Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR Exxon dodges questions Wednesday Edition NEWS on total gas flared at Liza Destiny over 2-year period July 27, 2022 - Vol. 17 No. 31

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

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $100 readership yesterday, 64,441

- says gas compressor woes finally fixed

Contrary to VP Jagdeo's claims…

Smallest contractor in

Stabroek Block made $28B more than Guyana last year - Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram

- tries to mislead shareholders on $21B in taxes country paid on its behalf Guyana rich in FBI in Guyana to help tackle resources, money laundering, come to Guyana narcotics trafficking, - Pres. Ali tells US investors organised crime Motion killed in National Assembly…

“Even Exxon would not make such silly arguments against - Transparency full liability coverage” Advocate Oil company working in Guyana still to clean-up spill in Peru 6 months later

Independent probe of Jagdeo could unearth more - Opposition damning findings convinced

Alleged arsonist charged for murder Police on Tuesday, charged the alleged arsonist for the murder of Nariman Latifan, the 55-year-old Essequibo woman who was earlier this month strangled at Mahdia, Region Eight.

The alleged arsonist, 48year-old, Dexter James also known as Limuel Alphonso, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennon.

It is alleged that sometime between July 5 and 6, he allegedly murdered Latifan, at Salbura Backdam, Mahdia. James was not required to enter a plea to the indictable charge and was remanded to prison until his next court date.

James was arrested by detectives on Friday at Meadow Bank, Georgetown.

Police had issued a wanted bulletin for him about a week after Latifan’s battered remains were found on July 6, last.

The woman had disappeared from the home she shared with her husband on July 5. Police were alerted and while conducting the necessary investigations at the couple’s house, they saw blood stains on their veranda

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Remanded for allegedly strangling a woman at Mahdia, Dexter James and burnt body parts were found a short distance behind the house. A day later, detectives found her battered remains disposed in an area close by. It is suspected that someone had beaten her and then used a rope or a cord to strangle her.

James reportedly did not confess or admit to the crime but according to police, investigators say they have sufficient evidence to pin

Murdered, Nariman Latifan

him to the woman’s murder.

Detectives had related that Latifan’s killer could be someone who she and her husband had given shelter to sometime in the past. They were convinced too that James had some knowledge about her death.

James was described as a notorious character in the Mahdia community. He is accused of wounding someone and setting a house

on fire there. Police had issued a wanted bulletin for him in June this year, stating that he had committed those offences in September 2021.

Somehow, he managed to elude police in that district and had continued to be a menace to residents. One individual said that the alleged arsonist had threatened him during an argument they had some time back before running away.

Production Manager, Mike Ryan

Exxon dodgestal o t n o s n o i t s e qu gas flared at r e v o y n i t s e D a z Li 2-year period

pressor m o c s a g s y - sa fixed ly l a n i f s e o w

Production Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana, Mike Ryan told members of the media fraternity on Tuesday that the company was finally able to bring an end to the gas compressor woes that plagued the Liza Destiny floating, production, storage and operating (FPSO) vessel. The malfunctioning equipment had led to two years of flaring which released over 200 toxic chemicals into the atmosphere.

Ryan said the Exxon team was able to successfully install a new compressor from Germany and was even open to sharing that over US$10M in flaring fees had been paid over to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

But what the Production Manager carefully dodged was questions posed by Kaieteur News on the amount of gas flared to date via the Liza Destiny FPSO for the two-year period.

Ryan would only repeat that the company maintained full compliance with the EPA’s permitted parametres for flaring which was between15-7 million cubic feet of gas per day.

The Production Manager said, “We have met our expectation of delivering it (the new compressor), installing it, and safely starting it up in July. We have achieved background flare of less than one million standard cubic feet of gas. It is a remarkable accomplishment by many people who have been

relentlessly pursuing this.

We have also gone 1000 days without any injury which is really world class performance...”

Ryan was keen to note that optimisation works were completed on the Liza Destiny FPSO taking production up from nameplate capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day to 140,000 barrels.

Meanwhile, on Liza Unity FPSO, he said it has achieved background flare within a record 60 days. “We have also hit our capacity range of about 220,000 barrels of oil per day,” expressed the official.

With respect to room for further optimisation works to increase production at the Liza Destiny, Ryan said, “We are always looking for ways to maximise the value of the investment for the benefit of the partners. At the moment, we are at 140,000 barrels per day and we are always looking for ways to test that and get more value.”

While he did not share the costs incurred for addressing the gas compressor issues, Ryan did note that the old equipment would be sent to Germany to be upgraded by MAN Energy and SBM offshore, after which it will be kept in country as a spare.

In the meantime, the newly installed one will go through an endurance test to ensure it is “performing better than what was planned.” It is expected that the new compressor will last for a period of 20 years.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 27, 2022

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Contrary to VP Jagdeo’s claims…

Smallest contractor in Stabroek Block made $28B more than Guyana last year Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has said more than once, that Guyana actually gets a greater take from the Stabroek Block deal than the entire ExxonMobil-led consortium leading the offshore operations.

However, Chartered Accountant and Attorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram’s most recent examination and analysis of the financial records for Exxon and its partners have evinced an entirely different story.

In his column titled, “Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded,” which is published by the Stabroek News, Ram showed for example that CNOOC, the smallest of the three contractors in the Stabroek Block, got more money than Guyana did from its own resources.

Ram said CNOOC recorded a net profit in 2021,

...tries to mislead shareholders on $21B in taxes country paid on its behalf – Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram

Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram inclusive of the non-cash tax benefit of some $105.6B before writing off any prior year losses. By contrast, Ram showed that the revenue earned by the Guyana Government from its share of profit oil is $74.5B gross.

What also seemed disconcerting for the newspaper columnist and

anti-corruption advocate is the fact that much could not be understood regarding the comprehensiveness of operating and exploration expenses for CNOOC. In providing readers with some of the figures available, Ram noted that CNOOC, which is incorporated outside of Guyana and traces its parent

to the People’s Republic of China, reported a net income before income taxes of $84.5B. This, he said, is an increase of 808.5 percent over 2020 on Net Sales of $127,494 million, which grew by a more modest 207.8 percent.

Furthermore, Ram said the branch reports expenditure on exploration activities totalling $3.6 billion. He observed that operating costs of $18.6 billion were 14.5 percent of revenue down from 40.7 percent. He said this shows the impact of oil price on the performance of oil companies and more so the bonanza which oil companies are reaping.

The Chartered Accountant said the Financial Statement gets

more interesting too. He observed, “From the net income, the Statement shows a deduction of $21.1B as deferred income tax which it does not and will never pay, despite the rather misleading statement in the notes that it is ‘subject to the Guyana income tax act.’

That nonsensical position is further maintained with the statement that at the end of 2021, the company had a deferred tax liability of $16.4B ‘as it is probable that future taxable amounts will be paid.”

“The giveaway however is in the Cash Flow Statement in which the identical amount deducted in the income statement – $21.1B – is added back as a non-cash tax benefit. In other words, instead of

deducting the $21.1B, that amount, which represents the tax which the Government will have to pay to the GRA on behalf of CNOOC, that sum should be added to the amount reported by the company, giving a true net profit of $105.6B.” As it was in 2020, Ram said the financial statements reveal very little by way of disclosure. The Chartered Accountant concluded that readers are no better informed of what makes up exploration, operating costs, and the less significant general and administrative.

He said, “Even the most ordinary company in Guyana produces financial statements that are more informative and readerfriendly than CNOOC’s.”

Independent probe of Jagdeo could unearth more damning findings – Opposition convinced “If you have nothing to hide, if you dismiss this thing as another one of those allegations that comes up in the media, why would you not want to facilitate an open discussion at the highest level of decision-making in the country to satisfy the citizens of this country? If you are saying that you are open, you are transparent, you are accountable to the people, why are you dismissing a Motion that is of grave importance to 50 percent of the population of this country?”

These were the searching questions proffered by former Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), Mervyn Willams on Tuesday, as he stressed the need for an independent investigation in the Vice News allegations against Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, during a Leader of the Opposition press conference. Though the Opposition Leader, Mr. Aubrey Norton, was absent, MPs Ganesh Mahipaul and Deonarine Ramsaroop, as well as party member Elson Low shared their views on the issue.

Mahipaul during the media engagement pointed out that over the years, citizens of Guyana have

Members of the Opposition addressing the media during the press conference. From left are: Elson Low; former MP, Mervyn Williams, MP Deonarine Ramsaroop and MP Ganesh Mahipaul been repeatedly hearing of such allegations against the Vice President, noting that an independent probe could unearth even more damning findings than those brought out in the Vice News documentaries released.

Explaining that scores of Guyanese, including those in civil society have called for an independent investigation to be conducted, Mahipaul said, “Over the years, they have heard many allegations of high level corruption but this one stinks to the highest level and they want to know the full facts.”

Importantly, he pointed out that the population deserves answers on why contracts are awarded “not to the highest bidder, but to the

highest briber” and “the extent to which Jagdeo and the PPP Ministers are selling out the country for so-called consultation fees.”

It was on Thursday that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir dismissed the Opposition’s Motion calling for an independent probe of the allegations made in the United States documentary.

In announcing his decision o n t h e m a t t e r, N a d i r informed the House that the issue on hand must be of a “definite matter of urgent public importance,” and in his opinion, the issue regarding the VP was not.

The Speaker said he has seen in the media many such allegations of corruption

against many current members of the Assembly.

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

This the Speaker said, adding that in applying the two basic principles of urgency and public importance, “I do not see the urgency in this. While the issue of corruption is important to all of us, the urgency of the particular allegation I cannot accept and so I deny this request.”

Mahipaul, however, told the press that he believes that the issue is more than that

which has surfaced. In response to a question from this publication on whether the Opposition believes an independent probe would shed light on prior acts of corruption, the MP said, “Most definitely! Once an investigation is independent and the composition of the body have people from the international community, we believe that it would bring out all that has happened during the period to which it will focus on to prove that indeed Jagdeo is aligned to these malpractices, to bribery, to corruption and the likes.”

Meanwhile, the Opposition members chastised the Speaker for once again proving his

“biased behaviour”. In fact, Mahipaul said the political group has no hesitation to put on record that they believe his actions were “ s h a m e f u l a n d dishonourable.”

In further registering the O p p o s i t i o n ’ s disappointment of the Speaker’s ruling, Williams pointed out that the supplementary funding being sought by the government was allowed as a matter of priority, whereas, an Opposition Motion to address the present cost of living was not allowed.

He argued, “There is an interesting observation when it comes to the Speaker and his decisions. He has Continued on page 20

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 27, 2022

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

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

EDITORIAL

Sugar – a financial blackhole

S

ugar is sucking the life out of Guyana. Year after year, and budget after budget, King Sugar has grabbed a sizable share of the billions coming out of those provisions, including supplementary ones. Make no mistake, sugar at one time and for a long time, the local reigning monarch, is now reduced to the ragged, wretched state of King Lear caught up in one raging storm after another.

Plenty of money has been thrown at it, and for a while, those many billions made sense. There are many families and communities involved, and whose collective welfare are at stake. But, as in everything in this life, there comes a time when stock has to be taken.

It is time, long past the time, to take stock of where we are with sugar, what has been put into it, and what can be expected from it, if anything long-term, all things properly weighed and measured. It is from what could be more beneficial to those most closely attached and sure to feel the brunt of all the negatives that could result from making the decisions necessary to deal with the local sugar industry constructively.

We are throwing huge amounts of scarce money after a business that is struggling to rise from underwater. Despite all the frequent infusions of heavy money, there has not been much of the improvements needed, expected. The product itself is part of the problem, and its place on the world stage is under ongoing distress. The same could be said for some of its more senior people, who don’t seem to have what it takes to put their arms around the enormous tasks at hand, and get the job done, with a nod to all the challenges that the sector faces.

Considering all the above, it would be the substance of what is reasonable to take a long, hard look at what needs to be done with the sugar industry. It needs radical surgery, but we are all aware of the pain and agony what even the best of such treatments can inflict.

Organisational chemotherapy may be too much, especially if administered too sharply and quickly. A more measured approach using milder medicines would fit the bill, one that has in mind the long-term prospects of workers and their families, particularly those not at the top layers, who can take care of themselves, always do anyhow.

Clearly, what is called for is a slow phase-out of sugar in this country, which it is believed that the leaders in this PPP/C Government know all too well. Such an approach has to be structured, and always with a view on how to accommodate those at the grassroots level of this hurting business. More oil money (something resisted by our leaders) could mean more available to look after new starts for sugar workers in new businesses coming from new ideas about the extent of what they are worth.

As a matter of course, there could be a breaking away from the longstanding and ongoing dependency on boosts and bailouts from annual budgets, now the norm. There would be that confident individual independence to start from scratch, but while looking in totally different directions with new horizons in mind, and all flowing from new visions about selves.

