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Opposition MP released Guyana alone stands on self-bail for financial risks in US$900M cybercrime charge Gas-to-Energy project- Ram
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he Guyana Government is pushing ahead with a gas-to-energy initiative for which, according to Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, the country will be left to face all expenses, while any spending by the operator will be recovered from cost oil/gas. This was noted by Ram in his most recent public writings, even as scoping meetings are ongoing for the p r o j e c t b y t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) subsequent to an application by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana—for environmental authorisation to go ahead with the project. Ram in making his position public, pointed out that under the provisions of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the Operator is required to include in the development plan of each oil field a plan for the utilisation of the Associated Gas. According to Ram, the Article goes on to provide that where there is any excess Associated Gas, the Contractor is required to carry out a feasibility study regarding the utilisation of such excess gas, and to include it in the development plan for the oil field. He has since noted that a representative of the
Ministry of Natural Resources confirmed that there is not one but several such development plans. “That would suggest that Esso has conducted a feasibility study and must have satisfied itself of its economic benefits of development of the gas resources.” To this end, he noted that as a measure of the lack of any ring fencing of costs, the Article provides that all costs and expenses incurred by the oil companies in the production and/or disposal of the Associated Gas of an oil field, and the costs incurred in the feasibility of the utilisation of the excess Associated Gas, is recoverable contract costs.” On the other hand h o w e v e r, “ a l l c o s t s incurred by the Government for the infrastructure and handling of excess Associated Gas not included in an approved Development Plan, is at the sole risk and expense of the Government and will not affect the amount of the Cost Oil and Profit Oil due to the Contractor.” The juxtaposition was given since, according to Ram, ExxonMobil Guyana, indicates in its Project Summary, the construction and operation of a pipeline from the Liza Phase 1 and Liza Phase 2 Floating, Production, Storage, and
Eminent Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram Offloading (FPSO) vessels to an onshore Natural gas liquids (NGL) and Natural gas processing plant (NGL Plant). At the same time however, the Ministry of Natural Resources is advertising for expressions of interest for what it describes as Gas Related Investments which include the development of a Natural Gas Liquids Processing facility. As such Ram posits, a reasonable reading of the two initiatives is that “these are distinct and separate but yet interdependent projects with separate ownership, financing and operations, with their own economic, environmental and financial considerations.”
A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson, was yesterday placed on self-bail when she appeared before a City Magistrate to answer to a cybercrime charge. The Opposition MP appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, in the company of her lawyer, Lyndon Amsterdam. Ferguson denied the charge, which alleges that on June 15, 2021, she used a computer system to transmit data with intent to cause substantial emotional distress to a senior officer of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Colonel Omar Khan. In Amsterdam’s address to the court, he stated that his client is a public figure and then made an application for Ferguson to be released on self-bail. The lawyer also told the court that his client would attend all court hearings if placed on bail. As such, Senior Magistrate Daly placed Ferguson on her own recognisance and the matter was adjourned to July 26, 2021. According to reports, the Opposition MP is charged for falsely alleging in a Facebook post that Khan will be in charge of a ‘killing squad.’ Kaieteur News understands that Ferguson’s post, which refers to the
Opposition Member of Parliament, Annette Ferguson “setting up of Death Squad and Black Clothes groups”, stemmed from discussions h a d d u r i n g t h e considerations of Financial Paper 2/2021 during the parliamentary session on June 14, 2021. During the debate, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, told the House that the concept of the Regional Joint Support Teams is a new crimefighting initiative formulated in April 2021, and that the supplementary provision for the period ending December 2021 is to “set up” the initiative. The Government MP had explained that the Regional
Joint Support Teams will not denigrate or usurp the functions of the GDF or the GPF, but is intended to enhance the capacity of the law enforcement agencies in Guyana to fight crime, regardless of the type of crime, with the support of the GDF. However, following that parliamentary session, an online news agency published a story headlined, “Exclusive: PPP secures $250 million budget to resuscitation Black Clothes Death Squad.” The Opposition MP subsequently shared the article with her own commentary. Both the Joint Services Coordinating Council (JSCC) and the Ministry of Home Affairs had condemned the Opposition MP’s post and cautioned citizens against the “reckless and irresponsible social commentary.” A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e Opposition MP is also before the court facing a joint procession charge. In May 2021, Ferguson along with Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones and four coalition supporters were charged for illegal procession during 2020 elections.
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EPA flip-flops on Govt. comfortable paying importance of oil companies’ updated EIA guidelines taxes but runs after struggling broadcasters
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he Guyana Government is paying the taxes for oil companies but appears comfortable going after local broadcasters struggling to make ends meet in a COVID-19 environment. This is evident through the actions of the Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA), which on Thursday published the names of several broadcasters who have failed to pay their Broadcast Licence Fees, including the State media. The agency in a public missive said it “has been very patient and lenient,” but continues to face an arduous task of obtaining its fees from cable, radio, and television broadcasters. This notwithstanding, GNBA continues to face an arduous task of obtaining Broadcast Licence Fees.” As such, GNBA said it wishes to highlight the financially non-compliant broadcasters and has since published a list of all the defaulting companies. “Importantly, be reminded that GNBA is empowered to take action against delinquent broadcasters. We are therefore requesting that the broadcasters listed below honour their obligations at the earliest,” GNBA said.
Below is the list of names published: CABLE BROADCASTERS Atlantic Cable Television Inc. Bartica Communication Network Inc. Infinity Telecommunications Inc. RADIO BROADCASTERS ANG Inc. Blackman & Sons Inc. Brutal Group Inc. CNS Inc. Keystone Solutions Inc. Linden Wireless Communications Network Multi Cultural Communications Inc. National Communications Network Inc. National Media & Broadcasting Company Limited News Talk Radio Guyana Inc. Pinnacle Communications Inc. Wireless Connections Inc. TELEVISION BROADCASTERS 21st Century Communication Ltd. CNS Inc. Community Broadcasting Network Inc. Countryside Broadcasting Inc. First Light Broadcasting Inc. HGPTV Inc. Linden Broadcasting Network Trust National Communications Network Inc. Pinnacle Communications Inc. Rambarran Broadcasting Systems Inc. WRHM Inc.
Pregnant woman, teen sister remanded for ganja possession Remanded, Shantell Evans, 24 and 19-year-old Timhara Evans.
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six-month pregnant woman and her teenage sister were yesterday remanded to prison for the illegal possession of ganja. The duo appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly. The defendants, 24-year-old Shantell Evans and 19-yearold Timhara Evans, denied the charge, which alleges that on July 14, 2021, at Lot 169 James Street, Albouystown,
Georgetown, they had in their possession 518.07 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking. The sisters were arrested on Wednesday after ranks from the Customs AntiNarcotic Unit (CANU) carried out a search on the two-storey apartment building located at James Street, Albouystown. CANU in an initial release stated that during the search, two black plastic bags containing leaves, seeds and
stems weighing 518.07 grams along with a small scale were discovered in the sisters’ apartment. At the time of the discovery, the two women were the only occupants at home. They were arrested, subsequently charged, and placed before the court for the offence where they were remanded. They are expected to make their next court appearance on August 20, 2021.
Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) got rid of its updated 2020 g u i d e l i n e s f o r environmental impact assessments (EIA), the agency has changed its tune on their importance. It is now claiming that shelving the guidelines will not affect the quality of the EIAs at all. The EPA said this in a media release on Thursday, following articles by Kaieteur News. This newspaper pointed out that the removal of the guidelines was done just six days before the agency announced a requirement for ExxonMobil to conduct an EIA for the US$900M gasto-energy project. This is an indisputable fact. Furthermore, the agency had said that it withdrew the guidelines to conduct consultations with stakeholders. They are called Revised Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Guidelines (2020) for M i n i n g , F o re s t r y, Hydropower, Thermal P o w e r, E l e c t r i c i t y Tr a n s m i s s i o n a n d Offshore Petroleum Exploration and Production. In the meantime, the regulator believes it wise to use guidelines from 21 years ago, called EIA Guidelines ( 2 0 0 0 ) Vo l u m e s 1 - 5 (Generic; Forestry; Mining; and Electricity Generation). Concerned Guyanese, Simone Mangal, had raised the matter during a virtual public scoping for the gasto-shore project last week. This raised questions about whether the retraction was done to expedite ExxonMobil’s project. The EPA on Thursday claimed that the decision is not related to any project
seeking environmental authorisation. It said, “The retracted guidelines were not restricted to oil and gas, but rather were a suite of guidelines relevant to a number of sectors, including m i n i n g , f o r e s t r y, hydropower, thermal power and electricity transmission.”“Guidelines are not mandatory for the conduct of EIAs. The EPA therefore reiterates that the retraction of the 2020 guidelines will in no way affect the quality of the EIA. T h e E PA i s w o r k i n g assiduously to have additional consultations on these guidelines before they are finalised.” This response however, conflicts with statements made by the EPA several months ago when it announced the updated guidelines, captured in the Kaieteur News article Outdated EPA regulations gets updated (April 11, 2021).The EPA had said the new guidelines address seven sectors specifically, and address climate vulnerability, international treaties, opportunities for renewable energy and the emerging petroleum sector. It had said back then, “With
these gaps being filled, the EPA should now be able to assess more accurately new and complex projects and monitor and mitigate their social and environmental impacts.”It had also said the updated guidelines will now be able to meet international best practices for EIA conduct, preparation and review. With the foregoing in mind, stakeholders ask, How could the EPA now claim that the removal of guidelines, which filled major gaps in oil sector regulation, would make no difference to the quality of the EIA? This comes at a time when Guyanese across the country are concerned about the potential environmental impacts of the gas-to-energy project. While serious questions are being raised during scoping meetings, the EPA would not answer them, making the excuse that they are not within scope. The EPA has not said when it will reinstitute the new guidelines, which have disappeared from its website. It only reiterated that they have to face wider public participation through inputs from diverse stakeholders.
