Kaieteur News

Page 52

it’s a waste of time and money

Exxon CEO tells shareholders to conduct study on oil spill devastation from Guyana to 12 Caribbean countries

Guyana heading further into poverty despite oil production

A day of protest!

Monday July 31, 2023

Fifty-seven years after gaining Independence, Guyana finds itself facing a new form of colonization. Foreign multinationals are plundering and shipping out our resources, accumulating huge profits for their shareholders while the majority of our people struggletomakeendsmeet.

ExxonMobil, the world's largest oil company, sees Guyana as its cash cow Alerio Gold Mines, a Canadian mining company, boasts about the favourable mining laws and support from our own government. And H e s s , a p a r t n e r o f ExxonMobil, is thanking Guyanaforhelpingitto'smile allthewaytothebank.'

colonial plunderers. It is time to send a strong message to our leaders that we expect betterofthem.

I, Glenn Lall, the publisher of Kaieteur News and the owner of Kaieteur Radio, have decided that enough is enough. I am taking a stand on Monday July 31st. My staff has decided to support me. On Monday, the Kaieteur News will be closed andKaieteurRadiowillbeoff theair

Baramita villagers return to their homes in the hinterland after collecting aid from the donor organisation

Gun-wielding bandits rob Corentyne man of $5.5 million Woman stabbed man

2 men perish in fiery early morning

Mahaicony crash

to death for pinching

her

While these foreign companies are making hay, the vast majority of Guyanese are left to scrounge for a living, facing the burden of increasing living costs. But the greatest tragedy is that the looting of our country is taking place with the sanction of political leaders on both sidesofthedivide.

How long are we going to sit back and allow this 'raping' of our nation's wealth? How long will we allow our resourcestobesiphonedaway while we are left to eke out a living?

It is time to reclaim our country from these neo-

We are not calling for these foreign companies to quit Guyana No, we are simply asking for a fairer deal foryouthepeople.Thismeans that all the agreements signed in the gold, diamond, manganese and oil and gas sectorsshouldberenegotiated with a view to ensuring that every Guyanese benefits tangibly and substantively from the exploitation of the country'sresources.

I am calling on all Guyanese to join me in a peaceful protest of taking back our country. Let us liberate Guyana from its foreign looters by showing our leaders that we mean business and will not allow our country's wealth to be frittedaway.

Tomorrow, Monday July 31, let us bring Guyana to a standstill!

tomorrow!

Online readership yesterday, 34,920 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com July30,2023 Sunday Edition Price $150 AIETEUR NEWSK Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
...aidwill reduceas countrynow rankedas highincome
VP Bharrat Jagdeo unconcerned about ExxonMobil’s secrecy on updated Stabroek Block resources
No work
- Food For The Poor says
Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 02

Guyana heading further into poverty despite oil production

Eight years ago

w h e n U S multinational oil conglomerate ExxonMobil announced the discovery of oil in Guyana’s territorial waters, the country thought itsfortuneshadchangedand the lives of the poorest citizens especially would be transformed.

Noonecandebatethatit wouldtakesometimebefore the wealth reaches the most depressedinthecountry,but the popular question is now ‘how soon’ this would happen.

While one side of the political divide believes in cash transfers to uplift the country’s population, the other side is adamant that investment must be made in the health, education and infrastructural sectors to boost the quality of life for Guyanese.

In the meantime, however, citizens continue to complain about the daily hardships, particularly as it relatestothecostoflivingin thecountry

This year, the National Assembly approved $5B to easethecostoflivingcrisis, but just on Thursday; Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo revealed that the allocation hasnotyetbeentouched.

With revenue now flowing to the Natural

ResourceFund(NRF)orthe oilaccount,somesectionsof society believe that

Guyanese should benefit more from their national patrimony

In 2022, government for the first time utilized a portion of the oil revenue to fund the national budget. Some US$607 6M was transferred to the national cofferstobespent.

This year, another US$1B was approved to supplement the state’s development agenda; but despite the commencement ofoilrevenuespending,nongovernmental organizations such as Food For The Poor, still sees a great need for food and other basic necessities among impoverishedGuyanese.

FFTP is perhaps the largestdonororganizationin Guyana, assisting thousands of citizens all across the countryeachyearthroughits distribution exercises and more recently, sustainable developmentprojectstohelp c r e a t e l i v e l i h o o d opportunities for Hinterland villagers.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)ofFTTPGuyanaInc., KentVincentinaninterview earlier this week told Kaieteur News that notable efforts have been made by government to improve the roads, bridges and housing availability, however, the

needforfoodandotherbasic items remains urgent in someinstances.

T h e C E O w a s specifically asked whether hehasobservedashiftinthe country’spovertylevelsince oil production commenced in 2019 when he explained, “We can’t confirm that the levels of poverty have been reducing.We don’t have the statistics to say that but we areawareofthegreaterneed in the interior locations, so we have sort of- while not foregoingtheneedsouthere intheeasytoreachareas-we aregoingabitmoreintothe interior locations where there is a great need at the moment.”

The FFTP Executive is hopeful that in the next five years or thereabout, the living conditions might change for the better for the poor population in Guyana. In the meantime, he said “I can’t confirm whether there isanymajorchange.”

According to the CEO, FFTP is still offering whateverassistanceitcanas it continues to see

investments to improve the country’s infrastructure. He was keen to note that while strides are being made to improve access to housing, thisstillpresentsachallenge to the population that is deeplyimpoverished.Thisis so as this grouping would still encounter challenges whentryingtoaccessaloan to start construction for instance.

The organization has been offering assistance to construct affordable homes for families who already own a plot of land the CEO pointed out, while noting that there are numerous families across the country thatmaystillbesquattingin homes on the verge of collapse, since they cannot affordaland.

“The changes, this (oil) started recently we see infrastructure, housing and so on and the government is working on other areas but we still work with people who reach out to us in the communities we serve, and the migrant community is growing too so there is a

need there also,” Vincent related.

REDUCINGAID

Earlier this month, the World Bank reclassified Guyana as a high-income country, as a result of its thrivingoilsector

The World Bank’s 2022 grossnationalincome(GNI) index covers the financial year 2024 (July 1, 2023June30,2024).Accordingto the institution, “The large increase in Guyana’s Atlas GNI per capita is driven by the increasing volume of oil and gas production which more than doubled in 2022. The nominal increase was further amplified by higher oil and gas prices, and despite strong increases in outflows of primary income abroad, Guyana’s nominal GNI jumped 86.2 percent leading to a 60 percent increase in Atlas GNI per capita.”

Previously, Guyana was a considered a middleincomecountry

Asaresultofthischange, FFTPforeseesgreater

Continuedonpage9

Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 03
...aid
will reduce as country now ranked as high income - Food For The Poor says CEO, FFTPGuyana Inc, Kent Vincent Ahome under construction by Food For The Poor Guyana for a family in need Baramita villagers return to their homes in the hinterland after collecting aid from the donor organisation Guyanese join a line in Timehri to receive food items and other necessities from FFTPearlier this month

Kaieteur News

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

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE

It was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who came with the profound and powerful in civil disobedience. He broughtthebig,strongBritishEmpiretoitsknees,theonly genuineWorldPoweratthetimetobowtohiswill. Setthe peoplefree,orfacethewrathofthemasses. Itwasacrossin theWest,andbeforethenewWorldPower,America,thata nonentity of a preacher named Rev Martin Luther King madenonviolentcivildisobedienceaplankofhispeople’s perseverance against crippling adversity He, too, overcame the mighty assault of hoses and dogs and jails filled to overflowing. The oppressed, exploited, and plunderedincivilizedAmericafinallygottoseesomerays oflight,andwereabletoparticipateintherichnessthatwas theircountry,theirbirthright. Guyanesewherevertheyare musttakenote.

Before the many guns and the might of the State, civil disobedience rendered powerful men impotent. Civil disobedienceerectedawallofoverpoweringsilence,andit succeededinitsaims:freedomforthepeople,realfreedom that meant sharing in the true substances of citizenship. Civildisobediencecreatedaconditionofpassiveresistance thatmuzzledalltheguns,andneutralizedthemanycombat strategies of those who had all the power in their hands. Whengovernmentsdeclarewaragainsttheirownpeoples, andabreakingpointisreached,thenthepeopleareleftwith nochoice.

They still their feet, and stay their hands. But they unfreeze their minds to take direct aim against injustice, against unfairness, against slavery No matter how sophisticatedly camouflaged by the State, no matter how prettily packaged by those in charge, slavery is slavery, notwithstanding the purity of its lines and forms. Slavery can never be pure. Slavery is rank with the worst, most dreadful,odors. Itiswhatcausesthestomachtorecoil,the gut to twist into knots, and the mind to rebel. Civil disobedience is what it took in India for the taste of longawaitedfreedomtoarrive,andcivildisobediencewaswhat openedsmallpathwaysforAmericansofcolortoclaimtheir place as equal citizens. Civil disobedience is government bythepeople,whenalltheotheravenuesofcitizenshiphave beenweakened,blocked,oreliminated.

In oil rich Guyana, the once broad, and well-used avenuesatthepeople’sdisposalhavebeennarrowed,cutoff, orshutdown. Thestriketoolhasbeenblunted,eventwisted and turned against the people, when their rights have been violated. The media estate, the ears and nostrils, and microphone, of the people, has been backed into many an ineffectivecorner,andthenpickedoffonebyone,likefish in a net. The institutions that should be standing for the people, to be vigilant in protecting their interests, securing their riches, have been remade into pawns to be pushed aroundatwill,orparrotstospeakonekindoflanguageonly

It is what circles sturdy defensive wagons around the practicesandvisionsofforeignenslavers,andworksatthe behestofcompromisedlocalpoliticalaidersandabettors.

In India, Gandhi was undermined by his own, and in America King was seen as too soft in his non-violent approach by some form of his people. But both leaders stoodbytheirconvictionsthroughthickandthin,andthey prevailed It was never easy, never simple nor straightforward,buttriumphtheydid. “Weshallovercome” did come to pass, became Indian and American reality Civildisobediencehandledright,andmanagedwell,made the success of the Indian and African possible against overwhelmingodds.

It can happen in Guyana, it simply must. If Guyanese are going to know what it is to be free, to be emancipated from economic slavery, to actually partake of the table of their patrimony, of their God-given rights, then there must be a start on the road of civil disobedience, no matter how small. There just has to be a commitment of concerned, conscientious, and courageous citizens to civil disobedience.

ThebigotedBritishdidnotwanttoyield,butdid. The racist and demagogicAmerican South wanted to maintain their enslaving culture, but was forced to surrender It is nowGuyana’stimeforcivildisobedience.

Failing to Deliver:Ali, PPP-Led Govt. Can’t ProtectYou andYour Family

DEAREDITOR,

For the past three years since assuming power, the Ali-ledPeople’sProgressive Party (PPP) government has failed to live up to its promises of providing a better quality of life for the Guyanese people. Instead, we have witnessed a rise in thecostofliving,anincrease in crime, escalating unemployment rates, and inadequate support for public servants The government’s inability to addressthesepressingissues has left citizens vulnerable anddisillusioned.

Editor,thiseditorialaims toshedlightonthefailuresof

Ali’s administration and its impact on the well-being of theGuyanesepeople.

RISINGCOSTS OFLIVING:

U n d e r t h e A l i government, the cost of living has spiralled out of control Basic necessities such as food, housing, and healthcare have become increasingly unaffordable forordinarycitizens.Despite promises to tackle inflation and implement effective economic policies, the government has failed to curb rising prices, leaving families struggling to make ends meet. The burden falls disproportionately on the

mostvulnerablemembersof society, heightening inequalityanddeepeningthe dividebetweenthehavesand thehave-nots.

POORQUALITY OFLIFE:

The Ali administration’s inability to address fundamental issues has resulted in a poor quality of life for Guyanese citizens. Infrastructure remains underdeveloped, with inadequateaccesstoreliable electricity, clean water, and propersanitationfacilitiesin many regions. Health and educationsystemsareindire need of improvement, as hospitals lack essential

resources,andschoolssuffer from a lack of funding and qualified teachers The government’s failure to prioritize these crucial sectorshaslefttheGuyanese people with limited opportunitiesforgrowthand development. Since the PPP took over our country 1992 to 2015 and we again witnessed the same PPPin a more evil way, we haven’t grown as a nation with the PPPgovernments.

CRIMEINCREASEAND UNEMPLOYMENT:

One of the most distressing aspects of the currentgovernment’stenure

(Continuedonpage6)

Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Kaieteur News PAGE 04 Sunday July 30, 2023
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Kaieteur

All doubts have been erased

DEAREDITOR,

The recent statements that have come out from PresidentAli’svisittoChina have made it unequivocally clear that the Ali Administrationstandsonthe sideofChinaasweenterinto a period of immense global hostility

On the issue of Taiwan, the President has stated the he supports the One China principle, which means that Taiwanisaninalienablepart of China.This position does align with the position held bytheUS.

The U.S Department of State has made clear their country’sposition:

“The United States approach to Taiwan has remained consistent across decadesandadministrations.

The United States has a longstanding one China policy, which is guided by theTaiwanRelationsAct,the three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances.

Weopposeanyunilateral changes to the status quo from either side; we do not s u p p o r t T a i w a n independence; and we expect cross-Strait differencestoberesolvedby peacefulmeans.Wecontinue

tohaveanabidinginterestin peaceandstabilityacrossthe TaiwanStrait.

Consistent with the Taiwan Relations Act, the United States makes available defense articles and services as necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defence capability -– and maintains our capacity to resist any resorttoforceorotherforms of coercion that would jeopardizethesecurity,orthe social or economic system, ofTaiwan.”

According to the local press,PresidentAliwasalso quoted as saying Guyana is r e a d y t o c l o s e l y c o m m u n i c a t e a n d collaborate with China to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and establish a fairer and more equitableinternationalorder.

This will be considered bymanyasacommitmentto back China in the event of a war, but by staying neutral, Guyanacanplayakeyroleof peacemaker to help resolve the current conflict between the Superpowers on the criticalissueofTaiwan.

The statement by the ChinesePresidentthatChina and Guyana have broad

common interests and similar positions in international and regional affairsfollowedbyreference to the UN Security Council implies an expectation of support of the Chinese position on key global security issues. The current war between Russia and Ukraine followed by the military buildup around Taiwan has resulted in the world being divided by the powersoftoday

Guyana must also consider the delicate situation which we are currently facing Our financial future is currently dependentontheUSandthe oil sector with the U S controllingthepursestrings, while our indebtedness is closely tied to China due to the current structure of our loans. To put it simply, we needtheU.StopayChina. This means that we cannot afford to burn any bridges with either government,andwemustgo through a period of restructuring. The U.S. is currently restructuring to reduce dependence on China,andChinaiscurrently restructuring to also reduce its dependence on the U.S. Ourcitizensmustcometoan

agreement in Parliament as to which path our country willtake.

IsitinsupportoftheU.S, insupportofChina,oroneof neutrality?

Thereiscurrentlyaneed foraneutralandindependent Nation to help reduce tensions and find a peaceful solution to the current conflict.

Such a position will also ensure stronger economic c o o p e r a t i o n a n d development We can restructureoureconomyand finances to reduce over dependence on both Superpowers during this critical period in human history

The Parliament must openly debate this key issue andcometoadecision.Once we have chosen a position forthecountrytopursue,we must allow ourselves the timetoprepareaccordingly.

CRG encourages our youngNationandallcitizens to pursue the path of neutralityduringthistimeof increasing hostility between thepowersoftoday

Sincerely,

T h e C o o p e r a t i v e RepublicansofGuyana

GBTI Customer Service deplorable, stinks

DEAREDITOR,

It is becoming a bit of a concern that at several branches of commercial banks in Guyana customers encounter uncaring, and unpleasant front-line staff who seem to lack the requisite inter-personal communicationskills.

On Tuesday 25th July, 2023,IwenttotheDiamond Branch of Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) to enquire about my Visa Travel Card. I was told by one counter staff that I have tojoinalineandshepointed metothelastseatinalineof about four chairs. I said I’m only making an enquiry aboutmycard;andinarather matteroffactmannervoidof any empathy insisted that I sit and wait. The attitude seemed to suggest that I eithersitandwaitorleave.I sat and waited and after 45 minutes,Ileftthebankmore so because my Legal Clerk called to say I have clients awaitingmyarrival.

After dealing with my clients, I went to the Regent Street Branch and waited therefortwohours,atleastI did not have clients waiting formesoIwastedthetimein the bank. Eventually, after

pleading for help, I was told that my Visa card was ready andavailableattheDiamond Branch. The following day, Wednesday26thJuly,2023,I returned to the Diamond Branch and like the day before was made to wait in the chair for more than one hour Allthistime,therewere threepersonsinchairsahead ofmeandoneatthecounter Eventually, I asked to speak with a supervisor, and I kid you not, in less than three minutesmycardwasbrought tomeandIsignedaledgeras receivingthesame.HadInot called for a supervisor, I wouldhavehadtowaitmore than two hours for a threeminute transaction. This is grosslyunsatisfactory Ihave been in Public Relations before becoming an Attorney-at-Law and I can say without equivocation that this is very bad service and I am registering my complaintwiththehopethat there will be improvement. Wedeservebetterthanthis. Thecomputersandother electronicdevicesseemtobe state of the art but customer relations,customertreatment andrespectforpeople’stime seemtobeinthesewer LeslieA.Sobers

Kaieteur News PAGE 05 Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox

Striving to bridge Guyana’s racial divide

DEAREDITOR, Guyana’s societal relations of racial-ethnic segmentationresidesdeepin the bowels of colonialism with a history of prolonged indifference, and suspicion, promoted and nurtured by colonizers to ensure dominationandcontrolover AfroandIndoGuyanese,the majority population For a n y o n e t o e x p e c t cooperation and solidarity betweenthesetwogroupsin just a few years would be foolhardy This is especially so since some politicians, and their ardent supporters, promote racial-ethnic politics to foment strife, discontent, and unrest in order to elevate and prop themselves up as leaders or representatives of the people.

To date, the PPP/C government, with President Irfaan Ali in the forefront, has taken steps to bridge the racial-ethnic divide.As they continue to seek solutions, theyfacemanychallengesin theformationofOneGuyana - a unified nation fashioned from the residues of colonization.Intheirefforts, they must tackle the historical inculcation and indoctrination of racialethnic indifference and mistrust – societal characteristics of divisiveness regularly exploited by post-colonial politicians in search of power Striving to bridge Guyana’s racial-ethnic divide requires prolonged commitment While President Irfaan dealt with some of the everyday concerns through his community outreach campaigns,thecoreissuesof racialandethnicindifference andmistrustarecomplexand not altogether eliminable.

Yet, within Guyana, racial andethnicgroups,tovarying degrees, continue to reside harmoniously in integrated and separate communities even though their socialcultural existences remain distinctive It is this uniqueness of harmonious co-existencethatneedstobe harnessedintheformationof aOneGuyana.

One of the elements of the cross-cultural uniqueness isAfro and Indo crave for the ‘same wants.’

Guyanese of all persuasions desire the comforts in life, housing, adequate health services, safety, education for their children, and most importantly, equal opportunity for socioeconomic success These wants factor into the perceptions of racial-ethnic inequality that fuels indifferenceandmistrustand become fodder for politiciansseekingtodisrupt societalharmonyintheirlust for power However, when equality gradually displaces inequality, indifference and mistrustsufferserosion.

I t w o u l d b e presumptuoustoassumethat Guyana’s societal inequality can be eradicated, or that total equality in a raciallyethnicallysegmentedsociety can be achieved. However, what is achievable is the provision of equal opportunities for Guyanese social and economic advancement The PPP/C government has already crafted a course towards societal integration as evidenced in improvements

ofhealthservices,education, pension and old age assistance, provision of houselots,homes,andother i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l developments.

However, what seems to lag are opportunities for regulargainfulemployment, living wages and better returns for fish, farm, and animal products. The vast majority of Afro and Indo Guyanese reside in rural villages, in a country that operates under a dual economic system, a rural agricultural, proletarianpeasant sector, and an urban industrial-professional sector

This dual economy enabledthesmallpopulation ofurbanites–residentsinthe only semi-metropolitan city, Georgetown-toenjoysocioeconomic success while the vastmajority,primarilyrural residents, remain relatively poor

Poverty is an equal opportunity socio-economic suppressor It also does not discriminate by race or ethnicity Daily, many rural AfroandIndoGuyaneselive this reality Hence, the government would benefit fromprioritizingsolutionsto poverty for it will facilitate the normalization of indifference and mistrust between Afro and Indo Guyanese. This assumption mayseemfarfetchedtosome but, when one examines the dynamicsofindifferenceand mistrust, it most often is directed towards the government.

Most notably, PPP

supporters distrust a PNC government, and PNC supporters distrust the PPP government. By continuing to address problems of poverty, and providing opportunities for socioeconomic success across racial lines, the government would begin the process of lessening Afro-Indo indifference and mistrust –societal relations based on the perception of whether one group benefits more fromgovernmentalpower

What is one thing the poor have in common? It is their labour What do the poor want most? They want what the rich have. So, the first step is for them to have opportunities to monetize their labour In addressing problems of poverty, policy makers must be cognizant thatAfroandIndoGuyanese have different perceptions and approaches to opportunities for socioeconomic advancement –i.e., how to monetize their labour Forexample,anIndo farmer with 5 acres of agriculturallandmywishfor 10 to 15 acres and an Afro individual raising livestock maywishtoexpandhisstock from 100 to 500. In such instances, policy makers would benefit by being attentive to the peoples’ proposed solutions instead of formulating policies that THEY – individual policy makers - think will address poverty People often know more about their problems and probable resolutions than elected or appointed bureaucrats Their

indigenous knowledge would be beneficial to the government.

Hence, instead of monopolistic large-scale agriculture, or livestock rearing that requires, and relies on the exploitation of wage labour, numerous small-scale economic enterprises would better serve the rural population. Local ownerships of smallscale enterprises, imbedded within the community, are more suitable to Guyana’s widely scattered population. These keep more rural residents gainfully employed while fulfilling localneeds.

Production that satisfies both local and external markets – along lines of agro-industrial economic development-haveagreater probability of success in addressing poverty, and alleviating racial-ethnic indifference, and mistrust.

Guyana’s predominantly rural, racially-ethnically segmented, and widely scattered population would benefit more from regional planning with varying small scale agro-industrial activities.

Itshouldnotbeforgotten that many well-intentioned developmental policies, promulgated by the government,withoutcareful regional planning, and local input,havefailedtoproduce expected results. Some may recall Burnham’s PNC ‘Cooperative’policieswhich impoverished more people instead of uplifting them economically

Overall, infrastructural developmentbyitselfwould not bridge the Afro-Indo racial-ethnic divide within thecountry,orimprovingthe livesofGuyaneseunlessitis accompanied by changes to thedualeconomy Relating to Guyana’s dual economy, the modernization and industrialization of Georgetown and areas in close proximity - e.g., Ogle to Eccles, cannot employ everyoneandupliftthepoor who are likely to become p o o r e r E v e n t h e development of another Georgetown would not improve the lives of the majority or bridge the indifference and mistrust between Afro and Indo Guyanese.

Accessandopportunities for social and economic advancementwill.

To date, Irfaan, Jagdeo, Phillips, and the PPP/C in general, have taken several steps to uplift Guyana socially and economically Yet, difficulties remain. As theArgentinean philosopher Jorge Luis Borges reminds usinhisessay, “The Garden of Forking Paths,”-the future is dependent on present decisions which in turnisinfluencedbythepast, allintertwinedinalabyrinth of converging and diverging choices and decisions, none simple.Inshort:Thetaskof good governance is one of difficult decisions and few choices.

Regards, NarayanPersaud,PhD. ProfessorEmeritus

Failing to Deliver:Ali, PPP-Led Govt. Can’t...

Frompage4 has been the surge in crime rates. Communities across the country are grappling with escalating levels of violence, theft, and drugrelatedoffences.

Thelackofeffectivelaw

enforcement and the government’s inability to implement comprehensive crime prevention strategies have left citizens feeling unsafeandunprotected.

M o r e o v e r , unemployment rates have soared,withthegovernment

failing to generate sufficient job opportunities for its citizens, especially our youngpeople.

This further exacerbates the crime problem, as individuals turn to illegal activitiesoutofdesperation.

TAXATION

ONESSENTIALITEMS:

The burden on ordinary citizens has been further intensified by the government’s decision to impose taxes on essential food items. This regressive policy disproportionately

affects the most vulnerable segmentsofsociety,pushing themdeeperintopoverty

R a t h e r t h a n implementing measures to alleviate the financial strain

on its citizens, the government’s actions have only compounded their hardships.

While many of the PPP cronies, friends, and family submitted false investment developed projects to GOInvest (Guyana Office for Investment),andconcession was granted immediately

The poor Guyanese people continuedtosuffer

NEGLECTINGPUBLIC SERVANTS:

Public servants, who play a crucial role in the functioning of our country, have been neglected under thePPPadministration.

Many of these dedicated individuals receive meagre wages and salaries that are insufficient to support their families.

Thegovernment’sfailure t o p r i o r i t i z e f a i r compensation for public servants not only undermines their morale but also affects the efficiency and effectiveness of public servicedelivery

governmenthasproventobe ineffective in safeguarding thewell-beingofitscitizens. From the rising costs of livingandpoorqualityoflife to the surge in crime rates and unemployment, the government’s failures have had a significant impact on theGuyanesepeople.

It is crucial for the government to re-evaluate its priorities, implement meaningful reforms, and address the pressing issues facedbyitscitizens.

Only through proactive and decisive action can the government begin to restore faithandconfidence.

Pt. Ubraj Narine, JP, COA FormerMayor CityofGeorgetown

Kaieteur News PAGE 06 Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur M@ilbox Kaieteur M@ilbox
CONCLUSION: The Ali-led PPP

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STAY HOME ON JULY 31

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Alopsided oil contract that does not benefit Guyanese.

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The absence of an unlimited parent company guarantee from ExxonMobil to protect Guyanese should there be an offshore oil spill.

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Gold, diamond, bauxite and manganese being shipped out of the country with little returns for the development of Guyana.

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Agovernment that fights against its citizens in support of international multilateral business interests.

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The wanton borrowing of billions of US dollars, placing Guyanese in a never-ending debt trap.

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Come Monday July 31, it is time for Guyanese to unite against the mismanagement of our extractive sector.

Time for Guyanese to demand better from the government!

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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Take a day off work this Monday! Close your businesses! Show the government that people power matters! That you mean business; that you are determined to fight for a better standard of living.

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No marching, no protests, no demonstrations; just a quiet day to bring the country to a standstill through the simple act of staying home.

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BLUNT BLUNT Kaieteur News PAGE 07 Sunday July 30, 2023
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ExxonCEOtellsshareholdersit'sawasteoftimeandmoneytoconduct studyonoilspilldevastationfromGuyanato12Caribbeancountries

The possibility of an oil spill affecting at least 12 Caribbean statesasaresultofamajorincident inGuyana,owingtotheproduction activities by ExxonMobil in the Stabroek Block has been a concern forShareholdersofthecompany

Following a High Court ruling inMaythisyear,MercyInvestment Services Inc., a Shareholder in the company submitted a proposal seeking support for a thorough assessment to be conducted of the likely impacts to the Caribbean islands.

In their petition for an 'Additional Report on Worst-case Spill and Response Plans' Mercy InvestmentServices,Inc,pointedly noted that “ExxonMobil operates one of the largest oil plays discovered in the past decade, offshore of the South American countryGuyana.”

Moreover, it highlighted that after discovering oil in 2015, development proceeded rapidly, with production commencing in 2019, with capacity expected to exceed one million barrels per day (bpd)by2030.

Of specific concern to Mercy Investment Services Inc. is the fact that production has peaked above the safety threshold. It was keen to notethat,“Caribbeancountriesrely ontourismandfishingindustriesto support their economies, yet ExxonMobil's Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) characterizes residual risk to employment as minor and assumes thatalargeoilspillisunlikely.”

To this end, the Shareholders requested that the Company issues a report evaluating the economic, human, and environmental impacts of a worst-case oil spill from its operations offshore of Guyana. It

noted that the report should be prepared at reasonable expense, omit proprietary or privileged information, and clarify the extent of the Company's cleanup response commitments given the potential for severe impact on Caribbean economies.

In dismissing the need for such anassessment,ExxonMobiltoldits Shareholderssuchastudywouldbe a waste of the company's time and resources.

During the company's Annual ShareholderMeetinginMay,Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods told the Shareholders to voteagainsttheproposal.

He pointed out, “Given the comprehensive materials that are publicly available on our website, including our preparedness plan and the EIAs (Environmental ImpactAssessments) related to our Guyana operations, creating an additional report as requested by this proposal would place an unnecessary administrative burden on ExxonMobil, be wasteful of the

Company'stimeandresources,and therefore is not in the best interests of shareholders. For the reasons stated above, the Board recommends a vote against this proposal.” It must be noted that the petition by Mercy Investment Services Inc was defeated as majority of the oil giant's Shareholders voted against the proposal.

A recent Impact Assessment showedthatanunmitigatedoilspill can reach Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, Martinique, andBarbadosaswellasDominican Republic,Haiti,andJamaica.

The document explained, “An unmitigated oil spill from either of the loss-of-well-control events during both modelled seasons is expected to travel in a west-northwesterly route through the Gulf of Paria and the southern and eastern coastsofTrinidadandTobago.This scenariowouldexposethenorthern coast of South America and the southernLesserAntillestothebulk oftheexposuretooiling.”

GuyanapaidUS$150Mtoservicedebtsin2022

(Republished) As the Government of Guyana (GoG) continues to incur more debts with the expectation of servicing these with future revenues from oil and gas, the country has begun paying large annual sums 0n interest paymentsalone.

The Bank of Guyana (BoG) 2022 Annual Report has indicated that the country paid a total of $31,444,000,000 – approximately US$150M to service its total stock of domestic and external debt, a m o u n t i n g t o s o m e $ 1 3 , 5 5 2 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 a n d $17,892,000,000,respectively

According to the 2022 report, “The total stock of government's public and publicly guaranteed debt increased by 16.9 percent to US$3,655 million and represented 24 6 percent of GDP (Gross Domestic Product). This increase was due to a 20 percent rise in the outstanding stock of domestic bonded debt to US$2,083 million. External debt grew by 12.9 percent toUS$1,572million.”

The Central Bank also reported that the total debt service grew by 23.2 percent to US$150.2 million and represented 7.2 percent of government's current revenue. The report explains that while Guyana paid $5 25B in external debt interest, it paid another $3.872B on its domestic debt interest. This means the country last year paid $9 122B in total interests or approximatelyUS$43.4M.

AmidfearsthatGuyanamaybe fallingintoadebttrapthatensnared other oil producing states around the World, the government has beenadamantthatthecountryison the right path. Head of State, Dr

- US$43.4M alone went towards interests

Table showing Guyana’s External debt

(Source: Bank of Guyana 2022 Annual Report)

IrfaanAli earlier this month sought to dismiss any lingering fears by pointing out that Guyana has the lowest debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio in the Caribbean According to the President, even though there is chatter that Guyana is borrowing a lot, the country has made it clear that it would only borrow from institutions that are offering loans at a fixed interest rate of no more than3.5percent.

He bragged, “Now our net international reserve has increased by 15.1 percent. And what is the reality in terms of our debt to GDP ratio? Both domestic and external today, even with the massive transformation and capital investment in Guyana, our

combined debt to GDPratio is 24.6 percent, the lowest in the Caribbean. And guess what it, is downfrom39.6percent.”

Since Guyana commenced oil production, its GDP has tripled, which according to the Minister withresponsibilityforFinance,has placed the country in a better place to take more loans With the country's increase in GDP, triggered by its oil sector, Guyana has been adding more loans with the hopes servicing its debt from the finance that would come in fromitsnewfoundwealth.

Former Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran had warned that while Guyana's medium-term economic prospects appear very favourable due to anticipated oil

Table showing Guyana’s Domestic debt

(Source: Bank of Guyana 2022 Annual Report)

revenues, government should nevertheless exercise restraint in spending, given the volatility of oil prices. Goolsarran had made the comments in his Column, publishedintheStabroekNews.

Debtceiling

Nevertheless,itwasannounced just last week that government will be increasing the country's debt ceiling to allow for accessing more loans to accelerate its development agenda.

Guyana's current debt ceilings standatG$500billionfordomestic debt ceiling and G$650 billion for external borrowing ceiling. The

currentdebtceilingswereraisedby government back in January 2021. Government has since proposed raising the domestic public debt ceiling to $750 billion and the external borrowing ceiling to $900 billion.

