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GPL will still have Friday Edition to add generating NEWS capacity to support gas plant 14 years from now - IDB Report AIETEUR

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

July 23, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 30

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 61,879

Minister Bharrat admits Exxon contract lopsided - Says local content will pick up the slack

Only Parliament can remedy the issue of constitutionality of death penalty- AG Nandlall 8 companies apply to provide security services for GRA Unlicenced 18 years jail for driver in fatal man found guilty accident of sodomising boy, 12 on $1M bail Agricola man shot for intervening in forced gang initiation

This citizen has joined the protest for a change to the ExxonMobil contract.

US now strengthening cyber-security systems for gas pipelines after 12-yr hacking spree by Chinese actors @11:00hrs on Suriname and Trinidad paying US$12,000 a day Kaieteur Radio for supply boats, while Guyana pays US$55,000 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

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Minister Bharrat admits Exxon - Says local content contract lopsided will pick up the slack M

inister of N a t u r a l Resources, Vickram Bharrat, yesterday admitted that the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) is lopsided; that its terms do not give the Government as much benefit as it would have hoped.

The Minister made these comments during a forum at the office of the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber in Georgetown.

The Chamber launched its training centre yesterday at its Middle Street office to educate stakeholders about the oil & gas industry.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, and Senior Petroleum Coordinator at the Ministry of Natural Resources, Bobby Gossai Jr., also attended.

They all made remarks about the importance of local content, which the Government expects to claw back the value lost from the lopsided PSA. “As a government, we are open to partnership with any individual organisation or agency that shares the view that Guyanese must benefit from the sector,” Bharrat said.

“And how do we benefit

as Guyanese from the sector?

Of course, through a strong local content policy.

Of course, we have a PSA that is not bringing the kind of benefits that we would have liked as a nation…”

His colleague, Indar, said, “With the current construct of the ExxonMobil contract, 75% of the money spent in any calendar year, there is a cap on it for cost oil. How do you benefit from that?

That is where the local content element comes in.”

He said apart from the government take and money that will flow back

into the economy, the money spent by the oil companies, for which cost recovery is capped at 75%, is money spent in the private sector.

“What you have to understand is that means that is a lot of money,” the Minister said, urging local businesses to grab up a slice of the cake.

The Minister ’s statements come after weeks of sustained protests

by Kaieteur News and Guyanese home and abroad, for a better deal.

The protests build on years of exposes, and advocacy by the free press

for a better deal for Guyana.

Former Petroleum Advisor to the Government, Dr. Jan Mangal, in 2020 addressed the attempt by the P e o p l e ’s P r o g r e s s i v e Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government to use local content as a substitute for a fair deal. The petroleum consultant had said on Kaieteur Radio that while local content is important, it cannot claw back all of the value lost from the lopsided Stabroek Block PSA. Dr. Mangal had said that local content is peanuts compared to the prosperity Guyana could get from a fair deal.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat.

Current structure of Guyana’s NRF likely to encourage political meddling and limit independent accountability …Govt. should steer towards Norway model - Co-Director at Americas Market Intelligence Energy Practice.

By Carlos Gonsalves

G

uyana, which r e c e n t l y discovered nine billion barrels of proven oil reserves, is following the same path as countries that discovered large amounts of natural resources, such as oil, by creating a Sovereign Wealth Fund to manage their newfound wealth. This is according to Arthur Deakin, Co-Director at Americas Market Intelligence Energy Practice. Mr. Deakin posits that the structure of the Natural Resources Fund (NRF), fundamentally impacts how effectively the country spends and saves its oil monies.

At the end of May, at the 2021 Diaspora Conference, President, Irfaan Ali, and Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, suggested that Guyana’s NRF would be similar to the Kazakhstan model in the coming years.

Due to Guyana’s low development levels, they explained that the famed Norwegian SWF model did not fit the country’s current needs.

That being said, Mr. Deakin’s position is that Guyana’s current government should change

direction and should steer towards adopting an NRF that mirrors Norway, not Kazakhstan, because the overlying framework of the Scandinavian model would be ideal to serve as the basis of the fund.

With that backbone, Guyana would be in a position to adjust incrementally wherever deemed relevant, such as modifying allowances for a greater percentage of revenues to be transferred to the budget for the facilitation of infrastructural development.

Mr. Deakin further opines that regardless of the political party in power, it is clear that implementing the right fiscal and regulatory framework for its NRF will determine the future trajectory of Guyana’s society.

Consequently, he notes that Guyana should also rely to an extent on financing from both the private sector and multi-lateral institutions, such as the IMF and IDB, while interest rates are still low. It is also fundamental for Guyana to prepare for a world in which fossil fuel demand starts declining. Although the International Energy Agency

does not expect that to happen before 2030, G u y a n a ’s p e a k o i l production will likely coincide with the beginning of the oil decline.

Thus, it should ensure that it implements emissionreducing strategies for its energy production, such as improving leak detection programs, eliminating routine flaring and installing carbon capture technologies.

These policies should also be accompanied by a diversification of Guyana’s economy, focused in areas such as infrastructure, mining, manufacturing and agriculture. By capitalising on the near-term influx of private and public investment, Guyana can become an industrial CARICOM hub.

H o w e v e r, G u y a n a ’s government has opted to utilise a model that is more in accordance with the Natural Resource Fund for Kazakhstan. Oil-rich Kazakhstan ranks 94 out of 1 9 0 i n Tr a n s p a r e n c y International’s corruption index, tied with countries such as Brazil, Ethiopia and Suriname. Following massive oil discoveries in the late 20th century, the country’s U$63 billion

Kazakhstan National Fund.

Known locally as SamrukKazyna, it was created in 2000 to manage oil funds more effectively but was structured in a way that gave key politicians large influence over its spending.

Kazakhstan established a Management Council to assist with its spending, that bears a number of similarities with Guyana’s proposed Macroeconomic Committee - responsible for advising the Minister of Finance on the amount that should be spent by the fund.

The Kazakhstan fund has been noted to lack the necessary transparency that is required from an NRF. Although Kazakhstan requires fund deposits and withdrawal amounts to be made public, there has been limited public reporting on specific assets. In 2021, a financial analyst was sued by the fund for publishing a report on one of its holding companies and calling it an “ineffective investor.”

K a z a k h s t a n ’s Management Council is led by the President, Prime Minister, and other key political allies. This is again similar to Guyana, where the current structure of the fund gives the Minister of Finance

significant influence. This consequently has been noted

by Mr. Deakin to encourage political meddling and limit independent accountability within the fund. It also pressures fund managers to make decisions based on political affiliations, rather than what is best for the country.

Up until 2016, the Kazakhstan fund guaranteed transfers of up to U$8 billion to the State’s budget.

This was subsequently reduced to U$6 billion after the adoption of a new framework.

In 2000, when the fund was first created, this transfer ceiling amounted to nearly 50% of the country’s U$18 billion GDP. From 2010 to 2020, transfers from Kazakhstan’s fund to the state budget averaged roughly 30%, a significant portion of the country’s revenues. It is pertinent to note that the current Guyanese administration has recognised this dangerous integration and is rewriting the NRF to fix this issue.

In Guyana, the projected transfer amounts are slightly larger than Kazakhstan and will be able to cover any pressing financial needs the country may have. Guyana’s

Arthur Deakin, Co-Director at Americas Market Intelligence Energy Practice.

NRF transfers to the budget are expected to start at 33% through 2024, lowering to 30% of non-oil GDP after that. A percentage much larger than that would jeopardise necessary intergenerational savings that accumulate interest over time, limiting the fund’s exponential growth potential. As seen in Norway’s $1 trillion NRF, the ability to keep transfers at a 25% average of the country’s national budget, allowed it to accumulate wealth and grow its balance.

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Friday July 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Another report on Exxon ducked The latest is that another report concerning Exxon is being ducked by the PPP Government. First, it was the report on the review of the proposed Payara undertaking, and the latest one is the audit report on the pre-contract costs submitted by Exxon (“Audit of ExxonMobil’s US$460M pre-contract costs an abomination - Govt. should make report public - source” : KN July 22). The government has little interest in making anything public with what is happening in the oil sector, which this withheld audit report confirms.

What the PPP government and its oil chief are focused on, and very skilled (at least they think so), is to make public only those things, which have been studied closely beforehand for any exposures to both the government and Exxon, and when there is none, then the developments, as documented, are placed before the Guyanese public. On the other hand, when the conclusion within the inner circle of the government’s brain trust, and that of its top oil spokesperson, the Vice President, is that there is the likelihood of controversy and a can of worms being opened, then government and oilman seek shelter in the shadows.

Documents that reveal much stay hidden, developments that leave them flatfooted and mean much embarrassment remain out of sight, with not a single word being said about what those documents/reports contain, or that they even exist. Everything that is wrong, and that could be a problem, with this nation’s oil never sees the light of day, no matter how much any local citizen or group, or any international watchdog agency, protests.

Guyana’s Vice President, who can be very plentiful with well-chosen words and postures that he feels make him look good, is very quick on the draw when the circumstances so favour his visions, calculations, and plans. There is, however, this mysterious and dogged resistance and disappearance, on his part and that of the entire well-oiled and smoothly functioning government Public Relations apparatus, when the news, whether from developments, or as incorporated into costly official reports, speak to what would be considered negative, and seriously so. Then there is this strange song and dance.

The Vice President rapidly vanishes into the woodwork, when the news is negative. As we stated in the article referenced above, it is more than negative and horrendously so.

The audit report for G$62M plus is so terrible that one source in the know described it as an “abomination.” As descriptions go, there are few that can convey how bad things are, from the review of what has done with that billing of US$460M of pre-contract costs. We believe that we have the math right when we use that sum in US dollars to arrive at a staggering pre-contract tab of over G$92B. But yet this country and all of its citizens, to whom this oil wealth belongs, are all in the dark, and deliberately kept there by government and its oil czar, the Vice President.

What is there to hide?

Why is that not the business of the Guyanese people?

How long will this kind of leadership ugliness, if not outright failure at principled oversight of this oil, be allowed to be practiced to this extent, to take wing? As the source reasonably asked, as presented by us, “If these reports are not made public, how else will the Guyanese people know that the company selected for these audits did their job, and gave the country value for money?” And “How else will the public be able to have confidence that the government can be trusted to be a prudent overseer?” We don’t. We live in ignorance as to value for money and any trust in government that was there before is long gone, and with good reason.

For the behaviour of our leaders in this current government, and the previous one, with this oil, has been, almost without fail, a stream of repugnance. It is of what is devastating to the hopes of Guyanese, their dreams long cherished, and which looks poised to end up in the drain, like so many other things here that held out bright prospects, but turned out to be yokes around our necks.

Studies and assessment for gas-to-shore project Dear Editor, I have been following with interest the reports from the Scoping Meetings being convened by the Government, through the EPA, and ExxonMobil on the gas-to-shore project. There are more questions than

answers regarding this project.

While not committing to a feasibility study, mention was made by Vice President Jagdeo that this project is a “no brainer” while at the same time alluding to several studies that are to be done, including geophysical, geotechnical and environmental assessments.

On the latter, the EPA was asked pointedly who are the consultants doing the Environmental Impact Assessment for the gas-toenergy project but did not provide a response.

Since this project is being funded by the government of Guyana, can information be provided as to who are doing these various studies, has

there been public tenders, who are the awardees? And will these reports be made public? I do hope the Transparency International, Guyana, EITI, and other bodies that are expected to be vigilant about transparency and accountability are taking note.

Yours sincerely, Shawn Gittens

Guyana - a Sopranos state Dear Editor, Recently, I started describing Guyana as a ‘Sopranos state.’ It was deliberate, and intended to convey to American television-attuned Guyanese, the way things are. Because our culture is now overrun with unsavoury associations and arrangements, thanks to the political godfathers of Guyana.

The Sicilian Cosa Nostra perfected the art of Omerta, and made it into the foolproof science of secrecy, subject to its own immutable laws.

Speak out of turn, and to dust will return. The local lingo is slightly different (confidentiality), but the results are the same (everything kept safe and secure inside the criminally corrupt family). This is how Guyana’s business is run by the national governing body, like some shadowy underhanded enterprise.

