Kaieteur News

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AIETEUR NEWS

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Man, who grabbed

Wednesday Edition

woman’s breast, chops

July 28, 2021 - Vol. 16 No.19

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

labourer for intervening

Price $80

Online readership yesterday, 66,459

ExxonMobil’s local content reports remain

shrouded in secrecy - Despite Pres. Ali, Jagdeo’s pledge on transparency See story on page 16

Exxon to rent more supply boats Mechanic on the run after strangling woman with towel

OGGN Diaspora members continue with their series of protest action in New York, pressing for govt to renegotiate oil contracts.

Cop accused of brutalising ‘wife’ out on $50K bail

Contractor was paid in OAI’s 10% increase causes full, 7 months before conflict with stakeholder completion - PAC hears

PPP/C Commissioners propose termination of Lowenfield, Myers, Mingo contracts @11:00hrs on Who accepts bills from a business partner without checking the Kaieteur Radio costs? Well, Guyana is doing that with ExxonMobil and others. 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

The Guyana Prize for Literature At occasional intervals since 2017, this newspaper has been publishing inquiries into the fate of the nation’s official literary awards, the Guyana Prize for Literature. The last award for the Guyana Prize was held in late 2015, in the early months of the Granger administration but the submissions for which were held in early 2015 under the Donald Ramotar administration. That last award saw the emergence of young, new winners such as Mosa Telford, who won that year’s prize for Drama, and Subraj Singh, who won the prize for Best First Book of Fiction, and marked his place as the second youngest winner of the prize. Singh would go on in 2017, with the Prize as a critical boost, to secure a place at the prestigious University of Iowa Fall Writing Program.

That year, 2017, was supposed to have been the next Guyana Prize for Literature, and a seminal once, marking the 30th anniversary of the Prize, which was founded by then President Desmond Hoyte in 1987. The Guyana Prize as an institution – however flawed – had the peculiar quality of being branded across political administrations; while it was the vision of PNC President Hoyte that started it, it was the commitment of successive PPP administrations that sustained it from 1992 to 2015, until a PNC President was once again in power. Additionally, in early 2017, submissions had been invited, and many young writers would have spent time, energy and scarce financial resources in entering their work for the awards.

One would have thought that the Granger administration would have – in the interest of national reconciliation, of genuine interest in the promotion of literary arts, or out of basic decency – not only continued the prize but used the anniversary to commit to enhancing it to better serve resident creative writers. Instead, the opposite happened – as 2017 came and went, and no shortlist was even announced from among the entries, it was clear that there would be no prize that year with no reason given by the administration on why this was so.

In 2018, increasing questions naturally started floating about what happened to the Prize, to no avail. The minister with the portfolio responsibility for Culture at the time, Dr. George Norton, when asked by this paper what had happened to the Prize, was clueless as usual, clearly unaware of whatever plans his higher power had for the national award. After committing to bringing the issue of the Guyana Prize to Cabinet in October of 2018, the Minister – who merely functioned as a Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency – went completely silent on what the result of the supposed Cabinet deliberation on the Prize was, or if it was even held at all.

We are now more than midway into 2021, the year that should have seen the third Guyana Prize since 2015 being given out, but there has been no prize since then. A national budget has been passed and it is unlikely that literature will warrant a place in the list of supplemental priorities that is focused on the oil and gas sector, the economic downturn, and tackling COVID-19. And yet, and yet, there is no sensible argument that can be made that the Guyana Prize cannot only be revived but also reformed and this means that, as we are nearing the end of the budget planning season, moneys need to be assigned for this next year, the 35th anniversary of the Prize.

So far, the current Minister of Culture, Charles Ramson, Jr., has been doing a more than commendable job when it comes to the patronage of creative talent, music and drama in particular. The National Drama Festival, which was also killed off under the Granger administration’s deconstruction of the creative arts, was revived in 2020 by Ramson and retooled for the COVID-19 era, under the theme “Dramatic Distancing: Theatre without Walls”. In addition to a series of virtual events, the recently concluded Guyana Talent Search was not only a platform for brilliant new performing arts talent but also served as widely, and wildly, popular public entertainment.

