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Local Government Saturday Edition Commission demotes City’s Acting Town Clerk

AIETEUR NEWS

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July 31, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 28

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- Mayor says will not accept replacement

Guyana pays more interest on loans than it earns in Profits & Royalty …analyst projects paying US$336M this year, as Govt. gets US$226M total ‘Breast grabber’ remanded for chopping labourer who intervened GuySuCo never Exxon eyes another requested $400M ‘mega basin’ in intended for mechanisation Stabroek Block with following budget new discoveries approval - Opposition

…shareholders told Yellowtail permits expected before year-end

Natural Gas distribution to GPL Grid poses massive - Gas-to-Energy challenges, risks 2017 Report Woman gets community service after saying she stole phones to feed children

Govt. gazettes partial vaccine mandate - Only vaccinated persons to enter cinemas, govt. agencies; public transportation operators must be vaccinated

We Guyanese Children Demand 51%.

Not 2% slavery Exxon Contract Renegotiation

@11:00hrs on BOOT arrangements on projects is takingKaieteur Radio off your clothes without you knowing it 99.1/99.5FM

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Guyana pays more interest on loans than it …analyst projects paying US$336M earns in Profits & Royalty this year, as Govt. gets US$226M total A recently published financial analysis has since revealed that the interest rate on the loans that Guyana is ultimately responsible for repaying through cost oil, that were taken by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) amounts to more money that the country will receive this year for its royalty and profit share combined.

At least, this is according to the projections, provided

by Tom Sanzillo, Director of financial analysis for the

Institute for Energy Economics and Financial A n a l y s i s (IEEFA)—specialising in the oil, gas, petrochemical and coal sectors.

The nation has been in the dark for several years with regards the interest rate that is being paid on the loans contracted by the Stabroek Block operator but the rate has remained elusive with government and other officials remaining tightlipped.

The requests have been repeatedly made

publicly by this publication and several local and international experts and watchdog bodies.

Sanzillo, in a recent analysis of the economics behind the Stabroek Block developments noted that on the interest alone that is being paid by the company through recoverable cost oil, the country prior to 2020 paid US$143M. For 2020, according to Sanzillo, interest on loans accounts for US$229 and this year, he projects the

amount to be some US$336.

Guyana's total share from production in the Stabroek Block is projected at US$226M, a difference of US$110M. Based in his projections, by 2024, Guyana would have had to repay some US$2.8B on loans for projects that had been approved up to July this year—the month the analyst report was published.

According to Sanzillo, next year, he is projecting that the payments for interests would amount to some US$488M,

while the country's total take for that year would be US$434M or US$54M less.

For 2023, Sanzillo projects government's total share to increase to US$905M while the US oil major will utilise some US$661M from cost oil to use for interest on loans.In 2024, the financial analyst predicts total earnings for Guyana to be US$1.3B while the interest payments alone for that year would amount to US$946M. The total recoverable costs, according to Sanzillo, are currently far in excess of annual gross revenue from production. He observes in his analysis that a portion of gross revenue goes to retire development costs in addition to paying for operations and profit and the remaining unrecovered balance is carried over each year. “It is generally assumed that as each year passes, new wells (Liza Phase 2 and Payara) could be added and revenues grown commensurately.”It was noted too that robust annual revenue payments to Guyana will be delayed as additional development costs are added to the cumulative unrecovered balance.

“The actual number of years until Guyana receives more robust profit oil payments is uncertain, “he

Director of Financial Analysis : IEEFA, Tom Sanzillo said and pointed out that “for Guyana, actual total development costs are unknown.”

It was noted too that the contractor has not disclosed the total development costs for Payara or the total development costs needed to reach the maximum amount of extractable oil.

“In addition, there have been no mutually agreedupon, publicly available oil price projections, a key factor in estimating the rate and level of cost recovery,” the analyst said. The Guyanese government has decided to accumulate the oil payments, according to Sanzillo, who observed that as of April 13, the country had collected US$344M, “how the government plans to use the proceeds remains to be seen.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

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Local Government Commission demotes City's Acting Town Clerk - Mayor says will not accept replacement T

h e L o c a l Government Commission (LGC) recently demoted Georgetown's Acting Town Clerk, Sherry Jerrick, to the position of Deputy Town Clerk, with Mayor, Ubraj Narine, saying that he will not accept the replacement, Candace Nelson, saying that no reason was given for the decision.

The Mayor made that disclosure at a press conference yesterday, which was held in his complex in the City Hall compound, Regent Street and Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown.

During his presser, the Mayor expressed his dissatisfaction with the Commission's action to demote Jerrick and their decision to appoint interim Town Clerk, Nelson.

The Mayor made it clear that the Council will not be accepting or addressing the Commission's newly appointed Town Clerk.

He explained that the Council never requested or sent a complaint to the LGC in relation to Jerrick and as such, he questioned why she is being demoted without any reason given.

Narine added that Jerrick was Acting Town Clerk for almost two years and within her time in that position the Council had no issue with her. The Mayor believes that the Local Government Commission's decision to remove Jerrick from her position is an action of injustice, especially since she

executed her decisions fairly and the right procedures were followed. The City Mayor not only noted that he and the Council will not be accepting Nelson as the new Acting Town Clerk but also gave several reasons for their decision.

According to him, the Council had issues in the past with Nelson for a period of time, mainly because of her behaviour. He then made reference to when Nelson had stated that she will not be instructed by the Council. He also said that at the meeting when Nelson made that statement she was demoted Demoted Acting Town to a substantive position as a Clerk, Sherry Jerrick. training officer.

Mayor Narine also questioned what process was takes effect from July 28, followed to appoint Nelson 2021. However, the Mayor and stated that she is not noted since then the interim qualified for the position.

Town Clerk was supposed to He further questioned make contact with him but why the Commission would never did. demote Jerrick who he Moreover, the Mayor described as a professional to noted that some members of r e p l a c e h e r w i t h the Commission who are in “incompetent people.” contact with him related that The City Mayor also Nelson's appointment was noted that the Commission n e v e r b r o u g h t t o a should consider what they c o n s i d e r a t i o n a t L G C did and noted that there meeting. He further noted would be huge battles at the that some Commissioners level of City Council due to also have an issue with t h e n e w a p p o i n t m e n t . Nelson being the interim Another reason why the Town Clerk.

Mayor said that he will not be According to him, these accepting Nelson, is due to Commissioners were not in the fact that he believes that favour with the decision but it the Government wants to was based on instruction impose her on the Council – from one of the Ministries, and added that he will not which he believes is the have any respect for Nelson.

Ministry of Local Nelson's appointment as Government and Regional the new Acting Town Clerk Development.

Woman gets community service after saying she stole phones to feed children Twenty-year-old Alicia Bernard yesterday, told the court that she stole two cell phones because she needed the money to feed her children.

Bernard appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly.

She pleaded guilty to the charge, which states that on Thursday July 22, 2021, at Cornhill Street, Georgetown, she stole one Samsung S20 cell phone and one Blu A10 cell phone, valued a total of $155,000 property of Ronette Johnson. Bernard also

stole $2,000 cash.

In her address to the court, Bernard said that the reason for her action is because her children were hungry, and she didn't have any other way of getting the money to provide for them.

Senior Magistrate Daly ordered Bernard to perform six months community service, once per week at the Brickdam Police Station.

However, if she fails to carry out the Magistrate's order she will spend six months imprisonment.

Georgetown Mayor,’ Pandit Ubraj Narine.

Mayor Narine explained that prior to Jerrick's demotion, on July 27, 2021; he received three letters from the LGC. He noted that the first letter is a notice of 'Show Cause' to Jerrick for an asset register, which he explained was produced to the Commission through their lawyer.

The Commission in return sent a letter to Jerrick stating that it will not pursuit any disciplinary actions against her in relation to the late submission of the asset register, even after an extended deadline was given.

The Mayor also explained that the asset register of the Council needed upgrading and noted that the register was upgraded before it was forwarded to the Commission. Narine then highlighted that the problem came after the LGC, in his words, reported the issue, prosecuted and acted as the

judge of the matter.

He said the Commission failed to follow the right procedure. He then noted that the correct way to deal with any disciplinary action against any officer of the Council is that the Council will make a decision at a statutory meeting and allow the Town Clerk to write to the LGC secretariat after which the Commission will proceed with investigation.

However, in Jerrick's case he said, the local government body did the reporting themselves, and took their own actions, which resulted in an injustice, the Mayor said.

As a result of the Commission's actions, the City Mayor stated that they have filed a court action and they will have further discussion with their attorneys. In addition, the Mayor said he had also reached out to Julius Faber, the Chairman of LGC, twice

Interim Acting Town Clerk, Candace Nelson. requesting a meeting with him and his Commissioners.

The Commissioners are, Clinton Collymore and Norman Whittaker – two former Ministers of Local Government; Trade Unionist, Carvil Duncan; former Town Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Carol Sooba; former Region Four Chairman, Clement Corlette; Ms. Joan-Ann Romascindo; and Nicola Denise Trotman.

Kaieteur News yesterday made contact with Nelson, who stated that she is unaware of the Mayor's press conference and what he discussed. As such, Nelson added that she will refrain from making any comment until she reads the article.

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Olympics - the dream and sometimes nightmare The 2020 Tokyo Olympics are in full swing, and will soon be history. Olympics are these two-week marathons of muscle and mind, skill and grit, and sensitivities and so much more that we are still to fathom the full depth of them. These trials of endurance and spirit can be the dreams of a lifetime come to fruition, or the shattering nightmares that, on occasion, are a sad accompaniment that is not so much talked about, quickly rushed past.

There are the medals and the cheers and the joy, many times the tears of delight, too. The other side of that is the pain that comes from failing, or thinking of failing and the artic reception that follows those milliseconds, that whisker, of coming up so agonizingly short. It is part of the dream and the glory, the sheer ecstasy and agony of it all. The agony can be lifelong, the sense of not being good enough, not having what it takes to be a true champion in the most recognisable of searing, demanding crucibles.

Our small contingent of athletes tried, but as should be clear to the objective, no matter how patriotic, we still have ways to go, though we keep inching nearer. We are thankful for them, and their efforts, while being fortified with the hope that we will get there on that winner’s podium someday.

On the other hand, American Simone Biles, has been there before. She has tasted the sweetness of victory, of the rapturous applause, of the accolades that never stop.

But, the clock stopped for young Biles in the heat of competition, when the deep chill of responsibility, maturity, and a graceful spirituality visited her, and halted her Tokyo Olympic journey, a shade prematurely and somewhat abruptly.

Something inside her stopped, and with that, something else started and powered her forward: it is time to listen to what was going on in her head, heart, and body. It was: don’t go on, it is just too dangerous, could be personally devastating.

Hence, it was time for one thing only: not go forward.

She didn’t, and in so doing, this young woman, this old Olympian from another year and those Games, left a powerful and inspiring message for all those who strive with their utmost, and then some.

It is knowing when to say when. For Simone Biles, when was then, as in right now; she listened to what her body and soul was telling her, whispering insistently to her. For one so young, she manifested the wisdom of ancients.

Too many have ignored the warning signs inside, what the intricate mechanism of the body is sending via its builtin alarm systems.

Those who did not heed early enough, have paid unbearable prices. For having lingered too long, they ended up paying the longest of penances. There was a time, when to do otherwise, which was the macho thing and go on, was the norm, the only accepted standard, regardless of what or who was involved. To bow out in a timely fashion, and retreat courageously, while still in one piece, was simply unheard of, just not done.