Nobody talks, and risks a leadership contract being put out on them. Thus, they are assured of continuing favours, through leadership blessings and expanding personal prosperities. The key to maintaining secrecy is compartmentalisation.

Everything is on a need-toknow basis. Dare to raise a simple question and its treason. Take a contrarian stand against the PPP-run Sopranos state, and alarms go off. What is there to fear?

Nobody knows anything, says anything. The biggest racket is oil, now an incomparable national hustle.

We have billions of barrels of it, but society can’t get boo from leaders about it.

Meanwhile, inside the secret political oil society the capo measures and weighs, and makes oil offers that greedy conspirators cannot refuse. They don’t. The only ones embraced are those

trusted to steal, for then the seal of silence is unbreakable.

To squeal would be selfincriminating. In the local Sopranos state, there are no stool pigeons, only pigs helping themselves from the people’s trough. This is how they make one hit after another, like Sammy the Bull Gravano, a real peach of a fellow. As for those daring to stand against them, they search for ways on how to neutralise them, and take them down. Legally, naturally. The choice of skullduggeries proliferate with big money criminality -narcotics, prostitution, gambling. We can’t fix flooding, but we prioritize casinos. What a racket! There is zero interest in clean governing, but every interest in a certain kind of policing. Well, at least with regards to the reporting of real-world crimes, as well as those happening high inside of the organisation. Guyana

is one fixer’s paradise. And this is what the consiglieres (legal advisers) and capos (ministers) and connected families (well, no names should really be mentioned or needed, so obvious they are) all do: fix things to suit their corrupt visions and their patched-up stories. Like the real-life criminal Mafia, those in Guyana’s Sopranos state, make alliances with Wall Street and Fortune 500 companies, while camouflaging public and private sector activities, through a variety of fronts: construction, real estate, metals, downstream oil, and uptown high stakes betting.

The barbarians are inside the gates, which we call government business and foreign investment, in what is one big, dirty family affair. A real Sopranos state we have here.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

The GHRA has no problem with being criticised, if based on facts Dear Editor, Kaieteur News (KN) through its columnist, Freddie Kissoon, has been regularly declaring the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) defunct for about 20 years.

This obsession has recently widened to abusing other media houses who report on GHRA’s activities. On the one hand the GHRA is declared defunct, yet its every sign of life, as reported in other media predictably generates a near-hysterical diatribe from this columnist.

Kaieteur News denies readers the truth by suppressing GHRA press releases, allows attacks on other media houses that use them, thereby encouraging Kissoon to parade an avalanche of lies. All of the following statements made about the GHRA in KN are fictitious and repeated, despite our correction. · Someone on the GHRA Board writes SN editorials (FALSE) · GHRA has done nothing for people’s problems with NIS (FALSE) · GHRA never condemned

the 2020 elections (FALSE) · Other media do not publish GHRA releases (FALSE) · GHRA receives special treatment from SN (FALSE) · Mike McCormack blocks younger people in the GHRA (FALSE) · Kissoon’s claim of ever having been a member of the GHRA (FALSE) · The GHRA is heavily funded from abroad (FALSE) · The GHRA is an aging one-man show (FALSE) · GHRA has had links with political parties (FALSE) The Guyana Human Rights Association as a registered organisation is managed by an Executive Board, continuously elected since 1979, has annually audited accounts and owns its own offices, built from voluntary fund-raising by members and supporters. Of the 12 current Board members, eight have an average age of 30 years, drawn from all walks of life and backgrounds. The focus, direction for activities and releases are all made locally and collectively and not

individually.

This obsession with the GHRA extends in his latest diatribe to “a very big, big person in the defunct GHRA writes editorials for the SN”.

This is followed by the lamest excuse in journalism - I received this very confidential information from a well-placed source.

Anyone assuming that a selfproclaimed historian might have some regard for fact, truth or accuracy is going to be misled.

The GHRA is not, of course, singular in attracting fulminations from him. The disclaimer below Freddie Kissoon’s daily column to the effect that the “views expressed are not necessarily those of this newspaper” is an indication that the paper expects and anticipates the fabrications he trades in. The GHRA has no problem with being criticized, if based on facts.

More objectionable are the attacks on the many decent people – not powerful people of course, they’re offlimits – who are subjected to the casual, cowardly bullying

and lies of this Kaieteur News columnist. Freedom of Expression, which KN trumpets as “our core value”, is confused with the ability to contrive.

Surprisingly for someone who lectures incessantly about human rights your columnist seems unaware that human rights is a struggle to subjecting the disordered use of power by the relevant principles of freedom, justice and equality at every level: the family, workplace, educational, religious and other institutions. His column is a continuous disordered use of the power of the media.

May we suggest that you, as Editor, pass on to Mr. Kissoon the press releases GHRA has been sending to you and former Editors at Kaieteur News - some 20 per annum – to save him having to learn about the GHRA from reading Stabroek News.

Were you to publish them, even better?

Sincerely yours, Executive Committee Guyana Human Rights Association

Friday July 23, 2021

PPP kept a campaign promise to sugar workers Dear Editor, The PPP/C Government has been fulfilling its 2020 campaign promises, on a continuous basis since assuming Office in August 2020, and neither the COVID19 pandemic nor the devastating floods can put a brake to the PPP/C’s developmental momentum, which has become an accepted norm in Guyana.

May I add another epidemic to these two, which is attempting to frustrate this great developmental thrust – the useless Opposition.

The heartless closure of the Estates -Wales, Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon brought untold pain, misery and sufferings to over 7,000 persons and their families.

Those directly affected will approximate to nearly 40,000.

The domino effect did account for more than 60,000 since all businesses in the environs of these estates were severely affected and had to lay off employees. New

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Kaieteur News

Amsterdam and Corriverton became ghost towns, and there was an upsurge of social ills. Many students had to drop out of school since their parents were catapulted into immediate poverty. This worsened the situation since the callous Coalition had removed the Cash Grant, which had assisted parents to send their children to school.

Imagine the AFC Trio, Ramjattan, Cathy Hughes and Sherod Duncan, were on the “Alliance on the Move” programme last Saturday condemning the Government’s reintroduction of that Grant, when parents across the country are so happy for this great help at a time when they are confronted with not one, but two national crises. This Grant will increase each year and parents have confidence in the promises made by the PPP/C. This ‘Because We Care’ initiative assists everyone unlike the Granger Bs.

No Government worth its salt will ever create such a willful devastation to the lives of its people, and that happened without providing for the inevitable socioeconomic fallout. But the Coalition was out for revenge and was not satisfied with a pound of flesh, they went for the vitals. They wanted to cut the jugular vein of the PPP/C since sugar workers were maliciously deemed to be PPP/C supporters. Ironically the Coalition destroyed themselves since their criminal intent became clear for all to behold and will never again be trusted.

One of the promises of the PPP/C on the Campaign trail and enshrined in its manifesto, was to reopen the shuttered estates and to bring back socio-economic progress in those area by reemploying the severed workers. This began in earnest just after the swearing in of the PPP/C Government and an allocation of $3 billion

for the reopening of Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon was made, not without the usual condemnation from the Coalition.

The re-opening process began at Rose Hall in September, 2020, and to date nearly 500 persons are reemployed in mostly the Field and Factory, and to some extent, the other Departments.

But today is a historic day for Rose Hall Estate when close to 200 workers were offered employment at a “One Stop Shop” employment drive which saw persons from the communities nearby going through the employment process. Never were so many persons employed in any given day. They thronged the entrance of the Estate as early as 6 a.m. There was happiness in the air and the beaming faces told the story. Soon they will once again live with dignity and self-respect. The re-employment will continue until the grinding operation (Continued on page 6)

Wrong kind of solidarity with a Caribbean strongman Dear Editor, It has been reported in the news media that the President of the Republic, has proclaimed that the National Flag of Guyana be flown at half-staff on government buildings on July 23 for the funeral of the late President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated earlier this month. This iconic symbol of respect and solidarity for the people of Haiti for the loss of their President after due consideration of his antidemocratic abuses in their lives, should be deemed disdainful. President Moise’s increasingly authoritarian actions was one of the

Caribbean’s strongmen who cascaded Haitians further into poverty, as well as, creating financial, economic and public health crises. His vote to power was marred with allegations of fraud as he ruled Haiti by decree for over a year, prior to his assassination. Guyana’s exhibition of respect, solidarity and empathy for Haitians on the death of their autocratic President who failed to address their problems, should be considered as hollow sentiments unworthy of our country’s commendation.

Yours truly, Charles Sohan

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Friday July 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

Resources better utilised than targeting marijuana Govt. must be commended Dear Editor, Whilst I’m not a user/ dealer of the illicit drug, marijuana, I must say I’m quite displeased at the slothful/ reluctance the government has been showing towards legalising this herb.

In many other countries, it’s being legalised and proving to be a very profitable business.

In Guyana, many organisations have been constantly calling on the past and present administration to address this matter. Instead, we’re seeing money and

lawmen at times being consumed as they track down farmers and sellers/users, whilst deadly cocaine and other dangerous drugs are being allowed to be shipped in/out of Guyana and trade locally.

Regularly, discoveries of marijuana farms, which the authorities would destroy, users and sellers being arrested and charged, and on a rare occasion, we would hear of cocaine discovery out of Guyana. Rarely cocaine busts occur in Guyana.

Cocaine contributes to

many problems and in my opinion, more effort, money, and time is being invested behind marijuana in Guyana.

Editor, it’s very hurtful to see a Magistrate remanding two young women to prison for just over one pound of marijuana discovered near their presence. What is sickening is that, one of the young women is six months pregnant, and they both are first-time offenders.

I’ve written before stating that one’s freedom from prison lies with the mood the magistrate is in. Our

...PPP kept a campaign promise From page 5 commences in October 2021.

It was a crying shame to listen just last week to the AFC trio on the Alliance on the Move programme once again referring to GuySuCo as the ‘dark hole’; they should have been at Rose Hall on this day to tell the re-employed workers that. They must not

hide in a TV station; they must face the people directly and then they will experience what lepers went through in the Biblical days.

Well, I must say that they have been in leper-like selfisolation and have been hiding behind social media and the TV for some time now.

I must congratulate the PPP/C Government for continuing to deliver on their promises despite so many adverse conditions.

It is a manifestation of great patriotic leadership and commitment to serve the people of Guyana.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

roadways seems to be a safe haven for accidents, some deadly, and only recently an unlicenced driver in an uninsured car, crashed, killing a young woman.

Amazingly, he was granted bail, even though a life was lost, but two young women, one six months pregnant was remanded for marijuana that wasn’t on them, which is legalised in many countries around the world. Is the judicial system fair in Guyana?

Finally, whilst the government is traversing around the country giving out monies and other stuff whilst gloating at the previous administration, it would be wonderful if they could take a time out and review the situation happening at the courts.

Consideration is not being granted to many that should have been, whilst many guilty are being given preferential treatment. There should be a situation where leniency could come into play to help those who are helpless. Not many could afford a good defence.

Many magistrates and judges have been criticised for their decisions, and Senior Magistrate Daly is no stranger to that. Media, columnists, and even members from the legal fraternity have express disappointment with some decisions she made, but that’s it.

The decision recently to free the three bank robbers surprised many, including the GPF. However, we have to accept the ruling, because it’s the Court. Meanwhile, the defenceless have to suffer.

Sahadeo Bates

for road projects

Dear Editor, I have to commend the government and engineers at the Ministry of Public Works, for the good job being done on our roadways. I am a diligent reader and supporter of anything that seeks to improve our way of living in Guyana, once it is legal. So recently, I found out that the Ministry of Public Works and its Special Project Unit was undertaking $99.5 million in road maintenance in the capital city.

And this explains much of the work that I see ongoing in various parts of the capital city.

Editor, these works are good and would, as I understand it, serve to remedy defects developed during the rainy

season. I hope we will restore the safety, serviceability, structural capacity and appearance of the roads by undertaking this project. Notable also, is the fact that central government is once again picking up the slack as the Georgetown Mayor and City Council is responsible for the maintenance of these roads. It is a shame that the Georgetown M&CC cannot get its act together. Guyana seems to be on the cusp of development. This government must make sure it gets value for money spent on the roads project.

