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See The Protest continues for a pg.7 Edition AIETEUR Renegotiation on all foreign contracts, Friday June 04, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 23 NEWS call out your neighbour, stand in front your Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Guyana’s largest selling Online homes and offices at 9:00 to 9:05am today.

Price $80 daily & New York’s most readership Take a photo and post it on social media so the world yesterday, popular weekly 74,889 can see, Guyanese deserve a fair share of their resources.

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ExxonMobil quits 80% stake in Ghana acreage to focus on Guyana, others Suspects leave Fmr. GWI CEO says Man arrested, admits he sexually $10M in ganja $30M party bill was assaulted behind to escape CANU ranks ‘investment’ in staff 14-year-old girl Man fractures Social media activist Bandits beat co-worker’s skull charged for making and chop over argument man while at birthday party derogatory remarks - Cops unable to visit scene due to floods against Sports Minister robbing home

UN launches network to help all countries combat corruption Listen @11:00hrs The foreigners and their families living like kings with our God given wealth, on Kaieteur Radio while our brothers and sisters snatching umbrella to feed there familes 99.1/99.5FM

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Friday June 04, 2021

ExxonMobil quits 80% stake in Ghana acreage to focus on Guyana, others A

merica’s king of oil exploration, ExxonMobil Corporation, this week relinquished its majority i n t e r e s t i n G h a n a ’s Deepwater Cape Three Points block located offshore. This news was confirmed with Reuters, B l o o m b e rg a n d o t h e r international media agencies yesterday.

Preba Arkaah, a spokesman for Exxon in G h a n a s a i d v i a correspondence, “ExxonMobil is prioritising near-term capital spend on the most advantaged assets with the lowest cost of supply in the portfolio including developments in Guyana, Brazil and the U.S. Permian Basin.”

ExxonMobil had acquired the rights to explore the Deepwater Cape Three Points block in 2018. The U.S. based company held an 80% interest in the concession, while state-run Ghana National Petroleum Corporation held 15%, and GOIL Offshore Limited held five percent.

According to the Petroleum Agreement between Ghana and ExxonMobil, the oil giant had agreed to pay the country several types of taxes including 10 percent of the gross production of crude oil as royalty.

Over in Guyana, ExxonMobil via its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), operates the Stabroek Block that spans 26,800 square kilometers, more than 18 times the size of the block that was held by the oil giant in Ghana. The Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) insulates the Stabroek Block operator to be exempt from various types of taxes. Even ExxonMobil’s income tax, and that of its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC/NEXEN, is paid on behalf of the State.

Since bringing the Liza Phase One Project into operation in December 2019, EEPGL is set to bring Liza Phase Two on stream next y e a r, w i t h t h e t h i r d development project called

Map showing the location of the block relinquished by ExxonMobil.

Payara set for 2024.

The American explorer is already in the process of

securing regulatory approvals for its fourth project called Yellowtail, poised for start-up in 2025 and which will produce up to 250,000 barrels of oil per day. Production from this project is expected to last at least 20 years.

The production facilities to be installed include subsea equipment attached to the seafloor as well as processing equipment on the ocean’s surface known as a Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. The subsurface equipment is

expected to be installed at approximately 1,700 – 1,950 m of water depth. The main pieces of kit in the subsurface include the following: production tree, production manifold, flowlines, risers, and umbilicals. The subsurface umbilicals, risers and flowlines are commonly referred to as SURF. Building on the previous Stabroek Projects, EEPGL said Yellowtail would be designed to demonstrate continuous improvement in environmental performance.

EEPGL in this regard said it routinely strives to make improvements in environmental performance through emissions controls, technology enhancements and process improvements.

Expounding further, the subsidiary said in 2020, the FPSO Liza Destiny experienced unanticipated technical challenges and unplanned gas flaring during its start-up and commissioning process.

As a result of the foregoing, EEPGL said it conducted comprehensive root-cause analyses of these issues and evaluated potential improvements to gas handling systems, sparing philosophy and execution procedures. The company assured the EPA that it plans to take significant steps to incorporate the lessons learned from the commissioning of the Liza Destiny into future projects, including Yellowtail.

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PM issues second UN launches network to help all countries show-cause letter combat corruption to Slowe T - accuses him of joining force with Opposition

T

he Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Tuesday, issued a notice to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Paul Slowe to show cause why he should not be removed as PSC Chair, citing that Slowe’s actions indicated that he had joined forces with the political opposition.

According to a document seen by this publication, Phillips stated, “In the exercise of the powers vested in me by virtue of Article 225 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, I hereby direct that you do show cause, in writing, why I ought not to advise His Excellency, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, that your removal as chairman of the Police Service C o m m i s s i o n b e investigated…”

The PM indicated that this was a consequence of his awareness that Slowe has joined with Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul and retained Opposition Members of Parliament, Roysdale Forde SC, Khemraj Ramjattan, Raphael Trotman, Geeta Chandan- Edmond and Amanza Walton-Desir to institute proceedings against the Government of Guyana (GOG) and other various parties in High Court on a pending matter.

The document revealed, “The Commission and its members are named as Applicants in the proceeding and are expressly relying on the Affidavit evidence of Mr. Mahipaul in the proceeding, and from all indications, the

The Chairman of the Police Commission (PSC), Paul Slowe.

The Prime Minister (PM), Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.

case has political overtones and has the appearance of a political contest between the Government and the Opposition.”

The PM continued to further state that, by the Commission’s posture, the public perception is that the Commission and its members have abandoned all appearances of impartiality and have joined forces with the Opposition politicians to engage in an open, partisan, political contest with the Government.

“The Constitution of Guyana, the supreme law, enjoys the Commission and its members to be free from actual or perceived political bias, influence and interference and must at all times appear to be independent, impartial and autonomous. The joinder of the Commission and its members in these legal proceeding and their professed alliance with the political opposition, render you and the Commission in breach of those

constitutional duties.

Indeed, both the public and the members of the Guyana Police Force have complained that you are no longer perceived to be free from political, bias impartial, independent and autonomous,” PM Phillips stated.

Slowe’s press conference which was held on Monday was organised to focus on his response to a “show cause notice” that was sent to him by the PM. Phillips had written to Slowe and another member of the PSC, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Clinton Conway, two weeks ago to show cause, why he should not advise the President to have them removed.

The letter was sent to them after investigations conducted by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) revealed that Slowe, Conway and others – some of them retired highranking policemen and some (Continued on page 14)

he United Nations (UN) yesterday launched the Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities, geared towards empowering all countries with practical solutions and tools to track, investigate and prosecute corruption.

The network was launched as a complement to existing frameworks and in conjunction with the United Nations General Assembly’s first-ever Special Session against corruption. That session began on June 2 and comes to an end today.

Following the launch, António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations said that the network is a step in the right direction while adding that it will enable law enforcement authorities to navigate legal processes through informal cooperation across borders.

Guterres said it will also help to build trust and bring those guilty of corruption to justice. He was also keen to thank the Government of Saudi Arabia for funding and launching the Riyadh Initiative to create the Globe Network during their G20 Presidency last year, and called on all governments to make full use of the network.

The Secretary General also encouraged further efforts to eradicate corruption as he stressed that it is a serious crime that betrays people and democracies.

The official said, “It steals trillions of dollars from people all over the world – usually from those most in need, as it siphons off resources for sustainable development.” The Secretary General further noted that when powerful

António Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations

people get away with corruption, people lose trust in their governing institutions. He opined too that democracies as a result are weakened by cynicism and hopelessness.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Guterres said countries all over the world were roiled by huge antigovernment demonstrations while adding that corruption was one of the protestors’ main grievances. “We can be sure those protestors are watching closely now, as trillions of dollars are invested in recovery,” expressed Guterres as he added, “Turning the tide against corruption is essential if we are to achieve

the Sustainable Development Goals, promote peace and protect human rights.”

The official said, “We must reinvigorate political commitment to fight this c r i m e . We m u s t a l s o strengthen international cooperation to recover stolen assets, and prevent those responsible for corruption from finding safe havens for themselves and their funds.”

The Secretary General concluded that ending impunity for corruption, and returning stolen assets to their owners, are important steps towards a new social contract based on trust, integrity and justice.

Man arrested, admits he sexually assaulted 14-year-old girl A 23-year-old man, who was arrested for sexually assaulting a teenaged girl, admitted to detectives that he is guilty of committing the act.

According to the police the incident occurred on Wednesday in Bartica, Region Seven, involving a 14-year-old girl.

Sometime around 17:00 hrs. on the day of the incident, a police report was made and the suspect was later arrested.

Police said he was informed of the allegation made against him to which he admitted.

He is custody assisting with the investigations.

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Friday June 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Rainforest Pancakes Earlier this week, a furor erupted online after a city café, praised for its innovative use of traditional Guyanese foods in the preparation of primarily foreign-themed meals, referred to cassava bread as ‘rainforest pancakes.’ What ensued was a vigorous – sometimes serious, sometimes hilarious – debate on the right to appropriate and rename traditional foods. The owner of the establishment, at first defiant and dismissal of the criticism, eventually issued an apology for any offence caused.

While the outrage dissipated as quickly as it had been conjured, like most viral ‘scandals’ in the internet age, it raised serious questions about culture, identity and ownership that we as a country still need to tackle.

With respect to the cassava bread incident, at the core of the contention is who exactly has the right to not only benefit from a traditional product, but also what licence exists to alter, name and market that product.

Cassava bread, its ingredients and its production are deeply rooted in Indigenous culture centuries old, and while the argument has been made – in defence of the “rainforest pancakes” renaming – that the term ‘cassava bread’ is an English term itself, Indigenous use of and consensus upon that term is what gives the naming aspect of its overall cultural authenticity.

The term “curry” serves as a good parallel, representing a distinctly India-identified food product, but which is an Anglicised rendering of a Tamil word, “kari” which itself does not represent what we know curry to be.

Still, curry, so named, is globally accepted as an Indian food by virtue of the fact that the consensus of Indian people, particularly in the Diaspora, has been that the Anglicised rendering suffices. The right of Indigenous people to own and control and presumably manipulate their traditional cultures and products is enshrined in Article 31 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: “Indigenous peoples have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions, as well as the manifestations of their sciences, technologies and cultures, including human and genetic resources, seeds, medicines, knowledge of the properties of fauna and flora, oral traditions, literatures, designs, sports and traditional games and visual and performing arts.

They also have the right to maintain, control, protect and develop their intellectual property over such cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions.”

Article 149G of our Constitution addresses the issue thusly: “Indigenous peoples shall have the right to the protection, preservation and promulgation of their languages, cultural heritage and way of life.”

The protection of Indigenous culture is at this point codified in only two sections of the Amerindian Act. Traditional Knowledge, which falls under the general rubric of Intangible Cultural Heritage, is protected under Sections 5 and 6 of the Act, while Tangible Cultural Heritage, in this case “artifacts and monuments,” is protected under Section 78.

