Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 27, 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

Kazakhstan is confirmation Not a day passes without citizens of this country being presented by this paper of how bent our leaders are in doing wrong with the nation’s oil wealth. One story revealed by us may have slipped under the radar of attention, but we retrieve it and place it right before the eyes of our readers. The title of the news article was “Current structure of Guyana’s NRF likely to encourage political meddling and limit independent accountability” (KN July 23). It has to do with this government’s thinking and leaning, even still unannounced, but settled, determination, on adopting the Kazakhstan model for our own National Resource Fund (NRF). Any such thinking that may be stirring and choice, should it come about, is wrong once, wrong twice, wrong each and on every occasion harboured. Guyana should not go anywhere near the Kazakhstan model for its NRF. It is one of those nation-states that finally came to independence in 1991 following the breakup of the old Soviet Union. Guyana could be considered its ‘big brother’ by a quarter century. More importantly, the states that came to be conveniently grouped under the more easily enunciated label of ‘stans’ have much going for them, compliments of their Caspian Basin. Some of those new societies, if not almost all of them, have been noteworthy for being controlled, virtually owned, by powerful oil and political oligarchs, with little to separate the two sets of dominant players. Corruption and cronyism, and endless leadership criminality and political skullduggeries, have all come to feature highly in the oversight and operation of those countries (‘stans’) oil and Natural gas resources, among other riches. So why would Guyana, through powerful leaders in the present PPP government, would want to have any model from such a country for its own NRF? Why would any political leader with clean visions and clean hands even want to think of, then go anywhere near to, the NRF model of a country like Kazakhstan? That is, if they desire to do right by this oil that Guyana keeps finding? We ask these sharp, relevant questions, because according to the position taken by Mr. Arthur Deakin, CoDirector at America’s Market Intelligence Practice, “Guyana’s current government should change direction and should steer towards adopting an NRF that mirrors Norway, and not Kazakhstan” (KN July 23). It should be so because the “Scandinavian model would be the ideal to serve as the basis for the [local] fund.” And because it facilitates “modifying allowances for a greater percentage of revenues to be transferred to the budget for…infrastructural development.” And because, “regardless of the political party in power, having the “right fiscal and regulatory framework” embedded in the nation’s NRF could lead to the right results in every area for all peoples of this rich, but hopelessly misled, society. It is enlightening that during what may be insisted to be one of the biggest storms in this country’s history, an existential one at times, Guyana did not look for any aid, any guiding hand or any overarching guiding principles from a place like Kazakhstan. To cut to the sharpest point, PPP leaders then in opposition reached to the A and B and C and E countries for help and wisdom. As any Guyanese knows, those were American and Canadian in North America and British and those other countries that have been mainly capitalist oriented in Western Europe. For emphasis, PPP leaders did not even think of seeking a helping hand from the likes of Kazakhstan. Come to think of it, they did not have much to do even with Mother Russia. So why are they thinking of having an all-important NRF based on that of Kazakhstan? To answer our own questions, we share our hard misgivings about where such thinking of PPP leaders is based upon, and leads. Kazakhstan’s NRF does not foster transparency. Kazakhstan’s Management Council that drives spending includes its top political leaders. Oil means money, which means much spending, which means Guyanese should not want crooked politicians around such money and spending, without transparency and accountability. It should be clear now why Kazakhstan comes up in PPP leaders’ conversations, and not Norway. It is because skullduggeries are in motion.

We are fooling ourselves if we expect Guyana will ever come close to being a mirror image of Dubai Dear Editor, We are fooling ourselves if we expect Guyana will ever come close to being a mirror image of Dubai, or the go-to destination in the Caribbean. That will never happen if we are unable to evolve. The government gets a plus in the development schemes, but clearly, there is some shortsightedness to these schemes. The fact that we don’t seem to have Landscape Architects involved in developing these housing schemes is clearly obvious

and is another issue altogether. The common direction to getting around in a place like Providence is to give standard directions that sound like this: “Turn left at Massey, at the corner, take a right, then when you come to the first corner, take the second left.” Impressively so, all these directions are on unpaved side roads, 80% of the time. Residents should be allowed to not only name the streets in their neighbourhood, but also contribute collectively towards placing standard

road signs as well. All this will take considerably less time to get done, than waiting for government officials in the lands department, presumably; to come around to naming the streets, which should be one of the criteria for developing schemes. The ministry responsible for street names can easily put together a one-page process for getting this issue on the fast track, by the public. Let’s face it: otherwise, the country will be developing with no street names. Furthermore,

businesses will easily be able to upload their location with a proper street address so that Google Maps has them for the nation and world to see and people to conveniently find, if that is the case. We talk of foreign investors wanting to come to Guyana, primarily to set up business outside of the main metropolis area, but what will be the proper address? Or isn’t it relevant, as is found elsewhere? Yours truly, Chi Kansi

Government must do more to provide clarity on the gas-to-energy project Dear Editor, The gas-to-energy project is one of the most exciting parts of oil development for many like myself in the business community that have long complained that expensive and unreliable electricity has held Guyana back. The concept of cheaper, cleaner, and more available energy is an enticing one. But the government can and must do more to show how this project will be completed. There is an understandable public

frustration with the lack of answers. The public has real questions and the administration must provide more answers than it already has, lest it fall into the trap of previous governments who hid their activities and faced the consequences at elections. Thankfully, the government is starting to provide us with the opportunity to ask questions about the ongoing project development. The scoping meetings, which have been set up in a number of towns,

even in more rural locations, have been helpful to address some of our concerns, and show the government’s willingness to be open. So much of the lack of information stems from the fact that we are still in the initial stages of the project despite such wide coverage. Reading headlines, it sometimes seems as if steel is going into the ground each day when in fact the project is still in an early “assessment” phase. Many of the biggest

concerns about things like cost aren’t things that can be known without committing real investment to hire engineers and consultants to evaluate the prospect. But that would be premature and even illegal if government funds were spent on that before an environmental impact assessment or community meetings were done. More clarity from the government about that process and the careful, measured pace it must proceed at would go a long way towards soothing the community’s concerns. Yours truly, Donald Singh

I do not know of any country where Exxon did not pay corporate taxes on its profits Dear Editor, Some time ago, Professor Ganga Ramdas, reminded the public that Exxon does not pay taxes on revenues earned or profits (12.5% of money generated from sales of oil). Had it paid taxes, that money would have been available for a lot of social welfare services such as doubling pension payments or free education for all. Dr. Ramdas did not make a very strong, convincing argument on why Exxon should or is required to pay taxes. Those of us who studied economics know that taxes are critical for an economy. Taxes are used to pay for workers and services that governments provide to communities – in short, to run the government. Government has to pay politicians, administrators, bureaucrats, civil service, clerks, police force, army, emergency forces such as firefighters, public hospitals, doctors, nurses, engineers and maintenance workers for streets and buildings, and goods consumed by the government

services. Taxes are critical to a country. But everyone seeks to avoid taxes while wanting the best services. Without taxes, these services cannot be made available as government need revenues to pay for them. Those of us who study economics or taxes would know that all corporate businesses pay taxes on profits. Some investors get tax holidays as an incentive to invest. I do not know of any country where Exxon did not pay corporate taxes on its profits. But the PPP administration cannot be held liable or blamed for Exxon not paying taxes. The APNU led government signed a very bad agreement (paying Exxon’s taxes) that in effect exempts Exxon from all corporate taxes. The government agreed to pay the investors’ taxes, a practice not known elsewhere. As Guyanese said, APNU led government gave away the entire store, saddling the PPP administration with this burden. The PPP has to

honour the contract, which has a stability clause that it cannot be unilaterally renegotiated. Perhaps former Minister Raphael Trotman can explain why the government signed that lopsided contract. Who instructed him to sign it and why was the stability clause inserted in it? It is not good investment policy to break agreements even if one gives away a store. But perhaps a way can be found to collect more revenues from licencing, etc., and even from taxes and local content policy. Guyana’s law on taxes essentially says a company or person pays taxes on income earned. None of the country’s laws says that the government can pay the taxes of an entity. It is not clear if a contract overrides the law; constitutional lawyers have to give clarification. When I taught economics years ago, I pointed out some creative ways how giant companies can be taxed through various fees. Companies can pay more taxes but it is up to

parliament to make such laws mandating taxes or user fees. The PPP has done its best to enforce the contract while securing the interest of the nation. There are others who believe that the contract can be renegotiated; both sides have to agree to renegotiate the contract. Just for clarification, royalty is not really taxes although some economists describe it as a tax. Royalty is income or a fee from use of property; Guyana’s oil and gas are national public properties, the use of which investors pay a fee. And revenues collected from Exxon including profit sharing is not taxes. Taxes are fees levied on income. Exxon is not paying taxes, as Dr. Ramdas correctly stated. A company’s interest is to minimise taxation while government’s interest is to maximise tax collection. The previous government should explain why it signed an agreement that is against the country’s interest. Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