During a recent interview with News Room, the Senior Government Minister said that as the economy grows, Guyana's capacity to borrow increases, and he noted that the government intends to use that capacity to finance an aggressive programme to modernise and transform Guyana.

Kaieteur News PAGE 08 Sunday July 30, 2023
“...creating an additional report as requested by this proposal would place an unnecessary administrative burden on ExxonMobil, be wasteful of the Company's time and resources, and therefore is not in the best interests of shareholders. For the reasons stated above, the Board recommends a vote against this proposal.”- ExxonMobil CEO
CEO, ExxonMobil Corporation, Darren Woods

Guyana remains committed to ending Hepatitis through expanded testing and treatment strategies

DPI - Guyana joins the global community in the fight to raise awareness abouttheimpactofhepatitis andreaffirmitscommitment to combat this silent killer under the theme: “One life, one liver-Scale upAccess to Diagnosis and Treatment to SaveLives”.

This year’s campaign emphasises the urgency of addressing hepatitis as a publichealthpriorityandthe time to scale up access to testingandtreatment.

Hepatitis is a group of viralinfectionsthataffectthe liver, causing inflammation and potentially leading to severe liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver cancer The most common types are Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E, each with distinct transmission routes and healthimplications.

It is estimated that over 400 million people worldwide are living with hepatitis,withmillionsmore unaware of their infection status.According to the Pan A m e r i c a n H e a l t h Organization/World Health

O r g a n i z a t i o n (PAHO/WHO), there are more than 350 million people still living with this life-threatening disease

PAHO estimates that every 30 seconds someone loses hisorherlifetohepatitisBor C, making testing crucial.

TheWHOestimatesthat5.4 million people live with hepatitis B and 4.8 million living with chronic hepatitis

C in the Region of the Americas.

A s p a r t o f t h e Government of Guyana’s effort and commitment to combat hepatitis, the Ministry of Health (MOH) recently launched the National Hepatitis Clinic at the National Care and Treatment Centre, in Georgetown The clinic operatesonWednesdaysand offers specialised care and treatment for individuals living with hepatitis. This facility provides a crucial platform for early detection, treatment, and support for patients, helping to improve thequalityoflifeandreduce theburdenofhepatitisinthe nation.

Mid-last year, the MOH, with support from the Pan

A m e r i c a n H e a l t h

Organisation (PAHO) launched its first National HepatitisB&CTestingand Treatment Guidelines, a guidingtoolthatgovernsthe management and treatment protocolofhepatitis.

Guyana has taken proactive measures to address the backlog of over 280 suspected cases of hepatitis C. With a focused effort on testing, diagnosis, and treatment, over 35 confirmed positive cases have already commenced their journey towards recovery This successful initiative demonstrates Guyana’s dedication to leavingnoonebehindinthe fightagainsthepatitis.

The MOH has managed to expand its testing and effective treatment services to all ten administrative Regions. Regional visits to screen individuals and provide essential treatments at various hospitals are conducted every quarter This strategic approach brings healthcare services closer to the people and strengthens the health system’s capacity to tackle hepatitiseffectively.

Further, Guyana has integratedregulartestingfor Hepatitis B and C at all Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) sites throughoutthecountry This approach empowers individuals to be proactive about their health, ensuring early diagnosis and prompt access to treatment if necessary

As Guyana observed World Hepatitis Day 2023, t h e M O H r e m a i n s committed to the global call for action in eliminating hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. With the launch of the National Hepatitis Clinic, regional outreach efforts, and widespread testing at VCT sites, Guyana is paving the way for improved health outcomes and a brighter futureforall.

World Hepatitis Day is observedannuallyonJuly28 to raise awareness of viral hepatitis, which may lead to severe disease and liver cancer

Guyana heading further into poverty...

Frompage3 challenges in accessing aid for the country The CEO explained, “Funding might be problematic at the moment as you know the World Bank just recently declared Guyana as a highincome country This will affect donors giving towards projects here in Guyana.”

Vincentsaidhebelieves Guyanawillnow,morethan ever,needthesupportofits

corporate society to assist thoseinneed.

He pointed out that a majority of FFTP projects are funded by overseas donors. “FFTP Inc. is in Florida but it’s going to become a bit more difficult nowforthemtosourcethat funding for Guyana which has been deemed a highincome country,” the CEO noted.

He added, “When people Google Guyana and

seethisnewstatus,theywill doubt our need for funds andinsteaddirectittoother countries that may seem in greater need and FFTPInc. works more than 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, so donors will now say I want my money to go here instead, so it might become abitmorechallengingforus so that’s why we are reaching out to corporate society.”

Kaieteur News PAGE 09 Sunday July 30, 2023

H@RD TRUTHS

FELLOW GUYANESE – TAKE STOCK, OR BECOME PART OF THE ANIMAL STOCK

On this the early e v e o f Emancipation, that great liberation by Abraham Lincoln’s hand, andtheeffortsofothernoble white men like Granville Sharp and William Wilberforce, I make an urgent appeal to my fellow Guyanese. Not one citizen is excluded. Take stock, brothers and sisters. Take

stock of where matters stand,andwheretheyleave. Takestock,anddecideifthe prospects are of stacking up well,orbeingcondemnedto the life of livestock. In America, where all men are born equal and with inalienable rights, there were those who were 60 percenthuman. Almost200 years later, Guyanese must decide if they even amount

tothat60%barthatdamned so many to a beastly existence. Those had the sinews of labour; we have the sweet strength of deepseacrude. Inbothinstances, the common denominator is slavery, the boot of the conqueror, the batteries of theconquered.

I look at Exxon today, and it says, like the slave owners of yore, that it is the

best thing that ever happened to Guyanese Look at how happy and contented the people are. Exxon is nothing if not diabolically devious, a corporate desperado of outstanding deceptiveness. Though the words of its talking heads have been reviewed and refined, filtered and finessed, they confirmoneirrefutablefact:

This American behemoth, this slavedriver from the old American South, is not a partner in any true sense of the word; it is an exploiter,aconqueror,anda plunderer Hewhohatheyes lethimsee. Thosewhohave ears had better get some quickunderstanding.

Exxoncanbeourfriend, but its people prefer their culture of rabid rapacity Exxon is greedy for other people’s property It is that of Guyanese Fellow Guyanese, these invaders have kicked this country around, and not satisfied with that, the captains of commerce at Exxon have recruited our tribal political leaders to kick their own people around. Stand up Guyanese, and see these people for selves, see through them, see their schemes and their dreadful sicknesses. Money Profit. More profit. If it has to be from the blood of the Guyanese people, then that collateralflowiswhathasto be. These foreigners are ruthless, savage in their heinous ambitions, unrestrained in their ghastly predations The sordid historyisthere. IfGuyanese don’t get up and get for themselves,thentheywillbe gotten and eaten up alive. OnegivesthankstoGuyana for boosting bottom line. Give some royalty percentage points, give some relief from possible loan shark interest rates, give what really gives Guyanese the billions that rightlybelongtothem.

Guyanese need to come to their senses. Mr Alistair Routledge is not the benign godfather that he makes himself out to be. Exxon firstcametoGuyanaforoil, and then it came for Guyanese. Next, it will come for the children of Guyanese to feed its insatiable lust for this nation’s patrimony. To my total shame and regret, I observe my fellow Guyanese at the top of the local tribal clans, and I behold men reduced to fawners, snivelers, and crawlers.

When my leaders are diminished to the ranks of pontificators, and 99-cents store Santa(s), then I cringe attheoutrage. Becausetheir degradation is my degradation. I discern that

greed could be a major contributoryfactor,butIsay that what they have become just should not be. I am insulted, when my leaders havebeenpushedsolowby Exxon that when they leave a room, they leave not through the door, but under it.

Thetalkhasbeenabouta day of standstill. I believe that this country is better served by a day of rage. Quiet, but all-consuming, rage. Steady rage at Exxon for its self-enriching m a c h i n a t i o n s Nonthreatening rage at nationalpoliticalleadersfor their double dealing. Soft rage at one leader who is p r o u d t o b e D r Misinformation,andanother who has fallen in love with being Dr Disinformation. Fortoolong,Guyanesehave sat complacently around theirstools,ontheirbridges, and near their fences Forever,itseems,Guyanese havegonetoogentlyintothe long night from days now visited by the shadows of longer, deeper, miseries Now is the hour that each and every citizen of this country, from haves to have nots, must rage against the dyingofthelight.Theworld runs to the light that is Guyana They find the savagingironyoftherichest people in the world on all fours,likesomelowbeastof the field, some serpentine andself-detestingcreature.

In parting, a Chinese astrophysicist, Fang Lizhi, comes to mind. Those who are tutored by life’s passage have walked the crucible of grueling tests, have a duty to contribute to the creation of authentic civil society; be in the vanguard of the fight for democracy Guyanese can takethattoheart,orcontinue to let their hearts be smothered by voracious pillagers. Last, it was the Soviet man of steel, Andrei Sakharov, who said, “The future can be wonderful. Or it may not be at all. That dependsonus.”

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Kaieteur News PAGE 10 Monday May 02, 2022 Sunday July 30, 2023
HARDTRUTHS BYGHKLALL BY
Kaieteur News PAGE 11 Sunday July 30, 2023

“Guyana is the future for ExxonMobil”...company

(Republished) As the Stabroek Block partners, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC continue to enjoy the provisions of the lopsided Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed with the Government of Guyana in 2016, the companies are excited about the discoveries made and the potential resources yet to be unlocked in the resourcerichoffshoreacreage.

Esso Exploration and ProductionGuyanaLimitedExxonMobil Guyana- in a new episode of 'Access ExxonMobil Guyana', releasedonTuesdayevening admitted that Guyana has b e e n d r i v i n g t h e development of the company Communications Advisor for ExxonMobil

Guyana,KeishaGilkesinthe documentary asked Global Country Communications

M a n a g e r, K i m b e r l y

Brasington about the role Guyana will play not only in the future of the industry but with ExxonMobil when she disclosed, “Guyana is the future for ExxonMobil.”

Brasington continued that the Guyana operations have been driving the company's growth while at the same time developing country, as

shelaudedthepartnership. But even with Exxon's operations already being driven by the resources discovered in Guyana, the company still believes it's early days and there is still much more growth to come.

Brasington explained, “In 2016 we felt it was early days, and it was, and you look at how much growth we've had, but you're right, to be honest it's still early days because this industry is s u c h a l o n g - t e r m perspective. There is still so muchgrowthtocome.”

Presently, ExxonMobil is producing oil offshore at the Liza One and Liza Two projects in the Stabroek Block A third Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel has already arrived in the country and is expected to startup before the end of this year

T h e c o m p a n y i s producing an average of 400,000barrelsperday,well above the prescribed safety limitsforeachvessel.Exxon said the additional production activities were a p p r o v e d b y t h e Environmental Protection Agency(EPA).

Thethirdprojectwilladd

spokeswoman says in documentary

an extra 220,000 barrels per day once successfully commissioned. ExxonMobil

also has two other sanctioned projects, YellowtailandUaruthatwill startup in 2025 and late 2026, respectively, according to the company's Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) Meanwhile,asixthprojectis pendingapprovalattheEPA. Since its first discovery in 2015, ExxonMobil has since expanded the number of finds in the Stabroek Block, taking the total discoveries todateto36.

Oilcontract

Despite the continued success of the Block, the People's Progressive Party government, though promising to review and renegotiate contracts, is unwilling to engage the company for more resources out of the deal. Government said it will instead develop a newPSAforimprovedfiscal terms; this PSA will govern the remaining oil blocks and will not extend to the country's largest reservoir, theStabroekBlock.

The PSA, signed by former Minister of Natural Resources,RaphaelTrotman isnowknowngloballyasthe

worst oil contract. Trotman recently cited his support for a renegotiation of the contract in his new book titled 'From Destiny to Prosperity' and has pledged support to government in this regard. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is however still adamant that the deal mustabidebythe'sanctityof contract' provision, even though he is on record threatening to “rain bricks” on Exxon's head if it refuses to allow a deviation of the auditingprovisions.

In the meantime, Guyanesecontinuetoprotest againstthecontract,pressing leaders to secure a better deal. Earlier this year, a groupofprotestorscalledfor oil production to cease until the operator agreed to changes in the contract. A comparison of Guyana's contract to 130 others in the World, done by Kaieteur News found that the StabroekBlockdealfeatures s o m e o f t h e w o r s t provisions. For example, thePSAseesthegovernment paying the contractor's income tax out of the country'sshareoftheprofits. However, none of the 130 PSAs examined shows this arrangement.

Additionally, the Guyana-ExxonMobil PSAis the only one out of 130 contracts,whichhasnoringfencing provisions to p r e v e n t c o s t s o f unsuccessful wells being carried over to that of successful wells. There is also no sliding scale for royalty to increase as production improves. And that is not all. Guyana's PSA is the only one out of 130 in the world that allows insurance premiums to be fully recovered as well as interest on loans and financing costs that are incurredbythecontractors.

Guyana has also agreed forthecompanytodeduct75 percent of the monthly revenue earned towards cost recovery; the remaining 25 percent is then shared equallyasprofits.Inaddition to its 12.5 percent profits, Guyana also receives a meagre two percent royalty onitssweetlightcrude.

As a result of the country's miniscule take from its resources, revenue from the oil sector has been slowly trickling in, with

majority of the earnings b e i n g d e d u c t e d b y ExxonMobil for cost recovery For instance, this newspaper reported that in 2022, the Stabroek Block in 2022 generated some US$9 8 billion in gross revenue, but Guyana only earnedamereUS$1.4billion in profits. This also included the royalty paid by the operator. Meanwhile, ExxonMobil deducted a whopping US$7.4 billion towards the recovery of its investmentforthepetroleum relatedactivities.

Two men perish in fiery early morning Mahaicony crash

TwomenwereearlySaturdaymorningburnttodeathafter the car they were traveling in crashed into a utility pole and a concrete fence before bursting into flames at Dundee, Mahaicony,EastCoastDemerara(ECD).

Dead are 43-year-old Shelroy McAllister of Lot 11 Airy Hall,MahaiconyandFredrickFraserofHuntley,Mahaicony

The accident occurred at around 00:30h on the Dundee PublicRoad,Mahaicony

Police said that the car the duo was traveling in was headingwestalongthesouthernsideoftheroadreportedlyata fast rate when the driver (McAllister) lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn and collided with a Guyana PowerandLight(GPL)poleandthenintoaconcretefence.

As a result of the collision, the vehicle burst into flames, andbothmenwereburntbeyondrecognitioninthevehicle.

Police reported that a fire truck from the Mahaica Fire Station responded to the accident and removed the men.They were then taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital where they wereexaminedbyadoctorwhopronouncedthemdead.

The bodies are presently at the Bailey's Funeral Home, awaitingapostmortemexamination.

Aninvestigationhasbeenlaunched.

Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 12
ExxonMobilGlobalCountry Communications Manager, KimberlyBrasington Dead: Fredrick Fraser

ExxonMobil’s secrecy on updated Stabroek Block resources VP Bharrat Jagdeo unconcerned about

Guyana's Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo has demonstrated a nonchalant attitude concerning ExxonMobil Corporation's lack of transparency on updated oil estimates for the Stabroek Block. This is despite persistent questions from analysts, for clarity on the actual size of the resources available, especiallyinlightofthenumeroushigh-profile discoveriesmadein2022and2023.

Since early 2022, ExxonMobil had pegged the resource estimate at 11 billion oilequivalent barrels. However, more than a year has since elapsed without any additional updates from the company, even as Exxon announcedmorehigh-profilediscoveries.

Hess Corporation, a key stakeholder in the Stabroek Block, described 2022 as the "best exploration year" for the block. Last year, Hess' Chief Executive Officer, John Hess, had said that when the 2022 discoveries are incorporated, the estimate would bedueforamajorupgrade.

Speaking on the issue during a press conference last week, Vice President Jagdeo stated, “When a discovery is made, you have to go through a number of steps in ascertaining the quantity And so for me, it's not a priority [for them to update the estimate]... So I suspectatthispointintime,they're going through. It's in their interest, Exxon's interest, to show bigger reserves... But they have to go through a technical process. I suspect that's all that's happening now.”

While the Vice President may view the matter with ease, the public sentiment is completely different. Guyanese, aware of the n a t i o n a l a n d e c o n o m i c significanceoftheStabroekBlock, grow increasingly impatient with Exxon's reluctance to share updated estimates. Transparency in such mattersis not merelyabout updating figures; it is about holdingmultinationalcorporations accountable, fostering trust, and empowering the Guyanese population.

The stakes are high For ExxonMobil, a publicly traded company, displaying larger reserves could impact their global reputation and influence their stock prices. But for the people of Guyana, these numbers represent future revenue, potential for infrastructure development, job opportunities, and a growing economy

Dr Jagdeo is correct to state that updating estimates is a complex process and should be grounded in technical accuracy However, local stakeholders believe that ExxonMobil's prolonged silence can't be ignored and must be viewed in the context of the need for greater corporate

transparency Theysayitisnotsimplyamatter of patience for technical processes, but rather anissueofpublictrust.

Despite the Vice President's lack of concern, industry observers believe Guyanese citizens have every right to demand openness and accountability from ExxonMobil. They charge that the oil beneath the Stabroek Block doesn't belong to Exxon alone - it is part of Guyana's national resources and, as such, the country's citizens deserve to know their true value. The necessity for transparency in this matter is evident, and it is hoped that ExxonMobil will soon provide the awaited update, reinforcing its commitment to open communication.

Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 13

SUNDAY

partnership. The NPG was implementationof)FDPs. requested by Esso and the pleased with the fact that established in 2012 by EPA. The public interest their lawyers, Mr Seenath Govt. should have Chatham House, the Natural Exxon’s full liability consistsoftheinterestsofthe Jairam, SC, Ms. Melinda independent study done Resources Governance coverage case… sovereign state of Guyana Janki, and Mrs Abiola on oil projects’feasibility I n s t i t u t e , a n d t h e Citizens file Motion to and the people of Guyana. Wong-Inniss, have worked vs. returns to citizens - CommonwealthSecretariat. overturn Justice Rishi That public interest with alacrity and such Commonwealth

The NPG’s aim is to Persaud’s stay, requesting overwhelmingly trumps and intensity despite the odds SecretariatAdvisor achievelastingandinclusive urgent hearing dwarfs the minuscule thatareagainsttheminfiling

- Compare projects against development outcomes in - said they are prepared interest that any government this application with such similar ones in the industry emergingproducercountries to take the case all the of the day has in the revenue promptitude.

- Have breakdown of all and to help them prepare for way to the CCJ stream from the Liza 1 They also stressed their operating costs aworldbeyondoilandgas.It operations.” deep concern in having this - Demand to know how is a network and community Guyanese citizens, The men contended that matterheardurgentlyasthey estimates are determined of practice bringing together Frederick Collins and even though Guyana has noted the extent to which the - Ensure detailed over 30 countries (Guyana Godfrey Whyte have filed a suffered economically for country remains financially breakdown of borrowing included) which are new to Motion to discharge a stay several decades because of exposed. and repayment terms the oil and gas sector, and granted in June byAppellate political malfeasance, it still “In our motion, we point - Review companies’ h a l f o f w h i c h a r e Court Judge, Rishi Persaud does not mean that any out that ExxonMobil earned marketing strategy for Commonwealth countries onajudgmentfromtheHigh government can rush to US$56billion in 2022 crude oil, gas, condensate, (CWC). Court which demanded an make every dollar at the Guyana’s 2023 budget and natural gas liquids

NPG activities are unlimited parent company expense of the public which the government review She said these centred around holding and/or affiliate guarantee be interest, economy, and claims is the biggest budget

When an oil company include information on the Discussion Meetings, provided to authorities for naturalresourcebase. is a paltry US$3billion in submits a plan to the marketing and the sale including the Annual theLizaPhaseOneProject. “We remind everybody comparison.Yetasaresultof government on how it arrangements for products Meeting,NationalSeminars, The landmark ruling was that the order made by thestayGuyanaisnowliable wishes to develop a such as crude oil, gas, publications which are issued earlier this year by Justice Kissoon provided to bear all the losses and discovery, that document, condensate, and natural gas focused on issues pertinent High Court Judge, Justice f o r E x x o n M o b i l t o costs of an oil spill from otherwise known as a Field liquids. to emerging producers, and Sandil Kissoon His indemnify and keep Esso’s operations, if Esso Development Plan (FDP), Ogeer also said oil capacity-building initiatives judgment had outlined that indemnified,theEPAandthe does not pay up,” the should not be accepted at companies must provide (e g training, mentoring, ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Government of Guyana. We litigantsoutlined. face value. According to the details on the source of technical teleconferences, Esso Exploration and are appalled that any In light of this obscene Economic Advisor attached fundingfordevelopmentand workshopsandwebinars). Production Guyana Limited regulatory agency would exposure to economic ruin, to the Commonwealth production including debt- At the 2019 NPGAnnual (EEPGL), should provide an appeal against a decision in they urged the court to hear Secretariat’s Ocean and to-equity ratio and all Meeting, government unlimited guarantee for oil itsfavourandfighttoprotect theirMotionwithoutdelay Natural Resources Advisory borrowing costs and officials identified Field spills from the Liza Phase aforeigncompanyinsteadof Division, Naadira Ogeer, repaymentterms. DevelopmentPlans(FDP)as OneProjectbyJune10,2023 protectingGuyana,”themen MONDAY governments should take Further to this, Ogeer an area where support was or face suspension of its said. care to do independent said oil companies should needed In response, the licence. They added, “ As Gas-to-Energy project... analysis that determines the includeintheirFDPs,annual NPG conducted a seven-day Exxon as well as the patriotic citizens, we are ExxonMobil and partners feasibility of such projects production and expenditure training workshop in government through the concerned for the prosperity rack up over US$50M versusthegainstocitizens. estimates. She said in this O c t o b e r 2 0 2 0 o n Environmental Protection and wellbeing of our fellow expenses in eight months Inahandbookdeveloped regard that the expenditure “Government Review and Agency (EPA) appealed the Guyanese and we welcome to help government officials estimates should include a A p p r o v a l o f F i e l d case Both parties asked all revenue streams in Esso Exploration and make the best decisions for breakdown of capital Development Plans” which Justice Persaud to grant a abundance, but foreigners Production Guyana Limited its people when reviewing a expenditure (capex), was attended by almost 100 stay on the order for the must know that Guyana is (EEPGL), commonly company’s FDPs, the expert operating expenditure officials from 11 countries. unlimited oil spill guarantee run by the laws of the land referred to as ExxonMobil stressed the need for there to (opex), and costs associated In 2021, the Group has p e n d i n g t h e f u l l and not by the whims and Guyana has already incurred be detailed reviews done by with the safe removal of facilitated several countries determination of the case. fancies of men or women. over US$50 million in state authorities or the project infrastructure after to develop internal That stay was granted on the All we ask is that expenses associated with the expertstheyhire. the oil has been depleted. governmentprocesseswhich condition that a US$2B ExxonMobil Corporation Wales Gas-to-Energy (GTE)

The official said FDPs S h e a l s o a d v i s e d enable the effective review parent and or affiliate and its subsidiary and co- project. are documents that ought to governments to request a ofFDPs. company guarantee be venturers obey the laws of On November 25, 2022 be treated with a high degree d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e

To complement the providedtotheEPA. Guyana just as they are t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l of importance as they methodology used to arrive foregoing,thehandbookwas Litigants in the case, required to obey the laws of Protection Agency (EPA) explain how a company will atcostestimates. p r e p a r e d b y t h e Collins and Whyte recently theUnitedStates.” granted the company a go about developing multi- The official said Commonwealth Secretariat filedamotiontodismissthat They said if necessary, Permit to undertake the million dollar projects governments would be wise to address key challenges stay they are prepared to take the pipeline and Natural Gas Taking this into account, t o a l s o h a v e F D P s facedbyregulatorybodiesin They said, “We consider matter all the way to the Liquids (NGL) plant, Ogeer said it is critical that benchmarkedagainstsimilar member countries in that Justice Persaud was Caribbean Court of Justice associated with the project. the government has a clear projectsintheindustry reviewing, approving (and completely wrong judicially (CCJ). The GTE venture also appreciation of how Once the foregoing steps m o n i t o r i n g t h e in granting the stay as The litigants were also features a 300 megawatt revenueswillbeimpactedby are followed, Ogeer lauded power plant being pursued changes in key areas of that governments would be by the Government of uncertainty e g pricing, on the right pathway to Guyana(GoG). production fluctuations, and getting the most value from

In the absence of a Final operatingcosts. theirresources. Investment Decision (FID)

“Ideally, the government HANDBOOK’S ORIGIN on the project, Exxon has should have independent The Commonwealth already expended more than economic models and Secretariat, through the US$50.67 million to prepare e x p e r t s t o c o n d u c t Oceans and Natural forthelayingofthepipeline. independent evaluation of Resources Division,

The EPA was taken to the feasibility of a project supports member countries Court by two citizens who and the returns to the i n t h e s u s t a i n a b l e allege a breach in legal country,” Ogeer stated in the development of their natural process as it relates the handbook published by the resources. granting of the pipeline CommonwealthSecretariat. The Secretariat also Permit.The applicants argue

Additionally, Ogeer said works in collaboration with that the oil company did not there are some fundamental other organisations to present documents in its piecesofinformationthatoil deliver on its mandate. The application to the regulator companiesshouldprovidein NewProducersGroup(NPG fortheGTEprojectwhich FDPs for the government to or Group) is one such keen to note that they are (Continued on page 15)

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 14
International Lawyer, Melinda Janki One of the litigants, Frederick Collins Commonwealth Secretariat’s Advisor, Naadira Ogeer

From page 14 technical arrangements of

the interview that within a prove it owns the lands theproject. year’s time, the road that through which the pipeline Citizens were adamant comes within several passes. As a result of their that any agreement with the kilometers of Omai property belief that the Permit was company should be made will be paved. To this she granted contrary to the public before government added that the company also requirements of the attaches it signature to avoid has an airstrip on property Environmental Protection the same fate as the lopsided and an old tailings facility Act, they have asked the oil contract inked with the which they believe can be Courttoquashtheapproval. company. refurbishedtobeusedagain.

Foritspart,thedeveloper Only on Wednesday, the

According to her contends that it has the legal Indian High Commission slideshow presentation right to conduct the project announced that a US$160M about the benefits of the activities In its defence agreement was inked with project, it was listed that, application, filed on July 13, the Government of Guyana “The widening and paving 2023, Exxon detailed that to and Kalpataru Projects underway as part of date, it has spent in excess of International Limited G o v e r n m e n t - f u n d e d US$50.67million. (KPIL) to facilitate the upgrade of road to Brazil

According to the transmission lines and (comeswithin12kmofOmai company, “US$31 76 substations for the project. property).” million (was spent) on initial No official statement was

The sod was turned for preparation of the plant site, released by the state in this this project in May 2022, US$8 75 million on regard. In fact, the press was after a contract was awarded construction of a material notinvitedtocovertheevent t o B r a z i l i a n f i r m , offloading facility, US$6.34 which was held at the Office Construtora Queiroz Galvao million on construction of a ofthePrimeMinister S.A. for the construction of heavy haul road, US$2.88 EventhoughExxonisyet the121kilometresroad. million on construction of a tomakeaFIDontheproject, In 2020, the Government site for the pipeline seawall government has not of Guyana secured a loan for crossing, and US$0 94 indicated what measures are this project. The US$190 deal, or if the administration ExxonMobil’s prolific emerging markets close to million on improvement of being put in place to monitor million road project will be closely monitoring Stabroek acreage It was infrastructure. West Bank Demerara public the oil company’s spending comprises a US$112-million a n d a p p r o v i n g t h e stated that at Orinduik, if the Offshore Guyana in the roadsandbridges.” todeveloptheproject. loan from the Caribbean company’s expenses prior to licence is renewed at the end proven Guyana-Suriname

Ultimately, Guyanese Vice President Bharrat DevelopmentBank(CDB),a thembeingincurred. 2023 a well needs to be Basin, the company holds a will repay the costs Jagdeo in the past had made grant of £50 million (US$66 drilled.

15 percent Working Interest associated with developing it clear that Exxon’s m i l l i o n ) f r o m t h e Orinduik Block “We are currently in the 1,800 km2 Orinduik t h e G T E p r o j e c t expenditure for the offshore Government of the United partners examining best planning, reviewing and Block operated by Tullow Government has said it oil projects are not Kingdom via the CDB- targets to drill for light oil analyzing to understand Oil. expects to spend US$1.7 monitored in real time as the administered United …confident in exactly what the best targets billion to develop the Production Sharing Kingdom Caribbean oil block potential are to drill for light oil, and TUESDAY initiative. While Exxon is Agreement (PSA) does not Infrastructure Fund, along we have three options,” funding the pipeline allow Guyana a seat at the with US$12 million Canada-based explorer, HolzmantoldUpstream.

Omai sees Guyana component, estimated at table. providedbyGovernment. Eco-AtlanticOil&GasLtd., The Chief Executive US$190M Mabura US$1B, government has Jagdeo specifically Kaieteur News had one of the partners in the noted too, “We’re very Road as a big boost to approached the United stated that the absence of a reportedthatthisprojectwill Orinduik Oil Block, has bullish about the potential of their gold operations States Export Import (US- c o - m a n a g e m e n t consist of two main revealed that they are in the Orinduik and are working EXIM) Bank to finance the arrangement prevents the highways; the width of each analyzing stage to figure out with Tullow to find the right Even as the fiscal terms NGLandpowerplants. country from knowing what lane is approximately 3.6 the best targets to drill for wayto[proceed].” of large-scale mining

L a s t y e a r , t h i s contracts in Guyana remain Exxon for 20 years to supply Exxon early on and to both sides measuring 2.4

Guyana will be paying costs are being racked up by metres, some hard shoulders “lightoil.”

ThiswasrevealedbyEco publication reported that hidden from the public; thenaturalgastothefacility; ascertain which amounts are metres, cyclist and Atlantic Chief Executive, from Eco’s Competent Canadian gold mining this will be the mechanism inflated. pedestrian lane of two Gil Holzman to Upstream, a Person’sReport(CPR)onits company, Omai Gold Mines through which the company Instead, he said that the metres, a utility corridor, leading global oil, gas and assets Offshore Guyana, it has listed the US$190 will be repaid for its country would check the about 10 bus stops, and nine energynewsresource. was revealed that the million Linden to Mabura investment. expenses after they are rest areas just to mention a The media entity Orinduik Block holds Road as a benefit to their

The country will also be submittedbythecompanyto few The Linden to Mabura reported that in Guyana, Eco estimated8.1Bbarrelsofoil. goldoperationshere. saddled with an additional checkfordiscrepancies. Hill road project is just the Atlantic is a partner in With respect to its Omai is no stranger to annual debt for 20 years to It is so far unclear first phase that will Tullow Oil’s Orinduik block Guyana asset, the main one Guyana; the company holds repay the US loan, once whether this arrangement ultimately lead to a and the Canje block, which being Orinduik Block, it was a 100% interest in the Omai approved. will be replicated for the gas completedLindentoLethem t o g e t h e r s a n d w i c h noted that the concession gold project in Guyana

Although the GTE road link that will then carries a best estimate of 8.1 which produced over 3.7 project remains the single complete an overland link to billionbarrelsofunriskedoil million ounces of gold largest financial project ever Brazil. and gas liquids along with between 1993 and 2005 pursued by the state, it On July 17, some three 6.8 billion cubic feet of gas. About two years ago, Omai remainsshroudedinsecrecy weeksafterOmaiannounced It was observed from the re-entered Guyana’s mining

None of the agreements drilling results showing report that 681 million industry,occupyingthesame inked between the GoG and significant gold deposits in barrels of oil and 544 billion propertywhichhosttwogold Exxon have been made their Wenot pit, located in cubic feet of gas are net to deposits: the shear-hosted public to date, despite Region Seven (Cuyuni- Eco. Wenot Deposit and the repeated calls by the Mazaruni)–the Canadian ABOUT ECO adjacent intrusive-hosted Opposition and civil society company announced EcoAtlantic is an oil and GiltCreekDeposit. members for same. It was “similar excellent drill gas exploration company Elaine Ellingham, the reported that on June 30, results.” with offshore licence President and Chief 2022thegovernmentinkeda It was on June 22 when interests in Guyana, Executive Officer (CEO) of Heads of Agreement (HOA) the company in a press Namibia, and South Africa. Omai during an interview with the Stabroek Block Co- release disclosed that within Eco has often said it aims to t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e venturers Kaieteur News the first six months of 2023, deliver material value for its managementofthecompany understands that this it has drilled 11 holes which stakeholders through its role shared that one benefit of agreement sets out the showed significant gold in in the energy transition to their mining project is the principles and conditions for theirWenotpit.Intheirlatest explore for low carbon roadthatisbeingpaved.