In this our new age of oil, we need this kind of citizen and this type of mentality in our workforce. It must be a workforce, sugar or no sugar that is self-confident, assertive, and brimming with ambitions that go beyond the mould for self and offspring.

It is our belief that workers in the local sugar sector could be motivated to start thinking in this way. But this would only come about, if leaders in politics and management are prepared to encourage such initiative, rather than the piecemeal approaches that have been tried but only contributed to prolonging the agony of a business that is clearly on trembling legs.

While the above is placed on the table, there is complete understanding of applicable politics, demographics, and the significance of a devoted voting base to be considered.

Nevertheless, better can be done for sugar by empowering workers, and not viewing them as chips.

President, VP summoned to Washington DEAR EDITOR, I leaned back on reading that July 24 Demerara Waves caption “US govt. invites Ali, Jagdeo to meet with Secretary of State, Congressional leaders.” “Invites” is putting this development nicely, and with careful regard for the dignity of this nation’s two top leaders. I commend this exercise in politeness, but must insist that it is the wrong verb in the situation.

The President and Vice President of Guyana were not ‘invited’ by the U.S. Government. Both of them were summoned, as in commanded to turn up immediately. It is not a redcarpet reception in mind for the two local travelers, who had to be wondering (and sweating profusely) as to what was up for such overnight urgency. I say overnight because there was nary a whisper before on something that would had much fanfare; and I don’t think that either the President or Vice President saw this socalled invitation coming. The American Ambassador didn’t give them any notice, for she had cautioned them.

I am not surprised given the veiled warning language that Her Excellency has employed in her official and public communications repeatedly. Her words and postures have been insistent: transparency and inclusion at

the top of the heap, and some business that covers procurement and benefits for all locals.

The State Department has to have coded cables from her as to what is really happening here and the implications of those (to be addressed later).

Of course, it didn’t help at all that the Chinese threw that monkey into the mix that goes under the name of money laundering. This is trouble upon crisis that threatens a catastrophe. That is, for the same two Guyanese leaders now compelled to hurry over to Washington, DC in answer to an imperial call. It was the equivalent of show up or else…

It is a nice cover story to have as part of the waiting reception committee those United States Congressmen who have been very vocal in highlighting the woes of Afro Guyanese, and the ugly nature of the now chronic discriminations meted against them in an array of public service areas.

One of the other crucial areas of concern has to be the suspicious killings by agents of the State of African Guyanese civilians. As much as the agenda on the American side is long and alarming, I still have not gone anywhere near to what is the biggest concern for the Yanks. Before going further,

I must make it clear that it is my strong belief that the two PPP Government leaders (and delegation) were not allowed the courtesy and luxury of their own agenda. It is really a sit down for a dressing down. It should be clear by now where I stand with that piece of officialese that tried valiantly to convey something about “bilateral”, and current releases brimming with good fellowship. There is nothing bilateral about the gatherings or conversations. Our guys are going to be handed their heads on a platter and then hauled over the coals. It is now the proper time to visit what is most important to America’s heart.

In the plainest language, the Americans summoned Guyana’s President and Vice President to make it clear that they are in power, and will only remain in power, as long as the interests of Exxon are protected. Nothing and no one must be allowed to menace to the giant American oil presence here.

If ostracizing and marginalizing Afro Guyanese is developing to a worrying degree of restlessness, then the President and Vice President have to get off their thrones and fix the problem. So, we are right back to what the U.S. Ambassador has made one of the centerpieces of her public presentations, which is that

dirty word (to the PPP) inclusion. If the peace and stability of Guyana are stressed, then the United States is most interested in those stress points being banished. This is where all roads terminate. In a word, it is Exxon! Exxon! Exxon! And both of them better not forget any of that. Do whatever it takes. Be up to the job and deliver, even if lines have to be crossed.

The unspoken two-way street of understanding is best summed up tautly: America put the PPP back in power. And just as surely, America can put the PPP right back out of power just like that, no kidding.

This is what this abrupt departure for Washington s is all about, and of that let there be no mistake, notwithstanding the soothing words from Washington now.

Wrapping up, it is to ensure that the two humbled Guyanese leaders know who really is boss, and this is not the bush leagues of Guyana.

Last, the Guyanese delegation will be thrown some bone about meager assistance here and there to keep up appearances with this farce about “bilateral” talks, and give them something to boast about on returning to the boondocks of Guyana.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Why did the majority Indentured Indians remain in Guyana, and not repatriated?”

DEAR EDITOR, The following question was asked on a Social Media page, “Why did the Majority Indentured Indians Remain in Guyana, and not repatriated?”

I feel many Guyanese will benefit from my brief research into this salient question.

Background: The total number of Indians introduced into British Guiana from May 5 1838 to the end of indenture in 1917 was 238,979; the total number repatriated to India by 1938 was 74,645. That is, almost 70% remained in the Colony. The indentures had to sign a legal document – contract - that took away their freedom (i.e. bondage, origin of the term “bound” collies) for a specific time period - five years) and for a stipulated pittance wage and other amenities (like living in the just abandoned “slave quarters” or Logies). This covenant skillfully shifted the financing of migration from the planters to the labourers.

There was a severe international economic depression in the latter part of the 19th century that

precipitated several policies that incentivized the indentured to stay on in the Colony.

During the depression, cane sugar had acute competition from beet sugar internationally, depressing employment and wages. Planters were under considerable pressure to pay attention to industries other than sugar.

The depression prompted a reform movement that pushed for minor industries and subsistence farming to ease the economic burdens of the Colony; the Colony should produce “alternatives.”

This movement led to constitutional changes in the late 1890s. A committee of the legislature investigated the problem of re-immigration.

Discussion revolved around that of establishing settlement schemes where Indians relinquished their repatriation rights in return for free Land grants.

The government lowered both the minimum acreage of crown land that could be purchased and the unit price.

Plots could be exchanged for their return passages. Many indentured who had nothing back home saw this as very lucrative deal. Lowering the minimum acreage that could be purchased by the indentured from 100 acres to 50 acres and at a cheaper unit cost made it possible for many who had saved to purchase large tracks of uncleared land.

Thus began the initial impetus for Guyana’s rice industry.

Settlement schemes soon sprang up for example in Berbice: Helena, Whim, Bush Lot; and in Essequibo: Maria’s Pleasure.

From the above incentives, rice as a staple crop became popular during the depression during which market demand in the colony switched from sugar to rice.

The Indians restructured their own labour towards rice production and to a lesser extent other agricultural products (owning cows and selling milk). Eventually rice became part of the national economy of British Guiana and ultimately the Caribbean.

Leased land and parsimony

were the immediate causes of indentured labourers rise to economic independence damping any residual urges to return to their homeland.

Paradoxically, making land available to the Indians was a financial ploy used by planters to benefit planters.

It also resulted in selfsufficiency for the majority of indentured labourers.

Pressures to re-immigrate was further lessened when the law was passed that all immigrants arriving after 1862 were to be re-indentured for 5 additional years beyond the initial 5 years, AND they could only claim the free return trip after that total 10 years of indentureship!

Additionally, such returnees to India must pay half of the return passage of $60; they had to fork out $30!

Indentured males were working one shilling equivalent of $.24/day; for females half of that, that impossibility is a major factor for staying put.

Another factor is that many of the repatriates (Continued on page 5)

Wednesday July 27, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Guyana Government not summoned to Washington DEAR EDITOR, I received several phone calls about the trip to Washington by President Ali, the VP, and their entourage. I was asked whether it is true that the President was summoned to Washington for a tongue-lashing by the representatives of the US government. I am not in the know of policy making of Guyana or US or any other government. The President, VP, and others involved in policymaking don’t share information with me. Friends in high places in several countries usually pass on to me snippets of information about relations or about what is happening in their countries.

They do so because of the respect they have for my integrity, as a writer and they know that I would never compromise their identity or

Why did...

From page 4 to India would have been viewed with suspicions even ostracized or excommunicated from their caste (suspicion that they were “contaminated” by marrying or had liaisons with persons outside their castes or ethnicities. Also, a potential repatriate must have had a terrified reluctance to recross the dreaded Kala Pani!

“The presence of the East Indians in the Colony was a great factor in its prosperity and one great thing they had done within recent years was to introduce their native industry – rice planning.” Sir Walter Egerton. And “The natives of India with their love of land and fondness for agriculture and pastoral pursuits will probably have a greater influence on the future of the colony than all the other races put together.” R. Duff, Immigration Agent. Both quotations appeared in historian Peter Ruhomon’s writings.

The West Indian novelist, George Lamming, on East Indians: “For those Indian hands – whether in British Guiana or Trinidad – have fed all of us. They are, perhaps, our only jewels of a true native thrift and industry.

They have taught us by example the value of money; for they respect money as only people with a high sense of communal responsibility can.” And “…And so there can be no section of citizens with any greater claim to the citadels of power in our land.”

Sincerely, Dev Persaud, Director Of Finance & Administration National Student Nurses Association, Inc.

share information that threatens national security and that I would use the information wisely. For example, in India friends had passed on to me what they thought was the narrowed list of candidates who were being considered for the Presidency and now the Vice Presidency (to be elected next year). I have not shared the information, not even with my spouse.

The answer to the query about the Washington trip is no. The President and VP were/are not summoned to Washington.

“Being summoned” is a diplomatic term; it is an established practice in diplomacy.

Those of us who studied foreign policy, international relations, and political science would understand its usage, meaning, and implications. It is a diplomatic tool a host country uses when it wants to make its anger felt to another country about a policy. It is done through a formal, polite, trite, diplomatic note sent to the relevant country’s embassy asking for the Ambassador to come to the Foreign Ministry to meet the Foreign Minister or a designate. It is a formal way for the host State

communicate its views on matters of importance in no uncertain terms and for the sending state to address them or face dire consequences.

At the meeting, there is usually a dressing down (expression of serious displeasure) by the host country of a sending government about its policy or action or even some innocuous matter to which the sending government may have no control. Serious concerns and political positions and expectations are conveyed by the host country to the sending country’s diplomat. The host country may use strong language like “outrage …” or condemn a certain policy or action or object to or protest or make demands. This is done without using diplomatic pleasantries. The diplomat gets the message depending on the tone and language used.

The leader of a government is never summoned to another country. It is usually the Ambassador (or a designate so appointed by the Mission of a government in another country called the sending country) who is summoned to receiving country’s Foreign

Ministry or designated place for a lecture on some important matter. It does not have to be a lecture or dress down. The Ambassador could be summoned to be informed of a new policy of the receiving government that would have consequences for the sending government.

Professionals from the diplomatic mission know the purpose of the summons and would convey the message to headquarters.

Being summoned is a call to be present for a specified action. It is not an order but a formal diplomatic request that has the effects of an order.

There would be consequences if the Ambassador does not accept the request or doesn’t show up. The Ambassador or designate usually show up at an agreed time and place. It is rarely known in diplomacy of a diplomat not attending a summoning. If you don’t respond, you could be sent packing or have aid to your country reduced. The US rarely summon diplomats of non-threatening countries.

Only in extreme cases are diplomats summoned.

Russian diplomats get summoned all the time. And

there was usually tit for tat in Moscow and Washington.

Guyana rarely if even summoned any diplomats in Georgetown.

If the US wishes to express its displeasure to the Guyana government about some matter, it would do so through its Ambassador in Georgetown or the Guyana Ambassador in Washington.

Reports about ambassadors being “summoned” often appear in the news and this happens amid rising tensions between nations. The US or some other government would not send for President Ali; that is not how diplomacy is conducted. Having said so, it does not preclude Secretary Blinken from conveying a message to the visiting Guyana President and VP and delegation on America’s concerns on various issues – China’s growing presence would be top of the agenda.

There are others which I would convey to friends.

A summoning is a serious concern. The receiving country means business. One would not want to mess with Washington or Ottawa or London. Those countries saved democracy and facilitated change in

government in Guyana in 1953, 1964, 1992, 2015, and 2020. They have the tools to change government that is not of their liking and they should if one were to consider that more Guyanese live in the ‘tree’ than in Georgetown.

In brief, the President of a country does not get summoned to the capital of another country but its Ambassador or designate does. Guyana’s Ambassador was summoned during the coalition tenure.

My recollection is it was about the attempted electoral fraud. But Ambassadors could also have gotten summoned to the State department and lectured on corruption, relations with China, and the presence of Islamic radicals who had posed a threat to US. President Ali was not summoned to Washington. It was a trip long overdue given Guyana’s new geo-political relevance and importance as source of energy. The trip would have been requested by both sides and formalized for this time of the year to discuss areas of concerns for bilateral relations.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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Kaieteur News

Limited library hours DEAR EDITOR, The National Public Library was founded in 1909 and until now, it has not been catering to the needs of an educated public in 2022.

