary and greasy foods?"

"No, sir! I carefully watch my diet and calorie intake, and I'm sure to eat plenty of vegetables."

"Do you go to parties?

Stay up late? Or are promiscuous?"

"Not at all! Early to bed and early to rise! And abstinence is the key."

De doctor raise an eyebrow at de man. "So...

Why exactly do you want to live to be a 100?"

Talk half and ask de private sector when prices gan drap!

55 years and older. This is the only way to stop the death toll from reaching that dreaded figure of 600 by the end of August.

When the vaccination campaign had opened up to all ages, the President had deployed more than 400 members of the Disciplined Services to assist with the drive.

A new Drive is needed.

This time teams need to be going house to house to register the elderly and ask whether they have been vaccinated. From this

information, interventions can be made.

If the government can have a drive-through vaccination exercise, there is no reason why they cannot have a special one, which goes into the villages to vaccinate the elderly, especially now that the Chinese vaccines, which do not require extra-cold storage are here.

The Government and Opposition have seen eye to eye on the Venezuelan threat.

The Foreign Minister even met his counterpart from the

Opposition to brief her during that period.

So why cannot the Government and the Opposition see eye to eye on this matter of life and death for the elderly. Why all the theatrics in the National Assembly?

Instead of the theatrics, let us look after the geriatrics.

Get the “old people” vaccinated and save lives!

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

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The plan to rig the PNC congress is unfolding O

n Friday, I argued that society should continue to engage African Guyanese about their political leadership.

It is becoming overbearing in the cruel ways that the PNC and their surrogates in the trade union movement, academia and civil society are deceiving African people in this country.

Because of Covid-19, the congress will be physically reduced in numbers. What naked and ugly manipulation

this is. Since when because of Covid-19, the PNC is concern about large numbers at any event?

Since the Covid-19 restrictions began in April 2020, the PNC as a party and several of its leaders as government ministers have staged several picketing exercises in which the leaders have addressed PNC supporters. Protestors were transported to the courts to protest during the early stages of the rigging of the

national elections openly violating Covid-19 restrictions.

A large crowd gathered at State House where President Granger spoke to them. He didn't wear a mask and neither did they. In September last year, Granger and Harmon went to Region Five in the midst of the murder of the two Henry cousins and spoke to a large numbe r o f P N C followers.

Then those followers in their thousands cut off Region

Five from the rest of the country. They beat and robbed Indian folks. Cars and buildings were burned.

Countless videos are available to show that not one rioter wore a mask. Days after, Volda Lawrence went up to Region Five to persuade PNC supporters not to riot and create mayhem. There was no observance of Covid-19 restrictions.

The PNC has now found it convenient to reshape its upcoming congress later this

year because of the pandemic.

Three aspects have been decided on so far. There will not be a large o ff i c i a l o p e n i n g ceremony where diplomats, guests and the media will be Frederick Kissoon invited. The number of days the congress parliamentary exclusion, there will last has been shortened. were strong disagreements But here is the most between Lawrence and important departure – the Granger over the award of amount of delegates will be seats to the AFC. drastically curtailed. Here is A majority of PNC leaders where the rigging will take a r g u e d t h a t t h e place.

Cummingsburg Accord was Important to note is that based on state power sharing, Mr. Granger has signalled his and did not envisage an intention to seek re-election. environment of opposition Secondly, Mr. Harmon will be status for APNU+AFC. contesting the post of They contended that the nine Chairmanship. You don't need s e a t - a l l o c a t i o n s w a s a doctorate in political studies excessive. It was Raphael to know that the reduction in Trotman who persuaded delegates will facilitate a Granger to give the AFC the victory for both men. nine seats. The AFC leaders What is going to happen is went to parliament but not that, those delegates will be Lawrence. carefully selected. Here is The PNC congress will be where Volda Lawrence's rigged. It has never happened career as a PNC stalwart will in the history of party politics be over. She will simply win a where a leader would allow seat to the central committee. himself to be toppled by his She will be ousted as chairman archenemy in his own party. and Granger as leader will The brutal reality is that, David continue to ostracise her.

Granger would face incredible This country and its humiliation and unbelievable diaspora do not know the l o s s o f c r e d i b i l i t y i f dislike that is boiling between Lawrence was to beat him in Granger and Lawrence. the voting. In a free process, Depending on how you see the she will. nature of the human being, you Can the PNC survive this will make your preference. immanent implosion? It will, Lawrence was relentless in her but its fragility will become condemnation of Granger's deeper and more extensive. indecisiveness during the First, Lawrence will lose and election rigging from March there will exist in the PNC a to July last year. And solid group of her supporters completely lost her temper that will continue to reject when he conceded to Granger and Harmon.

Secretary of State, Mike S e c o n d l y, f i n a n c i a l Pompeo. support for the PNC will Cathy Hughes for the AFC dwindle because generous and Volda Lawrence manned donors will see an increasing the fortress. Lawrence's weakness in the party. Thirdly, denunciation of Granger was the continuing guerrilla emotional and verbally warfare will alienate large tempestuous during the end numbers of citizens. The PNC part of the election rigging. is facing perhaps a permanent The break was now complete. crisis.

Granger subsequently used his (The views expressed in position as Leader of the List this article are those of the to exclude her from a u t h o r a n d d o n o t parliament. necessarily reflect the E v e n b e f o r e h e r opinions of this newspaper.)

Monday July 12, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

GEA Inspector caught on tape soliciting fuel deal for 'friend'

…was lobbying for business without requisite licence

A

senior fuel inspector attached to the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) has been caught on a taped recording directing a client looking to purchase a large quantity of fuel to not use his preferred choice.

Instead, the inspector lobbied for the fuel to be purchased from another dealer. The dealer that was being recommended by the GEA Inspector, according to sources close to the transaction, does not have a licence to import fuel nor resell.

GEA, which has jurisdiction over the issuance of the different classes of fuel licences used in Guyana such as Import, Transport and Sales, has been recently embroiled in controversy over the

issuance of fuel licences to companies not meeting the legal requirements.