Article 35 of the Constitution speaks of the broader issue of our “National culture” and the need to honour and respect our diverse strains, but the Constitution itself provides little direction on how we go about doing so, or what exactly is meant by the development of a “socialist national culture for Guyana.”

Today, the Eighth session of the Conference of Parties of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions will be wrapping up and it is hoped that the Government of Guyana has been represented in the virtual meeting and made representation on how it is, over the next few years, the State will be dealing with issues of culture, identity and ownership and leading a far more constructive version of the transient ‘conversation’ that took place this week in response to the opprobrium over ‘rainforest pancakes.’

Degradation of the presidency DEAR EDITOR, I examine the last halfcentury and the state from then to now of the highest office in this land, and how I see it through the years. It is of that instrumentality that, when wielded well, can do so much. I speak of the presidency of Guyana, where it was, is now; how it was once held, in what regard it stands today.

From the beginning, Guyana’s presidency has been about the man, less of deeds. The presidential records have been mostly unimpressive; a litany of loss, what should have been; from Forbes Burnham to the character that holds what is proxy today: living, breathing presidential cartoon.

To add to the diminution and degradation of the presidency, this has happened not once or twice; but thrice or more, when I remember Guyana Sam and Yankee JJ.

Now I quickly sketch at a 35,000 feet altitude, the passage of one president after another, barely skimming over those that leave a bad taste and a worse smell.

Forbes Burnham, through American orchestrations, assumed office under the suspect, which effectively tainted time, endeavours, and result; everything was suspect before foes.

But love him or hate him, he brought a certain vivacity and panache to his time, an aura. He had a good time, which cannot be said for most citizens. There was a man so extraordinarily gifted, yet so hollow that even his own turned.

The decline of Guyana’s presidency began then.

Cheddi Jagan may have meant well, done better; but being in the political wilderness too long undid him: too much overhang, too many political debts owed, starting with his own.

Governing demanded too much of him. The time had passed by him, he struggled to survive, which lessened him, diminished the presidency.

I missed a significant chunk of his first predecessor’s reign (and reign it was), all of the man just before him, almost all of Dr. Jagan’s presidency, and all of the next two from his fold that followed him.

Because their moments were short-lived, there is little to uphold, or denounce; that is, save for the premeditated mischief that ousted one, introduced usurpation by another (the foreigner), and spawned the monstrosities existed with since. A different kind of deterioration took hold.

What began in 1970 has descended from disaster to tragedy, with victimising, marginalising, and demonising the presidential norm. Guyana’s presidency

traversed from repugnance to embarrassment to today’s running joke. Decency and self-discipline prevent public laughing.

In the last decade, David Granger arrived and interrupted presidential festivities with austerity and aloofness; a man so reserved that he lost touch with the essences of presidential obligations, associated honours.

Nowadays, the presidency is graced with what only an utter imbecile would take seriously.

Undoubtedly, the presidency has lacked singular leadership, merely rabid cult worship. Thus, all are judged, all failed, some way more than some. I believe that the authentic among them, despite limitations, could have been more honest with Guyanese. They didn’t; didn’t even try.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

The women representation system has evidently collapsed or never worked DEAR EDITOR, The appearance in the letter column of SN June 2 and KN June 3 of another genderrights petition, signed by several advocates, prompts the question: do Guyanese women have the power and the means to get the policy outcomes they seek? In this instance, the petition focused on sexual harassment and called on the government to do several serious things: enact legislation, sign and fulfill international treaties, launch an investigation, and review policies and practices.

That the letter columns were the chosen outlet to advocate and appeal for solutions suggests that the political process has failed.

This is not how it was supposed to work.

The process was designed to be responsive to women issues in several ways.

What is amiss? Take, for instance, the once-heralded constitutional amendments on “gender representativeness”. These led to women occupying a

secured minimum of one-third of the 65-seat National Assembly. Such presence was intended to be more than window-dressing. It was intended to foster political consensus and a more caring society (based on the inherent qualities of women).

Twenty years later, has this feminisation of the legislature advanced women issues? Even more, a substantial number of women have held and today hold Cabinet and ministerial positions.

A woman was also the President of Guyana and the leading figure in her party.

Both of the major political parties have a women’s arm.

So, why do we still have, according to our gender rights advocates, inadequate laws, unsigned or dormant international accords, and other failings on women rights?

It is apparent that the presence of women in their party’s leadership and in the executive and legislature arms of government has not translated into effective representation and activism

on women issues.

True, among us, the common people, ethnicity dominantly shapes voting preference. There is no mass mobilisation of voters around gender issues. But women at the top of the political establishment can rise above these electoral calculations— with the right mental attitude.

The system inserted additional features to ensure the voices of women are heard and their concerns addressed.

A Women and Gender Equality Commission (WGEC) was established and given a sweeping mandate that includes the proposal and review of laws and policies, the monitoring of government compliance with international accords, and the investigation of complaints—some of the very demands made of the government in the advocates’ petition.

Also added to the system is the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services as a potential forum for problem solving and decision-making.

Evidently, the entire infrastructure for women representation has collapsed (or never ever worked well).

Sporadic letter writing and media releases seem to be the last resort. It was supposed to work differently.

To fix this, the first step would be for the government to be called upon to hold national stakeholders meetings. For effectiveness, planning must include key aspects, such as: (i) the overall focus of the meetings must be to activate and optimise the system, not to vent on issues such as sexual harassment; (ii) invited stakeholders must also include institutions with a sizeable share of women in their midst, such as labour unions and religious organisations, (iii) meeting agendas must be highly structured, with action plans produced to fix each problem, and (iv) a high-powered task force must be established to quarterback and monitor implementation. Timeframe for full completion: six months.

Sherwood Lowe

Country going in wrong direction DEAR EDITOR, I really do not like the direction the country is going.

The only rainbow recently was that a democratically elected government has assumed office. I am an objective person and so I voted for PPP since they are now the better side of a bad penny.

The PPP needs a complete revamp and new leadership.

Donald Ramotar had the opportunity but failed to do this.

No one in the PPP cabinet has the leadership and visionary qualities to lead a modern government for all Guyanese. The PPP is an undemocratic party when it

comes to election of leadership and executive members. There is therefore no hope of a visionary leader taking the helm.

A new party is needed to move the country forward.

Perhaps the owner of Kaieteur News can play a role in this.

He has the vision and

interest of Guyana to attract hopefully, the ordinary Guyanese of both sides of the divide.

He can either run for public office or field; he’s a candidate that is neutral and objective who is admired by all Guyanese.

Sincerely, Harrish Singh

Friday June 04, 2021

Diaspora, Diaspora can we hear you now?

DEAR EDITOR, Hydar Ally’s June 2, 2021, letter, “Guyanese diaspora has an important role to play”, is noteworthy.

Of course, my sense is that Mr. Ally would agree with a head nod – nothing new here! And that is the tragedy being played out through inactions on meaningful issues of the day. Recruitment efforts have span decades of initiatives by all government parties. The failure rate might be close to 100 percent in meaningfully reaching out to the diaspora.

Certainly, some formerly foreign-based Guyanese h a v e r e t u r n e d b u t i t ’s doubtful if any analysis exists which has captured their results/motivations.

This lack of critical diaspora information/ metrics means we’re in the blind on this critical subject. A prime concern might be the politics of the

day.

Are you with me or you came to replace me? Other silly talk has existed.

Again, politics is suspect but lack of info means no one knows for certain. We have been operating on conjecture and anecdotal information.

It’s not unusual to hear that someone’s 4th cousin returned to Guyana and left after a year because their push-bike tyre was punctured by a 2-foot hole on Garnett Street, Georgetown (joking of course). One reason is as good as the other. A book of reasons exists for failure in any endeavour. My view is that no government has really taken the subject with the necessary importance it requires.

The issues, studies and attendant actions needed to result in long-term successful recruitment, acquisition and retention of diaspora Guyanese with

the skills, talents and abilities needed for the country’s forward thrust could only be managed through a – Ministry of the Diaspora.

The challenge here is how to avoid sycophants, charlatans and brigands.

Enabling legislation needs to be purposed for an excellent future for all Guyanese, not just the well-placed.

What has been noticeably clear to forward-thinking Guyanese, for an awfully long time and being borne out in the daily headlines, is that the past absence of a serious diaspora acquisition strategy has put the country in a less than advantageous bargaining position in handling the current and on-going influx of foreign-based entities and activities. Is anything good happening down the river?

The future is now.

Sincerely, Phil Edwards

Doubts about dismissals from GECOM DEAR EDITOR, While motions for the dismissal of the famous GECOM trio have been

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tabled, it is doubtful any forward movement will happen any time soon.

Why? As has seen happened during the long five months, the Chair will not act as long as the court cases are

ongoing.

Will they now be interdicted from duty? They were not when charged, so it is doubtful that they will be now.

Shamshun Mohamed

Present in school system and cash grant eligibility DEAR EDITOR, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has reiterated the party’s manifesto promise that the “Because we care” cash grant would again be for the benefit of those Guyanese children who are in the public school system.

That cash grant is a fulfillment of a government that is truly concerned about the future of this country, that is, our nation’s children. As a responsible government, it has reinstituted this programme, which has a twofold objective: (a) school aged children must be in school and, (b) that they get the required education that augurs well for the building of a sound, educated and prosperous nation of the future.

Now, without stopping t o t h i n k w h a t t h e Vi c e President was saying, the p o l i t i c a l o p p o s i t i o n ’s naysayer associates have jumped on the assumption that the cash grant would not be issued to children in the private school system.

They are nitpicking that those kids who are not in government schools would be sidelined, or as one prominent member of the opposition community opined, this time around the government would be using the cash grant as a

political weapon to ostracise those persons, who are not supporters of the party.

Good political rhetoric for those who are empty like the propagandists of that theory, because I am at pains to figure out who they are referring to as “non supporters” of the party?

Because if we are to take the cash grant for what it is, you will see that it was first given to all Guyanese, there was no discriminatory practice in the first issuing of it, and I do not see any problems now in its reintroduction.

S e c o n d l y, a r e n ’t t h e private schools educators of the children of Guyana, so what’s the problem? But it all shows how asinine they can become with their outlandish nonsense?

Public as well as private schools are all in the business of educating the nation’s children.

However, what is not going to happen is the government will not be channelling its resources into dubious systems like “home schooling”.

And you would have noticed me using the term home schooling in lifted commas, which means that

there is no guarantee that the child is in any structured education system where learning is taking place, hence the use of the term public school system or the child must be in the mainstream education system, which is what the Vice President is saying.

This eliminates those who are out to get State funds under false pretenses. The point I am making is that the cash grant is there to ensure that the kids remain in school, and that they receive an education fit for life as productive, respectable citizens.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

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Kaieteur News

Right of citizenship participation constitutionally enshrined DEAR EDITOR, Within the next two months, the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Government would have completed one year in office and has yet to accommodate members of Civil Society in an inclusive government, Guyanese who have the expertise and experience and can contribute to the process of National Reconciliation and ensure the wise use of our wealth generated from mineral resources extraction and the oil/gas sector for the development of Guyana and the benefit of all Guyanese.

Enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana Article 13 is the Right of Citizens to participate in the management and the decision-making process of an inclusive Government… “…inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens and their organisations in the management and decisionmaking process of the state, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision making that directly affect their well-being.”

United States

Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch emphasized the importance of Civil Society input in inclusive governance, which she said would be supported

by Washington. Before his departure, former U.K. High Commissioner, Gregory Quinn, had stressed “Whosoever takes charge will have to rule for the benefit of every Guyanese citizen undertaking whatever Constitutional Reform is necessary to ensure that happens.”

Even in these most challenging times of the

We should confront our race ghost like Tulsa Black Massacre DEAR EDITOR, On June 1, Guyanese Americans join others in observing the 100th anniversary of the massacre of Black Americans in Tulsa, Oklahoma. President Joe Biden was scheduled to visit the city for remembrance ceremonies on June 1 and to announce a national policy on improved race relations in America. America is facing up to its past history of ethnic abuses. We should emulate the U.S. and do same in Guyana with our race ghost.

In Tulsa, an organised white mob attacked residents, homes and businesses in the predominantly Black Greenwood section of the city.

The event remains one of the worst incidents of racial violence in U.S. history; it is also one of the least known and not taught in schools. All of that had begun to change over the last few years culminating in President Biden acknowledging what happened and apologising and finding ways to make amends. Guyana needs to do same. We need to delve back into our history and address

our past of violent race relations. We can begin with Wismar or any other incident of violence. Similar to Tulsa, in Wismar, in 1964, an organised mob attacked Indians, their homes, mandirs, masjids, and businesses forcing their evacuation. The Tulsa and Wismar massacres share some commonalities.

Like Tulsa, the attack on Indians in Wismar was one of the worst incidents of racial violence in Guyana. It was a real Guyanese tragedy. The entire Wismar area was cleansed of Indians. And it has remained one of the leastknown attacks on a people in Guyana. Tulsa, like Wismar, was a growing and prosperous community. It was dubbed the Black Wall Street of the State (and perhaps of the South). It was a Jim Crow segregated city known for vigilante justice of all kinds.

Blacks were often wrongly accused of violating norms like speaking to White girls and lynched.

Analogously, the racial violence in Wismar was triggered by racial incidents in other areas of the country.

Unlike the segregated characteristic of Tulsa, in Wismar, Indians and Africans got along well, until these race riots drove them out. The exact toll is not known of the number killed, raped, maimed, injured or brutalized. Even by low estimates, the Tulsa and Wismar Race Massacres stood as among the deadliest race riots in US and Guyana history. We must never forget that history, and we must pay homage to the victims of both massacres. Regrettably, for decades, there were no public ceremonies, memorials for the victims. As a result, the Tulsa and Wismar Race Massacres were not mentioned in history books, taught in schools, or even talked about. But Black American scholars in recent years have started to raise the issue in the media. It has been all over the news in America.

Hardly any historian or scholar or politician has raised the issue of the Wismar Indian Massacre. This needs to change. We need to confront the ghosts of our past for reconciliation.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

COVID-19 shutdown and regulations, the Guyana United Artists (GUA) are still managing to survive and produce Artistic Gems, without any support from the government or the big commercial businesses. We are here standing up in defense of Guyana’s fragile

democracy and urge our Guyanese compatriots to do the same, as the PPP steadily slips back into its old authoritarian ways.

The GUA wishes to thank the ABC+E countries for preserving our fragile democracy and look forward to their continued support for

Constitutional and Electoral Reforms and government’s recognition of existing Rights of Guyanese to inclusive governance.

Yours faithfully, Desmond Alli (General Secretary Guyana United Artists GUA)

We have a long way to go DEAR EDITOR, With the Covid-19 having the world in a somewhat lockdown, the education sector is being greatly affected. Even though many parents are not working fulltime, and children are home most of the time, I expected great improvement.

Incidentally, that is not the case, even though government is trying its best to ensure there isn’t a lapse.

All efforts could be seen, and the government is ensuring that all methods are utilised and new methods are being explored.

Many parents and children could be seen traversing to schools in order to submit the works that children are doing at home which they received either by worksheets or via the internet.

Data usage has increased immensely as most of the work and research are being done through the internet.

Many parents and children could be seen daily moving around with cell phones and some attention are drawn to the phones as they shuffle around the place. Naturally, one would assume that they are well versed in using a cell phone and are quite comfortable surfing the internet after being online so

much. To my dismay, that expectation was shattered recently based on my experience which I’ll outline below.

Due to the lockdown, many courses are being offered online either free or at a small fee. In some cases, scholarships are being offered by many universities and even the Government of Guyana, in collaboration with universities, is offering the GOAL scholarships. It should be noted that many courses being offered, do not require any qualifications or minimum. Knowing that this might be a rare opportunity, all the places I frequent, I’ve been informing young people of the opportunities that exist and educate them of the benefits. Many seem interested, and I even started to forward the links to them so that they could register or explore. To my amazement, upon following up to see if they are pursuing, everyone was having a problem and most cases, the same problems. Because everyone is in possession of a cell phone, I assumed that they would be able to go through the process easily. Instead, their complaints are that they cannot find the sites (even though I send them the links),

they cannot navigate on the sites, or they find it hard to register. Many don’t even have an email address and don’t know how to sign up to get one! Nevertheless, I manage to help a lot and advise them to pursue.

Finally, repeatedly I’ve said that with the excitement behind the discovery of oil in Guyana, without a doubt, we will be attracting lots of skilled people in Guyana and if we are not prepared to compete with them for jobs, we will end up in a peculiar position. Presently, lots of opportunities exist and many more will be emerging for us to further our knowledge/ skills. The way I am seeing it, the Government of Guyana is making every attempt to ensure that easy access and equal opportunity exist for everyone. As such, everyone should take the opportunities that are being presented to them. For me, it doesn’t make any sense someone walking with the most expensive phone and don’t know how to use it except for Facebook, WhatsApp or making Tik Tok videos, when that same cell phone could make them enhance their career! It tells me that we have a long way more to go.

Sahadeo Bates

Cheer placard sign on oil renegotiation DEAR EDITOR, I thank the publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall for his avowed focus on renegotiation of the oil contract. I cheer his placard sign.

Several writers lament the refusal of the government to broach the subject of royalty and profit sharing with Exxon.

Even the opposition has touched the subject. That should not be surprising to anyone as the government and the opposition don’t wish to engage reporters on the subject.

The Vice President, in particular, de facto the most powerful person in the government, is very evasive of the subject of Exxon. He said categorically, there would be no renegotiation.

In looking at the management of affairs of this

administration, it is pellucid that the Vice President runs the government. He is the final decision maker. It appears that the Vice President has delineated separate roles for himself and the President.

In terms of economic projects, clearly, the Vice President has put himself in charge of oil and gas and other energy related projects – big monied items. The VP seems to have assigned other aspects of the economy, like infrastructure, transportation, road building, and the like, to the President.

It is as if the God has decided that oil, gas, and energy is for the VP and the President can try with the rest of the country. How can ministers of stature, repute, and respect in the likes of Anil Nandlall, Frank Anthony,

Ashni Singh, Vindhya Persaud, among a few others, and regular letters writers of integrity remain silent to this de facto arrangement? Why have they lost their voice in not speaking out on the oil arrangement?

Glenn has our support demanding that Exxon give us a fair share. More people must pick up placards. Other countries are getting over 20 percent in royalties and profit sharing plus taxes on capital gains and must pay for services.

Guyana is getting 14.5 percent and is not getting any taxes, and is not paying for services.

That is more than “eye pass” (Guyanese term used for disrespect), and our politicians allow this abuse.

Yours truly, Shawn Simmons

Friday June 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Former GWI CEO says $30M party bill was ‘investment’ in staff

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he ex-Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), Dr. Richard Van WestCharles says that the company’s $30M party bill for 2018 was an ‘investment’ in his staff.Kaieteur News had reported recently that a ‘cashstrapped’ GWI could not pay its electricity bill that year but was able to spend a combined $30M for a Christmas party and its anniversary celebrations. Van WestCharles told reporters (Continued on page 17)

Friday June 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Former CEO of GWI, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles posing for aphoto with former Georgetown Mayor, Patricia Chase-Green and Substantive Minister, Ronald Bulkan.

NGSA students can write mock exams at home The Ministry of Education (MOE) has announced on Wednesday that students writing the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) can do a mock examination at home.

According to the MOE, students have the option of writing the first mock examination in school under strict COVID-19 protocols or have the examination papers uplifted from their respective schools, completed at home, and returned to the school to be marked by the teacher.

The MOE, Priya Manickchand had met with Grade Six teachers, parents, and students from the 11 education districts (Regions 1 to 10, including Georgetown) virtually over the past few days regarding the writing of NGSA 2021.

The parents, teachers, and students were engaged in separate Zoom meetings and were briefed by the Education Minister of some of the plans, which the Ministry has set in place to assist students to write their NGSA, which is scheduled to be written on August 4 and 5, 2021, and their mock examination which will be held on June 9 and 10 and in July 2021.

The Ministry further stated that the first mock

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand examination would be treated as a practice exam for students and a diagnostic examination for teachers who have not seen their children for over a year.

Additionally, parents can decide whether or not their child will write the examination.

“Considering the national situation regarding major flooding in the regions, the examination can also be written on other dates but as close as possible to the scheduled dates.” The Ministry stated.

The Ministry also disclosed that they are working on a solution that would allow students to take the paper one aspect of the mock examinations online

using a platform provided by the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Education is hopeful that the second mock examination can be held in schools under strict examination guidelines to provide all students with the examination experience before sitting the NGSA in August in their respective schools.

Parents and teachers were also told that it is not mandatory for students to be dressed in their school uniform when writing the mock examinations and the NGSA. However, students must be appropriately dressed, and there must be no writing printed on their clothing.

The Ministry further added, “Over the coming days, each student will receive a Care Package containing face masks, vitamin support, sanitisers, and stationery items to be used when writing their two-day examination. Teachers will also receive a Care Package containing face masks, face shield, vitamin support, and hand sanitiser.”

Minister Manickchand also took the opportunity to encourage parents and teachers to get vaccinated so that they can protect themselves and their loved ones from the effects of COVID-19.

Man fractures co-worker’s skull over argument at birthday party -C ops unable to visit scene due to floods A miner on Wednesday reportedly fractured his coworker’s skull over an argument, which they had at a birthday party held the previous day at 28 Miles Unamico, Upper Berbice River, Region Ten. Police identified the severely wounded coworker as Kelvin Roberts, of Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The miner who allegedly fractured his skull is Troy Castillo, 41, of East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

According to a police report, it was Roberts who first attacked and wounded Castillo, causing him to receive severe head injuries as well.

Both men are currently

hospitalised but investigators are unable to visit the scene at the moment, and take statements or carry out a proper investigation because of the severe flooding in the area.

Based on the initial information that they received, Roberts and Castillo are workmates and had attended a birthday party on Tuesday evening.