There are many parents, children, youth, university students and professional (adult learners) who voice their opinions and disgust towards the limited library hours.

Also, the library building is in need of a serious overhaul (i.e. new up-to-date and bigger building). STEM should have its own interactive wing. We know what the Minister and the Library leadership team will say, however, we appeal to both, to find a way to extend the library hours for the benefit of education.

In Guyana, the National Public Library closes at 4pm Monday to Friday, closed on Saturday, Sundays and holidays. This schedule is suitable for the Library team but not the learning society preparing for oil wealth.

Editor, please allow me the space to highlight the other libraries in the Caribbean.

Barbados closes at 5pm (Monday to Saturday); Trinidad and Tobago closes at 5pm and Saturdays at 1pm; Belize closes at 6pm and St. Vincent closes at 5pm and is open on Saturdays. Can the leadership at the Library in Guyana begin to discuss and make changes to its scheduled hours, especially on Saturdays? Thank you.

Cordially, Denise Murray

Wednesday July 27, 2022

The heist of Guyana, the Vice News investigation and patterns of corruption and bad governance by successive PPP administrations DEAR EDITOR, The more things change the more they remain the same goes the saying. Guyanese should understand however, that with Exxon in the picture, the stakes are much higher and we are in a very precarious situation with the current governing arrangement. The VICE News documentary was not an overnight treatise, it took months and perhaps even years to gather the evidence, study patterns of corruption, interview informants, read documents and to fact-check information. By the way, a whole feature titled the heist of Guyana was featured in Kaieteur News many years before the Vice News documentary implicating the Vice President and PPP Government officials in bribery schemes and financially dubious “development projects.”

Most of us are familiar with the phrase, where there is smoke, there is fire.

Between 1992 to 2015 several PPP Administrations was at the helm of Government and the Presidency. In total, between 1992-2022, the PPP governed Guyana for 26 years, with the last three years between 2020 to present. Such extremely long

tenures of Government are similar to the tenures of dictatorships and provide a mountain of information that is useful for analyzing and understanding the proverbial nature of the beast pertaining to party’s culture, decisionmaking, how it exercises power and its relationships with formal and informal interest groups.

This letter is by no means an academic analysis of the

PPP’s tenure; it is rather a reflection of patterns of behaviour and occurrences that have become synonymous with the PPP’s tenure in government as it relates to ethic relations, governance and financial corruption.

The patterns highlighted below are well documented in local, regional and international print and audiovisual media and contained in unsealed communication between local embassies, in particular the ABCEU countries and their respective governments.

Regards, C.A. Singh

T N U L B . . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

This world is increasingly becoming a worrisome place to exist in. Some days, the things we see and hear defy logic, leaving us to think: Who really can we rely on in this world?

It is as if the good is daily being outstripped by evil; evil is being given the right of way and good is struggling to remain relevant.

It is no wonder that some of the affluent are aspiring to jet off to Mars to hopefully take up residence; leaving all the malevolent behind. But even such a perceived tactical move will not earn them immortality.

But it seems that some right among us, based on their actions, are daring to believe that if they earn enough – by hook or crook – they will somehow defy the odds. Maybe they should be reminded of the words of the popular hymn: This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through…

There's no doubt, many of us subscribe to the notion: How we live in this life will determine how we fare in the next.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Motion killed in National Assembly…

“Even Exxon would not make such silly arguments against full liability coverage” - Transparency Advocate For a government whose members spout the “One Guyana” slogan at every turn, they have shut out the voice of half of Guyana.

This is according to transparency advocate, Dr. Jerry Jailall. In a letter to the editor, Jailall penned his frustrations on the government’s response to an Opposition-tabled Motion that sought to include full liability coverage in the event of an oil spill.

If successful, the Motion would have also ordered a study of the possible ill effects of an oil spill; the report would be submitted to the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources to guide future oil developments.

However, on Thursday evening when the Motion was finally debated in the National Assembly, 154 days after it was first laid, the members of government and a lone Opposition MP stood against the Motion.

To this end, Dr. Jailall reasoned, “Regardless of whether you think

the PNC are corrupt cheats and riggers, they do represent half of the country. All Lives Matter! If you shut out and shut up parliamentary debate and ignore good suggestions from the other side, it seems as if you are forcing the Opposition to ultimately resort to street action.”

In booting the Opposition Motion, the government’s side argued that the document was meant to drive investors away; that it could increase the cost of an oil development; that no investor in their right mind would agree to such a policy and that it is normal for there to be risks in any development.

The US-based Guyanese explained, “The PPP in effect were saying, ‘We don’t want full insurance coverage for oil spills’…even Exxon would not make such silly arguments coming from the Government’s side! It is bad when foreign companies rob you. It is worse when your own

Transparency Activist, Dr. Jerry Jailall Government says it’s okay…”

To this end, Dr. Jailall said it is clear that the government is the “middleman for the oil companies” and is determined to continue the “treasonous sellout of our largest natural resource.” He said the decisions of the administration often beg the question as to who is advising the government.

The activist reasoned that not

only was the Motion calling for quick payment of new employees in the public service defeated, but also a Motion calling for an urgent debate on corruption allegations against Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. Not satisfied with their assault on Opposition-tabled Motions, Dr. Jailall pointed out that the government moved to act like “puppets” and “agents of the oil companies” in throwing out the Motion laid by Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson. As such, he reasoned, “Does the PPP Government, hanging by a thread of one seat, think this issue will go away between now and 2025?”

Dr. Jailall noted, “This motion finds favour with Civil Society groups which have been calling for the strongest environmental protection as we develop oil. We also have such obligation by virtue of our membership in the Extractive Industries Transparency International (EITI) and the Escazu Agreement.”

More importantly, the USbased Guyanese pointed out that Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat indicated that the administration is aware of how devastating an oil spill can be; hence, provisions have been made to ensure such an activity does not occur. Even if it does, he assured that the oil company has been required to import a capping stack to lay on standby, in the event of such an occurrence.

Dr. Jailall was keen to note that he does not agree that a capping stack would limit the damage caused by an oil spill. According to him, “This seems to be a naïve view that a capping stack, which is a piece of equipment that is used to place over a blown out well as a cap to prevent further damage that may have been caused, is all that is needed to deal with oil spills. Dr. Jagan had coined a term, “square peg in round holes” to describe some PNC appointments. Ditto for the PPP.”

Wednesday July 27, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Why is the President in Washington?

Former President Forbes Burnham was desperate in 1977 to meet the then United States President Jimmy Carter.

He had requested an audience with the US President for either October or November of that year. He was rebuffed.

Despite the best efforts of the Guyana Embassy in Washington and the Foreign Ministry in Georgetown, Burnham was unsuccessful in securing an audience with Jimmy Carter.

Burnham had his reasons.

He played both sides of the ideological divide. Despite pursuing relations with the communist bloc in the USSR, North Korea and East Germany, Burnham was keen to appease any concerns the west may have had about his tilt to the socialist bloc. As such, he wanted very much to pay a courtesy call on Jimmy Carter before setting off on his jaunt to the communist empire.

It is not as easy to secure an audience with a US President. That is considered a great honour. But Heads of States should never show any excitement at reaching second-tier government officials such as Deputy Secretaries.

The President of a country should never accept being met by second-tier officials of the US government.

It erodes the dignity of the office of the Head of State to be going overseas to meet with second tier government officials.

On Monday, it was reported that the President met with the Deputy Secretary of Commerce. This is like meet-

ing with a junior Minister. This President should have declined and should have instead delegated his Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce to attend. But she is not even part of the official delegation.

Based on media reports, it would appear that the highest ranking official which the Guyanese President will meet on this trip will be the United States Secretary of State.

There is no mention of the President meeting President Biden or Vice President Harris.

The United States of America is very skillful at diplomacy. Sometime during the meetings between President Irfaan Ali and US officials, the true reason why a delegation from Guyana was invited to Washington will be made known.

The US has not invited the President simply to improve trade relations. The United States accounted for one-third of Guyana’s imports in 2020. This was far more than China’s exports to Guyana.

The United States is also a private sector driven economy. The government is not going to buy any goods from Guyana; that will be left to the private companies in the United States.

The United States is also not going to lend Guyana any sums. Guyana is now an oil producing state. It has hundreds of millions of US dollars of its oil revenues parked in the United States. The country is attracting tremendous investment, including

from American companies.

Loans or development assistance is not likely to be on the cards during this mission.

If Guyana wants loans from the United States, it is not going to get any. The United States is going to direct the Government of Guyana to the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.

If Guyana is looking for investment, the US government will direct it to business organisations. Indeed, the delegation is reported to be meeting with businesses and their associations.

The presence of the United States Ambassador in Washington suggests that there will be formal talks with US government officials.

Once there are official talks, the US Ambassador is required to be present.

So what can be the real reason why a high-level Guyanese delegation is in Washington? Security does not appear to be an issue.

Venezuela has close ties with Russia and Iran with the latter helping to boost the refining of crude in Venezuela.

However, if the Americans were concerned, they would have insisted that the Guyana delegation include the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force or the National Security Advisor.

So if it is not economics, it can only be geo-politics.

Venezuela is not likely to feature in the talks. The United States is seeking to engage Venezuela in talks to buy oil.

Nothing yet has been

Dem boys seh...

No belt nah deh fuh tighten In 1976, instead of feeding, housing and clothing de nation, de cas-cas guvament tell de people dem gat fuh tighten dem belt in preparation fuh hard times. People nah bin expect de belt tightening fuh last lang. But it did.

It lasted right thru to de end of de 1980s.

People tighten dem belt suh much dat dem could not find dem waist. Some ah dem disappear. Wan man ask de guvament wey he could get a belt fuh buy because he nah seeing no belt fuh buy.

Was not just de prices wah bin rise. Was also dat yuh could not even get cooking oil to buy. Dat is how Guylines bin start. People use fuh see a line, join it and den ask wah selling.

Now de cost ah living gone up. De price ah petrol gone up. Biden seh how dem shipping company raise dem rates after de pandemic. Dem boys did always suspect dat dem companies would try to recover all de money dat dem lose during de pandemic.

But de Pee Pee Pee nah

asking people fuh tighten dem belt. Dem nah reach dat stage yet and hopefully we nah gan reach dat stage.

But while things hard, people exaggerating de cost ah living. It increase but not as much as some people want mek yuh believe.

And if yuh shop smart and stop buying all dem unnecessary things, yuh budget gan still balance. But some people nah kay. Dem living like normal. Dem nah cutting back pon nothing.

Talk half. Leff half.

concretised but that option has not been foreclosed.

This leaves China. The Americans are concerned about China’s growing influence in Latin America. It would have no doubt been upset by the Guyana government about-turn in having relations with Taiwan. But Taiwan is not likely to be the reason why Guyana’s President, Vice President, Foreign Min-

ister and Foreign Secretary are in Washington.

The real reason may be Su and the allegations which have arisen in relation to Chinese companies operating in Guyana. The Guyana delegations may have been summoned to Washington to be told quietly but firmly that Sugate must be investigated.

The talks with the business organisations and second tier

US government officials may be the smokescreen.

(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

Wednesday July 27, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Chris Wallace, Liz Cheney and innate human decency

H

ere is what veteran Fox N e w s interviewer and journalist said after he left the network, after 18 years: “… when people start to question the truth, who won the 2020 election… I found that unsustainable.”

The Republican Party has demoted Liz Cheney in the House of Representatives and from thereon, there has been a downward spiral in the relation between Ms. Cheney and her party.

The crash came about because Ms. Cheney accepted the results of the American 2020 election that gave victory to President Biden.

M s . C h e n e y ' s victimisation by her party is a priceless lesson of life that every human should internalise. Prior to her acceptance of the results of the election, Ms. Cheney was one of America's most extremist conservative politicians. She held (maybe

still does) ideological, rightwing views that would not find even an infinitesimal space in the Democratic Party or most mainstream liberal parties or labour parties around the world.

But there came a point in her life, like Wallace where she decided that there are values in life that lie at the heart of who we are as humans. Ms. Cheney and Mr. Wallace see their country as a democratic nation and were appalled that an incumbent refused to accept an election that he lost.

In no other nation is the parallel stronger than in Guyana based on what happened in March 2020. I have not counted how many articles,which I have done on all the dimensions of the fivemonth election fiasco but I have carried my psychological conclusion about the scandal in several pieces and I will use the examples of Ms. Cheney and Mr. Wallace to reinforce it.

No Guyanese citizen, no

G u y a n e s e o rg a n i s a t i o n familiar with what happened in this country from 1968 onwards when free and fair elections disappeared could have stifled decency and remain silent about what took place from March to July in 2020. Innate human decency had to force us to echo even a small sentiment.