In the recording, the inspector (name provided) could be heard telling the potential client not to use the dealer he was negotiating with but rather to use another dealer he would recommend instead.

In the recording, the GEA Inspector could be heard telling the client, “what you were doing all the time is purchasing fuel from a company who is not licenced by the GEA, I know you would not be aware of that.”

To this end, the client sought clarity, since he was doing business with two other companies based on recommendations.

He queried of the in s p ecto r, “ju s t f o r

Govt. looking to buy long-range drone to help fight crime

T

he Guyana Police Force has invited suppliers to bid for the supply of a long-range drone in order to improve its surveillance capabilities.

This is in addition to the purchase of traffic equipment, according to an advertisement over the weekend by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to the Ministry, the bid documents for that and other purchases can be obtained at the Finance Department of the Ministry. The bids, according to the advertisement, must be submitted no later than today (July 13), to the Chairman of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.

It was noted that any bids exceeding $3 million must be accompanied with the

relevant bid security documents.

The administration's most recent purchase of drones for the security services had attracted controversy when it was discovered that the purchase had not only been made from a startup company, but was overpriced.

The Army justified its cost citing security concerns at the time.

Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, in October last, had told this publication that the administration was looking to extend its shoreline monitoring through the use of drone technology.

The drones, he said, will be used as an overhead watch to actively monitor Guyana's sea defences, which include mangroves and seawalls.

informational purposes, I got two other individuals that I use in the same capacity that I do business with (name of company withheld), somebody put me on to them I just have a number that I call.”

To t h i s , t h e G E A Inspector told the client that the dealer (name withheld) is licenced to sell fuel.

Kaietuer News has since been informed that this is not the case, since the person in question only has a licence to transport fuel and not sell.

In recommending another company, he insisted that the company that the client initially wanted to do business with was not licenced to sell fuel. The client then confessed, “I don't know per say who is licenced and who is not,” to which the inspector repeated the names of two companies he claimed were licenced to sell fuel by the GEA. As the client sought further information, the inspector responded, “I got a guy who normally deals with fuel in that area so I will call him and I will give you a call.”

According to the client, “I would really appreciate that,” at which point he was reassured by the inspector, “yes, I will do that, you don't worry.”

This publication recently reported that the GEA had issued fuel import licences to at least two companies that

One of the locations without storage facilities that was issued a licence have no demonstrable storage capacity or other mandatory requirements.

Those companies were identified as Global Commercial Import and Transport that is located in Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), and the other is Global Petroleum Inc., a company located at Wales, West Bank Demerara.

Neither of the companies is presently in possession of a fuel storage depot for fuel imports—a requirement that has to be met before any such licence is issued.

According to the application requirements for receiving such a licence, applicants, in addition to having a storage depot that meets the required specifications, are also expected to have completed an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Companies requiring an import licence are also required to provide a

Petroleum Licence from the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in the case of wholesale and importing wholesale application.

This publication understands that none of the companies named have met any of the outlined requirements but would have been given import licences.

Kaieteur News has since been told that the granting of the licences was done prior to the first meeting of the entity's new Chairman of the Board, attorney-at-law, Jerome Khan. Undoubtedly, the two companies mentioned have not shown that they are capable of meeting the criteria to obtain fuel legally nor to acquire a licence.

According to the GEA's website, as at December 31, 2017, GEA had issued 13 Import and Importing Wholesale Licences for importation of “fuels,” i.e., diesel, gasoline, kerosene

Cubans in Guyana protest

Roll-out of second dose...

From page 3 get first preference.” The Minister revealed too that if a person waits for at least 12 weeks before receiving their second dose, the better will be the durability of the vaccine.

With the next batch

expected soon, the Health Minister gave assurance that persons who have received their first dose of the Sputnik V will receive their second dose. The second doses, he said, were sourced from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) supplier.

and aviation fuel.

This is in addition to 22 Import and Importing Wholesale Licences issued for the importation of either lubricants and/or LPG only.

The entity revealed too that one export licence had been issued in addition to 14 Wholesale Licences, 113 Retail Licences: Petrol Filling Stations, 464 Retail Licences: Others: LPG, Kerosene, Lubricants, etcetera, 230 Consumer Installation Licences and 630 Bulk Transportation Carrier Licences.

In 2017, GEA's Inspectors visited 12,882 sites and collected 33,891 samples, which resulted in 29 discoveries of illegal fuel and the seizure of over 11,000 gallons of illegal gasoline and diesel.

For 2018, the inspectors are said to have visited 3,191 sites and collected 8,339 fuel samples in the first quarter of the year.

Cubans living in Guyana protested yesterday in front of the 43 High Street, Kingston, Georgetown, Cuban Embassy, calling for freedom and an end to 72 years of dictatorial rule in Cuba.

The communist island nation of Cuba erupted into anti-government protests on Sunday as people took to the streets against a deepening economic crisis amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 13, 2021

GRA officer killed by landlord's son during eviction row

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n eviction row yesterday turned deadly when an Enforcement Officer of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) was stabbed by his landlord's 42-year-old son.

Twenty-four-year-old Dwayne Daniel Taitt, was stabbed around 00:30hrs. yesterday in the region of his chest. His alleged killer has since been arrested and is presently in police custody.

According to police, on Sunday at around 17:30hrs, Taitt's landlord, Jacklyn Lamaizon, told Taitt and his wife that they have up to July 14, 2021, to move out of her Lot 2 Middleton Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, apartment. The couple was r e s i d i n g a t t h e aforementioned address with their two-year-old daughter.

Kaieteur News understands that Lamaizon was in the company of her son when she gave the tenants the short notice to vacate her apartment.

Ta i t t ' s w i f e t o l d investigators that they were asleep when they were awakened by the suspect banging on their apartment door with a piece of wood while shouting for them to move out.

The police reported that Taitt then got up, opened the door and went outside to the suspect who was armed with a knife. The suspect reportedly used the knife to attack Taitt. The man then ran out onto a street opposite the apartment, but the suspect chased after him and dealt him a stab to his chest. Taitt collapsed and the suspect fled the scene with the murder weapon.