Apology Global Commercial Import and Transport Inc., the company identified by this newspaper as having received a licence from the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) despite not having adequate storage facilities, has denied all allegations levelled against it.The company claims that the articles published were understood to mean, that the company is bankrupt, is
engaged in several criminal acts, including fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, corruption, fuel smuggling and is prohibited from conducting business in Suriname.Kaieteur News, as such, unequivocally apologises to the principals of the company for the publication of any incorrect details that may have damaged the company’s reputation.
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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
Messages with meaning for our leaders A BBC online article dated June 14 titled, “Joel Glazer told Manchester United a ‘laughing stock’ at fans forum” contained a few things which, if paid attention to, can help Guyana’s top three political leaders, salvage something out of the mess that they and their parties have made with the oil and the country. Guyana’s President, Vice President, and Leader of the Opposition, all have much to learn, and this will only happen, if they humble themselves to stop believing that they know everything. Or that they are fooling the people. It is ironic that from the arena of British football, that the messages are coming, which have meaning for leaders here. The context and circumstances came about when “Manchester United co-chairman, Joel Glazer, was told the club had become ‘a laughing stock’ when he made his first appearance at a gathering of fans. Manchester United is no ordinary English soccer club, but one with global recognition and iconic status from Bulawayo to Buenos Aires. Even in cricket mad India, the fabled English club has its faithful. That alone should tell of the reputation of this legendary club. But in the past several years, the club has fallen upon hard times, with a slew of dismal performances, which is what made the not-to-be-dismissed legions of British fans to stick it to the absentee American owner. As they saw it, he was too busy bleeding the club dry, and not caring about building a quality product, or lifting the organisation up. To knowing Guyanese that should sound all too familiar. For here is Guyana, gifted with so much wealth, so much promise, and still it is always underperforming because selfcentred leaders, with their questionable approaches and secret operations, have diminished this country’s prospects. Our leaders might as well be absent, for all the response and truths that can be squeezed out of them. Despite numerous appeals, well meaning and patriotic, those making them are quickly dismissed as chronic complainers and demonised. In Guyana, where there is little by the way of robust and sustained accountability, political leaders can get away with such disdain for objectors. They do, which is why they continue with silence that indicates the suspicious, maintain relationships that rip at the guts of this society, while pretending that they know what is best, and that they could care less what well-intentioned Guyanese have to offer about the nation’s newfound oil wealth. Guyanese leaders can do so, and still flourish. But in something that is of way less standing, a football club, paying and loyal fans can take a billionaire American owner to task, and force him to own up to the failures that have dogged the club’s fortunes. A majority owner does not usually operate like a democracy, but the owner of the club, who enjoys near monopoly power, still is humble enough to pay heed with an eye to what works, what is acceptable. How much of a far cry is that from what prevails here! Among the caustic comments coming out of the ownerfan virtual meeting were: “We used to be the club that others measured themselves by - on the field and off the field.” But today, “people are laughing at us, Joel. We’ve become a laughing stock. There are memes on the internet all the time. And there’s nothing worse. People say bad things about you, but there’s nothing worse than being laughed at.” Guyanese can identify well with that: we are the envy of neighbours, yet we are the butt of derogatory comments near and far. Former United captain, Gary Neville, voiced that the owners were detached from the “ethos and the passion the supporters feel” for the club. The owner said he was committed to improving, and added: “Gary has been pretty hard on us.” And then offered this bit of wisdom, which Doctors Ali and Jagdeo do well to take to heart: “You can just shut the person out because they are not saying something nice about you…you can pause and listen. And, “You can’t ignore people since some have good ideas, good thoughts.” Mr. President, Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Opposition Leaders: are you listening? Are you going to do something different?
Lack of answers from EPA/Govt. causes tempers to flare at gas consultation Dear Editor, Tempers flared and the temperature was rising as the EPA, Ministry of Natural Resources and the Gas-toShore project came under fire as participants asked a multiplicity of questions and called for transparency in the proposed project, at the second online forum on Thursday. Towards the end, Mr. Gossai, an employee of the Ministry of Natural Resources, was told by a representative from the Oil and Gas Governance Network, to “cut the bulls…out,” as the employee got into a tirade praising the Government’s efforts and was perceived as trying to defend the Government’s lack of transparency and release of information on the gas project. People felt he was “preaching down” to the participants. The Forum attracted about 65 people, including Mr. Brassington, boss of the Gas-to-Shore project; Dr. Parsram, Executive Director of EPA; and distinguished National Hero - Mr. Glenn Lall and a national treasure Christopher Ram. So far, the
online forums have attracted more people than the face-toface meetings. While Dr. Parsram and Ms. Candacy of the EPA explained that the forums are more concerned with the environmental aspects of things, all the participants who asked questions or made comments, wanted more information through the release of previous gas-toshore studies on location and feasibility, the release of the full EPA application, and the consideration of alternative, cheaper forms of energy. The PowerPoint presentation of the Exxon representatives on the gas project was too sketchy to allow for deep questioning, and participants wanted more details. Frustration was boiling over as people wanted more information, which the EPA said was beyond what the session was designed to do. The EPA and Ministry of Natural Resources spokesman seemed to have made promises to consider release of the full application. Dr. Parsram said people should not be criticising the
EPA. While the EPA might be deserving of some criticism, it had to unfairly carry the blame that rightly should be placed on the Government. It is the Government’s responsibility to act with utmost transparency when there is widespread mistrust of its intentions and approach as it races to implement the gas project with apparent inadequate planning and lack of engagement of parliament and the political Opposition. In the international report from the Natural Resources Governance Institute (NRGI) released this week, the Guyana Government received a failing grade, with the worst score given for “transparency.” This should be of concern to the Government as it is due for an EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) review, which it is likely to fail for the same reasons it got a failing grade from the NRGI. NRGI said, “The Ministry of Natural Resources should continue disclosing contracts and maintain an up-to-date registry of licences in line with EITI commitments.” Guyana’s membership in the
Escazu accord also requires similar disclosures. President Ali must rein in those responsible for giving his Government a bad name for lacking in transparency. It was the President’s solemn promise at inauguration and repeated often that unlike the PNC, his Government would be a transparent one. We do not want this to be added to the list of “promise made, promise not kept.” Secrecy is the handmaiden of corruption, and when a project is shrouded in apparent deliberate secrecy, people think you have sinister intentions, even if your intentions are honourable. The oil and gas wealth belongs to the people, not politicians, and the nation deserves better answers. I don’t know what is to be gained by the Government and its agencies refusing to practice full disclosure. The consent of the governed is still essential to a wellfunctioning democracy. The ball is in the Government’s court! Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall
DPP’s advice to charge APNU+AFC’s MP on a national policy issue is out of order Dear Editor, The Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision to charge the Opposition APNU+AFC Coalition Member of Parliament (MP), Annette Ferguson, in relation to the complaint made by a serving Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Colonel, Omar Khan, relative to a comment made by the MP over a social media post in relation to a killing squad, on an issue connected to a government policy matter, is out of order, and beyond the scope of the DPP’s office. Firstly, an Opposition Member of Parliament made a comment about a matter, which is in one way or another, connected to a policy decision by government. Secondly, this matter requires public funding for which the Opposition Member of Parliament has oversight by law. Thirdly, the core issue in relation to the proposed policy decision by government to establish a ‘Joint Regional Support Team, a new security unit, which is a matter of national security.’ The GDF Colonel Omar Khan was caught in the crossfire between the government and the Opposition on a matter of national policy and national security. In cases such as these, even if the DPP
determines that the social media post was a violation of section 195(5) (a) of the Cybercrime Act No. 16 of 2018, specifically on using a computer system to humiliate a person; the DPP’s has to review the matter in the broader context before recommending a charge against a sitting Member of Parliament (A Member of the Legislature) and a serving GDF officer, on a matter linked to policy, that was made by the Executive. The DPP owes it to Guyana and the people of Guyana, to conduct the business of the criminal justice system, not only in a fair and unbiased manner, but with the highest level of responsible behaviour. This matter should have never reached the DPP. If a Guyana Defence Force officer, has an issue with any Member of Parliament that is linked to a policy issue, as in this case, Guyana ought to have various systems/options for redress for that officer. The President is the Commander-in-Chief, as well as the Head of the Government/Executive, which makes policies; and he is also the president of the country, with responsibility for overseeing national security matters. Therefore, in
my view, the DPP has entangled the criminal justice system in a political and national policy matter, which also has national security implications. Colonel Omar Khan is not an ordinary citizen, he is a military officer, he therefore carries a burden of the responsibility, over and above that of the ordinary citizen, which is to protect every Guyanese citizen; irrespective of their race, ethnicity, religion, or whichever political party they may represent, that burden is also extended to the Guyana Defence Force as a national security institution. As such, while Colonel Omar Khan has a right to file a complaint in this matter and to seek a course of redress, I submit that the course of redress sought in this matter, and the decision of the DPP to charge the Member of Parliament is not the proper mechanism for redress, in this instance. Serving GDF officers must never be of the view that they have the scope to bring criminal charges against Members of Parliament, be they from the government or Opposition in matters linked to government policies, and more specifically, of a national security nature. However, they must be confident that their rights as citizens will not
be violated, even by Members of Parliament; and if that happens, there are options available for redress which would not negatively impact on the burden they carry as military officers, confidence in their unbiased involvement in the national security programme and does not conflict with the power structures in the society. This matter impacts negatively on the power structures of the society and the Guyana Defence Force is caught in the middle. The use of the criminal justice system to solve political and some policy issues, particularly between the government and the Opposition, is becoming a matter of growing concern, and is bordering on an abuse of the criminal justice system. It also reflects a deficit in the capacity and capabilities of both government and the Opposition, on a wider range of mechanisms, approaches and tools, which can be utilised to resolve political, and policy issues. This must. Finally, when it comes to matters such as these, the line must be clearly drawn between politics and national governance. Yours faithfully, Citizen Audreyanna Thomas Rule of Law Advisor/ Advocate
Saturday July 17, 2021
