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AIETEUR Ecuador seeks partner NEWS

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Sunday Edition

to stop gas flaring as anger rises in the Amazon

June 19, 2022 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com

Price $150

- meanwhile Guyana allows Exxon and its partners to flare unabated

Online readership yesterday, 64,853

VP Jagdeo unsure

if ExxonMobil recovering 2% royalty

- says question is for legal team to answer

Gold worth over AG wants law amended US$12 trillion to give DPP powers to discovered in Uganda re-arrest, retry persons - investor to cash in on windfall, as country to collect under US$700M in royalty

Car stolen at Grove p.

12

discharged by Magistrate

Children bury wrong father in parlour mix up

Exxon deducts more than half of Guyana's total earnings for single cost …country gets US$607M for two years while oil companies take US$356M to clean up alone, 18 years from now Listen to The Glenn Lall Show @11am, 4&7pm on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

Happy

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Sunday June 19, 2022

Gold worth over US$12 trillion - investor to cash in discovered in Uganda on windfall, as country The African continent has been known for its rich soil being blessed with bountiful natural resources. In fact, just recently, the President of Uganda announced that approximately 31 million tonnes of gold ore, with an extractable pure gold

estimated to gross 320,000 tonnes, were discovered.

According to Uganda media reports, President Yoweri Museveni broke news of the find in his State-of-the-Nation Address on June 7, 2022, but only provided little detail.

However, he did point out that the discovery would fetch the country more than US$12 trillion.

It was reported that technocrats in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, Mr. Museveni noted, had informed Cabinet that the country was

to collect under US$700M in royalty positioned to get slightly under US$700 million in royalty Continued on page 71

President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

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VP Jagdeo unsure if Exxon Exxon deducts more than half of Guyana’s total recovering 2% royalty - says question is for legal team to answer

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo When it comes to ExxonMobil Corporation’s profit margin, the oil giant will stop at almost nothing to see it grow; even if it means using various tactics to rob nations of the royalties paid to them. It has an eye-opening track record of doing so in its own backyard, the USA. Within these shores, Kaieteur News has been on a mission to understand if this is taking place, and more importantly, to ensure the eyes of its leaders are wide open to ensure it does not.

Last week, Kaieteur News asked Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo if he has any guarantees that Guyana’s two percent royalty is being recovered by Exxon’s subsidiary in the Stabroek Block, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). The said query was

premised on the fact that countries have paid dearly for failing to have such items explicitly stated as non-recoverable in their contracts with oil companies.

The Vice President said, “I don’t want to venture public positions that I may have to walk back on at some point in time so I will be a bit cautious on this.”

He said such issues he would not leave to politicians to answer but rather, in the much more capable hands of the nation’s tax and legal authorities/guardians.

VP Jagdeo was keen to note that there have been some issues of contention between Exxon and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as regards what the company is entitled to under the Production Sharing Agreement governing the Stabroek Block.

“They (Exxon) said for example, they are entitled to a number of vehicles. They applied for 20 four-wheel drives to bring in, fancy vehicles, and we said they have to pay; they are not entitled under the PSA. We said you can rent from locals and if you want to you should pay taxes; you can’t get it dutyfree. So I prefer if the auditors or tax people lead on those charges, not the politicians because sometimes you can say something that the other side can use as a signal when in discussions with GRA,” the Vice President said.

Kaieteur News has examined the PSA pertaining to recoverable and nonrecoverable items. In the latter category, there is no explicit listing of royalty being an Continued on page 16

earnings for single cost

…country gets US$607M for two years while oil companies take US$356M to clean up alone, 18 years from now

Guyana’s earnings for 2020 (Source: Bank of Guyana)

Guyana’s earnings for 2021 (Source: Bank of Guyana) Just one of the thousands of costs for the ExxonMobil Guyana’s oil project in Guyana is costing the country more than half of what it is earns in profits and royalty from.

This single deduction r e l a t e s t o t h e decommissioning or clean up exercise to be undertaken some 18 years from now.

According the financial statements recently released

by ExxonMobil Guyana, the deductions over the last two years amounts to some US$355.7M, while the total earnings for the country from the Stabroek Block during the same period was some US$607M. Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) last year generated some US$12B in revenue while the country collected some US$458M, accounting for its share of Profits and the Royalties earned for the entire year.

Extract from Guyana’s Stabroek Block PSA showing the list of non-recoverable items. Royalty is not listed.

This much is being laid bare when perusing the now public statements of profit or l o s s a n d o t h e r comprehensive income up to December 2021 for the EEPGL operations.

The company’s after tax profit for that year was r e c o r d e d s o m e US$634,936,435 or G$132.1B with its total operating expenditure which is recovered from cost oil for ExxonMobil Guyana at US$586,783,567 or $123B. Juxtaposed with the earnings of the entire country through taxes and other revenue streams including its earnings from the Stabroek Block—US$458M—it would mean that the EEPGL—ExxonMobil Guyana—operations last year earned more than the entire country put together.

In 2021, Guyana earned as a country, a total of U S $ 1 , 6 9 0 , 11 5 , 3 8 4 , o r G$351.5B.

It would mean that the Stabroek Block production in fact generated more income than the country collectively.

In 2020, the country had earned for itself US$149M in Royalty and Taxes. As such, it would mean that for the two full years of oil production, the county earned for itself, some US$607M. Just one of the costs deducted from ExxonMobil Guyana— decommissioning is pegged at a whopping US$355.7M or considerably more than half of the country’s total earnings for the entire year.

Based on its 2021 financial statements, EEPGL recovered $15.2B in 2020 and $17B in 2021 for decommissioning costs associated with the Liza One Project. It therefore means that its total take for the two years was US$160M. Continued on page 12

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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

Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com

Now that President Biden castigates EDITORIAL Exxon about paying taxes, will President BOOT is a Trojan Horse Ali/VP take action?

B

OOT (Build, Own, Operate, Transfer) is a Trojan Horse that will trample this country into pieces.

This is what Guyanese have already experienced with another project that was praised to the heavens, vigorously pushed upon citizens, and for which they pay dearly. As an overseas-based Guyanese professor warned, “BOOT arrangement is a debt trap…Economist urges Govt. to use oil money to fund capital projects” -KN June 13).

This makes for more sense than the BOOT practice that is coming into its own under the PPP/C Government. As will become obvious, we have some serious concerns with this BOOT setup.

Most project concoctions coming from leaders of this PPP/C Government are characterised by what is politely described as clever, with the usual skullduggeries gracing one project after another. The foreign (and local) contractors benefit in numerous ways, while Guyanese leaders and their insiders get their share of the loot. The only ones left hanging are dejected Guyanese, who find out a little too late that they have been taken for yet another costly ride by those that they trusted. The most recent and the most glaring of such disappointments is the BOOT driven Berbice Bridge. It was skillfully packaged as the nicest of transportation presents, only to turn to be an ongoing financial pain below the belt.

This is exactly what Guyanese-born Professor of Economics, Tarron Khemraj, spoke of when he cautioned of the debts that keep piling up on the heads of the Guyanese taxpayers under the BOOT arrangement, as highly touted by the PPP/C Government. Instead, Professor Khemraj counselled that “it might be better to use some of the oil funds to outright finance some of the big capital projects instead of going into lets say a BOOT arrangement.” We note that the learned Guyanese economist was careful to specify “some of the oil funds” and some of the big capital projects.” It is a wise qualifier that word “some” because, if done cleanly and properly, it safeguards the long-term interests and welfare of Guyanese. It limits the use of oil fund monies from becoming a convenient cheque book for every capital project, and employed for only some of them, plus the “big” ones alone. We think that that is smart advice.

Furthermore, Professor Khemraj mentioned that the BOOT mechanism is nothing but, “de facto debt…because the project contractor has to find the financing, market terms then you get the contract and supplies you the good, but what happens if the private contractor cant, the revenue is drawn out of the Guyana economy to finance the debt that private contractors debt.” This is the BOOT reality that we have already tasted with the Berbice Bridge.

Because of what had to be done to keep going with the Berbice Bridge that suddenly transformed into a burden, the leaders of this country need to listen and wise up, as to how a BOOT arrangement can entangle.

Considering the trouble we got into over financing shortfall and things as basic pontoon maintenance to ensure safe operation of the Bridge, hard lessons must be learned and quickly with BOOT arrangements and the exposures they hold. It is a simple one in that it is not always as marketed by Government leaders and their agents and, in the instance of the Berbice Bridge, this was not on the plus side for either Guyana or its debt-burdened citizens. Domestic need for the product or service (utility) traps the country that is a part of BOOT projects, with having to make good whenever there are money shortfalls. Like a marriage that has gone downhill, there has to be coping somehow, no matter how financially painful, how emotionally bankrupting.

It is why we at this publication have warned repeatedly that this country should not be taken down the same BOOT road with the Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project. What looks shiny can sicken swiftly. Dont do it! is what we have said time and again, before anyone who would listen.

BOOT arrangements benefit contractors and the leaders that hustle to get them in place. BOOT based projects can and do come back to bite deeply and punishingly.

BOOT is nothing but a steel-tipped boot in the backs of Guyanese.

DEAR EDITOR, The US President Biden has unleashed a scathing tirade against Exxon saying, “We will make sure that everyone knows Exxon profits Exxon made more money than God this year…Number two reason they are not drilling is that they are buying back their own stock, which should be taxed quite frankly and making no new investments.

Exxon, start investing, start paying your taxes.”So, will President Ali and the VP of all things now use this leverage

handed to them on a platter by the US President to call on Exxon and friends to pay their taxes? Did President Ali use his California visit to talk to President Biden about Exxon not paying taxes? Which country would make US$607 million in profits but pay US$725 million in taxes for the oil companies? And which Government knowing this tax exemption is a bad provision of a bad contract would go to court, take the side of the oil companies, and defend that unjust tax clause against Mr.

Glenn Lall fighting to reverse it on behalf of the poor people of Guyana. My friend Suresh said, “Only dunces would do that.”

In 2021, soon after President Biden took office, oil heads of major companies were summoned to Congressional hearings and questioned under oath. That included ExxonMobils Darren Woods. Then on April 6, 2022, oil companies were again summoned to hearings by the US House. “We are here to get answers from big oil companies on why they are ripping off the American people,” said Representative

Frank Pallone Jr., a New Jersey Democrat and chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee, during the hearing. The US Government claimed that at a time when oil prices were rising for consumers, the oil companies were making exceptionally higher profits. They asked the Exxon head how much profit Exxon made in 2021 and he said US$15 billion. (See https:/ / w w w. y o u t u b e . c o m / watch?v=iQlcwWsCKvQ).

We should note that Governments in the United States and other oil producing countries around the (Continued on page 5)

Sunday June 19, 2022

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Now that President Biden castigates...

WHO AUTHORISED TROTMAN TO SIGN OIL CONTRACT?

From page 4 world have moved to induce a one-off tax for oil companies that have been operating and enjoying increased profits as the cost for oil continues to surge on the global market.

Will Guyana follow the lead of these countries and impose a one-time tax too or will our leaders continue to act like wimps?

The US Government does not appear to be a good friend of Exxon an American business and is ready to hold them accountable. So, this notion by the PPP and PNC that if they call for renegotiation of a bad oil contract with an American big business, the US Government would not be favourable to them at election time, seems like hogwash to me. The secret promise to Exxon by the PNC and PPP not to renegotiate the contract was treasonous, impeachable, and a betrayal of Guyana. The first loyalty of a Government is to their country and people. When you campaign on a manifesto that everything is up for “review and renegotiation” as the PPP Presidential candidate said, that was a solemn contract with the people of Guyana, similar to the 1994 Republican Partys manifesto which was called “Contract with America.”

The PPP had a “Contract with Guyana.” The sanctity of that contract with the people

supersedes the “sanctity of contract” of a flawed oil contract with Exxon. That contract has likely illegal clauses such as the “stability clause,” “no taxes,” and the oil companies getting 600 blocks rather than 60 as allowed by our laws.

There is no sanctity in the Guyana oil contract the worst in the world. No other country pays the oil companies taxes, or allows oil companies to not pay taxes. The word “sanctity” means the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly.”None of these words describe the monstrosity of the oil contracts we have. The oil contracts are a blueprint for the ongoing “fleecing of Guyana.” Did you notice how everybody burst out laughing when that lady asked the President about the oil blocks at the Bartica meeting?

Just recently, there was a headline, “Govt fulfills 90 percent manifesto promises in less than two years VP.” Never mind the “mother of all election promises” that everything is up for “review and renegotiation” was not honoured yet. The PPP Government must think “the masses are asses” and they can bamboozle them with a few hampers and a cash grant here and there. The people will collect their hampers, cash grants, and house lots willingly because it is not “PPP soup.” That is not PPP money

that is Guyana money, “Guyana soup.” The resources of the country belong to all the people, not Government bureaucrats and their business class friends. So, the people will take all the random acts of goodies that the Santa Clauses will hand out, then vote for a Third Force in 2025. Guyana is going nowhere unless the Government comes up with a new vision and a National Development Plan that has a fresh structure for salaries, benefits and income support including a universal pension plan that includes the self-employed/unemployed/underemployed, unemployment benefits, and a European-type welfare state. Getting Exxon to start paying their taxes would help to fund this new system. Nation, its our wealth and our country and we must stand up for ourselves!

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

DEAR EDITOR, Raphael Trotman was the Coalition minister responsible for negotiating the Exxon contract for Guyana when he was in Texas.

Who authorised him to sign the contract? All the hullabaloo that is going on stems from the bad deal that Guyana got.

Trotman defends himself by saying that despite being wined and dined by limousine and other luxuries at the Texas headquarters that he was authorised to sign the contract. In all fairness to Trotman, he really cannot be blamed. He did not act on his own.

He did sign by consulting with his Georgetown superiors.

The question now becomes important as to who authorised Trotman from the coalition to sign the contract.

Investigative journalists have not delved into this matter

and it is high time Glenn Lall publisher of Kaieteur News seek answers to this burning question.

The three most likely people Trotman may have consulted are Former Finance Minister Winston Jordan as he has responsibility for finance. But the contract was a legal document and Jordan would not have the necessary expertise to pronounce on a legal document.

The other person who had the power to authorise Trotman to sign was former President David Granger. He had clout but not legal expertise to pronounce on the contract. That leaves Attorney

General Basil Williams as the most likely to have authorised Trotman as Williams office had the necessary expertise to judge the contract. Was it Williams who authorised Trotman to sign the bad deal contract?

The Cabinet does operate on the principle of collective responsibility.

Williams may have an out if he discussed it with the Cabinet. In which case the APNU- AFC coalition does get the blame for such a bad deal. The whole fiasco shows the PNC cannot manage money.

Sincerely, Sultan Mohamed

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Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

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PPP plans to create distractions from its internal power struggle and embarrassment

Protests - a panorama of Guyanese people on the move

DEAR EDITOR, The Government of Guyana is obliged to respond to the Inter American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) and the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (UN CERD) regarding Indigenous rights violations here in Guyana. These are big issues, which touch and concern not only Indigenous Guyanese, but all Guyanese citizen.

Prime Minister Phillips is quoted in the Stabroek News as having said that, government has “…until June 20th to respond to the recommendations of the Inter American Commission for Human Rights.” (Govt will respond to IACHAR report on Isseneru rights violations SN 11th May 2022). ICHAR recommends inter alia that, the Indigenous Peoples of Isseneru and Region Seven “Receive full reparation for the material and immaterial damage they suffered as a result of the violations of their human rights”.

Government of Guyana has until July 15th 2022 to respond to (UN CERD) regarding “…allegations of various rights violations relating to the village of Chinese Landing and the Wapchan People”. (Govt silent as deadline nears for response to UN Committee SN 10th June 2022). The report calls on government to “Incorporate the FPIC consent in domestic legislation, including by amending the Amerindian Act of 2006 with Indigenous Peoples participation”.

Distractions: Following local and international pressure, T h e M i n i s t e r o f Amerindian Affairs has relented. The minister has announced that there will be a conference of the National Toshaos Council in July of 2022. (National Toshaos Conference returns in July- Min Sukhai DPI 6th June 2022) Instructively, publication of this announcement appears to

have been limited to a single DPI release.

This announcement comes in the absence of budgetary allocations for the hosting of this event, which by the way is costly.

The announcement comes in the midst of governments preparation for a number of events.

There is the potentially embarrassing report that Vice News will release on 19th June 2022. There are the two responses detailed above, for which deadlines fast approach. Then there is the CCJs hearing and determination of an appeal relating to one of the election petitions. This is set to commence on 22nd July.

The government has planned events of its own in the hope to distract the Parliamentary Opposition, the Indigenous population and the citizenry at large.

The PPP hopes that it can do enough to deflect attention away from obvious internal power struggle as well as the potential embarrassment soon to beset that political party. The first is the commissioning of an “International Commission of Inquiry” into elections 2020 (which Messrs. J a g d e o a n d A l i clearly do not agree on).

There will be no consultations with the Parliamentary Opposition regarding Terms of Reference (TOR) or identification of commissioners.

Next, there will be a motion tabled in the National Assembly to suspend eight (8) opposition Members of Parliament. This will at the next sitting of the National Assembly (on a date yet to be determined). The other event is the hosting of the National Toshaos Council Conference. This one is multi-purpose. Government believes that it can hoodwink the international organisations (ICHAR and UN CERD), Guyanas Indigenous Peoples and the Par-

liamentary Opposition all at once. Government will say to the international organisations that they are doing a great job of supporting Indigenous Peoples through the NTC. Government will then say through the other side of its mouth to the Indigenous Peoples that they are obligated to elect an executive council supportive of the PPP. If the PPP gets its way, they will then move to control and dominate the Indigenous Peoples Commission (IPC) The PPP expects that, the opposition M.Ps will boycott the National Assembly in protest over the COI and suspensions. It will then table and pass supplementary budgetary provisions in the name of satisfying local and international demands for the hosting of the NTC conference.

The PPP will say to the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana that that it cares so it is convening this conference.

That supplementary budget will no doubt have enough cash in it to promote further the now advanced voter procurement strategy among the Indigenous communities.

The PPP hopes that, the opposition will criticise its request for more money so that, the Amerindian Affairs Minister can tell the NTC that the APNU+AFC is anti-Indigenous Peoples. This kind of behaviour better fits the rubric “Stink and Dutty”. Why is it so difficult to transact the peoples business in a fair, open and transparent manner?

Why does the PPP always have to be manipulative, dominant and controlling? I am confident that, Guyanas Indigenous leaders can eat “arasuka” with “tuma” and drink sweet “casiri” at the same time (multi-task).

Our leaders will see through this despicable malintentioned plan and make wise decisions in the best interest of all Indigenous Guyanese citizens.

Yours faithfully, Mervyn Williams

We must live according to our means DEAR EDITOR, Everyone has been crying out about cost of living just as everyone cried out about COVID-19. The thing is its an automatic thing to want to blame the Government for any and everything at this point even if it rains too much. However, we all learnt to live with COVID-19; as such, we should look at our own selves and re-evaluate some of the things we spend on.

The Government has done as much as they could

to keep the country afloat amidst the Global surge of prices. It is up to you if you prefer to buy something that costs 10,000 Guyana Dollars versus 5000 Guyana Dollars.

As for gas prices, personally at this point instead of using two vehicles (fortunate to have 2) we use one. If you’re going to work car pool, and basically drive when it’s necessary.

Stop waiting on the Government to give handouts, they are already making

strides where possible!

The Government led by H.E Dr.Ali has created part time jobs, assisting with construction of homes, free online programmes through the GOAL initiative, cash grants for fisherfolk and grants for those with disabilities. Many things are happening in the country and we must live according to our means or else we will complain! What’s that saying, “cut your coat according to your cloth?”

Tanya Niamatali

DEAR EDITOR, It was another day of patient protest at the Square of the Revolution. This is fast becoming Guyanas Hyde Park, its open-air cathedral of chants, a broad, flat coliseum for the concerns of citizens to be expressed in quiet voice, steadfast presence, rockribbed resolve. It had to be about oil, for what else is there? And when the placards and the people assembled are about oil, then it has to be about leaders not living up to expectations, of citizens holding on to hopes, and those courageous enough to say this moment is for me and mine. About what should be done, so that we can get.

Under the expanse of a sky sometimes high, other times low canopied vault, there is the reflection of a kaleidoscope of human expression, a canvas of sweeping lines and arcs and swirls.

Those gathered project a certain grimness of purpose, a deep solemnity, of a duty embraced out of necessity, because it doesnt come easy.

They form a line not straight line flawless, but a line that holds like frozen soldiers caught in a web of time that is unmoving. When the line does move, it is to hold a tad more aloft, somewhat more firmly, the painted messages proudly carried across chests held in defiance against leaders, foreigners, predators, cheaters, deniers, and scorners. At unscheduled intervals, movement from the protestors is to travel and trace a loose circle, more like an uneven oval, that covers a fair city block. Then it is back to their places, and their standstill pace of defiant silhouetted protest.

This most ordinary of Guyanese company of the

protesting has been graced with the wheelchair bound, a citizen with a missing leg, the young, the not so young, the energetic looking, and the definitely frail. Passersby in their cars and SUVs may notice their scarcity of solid numbers, but none, not even the President, can find fault with their ferocity of spirit.

Who are these people? Why are they even there in the first place, particularly when they have other places to go, and other things to do? It is the presence of this oil, and the promise of which they are determined must not elude the sweeping seines of their dreams. What has happened elsewhere must not be our lot, so they fight the fight of the brave.

They may be under strength in these first hours and days, but there is no sign that they are overwhelmed by either the moment, or what could be interpreted as the overpowering demands of their undertaking. They will not falter, nor will they relent.

In this time of oil, it is their time to stand up and be counted, no matter the magnitude of the task, the longshot nature of the odds.

Longer odds have been overcome, where there is the will.

Across the road to the west, there are tall billboards selling the NBA, Coca Cola time, Birkenstock, and Hennessey brandy. The foreign invasion of Guyana is fully underway, with the Americans in the forefront, and the Europeans right in the mix. Leaders in the Guyana Government are the ones best positioned to partake of the largely American fare, with the only man missing is the one with the top hat and umbrella, the Scotsman, Johnnie Walker. The protest on the other side of the busy street

marches to its own rhythm, its ceaseless clock.

Under the shadow of these towering capitalist advertisements, there is that real picture of Guyanese in constant motion. Of traffic constantly clustering around lengthy traffic lights policing what is nothing less than a four cornered convergence.

People stop and stare, the friendlier wave an occasional hand in wan greeting, the politically committed and accounted for, peer straight ahead, so as not to be tainted by the weakness of momentary curiosity. Not too many want to be seen identifying publicly with what political higher-ups may mutter under their breath to be none but subversives. Along the dangerous white lines separating rushing vehicular traffic, young and older adults hawk coconut biscuits and air fresheners for cars, and God knows what else in their daily struggles to make a living of some sort. What they make and how they make out is anybodys guess. It cant be a prospering existence, a rewarding endeavour. It is an honest one, though, which is something that can never be said of leaders.

As I observe these almost surreal paintings of oil Guyana, there is nothing abstract about any of this; but of the impressionistic lessons imprinted, let be there no doubt.

Yes, it is a partial panorama of the Oil Age of Guyana, and already it is a painful one. I wonder if there is any of this in the UAE. Or any Sultanate. Or one of those so endowed places that got their moneys worth, and made sure that all their people sweetly felt it.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Financially strapped artists want to attend CARIFESTA XV DEAR EDITOR, CARIFESTA XV, the Regional Cultural Festival is scheduled to be held in Antigua and Barbuda from 11th 21st August.

CARIFESTA depicts the lifestyle of the people of the Region, their traditions, beliefs, creativity, myths, and their manner of expression.

The success of the first CARIFESTA held in Guyana in 1972 was the impetus that led to the Festival being institutionalised in the Region.

The importance of the Visual Arts in the affirmation of our Caribbean Identity. I

have written to the Minister of Culture earlier in the year concerning Guyana’s participation in CARIFESTA XV. I also informed the minister of the destitute state of the artist community. The minister had then given out GYD$1 million to 30 persons who just popped out on the scene.

This money was given as a “Culture and Business Award”. Since then they have been given a monopoly and boldly proclaim that they have been promoting Peace and Unity for years.

What the PPP government is doing is unjust and unfair,

and is intended to abort the creativity of the younger generations of Guyanese. It is a heinous crime being committed against our senior Guyanese Artists who have given their golden years in the service of our country. For sure with CARIFESTA XV due in less than 2 months, Guyana’s representatives will probably be in the performing arts and the National Gallery will send some of our old collection of paintings and sculptures. Over the years, most of the money allocated to the Gallery has gone into renovation, not for (Continued on page 15)

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

This past week, President Irfaan Ali lashed out at a female resident of Bartica for asking a harmless question.

The woman, said to be a farmer, was simply asking about the oil blocks – the nation's wealth, her wealth.

Instead of a respectful response becoming of a Head of State, President Ali chose the path of abuse – a tactic that has become rather commonplace in our society – which we must deliberately guard against.

Unless we start fixing things in high office, such behaviour will continue to plague our wider society.

We at this publication are by no means condemning the President today but we are urging that we all, as Guyanese, take stock of our lives and choose to become the change we want to see in our land.

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Sunday June 19, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Scandals must not be allowed to trump entitlement

S

candals sell because there is a ready-made market for saucy, sensational and salacious news. From today onward all eyes will be set on and ears will be perked awaiting details of the Vice News feature about Guyana.

The Vice News feature will be eagerly anticipated. The greatest interest will be about what one Mr. Su said or did not say, if indeed Vice News decides to feature this gentlemans comments.

But whatever scandals emerge from that feature pales in significance to two other major stories which have been featured ad nauseam in this newspaper. Those stories relate to the agreements reached in relation to the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks, and the Production Sharing Agreement signed between the Government of Guyana and the local subsidiaries of ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC. It is being reported that the Canadian oil company CGX is expected to relinquish the Demerara and Berbice blocks for which no production has started and only limited exploration pursued.

Later reports have however indicated that CGX may hold on to the Corentyne block and relinquish the Demerara block.

But the government has not said whether it will demand that the owners of the Kaieteur and Canje block relinquish those blocks. There should be no double standards; if CGX is going to be asked to relinquish blocks in accordance with its agreement, the same principle should apply to the Canje and Kaieteur blocks.

Because of the fine work being done by Glenn Lall, the publisher of this newspaper, Guyanese are becoming more aware of the highly flawed agreements which were signed relating to the Canje and Kaieteur blocks. Those blocks are the patrimony of Guyana and therefore belong to the people. They cannot be disposed of or developed for a pittance return. These oil blocks must be returned to the State and a full Commission of Inquiry must be held into the circumstances under which these blocks were given out. Wherever the chips fall, let them fall.

The PPP/C has been in government for more than two years. Onto now it is yet to indicate whether the Cabinet records of the APNU+AFC indicate that the Production Sharing Agreement with Esso, Hess and CNOOC, was ever brought to Cabinet and ever received the sanction of the then President of Guyana, David Granger.

The petroleum advisor to President Granger, Jan Mangal, is on record as saying that when he told President Granger about the agreement, he, the President, appeared surprised. The Cabinet records would indicate whether or not the contract was discussed at that level.

It would be highly unusual for such an important agreement not to have been discussed by Cabinet. And if the agreement was signed without the direct consent of the President, it can be subject to a legal challenge of being null and void.

The nation owes a debt of gratitude to David Granger for making the agreement public,

belated as it was. The unanswered question, however, is whether the agreement was inked without his authorisation or knowledge.

The public therefore has to press for action on these two fronts.

They must demand that the Canje and Kaieteur blocks be relinquished back to the State and that there be confirmation as to whether the Production Sharing Agreement between the government and Exxon and its partners was signed behind the back of President Granger.

The PPP/C, for reasons for which it knows best and which has been the subject of speculation, has so far not been indulgent on this issue.

But it should have in its possession the Cabinet records for the period just prior to the signing of the agreement.

It would therefore be in a position to determine whether the Production Sharing Agreement was brought before Cabinet and also whether the Signing Bonus issue was ever discussed at Cabinet.

Any scandals concerning the Vice News feature on Guyana is expected to dissipate eventually. The publics craving for scandals is of such that there is constant need for newer and bigger scandals.

What will not disappear however are the swirling questions and controversies concerning the giving out of the Kaieteur and Canje blocks and the terms of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with Exxon and its partners.

Those developments have shortchanged the people of Guyana. It has deprived

Dem boys seh...

De Opposition get dem wish De Opposition bin fighting fuh get de court fuh hear dem election petition. Quite mysteriously, dem didnt get fuh serve de papers praperly pon Soulja Boy and suh dem petition did get reject. Dem bin quarreling all de time fuh get a hearing.

Dem claim how de petition gan expose de irregularities in de elections. Dem boys agree it gan expose all de irregularities concerning de invalidating of more dan 100,000 votes and de use of spreadsheet, bed sheet, score sheet,

and flysheet. But now de Opposition get dem chance fuh prove dem case about de jumbies and de migrants wah dem bin seh vote right under de nose of dem polling agents.

Dem gan get to prove dem case. Prezzie decide fuh hold a International Commission of Inquiry into de elections. So now de Opposition gan get it chance fuh prove massive fraud tek place in de elections and de fraud was on de scale fuh overturn de result of de elections. Dem gan also get a chance fuh show how dem

statements of polls agree with dat of de Bingo man.

Dem gan get a chance fuh bring out de statements of polls. And dem boys gan also get a chance fuh see wah statements of polls de CEO had in he possession.

De Opposition should be jumping fuh joy. Dem finally get a chance fuh prove dem case.

De COI is about facts.

Dem nah gat to bother about law. Dem just gat to bring de facts and lay it pon de table.

Talk half. Leff half.

them of the only opportunity they will ever have of ensuring a good quality life in a short span.

Guyanese therefore must not lose sight of the prize. The bigger and more germane issue are those concerning the oil blocks and the PSA

Guyanese must stay attuned to these issues as much as they are dying to know what Su said or did not say.

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

sweN rueteiaK

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Sunday June 12, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The British High Commissioner was on the First Lady's esplanade

L

ast Wednesday afternoon, I saw the British High Commissioner on the soonto-be completed seawall esplanade at the band-stand.

It is the Eve Leary seawall beautification project of the First Lady that begins from the band-stand and continues westward to the Kingston seawall.

I was with my dog and when I saw the High Commissioner, my heart dropped. She was with a young lady who was walking a dog. I am assuming that was her daughter, and also a gentleman that I am assuming again was her husband. I was scared Guyana will get another unnecessary negative mark because of how that section of the Eve Leary seawall is kept.

On that very afternoon that the High Commissioner was there, a homeless man moved one of the garbage

bins and put it in the middle of the esplanade. The High Commissioner and her family obviously had to see it. This place is a tourist attraction and has been like that for over a century.

What the First Lady is doing is phenomenal. With the current economic upswing with the oil economy, this site is packed every day with foreigners.

But the place is dirty and there is no law and order. In contrast, there is the Promenade Garden, the Botanic Gardens and the National Park. A jogger in the National Park is protected by a school of security personnel, two of which ride around the park until visitors leave. You dare not park erratically; a security rank will be in your face immediately.

Both gardens in Georgetown have security manning the sites. You are not allowed parking in

certain sections of the Botanic Gardens. Once you do, a guard comes up and tells you to move. The bandstand ambience is far more populated on each day than the Botanic Gardens and Promenade Garden yet the Eve Leary seawall has no law and order and the place is dirtier that the dumping site at Haags Bosch.

