Kaieteur News

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Relocation, modernisation NEWS of Enmore Packaging Plant to cost whopping $2.3 billion

Friday Edition

AIETEUR

July 22, 2022 - Vol. 24 No. 32

page 3

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

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 70,198

Dutch manufacturer

See story on page 3

secures US$1.75B loan for Guyana's fourth oil ship Govt. seeks $44.7 billion supplementary provision - wants $3.4B more for ailing sugar industry

Financial Bills Investors warned to laid to return respect almost $2B to Guyana mining sector - as sod turned for upscale Ogle hotel

Speaker denies Opposition's Motion for independent probe into Vice News allegations

Seized gold returned to miner after 2-year run-around

The protest continues at Houston, East Bank Demerara for a better oil deal

Over $48B in oil receipts tabled for second quarter p.

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Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Task force to address issues at Meadow Bank Wharf

President Irfaan Ali speaking to fisherfolk early Thursday morning.

- priorities include provision of security, lighting, access to washroom facilities and water

P

resident Irfaan Ali has instructed that a special task force be mobilised to address the concerns of fisherfolk and vendors at the Meadow Bank Wharf.

According to a Government release, the Head of State made this announcement while on a

visit to the area early Thursday morning. He was accompanied by Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, officials from the Fisheries Department as well as senior members of the Guyana Police Force.

“I've ask the Minister of Agriculture to immediately deploy a task force here…to improve the environment, improve the security.”

The President explained that the visit was prompted by the many concerns raised by stakeholders.

“I wanted to understand the issues myself. I wanted to be out here in the working environment to understand the challenges that they are faced within the environment they operate in… there are a number of challenges from an infrastructure perspective, from a security perspective…”

He explained that once the immediate issues are addressed, which includes the installation of lighting facilities, washroom facilities and water; a more holistic development plan will be developed for the area.

In addition to this, the Head of State instructed that the Police Force establish a permanent presence at the location to ensure the safety of those plying their trade and the safety of customers.

“The police will have to work immediately in establishing a permanent presence here to support the industry,” he said.

President Ali emphasised the importance of the fishing industry not only from an economic but a social perspective.

“The fishing industry is critical for Guyana…just as sugar is important, just as bauxite. Fisheries are critically important, they support thousands of jobs.

We a r e w o r k i n g o n supporting this industry, to improve its capacity.”

On this note, he reminded of the investments being made into developing and expanding the aquaculture industry in Guyana.

President Ali and his delegation walked the entire site, inspected the facilities and listened to the concerns of the vendors, porters and boat owners.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

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Dutch manufacturer secures US$1.75B loan for Guyana's fourth oil ship Dutch manufacturer, SBM Offshore was pleased to announce on Thursday that it has completed the project financing of the ONE GUYANA floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel—Guyana's fourth and largest oil ship—for a total of US$1.75 billion.

SBM said the project financing was secured by a consortium of 15 international banks. The company said it expects to draw the loan in full, phased over the construction period of the FPSO. The Dutch firm said the financing will become nonrecourse once the FPSO is completed and the pre-completion guarantee has been released. Non resource financing, for those who may not be aware, is a type of commercial loan requiring only repayment based upon proceeds generated from the project.

Kaieteur News understands that the FPSO ONE GUYANA builds on the experience to date of FPSOs built for the country by SBM. These

include Liza Destiny, Liza Unity and Prosperity. As such, the design is based on SBM Offshore's industry leading Fast4Ward® programme that incorporates the company's new build, multipurpose hull combined with several standardised topsides modules.

SBM said the FPSO will be designed to produce approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day, will have associated gas treatment capacity of 450 million cubic feet per day and water injection capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.

Additionally, the FPSO will be spread moored in water depth of about 1,800 metres and will be able to store around two million barrels of crude oil.

The project is part of the Yellowtail development which is the fourth development within the Stabroek block.

Kaieteur News previously reported that Yellowtail is expected to cost US$10B, will include six drill centres and up to 26

The ONE GUYANA hull on its way from China to Singapore.

production and 25 injection wells.

In the Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, an affiliate of Exxon Mobil Corporation, is the operator and holds a 45 percent

interest in the Stabroek Block.

Meanwhile, Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds a 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited,

holds a 25 percent interest.

To date, the partners have discovered 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels. The company anticipates up to 10 projects on the Stabroek Block to develop this resource.

Relocation, modernisation of Enmore Packaging Plant to cost whopping $2.3B The relocation of the Enmore Packaging Plant to the Albion Estate as well as a plan for its modernisation once it arrives there, is expected to cost taxpayers $2.3B. This was revealed by A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha during the 48th sitting of the House on Thursday.

Mustapha was at the time responding to questions posed by Opposition Member, Mrs. Tabitha S a r a b o - H a l l e y. T h e parliamentarian asked her colleague to state how much money has been utilised from the 2020 to 2022 budgets to restart the Enmore Packaging Plant and to detail what those monies were spent on.

Minister Mustapha disclosed that the 2020 budgetary allocations went towards ensuring the plant was restarted in October of that year. He said $4.5 million was expended on employment and start-up material (including plastics packaging supplies and plant spares) to make it operational.

From budget 2021, he said the operating cost was $94.9 million with 50 percent of these costs going towards employment. He said the remaining sum was expended mainly on operating supplies for packaging materials.

The year to date from January to April 2022, Mustapha shared that $16.2 million has been expended, the majority of which, being

$15.9 million, was used for employment. The remainder was used for packaging materials.

Sarabo-Halley also asked the minister to state how much money has been budgeted this year to aid in the transfer of the Packaging Plant to the new location. She also enquired about the estimated cost to complete the plant once it has been moved.

earlier this year by Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Sasenarine Singh.

Singh had said this is all part of the government's plan to be able to sell sugar at a higher value and to ensure the country has enough capacity to produce packaged sugar products for the international market as it opens up.

Kaieteur News

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha

Mustapha said the 2022 Budget has set aside G$400 million to commence the multi-year project to construct the Albion Packaging Plant.

He said too that it will cost $1.9 billion to complete the entire modernisation process that was planned.

Kaieteur News understands that the government intends to expand the Blairmont sugar estate too. This was revealed

previously reported that the facilities and land space that housed the US$12.5M Enmore Packaging Plant is being leased to a local joint venture group for the purpose of transforming the national asset to a manufacturing hub to support the oil sector.

Guysons K+B Industries Inc. (GKB), a 52 percent Guyanese-owned joint venture, had acquired facilities that remained. Over time, the deal entered into

between the government and the company will allow the

latter to acquire the accompanying 55-acre plot

of sugar lands to support its venture.

Kaieteur News

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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 Sugar is sweet, a leader sickly sweet

W

e really thought that Guyana’s head of state had bigger things to do in a country that is dealing in billions as a matter of norm these days. But His Excellency, President Ali found the time in his self-declared busy schedule to share with the nation about the availability and price of sugar. We have no choice but to say that this is taking matters to the limit with misplaced priorities, misuse of precious leadership time, and mismanagement of so much left to go abegging in the meantime.

For a nation’s President, a country that found oil by the billions of barrels, and with dozens of wells now coming up for consideration for drilling clearance, a reasonable thought is that there is a CEO of the nation’s sugar company, and it makes the most sense for that senior officer to make such an announcement. A fair inquiry would be what happened to him in this instance, and how come he is not the one coming forward with such an announcement, thus freeing up the national leader to focus on the many bigger things now taking this country by storm. Surely, the President has the confidence that the CEO is capable of handling a task as delicate, and as vital to the national interest as, the availability and price of bulk and packaged sugar.

For our part, it would delight us to hear more from His Excellency about our oil wealth. There is not much confidence at both higher and grassroots levels that the Vice President, who has been put in charge of this oil, is really giving Guyana the full truth about its natural resource bonanza lying beneath the seabed.

It would be inspiring to many Guyanese to observe their President putting his arms around this oil bonanza, and getting on top of all that is happening with it, so that every citizen could have a clearer and better understanding of how well it is being managed, and what they can expect from it.

We are concerned, as our many presentations have highlighted, about how the Environmental Protection Agency has been muzzled and made a mockery of by all those who come here to exploit our oil, from both upstream and downstream opportunities. It would help to hear announcements from President Ali as to why this is so, and given what the EPA’s output has been, how come he is not concerned about the possible dangers facing this country, and the likely disastrous consequences that could flow from them.

As much as we grapple with trying to understand President Ali’s role in having such an intimate hand in the announcement of the availability and price of sugar, we are even more baffled by his lack of urgency with the vastly bigger and costlier components of this nation’s economy and prospects. It is our hope that the President is not going to see it fit to insert himself next in the ongoing back and forth regarding what is the best type of tractor for the nation’s sugar corporation to spend money on to get the tillage of the planting grounds for cane fields done most efficiently and economically.

There are so many questions that so many Guyanese have on so many important issues in this country, and all occurring at once, and there are so few answers. Even when answers do come from our leaders, and the President is the primary one, they are not clarifying in the least, since they obscure more, and leave more uncertainties in their wake.

Guyanese want to know the real story behind procurement surprises.

Guyanese have so many concerns about the corruptions that riddle this society into a sieve, and of which we believe that the President knows, but he is not making himself available, or finding it a priority, to speak about in confidence-building terms.

In running to the front to share sweetness about sugar, the President gave off a sickeningly sweet odour in the things he doesn’t speak about, leaves alone.

Friday July 22, 2022

Editor’s Note; If your sent letter was not published and you felt its contents were valid and devoid of libel or personal attacks, please contact us by phone or email.

THE VICE PRESIDENT AND VICE NEWS DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to several media items on Vice M e d i a ’s c o r r u p t i o n allegations against Vice President Jagdeo. The evidence is overwhelming from Mr. Su about what is being transpired in getting business done in Guyana and the power of Chinese businesses in our country.

Your media house carried m a n y r e p o r t s , commentaries, and editorials of wrong doings. The government has not c o n d u c t e d a n y investigations.

Assuming that all the corruption or bribery allegations against the Vice President and the evidence

by Vice News are totally wrong and assume that Vice unfairly targeted the VP, and further assuming that the VP is most competent in running the government and that he is the most incorruptible honest politician in the PPP government, how come he has closed his eyes to so many corrupt acts and wrongdoings in the country since August 2020? Also, how come he has not noticed and addressed or stopped

abuses of office of Ministers and or underlings and chairs and CEOs of government agencies? Is the VP, who de facto is the most powerful person in the government, helpless and incapable of stopping corruption? Why hasn’t he taken actions or at least launch an investigation against those who are facing allegations of wrongdoings?

W h y h a s n ’t t h e Vi c e President himself requested an independent investigation on the Vice News allegations against him? Why hasn’t he piloted bills against corrupt acts or set up a statutory body to investigate allegations of corruption?

At least one Minister has been exposed for conflict of interests. A Minister sent the police to an independent media house to intimidate the editor and reporter.

Another allegation was made against a Minister over the exposing of private parts to a young female; nothing was done about it. Allegations were made against another Minister for accepting bribes. No action taken!

There were so many questionable acts: Among them: fishing trawler

licences; purchase of fake or poor quality pumps; doling out of flood grants without any accountability in spite of allegations of fraud; awarding contracts to incompetent and inexperienced contractors, payment of huge advancement outside of limits to favoured contractors; falling apart of and large potholes in roads and bridges that were recently constructed; Exxon being compelled to pay taxes in home country (USA) but not in Guyana; questionable allocation of land for private development; Ministerial ties to developers; diplomatic approval of purchase of ‘fake’ pumps, indigenous people being trampled upon by foreign companies operating on reserved lands; water pollution in hinterland areas impacting on lives of indigenous people; EPA not honouring responsibilities and protecting national interests on violations by powerful investors; no professional studies on the impact of oil exploration and drilling on the fishing industry; fishermen

receiving inadequate cash grants that cannot sustain their lives; Ministry of Agriculture presenting statistics that claim catch is increasing while fisherfolk are saying catch is down; Exxon keeping fishermen away from certain fish catching and breeding grounds; Exxon warning of more dire consequences of the fishing industry as a result of drilling of new wells; collapse of GuySuCo because of management; Guyana importing sugar to meet domestic needs; experts being forced out of jobs for not assisting with corruption; GAWU being attacked by an ex-AFCite now in the PPP camp; engineers at Ministries being fired or reassigned from jobs for refusing to comply with demands for certain favoured contractors.

With all of the above, after watching the Vice documentary on the VP, are we to conclude that Mr. Jagdeo is not corrupt, has zero tolerance for corruption, is above the fray, and is for the people?

Yours truly, Edward Burrowes

Friday July 22, 2022

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Kaieteur News

I feel victimised as Rishi, Rishi, Rishi – well not so fast Mister a single mother DEAR EDITOR, As I am writing this letter I feel victimised as a single mother. Over the past three years I’ve been living in a housing scheme known as Block 5 Ankerville which is located in the hometown of the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan and was established under now President Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali’s tenure as Minister of Housing & Water. Since then no infrastructural upgrades were done in this housing scheme. The state of the streets and drainage systems are deplorable!

Editor, this housing scheme ha s b e e n i n existence for over 20 years and has been left abandoned by the Ministry of Housing & Water. I must point out that Minister within the Ministry of Housing & Water Susan Rodrigues did help with some street lights which we are thankful for.

But 20 years have passed and yet to this date no infrastructural upgrades were done to this housing scheme with regards to streets and drainage.

The streets are so deplorable that even the kids in the village are left to suffer from not going to school when it rains. It is a shame!!!

Many times I reached out to ministers of the then Granger led administration and they were of no help except for empty promises.

They were useless!!! And again it’s a shame!!!

Editor, I reached out to the Ministers of Infrastructure, Regional Chairman Region 6, Regional Vice Chairman Region 6, Regional Sports Officer Region 6 (who lives right in the scheme), NDC

members and other government officials which have all proven to be futile.

Just tw o d a y s a g o residents of Liverpool Village on the Corentyne came out and launched a protest, about the deplorable state of their main entrance street.

I t w a s u n b e lievable when I was told that the very next day the street was being built by the Government. It HURTS to have been fighting and asking, time and time again for the roads (even the main entrance) in this housing scheme to be built/ upgraded only for it to fall on DEAF ears.