I am glad and quite frankly happy, that these changes are taking place.

Yours Respectfully, Attiya Baksh

GYSBI response shallow Dear Editor, The shore base company glossed over the issues raised against it in its cautious response.

Its careful explanation

about expatriate employees gives credence to the claim made. The response is, at best, an attempt how not to explain. It was shallow.

Shamshun Mohamed

Glenn Lall and Anand Persaud (SN) should hold joint press conference on contract renegotiation Dear Editor, On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to thank Mr. Glenn Lall, Kaieteur News and Mr. Anand Persaud, Stabroek News, for their service to Guyana. They are fighters for democracy and for renegotiation of the lopsided

oil contract. Since both of these men are fighting for a new oil contract, I call on them to hold a joint press conference calling on the government and the oil company to give Guyana a new oil contract.

Engaged Citizen

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday July 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

When will this government be honest with Guyanese and their oil wealth? When will the Vice President trust himself to put things on the table?

There is US$460M pre-contract costs billed by Exxon, but the G$62M audit report, which Guyanese are paying for, is hidden from them. According to a trusted source, some of the findings in that report are “abominable.” Meaning, that if citizens were to come across it in the daytime, they would scream bloody murder and run for cover.

This is what government conceals from Guyanese.

Guyanese are blessed with abundant oil, and cursed with leaders that can’t be frank and face either facts or truths.

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

GPL will still have to add generating capacity to support gas plant 14 years from now- IDB Report

A

255 megawatt (MW) Natural gas power plant would be able to cover G u y a n a ’s e l e c t r i c i t y demands for up to 2035 or just over a decade for another 14 years at which point in time, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) will have to install additional generation capacity.

This is in addition to the initial expenditure of installing two high powered distribution cables ahead of any such project.

The prediction is o u t l i n e d i n a n I n t e rAmerican Development Bank (IDB) commissioned in 2019 to look into the feasibility of a gas-to-shore energy project utilising a Natural gas, fired power plant to generate up to 255MW. The report done by K&M Advisors had outlined in their report, that utilising the

committed amounts of 50 million cubic feet of gas daily from the Liza Destiny in the Stabroek Block, the project could see a new plant being constructed initially at a capacity of 102 MW including two dual fuel engines with a total capacity of 34 MW installed prior to 2023.

According to the report, the capacity will then gradually increase to 255 MW and posits that “there is sufficient firm generation capacity till 2035 to cover the peak load.”

It was noted, that even though the firm capacity in 2035 is below the peak load plus 15 percent reserve margin by 9 MW, at 41 MW the reserve margin is still above 34 MW (two times the capacity of the largest unit) and, therefore considered to be adequate. The scenario outlined by the consultants, are predicated on the use of

d u a l f u e l Wa r t s i l a reciprocating internal combustion engines (RICE) each at 17MW generating capacity.

Importantly however, the report noted that it is likely that GPL will be required to start adding new firm capacity in 2035 to cover increasing peak loads beyond 2035. According to the consultants, the demand growth data and generation capacity additions presented in its analysis are based on the “Delayed Base Case” Scenario in the Expansion Study. The Delayed Base Case Scenario assumes that the electricity demand growth in Guyana would lag behind the expected growth in GDP resulting from the recent oil discoveries off Guyana’s coast and the associated investments.

The report said too, that generation capacity analysis is based on the data provided

GPL will still have to add generating capacity to support gas plant.

by GPL on the existing generators, firm, and renewable capacity additions forecasted by the Expansion Study.

The additional natural gas capacity, according to K&M’s analysis, is modified based on technology options, and the maximum capacity that can be supported by the proposed 50 million cubic

per day Natural gas supply scenarios, “based on heat and material balance calculations.”The additional generation capacity to be installed would represent additional spending by the utility company in order to support the success of the gas-to-energy initiative.

This publication yesterday, reported that

much like the case of the Amaila Falls Hydro Electric Project, the publicly touted price tag had always excluded—prior to being exposed by this publication—that GPL would have had to incur its own spending to complement the project.The same obtains this time (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

PAGE 09

THE OLYMPICS The Olympics is the world’s greatest sporting spectacle. It brings together athletes from all around the world to compete against one another, for personal and international glory.

The Games show just how incredible the human spirit is and the extraordinary limits to which human endurance and performance can be pushed.

It almost brings tears to my eyes witnessing the breathtaking performances, which are turned out every four years.

Part of the traditional appeal of the Olympics has been its amateur status. But that is no more and the Games are now being made sour by the presence of professional athletes.

The introduction of professionals into the Games is a violation of the Olympic spirit – the spirit of amateur competition. When professionals are allowed to take part in the Games in the disciplines of football, lawn tennis and basketball, it makes a mockery of the event. I do not think this should have been allowed to happen.

The Olympics has for a long time been an amateur sport. It emerged as a contest between states in which all are equal. In reality, of cours e countries w ith professional leagues tend to have the better athletes. The Olympics as originally conceived, levelled the playing field and made it possible for weaker and smaller states to shine in the international limelight.

In 1986, the decision was taken to admit professional athletes. This change resulted from pressure from commercial sponsors. In the process, the Olympic Games moved from being primarily an Olympic Sport to a commercial enterprise and because of this it was felt that there was a need to attract superstars to make the Games more appealing to sponsors.

The introduction of professional athletes contaminated the Olympic spirit. Sometimes you wonder whether the athletes are running, swimming, leaping or somersaulting for their country or for their sponsors and for future endorsements.

As someone once said, competing in the Olympics was about pride and glory for yourself and country not about money or power. And it simply is unfair to ask amateur athletes, particularly from poor countries to compete with professionals in developed countries who earn seven figure sums.

It is like asking the Guyana basketball team to compete against an all-star team from the NBA. Competition in certain sports such as basketball, soccer and lawn tennis has never been as imbalanced in the Olympics as it is today.

Since 1992 at Barcelona, the United States, stacked with NBA superstars, has won the basketball in six of the seven Olympics.

That 1992 US basketball team is often referred to as

t h e D r e a m Te a m . B y common consensus, it is considered the greatest basketball team ever assembled and included names such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing and Charles Barkley.

How can you ask amateurs to compete against such a team? No wonder the team steamrolled the Opposition.

The introduction of professionals made the margin of victories lopsided.

For example, the Dream Team from the USA defeated Croatia 117-85 in the 1992 finals.

Imagine what would have happened if Olympic boxing had allowed professionals. Imagine Mike Tyson fighting at the Olympic Games.

Fortunately boxing is one of those sports in which professionals cannot enter.

The admission of professional tennis, soccer and basketball players vulgarises the Olympic spirit; it turns those events into a parody. Opening the Games to professional athletes also denies amateur athletes the opportunity that they should have to compete and win Olympic glory.

As such, I never look at Olympic basketball, football and tennis. I do not believe that now that professional athletes have tasted Olympic glory that these particular Olympic sporting disciplines will ever return to being exclusively for amateur.

I am not original in this

Because boys we care seh...

Dem

Because we care, we sharin out de $19,000 per student without knowin whether school gan be reopen in September. Because we care, millionaire and pauper qualify fuh de money.

Because we care, we givin de money regardless of knowin if de child gan go to school or drop out. Because we care, yuh gat fuh come to de school when we decide fuh yuh collect the $19,000.

Because we care, yuh gat fuh sit down and listen to lecture from de politician.

Because we care, yuh getting fuh see nuff, nuff Minister. Because we care, dem parents start fuh mek mo pickney because Bharrat seh de grant gan eventually reach $50,000 per year.

Because we care, dem parents wah nah pleased with de public education system and

sending dem children to private school, want de grant.

Because we care, yuh pitcha might get tek out and put in de papers fuh show people how yuh tun up fuh collect money.

Because we care, somebody might ask yuh how yuh feel about de money wah yuh getting.

Because we care, yuh nah gan get any voucher but cash. Because we care, some of dem parents nah gat to worry about paying dem businessman a $500 fuh cash voucher.

Because we care, de private sector commission nah issue no statement as yet complaining about de cash share out instead of de voucher.

Talk half and find out wah gan happen if father and mother separate and both claiming de grant!

criticism. It was made years ago by Cuban President, Fidel Castro. In fact, it is bitterly tragic that while professional athletes are increasingly invading the games, baseball, long an Olympic sport, was not an Olympic sport until now.

I would hate to see professional boxing join the Olympic retinue. I would not like to live to see the day when cricket joins the fray because it would mean that the sports premier competition, Cricket World Cup, would have to give way

to the Olympics. It would not just be right. Nor should it.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday July 23, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

In its history, the police never gave Guyana such a laugh T

here is an extension of the term “low-life” that goes beyond its normal connotation.

Generally speaking, a low-life is a person who is criminally bent or a shameless person who would stoop lowly to get his/her way at the expense of others. A low-life just does any menial or barefaced act in his/her interest.

In Guyana, the term has gone beyond that. Low-life category also includes people with money or status but not well cultivated to observe moral respect for the

well-being and rights of others.

It is not only the mini-bus driver that does not dim when you indicate that his/her high beam is on. I have seen people in expensive cars, no doubt living in mansions who do not know what dimming means when they are driving at nights. Of course, they know what it means. It is just that they are not mannerly enough to dim.

I have seen in Guyana, women wearing Prada and Tommy Hilfiger tops, with lipsticks worth a fortune, living in structures that

match the mansions of New York billionaires, throwing garbage onto the roadway from their $80 million SUVs. That is the new definition of low-life. By the way, the second category of low-life includes people from the upper classes including fancy women who barefacedly support rigged elections in Guyana.

I am planning a column on how the seawall from Camp Road to the roundabout at the Kitty pump station is being destroyed by both groups of low-life people. I will

include descriptions of what these low-lives are doing.

Anyway, back to the caption of this article. After the Covid-19 restrictions came into force last year, the police blockaded vehicular entrance to the Kingston beach.

The beach lies directly behind the Marriott Hotel. Its access to vehicles is only on Battery Road, which lies between Pegasus Hotel and the NCERD building of the Ministry of Education. In case you didn’t know, it was at that very building which now houses NCERD that the indentured servants were registered when they arrived by ship to British Guiana.

Before restrictions, dozens of vehicles would drive onto the beach from Battery Road to party. After the Covid-19 guidelines came into being, the police blocked the entrance with barriers. But they tied the barriers to each other.

Drivers have been unloosing the ropes and driving through.

Each time the police see the barriers pushed aside, they tied them together over and over.

But last Sunday the police gave Guyanese the biggest joke in its history.

The Sunday morning party goers removed the ropes once more. Apparently, someone informed the police of the vandalism.

The police came a few hours after. And the laugh began. When you approach the end of Battery Road at the Frederick Kissoon back gate of both the Wortmanville) did not stop.

Marriott and the Pegasus, you cannot see the Commonsense will tell you beach. You have to go down that you should stop at any junction where the traffic a slight slope.

The police arrived with signals are not working.

When I see how brand new chains and padlocks, unaware that Guyanese behave, I am still people were still soaking up (yes still) confused; how the the sun on the beach. They authorities could remove chained the barriers together, traffic signals at the junction tying them to the back post of of Vlissengen Road and each hotel. The chains Carifesta Avenue and put in place, a roundabout. carried padlocks.

That is lack of I arrived with my dog and the scene was funny. The commonsense. No one stops imprisoned drivers looked at that junction. It is one of like soulless humans. There the places in her country that was no way they could come my daughter is afraid of out. I drove in search of the since she returned home from studies abroad. I do not police.

I found two black- use that route and when I c l o t h e s r a n k s o n have to, fear overcomes me.

Now traffic signals have motorcycles. They were t r y i n g t o h i d e t h e i r been removed from the amusement but the security Railway Embankment and details at NCERD did show Sherriff Street. Guess what?

Trust me. their smiling expressions.

I am telling the truth What these people did on the beach last Sunday because I use the junction morning should surprise no two to three times each day. one. I read about the death of No driver is stopping. They a pillion rider one block had to stop when there were away from my wife’s house traffic lights.