Each afternoon, there are far more than a hundred persons that use that place.

The numbers increase in the afternoon on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sunday, the liming mood takes in hundreds.

The First Lady's enhancement has superbly expanded the aesthetics of the area but this is Guyana where mental irrationality is perennial as the grass.

Homeless persons dominate the landscape of the site. They expose themselves in full view of tourists. I have seen this three

times the past two months.

They molest tourists. I saw this last week. One of them asked a Latin gentleman with his girlfriend for money after they stopped to buy two beers. When the man refused, he “cussed” down the gentleman. This was in full view of onlookers.

They mess the place with a huge amount of stink old clothes. They dwell right there. That is their home.

They are sleeping on the newly installed benches on the esplanade.

At the moment, one of them tied up a dirty hammock on one of the almond trees and is sleeping in it.

This is right outside the CID head office. They constantly move the very dirty blue garbage bins and scatter them all over the place.

Two years ago, I had an interesting confrontation with one of these homeless

guys. He mocked my dog as I was about to park. My dog was looking Frederick Kissoon out the window and he came up. invading the privacy of When the dog barked at him, he got very others and damaging the ears aggressive. I came out of the of others. The solution is car and told him he if he extremely simple. Have two thinks he is mad, he was uniformed police ranks with about to see who is madder. bicycles riding up and down From that day, he never to ensure that people respect each other. troubled my dog again.

East of the CID, the Loud music with nasty lyrics is heard. Surely, people seawall road has now have a right to make a living become impassable when the and play their music but not afternoon comes. Revelers with such runaway decibels. park wherever they want.

Last Thursday evening, I This is at a place where you approached one of the can touch the Atlantic Ocean vendors and asked him to with your fingers. But this is change the dancehall tune he a l s o G u y a n a w h e r e was playing and loudly too. rationality departed long The lyrics were crudely before the Roman Empire vulgar. This was in front of was dissolved.

(The views expressed in many families who had small this article are those of the children with them.

There is no law and order a u t h o r a n d d o n o t at the bandstand site. People necessarily reflect the can just do their own thing opinions of this newspaper.)

74 new COVID-19 cases recorded T

DPP orders inquest into Kayla Barnabus' death

Even as two patients remain in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, the Ministry of Health revealed on Saturday that within the last assessed 24-hour period, it recorded a total of 74 new COVID-19 cases.

The new infections have brought the

total number of confirmed cases to 66,456.

The dashboard data shows that 23 persons are in institutional isolation, 884 are in home isolation and six are in institutional quarantine.To date, a total of 64,302 persons have recovered from the virus.

he Director of P u b l i c Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar AliHack, SC, has advised police that a Coroner's Inquest be conducted into the death of 12-yearold Kayla Barnabus. As reported on, Barnabus was the West Demerara Secondary School student who was struck and killed by a police vehicle along the Goed Fortuin Public Road, earlier this month.

When contacted recently, Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine, informed this publication that the file was returned and that an inquest was advised by the DPP to determine the circumstances surrounding the girl's death. The police officer involved in accident has since been placed under open arrest.

It was reported that on June 1, last, sometime around 15:45hrs, Barnabus was struck by a police vehicle while attempting to cross the Goed Fortuin Public Road to go home.

Dead, Kayla Barnabus

The Force's vehicle was at the time being driven by a police corporal and was reportedly speeding at the time.

It is alleged that the corporal was driving the vehicle along the eastern side of the road when Barnabas ran across the road

into his path.

According to police reports, the officer claimed that he swerved but could not avoid hitting her.

Eyewitnesses had related to this publication that the girl was dropped off that afternoon by a bus and stood at the pedestrian crossing where she was waiting to cross the road.

Two vehicles had passed but then a car stopped with its hazard light on, allowing Barnabus to cross.

But as she hurried across, the speeding police vehicle slammed into her.

Police said that the corporal was trying to overtake the vehicle after it had stopped.

An injured girl was picked up from the road and rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where the doctors on duty pronounced her dead on arrival.

Barnabus, who was known by many in her community, was described as a godly child who was brilliant and kind.

Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Exxon deducts more than half of Guyana's total earnings...

From page 3 Its partners also recovered monies too.

Though their financial results have not been made public as yet, Kaieteur News was able to calculate their take based on the percentage of working interest they hold in the Stabroek Block.

With Hess' 30 percent stake, it recovered approximately US$106.7M while CNOOC's 25 percent working interest would be equivalent to US$89M being recovered for decommissioning.

Under the deal signed—the Production Sharing Agreement—the company has been taking out money from day one of production to set aside as a decommissioning fee.

This in order to remove its equipment and ancillary equipment at the end of the life of the project and to return the environment to the state it was in before exploration and production began.

This publication had previously reported that ExxonMobil Guyana has in fact been utilising that money which is being deducted from cost oil. When confronted with the report recently, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had told reporters, however, “It's not like Exxon would put the money in there and leave it; the funds are fungible so to the extent that it is utilised and it reduced the cost of say borrowing which is ultimately a cost to be borne by the company then ultimately that would be seen as productive use.”

He said, “…if they use it for private purposes alone then that would not be seen as a productive use.” It has since been noted that such a situation meant that ExxonMobil is currently deducting money from cost oil for decommissioning at the end of the lift of the project—in another 15 years—and would have been using the money on the project, which is then deducted with interest again, as a loan that has to be repaid by the company.

Jagdeo had argued, “you always have to provide for decommissioning, you can do a number of things as I said before we would have to look at the net take.”

It has been estimated by international experts that throughout the life of the project in excess of US$3B would be deducted from cost oil to go towards the decommissioning of the project.

Poignantly, ExxonMobil is yet to develop a

decommissioning plan for any of its project and has in fact signalled its intention to abandon all of its subsea equipment on the sea floor and that it is expected that the production ship—the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Vessel—the Liza Destiny and others, would be towed away.

This much can be gleaned from the Project Summaries for the projects already producing, Liza I & II in addition to the Payara, Ye l l o w t a i l a n d U r a u developments.

The abandonment of the equipment was also confirmed by In Country Projects Manager, Anthony Jackson during a public scoping exercise held at the Umana Yana recently.

Jackson in response to enquiries on the decommissioning aspect of the project sought to justify this position by pointing to the fact that in some countries, it has been found that marine life by the end of these projects would assimilate into the environment, and as such, removing the equipment could do more harm than good.

He told those in attendance that what has been observed over the years is that by the time a project comes to the end of its life, marine life such as barnacles and corals would have already attached themselves to the equipment, and as such ripping them off the seafloor could cause more damage to the environment.

Decommissioning is a normal and planned petroleum activity and generally involves the plugging and permanently closing off wells, the safe removal of equipment, infrastructure and property and importantly restoration of the environment at the end of the life of a project, in this case (Urau) 25 years.

The expectation is that the subsea umbilicals, risers, and flowlines are commonly referred to as SURF components “will be detached from the FPSO and abandoned-in-place on the sea floor.”

A c c o r d i n g t o ExxonMobil, this will be done in consistence with “industry best practices at t h e t i m e o f decommissioning.”

The FPSOs, EEPGL said, “is expected to be towed away, and the FPSO mooring system will be disconnected and abandoned on the sea floor—consistent with standard industry practice.”

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

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

SUNDAY Be Sober, Be Vigilant!

Not because fire and brimstone have not rained down on those whose perverted ways have been causing more harm than good in this land, should we, for a single moment, believe that the Creator is asleep or has abandoned this land.

The Creator still has a vested interest in this land, and there are those among us who are fully aware of this. It is for this reason that several patriotic Guyanese can brave the scorching sun and downpours to stand up for needed change in this land – they know that they are not fighting alone.

Guyanese do not lose hope – a transformation is on its way and there will be no doubt that the Creator is the one in full control, and not those inspired by the dark side.

Guyanese, Be Sober, Be Vigilant!

MONDAY Who will save the nonproducers?

The idea is to not become second class citizens in your own country. In economic terms, it means if you are not a producer, you are a consumer. And consumers need money to buy from the producers. Socially, this means the widening of the poverty gap between the haves and the have nots since the controllers of the economy are not interested in ensuring every citizen directly benefits from the

various natural endowments.

The consumers have no way of getting into the resource economy. They remain unattended to and uneducated in their natural right to have betterment. And they say it is not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country when leaders are allowing outsiders to hog benefits; doing exactly what failed oil states did. There are too many examples of where Guyana will end up if she doesn't shape up with her blessings. Guyanese must decide whether they want to be another oil project left in the dust of global oil giants or whether they will snatch their destiny.

TUESDAY Police and thief A worrying trend of police excesses has begun to creep back into this society.

Guyanese fear the return of the days when police disregarded the laws and took matters into their own hands. The shooting to death of the youth at Golden Grove and several other crimes committed by lawmen in recent times, give little comfort to citizens who are already besieged daily by marauding armed bandits and pick pocket thieves.

We take note of Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn's banning of a Jamaican artiste from performing publicly here, saying that his lyrics promote gun violence. What the minister has failed to take

into account also is the failure of the state security services over the years to protect citizens and now the gradual slide back into lawlessness of the Guyana Police Force. We long to be able to distinguish clearly the difference between a police and a thief.

WEDNESDAY Death to Mediocrity!

Knowledge is knowing what to say and wisdom is knowing when to say it.

When a land is overflowing with bounty and the citizens are only afforded miniscule cash grants, when compared to what plunderers are raking in, it is indeed time that citizens activate the use of knowledge and wisdom and take decisive action.

Guyanese, it is time to speak up so that those elected to serve know that we mean business and will no longer settle for mediocre leadership.

We, at this publication, with the guidance of the Creator, will continue to agitate the people of this nation to stand up for a bigger piece of their pie.

THURSDAY Wake up from your slumber Guyanese urgently need to awake from their slumber and arrest the rapid slide of the nation.

When you listen to our leaders, many of them seem to have no clue as to what it takes to develop a nation.

They continue to make bad decisions and sign lopsided deals with foreigners, while citizens are left emptyhanded.

Daily this newspaper continues to highlight the plight of our citizens and also give voice to those who are protesting for a better cause. We encourage others to come out and support.

FRIDAY CoI into 2020 elections We are heartened by President Irfaan Ali's announcement on Thursday that he will be naming the

members to sit on an International Commission of Inquiry into the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

This move, coming after much public speculations and statements would put to rest some of the allegations leveled against both the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC Coalition regarding their conduct at the 2022 elections.

We at this newspaper stand on the side of democracy and so it was not difficult for us to take the principled position that we took during the five-month impasse over the polls. We now fully embrace the search for the truth and encourage full participation of all interested parties in bringing clarity and finality to this sore issue.

SATURDAY Things nah regulah Plenty things are wrong in our society and daily we are confronted by them.

Firstly, our leaders, most of them seem unaware of their duty and responsibility to this nation and their

constituencies.

At a recent news conference hosted by our Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, we heard 'guesstimates' being presented as facts to justify the government's ambitious gas-to-energy project and his lack of knowledge on whether royalties oil companies pay to this country are recoverable.

S e c o n d l y, w e h a v e foreigners who are doing business here, hell bent on exploiting our locals and taking advantage of every conceivable loophole.

Their employment practices and treatment of locals leave much to be desired.

Then we have thieves and rapists ruining lives and leaving our citizens in trauma and pain. And amid all of this, we have citizens, some contented with maintaining the status quo, not willing to rock the boat and fight for what is rightfully theirs. Though things may seem bleak and hopeless; we must not give up or give in.

KN will continue to fight for our dear nation.

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Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

Guyana lost big from giveaway of oil blocks - country could have earned more if fields were sold on the open market - Glenn Lall Successive Governments of Guyana have come under heavy criticisms for their management of the countrys nascent oil and gas sector.

From the giving away of oil blocks to the signing of a lopsided contract with ExxonMobil, citizens do not feel they will ever benefit fully from the resources.

One significant area that has come under scrutiny is the awarding of oil blocks something which industry experts said should have been put on a public auction in the

first place. It took the country more than five years after it discovered oil to be moving towards its first auction.

Last week this newspaper reported that while the government has not disclosed which offshore blocks are set to be part of the nations first auction in the third quarter of 2022, based on its review of the respective Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) it has been ascertained that there will be five contenders.

They include relinquished portions of the Kanuku,

Corentyne, Demerara, Canje and the Kaieteur Blocks. Importantly, no part of the Stabroek Block would be included in the nations maiden bid round since the provisions of the 2016 contract only allow for 20 percent of the acreage to be relinquished after seven years. It therefore means that a portion of the oilrich block would only be surrendered to the State until 2023.

The Kanuku Block which covers 1,937 km2 in the Atlantic Ocean within the Exclu-

sive Economic Zone of Guyana is operated by Repsol. The company gave up 20 percent of the block this year in which it holds a 37.5 percent stake and while Tullow holds 37.5 percent and TOQAP, a company jointly owned by Total E&P Guyana B.V. (60 percent) and Qatar Petroleum (40 percent), holds 25 percent.

The Corentyne and Demerara Blocks are operated

by Canadian explorers, CGX Energy Inc. and Frontera Energy Corporation. An independent Prospective Resource study of the two concessions by McDaniel & Associates Consultants Limited, noted that the concessions hold a combined median estimate of 4.84 billion oil-equivalent barrels. CGX has successfully relinquished parts of the Demerara and Corentyne blocks to the State. Like Stabroek, the Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks are operated

by ExxonMobils subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL).

In the case of Kaieteur, 25 percent had to be relinquished since February 2021.

This is yet to occur. As for Canje, 20 percent was relinquished in 2019.

Value of the oil blocks Publisher of this newspaper, Glenn Lall, speaking during his Friday evening radio programme, The Glenn Lall Show, told his audience that the value of the countrys oil blocks could have played a major role in the livelihood of citizens today, “but they have disappeared in the wee hours into the hands of people that have left many questions unanswered, about who got them, how they got them, who are benefitting from them, where these people come from, and what expertise they have in the industry as to being in possession of these oil blocks. “ Lall believes had these blocks been sold on the open market, Guyana would have paid off the entire region s debt; salaries could have been five times more than what they are getting now and money would have been rolling in like sand. “No Guyanese would have to go to bed hungry in this country thats the kind of money we already lost out on, just on the oil blocks,” the businessman stated.

Giveaway The Canje Block for instance was awarded by the Donald Ramotar administration on March 4, 2015, days before that years General and Regional Elections, to a local company, Mid-Atlantic Oil and Gas. Similarly, the Kaieteur Block was awarded

Kaieteur News Publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall on April 28, 2015, just two weeks before the elections, and like the Canje Block, it was done based on the advice of former Minister of Natural Resources, Robert Persaud.

Two companies received the block with 50-50 stakes Ratio Energy Limited (now Cataleya Energy Limited) and Ratio Guyana Limited. The award of the oil blocks to the companies was especially concerning since the ultra-deep drilling is required for those blocks, a technique which only a handful of companies in the world have the technology, track record, and capability to execute. The red flags which have manifested in both situations include that the awards were given to unqualified companies, that the initial owners quickly flipped the blocks without doing any work, that they are incorporated in secrecy jurisdictions, and that Guyana likely lost revenue due to the avoidance of an open, competitive bidding process.

Zooming in on a recent Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report, Lall drew attention to the fact that from 2019 EITI reported that Guyana has an oil block that was given away to a company that does not have one single employee.

“Can you imagine something like that…a company has the Berbice oil block and does not have a single dog or cat working in the company. How is that possible and why that oil block is still in the hands of those people?

The Kaieteur News reported last week that of all the oil companies listed by the EITI in the report, only one entity had no employees for the 2019 reporting period.

That company is ON Energy Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian firm, CGX

Resources Inc. On Energy holds the Berbice Block for which it signed an agreement with the State on February 15, 2013. The report notes that CGX has 30 male and eight female Guyanese employees.

No expatriates were on its payroll for 2019. On February 12, 2013, the Government of Guyana issued a new Berbice Petroleum Agreement to ON Energy, comprising both Berbice and the onshore portion of the Corentyne Block, thus increasing the size of the acreage to 3,295 km2. Under the terms of the new Berbice deal, during the initial period of four years, ON Energy had an obligation to conduct an airborne survey comprising a minimum of 1,000 km2 and either conduct a 2D seismic survey comprising a minimum of 100 km2 or drill one exploration well. Four years later, the company contracted Exploration Technologies Inc., a Houston, Texas based geochemical survey company, to conduct a geochemical survey.

The field survey started on October 27, 2018 and was completed on November 4, 2018. A total of 317 sample points and 49 blanks were taken. The survey covered a total area of approximately 391 km2.

Meanwhile, Lall lamented that the company “get your oil block free, holding on to it, making money from foreign investors on the oil block and telling us they cant afford to drill a well.

Can you imagine that?

Can something like this happen anywhere else in the world? What do you say to a government, what do you say to the Opposition when you hear things like this…Was that just a shell company that the (Continued on page 15)

Sunday June 19, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Kaieteur M@ilbox

Kaieteur M@ilbox

We must wage war against descent to devilishness in the Guyana Police Force DEAR EDITOR, Those of us who have lived through the pre and post Independence period view the Guyana situation with serious concern.

A land full of contradiction, confusion and what may seem to be corruption and while the oil giants and their subsidiaries would gleefully announce billions of profit out of oil and gas and we hear shouts of acclamation that we are among the fastest developing economies in the world.

Here comes the contradiction, our government in charge of all things seems oblivious to the fact and let me emphasise every day the price of basic foodstuffs and items for human survival are rising and seem out of control. Yet this government has failed to increase the wages and salaries of workers in the

Public Sector.

With the abundance of cash, there is no good reason while the salaries of public employees in particular the Army, Fire Service, Prison Service and the Police Force cannot be doubled immediately. But perhaps, the greater tragedy and travesty is a feeling of insecurity by many citizens who are not the kith and kin of the establishment.

Our Police Force is slowly being used to create an unhealthy Police state and those who are in the engine room have become so bold and untrained that they have descended to the crudest form of policing.

The Minister himself admits that the following of the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Aubrey Norton was unnecessary and his language suggests that the operation was

too blatant, but that is what happens when a Police Force is possessed of persons who dont care how it is done except to get the work done as requested by their masters, whether at middle management or top management is of course another matter.

Editor, I take you and Guyana a bet that when this purported investigation has been completed of the trailing of Mr. Aubrey Norton, no Officer or Police rank would be identified as the perpetrators and it would be the end of another story or the junior ranks will be made to take the blame, even though they have already said they were carrying out instructions.

Every Police Force everywhere as part of the State Security apparatus has Branches to collect and moni-

Guyana needs Megans Law DEAR EDITOR, The continual raping of young girls and the increase in sex offenses across the country is very alarming and calls for immediate attention.

These criminals should be locked up and tracked when released. The US has implemented Megan’s law, which is named after a little girl who was killed by such a sexual predator. Seven-year-old Megan Kanka, a New Jersey girl was raped and killed by a known registered sex offender who had moved across the street from the family without their knowledge. The Ministry in charge of social protection and child welfare should take a close look at what has been effective to prevent the violation of young children. Guyana is in

urgent need of a tracking system for sexual predators so that families are always aware of what dangers are in their communities. The current development of the country will bring all sorts of people to the country and the culture of keeping things quiet or hush, hush doesn’t help prevent the dangers that are currently within the community. People who have a record of such violations should be restricted in the type of work they can do, not allowed to live near schools and not allowed to pick up children in their taxis.

Improved monitoring and management of a wider array of criminals is also long overdue, but let’s at least see a strong start by better protecting the children.

Money doesn’t enrich a

society that has poor moral values and rampant crime.

Only an improvement in behaviour will. The government is very focused on expansionary development, while there remains an urgent need to improve what is already in place.

The Spanish have a saying, “El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta”. If you take on too many things, you will get little accomplished. Let’s fix what we have, before spending money on new things. A great first step is to significantly improve the safety and security of our citizens, especially the children.

Sincerely, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana

Financially strapped artists want...

From page 6 the acquisition of works of art for the National collection.

To conclude, there are members of the Guyana United Artists and other Artists who would like to participate in CARIFESTA but we don t have the financial

means to go to Antigua and Barbuda.

Alternatively, we can put on a show in Guyana, but we have no venue, The National Gallery has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic.

There has been no

exhibition, even of its own initiative the Gallery could have hosted an exhibition and invited artists to participate.

It’s not too late!

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

Guyana lost big from giveaway...

From page 14 owners created for the purpose of getting [our] oil block?”

Mr. Lall mentioned that every application for an oil block comes with a plan, which details how the company will execute the work programme, how much money they have to begin the exploration phase, how many persons they will employ among other issues.

“What happen here now,

what did they present so that they get the Berbice oil block?

Eh, or is a friendship thing?”

Mr. Lall asked.

He said for months now he has been encouraging and begging citizens to confront leaders of this country as to what is happening with “our resources.”

He said he has been gratified in recent times with some citizens taking up the challenge, referencing a female farmer from Bartica who ques-

tioned President Irfaan Ali about the status of the countrys oil blocks. “I keep insisting that all of you have the right to know what is happening with the blessings God Almighty has blessed us with, when it comes to our wealth: the gold, diamond, bauxite and timber fields along with those oil blocks out there.

They are very, very healthy and wealthy for all of us future,” Lall concluded.

tor information to prevent subversion and illegal activity.

Those persons are highly trained or ought to be highly trained, that is why in the US they have the secret service, CIA and the British have a Special Branch which we inherited.

So clumsy are these operatives, that when I stood in the picket line at the Square of the Revolution last week urging others for a better deal for Guyana in the oil, gas and gold sectors, two persons came within six feet to photo-

graph me and my placard. I thought at first, they were from the media but learnt and had confirmed they were police personnel.

With all this money and sophisticated equipment available, why should members of the Special Branch be so crude and clumsy and may I add indecent.

The signs are clear, those operatives in the higher echelons of the Police Force no longer care so long as they carry out the wishes of those who see their role as being the architects of a police state,

while their political bosses and propaganda machine shout about democracy.

What is sad is that within the Police Force there are decent professionally driven Officers and ranks who wish to maintain the integrity of the Guyana Police Force, but in a few cases, I know those good officers are in the bad books of the powers that be.

Guyanese and the decent media must wage war against descent to devilishness in the Guyana Police Force.

Hamilton Green Elder

PAGE 16

Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

Brazilian police arrest third suspect in Amazon deaths (9NEWS) - Brazil’s federal police said Saturday that a third suspect in the deaths of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira has been arrested.

The pair went missing almost two weeks ago; Phillips’ killing was confirmed after forensic exams; other remains are believed to belong to Pereira.

Police said in a statement that Jefferson da Silva Lima, known as Pelado Brazil’s federal police said Saturday that a third suspect in the deaths of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous expert Bruno Pereira

has been arrested.

The pair went missing almost two weeks ago; Phillips’ killing was confirmed after forensic exams; other remains are believed to belong to Pereira. Police said in a statement that Jefferson da Silva Lima, known as Pelado da Dinha, turned himself at the police station in Atalaia do Norte in the Amazon.

Police said the suspect will be referred to a custody hearing.

Two other men are already in prison for alleged involvement in the killings: Amarildo Oliveira, known as Pelado, and his brother, Oseney de

Oliveira, known as Dos Santos.

Phillips and Pereira were last seen June 5 on their boat on the Itaquai river, near the entrance of the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, which borders Peru and Colombia.

On Friday, federal police said that human remains found in Brazil’s remote Amazon have been identified as belonging to Phillips, 57.

Additional remains found at the site near the city of Atalaia do Norte have not yet been identified but are expected to belong to Indigenous expert Pereira, 41.

“The confirmation (of

Phillips’ remains) was made based on dental examinations and anthropological forensics,” Federal Police said in a statement.

VP Jagdeo unsure if ExxonMobil...

From page 3 unrecoverable item (the photo attached to this article outlines clearly, the categories that are not recoverable, again, none of which relate to royalty).

Oil companies such as ExxonMobil have paid US$3 billion over the past 15 years to resolve a range of charges including that they regularly cheated the U.S. government and Native American communities out of royalties on oil and gas leases, raising concerns they use similar techniques to rob citizens in poor countries of resource wealth.

In the lawsuits settled with the U.S. government, lawyers and whistleblowers have alleged that it’s relatively easy for energy companies to fudge their numbers using dubious accounting techniques and outright fraud.

Audits and compliance checks by the Office of Natural Resources Revenue, the U.S. agency charged with managing America’s energy and mineral leases, similarly have found billions in corporate underpayments on oil and gas leases since 1998.

Isabel Munilla, a senior policy advisor at Oxfam America, which is part of a coalition campaigning for greater transparency in the oil, mining and gas industries had said, “If this is happening in the U.S, where we have a strong legal and regulatory system, which should in theory reduce the incentives for this type of behaviour, it’s very likely to be happening around the world, especially in places with much weaker governance systems.”

Further research on Exxon’s treatment of nations on royalty payments further underscores the need for authorities here to be extremely cautious.

According to a 2010 publication by the Oil & Gas Journal, ExxonMobil Corp. had agreed to pay a US$32.2 million federal fine to resolve a whistleblower’s claim that its affiliates knowingly underpaid natural gas royalties on federal and American Indian leases. The US Department of

Justice had said the claim arose from allegations that Mobil Natural Gas Inc., Mobil Exploration & Producing US Inc., and their affiliates systematically underreported the value of gas taken from the leases from March 1, 1998, to November 30, 1999, and consequently paid less in royalties to the federal government and various Indian tribes. (https://www.ogj.com/general-interest/article/17284815/ exxonmobil-to-pay-322-million-to-resolvewhistleblowers-suit) This newspaper also found that in other cases investigated between 1998 to 2000 the US Department of Justice had intervened against seven oil companies, ExxonMobil included, for knowingly undervaluing oil extracted from public and Indian lands. For that period, the Department of Justice recovered in excess of US$170 million in its oil royalty suits. (https://www.justice.gov/ archive/opa/pr/2000/March/ 156civ.htm) In 2003, ExxonMobil was also found to be defrauding the state of Alabama out of royalty payments and was ordered by the courts to pay up more than US$100 million in back-pay royalties. According to www.classaction.org., in August 2012, a Kansas judge approved a US$54 million settlement with landowners who claimed they were underpaid royalties when ExxonMobil made deductions for expenses that occurred downstream of their wells.

The settlement also ended a lawsuit filed in Kansas state court against ExxonMobil over royalties dating back to 2000.

At the moment, Guyana is conducting audits of Exxon’s post 2017 bills which total US$9B. The consortium, which is made up of local and foreign auditors, is expected to complete same in four months.

It is unclear if the team would be examining said bills to ensure royalty is not being recovered or if royalties were underpaid.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Prayer amid bloodshed as state fights back - Locals putting faith in God, hoping for success as SOE imposed in crime-torn St Catherine (Jamaica Gleaner) Locals in crime-weary St Catherine are not only banking on the Government to save them from the bloody tide wreaking havoc especially in the capital, but are also sending up prayers to the heavens for a reprieve from the violence.

While Prime Minister Andrew Holness' announcement of a state of emergency (SOE) being imposed in the parish on Friday provided some relief that a deployment of heavily armed forces could provide some security and weed out outlaws, many who have witnessed the recent killings in the market district remain uneasy.

“I feel sad over the condition, but anyway, God a God. We will hold the faith as when you feel discouraged, you walk under Jesus' blood,” said an elderly woman in the market.

She urged Jamaicans to pray for protection when exiting their homes and give thanks whenever they returned home safe.

Commissioner of Police Antony Anderson announced at a press briefing on Friday morning that there are 12 active gang rivalries in the parish, which have resulted in multiple gun attacks and fatalities.

Eighty-two people have been arrested for the possession of illegal firearms, ammunition or both.

The police have also

seized 59 illegal guns, an increase of 28 per cent compared to last year.

Despite this, Anderson assured Jamaicans that the police would continue to prosecute gangs and gang members as they lead active community engagement programmes across the parish.

He reported that as at June 15, the St Catherine North Police Division had recorded 70 murders and 51 shootings, representing increases of 52 and 72 per cent, respectively, when compared to the corresponding period in 2021.

The St Catherine South Division has recorded 58 homicides, the same figure for the corresponding period last year, while there has been a 23 per cent increase in shootings on the 43 recorded last year.

“Six weeks ago, the St Catherine South Police Division was experiencing a reduction in murders by 40 per cent. The recent conflicts in the St Catherine North Division have extended themselves into the southern sections of the parish to include Portmore and Old Harbour,” Anderson reported.

Migrating criminals He noted that the parishwide SOE was declared to widen the net to capture migrating criminals seeking to hide out in various sections of the parish.

“We've seen the data. We (Continued on page 18)

Police and soldiers man a checkpoint on St John’s Road in St Catherine after a state of emergency was declared for the parish yesterday in response to a wave of gang violence.

Credit: Rudolph Brown/Photographer

PAGE 17

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Prayer amid bloodshed...

From page 17 have demonstrated through previous SOEs that this methodology have been very effective in quickly reducing violent crimes,” he asserted.

While making their way through the Old Capital, two elderly women told The Gleaner that they appreciated the efforts of those working to ensure their safety.

Business operators have lamented experiencing difficulties conducting trade in a tense atmosphere, with things becoming especially more difficult after this week's explosion.

“But if is something to ease down the tension, we will work with it,” one butcher shop worker said of the SOE implementation.

He, however, remained concerned about its long-term effectiveness, stating that once it was discontinued, the criminals would return.

He proposed that security personnel consider setting up “small camps” in all the communities in which gun violence has been rampant to restore calm.

One market vendor pointed to a location near her stall that she had designated as a safe haven should there be a need to dart for cover in a split moment.

Anything can happen.

And at any time.

One bartender from Cumberland Road, one of the hotspots of gang warfare, has opted to quit her job.

Noting that she did not live in the area, she deemed it too risky to leave her community to work in a

violence-prone environment.

Dennis Robotham, president of the St Catherine Chamber of Commerce, told The Gleaner that Friday had appeared promising for business, but with ongoing violence, “fear is an understatement” of what the people were experiencing.

The relatively few shoppers out on what would have normally been a busy day for commerce was sign enough for him that normality had not yet returned.

“But I think with the presence of the security forces, that is a little comforting for the business people [and] the consumers,” he said.

Robotham noted that the business people of Spanish Town were resilient because they were “well versed in the management of scenarios like this”.

He recommended that more people install publicfacing surveillance cameras to boost the islandwide JamaicaEye network designed to boost security, confident that this would put a dent in criminal activity.

Andrew Wheatley, the member of parliament for St Catherine South Central, told The Gleaner that he was in support of the declaration of the SOE as it would help citizens to feel at ease.

He noted that in his own constituency, residents have been fearful of the uptick in violence and the deaths of several innocent people caught up in the bloodshed as rival gangsters target each other's relatives.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 19

Ecuador seeks partner to stop gas flaring as anger rises in the Amazon - meanwhile Guyana allows Exxon and its partners to flare unabated Ecuador Oil Company Petroecuador says it is working to shut down gas flares in the Amazon to comply with a courtimposed deadline, but progress is too slow for nearby communities that allege the flares cause cancer and other illnesses.

The news story covered

by Reuters is being reported even as Guyana’s Government continues to allow oil Giant ExxonMobil to flare at the cost of the meagre penalty fee of approximately US $50.00 which is equivalent to GYD $10,000 for every ton of carbon dioxide flared.

Just recently with the renewal of the Liza Phase One Development permit, the issue of flaring came into sharp focus once more. It was reported that the fine was increased. However, a perusal of the specifics as presented by the EPA outlines that the fine was increased by US$5.

