Kaieteur News

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US$100 million NEWS cement factory to be constructed on E’bo Coast AIETEUR

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Thursday Edition June 24, 2021 - Vol. 14 No.22 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday 97,679

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

Local activists tell Exxon shareholders…

Oil spill from Payara project could reach Jamaica but Guyana remains without full coverage insurance p.

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ExxonMobil and our leaders are the same... very vague!

Exxon’s financial statements are vague to the point of being opaque. They are inconsistent with international accounting reporting standards and conceal more than they reveal.

But that should come as no surprise. Anyone who expects differently is not fully alert to the manner in which these multinationals operate when exploiting other countries’ wealth.

But the haziness of Exxon’s financial statements is no different from the elusiveness and slipperiness exhibited by our political leaders. They too are less than transparent when it comes to disclosure.

When our country’s political

leaders are evasive, it begs the question whether they are acting in our interests or that of the oil companies.

When they refuse to provide clarity on issues of concern, it makes the public question whether they have our best interests at heart.

Exxon’s financial statements are no different from what our leaders are doing within the management of Guyana’s oil wealth. There is no dissimilarity between the manner in which Exxon treats Guyanese and the contempt with which our political leaders are exhibiting towards us.

Wake up Guyana! Demand answers!

Argument between vendors over

Driver drowns after stall placement leaves one dead truck topples over Govt. to establish visa John Fernandes wharf p.

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- Attorney Tradewinds trainer’s p.General, 17 Anil purse gets snatched Nandlall - porter remanded p. 14 Is it that you guys are receiving some personal benefit from the oil company that is preventing yall from seeking to renegotiate the oil contracts? Listen @11am on Kaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

requirements for Haitians, Cubans

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Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Human Services Ministry installs Elderly Home Visiting Committee

Demerara Bank disburses US$7M IDB loan to local businesses

- To ensure residential facilities comply with guidelines

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overnment through its Ministry of Human Services and Social Security has appointed an Elderly Home Visiting Committee. The Committee, according to a release issued by the Ministry yesterday, will conduct a holistic review of elderly residential facilities to ensure that they are keeping in line with the guidelines set out for them.

The visiting committee consists of responsible citizens drawn from society and will be no more than 12 or less than six members who are appointed by subject Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, for a period of two years.

In reviewing the activities of the facilities, the committee will be able to provide critical and relevant feedback on the compliance,

In photo are the beneficiaries and officials who were present at yesterday's ceremony

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Chairperson of the Committee, Dr. Kamela Bemaul-Sukhu progress and challenges as it p e r t a i n s t o t h e implementation of the Minimum Standards for Elderly Residential (continued on page 17)

t a ceremony held in the Camp Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown boardroom of Demerara Bank Limited, a total of five companies were yesterday the beneficiaries of a US$7M Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) line of credit.

Receiving letters of sanction from Demerara Bank yesterday were representatives of the five approved applicants – Akeisha Paul Singh on behalf of Pure Diamonds Inc., Mr. Mohamed Hussein on behalf of Dinar Trading, Mr. Vasudeo Singh on behalf of Demerara Distillers

Limited, Mr. Nazeemul Hakh on behalf of Golden Fleece Rice Investment and Mrs. Reymona Ramlall on behalf of A. Cayume Hakh and Sons.

This publication was informed that the initiative had its genesis in November 2020 when Demerara Bank Limited was signed to the IDB Trade Finance Facilitation Program (TFFP) and was granted a line of credit facility to be used for shortterm international trade finance transactions to support local small and medium enterprises (SME).

Since partnering with the IDB, Demerara Bank was handed a line of credit of

US$7M. The five applicants were eventually approved to benefit under the TFFP. Yesterday's ceremony was graced by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, members of the IDB team, Demerara Bank officials, among others.

Dr. Singh in brief remarks congratulated Demerara Bank on being the first Guyanese Bank to access the TFFP and expressed his delight in seeing this transaction come to pass. The Minister further noted that aside from the floods that the country is currently experiencing, he believes that Guyana is on

the verge of transformation in the economy and that the current generation is realising the full potential of Guyana.

Moreover, he is convinced that “we will soon be the bread basket of the Caribbean.”

Dr. Singh informed the gathering too that “President, Irfaan Ali, and his entire Government are firmly committed to ensuring that the right policy is in hand and to realising the importance of such positive and remarkable transformation that we are about to witness.”

After his presentation, the sanctions were handed over to the representatives of the successful applicants.

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 24, 2021

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Local activists tell Exxon shareholders…

Oil spill from Payara project could reach Jamaica but Guyana remains without full coverage insurance A

By Kiana Wilburg

s part of their ongoing efforts to protect the environment for current and future generations, 30 Guyanese have reached out by way of letter to ExxonMobil's shareholders, informing them of the “catastrophic oil spill potential” of the American company's operations offshore Guyana.

In a letter to the shareholders, it was noted that Exxon is drilling in the Amazon-Orinoco Influence Zone, an area rich in marine

biodiversity, with species that are rare, threatened or endemic. It was outlined that a well blowout would have a tragic impact on the region's marine ecosystems. The activists also stated that it could destroy the livelihoods of people in Guyana and the Caribbean who depend on those ecosystems.

It was at this point that the activists informed the shareholders that an unmitigated oil spill from ExxonMobil's Payara project could reach as far as Jamaica. That project, scheduled for operation by 2024, will produce 220,000

barrels of oil per day.

This is also noted in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project. That document was keen to note however that Jamaica is not the only nation that would be severely affected by an unmitigated oil spill from Guyana.

Due to its location at the southern end of the Lesser Antilles, the EIA notes that Trinidad and Tobago is the only island that would have the potential to be affected by the transboundary effects of any unmitigated loss-ofwell-control event,

US$100M cement factory to be constructed on E'bo Coast

By Romario Blair

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new variety of cement will soon be added to the Guyanese market, following the construction and commissioning of a proposed Cement Plant on the Essequibo Coast. During the sod turning for the plant y e s t e r d a y, t h e b r a n d 'Hydraulic Cement' was unveiled.

Kaieteur News understands that the plant will operate under the Georgetown Cement Company, for which Mr. Vijay Sukhdeo is the Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sukhdeo, who hails from Wakenaam Island, migrated to the United States at the age of 17 and has some 30 years of experience in his business.

During yesterday's ceremony, which was hosted at the proposed site at Maria's Delight, Essequibo Coast, it was revealed that the project is pegged at US$100 million. Kaieteur News was told that the project should commence later this year and is expected to be completed within a year's time.

The company's CEO revealed that the plant will be producing both white and

grey cement in an unprecedented quality at 50,000 metric tons per month. He added, “Once completed, the plant will utilise both French and G e r m a n t e c h n o l o g y, producing grey and white cement. Our aim is to complete within 12 to 13 months so we can start grinding cement right after.”

The Prime Minister's representative to Region Two, Arnold Adams, said that the plant will be the first mega investment in the Region within the m a n u f a c t u r i n g s e c t o r.

Adams pointed out that the project will have multiple economic advantages to the Region.

The CEO, Mr. Sukhdeo, stressed on the economic advantages, noting that cement within Guyana will be much more affordable.

It is expected that residents will benefit tremendously as they will benefit from cement at a cheaper price. “We decided to step in because of the cement demand and price for the product presently.

Instead of importing the finished product, we will be importing the ingredients like iron ore and line stone (continued on page 18)

regardless of the season. It therefore means that at any point of the year, Trinidad and Tobago would be in grave danger if there is an oil spill offshore Guyana and it is not mitigated.

The EIA goes on to state that “the probability of oiling at least a portion of the coast of Trinidad and Tobago and/or its coastal waters is approximately 90 to 100 percent…”

It notes as well that Venezuela would suffer too.

In this regard, the EIA states that the Spanish speaking nation has numerous marine turtle nesting beaches,

mangroves, important bird areas, coral reefs, and shallow coastal lagoons that would be at risk of oiling.

Additionally, the EIA highlights that numerous fishing areas are located east of Trinidad and could be impacted by a large unmitigated spill from a loss-of-well-control event.

Furthermore, the EIA underscores that the economies of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are dependent on tourism to varying degrees but especially so in Bonaire, which is known internationally as a

destination for recreational diving.