At the party, the men got into a heated argument after Castillo accused Roberts of throwing something in his drink.

The following morning ( We d n e s d a y ) a r o u n d 05:30hrs while at their campsite, police learnt that Roberts sneaked up behind

Castillo, who was at the time brushing his teeth, with a piece of wood and dealt him a blow to his head.

Castillo reportedly retaliated and relieved Roberts of the same piece of wood and lashed him to the head as well.

Roberts, investigators reported, fell to the ground and other persons intervened. Both men were rushed to the Kwakwani Hospital where Castillo was admitted and treated.

Robert’s condition, however, was more serious and he was referred to the Linden Hospital Complex where it was found out that his skull was fractured.

Both of the men are said to be in a stable condition.

Kaieteur News

Friday June 04, 2021

PAGE 09

The secretary and the smelling salts

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here is a story about a secretary of the chief executive officer of a government corporation.

This was in the early 1980s.

The government was broke and it was forced into dismissing thousands of workers. The government coined a name for these mass dismissals. It called it “retrenchment.”

The secretary felt important. She was the one assigned to type the names of those to be dismissed.

The workers were anxious about their fate and kept probing her. She felt special. She walked around with an air of superiority because she would know beforehand who would be let go.

She was “Miss Important.” She became rude to the staff telling them that they would know their fate when they received their retrenchment letters.

About midday, one Friday, the chief executive passed to her the list of those to be retrenched. He asked her to type it up and place it on the Notice Board. At the time, there were some workers near her desk. She ordered them out of the room, saying that she had to do important and confidential work.

She began to type up the list, slowly but methodically, smiling all along when she noticed that some workers she disliked were due to be axed. She took her time.

Suddenly, there was a loud crashing sound. The people in the outer office rushed in to find that the secretary had collapsed on the floor. There in bold letters, on the list, was her name.

Her boss heard the thud

Dem

boys seh...

when she collapsed and rushed to her assistance. He sent for some smelling salts.

She was revived. The boss decided that it was too much to have her type her own name on the retrenchment list. He decided to break the news to her as best as he could.

He turned to her and said, “Miss, I do not know how we are going to do without you, but come next Monday we are going to try.” She fainted again.

It is estimated that more than 30,000 workers public service workers were retrenched. They were thrown on the breadline during a most difficult time when workers were barely earning enough to eat; some were already subsisting on two meals per days.

But the retrenchment though having severe implications for the livelihoods of the workers, had a positive impact of efficiency within the public service. The same amount of work was now being easily done by less staff.

The PNC was then the r u l i n g p a r t y. I t h a d overstaffed the public service, mainly with party loyalists and this contributed to suppressing wages because the government simply could not afford substantial wage increases in the context of an oversized bureaucracy.

The overstaffing was a result from political patrimony. A party card then was a passport to employment. If you had a party card you could easily secure employment and many joined the party just for the benefits. Burnham himself admitted that the party card was being abused and that many persons were

joining the party in order to secure benefits.

If you had a party card, you had an excellent chance of gaining public service employment. But if you knew a big-one within the party, you were set. Many of the concubines – short-term and long-term – were sent to government agencies where they were given generous employment.

In one instance, a lady returned from overseas and was handed a senior managerial position. The General Manager was called and told that he should employ her. He had no say and did not check on her experience or qualifications.

She started out with a high position and an attractive salary and benefits. Years later, it was discovered that she did not even have a first degree and may have barely met the entry-level requirements.

Yet, she had been employed in a senior position above even managers with years of service and with excellent qualifications.

The PNC/R returned to office in 2015 as the lead of the APNU+AFC Coalition.

And it returned to its habit of overstaffing the public service thereby making it inefficient and a drain on the public purse.

Dr. Tarron Khemraj did an analysis of the government’s overdraft. He found that the PPP/C government inherited in August 2020 an overdraft at the Bank of Guyana of G$92.8B as opposed to G$9.3B in 2014 just prior to demitting office.

And in his analysis he sought to examine the link between this overdraft and employment levels in central government. What he found

‘Once Upon a Time in de West’

De PPP ride into town with ‘Blazing Saddles.’ De posse had used de ‘Wagon Train’ and den connect to de ‘Stagecoach’ which was driven by ‘One-Eyed Jack.’ And before dat it had taken de ‘Last Train from Gun Hill.’

De posse comprised of ‘De Good, de Bad and de Ugly.’ And when Dem Boys ask de posse why dem biting de hand dat used to feed dem, dem reply “‘For A Few Dollars More’.”

It was drama at ‘High Noon’ when de ‘Wild Bunch’ and de ‘Misfits’ come looking fuh de ‘Lone Ranger’ who alone showing ‘True Grit.’ De posse see him and shouted ’Duck you sucker!’

He asked why and dem answer, “You are ‘Unforgiven’ and dis is ‘No Country for Old Men’.”

One of dem step forward. She bin wearing wan yellow ribbon. She was like a ‘Lonesome Dove.’ In she hand she had ‘A Fistful of Dollars.’ But she did not know dat she was ‘Dancing with de Wolves’ and dat what she was being paid was no ‘Bonanza.’

She said to him, “Have you ordered your ‘Tombstone’?”

But de ‘High Plains Drifter’ was not afraid.

He was a ‘Man without a Star.’ He replied “I am not backing down ‘Come Hell or High Water,’ I may not be a ‘Gunfighter’ but I am going to ‘Ride de High Country’ until I meet ‘De Far Country’.”

De posse backed off. Dem jump on dem saddles heading for ‘Brokeback Mountain.’

Talk half and remember ‘Lonely are de Brave.’

was that when the PPP/C left office there were 14,905 workers in central government. But within a mere three years of the APNU+AFC taking office, this had ballooned to 26,354 or an increase of 76.8 percent, while non-central government employment such as at GuySuCo declined by more than 40 percent.

The inference was that increased central government employment costs added to the pressures on the overdraft. No one has attempted to dispute this analysis.

The PPP/C therefore

finds itself saddled with an overblown public service.

And this means that more money has to be spent on keeping this over-bloated bureaucracy afloat.

The same thing is happening in some public corporations, as for example, the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI).

This is a very difficult situation facing any government; on the one hand it has to consider the effects of dismissing workers but on the other hand unless it trims it wage bill, the economy will go into further distress.

GWI has made a decision. It will let go some

300 plus employees. It is a hard choice but the alternative is to increase water tariffs beyond what ordinary citizens can afford.

This is the danger when the public sector is used as a sponge for party loyalists, hacks and concubines.

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

Kaieteur News

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Friday June 04, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Women groups are politicising and using race in exposing sexual harassment

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nyone who is a consistent reader of this page would know I have no respect whatsoever for Guyana’s women groups.

Their opportunism is extremely distasteful and repugnant.

Before discussing a letter by the “usual suspects” in the Stabroek News of June 2 commenting on alleged sexual harassment by a senior police officer, I would like to quote from my letter in the Stabroek News of the same date about the nature of some civil society actors.

Here is what I told Mr.

Alfred Bhulai after showing my respect for him as a civil society activist, “I wish Mr. Bhulai the very best in his efforts to help bring justice and civilisation to the country we both call home and love. I hereby extend an invitation to assist him in any way I can with one caveat.

I wouldn’t associate with the company he keeps.

I beat my own drum and say that I have a sincere feeling in helping right wrongs and refuse to be part of an environment of activists who do so for opportunistic reasons.”

A columnist in the New York Times wrote three weeks ago these words, “As columnists, we often test the boundaries. We want to write in provocative ways that inspire readers to think and discuss.” In my own little way, I have used these columns the past 32 years to ask Guyanese wherever they are to reflect on the people and things of Guyana and not

to accept anyone who comes on stage with songs of redemption when they themselves need to redeem themselves.

At the moment I am engaged in an exchange with the Electoral Reform Group in the newspapers whom I have accused of having electoral reform as their raison d’être yet frenetically evades discussion on the attempted rigging of the March 2020 national poll.

By the “usual suspects” I mean these women groups and individuals attached to them.

These groups and individuals along with the Guyana Human Rights Association have a modus operandi that could be described predatory. They eschew denunciation of certain societal abominations but like predators jump on stories that can bring them publicity.

In the entire world of women activism, I think Guyana has the most conspicuous

publicity-seekers. This aberration is deeply offensive.

The latest opportunistic journey of Guyana’s women groups and the other usual suspects is the issue of alleged sexual harassment made against head of SOCU, Senior Superintendent, Fazil Karimbaksh. But the same allegations were made against Paul Slowe and the women groups didn’t write the newspaper asking for an investigation Let me be pellucid about my position here. I don’t know Mr. Karimbaksh, never seen him, never met him.

I don’t know anything about the accusations made against Karimbaksh and Slowe and I have no intention of commenting on both matters without knowledge of the facts and surrounding allegations.

My intention here is to do what all columnists do – look for intentions to see if such attitudes have hidden motives. In the case of the usual suspects there are worrying signs. Slowe is African Guyanese and is at the moment in a torrid confrontation with the

government.

Karimbaksh is Indian and the head of SOCU which has charged many of the people who would be Frederick Kissoon associates and friends of the usual suspects.

Many of these women f or an investigation of groups are hostile to the PPP K a r i m b a k s h . S u r e l y, government, some of which s o m e t h i n g l o o k s hate the PPP. Many of the questionable here.

If the usual suspects have usual suspects have close injected politics and race in relations with figures from the PNC and WPA. For fighting sexual harassment example, I was at the day of then it debases the struggle appreciation when Andaiye against sexual and physical abuse of women by men. died.

At the event held at the Surely, this is an extremely Arthur Chung Conference ugly direction to go in when Centre, Red Thread lavished sexual harassment and extravagant praise on PNC domestic abuse are sad and parliamentarian, Tabitha frequent occurrences in Sarabo-Halley. Joycelyn Guyana.

More importantly, if the Dow, common-law wife of usual suspects are using WPA leader, Dr. Rupert sexual harassment as part of Roopnaraine, is one of the founders of Red Thread so is their dislike for the PPP common-law wife of Ronald government, then obviously, Waddell, Bonita Bone- you are alienating the government whose Harris I will not come to legislative power you need. conclusions and make any You cannot use victims so judgment. My point is that it opportunistically.

(The views expressed in looks suspicious that these groups that are associated this article are those of the with the PNC and WPA are a u t h o r a n d d o n o t silent on Slowe but have necessarily reflect the openly published a demand opinions of this newspaper.)

Friday June 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Bandits beat and chop man while robbing home A man is now nursing a chop wound after five armed bandits broke into his home yesterday morning.

According to a police report, the 52-year-old along with his 36-year-old wife secured their Kaneville, East Bank Demerara home at 21:00 hrs. on Wednesday night before later retiring to bed.

It was at 2:30 hrs. yesterday morning, when the man and his wife were awoken by repeated loud banging on the western door.

The man went to investigate the sound and was suddenly confronted by the perpetrators who made their way into the living room area by breaking open the same door.