The oil company is now required to pay a paltry US$50 per every ton of carbon dioxide emitted through flaring, up from the US$45 that was being charged.

Exxon has been allowed to emit tons of carbon

A gas flare is pictured at a burner of a state-owned oil company Petroecuador’s plant in Lago Agrio, Ecuador May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos dioxide despite its dangers to the environment and ultimate human existence.

Gas flaring and consequent carbon dioxide emissions also contribute greatly to deforestation and climate change, leading to overheating, heavy rainfall and flooding as well as soil erosion.

Exxon continues this dangerous practice in Guyana unabated with the local Environment Protection Agency (EPA)

giving the oil giant permission to commit an environmental felony.

In the meantime, countries like Ecuador continue its fight to stamp the dangerous environment impacts caused by flaring.

According to the Reuters report, a provincial tribunal in Sucumbios province, Ecuador last year ordered Petroecuador and a handful of private operators to stop hundreds of flares - which burn off natural gas emitted

during oil production when there is no infrastructure to capture it - in inhabited areas

by March 2023.

Flaring last year released 400 million tonnes of greenhouse gases globally, according to the World Bank, and researchers have

warned of health problems from cancer to respiratory disease associated with the practice.

The state-owned company is hoping to find a private partner to invest in technology needed to capture the 65 million cubic

feet of gas emitted daily by flares, which flame constantly above verdant tree tops.

“Part of the capturing process is trying to gradually and progressively eliminate the flares within the court’s timeframe,” Petroecuador’s head of projects, Jaime Garzon told Reuters.

The company aims to begin halting flares in inhabited areas from September in order to meet the deadline, Garzon said, and switch off rural flares within in two or three years, well ahead of an eight-year timeline imposed by the court It should be possible to mount such capture infrastructure quickly if the right company wins the tender, former Energy Minister Fernando Santos told Reuters.

“It’s more a technical question than an investment one and if an experienced company wins the tender, they won’t have any Continued on page 72

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Sunday June 19, 2022

Children bury wrong father in parlour mix-up

The body of Mohabir Rangasammy was handed over to the wrong family and buried

When a family turned up at the Persaud’s Funeral Home in New Amsterdam, Berbice, on Saturday morning to prepare their deceased loved one for his final rights, they were met with a bizarre situation – it was not their relative.

The funeral home had reportedly handed over the body of their dead relative to another family and the body was buried five days earlier.

A nephew of the man that was buried, Amit Ramnarine, 39, of Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, disclosed that his uncle, Mohabir Rangasammy, 79, had fallen ill on Sunday, June 12, 2022 and was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he died. Ramnarine said his uncle had a heart problem and while no tests were done, medical professionals at the institution said he died from COVID. His body was then taken to the Persaud’s Funeral Home.

H o w e v e r, b e c a u s e h e reportedly died from COVID, they were not allowed to see the body at the parlour and as such, the funeral was set for June 18, 2022.

The family of Mohabir Rangasammy gathered at the parlour Ramnarine said when they showed up at the parlour to prepare the dead and they saw the body, it was then that they realised there was a mix-up.

He said they called on one of the parlour staffers and related the situation.

“When they come, they said that is all the dead they have here

and they didn’t have no funeral for the week,” Ramnarine related. He said some more inquires were made and someone called and informed them that there was a funeral at the parlour on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. He said it was further revealed that the body of his uncle was handed over to another family which buried him

on Tuesday.

Ramnarine said that members of his family are confused as to how the other family could have buried a wrong dead without realising it.

“The son for this man I understand told them that my uncle is not his father and that his Continued on page 72

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

The

Waterfalls S blication, DEAR READER ches another pu official un la s ew N r eu Today, Kaiet ication is our falls. This publ er at of issues W e Th d: title feature a variety ill w ch hi w e, in ses.

Sunday Magaz ruggle of the mas st d an s es cc su write the and highlight the lists will not only na ur jo r ou , lls fa colour, At The Water offering depth, em th e liv here. stories, but also usivity you would not get elsew cl ex bring to perspective and try, our team will un co e th ss ro ac ople in With reporters the masses of pe rt of of es iv at rr na en Waterfalls, is pa the fore the hidd Additionally, The . es owing liv ay yd er oviding our gr ive their ev pr at ed m ai ive, ith an alternat a larger initiat ese at large w an n, uy G d an ip research, fashio readersh in ed nd ou gr e s w new the One Guyana, perspective to of l ea id ce en pend culture and inde ine which will be aspire to. is weekly magaz th d, en is th ds Towar to be y edition, strives part of our Sunda anese ce of every Guy the voice and fa their s and command to tell their storie e public sphere. rightful place in th

Dad or Dud? - the changing or unchanged roles of fathers

A little girl on a mission to get dad the perfect gift.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Roshani Razack

PAGE 22

This week’s featured belle is none other than Guyanese beauty Ambassador and reigning Miss Teen India, Roshani Razack. Miss Razack is a scholarship awardee, who is very proud of her Guyanese heritage. She is set to represent the beautiful land of Guyana as she takes the stage in the Miss Teen India Worldwide competition later this month.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 23

VILLAGE

Entering Courtland Village

Courtland Village, Corentyne, East Berbice …a humble and simple existence begging for support

By Malisa Playter-Harry

Situated between the villages of Fyrish and Number One Village, Corentyne, East Berbice, Courtland Village, though small, is one of the many communities in Region Six that were developed through farming.

Villagers, who have been living in the community for most of their lives and have built their family line there, have embraced a simple and contented existence.

However, if one enters the village, it is not quite easy to tell that you have arrived since there is no sign indicating this.

Nevertheless, it is identified on the map and falls under the purview of the Fyrish/Gibraltar

A small bridge which is usually covered with water when it rains.

Neighbourhood Democratic Council. There are about four streets with a mixture of modern and aged houses. There is also the Benjamin Sports Facility which houses the popular Benjamin Fitness Gym that was once headed

by Wilbert Benjamin, now deceased. The facility operates

The Benjamin Sports facility

e persons in e s to e k li “We would meet with the people like me and authority co we are human beings r e e here becaus e trying to have a bett t everyone els eglected.” - Terry Bago n life, we feel from Monday through Friday and on Sundays with health enthusiasts from various parts of the region utilising the service, The wife of the late Wilbert Benjamin is currently the proprietor of the business.

Bicycles and sporting equipment are also sold at the spacious and equipped facility.

Along with the fitness facility, there is also a sawmill, which has been there for several years, that provides residents with lumber at a reasonable cost. The proprietor was not at home when Kaieteur News visited but it said to be one of the two businesses within the area.

Just opposite the gym, some ladies and a gentleman were seen Junior Glasgow hard at work, weeding

enjoying an afternoon 'gaff' while they glanced at the passing vehicles. I caught up with these lovely people and they shared a little about their community.

Fifty-three-year-old Pamela Crandon said she has been living there since she was a baby. She said that she grew up with her siblings and got involved with farming since her father was a farmer for most of his life.

According to Crandon, many of the people in the community are engaged in the rearing of pigs, sheep, cattle and even gardening.

Growing up, she said she and her female siblings were taught to be hard workers in order to survive.

That, she said, was one of the most critical life lessons she was taught

to help her along the way.

“I like work hard, I like plant,” she said with a broad smile on her face. Her sister, who stood nearby, chimed in and also said that “we grow up and see our father planting, we plant nuff sweet potato, cassava…in the backdam, we does plant, so that run through the genes…” The sisters who live next door to each other said that it is a joy living in proximity so that they can see their families expand and flourish in many ways.

Insisting that “good living deh hay,” Crandon explained to me, “you can take a hook, set it in that

trench, you catch fish, you can pick up a coconut somewhere and cook a pot but you can't go town and do that; you got to go in your pocket.”

The pure simplicity of their existence, she said, helps to make their lives enjoyable and humble.

But this does not prevent them from wanting more for their community and its people.

The sisters described the people of the community as peaceful people and for the many years they have lived there, crime, they said, is non-existent. Their only issue, they said, is the need for better drainage.

Lack of NDC support The sisters revealed that since they have been living there, the main drainage system in the community has never been cleaned and that persons at the NDC seem to have forgotten that there are people living there.

“Nobody ain't coming around here and finding out nothing,” Crandon stressed while mentioning that when rain pours, there is always a flood. During a major flooding in 2021, Crandon said and other persons in the community lost a lot of their stock (Continued on page 56) A dam that is surrounded by overgrown vegetation.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 25

== My Testimony ==

When favour leads the way, excellence abounds

By Sharmain Grainger

A

s a single woman, it is often a tall task to find the right man for the job – those technical jobs that usually only men have a knack for such as plumbing, carpentry and masonry. Of course, the service of trusted experts to cater to the needs of vehicles is also of utmost importance to women, like myself, who chauffeur themselves around.

Indeed, it would be any woman’s dream, and even some men too, to have a one-stop complex for vehicle services. Until

that I had arrived too late for him to give my car any attention that day since he already had quite a few vehicles to deal with and on top of that he was short of staff.

Not willing to have my issues deferred to another day, I argued that at least my window issue was too urgent to not be attended to forthwith.

After a fervent prayer was made on my behalf, the auto electrician miraculously advised me that he would include my vehicle in his work schedule for the day. Grateful, I quickly parked my vehicle in his work space, left my Andy, one of the electricians, taking care of a customer’s car

Though reluctant, Janathan Harripaul poses for a photograph

such time, we must test the expertise of the specialists around until we find those we can truly rely on. While I have been lucky to find one of the best mechanics in the country, who I will tell you about at a later date, today my focus is on my new auto electrician, Janathan Harripaul.

I met Janathan for the first time two Fridays ago and made arrangements to utilise his service last Monday.

Interestingly, I didn’t end up at his shop because of any referral. I simply saw his conspicuous sign – Janathan Auto Electrical Service – opposite Dan’s Auto Shop while driving along Light Street in Alberttown, Georgetown and assumed that an electrician there would be able to assess and possibly fix one of the rear windows of my vehicle that was malfunctioning.

Whilst there, I requested attention for two more issues I had with my car that I, up until last week, couldn’t find anyone to fix.

The other two problems were a trunk that wouldn’t open and malfunctioning rear indicators. For those of you who drive, you can appreciate that those are worrisome issues.

When I turned up sometime after 10:00hrs on Monday last to get the process started, the auto electrician’s shop was already a hive of activity. I had a few words with Janathan who made it clear

particulars with his secretary and headed off to Kaieteur News to begin my work day.

But when I returned later that day none of my problems were fixed. However, the root cause of my malfunctioning window was detected but nothing could have been done until I sourced a mechanism. Of course, as a driver, I know a trusted parts dealer who during a quick telephone conversation assured me that he had in stock what I needed. Not only that, without me even asking, he said that he would slash the price by almost half, and he did (I will share more about him at a later date).

Armed with the newly acquired mechanism, I returned the next day to the auto electrician’s shop to finally get my window fixed.

Although the window was fixed by the end of the day, there were still the two outstanding problems that needed attention. While the team did try, they were unable that day to address them.

In fact, when I returned for my vehicle on Tuesday, Janathan looked drained and even advised that he was feeling unwell.

Nevertheless, he informed me that he needed more time with my vehicle and that I should return two days later since he had other clients who he needed to cater to as well.

I must let you know at this point that a future article will explain why it was necessary for him to

advise me to return two d a y s l a t e r. T h a t explanation, dear reader, is not one you should miss.

Faithfully, I returned Thursday and like the other days, parked my car, shared my particulars and scurried off to work, somehow feeling confident that, that was the day he was going to solve all of my electrical problems. When I returned later that day, indeed my trunk was fixed but he advised that I needed to return Friday to have some additional work done on my indicators, although they appeared to be working to my satisfaction.

Nevertheless, I returned Friday and while Janathan and his team thought they could’ve done a much better job in a shorter time, what they didn’t know is that their dedication helped to grow my faith in Jesus by leaps and bounds. You see, it wasn’t the first time I had taken my car to an auto electrician to have the issues addressed. The mere fact that Janathan was willing to have his team try each day, helped me to realise that divine intervention was unfolding before my very eyes.

It wasn’t as if they weren’t already overburdened with work but, in spite of that, they took the time to understand my vehicle and solve its electrical issues.

You would believe that after the challenge of fixing my car at least an arm and a leg was due and indeed I was prepared to pay, but as the title of this article suggests, favour was in order.

For Janathan and his team, fixing my car turned out to be a labour of love. They were eager to take on the challenge just so they could show off their prowess.

Indeed, I was and still am

impressed.

For those who may be interested in the services offered at Janathan’s shop, these include all things electrical for all types of vehicles.

During a conversation with me, Janathan revealed that he discovered his passion for fixing vehicles when he was just a boy.

His father, a mechanic, would pass on his knowledge to him during the weekends. But as he grew older, Janathan said that he developed a liking for auto electrical work and thus decided to make a career out of it. For the past 15 years, he has been honing his skills. Although he mainly directs the show these days from behind the scenes, with trusted team players like Andy, Wiggles and a few others being more hands-on, Janathan admitted, “I always like a challenge and certain wiring work can be a

challenge but I never giveup…things got so simple at one point that I find that I was always looking for a challenge.”

Given the satisfaction that Janathan affords his customers, their testimonials have been the main reason that his workshop is always busy. This of course means that the workload any given day requires more hands on deck. As such, Janathan is always willing to train youths, especially those just out of school, in hopes of growing his staff complement.

Trainees, he said, are paid a stipend and once they are passionate about learning, they are eligible for employment after a three-month probation period.

Those, who are interested in learning from one of the best auto electricians in the country, are encouraged to take advantage of this offer.

Wiggles, another electrician, always takes pride in his work

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 27

== Fitness Tips ==

Five at-home exercises that can transform your body

By Davina Ramdass If you’re like me, a wife with a hundred other daily tasks to get done, with absolutely no spare time to hit the gym, you’ll find this article interesting. For women, keeping our bodies well-shaped and healthy should be a priority for loads of reasons and I’ll elaborate on the most important one to me - the fact that it boosts your self-esteem. Now, to get to the exciting part; losing weight.

I tried for months just walking in the afternoons under the cool sun and calm winds, as I adjusted my body to daily exercise.

At about 5 feet, six inches tall, I was almost near the overweight line for my Body Mass Index (BMI) and this triggered my new hobby.

As a young wife, I feared l o s i n g m y h u s b a n d ’s attention and got right to work.

Not to say chubby women aren’t interesting, but I know my husband’s preference. I realised that walking was not helping me achieve what I wanted to; even though the internet said it was an excellent ‘whole body’ exercise.

I did my research and ended up working out right at home, losing at least 10 pounds over a month’s time, with no special equipment and no major changes to my regular diet. I incorporated these five exercises I am about to share and even had to put these on pause for a while because I felt that I was

beginning to disappear!

Jumping jacks I use jumping jacks as one of my warm-up activities that take me into the more hard-core stuff.

Many of you may remember this from Physical Education (PE) classes, but what you may not know is that jumping jacks may be a good alternative to jogging miles on a treadmill or an exercise bike, as it helps your body out of its normal plane of motion.

Additionally, research shows that jump training may be good for bone health too. Some analysts believe that a 150-pound person doing just a single twominute session or approximately 100 repetitions of jumping jacks may burn around 19 calories.

If you’ve never heard of jumping jacks, here’s what you do.

Stand with your legs straight and your arms to your sides; next jump up and spread your feet bringing your arms above your head, nearly touching; jump again lowering your arms and bringing your legs together.

Return to your initial position and repeat. It is recommended that beginners start off with about 20 to 30 reps at a time.

Squats Squats are my absolute favourite. Ladies this single work-out helps shape your hips and butt! If you don’t

believe, maybe you should try them for yourself.

Another joyous reward from this activity is that it reduces the size of your tummy over time. Start by standing with your feet apart and make sure your toes are facing the front, rather than sideways. Next, bend your knees, and keep your hips back and you shift your body into a sitting position.

Be sure to keep your heels and toes on the ground and your chest and shoulders back. After holding the position for just about three seconds, you can press into your heels, straighten those legs and return to a standing position. If you’re new to exercise, start off doing about 10 squats at a time.

You may try other exercises and return to squatting to get about as many as you want in!

Plank I did say you’d enjoy your rewards, but I didn’t say it’d be easy. The plank is where you take things up a notch. It’s a great activity for men and women that help to reduce belly fat and improve your metabolism, which simply means it’ll help you will burn more calories and regulate a healthy appetite.

Begin by laying face down on the ground.

Place your elbows and legs flat like you are about to do a pushup. Push your body upward and keep your chin tight to your neck. Hold the position for about 10 seconds and repeat for about

three times for the best results.

Sit-ups Doing a sit-up oftentimes make me feel as though I am undergoing training to enter the navy. It makes me feel tough and I absolutely revel in the sensation. This activity is a well-known cardio that helps burn tummy fat.

Here in Guyana, our diet is packed with carbohydrates that settles right around the stomach area, causing a rather unpleasant look when we choose to wear our tight dresses and other fancy garments, hence my focus on exercises that can help address these issues.

To perform a situp, find a comfortable spot in your home and lay flat on your back.

Bring your knees up and slowly lift your back off the ground, using your hands to help you touch your feet as you get off the ground. Return to your position and repeat.

You may use your hands at your ear, but I personally tried it that way and ended up straining my shoulders instead for some strange reason! Be sure you feel that burn in your tummy.

Crunches Tired of the floor yet?

Maybe it’s time to get on your feet again. I enjoy standing crunches because most times, I do this in front of my mirror so I get to wink at myself for doing a good job. But seriously, doing crunches is another great activity to help you get rid of some tummy fat. Again, men and women can do this right at home. Simply stand with your legs slightly apart and bring your hands to your ears. Next, bend and lift your left knee, bringing your right elbow close to create that

crunch. Beginners can start off with about 10 reps at a time. Friends, I implore you to take a shot at these five simple exercises I have shared.

I assure you that you’ll see changes in your body in the first two weeks if you maintain consistency. Start your day off by incorporating these moves for about 15 minutes and be sure to drink lots of water. In my next article, we’ll discuss the phenomenal weight changes water can effect!

Live theatre is back with LINK SHOW 36 The Theatre Company and GEMS Theatre Productions are rearing to go with the cast of 20 plus seasoned actors for the annual satirical review “Link Show 36”.

The Link Show, which started in November 1981 and has missed a few years during its 41-year life span, is now in its 36th production.

It is the longest running theatrical production and has unreservedly attracted the largest theatre audience in Guyana’s history, with Link Show 25 running for 16 performances in the 2000-seat National Cutural Centre and nine regional performances in Berbice, Linden and Essequibo.

There has been an abundance of materials over the last two years to satirise in this upcoming production from July 1 – 4th.

Patrons would, once again, be able to sit in the theatre with new seats in the auditorium and enjoy live theatre.

Director Ron Robinson and Co-Producer Gem MadhooNascimento have assembled a cast consisting of (Continued on page 35)

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Guyanese singer honoured in US

Terry Watson receiving his “Entertainer of the Year Award” in New York City, USA

By Shervin Belgrave

A

Guyanese singer on Saturday, June 11, 2022, copped the United Bridge Builders Mission (UBBM’)s Entertainer of the Year Award after he was honoured by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) at his birthday celebration held in New York City, USA. Terry Watson, who is popularly known by his stage name “Super Terry”, was honoured for his outstanding contribution to the Guyanese music industry for over three decades.

Watson has been involved with music since his childhood days but started his professional career as a young man, some 35 years ago.

At the beginning of his career,

he began performing on stage with the Ninja Band and the Untouchables, two local Guyanese music bands that were very popular in the early 90s.

Watson started off as a player of multiple musical instruments, including the guitar and keyboard, and then he started singing and recording his own music.

He recorded several albums promoting the Guyanese culture and positivity in his lyrics. One of his most recent hits is called Red, Black, Yellow, White and Green –a song that advocates for unity, especially among fellow Guyanese.

As Super Terry’s popularity grew, he began performing his music in the US and it was well received by the citizens of New

York City. Watson now lives there and for his birth night celebrations, the UBBM, which operates in the US and Guyana, selected him as their Entertainer of the Year.

The Guyanese singer also received two citations – one from the New York State senate and another from New York City.

In the citations, he is recognised for his outstanding musical contribution to the State of New York and his American community.

Presenting the citations and the award to him on his birth night was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of UBBM, Bonita Montaque.

Watson via a Facebook post expressed how grateful he was to receive such an award on his special night.

Speaking with The Waterfalls after the ceremony, Montaque said that her organisation selected Watson as their Entertainer of the Year because the messages in his songs are inspirational and positive.

“The call was made in light of the Skeng performance in Guyana that saw violence unleashed which obviously was influenced by his lyrics of shooting,” Montaque said.

Skeng, whose real name is Kevaun Douglas, performed at a show called “Baderation”, held in May during Guyana’s Independence Week Carnival celebrations at the National Park. The concert ended abruptly, while he was performing one of his hit songs “Protocol”, after patrons began shooting in the air.

It also rained bottles from the

The two New York City citations that Watson received along with his award

A portrait of Guyanese Singer, Terry Watson, popularly known as “Super Terry”

The award UBBM presented to Terry Watson

skies and the following day, it was revealed that a robbery spree had marred the artiste’s performance as well.

G u y a n a ’s H o m e A ff a i r s Minister, Robeson Benn has since vocalized plans to ban all artistes “like Skeng” from performing publicly in Guyana, simply because their music promotes crime and violence.

Benn also said that he will move to remove from Guyana’s airwaves one of Skeng’s new hit songs, which reportedly labels Georgetown as a “gun town”.

Montaque related that she agrees that music promoting violence is not healthy for society and is encouraging all Guyanese artistes not go down this path.

She is calling on them to write positive lyrics that can uplift society in a good way.

UBBM has stated that its Entertainer of the Year Award will be an annual event and plans are being put in place to hand out “entertainer scholarships” to Guyanese recipients”.

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== The Creators’ Coven ==

Finding ways to beat the stress of the times

By Zena Henry

I

t is very important to manage stress and i t ’s e v e n m o r e important to protect one’s state of mind. External factors can oftentimes weigh heavy on us, and we must try desperately to cope. One way to look at it is to see the overwhelming event as happening within the moment, understanding too, that the idea is to employ the best response, for the most suitable outcome.

S o m e c a l l i t “Constructive Thinking”.

Constructive thinking says it all comes down to making good judgment-calls and this comes back to the process of effective decision-making and knowing how to respond appropriately to circumstances; basically, seeing the glass as half full.

T h e Wo r l d H e a l t h

Organisation pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people around the world. While many individuals adapted, others experienced mental health problems, in some cases a consequence of COVID-19.

In 2020, the Global Burden of Disease study estimated that the COVID19 pandemic led to a 27.6 percent increase in cases of major depressive disorder (MDD) and a 25.6 percent increase in cases of anxiety disorders (AD) worldwide.

The greatest increases in MDD and AD were found in places highly affected by COVID-19, as indicated by decreased human mobility and daily COVID-19 infection rates.

Females were more affected than males, and

Playing board games

younger people, especially those aged 20–24 years, were more affected than older adults. Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) were also significantly affected.

Fast-forward to today, another crisis is on hand, even as many countries continue to tackle, in some cases, milder versions of the COVID-19 virus. Russia’s war in Ukraine is already having severe impacts on global food supplies just a few months in.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations estimates that if the war results in a prolonged reduction of food exports by Ukraine and Russia, the number of undernourished people globally could increase by between eight and 13 million. Food shortages are already acute

With internet, Ludo club allows players from around the world

M

any people find pleasure in playing board games. With technology, today millions of people ease tension playing online games.

But playing board games such as ludo with friends and family or players overseas is easy access and can be played without the internet.

These games are accessible on various devices including smartphones which most people have.

For the period that one game is played, the mind is removed from the stressful environment and allowed to breathe a bit.

in East Africa, for example, which has had three years of drought leading up to this c r i s i s . G i v e n t o d a y ’s backdrop of climate change and drought, existing food shortages, and a growing global population, we should not underestimate the impact the Russia-Ukraine war is having, and will continue to have, on the world. It will push some countries into famine and many people will die, a Forbes report said on the matter.

Adding to that scenario is the high cost of fuel that even we in Guyana could speak to.

This and other supply shocks have also affected the price of basic but necessary commodities. The Guyana government has sought to put certain measures in place to help citizens cope with the conditions.

Our country is still a developing nation with most

of its people living below and just above the poverty line. And despite our more recent oil and gas fortunes, citizens have been made to understand that they would have to live within their means for some time before they can truly benefit from its profits.

It may not be the type of news that citizens would like to hear, especially at a time when external factors affect their ability to get basic necessities. Citizens, especially those most affected, may very well face mental challenges.

It was not so long ago that Guyana was dubbed the unfortunate title of suicide capital of the world after a World Health Organisation report said that the country had the highest rate globally, four times the global average, ahead of North Korea, South Korea, and Sri

Cookouts S

mall cookouts might just be the thing needed to ease some tension. Mind you, these do not have to be expensive.

The idea is to occupy yourself doing something that would bring you and those around, some amount of joy. For instance, a “bush cook” where everyone has a role to play before coming together and “piecing the pot”.

As mentioned, these do not have to be big events requiring large sums of money; two packs of chicken frank sausages,

Guyanese “bush cook” is a great pastime event that brings people together some sticks and the family roasting those over an open fire in the backyard engaged

in conversation is a great way for the entire family to unwind.

Exercise

Try the creek on a quiet day, the tranquility is unmatched

Going to the Creek G

oing to the creek has always been a Guyanese pastime enjoyed by the entire family.

Most people use the holidays to get out, but given all the stressful happenings, why not make it a regular affair; just for a short while to forget about the hustle and bustle of life, to take and dip and feel the worries float away like a leaf on the river.

Lanka.

Thankfully, this is no longer the condition in our country. And being able to keep it that way is not only the responsibility of those in authority, but it should be the priority of every individual as part of their general wellbeing.

Maintaining good mental health is imperative to healthy, happy lives. And one does not have to be rich to maintain good mental health, but by useful routines and other practices.

Last week, the Creators’ Coven offered useful ways to beat high food prices and it is not farfetched to think that one’s inability to feed their family or themselves could be stressful.

So, to deal with added living pressure, this column now offers easy and cheap ideas that support stress release and healthier minds.

A visit through Mother Nature can never go wrong. The different scenes, noises and even smells would be a reminder that there are other sides to life.

Even then, some problem you might have been facing, the solution could just come to mind. And while at it, don’t forget to walk barefooted and enjoy the sand between your toes.

The National Park has always been an ideal location for a walk or run

E

xercising with family and friends doesn’t cost a thing. Early morning or afternoon walks alone or with company also helps to relieve stress.

It would be easy to forget problems when

walking and talking.

Or better yet, problems could get solved while walking and talking about them.

Whatever the case may be, exercise does the stressful mind wonders.

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Dad or Dud? T

oday Guyana joins the rest of the world in celebrating Father ’s Day. The commemoration which started in the United States was first observed on June 19, 1910, in the state of Washington.

However, it was not until 1972—58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official—that the day

speak about fatherhood, we tend to view only it through the lens of their responsibility as a provider and although this is a very crucial element, it is not the only roles fathers must play.

In fact, today we hear about the changing roles of fathers and mothers, but are these really new roles or both our parents were pigeonholed into some of these responsibilities.

A little girl goes shopping for her dad in the busy streets of Georgetown.

She was accompanied by her mom who opted not to be in the photograph.

honouring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States.

Today, the world over uses the occasion to shower fathers with gifts, although outside of the many

We have been raised to believe that the father is the head of the household, but equally the wife or mother looks to him for love and sympathy and for aid in the training of the children; and this is right. The

What should I get daddy? This little boy seemed excited about shopping for his father yesterday as his mom and sister walked around the busy capital city. celebrants, they are those who spend the day enumerating all the wrongs committed by their fathers.

This, is understandable within the context of many a deadbeat dads.

However, very often when we

children are his as well as hers, and he is to be equally interested in their welfare.

The children look to the father for support and guidance; he needs to have a right conception of life

This father took his kids out for shopping on the eve of Father’s Day.

and of the influences and associations that should surround his family; above all, he should be controlled by love. The father should do his part toward making home happy.

Whatever his cares and business perplexities, they should not be permitted to overshadow his family; he should enter his home with smiles and pleasant words.

To o o f t e n o u r f a t h e r s a r e characterised as the disciplinarian whose presence in the home is to intimidate the children and ward them off against truly expressing themselves.

On the contrary, this is no evidence of manliness in the father for him to dwell constantly upon his position as head of the family. A father must not be as a child, moved merely by impulse. He is bound to his family by sacred ties. The father is to stand at the head of his family, not as an overgrown, undisciplined boy, but as a man with manly character and with his passions controlled.

A 2016 research paper titled: The Effects of Involved Fatherhood on Families and how fathers can be supported both at the workplace and in the home by Scott Behson, PhD; Fairleigh Dickinson University, USA and Nathan R o b b i n s B r i g h a m Yo u n g University, USA said thusly: “the diverse effects father involvement has on child development can be grouped together in four categories: behavioural, emotional/psychological, social and cognitive/academic.”

In regards to emotional and psychological development, the research which was prepared for the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, noted that children with warm and emotionally responsive fathers are less emotionally reactive, have higher levels of overall well-being and experience less depression.

The research paper went on to state that involvement with children at age seven reduces risk of psychological maladjustment, and involvement at age 16 predicts less psychological distress in adulthood. “Involvement benefits children socially, as children with warm fathers have been found to relate better with other children and to exhibit more prosocial behaviours towards others.

Behaviourally, father involvement impacts children by decreasing externalising behaviour hyperactivity and increasing behavioural self-regulation,” the research stated.

It added that in the area of cognitive function and academics, children with involved fathers have higher IQs on average, have increased executive function, improved school conduct and scholastic self- concept. “One overlooked beneficiary of involved

- the changing or unchanged roles of fathers A father goes shopping with his wife and two kids for the big day.

fatherhood are fathers themselves.

In fact, the research shows that involved fatherhood makes men happier and healthier,” the research paper states, adding that meaningful involvement with their

and more likely to engage in community service. Most fathers aspire to succeed not just as financial providers and in their careers, but also as involved, loving fathers.

Patrons flocked a popular store in Georgetown yesterday as they rushed to get last minute gifts for their special dads.

children is reported by fathers to be among their most important sources of well-being and happiness.

Studies also found that fathers who report close, non-violent

So as we celebrate another Father’s Day, let us lift the bar on how we see our fathers and the roles we ascribe to them. The father’s duty to his children cannot be transferred to the mother. If she

Shoe stores around the capital city seemed quite busy this year, with fathers being tagged along for shopping of gifts for the special day. connections with their children live longer, have fewer mental and physical health problems, are less likely to abuse drugs, are more productive at work, and report being happier than men who do not have this strong connection.

Further, men who are fathers are more likely to be involved in their neighbourhoods, more likely to regularly attend religious service,

performs her own duty, she has burden enough to bear.

Only by working in unison can the father and mother accomplish the work of raising well adjusted children. The father should not excuse himself from his part in the work of educating his children for life and must share in the responsibility.

Happy Father’s Day!!

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Retired Linden teacher finds joy in agro processing venture

COTS Culinary Products prepared by ‘Sir’ Thomas and his family

By Vanessa Braithwaite

M

a n y experience m i x e d emotions when it comes to retirement. They are either anxious for a time to down tools or they are scared of venturing into an unproductive, unfulfilled phase, something they are not used to. For Linden’s

renowned Principal Cleveland Thomas, retirement opened a door to a whole new adventure.