The body for all of its sophistication and incomparable marvels, still has its limitations, its upper ceiling, which we dare not breach, at the risk of unimaginable perils. It is well that we be so attuned to what comes from it, and in its many mysteries, that we pay heed to it, before it is too late, and from which may be not much by way of quality recovery.

The Summer Olympics, Winter ones also, are one grand spectacle: the biggest moments on the world’s biggest stage. To withdraw after progressing and so close to the pinnacle may be incomprehensible to some, a source of unpleasantness from others, but given where Simone Biles was, it was the only choice left. It took great character, much self-searching and humility, to say: it is time to step back, let go of this part of the dream, as anguishing as it may be.

We wish that others similarly situated would have their priorities right, in what is of life itself, and what is of merely sporting competition alone.

Exxon’s poor environmental track record and flaring Dear Editor, Much attention is currently focused on the gasto-shore project thanks to the EPA meetings through which some, not much, information on the project has been forthcoming, though generating more questions than answers, and showing up deliberate attempts to not provide information being requested with some officials getting “hot under the collar.”

What is clearly evident is that this project is a cook up between the Government and Exxon with little transparency on feasibility studies, site selection, who is being contracted for various studies, the costs, the selection process, the amount of gas, the commercial terms, etc. More and more questions are emerging and less and less answers being provided.

It is clear that this project is set to follow the similar patterns of the Skeldon Sugar Factory, Amaila Falls Hydro

and Berbice Bridge – especially considering the same players are involved.

However, while the gasto-shore project is occupying everyone’s attention, Exxon continues production at full speed – and continues to flare gas. Much has been said about this, to the point where we have become blue in the face, and yet nothing has been done by Exxon and by the government. From day one of production in December 2019, to now, Exxon has been flaring tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere very little effort or plan to address this. There has been a litany of excuses and promises on fixing the “compressor” but little results to show for it. It is clear that there is no commitment on the part of Exxon to have this addressed, especially if they can continue to get away with flaring. While there was much song and dance about the EPA instituting a fee/fine for flaring and Exxon having to pay, it is really a perverse

arrangement where Exxon is being let off the hook and allowed to pay to pollute. In other words, buy its way out of a regulatory permit condition and continue to operate. If this isn’t eye pass what is? So much for the government’s “low carbon” development strategy, which, with all this flaring, is nothing but hot air?

What is worrying however is the silence from the environmental groups, especially the international ones such as WWF, Conservation International and Iwokrama. Normally vocal on environmental issues, especially on issues with mining and forestry and conservation, etc., they have all been strangely silent on this travesty of flaring which continues to take place.

Perhaps they have been bought into silence since many of them are receiving funding from Exxon for “conservation work” which in essence is Exxon again buying its way out through green washing.

When

Guyana received from Exxon US$18 million “signing bonus,” Exxon gave Conservational International US$10 million for “conservation work.” Very little has been heard of since regarding these funds. Can Conservation International say what they have done with these funds? The lone champion conservationist fighting against Exxon has been Ms. Annette Arjoon and her organisation – the Guyana Marine Conservation Society. Kudos to her, she is a true champion of the earth and is perhaps doing it all with little resources.

Exxon, it would seem, has bought our politicians, our private sector and it appears our big conservation organisations. Guyana has lost its soul to oil money and we are truly citizens in Exxon’s Guyana. However, there is hope through persons like Ms. Annette. Hopefully more of Guyana can support and join her.

Yours Sincerely, Shawn Gittens

A Behavioural Science Unit in the GPF will influence excellent behaviour Dear Editor, On Friday July 02, 2021 Peeping Tom in an article in the Kaieteur News screamed, “Character assessment should form part of police recruitment.” In the article, Peeping Tom was very critical of the attitude and behaviour of several members of the Guyana Police Force and the negative effects on the public. The Peeper posited that a great many police ranks have serious attitude problems. He sighted many cases to back up his claim. He recommended that recruits must undergo details psychological and character assessment to ensure that they can be entrusted with the powers, which come with policing. The unacceptable attitude and behaviour by the police is not only the concern of Peeping Tom. Top Cop, Nigel Hoppie, at the recent Police Awards Ceremony at Eve Leary was concerned that 29 policemen were before the Courts with Criminal charges including murder, attempt murder, rape and other serious crimes. In addition, there are numerous complaints of unacceptable behaviour by policemen reported to the Police Complaints Authority, The Office of Professional Responsibility and the Police Service Commission. Acts of police misconduct appear to continue unabated. It is against this background that I am titillated to make another clarion call for the

establishment of a ‘Behaviour Science Unit’ in the Police Force and to briefly comment on the recruitment and training in the GPF. Editor, please permit me a bit of space to do so.

No longer can you swear in a policeman, give him a badge and send him on the beat to perform duty. No longer can a policeman depend on his physical brawn and his political connections to survive on the job. A policeman must be adequately trained. It is imperative that he understands and appreciates the importance of good behaviour in order to efficiently and effectively carry out his mandate as set out in Section 3 (2) of the Police Act Chapter 16:01 and what society demands from its protectors.

During 1973, Harold Russell and Allan Beigel wrote, “The importance of understanding behaviour in the training of professional policemen is indisputable.

Behaviour is the major phenomenon that the police officer must deal with. He must not only deal with the behaviour of criminals, but also the behaviour of the general public, the behaviour of his family, and his own behaviour. He can no longer regard the study of behaviour as the sole concern of the psychologist and psychiatrist. He must learn more about the behaviour and behavioural science in order

to effectively and safely carry out his Job.” Those words were relevant over half a century ago; they are even more apposite today for law enforcement officers. A good starting point to assess behaviour in the GPF as indicated by the Peeper is at the recruitment level. The present recruitment process is not geared to identify inappropriate behaviour traits or more so psychological behaviour.

The recruitment process appears to cater for quantity rather than quality. An applicant who is highly qualified but is psychopathic and others with unacceptable behavioural traits can easily be recruited into the Force because the recruitment system does not address behaviour. To address this unwanted entry into the GPF, the police should establish what is internationally known as Assessment Centre as part of its recruitment strategy.

Space does not permit me to go into great details about the operation of a Recruitment Centre but suffice to say that at the Centre applicants are exposed to a series of activities and or scenarios where behaviour is assessed by a team of highly trained assessors.

Assessment Centre is nothing new. It was used by The Allies and the Axes during World War 11 to train their spies.

Tinsley (2002) contends, “The assessment centre was

and still is, one of the best methods available for selecting suitable candidates for either employment or advancement in law enforcement agencies.” The process will produce fewer recruits but will result in better quality ranks being enlisted in the Force. Several years ago during my groundings with my fellow senior Caribbean police officers in Jamaica, I attended an Assessment Centre conducted by the Jamaica Constabulary Staff College.

During the activities an applicant who was a graduate from the University of the West Indies displayed some psychopathic traits. He was not selected for enlistment.

Francis Forbes, the Head of the Staff College, who later became a Commissioner of Police said, “Him can come with him degree from UWI with honours, but if him a psycho, him can’t be a police.”

In assessing behaviour in the GPF one must not only deal with entry-level ranks, but with members of all the branches and divisions. Both junior and very senior ranks have been constantly displaying inappropriate and shocking behaviour. The Chief Justice ruling in the recent Calvin Brutus case against the Police Service Commission is very instructive. Grave acts of misconduct will continue to occur at all levels in the GPF (Continued on page 6)

Saturday July 31, 2021

Saving lives is an act of worship Dear Editor, One of the most significant lessons we have learned from this pandemic is that we are all in this fight together. Our actions, or lack thereof, have a huge influence not just on ourselves, but also on our families, communities, workplaces, and mankind as a whole.

Despite this reality, the goal of vaccinating everyone against COVID-19 has become extremely difficult, particularly in this digital age when we are witnessing an enormous amount of unsubstantiated health content proliferating on social media. To me, this is really concerning and problematic.

While I believe it is reasonable for people to be concerned about their health and to thoroughly research their options, I strongly advise that when listening to and reading about COVID-19 vaccines, it is critical to consider the accuracy of the content - ensure it is from a health organisation and/or government source.

What is even more disturbing is that some of this misinformation is being disseminated by individuals with a specific goal, who are using people’s fears and anxieties to propagate conspiracy theories regarding COVID-19 vaccines. As a result, a growing number of individuals are refusing to receive the vaccination. It must be noted that while natural COVID-19 measures such as wearing a mask, sanitising, social distancing, proper diet, and so on are all effective, vaccines against

COVID-19 are our greatest hope of bringing the pandemic to an end. The benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the minor risks of any possible side effects. It is the same as taking paracetamol, antibiotics, or aspirin despite their side effects.

Subsequently, in addition to the plethora of misinformation surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines, others contend that requiring the COVID-19 vaccinations violates their human rights. At this juncture, this writer believes that the vaccinated have the right to protect themselves against the unvaccinated. According to one Human Rights principle enshrined in Guyana’s Constitution, Article 40 (1) states, “Every person in Guyana is entitled to the basic right to a happy, creative and productive life, free from hunger, disease, ignorance, and want. That right includes the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever his race, place of origin, political opinions, colour, creed or sex, but subject to the respect for rights and freedoms of others and for the public interest.”

In another Article (25), it states, “Every citizen has a duty to participate in activities designed to improve the environment and protect the health of the nation.” As a result, I believe that while individual rights should be respected, the overall wellbeing of the general public must take precedence.

In light of the foregoing,

What will it take?

Dear Editor, Reminiscent of a huge fire earlier, it is alleged firefighters turned up to a fire without tools to break heavily grilled doors and windows (News Room, July 29), thus being unable to gain entry to the building promptly. When they finally did, two

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occupants lay dead.

Is our firefighting capabilities being compromised by lack of basic, careful planning?

What will it take for GFS to get simple, elementary things right?

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

we, the Guyana Islamic Forum for Education, Peace, and Religious Solidarity, the Electric Mosque’s Presentation of the Teachings of Islam, in collaboration with the Universal Peace Federation – Guyana, takes this opportunity to urge all of our brothers and sisters in Guyana and elsewhere to take the COVID-19 vaccinations.

We fervently request that people who have not yet been immunised be vaccinated in order to achieve what is known as “herd immunity.”

Herd immunity occurs when a significant amount of the population is vaccinated, resulting in too few people available to act as hosts and, as a result, the virus’ transmission stops. One of the most significant aspects of herd immunity is that it protects not just those who get immunisation, but also those who are not vaccinated for whatever reason. As Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran, “… if anyone saves a human life, it shall be as though he had saved all mankind” (5:32). With this in mind, let us look beyond ourselves and consider what is best for mankind as a whole.

In the perspective of Almighty God, such a tiny gesture is equivalent to saving all of humanity. Just imagine!

Furthermore, we support the views of His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali, the Government of Guyana, President Macron, and other nations calling for the implementation of the COVID-19 “passport.” We are all in favour of vaccinating all individuals who are eligible to be vaccinated, or of requiring vaccination passports to enter any social gatherings, such as schools, places of worship, restaurants, and business

entities. Those who do not wish to cooperate may remain at home since they cannot endanger those who do.

Additionally, to safeguard the vaccinated, the unvaccinated should give a PCR test result demonstrating that they are COVID-19 negative once every 14 days, or whenever necessary.

In Islam, taking care of one’s health is a religious duty. Moreover, even more Divine is the one whose actions save the lives of others. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) has also thought us that, “In their mutual love, compassion and sympathy for one another, believers are like one body: when one part of it suffers a complaint, all other parts join in, sharing in the sleeplessness and fever,” AlBukhari and Muslim. In a nutshell, we are all in this together. We are one body!