(The views expressed in where she grew up.

A motorcycle at the this article are those of the junction of Brummel Place a u t h o r a n d d o n o t and Brickdam (Brummel necessarily reflect the Place is the continuation of opinions of this newspaper.)

Louisa Row which runs into

Friday July 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

A cyber-attack had forced the shutdown of 5,500 miles of Colonial Pipeline’s sprawling interstate system, which carries gasoline and jet fuel from Texas to New York.

(Financial Times Photograph)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

US now strengthening cyber-security systems for gas pipelines after 12-year hacking spree

by Chinese actors

By Kiana Wilburg

A

n investigation led by two major federal agencies in the United States of America (USA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), has found that 13 American gas pipelines suffered several attacks during a 12-year period by Chinese statesponsored actors.

As a result of the foregoing findings, the US Administration has moved to strengthen its cyber-security regulations, which previously offered a light veil of protection. In an advisory published this week, CISA and the FBI were keen to note, that they have provided incident response and remediation support to a number of victims of this form of cyber-security breaches.

Overall, both agencies said the U.S. Government identified and tracked 23 US Natural gas pipeline operators whose computerised systems were targeted from 2011 to 2013 in a spear phishing and intrusion campaign. Of the known targeted entities, 13 were confirmed compromises, three were near misses, and seven had an unknown depth of intrusion.

CISA and the FBI believe that these actors were specifically targeting U.S. pipeline infrastructure for the purpose of holding US pipeline infrastructure at risk.

Additionally, CISA and the FBI assessed that this activity was ultimately intended to help China develop cyberattack capabilities against US pipelines to physically damage pipelines or disrupt pipeline operations.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, b o t h agencies urged owners and operators of the energy sector and other critical infrastructure (CI) networks to adopt a heightened state of awareness, and implement the recommendations they provided which include, implementing network segmentation between IT and industrial control system (ICS)/operational technology (OT) networks. “These mitigations will improve a CI

entity’s defensive cyber posture and functional resilience by reducing the risk of compromise or severe operational degradation if the system is compromised by malicious cyber actors, including, but not limited, to actors associated with the campaign,” CISA stated.

While China has denied accusations that actors linked to its government were behind the “malicious cyber activities,” the US has since stepped up to the plate to strengthen its cyber-security regulations. This week in fact, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) unveiled new pipeline cyber security rules alongside a rare warning about the decade-old hacking threat.

In a report by the Energy Wire, it was noted that DHS separately issued a security directive this week requiring pipeline companies to set baseline defenses amid a recent uptick in ransomware attacks, which lock up victims’ computer networks and demand payment for the k e y. “ T h e l i v e s a n d livelihoods of the American people depend on our collective ability to protect o u r N a t i o n ’s c r i t i c a l infrastructure from evolving threats,” said Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas. “Through this Security Directive, DHS can better ensure the pipeline sector takes the steps necessary to safeguard their operations from rising cyber threats, and better protect our national and economic security.”

But this sudden move to strengthen the cyber-security systems for pipelines only came after an attack in May by a Russian criminal group that forced Georgia-based Colonial Pipeline Company to halt nearly half U.S. gasoline deliveries to the East Coast for nearly a week.

This spurred panic buying at gas stations and price spikes that lingered into June.

Energy Wire noted that top intelligence officials and some pipeline executives had warned prior to the attack that given the cyber-security weaknesses for such infrastructure, a successful attack could cause weeks of disruptions and ripples across the energy sector. That advice is now being heeded.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

PAGE 13

Over $944 million spent on La Parfaite Harmonie roads, still in a deplorable state

Former President, Donald Ramotar, assisting the granddaughter of businessman, Bhagwandin Madoo, to cut the ribbon to officially open the La Parfaite Harmonie Access Road in 2014.

R

eports have shown that for the past seven years, over $944M was spent on the roads in La Parfaite H a r m o n i e , We s t B a n k Demerara, but the roads are still in a deplorable state.

In Kaieteur News’ July 22, 2021 edition, a letter titled, “Constant repairs to La Parfaite Harmonie Road are a flagrant misuse of taxpayer dollars,” was published. The writer, Edson Grenville, highlighted in his letter that the residents of La Parfaite Harmonie continues to feel aggrieved by the condition of the main access road, especially after years of constant patchwork and repairs.

According to reports, in September 2014, the then Government commissioned a $604M Access Road for La Parfaite Harmonie. The contractors for the 3.5kilometre road were BK International and Gaico Construction.

Reports revealed that since the commissioning of the $604M Access Road, the road rapidly deteriorated as a result of the high volume of heavy-duty vehicles that traverse the road carting building materials, among other things, as the housing scheme developed.

In addition, $344M was also spent on other roads in the area. And monies were also spent on rehabilitation works to those roads over the years.

According to an April 2021, Department of Public Information (DPI) article, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, had disclosed that $890M will be spent for road upgrades and other infrastructure at La Parfaite Harmonie.

The report stated that Minister Croal is injecting some $890M into the community to upgrade 8.8 kilometres of roads and other infrastructure there.

It was reported that the

upgrades to the road would include construction of pavements, sidewalks and drain networks. Several streetlights would also be installed and a multipurpose recreational facility constructed. The works should commence by this month, Croal had stated.

Additionally, Kaieteur News yesterday made contact with Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, who explained that since taking office his Ministry has received numerous complaints concerning the deplorable state of the La Parfaite Harmonie roads.

According to the Minister, more works are expected to be done on the roads.

However, he noted that instead of patchwork, sectional repairs will be done on the road. He added that after the sub-base of the road is removed the repair work will commence.

Scenes from La Parfaite Harmonie Access Road, yesterday.

Queens-based Philanthropist donates $1M in tech to GPF Mr. Jay Sobhraj, founder of The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, and co-founder of the Zara Group of Companies, shares a brief conversation with President Irfaan Ali.

Members of The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, along with senior police officers, and other stakeholders. The foundation shares a fruitful 10-year relationship with the Guyana Police Force.

The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation, a Queens-based philanthropist that has invested in key public safety and educational needs in Guyana and New York City, recently donated state-of-theart computer technology

equipment and training to help modernise Guyana’s Police Force.

The charity, founded by Jay Sobhraj, a principal and founder of Zara Realty, based in Jamaica, Queens, USA, is a native of Guyana and has donated more than $1

Ms. Sylvia Sobhraj cuts the ribbon to signify the official handing over of a massive computer donation to the Guyana Police Force by the Sobhraj Foundation.

million in technology to the police force over the past decade.

On June 24, the foundation celebrated its latest donation of more than 200 computers, printers, tablets, and other equipment, along with the Co-operative Republic of

Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Members of the foundation, including Mr. Sobhraj, toured police facilities in different parts of the South American nation and met with top officials to discuss

ongoing and future technology needs.

The foundation provided more than 200 hours of consulting and training on the new equipment and to help the police force transition (Continued on page 18)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Friday July 23, 2021

Only Parliament, not the Courts, can remedy issue over constitutionality of the death penalty - AG Nandlall

A

ttorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, yesterday submitted to Judges of the Appeal Court that the issue over the constitutionality of the death penalty can only be fully remedied by Parliament.

The Attorney General was at the time addressing the Court in the case of three coastguards who are appealing the death penalty sentence they were given for the 2009 murder of gold m i n e r, D w i e v e K a n t Ramdass.

The case relates to Devon Gordon, Deon Greenidge and Sherwyn Harte, three former Guyana Defence Force coastguards, who were found guilty of the robbery and murder of Ramdass in 2013.

They were given the death penalty but have since applied to the Appeal Court to overturn their sentences by challenging the

(From left to right) is the deceased, Dwieve Kant Ramdass and (murder convicts) Devon Gordon, Deon Greenidge, and Sherwyn Harte. constitutionality of the sentence.

In his capacity as the State’s legal representative, the AG yesterday noted his contentions over the arguments of the attorneys of the appellants that essentially dubbed the death penalty unconstitutional.

Nandlall noted that while there are many civil arguments about the human

8 companies apply to provide security services for GRA During the opening of the tenders at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), at the Ministry of Finance yesterday, eight security companies have vied for a contract in relation to the provision of security services. The procuring entity is the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

The bidding security firms are Gupta Security; OMO Security; Queensway S ecu r ity S er v ice I n c. ; Kalibur Security; Sheriff Security Service; Professional Guard Services Limited; Strategic Action Security Limited; and Amalgamated Security Services (Guyana) Inc. Amalgamated Security Services (Guyana) Inc. is a subsidiary of Amalgamated Security Services Limited and first started its operation in the country back in 2014.

The entity, which provides services both in the private and public security market also provides security for clients that are in the i n d u s t r i a l , h o s p i t a l i t y, commercial and retail sector.

The company, which is headquartered in Trinidad and Tobago, has subsidiaries in Antigua, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent

and Guyana.

Professional Guard Services (PGS) Inc., which was established in 1983 is located in Subryanville, Georgetown. Gupta Security is presently being run by sole proprietor, Michael Gupta, and has been providing security services in Guyana since June 2014. Its main office is located in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Five.

Sheriff Security Service who have been in operations since 2015, does not only provide security services but also provides additional services such as armed air patrol, marine patrol, armed land patrol and cash in transit, just to name a few.

Queensway Security Service, which has its head office at Regent and Oronoque Streets, Bourda, Georgetown, is one of the country’s leading security firms providing guard services, armed patrol visits, alarm monitoring and response and a variety of specialised security services.

rights as it relates to the death penalty, it is still legally a part of Guyana’s legal framework and constitution.

The AG noted that the

remedies sought by the appellants could not be addressed via the Appeal Court.

“It is the duty of the

judges to interpret the law not see what is good for society or not… your function primarily is that of interpreting the law and

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC. giving effect to that interpretation,” the AG said as he emphasised that the Court’s first allegiance is to (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

PAGE 15

Government’s reasons for proposed DNA Bill similar to China and Kuwait’s justification for arbitrary DNA harvesting

By Carlos Gonsalves This publication has noted that the Government of Guyana (GOG) has recently submitted for consideration to the Parliament of Guyana several key pieces of legislation directed towards mitigating crime through the enhancement of policing.

These amendments are set to m o d e r n i s e G u y a n a ’s approach to crime fighting, and to use contemporary and scientific methods of investigations that will inevitably boost the State’s prosecutorial capacity according to AttorneyGeneral and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, “The whole gamut of these amendments is intended to modernise police method of investigation and to make them more scientific-based, all in an effort to strengthen the State’s capacity to investigate, prosecute and secure convictions.”

T h e P o l i c e (Amendment) Bill is one such Act which was tabled in the House in June and which p r o p o s e s t h a t “deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) information” is to be added to the list of identifying information police officers can record under Section 25 of the Police Act. The current powers entitled to be exercised by the GPF under Section 25 provides that it is lawful for any member of the force to take and record for the purpose of identification any measurement, photographs and finger-print impression of all persons who may from time to time be in lawful custody. An additional provision annexed to the same section, mandates that if the identifying information relates to a person who has not previously been convicted of any criminal offence and that person is discharged or acquitted, all records are destroyed or handed over to that person.

The conflict between the Police Amendment Bill 2020 and human rights guaranteed under the Constitution, was succinctly placed into context by the Guyana Bar Association (GBA) in a June 14, 2021 press release, where the organisation rejected the proposed amendment to Section 25 of the Police Act in its current

state, citing that, “The proposed amendment, if passed in its current form, without more, can result in the gross erosion and infringement of a person’s constitutional rights. Inter alia, Article 143 of the constitution protects against the search of a person without his/her consent or an Order of the Court.”

The GBA continued to state that, “No consideration is required to be given to any other factor or circumstance including whether the ‘DNA’ is required in connection with the offence, if there is sufficient evidence to ground a charge, the nature of the offence and or how the DNA is to be obtained or secured.”

The abovementioned premise forms the foundation for the GBA to conclude that, “The

the concerns that have been raised are very clear. In our efforts to address those concerns, we will look at whether they are in consonance with what the international protocols on the issue are” and that he had “already discussed this with my colleague, Minister Robeson Benn, and he has agreed that the proposed amendment will be reviewed in order to address some of the concerns which have been raised.”

