K
GNBA writes Sunday Edition NEWS Kaieteur Radio on ‘yellow infractions’ by The Glenn Lall Show AIETEUR
June 13, 2021
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
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Liza Phase One Operations…
Chinese partner with 25% stake made $9.3B profit in 2020Pres. - Ram Irfaan Ali declares flooding a National Disaster Impatient porter CCJ suspends Appeal drowns trying Court’s decision in to swim home Marcus Bisram case Soldier beats Cops remove 70 cops trying Venezuelans from to arrest him G/T bound vessel
We in the rivers are concerned too
Salesman confesses to staging robbery after CCTV footage contradicts story
Coalition now wants Govt. to change lopsided Exxon contract they signed Listen @11am, 4pm and 7pm for the Glenn Lall show on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM
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Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
Liza Phase One Operations…
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Chinese partner with 25% stake made $9.3B profit in 2020 - Ram C
N O O C Petroleum Guyana Limited ( f o r m e r l y CNOOC/NEXEN) , the Chinese partner with a 25 percent stake in the Stabroek Block, raked in a whopping $9B in profits from the Liza Phase One operations in 2020. Revealing this was Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram, in his column, “Every Man, Woman and Child in Guyana Must Become Oil-Minded (Part 88)” published on his w e b s i t e : www.chrisramnet.com After an absence of nearly one year, Ram
resumed his writing on the petroleum sector by informing his readers that he has returned with the column to provide some crucial insights into the accounting practices of CNOOC and its other Stabroek Block partners, Hess Corporation and ExxonMobil. More importantly, Ram with his expert analysis, intends to show what it all means for Guyana. Following his assessment of the company's latest financial statements, Ram intimated that CNOOC operates as an offshore company in Barbados. For decades, that CARICOM
country has operated as a tax haven. In other words, Ram told Kaieteur News that Barbados shields the profits of companies from taxation.
operates in Guyana as a branch. “It is a deception not unique to CNOOC – it is also practiced by Hess and Esso Exploration and Production
“
It is clear that the 2016 Petroleum Agreement governing the Stabroek Block was no sacred contract but an economic crime in which the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC Governments have played active roles. - Chris Ram
”
Ram said one ought to remember as well that CNOOC Guyana Limited is not a Guyanese company but a Barbadian company, which
Guyana Limited (ExxonMobil's subsidiary),” the Chartered Accountant said. Speaking to its financial
Salesman confesses to staging robbery after CCTV footage contradicts story
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26-year-old salesman/driver of Associates Brands, of Lot 'A' Goedverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), has been arrested after he confessed to staging a robbery on Friday at Stabroek Market. Reports are that the salesman and two deliverymen went to Stabroek Square to deliver the company's products to their customers and uplift payments. However, as his two colleagues were making deliveries, the salesman stayed in the enclosed tray of the truck, which was left open, and began counting the day's sales. He alleged that he was confronted by two bandits, who entered the canter and demanded he hand over the
cash he had in a black plastic bag. The driver claimed that he complied and handed over the cash, after which the bandits escaped north along Water Street. The police said that the salesman reported the robbery and soon after, an investigation was launched. Law enforcement officers then reviewed CCTV footage from the area, which didn't support the victim's story. The cops then confronted the salesman about his story and he confessed to the police that he had concocted the entire story and took the day's sales for himself. He then identified his two friends who he had called to collect the money from him. As a result, a party of policemen went to Regent Street, where one of the
identified men was apprehended with a red haversack on his back. A search was conducted on the man and the haversack, and a total of $502,630 in cash was found. When questioned about the cash, the man told cops that it was given to him by the company's salesman. He was then arrested and escorted to Brickdam Police Station, where he was
informed of the allegation and cautioned. He then gave a written statement, which was also obtained from the salesman. The salesman then contacted their third accomplice and asked him to show up at the police station; the man showed up, was also told of the allegations, and arrested. The trio remains in custody as the investigation continues.
standing, Ram said, “The Company has reported a profit of $9,298 million on income of $41,419 million, a net margin of 22.4%.” Apart from the enormous scale of the profits, one of the most interesting findings for Ram relates to the element of taxation in the company's income statement. Ram highlighted that on one hand, the company says it is subject to the “Guyana Income Tax Act and the terms and conditions of the 2016 Petroleum Agreement.” However, not only was the Company silent on any actual tax being paid to Guyana, but that in such a case, the sum payable came out of the Government's share of oil profits. The disparity in the two pictures he said amounts to CNOOC telling less than half a truth in its financial statements. F u r t h e r, R a m t o l d Kaieteur News on Friday evening, that the unique arrangement concerning the payment of taxes by or for the oil companies in the Stabroek Block should be disclosed in the company's accounts. But what is also worse, Ram said, is that the PPP/C “…seems incapable of understanding that Governments do not pay taxes for private taxpayers. Maybe, the Government
Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram should tell Guyanese which of Guyana's tax laws permit this absurdity.” As regards the most alarming red flag he found during his review, Ram said it would be that, “Guyana is not spared the machinations and sharp, if not illegal, practices by international oil companies across the world, most egregiously on countries like Guyana with non-existent, weak or permissively complicit regulatory controls and oversight.” Overall, the Chartered Accountant said, “it is frightening and angering to think of the continued capitulation of the country to these destroyers of the environment, manipulators of accounting rules and plunderers of the tax system.” In conclusion, Ram said, “it is clear that the 2016 Petroleum Agreement governing the Stabroek Block was no sacred contract, but an economic crime in which the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC Governments have played active roles.”
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
A different kind of debt straightjacket Third World societies live with heavy debt burdens and Guyana is no exception. We had more than our share before, when Guyana earned the disdainful distinction of being deemed a ‘highly indebted’ country. Generous foreign debt relief and earlier careful governmental action brought noticeable improvement. Today, our leaders are taking this country down that same heavily indebted road again. The difference this time is that the possible debts can be sourced to Exxon’s draining deal terms, fuelled by glaring political feebleness. This was made clear to Guyanese by KN under the headline “ExxonMobil deal leaves all citizens shackled to debt trap for decades” (KN June 8). Exxon and its shareholders enjoy billion-dollar prosperity, while Guyana and its peoples stare at the bleak possibility of poverty. It is the contradiction of being so potentially rich, yet so actually poor. The Exxon deal has some built-in debt obligations that could dash all local hopes. What should set us free shackles us and enslaves us, via the legal schemes and contractual skullduggeries of Exxon’s fox like leaders. That ugly Production Sharing Agreement has “some of the world’s most oppressive provisions.” There is the provision for interest. By some inexplicable reasoning, this provision “allows ExxonMobil to recover any and all interests it racks up on loans borrowed to fund the development of oil projects in the offshore concession.” Repeat: any and all interest charges are recoverable by Exxon. Those charges come out of our pockets and given the billions in American dollars used, that could be hundreds of millions (US) annually in interest payments to Exxon for funding local oil projects. When such possibly massive interest numbers are subtracted from oil revenues due, then the reality is that little is left for Guyana. It is so horrendous, so unthinkable, that even “the International Monetary Fund have said there is no economic logic for allowing this and had advised the Government to prohibit oil companies from recovering the interests and other financing costs.” When even the IMF, not known or possessing of a reputation for friendliness to poor countries, can say something like that, then this is grim for Guyana. It is why this paper is in favour of a provision that prohibits such interest recovery that either eliminates or reduces considerably other gouging financing costs. This is piracy, the equivalent of modern-day corporate robbery, the most barefaced kind imaginable, and so much that it is sickening. University of Houston instructor, Tom Mitro, called it for what it really is: “the abusive use of debt by the operators, since Guyana is essentially standing all the costs.” It is why we are so much against government’s indifference and resistance to working tirelessly towards ways that give Guyana serious relief. But that is not all, for there are other draining and damaging provisions in Guyana’s contract with Exxon. According to KN, “the country will essentially foot the bill for any legal fees that Exxon incurs for action brought against it by the State.” And there is more of the same ugliness, same haemorrhaging of the nation’s prospects, because “if there is any environmental damage,” Guyana must somehow persuade the courts that the high, almost insurmountable, standard (violation) of “gross negligence” occurred. There would be that hard to-pin-down requirement imposed on Guyana, which is of the intent of Exxon. With such a challenge, recovering is as good as dead. Our brightness could crash into darkness before we know it. But there is still some more that traps us, hurt us in this onesided relationship with Exxon. Any move by this country that negatively impacts Exxon’s profit projections will have to be made good by Guyana. We have to make up the difference for that, and for money spent on training Guyanese and expenses related to removing Exxon’s equipment post-production. As one expert noted, “Guyana will not have enough money from the oil projects to save significantly as well as to cover budget deficits…and a 2025 debt load of US$20B.” When all this is considered, we are handcuffed, chained around our waists, have a ball-and-chain around our ankles and nailed to the ground. That looks, sounds and smells like poverty. As the oil drains, so does our blood.
Glenn Lall’s activism applauded DEAR EDITOR, I praise KN for taking lead in the fight against exploitation of our resources. I applaud the activism of Mr. Glenn Lall in his advocacy to protect our natural resources for the benefit of the nation, the poor in particular. He has made a convincing case that Exxon has not given Guyana its fair share in royalty and profit sharing. If we get a few percentages more, the life of the poor will improve tremendously. As I read, other countries get in excess of 32 percent of total revenues of a natural resource industry like energy while Guyana gets only 14.5 percent. In addition, other countries benefit from taxation. But Exxon pays no taxes in Guyana or user fees for road, airport and other facilities. Some ingrates are praising Exxon for extracting
our oil and gas and giving us a pittance and not paying taxes. Such behaviour is unpatriotic. While they may get paid for their work, the public despises them. Glenn is seen as a hero. He illustrates courage in single handedly taking on Exxon, a job that should have been that of the government (APNU-led coalition and now PPP). And he is a simple, down-to-earth person. He boasts of no university degrees though his work qualifies him for a PhD, much more qualified than those who project fake degrees or have others do college work for them to get credentialed. On does not need to flaunt a fraudulent degree to have relevance in the media or in society. Look at the simple stature of a man like Glenn Lall – he makes no attempt to tell the world that
he is a scholar. He uses common sense to expose wrong doings. And he speaks truthfully. Glenn’s activism shows that one does not need to have paper degrees to advocate on issues for the country. And having degrees does not mean the person would use them to the benefit or in defense of the nation. In fact, one person who claims to have a long distance degree without Bachelors has defended Exxon not paying taxes. Glenn’s intelligence and activism have shown that one does not need to run around with fake degrees. Glenn has risen in his own right – in his achievements and in battling for Guyana. He is more patriotic than all politicians combined. The fake degree holders are in a position to bully people; they are not
demonstrating the kind of nationalism needed to protect our interests. They should emulate Glenn. Unfortunately, those with bogus, fictitious, unearned degrees dominate the power structure in the country. They seem to have others with fake degree defending them and threatening lawsuits when their fraud is exposed. When one threatens a lawsuit over a question of a degree, it means they have something to hide. I seek forgiveness for those that seek to deceive the public. It is very regrettable that those with the power to dominate the power structure are reluctant to pursue greater percentages of benefits from Exxon. The poor will one-day rise to power to avenge their abuse. Yours truly, Joshua Emmanuel
Sunday June 13, 2021
Rodney - everybody’s talking, who is doing? DEAR EDITOR, I take my hat off to Guyanese, we are good. All should be airline pilots, so gifted are the scribblers and babblers in this nation, since they float on air. We talk up a storm, but like the skilled flyboys and fly girls, we always seem to navigate the contradictory turbulences encountered along the way. The biggest example of this is our attention, fascination, conversation, and conclusion about Walter Rodney. As I listen and I read, I am compelled to congratulate Guyanese: everybody is talking. Oh! Guyanese talk a lovely game about Walter Rodney: he was this and he was that; he would have done so much. If only…. His life was about achieving and giving; readying to give more, until cruel fates intervened and the coup de grace came. It was not to be his season under the sun. And so, we continue to chatter and splatter our sorry selves about 41 years later, of what was lost, of what could have been. And after 41 years, the best that leaders in this country can do is label his murder an assassination. There must be rejoicing in heaven at this late breaking acknowledgement, supposedly soothing development. I believe that heaven will celebrate some more, if the same serene lips that went to the forefront, on behalf of the PPP government, will be bold enough to label similarly the fall
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of another Guyanese. I think the Hon.Attorney General of Guyana knows very well of whom I write, when I assert that his death, too, was an assassination. To ease his memory - perhaps, his conscience - I present the late Courtney Crum Ewing. It was that, wasn’t it? The resolution to that not so tricky riddle may take another 41 years also. But truth can only be suppressed for so long, despite the concerted efforts of men who frolic on the dark side of human affairs. Long before the legalisation of obeah in this country, there was the legalisation and democratisation of political barbarity and criminality. It is said that those who wail the loudest at funerals are the ones benefitting the most. As if to give themselves halo and gloss, leaders and citizens croon sweetly about Rodney, Mandela, Gandhi, and King, martyrs all to a cause. What is our cause, other than power at all costs, by any means; and the perpetuation of it? I am still trying to figure out what is cause and
calling on our leaders in the PPP and PNC, their guiding driving lodestar, if it is anything other than power. The best I can come up with so far is money, as it was in their personal and professional lives, with the more they accumulated, the more they grabbed. But before that came power, which makes sense, since more money becomes possible with power. Now that power is just about absolute, then there is no limit where King Cash is concerned. There it is, when one cuts through the talking and bragging and making perpetual spectacles of ourselves, whether leaders or followers, the extended brigade of regular citizens. Editor, after all this much talking, where is the doing? Where is the self-sacrificing for the greater good, and not for the good of self only? Where is the doing, in this new age and era? From leaders who falsify? From citizens who deny? From a society that is so sickly that
it is largely content with the merely paltry? Leadership perversity, too. So, we talk and write and hail and salute, but no more. There is the history and reality of Guyanese essences, the sums of what we are about truthfully, and why the reconciliatory always seem to be so distantly out of reach. It is the lesser gods of the twisted Guyanese national character. A little doing, a little more giving, could mean something; even make a difference. Why is it that we allow our consciences to be assassinated? With each one of us, proudly enjoying being saluted as the biggest Brutus around. Those who object lie. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Rodney would have merged WPA into the PPP in the long term DEAR EDITOR, Please allow me to extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Rodne y f a m i l y o n t h e passing of Hubert Rodney who died recently. Hubert was a strong supporter of his deceased brother and did not mince words towards the PNC. The conversation I had took place with him when we met at the Guyana consulate, and we afterwards became friends. It was Hubert who told me
that Walter’s long-term aim was to merge the WPA with the PPP. We discussed whether this would have succeeded, and Hubert felt confident that with Wa l t e r ’s reputation and charisma it would have been problematic but could have weathered the storm. I have no doubt that Walter would have succeeded. Respectfully, Sultan Mohamed
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Assassination is not a cause of Prof J.C. Bhagwandin: Which argument is flawed? death DEAR EDITOR, Prof J.C. Bhagwandin defending the Guyana oil contract writes: “. . . ordinary companies in the other sectors are required to pay corporate taxes of 25% or 35% but are not required to share 50% profit with the government neither are they subjected to paying royalties. This needs to be acknowledged and put into the correct context – rather than misleading an entire nation with flawed arguments”(SN June 5th). I was stunned when I read the above sentence in Prof JC’s defense of the Oil Contract. Prof Bhagwandin seeks to compare mining companies (usually foreign Multinationals, MNCs) with ordinary companies (domestic). MNCs exploit the nation’s natural resources (gold, bauxite, oil); regular companies that Prof Bhagwandin had in mind do not operate in natural resources. Prof Bhagwandin is making an argument for ExxonMobil to be treated like Guyana’s “regular companies” – that is to say, ExxonMobil should not have
to pay royalties and share pure profits 50/50 with government. Is Prof Bhagwandin serious about what he argues for? PSAs (Productions Sharing Agreements) are a particular type of contract involving a foreign company and host country. It operates in natural resources – gold, oil, bauxite. Standard PSA’s provide for three streams of revenue. It is universally accepted for foreign companies (FC) to pay royalties on each unit of gold or oil to the host country in exchange for the right to exploit the natural resource. The FC provides all the startup and working capital, technology, etc. and they are allowed to deduct all their expenses; what remains is pure profit. Pure profit is split 50/50 between FC and host country. Why 50/50? Because host country owns the precious resource. On pure profit, so earned by the FCs, they are required to pay profit’s tax to the host country. The Surinamese oil contract provides for all three streams of revenues to the host country: (a) Royalty of
6.25%; (b) profit-share 50/50; (c) profits’ tax of 36%. Guyana’s oil contract pays a miserly 2% royalty and profits’ tax is waived for the entire life of the contract, 30 or more years. This is a rip-off of the Guyanese nation. This simple comparison should make it clear that Guyana is stuck with a very lopsided contract. Prof Bhagwandin’s arguments, if realised would make it even more lopsided. Prof Bhagwandin goes further. He accuses folks like Dr. Jerry Jailall and Prof Ganga Ramdas of “misleading an entire nation with flawed arguments.” This is a heavy charge. Prof Bhagwandin should be more specific: Tell us which of our arguments is flawed. If Prof Bhagwandin does not recognise the value of our nation’s natural resource – and continues to believe ExxonMobil should be treated on the same level as say, a company producing milk, or rice, or sugar for export, then it is a waste of time to debate this gentleman on anything to do with economics or finance. Yours faithfully Mike Persaud
Kissoon should provide evidence contradicting my position DEAR EDITOR, I feel an obligation to rise in defense of the “dead” brother Ronald Waddell who is not around to defend himself since he was removed from the world of the living. Freddie Kissoon in his June 10th, 2021 column, captioned “The world knows Indians would have been targeted if the PPP had done it” is the reason for this letter. While Kissoon is within his rights and is free to use his imagination and hypotheses on African behaviour/ responses be it PPP/C rigging or otherwise, he must not be allowed to lie on the dead, a practice something he seems to have a compulsion about. I recall after the passing of Attorney-at-, Mortimer Codette, (he was my lawyer in my lawsuit against Kissoon). Freddie lied and made slanderous accusations
against Codette in relation to my case. I had to respond with a letter rebuking his erroneous utterances. I pen this letter to set the record straight in relation to Kissoon’s false accusation against Brother/Comrade Ronald Waddell. He wrote: “Then came the Buxton troubles.” This was a violent antiIndian project in which Indian businessmen were killed simply because they were Indians.” The omission that follows relates to Waddell’s wife - not pertinent to what has been contested. Kissoon continues, “……Ronald Waddell told Indians on Channel 9 that they were legitimate targets.” Here we are dealing with the sensitive issue of race and violence and Freddie is allowed, unrestricted, to contaminate
the nation with his poisonous propaganda. The truth of the matter is Freddie Kissoon has deliberately taken Waddell’s remarks out of context. Waddell never said that Indians are legitimate targets for violence as Kissoon is inferring. If this were the case both Ronald Waddell and Channel 9 would have been dragged before the then government control, Guyana National Broadcasting Authority that monitored TV programmes. This was never done. Kissoon should provide evidence contradicting my position – he can’t. Waddell’s remark was in relation of economic boycotting of Indian businesses, not targeting Indians for violence. Yours sincerely, Tacuma Ogunseye
DEAR EDITOR, I write this letter in reference to the Thursday June 10, 2021, announcement by the Government of Guyana to correct the historical wrongs concerning the 1980 bomb-blast death of worldrenowned Guyanese Historian and Political Activist, Dr. Walter A. Rodney. According to media reports, the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon. Anil Nandlall, told the National Assembly that, in response to a request by the widow of Dr. Rodney and his children, the government would be making moves to amend Dr. Rodney’s cause of death on his death certificate from ‘death by misadventure’ to ‘assassination.’ While it is good to see the Guyana Government make moves to have the historical records regarding Dr. Rodney’s death provide context on how he died, including more steps to correct the wrongs and allow the Rodney family to feel a sense of vindication, I was a little perplexed at the classification of ‘assassination’ as a cause of
death as supported by the AG. In both law and medicine, the cause of death lists the disease(s) or medical injuries that resulted in the loss of life. It is an official determination of conditions resulting in a human’s death, and this is recorded on a death certificate as determined by a medical examiner. Assassination, which is widely defined as murder, is therefore not a cause of death. To illustrate this, in 1963, US President, John F. Kennedy, was assassinated via shooting in Dallas at 12:30 pm CST on Friday November 22 of that year. Kennedy was taken to Parkland Hospital for emergency medical treatment, where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes later. Does Kennedy’s cause of death list ‘assassination’ on his official death certificate? A quick web research of the certificate, as presented at the US Library of Congress, lists his cause of death as ‘multiple gunshot wounds of the head and neck’ and said the injury occurred as a result of ‘shots by a highpowered rifle.’ More recently, the 2020 death of George P. Floyd sparked worldwide condemnation and a reckoning of global protests against police brutality and
racial injustice. While his death was ruled a homicide, the first autopsy report from Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded that his cause of death was “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.” That conclusion, death due to heart failure was followed by a second conclusion reached by an independent examiner hired by Floyd’s family, which listed his cause of death as “asphyxiation from sustained pressure.” Given the above examples in relation to this significant case here in Guyana, when I stumbled upon the proposed decision of the Government to amend the historical records and list Dr. Rodney’s cause of death as ‘assassination’ (murder), it left me baffled. While I am no medical examiner and applaud the good intention behind the proposal to amend Dr. Rodney’s death certificate, the purpose of this letter is to ensure this issue is settled once and for all and have the records reflect that we did not correct a wrong with a wrong. Best Regards, Ron O. D’Avilar
Walter Rodney lives DEAR EDITOR, The PPP/C government recent announcement to correct the historical falsification of the death of revolutionary intellectual Walter Rodney is an extraordinary step in ensuring that Rodney’s contributions to the struggle to remove the Burnhamite dictatorship lives in the consciousness of future generations. The old saying that one’s man revolutionary is
another’s terrorist holds true in reference to Walter. He definitely drove terror in the hearts and minds of Burnham’s PNC dictatorship. They were mortally afraid of his message of demystifying the racial and class contradictions that were leading to a mass multi-racial movement threatening the very existence of the Burnhamite dictatorship. This is the reason for the PNC to deliberately
degenerate the status of Rodney by stating that he was unemployed and died due to misadventure. Stating the true nature of Walter ’s death by assassination and recognising his prodigious scholarship is due homage to a great patriot. Correcting these historical misinformation ensures that Walter lives. Yours Sincerely, Reggie Bhagwandin
Father’s Day recognition and obligation DEAR EDITOR, I am writing this article base on my observation in Guyana and also around the world. Father’s Day is Sunday and to my dismay, it’s a mere afterthought. I was asking myself why that is so and why so much effort, energy and focus is on Mother’s Day? Why Fathers are not getting the same attention as mothers? To my understanding, it takes three to make a child, the mother, the father and God himself. I believe that society has played a major role in this, unfortunately. The young and older men of our society are not taking responsibility for
their actions. Modern society is on an ethical decline; almost more than half of the society is promoting some form of sex, it’s sad to say that sex is in actually all of the movies, music, television series, cartoons and even advertisements. Now all of these contribute to that type of lifestyle but none of them mentions or teaches responsibility. As a man, you want to share with a woman but when she gets pregnant you don’t want to enjoy the responsibility of being a father. Ta k i n g c a r e o f y o u r
responsibility is what makes you a man not having a plethora of women, like they are disposable toys or having money. Those things don’t make you a man, taking responsibility for your actions and doing what’s right by the child or children makes you a man in the sight of GOD. On that note, I would like to say Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers that are fathers who have been taking that important mantle with humility and happiness. Yours faithfully, Kwesi Mc Taire
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Sunday June 13, 2021
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Two get life sentences for Berbice businessman’s murder …Third murder accused dies before sentencing Two men, who were found guilty of the murder of Crabwood Creek, Corentyne, Berbice businessman, Shameer Ali Mursalin, have been sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after serving twentyfive years in jail. The sentence was imposed by Justice, JoAnn Barlow, at the High Court in New Amsterdam on Dennis Veerasammy called ‘Diggles’ and his employee, Basheer Harrinauth, both of Crabwood Creek. Another of Veerasammy’s employees, Delroy Fraser, was scheduled to be sentenced but died be-
fore the judgment was passed. The sentence was handed down on Thursday virtually via Zoom after the men faced a three-week trial before the judge and jury. Before passing the sentence, Justice Barlow announced that deciding factors in her decision to impose life sentences included the seriousness of the offence, the fact that a life was taken from the society and that accused resorted to violence to settle a dispute, and the fact that a firearm was used to commit the act. According to the facts of (Continued on page 60)
From left: Basheer Harrinauth, Delroy Fraser (now deceased) and Dennis Veerasammy.
Businessman, Shameer Ali Mursalin called ‘Kazo.’