The one area that remains under-served in the relative renaissance that Ramson has brought to the Culture portfolio is the area of the literary arts, and the most glaring omission is the absence of even conversation on the Guyana Prize for Literature. The last administration, for whatever inscrutable and inept reason, deliberately and effectively buried a national institution – the new Minister has an opportunity to bring it back and make it better. Let’s hope it’s one he takes up.

Wednesday July 28, 2021

Anna Regina parent appeals to President Ali DEAR EDITOR, This letter is being directed to the President because all other appeals, to ministers, officials and bureaucrats, over the last several years, have been met with deaf ears.

Mr. President, you are our last hope. The students of Anna Regina are in grave danger because of greedy businessmen and apathetic politicians. Anna Regina is the main educational hub for Essequibo.

It is home to two large public high schools, a privately run Islamic high school, a primary school that is the largest in the country, three nursery schools, multiple daycare facilities and places of private lessons for all levels, a technical college, an agricultural school, a teachers training college and countless other educational and support facilities.

Thousands of students commute to Anna Regina for school from the length and breadth of Region Two and must, therefore, walk along the walkways and sidewalks of Anna Regina.

The government has provided very ample sidewalks to accommodate this need and to create a safe and orderly environment for our students and the public.

However, the greedy, inconsiderate, lawless and downright criminal behaviour of most of the large businesses along the Anna Regina main road has nullified the safety and order the government has provided to these students. These businesses have bullied their way into placing permanent, enclosed structures over the public sidewalks and are using these permanent structures as extensions of their businesses, denying the

public and students the use and safety of the sidewalks.

These bullies are forcing the community and the students to use the actual main road where there is heavy vehicular traffic as a footpath.

It boggles the mind that these businesses can with impunity annex public property, that actively serves the public by providing an essential function, and convert it to private use without any consequence.

How is this fair to the thousands of taxpayers who paid to have these sidewalks built?

How can the government allow this lawlessness? How can the government so casually place citizens at risk like this?

This is an ongoing situation for several years now, and it has been getting progressively worst. I am

surprised no one has yet been killed in an automobile accident.

Perhaps this is what it will take for the government to get up and rectify this atrocious state of affairs.

Perhaps the tragedy of a heavily laden sand truck running over an innocent gaggle of bright-faced school children, splattering their blood and brains over their crisp green and white uniforms and leaving their mangled little bodies and crushed skulls pressed into the middle of the road for all to see, is what the government is waiting for before it can be galvanised into action.

Mr. President, FIX this lawlessness before any child dies needlessly. Thank you.

A Concerned Parent (on behalf of thousands of concerned parents and teachers)

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT

DEAR EDITOR, They say little things mean a lot and in a polarised society where things like race, religion and even colours for national events have a deep meaning. Like others, I was taken back and surprised that uniforms worn by the Guyana Olympic team at the opening ceremony in Japan was predominantly red.

The Minister of Culture and the Ministry, apart from making a strong political response, claim that the Ministry had nothing to do with the choice of colours for the Guyana Olympic team uniform. I am a little surprised that the Minister and the Ministry, which has shown a proclivity to be involved in sometimes minute details, claims to be unaware of the colours of the Guyana delegation’s uniform. As a matter of both curiosity and

courtesy, the Ministry should have, as a routine, ask to see the uniform which would identify Guyana to the rest of the world.

The Minister, in a very robust reply, says this was entirely a matter for the Guyana Olympic Association.

This is strange but the Minister is an honourable man, and we must believe him.

The Minister, obviously with little knowledge of our history and our culture, goes on to criticise the PNC-led coalition for flaunting green and yellow during its incumbency. I wish to state the following. First, back in the days of the PNC, when the PPP was then in office, in the late 50’s early 60’s, I recall a discussion at Congress Place, which included Joseph Ganga Ramson who was the party’s Finance Manager. He did not accept the idea that

the party should be identified by a single colour.

Indeed, when the Party Flag design was accepted, it was red, green and black with the Palm Tree in a circle in the centre. Young Ramson ought to know that red has always been a favourite colour of the People’s Progressive Party the fact, that it got them in hot water during the Cold War is, of course, another matter. Red before and after the Cold War is associated with the Red Army in China and the Soviet Union. Mr. Ramson, as Minister of Culture should also know that long before Independence under the British, green and gold were features that characterised British Guiana.