COVID-19 is not just about our individual selves and our own bodies; in fact, none of us are safe until all of us are safe. In other Holy Scriptures, the Bible teaches, “Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.”

Isaiah 58:10. Humanity, my dear brothers and sisters, is in trouble. Humanity is in a state of catastrophe. Humanity is in peril.

Individually, let us all do what we can to help stop this pandemic, so that our collective acts may help preserve mankind.

As such, we implore you to get COVID-19 vaccinated.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

‘Too much to stomach’ Dear Editor, I am appalled that an aspect of the Auditor General’s Report for 2016 exposed mismanagement and spitefulness by the previous administration. This is way ‘too much to stomach’ as we say in local parlance. I am enraged when I examine the fact that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) never received (the) $400 million that was approved in the former A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) 2016 Budget. This was critical support that the company needed at the time and when one examines the fact that the APNU+AFC then went to dismiss thousands of sugar workers subsequently and close down several estates, the withholding of this Parliamentary approved support seems deliberate.

We must also not forget that they also ignored recommendations not to close any estates in a study

that they themselves commissioned. It is even more glaring now that we have learnt about the withholding of this large sum.

In my personal view and given the aspects outlined above, the powers that be in the David Granger led APNU+AFC administration made a political decision to punish thousands of workers and destroy the sugar industry with the belief that they will be targeting supporters of the PPP/C. Respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

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Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

Exxon eyes another ‘mega basin’ in Stabroek Block with new discoveries …shareholders told Yellowtail permits expected before year-end The recent discoveries in the Stabroek Block in Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) at the Whiptail I & II wells have boosted Exxon executives’ confidence as it relates to the projected size and quality of the new basin east of the Liza Field Development.

This would bring the proven reserves in Guyana’s deepwater developments, well over the already confirmed nine billion barrels of oil equivalent.

The disclosures were had yesterday when ExxonMobil Executives—Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Darren Woods, Senior Vice President, Jack Williams and the US oil major’s Vice President and Secretary, Stephen Littleton—briefed shareholders on the company’s second quarter 2021 financial performance and operations.

Williams in his briefing, told shareholders, the two new discoveries will add to the proven nine billion barrels resources, “further increasing confidence in the size and quality” of the reserves east of the Liza developments.

He told shareholders that in addition to 167 feet (51 meters) of net pay in high quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs encountered at the Whiptail-2 well, drilling continues as it is believed to bear even more crude at deeper depths.

The Whiptail 2 discovery, announced this past week, represents just one of three successful wells spud this year in the Stabroek Block, according to Williams and referenced the Whiptail-1 discovery in addition to the Longtail discovery announced earlier this year.

Appraisals, he said, are ongoing.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the Liza Unity, the second Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading vessel meant for the Liza II development in the Stabroek Block, Williams announced that its arrival in Guyana, is now set for the

ExxonMobil Senior Vice President, Jack Williams. fourth quarter of this year.

The ExxonMobil official did not provide a reason however for the pushed back arrival date, since the vessel—according to previous official pronouncements—was

supposed to have arrived in Guyana the beginning of the third quarter of the year.

Updating officials on its Guyana operations, shareholders were also told that pending government approvals, which are expected before the end of this year, the company intends to formally ink its Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Yellowtail oilfield, also before the end of the year.

This would pave the way for the company to formally begin inking contracts for the development of this fourth oilfield.

That would represent the fourth oilfield to be developed in the Stabroek Block by the operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)— and its partners Hess Corporation Guyana and China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC).

The Payara development is on track, according to Williams, who told (Continued on page 17)

...A Behavioural Science From page 4 if behaviour is not urgently nipped in the bud.

Here is where a Behavioural Science Unit can play a major role in identifying police with behavioural problems and establish Early Warning Systems (EWS) for preventing intervention to correct those problems.

According to Arnold (2001), “Early Warning Systems (EWS) were developed as proactive tools and have been utilised by some law enforcement agencies with beneficial results.” These systems have, to some degree, provided a “heads up” regarding behavioural problems with police officers and afford the agency an opportunity to implement remedial action. However, as Rhyons and Brewster cautioned, “An early warning system is not a substitute for good supervision. Instead, it is a tool designed to help a good supervisor become better.” In the area of training and learning UNESCO’s imperatives for learning is very instructive. It rests firmly on four pillars and is applicable to the GPF particularly to address behaviour. They are: Learn to live together; Learn to be, Learn to do and Learn to learn.

The Behavioural Science Unit can also sit nicely on those pillars. Therefore, the following areas and many more recommended by UNESCO must be addressed

with the police. They are: effective communication, conflict resolution, anger management, cultural sensitivity, cultural awareness, self-esteem, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, problem solving, people skill, ability to research and analyse, effective investigation, effectively dealing with people and policing multicultural and diverse communities. These areas, if sufficiently inculcated in the minds of all members of the Force will go a far way towards promoting acceptable behaviour by ranks at all levels of the GPF. Over two decades ago, I graduated from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. My interaction with their Behavioural Science Unit then, and thereafter, enabled me to deal effectively with members of the public in the execution of my duties as a law enforcement officer and in my relationship with my friends and family. I am confident that the creation of a similar unit in the GPF will influence excellent behaviour among all members of the Force and will go a far way towards promoting public trust and confidence in the police.

Yours respectfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

It is the same story all the time.

The Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee discovers “unusual spending” at the Ministry of Agriculture.

We have news for the PAC: it is the same story all over. Unusual spending.

No action. Repeat the lament next year. This is how Guyana works.

Exxon comes here and looks at how backward we are, and dumps billions in bills, which we don't audit, can't audit, in the time frame available, BUT KNOWING FULL WELL THAT THE DRUNKEN SAILORS WE HAVE FOR LEADERS WILL PAY THE BILLIONS ANYWAY.

After all, it is not they who are paying.

It is the Guyanese taxpayer.

Meaning: ME and YOU. When will Guyanese get angry and vent their fury at our leaders and government and parliament?

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

Govt. gazettes partial vaccine mandate - Only vaccinated persons to enter cinemas, govt. agencies; public transportation operators must be vaccinated

E

ven though the Government made it clear that COVID-19 vaccines are not mandatory, its latest gazetted COVID-19 emergency measures – requiring that persons who wish to visit public agencies, take part in certain public activities, who operate public transport must now be vaccinated – result in an effective partial vaccine mandate.

The emergency measures, which were released yesterday, goes in effect from August 1 and last up to August 31, 2021, sees the 10:30pm to 04:00am curfew being maintained.

The gazette, which stipulates more vaccination requirements state that any member of the public who is desirous of entering a Ministry or any Government agency must be vaccinated, while unvaccinated persons must make an appointment before they visit.

As cinemas, casinos and betting shops are being reopened at 40% capacity, the gazette states that only vaccinated patrons are allowed access to these businesses and that they wear a facemask while doing so. The requirement to be

vaccinated does not apply to children under the age of 18 years.

Patrons should have in their possession their ID card and their Vaccination Cards when requested by the operators or other persons authorised by the Ministry of Health.

According to the guidelines, indoor and outdoor dining at a restaurant and bar are only allowed at 60% capacity. Persons who wish to attend except for children must be vaccinated.

They too have to provide their ID cards and show proof that they are vaccinated. Staff are asked to wear a facemask and sanitise tables and seats at all times.

Buffet dining, gambling, pool and snooker games at bars are still prohibited, while gyms and fitness centres are allowed to reopen at a 50% capacity.

While only vaccinated persons are allowed entry to these places, the Health Ministry is now requiring members of the public who operate any public transportation, whether by land, water or air are to be vaccinated.

When operating they should always have their ID card and their

The Ministry of Health

Vaccination Cards and must produce these documents when requested by the police or any person authorised by the Ministry.

Operators should ensure all passengers wears a facemask.

The Ministry highlighted that failure to comply with any of these measures will be treated as an offence and those breaching the regulations can face charges.

Business operators who fail to

comply will be issued with a written warning by the Ministry and if found uncompliant after being warned, their operation will be suspended for no more than 30 days.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

PAGE 09

CONSOLATION FOR A FOOL He was prospecting, looking for the deal that would make him rich. He did n o t h a v e m u c h understanding of the business climate, but who needed this to make money in Guyana? With the right connection, he could transform himself overnight from well off to super-rich, all with a little help from his friends in the right places.

He had one friend who he knew would not let him down. The man had risen to stardom on the stroke of some good fortune.

He became popular and well liked and he used that popularity and appeal to make a lot of money. He invested those monies through his friends and this is how he multiplied his wealth without drawing attention to himself.

The prospector knew that if he went to his friend, he would get some help. He really did not need the help but he decided that there could be nothing wrong with being richer.

One day he saw a farm, which looked inviting. It sat on the edge of a great swamp, but it was elevated thereby allowing for very g o o d d r a i n a g e .

He thought to himself that this would be an interesting investment for the future since he could turn this swamp into an irrigation canal.

The only thing was that he needed to purchase the land. When he checked the records, he saw that another

Dem

boys seh...

individual owned it. He approached the owner; “I came to see you about the farm that you own. I would like to purchase it.”

The owner looked surprised.

No one had ever approached him on this subject before.

But after giving the matter some consideration, he said, “I am sorry to disappoint you but I do not wish to sell that land.”“But I will offer you a good price.” said the prospector.

Sorry, said the man, I do not wish to sell but tell me why are you so much interested in my farm which is adjoined by swampland?”

The prospector had learnt his trade well and he knew that if he spoke the truth the price of the property would be raised just in case the owner decided to sell. So he said, “I am told that the swamp will eventually encroach on the land, and I am interested in studying the effects of this encroachment. You see I am a scientist,” he lied.

“Ok,” said the man, “but I am sorry I am not selling.”

The prospector left but as he walked away he was determined that he must get that land. So he decided to go and see his friend and explain the problem.

His friend listened and then whispered something in his ear. He smiled and said goodbye.

Within the next few weeks, the owner of the farm found that his financial problems were being compounded. He began to receive all manner of

demands for payment. When he questioned some of these demands, he was served with notices to appear in court. He could not afford the legal fees but he was determined to make things right.

One day he woke up and found that a notice had been placed on his farm. The area was being converted into a temporary conservatory. He did not know what to do. Just when he needed to make an investment in the farm, he found that obstacles were being put in his way.

He decided that he needed to see someone with influence and as things would have it he was recommended to see the powerful friend of the prospector. He outlined his problems.

The powerful friend of the prospector listened and then said to the owner, “The farm you have there is going to be converted into a sanctuary for birds. The developers will pay you next to nothing for it and they have the law on their side so you had better sell the land now before you do not get anything much for it.”

The owner left determined to sell. He called the prospector and within days a deal was signed. Payment was made and the ownership passed hands.

Having gotten the land, the prospector did not know what to do with it. He simply had lost interest in developing the place. He let it become overgrown with weeds. It became neglected property.

Is just coincidence!

Nah! It cyan be true! Stop with de idle specu-lation. Is nat true dat because dem boys friend build cinema de guvment decide fuh allow all dem cinema fuh open back.

Don't be wicked!

Is just coincidence dat on de same day dat de new mall open dat de government announce dat cinemas and other places gan be open at 40 percent capacity. Nah believe wah wicked people ah talk. Is just coincidence!

It mek dem boys remember de story about de woman wah go to de docta. She tell he, “Docta, I come fuh a medical to get a j o b . ” De docta ask she fuh do some tests, and when de results come back he tell she, “I looked at your tests reports and I'm afraid I

have some bad news.”

De woman get vex and start to raise she voice, “Don't give me any jive about test results!

I believe in herbal medicine, faith-based approaches and astrology!