After spending close to four decades as an astute educator and role model, he decided to take his retirement journey on the p a t h o f a g r i entrepreneurship with COTS culinary products. COTS green seasoning concoction,

achar and pepper sauce is now a household product in the Linden community and can be found in many retail neighbourhood shops and supermarkets.

This career shift was surprising to many Lindeners who pictured Sir Thomas or ‘Thomo’ as he is popularly called gravitating towards private tutoring or lecturing at a tertiary

Live theatre is back with LINK...

From page 25 many old timers and a few new faces.

In the line-up are: Mark Kazim, Mark Luke Edwards, Sean Thompson, Sean Budnah, Paul Budnah, Stephen Asif Mohamed, Lee Leung, Rovindra Persaud, Travis McKenzie, Carlvin Burnett and veteran link show actor from 1981 – Andre Wiltshire alongside Sonia Yarde, Simone Dowding, Sheron Cadogan-Taylor , Makini

Thompson, Marissa Morgan, Alicia Charles and new comer to the Link Show La Tisha DaSilva.

Team Mohamed is in support of Link Show 36, and encourages persons to get their tickets early @$3000, $2500 & $2000 from the National Cultural Centre.

Showtime is 20.00hours and patrons are asked to wear mask and sanitise as often as possible.

institution. He, however, believes that he has contributed significantly to the advancement of education in Linden, and is satisfied that he brought his alma mater, the C h r i s t i a n b u rg Wi s m a r Secondary School (CWSS) back to its glory days as well as upgrade its status to a sixth form school.

Reminiscing on his career journey, Sir Thomas said he started teaching on October 9,1983, at the Johnson High School, then was transferred to the Mackenzie High School (MHS).

He took brief sabbaticals to pursue tertiary education but stated that it was his experience at MHS, under the stewardship of Miss Janice Gibson, that he flapped his wings. “It was at the MHS I really started to emerge…under Miss Gibson, I was able to find my niche and I worked from there until 2004,” he said.

The entire Linden community would agree, that ‘Sir’ Thomas has been a role model, a disciplinarian and a revolutionary. He has left an indelible mark on the lives of thousands of students he came into contact with daily and has been a real catalyst for students’ all-round development. He has been not a boss, but a leader who walks alongside and not behind.

At school sports, teachers’ marches and other activities, he had proudly represented his staff and students in the public domain. ‘Sir’ Thomas made headlines when he protested the Ministry of Education’s

‘No Child Left Behind’ policy because he believed such a policy would hinder a child’s development, instead of improve it.

Now that he has retired, the respected educator said he is not returning to the classroom, even though he teaches online classes on a part-time basis. He is now enjoying his retirement project which he calls his hobby. ‘Sir’ Thomas is leading the family business, COTS. In his home, he produces hundreds of bottles of green seasoning, which can be sourced at most supermarkets and retail stores. They are available in one litre, two litres and half litre bottles.

In much the way he took pride in educating the nation’s children, he takes pride in his manufacturing forte as, according to him, he must be on top of his game to compete with top brands such as Umami and Prestige.

COTS products consist of

‘Sir’ Cleveland Thomas

only natural ingredients and has a shelf life of two years.

A one litre bottle can season up to 30 pounds of meat. It also consists of other natural flavouring ingredients such as garlic, thyme and ginger.

“I said I am going to use this as a retirement package, it is a kind of a hobby, not anything stressful.

Had I known it would have been so much fun, I would have left teaching since 2015 because it is a lot of fun; it’s a nice home thing, nothing big and fancy as yet,” he said.

He has expressed gratitude to the Linden community for accepting his product; the response to it has been overwhelming.

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THE

Committed to stand trial for murder in the High Court

Court Journal

By Renay Sambach

A

committal to the High Court means that the magistrate's court has found sufficient evidence for a trial to be conducted to determine whether or not an accused is guilty of the serious offence for which he or she has been charged.

Criminal offences start at the magistracy level. This is where the matter is called before a magistrate.

However, at that level of the judiciary, the accused is not required to plead to the charge as it is laid indictable.

The next step is for either a preliminary inquiry (PI) or paper committal to be conducted to determine whether or not the court is satisfied that there is enough evidence for the matter to be heard in the higher court. At the end of either of the aforementioned, if the court rules that there is sufficient evidence the accused is then committed to stand trial at the next practicable sitting of the assizes.

In the High Court, when the matter comes up, the charge is read to the accused who can then plead either guilty or not guilty. In some instances, the accused opts to plead guilty to the lesser count of murder that is manslaughter – in other instances the accused pleads not guilty and the matter will then go to trial.

Witnesses are called to give evidence in the matter.

The witnesses will testify before a judge and an empaneled jury.

The penalty for murder is death. Notably, even though Guyana does not enforce the death penalty anymore, it is still on the books.

This means if someone receives a death sentence, he/she will not be executed but rather imprisoned for life.

A murder convict can be sentenced to life imprisonment, with the eligibility of parole, after serving a fixed number of years as ordered by the trial judge. On the other hand, the lesser count, manslaughter, carries a shorter period of jail time.

Below are some matters in which persons are committed to stand trial for the capitol offence at the next practicable sitting of the assizes.

HENRY BOYS On March 1, last two

Sunday June 19, 2022

suspects in the brutal murder of Joel and Isaiah Henry were committed to stand trial. The suspects are Vinod Gopaul, 34, called 'Magga' of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, and Anil Sancharra, 33, called 'Dan Pole' of D' Edward Village, West Coast Berbice.

The two accused had appeared before Magistrate, Peter Hugh, at the Blairmont Magistrate's court.

Magistrate Hugh ruled that a sufficient case was made out against Sancharra and Gopaul for them to be tried by the police prosecutor.

Gopaul and Sancharra were jointly charged and

On March 24, last Magistrate Alex Moore committed three suspects in the murder of a Canadian citizen to stand trial in the Berbice High Court.

The accused in the matter are Moonasar Beharry, 56, a rice farmer of Lot 125 Section 'A' Number 70 Village, Berbice, Aszim Shivgobin aka 'Blackie' and Charran Sewdhan aka 'Vickey', 26, of Number 79 Village, Corentyne, East Berbice.

They were charged with the capitol offense of murder committed on Nicholas Ramkissoon Jaipaul, a Canadian citizen. The crime

Murdered cousins, Joel and Isaiah Henry

The two suspects committed to stand trial for the murder of the Henry cousins, Vinod Gopaul (left) and Anil Sancharra.

From left: Devon Harry, Nicholas Hercules aka “Bucko” and Peter Lam remanded to prison on Friday, January 15, 2021 for the murders of teen cousins, Isaiah and Joel Henry, in the Cotton Tree backdam at West Coast Berbice.

The cousins were found murdered in September 2020, one day after they reportedly went to pick coconuts in the backdam.

The bodies were severely mutilated and an x was found engraved in their foreheads.

Police had arrested three suspects and one of them had given the investigators a video confession admitting to the crime.

CANADIAN CITIZEN

Brenna Nurse was committed between August 16 and 20, 2020.

According to reports, the

burnt remains of Jaipaul was discovered on land covered by vegetation along the Moleson Creek stretch of road just two days after he went missing from his grandfather's home at Number 70 Village. His then 86-year-old grandfather had said they retired to bed on the night of August 16 but the next morning when he awoke, his grandson was nowhere to be found.

After several hours passed, the grandfather filed a missing person's report at the Springlands Police Station and the next day, he received a call on his landline

Murdered Canadian Citizen, Nicholas Jaipaul

Murdered, Keron McPherson phone from a male who informed him that Jaipaul was with him.

Police had managed to trace the call to a location in Georgetown where one of the accused (Sewdhan) was arrested. Under intense interrogation, he reportedly confessed that Jaipaul was killed with the help of Shivgobin. He claimed too that the plan to murder the Canadian citizen was concocted by Beharry, the rice farmer.

SOPHIA MAN On Wednesday last, a woman who is accused, along with three others, of

murdering her son-in-law, was committed to stand trial in the High Court for the capital offence.

In August 2021, the accused, Brenna Nurse, and three of her son's friends – Devon Harry, Nicholas Hercules aka “Bucko” and Peter Lam – were jointly charged for the murder of Keron McPherson, 24, of 'D' Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

The matter was conducted in the Sparendaam Magistrate's Court. At the conclusion of the PI, Magistrate Roshelle Liverpool ruled that the prosecution had provided sufficient evidence to the court for the accused to stand trial in the High Court for murder. The matter was prosecuted by Police P r o s e c u t o r Vi s r a m Ramjattan.

According to reports, McPherson died from a single gunshot wound to his abdomen. It was reported that Nurse, along with her three co-accused, had conspired to murder McPherson, following a previous altercation he had with them.

It was reported that early on the evening of Saturday, August 14, 2021, McPherson had gotten into a heated argument with his girlfriend over money, which she had squandered.

The argument escalated and it turned physical between him and his motherin-law, along with the three men, who had allegedly attacked him. Nurse had reportedly lashed her son-inlaw to his head with a beer bottle while one of the men had chopped him to his chest.

McPherson had managed to escape and went home.

However, it is alleged that he (Continued on page 55

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Best of

Sunday June 19, 2022

…Celebrating People, Places and Institutions in the mining town

Linden

Magazine

By Vanessa Braithwaite

L

indeners boast that their town is the producer of some of the best individuals across various sectors and fields. Some of the country’s best athletes, academics, artistes and skills men and women were birthed and raised in the bauxite mining

town. Linden is also credited as the town where some of the nationally recognised events were birthed such as Mashramani, Town Day, the Kashif and Shanghai Football tournament, among others.

The town is also known for its unique gifts that are indigenous to its topography such as the blue lakes and

The Best of Linden Magazine. towering white hills. There is d e s t i n a t i o n t o w n , a n nowhere else in Guyana you investment destination and a can find such aqua-touristic residential destination. It beauty. Linden is also the also captures the grassroot only town with a river men and women who are often overlooked service running through it.

Celebrating these facts is providers but through their a magazine produced in the daily toiling, provide a town by Lindeners. The Best necessary service to the of Linden Magazine was community. These include produced by a son of the soil, small business owners, boat e n v i r o n m e n t a l i s t a n d operators, taxi drivers, disk community activist, Samuel jockeys, among others. It Wright. While Linden is also captures the hospitality known for outstanding sector and the tourism gems things, the narrative of its of the town. Linden is stagnated economy, its steadily gaining recognition marginalisation as a result of as a tourism destination with politics, its massacres such t h e m e d i a f r e n z y surrounding the as the Wismar Massacre blue lakes, but the and the m a g a z i n e S o n features more Chapman than the blue Massacre, lakes and details struggles the hospitality and protests sector of the such as the t o w n 2 0 1 2 spectacularly. struggle “Part of it resulting in is showing the death of parts of t h r e e Linden that protestors, we don’t see among other and discuss things over the and we years, have feature the overshadowed Magazine Publisher, hotels, the t h e m a n y Samuel Wright ads in the celebratory m a g a z i n e features.

“It’s really a c e l feature cook shops and ebration about what is good bakeries, so from a tourism about Linden, the people point of view, the magazine who are selling, institutions gives you some direct that are doing well and it is information about Linden important that the magazine for example if you are in document that. So it is a Georgetown and you pick up celebration about Linden, the magazine and you come the best of Linden, again to Linden, you would know because the narrative, we where to go, where the only talk about what is restaurants are, who are wrong for Linden and what doing tours, so it’s a very is bad for Linden, it has good document to promote challenges and I won’t Linden and give those in attempt to avoid that but we Linden the access to know thought about what’s good what is going on.”

The magazine promotes and strong for Linden,” Wright outlined to The the excellence and quality of 50 service providers, which Waterfalls recently.

The second edition of the were determined through a magazine was recently limited survey. Some of released and artistically those captured include Best captures what Linden has to Nursery School - Pine Street Continued on page 55 offer as a people, a tourism

Sunday June 19, 2022

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Kaieteur News

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to be official paint of Int’l Building Expo 2022

Chief Operating Officer of Torginol Paints Inc., Mr. Fenton Persaud

T

orginol Paints Inc, a member of the Continental Group of Companies, and Guyana’s largest paint manufacturer for over 60 years, will be the official paint for the nation’s International Building Expo 2022 billed for July 22-24.

Under the theme, ‘A new frontier for building a ‘One Guyana’, the Expo will be held at the parking lot of the National Stadium, Providence, where the Torginol booth will be the hub for the latest innovations and technologies in the paint business.

The company said it is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to showcase its diverse range of paint and paint products and interact with patrons and educate them, especially new home owners, on the best practices when choosing and applying paint.

“Torginol plays a very important role in the c o n s t r u c t i o n i n d u s t r y, because painting is part of the construction industry,” Suman Sugadhan,

Torginol’s Manager-Paint Solutions, highlighted.

He added, “This year, we will be showcasing our new developments, which have been part of our Research and Development, and we will be showing new technologies and new developments in the coating industry, which will be on display.”

Chief Operating Officer of Torginol Paints Inc., Fenton Persaud, said he too was proud to be part of the International Building Expo 2022. The CEO added, “What we will be bringing to this Expo is going to be much bigger than what was previously shown by the company.”

Torginol has always been part of the International Building Expo, which started in 2010 under the stewardship of the then Housing and Water Minister and now President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. At the Expo, patrons will experience live and video demonstrations of the paint application process, as well Continued on page 53

Suman Sugadhan, Torginol’s Manager for Paint Solutions

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 45

Club drugs: It's getting popular here, but the consequences can be dire

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Emergency Medicine Specialist

Recently, I had the painful experience of having to manage a case of a young man who used a recreational drug and had unfortunate complications. He was having repeated seizures and it took a while for us to get his condition under control. I am seeing situations like these in the younger population more and more.

While some recover, others have lasting effects on their health and I worry that as the use of these drugs increase, more lives will be destroyed or lost. Today, I will focus a little on these illegal recreational drugs more commonly known as club drugs. The hope is to build awareness and try to keep as many persons away from them as possible.

What are club drugs?

Club drugs are a group of drugs commonly found at parties, bars, nightclubs, concerts, and sometimes in schools. Most forms of the drugs are illegal and can cause serious illness, injury, or even death. This can occur from one-time use, repeated use, or use with other substances, such as alcohol.

The main club drugs are: ·flunitrazepam (roofies)

· GHB (liquid ecstasy) · ketamine (special K) · LSD (acid) · MDMA (ecstasy or molly) · methamphetamine (meth) These drugs contain a combination of agents that affect your brain and central nervous system. All of them can make you feel uninhibited and lead you to make choices or do things you wouldn't otherwise do.

What can happen to you if you use club drugs?

Although most club drugs look like prescription medicines, they're not safe.

Club drugs that contain meth are very addictive. These drugs may be mixed or cut to include meth. These include GHB, ketamine, and flunitrazepam. They can cause severe, long-lasting symptoms and medical problems with repeated use.

Everyone reacts differently

to club drugs. Symptoms vary depending on the person, the drug, and the dose of the drug. Side effects often appear 10 to 20 minutes after use. They can include: · drowsiness · dizziness · blurred vision · nausea · vomiting · loss of muscle control · changes in heart rate and blood pressure · trouble breathing · aggressive behaviour · impaired memory and judgment · hallucinations · loss of consciousness · seizures · coma · death How can you be on the safe path?

You should take great caution not to consume club drugs. Most of them have no colour, smell, or taste. They

can easily be slipped into drinks and food. Some types, including GHB and flunitrazepam, often are used as date-rape drugs. A small amount can cause a person to blackout or become unconscious.Teenagers and young adults are more often victims of date rape. Talk with your children about the dangers of club drugs. They can help prevent someone giving them drugs by doing the following: · Don't accept drinks, food, or substances from other people. This includes strangers and people they don't know very well. · Don't drink or eat anything they didn't open themselves.

· Keep drinks with them and in their sight at all times. · Wa t c h their friends' drinks.

By Dr. Zulfikar Bux I t ' s Emergency important to Medicine Specialist know when vomit, lose consciousness, someone has taken drugs, either on or have seizures, take them purpose or accident. Look to the emergency room right for any of the side effects away.

Club drugs can go by a listed above. Club drugs also can cause people to overheat. lot of alternative or secret If a friend looks too hot or names. If it sounds bad or feels weak or sick, get them made up, it probably is. You to a cool, quiet place as soon should never experiment as you can. If the person is with drugs or concoctions; it thirsty, give them a sports may be the last choice you drink instead of water. If they make.

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Today In

June 19

Sunday June 19, 2022

Compiled By Zena Henry

The world's most powerful drug lord, Pablo Escobar surrenders to Colombian police

S

bombing of an aircraft ome have which was supposed to described him be carrying César as the most Gaviria, a presidential powerful drug lord in candidate opposed to the history. At the height of cartels. The plane was his power in the 1980s, not carrying Gaviria and Pablo Escobar was one of all 107 aboard died. the wealthiest men alive, Escobar eventually and his Medellin Cartel surrendered to the at one point controlled Colombian authorities the importation of 80 on June 19, 1991. But he percent of all cocaine to did so on his own terms the United States. This as he was allowed to made Escobar design and build his own extraordinarily rich. prison, La Catedral, Business Insider said that which included a the "King of Cocaine" football pitch, a giant was the son of a poor dollhouse, bar, jacuzzi Colombian farmer, but and waterfall. Escobar by the time he was 35, he was one of the world's Pablo Escobar at La Catedral Prison, lived unrestricted in the luxurious mansion, and wealthiest men. He was Medellin, Colombia (Photo when reports emerged worth around $30 billion Credit: Medellin Control Agency) that he was still running by the early 1990s (around $58 billion in 2018) and earned the cartel business, including having people murdered on the grounds of the jail, the around $70 million a day.

Such absurd wealth made the kingpin Colombian government attempted to move extraordinarily dangerous. Escobar was him to a normal prison facility. He however responsible for an enormous number of discovered the plan in advance and escaped. deaths, massacres and narco-terrorist attacks Escobar spent the rest of his life on the run as he maintained his grip on the cartel. In one until he was shot and killed by police on instance, it was stated, Escobar ordered the December 2, 1993, in his hometown.

Juneteenth holiday was signed into law last year by President Joe Biden

US state, Texas, was forced to free its slaves; Juneteenth is now a federal holiday Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day and Cel-Liberation Day, is an American holiday celebrated on June 19 and is slowly making its way into Caribbean culture as another acknowledgment of the liberation of Africans from physical bondage in the Western Hemisphere. On this day in 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation was read to enslaved African Americans in Texas by Major General Gordon Granger informing them that

Merga Bien was arrested for being a witch, burnt at the stake for being impregnated by the Devil Did you know that witchcraft was a thing in medieval Europe, so much so that it was outlawed?

Evidence of European witchcraft can be found as early as the Bronze Age. In early modern European tradition, most witches were stereotypically but not exclusively women.

Witchcraft was practiced in a variety of countries such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Russia. Belief in witchcraft in Europe can be traced to classical antiquity and has continuous history during the Middle Ages, culminating in the Early Modern witch trials and giving rise to the fairy tale and popular culture "witch" stock character of modern times, as well as to the concept of the "modern witch" in Wicca and related movements of contemporary (Continued on page 53)

One of the towers used as a prison during the Fulda witch trials (photo: history.com)

they had been freed.

United States President Abraham Lincoln issued his famous Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, but in Civil Warera America, enforcement of this declaration was painfully slow. Since the declaration had been made in the middle of the war, it was not until the final victory of the Union (the North) government in mid-1865 that many slaves in former Confederate (the South) states were granted their

final freedom.

One of the remotest slave states was Texas. Very few battles of the war took place there. After the end of the war, federal troops did not arrive in Texas until June 19, 1865, which has become known as Juneteenth. Major General Granger arrived on Galveston Island and issued his General Order, which stated in part: "The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a Proclamation from the (Continued on page 53)

The Garfield Show was born

If you grew up on cartoons of the 90s, then there is hardly any doubt that you watched the famous fictional feline on his Garfield show. It was one of the most entertaining cartoon series on television and captured the attention of viewers of all ages. But before his television debut,

Garfield first appeared in newspapers.

The American comic strip created by Jim Davis, was originally published as Jon in 1976, then in nationwide syndication from June 19, 1978, as Garfield. It chronicles the life of the title character, (Continued on page 53)

The gluttonous orange tabby annoys Odie and Jon (1st and 2nd) when he buys all the ice cream in this episode (photo: sitcomsonline)

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

==GNBS IN FOCUS==

ADDRESSING FOOD SAFETY WITH STANDARDS

P

roducing safe food f o r h u m a n consumption is important for the health and safety of our population and supports the sustainability of t h e l o c a l f o o d s e c t o r.

Stakeholders in the local food sector, including producers, manufacturers and regulators on June 07, joined others around the world to commemorate World Food Safety Day 2022 under the theme: 'Safer food, better health'.

The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) develops and supports the implementation of standards relating to food and food safety and applauds the United Nations General Assembly for bringing food safety into focus since 2018, through the annual Food Safety Day observances.

Safe food can be described as edible items which do not contain any poisonous, harmful, or disease – causing substances or micro-organisms that may render such food injurious to human health.

Many national and international standards provide requirements and parameters to guide testing, inspections, and the application of good practices to ensure food safety.

Though the GNBS does not monitor food and related products, it has available several useful standards which address food labelling, food hygiene, and other specifications that can be implemented to ensure the production of safe food.

The Bureau also offers training and technical assistance to regulators and producers of food to respectively monitor and implement food safety requirements in Guyana.

These GNBS services are b a s e d o n G o o d Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and the ISO 22000:2018 Standard, among others.

The use of the ISO 22000:2018 standard – “A Food Safety Management System – Requirements for any organisation in the food chain” to demonstrate

adherence to food safety requirements is gradually gaining momentum in industries across the globe, and our local industries too should move apace.

This international standard specifies requirements for a food safety management system to help organisations demonstrate their ability to control food hazards, to ensure that food is safe at the time of human consumption. Using this Farm-to-Fork guideline helps to control processes from the level of cultivation all the way to consumption.

The standard enables c l e a r , d y n a m i c communication across the entire supply chain through organised and targeted exchanges among trade partners, suppliers, customers, regulators, and other interested parties.

In addition, traceability, which identifies an organisation's impact on food safety within the supply chain, can be achieved through the standard.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e document allows for greater confidence in the safety of food and related products that are served and delivered along the food chain.

Thus, many companies which implement the standard use less time and effort to earn the trust and confidence of prospective customers during product promotions.

Further, implementing the ISO 22000 standard reduces the risk of financial penalties caused by product recalls and litigations, and helps to improve the performance of the organisation through continued improvements.

As stakeholders across the local food sector produce to meet our food needs, they are encouraged to consider standards which offer crucial guidance towards the consistent production of safe food for consumers.

Remember the theme for this year's World Food Day “Safer food, better health.”

For standards, training and technical assistance call the GNBS on Telephone numbers: 219-0064 or 2190065 or WhatsApp: 692-4627

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Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Seven Binge-worthy movies to watch on Father's Day

By Kiana Wilburg

W

hen it comes to music, food, and movies, my father and I are inseparable twins. But for movies, it is always a competition between us.

On the weekends, especially the Saturdays and Sunday evenings, I am able to peel myself away from work, we strive to out-do each other on finding films that feature the most thought provoking life lessons, witty scripts, and the most enamoring actors.

There is also a bonus point (which manifests in the form of money or sweets like Häagen-Dazs) for the person who finds a movie that deepens our understanding of human temperaments.

The deeper it goes psychologically, the closer you are to being a grandmaster in our inner circle.

As you can probably tell, we are not ordinary movie buffs. We even delve into deep discussions at times about the themes and character developments we appreciate most about a movie and reasons for same.

This is without question, one of our customary Father-Daughter traditions that I enjoy and cherish.

In observance of this day that highlights the paternal bonds we share with our favourite earthly superheroes, and particularly for movie lovers like my dad and I, I invite you to revel in some of the most binge-worthy films listed below.

Breakout the Father's Day popcorn and a glass of your favourite beverage and enjoy!

1) Premonition: In this 2007 film, Linda Hanson played by American actress Sandra Bullock has an idyllic life, until one day she receives word that her husband (Julian McMahon) has died in a car accident.

However, when Linda wakes up the next morning and finds Jim beside her, she assumes she just had an unusually vivid dream.

Soon, she finds out that what she experienced was not a dream, but something much more frightening. She is forced to battle time and destiny in this epic physiological thriller.

2) My Fair Lady: In this beloved 1964 musical, a pompous phonetics professor Henry Higgins (played by Rex Harrison) is so sure of his teaching abilities that he takes it upon himself to transform a working-class girl with poor language into someone who can pass for a cultured member of high society. His subject turns out to be the lovely Eliza Doolittle (played by Audrey Hepburn), who agrees to speech lessons to improve her job prospects. Eliza, much to his surprise, quickly develops into a refined woman with a superior tongue and flare who now tugs at his heart string. From there on, Higgins is taught a valuable lesson on being egotistical as he faces fierce competition from an aristocrat vying for Eliza's hand.

4) Spotlight: Set in 2001, editor Marty Baron of The Boston Globe assigns a team of journalists to investigate allegations against John Geoghan, an unfrocked priest accused of molesting more than 80 boys. Led by editor Walter "Robby" Robinson (Michael Keaton), reporters Michael Rezendes (Mark Ruffalo), Matt Carroll and Sacha Pfeiffer interview victims and try to unseal sensitive documents. In this film, the reporters make it their mission to provide proof of a cover-up of sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church.

3) Imitation of Life: This timeless movie tells the tale of two mothers and the troubles they face dealing with their rebellious daughters. Lora Meredith (played by Lana Turner), is a white single mother who dreams of being on Broadway, and has a chance encounter with Annie Johnson (Juanita Moore), a black widow. Annie becomes the caretaker of Lora's daughter, Suzie (Sandra Dee), while Lora pursues her stage career.

Both women deal with the difficulties of motherhood: Lora's thirst for fame threatens her relationship with Suzie, while Annie's light-skinned daughter, Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner), struggles with her AfricanAmerican identity. The lessons of this movie are gripping and still relevant though made since 1959.

6) To Kill A Mockingbird: To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1962 American drama film directed by Robert Mulligan. The screenplay

by Horton Foote is based on Harper Lee's 1960 Pulitzer Prize–winning novel of the same name. Scout Finch (Mary Badham), 6, and her older brother, Jem (Phillip Alford), live in sleepy Maycomb, Ala., spending much of their time with their friend Dill (John Megna) and spying on their reclusive and mysterious neighbour, Boo Radley (Robert Duvall). When Atticus (Gregory Peck), their widowed father and a respected lawyer, defends a black man named Tom Robinson (Brock Peters) against fabricated rape charges, the trial and tangent events expose the children to evils of racism and stereotyping.

7) The Devil's Advocate: Based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Andrew Neiderman, The Devil's Advocate explores how ambition and the blind pursuit of power can be one's undoing, especially when the literal prince of darkness is the one doing the tempting.

It is one of my favourite movies as it shows that even when our decisions lead to frightening pathways; there is always a way for us to turn back and do what's right.

It also features one of the wittiest scripts to date.

5) Good Will Hunting: Will Hunting (Matt Damon) has a genius-level IQ but chooses to work as a janitor at MIT. When he solves a difficult graduate-level math problem, his talents are discovered by Professor Gerald Lambeau (Stellan Skarsgard), who decides to help the misguided youth reach his potential.

When Will is arrested for attacking a police officer, Professor Lambeau makes a deal to get leniency for him if he will get treatment from therapist Sean Maguire (Robin Williams).

It is essentially a touching tale of a wayward young man who struggles to find his identity, living in a world where he can solve any problem, except the one brewing deep within himself, until one day he meets his soul mate who opens his mind and his heart.

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Sunday June 19, 2022

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Summit of the Americas was worth attending

By Sir Ronald Sanders

A

s beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, so is success or failure measured by the beneficiary or the overlooked. Summits of the Americas, from the time they were initiated by the administration of the US in 1994, have overlooked the Caribbean.

Not so, the 2022 Summit held in Los Angeles from June 8 to June 10.

The 14 independent CARICOM countries, except for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, went into this Summit with a greater measure of confidence in t h e m s e l v e s a n d determination not to be overlooked or ignored.

They reaped the reward.

At a private meeting on the eve of the Summit, attended by all but four of their number, the CARICOM Heads of Government decided that they would not be satisfied with a scheduled meeting only with US Vice President Kamala Harris.

They wanted President Biden present.

They made it clear that while no disrespect was meant toward the Vice President, the critical issues that confronted their countries required the presence of the President himself to make the necessary decisions.

The President not only turned up, but he engaged fully with the CARICOM leaders and the President of the Dominican Republic.

His engagement was so intense that the start of the first plenary session of the Summit, at which he was the first scheduled Speaker, had to be delayed while he satisfactorily concluded the discussion.

Word spreading around the halls of the Los Angeles Conference Centre that the President was meeting Caribbean leaders, puzzled delegates from larger Latin American countries and created envy – the latter spoken in whispers.

What caused this unscheduled meeting to happen was a display of CARICOM unity that has only recently reignited in the Group.

It was driven by the consensus on the way forward for CARICOM countries, fashioned two weeks before in Guyana at an Agricultural Investment Forum, led by Guyana's President Irfaan Ali with the strong support of Barbados' Mia Mottley, Trinidad and

Tobago's Keith Rowley, Antigua and Barbuda's Gaston Browne, Belize's Juan Briceño and Dominica's Roosevelt Skerrit.

At that Forum, the representative group of leaders had agreed on an actionable and time-bound plan regarding food and energy security, transportation of food within the region, and the removal of tariff barriers between CARICOM countries.

They also agreed that, after initial hesitation by several of them, they would attend the Summit of the Americas not only to register their dissatisfaction with the US decision not to invite the leaders of Cuba and Venezuela particularly, but to press for US support for CARICOM's action plan.

In Los Angeles, they went forward with that spirit of unity, meeting President Biden not with a begging bowl but with proposals showing what CARICOM countries could and would do, and how the US could help them gain access to international financing, including from the US itself.

The exchange with Biden and Harris was courteous but candid, hard truths were exposed but with honesty and respect.

US officials in the room might have been concerned about the readiness to act that President Biden displayed, but whatever bureaucratic delays might yet ensue, no one could doubt that action had been set in motion.

Skeptics, including persons like me, who have attended many intergovernmental meetings where statements are made and eventually discarded, are tempted to see proof before accepting sincerity.

But there was an electricity in the Biden encounter that appeared more credible; it generated a sense that something might actually come of it.

The US President agreed with CARICOM leaders and the President of the Dominican Republic that they would establish three joint committees, which would be “focused, and time bound in order to urgently address challenges related to e n e rg y s e c u r i t y, f o o d s e c u r i t y , a n d development/debt finance in the region”.

Not five days had elapsed when, on June 14, the US government wrote to CARICOM Heads and the President of the Dominican Republic, announcing its cochairs of the Committees and its readiness to convene a meeting on June 20 “to discuss next steps towards achieving concrete, nearterm progress on the designated topics”.

This response has to be rated among the fastest that the Caribbean has had from the US concerning any matters that were initiated by regional countries.

As I remarked in an interview, published in the Miami Herald on June 10: “This has been a breakthrough meeting for us.

Biden has shown that he's willing to move.”

Movement, however, must not be mistaken for progress which will only be achieved if CARICOM countries and the Dominican Republic participate in these Committees with unity of purpose and with solid arguments that are backed by rigorous research.