We need to base our statements on facts rather than misinformation Dear Editor, I’ve noticed quite a few letters being published accusing the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) of malpractices as it relates to tendering and awarding contracts. It should be made clear that the NDIA does not, and I repeat DOES NOT have any say in the tendering process. The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) is the body responsible for dealing with such matters. An evaluator who does not have any relation to the Ministry would make recommendations and based on those evaluations, the NPTAB would award a contract to the lowest responsive bidder. In yesterday’s edition of the Kaieteur News, a writer is quoted as saying, “tenders are out for pumps (almost rewarded) but bids have not been submitted as yet or deadline reached and bids opened as yet. Are decisions already made on who will get what? Is it true that the Cottage pump station in Mahaicony is assigned to the Jagmohan group? Is it true that the Andrews pump station in Essequibo is assigned to Samaroo Investment?” I am unclear
who the writer’s source is, but it should be made clear that nothing of the sort has happened at the NDIA or the Ministry of Agriculture. The Ministry of Agriculture for the first time in years has made efforts to make the execution of capital and recurrent projects as transparent as possible. Tenders and Invitation for BIDs are published daily. Contract signings are also widely publicised. Notably, the procurement laws and regulations are being strictly adhered to. The letter also mentioned the supply of sheet piling. Ironically, there is an advertisement for an Invitation for BIDs (retendering) for the same sheet piling that the letter writer has accused the Ministry of awarding to a contractor. If as Guyanese we are to move forward, we need to base our statements on facts rather than misinformation. It is no secret that the Government of Guyana has undertaken major infrastructural works nationwide, which would improve the livelihood of citizens. Yours truly, Zulfikar Mustapha Minister of Agriculture
Sheer embarrassment Dear Editor, The anti-stance taken by some members of the opposition, in particular one, against the ‘Because We Care’ initiative being rolled out with great enthusiasm and fervor, could only be for one reason and one reason only: sheer embarrassment. They must be embarrassed that the
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government within a year of being returned to office is able to restore the grant after being unconscionably taken away. Sincerely Shamshun Mohamed
Exxon just got another reprieve Dear Editor, My assertions that there will be some degree of rapprochement between the United States and Venezuela are confirmed. Draconian sanctions on our neighbour are due for easing. There will be the usual bull about the suffering Venezuelan people, and for democracy and the will of the people to prevail. Nevertheless, I focus on how this icebreaker of sanctions easing impact the dynamics of oil here, and Guyana place in the big picture. Easing of sanctions is a positive development, if only to reduce the human suffering, lawlessness, and restoration of some level of social order. Because sanctions bit so deeply and so enduringly into the heart of Venezuelan society, Senor Maduro had to cry ‘Uncle’ and US regime changers realised that a stalemate existed. Their guy Guaido didn’t have the muscular support, and what it takes, to oust incumbent Maduro; he proved to be a good
sparring partner, but not much of a championship contender. So, it was Senor Maduro and no one else (for the time being). But this early easing prior to a scheduled mid-August gathering in Mexico involving Venezuelan political contestants grappling for power, as brokered by the American and Europeans, is simply a good faith American gesture to pave the way for bigger things anticipated. Editor, there has to be quid pro quos embedded in what is to come. I envision that what is unsaid is that doors will be reopened in Venezuela for American business powers to make a gradual return. There are the oil fields to be explored, the oil infrastructure to be refurbished, and other business interests, mainly American, to get their feet in the door. Venezuela is big game territory, where big elephants can be hunted. Exxon, Chevron, and Citibank, among others, are primed for action, with the way cleared for the likes of them. The Venezuelans need
work, investment, and safety and stability to return to a civilised existence; hence, it is a mutually rewarding development. I think there will be further meeting of minds in Mexico, with America emerging from the talks, and making pretty speeches about progress among the adversaries (Venezuelan and foreign) and prospects for a return to normalcy. As official camouflages go, those are smooth with the right notes and sound bites delivered. In terms of Guyana, never forget that this is incomparably cheap oil, but our fields are still dwarfed by those in Venezuela, along with all the downstream and other
rich commercial opportunities. My thinking is that Guyana could find itself relegated, in time, to second chair. That is, the default option for Exxon and America. The latter doesn’t have any headaches, since Guyana is a puppet state, and leaders do as told; while leaders and citizens here will get openings to resume their regular stupidities and make fools of themselves. The biggest winner in Venezuela would be Corporate America (Exxon). The company will relish the chance to spread the attention on it from here to there, where still bigger prizes wait. Sincerely, GHK Lall
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The Opposition parties play a very significant role in democracy Dear Editor, Dr. Rouf Ahmad Bhat, wrote in the introduction to his Paper entitled ‘Role of Opposition Party in Democracy’ (the International Journal of Science and Research) that, ‘The opposition is as important as that of the ruling party. They ensure that the acts of the ruling party are not detrimental to the interest of the general public or nation at large. The role of the opposition party is not to oppose every decision of the ruling party. Rather, it is the duty of the opposition party to support the ruling party for the acts that are in the interest of the nation. The Opposition parties play a very significant role in
a democracy as representatives of the people. The opposition act as the watchdog of the system. In such countries where there is a two-party system in vogue, the Opposition party forms a shadow cabinet to exercise vigil over the performance of the government.’ In a previous letter, I had stated that the PNC has never been a government ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’ and in this letter, I wish to submit that PNC has never been an opposition which reflects the will of the people. In fact, it has been equally worse as an Opposition if not more detrimental to this Nation. Since the 1992 General Elections, the APNU had been in Opposition for 23
years and thereafter from August 2020 and they have continued to act against the interest of this nation, including their own members and supporters. An important point to note is that the PNC is the dominant political Party in the coalition and it is the PNC, which is the de facto opposition, as it was the de facto Party when in government. It is always the PNC in power or out of power; the other parties such as the AFC simply did the biddings and were simply window dressing. It is an undeniable historical fact that the PNC never behaved as a responsible opposition and displayed this nefarious trait as soon as it lost an election. The PNC rigged all the elections: 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985 and the Referendum of 1978 and for five long months attempted to rig the 2020 Elections. Another undeniable fact is
that whenever the PPP won an election, the PNC greeted this with mayhem, violence, burning, looting and even murder. This was tried successfully again in 1998 when The Herdmanston Accord reduced the PPP’s term in Office by two years just to quell the violence against the Indians. The Indo Guyanese ‘benefitted’ from being the prime target of looting, burning and race-based violence during the period 1964 to 1992 when the PNC was in Government, but this began with renewed vigour after the 1992 Elections and lasted intermittingly for 23 years until 2015, and then raised its ugly head again after the PPP won the 2020 Elections. The PPP supporters must pay dearly for voting their party into Government. It is these two periods as the Opposition, which
highlights the ineptitude and incompetence of the PNC to serve the Guyanese people. There is no disputing the mayhem and violence which marked its tenure as the Opposition but what is equally dangerous, is the penchant of the PNC in opposition to work relentlessly to derail the s o c i o - e c o n o m i c programmes and policies which were implemented to better the lives of Guyanese. These acts were detrimental to our socioeconomic development and should never have been done; this is not what a responsible opposition should have done. But it is the trademark of the PNC in opposition. They never supported the government and their foremost concern was to get into power, feather their own nests and rape the Treasury. I n a D e m o c r a c y, a n
Opposition party should play a very significant ‘as representatives of the people.’ The opposition must ‘act as watchdog of the system’ but in Guyana, the opposition acts as a predator. If we can do a bit of transposition to Abraham Lincoln’s immortal Gettysburg speech, ‘this Nation must have a new birth of freedom, and the opposition must be an opposition of the people, by the people and for the people.’ We cannot afford to perish as a nation because the opposition is self-serving. The opposition must change its course. I encourage Mr. Harmon to read Dr. Bhat’s Paper. In the last Election, the APNU+AFC was elected by the people as the country’s opposition and they must honour that office, not dishonour it. Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday July 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
What is happening in this country that no one wants to answer any honest inquiry?
When the news is sweet and positive, everyone is hurrying to knock down those who are standing in their way so that they can get to promote themselves.
But when the news is rough and negative, they tumble people out of the way in their rush to the door so as to avoid providing any answers or taking any position.
Things are so strange, that even the Guyana Police Force now marches to this drumbeat. Are we, the Guyanese people, ever going to be treated like sensible people?
PAGE 07
PAGE 08
Saturday July 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
GPL workers GEA gives licence to fuel dealer caught smuggling from Venezuela play role of cops, arrest thief
…vessel had been detained by neighbouring naval authorities The licencing practices of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) continue to come under question following the issuance of a fuel transport licence to a company that had its vessel s e i z e d i n Ve n e z u e l a f o r smuggling. The vessel was detained in neighbouring Venezuela on M a r c h 11 , 2 0 2 0 a n d i n December the local state counsel advised the GEA that no criminal charges has been laid. At the time the vessel was seized in Venezuela, that country’s Regional Director General of the Ministry of People’s Power of Energy and Petroleum, had requested that the vessel’s fuel be tested. It was found at the time that the vessel—MS ROBIN—had entered the western neighbour’s jurisdiction without notification, in addition to being without a contracting shipping agency. The vessel was held at the Naval Base “Mcal Juan Crisostomo Falcon” following
the discovery of the deficiency codes.Following the seizure of the vessel in March, the GEA in September had launched an investigation into the local company, which through its legal representatives had refused to provide any further information to GEA. That letter of refusal was sent to the GEA Head, Dr. Mahender Sharma. Additionally, the GEA in December last had written to the principal of the company captioned, “notice before suspension” in relation to the licence for bulk transportation. At that time, the GEA had also alleged that the dealer had entered into a transaction offering petroleum products for sale without the appropriate licence. GEA had also accused the company of transporting fuel from Suriname for a Guyanese company that had not been licenced for importing, exporting, retailing, wholesaling or transporting petroleum
products.The company was given 30 days to show why its licence should not be suspended. That warning had come directly from the GEA Head, Dr. Sharma, and copied to the Minister with responsibility for the Sector, Prime Minister, (ret’d) Mark Phillips. The company despite its documented indiscretions has still managed to retain its transport licence.Kaieteur News understands that the company has since also applied for a fuel import licence.The company is currently in the process of constructing a two million-litre storage facility.The GEA has been coming under fire over its licencing practices when it was reported this past week, that at least two companies were granted fuel import licences although these two companies have no demonstrable storage capacity or other mandatory requirements.Neither of the companies is presently in possession of fuel storage depot
GEA Head, Dr. Mahender Sharma. for fuel imports—a requirement that has to be met before any such licence is issued. Companies requiring an import licence are also required to provide a Petroleum Licence from Guyana Fire Service (GFS) in the case of wholesale and importing wholesale application.This publication understands that none of the companies has met any of the outlined requirements, but would have been given import licences.