I will always remember cultural icon Ian McDonald for the stance he took. A man known for literary talent and a complete avoidance of p o l i t i c a l i s s u e s , M r.

McDonald displayed innate human decency.

He denounced what he saw happening to his country.

What could have existed in the minds of Guyanese, especially those over the age of 60, who saw what this country went through from 1968 but chose not to let conscience and innate decency flow?

Mr. Wallace left Fox News not because he liked the Biden presidency or was a supporter of the Democratic

Party. Ms. Cheney spoke out against her party's lack of innate decency not because she favoured Biden over Trump.

There was only one determinant when both persons took their decision – their country was more important than party politics.

We read in the letter pages of the newspapers of all types of praise for individuals and organisations that we are told we must remember that they participated in the struggle against dictatorship in the seventies and eighties.

This reminder comes up when we lament the silence of those very people during the five-month election imbroglio and the continuation of that reticence for two and a half years right up to this moment.

I am still confused and will remain confused as to how such an egregious contradiction can be defended.

How can one appreciate the value of the right to vote,

fought for that right, yet lose sight of that very right 35 years Frederick Kissoon after?

I saw a zoom during the rigging was in panel discussion focus. held about three months ago The head of the in which prominent o p p o s i t i o n p o l i t i c i a n , transparency group then Timothy Jonas told the head reminded the viewers that the of the Transparency Institute lady was a pro-democracy – G u y a n a C h a p t e r t o activist in the 1970s and explicitly state that there 1980s.

But here the were attempts to rig the national election in 2020. Mr. contradiction is stark.

If you fought for free and Jonas' statement was pellucid fair election in the 1970s and and directly stated.

1980s, then why would you He was emphatic.

Anyone who watched not want to fight for it in that programme had to ask 2020? Unless of course, you why Mr. Jonas was bringing are no longer what you were up that issue when it was in the 70s and 80s.

A new book on Walter natural for the transparency group to have made such Rodney made that very explicit condemnations the statement about the WPA personalities who served in first day of the fraud?

What was Mr. Jonas the APNU government.

(The views expressed in getting at? What did he want this article are those of the to tell Guyanese?

Interestingly, there was a a u t h o r a n d d o n o t woman panelist on the same necessarily reflect the programme whose silence opinions of this newspaper.)

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Man who dumped accident victim’s body gets $1.8M bail The man, who had reportedly confessed to hitting down a labourer with his car at Enmore on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and then dumping his remains in a trench was on Friday, was released on $1.8M bail.

Kaieteur News was able to confirm this development and learnt that bail was granted to the defendant, Daniel Melbourne, 50, by Magistrate Fabayo Azore, at the Vigilance Magistrate Court.

It was reported that Melbourne’s second court appearance, after he was

charged for the accident victim, Reonol William’s death on June 10 last.

Apart from causing William’s death, Melbourne a musician of Lot 53, Ann’s Grove, ECD, was slapped with five more charges too.

He was charged with failure to report an accident, failure to render assistance after an accident, failure to produce a vehicle for examination, giving false information to police and attempting to obstruct the course of justice.

Melbourne pleaded not guilty to all. He is scheduled to make his next court

Killed in a car accident, Reonol Williams appearance on October, 28, 2022.

Williams was struck down around 00:20hrs on

May 23, last, while crossing the Emmore Public Road with his friend.

The driver of the car had picked him up and placed him into the car trunk, and had promised to take him to the hospital. But Williams never arrived at any medical facility.

Presuming that he was dead, relatives searched for the man body but could not find it anywhere.

Police later found the car abandoned at a location on the East Coast. They also identified its owner as Melbourne and arrested him.

Police were forced to release

Released on bail, Daniel Melbourne him after he allegedly lied to them that he was not the one behind the wheel of the car that had struck down

Williams.

The case was later handed over to detectives at the Major Crimes Unit at Eve Leary, and Melbourne was re-arrested. It did not take the detectives long to solve the case. They got Melbourne to confess that he had been lying all along. He reportedly admitted to dumping Williams’ body into a trench after arriving at a bridge at Coldigen, some 4.5km drive away from the accident scene.

Melbourne was the one who led detectives to recover Williams’ decomposing body.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 27, 2022

PAGE 13

2nd man freed of Sophia bread vendor murder

Dead, Andre Alexander

On Tuesday afternoon, a second person was acquitted of the May 5, 2017 murder of Sophia bread vendor, Andre Alexander.

Neville Forte was freed of the murder charge after the jury returned with a not guilty verdict.

In June 2022, a mixed 12member jury was empanelled before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow, at the Demerara High Court, for the retrial of Forte. The State was represented by prosecutor Lisa Cave, and Forte was represented by attorney-at-law Ronald Daniels.

Forte had denied that on May 5, 2017, in the County of Demerara, he murdered 42-year-

old Alexander in the course or furtherance of a robbery.

On Tuesday morning, Justice Barlow first summed up the evidence and addressed the jurors before they were sent to deliberate.

Following a two hour long deliberation, the jury returned with a unanimous not guilty verdict.

In June 2019, a 12-member jury was ordered by Justice Navindra Singh, to return a formal verdict of not guilty for Shaquille Grant – Forte’s allege co-accused.

According to reports, Alexander was shot and killed by two men on a motorcycle.

Alexander of Lot 394 ‘C’ Field Sophia, died during surgery. He

was attacked by two men at his bread stand which is situated about four doors from his home.

The Police had reported that two men rode up on a motorcycle and the pillion rider requested three loaves of bread. He then paid with a $5000 note. However, while Alexander was in the process of making change, the ‘customer’ whipped out a gun and demanded cash.

When Alexander put up a fight, the robber discharged two rounds, one of which struck the vendor in the abdomen. The two men then relieved him of his cash and escaped with three loaves of bread.

Acquitted, Neville Forte

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Wednesday July 27, 2022

8 suspended MPs to lose pay, access to Parliament T h e e i g h t parliamentarians, who were suspended from the National Assembly last week, will as a result be losing a portion of their salaries and access to parliamentary facilities, Clerk of the National Assembly Sherlock Isaacs confirmed on Tuesday.

According to the Clerk, the eight suspended Members of Parliament (MPs) would each lose four to six days pay each month and they would not be allowed within the precincts of the Parliament Building or Chamber, use of the library or participation in committee

Suspended: APNU+AFC MP, Annette Ferguson

Suspended: APNU+AFC MP, Ganesh Mahipaul

meetings.

The eight APNU+AFC parliamentarians were

officially suspended from the National Assembly for a list of parliamentary

Suspended: APNU+AFC MP, Sherod Duncan

Suspended: APNU+AFC Chief Whip, Christopher Jones

Suspended: APNU+AFC MP, Natasha Singh-Lewis

Suspended: APNU+AFC MP, Maureen A. Philadelphia

Suspended: APNU+AFC MP, Tabitha Sarrabo-Halley

Suspended: APNU+AFC MP, Vinceroy Jordan

infractions. They were suspended after a majority vote of the House in the wee hours of the morning, last Friday.

The Motion to suspend the MPs was tabled as a result of a decision made at the level of the Parliamentary Committee of Privileges following the ruckus which was caused in the House on December 29,

2021, during the passage of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) law.

Following deliberations of the committee, it was recommended that the Opposition MPs: Sherod Duncan, Christopher Jones, Ganesh Mahipaul, Viceroy Jordan, Annette Ferguson, Natasha Singh-Lewis, Maureen A. Philadelphia, and Tabitha Sarrabo-Halley

be suspended from attending several consecutive sittings of the House.

On Friday morning, the Motion for the House to adopt the recommendations was tabled by Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira.

In her presentation of the Motion, Teixeira noted that Continued on page 19

Wednesday July 27, 2022

PAGE 15

FBI in Guyana to help tackle money laundering, narcotics trafficking, organised crime

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Jagdeo sues SU for $50M over Vice News allegations

Chinese businessman, Mr. Su Zhi Rong Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has filed a $50 million lawsuit against Chinese businessman, Mr. Su Zhi Rong over statements that the businessman made in a Vice News undercover report.

The lawsuit comes weeks after Jagdeo promised to take Su to court for defamation.

According to legal documents seen by this publication, Jagdeo through his Attorneys, Manoj Narayan and C.V. Satram, outlined that the statements made by Mr. Su that were contained in the news broadcast clearly imputed criminal and unlawful conduct on the part of the Vice President.

The attorneys describe the statements made by Mr. Su as “defamatory and slanderous.” The lawsuit outlined that the said words were calculated to disparage Mr. Jagdeo personally and in the office he now holds.

According to the lawsuit, owing to the statements that were aired in the documentary, Jagdeo has

Kaieteur News

suffered public condemnation, humiliation, r i d i c u l e , a n d embarrassment.

Adding to that, the legal document noted the statements have caused serious injury to the Vice President’s reputation and his political standing locally and internationally.

In the explosive undercover investigation, the Chinese businessman was recorded levelling bribery and corruption allegations against the Vice President. He was recorded telling the Vice News team who posed as investors that bribes would have to be paid to the Vice President for them to be guaranteed contracts in Guyana. He could be heard on the recording too telling the team that Jagdeo only accepts “cash.”

The documentary was viewed by thousands of Guyanese in Guyana and the diaspora. Additionally, the extended YouTube edition of the report has attracted more than 1.4 million views.

Continued on page 20

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC (left) during a meeting with the FBI team.

A team from Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) is in Guyana with the intention of further assisting the Government to tackle criminal activities in some key areas.

On Tuesday, the team lead by Mr. James Markley, Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Legal Attache’ and the lead officer of the FBI for the Caribbean region met with Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC. Mr. Markley; Mr. Derek Kreitensteid, FBI’s Assistant Legal Attache’, and Mr. Mayan L. Shih of the U.S State Department met the Attorney General in his Chambers at 95 Carmichael Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

Mr. Markley is the lead officer of the FBI for 27 Caribbean territories

stretching from Bermuda to Guyana and is based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Mr. Kreitensteid is based in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and Mr. Mayan is the Regional Security Officer representing the U.S State Department in the Caribbean.

The team raised a number of areas in which they have been cooperating with the Government of Guyana over the years, such as, rendering mutual assistance in criminal matters, extradition, antimoney laundering and countering the financing of terrorism, trafficking of narcotics and firearms, tracing proceeds of organised crime and forfeiture of assets, trafficking in persons and cyber related criminal activities.

The members of the team expressed their intention to

intensify their relationship with the Government of Guyana in the investigation, prosecution, and in securing convictions in these types of offences.

During the meeting, Nandlall signalled the government’s continued commitment to the upholding of the rule of law in all its facets, including the pursuit of all forms of criminality, in particular organised crimes.

The Attorney General discussed the various policies and training programmes being pursued by the various law enforcement agencies intending to augment the State’s capabilities to investigate, prosecute and convict for criminal conduct, as well as the government’s robust legislative agenda.

In particular, the Attorney

General emphasised that cyber space is the new emerging platform for the commission of serious criminal offences in Guyana and globally.

He pointed to many persons who use social media platforms, in particular in the United States of America, to spew racial hostilities and create ethnic strife among segments of the Guyana population, inciting and aiding and abetting riotous conduct and even domestic terrorism in Guyana.

He informed the team that the State of Guyana has already lodged formal complaints with various i m p o r t a n t o ff i c e s a n d agencies in the United States, including the FBI, so that action can be taken against the perpetrators who operate with impunity from the United States.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Guyana rich in resources, come to Guyana - Pres. Ali tells US investors O

n Monday during his keynote address as part of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s Leaders of the Americas series, President Irfaan Ali boasted about Guyana’s “prolific mineral resources” and encouraged the United States of America (USA) private sector to take advantage of opportunities to invest.

President Ali and a delegation including the Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, and Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, are presently in Washington for a series of high-level engagements.

The Leaders of the Americas series focus on prominent leaders and provides first-hand insight into and analysis of key opportunities, recent developments, and regional trends.

I n P r e s i d e n t A l i ’s opening remarks, he noted that Guyana’s biodiversity and environmental wealth is well documented. He said, “Our forest stores 19.5

President Irfaan Ali and Jason Marczak during their engagement on Monday

gigaton of carbons the standing value of our forest is over US$500 billion, our forest has the potential of earning in excess of US$100M in carbon credit in an annualise way, this alone can drive tremendous development.”

To t h i s e n d , h e highlighted that the opportunities Guyana natural resources sector

holds are incomparable, “where 36 percent of Guyana comprises of highly mineralize area.”

President Ali then noted that what that means is that, “We are very rich in minerals such as gold, bauxite, commercial deposits of copper. These are all areas that we can now support to be competitive with the investment

necessary, whether it’s the roadways, the opening up of these areas in a way that is sustainable.”