According to the AG, “The objections which we have seen is not directed to the police extracting DNA samples from persons per se, they relate, as I understand them, to the stage of the investigation when the DNA sample is to be taken, so, we don’t need to reinvent the wheel, we will simply look at what is the trend in the

proposed amendment is so wide that it lays fertile ground for much mischief in the event of its misuse, without due and proper safeguards.”

It becomes pertinent to examine the response of the GOG to the reservations expressed by the GBA and to the inevitable litigation that would ensue should the amendment be assented to in its current form.

Considering the GBA stating its rejection of the amendment in its current form, Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, had indicated that the government would be revising the proposed amendment to the Police Act. In what was likely an attempt to ensure that the PPP/C Government was not mistakenly identified as the genesis of the faulty amendment, the AG stated that, “This piece of legislation was inherited by the Home Affairs Minister from his predecessor.” He further posited that, “It’s a very small amendment, and

Caribbean and in the Commonwealth and what is the international protocols on the extraction of DNA and try to implement that in Guyana.”

In further justifying the amendment, the AG noted that, “One cannot rule out the utility of taking and keeping DNA samples of persons who are considered the usual suspects, they may not have suffered a conviction for whatever reason, but they are known to be associated with certain criminal activity.”

An objective look at some similar mechanisms in the Caribbean reveals a glaring discrepancy with the current proposed Guyanese legislation. In Trinidad and T o b a g o t h e Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) Act allows for a nonintimate sample, such as a cheek swab, to be taken from a person in several instances, including if they are charged with an offence, if a stain derived from a crime scene exists and there are reasonable grounds for suspecting that that person was involved in the offence

and for believing that forensic DNA analysis could confirm or disprove such suspicion, or if they have been convicted of an offence and are serving a term of imprisonment. In Jamaica, Section 15 of the DNA Evidence Act also requires either informed consent of the detainee or a Court Order before an intimate sample is acquired. In this case, a non-

intimate sample can be obtained without consent only if there is reasonable grounds for suspecting the p er s o n co mmitted th e offence and the sample collected, can be used to confirm or disprove this suspicion.

In the United States, the American Bar Association’s (ABA) position is similar to the Jamaican position and

advises that a DNA sample should not be collected from the body of a person without that person’s consent, unless authorised by a search warrant or by a judicial order. It further notes, that if the person from whom the sample is to be collected is suspected of committing a crime, an order should be issued only upon an (Continued on page 17)

PAGE 16

Friday July 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

...Only Parliament, not the Courts, can remedy issue

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From page 14 the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land.

Further, the AG said that the Constitution, as is, gives protection to citizens against inhumane treatment. He said therefore, if the Constitution is to be amended, it must be done through the course, which is recommended by law.

“What they are asking for your honours, is for this hounourable court to step into the realm of Parliament and do what only Parliament can do and that is amend the Constitution – the supreme law – which cannot be done by the judiciary,” Nandlall stated.

The AG’s submission, which was also supported by Director Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, comes weeks after the Death Penalty Project, a Londonbased legal action charity sponsoring the legal team for the coastguards’ appeal noted the domino effects of the case, should the death penalty be declared unconstitutional.

The group which has provided free legal representation to those facing the death penalty in the Caribbean and around the world, believes that that if the landmark hearing is successful, it could not only see capital punishment abolished in Guyana, but has the potential to spark a domino effect across other countries

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that still retain the death penalty.

“A successful appeal will make Guyana the final country in South America to abolish the death penalty and influence other retentionist countries in the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth,” the group said in a statement posted on its website.

Additionally, the group said that the case could lead to the removal of the death sentences of the fourteen other inmates on death row.

The group predicts that these sentences will likely be replaced with lighter penalties.

So far, lawyers for the appellants, Nigel Hughes and Douglas Mendes, SC, from Trinidad & Tobago, have submitted that the death penalty is unconstitutional; and the punishment is arbitrary, irrational, disproportionate, and contrary to the constitutional principle of the rule of law.

The Death Penalty Project has facilitated the submission of expert reports from leading academics Carolyn Hoyle, Professor of Criminology at the University of Oxford, William Schabas, Professor of

Law at Middlesex University; and Jeffrey Fagan, Professor of Law at Columbia University. They have provided evidence on the unavoidable risks of arbitrariness in any capital punishment system; that the imposition of the death penalty has no bearing on homicide rates; and that Guyana’s international obligations prohibit the state from resuming executions.

In one of its recent web postings on the matter, the Death Penalty Project outlined a number of factors surrounding the historic case, including the fact, that although no executions have been carried out in Guyana since 1997, the State continues to impose death sentences.

Saul Lehrfreund, Co-Executive Director of The Death Penalty Project, said: “This is a hugely significant case – the first challenge to the constitutionality of the death penalty in the Commonwealth Caribbean that could pave the way for abolition across the wider Region.

It had previously been assumed that the constitution protected the death penalty itself from judicial challenge, but the appellants now con-

tend that the death sentence violates core principles of the constitution and cannot be imposed on anyone for any crime. We hope the judges will grasp this opportunity to consign capital punishment to history.”

In 2013, the three former Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard ranks, Gordon, Greenidge and Harte, were found guilty of the robbery and murder of Ramdass. Following a trial, the judge exercised the discretion available to him and imposed death sentences on all three defendants.

The men had challenged their sentences and convictions at the Court of Appeal on January 11, 2021, the Court of Appeal granted the appellants leave to introduce fresh evidence at the hearing of their appeals.

The case is being heard

by Justice of Appeal and Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards; Justice of Appeal, Dawn Gregory; and Justice of Appeal, Rishi Persaud, and is set to come up for its next hearing at the Court of Appeal in Kingston, Georgetown, on October 20 and October 21, 2021.

...GPL will still have to add generating From page 8 around with the much vaunted gas-to-shore energy initiative being pursued by the Guyana Government along with Stabroek Block Operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana.

In a report, it was found that it was recommended that GPL would have to construct a 69 kilo-volt (kV), “only evacuation system for initial (lower) plant output, over a single 1-927 All Aluminum Alloy Conductor (AAAC) line constructed between Good Hope and Columbia.”

This, it said, would be needed to be constructed at 115 kV insulation, clearance and strength, along with another 69 kV line constructed at 230 kV insulation, clearance and strength between the proposed gas-fired plant and New Sophia.

When those line capacities are close to reaching their limit, the 230 kV evacuation system —according to the report—should be constructed to augment the 69 kV system, according to the report. This would represent several millions more in additional costs to be added to the overall gas-to-shore initiative—information previously withheld from the project.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently conducting scoping exercises following an application by the EEPGL for environmental authorisation to proceed with the construction of the pipeline from the Liza field.

Additionally, the Guyana Government is currently seeking private partners with which to proceed with the onshore aspects of the project through a joint initiative, technically referred to as a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The Government says it has finalised the Wales Development Zone (WDZ) as the termination point for the pipeline from the Liza Area in the Stabroek Block, offshore Guyana and as such, is seeking private investors or a consortium to be part of the project.

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

This includes, according to the Ministry, design, construction, and financing of a power plant fuelled by Natural gas, where the power will be delivered into the GPL’s

distribution grid. This is in addition to industries that can utilise Natural gas for, “Natural gas driven developments and growth.”

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

The US$900M project, according to stakeholders, is expected to see some 27 kilometres of pipeline being buried from the Crane, West Coast Demerara (WCD) location to Wales, in addition to some 200 plus kilometres of pipeline from the Stabroek Block where the Liza Destiny Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel is located. Additionally, the project will involve the establishment of a gas-processing plant (GPP) and a Natural gas liquids facility (NGL) capable of producing at least 4,000 bbl./day, including the fractionation of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The private partners will also be expected to take part in the operations of the establishment of a power plant to generate 150 MW, with an additional 150 MW as a second phase in addition to the establishment of an industrial park comprising industries that can utilise gas, steam and/or electricity.

Friday July 23, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Herstelling man who strangled wife to death jailed 18 years Daniel Watson, a 41-yearold Herstelling, East Bank Demerara man, who strangled his reputed wife to death in May 2018, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for her death.

Watson, who was originally indicted for murder, but pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter at the Georgetown High Court, when he appeared before Justice, Sandil

Kissoon, yesterday.

He admitted that on May 21, 2018, at Herstelling, East Bank Demerara, he unlawfully killed Lowtie “Mona” Atwaroo.

Reports had indicated, Atwaroo was involved in an abusive relationship with Watson, and had ended the relationship some eight weeks before she was killed.

It was reported that on May 21, last, Atwaroo went to

reconcile with Watson, but the two got into an intense argument.

After Atwaroo failed to return home, her relatives went in search of her and they were told by neighbours that they saw her arguing with the accused on the road. A search was conducted for Atwaroo and her lifeless body was found in a drain near the roadside.

It was reported that he

Agricola man shot for intervening in member. A passerby who forced gang initiation heard the commotion Kaieteur News has learnt that a man was shot twice to his leg on Tuesday for intervening in a forced gang initiation. The shooting incident reportedly took place in the Agricola Community located on the East Bank of Demerara.

Commander of Region 4A, Simon McBean, has confirmed that indeed, there was a shooting in the area but his investigators so far have not received any information that it was gang related. Eyewitnesses, however, told Kaieteur

News that it stemmed from a dispute over a forced gang initiation. An outsider had reportedly entered the community recently and on Tuesday while walking along one of the streets in the area with his sister, he was approached by a gang member. The gang member reportedly told the outsider that he must choose a side, a gang, to be in.

The young man’s sister who lives in the area advised her brother not to do so and they ended up in a heated argument with the gang

decided to stop and intervene in the situation.

The intervention aggravated the gang member and he began to assault the passerby with kicks to the body.

Kaieteur News was told that the gang member did not stop there but pulled out a handgun and shot the passerby twice to his legs.

One of the bullets reportedly passed through his kneecap shattering his bone. He was rushed to a hospital in the city and had to undergo surgery.

...Government’s reasons for proposed DNA From page 15 application demonstrating probable cause that a serious crime has been committed, and that the sample is collected by a physically noninvasive means following reasonable suspicion that the person committed the crime.

Samples collected by physically invasive means require probable cause that the person committed the crime and proof that the sample will assist in determining whether the person committed the crime. As aforementioned, both the justification and the proposed method of operation of said amendment, appears to be in conflict with similar provisions in the Caribbean. It becomes particularly worrisome when it is learnt that the reasons proffered by Guyana’s AG for the DNA bill have striking similarities to the justification of similar endeavours by various countries such as China and Kuwait.

In China, the Human Rights Watch reported in 2017 that “China’s police are collecting DNA from individuals for a nationally searchable database without oversight, transparency, or privacy protections.” According to the article, “In many parts of the country, police officers are compelling ordinary individuals – neither convicted nor even suspected of a crime – to have their blood drawn and DNA taken. Samples have also been collected from vulnerable groups already targeted for increased government surveillance, including

migrant workers, dissidents, and minority Muslim Uyghurs. Because police wield wide powers, and because there are no actionable privacy rights in China, people have little ability to refuse the collection of such personal information.” The article continues to state, that documented cases demonstrate that the collection of DNA does not appear to be connected to solving specific cases of crimes. Police have conducted campaigns to amass biometrics from ordinary citizens simply because it has identified gathering “basic information” a goal, important for the unspecified need to “solve crimes. Additionally, there are no legal guidelines on how long DNA samples can be stored, shared, or used, or how their collection can be challenged.

Commenting on this phenomenon is Sophie Richardson, the China Director at Human Rights Watch, who has been quoted saying, “Mass DNA collection by the powerful Chinese police absent effective privacy protections or an independent judicial system is a perfect storm for abuses.”

The second territory to which the Guyana Government’s DNA Bill justification bears similarities with is Kuwait. According to an October 2017 article, the nation’s Constitutional Court issued a decision to strike down Kuwait’s overly broad DNA law. The court found that the DNA law violated articles 30 and 31 of Kuwait’s constitution, which protect

the right to personal liberty and privacy. The 2015 law had required all Kuwaiti citizens, residents, and visitors to provide DNA samples to authorities, in violation of their right to personal privacy.