After a cry for help, a woman was reunited with her stolen articles after several Guyana Power & Light (GPL) workers assisted in capturing the culprit. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening. According to a police report, 26-year-old Lashon Charles, a nail technician of Section A, Block X, Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was walking into her yard at 23:00hrs. At the said time, Charles saw the suspect walking towards her. The man, who was identified as Alex Johnny, came up behind her and grabbed her by her hair. He then began to choke her, which caused her to fall to the ground. The suspect then snatched her purse from her hands, which contained one National Identification Card, one Republic Bank card, one gold chain and $15,000 in cash and ran away. The victim then reportedly raised an alarm and a GPL vehicle, which was passing with several workers, gave chase behind the suspect. The men managed to apprehend Johnny and subsequently took him to the Golden Grove Police Station. The suspect was then arrested by ranks and a search was conducted on him. All the said items were recovered in Johnny’s possession with exception of the victim’s gold chain. The said items were later lodged for safekeeping and the victim was escorted to the Diamond Hospital Complex where she was seen and examined by the doctor on duty and later sent away.
Kaieteur News
Saturday July 17, 2021
PAGE 09
Guyana’s future has been mortgaged to the oil companies
B
urnham took away a lot of properties. In addition, he did it under a law, which allowed for inadequate compensation. The 1980 Burnham Constitution had provided for the compulsory acquisition of property but required that this has to be done under a law, which provides for the rate of compensation. Burnham had such a law and prior to becoming Executive President he would simply take away your property and pay you under a law, which paid 1939 values. But before you got your money, he would unleash the taxman on you. In some cases, he simply took over the property and left you to challenge for compensation. By the time the case was completed, the claimant would have already died or run out of funds to pay the lawyer’s fees. B u r n h a m ’s 1 9 8 0 Constitution provided that he did not have to pay compensation for buildings, which he had taken over and used, as schools. This is how he escaped paying for the take-over of school buildings not owned by the government. The 1980 Constitution also allowed him to take over property without compensation if it was not beneficially occupied or if it is beneficially occupied it is not being so occupied by the
Dem
boys seh... Wat does get dem boys all riled up is all dem environmentalists who want to save de planet and end climate change. Saving de planet? It remind dem boys of wat George Carlin said years ago. “Some of those who want to save the planet and protect the environment can’t even take care of themselves. Much less to save the planet!” If you and me are lucky and really lucky too, we may just live to be 90… if we lucky. De planet been here for four billions years now. So who really need saving, you and me or de planet? Some of these environmentalists we have
holder of the title owner or a member of his or her family. In 2004, Jagdeo passed the Investment Act. It was something, which the neoliberal international institutions had been pressing for. This Act provided for the payment of adequate and prompt compensation and for approaches to the Court by any aggrieved party to determine the amount of the compensation and interest. Given this provision of our laws and the protection afforded by the Constitution, it would not be advisable for any government to seek to nationalise the assets of foreign oil companies. In fact, there are serious consequences for any form of nationalisation. The courts are likely to treat adequate compensation as amounting to market values. The APNU+AFC had constructively ‘nationalised’ the Berbice River Bridge. It did so under the pretext of taking over the management but in so doing, it took possession of the bridge. The Investment Act is very clear that compensation is paying from the moment possession is acquired. Exxon, Hess and CNOOC signed an agreement with the APNU+AFC, which protects them from any attempt at nationalisation. The Stability Clause of the agreement provides that if in
the event of a change in law – whether through the passage of a new law or the amendment of an existing law – the oil companies are placed in a worst off position than they were prior to the changes, then the government had to take affirmative action to restore the lost or impaired economic benefits. In other words, the government is free to change whatever laws it wants, but Exxon and company cannot be put in a disadvantageous position; otherwise, the lost or reduced benefits have to be restored. This is what APNU+AFC signed for reasons, which only it knows best. The Stability Clause of the Production Sharing A g r e e m e n t e ff e c t i v e l y makes nationalisation impractical if not impossible. And so those who are calling for the nationalisation of the oil industry are wasting their time and efforts. What is required is renegotiation. But we know where the APNU+AFC and the PPP/C stand on this issue. The APNU+AFC sold the country short, very short in its negotiations with Exxon. And the PPP/C has opted to not renegotiate but to seek improved terms in future oil agreements with other firms. The PPP/C will not be afforded that opportunity. Exxon will simply buy-out
Dem environmentalists are de ones who need saving! around can’t even protect themselves from de common flu. So wat make dem think they so special to save dis planet? And who tell dem de planet need dem protection. De planet been doing fine for four billion years. Dem boys yet to see a part of de planet drop off and floating around in de Milky Way. But dem boys see a lot of people get kill, get sick, without arms or legs and dem boys see lots of destruction caused by wars and human actions. So before we decide to save de environment, leh we try saving we selves first. Dem boys went to de ATM de other day to
withdraw money to buy bread. Dem boys look around and see de air conditioning and de lights in de ATM booth on 24 hours a day. De machine gat de temerity to ask dem boys not to print a receipt since it will help save a tree. On de TV dem keep telling yuh to conserve electricity. So I switched de TV off. On de radio dem also telling yuh tuh reduce greenhouse gas emissions by turning off yuh lights. Dem boys did so and de car almost run over a pedestrian. Talk half and ask dem environmentalists fuh leff a raise rather dan try fuh save de planet!
the interest of other companies, which have a stake in so far unexploited oil blocks. The agreement, which Exxon signed, allows it to move its assets from one block to the next, effectively giving it a right to enjoy the same concessions in other oil blocks as it has in the Stabroek Block. Guyana’s back is up against the wall. Nationalisation is out of the
question and may not be advisable. The United States will not stand idly by and allow its assets to be seized by any government. Look what it has done to Venezuela after Chavez moved against Exxon. And our leaders are bent on not renegotiating the existing contract. The people find themselves between a rock and hard place. Their future
has been mortgaged by the APNU+AFC to the oil companies, and the PPP/C has extended the life of that mortgage. God help Guyana! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
PAGE 10
Saturday July 17, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Eureka! Eureka! PNC executives make a discovery There is a cowardly political document going around. It is purported to be composed by a number of executive committee members of the PNC denouncing the one-man hegemony of David Granger as PNC leader. This discovery was made too late. It is a discovery all right but it amounts to a waste of time. History has left the PNC behind. The PNC will be in a comatose electoral state for decades to come because that discovery should have been searched for long before 2021. For the antecedents we have to go back to the PPP in 2010. The PPP took a horrible beating from the semi-fascism of Forbes Burnham. Under Burnham, fascism first came to the English-speaking Caribbean. The world of sadistic politics that Burnham brought to the CARICOM family was so
bestial that when he died only one CARICOM head c a m e t o B u r n h a m ’s mausoleum in the Botanic Garden for the funeral service. After more than three decades of fighting B u r n h a m ’s d e m o n i c absolutism, the PPP with its globally respected leader, Cheddi Jagan, won state power. You would have thought that after securing power, the PPP would never look back. It threw away what it deserved. It chose the wrong candidate in Donald R a m o t a r i n t h e 2 0 11 election. It did not learn from 2011. It went back with the same person in 2015. It lost again. Only Ralph Ramkarran went public with his frustration in the 2011 selection process. I am not a fan of Ramkarran and never will be, but I think he would have won it for the PPP in 2011. Lady luck embraced
the PPP. It came back to power. One would like to think it will frenetically learn f r o m h i s t o r y ’s w r o n g pathways. Enter President Granger. From the time he became president, Granger showed a lack of familiarity with the requirements a leader must adhere to in West Indian politics. Compared with Burnham, Hoyte, the two Jagans, Sam Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo and Ramotar, there w a s s o m e t h i n g conspicuously missing in Granger – he didn’t understand Guyanese politics, Guyanese people and the role of a leader in a particular environment. In this milieu to have a man like this running a onemake show was a tsunamic disaster in the making. You internalise lessons living in this tragic land every day. The only reason why I will not name this long-standing powerhouse in the PNC (I
am not referring to Hamilton Green) is because he may sue. But during the reign of Granger, he said to me something he thought was a terrible mistake by Granger. He said, “Leh he try deh, he’s de l e a d e r. ” H e w a s actually saying no one in the PNC can reject a fatal misdirection of the president.As we came to 2018, long before the noconfidence vote, the APNU+AFC was performing in dull, unexciting ways that a oneterm prediction began to haunt its intellectual supporters. I know this because they talk to me frankly about it. I spoke candidly about a one-term scenario with many wellplaced friends in the AFC. The conspicuous alarm was the persona of President Granger. There was an opposition and it was led by a man who was president for 12 years. He saw the abysmal performance of Granger. As president for 12 years, Bharrat Jagdeo knew that Granger was APNU+AFC
an
Frederick Kissoon d APNU+AFC will not survive with that kind of presidential mediocrity. He went in for the kill. He needed just 5,000 votes to win the 2020 election. He knew he had more than that. One mistake after another Granger made as president. His budget minister was living in another world and so was the boss of the budget minister. Things were falling apart, paradise was ebbing, great expectations were dying but no one in the PNC challenged President Granger because he was the Leviathan. The people who signed
that document that are calling for the ouster of Granger could have been in power today only if they had discovered in 2017 what they found in July 2021. So terrible was Granger’s performance after 2015 that rigging the national election became the P N C ’s d e u s - e x machina. The discoverers of July 2021 went along with their Leviathan. But you don’t rig an election for five months. You do it in five hours or maybe five days. But five months is so stupid that the world will maul you. And the world mauled those very discoverers of July 2021 and their Leviathan, David Granger. Now they want their boss to be removed. But what will the PNC achieve in ousting Granger? If Granger was confronted in 2016, the APNU+AFC may have stood a chance in 2020. The rest is history. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Saturday July 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Saturday July 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
67 cases of Dengue, 5 Leptospirosis recorded in Region 6. - Regional Chairman A woman that was forced to walk through the murky flood waters in Black Bush Polder.