Tuesday July 27, 2021

Guyana needs a mental shift in all sectors to realise real development Dear Editor, The Request for Proposals for Amaila Falls Hydro has once again motivated persons to write and express negatives about the project; this leads me to ask if our opinionated class (media, professionals of various types and armchair experts) have any interest in real development for Guyana? We cannot continue to pour uninformed negative opinions into the public domain without understanding the impact on the investment climate, to be pellucid, I have no issue with well researched and presented arguments against any development project but the noise of negative Nancys has cost us dearly in the past and seem poised to attempt same again. Winston Brassington wrote a document entitled ‘Challenges to building the Georgetown Marriott’ and it should be required reading in high school; the document details among other things a preponderance of negative newspaper editorials, opinions, letters to the Editor aimed at stopping or stymieing that project. The Marriott was conceived and

executed pre-oil and today stands as a monument to the vision and ability of a PPP/C administration to conceive, finance, and execute projects to successful completion. This brings us back to the barriers to progress for Guyana is faced with challenges beyond negative opinions, and these require some tough decisions from the Irfaan Ali administration. Among them is the unavailability of sand to meet construction schedules; this is due to increased demand and the inability/refusal of those with licences to operate sandpits to increase production hours. Guyana needs a mental shift in all sectors to realise real development; the new paradigm requires 24/7 work shifts and operators who understand how they fit into the development matrix. Government has to inform and assist sand pit operators to get to 24/7 capacity or find alternative operators and possibly designate a Ministry to operate sandpits as a boost to supply. The local wharves are operating at capacity (import and export) and logically the Government will make a

request for proposals for a deep water harbour to facilitate new wharves (possibly in the Berbice River) and this will trigger a new wave of negatives to add to the technical challenges posed by such a large-scale project. Is it too much to ask that the (inevitable) criticism be based on fact and research? Failing that, Guyana is going to become a pariah state for investors whom we are asking to fund, build, own, operate, and then transfer to state various massive bits of essential infrastructure. If we cannot attract this type of investor, Guyana will have to borrow and/or fund its infrastructure projects, which is not the most desirable model for development. If the Amaila Hydro can be built without taxpayers’ dollars being spent, then I say more power to us as a people (literally) and naysayers need to put energies towards positive suggestions on how we can achieve this and other major projects at the lowest possible cost and greatest returns for all Guyanese. Yours truly, Robin Singh

All concerned must be sensitive and sensible about the changed working environment Dear Editor, One welcomes the report of the recent recruitment activity at Rose Hall Estate, where is located a Diagnostic Centre which has long been a component of the sugar industry’s comprehensive health service. Hopefully the tradition will be observed whereby the contract of employment offered would be subject to the recruit being medically examined and declared fit for work – a condition most critical in these pandemic times. Hopefully also the organisation’s newly appointed Chief Occupational Health and Safety Officer would be involved in advising on the

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Kaieteur News

appropriate PPE to be utilised by employees in field and factory respectively. All concerned must be sensitive and sensible about the changed working environment. In the circumstances, it would appear a priority to redesign

the standard employee orientation programme with a view to guiding employees how to manage and cope with a non-traditional work environment. Some creativity is therefore required. Yours truly, E.B. John

Teachers should play a greater part in monitoring and reporting Child Sexual Abuse Dear Editor, With many children now out of school due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) have been steadily climbing. Unfortunately, this is not surprising. Over the years, reports have consistently shown increased rates of CSA during periods such as August and Christmas holidays when more children are at home. The majority of perpetrators of CSA are usually known to the child; such as a family member, family friend or community leader. As a result, teachers can often be the last line of defence for children who are experiencing abuse. While teachers serve many important functions within their spaces, one that is often overlooked is how important they are in the fight against CSA. Children spend significant portions of their lives within the school environment, with school even being pegged as their second home. Having constant access to children means teachers are well suited to notice changes in student’s behaviours and to also be an open line of communication for children who are vulnerable. This is why it is not only important for teachers to arm themselves with the facts of sexual abuse but to create a safe environment for children. Many children do not feel

safe at home and this can make it very difficult for them to open up about the abuse they might be experiencing. Through creation of a safe environment within their classrooms, teachers can let children know that they are someone that they can trust and who can help them to get the type of support that they need. Teachers should be provided with sufficient training to identify abuse and be aware of the channels for reporting cases of abuse. With government’s commitment to tackling CSA, teachers both in the public and private sector should be supported with the necessities they would need to continue doing their jobs in an efficient and empathetic manner. Of course, teachers are shaped by the culture around them and unfortunately, not many are aware of the various myths surrounding CSA. Added to that, schools are not entirely safe environments as many sexual predators have found homes within classrooms. This is why it is important for teachers committed to their students to trust their intuition and report any suspicious instances they may notice between their fellow teachers and students. There needs to be movement away from the ideas that young children look for their abuse or that addressing abuse within the school

environment can bring shame upon the school. True shame should lie within those who are aware of CSA and turn a blind eye, leaving young children vulnerable to sexual grooming and abuse. Sexual abuse is such a wide reaching issue that it requires the help of everyone to appropriately address it. Through working in collaboration with parents, community members and other service providers, teachers can create an atmosphere that is safe for children to openly discuss sexual abuse. Often times, children lack the language and information they need as it relates to abuse, so a lot of them are unable to recognise when they are being abused. Equipping children with age appropriate information on sexual abuse and their bodies is an act of empowerment. Even more important however, is learning the signs of CSA and taking the reports of children seriously the first time. The courage to speak out about abuse often takes a lot out of children, so teachers should always aim to make the child feel secure rather than instill feelings of shame and fear. To report or seek counseling, please call 914/ 227-0979/227-2023/233-3500. Yours truly, Akola Thompson Blue Umbrella Consultant

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Tuesday July 27, 2021

Kaieteur News

Big businesses in Anna Regina have encroached upon the sidewalk, endangering children Dear Editor, This letter is being directed to the President because all other appeals, to ministers, officials and bureaucrats, over the last several years, have been met with deaf ears. Mr. President, you are our last hope. The students of Anna Regina are in grave danger because of greedy businessmen and apathetic politicians. Anna Regina is the main educational hub for Essequibo. It is home to two large public high schools, a

privately run Islamic high school, a primary school that is the largest in the country, three nursery schools, multiple daycare facilities and places of private lessons for all levels, a technical college, an agricultural school, a teachers training college and countless other educational and support facilities. Thousands of students commute to Anna Regina for school from the length and breadth of Region Two, and must therefore walk along the walkways and sidewalks of

Anna Regina. The government has provided very ample sidewalks to accommodate this need and to create a safe and orderly environment for our students and the public. However, the greedy, inconsiderate, lawless and downright criminal behaviour of most of the large businesses along the Anna Regina Main Road has nullified the safety and order the government has provided to these students. These businesses have bullied their way into placing permanent, enclosed

structures over the public sidewalks and are using these permanent structures as extensions of their businesses, denying the public and students the use and safety of the sidewalks. These bullies are forcing the community and the students to use the actual main road where there is heavy vehicular traffic as a footpath. It boggles the mind that these businesses can with impunity annex public property, that actively serves the public by providing an essential function, and convert it to private use

without any consequence. How is this fair to the thousands of taxpayers who paid to have these sidewalks built? How can the government allow this lawlessness? How can the government so casually place citizens at risk like this? This is an ongoing situation for several years now, and it has been getting progressively worst. I am surprised no one has yet been killed in an automobile accident. Perhaps this is what it will take for the government to get up and rectify this atrocious state of affairs.