There are residents living in this scheme who are nurses, soldiers, teachers, cane harvesters, etc., as soon as it rains a little the scheme is flooded due to the poor engineering of drainage systems.

We t h e r e s i d e n t s have suggested time and time again about the way by which this could be solved, but all keeps falling on deaf ears.

We t h e p o o r people are left to suffer losses here in Block 5 Ankerville Region 6.

I am appealing to the President to PLEASE render some help to us. We are tired of promises we need to see action. We know you’re a man of action. Please demonstrate that.

Yours truly, Trudy Sinclair

DEAR EDITOR, We can cut that one out about London Bridge is falling down. It has fallen all the way down into the Indian Ocean after stopping first by the Ganges; now it is almost gone, save for another tremor or two. First, it was an emaciated half-naked man heavily armed with a walking stick that brought the mighty British Empire to a standstill, and actually made the sun settle over it. Get ready for possibly another round of that kind of history come September.

Now it is this bloke Sunak running full speed ahead and daring to have the ambition of taking over the whole show at Number 10 Downing. Cor blimey! Sir Winston must have swallowed his cigar, and choked on his swig of the spirits. I think Johnnie Walker Red gets the nod.

The arch imperialist must be growling in this grave; Sunak who? I can only imagine the ghostly reactions of those other exemplary manifestations of John Bull, Rudyard Kipling and Lord Curzon. A man with roots in the subcontinent now assumes this new version of the white man’s burden, almost at the doorstep of assuming of that mantle.

History is known to repeat itself ever so often; this is a case of history reversing itself. To think that men would have been entertained in the Tower, as a prelude to losing

their heads involuntarily for such ambitions is an indication of how far democracy has travelled in this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.

The nerve of these people. First, they wanted freedom. Now they desire to run things, take over the whole show, and at the helm of the Conservative Party, of all groups. Is the Queen in on this? Will she partake of the festivities? Would she even condescend to receive the upstart new man?

Perhaps, Rishi owes a debt of gratitude to American Meghan for breaking ceilings, kicking down doors, and trampling on sacred spaces.

Now, this feller Rishi has to be the only man in memory who raised taxes and for his pains may get raised to Buckingham Palace to receive the blessings of his office (graciously on the part of the monarch, I hope), with neither snide remarks nor looking down at the nose of this uppity, ah, Brahmin (maybe?).

Heaven forbids that he turns out to be a Dalit in disguise.

The English don’t have to fret themselves silly about reentry into Brexit anymore. They have a bigger worry: becoming an offshoot of the Bhartiya Janata Party. Five hundred years ago, that epitome of hostility, Henry VIII, got rid of the yoke of Rome. Now here is this chap coming to shake up Mayfair and St John’s Wood; it’s the

Piccadilly Circus all over again. England may never be the same again if he succeeds in convincing the grassroots in September of his fitness for this high office. It looks bleak at the commons level, with what I gently call old, settled ways.

Well, the era of Kohli is done and gone. Now it is Rishi! Rishi! Rishi! No, it is not Kapoor, but Sunak. Move over Gavaskar and Tendulkar; talk about a legend before his time. And the whispers

around town were that the Tories had it in for people deeper shades of pale. We shall see when the people look at what (and who) is before them, sit up straight and say: not so fast, buster.

Not here. Ladbroke’s could go broke with those odds that it is pushing. Still, it would be a positive to improve the colour scheme at Number 10, and around Kensington gardens, too.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Skilled labour had to be imported DEAR EDITOR, Mr. Badal must be lauded and toasted for the vision, ambition and determination to make it a reality with successful completion and opening of the Pegasus Hotel Suites and Corporate Centre.

However, in his address, during the opening ceremony on Wednesday evening, the representative of the project executing agency made reference to the fact that while Guyanese labour was utilised, there was a shortage of skilled labour and this had to be imported from China.

This declaration must have caused an uncomfortable squirming in the seats of the Guyanese dignitaries present. So much for local

content.

With the ongoing hotel boom, the revelation says a lot about our skilled workforce or rather the lack of it, and the authorities need to ramp up measures to take care of this deficiency.

Shamshun Mohamed

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Vacancies – GuySuCo DEAR EDITOR, One continues to be concerned about the mediocrity displayed by the Human Resources Management Function of the organisation as reflected in the texts of its Vacancy Notices.

The most recent evidence can be seen in SN of July 20, regarding the position: Manager, Training and Development – expected to be responsible for: i. The continuous identification of ‘employees’ training needs ii. The development, implementation and evaluation of training/ development programme (should be programmes) – to enhance competencies of the ‘workforce’ Those who know the Corporation better, including current senior estate management, must be puzzled at the ingenuousness of the concocted job requirements, since they do not relate to the components of the Corporation’s long established developmental system of Succession Planning; which briefly includes: a) Annual Performance Appraisals by: i. Estate Management ii.

Heads of Head Office Departments b) Review of the results of the foregoing exercises by a

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

corporate team of the highest relevantly qualified executives, including the Head of the Human Resources Department, and a Training Officer, who would normally report to better qualified and experienced ‘Head’ of Human Resources Division/ Department, who in turn would evaluate the performance of the former.

An issue implicated in the current Vacancy Notice that would be questioned by the Corporation’s senior executives is the impoverished recruitment eligibility of a Diploma (hardly acceptable for a management position in any organisation).

That even the qualification of a First Degree is in a vague ‘Social Science Field’ indicates the lack of research needed to be applied more relevantly by the Human Resources Head to assign specificity to the job requirements.

Additionally, it would be an illogical arrangement for the proposed incumbent to ‘continuously identify training needs’ of his/her ‘seniors’.

It has to be understood that ‘human development’ in such a large multicultural organisation must be led by example. However qualified, its leadership must be respected for both intellectual

and moral authority – so well known in the history of the sugar industry, and indeed in the conduct of the Human Resources Function.

As it turns out therefore, GuySuCo in its current deficit of institutional memory, must invest more substantively in its future, by being more creative, and seeking to attract highly qualified and experienced personnel, if necessary from overseas.

In the same breadth it must identify candidates from amongst current staff for relevant tertiary education and training.

It is critical that its management understands how in an increasingly competitive job market, GuySuCo is not the employer of choice it used to be.

The Human Resources Department is hardly a model that can stand up to scrutiny.

It is particularly embarrassing when the organisation that operates the oldest established Apprentice Training Centre in this country (1957) cannot identify a single Carpenter for employment for its Head Office; where the Head, Human Resources is unaware that Masonry and Plumbing have always been certifiably separate trades in the sugar industry, and indeed elsewhere.

Indeed it would not be a surprise if the Union (GAWU) did not intervene in this palpable of obfuscation of the recruitment process.

E.B. John Retired Human Resources Director BSE/GuySuCo

Tribute to Pandit Misir who led Hindu Guyanese in America DEAR EDITOR, It is with profound sadness and grief I learn of the passing of Pandit Rishi B Misir who served as the Dharmacharya (spiritual head) of the Hindu Federation of Mandirs in America and the USA Pandits Parishad, bodies comprising of Indo-Caribbean Hindu leaders. He served as the spiritual head or guru of both organisations for almost two decades. He is well versed in the Hindu scriptures and pandits usually sought his guidance and interpretation of the scriptures. He was well versed in Hindi. At the Parishad and Federation, he provided respected leadership and great impetus to serving the IndoCaribbean Hindu communities dispersed around the New York metro area. He guided the annual Phagwah parade and supported the annual Diwali motorcade. He also was among the founders of the annual Ramayana in the Park.

Pandit Misir is a Berbician who migrated to the US during the 1970s and became immersed in panditai activities. He comes from a family of pandits including his father, brothers, and nephews. He was a great exemplar of righteousness and a good, moral life. He made a significant and lasting contribution to the Guyanese diaspora in America in the field of faith. He was also at every function of visiting Presidents from Guyana as well as of former PM of Trinidad Kamla Persad

Bissessar. He met with President Ali last year September during his visit for the UN Assembly.

Pandit Rishi has been ailing for the last year. He was 82. He will forever be remembered for his personal courage, his love of people, and his Hindu qualities.

Pandit Rishi dedicated his time, talents, and interests to the work of Bhagwan (Lord).

He has been a sterling example of kindness, generosity, and love for his fellowmen as well as animals. He worked with the city government for several decades and retired just over a year ago. As the USA Arya Samaj Balram Rambrich said, “Pt. Rishi was a simple, straight forward, humble, pious man”. He was a strong no nonsense leader of the Parishad and Federation.

Pandit Rishi and I interacted a few times over the phone and in person. He was always praiseworthy of my commitment to community work and volunteerism and my political activism especially as relates to Guyana and the diaspora in America; an activism that dates back to the 1970s in the struggle against the dictatorship. His love of God and country touched those of us who know him. He did not get involved in political events or squabbles about politics in Guyana or in New York and America. He did not take public sides. But he was concerned about the lack of democracy in Guyana post 1966 thru 1992 and again post no confidence vote in

December 2018 to August 2, 2020. Although he did not get involved in political struggles, he quietly supported and saluted those of us who were involved in the struggle against authoritarianism in Guyana and the attempt to steal the government in March thru July 2020.

Glowing tributes were paid to Pandit Rishi from heads of organisations in the US. The wake on Wednesday night attracted hundreds including countless religious figures of the Guyanese and Trinidadian diasporas. As they said, they have lost a dear friend. As Pandit Hardowar of Surya Mandir said, Dharmacharya Rishi Misir was a great Guyanese and Hindu leader in America, deeply beloved by thousands, who he will be greatly missed by the Federation of Hindu Mandirs and the USA Pandits parishad and by Hindus in America. “Dharmacharya Rishi ji encouraged, lifted, and inspired many chelas (followers) as demonstrated by word and example the path to godliness and spirituality”.

May the Lord bless and keep ever alive the memory of his devoted life of faith and service to others. We pray that his family and Hindus and all affected by his passing will be consoled with the knowledge that he lived a very good life and that in his death his soul now goes to heaven with dharmic reward.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

What doesn't happen in years can happen in a single day – in mere seconds even; when we least expect it.

Are you ready for what's coming?

We must be careful to live each day like it's our last.

In fact, we ought to be deliberate about our actions; be intentional about habits because time is ticking.

Are you living like you know your days are numbered?

Our lives are but a vapour; here today gone tomorrow.

Be on your guard as you make every moment count!

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Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Speaker denies Opposition's Motion for independent probe into Vice News allegations

S

peaker of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y Manzoor Nadir has turned down an Opposition Motion seeking to address the corruption and bribery allegations against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo in relation to the recently r e l e a s e d Vi c e N e w s undercover report.

Leader of the Opposition Aubrey Norton on Wednesday submitted a Motion to the Clerk of the National Assembly, calling for an international investigation into the allegations made by numerous Chinese nationals doing business here who have claimed to pay bribes in return for lucrative government contracts, and that they were laundering money to facilitate corrupt business transactions here.

The Motion was related to two VICE News reports where, apart from the broad allegations of Guyana being corrupt by the Chinese business people, Su Zhirong a “friend” and tenant of the VP alleged specifically, that he was Jagdeo's middleman and collected bribe money for him as well.

In a letter to the Speaker, Norton said that he was making the request for permission to move the adjournment under Standing Orders No.12 of the National Assembly to discuss the

motion on “a definite matter of urgent public importance.”

However, when the 48th Sitting of the National Assembly convened at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Thursday, Speaker Nadir said that the issue on hand must be of a “definite matter of urgent public importance,” and in his opinion, the issue regarding the VP was not.

The Speaker explained that firstly, in considering the Opposition Leader's Motion, which was seconded by the Alliance for Change Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan, the matter has to be “definitely u rg e n t a n d o f p u b l i c importance.” He said the second consideration is the basis for the request. In this case, he continued, the request is made based on “media allegations of corruption.”

The Speaker said he has seen in the media many such allegations of corruption against many current members of the Assembly.

“And if we have to take every allegation in the press on any issue as a matter of urgent public importance, then we are going to have, in my view, a Parliament that will be considerably demeaning diminished.”

He said therefore, that in applying the two basic principles of urgency and public importance, “I do not

see the urgency in this. While the issue of corruption is important to all of us, the urgency of the particular allegation I cannot accept and so I deny this request."

The Motion presented by the Opposition Leader wanted the National Assembly to call on the government, “to take immediate action to ensure an independent, credible, and impartial investigation, by international investigators into the allegations of bribery, corruption and money laundering as revealed in the two documentaries released

by Vice News,” involving VP Jagdeo.

It wanted also for President Irfaan Ali to have Jagdeo step down from his post so that the probe could take place. It also said that Guyana is signatory to the United Nation Convention on Corruption, and the government is obligated to honour its anti-corruption commitment under the convention.

Several individuals and organisations have called for a probe into the allegations against the government and particularly the VP, and according to the Motion, this too is reason for the National Assembly to support the probe to bring clarity to the allegations in the Vice News report.

Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton (right) and Alliance for Change Leader, Khemraj Ramjattan (left), delivering the Motion on Wednesday to Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs

Friday July 22, 2022

So be it!

As you get old, the feeling of nostalgia can grip you. You hold on the things which you remember from your childhood and you long for a return to those days.

When I was young, I used to drink Ovaltine, Milo, Complan and Horlicks. I still go looking for those brands and products because they were an important part of my upbringing.

But I also know that seasons change. Time waits for no one. It moves inexorably forward. And I know that the older folks are now only a small part of the consumer market and, like in music on the airwaves, what will dominate commerce is what the young generation wants and use.

So when I go to the supermarket and I see young housewives picking out their own brand of beverages, I do not get upset. The world has moved on and new brands have taken over.

Rebranding is now normal in business. Companies rebrand because their old brands may not appeal to new markets segments; they may be old and outdated. A new image may be needed and sometimes that means a new name and new logos and new colours and even new design for offices.

A company may have had bad experience. It may have launched a product which was disastrous or had a bad experience recently.

Sometimes, the only way to retain market share and to rebuild damaged reputations is to rebrand.

A number of companies have rebranded to keep abreast with change, and to improve their business prospects. Even the parent company of FACEBOOK has been rebranded as Meta.