Impatient porter drowns trying to swim home
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22-year-old porter of Four Miles, Port Kaituma, drowned on Thursday when he tried to swim across the Barima River in the North-West District, to head home after he grew impatient of waiting on the water to recede at the river. According to a police report, the deceased, Franklyn Benjamin, was a truck porter and would assist in delivering food supplies and fuel to various back dams. About six days ago at 6:00 hrs., Benjamin and a crew left for Port Kaituma, to deliver food supplies as they would normally do. About two days after, while on their way back home, he and the crew were forced to stop at the Barima River, where they spent two days,
waiting on the water, which had prevented them from crossing the river to recede. According to the report, this caused the porter to grow impatient, and he proceeded to swim across the river to head home. Whilst in the middle of the river, Benjamin had shouted for help and his crew members tried to rescue him but their efforts to reach him were futile. The porter eventually went down into the water and did not surface again. His body was subsequently fished out of the river by the crew members and taken to Port Kaituma Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor on duty. Investigations are ongoing.
Sunday June 13, 2021
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Cops remove 70 Venezuelans from G/T bound vessel Cops stationed at Morawhanna, a small Atlantic Coast village located off the Barima River, Region One, on Wednesday removed at least 70 Venezuelan nationals from the MV Kimbia, which was bound for Georgetown. The Venezuelans reportedly boarded the vessel around 08:00 hrs. from Kumaka, Mabaruma, a town that is also located in Region One. Mabaruma is in close proximity to the Aruka River, a border with neighbouring
Venezuela. One of the Venezuelans (name provided) who was taken off the vessel said that they were removed close to 10:00 hrs. She told Kaieteur News that she was heading to Georgetown along with her three nephews, ages two, five and nine to meet up with relatives living there. The Venezuelans reportedly assembled themselves under a shed known as the Kumaka Bond early that morning and purchased their tick-
Venezuelans removing their belongings from the MV Kimbia.
Venezuelan migrants being transported back to Mabaruma.
Stranded migrants with their belongings on the Morawhanna Landing.
ets and paid freight fees for their luggage. The cost for a ticket is $2,000 per child and $3,000 per adult and the freight fee is determined by the quantity of luggage carried by each (Continued on page 58)
Dem boys seh...
Thief like use de back door My Fellow Comrades, I welcome you to this Conclave to elect the leader of our Sacred Order. It is time for us to show the world that we are an Order, which respects the democratic will of the people. It is time for us to demonstrate that we enjoy internal democracy – one delegate, one vote. It is time for us to show our country that our delegates’ list is not bloated and that the dead and migrants will not vote, except for the representatives of our overseas groups. Let us show our rival Orders that we are not
cheats. You will recall the words of sacred scripture, John 1:10, where it is said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he who enters not by the door but climbs up another way is a thief and a robber.” Let us therefore elect our Leader by the high standards befitting our great Order. We shall enter through the front door. There shall be no backdoor entrants. Let us show the world that we believe in a fair process. All the candidates have an equal chance of being elected. There will be no book launching here today, no favoured candidate and all who are eli-
gible to vote will be allowed to vote. Let us have an orderly election. Let there not be any firecrackers during the balloting and the casting of ballots. As you are well aware, the last time, someone got so shocked when the firecracker went off that some ballots were unnecessarily stuffed into the ballot box. In the end, let us pledge to uphold the principles of the Founder of our Order who showed us how to win an election. Talk half and mumble de other half.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
Guyana records two additional COVID-19 deaths
T
he Ministry of Health (MoH) in its COVID-19 update earlier today, reported that two additional persons have died from the disease, taking the total number of deaths recorded for the month of June to 26 and the overall death toll from the pandemic to 424. The latest victims succumbed on June 11 while receiving care at a medical facility. They are a 51-year-old female from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and 71year-old male from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).
In addition to the deaths reported, there are 107 new infected COVID-19 cases recorded during the past 24hour period which were taken from a total of 1,199 tests. The new cases recorded are from Regions One, Seven and Nine with two infected cases each, Region Two with 16 cases, Region Three recording 9 cases, Region Four with the highest total of 55 cases, Region Five having four cases, Region Six with five cases and Region Ten having 12 cases. There were no new cases recorded in Region Eight. To date, 18,303 persons have been infected with the disease
since March last year. There are 21 persons in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), in institutional isolation are 113 people, three in institutional quarantine and 1,495 are in home isolation, while 1,632 active cases are on record. A total of 16,250 persons have recovered from the virus so far. The Ministry is asking that if any citizen is in need of any help or additional information, kindly make contact with the COVID-19 Hotline on telephone numbers 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 or visit the Ministry’s website at www.health.gov.gy.
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
Coalition now wants PPP/C Govt. to correct ExxonMobil lopsided oil contract they signed Almost five years after the coalition had signed an oil contract, internationally criticised as lopsided with ExxonMobil and its partners, it now wants the current People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government to “fix it.” The challenge to correct the contract was put forward by the Coalition’s Shadow Minister of the Petroleum Sector, David Patterson, during the 28th Sitting of the 12th Parliament, held last Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal,
Greater Georgetown. Patterson was at the time responding to the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, in a debate over a motion he (Patterson) had tabled in the House. The motion was for there to be a special land policy in place for shore bases. While making his case against the motion, Bharrat related to the House that the Coalition had signed one of the worst Petroleum Sharing Agreements (PSAs) in history. The PSA Bharrat was referring to, was the one be-
tween Guyana and ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and its partners, CNOOCNEXEN and Hess, for the lucrative Stabroek Block. This oil contract was signed on June 27, 2016, by the Coalition that was in power at the time. Describing the oil deal, Bharrat said, “The PSA which was signed in June 2016 is probably one of the worst agreements in the history of this world or among all oil countries in this world. That
was probably the worst oil deal ever.” The Natural Resources Minister continued his argument by saying, “Mr. Speaker, that is what we have to deal with today, we have to ensure that we create and find ways in which Guyanese can benefit from a lopsided contract.” In response, Patterson, did not deny Bharrat’s statements that his party had signed “the worst deal ever;” instead, he told the PPP/C Government to change it if it was so bad. “Sir, if it is so bad, Mr. Speaker, if it is so bad, why don’t you change it?” Patterson responded. He continued, “We on this side of the House have said over and over again, if it’s a bad deal, we support you to
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat.
Coalition’s Shadow Minister for the Petroleum Sector, David Patterson.
go and change it.” Indeed, Patterson had called on the PPP/C Government to renegotiate the Stabroek Oil Block Contract during a Sitting of Parliament in September of last year. Despite his challenge to the Government, Patterson had still sought to defend the deal his party had signed. In a Kaieteur News article head-
lined, “Patterson challenges PPP Govt. to stop “chirping” and get a better oil deal” he was quoted as saying, he thinks that the Stabroek Block contract the Coalition had signed “will bring tremendous benefit to Guyana.”During last Thursday’s Sitting, however, rather than defending the deal the (Continued on page 62)
Sunday June 13, 2021
Battered woman on bail for manslaughter charge graduates from cosmetology course, cops most improved student award
I
t was a triumphant day as 33-year-old Sandra Brescenio, completed a cosmetology course with a Diploma in Cosmetology that was created by the United Bridge Builders Mission Inc. (UBBM) in partnership with the International Organisation for Migrants (IOM) on Friday. Kaieteur News had carried her story in a report that stated, that on April 12, 2020, at Canabali, Barima/Waini River, North West District, Brescenio stabbed and killed her reputed husband, Clarence Williams, after an argument turned violent; police had stated that he choked and threatened to push her head into a fire. Williams had dragged his then pregnant, 32-year-old reputed wife, out of church to prepare a meal for him. Brescenio was cleaning fish with a knife when at the same time, Williams, under the influence of alcohol, had threatened to push her head into the fire. An argument ensued between the two and Williams was said to have choked the woman. In an attempt to save her and her baby’s life, she used the knife to stab Williams twice in the region of his groin – he later on succumbed to his injuries. Brescenio was arrested, charged and granted bail in the sum of $350,000, which was reduced to $300,000 after an unrepresented Brescenio
A blissful Sandra Brescenio at the graduation ceremony
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Kaieteur News
told the court that she is five months pregnant with no one to care for her children. The matter was then adjourned until July 7 of the same year. CEO and founder of the UBBM, Bonita Montaque, along with several volunteers and a few local businesses, all collaborated to raise the money and post bail for Brescenio. On Saturday, 14 months later, Brescenio is now a proud cosmetologist with a Diploma in Cosmetology and proud mother of six. The course started on February 1 and officially finished on Friday, June 11. Brescenio was part of a cohort of 38 graduates, which consisted of 20 Venezuelan nationals and 18 Guyanese. Brescenio not only got a Diploma as a cosmetologist, but also graduated with the most improved student award. According to Montaque, speaking at the graduation ceremony, the four months that followed the course’s commencement was a period of trials, experience and skills. Ms. Montaque told Kaieteur News that moving forward, the UBBM will be looking to give the women grants to start their small businesses in order to better their lives. In her address to the graduates, she said that they should never give up and that they are not a statistic and that their pasts do not determine who they are.
Woman arrested after car abandoned during police chase The owner of a car rental service is currently in police custody after her vehicle, which was left abandoned after being pursued by police along the East Bank Essequibo (EBE) road on Thursday. According to a police report, officers had acted on information about a planned robbery and dispatched two patrols at 18:23 hrs. within the village of Tuschen, EBE. Upon arriving at the area, the patrol observed a red motorcar fitting the description that was given, approaching from the opposite direction of the police’s position. The ranks then attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver, who was recognised by one of the ranks, sped away. A chase ensued but the vehicle managed to escape police capture at the time. It was subsequently found abandoned at the back of Tuschen Housing Scheme with the key still inside the ignition and the doors opened. The car was then taken to the Lenora Police Station and lodged. The owner, who operates a car rental service, was then contacted and placed in custody after being interviewed. Investigations are continuing.
The car that was confiscated by police.
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
38 Guyanese, Venezuelan students graduate from cosmetology course The graduates proudly displaying their diplomas.
A total of 38 students, a mixture of Venezuelan and Guyanese nationals, graduated yesterday from a cosmetology course with Diplomas in Cosmetology that was created by the United Bridge Builders Mission Inc. (UBBM), in partnership with the International Organisation for Migrants (IOM) on Friday. Kaieteur News was present at the event, which was held at the Guyana Police Force Officer’s Training Centre, Georgetown. The course commenced on February 1, and was completed yesterday. The course was part of a programme, which saw the women being exposed to four months of cosmetology training, including hair, nail and massage therapy. The programme also incorporated psychosocial activities while the course was being conducted. Initially, the course had started with 40 participants, 22 of which originated from Venezuela and 18 from Guyana, but two women did not complete it. According to Ms. Valentina Sologuren Blanco, the focal point of mental health and psychosocial support for IOM in Guyana, the goal of the course was to help women, in this case both Venezuelan
and Guyanese women, to gain skills in order to become a part of the Guyanese market and to help give empowerment. Blanco said that the programme was very impactful and that the women generated a social network, which would help lead the social cohesion between migrants and local communities. Valedictorian of the course, Towana Williams, told Kaieteur News that although the course came with is challenges, it was an amazing experience learning from her Venezuelan peers and fellow Guyanese alike. She stated that although she grew up in a home where cosmetology was frequently practiced; there were aspects of the skill that she was not fond of, until starting the course. Williams said that the course impacted her greatly and gave her a deeper insight into cosmetology and hopes that one day; she can own her own business within the cosmetology field. Also at the graduation ceremony was Robert Natiello, Regional Coordination Officer for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission of IOM along with Ms. Bonita Montaque, Chief Executive Officer of the UBBM, as well as the Assistant Director of (Continued on page 57)
Valedictorian receiving her certificate from IOM Regional Coordination Officer, Robert Natiello.
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Pres. Ali declares flooding a National Disaster President, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, has officially declared that the current countrywide flooding situation is a National Disaster. The proclamation, according to a post on his Facebook page, was recorded in the Official Gazette on Thursday. Photos of the legal document was also uploaded on the President’s page. Part of the proclamation reads, “And Whereas of 09:00 hrs. on June 7, 2021, a total of 28,228 households were reportedly impacted by the current flood, with water either entering homes, livestock and domestic animals in distress or farmlands inundated resulting in crop damages; Now therefore, in pursuance of the powers conferred upon me by Article 99 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, I do hereby declare a disaster in the Co-operative Republic of
Guyana by virtue of Flooding.” The declaration comes just days after Ali, during an outreach, told residents of Berbice, Region Six, that the countrywide flooding situation is considered to be a Level 2 disaster. Ali had related that the classification of the disaster was based on advice he had received from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). In the case of a Level 2 disaster, the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency’s (CDEMA) Regional Response Mechanism explained that it means, Guyana’s capacity to respond is not overwhelmed but external help is required. Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, had reported too on Thursday during the 28th Sitting of the 12th Parliament that the flooding has affected over 29, 000 (Contionued on page 57)
The Gazetted official declaration by Pres. Ali.
President Irfaan Ali
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
GNBA writes Kaieteur Radio on ‘yellow infractions’ by The Glenn Lall show
T
he Guyana National Broadcasting Au thority (GBNA) has written Kaieteur Radio – sister company of Kaieteur News – on what it refers to as three ‘yellow infractions’ of both the Broadcast Act under which the radio station operates, and the GNBA Guidelines for broadcasters. In the letter dated June 8, and directed to the Managing Director of National Media and Broadcasting Company Limited, Glenn Lall, the Authority said that it had observed “breaches of the Broadcasting Act 2011 and the Broadcasting Guidelines issued by the Authority…” Signed by acting Secretary of the GNBA Board, Rianna Bowman, the corre-
spondence claims that the three infractions breached several subsections of Section 34 (1) of the Broadcasting Act, and several sections of the GNBA Guidelines. The first infraction noted related to Lall’s commentary on his commentary programme, ‘The Glenn Lall Show’ March 9, 2021 broadcast, during which, the Authority claims, the broadcaster “aired or caused to be aired containing unsubstantiated claims and opinions presented as facts which moreover, were contrary to Section 34 (1) (c) of the Broadcasting Act No. 17 of 2011 and 19.2 (b) and 19.3(f) of the Broadcasting Guidelines. The Section of the Act cited speaks to the licensee’s
obligations to ensuring fairness and balance on matters of “national, political or industrial controversy or relating to current public policy.” The second infraction relates to the airing of a song by singers Ravi B and Jahllano, ‘Rum in the Vein,’ which the Authority says was played on air on March 11, 2021, during “The Morning Rush” programme hosted by DJ Casual. According to the letter, the song’s lyrics “I so love meh Rum bring a next bottle again” breached Section 34 (1) (a) of the Act and Sections 6 (f) and 12 (a) (i) of the Guidelines. The third infraction – which the Authority says “were contrary to Section 34
Kaieteur News Publisher and Host of the Kaieteur Radio programme, ‘The Glenn Lall Show.’
(1) (a) of the Broadcasting Act… and 12 (a) (iv)” of the Guidelines – involved a March 18, 2021 edition of “The Glenn Lall Show” in which the phrase “Guyana I’m fricking upset” was uttered.
The Authority urged Lall to immediately desist from broadcasting such content. “GNBA would like to remind you,” the letter noted, “that hosts/moderators hold the responsibility to carry programmes in a respectable
manner. This includes that all statements are accurate, fair and balanced than [sic] will not mislead the public.” Kaieteur Radio broadcasts on 99.1 FM and 99.5 FM.
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Our Frontline Worker of the Week is…
, t s i c a m r a Ph
i a r a n r e B t e n n i r B care of ourselves and each other,” now more than ever. IMPORTANT ROLE
Frontline Worker of the Week, Brinnet Bernarai
By Sharmain Grainger
A
s COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc, not only in our homeland but across the globe, a common appeal being echoed by health care professionals is for persons to be vaccinated. Our featured Frontline Worker, Brinnet Bernarai, is among those who have been preaching ad nauseum about the importance of vaccination. Bernarai, a pharmacist by profession who functions out of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), in an appeal to the public said, “You should get vaccinated because it lessens your chances of being hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit and also helps to protect you and others.” But Bernarai doesn't merely talk the talk for she has long walked the walk as well, having been the first health worker to be vaccinated when the country's initial batch of COVID-19 vaccines arrived.
Fully vaccinated, a move intended to reduce the likelihood of her becoming severely ill should she become infected, Bernarai said that her main goal at this juncture is to help alleviate the suffering of patients. “I am dedicated to helping patients,” she professed, although she still worries sometimes about becoming infected. Since the onset of the disease,
She sees the role that she plays in the delivery of health care as especially important. As a pharmacist, she is tasked with counselling COVID-19 patients on the use of their medications and is also responsible for packaging and labelling medications with further instructions on their use. But catering to the pharmaceutical needs of these patients did not come by accident as according to Bernarai, “I had volunteered my services because no other staff member wanted that role.” Bernarai, who hails from the village of Triumph on the East Coast of Demerara, spoke of her upbringing as she called to mind her decision to pursue a career as a pharmacist. The daughter of Bans Kumarie Bernarai (who was a nurse for
“
It is very important to answer any question a patient may have about their medication such as side effects, missed dosages and other problems as they arise.
”
she has seen one too many colleagues and friends fall prey to the disease but this certainly has not waned her dedication to the job. In fact, she confided that the most important lesson she has learnt since the infiltration of the novel coronavirus is that “we must take
many years at the GPHC), and the late Godfrey Bernarai (who was an accountant at the Guyana School of Agriculture), entered the world on January 12, 1982. She, the younger of two children the couple reproduced, attended the Enmore Hope Primary and Annandale
A pharmacist on the frontline
Secondary schools before deciding to pursue training as a multipurpose technician. The programme offered by the Ministry of Health, she recalled, consisted of three areas of study – pharmacy, laboratory and x-ray. But according to Bernarai, “after I was exposed to the three areas, I found the pharmacy aspect interesting and challenging” and this led to her opting to delve into that field. DRIVEN BY PASSION
In the company of some of her colleagues
For the past two years the University of Guyana-trained pharmacist has been committed to the job, a quality that only morphed into a passion with the advent of COVID-19. Despite still grieving the loss of her father, who passed away on May 17, last, she remains focused on the agenda to overcome the scourge of the contagious disease, which, up to the time of writing this article, has infected 18,196 people, 422 of whom have died. Speaking of the general role of the pharmacist, Bernarai said, “the roles are reviewing of prescription written by doctors for side effects and incompatibility; packaging of medications for distribution to patients; checking the dosage frequency to ensure proper therapeutic levels are met for the effective recovery of the patient; counselling patients on the proper use of medication; labelling of
medications with instructions and warnings for patients for their safety and effective use; consulting with physicians about unclear instructions and maintaining proper records on each patient while ensuring those records remain confidential.” Added to this, she quipped, “it is very important to answer any question a patient may have about their medication such as side effects, missed dosages and other problems as they arise.” As such, she asserted, it is crucial for a pharmacist to “always be learning about new drugs and devices as they become available on the market and educating fellow health care professionals about them.” The process of learning and sharing for our featured health care professional continues this weekend as she participates in a virtual convention and award ceremony, which is being held by the Guyana Pharmacists Association. Bernarai, who also makes time for church activities, medical outreaches in areas across the country and distribution of food hampers to the less fortunate, said that she finds joy in such endeavours. As she does her part to contribute to the nation in especially meaningful ways, Bernarai does not falter in her efforts to mask up, social distance and sanitise in order to keep the virus at bay.
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
>>> Young Entrepreneur on the Move <<<
Sunday June 13, 2021
Antel's Sweet Treat Box …a delectable experience awaits you By Allyiah Allicock
T
his publication has over the months featured a number of young entrepreneurs who we believe have the spark needed to evolve a passion into a lasting business. So determined they are to succeed that they have defied the odds in the midst of a devastating pandemic of global proportion. Telling a similar tale of perseverance this week is 19-yearold, Antel John, the sole proprietor of a catering and baking business called 'Antel's Sweet Treat Box.' John, who hails from the Cinderella County of Essequibo, is a former student of the Abram Zuil Secondary School and the Bishops' High School where she graduated with an Associate Degree in Law. She is now a student at the University of Guyana and works part time at the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). Her catering/baking business, which was officially launched last year August, just a few months after the pandemic started, came about in part because of her very “active sweet tooth.” In an interview with this publication, John said that she was also inspired to pioneer the business because of her love for creating sweet cakes and pastries, which was nurtured by her mother and grandmother, both of whom are excellent bakers. Just putting a smile on people's faces when they enjoy her products was enough motivation for John to keep going further. The young woman noted that by owning her own business, she is doing what she loves to make a living. Being her own boss, she said too, gives her the drive to push her limits when creating something new. Noting that hard work pays off, John noted that the business, her greatest achievement, is living proof. Since opening her business, she has been receiving tremendous feedback and support from persons who utilise her service. “The support base has been growing, of course I started off small but since then I have grown to a reasonable notability,” she said with pride. So what keeps people wanting more from her business? The young entrepreneur is convinced that this is due to her unique styles. She is always determined to create her own trends that set her apart from others in the same business arena. But like many others, she too
faced some challenges along the way. For her, the pandemic made a few people a bit skeptical about whom they want to purchase food from. Determined to stay on the
can be passion driven so this whole notion of 'you're too young' should no longer be a thing.” Hoping to see more persons utilise the services offered by local
“
Young entrepreneurs show society that even though we may be young in age, we're still very responsible and can be passion driven so this whole notion of 'you're too young' should no longer be a thing.”
”
path of success, John is not fazed. When asked about her future plans for 'Antel's Sweet Treat Box,' she said, “my goal is to have a physical location where people can just drop by anytime when their 'sweet tooth' is craving some goodies and just have a good time.” John is of the belief that “young entrepreneurs show society that even though we may be young in age, we're still very responsible and
small businesses, John noted that, instead of opting for foreign attractions, persons should look closer to home. A collaborative move in this direction, she said, can help to boost sales and by extension the economy. Persons who wish to try John's sumptuous goodies can contact her on her telephone number – (592) 659-0270 or message via her Facebook page @ Antel's Sweet Treat Box.
Pastries you can find at Antel's Sweet Treat Box
Sweet treats baked by Antel John during the past months
Owner of 'Antel's Sweet Treat Box,' Antel John
Kaieteur News
Miss Tandika Otaki Morgan
Sunday June 13, 2021
Meet the absolutely gorgeous Miss Tandika Otaki Morgan. This wonderful mom of one enjoys playing cricket, singing, and being a make-up artist. Her favourite quote is, "Don't let fear or insecurity stop you from trying new things. Believe in yourself. Do what you love and most importantly, be kind to others even if they are not to you."
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Guyana-born community leader and aspirant New York City Councilwoman,
, s u b a l l i W e l p m i D on' By Rehanna Ramsay
W
hen Dimple Willabus was a little girl, her optimistic, competitive, yet friendly and compassionate persona easily catapulted her into leadership roles. Her willingness to participate in school activities saw her being easily selected to lead her schoolmates to victory at sporting events and other child-friendly competitions. It was those same attributes that led Willabus, then known by her maiden name “Dimple Singh” to host one of the country's first youthoriented television programme “Rhythm Nation” on HBTV Channel Nine. Willabus was just 19years-old when she began to host the TV show but she saw the need for the representation of more youth on local media platforms. Having been proactively involved in activities which were focused on young people and community development all her life, Willabus felt right at home in that role. She believes that she was being prepped for the leadership she is taking on now, since then. “Among other things, I had actually participated in Guyana's Youth Parliament sometime before where I
is a 'Special Pers
“
My father was a very simple person who was really in tune to what was happening around him and my mother was always outspoken and ready to help people in the neighbourhood. So, I grew up around a lot of love and respect for the elderly and that sort of thing. They were both hardworking and serious in what they set out to accomplish, and that's my legacy.
played the role of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport,” she recalled during an interview with Kaieteur News. Today, the Guyana-born youth and community leader is vying for a space on the New York City Council to represent thousands of residents in the Brooklyn District. In fact, Willabus, who is the first female candidate and woman of colour to vie for the District 46 City Council seat, is leading the race in the preliminary level of the competition. Last week, she announced via her social media page that she is number one on the ballot for electors on the District 46 Constituency in Brooklyn, New York. She told Kaieteur News that she is optimistic about winning as the race draws to a close. The aspirant councilwoman says that
Some of her biggest supporters – members of her immediate family
while it may seem that she took on a gargantuan task to run for any office in America, she is prepared for the role given her wealth of knowledge and experience working at the grassroots level with her community. “I have been doing work with my community all my life. Even when I was in Guyana, I would host community initiatives to help young people and pay for it out of my own pocket. I continue to do this sort of thing on a personal level to support Guyanese back home as well. So, I have actually been doing this sort of thing for a long time,” she said. Given her active role at the community level, Willabus has received several awards for her activism and service. She was even recognised as a Power Woman of New York, in November 2020 and given the Caribbean Life Impact Award in 2019.