Perhaps the tragedy of a heavily laden sand truck running over an innocent gaggle of bright faced school children, splattering their blood and brains over their crisp green and white uniforms and leaving their mangled little bodies and crushed skulls pressed into the middle of the road for all to see, is what the government is waiting for before it can be galvanised into action. Mr. President, fix this lawlessness before any child dies needlessly! Yours truly, Name provided

Tuesday July 27, 2021

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Guyana cannot hide behind CARICOM’s frock tail The government’s explanation relating to persons travelling from Trinidad and Tobago makes no sense at all. It is now being claimed that the government’s decision is based on discussions within CARICOM, concerning the reopening of its borders. Last week, the government issued a regulation under civil aviation safety provisions. That regulation made it mandatory for adults, travelling from Trinidad and Tobago to Guyana, to show evidence of being fully vaccinated before being allowed entry into Guyana. The regulation was made under the Civil Aviation Act. It says that passengers travelling from Trinidad and Tobago must be fully vaccinated in order to enter Guyana. It does not state the regulation applies only to Trinidadians. As worded in the Gazette, the regulation applies to anyone travelling from Trinidad and Tobago and therefore has to apply to passengers en route to Guyana who are in-transit in Trinidad and Tobago. However, another newspaper has reported that the regulation applied to Trinidadians. CARICOM has not agreed to any uniform COVID-19 entry requirements. At last July’s Heads of Government Conference, Regional Heads agreed that new safety, health and visitor management protocols were needed but it did not agree on any such protocols. It also agreed to consider the use of a vaccination passport for travellers. But it has not yet made a final decision on this matter. In addition, the regional grouping agreed to consider

a regional travel bubble for a pilot period of six months. Guyana therefore cannot claim that it is acting in accordance with decisions taken within the regional grouping, because there is no decision at the level of CARICOM for only fully vaccinated persons to enter Member States. So why is Guyana undertaking a piecemeal approach? CARICOM has 15 Member States. Are we therefore to expect that 15 separate regulations will be issued or will one regulation cover the other 14. What about those persons arriving from extra-regional destinations? How will they be treated? Will they enjoy preferential treatment over that of Trinidad and Tobago nationals who must be fully vaccinated before being allowed entry into Guyana? Is Guyana jumping ahead of itself and of CARICOM in making this new requirement? In May of this year, St. Lucia issued a requirement for all visitors to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test, five days prior to arriving. It made no regulation then for certification of being fully vaccinated. Barbados requires persons arriving in their country to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test three days prior to arrival, even if they are fully vaccinated. Visitors to Grenada are required to be similarly tested but are also required to quarantine at a facility and on the fifth day to do a PCR test. They are also required to have travel and health insurance to cover COVID-19 related illnesses. In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the requirements are tougher. It requires persons travelling from countries deemed very high risk – and Guyana is included

in this list – to have a negative COVID-19 PCR test and may be tested on arrival. In addition, they are required to be quarantined in an approved facility and to be transported to that facility in an approved vehicle. Jamaica requires a negative PCR or antigen test performed three days prior to arrival. The Bahamas is now open to international travel. But effective yesterday, all unvaccinated persons must produce a negative COVID19 PCR test results for travel from New Providence, Grand Bahama and North and South Eleuthera, including Harbour Island. The Caribbean, therefore, does not appear to be moving towards uniform COVID-19 entry requirements for travellers. Therefore, it is hard to swallow that Guyana’s recent regulation has anything to do with the direction in which CARICOM is heading. Is Guyana retaliating against Trinidad? This is the question, which needs addressing. Earlier this month, Trinidad and Tobago announced that its borders – which had been closed due to the pandemic – would be reopened on July 17, 2021. However, it made it clear that non-nationals who were not vaccinated against COVID-19 would not be allowed entry into that country. Now up comes Guyana and issues a specific regulation, which requires only that persons travelling from Trinidad and Tobago be fully vaccinated. Is it unreasonable to question whether this requirement is in direct response to the directive issued in Trinidad that non-nationals must be vaccinated to enter that country? It would appear

Dem Boys Seh…

Sputnik second dose arriving in doses Guyana getting de SPUTNIK second doses in doses. It coming by plane in small drips. If this trend continues, Guyana should get its full quota by Christmas. But leh we hope dat de shipments come faster and in larger quantities. Deh gat some big men sehing how dem nah gan get vaccinated. Dem sehing how dem nah frighten COVID. But dem boys know is de needle dem frighten. Dem does just play brave and strong but when dem see needle dem does tun like baby. Some ah dem man mekkin excuse nat fuh tek de vaccine. One man tell he friends how when he finished tekkin he jab, he start fuh see blur. He friend had to tell he fuh go back and collect he spectacles wah he fuhget at de vaccination centre. Three Guyanese decide dem nah tekkin de vaccine. One of dem was from de PPP/C; de other was from de AFC and de third one

was from de PNC/R. De PPP supporter seh he nah want de vaccine. De nurse tell he if he nah tek de vaccine, he can’t get de cash grant. He tek it right away. De AFC supporter seh he nah want no vaccine. De nurse tell he if he nah tek de vaccine, yuh can’t travel overseas. De AFC supporter decide fuh tek de vaccine. De PNC/R supporter seh he nah tekkin’ no vaccine. De nurse tell he, he need fuh take it to keep he family safe. He still refuse. De nurse tell he yuh need to take it so dat normalcy gan resume. He still refuse to tek it. So de nurse play she last card. She tell he dat de Constitution seh dat he not entitled to de vaccine. Right away de PNC/R man jump up and shout, “Give me that vaccine immediately, I have a constitutional right to be vaccinated. Talk half and leh we hope every adult tek dem vaccine.

reasonable to conclude that Guyana’s recent regulation is no coincidence but is in response to the regulations in force in Trinidad and Tobago. But the more important issue is just what Guyana hopes to

achieve by this selective regulation at this stage. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Tuesday July 27, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Tuesday July 27, 2021

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‘Let’s put the traffickers behind bars’ - Minister Persaud - as TIP training for re-migrants continues

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Minister Persaud with participants at the latest set of training by the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Unit. “EACH one of you is in a good place to help change someone’s life. I’m here to support the process and the Counter-Trafficking in Persons Department is doing intense work in this area,” Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, told a group of Venezuelan remigrants lately. According to a release from the Ministry, they were the latest set of persons to be trained by the Ministry’s Counter-Trafficking in Persons (C-TIP) Unit, which has fanned out across the country to conduct training with key people who may come into direct contact with traffickers and their victims. The Ministry has dedicated the month of July to C-TIP and earlier this month launched the STOP592 campaign in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni). The latest training, held at Windjammer in Kitty, Georgetown, was conducted by Senior Probation and Social Services Officer, Denise Ralph. Minister Persaud paid a visit to the group of

approximately 15 participants who came from Regions One, Two, Three, Four, and Seven, to offer words of encouragement to the participants. “Identifying the traffickers is the biggest problem but if they’re not stopped, more will join them. The only way to end this is to put these people behind bars; if they feel they can get off, they won’t stop. Let’s go out there stronger together. Trafficking in Persons is a heinous crime against people,” Minister

Persaud insisted. She then allowed for one-on-one interactions with some of the participants. According to her, it was important for the re-migrants to be trained because when they come to the country they must understand our country’s policies, laws and procedures. “The community engagement is the best engagement. We’re trying different avenues of how we engage people,” she said. Ms. Ralph said the training session would serve

to empower the participants and would help them pass on their knowledge to their respective communities so that they can now act as focal points for the ministry in helping to curb the problem. Meanwhile, Minister Persaud took the opportunity to speak on the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) programme and encouraged the participants to sign up for the programmes so that they could share their knowledge with persons escaping from traffickers.

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Minister Persaud engages some of the participants.

...South African gas-to-energy project From page 2 locals related, they did not know about the power plant. This lack of generalised and robust public consultation, according to the plaintiffs, has resulted in communities being marginalised and excluded from the public participation process. A South African media house, The Daily Maverick, reported that the case against the power plant is buoyed by a study conducted by the Centre for Science and Industrial Research and an independent auditing firm named Meridian.

This study shows that, under a least-cost scenario, a combined cycle gas plant, like the proposed Richards Bay plant, is not necessary for at least another 15 years, if at all, to meet South Africa’s energy demands. Until then, diesel can continue to be used by existing generators to meet needs during limited hours of peak electricity demand. This least-cost pathway avoids building expensive gas infrastructure unless and until the need arises and is economically justified, avoiding locking South Africa into long-term fuel cost commit-

ments. Sherelee Odayar, the oil, gas and energy project officer for the SDCEA, told the Mail & Guardian that “this litigation is important because gas, as an alternative energy source…is not the answer to solve South Africa’s electricity crisis. It’s costly and South Africans cannot afford this.” Gas, according to Odayar is a fossil fuel and a contributor to climate change, “therefore investing in gas infrastructure will only worsen our climate crisis, rather than solve it.”