With this in mind, it was stated that the economic effects of an oil spill on these countries would depend to a large degree on the extent to which these industries would be affected, and how rapidly they would recover. Either way, these nations are all at risk.

Other countries that could suffer devastating effects from a potential oil spill from ExxonMobil's operations include Dominican Republic, Haiti, Grenada, and St. Vincent and (continued on page 14)

CEO of Go-Invest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop [left] and CEO, Mr. Vijay Sukhdeo [right] turning the sod

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Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Why confidential contract upfront?

We fully understand the need to have interested parties sign confidentiality contract first, which has its time and place. Yet, even as this is said, we are fully aware that signed confidentiality agreements can be used to handcuff and muzzle anyone who may be inclined to speak out and spill the beans. That is, dirty beans.

Because we are now so sharply attuned with how both old and new PPP governments have done business that we cannot give its leaders and its carefully chosen disciples the benefit of any doubt. Not a speck of it can be given, or should be expected, from this quarter.

There is only the hardest of suspicions, the deepest distrusts. For this, PPP leaders have only themselves to blame for the muddy smelly waters in which they find themselves.

To repeat our position stated a moment ago: we are suspicious. Because, when signing a confidentiality agreement is held out as a mandatory first step, then we have no option but to suspect that some degree of skullduggery is in the works. There is good basis for us to take this position for, given what has occurred in the past (and with everything that one government after another gets near to), there is this sharp, heightened skepticism and cynicism.

Our leaders in both the government and the opposition have fully earned the nasty and dirty places, which they now inhabit, which now stand like so many nooses around their necks. They have the long, crooked records that serve as the evidence, all the proof that is needed. They have all the things that have gone wrong in one situation after another, and one project after another, that damn them and expose them for the tricksters and deceivers that they are.

They have committed so many terrible wrongs against the expectant population of this land that they are tongue-tied from providing any reasonable answers that can persuade as to the truthfulness of their oversight and the honesty of their character and positions.

The best that they can do is hurl stones at each other, when they replace each other in the corridors of power. Look at our leaders, and listen to them closely, and they are that pathetic, such exemplars of what is sickening in this society.

They are unable to furnish answers for million-dollar monies surrounding big projects. Not when their accounting is less than transparent, and utterly shabby, which we believe is deliberate, so that there is no paper trail that points back to them.

They make a lot of empty noises that they will be accountable, and that the Guyanese people must hold them to that commitment. But then they turn right around, and lie in the face of the public. They do so without a trace of shame, and then they turn smartly again, and do the very same things again. It is misdeed upon misdeed, where they ponder and plan on how to come up with more and more of these perversities and provocations.

The latest of which is this business about interested parties being required to sign a confidentiality agreement right up front, in order to participate in the bidding for lands where the former clay brick factory is housed. That, too, stands as a monument to the disastrous white elephants, of which the PNC government has a large herd of them. A lot of disturbing things could be done on 46 acres of prime land; many things come to life, which is part of the key to unlocking the secrets in which government engages in, when it is up to no good.

Our history has shown that, time and again, prime land, which is the property of the State, is a temptation that can barely be resisted; very few do so successfully or consistently, which is one of the reasons we are skeptical and suspicious.

And when it is a total of 46 acres of such prime land that is in play that is almost like striking a rich motherlode of a vein in the goldfields or oilfields. Quite a few Guyanese men, many Guyanese leaders, and numerous Guyanese professional public servants have fallen, all over themselves, for the seductive lure of such incredibly mouthwatering

Mr. Dev’s narration of the collapse of the Centre Force movement is self-serving DEAR EDITOR, I refer to Mr. Ravi Dev’s letter published in the Kaieteur News Monday, June 21, 2021 under the caption, “WPA scuttled 2005 Rodney COL”.

When I read Dev’s letter and his mention of ROAR’s “Centre Force” initiative, I struggle to recall what he was talking about. After some effort, it all returned “crystal clear”, and I am in a position to contend that Mr. Dev’s narration of the collapse of the Centre Force movement is selfserving and “light years” from the truth. It is for this reason, I am dismissing his claim that Rupert Roopnaraine and the WPA were responsible for that failed initiative.

It is one of the few occasions that Dev disappointed me by his choosing not to be truthful and frank. I have in the past praised him for this aspect of his character. In his letter, we are exposed to Ravi Dev, the politician and not the Indian Rights activist: the latter in its progressive form usually holds cultural and moral dimensions. Dev in his missive cited Desmond Trotman.

He wrote, “But apart from a very nasty spat with other WPA executives, including Desmond Trotman, over emails around the WPA secretly engaging the PNC, nothing happened. The Third/Centre Force eventually collapsed over the insistence of Roopnaraine and Joe Jagan to

engage the PNC with the aim of joining their Big Tent.” I am sure at some convenient time, Brother Trotman may address this matter in some detail.

On the contention by Dev of secret meetings between the PNC/WPA and Roopnaraine/Corbin, while I am not contesting the Roopnaraine and Corbin meeting or meetings, as an executive member at the time, I say without fear of contradiction that there was never any “secret” talks/meetings between the PNC and the WPA. How secret was the Roopnaraine/ Corbin talks at the time Rupert revealed it to Dev? Dev continues, “Against this background...Rupert Roopnarine told others and

me that the wife of Walter Rodney did not want the COI at that time since the PPP would use it for political mileage.” Why should I trust the truthfulness of Dev’s claim given his erroneous narrating of the events that led to the collapse of the Third Force/ Centre Force initiative?

In closing, it is my conviction that Ravi Dev and critics like Freddie Kissoon are engaging in hostile polemics as it relates to Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine. Their behaviour is nothing short of mischievous calculation and the act of throwing fictitious scraps into the public domain in the hope something would stick.

Yours truly, Tacuma Ogunseye

There needs to be a Commission of Inquiry into GECOM’s role in the events of 2020 DEAR EDITOR, Since 2018, GECOM has been committing –what can be described as treasonous acts.

Acts that attempted to nullify a general election in which we, the Guyanese people voted, acts that abused and subverted the will of the Guyanese people, usurped their constitutional mandate and others.

Then, there were multiple legal matters in which GECOM and its CEO aligned themselves while ignoring other Court Orders.

Billions of dollars was abused and misspent by GECOM. Billions was lost by the Guyanese people whose life came to a standstill during the terrible elections crises of March to August 2020. And, Guyana has suffered irreparable harm as it gained even more international infamy because of GECOM. Attempts to remove the trio will be stalled. There will be legal challenges – and more of our taxpaying dollars will be wasted; the courts will be tied up – and most importantly, efforts to replace them will be stymied.

GECOM became a State within a State! It even closed its “borders” and displaced everyone, including commissioners and observers. Given

the level of deep deception, the willful and wanton waste of money, the hiring of attorneys to delay decisions, the usurping of the Commission’s mandate, the acts of terrorism, the threats to foreign diplomats etc., the public demands a PUBLIC INQUIRY into GECOM for the period of December 2018 to August 2020.

This Public Inquiry will reveal a lot! It will show the actions of GECOM as well as officials of the PNC/APNU/ AFC and the POLICE! We need to investigate those immigration claims, those dead persons, the abuse of state funds by the then-Attorney General to fight APNU’s legal fight.

With the change in Government, persons from both sides will volunteer to present their evidence. Never again must Guyana face such travesty. Surely Patterson, Norton et al would now present evidence of dead voters and defend lack of Statement of Polls!

And, Lawrence et al defend their signature on various documents. Etc. etc.

Investigate openly - from Mercury to Crosby Textor, to JJ&B, LLC…Who paid these people? We need to see the payment details! Did Harmon

prospects. Even the people in the private sector have stepped up to the table to tap into their share of the national prizes on offer. Men just cannot help themselves, and criminally enrich themselves, while impoverishing the prospects of a people still further.

They gut and grab and grind the life out of any dreams that once stirred in the hearts of hopeful Guyanese. They must have found a buyer, or have some of them lined up in the wings with more secrecy to come.