”
But of her many personal and professional accomplishments, the Guyanese community advocate prides herself in the accomplishments of her family. Willabus is married to retired marine officer and N e w Yo r k P o l i c e Department (NYPD) L i e u t e n a n t , Wi n s t o n
The ambitious, Dimple Willabus Willabus, who is also Guyanese. Together, the couple shares three children their eldest, Chantelle, is a Department of Education teacher in New York; the second child, Anaya, is
with this publication. LEGACY OF WORK The importance of support Willabus knows all too well, being born and
At an Awards Dinner in New York where she served the blind and visually impaired touted as Brooklyn's youngest author having written her first book at eight years old; and their youngest child, Brandon, is a middle school student who loves basketball, and is an aspirant engineer. Willabus notes that her supportive and close-knit family circle has been the driving force behind her so far, successful campaign for the New York council position. To this end, she hopes to secure the post to improve the standard of living for residents of her home district in Brooklyn. “The support of my family, intimate team of well-wishers and community are the most important determinants in this race for Council seat,” she noted in the interview
raised in Lodge, Georgetown, Guyana, where her parents, Phagu and Gloria Singh, raised her with a community- based mindset. Throughout her childhood, she said that the support of her family and neighbours was evident in her endeavours. At many sports and other extra-curricular school activities, including modelling, she said, “members from our neighbourhood would come out to support me when I'm performing at shows.” Additionally, Willabus noted that her parents were popular members of the Lodge community, given that they owned a liquor store in what was one of the busiest downtown (continued on page 53)
Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
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ALL GUYANESE SHOULD KNEEL T
he most powerful position is not standing tall on your two feet. The most powerful position is to be on your knees in prayer. All Guyanese should, for the next two weeks, kneel and bow before the Great One. Get on your knees and bow before your Master who is above all things. Right now, Guyana needs goodness and kindness and mercy. We have strayed from the righteous path. We have veered off course and the Dark Shadows have penetrated into the corners of our nation, bringing despair, enmity and plenty of thieving. We need to stop this high-tech pick pocketing that is taking place in Guyana. This country has always been known for its skillful pickpockets. However, in recent times, a new breed of pickpockets has emerged. They pick the pocket of our resources by contract. These are high-tech pickpockets. These fellows are so good that they have the ability to pick the milk out of your coffee. This is happening because we have strayed from the straight and narrow path. In addition, we all need to dedicate one week to prayer and fasting so as to restore hope to our country, restore order, restore peace, restore goodwill and allow all the bitterness to fade away. So, I invite all Guyanese, whether you are Christian,
Hindu or Muslim, whatever your denomination, to get on your knees over the next week and pray for the politicians of this country that they would be granted the gift of vision and then wisdom to do what is right. They first need vision to know where they are going. Then they need wisdom to know what to do. We have to have a week of prayer in Guyana because our country is being overcome with too much bitterness, too much enmity, too much pettiness, too much arrogance, too much haughtiness and too little godliness. As Bo Bennett said, “While we are focusing on fear, worry, or hate, it is not possible for us to be experiencing happiness, enthusiasm or love.” The cosmos right now over Guyana is not conducive to development and good relations. The vibes are not right. Once we are blanketed with so much ill will, it will only result in further problems and Guyana will continue to slide down the drain. We need new ideas, new vision, more capable leaders, but above all, we need an atmosphere that would be conducive to harmony, peace and development. We need to pray. Not that we have not been praying. But much of our praying has been about ourselves. We need now to pray for our political leaders that they will stop fighting each other and come together to make Guyana a better place. We
need to pray that some of them will stop becoming frustrated at their own failures and stop lashing out at others. We need to pray that they will think about the mothers who have no milk to give their children or no sandwiches to place in the kids' lunch bags. We need to pray for them to look at the fathers who face the humiliation of not finding remunerative jobs that would allow them to feed
their households. We need to pray that these leaders would stop fighting for power and instead dedicate more time to addressing the needs of their people. This is what we need in Guyana. We need to pray for these things. But we also need to pray for ourselves that we would be less demanding, especially considering that most of us have more than we need to live a contended
life. We must take a good look at our neighbours and find out if there is anything we can do to help them. We therefore need to pray for that willingness to give up for the sake of others. We need to smile a little more, even when politicians say the silliest things. Instead of getting angry, we need to smile and let the hurt pass, because this is the only way that we will rid the cosmos of all those bitter and negative emotions.
So get on your knees and say a little prayer for Guyana and then say an extra prayer for our political leaders… and hope that when you are finished you still have your knees intact. (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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Sunday June 13, 2021
A review of Rodney's Assassination By Donald Ramotar
J
une 13, 2021 marks 41 years since the assassination of Walter Rodney. That murder still reverberates in our society. The Guyanese people always knew that, that dastardly act was committed by the PNC regime. That general feeling was confirmed by the Commission of Inquiry, which was set up in 2014 and had done quite a lot of work to conclude that it was an act by the Burnham-led PNC regime. At the time of his brutal killing Guyana and the Caribbean was witnessing a massive upsurge of the people in the Region. In Jamaica, the Michael Manley government was charting an anti-imperialist course and had moved to improve relations with Cuba. In Dominica, the semidictatorship of Patrick John was overthrown. In St.
Lucia, the people's movement removed the government of John Compton. The crowning success was undoubtedly the victory of the Maurice Bishop New Jewel Movement in Grenada. In Guyana on the lips of the masses was the chant “Gary gone! Patrick John gone! Who next? Burnham next!” At that time, Guyana was in constant turmoil. The 1973 elections saw how unpopular the PNC had become. The PNC had to do massive rigging to try to stay in power. The Party had become so unpopular that they were nervous that the rigging was not enough to ensure their “victory.” They resorted to naked force. The army was unleashed to seize the ballot boxes and change the people's votes. In the process scores of PPP supporters were arrested and two were murdered at No. 64 village on the Corentyne. Cheddi Jagan himself was arrested on the
Corentyne. Many of his comrades had to go in hiding. One of whom, Rishi Ram Motie, recently passed away. It was in this atmosphere that Rodney returned to Guyana in 1974. He was already well known in the country long before he arrived. That was because of his expulsion from Jamaica in 1969 for his activism among the working and oppressed masses there. The PNC's efforts to prevent him from returning also gave him great popularity. The regime using their Party's control of the Board of Governors overturned the decision of the Academic Board to appoint Rodney as Head of the History Department at the University of Guyana. Shortly after his arrival the sugar workers led by the GAWU had called a strike to enforce its decades' long demand to be recognised by the Sugar Producers as the bargaining agents for the workers.
Former Head of State, Donald Ramotar The PNC regime answered by using the army and police to harass workers and actively recruited scabs to break the strike. That brought the PPP into the strike to support the workers. The strike had now been transformed to one for Industrial democracy. Walter Rodney and many of his colleagues came out in strong support and assisted in solidarity with the workers. That too, endeared him to the working people. It also inspired many to
see Jagan and the PPP fighting together with Rodney and the WPA. It was realising a dream of Jagan to unite the working people of the country, going back the spirit of 1953. The strike was “adjourned” in the words of Cheddi Jagan, and was resumed in the second crop. That led to the recognition of the GAWU. That brought to a conclusion a struggle, which began in the 1940s. There was another very important strike by the sugar workers in 1977 that lasted for 135 days. That strike was called to defend workers conditions. It was to force the Government to adhere to agreements reached between the union and GuySuCo. In this strike too Walter Rodney joined with the GAWU and PPP in giving solidarity to the workers and their unions. Here again the whole state apparatus was thrown against the workers and the progressive forces in the country. This struggle was taking place at the same time when the PPP was fighting to save one of its members from the hangman's noose. He was held on the trumped up charge of having shot a policeman at the tollgate on the Corentyne. The joint activities continued with the joint boycott of the Referendum in which Burnham was going to impose a Constitution on the Guyanese people. All of those actions began uniting people and posing a threat to the existence of the PNC in government. After all it must be recalled that the PNC was created by the Colonial powers to stop independence under the leadership of the PPP. To accomplish its mission the British facilitated the PNC terroristic activities and its work to divide the working people. Racism was always at the heart of the PNC actions. It is that philosophy
that guides its actions even today. The hatred for Rodney stemmed from the fact that the African Guyanese masses were responding positively to his politics. The PNC's propaganda had reached a brick wall and the strategies it used previously were not having any impact on Rodney. Recall the vicious attacks on African Guyanese PPP members and supporters. They were attacked in two ways, violence and dismissals from jobs and other loss of livelihood. Some enticements and bribery were also employed. The idea of the British, later the Americans and the PNC was to try force the African Guyanese out of the PPP to push their division strategy. Those African leaders of the PPP that refused to bow to that pressure were slandered as being 'coolie stooges.' That mentality and tactics is still being used by the PNC, now APNU+AFC. That could not be done against Rodney. He was conscious of the PNC tactics. Moreover he had acquired a lot of experience in other political and revolutionary movements. By the time be arrived here he was already known as a strong fighter for racial equality and an end to racial discrimination. He was also known as a Marxist who saw class as very vital. He did not join the PPP specifically to deny the PNC that racist tool of calling him a 'coolie stooge.' The PNC regime then turned most of their fire on him and his comrades. The dictatorship murdered many of his close comrades including Oheni Koama. They were desperate to hold on to their racist tool, which had served them so well, even up to this day. Therefore they murdered Rodney in order to hold on to African Guyanese support. This was a racist assassination and designed to keep our people divided. In honouring Rodney's life we should all reject PNC racist politics, which is so evident in these times! I wish to extend my support and thanks to the President and Cabinet on the measures that they are taking to bring justice to the Rodney family and to Dr. Rodney supporters here in Guyana and aboard. This is also very important to the moral health of our nation as well. It is vital that the truth and the (continued on page 55)
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Dear Reader, in light of the economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our publisher, with you in mind, has taken the decision to extend our weekly review of some of our major stories in their entirety. SUNDAY PRESIDENTALI AT SAIPEM LAUNCH… GOVT. WILL RUN PROCUREMENT, LOCAL CONTENTAUDITS ON EXXONMOBIL President, Irfaan Ali, disclosed Sunday that the Government does not intend to take ExxonMobil’s words as gospel when it comes to its reports on local content. The Head of State noted that the Stabroek Block operator would be subjected to procurement and local content audits when the requisite specialists are hired. Ali made this disclosure during his feature presentation at the opening of Saipem Guyana’s Offshore Construction Facility at Water Street, Georgetown. The opening of the facility represented a major milestone for Saipem, which is one of ExxonMobil’s prime contractors. The Italian oilfield contractor has been the main provider of subsea cables and associated structures for ExxonMobil’s offshore Guyana projects, namely, the Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two and Payara Projects. The facility at Water Street boasts direct access to the Demerara River and will have the largest heavy lift crane in Guyana, specialised fabrication, welding and testing equipment, and a heavy load-bearing jetty. At the opening ceremony, the President said the government is examining the organisational structure of Exxon Mobil with a view to having checks and balances in place. He said that the oil giant was also informed of the government’s intention on this front. He said, “…We have very frank meetings with ExxonMobil. So we will have a procurement specialist that will be checking so it will not be ExxonMobil saying that the procurement is pushing forward locals. We will have our own procurement and local content audit by persons working in oil and gas sector.” The President said this is being done as his government intends to be “open and transparent.” He said, “It may be uncomfortable sometimes but it is the environment in which we will all operate in.
And any investor and any government want a predictable environment so it is best we all know upfront where we are going.” OIL COMPANIES MUST ENSURE GUYANESE GET JOBS OR “IT WILL NOT GO DOWN WELL”-PRES. ALI When it comes to local content commitments from oil companies, President, Irfaan Ali, has zero interest in flowery words. The Head of State put all oil companies on notice Sunday that he is looking for action, categorically stating that oil companies must ensure Guyanese businesses have equal access to contracts in the Sector “or it will not go down well.” The President made this declaration among others during his impassioned presentation at the opening of Saipem Guyana’s Offshore Construction Facility at Water Street, Georgetown. The opening of the facility represented a major milestone for Saipem America Inc., which is one of ExxonMobil’s prime contractors. The oilfield contractor has been the main provider of subsea cables and associated structures for ExxonMobil’s offshore Guyana projects, namely, the Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two and Payara Projects. During his feature address, the President spoke extensively about his Government’s position on local content and ensuring the interest of Guyanese are well protected. In this regard, he recalled that an investor who recently examined Guyana’s draft Local Content Policy deemed it to be tough. The President said he immediately
reminded the investor that the openness companies can enjoy here is certainly not offered by other oil producing States. The President alluded to the fact that in Trinidad and Tobago for example, companies cannot even buy land. But this is possible in Guyana. Ali said, “...We have an open position – there is no discrimination but we will have to ensure that, in this openness, Guyanese own the facilities to be rented and Guyanese own the opportunities to invest in those facilities. I made it very clear, I am very transparent in what I am saying, and you don’t have to second-guess me. Logistics, it is not scientific work – it should easily go to Guyanese.” The President continued, “Don’t tell me I need a foreign logistics firm to tell me how to do brokerage services or how to clear something at the airport or how to hire taxis and do rentals in the industry and then the very logistics companies will come here and do the work themselves.” He added, “It will not go down well. Don’t second guess me, I am telling you openly, whether you are a subcontractor or not, it will not go down well. You will push us to change our policy.” The President said when it comes to local content, the very essence of what is required by the phrase is very clear—if Guyanese have the capabilities and are competitive, they have to be given the opportunities. He said too that investors should find it not only essential but part of their own internal value to collaborate with the local private sector so as to build local capacity and create opportunities for Guyanese.
GENERATIONALWEALTH The President also proffered that investment in local content cannot only be about job creation. The President said this is not to take away from the commendable efforts by Saipem to train and hire Guyanese since fabrication is a crucial aspect of the oil industry. He noted however that he wants to see generational wealth created. “How do we create 1,000 new entrepreneurs? How do we create opportunities for generational wealth? I am not only asking for this in the oil and gas sector, I am saying to you that this can only be created if you use the resources from this sector to open up and strengthen other aspects of the economy…whether it is agroprocessing, mining, rentals, owning hotels…,” the Head of State said. Ali noted that the Government is acutely aware of the fact that it has to play its role in this area too. He said that this is where the Government has to invest in creating the environment and the opportunity through education, training and development, land and home ownership, and small business development. He said too that it would require members of the private sector joining forces to create opportunities. The President said, “(Members of the) private sector need to come together, build synergies, build consortiums and go after the opportunities so you can give us something to fight with you for…” Further to this, the President said it is critical that Guyanese learn to be bold thinkers and examine the business opportunities that
are available nearby. In this regard, he referred to Suriname, which is in the process of building its capabilities after finding significant oil offshore. The President said, “…We have a first jump, a lot will happen in Suriname. But what are we doing to ensure we can provide some of the business solutions? We have to think boldly, what are we going to do to go after that?” Overall, the President said that the approach to local content must realise transformation not just in oil and gas, but across all sectors. GWI SPENT $89M IN PARTIES FOR TWO YEARS Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), under its former boss, Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, spent a total of $89M in parties for two years, according to Managing Director (MD) of the company, Shaik Baksh. Baksh made this disclosure while he was speaking during a Press Conference, held via ZOOM, about GWI’s financial performance for 2020. He started off by saying that before August of last year, the company was on the verge of collapse, stating that one of the reasons for this was because of GWI’s “reckless spending” from 2015 to 2020. “And I have some information here to give you,” Baksh said, “to tell you that rather than being able to meet the employees’ pay roll costs, the expenditures were reckless.” Part of the spending that Baksh was referring to was the company’s party bill for the years 2018 and 2019.
“We already heard about the 2018, $30M for anniversary and Christmas party but really its $34M”, the current GWI boss told reporters. Kaieteur News had reported last week on the $30M party bill in an article headlined “Cash-strapped GWI spent $30M on 2018 Christmas party, Anniversary retreat”. A leaked internal document had 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. During Friday’s Press Conference, however, Baksh said that after the accounts were reconciled, it was found that GWI had actually spent $34M on parties for that year and not $30M. The GWI boss then went on to reveal that the party bill increased significantly the following year. “Members of the media, in 2019, it was worse. We have the figures here now showing $55M being spent for old year ’s night party, anniversary and Christmas party for staff. We have all the invoices here, all the vouchers everything and this can be subject to any audit”, Baksh said. The MD did not give a breakdown as to how much was spent on each event. Totaling the two bills for 2018 (Continued on page 26)
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From page 25 and 2019, GWI spent $89M for parties. GWI’s former CEO, Dr. Van West-Charles had said that the spending of the monies on parties is a form of investment in staff, during a recent Press Conference held to address GWI’s move to send home some of its workers. The former MD during the question segment said that a Kaieteur News’ article was brought to his attention of $30M being spent “on a year’s activity for staff”. He went on to tell reporters that the move to spend the money was not “a luxury” but rather an investment in the employees. He had posited that the 21st century management speaks to the need to invest in workers and had put forward his case that “On the CARICOM HR plan that we (Guyana) have subscribed to, speaks to the need of investing in your workers.” Another reason he gave for the party bill was that many of the GWI workers were not acquainted with their company and suggested that the parties was a way that they could meet and greet their colleagues. Van West-Charles had also hinted that GWI had spent more money on staff to provide “acceptable toilet facilities, lunch facilities and over-alls for the staff”. The ex-GWI boss then reasoned that it is important to invest in employees in order to keep them committed and loyal. GWI’s expenditure under Van West-Charles tenure came under the radar 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. MONDAY WITHYELLOWTAIL PROJECT, EXXONMOBIL PROPOSES TO CONTINUE TREND OF DUMPING TOXIC WATER INTO OCEAN While international best practices dictate that toxic water which is brought up from reservoirs during oil extraction is supposed to be re-injected into separate
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wells, ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is proposing to do the opposite for its Yellowtail project, the fourth to be developed in the Stabroek Block. According to the project summary it submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ExxonMobil wants to dump this toxic water into the ocean. The document notes that the treated produced water and cooling water will be discharged overboard as per industry best practices. It should be noted however that this water is only supposed to be dumped into the ocean after it has been proven that it is not financially feasible to reinject same, and the water would have no harmful effects on the marine life surrounding the project. Importantly, ExxonMobil has not proven any of the foregoing points. Former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams was one of the few individuals who had challenged ExxonMobil on its desire to dump the toxic water into the ocean even though international best practices state, that reinjection should be high priority since the toxicity of the fluid can have a range of harmful effects on marine life. Dr. Adams in previous interviews had said that Guyana left this gaping loophole in the Liza Phase One and Two Permits hence, he had advocated strongly for ExxonMobil not to be allowed to do same with Payara. In spite of the advice he offered, the PPP/C Government still granted ExxonMobil an Environmental Permit that allows it to dump the toxic water into the ocean
pending the outcome of a study, which Guyana ultimately pays for through cost recovery. According to the Payara Environmental Permit, a study is required to be conducted to investigate and determine the feasibility and implications of re-injecting all of the produced water from the project. Since last year, the Environmental Protection Agency has called on Exxon to submit for approval, terms of reference for the conduct of the study, detailing the feasibility of re-injecting produced water in lieu of routine discharge to the ocean, including implementing for the future installation of facilities for produced water injection, an evaluation of any potential risks to the reservoir from injection, a full cost benefit analysis, and the recommendations of the permit holder. Within 180 days of the date of the EPA’s approval of the said terms, ExxonMobil is expected to complete the study’s final reports. The study is also expected to be conducted by an independent consultant approved by the agency. Following the perusal of the results, the permit notes that the treatment of produced water at the Payara project “may be amended by the agency in consideration of the aforementioned approved study and the conclusions of the EPA, the Permit Holder and the Minister of Natural Resources…” It therefore means that Guyana has no guarantee that ExxonMobil would be forced to re-inject all of the produced water if the study shows that the dumping of the water would be harmful to marine life. To date, the EPA has been
silent about the status of the said study. IN TWO YEARS GWI SPENT $103M ON OVERSEAS TRAVELAND FOOD Former boss says it was for studies and overtime meals It was revealed on Friday last that the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) had spent a total of $103M for the years 2018 and 2019 on overseas travel and food. This disclosure was made during a press conference held via ZOOM by the company’s current management, which had highlighted instances of poor financial management, by GWI from 2015-2020. The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Richard Van West-Charles, who was in charge of the company’s operation for that period, has since related to Kaieteur News that the money was spent for studies and overtime meals. During last Friday’s press conference, the water utility company’s current Managing Director (MD), Shaik Baksh, said that before August 2020, GWI was on the verge of collapse and that one of the reasons for this was “reckless spending”. Part of the “reckless spending”, according Baksh, was the millions that were spent on overseas travel and meals. “And don’t talk about the overseas travel”, he said before listing the figures that were spent on this alone for 2018 and 2019. “In 2018, $26.8M was spent for overseas travel and in 2019, $26M for overseas travel”, the MD told reporters. Baksh went on to note
that for meals, GWI spent $50M in 2019. These figures would amount to $102.8M or almost $103M, which was spent in two years for overseas travel and meals. When contacted Sunday last, the company’s former boss, Van West-Charles, said he does not know “what they (the current GWI management) are trying to say by overseas travel”. “Personally, I did not go on any overseas travel”, he added. Nevertheless, the ex-boss continued that “what he knows” is that staff was sent overseas to study. Van West Charles posited that the overseas study for staff is a very important move to build capacity within the company. He noted that some of them were sent to do post graduate training in specific areas to boost the GWI’s capacity. Two of the company’s engineers, he said were sent to Europe in 2019. “One of them studied in the Netherlands and the other one he studied in the United Kingdom”, related the former GWI boss. Those engineers, according to Van WestCharles completed their studies and returned in 2020. For 2018, the former CEO, detailed that a batch of employees were sent to a conference in Oklahoma, a city located in the United States of America (USA), to be trained for the operation of rigs. Van West-Charles said, he cannot recall the exact number of employees who were sent to the conference but related that they were around four to five persons. In a recently held press conference by the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), addressing GWI’ move to send home some 157 employees, Van West-Charles had mentioned that some staff members were sent to Spain for training. That training was to ensure the employees are able to effectively operate a Geophysical Logging Equipment the company had procured under his leadership to enhance the GWI’s well drilling precision. The equipment is a set of tools that are used in Geophysical well logging or what is also known as bore hole logging in order to find water beneath the earth’s surface. Van West-Charles had argued that by being capable to use this technology, the company will not have to waste resources on drilling multiple wells to find water. “Remember one time they were drilling multiple wells in
order to find water? Well until this technology was introduced and together with the United Nations Development Programme, ourselves, and with some resources from Japan we bought this equipment and had people trained in Spain, so you can have a more precision in the drilling when looking for water,” he had stated. With regards to the $50M spent on food, Van WestCharles told Kaieteur News that meals were for employees working overtime. “I don’t know if you could recall there were some breakages on cemetery road and along Church Street and other places, those had to be fixed immediately and meals had to be provided for those workers who worked overtime” The former GWI boss said meals were also provided for the workers who had to work late hours just to repair and rehabilitate old infrastructure across the country. Van West-Charles then contended, “You have to give meals to the people working overtime” and stated that it is part of the “labour agreement to do so”. GWI’s financial records came under radar after the company stated that it was essentially cash-strapped to the point where it could not pay its electricity bill for a year and had owed the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) some $7B for the period 2018 to 2020. TUESDAY EXXONMOBIL DEAL LEAVESALLCITIZENS SHACKLED TO DEBT TRAP FOR DECADES From beginning to end, the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the oil rich Stabroek Block, has some of the world’s most oppressive provisions, which ensure the lion’s share of the nation’s wealth is tumbling by the billions into the pockets of ExxonMobil and its shareholders. Also cunningly interwoven into the Stabroek Block deal that was signed by former Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, are traps that will leave Guyana shackled by debt for decades to come. One such trap involves a provision that allows ExxonMobil to recover any and all interests it racks up on loans borrowed to fund the development of oil projects in the offshore concession. The interests accumulated can be recovered even if they are (Continued on page 27)
Sunday June 13, 2021