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Tuesday July 27, 2021

Tuesday July 27, 2021

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Suspect in hit and run accident turns Ex-con back in prison for allegedly snatching gold chain self in - tells cop he thought he had hit a horse Ex-con, Chris Pollard, 20, of 53 David Street, Kitty, Georgetown, yesterday found himself before a City Magistrate who remanded him to prison for allegedly snatching a woman’s $70,000 gold chain. Pollard is no stranger to the courts. At the age of 18, he was sentenced to one-year imprisonment for snatching a man’s phone – and was also on remand for a series of robbery charges. The new charge alleges that on July 22, 2021 at the No. 47 Bus Park, Georgetown, Pollard stole one gold chain from Tenecia Dick. The defendant appeared before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The court heard that Pollard is known to the

Remanded: ex-con, Chris Pollard. woman. The police prosecutor informed the court that Tenecia was in the process of boarding a minibus when Pollard allegedly snatched her chain and attempted to make

good his escape. The woman chased after Pollard and he was apprehended. Pollard denied the allegation and he was remanded to prison until August 30, 2021 when he is expected to make his next court appearance. This publication had reported that in November 2019, Pollard was found guilty of robbing Sachin Narine of one Samsung Galaxy cell phone valued at $45,000. The Magistrate had sentenced him to one-year behind bars. According to reports, prior to that charge, Pollard was charged for a series of robberies. In March 2019, Pollard was slapped with five counts of robbery and in 2018, he was charged for taking his father’s firearm and ammunition.

Weeks after the nude body of a hit and run victim was found lying along New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, a suspect turned himself into police with his attorney. The victim in the accident was Reginald Moore, 47, who was a security guard of Lot 7 Greenwich Park, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). Kaieteur News was informed that the suspect has already been placed before the court and charged. He is being accused of hitting down Moore with his vehicle during the late evening hours of Wednesday July 7, 2021. Not only did he allegedly struck down the security guard but he drove away from the scene without stopping to render assistance. After he turned himself in, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he was unaware that he had struck down a pedestrian. He claimed that he taught that he had hit a horse and decided drive away. Moore, a father of two according to a relative, was renting an apartment located on New Road and was last seen alive on Tuesday July 6. The following day (Wednesday) during

Hit and run victim, Reginald Moore. the late evening hours, his nude remains were found lying on the northern carriageway along New Road. Crime scene experts had observed that his remains bore multiple lacerations to the head and body. Following an autopsy, it was found that he died from multiple injuries consistent with that of a vehicular accident.

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Mexican president says Biden must “make decision” on Cuba embargo MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said yesterday that he thinks U.S. President Joe Biden must make a decision about the embargo against Cuba amid the biggest unrest in the Caribbean nation in decades. Lopez Obrador said it was not enough for countries to vote to end the embargo via the United Nations General Assembly, but that it was time to make a real decision about it, given that “almost all countries of the world” are against it. “It is not conceivable that in these times they want to punish an independent country with a blockade,”

Lopez Obrador said. “I think that President Biden must make a decision about it. It is a respectful call, from no point of view of interference, but we must separate the political from the humanitarian.” Cuban families should also face fewer restrictions on receiving remittances from those who live in the United States or any other country, Lopez Obrador added. “How can it be blocked if it’s not even government money?” Lopez Obrador said. Remittances to Cuba are believed to be around $2 billion to $3 billion annually, representing its third biggest source of dollars after the services industry and tourism.

The transfers have been slowed by policies brought in under U.S. former President Donald Trump that led Western Union to close Cuban operations. The Cuban government has blamed the protests mostly on what it calls U.S.-financed “counterrevolutionaries” exploiting economic hardship caused by decades-old U.S. embargo. Lopez Obrador says the U.S. embargo is a cause of the protests, which erupted amid Cuba’s worst economic crisis since the fall of former ally the Soviet Union in the 1990s. Mexico is due to send food and medical supplies, including syringes, oxygen tanks and masks, to Cuba via cargo ships.

Venezuela’s Maduro aims for dialogue with opposition in August CARACAS - (Reuters) - Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that he was aiming to begin a dialogue with the country’s political opposition next month in Mexico facilitated by Norway, a process he hoped the United States would embrace. In May the opposition changed strategy and indicated its willingness to return to negotiations to resolve the political crisis in OPEC member Venezuela. Maduro has overseen an economic collapse in once-prosperous Venezuela since taking office in 2013, and stands accused by his domestic opponents, the United States and the European Union of corruption, human rights violations and rigging his 2018 reelection. Maduro denies the accusations. In June, top diplomats in Washington, Brussels and Ottowa said they would be willing to revise their sanctions on Maduro’s government if the dialogue with the opposition led to significant progress toward free and fair elections. “I can tell you that we are ready to go to Mexico,” Maduro said in an interview on the

state-funded Telesur television network weekend. “We have begun to discuss a complicated, difficult agenda.” Venezuela’s opposition, led by Juan Guaido, has accused Maduro of using previous rounds to buy time in the face of diplomatic and sanctions pressure by the United States and others. Guaido is recognized by Washington and several other Western democracies as the country’s rightful leader. Opposition groups have said they are willing to negotiate the conditions for presidential and parliamentary elections with Maduro’s government. Maduro, in turn, has said he wants the negotiations to focus on the lifting of U.S. sanctions targeting the financial and oil sectors. He added that the negotiations would include “all the oppositions,” a reference to opposition politicians who broke with Guaido’s call to boycott the 2020 parliamentary elections, which were won handily by Maduro’s ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela.

...Prosecution to make additional disclosure From page 14 the documentary evidence is exhibited to the court before being tendered and marked as exhibits. On their first court appearance in March 2021, Licorish and Waldron were not required to plead to the charge which alleges that between March 15, 2021 and March 16, 2021 at the Kaieteur News’ Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown office they murdered 58-year-old, Mohabir Singh popularly known as ‘Emile.’ It was reported that

Tuesday July 27, 2021

Kaieteur News

around 08:30hrs. on March 16, 2021, Singh’s lifeless body was found by an employee under a shed at the Kaieteur News’ premises. The employee had gone to remove a truck when he saw Singh’s body lying in its tray. As a result of the discovery, the matter was reported and the police arrested the two security guards. Both men were subsequently charged with murder. A postmortem examination had revealed that Singh died as a result of brain haemorrhage due to blunt trauma to the

head. This publication had reported that Singh had been homeless for some 25 years due to his drug addiction. His son, Mohinder Singh, had told this newspaper that his father was a wealthy gold smith who owned his own business at West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. However, because of a drug addiction, which he developed in his 30s, Singh ended up losing everything and eventually he became homeless. He was placed in rehab twice and came out a “brand-new man” but soon returned to his old habits, Mohinder had related. The son also revealed that his father had even spent some time in jail, where he wrote the CXC exams and achieved distinctions.