Recall scout jamborees, when sea scouts and land scouts met, we sang lustily “DEMERARA, oh DEMERARA, you betta clear

the way leh we pass, for when you see DEMERARA in she royal green and gold, you betta clear the way leh we pass.” In those pre- and postWorld War II days, the whole of British Guiana was better known as DEMERARA. In fact, in Europe, North America and the West Indies, we were known as Demerarians not British Guianese. The fact is that when David Granger became Leader of the PNC and later President, he developed an attraction for green.

This was not new.

The words of our National Anthem written by an English man, Reverend Archibald Leonard Luker, in the second stanza, states “ Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore, Both bondsmen and free.” I hope the Minister on State (Continued on page 5)

Wednesday July 28, 2021

President and Housing Ministry They also say they are have turned to get kudos families squatting or informal housing very grateful to the President DEAR EDITOR, President Irfaan Ali and the Housing Ministry come in for kudos in their handling of housing issues, according to an opinion poll, which I conducted for NACTA over the last week.

Respondents express confidence in the work of both Ministers. Similar opinion surveys were conducted last August, November, January, and April on housing and a variety of other issues.

Expectations for a house lot or public housing is very high throughout Guyana; demand is not being met as quickly as the public desires and backlog has been rising.

Respondents in the poll showed paper work of a waiting period for a house lot exceeding 10 years and in some cases longer.

The respondents are pleased with the progress being made by the Irfaan Aliled administration in meeting house lots demand and hope their turn for a lot or public housing would come sooner rather than later.

Providing public housing or house lots has been one of the greatest challenges facing all governments. Many

and or living with extended families or rentals. The government has been working to address the backlogs.

Based on the findings of the surveys, the public is overwhelmingly pleased with the efforts being made by Ministers Collin Croal and Susan Rodrigues to meet housing shortage making house lots available and constructing low-cost houses for middle and low-income families.

Both Ministers have been very active on the ground meeting communities all across the country and in distributing house lots or turn-key homes.

The respondents of the latest July poll say that the PPP administration has done more to meet housing shortage in less than a year than the predecessor Coalition regime did in five years.

The findings of the poll on housing are consistent with those of other surveys conducted by this writer last November, January, and April.

Almost everyone believes that ensuring the public has a safe, affordable place to live should be a priority of government.

and the Housing Ministers for the action taken since last August to address housing shortage.

House lot distribution has been peaking since last August. Respondents note that housing affordability is a problem.

While people almost unanimously agree that affordable housing is very important, they are very concerned about the rising costs of housing.

Greater attention should be paid to the cost of housing or the materials for construction. Lower income people say more needs to be done to make housing more affordable for them and to rein in prices for materials.

The poll also reveals that the public expects the government to continue to play an important role in making sure that housing is affordable and that communities are safe.

They also feel that government should give incentives to the private sector to engage in community housing development to meet rising demand.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Employment at Rose Hall Estate DEAR EDITOR, One welcomes the report of the recent recruitment activity at Rose Hall Estate, where is located a Diagnostic Centre which has long been a component of the sugar industry’s comprehensive health service.

Hopefully, the tradition will be observed whereby the contract of employment offered would be subject to the recruit being medically examined and declared fit for work – a condition most critical in these pandemic times.

Hopefully, also the organisation’s newly

appointed Chief Occupational Health and Safety Officer would be involved in advising on the appropriate PPE to be utilised by employees in field and factory respectively.

All concerned must be sensitive and sensible about the changed working environment.

In the circumstances, it would appear a priority to redesign the standard employee orientation programme with a view to guiding employees how to manage and cope with a non-traditional work environment. Some creativity is therefore required.

E. B. John

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT From page 4 occasions as every patriot should know these words and would sing them lustily.

When Reverend Luker wrote the meaningful words of the National Anthem, there were no conc ern for any

political grouping, but he merely described our country in a similar manner that it was referred to long before any of our political parties was established. Green has always been the dominant colour associated

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with Guyana, and certainly not red.

Therefore, to have a uniform with no green to represent Guyana is to add insult and to ignore our forest and agricultural resources.

I am disappointed that the Honourable Minister seems to know so little of our history in an area that falls within his portfolio, that he clumsily associates green with a current political group.

The Minister should, instead, seek an explanation

from the Olympic Association why, for the first time, our Olympic team should wear red as a dominant colour.