Dead, Dwayne Daniel Taitt Taitt's wife, assisted by a security guard, rushed him to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. His body was then examined and a single wound was seen to his left upper chest.

Taitt's body was then escorted to the hospital's mortuary where it is awaiting a post mortem examination.

The suspect was later arrested and the knife he reportedly used to stab Taitt was also recovered.

Statements were taken and investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, friends, colleagues and relatives of Taitt yesterday took to social media to express their grief over his passing. He was described as hardworking, disciplined and joyful.

Private investors/consortium for gas-to-shore project From page 8 gas, steam, or electricity,” the Ministry stated.

It noted too, that responses dealing with power generation should detail comparable projects completed, recommended t e c h n o l o g y, t y p e a n d capacity of equipment specification related to the gas needed, back-up fuel optionality in the event of interruptions of Natural gas flow, capability to use rich gas as fuel to account for NGL plant downtime, required gas per MW installed, generation costs, ability to build in a

modular fashion, environmental and emissions impacts, and timelines/key milestones.

With regards to the use of additional gases, the invitation detailed that responses dealing with NGLs should provide details of expectations on markets (local and regional), expected input prices, expected sale prices, level of investment on required infrastructure, proposed changes to the current configuration of the existing market, and ability to work with local partners and Government.

PAGE 13

Guyana to receive current world market price for oil sold to India

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ccording to Minister of N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e s , Vi c k r a m Bharrat, the recent sale of one million barrels of Liza crude to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC) is set to be the country's highest paying oil deal to date.

Responding to questions posed by the media, the Minister indicated that the government had invited ExxonMobil, Hess, CNOOC and IOC to indicate interest in purchasing the shipment via the submission of proposals.

He noted that “of the four, we would have gotten the best deal from the Indian Oil Company; that is why we

- Minister decided [on them] and that is how we will continue to function, that is to say, ensuring we get maximum benefits from the oil and gas sector, and this is what we will continue to do.”

With the Brent crude oil, the index Guyana uses to sell its crude oil trading at more than US$75 a barrel, the 75,000,000 estimated price for the most recent shipment of Liza crude would firmly place it as the highest paying oil sale for Guyana's oil to date, raking in an almost US$3,000,000 or a 20.7 percent increase over the

energy minister said that “you could recall the last payment was US$62.1M so this is a significant increase.”

In noting the highly favourable terms of the million-barrel deal with IOC, the Natural Resources Minister revealed that no marketer's fee is included in the transaction.

He said, “what is important to note too, is that for this last lift we are not paying any marketing fee.

You are just selling the oil to Natural Resources the Indian Oil Company and Minister, Vickram Bharrat they are transporting it.”

Consequently, the minister previous highest sale of has touted this as “the 62,100,000. sweetest deal we have had In relation to this, the (continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

th

Rotary Club of G/Town Central installs 38 Board of Directors

O

n Sunday July 4, 2021, the Rotary C l u b o f Georgetown Central (RCGC) installed its new Board of Directors during its Handover Ceremony. This Board will lead the Club during the new Rotary Year July 2021 to June 2022.

At the Hybrid Handover Ceremony, a release noted, Assistant Governor (AG), Renata Chuck-A-Sang, handed over the Rotary Charter to the Club's new President, Jeffrey Walcott.

I mmed iately af ter h is installation, the new Club President formally introduced the new Board Members that include Directors and Committee

Chairs who were elected to serve at the helm of the various Committees within the Club.

They include Immediate Past President - Andrew Boyle, Vice President - Past President, Gillian Rockcliffe, President Elect Avia Lindie, Secretary Keisha Chung, Treasurer Mariesa Jagnanan and Sergeant at Arms – Past President, Ronald Robinson.

Other Directors and Chairs are Michelle Howard – Club Administration, Lloyd David – Public Image, Alysha Hercules – Rotary Foundation, Daniel Griffith – Membership, Dr. Dason McKenzie – Service Projects, Cherie Rampertab

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central new Board Members 2021-2022 – Youth Service, and Jagdesh Haripershad – Fundraising.

In his final remarks as President, Boyle said that he

was proud to have served as the President of such an outstanding Rotary Club for two consecutive years, and

expressed gratitude to members of the outgoing Board for their committed and unfettered leadership during the past year. He also thanked all Rotarians of the Club for their support.

In highlighting some of the Rotary Club's achievements during the past year, the outgoing President mentioned some of the projects and activities which included increased membership, collaboratively hosting of a COVID-19 Vaccination Drive with other

service organisations, the execution of Rotary District's Healthy Lifestyles and Childhood Obesity Projects, and the established Alliance between the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central and the Georgetown Toastmasters Club – a first in the Caribbean.

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central also received a 4-Star District Citation Award for its achievements during the last year under IPP Boyle's (continued on page 17)

5 more COVID-19 deaths recorded - 2 children now in ICU

Y

esterday the Ministry of Health reported that five more persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease have died. As a result of this, the country's COVID19 death toll has moved to 497.

According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of a 91-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and four men – a 65-year-old from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), a 67year-old from Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), a 79-year-old and an 86-year-old, both from Region Four.

All five persons succumbed to the virus over a two-day period (July 10 to July 11), while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 49 new COVID-19 cases, and this has brought the total number of confirmed cases to 21,002. Out of the confirmed cases, 10,746 persons are women, while

10,256 are men.

A breakdown of new cases per Region shows that Region Six leads with 19 new cases, Region Four with 11, Region 10 with eight, Region One with four, Region Two with three and Regions Three and Five with two each.

The dashboard also shows that 11 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, stated that two children are now in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“Some of the children who were there before, at least two of them, have been discharged, but currently we have four children that are in the hospital and of those four, two are currently in the ICU and two are in the regular wards. The two that are in the ICU, one has been there for some time now…just early this morning another child was admitted into the ICU,” the Minister related.