Kuwait was the only country to require nationwide compulsory DNA testing. The United Nations Human Rights Committee, which monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, found in 2016 that the law imposed “unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions on the right to privacy.”

The manifestations of responsible DNA collection are governed by policies that mandate prerequisites relating to the sample being needed to aid in the solving of a crime, or where the owner of the sample is suspected under reasonable cause of having committed a crime among others. Additionally, as exists in some Caribbean jurisdictions when sample owners are acquitted, samples are to be destroyed or handed over. Unfortunately, none of these provisions are immediately evident in the intent behind the intended Guyanese amendment, and there is immense doubt that such considerations exist at all within the scope of the proposed amendment. This undoubtedly would lead to ensuing litigation to review the bill’s constitutionality should it be assented in its current form or without appropriate checks and balances to prevent abuses.

Daniel Watson.

strangled his estranged reputed wife. He fled the scene but was subsequently arrested by the police. Prior to being sentenced Watson begged the dead woman’s family for forgiveness.

Meanwhile Justice Kissoon took into consideration the prevalence of intimate partner violence in Guyana and the court’s duty to impose a sentence that will serve as a deterrent to like-minded persons.

Presenting the case for the prosecution were State Counsels Lisa Cave and Muntaz Ali, while Attorneyat-law Teriq Mohammed, appeared on behalf of Watson.

PAGE 18

18 years jail for man found guilty of sodomising boy, 12 Wazir Potter, a 49-year-old resident of Garden of Eden, East Bank Demerara (EBD), who was found guilty of raping a 12-year-old schoolboy last month, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

The sentence was imposed at the Georgetown High Court by Justice Brassington Reynolds, on Potter, who attended court virtually via Zoom from the Lusignan Prison. He was remanded to prison, pending sentence last month.

He was found guilty of the crime committed on August 8, 2018. Potter had maintained he was not guilty of the crime throughout the trial in the Georgetown High Court. “I done no wrong and if I do it, let God come down and cripple me right here,” the man said in response to the guilty verdict.

Potter was represented by Attorney, Everton SinghLammy, while the case against him was presented by State Counsels, Nafeeza Baig, Sarah Martin and Latifah Elliot. According to reports, on the day in question, the

Friday July 23, 2021

Kaieteur News

victim was walking along a track located at Garden of Eden, when Potter snatched him and took him to a house where he committed the act.

In his impact statement submitted to the court yesterday, the victim said that he would feel safe and secure knowing that Potter is behind bars. Before imposing the sentence, Justice Reynolds told Potter that he should be separated from the rest of society, whose values and norms he goes against with his beastly actions.

The judge told Potter that he did not find any mitigation factors in his favour and sentenced him to 18 years imprisonment. According to information, the boy felt someone grab him from behind by his shirt, put a hand over his mouth and carried him into the house through the side door. The report indicated that the victim only recognised the perpetrator when he reached into the living room of the house, and saw that it was Potter.

Potter removed his shirt and his pants and underpants and took him into the first

Sentenced, Wazir Potter.

Three more persons have succumbed to COVID-19 The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday reported that three persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease have died. As a result of this, the country’s COVID19 death toll has increased to 518 for the period March 2020 to date.

According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are those of a 38-year-old man

from Region Five (Mahaica Berbice), a 70-year-old woman and a 66-year-old woman both from Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara).

All three persons died over a three-day period (July 18 to July 20) while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Further, the Health Ministry via its daily COVID-

19 dashboard recorded 74 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 21,807.

Presently there are 17 patients in the COIVD-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 93 in institutional isolation, 1,095 in home isolation and two persons in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 20,084 persons have recovered from the virus.

bedroom, where he was put to lie on his belly on a queensized bed. The boy related that Potter undressed in the living room and recalled that the side door was locked and that it had a “press in” lock.

After committing the act, Potter reportedly threatened the child to kill him if he walked through the track again. The child made a complaint to his relatives about what Potter had done to him.

The matter was reported and Potter was arrested. In his defence, Potter had pleaded not guilty, claiming instead that the victim’s story was fabricated.

China rejects WHO plan for study of COVID-19 origin BEIJING - (Reuters) China rejected yesterday a World Health Organization (WHO) plan for a second phase of an investigation into the origin of the coronavirus, which includes the hypothesis it could have escaped from a Chinese laboratory, a top health official said.

The WHO this month proposed a second phase of studies into the origins of the coronavirus in China, including audits of laboratories and markets in the city of Wuhan, calling for transparency from authorities. “ We w i l l n o t a c c e p t such an origins-tracing plan as it, in some aspects, disregards common sense and defies science,” Zeng Yixin, vice minister of the National Health Commission (NHC), told reporters.

Zeng said he was taken aback when he first read the WHO plan because it lists the hypothesis that a Chinese violation of laboratory protocols had caused the virus to leak during research.

The head of the WHO said earlier in July that investigations into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in China were being hampered by the lack of raw data on the first days of spread there.

...Queens-based Philanthropist donates

Zeng Yixin, vice minister of the National Health Commission Zeng reiterated China’s position that some data could not be completely shared due to privacy concerns. “ We h o p e t h e W H O would seriously review the considerations and s u g g e s t i o n s m a de by Chinese experts and truly treat the origin tracing of the COVID-19 virus as a scientific matter, and get rid of political interference,” Zeng said.

China opp o s e d politicising the study, he said.

The origin of the virus remains contested among experts.

The first known cases

emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019. The virus was believed to have jumped to humans from animals being sold for food at a city market.

W h i t e H ouse press secretary Jen Psaki said yesterday that the Biden administration is “deeply disappointed” in China’s decision and told reporters that “their p o s i t i o n i s irresponsible and, frankly, dangerous.” Zeng, along with other officials and Chinese experts at the news conference, urged the WHO to expand origin-tracing efforts beyond China to other countries.

From page 13 from a manual to a digital case management operation.

The 6,000-member Guyana Police Force (GPF) had been operating with limited information technology, seriously impeding its ability to manage information flows, solve crimes, organise their forces and deploy resources across different Regions, where they could most effectively and efficiently protect the citizens of Guyana.

“Like any other profession today, police officers need access to the latest technology to do their jobs to the best of their ability,” said Jay Sobhraj. “To confront the problems of the 21st Century, police in Guyana must have the equipment of the 21st Century. Our foundation has long been dedicated to helping modernise the Guyana Police Force, and Guyana’s educational system, because we know that a society thrives when public safety is assured and when children believe they have a bright future. We will continue to

support the brave men and women of the Guyana Police Force.”

The latest donation furnishes two police stations with new technology. Since 2012, the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation has donated over $1 million in equipment and technical assistance. The foundation donated three computer centres, one for each of the country’s three Police Colleges, and a Cybercrime Centre at the Guyana Police Force Headquarters.

In addition, the foundation collaborated with GPF to distribute sports gear and school supplies to various communities across Guyana.

The overall goal is to help police better solve crime, protect lives and property, and contribute meaningfully to the country’s economic development.

As the COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease, the country is eager to build back its tourism industry and encourage foreign investment.

Born in Guyana in 1948, Mr. Sobhraj was one of 10 children and the son of a rice

farmer. Along with two of his brothers, George and Ken, he co-founded Zara Realty in 1982 in Jamaica, Queens, USA. The firm, one of the city’s top providers of affordable housing, also owns and manages more than 3.1 million square feet of commercial real estate in the New York region.

In 2007, after years of independent charitable giving, he officially founded the Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Foundation with his wife. In addition to its work with the GPF, the foundation created the first ever psychology degree program at the University of Guyana to help address the lack of mental healthcare in the country.

In Queens, the foundation, in partnership with the America Sevashram Sangha Temple, runs free preparatory classes for students to take the Specialised High School Admittance Test (SHSAT), which allows entry into the city’s top academic high schools. The foundation also donated a computer lab to Richmond Hill High School in Queens.

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

$284M in contracts awarded for cane-transport punts for Rose Hall Estate

T

he Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) signed four contracts yesterday for the supply and delivery of assorted materials for fabrication of cane-transport punts or barges. Those deals were closed with David Persaud Investments Limited and Gafsons Industries Limited totalling $284,157,050.

Following the closure of the Rose Hall Estate by the previous administration in 2017, approximately 120 of the cane-transport punts that belonged to that estate were transferred to the Albion Estate. The punts that remained at the estate were not maintained, as such, they have deteriorated to the point that they cannot be salvaged.

To commence grinding operations in 2022, the Rose Hall Estate will require 450 new cane-punts to accommodate its daily expected output. GuySuCo routinely budgets for the replacement of aged cane transport punts, at a rate of 10% per annum, given that each new punt has an expected useful life expectancy of ten (10) years.

Similarly, the National Drainage and Irrigation

Authority (NDIA) signed a contract with VR Construction Inc. for the sum of $84,561,100 for the supply of a pontoon barge.

Additionally, the drainage authority also signed a contract with Guyana Tr a c t o r & E q u i p m e n t (Guytrac) totaling $60,000,000 for the supply of two long-reach hydraulic excavators.

With the acquisition of these pieces of equipment, which will be operated in the Pomeroon River, Region Two, the NDIA will now be better equipped to execute drainage works required in swampy pegasse soil, which under normal conditions is difficult to operate an excavator without the risk of the machine sinking. These machines will also be used to assist the NDIA with executing a blocked drainage programme within the Pomeroon area.

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, said that the contracts being signed were critical to advance the government’s efforts to develop Guyana’s agriculture sector.

“Close to $430 million in contracts are being signed for critical works in two

critical entities. The NDIA, over the last three months, has been under a lot of strain in terms of getting our country back to normalcy following the onset of the May-June rainy period, which resulted in flooding in many parts of the country.”

“Furthermore, the President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, would’ve committed to the people of Pomeroon to deliver a pontoon with excavators so that we can constantly desilt the mouth of the river.

We know that that area is prone to flooding especially when we have heavy rainfall or high tides. We are therefore making the necessary investments to mitigate flooding in those areas,” Minister Mustapha said.

“As it pertains to GuySuCo, I’ve said many times that the government made a commitment to the people of this country that we will reopen some of the closed sugar estates so that we can create employment and contribute to the country’s GDP and the economy as a whole. Those of you who were awarded contracts for the supply of various materials for

Reg. 9 teacher found dead…

Autopsy reveals that he died from cirrhosis of the liver All suspicions that the death of a Region Nine teacher, Peter Christian, 31, might have been a case of murder were set aside yesterday after an autopsy conducted on his remains revealed that he actually died from cirrhosis of the liver.

Christian, a teacher at the Karasabai Primary School, was found dead in his home around 22:00hrs. on Sunday last. His nude remains according to police, were discovered by his father, Rudy Christian, lying on the concrete floor of their home.

Both the Toushao of Karasabai, Marlon Edwards, and police investigators had suspected that foul play might have been involved in his sudden death.

Edwards was quoted as saying that when he arrived at Christian’s residence, he observed that his body bore a wound to the head and multiple marks of violence about the body.

However, a post mortem examination of Christian’s remains showed that his death was caused by multiple acute stomach ulcers, bleeding in the stomach and cirrhosis of the liver.

How Christian ended up naked on the concrete floor might continue to be a mystery.

His father had told police that he arrived at their home around 17:00hrs. that day and Christian had related to him that he was feeling unwell.

The father reportedly went to bed and fell

Dead Region 9 teacher, Peter Christian. asleep. A few hours later when he awoke, he discovered his son’s nude body lying on the concrete floor. Christian had been a teacher for some 10 years and leaves to mourn his three children and relatives, who described him as a friendly and willing individual who was always devoted to his profession.

GuySuCo CEO (right), Sasenarine Singh, watches on as the contract is signed with an official from David Persaud Investments Ltd. (center) and a staff member of GuySuCo. GuySuCo must understand that those activities are critical to the timely reopening of that estate.

People are looking forward

for us to deliver and you will have to play your part,” Minister Mustapha stated.