All meh life, dem thing never fail me! So don't tell me bout test results and bad news!”

De docta decide fuh do things she way.

He tell she, “No need to get hot under the collar. No need to raise yuh voice and lose yuh temper. Why don't we try an astrology-based approach?”

De woman turn to he and seh, “Now yuh talking something sensible.”

De docta ask she, “So, what's your star sign?”

De woman answer, “It is Cancer.”

De docta reply, “Well, what a coincidence!”

Talk half and walk with yuh vaccination card when yuh going matinee!

One day the prospector's powerful friend came knocking. He had an offer to make for the said land.

The prospector wanted to say no but how could he after

all that his friend had done.

He signed on the dotted page, not bothering too much because he knew where there was one deal there are bound to be others. Consolation for

a fool!

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Saturday July 31, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

A history of the PNC - Part 3 T

his is the third installation of a series on the history of the PNC. For parts one and two, please see, Tuesday October 15, 2019 and Saturday November 23, 2019. We left off with the demise of Forbes Burnham.

After his death, infighting began. It had to be because neither Jagan nor Burnham anointed a successor.

It has become a noted event in Guyanese politics that Moses Nagamootoo told the nation that Jagan had him in mind.

The wife of the Guyanese icon, Janet, was livid because Cheddi did no such thing. In the PNC, Hamilton Green saw himself as the logical successor after Dr. Ptolemy Reid retired from active politics.

The death of Burnham marked the end of an era for the PNC. It marked one of the

greatest ironies in Guyanese politics. Whereas, it led to the sidelining of the strongman, Hamilton Green, and a blossoming of democratic instincts in President Desmond Hoyte, it also brought about a colossal uncertainty about the future of the PNC. Once Hoyte agreed to western pressure and embraced perestroika (political opening up) and abertura (economic opening up), it created a sea of contradictory possibilities.

One of these was that democracy was bound to sweep the PNC off the stage for two reasons. First, Indians would rise to the surface in prodigious numbers because they felt their hero, Cheddi Jagan, was long denied his place in power. Secondly, sentiments would expand exponentially among the Guyanese people

that it was time for a change.

Hoyte believed that both perestroika and abertura would have gotten him reelected. Those hopes were indeed logical to understand.

Under his presidency, a huge confusion crept into the minds of the PNC collective.

Was the democratic wave after 1987 a PNC act or was it a case of a brand new man doing his own thing?

For many PNC supporters they couldn't answer the question.

They wanted it to be the act of the PNC. But in reality, it was governance stamped with the personality of the president. Hoyte deburnhamised power and society in Guyana in far reaching ways after 1987. It was not the era of the PNC but Hoyte. Herein lay the irony I alluded to above.

Once the PNC was degutted and Burnham's sycophants,

hooligans and ideologues were cast aside, Hoyte became the PNC and the PNC was Hoyte. In an election contest, this lopsidedness would have serious consequences. It did.

The period 1987 –to 1992 cannot be seen as a stellar achievement of the PNC when one will write the history of the PNC. The power establishment was not manned by the PNC but fresh faces that Hoyte brought in that hardly knew the leviathans that dominated the Burnham regime. The biggest casualty of Hoyte's political fumigation was Elvin McDavid, a man who Burnham trusted the most after Ptolemy Reid.

Based on his superb transformation of politics and power after 1987, Hoyte felt that re-election was natural. But he suffered two rude awakenings. The long repressed feelings of the Indians would find expression in support for Jagan. There is a myth that Hoyte reached out to Indians earning him the sobriquet – Desmond Persaud. Hoyte did

nothing of the s o r t . H e embraced rich I n d i a n businessmen who betrayed him. Hoyte did nothing for the Frederick Kissoon majority of ordinary was nothing bad that Arthur Indians.

The second awakening did that should have caused was personally cruel to him to lose. But “Bajans” Hoyte. He felt he had done wanted a change.

In Guyana, people had enough to rekindle d e m o c r a t i c c u l t u r e i n enough of the PNC so they Guyana to be re-elected. The wanted fresh breeze.

They saw Hoyte as the arrest and jailing of the murderous clan named the leader of the PNC even House of Israel won Hoyte's though that PNC as we knew admiration from the entire it was long gone. Hoyte's society. The economy was defeat in 1992 laid the basis thriving. Imports resumed in for permanent confusion in Guyana after decades of the PNC. In part four, we will decay. The man himself look at the PNC under Hoyte appeared in the eyes of after 1992 then Corbin. Part Guyanese to be a decent five will analyse the failure of the politics and power of leader.

But Hoyte got sadly David Granger. In part one, it sandwiched between two was stated that there would weird facts. One is that he be five parts. There will be a was still seen as the frontman sixth column. It will examine for the PNC. Secondly, the PNC in 2021.

(The views expressed in people wanted a new set of leaders. Hoyte's defeat in this article are those of the 1992 reminded me of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t 2013 narrow defeat of Owen necessarily reflect the Arthur in Barbados. There opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

Natural Gas distribution to GPL Grid poses massive challenges, risks - Gas-to-Energy 2017 Report

A

ccording to the 2017 Energy Narrative 'Desk Study of the Options, Cost, Economics, Impacts, and Key Considerations of Transporting and Utilising Natural Gas from Offshore Guyana for the Generation of Electricity,' the dispersed nature of Guyana's existing power plants raises significant challenges as it relates to distributing the Natural Gas to each power plant. This distribution could be challenging given the dense population and infrastructure in the surrounding area as installing underground pipelines in urban areas will disrupt traffic and may require extensive planning and rights-of-way negotiations, according to the report.

Transporting Natural Gas is a costly and complex undertaking that has most often been moved via pipelines, which take significant investments to develop. This essentially means that gas is often only affordable for domestic markets or nearby neighbours, implying that gas exports often depends on having neighbours that are eager to buy. This however, is not the case with Guyana, as all of our neighbours either have their own sources, like Brazil and Venezuela, or are very small markets, like Suriname and French Guiana.

A more viable option, according to the report, is the transportation of the gas as LNG once it is landed.

However, this would cost more than the onshore pipeline option. It was opined that a micro-LNG station and distribution via truck and barge would avoid the potential environmental, economic, and social harm from building pipelines in heavily populated areas and the LNG infrastructure would also be able to reach a wider range of consumers, including hinterland communities.

Converting gas to LNG requires a Natural Gas liquefaction plant, one of the most complex and expensive industrial investments in the world. These plants generally require extensive and highly specialised port infrastructure, massive pipeline complexes and large, expensive systems to cool the gas down to -260 degrees C and pressurise it so that the gas can be packaged for transport on LNG tanker ships. It's a technologically complex endeavour that takes years to start offering financial returns and can only be done profitably at a massive scale. In the local context, transporting Natural Gas from the production site to the end consumer is traditionally done via pipeline. New technologies, however, including Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), are also being considered.

The Energy Narrative report states that a pipeline is “by far the most economical option to transport Natural Gas onshore … assuming no

Artists' impression of the Gas-to-Energy plant

additional costs are required to obtain land or rights-ofway for the pipeline path.”

The report further states that “It is also the most challenging to implement given the need to negotiate the required rights-of-way, and the potential for construction disruptions and delays. A satellite LNG liquefaction station, coupled with distribution via truck or barge, could be simpler and faster to implement, but would also be more expensive.” Speaking on Compressed Natural Gas, the report stated that “CNG would not be able to supply the volume of Natural Gas needed for any except the smallest of Guyana's power plants, and so is not viable for this application. CNG could be used for local applications, including fleet vehicles or industrial uses.”

Therefore, the report concludes that a pipeline is the most technically economic option to transport the Natural Gas once it is on shore, but also the most difficult to implement.

Should Guyana undertake

the construction of a pipeline network to distribute its Natural Gas, it risks the associated potential harm of leaks, ruptures and explosions.

Therefore, consideration should be given to oil and gas pipeline accidents that have recently occurred within the past two years in countries with more developed petroleum infrastructure and much better mitigation and hazard responses than Guyana currently has.

These can serve as a point of reference to enable a more comprehensive approach to the impending consequences that may stem from the Gasto-Energy Project's gas distribution network via pipeline. Below is a list of recent pipeline explosions.

On the 6th July, 2021, Iranian media report that an explosion that started at a pump house in the country's southwest tore through oil and gas pipelines, killing three people and injuring four more. The Iranian Oil Ministry has initiated an investigation, but has yet to indicate the potential cause of

the explosion. Some Western media houses speculate that the blast's origin could be caused by the country's aging oil and gas infrastructure, combined with extremely hot weather conditions; however, Iran's IRNA news agency cited Shush county governor, Adnan Qazi, as blaming the explosion on a gas leak at an oil and gas pipeline station.

On the 29th June, 2021, two people were killed and three injured in a Natural Gas pipeline explosion at an Atmos Energy Facility in Texas, USA. Similarly, a gas pipeline explosion in Central China on June 18th, 2021 killed 25 people, with an initial investigation finding that the company affiliated with China Gas, a gas operator that provides Natural Gas and liquefied petroleum gas, did not strictly perform gas pipeline patrols and checks as required and that there were serious flaws in the operation of related facilities. On the 1st of February, 2021 a section of the Bolivia-Brazil pipeline that supplies a gas-fired

power station near the Brazilian city of Cuiaba was hit by a gas explosion over the weekend, with reports of minor injuries but no loss of life. Prior to this, on the 25th January, 2021 in Dalian, a port city in northeast China's Liaoning Province, three persons were killed and eight others injured after a Natural Gas pipe exploded due to a leakage.

It is noteworthy to state that, according to the Pipeline and Hazard Materials Safety Administration (PHASA) for the United States there have been 137 pipeline accidents in the US for 2020 – 2021 resulting in two fatalities, 13 fires and US $156,000,000 in damages. According to PHASA, over 50 percent of pipeline accidents are caused by equipment failure or failure due to corrosion. This, when coupled with the many pipeline accidents resulting in environmental damage and loss of human life, indicates that the proposed Gas-to-Energy project must be undertaken with the utmost level of care, scrutiny and diligence and must be effectively monitored to prevent ruptures with disastrous consequences.

In the absence of this, Guyana risks the occurrence of an event similar in scale and consequences to the offshore gas pipeline, which ruptured and caused a giant fire in the Gulf of Mexico in late June, sending balls of flames bubbling to the water's surface. Such a phenomenon would undoubtedly have catastrophic effects on the marine and terrestrial environment of Guyana.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

PAGE 13

Embattled dealer hauled to court, gets bail over illegal fuel sales charge S

BF International Inc. —the fuel company that was charged in April last, for wholesaling fuel that it was given special clearance to discharge after its import licence had been cancelled—had its principal Director, Dorwain Bess, yesterday released on $100,000 bail.

Bess appeared in Court before Magistrate, Leron Daly, where the Guyana Energy Agency's (GEA) prosecution team initially objected to bail, the alternative being remand to prison until the next hearing, set for October.

A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w, S i a n d Dhurjon, who appeared on behalf of Bess, objected to the GEA's request, since according to the l a w y e r, t h e o b j e c t i o n w a s malicious, since it was a trivial charge and not malum prohibitum (evil in nature).

Successfully rebutting the GEA's request, Dhurjon explained to the court that it was the company that was charged and as such, a Director could not be held on remand.According to Dhurjon, his client could simply resign as a Director from the company and exit the court case altogether, at which point in time, another director would have to appear in court to represent the company.

The GEA prosecution team, which included Arud Gossai and Colleen Sparman, had objected to bail in light of the fact that when the summons was to be served on Bess, he could not be located at his residence or registered office.