Quidditch, once a fictional game seen in the Harry Potter movies, has now become a sport. And those involved

has seen it necessary to distance the game from the magic and dark arts of Harry Potter. The game has been rebranded as Quadball.

A company which produces a number of trailers each with their own names has rebranded for the sake of marketing. All of its trailers will now bear the logo Warbash.

Aston Martin makes luxury sports cars. It has not changed its name but has rebranded its logo, its corporate language and typeface.

For years, we all knew that the governing body of cricket in the Caribbean was the West Indies Cricket Board, once the West Indies Cricket Board of Control. A few years back, the organisation rebranded to the catchier, Cricket West Indies (CWI).

It is all about image and marketing. The Guyana cricket team in the CPL is called the Amazon Warriors.

The Jamaican franchise has named its team the Tallwahs.

Barbados is Barbados Pride.

We now have franchise cricket so the teams had to be rebranded to reflect the fact that players will not be drawn exclusively from one country.

But it is not just businesses and sports which have rebranded. Political parties do too. After Boris Johnson, the Tories will have to rebrand if it is to have a chance at all in the next elections.

In Guyana, the PNC, smarting from its horrid and dictatorial past, rebranded itself during the time of Desmond Hoyte. It further rebranded itself as PNC Reform and, later, PNC One Guyana, and even later as PNC/R. It tried rebranding its leadership too and even changed its campaign colours to green.

Rebranding is everywhere. You can’t escape it. Even people are rebranding. I knew a guy who

Kaieteur News

liked to dress very casually.

For years he did not give a hang about his appearance.

But in recent times, in order to climb the corporate ladder, he changed his wardrobe and began to dress very fashionably and formally. He is reinventing his image.

A recent report in the media suggested that the Guyana Police Force is linking its training to the University of Guyana and thus intends to rebrand its training, including a new logo and possibly name for its training academy.

Old people do not like change and some old folks are not pleased that the training academy’s name may be changed in line with the rebranding of the police training programme. They want the name of the academy to retain the name of the first Commissioner of Police who only served for one year because Burnham had other plans for him.

It is about time that the state sector begins to rebrand. And there is no better place to begin than in the Guyana Police Force. In fact the name of the organisation should be rebranded as the Guyana Police Service or simply Guyana Police. The word “force” ingrains a negative image of policing.

The Force’s training needs makeover. And if to do so effectively and to be able to attract new recruits, the police needs to change the name of its training school, then so be it.

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

Dem boys seh...

Sugar get bitter Dem boys nah lining up fuh no sugar. Dem boys can live without sugar. Dem boys dacta tell he fuh live without sugar and dat is best fuh he.

But Guyanese like sugar.

Dem does pack dem tea in de morning with nuff sugar.

Dem does like mek swank or wah some people does call sugar wata. Dem does like put sugar in de pepper pot and in pumpkin.

Sugar nah good fuh yuh, suh wan old lady did tell dem boys. Suh dem boys nah gan bother whether sugar short or

not. Dem boys drinking dem tea without sugar.

People lining up outside de Guyana Marketing Corporation fuh buy package sugar.

Dem boys hear dem selling each person 8lbs.

Unless yuh mekkin confectionery fuh sell, dem boys nah know why yuh need to be joinin line fuh sugar.

De best way fuh end de sugar shortage is nat to eat any sugar or sugar-based products for one week.

Keep off de sweet fuh one

week and de shortage gan end. De price gan drop back to G$160 per lb. It might even fall lower because nuff ah dem shop nah like keep bag sugar too long.

De biggest joke is dat dem sugar workers planning fuh go pon strike.

Dem seh dem cutting de cane, dem loading de cane, dem grinding de cane and mekkin sugar and dem can’t get no sugar in de shop to buy.

Talk half and leff de sugar alone.

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Monday Friday May July 02, 22, 2022 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

These are the signs that Guyana has no moral fulcrums

N

o one can even dare question the immense w e a l t h , scientific/technological stardom and global power of the US. But academia, educated people, mainstream media, politicians from all types of stripes in the US are writing and talking daily about the possibility that the US may implode.

Sociology and politics

are going in directions in the US that are scaring the world. Crazy and incredibly negative things in the sphere of social and political life are taking place in the US with supersonic consistency. Can the US survive another Trump presidency and the domination of congress by the Republican Party?

A country's existence rests on its social fibre, moral strength, philosophical values, ingrained humanity,

sociological and political vibrancy. While the US remains the world's wealthiest and most powerful country, those are not the traits that can prevent its implosion. It is the moral strands and social rationalities that hold society together.

One of the reasons why I have constantly criticised the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is based on my own experience with the deluge of complaints I have received over the decades from Guyanese of poorer standing that need protection. You are not going to believe me but the process is a daily one with the latest being a complaint I received yesterday about back-pay being owed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

I hope to discuss that with the minister who has always been open to solving these kinds of issues.

I have constantly said to people that I cannot pursue all these grievances because they tax my personal funding. Every cell phone inquiry I make, every mile I drive, I have to pay the cost out of my own pocket. I have to leave my home and family to go to places to investigate.

What is needed then is an

o rg a n i s a t i o n , l i k e t h e GHRA, to pursue these pleas. An individual cannot do it unless he/she is wealthy and loves to spend his/her wealth correcting wrongdoings. I am not in that category.

This country per capita, perhaps, has the largest amount of complaints about terrible things done to them by state actors, business people, politicians, the police, among others, and they do not move the conscience of people. It tells you that the society lacks humanity.

I will never forget a magistrate jailed a teenage girl for leaving Guyana illegally to get to Suriname by speedboat which Corentyne folks have been doing for over a hundred years now and not one human in this country even glanced an eye on this tragedy. In a living society, many voices would have been heard and there would have been an advocacy for removing that magistrate.

If you want to see how spiritually and philosophically dead Guyana is then look at UG. For the past 40 years, UG academics have not addressed the questions that any society seeks. In any

living society, citizens seek out the academics to explain and interpret burning questions.

It is a natural Frederick Kissoon process in any society.

Go to the letter Once that letter was pages of the newspapers the published, in any other past 45 years in this country nation, there would have and you can count on your b e e n a d e l u g e o f fingers how many UG denunciations. It didn't academics offered their take happen here. on the seminal issues that The tragic dimension of penetrate the society. This is this sordid culture is that this different from perhaps all the thing seeps into the psyche of countries in the world. people where it attains the Once social eruptions status of normalcy. And thus disrupt societal stability, people no longer feel it is academics are the first to vital to express feelings o f f e r a n a l y s e s a n d about wrong-doings. interpretations. This reaction They see such an attitude is completely absent in a s n o r m a l . C o u n t l e s s Guyana. No country in the numbers have complained entire world has invisible about mistreatment by the academics as we do in banks, UG, traffic cops, Guyana.

GPL, GWI, GTT, GRA, etc., In a society that is but you do not see a letter in penetrated by conscience, the press. And if you do, it is debate and discourse and one in every two years. The competing narratives, people consequences of such a do not stay silent as the social landscape are that citizenry in this country do. people lose their perspective A woman wrote that one on life and the inevitable of the post offices on the East result is that they become Bank of Demerara required mental slaves. her to write her daughter's (The views expressed in p h o n e n u m b e r a s a this article are those of the requirement for posting a a u t h o r a n d d o n o t b i r t h d a y c a r d t o h e r necessarily reflect the daughter. opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday July 22, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

Over $48B in oil receipts tabled for second quarter Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh on Thursday presented notification receipts to the National Assembly of all petroleum revenues paid into the

Natural Resource Fund (NRF) during the period April 2022 to June 2022.

In the second quarter, the country received $4.3B for royalty paid by ExxonMobil

and its partners in the Stabroek Block. That sum was for royalties due in the first quarter of 2022. Also, $21.3B was received for the payment of profit oil earned

from the Liza Unity vessel and executed on April 25, 2022. Finally, $22.6B was deposited into the NRF. This was profit oil payments from the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel executed on May 3, 2022. In all, the deposits totalled $48.2B. The receipts were also published in the Official Gazette on July 18, 2022.

Minister Singh said the foregoing reaffirms the PPP/C Government's commitment to greater accountability and transparency in the management of Guyana's oil resources.

He recalled that the NRF Act 2021 came into operation on January 1, 2022, replacing the illegitimate APNU/AFC NRF Act 2019.

Minister Singh reminded as well that one of the key amendments to the legislation is that the Finance

Minister could face up to 10 years imprisonment if he fails to disclose the receipt of any petroleum revenue received by t h e government in the Official Gazette within three months of Senior Finance receipt of such monies.

The International Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh Monetary Fund (IMF), which recently concluded the resources.

IMF Staff also praised the 2022 Article IV mission to authorities' thorough review Guyana in May-June of this of the 2019 NRF Act and its year, had commended the PPP/C Government on the restraint in using any oil amendments made to the revenues before the passage NRF Act. IMF Staff also said of the amendments.

The PPP/C Government that the recent amendments to the 2019 Natural Resource he said will continue to Fund Act set clear ceilings on m a n a g e G u y a n a ' s o i l withdrawals from the fund resources in a clear and for budgetary spending and transparent manner to the promote transparency in the benefit of present and future management and use of oil generations.

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Financial Bills laid to return almost $2B to mining sector

T

he Fiscal Enactment Amendment Bill No. 2 of 2022 was on Thursday presented to the National Assembly by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh.

The Bill seeks to give legislative effect to the commitments made by the government to the mining community during a meeting that was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre at the end of May last. There, the administration promised relief for miners through a number of measures. These included the reduction of final tax from a maximum of 3.5 percent to 2.5 percent which would result in an estimated $1.4B being returned

to the mining industry, and the removal of the 10 percent Tributors' Tax that would benefit thousands of workers in the industry with $300 million expected to be returned to those who were paying this tax.

Minister Singh also presented to the House, the Value-Added Tax (No.3) Order 2022, which was gazetted earlier in July, removing Value Added Tax (VAT) on lubricating oil. This is a key input in

not only the mining industry, but almost all the productive sectors.

In total, all measures, once implemented would see a total of $1.9 billion returned to the industry.

Also tabled, was the Value-

Added Tax (No.2) Order 2022, which removed VAT on cement, cement board and sheet rock, in line with government's vision for providing relief to citizens as well as to support the housing drive.

The mining sector falls under the purview of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC Photo).

9 firms vying to provide engineering services for East Bank road project With plans underway to upgrade the road between Grove and Timehri on the East Bank of Demerara, nine firms have submitted expression of interest (EOI) to provide engineering services for the project.

The Ministry of Public Works project which opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPATAB) office on Thursday saw both local and foreign consultants vying to provide the services.

The nine bidders which included joint ventures are as follow: EGIS International & SRKN'gineering Limited; Exp Services Inc.; Beston Consulting Limited; Imtraff Group in collaboration with NIPPON KOEI & NUVOS Construction & Supplies Inc.; WSP Caribbean Limited; Sheladia Associates Inc.; Politecnica Ingegneria ed Architettura Societa Cooperativa in association with SRKN'gineering Limited; Rites Limited in association with CB & Associates Inc.; and Concremat Engenharia E Te c h n o l o g i a S . A i n association with GR Engineering Co. Guyana.

In upgrading the East Bank highway the Government of Guyana had a p p r o a c h e d t h e I n t e rAmerican Development Bank (IDB) for a US$100 million loan to execute the works.

In a notice which was published in the Kaieteur News last month, the Ministry had stated that the loan is being requested through the IDB's Program to Support Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development.

Under this project, the government said it will be looking to improve road safety and ride-ability, improve utility networks where necessary, improve pedestrian infrastructure, address climate adaptation and mitigation measures while reducing congestion and delays faced by commuters traversing along the corridor.

As such, the technical engineering design proposed for Grove to Timehri by the contractor must provide a solution to the deterioration of the current road pavement and to areas where a road pavement is non-existent; road safety and traffic congestion issues throughout the roadway; the lack of safe non-motorised traffic facilities for vulnerable road users and the need for the rehabilitation of, or new, bridges across the various drainage and irrigation channels along the alignment.

The consultant, according to the Ministry, shall bear the responsibility of the engineer for the project under the IDBs regulations for Design and Build Works. The estimated implementation period of the consultancy is for 42 months.

The Ministry of Public Works was keen to note in its document that consultancy firms will be assessed based on experience in undertaking similar projects; local and or regional experience; current commitment of works under execution and current progress; use of technology to solve project related issues in past projects and references such as signed completion certificates over the past three years.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

PAGE 15

Excel is country's first local company to earn IMS Certification

Consulting firm, Excel Guyana Inc., which has been around since 2010, is the first local company to achieve its Integrated Management Systems (IMS) Certification from SGS through the certification of the company's activities to the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System, the ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, and the ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems.

Base in Geneva, Switzerland, SGS, according to its website, is the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company.

In celebrating its momentous achievement, Excel on Tuesday evening hosted an IMS Certification cocktail event at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre which saw the attendance of Excel's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kris Sammy; Excel's Chief Operating Officer, Michael Smith; Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr. Manzoor Nadir; Deputy Speaker, Mr. Lenox Shuman; European Ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Fernando Ponz Cantó, among other special invitees.

During his brief presentation at the event, CEO Sammy stated that “Our team at Excel has invested in the IMS certification to better serve and grow with our foreign partners who can help bring new opportunities to uphold our social service and build our infrastructure needed to propel Guyana into the future.”

The company has been providing a number of opportunities and services to persons locally, as such Sammy on Tuesday thanked

President Irfaan Ali and his government for embracing the Local Content Laws and for creating an investmentfriendly climate for local and international investors.

Sammy noted that with this, Guyanese businesses now have a greater opportunity to help build a sustainable economy and share prosperity for the future.

The CEO mentioned also that the company is working closely with local entrepreneurs and micro businesses as sub-contractors that may not have the access to provide services directly to international companies.

“As we align services for our clients, we proactively look to our Guyanese partners in support of One Guyana,” he added.

Also addressing the gathering was Ewan Shanks, Excel's Vice President of Client Services and Recruitment who shared that “Through this Integrated Management System our team will more effectively be able to coordinate services among local and international partners. The three ISO systems that we have implemented will ensure Excel's team attracts stronger candidates for existing and prospective clients.”

He also mentioned the company is forecasting an additional 1,500 new jobs which will be created in the mining sector within the next two years in addition to the new job creation in the Oil and Gas sector.