From page 26 gold plated. Several globally respected organisations such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have said there is no economic logic for allowing this and had advised the Government to prohibit oil companies from recovering the interests and other financing costs. Former University of Houston Instructor, Tom Mitro, had agreed with such a recommendation as he contended that this arrangement leaves Guyana open to the abusive use of debt by the operators, since Guyana is essentially standing all the costs. The new oil producing state is also shackled to other exploitive provisions, which state that the country will essentially foot the bill for any legal fees that Exxon incurs for action brought against it by the state. Also, if there is any environmental damage, Guyana would have to prove in the courts that it was a clear case of not mere negligence but “gross negligence” so as to prevent the company from recuperating all costs. And that is not all – should Guyana even consider implementing laws that could affect the profits ExxonMobil is expected to make, the nation will have to compensate the company for its losses. Furthermore, every cent the oil giant spends on hiring and training locals as well as monies it has to expend on the safe removal of all equipment used in the extraction and production of oil will have to be repaid by Guyana. As a result of these and many other similar provisions, Tom Sanzillo, Director of Finance at the Institute for Energy, Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), told Kaieteur News, Guyana will not have enough money from the oil projects to save significantly as well as to cover budget deficits. In fact, the Director said that Guyana will find itself owing ExxonMobil US$20B at the end of 2025. It is a cycle of debt that is expected to continue for not only the Liza Phase One project, but all others to follow. ExxonMobil and its joint venture partner, Hess Corporation, have already said that the discovered resources can support 10 oil projects. The oil giants have every intention of making this a reality. CAR USED IN FAGUNDES’ SHOOTING TRACED FROM NORTH ROAD Kaieteur News has learnt that investigators, aided by CCTV footage, have been able to partially trace the
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movement of the heavily tinted White Toyota Fielder vehicle, which was used in the murder of Ricardo Fagundes. It was revealed during the initial stages of the investigation that detectives were reviewing CCTV footage to see if they can probably trace the car used to transport Fagundes’ assassins before and after the shooting. So far, according to investigators, they have been able to trace that car from North Road to Main Street, Georgetown, prior to the gunning down of Fagundes in front of Palm Court. Video footage of the shooting showed that the killers were waiting in a heavily tinted white car parked on the eastern end at the corner of Middle and Main Streets facing south. Investigators did not comment any further but it could be that the car drove west along North Road and turned onto Main Street using the roundabout located in front of the Bank of Guyana. The car was seen parked outside of Palm Court for a while until Fagundes stepped out. The video of the shooting showed that as he walked towards a black pick-up parked on the western end of Main Street, his assassins emerged from the back passenger seat of the car and ran towards him as they riddled him with bullets. Fagundes dropped to the ground and they fired a few more shots at him before reentering the car as it sped off in a southern direction. Hours later, a burnt out car similar to the one used by the assassins was found at a location along the Soesdyke/ Linden Highway but police have been unable so far to verify if it is the same. Kaieteur News had reported on Sunday that there might be a prime suspect in the killing who is seen driving around in a car every day. At least this was
what a relative had told this newspaper. Investigators had reportedly told Fagundes’ family members that there is someone who they believe is the prime suspect. One of the relatives related that they would see “that main suspect driving a car around the city every day with police escorts and taking photos with top politicians of the country.” The individual disclosed that investigators hinted that more are involved in the crime and updates to them will be provided as the investigation unfolds. They also reportedly disclosed to the family members that they are pursuing certain leads and it would take a while for them to wrap up the entire investigation. Family members, however, related that they have lost faith in the promises made by the investigators because it appears as though they will never arrest the prime suspect because he is said to be a very wealthy and influential individual. Expounding a little further Monday, his relatives speculated that it could be a case where the investigators will eventually be forced to cover-up their findings. The relatives assured that if it turns out that way, they will not give up fighting for justice and will even move to protest if they have to. Fagundes better known a ‘Paper Shorts’ was gunned down on March 21, 2021 around 22:00hrs. On the night of his murder, he was socialising with his best friend, Roger Khan, and others at Palm Court. Fagundes had reportedly stepped out of the bar to bring Khan’s pick-up closer to the entrance of Palm Court but he was assassinated before doing so. Khan had publicly said that he was the intended target and during Fagundes funeral reiterated that “every one of the bullets was meant for me (Khan).” Fagundes and Khan were
almost the same height and on the night of his murder, they were reportedly dressed alike. WEDNESDAY GOVT. MOVES TO CREATE PUBLIC REGISTER TO EXPOSE ALL BENEFICIAL OWNERS IN OIL & GAS, MINING SECTORS According to Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, the PPP/C Government has issued a request for expressions of interest to establish a beneficial ownership register. The politician made this disclosure during his opening remarks at Guyana’s Extractive Industry Transparency Week programme, which kicked off virtually on Monday and comes to an end on Friday. Bharrat was keen to note, that the establishment of the register would be in keeping with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Standard. Kaieteur News would have reported that the call for the release of information on beneficial ownership was made by EITI in October 2020. The international body had said it decided to crack down on this global problem since hidden identities in the extractive sectors only help to feed corruption and tax evasion. It also said that people who live in resourcerich countries are at particular risk of losing out when facing this problem, as extractive assets are too often misallocated for corrupt reasons. The EITI had further noted that its standard
requires public officials, also known as “Politically Exposed Persons” (PEPs), to be transparent about their ownership in oil, gas and mining companies. The international watchdog had said that this information, once provided by its members, will be publicly available and will be published in EITI Reports and/or public registries. Once published, EITI had said, law enforcers, civil society and others have a responsibility to scrutinise the information, and take action to hold to account those who misuse anonymous companies. It should be noted that countries, which fail to honour the requirements of the international body, could face expulsion. OTHER EFFORTS Along with its efforts to increase transparency in the extractives sector via a beneficial ownership register, Bharrat also noted, that other steps are being made to ensure good governance and accountability are the hallmarks of the natural resources industry. Expounding further, he reminded that in the 2021 budget, the Government revealed its commitment to pursue an active legislative agenda, one that will implement oversight measures to enhance transparency and accountability. Noteworthy, the Minister said, “We are in the process of procuring a legal firm to assist our legislative drafting efforts to overhaul our petroleum regulatory framework. The overhauling of our petroleum laws will incorporate mechanisms that will bolster
our transparency and accountability initiatives.” “Naturally, open and frank consultation with all the relevant stakeholders will only enrich the final legislative product,” he added. Further to this, Bharrat reminded that the government made publicly available it’s first and second EITI Reports as it continues to support the work of the local EITI chapter through continued engagement with a view of overcoming existing challenges. He said, too, that draft terms of reference have already been prepared to procure an independent administrator for the preparation of the country’s third EITI report. He shared as well, that government agencies whose functions touch and concern EITI areas, will in the short and medium term undergo capacity building and training for staff members so that they can better understand the disclosure requirements of the EITI. Also, those agencies are improving their technical capacity to better align data and information collection systems to satisfy EITI reporting processes, the Minister stated. Currently, Bharrat said the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has a cadastral system in place while adding, that it is being improved to mainstream government’s transparency efforts. He said too, that the Natural Resources Ministry is working along with the GGMC to gazette the names of all current petroleum prospecting and production licencees. Inevitably, this will be the disposition of the (Continued on page 28)
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From page 27 government with respect to all future petroleum licences granted offshore and onshore Guyana, the Minister concluded. LOWENFIELD FACES TWO MORE ELECTIONS FRAUD CHARGES - CALLED INTO CID ALONG WITH MEYERS Chief Elections Officer (CEO), of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield, will be facing two more elections fraud charges. The information was relayed to this media house after Lowenfield was Tuesday called into the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at Eve Leary, Kingston, along with Roxanne My e r s , t h e Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO). They both arrived at the CID headquarters sometime after 15:00 hrs. Tuesday with their respective lawyers. Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, said that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) would be instituting two additional charges of conspiracy to defraud against Keith Lowenfield. He added that Clairmont Mingo, the Returning Officer (RO) for Region Four, was also called in and today the media will be updated on whether or not he and Meyers will face additional charges. Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo are currently facing multiple criminal charges related to alleged attempts to rig the March 2, General and Regional Election held in 2020. Lowenfield was slapped with three counts of misconduct in public office and three counts of forgery, while Myers was slapped with two counts of misconduct in public office. Mingo also faces four charges alleging that he misconducted himself in public office by failing to disclose the number of votes that were counted
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during the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. Apart from those charges, Mingo was jointly charged with former APNU+AFC Coalition Minister and current Chair of the People’s National Congress, Volda Lawrence, as well. The joint charge alleges that on March 5, 2020, in Georgetown, with intent to defraud the public, they uttered a certain forged document, t h a t i s t o s a y, a r e p o r t purporting to be a true declaration of all votes cast in District Four for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, knowing said report to be forged. He also faced another joint charge with Coalition activist, Carol Smith-Joseph, which alleges that on March 13, 2020, they uttered a forged document purporting to be a true report of all votes cast in the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, while knowing that the report was forged. The trio is currently out on bail. It is unclear at the moment as to what led police to institute two more fraud charges against Lowenfield, and why they requested the presence of Myers and Mingo at CID as well. Recently however, Kaieteur News had reported that the controversial Region Four Statements of Poll (SoPs) for the March 2, elections were handed over to investigators at CID. The handing over of the documents followed an order by the Chief Justice (Ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire, for them to be turned over to police by the Supreme Court’s Registrar, Sueanna Lovell. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, and the Commissioner of Police (Ag), Nigel Hoppie, had filed an application in the High Court for the SoPs and the Statement of Recounts (SoRs) to be released to investigators. They had requested the elections documents in order
to facilitate a fair hearing for the charges against the key GECOM officials. THURSDAY OVER 100 GUYANESE CHALLENGE EXXONMOBIL’S YELLOWTAILPROJECT -CITIZENS QUESTION WHO WOULD COMPENSATE CARIBBEAN ECONOMIES IN THE EVENT OF CATASTROPHIC WELL BLOWOUT Over 100 Guyanese, including university lecturers and students, civil society activists and representatives of organisations that represent communities across the country, have sent a list of detailed questions to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to be answered in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Yellowtail Project. Yellowtail is poised to be the fourth development project in the Stabroek Block by ExxonMobil Corporation’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). The questions in the public submission cover climate impact, harm to the ocean, the danger of a well blowout, flaring, noise, discharges into the ocean and whether Esso has the financial resources to carry out Yellowtail and safely decommission the wells when production stops. The submission to the EPA reminded that the Macondo well blowout by British multinational BP in April 2010 had devastated the Gulf of Mexico and cost the oil company US$468bn. Noting that a well blowout could have a catastrophic impact on the Caribbean economies and environments, the submission ask searching questions about Esso’s ability to prevent and mitigate a blowout. It also asks whether Esso, a limited liability company, will compensate Caribbean
countries for any damage to their tourism and fishing sectors in the event of a blowout. Furthermore, the public submission requires the EIA to state the total amount of greenhouse gases that will be emitted and the impact those emissions will have on the climate syst e m a n d t h e ocean. Finella Martin, one of the students who helped to garner support for the submission, was keen to note the importance of the document that was submitted to the EPA as she said, “We are running out of time; we need to be more aware and educated on the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions from offshore drilling not just in Guyana but globally.” Martin added, “Climate Change is no longer an assumption but our reality. We are seeing one of the worst flooding in history. I am proud that Guyana has strong environmental laws that empower us, the citizens, to stop the causes of climate change and not only preserve our beloved country but also our world.” Attorney-at-Law, Melinda Janki, also shared her thoughts on the submission. Janki said, “Article 23 of the Constitution says that every citizen has a duty to participate in activities designed to improve the environment and protect the health of the nature. This is a good first step - to get the facts so people can make informed and educated decisions. This public submission to the EPA on Yellowtail is breathing life into the Constitution.” According to Ms. Janki who drafted the Environmental Impact Assessment provisions 25 years ago, “The integrity of the EIA process depends on people being willing to look at what is proposed and ask questions. It’s not a top down exercise.” The lawyer added, “It’s supposed to be a fully participatory process with the public scrutinising what is going on and holding the EPA
and private account...”
sector
to
ANOTHER STABROEK BLOCK DISCOVERY TIED TO LOPSIDED EXXONMOBIL DEAL American oil explorer, ExxonMobil Corporation, disclosed Wednesday that it made another discovery, the 20th to be exact, in the Stabroek Block. The latest find was made at the Longtail3 well which encountered 230 feet (70 meters) of net pay, including newly identified, high quality hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs below the original Longtail-1 discovery. ExxonMobil noted that the well is located approximately two miles (3.5 kilometers) south of the Longtail-1 well and was drilled in more than 6,100 feet (1860 meters) of water by the Stena DrillMAX. It should be noted that the Longtail-1 well was drilled in 2018, encountering approximately 256 feet (78 meters) of high-quality, oilbearing sandstone reservoir. Upon hearing the news of the discovery, Senior Vice President of Exploration and New Ventures at ExxonMobil, Mike Cousins, intimated that combined with its previous recent discovery at the Uaru2 well, the resource estimate at the Stabroek Block could now go well beyond nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources. Cousins was keen to note that the latest discovery will allow the oil giant to continue to leverage its core competitive advantages in its ongoing exploration campaign, thereby delivering substantial value to its partners and shareholders. It should be noted that ExxonMobil would be able to reap the maximum benefits for its investors from the development of the Longtail3 discovery, among others, thanks to the loopholes in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) covering the Stabroek Block. Kaieteur News would have exposed via an extensive study published in 2019 that the PSA has some
of the world’s worst provisions when compared to 130 other deals. For example, the PSA says the Government of the day must pay the oil giant’s income tax out of the country’s share of the profits from the Stabroek Block projects. However, none of the 130 PSAs examined by Kaieteur News had this type of outlandish arrangement. Additionally, the GuyanaExxonMobil PSA is the only one out of 130 contracts, which has no ring-fencing provisions to prevent costs of unsuccessful wells being carried over to that of successful wells. In the absence of these crucial provisions, ExxonMobil can also discount the expenses attached to developing future projects against those that are already producing. In other words, if the oil king decides to start developing the Longtail-3 find today, it can discount those costs against the Liza Phase One Project that is currently in operation. By so doing, it would lessen the profits to be split between Guyana and ExxonMobil. What is also worse is that the contract contains no sliding scale provision. Such a clause would say that royalty to the country must increase as production improves. Put simply, if ExxonMobil starts producing more barrels of oil than it originally projected, the country’s royalty should increase accordingly. In the absence of this provision, Guyana will collect a mere two percent royalty irrespective of how well the project does. It should be noted that royalty is only calculated after ExxonMobil takes as much as it desires to cover transportation and operations. The mindboggling loopholes do not end there. Guyana’s PSA is the only one out of 130 that allows insurance premiums to be fully recovered as well as interest on loans and financing costs that are incurred by the contractors. (Continued on page 29)
Sunday June 13, 2021
From page 28 The 130 PSAs examined are part of a register on www.resourcecontracts.org. ( h t t p s : / / resourcecontracts.org/ search?q=Production +Sharing+Agreement+) That website offers over 620 PSAs from around the world for perusal. The Stabroek Block PSA was signed on June 27, 2016 and was up for renewal four years later (June 27, 2020). ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC/NEXEN would be required to relinquish 20 percent of the contract area after June 2020. FRIDAY PPP/C DESTROYS PATTERSON’S MOTION ON LAND POLICY FOR SHOREBASES A motion tabled by Shadow Minister of the Petroleum Sector, David Patterson, for there to be a special land policy in place for shorebases, was defeated last night by the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/ C). This was after more than seven hours of consideration. The motion that was tabled in March proposed that a multi-agency taskforce be formed to examine a land use policy for the oil sector, and mandate that all future shorebases be state-owned, but leased to private operators. Patterson brought the motion on the premise that there is an enormous and growing need for shorebases to service the needs of the local industry. The former Minister’s motion also highlighted the fact that the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYBSI) located at Plantation ‘A’ Houston, Greater Georgetown, does not have the capacity to handle Guyana’s shorebase needs, and certainly will not be able to handle the growing needs on its own. ExxonMobil is already
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producing oil at the Liza Phase One operation, and has three more major projects on the way. Liza Phase Two and Payara have been approved, and are scheduled for first oil in 2022 and 2024 respectively. ExxonMobil intends to submit a field development plan (FDP) for the fourth intended development, Yellowtail-1, before the end of the year. It is expected to achieve first oil in 2025. The former Public Infrastructure Minister said that while additional shorebases are needed, they must be developed as part of a macro-development plan, and not solely driven by the demand forces of the sector. He is of the view that the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CHPA), the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC), and other relevant agencies should undertake a holistic land use and zoning policy, with key considerations made to facilitate industrial activities of the oil sector. Patterson’s motion also called for future onshore bases to be in the counties of Berbice and Essequibo to ensure parity in development of the oil and gas industry and the equitable development across Guyana for the benefit of all citizens. Expounding on the importance of the motion during his presentation to the House, Patterson was keen to note that GYSBIs location is particularly problematic given that it causes daily traffic congestion on the East Bank Demerara, while adding that residents have complained about chemical spills and burns and other environmental hazards. While the APNU+AFC regime would have given its blessings for the works and subsequent expansion at GYSBI, Patterson said the consequences surely underscore why there need to be a proper land-use policy for shorebases. The former Minister said, “These are all non-
contentious requests and I cant see why the Government would not be able to support this. It is calling for a bit of order and for us to have a national development plan and for there to be zoning because right now Guyana is like the Wild West.” Other Opposition members such as Khemraj Ramjattan and Jermaine Figueira supported the motion and urged the PPP/C to offer their support. But the Government was not at all welcoming of this motion. In fact, the Government saw it as just another attempt by the APNU+AFC to derail development in a holistic way while deceiving the Guyanese populace that it cares. Hammering home this point in particular for the Governments side was Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh. The politician called on Guyanese to pay keen attention to the fact that the APNU+AFC during its time in office had no interest in having a land policy. But now, in its current incarnation, it is painting a picture to the masses that it is genuinely interested in developing key mechanisms for the efficient management of the oil sector. One of the key points raised by the Minister was that a special policy cannot be put together for the oil sector alone. Dr. Singh stressed that a land policy has to be done in a holistic way. In taking such a lopsided approach, the Minister said, Patterson and his Opposition colleagues by extension have illustrated their incompetence and ineptitude, hence during their time in office, one saw an extravagant excursion of “green frivolity,” where there was an obsession in painting buildings, letterheads and fences green. Taking the foregoing, among other factors, into consideration, the Minister said that Pattersons motion was nothing but rank political opportunism. “And its motive is another flimsy attempt to
delude and deceive Guyanese. Its other intention is at the center of APNU+AFCs explicit plan, which is to delay or derail development,” expressed the Minister. After these points were made and subsequently echoed by his colleagues, the motion was put to a vote by the Speaker of the House, Manzoor Nadir. After the votes were counted, the score was 31 votes in favour and 33 against. The motion met its death at 11:39 hrs. Thursday night. 27 QUESTIONS SENT TO THE LEADERS FOR THEIR ANSWERS I, Glenn Lall, Guyanese citizen and publisher of Kaieteur News, invite you, as leaders of this society, to give in-person responses to a series of questions that I have thought of, and the answers to which would be of great interest to all Guyanese citizens. The invitation is for my Kaieteur Radio programme this Friday, June 11 at 19:20 hrs. If any of you cannot attend, the answers to the questions below can be presented in writing, which I commit to delivering untouched to the Guyanese public via Kaieteur Radio and Kaieteur News. I am inviting President, Irfaan Ali; Vice President,
Bharrat Jagdeo; Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon; and Khemraj Ramjattan, as all elected leaders of this land, and in keeping with the vital elements of the democratic process, I would appreciate the courtesy of your duty, through your timely and frank responses. The questions are: 1. Why don’t we have a ring fencing provision in the Exxon contract to protect us? 2. Why do we have to give Exxon and its partners one month’s notice before we can go to check or audit their books when we have a 50/50 partnership? 3. Why are we paying ExxonMobil’s taxes for them, their contractors and subcontractors? 4. Why do we allow the oil players to dump produced water into our oceans? 5. Why are we allowing flaring during full oil production? 6. Why is it that Guyana does not have a local content policy in place six years after oil-discovery? 7. Why is it that we have one of the worst oil contracts on earth in the last 100 years that gives Guyana two percent royalty and yet transportation costs have to come out from that? 8. Why is ballast water being dumped into our oceans by the oil ships? 9. Why does Guyana not have full cover insurance to protect the citizens of our
country, our country as a whole and other neighbouring countries when an oil disaster happens out there? 10. Why do we not have any say or control on these billion dollars FDP as a 50/50 partnership? 11. Why does Guyana have no say on the cost of the rentals of supply vessels? 12. Why do we not have control or say on the daily costs or expenses on the oil operations? 13. Why don’t we have anyone checking the barrels of oil that are coming up on a daily basis? And why are we depending on the figures ExxonMobil and its partners produce to us? 14. Is this how two countries, two companies, two people do 50/50 business, leaders? 15. Why is the nation not given full information about what is going on with the people’s wealth? Gold etc. 16. As for Decommissioning/Cleanup: why is it that funds are being taken out and the nation does not know how much is being taken out, where it is being kept, and who is benefitting? 17. Why does Guyana not have the capabilities to handle the toxic waste product that is being discharged from Liza 1? No one knows who, where and what they are doing with it. 18. What rescue plan is in (Continued on page 30)
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From page 29 place in case of an oil well blowout to safeguard the country and its citizens? 19. Why does Guyana not know the interest rate they are paying on the US$20B loan sitting out there for the Liza 1, 2 and Payara? 20. By law no oil company should get more than 60 oil Blocks. Why ExxonMobil was given 600? Mr. Leaders. 21. Every five (5) years all oil companies have to relinquish 20 percent of their oil blocks. Why did our leaders extend the time for them? 22. Why is it that our leaders, including VP Jagdeo, not asking much less demanding a renegotiation of this one-sided lopsided Exxon contract when it is clear in the PSA that both parties have to agree? 23. Who is selling our oil, at what price and what is the arrangement? 24. Is it the citizens who have to go to court to fight for our renegotiation, when the PSA has the provisions for a renegotiation, tell us Mr. Jagdeo. 25. Let me ask this question, is it that you guys are receiving some personal benefits from the oil companies that is preventing all of you from seeking to renegotiate this oil contract. 26. Imagine a citizen, Melinda Janki, had to go to court to get the 20-year EPA permit issued to ExxonMobil reversed to what the law requires. Why Jagdeo? Why Harmon? Why Ramjattan?
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Why did that woman have to spend her money, her expertise, her time to correct what you guys did when you broke the law to facilitate Exxon? 27. Is it the citizens who have to go to court again to correct the 600 oil blocks given to Exxon, when they are entitled to 60? Those are only 27 questions for now my friends. See you guys on the Friday programme, 19:20 hrs. sharp. I promise to publish in full your written and/or recorded answers. I don’t want any one of you to answer all 27, it’s too much to talk about in one programme, please pick any five or three so we can discuss them Friday on the Kaieteur Radio at 19:20 hrs. SATURDAY OVER 100 ECONOMISTS CALL ON G7 COUNTRIES TO END FUNDING FOR FOSSIL FUEL PROJECTS Ahead of the G7 Summit which got underway Friday, more than 100 economists called on the participating member countries to commit to shifting their finance out of all fossil fuels starting this year so as to enable a “green pandemic recovery.” The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal club of wealthy democracies consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The heads of government
of the member states, as well as the representatives of the European Union, would meet at an annual summit to discuss a range of issues. As of 2018, the G7 represented 58% of the global net wealth (US$317 trillion). At the Summit which comes to an end tomorrow, world leaders are expected to adopt an agenda to “build back better from coronavirus and create a greener, more prosperous future.” Kaieteur News understands that the economists who co-signed the document believe that adopting such an agenda should mean decisively shifting finance out of fossil fuels and into clean alternatives worldwide. “We welcome the decision taken last month by G7 environment ministers to end international finance to coal-fired power in 2021. But we call on G7 leaders to go further and shift their finance out of all fossil fuels in 2021,” the economists stated. To support the reasoning behind its call, the economists cited part of the International Energy Agency’s damning report which said “there is no need for investments in new fossil fuel supply beyond 2021.” This applies not only to coal, but also oil and gas. Also, research co-authored by the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme shows that oil and gas production needs to decline by about 4% and 3% respectively every year between 2020 and 2030 if global temperature is to be
reduced. Another crucial point that was cited by the economists in their letter is the fact that renewables are becoming the cheapest energy source in most parts of the world. In fact, since 2015, they noted that solar power has become the cheapest form of electricity in history and the cost of
electric vehicle batteries has more than halved. As G7 members inject historic levels of public money into the economy in response to Covid-19, the economists said, “They can take advantage of the tremendous investment opportunities in clean energy and promote a just and equitable transition away from all fossil fuels. We urge G7 leaders to take this opportunity.” They added, “The urgency of the climate crisis
requires that 2021 be a turning point to end investments into fossil fuels. This presents G7 members with both a clear task and an opportunity. Ending new fossil fuel finance will free up billions a year to invest in clean energy, just transition measures and increased support for the clean energy transition in low- and middleincome countries. This will in turn help create the jobs needed to build the greener and more prosperous economy the G7 strives for.”