There are 76 persons presently in institutional isolation and 1,318 in home isolation. To date, a total of 19,100 persons have recovered from the virus.

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 16 VACANCY

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

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles,age 2550,Car/Van licence,642-9823.

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

WANTED Wanted one experienced GoldSmith,Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn shop 16 Pike street Kitty Tel#622-4970 C a s h i e r 1 8 y e a r s o l d e r.

Call:223-7165.

Cashier,Porter & Salesman withVanandLorry ,A.Wahab Trading.Call:227-6659,2274861.

TO LET Newly constructed 2 bedroom apt in a safe and h e a l t h y environment.Call:698-6496/ 622-6512.

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

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

VACANCY Welder for grill work.Tel:6215310.

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

S a l e s g i r l a n d Salesboy.Contact:680-6279/ 630-4972.

FOR SALE Allion,Premio,Field Wagon, Spacio,Sinter,Allex,212,Blue Bird,Advenis,RZ and Pitbull.650-7501.

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

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

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

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

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

One experience hauler truck driver to work full time at A&R Trading.Call:661-1254/6591771.

Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in person, Lot 120 Forth Street Albertown G/ Town or call 610-0340.

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

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

FOR RENT Aparment for rent $35,000 per month for more info, Call: 662-5790/ 689-0979

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

Waitress between ages 18-25 years old $20,000 weekly. Live in domestic between ages 2545 years $30,000 weekly Tel#648-7866 Maid to cook & clean for East Bank Call 615-9132

Guyana to receive current world market price for oil sold to India From page 13 thus far.”According to the Bank of Guyana, the most recent account details a figure of US$344,161,633 (GYD71,585,619,000) in

Guyana's Natural Resources Fund. The estimated sum for the most recent shipment could carry that figure to almost US$420,000,000 (GYD85,570,000) The nation's seventh oil shipment bound for India has been regarded as a trial shipment undertaken as part of an arrangement seeking to establish a long-

term agreement between Guyana and India.

Eighty percent of India's gas demand is satisfied by oil imports which makes it the third largest oil importer in the world. The nation's gas demand is expected to increase nearly three-fold from 229 million metric tonnes in 2018 to 607 million metric tonnes in 2040.

Tuesday July 13, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Vendor slapped by thieves Cop who allegedly assaulted for warning victim ‘wife’ remanded Even as more individuals come forward to tell their stories of being brazenly robbed in the Stabroek Market area, some eyewitnesses have related that the bandits would also assault the vendors for warning potential victims.

One eyewitness had pointed this out after reading a Kaieteur News’ article with the headline: “KN employee falls prey to Stabroek Market’s choke-and-rob gang.”

That individual stated, “the reason the vendors can’t help is because the gang would return to deal with them. Once I saw a female vendor trying to signal a man that he was about to be robbed. The would-be robber return and slap her two times.”

Other eyewitnesses said that robbers would also target

and victimise the vendors if they try to prevent such robberies from occurring.

Agreeing with the eyewitnesses that vendors are forced to turn a blind eye to the brazen acts of robbery taking place in the area, two more victims decided to share their stories of being robbed in the presence of multiple onlookers.

One of them, an employee of DSL Cash and Carry, was choked and robbed by two masked men just last Wednesday. He was attacked at around 21:30hrs. in front of a barbershop located at the route 42 bus park.

While seeking transportation, the victim recalled that one of the men choked him from behind as the accomplice relieved him of a haversack, which contained his cell phone worth some $47,000, wallet

and house keys.

The accomplice searched his pockets too but found nothing else of value and decided to let him go. He related that the men robbed him in the presence of two vendors who were nearby.

Another man, an employee of ASSL Group of Companies, said that he was robbed in front of multiple vendors on Tuesday June 29, 2021.

He was attacked around 19:00hrs. by three men armed with a gun. They reportedly slapped him to the face and demanded that he hand over his valuables.

Fearful for his life, he handed over his cell phone worth $65,000.

On Sunday last a Kaieteur News reporter, while sitting in a minibus on the East Coast Demerara bus park, witnessed a man being choked and robbed by three bandits just moments before a police patrol car drove by.

The constable accused of brutalising his common-law wife on Thursday July 1, last, was yesterday remanded to prison.

The defendant, Sereste Brittlebank, made his appearance at the Vigilance Magistrate Court before Senior Magistrate, Fabayo Azore.

Brittlebank pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleges that on July 1, 2021, he assaulted his common-law wife causing her actual bodily harm.

The cop is expected to make his next court appearance on July 26, 2021, for reports.

According to reports, Brittlebank brutalised his spouse for two hours on Thursday July 1, last, causing her to fall unconscious at

...Rotary Club of G/Town Central installs From page 14 Presidency. Also during the ceremony, AG Chuck-A-Sang made some key remarks. The AG hailed Rotary for still being one of the best service organisations on the globe, and encouraged Rotarians to work at making the organisation strong and resilient through the constant uptake of knowledge about things Rotary.

In addition, AG Renata advocated that Rotarians begin to network – get involved in Rotary Action Groups and Rotary Fellowships. In concluding, she extended congratulations to the outgoing Board for a job well done, and best wishes to the incoming Board for a successful Rotary year ahead.

Past President of the Georgetown Toastmasters Club, Ibi-Mina EdwardsParkinson, in her remarks praised the mutually benefi-

cial alliance formed between the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central and the Georgetown Toastmasters Club, and looked forward to joint activities between the two organisations.

The Guest Speaker of the event was the Director General of the Civil Defence Commission, Lt. Col. Kester Craig, who in his presentation promised to identify opportunities for collaboration between Rotary and the CDC. He said that the CDC and Rotary goals are parallel, and both organisations can work to make a significant contribution to the lives of the people of Guyana.