While responding to questions from Senior Director of the Adrian Arch Latin America Centre, Jason Marczak, Ali noted that the Government of Guyana views the U.S as an important partner.

“That importance is already demonstrated in the contribution the US private sector has been making in the

development of our country, their participation in the oil and gas sector and what we are seeking to do is to expand that participation in all the other sectors,” President Ali said.

Importantly, Guyana’s oil and gas sector is dominated by American oil g i a n t , E x x o n M o b i l ’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). EEPGL is the operator of the country’s richest oil block

which is estimated to hold nearly 11 billion barrels of equivalent of oil.

In making further comments, President Ali noted that his government wants to see the U.S private sector play a greater role in Guyana’s economy. He said, “We want the U.S private sector to play a greater role, to go after great opportunity; we want all the different departments within the United States system to understand the full potential and to participate in unlocking the opportunities that comes with those potential.”

According to the president, emerging from the meeting with the U.S department of commerce, they were able to identify low hanging fruits, and areas that they can immediately t a rg e t t o s u p p o r t t h e aspirations of Guyana while at the same time creating opportunities for the U.S private sector.

“In just the first day in the U.S, we have been hearing about much trade delegation, private sector delegations that are planning to be in Guyana, we encourage this.

We want to see collaboration between the U.S and Guyana private sectors,” President Ali said.

GAWU, OWTU sign MoU to adequately represent local oilfield workers

President of GAWU, Seepaul Narine at the signing MoC in the presence of President General of OWTU, Ancel Roget, at right, and other Union Reps.

Guyanese oilfield workers may be one step closer to having adequate representation from Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) following the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on Tuesday between GAWU and Oilfield Workers Union (OWTU) of Trinidad and Tobago.

During the signing ceremony, President General of OWTU, Ancel Roget said the recent development of oil and gas sector in Guyana necessitates the capacity

building for the local workers unions.

He said, “That is how we will have people in Guyana benefit from the resources of land. We have dealt with people who came to our shores with the sole goal of taking our resources and if we were not careful, they would have extracted the riches and leave the people of this land penniless.”

“We want to help our Guyanese brothers and sisters avoid this because if today there are standards in the oil industry, it is the standards that we have set,”

he asserted.

Roget held that the Trinidadian union is well able to aid GAWU’s efforts a t s t e p p i n g u p representation.

“It stands to reason that with the recent development of the oil and gas sector in Guyana that they would turn to their brother union for advice, support, direction and training and development assistance on how to best have their workers, the people in Guyana, benefit from the resources of the land,” he added.

Continued on page 22

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Oil company working in Guyana still to clean-up spill in Peru 6 months later The aftermath of the oil spill in Peru

S

panish oil giant, Repsol, which is operating right here in Guyana, is still to honour its obligation to remediate the effects of an oil spill that occurred in Peru more than six months ago.

Peru’s fight to get the oil company to take responsibility for the environmental disaster – comes even as the Guyana government on Thursday threw out a Motion that was seeking full liability coverage from oil companies for oil spills.

It was on January 15, when approximately 12,000 barrels of crude was spilled from one of the La Pampilla refineries, which are owned by the Spanish oil giant, off the coast of Ventanilla in the region of Lima, Peru.

Repsol had blamed the spill on shock waves from an undersea volcanic eruption near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. It was reported that at the time of the undersea eruption, Suezmax tanker, Mare Doricum, was offloading a shipment of Brazilian crude oil at a La Pampilla refinery

offshore mooring buoys when a quantity of the cargo was released.

The spill triggered a flurry of accusations and several Peruvian officials had called for those responsible to be held accountable.

To d a t e , P e r u ’s Environmental Assessment and Control Agency (OEFA), an agency attached to the Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), had to impose several fines on Repsol for noncompliance with the cleaning and remediation of the January 15, spill.

To date, the country is grappling to recover from what has been called an “ecological disaster.”

Last week, Peru’s OEFA had to impose another fine on the oil giant for not complying with the identification of the areas affected by the displacement of the hydrocarbon spilled.

According to recent Peruvian reports, the OEFA is still to publish the official report on the environmental impact the spill had.

The contaminated waters

affected Peru’s artisanal fishermen and their families.

As such, the Peruvian government had ordered the oil giant, to pay a total of US$1400 compensation to each citizen affected by the spill. The government took the aforementioned route since a legal process for compensation to the affected families would take a long time.

The first action taken against the company was by Peruvian judge, Romualdo Aguedo, on January 28, 2022, who granted an order to prevent four Repsol’s executives from leaving the country. Peruvian media reported that Judge Aguedo imposed an 18-month ban on the grounds of the potential risk that the officials might leave Peru.

Among them were refinery manager, Jaime Fernández-Cuesta Luca de Tena; terminal manager, Renzo Alejandro Tejada Mackenzie; environmental manager, Gisela Cecilia Posadas Jhong and production manager, José Gregorio Reyes Ruiz.

In January, the Peruvian

government had suspended the company’s hydrocarbon loading and unloading activities. Subsequently, a fuel shortage in Peru forced the country to lift the suspension on Repsol’s operation temporarily.

Repsol was only allowed to continue its operations for 10 days and under supervision from the OEFA – that operation has come to an end.

Importantly, the effects of the spill had led to the c o u n t r y ’s M i n i s t e r o f Environment, Modesto Montoya, citing the importance of legislative reform to adequately deal with companies after oil spills and to protect citizens.

The minister had pointed out that Peru’s current laws are too permissive with the pollution produced by companies.

In May, the Peruvian authorities filed a lawsuit against Repsol, for a total of US$4.5B for the environmental disaster.

According to Peru’s National Institute for the Defense of Competition and Protection of Intellectual

Property (INDECOPI), the lawsuit was filed before the 27th Civil Court of the Superior Court of Justice of Lima, on behalf of more than 700,000 affected citizens.

INDECOPI has filed the first civil claim for liability for diffuse interests in Peru against Repsol, due to the oil spill in Ventanilla that affected consumers, users and third parties.

The civil claim for compensation for damages was filed for a total of US$4.5B against several defendants: Repsol SA (Spain), Mapfre Global Risks (Spain), Mapfre Peru Insurance and Reinsurance Companies (Peru), La Pampilla Refinery (Peru), Transtotal Maritime Agency (Peru) and Fratelli d’amico Armatori (Italy).

Kaieteur News had reported that the process in the lawsuit that was filed against the oil giant, allows an abstract valuation of US$3B for the damages caused by the spill and US$1.5B for the nonmaterial damage to consumers, users and third parties.

This week the matter will come up before the 27th Civil Court of the Superior Court, where INDECOPI will be defending the citizens in the litigation.

On the local front, despite promising to press ExxonMobil Guyana (Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited) on the issue to have the parent company (ExxonMobil) for the Guyana Operations sign on to binding full coverage insurance, the government has shifted that responsibility to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Last Thursday, a fourhour long debate on a Motion seeking full liability coverage for oil spills ended with the Motion being thrown out by the government.

The Motion that was filed by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), David Patterson, who sought to not only include unlimited liability coverage for oil spills and other disasters related to petroleum production, but also to direct Continued on page 20

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Wednesday July 27, 2022

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

8 suspended MPs to lose pay, access to...

From page 14 the decision taken by the Committee of Privileges was one that is necessary for the maintenance of order and discipline of the House. She noted the chaos and disruption that ensued on the night of December 29, 2021, cannot be overlooked and those liable for the disturbance must be sanctioned.

The Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs asserted, “What occurred on the 29th of December will go

down in the history of our parliament as one of the worst images and reflections of integrity and behaviour of our elected officials in the National Assembly.”

The Motion adopted by the National Assembly comes weeks after the Committee of Privileges released a report recommending the suspension of the eight MPs. Based on the report, MPs Annette Ferguson, Maureen A. Philadelphia and Vinceroy Jordan would be suspended for six

Man, 74, is country’s latest COVID-19 fatality The Ministry of Health on Tuesday reported that an unvaccinated 74-year-old man from Region Four, who contracted the COVID-19 disease, died on Monday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, the country’s COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,271.

The Ministry via its latest dashboard revealed too that within the last assessed 24hour period, it recorded a total of 79 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 69,547.

The dashboard also shows that two persons are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, 17 are in institutional isolation, 724 are in home isolation and three are in institutional quarantine.

To date, a total of 67,533 persons have recovered from the virus.

consecutive sittings for committing serious violations which were severe and egregious by unauthorisedly removing the Parliamentary Mace from its rightful position in a disorderly fashion, causing damage to the Mace, injuring and assaulting a staff of the Parliament Office, while attempting to remove the Mace from the Chamber.

Tabitha Sarrabo-Halley, it was revealed, would be suspended for six consecutive sittings for unauthorisedly entering the communication control room of the Arthur

Chung Conference Centre and destroying several pieces of audio-visual equipment, being public property.

The report recommended further that Opposition Chief Whip Christopher Jones, Sherod Duncan, Natasha Singh-Lewis, and Ganesh Mahipaul would be suspended from four consecutive sittings for conducting themselves in a gross disorderly, disrespectful manner, and repeatedly ignoring the authority of the Assembly and that of the Speaker, and thereby committing contempt and breaches of privileges.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Jagdeo sues SU for $50M over Vice News...

From page 15 The Vice President has repeatedly denied the allegations in the extended news report which was aired on the US television network Showtime and posted on the social media site, YouTube.

Before it was released, he had claimed that the statements attributed to him as presented to the Vice President by a Vice News reporter were false. When

the final report was published, there were several recordings of Mr. Su making the statement.

The allegations have also triggered calls by a number of civil society groups and the Opposition for there to be a full independent investigation of the serious corruption allegations, which have all been denied

by Vice President Jagdeo.

“Vice News came into

my house to catch me doing something illegal and taking a bribe… and you couldn’t do that in my most unguarded moment…They have done this around the world with leaders they got taking bribes… they are never going to find anything of that nature with me,” Jagdeo had said.

Jagdeo said he was not conducting official government business at his

home but was rather meeting with an investor of Su whom he described as a friend.

“Su did not get anything special here and it was not a government project, it was his investor he wanted me to meet.” Notably, the Chinese businessman has not been seen or heard from, since the release of the undercover report. He had, however, issued after the Vice News report, a statement saying:

“I, Su Zhi Rong, wish to state categorically that I have never solicited any bribe/inducement from any company or individual for

either myself or any government official including the Vice President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

Oil Company working in...

From page 17 the Government to conduct an independent analysis on the possible ill effects of an oil spill, and present this report to the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources to be used as a reference for all other future oil development submissions.

While the Government of Peru has to take legal action against the oil company responsible for an oil spill, Guyana in contrast, continues to give ExxonMobil permission to operate without a guarantee that it would cover the cost for any oil spill that surpasses the capacity of its subsidiary to pay.

I n F e b r u a r y, l a s t , ExxonMobil announced that it has commenced oil

production at Guyana’s second offshore development area called Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block. It would be poignant to note that with the coming onstream of the Liza Phase Two operations, the country now has an installed production capacity of some 360,000 barrels of oil daily.

This is from the two Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessels—Liza Destiny and Liza Unity—currently operating in the prolific Stabroek Block.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e operations are being undertaken, producing 360,000 barrels of oil daily (bpd) in Guyana without full coverage insurance in case of a spill domestically.

Independent probe of...

From page 3 ruled on the question of urgency and public importance but when they come to the National A s s e m b l y w i t h supplementary budgetary estimates to draw down additional money, they ignored the provision that says such budgetary allocations can only be approved if they were unforeseeable at the time the substantive budget was prepared and presented.”

To this end, the former MP said the same over $44.7 billion in supplementary funding was sought, a bulk of which will go to the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), but the Speaker moved to dismiss Opposition Motions on the grounds that they were not urgent.

Civil society groups and members of the public have joined the calls for an independent probe to be launched into the allegations made in a Vice News documentary, in which the Vice President can be heard saying that he “assists” investors from the government’s side. It was a hidden camera that recorded the VP in his living room with his Chinese friend and tenant, Su Zhirong, who is said to be the one that collects bribes from companies in exchange for government contracts.

Dr. Jagdeo has denied the allegations and has even moved to sue Su. He has

even said that he would support a probe. President Irfaan Ali and the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, are also in favour of an investigation.

However, the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norotn has clearly said that any investigation should not be done by the ‘statecontrolled’ Guyana Police Force (GPF), but rather, an independent organisation, such as the World Bank.

Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan has also said: “the World Bank has serious people who know how to investigate corruption, and that unit of the Bank knows what to recommend to be done.”

He also believes that an investigation by the global financial institution could save Guyana some funds by avoiding a costly Commission of Inquiry (CoI) as well as avoid a questionable report, if conducted by local Commissioners. As an alternative, the former Minister insisted that an international, reputable list of Commissioners must be hired, to carry out the investigation.