(Continued on page 16) intensityoilandgasinstable Ellingham said during

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 15
the commercial and
A representation of the GTE project Georgetown NGL Plant 3D Power Plant - 30 km onshore
12” diameter pipleline -220 km offshore
Destiny Unity Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas chief executive Gil Holzman.

From page 15 statement, Omai CEO said, “similar to our excellent drill resultsfromacoupleofweeksago, thesenewresultsagainconfirmthe significantexpansionpotentialfor theWenotdeposit,todepthaswell asalongtheflanks.”

Thecompanyhaddisclosedthat sincetheirreturntoGuyana’sgold industry,theyhavebeenexpanding theirsearchintheirpitsaswellas increasingthedepthatwhichthey search for gold. Ellingham had notedthattheresultssofarhave proventobefruitful.

Following the previous announcement, Ellingham had noted that the impressive drill results continue to confirm the magnitudeoftheWenotdeposits, by demonstrating continuity of significant gold mineralization. Sheadded,“Wehavenotseenany limitationstotheWenotdeposit, and as such are confident that additional drilling can further expandthegoldresources.”

Benefits of A Brownfields Projects:

350Acre Tailings Facility

Linden- Mabura Hills Road Upgrade Widening and paving underway as part of government funded upgrade of the road to Brazil (comes within 12 km of Omai property)

Thispublicationhadreportedin January2022thatthecompanyhad struckthejackpotonlyinitsWenot Golddeposit.Ithadfoundthe1.6 occasions. During a press

everyday,inandoutthecity.“I contrastbetweenthecompany’s million ounces gold some 400 conferenceinAprilhowever,he applaudthegovernmentfordoing paltry declarations to the gold metressouthoftheFennellopen publiclycommittedtoreleasingthe thingslikethat,butwhenyouhear boardandthetruemagnitudeof pit-apitthathasproducedsome2.4 fiscal terms for all mining your government borrowing theirrapaciousactionsuponthe millionouncesofgoldforOmaiin agreements.Thiswasthesecond US$190MtoupgradeLindento country. thepastanditwaslocatedatadepth timetheVicePresidentpromisedto

MaburaRoadthenonehastoask Lallthendrawattentiontothe suitableforopenpitmining. Nine “personally intervene” for the seriousquestionsastowhatis factthatworseisbeingallowedto monthslater,Omaiwasableto releaseofthefiscaltermsofall goingoninthiscountrywithour occurundernewleadership.The increaseitsgoldresourceinthe large-scaleminingcontracts. lives,”Lallstated. businessmanwaskeentohighlight WenotDepositfromthe1.6million The Vice President made a thedisparityinproductionbetween ouncesto1.86millionounces-a16 similar commitment in August Foreigncompanies smallandmediumscaleminersand percentincrease.

2022duringanappearanceonThe ‘raping’Guyana’sgold their foreign counterparts. The

Importantly,Omai’sCEOsaid GlennLallShowairedonKaieteur andforestrysectors formerhesaidtoilwith4-inchand, thattheresultstodatearealready Radio.Whileappearingonthat -While citizens left like iftheycanaffordit,6-inchdredges, expectedtopositivelyimpactthe development,youcan’tleaveyour radio programme, he told the scavengers with dog food salaries yieldingmodestdailyoutputsof resourcesastheymoveforwardto officetodoanythingandgetback KaieteurNews’publisher,Glenn

- KN Publisher, Glen Lall gold ranging from two to five an updated mineral resource toworkinanhour,½ofadayfinish Lall,“Idon’tseethereasonwhy ounces.Incontrast,foreignentities estimate, to be followed by a inthetrafficalone.Ithasbecomea manyofthesearenotinthepublic Kaieteur News Publisher, resort to the use of dynamite, decisiononapreliminaryeconomic nightmare,ithasbecomeasick domainalready.I’llfindoutabout

Glenn Lall has vehemently explosivelyrupturingthemining assessment(PEA)laterthisyear everydayrightacrossthisland, it.” lamentedthedeplorablestateof fields, followed by mechanized

Notably, while foreign moresotheEastCoast,theWest

WhenpressedfurtherJagdeo affairsinGuyana,whereforeign processes utilizing front-end companieshavebeenrushingto Coast,theEastBankandtheWest said,“Icanundertaketofindout corporations are granted loadersandtruckstotransportvast cashinonthe“goldfever”in BankofallEssequibo,Berbiceand withyouthere,whatprovisionthe government’sapprovaltoexploit amountsofearthtostate-of-the-art Guyana, the country has been Demerara.Ourleadersareclueless GRA[GuyanaRevenueAuthority] thenation’sabundantresources, processingplants.Theseforeign sufferingmassivedeclinesinits astohowtofindasolutiontothis issocageyaboutthatitdoesn’t whilethemajorityofitscitizenryis entitieshesaidamassnolessthan1 annualdeclarationssince2017. vehicularmadnessthathastaken wanttorelease…Iwillundertake lefttoekeoutalivingon“dogfood tonofgolddaily,equivalenttoa Kaieteur News had made over this land,” Lall had said anythingthatisnon-proprietythat salaries.” staggering32,150ounces. several requests for the previously yougetitreleased.Iwillpersonally

Inhislatestcommentaries,Lall FortheKNPublisher,theextent GovernmentofGuyanatorelease

HepointedoutthatGuyana now see that this happen.” articulatedthedistressingreality ofthisplunderingisanabhorrent theminingcontracts,particularly borrowedUS$47Mandfixedthe However,despitethepromisesby that each passing day sees disgrace, particularly when large-scaleminingcontracts. WestCoastofDemerararoad,then theVicePresident,thecontracts Guyanese being “raped and juxtaposedwiththeimpoverished

In2019whenGuyanabecamea afurtherUS$45MtobuildtheEast remainhidden. robbed”oftheirnaturaltreasures. state of many locals who are member of the Extractive Coast of Demerara highway It Kaieteur News Publisher, Reflecting on the events that reducedtolivinglikescavengers, IndustriesTransparencyInitiative borrowedUS$31MfortheSheriff Glenn Lall had previously transpiredinGuyana’sgoldsector barelyscrapingtogethersustenance (EITI),thecountryagreedtoadhere StreetandMandelaAvenueroad; questionedthecostoftheroad duringtheForbesBurnhamera, eachday.Lallalsoshedlightonthe to several requirements. In this spentUS$13MfortheEcclesto project, as well its economic Lallvividlyrecalledaparticular alarming parallels in Guyana’s case,EITIrequirement2.4(a)of Mandela Avenue and maybe viability.Lallbelievesthatcostal incident involving British forestry sector He decried the the 2019 Standard states that anotherUS$20Mtobeborrowedto road links are of far greater Consolidated, a company that abhorrent situation where Guyanashouldpubliclydiscloseall connectDiamondtoEccles.“Sowe importanceatpresent,giventhe operatedinthegold-richEagle thousandsofforeignersareallowed mineralagreementsenteredinto talkingaboutalmostUS$160Mof increaseinroadtraffic.“Everybody Mountain.LallsaidBurnham,who toconstructroadsandbridgesinthe forcepriortothereportingperiod, borrowedmoneytofixsomeroads. knowsthattheroadsinthiscountry had perused The Graphic interior,allthewhileexploitingand inthiscase,2019.Althoughthe Whetherwegetvalueformoney– areinsufficienttohandleandtake Newspaper, caught sight of an pilfering the nation’s invaluable requirementswereknowntothe that’sanotherthing,butthat’snot care of the traffic, everybody engineeremergingfromagold resources,withtheaddedindignity administration, it continued to whatIamtalkingabouthere.”He knowsalsothatthiscountryhas mine,clutchingamassivechunkof ofbarringlocalsfromevensetting makeexcusestoavoidtherelease saidborrowingUS$160Mtofixthe beenonadevelopmentpathwayfor gold,andgivingasardonicgrinfor footonsomeofthesebridgesand ofthesecontracts. WestCoast,EastCoast,Sheriff thepastcoupleofyears.Roads the camera. Lall said Burnham roads.

Inthisvain,thisnewspaper Street,DiamondtoMandelawill havebecomeoneofthemajor promptlyorderedthecompanyto Hesaidtoothattheconcessions reportedinDecemberlastyearthat easeagreatburdenonthepeopleof downfallinGuyana.Atpresent,itis depart within two weeks. His grantedtoforeigncompaniesinthe Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo thiscountrywhousetheroads causingatremendousdenttowards decisionstemmedfromthesharp (Continued on page 58) dodgedthematteronfourdifferent

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 16
1 km long airstrip on-site Essequibo River Wenot Pit Camp Buildings- Core logging & storage, offices and accomodation A screengrab of Ellingham's presentation Elaine Ellingham, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Omai

Guyana has favourable mining laws, with Govt. support …CanadianGoldCompanytellsinvestors

(Republished) anadian C mining company, Alerio Gold Mines has hailed Guyana as a country with favourable mining lawsandstrongsupportfromapromininggovernment.

This was relayed in a presentation on their gold mining projects in Guyana to investors recently. Alerio is the same gold company that had told its investors thatthereis“goldfever”inGuyana.

According to the company's website,somereasonswhyGuyana is a good choice to invest because of: the cou established Mining Act, locatedinaRegionwitharich history of economical gold deposits, and have

According to the company, the f o u r n e w l y i d e n t i f i e d interconnected gold targets, are hosted within a large 3.0 kilometre by 4.5 kilometre anomaly. It was stated too that Tassawini contains a historical mineral resource of 437,000 ounces gold Indicated and an additional 62,000 oz. gold Inferred.

Inastatement,AlFabbro,Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alerio

favourable mining laws and governmentsupport.

Alerio entered Guyan miningindustryinJune2021, had announced its presence country via multiple press statements it had posted on its website Notably, while the company was sure to announce its presence in Guyana via its website, the Guyanese government made no formalannouncementtoitscitizens aboutthearrivalofAlerioGold.

TheCanadianfirmpostedonits website that it has 100% interest in two highly prospective projects in Guyana: the advanced exploration Tassawini Gold Project and the Puruni Project. Alerio also posted thatithasin-countryshareholders.

In January, 2022, with the headline, 'Gold fever Guyana', Alerio Gold announced to shareholders that it is going to buy another mega gold field in Guyana, located along the Puruni River in Region Seven. According to the Canadian firm, the gold fields were purchased from another company, 'Goldeneye',towhichtheGuyanese governmenthadleasedland.

Notably, days after it was reported that Alerio boasted of a 'gold fever' in Guyana, a local Miner, Henry Alphonso, came forward to refute claims made by the company that it owns a 9000 acre gold field , Region Seven, whichlegallybelongstohim.

SIGNIFICANT EXPLORATION TARGETS

According to the Alerio, the Tassawini Gold Project is an advancedstagegoldprojectlocated approximately 175 kilometers to the northwest of the capital city of Georgetown, in Guyana, South America. In April 2023, Alerio announced that its continued partnership with Auracle Geospatial Science has identified four new significant exploration targetsatitsTassawiniProject.

was quoted as saying, “It is very encouragingtonotethatthehistoric resource has a relatively small footprint, within a much larger anomaly that has not received any modern exploration, giving the company significant potential for additional discoveries. Utilizing the extensive amount of historical information available to us, in concert with Auracle's proprietary MUD® system, has provided Alerio with a streamlined and costeffective way to expedite and prioritizenewtargetsthatliewithin this anomaly, forming the basis of exploration plans for 2023. Alerio nowhasaclearpathwaytowardthe potential growth of our Tassawini Deposit.”

SECRECY OF CONTRACTS

As the new foreign company continues to explore Guyana's gold fields, the government is yet to deliver on its promise to make all miningcontractspublic.

While foreign companies have beenrushingtocashinonthe“gold fever” in Guyana, the country has been suffering massive declines in itsannualdeclarationssince2017.

Kaieteur News had made several requests for the Government of Guyana to release the mining contracts, particularly large-scaleminingcontracts.

In2019whenGuyanabecamea member of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI),thecountryagreedtoadhere to several requirements. In this case, EITI requirement 2.4 (a) of the 2019 Standard states that Guyana

all mineral agreements entered into

force prior to the reporting period, in this case, 2019. Although the requirements were known to the administration, it continued to make excuses to avoid the release ofthesecontracts.

In this vain, this newspaper reported in December last year that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo dodged the matter on four different occasions.

During a press conference in April however, he publicly committed to releasing the fiscal

termsforallminingagreements.

This was the second time the Vice President promised to “personally intervene” for the release of the fiscal terms of all large-scaleminingcontracts.

The Vice President made a similar commitment in August 2022 during an appearance on 'The GlennLallShow' airedon Kaieteur Radio. While appearing on that radio programme, he told the Kaieteur News' publisher, Glenn Lall, “I don't see the reason why

many of these are not in the public domain already I'll find out about it.”

When pressed further Jagdeo said, “I can undertake to find out with you there, what the GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority] is so cagey about that it doesn't want to release… I will undertake anything thatisnon-propriety,thatyougetit. I will personally now see that this happen ” However, despite the promises by the Vice President, the contractsremainhidden.

Works advancing on sentencing guidelines – Attorney General

Guyana's justice system will improve significantly as the government advances efforts on crafting sentencing guidelines that are expected to bring consistency tothecountry'slegalstructure.The initiativeissupportedbytheUS$8 million Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Support for the Criminal Justice System (SCJS) programme, to ease prison overcrowding locally.Attorney General and MinisterofLegalAffairs,Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC speaking on his weekly programme 'Issues in the News,' noted that the government h

inconsistency in the judicial system when handing out sentences to persons who have committed crimes. He said this is

an issue that is brought up at every community meeting the g o v e r n m e n t h a s facilitated Speaking on the ongoingproject,MinisterNandlall highlightedthattheprojectentails, “Examining Guyana, examining similar guidelines promogulated in the Caribbean in particular and then other jurisdictions and formulate for Guyana, a peculiar anduniquesetofguidelinesforthe Guyanese judiciary and the Guyanese legal system, that will take into account, the realities of Guyana ”It also includes consultations with the relevant stakeholdersincludingtheGuyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Bar Association and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Consultative engagements with

these stakeholders have c o n c l u d e d H o w e v e r , consultationsaretobehadwiththe judiciaryThe Attorney General notedthattheengagementwiththe judiciarywillbefacilitatedshortly, following which, the sentencing guidelines will become available forpromulgation.

“The judiciary is central to the process because it's the judiciary that will have to hand down these sentences. So, input from the judiciary is crucial in this whole process,”hepointedout.

The IDB-funded SCJS programme aims to help Guyana overcome prison overcrowding by reducing pre-trial detentions, and increasing the use of alternative sentencing, among other measures.

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 17
shouldpubliclydisclose
Al Fabbro, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alerio
VENEZUELA SURINAME Mabaruma Rose Hall NewAmsterdam Fort Wellington Enmore Georgetown Suddie Isherton Lethem Orinduik Karasabai
Ituni Kamuda
Puruni Tassawini Guyana BRAZIL
Apoteri
Village
a s a c k n o w l e d g e d t h e

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation.

Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 18
Kaieteur News PAGE 19 Sunday July 30, 2023
Kaieteur News PAGE 21 Sunday July 30, 2023

Waterfalls The Waterfalls Wate s

th display in 25 stage production slated for National Cultural Centre

th display in 25 stage production slated for National Cultural Centre

PANJ

PANJAZZ 2023

delivers on canvas of vibrant, captivating steel pan

PAGE 22 Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News
artistry

Shenseea Says She’s Choosing Collabs Wisely, Even Though She Has All The “Links

(DancehallMag)Inanindustry forget because I cut the record but Like This withColdplayand Don’t where hasty alliances abound, they wanted to make some changes Let Me Down with Daya, the latter Shenseea says she’s deliberate and both times were like 2 a.m. in garnering a Grammy Award for about who she chooses to the morning and the other time, we BestDanceRecordingin2017. collaboratewithoneachtrack. wanted to fix it with them, so, I Meanwhile, Shenseea said she “We got the links, we got all of hoppedofftheplanelike1a.m.and is “close” to achieving all her goals thattobelike,‘yo,comeonlet’sdo I went straight in the studio and we and will not entertain anything a track,’ but I’m not that type of finishedlike4,”sherecalled. outside of business, including person. I’m not the type of person Shenseea also added, “I will relationships,untilfurthernotice. tobelikeOK,letmejustputFuture never forget that experience and “I have so many things to on this track. No, I wanna make they stuck it out too. They were accomplish and it’s like, man, I sure it’s the right track for Future. really understanding. They made it ain’t got time for nothing else. I That’s how I am,” the Blessed so easy for me so big up to The need to do this and when I do this, I singer recently dished to TT Torez Chainsmokers and they previewed promise you’ll see Shenseea onHot97’sTapInWithTTTorez. it at their event and now people are engaginginsomuchsh*t,yougon’ Shenseea has collaborated with talking about, ‘oh! Play that song be like, ‘she need to stop,” she said multiple international artists over again’ so we’re actually on the beforelaughing. the years, including Tyga, Kanye verge of shooting the video right “…All the partying, all the West, Offset, MeganThee Stallion, now.” friends, all the boyfriends—no! I andTheChainsmokers,withwhom The Chainsmokers, comprising will get it after, I’ll do that after shehasanupcomingsongtitled My Alexander“Alex”PallandAndrew You wanna see relationship Bad. The singer explained that “Drew” Taggart, are famous for Shenseea? OK, you can see her teaming up with the EDM DJ and their dynamic collaborations such sometime soon I don’t want producer duo was seamless, and as Closer with Halsey, which not nobody saying they knew me off fans can expect a music video to only topped the Billboard Hot 100 thisfeud,orthatbabymamaorthat accompanythetrack. but also secured a Diamond 15X boyfriend. No, you know Shenseea “It was legendary, and they certification in the U.S. Other from my music. We’ll have fun were very easy to work with, too. successful partnerships include the later It’s coming, it’s there; it’s The weirdest thing, I will never Diamond-certified Something Just alwaysgonnabethere.”

Kaieteur News PAGE 23 Sunday July 30, 2023
Shenseea
Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 24

A CRUCIAL TEST FOR DEMOCRACY IN GUATEMALA ELECTIONS

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States.

He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely hisown.)

Guatemala, the largest country in CentralAmerica, is undergoing a critical test of its commitment to democracy and the rule of law in its presidential elections.

The outcome will shape the nation’s political and social stability, economic d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d international standing, particularly within the Organization of American States(OAS).

The general elections on June 25 concluded successfully, but no candidate secured the required majority to replace the incumbent President Alejandro Giammattei, whose term ends in January 2024.

Surprising many, Bernardo Arévalo of the Movimiento Semilla party emerged as the secondleading candidate, campaigning against corruption and gaining stronggrassrootssupport.

This development clearly caused consternation among persons in the executive and judicial branches of the government who may have felt threatened by the possibility of Arévalo winning run-off elections against Sandra Torres, the leader of Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza party, scheduled for August 20.

The President of InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), Margaret Macaulay, described the sequence of disturbing events that followed in this way: “On July 12th, on the same day that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal ratified the validity of the first round of the presidential election, the Public Prosecutor’s Office by means of its Special Prosecutor´s Office Against Corruption and Crime, announced a criminal investigation against the political party Movimiento Semilla [-]. Also, at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, a criminal judge had ordered the Supreme Electoral Tribunal to provisionally

suspend the party’s legal statustopreventitsmembers from “participating in any subsequentpoliticalevents”.

The IACHR Chair also noted that “on July 21st, arrest warrants were issued formembersofMovimiento Semilla whose headquarters were raided, and an arrest warrant was issued for an official of the Citizen Registry of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, and new raids on these facilities took place”.

The account of these events was substantiated by Dr Irma Elizabeth Palencia Orellana, the Chief Magistrate of The Supreme Electoral Court of Guatemala, who told a meeting of the OAS Permanent Council on July 26 that “actions were broughtagainsttheSupreme ElectoralCourt’sRegisterof Citizens, which included arbitrary searches and requests” , including “retention of workers for morethantenhoursstraight, behindcloseddoors;theuse of ski masks and firearms, when our staff are unarmed civilians and ours are administrativeoffices”.

Dr Orellana made the point that these actions unjustifiably violated constitutional provisions She also drew specific attentiontoArticle92ofthe electoral law which states that “a party may not be suspended after an election has been called and until after the election has taken place.”

All of this caused great alarm among member states of the OAS which, along with the European Union, had sent Electoral Observation Missions to Guatemala.

Neither mission found any evidence of fraud or major irregularities that would call the elections resultsintoquestion.

The OAS mission warned that “feeding a narrative of fraud without evidentiary support undermines the will of the people and democratic institutions.”

Againstthisbackground, on July 26, the OAS Permanent Council welcomedaninvitationfrom the President of Guatemala to the Secretary-General, LuisAlmagro,to“meetwith government authorities and state institutions regarding theelectoralprocess”.

It was also particularly helpful that the letter also noted“thatthisvisitdoesnot interfere with the work that the Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization

ofAmericanStateswillcarry out”.

This invitation is a positive step by the Guatemalan government, demonstrating a willingness todialogueand,hopefully,to explore ways of ensuring that clear guarantees will be given,allowingtheSupreme Electoral Tribunal to conduct the run-off presidential elections with the same impartiality that it employed in the conduct of thegeneralelectionsonJune 25.

Equally important will be a commitment that the current improper use of the

legal system to alter or influencetheelectionresult, as described by Chief Magistrate, Dr. Orellana, willcease.

Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Costa Rica, Colombia, and the United States played a leading role inadvancingconcernsabout the threats to Guatemala’s electoral process, a cornerstoneofdemocracyin thehemisphere.

Respectingthewillofthe people through free and fair elections is paramount to protect human and political rights from being o v e r s h a d o w e d b y

dictatorship and chaos.

SecretaryGeneral Almagro

w i l l g o t o

Guatemala on August 1, just 19 days before the scheduled run-off

p r e s i d e n t i a l elections on August 20.

The success of his discussionswillbepivotalto the future of democracy in Guatemala. In this critical moment, the Guatemalan authoritiesmustdemonstrate unwavering commitment to democracy, transparency,

and the rule of law, not only forthenation’ssakebutalso for the trust of the internationalcommunity Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s :

www.sirronaldsanders.com

Kaieteur News PAGE 25 Sunday July 30, 2023
Sir Ronald Sanders
Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 26

Journal

TheCaribbeanCourtofJustice (CCJ) on Thursday denied a Special Leave Application made by two former members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), who were convicted of a 2009 murderandseekinganappeal.

The duo formerly of the Guyana Coast Guard Division, Sherwyn Harte and Deon Greenidge were among three tried and convicted for the murder of Dwieve Kant Ramdass, who was killed on 20 August 2009. The third person Devon Gordon did notseekanappeal.

Themenwereconvictedofthe murderonJuly2,2013andonJuly 3, 2013, were sentenced to death

2009 gold dealer murder… CCJ rejects application by convicted ex-soldiers

sentencing methodology in on a mandatory basis under vacating the death penalty and section 100 of the Criminal Law

CCJdeclaringthedeathpenaltyto and Greenidge faced no threat of imposing life sentences with OffencesAct(CLOA)Cap8:01. be “unconstitutional” and, execution,sotheargumentsraised tariffs. The CCJ, bearing in mind

The three soldiers robbed therefore, could not be lawfully onthisissuewerepurelyacademic that the offenders were members Ramdassof$17millionandthrew imposedinGuyanaonanyone. in nature.The CCJ reaffirmed that of the Defence Force who robbed him overboard where he drowned.

They then divided the stolen authored by Justice Winston academic app , found that moneyamongthemselvesequally Anderson, took the view in e x c e p t i o n re was no

The CCJ, in a judgment the Court will only hear and murdered an innocent

The trio had appealed their relation to Greenidge’s circumstances. r o u n d f o r sentences to the Court of Appeal. conviction, that Greenidge did not Harte and regarding the Harte and Greenidge argued that establish any realistic possibility G r e e n i d g e s e n t e n c e the death penalty was an

that there had been a miscarriage als o to o k imposed as unconstitutionalpunishment. of justice. It was stated that there issue with excessive or

Subsequently, the Appellate was ample evidence in the caution some of the s o Court upheld the convictions but statement and the circumstantial reasoning of manifestly agreed that the original death evidenceonwhichajury,properly the Court of outside the sentences should be vacated and directed, could have reached the A p p e a l mainstream replaced by life sentences with conclusion that Greenidge was regarding the ofsentencesas tariffs requiring the two men to party to the joint enterprise to rob death penalt would merit serve 18 years in prison before andmurderthedeceased. being a “sav granting leave to beingeligibleforparole.

to challenge the constitutionality TheCourtalsonotedthatthere l a w ” f r o m appealit.

It is against this judgment that ofthedeathpenaltyitself. wasnoevidenceofanyattemptby colonial era. As such, the Furthermore, the CCJ Harte and Greenidge sought Greenidge sought permission Greenidge to assist the deceased CCJ reminded that it had highlighted that the Court of special leave to appeal to the CCJ, to appeal his conviction on the when he was in distress or expounded clear views on the Appeal had imposed that the against the oral decision of the ground that the evidence against otherwise to disassociate himself issue of the savings clause and offenders must serve a sentence Guyana’s Court of Appeal, dated him consisted solely of the from participating in the heinous naturally, if there is any variance lessthantheminimumof20years. December22,2022. contents of his caution statement, crime against a citizen of the between those views and the Therefore,theCourtstatedthatthe

At the CCJ, Greenidge sought which did not disclose any prior Republic whose safety he had reasoning of the Court of Appeal, applicants had no basis for permission to appeal his plantomurderorparticipateinthe sworntoprotect. theviewsoftheCCJmustprevail. complaint. conviction and both Harte and murderofthedeceased. R e g a r d i n g t h e Harte and Greenidge also Onthesebases,theapplication Greenidge sought permission to Harte and Greenidge also constitutionality of the death contendedthattheCourtofAppeal for special leave was dismissed, appeal the sentence imposed by sought to obtain an order from the penalty, the CCJ said that Harte did not adhere to the proper withnoordersastocosts. theCourtofAppealuponthemand

Kaieteur News PAGE 27 Sunday July 30, 2023 Court
THE
Dead: Dwieve Kant Ramdass From (L-R): (murder convicts) Devon Gordon, Deon Greenidge, and Sherwyn Harte
Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 28

9ClearSignsYou’reEatingTooMuchSugar

How much sugar from a sugary high to a sugar can decrease the is too much? lethargiclow body’s good cholesterol

(TheHealthy)TheWorld Your dentist has bad news (HDL) and increase the Health Organization has Cavities have always body’s bad cholesterol recommended a sharp drop beenanot-so-subtlesignofa (LDL), according to in sugar intake. Just five sweet tooth: Picture children researchinthe Journal of the percent of calories should eating too many lollipops or A m e r i c a n M e d i c a l ideally come from added shovelinginhandfulsofjelly Association. Though the sugars, the WHO advises; beans. mechanisms by which sugar down from ten percent. This When bacteria in your could affect cholesterol and translates to about six mouth digest any kind of blood fats isn’t completely teaspoons of added sugar a carbohydrate (whether that’s understood, study authors day, or about the amount in spaghetti, Skittles, or salad), suggest that fructose may one eight-ounce bottle of they produce an acid that spur the body to create sweetened lemon iced tea. combines with your saliva to triglycerides and LDL

The average American produceplaque,which,ifnot cholesterol. If your doctor is consumes almost quadruple brushed away, accumulates concerned about your cause a quick spike in blood displace other foods, so they women the researchers t h e W H O on teeth and begins to erode cholesterol levels, discuss sugar followed by a rapid add to your total calorie found that the higher a recommendation 22 teeth enamel—the start of the best dietary changes you drop, leaving you feeling intake). Try to cut yourself woman’s blood sugar rose teaspoons of added sugar a cavities, LiveScience could make to lower exhausted halfway through off from sugar-sweetened aftereatingsugarandrefined day Watch for these signs explains. Make sure you’re cholesterol. yourrun,shenotes. drinks and stick with water, grains, the higher her risk of you might be eating too brushing your teeth at least You crash after a workout Your jeans are milk,coffee,andtea. depression, ” the site much sugar, and then figure twice a day to minimize Properly fueling your a little snug You feel blue reported. The reverse was out tricks to cut back sugar’s effects Harming body is critical for a good Ifyou’vebeenrelyingon Multiple studies suggest alsotrue:Adietrichinwhole Slashing sugar can be tricky your teeth is only scratching workout.Ifexerciseseemsto soda to push through a tough a link between sugar intake grains and produce was because sugar is so the surface of the scary be getting harder, a high- work deadline, the scale and risk of depression. A associated with a lower risk ubiquitous—you’ll find it effectsofsugaronthebody. sugardietmightbetoblame. mightreadalittlehigherthan high-sugar diet spikes levels ofdepression. even in healthy-sounding You’ve been diagnosed “If you spike your blood you’d like. According to a of inflammation throughout You never feel full foods like cereal and yogurt. with high blood pressure sugarwithaverysugaryitem review of studies in The the body, which is also Whyisitsoeasytoreach rightbeforeanintenseeffort, A m e r i c a n J o u r n a l o f linked to higher levels of for another chocolate kiss or you can end up feeling very Clinical Nutrition, sugar- depression, according to sliverofcake?Foodsthatare fatigued and pretty sweetened beverages seem Prevention.com. high in sugar, but low in miserable afterward,” says to uniquely lead to weight A diet high in simple protein, fiber, and other Sara Folta, PhD, an assistant gain, thanks to a killer sugars from carbs is also nutrients, do not make you professor at Tufts Friedman comboofhighsugarcontent, associated with depression. feelfull,saysFolta.“[Sugar] School of Nutrition Science low satiety (they don’t make “Using data from the does not trigger the same andPolicy you feel full), and W o m e n ’ s H e a l t h mechanisms in the body that Fuelingyourselfwithtoo “incomplete compensation Initiative—whichistracking make your body feel like it many simple sugars can for total energy” (they don’t m o r e t h a n 7 0 , 0 0 0 justate,”shesays.

Read ingredient lists and Your blood pressure is reduce your intake of considered normal if it is processed, packaged foods 120/80 or lower A highinfavoroffreshproduceand sugar diet can push your leanprotein. blood pressure over this You’re breaking threshold, according to a out more than usual study in the Journal of the Eating too much sugar A m e r i c a n S o c i e t y o f can wreak havoc on your Nephrology In a 2014 skin. A study in the Journal research review published in of the Academy of Nutrition the BMJ journal Open Heart, and Dietetics suggests a medical experts argued that relationship between a high- limiting peoples’ sugar sugar diet and the severity of intake is more important acne Participants with than reducing sodium moderate to severe acne consumption when it comes reported a higher sugar to healthy blood pressure. intakecomparedwithpeople “Added sugars probably whohadmildornoacne. matter more than dietary You feel totally wiped sodium for hypertension,

If you eat breakfast or and fructose in particular lunch packed with sneaky may uniquely increase sugar and distinctly lacking cardiovascular risk by in satiating protein, fiber, i n c i t i n g m e t a b o l i c and fat—say, a jumbo bagel dysfunction,” the authors with jelly—you could find wrote. yourself stuck in a mean You’ve been diagnosed afternoonenergyslump.You with high cholesterol might develop a pounding A more hidden sign of headache or an urge to too much sugar in your diet: cuddle up in bed.Abalanced increases in levels of various and nutritious diet prevents fats circulating in your your blood sugar from going blood. A superabundance of

Kaieteur News PAGE 29 Sunday July 30, 2023
You know you’re supposed to limit added sugar in your diet, but even if you steer clear of Ben and Jerry’s, chances are you’re eating more sugar than you think. Here’s how your body might be telling you to limit your sugar intake.
Blood Pressure Dentist
Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 30

This Day in History - July 30 July

USS Indianapolis torpedoed

July30,1945

On July 30, 1945, the USS Indianapolis is torpedoed by a Japanese submarine and sinks within minutes in sharkinfested waters. Only 316 of the 1,196 men on board survived. However, the Indianapolis had already

Another 900 went into the water, where completed its major mission: the delivery of many died from drowning, shark attacks, key components of the atomic bomb that dehydration or injuries from the explosion. would be dropped a week later at Hiroshima Help did not arrive until four days later, on toTinianIslandintheSouthPacific. August 2, when an anti-submarine plane on

The Indianapolis made its delivery to routine patrol happened upon the men and Tinian Island on July 26, 1945. The mission radioedforassistance. was top secret and the ship’s crew was

In the aftermath of the events involving unaware of its cargo. After leaving Tinian, the Indianapolis, the ship’s commander, the Indianapolis sailed to the U.S. military’s Captain Charles McVay, was courtPacificheadquartersatGuamandwasgiven martialed in November 1945 for failing to orders to meet the battleship USS Idaho at sail a zigzag course that would have helped Leyte Gulf in the Philippines to prepare for the ship to evade enemy submarines in the theinvasionofJapan. area. McVay, the only Navy captain court-

Shortly after midnight on July 30, martialed for losing a ship during the war, halfway between Guam and Leyte Gulf, a died by suicide in 1968. Many of his Japanese sub blasted the Indianapolis, survivingcrewmenbelievedthemilitaryhad sparking an explosion that split the ship and made him a scapegoat. In 2000, 55 years caused it to sink in approximately 12 after the Indianapolis went down, Congress minutes,withabout300mentrappedinside. clearedMcVay’sname.