This Saturday, Excel's Recruiting Division is hosting a career fair at the Georgetown Club for more than 200 new jobs that are coming online in the mining sector.

Excel's CEO, Kris Sammy (centre) alongside Excel's Chief Operating Officer, Michael Smith (left), and Speaker of the National Assembly Mr. Manzoor Nadir unveiling the three ISO system certifications on Tuesday.

The Excel Guyana Inc team

PAGE 16

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Investors warned to respect Guyana - as sod turned for upscale Ogle hotel

The plot of land where the Hotel will be constructed.

President Irfaan Ali, Minister Oneidge Walrond, Triuayana's John Aboud and GoInvest's Peter Ramsaroop turning the sod for the AC Hotels Marriot and taking a sip of champagne to celebrate the occasion.

A

s the sod was turned on Thursday for the construction of an upscale hotel on a 3.5 acre plot of land at Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara, investors were warned to respect Guyana.

The warning was made by President Irfaan Ali during his feature address at the sod turning ceremony for AC Hotels Marriott being built at Ogle by Trinuyana Investment Inc. Trinuyana Investment Inc., is a company made up of Trindadian and Guyanese investors and the hotel they are seeking to build in Guyana is an upscale one with approximately 150 quality rooms to boost what Ali labelled as Guyana's hospitality sector.

While addressing the gathering, he stressed on the importance of partnership, not only between the Guyanese and Trinidadian businessmen who make-up the company but also the

partnership between the investors and Guyana.

Ali said, “A partnership in a country must be linked to the national development plans that go with that country. The partnership must be transparent, it must be reliable and trust worthy,” He then continued by adding that the aspects he listed about a partnership is critical because, “The government is also a partner in this development. A partnership must have respect and not only respect for each other's partners but respect for the country as well, respect for the culture, respect for the differences,” Ali told the investors during his speech.

Ali expounded a little more by saying, “You may not see the government putting any finances but you must be able to trust the government and the government must be able to trust you. You must not (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

2008 murder of soldier…

T

PAGE 17

Judge to sum up evidence today

oday, Justice Sandil Kissoon in the Demerara High Court is expected to sum up the evidence in the trial into the 2008 murder of Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Corporal Ivor Williams.

On trial for murder is Mark Royden Williams called “Smallie”, who is on death row for killing 12 persons during the 2008 massacre in Bartica, Region Seven.

On Monday, the 12-member jury, which was empanelled for the trial into the 2008 murder of the s o l d i e r, h e a r d t h e c l o s i n g arguments from the prosecution and the defence.

The State is being represented

by Latifah Elliott and Muntaz Ali,

w h i l e Wi l l i a m s i s b e i n g represented by attorney-at-law Nigel Hughes. While Justice Kissoon is expected to sum up the evidence today – the jury will return on Monday.

At a previous hearing, the accused led his defence in which he denied fatally shooting the soldier and even told the court that insisted that the police had charged the wrong man.

Williams is accused of fatally shooting the corporal on the night of January 23, 2008, during an armed confrontation between members of the GDF and gunmen at Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

On Monday, Hughes first addressed the court to give his

Mark Royden Williams closing arguments. He pointed out several aspects of the evidence that he asked the jury to consider when making their deliberation.

Prosecutor Elliott then took the floor as she gave her arguments as to why Williams should be held liable in relation to the murder of the soldier.

Notably, in April 2021, a jury found Williams not guilty of a double murder, which occurred in December 2007 at Triumph, ECD. Michael Caesar, called “Capone”, was in fact sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter for the said double murder.

In February 2019, Williams and Sherwin Nero, also known as 'Catty', were found not guilty of the August 30, 2007 murder of businessman, Kumar Singh called “Mango Man”.

In May 2018, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) restored the 2013 acquittals of Williams and James Anthony Hyles for their alleged involvement in what has been dubbed the 'Lusignan Massacre', despite substantial procedural errors at trial.

In 2017, a jury found Williams and Dennis “Anaconda” Williams guilty for the 2008 Bartica Massacre, which left 12 persons, including three policemen dead.

The men were sentenced to death for that crime.

However, they filed an appeal against the conviction and sentence – the case is yet to come up for hearing at the Guyana Court of Appeal.

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

Seized gold returned to miner after 2-year run-around Some may call it a waste of time but a miner from Pomeroon, Region Two is still grateful that he was finally able to recover his gold from police on Wednesday after running around for two years.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, the miner, 26-year-old Leon Thomas, said that he had gotten into an unfortunate situation in 2020.

He related that he was working in a Region Seven Backdam on a dredge and was accused of stealing 13.3 pennyweight of gold from his employer. He claimed that he did not steal the gold from his boss but had earned the gold while punting (a term used for hustling independently for gold in a mining area) during his free time in the same backdam.

Nevertheless Region Seven police were called in and Thomas was detained.

The gold in question, said to be amalgamated gold (meaning that the raw gold was mixed with mercury), was seized by police to facilitate an investigation.

Thomas was released from custody on $40,000 bail and a decision was later taken for his boss to deduct

the value of the alleged stolen gold from his salary.

The value of the gold was calculated to be equivalent to $195,000. After the money was deducted, the office of Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had advised that no charge should be instituted against Thomas on the basis of restitution.

Restitution means that Thomas had replaced what his boss had alleged was stolen. When this process was over, Thomas was convinced the police would have returned the gold to him in a timely manner but it took them two years.

“I got back my bail money but I had to run up and down to the Bartica Police Station to get back my gold,” Thomas said on Wedneday.

The miner claimed that he lives in Pomeroon and had to spend at least $15,000 in passage to travel to and from Bartica on multiple occasions.

The man said that he had even gotten frustrated with the “run around” and had decided to authorise someone to uplift the gold on his behalf.

Thomas related that he had authorised the individual

because (the individual) lives in Bartica and he (Thomas) did not want to spend more money on passage to be disappointed again.

A few weeks ago, Thomas contacted Kaieteur News to vent his frustration after the individual he had reportedly authorised to collect the gold was unable to do so.

Commander of the Region Seven police district, Dion Moore had highlighted to this newspaper that it is against protocol for his ranks to hand over seize items to someone who is not the owner.

As such Moore advised that Thomas make the sacrifice one more time and travel to Bartica to uplift his gold.

Thomas made the trip on Tuesday but was told to return the following day since the process could not have been completed that day. The miner said he was disappointed again because he had to expend even more money on transportation.

Thomas said he decided to follow through because “things were tight”.

On Wednesday, the gold (Continued on page 21)

Govt. seeks $44.7 billion supplementary provision - wants $3.4B more for ailing sugar industry Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh tabled in the House on Thursday, a Paper for Supplementary Provision totalling $44,794,011,175.

The breakdown shows current estimates totalling $12, 239,279,235 while capital estimates are $32,554,731,940.

In a breakdown of the foregoing s ums being requested, it was observed that the Agriculture Ministry is seeking the House's approval for approximately $5B. Of that amount, it wants to use $2B for operational expenses at the Guyana Sugar Corporation, $1.2B to support the work of the National Irrigation and Drainage Authority (NDIA), $44.1M to lend support to the Guyana Livestock Development Authority, along with $218M for the Mahaica Mahaicony-Abary Agricultural Development Authority.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e government will soon seek

the approval of the House for $1.4B for the provision of additional resources for the ailing sugar industry.

If approved, a portion to the tune of $177M will also go towards supporting the government's Black Belly Sheep project, while $300M would be used for the promotion of agricultural development initiatives, including support to fisherfolk.

Kaieteur News previously reported that CARICOM sisters, Guyana and Barbados, are partners on the Black Belly Sheep Initiative which was launched in March, last.

President Ali had shared that this new development will see land being allocated to selective groups in Guyana as well as to youths from Barbados.

President Ali had said, “We are setting aside 50 acres of land to be owned by young people as part of the Black Belly Sheep project in

Guyana, 50 acres to be owned by persons with disability, 50 acres to be owned by single parents, women, and importantly, 50 acres that will be owned by your young people here in Barbados.”

The President added that the farms will be working together in an integrated way to supply the market in Barbados.

President Ali noted that the model Barbados and Guyana are building can be replicated for success across the entire region. For this to work efficiently and effectively, he had said, countries in the region cannot see themselves as competitors.

He opined that CARICOM states must see themselves as a collective working together for one common goal and vision which is to give the best possible opportunity for prosperity to citizens at a sustainable cost.

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Friday July 22, 2022

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Gafsons Industries - another company taking advantage of GNBS' certification

G

afsons Industries (Gafoors), established over 15 years ago, is one of Guyana's largest and leading manufacturers of building materials, ranging from concrete hollow blocks, zinc sheets, water tanks and more.

Its sister company Plastic Products Limited also manufactures PVC Pipes.

As Guyana hosts the International Building Expo 2022 at the National Stadium, under the theme: “A new frontier for building a one Guyana,” the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in a release noted that it is opportune for it to recognise Gafsons Industries as a local manufacturer that is working to have more of its products certified under the GNBS Product Certification Programme to demonstrate quality.

GNBS noted that the products manufactured by Gafoors that are currently certified include PVC Pipes and four-inch concrete hollow blocks. They were first certified in 2002 and 2019, respectively. Since

then, Gafoors continued to maintain the conditions of certification for these products, which include meeting production and testing requirements based on the National Standards.

In fact, just recently (July 18, 2022) the company's 4inch blocks were recertified by the Bureau for another year.

The company was awarded a plaque from the GNBS for ensuring its blocks continuously meet the requirements of the Guyana Standard Specification for

Load Bearing Masonry C o n c re t e U n i t s ( G Y S 215:2018).

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the Company's Land of Canaan location, Factory Manager of Gafsons Industries Limited Bharath Rampersad said that with the current and anticipated demand for bu lding materials, the company is gearing up to increase capacity to meet the demands of the building and construction sector.

Providing a list of products, the company is

GNBS Technical Officer, Keon Rankin presents a Certificate to Gafoors Factory Manager, Mr. Bharrat Rampersad. considering to have certified shortly, Mr. Rampersad added that certification of products manufactured is important and his company intends to add more products to those already certified by

Gafsons Industries receives certification for its PVC Pipes.

the GNBS. He believes that certification is integral to demonstrate that Gafsons Industries produces quality products.

Concrete hollow blocks and PVC pipes are building materials used in the construction of residential and commercial buildings.

Hollow blocks are used to erect interior and exterior walls and fences while PVC Pipes (pressure and nonpressure) are used in plumbing and drainage. The availability of these certified products on the market provides homeowners and contractors with confidence and quality options when choosing building materials.

As the local economy grows, more entrepreneurs and companies in the

manufacturing sectors are looking to produce value added and other products for consumers. Like Gafoors, they too can access certification from the GNBS to demonstrate that their products are meeting standard requirements for quality.

The benefits of Certification include third party assurance of the quality, permission to use the National Standards Mark as a marketing tool, a competitive edge on the local and overseas markets and the ultimate increase in revenue, increased consumer confidence, and consistency in the manufacturing process through the monitoring and implementation of quality control procedures.

Friday July 22, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Govt. seeking $333M to partner with Hess, Mount Sinai on healthcare Corporation.” with the country of Guyana initiative A press statement said and Hess Corporation to While the Government of Guyana is accepting US$32M that would go toward a multiyear national healthcare initiative brought on by oil company, Hess Corporation, together with the New Yorkbased, Mount Sinai Health System, the administration is seeking a $333M supplementary sum for the “provision of additional resources for collaborative initiatives with Mount Sinai International.”

On July 8, last, President Irfaan Ali announced the national healthcare initiative in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System, an internationally recognised healthcare provider, and Hess Corporation “to improve the quality of, and access to healthcare for the people of Guyana.” It was noted that the government would be working with the Mount Sinai team who will “advise and help develop high-quality primary care, specialised services in cardiology and oncology, and significant improvements at the Georgetown Public Hospital

that at State House, the president was joined by Dr. Jeremy Boal, Chief Clinical Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System, and John Hess, CEO of Hess Corporation, for the signing ceremony to establish the multi-year national healthcare initiative. He said that building the health infrastructure requires a holistic approach aimed at a human, systemic, institutional, infrastructural, technological, and cultural shift in achieving the goal of world-class healthcare.

CEO John Hess had said that, “Access to affordable and high-quality healthcare is central to the country’s vision for long-term, shared prosperity for the people of Guyana. We are proud to be part of the strategic partnership with the Government of Guyana and the Mount Sinai Health System to bring a brighter and healthier future for every Guyanese citizen now and for generations to come.”

Dr. Boal stated that, “We are honoured to work closely

advance healthcare services for the people of Guyana.” He said the team of experts in oncology, cardiovascular medicine, endocrinology, primary and preventative care, and operations will help develop high-quality services for the Guyanese people in partnership with Dr. Ali and key health and governmental stakeholders. “We are committed to working with healthcare leaders in Guyana to develop a healthcare system that ensures the highest possible level of health and well-being for the people of this country,” the doctor related.

A 40 plus-member team of leading healthcare experts from the Mount Sinai Health System, including Mount Sinai International and the Arnhold Institute of Global Health, arms of Mount Sinai dedicated to advancing the institution’s mission of delivering innovative, highquality healthcare around the globe, will begin work this summer on implementation in partnership with the Government.

40 million debt; That’s how much hoteliers owe the struggling Small would like to suggest Hotel Investment Fund that“Imaybe we also look for (BARBADOS TODAY) Small hotel operators in Barbados have been unable to meet their debt obligation to the now struggling Small Hotel Investment Fund (SHIF), which was established to provide financing for the optimization of their properties.

Mahmood Patel, Chairman of the Intimate Hotels of Barbados (IHB), which represents just over 40 small hotels, disclosed that some members owed some $40 million to the SHIF, which is managed by the Enterprise Growth Fund Ltd. (EGFL).

He made the revelation on Wednesday in his annual report to the IHB’s annual general meeting at the Island Inn Hotel.

Patel suggested that the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the ability of the small hotel operators to make good on their debt obligation.

“IHB hoteliers are indebted approximately $40 million to the SHIF fund.

Unfortunately, the fund has not performed as well, as overall payments have been tardy. When you mine down that information though, and I do not want to go into details, but it is one or two

members that might even pay a cent and that has created a case of ‘Peter paying for Paul’,” he said.