According to Bess' attorney, this was the case since Bess was in Linden at the time. An arrest warrant had been issued for Bess when the matter first came up but was later withdrawn.The GEA had also requested that Bess lodge his passport with the relevant authorities but this was refused by Magistrate Daly.

Following yesterday's hearing, Bess resumed his planned protest

Some of the SBF International Inc. laid off staffers protesting outside the GEA offices last Friday

action outside of the GEA's Quamina Street Offices, to express his and his staff's consternation over the actions being meted out to the company by the GEA. This, in addition to the reinstatement of the cancelled Fuel Import and Wholesaling Licence, cancelled on September 14, last.

While on his way to protest what he calls discrimination on the part of the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mahender Sharma, Bess was met by police ranks and served with a summons to answer even more charges being brought against him

by Dr. Sharma and the Energy Agency.The objective of the protest action, according to Bess, is focused in part on the removal of Dr. Sharma as head of the GEA. Additionally, Bess told this

Attorney-at-Law, Siand Dhurjon publication that his now laid off employees are eager to get back to work since the cancellation of the

licence and the subsequent laying off of staff, “would have happened in the middle of a pandemic; honestly it's not just them that's being hurt, but it's their families too.”The SBF boss has since reached out also to the US Embassy seeking an urgent intervention, and conceded that while there are remedies locally available with which to resolve the current debacle, “I believe Sharma by himself has become so discriminatory that I don't believe that it would be easy to impact him single handedly.”

He explained that being a naturalised US citizen, he is hoping that the US Ambassador, SarahAnn Lynch, would be able to provide some assistance with his troubles.Bess says that he is

hopeful that the President and Prime Minister of the country would, through his public demonstration, be apprised of the situation and be able to render some form of assistance.

Meanwhile, as it relates to the additional charges he was adamant, “I am of the view if there are 15 charges, why were they laid at the same time, why only after me going public there are new charges being somewhat brought against me?”

He has since been ordered to appear in court on August 17, to answer charges that allege that the company, SBF International Inc., between November 3 and 4 last year, imported some 155,000 litres of diesel without authority to do so under an import or importing wholesaling licence.

Opposition to query vaccine bills The 65 Members of the National Assembly are slated to meet for a sitting of the Legislature on Tuesday, at which time, former Minister o f H e a l t h , D r. K a r e n Cummings, is expected to query of substantive Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, among other things, the total bill paid thus far for COVID19 vaccines.

The line of questioning has since been formally placed on the agenda on the Order Paper for Tuesday's sitting where Dr. Cummings is expected to also inquire into whether the Ministry of

Health procured adequate vaccines to be given to the citizens of Guyana, as efforts are being made to contain the SARS-CoV-2 Virus and achieve herd immunity.

Additionally, the former H e a l t h M i n i s t e r, n o w opposition Shadow Minister for the Health Sector, is also looking to have an explanation behind some of the factors that influenced the purchase of AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, and Sinopharm as against the Pfizer or Moderna for the nation's citizens.

Dr. Cummings in her questions on the agenda is

asking the minister to “inform this noble Assembly how much money has been spent to purchase COVID-19 vaccines so far.”

Additionally, it is being noted by Dr. Cummings that, since the Johnson and Johnson (J&J) single dose vaccine can be kept for three months at temperatures between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius and has a long shelf life of two years, “is there any storage facility in the Ministry of Health or in the Administrative Regions that can accommodate the storage of the J&J vaccine at the

optimal temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius?”

She notes too that in light of the COVID-19 deaths, can the Minister of Health explain “to this National Assembly if the Ministry of Health is equipped to perform a quick response to vaccine safety signals, or to engage in vaccine pharmacovigilance to identify the rare instances where real adverse reactions occur, so that their effects can be diminished?”

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e opposition member is also seeking to find out from the

Minister of Health “if there is a Communication Strategy in place to address vaccine hesitancy in some areas of the populace, as well as to promote awareness of the vaccine risks and benefits.”

Dr. Cummings in her line of questioning, has since also noted that “there being in excess of 1,500 members of the populace in home isolation,” used the opportunity to question whether there “is robust contact tracing being done in the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana, especially at the epicenter,

Shadow Minister for the Health portfolio, Dr. Karen Cummings Region #4, and at the other regional hot spots to identify persons who are at high risk of COVID-19 or who may have had the P1 variant?”

PAGE 14

Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

Chevening Alumni host virtual discussion on migrant vulnerabilities and empowerment in Guyana T

he Chevening A l u m n i Association of Guyana on Thursday concluded a virtually streamed panel discussion entitled “Migration and Guyana - Vulnerabilities, Empowerment and Policy Implications” which saw contributions by a number of Chevening scholars with sector specific expertise in various areas relevant to the topic at hand.

The Chevening Alumni is a network of Guyanese scholars who have completed a course of study funded by the Chevening Scholarship Programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, British Government.

Chevening Alumni are diverse in their academic and professional background and represent a cross-section of Guyanese society. Chevening Talks was created as a platform to raise awareness of the Chevening Scholarship and to promote dialogue on topics of national interest.

The first panelist, Mr. Jermaine Grant, a migration specialist with a Master's degree in international

security and diplomacy spoke at length about the history of migration in Guyana and how it has progressed into the modern day.

He chronicled the journeys of the First Peoples all the way to the modern day context, which sees regional migration patterns being influenced by regional policy initiatives such as CSME. The second panelist, Ms. Tivia Collins, from the Institute of Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies spoke at length about the interaction between state, laws and migrants. She noted that from her research on how laws impact the everyday lives of vulnerable groups such as migrants, she has found that laws don't necessarily translate well when it comes to migrant's lived experiences.

The personal opinions of people in authority oftentimes affect the day-today ability of migrants to access services and resources regardless of what the policies of the State may look like on paper.

She notes that the first point of contact a migrant has when it comes to their interactions with the State's agents is with an immigration officer.

She revealed that many migrants with whom she would have worked, have revealed that they are

oftentimes questioned by Immigration officials as to why there are so many of them [the migrants from a particular country, such as Venezuela] coming into the country.

It was noted that they would have also interacted with police officers, health

care workers, bureaucratic agents, people working at the licencing offices, etc. and would have been exposed to similar personal opinions and sentiments.

Commenting on this phenomenon, Ms. Collins said, “What I have found happening in those spaces is that a lot of times, migrant populations are denied their rights or are denied services or the process itself becomes frustrated, regardless of what the law says.”

She posits that people's personal opinions, personal perceptions about migrants tend to leak through, as well as ideas about who should belong and who should not belong.

Consequently, this results in migrants being “subjected to unfortunately overt forms of discrimination… the way migrants interact with the state is through its bureaucracy, through these officers and often times, those interactions are tainted and marred with discrimination in both overt and covert forms.”

Ms. Collins also touched on the rampant issue of xenophobia, placing special emphasis on the fact that

'Breast grabber' remanded for chopping labourer who intervened Rochino Maison, the 24-year-old Linden man, who grabbed a woman's breast, and chopped a labourer because he intervened, was remanded to prison on Thursday.

Magistrate, Annette Singh, charged Maison via Zoom with the attempted murder of Keno Griffith at the Georgetown Magistrate Court.

According to a report from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the incident occurred on Monday around 17:00hrs. at Kara Kara, Mackenzie, Linden, Region Ten. The police report stated that Maison and a female resident of the Kara Kara, had a misunderstanding, during which Maison squeezed her breast and as a result, she spat on him. Maison became annoyed and reportedly threw a bucket of water on the woman.

Kaieteur News understands that it was then that Griffith rushed to the woman's aid and an argument ensued between him and Maison. The argument escalated into a scuffle during which Maison reportedly armed himself with a cutlass, which he used to chop Griffith to his arm and head.

Griffith was taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where he was seen and examined by the doctor. His condition is listed as stable.

Rochino Maison.

Moments after the incident, the suspect went to the Linden Police Station to report the matter where Maison was arrested. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and will reappear in court soon.

many Venezuelan women moving within the Region experience offensive or derogatory comments every single day of their life, not only from state agents but from people on the streets, where they work, where they live and in public in general.

“They are called Spanish in a very disdaining way and it's very offensive because people address them [or see them] as inferior or scornful.”

She also pointed out the issue of stereotyping migrants, and once again draws parallels with the experiences of Venezuelan women, who have notoriously been subjected to being misperceived as being involved in sexual labour or w h o h a v e b e e n unprovokingly labelled as a man thief.

The third panelist, Ms. Sunita Samaroo, an Education Programme C o o r d i n a t o r, b r i e f l y discussed several vulnerabilities that migrants in Guyana are faced with and how these vulnerabilities are exasperated by institutional barriers.

A m o n g t h e s e vulnerabilities, include language barriers, which hinder effective communication, the trend of non-recognition of educational or professional qualifications of migrants in Guyana, undue delay in relation to acquiring certain types of paperwork, permits, or application approvals, an inclination to avoid interaction with institutions due to how they are treated by said institutions and a lack of information accessibility.

The three panelists also highlighted the importance of having systems in place to protect migrant rights and mandate that having appropriate international conventions in place are vital to ensuring that the migrant's rights are respected.

They further posited that a government should seek to ensure that laws are applied equitably to locals as well as migrants and that more human rights discourse would consequently f o s t e r a b e t t e r understanding of the various factors that drive migration and build tolerance and acceptance of migrant populations.

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

PAGE 15

Barbados ready to offer services in Guyana's oil industry As Guyana expands its oil and gas industry and welcomes more investors, officials are seeking to get more Barbados-based international business firms to offer services there.

In fact, with Bridgetown being home to several international business firms, Director of Investment and Marketing at Invest Barbados, Renatta Mohammed, is giving officials in Georgetown the assurance that Barbados is strategically positioned in the international value chain to facilitate the needs of investors in third countries.

Outlining Barbados' long history with trading partners and global business firms, especially in North America,

Mohammed said it made sense for Barbados to be a first choice for the provision of various goods and services as Guyana welcomed an increasing number of international investors.

She was addressing a recent Barbados-Guyana investment seminar, an exploratory session hosted by the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, the Barbados International Business Association (BIBA) and Invest Barbados to explore opportunities.

Giving an overview of what Barbados and its service providers had to offer, Mohammed stressed the island's relationship with Canada, the educated

workforce and competitive tax regime. “Barbados has become a preferred jurisdiction for several North American entities engaged in global trade, investment, business support and financial management activities. Barbados remains a top choice – in fact, one of the top 10 captive domiciles in the world, and Canadian captives make up the majority of our captive business followed by US captives,” said Mohammed.

“Central to the Barbados value proposition for Canadian and other investors has been a welcoming investment climate that features a well-regulated and business-friendly environment that supports

businesses of substance, excellent infrastructure, an expanding network of tax and investment treaties, a competitive tax regime, a highly educated workforce that includes experienced tax planning, finance, accounting, technology and legal professionals, political and economic stability and excellent quality of life.”

Further pointing to the Barbados-Canada linkage, Mohammed pointed out that a portion of the flows of some CA$178.1 billion (BDS$289 million) in Canadian direct investment abroad in mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction was as a result of the establishment of Canadian

businesses in Barbados.

“This allows investors to realise benefits that impact on operating costs, tax efficiencies and risk minimisation. Supportive of our existing investors and cognisant of the needs of those considering Barbados, the Government of Barbados remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a stable, wholesome and welcoming environment for discerning investors,” said Mohammed. “Barbados is strategically positioned in the international value chain to facilitate the needs of investors and third countries.”