In ‘frank’ talks, China accuses U.S. of creating ‘imaginary enemy’ BEIJING - (Reuters) - A top Chinese diplomat took a confrontational tone yesterday in rare high-level talks with the United States, accusing it of creating an “imaginary enemy” to divert attention from domestic problems and suppress China. Amid worsening relations between the world’s two largest economies, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, the second-ranking U.S. diplomat, had face-toface meetings with China’s vice foreign minister in the northern city of Tianjin that the U.S. State Department described as “frank and open”. No specific outcomes were agreed and the prospect of a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping was not discussed, senior U.S. administration officials said following talks that lasted about four hours. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the prospect of a meeting between Biden and Xi did not come up during Sherman’s meetings, though she added that she expects there will be some opportunity to engage at some point. “The President continues to believe in face-to-face diplomacy. That is something he has long been an advocate for. And we expect there will be some opportunity to engage at some point but it did not come up in the context of these meetings, and that

was not the purpose of these meetings,” Psaki told reporters. China seized the early narrative, with state media reporting on confrontational remarks by Vice Foreign Minister Xie Feng soon after the session began, in echoes of a similarly combative opening by senior Chinese officials during high-level talks in March in Alaska. “The United States wants to reignite the sense of national purpose by establishing China as an ‘imaginary enemy’,” Xie was quoted as saying while the talks were underway. The United States had mobilised its government and society to suppress China, he added. “As if once China’s development is suppressed, U.S. domestic and external problems will be resolved, and America will be great again, and America’s hegemony can be continued.” Sherman laid out U.S. concerns over China’s actions on issues ranging from Hong Kong and Xinjiang to Tibet and cyber attacks, senior administration officials said, adding that China should not approach areas of global concern, such as climate and Afghanistan, on a transactional basis. Sherman, who also met with State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, raised additional concerns, including over what Washington sees as China’s unwillingness to cooperate

with the World Health Organization on a second phase investigation of the origins of COVID-19, and foreign media access in China. “The Deputy Secretary raised concerns in private – as we have in public – about a range of PRC actions that run counter to our values and interests and those of our allies and partners, and that undermine the international rules-based order,” the State Department said in a statement. “It is important for the United States and China to discuss areas where we disagree so that we understand one another’s position, and so that we are clear about where each side is coming from,” a senior administration official said. Psaki told reporters yesterday that while there are areas of concern with China, the two countries might align on areas such as climate and non-proliferation as well as on regional concerns such as North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan and Myanmar. Yesterday’s talks came amid frayed relations between Beijing and Washington that have worsened in the months since an initial diplomatic meeting in March in Anchorage, the first under the Biden administration. At the Alaska meeting, Chinese officials, including Wang, railed against the state of U.S. democracy, while U.S. officials accused the Chinese side of grandstanding.

‘No magic wand:’ Lebanon’s new PM-designate urges unity BEIRUT - (AP) — Lebanon’s newly appointed Prime Minister-designate Najib Mikati yesterday urged unity to begin recovery from a devastating economic and financial meltdown roiling the country. He said he will strive to form a new government but the situation is too dire to overcome with the usual fractious politics. Mikati spoke to reporters shortly after he was appointed to the post by President Michel Aoun, after Saad Hariri earlier this month gave up his monthslong attempts to form a Cabinet. “Alone, I don’t have a magic wand and cannot achieve miracles,” Mikati said. “We are in very difficult situation...it is a difficult mission that can only succeed if we all work

together.” It is not clear whether Mikati — widely considered to be part of the political class that brought the country to bankruptcy — would be able to break the year-long impasse over the formation of a new government. A new Cabinet faces the monumental task of undertaking critically needed reforms as well as resuming talks with the International Monetary Fund for a rescue package. The new Cabinet is also expected to oversee general elections scheduled for next year. One of the richest men in Lebanon, Mikati became a favourite for the post after he was endorsed by most of Lebanon’s political parties, including the powerful Iranbacked militant Hezbollah group and the other major Shiite party, Amal, led by

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri. Mikati was also endorsed by former Sunni prime ministers including Hariri, who abandoned efforts to form a government after failing to agree with Aoun on the Cabinet’s makeup. The political deadlock, driven by a power struggle between Aoun and Hariri over the powers of the president and prime minister, has worsened a crippling economic and financial crisis. Mikati faces Christian opposition, including from Aoun’s own bloc, now led by his son-in-law Gebran Bassil. Bassil, who heads the largest Christian bloc in parliament, did not name anyone as a candidate for prime minister during yesterday’s binding consultations between the president and members of parliament.

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Tuesday July 27, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Matthew Wade backs up Australia’s bowlers to secure series victory ESPNcricinfo - Led by a collective bowling display from their quicks and spinners, then finished by Matthew Wade’s half-century, a significantly depleted Australia took the ODI series against West Indies with a four-wicket victory in Barbados on a surface where batting was a challenge throughout. Australia’s trio of spinners - the recalled Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa and Ashton Turner - shared five wickets with the tally matched by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as West Indies could only muster 152 having had the chance to bat first. Evin Lewis, who returned after retiring hurt in the fourth over

Nicholas Pooran was bowled without offering a shot. © AFP after a blow on the helmet, was the only batter to pass

18. The chase wobbled to

Tuesday July 27, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Act on your instincts and you won't go wrong, Aries. You may need to give up control and put logical thinking aside. Let the wind take you where it will.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You might be unfocused and confused about which way to go. Your baffled look isn't giving others much confidence in your ability to make a good decision.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) You have the missing piece that people need in every situation today, Taurus. Engage in light conversation in social situations, and turn your charm up high.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) It's important to get outside and feel the wind, Scorpio. Reconnect with nature and be aware of the four elements, especially the air. Take deep breaths and fill your lungs with the energizing life force.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) People may want to talk a great deal, but they're avoiding their feelings today. Put your emotions on the back burner and let your mind take over. CANCER(June21–July22) You should be able to evaluate your emotions from a detached perspective today. Use this opportunity to take action based on what you discover. Make sure your actions are based on practicality. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you're talking about another person today, Leo, don't say anything that would upset them if they were standing next to you. Gossip may run rampant, but that's no excuse to contribute to it. Be aware that what you say has a strong impact on the people around you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) It's important to take action on a day like this, Virgo. Trust yourself and your instincts. Often you have the perfect counsel for everyone but you. Keep in mind that you might have to turn to others for the best advice for you.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Make practical use of the thoughts you've synthesized in the last few days. Stretch your boundaries and extend your wisdom to the people around you. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) This is an important day to make valuable connections. You will be engaged in fastpaced, witty conversations and debates from which you can learn a great deal. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) It may be hard for you to get a handle on things today, Aquarius. Your focus seems to jump from one problem to the next without finding resolution. This isn't a day to find a solution. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might come across strong opposition today. Someone may seem to want to cut straight through to your heart, Pisces. In reality, this is a message reminding you to think about things in terms of the collective, the oneness of all.

begin with and the spin of Akeal Hosein and Hayden Walsh Jr threatened to undo Australia’s good work in the field, but a calculated positive approach from Wade, Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh paid dividends as the target was quickly whittled down despite the loss of wickets. Marsh’s 29 off 21 balls with three sixes made considerable inroads until he fell in a Sheldon Cottrell over that cost 17 - a sizeable chunk of a small chase. When Carey was lbw on review against Walsh Jr it was 99 for 4 and West Indies still had a chance but Wade twice found the stands to finish the job with a 51-ball fifty. Australia had all-but acknowledged they misread conditions in the previous match when they continued with a pace-heavy attack and made amends this time with the recall of Agar who had recovered from a hamstring injury. He was one of three changes with Dan Christian brought back for his first ODI in seven years - and first List A match in four - after Ben McDermott’s ankle injury further stretched their resources with Aaron Finch out of the tour. After Lewis had retired hurt under concussion protocols when he top-edged Starc into his helmet Hazlewood, who was rested for the second match, made the first breakthrough as the recalled Shimron Hetmyer dragged into his stumps. Spin was introduced in the seventh over and proceeded to make major inroads. Shai Hope popped a catch to point when a delivery from Agar went through the top and Turner continued his handy role with the ball when Nicholas Pooran shouldered arms at one that went straight on and into off stump. Darren Bravo had deposited one delivery from Agar straight for six but an attempted repeated ended in an ugly carve to point when he was defeated by a shorter length. A return to pace brought reward straightaway when Starc struck with the first ball of his second spell, having Kieron Pollard caught cover as the West Indies captain paid the price for driving. Lewis returned at the fall of the fifth wicket but soon lost Jason Holder when he played across the line at Zampa. While conditions were difficult, West Indies had a helping hand in a number of their dismissals Lewis and Alzarri Joseph showed what was possible with a 44-run stand that mixed good defence with some occasional aggression but

Hazlewood broke through with his first ball back when he found Joseph’s edge. None of the lower could stay with Lewis long enough and towards the back-end of the innings the scoring dried to a trickle with Australia happy to bowl as much as possible to the tailenders and Lewis not farming the strike until Cottrell arrived. Lewis brought up his fifty from 66 balls when he swung Zampa’s last delivery over deep midwicket for six, but it left Cottrell on strike to Starc. It took just one more ball and lifted Starc’s series tally to 11 wickets at 10.83. Australia began in stuttering fashion with Moises Henriques, who has had a disappointing tour, was trapped lbw by Hosein the ball after a huge shout for a catch at short leg. It was something of a surprise that Henriques filled in for the injured McDermott at the top - just the fourth time he had opened in List A cricket - and he has missed his chance to make a claim for a longer run in the team. Josh Philippe, too, has struggled to adapt to the

pitches on this tour and glanced an edge down the leg side against Joseph in the eighth over. Australia decided that prodding their way to the target would be fraught with danger and Marsh took it upon himself to hurry things along before gloving a pull down the leg side having taken 10 off two balls against Cottrell. Carey was busy at the crease, relying heavily on sweeps, and was dropped at short third man on 18 by Joseph off a reverse. A conventional sweep brought his downfall when Walsh Jr straightened one to take leg stump. Knowing that West Indies’ two main spinners turned the ball the same away - Pollard had experimented with two overs of offspin - the left-handed Agar was sent in at No. 6 and alongside Wade it soon became a canter for Australia who have still not lost a bilateral one-day series against West Indies since 1995. Scores: Australia 153 for 4 (Wade 51*) beat West Indies 152 (Lewis 55*, Starc 3-43) by six wickets.