This is what our position at this publication is: that when the interested parties are compelled to sign a confidentiality agreement right at the beginning, then they (the government, through its NICIL arm) does not want anybody talking, no secrets leaking out of how the business of the people is really done in this country. Prime state land, and 46 acres of it, can drive men mad, and make them do things that leave even divine powers in heaven open-mouthed.

willfully malign Former President Granger by listing him as an American citizen with the DOJ? We remember Basil Williams’ statement to OAS July 22, 2020; the sanctions, the No-Confidence Motion which APNU took to CCJ costing us hundreds of millions – paid by the taxpayers; the five reports

by Lowenfield…and the list goes on.

Indeed, the recent call of an independent tribunal to determine the fate of the infamous trio lends more credence to this call for a commission of inquiry. Let the public, the

foreigners, the press and others present evidence and let the terrorism unleashed on Guyana be clearly and carefully documented to posterity.

As lawsuits line up - as evidenced by Granger’s lawsuit - the COI will provide credible and reliable information for public and legal consumption. I encourage the public to sign the petition by following the link: c h a n g e . o r g / InvestigateGECOM Yours truly, Dr. Yog Mahadeo

It is a shame Guyanese have to put up with this kind of nonchalance from government employees DEAR EDITOR For too long, employees of government departments in Guyana have had a lackadaisical attitude in carrying out their duties. Many times these employees can be seen talking on their cell phones while members of the public have to wait for several hours before being attended to.

Since April 4, 2021 my granddaughter applied for a copy of her birth certificate because the original was slightly defaced. A request of two copies of the same birth certificate was made with a payment of $600.00 at the New Amsterdam Post Office. To date, she has not received even an acknowledgement of

receipt nor subsequently heard anything more from the General Register Office (GRO) in Georgetown. Calling the numbers I was given to contact the GRO is futile as no one answers those numbers.

Guyana has less than a million at any given time who were born in Guyana, yet something as simple as getting a copy of a birth certificate takes several months.

This is so ridiculous, it is a shame Guyanese have to put up with this kind of nonchalance by those who are there to serve their fellow citizens.

Something ought to be done about this situation.

Yours truly, Gloria Holder

A murder took place…

DEAR EDITOR A murder literally took place in the police presence, in the case of the channa vendor at Stabroek Market, and no intervention by the law enforcement to prevent the horrific outcome. Incomprehensible!

Yours truly, Shamshun Mohamed

Thursday June 24, 2021

A civil and civilised society could only be forged when principles trump principalities DEAR EDITOR, Justice cannot be pursued by trampling on the principles established to protect justice.

It is the pursuit of vengeance that tramples the principles of justice. Respecting an individual or group’s fundamental rights and freedoms ought not to be based on emotions but the established conventions and laws that guarantee and protect these. Justice is not being pursued by using language and terms associated with the pursuit of justice, but by the actual demonstration and upholding of the process that respects both the rights of the aggrieved and accused.

The decision taken by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to have Chief Election Officer, Keith Lowenfield; Deputy Election Officer, Roxanne Myers; and Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo sent on vacation leave is wrong.

Earned vacation belongs to the employee, not the employer. It is not the sole prerogative of the employer (in this instance, the Commission) to determine when a worker proceeds on his or her vacation leave. This is a long upheld international industrial

practice, respected across the board.

In normal circumstances, the employee is given an opportunity to choose when he or she would like to take his or her vacation and the timing is agreed upon between the employee and employer. In the case of an emergency where the vacation is due and scheduled, the employee could be asked by the employer to forego the vacation to address the emergency that occurs (the exigencies of that worker’s service). In the case where an investigation is being conducted and the likely consequence that discipline action could be taken that worker is sent on leave - what is today described as administrative- to facilitate the process.

It is not the prerogative of any management to ascribe to themselves the power that they could send anyone on vacation leave because of their position of authority in the organisation structure.

Authority is not above laws, rules and time-honoured principles. When authority disregards established tenets it is not only an abuse of privilege and contempt for the office but a threat to the very foun-

dation that would foster a harmonious environment, respectful worker/management relationship, and the quality of service delivered to the public.

I had addressed before the issue of the letters by Justice Claudette Singh, Chair of GECOM, to Lowenfield, Myers and Mingo, asking them to show cause why they should not be dismissed, based on a motion tabled by the three government-nominated commissioners to have them dismissed. It was made known that those letters flew in the face of established international principles, natural justice, and common law tenets.

A worker cannot be charged by the State for an alleged infraction against the organisation and then subsequently an internal investigation is being carried out with intent to discipline on the same issue. Consistent with established international principles, the accused/defence ought not to be put in any position to lead evidence that could prejudice their case in a court of law.

The society is teetering, once again, on the brink. If we (Continued on page 6)

IT BOGGLES MY MIND TO SEE SO MANY ACCIDENTS OCCURRING DEAR EDITOR, Based on what you observed, it seems as if immediately after the Guyana Police Force announces that the ‘stop and search’ procedure will be reduced, motorists started to show their appreciation by recklessly utilising their freedom on the roadways by causing serious and sometimes fatal accidents around the country.

It boggles my mind to see so many accidents occurring and motorists continue to disregard all caution that they are supposed to exercise on roadways. Added to that, we’re presently experiencing heavy rainfall periodically, and that makes the roadways extremely slippery and dangerous.

We are presently being faced with the deadly Covid19, the heavy rainfall that causing widespread flooding, the unnecessary increase in prices for almost everything available in Guyana, and now, the unwanted deadly accidents occurring countrywide.

Without a doubt, there’s no way Guyanese could be pleased. We are seeing a ‘dog eat dog’ situation, instead of us coming together and work for solutions to ease away from the various disaster facing us, we are instead adding

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Kaieteur News

fuel.

Guyanese are hardworking, money is not circulating, sellers using the floods to inhumanely increase the prices in their produce, presumptuous people defying the Laws to host events/parties to encourage gatherings, which makes it possible for the spreading of the COVID19, and when the authorities acted, that’s an issue.

Finally, Editor, looking at the conditions of the vehicles that are involved in accidents, it remarkable that people still survive. Many asked how could the vehicle for the recent accident at Stewartville split. It’s no secret that to beat the taxation system in Guyana, many people would ‘chop/cut’ a good car/vehicle in two and ship it to Guyana either by and to various people to eliminate trace and

then a body shop will weld the two back together. Again, in most cases, for cheaper service, they would do places where it doesn’t cost too much, and in reality, those doing the work are not properly trained to do that kind of welding.

In addition, used tires are very much prevalent in Guyana and these types of tires are condemned in other countries that deem them unsafe in their countries. So, when a mishap occurs, they malfunction, causing an additional burden to the drivers.

My main concern is that knowing so many accidents occurring, drivers are still getting involved in accidents. Are supernatural forces taking control of the vehicle?

Yours truly, Sahadeo Bates

I AM NOT PREPARED TO LET ANYONE USE RODNEY’S NAME TO MAKE ME FEEL GUILTY DEAR EDITOR It is the month of June — the month when the media are inundated with commentaries about the life, activism and legacy of Dr. Walter Rodney.

At one level, this is a healthy development because long after Rodney was assassinated, only the WPA and Rodney’s staunch admirers had the courage to write and speak about him in the public space. One could have lost employment, suffer harassment and worst, face elimination.

Many, who today sing his praises, were not prepared to risk their privilege and liberty for Rodney when he was leading the struggle for their freedom or during the decade after he was killed. Even when the government changed in 1992, the custodians of the power that Rodney died fighting for steered clear of his name and legacy, because to them he was a good scholar but a poor politician whose sacrifice did not measure up to the winners of the 1992 elections. It is only in recent years that non-WPA people have begun to publicly show Walter Rodney some love.

Mrs. Jagan told his son, Shaka, to go home when he picketed the PPP government in 1993 pleading for a Commission of Inquiry into his father’s death. The PPP promptly declined Shaka’s request. Dr. Jagan wondered aloud — what would a COI do? It was the WPA that stood with Shaka.

It was the WPA, through Eusi Kwayana, that brought a private murder charge against the alleged assassin, Gregory Smith.

When the French government requested of the Jagan government an undertaking that Gregory Smith would not be given the death penalty if found guilty of Rodney’s murder, the government dithered until the matter was forgotten.