In addition to outlining what Barbados had to offer, the one-day seminar looked

Director of Investment and Marketing at Invest Barbados, Renatta Mohammed at an appreciation of Guyana's emerging sectors and the fact that other nonGuyanese enterprises could become involved, the legal and tax landscape, as well as banking, finance and risk management solutions.

(Barbados Today)

PAGE 16 VACANCY

Driver Eccles office,Car/Van licence.Call:642-9823.

PROPERTY FOR SALE Sale of property at Lot 87D Albert St Alberttown.3 b u i l d i n g f r o m Lamaha.24M,Price negotiable.Tel:675-9217.

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine,Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600.

Repair and Rebuilt of diesel e n g i n e s a l s o Caterpillar.Tel:694-5158.

WANTED Live in domestic(female) $25,000 weekly.Tel:610-3974.

Pilot to fly 172/206 CessnaXen Aviation.Send a p p l i c a t i o n t o : rtilak@adamtiumholdings.com 1water truck driver needed.Tel:686-9296.

Cashier 18 older.Call:223-7165.

FOR SALE Gas Station in working condition.Call:275-0367/ 683-7225.

2&3bedroomhomes.

Onderneeming, WBD,Tuschen,EBE H a s l i n g t o n , ECD.Whatsapp:673-6210/ 694-9793.

For Sale – 4.018 acres of prime land in New Amsterdam, Berbice.Call 679-2497.

Pure breed German Shepherd pups,black,tanned & pure white.Contact:6659140.

years

G a r d e n e r f o r Subryanville,able bodied.Must be able to workwith dogs.Contact:2255818.

Male & Female to work in factory.Apply in person R.P'S Enterprise,Area "K" L e R e s s o u v e n i r E.C.D.Tel:220-2818.

1 maid wanted between hours 12pm-4pm.Tel:2265793.

Domestic/Cook.Tel:2235273/74.

A cook for a restaurant in the interior.Tel:677-0869.

VACANCY FOR RENT Large Property with Huge Concrete Bond, Prime Location Cumberland, Canje.

Ideal for Business. Sale or rent.Call 679-2497.

Fully furnished 5 bedroom houseinLot1027 Eccles.Tel:639-9956.

1 2 bedroom apartment at T i m e h r i , c a b l e TV,WIFI,water & parking.$50000 monthly.Tel:6547318.

1 2 bedroom apartment.Lot 2043 Plot C Herstelling E.B.D.Contact:6961 6 8 0 . Av a i l a b l e 1 s t Aug,2021.

Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

Technical Assistant and Pitmenforinterior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250.

Porter,Prep(Meat/ Ve g e t a b l e ) , C o u n t e r S t a f f , K i t c h e n Assistant.Apply:Bettencourt's Diner,call for information:231-1368/223-1938.

Are you a graduate, 23 years and older, looking for acareer?Attractive benefits.Call 679-2497.

One salesman,5 subject cxc.Experience in writing bills,stocktaking& cashing.Keyfood Trading,Mc Doom village.

Vr e e d - e n - h o o p junction.Place for hair salon, pedicure, manicure ,other.Call:603-6400.$15,000 per month.

Pump attendant & Cashier,shifts (6am-2pm & 2pm-10pm).Shell Station ProvidenceE.B.D.Email: Shellramsburg@gmail.com

Three bedroom house to rent on E.C.D.Tel:601-2515.

Maid to cook and clean for East Bank.Call:615-9132.

Porters,apply in person at Alabama Trading at 65 Robb Street,Bourda.

E x p e r i e n c e d Carpenters.Apply in person at Alabama Trading at 65 Robb Street, Bourda.

Experienced Accounts Clerk, must pass in Maths,Accounts, English.Apply at Alabama Trading at 65 Robb Street,Bourda.

ExperiencedSales Clerks,must be computer literate.Apply at Alabama Trading at 65 Robb Street,Bourda.

One female cashier & one welder/fabricator to work at Del Ice Co.Call between 8am-1:30pm.Tel:642-9191.

Female cleaner for office.Call:642-9823.

One clerk for TSI Eccles officeEnglish& Mathematics,grade 1 or 2 . E m a i l application:techserigy @yahoo.com or call 6429823.

Vacancy for persons to assemble bicycles,apply at Alabama Trading.65 Robb Street Bourda.

LEGAL NOTICE 2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-699 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF J U D I C A T U R E FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISD I C T I O N FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD- 699 BETWEEN: HENRY (YULANDE MARVENA) NEE ADAMS Petitioner/ Applicant -and- HENRY (BRADFORD NELSON) Respondent TO: BRADFORD NELSON HENRY (Last Known Address) Lot 847 Kaneville, East Bank Demerara TAKE NOTICE that on the 27th day of May, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by YULANDE MARVENA HENRY nee Adams, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 12th day of July, 2021, the Petitioner! Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the

LEGAL NOTICE Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you’ desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 20th day of September, 2021 at 9:15 am before the Honorable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the

Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara].

The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 13th day of July, 2021.

Saturday July 31, 2021

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

GuySuCo never requested $400M intended for mechanisation following budget approval – Opposition The A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has refuted claims that while in Government it denied the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) some $400M intended for mechanisation, contending that the Corporation and the Union were concerned about the displacement of workers, and opted not to utilise the funds.

The matter was presented, during Monday’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting, and on Tuesday, the Coalition Members of Parliament – in particular Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan; Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Jermaine Figueira; and PAC Member, Ganesh Mahipaul – sought to set the record straight during a virtual press conference.

Ramjattan explained that prior to the APNU+AFC taking office in 2015, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C) Government had agreed to a loan for the agricultural sector; however, the loan was intended to finance the trial of mechanisation of harvesting in the sugar sector.

In the preparation of the 2016 budget, GuySuCo had requested that a $400M capital allocation be made available for the mechanisation of the Uitvlugt and Enmore estates. The money was obtained by the government from the IDB for allocation towards this capital purpose.

“Consequent upon discussions and a revisitation

by GuySuCo’s officials on the issue, this sum was never requested by GuySuCo from the Government although the

Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Jermaine Figueira

allocation was there.

Firstly, the argument was that since these are the wettest estates in the country, mechanisation must be put on hold until further data is accumulated on the wetness of land and on the specifications of the machinery that are to be acquired. And, secondly, GAWU wanted to know how many workers will be displaced by mechanisation,” Ramjattan explained.

He said at the end of 2017, GuySuCo had failed to provide the required response, and in fact, had not requested the money. As such, the sum was reverted to the IDB as unspent.

“It is outrageous that the PPP through Bishop Juan Edghill now comes up with the cock and bull propaganda that the Coalition was not supportive of the mechanisation of the sector.

That is what we had wanted and had been calling for, rather than the perpetuation of the kind of slave labour in hand cutting,” Ramjattan said.

He stated contrary to reports, APNU+AFC pumped billions of dollars into

GuySuCo. In the latter half of 2015, the coalition injected over $16B into the sugar corporation, and then in 2016, an additional $11B was given in current expenditure.

In other sections of the media, the coalition was accused of inappropriately spending $173.7M in 2016 from its special-projects bank account. But MP Mahipaul said Government’s Chief Whip and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, was dishonest, in her response on the issue.

The monies in the Special Projects Bank Account were revenues garnered from different sources, such as the National Cultural Centre, Digicel, and the Guyana Lotteries Commission among other agencies, and according to MP Mahipaul, the system dates back to 2010 when the PPP/C was in office.

“I would like the media and the wider population to know that the APNU+AFC inherited a system where the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports had an account where they were storing revenues that they received

...Exxon eyes another ‘mega basin’ in From page 6 shareholders the FPSO for that development— Prosperity—is currently having its topsides being installed.

Providing an update on its second quarter performance generally, shareholders were told that earnings for the period was some US$4.7 billion, compared with a loss of US$1.1 billion in the second quarter of 2020.

Second-quarter capital and exploration expenditures were said to be US$3.8 billion, bringing the first half of 2021 to US$6.9 billion, which is consistent with planned lower activity in the first half of the year.

According to CEO, Woods, the company anticipates higher second half planned spending on

key projects, including Guyana, Brazil, Permian and in Chemical, with full-year spending towards the lower end of the guidance range of $16 billion to $19 billion.

It was noted that the company’s oil-equivalent production in the second quarter was 3.6 million barrels per day, down two percent from the second quarter of 2020, which the company attributed to increased maintenance activity.

It was noted that “excluding entitlement effects, divestments, and government mandates, oilequivalent production increased 3%, including growth in the Permian and Guyana.”

Speaking directly to the company’s Guyana portfolio, it was noted that ExxonMobil

continued to progress its major deepwater developments in Guyana, including the announcement of new discoveries at Uaru-2, Longtail-3, and Whiptail, “which increased confidence in the quality and size of the resource and supports.”

It was noted too that their exploration, appraisal, and d e v e l o p m e n t drilling continues, with a total of six drill ships now operating offshore Guyana.

Describing its Guyana projects as the “company’s high-return developments” remain on schedule, with Liza Phase II on target for 2022 startup, Payara on schedule for 2024 startup and Yellowtail targeted for 2025 startup.

Opposition Acting Chief Whip & PAC Member, Ganesh Mahipaul from other areas such the National Cultural Centre, the Guyana Lotteries Commission, Digicel and a number of other organisations,” he said.

He said the Special Projects Bank Account dates back to 2010, and was mentioned in the Auditor General’s Reports of 2011,

2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

He said that it was the coalition that upon realising there was an issue, changed the system to have all funds directed to the Consolidated Fund.

“But we do not have it in the Auditor General’s Reports of 2017, 2018, 2019 and we will not have it in the Auditor General Report of 2020, and that is because the APNU+AFC Coalition in Government recognised the problem, fixed the problem, and monies from this Special Purpose Account were no longer stored by the ministry, and is no longer spent by the ministry, it is sent to the Consolidated Fund,” he explained. He said requested funds are budgeted for in accordance with the law.

The PAC Chair warned MPs against using information coming out of the PAC to score cheap political points, noting that the PAC is no battleground for political

parties. He said it is expected that all members of the PAC act professionally.

“It has legislative functions of varying factors and degrees, and it is expected by all members for us to be professional, for us to be objective, and peruse the audited accounts presented by the Auditor General with respect to the allocations made to various ministries and agencies from the budgetary allocations, and that is why we are here primarily, to give efficacy to the roles and functions that are supposed to be executed by all members of either side of the committee when it comes to matters of the public purse,” the PAC Chair said.

He said it is the duty of the PAC Members to ensure transparency and accountability and that the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA) be followed.

15 patients in COVID-19 ICU, 86 new shows that there are 77 Care Unit (ICU). infections Intensive The Ministry, in its daily persons in institutional Although no deaths have been reported on within the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health yesterday announced that 15 patients are presently admitted in the COVID-19

COVID-19 dashboard recorded 86 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 22,458.

The dashboard also

isolation, 665 in home isolation and four in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 21,166 persons have recovered from the virus.

PAGE 18

Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

Covid-19 pandemic: Japan widens emergency over ‘frightening’ spike

(BBC) - Japan is extending a state of emergency in Tokyo and expanding it to new regions as the Olympic Games host faces a surge in Covid-19 cases.

The restrictions are being imposed in areas surrounding the capital as well as in the city of Osaka.

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga warned infections were spreading at an unprecedented rate, urging the country to watch the Games from home.

New cases are being fuelled by the more infectious Delta variant.

“If the increase of infection does not stop, the severe symptoms cases will increase and the medical system may possibly be further under strain,” Mr Suga said.

Earlier, Health Minister Norihisa Tamura warned that the country had entered a new, “extremely frightening”, stage of the pandemic.

“I think that people cannot see ahead and, worrying how long this situation will last, they find it unbearable that they cannot return to normal daily life,” Reuters quoted him as saying.