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Tuesday July 27, 2021

GBTI Open Tennis Tournament

Rose/Garcia Upset Leacock/Lewis in Men’s Open, advance to Quarter-Finals

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he Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Open tournament returned over the weekend with the action being contested in ideal weather conditions during all threedays of competition at the GBTI Diamond Tennis Courts on the East Bank, Demerara. For the first time ever in its 12-year history, the GBTI tournament was declared open by a Sports Minister as Minister of Culture, Youth & Sport, Charles Ramson, did the honours. The tournament was played in adherence to Covid-19 restrictions, including no spectators and the wearing Masks except when on the Court playing and included players from Guyana, England and Colombia. Among those present at T h u r s d a y ’s o p e n i n g Ceremony, were Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Kashif Mohammed, Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle and GBTI’s Senior Management Officials. The duo of David Rose and Colombian Miguel Garcia upset number 1 seeds, Leyland Leacock and Gavin Lewis in the Men’s Open Doubles Round of 16. Rose/Garcia booked their first quarterfinals as a pair

Englishman Phillipe Jackson with a passionate 3/6 - 6/2 7/6 (7/4) victory over the top seeds. This epic battle lasted over two hours as the momentum shifted and had fellow players and officials on the edge of their seats. Leacock/Lewis raced to a quick first set, but the steady pair of Rose/Garcia displayed exceptional teamwork and net play which secured them the second set. Big-server Garcia helped to steady the pair as they headed into the deciding set. An early break of Lewis’s serve gave Rose/Garcia the advantage to lead 5/3, but Leacock/Lewis rattled their opponents with consistency that forced errors and won three straight games to take the lead 6/5. Garcia held his nerves during his serves to force a tiebreak. Leacock/Lewis carried a similar momentum

into the tiebreak and raced to a quick 4/1 lead. Keeping the roller coaster spirit of the match, Rose/Garcia played some clutch tennis that produced shots that narrowly caught the edges of the line. The pressure was building at 5/4 as Rose stepped up to serve. After producing an excellent first serve which Leacock netted, his partner secured the win by placing a w i n n i n g v o l l e y. A n exclamation of “c’mon” by Rose summed up the intensity of the match. Meanwhile, #2 seeds Kevin Mattai/Javed Khan defeated favourites Benjettan Osborne/Aubrey Younge 6/3 - 7/6 (7/1). Yo u n g s t e r s G e r a l d Scotland/Donnie Anderson made light work of Denzil Luthers/ Isaiah Cambridge with a 6/0 - 6-1 win to move into their first quarterfinals in the open category. Boys Juniors Singles Reigning Rebel Junior Te n n i s To u r n a m e n t Champion and #2 seed, Donnie Anderson, continued his momentum with a comprehensive 6/2 - 6/1 win over Shaquel Murray. Viraj Sharma, the #1 seed had a comfortable 6/2 - 6/1 win against the young fiery Navindra Arjune as he launched his campaign for a rematch against Anderson. Nathan DeNobrega

defeated Ronaldo Alexander 6/0 - 6/1 in the round of 16, while in the quarterfinals heats, Gerald Scotland, semi-finalists at the recent R e b e l J u n i o r Te n n i s Tournament, battled to a 6/4 - 6/2 win over Isaiah Cambridge. Ladies Open Singles In a quarterfinal clash between sisters, it was the younger sibling, Renola J o r d a n , w h o e m e rg e d victorious over Norella Jordan with a 6/2 - 6/2 win. R. Jordan then advanced to her First Ladies Open finals after receiving a walkover from the #2 seed Saskia Persuad. The experienced Kimberly Conway took a 6/2 - 6/2 against youngster Devanie Arjune. Conway was then handed a 6/2 - 6/0 loss to former Ladies GBTI Champion and #1 seed Cristy Campbell. The youthful R. Jordan will square off against the experienced Campbell in a final that promises to be a battle of will, consistency and strategy sometime next week. Men’s Open Singles Veteran Harry Pandy made his return and braved the heat to outlast newcomer, Marc Smith, with a 6/3 - 6/3 victory. Young Denzel Luthers defeated GTA’s Second Vice President, Surrendra Khayyam 6/1 - 5/1 (ret.). The experienced Javed

Gerald Scotland (right) & Javed Khan Khan bowed out of the tournament after a fierce Gerald Scotland battled after trailing 5/3 in the first set to take the set 7/5. Khan unfortunately retired due to an injury. Coach Andre Erskine taught his young student, Isaiah Cambridge, a lesson when he dismissed him from the tournament 6/1 - 6/0. In other Round of 16 matches, Number 2 seed, Benjettan Osborne received a walkover from Jonathon Jackson in the Round of 16, while the defending GBTI Men’s Champion and #1 seed Gavin Lewis defeated Jamal Goodluck 6/2 - 6/1. A new face to the tennis community, Englishman

Philippe Jackson, battled past the lefty Philbert Clarke 6/2 - 6/1. Donnie Anderson moved past Denzil Luthers comfortably with a 6/1 - 6/1 w i n . A u b r e y Yo u n g e wrapped up the Round of 16 matches by taking out Harvey Stoll 6/2 - 6/1. Men’s 35s Singles Andre Erskine was vintage in a 6/1 - 6/0 defeat over Aubrey Younge, while Marc Smith recorded his first tournament win after Surrendra Khayyam retired 5/7 - 6/4. Junior matches continue during the week at the GBTI Diamond facility and senior matches will be played on the upcoming weekend. (Sean Devers)

Two Guyanese to officiate at AMBC youth c/ships From left: National Sevens Coach, Theodore Henry; Assistant coach, Laurence Adonis; GDF player Darrin Henry; Mr Lewis’ wife; Caribbean player, Elio Cameron and Mark Lewis.

GRFU receives donation from Mark Lewis T

he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) on Saturday received a donation of two training shoes from Mark Lewis.

Lewis said this is the first of many donations to come. Lewis’ donation comes at a time when the GRFU is seeking permission from the

Covid-19 Task Force to train in preparation of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) championship, scheduled for the Turks and Caicos Islands in October.

The Public Relations Officer of the GRFU, Godfrey Broomes thanked Lewis for the timely donation on behalf of the President, Ryan Dey.

Guyana will have two persons officiating at the Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Yo u t h C h a m p i o n s h i p scheduled for November 25 December 5 in Cali, Colombia. One Star referee/judge Ramona Agard and International Technical Officer Elton Chase have been selected to participate in the Championships which will see athletes from over 30 countries participating. Agard is one of three local AIBA certified One Star officials, while Chase is the only ITO in Guyana.

Ramona Agard President of the Guyana Boxing Association Steve Ninvalle applauded the selection of the two, while claiming that it would provide much needed exposure for the duo.