The newly elected President, Walcott, commended the outgoing leadership for the solid foundation they have left behind, which includes a new Strategic Plan 2021-2024 and updated Bylaws of the Club. With his rise to the helm,

President Walcott promised to be guided by the strategic goals set out by the Club and the shared Rotary Vision, which he believes would take the Club forward to new heights. President Walcott referenced the theme put forward by the new Rotary International President, Shekhar Mehta, “Serve to Change Lives” – which, he said, “… is a call to action and a testament that impermanence does not erase value.” The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central is one of seven Rotary Clubs in Guyana and has been in existence for the past 38 years.

With the voluntary support of Rotarians, who are committed to serve communities and the kind support of many sponsors, the Club has been able to make a significant impact on the lives of many Guyanese through service.

Remanded for allegedly brutalising his common-law wife, Sereste Brittlebank.

Brittlebank might have followed up his threats.

Following the publication of the woman’s horrific story by the media, Brittlebank turned himself in on July 8.

Fire service’s prompt response saves Nandy Park building Quick response by three fire tenders on Sunday night helped to thwart the destruction of an apartment building located at Lot 176 East Field, Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara.

Some of the tenants of the building revealed that around 19:45hrs. they heard a loud explosion coming from a storeroom located at the back of the building.

When they looked out, they

The Stabroek Market Area.

least three times. He began beating her at his friend’s birthday party at around 23:30hrs.

The severe physical abuse ended at the woman’s home close to 02:00hrs. the following day.

The woman had reported the matter to police but he had gone into hiding and allegedly threatened to kill her if she continued to talk about the assault.

Fearful for her life, she reportedly reached out to Melissa Atwell popularly known as Melly Mel, for help.

Atwell is the head of a nongovernmental organisation called You Are Not Alone (YANA), which helps victims of abuse.

Atwell informed the media of the matter because she feared that

said that they saw fire coming from the storeroom.

Upon seeing this, the tenants started to evacuate the building.

It was during this time a call was made to the Guyana Fire Service. They said that within 10 minutes three fire tenders arrived at the scene.

Fire fighters reportedly wasted no time in trying to contain the flames.

When Kaieteur News

arrived at the scene, the fire was already under control.

A female tenant was seen outside holding a suitcase.

She related that she grabbed her suitcase, which contained important items and ran outside “barefoot” when she learnt of the fire.

This newspaper understands that the storeroom contained “gas” and a water pump.

Investigations are ongoing.

Biden to call efforts to restrict voting ‘authoritarian’ in speech - White House WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Joe Biden will call efforts to strip the right to vote from some Americans “authoritarian” i n a s p e e c h t o d a y, t h e White House said yesterday.

Biden “will lay out the moral case for why denying the right to vote is a form of suppression and a form of silencing,” and discuss steps the administration plans to take to shore up voting rights, White House Press Secretary

Jen Psaki said.

Biden’s speech in Philadelphia will address the ongoing “onslaught of voter suppression laws based on a dangerous and discredited conspiracy theory that culminated in an assault on our capitol,” she said.

Republican governors of Arizona, Florida and Iowa have signed new voting restrictions this year, while state legislatures in Pennsylvania and Texas are trying to advance similar

measures that the Biden administration and Democrats say target minority voters.

Biden will also “decry efforts to strip the right to vote as authoritarian and anti-American,” Psaki said, adding that the president plans to make the case for passing laws in Congress and building a voter education system to fight “the worst challenge to our democracy since the Civil War.”

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

Roll-out of $3.2B cash grant initiative for school children begins Thursday

G

overnment through its Ministry of Education will commence the handing over of the “Because We Care” cash

grant and the School Uniform and Supplies Grant to children in the public school system on Thursday July 15, 2021.

According to a release

issued by the Education Ministry, the grant is valued at $15,000 this year and the School Uniform and Supplies Grant is valued at $4,000, giving a total of

$19,000 for each child in the public education system.

Approximately 172,000 students will benefit from this programme, which will see a total of $3.2 billion

going towards children and families across Guyana.

Unlike last year, the School Uniform and Supplies Grant will not be given in the form of a voucher but rather as cash.

The schedule for distribution will be posted on the Ministry of Education's Facebook page, the Ministry's website and they were also published in the Sunday July 11, 2021 editions of the daily newspapers. The schedule will also be published in subsequent editions, the Ministry noted in its release.

Parents or guardians of children in the public school system from nursery to secondary level are to visit the respective schools on the scheduled date to uplift the grant. If a parent or guardian fails to uplift the grant on the scheduled date, they will be allowed to do so at a later date at the Department of Education for that Region or Education District.

This later date, the Ministry has advised, will be announced at the appropriate time but will be after the entire exercise is concluded.

As such, parents are encouraged to make every effort to attend on the scheduled dates.

Parents or guardians are asked to walk with a valid form of identification when going to uplift the grant. The acceptable forms of identification are the National Identification Card, Driver's Licence or Passport.

Persons who do not possess any of these documents can still uplift the grant but their relationship with the child must be confirmed by a s e n i o r o ff i c i a l i n t h e community or the school's Head teacher.

The Ministry of Education, according to the release, aims to serve each child before September 2021. It was further noted that this government initiative is to provide assistance to families so that they can provide the necessary resources to their children to not only remain in school but to also excel in their studies.

“The Government of Guyana has committed to increasing the “Because We Care Cash Grant” incrementally each year until it reaches $50,000. The School Uniform and Supplies Grant was increased last year from $2,000 to $4,000, representing a 100 percent increase,” the released added.

The Ministry is moreover urging “all parents and guardians to uplift the grants and use it in the best interest of their children as we work together to give those who will be the leaders of tomorrow the opportunity to be the best that they can be.”

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Gayle onslaught gives West Indies series win - Walsh Jr was once again among wickets, picking up 2 for 18 ESPNcricinfo – So, those questions about Chris Gayle’s form. The opener put on a thunderous display, with his first T20I half-century since 2016, to secure a series victory for West Indies as he pummelled the Australia attack around St Lucia in what became a cakewalk of a chase.

Having made 102 runs in nine innings since his recall earlier this year, Gayle launched seven sixes in an innings that took him past 14,000 T20 runs. After he departed, stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran ensured there was no hiccup in the

chase he closed it out with more than five overs to spare.