Following the heavy flooding those communities countrywide endured a number of Leptospirosis and Dengue cases were recorded in Region Six, says Regional Chairman, David Armogan, during a press briefing on Thursday. Presently, the Regional Health Department in Berbice is monitoring 67 cases of Dengue and five cases of Leptospirosis with the majority of the cases
diagnosed coming from Black Bush Polder. The Chairman stated that those persons who were affected by the diseases are being treated, while adding, that no deaths were recorded. He added that the health department has put systems in place to do contact tracing in an effort to reduce the spread. Kaieteur News understands that there is a schedule out for fogging throughout Region Six.
‘Black Boy’ remanded for allegedly killing father of two
Remanded to prison, Adolph “Black Boy” Joseph. Adolph “Black Boy” Joseph, the man who was implicated in the gruesome murder of Roy Ross, a father of two that occurred back in April, was on Thursday remanded to prison by Principal Magistrate, Judy Latchman. Twenty-eight-year-old Joseph of Swan Squatting Area, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, made his first court appearance in the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court where he was not required to plead to the indictable charge of murder. It was alleged that between April 4 and 5, 2021 at Swan Village, he murdered 23-year-old Ross. The Principal Magistrate after remanding him adjourned the matter to July 20, 2021 for report. Moreover, the other suspect, Ewert Calistro, who confessed to the crime was charged and remanded to jail by Magistrate Latchman back in April.
Stabbed to death, Roy Ross. On Easter Monday sometime around 06:00hrs, Ross’ lifeless body was found lying in a pool of blood in his living room. His body, which bore multiple stab wounds, was found by his neighbour. This publication learnt that he was last seen alive around 23:00hrs. on Easter Sunday by his girlfriend whom he resided with. The morning after Ross was discovered dead, the police had taken several persons into custody for questioning. Twenty-three-year-old Calistro was among the group of individuals who reportedly admitted to detectives that he was guilty of being involved in Ross’s killing. During his confession, he implicated another person who he claimed inflicted the injuries on the father of two. That individual was Joseph, who was in hiding for some months but was recently captured in Mahdia. Kaieteur News was told (Continued on page 14)
Kaieteur News
Saturday July 17, 2021
PAGE 13
Despite having valid licence GEA puts fuel dealer before court T
he Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) recently filed charges against SBF International—a local bulk fuel importing and distributing company—for importing a shipment of fuel, despite being in possession of a valid licence at the time.The company headed by Guyanese businessman, Dorwain Bess, on September 2, 2020, imported 791,000 litres of diesel fuel. The importation of that shipment of fuel had even been sanctioned by the Minister with responsibility for the Sector, Prime Minister (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, and GEA Head, Dr. Mahender Sharma. SBF’s Bess in April last however, saw GEA hauling him before the courts seeking charges for purportedly illegally conducting the business of a
One of the storage facilities owned and operated SBF International Inc.
GEA Head, Dr. Mahender Sharma wholesaler of petroleum products without being in possession of a valid importation licence between the periods September 28, 2020, and December 27, 2020.The offence stated that he resold the fuel to a mining company. He is set to be formally charged at the end
of the month. Bess in a letter to the Prime Minister on September 23, last, had requested permission for the importation of the 791,000 litres of diesel, since the GEA had previously, on August 13, 2020, written to SBF to show why its licence
should not be revoked in light of an alleged infraction. GEA later wrote to SBF informing that the licence
would be revoked on September 11, 2020. In a letter seen by this publication, Bess indicated
to the Prime Minister that SBF prior to receiving the ‘show cause’ letter (Continued on page 17)
The GEA Letter to SBF signed by GEA Head, Dr. Mahender Sharma, informing of the concession to discharge the imported fuel.
The SBF letter to the Prime Minister along with his approval signature One of the gas stations operated by SBF International Inc.
PAGE 14
Saturday July 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
Agri. Ministry signs $115 million in contracts to boost performance; $26 million will go to defunct Rose Hall Factory
T
he Ministry of Agriculture has signed $115M in contracts to boost the sector’s performance. Of
that amount, $26M will go to the defunct Rose Hall factory. This project will bring the estate one-step closer to becoming
operational. Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, said this act is in keeping with the Government’s commitment
to the people. He further stated that when the administration was in Opposition it had said that it would reopen the closed
sugar estates. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic had campaigned heavily on the reopening of the closed sugar estates that
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha sent thousands of persons into unemployment – the Rose Hall, Skeldon, Wales and Enmore Estates were closed under the APNU+AFC Government. Workers who were fired after the closure were given severance pay but many still struggled to maintain their families and eat three square meals a day. The PPP/C had promised to reopen the estates and restore jobs. Minister Mustapha noted, that a number of persons are still awaiting jobs at the Rose Hall Factory while adding, that sugar production would be boosted because of the mere fact that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is making a turn in the way it manages its affairs. The Minister further added that by the end of August, he hopes that all the projects that are in the budget will be awarded, and contracts will be signed for works to begin, so that the work programme can be completed for the remainder of the year. The remainder of the monies will be used for development at the Guyana Rice Development Board, Guyana Marketing Corporation and Hydromet Office.
‘Black Boy’... From page 12 that Calistro, while in the company of another person went to the dead man’s residence with the intention to “commit an unlawful sexual act on one of the occupants of the house” with the expectation that Ross was not at home. The young man further stated that upon their arrival at the house, they were approached by Ross and a brawl reportedly ensued. During that scuffle Ross was stabbed several times about his body. It was reported that he was stabbed to his chest, shoulder, elbow and abdomen.
Kaieteur News
Saturday July 17, 2021
Digicel launches Summer Campaign with 3 brand new Toyota RUSH SUVs up for grabs
The three brand new Toyota RUSH SUVs up for grabs Summer in Georgetown just got better as Digicel recently launched its Summer Campaign, “Digicel’s SUMMA Rush.” Digicel’s prepaid customers will have the chance of “RUSHing” off with one of three brand new Toyota Rush SUVs. The campaign runs for seven weeks, starting on July 16 and concludes on September 2. So how can anxious prepaid customers qualify to win one of the three S U V s ? To q u a l i f y, customers must top up with $1,000 or more (Scratch Cards or electronically) to collect the letters to spell the word R-U-S-H to enter into
a draw. Once the top-up is successful, the customer will receive a text message with their electronic letter. Customers can keep track of their letters collected by texting ‘SUMMA’ to short code 1441. There will be three qualifying periods: July 16th– August 5th , August 6th– August 19th and August 20th– September 2nd. Customers spelling the word R-U-S-H within the qualifying periods will participate in the draw for a chance to win one of the three Toyota Rush SUVs. All persons spelling the word R-U-S-H will receive $100,000 once the letters
are verified and deemed legitimate. Digicel Group is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 31 markets throughout the Caribbean, Central America and Asia Pacific. Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets, including Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago, which focus on educational, cultural and social development programs. Visit www.digicelgroup.com for more information.
PAGE 15
Pedestrians, motorcyclists account for highest road fatalities In his presentation to the public for the Guyana Police Force’s 182nd Anniversary, Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, noted the status of overall crime and traffic incidents, in which pedestrians and motorcyclists accounted for the most fatal casualties. According to Hoppie, up to July 10 this year, the traffic department has seen a decrease of 32% in fatal accidents with a number of 48 this year but 71 for the matching period last year. This year also has a consequential 30% decrease in fatalities with 52 this year as opposed to 74 last year.
However, Hoppie stated that pedestrians and motor cyclists, 29 in total, have been part of the major categories of road users who lost their lives on the roadways this year with inattentiveness, which caused 21 fatal accidents. According to Hoppie, traffic enforcement has recorded 8,719 cases for speeding, 459 cases for driving under the influence and 10,188 for unlicenced driver. Hoppie mentioned too, that although a few officers stand before the court and amidst oftentimesunmerited criticisms, the Guyana Police Force (GPF)
continues to perform its role and responsibilities creditably while coping and grasping with challenges and opportunities accordingly. He said too, that the GPF has been able to maintain a safe and secure environment within the country. The Commissioner of Police also noted that the Force continues to assiduously confront the challenges of the criminal community and unto the end of June this year, has recorded an 18.7% decrease in serious crimes compared to the similar period last year.
PAGE 16 WANTED
LEGAL NOTICE
We l d e r s , S e c u r i t y, S a n d T r u c k D r i v e r s & Handyman.Contact 2235273/223-5274.
WELLINGTON, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 6th day of April, 2021 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online). AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), an Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the Second and final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday the 23rd day of June, 2021 at 9:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court atGeorgetown via Zoom Meeting 10: 503 218 6789 and Password: courtla. IN DEFAULT of you filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, an Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on
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Experienced utility operators needed for mining operation.Must have valid driver licence.Call:697-2533.