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Tuesday July 27, 2021

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Fully vaccinated fans in Guyana to attend the West Indies and Pakistan Series

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EORGETOWN, Guyana – The We s t I n d i e s return to Guyana and fully vaccinated fans will be able to watch the T20 team in action as they continue preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup in October, 2021, a release from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) informed. The reigning T20 World Champions will face-off against Pakistan at the Guyana National Stadium in the final three matches of the Osaka Presents PSO Cup on Saturday, July 31, Sunday, August 1 and Tuesday, August 3. First ball bowls off at 11am (10am Jamaica Time). These are the final three T20I matches that the West Indies play in the Caribbean in 2021 prior to selecting the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in

partnership with Cricket West Indies (CWI) have come together to ensure fully vaccinated fans can be in attendance. Fully vaccinated fans are those who have received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine at least one (1) week before the date of the match they will be attending. Also, spectators will need to wear facemasks to gain entry to the matches and then keep wearing masks throughout. Fans will also need to remain socially distanced at all times. Johnny Grave, CEO of CWI said: “As we make a welcome return to Guyana there is great anticipation and expectation as our passionate loyal supporters will get a chance to see the West Indies in action. This is great news for our fans who we know will be eager to attend the three Osaka Presents PSO Cup West Indies vs Pakistan T20Is at the National

The Providence Stadium looks to be in immaculate condition for the upcoming action between West Indies and Pakistan. Stadium at Providence. In the build-up to the matches, we have worked with our colleagues at the GCB and the Government to make sure all the necessary protocols are in place and all requirements are met to ensure the safety of players, officials, and spectators. Our T20 team has been in superb form and we hope to see them continue in this vein and give the people of Guyana and the whole of the West Indies plenty to shout about.” Ti c k e t s p r i c e s a r e $4,000(GYD) for each match. There are three locations where fans can make ticket purchases: GCB office-Regent Road, Bourda,

Imran & Son -73 ‘A’ Rose Hall Town, Berbice, and at Imam Bacchus & Sons Affiance, Essequibo Coast. Ticket sales will start on Wednesday July 28, 2021 and will be available every day from 9:00am- 5:00pm. For fans to get a ticket and gain access to the stadium, the following steps must be taken to meet COVID-19 match protocols: · Ticket office location is at the main entrance to Guyana National Stadium. · Ministry of Health officials will be on hand to validate vaccination documentation and check tickets and ID. · Fans will need to

present their ID, cricket ticket and vaccination documentation to be allowed entry. · Fans will need to wear face masks at all times and social distance in the stadium. · Fans will be accommodated in all stands but will not be admitted to the grass mound. · No re-entry allowed if fans leave the venue. · Under-18s will not be allowed entry. · Fans will be able to p u rc h a s e t i c k e t s f o r themselves, friends and family members · Tickets will be available from 9:00am to 5:00pm on non-match days and 7:00am

to 11:00am on match days. A d d i t i o n a l l y, w i t h vendors not available in the stadium, fans will be allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. The following list of restrictions must be adhered to for entry into the ground on match day: · Fans can bring in coolers of a size that can fit under their seat (12x12x12). · Any ice in coolers must remain bagged to allow security inspection of coolers. · Glass bottles of any kind are not allowed. · Alcohol of any kind is not allowed. · No knives, sharp metal objects, or firearms.

Retired FIBA Referee Cecil Chin heaps praise on Joseph (Joe) Chapman

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ecil Chin a retired FIBA Referee and Technical Director/Clinicia n of The Guyana Basket Ball Federation and Member of The CARICOM Basketball confederation has heaped praise on his friend and former colleague Joseph ‘Joe’ Chapman for his yeoman service to the administration of Basketball over the year. Chin reached out to Kaieteur Sport, penning a missive noting the calibre of the cool, calm individual who has acquired immense knowledge of the game and its administration in Guyana over the years. Chin stated, “From the time basketball became a prominent game in the sport fraternity of British Guiana/Guyana there were the Pioneers; the likes Of the Taitt Brothers, Ken Corsbie, The Wong Brothers, The Spence Brothers, Hewley H e n r y, B i g S p e e d y (Franklin), Eldon “Rocking Chair” Vaughn, Brian “The Kid” Dummett, Ken Barrow, Chin St. Hill and Ovid Jackson who was the first

Cecil Chin Guyanese to become the Mayor of Toronto just to name a few. They brought instant recognition and paved the way for what has become one of the Nations’ Leading s ports . Their performances were the foundation and inspiration to those who later came along and enhanced the quality of the GAME.” “However, this alone was not responsible for the Games’ success. Quality Administrations” Led in the Early Days by outstanding Men like J.G. Evans, Hewley Henry-Snr, Harry Dyett and other members of their associations as it was then known. Over the years, the Game was covered by the Media

Joseph Chapman both Print and electronic, led by the renowned Joseph “Reds” Perriera; yes, there was Godfrey Wray and Alred McDonald. And along came a Young Man. This testimonial is about this Young Man. I met him in the early stages of the rise of McKenzie/Linden Association and the mining Towns’ success in the Inter Club and Association competitions hosted by the Basketball Federation. The passion and commitment that he brought to the Table was immense, sincere and honest, just a few of the qualities ingrained in his holistic Disposition.” “Representing the Linden association, he was a

member of the executive. By virtue of his involvement, it was evident that his ability would qualify him to be a member of the Executive of the federation. He served briefly with J C Ya t e s , L a u r i e Ganpatsingh, CBL Morgan (Colonel R’td) and of course The Late Colonel GF McPherson - all Past Presidents. His continuous service as an Executive Member allowed him to become Vice President with responsibility for Public Relations and all related matters. Apart from such, he was principally responsible for ensuring that all Sub Associations be accountable to the Mandate for the Game a n d i t s ’ f l u e n c y, a n d displayed a PENCHANT for interpreting and the application of the Constitution. On numerous occasions, at Executive meetings he would sit quietly and his Friend the Colonel would enquire, “JOE am I correct”? and he would respond smilingly, “Yes Colonel but…” and here is when his knowledge would come to bear.”

“His coverage of tournaments from club to sub–association, to national and regional championships gave readers the opportunity to actually feel they were in attendance. He, along with the President of the Linden Association at the time Cloyde Stephens, encouraged the Federation’s Executive to hold the monthly meetings also be held in Linden. On occasions when there were areas during tournaments that would appear to have put a participating team at a disadvantage, he would highlight the discrepancies. Such was the Man. He was also AU Fait with the Rules and Regulations of The Federation International basketball Association (FIBA), now international basketball Federation, (IBF).” “His demeanor was that did not challenge or contest decisions, but whenever he did question anything it was more for Clarification and Certainty. Over The Years he has been in the forefront to honor Players and Administrators who passed

away. He has been encouraged to start honouring them now that they are alive, and being the Person that he is he readily agreed, I am certain that he is in research mode. As I pen this Testimonial in favor of This Man I am happily moved by the quality of his humble, but firm contribution to the Discipline of Basketball and Journalism, JOE, as he is familiarly called by all, is certainly an outstanding son of the Soil, but as is known, his heart is in his LINDEN, and rightly so. I know that those he served with and still serve look forward to his continued contribution with the passion he has displayed over the Years. I believe that those he served with/for would attest to his qualities and contributions made. It has been my Signal Honour to share and be a part of the contribution that Joe has made thus far. I wish you continued Good Health and Success in all your future endeavors. Thank You for also allowing me to call You FRIEND.”

Kaieteur News

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Edghill was competitive in Tokyo says Coach Lewis

Tuesday July 27, 2021

Coach Lewis (left) during a training session with Edghill in Tokyo.

Need to compete at 7-10 International competitions per year By Sean Devers After dominating Sally Yee of Fiji 11-5, 4-11, 11-3, 11-6, 11-8, in her preliminary round match at t h e To k y o O l y m p i c s , Guyana’s first Table Tennis Olympian Chelsea Edghill and her fans watching on TV around the world would have been overjoyed at the 4-1 result. However, Edghill, who turned 24 on July 6, couldn’t keep up with the pace of South Korea’s 17-year-old Yubin Shin in her second match. And although the topranked Korean was pushed by Edghill in the last game, Shin won 11-7, 11-8, 11-1, 12-10. National Table Tennis Coach, Malteenoes’ Idi Lewis speaking about the match that ended Edghill’s Olympics, conceded that at this point the Korean was the better player. “If we’re going off of world ranking, she’s ranked about 300 places ahead but judging from the match and scores you couldn’t really tell, Chelsea was able to hold her own and had opportunities to win at least two games which is amazing against such a quality opponent and it also goes to show her true potential,” explained the 37-year-old Lewis. Asked what was his