The five suspects were reportedly armed with two cutlasses and a handgun. One of the perpetrators, while demanding cash, dealt the victim a chop to his head. The man handed over $220,000 in

Friday June 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

cash, after which the house was then ransacked by the suspects, who took a 43" Samsung smart television set valued $232,000, three handbags totalling in value $9,000 that contained three silver rings valued at $15,000, one grey and pink Samsung A10 cell phone valued at $42,000 and one Blu cell phone valued at $28,000.

The perpetrators demanded more money and when the man said he didn’t have any more; they began to beat the victim about his body with their cutlasses and threatened to shoot him if nothing else was given to them.

They eventually fled from the scene in an unknown direction. The injured man was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre to seek medical treatment for his injuries. An investigation is currently in progress.

Guyana gets 500 cots in aid of flood relief efforts

Left to right the CDC Director (2nd to last) along with CDEMA officials.

The first of shipment of cots donated by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to support flood relief efforts in Guyana, has been handed over to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

According to a post on the CDC’s Facebook page, the first shipment of 170 cots were handed over to CDC’s Director General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport on June 3. This

represents roughly one-third of the total of 500 cots with the balance expected to be delivered over two other shipments.

The Director General reportedly expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of Guyana, noting that the donation is testimony that the Regional Response Mechanism (RRM) is working efficiently, as CDC was able to acquire the cots within 12 hours of making a request to CDEMA’s Executive Director,

Elizabeth Riley.

The cots were sourced from St. Vincent with air transportation acquired through the Regional Security System (RSS), which forms part of the RRM. A second shipment will arrive at 15:00 hours today with the third set for Sunday.

The Director General stated that the donation will ensure an adequate supply of cots should the Commission need to set up more shelters across the country.

Kaieteur News

Friday June 04, 2021

PAGE 13

Suspects leave $10M in ganja Woman who said she buys behind to escape CANU ranks and sells weed gets bail Three suspected drug traffickers on Wednesday abandoned some 80 kilograms of marijuana in a cane field at Line Path, Corentyne Berbice, Region Six, to escape ranks from the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU).

The suspects, all male, ran away from the ranks sometime after 17:30hrs. According to a CANU press release, the officers were on day four of a surveillance operation organised to catch drug traffickers.

On Wednesday, the ranks headed to an area called Goat Dam to carry out a surveillance of a cane field. After two hours of waiting, stated CANU, they saw three men walking through the cane field heading towards them.

The CANU ranks reportedly emerged from their hiding place to intercept the men but when they called out for them not to move, the suspects decided to run away.

CANU stated that the men ran (Continued on page 17)

The eleven (11) chickens that were confiscated

Charged, Jenette Gravesande

A

The bulky parcels found stashed in the bushes of the cane field.

Social media activist charged for making derogatory remarks against Sports Minister Social media activist, Gavin Matthews, who was arrested back in April for allegedly making and publishing a video containing derogatory remarks about Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr., was yesterday charged and released on a $100,000 bail after appearing in court.

Matthews, 44, of Lot 206 Eastern Half, Charlotte Street, Georgetown, made his first court appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, in the company of his lawyer, Darren Wade.

He denied the charge which stated that on March 25, without legal or lawful justification or excuse, used a computer system to published electronic data of Ramson with the intention to damage his reputation and corrupt public morals.

Matthews’ lawyer made a bail application to the court for his client to be released on a reasonable amount of bail. Chief Magistrate McLennan then placed the defendant on bail and the matter was adjourned to June 10, 2021.

The social media activist was charged under Section 19 of the Cybercrime Act of

Social media activist, Gavin Matthews.

2018, which stipulates that using a computer system, to coerce, harass, intimidate or humiliate a person is an offence. The section further outlines that a person commits an offence if the person uses a computer system to disseminate any information, a statement or image knowing same to be false to cause public ridicule, contempt, hatred or embarrassment.

In terms of penalty, the Act states that a summary conviction of the offence carries a fine of $5M and three years’ imprisonment and a conviction on indictment carries a fine of

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson Jr. $10M and five years’ imprisonment.

Kaieteur News had reported that in April, Matthews was arrested during a picketing exercise held at the Square of the Revolution in Georgetown.

At the time of his arrest, he was live streaming the protest via his Facebook page and was seen being approached by a group of armed ranks who put the allegation to him. Matthews was told of the allegation and cautioned by the arresting officer. He had denied the allegation but was arrested and taken to the Brickdam Police Station.

woman who had reportedly told police that she bought weed in order to sell it, was granted $200,000 bail on Wednesday. Jenette Gravesande, a 40 year-old businesswoman of Plantation Best, West Coast Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Crystal Lambert at 10:30hrs at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Gravensande was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of

trafficking.

It is alleged that on May 29, 2021 at a police checkpoint located at 70 KM, Region Seven, she was found with 555 grams of marijuana in her possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Gravensande pleaded not guilty to the allegation and expected to return to court on June 23, 2021.

According to a police report, on the day in question, they had stopped a truck around

09:15hrs at a checkpoint and the defendant was one of 12 passengers on board. Ranks decided to conduct a routine search of the truck and in a cooler belonging to Gravensande, contained eleven frozen chickens stuffed with parcels of cannabis wrapped in plastic and foil wraps.

When questioned about the drugs, Gravensande reportedly said, “Officer, I buy this weed from a girl to go and sell.”

PAGE 14

Kaieteur News

Friday June 04, 2021

Businessman wins case against GRA over wrongful classification of Land Cruiser Businessman, Mohamed Shaw Jahan and his Toyota Land Cruiser.

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usinessman, Mohamed Shaw Jahan has successfully challenged the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) over their wrongful classification of his 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser.

The Land Cruiser was classified by GRA as a passenger vehicle, attracting nearly $14M in tax and duties, when it was in fact imported by Jahan as a goods vehicle.

As a result of the dispute

over the classification, the vehicle was seized and kept at the John Fernandes Terminal before Jahan successfully mounted the legal challenge.

According the ruling, which was delivered yesterday at the Georgetown Court, the vehicle was inspected by the presiding Justice Damon Younge herself who declared that the goods vehicle fell under tariff heading 8704, which requires Jahan to pay only $1,871,457 in taxes and duties to have it cleared.

The judge further issued an order of mandamus compelling the GRA and its Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia to forthwith classify the vehicle as a goods vehicle and to accept the $1,871,457 in taxes and duties, which have been paid already within seven days.

Further, she ordered GRA to take all steps necessary to release the vehicle as soon as practicable and to reimburse Jahan for the costs of storing the vehicle at the Terminal.

The Court also ordered GRA to stand the costs of the businessman’s lawsuit which was filed in March 2020.

Jahan was represented by attorney, Siand Dhurjon, who welcomed the ruling against the GRA and its Commissioner-General.

According to Dhurjon, the judge agreed with all his submissions on behalf of Jahan and made an order, declaring that the classification as a passenger vehicle was incorrect, ultra vires, irrational, unfair, unreasonable, null and void and of no legal effect.

“Th e learned ju d g e further declared that the vehicle was a goods vehicle which fell under tariff heading 8704.

Justice Younge issued an order of certiorari to quash the erroneous classification decision GRA and Mr. Statia,” Dhurjon said in a statement following the ruling.Last April, Jahan, a businessman and cattle farmer, filed the lawsuit

against GRA over the A u t h o r i t y ’s w r o n g f u l classification of vehicle which was imported to transport goods.

Jahan, who also sells vehicle parts and spares on the East Coast of Demerara, explained that on October 30, 2020, he bought the vehicle from the United Kingdom where it was classified as a ‘light goods vehicle’.

H o w e v e r, J a h a n h a d explained that since its arrival on December 20, 2020, he has been unable to clear it due to the nearly $14M in duties and taxes that the GRA had required as a result of their incorrect classification.

The businessman noted too that the vehicle has since been kept at the John Fernandes Terminal and facilities incurring storage costs for months.

In the lawsuit, Dhurjon made it clear that because the Land Cruiser is a special model which only has two seats, two doors, two ventilating windows, a flatbed cargo area to the rear and a barrier between the cargo area and the driver area, it is ‘exclusively qualified to be a goods vehicle’.

Dhurjon noted that any classification of the vehicle as a passenger vehicle would be an erroneous misclassification and a misapprehension of the Common External Tariff found in Schedule 1 of the Customs Act, the Harmonised System Classification Codes and the Wo r l d C u s t o m s Organisation’s Explanatory Notes on the issue.

In his submissions, Dhurjon noted too that the GRA “has no written policy, guidelines or information available from their office on what features/criteria, which they would accept or deny classifying a vehicle as a goods vehicle.

The officers, employees and agents of the GRA would often say what the criteria are, but would give contradictory information.”

PM issues second show-cause letter....

From page 3 ranks still serving the GPF – allegedly conspired to defraud the Force of over $ 1 0 M .

Slowe, although not present in the country, was charged jointly with the others with conspiracy to defraud the Force. The PSC Chairman is

also being accused of sexually assaulting a female senior officer of the Force on three occasions and is expected to present himself for questioning at the GPF’s Gender Based Violence Unit.

Slowe, during his press conference, denied both allegations.

Kaieteur News

Friday June 04, 2021

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Notice of appeal filed over decision to dismiss 2nd elections petition case L

awyers for the A Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition yesterday filed a notice of appeal against Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George Wiltshire‘s decision to dismiss the second elections petition case.

The notice of appeal filed, and seen by this newspaper, outlined that the Chief Justice (CJ) erred in law on several points in her consideration and determination of Petition #88 filed in the names of Claudette Thorne and Heston Bostwick.

Both, Thorne and Bostwick had argued that Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act (ELA) and Order #60 of 2020, otherwise known as the Recount Order, are

unconstitutional, and thus resulted in breaches and violations by GECOM in its conduct of the elections.

As such, the lawyers contend in their appeal, among other things, that the trial judge erred in law when she ruled that, “Section 22 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act 2000 and Order 60 made thereunder were not in violation of the Constitution of Guyana…”

In their request for the Court of Appeal to set aside the CJ’s ruling , the lawyers noted that Justice GeorgeWiltshire, SC erred in law when she ruled that the said Order 60 was intra vires of the said Constitution of Guyana by virtue of conferment of powers under Article 162 (1) (b) and said Section 22 [of the ELA]…”

“The Learned Judge erred in law when she ruled that the

Parliament requires media members to show COVID-19 vaccination card or negative test to cover sessions According to a Press Release issued by the Parliament Office, members of the Media are required to produce proof of their COVID-19 vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 test result before they gain access to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) for Sittings of the National Assembly. Similar proof will

be required to gain access to the Public Buildings for Meetings of Parliamentary Committees.

According to the release, failure to provide proof of a vaccination card or a negative result of the COVID-19 test will result in media representatives observing the sittings and meetings virtually.

Mabaruma man stabbed in heat of argument A Mabaruma man was stabbed multiple times earlier this week after he and another man started arguing while drinking.

According to a police report, the man, who is identified as 25 year-old Eon Bovell of Kumaka Waterfront, Mabaruma, was drinking at a public place within Kumaka Waterfront on Tuesday night. Around 22:30 hours, the suspect

approached Bovell, and the two then had an argument.