“IHB needs to find a way to have a conversation with the state [about] how do we fix this, how do we reinvent the fund or recapitalise the fund because the majority of the members were paying before COVID. That is something I would like to throw out there – how do we sit down and fix this problem for IHB members. We need to recapitalise, we need to reinvent our inventory, our plant. We have to find a constructive and creative way to get out of this hole,” said Patel.

He said the IHB was currently engaging the EGFL in an “economic analysis” relating to the SHIF and once completed there would be a conversation between the IHB, EGFL and the Ministry of Finance to maybe find a “fiscal space” for IHB in the BEST [Barbados Employment and Sustainable Transformation] programme and then to constructively look at the debt challenges.

He said the hope was to come up with a debt restructuring plan for the sector.

other sources of funding like equity or sovereign funding, but we have to find space to renovate and modernise.”

At the same time, Patel urged small hotel operators to take advantage of the Energy Smart Fund, which is also managed by the EGFL but to provide financial and technical support for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Seized gold returned...

From page 19 was finally handed over to Thomas and he was eager to sell it. However, after smelting the 13.3 pennyweight of amalgamated gold (removing the mercury and other impurities) only 5.3 pennyweight of pure gold remained.

The value for that amount of gold he was told is only $76,000.

Although saddened that the sum he spent on transportation might have exceeded what he raked in for the gold, Thomas said that he is, nevertheless, grateful because “the money will still come in handy.”

Exchanging of documents following the singing event

PAGE 22

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Agreements signed for construction of multi-million $$$ regional health care facilities VACANCY Receptionist, Hotel Attendant and Merchandisers .Email: info@vgiworld.com Tel: 6400673/227-7714/231-0951/4.

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956.

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

Specialized Repairs / Service Refrigerator, Washing Machine, Pressure Pump, Stove , Treadmill, Dryer, Filtration System, Deepfryer Ect. 6949733.

FOR SALE

WANTED Looking for a Rough Diamond grades with 20yrs experience in the Rough Diamond Industry.Call:658-6080.

Experienced taxi drivers (Hire car License) at Princess Hotel. Call: 616-5419/265-7075/ 265-7076.

LEGAL NOTICE Lathe Operator Call: 645-9333.

1 Experienced Driver/Salesman to work on water delivery canter. Must be living on the West Coast Demerara Tel: 662-9341.

Cook to work in the interior Call: 698-4064.

One private teacher needed for Grade5 and up. Retired teacher or College student preferable 686-4878.

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

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

One clerk for TSI Eccles office English & Math, grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to techserigy @yahoo.com.

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

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 2350. Car & Van License.

Call:642-9823.

Cook/Baker, Pitmen, Servicemen and Technical Assistant for interior location Applicants must be experienced.

Call 231-2250.

Carpenter, Mason, Painter & Joiner Contact: 686-2861/6114545.

S

enior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, on Thursday tabled two signed agreements in the National Assembly to cater for the construction of modern health care facilities in five of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions during the 48th Sitting of the 12th Parliament.

According to the agreements tabled, the first Export Finance agreement dated June 14, 2022 between Guyana and the United Kingdom Export Finance totalling Euros $161,016,949 will allow for the financing, design and construction of a state-of-the-art paediatric and maternal hospital at Ogle as well as the delivery of medical equipment to the institution.

The second one is a deferred payment agreement dated July 12, 2022 between Guyana and the China CAMC Engineering Company Limited for a total amount of Euros 136,132,800 for the financing of Government’s Regional Hospitals Project.

Dr. Singh noted that under the Regional Hospitals Project, six hospitals will be constructed in five regions: one in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam); one at DeKinderen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara); one at Diamond and another at Enmore, in Region Four (Demerara/ Mahaica); one in Bath, Region Five (Mahaica/ Berbice) and one in Number 75 Village, Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne). Each

Experienced cashier, cleaner Experienced-Domestic Re- and counter person.Apply @ Printing Equipment & Paper quired Please call or Whatsapp Shanta’s 225 Camp & New 3 Hole paper. AB Dick Print- 649-5005.

MarketSt. ing Machine Tel: 233-2725/ Experienced Waiter /Waitress, 233-2439/ 674-9114.

Curry cook, cashier, Kitchen Used Cars different Model. Female Caregiver 30-60 Years Assistant apply at Hack's Call: 225-3234 / 698-7807. for elderly female on week- Halaal with written application ends. Must be fully Vacci5 Commerce Street. nated. Call 650-5496.

Experienced Handyman, Males&Shop Attendant(Must Porter below 40 years. Apply know how to cook) For inte- with written application at rior, Live in domestic for Keyfood McDoom Village.

Georgetown Call: 632-5459/ Security,Room attendant, ReTO LET 6615992. ceptionist and Deskstaff 253 Bedroom Apartment in 45 years old .233 South Albertown, Fully Furnish.

Call: 225-3234 / 698-7807. Cook for Fast food Restaurant Road Lacytown,tel:225-0198. located in Madhai Attractive Vacancy- Lorry Drivers & PorSalary.Accommodation Pro- ters Contact: 650-0979. vided Call: 601-1479 / 603-2695. Cook/Baker, Hauler operator & Servicemen for interior loVACANCY One Maid/Helper, Must be cation Applicants must be Inventory / Data entry able to wash, cook & clean. experienced. Call 231-2250.

Ability to work flexible hours Salesperson must have clerks Tel:609-2995Email: if required. 7 am to 4: 30 pm. passes in English & Math. survival.humanresources@gmail.com Call645-5008.

Apply at Christine's Fashion Western union CSRS CXC MathCAR RENTAL on Lombard St with applica- ematics and English required- 18 Aidan's Car Rental. Call: 225- Assistant cook & one assis- tion. and older. Tel: 609-2995 Email: tant Male or Female ,$25,000 3234 / 698-7807. survival.humanresources@gmail.com & $18,000 wkly Call: 633-1902. Maid, TM 4X4 & Log truck driver, Porter can call: 6097675/ Bond clerks / Porter- Survival 6741705.

Shoppingcomplex Female bartender to work in the Interior between ages 20- Heavy Equipment Servicemen T e l : 6 0 9 - 2 9 9 5 E m a i l : for interior location. Appli- survival.humanresources@gmail.com 30 years old.Call:662-6254. cants must be experienced with Drivers- Requirements: Valid Female cook for a cook shop proof of qualifications. BeginDrivers license (with motor ners need no apply.

Call 231in the interior. between 35-35 FOR RENT lorry) Tel:609-2995Email: 2250. years old. Call: 662-6254. survival.humanresources@gmail.com Accounts Clerks Must have Two Story Building With 4 Bedroom/Parking Located at Mini Bus & Taxi Drivers, work QuickBooks knowledge & Poultry/ Livestock farmer- one experience family to live in and work at Happy Acers E.C.D Tel: 681- and keep. Call: 225-3234 / 698- Accounting T e l : 6 0 9 - 2 9 9 5 E m a i l : Soesdyke, Linden highway 7001, 699-7539, 676-7463 WA: 7807. survival.humanresources@gmail.com Contact: 609-2995 / 621-4992.

347-278-0020.

modern hospital is slated to be equipped with 75 beds.

Meanwhile, the Paediatric and Maternal Hospital at Ogle will be equipped with 256 beds.

In his 2022 Budget Speech to the National Assembly, the Finance Minister stated that: “Ensuring a modern, world class healthcare system is a paramount objective for our Government.

To this end, we will leverage existing and soon-tobe-built public healthcare facilities, private investment, as well as public-private partnerships in the sector, with the aim of not only meeting the needs of our citizens and residents, but also to be able to offer medical treatment as an export service through medical tourism.”

The Minister also referred to the construction of the paediatric and maternal hospital as well as the six new regional hospitals, noting that the six hospitals that will be constructed will catapult healthcare delivery (beyond current levels provided by existing regional facilities) and will ‘reduce the undue cost and burden of referrals to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

On July 8, 2022, in keeping with Government’s commitment to modernise the healthcare system in the country, President Irfaan Ali announced that a national healthcare initiative would

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh commence in collaboration with the Mount Sinai Health System, an internationally recognised healthcare provider and Hess Corporation to improve access to and the quality of healthcare for Guyanese.

The initiative allows the Mount Sinai/Hess Corporation partnership to work with the Government of Guyana to assist and advise Government how to develop and implement a high-quality primary health care system including specialised services in cardiology and oncology, to bring about significant improvement at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Investors warned...

From page 16 believe that tomorrow you will wake-up and the government will change its investment policy and the government must not wake-up tomorrow and hear that you have changed the investment. Respect and trust in a partnership is very important.”

The president also pointed out that respect in a partnership also means that all parties involved must come out as winners.

“We must enter a partnership in which we are looking for all the partners to win if you are looking to singularly win then don't enter a part-

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.

Say no to it.

nership the only way a partnership will be successful is only when everyone is trying to win equally,” Ali said.

With that being said, the president welcomed the investment and proceeded to ritualistically turn the sod along with his Minister of Tourism Industry Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, Chief Executive Officer of GoInvest Guyana, Peter Ramsaroop and the Chairman of Trinuyana Investment Inc., Trinidadian businessman, John Aboud.

Aboud stated at the ceremony, that the hotel will be completed in 27 months and promised that 95 percent of the employees of the new hotel will be Guyanese.

Walrond said that the new hotel is part of government's plan to transform Guyana and boost its hospitality sector with 2000 quality rooms by 2025.

The hotel will be constructed by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).

Friday July 22, 2022

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Kaieteur News

7 firms bid to provide supervision service for rehabilitation of Cliff Anderson Sports Hall D

uring the recent opening of tenders, seven companies applied to provide design and supervision

serv i c e s for the rehabilitation of Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. The rehabilitation of the Sports Hall is a project being

Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Design and supervision services for the rehabilitation of the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall

undertaken by the Ministry o f C u l t u r e , Yo u t h a n d Sport. The companies which bid only submitted their financial proposal at

the opening.

Also opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board office (NPTAB), is the

Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Selection of consultants for supervision of construction of the new Laboratory Facility for the Guyana National Bureau of Standards

continuation of construction works at the Mon Repos Market. A contract for phase three was opened and this is estimated to cost $100 million.

The Ministry of Local Government will be overseeing this project.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Ministry of Finance Procurement of IBM/ Lenovo storage disk drives

Procurement of Dell storage disk drives

Department of Public Information Supply and delivery of UPS

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Provision of laboratory testing service

Procurement of Cisco switches Guyana Revenue Authority Supply and installation of 20ft x 20ft x 16ft high drive freezer/cold storage - Lot1: GRA bond (Eccles Industrial Site) and Lot 2: GRA bond (Corriverton).

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Construction of Mon Repos Market, Phase 3

Guyana Marketing Corporation Construction of Processing Facility at White Water Creek

Regional Democratic Council of Region Five Supply and installation of one new digital fixed X-ray machine Supply and delivery of one new wheelchair accessible bus

GEA moving to strengthen capacity to respond to oil spills - agency among key players in National Oil Spill Contingency Plan In order to properly execute its responsibilities as required under the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSCP), the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) is looking to strengthen its capacity.

As such the Agency has invited, by way of advertisement, eligible individual consultants, having the technical competence, relevant resources, qualifications and experience similar to the NOSCP to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and financial proposal.

The NOSCP became operational in August 2020, after four years of being constantly amended as well as facing periods of languishing in a draft stage.

Other key stakeholders are: the Maritime Administrative Department (MARAD), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Energy,

Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) – while the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) is the custodian of the plan.

Under the NOSCP, the GEA has been identified as the lead response Agency for Tier 2, that is, spills requiring the deployment of national resources and Tier 3, that is, spills requiring the deployment of national, regional and international resource, oil and petroleum product spills on land.

To effectively execute these functions under the NOSCP, the GEA will be required to manage the cleanup of Tier 2 and Tier 3 spills within an Incident Command Systems structure.

As such, the Agency is seeking to hire an Individual Consultant to build the capacity in managing its response to land-based oil spills and monitor the

Agency’s deliverables under the NOSCP. Moreover, in response to questions from this publication, GEA’s Head of Legal and Licencing Division, Thandiwe Benn, elucidated that the purpose of the NOSCP is to define responsibilities for the management of and operational response to the spillage of oil and petroleum products into the environment.

According to her, the plan outlines the framework within which resources will be coordinated and deployed in Guyana for the purpose of dealing with pollution of the land and marine environment from spills of oil and petroleum products.

Benn highlighted too that “The spill management efforts are done in conjunction with the other Agencies so assigned in the NOSCP under the guidance of the CDC, the

Incident Commander and Competent National Authority.”

According to the NOSCP document, in light of Guyana developing its oil and gas resources and cognisant of the risks associated with the infrastructure that is built to support these industries, there is a need to implement measures that can aid in the prevention and if unavoidable, prompt and effective action to minimise the damage which may result from a major oil spill incident.

The document noted too that the Government has assigned the responsibility for the preventing, preparing and combating of all oil and noxious chemical spills, within the territory of Guyana and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to the Director General of CDC, named as the Competent National Authority (CNA) with the Director Maritime Safety of

(Foursquare)

MARAD as Deputy for Maritime, and the Executive Director of GEA for land spills.

Importantly, the Coast Guard and the GEA are named as the On-Scene Commanders for maritime and land respectively.

The agencies, together with the National Oil Spill Committee, will be responsible for the development, updating and enforcement of the NOCSP which will

provide for coordinated response and the necessary training for such response.

Notably, the agencies will also approve the necessary staff to fill the Incident Command System which will be responsible for the planning for oil spill response and the surveillance required of the country’s land and maritime zones for the timely detection of oil and other related emergencies.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

GTT collaborates with Starr Computers for Building Expo - company to continue massive roll out of Fibre to new communities GTT has collaborated with local technology experts, Starr Computers, to execute the concept of a smart home at this year's Building Expo.

Patrons, according to a GTT release, will get the opportunity to experience the technological possibilities of home improvement when leveraging the power and speed of GTT's Fibre highspeed internet.