Furnish apartment,Mocha HousingScheme E.B.D.Contact:661-7681. For Sale or rent, good for business– 4.018 acres of primelandinNew Amsterdam, Berbice.Call679-2497
SERVICES
Saturday July 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
One handyman to work in the interior, Accommodation and meals provided. Contact #680-2702 One cleaner to work at hotel in the interior. Contact: 6802702 One male to work on chicken farm in the interior. Must have experience in poultry farming. Contact 680-2702 1 Lorry driver apply in person at RP's Enterprise area 'K' Le Ressoouvenir Contact 220--3710/ 220-2818 A general domestic worker to work at Peter's Hall area EBD (25 to 45 years old) and one handy man. Call 2310363 Wanted puri roti cook apply @ Shanta's 225 Camp & New Market stVACANCY
Waitress between ages 1825 years old $20,000 weekly. Live in domestic between ages 25-45 years $30,000 weekly Tel#648-7866 Maid to cook & clean for East Bank Call 615-9132 Receptionist 25-50years old.233SouthRoad Lacytown.225-0198. Immediate vacancy exists for males to work shifts @ Del Ice Co.Call:642-9191/2311408. 1 secretary between ages 2535 year old.Call:683-8734. LEGAL NOTICE D W E T N A 2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-31 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.:FD-31 BETWEENBOYCE (ARREFA MELINDA) nee WELLINGTON Petitioner and- BOYCE (GARREN ROSSLYN)RespondentTO: GARREN ROSSLYN BOYCE (Last Known Address) Dem Amstel, West Coast Demerara, Guyana. AND 301 w 111th Street Apartment 1 A NY 10026, United States of America, TAKE NOTICE that on the 13lh day of January, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by ARREFA MELINDA BOYCE nee
WANTED LEGAL NOTICE Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 12th day of April,2021.
2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD668 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-668 BETWEEN:- ADAMS (SUE-ANN) nee OSBORNE Petitioner and- ADAMS (MARK ANTHONY) Respondent TO: MARK ANTHONY ADAMS Lot 1279 Spurwing Drive, South Ruimveldt Park, Georgetown, Guyana. TAKE NOTlCE that on the 20th day of May, 202 J a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by SUEANN ADAMS nee OSBORNE the Petitioner in the Family Division of the HighCourt in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 2nd day of July, 2021, thePetitioner wasdirected to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of Kaieteur News Newspapers, a newspaper printed, published and circulated in Guyana. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the
certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.
WANTED LEGAL NOTICE TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday the 29th day of Septembe • ., 2021 at 9:00 am bcfo.·c the Honourable Madam Justice Pdya Sewnarine-Bcha’TYvia Zoom Meeting 1D: 503 218 6789 and Password: courtla. IN DEFAULT of your tiling an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce . The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 8thday of July, 2021.
Saturday July 17, 2021
Top Cop reports 70% increase in rape matters Despite recording a decrease in other serious crimes, a 70% increase was recorded for this year so far regarding rape matters. This was recently revealed by Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie. The Top Cop made that disclosure on Thursday while speaking at the Awards and Incentives Ceremony, where a total of 3,258 ranks and 28 Community Policing Groups were awarded for their outstanding contributions in support of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). In his address, Hoppie stated, “While there have been decreases in other serious crimes for the period January to June this year in comparison to the similar period last year, the offense of rape has seen an increase of 70% with figures of 90 last year compared to 153 this year.” The Acting Commissioner of Police is not the only member of the Guyana Police (GPF) who made such a disclosure. On June 15, 2021, Commander of Division 4 ‘B,’ Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine, revealed that his district has seen an increase in rape matters when compared to the same period last year. The Commander was at the time making an appearance on the Police & You programme with host, Deputy Director of the Cooperate Communications Unit (CCU) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), Stan Gouveia. Commander Siwnarine had stated, “Well at the moment, crime is on a decrease in my division…But our major concern or crime of concern at the moment that is on the increase as compared to all the rest, is rape.” According to the Commander, most of these cases are that of statutory rape, meaning, those are matters, which involve children under the age of 16. He said too, that most of the
Acting Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie.
Commander of Division 4 ‘B,’ Mahendra Siwnarine.
rape cases that have been reported to them are from the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. In an invited comment, he informed Kaieteur News that the perpetrators in these matters are known to the victims, mostly friends, relatives, and spouses. Moreover, this publication had recently reported that police constable, Michael Kendall, was committed to stand trial in the High Court for the alleged rape of a minor. It was reported that Kendall was committed to the High Court using the paper committal process. He was committed by Principal Magistrate, Sherdel IsaacsMarcus, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Kendall was jointly charged with Eon Franklin in March 2021 for the alleged rape of a minor. On their first court appearance, they were not required to plead to the indictable charge, which alleges that on December 3, 2020, in Georgetown, they raped a child under the age of 16. Both men were placed on $300,000 bail each on their first court hearing. While Franklin’s matter is still ongoing, Kendall remains out on bail as he awaits the commencement of his trial at the next practicable sitting of the Demerara Assizes.
Rape is an indictable matter and someone who is charged with rape is not required to plead to the charge at the lower court. Like Marshall and Franklin’s rape case, the matters first go to the Magistrate’s Court for a preliminary inquiry (PI) or paper committal process. In either process, the prosecution would produce the evidence to the court following which, the Magistrate can either commit the alleged perpetrator to stand trial for rape in the High Court or dismiss the case due to insufficient evidence or other reasons. Someone who is found guilty of rape could be made to serve life imprisonment. For sexual assault matters, the matter is done summarily. Meaning, when the matter is brought before the lower court, the Magistrate will conduct a trial and the alleged perpetrator can plead guilty or not guilty to the charge after it is read to them. A person if liable, upon summary conviction, could serve up to five years imprisonment. However, sexual assault can also be laid indictably, and a person is liable to face up to 10 years imprisonment. Rape and sexual offenses matters are bailable offenses.
Repeat offender remanded for robbery Shaquiel Mentore was on Friday, remanded to prison on three counts of larceny after appearing at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly. The particulars of the first offence allege that on July 3, 2021, at Stabroek, Georgetown, he stole from Shenola Gittens, one gold chain valued $120,000 and one Samsung galaxy J7 cell phone valued $73,000, a total value of $193,000. The second charge states that on July 13, 2021, at Stabroek, Georgetown,
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Kaieteur News
Remanded, Shaquiel Mentore. Mentore stole from Cindy Lyttle, one gold chain valued $64,000 and two gold rings valued $30,000. This is a
combined total value of $94,000, all property of the said victim. The third charge alleges that on July 13, 2021, at Longden Street, Georgetown, the young man stole from Lavia Bookie, one gold chain valued at $100,000 and one gold and diamond pendant valued $100,000, with a total value of $200,000. Mentore pleaded not guilty to the offences and was later remanded to prison on the grounds that he has pending matters before the court.
16-year-old cancer patient succumbs to COVID-19 - Seven children now hospitalised Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, yesterday announced that a 16-year-old child who was a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Liliendaal Infectious Disease Hospital has succumbed to the virus. The Minister, who made the announcement during his daily COVID-19 update, said the child had a form of cancer and had died within the last 24 hours. This child is now the country’s third youngest COVID-19 fatality since the pandemic reached these shores in March last year. An 11-year-old who was diagnosed with cancer was the first young person to succumb, while a 17-year-old boy was the second. It was revealed during the interview that there are presently seven children who are admitted to the hospital, they are being closely monitored by health authorities. According to Dr. Anthony, these children are not in the COVID-19 ICU but are housed in the regular wards. Earlier in the month, the Minister had highlighted that it was becoming a worrying trend since more children are being infected with a more severe form of the disease. In this regard, he is encouraging parents to take extra precautions with children since a different form of the disease is circulating
than that of the initial strain. “We need to take precautions with our children, which is very important. Initially, the type of variants that were circulating … where children, if they got infected would have generally got a mild form of the disease; that pattern is changing and we are seeing that children now are being affected in a more adverse way,” the Minister explained. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry yesterday in its release reported that a 73year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica)
who tested positive for COVID-19 died on Thursday. As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 507. Further, the Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 77 new infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 21,351. Presently, there are eight patients in the COVID-19 ICU, 103 persons in institutional isolation, 1,068 in home isolation and five are in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 19,665 persons have recovered from the virus.
...Despite having valid licence GEA puts From page 13 from GEA in August 2020, had already ordered and partly paid for the fuel, and was requesting special permission for the shipment to be discharged and utilised. The letter also notes that the fuel had arrived in Guyana on September 2, 2020, but the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) refused to accept payment of taxes due on the shipment. It was pointed out that as a result, at the time of writing the letter, the fuel was not discharged and was incurring demurrage charges at some US$5,000 daily. Bess in his letter to the Prime Minister requested that he be allowed to pay the taxes due and discharge the fuel that had already been imported, and was ordered and part paid for even before the ‘show cause’ letter from the GEA. Prime Minister Phillips had given his approval the following day by way of signature on September 24, 2020. In a letter from the GEA to SBF on that day, September
24, 2020, it was pointed out that with reference to his letter to the Prime Minister the previous day, a onetime concession had been granted to the company to discharge the fuel provided all of the requirements are met. These included the payment of taxes, marking fees and other payments to be made. That letter indicating to SBF of the onetime concession to discharge the fuel was signed by GEA Head, Dr. Sharma. The GEA Head had previously attempted to deny entry of the shipment, to which SBF responded by way of a legal representative, and indicated to Sharma that the August 13, 2020, show cause letter gave no mandatory instruction to cease the importation of fuel, but it offered that “the GEA wishes to advise your company against entering into fuel importation agreements.” According to SBF’s attorney in a letter to the GEA, it was never contemplated that the GEA would summarily refuse to bulk mark and take
steps to prevent the clearing of our imported diesel before the lapse of 30 days. The GEA Head has since been writing to fuel retailers warning them not to do business with companies related to SBF, since they are not in possession of a valid licence to conduct business. SBF’s licence was formally cancelled on September 14, last, but the company, according to documentation seen by this newspaper, was given the onetime concession by the GEA and approved by the Prime Minister. As such, Bess in an invited comment told this publication that the charges against him can only be seen as malicious prosecution on the part of the Energy Agency since it was not a case of him avoiding taxes or an infraction, but he had in fact, gotten permission from both the GEA and the Prime Minister for the importation of fuel. He posited, “This is nothing more than malicious prosecution, and persecution by person or persons in the energy agency.”