President Eisenhower signs “In God We Trust” into law

July30,1956

OnJuly30,1956,twoyearsafterpushing to have the phrase “under God” inserted into thepledgeofallegiance,PresidentDwightD. Eisenhower signs a law officially declaring “In God We Trust” to be the nation’s official motto. The law, P.L. 84-140, also mandated that the phrase be printed on all American papercurrency

ThephrasehadbeenplacedonU.S.coins since the Civil War when, according to the historical association of the United States Treasury,religioussentimentreachedapeak. Eisenhower’s treasury secretary, George Humphrey, had suggested adding the phrase argued over the appropriateness and topapercurrencyaswell. constitutionality of a motto that mentions

Thefirstpapermoneywiththephrase“In “God,” considering the founding fathers God We Trust” was not printed until 1957. dedication to maintaining the separation of Sincethen,religiousandseculargroupshave churchandstate.

Fighterjetcollideswithpassengerplane

July30,1971

piloted by Captain Kuma; the other was

A mid-air collision between a Boeing being flown by his student, Sergeant 727andafighterjetinJapankills162people Ichikawa, who had only a few hours of on July 30, 1971. The military plane was flying experience. Neither jet was equipped flyingwithoutradar with radar, which would have indicated the

All Nippon Airways Flight 58 was presence of the Boeing 727. Ichikawa’s traveling from ChitoseAirport in Hokkaido fighter jet struck the airliner and sent both to Tokyo, filled largely with members of a planes plunging into the mountains group dedicated to the assistance of war Ichikawa was able to eject himself and victims. Takeoff was uneventful and the parachute to safety Everyone on board plane soon reached 28,000 feet. Cruising Flight58,however,waskilled. over the Japanese Alps, Flight 58 suddenly Yoshimi Ichikawa was charged with encounteredtwomilitaryjets. involuntarymanslaughter,butwasacquitted

One of the Japanese F-86 Sabre jets was attrial.

CaitlynJennerwinsOlympicdecathlon

July30,1976

On July 30, 1976, A m e r i c a n C a i t l y n J e n n e r w h o w a s competing as Bruce Jenner—wins gold in the men’s decathlon at the Montreal Olympics Jenner’s 8,617 points set a worldrecordintheevent.

The secret to Jenner’s success was preparation. In the 1970s, most decathletes t r a i n e d w i t h o t h e r decathletes.

Jenner, however, trained withsomeoftheworld’sbest pace and 17 points behind the last 300 meters of the athletes in each of the 10 herrival. 1,500-meter event to seal a decathlonevents. With all of Jenner’s best win. Jenner then took an

Although the blond, events slated for the second impromptu victory lap with chiseled, 6-foot-2-inch day, though, Jenner was an American flag. Avilov Nikolai Avilov, the world confident of victory Jenner finished third, almost 300 record-holder and 1972 later admitted thinking, “If I points behind the new Olympic champion from the am within 150 points of the champion.

S o v i e t U n i o n , w a s leader after five events, I’ll After the win, Jenner c o n s i d e r e d n e a r l y runawaywithit.” enjoyedtheunofficialtitleof impossible to beat, Jenner’s On July 30, the next five “world’s greatest athlete” intense training paid off at events went exactly as and appeared in movies, on t h e 1 9 7 6 M o n t r e a l hoped: Jenner ran efficiently television and, of course, Olympics. in the 110-meter hurdles, set adorned a Wheaties® box.

After the first day of a personal best in the pole Assigned male at birth, competition, Jenner was in vault, threw the discus and Jennerpubliclycameoutasa third place, 35 points off the the javelin well and sprinted transwomanin2015.

“The Blair Witch Project” released in theaters

July30,1999

On July 30, 1999, The Blair Witch Project, a lowbudget, independent horror film that will become a massive cult hit, is released inU.S.theaters.

Shot with shaky, handheld cameras, the documentary-style movie told the story of three student filmmakers who disappeared into the woods and were never heard from again, although their f o o t a g e w a s l a t e r filmmakers as they went and special effects, The discovered.With the help of into the woods near Blair Witch Project scared a We b - b a s e d v i r a l Burkittsville, Maryland, to moviegoersthroughimplied marketing strategy a makeadocumentaryabouta terrorandviolence. relativelynewconceptatthe local legend known as the Eduardo Sanchez and time The Blair Witch B l a i r W i t c h T h e Daniel Myrick, who met as Project generatedhugebuzz filmmakers got lost and film students at the overthequestionofwhether experiencedaseriesofscary University of Central or not it was based on a true events and unexplained Florida, wrote and directed story In fact, the story was phenomena, such as strange The Blair Witch Project. The entirely fake. Fake or not, it noises and piles of stones two filmmakers had their didn’t matter at the box being inexplicably re- lead actors Heather office: The Blair Witch arranged. The trio never Donahue, MichaelWilliams Project grossed some $250 returned to civilization, but a n d J o s h u a million worldwide and was their film equipment was Leonard improvise their featured on the covers of supposedly found and the lines based on private N e w s w e e k and Ti m e footage they shot became messages each actor magazines The Blair Witch Project received during filming. To

The Blair Witch Project Unlike other horror films make The Blair Witch followed the young that featured bloody scenes (Continued on page 33)

Kaieteur News PAGE 31
Sunday July 30, 2023
USS Indianapolis President Eisenhower Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner Blair Witch Project
Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 32

Health Facts

PMS symptoms vs. pregnancy symptoms

Though symptoms of 1. Breast pain feel sore, sensitive, or tender pads or tampons The cope, be premenstrual syndrome PMS: During PMS, to the touch. They may also spotting typically lasts for sure to eat (PMS) and pregnancy are breast swelling and feel fuller and heavier This just a day or two, so it’s well and often similar, there are tenderness can occur during tenderness and swelling will shorterthananormalperiod. get lots o several key differences and the second half of your usually happen one to two 3. Mood changes sleep. certain symptoms that are menstrual cycle. Tenderness weeks after you conceive, PMS: You may be 5. Nausea uniquetoeach. ranges from mild to severe, and it can last for a while as irritable and feel a bit P M S : Y o u

Premenstrual syndrome and is usually the most yourprogesteronelevelsrise grouchy during PMS. You shouldn’t expect nausea or nutritionalvalue,suchasice, (PMS) is a group of severe right before your duetoyourpregnancy may also have crying spells vomiting if your period is dirt, dried paint flakes, or symptoms linked to the period Women in their 2. Bleeding and feel anxious These late but some digestive pieces of metal. If you have menstrualcycle. childbearing years tend to PMS: You generally symptoms typically go away discomfort such as nausea cravings for nonfood items,

Ty p i c a l l y , P M S havemoreseveresymptoms. won’t have bleeding or afteryourperiodstarts. canaccompanysymptomsof talk to your doctor right symptomshappenonetotwo Breast tissue may feel spotting if it’s PMS. When Getting some exercise PMS. away weeks before a period. They bumpy and dense, especially you have your period, the and plenty of sleep may help

Pregnancy: Morning 7. Cramping usually stop after a period in the outer areas. You may flow is noticeably heavier take the edge off of your sickness is one of the most PMS: If you have PMS, starts. have a feeling of breast andcanlastuptoaweek. PMS moodiness. However, classicandclearsignsyou’re you may experience

The symptoms of PMS fullness with tenderness and Pregnancy: For some, can be very similar to those a heavy, dull pain. The pain one of the first signs of of early pregnancy Read on often improves during your pregnancy is light vaginal to learn how to tell the period or right after, as your bleeding or spotting that’s difference. But remember, progesterone levels usually pink or dark brown. these differences are subtle decrease. This typically happens 10 to and vary from woman to Pregnancy:Yourbreasts 14 days after conception and woman. during early pregnancy may is usually not enough to fill

This Day in History - July 30 Last classic VW Beetle rolls off the line

July30,2003 Volkswagen, or “people’s Model T between 1908 and OnJuly30,2003,thelast car.” 1927 It also became a of 21,529,464 Volkswagen The first production- worldwide cultural icon, Beetles built since World ready Kdf-Wagen debuted at featuring prominently in the War II rolls off the the Berlin Motor Show in hit 1969 movie “The Love p r o d u c t i o n l i n e a t 1939; the international press Bug”(whichstarredaBeetle Volkswagen’s plant in soon dubbed it the “Beetle” named Herbie) and on the Puebla, Mexico. One of a for its distinctive rounded cover of the Beatles album 3,000-unit final edition, the shape. During World War II, “AbbeyRoad.” baby-blue vehicle was sent the factory in Kdf-stat (later In 1977, however, the to a museum in Wolfsburg, renamed Wolfsburg) Beetle, with its rearG e r m a n y , w h e r e continued to make Beetles, mounted, air-cooled-engine, V o l k s w a g e n i s though it was largely was banned in America for headquartered. dedicated to production of failing to meet safety and

“The Blair Witch Project”...

From page 31

Project seem more realistic and heighten the psychological tension,SanchezandMyrickreportedlydidthingstoagitate the actors during production, such as shaking their tent and cuttingbackontheirfoodsupply They also had the actors do their own filming, and the resulting grainy, black-and-white footage became a Blair Witch trademark.

The car produced in war vehicles Production emission standards Puebla that day was the last was halted under threat of Worldwide sales of the car so-called “classic” VW Allied bombing in August shrank by the late 1970s and Beetle, which is not to be 1944 and did not resume by 1988, the classic Beetle c o n f u s e d w i t h t h e until after the war, under was sold only in Mexico. redesigned new Beetle that British control. Though VW D u e t o i n c r e a s e d Volkswagen introduced in sales were initially slower in competition from other 1998 (The new Beetle the United States compared m a n u f a c t u r e r s o f resemblestheclassicversion with the rest of the world, by inexpensive compact cars, but is based on the VW 1960 the Beetle was the top- and a Mexican decision to Golf ) The roots of the selling import in America, phase out two-door taxis, classicBeetlestretchbackto thanks to an iconic ad Volkswagen decided to the mid-1930s, when the campaign by the firm Doyle discontinue production of famed Austrian automotive Dane Bernbach. In 1972, the the classic bug in 2003. The engineer Dr. Ferdinand Beetle surpassed the final count of 21,529,464, Porsche met German leader longstanding worldwide incidentally, did not include Adolf Hitler’s request for a production record of 15 the original 600 cars built by small, affordable passenger million vehicles, set by Ford the Nazis prior toWorldWar c a r t o s a t i s f y t h e MotorCompany’slegendary II. transportation needs of the German people Hitler called the result the KdF (Kraftdurch-Freude)-Wagen (or “Strength-Through-Joy” car) after a Nazi-led movement ostensibly aimed at helping the working peopleofGermany;itwould later be known by the name P o r s c h e p r e f e r r e d :

i f y o u f e e l s a d , pregnant. Bouts of nausea dysmenorrhea, which are overwhelmed, hopeless, or oftenbeginamonthafteryou cramps that happen 24 to 48 lackenergyfortwoweeksor get pregnant. Vomiting may hours before your period. more, you could be or may not accompany the The pain will probably depressed. Be sure to talk to nausea. Despite the name, decrease during your period yourdoctor morning sickness can occur and eventually go away by Pregnancy: If you’re at any time of the day theendofyourflow pregnant, you can have However, not all women Menstrual cramps will mood changes that last until experience morning often decrease after your you give birth. You’re more sickness. firstpregnancyorasyouage. likelytobeemotionalduring 6. Food cravings and S o m e w o m e n w i l l pregnancy. You may be aversions experience more cramping ecstatic and excited, looking PMS: When you have as they start to go into forward to the new member PMS, you’ll likely notice menopause. ofyourfamily.Youmayalso that your eating habits Pregnancy: Early in have moments of sadness change. You may crave pregnancy, you may andcrymoreeasily chocolate, carbohydrates, experience mild or light

4. Fatigue sugars,sweets,orsaltyfoods cramping.Thesecrampswill PMS: Tiredness or or you may have a ravenous probably feel like the light fatigue is common during appetite These cravings cramps you get during your PMS, as is trouble sleeping. don’t happen to the same period, but they’ll be in your These symptoms should go extent when you’re lower stomach or lower away when your period pregnant. back.Ifyouhaveahistoryof starts. Getting some exercise

Pregnancy: You may pregnancy loss, don’t ignore can help improve your sleep have highly specific thesesymptoms.TrytoRest. andlessenyourfatigue. cravings, and you may be If they don’t subside, talk to Pregnancy: While totally uninterested in other your doctor You can have you’re pregnant, increased foods.You may also have an the cramps for weeks up to levels of the hormone aversion to certain smells months when you’re progesterone can make you and tastes, even ones you pregnant.Ifyouknowyou’re tired. Fatigue can be more once liked.These effects can pregnant and these cramps pronouncedduringyourfirst lastthroughoutpregnancy are accompanied by any trimester, but it can last Youcouldalsohavepica, bleeding or watery throughout your pregnancy in which you compulsively discharge, see a doctor as well. To help your body eat items that have no immediately

Kaieteur News PAGE 33 Sunday July 30, 2023
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Kaieteur News PAGE 38 Sunday July 30, 2023

Bailing from a bash? Here’s what etiquette experts say about an Irish exit and when the farewell gesture is accepted.

What is an “Irish Exit” - and is it Considered Rude?

(Reader’s Digest)

of drinking a lot—which is the Irish are mainly known We’ve all been there:You’re true!—but this is more of an for their exuberantly mingling at a party and Irish American twist.” The welcoming nature—and that making small talk when idea here is that a person extends to goodbyes too. So, fatigue sets in and the itch to would have had so much to in Ireland, it would be seen leave grows stronger The drink that they just needed a as rude to simply leave host is busy chatting, and quick escape from the party without saying goodbye there’s a small crowd to avoid any embarrassment “The Irish are famous for, if gatheringtostartsayingtheir over how much they had anything,thelonggoodbye,” goodbyes. consumed. shesays.

It would be so much

What’s the difference But here in the States, easier just to scoot out, between an Irish quietly exiting a large party unnoticed, you think. It feels exit and a French exit? might not be as rude as you like a breach of proper

To be honest, there isn’t think, depending on the etiquette, but it would save much of one besides the situation. you an awkward farewell country in which the phrase Formal gatherings, like and get you home that much is used. You’ll come across weddings or intimate dinner faster There’s even a name theterm“Irishexit”ifyou’re parties where you bring a for it: the Irish exit (or Irish in the United States. But for hostess gift, should prompt goodbye). But what is an ourfriendsacrossthepondin you to say goodbye to your Irish exit, exactly, and is it a GreatBritain,you’llhearthe host.

I’ve been on the seemed to disappear as the was a very sad time, and the partyetiquettemistake? term “French leave” or But larger, informal receiving end of the Irish afternoon went on, having Irish goodbye could have

Each type of social “French exit” to mean the gatherings (or those that exit, and it looks a little Irish exited out of my party come from that: the sadness situation generally comes exact same thing: leaving a don’t require an RSVP) like somethinglikethis.Aftermy andontotherestoftheirday of departing and leaving with its own set of rules: gathering without relaying a big backyard BBQ? Read husband and I purchased our How did the Irish Ireland and never being able business etiquette, wedding yourfarewells. theroom:Ifyourhostisbusy first home a few years ago, exit get its name? to see your loved ones etiquette and funeral And in other parts of the with a crowd of people we hosted a large backyard Also known as an Irish again,”shesays. etiquette all come to mind. world, the phrase is “leaving around them or has a line of housewarmingparty goodbye, it seems to have Of course, there’s

ButhowdoesanIrishexitfit the English way” (in France, peoplequeueduptosaytheir

People streamed in and several origin stories, another theory There might in? We spoke with Irish Russia or Poland) or the goodbyes, quietly slipping out of my backyard all day, althoughonethingiscertain: be some truth to the term authorJudithMcLoughlinto “Polishexit”(inGermany). out might actually be the bearing delicious potluck “It’s a term we wouldn’t use originating with hardfully understand this social Is an Irish exit rude? more polite way to make dishes and housewarming in Ireland, so it’s purely an partying Irish Americans normanditsorigin. McLoughlin notes that yourexit. gifts. Some people stopped American term,” notes “The Irish have a reputation

What is an Irish exit? by for an hour while others McLoughlin.

An Irish exit is when you stayed for several—and I McLoughlinpointstothe leave a social situation (a would be lying if I said that I 19th-century Irish Potato party or larger gathering, for said goodbye to each and Famine and the exodus of example) without saying every person who came by Irish people, though, as a goodbye to your host or to thatday. possible basis for the term otherguests. Several people just blossoming stateside. “It

Kaieteur News PAGE 39 Sunday July 30, 2023
Irish Exit

Gentlemen! In the midst of our rich cultural tapestry, an age-old issue has resurfaced, challenging the veryfabricofourtraditionsthe act of indecent exposure inpublicspaces.Inthewake of globalization and evolving societal norms, we find ourselves at a crossroads, seeking to confront this delicate matter from a cultural perspective that respects our heritage while addressing the need f o r p r o g r e s s a n d understanding.

In our culture, modesty and respect for one another have long been cherished virtues. Our traditions and customs, passed down through generations, emphasizetheimportanceof upholding decorum and protecting the dignity of every individual. However, the rising instances of male indecent exposure in public settings have unveiled a deep-rooted challenge, shaking the foundations of ourculturalvalues.

To delve into this issue, we must first acknowledge that male indecent exposure isnotreflectiveofourentire community The vast majority of men within our culture respect the sanctity ofpublicspacesandcomport themselveswithdignity Yet, a handful of individuals engaging in such behavior have left an indelible mark o n o u r c o l l e c t i v e consciousness, warranting o u r a t t e n t i o n a n d introspection.

Attheheartofthismatter lies the inherent tension between cultural norms and the influence of external forces As our society encounters new ideas and perspectivesfromaroundthe world, we must navigate the delicate balance between preserving our heritage and embracing the inevitability of change. This calls for a nuanced approach that respects our cultural values while adapting to the evolving needs of our people.

Education emerges as a powerful tool in addressing thiscomplexissue.Itisvital topromoteopendiscussions within our communities about the consequences of

Corner

Navigating Indecent Exposure in Our Cultural Context REVEALING THE VEILED TABOO -

by indecent exposure. Local support groups can create safe spaces for victims to share their experiences, while also providing resourcesforcounselingand healing.

indecent exposure and its impact on individuals and families By fostering a culture of empathy and understanding,wecancreate an environment where victims feel safe to report incidents, and perpetrators gain awareness of the harm theycause.

Moreover, our cultural institutions must play a pivotal role in shaping attitudes and behaviours Religious leaders, elders, and community influencers can leverage their influence toemphasizetheimportance of modesty and respectful conductinpublicspaces.By instilling a sense of pride in our cultural identity, we can strengthen the resolve to upholdthevaluesthatdefine us.

In addressing male indecent exposure, we cannot ignore the mental health dimension As a society, we must break the silence surrounding mental health issues, offering support and avenues for rehabilitation for those grappling with impulse

control problems or psychological disorders

E m p h a s i z i n g t h e significance of seeking professional help can aid in preventingfutureincidents.

The concept of public

spaces also demands

e n v i r o n m e n t t h a t discourages indecent exposure. Thoughtful urban planning,betterlighting,and increased surveillance can contribute to a safer environment that deters potential offenders while fostering a sense of security amongthepublic.

Furthermore, we should encourage responsible media representation that aligns with our cultural values.Mediaoutletsshould s t r i v e t o a v o i d sensationalizing incidents and instead focus on promoting empathy and respect Responsible reportingcancontributetoa positive discourse that valuesthedignityofvictims and fosters understanding withinoursociety

Together, with empathy and understanding, we can unveil the shadows cast by indecent exposure and weaveamorerespectfuland compassionate cultural fabric for generations to come.

The younger generation plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our culture. Engaging the youth through education programmesandmentorship opportunities can be instrumental in raising awareness about the consequences of indecent exposure and fostering a sense of responsibility in p u b l i c s p a c e s B y empowering young people tobeambassadorsofrespect and dignity, we can create lastingculturalchange.

When addressing indecent exposure from a legal perspective, it is essentialtoconsidercultural sensitivity Our legal systems should take into account the unique cultural context in which these

messageseffectively Addressing indecent exposure should be accompanied by an emphasisongenderequality Our cultural norms should not perpetuate harmful stereotypes or attitudes towards gender Instead, we shouldstriveforaninclusive society that respects the dignity and autonomy of all individuals, regardless of gender Promoting mutual respect and understanding between genders is integral tothisprocess.

Our culture can benefit from international exchange and learning. Engaging with other societies’ experiences and solutions related to indecent exposure can offer valuableinsightsandinspire innovative approaches within our own context. By fostering an open-minded outlook, we can adapt best practices that align with our culturalvalues.

Confronting indecent exposure from a cultural perspective necessitates a delicate dance between heritage and progress We mustembracetheessenceof our traditions while acknowledging the inevitability

of change

Through education, open dialogues,andmentalhealth support, we can craft solutions that resonate with our cultural values and ensure safer public spaces forall.

As we navigate this journey,letusrememberthat the strength of our culture lies in our ability to adapt without losing sight of the principles that define us.

Aswetackletheissueof indecent exposure, we must remember that preserving our cultural identity is paramount Our cultural heritage is a source of strength and unity, and it should guide our efforts to address this challenge. By infusing our responses with theessenceofourtraditions, we can build a unique approachthatresonateswith ourcommunityandfostersa sense of collective responsibility

Our culture places significant emphasis on community and support networks We can harness this strength by establishing community-led initiatives that educate, empower, and support individuals affected

incidents occur, avoiding approaches that may inadvertently stigmatize or alienate specific cultural groups Balancing cultural norms with universal principles of respect and consent is vital in crafting fairandjustlegalresponses.

Art and media have the power to influence attitudes and behaviours within our culture.

By supporting creative initiatives that promote themes of respect, empathy, and cultural pride, we can create a cultural shift that celebrates decency and discourages indecent behaviour Traditional storytelling, music, and visual arts can be utilized to convey these essential

I n c o n c l u s i o n , addressing indecent exposure from a cultural perspective requires us to navigatethedelicatebalance between preserving our heritage and embracing necessary changes By leveraging education, community support, youth engagement, cultural sensitivity, art, gender equality, and international learning, we can craft comprehensive solutions that respect our cultural identity while fostering a safer and more respectful society

As a united community, with compassion and a commitment to our shared values, we can unveil the shadows cast by indecent exposure,weavingabrighter cultural tapestry that cherishes dignity, respect, and empathy for all By undertaking this endeavour with understanding and empathy, we can ensure that our cultural heritage thrives in harmony with progress, benefiting not only the present but also future generations to come Together,letuspavetheway foraculturethatexemplifies thebestofbothtraditionand transformation.

PAGE 40 Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News
contemplation. By
w e c a n c r e a t e a n
reevaluating the design and managementofthesespaces,

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

LET’s talk about this heat... How To Care For Your Eyelashes In The Sun

Eyelash extensions are funandfabulous,givingyou yetonemorewaytoenhance your look.You can ditch the mascara in favor of a flakefree option that lets you maintain those long lashes everyone loves Getting those much-coveted extensions will give you long, lifted lashes that make your eyes look more open. As a result, you’ll appear more awake and ready to go inthemorning.Thisenables youtogetawaywithwearing minimalmakeup,whichwill cutdownonthetimeittakes togetreadywhengoingout.

If, however, you choose to get eyelash extensions during the sweltering monthsofsummer,thereare a few things you should know about how to properly carefortheminthesun.

AVOIDEXPOSING

YOUREYELASH EXTENSIONS

TOTHEHEAT

Toomuchheatisn’tgood for your eyelash extensions. It can cause the lash bond thatiskeepingtheminplace to weaken and they will fall off as a result. Avoid direct sunlight when possible, especially in areas where it

will be shining directly on yourface.

WEARSUNGLASSES

Wearing shades when you go out will also protect your eyelash extensions from the sun, and the bonding that holds them on willbelesslikelytoweaken. Thisresultsinlonger-lasting extensions and an overall fresherlook.

USEOIL-FREE MAKEUPREMOVER

Whenremovingmakeup, be sure to use oil-free remover Oil will cause the bonding that holds the eyelash extensions in place

to dissolve, so this is very important to keep in mind if youwantthoseextensionsto lastaslongaspossible.

AVOID

TOUCHING YOUREYELASH EXTENSIONS

Though it is tempting to reach up and touch those brand-new lush eyelash extensions,youshouldavoid doing this at all costs Picking or pulling at them cancausethemtofalloffand can even damage your own naturallashes.

those extensions safe from unwantedcontact. There’s no reason why you can’t wear eyelash extensionsduringtheheatof summer

WEAR

GOGGLES WHENINTHEWATER

Want to take a dip in the

It’s easy to rub sensitive or burning eyes when they become irritated, which can result in damaging those eyelashextensions. The goggles will protect your eyes from becoming irritated while also keeping

Just remember to follow the tips above and you should have no problem maintaining that amazing look.

Kaieteur News PAGE 41 Sunday July 30, 2023
ocean or p o o l ? Wearing goggles will help keep your e y e l a s h extensions, and your eyes
general,
in
safe from chlorine andseawater

HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH WITH BRACES

Youcareaboutyourteeth andwantabeautiful,healthy, straight smile: That’s why you got braces! Now you’re faced with the challenge of keepingyourteethcleanand healthy while sporting brackets, wires, and other bitsandpieces.Howdoyou doit?Learninghowtobrush your teeth with braces can take a little practice, but it’s definitelyworthdoingright.

HOWTOBRUSHYOUR TEETHWITHBRACES

Plaque is a biofilm that continually forms on the teeth. A thorough brushing can remove plaque, but any thatismissedwilltransform into tarter, a hard yellow materialthatstainsteethand can only be removed by a dental professional

Unfortunately, wearing braces can make it harder to remove plaque and food particles, because the braces provide so many places for them to hide! That doesn’t mean that you should give up, however. If you wear braces, you simply need to take a little extra care to

make sure that you get your teeth good and clean each morning and night. Use the followingtipsforhelp.

MAKEITROUTINE

Whenyouwearbraces,it is easier to miss buildup on your teeth. To decrease the likelihood that plaque and food particles will have a chancetolingerlongenough tocauseproblems,makeita point to brush your teeth after every meal. In fact, manypeoplewhovaluetheir pearly whites choose to brushaftersnacksaswell.

GATHERYOURTOOLS

Itisalwayseasiertodoa job well when you have everything that you need at your fingertips As you prepare to brush your teeth, make sure that you have accesstothefollowingtools:

Acup

Nonabrasivetoothpaste

Manual or electric

toothbrush

Flossandaflossthreader orawaterflosser

Proxabrushes (also called go-between brushes andinterdentalbrushes)

Mouthwash Mirror STARTWITHASWISH

Once you’ve assembled yourtools,grabthecup,fillit with water, and rinse your mouth out. Swishing a little water around the interior of your mouth before you start brushing can loosen food particles and other debris, making it easier to remove them. Then, take out any elastics,bands,orremovable orthodontic pieces and set theminasafeplace.

KNOWTHEANGLES

After rinsing your toothbrush and topping it with a small amount of nonabrasive toothpaste, it’s time to brush Start by holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and gently brushingalongthegumline. Next, shift the angle of the toothbrush so that you can carefully brush the tops of your brackets Then, reposition the toothbrush to angle up so that you can brushunderthebracketsand wire. Be sure to clean each tooth. Then, brush the

chewing and inner surfaces ofyourteeth.

TAKEYOURTIME

Whenyouhavebraces,it is vital that you take your time and thoroughly brush all the necessary surfaces of your braces and teeth

Experts say you should spend a minimum of two minutes actively brushing your teeth, but it may take you longer, especially when you are first getting in the habit of brushing with braces If you’re having trouble reaching all the surfacesofyourteethdueto the wires and brackets, try usingaproxabrushafteryour regular brushing routine. Its smallsizeandflexibilitywill help you clean under and aroundyourbraces.

FLOSS

Flossing with brackets and wires attached to your teethcanbeprettytough,but itisanimportantstepinany dental hygiene routine. If you are using string floss, use a floss threader to maneuver the floss around your braces. Always be

gentleasyoumovethefloss againstyourteethandgums. Alternatively, you can use a water flosser to get the tight spots in between your teeth clean.

RINSEAGAIN

Once you have brushed andflossed,it’stimetorinse your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash This helps eliminate germs, removes any lingering food particles, and freshens your breath.

CHECKYOURWORK

Before you declare that you’re done brushing your teeth, take a few minutes to look in a mirror and check yourwork.Thisstepcanhelp

youevaluateyoureffortsand determine if you need to refine your routine. When you’re satisfied with your work, replace any elastics, bands, or removable orthodontic appliances and return all your tools to their properplaces. Knowing how to brush your teeth with braces is crucial if you want to avoid dangerous tartar buildup, stains, and cavities. If you have any questions about brushing your teeth while wearing braces or are struggling to reach a particularspot,besuretoask your dentist for advice duringyournextvisit.

How to prevent your belly button smelling

Thebellybuttonishome to many bacteria but can be overlooked when a person washes. Improper hygiene and cysts can cause a belly buttontosmell.

Thebellybuttonornavel is a dip in the middle of the belly It marks the place where a person’s umbilical cord was attached in the womb.

Bellybuttonscomeinall shapes and sizes, and, no matter how they look, they canbecomeinfected.

Fastfactsonbellybutton smell:

· A fungal infection can resultifbellybuttonbacteria multiplytoomuch.

·Bellybuttonskinneeds to be cleaned regularly to keepithealthy

· Risk factors, such as poor hygiene, increase the potentialforthebellybutton tosmell.

WHATCAUSES ABELLYBUTTON TOSMELL?

Most belly buttons are indented so act as a trap for sweat, dead skin, and dirt. Few people wash the belly button with soap so germs candevelop.

Themostcommoncause for a belly button smell is poorhygiene.Allareasofthe

body need to be washed regularly to stay clean and healthy

Skin is home to trillions of bacteria, which develop naturally and are usually harmless.

The belly button has folds of skin that provide a place for bacteria to grow Most of these bacteria remainatalowlevelandwill not cause a smell. But if bacteria become too dense, they may result in an unpleasant or offensive smell.

Any infection should be checked by a doctor, and medication and lifestyle changesmaybeneeded.

CANDIDA

Candida is a yeast that lives on the skin. It does not usually cause problems, but itcanmultiplyonskinthatis warm and moist for a long time. If it multiplies, it can turnintoafungalinfection.

Candida commonly affectsthemouthandthroat, where it is known as thrush. Whenitaffectsthevagina,it is referred to as a yeast infection. A version of the infection known as candidal intertrigocanaffectfoldson theskin,suchasthearmpits, groin, or belly button. Skin willappearredandscaly,and blisterscanform.

Candidal intertrigo is

treated with antifungal medication and lifestyle changes These changes include keeping the skin cool, dry, and clean, and avoidingtightclothing.

Peoplewithdiabetesand thosewhoareobesearemore likelytohaveaninfectionof thiskind.

CYSTS

Another cause of smell aroundthebellybuttonisan infected cyst. A cyst is a small lump underneath the skin. They can be common anddonotusuallycausepain unlesstheybecomeinfected.

An infected cyst will be red, inflamed, sore, and tendertothetouch.Pusmay

come out of a cyst, and this usually has an unpleasant smell.

WHATTYPEOF ODORDOTHEYHAVE?

Areas of the body, includingthearmpitsorfeet, are more likely to become moist with sweat and smell. This is because bacteria break down the sweat and create a waste product that hasastrongodor

If the belly button has trappeddeadskinandsweat, itislikelytosmellsweaty

Afungalinfectionisalso likely to smell bad, especially if there is pus aroundthearea.