Australia had made three changes - two enforced by injury to Ben McDermott and Ashton Agar - and changed tact by opting to bat first when Aaron Finch again won the toss, but it was a laboured effort after some initial momentum in the powerplay.

Moises Henriques and the recalled Ashton Turner added 59 but it took almost eight overs.

West Indies were excellent with the ball despite Obed McCoy being able to bowl only one over. Fabian

Allen and Hayden Walsh Jr, who took his series tally to eight wickets, bowled their eight overs for 44. Allen also took a spectacular rebound catch in the deep to remove Finch in a display that further enhanced his fielding credentials.

The Wade, Finch contrast The struggle for the majority of Australia’s innings is highlighted by the fact that they had a useful 41 off the first five overs. That was largely down to Matthew Wade who again struck the ball sweetly as he did in the opening match of the series.

Tuesday July 13, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) It’s one of those days, Aries.

It’s one of those days when you feel like the forces are working against you. Breathe.

Come back to your centre.

Breathe. Come back to your centre and repeat.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) We all have an idea of what love looks like. But what if Spirit stepped in to shatter all of these notions, Taurus?

Don’t worry about the process of disillusionment.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) At any point of time, we have two options: to choose the familiar or to take the path less trodden. We have no doubts about what your next move is going to be, Gemini.

CANCER(June21–July22) “Nothing touched by fire remains untransformed, only after fire burns you is found true liberation.” A quote from the Rigveda for you to reflect upon. This is a period of intense transformation for you.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) This is a new and beautiful chapter in the realm of love.

You’re breaking the barriers that stand between you and your beloved and letting go of the masks. Make space for deeper intimacy, Leo. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You have to let go of the idea of who you are in order to evolve into who you are meant to be. So, practice the art of non-attachment in every area of your life as you consciously let go of the old.

Remember, without death, there is no resurrection.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) When we’re uncomfortable with who we are, we tend to feel the need to dominate other people. When we’re comfortable in our skin, on the other hand, our power is harnessed in a manner that’s controlled and conscious.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Not every love story ends in a happily ever after.

Some people come into our life for a season and others come into our lives for a reason. It doesn’t matter what this reason may be.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) This is a time of turbulence in the Sagittarius HQ. But, the Universe never gives us anything we're unprepared to handle.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Playing it safe has its perks.

But, it’s not for you, Capricorn. This chapter of your life is about owning your power fully and standing in your light. Yes, you will have to let go of the familiar.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Falling in love is easy, Aquarius, and those butterflies in the pit of your stomach are proof. But, what do you do when the barriers begin to come undone?

What do you do when your heart starts to feel more feelings than it has in a lifetime?

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Here’s the thing, Pisces: you are going to be faced with many options. Making a choice will not be easy.

Choose the less traditional path nonetheless.

However, with some of the issues being faced by other batters, Australia needed him to make the most of those starts and kick on but he departed when he missed a slower ball from McCoy. His opening partner is finding things aren’t quite coming out of the middle at the moment and Finch never got his timing during a run-a-ball stay where he was often losing his shapes on shots. He eventually fell to a worldie of a catch, completed by Allen at deep midwicket who remained magnificently alert when Dwayne Bravo missed the initial chance, and hurled himself low to the ground to grab it.

Walsh does it again The Finch wicket was Walsh’s second of the innings as he again did a terrific job, this time also bringing notable economy to his four overs. Pooran had held back his spinners - the match was a rare example of all the powerplay play overs being bowled by seamers of various descriptions - and when they were introduced Australia struggled to up the tempo. Allen removed the inform Mitchell Marsh when he missed a sweep and Walsh claimed his first by ending a lively start from Alex Carey who had reverse-swept his first ball of the series for four.

The spinners, which included one over from Gayle, did not concede a single six as Australia only cleared the boundary twice - both hits coming from Henriques.

Gayle’s reminder Gayle arrived for the fourth ball of the chase after Mitchell Starc, who bowled excellently after two expensive outings, had Andre Fletcher taken at midwicket. He saw out the over from Starc but then things got lively. When he got on strike to Josh Hazlewood’s first over he went 6, 4, 4, 4. There was a look in his eye of a batter on a mission.

He was measured too but after a brief period of more sedate play, he deposited Adam Zampa for a straight six and followed it up in the 11th over with three consecutive sixes against the legspinner, the third of which took him to a 33-ball half-century.

He saved the biggest for a huge leg-side blow off Riley Meredith that was followed by another the next ball before a top edge ended the show. Five of the last seven deliveries he faced cleared the rope. The match and the series were done and dusted.

Scores: West Indies 142 for 4 (Gayle 67, Pooran 32*, Meredith 3-48) beat Australia 141 for 6 (Henriques 33, Walsh 2-18) by six wickets.

Aaron Finch pulls, West Indies vs Australia, 3rd T20I, St Lucia, July 12, 2021© AFP

Kaieteur News

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CAC C/ships

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Noel flexing for dream debut

Just under a month remains before Te a m G u y a n a ’s s e v e n - m e m b e r contingent leaves these shores for San Salvador, El Salvador for the 2021 Caribbean and Central American (CAC) bodybuilding championships and they are coming along well with their physical preparations thus far.

Speaking to team member; Nicholas Noel, yesterday, Kaieteur Sport was made aware that the 2020 Novice champion is looking to have a major impact although it will be his first appearance at the CAC Championships.

The 20-year-old, who trains at space gym, during the invited comment,

highlighted that although he has been training himself since last year, he is very satisfied with his development and is very optimistic of making light work of the welterweight (164lbs) division strongmen at the CAC event. Currently, Noel who goes as ‘Creed’ in the gym, explained that bodybuilding is quite an expensive sport but with a current weight of 189lbs, he is battling and currently seeking sponsorship to offset some expenses with airfare and accommodation to El Salvador being pegged at US$1500 alone.