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==THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN==
I’m giving Ramjattan permission to reveal my secret I
was sent a clip from Mark Benschop’s Facebook interview with Khemraj Ramjattan last week. Benschop asked for an explanation of my fallout with the APNU+AFC government. Ramjattan said there is a reason but he will not disclose it.It means that there is a secret about me that the AFC leadership has in its possession. Why would Ramjattan be generous to me? I don’t want him to be. I consider myself to be a trenchant, relentless critic of the AFC’s leadership, so I don’t see why any of them will not reveal this secret. Last Friday afternoon, I ran into David Patterson. While chatting, he got annoyed and admonished me for suggesting that he was corrupt and walked way. I am now informing both Ramjattan and Patterson and the rest of the AFC’s hierarchy, especially Raphael Trotman and Cathy Hughes, both of whom were the subject of my critical pen in recent times, to tell the Guyanese people what was the reason that resides in me that explains why I became a crusader against the APNU+AFC government In revealing the secret, the AFC’s leaders will obviously lie. I will not sue for libel if anyone lies on me. I don’t believe media operatives should sue for libel. So in disclosing the reason, the AFC leaders will obviously scandalise me since I never asked for anything from my then friends when they got into power in 2015, was turned down, and thus my anger.
I never had a substantial conversation over the phone or in person with any leader of the AFC from May 2015 until the time that regime was dissolved in August 2020. I never asked any AFC minister for something for me because there was never a conversation. The only AFC big wig I ever had a meaningful conversation with for the five years the AFC was in power was Khemraj Ramjattan. It occurred in his office in February 2018 and it was a tempestuous confrontation in which I accused him of betraying me and the Guyanese people. Of course I will be facing the loss of credibility when Ramjattan discloses the reason why I turned against the AFC. There can be no loss of credibility because Ramjattan cannot disclose what never took place. Of course he can sprout a fiction. There are several persons I have had discussions with about the topic of my falling out with the APNU+AFC that I campaigned for. The latest is Aubrey Heath-Retmeyer, former deputy to Clive Thomas of SARA. Our discussion took place last week, and I told him he has my permission to quote my side of the conversation. Let me repeat what I have told such people like Norman Browne and Heath-Retmeyer, the persons I had dialogue with on the subject recently. I have said and I am saying it here right now. I do not think it serves the dignity of a human to go to his/her friend who became head of government or minister of government and
ask for position or concession. I didn’t do it after my friends became part of the government in 2015. My anger against the APNU+AFC is that they betrayed so many good, genuine people who made them win power. I was annoyed that I was so helpless to help these people. The name Khemraj Naraine comes up right way. He is currently vice-chairman of the UG workers union. That gentleman left his wife and baby son and drove me up for public meetings in Berbice countless times. At several meetings we were attacked. On every occasion we reached Georgetown on the return trip in the uncivilised hours, nearing being harmed seriously one morning at Ogle at 2am. He worked at UG in information technology for 15 years and was never sent on a training course, never got a promotion. These were the wrongs I expected the AFC to right when it got into government. But I couldn’t see any minister to discuss these people’s legitimate expectations. Khemraj Naraine was treated the same way between 2015 and 2020, the way he was treated at UG prior to 2015. I couldn’t see any AFC minister to talk about employment for the young AFC cadres who helped me during the 2011 and 2015 campaigns. Ramjattan cannot dare tell this nation what was the reason for me turning against the AFC when it was in power
except to mouth off a fiction. Did I have things I wanted to be involved in after 2015? Any human would know you would be lying if you say you didn’t. But I never had the opportunity to discuss it with
any AFC leader. I never asked them; they never asked me. End of story. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Frederick Kissoon
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Coronavirus: Guyanese cannot take their masks off as yet By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vanderbilt Medical Center
T
he Centers for Dis ease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US recently issued an advisory indicating that vaccinated persons can be together without wearing masks. This has caused many here in Guyana to question whether it is okay to move around without a mask. Unfortunately, this advisory is specific to the US and does not apply to us here in Guyana. Today, I will explain why such a decision came about and also explain why it is not applicable in Guyana. The science behind the decision The US would have seen a significant drop in infections since it initiated its vaccination campaign. Approximately 36 percent of its population is now fully vaccinated and while these numbers are insufficient for herd immunity, they are sufficient to allow those fully vac-
cinated to be around each other without masks. Data in the US has shown that those fully vaccinated, pose a very low risk of transmitting COVID-19 to each other. It is also thought that the decision to incentivise those vaccinated to not wear a mask would encourage others to get vaccinated. US vaccination rates are better than Guyana As previously stated; approximately 36 percent of the US population is fully vaccinated. In Guyana, just about one percent of the population is fully vaccinated. This stark difference in numbers highlights where we are at in Guyana and why we cannot move around without masks at this stage. The fact is there aren’t enough Guyanese fully vaccinated to put a dent in the number of infections much less to allow us to move around without a mask. At least one third of the population needs to be fully vaccinated to give the country a semblance of stability and to possibly facilitate those vaccinated to move
about without masks. Awareness of variants circulating in US
The system in the US has allowed for rigorous detection of variants of the coronavirus in order to efficiently determine their susceptibility to vaccines. Unfortunately, in Guyana, we are not able to test for variants and their susceptibility to vaccines. The US was therefore able to make its decision based on evidence showing the effectiveness of its vaccines against the variants currently circulating in its environs. Without similar evidence, it will be risky for Guyana to make such a decision at this stage and we will have to wait on our vaccination numbers to increase and counter our infection rates sufficiently before even thinking along the lines of removing our masks. The situation here is not under control The reality is Guyana’s infection and death rates are still rising. While the healthcare system is coping, it is stretched to the limit and we are “walk-
ing on thin ice.” If we aren’t careful and continue to be irresponsible, the threat of the system becoming overwhelmed is likelier than it has ever been before. It is easier to become infected with the virus now than it has ever been before; mask wearing for all is still our best bet at this point.
Please continue to wear your masks and help promote the vaccination against COVID-19 campaign. If all of us do this well, there will come a time when we can start to take our mask off in Guyana; we’re just not there yet! (This article was first published on May 16, 2021)
Dr. Zulfikar Bux
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>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<
Worst national disaster (President), parallel arrangements (Local Government Minister), partnership invitation (Natural Resources Minister)
By GHK Lall
I
f not the worst, then the current devastating flooding ranks close to the highest level. It is that bad. I am encouraged that President Ali was frank on this one. Having agreed with the President that the present catastrophic flooding is grim, I am troubled that there is not more reaching out and involving every tier in society, including opposition leadership counterparts. When we acknowledge that there is a disaster of national proportions, then that demands a national response through a national effort with the national
strength that comes from national oneness. It should be how this nation would respond for (God forbid) something as fearsome as war. This is what disturbs immensely, when efforts to detect any national linking of arms at a time like this result in failure. Those many billions to be borrowed have to be repaid by all the people, not winners only. It is time to govern, not separate. Genuine national leaders do so when they embrace opportunity that binds. Disastrous national flooding is such a moment. Similarly, it was encouraging to read in KN on Monday last that the residents around the East Ruimveldt and East La Penitence area will benefit from almost finished upgrades to the markets of the same names. This was proudly announced by the Minister of Local Government,
Nigel Dharamlall, when he shared the good news along with the $14M price tag. Good going! Mr. Minister. But I cannot help a disturbing thought that invades consciousness. Memory reminds that any projects and upgrades in those areas fall under the Mayor and City Council's responsibilities. Unless something changed drastically, those two upgrades should have been overseen by the Georgetown municipal government, and not by the Local Government Ministry of central government. If I am, indeed, on the right track (and I believe so), then it is disturbing that central government engages in these ongoing intrusions into M&CC's territory. I would think that central government has many other crucial matters to get involved in, and on which to focus more comprehensively and wisely, than to step into places that have their own longstanding municipal
overseers. The time of both central government and municipal government would be much better sent, when each concentrates on delivering on mandates. When we have these parallel arrangements, they set poor precedents - even when good is achieved - and generate ideas on more usurpation to occur in other institutions, especially those sensitive ones in the wider state. Examples that come to mind include the state security apparatus and the domestic communications environment. Too much of these invasions and parallel concoctions, maybe any of them, disturbs, because they could lead to where they become the norm, while embodying the sinister from central government leadership. Still another encouraging event that has potential (for disturbance, too) is that invitation to all investors in oil and gas to “partner with us,”
as issued by the Hon. Minister of Natural Resources. That's sweeping and warming, minister, and I am encouraged. But only when everybody benefits: citizens, the state, and investors. It should not escape attention that I did not include the governing and opposition parties or their leadership cohorts among the beneficiaries, and the descending order in which I prioritised who should benefit. Separately, the minister may be startled, but I would partner with any person, entity, group on most things for the benefit of all Guyanese. To be really clear: partner with any government, any leader, that is about this country foremost, and with what pass strict scrutiny. And just as clearly, I seek nothing for self, and such partnership must function along the cleanest, brightest lines. As the minister knows, there has been too (continued on page 50)
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g ts in s... re ture e t In rea C
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Pieridae
he Pieridae are a large family of butterflies with about 76 genera containing about 1,100 species, mostly from tropical Africa and tropical Asia with some varieties in the more northern regions of North A m e r i c a . https://en.wikipedia.org/wik i/Pieridae - cite_note-eob-1 Most pierid butterflies are white, yellow, or orange in colouration, often with black spots. The pigments that give the distinct colouring to these butterflies are derived from waste products in the body and are a characteristic
of this family. William John Swainson created the family in 1820. The name "butterfly" is believed to have originated from a member of this family, the brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni, which was called the "buttercoloured fly" by early British naturalists. The sexes usually differ, often in the pattern or number of the black markings. The larvae (caterpillars) of a few of these species, such as Pieris brassicae and Pieris rapae, commonly seen in gardens, feed on brassicas and are notorious agricultural pests. Males of many species exhibit gregarious mudpuddling behaviour when they may imbibe salts from moist soils.
The Pieridae have the radial vein on the forewing with three or four branches and rarely with five branches. The forelegs are well developed in both sexes, unlike in the Nymphalidae, and the tarsal claws are bifid, unlike in the Papilionidae. Like the Papilionidae, the Pieridae also have their pupae held at an angle by a silk girdle, but running at the first abdominal segment, unlike the thoracic girdle seen in the Papilionidae. But some species such as the madrone butterfly that belong to this family do not show the presence of this abdominal silk girdle. The Pieridae are generally divided into these four subfamilies: Dismorphiinae (six genera), mostly Neotropical;
this group includes several mimetic species. The host plants are in the family Fabaceae. Pierinae (55 genera), whites, yellows and orangetips; many of these species are strongly migratory. Host plants are in the families C a p p a r i d a c e a e , Brassicaceae, Santalaceae and Loranthaceae. Coliadinae (14 genera),
sul phurs or yellows; many of these species are sexually dimorphic. Some, such as Colias, have wing patterns that are visible only under ultraviolet. Pseudopontiinae includes only the genus Pseudopontia, which was formerly considered monotypic. Its type species—formerly the sole
species in this subfamily—Pseudopontia paradoxa, is endemic to West Africa. According to the molecular phylogenetic study of Braby et al. (2005), sister group relationships among Pieridae subfamilies are ((Dismorphiinae + Pseudopontiinae) + (Coliadinae + Pierinae)). (Source: Wikipedia)
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
Lessons from a Lashpreneur!!! Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège: The taste of Royalty in a bottle Let’s talk Mink lashes and why we don’t use them
Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège is a balanced cognac, expressing 200 years of Hennessy’s know-how. The fruit of nature’s uncertainties, this unique blend has tamed the elements to craft and embody the original concept of cognac. The emotion awakened by the pleasure of tasting it continually reveals new facets of its personality. The savoir-faire of the Maison Hennessy is fully expressed in this balanced cognac: the selection of eaux-devie, aging and assemblage. A cognac of remarkable consistency and vitality, Hennessy V.S.O.P Privilège conveys all of the savoir-faire of the Hennessy master blenders who have ensured the continued success of this harmonious assemblage for 200 years. Be sure to enjoy responsibly, this special selection that is distributed by Ansa McAL.
By Latoya Zephyr We at lift and lashes are firmly against animal cruelty – which is the reason we only use completely 100% cruelty free synthetic lashes . We’re going to talk a bit about mink lashes and the reasons we don’t use them. The apparent benefits of mink lashes are that they are fluffier and more natural looking than synthetic lashes. And it’s Made popular by celebrities,mink lashes are not only extremely expensive, they are also really difficult to work with and The issues around how mink fur is harvested also doesn’t sit well with us. Let’s start by talking about the “mink” lash extensions and false lashes you probably see offered for low prices. These probably aren’t actually real mink fur – they are more likely to be synthetic recreations that mimic real mink in terms of fluffiness and length. So don’t be fooled if you see “mink” lashes for a low price, they are probably just imitation mink that shouldn’t be a higher price than other types of synthetic lashes. The reason genuine mink lashes are expensive is because it takes a significant amount of time, labour and money to harvest real fur. So, on the subject of mink lashes, how do they harvest the fur? There are a
few different ways. The first is to kill the mink and skin them in the way that you might expect fur would be harvested for clothing or accessories. We’re against killing animals for beauty, particularly as there is no way of knowing if the mink has been killed “humanely” or if it has suffered during the process. The second is to “handstrip” the fur from the mink while it is alive which is most commonly found in mink lashes that are marked as “cruelty free”. The mink isn’t
killed in this process but is likely to feel pain as hair is removed. There’s also no guarantee that the animal has been kept ethically, it may live in cramped or unsanitary conditions with lots of other animals which we would argue is not “cruelty-free” at all. The only way to genuinely know if you’re getting ethical and crueltyfree lashes is to go synthetic, which is why at lift and lashes we only offer synthetic lashes.
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1 Incredible Health Benefits Of Coconut Water Coconut water is never out of trend despite various attractive aromatic and nutritious drinks in the market. It is a miraculous drink beneficial for our body in multiple ways. Coconut water has been consumed for centuries in tropical regions around the world. In Ayurveda, Coconut water is believed to help in activities of the body such as digestion and urination. It helps to provide an instant boost of energy. Coconut water nutrition facts Coconut water is a clear liquid present inside of green Coconuts. Over 95% of Coconut water is water. An average green Coconut provides about 0.5–1 cups of Coconut water. Coconut water is rich in various minerals and electrolytes like potassium, calcium, manganese, antioxidants, amino acids and cytokinins. Coconut water is the best source of potassium and contains almost 470 mg of potassium. It is low in
calories, carbohydrates, sugar, unlike other juices. Benefits of Coconut water 1: Energy booster: Coconut water is a great beverage to drink during and after a workout. It is rich in minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants that help to boost your energy level instantly. It may help athletes to refuel their energy stores and recover a little faster. If you drink this water during exercise, it may prevent fatigue and dehydration. 2: Best alternatives for sugary juices: Coconut water is mildly sweet and nutty in flavour. It is low in calories, sugar and carbs, unlike other sugary juices and sodas. It makes it a better choice for diabetics or individuals looking to reduce their consumption of added sugar. 3: Helps to lose weight: Fresh Coconut water is beneficial in weight loss management programs. It is lower in calories than other beverages, like soda or juices that help to lose weight. One
cup of Coconut water contains only 48 calories. 4: May benefit to manage diabetes: Research shows that Coconut water may help to manage blood sugar levels and improve diabetes symptoms. It is a good source of manganese, which may increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. 5: May be beneficial for heart health: Drinking Coconut water may be beneficial to prevent heart diseases. It may help manage cholesterol levels in the blood and maintain good heart health because it is high in potassium. 6: May help to reduce high blood pressure: Being high in potassium, Coconut water may help to manage blood pressure. Research suggests that potassium-rich diets can help support heart health by managing blood pressure and even protecting against stroke. 7: Help in good digestion:
Coconut water is rich in manganese that helps to regulate your bowel movements. It may prevent gaseous distension of the abdomen, constipation and acidity. 8: May help to detox the body: Coconut water is versatile due to the presence of minerals, electrolytes and antioxidants. Coconut water helps detoxify your body by providing hydration and antioxidants. 9: May help to prevent kidney stones: When you have a kidney stone, your doctor will advise you to drink a lot of water. Although plain water works wonderfully, don’t miss adding Coconut water to your diet. Coconut water may help to prevent kidney stone formation when taken in moderate amounts. 10: May prevent urinary tract infection: Coconut water is known to be a diuretic (increase urine output). Hence, it may help to flush out toxins by way of
urine. It makes you pee frequently but that’s the way your urinary infection may void out. 11: May reduce fatigue and stress: There are instances such as fatigue, stress where you feel lethargic and don’t want to eat or do anything. Sipping on a cup of Coconut water may help you feel relaxed and it calms your mind. The disadvantage of Coconut water Coconut water is all over beneficial for our health due to the presence of various
nutrients. You may still be wondering whether it is good to drink Coconut water every day. For general people, it is considered a good drink to consume. However, there is an exception to it. People who suffer from kidney (renal) failure should not drink Coconut water as it is rich in potassium. In kidney failure, your kidney may not remove extra potassium, which leads to stagnation of potassium in the body. Hence, be cautious with Coconut water consumption in renal failure patients.
it is full of probiotics that help to produce vitamin K2 in your gut. Natto is also a good source of fibers and proteins which keeps your digestion as well as bones healthy. 8: Lamb Lamb contains highquality proteins, essential oils, and vitamin K2. A 100 of lamb contains 5.3 mcg of vitamin K2. It strengthens your bones and improves bone metabolism. 9: Mayonnaise Egg-white based mayonnaise contains 197 mcg of vitamin K2. This is a healthy, cholesterol-free source that also contains vitamin E that is good for your hair and skin. 10: Miso Another Japanese food which is made from fermented beans. It enhances the probiotic growth in the gut
which boosts the nutrient absorption. Deficiency of vitamin K Despite several natural sources, vitamin K deficiency may occur in some cases. When it is not corrected it may lead to some serious issues such as – · Excessive bleeding · Bruising on skin · Dark blood in stool or urine Sometimes it may present in the newborn which can be fatal if not corrected immediately. Toxicity of vitamin K Supplements when taken in excess can lead to toxicity. Vitamin K interacts with many medications so beware while using vitamin K. It particularly affects blood thinners (e.g. Warfarin) and cholesterol-lowering medications activity.
Top 10 Food Sources Rich in Vitamin K Vitamins are essential nutrients because they perform various roles in our bodies. Each vitamin performs a special role in our body to build it stronger. Vitamin K is one of them. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin known for its blood clotting property. What vitamin K does? Vitamin K is a nutrient that helps in the synthesis of various proteins. Prothrombin is one of the proteins which is prepared by vitamin K. Prothrombin helps in blood clotting and healthy bone metabolism. This vitamin activates another protein named – osteocalcin which is responsible for bone strengthening and regulates the blood calcium levels. Daily requirement – According to The National Institutes of Health (NIH), 122 mcg of vitamin K is required for women and 138 mcg for men per day. Types of vitamin K There are a total of three types of vitamin K but only two are essential for the human body. 1. Vitamin K1 – It is also known as phylloquinone.
It is primarily found in plants. It aids the blood clotting process in the liver. 2. Vitamin K2 – It is also known as menaquinone which is generally found in animal and fermented products. It is found in fewer food sources. It is also produced by gut bacteria and it goes in blood vessels, bones. 3. Vitamin K3 – It is also known as menadione. It is a synthetic vitamin and not recommended. Food rich in vitamin K Vitamin K is available in many foods which we regularly add in our diet. Various green, leafy vegetables are the best source of this vitamin while it is also found in other vegetables, fruits, meat, and fermented food. Here is the list of best sources of vitamin K – 1: Spinach Dark, green spinach is considered as the healthiest source of vitamins, minerals, and iron. Spinach is rich in vitamin K. 100 grams of raw spinach gives you 483 mcg of vitamin K1. Try to eat spinach in raw form or you
can boil them strictly for 1 minute to prevent the loss of nutrients. 2: Cooked kale Cooked kale is the best source of plant-based vitamins. A cup of cooked kale can give you 817 mcg of vitamin K. For better flavor and nutrition, cook the kale for 5 minutes before consumption. 3: Broccoli Broccoli is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. It strengthens your immunity and destroys dangerous free radicles. The vitamin K content in one cup of cooked broccoli is 110 mcg. Be sure that it shouldn’t be overcooked otherwise it will lose its flavor and nutrition. 4: Collard greens Collard greens are an excellent source of vitamin K, fiber, iron, calcium, and magnesium. It has an antiinflammatory property and also helps to reduce cholesterol levels. One cup of steamed collard green contains around 836 mcg. 5: Mustard greens It is one of the best sources of vitamin K. For best
results sauté this vegetable rather than steaming or boiling to prevent the leaves and stems from getting watery and soft. One cup of cooked mustard greens containing 419 mcg vitamin K. 6: Turnip greens Turnip greens are loaded with vitamin K. it contains disease-fighting phytonutrients that lower the inflammation and reduce your risk for cancer. Also, vitamin K in this vegetable helps to reduce anemia, skin problems and lowers the blood sugar level. 426 mcg is present in a cup of cooked turnip greens. 7: Natto It is a sticky, fermented breakfast food contains 1000 mcg of vitamin K2 per 100 grams. This Japanese food is made from fermented soybeans. As it is fermented
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The lucky envelope
Sunday June 13, 2021
Junior page EASY FATHER’S DAY CR AFT FOR KIDS TO MAKE Father’s Day is approaching soon, here is a wholesome craft for you to paint for dad on his special day.
SUPPLIES NEEDED · · · · ·
A
golden envelope fell through the letterbox. On the front it said, ‘You’ve won!’ ‘Open it!’ shouted Mum, Dalia and Ahmed. Dad opened it. They had won a free holiday. ‘I hope it’s to the seaside,’ said Dalia. ‘I can swim in the sea and make sandcastles.’ ‘No, I hope it’s a camping holiday,’ said Dad. ‘I can sleep in a tent and get lots of fresh air.’ ‘No, I’d like to go on a cruise,’ said Ahmed. ‘I can watch the dolphins and eat lots of nice food.’ ‘Well, I’d like to go to a big city,’ said Mum. ‘I can go shopping and go to the theatre.’ Then they started to argue. They couldn’t decide. ‘Beach!’ ‘Camping!’ ‘Cruise!’
‘City!’ They argued until it was dark. Then the phone rang. Dalia answered it. ‘Hello, this is Lucky Holidays. You’ve won a holiday to sunny Alexandria.’ ‘That’s where my grandma lives.’ ‘This is Grandma!’ ‘Oh Grandma, you tricked us!’
Paint Construction Paper Printed DAD Shape of Dad and Child(ren) INSTRUCTIONS Scissors Grab a big sheet of construction paper and some DAD colored paints. Print and cut out this outline of DAD.Tape it down and Paint over it making sure to keep the sides down on the taped images. You can also use rubber cement for this step to make it a smoother surface when complete.
‘You’re all invited to spend your summer holiday with me.’ They packed their suitcases and spent two fun weeks at Grandma’s. Ahmed got his nice food. Dad got his fresh air. Mum went shopping and Dalia swam in the sea. Everyone was happy.
Super tough maze RY OET P H
FUN
WIT
I love the Georgetown ZOO I love to go to the Georgetown zoo, And see the animals there – The lion, fox and spider monkey. The jaguar, agouti and deer. The birds all look so beautiful, In their colourful feathers so bright The toucan, eagle and parakeets, Oh, what a marvellous sight! There is so much to see here, So much to enjoy and learn, too, I hope to make this my favourite place, Our great Botanical Gardens zoo. by Uncle Roy
Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
TEEN TIME
Values will Enrich your Life
Values represent the very essence of what is most important in life. When you identify and live by them, you begin to reconnect with yourself in a deep and meaningful way. Life starts to make sense as a direction begins to reveal itself. You feel a sense of realignment that helps you to see where you should be spending your precious time and energy. As you continue to explore your inner landscape, clarifying your values can help you to understand yourself on a much deeper, more spiritual level. Some other essential values that you would do well to adopt are:Community-mindedness – the willingness to join with others in your community and country in its development; Dependability – the quality of being reliable in all dealings with others; Gratitude – feeling and expression of being thankful to parents and others for their contribution to your life; Improvement – the will to constantly try to develop yourself in all areas of your life; Integrity – the quality of being truthful and single-minded in all
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POETS’ CORNER One Nation, One Culture by Roy Paul (Uncle Roy) In all the strife and turmoil we face, In all the problems that start with race, Our countrymen must acknowledge but one fact That only true unity can bring us back To peace and prosperity for our country fair, But to achieve same is much less clear. Can we really come together when we emphasise The culture each tribe has brought from its rise? Or do we strive for one true Guyanese mode, Intermixing the best of each people’s good? This may seem beyond reach when first appear, And true, we may never attain it for many a year, But even the endeavour to close the gap Will show we desire to move on the same track, And breed goodwill and trust among us all, So that again we walk together proud and tall.
situations;Perseverance – the need to keep up your efforts at fulfilling your goals;Responsibility – awareness and fulfilment of your obligations to all; Sincerity – determination to fulfil all promises and obligations; Trustworthiness – being faithful in behaving according to what others expect of you;
Understanding – willingness to be in sympathy and supportive of others. As suggested before, study the significance of each of these, how they are now included in your own personality, and how you can incorporate them as a part of your character. We will deal with more of these values in the next issue.