One civil society body, Article 13, also said they support the call for an independent probe. The members of the group also believe that Jagdeo should vacate office pending the outcome of the investigation.

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 21

ExxonMobil hits two more discoveries in Stabroek Block Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat

Hess Corporation’s CEO, John Hess E x x o n M o b i l Corporation announced on Tuesday that its subsidiary in Guyana, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), made two new discoveries to the southeast of the Liza and Payara developments in the Stabroek block.

The discoveries at Seabob and Kiru-Kiru are the sixth and seventh in Guyana this year, with the total number of commercial discoveries in Guyana now at 33.

Exxon said the Seabob-1 well encountered approximately 131 feet (40 metres) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was drilled in 4,660 feet (1,421 metres) of water by the Stena Carron drill ship.

As for the Kiru-Kiru-1

well, it encountered approximately 98 feet (30 metres) of high-quality hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was drilled by the Stena DrillMAX in 5,760 feet (1,756 metres) of water.

Exxon said drilling operations at Kiru-Kiru are ongoing.

Also, Exxon said its 2022 investment plans include further exploration drilling and resource development in Guyana, where it is already increasing production at an accelerated, industryleading pace.

Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company said on the heels of the announcement that the resources “will provide safe, secure energy for global markets for decades to come.” He added, “ExxonMobil and its

partners continue to accelerate exploration, development and production activities for the benefit of all stakeholders, including the people of Guyana.”

EEPGL’s partner on the block, Hess Corporation was keen to note that it is excited by the news as it increases opportunities for Guyana and its shareholders.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) John Hess said, “These discoveries will add to the discovered recoverable resource estimate for the block of approximately 11 billion barrels of oil equivalent, and we continue to see multibillion barrels of future exploration potential remaining.”

Speaking on the latest announcement, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram

Bharrat said the new discoveries will continue to ascend Guyana as an oilproducing and exporting nation with the much internationally sought after ‘medium sweet crude.’

Bharrat said the resources will enhance the government’s efforts to diversify away from oil and focus on world-class health care, infrastructure, and other social services to enhance the lives of all Guyanese.

Minister Bharrat in conclusion said government will continue to work with local stakeholders and international partners to

Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company ensure all petroleum activities are conducted in keeping with the best environmental and sustainability practices.

Thus far, two floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels operating offshore Guyana — Liza Destiny and Liza Unity — have exceeded their initial combined production target of 340,000 barrels of oil per day.

A third project, Payara, is expected to produce 220,000 barrels per day. Construction on its production vessel, the Prosperity FPSO, is approximately five months ahead of schedule with start-

up likely before year-end 2023.

The fourth project, Yellowtail, is expected to produce 250,000 barrels per day when the ONE GUYANA FPSO comes online in 2025.

Guyana’s Stabroek block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45 percent interest in the block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent interest, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 27, 2022

GAWU, OWTU sign MoU to adequately...

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From page 16 Meanwhile, GAWU’s President Seepaul Narine noted VACANCY that the Guyanese union hopes to leverage the Cook / Baker, Pitmen, Servicemen & Technical As- OWTU’s vast experience in sistant for interior location Ap- the oil and gas sector amid plicants must be experienced. efforts to officially represent oil workers in Guyana.

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“Why this is necessary, is Carpenter, Mason, Painter & because oil workers in Joiner Contact: 686-2861/611- Guyana already face issues that include employers’ un4545. willingness to pay overtime Experienced cashier, cleaner and to provide appropriate and counter person.Apply @ personal and protective Shanta’s 225 Camp & New equipment (PPEs),” he said MarketSt. Because these workers Experienced Waiter /Waitress, are not yet unionised, Narine Curry cook, cashier, Kitchen explained that GAWU is Assistant apply at Hack's largely dependent on the Halaal with written application Ministry of Labour engaging 5 Commerce Street. the companies.

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ferent hiring companies source workers on behalf of the contractors. As such, Narine said that it becomes complicated representing the workers.

The GAWU and the OWTU have shared longstanding fraternal bonds going back several decades and in past struggles have stood in solidarity. As affiliates of the WFTU, the two unions have shared several common objectives.

The MoC will allow GAWU to benefit from the knowledge and skills from the OWTU which has represented workers in the oil sector for some 85 years now.

The memorandum in advancing the GAWU and the OWTU relations recognised that collaborative efforts between developing countries is an essential prerequisite in stemming the tide and protecting workers.

In a release GAWU said, “In the spirit of renewed cooperation and advancing the protection of workers within our two (2) countries, the

GAWU and the OWTU agreed to promote collaboration within several spheres.”

The parties to this memorandum have identified to engage in knowledge-sharing to protect and safeguard workers within the oil and gas sector within Guyana. This will be advanced through the areas of shared training, development efforts and the transfer of technical skills in the oil and gas industry to enhance workers’ knowledge of their rights and conditions to heighten their consciousness of workplace exploitation.

For the unions to share expertise and experience in advancing the rights and protecting the gains of workers within the unions and countries, the parties will also consider other appropriate and relevant collective actions in the interest of working-class protection and the development of Guyana’s social economy.

In the coming weeks, the unions are expected to enhance the memorandum.

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Wednesday July 27, 2022

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Wednesday July 27, 2022

PAGE 25

Adil Rashid focuses on white-ball action and plays... Can West Indies translate...

From page 29 see where I'm at. Let's see what happens there, but that's a long way away.

“It's not quite easy for me to say 'yes' and 'no'.

I take it a game at a time, a day at a time. But at the moment I'm not thinking about that, I'm only thinking about white-ball cricket, because that's what we've got ahead of us.

“Cricket's coming thick and fast. This series, then The Hundred, T20s in Pakistan…there's a lot of cricket to be played in the meantime and a lot can happen in terms of form, how someone feels, injuries, how the body feels, the mindset.”

Like so many leg-break bowlers, Rashid has not always been treated especially sympathetically

by England and his return of

60 wickets in 19 Tests, at an average approaching 40, feels like an unfinished business.

But while Rashid has modest returns in whites, there is no question that he is the man South Africa's batters will be most wary of when they line-up at the Seat Unique Stadium.

It is tempting to wonder whether McCullum and Test skipper Ben Stokes would be able to unlock his best form with their proactive approach, but the idea of long days and mammoth spells could be a deterrent for a player who has battled long and hard with shoulder problems.

“That's what you have to sign up for – those long days where you can bowl 30 or 40 overs,” Rashid added.

“That's something I've

got to bear in mind, especially with my shoulder.

I haven't bowled long spells in a little while.”

England were joined at nets last week by 17-year-old Leicestershire leg-spinner Rehan Ahmed, the under-19 international who is on the up after securing a Hundred contract with Southern Brave earlier this year and a maiden Lions call-up this month.

Rashid, himself a teenage prodigy when he first broke through at Headingley, worked long and hard with the newcomer and was impressed enough to consider him not only a potential successor but also a possible team-mate.

“Playing for England together?

That would be nice. It would mean I'll be around for

Wednesday July 27, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19 Let your artistic nature loose today, Aries. Add a touch of creativity to whatever project, situation, or person you encounter.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't gamble away your resources, Taurus. Take the safest route. There's a great deal of energy out there encouraging you to act, but beware of adopting too stubborn of an attitude.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Get things out in the open today, Gemini. If someone seems to insult you, call them on it. Letting things fester inside only destroys your self-esteem.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Stick to the tried and true today, Cancer. Don't be afraid to make any last-minute changes of plan. You'll gain their respect.

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VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) You may need to adjust today in order to relate well to people and situations, Virgo.

Things are a bit off kilter, and you may find that the harder you try to fit in, the more liable you are to feel like an oddball.

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Revel in your unique qualities and be generous about sharing them with the world.

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CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Business and financial matters look promising today, Capricorn, but you could find yourself torn between the need to attend to these matters and the desire to relax at home.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18) There may be a great deal of conflict in your life today, Aquarius. Different people and situations seem to be pulling you in all directions.

Your sanity is being put to the test.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you should work to tune into the larger, slowermoving trends in your life, Pisces. Consider making some long-term monetary and emotional investments.

a couple of years!,” he said, “Who knows? He's 17 and he's definitely got a bright future ahead of him if he keeps working on his skills. He's a confident kid as well, so hopefully he'll have a good career.

“Hopefully if I'm around at that time I can pass on my experiences, not just for Rehan but for anyone coming through, on the mental side of the game.”

Jonny Bairstow could make his first T20 appearance of the year for England on Wednesday, but was seen nursing a swollen left knee with ice packs and bandages and will need to get the all-clear, while pace bowler Richard Gleeson also has the chance to firm up his spot after making his debut against India.

From page 26 Holder, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Jayden Seales/Keemo Paul, 11 Hayden Walsh.

India could get Prasidh Krishna back, perhaps in place of either Mohammed Siraj or Avesh Khan.

Ravindra Jadeja's knee niggle had ruled him out of the first two ODIs, as per BCCI's release. In case he's fit to return, Axar may have to make way despite his match-winning half-century on Sunday, unless India choose to play two left-arm spinners - and strengthen their batting - and leave out Yuzvendra Chahal, who is also not part of the squad for the T20I series. With the series already in their bag, India may also look to give the likes of Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan or

Arshdeep Singh a go.

India (probable): 1 Shikhar Dhawan (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Shreyas Iyer, 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Sanju Samson (wk), 6 Deepak Hooda, 7 Axar Patel/Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur, 9 Mohammed Siraj, 10 Yuzvendra Chahal, 11 Avesh Khan/Prasidh Krishna.

Pitch and conditions The pitch for the first two games were largely good for batters, with changes in pace proving effective for the seamers. With only a twoday gap between the second and the third ODIs, a fresh track could be used.

Weather-wise, there are thunderstorms predicted through the day - spectators may have to brace for stoppages.

Japanese police raid home of Tokyo Olympics...

From page 27 he was quoted as saying.

Aoki issued a statement last week saying it had no comment on reports of the payments.Takahashi, a former executive at Japan's biggest advertising agency, Dentsu, had served on the Tokyo 2020 board since June 2014.The Tokyo Olympics organising committee disbanded last month.

The case is not the first time questions have been raised about alleged impropriety around the Games.French prosecutors launched an investigation into allegations of corruption linked to Tokyo's bid for the Games in 2016.The former head of Japan's Olympic Committee, Tsunekazu Takeda, stepped down in 2019 as French authorities

probed his involvement in payments made before Tokyo was awarded the event.

The French investigation centres around payments made to Singapore-based firm "Black Tidings", which was linked to the son of disgraced former International Olympic Committee member Lamine Diack.

Britton, Edghill...

From page 29 résumés in the Englishspeaking Caribbean, becoming the Region's firstever female Olympian in the sport of Table Tennis.

Asked about living up to expectations, Edghill highlighted, "Everyone will have expectations of me, but I think at this point in time what matters are the goals that I've set for myself and the goals that my team would've set for me - my coaches. It's just a matter of managing those expectations and going out there and giving my best."

Table Tennis Team: Men – Shemar Britton (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Christopher Franklin (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Johnathan Va n L a n g e ( S i n g l e s , Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles) and Joel Alleyne ( D o u b l e s , Te a m ) .

Women – Chelsea Edghill (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Natalie Cummings (Singles, Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles), Priscilla Greaves (Singles, Doubles, Team) and Thuraia Thomas (Doubles, Team, Mixed Doubles).

Kaieteur News

PAGE 26

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Can West Indies translate their competitiveness into a consolation win?

ESPNcricinfo - Big picture India are on the cusp of their second successive ODI series sweep against West Indies. This is a team without Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul and Jasprit Bumrah, to name just a few.

Mohammed Siraj's

economical outings coupled with Shardul Thakur's knack of picking up wickets have ensured India haven't missed Bumrah or Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

While Siraj's accuracy in the last over denied West Indies in the first ODI, Axar Patel's heist in the second

ensured that they pulled off a record chase at the Queen's Park Oval to seal their third consecutive ODI series win.

It's been smooth sailing for most part, but if there's still an issue for India to sort out, it could be their batting through the middle overs.

From overs 11 to 40 in the

Alzarri Joseph picked up four wickets in the first two ODIs while returning an impressive economy rate of 5.35. (Associated Press) second ODI, India scored 170 but also lost five wickets.

In the first match, they managed 175 for 4 in the same phase.

In ODIs this year, India have lost an average of 4.18 wickets per innings - 46 wickets in 11 outings - in the middle overs. Only West Indies (5.29), Australia (5.25) and Zimbabwe (5) have done worse than them, among Full-Member teams.

More runs from Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Hooda who are yet to fire at full potential in this series - could go some way towards improving this facet of India's game.