I don’t quite remember at that time any chorus about anyone betraying Walter Rodney. I cite the above not to deny anyone the right to celebrate Rodney today, but to set the record straight for younger generations and for older strangers to the history of and

truth about Rodney.

What is unhealthy about much of the commentaries in recent years is that they reflect an intentional and malicious attempt to drive a wedge between the Rodney legacy and the party to which he belonged, the WPA. This is part of a larger attempt to misappropriate Rodney’s activism and legacy as part of one of the ethno-political poles in our ongoing divisive politics.

In so doing, these advocates are wittingly and unwittingly isolating Rodney in one section of our ethnic divide and in the process setting him in conflict with the other major section.

It is a development that runs against one of the important elements of Rodney’s broad and varied political praxis—a multiracial or “jointness” solution to Guyana’s ethnic problematic.

But it is a development that is inevitable given the inflexibility of the top post-Corbin PNC leadership on the “Rodney question” and the concomitant readiness of the PPP to take full political advantage of that inflexibility.

The PPP’s attitude is driven by two objectives: partly to erase its own earlier reluctance to engage the Rodney question, and partly to embarrass its opponents, the PNC and the WPA. This is not to say that there are not individuals in the PPP’s leadership who genuinely admire Rodney and want to help cement his rightful place in Guyana’s national consciousness. But political parties generally do not commit to big change on controversial issues if there are not benefits for the organisation.

It is against the above background that one should analyse the PPP’s decision to hold the 2014-15 Rodney Commission of Inquiry and to agree with Rodney’s family to pursue the more recent initiatives announced by the Attorney General in the National

Assembly. It should be noted that in both instances the PPP did not take the initiatives on their own—they were prompted by the Rodney family.

For those of us who strongly feel that Rodney and the Rodney Legacy should be held above our toxic political fray, it is difficult to watch this scenario play itself out. But we may have been too naïve to believe that Rodney could be extricated from our political mess.

After all, he opposed a party that in many regards is central to the partisan struggle of one of our ethnic groups and he did so in alliance with, among others, the party that is central to the struggle of the opposite ethnic group. Having said that, one cannot help feeling a sense of rage against the ruthlessness that accompanies the current misappropriation of Rodney in the service of validating a one-sided ethno-political narrative.

As one reads the outpourings these past weeks, the silencing of huge chunks of the Rodney praxis is evident. It has been so difficult to come to grips with. His activism in Guyana has been pigeonholed to “fighting for free and fair elections” and “fighting Burnham and the PNC.” This was not the sum-total of Rodney’s activism in Guyana.

This was the PPP’s agenda— free and fair elections was the sum-total of that party’s agenda because it was their route to power given the demographics of that time.

Rodney and the WPA’s agenda and struggle were much broader.

They struggled to dismantle post-colonial authoritarianism in Guyana, for bread and Justice for the poor and the powerless, for a genuine multiracial democracy, for a democracy that went beyond elections and for a power-sharing government that was broader than a (Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

One cannot go after koker attendants and leave others more culpable for the flood problems untouched DEAR EDITOR, This has reference to your news report that President Irfaan Ali (June 16, 17, and 21) announced that he instructed the Attorney General to investigate contracts relating to flood mitigation and attempts to sabotage government efforts to ameliorate the ongoing flooding. Contracts were given to companies and individuals to pump water into the ocean and or operate sluices (kokers).

The AG announced (June 22) that contractors would be investigated and held accountable. Several companies, including some affiliated with the ruling party, were delinquent in their duties and must be held accountable.

We read that some kokers were not opened to allow outflow of water and that attendants were not on duty.

Pumps were not operating at full capacity perhaps to extend the time period of emergency contracts to pump out the water.

This contributed partially to extensive flooding in various parts of the country that resulted in extensive damage to crops and loss of lives of

Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

countless animals. The financial loss to animals and crops would be in the billions of dollars. The damage to infrastructure would be tens of billions more.

Contracts must be investigated to root out corruption and inefficiencies. The public learns that a NDIA contract was given to one company in Corentyne to address the flooding even though it did not submit a bid to excavate drains and drain water from overflowing waterways into the ocean. Fortunately, minutes of opened bids were recorded.

A reading of the minutes revealed that company did not submit a bid but was allotted a major contract while legitimate bidders were rejected.

Non-selected companies filed a complaint with the Ministry and it was also brought to the attention of the Vice President. Unfortunately, the selection process was not corrected with the lowest bidder getting the contract.

Instead of redirecting the contract to the qualified bidder(s), the entire selection process was nullified and will be re-tendered. Is that fair? Is

the contract reserved for that company? No one was held accountable for this blatant act of contract awarding.

Should this act also not be investigated as contributing to the flooding as it now delays the emergency work that needs to be done? In the meanwhile, flooding continues on the Corentyne and with it the suffering of the people – all because of the callous and uncaring attitude of a few.

Is it not time for a review of the performance of the person who authorises? Isn’t it time for the Vice President or the government address this problem?

Those responsible for violating the tendering process and awarding of contracts must be held accountable.

One cannot go after koker attendants for sleeping on the job and leave others more culpable for the flood problems untouched.

Those companies given unjustified and untendered contracts and NDIA officials who violated the law must also be investigated and brought to justice.

Yours truly, Jagnarine Kumar Singh

To imply that Rodney would not have stood against attempted rigging only sullies his name DEAR EDITOR, A recent letter proclaiming a denial of guilt over betraying Walter Rodney and everything he stood for seemed, to me, rather suspect given the author’s apparent need to make the claim in the first place. Dr. Hinds is engaged in a struggle to ensure “concrete reality” prevails because it seems the facts do not speak for themselves.

And what are the facts?

That a party whose members “sacrificed [their] education, a career and [their] liberty, put [their lives] at risk and caused [their families] untold misery” fighting a government so vile that Rodney said “the situation can be described only in terms befitting filth, pollution, and excrement” failed Rodney - and its own mandate - at least twice recently.

I cannot speak to the WPA joining with the former PNC. That is beyond my capacity to fully understand. I do know that Rodney spoke disparagingly not only of Burnham but also of his “cronies,” the “soup drinkers” and the “weak and corrupt” people he surrounded himself with. In his last essay he said, “According to Burnham’s thinking, the

ends justify the means, and the only means which matter are those which have to do with achieving and holding on to power.” This, to me, sounds like someone who took issue not just with Burnham but also others in PNC leadership and who did not believe the ends justify the means – not even to hold onto (or gain) power. Nevertheless, we can give persons the benefit of the doubt and allow the WPA to join the PNC without fault.

A project of national unity, of uplifting the working class, and so on sound very much like Rodney. But when a person says, “Rodney’s battle cry was People’s Power-No Dictator and not People’s Power-No Election Rigging” he seems to be implying that Rodney would be alright with a little rigging. This is worrisome.

The two WPA moves I perceive as not in keeping with Rodney’s values are: 1) a failure to hold coalition leadership to account during the years that it did not deliver on national unity, uplifting the working class, etc. and 2) a failure to denounce clear attempted election rigging. The point of departure should not

have been in August 2020 when the WPA was disrespected, it should have been, at the very latest, five months previously when the Guyanese people were disrespected – when we were not allowed, in Rodney’s words, “to exercise our democratic rights and let the majority show its true feelings.”

Just as the WPA understands that times and contexts change, that old enemies can become new partners, so too must they understand that the reputation gained by their past actions, their sacrifices and the almost saint-like character of their most famous party member can also change. Just as those too cowardly or indifferent to join Rodney previously now come around to his way of thinking (when it suits), so too can those who were with him before, desert him later.

There is a reason that all and sundry including, yes, people who speak out of the sides of their mouths, want to point to Rodney as a North Star. It’s because he is a rare figure in Guyanese history who is seen as a paragon of virtuous ideology (Continued on page 17)

A civil and civilised society could...

From page 5 are not careful, we all will be consumed, including the facilitators of the lawlessness, for lawlessness cares not who it consumes in the quest for chaos and disorder.

Dangerous precedents continue to be set, undermining the principles of industrial relations, democracy, including the integrity of the vote and the laws governing the nation. Some are taking the po-

litical not the legal road to resolve differences.