Finally, the Minister ought to know that he is doing a great disservice to this and succeeding generations by mutilating our country’s culture and ignoring our history.

Is this part of a process to rewrite Guyana’s history?

I hope this be not the case.

Hamilton Green

Freedom to not wear a mask DEAR EDITOR, Welcome to the Freedom Café! We trust you to make your own choices if you want to wear a face mask. And, in the same spirit of individual liberty, we allow our staff to make their own choices about the safety procedures that they want to follow as they prepare and serve your food.

We encourage employees to wash their hands after using the bathroom, but understand that some people may be allergic to certain soaps or may simply prefer not to wash their hands. It is not our place to tell them what

to do. We understand that you may be used to chicken that has been cooked to 165 degrees.

We do respect that some of our cooks may have seen a meme or YouTube video saying that 100 degrees is fine, and we do not want to encroach on their beliefs.

Some servers may wish to touch your food as they serve it.

There is no reason that a healthy person with clean hands can’t touch your food.

We will take their word for it that they are healthy and clean.

Water temperature and detergent are highly personal choices, and we allow our dishwashing team to decide how they’d prefer to wash the silverware, which you will put in your mouth. Some of you may get sick, but almost everyone survives food poisoning.

We think you’ll agree that it’s a small price to pay for the sweet freedom of no one ever being told what to do – and especially not for the silly reasons of keeping strangers healthy.

Regards, Amir Khan

DANGEROUS DISRESPECT TO ROAD USERS - PLEASE HELP! DEAR EDITOR, I would like to first say we are very proud of your publication - one that gives us the truth and reality of life in Guyana - please keep up the good work.

In light of the recent accidents on the West Coast road and specifically the one in Uitvlugt, as a driver, I would like to humbly request that your news agency highlight and publicise the blatant disrespect by some

businesses who park trucks and other large vehicles on the public road.

This is a prolonged occurrence at Uitvlugt (exact place of the accident) and of recent on both sides of the roads at West, Meten-MeerZorg.

There are also several places in the Tuschen to Ruby area.

I am sure that these businessmen have contacts in high office and feel they can

do what they wish.

In another country, the family of the dead boy could have sued the truck owner for all his worth!

It is sad that the young lad lost his life, which should not have happened in the first place. I am sure other drivers will appreciate some attention given to this life threatening practice.

Thank You. A teacher & concerned driver

Have we looked closely and genuinely at solar power as an alternative?

DEAR EDITOR, The Editorial “Rebooting Amaila Falls Hydropower Project” (SN, 26th July 2021) says that the democratically elected PPP/C Government of Guyana is keen to embrace hydroelectricity and the natural gas (gas-to-shore pipeline project) to produce 465 megawatts of electricity.

The cost of the hydroelectric scheme was about US$800M (but would have risen by now). The cost of the gasto-shore pipeline project is about US$900M. This gives a total cost of US$1700M to provide 465 megawatts of electricity (it is unclear if the cost of the gas-to-shore pipeline project includes the cost of generating 300 megawatts of electricity).

Has the democratically elected PPP/C government

looked closely at SOLAR ELECTRICITY where the cost of 500 megawatts of solar electricity would be in the region of US$1000M? Plus, we can build 50 times 10 megawatt solar farms to derisk. We can certainly build, as a priority, a 10-megawatt solar farm so that we can assess the viability of solar electricity as an alternative.

The cost would be about US$20M. Is the PPP/C government seriously considering spending 25 percent of Guyana’s GDP on hydropower and gas-to-shore pipeline when we could be spending far less on solar electricity?

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

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OAI’s response to Mazahar Ally DEAR EDITOR, I write on behalf of Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI). The Managing Director of Air Services Limited, Capt. A Mazahar Ally, has, once again, written a rambling, incoherent letter of complaint to the media published in the Kaieteur News on Sunday, 25th July, 2021, about the administration of the Eugene F. Correia International Airport (EFCIA) by Ogle Airport Inc., which makes little or no sense.

Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) has always considered and approached the management and development of the Airport as a Public Private Partnership with public aviation facilities regulated by the Guyana Civil Aviation

Authority (GCAA).