“Today, the internet is an essential part of our lives and many of our home devices could be set up to provide a smart solution that makes life easier. Having a fast and reliable connection gives homeowners the ability to efficiently set up and run smart devices within their homes, seamlessly. It saves time, improves security and even helps to conserve e n e r g y, ” s a i d C h i e f Operations Officer of GTT's Home Solutions and Fixed Networks, Eshwar Thakurdin.

Among some of the smart technology to be featured by Starrs are alarms, lighting, doorbells and a robotic vacuuming system, all connected to GTT's super speed fibre internet. GTT will be demonstrating its

smart Wi-Fi Mesh solution, which features parental control, supervised guess access, motion detection and adaptive Wi-Fi. The expo, according to GTT, comes at a time when its Home Solutions is on its next massive wave of roll out of its Fibre product to several new communities, set to bring access to 20,000 homes before the end of this year.

GTT is a full-service provider with a range of residential, commercial and mobile services, including its financial partner Mobile Money Guyana (mmg+).

Patrons at the expo, slated for July 22 – 24 at the Providence, East Bank Demerara National Stadium, will be given chances to win cash and other prizes, and participate in promotions when they sign up for GTT Fibre + Voice. Mobile customers can also benefit from the SIM-Swap promotion that will allow them to have a better, faster mobile experience wherever they are.

Businesses in Guyana will also benefit from solutions engineered by the company's Business Solutions Unit. This team offers a plethora of special

GTT's Chief Operations Officer for Home Solutions and Fixed Networks, Eshwar Thakurdin packages to SMB's and commercial customers; including the conneX Inernet & Voice bundle and targeted packages for multi-dwelling unit spaces such as apartments and large commercial and industrial buildings.

In collaboration with sister company, Fireminds, GTT's Business Solutions will also showcase its 21st century services that cater specifically to the distinct needs of businesses.

The public is advised to continue to follow GTT on its social platforms for frequent updates.

80 new COVID-19 cases recorded On Thursday, the Ministry of Health reported that within the last 24 hours, 80 new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the country, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 68,627.

The Ministry via its daily dashboard revealed that five patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 32 persons a r e i n institutional isolation, 866 are in home isolation and five are quarantined institutionally.

To date, a total of 67,081 persons have recovered from the virus.

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

Friday July 22, 2022

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Kaieteur News

“Fifty-over cricket isn’t won by hitting Christianburg/Wismar, West balls over the ropes,” says former West Ruimveldt advance to final four Indies assistant coach Toby Radford 2022 Milo Secondary Schools Football Tournament…

The die has been cast for the final four teams that remain in the Petra organized 2022 Milo Seco n d a r y Schools Football Tournament following the completion of the quarterfinal s t a g e o n We d n e s d a y evening at the Ministry of Education Ground.

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) dismantled Cummings Lodge 5 – 0 in the p e nultimate quarterfinal match, then North Ruimveldt was the last team to secure

their spot in the semifinal round with a 3 – 0 win over West Ruimveldt.

On Sunday, July 24, the semifinalists engage in battle from 1 5 : 0 0 h r s a s CWSS will face Golden Grove before North Ruimveldt tackle Dolphin from 17:00 hrs.

We d n e s d a y o p e n i n g match saw CWSS being led by Kemar McLauren who produced a marvelous hattrick.

H e o p e n e d t h e scor-

ing in the 17th minute and followed up with goals in the 67th and 76th minutes while D e m o l l Wa r n e r a n d Kelvin Hintzen accounted for the other goals in the 35th and 69th minutes, respectively.

In the other match, a goal each in the first half from Omar Sam (7th), Akeem Perreira (21st) and Jevon Pluck (27th) was enough to advance to the next round for North Ruimveldt.

SportsMax - Former West Indies batting coach Toby Radford says the team needs to be more adaptable to compete with the best teams in the world in white-ball cricket.

Radford was a guest on the Mason & Guest radio show in Barbados on Tuesday in the wake of the Windies suffering a 0-3 ODI series defeat to Bangladesh.

“Clearly things have got to change with the white-ball because it is inconsistent. I’m sure the talent is there. It needs good planning, structure and organization,” Radford said.

“50-over cricket isn’t won

by hitting balls over the ropes. You have to play the pitch; you’re not going to smash the ball over every boundary. On big grounds, you have to look for you ones and twos then when you get on small grounds, you can look to hit boundaries,” he added.

The hosts had a horrid time with the bat in the series, being restricted to scores of 149-9, 108 and 178 in their three times at the crease, unable to manoeuvre the Bangladeshi spinners on some difficult Guyanese pitches.

“You’ve got to be adapt-

able and flexible, play the situation, the team you are in front of and the ground you’re playing on. You c a n ’t p l a y white-ball cricket one way in every game and win. It’s not that type of game,” Radford said.

“If you can’t use your feet or you can’t sweep then you’ve really got to get one side of the ball, either stay leg-side or offside.

You have to do something. Just staying one place and allowing somebody to bowl at you and build up pressure is not going to take you anywhere,” he added.

Top Trinidadian trainer set to arrive...

Friday July 22, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You could feel like a giant wrecking ball that's anxious to break down existing structures. Perhaps you're upset about a new development in your town, the country's political system,

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) There are a few emotional surprises coming your way, Libra. You might act a certain way under normal circumstances, but today you're apt to take a completely different route.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Keep pen and paper close by, Taurus, and have the number of the patent office on hand.

You're apt to come up with some original ideas that could be revolutionary.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may have endless ideas streaming through your head but little patience to see any of them through to the end, Gemini. Perhaps you're so busy jumping from one thought to the next.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) ou're apt to need emotional freedom, Scorpio. Perhaps you sense that you're being coerced or manipulated into feeling a certain way and feel trapped in the situation. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Take inventory of your habits and behaviors, Sagittarius. Look to certain patterns and note the ones that do and don't work for you. You'll more than likely feel an urge to break free.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) It's OK to change your opinion, Cancer. You may pride yourself on being the solid one who always has an answer or knows exactly where to go. You may look upon others as flaky,

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You may feel smothered by certain individuals and loved ones who hang on you like barnacles on a rock, Capricorn. You're a big part of their emotional support system and they rely on you for strength.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may feel a strong need to express your individuality, Leo. You don't want to blend into the herd, unseen as you walk down the street.

You want to be the sheep with the blue wool,

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may end up scaring people with your dramatic, emotional outbursts, Aquarius. Your behavior is likely to be erratic. The smallest things could set you off on a crazy tirade.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Going with the flow may not necessarily appeal to you today, Virgo. This is one time when you may want to be the fish swimming upstream while the school heads downstream.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might surprise a few people with your words and actions, which could seem out of character for you, Pisces. Don't be surprised if you don't think or act like your normal self.

From page 29 my experience as a trainer and as an executive, I immediately accepted the offer. I possess extensive knowledge in rules and race day running of the sport and is no stranger to the racing fraternity in Guyana. It will be my pleasure to work alongside fellow Guyanese to guide them is such a large event. Adding structure will be difficult for the fraternity to accept so therefore the method of approach must be accurate.”

The journey has begun to the biggest Horse Racing Event in the Caribbean carded for Sunday 14th August at the Rising Sun turf Club. Over GUY$30,000,000 in cash and prizes are to be won so this year the competition is expected to be stiff. Get there before noon to avoid the rush and remember indoor parking is available for over 500 cars.

Let's all join together for this spectacular presentation, Guyana Cup 2022!

This event was made possible by Kris Jagdeo Contracting, through our title sponsor

Goldmedal to be...

From page 30 Jamiaca Time/7pm IST and will be telecast live on FanCode and Doordarshan in India, and ESPN Caribbean in the West Indies.

MATCH SCHEDULE starts at 9:30am (8:30am Jamaica/7pm India) Friday, 22 July: 1st CG United ODI, powered by Goldmedal – Queen's Park Oval, Trinidad Sunday, 24 July: 2nd CG United ODI, powered by Goldmedal – Queen's Park Oval Wednesday, 27 July: 3rd CG United ODI, powered by Goldmedal – Queen's Park Oval

Banks DIH and supporting sponsors Guinness, XM Rum, Smirnoff Vodka, Hop House 13, Johnny Walker, S. Jagmohan, A&R Security, Progressive Travel Agency, Auto Toy Store, Vals Construction, Air services, Anand

Ramchan's Auto Body, Kings Jewelry World, K&P Project Management, Asif Auto Spares, Yellow Mines, Avinash Contracting, JS Guyana, Aronco, BM Soat, Club Neutraal, Japarts, AJM Enterprise & Jumbo Jet.

PAGE 28

Jeruto claims steeplechase gold, Feng Bin wins women’s discus EUGENE, Ore., (Reuters) Norah Jeruto set a World Championships record en route to winning the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase gold while China’s Feng Bin outdid Olympic champion Valerie Allman in the discus final in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday.

Jeruto, who switched allegiance from Kenya to Kazakhstan earlier this year, clocked eight minutes, 53.02 seconds, the third-fastest time ever and more than five seconds better than previous winner Beatrice Chepkoech’s mark in Doha in 2019.

Werkuha Getachew set an Ethiopian record for silver, while her compatriot Mekides Abebe took bronze.

“At the starting line, I was afraid of my friends from Ethiopia,” Jeruto said of her competitors. “They are also champions like me so I was scared of them. I tried my best to win the race and it was not easy.”

In the women’s discus final, Feng’s 69.12-metres opener, a personal best, was enough to secure her victory as Croatia’s Sandra Perkovic took silver and American Allman finished with bronze.

Reigning champion Yaime Perez ended in seventh place.

“I am so excited and I have to say all opponents did a very good j o b t o d a y, ” said Feng, who finished 17th in Tokyo last year.

“I did not expect this result coming to Eugene, I just wanted to show my best.”

Earlier on Wednesday, r e c o r d - h o l d e r Sydney McLaughlin and fellow American Dalilah Muhammad set up a highly anticipated showdown in the women’s 400 metres hurdles final, after winning their respective heats.

American Champion Allison advanced to the men’s 400 metres final, as compatriot Michael Norman stormed to the fastest finish.

World record-holder and twice world champion Wayde van Niekerk also sealed qualification.

In the women’s 400 metres, double Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo cruised to victory in her semi-

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

Kazakhstan’s Norah Jeruto celebrates after winning the women’s 3000 metres steeplechase final. (REUTERS/ Aleksandra Szmigiel TPX Images of the Day)

Gold medallist China’s Feng Bin celebrates winning the women’s discus throw final REUTERS/Brian Snyder final, while Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino, who won silver in Tokyo, also qualified for the finals.

The United States’ relay hopes took a hit as 100 metres champion Fred Kerley pulled out of the 4x100 metres relay due to injury.

South Africa’s Caster Semenya, who was competing in the women’s 5,000 metres heats after being barred from competing in any race from 400 metres to a mile, failed to qualify for the finals after clocking a time of 15:46.12.

Semenya, a two-time Olympic champion at 800 metres, cannot compete in her preferred distance because of

a World Athletics ruling saying women with high natural testosterone levels must take medication to reduce them to compete in middle-distance races.

“I am learning and I am willing to learn even more. It was hot, could not keep up with the pace, I tried to stick as much as I can,” said Semenya, who refuses to take any medication to alter her testosterone levels.

Ethiopian Letesenbet Gidey led the heats with a time of 14:52.27.

The men’s and women’s 200 metres finals will take place on Thursday, as well as the semi-finals for the men’s 800 metres.

GCB U-19 Inter County 2-day cricketa

Spinners spur Berbice to innings & 31 runs win

By Sean Devers In sweltering heat on a raging turner at LBI yesterday, Rising Stars were bowled out for 72 in their second innings after being asked to follow-on with a deficit of 104 runs as Berbice won by an innings and 31 runs.

Resuming on their overnight score of 143-8, Berbice were bowled out for 174, 29 minutes into the second and final day’s play. Rising Stars were skilled out for 71 in their first innings. Romesh Bharat took his overnight 17 to 24 before he provided Ezekiel Wilson with his fourth wicket, while Jaydon Dowlin, the son of former Test Batter CWI women’s selector, Travis Dowlin, removed Shiv Harripersaud for six leaving Leon Cecil unbeaten on 23.

Wilson had 4-37 and got support from Sanjay Algoo (2-22) and Dowlin (2-16).

Mayheim Khan with 26 and Sanjay Algoo (15) were the only batters to double figures as Rising Stars slumped to another double figure total.

Left-arm spinner Jeremy Sandia had 6-27 to finish with seven wickets in the match, while off-spinner Jonathon Rampersaud took 2-17 to add to his 6-36 in the first innings.

Earlier, Mayheim Khan, the Rising Stars 12th man who opened the batting, re-

placing injured bowler and Captain Krishna Singh, was caught behind as Harripersaud struck at 8-1 as Khan departed for four.

Singh, who suffered a fractured ankle and will be out of cricket for at least six weeks, had a concussion ‘sub’ to bowl for him.

However, in breach of Law 2.4 which states (according to the GCB’s playing conditions) ‘No player (member of the playing X1) may be changed after nomination without the consent of the opposing Captain.

The Berbice Captain was never asked anything while the Umpires confirmed that no playing conditions were sent to them.

Ramnauth retired for ‘comfort break’ and Thaddeus Lovell was LBW to Rampersaud at 31-2 before Wilson was bowled for a second ball duck in the same over without addition to the score.

Ajay Gainda (10) was removed by Leon Cecil at 33-4 to bring Ramnauth back to the crease to join Algoo and together the pair played in contrasting fashion.

Ramnauth played the sheet-anchor role while Algoo was his usual aggressive self.

While Ramnauth demonstrated good defence and

played well timed off drives, the heavy sand content on the Western side of the ground robbed him the possibility ofscoring more runs from his shots.

However, Algoo was the perfect foil for his more sedate partner and clobbered Rampersaud, who seemed to be tiring due to his fairly long spell, for three consecutive leg side boundaries.

By Lunch, the Rising Stars were 61-4 with Algoo on 20 and Ramnauth, exhibiting excellent temperament, on 24.

After the interval, Algoo was run out in terrible mix-up with Ramnauth before Rampersaud, who extracted prodigious turn and bounce, switched ends and removed the dogged Rampersaud at 65-6. His carefully constructed 28 came in 97 minutes and did not include any boundaries.