Killer Sudoku Puzzle Killer Sudoku (also called Sum Sudoku) are a kind of hybrid puzzle that combine the best features of Sudoku and Kakuro (cross-sum) puzzles. Like a regular Sudoku, the rows, columns and 3x3 blocks contain the digits 1 thru 9. In addition, the dotted lines indicate areas, called cages, which also contain a set of non-repeating digits. If you add up the digits in a cage, you get the sum shown in its clue.
Be the best that you can be by developing true values. TELL IT TO UNCLE ROY Uncle Roy is again appealing to our readers to make a contribution to this column by either giving a feedback on what is published, asking for some help with some personal problem, offering some advice to fellow teenagers, or sharing the news of what is happening in his/her community. Please send your contribution to roypaul2002@yahoo.com
Solutions to last week’s
Futoshiki
Suguru
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Eat your way to fabulous skin 1. Eat a minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables every day Fruit and vegetables contain powerful antioxidants that help to protect skin from the cellular damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals, smoking, pollution and sunlight can cause wrinkling and age spots. Eat a rainbow of colourful fruit and vegetables and aim for at least five portions a day. Betacarotene, found in carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkin, and lutein, found in kale, papaya and spinach are potent antioxidants, important for normal skin cell development and healthy skin tone. 2. Eat enough vitamin C Vitamin C is also a super antioxidant. It is needed to support the immune system, promote radiant skin and help blemishes heal properly. The best sources are blackcurrants, blueberries, broccoli, guava, kiwi fruits, oranges, papaya, strawberries and sweet potatoes. Vitamin C is needed to produce collagen that strengthens the capillaries that supply the skin. Read more about vital vitamins and the health benefits of oranges. 3. Don’t crash diet Repeatedly losing and regaining weight can take its toll on your skin, causing sagging, wrinkles and stretch marks. Crash diets are often short in essential vitamins and minerals too. Over long periods of time this type of dieting will reflect on your skin. It is always best to eat a healthy, balanced diet. If you’re considering trying a weight loss plan, make sure you have all the facts first – explore our expert guides to popular diets and read the six things you should consider before starting a diet. Sign up for our free Healthy Diet Plans, all of which are nutritionally balanced and designed to kickstart a healthier way of eating. 4. Stock up on selenium Selenium is a powerful antioxidant. It works alongside other antioxidants such as vitamins E and C and is essential to support the immune system. Studies suggest that a selenium-rich diet can help to protect against skin cancer, sun damage and age spots. One way to boost your intake is to eat Brazil nuts. Just four nuts will provide the recommended daily amount (RDA). Mix Brazil nuts with other seeds rich in vitamin E as a snack or salad sprinkle. Other good sources are fish, shellfish, eggs, wheatgerm, tomatoes and broccoli. 5. Eat enough vitamin E Vitamin E protects skin from oxidative (cell) damage and supports healthy skin growth. Foods high in vitamin E include almonds, avocado, hazelnuts, pine nuts and sunflower and corn oils. 6. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day Skin needs moisture to stay flexible. Even mild dehydration will cause your skin to look dry, tired and slightly grey. Drink six to eight glasses of water a day – all fluids count towards your daily allowance, but water is the best. If you work in an office, keep a large bottle of water on your desk to remind you to drink. Herbal, caffeine-free teas are good too. Don’t forget that some fruit and vegetables, such as watermelon, courgette and cucumber, also contribute fluids – the added benefit is that the minerals they contain will increase the rate you hydrate your body and skin. Try to avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption as both can age the skin. 7. Eat some healthy fat Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats – the types found in avocados, oily fish, nuts and seeds – provide essential fatty acids which act as a natural moisturiser for your skin, keeping it supple and improving elasticity. These fats also come packaged with a healthy dose of vitamin E (a vitamin many of us lack), which will help protect against free radical damage. 8. Opt for omega-3 Make sure you get enough omega-3 and omega-6 fats. These are essential fatty acids which mean they cannot be made in the body and must be obtained through the diet. You will find omega3s in oily fish and plant sources such as linseed and their oil, chia seeds, walnuts and rapeseed oil. Omega-3 fats encourage the body to produce anti-inflammatory compounds, which may help inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. 9. Eat more phyto-estrogens Phyto-estrogens are natural chemicals found in plant foods (phyto from the Greek word for plant). They have a similar structure to the female sex hormone oestrogen and have been found to help keep our natural hormones in balance. There are different types, some are found in soya bean products (isoflavones) such as tofu, whereas others are found in the fibre of wholegrains, fruit, vegetables and linseed (lignans). https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/eat-your-way-fabulous-skin
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
CARPHA launches COVID-19 video series for the Deaf Community As a trusted source of public health and COVID-19 information, CARPHA is responding to the needs of some of the most vulnerable in society – the deaf community. This is being done with the launch of a COVID-19 video series in American Sign Language. CARPHA’s Executive Director, Dr. Joy St. John, said, “Persons who are deaf and hard of hearing may experience barriers to obtaining accurate and reliable COVID-19 information. So, we decided that it was important to provide answers to their concerns, in their language, and in a manner that was simple and easy for deaf persons to understand.” Dr. St. John explained that through a partnership with the Deaf Pioneers Life Centre in Trinidad and Tobago, CARPHA was able to produce a series of videos with prevention and protection COVID-19 messages in American Sign Language. The videos also addressed some of the myths and misinformation surrounding the vaccines and utilised narration, along with graphical images.
Executive Director of CARPHA, Dr. Joy St. John.
Executive Officer of the Caribbean Sign Language Centre, Nicole Paul, fully supported this initiative and stated, “In these times of a worldwide pandemic, the use of sign language to ensure that our deaf and hard of hearing brothers and sisters have equal access to information can literally mean the difference between life and death.” In addition to the nongovernmental organisations, CARPHA partnered with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States
(OACPS), and received financial support from the European Union (EU) in the production of the sign language video series. The video series will be distributed to all CARPHA Member States through the Agency’s Regional Health Communication Network (RHCN) and national and regional associations for the deaf and hard of hearing. Persons may also access the videos via the CARPHA YouTube Channel here: https://bit.ly/3x9C15o
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Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
The Court Journal By Renay Sambach
Some insight on matters that are being discharged and dismissed
O
ften times when the media report on a matter being dismissed or discharged by a Magistrate, persons take to social media to express their dissatisfaction in the ruling. In handing down their ruling, Magistrates would note their findings of the evidence that was presented to the court and take into consideration whatever submission is made by the defence. A matter being dismissed is not the same as a matter being discharged and in this article, I will highlight the difference between the two and point out some reasons why matters are dismissed or discharged. DISMISS At the Magistracy level, matters that are tried summarily can be dismissed. A dismissal of a matter means the case has come to an end with the court finding no guilt and no conviction for the defendant(s) in that case. However, it should be noted that a dismissed case would still remain on the defendant’s criminal record. DISCHARGE Murder matters are laid indictably and commence at the Magistracy level. However, a Magistrate is not allowed to dismiss a murder m a t t e r, b u t c a n o n l y discharge a murder matter. Most persons often mistake the matter being discharged and the matter being dismissed. It should be noted that for murder, which is a serious offence, being discharged against someone is not an acquittal. A murder matter discharged against someone can be brought again with new evidence; against the accused of the same alleged offence, be it months or years after the matter was discharged. DETAILS For serious offences like murder, a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) or Paper Committal is conducted before it is sent to the High Court if enough evidence is produced. For serious offences, a defendant is not required to plead to the charge since it is laid indictably. In a PI, the evidence in the matter is presented to the court and at the end, the Magistrate can either rule if there’s insufficient or sufficient evidence against the defendant for him/her to stand trial in the High Court or if the matter will be discharged.
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Marcus Bisram
submitted the no-case submission to the court for the causing death by dangerous driving charge to be dismissed against his client because the prosecution failed to prove the key elements of the offence. Magistrate Weever had upheld the defence’s no-case submission and ruled that the prosecution failed to establish that Best was d r i v i n g d a n g e r o u s l y, therefore the charge was dismissed. Marcus Bisram Marcus Brian Bisram, who was extradited from the United States of America to
A d d i t i o n a l l y, f o r summary criminal matters like assault, simple larceny, abusive language, robbery under arms, forgery, and also civil matters, a trial is conducted. For summarily disposed of matters, the prosecution presents the evidence in the matter to the court and at the end of a trial, the Magistrate can either rule if there is insufficient evidence or sufficient evidence for the defendant to be convicted for the offence. However, this is not always the case. Some matters can be dismissed due to witnesses not showing up in court or the virtual Dead: National complainants turning up to cyclist, Jude Bentley. court and claiming that the defendant is innocent. In face a murder charge, has some instances, had the matter discharged compensation is also agreed against him twice during upon in court for the matter 2020. to be dismissed. Marcus Bisram was COURT MATTERS charged with counselling, Gary Best procuring and commanding On December 3, 2020, Harri Paul Parsram, Radesh former Chief of Staff of the M o t i e , N i r a n Ya c o o b , Guyana Defence Force Diodath Datt and Orlando (GDF), Gary Best, walked Dickie to murder Faiyaz free of a causing death by Narinedatt between October dangerous driving charge in which national cyclist, Jude Bentley, was killed. Best was placed on $500,000 bail and was not required to plea to the indictable charge when it was first to read to him. The charge stated that on February 8, 2020, at Clive Lloyd Drive, Georgetown, he drove a motor vehicle, PRR 8182, in a manner dangerous to the public thereby causing the death of Bentley. He was on trial in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Magistrate, Rondell Weever. Magistrate Weever had upheld a no-case submission Christopher Barnwell that was made in October by Best’s attorneys, Nigel 31, 2016 and November 1, Hughes, Ronald Daniels and 2016. Narinedatt’s battered and bloody body was found Sophia Findlay. On October 26, Hughes on the Number 72 Village
Dead: Faiyaz Narinedatt. public road clad in just his trousers, while his body bore apparent marks of violence. In March 2020, Magistrate, Renita Singh, at the Whim Magistrate’s Court had discharged the matter against Bisram for lack of sufficient evidence in the case. However, he was later rearrested based on orders from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). The DPP had contended that there was sufficient evidence for Magistrate, Renita Singh, to have committed Bisram to trial in the Berbice High Court. H o w e v e r, B i s r a m , through his battery of highprofile lawyers – Arudranauth Gossai, Sanjeev Datadin, Glen Hanoman, Bernard Da Silva and Dexter Todd – petitioned the High Court to overturn the decision of the DPP. The lawyers contended that the DPP’s action was ultra vires, unreasonable and outside the relevant considerations that necessitate a charge of m u r d e r. B i s r a m w a s acquitted after a High Court Judge found that the decision by the DPP was unreasonable, unlawful and was made by ignoring relevant considerations for murder. In her ruling, Justice Ramlall upheld the contentions of the attorneys and ordered that Bisram be immediately released from the Camp Street Prisons. Additionally, the Judge had also granted orders quashing the decision of the Magistrate to commit Bisram to stand trial in the High Court for the offence of murder; prohibiting the DPP from proffering an indictment in the High Court charging Bisram with the offence of murder again. Despite having the matter discharged once and acquitted the second time, on
Former GDF Chief of Staff, Gary Best
in the witness box they both told the court that the police rank had visited their home multiple times one night during the investigation of a matter they were involved in, and they were told to sign several statements. They then said that Persaud never collected any money from them and they apologised to the court. As such the matter was dismissed against the exdetective. Christopher Barnwell The matter against G uyanes e cricketer, Christopher Barnwell, who was charged for allegedly assaulting a police rank, was dismissed during November 2020, due to insufficient evidence. Barnwell, of Lot 8 Albert Street, Georgetown, was charged in August 2019. He had denied the charge, which stated that on March 23, 2019, at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, he assaulted Trevor Benn to cause him actual bodily harm. Magistrate, Rondell Weever, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, had presided over the case and at the end of the trial, she ruled that there is insufficient evidence against Barnwell and the matter was dismissed.
(CID) rank, Richard Persaud, last March had a bribery charge dismissed against him. Persaud was embroiled in a scandal in which he was accused of accepting money from two women in East Canje, Berbice. His accusers were two former employees of a Superbet outlet in Reliance, East Canje. They had claimed that he had accepted the bribe from them in the sum of $60,000 each to assist them in a matter at the court. However, on February 10, 2021, the two female witnesses from East Canje appeared in court and while
Ex-detective, Richard Persaud.
May 31, 2021, the Court of Appeal had quashed a crossappeal by Bisram and a ruling was handed down in favour of the DPP. This decision makes way for Bisram to once again face new charges regarding the murder of Narinedatt, whose battered body was found motionless on the No.71 Public Road on November 1, 2016. Bisram has since moved to the Caribbean Court of Justice which has suspended the Court of Appeal’s order. Richard Persaud E x - C r i m i n a l Investigation Department
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Worst national disaster (President), parallel... From page 35 much secrecy, trickery, and the dirty. This is what has disturbed, and I fear the minister's encouraging invitation could deteriorate, in the usual fashion, to developments that dis-
turb, and never stop doing so. Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, should know full well of what I write. After all, he lives with the people and their skullduggeries. Partner with the right people in the right way for the right results. To the nation. That would encourage enormously. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Guyana-born community leader and aspirant New York City Councilwoman,
Dimple Willabus' ,
She was crowned Ms. St. Joseph High at her alma mater in Guyana
is a 'Special Person
From page 22 neighbourhoods in the city. Reflecting on her childhood, she said that it was in fact her parents who first introduced her to community service. “My father was a very simple person who was really in tune with what was happening around him and my mother was always outspoken and ready to help p e o p l e i n t h e neighbourhood. So, I grew up around a lot of love and respect for the elderly and that sort of thing. They were both hardworking and serious in what they set out to accomplish, and that's my legacy,” she said. As it relates to her education, Willabus said that her parents ensured that she and her siblings had a rounded social life and complete education. To this end, Willabus is a graduate of the St. Joseph's High School in Guyana and the holder of a Bachelors and Master's Degree from CUNY, Brooklyn College. She recalled that in the 2003, after she immigrated to the USA, she wasted no time to pursue her education. She later earned herself a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Master's Degree in Media Studies from the Brooklyn College. By the time Willabus left the Brooklyn College, she left a legacy of her own; she was part of a group of students who invented a programme called, “Reading across the Curriculum!” The programme was initiated to assist students
who struggle with reading and writing. Also, CUNY, Brooklyn College Women's Centre has been instrumental in promoting Willabus' initiatives, which are to empower young women to be more involved in community work and secure roles in leadership positions. Willabus was invited to speak annually at such platform and continues to be a mentor for young women. It is this background that has enabled her to develop her passion of promoting literacy, as a conduit for intellectual, economic and social mobility, among underserved and underrepresented members of her community, particularly youth, women and communities of colour. In this regard, Willabus has led the Stalwarts Youth, a not-for-profit organisation, in joint ventures with a number of professional organisations, including: Light Switch Learning, Justice Clothing, Sussman Publishing and Investors Bank, in multiple campaigns to promote literacy initiatives among many underserved communities. After graduating from the Brooklyn College, she later increased her knowledge in media by working in the newsroom at WCBS in New York City as an Assistant Editor. Willabus went on to open two businesses, one of which was Rhythm Nation Entertainment. Today, she manages Rhythm Nation Entertainment with her older daughter, Chantelle.
Also, she was the Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams Education Appointee, the President of the Community Education Council for District 22 and m o s t r e c e n t l y, b e f o r e announcing her run for NYC Council, an appointed board member of New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio's Education Task force. She also volunteers her time as an advisory board member with several organisations including the Brooklyn Chamber of C o m m e r c e Minority/Women Owned Business (M/WBE) committee and Visions serving the blind and visual impaired. POLITICS AND BUSINESS In her capacity as the Founder and CEO of Rhythm Nation Entertainment, Willabus partners with CEOs, organisations, entrepreneurs and various government entities, to grow their personal and professional brands and to maximise their effectiveness within their selected industry. After having spent nearly 25 years in the media, marketing and entertainment industry, providing her professional expertise to wide array of organisations and brands, Dimple knows that the key to enhancing brand recognition, developing strategic goals, accomplishing progressive outcomes and generating exponential revenue, is not developed in the
At an Awards Dinner in New York where she served the blind and visually impaired
boardroom—it's building personal relationships and creating a reliable network, with like-minded people. In short, she said, “it's about bringing people together, highlighting the common bond and truly enlightening them on the benefits of achieving each other's goals through a coalesced effort.” In this same vein, Willabus says that she was inspired to run for office, since she wants to, among other things, change the way women are viewed and to give her two daughters, Chantelle and Anaya, as well as, other women the
motivation to aspire to go beyond the status quo. “There has never been a woman in this seat. It's time we bring a fresh perspective and new ideas!” Willabus said. While she is a wife and mother of three children, she manages to juggle family and career well. “I believe anything is doable and possible if you work hard enough,” she added. Based on her campaign w e b s i t e , www.dimplewillabus.com, she plans on providing a comprehensive approach and solution to many issues affecting residents in her
Willabus at the Stalwarts of Youth's distribution exercise at Marine Park, Brooklyn
district including housing, youth and senior services, climate change, criminal justice reform, education and more. On June 22, 2021, there will be the primary election. Providing she wins the NYC Council District 46 seat, Willabus will be the first Guyanese and woman to hold that post. Among her aspirations, Willabus hopes to use her platform to get more people involved in politics since “it's their civic right to know and participate in all forms of elections, especially local races like the NYC City Council.”
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Death Leon Avon Reid
‘Cuffy’ of 8A Ogle Front D.O.B. - May 15, 1950. D.O.D. - June 11, 2021
Father of: Leon Reid, Erica Singh, Mortrez Reid
Funeral arrangements to be announced later May His Soul Rest in Peace and Rise in Glory
Sunday June 13, 2021
Soldier beats cops trying to arrest him
A
soldier attached to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was arrested on Friday evening after he beat a party of policemen, about 18:15 hours at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, West Bank Demerara (WBD). According to a police report, a group of police on a mobile patrol came upon the suspect at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, who started to verbally abuse the ranks with expletives.
He was warned about his conduct and told to desist from such behaviour, but he continued in a loud tone of voice causing persons to gather at the scene. As one rank attempted to arrest the soldier, he began assaulting the said rank with several chucks and cuffs about his body. Upon seeing this, a police sergeant and other ranks attempted to render assistance, but they were also assaulted with cuffs
and chucks causing one cop to receive injuries to his mouth. Subsequently, the soldier was subdued by the team, arrested and taken to the Vr e e d - e n - H o o p P o l i c e Station, where he was placed into custody pending charges. The team of policemen was examined by a doctor on duty at the West Demerara Regional Hospital and medical certificates were obtained.
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CCJ suspends Appeal Court's decision in Marcus Bisram case T
he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has moved to suspend a judgment by the Appeal Court in the matter where Guyanese American philanthropist, Marcus Bisram, was ordered to face fresh proceedings for the murder of Berbice Carpenter, Faiyaz Narinedatt. The CCJ made the order on Friday after a preliminary hearing of an appeal filed by Bisram and his legal team. During the hearing, the CCJ ordered that the Appeal Court's judgment in the Bisram case be suspended until the matter is heard and determined by the judges of the CCJ. The CCJ also ordered that no steps be taken to rearrest Bisram, but made it pellucid that he must surrender all of his passports by 12:00noon on Monday to the Registrar of the Supreme Court and further, to report every Monday morning to the Divisional Police Commander in Berbice. Following the decision of the Court of Appeal earlier this month, Bisram's legal team, which includes lawyers Darshan Ramdhanie, QC; Arudranauth Gossai; Dexter Todd and Sanjeev Datadin, had moved to the
Murder accused, Marcus Bisram CCJ seeking leave to appeal against the decision. On June 1 last, the Court of Appeal handed down a ruling in favour of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, who had asked that decision by High Court Judge, Simone Morris-Ramlall, be overturned. Morris-Ramlall had acquitted Bisram of the murder charge despite orders by the DPP that he be committed to face a murder trial in the High Court. Bisram, who was extradited from the United States to face charges for the 2016 crime, had previously faced a preliminary trial in the Magistrates' Court. Magistrate Renita Singh,
A review of Rodney's Assassination From page 24 whole truth be made available to our people, both those who lived through those traumatic days and our young people who must have all the facts to build on what previous generations have achieved and to avoid the mistakes and pitfalls that were made and encountered. At this time I recall my first conversation with Dr. Patricia Rodney, which led to the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances of his assassination. I am sure that she would see these latest actions by the government as major advances in the pursuit of justice and for the truth be known to all. The consistency of her and her children's struggles for this day is a true example of love and determination. Today too, I wish to recall
and recognise all those who played important roles in getting the CoI going. However I wish to take this opportunity to recognise the tremendous efforts of two of my colleagues in that period, Anil Nandlall and Dr. Roger Luncheon. These two men worked tirelessly with me to get things moving and to allow us to arrive at the stage we are at today. As we move to another anniversary of Dr. Rodney's assassination let us once more recognise that he was killed because he opposed the Burnham led PNC dictatorship and because he was convinced that D e m o c r a c y w a s indispensable for a society to achieve real national and social liberation. I once more salute all those struggling to defend, uphold and advance peace, justice and social progress.
DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC.
after a preliminary inquiry had ruled that there was insufficient evidence to send him to the High Court for trial. The DPP had, however, invoked her powers under Section 72 (1) and (2) (ii) (b) of the Criminal Law Offences Act, and directed the Magistrate to reopen the inquiry with a view of committing Bisram to the High Court for trial. Her directions were complied with but Bisram challenged the DPP's right to instruct the Magistrate in the High Court. In a subsequent decision Justice
Morris-Ramlall quashed the DPP's orders. Justice MorrisRamlall also ordered that the DPP should be prohibited from instituting the charges against Bisram again. It is this order that the DPP challenged in the Appeal Court. Bisram t h r o u g h h i s a t t o r n e y, Gossai, cross-appealed challenging the DPP's right to order the Magistrate. During the hearing in the Appeal Court, Gossai had contended that the DPP stepped outside her realm in her order to the Magistrate
given that Article 122 A of the Constitution “created an independent judiciary and expressly provides that all courts and all persons presiding over the courts, shall exercise their functions independently of the control and direction of any other person or authority; and shall be free and independent from political, executive and any form of direction and control.” The Appeal Court ruled in favour of the DPP instructing that the case returns to the lower court for trial.
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Guyanese teen accepted into Howard University, needs help pursuing engineering dream
M
o r i a h Hamilton, a 1 9 - y e a r- o l d resident of Sophia in Greater Georgetown, has her sight set on pursuing her studies at Howard University in the USA, but she cannot achieve that goal without the
assistance of the public. The teenager, who is full of energy and vision, was accepted into the Ivy League American University on a partial scholarship to major in Civil Engineering, and minor in Communications. However, the total cost to
attend the prestigious school is $45,000, which is far more than her single workingclass mother can afford. As such, the youth has reached out to the public in hope that kind-hearted citizens will help her raise the money to pursue her education.
“The total cost of my attendance is $45,000 USD, and Howard has awarded me with a scholarship of $19,000 USD, which leaves $26,000 USD to be paid each year. Unfortunately, my single parent mother of three is unable to cover the cost for
19-year-old Moriah Hamilton
my attendance, and I have decided to reach out to the public, government and companies for financial assistance,” she said. In her appeal for financial assistance, the teenager started a “Go Fund Me” campaign, in which she explained her educational background and career aspirations. According to the information, Hamilton related that her family suffered economic difficulties earlier in life which caused them severe loss, and even resulted in homelessness twice. However, she said that her mother believed in ensuring that she and her siblings had the best education and worked hard to make sure she attended school. In the end, Hamilton said, she was able to make her proud by gaining all passes in CSEC at Mae's High School and CAPE exams at Queens College. She also aced her Scholastic Assessment Test (SATs), and later applied to overseas colleges in a bid to pursue her higher education. Hamilton noted that Howard accepted her after she applied for several scholarships. “They shared my sentiments and aspiration and decided to offer me a partial scholarship,” she added. The teen said that her achievements have enabled her to stand as a “proud anomaly”, a symbol of diversity in the STEM field, and a beacon for individuals who strive to reach their
fullest potentials despite the communities or identities that are 'supposed' to determine the extent of one's success. In addition to academic pursuits, Hamilton volunteers a great portion of her time with the Youth in Natural Resources Initiative which lobbies for the sustainable development and education about Guyana's Natural Resources. The teen is also a 'Climate Change Youth Ambassador' for UNICEF Regional Consultative Committee, which endorses climate change initiatives in the Caribbean, and the 'Girl Build Girl Foundation' which promotes women empowerment. Her activism is exercised through her Instagram page, @green_tea_gy which enlightens Guyanese and Caribbean youths on ideas and issues in the sectors of green engineering, sustainable development, and environmental activism. She told Kaieteur News that “Indeed, while my story is not unique, it echoes the aspirations of many young girls and boys throughout Guyana who dare to dream.” “I hope that the Guyanese people will be inspired by my story and help me to fulfill my dream to attend Howard University,” Hamilton said. Persons interested in assisting the teenager can contact her on telephone numbers: 688-3670 and 6898572 or visit her 'Go Fund M e ' p a g e a t : https://gofund.me/d63fe5d4
Sunday June 13, 2021
38 Guyanese, Venezuelan students graduate ... From page 14 the Child Protection Agency, Ms. Tionna October. In his address to the graduates, Natiello stated, that IOM is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. He said that the purpose of the IOM is to not only help migrants, but venerable sectors of the population within the receiving county. He further stated that it was an honor to partner with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security as well as the UBBM, and that he values the partnership between the two. October, in her remarks, relayed that the initiative for the programme was a course, which will prove to become valuable in the enhancement of the skill set of young women, and encouraged them to press forward and to continue to build on the knowledge they would have gained through the course. Montaque, who oversaw the course as well as assisted in its facilitation, stated that the four months came with multiple sacri-
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Ms. Bonita Montaque addressing the graduands. fices, but has left an impact on the lives on all that participated; she congratulated the women on completing their journey. She embraced their diversity and said that the class had proved their resolve through the COVID-19 pandemic. The course was funded by the IOM and took place at the Beautiful U Salon located at 170 Barr Street,
Kitty, Georgetown. Montaque, in her remarks, thanked the IOM along with the Ministry of Social Protection for their cooperation and ability to make the programme a success and reminded the women, that their situation is not to deter them from their path of success, and reminded them that they are not a statistic.