The President of the GBBFF, Keavon Bess, had given the team a vote of confidence, stating that he is very

confident that each athlete on the sevenmember team will medal once they make it to the stage in San Salvador, El Salvador. The full seven-member team is headed two-time CAC gold medalist and five-time Mr. Guyana Kerwin Clarke, four-time Mr Guyana (Men’s Physique) and multi-time CAC podium finisher Emmerson Campbell, 2019 Mr. Physique bronze medal winner Yannick Grimes, 2020 Resilience Bodybuilding champion Darius Ramsammy, reigning senior National Ms. Bikini champion Rosanna Fung, 2020 Mr Novice Champion Nicholas Albert and former powerlifting champion, Roger Callender.

2020 Novice Champion, Nicholas Noel

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Bucks trounce Suns to cut NBA Finals deficit to 2-1 (Reuters) - The Milwaukee Bucks scorched the Phoenix Suns 120-100 in Game Three of the NBA Finals on Sunday in front of an electric home crowd, cutting the deficit in the bestof-seven series to 2-1.

The Bucks had not been at their best in the previous two games in Phoenix but were a different team with home-court advantage, ending the first half with a 15-point lead as two-time league MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo put up 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Suns whittled down the gap to four points midway through the third quarter but Bucks point guard Jrue Holiday

responded with a pair threepointers to give the home team some breathing room.

“It definitely was a turning point for me. Those shots felt great,” Holiday said after the game. “Those going in, I kind of felt like the momentum was going their way before that — I kind of got the momentum back on our side.”

The Suns trailed by 22 heading into the final quarter and were unable to make a game of it heading to the buzzer. “We knew what type of game it was going to be, we knew that we had to come here, play good basketball, compete as hard as possible and I was just trying to be a g g r e s s i v e , ” Antetokounmpo said.

The 26-year-old forward ended with 41 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. He scored 42 points in Game Two and is only the sixth player to have 40-or-more points in consecutive NBA Finals games.

“In order for us to be back (in) this series and give ourselves an opportunity to win this game, to win this series, to be champions, we got to bring it,” said Antetokounmpo. “We’ve got to stay aggressive, it’s all mental right now.”

The Suns made just nine of 31 three-point attempts and coughed up 14 turnovers.

The teams meet again in Milwaukee on Wednesday for Game Four.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) shoots during the fourth quarter against the Phoenix Suns during game three of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

Impressive Matthews lead West Indies Women to ODI series win against Pakistan

H

ayley Matthews scored and even unbeaten century and took two wickets to earn the playerof-the-match performance as West Indies Women clinched the One Day International (ODI) series against Pakistan with two games remaining yesterday.

The 3rd ODI played at North Sound in Antigua saw Pakistan Women taking first strike and made 182 off 49 Overs.

Omaima Sohail led Pakistan with 62 as she was stumped wicketkeeper Kycia Knight off the bowling of Anisa Mohammed. Muneeba Ali was bowled by Chinelle Henry for 25 and Nida Dar was caught by Henry off the bowling of Matthews for 24.

Bowling for the West Indies lasses, Mohammed took 3 for 25 off her 10 overs, Henry 3 for 37 from her 8 overs and Matthews 2 for 30 from 10.

Chasing 183 for victory, West Indies Women played sensibly as they reached 193 for 2 off 40.1 of their 50 overs to win by 8 wickets with 59 balls remaining.

Player-Of-The-Match Hayley Matthews took the batting on her shoulders in the absence of Stefanie Taylor and anchored the innings to be not out 100 at the end with Chedean Nation not out 13 to see them home. Britney Cooper played an excellent supporting role to Matthews before she was caught by Ayesha Naseem off the bowling of Fatima Sana for 45. Kyshona Knight was lbw off the bowling of Anam Amin for 18.

West Indies Women lead the 5match series 3-0.

Scores: Pakistan Women 182; West Indies Women 183/2. Result: WI Women won by 8 wickets (with 59 balls remaining).

Series result: West Indies Women led the 5-match series 3-0.

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) drives for a layup against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the third quarter during game three of the 2021 NBA Finals at Fiserv Forum. (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

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Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 13, 2021

English FA condemns racist abuse sent to England players after EURO 2020 final defeat NBC Sports - After England were defeated by Italy in a the penalty shootout at the EURO 2020 final on Sunday, the social media accounts of at least three of the sides’ brightest stars of the future — three young, black men brave enough to step to the penalty spot knowing they might ultimately fail — were bombarded with racist abuse.

The English Football Association released the following statement immediately there after, condemning the “such disgusting behavior” and vowing to “urge the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible” — via the BBC: “ T h e FA s t r o n g l y condemns all forms of discrimination and is appalled by the online racism that has been aimed at some of our England players on social media.

“We could not be clearer that anyone behind such disgusting behavior is not welcome in following the team. We will do all we can

to support the players affected while urging the toughest punishments possible for anyone responsible.

“We will continue to do everything we can to stamp discrimination out of the game, but we implore government to act quickly and bring in the appropriate legislation so this abuse has real life consequences.

Social media companies need to step up and take accountability and action to ban abusers from their platforms, gather evidence that can lead to prosecution and support making their platforms free from this type of abhorrent abuse.”

The three England players most commonly targeted by the racist perpetrators were: · Marcus Rashford, who during the pandemic campaigned — and succeeded — in securing government-funded meals for children who otherwise wouldn’t have food to eat while not attending inperson schooling · Jadon Sancho,

England’s Bukayo Saka reacts after missing his shot at goal as Italy celebrate during a penalty shootout at the Euro 2020 soccer championship final between England and Italy at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, July 11, 2021.

(John Sibley/Pool Photo via AP) who previously worked with sponsors to build new football fields in the underserved London borough from which he hails, so that children like him will have access to the

sport · Bukayo Saka, who at just 19 years old is growing into his role as a voice for youth football and helping local communities as well

These three players should be celebrated for the active roles they have taken to make England and the world a better place for others to live in, irrespective of the national team and any

on-field successes they have had thus far, not to be further insulted and discriminated against for any reason whatsoever, let alone on the day which is surely the worst of their professional careers.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 13, 2021

PAGE 23

Rebel Junior Tennis tournament

Youngsters were excited to compete says Rebel’s President

Boys under 14s Semi-finalists: From left: Gerald Scotland, Isaiah Cambridge, Denzel Luthers and Navindra Arjune.