feeling of Coaching Guyana’s only Table Tennis Olympian like as her Coach Lewis responded: “It’s really hard to put that feeling into words, at points I don’t even think it’s real. It’s surreal,” added Lewis. L e w i s , w h o ’s b e e n Edghill’s Coach since she joined the Malteenoes Sports Club at age six, provided his thoughts on the former Caribbean U-21 champion and four times Junior Sports Woman of the year, “She’s extremely talented and even from a young age and her work ethic was always top notch, very passionate about the sport, fun and just an allround amazing athlete and person. She has been with me for over 10 years,” revealed Lewis who resides in Guyana. “Initially we were trying to get her back to Europe at one of the world class training centres but after that fell through for various reasons, the ICC training center in California was a great substitution,” continued Lewis. According to her Coach, the strength of the 2018 Senior Sports Woman of the year are her excellent serves, she follows tactics and game plans perfectly, has a solid all round game, excellent table tennis I.Q, fighter and the list goes on. Asked about Edghill’s

weaknesses Coach Lewis said he would never discuss her weaknesses in public. “We work on that in private,” posited the former National Table tennis player. Edghill, who also holds a BSc in Chemistry, having graduated in 2019 from Lindenwood University in the USA, plays professionally in Portugal with Lusitania de Lourosa; a table tennis club located in the city of Lourosa in Santa Maria da Feira. “I think the number one thing she needs at this point is major funding if we’re to think about medals, this varies from country to country, sport to sport but there was a study done years ago in England on the investment per athlete that got a medal and it came up to 220,000 pounds per medal. Olympians would also train at least 10,000 hours’ prep leading up to the games and compete at 7-10 international competitions per year at a minimum. This d o e s n ’t f a c t o r i n t h e development stage, an athlete has to be invested in before reaching elite Olympic level,” Lewis informed. “In a nutshell, a nucleus of certified paid coaches, competition both domestic and international at high levels, incentives post and d u r i n g c a r e e r, t a l e n t

Identification systems and structured media marketing, all working. And critically facilities together,” stressed Lewis when asked what is needed for Guyana to produce high quality International sportspersons. “The standard of table Tennis in Guyana is very h i g h u n d e r t h e circumstances and we’ve shown we’re good enough to compete at the highest level against the best in the world with Chelsea. Outside of her we have other young and bright talents like Shemar Britton, Terence Rausch, Malachi Moore, Ebo McNeil, J o h n a t h o n Va n l a n g e , Samara Suhkai, Jazmine Billingy just to name a few,” informed Lewis. Lewis feels the gap between Caribbean and International levels are in the systems and structures.

Chelsea Edghill and her Coach at the Tokyo Olympics. “The gaps are in the systems and structures that I’ve referenced earlier that limits our athletes in the region to be able to transition and realize their truest potential. There is an abundance of skill in this

region,” lamented the hard working Coach. Lewis and Edghill were scheduled to depart Japan yesterday and will spend a few days visiting, friends and family in New York before returning to Guyana.

Assassins victorious at Dassy 10-10 softball tournament Assassins emerged victorious in the Dassy 10-10 one-day softball extravaganza on Saturday at Keele Top, Toronto where they beat Challengers in the six-over final. Challengers took first strike at the invitation of Assassins and they only made 58-2 off the six overs, while Assassins, in reply, reached the target without no fuss with ten balls to spare. L e f t - h a n d e r Av i s h Rukhram led the way with an enterprising, unbeaten 53 laced with six sixes and two fours, while Damodar Daesrath was with him on five, much to the celebrations of their teammates and vocal supporters. When Challengers batted there was no big scorer as skipper Riaz Kadir grabbed two wickets for seven runs

The victorious Assassins pose with trophies after the game. from two overs, delivering for Assassins, who beat a star-studded SCC in the semis. The day began with eleven sides competed for the trophy and cash incentive of CDs $4,000. The day’s event started with a ten-over a-side but was reduced to eight overs at the semi-final stage

and then six overs in the championship showdown under a rainy sky. At the presentation, organizer Daesrath, a former Guyana first-class player who also represented Canada too at the highest level, thanked all the teams for their participation and also had similar sentiments for the

sponsors. Special mention was made to the family of the late Johnny Bujan who was remembered as a servant to cricket Canada. According to Daesrath, the games were played in memory of Bujan, who met his demise in 2016 due to a vehicular accident in his native Trinidad and

Tobago. His son Joshwa Bujan was very thankful to Daesrath and another organizer Tony Ramdass for pulling off such a terrific softball tournament in the midst of a global pandemic. Joshwa also took the opportunity to congratulate the winners and presented a cheque of $1,000 towards Charity. Meanwhile, at the presentation, the winners received the trophy sponsored by I&R General Contracting Inc, while Challengers took home one, compliments of Dent Wizard. A trophy was given to Rukhram for being the MVP in the final, thanks to Canadian Surplus Guyana. He also copped the best batsman prize, a trophy sponsored by Tropical Nights Restaurant. Kadir got a

trophy for the most wickets in the championship contest, courtesy of Caribbean Lyme Restaurant while Daesrath won the trophy for the most runs of the day. The trophy was donated by Flavour Restaurant. Kadir also took home the trophy for the most wickets of the day, thanks to B. Boy Transportation LTD for donating the trophy. Edward Morrison was the player with the highest individual score and he got a trophy and bat, courtesy of T&S Enterprise. Leguan Boys was the side to record the highest team’s score and they collected a trophy, compliments of 24 Hour Glass. Best catch went to Prince Younge and he took home a trophy sponsored by JDG Tooling and Rukhram got one for the biggest six, thanks to PGI.

Kaieteur News

Tuesday July 27, 2021

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Four teenagers among seven record breakers at - Lone female Angel GAPLF Intermediates/Masters C/ships Chappelle leads with six Romeo Hunter powers his way a new Men’s Sub-Jr Raw Squat record of 180kg-396.832lbs. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Alex Parmanand sets the new Men’s Junior Raw Bench Press record 127.5kg (281.089lbs). (Franklin Wilson photo) ‘Uncle’ Noel Cummings ups the standard in the Men’s Master 4 Raw Class with a new Deadlift record of 183kg-403.446lbs. (Franklin Wilson photo)

Faraud Mohamed achieves a new Men’s Sub-Jr Equipped Squat record of 192.5kg (424.390lbs). (Franklin Wilson photo) By Franklin Wilson A diminutive 14 year-old by the name of Angel Chappelle representing Kares Crossfit was excellent in her performances as she led all on the day by setting six (6) new records of the 20 that were broken when the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) held its Intermediates/Masters Championships on Sunday last at the Saint Stanislaus College Auditorium, Brickdam, Georgetown. Chappelle, who has her sights set on becoming a pediatrician, contested the Women’s Open Raw as well as the Sub-Junior Raw categories, represented her colleagues well as got the most individual records amongst a powerful field of male competitors including Guest Lifter, 27 year-old Carlos ‘The Showstopper’ Petterson-Griffith who accounted for three on a energetic day of action, sponsored by Pele Alumni, Fitness Express Kares Engineering, Kares Crossfit, Dyna’s Embroidery and The Trophy Stall. Another 14 year-old, Romeo Hunter competing under the banner of Mon Repos Fitness Gym, started

Carlos Petterson-Griffith powering his way to the new Men’s Open Equipped Deadlift record of 360kg (793.664lbs). (Franklin Wilson photo)

Puneshwar Ramjit lifts his way into the record books with a new Men’s Junior Raw Deadlift mark of 247.5kg (545.644lbs). (Franklin Wilson photo) working out with his dad just two years ago and already is one of the bright prospects for Guyana. Hunter set Squat and Bench Press records in the 66kg Men’s Sub-Junior Raw division. Sixteen yearold Faraud Mohamed of Space Gym and a student of Georgetown International Academy sealed three records (Squat, Deadlift, Total) in the Men’s SubJunior Equipped 74kg class. Alex Parmanand, a 19 year-old Teacher who attends the Cyril Potter College of Education; representing Seemangal’s Fitness Gym located in the Cinderella County of

Essequibo set new Squat, Bench Press, Dead Lift and Total records in the 105kg Men’s Junior Raw division. Parmanand’s gym mate, Puneshwar Ramjit, a 22 year-old who started to do powerlifting a mere five months ago, set a new Deadlift record in the 120kg Men’s Junior Raw class. And, elder statesman, 72 year-old ‘Uncle’ Noel Cummings (RipHit Strength and Conditioning) continues to prove that age is just a number as he lifted his way to yet another record, this time it was in the Deadlift, a new Men’s Master 4 Raw standard.