Pres. Ali declares flooding a National Disaster From page 15 households in over 300 communities across all ten Administrative Regions.He noted that the flooding might continue until mid-August, based on meteorological predictions that the severe weather conditions are expected to continue until then. In May alone the rainfall was recorded to be the second highest across the country in the last 40 years.The impact has been devastating and photos, which surfaced on social media platforms from the various Regions, told a story of how severely residents and their livelihoods are affected.In the Hinterland Regions, such as Kwakwani, Region Ten, areas in Region Seven and Eight, the rivers overflowed their banks causing houses, shops, along with other buildings to be covered with water. Boats powered by outboard engines were seen navigating their way through the streets of Kwakwani.Photos have surfaced of
dead cattle and other livestock in sections across the country. Some areas where the crops and livestock were severely affected are located in Regions Five, Six and Two. There were some instances where farmers
were seen moving their cattle on pontoons to higher grounds.Videos were recorded of residents being forced to grab whatever they can and evacuate their homes. Government officials along with the CDC have been doing their best to respond to the affected areas by providing hampers and in some cases shelters for those affected. The local Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) of the various Regions have also been hard at work, trying to create ways for the waters to recede from the respective communities. So far, the Government has been receiving monetary donations from the Private Sector and other sources to aid in flood relief efforts. A bank account was created at the Guyana Bank of Trade and Industry (GBTI) for persons who may wish to donate to
the cause. The Prime Minister had stated that over $35M in monetary donations have been received towards the flood relief efforts.As Guyana braces for the excessive rainfall to continue at least until late July, the Government will approach the National Assembly for $10B in supplementary funding to address the current situation.
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Cops remove 70 Venezuelans from G/T bound vessel From page 9 passenger. The woman said that in order to travel she had to be legally documented. She claimed that she had obtained the documents required days prior to the trip for both herself and her nephews. The document she was speaking about was a legal permission granted by the Immigration Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for a three-month stay in the country. With documents in hand, she said, they boarded the MV Kimbia with their six suitcases, one hammock and two mattresses around 8:00 hrs. The vessel departed Kumaka and made a stop on the way at Morawhanna to pick up more passengers heading to Georgetown. At the Morawhanna landing, police officers boarded the vessel and ordered that all Venezuelans must disembark. “Nos dijeron que todos los Venezolanas tienen que bajar y que los Venezolanos no van para
Georgetown (They told us that all the Venezuelans must come off and that the Venezuelans are not going to Georgetown),” she said. At least 70 Venezuelans, Kaieteur News was told were removed from the vessel. The female migrant said that they were given no reason as to why they were ordered to disembark. She claimed that they (herself and other Venezuelans) had asked the ranks and crewmen working on MV Kimbia, what needed to be done for them to continue their journey. “Nos dijeron que tenemos que volver a pagar (They told us we have to pay again),” the migrant told Kaieteur News. She continued that they explained to the officers and the crew that they had already paid in Kumaka and they have no more money left. The authorities there reportedly responded that if that is the case, then they can’t go. As a result, recalled the woman, they were ordered to remove all their belongings from the MV Kimbia as quickly
as possible. Video recording seen by this media house from their cellphones showed scores of Venezuelans including children, removing their belongings from the vessels in the rain. Some were seen grabbing their bags, while others – some of whom were children – were seen fetching their mattresses on their heads as they disembarked. Kaieteur News learnt that they had asked for a refund of their passage but this was denied and the vessel departed for Georgetown leaving them stranded on the Morawhanna landing for hours in the rain. They remained stranded until word got to Mabaruma and certain authorities of that town intervened in the matter. The intervention by the authorities reportedly forced police in Mabaruma to send boats for the stranded Venezuelans. After hours of waiting, they were crammed into some long wooden boats and transported back to the Region One town.
Some of them alleged, however, that the return trip to Mabaruma was not a free one and that they had to pay $500 per person. Speaking with Kaieteur News yesterday, Commander of Region One, Khalid Mandall, said that an investigation from all angles has been launched into the removal of the Venezuelans from the vessel. He said that statements are currently being taken from all parties involved. The Commander noted that there is a policy that foreigners travelling to Georgetown must be properly documented or have their legal documents and fully vaccinated against Covid-19. So far, related Mandall, it is being alleged that some of the Venezuelans on board the MV Kimbia that day were not legally documented. He assured that as soon as the investigations are over, a detailed report will be prepared and issued by the GPF concerning the matter. There are some 800 or more Venezuelan migrants residing in Mabaruma presently.
Sunday June 13, 2021
==GNBS IN FOCUS== As the global market becomes more inter-connected, the need to have internationally accredited testing, inspection and certification bodies is essential to reduce the barriers to trade. When these facilities referred to as Conformity Assessment Bodies are accredited to international standards, systems and services certified by them are guaranteed acceptance across the global supply chain. On June 09, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) joined with other Standards Bodies to observe World Accreditation Day under the theme “Supporting the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” As we move closer to 2030, the theme was chosen to ensure that policymakers continue to use accreditation to support their agenda as they work towards
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meeting these goals. The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), to raise awareness on the importance of accreditation, jointly established World Accreditation Day. This year’s theme provides the opportunity for accreditation bodies to share examples of how accreditation may be applied to meet objectives such as increasing trade, addressing health and safety concerns, and improving the general overall quality of outputs in an economy. In Guyana, the GNBS is the National Accreditation Focal Point for the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). The Bureau is tasked with providing technical assistance to both public and private institutions that are interested in vying for ac-
Accreditation - Creating Confidence in Test Results creditation. So far, these efforts have borne fruits, as there are now four accredited laboratories in Guyana namely, Guyana Rice Development Board Central Laboratory, Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc., Dr. Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory and the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department Laboratory. A few other local laboratories have indicated that they are pursuing accreditation of their testing services. The GNBS itself has commenced the process of having its Industrial Metrology and Testing (IMT) Laboratory accredited to the ISO 17025 Standard. ISO/IEC 17025 enables laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and generate valid results, thereby promoting confidence in their work both nationally and around the world.
This accreditation also helps facilitate cooperation between laboratories and other bodies by generating wider acceptance of results between countries. Test reports and certificates can be accepted from one country to another without the need for further testing, which in turn, improves international trade. In addition, policy-makers can use services provided by accredited institutions and other Conformity Assessment Bodies to promulgate
confidence in the results that influence their actions, especially if these actions are regulatory. Despite the growth, influence and use of accredited services across a wide range of economies there are still many more policy areas in which accreditation could be introduced as an alternative to regulations ranging from healthcare, health and safety management, education and waste management. The GNBS is urging more of our local medical and test-
ing laboratories and conformity assessment bodies to pursue international accreditation to better market and apply their testing, inspection and certification services. The GNBSBusiness Development Department is here to provide all the technical assistance needed to get there! For further information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 2190064/65/66. You can also visit the GNBS Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates.
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==CONSUMER CONCERNS== Hire Purchase Act amended to provide greater protection to consumers By Pat Dial In the 20th century, several innovative systems of buying and selling were evolved, such as, for example, Hire Purchase and Online Shopping. These systems were all evolved by business interests and Hire Purchase is one of the oldest. Since the authors of these innovations were business folks or those connected with them, the orientation of these systems tended to be weighted in favour of sellers and not the buyers/consumers as was the case with Cooperativism, whose roots are with the buyers and consumers in the 19th century. Hire Purchase dominates in the purchase of consumer durables and is welcomed by consumers since it makes available many of the accoutrements of modern life, which would never have been available to them in the short term. Such consumer durables would include TV sets, refrig-
erators, blenders, electric mills, mixers, vacuum cleaners, various types of cookers and so on. The acquisition of such consumer durables improves the quality of life. The flip side of such a positive is that it could suck some purchasers into a whirlpool of debt, which engenders stress and tension and requires a great deal of self-sacrifice. In addition, sellers often exploit buyers/consumers in a variety of ways: most consumers are unable to read or fully understand the contracts, which may have clauses, which favour the sellers above the buyers. In many cases, the purchaser would have paid twice as much of the cost of the goods purchased and could have accessioned loans at a much lower rate of interest and bought the item cash with the bank loan. Sometimes, the seller is unable to service the item purchased resulting in inconvenience and de facto financial loss to the buyer. The seller may sometimes keep the item sent to him to be serviced for several weeks thus deducting the purchaser’s guarantee or warranty time. Items are repossessed after the purchaser would have almost completed paying for them. There are cases where the consumer would have requested the seller to repossess the item purchased but was dilatory in so doing and after the unpaid installments had accumulated, sues the consumer. These are some of the examples of the breakdown in the Hire Purchase and the consumer is always the sufferer. Accordingly, the consumer has a love-hate towards Hire Purchase. The Government of Guyana outlined its policy toward Hire Purchase and related financial legislation: it will offer immediate protection to consumer and effectuate longer-term modernisation whereby use of cash would be minimal. At the beginning of the year, in February, the Minis-
ter of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, mentioned that the Hire Purchase Act was being amended to include purchasers being allowed to return goods within seven days; this will take care of “compulsive buying” where a consumer bought an item or items which he did not need. In addition, the seller could not repossess an item without adequate notice, especially so when the purchaser would have paid most of his installments. Most importantly, the bill will mandate sellers to explain prices and procedures to buyers whereby sellers would have to specifically declare cash price along with the hire purchase cost for the same item. Dr. Ashni Singh, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, spoke in macro terms about the bill; “Buying on credit is a staple aspect of life in most modern and advanced societies … As we become increasingly a more modern society which is unavoidably going to be a society characterised by modern ways of doing business, including doing business on credit and by Hire Purchase, it is important that we have a sound and legal framework that will facilitate those transactions and encourage more people to do such transactions, but in a predictable environment.” Dr. Singh then clarified and emphasised this observation by pointing out: “Disposable incomes are going to be increasing and people are going to want to acquire such items as vehicles and consumer durables for their comfort” ... In this modernisation of the financial structure of the country, the amendments to the Hire Purchase Act are being coupled with amendments to the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act and the Small Business Act. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Two get life sentences... From page 8 the case, presented by State Counsel attached to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Mursalin’s death is a result of an ongoing feud between him and his former business partner, Veerasammy. Mursalin, called ‘Kazo,’ was fatally shot on October 24, 2015. His body was discovered with a gunshot wound to his head lying in a pool of blood at his home. Veerasammy and two of his employees were later held
and charged for the murder. During the trial, attorney, Brandon DeSantos, represented Veerasammy while attorney, Chandra Sohan, represented Harrinauth and Fraser. The three men had denied their involvement in the crime, instead claiming that they had alibis to clear their names. However, the prosecution presented eleven witnesses to prove its case. Among them was the key witness Ricky Profit, who related that he witnessed the execution-style killing.
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Kaieteur News WANTED
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WANTED Wanted one experienced Gold Smith, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn shop 16 Pike street Kitty Tel#622-4970
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Coalition now wants PPP/C Govt. to correct... From page 62 Opposition had signed, he told the PPP/C Government that the “ball is in (its) court to fix it.” “So the ball is in your court. If you want to fix it, fix it and show us,” he said before repeating one more time, “fix it and show us.”He also advised that it is lunacy to label the Stabroek Block deal as the “worst ever” and still be committed to it. The local press, over the years, has criticised various aspects of the contract with ExxonMobil as illegal, unfair and/or lopsided. Kaieteur News has been on the forefront, exposing many of these aspects. One such aspect that this newspaper reported on is the absence of ring-fencing. Without this provision, ExxonMobil can deduct huge sums of
cash it spent on unsuccessful wells in the Stabroek Block from the profitable ones like Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two.Criticisms that the contract with ExxonMobil was lopsided increased even more after reports surfaced that Guyana’s neighbour to the east, Suriname, was able to negotiate a better deal for its lucrative Block 58. Suriname will get 36 percent of the revenue from the production of its oil, while Guyana is currently receiving a meagre 14.5 percent. Despite the fact that the current government acknowledges that Guyana’s current deal with ExxonMobil is “the worst ever,” the current Vice President and General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo, has said that his Government will not renegotiate the contract.
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Twelve of Venezuela’s players and coaching staff test positive for Covid-19
Venezuela have played Bolivia and Uruguay since 3 June
Sunday June 13, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You can look forward to a busy day, Aries. Don't schedule any additional tasks. Your home, family, or mate is likely to demand a great deal of you.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) At certain moments you can feel where your destiny lies. Today will be such a moment for you, Libra. You may want to shift your fundamental orientation.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You're likely to spend time with someone who energizes and rejuvenates you today. With luck, this meeting won't occur too late in the evening, or else you will have a problem going to sleep.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) The day ahead will reenergize you after these last few days of apathy, Scorpio. Anyone who tries to hold you back today had better watch out, because you won't be in the mood to tolerate any objections.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may feel an urgent need to use your physical energy. This need will raise the issue of how to incorporate more exercise into your life.
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Kaieteur News
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Today you may be touched by a person who exudes the kind of determination produced by a combination of spiritual and intellectual strength and faith.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) A day such as today should demonstrate an old truth people remember the good and forget the bad. You will be brimming with energy, Cancer, hopeful and optimistic for the future.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today you may be touched by a person who exudes the kind of determination produced by a combination of spiritual and intellectual strength and faith.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Do you have a desire to go away on a trip? Would you like to live in Europe or Asia? These are desires that you may well have at the moment as you begin the process of widening your field of vision.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) The day will be fairly eventful. There's some likelihood that you will feel suddenly compelled to settle a tedious matter once and for all. It may concern something in your domestic life that's been left unattended.
VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) What's happening in your personal relationships? It seems as though you're looking for a fight. Could it be that someone has stolen a leadership position out from under your nose?
PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The day may be somewhat trying for you, Pisces. You may have a speech to deliver or a private performance to put on for your beloved. In any case, you will have to prove yourself.
BBCsport - Twelve of Venezuela’s players and coaching staff have tested positive for Covid-19 a day before their Copa America opener against hosts Brazil. All of those to test positive were asymptomatic and have been isolated in a hotel. The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) is yet to confirm if Sunday’s match will proceed. Venezuela arrived in Brazil, the last-minute hosts of the tournament, on Friday. Defenders Wilker Angel and Rolf Feltscher did not travel with the squad after they tested positive for coronavirus on Thursday. Venezuela’s fixture against Brazil is scheduled to be the opening fixture of the 10-team competition which runs until 10 July.
...FIFA delegation From page 68 fans and communities across both host countries and beyond. As well as examining overall preparations, the upcoming visit will provide a valuable opportunity for FIFA to work closely together with Host Cities, stadiums and authorities across New Zealand and progress plans to ensure a lasting legacy is felt from the tournament.” Last month, the FIFA Council approved the establishment of a new FIFA subsidiary to manage the organisation of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand. FIFA also recently announced the appointment of Dave Beeche as the CEO of the subsidiary. Building on the success of the record-breaking 2019 edition, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is the ninth edition of the tournament and will be the first edition to feature 32 teams, as unanimously decided by the FIFA Council. It will take place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
...French Open men’s final: Novak From page 66 contest a major final. “It’s time for me to go for my chances,” said Tsitsipas, who has lost five of his seven matches against Djokovic. “It’s time for me to show that I’m capable of playing Novak.” The Roland Garros showpiece is a rematch of last year’s semifinal when Djokovic withstood a gutsy fightback from Tsitsipas before winning 6-3 6-2 5-7 4-6 6-1. While Tsitsipas is entering new territory, Djokovic is bidding for a 19th Grand Slam title to move one behind the all-time men’s record shared by Nadal and Roger Federer. The Serb won his only Roland Garros title in 2016 and another would make the first man in the Open era to win all four majors twice. Djokovic reached his sixth French Open final after ending Nadal’s four-year reign on Friday. The victory came in a semi-final that will be long remembered and ranked among the all-time
great matches on the Paris clay. The Serb described the four-set win as “one of the top three matches” in his career. It was only the third defeat for Nadal in 108 matches at Roland Garros. Djokovic beat the Spaniard in the 2015 quarter-finals and became the first player to record two wins over Nadal there. Sweden’s Robin Soderling was the other player to beat Nadal when he stunned him in the 2009 fourth round. Both Djokovic and Soderling ended up losing in the finals of those tournaments. “It’s not the first time that I play an epic semifinal in a Grand Slam and then I have to come back in less than 48 hours and play finals,” Djokovic said. “Obviously, my physiotherapist will try to do everything possible so I can be fresh. “Because I played enough tennis, I don’t need to train too much. It’s really now just about taking things slowly until the day of the final.”
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Rugamas brace paces El Salvador past Saint Kitts & Nevis; Canada edge Haiti 1-0
Sunday June 13, 2021
Joe Rogan hails Floyd Mayweather’s ‘amazing’ exhibition bout against Logan Paul Logan Paul and Floyd Mayweather went the eight round distance. Getty
El Salvador starting X1 versus Saint Kitts and Nevis. (Photo courtesy of La Selecta) Miami, Florida – David Rugamas scored a brace to pace El Salvador to a 4-0 win over Saint Kitts and Nevis in the first leg of the Second Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 yesterday at Warner Park in Basseterre. Wi t h t h e f o u r- g o a l victory, El Salvador are in the driver’s seat to lock a place down in the Final Round of Qualifying heading into Tuesday’s second leg in San Salvador. The Cuscatlecos could not have asked for a better start, as Rugamas carried the scorching hot form he showed in the First Round
when he scored six goals by tallying the first for the visitors in the 3’ after turning in a shot off a short cross for a 1-0 lead. El Salvador remained on the front foot and soon enough Joshua Perez doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 20’ by latching onto a cross from Joaquin Rivas and finishing with aplomb. Head Coach Hugo Perez’s men were keen to add more, and Rugamas notched his second of the day by pouncing on a loose ball deep in the area to stretch the lead to 3-0 in the 27’. The momentum stayed with El Salvador into the
second half and after a foul was whistled on the hosts in their own area, Darwin Ceren stepped up and colly converted the penalty to make it a 4-0 advantage in the 64’. From there, the El Salvador defense took over along with GK Mario Gonzalez, who registered the team’s fourth clean sheet in WCQ. Meanwhile, Canada defeated host Haiti 1-0 in their first leg, Second Round of Concacaf World Cup Qualifying for Qatar 2022 in Port-au-Prince yesterday on account of a Cyle Larin goal in the 14th minute.
French Open men’s final: Novak Djokovic meets Stefanos Tsitsipas at Roland Garros
BBCsport - Novak Djokovic says he has no concerns about recovering from his classic semi-final against Rafael Nadal in time for the French Open final
against Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Serbian top seed meets Tsitsipas, who is playing in his first Grand Slam final, today. “I have a
day and a half to rejuvenate and try to regroup. My recovery abilities are pretty good,” he said. Tsitsipas, 22, is the first Greek player to (Continued on page 65)
MailOnline - Joe Rogan has heaped praise on Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul’s ‘amazing’ eight round exhibition as the popular analyst launched a rare defence of the Miami contest. Mayweather, 44, made a return to the boxing ring for the first time since New Year’s Eve 2018 to take on YouTube novice Paul, 26, who has never won a professional contest. The boxing legend was surprisingly unable to finish his younger rival after 24 minutes of action, with a legion of fans, pundits and promoters slamming the event and its damaging impact on Mayweather’s legacy. However, Rogan has gone against the grain to hail the eight-round contest, heaping praise on Mayweather for taking a younger, bigger opponent on. ‘For people who got mad at it, I get it — it’s not Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny
Pacquiao from five years ago,’ Rogan said in a recent episode of his podcast. ‘But what it is is one of the best boxers of all time making $100 million fighting a guy that’s three feet taller than him and 35 pounds heavier than him who can’t win. ‘It’s amazing, it’s amazing. That fight was amazing. ‘There’s a lot of amazing things. First of all, Floyd is amazing, The fact that Floyd has the balls at 44 years old to decide, “oh I’m gonna fight some dude that’s 35 pounds heavier than me and 26 years old.” It’s crazy.’ Rogan then hailed Paul for surviving the duration of the eight-round bout against one of the sport’s greatest ever athletes. ‘And then the fact that he can put it on Logan Paul and here’s another one — the fact that Logan Paul went all eight rounds. That’s astounding. You have no idea how tired you would be if you were
boxing with the greatest boxer that ever lived.’ Mayweather v Paul reportedly garnered over 1 million pay-per-view buys in a resounding success for the self-proclaimed master of ‘legalised bank robberies’. Eddie Hearn was one of a number of high-profile names to blast the exhibition. The Matchroom Boxing chief promoted Paul’s fight against YouTuber KSI in 2019, but says this fight was a ‘bad look for the sport’. ‘This never felt comfortable for me, the person this looked worse on than anybody, and he probably doesn’t care, is Floyd Mayweather,’ he told DAZN. ‘He looked quite terrible. If you’re a young fan, you see Floyd Mayweather last night you go, “He was the best ever?” ‘I know that Logan Paul was hugging around, but I don’t know, I always said from the outside it was a bad look for the sport.’
Rogan gave credit to Mayweather for fighting a bigger, younger guy and Paul for surviving.
Kaieteur News
Sunday June 13, 2021
NBA play-offs: Phoenix Suns go 3-0 up on Denver Nuggets to move closer to finals
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UK PM Johnson backs Tokyo Olympics, Japan wants more G7 support
Jokic found himself under pressure against the Suns.
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrives by boat to visit the workshop of Scott Woyka, ahead of the G7 summit, in Falmouth, Cornwall. Reuters/Tom Nicholson/Pool
B
BBCsport - The Phoenix Suns moved closer to the NBA’s Western Conference final after going 3-0 up on the Denver Nuggets in their semi-final series. Devin Booker scored 28 points while Chris Paul had 27 in the 116-102 win. The Suns have won six consecutive play-off games and are one victory from reaching the conference final for the first time since 200910. Elsewhere the Philadelphia 76ers moved 21 ahead in their Eastern Conference semi-final series.
Joel Embiid had 27 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as the visitors beat the Atlanta Hawks 127111. The Suns started strongly against the Nuggets in their game and were 21-8 ahead early on and 37-27 up after the first quarter. The Nuggets brought it back to trail 59-55 at the break but their opponents dominated after that and will aim to secure a clean sweep in the series in Denver on Sunday (today). Nikola Jokic had 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists for the Nuggets on the night he
received his NBA Most Valuable Player award. In Atlanta, the 76ers put in a strong third-quarter performance to end the h o s t ’s 1 3 - g a m e h o m e winning streak. Embiid and team-mate Ben Simmons each scored 11 points as they outscored the Hawks 34-19 ahead of the final quarter. Tobias Harris’ 22 points saw him hit the 20-point mark for the sixth straight game while Simmons finished with 18 points and seven assists. Game four is on Monday (tomorrow) in Atlanta.