Malia Maikoo (left) girls under 12 Champion, Nathan DeNobrega (right) boys under 12 champion, Renola Jordan (centre) is the Girls 14s champion.

On another day with glorious sunshine, the Rebel Te n n i s C l u b ’s J u n i o r We e k e n d To u r n a m e n t continued last Sunday at the GBTI Court in Diamond East Bank Demerara and is scheduled to resume on Friday and Saturday before the curtains comes down next Sunday.

Nathan DeNobrega won t h e B o y s U - 1 2 Championship after winning

last year’s Rebel Junior Tournament and Sheltez Junior Tournament last month, while U-14 winner Renola Jordan also won the Sheltez Junior Tournament last month. The tournament, which was contested with the Covid-19 restrictions in place with no spectators allowed, is the first Event of the year and President and Coach of the Rebel Tennis Club Andre Erskine

disclosed the pandemic caused some changes in tournament play.

“Spectators weren’t allowed. Some parents were sceptical in entering their children because of the pandemic…The youngsters are super excited to compete.

It’s refreshing to see the commitment to their matches,” added Erskine.

Speaking with Kaieteur Sport after Sunday’s action,

Essequibo Coast Cricket Club record two victories in OSCL’s competition Essequibo Coast Cricket Club began their 2021 Ontario Softball Cricket League 20-over round-robin campaign in fine fashion as they registered two victories.

On Saturday, Essequibo Coast whipped Miss Pheobe by a comprehensive 156-run margin at Ashtonbee Park, Scarborough.

And then on Sunday at Littles venue also in Scarborough, Essequibo Coast defeated Three Counties by eight wickets.

In Saturday’s opening fixture, Essequibo Coast won the toss and opted to take first strike. They rattled up a formidable 203-4 including 36 penalty runs due to slow over rate by Miss Pheobe. Skipper Kenny Ramsawak made 50 while Oliver Manniram also scored 50. Davo Ramsawak (unrelated) cracked a cameo 33 and 18 from opener Tony Singh.

When Miss Pheobe batted, they had extras as top-score with 13. Ravendra Madholall grabbed 4-8 from

Erskine spoke about the Club’s plans and about Standard of Junior Tennis in Guyana.

“We are hoping to get back to our normal tournament schedule this year. Shortly after this tournament we will have the GBTI Open. I hope the players are able to return to the courts consistently. We are heading to a decent standard. There are a lot of

four overs, while Kenny Ramsawak took 2-8 in his two-over spell and Ivan Narine 1-3 off two overs.

On Sunday the action was more intense as Three Counties tallied up a challenging 151-6 off 19overs including penalty runs.

Rakesh Ramotar made 44, while Essequibo Coast conceded 22 extras. Kenny Ramsawak, Romel Harripersaud, Ravendra Madholall and Nicolas Sanicharan had one wicket each.

Essequibo Coast batted

Ravendra Madholall reached 157-2 off 18-overs in reply, with Madholall hitting an unbeaten 92 which contained six sixes and three fours. Narine contributed 18 retired hurt, Sanichara made 16 and seven not out from Devon Ramnauth. The 12team tournament is set to resume next weekend with back-to-back matches.

Notably, the Essequibo Coast Cricket Club was formed this year to participate in the competition. It was initiated

by Kenny Ramsawak and Ramnauth.

defeated Gabriel Felix 4-0,40, Malia Maikoo defeated Kimora Erskine 4-0, 4-1, Donnie Anderson defeated Denzel Luther’s 6-4, 7-5, Ricky Romasciendo defeated Navindra Arjune 36, 6-3, 16-14, Malia Maikoo defeated Niomi Erskine 4-0, 4-1, Viraj Sharma defeated Ricky Romasciendo 6-1, 6-0 and Nathan DeNobrega defeated Elwin Levius 4-1, 4-2. (Sean Devers)

GRFU shortlists training squad for RAN Sevens

T

Kenny Ramsawak

junior players that have the physical and mental abilities to make an impact regionally. Tennis facilities remain an issue for their development,” concluded the Administrator and Coach.

Results from Sunday: Renola Jordan defeated Paula Kalekyezi 0-4, 4-1, 10-8, Jonathan Jordan defeated Gabriel Felix 4-0, 4-2, Nathan DeNobrega

he Guyana Rugby Football Union, GRFU, has shortlisted 34 players for the upcoming Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens tournament, scheduled for October 16–17 in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The squad listed for training is mostly made of newcomers with a few seasoned campaigners.

The Guyana ‘Green Machine’ will be sharpening their skills to butt heads with archrivals Jamaica, who bested them in the last tournament in 2019.

This year’s tournament is a qualifier for the World Rugby Challenger Series, in 2022.

The GRFU has already requested permission to commence training from the National Covid-19 Task

Force and is awaiting a response.

The GRFU remains committed to observing the COVID-19 protocols and also to the COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

The players shortlisted and their clubs are as follows; Panthers Rugby Football Club Godfrey Broomes Jamal Angus Osei McKenzie Tyreese Prescod Owen Adonis Lancelot Adonis D’Arcy Durant Rondel McArthur Kareem Fisher Selwyn Henry Caribs Rugby Football Club Kempton David Kevon David Alex Crawford

Elio Cameron Makaya Smith Guyana Defence Force Rugby Football Club Avery Corbin Dwayne Schroder Sean Phillips Glenroy Poole Jamal Mona Police Rugby Football Club Shawn David Odida Douglas Marlon Small Adrian Hall Kareem Simon Michael Barrow Scott Garraway Richard Butcher James Osborne Hornets Rugby Football Club Ryan Gonsalves Rickford Cummings Peabo Hamilton Patrick King Johnathan Garnett

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Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Tuesday July 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25