The suspect broke a Guinness bottle and attacked Bovell, stabbing him several times about his body before escaping.

The injured man was rushed to the Mabaruma Regional Hospital where he was seen and examined by a doctor on duty, treated and later sent away.

Investigations are ongoing.

Appellants did not produce evidence in the said Petition, in that, being a Petition which claimed that the said March 2 Elections was not lawfully conducted, there was no need for production of any evidence except what was presented, namely, the Declarations as per Regional Returning Officers’ 1 to 10 and the Recount,” the appeal document also pointed out.

Further it noted that the judge erred in law when she ordered that the Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) from the March 2020 General and Regional Elections remain in the custody of the Registrar

of the Supreme Court of Judicature until all the cases have been completed.

The appeals follow the April 25, 2021 decision by the CJ to discard the only remaining election petition case filed on behalf of the APNU+AFC Party to challenge the legality of the March 2, 2020 Regional and General Elections.

Justice George-Wiltshire had dismissed the case, ruling inter alia that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) acted in full compliance with the Constitution of Guyana and electoral laws in its conduct of elections. The

parties had argued that the results of the elections were to be deemed invalid due to serious non-compliance with the Constitution of Guyana and electoral laws as regards the holding of the elections.

However, in her ruling, the Chief Justice (Ag) noted that neither Section 22 of the ELAA nor Order #60 is outside the realm of the Constitution.

Justice George-Wiltshire held that the intent of Order #60 was to resolve irregularities, discrepancies, and anomalies occurring in the elections process and to determine a final credible (Continued on page 17)

Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire.

PAGE 16 VACANCY

Two upholsterers and a frame builder needed.

Please contact 227-3660.

Must have NIS and TIN number.

Hotel Attendants.Call: 2277714, 223-3448 & 640-0631.

Filter/ Machinist, Welder fabricator, Mechanic & Male cleaner. Apply in person at: Technical Services 18-23 Industrial Site, Eccles.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

Massey Ferguson Tractor( Foreign used). MF165$1.5M, MF 135-$1.1M, Pickup Ford Ranger-$1.1m, F150-$1.2M. 682-5230, 6154414.

SERVICES

FOR RENT 1-2 bedroom fully furnished apartment- 237 Gorden St.Kitty, $190,000 monthly.

Water included. Contact 6967163.

Furnish apt one bedroom,two bedroom, three bedroom, Providence and Diamond Tel#604-6664, 6826238, 216-2299.

BUILDING CONTRACTOR HOUSE PLANS ESTIMATE BUILDERS CONSTRUCTION CALL 649-7114 guybuildersco@outlook.com Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#630-1600.

For prompt reliable servicing repair of domestic industrial sewing machines. Call: 223-9106 or 619-3988.

Keep Clean Powerwashing buildings and yards lawn scaping. Tel# 216-2951,6721680.

Customs house brokerage service. For Motor vehicles industrial equipment,barrels. Registered broker asyenda certified.661-3043.

WANTED

S e e k i n g Butchery,Kitchen,Housekeeping,Construction personnel for remote and fast paced environments.

Eng/Span. Contact 623-6640.

Wanted one experienced Gold Smith, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn shop 16 Pike street Kitty Tel#622-4970 Live- in domestic must know to cook and live in waitress salary start at $20,000 - 25,000 weekly Tel#610-3974 One male and female able bodied clerks. Tel# 225-2313 & 226-1497.

(1 ) male to cut & pluck chicken on meat saw, salary $20,000 per week. Tel#6750587/ 219-2192

One male able bodied clerk.

Tel#231-2029 & 616-5954.

Female Domestic daily for house keeping $3500.Daily wardrobe $10,000 empty wayer barrel $5000. 6825230, 615-4414.

Have your LFS in Parfaite,Tushen,Farm, Eccles,Providence,Uivulght,ZealughtCash- Call: 666-2326.

FOR SALE

Toyota Allion PMM 7380 for sale. Cash $1,000,000. Call: 667-1375/666-5634.

Male seeks common law wife, 18-38. Light house work. Salary $80,000 monthly. Call: 695-0331.

LAND FOR SALE

Land for sale in Parfaite Harmonie. Tel# 681-1210.

PENPAL

Male seek intelligent female, age 25-40, for marriage. Only serious callers are welcomed. Call: 603-9085.

1 Male 35 seeking female to share a home. Tel# 686-8046.

Security officers male and female 18 years and above.

Contact 223-4172,632-0101 or 632-0909.

Maid to cook and clean. Call: 615-9132.

Junior Accounts Clerk, Marketing Clerk. Contact via e m a i l : (chungsvacancy@gmail.com).

Tel# 640-4522,624-3048.

Project Clerk, Junior Engineer. Contact via email: (chungsvacancy@gmail.com).

Tel #640-4522,624-3048.

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Repairs and servicing, refridgerator, treadmill, washing machine, stove, pressure pump, filtration system dryer, deepfryer etc 694-9733

Friday June 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

VACANCY Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 25-45, Car/Van licence.

Call 642-9823.

Hauler/Trailer Driver,Truck Driver, Building Foreman.

Contact via email: (adowridge.chungs@gmail.com).

Tel# 624-3048.

We l d e r / F a b r i c a t i n g .

Labourers, Road Foreman, Sand Truck Driver. Contact via email: (adowridge.chungs@gmail.com).

Tel# 624-3048.

Fronted Loader Operator, Excavator Operator. Contact via email (adowridge.chungs@gmail.com).

Tel#624-3048.

Vacancy exists for POULTRY/LIESTOCK FARMERS. Canal No.2 West Bank Demerara. Contact: 6214992,609-2995 or 227-5289.

Vacancy exists for PM Shift Cashiers. Survival Supermarket Complex. Tel: 2275286,609-2995, email survival.humanresources@gmail.com.

Vacancy exists for Drivers with Motor Lorry license.

173 Sheriff Street. Tel:2275286,621-4992,609-2995.

Diswasher apply to Shanta’s.225 Camp & New Market street.

Workers for P.S.G.C.S cleaner, labourers and maintenance workers Contact 621-6969/ 615-7784 serious inquiries only

For Accounts clerks and Carpenters. Apply in person to Alabama Trading on Robb Street.

Clerical assistants live-in accommodation available for out of town applicants covid vaccinated persons only.223-7500.

One clerk for Eccles office English & Mathematics, Grade 1 or 2. Email application to techserigy@yahoo.com.

Four additional deaths take Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 400 Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll has now reached its 400 benchmark. This was recorded yesterday after the Ministry of Health announced that four more persons who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) have died.

According to the Health Ministry, the latest fatalities are a 67-year-old woman and an 88-year-old man both from Region Four

(Demerara-Mahaica) who passed away on June 1, while an 81-year-old woman from Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) and a 71-year-old woman from Region Four passed away on June 2. All the persons died while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

Further, the Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 119 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number

of confirmed cases to 17,376.

A breakdown of new cases per Region shows that Region Four leads with 46 new cases, Region Nine with 26, Region Three with 16, Region Six with 13, Region 10 with 10, Region Five with seven and Region Two with one. The dashboard also shows that 17 patients are in the COVID19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 103 persons are in the institutional isolation, 1,783 in home isolation and seven persons are quarantined institutionally. To date, 15,073 recoveries have been recorded.

Friday June 04, 2021

Kaieteur News

US to donate initial 6 million vaccine doses to Caribbean, Latin America (Trinidad Express) - The United States Embassy in Port of Spain says the Biden-Harris Administration announced yesterday that it is allocating the first 25 million doses out of the 80 million doses the United States has already committed to donating by the end of June.

Seventy-five percent of these vaccines, which will be a combination of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, will go to COVAX to be delivered equitably.

The United States will make the final selection of where the vaccines will go but 6 million doses will go to Latin America

and the Caribbean, according to a statement from the Embassy’s Chargé d’Affaires, Shante Moore. Moore stated that the US has worked closely with regional counterparts, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, and officials in Washington D.C. to ensure the region would be included in this donation.

“This is an example of what we envision as a strategic bilateral partnership working together to address and resolve issues of mutual importance to the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and the region.

We are sharing these doses not to secure favors,

extract concessions, or pursue hidden agendas. We are not imposing conditions the way other countries are doing. We are sharing these vaccines, five times more than any other country has shared, to save lives and to lead the world in bringing an end to the pandemic, with the power of our leadership, genuine concerns for humanity, and with our values. And we will continue to follow the science and work in close cooperation with our democratic partners to coordinate a multilateral effort, including through the G7.”

...Former GWI CEO says $30M party bill From page 8 yesterday during a press conference held via Zoom that the move to spend the money was not “a luxury” but rather an investment in the employees.

“Well that is spent on our workers for different activities for a year and we must understand what that contributes to,” said the former GWI Boss.

He posited that the 21st century management speaks to the need to invest in workers. Van West-Charles continued, “On the CARICOM HR plan that we (Guyana) have subscribed to, speaks to the need of investing in your workers.”

He argued that Guyana’s public utility companies do not follow this commitment to their workers and described this as a “mismatch with words in CARICOM documents that the country had signed on to.”

The former CEO added that another reason why $30M was spent on “a year’s activities” was because “many of the (GWI) workers did not know their company,”

suggesting that it was a way for them to meet and greet their colleagues. Van WestCharles also hinted during the press conference that, apart from the $30M, more money was spent to invest in staff.

The ex-CEO said that when he took over GWI under the Coalition administration, there were no acceptable toilet facilities across the company or lunch facilities for the staff.

“There were no overalls for staff, the staff working in the sewage section had to go down into the manholes and had to be exposed to gases,” he added.

Van West-Charles continued, “We introduced equipment to be able to sense and tell them when it is safe to go down in to the manholes.”

He then bashed the current administration by labelling it as one that did care for staff “at all” and reasoned that it is important to invest in employees in order to keep committed and loyal.

Kaieteur News had learnt of the $30M spent by GWI under his leadership from a

leaked internal document which illustrated the amount as expenditure by the company. GWI spent some $15.58M on activities for the entity’s anniversary celebrations, held in May 2018. The anniversary celebrations included a retreat and a prize giving and awards ceremony, held at the Ramada Princess Hotel. Finally, for the year, the document had revealed that the utility company hosted a Christmas Party expending some $14.5M. The expenditure by the utility company came under focus in light of the company’s position that it was essentially cashstrapped, to the point where it was unable to pay its electricity bills for that year.

It was also reported last year that GWI owed the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) some $7 billion for the period 2018 to 2020 and that the power company was hoping to enlist the assistance of the newly elected Irfaan Ali administration to have the company pay off some of that debt.

...Suspects leave $10M in ganja behind From page 13 through the cane field and the ranks could not chase behind them because of a canal separating the dam from the cane field.

The ranks then decided to search the area where they spotted the suspects and they found ten bulky parcels of suspected cannabis wrapped in transparent plas-

tic.