The persons, nominated by the Caribbean side should also be experienced and clear-eyed negotiators.

The Caribbean urgently needs drastic change in the rules applied to access for concessionary financing by the International Financial Institutions over whose policies the US, as one of the largest and richest members, exercise influence.

The region also requires change in lending policies to

match loans to needs.

One of the region's biggest needs now is transportation to move food production within the region by sea and air, reducing dependence on foreign foods, strengthening agricultural sectors, and lowering the cost of food products.

Hanging over every CARICOM country is also huge debt incurred to cope with external events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, high oil prices and increased costs of shipping, and natural disasters – hurricanes, floods and droughts.

There is an urgency to secure debt reduction, debt f o rg i v e n e s s , a n d d e b t rescheduling. The countries of the region cannot repay

debt, on current terms, and yet implement the plans that will m a k e t h e difference to their survival and progress.

No Summit of the Americas in the past could reasonably have been considered a success by the Caribbean, but at this Ninth Summit, the Caribbean by the harmony and determination of its leadership, achieved movement.

Progress depends on maintaining both resolve and unity.

America and the Organization of American States.

He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto)

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States of

Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Sir Ronald Sanders

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Sunday June 19, 2022

ERG praises potential 2020 Elections CoI - says findings should inform RoPA, GECOM reform

T

he Electoral Reform Group (ERG) has commended the government

for upholding its promise made some two years ago to investigate the controversial 2020 elections. In a public

missive the organisation also called on the government to ensure that the findings of the international probe

AG Anil Nandlall and the head table during the meeting with ERG members. benefit efforts to reform the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) where necessary, as well as the Representation of People Act (RoPA).

The ERG said that a thorough investigation into the events of the 2020 elections is an obviously necessary step to determine the roots of the crisis and take steps to ensure smooth elections in the future. “In the absence of a publicly a v a i l a b l e Te r m s o f Reference for the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), ERG anticipates that

the CoI will inform the amendments being proposed to the Representation of the People Act and highlight the need for reform of GECOM.” The Group said that while there is much attention on the 2020 elections c o n t r o v e r s y, w h i c h i s evidently focused on breakdowns in electoral administration, it is hoped that the Government is equally serious about the promise to investigate the weaknesses of the electoral system, which includes the near absence of direct

accountability of elected representatives to the electorate between elections.

“We must fix the electoral system fundamentally, not entrench a bad system. Reform of GECOM and the electoral system are obvious focus areas for the proposed constitutional reform process.” As such, the CoI must also seek to establish a framework for regular review of elections and an impartial review must be a regular, routine process that follows elections, and this (Continued on page 70)

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Merga Bien was arrested for being...

From page 48 witchcraft.Merga Bien, born in the 1560s and died in 1603, was a German woman convicted of witchcraft and perhaps the most famous of the victims in the Fulda witch trials in 1603–05. The Witch trials of Fulda in Germany, 1603 to 1606 resulted in the death of about 250 people and belonged to the four largest witch trials in Germany alongside the Trier, the Würzburg and the Bamberg witch trials which were ordered by the Catholic Prince Bishop, a follower of the Counter-Reformation, and crypto-protestants.

Bien was born in the city of Fulda and was married three times. She became the

heiress of her first two husbands, and this later played an important part in accusations against her. In 1588, she married Blasius Bien and moved from the city, but returned after a conflict with her husband's employers.

Prince abbot Balthasar von Dernbach, who had returned to power in 1602 after a long exile, ordered an investigation of witchcraft in the city with more than 200 people being executed for witchcraft.

In March 1603, the investigations resulted in the first wave of arrests in the city and on June 19, Bien was arrested and put in jail.

Her husband protested,

pointing out that she was pregnant. In jail, Bien was forced to confess to the murder of her second husband and her children with him and one member of the family of her husband's employers, and that she had taken part in a sabbath of Satan.

Her pregnancy was considered an aggravating circumstance; she and her husband had no children although they had been married for fourteen years.

She was thus forced to confess that her current pregnancy was the result of intercourse with the Devil.

Bien was convicted of witchcraft and burnt alive at the stake in late 1603.

The Garfield Show was...

From page 48 Garfield the cat; Jon Arbuckle, his human owner; and Odie, the dog. As of 2013, it was syndicated in roughly 2,580 newspapers and journals, and held the Guinness World Record for being the world's most widely syndicated comic strip.

Garfield has gone on to premier in many countries with remakes, replays of older versions and today,

Garfield even has his own show on Netflix. Garfield lives on his own terms.

He gets great pleasure teasing his geeky owner Jon, while tormenting dimwitted Odie, the dog.

Davis, the cartoonist, said Garfield was named after his grandfather, James A. Garfield Davis, who was named after James Abram Garfield, the 20th President of the United States.

According to Davis, his

grandfather was “a large, cantankerous man,” which very much describes the fat, lasagna loving, orange tabby cat.

June 19 is National Garfield the Cat Day, declared by lovers of the fictional feline.

Having entertained audiences for more than 40 years, it's only right that this smug and sarcastic feline gets his own holiday, they said.

US state, Texas, was forced to free its...

From page 48 Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.

This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labour. The Freed men are advised to remain at their present homes, and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and that they

will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere."

Today Juneteenth is celebrated in 47 of 50 US states. Many campaigned for it to become a national holiday with federal recognition.

And while the event has been celebrated since 1866, a year after the declaration, it was finally made a federal holiday June 19, last year when current US President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into

law.

In 2020, the Caribbean Community's Reparations Commission Chairman, Hilary Beckles opened his solidarity message saying, “As you, our African American compatriots, rise to recognise and celebrate the legal ending of the chattel bondage of our ancestors, we, your brothers and sisters from 'your islands' downstream Mississippi are standing with you in joyous remembrance of the journey.”

Torginol to be official paint of Int'l Building...

From page 43 as interact with the experts on the best possible solutions for their individual needs.

Additionally, all the model houses currently being constructed for display at the Expo would be painted by Torginol.

“Our prime focus would be to educate the customers on how to paint, what surface preparation technique has to be used and things like that,” Sugadhan added.He continued: “At the booth, we will be having live demonstrations of the latest technologies which are trending now, so customers can have a hands-on

experience to see how the technologies can be utilised.

We will also be displaying our recently launched products, so it will be a good opportunity for people to experience and see what's happening and how the products can be applied in the right way.”

Those include new coatings and supplies for the oil and gas industry to be put on exhibition, coming from research and development undertaken in recent years.

The company said it will also be demonstrating to contractors and home builders, practical methods for the application of its different types of coatings,

from surface preparation to finishing. Persaud explained that it is important persons are aware that there is a method to be employed when looking for that excellent finish.

“Surface preparation and climatic conditions play an important part in the quality of your finished product, so we intend to share that with the general public,” Persaud said. International Building Expo 2022 is expected to vis ually map out the country's promising architectural future, while taking patrons on an exciting journey on modern transformational projects in the pipeline.

PAGE 53

Kaieteur News

PAGE 54

Sunday June 19, 2022

AG wants law amended to give DPP powers to re-arrest, retry persons discharged by Magistrate

A

ttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall is proffering a legislative amendment that would empower the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to apply to the High Court for a person to be arrested and committed to stand trial in the certain circumstances where a Magistrate discharges an accused person.

The amendments being

brought by Nandlall, according to its Explanatory Memorandum, seeks to remove the “repugnance” of a section of the Criminal law (Procedure) Act and the Constitution of Guyana, as was highlighted by the Caribbean Court of Justice during its determination of a case earlier this year between the DPP and Marcus Bisram.

According to the Explanatory Memorandum

of the Bill, with the amendment, the DPP, “if aggrieved by the decision of a Magistrate at the end of a preliminary inquiry to discharge an accused person, may now make an ex parte application to a Judge of the High Court for a warrant to arrest and commit the discharged person for trial.”

It was noted that “the Judge may only grant that application if he is of the view, from the evidence as

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall

DPP Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC was placed before the Magistrate who discharged the accused person, that such a course of action is required.”

Nandlall in announcing the proposed amendments drew reference to the fact that on Wednesday last, the CCJ delivered its decision on the Bisram matter where the murder accused, was discharged by the Magistrate who heard the evidence at the Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into his murder charge.

The DPP subsequently directed the Magistrate to reopen the PI and later to commit Bisram for trial, which the Magistrate did but Bisram contended that the directives were unlawful and that section 72 of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, “which empowers the DPP to so direct, is incompatible with the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.”

As a result, he approached the CCJ, which held that “a law that renders the Magistrate's professional decision-making subject to the dictates of another official cuts straight through article 122A and must be declared void to the extent of its inconsistency with that article.”

122A (1) provides: “122A (1) All courts and all persons presiding over

Marcus Bisram

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 other form of direction and control.”

The Court had also suggested ways in which the inconsistencies with the Constitution may be removed without leaving a substantial gap in the criminal procedure including the National Assembly removing the inconsistencies.

As such, Nandlall has since indicated that with due regard to the doctrine of separation of powers, the Government of Guyana intends to table a Bill in the

National Assembly seeking to amend Section 72 of the Act in the manner and form recommended by the CCJ in (b) above.

It was noted too that pursuant of the Government's policy of consulting with important stakeholders on matters of national importance, the Attorney General has since solicited the comments of the DPP, Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, Senior Police Legal Advisor, Sonia Joseph; President of the Bar Association of Guyana, Pauline Chase; and President of the Berbice Bar Association, Horatio Edmonson. Bisram was accused of the 2016 brutal slaying of 26-year-old Berbice carpenter, Faiyaz

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

THE

Court Journal Committed to stand trial for murder in the High...

From page 38 was later lured to his death by a phone call.

According to reports, Nurse's daughter had called McPherson close to midnight on the said Saturday.

He was reportedly reluctant to go at first but

the woman kept calling him so he eventually heeded and left home to meet her.

However, he never returned home and around 04:00hrs the following morning, his body was discovered lying in a yard at 'C' Field Sophia with gunshot wounds.

PAGE 55

Best of Linden...

From page 40 Nursery; Best Principal Ms. Camille Cummings; Best Eating House - Kay’s Klassy Diner; Best Caterer Denise Gordon; Best DJ Quelly Ranks; Best Reporter - Tracy Liverpool; Best Barber – Romain Gilkes; Best Vegetable/Fruit Vendor – Kurtis, and Best Ferry Service – Adams Ferry.

“ We h a v e f a c e d pandemics and scourges, exhibiting the resilience that we are known for, while accepting the lessons being taught.

We c e l e b r a t e t h e delightful variety of small businesses and the courage being shown by the youthful entrepreneurs,” Wright said.

At a cost of $1,200, the

Best of Linden Magazine is available at the Linden Fund Trust Office, located at 94 Manni Street, Linden, as well as Mackenzie newspaper vendor, Jocelyn Benjamin, and the Stationery and Variety Store, R e p u b l i c Av e n u e , Mackenzie, Linden. Digital copies are also available for purchase.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 56

VILLAGE

Sunday June 19, 2022 The only sawmill in close proximity to Courtland Village.

Courtland Village, Corentyne, East Berbice From page 23 stock and garden produce and while a Ministry of Agriculture representative who lives in the village visited them to register their

names for flood relief, they are yet to receive this.

“Nobody not cleaning here…we clean here the other day; my son does go in the trench and clean, and the

NDC not doing anything.

The NDC people like they does choose place where they going and clean, they never clean here.

We feel neglected here

and they are paying attention to other areas…” Crandon lamented.

As we made our way along the public road of Courtland Village, thick vegetations that have taken over the main drainage system and several empty lots became visible.

This, the residents say, becomes an even bigger problem during the rainy season.

They mentioned too that it harbours dangerous reptiles that sometimes crawl out at nights into their yards and on the public road.

“A big alligator get run over the other night on the road,” said Crandon.

Further down the road, about four houses away, Crandon was happy to show me where one of her friends' lives – a massive two-storey concrete building. Another resident, Amanda La Rose, said she was doing some chores but made sure to mention that Courtland “is a good community with good people with little or no crime.” She too complained about the drainage system in hopes that the relevant authorities will look into their plight.

Terry Bagot, a 47-yearold resident said that she has been living in Courtland for 28 years and has enjoyed it thoroughly. The mother of six, who also engages in livestock rearing, said that she lost her husband about six years ago and since then she had to find a way to keep her home financially stable.

Despite the struggles, Bagot said that she has managed to get by one step at a time.

Bagot said that most of the people from the community “mine (rear life) stock and are cane cutters” and that it has been that way for most of her life. She noted that there has not been much development in the community besides the construction of a few new houses. While there was talk some time ago about the construction of a recreational facility (ball field), Bagot said that this has never materialised.

Also lamenting the need for attention from the NDC, she said, “We would like to

see persons in authority come and meet with the people here because we are human beings like everyone else trying to have a better life, we feel neglected.”

She said that although there may be issues that can be addressed, the people remain resilient and have stuck to their values of being helpful, friendly and peaceful to each other.

As we made our way through one of the four dams in the village, Junior Glasgow, a cane harvester, was seen weeding the tall grass from the corners of the dam. In frustration he said, “nobody comes to clean it from the NDC so we the

communities but “they skip Courtland.”

He said, “look at Courtland roadside condition, you can see with your eyes too, nobody cares nothing about us here.”

He stressed that for his community to improve, there must be better leaders at the level of the NDC. He too mentioned that his community would be grateful for better lighting and some work to be done on t h e d a m s . G l a s g o w, however, did not fail to mention that he has been living a comfortable life with his family, noting that although he is employed at the Albion Estate as a cane

Resident, Pamela Crandon

people here got to do it ourselves.” Although exhausted from the blistering heat of the day, Glasgow took a few moments to engage with us.

He said he has been living in Courtland for nearly 20 years with his family in his modest home.

While he wanted to say only good things about his community, he could not help but complain saying “Courtland village na get no proper management at all.” Glasgow said that during the heavy flooding situation last year, trenches and drains were dug in several

harvester, when he comes home, he tends to his several heads of cattle and his kitchen garden which supplies them with various vegetables and fruits to cook and eat on a daily basis.

Wi t h t o d a y b e i n g Father's Day, Glasgow said nothing special is being done but insisted that he is contended that he is alive and able to work to maintain his family. According to the residents of Courtland Village, they are all hoping for the same things – to live a better life with enhancements to the basic infrastructural and community enhancement needs.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 57

More young people join protest for better oil deal

U

sually, the picket line for a better oil deal is dominated by older folks seeking a better future for their children and grandchildren, but this past week saw more young people joining the fight for an improved contract.

On Thursday when the protestors held their final demonstration for the week, a number of young people turned out, demanding that the oil contract between ExxonMobil and the government of Guyana be changed.

They were also sure to call out the Opposition on their silence as it relates to their wealth.

“Jagdeo, Ali plus Norton sell out Guyana to Exxon, let's stop them,” one placard held by a young man read.

Another youth proudly held up his message urging “Guyanese demand more than 14 and a half percent of we oil”.

On Wednesday, one of the older protestors could be heard arguing “all the gold, the diamond and all we resources we give them (leaders) to protect and look what they doing.

We got generations to come and they giving it away.”

Another male protestor joined in saying that our children are eating 'shine rice' while our leaders are complacent with the miniscule returns from the oil and gas sector.

They were greeted by overcast skies and calm winds, unlike the previous week which forced protestors to brave storm-like weather.

The public demonstration had commenced in front of the Square

of the Revolution or the Cuffy Monument on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown about three weeks ago, prior to the renewal of the Liza One Permit.

The protestors were calling for government to use the renewal as an avenue to secure better financial returns from the oil sector. Since then, they have been unrelenting in their call for a fairer deal.

It must be noted that Guyana has one of the largest oil reserves in

the world, with more than 10 billion barrels of oil already discovered offshore Guyana.

Nevertheless, the country also has one of the poorest royalty or interest rates for its resources.

Under the provisions of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)—ExxonMobil Guyana—and its partners, Royalty is calculated at two percent of oil

that is produced and sold.

It is in this context that Guyanese have decided to protest the royalty rates they are forced to accept for the valuable resources.

Kaieteur News would have exposed that Guyana's Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for the Stabroek Block is one of the world's worst provisions when compared to 130 other deals in the world.

For example, the PSA sees the government paying the contractor's income tax out of the country's share of the profits.

However, none of the 130 PSAs examined shows this arrangement.

Further, Guyana's PSA is the only one out of 130, which has very moderate work obligations for contractors who are vested with offshore licences.

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.

There is also no sliding scale for royalty to increase as production improves.

And that is not all. Guyana's PSA is the only one out of 130 in the world that allows insurance premiums to be fully recovered as well as interest on loans and financing costs that are incurred by t h e contractors.

During Tu e s d a y ' s demonstrati on at the Square of t h e

Protestors continue the fight for a better oil contract.

Revolution, the publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall was seen on the protest line urging that Guyana does not want to become a Mexico, but like the United States of America where the people are secured and live fine lives.

The businessman said, “Our neighbour Brazil got 56 percent of their oil take.

Suriname has 62 and a quarter, Venezuela 71 percent. Man, we settle for 14 and a half percent. Can you believe this thing? And these clowns we have wouldn't change that.”

Meanwhile, another protestor shared, “I am saying if we have the best oil in the entire world, why is Guyana the only country in the world with such a lopsided contract and a contract that does not benefit the entire Guyana and Guyanese people?

I am saying that the contract needs to be changed.”

He pointed out too that ExxonMo b i l , a U n i t e d S a t e s company have been fleeing from paying its taxes here in Guyana, but cannot try such strokes in its home country as President Joe Biden has b e e n s l a p p i n g o n a dditional taxes, all while the leaders of Guyana hold on to a 'sanctity of contracts' excuse.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 58

g ts in s... e e er atur t In re C

B

Sunday June 19, 2022

Botfly

otflies, also k n o w n a s warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies, are a family of flies technically known as the Oestridae.

Their larvae are internal parasites of mammals, some species growing in the host’s flesh and others within the gut. Dermatobia hominis is the only species of botfly known to parasitise humans routinely, though other species of flies cause myiasis in humans.

GENERAL A botfly, also written bot fly, bott fly or bot-fly in various combinations, is any fly in the family Oestridae.

Their life cycles vary greatly according to species, but the

larvae of all species are internal parasites of mammals. Largely according to species, they also are known variously as warble flies, heel flies, and gadflies. The larvae of some species grow in the flesh of their hosts, while others grow within the hosts’ alimentary tracts.

The word “bot” in this sense means a maggot. A warble is a skin lump or callus such as might be caused by an ill-fitting harness, or by the presence of a warble fly maggot under the skin. The human botfly, Dermatobia hominis, is the only species of botfly whose larvae ordinarily parasitise humans, though flies in some

other families episodically cause human myiasis and are sometimes more harmful.

FAMILY OESTRIDAE The Oestridae now are generally defined as

including the former families Oestridae, C u t e r e b r i d a e , Gasterophilidae, and Hypodermatidae as subfamilies.

The Oestridae, in turn, are a family within the superfamily Oestroidea, together with the families C a l l i p h o r i d a e , Rhinophoridae, Sarcophagidae, and Tachinidae.

Of families of flies causing myiasis, the Oestridae include the highest proportion of species whose larvae live as obligate parasites within the bodies of mammals. Roughly 150 species are known worldwide. Most other species of flies implicated in myiasis are members of related families, such as blow-flies.

INFESTATION Botflies deposit eggs on a host, or sometimes use an intermediate vector such as the common housefly, mosquitoes, and, in the case of D. hominis, a species of tick. After mating, the female botfly captures the phoretic insect by holding onto its wings with her legs.

She then makes the slip—attaching 15 to 30 eggs onto the insect or arachnid’s abdomen, where they incubate.

The fertilised female does this over and over again to distribute the 100 to 400 eggs she produces in her short adult stage of life of only 8–9 days.

Larvae from these eggs, stimulated by the warmth and proximity of a large mammal host, drop onto its skin and burrow underneath.

Intermediate vectors are often used, since a number of animal hosts recognise the approach of a botfly and flee.

Eggs are deposited on larger animals’ skin directly, or the larvae hatch and drop from the eggs attached to the intermediate vector; the body heat of the host animal induces hatching upon contact or immediate proximity. Some forms of botfly also occur in the digestive tract after ingestion by licking.

Myiasis can be caused by

larvae burrowing into the skin (or tissue lining) of the host animal. Mature larvae drop from the host and complete the pupal stage in soil. They do not kill the host animal, thus they are true parasites.

The equine botflies present seasonal difficulties to equestrian caretakers, as they lay eggs on the insides of horses’ front legs, on the cannon bone and knees and sometimes on the throat or nose, depending on the species.

These eggs, which look like small, yellow drops of paint, must be carefully removed during the laying season (late summer and early fall) to prevent infestation in the horse.

When a horse rubs its nose on its legs, the eggs are transferred to the mouth and from there to the intestines, where the larvae grow and attach themselves to the stomach lining or the small intestine.

The attachment of the larvae to the tissue produces a mild irritation, which results in erosions and ulcerations at the site.

Removal of the eggs (which adhere to the host’s hair) is difficult, since the bone and tendons are directly under the skin on the cannon bones; eggs must be removed with a sharp knife (often a razor blade) or rough sandpaper and caught before they reach the ground. The larvae remain attached and develop for 10–12 months before they are passed out in the feces.

Occasionally, horse owners report seeing botfly larvae in horse manure.

These larvae are cylindrical in shape and are reddish orange in colour.

In one to two months, adult botflies emerge from the developing larvae and the cycle repeats itself.

Botflies can be controlled with several types of dewormers, including dichlorvos, ivermectin, and trichlorfon.

In cattle, the lesions caused by these flies can become infected by Mannheimia granulomatis, a bacterium that causes lechiguana, characterised by rapid-growing, hard lumps beneath the skin of t h e a n i m a l . Wi t h o u t antibiotics, an affected animal will die within 3–11 months.

Dermatobia hominis, the human botfly, occasionally uses humans to host its larvae. (Source: WIkipedia)

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 59

[Photo Credit: National Today]

[Photo Credit: This Bago Girl]

[Photo Credit: Jehan Can Cook]

[Photo Credit: Visit Guyana]

[Photo Credit: Guyana Dining]

[Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes]

Cuisine Culture

A chaperon for

By Renay Sambach

W

hen was the last time you went out and treated yourself? When last did you check out a new food spot or visit a restaurant and indulged in their cuisine?

Whether you’re looking to ‘wine and dine’ or for a chill vibe where you can enjoy great food and catch up with your friends, ‘Cuisine Culture’ is here to be your guide.

Cuisine Culture will help you find your way to some of the fine dining gems as well as the ‘food/chill spots’ around.

Each venue offers a different style, personality and ambience and here is where you can find recommendations for what best suits you or may be interesting enough for you to dare to try.

Let’s discover the best food in Guyana on this gastronomic journey which will see me documenting my every experience at a new restaurant/food spot every Sunday.

GUYANESE DISHES On the local front, like our people, our food in Guyana is very diverse from Creole, East Indian, African, Portuguese, Amerindian, Chinese and European cuisines.

Some popular dishes include: curry, whether it be chicken, seafood, goat, lamb or duck; metamgee, which is a dumpling dish that is made from cornflour, yams, plantains, eddoes root and cassava that is cooked in coconut milk and flavoured with grated coconut; pepperpot: this is a stew dish that originally came from the Amerindians. It is made from cassareep, hot peppers and seasoning, and then there is cook-up rice; a one-pot meal – this is a rice-based dish with beans or peas.

There are many Chinese restaurants in town and there you can find Chinese fried rice, dumplings, fried noodles and other delicacies.

To suit your craving for Creole food, I

foodies will review and give recommendation on the best Creole restaurants.

CARIBBEAN DISHES Caribbean cuisine incorporates several traditions, creating a fusion of different types of food.

Fish, chicken, and pork are commonly made into delectable stews and curries as well as roasted or grilled. Beans and rice are staples, along with coconut, bell peppers, limes, tomatoes, yams and plantains.

Let’s not forget the rich Caribbean spices, marinades, and seasonings which make the dishes even more delectable. From the popular Jamaican oxtail stew and Trinidadian doubles, you will find all the best recommendations for food lovers here.

OTHER COUNTRIES Added to Guyana and the Caribbean diverse cuisine, there are places you can find

food from all around the globe. On the Italian side, there’s pizza, lasagna, pasta, or gelato.

Moving along, there is taco, a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small handsized corn or wheat tortilla topped with a filling, there is also burrito. You can also find places to indulge in Russian, German, American, Venezuelan and Brazilian food.

BEVERAGES

A freshly squeezed fruit juice with loud ice always brings a vibe. Another local blessing is mauby, which is made from the bark of a local tree which is boiled, strained and sweetened.

Next Sunday, the journey begins, so food lovers, don’t you dare forget to pick up your copy of the Kaieteur newspaper for the mouth-watering details.

If you are interested in reaching out to me about places I should venture, reach out via email: naesambach@gmail.com or phone number: + 1 (592) 694-1862

Kaieteur News

PAGE 60

Sunday June 19, 2022 Young entrepreneur, Shanice Wilburgh

who aren’t f persons o s n to e v ecause of “We ha as such b d n a e and d e y emplo ads to crim who le it , ty ie s in soc ng person frustration ing in you st y for e a v w in th y a B ates a p re violence. c it , st can intere iduals who iv show that d in g in and to dd young bu economy e th to y tl grea contribute ciety as a whole.” so

e<<< v o M e th n o r u e n e r >>>Young Entrep

M O R F N IO H S A F IN SHOP THE LATEST

’ y g t u o ‘Style-

By Allyiah Allicock

“I ventured into business when I realised, I no longer wanted to sit two hours or more to get my nails done.” Those are the words of Shanice Wilburgh, a young entrepreneur who now operates her own online clothing and accessories business.

Wilburgh’s life as an entrepreneur began in July last year just around the height of the pandemic and ever since its existence, it has been taking the local fashion industry by storm. Her business has grown to be a number one choice by many for its latest trendy and fashionable options.

In a recent interview with The Waterfalls, Wilburgh said initially, she was seeking a job

but given the impact of the pandemic, it was difficult to find any. So that is when she decided to become her own boss and launch her own business, ‘Styleoutgy’.

It all started, she recalled, a while back while waiting, for what seemed like forever, to get her nails done. Thinking to herself that enough was enough, she researched for a better solution that would give her the same service but in a faster way. That is when she discovered a wide range of press on nails.

These are artificial or acrylic nails that are already designed, so clients only have to now glue it on their natural nails.

According to her, they are way easier to put on, “cheap and saves you time.”

“When the pandemic hit, a lot of people

couldn’t keep up, especially if you’re a trendy person. No one wanted to wait a few hours. We took the initiative to supply nails,” she related.

Wilburgh’s business, which will reach its one-year anniversary next month, does not only sell press on nails but it also offers a wide range of the fashionable apparel and accessories to suit just about any social event.

Since ‘Styleoutgy’ was launched, Wilburgh related that the support has been very rewarding and overwhelming, so much so, that it drives her to do more. “To know you have that support, it gives you the drive to overcome whatever challenges you face regardless of the situation,” she shared.

Some of these challenges, she explained,

Some of the various apparels and accessories that can be ordered from Styleoutgy

included finding quality suppliers. With an evolving fashion industry, quality products are vital to clients. So, keeping up and trying to fill that gap gets challenging sometimes, Wilburgh related. Another challenge was the heavy shipping fees to import products. This, she explained, affects the price of her products which becomes a challenge since her aim to make her items as affordable as possible.

Another hardship she has faced lies in the completion of orders. “Ensuring your orders are correct along with customers being satisfied is challenging. We’re based online so there’s no storefront at the moment. As such, we ensure the interaction and the Continued on page 70

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 61

How a Pomeroon farmer managed to make

Lemonade with Life’s Lemons w e

By Romario Blair

A

ccording to one of the most p o p u l a r maxims around, ‘When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.’ It was reportedly first penned by writer Elbert Hubbard in 1915. Its meaning is simple: instead of drowning in self-pity when facing adversity, always strive to be optimistic.

In the Pomeroon, Oscar Richmond may have added a little twist to Hubbard’s quote.

Richmond’s story began when he couldn’t find a market for the plantains he’d grown on his own farm. But he never gave up hope and instead saw the prospects of a much greater product. Today, he manufactures and markets a wide range of Agro-based products which comes straight from his Pomeroon farm.

During an exclusive interview with The Waterfalls, the 38-year-old proprietor revealed that his business, which operates under the brand ‘Green Diamond Food’s’, is today supplying to much of Guyana’s domestic market.

Among the products manufactured are fruit cake mix, cassava cassareep, porridge powder, mixed capadulla tea, lemon grass tea, and cassava biscuit. Green Diamond products are currently found in some of the leading supermarkets countrywide.

According to Richmond, “Since we started, most of the supermarkets we are in, (they are) in Georgetown – Foodmaxx Supermarket, the Guyana Shop and Massy’s…Mattie’s the food market, Bounties and many others. One of the biggest products for us is porridge mix,

de, ” Richmond said.

But before all of this, Richmond told The Waterfalls that he was a teacher and then a gold miner. “Back in the day, I was a gold miner… I loved the gold mining thing. After the price for gold went up, I went up in the interior and did some mining. I raised some money and came back out, so of course I had to invest it in some way. So, I invested it on the farm.

I hired a machine, excavated and impoldered, and I planted some cassava and later plantains and so on,” he revealed.

After a period of time had elapsed, it was finally time for him to reap the fruits of his labour. The reward, however, w as q u i t e d i s a p p o i n t i n g .

Richmond recalled that the price on the local market was extremely low, and the possibility of a profitable business seemed unlikely.

MAKING LEMONADE ca ll it the Power Mix porridge, this product consists of plantains, banana’s, sweet cassava, sweet potato and eddoes.”

STARTING FROM SCRATCH There is a popular saying that behind every successful man, there’s a woman. In Richmond’s case, his wife, Michellina, has been toe-to-toe with him, as they both helped to build the business from scratch. The couple presently resides at Jacklow in the Upper Pomeroon, where they parent their three children. “It may come as a surprise, but this entire operation is being done

b y two of us; my wife and I. We started in 2017 under the brand ‘Green Diamond Food’s’, and today we have six to seven products that we’re producing nationwi

While the low price for his produce was a stumbling block, Richmond noted that it was only a matter of time before he devised a plan to counter this setback. “The price was very low, so, what I did is that I chipped the plantain and we did dehydrated plantain Cont inued on page 62

PAGE 62

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

How a Pomeroon farmer managed to make...

From page 61 flour. It’s the only way to save the plantain from spoiling. We went and seek the market for it but that didn’t go too well because there were already suppliers in the market, so we had to up our game,” he shared.

But, according to Richmond, the Ministry of the Presidency in 2017, played an instrumental role which helped to boost his business venture. “We did a course at the Guyana School of Agriculture…during that course they taught us all sorts of thing about manufacturing and packaging,” he said, adding that “we decided if we can’t find market, we needed to do something different.

So, we consulted with persons who were knowledgeable in agro-processing, and they encourage us to package plantain flour.”

PENETRATING THE MARKET It wasn’t long after gaining the ‘know how’ that Richmond went back to the market.

“After a while, we developed our brand and name, and we went back and reintroduced our product to the supermarket, and as

expected, the supermarket started to contact us,” he recalled with pride.

The packaging was of such fine quality, that it attracted the attention of the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC). Richmond said, “GMC has been a pillar in our operation, in terms of training, and marketing from the inception. They showcased our product when we could not go on any exhibition; we were not able to go to the Agro-fest but our products were there.”