In fact, the Airport’s obligations and responsibilities are clearly defined in the Lease Agreement for the Management, Operation and Development of the Airport with the Government of Guyana, which include the right of the Airport Operator to lease space on the Airport for purposes clearly set out in the Agreement, approved in advance by the government, in accordance with an Airport Development Plan.

The Airport had also entered into a lease of government land for commercial purposes, issued by the Guyana Lands &

DEAR EDITOR, FACT: Nature in all its life forms has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycle. We are dependent on nature; nature does not necessarily need us. FACT: The first natural rights of humans are (1) The right to property (2) The right to question the government/ authority (3) The right to free and independent thoughts.

FACT: Guyanese leaders do not understand the differences between opposition, freedom of speech and constructive criticism.”The diminution of one man’s freedom anywhere in the world diminishes freedom everywhere”, Leo Ryan, Congressman

(deceased) USA. FACT: The actions of the EPA will be judged by the people and not by a government, which thinks it is right for government to appoint the head of what should be an autonomous body. FACT: the EPA does not understand its function/ mission/responsibilities.

They who should be the custodians of nature/ environment in Guyana, have refused to answer our questions, and have directed Exxon not to give yes or no answers. FACT: The resources/wealth of Guyana is the property of the people, not the government and people. FACT: 95% of the adult population of Guyana do not understand their rights

Surveys Commission (GL&SC), which sets out the boundaries of the Airport,

which was regularised and finally settled in 2008 under the Public Corporation’s Act for 407.8 acres and, in 2018, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission issued a Lease for “commercial purposes establishing and maintaining an aerodrome” for a period of fifty (50) years which was registered and adjusted to 401.89 acres.

There is absolutely no legal restraint to the renewal and extension of these Lease Agreements at a time and for a period mutually agreed between the (Continued on page 22)

A GOOD GOVERNMENT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE

DEAR EDITOR, Sherod Duncan’s hatred for the People’s Progressive Party Civic is well known.

Recently, he was on his programme talking about the current cost of living, which allegedly has skyrocketed.

He was also saying that the government is not doing what it should for the people of Guyana.

He ended his feral blast by further alleging that the PPP “installed” regime is corrupt and lacks transparency.

If anyone listens to Mr. Duncan, they are bound to think he is knowledgeable and

Leaders, citizens and public institutions have sacred duties to deliver - they haven’t as citizens. FACT: The case of incompetence and corruption was made decades ago, but many are too lazy to think, and others can be judged as being blind because of what they see.

FACT: Americans are born out of discontent.

They do not understand that there is no merit in prosperity that comes through bullying, plundering and raping another country.

Their action is shameful.

The United States has four percent of the world’s population but walks away with twenty-five percent of what the world produces each year. The waste is incalculable. FACT: There is an ongoing mock war between the main political

Wednesday July 28, 2021

parties supported by external forces and it has kept the minds of most Guyanese in fragmented mode. Every politician has used this lie to seduce anger and redirect the population for their personal growth. What man will exploit the ignorance of a people instead of educating them?

What man will seek power by exploiting racism when moulding consensus is within the frame of the key attributes of humankind?

I will continue to pray for our leaders. I expect them to know that no one can kill the truth that ego is a weakness fed by fear and that vulnerability is an asset that can be exploited in a positive way. May God watch over us.

Ray Daggers

knows the mood of the people.

They would also think that his party, th e

APNU+AFC is beyond reproach and has an unblemished record when they were in office recently.

I want to make it clear that Mr. Duncan cannot speak for a majority of the people of Guyana.

Secondly, Mr. Duncan cannot speak even confidently on behalf of the supporters of the opposition party, the PNC and APNU.

Thirdly, the views expressed on the programme, which is aired on his social media platform are not the views per say of even the AFC’s membership on the ground.

He thinks he is being effective by constantly launching a diatribe against the PPP Government.

He is not because the facts, media and reality are not on his side.

The truth of the matter is Guyanese know that they

are experiencing a silent revolution that is sweeping away all of the things that the APNU+AFC did in office for themselves and their cronies.

The mood of the people is with the PPP Government

cause it is showing the people that it cares about the little things that Mr. Duncan and the big boys don’t or didn’t.

The government is honouring the commitment it made while in opposition to the people. It is still keeping all the promises while handling the government and Governance issues at the same time.