They removed it and when weighed, they found out that suspects abandoned some 80 kilograms of marijuana valued GYD$10M. CANU believes that the narcotics were being smuggled to neighbouring Suriname for resale. It further stated that the ranks will continue to work along with the

Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in the area to stem the flow of narcotics being smuggled across the Suriname border.

CANU also assured that it will also work with Community Police Groups (CPG) to ensure that drug blocks are not established in the various communities.

...Notice of appeal filed over decision to dismiss From page 15 count. She noted that Section 22 is meant as an aid to the process to permit a determination of a result. The judge stressed that it does not permit usurpation of the High Court’s jurisdiction under Article 163 [of the Constitution]

at all.

The Chief Justice (CJ) had previously dismissed Petition #99 filed on behalf of Monica Thomas and Brenan Nurse in January 2021, for non-compliance in relation to effecting of service on former President

David Granger. The petitioners had served Granger with the documents too late. An appeal of that decision comes up on June 14, 2021, at the Guyana Court of Appeal, following a notice filed in February of this year.

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Kaieteur News

Former Foxy Ladies FC Captain Shamika Marcus set to graduate today - Earned an Associates of Science Business Administration from Essex County College

Shamika Marcus

By Franklin Wilson After completing a successful two-year course at Essex County College, North New Jersey, USA, ‘Lady Jag’ Shamika Marcus will be graduating today with an Associates of Science Business Administration.

Being 22 years-old at the time, the former Foxy Ladies Football Club Captain, who attended Uitvlugt Secondary School, took up an offer for a soccer try out at Bryant & Stratton College in upstate New York in February 2019.

The offer was made to Marcus by former ‘Golden Jaguar’ Keavon Beaton in 2018. At the time, even though she accepted the

opportunity, Marcus did not have the wherewithal to leave these shores as she needed all the assistance she could have garnered to make her dream a reality.

So she decided to reach out to Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde who pulled out all the stops to ensure that Marcus was able to fulfill her dream, which today, is reality.

At the try out at Bryant & Stratton College she was successful but then the Coach at Essex County College {Monique Edouard}heard about her [Marcus] and decided to reach out to her to make her an offer for a scholarship as

Friday June 04, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) After the emotional havoc you went through over the last few weeks, the period beginning today will be quite soothing. You can take advantage of these smoother, calmer waters to rediscover emotional harmony..

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) The celestial configuration is speaking of a new period in which you focus on the way you differentiate yourself from others, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) This is the beginning of a new cycle, Gemini. There will be new issues cropping up over the next several days.

You may have to rethink certain principles that you've adhered to in your relationships up until now.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) This is a pleasant day, Cancer. Indeed, the celestial aspects are predicting that it will be rather radiant, though likely less intense than the past week or so.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Are you ready, Leo? Are you in shape for what's going to happen? The celestial aspects are heralding a new cycle that will be filled to the brim with activities, new people, and new professional perspectives.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Will there be change in you during the next few weeks, Virgo? This is always the question that one asks with this changing planetary environment.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) A new wind is blowing in your relationships, Libra, and you probably won't be too sorry about it! The planets are lining up to signal new beginnings.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) You will be happy to know that today contains the seeds of change for your love life. Beginning today and for the next month or so, you're likely to be amazed by the turn of events in your relationships with others.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Last month you may have been somewhat more extroverted and sociable than usual, especially regarding your emotional relationships. But beginning today, your attitude will undergo a change, Sagittarius.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) As a person who loves to experiment with new ideas and discover new people, you will be delighted with the period that is now beginning.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Today's overall outlook is positive for you, Aquarius.

You can expect to focus on giving a little more character, expression, or enrichment to your domestic life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You're embarking on a phase devoted in large part to your love life, Make this time completely fulfilling by introducing fresh new ideas. Don't let these pleasures grow stale.

The cycle ahead is extremely auspicious for romance.

well.

“So I choose Essex because it was more financially prudent decision to make and that was the beginning of it, my success.”

Due to the covid-19 pandemic, the football aspect of Marcus’ time at Essex was curtailed but she revealed that she would have enjoyed the 2019 season very much even though it stared somewhat slow.

“At the beginning it was a bit difficult for me to adapt to a new environment and different culture but when I did, it was pretty amazing.”

Even her classes were challenging with the advent of the pandemic but she persevered and eventually got use to the zoom classes which replaced in classroom studies.

“It was a bit difficult because it was all new, it took some time for me to adapt.

However, when I did, it was somewhat smooth sailing.”

Marcus, who was part of two national team camps but never made the national team, also commented on what this achievement means for her

...Captain Briggs urges players to From page 20 positive impact for the golden Jaguars. Glasgow has won the hearts of all of his teammates for his nippy nature of play apart from his ability to take on any opposing player with his array of skills.

His new Captain also endorsed that he is a special and skillful player whom he saw practicing free kicks the day before the Bahamas clash. On game day, March 30th, Guyana was awarded a free kick moments after Glasgow (70th) was introduced in the second half and it was unanimously agreed that the teenager was the one to take the kick.

He did not disappoint as he placed the ball with consummate accuracy into the top corner for Guyana third goal. Additionally, the Head Coach revealed that these matches will also serve as preparation for Guyana’s Gold Cup campaign next month with a crucial match against Guatemala in the USA. With motivation high and a united approach that is committed to the cause, the ‘Golden Jaguars’ are ready to roar against the home team led by new Captain, Matthew Briggs who has the full support of his colleagues. As he said, they are taking it one game at a time.

Game time is 16:00hrs at Warner Park.

maturing in the sport.

“My qualifications definitely give me an opportunity for progression.

It also equips me with a range of knowledge so I can navigate through the career path I choose and life. As it relates to sports, I actually would be transferring to Bryant & Stratton College on a soccer scholarship so I hope to excel both on and off the field. Also, I have a Concacaf D Coaching License so after I’m done playing I want to get more into Coaching,” she stated about her move in September to complete her degree programme.

President Forde commented on Marcus’ achievement: “Shamika has defied all the odds and in the process she has proven to herself that anything is possible.This young woman is an inspiration in so many ways and I am so proud of her.I want to wish her every

success as she continues her academic pursuits.”

The humble but ambitious Marcus has words of encouragement for young female players: “Be assertive in this life. If you find something that you love doing, stay the course and stay true to yourself. Also, you need to place much emphasis on education because the world is evolving each and every day.”

Words of gratitude came from Shamika Marcus for all those who have made the effort to help her in her pursuits thus far.

“I’d like to thank Kevin Beaton, Mr. Wayne Forde, Ms. Claudius Simon, Forrester Lumber Yard and all my friends and family.

Additionally, everyone who would have played a part, giving me all the necessary resources that I would have need or a little advice by they are too numerous to mention.”

Kaieteur News

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Friday June 04, 2021

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Qatar 2022

Captain Briggs urges players to play and enjoy St. Kitts match today; Golden Jaguars aiming for win

By Franklin Wilson in Antigua with the compliments of the GFF and Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. The battle lines would be drawn between Guyana and home team St. Kitts and Nevis this afternoon from 16:00hrs at Warner Park, Basseterre, St. Kitts when they two nations collide as

rivalry in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying completion continue.

This would be the third match for each nation in Group F play with the home team leading the table on 6 points followed by Puerto Rico which hammered Bahamas on Wednesday 7-0 on 4 just ahead of Trinidad and Tobago (goal difference) on the same amount of

points. Guyana is next on 3 points with the Bahamas on 0.

While the home team would be playing on a surface that they are accustomed to, the Golden Jaguars were allowed just sixty minutes to get familiar yesterday afternoon around the actual game time.

Despite, Head Coach Márcio Máximo along with

Captain Matthew Briggs are quietly confident the ‘Golden Jaguars’ will produce the required goods to take care of business on the field, today.

Briggs, speaking with the Guyanese media yesterday via zoom said that he has encouraged his peers to play the game with a smile and enjoy every moment of it as games in the past would have seen them maybe playing with a lot of stress on their shoulders and trying too hard as they needed to win.

“Which is good, but I want to instill in the team, play with no pressure, play with a smile on your face but do the right thing. Win your battles, win your headers and if you can’t win your battle then the person next to you is going to be there to support

you. That’s the type of stuff I want to instill into the team as we are all together as one; at the same time enjoy the game. If we do that then we’ll be alright, we’ll win both games and we’ll be ok.”

Máximo once again commented on the productive nature of preparations in Antigua and then in St. Kitts which was very intense and commenced on Sunday last.

“I think the guys understand very well about our target and objective and what you should do to take a good result. Of course, the game as usual is very difficult because the opponent also have good players.”

Briggs, whilst endorsing the sentiments of his Head Coach, reinforced that

players understand the roles that they have to play especially those who might not start the game stating that they must be ready to maintain the intensity when they get a chance.

Also sharing the press conference was the baby of the team, 17 year-old Omari Glasgow who scored his debut goal against the Bahamas in the Dominican republic from a free kick after coming on as a substitute. He made his debut also coming on as a substitute against Trinidad and Tobago also in WCQ in March 25ththis year.

The exciting forward said that he is seeking to bring the same intensity to these matches as he once again wants to make a (Continued on page 19)

Davo Memorial dominoes set for Sunday at Lil Hole bar Providence Sports Club will be hosting the Davo Memorial dominoes competition on Sunday at Lil H o l e b a r, E a s t B a n k Demerara.

Entrance fee is $12,000 and $50,000 will be added to the prizes.

The top three teams will receive trophies and cash prizes. Action gets underway at 14:30hrs and all GNDA rules will be in effect.

Teams are asked to at the venue 30 minutes prior to the starting time. Among the sponsors are O’s Group of c o m p a n i e s , E Ti m b e r s , Ye l l o w M i n e s , A l i s h a Delicacy, Pressy’s Gift Store, Buy Me Auto Sale, Davis family, Lil Hole bar, Gridvybz Enterprise, R and S Liquor store and Nichola and Natasha.

Among the teams set to take part are Mix Up, All Season’s, Gold is Money, Spartans, and TNT. Te a m s c a n c o n t a c t Wiltshire on 659-8672 or Davis on 622-7161.

Sean Davis (left) and Mark Wilthsire display the trophies.

Inaugural GCB Under-19 One Day 50 Overs Franchise Tournament Postponed

T

he inaugural GCB Under-19 One Day 50 Overs Franchise Tournament has been postponed until further notice a release from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) informed.

The postponement is due to the current inclement weather, which is expected to severely affect the player’s opportunity to

showcase their talents. The GCB remains committed to completing the tournament as soon as the weather conditions consistently become more suitable for play.

All individuals who were expected to play the respective roles in the effective conduct of the remaining matches are hereby accordingly informed of this postponement.

Kaieteur News

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PAGE 23

Holder and Stewart elated with historic performance

By Calvin Chapman The two locally based sprinters in Noelex Holder and Akeem Stewart that won Guyana’s first men’s 4x100 relay bronze medal at the recently concluded South America senior athletics championships in Guayaquil, Ecuador, returned home and during a presser at the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Headquarters, yesterday, they shared their experience.