He added, “They went to Barbados, they went to Canada, Dubai and they marketed… today pretty much because of GMC we had the bigger supermarkets contact us. They made the arrangement to meet with us and so the business relationship started.

Richmond pointed out that the brand Green Diamond Food’s, has significant reference to the farm. He said that diamond refers to something valuable, and green to the produce within the farm. “When you look at the farm, and see it’s green you see it is profitable. And today that profitability is being realised.”

Green Diamond is presently producing

and marketing the capadulla tea, which is believed to be the first of its kind in Guyana. “Many people never ever heard or imagined capadulla being produced in a marketable form. But we managed to get it done. We are producing this product in the form of a tea bag. It’s in a box, well packaged and seal… in fact most of our products when produced, people think its imported,” he proudly quipped.

STEADY PROGRESS Richmond said that when he first ventured into the manufacturing realm, he had merely a hand mill, and was grinding up to 75 pounds of product per day. Today he has upgraded to a motorised mill that has not only improved his product’s quality, but also increased production from 1500 to 2000 pounds per day. He added, “It makes the work faster and lighter, but to use the mill I have to rely on a bigger generator, which means more fuel consumption. And with the gasoline price going up, so the cost of

p rodu ction will go up. So that is presently one of the challenges we’re faced with.”

But for Richmond and his family business, things seem to be on a fixed path destined to go up hill. During his interview, he announced that by October, Green Diamond Food’s will be launching two new products – a bottled wine and another tea both of which will be made of natural plant products.

Another major goal, Richmond anticipates, is to soon hit the export market with his products. “I love what I’m doing at the moment, I like doing a lot of experiment, being innovative, and I think that’s the fun

Sunday June 19, 2022

WEEK IN REVIEW SUNDAY GUYANAGIVES UP ENTIRE YEAR’S BUDGET PAYING EXXON & PARTNERS INCOME TAX Oil is a tricky business and Guyana has found itself in a conundrum where it is foregoing more than it earns, meaning the oil business is essentially running at a loss for the country.

According to the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Guyana has agreed to, under the taxation provisions, to pay ExxonMobil’s share of Corporation and Income Tax. As such it would mean, that Guyana foregoes each year, billions of US dollars.

Clause 15.4 (a) of that PSA stipulates that the Minster of Natural Resources agrees that a sum equivalent to the tax assessed to be paid by the Minister to the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on behalf of the contractor— ExxonMobil Guyana – and that the amount of such sum will be considered income of the contractor.

Additionally, at 15.4 (b) the Minister also agrees that the appropriate portion of the Government’s share of profit oil delivered, shall be accepted as payment in full for the contractor’s share of Income Tax and Corporation Tax—levies owed to the GRA. Collectively it would mean that instead of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)— ExxonMobil Guyana— paying over hundreds of millions of US dollars annually as taxes owed to GRA, it has agreed to accept that a portion of its share of

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profit oil, be recognised as its taxes. Documentation to this effect is then provided to the US based company allowing it to not have to pay any taxes in its home country for its earnings overseas.

Collectively, this has led to Guyana’s financial records being essentially misrepresented to reflect profits from an industry when in fact the country is in the red losing hundreds of millions by foregoing the payment of Income and Corporation Tax. Addressing the forgone Income Tax alone, juxtaposed with Guyana’s earnings on Profit Oil and its two percent royalty would expose that Guyana will in fact lose in excess of $2B this year.

This, since calculated at 25 percent of its earnings, Income Tax foregone would easily eclipse Guyana’s earnings.

This year, Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh has predicted that Guyana will be collecting some US$957M this year—US$857 being profit and US$100M being royalty.

ExxonMobil partner in the Stabroek Block, John Hess, Chief Executive Officer of Hess Corporation recently pegged earnings from the oil block this year to be some US$2.6B for its 30 percent stake in the operations.

The Stabroek Block is currently being developed by two Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)—the Liza Destiny and Unity and the Liza I and II developments—and collectively the oil companies are set to rake in just under US$9B. As such, it would mean that should Guyana collect, its

Income Tax from ExxonMobil and their partners this year, at 25 percent, it would see Guyana earning some US$2.25B on Income Tax alone.

But with Guyana agreeing to pay that tax bill to GRA from its less than US$1B earnings, it would mean that the Ministry of Natural Resources would still owe GRA some US$1.3B, to be paid from future earnings.

Conversely, it would mean that Guyana will lose US$2.25B it should have collected as Income Tax from the oil companies.

The revelation of the oil companies earnings from the Stabroek Block by Hess Corporation’s CEO, John Hess, was made during his recent participation at the Bernstein’s 38th Annual Strategic Decisions Conference.

During an almost onehour discussion that was focused mostly on Guyana, he said the company has already received three lifts of one million barrels of oil from the Stabroek Block, which has two ongoing projects, Liza Phase One and Liza Phase Two. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/12/guyana-givesup-entire-years-budgetpaying-exxon-partnersincome-tax/) PRES. BIDEN WARNS EXXON TO PAY FAIR SHARE OF TAXES -MEANWHILE GUYANA GOVT. GOES TO COURT TO ENSURE OIL COMPANY GETS TAX FREE RIDE US President, Joe Biden on Friday last, lambasted ExxonMobil Corporation, his country’s largest oil and gas producer, for not assisting with easing supply shortages which have unleashed economic pains on the pockets of American citizens.

Instead, Biden said Exxon is comfortably taking advantage of the supply crisis to make soaring profits for its shareholders.

Biden said Exxon actually “made more money than God this year” and warned that the multinational must pay its fair share of taxes.

Interestingly, that call by the American leader is in direct contrast to the Government of Guyana which supports nonpayment of taxes by ExxonMobil no matter how much money it makes off the nation’s Stabroek Block resources.

The Government has often preached that Guyana has to maintain the sanctity of the 2016 Stabroek Block Agreement which gives

Exxon and fellow contractors a tax free ride while affiliated companies, subcontractors, and expatriate employees get massive tax concessions and waivers.

In fact, in a case now going through the High Court, the government of Guyana and Exxon find themselves on the same side opposing a citizen’s action asking the court to declare whether it is lawful for Exxon not to pay taxes in Guyana.

In an invited comment, Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram opined that the situation described above represents one of the greatest economic ironies of all time.

What is even more damning, he said, is the fact that Exxon has full licence to exploit Guyana’s patrimony, desecrate the environment, make as much profits it wants and pay no taxes in Guyana.

He said, “But it is still worse than that. The 2016 Petroleum Agreement reduces our Minister of Natural Resources to a messenger boy. Exxon makes a ton of money, calculates the taxes payable, hands its tax returns to the Minister and he takes it to the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA)and says, ‘Don’t worry, I am paying the taxes for them.

Gross up the income as well as the tax and give me a receipt in the form of a Certificate of tax paid in the name of Exxon.’

Exxon will then take that certificate and present it to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) to show that it has paid taxes in Guyana.”

The Chartered Accountant noted, however, that while the certificate is issued by a state agency, it is in reality “a fake, a scam and it is probably a fraud.”

Ram said it is doubtful that Biden knows the whole truth of Exxon’s greed and the act it is performing on his IRS. On Saturday Kaieteur News reported that Biden sternly criticised the posture of the oil company as he said it was reflective of sheer greed. Biden said the

company sits back and watches inflation rise incountry, much to the benefit of its shareholders’ pockets.

Expounding on the inflationary pressures facing his people, Biden blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin and his invasion of Ukraine which led to shortages in the market and record-high gasoline prices.

He also pinned part of the blame for high fuel costs on Exxon and other oil producers for what he called a failure to increase supply to help reduce prices.

“One thing I want to say about the oil companies: They have 9,000 permits to drill. They’re not drilling,” he continued. “Why aren’t they drilling? Cause they make more money not producing more oil — the price goes up.”

The second “reason they’re not drilling is they’re buying back their own stock,” Biden said. “Buying back their own stock and making no new investments.”

Exxon, the top U.S. oil producer, announced in April that it intends to triple the size of its stock buyback programme and repurchase up to US$30 billion in shares by the end of next year. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/12/pres-bidenwarns-exxon-to-pay-fairshare-of-taxes/) MONDAY ‘BOOTARRANGEMENT IS A DEBT TRAP’ …ECONOMIST URGES GOVT. TO USE OIL MONEY TO FUND CAPITAL PROJECTS The PPP/C Government is quick to utilise the Build Own Operate and Transfer (BOOT) finance model to undertake major capital projects, a situation where contractors take on the responsibilities listed leaving users-in this case Guyanese- to pay for the utilities provided which is later transferred to the country.

However, one economist

has warned that these arrangements have the potential to sink Guyana in more debts, even as he suggested that government make use of its newest source of income, oil revenue, to fund its capital projects.

Tarron Khemraj, a United States Professor of Economics and also a born Guyanese made these points while appearing on a recent Globespan 24x7 broadcast.

The discussion was centered on ‘The Impact of Guyana’s Oil Windfall on Poor Guyanese’ and was moderated by Trinidadian, Shalima Mohammed and also featured Dr. Terrance Blackman, an Associate Professor of Mathematics in New York.

Khemraj explained: “it might be better to use some of the oil funds to outright finance some of the big capital projects instead of going into let’s say a BOOT arrangement. A BOOT arrangement is a de facto debt right because the project contractor has to find the financing, market terms then you get the contract and supplies you the good, but what happens if the private contractor can’t, the revenue is drawn out of the Guyana economy to finance the debt, that private contractor’s debt.”

He added that because citizens will need the services being provided by that contractor, government will not be able to sit back and allow the contractor to fail which means that the shortfall will be supplied by Guyana. For instance, he said, “Can the government sit back and say okay your gas to shore energy, your natural gas power plant go belly up?

It can’t, because the citizens will still need electricity so you are locked to this. It is a duplicitous debt so some level of optimal mix of using internal finance and oil finance will have to be arrived at.” The Berbice Bridge is an example of a BOOT arrangement that Guyana currently has. It must be noted that despite the fact that the bulk of the money invested in the Berbice Bridge came from state-run National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Dr. Ranjisinghi ‘Bobby’ Ramroop, the best friend of Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo is the largest shareholder. The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) has 10 percent shares in the bridge, NIS has 20.2 percent, Hand-in-Hand Fire Insurance has 10, New GPC has 20 percent, Queens Atlantic Investment Inc. has 20 percent and Secure (Continued on page 64)

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From page 63 International Finance Co. Limited owns 20 percent.

In 2018, it was reported that the privately-owned Berbice River Bridge was facing a major problem of maintenance, or lack thereof, of its pontoons, with the then Government recommending the company to seek ways to raise financing.

Since being commissioned in December 2008, there has been little or no maintenance of the pontoon which floats the bridge, with concerns raised by former board member and chairman, Bert Carter, and others. Back then, the NIS Chairman, Dr. Surendra Persaud, informed government of the maintenance issues. It was reportedly pointed out that the bridge was facing a financial shortfall and could not maintain the pontoons.

Former Minister of Public Infrastructure David Patterson, in confirming the state of affairs, said then that after Government was informed of the developments, a team of engineers from the Demerara Harbour Bridge was dispatched to Berbice.

The construction of the bridge under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, while widely welcomed, was heavily criticized because a few investors were allowed almost total control, though putting up only a fraction of the almost US$40M used to build it. (https://www.kaieteurne wsonline.com/2022/06/13/ boot-arrangement-is-a-debttrap/) CITIZENS URGED TO RESIST GOVT. ABUSES THROUGH COURTACTIONS - INT’L LAWYERS SAYS LITIGATION IS BEST FORM OF RESISTANCE UNTILGUYANA GETS CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM It has proven difficult for citizens to stop the government from making decisions they are against, particularly in the runaway oil and gas sector which has now become the gem of Guyana’s economy. International lawyer Melinda Janki has thus urged Guyanese to flood the court with litigation to show the government and private companies that they will not tolerate their concerns being bypassed.

Janki was speaking at an Avaaz webinar a few weeks ago when she weighed in on avenues that citizens could utilise to demand their participation in the management of the country’s

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resources. Janki was very keen on the little power the current political structure offers. She indicated that unless Guyana’s “toxic” political system provides greater control to its people, they will be stuck with one or the other of the main political parties which operate in a winner takes all system.

What citizens currently have are two main political parties, with a third made up of persons from the other two parties.

Without “constitutional reform”, she said Guyana appears basically struck. To force attention, Janki said citizens must bring on political pressure to show that they are not happy with what is happening. She said citizens have to lobby the government and be very public about their actions. And when that does not work, the lawyer said to get the court involved.

On the matter of law, Janki underscored the importance for more judges within the system as well as the need for judicial training on judicial review, constitution and administrative matters, as these she said, are fairly new to the local courts. Janki has four court cases relating to illegalities within the local oil sector, one involves the prevention of unauthorised flaring at the offshore FPSO in the Stabroek Block.

Kaieteur News publisher Glenn Lall also has an oil related case to make ExxonMobil pay its fair share of taxes. Other oil related cases were filed with University of Guyana professor Troy Thomas winning his challenge against a 20-year operating permit approval when the law only permits five.

“Outside of existing cases, I think it is really important that people bring more court cases and challenge wherever there are grounds for illegalities; and challenge the actions because that does actually have an impact in sending a clear message that we would not tolerate unlawful actions.” Therefore, Janki

continued, institutions in country as well as the private sector will want to do what’s right to avoid being sued and ending up in court. “So, it is really important that people show that they are prepared to go to court to enforce the law.”

The court ruling in Professor Thomas’ case essentially brought the environmental permit for oil operators in conformity with the law. He too believes that citizens must increase their use of the legal system, highlighting that his court victory paved the way for citizens to challenge oil companies over other environmental infractions. An order granted by Justice Jo Ann Barlow in 2020 effectively reduced Exxon’s environmental permit to the correct time as prescribed by law.

More recently, former finance minister Winston Jordan also promoted the legal avenue as a course to hit government’s speed when they do not adhere to citizen’s request.

He told the opposition to up their game by using the Parliament and the courts to register their disapproval of the way the country is being run. The former minister said the opposition must flood the Parliament with motions and questions to demand answers from the government. And when they continue to behave nonchalant, limit or remove participation from the House to force a sit down since foreign supporters of democracy will not allow the government alone to sit in Parliament and run the country. Jordan said that the courts may be overloaded, but opposition must utilize these avenues as they provide official records of the struggle. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/13/citizens-urgedto-resist-govt-abusesthrough-court-actions/)

TUESDAY HESS MULLS EXITING US RESERVOIRS TO FOCUS ON GUYANA With Guyana recording the largest discovery of oil and gas resources in the last 20 years and with a shift in investment patterns in the industry, at least one of the partners in the Stabroek block has signalled an exit from the US and other developments in order to focus on the likes of Guyana and Suriname.

This was the sentiment of Hess Corporation’s CEO John Hess, who recently confirmed that the company has seen its fortunes grow with its interest in the Stabroek Block, a reservoir that has grown the company’s asset base.

Speaking to the company’s investment strategy during the recently held, 38th Strategic Decisions Conference 2022—organised

by Bernstein Anonymous— Hess used the occasion to reiterate, “oil and gas is a resource business, you have to grow your resource over time and invest in growing that resource if your cash flow is going to be greater five or ten years from now.”

To this end, he sought to point out that, “the challenge for shale producers they are not growing their resources they are actually liquidating which is allows them to return a lot of capital to shareholders but not grow their intrinsic value.”

According to Hess, “we are the only oil company that can grow intrinsic value while at the same time, been growing cash returns or cash yields to our shareholders and that’s based upon a strategy of three things, grow the resource, high returns, go down the cost curve, have a low cost to supply, and have industry leading cash flow growth.”

Hess elucidated saying, “on the resource side we are very focused but balanced portfolio and we think to

grow that resource you can’t just stay in shale; we have the Bakken Shale, we have gas annuity basically in Malaysia that has certainly another ten years to go in it.’

He said too, “you have the gulf of Mexico where you do have some growth potential and then you have Guyana.”

With this in mind, he sought to remind, “…the important thing is with that portfolio we are able to grow our production 10 percent a year; an investor recently when we are on the road said you are the only growth company left in the oil and gas industry well, that’s because we have focused on growing resource He recalled too that “we were criticized three years ago for investing; a number of investors said stop investing just give us the cash back, we said look we have higher returns specifically in Guyana we are going to benefit from that investment as we grow the resource we grow the cash flow.”

With regards the investments in the Permian Basin, Hess was quick to point out that while the company plans to add another rig, it intends to cap its investments there, with the intention of focusing on its more lucrative options such as Guyana and more recently Suriname.

Speaking to the returns for its investment in Guyana, Hess told stakeholders “now that we have a second (production) ship on, every ship at US$65 Brent adds US$1B a year of; as a consequence, our cash flow because we have these low cost developments coming on every year, our cash flow growth is 25 percent a year compounded, each year for the next five years and quite frankly with more ships it can actually go out to 2030.” ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/14/hess-mullsexiting-us-reservoirs-tofocus-on-guyana/)

PAC UPS PRESSURE ON PRESIDENT TO SWEAR IN PROCUREMENT COMMISSIONERS The National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has made an official call to President Irfaan Ali to swiftly swear in the five persons who were unanimously approved to serve on the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) more than two months ago.

PAC chairman, Jermaine Figueria made the call during the body’s Monday meeting.

He said that numerous complaints and questions about the PPC not being in place have come to him personally and to the Committee inquiring, “…why is it that the PPC has not been put in place (while) the PAC played a pivotal role in the short listing of those members.”

As chairman of the PAC, Figueria said that he had put forward the PPC motion in the National Assembly where the five persons got more than two third majority expressing confidence in them serving on the PPC. The motion was voted on since last April and several months have passed without movement to make the Commission functional.

“So, on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee, I would like to make the call on His Excellency the President to do what is expected of him constitutionally; the mandate of swearing in the commissioners of the PPC so that they can execute their constitutional duties that the Guyanese public is expecting them to do.” Figueria insisted that the Commission is very important and can no longer remain inoperable as the names identified attained more than the constitutionally required number of votes.

The PAC chairman urged the President to act swiftly in making the commission functional so it can give the (Continued on page 65)

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From page 64 country’s procurement system some kind of footing in accountability and transparency.

PAC member Ganesh Mahipaul added his voice to the chairman’s call stating that the work of the PAC had led to the nomination of the PPC names, and it was viewed by both the government and opposition that activating the Commission is urgent and necessary in keeping the guardrails of democracy high.

Despite her pressing schedule as Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, government Member of Parliament and PAC member Gail Teixeira had committed to finishing the PPC work she was conducting with the PAC chair.

The work was done and the names received a unanimous support from House representatives. As such, Mahipaul said, “I thought that by now, just over two months after that decision, we would have had a PPC where contractors and suppliers could have expressed their dissatisfaction in terms of them feeling that they were not treated fairly by the public procurement system.” He said the PAC is well aware of the related complaints.

Mahipaul reiterated that other motions got quick assent from the president despite being passed under questionable circumstances.

The Natural Resource Fund was passed with the parliamentary opposition removing the Mace. It was assented to by the President the next day.

There is also an ongoing court challenge in relation to this matter. With this in mind, Mahipaul expressed the confidence he had in believing that the President would have urgently put the Commission in place.

He said that the President should activate the PPC because ultimately, it will reduce the Auditor General’s work as the PPC helps to improve the system.

He said the AG would have fewer irregularities to examine and his work space would be expanded.

Government MP and PAC member Dharamkumar Seeraj in his contribution accepted that the PPC is essential to promote the overall confidence of the procurement system and that it must be convened earliest. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/14/pac-upspressure-on-president-toswear-in-procurementcommissioners/)

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WEDNESDAY OILCOMPANY HOLDING BERBICE BLOCK HAD NO EMPLOYEES IN 2019 - EITI REPORT In Guyana’s third report to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), an international watchdog that allows citizens to track revenues remitted to the State from the oil and mining sectors, the spotlight was placed on the employment records of onshore and offshore petroleum explorers.

Of all the companies listed, however, only one entity reported no employees for the 2019 reporting period.

That company is ON Energy Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian firm, CGX Resources Inc. On Energy holds the Berbice Block for which it signed an agreement with the State on February 15, 2013.

The report notes that CGX has 30 male and eight female Guyanese employees.

No expatriates were on its payroll for 2019.

For ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), the Stabroek Block operator reported 52 males and 29 females, all from Guyana being part of their permanent staff along with 109 male foreigners and 15 female expats. Total workforce at the time of the 2019 reporting period was therefore 205. (The chart attached to this article shows a breakdown of other oil companies’ employment of locals and foreigners by gender).

According to CGX’s website, the company has a 62 percent stake in ON Energy Inc. which received the Berbice Block which spanned at the time, 1,566.2 km2.

Back then, the Berbice Block was also adjacent to a portion of the Corentyne that stretched from offshore to onshore. On the two onshore concessions, ON Energy completed a geochemical sampling programme and a 2D seismic programme, to fulfill the minimum work obligations, plus drilled three exploration wells which were assessed to be dry-holes.

On February 12, 2013, the Government of Guyana issued a new Berbice Petroleum Agreement to ON Energy, comprising both Berbice and the onshore portion of the Corentyne Block, thus increasing the size of the acerage to 3,295 km2 .

Under the terms of the new Berbice deal, during the initial period of four years, ON Energy had an obligation to conduct an airborne survey

comprising a minimum of 1,000 km2 and either conduct a 2D seismic survey comprising a minimum of 100 km2 or drill one exploration well. Four years later, the company contracted Exploration Technologies Inc., a Houston, Texas based geochemical survey company, to conduct a geochemical survey. The field survey started on October 27, 2018 and was completed on November 4, 2018. A total of 317 sample points and 49 blanks were taken. The survey covered a total area of approximately 391 km2.

In 2020, ON Energy submitted its proposed 25 percent acreage relinquishment which is required by the Berbice Petroleum Agreement and is awaiting the government’s agreement and final instruments to formally move into the second renewal period of the agreement which will last three years.

On February 4, 2022, the company, through ON Energy Inc. notified the government that, given the focus on the Corentyne Block (which delivered an oil discovery at the Kawa-1 well) along with operational considerations and investment priorities, ON Energy Inc. is unable to drill an exploration well on the Berbice Block in 2022.

It proposed that seismic acquisition on the block be shifted to commence in January 2023.

On February 21, 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources informed ON Energy that it must drill one commitment exploration well and acquire seismic on the Berbice Block prior to the expiry of the Berbice petroleum prospecting licence and associated petroleum agreement in February 2023.

The company said it will seek further dialogue with the ministry regarding this guidance. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/15/oil-companyholding-berbice-block-hadno-employees-in-2019-eitireport/) PUBLIC PRESSURE FORCES REVIEW OF EXXON’S DRILLING CAMPAIGN IN KAIETEUR, CANJE OIL BLOCKS The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be holding a public hearing at the end of the month at the Roraima Duke Lodge to address appeals submitted with regard to the entity’s decision to forego the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for Esso

Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL’)s — ExxonMobil Guyana—latest proposed 12-well campaign.

The decision to hold the public hearing has since been communicated by the EPA, and relates to two separate 12-well drilling campaign’s proposed by ExxonMobil Guyana for exploration ventures in the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks.

According to the EPA, the decision was taken in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act, Cap. 20:05, which stipulates that public hearings be conducted into all appeals submitted against the EPA’s decision not to require an EIA for the project.

“The Public Hearing will involve representations from the appellants, the developer, and other key stakeholders,” the EPA notice said.

It was noted that, “thereafter, the EAB (Environmental Assessment Board) will deliberate on the findings and prepare a report with its decision confirming or setting aside the EPA’s decision.”

As it relates to the works proposed for the Canje Block, EEPGL—ExxonMobil Guyana—in its application to the EPA had noted that the drilling of the wells is expected to commence in the 4th quarter of 2022 with the conclusion of the proposed drilling campaign expected by first quarter 2025.

According to ExxonMobil, based on the water depths in the Canje Block, multiple dynamicallypositioned drill ships would be used to drill the wells.

“The Canje 12-well Programme aims to gather data on the reservoir

characteristics, hydrocarbon presence, pressure, and temperatures. If the presence of hydrocarbons is discovered, wells will be tested to establish the limits of the reservoir,” ExxonMobil said. According to the proposal, once the proposed drilling operations are complete, the exploration well will be permanently plugged and abandoned.

It was noted that the Project will generate hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and as such, “all waste streams for the Project will be managed in accordance with a Comprehensive Waste Management Plan (CWMP) Exploration and Appraisal Drilling proposed for the Canje Block will be similar to previously executed Exploration and Drilling Campaigns undertaken by EEPGL.” Given the similar nature of the work programme, EEPGL did outline that: “The potential impacts from the project are related to physical, biological, and socioeconomic values.”

The EPA’s screening had found that “there are no significant environmental impacts” but during public consultations held, numerous concerns were raised that must, according to law, be addressed by the regulatory body.

The EPA had said, the project impacts has been deemed to be negligible to low, short-term and localised and as such, an EIA was not required. At the time, the only demand had by the EPA was for EEPGL to prepare an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) to outline the measures that will be put in

place to mitigate the impacts associated with the project.

As it relates to the Kaieteur Block, it was noted that based on the water depths in that location, multiple dynamicallypositioned drill ships would be used to drill the wells.

“The Kaieteur multi-well programme aims to gather data on the reservoir characteristics, hydrocarbon presence, pressure, and temperatures. If the presence of hydrocarbons is discovered, wells will be tested to establish the limits of the reservoir. Additionally, the productivity of wells and the oil or gas properties present will be tested,” ExxonMobil Guyana said.

That project too, according to ExxonMobil Guyana, will generate hazardous and nonhazardous wastes and that all waste streams for the project will be managed in accordance with a CWMP. (https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/15/publicpressure-forces-review-ofexxons-drilling-campaignin-kaieteur-canje-oilblocks/) THURSDAY CONTRACT GIVES MINISTER SPECIAL POWERS TO ALLOW EXXON TO HOLD ONTO UNUSED PORTIONS OF STABROEK BLOCK - PROVISION DIFFERS FOR OTHER OIL BLOCKS According to Guyana’s laws governing the oil sector, companies are required to give up varying portions of their respective oil blocks to (Continued on page 66)

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From page 65 the State over a 10-year period. The first period of relinquishment occurs after four years while the second and third timelines occur after a period of three years each.

All petroleum agreements for onshore and offshore concessions confirm to the foregoing stipulations except for one—The 2016 Stabroek Production Sharing Agreement (PSA).

This agreement only requires ExxonMobil’s subsidiary and operator, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to return a portion of the oil rich, deepwater acreage after seven years.

Most importantly, if the company is convincing enough, there is a provision that empowers the subject minister to let Exxon hold onto the entire block for much longer.

According to the provisions of the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), Article 4 Exploration Programme and Expenditure Obligation states that from the effective date of the contract, June 27, 2016, the contractor has a minimum work programme to execute within four years. This means the first four years comes to an end on June 27, 2020. The PSA further states that the contractor, Exxon’s affiliate, EEPGL, shall within the first four years, complete the interpretation of any 3D seismic acquired in respect of the Contract Area and complete the drilling of a minimum of one exploration.

At the end of the initial period of four years, the PSA goes on to state, “The Contractor shall elect either to relinquish the entire Contract Area or renew the Petroleum Prospecting Licence (PPL) for a further period of up to three (3) years.”

With the contract renewed, lasting a period of three years (until June 2023), the agreement says the contractor shall drill one exploration well. At the end of the first renewal period of three years, the PSA states, “the Contractor shall elect either to relinquish the entire Contract Area, or renew the Petroleum Prospecting Licence for a second period of three (3) years…” Once renewed, this would take the PPL into June 2026, at the end of which the contractor has to relinquish the entire contract Area.

Come June 2026, however, the PSA states clearly that the Minister can extend the exploration period “pursuant to a showing of good cause by the contractor.”

It should be noted that no

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Kaieteur News

other agreement the nation has with other oil explorers has such a special provision.

Such discretion is not even catered for in Guyana’s oil laws.

As Guyana prepares for its first bid round by the end of the third quarter, the government has said it will pursue aggressive relinquishment of offshore acreage. It therefore means that portions of the Corentyne, Kaieteur, Canje, Demerara, and Kanuku blocks would be up for grabs.

Government has not confirmed if Block C which is in ultradeep waters and sandwiched between Exxon’s Canje and Kaieteur Blocks, would be part of the upcoming bid round.

Given the provisions for relinquishment in the Stabroek Block deal, investors will have to wait possibly another four to 10 years before any portion of this oil rich block can be part of future bid rounds. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/16/contract-givesminister-special-powers-toallow-exxon-to-hold-ontounused-portions-ofstabroek-block/) SECRETIVE LARGESCALE MINING CONTRACTS MUST BE MADE PUBLIC ON REQUEST - JAGDEO …PROMISES TO ACTIVATE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIONACT Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is of the view that the large-scale mining contracts in Guyana should be made available to the public should a formal request be made to the Freedom of Information Office.

Jagdeo made the assertion Wednesday during a press engagement held at Office of the President when he was confronted with the recommendation by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), that the contracts for the 10 large scale operations in Guyana be made public.

He told members of the media when asked why the contracts were not made public in the first place, that “these contracts don’t rest with the president, if you go to GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) every one of these contracts will be at GRA because they all have dutyfree concessions.”

He qualified his position by pointing to the Bai Shan Lin contract and the fact that it was with GRA is what allowed the tax authority to move against the Chinese logging company for unpaid taxes. According to Vice

President Jagdeo, “every single one of these contracts will be with the Agency.” To this end, he recalled the existence of the Freedom of Information Act but conceded “I don’t know now who, because Ramson (Former Commissioner of Information Charles Ramson Senior), if Ramson is still there (but) we pass just before I left office a Freedom of Information Act.” As such, he was adamant as long as a request is made to the Commissioner of Information for one of the mining contracts “and you don’t get it then that is a different matter, we don’t publish the contracts, the contracts are with the agencies.”

He suggested copies of that document would also be with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission that would have first signed off on the contracts, as well as the GRA which would have to assess concessions and such like that a company might be entitled to.

“I think the reporters have to start utilising more that provision, I am going to make sure that we discuss this seriously.”

He suggested too: “I am going to talk to the President (Irfaan Ali) that we put in place a mechanism to operationalise (the freedom of information provisions) if it is not in place already.” The query posed to the Vice President was rooted in the most recent country report compiled on the country’s Extractive Industry. This year, the international transparency watchdog body for the third time flagged the secretive nature of at least 10 large scale mining contracts.

Since becoming a member of EITI the Guyana Government agreed to adhere to several requirements such as publicly disclosing all mineral agreements entered into force prior to the reporting period, in this case, 2019. Importantly, the report highlights that the country’s Mining Act (1989) does not include any expressed restrictions on the public disclosure of mineral

agreements and licences by the government. There are currently 10 companies holding large-scale licences in Guyana.

The Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc. holds three large scale licences for the extraction of bauxite in Kurubuka (Block 22), North East (Block 5 in Kwakwani), Berbice (Block 38) for a total area of 16,691 acres, in which the Guyanese Government has a state participation of 10% as confirmed by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL). ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/16/secretive-largescale-mining-contractsmust-be-made-public-onrequest-jagdeo/) FRIDAY UNABLE TO HONOUR WORK COMMITMENTS… GOVT. INSTRUCTS CGX TO GIVE UP DEMERARA, BERBICE OIL BLOCKS Frontera Energy Corporation and CGX Energy Inc. have been instructed by the Government of Guyana to relinquish the Demerara and Berbice oil blocks after failing to honour work commitments for both concessions.