This Government has earned my respect for its approach to several issues.

Just look at how the government is handling the COVID-19 crisis and the floods at the same time and how it has boosted the levels of confidence of the private sector.

The ratings will go up for good governance in my book.

One year of full growth and

development is not at all bad.

I am not saying the cost of living has not gone up but this is not influenced by

local policies, rather, COVID-19 and its effect on the world has played a

major role in the skyrocketing cost for certain items.

The recent unprecedented , which brought untold devastation in the farming communities was also a major factor.

This Government is good for Guyana.

The sooner Mr. Duncan and the opposition recognise this, the easier it will be to hold talks about other things.

Attiya Baksh

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Kaieteur News

Whoever hears of signing off on charges without examining bills closely for overcharges or things that don't add up? We don't know of anyone who does so, not even Bill Gates or his accounting people.

Which Guyanese knows of any person, company, even a religious group, who is that unconcerned that he or she signs blank cheques and gives them to those they do business with? Billions of dollars in business and expenses? We don't know of any such fool, or anyone so irresponsible, or reckless, that they sign blank cheques for billions in charges with their eyes closed.

Fellow Guyanese: that is what Guyanese leaders are doing.

They don't pay. GUYANESE PAY!

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Wednesday July 28, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

David Granger is heading for self-destruction I

n c o n s i s t e n c y, illogical pathways, reverse psychology and insecurity are some of the negative traits that have dogged the presidential reign of David Granger.

He put his party in jeopardy because they couldn't change him after he won the presidency and no one had the testicular boldness to birth the suggestion of a different candidate to replace him.

Mr. Granger was not a violent, authoritarian personality that sought to repress his influential critics.

I became an uncompromising chastiser of his poor governance but there were no violence directed against me.

But I believe in two things had APNU+AFC return to power.

One is, I think, PNC and AFC underlings would have harmed national dissidents.

Secondly, Granger may have succumbed to constant

condemnations by his critics and who knows, he may have sanctioned violence against them.

While I acknowledge that Granger did not conspire to harm people like me, it could not have deterred me from my incessant discussions of his poor performance and lack of leadership qualities. I have a job to do like every other human on Planet Earth, and analysing the use of power is part of my job.

In doing my work, it did not fail to gain my attention that Granger was not an eligible candidate for governmental headship.

Unless Robert Corbin and/or Granger tell us the truth, the world will never know why (1) Granger accepted the leader role of the PNC and (2) accepted to run for president.

Simply put, Mr. Granger was not good for politics and he did badly at both politics and governance.

To enumerate the times

Mr. Granger faltered would fill the pages of a book manuscript. What follows below are things I just plucked out of my head and have not arranged them in any order.

If Granger did not know that the huge salary increase was an egregious mistake just weeks after coming into power, then he knows nothing about the real world of politics.

If he permitted the increase then he did a terrible thing.

If he didn't author the money spree then he should have stepped in and address the nation acknowledging it was a mistake.

Let us say that he accepted that changes in the marijuana law was a strategic campaign promise and accepted its inclusion in the 2015 manifesto.

All he had to do when he got into power was to delay, procrastinate and evade. But

he took a confrontationist path.

He told the nation that Guyana should not change the law because in doing so Guyana was copying and we should be careful how we copy from other countries. It was a pathetic display of poor judgment.

Mr. Granger felt deeply insecure about his leadership role and took refuge in press avoidance.

Then when he did meet the press, there were hardly any smiles, any funny jokes and no friendly repartee but serious tones as when he told the press when they asked him if he would appeal a court case, “I said what I said.”

Granger was an army official and he allowed his military character to overpower his West Indian cultural mentality. In was a soldier in power not a West Indian personality in power.

This deliberate

regimentation of his personality was not suited to We s t I n d i a n politics and it did not invite open embrace by citizens. In sharp contrast to Granger was his predecessor, Frederick Kissoon Donald Ramotar.

Granger had five At a time like this where he years to learn from Ramotar but he chose not to. has serious contenders, Ramotar was a jejune Granger must know that he president that did not inspire has to say pleasing things and the nation but Ramotar was a come across as rational and serious challenger to Cheddi logical. But he is not.

After cynically referring Jagan for going into the bosom of people, talking to to some of his APNU partners them, listening to what they as paper organisations, organisations that stood with had to say.