West Indies haven't done all that badly either, despite results not having gone their way so far. They've struck regularly through the middle overs to keep India in check, and their batters have posted two successive 300-plus totals.

Perhaps one area they could look into is their death bowling, and particularly their use of Romario Shepherd in that phase. He bowled the 42nd and 47th overs of India's chase on Sunday, and gave away 27 runs off those two overs, and the punishment he took

Suryakumar Yadav has been chopping on more frequently than he'd want to.

(Associated Press)

wasn't a one-off. Among all bowlers to have bowled at least 60 balls in the last 10 overs this year, Shepherd (10.28) has the worst economy rate. Moreover, he only has three wickets in seven innings in that phase.

With Keemo Paul and Jason Holder - who missed the first two ODIs after testing positive for Covid-19 - breathing down his neck, Shepherd may have to improve this facet of his game to keep his place in the XI. In the spotlight Despite India scoring over 300 in each of the first two ODIs, Alzarri Joseph has managed an economy rate of 5.35 and has also picked up four wickets. In the absence of Holder, he has assumed a leadership role, often running in from deep third to offer suggestions to Jayden Seales during the second ODI. He was expensive with the new ball in the first ODI, conceding 29 off his first three overs, but came back well to help West Indies tie India down later on, getting both Axar and Hooda bowled in the 49th over. In the next match, he was tighter in his lines and more disciplined in his opening spell, giving

away just 14 off his first three overs. Joseph will have to keep his impressive form going if West Indies are to end their run of eight successive ODI defeats.

On Sunday, Suryakumar Yadav inside-edged the ball onto his stumps for the third time in his last four ODI innings. While Reece Topley had him playing on at Lord's earlier this month, he has chopped on to Akeal Hosein and Kyle Mayers in this series. This run of dismissals has also coincided with a bit of a lean patch in the format he has only crossed 20 once in his last five ODI innings.

Can he break this sequence today?

Team news Jason Holder has recovered and is available for selection for the final ODI. With the series already lost, young Keacy Carty and Keemo Paul, who has been passed fit, could get an outing.

West Indies (probable): 1 Shai Hope (wk), 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Shamarh Brooks/Keacy Carty, 4 Brandon King, 5 Nicholas Pooran (capt), 6 Rovman Powell, 7 Akeal Hosein, 8 Romario Shepherd/Jason (Continued on page 25)

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 27

Japanese police raid home of Tokyo Olympics executive: reports AFP - Japanese police yesterday raided the home of a 2020 Tokyo Olympics board member who allegedly received money from a sponsor he signed a consulting contract with, local media reported.

Haruyuki Takahashi, 78, is suspected of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from high street business suit retailer Aoki Holdings Inc., an "official partner" of last year's pandemic-delayed mega-

event.Kyodo news agency reported that could c o n s t i t u t e b r i b e r y, a s Takahashi was considered a quasi-civil servant who was not permitted to accept money or gifts related to his position.

The Tokyo prosecutors' office told AFP it could not comment on individual cases.A sports consulting firm run by Takahashi is suspected of receiving money from Aoki for a contract signed in 2017,

Bangladesh and England...

From page 28 Bangladesh will be the first global women's event in the 2 0 2 3 - 2 7 F T P, w h i c h , according to an ICC media release published yesterday, has been approved and will be made public later this week.

The tournament will feature 10 teams playing a total of 23 matches, and is scheduled to be played in the SeptemberOctober period. This will be Bangladesh's first global event in a decade, after the country hosted the 2014 men's T20 World Cup. India will host the Women's ODI World Cup for the fifth time in 2025, and its first global women's tournament since 2016 when the T20 World Cup ran parallel to the men's event.

The 2025 edition is set to be similar to the 2022 edition, with eight teams taking part and playing a total of 31 matches.

As it has done with men's cricket, the ICC has decided to increase the number of teams taking part in the T20 World Cup, with 12 teams set

to play 33 matches during the 2026 edition, which will be held for the first time in England, one of the countries that has consistently championed women's cricket. In 2017, Heather Knight's England won the ODI World Cup, defeating India in the final in front of a sell-out crowd at Lord's.

That match marked a modern turning point in the women's game, leading to a greater push and more widespread support among members and the ICC. Sri Lanka were awarded the hosting rights for the inaugural edition of the Women's Champions Trophy in 2027, in the T20 format.

The six-team tournament, comprising 16 matches, will be played in February 2027.

The ICC, though, has said that the tournament could be moved to a different venue in case Sri Lanka fail to qualify.

Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva said it was an "an excellent opportunity" to further the growth of women's cricket globally.

The upcoming ICC Women's events schedule. (ESPNcricinfo Ltd)

according to local media.

Aoki then in October 2018 became a Tokyo Games sponsor, allowing it

to use the event's logo and sell officially licensed products.Takahashi told the Yo m i u r i S h i m b u n

newspaper last week that the money his company received was for consultancy work."There was no conflict

of interest whatsoever with my position as an organising committee board member," (Continued on page 25)

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 28

Ramesh Mendis five-for puts Sri Lanka in driver's seat as batters capitalise on lead got 5 for 47 - his third fivewicket haul in Tests - while Jayasuriya took 3 for 80.

As Karunaratne could no earlier than 2.20pm local time since he had been off the field too long, Niroshan Dickwella opened the innings for Sri Lanka, but without substantial success.

He survived the five overs he and fellow opener Oshada Fernando faced before lunch, but was out in the first over of the afternoon, nicking a Naseem Shah ball that was gha Salman was intent on reviewing a decision against angled across him on 15.

Angelo Mathews, and eventually had his way. (AFP/Getty Images) Three other Pakistan bowlers took the three remaining wickets to ESPNcricinfo - Pakistan innings, before a 59-run batted out almost 14 fall in that session. removed Sri Lanka's top five unbeaten stand between overs, but struck Yasir had Oshada in a little over a session, but Dhananjaya de Silva and only one boundary lbw less than five had given up so much ground Dimuth Karunaratne re- when Hasan came overs after in the first innings that they established Sri Lanka's down the track to Dickwella's launch Prabath remain in a desperate dominance. dismissal.

Karunaratne was clearly Jayasuriya over situation. They are 323 runs Mohammad back at the end of day three, struggling with a lower-back midwicket, and Nawaz got Kusal with five Sri Lanka wickets injury that had kept him off made just 30 runs Mendis lbw trying to the field for much of together for the still remaining. sweep very soon after On a day curtailed by bad Pakistan's first innings and eighth wicket.

Ramesh Mendis' five-for that.

Sri Lanka's spinners light, the hosts took the prevented him from coming gave Sri Lanka a substantial Then came perhaps the visitors' last four wickets for in any earlier than at No. 6, h a d o c c a s i o n a l l y lead. (AFP/Getty Images) most controversial 40 runs, obtaining a 147-run where he was unbeaten - with threatened with the old decision of the day. Angelo first innings lead thanks to de Silva at the other end - ball, but when they took stumps as he Ramesh Mendis' five-wicket before the teams went off for the new one - just before the tried to sweep. Soon after, Mathews, playing his 100th first hour of play was up - Nauman Ali had his outside Test, was given not out haul. Pakistan's bowlers then bad light.

Pakistan had begun the they were consistently edge taken by a big-turning edging a ball that ricocheted did their best to keep Sri Lanka in check by having the day well, though perhaps menacing.

Ramesh delivery, before off the keeper's gloves to slip.

Jayasuriya broke the Yasir was trapped in front by But the bowler Agha Salman hosts 117 for 5 in the second unambitiously. Yasir Shah and Hasan stand, as Hasan could only the same bowler to wrap the was intent on reviewing that A l i get an under-edge on to the innings up for 231. Ramesh decision, and third umpire

Wins for Jamaica, Windward Islands and T&T in CWI U17 tourney

J a m a i c a , Wi n d w a r d Islands and Trinidad and Tobago registered victories when the CWI regional U17 50-over tournament continued yesterday in Trinidad and Tobago.

At Insha Ali Park, Guyana batted first and made 112 all out in 35.3 overs. Alvin Mohabir made 27, Mavindra Dindyal 15 and Zachary Jodah 15.

Tamarie Redwood claimed 3-27 and Marlon Williams 210.

Jamaica responded with 116-1 in 13.5 overs. Adrian Weir slammed 52 not out and Jordan Johnson an unbeaten 50.

At Gilbert Park, Windward Islands scored 207-4 from their reduced 41 overs. Divonie Joseph struck 76 while Stephan Pascal got

44 and Tarique Edward 32.

Jaden Lorde snared 3-46 and Jatario Prescod 2-35.

Barbados were bowled out for 77 in 22.1 overs.

Akeem Mc Colin 33 as Solomon Bascombe grabbed 4-14 and Luke Wilson 3-17.

At Powergen, Trinidad and Tobago scored 204-7, batting first. Olando James stroked 79 while Andrew Rambaran made 29, Kavir Boodoosingh 26 and Fareez Ali 26.

Nathan Edward captured 4-28.

Leeward Islands were 86-7 when play was halted, handing the host nation victory by 50 runs DLS method.

Jewel Andrew made 20 and Michael Palmer 18.

Rikki Ragoonanan took 2-8 and Aadian Racha 2-22.

Marais Erasmus ruled Mathews out, despite Snicko having showed only the merest tremor. Mathews left the field shaking his head, having made 35.

After tea, Naseem struck again. Dinesh Chandimal attempted a booming drive to a full, wide delivery, and ended up only edging it behind for 27 - his lowest score in his last three Tests.

De Silva then made his presence felt with some early boundaries, and set about establishing a partnership with Karunaratne, who was clearly hampered in both his batting and his running between the wickets, by his back injury.

De Silva was especially effective on the back foot - as he often is - pulling Naseem in front of square f o r f o u r, w h i l e a l s o cutting Yasir for three boundaries behind point.

Karunaratne hit two boundaries in his 51-ball stay - a reverse sweep off Yasir, and a conventional sweep off Nawaz. He went to stumps on 27; de Silva on 30.

Stumps: Sri Lanka 378 and 176 for 5 (Mathews 35, de Silva 30*, Naseem 2-29) lead Pakistan 231 (Salman 62, Ramesh 5-47, Jayasuriya 3-80) by 323 runs.

India to host 2025 Women's World Cup

Bangladesh and England will host T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026 ESPNcricinfo - India will host the 2025 Women's World Cup, for the first time since 2013, while Bangladesh and England will host T20 World Cups in 2024 and 2026 respectively. Sri Lanka, subject to their qualifying for the tournament, will host the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy in 2027.

The venues for the four marquee women's global events, which are part of the next cycle of the ICC's Future Tours Programme (FTP), were ratified by the ICC Board on Thursday in Birmingham, on the final day of the global cricket body's annual conference.

The venues had been originally shortlisted and recommended by an ICC working group comprising the former New Zealand fast bowler Martin Snedden, who is also chair of New Zealand Cricket, former India captain and current BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt, and former England Women captain Clare Connor, who is

Australia will defend their ODI World Cup title in India in 2025. (Getty Images)

also the acting ECB CEO. That three countries from the subcontinent have been allotted global events is further confirmation of the rising stature and popularity of the women's game - broadcasters will be keen to have the events played in a time

zone that is convenient for the Indian market. That has also been evident in the ICC deciding to sell media rights for the women's global events separately from the men's events for the first time.

The 2024 T20 World Cup in (Continnuned on page 27)

Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Britton, Edghill set the bar high for 2022 Commonwealth Games

By Rawle Toney (Team Guyana Press Attache)

The two highest-ranked Table Tennis players from Guyana, Shemar Britton and Chelsea Edghill, are hoping for improved performances at the Commonwealth Games this time around. Guyana's Table Tennis contingent will head into battle on Friday (July 29) on Day One of competition, where they will compete in the team event.

For Britton, the games in Birmingham, England, will be his third following his debut in 2014 (Scotland) and 2018 in Australia. Edghill, on the other hand, is returning to the Commonwealth Games for the second time since competing in 2014.

Both Guyanese are also the two highest-ranked players in the Englishspeaking Caribbean.

Currently ranked 265 in the world by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Britton stated that at the start of this year, his target was to finish 2022 in the top 200, adding "I got to 261, so I'm hoping that before the year ends I go to the top 200."

Britton, like the rest of team Guyana at the previous Commonwealth Games, had a

good performance in 2018 before he was edged out by Canada's Antoine Bernaden in the preliminary round.

"Last time I lost in a pretty hard match in the decider, this time I want to go at least to the round of 16 and I think I have the capabilities to do that," Britton said.

As it relates to Guyana's over-all performance at the Commonwealth Games, Britton noted, "We have history, since my first commonwealth games, in 2014, we've always finished in the top 10 teams. We want to finish in the top four this time around. We know it's a big goal but we're going positive."