WHENTO SEEADOCTOR

If the belly button becomes infected, a person should see a doctor for advice and prescribe medicationifneeded.

The symptoms of an infection are redness, itching, and swelling

Sometimes, there may be fluid or pus, which can hardentoformacrustaround thearea.

A person should see a doctor if they think that a cyst has become infected.

Burstingorpoppingthecyst is not recommended, as this cancausefurtherproblems.

TREATMENTS

If the odor is a result of the belly button becoming dirty or greasy, carefully washingitisthebestwayto getridofthesmell.

Ifbellybuttonodorisdue to an infection, an appointmentshouldbemade with a doctor who can give advice and prescribe treatmentifneeded.

HOWTOCLEAN THEBELLYBUTTON

Washing prevents a buildup of dead skin, sweat, and oils that the body producesnaturally Frequent washing also removes germs. Using warm water and mild soap, use a washcloth to gently clean around and just inside the belly button Rinse with clean, warm water and dry with a towel to make sure that all water has been removed from the belly button Showering or bathingregularlycanhelpto prevent skin problems and odor Areasofthebody,such as the belly button or feet, can get missed, but these need as much regular cleaningasotherareasofthe body Washing is necessary particularly after sweating a lot, for example, in hot weatherorafterexercising.

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Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 45

The disappearing Potoo

Th i s w e e k ’ s

meaning ’ghost’.

i n t e r e s t i n g

Potoo in hunting mode

The potoos are a highly creature is the conservative family in

Potoo, a nocturnal bird with appearance, with all the a haunting call that sends species closely resembling shivers down your spine and oneanother the ability to disappear in Potoos range from 8.3 to front of your eyes by 22.8inchesinlength. blendingintotreestumps.

Although these birds are

Potoos are a mix inactive during the day, they between an owl and a blend into three stumps and nightjar It has a large head branches and keep their eyes andhugeyelloweyeswithan halfclosedto be on thelookoverall grayish-brown and out for potential danger If splotchy patterning. During they detect any, they adopt a the day, the bird spends its freeze position which assists time perched on the ends of it to look even more like a three stumps where it blends part of the tree stump or in perfectly and becomes branch. very difficult to spot. At calledpoor-me-ones,afterof InArgentinaandBolivia, The bird also “habitually nights, the potoo hunts their haunting calls. These Potoos are known as kakuy selects the top of an upright mainly for flying insects birds are native to the forest or cacuy meaning ‘to stump to lay its egg. Potoos fromanexposedperch. of Central and South remain’. In Brazil, they are are monogamous breeders

They are sometimes America. called urutau from Guaraní and both parents share

responsibilities for months, a considerable incubating the egg and lengthoftimeforalandbird. raising the chick.The family The plumage of nestling does not construct a nest of Potoos is white and once any kind, instead laying the they are too large to hide single egg on a depression in under their parents, they a branch or at the top of a adopt the same freeze rotten stump. The egg is position as their parents, white with purple-brown resembling clumps of spots. fungus.

One parent, often the For a lone Potoo, or a male, incubates the egg brooding adult with a during the day, then the potential predator close to duties are shared during the the nest, the bird attempts to night Changeovers to avoid detection by relieve incubating parents remaining motionless and and feed chicks are relying on camouflage. If infrequent to minimise ineffective, the Potoo breaks attention to the nest, as cover and attempts to Potoos are entirely reliant on intimidate the predator by camouflage to protect opening its beak and eyes themselves and their nesting wide open while vocalizing site from predators The orsimplyfliesoutofreach. chick hatches about one Source of information: month after laying and the https://en.wikipedia.org/w nestling phase is two iki/Potoo

Kaieteur News PAGE 46 Sunday July 30, 2023 InterestingCreatures...
Potoos blending into tree stump

EMANCIPATION DAY: A TIME OF CELEBRATION AND REFLECTION

AugustFirstisoneofthe most, if not the most important anniversaries in Guyanesehistory Foritwas on that day in 1833, that the British Parliament passed the Emancipation Act, freeingslavesinGuyanaand other parts of the British Empire. The Act was to comeintoforceonAugust1, 1834.

In Guyana however, full freedom did not come until 1838,sincetheslaveshadto serve a period of “Apprenticeship” until August 1, 1838, whereby theywerecompelledtokeep on working on their plantations in a condition of semi-slavery, though they werepaidasmallwage.

It is believed that on the night before full freedom was declared in 1838, there was an all-night vigil a a c c o m p a n i e d b y continuous drumming. On the arrival of morning, from 5 o’clock, the children and youngpeopleofthevillages would go from door to door knocking and calling out to sleeperstorousethemselves and join the celebrations. This custom continued until veryrecentyears.

Emancipation Day was spent visiting friends and relatives and feasting on Afrocentricfoods.

This custom continues todayinsomeofthevillages across Guyana. The fare consisted of a variety of ground provisions including cassavas, eddoes, tannias, sweet potatoes and breadfruit and plantains served with salt fish or sometimesmeat. Thesweet served after main courses consisted of Konky made

largely with corn flour and cassavaandpumpkinpones.

Cookup rice which is today an obligatory item of the Emancipation Day menu only became an item after 1860, when rice became available on the local market, from the production of Indian indentured immigrants. After August, 1838, most freedmen had decided to remain on their plantations, but they were paid such low wages that in the 1840’s they were forced tostrike. Theirstrikesfailed and the freedmen, with courageous resolve and fortitude left the estates without knowing how they wouldbeabletosurvive.

At that time, Britain had begun to adopt a policy of FreeTrade, with consequent abandonment of protection for many Caribbean sugar estates. This, together with the absence of workers, caused many estates to go bankrupt with their owners abandoning them and puttingthemupforsale.

The Freedmen saw an opportunity and formed t h e m s e l v e s i n t o cooperatives.

Withthemoneytheyhad saved from their sales at the Sunday markets and the wages, they had received as Apprentices, they bought several of these abandoned plantations. Themoneypaid for these properties were in the form of small coins like “bits” and shillings and had t o b e f e t c h e d i n wheelbarrows.

The purchase and transformation of these abandoned plantations into villages is considered an element of Emancipation

andisknowntoHistoriansas the “Village Movement”

The Village Movement is one of the greatest moments of Guyanese History not only because it provided a c o n s t r u c t i v e accommodation for the workers who had left the estates but because it has given a formula and blueprint to the world of a methodology of how poor and oppressed people could get out of poverty and move into an existence of selfrespectanddignity

The creativity of the freedmenwasunique. They builtnewcommunitiesfrom scratch.

They laid out the infrastructure of the new villages - the streets, the allotmentstovariousowners and the construction of thousandsofhouses.

They established village governments which were able to supply basic municipalservices.

Farmlandswerelaidout in the backdams where they producedplantains,bananas, breadfruit, and various ground provisions such as cassava,eddoes,tanniasand sweet potatoes and various fruits such as mangoes and avocados. They also raised flocksofsheepandgoatsand embarked on poultry farming. Manysuppliedthe services of tradesmen such as carpenters, tin and gutter smiths, tailors, vat makers and so on, not only to their villagesbuttothetwotowns.

Christianity was established as the new religion of freedmen during the era of the village movement, with the establishment of churches such as Roman Catholic,

Anglican and a few Congregationalists that established schools to not only teach the catechism of Christianity, but also the fundamentalsofEnglishand Arithmetic. Thisresultedin these villages becoming the oasesoflearningandculture inthecolony

Initially, the freedmen relied on folk medicine but when women and girls from the villages began to be employed in the hospitals and some of them trained as nurses, they brought the practiceofWesternmedicine tothevillages.

Many of the names chosen for the new villages had some reference to freedom and Emancipation, for example, Buxton being named after the English Humanitarian Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton who struggled in Parliament for the abolition of slavery or Victoria and Queenstown namedforQueenVictoriaof England, in whose reign Emancipationwasdeclared.

EmancipationDayisnot onlyatimeoffairs,pageants, feasting and other celebrations; it is a time when all Guyanese and in particular Afro-Guyanese must reflect on and internalize the great lessons of Emancipation. In the first instance,thereisSaving.

The Freedmen were prepared to make the sacrifice of deferring the gratificationof todayfor the betterment of tomorrow and thus they painstakingly saved small sums of money which accumulated into capital which they invested inthepurchaseofabandoned plantations.

For personal and community progress, this cultureofSavingneedstobe resuscitated.

Then there is the culture of taking Calculated Risk. When the freedmen left the plantations, they took a courageous risk which led them to purchase the abandoned plantations and establish the villages. Without taking those

c a l c u l a t e d r i s k s ,

entrepreneurship and

economic and social development could not have happened.

Modern Guyanese people have the tendency of movingawayfromtheLand andAgriculture. Land and Agriculture were the basis

of the survival and

development of the freedmen.

NowthattheStateisvery supportive of Agriculture, it is easier to be committed to it. Try to purchase and own yourownland.

The villages were once

oases of learning and intellect and were the seedbedofthe professional classes. If Education again becomesadeepaspirationof both adults and children, upward mobility and economic betterment are bound to follow Be again committedtoEducation.

Partofthesuccessofthe Freedmen resided in their commitment to Religion andtheMoralLaw. Young peopleinthevillagesneedto re-affiliate themselves with their churches and follow their teachings. This will resultinmorestablefamilies andgivemoraletobeableto overcome all difficulties. Such commitment would prevent any drift to crime or negativesocialbehaviour

It is because the freedmen were self-reliant and did not hope or expect help from any source that theyweresuccessful.Today, thiscultureofdependenceon the State or other sources to help one with one’s problems must be eschewed and Self Reliance shouldbe the beacon With selfreliance, one becomes masterofone’sdestiny

Ifsuchvirtuesassociated with Emancipation are recaptured, it would be easier to successfully navigate in the new oil rich Guyana.

Kaieteur News PAGE 47 Sunday July 30, 2023 CONSUMER CONCERNS

The Brahmin, the Tiger, and the Jackal

Do you know what a Brahmin is? A Brahmin is a very good and gentle kind of man who lives in India, and who treats all the beasts as if theywerehisbrothers.There is a great deal more to know about Brahmins, but that is enoughforthestory

One day a Brahmin was walkingalongacountryroad when he came upon a Tiger, shut up in a strong iron cage. Thevillagershadcaughthim and shut him up there for his wickedness.

"Oh, Brother Brahmin, Brother Brahmin," said the Tiger, "please let me out, to get a little drink! I am so thirsty, and there is no water here."

"But Brother Tiger," said the Brahmin, "you know if I should let you out, you would spring on me and eat meup."

" N e v e r, B r o t h e r Brahmin!" said the Tiger "Never in the world would I do such an ungrateful thing! Justletmeoutalittleminute, to get a little, little drink of water,BrotherBrahmin!"

So, the Brahmin unlockedthedoorandletthe Tiger out. The moment he was out he sprang on the Brahmin and was about to eathimup.

"But, Brother Tiger," said the Brahmin, "you promisedyouwouldnot.Itis not fair or just that you shouldeatme,whenIsetyou free."

"It is perfectly right and just," said the Tiger, "and I shalleatyouup."

However, the Brahmin arguedsohardthatatlastthe Tiger agreed to wait and ask the first five whom they should meet, whether it was fair for him to eat the Brahmin, and to abide by theirdecision.

The first thing they came to,toask,wasanoldBanyan Tree, by the wayside. (A banyan tree is a kind of fruit tree.)

"Brother Banyan," said the Brahmin, eagerly,

"does it seem to you right or just that thisTiger should eat me, when I set him free from hiscage?"

The Banyan Tree looked down at them and spoke in a tiredvoice.

"In the summer," he said, "when the sun is hot, men come and sit in the cool of my shade and refresh themselves with the fruit of my branches But when evening falls, and they are rested, they break my twigs

Brahmin."

TheTiger sprang, but the Brahminspokeveryquickly: "Oh, but this is only the second, Brother Tiger; you promisedtoaskfive."

The Tiger grumbled a gooddeal,butatlasthewent on again with the Brahmin. Andafteratime,theysawan Eagle, high overhead. The Brahmin called up to him imploringly, "Oh, Brother Eagle,BrotherEagle!Tellus ifitseemstoyoufairthatthis Tigershouldeatmeup,when I have just saved him from a frightfulcage?"

The Eagle soared slowly overhead a moment, then he came lower, and spoke in a thin,clearvoice.

"I live high in the air," he said, "and I do no man any harm. Yet as often as they find my eyrie, men stone my young and rob my nest and shoot at me with arrows. Men are a cruel breed. Let theTigereattheBrahmin!"

Fruit Corner Bookmark: Summer Craft Idea For Kids

Add some tropical vibes to your books with this super cute watermelon fruit corner bookmark.

Materials

·Colouredcraftpapers

·Pencil

·Scissors

·Craftglue

Instructions

1. Take a square paper (8 inches x 8 inchesatleast).

2. Fold the square paper into half diagonally This will form a 2 layers of triangleshapesonthefoldedpaper

3. Grab the top corner of the top layer triangle and fold it into half, towards the bottomedgeofthetriangle.

This will form a pocket between the 2 layersofthefold.

out nicely For the watermelon bookmark, trace the large pattern on green, medium pattern on white and small pattern on pink colored craft paper Trace the seeds (small teardropshapes)onblackcraftpaper

and scatter my leaves, and stone my boughs for more fruit. Men are an ungrateful race. Let the Tiger eat the Brahmin."

The Tiger sprang to eat the Brahmin, but the Brahmin said, "Wait, wait; we have asked only one. We havestillfourtoask."

Presently they came to a place where an old Bullock was lying by the road. The Brahmin went up to him and said, "Brother Bullock, oh, Brother Bullock, does it seem to you a fair thing that this Tiger should eat me up, after I have just freed him fromacage?"

The Bullock looked up, and answered in a deep, grumbling voice, "When I was young and strong my master used me hard, and I served him well. I carried heavyloadsandcarriedthem far Now that I am old and weak and cannot work, he leaves me without food or water, to die by the wayside. Men are a thankless lot. Let the Tiger eat the

FUNWITHPOETRY

Do it with a smile

At times when I have to deal with others, Like a sister, teacher or friend, I find the way how I look to them Does make a lot of difference.

It made me wonder why this was so, Until I asked them to tell me why; They told me that most times I look too serious, When they would feel better if I smile.

So I now try to become more cheerful, Whenever I have to speak with others; And I now find that just a smile At every time can do wonders.

The Tiger sprang upon the Brahmin, to eat him up; and this time the Brahmin had very hard work to persuadehimtowait.Atlast, he did persuade him, however,andtheywalkedon together Andinalittlewhile they saw an old Alligator, lying half buried in mud and slime,attheriver'sedge.

"Brother Alligator, oh, Brother Alligator!" said the Brahmin, "does it seem at all right or fair to you that this Tigershouldeatmeup,when Ihavejustnowlethimoutof acage?"

The old Alligator turned in the mud, and grunted, and snorted; then he said, "I lie here in the mud all day, as harmless as a pigeon; I hunt noman,yeteverytimeaman sees me, he throws stones at me,andpokesmewithsharp sticks, and jeers at me. Men are a worthless lot. Let the TigereattheBrahmin!"

At this the Tiger was bound to eat the Brahmin at once. The poor Brahmin had to remind him, again and again, that they had asked onlyfour

"Wait till we've asked onemore!Waituntilweseea fifth!"hebegged.

Finally, the Tiger walked onwithhim.

Afteratime,theymetthe little Jackal, coming gayly downtheroadtowardthem.

"Oh,BrotherJackal,dear Brother Jackal," said the Brahmin, "give us your opinion!Doyouthinkitright or fair that this Tiger should eat me, when I set him free fromaterriblecage?"

"Beg pardon?" said the littleJackal.

"I said, " said the Brahmin, raising his voice, "doyouthinkitisfairthatthe

(Continued on next week edition)

4. Fold up the left corner of the triangle andmatchingitwiththetopcorner

5.Similarlyfolduptherightcornerofthe triangle, once again, matching it with the top corner

6. Now fold in half of the folded-up parts intothepocketcreatedinstep3.

7. Fold both sides similarly to complete theorigamicornerbookmark.

8. Prepare template patterns and select colored craft papers for the fruits. Trace the patterns on the selected papers and cut them

9. Attach the seed cutouts on the pink papercutout.

10. Attach the pink cutout on the white cutout by leveling the straight ends of both patterns.

11. Likewise, attach the white cutout on the green cutout, once again make sure to levelthestraightendsofbothpatterns.

12. Take the bookmark and attach the watermelon on the triangle side of the bookmark. Match the straight ends of the paperfruitandthebookmark.

Kaieteur News Junior page Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 48

EstablishtheSpecialPurposeinyourlife

Now that many teenagers wouldhavegraduatedfrom high school and be looking forwardtothefuturewithsomeamount ofanxiety,itistimeforthemtoexamine themselves and try to discover what they would really like to become. I expect that many will be looking towards starting a career, and will be lucky to find a job which will accord withtheirabilitiesandinterests.

Apartfromthis,itisbelievedthat each of us human beings has been placed on this earth for a special purpose which he has an obligation to discover and pursue. I am therefore advocating that you make some extra effort to find your own purpose, and do yourbesttofulfilit.

Whenyoufindthat itwill move you at the deepest energiseyoutoariseevery with an inner passion. Y meant to find that something that your life will stand for that will consume you. It might mean helping others to live at their highest potential. Your cause might be to develop some product that will add value to people's lives. It might b e e l e v a t i n g communities or helpin people in need. You need figure this out throu reflection, introspection searching. When you find that mission to which your life will be dedicated, you won'twanttosleep and you will be willing to move mountains to make ithappen.

You will find that sense of internal fulfilment that many find missing from their lives. And you will try to preach the message to everyone.

AStateofMind

If you think you are beaten, you are; If you think you dare not, you won't; If you like to win, but don't think you can, It's almost a cinch you won't.

If you think you'll lose, you're lost, For out in the world you'll find Success begins with a fellow's will; It's all in a state of mind.

I n a S l i t h e r l i n k Puzzle, you c o n n e c t horizontally or v e r t i c a l l y adjacent dots to forma meandering path that forms a single loop, w i t h o u t crossing itself, or branching

The n u m b e r s indicate how many lines surround each cell. Empty cells may be surroundedby any number of lines (from 0 to3).There is one unique solution, and you should be able to find it w i t h o u t guessing.You may find it helpful to make s m a l l x ' s between dots that cannot be connected. Need some solving help?

V i s i t

krazydad.com/s litherlink

It may be that you will need to work towards this over a period of time before you discover your true purpose. To help in this exercise, record your most cherished values and your life's most important priorities, which you canreviewfromtimetotime.

This will form a strategic plan which will direct and govern your externalresults.

What you need to remember in thissearchisthattherecanbenohigher purposeinlifethantodedicateyourself tohelpingothersfulfilltheirambitions. This will serve to fulfil your own destiny as well as give you untold satisfactionforafulfilledlife.

Slitherlink

For many a game is lost, Ere even a play is run, And many a coward fails, Ere even his work is begun.

Think big and your deeds will grow, Think small and you'll fall behind; Think that you can and you will, It's all a state of mind.

all all

If you think you are out-classed, you are, You've got to think high to rise; You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize.

Life battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man But sooner or later, the man who wins Is the fellow who thinks he can.

Each human being was born for a special purpose. Your personal obligation in life is to search for it and work towards making it a reality.

Solutions to last week’s Summer camp word search

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 TEEN TIME
PAGE 49
BRIDGES

Bleached Hair Care: Hair Care TipsAll Summer Long

Here are our bleached hair care tips for maintaining your new look.

1. Use targeted treatments.

Bleaching hair is a chemical process that removes natural pigments from your hair fibres. Bleach occasionally and your hair should soon recover its natural vitality. Successive bleaching, however, can damage those precious fibres and follicles, leaving your hair looking dull. To combat this, use targeted bleached hair care treatments to protect your hair as much as possible, to boost and enhance your pigments, and to hydrate the fibres of your hair overall. W

2. Use intensive treatments every now and then.

Have you noticed that your bleached hair is not quite as supple as it once was? Dryness is another consequence of those bleaching chemicals we were talking about earlier Your hair loses moisture, and dry hair means brittle hair, split ends and more! But, don't be alarmed; you can prevent your hair from drying out by providing extra nourishment with some intensive treatments and the targeted treatments mentioned above. For example, it's a wise move to use an overnight hair mask once a week or at least twice a month. Y

3. Protect your hair from external aggressors.

We can't live in a little blonde bubble. No, really, we can't. The sun, salty seawater, chlorinated swimming pools, pollution, styling tools – your hair has to face many harmful external factors on a daily basis, which are particularly bad news for bleached blondes. We can take precautions though; avoid the sun if you can and stay in the shade. If you can't resist soaking up the sun, wear a hat or scarf to fend off harmful rays. If headgear is not your style, then use a specialist UV spray or hair sun cream. Rinse your hair with bottled or tap water before jumping into a pool or the sea and shower straight after to remove any excess salt or chlorine.

4. Wash your hair a little less.

Contrary to popular belief, washing your hair two to three times a week is plenty. Over-washing your hair, however gently you do it, will sweep away a few of those key nutrients and essential oils that help to keep your hair healthy. So, why not wear a shower cap when showering and give dry shampoo a go? Dry shampoo might sound strange, but more and more women, and men, are finding it a very handy way of taking care of their hair in between washes. If you are one of those people who can't go a day without washing their hair, then use the mildest shampoo you can find.

5. Neutralise the 'bad' pigments.

Don't you hate that brassy, yellowish tone that can turn 'Oh Wow!' into 'Oh Dear!' It's a pitfall of bleaching hair that can be avoided if you know how The key is to neutralise those undesirable yellow pigments by occasionally using a 'blue' or 'purple' shampoo. Once every four or five washes should do the trick and if you decide to colour your hair after bleaching, Olia Blonde helps to combat yellowing with its state-of-the art neutralisation effect, which targets the problem before it happens.

6. Be gentle with your hair

After bleaching, your hair needs some 'TLC', so be gentle and detangle your hair when it is still wet using a flat brush, as opposed to drying it roughly with a towel.And leave your hair to air dry whenever possible; it's time to decommission the dryer for the summer.

7. Remember your oils.

For thousands of years, women in warmer climates have used natural oils to keep their hair looking healthy and glossy. Argan oil, olive oil and coconut oil are all specially formulated hair oils that are fantastic for taking care of dry hair, helping to repair and restructure hair fibres with their essential formulations.Apply them like a serum in the evening to the tips of your hair and maybe even indulge yourself with an oil bath once a month to lock in all that moisture. Your hair will look super shiny and feel silky smooth, and your skin will enjoy the treat too.

That's it. Seven hair care tips for good bleached hair care that anyone can take on board. If you do, your beautiful bleached blonde hair will last you the whole summer long –and well into autumn too!

https://www.garnier.co.uk/how-to/bleached-hair-care

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 50

Promising natural hair, skin and health products that can be found at home...

Aloe Vera

The Aloe Vera plant has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. It contains 75 potentially active constituents including: Vitamins, Enzymes, Minerals, Sugars, Lignin, Saponins, Salicylic acids and Amino Acids. It contains VitaminA(betacarotene),CandE,whichareantioxidants.It alsocontainsVitaminB12,folicacidandcholine.

YoumayhaveusedAloeVeratosoothesunburns,butdid you know that it has benefits for your hair? Due to its excellent properties Aloe Vera can strengthen, thicken and assistwithfastergrowthofhairfollicles.

There’ve been a number of scientific studies that have shownthesignificantbenefitsofAloeVeraonhair

Aloe Vera strengthens hair, due to the many active ingredientsandmineralsitcontainsthatcanhelptonaturally strengthenyourhair Ithasfattyacidsandaminoacidsandis richinVitaminsA,B12,C,andE.AloeVeracanplayan

Continued on page 62

Kaieteur News PAGE 51 Sunday July 30, 2023

THE STORY OF

Guinness® SMOOTH

(Guinness) Guinness Smooth offers all thecharacterofGuinnessstoutwithanextra smoothfinish.It’sanexperiencefeltasmuch asanexperiencetasted.

The classic bittersweet duet of hops and roasted barley accompanied by millions of minute swirling bubbles. Smooth from the firstsiptothelast.

Arthur Guinness started a legacy of creativityanddaringthathasmanifestedina number of innovations. Not least of which wasnitrogenationinthe50’sthatguaranteed aperfectlycreamypintofGuinnessDraught wherever it was poured. From here, new

possibilitiesarose.

From there, Guinness Smooth was born. Launched in 2003 in Ireland, Guinness Smooth is a bottled stout that’s alive with bubblesofnitrogen.

IttakesallthetasteofGuinnessandgives itnewverve.Thedistinctiveflavoursenteras usualbutwithaddedcharismaandtheperfect balanceof strength and smoothness for rich, deliciouslysatisfyingexperience.

Guinness Smooth is now available in Guyana after being recently launched by BanksDIHLtd.AccordingtoBanksDIH’s Continued on page 62

Kaieteur News PAGE 52 Sunday July 30, 2023
Banks DIH Brew Master, Matthew Kendall

Malika Man elva Blount

Meetthe stunningMalikaManelvaBlount, adynamicandpassionateindividualhailingfromLinden.

At29,sheisthereigningMrs.GuyanaInternational,atitleshewearsproudly assheadvocatesforherplatformandnonprofit,BlueprintFoundationInc.Thisnonprofit organizationaimstobreakmedicalandeducationalbarriers,empoweryouth,andmakea positiveimpactincommunitiesworldwide.Whenshe’snotmakingstridesinpageantry,youcanfind Malikaindulginginherfavouritehobbies,whichincludeexploringnewdigitalartcreationsandbuilding websitestoexpresshercreativeflair Thisweek’sbeautylovestechandmarketing.Sheencouragesyoung andambitiousdreamers:“Neverunderestimatethepowerofyourdreams,andrememberthatevery obstacleisanopportunitytogrow.Embraceyouruniqueness,findyourpassion,andpursueitfearlessly.”

PAGE 53 Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023

Durban Street man invents his own electric vehicle

at the back of the vehicle to fetchasmallamountofload.

Phillips said that the vehicle is powered by four batteries and a small 800wattDCmotorandcanreach atopspeedof45Kilometers per hour To conserve battery power, Phillips used small 12-inch tyres for less traction.

Phillips’ goal is to manufacture more of these vehicles but for now, he just wants to get his first prototypelegallyregistered.

“I would love to register thiscar Idon’twanttobuild something I can’t drive”, Phillipssaid.

From selling and repairing electric bikes to buildinghisownmodelofan electric vehicle, Kevin Phillips,alocalbusinessman of Durban Street, Georgetown is working towards becoming the Elon MuskoftheCaribbean.

Phillips, co-owner of Phillips E-Bike Shop on Durban Street has been repairingalltypesofelectric bikesandvehiclessincethey became a trend in Guyana somethreeyearsago.

R e c e n t l y , t h e

businessman pulled up in frontof Kaieteur News inan invention of his own. Taken abackbythestrangelooking vehicle, The Waterfalls pulled him in for an interview just to find out whatitwas.

“This is a small electric trike” Phillips said as he welcomedtheopportunityto tell The Waterfalls about his invention.

“I built it from scrap materials. I put (welded) togetherdifferentthingsand built this car It is

homemade, China in Guyana,” Phillips told The Waterfalls.

Thevehiclehastwoseats and slightly resembles an Indian rickshaw or threewheel bike However, Phillips’ version has a steering wheel, and pedals a n d a n a u t o m a t i c transmission like that of a smallcar

Toaddalittleflairtohis design, he used leatherette covering for the roof and sides of the car He also installed a basket like trunk

He has already visited the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to see if there is a possibility of registering his vehicle but since it’s the first of its kind everbuilt,itwasimpossible.

Nevertheless, Phillips hopes that the relevant authoritiescanrecognizethat Guyanesehavecapabilitiesin manufacturing their own vehicles and work on a system to have them legally registered

Once this hurdle is crossed, Phillips believes that he can move to the next stage of mass producing his invention.

“I can source parts from

Phillips posing next to the electric car he invented

China and make more right here in Guyana”, a positive Phillipsstated. Ifhegetstheopportunity

to move in that direction, he estimates that a car like his can be resold for around $450,000.

Linden’smotherofsevenenduredmany strugglestoseeherchildrenthroughschool

Despite not getting the education she desired, Linden mother of seven Rayann Jacobis endured many struggles to ensure that all of her seven children attended top highschoolsinGuyana. Earlier this month, Rayann proudly received the news that her smallest child

another

Many would believe that such an exceptionalconsecutiveachievementwould onlybepossibleasaresultofchildrenbeing raised in a stable home setting with all the materialthingsprovidedforthem

FortheJacob’sfamily,thiswasfarfrom the case. Rayann herself only attended a communityhighschoolandwhileshedid

Continued on page 62

Kaieteur News PAGE 54 Sunday July 30, 2023
Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall (left) takes a photo with Phillips’electric car Vanessa ZylinnaJacobiscoppedaplaceatQueen’s College at the National Grade Six Assessment. She also secured a place in RegionTen’stop10performers.Fiveyears ago, Rayann also celebrated daughter Zaria Jacobis who also copped a placeatQueen’sCollege.Herfivechildren before that also secured places at top schoolsinGuyana. Zylinna Jacobis Rayann Jacobis and her children

Naya Zamana promises euphoric display in 25th stage production slated for National Cultural Centre

The Guyana Hindu Dharmic

Sabhapromisestobeoneofthe biggest productions of the mesmerizing and ecstatic 25th production ofNayaZamana,tobeheldattheNational CulturalCentrefromAugust26,2023.

Dr Vindhya Persaud, current Minister ofHumanServicesandSocialSecurityand the founder, choreographer, and scriptwriter of Naya Zamana, reflected on how far it has come. Dr Persaud founded

theproductionin1994,alongsidehersister and main partner, Trishala Simantini Persaud.

Dr Persaudrelatedthatitisanamazing and incredible feeling to have, adding that sometimesitissurreal.

Shesaidnoonewouldbelieveallofthis was brought to life from just having the idea to bring young people together, to exploretheirtalents,developtheirinherent potential,andtogivethemtheplatformthat Naya Zamana has become to enable them to be creative, to express many positive

things and to give strong, powerful social messages.

Dr Persaud recalled that it was her fatherwhogaveherthenamefortheshow She said it describes what the show is all about — the new world, and, importantly, thenewgeneration.

She related that this year there might bemorepressuretoproducethebestshow yet Dr Persaud said that the two-and-ahalf-hour show will not just dazzle patrons, but also leave them yearning for more

She commended the hard work of her youngcast,mostofwhomarestudents,and whohavededicatedmostoftheirtimeand energy to ensuring that Naya Zamana is a success.

Ticketsforthemuch-anticipatedshow are currently available at MovieTowne Mall, the Dharmic Kendra, the National Cultural Centre, Red Mango, E-Net (on Camp Street and Giftland Mall), and Unique Innovations at Amazonia Mall. Persons can also call telephone number: 227-6181.

PANJAZZ 2023 delivers on canvas of vibrant, captivating steel pan artistry

In its 5th production, t h e h i g h l y anticipated, annual steel pan event hosted by PanJazz Concerts delivered an unforgettable celebration of the vibrant culture and captivating artistry of the steel pan, under the theme “PanJam: The Garden of Steel”.

From captivating steel pan ensembles and solo performances to energetic bandclashes,thestagecame alive with a fusion of talent, passion,andcreativity

Attendeeswereentralled in an outdoor, creative ambiance with a touch of natureattheBlackMagenta, GeorgetownClubonJuly23 last.

Event organiser and creatorofPanJazzConcerts, ReonMillersaidtheprimary objective of these concerts was to promote the rich culturalheritageofsteelpan and foster a deeper appreciation for the unique artform.

The diverse cultural items resonated with the audience and foster an atmosphere of inclusivity, encouraging everyone to celebrate and embrace the sharedexperience.

Patrons can also expect the clash of the bands, between Ansa McAl

ParksideSteelOrchestraand Guyana Police Force Steel Orchestra, battling “tune for tune” entertaining the audience with familiar Caribbeansounds.

Panjazz started in 2018 while Miller was a student, and over the years, it would have adapted different themes, hosted at different venues,whichcontributedto itbecomingthepremiersteel

pan event in Guyana, showcasing extraordinary talent, skill and creativity of m u s i c i a n s w h i l e successfully preserving and expanding the legacy of the iconicinstrument.

This year he said, in addition to the emphasis on creativity, they have added an awards component to honour veterans in the industry “One of the highlights of this year’s eventfeaturedapresentation

Scenes from Panjazz 2023

of the esteemed Lifetime AchievementAwards.