Japan has had some success fighting Covid-19, keeping cases and deaths low for months, but is now seeing record cases.

Daily cases nationwide topped 10,000 for the first time on Thursday, more than a third of them in the capital.

Tokyo - where the Olympics are mainly taking place - has seen three straight days of record cases, even though it is already under a state of emergency. Hospitals are under increasing pressure in the city.

Olympic organisers reported 27 new infections at the Games on Friday, bringing the total since the start of July to more than 200. But with strict rules in place, including a ban on spectators, organisers deny the event is

driving the rise in cases.

Despite this, some experts worry that holding the Olympics in such circumstances sends a confusing message to the public about the need to limit daily life.

Under the state of emergency, bars and restaurants must stop serving alcohol and close early.

Three regions, known in Japan as prefectures, along with Osaka, will go under the restrictions from 2-31 August, with the measures in place in Tokyo extended to the end of the month.

While other countries have imposed legal restrictions on residents, in Japan people are only advised to work from home, so questions have been raised as to how effective the new measures will be.

Tokyo’s Governor Yuriko Koike has said the key to controlling the outbreak is young people, urging them to get vaccinated, but the BBC’s Mariko Oi says this is a little unfair given the low availability of doses.

Less than 30% of the population has been fully vaccinated, with officials aiming to jab all those who want a dose by October or November.

Speaking to the BBC, some young Japanese people were sceptical about whether the new measures would work. “I can sense that we are getting too used to the state of emergency, so it’s not stopping people from going out,” said one.

“If the government really wants to stop the spread of the virus, they have to lock us down and offer financial support,” said another.

Other countries in the region have also tightened rules to halt the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant, with China halting flights in Nanjing and Australia deploying troops in Sydney.

Saturday July 31, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

Saturday July 31, 2021

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Kaieteur News

WI seek 1st T20 series win as they clash Persaud breaks National record but campaign ends with Pakistan today at Providence

By Sean Devers In the first ever T20l game between the two sides in Guyana, West Indies face off with Pakistan in the first of three games today from 11:00hrs. The first match in a series reduced from five to four, ended in a no-result last Wednesday in Barbados after the hosts were restricted to 85-5 in their allotted nine overs but rain washed out the game. Never in any of the four series between the two sides has West Indies emerged victorious.

The sides previously meet in 2011, 2013, 2017 & 2018 and their head-to-head record against Pakistan read; 15 matches, 3 wins, 11 losses and a No-result.

West Indies’ wins came in 2011 and 2013 but since then they have never beaten

Pakistan in T20 cricket.

Since making their debut in this format in 2006 against New Zealand, the Caribbean unit has won the T20 World Cup twice (2012 & 2016) and are the defending Champions.

But on a track expected to favour spin and unpredictable weather conditions in the last few days the visitors could start as favourites.

However, if the big hitting West Indian line up build partnerships, rotate the strike and demonstrate better ‘shotselection’ instead of trying to hit every ball for six, they should surpass the 166-6 in Dhaka in 2014 which is their highest total against Pakistan.

The home team’s confidence should be high after a 3-2 defeat against South Africa they rebounded

to hammer Australia 4-1 in their last two series.

Pakistan, after winning the first match against England when a century stand between Skipper Babar Azam (85) and Mohammad Rizwan (63) led them to 232-6, before losing a competitive series 2-1. Rizwan, who has 706 runs in his last 13 innings, needs 43 reach the most T20l runs in calendar year and along with Babar, the Pakistan batsman in all formats, will be the biggest threat for the West Indies on what should be a lush green outfield.

Mohammed Hafeez has played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors and is familiar with the conditions at Providence, while Fakhar Zaman, Sharjeel Khan, Shadab Khan, Harris Rauf and the burly Azam Khan, the son

Saturday July 31, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Are you satisfied with your current career? If not, start by making a plan. There are specific steps that you can follow to take the greatest advantage of the available opportunities.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Don't fear any changes that lie ahead. Even if you think you don't adjust well, you have more adaptability than you realize. Without change, life would become stagnant.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Make your dreams a tool for gaining insight, Gemini. In the past, some rulers believed that their dreams held great insights and they employed people to interpret them.

CANCER(June21–July22) Follow your instincts, Cancer.

Even if you have a tendency to listen more to reason, put it aside today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Are you living your dreams, Libra? Are you still in touch with them? The energy from today's planetary aspects can lend strength and encouragement to this part of your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Check out advancing your career or education today. The energy can favor expansion and growth.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Do you recognize your intuition as a valuable asset, Sagittarius? Some people do and some don't. Which group are you in?

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Use your creativity to make things happen today, Capricorn. Remember that creativity doesn't always take the form of a finished product.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Feed your mind new knowledge. Visit a bookstore or read some interesting information on the web. If you have more time, visit the library or find out about some courses that might be perfect for you.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Find some new ways to expand your horizons, Aquarius. The web has an infinite amount of information to explore, and your community and local colleges offer many courses from which to choose.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Try to see nightmares as safe ways to understand feelings, Virgo. No one likes to experience them, and we'd sooner forget them once awake, but the best way to ensure they don't return is to understand them.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Step out of your routine .

Do this every so often to increase your knowledge and expand your horizons.

The planetary aspects favor this. Walking to a different beat can give you far more than you imagine.

of former Pakistan keeper Moen Khan. Hassan Ali needs another five wickets for 200 T20I wickets and will lead the bowling attack.

He should get pace support for the lively left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi and rookie Mohammad Wasim jnr.

Shadab should lead the spin attack which includes Usman Qadir, the son of the great former Pakistan legspinner Abdul Qadir.

West Indies could open with the inform Evin Lewis.

Chris Gayle, who will be 42 by October’s T20 World Cup in the UAE, has 1,818 runs from 70 T20Is with two centuries and 14 fifties.

Gayle, who has played eight times in this format, has a highest score of 93 and could be a psychological threat to the opposition.

He will want to prove to his distractions that he can still score consistent match winning knocks to show why he is the only player to score a Test triple century, an ODI double and a T20I hundred.

Dwayne Bravo could play the role of ‘stabaliser’ for young guns Shimron Hetymer and Nicholas Pooran to build on to set up an explosive finish from Pollard, Holder, Russell, Fabian Allen and DJ Bravo. The bowling should include the genuinely quick Alazari Joseph and Obed McKoy, Bravo, Holder, Russell and Pollard.

Spinners Akeal Hosein, Fabian Allen and leg-spinner Hayden Walsh who could be the biggest challenge for Pakistan. Tickets for today’s game cost $4000 and only 40 percent of Providence’s capacity of 15,000 will be allowed into the ground provided that they are fully vaccinated. To gain entry to the venue, fans are required to provide their Tickets, a photo ID and their vaccination booklet.

This series, along with the outstanding performances in the CPL will be the last chance for West Indies played to stake a claim for the World Cup since the squad is expected to be selected two days after the CPL’s conclusion.

...Resurgent TNT win Colin From page 20 difference and move ahead by four games to take 2nd spot.

The final scores read TNT 78, C6 68 and F&H 64.

TNT took away $100,000 and a trophy, while C6 took away $60,000 and F&H $30,000.

Mr. McEwan expressed thanks to all his supporters.

- Abrams finishes 7th in 100m heat Guyana’s youngest ever Olympian, Aleka Persaud had a dream debut at the Tokyo Olympics yesterday morning with a second place finish in her heat of the women’s 50m freestyle. Although she didn’t qualify for the next round, it was a major accomplishment for the 15-year-old swimmer as she reset the national record from 28.10s to 27.76s.

Persaud, who is sure to continue improving, became the first local athlete to swim a time under 28 seconds.

Judith Meauri of Papua New Guinea won the Heat with a time of 27.56s, but she also did not secure a spot in the semi-finals since it was the athletes with the 16 fastest times that made the cut for the next round.

Persaud’s coach Sean Baksh was quoted expressing great pleasure with her performance which is much greater when the fact that she was out of the pool for the most of last year is weighed in.

Earlier yesterday, United States based Guyanese sprinter

Jasmine Abrams Jasmine Abrams finished seventh in her Heat on women’s 100m and missed out on making the Tokyo Olympic Games semifinal.

Competing at the Olympic Track Stadium, Abrams clocked 11.49s in Heat Seven of Round One. Michelle-Lee Ahye of Trinidad and Tobago won the race in 11.06s, followed by medal contender Shericka Jackson of Jamaica with 11.07s and Jenna Prandini of the USA with 11.11s.

The top three in each of the seven Heats and the next three fastest have advanced to the semi-finals.

...Jackson/Fernandes are mixed From page 23 light work of Devanie Arjune with a comprehensive 6/1 – 6/0 victory in the Girls Singles.

Mixed Doubles Open The coach and student duo of Andre Erskine/Renola Jordan served off the Mixed Doubles competition on Monday, July 26 when they charged into their first semifinal as a team with a 6/0 – 6/1 win over Renaldo Alexander/ Norella Jordan.

Also new to the mixed

doubles competition are Phillipe Jackson/Nicolette Fernandes, who triumphed over Shaquiel Murray/ Devanie Arjoon 6/0 – 6/3.

Jackson/Fernandes and Erskine/Jordan will face the #1 seeds Gavin Lewis/Cristy Campbell and #2 seeds Jamal Goodluck/Grace McCalman respectively for a spot in the final. The tournament continues daily at the GBTI Diamond Courts and concludes next Weekend.

Kaieteur News

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Saturday July 31, 2021

Resurgent TNT win Colin McEwan Birth Anniversary Domino Competition Captain of TNT Mark “Jumbie” Wiltshire Receives the 1st Prize Trophy and cash $100,000.

One week after losing three key players. Stalwart Mark “Jumbie” Wiltshire, recruited and regrouped and led a Resurgent TNT to winners row in the Colin McEwan Birth Anniversary

Competition in the finals which was played last Tuesday night.

The competition commenced with 15 teams on July 25th at Turning Point. In the two rounds played - favourites Gold is Money, R&R, Fresh Cash, Big Boss Girls and Players were eliminated in Round one; while 300 making a return to dominoes, Executives and host, Turning

Point, suffered the same faith in Round two.

Another two rounds were played on the Birth Anniversary Night at Dynasty - which saw Next Level and Favorites Spartans, followed by CPoint getting knocked out in the quarterfinals F&H then drew the bye to the finals.

In the Tuesday night semi final and final, Phantom

proved to be no match for the TNT and C6 combination and were eliminated without putting up a resistance.

In the finals, TNT asserted themselves from round 1, while F&H and C6, had a tight battle for the 2nd position. Up to the 5th sitting there was just one game separating them. However, in the final sitting C6 was able to erase the one game (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

PAGE 23

Ethiopia’s Barega wins 1st track gold of Tokyo Olympics TOKYO (AP) — Selemon Barega won the first track and field gold m e d a l o f t h e To k y o Olympics yesterday and claimed the 10,000-meter title back for Ethiopia after nearly a decade of dominance by Mo Farah.

Barega broke clear on the last lap and won in 27 minutes, 43.22 seconds, upsetting world champion and world-record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda, who took the silver medal in 27:43.63. Jacob Kiplimo of Uganda was third for bronze.

Barega’s last-lap burst was good enough as he moved out in front with about 300 meters to go and held off the late charge by the two Ugandans, who were expected to go 1-2 in the first track final of the Tokyo Games.

For one moment it looked like Cheptegei might run Barega down on the home straight, but the Ethiopian dipped his head and dug in as Cheptegei’s challenge faded.