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Saturday July 17, 2021
Saturday July 17, 2021
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Evin Lewis’ sparkling display and scintillating fielding give West Indies 4-1 margin ESPNcricinfo - A fiery half-century from Evin Lewis laid the platform for a 200 target set by West Indies, which seemed well within reach for Australia until a slew of dynamic fielding efforts during the chase turned the tide back the way of the hosts as West Indies clinched a 16run victory to complete a 4-1 series win at Daren Sammy Stadium in St Lucia. Lewis attacked pace and spin in equal measure to blaze a 23-ball fifty and ultimately finished with 79 off 34 balls, including four fours and nine sixes, to pace West Indies through the first half of their innings after winning the toss and choosing to bat first. The hosts looked on track for well in excess of 200 while Lewis was still at the crease but
after his departure Australia’s medium pacers, highlighted by Andrew Tye in his first match of the tour, bowled superbly at the death to rein back the West Indies line-up and give themselves a chance at a consolation win. Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh put Australia well ahead of the required run rate in the Powerplay portion of the reply. But a trio of sensational fielding efforts, first by Russell off his own bowling in the fifth and then by Fabian Allen and stand-in captain Nicholas Pooran in the space of three balls in the 10th, sucked the air out of the Australia chase at a pivotal stage from which they never recovered. Lewis fireworks After a blazing 31 off 14-
ball cameo in his previous knock two days earlier, Lewis stayed a bit longer at the crease on this occasion and enacted double the damage. His first victim of the night was Jason Behrendorff. After ending the first over by flicking the left-armer over square leg for six, Lewis seized on a free hit in the third to belt a full toss for another six over midwicket before ending the over with another over backward square. A switch of ends made little difference for Behrendorff in the sixth as Lewis clattered him for another pair of boundaries and sixes. The start of a four, six, six sequence in the eighth over against Tye helped Lewis to his ninth T20I half-century. At one stage, David Miller’s
Saturday July 16, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There is a conflicting push/ pull aspect to today that may leave you feeling unsure about how to proceed. TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Get your chores done early, Taurus, so you have time to play tonight. Plan a romantic getaway with a loved one. Let your imagination carry you to a whole new realm of pleasure. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) This is an excellent day to tell people exactly how you feel, Gemini. Your emotions are more stable than usual, so open up and speak from the heart. Listen. What you learn will be valuable for the future, so pay attention. CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today may be tough. Does it seem like nothing fits into place? Are you trying to be someone you're not? If things don't seem to be working out, don't press the issue. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Enjoy yourself, Leo. You have a lot to be grateful for, so give thanks. Take pride in all you've accomplished so far and share your joy with others. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This may be one of those days when you don't know which way to turn. For some reason, you just can't make a decision, so you keep going around and around. Stop and rest.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This may be one of those days when you don't know which way to turn. For some reason, you just can't make a decision, so you keep going around and around. Stop and rest. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Your emotions may be reserved, Scorpio. Take a break from the spunk and fire and simply lay low. This is a good time to sit back and receive. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Family issues play an important role in your day, Sagittarius. Speak from the heart and tell your kin how much they mean to you. CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may be undecided about a loved one today, Capricorn. Something may urge you to act yet you want to lay low. There's an important next step that you must take now. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today is a great day to move forward, Aquarius. Your emotions are stable, leaving your heart free to take off to the clouds. Daydream. Now might be a good time to make plans with a romantic partner. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) There's a conservative feeling to the day that asks you to get serious and take care of business. This may not be such a bad idea.
fastest T20I century off just 35 balls looked in peril when Lewis heaved Mitchell Swepson for back-to-back sixes over the leg side in the ninth to move to 75 off 28 balls. But the left-hander finally ran out of steam collecting four singles in the next two overs before holing out to Marsh at the end of the 11th. West Indies Tye’d down at the death by slower balls With five overs remaining, West Indies were still sitting pretty at 169 for 4. But Tye’s wide array of knuckleballs and other off-speed deliveries kept the West Indies middleorder in check as they could only add 30 off the final 30 balls of the innings. Tye bowled three of the final five overs in the sequence and conceded 19 runs while claiming three wickets, not to mention two other dropped chances he created. He began his haul removing the dangerous Russell for 1, picking out Alex Carey at deep cover in the 16th. Two overs later, Pooran pulled to Carey again this time fielding at deep midwicket for the left-hander. His final wicket on the night was a sliced skier by Darren Bravo to Finch at short third man. The only boundary he conceded in the three death overs came off the final ball of the innings when Hayden Walsh Jr drove him over the rope at wide long-off, but that did little to spoil the marvelous work he did to keep West Indies a hair under 200. Fielding magic In spite of the early loss of Josh Philippe to end the first over, Australia were humming in the Powerplay behind another brisk knock from Marsh at No. 3, who motored to 30 off 14 balls as
...CAC Champion Clarke training From page 20 Clarke highlighted that the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (GBBF) had reached out to the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport for funding but at the time this interview was done, he couldn’t confirm any favourable response. The other athletes making up team Guyana to the CAC bodybuilding championships are Rosanna Fung, Yannick Grimes, Emmerson Campbell, Roger Callendar, Darius Ramsammy and Nicholas Albert. The GBBFF also looks forward to having its President, Keavon Bess, lead its delegation along with at least one coach to ensure that the athletes are taken care of.
Australia ended the fourth over at 46 for 1. Russell arrived in the fifth and struck first ball with a brilliant reaction catch as a half-volley was smoked straight back to the allrounder, who pocketed a hip height catch in his followthrough. But Russell’s catch was child’s play compared to what occurred in the 10th over. Player of the Series Walsh Jr claimed his series best 12th wicket off the second ball of the over, but it was Allen who made the moment possible through sheer effort and athleticism. A knee high full toss was slapped flat down the ground by Finch, but Allen reprised some of the boundary catching heroics from years gone by in the CPL, that put him on the map early in his career, by sprinting to his left at long-on before flinging his body to claim a stunner laid out full extension with his left hand. Two balls later, new batter Carey tried to tap and run into
short midwicket to get a well set Moises Henriques back on strike. But Pooran continued his side’s merciless display in the field by hustling out from behind the stumps, picking up the ball and firing back into the striker’s end stumps from short range with Henriques still inches short of making his ground to be out for 21. From 95 for 2, Australia were suddenly 100 for 4. Despite being ahead of the required run rate, their thin middle-order depth meant the target became increasingly distant. Russell helped cement the win by dismissing Carey and Matthew Wade in consecutive overs. With 63 off 27 required for the tail, some late hitting made the final margin seem more flattering to the visitors than it was as the hosts completed yet another convincing win. Scores: West Indies 199 for 8 (Lewis 79, Tye 3-37) beat Australia 183 for 9 (Cottrell 3-28, Russell 3-43) by 16 runs.
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Saturday July 17, 2021
CAC Champion Clarke training smart for title defence By Calvin Champion Kerwin Clarke, Guyana’s most decorated bodybuilder on the team heading to the 2021 Central American & Caribbean (CAC) bodybuilding championships in El Salvador, has declared that he is training smart for next
month’s competition which will be held in the capital of San Salvador. The reigning under 176lb CAC Champion, in an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, noted that preparations for next month’s Championships are not as smooth as he would
like them to be as compared to 2019 when he won gold especially since he is in therapy for two separate injures. However, he further divulged that, “Being strategic, I was able to train safely or I should say train smart and put together a
fairly decent package. In terms of me refining myself into a state of readiness in terms of being at the level of competitiveness as I should, would’ve been my major challenge for this year’s event.” However, Clarke shared that he, “Managed to put the
pieces together and with three weeks remaining, and I intend to refine my body to the best of my ability.” T h e f i v e - t i m e M r. Guyana champion noted that although he is excited to be competing at this event once more, he is not fazed by his fellow competitors, “I don’t
feel pressured in anticipation in of this year’s competition because I am always physically and mentally prepared for the competition, that has always been my game plan and I continued to operate in that regard.” In terms of sponsorship, (Continued on page 19)
Kaieteur News
Saturday July 17, 2021
‘WI getting there’ - Windies stand-in captain Pooran insists team coming into its own ahead of World Cup SportsMax - Stand in West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran believes things are tying together nicely for the squad, following a 3-1 series win against Australia. After a difficult series loss against South Africa, the West played their way to a 30 lead against Australia in a five-match series, before suffering their first loss on Thursday. Even so, the affair was a closely contested one, with the Windies losing by just four runs in pursuit of the
visitor’s target of 189. So far for the series the West Indies has boasted an average of 167, up from the 157.4 average against South Africa. “I think we are getting close to where we want to be. We are starting to get opening partnerships of 50 and above, we’ll take that any day,” Pooran told members of the media via an online press conference. “In the middle overs, for the first three games we batted really well, that is
Stand in West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran
something we adjusted. After the first series we played that situation well, last time we kind of faltered there a little bit,” he added. “All in all, I think we are getting there. You can see in the end now Fabian Allen coming in to bat with Polly out, he’s played that role wonderfully for us and can actually lengthen our batting and we can depend more on Allen. So from a standing captain’s point of view, I believe we are getting there.”