“Five individuals, who have made significant and lasting contributions to the steel pan industry, were honoured for their unparalleled dedication and exceptionalachievements.

The awards serve as a testament to their tireless efforts in advancing the artistry, innovation, and recognition of the steel pan locally, regionally and

internationally,”hesaid. These awardees are Colgrain Whyte, Oliver Pross, Michael Smith Snr., TerrenceBenjaminandCary Gillis.

The Garden of Steel is saidtoofferanengagingand inclusive experience for attendees of all ages and backgrounds, as it will feature a diverse range of cultural performances, ensuring there is something foreveryone.

Kaieteur News PAGE 55 Sunday July 30, 2023

‘Elite Wine & Grill Bar Member’s Club’ for an unforgettable experience

“Us young entrepreneurs create the stage for others to see the talent and drive young people have. We have the ability to work with our current environment to create something that can become big co-operations as years go by.”

Lookingforaplaceto enjoy some scrumptious meals and drinks, either for breakfast, lunch or dinner then ‘Elite Wine & Grill Bar Member’s Club’ has got just what you are lookingfor.

in charge of customer interaction, event pricing, scheduling events and booking customersinrelationtotheeventspace. During her exclusive interview with this

therecentyears,whilewewereinCovid19, food delivery was an up and coming business,whichIhadmanyissueswithas a customer buying from different fast

f o o d restaurants, whether it

w a s p o o r

c u s t o m e service, lo quality meals

or lack o variety in the

menu, ” she l i d

fant astic

, y e a r - o

C a r l Mckenzie.

Robin, is the managerwhoisinchargeofthe social media platforms, customer interaction, food purchasing, cooking of food, serving meals, menu editing, pricing, food additions, in relationtotherestaurant,whileherbrotheris

Co 1 pan m period.

Just some of the many dishes this business has to offer.

drawbacks, to ge being

ficientinthekitchentonotonlyadjustmy preferences, have fresh or fast and tions h e r s and amily, s h e h a s been workin t o t e a menu o seek dback openand would love it if customers couldtellmewhatIcandoto betterservethem.Itaketheir adviceandIworkwithitand so far, I have received great feedback from the adjustments I’ve made,” she revealed.

Inrelationtoreachingthe right customers, Robin related that she has invested timeandmoneyto

)

Kaieteur News PAGE 56 Sunday July 30, 2023
(Continuedonpage62
Young Entrepreneur
Young Entrepreneur, Robin Mckenzie Elite Wine & Grill Bar Member’s Club menu.

Guyanese author takes fictional writings to Hollywood, Trinidad screens

Amother of two began writing short stories in the late 1990's to teach her kidsvaluablelifelessonsina creative way, one in which she was sure to captivate their attention. She never envisioned that her ability to craft fictional pieces would one day make it to the grand screens across theCaribbean or the World, but today, her love for writing has blossomed beyond her wildestimaginations.

Geeta Outar-Sirjoo, a Guyanese born national, moved to the island of Trinidad when she was 20 years old. There, she spent most of her adult life raising her two children and developing her love for writing.

Though she never envisioned penning her stories,Sirjoostartedwriting her first book and had it publishedinTrinidadbackin 2013. This novel, 'Fortunate Disaster' was inspired by a dream Sirjoo told The Waterfalls that the details in her dream were so profound and kept provoking her until shestartedpenningtheentire thingtotellthestory

“Fortunate Disaster was my first book that was published in 2013. It was based on the monsoon rains in India. Every detail was given to me in a dream and this is what started my career,”shesaid.

The author explained that the book brings the love story to life of two young people in India, who were desperately pursuing an

educ ation

a n d w e r e atuated each other. enagers, to the author, were separated, after disaster struck, to two differentpartsoftheWorld.

While the young lady went on to study medicine, fate allowed the two young people to meet face to face 15 years after “The boy had developed temporary amnesia and the girl was a doctor, which is how they metupafterallthoseyearsin a different part of the world. Thoughtheywereseparated, they were constantly thinking of each other and this showed them it was love and not just infatuation,” the writershared.

Guyanesestories

G r o w i n g u p i n Annandale, Sirjoo as a young woman watched most of her family make a living by fishing activities. Her father would go out to fish, while her mother would vendthecatch.

Thoughshemigrated,the author wrote a special short story, 'Lone Survivor' that details the trials of fisherfolk. “This book was published last year and is a mixture of true events and fiction. It shares the tale of how lives were lost some year ago in a trawler accident. There was indeed an accident with the trawler that caused damages to smaller boats that were anchorednearby,”shesaid.

A second book 'Castles in the Sky' features a love, drama and success story Thisfictionalpiecetellshow a young Guyanese boy leaves his country in search of a better life in neighbouring Venezuela that was at the time in the prime ofitsoilproduction.

“It tells about the challenges that brought him back to Guyana. He built an empire in Guyana but as a result of trials, he reached rock bottom but he was able tobouncebackveryhigh.It's a love, drama, success all in one,”Sirjootipped.

As she progresses onto script writing, the talented authorisawaitingwordfrom a local producer on a Guyanese story 'Secrets in the Rupununi'

This work of fiction is about a migrant girl who got caught up in prostitution but became pregnant for a married man Sirjoo described the piece as a dangerous love triangle. She

said she looks forward to her writings coming to life on thisthrillingadventure.

Thebigscreens

While inTrinidad, Sirjoo published another book 'A Rainbow in the North' which she said is now being used foratelevisionseries.

Thebooksharesthestory of two friends who skipped India after encountering some challenges to live in Trinidad.

Sirjoo could not release more details about this novel but underscored her excitement for her vision to cometoreality

The Guyanese author said her collaboration with Stephen Lee Pow Studios

hasbeenasuccessasfilming has commenced for the televisionseries.

Perhaps on a larger screen however, Sirjoo is presentlytheleadwriterfora Hollywood movie that is expected to commence filmingsoon.

At the audition for the television series, based on her book, 'A Rainbow in the North' , she met two international actors who later introduced her to a Hollywood producer She eventually became the primary writer of a movie script that is in preproduction stages of the filming of a traditional east meetswesttypeoflovestory

movie.

Even as she works today on perfecting a craft, she developed while teaching her children, the Guyanese womansaidnoyoungperson should give up on their dreams.

“As a writer sometimes, you are depressed because you feel you are not going anywhere but you have to keep going after it; so I wouldsaydreamyourdream and go after it. Never give up,”sheencouraged.

Sirjoo's books are available for purchase at New Era Business and University of Success, Austin's Book Store, and Amazon.

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 57
Guyanese author, author Geeta Outar-Sirjoo Bagot The first novel penned by Guyanese author, Geeta Outar-Sirjoo. All the details of this love story were inspired by a dream she had. Castles in the Sky is a fictional tale of a Guyanese who left home in search of a better life in the then thriving Venezuela. Sirjoo's 'A Rainbow in the North' captivated the attention of a Trinidadian film maker and is presently being used for a television series.

From page 16 international body which alleged that there have been forestry sector, allowing was filed by the village no investigations into the them to conduct large-scale council of the indigenous incidents of violence and operations with duty-free CaribcommunityofChinese threats against village privileges for excavators, Landing, the Amerindian members, nor there has been logging loaders, bulldozers, Peoples Association of any assessment of the chainsaws, and tractors, Guyana and the Forest environmental, health, and further exacerbate the plight PeoplesProgramme. social impacts of the mining. of the nation. Lall openly It was noted that

It was also alleged that questions whether this members of the indigenous miners “appear to have flagrant disregard for the community are at risk in the a d v a n c e n o t i c e o f welfare of the Guyanese c o n t e x t o f a l l e g e d g o v e r n m e n t t e a m people amounts to nothing unconsented mining inspections, allowing them short of treason.The thought encroachment on titled time to conceal unregistered of witnessing hundreds of lands The applicants equipment”. Chinese individuals consider that this situation is

Additionally, officials shippingoutpontoons,laden part of a pattern of long- from the Environmental with resources, while the standing discrimination Protection Agency allegedly nation’s citizens struggle to against indigenous peoples informed the proposed secure a proper meal, stirs a and the prioritization of beneficiaries, in August righteous indignation in mining interests over 2022, that they did not take Lall’s soul. He recognises indigenous peoples’rights in water samples from Huri thatthenation’sleadersseem Guyana. Creek to test for mercury or unperturbed by this According to the otherpollutantsbecausethey indigenous community for State intervention and residents of Chinese egregious imbalance, where information provided by the had not come prepared for againstGGMCandMr W V assistance, coverage in the Landing are most concerned theinterestsofthepeopleare applicants, Guyanese any equipment for water concerning the mining p r e s s a n d b y a n about mercury pollution, as brazenly compromised for authorities had granted a testing. concession, without anthropologist’s report on they are aware that miners in the gains of foreign medium-scale mining COMMISSION’S allowing the case to proceed the situation in the village. the area use mercury to corporations. concession to Mr W V in DECISION to trial The proposed According to the request, recover gold in a process

Taking all points into beneficiariesappealed,anda women and children are called amalgamation. The disobedience, Lall, along Chinese Landing Carib account, the Commission decisionispending. especiallythreatened. mining area allegedly with his of the Kaieteur indigenous community in requested that Guyana take

In a defiant act of civil the titled lands of the

In the meantime, the DESTRUCTION, currently lacks any News and Kaieteur Radio 1995 (an area of land known the necessary measures to applicants stated that the SICKNESS & specialized equipment to plans to make a powerful as Tassawini), without protect the rights to life and Tassawini mining site which POLLUTION ensure the safe use of statement by staying home consulting or seeking the personal integrity of the sits in the middle of the A p a r t f r o m t h e mercury onJuly31,2023.Thisunited consentofthecommunity members of the Indigenous village’s titled lands is allegations of verbal and T h e p r o p o s e d front aims to send a strong The information by the Carib Community of negatively affecting the physical abuse, the beneficiaries also noted that message that they stand applicants further indicated Chinese Landing identified village and its members’ applicants also expressed therearenoadequatesettling against the wholesale that the Amerindian Act of as beneficiaries, with a lives, safety, livelihoods, concern that over the past or tailings ponds in the banditry perpetrated by 2006 requires medium-scale cultural, gender-based, and well-being, health, and year, mining activities in the mining area, with tailings foreign entities in collusion miners to sign an agreement age-appropriate perspective family life. It is alleged that Tassawini area have ponds that do exist with the country’s leaders, with a village council before to prevent threats, mine workers threaten intensified, with an increase overflowing into the Huri preying on Guyana’s they begin mining activities harassment,andotheractsof village members, which in the number of heavy-duty Creek. Instead of building cherished resources He intheirlands. violence against the prevents them from equipment entering the proper tailings ponds or passionatelycallsuponother According to the beneficiaries. engaging in their livelihood v i l l a g e , g r o w i n g dams,minershavebeenseen citizens to join in this act of applicants, in 2010, It also called for the activities both in the d e f o r e s t a t i o n a n d c r e a t i n g t e m p o r a r y protestandtakeaboldstance f o l l o w i n g r e p e a t e d Guyana Government to Tassawini area and other environmentaldestruction. structuressuchasamudwall against this systemic complaints by the village, a consult and agree upon the partsofthevillage. The applicants reported to divert the water Miners exploitation and violation of Guyana Geology and Mines measures to be adopted with According to the that from 2017 to 2021, the have also sometimes their nation’s precious Commission (“GGMC”) the beneficiaries and their application, violations miningarealost264hectares dumped tailings directly into heritage. officer issued a cease work representatives; and report against the village began of forest, five times the the creeks, the resolution order on Mr [W.V.] on the on the actions taken to intensifying in 2018 and amount lost from 2012 to outlined.

WEDNESDAY basis that Mr [W.V.] had no investigate the events that worsened after the 2021 2016. It was also stated that The applicants also agreement with Chinese led to the adoption of the decision from the High the Huri Creek, which runs indicated that they have Int’l Human Rights Body Landing to mine and as such commission’s precautionary Court. It is alleged that this alongside the Tassawini reported the situation to calls on Guyana to take was in violation of the measure, so as to prevent judicial decision led to an mining area and is one of the different State authorities, immediate action against AmerindianActof2006. s u c h e v e n t s f r o m increase in unwanted mining village’s main sources of both verbally and in written abuse ofAmerindians by Mr [W.V.] subsequently reoccurring. activity in the lands lawfully fresh water, is no longer communications In gold miners, police brought a claim against the

TheIACHRisaprincipal held by the Chinese Landing useable by villagers unless addition, the situation of the GGMCtocourt,andthecase and autonomous body of the indigenous community, water levels are high enough C h i n e s e L a n d i n g

The Inter-American made its way through the Organization of American which would irreparably thatcleanerwaterflowsback Community was also Commission on Human Guyanesejudiciaryandeven States (OAS), whose damageitstraditionalwayof in from the Barama River reportedtotheCommitteeon Rights (IACHR) recently landed before the Caribbean mandate stems from the lifeanditsenvironment. Residentsalsocannotusethe the Elimination of Racial issued Resolution 41/2023, Court of Justice (“CCJ”). OAS Charter and the

The applicants further Barama River for drinking Discrimination (“CERD”), in which it called on There, it was ruled that American Convention on alleged that the cited 2021 water anymore and some are w h i c h i s s u e d Guyanese authorities to GGMC officers had no HumanRights. judicial decision has also reportedly getting rashes recommendations to the implement a series of authoritytoissueceasework

The Inter-American resulted in an upsurge of a afterbathingintheriver State of Guyana In measures to protect the orders to enforce the Commission has the series of incidents of The commission was accordance with the I n d i g e n o u s C a r i b Amerindian Act 2006 mandate to promote the intimidation and assaults also told that the increased applicants, there have been Community of Chinese because there was no observance and defense of against the persons proposed and visible pollution of the no effective measures taken Landing. According to the established mechanism in human rights in the region as beneficiaries These rivers and health impacts to date. After widespread international body, the Carib the Act to allow GGMC and acts as an advisory body incidents are alleged to have villagers are experiencing media attention to the community which has officerstoenforcethatlaw totheOASonthematter been perpetrated by miners from use of the rivers situation, the State met with approximately 210 people is In March 2021, the DETAILS OFABUSE and members of the testifies to that expansion of the Chinese Landing Toshao currently at serious, urgent proposed Amerindian AGAINST INDIGENOUS Guyanese police, acting in mining activity For on July 14, 2022, and risk of suffering irreparable beneficiaries brought their COMMUNITY support of the miners. The example, the proposed promised to send a team to harm to their human rights case to the judiciary It is E x t r a c t e d f r o m application stated that some beneficiaries reported that investigate. by miners and even some reported that, in September Commission’s 18-page of these incidents were the use of the Huri Creek While the Guyana membersofthepoliceforce. 2021, the Guyana High resolution documented by the affected water causes rashes, authorities have sent teams Details of those risks are Court dismissed the claim

1. InSeptember community in letters written vomiting,anddiarrhoea. in to inspect the mining outlined in a petition to the filedbytheChineseLanding (Continued on page 59) toStateauthoritiesappealing Accordingtotherequest, activities, the applicants

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 58
Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall

From page 58 competitiveness.

During a press conference in April 2018, the proposed beneficiary Mr “They (PwC) did a report and however, he publicly committed to Selwyn Miller was threatened by based on that report we established releasing the fiscal terms for all twoofficersoftheTacticalServices the mining regime, since then we mining agreements. This was the Unit of the Guyana Police Force havehadstabilityinthatregime,we second time the Vice President and by Mr I.A., the mine’s general have not changed it much with the promised to “personally intervene” manager, to remove his house from exception of 2010-2011 I think just for the release of the fiscal terms of its location inside the mining beforeIleft,”Jagdeosaid. alllarge-scaleminingcontracts. concession. He was told that if he

The Vice President explained The Vice President made a did not leave his house by the that it was implemented when the similar commitment in August following morning, the miners price of gold went beyond 2022 during an appearance on ‘The would knock it over with an US$1000 per ounce, large-scale Glenn Lall Show’ airedonKaieteur excavator while his wife and mining companies’ royalty would Radio. While appearing on that children were still inside Mr raisefrom5%to8%. radio programme, he told the Miller relocated all of his “So our regime has not Kaieteur News’ publisher, Glenn belongings over the course of changed, our fiscal regime in the Lall, “I don’t see the reason why several trips in the middle of the goldminingsectorhasnotchanged many of these are not in the public night, and had to abandon his in 20 odd years, it remains the domain already I’ll find out about cassava farm, fruit trees, mining same,”Jagdeofurtherstated. it.” camp, and other property Mr I.A.

On Thursday, this publication When pressed further Jagdeo stoppedMr Miller’schildrenwhile reported that Canadian mining said, “I can undertake to find out they were walking in the village to company, Alerio Gold Mines has with you there, what the GRA question them about their father, hailed Guyana as a country with [Guyana Revenue Authority] is so and even asked whether he owned favourable mining laws and strong cagey about that it doesn’t want to anyfirearms. support from a pro-mining release… I will undertake anything

2.OnApril1st,2021,agroupof government. This was relayed in a thatisnon-propriety,thatyougetit. withalongknife. phones taken and destroyed Chinese Landing Village members presentation on their gold mining I will personally now see that this

9.AroundAugustorSeptember Meanwhile, miners take triedtoblocktheroadintothemine projects in Guyana to investors happen.” 2021, while passing through Mr photographsandvideosofvillagers sitetoprotesttheminers’disrespect recently Alerio is the same gold However, despite the Vice W V’s mining concessions to and the village, and village for the village’s authority over its company that had told its investors President’s promises, the contracts access hunting and fishing areas, members have also noticed drones titled lands. One of Mr W.V.’s thatthereis“goldfever”inGuyana. remainhidden. the proposed beneficiary Mr Ray flying over the village, and employees instructed another to According to the company’s Roberts was stopped by police particularly over the community ridehisATVoveravillageresident, website,somereasonswhyGuyana Four years later… officers, held at gunpoint, and Toshao’s house (the community’s who was holding her baby at the is a good choice to invest are No definitive timeline yet for searched.Theofficerstoldhimthey leader). time,standinginthepath. because of: the country’s completion of first audit of were searching for guns, These actions are causing fears

3. On August 10th, 2021, a 14- establishedMiningAct,it’slocated Exxon’s US$1.6B in expenses ammunition, and drugs They of surveillance by the miners. The year-old girl was grabbed by a in a Region with a rich history of foundnothing.

Toshao of the village is regularly miner, who put his gun against her economicalgolddeposits,andhave Four years after contracting a

Notably, Alerio entered expenses between the period 1999- mining work grounds and Members of Chinese Landing

10.OnJune5th,2022,Mr I.A., verbally abused and threatened by back and tried to rape her The favorable mining laws and Britishfirm,IHS-Markittoconduct the mine’s general manager, the miners, who sometimes mime attempted rape was reported to the governmentsupport. anauditofoilmajor,ExxonMobil’s proceeded to some villagers’ shootinghimwithagun. police.

4. On August 13th, 2021, four Guyana’s mining industry in June 2017, Guyana is still to verify threatened to shoot up their whodotheirownmininghavebeen Tactical Services Unit officers 2021, and had announced its whether some US$1.6 billion in equipment if they did not remove it threatened to stop their operations accompanied by the general presenceinthecountryviamultiple costswereoverstated. voluntarily Again, on June 14th, or have their equipment shot at and manager of the mine searched the pressstatementsithadpostedonits Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo 2022,heenteredthevillagewithout forciblyremoved,eventhoughthey dredge camp of proposed website Notably, while the on Thursday during his weekly permission and proceed to the do not work inside the mining beneficiary V Millington, company was sure to announce its press conference provided an mining area, where he verbally concessions. reportedlyfordrugsandguns.They presence in Guyana via its website, update on the process, indicating abused villagers and threatened to found nothing at the resident’s the Guyanese government made no only that the Guyana Revenue shoot up their equipment at FRIDAY camp. formalannouncementtoitscitizens Authority (GRA) is likely to gunpoint.

In addition to these specific Royalty paid on gold stuck for 2021, the proposed beneficiary Mr SECRECY OF CONTRACTS said he met with the Commissioner recorded incidents, residents two decades at 5-8% – Jagdeo Ray Roberts’s mining equipment

5. On or around August 18th, aboutthearrivalofAlerioGold. conclude the process soon. Jagdeo

While foreign companies have General of GRA, Godfrey Statia reported that there are daily acts of was taken without his consent into beenrushingtocashinonthe“gold and Natural Resources Minister, intimidation and harassment that For the past 20 years, Guyana Mr.W.V.’sminingconcessions. fever” in Guyana, the country has Vickram Bharrat on Wednesday are creating pervasive fear in the has been receiving either 5 or 8%

6. On or around August 21st, been suffering massive declines in when he instructed that the audits village. Miners regularly discharge royalties from the large-scale 2021, an authority from GGMC, itsannualdeclarationssince2017. be completed swiftly. I told them theirfirearmsatnight.Oneresident miningcompaniesoperatinghere. accompanied by Tactical Services

KaieteurNewshasrequestedon they got to move swiftly and wrap reported that one time she heard This was revealed on Thursday Unit officers, searched the home of several occasions, the release the this up. The Commissioner gunshots while still in her cassava by Vice President (VP) Bharrat the proposed beneficiary Ulric mining contracts, particularly indicated that he believes that they farm at night and was too scared to Jagdeo, during his weekly press Robertsandattemptedtosearchthe large-scale mining contracts by the canwrapuptheoldauditverysoon leave, out of fear that a stray bullet conferenceheldatFreedomHouse, home of the proposed beneficiary GovernmentofGuyana. and make serious progress on the might hit her. Many of the miners RobbStreet,Georgetown. OralFernandes.

In 2019, when Guyana became newone,”Jagdeosaid. carry guns including high-powered The Vice President was asked

7 On August 23rd, 2021, a member of the Extractive The new audit, which the VP rifles, both on and off the mining whether Guyana’s mining laws are proposed beneficiary Mr Elwin Industries Transparency Initiative was referring to was the US$7.3 workgrounds. favourable to foreign companies Peters, then 19 years old, was (EITI), the country agreed to billion cost oil audit, awarded to

Multiple residents have also based on a story published in the passing through the mining area.A adhere to several requirements. In VHE Consulting which is a beensearchedatgunpointbypolice Thursday, July 27, 2023 edition of security officer employed by Mr this case, EITI requirement 2.4 (a) registered partnership between and mining company personnel the Kaieteur News titled, “Guyana

W V slapped him and took away of the 2019 Standard states that Ramdihal & Haynes Inc, Eclisar without reasonable justification. has favorable mining laws, with his phone, demanding to see if he Guyanashouldpubliclydiscloseall Financial, and Vitality Accounting

One woman was told by a drunk govt support Canadian Gold had taken any photos of the miners mineral agreements entered into & Consultancy Inc. The Local miner that he would “kill all of the Companytellsinvestors.” working. The three others who force prior to the reporting period, Consortium was supported by Amerindians”inthevillage. In his response, the Vice were with Mr Peters at the time in this case, 2019. Although the international firms – SGS and President stated that in the 1990’s were chased by the security officer requirements were known to the MartindaleConsultants. Miners have also assaulted the People’s Progressive Party with an iron bar but managed to administration, it continued to Back in April, Jagdeo reported villagemembers’petsanddamaged Civic (PPP/C) administration escape. make excuses to avoid the release that government received the final property through actions such as c o n t r a c t e d

8. In 2021, [XY], then aged 64 ofthesecontracts. reportfromtheteamofauditors.He throwing bricks. When villagers PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) or 65, was returning from a fishing

In this vain, this newspaper explained, “The report has been attempttophotographtheminesite InternationalLimited,toreviewthe trip, and was stopped by miners reported in December 2022 that concluded and it’s now with the orequipment,theyaretoldthat“we country’s mining regime, and who wanted to question her about Vice President Jagdeo dodged the technicalpeopleandI’mnotgoing will mash it [your phones] up”, and where the country was globally in her son. The miners threatened her matter on four different occasions. (Continued on page 60) several villagers have had their terms of gold production and

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 59
Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo

From page 59

Permian production s u s t a i n a b i l i t y a n d that Guyana is among to…they have to review it, achieved a remarkable responsible environmental several countries that the GRA (Guyana Revenue r e c o r d , p r o d u c i n g practices. contributed to its US$8.10B Authority), the technical approximately 620,000 oil Exxon’s CEO, Darren profit recorded within three group and they have to then equivalent barrels a day Woods, expressed high months (March 31 to June make a (pronouncement). I (oebd). Meanwhile, Guyana praise for the outstanding 30,2023). amnotinterfering.” achieved a record gross performance delivered by Schlumberger is the

While the findings of the production of 380,000 Guyana and the Permian. He company involved with the US-multibillion dollar barrelsofoilperday Mikells stated that Exxon anticipates handling of radioactive review remain unknown, a pointedoutthat,comparedto achieving an average materials, used during leaked report of the initial the same quarter last year, Permian production of productionactivities. findings of Exxon’s US$1.6

Exxon’s global supply approximately 600,000 oil- O n J u l y 2 1 , billion bills revealed that received a boost of around equivalent barrels per day in Schlumberger revealed that some US$214 million could 90,000oebdfromthegrowth 2023 Looking further revenue of the US$8 10 be contested by the in Guyana and the Permian, ahead, the company expects billion profit reveals a state Back in September effectivelycompensatingfor Permian production to sequentially increase. It was 2019, the APNU+AFC natural depletion. The CFO escalate to about 1 million s t a t e d t h a t i n t h e regime had awarded a also mentioned that this net oil-equivalent barrels per international markets, the contract to IHS Markit to g r o w t h h e l p e d dayby2027. investment momentum of audit the bills which counterbalancetheimpactof Regarding Guyana, the past few years is ExxonMobil said it spent divestmentsinRussia. Woods highlighted the accelerating. The company between1999and2017. Furthermore, the CFO projected increase in noted that this is supported staff (overlooking the billion.

Meanwhile, the review revealed Exxon’s strategic production. He stated that by resilient long-cycle process) for two years. It is The second-quarter of the company’s US$7.3 e ff o r t s t o e n h a n c e Exxon envisions the developments in Guyana, not secret…It is available to shareholder distributions billion costs was awarded competitiveness by potential to raise the Brazil, Norway and Turkey; thetechnicalstaff.” amounted to US$8.0 billion, sinceMay,2022. expanding low-cost-of- combined gross capacity of production capacity which included US$4 3

The Stabroek Block supply assets and divesting the Liza Destiny and Liza expansion in the Middle SATURDAY billion used for share Production Sharing non-strategic, mature assets. Unity FPSOs to over East, notably in Saudi repurchases and US$3 7 Agreement (PSA) allows for She highlighted that the 400,000barrelsofoilperday Arabia, United Arab

Exxon banks US$19.5B billionfordividends. auditstobeconductedwithin volumes from the Permian t h r o u g h f u r t h e r Emirates (UAE) and Qatar; in six months citing E x x o n M o b i l two years, from the end of and Guyana yielded double debottlenecking This the return of exploration and “record performance” in Corporation also declared a each calendar year At the the unit earnings compared represents an almost 20% appraisal across Africa and Guyana third-quarter dividend of conclusion of the process, to the volumes from assets increase above the initial the Eastern Mediterranean; -reveals plans to up US$0.91 per share, payable the Contractor must be divestedinthepreviousyear investment basis, which he and the recognition of gas as production on September 11, 2023, to furnishedwiththereportand Liquid volumes saw a 2% considers a testament to the a critical fuel source for at two Liza ships beyond shareholders of Common itsfindingswithin60daysto increaseincomparisontothe ingenuityoftheirworkforce. energy security and the 400,000 barrels a day Stock on record as ofAugust provide a response The second quarter of 2022, Notably, Guyana’s energytransition. 16,2023. response from Exxon will largely driven by growth in Stabroek Block has already The company’s Chief E x x o n M o b i l CEO Darren Woods detail its objection or Guyana and the Permian. yielded over 11 billion Executive Officer (CEO), Corporation, an American expressed his satisfaction acceptance of the audit However, gas volumes barrels, and Exxon’s O l i v i e r L e P e u c h multinational, revealed that w i t h t h e q u a r t e r ’s c l a i m , a l o n g w i t h decreased by 12%, primarily Executivesareconfidentthat commented, “I am very it achieved a profit of performance, highlighting explanations thereof The duetodivestments. the company’s Upstream pleased with our secondUS$7.9 billion or US$1.94 that it was twice as high as contract also allows the Mikells underscored that business is well-positioned quarter results, which reflect per share in the second the earnings in the second subject minister to conduct the additional barrels to meet the surging demand significant growth in the quarter of 2023. This figure quarter of 2018 under further investigations within produced in Guyana and the foroilandnaturalgas. international markets, marks a significant decline comparable industry 60 days of receiving the Permian not only have cost particularly in the Middle of US$3.7 billion compared commodity prices He Contractor’sresponse. advantages but also exhibit Guyana contributed to East & Asia, and offshore. to its earnings of US$11.6 attributed this doubling of The length of time the some of the lowest-carbon Schlumberger’s US$8B North America revenue also billioninthefirstquarter earnings to the company’s audit report is taking to be intensity within Exxon’s profit within three months grew sequentially benefiting C o m p a r i n g t h e efforts in reshaping its completed, has caused some portfolio This she said from our agility across the performance to the second business portfolio, investing degree of concern among reflects the company’s United States firm, most resilient basins and quarter of 2022, the decline in advantageous projects, observers. Some individuals c o m m i t m e n t t o Schlumberger, has revealed market segments, although in profits is even more and enhancing efficiency have said, for example, that the rig count in the area pronounced, as the company andeffectiveness. authorities should properly declined.” had earned an additional Furthermore, Woods explain why it is taking so

According to Le Peuch, US$10 billion during that emphasized that these long to complete an audit for “As the up-cycle continues period, totaling US$17 9 a c h i e v e m e n t s a l s o a company when the Audit to unfold, we are excited billion. demonstrate the company’s Office of Guyana takes about the opportunities for

The decrease in profits progress in addressing the approximately 12 months to o u r b u s i n e s s , w i t h during the second quarter of dual challenge of meeting auditandproduceareporton international- and offshore2023 was attributed to lower the world’s energy and thenation’saccounts. led growth fueling strong natural gas realizations and essential product needs

There are also concerns pretax segment operating industry refining margins, as whilereducingemissions. about the accelerated pace at margin expansion and cash stated by Exxon during its During the earnings call, which government is flows as highlighted in this earningscall. ExxonMobil’s Senior Vice approving oil projects and quarter’sresults.Wearevery

Despitethedipinprofits, President, Kathy Mikells, the difficulties that would well positioned in these thecompanystillmanagedto was keen to highlight the ensue for cost regulation and markets, as international accumulate a substantial outstanding performance of monitoring since it is still represents nearly 80% of our US$19.5 billion in earnings thecompany’sadvantageous stuck at auditing costs global revenue, and offshore forthefirsthalfof2023. projects in Guyana and the associated with the 1999 to constitutes approximately

Regarding cash flow Permian, USA She 2017era. h a l f o f t h a t B o t h from operations, Exxon emphasized that these Jagdeo previously said sequentially and year on reported a total of US$9.4 projects made significant that these concerns were year, we saw broad billion The company’s contributions to the justifiable The Vice internationalrevenuegrowth capital and exploration company’s strong volume President said, “The that resulted in margins expenditures were US$6.2 performance during the criticism about the length of expanding across all billion in the second quarter secondquarterof2023. timeitistakingisfairbutthis divisions and geographical and US$12.5 billion for the Discussing Exxon’s audit is being done between areas.” firsthalfof2023,inlinewith Upstream businesses, the GRA and the Ministry of The CEO underscored its full-year guidance of Chief Financial Officer Natural Resources with a thatcomparedtothesame US$23 billion to US$25 (CFO) reported that the minimum of 20 technical (Continued on page 61)

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 60
ExxonMobil’s CEO, Darren Woods

Cybercrime victim still awaiting justice two years after making report

Twoyearsaftera29- Kaieteur News saidbecauseoftherunning thematterandhesaidthat year-oldmotherofthreewas confirmedwithpolicethat aroundshehasbeengetting, the case file has been allegedly cyber-bullied by Huntedidlodgeapolice thatjusticewouldnotbe returned to the DPP and multiple persons on reportin2021andthatthe served. investigators are awaiting Facebook,policeareyetto investigationisstillongoing. Kaieteur News legaladvicetoproceedwith concludethecase. Some persons were understands,however,that thematter.