The official also reminded contractors that

the Ministry has no intention of extending contract deadlines, adding that substandard works will not be accepted.

Unlicenced driver in fatal Diamond accident placed on 1M bail The driver who was involved in the fatal Diamond accident, which occurred on Sunday night, was on Tuesday placed on $1M bail after appearing at the Diamond/Grove Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate, Judy Latchman.

He is identified as Kevon Moore, 23, of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.

Kaieteur News understands that Kevon had to answer to the charges of: two counts of causing death, unlicenced driver, breach of insurance, driving under the influence and for failing to render assistance. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was placed on bail in the sum of one million and eighty thousand dollars.

Moore was subsequently remanded and will make his next appearance on August 9, 2021.

On Sunday night at approximately 22:30hours, the minibus which Kevon was driving, turned turtle several times on the Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara, which resulted in the death of two teenagers and several other persons being injured. The deceased are identified as Aaliyah Edwards, 18, and Anthony Persaud, 18, both of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.

Kaieteur News understands that the minibus had left the Georgetown Seawall and was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of the Diamond Public Road at a very fast rate when the driver lost control of it. The minibus reportedly turned turtle

several times and eventually came to a halt in a southeastern direction.

Debris and bodies were seen scattered along the road some distance from the minibus as screams of agony were heard from the victims who were severely injured.

Broken Guinness bottles were seen around the bus, and a cooler was seen in the front seat of the minibus.

A c c o r d i n g t o eyewitnesses, persons were seen “pitching” through the windows of the minibus as it toppled and the driver was pinned under the bus.

Dead, Aaliyah Persaud.

Edwards and Persaud were pronounced dead at the scene as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and public-spirited citizens tried to assist the injured persons.

Among the injured was 18-year-old Sabrina Corlette, of Hyde Park, Timehri, East Bank Demerara, who suffered an open fracture dislocation to the right ankle and head injuries; 18-year-old Seth

Dead, Anthony Persaud Adams, of Schoonard, West Coast Demerara, who sustained deep abrasion injuries to the right leg; and 17-year-old Edgar Dublin, of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara, who suffered abrasions to the shoulders and back.

Persons who were in critical conditions are, 16year-old Michael James of Koker Dam, Land of Canaan, East Bank of Demerara, who suffered head injuries and Johnny Persaud, who suffered head injuries and a chest contusion. They were all seen and examined by doctors and admitted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Other injured persons included, 23-year-old Jessie Wishart, 20-year-old Joel Wishart, 18-year-old Odarry Gonsalves, 17-year-old Shane Argyle, and 18-yearold Valencia George, all of Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.

A breathalyser test was conducted on the driver and he had 0.039 and 0.037 micrograms of alcohol in his breath. According to police, the driver was not the owner of the minibus.

The owner of the minibus has been identified as Frank Fordyce.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

Friday July 23, 2021

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Australia set to tour Bangladesh for five T20Is in August

All five matches will be held at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka

Australia’s last match against Bangladesh was in the 2019 World Cup in Nottingham. (Getty Images)

ESPNcricinfo - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has confirmed that Australia will arrive in Dhaka on July 29 to play five T20Is against Bangladesh, from August 3 to 9. Australia will comply with local health regulations by being quarantined in their hotel rooms for three days before they begin training at the Shere Bangla National Stadium, where they will play all five matches.

“The BCB and Cricket Australia have worked tirelessly together for confirming the itinerary,” BCB’s chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said.

“Naturally this was a challenge due to the Covid-

Friday July 23, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your focus will center on your emotions today, Aries, although being centered in itself will be quite a challenge. You may feel like a yoyo in someone else's hand.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May 20) Maintaining equilibrium may not be the easiest task today, but if anyone can do it, you can, Taurus. Strong opinions from others could crop up to challenge you.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is an excellent day for you, Virgo. Celebrate. Your ego is strong. Beautiful things are flowing your way. You should enjoy a good mood that will attract favorable people and situations to you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) There's an extra blast of wind ready to fill your sails today, Scorpio, so make sure you have both hands on the tiller.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Desire is the name of the game today, Gemini. If you want it, you can get it, but it won't come easily. The prize will go to the person who desires it the most.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) The energy of the day is erratic, and you will probably be hopping all over the place, Sagittarius. Don't worry about trying to firm up any plans at this time.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Today is like playing a game on your home field, Cancer.

You have fans supporting you and you know the territory. Take advantage of the little things that you have going for you.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Get up and get going today, Capricorn. You have no time to lose. Your mind will be busy tackling many tasks, but this suits you just fine.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Enlist the help of others today. Information exchange is key to putting the last few puzzle pieces into place.

Doing things on your own is important and necessary.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your heart could experience some wild fluctuations today. It may seem as if your emotions are on a derailing train. The best thing to do if this is the case is sit by yourself and write them down.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This is an excellent day for you, Virgo. Celebrate. Your ego is strong. Beautiful things are flowing your way.

You should enjoy a good mood that will attract favorable people and situations to you.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Your heart could experience some wild fluctuations today, Aquarius. It may seem as if your emotions are on a derailing train. The best thing to do if this is the case is sit by yourself and write them down.

19 pandemic as ensuring health safety and security is a priority prerequisite for holding any cricket series in these times. I am pleased to say that a comprehensive biosecurity plan is in place and will be implemented during the tour for the protection of players and staff of the two teams and the match officials.”

BCB and Cricket Australia (CA) have reportedly agreed on extensive pandemic protocols that include a 10day quarantine, which began earlier this week. Both teams will count their current biobubble measures on their respective tours as part of the quarantine. Match officials have already been isolated while the Bangladesh T20I team currently in Zimbabwe will go straight to the team hotel in Dhaka upon arrival.

Bangladesh’s T20I series against Zimbabwe was also brought forward by a couple of days.

The major protocols for this tour include Australia’s immigration process conducted separately after CA expressed reservations about exposing their touring party in a hall room inside the airport. After they go through the VIP entry and into the team bus, their passports will be processed separately.

The team hotel will be completely off-limits to the public during the tour, which is reportedly a tighter plan than the BCB’s bio-bubbles for West Indies and Sri Lanka earlier this year. The scheduling of the series has been at the CA’s request: to be held at one venue over a short window.

“We would like to thank our friends at the Bangladesh

...West IndiesAustralia ODI From page 20 after their tour of England.

West Indies have previously been impacted by Covid while playing with Hayden Walsh Jr testing positive on the tour of Bangladesh earlier in the year.

It is the first time Australia have been directly involved during the pandemic since cricket resumed. They toured England last year before hosting India in their home summer and then visiting New Zealand for T20Is. Their Test tour to South Africa in February was postponed due to concerns around Covid-19.

A number of players from both teams were involved in the IPL when it was suspended in May.

Cricket Board for developing a detailed bio-security plan to keep players, staff and match officials safe,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said. “Both boards have worked extremely hard to do all we can to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved in the tour.

“We are looking forward to a competitive and entertaining series in Dhaka as both teams continue their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup later this year.”

Bangladesh, in the midst of a second wave of Covid19, reported 173 deaths on Wednesday, taking the tally to 18,498 since March this year, according to the Directorate General of Health Services.

According to the official data, the Covid-19 fatality rate in Bangladesh is now 1.63 percent and the current recovery rate is 84.56 percent.

Bangladesh has been on strict lockdown since July 1.

Although the government

allowed a temporary easing of restrictions from July 15 to 22, the initial lockdown conditions are expected to return to force from July 23 till August 5. Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said on Thursday that the team is familiar with the limitations of movement on tours.

“We’ve had a few meetings about what it’s going to look like in Bangladesh and it’s obviously going to be quite tight restrictions and within the bubble,” Hazlewood said.

“I think it’s purely going to be either at the hotel or at the cricket ground, which we’ve done before and we’re used to. It’s quite a short trip as well, which is good, so I think it’ll be no dramas, we’ll get that done on the back end of this tour.” This is Australia’s first tour to Bangladesh since their 2017 visit to play two Tests in Dhaka and Chattogram. They had cancelled their 2015 and 2016 (Under-19 World Cup) visits due to security concerns.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Friday July 23, 2021

West Indies-Australia ODI suspended after positive Covid - Players, match officials and TV crew test emerges moments before play will be isolated in the hotel and retested ESPNcricinfo - The second ODI between West Indies and Australia was postponed moments before the first ball after a positive Covid test emerged from the West Indies camp yesterday.

The toss had taken place and teams named when the test result came through sending both squads, match officials and TV crew into isolation.

“The second CG Insurance ODI between West Indies and Australia has been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test result from a non-playing member of the West Indies staff,” a CWI statement said.

“This decision was taken after the toss at Kensington Oval once the result was known.

“The established

COVID-19 protocols stipulate that all members of both teams and match officials will return immediately to the team hotel and will be re-tested later today (yesterday). They will remain in isolation in their hotel rooms until their P C R - Te s t r e s u l t s a r e returned.

“A decision on when the match will be replayed will

be made at a later date once all the test results are confirmed.”

Johnny Grave, the Cricket West Indies CEO, said that it was hoped that the results of the fresh round of tests would be known by Friday morning.

A Cricket Australia spokesman added: “The Australian squad has returned to the team hotel

and is in in-room isolation.

No further comment will be made at this stage.”

The status of the current game, given the toss had taken place, remains to be confirmed.

The events will put the remainder of this series in doubt with the final ODI scheduled to take place on Saturday and will also throw uncertainty over Australia

heading to Bangladesh for the five-match T20I series which was confirmed Wednesday.

After this series West Indies are due to face Pakistan in a five-match T20I series followed by two Tests. Pakistan arrived in Barbados, where the first two T20Is are scheduled to be played, on Wednesday (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

PAGE 23

GFF and Golden Jaguars Head Coach Márcio Máximo agree to part ways in August The Executive Committee of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Márcio Máximo have reached a mutual and amicable agreement that his current contract as Head Coach of the Guyana Senior M e n ’s N a t i o n a l Te a m (SMNT) will not be renewed when it comes to an end on August 31, 2021.

The agreement comes in light of the fact that, following the Concacaf Gold Cup and FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, the Golden Jaguars will not take part in competitive football until May 2022, when the Concacaf Nations League resumes.

This period will allow the Executive Committee to reflect on and align the SMNT programme with its strategic objectives.

“We are grateful for the hard work, experience, energy and commitment that Coach Máximo brought to the programme over the last two years, especially his commendable efforts in developing Guyana-based

players and introducing promising young talent such as Omari Glasgow and Nicholai Andrews early to the professional culture of international football,” said GFF President Wayne Forde.

“We cannot escape the fact that results did not materialise as we would have wanted this year, but there have been many positives during his time in c h a rg e – i n c l u d i n g a memorable draw away to Jamaica and some big wins during the Concacaf Nations League,” Forde said. “Coach Máximo’s relentless focus on renewing the squad and building a professional national team structure in Guyana has laid solid foundations for the future growth of programme. On behalf of Guyana and our football fraternity, we thank him for his service and wish him all the very best for what comes next.”

The GFF will announce its decision regarding a new Head Coach for the Golden Jaguars in the coming weeks.

Former Brazil U20 and U17

...Tokyo 2020 men’s football From page 22 but his shot was cleared off the line. Lainez was the creator of Mexico’s secondhalf opener, crossing for Alexis Vega to head home.

Sebastian Cordova then doubled the lead with a neat finish at the near post.

Pierre-Andre Gignac pulled one back for France from the penalty spot, but two late goals for Mexico from Uriel Antuna and Eduardo Aguirre sealed the win.

Elsewhere, New Zealand made history with their first ever win in men’s football at the Olympics - a 1-0 victory over South Korea.

The goal came from Burnley striker Chris Wood, who tapped in from close range. Former West Ham defender Winston Reid played a critical role in keeping their clean sheet.

Romania joined New Zealand at the top of Group B thanks to an own goal by Elvin Oliva that gifted them a 1-0 win over Honduras.

Hosts Japan get off to a strong start

Also in France’s group, Japan’s home Olympic tournament got off to a great start with a 1-0 win over South Africa. Real Madrid attacker Takefusa Kubo scored the only goal of the game in the second half.