When Jagan lost himself h i m i n t w o e l e c t i o n among the people, he was campaigns, he is now mostly serious. That was the shamelessly embracing two nature of his personality. non-existent entities.

His critics inside the PNC Ramotar on the other hand, are bound to point out this had an evocative smile.

He wore a permanent distasteful discrepancy, among hundreds of others. I smile on his visage.

Space would not allow cannot see Granger winning. for a continuation of the Rigging is the only game in enumeration of the flaws of town.

(The views expressed in Granger but he is heading for self-destruction just months this article are those of the away from putting his a u t h o r a n d d o n o t leadership to the vote in the necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

PNC's congress.

Wednesday July 28, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 22

Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 28, 2021

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Podium dreams might be shattered for some, for now, but not for long. The next Olympics of 2024 in France beckons.

Is it missed, but it is a disservice to the nation by lack

of coverage, either real time or delayed, by the national television of this sporting spectacle, afforded once every four years, being embarked upon?

Shamshun Mohamed

Justice delayed: Mandela Avenue massacre That Justice delayed is Justice denied has become a cliché in our times, in our country. I don’t wish the deaths of young men lost to extrajudicial killings to be that predictable.

Respectfully, Lawrence Houston

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From page 6 government and OAI. The Land Lease also provides that “the Lessee may sublet its interest in the lands comprised in this lease or any part thereof in accordance with the provisions of the State Lands Regulations for the time being enforced”.

When OAI entered into this Agreement, it committed to and has completed financing all of the infrastructure and equipment at the Airport.

Capt. Mazahar Ally is well aware of these facts.

Consistent with directives of the Guyana Lands & Surveys Commission, both from the previous and current government, OAI has informed the Lessees that all new sub-lease fees will attract an additional 10 percent charge to the GL&SC which will be reflected in their new lease rates and, given the fact that the Airport now has a new Lease, all sub-leases are required to be informed accordingly.

It is surprising that Capt.

Mazahar Ally is unhappy with the new and extended

Lease since, as a Lessee, his company is a direct beneficiary, vastly increasing the value of their investments in the Airport.

Nevertheless, Air Services Limited retains the option of

not extending their original Lease and avoid paying the new lease charge which will apply only to renewed leases.

It seems hardly necessary to point out that Ogle Airport Inc. is in partnership with the Government of Guyana and, therefore, not only complies with the requirements of the government of the day in

office at the time but keeps the Government updated and informed. In this regard, Ogle Airport Inc.’s management

has long since met with the new President, Vice President, the Minister of Public Works and the Minister within the Ministry of Public Works with regard to the future development plans for the Airport.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento Public Relations Consultant Ogle Airport Inc.

Agri. Minister hands over planting material, tools to boost...

From page 20 materials and farming tools. I made a commitment and today I am making good on that commitment.Hururu was one of the communities that were affected by flooding. We’ve seen the devastating effects and farmers from every village and community that was affected can rest assured that the Government will be giving assistance to get back to the land. Very soon, the President will pronounce on that,” Minister Mustapha said.The Minister also said other plans are in train to extend the same form of assistance to other Indigenous villages across

the country. Toshao Mark Gomes, who received the donation, thanked the Minister and the Government for the timely and continuous support towards agriculture and the overall development of the village.

“I want to thank the Minister for this donation. It will help the farmers from Hururu to improve our agriculture. I also want to thank the Government for the work it has been doing so far for agriculture and overall development,” he said.The donation included: seeds, fertiliser, ‘bongo’ pumps, a weeding machine, Acoushi ant bait, and other farming tools. (DPI)

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Kaieteur News

Wednesday July 28, 2021

Wednesday July 28, 2021

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Kaieteur News

Salazar permanently banned from track and field due to misconduct Coach Alberto Salazar stands in front of Galen Rupp of the U.S.A. in the Bird’s Nest Stadium at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing.

(Reuters)

Wednesday July 28, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There's little comfort in your emotions today, Aries. You may want to stick to business. Concentrate on getting things done in your regular routine.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Try not to smother others, Taurus. You may want to seek comfort in their company, but this will only produce grouchiness in all parties involved.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) There's a squeeze on your emotions today, Gemini, which might leave you feeling like a pot of boiling water. Just by knowing there's a lid on things, you're likely to heat up even faster than usual.