The victim, Destiny subsequently arrested but the file had reached the Meanwhile,Huntetold Hunte,told Kaieteur News laterreleasedonstationbail office of the Director of Kaieteur News that she thatin2021,shemadea pending further Public Prosecution (DPP) wants justice because the policereporttotheCoveand investigations. butwasreturnedtopolicefor Facebook posts have John Police Station, East Hunteallegedthatshe continuedinvestigations. tarnishedherreputation.The CoastofDemerara(ECD) hasbeenfollowing-upwith Kaieteur News contacted womansaidthatthesuspects but to date the alleged policeforupdatesonthe East Coast Police accused her many perpetratorsareyettobe investigationbuthasbeen Commander, Khali derogatorythingsthathave charged. pushedaround.Thewoman Pareshramforanupdateon stainedhercharacter Hunteshowed Kaieteur News evidence of the Facebookpostsmadeabout herandthecommentsthat wereattached.Shehassince deniedtheallegationsmade againstheronFacebookand said that the baseless allegations may have contributed to her losing custodyofhertwoyoung childrenagesfiveandsix. alleged.

$100M Digital X-ray machine commissioned at Diamond Hospital

evaluation at the

Thewomanallegedthat Kaieteur News hassince GeorgetownPublicHospital shortlyafterthepostswere contactedtoCPA’sDirector, Corporation(GPHC)which made,shereceivedacall Levine Gouveia to get a provedthatsheisofsound whileatworktovisitthe betterunderstandingofwhat mind.

ChildCareandProtection transpiredbutshedeclinedto Shealsodidadrugtest Agency(CPA).Shesaidthat comment. whichreturnednegative. afterarrivingattheagency, This publication also Hunte hopes that the shewasinformedthatthe made several attempts to results and the police childrenwouldbeplacedin contactMinisterofHuman investigationcanhelpclear fostercare. Services and Social hernamesothatshecanhave

“ThemsayhowIhad Protection, Dr Vindhya herchildrenback. abandonedmychildrenfor Persaudforsomeclaritybut Itshouldbenotedthat sevendaysbutthatwasnot callswereunansweredand whileHunte’scasehasbeen true;Ibelievethatthesame no responses provided to ongoingfortwoyears,other peopledehbehindit…Itried WhatsAppmessages. Cyber-bullyingcaseswhere to explain myself to de Inabidtoclearhername governmentpoliticiansand peopleandthemreplydat andprovethattheFacebook prominentarevictimshave whenIhaveastablejobanda postswerealllies,Huntehas seentheallegedperpetrators stableplacetolive,”Hunte undergone a psychiatric beingchargedinshortatime.

Anew$100Mdigitalx- Hospitalwasofficiallyre- thisyear,some14hospitals ray machine was on commissioned as a willbeintegratedintothe Saturday commissioned at “SMART” hospital PACsystemand“morethan the Diamond Regional followingupgradestothe 60percentofallthex-rays Hospital. tuneof$222millionwhich doneinthese14hospitals

The digital x-ray aidedintheimplementation would have been led by machinewillimprovethe of new safety measures, radiologistattheGPHC.” services offered at the contingencyprovisions,and ThePACsystemisa hospital.Itwasreceivedby greentechnologytoprovide medical imaging Dr Gavinash Persaud, thecommunitywithamuch- technologyusedprimarily RegionalHealthOfficerof improvedpatientexperience inhealthcareorganizations Region Four at a simple andservice. to securely store and ceremony Duringthelaunchofthe digitallytransmitelectronic MinisterofHealth,Dr ElectronicMedicalRecords images and clinicallyFrankAnthonysaidthatwith (EMR)systemattheGPHC relevantreports.Theuseof the addition of the new onFriday,Advisortothe PACSeliminatestheneedto digitalx-raymachine,the Minister of Health, Dr manually file and store, films/imageswillbestored LeslieRamsammysaidthat retrieveandsendsensitive on an electronic database apatientwhowillhaveanx- information, films and which will allow medical raydoneattheDiamond reports. practitioners to access Hospital,willhavea“real-

The GPHC on Friday patients’ records at the time interpretation of the launcheditsEMRsystemat country’s main referral images”byaradiologistat its Medical Clinic, which hospitaloranyotherhealth the GPHC, utilizing the wouldseepatients’records facilitythatutilisesthesame Picture Archiving and movingfromapaper-based machine. Communication (PAC) systemtoanelectronicone.

TheGeorgetownPublic system which has been According to Dr Hospital Corporation pioneeredinthecountryat Ramsammy,thePACsystem (GPHC) has two similar theGPHC. willalsohavethecapacityto machines. According to Dr be linked to the EMR

TheDiamondRegional Ramsammy,bytheendof system.

From page 60 explorationforoilandgasoffshoreGuyana, periodayearago,internationalrevenuegrew itoperatedremotelyfromanestablishedbase 21%, outpacing North America which inTrinidad. increasedby14%.

“However,itquicklybecameobvious,as Hesaid,“Yearonyear,revenuegrew20% thesuccessfulexploratorywellsindicated and pretax segment operating margin very large commercial deposits, that a expanded240basispoints(bps),representing permanentbaseinGuyanatosupportthese the tenth straight quarter that we have operationswasessential.Atthesametime, increased our pretax segment operating Schlumbergerdecidedthattheimportanceof marginyearonyear.Thiswasdrivenbythe Guyanaasafutureregionalleaderinoiland internationalmarkets,wherewepostedour gasproductionjustifiedmovingourregional highestyear-on-yearincrementalmarginin Headquarters to Georgetown and to the last three years, demonstrating the maximizetheparticipationoftheGuyanese earningspowerofouroperationsinthese economyandpopulationintheiroperations,” markets.” thecompanystated.

A few months ago, Kaieteur News Itisunderstoodthatthenewregional reportedthatthecompanyismovingits headquartershasbeenunderdevelopmentby regional headquarters from Trinidad to Schlumbergeroverthelastfouryearsinwhat Georgetown,Guyana. waspreviouslytheoldGafoorsHouston

Schlumbergerhadestablishedanofficeat Warehousing property The property Houston,GreaterGeorgetown,fromwhereit currently functions as Schlumberger’s carriedoutitsoperationsincountry,whenit Regional Headquarters and Offshore washauledbeforethelocalCourtbycitizens, ServicesBase. challengingthesafetyofaradioactivefacility ThefacilityincludesaLiquidMudPlant, project. DryBulkFacility,andWorkshopfacilitiesto

Infact,theHighCourthadissuedanorder supporttheoffshoredrillingandproduction fortheoperationstobeceased. operations by the Esso Exploration and Injustifyingthemove,thecompany ProductionGuyanaLimited(EEPGL)and explainedthatduringtheinitialphaseof otheroilandgasoperators.

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 61
The newly commissioned $100M Digital X-rays at the Diamond Regional Hospital (Photo credit, DPI) Cybercrime victim, Destiny Hunte

‘Elite Wine & Grill Bar Member’s...

From page 56 consistently encourage the people of Guyana to give their business a try, because it would mean a lot to her to see people enjoying her food.

can create many locations for those all over Guyana to enjoy and maybe even internationally if possible.

many recent developments they have been contributing to society.

WANTED VACANCY

One experienced low bed Driver needed. Must be able to load and off load equipments. Call: 644-7088.

One male and female ablebodied Staff needed to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 2261497, 658-8559.

Wanted: Experienced Puri Maker, Cashier, Counter Person, Labourer and Cleaner. Apply at Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts.

One live in Housekeeper needed to work in Virginia, USA. Ages 30-50 yrs. Call: 592-615-5476/ 845-325-8241.

Receptionist needed for hotel. Contact: 223-5273/74.

Diesel Mechanic wanted. Attractive salary offered. Contact: 688-0417/ 677-9010.

One Male needed to work in Hardware store, ages 25-45 years. Must be computer literate residing on WCD or WBD. Call: 624-0239.

1 Woodmizer edger Operator wanted. Call: 697-0852.

One Housekeeper needed to work 5 days per week in Georgetown. Call: 629-4834.

Wanted: Workers to work on Cash Crop Farm, $6000 per day. Call: 695-6139, 679-7552.

One experienced Domestic needed to work 3 days per week in Bel-Air Park. Call: 226-2322.

One Handyman needed to work 3 days per week in BelAir Park. Call: 226-2322.

Experienced Land dredge

Workers and male Cook needed to work in the Interior. Call: 684-1030.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call: 6159132.

One Salesman, 3 subjects cxc, experience in writing bills, stocktaking & cashing. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. General Domestic needed to work 4 days per week, must know to cook. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office.Must have grade 1or 2 Maths and English. Email: techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

One office Assistant needed. Experience will be an asset. Call: 688-7911.

Sales Clerks, Delivery Clerks, Warehouse Manager & Graphic Designer needed. Apply at: Lens 136 Sheriff Street next to Buddys/ Pizzahut. Call: 227-2486/ 2271511, lensgy@outlook.com

We are now hiring Counter Attendants @ Dian's Deli, Bar St Kitty. Opening hours 6:30 am-12:00. Call: 621-7862, 225-3700/ 225-6478.

Taking it one step at a time, the cuisine talented entrepreneur said that in terms of taking her business to higher heights, the long-term goal really is to build a name for her restaurant so that she

“I have many big ideas and I pray that with patience and careful thinking, they can all come to fruition.”

This week’s Young Entrepreneur is of the belief that persons such as her play a very important role in the country, especially with the

The Story of Guinness® Smooth...

From page 52 Brew Master, Mr. Matthew Kendall, Guinness Smooth is a bittersweet mix of hops, malt & roasted barley which gives it a rich chocolate and coffee flavour. It is brewed with a robust yeast and one third of the bitterness of Guinness Foreign Extra Stout.

“The fermentation profile of Guinness Smooth differs from Guinness Stout as it undergoes an early cessation to enhance its full-bodied nature and provide a delicate sweetness which is even compounded by the rich creamy mouth-feel that comes from the presence of the diacetyl that is as a result of this halted fermentation,” Kendall said.

In Guyana, Guinness Smooth is being brewed under the watchful eyes of a Third-Party Operations (TPO) officer who ensures that there is strict adherence to the nu-

merous operational and quality standards as outlined in the brand technical manual. According to Kendall, “This adherence to strict quality control measures fits well within Banks DIH’s brewery mandate to ensure that we have products of the highest quality.”

The perfect balance of strength and smoothness, brewed to deliver that rich distinctive taste of Guinness with enhanced characteristics, Guinness Smooth is where tradition meets innovation.

Try one today and experience the smooth side of Guinness. Deliciously refreshing, rewarding and extremely satisfying.

Guinness Smooth delivers another level of greatness. To consume Guinness Smooth, you must be 18 years or older.

Aloe Vera...

From page 51 essential part in maintaining healthy hair follicles. It has been used to improve hair health and lessen breakage, and can also control greasy hair. Aloe Vera has enzymes that break down fats and strips your hair of any extra oil (sebum).

Aloe Vera also works at improving scalp health and work to treat itchy scalps. Researchers have found that Aloe Vera can significantly decrease the scaliness and

“Us young entrepreneurs create the stage for others to see the talent and drive young people have.

We have the ability to work with our current environment to create something that can become big co-operations as years go by,” she said.

She added that they also inspire others and show them not to be afraid to create a name for themselves.

“My mother started off as a young entrepreneur in her 20s with her own business and it has grown to create its own name today.

Seeing that as her only daughter has made me less afraid to try new things and even if I may fail once or twice, I know to continue trying until I succeed because my mother raised no quitter,”

Robin expressed. When asked what more she thinks can be done to boost small businesses, she suggested for there to be more platforms/events within Guyana, which would help owners seek the opportunity to interact with the general public and potential customers.

“I am certain there are many Guyanese searching for things that are available locally but lack the means to source it, especially those who lack the understanding of social media,” thus she calls for more platforms that provide exposure to be established.

For persons interested in the services of Elite Wine & Grill Bar Member’s Club, you can check them out on Facebook or contact Robin and her brother on telephone numbers (592) 617-4170 or 618-7304.

Linden’s mother of seven...

From page 54 make efforts to further her studies after, her family’s financial challenges, did not permit her. She however knew from the onset she wanted better for her children’s academic future. This meant she had to ‘hustle’ to make ends meet.

Mackenzie High School because of not being able to afford the cost attached to travelling from Linden to Georgetown daily. Zaria was only able to do attend Queen’s College through sponsorship.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Property for sale in L.B.I, ECD and Golden Grove, EBD. Call Persaud Real Estate: 653-2477/ 685-6874.

SERVICES

Visa Application to Canada and U.S.A, graphics design, advertisements,USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 6267040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

For the completion of US & Canadian non-immigrant visa applications and Guyana passport applications. Call/whatsApp: 595645-5695.

VEHICLES

FOR SALE

One CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

FOR SALE

Over 500 lbs plantain for sale. Call: 688-0417.

13,000 litre fuel tank. Contact: 691-3112.

itchiness on the scalp.

Here are some tips on how to use Aloe Vera for your hair: Hair and scalp treatment: You can directly apply Aloe Vera gel to your hair and scalp. Work it with your hands into your scalp, hair, and ends.

To help seal the moisture, apply a few drops of castor oil and massage in. Leave the Aloe Vera in for about 30 minutes, and then rinse off.

Greasy Hair:

Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera gel with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 cup of water. After shampooing, rinse with this solution, leave for a few minutes, and then rinse again.

Thickening of Hair:

If you want u can blend the Aloe Vera gel or just mix with hand.

First massage it into scalp, hair and ends. Let it set for 20 – 30 Minutes, then rinse out, you can do this method two times a week.

You can also make Aloe Vera Oil First step- Extract gel

Second Step - Place in blender with any hair oil of your choice, about 1 cup, depending on how much Aloe Vera gel you use

“I use to work in Bourda Market before coming up here (Linden) and I would do anything to ensure my children get an education. I would do all odd jobs for my children, wash clothes, press, sell, I was determined for them to get the best,” the proud mother said.

Her husband also provided and played a pivotal role in the family’s life but providing for seven children was no easy task.

“For me, I never went to no high school, I went to a community high school and I wanted better for my children, I wanted them to go to the best schools and I worked hard to support them,” she said.

Speaking of her daughter, Zylinna’s success, she said she is happy she followed in the footsteps of her older siblings.

The process was challenging for her and consisted of many long school days, late nights and early mornings. Her older siblings also ensured Zylinna matched their success by supporting and tutoring her.

She sadly reminisced on having to quit her studies and enter the world of work to support her other sibling’s education but, Rayann is determined to not have to choose between the two siblings as her only daughter who sat Caribbean Secondary Examination Council this year is desirous of pursuing law at The Bishop’s High at Six Form.

Sending both children to school in Georgetown will be challenging.

“I don’t want to choose between who can go and who can stay…I don’t want what happened to me to happen to my children as well,” she explained. With faith however Rayann, who works as a saleswoman at a vegetable store, hopes that Zylinna will be able to attend the school of her dreams since she worked very hard to achieve it.

FOR RENT

One bottom flat and storage space available in Vreed-enHoop suitable for clinics, salon/ barber shop, taxi service, office, etc. Call: 683-4281.

Third Step- After blending, proceed to but the mixture in a pan and let it boil for 5 – 7 minutes Fourth StepAfter the said time you’ll see some residue and the oil, strain it let it cool.

Now that Zylinna is preparing to attend Queen’s College, her mother’s worry is that she is indeed able to do so. Since the family resides in Linden, taking a bus to Georgetown daily is costly, more so that two children will be attending school in Georgetown.

For her son, a decision had to be made to transfer him from St. Stanislaus College to

PAGE 62 Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023
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Victims of Mahdia Dorms fire need continuous Govt. assistance - APA

The Amerindian P e o p l e s Association (APA)onSaturdaycalledon the Government of Guyana to provide continuous support to the survivors and families of those who lost their lives in the May 21, 2023 Mahdia Secondary

Female Dormitory fire which claimed 20 lives.The APAin a statement said that the government has been providingminimalresources to assist the badly traumatized victims of the fire. The body said that while it commends the government for its initial

response to the preventable disaster and the subsequent arrangements for the funerals of the deceased girls,thegroupnotesthatthe communities of Micobie, Chenapou, Karisparu, El Paso and others continue to grieve the loss of 20 young children,andtherushtohave

GYSBI triumphs as Local Content Champion...

Frompage53 employed. In 2021, GYSBI successfully organized three job fairs across Regions Three and Four, drawing an impressive turnout of over 1500 individuals. Many of theseattendeesweresubsequentlyemployed and now play pivotal roles in supporting GYSBI’soperationalendeavors.

Notably, the company recently orchestrated an extensive career fair in Region Three to support a crucial aspect of theGas-to-EnergyProject,slatedtobebased in that region. This particular fair witnessed an impressive attendance of over 1000 individuals, marking the company’s most significant fair to date. Gangadin proudly revealed that GYSBI was able to promptly hirenumerousqualifiedcandidates,thanksto their preparedness with all the necessary documentationandrequisitequalifications.

Furthermore, Gangadin reminisced on the occasions when the Ministry of Labour approached GYSBI to participate in its job fairs, and the company consistently seized these opportunities to collaborate. Such partnerships align seamlessly with GYSBI’s fundamental mission to bridge the gap between citizens and promising prospects withintheindustry

ADVICEFORAPPLICANTS

In a heartfelt address to potential scholarship applicants, Gangadin shared poignant advice, underscoring her company’sbeliefineducationasthegateway to a realm brimming with endless possibilities. As a beacon of support for young and impassioned minds drawn to the industry,sheexpressedGYSBI’sunwavering dedicationtonurturingtheiraspirations.

Through their transformative scholarships, Gangadin assured that GYSBI aims to empower the next generation of leadersandvisionaries,empoweringthemto ignitepositivechangewithinthesector

Turning her attention to job seekers, Gangadin acknowledged the captivating allureandthechallengesthatlieonthepathto career fulfillment Unwavering in their principles, she said GYSBI stands as a stalwart champion of diversity, inclusivity, and equal opportunity, paving the way for promising individuals seeking to make their markintheindustry’svibrantlandscape.

With eager arms wide open, Gangadin warmly invited ambitious souls to become a partofthedynamicGYSBIfamily,wherethe seeds of opportunity find fertile ground to flourish.

OTHERPOSITIVEIMPACTS

Beyond scholarships and job fairs, GYSBI has engaged in other activities to ensure a positive and lasting impact in the country

ThePublicRelationsManagershared,for example,thatGYBSIhasbeeninvolvedina numberofCommunityandCorporateSocial ResponsibilityProjects.Amongthesearethe adoption of the Joshua’s Children Centre, which is a children’s home located on

Thomas Street, Georgetown. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the Home and the Office of the First Lady, Gangadin said GYSBI has committed to cover their operational costs includingalloftheirutilitybillsandsalaries forstaff.

She said too that GYSBI has also been able to renovate both the boys and girls’ dorms at the home, provide new beds and retrofittheirwashrooms.

ShewasalsopleasedtosharethatGYSBI hasalsotakenontheadministrativecostsfor the Paws for A Cause Organisation, which focuses on providing care and shelter, and wherepossible,homes,foranimals.

Most recently, Gangadin shared that GYSBI has thrown its support behind the SantaRosaSecondarySchoolFootballTeam, which emerged as the winners of the Milo Schools Under 18 Football Tournament, as well as the ExxonMobil Under 14 Schools FootballTournament.

It also supported Guyanese swimmer Aleka Persaud in her bid at the recent CARIFTA Games, which were held in The Bahamas and the Annual International Women’s Day Women and Girls Summit, organized by the Women’s Chamber of CommerceandIndustryGuyana.

Additionally, GYSBI also partners with theNationalBloodTransfusionServicesona quarterly basis to host Blood Drives on the Base.AtitsmostrecentblooddriveinJune,it wasabletocollect21unitsofblood.Ofthe21 unitscollected,threewerepledged toalittle six-year-oldgirl,whowashospitalizedatthe Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and urgently needed blood to save herlife.

CONCLUSION

In just a few short years, Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI) has proven to be a transformativeforceinGuyana’soilandgas sector, emerging as a champion of local content and a driving force behind the country’s economic growth With over US$500 million in investments along the EastBankcorridor,thecompanyhasnotonly createdmorethan3000jobopportunitiesbut has also become a hub for international oil and gas service providers to settle in the region.

Throughtheirstrategicinitiatives,suchas organizing job fairs and launching scholarship programmes, GYSBI is empowering Guyanese youth with the education, skills, and support needed to thrive in the competitive oil industry By investing in their formal education and providing hands-on training, GYSBI is also ensuring that these talented individuals are prepared to meet the demands of the sector andcontributetothecountry’sdevelopment.

Asthenation’sforemostonshoresupport facility for the oil and gas sector, GYSBI’s triumphs indeed stand as a testament to the power of investing in people and fostering sustainabledevelopment.

them settle all possible claims is one that reeks of disrespect.

TheAPAsaidthatduring a recent visit to the affected communities and while in communicationwithpersons in Karisparu, it discovered that the government has reneged on its commitment to continuously support the survivorsandfamiliesofthe deceased.

“Instead, we learnt that families were intimidated and coerced into signing settlement agreements absolving the State of all liability,” the APA said as it lamented that Mary D’Andrade, Martha D’Andrade, Omefia Edwin, Eulanda Carter of Chenapou; Loreen Evans, Belniza Evans, Rita Jeffrey, Sabrina John of Karisparu; Cleoma Simon, Tracil Thomas, Andrea Roberts, Lisa Roberts, Arianna Edwards, Delicia Edwards, Lorita Williams, Natalie Bellarmine, Sherana Daniels, Nicholeen Roberts, Shorlin Bellarmine of Karisparu and Adonijah Jeromealldiedinabuilding, owned and operated by the StateofGuyana.

Therefore,thegroupsaid itisonlylogicaltoconclude that liability lies with the State. “We have written to Minister of Education Ms. Priya Manickchand and MinisterofHealthDr Frank Anthony requesting an urgentmeetingtoaddressthe issues highlighted by familiesofthesurvivorsand

the deceased, but neither Minister has responded Now,theAPAisleftwithno otheroptionthantopublicly recordourdisappointmentat the lack of urgency afforded tothisissue.”

Meanwhile, the APA while meetings with the familiesofthedeceasedand survivors learnt that Attorney General (AG) and MinisterofLegalAffairsMr Anil Nandlall visited Mahdiaandlecturedthemon all the assistance government afforded to them.

The APA said its representatives were told by thevictimsandtheirfamilies that Nandlall had a breakdown of all the costs expendedbythegovernment thus far, and they were required to listen to him present the information while reminding them that the government was being generous and under no obligationtodoso.

“We are particularly flabbergasted that AG Nandlall could come before the country and claim that the government should be …complimented rather than being condemned…we did not have to offer a cent in financial assistance,” the APAsaid.

Additionally, the APA noted that the families should not have been coerced into signing settlements for the loss of preciouslives.

“Many of the families did not fully understand

whattheyweresigningonto. Thisagreementnowbegsthe question as to why the governmentwas/isinsucha hurry to absolve itself of all liabilityinthiscase.Suppose this “financial assistance” is part of the government’s plan of continuous assistance. Why does the agreement seek to settle all claims and prevent the families from seeking further judicial settlement? Additionally, despite the government saying otherwise,weareconcerned that this agreement will be usedtoinfluencethetermsof reference of the impending commission of inquiry into thetragedy,”TheAPAsaid. The APA concludes thereforethataftertheinitial flurry of support for survivors, nothing else has been heard or forthcoming. The APA noted that the community needs more medical intervention, not only for the girls who survived the fire but for the boys who are also experiencing some healthrelated issues (shortage of breath for those who helped in the fire and inhaled smoke, hair loss, recurring nightmares, among other things.

Kaieteur News PAGE 63 Sunday July 30, 2023
Executive Director of theAPA, Jean La Rose
Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 65

…diversifyingrealestateDevelopmentinGuyana

MACK Developers Inc , a leading real estate development company in Guyana, is currently undertaking the construction of luxury apartment buildings that redefine the concept of upscale living.

In announcing its new project occurring in the GreenAcres gated community, the company said it is committed to enhancing the quality ofhousingavailableinGuyana.

“The primary goal of MACK Developers is to create exceptional living spaces that combine e l e g a n c e , c o m f o r t , a n d functionality These luxury apartments are designed for longterm rentals and are also available for sale, offering prospective homeowners and discerning tenants an opportunity to experience the epitome of refined living,” the company said in a statement.

Thecompany'sflagshipproject, in Green Acres, features 18 twobedroom apartments, each meticulously crafted to exude

sophistication and provide an unparalleledlivingexperience.

With a wealth of experience in construction and real estate development, Ryan Salim, one of the co-founders of MACK Developers, has successfully worked on the development of one of the premier gated community projectsinGuyana,establishinghis expertiseinthefieldoverthecourse oftwodecades,thecompanysaid.

Similarly,NicholAlly,theother visionary behind

MACK Developers, has a background in logistics after having served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of one of the largest logistics companies in the United States of America (U.S.). The company said that Ally's extensive knowledge and strategic acumen enable MACK Developers to seamlessly coordinate and execute projects, ensuringthehighestlevelofquality and efficiency in every aspect of theirrealestatedevelopments.

Salim and Ally are childhood friends from Corriverton who are

eager to contribute to Guyana's growth while revolutionizing the realestatelandscape.

“MACK Developers aims to expand its footprint by introducing luxury apartments in the East Bank of Demerara and the East Coast of Demerara regions These developments will feature meticulously designed living spaces that epitomize elegance

An artist's impression of MACK Developers Inc.'s luxury apartments

while also providing residents with modern amenities and an environment conducive to an elevated lifestyle,” the company said while noting that it seeks to redefinetherealestatelandscapeby setting new standards in luxury living.

Given the company's “impress ive track

helping with profits in 2023 despite low oil prices Hess thanks Guyana for

(Republished) American oil producer, Hess Corporation reported yesterday that it made a net income of US$119 million, or US$0.39 per share, in the second quarter of 2023.This was however,asignificantdeclineinprofits when compared with the US$667 million, or US$2.15 per share, it made inthesecondquarterof2022.

During the company's earnings call yesterday, Hess said the decrease in adjusted after-tax results reflects lower realisedsellingprices.Thoughitsprofit margin took a major plunge, Hess was keen to point out that its assets in Guyana and the Bakken, USA deliveredhigherproductionvolumesin the second quarter of 2023 which helpedtocushiontheblow

Hess told the market that net production was 387,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) in the second quarter of 2023, compared with 303,000 boepd in the second quarter of 2022, primarily due to higher productioninGuyanaandtheBakken.

Expounding on the performance of its Bakken assets, Hess said net production was 181,000 boepd in the second quarter of 2023 compared with 140,000 boepd in the prior-year quarter, reflecting increased drilling andcompletionactivity,higherNatural Gas Liquid (NGL) and natural gas volumes and higher uptime after weather related shut-ins in the prioryearquarter

The American explorer said the Bakken's net production is forecast to be in the range of 175,000 boepd to 180,000 boepd for the full year 2023, upfromourpreviousguidancerangeof 165,000boepdto170,000boepd.

At the Stabroek Block where Hess

has a 30 percent working interest, the company said net production from the Liza Destiny and the Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) totaled 110,0002 bopd in the second quarter of 2023 compared with 67,0002 bopd in theprior-yearquarter

Hess said the Liza Unity FPSO, which commenced production in February 2022, reached its production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross bopd in July 2022. In the second quarterof2023,Hesssaiditwasableto sell nine cargos of crude oil from Guyana compared with six cargos in theprior-yearquarter

Additionally, Hess said net productionguidanceforGuyanaforthe full year 2023 is expected to be approximately 115,0002 bopd, compared to its previous guidance rangeof105,000bopdto110,000bopd.

With respect to the third development project in the Stabroek Block called Payara, Hess reminded that it has a production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross bopd and remains on track for startup early in the fourthquarter

Turning to the fourth development, Yellowtail, Hess said this project was sanctioned in April 2022 with a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross bopd and first production expected in 2025. As previously reported, the fifth development, Uaru, was sanctioned in April 2023 with a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross bopd andfirstproductionexpectedin2026.

Hess also noted during the earnings call that the the end of the first renewal periodoftheexplorationlicenceforthe

Stabroek Block was extended one year from October 2023 to October 2024 as a result of force majeure due to the COVID-19pandemic.Comenextyear, the company will be required to relinquish 20 percent of the block not heldbydiscoveries.

Hess was also keen to note that during the second quarter, it diverted muchofitsrevenuestoGuyanaandthe Bakken. In this regard, the company said exploration and production expenditures were US$933 million in the second quarter of 2023 compared with US$622 million in the prior-year quarter

Chief Executive Officer, John Hess believes such investments are destined to pay off, specifically as it relates to Guyanawheremorethan30significant discoveries of low cost barrels have beenunearthed.

Hess said the company will remain focused on executing its strategy to deliver industry leading cash flow growth and financial returns to shareholders while safely and responsibly producing oil and gas to help meet the world's growing energy needs.

record, dedication to quality, and relentless pursuit of perfection,” MACK Developers said it is well poised to transform the way people experienceurbanliving.

MACK Developers, Inc. can be c o n t a c t e d v i a e m a i l : info@mackdevelopers.gy or social media.

Gun wielding \bandits rob

Corentyne man

$5.5M

A 44-year-old man of Belvedere North, Corentyne, Berbice,wasonThursdayreportedlyrobbedof$5.5Mcash. Reportsarethattwomen,onearmedwithagun,stoleabag containing$5.5M.

Thevictimtoldpolicethathehadjustarrivedathishomein histruckbearingregistrationnumber#GAC1261whenhewas pounceduponbythetwomen.Themanreportedlysaidthatthe $5.5M was in a bag lying on the passenger seat when the two banditsapproachedhimonaredandwhiteXRmotorcycle.

The bandit carrying the gun reportedly pointed the weapon at the victim and demanded he handed over the bag containing the money After grabbing the bag from the victim, the bandits madegoodtheirescape.

Investigationsareongoing.

Woman stabbed man to death for pinching her

Pinching a woman's hand on Thursday night proved to be a fatal decision for a bus driver after she stabbed him to death at the Linden Bus Park,Georgetown.

D e a d i s Z e h r o n Nieuenkirk, a 37-year-old bus driver of 95 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown Nieuenkirk wasstabbedaround21:00hrs.

A c c o r d i n g t o a n eyewitness, the bus driver was talking to him at the eastern fence of the Parliament building when a womanwalkeduptothem.

The eyewitness recalled that Nieuenkirk proceeded to pinch the woman's left hand and she reacted by knocking his hand away The woman then pulled out a knife from her waist. Nieuenkirk then told her that she cannot use

the knife on him and proceeded to hug and lift her upfrombehindasshewalked away but the woman stabbed himtothegroinarea.

The eyewitness said that he heard the bus driver make a sound before saying, "This iswhatyoudonetomegirl."

Policesaidthatthevictim then pulled down his pants and showed the eyewitness his bleeding wound as the womanfledthescene.

Nieuenkirk was placed in a minibus and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he was admitted.

Helatersuccumbedtohis injuries at around 23:30hrs thatevening.

Police are currently looking for a woman whose only name was given as Vanessa.

Kaieteur News Sunday July 30, 2023 PAGE 66
CEO, John Hess
of
MACK Developers Inc. constructing luxury apartments

RHTYSC Busta/Bakewell Cricket Academy 2023… Ramnarace, Manns cops top awards

The Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club 34th Annual Busta/Bakewell

Cricket Academy concluded on Friday last with an impressive closing ceremony at the Area H ground with close to eighty youths present.

The Academy was sponsored by RHTYSC official sponsors, Bakewell and the Guyana Beverage Company (Busta), along with the support of numerous other club friends and supporters. The two weeks academy started on July 17 and was conducted by a battery of coaches headed by Winston Smith. Other coaches included former national player Eon Hopper, Erva Giddings,

Tremayne Smarty, Ryan Algu, Floyd Benjamin and Davindra Ramdihal.