GECOM is a State institution, governed by the Constitution and Laws of Guyana, and time-honoured principles.

Where the body continues to act as though independent of these, they continue to rock the guardrails of democracy, posing threat to a stable industrial environment, which augurs well for peace, harmony and development.

People must pull back from the desire to move forward with vengeance and recognise the importance of moving forward respecting the principles of justice and fair play for such bode for the welfare of all.

A civil and civilised society could only be forged when principles trump principalities.

Yours truly, Lincoln Lewis

I am not prepared to let anyone...

From page 5 PPP-PNC Front.

It was no accident that Rodney’s battle cry was People’s Power-No Dictator and not People’s Power-No Election Rigging. For Rodney, election rigging was a symptom and not the cause of the problem. It is for that reason that whereas Rodney and the WPA characterised the PNC government as a dictatorship period, the PPP characterised it as a “creeping dictatorship.”

While Rodney and the WPA placed a condition on alliance with the PNC, the PPP placed no condition. While Rodney and the WPA opposed the 1980 Constitution as a recipe for dictatorship, the PPP opposed Burnham governing under the constitution rather than the constitution itself.

While the WPA boycotted

the 1980 election on the grounds that it would be massively rigged, the PPP participated in those elections.

What now? For me, the struggle to disentangle Rodney and his legacy from political intrigue must be joined in earnest. I intend to play my full part in that struggle. I will not be intimidated by the charges of betrayal of Rodney coming from those who did not have the courage to stand with him in life and after he was assassinated or who conveniently characterize the WPA’s attempt at reconciliation as “joining with Rodney’s killers.”

As a teenager, I sacrificed my education, a career and my liberty, put my life at risk and caused my family untold misery to, along with others, fight

with Rodney and for the Rodney. That must count for much and should be respected by those who now revere Rodney but did not revere his struggle enough to join it. As a mature adult, I supported a conditional alliance aimed at healing our nation. It failed and I supported a withdrawal. I feel no sense of guilt for those decisions, nor do I feel I have betrayed Rodney. And I am not prepared to let anyone use Rodney’s name to make me feel guilty. In politics one must make judgments based on concrete reality and not based on “parked history.” The Rodney I knew and have studied was a concretist who was never a victim of parked history.

Yours truly, David Hinds

T N U L B . . .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Nobody likes to admit being the victim of a con. But that is exactly what has happened to Guyana under the coalition government, and today with the PPP government.

The problem is that as our leaders have been conned, so are all citizens, who live with costly leadership stupidities.

Anthony Paul, the TT oil expert, keeps warning us: “put laws in place to avoid being…conned by oil companies” (KN June 21). We have been conned, and will continue to be conned, by oil companies, unless our leaders get the backbone to admit that Exxon has inflicted a big con on Guyanese.

LEADERS MUST GET IN THE FACE OF EXXON - DEMAND A FAIR SHARE. They must put laws in place. That is, unless they are so much in bed with Exxon that they fear upsetting Exxon.

PAGE 07

PAGE 08

Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Rehab workers play crucial role in getting COVID-19 patients back on their feet R

ehabilitation p l a y s a n essential part in any rounded health sector.

Made simple, rehab is the action of restoring someone to health or normal life through training, treatment or therapy. Without realising it, most people require rehab at some point or the other in their lives.

Particularly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, rehabilitation workers have been helpful in getting persons to cope or recover from the illness and return to a life of normalcy.

Ye t , r e h a b i l i t a t i o n professionals have their work cut for them in raising public awareness of the importance of their role in helping society cope and overcome their physical and mental challenges. Their services, ever so often, go unnoticed and without its due praise.

As such, this year, the D i s a b i l i t y a n d Rehabilitation Services (DRS) unit under the

Ministry of Health, launched its 17th Rehab Week of activities under the theme: “Rehabilitation in the Frontlines during the Covid19 Pandemic.”

According to the Director of the DRS, Dr. Ariane Mangar, the theme was chosen because the Rehab Department wanted to highlight the wonderful job the staff has been doing, especially during the pandemic. She explained that all the rehabilitation staff has been on the frontline since the COVID19 hit Guyana.

In her address to a twoday symposium held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Monday, Dr. Mangar highlighted the e f f o r t s o f t h e physiotherapists, who have been playing a major role in response to the needs of patients directly affected by COVID-19.

She said, “our physiotherapists have played an essential role in responding to the specific

needs of COVID-19 patients both in the Intensive Care Unit firstly at GPHC (and) now at the Ocean View Facility where they would have treated over 1,800 patients to date and also treating patients after presenting with postCOVID syndrome and most recently helping our colleagues with their vaccination efforts here in Guyana.”

Dr. Mangar said too that besides the COVID-19 patients, rehabilitation personnel have been working throughout the pandemic to help maintain the essential services in these unprecedented times.

“As you are aware, COVID came but people did not stop having strokes, amputations, spinal cord injuries and children didn't stop being disabled, so our services to the public continued during this time,” Dr. Mangar posited.

In this regard, she stressed on the importance of the service. She noted that

Dr. Ariane Manger, Director - Disability and Rehabilitation Services one in three people will need rehabilitation at some point in their lives and much too often these needs go unmet.

“As we move forward, we need people to understand and value rehabilitation as a key to living long and healthy lives.

Rehabilitation should

essentially be integrated throughout the continuity of life – baby to the elderly,” she added.

The DRS Director noted that Disability and Rehabilitation Week has always provided the opportunity to increase the public's awareness of rehabilitation services that are available in Guyana.

These services include physiotherapy, occupational a n d s p e e c h t h e r a p y, audiology, prosthetics and orthotics, all of which are offered along with other resident and vocational services for the disabled.

During the symposium, Dr. Mangar also commended the staffers who are committed to the work of the DRS. “I would like to make special mention of Ms. Gloria Garraway who has been with the Rehabilitation services for 43 years and spent over 35 years in Linden plying her trade for the Bauxite Company and then the Linden Hospital Complex. Ms Garraway was

very instrumental in every facet of scaling up rehab in Guyana. She was also past president of the Guyana Physiotherapy Association and a member of the allied health professionals' council,” she said.

The DRS Director also took time to recognise all the rehabilitation staff and students of the University of Guyana who have endured through the many challenges that developed with the onset of the pandemic and continue to adapt to help find solutions to provide rehab services.

D r. M a n g a r n o t e d , nonetheless, that rehab services have come a long way. “And with all the youths I see in this room at the symposium and with the continued support we receive from our Minister, fellow directors and the Permanent Secretary, we can surely take rehab services to the next level as we strive to build and strengthen the rehabilitation services in Guyana,” she said.

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 24, 2021

PAGE 09

Visa requirements have already been imposed on Haitians C

ubans should not be penalised because of the alleged discovery of a human trafficking ring involving Haitians. Nor should legitimate Haitian travellers be deprived of their automatic six-month entry into Guyana simply because some of their compatriots are suspected to be transitioning Guyana en route to Brazil.

Brazil is already reeling from a large influx of Venezuelan refugees. The flood of Haitian immigrants has caused Brazil to engage the Guyana Government on the issue.

The Brazilians have been exerting pressure on the Guyanese Government to stem the flow of illegal Haitian immigrants entering their country through Guyana. Many of these Haitian immigrants are using Guyana as a transit point to enter Brazil to seek employment or to go to other South American countries such as Chile.

Less than one week ago, the Guyana Government indicated that it was going to review its immigration protocols and impose such lawful restrictions that it considers necessary in the circumstances. This decision was arrived at following the discovery of what the

government believes was a human trafficking ring from Haiti.

Guyana's Attorney General had indicated that the Government of Guyana was moving in the direction of requiring visas for Cuban and Haitian nationals to enter Guyana.

It has not taken the government long to act. The axe has come down. The President of Guyana has issued an Order 9 of 2021 revoking the Immigration Order of , which had entitled Haitians to a six month automatic entry into Guyana. This revocation Order was published in the Extraordinary Official Gazette of June 22, 2021.

The new visa requirement for Haitians is in clear violation of Guyana's obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which required a six-month automatic entry for Haitians.

While the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community have not unanimously approved of this measure, they do not need to. It is a legal entitlement under the Treaty.