Reggae Girlz defeat Nigeria In International Friendly
Jamaica’s Reggae Girlz celebrate the winning goal against Nigeria in the 2021 Women’s National Team Summer Series. Houston, Texas - The Jamaica Reggae Girlz secured a 1-0 victory over Nigeria when the two sides met in the opening game of the 2021 WNT Summer Series on Thursday. Defender Deneisha Blackwood netted the winner in the 51st minute, breaking the nil-all deadlock in punishing hot and humid conditions. Before that, Jamaica came close to scoring in the 25th minute after Jody Brown was awarded penalty shot. But her
attempt went straight to the Nigerian keeper, Tochukwa Oluehi. Nigeria had a 50th minute goal disallowed for being offside. Jamaica is using the June 10-16 competition as training for World Cup Qualifiers that begin in November. The fourteam competition features Jamaica, Nigeria, USA and Portugal. The Reggae Girlz’s second and final match is against the USA today.
ritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (yesterday) gave the Tokyo Olympics a show of public support at a meeting with Japan’s Yoshihide Suga and welcomed efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely. T h e To k y o 2 0 2 0 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to the global spread of the coronavirus, is scheduled to start on July 23. At a meeting with Suga on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in the British seaside resort
of Carbis Bay, Johnson agreed to work together on a range of issues from trade and technology to defence and climate. “The prime minister expressed his support for the To k y o O l y m p i c s , a n d welcomed Japanese efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely,” a Downing Street spokesperson said after the meeting. T h e J a p a n e s e government and Olympic organisers have said the Games will go ahead barring “Armageddon”, as one International Olympic
Committee (IOC) member put it. Tokyo 2020 would be “grateful” if G7 countries could support the Summer Games going ahead as p l a n n e d , To k y o 2 0 2 0 organising committee president Seiko Hashimoto said on Friday (yesterday). “It is Japan’s expectation that the other members of the G7 countries share the idea of Japan,” said Tomoyuki Yoshida, press secretary at Japan’s Foreign Ministry. “It is quite encouraging for us for the G7 countries to support the efforts of Japan on this occasion as well.”
STSC small goal competition on today The South Turkeyen Sports Committee (STSC) and Bannas Foundation will be hosting a 3-a-side small goal football competition today at Beterverwagting Ta r m a c . A c t i o n w i l l
commence at 08:00hrs and among the teams set to take part are Vryheid’s Lust, Plaisance, Better Hope and the home team. Entrance fee is $1,000 per player and at stake are
trophies and medals sponsored by Roysdale Forde, Johnny Barnwell, Kevin Walcott and Rodwell Williams. All covid-19 regulations will be observed.
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Sunday June 13, 2021
David Miller, Rovman Powell and Mohammad Irfan swat Quetta Gladiators aside David Miller and Kamran Akmal put on 125 off 73 balls. PSL
Mohammad Irfan picked up three wickets in the tenth over of the Gladiators innings. PSL
E
SPNcricinfo Peshawar Zalmi picked up their first win in the UAE leg of the PSL, as scintillating knocks from David Miller, Kamran Akmal and Rovman Powell led them to an imposing total of 197, which proved well beyond the reach of an underpowered Quetta Gladiators line-up. The Gladiators, already weakened by the absence of Andre Russell, lost the services of Faf du Plessis mid-match, with the South Africa batter picking up a concussion during an onfield collision with his teammate Mohammad Hasnain. The Gladiators were
never really in contention during their chase, and Mohammad Irfan made sure they wouldn’t even get close, the giant left-armer picking up three wickets in the tenth over to consign them to certain defeat. The Gladiators, with only one win in seven matches, seem all but certain to miss the playoffs. A misleading start Having chosen to bowl, the Gladiators would have been thrilled with how they began. Mohammad Nawaz picked up two wickets in his first two overs, and Akmal and Miller, the third-wicket pair, seemed to struggle for timing on a pitch that
appeared two-paced. At the end of their powerplay, Zalmi were 22 for 2, with Akmal batting on 5 off 16 balls, and Miller on 12 off 13. Zalmi blast off - The turnaround began with the introduction of the legspinner Zahid Mahmood, who kept floating balls into Miller’s hitting arc in the eighth and the tenth overs. Miller hit him for two sixes and a four, all in the arc between the sightscreen and deep midwicket, all to the audible disgust of the Gladiators’ wicketkeepercaptain Sarfaraz Ahmed. The Gladiators’ spinheavy attack suddenly
seemed vulnerable, with Akmal and, in particular, Miller now looking well-set. Left-arm wristspinner Zahir Khan, having conceded just eight off his first two overs, went for three fours in his third. Nawaz, who had figures of 2 for 13 after three overs, was taken apart in his fourth, with Miller hitting him for a six and a four over midwicket and extra-cover respectively, and Akmal capitalising on width to pick up two fours. The carnage didn’t stop there, as the part-timer Cameron Delport entered the attack and promptly went for 25 in what turned out to be his only over. This meant Zalmi had scored 104 runs in their last seven overs, and began the 15th over at 134 for 2. Hasnain trapped Akmal lbw with an inducker - which was deemed to be hitting the top of leg stump after the Gladiators reviewed the onfield not-out decision - at the
start of the 15th over, but Zalmi’s scoring didn’t let up. Miller fell two overs later for a 46-ball 73, but Rovman Powell kept the hitting going, smashing five sixes in an unbeaten 19-ball 43, including an eye-catching whip over square leg off Khurram Shahzad, and three in the final over, which was bowled by the legspinner Zahid. Gladiators fall off the pace - Saim Ayub, the 19year-old left-hand batter, came on as du Plessis’ concussion substitute, and opened alongside Usman Khan. They put on 62 for the first wicket, but only briefly threatened to match the pace of Zalmi’s scoring. This brief flash of promise came when Usman, stepping away to the leg side to manufacture room, chipped and carved Irfan for 4, 4, 6 off the first three balls of the fourth over. That aside, the Zalmi bowlers ensured both batters
kept hitting well-protected areas of the field, and the pressure eventually led to Usman holing out in the eighth over, off Fabian Allen’s left-arm spin. Ayub, who put away any width he was offered, struggled against other lines, and moved to 35 off 30 before falling to Irfan, sending a leading edge ballooning into backward point’s hands. Irfan followed that up with two more wickets in the same over; Azam Khan caught at long leg, and Delport bowled first ball, playing down the wrong line. At 70 for 4, needing 128 from the last ten overs, the Gladiators were all but out of the contest. They all but disappeared in the 12th over, when Umaid Asif came on and dismissed Jake Weatherald and Nawaz with his first two balls. All that remained was for Sarfaraz to score an unbeaten 36 and ensure his side weren’t bowled out.
FIFA delegation to visit FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ venues in Australia and New Zealand With just over two years to go until kick-off, preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ will take an important step forward in Australia and New Zealand this month with a delegation from FIFA set to begin a two-week visit to the host countries. After completing the mandatory quarantine period in the host countries, a FIFA delegation, including experts from key operational areas, will visit the nine Host Cities and ten stadiums in Australia and New Zealand, as well as inspect other potential tournament venues across the two co-hosts. During the two-week visit, FIFA representatives will also meet with key stakeholders and
representatives in Australia and New Zealand, including host member associations and local authorities, to discuss preparations and key operational matters for the tournament. Rhiannon Martin, Head of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Project – FIFA, said: “With just over two years to go until the next FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 kicks off, we are excited to be able to visit the nine Host Cities and ten stadiums together with our colleagues in Australia and New Zealand and to see first-hand the ongoing preparations and progress for the tournament. Following an extensive number of virtual workshops and collaboration with Host Cities and many
stakeholders across Australia and New Zealand since the tournament was awarded last year, this visit will be an important step in the overall tournament preparations as well as our aim to organise an incredible FIFA Women’s World Cup with Australia and New Zealand in 2023.” Jane Fernandez, FIFA Chief Operating Officer – Australia, added: “The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 represents a unique opportunity to reach out to new audiences and inspire the next generation of players across Australia and New Zealand and around the world. With preparations continuing to gather pace in both host countries, the next two weeks will be another
important and exciting step for FIFA and the five Host Cities in Australia, as we prepare to welcome the world’s best players and fans in 2023.”
Jane Patterson, FIFA Chief Operating Officer – New Zealand, said: “As the first-ever co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup and the first-ever FIFA tournament
to be co-hosted across two confederations, 2023 will provide a platform to showcase the very best of women’s sport to players, (Continued on page 65)
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Barbora Krejcikova becomes third unseeded French Open women’s champion
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ailOnline Unseeded C z e c h Barbora Krejcikova defeated Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to win her first grand slam title at the French Open. In a match between two firsttime slam finalists, it was the 25-year-old from Brno who came out on top to win 6-1 26 6-4 on Court Philippe Chatrier. Even in this unpredictable era in the women’s game, Krejcikova, ranked 33, stands out as a hugely surprising champion. She had been pigeon-holed as a doubles specialist having reached w orld number one in that discipline but always felt she could be a
top singles player, too. Her breakthrough arrived at Roland Garros last year, when a run to the fourth round helped her move into the top 100, and she has not looked back, winning her first WTA singles title in Strasbourg on the eve of this tournament. With her 12th victory in a row, Krejcikova, playing in just her fifth Grand Slam singles main draw, will climb to 15th in the rankings after becoming the third u n s e e d e d w o m e n ’s champion in Paris. They have all come in the last five years, Krejcikova joining 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko and Iga Swiatek, who lifted the
Coupe Suzanne Lenglen last year. Krejcikova, who will also have a chance to go for the doubles title alongside Katerina Siniakova on Sunday, looked utterly stunned. She was coached earlier in her career by Jana Novotna, who died of cancer in 2017 at the age of , and has spoken this week about the impact the former Wimbledon champion had on her career. Krejcikova said: ‘It’s really hard to put words together right now because I cannot believe what just happened. I cannot believe that I actually won a grand slam. K r e j c i k o v a ’s c a l m approach and neat, contained
England v New Zealand: Matt Henry & Neil Wagner hurry tourists towards victory
Neil Wagner bellows in triumph. Getty Images
Czech Republic’s Barbora Krejcikova celebrates with the trophy after winning the final match against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes game carried her to wins over Elina Svitolina, Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff and Maria Sakkari in the last four rounds, with the semi-final an extraordinary occasion that saw her save a match point. She looked a little nervous in her opening service game but quickly found her stride and, with P a v l y u c h e n k o v a ’s b i g swings betraying her butterflies a lot more, Krejcikova reeled off six straight games. Pavlyuchenkova, playing in her 52nd slam, had spent the last decade wondering whether this moment would ever happen for her but she needed to put the brakes on quickly to prevent the dream turning
into a nightmare. She did just that, cutting out the errors and beginning to do real damage with her forehand. The Russian saved a break point in the opening game of the second set and from there looked much more composed. It did not stop her clinching the set in the next game with a backhand drilled onto the line, and Pavlyuchenkova was then made to wait for more than seven minutes while Krejcikova took a bathroom break. Krejcikova had lost her timing and gave a rare negative outburst after Pavlyuchenkova held in the opening game of the deciding set. But Pavlyuchenkova began to look uncomfortable
on serve and in her movement around the court and Krejcikova moved into a 5-3 lead. Nerves showed when she missed two match points on Pavlyuchenkova’s serve before double-faulting on the third but the Russian went long on the fourth and Krejcikova held her arms aloft. Pavlyuchenkova began to strike winners regularly off both her forehand and backhand and had moved into a 5-1 lead when, after being pulled out wide to her left, she grimaced and grabbed at her left thigh. She called the trainer at the change of ends, munching a packet of Haribo sweets while she waited before having her leg heavily strapped.
Champion of Champions Dominoes on today
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BCsport England face defeat in the series decider against New Zealand after another insipid batting performance on the third day of the second Test. Joe Root’s side crumbled to 11 2 - 9 u n d e r g l o r i o u s sunshine at Edgbaston, only 37 runs ahead. England had battled their way back into the contest on an entertaining day, taking the final seven New Zealand wickets for 96 runs to dismiss them for 388. Faced with a first-innings deficit of 85, the hosts had the opportunity to set a challenging fourth-innings chase, only for their top order to disintegrate. In the face of some superb New Zealand bowling, England found
themselves 30-3 and 76-7, and eventually needed a stand of 44 between Olly Stone and Mark Wood to drag the game into a fourth day. Still, barring something u tter ly r emar k ab le o n Sunday, England will go down to their first home series defeat in seven years. This was another abject performance by England’s callow batting line-up, one that undid the good work of a resurgence that came earlier in the day. The game looked to be hurrying away from England in an action-packed morning session when New Zealand runs flowed and catches were dropped, only for England’s seamers - led by the excellent Stuart Broad to fight back.
However, the evening capitulation that followed evoked memories of the dismal tour of India this year and leaves questions surrounding the future of the majority of England’s top order. With questionable techniques and low reserves of confidence, they were unable to handle the relentless New Zealand attack on a pitch holding no demons. By the end, England were again relying on their bowlers, this time to eke out enough runs to avoid an innings defeat. England 303 (Burns 81, Lawrence 81*) & 112-9 (Wagner 3-18, Henry 3-36). New Zealand 388 (Young 82, Conway 80, Taylor 80, Broad 4-48). England lead by 37 runs.
The Champion of Champions Dominoes competition will be contested today at R and R Sports Club, 75 Meadowbrook Gardens, hosted by Senior Organising Secretary of the Guyana Dominoes League (GDL), Mark Wiltshire. Entrance fee is $15,000 per team with the winner set
to take home a trophy and $175,000 along with 9 medals while the runner-up will receive a trophy and $75,000, third place a trophy and $35,000 and fourth place a trophy and $15,000. Prizes will also be given to the best Female player, MVP, Female sharing the first love and player of the
match in the final. All GNDF rules in will in effect and covid-19 guidelines will be observed. Among the teams expected to participate are Spartans, F and H, Gold is Money, Angels, C6, Players, Thunder, B13, Executive and All Season. Teams can contact Wiltshire on 659 8672 to register.
DoS Ninvalle has first hand look at Burnham Park Track & Field Facility
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ith the intention to be up to date with the progress of construction works at facilities being constructed by the Government of Guyana with a view of enhancing the ability of athletes to be properly prepared at every level, recently appointed Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle on Friday last travelled to the Ancient County of Berbice. There, Ninvalle had a firsthand look at the Track and Field Facility being constructed at Burnham Park, New Amsterdam. Mirrowing the proactive approach that has been brought to the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport by
Minister, the Honourable Charles Ramson Jr., Ninvalle met with Aqua Sun Designs Inc. Consultant Orin Boyce, Engineer Jason Baptiste and Ryan Ramsarran Engineer attached to BK International. Kaieteur Sport understands that the visit is one of several being made by the recently appointed DoS and coincides with the Governments push to deliver on promises to the sport fraternity. When completed, the tracks will be 400M in dimension and outfitted with eight-lanes and will also have all facilities to host International Track and Field events.
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Sunday June 13, 2021
Kagiso Rabada takes five as South Africa clinch innings win - Roston Chase was the only West Indies batter to offer any resistance
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SPNcricinfo Kagiso Rabada claimed his first five-wicket haul in 33 innings, since March 2018, as South Africa wrapped up the St Lucia Test before lunch on the third day to take an unassailable lead in the two-match series. West Indies lost six for 65 in an extended first session on Saturday to stumble to a sixth innings defeat in 253 matches at home. They have plenty to address in terms of shot selection and temperament before the second Test, which starts next Friday. While conditions remained challenging for batting throughout the match, with swing through the air, the surface did not hold any demons. Roston Chase proved as much with a top score of 62 but had barely any support. West Indies’ highest partnership was a 46-run stand between Chase and Jermaine Blackwood, who only added three runs to his
Kagiso Rabada ended with figures of 5 for 34 in the second innings. AFP/Getty Images overnight score and was worked over by Lungi Ngidi on the third morning. Ngidi thought he had an early breakthrough in the fourth over of the day when umpire Gregory Brathwaite gave Blackwood out caught down the leg side but Blackwood reviewed. Replays showed the ball had
hit the thigh pad as Blackwood missed the flick. Tw o b a l l s l a t e r, Blackwood was hit on the front pad and Ngidi appealed for lbw but the ball was clearly going over the top of the stumps. And two balls after that, Blackwood was given out again after Ngidi beat him
with a full delivery on middle stump and the batter reviewed again. Balltracking showed the delivery was too high and Blackwood survived again. South Africa’s frustration did not last much longer. Blackwood faced just eight more balls and then drove Rabada uppishly to
WeCare Independence Softball Cup continues today
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e C a r e Community Services and Promotions inaugural Independence Inter-Region Softball Cricket competition will continue today with matches in Regions 2, 5 and 6. In Region 2 at the New Opportunity Corps ground, Venom, Adventure, Airy Hall, Crown, Golden Fleece, Spartans, United Brothers and Queenstown will vie for supremacy. At Bush Lot in Region 5, Sheild’s Town, Young Guns, Bath, RCB and Bush Lot will battle for place in the playoffs. At Banana Land in Region 6, Chasers, Price is Right, Warner Brothers, Spartans, No. 72 and Venom will face off. The draw for the fixtures will take place at 08:00hrs while action will commence at 09:00hrs. The two top teams in each region will advance to the playoff stage. Young Guns and Rohan Auto Spares have already advanced from the Region 4 zone which was contested on Sunday last at Strathavon Sports Club. The competition will see over $200,000 in cash and
trophies being awarded to the winner, runner-up, man of the series, best bowler and batsman in the tournament, man of the match in the final, for hitting the most sixes in the final and man of the match in all the games. The competition is being played under strict covid-19 guidelines and fans will not be allowed in the venue. Supporting the event are, Shameer Construction, Fabricating and Welding Services, De General Pest Control and Marketing Agency, Best Choice Pawn Shop, Trophy Stall, A. Bhopaul and Sons Trucking Service, Narine’s Auto Mechanic Shop, Ultimate Power Solutions and General Services, M. D Auto Imports, Romel Jagroop, Amara’ Animal Supplies, JR Engineering Solutions, Ravengers Logistics, Chowmein Auto Spare and workshop, Feroze Service station, Nusrudeen Mohamed Jr, Bhagwans Optical, Furniture Pro, Greenman Taxi Service, Chase Bobcat Service, Professional Engineering and Construction Services, Nature’s Oen Bakery and
Trophy Stall rep. Carmeleta Gomes displays some of the prizes. Gentleman’s Barbershop. Teams are asked to be
present at the venue 30 minutes prior to the drawing.
short extra cover, where Rassie van der Dussen took a low catch. West Indies’ score was on 97 at that point, the same as their first-innings total. Anrich Nortje was brought on after that wicket and immediately bared his teeth. He beat Chase with a delivery that squared him up from outside off. Nortje continued to test Chase outside off but Wiaan Mulder allowed some reprieve at the other end. He overpitched and Chase took back-to-back boundaries to bring up his half-century off 122 balls. Chase’s achievement stood in stark contrast to his teammates. No other West Indian batter made an individual score of more than 20 in the match. Jason Holder would have been disappointed that he was unable to acquit himself better, after a solid looking 20 in the first innings. He scored just 4 in the second before he was dismissed off the first ball he faced from Keshav Maharaj. Holder offered no shot as he anticipated turn from the left-arm spinner but none came and he lost his off stump. Maharaj had only bowled only four in the first innings but played a bigger role in the second. He also
got rid of Chase, who underedged an attempted cut onto his stumps, and all but ended West Indies’ resistance. Rahkeem Cornwall wafted at a Rabada delivery to give van der Dussen a simple catch at mid-off and extend the morning session. Rabada cranked up the aggression after that and hit Joshua Da Silva flush on the left elbow, where he had no forearm guard for protection. He received treatment on the field and continued batting, albeit nervously as he edged Radaba wide of the slips. He then survived a review for lbw in the next over after replays showed the ball was going over the top of the stumps but had his off stump taken out as he shouldered arms to a ball that bent back into him to give Rabada his five-for. Nortje claimed the last wicket when Jayden Seales flashed at a wide ball and edged to Mulder at third slip to end South Africa’s streak of nine consecutive defeats on the road, since Nottingham 2017. It was also Dean Elgar’s first win as Test captain, a pleasing result for the new leader. He joined a small list of skippers who led their side to victory despite scoring no runs, taking no wickets and holding no catches in the Test.
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Sunday June 13, 2021
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Shepherd inks six-month contract with Ginseng Up
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The Little Angel Organisation receives donation of food hampers from BCB PRO, Simon Naidu
Shimron & Nirvani Hetmyer Trust Fund assists over one thousand families with food hampers in joint BCB/RHTYSC Project
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he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) over the course of last week once again joined hands to assist hundreds of families affected by the ongoing flood situation in the Ancient County. The two organisations, with funding from the Shimron and Nirvani H e t m y e r Tr u s t F u n d distributed food hampers across the County over a five day period. The attacking West Indies middle order batsman donated three million dollars to the BCB last week for the project with the members of the RHTY&SC assisting with packing and distribution of the hampers. BCB President Hilbert Foster disclosed that the Hetmyer’s contacted him to make the offer and he agreed on behalf of both organisations to be apart. The original target was 800 hampers but with proper planning, the organisers were able to share out 917 large and 304 smaller hampers from West Berbice to Crabwood Creek in the Upper Corentyne area.
The large hampers were made up of 20 items while the smaller hampers had 12 items. The BCB used its connections with its member clubs to distribute the hampers with a total of fifty six clubs and the Sub Associations benefitting. Among the clubs who assisted in the distribution process were Kendall Union Sports Star, Bush Lot United, West Berbice, Chesney, Albion, Port Mourant, Kildonan, Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Cut and Load, Belvedere United, Fyrish, Nigg Intruders, Hampshire, Rose Hall Canje, Edinburgh, Mt Sinai, Guymine, Young Warriors and East Bank Berbice. Foster informed that due to the large number of clubs, the organisers were able to reach a wider network of persons. Donations were also made to several NGO’S, public institutions and religious organisations including Little Angels, Service to Humanity and the Rose Hall Town Mayor and Town Council. BCB Public Relations Officer, Simon Naidu said that the organising team was
shocked at the conditions that their fellow Berbicians were living under due to the excessive flooding and were delighted to be of assistance. He extended gratitude to the Hetmyers for their assistance, noting that the couple over the past three years has invested in the development of Berbice cricket which has made a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate. Hetmyer, who is currently playing in the Pakistan Super League has, since the election of Foster to the BCB Presidency sponsored several cricket tournaments, donated balls to all clubs, sponsored educational grants to less fortunate players, sponsored numerous charity programmes as well as sponsored Berbice Inter County MVP programmes, among others. The Hetmyers have expressed happiness to assist their fellow Berbicians in a time of need and committed themselves to assisting in the future. The former West Indies U-19 Captain stated that he has full confidence in the leadership of the BCB to use his contribution for the intended purpose.
est Indies and national allrounder, Romario Shepherd signed a six-month sponsorship contract with Ginseng Up on Thursday last. Shepherd will be the newest face of Ginseng Up as both the brand and Shepherd looks to build a relationship that will last well into the future. During the contract signing, the Guyana Amazon Warrior noted that this was a positive move by Ginseng, “I’m really excited to be representing this great product and I’m even more h a p p y b e c a u s e i t ’s something I would normally buy and enjoy. So, I’m hoping that this would be the start of a great relationship with the brand and myself,” Shepherd mentioned. Brand Manager for Ginseng Up, Gabriell Lopes shared her delight in having Shepherd as the face of Ginseng Up. “We are delighted to sign Romario Shepherd as our Ambassador for Ginseng Up. Romario is a great role model for youths who aspire to excel in sport as he exemplifies dedication and focus in cricket. We would like to wish Romario the very best in his upcoming
Romario Shepherd signs the contract. games,” Lopes noted. Meanwhile, Country Manager of Carib Brewery Limited (CBL), Kelvin Singh was excited for the partnership with the talented right-handed medium pacer. “The team is extremely proud and happy to welcome Mr. Romario Shepherd as a Brand Ambassador for Ginseng Up. Romario is one of the most improved and exciting cricketers in the region…he has proven this
both on the regional and international stage. On behalf of the wider team, I would like to wish him a successful regional and international season,” Singh said. Shepherd is expected to head out to St. Lucia where he will be in training for the upcoming tour of Australia to the West Indies before joining the Guyana Amazon Warriors for their CPL campaign.
‘Lady Jags’ drawn in Group D of CUW17 Qualifying
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iami, Florida – On Friday last, the draw for the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship Qualifiers took place at Concacaf Headquarters in Miami, Florida. The teams participating in the Qualifiers are (in ranking order): Honduras, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, Curacao, Dominica, Cayman Islands, US Virgin Island, Anguilla, Guyana, Belize, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Guadeloupe, and Turks and Caicos Islands. The Qualifiers will feature round-robin play that will take place in August of 2021, with the four group winners advancing directly to the knockout stage of the Championship. Here are the results of Friday’s draw: Group A: Saint Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, U.S. Virgin Islands, Suriname; Group B: Barbados, Curacao, Belize, Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines; Group C: Honduras, Cayman Islands, Anguilla, Turks and Caicos Islands; Group D: Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia, Guyana, Guadeloupe. Following the completion of the Qualifiers, the Group Stage and Knockout Stage are scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2022. The 16 teams participating will be divided into four groups. After roundrobin play, the top three teams in each group will advance to the Round of 16, joining the four Qualifiers winners. The entire Knockout Stage (Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Third-Place Match, and Final) will be played in a single match, direct elimination format. The winner, runner-up, and third place will qualify for the 2022 FIFAU-17 Women’s World Cup. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to be played in India between October 11-30, 2022.