RHTYSC Secretary/CEO

Hilbert Foster described the academy as a resounding success and hailed the hard work of all the coaches. The main objectives of the academy are to identify promising talents for the future, to improve the standard of play for the players and to improve their knowledge of the game. Special emphasis was placed on batting with emphasis on grip, foot movement and stance. The players were also involved in several classroom sessions on topics of importance including discipline, education, field placement,

Sunday July 30, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

People are apt to try to hit you square on the head with their ideas and thoughts today, Aries, so be ready for the onslaught of information that may come your way. There's a distinct advantage.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Anchor yourself in practical matters before you try to prove your point to others. There's a great deal of primal energy rising within you today and searching for some sort of outlet.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Don't take no for an answer today, Gemini. Know what you believe in and stick with it. There's a distinct advantage to holding true to your inner nature.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Be a pioneer thinker today, Cancer. There's a noble courage in your thoughts, so don't let this quality go to waste. You will be surprised at how cutting edge you can be when you put your mind to it.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Be aggressive and forceful when it comes to exerting your will, Leo. Let others know that you won't be a pushover. Your opinions are extremely important,

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Today may be one of those days in which you come to a four-way stop and no one knows whose turn it is. Don't sit and wait for everyone else to go first, Virgo.

history and rules of the game, public speaking, danger of drug abuse and role of a sports ambassador. Foster disclosed that since 1991, the RHTYSC cricket academy has produced over one hundred and twenty players for Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies. The players includes Assad Fudadin, Delbert Hicks, Neil Williams, Shawn Grant, Khemraj Mahadeo, Renwick Batson, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Clinton Pestano, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Sheneeta Grimmond, Sahabeka Gajnabi, Askay Homraj, Dominic Rikhi, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia, Matthew

Fireworks anticipated for 50-mile Fireworks anticipated for 50-mile anticipated road race on Corentyne Highway road race on Corentyne Highway road race on Corentyne Highway road race on Corentyne Highway Corentyne

Pottaya, Mahendra Gopilall, Slyus Tyndall and Pluffina Milllington.

Six of the RHTYSC members will participate in the upcoming Caribbean Premier League Male and Female leagues.

Rampersaud and Sandia have been outstanding with the ball for the national Under-19 team currently in St. Vincent.

After a lengthy absence, all the top cyclists are set to head to Berbice today as cycling action returns to the ancient County with the Flying Ace Cycling Club (FACC) 50-mile road race along the Corentyne highway.

The event which is sponsored by the RaJ and Daughter Motor Bike Shop of Corentyne is being staged in memory of Rajkumar Churaman.

guese Quarters before turning back to finish at its place of origin. Pedal off time is 09:00 hrs.

There will be a number of categories on show with Juveniles and females set to ride half the distance from Portuguese Quarters to Skeldon. They will pedal off at 09:30 hrs.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

People would be foolish to challenge your thinking now, Libra. The power behind your words is volatile, and you may find yourself going to extremes in order to get your point across.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your old ways of thinking have carried you quite far, Scorpio, but you may now find that it's time to seek a new platform for your ideas. Look for more adventurous ways to express yourself.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

One quick phone call to a friend may turn into a long discussion about the meaning of life, Sagittarius. Be conscious of the fact that there's a great deal of momentum building in your mind now.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

It could be that you feel a bit of pressure today to start or create something that you aren't quite ready for, Capricorn. There is hesitation on your part that indicates you should take it slowly .

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Move forward with your plan of attack today, Aquarius. There's an anxious rumble within you that's urging you to get going with a current plan. You have all the facts you need,

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Add spark to your life today, Pisces. It could be that things are getting stale and boring. If so, consider the possibility that you simply aren't challenging yourself.

Foster along with Head coach Winston Smith urged the youths to continue working on their game at home while developing a formula of discipline, hard work and respect. Under 15 player Komalchan Ramnarace was named Cricketer of the Academy and received over $200,000 worth of prizes including a Kings Jewelry World Cricket Madallion, a cycle, electronic tablet, designer watch, head phone, food hampers, cosmetic hamper, lazy boy, cricket bat and kitchen utensils.

Fifteen-year old Denelle Manns took home the female player of the academy award which included several prizes including a bicycle, designer watch, hampers and kitchen utensils. Other awardees at the academy were Best Batsman- Munesh Rampersaud, Best Bowler- Khemraj Tika, Best Fielder- Dave Prettipaul, Most Improved- Deeraj Ramjit, Most Discipline- Jordon Frank and Most Dedicated- Derwin McKenzie Ten junior cricketers Cleon Mariano,Jousha Brijraj, Anthony Shirkissson, Aden Moore, Dharvesh Narine, Sohail Sirkissoon, Jonathan Hicks, Justin Hicks, Khemraj Bharrat and Joel Barry- all received a pair of batting gloves for being selected as promising players of the future.

Leon Balkarran also received a junior bat as a committed member of the RHTYSC. A total of six young cricketers each received a designer watch. Every member of the academy carried home colored T-shitrs, a food hamper along with school bag with educational materials. All the coaches at the academy also received special gifts from the academy.

Special thanks were extended to the Management of Bakewell and the Guyana Beverage Company for their support along with dozens of donors for the gifts. The Cricketer of the Academy expressed gratitude to the RHTYSC and the coaches for hosting such an important programme for youths. On behalf of his fellow academy members, he committed to continuing the high standards of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club.

Fireworks are anticipated as most of the country’s top riders are in top form.

The event which is open to all cyclists in Guyana will see the riders moving off from in front of the entity’s establishment at Skeldon, Upper Corentyne Headquarters.

The cyclists will then proceed to its branch at Portu-

Prizes will be awarded to the first six finishers, the first three juniors, the first three veterans, the first three juveniles and the first three females. There are also ten prime prizes up for the taking.

The event will be coordinated by cycling coach Randolph Roberts. According to Roberts, cyclists are reminded that they must participate in their club colours. (Samuel Whyte)

CWI launches ‘WI Home’...

From page 73 was launched ahead of the CG United ODI Series powered by YES BANK between West Indies and India in Barbados. Several West Indies men and women players met fans at popular locations around Barbados. Fans will be able to access the WI Home lyrical video and official campaign video via the Windies Cricket YouTube channel.

Match patrons can also look forward to WI Home fan activations fan across the re-

gion.

Tickets for all Home Series matches can be purchased online via the Windies Tickets service, presented by Mastercard.

Fans who purchase via this service will enjoy a 20% discount plus special access to further promotional offers. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased via the venue box. For updates on the WI Home campaign releases, fans can sign up to receive WI Insider e-newsletter.

Sunday July 30, 2023 Kaieteur News PAGE 67

Corporate Village at Kares One Guyana T10 Blast to promote brand awareness

Select companies whohavecomeon board the Kares

One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blastareexpectedtobenefit from significant brand

awareness throughout the finals on July 30 at the EverestCricketClub.

With assistance from Star Rentals, the organiser, – FL Sport – has created a Corporate Expo in the parking lot of Everest to give the thousands set to descend on Everest an opportunity to beedifiedon what the corporate

Assuria Insurance , E-Net, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Cricket Zone USA,FirstChangeBuilders, Impressions, Jacob’s Jewellery, Beacon Café, RS53RestoBarandLounge, Zeus Enterprise, Hits and JamsEntertainment,Montra

promised to set up a designated area, the Kids Zone The children will enjoy free rides in the child-friendly zone, includingabouncycastle

In partnership with sponsor Banks DIH Limited, free ice cream,

Regal Stationery and Computer Centre has sponsored some individual prizes for top performers

communityhastooffer Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc , G u y a n a T o u r i s m Authority, ANSA Motors Guyana, Continental Transport Inc , Gafoors, and Premier Insurance are just some companies set to be on show. “We as an organizing group wanted to give the corporate community and added benefit of being on board, and with the massive gathering at Everest, it is a chance to further market products”, Co-Director JohnRamsinghexpressed Other corporate support has come from Kares Engineering Inc , Banks DIH through their GT Beer

Brand, Mohamed’s Enterprise,RegalStationery and Computer Centre,

RestaurantandLounge, and Trophy Stall Apart from the corporate community, families are expected to benefit as the organisers

soda,snacks,andwaterfor theyoungwillbeprovided

A d d i t i o n a l l y , spectators can win instant prizes from sponsors by participating in a novelty cricket-related event The organizers promise highquality and competitive cricket from the 32 teams in the knockout ten-overs-perside tournament, while there will be live streaming for the worldtoseetheproduct

The grand prize is $ 1 M , w h i l e m a n y individual prizes are available

Kaieteur News PAGE 68 Sunday July 30, 2023
Dione Foo, ExecutiveAssistant/Property Manager of Gafoors handing over a sponsorship to John Ramsingh of the Kares One Guyana T10 Blast

World Badminton Day 2023… Surprises and upsets highlight Day Two

Day Two of the G u y a n a Badmint on

Association World

Badminton Day A, B & C

Division Men’s and

Wo m e n ’s S i n g l e s

Tournament saw a lot of surprises and upsets but overall it was a great show for badminton enthusiasts and persons who were now seeing the game for the first time.

The results of the matches played on Day 2 were:

Men’s C-Division:

Raah Russell vs. Avinash

Ramnarine21-6,21-7

W A - D i v i s i o n :

Shivannie Persaud vs. Asiyah Eastman 21-15, 21-8

Men’s C-Division:

Jonathan Robinson vs AmaanKhan21-11,21-9

Men’s C-Division:

Lennox Morrison vs Jonathan Ferreira 21-8, 2114

Men’s B-Division:

Colin Bowry vs Nkosi

Beaton21-16,23-21

Men’s B-Division:

Viraj Singh vs Frank

Waddell21-5,21-5

W B-Division Semi:

Alima Eastman vs. Neveah

Eastman21-14,21-14

Men’s C-Division:

Renako Bender vs. Nikolas

Pollard21-12,24-22

Men’s B-Division:

Jahiem Carmicheal vs Jaurel Hendricks 21-18, 1421,23-21

W C-Division Semi:

Gianna Ramnarine vs Aaliyah Bacchus 21-12, 2115

Men’s C-Division: Haresh Persaud vs

MohamedFarouk21-18,2220

Men’s C-Division:

Jedidiah Uwagboe vs OmkarPersaud21-10,21-14

W B-Division Semi: Asiyah Eastman vs

Leshaunte Berkley 21-17, 21-8

Men’s B-Division:

JoanathanDebidin vs LennoxMorrison21-16,2115

W A-Division Semi:

Priyanna Ramdhani vs AlimaEastman21-4,21-4

Men’s C-Division:

Jedidiah Uwagboe vs. Jonathan Robinson 21-10,

The three-day tournament concluded on Saturday.

21-14

Men’s A Division:

Marlon Chung vs Chet Bowling 21-14, 16-10

Retired

W A-Division Semi:

Shivannie Persaud vs. Priyanka Shivnauth21-15, 17-21,21-8

Men’s A-Division:

Akili Haynes vs. Colin

Bowry21-6,21-6

Men’s A-Division:

Avinash Odit vs Viraj singh21-18,21-19

Men’s A-Division:

Tyrese Jeffrey vs Jaurel

Hendricks21-9,21-6

Men’s C-Division:

Raah Russell vs. Renako

Bender21-5,21-7

Men’s C- Division:

Frank Waddell vs. Lennox Morrison21-9,21-15

Men’s C-Division:

JoanathanDebidin vs Haresh Persaud 21-18, 2114

Men’sB-DivisionSemi-

Finals: Colin Bowryvs

JoanathanDebidin15-21,2116,21-16

Men’s B-Division Semi:

Finals: Viraj Singh vs Jahiem Carmicheal21-17, 21-15

Men’s C- Division Semi-Finals: Frank W a d d e l l v s . JedidahUwagboe15-21, 21-18,21-18

Women’s C-Division

Finals: Gabrielle Felix vs. Gianna Ramnarine 219,21-14

Men’s A-Division

Semi-Finals:AkiliHaynes vs Marlon Chung 21-12, 21-10

Men’s A-Division

Semifinals: Tyrese Jeffrey vs Avinash Odit22-20, 13-21,21-16

Women’s B-Division

Finals:Alima Eastman vs Asiya Eastman 21-8, 211 0 T h e G u y a n a Badminton Association would like to thank Total Solutions for being the sponsor for the second year now and from the inception of World BadmintonDay

ment concludedonSaturday

rn

Kaieteur News PAGE 69 Sunday July 30, 2023
The to
u
a

Canada-based Guyanese Rasool hits century in OMSCC competition

Ex p e r i e n c e d middle-order batsman and Canada-based Guyanese Fazil Rasool stroked a brilliant, unbeaten 107 to propel United Cricket Club to a resounding 87-run win against GT Bannas last Sunday when action continued in the 2023 Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC) Over-40, T20 B Division competition.

PlayingatLittlesParkin Scarborough, the lefthandedRasool’sinningswas decorated with 11 sixes and four fours from 68 balls as his team compiled a sufficient 197-3 from the allotmentof20-overs.

GT Bannas replied with 110 all out off 19.1 overs. Damian Kissoon offered a fightwith24asJanoPanday andRudyRamdayalgrabbed twowicketsapiece,bowling forUnitedCricketClub.

In this Division, eight teams are participating with Leguan Warriors, the only unbeaten team leading the points table. They have got 48 points from 8 matches while United Cricket Club stands at number 2 with 36 pointsandRamblersCricket Club occupies the number positionwith24points.

Defending champions Carr Tec Masters Sports ClubandAll-Starsalsowith 24pointsbutremainat4and 5 respectively due to lower netrunrates.

GT Bannas have accumulated 18 points to takethenumber6spotwhile Pegasus, 12 points, and HelenaSportsClubcontinue to languish at the bottom withonlysixpoints.

M e a n w h i l e , t h e competition is slated to continue on Sunday with four more matches before the Playoff segment begins A ugus t 13th The championship game will takeplaceonAugust27that avenuetobeannounced.

The next round on Sunday will see United Cricket Club coming up against Leguan Warriors at the same venue while GT Bannas heading to Ashtonbee Park to face up HelenaSportsClub. According to Rasool, who hails from Unity, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, also stated that his maiden hundred in softball cricket was memorable against GT Bannas He expressed ecstasyanddelightedtohelp his team churn out an excellentvictory

Kaieteur News PAGE 70 Sunday July 30, 2023

Windies level ODI series with their first win against India since 2019

(Cricinfo) - West Indies beat India in an ODI for the first time since December 2019, the six-wicket win in the second of three games their first after nine defeats in a row The win helped West Indies level the series 1-1afterlosingthefirstODI onThursday

After Gudakesh Motie andRomarioShepherdgot three wickets each and Alzarri Joseph picked up

forit Thatmusthaveraised India’s hopes, but Hope and Carty ensured smooth sailing after that. Hope hit 63 not out, and put up an unbroken stand of 91 with Carty (48 not out) for the fifthwicket.

The pitch in Bridgetown offered grip and turn throughoutthegame,withthe spinners’economyrateacross two innings being 389 as againstthepacebowlers’520

off 65 balls, opening up only afterthejobwasalmostdone and smashing consecutive boundariesoffHardikPandya tofinishthegameoff Butthe factthatWestIndieshadonly 182 to chase was down to a collective bowling effort, along with a combination of a helpful pitch and refreshing athleticism from thefielders.

India, asked to batat the toss, suffered two collapses

innings across formats since June. That got West Indies going, and in the 18th over, AlickAthanaze dived to his right at point to send Ishan Kishanbackfor55.

It was Kishan’s second successive half-century in the series Two overs later, Shepherd got one to rise sharply at Axar Patel, promotedtoNo 4,andhewas crampedforroomwiththeball angling in from around the wicket Axar tried to drop his gloves, but still ended up ticklingtothewicketkeeper

Jayden Seales then got his only wicket of the day when a shoulder-height bouncer to Hardik had him pulling straight to midwicket, before Yannic Cariahfoxedthecomebackman

Sanju Samson with turn and bounce Landing one on a good length around off stump, Cariah got the legbreak to jump as well as move considerably away from the right-hander Samsonjabbedatitwithaflat bat,onlybelatedlythinkingof lettingitgo But,bythen,itwasa little too late, as the outside edgewenttoslip India were sliding, and then came heavy rain When Suryakumar Yadav and Jadeja added 33 to signal a brief recovery after the stoppage,itseemedlikethe break had come as a blessingforthem

But West Indies seized control again, picking up the last five wickets for just 35 runs Shepherdpitchedshortat

Jadeja,havinghimtopedgea pulltofineleginthe32ndover Motie, getting turn and bounce, had Suryakumar slashing to point after an entertaining24. Soon after came another moment of spectacular fielding from West Indies, when Carty rushed in and dived forward from deep square-leg to send back Umran Malik in the 38th over Motie wrapped the innings up when he got last man Mukesh Kumar in the 41st,finishingwith3for36. As a result, India were bowled out with 9.1 overs remaining, and West Indies nowhaveashotatafirstODI serieswinagainstthemsince May2006.

two to bowl India - they had rested Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli - out for 181, captain Shai Hope and the inexperienced KeacyCartytookcareofthe chase,whichwascompleted with more than 13 overs to spare. It was comfortable in the end for West Indies, but didn’t come without its share of hiccups - they slipped from 53 without loss in the ninth over to 91 for 4 after 17, Shardul Thakur the main reason

However, before Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja tested West Indies’ middle order-Jadejawasfastandflat; Kuldeep was slow while getting more turn - it was Thakur who removed the top threebattersinthespaceof25 ballstoopenthegameup.

Once they got together, Hope and Carty were content todoitinsinglesafterKuldeep hadcleanedShimronHetmyer up with one that was quicker, skidding through to hit off stump Cartygottoapatient48

of their own. First, from a solid 90 for 0 to a dicey 113 for5,andthen,from146for 5to181allout.

Thesecameeithersideof alengthyrainbreak.

West Indies sensed an opportunityintheabsenceof Rohit and Kohli, and they pounced. It all started in the 17th over of India’s innings, when a full, tossed-up delivery from Motie had Shubman Gill lofting to long-off for 34, his highest score in seven international

Region Five CIC presents Chamber Cup 2023

The Region 5 Chamber of Industry and Commerce will once again be staging its President Cup 10/10 cricket competition for teamsinthatRegion.

T h e o n e - d a y competition is set for Sunday, July 30, at the Cotton Tree Die Hard Ground, West Coast Berbice.

Six teams have been invited to participate namely Cotton Tree Die Hard, West

r

ce Achievers, Police CC, D’ Edward Cricket Club, Blairmont Blazers Cricket

ClubandBushLotCC.

Speaking to the media

ImranSacoorstatedthatthe Region5CICisdelightedto be of continued service to the community They believe that investment in youths and sports represents investments for thefuture.

Sacoorsaidthattheyare urging the communities to come out and support the matches and enjoy the grandfestivity

He noted that the Chamber will continue to supportthedevelopmentof communities within its

purview There will be lots ofgiveaways,facepainting and ice cream for children. Several gifts will be distributed to patrons in anticipation of the EmancipationFestivitiesin Guyana.

Musical entertainment willbeinfullswingandthe atmospherewillbelivedup bycheerleaders.

The first ball will be bowled at 9:30 hrs and admissionisfree.

Among some of the sponsors on board are Banks DIH Limited and TrophyStall.

Kaieteur News PAGE 71 Sunday July 30, 2023
A91-run partnership between Shai Hope and Keacy Carty ensured victory for West Indies. (Associated Press)
Be
bi

Digicel Schools’ National Football Championship…

Big wins highlight opening day - Round-of-32continuestoday

Seven of the 16 quarterfinal spots in the Digicel Schools’ National Football Championship 2023 have been secured following the commencement of the tournament,yesterday,atthe Ministry of Education (MoE) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Grounds,CarifestaAvenue.

The Round-of-32 stage kicked off the proceedings with four matches at MoE that saw Tucville comfortably get past Belladrum 4 – 0 and Waramuri Top dismantled Vryman’s Erven 5 – 0 and Region 7 Champion, St Ignatius trounced President’sCollege11–0.

Theothermatchbetween Region 9 Champion, Kato, and Carmel saw the former in command at 2 – 0 up to presstime.

Over at the NIS Ground, Georgetown Champion, Dolphin, secured a commanding 16 – 1 win against Brickdam, West Ruimveldt fired 14 unanswered goals past Friendship and Region 2 Champion, Charity, sank MarianAcademy4–0.

The winners have advanced to the quarterfinal stage and await their next opponent while the losing teams will find the exit and await next season’s Championship.

Today, July 30, the five Round-of-32matchesonthe card will see Kwakwani thrash it out with Soesdyke from 14:00 hrs while MackenzieHightacklesEast Ruimveldt at the Wisburg Groundat16:00hrs.

The other three matches that are scheduled to take placeattheMoEGroundand

will see D C Fox battle Vreed-en-Hoop, Buxton oppose Excelsior Academy and Santa Rosa challenge Richard Ishmael at 14:00 hrs,16:00hrsand18:00hrs, respectively Day three of the Roundof-32 features four matches with double-headers at the

Dolphin recorded the largest win of the day. Their goal scorers were (L-R) Daniel Dehnart, Jamal Williams, Jude Charles, Gerry Brunette, Cadwell Peters and Jequan Cole Brunette,

Edinburg Facility and Scott Ground. On the Westside, Charlestown will battle Leonora and Westminster takes on North Ruimveldt while in Berbice, Tutorial Academy face Mahaicony Technical Institute and Berbice Educational Institute go up against

Queen’sCollege

This season’s Regional Champions are Santa Rosa (Region 1), Charity (Region 2), Leonora (Region 3), Region 4 (East Coast) –Buxton, Region 4 (East Bank)–Soesdyke,Region4 (Georgetown) – Dolphin, Mahaicony TI (Region 5),

Berbice Educational Institute (Region 6), Bartica (Region 7), Kato (Region 8), St Ignatius ( R e g i o n 9 ) a n d Mackenzie High (Region 10)

This edition of the tournament is organised by thePetraOrganisation.

Guyanatocompeteinswimming,athletics atCommonwealthYouthGames

….Tiana Springer and Elliott Gonsalves are flag bearers

the athletes during the Games.

President of the Guyana

Guyana’s delegation for the upcoming seventh Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago, known as Trinbago 2023, comprises eight talented athletes from the disciplines of Athletics and Swimming.

Thegamesarescheduled to take place from August 4th to 11th and will feature seven disciplines, involving athletes and para-athletes agedbetween14and18.

In the Track and Field events,theteamwillinclude CARIFTAmedallistsTianna

Springer, Javon Roberts, Attoya Harvey, Malachi

Austin, and Narissa

McPherson, with Julian Edmonds serving as their coach. In Swimming,Ariel

Rodrigues, Elliott Gonsalves, and Shareefah Lewis will showcase their skills in the pool, under the guidance of coach Syhka Gonsalves.

The contingent of 13 from Guyana is completed

by Dr Victor Allen,

Physiotherapist Vanessa Wickham, andTeam Leader Nalini McKoy, who will provide essential support to

Olympic Association (GOA), Godfrey Munroe, expressed his belief in the competitive potential of the selected athletes, emphasizing that the Commonwealth Youth Games present an excellent opportunity for young t a l e n t s f r o m t h e Commonwealth region to showcase their abilities and compete on an international stage Coach Edmonds expressedhighexpectationsfor theteam,giventhattheyconsist of medallists from the recent CARIFTA Games The aim, he said, is to perform well and secure podium finishes intheirrespectiveevents.

Swimming coach Syhka Gonsalves stressed the importance of the athletes’ preparationandmentionedthat the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association (GASA) expects them to give their best effort, perform exceptionally, and enjoytheexperience.

Notably, boxers Clevlon

RockandKeevinAllicockare the only Guyanese athletes to win medals at previous CommonwealthYouthGames, bothsecuringsilver

However, boxing will not be included among the eight disciplinesatthisyear’sevent in Trinidad and Tobago. The Commonwealth Games Associations have been diligentlyfinalizingtheirteam selections for the upcoming Y o u t h G a m e s Approximately 1,000 athletes and para-athletes between the ages of 14 and 18, representing 71 Commonwealth nations and territories,willparticipatein sevensportsandcompetefor 99 medals over six days of thrillingcompetition.

Thesportsincludedinthis year’s games are Aquatics (Swimming), Athletics, Cycling (Road Race, Time Trial, and Track), Triathlon, Rugby Sevens, Beach Volleyball, and the debut of Netball’s shorter, faster format, FAST5, with eight women’s teams competing for a medal. Moreover, the Commonwealth Youth

Games will witness the introduction of a fully integrated Para-Athletics program, featuring athletes competing in six medal events (three women’s and threemen’sevents).

The competition will take placeatvariousvenuesacross Trinidad and Tobago, including the Hasely Crawford Stadium (for Athletics and Para-Athletics), NationalAquaticsCentre(for Swimming),NationalCycling Velodrome (for Track Cycling) in Trinidad, and Pigeon Point Beach (for BeachVolleyball)andShaw Park Cultural Complex (for Fast5Netball)inTobago.

The Commonwealth Youth Games play a crucial role in nurturing young talent and future leaders, contributing significantly to the development of youth sports throughout the Commonwealth

This event has a rich history, with the inaugural edition held in Edinburgh in 2000,andTrinbago2023will mark the seventh edition of these Youth Games, with the

mostrecentonetakingplacein theBahamasin2007

Athletesandevents

Tianna Springer (Women’s 200m, 400m, 4x400mMixedRelay)

Javon Roberts (Men’s 800m, 1500m, 4x400m MixedRelay)

Malachi Austin (Men’s 200m, 400m, 4x400m MixedRelay)

Narissa McPherson (Women’s 400m, 800m, 4x400mMixedRelay)

A t t o y a H a r v e y (Women’s 800m, 1500m, 4x400mMixedRelay)

Ariel Rodrigues (Women’s 100m Freestyle, 200m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Butterfly, 50mFreestyle)

ElliottGonsalves(Men’s 200m Freestyle, 200m Individual Medley, 400m Freestyle, 400m Individual Medley)

Shareefah Lewis (Women’s 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 50m Breaststroke,50mFreestyle)

Flagbearers: Tianna Springer and Elliott

Gonsalves

Kaieteur News PAGE 72
Sunday July 30, 2023
Track athlete Tiana Springer (left) and swimming Elliot Gonsalves will be Guyana’s Flag bearers

Trophy Stall set to crown PMTC Pre-Emancipation Horse Race meet today

CWI launches ‘WI Home’ for International Home Series 2023

According to Ramesh Sunich, Managing Director of the Trophy Stall Company, apart from providing the trophies for the much anticipated race meet, the Company will be donating the trophy for the Champion Jockey on show on the day A feature they have been undertaking for a numberofyearsnow

One more race has been addedtotheday’scardwith eight now listed for the day which has over $10 M in cash trophies and other incentivesupforthetaking.

Thefeatureeventwillbe anopenraceforallhorsesin Guyana for the winning purseof$1.5Mandatrophy over1mile.

The co-feature, the BanksDIHDerbyforthreeyear-old open horses from

Guyana and West Indies, alsooveronemile,goesfora winning take of $800,000 andtheBanksDIHTrophy

The event for E-class open and North American none winners in Guyana over six 6 furlongs has a winner’s purse of $600,000 andatrophy

There is an event for animals classified G-class and lower for a $500,000 and a trophy after a battle over6furlongs.

There is an event for threeyearsoldGuyanaBred maiden horse that will be galloping for a winner’s money of $400,000 and trophyover6furlongs.

The sum of $300,000 and trophy is available for the winner of the event for horsesclassifiedjandlower over6furlongs.

Two years old Guyana

Bred animals will get a chance to compete for $300,000 and a trophy over 6furlongs.

Finally the L class open horses will also be running for a $300,000 and a trophy winner’s money in another sixfurlongsrace.

Over 50 horses have been entered for the day’s meetandtheday’seventwill beconductedusingtherules oftheGuyanaHorseRacing Authority(GHRA).

Horses participating in the feature event will have their weight allocated by class. For the Banks DIH Derby, Guyana Bred horses will be given a five-pound allotment.

Two years old horses will be subjected to a veterinary inspection before beingallowedtorace.

Racetimeis13:00hrs.

ST. JOHNS, Antigua –Cricket West Indies (CWI) h a s a n n o u n c e d a collaboration with popular Caribbean artists, Nailah Blackman and Skinny Fabulous, releasing its 2023 home series anthem for the highly-anticipated whiteball matches against India and the visit by England in December

Echoing a renewed appreciation for the beauty andspiritofcarnivalaround the West Indies, the tune titled ‘WI Home’ is an adaptation of Blackman’s and Skinny Fabulous’

blockbuster Carnival song “ComeHome”.

‘WI Home’ which was recorded by the hit-making duo expresses the unifying spiritofcricketintheregion, thepowerofsharedhopeand the unique experience of watching cricket on home

soil with family and friends.

‘WIHome’alsopaystribute toWestIndiesfansandtheir unrelenting support of the young teams building together to represent the region in the upcoming series.

Speaking on the synergy of their Carnival charttopper and the “WI Home” campaign,NailahBlackman said: “Cricket unites our identity in the West Indies andmusicbringsustogether, so what better way to celebrate our Caribbean culture than to have a union ofthegamewelovewiththe music we love! I’m thrilled tobepartof‘WIHome’.”

Addinghissharedvision for regional unity through CricketandCarnival,Skinny Fabulous commented: “I’m a proud and patriotic West Indianandatruecricketfan! I’mastrongsupporterofthe

#MenInMaroon and always rallyroundtheWestIndies.I wanted to play my part and ‘WI Home’ is a way of uniting the region by bringing the joy of our cricket to the West Indies people.”

Dominic Warne, CWI’s Commercial Director said: “WestIndiescricketisinthe homesandtheheartsoffans across this region. We are delighted to see that cricket remains the heartbeat of the communities and this campaignisatributetotheir rallyingsupport.”

He added: “Together with Skinny Fabulous and Nailah Blackman, we have created this infectious, rhythmical theme song with a call to action and a reminder that our ‘home drumsbeatfirst’.”

TheWIHomecampaign (Continuedonpage67)

James, Thambarran strike gold for Guyana

Gu y a n a ’ s u n r i v a l e d dominance in theEnglish-speakingboxing fraternity continued on Friday evening as Joshua Thambarran and Shakquian James captured gold medals inthe57kgjuniorand67kg y o u t h d i v i s i o n s , respectively, at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) ChampionshipsinSt.Lucia.

F e a t h e r w e i g h t Thambaran outboxed JaquanGrantofBarbadosto winviaunanimousdecision, while Welterweight

Shakquian James stopped BarbadianNathanWalcottat 1:42inthesecondround.

P r o b e d o n t h e performance of his charges,

head coach Clifton Moore, during a brief comment, said,“Exceptional;theyboth weighed in far below the weight of their respective opponents.”

Tambaran had a 6.3 kg disadvantage,andJameshad a 5.6 kg disadvantage. I advised them to avoid too

many clinches by using lots of lateral movements and to concentrateonmorestraight punches.

Moore, who hails from the Vergenoegen gym in Region #3, affirmed that he is confident in a positive display from Guyana’s solitary female pugilist, Tianna Moore, who is scheduled to enter the squaredcircle.

He explained, “My expectation has got to be positive.

This is her first outing, like Tambaran, and if he could have pulled it off in such a spectacular manner, socanshe.”

Moore further posited that tournaments of this nature engineer and equip

the pugilists with the necessary experience that is required to challenge fighters at the higher strata, noting, “It’sVery important. These tournaments would prepare them for a higher level of competition and make them formidable replacements for the senior

boxerswhenthetimeforthe “changing of the guards” comesalong.”

Meanwhile, Guyana

Boxing Association President Steve Ninvalle said, “Performance is empirical; that is unquestionable, and it is often the best response and outputintheconfirmationof developmental policies.The o n g o i n g O E C S Championship is once again a testament to and confirmation of Guyana’s continueddominancewithin the English-speaking Caribbean in the sport of boxing.”He further said, “The GBA will continue its unrelentingmantraanddrive in the development of its most cherished and

important department, which is the nursery, as w e b e l i e v e t h a t i n t e r n a t i o n a l tournaments, especially i n t h e C a r i b b e a n community, are the ideal avenue and platform for e x p o s u r e a n d development ”

Kaieteur News PAGE 73 Sunday July 30, 2023
Alzarri Joseph celebrates with team-mates after getting Shardul Thakur lbw (Associated Press) ErnestoAmet Mesa Vilorio (left), a representative of Trophy Stall, hands over the champion Jockey trophy to PMTC representative, Jennifer Ramdohar
OECS) Championships 2023…
Tianna Moore Shakquian James Joshua Thambarran
PrintedandpublishedbyNationalMedia&PublishingCompanyLtd.,24SaffonStreet,Charlestown,Georgetown.Tel:225-8458,225-8465,225-8491orFax:225-8473/226-8210. Windies level ODI series with their first win against India since 2019 The eight athletes selected to represent Guyana at the CommonwealthYouth Games in Trinidad and Tobago and Sports ….TianaSpringer and Elliott Gonsalves are flagbearers Action for the opening day of the National Championships at the MoE Ground. Digicel Schools’ National Football Championship… Football - Round-of-32 continues today Big wins highlight opening day Guyana to compete in swimming, athletics in at Commonwealth Youth Games

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