Meanwhile, Chelsea Edghill, who created Caribbean history when she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, said one of her goals for the 2022 Games, "Is to surpass my last games that I attended in 2014 and to execute what I've been learning at the training camps in Germany and Portugal the last few months."

All eyes will be on Edghill in Birmingham. She has racked-up one of the most impressive Table Tennis (Continued on page 25)

PAGE 29

GCB Names National Under-19 team - Alvin Mohabir leads second National team within a given year

Rampertab Ramnauth

T

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has named the Guyana Under-19 team which will participate in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional Under-19 Tournament 2022. This tournament is scheduled for St. Vincent from August 7, 2022 to August 28, 2022.

The GCB's Junior National Selection panel chaired by Mr. Andre Percival selected a strong National Under-19 team which comprised an excellent mix of skilled players capable of adapting to different game situations. Alvin Mohabir, who leads the current Guyana Under-17 team, will have the distinct privilege of being captain for two national teams within a given year. He will be supported by Vice-Captain Jonathan Rampersaud.

West Indies Under-19 express fast bowler, Isai Thorne, who missed out on the ongoing Regional Under-17 tournament because of injury, has been included in the squad. The team includes five players who are currently participating in the CWI Regional Under-17 Tournament being played in Trinidad and Tobago.

Apart from the captain, these include Rampertab Ramnauth, Mavendra Dindyal, Zachary Jodha and Bruce Vincent. The team will be coached by former National Senior team player Andre Percival while Budhesh Chatterpaul will serve as the Manager.

The other players are - Rampertab R a m n a u t h , To m m a n i C a e s a r, Mavendra Dindyal, Zachary Jodha, Mahendra Gopilall, Sachin Balgobin, Z e y n u l R a m s a m m y, S h a m a r Yearwood (W/K), Jeremy Sandia, Bruce Vincent, Rivaldo Phillips and Isai Thorne.

The standbys are Joash Charles, Jadon Campbell, Sanjay Algoo, Goucharran Chuli, Leon Cecil and Shiv Harripersaud.

Alvin Mohabir

Mavendra Dindyal

Isai Thorne

Adil Rashid focuses on white-ball action and plays down talk of a Test return PA Media - England spinner Adil Rashid has distanced himself from a return to Test cricket, suggesting that he is “a long way away” from resurrecting his red-ball career.

Rashid is an essential part of England's one-day and Twenty20 plans but last appeared in the longer format three-and-a-half years ago.

He has not played at first-class

Moeen Ali (right) has made himself available for Test duty but Rashid (left) remains unconvinced (John Walton/PA)

Shemar Britton (L) and Chelsea Edghill following their first day of training since arriving in Birmingham, England.

level since, settling into a white-ball specialist's contract at Yorkshire, but the idea of bringing the 34-year-old back into the fray was floated by head coach Brendon McCullum shortly after his appointment earlier this summer.

McCullum has already persuaded Moeen Ali to reverse his Test retirement, with an eye on this winter's tour of Pakistan, but appears to have a tougher job on his hands with Rashid.

Speaking ahead of England's first Twenty20 against South Africa in Bristol, the start of their fourth limitedovers series this month, he said: “My mindset has stayed the same. A lot has got to happen for me to play Test cricket.“You've got to have that communication with the coach and captain, and you've got to sit down and (Continued on page 25)

Wednesday July 27, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Anderson believes 100m hurdles world record will dip below 12 seconds one day SportsMax - Jamaican 100m hurdler Britany Anderson believes someone will go below 12 seconds in the event one day.

Anderson, who won her maiden national title in June, took home her first global medal when she won 100m hurdles silver at the recently c o n c l u d e d Wo r l d A t h l e t i c s Championships in Eugene.

She ran a new personal best and national record 12.31 in the semifinals on Sunday before returning to run a wind-aided 12.23 to claim second in the final later that day behind Nigeria's Tobi Amusan who ran an insane wind-aided 12.06 for victory, hours after setting a new world record 12.12 in the semifinals.2015 World champion

Jamaican 100m hurdler Britany Anderson believes someone will go below 12 seconds.

Danielle Williams previously held the national record of 12.32 which she set in 2019.

“I'm feeling really great. I'm excited that I came out here and did my best. It's really great, the crowd is great and the energy out there is amazing,” Anderson said in a postrace interview.

She also revealed that it wasn't a perfect race for her despite the fast time.

“The middle of the race wasn't the best because I kept hitting the hurdles but thank God I finished with a medal,” she said.

The track at Hayward Field in Eugene has long been known to produce extremely fast times, an experience Anderson now knows

first-hand.

“It's definitely one of the fastest tracks I've run on. All I can say is we were blessed to have the perfect conditions, even though the time in the finals was wind-aided,” she said.With the world record now standing at 12.12, “most definitely,” was Anderson's

response when asked if she thinks someone will go under 12 seconds in the 100m hurdles.“The girls are really competitive so anything can happen. The hurdles has been so competitive these last few years.

The girls have shown up and shown out and we can do so much more.

The event, to me, is one of the best

out here because it's so technical.

We have to keep the stride and the focus while going so fast,” Anderson said.

“I feel like we're getting more control over our technique,” she added.Jamaican 100m hurdler Britany Anderson believes someone will go below 12 seconds.

BCB presents highest award to Indian - Berbice cricketers expected to benefit from High Commissioner successful courtesy visit of Dr. Srinivasa to Berbice

Y

oung cricketers in the ancient county of Berbice are expected to benefit from educational scholarships to India after a highly successful visit by the Indian High Commissioner Dr K.J. Srinivasa. The Indian diplomat was a special guest of the pro active Berbice Cricket Board at the St Francis Community Developers Complex and was conferred with the board's highest award-The Tribute to Heroes.

BCB President Hilbert Foster stated that he had invited Dr Srinivasa to develop a working relationship with the Indian High Commission, which represents the most passionate cricketing nation in the world. Foster, in a comprehensive and well articulated opening speech, stated, the overall history of the BCB which dated back to 1939 when a group of persons founded the first cricket board in Guyana. The main objective of the board was to represent the interest of Berbice players and to promote the development of the game.

The board produced its first test cricketer in 1948 when John Trim of Port Mourant represented the region. Since then the county

has produced another nineteen test players and numerous others at the junior, ODI, 20/20 and female levels. Among the players produced by Berbice are the legendary Rohan Kanhai, Joe Solomon, Ivan Madray, Basil Butcher, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Narsingh Deonarine and Shimron Hetmyer.

Foster informed the visiting delegation, which included Second Secretary Sunil Kumar Singh, of his administration successes over the last four years and also unveiled several major upcoming developmental programmes which include coaching in primary and secondary schools and assistance to schools. The setting up of a kiddies cricket academy, consisting of one hundred kids between the ages of eight to twelve years is also a priority in the near future. Under this programme, the kids would be under proper coaching supervision every weekend with the aim of correcting their techniques early. The BCB also announced that special emphasis would be placed in ensuring all Berbicians understand their role as sports ambassadors.

West Indian female player Shabika Gajnabi

Indian High Commissioner Dr. K.J. Srinivasa (right) receives the BCB Tribute to Heroes Award from Shabika Gajnabi. presented Dr Srinivasa with the Tribute to Heroes Award

along with a BCB medal, while Secretary Angela

Haniff handed over a special gift with a portrait of Indian national hero Mahatma Gandhi.

Dr Srinivasa in a well received speech expressed admiration for the work of the board and stated that he follows the progress of the game in the county. He congratulated Foster and his executives for their passion and dedication.

To loud applause, the Indian High Commissioner announced that Berbice cricketers could apply for scholarships from his country as part of the BCB say yes to education programme. The recommendation was readily accepted by the BCB President.

The two delegations also

Dr. Srinivasa poses with BCB executives and other special guests at the ceremony.

discussed a wide array of possible areas of cooperation which would assist in the overall development of Berbice cricket. Foster expressed thanks to Dr Srinivasa for accepting his invitation and also for extending hands of cooperation to the BCB. Among the special guests at the ceremony were Dr Gomathnayagam Subramanian and Father Ramesh Vanan, both Indian nationals based in the county.

Dr Subramanian is the Director of the Berbice University Campus, while Father Vanan is the Roman Catholic Priest in Port Mourant. They both hailed the work of the BCB and the impact it was having on the lives of youths.

Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 27, 2022

PAGE 31

GFF & MOE train student-teachers for FIFA Football for schools

T

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF) and Ministry of Education (MoE) on Monday launched the second phase of teacher training for the FIFA Football for Schools (F4S) initiative, joining forces with the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) to onboard student educators ahead of the national rollout of the ground-breaking programme.

Guyana has been selected

by FIFA as the first Caribbean nation to implement F4S, which focuses on developing valuable life skills as part of age-specific, structured football sessions for girls and boys aged 4 to 14.

The two-day training course at CPCE will upskill about 50 CPCE students, and comes hot on the heels of the first phase of “master trainer” education for teachers from across Guyana which was c o n d u c t e d b y F I FA instructors in May. GFF President Wayne Forde said the partnership with CPCE was an important phase in the ongoing efforts by the GFF and MoE to equip more teachers across the country to accelerate the rollout of the F4S programme, which kicks off in the new school year in September.

“It is such a great initiative for us to be upskilling the teachers that

are being trained at Cyril Potter College to deliver education across the ten regions of this country,” Forde said.

“The impact of the F4S programme will be felt more, the more teachers we have delivering it. We are very confident F4S is going to be a resounding success.”

Dr Olato Sam, Education Specialist in the MoE, said the F4 S p r o g r a m m e , designed in concert w i t h U N I C E F, w o u l d enable Guyana to improve the way it

A part of the gathering of student teachers involved in the programme.

GFF President Wayne Forde addresses the gathering. to a range of not just academic programmes, but what we oftentimes refer to as enrichment experiences – that is vital,” Dr Sam said.

“The teachers currently going through their teacher training experience are the core of the rollout of this programme,” he added.

“They are the ones who are going to be expected, within their environments, to

p r epar es young people for productive lives after education, by broadening their skill sets and interests

beyond purely academic subjects.

“Our young people need to leave this education system having been exposed

Director of Sports hands over NSC prize for Domino champs

DOS Ninvalle hands over cheque to Mark Wiltshire Organising Secretary of the Georgetown Dominoes Association, while Assistant Organising Secretary Claire Benjamin looks on.

Director of Sports (DOS) Steve Ninvalle handed over the prize money for the National Sports Commission dominoes competition which concluded on Thursday night last at Strikers Sports bar.

F and H turned in a sterling performance to win the title and Ninvalle presented their prize to Mark Wiltshire, Organising Secretary of the Georgetown

Dominoes Association in the presence of Assistant Organising Secretary Claire Benjamin.

F and H led throughout to amass 88 games to defeat Providence SC with 70 and Gold is Money in the cellar on 65.

The competition was co-sponsored by Big Boss Transportation Service and Strikers Sports bar.

impart the knowledge of this very well thought out, balanced programme, c r e a t e d b y F I FA a n d UNICEF, to the young people across the entire nation.”

Davis Alfred, one of the trainee teachers at the college, said he looked forward to working with the F4S programme because football had played an

important part in creating a balanced education platform and positive mindset during his own experience at school.

“It (F4S) is a very good idea because it will get students and teachers out doing more sports rather than just having the children in one place and teaching them in class,” Alfred said. “It will help a lot.”

Two Guyanese in Canada cricket squad for World Cup qualifiers Dillon Heyliger Jeremy Gordon (espncricinfo.com)

F

ast-bowler Jeremy Gordon and allrounder Dillon Heyliger have been named in Canada national squad to participate in the International Cricket Council Challenge League A 50-over competition which begins today in Canada as well.

The six-team tournament will run until August 7th as part of their qualification pathway for next year's

limited-over World Cup to be staged in India.

Both players are Canadabased Guyanese and have been representing their adopted nation for the past several years.

Gordon, the Berbician, represented Guyana at firstclass level, while the Essequibian Heyliger played for the Guyana youth team.

The other participating teams in the competition are:

Denmark, Qatar, Singapore, Vanuatu and Malaysia.

The full Canada squad reads: Navneet Dhaliwah (captain), Shreyaz Movva (WKP), Dillon Heyliger, H a r s h T h a k e r, J e r e m y Gordon, Matthew Spoors, Nicolas Kirton, Ravinderpal Singh, Rayyan Pathan, Rommel Shazad, Saad Bin Zafar, S a l m a n N a z a r, A m m a r Khalid and Varun Sehdev.

Britton, Edghill set the bar high for 2022 Commonwealth Games Joel Alleyne and Chelsea Edghill during training in Birmingham.

s t r o Sp

GFF & MOE train student-teachers for FIFA Football for schools

GFF and Ministry of Education officials at the head table during the programme.

Can West Indies translate their competitiveness into a consolation win?

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