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De Sinco Limited under their Degree brand of products lifts with Carlos Petterson-Griffith Under their Degree brand of products; De Sinco Limited has made a tangible contribution towards Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith quest to medal at the upcoming 18th FESUPO/NAPF Pan-American Regional Powerlifting Championships to take place August 17-21, 2021 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, in Orlando, Florida, USA. With support already coming from MVP Sports as well as being named the latest Sports Ambassador for that company, Petterson-Griffith made the trek to De Sinco Limited’s Sheriff and John Streets, Campbellville Location to receive his latest monetary support. Handing over a cheque to Petterson-Griffith for USD$500 towards his competition expenses was Manager, Mr. Sunish Maikoo who commended the powerlifter for his commitment and discipline to the sport that has made him a standout over the years. In his quest to bring further glory to the
Land of Many Waters at next month’s championships in the USA which he is using as a platform to qualify for the World’s Classic Championships set for the end of September, Maikoo said that Degree and De Sinco would be rally with Petterson-Griffith to keep the Gold Arrowhead flying high. Aiming to top the field in the 93kg Class FESUPO/NAPF Pan-American Regional Powerlifting Championships, PettersonGriffith extended thanks to Maikoo, Degree and De Sinco for standing with him on the platform noting that he is quite aware that the covid-19 pandemic has dented lost of businesses but he is grateful for the support he has been receiving to date. Whilst acknowledging that becoming a world champion is not a walk in the park, Petterson-Griffith is obdurate that his journey towards attaining this height has begun and he is getting closer to such a feat. (Franklin Wilson)
Kaieteur News
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Saturday July 17, 2021
British Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton quickest in Silverstone qualifying BBC Sport - Lewis Hamilton thrilled a crowd of 86,000 at Silverstone to take pole position for today’s new sprint race at the British Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver beat title rival Max Verstappen’s Red Bull by 0.075 seconds to secure top spot for the new 17-lap race introduced this weekend. M e r c e d e s ’ Va l t t e r i Bottas was third ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. McLaren’s Lando Norris was sixth and there was an outstanding display by Williams’ George Russell in eighth. “It has been such a difficult time for everyone and we finally have all the fans at the British Grand Prix and the desire to deliver for everyone is beyond belief,” said Hamilton. “ We w a t c h e d t h e England game the other day, you see how much passion there is in England. It was a difficult time for everyone and I was hoping I could do my part in bringing something positive. It is only the first step but, wow, what a fantastic way to end the
day.” Hamilton set the time that mattered on his first lap in final qualifying. He was on course for a quicker time on his final run but made a mistake, sliding wide at the penultimate corner, Vale, and losing time. But while Verstappen did improve on his final lap, it was not enough to supplant Hamilton and the seven-time world champion sent the crowd into raptures. Already this is the biggest crowd at a sporting event in the UK since the start of the pandemic - and there are more to come over the weekend, with 140,000 due to attend the Grand Prix on Sunday in predicted temperatures of close to 30C. It was a vintage performance from Hamilton, helped by the Mercedes team’s first upgrades since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, but it is not another pole position to add to his tally of 100 - officially the driver who wins Saturday’s ‘sprint’ will be classified as the pole position winner. And it was an important
change in form after four wins in five races by Verstappen, who has opened a 32-point championship lead. The crowd chanted Hamilton’s name as he did his post-session interview and he basked in their adulation. Hamilton said: “We have been missing this for a whole years, I have lost my voice a little. I am so grateful to see everyone here. To come to Silverstone and have a full crowd like this. You feel the energy. I was hopeful with the great work we did at the team and the energy of the fans would get us here. This is down to the fans. “The first lap was great and the second was looking even better but I just lost the back end in the last corner and my heart was in my mouth as I crossed the line.” Verstappen said: “The car was handling quite well but just a lot of understeer so I couldn’t really attack any corners, just waiting for the front to grip up. A weird feeling to drive, I don’t think it was set-up or front wing
Mercedes looked off the pace of Red Bull earlier yesterday but delivered when it mattered in Friday qualifying. (Reuters) related, we are still quite close so it’s all right.” And the 23-year-old said the new format being trialled this weekend - and planned for a further two races at some point this season - was “a bit of a weird feeling”. “You do qualifying, you go flat out and it doesn’t really mean anything in terms of pole feeling,” Verstappen said.
“We have a strong race car but we need to fix the issues in qualifying. I am quite confident we can have a strong race.” There are three world championship points on offer for the winner of Saturday’s sprint, two for second and one for third, and Hamilton has said he “needs” to win both that event and the Grand Prix to
reduce his deficit to Ve r s t a p p e n i n t h e championship. Hamilton has the benefit of his team-mate also up in the top three with him, while Verstappen’s partner Sergio Perez could manage only fifth in his Red Bull, beaten by the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, in another stellar qualifying performance by the Monegasque.
Kaieteur News
Saturday July 17, 2021
Swimmers Persaud & Fowler settling in well in Tokyo
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Rebels ‘Red ball’ U-10 Tournament
Erskine and Jordan win in girls & boys U-10
I
Coach Gonsalves is flanked by Fowler (left) and Persaud in Japan. By Sean Devers Swimmers Aleka Persaud and Andrew Fowler are among seven athletes set to represent the Golden Arrow Head in the Tokyo Olympics which is scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8. Persaud, at 15, is the youngest Guyanese to attend the Olympics and is the fastest female swimmer in Guyana despite her age, while Fowler is participating in his second Olympics after competing in Rio, Brazil in 2016. The pair along with their Coach Shyka Gonsalves arrived in Tokyo last Wednesday and explained to Kaieteur Sports about their trip and how they settled in so far in Japan for a preOlympic Training Camp. The Camp was facilitated by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and was scheduled to run from July 13 to July 23. However, due to a flight delay which resulted in the Guyanese trio missing their connecting flight, they arrived a day late. “We are not yet in the Olympic Village we are presently at the Preparation Section Olympic & Paralympic Division in Izumi-cho, Tachikawa-City,
Tokyo, Japan,” disclosed Coach Gonsalves. “The traveling to get to Tokyo was long and a bit tiring. We left Guyana on Sunday July 11 and travelled to Miami where the we had to spend the night. On Monday July 12 we left Miami for Dallas but the flight was delayed by four hours and missed our connecting flight and had to s p e n d o v e r n i g h t . We eventually left Dallas on Tuesday July 13 and arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday July 14,” said Coach Gonzales. Due to a spike in infections involving highly transmissible coronavirus variants the Government has declared a state of e m e rg e n c y f o r To k y o throughout the duration of the Olympics, which will be without any fans. With the exception of those associated with the Olympics, all people, including Japanese Citizens and foreign residents, as well as those granted permission to enter Japan under special circumstances, are required to self-isolate for 14 days after entering the Country. ”We are always wearing a mask, except when we eat or drink…there are bottles of Sanitisers at every venue, while we do a saliva test every day before Lunch and wear disposable gloves to serve ourselves meals,”
Gonsalves noted. Despite having to adapt to the ‘new normal’ and performing without any fans in the stands, the Coach informed that the swimmers are mentally ok and focused on training and proving themselves. The Coach said she and her charges are satisfied with the quality of the meals in Tokyo. “The food is good, no complaints. There are dishes you like and some you don’t b u t t h a t ’s a p e r s o n a l preference. All in all, the meals are good,” concluded Gonsalves. A l s o i n To k y o t o represent the Golden Arrow Head, are Track and Field Athletes Emanuel Archibald and siblings Jasmine and Aliyah Abrams; the first sisters to ever represent Guyana at the same Olympics since this Country participated at its inaugural Olympics in 1948. Boxer Keevin Allicock, who will hope to join fellow Pugilist Mike Parris who won a Bronze (Guyana’s only Olympic medal) at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, as the second Guyanese Boxer to win an Olympic medal and Chelsea Edghill, Guyana’s first Table Tennis Olympian. This Country has participated in 16 previous Olympic Games.
n a tournament played without spectators because of the Covid-19 restrictions at the GBTI Tennis Court in Diamond, the Rebel Tennis Club’s U10 ‘red ball tournament was played and Niomi Erskine and Jonathan Jordan emerged the girls & boys U10 champions respectively. Rebels red Ball results Kimora Erskine defeated Mariam Browne 10-2 Niomi Erskine defeated Nandica Arjune 10-1 Niomi Erskine defeated Mariam Browne 10-2 Kimora Erskine defeated Nandica Arjune 10-1 Mariamm Browne defeated Trinity DeJesus 101 Kimora Erskine defeated Trinity DeJesus 10-0 Mariam Browne defeated Nandica Arjune 1210 Niomi Erskine defeated Kimora Erskine 10-8 Nandica Arjune defeated Trinity DeJesus 10-5 Jonathan Jordan defeated Javier Deen 10-0 Jonathan Jordan defeated Nick October 10-2 Dequan Boston defeated Javier Deen 10-3 Dequan Boston defeated Nick October 10-3 Jonathan Jordan defeated Dequan Boston 10-2
Renola awaits the winner between her sister Norella Jordan and Saskia Persaud. Meanwhile, in the Rebels Tennis Club’s Juniors, which is set to resume today and climax with the finals tomorrow. Donnie Anderson is into his first under 18s final. He was denied that opportunity in the recently concluded Sheltez Junior Tournament, where he lost a close three set battle against Wayne Baker. Anderson defeated Denzel Luthers 6-4, 7-5 in the first semi-finals match.
Donnie Anderson awaits the winner between Gerald Scotland and Viraj Sharma. Anderson awaits the winner between Gerald Scotland and Viraj Sharma. While on distaff side Renola Jordan is into the Girls 16s finals after Paul Kalekyezi withdrew from the tournament due to an injury. Renola Jordan defeated Paula Kalekyezi to win the girls under 14s competition. Renola awaits the winner between her sister Norella Jordan and Saskia Persaud. (Sean Devers)
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Kaieteur News
Saturday July 17, 2021
Saturday July 17, 2021
Kaieteur News
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