In the Demerara Block, the partners were expected to drill two wells. In Berbice, they were required to drill one well and complete acquisition of seismic data. These tasks were to be completed before 2023.

In a statement to the press, Frontera and CGX said they have, in principle, reached an agreement with the Government to allow for the relinquishment of the Demerara Block through a mutual termination agreement which terms remain to be defined and documented.

They said such termination agreement would allow relinquishment of the Demerara Block in a timely manner, allowing the people of Guyana to benefit from exploration activities under the stewardship of interested parties.

ON Energy, a 62.5% owned subsidiary of CGX and holder of the Petroleum Prospective Licence of the Berbice block has also been in discussions with the Government of Guyana, and has reached an agreement similar to that made for the Demerara relinquishment application.

The attention of the Canadian partners will now be focused on the Corentyne Block saw an oil discovery being made at the Kawa-1 well earlier this year.

Frontera said it will continue to integrate its findings from the Kawa-1 well into preparations for its second exploration well, called Wei-1, in the third quarter of 2022. The Wei-1 exploration well will be located approximately 14 kilometres northwest of the Kawa-1 exploration well in the Corentyne block, approximately 200 kilometres o f f s h o r e from Georgetown, Guyana.

The Wei-1 exploration well will be drilled in water depth of approximately 1,912 feet (583 metres) to a targeted total depth of 20,500 (6,248 metres) and will target Maastrichtian, Campanian and Santonian aged stacked channels in a western channel complex in the northern section of the Corentyne Block. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/17/govt-instructscgx-to-give-up-demeraraberbice-oil-blocks/) OIL COMPANIES RECOVER US$355.7M FOR DECOMMISSIONING COSTS IN TWO YEARS - MORE TO BE TAKEN OUTANNUALLY For 2020 and 2021, ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Group, have recovered a whopping US$355.7M for decommissioning costs which would be incurred in another 18 years for the Liza Phase One Project.

Decommissioning entails the removal of all equipment

used for the extraction and production of oil and gas resources as well as the safe abandonment of wells involved. The activity takes place when the life of the project comes to an end.

Based on its 2021 financial statements, Exxon’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) recovered $15.2B in 2020 and $17B in 2021 for decommissioning costs associated with the Liza One Project. It therefore means that its total take for the two years was US$160M. Its partners also recovered monies too.

Though their financial results have not been made public as yet, Kaieteur News was able to calculate their take based on the percentage of working interest they hold in the Stabroek Block. With Hess’ 30 percent stake, it recovered approximately US$106.7M while CNOOC’s 25 percent working interest would be equivalent to US$89M being recovered for decommissioning.

During a recent engagement with media operatives, ExxonMobil Guyana acknowledged that decommissioning funds are not needed until 20 to 30 years down the line. Be that as it may, the company noted that the provisions of the 2016 Stabroek Block deal allow for early recovery. The oil giant assured nonetheless that when Guyana needs that money for clean up. It said the country would not be left to handle same.

It said too that a Decommissioning Security Agreement is being sorted with government to ensure only the companies are held liable and that the country is indemnified. The company said, “This agreement will ensure all the funds are in place to pay for the costs when they are needed couple decades from now.” EEPGL concluded that neither the people Guyana nor the Government have no reason to be worried.

In a previous interview, (Continued on page 67)

Sunday June 19, 2022

From page 66 Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had said that he has no qualms about early recovery of decommissioning costs as long as the companies are using it to reduce loans taken to support the Stabroek Block development. Once it is put to productive use, the VP said he has no issue. “It is all fungible,” he had said.

WARNING Given the magnitude of the money to be recovered annually for decommissioning, Guyana has been warned by international actors to put the necessary provisions in place to ensure what is being deducted is not inflated and that when the time comes, Guyana would not be left to foot any part of the bill.

Such a warning has been issued time and again by Director of Financial Analysis for the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), Tom Sanzillo.

If Guyana does not safeguard itself, Sanzillo warned that Exxon could easily walk away with more than it deserves on decommissioning. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/17/oil-companiesrecover-us355-7m-fordecommissioning-costs-intwo-years/) SATURDAY HASTY APPROVAL FOR EXXON’S PIPELINE MAYEARN GUYANA ANOTHER WHITE ELEPHANT PROJECT - INT’L LAWYER International Lawyer, Melinda Janki has warned that an approval for ExxonMobil’s pipeline to supply gas to two facilities at the Wales development site that is yet to be decided on by government, can saddle Guyana with another white elephant project, or one in which its people may never realize true benefits.

She listed her concerns and conclusions in a public document that was shared with this newspaper. In the lawyer’s 13 page submission to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), she pointed out several matters regarding the Project Summary submitted by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Exxon’s subsidiary, which will be undertaking the project.

On her opening point, the lawyer argued that the Project Summary states that EEPGL will be pursuing a ‘Gas to Energy’ project. She pointed out however that this is

PAGE 67

Kaieteur News

misleading and must be corrected as Exxon’s proposed project will not deliver energy to the people of Guyana.

According to Janki, “Page 2 of the summary says that the gas is to be received by a ‘planned power plant.’ In other words the power plant does not exist. Without a power plant EEPGL’s proposed project cannot deliver energy to the people of Guyana.

EEPGL’s proposed project is a ‘gas to shore’ project that is misrepresented as a ‘gas to energy’ project. This is a major misrepresentation that affects the ability of the public to exercise their rights under section 11(7) of the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05.”

She added that since the power plant and the distribution infrastructure are not included in the application, the EPA cannot take them into account. “This appears to be an attempt to split up the gas-to-energy project into smaller components to avoid the level of scrutiny the project requires under the Environmental Protection Act Cap 20:05,” the lawyer reasoned.

It is against this backdrop that Janki explained that the power plant is unlikely to exist, leaving Guyana with another white elephant. The International lawyer who is versed in matters pertaining to the safety of the environment, pointed out that any planned power plant would clearly have a significant adverse effect on the environment and would be subject to an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

As such, Janki explained, “There is no guarantee that the planned power plant would meet the requirements for an environmental authorisation. The EPA is not a rubber stamp for government or industry proposals.

Therefore, planned power plant might never come into being. The ‘planned power plant’ might not obtain the necessary financing, might be prohibited as illegal, might never be built, might not be ready in time even if it is able to overcome the various obstacles.”

As a consequence, the lawyer posited that the regulator must consider these facts rather than proceed on the basis of speculation about a ‘planned’ power plant.

To further substantiate her position, she listed eight points describing each as a significant obstacle to the planned power plant. For instance, Janki contended

that the government has not produced an updat e d economic study on the feasibility of the project, taking into account the changes in the global energy market, while citing too, that the domestic demand for the natural gas supply simply does not exist. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/18/hasty-approvalfor-exxons-pipeline-mayearn-guyana-another-whiteelephant-project-intllawyer/) JAGDEO UNSURE OF FINAL COST FOR GASTO-ENERGY PROJECT, NEW PRICE TO GENERATEELECTRICITY …HEDGING SUCCESS BASED ON ESTIMATES Recent utterances from Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, regarding the Wales Gas-toEnergy Project has left the nation begging for a feasibility study into the multi-billion US dollar facility, as the once touted ‘no brainer’ project is yet to have a final price tag attached, and offer a stable price for electricity.

When Jagdeo was questioned on Wednesday about the feasibility of the project by the Publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr. Glenn Lall, he explained that government is currently estimating how much it could gain from the venture, as no solid figure has been determined as yet.

The Gas-to-Energy project will encompass three major aspects, that is, the pipeline to transport the gas to Wales; the Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility that will treat and separate the gas and the power plant to generate the electricity.

So far, Guyanese have been told that the pipeline aspect, which is being pursued by US oil major ExxonMobil, will cost around US$1.3 billion. Even this is expected to increase when Exxon closes critical contracts for same.

The costs for the other two facilities had not been disclosed, prior to Jagdeo’s press engagement on Wednesday. In addition, the public was told that a fee would have been attached to the transportation of the gas but the VP has since clarified that the natural resource will be supplied fee of cost.

It must be noted however that the Guyanese public will be saddled with the debt for

the Gas-to-Energy project over a 20 years period, to repay the investments made.

The repayment will be done via their monthly electricity bills based on the overall cost for the venture.

But since this cost has not yet been finalized, the cost of electricity too is still in

limbo. The VP shared, “We are doing estimates. We are saying US$1 billion dollars now for the pipeline.

That is where we run the numbers. So assuming it comes in at US$900 million then if it comes in that will come down; the US$1.6 cents will come down to about US$

1.4 cents so it comes down lower.

If it goes to US$1.1 billion, it may go to US$1.7 cents…that’s just the pipeline part…then if you estimate the power plant and the NGL facility to be about US$700million… that will add another one point something cents per kilowatt hour.”

VP Jagdeo said that if one were to consider estimates for paying for the pipeline, NGL and power plant, it can come down as low as four cents to about five cents per kilowatt hour. He said this would be paid back over 20 years.

He was keen to note that while the five US cents per kilowatt hour may be the cost to generate the electricity, another five cents may be lost in the transmission and distribution of the power, which could take the final price for the sale of the electricity to about US$15 cents, after adding five us cents as profits for the company.

The VP boasted that even though these numbers have not been confirmed as yet, government will still be left with the other liquids from the NGL facility such as cooking gas, which will rake in additional revenue. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/06/18/jagdeo-unsureof-final-cost-for-gas-toenergy-project-new-priceto-generate-electricity/)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 68

Dad's Hats He put it on. The hat was big, and covered his eyes. It was his dad's driving hat. Robert pretended to be a race car d r i v e r. W h i l e h e w a s pretending to drive, Robert bumped into something, and sat down with a thump.

Suddenly, it was raining again. Not rain, or even cats and dogs, but hats. Lots of them, all in different shapes, sizes, and colours! Robert was sitting in a heap of hats.

Robert took his dad's hat off and put on a big yellow one. This hat had a picture of a bulldozer on it.

It was construction hat.

Robert pretended to be a bulldozer, and scooped up the hats into big piles.

Then Robert took off the construction hat and put on a blue hat. With this hat, he pretended to be a bus driver.

He drove the hats to the museum, the library, and the

By Larry Flewin Robert looked out the window. It was raining, and raining hard. There was thunder, and there was lightning, but he was not afraid. Robert was looking for cats and dogs. His dad had said that it was raining cats and dogs, but, try as he might Robert could not see them anywhere.

What Robert could see was his dad's hat. There, on the table by the back door, was his dad's favourite hat.

His dad had been in such a hurry, because of the rain, that he had forgotten to put it on.

Actually, Robert's dad had lots of hats. He liked wearing them and wore one all the time, except when he was in the shower, or when he was sleeping. Not even his dad wore one then.

Robert looked at the hat.

mall. They all said what a good driver he was.

Next he put on a red hat.

Robert pretended to be a Fireman, putting out fires, and rescuing the hats from danger. Important work!

This was followed by a black hat. Pretending to be a policeman made him feel even more important. He directed traffic, and made sure all the hats stayed on the sidewalk.

By now, Robert was tired. Pretending was hard work. Robert took off the Policeman's hat, found a nightcap hat, and curled up in the heap of hats for a nap.

His dad came back, looking for his hat. Robert woke up, rubbed his eyes, and gave his Dad his hat. His dad put his hat on and gave Robert a kiss.

Robert smiled, and closed his eyes.

Sunday June 19, 2022

Junior page

Father's Day appreciation coasters Materials Adhesive Craft Foam Acrylic Paint Paintbrush Pencil/Pen 4 CDs Scissors Instructions Step 1.

Paint the top of the CD black.

Step 2.

RY

POET H T I W N FU

My father the greatest My father must be the greatest Of all the world's fathers, He is so patient, kind and loving, He is surely greater than all others.

He has made me feel so good, For as long as I remember.

And given me all I needed, We have had such fun times together.

So, father, on this your special day, I wish you much joy and peace, May you always be strong and healthy, And your happiness ever increase.

by Uncle Roy

Trace the CD onto the back of your adhesive craft foam.

Draw a smaller circle on the inside using something around the house, or just wing it!

Step 3.

Cut out both foam circles. Be sure to keep both circles intact, as you'll be using both pieces.

Step 4. Peel & stick the large

adhesive circle to the back of the CD, then stick the small circle to the middle of the front of the CD. Step 5.

Repeat the steps above to create a set of record coasters!

Step 6. Paint and decorate each coaster with phrases of appreciation for dad to show him some love!

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

TEEN TIME Use this way to really show appreciation to your Father Today is Fathers' Day, and everyone, especially the young people who still have their fathers working to maintain them and give them all they need to enable them to make the most of their future lives, should make it a special time to think about what they are going through, and doing something to show appreciation for this in a particular way.

However we try to imagine the efforts our fathers have made, and the problems they have faced along the way to bring us up, we may never be able to fully understand the situation. This may be so because we have to remember that our parents grew up in an environment which was not as well equipped as the one in which we are living now. The appliances we have at home,

the type of transportation we use now, the ease at which we can now communicate, all these were either absent or much less advanced than they are now.

Many times we observe teenagers act in ways which bring us to feel that they are either oblivious of the problems that their parents faced to get them to the state in which they are now, or they simply choose to ignore this. This can cause much heartache in the ones who have brought them into the world, have nurtured and cared for them from Day One, and have willingly taken on the various problems involved in bringing them up – providing food, clothing and shelter, giving them all that

is necessary for them to obtain a fair education, and worked towards helping them to launch out on their own.

There are many homes in which the fathers have taken on all the various problems in supplying their families with all they need, with the mothers just d o i n g whatever is necessary to keep the household going. There are also many in which the fathers are single and have to perform all these functions alone.

These fathers should be particularly honoured and shown appreciation, as you can never know what they have to go through on a daily

basis to keep the home provided with all that is necessary.

Whatever the situation, we need to take the time today to express gratitude to our fathers, and to do something special in this effort. It is usual for children to buy a card or a gift on this day. This may be what is expected by all fathers, but it would be much more appreciated if we can actually communicate personally with our fathers and let them know one-to-one what we feel about them and what they have gone through, and still going through, for us.

Make an effort today to touch base with your father on a heart-to-heart level, and it will go a long way towards showing your appreciation and gratitude to him more than any card or gift can do.

PAGE 69

My Father My father is one person Who can do so many things, He helps his family in so many ways, He is like an angel without wings.

He has to work so hard for money, To pay for all we need, And still he finds so much time To make sure we are happy indeed.

I know that I can never repay All the good he does for me, But I will surely try hard to do so To the very best of my ability.

I promise I will ever love him, And show him gratitude and respect, And I look forward eagerly to the day, When I can provide all he will expect.

But for today which is his alone, I wish him all the best, Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad, May you enjoy a day of peace and rest. (by Uncle Roy)

The effort to repay our fathers for all they have done for us must be a continuous one as it is a debt we can never fully repay.

Hello, readers, Uncle Roy is again asking all of you to try in some way to make a contribution to this page, and thus to the welfare of you and your fellow readers.

This contribution can take any form that you feel would be valuable – an account of what is going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broader level, any comment or recommendation you would like to make to your fellow Guyanese.

Please remit same to my email – roypaul2002@yahoo.com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.

Solutions to last week’s Inkies

Jigsaw sudoku Hint

Solution

PAGE 70

Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

6 companies bid to supply Health Ministry with equipment LAND FOR SALE VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956.

Xtrail for sale PLL8166.

Call:624-0041 or 226-7012, Oronoque & North Road.

LFS in Sheriff & Campbell v i l l e . Te l : 6 5 6 - 1 0 3 3 .

During the opening of tenders on Thursday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office, six bids were

opened for the supply and delivery of additional health equipment for the Ministry of Health.

This equipment, according

Ministry of Health Supply and delivery of additional health facility equipment for Regions Three, Four and Nine

PROPERTY FOR SALE One unfurnished 2 story at Block "B" Herstelling,size 110x63 L.S,51x30 P.S.Tel:+1437-237-5205/618-8996.

Drawing of Building plans and Estimate, K.Lakeram buil ding contractor.Tel:216-0671/ 692-8464 whatsapp 622-0267.

FOR SALE CAT 215 excavator parts, steel trailor 16ft/8ft/2ft.Road painting machine.Tel:2750367/683-7225.

Tyre air compressor,2-excavator buckets.Dragline hammer 1 1/2 tons.Tel:275-0367/ 6 8 3 - 7 2 2 5 .

1 caterpillar backhoe $2.7M, Audi $1.7, TM Truck,Model M Truck, Cement Mixer Truck, front end loader,Mini Excavator, Daf Dump truck.

650-0402/652-0251.

1-3 bedroom house @ Blankenburg,Houselots@ Blankenburg,1 double lot @Tuschen.Contact:6500402/652-0251.

2 cyclinder diesel lister generator set.Tel:624-8428.

FOR RENT 3 bedroom upper flat at Belfield Housing Scheme E.C.D.Call:698-9625.

One concrete 2 bedroom bottom flat Charlestown from 1st July,2022.Preferable young couple $45,000 monthly.

C a l l : 6 6 9 - 3 4 0 1 .

2 bedroom apartment located at 266 New Market St,parking space available.Call:633-1227.

Property for rent at Lot E Norton St,2 bedroom upperflat.Call:665-2042.

1 cook age 25-35yrs,1 security guard.ID card & 2 references required.Contact:6503680/233-5481.

Maid needed.Contact:6499 3 5 9 .

Land to buy in Parfaite Harmonie or anywhere on the West Coast.Tel:673-7087.

Female counter clerk and waitress to work shift $20$25,000 wkly.Tel:610-3974.

One experienced female Sales Clerk. Tel: 225-2313,2261 4 9 7 One experienced male able bodied clerk.Tel:231-2029, 6 1 6 - 5 9 5 4 .

Attorney-at-law Saphier Husain wanted legal computer clerk.Tel:615-9112.

Ministry of Education Rental of building - Council for Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Shop the latest in fashion...

WANTED Carri's in Campbellville fastfood cook with food handler's certification to work 1pm to 9pm.Call:2198801/672-9037.

Factory workers male & female.Apply to R.P's Enterprise area "k" Le Ressouvenir E . C . D . Te l : 2 2 0 - 2 8 1 8 .

1 female for general domestic/cooking,residing on W.B. D or W.C.D age 25 to 45yrs.

C a l l : 6 2 4 - 0 2 3 9 .

1 male store assistant.Must know to read and write, residing on W.C.D or W.B.D. Call:264-2524-8am to 4:30pm.

1 lady to wash 5gallon water bottles,preferably living between Anna Catherina & P a r i k a . Te l : 6 6 2 - 9 3 4 1 .

Experienced cashier & kitchen assistant.Apply at Hack's Halaal,5 Commerce St withapplication.

1 cook to work in Charity Essequibo.Contact:2235273/223-5274.

One cook for Interior in the Mazaruni.Tel:677-0869/6030 8 4 3 .

Seamstress, Tailor wanted.

Tel:691-1918 whatsapp.

for the Guyana Defenc e Force for its ongoing projects.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Guyana Defence Force Procurement of materials for extension of workshop and stores - 4 Engineer Battalion- Base Camp Stephenson

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

to the Ministry is to be distributed to health facilities in Regions Two, Nine and F o u r. A lso opened, is a contract to procure materials

WANTED Female to take care of an elderly male,age 25-40 in Trinidad. Accommodations provided.Call or WhatsApp 1 8 6 8 6 8 3 1 5 2 8 .

1 experienced kitchen assistant age 35-45yrs 6-3:00pm, $20,000 Mon-Sat. Contact:656-9351/619-1640.

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

Female Cleaner for office.

C a l l : 6 4 2 - 9 8 2 3 .

One clerk for TSI Eccles office English & Math, grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to techserigy@ y a h o o . c o m Delivery Clerk.Apply at: Lens 136 Sheriff Street,C/Vill next to buddys/pizza. Tel:2272486/226-3750.

1 qualified nurse/nurse assistant. Attractive salary.Apply at C.Persaud Dental Lab & Clinic,14 Peter's Hall.E.B.D. Te l : 2 3 3 - 5 1 3 7 / 5 9 2 7 .

Log truck & TM 4x4 driver, porters,chainsaw operators.

Call Richard 609-7675/6741 7 0 5 .

Farm workers,maintenance/ semi-skilled,workers & labourers at P.S.G.C.S. Contact:621-6969/615-615-7784.

Children bury wrong father...

From page 20 father have a beard, my uncle don’t have beard,” Ramnarine said as he wondered out loud “how they still collected the remains and went ahead with the funeral.”

“He didn’t know was he father Tuesday when he buried him and like the mother didn’t know who was she man to,” Ramnarine said in frustration. He said too that the funeral home has not offered any apology.

The matter, he said, has since been reported to police and the family will be looking to sue the funeral home. The body of his uncle has since been exhumed and cremated and the deceased that was at the parlour has been handed over to his family.

From page 60 services customers receive are excellent since we’re the first point of interaction,” she noted.

With regard to the pandemic, Wilburgh disclosed, “yes it has its fair share of challenges” but since she is motivated to be successful, she is confident that she can overcome anything.

In moving forward, Wilburgh said she is looking to “create a stellar reputation” while at the same time building her brand and increasing sales.

Our featured entrepreneur is of the belief that young people contribute significantly to our society by introducing fresh ideas and smarter products that make people’s day-to-day life easier.

While raising the bar too, she explained that they create significant job opportunities for others while at the same time helping to build the country’s economy.

The young woman is also convinced that government can help in many ways to

boost small businesses in Guyana. This, she said, can be done by implementing programmes that can assist small businesses with funding. “A capital in any business is vital. It’s very much important. It fuels the business. By doing this, it encourages people to take that step forward,” she asserted.

Another way she suggested is by investing in young people. Twenty-fouryear-old Wilburgh related that, “We have tons of persons who aren’t employed and as such because of frustration in society, it leads to crime and violence. By investing in young persons who show that interest, it creates a pathway for young budding individuals who can contribute greatly to the economy and to society as a whole.”

For further information about what Wilburgh’s business has to offer, persons can contact her on Facebook or Instagram at style_out_gy or via WhatsApp on mobile numbers (592) 610-3012 and 666-3571.

ERG praises potential 2020...

From page 52 process should be led by a competent GECOM. “Sadly, this international CoI would not be the first case of international intervention to bring about electoral reform in Guyana.

As an obvious requirement for success, the CoI and constitutional reform processes must seek broadbased cooperation with civil society and the political opposition.

ERG assures all stakeholders of its willingness to support these vital processes ahead of the 2025 elections.”

The ERG said it is, nonetheless, encouraged by the President's announcement that he will soon name the members of an international commission of inquiry (CoI) “to

probe attempts to rig the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections.” “We are further encouraged by the announcement that government proposes a “broad-based commission to lead a constitutional reform process.

These two announcements signal promising steps toward a process to heal major weaknesses in Guyana's governance architecture,” ERG noted.

The civil society group recently met with Attorney General Anil Nandlall where it also raised its voice in support of the CoI which was announced some three days ago by President Irfaan Ali. The ERG was adamant that reform of elections law needed to be conducted on the constitutional level rather than statutorily which was proffered during the meeting.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Car stolen at Grove A

man is now trying to find his silver grey To y o t a P r e m i o motorcar with licence plate PPP 2910, after it was stolen on Saturday from in front of a friend's residence at Market Street, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The car owner identified only as Kavesh said that a friend had borrowed the car to “make some spins.” After using the car, the friend reportedly parked the car at Market Street, Grove and had even left some cash inside.

When the friend came out of his house around 06:00hrs, the car was missing.

It is believed that the car was stolen from the location between 05:00hrs and 06:00hrs.

Up to press time, investigators and the owner were still clueless as to how the car was stolen and who might be the perpetrator(s).

They had tried to obtain footage from security cameras mounted on nearby buildings but yesterday the efforts in this regard proved futile.

Investigators, this publication was informed, will try again on Monday to obtain footage from a nearby business place.

While police are said to be trying their best to find the car, persons who have seen the vehicle or

Gold worth over US$12 trillion discovered in...

From page 2 payments, with the investors poised to cash in on the windfall.

According to a Daily Monitor report, President Museveni, cited six local gold refineries, among them Africa Gold Refinery in Entebbe that the United States sanctioned in March over illicit source of its gold, and declared that the time for Uganda to ship unprocessed exports is over.

The entity also reported that the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development spokesperson Solomon Muyita related that the goldendowed parts of Uganda include Alupe in Busia and Karamoja, both in eastern Uganda; Kameleng, Kisita, and Ngugo in Kassanda District in central region; and, Bushenyi's Tiira area in western Uganda.

It was stated that the volume of the reserves is

estimated at 31 million tonnes of gold ore, or net 320,158 tonnes of gold, valued at US$12.8 trillion.

Muyita told the media entity that a Chinese-run firm, Wagagai, which picked its name from the highest peak of Mt. Elgon, expects to mine and start refining at least 5,000 kilogrammes of gold a day in Busia by year end.

Uganda's gold exports have been on the rise since opening the Africa Gold Refinery in Entebbe, according to official records.

In fact, in 2019 and 2020, the country exported gold worth US$1.9B to the United Arab Emirates, US$1.4B to South Korea, and US$28.7M to Hong Kong.In contrast, Uganda imported nearly US$2B worth of gold, making it the 18th largest gold importer in the world.

know where it is are asked to contact the nearest police station.

They can also call cell phone numbers 625-3060 or 671-0025.

PAGE 71

The stolen car

PAGE 72

Sunday June 19, 2022

Kaieteur News

Ecuador seeks partner to stop gas...

From page 19 problem,” he said.

Petroecuador already processes some 35 million cubic feet of byproduct gas every day for domestic use or electricity at its operations, but hopes eventually to process all gas emitted by its 391 flares, saving $400 million a year.

Ecuador’s energy ministry in April apologised to communities for delays in extinguishing the flares. Its private operators have some 66 flares, but the majority of that gas is already captured for electricity generation, according the energy ministry. For residents of Sucumbios and Orellana provinces, change is coming too slowly. “This is going to kill us sooner,” said farmer Fanny Tufino, 71, whose coffee crops sit just 150 metres (500 ft) from a flare. “It affects our health a lot, for me it affected my vision.”

The case, which spurred the Sucumbios ruling, was brought by a group of local girls, who argued flaring violated their rights to health and a clean environment.

“I demand the president look at the Amazon and turn off the flares,” said Leonela Moncayo, 11, one of the plaintiffs, citing heat, dry soil, dead plants and incinerated insects near her house. President Guillermo Lasso has not specifically commented on the flares but the energy ministry

says it has spoken to operators about complying with the ruling. There are limited enforcement tools in such cases, potentially forcing communities to seek new rulings if shutdowns are delayed.

The release of chemicals like benzene during flaring can trigger not only cancer but respiratory diseases and high blood pressure, said Alejandro Gonzalez, University of the Americas director of environmental engineering.

“There’s a direct link between inhaling benzene and cancer,” said Gonzalez, adding children are most affected.

Dozens of countries and oil producers - including the United States, Russia, Ecuador and Germany - have pledged to stop routine flaring by 2030. In Mexico, flaring has accelerated under President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, raising fears the country will miss environmental targets.

The United States, the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter, last year announced plans to slash methane emissions, including from flaring, and has pursued companies accused of failing to monitor flares. As such, the Ecuadorian government must ensure no new oil contracts allow flaring, since a study which found the incidence of cancer in areas close to oil operations was more than double the national average.

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 73

Kaieteur News

“21 June 1975 &23 June 1979 – Reliving West Indies’...

From page 75 Croft; to bowl at a very much fuller length. “Kalli” never wavered, and the results were immediate.

Zaheer was quickly caught down the leg-side by wicket-keeper Deryck Murray, as Zaheer tried to ondrive one of my pitched-up ‘off-cutters.’ This was soon followed by Majid’s wicket, as he essayed a cover drive, “on the up,” to my also overpitched, ‘leg-cutter’ this time, only to be magnificently, sharply, jubilantly, caught by Kallicharran, at that same, almost suicidal, very short extra-cover position. Javed Miandad was then promptly, palpably, out LBW; first ball; from another of my fully pitched-up ‘off-cutters.’ Colin Croft had finished with 3 – 29

(11 overs) and probably should have been named “Man of the Match.”

From 176 – 1, chasing 294 to win, with WI at one time seriously perturbed, Pakistan deteriorated badly to 187 – 4, and never recovered from that mini collapse, finishing at 250 all out (56.2 overs).WI had won that really tough semifinal, v Pakistan, by 43 runs, thanks to Sir Clive’s quite astute captaincy.

ICC CWC 1979 FINAL – WI repeat through brutal stroke-play and bowling accuracy 23rd June; ICC CWC 1979 Final, v England; Lords; WI were, for the umpteenth time, again in very deep trouble, in a massive hole, as the top order disappeared. History, and WI cricket, do repeat them-

selves!

In a flash, WI were 99 – 4, wobbling severely, with Sir Gordon Greenidge (4), Sir Desmond Haynes (20), Alvin Kallicharran (4) and Sir Clive Lloyd (13) back in the pavilion, cooling their heels but with hot heads.

Yet, even with WI tottering on the proverbial ropes, England could not administer the absolute knockout blows, not with ultra-confident Sir Vivian Richards, and utterly disdainful, belligerent Collis King still at the crease. They came to the rescue, and what followed was the best ODI batsmanship that I have ever seen.

King cut, drove, carved, swiped, lashed and bludgeoned England’s bowling attack to such a state, that his

Saturday June 19, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside.

You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you're unstoppable!

You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days.

Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

86 (66 balls, 10 fours, 3 sixes, S.R 130), in a partnership of 139 with Sir Viv, would stand up, even today, in ODI and T20 cricket. As one headline suggested back then; “King leaves Viv in the shade!”

Quite so!

King’s innings of 86 is, for me, also the best ODI innings that the world has ever seen; period; that did not win an ODI ‘MoM’ award. It should have, despite Sir Viv’s eventual 138 n.o. In my opinion, Sir Viv’s batting was 2nd best to Collis’ that day, and Sir Viv was also intelligent enough to know it. He played accordingly.

Later, Sir Viv did also take an excellent running catch at deep mid-wicket to dismiss his Somerset team-mate and good friend Sir Ian Botham, from Croft’s bowling, as England chased WI’s eventual 286 – 9 (60 overs). That stunning running catch, and the last immortal stroke of Sir Viv’s innings; a flicked six over square leg from the last ball of WI’s innings, off Mike Hendrick; probably clinched the “M-o-M” for Sir Viv. WI Fast Bowlers get their own back in ICC CWC 1979 Final England’s reply, chasing 287 to win in 60 overs, was very strange indeed. Open-

Kyshona Knight...

From page 76 cover driven boundary. But with the partnership on 57 in 10.2 overs and Matthews on 16 with three boundaries, Brown held a stupendous catch running back from cover as Corina Howell took the prized scalp of the Skipper who scored 99 in her last game. Alisa Scantlebury (6) was run out with the score on 79-3 and when Knight fell to Vanessa Watts Barbados slumped from 96-2 to 121 all out as seven wickets tumbled for 25 runs. The tournament continues today with host Guyana facing Trinidad & Tobago in their first game from 09:30 hrs ECT.

East Ruimveldt...

From page 77 participation in women’s football, with teams in each of the GFF’s nine regional associations and hundreds of players expected to sign up.