Rampersaud, who flighted the ball nicely, quickly removed Wavell Allen for a duck at 65-7 before Shiloh Adams (0) was sent packing

by Sandia.

Rampersaud wrapped up the innings by dismissing Dowlin (2) and Avekar Beharry (0) and as the Rising Stars fell 26 short of the 100 needed in a two-day match to avoid the follow-on.

Today Demerara face Essequibo at the same venue.

Guyanese Bachan, Drakes lead West Coast Warriors to victory in NY Former Essequibo U19 players Yudisther Bachan and Travis Drakes struck half centuries to guide West Coast Warriors to a 57-run win over Falcons CC when the teams collided in the Deo and Sons 30 overs New York National Cricket League on Sunday.

The left handed Bachan struck six fours and three sixes in a top score of 71 not out off 59 balls, while Drakes hammered two fours and six sixes in a quick fire 60 off 34 balls as West Coast Warriors posted 261-5, batting first at Beach 32 Far Rockaway.

Cornelius Jaisingh supported with 34 not out, Surendra Ramcharitar made 33 and Ameer Singh 21; extras contributed 31 as Kapeshwar Jagdeo took 2-70.

Falcons CC responded with 204 all out in 29.5 overs.

Opener Ryan Manickchan slammed 112 off 71 balls with six fours and 11 sixes, while Ucil Armstrong made 38 and Becham Ramraj 29. Javed Shafeek picked up four wickets while Rajin Rahoman two.

Yudisther Bachan

Friday July 22, 2022

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

Snr CASA National Play-offs

Six matches played on opening night

By Sean Devers The opening Evening of the three-night National playoffs in preparation for the upcoming Senior CASA Squash from August 20-28 in Jamaica saw six matches being contested on Wednesday a t t h e G e o r g e t o w n Club’s Squash Courts.

Two male and four female matches were contested on Court 1 and Court 2 as the South Americans began preparations to defend their title which was won in Guyana in 2019 before the Pandemic halted the Championships for two years.

This National Play-offs is being used to select Guyana’s team to travel to Reggie Country.

Before departing for the the Senior CASA, Team Guyana will be involved in a Camp at Coach Carl Ince’s Squash Court on his Farm on the Linden Highway.

Held five days after Guyana regained their junior CASA title by winning their 22nd overall title on home soil, these play-offs saw Micheal Alphonso and Kirstian Jeffery winning their men’s matches.

In the match-ups among the females, Akeila Wilshire, her sister Larrissa, Taylor Fernandes and Ashley DeGroot registered victories.

One of the competitive matches of Evening was the contest between Jeffery and Mohryan Baksh with the 15-year-old Baksh, playing excellent Squash against favourite Jeffery.

The pair went tooth and nail against each other as they played well executed drives and demonstrated good use of the Court as Baksh upset Jeffery in an entertaining first game 1210.

However, Jeffery rebounded to take the next three games 11-2, 11-6, 11-5 in the only match of the Evening to g o t o f o u r games.

I n t h e o t h e r M e n ’s match, Alphonso defeated Steven Xavier in three straight games to win the match 11-1, 11-5, 11-1.

The southpaw Akeila Wilshire, the daughter of former Southern Caribbean Champion Garfield Wilshire and a part of the Wilshire clan of Caribbean U-19 C h a m p i on Shomari and

Akela Wiltshire (left) beat Kirsten Gomes 3-0 on Wednesday Evening at GT Club. (Sean Devers photo)

Larrissa Wilshire (left) defeated Victoria Arjune in three straight games on Wednesday Evening. (Sean Devers Photo) Ashley DeGroot (foreground) beat Abasadie Cadogon in their encounter. (Sean Devers photo)

Steven Xavier plays a backhand shot off the glass in his loss the Michael Alphonso. (Sean Devers photo) Larrissa, who also won her game on Wednesday, beat Kirsten Gomes 11-8, 11-2, 118, while Larrissa easily deposed of Victoria Arjune 111, 11-2, 11-7.

Taylor Fernandes beat

Rebecca Lowe 11-1, 11-5, 114, while Abosaide Cadagon, who lost the first game to Ashley DeGroot, 11-1, came out in game two fighting back and, with some entertaining rallies and

smart drop shots, pushed DeGroot hard but in the end it was DeGroot who emerged victorious 16-14.

The close second game defeat seemed to sap the confidence out of Cadagon and

the small gathering of mostly GSA members, watched as DeGroot dominated Cadagon 11-4 to win the match 3-nil.

The action was scheduled to continue last night with six more matches.

Jonas Vingegaard extends lead with stage 18 victory BBC Sport - Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard is one step closer to winning the 2022 Tour de France after he extended his overall lead with a stunning stage 18 victory.

Defending champion Ta d e j P o g a c a r f i n i s h e d second, one minute and four seconds behind, after being dropped on the final climb on the Hautacam.

In a brilliant act of sportsmanship earlier in the race, Vingegaard, 25, waited for and shook hands with Pogacar after the Slovenian rider crashed.

H e l e a d s o v e r a l l by three mins 26 secs.

“It’s incredible,” Vingegaard said. “This morning I said to my girlfriend and my daughter I wanted to win for them and I did. I’m really happy and proud. This one is for my two girls at home.”

He added: “I was just happy that it finally ended.

It was incredibly hard. Of course I am incredibly happy that I won the stage.

“There are two more days to come until we are in Paris and we must stay focused.”

Britain’s Geraint Thomas finished fourth - behind Vingegaard’s Jumbo Visma

team-mate Wout van Aert who helped distance Pogacar inside the final five kilometres - to stay third in the general classification.

Thomas, the 2018 winner, required a bike change on the final ascent but holds a lead of 3:05 over France’s David Gaudu, whom he finished four seconds ahead of yesterday.

The final mountain test of the Tour - a 143km route from Lourdes to Hautacam - included two hors category ascents, with the Col d’Aubisque coming before the final climb to the iconic finish at Hautacam.

Pogacar, 23, launched several attac k s on Vingegaard on the Col de Spandelles, which separated the day’s two major climbs, but on each occasion the yellow jersey was equal to his efforts.

Incredible act of sportsmanship from Vingegaard With a deficit of 2:18 before the stage, Pogacar continued to push the pace and he fell after misjudging a corner on the descent - his back tyre sliding on the gravel - just moments after

Jonas Vingegaard finished second to Tadej Pogacar at the 2021 Tour de France. (Getty Images) Vingegaard had almost suffered a similar fate.

But his Danish rival slowed to allow Pogacar to rejoin him, the two-time champion holding out a hand to thank his opponent before recommencing their race.

Van Aert, assured of the green points jersey, had been at the front of the race for most of the day but sacrificed his own stage opportunity to help Vingegaard on the final ascent.

The Belgian increased the pace, pulling

Vi n g e g a a r d c l e a r o f Pogacar and allowing his team-leader to ride the final four kilometres unchallenged.

“There couldn’t be a better way to lose the Tour de France than this,” Pogacar said.

“I gave it all today. I will leave the race with no regrets.

There is still one stage left I might win before Paris, and I will push for it.”

He added: “Jumbo Visma has been perfect in this Tour de France. They have been really strong every day. Today the best man won. Jonas

[Vingegaard] was stronger than me.

“I gave it all on the second-to-last climb, but I feel I still had something left for an attack on the final climb.

Unfortunately, I crashed, and the crash took its toll from me.

“I have nothing but respect to Jonas Vingegaard.

I think we respect each other a lot. When he decided to wait for me after my crash, he was in a good position to do it as he had teammates all over the road.

It was fine for him to wait. It’s me who wanted to go fast on the descent but I pushed it too far and crashed - I can’t blame anyone for that.”

Stage 19 is a flat 188.3km route from CastelnauMagnoac to Cahors, with today’s 40.7km individual time-trial preceding the traditional processional final stage into Paris on Sunday.

General classification after stage 18 1. Jonas Vingegaard (Den/ Jumbo-Visma) 71hrs 53mins 34secs 2. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/ UAE Team Emirates) +3:26 3. Geraint Thomas (GB/ Ineos Grenadiers) +8:00 4. David Gaudu (FRA/ Groupama-FDJ) +11:05 5. Nairo Quintana (Col/ Team Arkea-Samsic) +13:25 6. Louis Meintjes (RSA/ Intermarche-Wanty-Gobert Materiaux) +13:43 7. Aleksandr Vlasov (BORA - hansgrohe) +14:10 8. Romain Bardet (Fra/ Team DSM) +16:11 9. Alexey Lutsenko (Kaz/ Astana-Qazaqstan Team) +20:09 10. Adam Yates (GB/Ineos Grenadiers) +20:17

PAGE 30

Friday July 22, 2022

Kaieteur News

GTA concludes BCB to host first of four mini cricket academies successful GBTI Open across the county - Starts Saturday in West Berbice The aggressive developmental programme of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) would continue this weekend with the hosting of the first of four mini cricket academies across the county. The West Berbice Cricket Association under the leadership of David Black would host the first mini academy tomorrow, Saturday 23rd of July.

The BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that the academy is a continuation of the board’s ambitious coaching programme which seeks to make sure that every cricketing talent in the ancient county is discovered and given the chance to develop.

The board would also be hosting the academy in New Amsterdam/Canje at the Rose Hall Canje Ground, Lower Corentyne at the Area H Ground and Upper Corentyne sub association at the Skeldon Ground. Special emphasis would be placed on improving the players’ techniques in batting, bowling and wicketkeeping. Foster also disclosed that the BCB under his leadership would be very firm with players who refuse to attend developmental programmes to which they are invited to attend. Stating that the BCB was investing heavily into the development of players, the BCB President said it was only fair that they take advantage of them and as such players who bluntly refuse to attend would not be considered for selection to the Berbice teams in the future.

Coach Travis Hardcourt would head the panel of

GBTI and GTA executives pose with the winners of the GBTI Open after the presentation.

Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh coaches and the following players are asked to report to the Fort Wellington Secondary School at 8:30 am for the session which would go on to 4:00 pm. Lunch would be provided for all participants.

Sponsorship for this programme would have come from funding provided by Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh.

The players invited are: Joel Bascom Jarvel Blackman Eziekel Blackman Sheldon McPherson Brandon Chance Omani Alder Carlston Sam Aquanda Booker Rawle Johnson Shawn Ross Dekentie Carmicheal Mario Apollo Delray Morris Levi Kishun Neville David Omari Arthur Shelton Ramsay Tulsieram Ramcharran

Omar Saul Steffon Prince Tyrone Prince Tiea Isaac Tamara George Renata Liverpool Brandon Isaac Ashley Mangra Nathaniel Lynch Kummassy Mentore Chan Cho Darius Joseph Tienacia Solomon Cornel Archibal Randy Dindial Jaylen Campbell Kemar Joseph Winston Hartman Micheal Collis Collis Harcourt Christopher Baldeo Simon Anandram Vinash Boodhoo Lakeraj Hemraj Saife Satar Aditya Ramgopaul Fawaad Badulla Ryan Ramsamy Marlon Albert Christopher Ogle

Police athletic season set to start on Sunday 24th July with two events The Guyana Police Force (GPF) athletic season is set to start on Sunday with two events. First off the mark will be the Police road relay which is expected to have representatives from police divisions and departments.

The race will begin at 6:00hrs and will have five legs with the athletes consisting of four males and one female.

The race will begin from

outside the Police Officer’s Mess at Eve Leary and proceed to the entrance of the University of Guyana access road before turning back to finish at its place of origin.

The first leg will be for 2 kilometers, the next legs will also be over two kilometers, those contesting the third leg will run for three kilometers, the fourth leg will b e t w o k i l o m e t ers

while the females will finish the event with a one Kilometer stretch. The Swimming championship will be held during the day a t t he National Aquatic Centre in Georgetown. The athletic (track and field) and cycling championship is slated for 26th, 27th and 29th July at the Track and Field Centre at Leonora West Demerara. (Samuel Whyte)

For two weeks, the Guyana Tennis Association (GTA) executed an exceptional tournament at the GBTI Tennis facility. The tournament brought together the community in larger numbers since the COVID-19. There was spectacular play from veterans and the new crop of juniors.

The curtains came down on the 13th annual GBTI Open Tournament in style and had representation from both the bank and the association.

Marketing Manager Ms. Pamela Binda emphasized that GBTI and the GTA’s decades of partnership shows that the bank is supportive of youth development in not only sport but all sectors and the bank is consistent with their corporate social responsibility as evident in 42 years of partnership in the tennis community.

She also noted that the bank is pleased to see the tournament is expanding to include participants from the

US, Canada and Mexico.

President Cristy Campbell expressed gratitude on behalf of the GTA and the entire tennis fraternity to GBTI for another year of sponsorship and good relations. She noted that the sponsorship is not limited to the GBTI Open tournament but also free access to the tennis facilities for our top players to train throughout the year and full funding of the Diamond annual tennis camp. The closing ceremony had several members of the bank and GTA including Ms. Nadia Sagar, Corporate Secretary of GBTI, VP of GTA Surrendra Khayyam, Treasurer Ramesh Seebarran and Renate Jordan.

The awardees this year is as follows: Men’s Open - Winner: Miguel Garcia Runner-up: Donnie Anderson Ladies’ Open - Winner: Renola Jordan Runner-up Saskia Persaud Men’s Doubles - Winner: Leyland Leacock/Gavin

Lewis Runner-up: Donnie Anderson/Gerald Scotland Boys Singles - Winner: Gerald Scotland Runner-up: Hayden Mentore Girls Singles - Winner: Paula Kalekeyzi Runner-up: Renola Jordan Mixed Doubles - Winner: Leyland Leacock/Kizzy Richmond Runner-up: Donnie Andreson/Renola Jordan Novice Men - Winner: Harvey Stole Runner-up Ridhwaan Kasim Novice Ladies - Winner: O’Kesha St. Kitts Runner-up Kadija Fyffe Novice Medley - Winner: Harvey Stoll/Karen Hulefeld Runner-up: O’Kesha St. Kitts/Ridhwaan Kasim 35s Singles - Winner: Ronald Murray Runner-up: Andre Erskine 35s Doubles - Winner Leyland Leacock/Ronald Murray Runner-up: Andre Erskine/Aubrey Young 45s Singles - Winner: Aubrey Young Runner-up: Steve David-Longe

Correction:

Boxing Association names shortlist for Caribbean Schoolboys/girls/ Joshua Thambarain 8. ArJunior Championships 7.lington Johnson 9. Jahuan A few names were left out of the shortlisted team of boxers selected by the GBA and released by Terrence Poole MS, Technical Director Guyana Boxing Association in yesterday’s edition. Those omitted were from – FYF - Malachai Greenidge; Pace and Power boxing gym - Jeremiah Duncan and Jamal Williams.