As such, the decision to impose visa requirements on Haitians is in violation of the Treaty and thus appealable to the Caribbean Court of Justice in its exercise of its

Original Jurisdiction.

In 2018, the Caribbean Community accepted a legal opinion, which argued that Haitian nationals were entitled, as members of the Caribbean Community, to a six-month automatic entry into other member states. In accordance with this decision, the APNU+AFC government moved quickly to issue Immigration Order granting Haitians a sixmonth automatic entry.

Barbados and Dominica had done the same.

However, they have since reversed gear after facing a pushback at home.

A number of Haitians are presently working in Guyana. They have found employment in various professions including porters, waiters and security guards.

The Cubans are also working here. They can be found in almost every store on Regent Street providing translation and sales services. They are also working in the construction sector for far less than Guyanese.

Stories have even been circulating that they willingly work 12-hour shifts as labourers, masons and plumbers for a mere U S $ 2 5 p e r d a y.

No Guyanese would work those hours for such a sum.

The Cuban Government

Court case boys coming! seh...

Dem

W

an vote of noconfidence in wan staff member don't require you to show cause. It does done become cause in itself. Suh when de management or de Board of Directors seh dem lose confidence in wan staff member dat done tun cause in itself.

Loss of confidence and trust long now is legitimate grounds fuh termination.

But wan loss of confidence or trust resulting from de commission of certain acts or de omission to do certain acts is also reason for dismissal and not only termination.

Dismissing somebody fuh loss of confidence and trust don't require wan independent tribunal. Once

de movers of de motion fuh dismissal can mek out a case fuh lack of trust and de majority of de Board agree, de person can get dismiss.

Why waste money and time in appointing wan independent tribunal?

If every time a manager got fuh dismiss it need wan independent tribunal, den labour laws gan tun pon dem head cause employers gan find it hard to appoint dem every time somebody gat to be dismissed.

Suh dem boys confused by de shenanigans at GEGONE. Dem nah understand why dem gat to have tribunal fuh investigate whether it gat grounds fuh dismissal. Wan employee can get dismiss with or without cause. And wan

vote of no-confidence is a cause in itself so dem boys nah know why dem need wan independent tribunal.

De staff of GEGONE dem ain't public servants.

Dem don't enjoy de security of tenure which public servants enjoy and does get protection from de Constitution. Public servants can only get dismissed by de Public Service Commission. But GEGONE Commissioners can dismiss any of dem staff members and without cause.

GEGONE done do dis before. Dem Boys remember de case of wan man wah tun up fuh wuk one day at GEGONE and find de locks pun he door change.

Talk half and wait fuh de legal challenges.

had long been pressing the Guyana Government to impose such requirements.

In April 2018, a team from Guyana had met with a team from Cuba during which the Cubans pressed for restrictions under the pretext of regularising migration.

Guyana, however, at the time was resistant to any such restrictions claiming that anyone who left Cuba legally and entered Guyana in the same way, was welcome. But reports also indicated that the APNU+AFC government was examining the issue of visas for Cubans.

A visa requirement for Cubans would hurt the b u s i n e s s c o m m u n i t y.

During the pre-pandemic period, it was estimated that around 2,000 Cubans arrived each week in Guyana. Many of them came for appointments at the United States Embassy and to do

their medicals which are required as part of the processing of their permanent residence applications to the United States.

Thousands also came as traders. It is estimated that Guyana earned through sales, hotel rentals and food about US$100M from the Cuban presence, which was four times what sugar was earning.

A visa requirement for Cubans would hurt businesses and would impact negatively on those landlords who have built massive apartment buildings for rental to Cubans. It may also see many of those Cubans who work in stores in Guyana's commercial district having to leave.

Cubans also are known to try to get into Brazil. But this is believed to be a trickle when compared to Haitians.

As such, there is no reason

for visa restrictions to be imposed on the Cubans since there is no known or suspected Cuban human trafficking ring.

Many employers are eager to have Cuban and Haitian employees. It is difficult to find Guyanese to work in certain sectors. But with both the Cubans and the Haitians, they are willing to do the work that Guyanese shun.

Wi t h t h e e c o n o m y expanding, it will become extremely difficult to satisfy the demand for workers. As such, the government should carefully consider the wisdom of this backward step to impose visa requirements on Haitians and to consider doing the same for Cubans.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday June 24, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Glen Hanoman writes about Roopnaraine and history is richer A

nyone who has r e a d m y analyses the past 32 years would know that I have literally begged people to respond publicly when things are written that involve their names so history is recorded and the next generation is further enlightened.

I have maintained that advocacy and will embrace it frenetically. My first degree is in history so I know the priceless value of recording history for posterity. I denounced Eusi Kwayana in one of my columns last year when he told Guyanese that he sat in court everyday during the trial of Donald Rodney who was convicted by “a certain magistrate.”

That was an immoral attempt to erase history.

Kwayana should have stated, for those too young at the time to know, the name of the magistrate.

I had to do that in my column. Her name was Norma Jackman (deceased), a barefaced jurist aligned to President Burnham at the time. At no time Kwayana mentioned that the prosecutor was Rex McKay. He was the same prosecutor in the political trial of Arnold Rampersaud. McKay was always very close to Burnham.

If Jamil Changlee did not write about the WPA's role while in government about the closure of the sugar estates, readers may have accepted the lies by Tacuma Ogunseye that Clive Thomas had nothing to do with the situation when he was chairman of GuySuCo. One must understand that those who accepted what Ogunseye said would not have had the availability of Changlee's facts if Changlee did not respond.

I urged one of the

founders of the UK's branch of the WPA, Leyland DeCambra, to record his interpretations as to why the present survivors of the WPA have degenerated so horribly in their betrayal of Walter Rodney.

See his reflections in my column yesterday and more of his thoughts will be published soon. His interpretations have now become available and obviously will be added to the knowledge of those who want to know about their country's history We come now to the two names in the caption of this article. Glen Hanoman wrote in yesterday's newspapers the following, “Rupert Roopnaraine, who was physically present at most of the hearings, and who was seen as an important witness, had consistently rebuffed my many efforts to take, or to himself provide, a short

written statement to the Commission which was deemed to be a procedural prerequisite to testifying).”

The name, Rupert Roopnaraine is being stained daily with unsavoury accusations against him in two contexts – historical closeness to the PNC and alleged deceiving of the nation that Mrs. Patricia Rodney was not interested in a commission of inquiry into her husband's death.

More accusation will pour in when I release the second part of the interview with DeCambra. So in the space of one week we have Ravi Dev, Glen Hanoman and Leyland DeCambra revealing unpleasant facts about Roopnaraine plus me publicising what Dr. Josh Ramsammy told me about Roopnaraine moons ago.

I have always distant

Frederick Kissoon myself from Rupert Roopnaraine since he returned to Guyana in 1976. I was never comfortable being a comrade of his. Something was not right about this gentleman. I felt it in my bones for two reasons. I grew up poor in south Georgetown so that environment brings you the gift of “street sense.”

I was an academic, so that gives you the gift of intellectual capacity. When you combine the two, you see nuances, dimensions, threads and motifs others cannot detect. Of all the WPA leaders in the 1970s, I never got close to him.

Here is the part that I am imploring that Guyanese researchers, including PPP leaders who have been around since the 1980s, look into. Hanoman wrote that he

wanted to summon Robert Corbin as a witness because of the implications of the testimony of others.

Roopnaraine and Corbin worked closely and literally between the two birthed APNU. Here is where a dangerous direction opens up an ocean of questions about Roopnaraine and his historical PNC connections.

In founding APNU, Corbin knew he was riding away.

There was only one serious contender – Carl Greenidge.

Is it possible that it was Roopnaraine that persuaded Granger to take the PNC leadership? We all believe it was Corbin. Granger and Corbin had no enduring relation and weren't even friends. Roopnaraine said in a public interview in 2017 that he and Granger go way, way back to the short-pants days at Queen's College.

I have consistently talked, not about the missing link in the WPA, but in the plural - missing links. Is Roopnaraine one of those crucial parts of the puzzle?

Do you know what I'm getting at?