It was a tough opening match of the Olympic campaign for Argentina in Group C as they suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Australia.

Lachlan Wales opened the scoring for Australia, with Marco Tillo wrapping up the win in the 80th m i n u t e . A r g e n t i n a ’s Francisco Ortega was sent off for two yellow cards in three first-half minutes.

Results from Thursday 22nd July 2021 Olympic Football Tournament: Egypt 0 – Spain 0 Mexico 4 – France 1 New Zealand 1 - South Korea 0 Ivory Coast 2 - Saudi Arabia 1 Argentina 0 – Australia 2 Japan 1 - South Africa 0 Honduras 0 – Romania 1 Brazil 4 – Germany 2

Coach Máximo took up the post in 2019 following the Golden Jaguars historic first appearance at the Concacaf Gold Cup, and oversaw a total of 12 international matches, including competitive and friendly fixtures in the Concacaf Nations League B, FIFA World Cup qualifiers and Concacaf Gold Cup. During that time, Guyana won five, drew one and lost six international games.

“I am very grateful and proud to work here … I am very happy with what we did – of course, always you want more,” Maximo said in an exclusive interview with the GFF’s media channel, G F F N O W. T h e f u l l GFFNOW RoundUp video interview can be accessed for download via the link here or viewed on the GFF’s official Facebook page.

“I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m professional – the cycle is finished and you should move on,” the former Livingston FC (Scotland) and Tanzania Coach said.

“My cycle as Head Coach of the Golden Jaguars is finished, but the cycle continues. We did the foundation here, now they should work on this continuously because the Golden Jaguars have a brilliant future. There is no

Márcio Máximo during the pre Guatemala press conference at the DRV PNK Stadium in Florida.

other way for Guyana: You should renew the team and you should continue in this way.”

“We jumped nine places in the FIFA ranking since we arrived, we renewed the team – if you continue like that you will jump more and soon Guyana, in one or two years, can play equal conditions with the best teams in the Caribbean, with a younger team, and can produce a lot of players to

export and import players at a good level.”

This year, the Golden Jaguars were unable to progress to the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification process and were also knocked out at the preliminary round stage of the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup, meaning that the senior men’s national programme fell short of key performance targets set by the GFF.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Friday July 23, 2021

Tokyo Olympics: Tokyo 2020 men’s football: Richarlison inspires Brazil, Spain held Opening

by Egypt, Wood makes history for NZ ceremony B C S p o r t - striker Paulinho finished best effort, hitting the post in director Everton striker brilliantly in injury time to the first half.

R i c h a r l i s o n make it 4-2 and put the game Former West Brom sacked scored a first-half hat-trick beyond the Germans. defender Ahmed Hegazi as Brazil’s men began their Also in Group D, AC played a key role in keeping over 1998 Olympic campaign with a 4- Milan midfielder Franck Spain out. Along with Pedri, 2 victory over Germany.

Kessie scored in Ivory there were several members In a repeat of the 2016 Coast’s 2-1 win over Saudi of Spain’s Euro 2020 squad Holocaust joke Olympic gold-medal match, Arabia. on display, with Mikel

The Olympic rings at the venue.

B

the defending champions raced into a commanding lead despite Matheus Cunha having a penalty saved.

Richarlison scored on the rebound inside seven minutes, before heading home a second and curling in his third inside 30 minutes.

Germany put up more of a fight after the break as goals from Nadiem Amiri and Ragnar Ache made it 32, making it a nervous finish for Brazil.

But Bayer Leverkusen

Pedri unable to inspire Spain against Egypt Earlier, Spain were held to a goalless draw by Egypt in the opening game of the men’s competition despite the inclusion of Euro 2020 young player of the tournament Pedri.

A frustrating result for Spain was compounded by an ankle injury to Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos as they struggled to break Egypt down.

Ceballos had Spain’s

Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Pau Torres and Eric Garcia all in the starting line-up.

Spain were knocked out of the Euros by champions Italy on penalties in the semifinal.

France thrashed and Chris Wood makes history F r a n c e ’s O l y m p i c tournament got off to a disastrous start as they were thrashed 4-1 by Mexico.

The best chance of a tight first half fell to Diego Lainez (Continued on page 21)

S

portsMax - Tokyo 2020 opening ceremony director Kentaro Kobayashi has been sacked after footage of him making light of the Holocaust emerged.

On the eve of the Games being formally opened in Japan’s capital, the man behind the ceremony admitted he had made comments in 1998 that were “trying to get people’s attention shallowly because I couldn’t make people laugh as I expected”.

Kobayashi was a comedian at the time and his comments came in a skit.

H e s a i d y e s t e r d a y, according to the Yomiuri newspaper: “I understand that my stupid choice of words at that time was wrong, and I regret it. I apologise to those who feel uncomfortable. I am sorry.”

The International Olympic Committee confirmed his dismissal, s t a t i n g : “ To k y o 2 0 2 0 Olympic opening ceremony creative team member Kentaro Kobayashi was dismissed from his post after a joke he had made in the past

about a painful historical event was brought to light.

Following this, the Tokyo 2020 organising committee relieved Mr Kobayashi of his role as a member of the team.

“In the short time remaining before the opening ceremony, we offer our deepest apologies for any offence and anguish this matter may have caused to the many people involved in the Olympic Games, as well as to the citizens of Japan and the world.”

The Nazi-led Holocaust saw around six million Jews murdered during the Second World War. His dismissal raises questions about how the ceremony will now go ahead. It was already set to proceed in front of a nearempty stadium, with fans being barred from attending Olympic events in Tokyo due to COVID-19 concerns.

Seiko Hashimoto, president of the organising committee, told a news conference: “How we’re going to handle the ceremony is currently being discussed.”

Asked whether the

resignation could overshadow the Olympics, Hashimoto said: “Because of COVID, society united. How are we going to bring solidarity to society? We have to review the message to deliver to the world.

“Yes, we are facing a lot of challenges right now.

Maybe that’s the reason why these negative incidents will impact the messages we want to deliver to the world.

The value of Tokyo 2020 is still exciting and we want to send our messages to the world.”

Speaking before the damaging footage emerged, IOC president Thomas Bach said the opening ceremony would be “a moment of joy and relief, joy in particular for the athletes”.

He said the relief would come “because the road to this opening ceremony was not the easiest one”.

Bach added: “There is a saying that if you feel this kind of relief, there are stones falling from your heart, so if you hear some stones falling then maybe they are coming from my heart.”

Canada-based Guyanese Boodhu hits 91 in ORSCA tourney

B

r a m p t o n Gladiators surged to a thrilling seven-wicket win over Challengers last Sunday when action continued in the 2021 Ontario Round-Arm Softball Cricket Association twenty-Twenty round-robin competition.

Deochan Boodhu, a Canada-based Guyanese left-hander, struck 11 sixes in his flamboyant 91 as Challengers tallied up a respectable 217-9 from the 20-overs. Gladiators, in reply, achieved the target with five balls unused.

Boodhu also received good support from former Guyana first-class player Naresh Roopnarine who made 45 and 42 from Lachman P u n s a m m y. M a h e n d r a Chautie grabbed 3-31 off his

maximum four overs.

When Gladiators chased the target, Davendra Ramkissoon slammed a blistering 76 decorated with six sixes and two fours, while veteran softball player Bobby Parasnauth contributed a useful 68.

Looknauth Ramsuchit polished off things with an unbeaten 33 and 31 from opener Avinash Sookdeo.

Nick Poonai provided some skills with the ball by claiming 3-41 but in a losing cause.

And in another fixture, Spartans defeated Aces Cricket Club by seven wickets. Aces made 169-6 at the expiration of the 20overs, while Spartans surpassed the target in the 16th over.

Amir Khan led the way

Deochan Boodhu with an enterprising 48 and 48 not out from Asif Ali. Morrison Edwards supported with 36 and Linden Persuand scored 24 not out.

E a r l i e r, C h i n t a r a m Ramroop hit a top-score of 54. Inul Rudolph captured 347 from his maximum four overs to be the leading bowler. The action continue on Sunday.

Kaieteur News

Friday July 23, 2021

PAGE 25

GABF Confirms FIBA 3x3 Americup registration Guyana set to have men’s and women’s teams at FIBA 3x3 Americup competition this November.

The boys of Plaisance Bosco Orphanage received football cleats and sneakers.

CGBF donates large quantity of sneakers to YGB Yo u t h B a s k e t b a l l Guyana (YBG) was pleased to receive a large quantity of basketball shoes and socks among other items from the California to Guyana Basketball Foundation (CGBF), a non-profit organisation based in the United States.

Just last year at the height of the pandemic, the same group donated 60,000 threeply face masks which were

distributed amongst YBG members and partners. This latest donation is further evidence of how little things can make a big difference, as many youths at the grassroots will no doubt benefit from a pair of basketball shoes.

The YBG extended its gratitude to Brad and his team, and all those who donated to the effort for continuing to look out for the

youths. YBG also took the opportunity to publicly thank Culture, Youth and Sport Minister ,Charles Ramson Jr, and Melissa Tucker; Permanent Secretary within the Ministry Culture, Youth and Sport, for facilitating VAT exemptions for sports and these gifts.

The YBG noted gratitude to John Fernandes Limited for waiving storage costs.

Three more athletes for overseas scholarships

Omari Walcott

Gabriel Lim Trevon Prince

The KMPA Foundation is informing the public that three of their athletes are now going on full Scholarships to Jamaica. The athletes are Gabriel Lim, Omari Walcott and Trevon Prince. The athletes said they are truly appreciative of the w o r k a n d e ff o r t t h e y received from the KMPA Foundation.

The parents of the athletes are also in high p r a i s e t o t h e K M PA Foundation for making their Children’s dreams come through. Andy Medas-King, the founder of the Organization, said the past year was challenging taking into account the Pandemic hit just as the athletes arrived in the USA last year March 12th. With limited

opportunities for the athletes to compete in Guyana, it made things happen longer than expected. Mr. King said several conversations with the AAG President who are accustomed to doing things the Guyana way and not understand the importance of the requirements of the world.

Mr. King further noted, that the lack of information means no real time results from every track meet and the dysfunction of any website where the college Coaches can get results are frustrating. “The AAG has to do better he note, we should not have to wait to get any results, it should be real time. All my children who compete, by the time a race is run, the results are on the

board, but not in Guyana where athletes have to go back and stand up in their lanes at the finish line to know who won. I have never seen anything like that in my life in track and field.” The athletes are asking for assistance from public and private sector to help them cover their costs for a ticket.

The number to contact is 648-6762, but it is preferred contact be made the KMPA F o u n d a t i o n a t gnike73@gmail.com. All the athletes have to be in Jamaica by the 15th of August to take up their Scholarship Package.

The KMPA Foundation would like to also say that three more athletes are due to depart later in the year, two

by September month end.

T

he International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3x3 AmeriCup 2021 will be played on 12-14 November 2021 in Miami, USA. The event will be played for all registered teams during those 3 days at the same venue with the competition being split into a Qualification Draw and a Main Draw due to the number of registered teams.

All registered teams will be ranked 1-18 (on the men´s side) and 1-15 (on the women´s side) in the FIBA 3x3 AmeriCup 2021 and will receive the corresponding

ranking points.

In accordance with Art. 6-75 et seq. of the FIBA Internal Regulations the teams of the hosting National Federation (NF) and the best-ranked teams in the respective category on 1 November 2020 are qualified for the Main Draw.

Guyana Men and Women’s 3x3 national teams will compete in the qualification round with a chance to play in the main event.

On the men´s side the Qualification Draw will be played with three pools of three teams with the pool winners advancing to the

Main Draw.

On the distaff side, the Qualification Draw will be played with 1 pool of 4 teams w it h t h e p o o l w in n er advancing to the Main Draw.

The pools will not be determined through a draw but will be automatically created through the 3x3 Federation Ranking of the participating teams in the respective category.

The GABF is pleased to welcome our new 3x3 sponsor AptPay Inc. a Canadian financial technology company, which specializes in real-time disbursement of funds globally.