After the intra-association phase across Guyana, the GFF will host national playoffs and finals at the GFF National Training Centre to decide the winners of the inaugural 2022 title. The competition will provide the basis for talent identification and squad selection for the Concacaf U15 Girls’ Championship in August.

ers Sir Geoff Boycott and captain Mike Brearley put on 79 – 0 (25 overs), then 129 – 0 (39 overs), before being parted. Especially Holding (216; 8 overs), Sir Andy, Garner, Croft, Sir Viv, and King too, had been frugal, but the English openers were just so absolutely funereal. Brearley and Sir Geoff just lost the entire plot of ODI cricket!!

Sir Clive, normally extremely sure-handed while fielding anywhere, even, somehow, managed to drop a very soft ‘sitter’, at his position at mid-wicket, when Sir Geoff essayed an on-drive at a gentle “medium dobbler” from Sir Viv. To this day, many who witnessed that ‘drop’ still query as to if Sir Clive had contrived to grass that catch deliberately, thus allowing the slow scoring by Brearley and Sir Geoffrey to continue.

What followed, with England so far behind the ask-

ing rate, was a crescendo of wickets and a massive collapse. “Big Bird” Garner speared in his “Yorkers” with extremely deadly accuracy; 5 – 38 (11 overs), while Croft also helped out; we had debuted together in Test cricket in 1977; with 3 – 42 (10 overs).

WI had easily won the ICC CWC 1979 Final, by a massive 92 runs, thus retaining the trophy won in 1975. England had been destroyed for 194 all out (51 overs), after also being183-2 at one time. England opener Sir Geoff was rueful, even embarrassed.

“No way,” he said, “were West Indies 92 runs better than us!”

On 23rd June 1979, WI Captain Sir Clive Lloyd again lifted the ICC CWC Trophy, celebrating another very special, 2nd ICC 50-overs Cricket World Cup win. June has always been a special month for WI cricket!

PAGE 74

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

Roach 5-wicket haul puts West Indies on the brink of victory after day three of 1st Bangladesh Test SportsMax - The West Indies are on the brink of victory after yesterday’s day three of the first Test against Bangladesh thanks to an excellent spell of bowling from Kemar Roach at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.

Bangladesh carried on from their overnight 50-2 to reach 245 all out off 90.5 overs thanks to Captain Shakib Al Hasan who got his second fifty in the match with 63 and wicketkeeper Nurul Hasan who got 64.

Opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy earlier got 42.

Roach, who now has 249 Test wickets, was brilliant for the hosts with 5-53 off 24.5 overs while Alzarri Joseph and Kyle Mayers supported well with 3-55 from 19 overs and 2-30 from 13 overs, respectively.

The hosts, needing 84 to win, got off to a

terrible start and were 9-3 after four overs, losing captain Kraigg Brathwaite, Nkrumah Bonner, and Raymon Reifer in quick succession.

Opener John Campbell (28 not out) and vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood (17 not out) then combined to ensure the hosts lost no more wickets, ending the day 49-3 off 15 overs, needing a further 35 runs for a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Khaled Ahmed took all three wickets for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh 103 and 245 (Shakib Al Hasan 63, Nurul Hasan 64, Mahmudul 42, Roach 5-53, Joseph 3-55, Mayers 2-30); West Indies 265 (Brathwaite 94, Blackwood 63, Mehidy 4-59) and 49-3 (Campbell 28*, Ahmed 3-14) need 35 runs to win.

Nurul Hasan cuts a ball from in front of the keeper’s eyes.

(Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images)

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 75

Kaieteur News

“21 June 1975 & 23 June 1979 – Reliving West Indies’ ICC CWC 1975 & ICC CWC 1979 Triumphs”

By Colin E. H. Croft The 21st June, 2022 will mark the 47th anniversary of West Indies winning the inaugural International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup 1975. To confirm that June will always be a very special month for WI cricket, its players, current and past, and supporters, will also celebrate, on June 23, 2022, the 43rd anniversary of WI repeating that initial 1975 ICC CWC triumph, also winning the 2nd stanza, ICC CWC 1979.

These are still the only West Indies ICC CWC successes ever. For West Indies, the month of June will always hold exceptional, even unique memories and superlatives in ODI cricket.

ICC CWC 1975 – The first ICC CWC Ever – Determination, skill and grit gave West Indies success WI’s 1975 ICC CWC triumph did not come easily. WI had to work diligently to win especially the game against Pakistan, and the final, v Australia. That initial success also showed dogged determination from legendary players Sir Clive Lloyd, Deryck Murray, Rohan Kanhai, Sir Andy Roberts and Sir Vivian Richards.

The best, or worst, game, for WI, depending on perspectives, of 1975’s tournament, had to have been that nail-biting sensational win, v Pakistan, always WI’s nemesis, both teams always similarly equipped.

Pakistan batted first, compiling a workman-like 266 – 7 (60 overs); with useful innings from Majid Khan (60); captain Mushtaq Mohammed (55); and Wasim Raja (58).

West Indies were immediately in serious trouble; 36 – 3; with Sir Gordon Greenidge, Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran dismissed. That soon deteriorated to 145 – 6, then 203 – 9, with last pair Deryck Murray and Sir Andy Roberts at the crease, as Pakistan’s big fast bowler,

Safraz Nawaz, homed in for the kill.

With brilliance, luck, temerity and cheekiness, Murray and Sir Andy overcame Pakistan. Somehow, they put on the required 64 runs for that unfinished last wicket, the pair scampering that last, winning run, to take WI to 267 – 9, with two deliveries remaining (59.4 overs), as if their very lives depended on that run.

Sir Clive made 53, Murray a match-winning, face-saving 61 n.o., and Sir Andy 24 n.o., but it was Pakistan’s powerful, effervescent fast bowler, Safraz Nawaz, one of the first recognized purveyors of “reverse swing”, bowling brilliantly; 4 – 44 (12 overs); who was named “Man of the Match,” also one of the very few times, in ODI & T-20 histories, when a losing player had, very deservedly, merited a “M-o-M” Award.

Days off from studies for ICC CWC 1975 Because it was the first such tournament, and WI were joint favorites, with Australia, everyone who listened to, or saw, that tournament, would suggest that they remember exactly where they were when WI beat Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, home of Warwicshire CCC, on 11 June 1975. What a game!

As for me, I was in Chaguaramas, Trinidad & Tobago, studying Navigation and Air Traffic Control, to augment my initial training in Guyana, as an Assistant Air Traffic Controller. Since that game started at 7:00am T&T time, (11:00am UK time), noone had any classes that fateful day, with that game ending at 8:30pm in Birmingham (4:30pm in T&T). We were all quite tired afterwards, from the excitement, elation, the ‘nervousness’ and stresses, of that tremendous West Indies qualification for the first ICC CWC Final.

June 21; ICC CWC 1975 Final; Lords; home of Middlesex CCC; pitted two

captains who, for their entire playing careers, tried to outsmart, undermine and overcome each other’s efforts.

Profound respect passed between these two similarly minded, cunning stalwarts; WI’s Sir Clive Lloyd and Australia’s Ian Chappell.

With unbelievable “win-at-allcosts” attitudes, they are also very close friends to this very day.

Sir Clive and Rohan Kanhai, WI Captains both, come good in the Final of ICC CWC 1975 WI batted first, and again were in deep early trouble; 50 – 3; with Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran and Sir Gordon Greenidge back in the pavilion. Nothing is really new in the annals of West Indies cricket.

Sir Clive, and Rohan Kanhai, the man Sir Clive had replaced as WI captain, but whom Sir Clive had staunchly insisted must be included into WI’s ICC CWC 1975 team – a captain’s pick – then battled like real veterans.

Ironically, another former WI captain, Sir Gary Sobers, was also consulted about his possible inclusion in ICC CWC 1975. Sir Gary had played his last Test in April 1974, but his inputs had been so highly favored, that he had been asked to come out of retirement for that first world tournament. Unfortunately, Sir Gary negated that request, citing uncertainty about his full fitness to complete that first ICC CWC in 1975.

In the final, Sir Clive made a swashbuckling “Man of the Match” 102, Kanhai also showing excellent temperament for 55, as the pair put on 149 for the 4th wicket; WI getting a creditable 291 – 8 (60 overs).

Gary Gilmour, Australia’s left-handed medium-paced swinger, after earlier befuddling England with a devastating 6 – 14; England all out for 93 in their semi-final; was at it again, v WI, ending with 5 – 48.

Michael Holding, Joel Garner, Colin Croft & Sir Andy Roberts take a break at Lords.

Sir Clive Lloyd displays ICC CWC 1979 Trophy.

Then future WI captain, Sir Vivian Richards, struck, as Australia’s excellent batting line-up tried to get 292 to win that initial ICC CWC 1975. Sir Viv; semi-elastic, looselimbed, sure-handed, eagleeyed, panther-like; ran three very dangerous Australian batters out with direct hits; Alan Turner (40), Ian Chappell (62) and Greg Chappell (15); as Australia suffered five runouts in their eventual 274 all out (58.4 overs).

West Indies had won that very challenging, very first ICC CWC1975 Final, by just 17 runs.

The crowds swarmed Lords cricket ground from mostly the Tavern Stand, where most WI supporters had been stationed, celebrating the fact that “there is nothing like the very first time.” Win No. 1 of ICC CWC 1975!!

ICC CWC 1979 – Repeat for West Indies By the time ICC CWC 1979 arrived, West Indies had risen to full world-beating pedigree in every department, being nominated as overwhelming, sole favorites to repeat 1975’s success in 1979. Being favorites always brings added expectations, worry, challenges, and a massive fear of somehow stumbling.

WI did prevail, not without the ubiquitous stresses and several stumbles, similar to 1975, but that ICC CWC 1979 Final will always be remembered for batting carnage of especially Collis King and Sir Vivian Richards, veterans of ICC CWC 1975, and deadly obliterating accuracy by “Big Bird” Joel Garner.

Pakistan, again, proved very tough in ICC CWC 1979 Semi-Final As in 1975, the Pakistanis were again the hardest team to beat in 1979. Perhaps because they always had play-

Collis King in full flow. ers, like WI, who were so interchangeable and quite mercurial, there two teams were always so closely matched. It was a concentrated effort that eventually won that semi-final for WI in 1979.

On June 20, 1979, for the semi-final, at Kia-Kennington Oval, home of Surrey CCC, WI batted first, making a good total, for that time in ODIs, 293 – 6, (60 overs), due mostly to the opening partnership, and foundation, between Sir Gordon Greenidge (73) and Sir Desmond Haynes (65).

The Pakistanis were never overawed, despite the presence of WI fast bowlers Michael Holding, Sir Andy Roberts, Joel Garner and yours truly, Colin Croft; the bowling attack strangely named “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.”Does anyone really understand what those four “Horsemen” actually mean?

Opener Majid Khan (81), and No. 3, Zaheer Abbas (93),

then put on one of the most classical displays of batsmanship that I have ever seen in my life; 166 wonderfully constructed runs, in 36 overs, for that 2nd wicket.

The faster, shorter, even bouncier we bowled, the faster the ball disappeared into the then massive (110 metres back then) outfield of “The Oval”. Absolutely magnificent, electrifying batsmanship!

Captaincy at its finest Then Sir Clive again showed his great strengths of leadership, understanding and knowledge of cricket, and especially knowledge of the abilities of his players. He changed the field settings, putting Alvin Kallicharran into a very dangerous, semisuicidal, extremely short extra-cover position (no helmets available back then), a very strange fielding position for ODIs, and instructed me, entrusted me even; Colin (Continued on page 73)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 76

Sunday June 19, 2022

NBA Finals: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors blitz Boston Celtics to win dynasty’s fourth championship

N

BC Sports BOSTON — The Golden State Warriors dynasty is alive and thriving.

The Warriors laid waste to the Boston Celtics on their home floor in Game 6 of the NBA Finals to win their fourth championship in eight seasons.

A 21-0 onslaught that spanned the end of the first quarter and the start of the second gave Golden State a lead that was too much for Boston to overcome in a 10390 final.

Stephen Curry’s 34 points led five Warriors in double figures. There was no “Game 6 Klay” Thompson (12 points on 20 shots), but Golden State got 18 points from Andrew Wiggins, 15 from Jordan Poole off the bench and 12 from Draymond Green, all of which stunted Boston’s attempt to save its Cinderella season.

Curry won his first career Finals MVP award unanimously.

The Celtics failed to take care of the ball throughout the postseason, and their 23 turnovers in Game 6, including seven over the

course of 11 possessions at the end of the second quarter, laid bare a young team that finally met a moment it could not handle. The Warriors scored 20 points off Boston’s miscues and another 21 on 15 offensive rebounds. Still, the Celtics had chances, but Golden State answered every time.

Jaylen Brown led Boston with 34 points, but Jayson Tatum (13 points on 18 shots) gave his co-star little help in defeat. It was a dreadful end to a series full of struggles for the First Team All-NBA star. Al Horford scored 12 of his 19 points in the third quarter, breathing life back into the Celtics, but it was hardly enough.

The Celtics began Game 6 as they did elimination games against Milwaukee and Miami, jumping out to an early lead. They made four of their first six shots, including back-to-back 3pointers by Tatum and Brown, to snare a 12-2 advantage.

Boston missed several opportunities to extend the margin and reverted to bad habits, committing four turnovers and allowing three

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) holds up the Larry O’Brien Trophy after defeating the Boston Celtics in game six of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden. (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports) offensive rebounds in the opening 10 minutes.

That left the door open for the Warriors, and Green walked right in, converting a wide-open 3-pointer — his first of the series.

Curry and Poole also added triples before the first

quarter came to an end with Golden State leading 27-22.

P o o l e a n d Wi g g i n s , respectively, traded 3pointers and buckets at the rim over four more possessions. Boston coach Ime Udoka called two timeouts during the run, but

CG Insurance Women’s Super50

Kyshona Knight (50), Matthews give B’dos second win Hayley Matthews (cricket.com.au)

By Sean Devers at Providence On a day of fluctuating fortunes and weather conditions at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence defending Champions Barbados beat Jamaica by 11 runs on the DLS system in a truncated CG Insurance Women’s Super50 encounter yesterday, needing to be at 117 at that stage.

What was billed to be an epic battle between the two

best sides in the tournament, overnight and morning rain delayed the start by 100 minutes with overs being reduced to 45 overs per side after Barbados opted to bat first.

Another shower resulted in the contest being further reduced to 32 overs and Barbados, hunting their fourth title and third in succession, were bowled out for 121 in 31.4 overs as Kyshona Knight top-scored with an attractive 50 from 75 balls with six fours.

But only Haley Mathews who hit three fours in 16, of the other batters, got into double figures.

Captain Stafanie Taylor had 3-13 while Chenille Henry, Vanessa Watts and

Jody-Ann Brown support with two wickets each.

Jamaica, set a revised target of 126 to win, slipped from 58-2 to 106-9 from 25.3 overs when rain stopped play for the final time.

Rashada Williams made 29 with five fours but only Henry, uneaten on 28 with a four and game’s only six, reached double figures for the new T20 Blaze Champions.

Matthews returned with the ball to capture 3-19 while Aaliyah Williams supported her with 3-22.

With the sunshine back in all its glory and on a still fast outfield and good track, Barbados Kycia Knight was bowled by Chinelle Henry

Kyshona Knight (cricket.com.au) without a run on the board.

Knight’s twin; Kyshona, joined Matthews, the leading run scorer in the T20 format and together the pair began ‘operation rebuild’ against a frugal Jamaican attack which kept the batters is shackles.

The elegant Matthews stroked the first ball she faced imperiously through the covers for four as Henry overpitched, while the lefthanded Knight, also hit Henry for a well-timed (Continued on page 73)

the damage was done.

The Warriors had turned a 22-16 deficit into a 37-22 advantage on a championship-caliber 21-0 avalanche.

The Celtics responded with eight straight points, but baskets were still not easy to come by in the halfcourt against Golden State’s defense, and their worst stretch of basketball was still to come.

Boston committed seven turnovers in a string of 11 possessions over five minutes, while Curry and Thompson combined for 14 points on a 17-3 run that extended the Warriors’ lead to 54-33.

It was a 38-11 blitz that silenced TD Garden, except for the smattering of boos that followed the Celtics into their third timeout of the quarter.

Six straight points before the half kept Game 6 from being a laugher at the break.

Boston’s 13 turnovers and G o l d e n S t a t e ’s n i n e offensive rebounds could have translated to far worse than a 54-39 halftime score.

The Celtics tried to mount a third-quarter comeback, but the Warriors answered each of Horford’s three 3-pointers with one of their own — and then some.

Curry went for the kill midway through the third, draining a 28-footer for Golden State’s fourth 3-

pointer on as many possessions and a 72-50 lead.

He galloped along the sideline, relishing an atmosphere silenced by his brilliance. The Warriors’ dynasty was preening again.

Boston had one last gasp.

Horford capped a 15-2 run over the next five-plus minutes with a three-point play that gave him 12 points in the third quarter, cut the deficit to nine and reignited the TD Garden crowd.

The Celtics began the fourth quarter with five straight opportunities to further cut into Golden State’s lead, but two more turnovers, a pair of missed layups and an errant Brown jump shot left them pushing the rock uphill. Four points from Poole sustained a 12point edge for the Warriors while Curry rested on the bench.

Boston would get no closer than eight points, as Curry and the Warriors had an answer for everything the Celtics threw at them.

Curry’s last dagger came with with 3:17 remaining.

He drilled an open 3-pointer to give Golden State a 96-81 lead that was finally too much to overcome.

Curry put the Celtics to bed with a goodnight gesture and spent the last three minutes celebrating the fourth championship of a storied career.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

GFF & Blue Water Shipping U15 Girls’ League

East Ruimveldt Empress and Chase Determinators on winners row

PAGE 77

2022 Milo Secondary Schools Football Tournament…

The turnout that witnessed the opening day’s play was keenly involved in every match.

Dolphin, West Ruimveldt, Charlestown - Four more fixtures & Carmel open with wins to be played today

C

Jocelyn Salimar - Campbellville

Dellana Small, Fayon Harry, and Azoria Wilson Action in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Blue Water Shipping National U15 Development Girls League continued yesterday at GFF National Training Centre Providence with three matches.

East Ruimveldt Empress produced the biggest margin of victory for the day with a 7-0 drubbing of North Georgetown Pheasants.

Dellana Small sent down a hat-trick, while Fayon Harry and Azoria Wilson both netted a double for the winners.

Campbellville United and Charlestown Super Strikers played out a 1-1 stalemate with the consistent Jocelyn Salimar scoring for Campbellville. She had scored in their opening game last weekend. Nelisa Bristol was the goal scorer for Charlestown.

In the final scheduled match of the day, Chase

Ester Berkley - Freeburg

Martha Chance scored both goals for Chase

Determinators overcame Freeburg Falcons 2 goals to 1. Martha Chance scored both goals for Chase. Ester Berkley responded for Freeburg.

The Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon FA, Bartica FA and Berbice FA will kick o ff t h e i r l e g s o f t h e tournament as soon as

grounds are available as the prevailing rainy season has rendered the grounds unusable.

The GFF-Blue Water Girls’ U15 Development League, with the tagline “Empowering girls through football,” continues to give an unprecedented boost to (Continued on page 73)

GCA poised to take DCB Inter Association U17 title

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eorgetown C r i c k e t Association are set to win the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) inter association U17 50-over tournament which is set to conclude today at LBI. GCA U17 are leading the points table on 30.5 with one game yet to be played between West Demerara and Upper Demerara. The f i x t u r e b e t w e e n We s t Demerara and East Coast Demerara which was scheduled to be played yesterday at LBI was rained out.

GCA U17 beat East Bank Demerara U17 by 10 wickets in their latest fixture. East Bank Demerara U17 were sent packing for 19, batting first. Dave Mohabir claimed 4-3, Jayden Dowlin 3-6 and Dillon Ramsaroop 2-5.

GCA U17 responded with 23 without loss in 3.2 overs. Jonathan Van Lange made 16 with three fours and Ryan Latif two. GCA also registered wins over Upper Demerara and East Coast Demerara while their encounter against West Demerara was rained out.

ontrasting wins were recorded by four teams yesterday afternoon when the much anticipated Petra organised 2022 Milo Secondary Schools Football Tournament got underway at the Ministry of Education Ground.

Dolphin Secondary were the first team in winner’s row f o l l o w e d b y We s t Ruimveldt, who had to grind for their victory. The third team to reign supreme on the opening day was Charlestown Secondary, while Carmel copped the final victory. Each match ran for a maximum of one hour.

In the first match of the day, Dolphin Secondary trounced St. John’s College, 4 – 1, with Nicholas Tappin leading the way with a brace.

Tappin opened scoring for his team in the 25th minute and closed it with a 60th minute strike.

He was supported by Brian Burnette and Gerry Burnette, who struck in the 29th and 50th minutes, r e s p e c t i v e l y. T h e opposition’s lone goal was scored by David Xavier in the 20th minute.

The match that followed featured West Ruimveldt and

Queen’s College and it turned out to be a closely contested encounter. Neither team was able to get ahead in first half but nine minutes into the second half, Queen’s went ahead when Triston Richard’s scored.

Two minutes later, the scores were once again leveled when Elijah Sattaur picked up the first goal of his double. The nine minutes that followed included Sattaur’s goal (65’) that gave his team the lead, which they kept until the regulation time whistle was sounded.

Match three saw Bishop’s High School being crushed by Charlestown Secondary, 10 – 0, as they recorded the largest victory of the day.

There were five different scorers for the winning side with the first coming in the 13th minute from Andrew Carto.

A helmet-trick from Malcolm Hendericks, who was successful in the 27th, 40th, 42nd and 64th minutes, along with doubles from Rihme Matthews (50’, 60’) and Tyler Lyle (22’, 52’) and a single strike from Mickell Andrews (44’) accounted for the other Charlestown goals.

The final match of the

Andrew Carto fires in Charlestown’s first goal in their match against Bishop’s High School.

Dave Mohabir

day took place under lights and saw Carmel steamroll Bladen Hall Multilateral, 6 – 1. A brace from Leon Sears (8’, 45’) and Dwain Baptiste (20’, 50’) along with a goal each from Matthew Layne (32’) and Nephi Allicock (64th) ensured Carmel’s triumph.

Today the action resumes as Ann’s Grove tackle Uitvlugt from 12:30 hrs then North Ruimveldt battle East Ruimveldt at 14:00 hrs, Golden Grove go head to head with Buxton Secondary in the third match that commences at 15:30 hrs while the fixture between Dolphin Secondary and Charlestown Secondary will complete the day in a showdown which starts at 17:00 hrs.

The tournament continues on June 25 & 26 with the other playing dates being July 2, 3 and 6 while the finale is billed for July 10.

The triumphant team in this tournament will cart off with $300,000 along with the Championship Trophy and Gold Medals to outfit the entire team, while the second place finishers cart off with $200,000, the corresponding trophy and Silver Medals.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 78

Sunday June 19, 2022

RHTYSC to hosts Republic Bank Summer Camp and 31st Annual Cricket Academy for combined 170 youths - Attractive prizes up for grabs

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he cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club MS from the 18th of July would be hosting their annual Republic Bank Summer Camp and Cricket Academy as part of their personal developmental programme.

The teams - Poonai Pharmacy U13, Farfan and Mendes U15, Bakewell U17 and Second Division, Pepsi Under19 and Intermediate, Metro Females, Vitality U21 and Namilco U21 and First Division would be organising the events after a break of two years due the covid pandemic.

Asst Secretary/CEO Jonathan Rampersaud who would be supervising the two events, stated that the summer camp would be held at the Rose Hall Town Primary School with a total of fifty students in attendance. The main objective of the four weeks camp would be to make sure that all the students make

a successful transition from primary to secondary school.

They would be taught four subjects – Maths, Science, History and English by two highly qualified teachers and would also be involved in several social developmental sessions with social work students from the University of Guyana.

Among the topics that would be discussed with the students would be peer pressure, importance of education, importance of discipline, drug abuse, suicide, personal hygiene and public manners.

Every student who successfully completes the camp and have a ninety percent attendance rate would receive a school bag and educational materials, while attractive prizes would be up for grabs including educational grants, bicycles, food hampers and personal care hampers.

Rampersaud also disclosed that

Jonathan Rampersaud

the cricket academy would last for two weeks and would be hosted at the Area H Ground and in the compound of the Rose Hall Town Primary School. The camp would have about one hundred and twenty youths between the ages of ten to eighteen years and would be conducted by several coaches

including Winston Smith and Delbert Hicks. Club executives Robby Kissoonlall, Tyrone Pottaya, Keith Hicks, Hilbert Foster and Rampersaud would look after the administrative aspect of the two events.

Foster stated that the main objectives of the academy would be to look at new talents for further development, to cement the club’s reputation as one of Guyana leading cricket nursery and to develop the existing talents in the club.

The RHTYSC since its formation in 1990 by three times Commonwealth Youth Service Awardee, the St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Youth Club, has produced thirteen players who have played at the international level and a combined one hundred and ten for Berbice and Guyana.

The members of the academy would also be involved in off the field sessions in an effort to prepare

them to be sports ambassadors.

Special effort would be placed on the mental aspect of the game and improving the players’ knowledge of the rules and history of cricket.

All one hundred and twenty cricketers attending the academy would receive a school bag and educational materials, while prizes up for grabs would include cricket gears, cycles, educational grants, cricket uniforms and household items.

Foster also disclosed that the Region Six division of the Guyana Police Force has accepted an offer to send fifty youths to the academy as part of their community outreach programme directed to communities across the county.

The club also plans to invite former and present cricketing idols to visit the academy for inspirational sessions with the youths. Interested parents can call 337-4562 or 613-4970 for more information.

ANSA McAL sponsors first ever School Circle Tennis Tournament

Winner Leguan Secondary School.

Some of the participants in the ANSA McAL sponsored Schools Circle Tennis Tournament.

Seven teams from Secondary Schools on the West Coast of Demerara participated in the Circle Tennis Tournament organized by the West Demerara Circle Tennis Association. The programme was implemented into 14 schools in the Region 3 area to encourage more sports extracurricular activities in schools in the area.

Mr. Allister Monroe from the National Sports Commission, responsible for Circle Tennis, supervised the training and executing of the sport in the schools.

In the tournament, the newly trained athletes from the school competed in an inter school competition where they received support from a crowd consisting of their peers and teachers from their respective schools. The tournament lasted for 2 days and was concluded Friday at the Uitvlugt Sports Ground, West Demerara.

ANSA McAL sponsored the event as their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Mr. Ulric Charles the regional sports

organizer of the region expressed heartfelt gratitude to ANSA McAL for their support as part of the corporate sector.

‘ANSA McAL is extremely proud to be the sponsor of this event. We believe extracurricular activities in schools are important, especially in the era where violence and negative influences are prevailing in schools. We will continue to support initiatives geared towards creating opportunities for the youth to benefit,’ Alleya Hamilton, Corporate Communications Officer ANSA McAL Trading noted.

The Schools involved were: Essequibo Island Secondary School, Leguan Secondary School, Zeeburg Secondary School, Uitvlugt Secondary School, Vergenogen Secondary School, Parika Salem Secondary School and West Demerara Secondary School.

Leguan Secondary School emerged the winner of the event ahead of Parika Salem Secondary School and West Demerara Secondary School third.

Kaieteur News

Sunday June 19, 2022

PAGE 79

Guyana National Rifle Association members meet with ‘Top Cop’ Hicken Members of the Guyana National Rifle Association (GNRA) recently met with acting Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken. The meeting was held in the Commissioner Conference Room, Eve Leary, Georgetown with the main purpose of maintaining collaboration between the GNRA and the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

Most of the executives of the GNRA were in attendance.

Those in attendance included Honorary Secretary Ryan Sampson, Vice Presidents, Colonel (retired) Enoch Gaskin and Mahendra Persaud, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer Lennox Braithwaite, Full Bore Captain Dylan Fields and Small Bore Captain Gordon Richards. President of the GNRA Brigadier Patrick West was unavoidably absent.

The Honorary Secretary alluded to the GNRA’s Annual General Meeting which was held on Thursday, December 30, 2021, and elucidated that “we are constitutionally good at meeting all our requirements”.

The members also took the opportunity to offer congratulations to Hicken on his recent appointment as acting top cop and wished him well.

They also thanked the Top Cop for appointing Senior Superintendent, Ravindradat Budhram as the Police ExOfficio Vice President.

It was noted that the GNRA and the GPF have had a good working relationship over the years, stating that it should only get better. Among issues discussed were the continued collaboration between the GPF and the GNRA, the upkeep of the police shooting range, the movement of firearms within the Association, and the invitation of the Police Force to future smallbore competitions. (Samuel Whyte)

Commissioner of Police acting Clifton Hicken and executive members of the Guyana Rifle Association pose for a photo in the top cop’s office.

Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite to visit DoS Ninvalle pays courtesy call Guyana as part of GFF-DBU partnership on Suriname Minister of Sport

B

arcelona and Danish national team forward M a r t i n Braithwaite will visit Guyana next week in his first assignment as the Goodwill Ambassador of the capacity building partnership between the Danish Football Association (DBU) and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), which has been facilitated by UEFA Assist and Concacaf.

Braithwaite, 31, has a strong connection with the Land of Many Waters through his father, who is Guyanese. The Barcelona forward, who will visit Guyana from June 22-26, has amassed 60 caps for the Danish national team, including selection for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro 2020.

“The visit of a player of M a r t i n ’s c a l i b r e a n d standing underlines the significance of the partnership between the DBU and the GFF, and the importance that both organisations place on delivering real impact on the ground to develop football in Guyana,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. ‘“We are extremely excited to welcome Martin to Guyana and we look forward to working with him

Suriname Minister of Regional Development and Sport Gracia Emanuel (centre) and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle (right) along with Suriname Director of Sport Gordon Tjouw Ngie Touw on Friday during a courtesy call at her office in Paramaribo.

Martin Braithwaite in the future as we continue to build on this strong, close relationship with our Danish partners,” Forde added.

In a busy schedule, Braithwaite will on June 22 be introduced to the media as the Goodwill Ambassador of the DBU-GFF partnership.

The following day, he will visit tourist attractions in Georgetown, pay a courtesy call on Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., visit the proposed D’Urban Park site which will host the GFF’s planned national football stadium, before rounding off the day with a novelty futsal

match at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. On June 24, the former Middlesborough and Toulouse player will visit the place of his father’s birth in Charlestown and participate in the launch of the UEFA A s s i s t / D B U Wo m e n ’s Development League at the OFF National Training Centre.

Before heading home to Europe, Braithwaite will also take time out to visit a grassroots football tournament and watch the GFF Blue Water UIS Girls’ Development League at the GFF National Training Centre.

G

uyana Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle this past week visited Suriname to forge ahead with plans for the InterGuiana Games with his Suriname counterpart Mr.

Gordon Tjouw Ngie Touw and other key officials.

During his interaction, Ninvalle and his opposite number paid a courtesy call on Suriname Minister of Regional Development and Sport Gracia Emanuel.

Discussions were focused on the re-start of the games later this year and other pertinent matters. Plans have been going apace and details of same are to be released as they are concretized by the relevant parties.

Roach 5-wicket haul puts West Indies on the brink of victory after day three of 1st Bangladesh Test

rts Spo

P. 74

Kemar Roach celebrates a wicket.

(Randy Brooks/AFP via Getty Images)

2022 Milo Secondary Schools Football Tournament…

(Page 77)

Dolphin, West Ruimveldt, Charlestown & Carmel open with wins - Four more fixtures to be played today

Charlestown’s Mickell Andrews finished beautiful after catching the Bishop’s high custodian off his line.

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