CANCER(June21–July22) It may be hard for you to feel c onnected to anyone today, Cancer. You're probably better off keeping to yourself. If you're feeling sad or depressed, it's best to w ork through these feelings on your own.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may feel a restriction to the day, but in truth, this is for your own good, Leo. Your sense of discipline comes in handy as you tackle your work with incredible enthusiasm.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Find comfort in your work today, Virgo. Although it may

sound ridiculous, checking things off your list is the most rewarding activity today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Get your head out of the clouds, Libra. Nitpicky details you failed to attend to earlier may now come back to haunt you. Don't postpone your work any further.

The time to take care of the job is now.

SCORPIO (Oct.23–Nov. 21) Whatever you didn't get done yesterday, Scorpio, you need to finish today.

Discipline and attention to the sand slipping through the hourglass are the journey's themes.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Put aside frivolity for a day, Sagittarius. This is an important time to prepare for the future. Don't take another step before you know you're on solid ground.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) People may be a bit critical of you today, Capricorn. You would do well to listen to what they say. Be receptive of feedback so you can establish a healthy ego.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Keep up your psychic shield, Aquarius, because you will need it. People's comments may seem harsh even if they may mean well.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) This isn't a day to focus on fun and games, Pisces. In fact, you may feel an annoying weightiness about your emotions, making you feel less energetic than usual. There's a sober tone asking you to look at reality and make some serious decisions about your future.

TOKYO (Reuters) - The U.S. Center for SafeSport has barred coach Alberto Salazar permanently from track and field citing sexual and emotional misconduct, according to its centralized disciplinary database on Monday.

Under SafeSport rules, Salazar has 10 business days to request arbitration, which would be conducted by an independent party. SafeSport declined to comment yesterday.

Salazar did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The U.S. Center for SafeSport is an independent nonprofit organisation that provides sports with guidelines on how to provide safe environments for athletes

and training for coaches and administrators.

American Salazar, who coached some of the world’s top distance runners including British Olympic and world champion Mo Farah, was previously suspended by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for “orchestrating and facilitating” doping as head coach of the Nike Oregon Project.

He has appealed the suspension to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nike did not respond to a similar request when contacted by Reuters.

Salazar won three consecutive New York City marathons from 1980 before coaching a slew of Olympians, including Farah, who won the 5,000 and

10,000m golds at the London and Rio Olympics before splitting with the American in 2017.

Farah has never failed a drugs test and has not been accused of any wrongdoing.

In a statement to Reuters, USA Track & Field (USATF) said it “takes all forms of misconduct extremely seriously”. “(USATF) took immediate action when reports were initially filed in this case,” the national governing body said. “No form of abuse will ever be tolerated within our sport, and we will continue to prioritize athletes’ emotional and physical safety above all else.”

Two 13-year-olds won gold and...

From page 29 Horigome, who won the men’s street competition on Sunday, as the only two Olympic skateboarding gold medallists in the world.

Leal trailed with a score of 14.64, just edging out Nakayama who scored 14.49.

Olympic organizers shouldn’t be regretting their decision to include skateboarding at the Games for the first time. Skateboarding is one of four sports making its Olympic debut this summer, and with moments like these, it looks like it could become a mainstay.

More skateboarding action is still to come in Tokyo as the women’s park competition takes place on Aug. 4, followed by the men’s event on Aug. 5.

Beauty and power showcased at ...

From page 30 managed 40kg (88.1lb).

The Deadlift showdown saw Abrigo stamping her authority, powering to 172.5kg (380.3lb), Boyce achieved 135.0kg (297.6lb) while Rahim’s best was 90.0kg (198.4lb) which was her second attempt, she did not get her final attempt which was 97kg.

Other category winners on the day were 14 year-old Angel Chappelle (Kares Crossfit), 25 year-old Lateshia Davanand (Seemngal’s Fitness Gym/La Belle Alliance Essequibo), 30 year-old Salma Hack (RipHit Strength and Conditioning) and 45 year-old Homwattie Hirawan (Barim’s Tuschen/East Bank Essequibo).

Hirawan, contesting the Masters competition, was also named the Best Female Lifter in the Classic category.