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

Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

PAGE 12

Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Driver drowns after truck topples over John Fernandes wharf T

hirty-five-yearold Sheldon Wilson of Handen-veldt, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, drowned on Tuesday in the Demerara River after his truck reportedly developed some

mechanical difficulties and went over the rails of the John Fernandes wharf.

This publication understands that around 12:30hrs. police received a report that Wilson went to the wharf to collect feed

from a boat. After doing so, he began driving but his vehicle went over the rails and into the river. Kaieteur News was informed that Wilson's truck in the process developed some mechanical difficulties which caused

him to lose control.

A video of the accident which surfaced on social media, showed how the entire front of the truck became submerged in the river.

The feed, which Wilson was transporting, was seen pouring out from the sides of the vehicle and into the river. Persons were heard shouting in the background, “look dat man deh in deh…see dat man hand deh,” as another truck was pulling the vehicle out of the river.

According to police, a labourer working at the wharf was the person who jumped into the river and retrieved Wilson's body. He was immediately taken to the St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead on arrival.

His body was later taken to Jerrick's Funeral Home for a post mortem to be conducted.

Yesterday, when this publication reached out to the dead man's family, his father, Rockcliff (only name given), related that a post mortem which was conducted yesterday revealed that his son died by drowning.

On the day of the

accident, Rockcliff said that he did not see or talk to his son because he had left their Mahaica home early in the morning to head to work.

The day before (Monday), he said, was the last time he had any sort of interaction with his son.

Wilson who is the youngest of three children was described as a very quiet and friendly person.

Dead: Sheldon Wilson

Wilson's truck at the wharf on Tuesday

Two more COVID-19 deaths, 125 new cases

T

he Ministry of Health (MoH) y e s t e r d a y announced the deaths of two more persons due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-

19) disease.

According to the Ministry, the latest fatalities are that of a 68-year-old woman from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and a

55-year-old man from Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Both persons died on Tuesday while receiving treatment at a medical facility.

As a result of this, the country's COVID-19 death toll has moved to 454.

Further, the Health Ministry in its daily COVID19 dashboard recorded 125 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 19,359.

The dashboard revealed too that 20 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 115 persons are in institutional isolation, 1,473 in home isolation and eight are in institutional quarantine. To date, a total of 17,297 have recovered from the virus.

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 24, 2021

PAGE 13

Over $63M in contracts inked for rehabilitation of 3 streets in Berbice T

hree multimillion dollar contracts were signed on Monday for the rehabilitation of three Berbice streets – America Street in Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder, Port Mourant/Johns Neighbourhood Democratic Council Street and Victoria Street in Cumberland, East Canje Berbice – and works are expected to commence shortly.

The signing exercises were done at each of the

locations identified with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development – Nigel Dharamlall, Regional Chairman – David Armogan and Regional Executive Officer – Narindra Persaud and the contractors in the presence of residents. Kascon Engineering was awarded the contract for Victoria Street, Cumberland Village and will be executed at a cost of $23,151,500, T&R Construction Services was

Tevindra Jagdeo of T&R Construction (front right), REO Narindra Persaud (front left), Minister Dharamlall (middle) and two residents pose for a photo with the Port Mourant contract

Works on America Street, Black Bush Polder will commence shortly

awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of the Port M o u r a n t / J o h n s Neighbourhood Democratic Council Street to the tune of $20,308,185 and a contract of $19,872,944 was awarded to Premium Asphalt for the rehabilitation of America Street at Lesbeholden, Black Bush Polder.

At the signing event in Black Bush Polder, Minister Dharamlall said, "today we are signing a contract...and we would like to see a lot of the investment we are putting in health, agriculture and infrastructure in Black Bush…we would like to see that manifested in the performance of the people.”

The Minister further

Cops reach out to victims of robbery, attempted rape after KN report

A

fter weeks of making reports and awaiting a police investigation into a robbery and attempted rape, two female medical students were finally contacted by police yesterday, one day after a report was published in this newspaper.

Kaieteur News had reported that the medical students, ages 23 and 24, were deeply concerned for their safety after a house thief attempted to rape one of them during his second break-in at their Castello Housing Scheme, Georgetown apartment.

The 23-year-old informed this publication yesterday that a detective, who was supposed to followup on the first incident, contacted her and inquired about her availability to give a statement. The first incident occurred on June 6, 2021, less than one week

after the victims had moved into their two-bedroom apartment located in Castello Housing Scheme.

The victim stated that on the date in which the robbery incident occurred, she was home alone and went to bed at approximately 23:00hrs and left her computer in the living room.

The next morning when she woke up, she said that the computer and a television that was in the living room were missing. A report was made at the East La Penitence Police Outpost and hours later, a detective showed up unprepared to conduct a preliminary investigation into the robbery.

Two weeks later, on June 19, 2021, another report was made after there was a second break-in and attempted rape at the same location at around 04:00hrs.

The 24-year-old victim

stated that on that date, she was home alone when her phone alarm went off.

The young woman said that when she woke up to turn off the alarm, she noticed a shadow near her bedroom window.

The shadow turned out to be a man who, she said, placed a knife to her neck.

The suspect, the woman informed, then indicated that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her. In an attempt to outsmart the suspect, the victim said that she agreed but told the man to take a shower and put on a condom first. The suspect, she related, complied and proceeded to the other room.

The victim said that it was then that she took the opportunity to escape through a window – injuring her left foot in the process.

Reports were made but no investigation was carried out then, the woman had related.

noted that Government is expending monies to enhance the human and social development of people with a view of making the lives of people comfortable "and so that is why we are doing America Street today. I hope that when we construct this street that people are gonna take good care of it. This is your community, it is worth $19,875,000; it is a massive investment."

Minister Dharamlall also called on the residents to monitor the rehabilitation works when it commences and ensure that it is done at a high standard.

"The street is supposed to be 645 metres long, it is supposed to be 3.66 metres wide and it is for the people of the area to use,” the Minister said as he implored the contractors and engineers to ensure that

persons with the requisite skills who are living in the community be given the opportunity to be hired, rather than hiring persons from far-flung areas.

It was during a visit by President, Irfaan Ali, and the Minister of Agriculture that residents complained about the deplorable state of America Street which is located near the (continued on page 16)

PAGE 14

Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

Argument between vendors over stall placement leaves one dead

A

n argument between two vendors at the Stabroek Market in Georgetown over stall placement has left one dead and a 46-year-old bread vendor in police custody for murder. The dead man has

been identified as Robert Bizzette, 35, called “Brick” of Cane View Avenue, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. The incident occurred around 16:30hrs on Tuesday at the Stabroek Market Square.

It was reported that Bizzette and the bread vendor

had argued over the placement of Bizzette's stall. During the argument, Bizzette reportedly drew a 'jucker' and threatened the other vendor.

However, the bread vendor retaliated by pushing Bizzette to the ground and arming himself with a knife.

The police report further stated that the argument continued between the two men and Bizzette then armed himself with an axe and chased after the suspect, who was still armed with the knife.

Th i s p u b l i c a t i o n understands that the suspect fell to the ground and Bizzette stopped chasing

him. While Bizzette was walking away, the bread vendor reportedly dealt him several stabs about his body.

De s p i t e w o u n d e d , Bizzette ran to the Stabroek Police Outpost where he fell to the ground and was later escorted to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation where he died while receiving treatment.

An anti-crime patrol later arrested the bread vendor at Camp and New Market

Dead: Robert Bizzette Streets. An investigation into Bizzette's murder is ongoing.

Oil spill from Payara project could reach...

From page3 the Grenadines.

The 30 Guyanese were keen to remind that in 2010, the Macondo well blowout had killed 11 people, devastated the Gulf of Mexico and cost British Petroleum (BP) over US$65B to clean up. They reminded too that the same blowout occurred in an area saturated with oil and gas infrastructure and oil spill response equipment and expertise.

They posited that Guyana, on the other hand, lacks the funds, equipment, personnel and experience to deal with a well blowout while adding that such a circumstance would be economically and environmentally catastrophic and have a comparable impact on shareholders' investments in Exxon. What makes Guyana's case even more concerning is the fact that it is without full coverage insurance for any of the projects being led by ExxonMobil in conjunction with its partners, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.