The 21-year-old Barega etched his name alongside Ethiopian greats Kenenisa Bekele and Haile Gebrselassie, who are maybe the country’s two greatest distance runners and who both won the 10,000 title at the Olympics — twice each.

“Even in the future, I want to make history like my previous colleagues,” Barega said through a translator. “I’m also very hopeful to achieve more in this Olympics.”

Barega is also planning to run in the 5,000.

Cheptegei broke the world record in his last major 10,000-meter race in October and was seen as the best in the world coming into the Olympics. But he took a gamble by not running in any international races over the distance since that recordbreaking run.

Kiplimo had the fastest time in the world this year and was expected to follow Cheptegei home.

Barega left them both behind.

“I had a little pressure

...Fully vaccinated fans here to From page 22 Berbice; and at Imam Bacchus and Sons at Affiance, Essequibo Coast.

Tickets will be on sale every day from 9am to 5pm.

For fans to get tickets and then gain access to the stadium, the following steps must be taken to meet COVID-19 match protocols: Once tickets are purchased, Guyana Ministry of Health officials will be on hand to validate vaccination documentation and check tickets and ID at the entrance to the Guyana National Stadium.

Fans will need to present their ID, ticket and vaccination documentation to be allowed entry.

Fans will need to wear face masks at all times and socially distance in the stadium.

F a n s w i l l b e accommodated in all stands, but fans will not be admitted to the grass bank.

No re-entry allowed if

fans leave the venue.

Under-18s will not allowed entry.

Fans will only be able to purchase tickets for themselves. Friends or family members will need to buy their tickets separately for validation and to access tickets.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, w i t h vendors not available in the stadium, fans will be able to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks. The following list of restrictions must be adhered to for entry into the ground on match day: Fans can bring in coolers, of a size that can fit under a seat for food and drink (12x12x12).

Any ice in coolers must remain bagged to allow security inspection of coolers.

Glass bottles of any kind are not allowed.

Alcohol of any kind is not allowed.

No knives, sharp metal objects.

because I’d never won an Olympic medal,” Cheptegei said. “I’ve been having some challenges mentally, some challenges injury-wise. At one point I thought maybe I needed to refresh my mind and stay with family and wait until the next season. But if I had, I would not have the Olympic (silver) medal.”

Barega had no major titles in the 10,000 before yesterday, although he does have a world championship

silver medal in the 5,000. His first 10,000 gold was the big one.

It was also a change of fortune for Barega, who said he had become deeply discouraged in recent months after spending a lot of the buildup to the Olympics training on his own because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The last Ethiopian to win the 10,000 at the Olympics was Bekele, who won back-

to-back titles in 2004 and 2008. Gebrselassie won in 1996 and 2000, giving Ethiopia four straight titles before Farah intruded.

Farah won gold at the last two Olympics but isn’t running in Tokyo after failing to make the British team.

The Olympic 10,000 has held a special place for the East African nation since Miruts Yifter first won it for Ethiopia in 1980.

On Friday, Barega won at a largely empty Olympic Stadium, but other Ethiopian athletes and team officials clapped and screamed loudly from the seats by the finish line as he came home first.

He grabbed an Ethiopian flag and held it with both hands over his head as he trotted down the track.

The men’s 10,000 was the only medal event on the first day of track competition.

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Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

Coach Shawn Baksh

Coaches Baksh and Gonsalves proud of Persaud’s Olympic performance

By Sean Devers u y a n a ’ s swimmer Aleka Persaud, who turned 15 in February, finished second in Heat 4 of the Women’s 50m Freestyle but barely missed out on advancing to the next round.

She clocked 27.76 at Tokyo Olympics for a personal best and a new national record for Guyana yesterday morning in Japan.

Since this Country participated in its inaugural Olympics as British Guiana in 1948, Persaud is the youngest Guyanese to attend the Olympics and is the fastest female swimmer in Guyana despite her age.

Her club Coach, Shawn Baksh did not travel with her toTokyo as Coach Shyka Gonsalves accompanied the pair of Persaud and male swimmer 25-year-old Policeman Andrew Fowler, who finished fourth in his 100m freestyle heat, to the 17th Olympics attended by this Country.

“The time she did was expected, we had been working to break into the 27’s since May it happened at the perfect time...she is also swimming the time other 15 year olds in the region are swimming but this 27 is deserving since we have only had pool training from January this year she was out of the water from March last year until this year. I’m very proud of her,” informed Coach Baksh.

“She has done all of this with only her parent’s support, no funding of any

G

sort excepting for a few sponsors who contributed to help her attended the meets in Puerto Rico and the Bahamas,” lamented the Orca Swim Club Coach.

Ironically, it was at the Puerto Rico meet that Aleka was given a wild as Guyana’s fastest female swimmer.

The 23-year-old Jamila Sanmoogan was selected by GASA for the Olympics but was not sent to attend the Puerto Rico meet and FINA mandated that Aleka replace her because of her times in that Meet.

“I would say based on the development plan we have prepared for her a lot more needs to come her way to properly prepare her for the next Olympics....the time that she did is a B time for the Junior PANAM Games so our focus now will be on that,” explained Baksh.

“We are going to be preparing for Jr. Panam and then the FINA world championship in December.

So it will be right back to training and looking into funding for her development,” concluded Coach Baksh.

Meanwhile, speaking from Tokyo shortly after Aleka set the new National record for her country Coach Gonsalves said she was very proud of Aleka.

“She did very well for herself. She has the fastest 50m freestyle for females in Guyana a great accomplishment,” added Coach Gonsalves.

Before her first race at an Olympic event, Coach

Gonsalves disclosed that Aleka was in good spirits, excited and nervous at the same time as will be expected from anyone in Tokyo.

Speaking about Fowler and Persaud, Gonsalves felt the swimmers did not have enough pool time leading up to their participation in the biggest muli-sports Games in the world.

“The swimmers did the best they could for the amount of training sessions they got. There was no training in the year 2020.

While the whole world has opened up the swimming pools, Guyana has not. I don’t think it is fair to place very high expectations on them,” Coach Gonsalves.

A study done in England showed that it took eight years in England on the investment per athlete that got a medal and it came up to 220,000 pounds per medal.

The study also stated that Olympians would also train at least 10,000 hours’ prep leading up to the games and compete at 7-10 international competitions per year at a minimum and this doesn’t factor in the development stage an athlete has to be invested in before reaching elite Olympic level.

Aliyah Abrams who will compete in the Women’s 400m and Emanuel Archibald in the 100m, are Guyana’s hope of getting a medal since Boxer Mike Parris won Bronze (Guyana’s only Medal) in the 1980 Games in Moscow.

Fully vaccinated fans here to attend PSO Carient Cup between West Indies and Pakistan The West Indies return to Guyana and only fully vaccinated fans will be able to watch the T20 team in action as they continue preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup later this year.

The reigning T20 World Champions will face-off against Pakistan at the Guyana National Stadium in the final three matches of the Osaka Batteries Presents PSO Carient Cup today, Saturday, July 31; tomorrow Sunday, August 1 and Tuesday, August 3. First ball daily is 11am (10 Jamaica

Time). These are the final three T20I matches that the West Indies play in the Caribbean in 2021 prior to the selection of the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. The Government of The Republic of Guyana and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in partnership with Cricket West Indies (CWI) have come together to ensure fully vaccinated fans can be in attendance. Fully vaccinated fans are those who have received their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine two weeks before

the date of match they will be attending. Spectators will also need to wear facemasks to gain entry to the matches and then keep wearing masks throughout. Fans will also need to remain socially distanced at all times.

Ti c k e t s p r i c e s a r e US$20/GUY$4,000 for each match. There are three locations where fans can make purchases at three locations. These are GCB Office at Regent Road, Bourda; Imran and Son at 73 ‘A’ Rose Hall Town, (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Saturday July 31, 2021

Barbados Franchise rebrands as the Royals

C

P L - T h e B a r b a d o s Caribbean Premier League franchise will change its name following a deal that sees the Royals Sports Group (EM Sporting Holdings Ltd), the owners of the Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise acquire a majority stake in the team.

The two-time CPL champions will be rebranded as the Barbados Royals, a partner franchise of the Rajasthan Royals, as the Royals Sports Group seeks to expand its global presence.

The Barbados Royals were Hero CPL champions in 2014 and 2019 and are currently led by West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder.

The team will get their 2021 campaign underway against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on 26th August at Warner Park, Basseterre.

Manish Patel, principal of the Barbados franchise, added, “We are extremely excited about the partnership with Manoj and the Rajasthan Royals family, which will further advance cricket in Barbados and the region.”

Royals Sports Group Chairperson, and the Lead Owner of Rajasthan Royals, Manoj Badale, commented: “We are delighted to have signed this deal with Manish Patel, to acquire a majority stake in the Barbados CPL franchise. We are extremely grateful to the Barbados government for their continued support, and we look forward to making a positive impact on both cricket and tourism for the country. We have ambitious plans for the Royals brand globally, and this is an important strategic step.”

Hero CPL partners with Sportcor to feature Kookaburra smart ball CPL - At this year’s Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) the tournament will use the Kookaburra Smart Ball – powered by Sportcor.

This revolutionary ball will be used in a professional league for the first time when Hero CPL gets underway in St Kitts & Nevis on 26th August 2021.

The Kookaburra Smart Ball looks, feels and plays exactly the same as a regular ball but there is a state of the art core that registers many more data points than using radar or ball tracking technology.

The ball sends back significant information on each delivery including the speed and spin of a ball at release, when it bounces and when it reaches the batsman.

This information is then delivered to the commentators in real time.

This will be graphically displayed for fans to enjoy during the live telecast.

Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s CEO, said: “We are really excited to be a cricketing first once again at Hero CPL and this technology is just

mind blowing. We are really excited to see the Kookaburra Smart Ball powered by Sportcor, at the heart of the action at this year’s tournament and we are sure it will give added value to the teams and the fans.”

Michael Kasprowicz, Executive Chairman and CoF o u n d e r s a i d : “ We ’ r e delighted to partner with Hero CPL to introduce the Kookaburra Smart Ball, powered by Sportcor, to the world. By delivering real time data, we look forwarding to getting fans closer to the action than ever and giving players and

coaches access to new insight to their performance, enhancing the way we all experience cricket!”

David Orchard, General Manager, Kookaburra said: “As a brand we are proud to be associated with a partner like Sportcor and are pleased they have partnered with the Hero CPL. The ball itself performs exactly like the Kookaburra Turf Ball, with the added technology to measure its behaviour according to release, prebounce and post bounce during a delivery. At Kookaburra we are committed to continuous improvement and innovation in the game we love, and our collaboration with Sportcor on the Kookaburra Smart Ball is an example of us leading together in this space, and providing real time data on the performance of every delivery in the game. The future looks bright for broadcasters, leagues, high performance coaches and cricketers at all levels to measure their own performance with the Kookaburra Smart Ball.”

Rebel Tennis Club tourney

Jackson/Fernandes are mixed doubles Champs The Rebel’s Tennis Tournament continued this week and Gerald Scotland surged into his first GBTI Boy’s Open final with a 6/4 – 6/4 win over the #2 seed and reigning Rebel Tennis Junior Champion, Donnie Anderson at the Diamond Tennis Courts, East Bank Demerara.

Scotland, Guyana’s new Under 14

Champion, scored the first upset in the boy’s division. He will face the winner of the #1 seed Viraj Sharma versus Denzil Luthers to vie for his first Boy’s Open Title.

In other results, Denzil Luthers defeated Nathan De Nobrega 6/3 – 6/3 in their quarterfinal clash, while Renola Jordan made (Continued on page 19)

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