The full list released by Terrence Poole MS Vergenoegen boxing gym 1. Glaston Winter 2. Jemuel Jones 3. Keyon Britton 4.

Markel Blue 5. Garvel Hyman 6. Jevon Anthony

Pace and Power boxing gym - 1. Stephon Clarence 2.

Tofina Barker (female) Young Achievers boxing gym - 1. Ceaafa Chris 2. Ezekiel Bancroft 3. Shamaria Isaacs 4.

Kendel De Monic 5. Eon Bancroft Jnr Forgotten Youth Foundation - 1. Tequan Sampson 2.

Chance Niles 3. Shaquian James 4. Josiah McPherson 5.

Seon Graham 6. Dwane Baptise 7. Yusdiel Gala Rose Hall Jammers boxing gym - 1. Roopesh Balgobin 2.

Jadon Lewis 3. Isaiah Nurse 4. Shawn Sabola 5. Travis Sancho 6. Matthew Thomas

Haniff 10. Akhan English FYF Malachai Greenidge; Pace and Power boxing gym - Jeremiah Duncan and Jamal Williams.

The coaches chosen to prepare these young fighters are: Lennox Daniels, Francisco Roldon (Cuba), Sebert Blake, Gregory Cort and Clifton Moore.

Training will commence from Monday July 25th from 05.30hours at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and 16.00 hours at the Andrew Lewis boxing gym. All coaches of the respective gyms are asked to take note.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

PAGE 31

Bartica Regatta Summer Splash Softball Cricket Impact Orient the male champs.

The female winners, Kartabo.

Impact Orient and Kartabo are male and female winners

E

merging as the Bartica Regatta Summer Splash Softball Cricket competition winners were Impact Orient for the males and Kartabo which took care of business on the distaff side.

All the action unfolded at the Bartica

Community Centre Ground, the male competition attracted a total of 13 teams, while the female competition saw some 11 teams competing.

Tyube DeFreitas organized the competitions in collaboration with the

Bartica Cricket Committee.

Impact Orient took away the first-place prize of $100,000 after defeating Corruption in the final; the loser walked away with $40,000.

The female winner, Kartabo defeated

Orient 7 in the final.

The competitions were played on Sunday last at the Bartica Community Centre Ground and sponsored by Exclusive Minerals, Nicholas Mohammed's Mining, and The Trophy Stall.

Top Trinidadian trainer set to arrive in Guyana today for Guyana Cup Shimron Hetmyer has not played for the West Indies since November 2021 but has been training with the current squad.

As Hetmyer works to get fit, Captain Pooran eager to see the Guyanese batsman back playing for the Windies SportsMax - The West Indies will face India today in the first of three ODIs in Trinidad and Tobago but they will be without one player that Captain Nicolas Pooran would dearly like to see taking the field sometime soon.

Shimron Hetmyer, who has not played for the West Indies since November 2021, has been training with

the squad but according to the Windies' white-ball captain, the Guyanese middle-order batsman, still has a lot of work to do on his fitness before he can suit up once again.

“He is here doing a lot of work on his fitn e s s a n d that is really nice to see, the effort that he has been putting in,” Pooran

said during a media session yesterday.

“He wants to play for the West Indies and trainers and coaches working with him, so expect to see him sooner than later.

“I have full confidence that he will be putting on the maroon colours again.

He has a fitness test to pass shortly, so he is preparing himself for that.”

Another member of the Guyana Cup horseracing contingent is expected to arrive today for preparation work for the much anticipated event.

The Jumbo jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee welcomes retired racing correspondent, Glen Mohammed who has been involved in the sport of horseracing for over 40 years. He is a trainer/owner and bloodstock agent who has imported horses from Ocala, Florida, and Caymanas Park and Jamaica. As a de facto Ambassador he has the live wire for shipping horses for leading Guyanese owners, Nasrudeen Mohamed, Thurbhuwan Jagdeo and the late Sharif.

He continues to ship the majority of horses from Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana. As a Racing Correspondent he has covered several Breeders Cup events in the USA and covered the only Breeders Cup event to be held outside the USA. It was held at the Wo o d b i n e r a c e c o u r s e ,

Glen Mohammed (left) interviewing top rider Ricky Jadoo after scoring with Triple Crown hero Top of the class at Santa Rosa Park, Trinidad.

Canada in 1996 when Alphabet Soup defeated the great Cigar. He also covered the 2006 Kentucky Derby, rich Superstakes race which is run off at Caymanas Park, Jamaica, and the highly regarded Barbadian Gold Cup, Bridgetown.

He has travelled to Ascot, England to witness the sport.

He was President of Trinidad and Tobago's Racehorse Trainers Association (RTA) and has trained several top horses.

He continues to train horses presently, and will be sending across two of his charges Memories, which will be handled by his son Shaun Mohammed, a regular to Guyanese shores, and Color of Sacrifice to compete in the Derby on Guyana Cup Day.When contacted via cellular phone M r. G l e n M o h a m m e d explained, “After the invitation from owner and entrepreneur, Nasrudeen 'Junior' Mohamed to share (Continued on page 27)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Friday July 22, 2022

Sports, Youth, Scouts enhancement on agenda as GPF and AMCHAM representatives holds meeting

T

he police are pushing ahead with plans to be more community oriented, especially with respect to sports youths and scouts groups.

One such way is by collaborating with the private sector in the Resuscitation of the Sports, Youth, and Scout groups across the country.

Recently, Acting Commissioner of Police Mr. Clifton Hicken and some members of his leadership team met with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM Guyana).

The meeting was held in the Commissioner's Conference Room, Eve Leary Georgetown.

Representing AMCHAM were Rajendra Singh and Matthew Phang.

One of the main emphasis, was to build partnership and encourage Police/Private Sector collaboration

especially as it pertains to the development of youths sports and scouts' groups.

Hicken expressed optimism that the partnership is going to aid the vision of the GPF, which he noted, will help in the overall effort and commitment to mold and shape the future of the youths.

He alluded to the plans and programmes the GPF has for youths across Guyana and encouraged the AMCHAM representatives to sell the vision of the Police Force, especially as it relates to community development.

He intoned that, “What the GPF is doing in terms of youth development is giving them a chance to have a better life and stay away from illicit activities. We are passionate in harnessing vulnerable youths and school dropouts and channel them properly in sports and other constructive activities.”

Deputy Commissioner

Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken, members of the GPF and AMCHAM at the meeting.)

'Administration' (ag.) Calvin Brutus emphasized the importance of youth development. He provided the AMCHAM representatives with a 'needs assessment list' and outline the programmes that the

Alpha Harrison qualifies for 4x100m relay at AAU Junior Olympic Games Having dominated the 55m Dash event at the Fastest Kid in the World in February, 2020 when he won the gold medal and has also dominated other races at the club level in the USA, young Alpha Harrison has qualified to compete in the 4x100m relay at the AAU Junior Olympic Games.

These games are set to be contested from the 30th of July to August 6th, 2022 at the North Carolina A&T University, Greensboro NC. Harrison, no stranger to the athletics world ever since he migrated to the USA, is a member of the Charles County Elite Track & Field Club and will team up with Caleb Stewart-Mason, Messiah Bowen, and Rieyle Wr e n n a t t h e J u n i o r Olympics where they will be aiming for the top podium spot in the Male 11+12 4x100m Relay.

The Brooklyn NY-based Harrison has been a consistent performer through the years. He was selected as the USATF New York Youth Athlete of the Month in June 2019 after some outstanding performances.

Also, in June 2019 at the Under-8 level, he racked up a slew of impressive performances; at the New Yo r k J u n i o r O l y m p i c Championships, he won the

Alpha Harrison

100m (14.40s) and the 200m in (30.20s), while finishing second in the 400m with a time of 1m 15s.

Contesting the Youth Challenge Series in the same month, the youngster completed the sprint double again with a time of 14.71s in the 100m and 31.52 in the 200m. At the USATF Youth Championship in North Carolina that was contested

from June 25-30, Harrison won the 200m in 29.69seconds which was a new record for the USATF New York Zone.

In the 400m, he finished second in 1m 8s which was also a record time for his Zone. He capped off the Youth Championship with a 14.58s performance in the 100m which was good enough for the silver medal.

GPF intend to roll out as it relate to sports and youth development and empowerment.

He said the resuscitation of the Youth, Sports and Scout groups in every community is high on the

GPF agenda.

The teams held discussions on the possible areas in which they can collaborate and how AMCHAN can lend support and engage in a partnership.

Goldmedal to be “Powered By” partner for West Indies vs India CG United ODI Series P O RT- O F - S PA I N , Trinidad – Goldmedal Electricals, one of India's leading electrical manufacturing companies, today announced that it has signed a sponsorship agreement for the upcoming CG United One Day International (ODI) series between West Indies and India in Trinidad.

Goldmedal will be associated as the “Powered By” sponsor for the threematch series to be titled the “CG United ODI Series, Powered by Goldmedal”.

The series will be played on 22, 24 and 27 July at the historic Queen's Park Oval.

T h r o u g h t h i s sponsorship, the Goldmedal brand will have a prominent presence on the ground during all the ODI matches.

As part of the partnership, the Goldmedal logo will be

promoted on the pitch mat, perimeter boards, on the integrated logo of the series, and the presentation boards.

This will be Goldmedal's second foray into sponsoring a cricket event this year.

Goldmedal was also the official Power Partner of the recent India vs Ireland T20I Series held in June.

Commenting on the sponsorship. Kishan Jain, Director, Goldmedal, said “As a cricket-loving nation, we are thrilled to be associated with this ODI series. The Goldmedal brand is about providing amazing experiences – and the way India and West Indies play the game – there's a lot of amazing moments in store for the audience. We are looking forward to an electrifying series between the two teams and we hope that this is just the beginning

of our long association with cricket India.”

Speaking on the association, Cricket West Indies (CWI) CEO Johnny Grave, said: “We're pleased to welcome Goldmedal as the “Powered by” partner for the CG United ODI Series as they increase their partnerships in cricket, and become one of several new sponsors for the West Indies vs India Series. The West Indies vs India Series is always exciting and highly anticipated around the world featuring two of the world's most charismatic teams and two incredibly passionate sets of fans.”

The Indian team is led by Shikhar Dhawan while Nicholas Pooran will captain the West Indies. The matches will begin at 9:30am Eastern Caribbean Time/8:30am (Continued on page 27)

Nicholas Pooran (West Indies) and Shikhar Dhawan (India) with the series trophy.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 22, 2022

PAGE 33

India poised to pile more misery on West Indies AFP - West Indies and India commence a threem a t c h O n e - D a y International series at Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad today with the visitors, even without their most prominent players, favoured to get the better of a struggling home side.

Fresh from a 2-1 series triumph in England, the Indians have opted to rest regular captain Rohit Sharma, key batsman Virat Kohli, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

That presents an opportunity for talented and eager fringe players to make the most of the stars' absences at the expense of a team that w a s s w e p t 3-0 by Bangladesh in Guyana the previous week.

West Indies captain Nicholas Pooran complained about both the quality of pitches against the Bangladeshis at Providence and the early start time which he felt conspired to favour

the team bowling first too heavily.That speculation overlooks the reality that the two-time former World Cup winners have been consistently poor in the 50 overs-per-side format for several years.

Given the unsettled weather leading up to the series-opener, it is quite possible that the playing surface will not be dissimilar to the bowler-friendly conditions in Guyana.

Even with that quintet of star players opting for a rest, I n d i a e n j o y a n embarrassment of riches, not least in the bowling department where they possess the quality and variety to exploit both the conditions and a vulnerable West Indies batting line-up.

Pacer Mohammed Siraj and wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to lead the effort to keep pressure on their opponents, many of whom were found wanting technically and temperamentally against Bangladesh's spindominated attack.

For the home team, the one bit of encouraging news in the days since the end of the Bangladesh series is the return of Jason Holder.

Having been rested for series in the Netherlands, Pakistan and the visit by Bangladesh, the all-

the doldrums into which they have appeared to sink so rapidly following comfortable 2-0 series wins i n Te s t s a n d T 2 0 Internationals against Bangladesh.

His top-score of 73

dies players

The West In

rounder and former captain will be looked to for inspiration with bat and ball.Pressure is very much on current skipper Pooran though to lift his team out of

opening batsman Shai Hope, if they are to get anywhere close to posting the sort of totals which could seriously challenge their opponents.With so many big names absent for In di a, th e li

e session in ring a practic

du

las t Saturday at the Guyana National Stadium ended a succession of mediocre contributions in ODIs. However, the West Indies will need to have all hands on deck, especially

WI) Trinidad. (C

ke s of batsmen Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav, together with all-rounder Deepak Hooda are expected to come to the fore.With another T20 World Cup campaign mere months away in Australia

followed by India's hosting of the next 50-over World Cup in 2023, incentives to deliver are aplenty.

All three ODIs will be played at Queen's Park Oval after which the teams switch format but stay in Trinidad for the first T20 International at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.From there it's on to St Kitts for two games before the five-match series concludes in the United States with two fixtures at Lauderhill in Florida.

Teams (probable): West Indies – Nicholas Pooran (captain), Shai Hope (wicketkeeper), Kyle Mayers, Brandon King, Keacy Carty, Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales.

India – Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, S h r e y a s I y e r, D e e p a k Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan.

GTA concludes successful GBTI Open

GBTI and GTA executives pose with the winners of the GBTI Open after the presentation.

Snr CASA National Play-offs

s t r o Sp

Akela Wiltshire (left) beat Kirsten Gomes 3-0 on Wednesday Evening at GT Club. (Sean Devers photo)

Six matches played on opening night India poised to pile more misery on West Indies Printed and published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd., 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown. Tel: 225-8458, 225-8465, 225-8491 or Fax: 225-8473/226-8210.