Also present at the presser were, GOA head, K.A., JumanYassin, team manager Kenisha Headley, men’s 800m national champion; Devaun Barrington and head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson.

Hutson during remarks was grateful for the support the AAG received to send the team to Ecuador and he stated that he is hopeful that the support is maintained since Team Guyana has proven that they are capable of producing medals with the requisite support.

The administrator continued that, “When we put into perspective that two athletes are based out of Guyana, I think we need to give compliments to the coach (Johnny Gravesande). He did well in setting

the relay order and the athletes executed well given the short time they had.”

Meanwhile, Juman-Yassin illustrated that what this team have done as well is to stake a claim for future contingents to have a men’s relay team as part of the travelling party. He also iterated his belief that the women have the ability to perform well and called for Guyana to field a female relay team in the future.

Te a m m a n a g e r, K e n i s h a Headley noted that the experience was a great one. She made a special note detailing that the members of Ecuador ’s local organising committee made the Guyanese team feel at home and although there was a language barrier, they spoke in English as often as they could.

Holder, in his first South American Championships, also shared the sentiment of feeling at home. He posited that he got along so well with the other athletes that it felt like he knew them for a very long time.

“I felt very comfortable in the race and it was truly a great experience. I cannot wait to compete again for Guyana,” Holder concluded.

Devaun Barrington

Noelex Holder

Stewart expressed heartfelt thanks to the managers and support staff along with administrators Juman-Yassin & Hutson for believing in the team.

“I think the experience we have gained there can only propel us.

Our aim was for the gold medal but bronze is nevertheless a great achievement. The experience of Joel Bascombe and Emanuel Archibald really helped us towards the medal so I am grateful for that,”

Stewart expressed.

Meanwhile, Barrington congratulated the 4x100 team and mentioned that it was a surreal experience to witness the race live.

Although Barrington didn’t make it to the final of his event, he noted that he hasn’t competed in the 800m on a high level in over two years, so he was very satisfied with his timings, which was just a few tenths off his personal best.

In concluding the presser,

Akeem Stewart

Hutson reiterated that the National Championships that is slated for June 18-20 will be heated contest with many athletes having points to prove, while others will be looking to run qualifying times for the Tokyo Olympics.

Of Note: Juman-Yassin also revealed that any athlete who uses their personal funds to travel to meets and qualifies for the Olympics will receive 100% reimbursement on funds spent.

Kaieteur News

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Friday June 04, 2021

Beharry supports Pomeroon youths with cricket gear

F

Anil Beharry, right, presents the quantity of cricket gear to Sherman Austin.

ormer Berbice cricketer Anil Beharry has thrown his support behind the youths of Pomeroon with a quantity of cricket gear.

Beharry, an ex-Berbice Cricket Board president, made the donation recently to a representative of Pomeroon Cricket

Committee, Sherman Austin.

Former national youth player Devon Ramnauth, who also supports the development of the game in Pomeroon, is delighted with Beharry’s contribution.

“I am extremely delighted and happy to see people have come on board

with the donation of cricket gear; recently an under-15 competition was launched and this support by Beharry has been timely; I must say this will encourage the youths to play competitive cricket as well,” Ramnauth, the founding member of the Region Two Development Cricket League, stated.

‘We cannot postpone again,’ Tokyo 2020 boss says of COVID gloom The head of Japan’s Olympics organising committee ruled out yesterday another suspension of the Games, despite deep disquiet at the prospect of thousands of athletes and officials arriving during a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections.

Already postponed from last year at the cost of an extra $3.5 billion, a scaleddown version of the Games, with no foreign spectators, is set to start on July 23.

But with a slow vaccine rollout, Tokyo and nine other regions under a state of emergency, and rising numbers of severe coronavirus cases, most Japanese oppose hosting the Olympics.

Most of the capital’s city c o u n c i l , t h e To k y o Metropolitan Assembly, agree, the Tokyo Shimbun paper reported yesterday.

Illustrating the public anxiety, residents in one training venue, Ota City, were furious over a decision to give preferential vaccinations to staff attending to visiting Australian softball players, media also said.

However, organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto countered the gloom, telling the Nikkan Sports newspaper: “We cannot postpone again.”

Hashimoto, who competed in seven summer and winter Olympics as a cyclist and skater, also told the BBC that while Japanese were understandably worried, they should be reassured that a “bubble situation” was being carefully constructed.

“I believe that the possibility of these Games going on is 100% that we will do this,” she added.

“One thing the organising committee commits and

The Olympic rings monument, in Tokyo, Japan May 18, 2021. (REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo) promises to all the athletes out there is that we will defend and protect their health.” Prime Minister Yo s h i h i d e S u g a a l s o appeared confident of pulling off a successful Olympics and Paralympics as he plans a snap vote afterwards, the Asahi newspaper said.

NO HIGH-FIVES Authorities have not decided whether Japanese spectators will be allowed to attend Olympics events.

There are fears that shouting, hugging and high-fiving could promote contagion.

In the latest upsets in the run-up to the Olympics, Kurume City pulled out of hosting Kenya’s training camp, while a player on Ghana’s Under-24 team tested positive after arriving for a friendly match.

Taiwan’s baseball team, which is ranked fourth in the world, pulled out of the final qualifying tournament for the Olympics as it could not find anywhere safe to practice at home and was worried about health risks at the event in Mexico. Even so, Taiwan still hopes its athletes will have a chance to compete, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu told reporters, saying efforts by Japan and international Olympic officials to put on the event were highly appreciated.

Though avoiding the rates of some other nations, serious cases of COVID-19 are rising in Japan, where the infection tally stands at nearly 750,000, with more than 13,000 deaths.

The nation’s most senior medical adviser said on Thursday that public health guidance, including his, was not reaching the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in charge of the event. “We are now considering where we should give our advice,” Shigeru Omi told lawmakers. “If they want to hold (the Games), it’s our job to tell them what the risks are.” Though Olympic advertisements are sprinkled around Tokyo, it is a far cry from the usual glitz and buzz, with many sponsors unsure how to proceed with events.

Thousands of volunteers have quit also, public broadcaster NHK said this week. Hashimoto acknowledged the sadness of having no outside spectators at an event that is normally an enormous global party.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that they (athletes) can compete in the Games,” she said in the BBC interview. “To not be able to have family members and friends who have supported them all along must be a very painful thing and that has caused me pain too.”

Kaieteur News

Friday June 04, 2021

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Qatar 2022

PAGE 25

Aleka Persaud aiming to qualify for

Goalkeeper Coach Ian De Vieira assured Pan Am Games in November his charges will help pull it off for Guyana Junior ormer Carifta 11-12 age group

F

De Vieira caught during one of the training sessions in Antigua. (Franklin Wilson photo)

By Franklin Wilson in Antigua with the compliments of the GFF and Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. A football team comprises multiple players who take charge of their r e s p e c t i v e departments/areas on the field of play but effectively combining efforts to play as one for the good of their team.

One such department is that of goalkeeping which is a specialised area and the final line of defence. The goalie or keeper is expected to thwart the final attacks of the opposing players and must, like his other colleagues be fit physically, mentally and otherwise as well as tactically and technically up to the task.

We l l , t h e ‘ G o l d e n Jaguars’ trio on tour in this round of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying along with Goalkeeper Coach Ian De Vieira are putting in the work to ensure that their team comes out victorious even with an eye on setting a solid platform for the future of the sport in Guyana in keeping with the policy of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).

De Vieira took some time off from his very hectic schedule here in St. Kitts to share what his department is doing to contribute to the success of the Golden Jaguars.

A veteran of seven (7) years with the Senior Men’s National Team, the former

National Custodian has also worked extensively with the National Under-15, 17 and 20 teams as well as the ‘Lady Jags’, quite an extensive resume.

But for now, De Vieira’s focus is on getting his charges, 32 year-old Akel Clarke (Mount Pleasant Academy-Jamaica), 23 yearold Kai McKenzie-Lyle (Cambridge United FCEngland) and 19 year-old Shawn Adonis (Guyana Police Force FC-Guyana) into the best shape generally for their present assignment.

Today, Guyana will continue its quest for qualification to the next r o u n d o f Wo r l d C u p qualifying in the Concacaf Zone when they take on home team St. Kitts and Nevis at Warner Park from 16:00hrs.

He notes that the role of his goalies is the same as that of other teams the world over: “It’s a very important position. On the international scene, teams would come up with their strategy based on the strengths of the goalkeepers.

These players have to be rounded individuals; at first they were just required to know to catch the ball but now they are required to use their feet as much as the outfield players.”

Noting that it’s the same way the world over and not just in Guyana, De Vieira pointed out that McKenzieLyle and Clarke are two seasoned campaigners as they ply their trade p r o f e s s i o n a l l y, w h i l e

Adonis, the baby in this department, came through from the Under-14 level playing for Guyana at every level leading to the seniors.

On Adonis’ selection, De Vieira stated, “This is very good experience for him, he is one of the best we have right now at the youth level and they are all growing into the programme and have exhibited admirable enthusiasm.”

The training routine for the goalkeepers is very comprehensive De Vieira shared. “With the national team when you come together you have to really pick out what is important because it’s just a short time, so there’s a different routine with those training at home as opposed to those who are not.

With respect to being at home, we do a lot of strength work coming right through, technical and tactical work but with the national team when you just have a few days, we don’t do lots of strength training.”

Rather, they ensure that the players fitness level is up to standard and they are on the same page with the technical an d tactical strategy of the team.

“It’s very important that the goalkeeper is extremely fit for the battle and we are looking forward to, of course two clean sheets so we have been trying to get the guys up to speed and the required levels. The spirit in the team has been excellent so we’re looking forward to nothing less than six points.”

Ian De Vieira (2nd left) is flanked by from right, Kai McKenzie-Lyle, Shawn Adonis and Akel Clarke in Antigua. (Franklin Wilson photo)

champion, Guyanese Aleka Persaud, will aim to qualify for the upcoming Junior Pan Am games (swim meet) slated for November in Colombia.

Persaud next assignment is the Bahamas National Swimming Championship which is set for June 24-27, where she hopes to meet the qualifying time. She will compete at the 50m and 100m butterfly and 50m and 100m freestyle.

Persaud did not get an opportunity to take part at last year’s Carifta games due to Covid 19 which caused the meet to be cancelled and her training had been curtailed.

She participated in the Puerto Rico international swim meet which was held from May 20-23. She made the B final in the 50 freestyle, which is an open meet (Carifta is age group) and had surpassed her times from Carifta.

She is now the fastest female swimmer in Guyana at age 15 and came very close to qualifying for the 50m freestyle at the Junior Pan Am games. Her Coach Sean Baksh has expressed gratitude to her Parents Ivan and Holly Persaud for her travel to Puerto Rico, Dr. Jose Da Silva of Modern Optical Service, Phil Surooj of PS Shipping and Customs Brokerage Inc, Dwayne Scott of The Guyana Amateur Swimming Association and Shawn Claxton for assisting financially and

Aleka Persaud otherwise in making this swimmer lives her dream.