With this in mind, they urged Exxon shareholders via their detailed letter to ensure the oil giant discloses the following promptly and publicly: (1) The financial guarantees and assurances that Exxon has in place to cover the enormous response, recovery and remediation costs from an unplanned event such as a well blowout; (2) An updated risk assessment in light of Exxon's use of faulty equipment and failure to follow proper procedures; (3) A risk mitigation strategy for a well blowout updated in light of the above systemic failures; (4) An updated oil spill response plan in light of Guyana's continuing limited ability to take action to mitigate the impact of a well blow out; and (5) The total amount of gas that Exxon has flared since first oil.

The signatories to the letter include activist, Ramon Gaskin; Chartered Accountant and former Auditor-General of Guyana, Anand Goolsarran; Fred Collins, President of Transparency Institute Guyana Inc.; and Gerald Perreira of the

Organisation for the Victory of the People. Other activists and stakeholders from academia, science, engineering, religious, business backgrounds have also joined the letter for action.

It was also endorsed by over 60 international organisations and individuals from Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United States of America, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, the Philippines, India, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom.

The letter was specifically addressed to The Coalition United for a Responsible Exxon (CURE), which represents a global spectrum of stakeholders focused on sustainability and committed to delivering longterm returns that account for the realities of a changing climate and energy sector. As of March 3, 2021, CURE brings together over 145 institutional members, who collectively represent approximately US$2.4 trillion in assets.

Tradewinds trainer's purse gets snatched - porter remanded

A

United States of America (USA) officer who is currently in Guyana for the Tradewinds Exercise 2021, on Sunday had her purse snatched by a man who was yesterday remanded to prison for the offence.

Alvin Archer, 28, a porter of 2093 Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

He denied the charge which alleges that on June 20, 2021, at Croal Street, Georgetown, he stole a brown purse valued at $8,000, one apple iPhone 11 valued at $250,000, and $9,200 cash, all property of Melissa Owens. The court heard that Owens is a citizen of the

Remanded: Alvin Archer United States and is a Military Officer with the United States Coast Guard who is presently in Guyana on a training exercise.

On the day in question, around 10:30hrs, Owens and her colleagues were walking in a westerly direction on Croal Street, Georgetown when Archer emerged from a crowd of men who were playing cards on the pavement and snatched her purse containing the articles mentioned in the charge.

Archer reportedl y attempted to make good his escape but Owens gave chase after him. Archer was subsequently apprehended by a police patrol passing on Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown and Owens' purse was discovered after Archer dropped it on the ground.

Archer was arrested and taken into custody. He was subsequently charged and placed before the court for the offence.

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 24, 2021

PAGE 15

Jehovah's Witnesses set to hold second global virtual event

B

reaking from a century-old tradition in the name of health and safety, the largest convention organisation in the world has moved its annual in-person event to a virtual format for the second time in as many years, canceling nearly 6,000 conventions in 240 countries.

This was noted in a

release, which pointed out that Jehovah's Witnesses have held annual conventions in Georgetown, Guyana since the 1940s. In 2020, the pandemic unexpectedly interrupted that tradition moving the international religious organisation to cancel inperson conventions throughout the world and launch a global virtual event.

This was a first for Jehovah's Witnesses who have held public conventions in stadiums, arenas, convention centres, and theatres around the world since 1897.

“Powerful by Faith!” is the theme of the 2021 global event, which will be delivered in more than 500 languages to households across the globe over six weekends during July and

August 2021, uniting some 15-20 million people in 240 countries.

Since the convention is typically held from Friday t h r o u g h S u n d a y, t h e programme will be available in six installments corresponding to morning and afternoon sessions. The Friday morning sessions will be available for streaming or download beginning June

28, 2021.

The continued risk of bringing thousands of people together in cities around the world prompted the organisation to opt for a virtual platform for the second consecutive year.

However, the move has not curbed the enthusiasm for the annual event.

Congregations around the world are inviting the public

to join them in this historic occasion.

“Faith has helped our global brotherhood to continue to thrive even during a pandemic,” said Daren Sendall, National Spokesman for Jehovah's Witnesses. “Our faith will continue to unite us in worship – even virtually – as millions gather in private

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

Thursday June 24, 2021

Jehovah's Witnesses set to hold second global virtual event From page 15 homes around the world to enjoy a powerful and inspiring spiritual programme.”

All are invited to attend the event by going to JW.ORG on the web or JW Broadcasting on the free JW Library iOS or Android App, or on stream-

Over $63M in...

SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040 Hello! The doctor is back!

Have your Gas Stove r e p a i r e d a n d serviced.Tel:601-0595.

Repairs at affordable prices:Fridge,Air c o n d i t i o n e r, Wa s h i n g machines,Dryers,TV,Microwaves & Freezer.Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

FOR SALE 1 6 cyl Doosan Marine Engine, complete- gearbox, propeller & shaft 5 million neg Tel#627-8898 One black 2011 Toyota P r e m i o , $ 2 . 3 Million.Tel:686-7004.

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1 Toyota Allion PWW Series $1.8M & 1 Honda CRV $3.2 negotiable.Contact 649-0956 for more info.

Allion,Premio,Field Wagon,Spacio,Sinter,Allex,212,Blue Bird,Advenis,RZ and Pitbull.650-7501.

FOR RENT 3 bedroom,fully furnished North & Oronoque St.Bourda bottom flat.Contact 226-7012,6240041.

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Fully furnished house situated at 15 Victoria Road Sparendaam E.C.D.Contact Christine Tel#220-7598/ 681-1565.

Two bedroom apartment to rent on E.C.D.Tel:601-2515.

VEHICLE FOR SALE Honda CRV Ptt series 2002 Model,1.9m neg.Serious inquires only,Call:6817798.

LAND FOR SALE 1 40x80 land located third corner over Parfaite Harmony Bridge.Transferable 7 million.636-5496.

WANTED Wanted one experienced Gold Smith, Jacobs Jewellery and Pawn shop 16 Pike street Kitty Tel#622-4970 Experienced Cooks and Servers,Cleaners, Handyman. Call:626-7285 to book interview.

Male able bodied sales representative.Contact Tel#227-3580 for more info.

Female sales representative experience in P.O.S system would be an asset.Contact Tel#227-3580.

Family to live & work on a farm.Contact: 622-1976 or 227-1744.

1 general domestic to work in Providence, from age 30.Please call:673-5300.

Domestic must know to cook and bake, salary $25,000 weekly.Call:6103974.

Looking for honest & reliable person for cleaning job.Age between 45 & up.Tel#231-4933.

Cook for the interior.Call#687-7638/6741767.

One electrician to work.Call:682-2971,6177493.

1 Domestic worker,preferably from E.B.D,Monday to Friday 7:30AM to 2:00PM.Tel#6961680/673-3260.

VACANCY Auto Electrical apprentice age 19-25 yrs.Apply in person, Lot 120 Forth Street Albertown G/Town or call 610-0340.

Pitmen for interior location.Applicants must be experienced.Call:231-2250.

Experienced masseuse/cosmetologist required. Nalini's hair salon,225 New Market Street (opposite Maggies).

226-6705/609-6259.

Truck Driver.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff Street C/ Vill.Tel:227-2486.

From page 13 Lesbeholden Primary School.

During the signing of the contract on Monday, persons who were making their way out of the muddy street had to do so barefooted.

A school child who was returning home took off her shoes and slipped on long boots to make her journey through the street. According to a resident the street has not had any repairs done in the past 60 years.

At the signing of the contracts in Port Mourant and East Canje, the Minister reiterated his message and called on persons to take care of the streets that will be rehabilitated for the benefit of the respective communities.

Approximately $600M is being spent on community road enhancements within the various NDCs and townships located in Region Six and that sum is expected to be increased in the future, the Minister revealed.

“Our President has indicated that every street that we do, every street that we build will have to be built in the form of asphaltic concrete so you can actually have a street within your community which is equivalent to a public road or the structure of a public road,” Minister Dharamlall added.

All of the streets slated to be rehabilitated have been described as “eye sores” and residents, over the years, have complained about them. At one of the contract signing events, Regional Chairman Armogan said, "I hope that people care about the street and make sure that it is not damaged by people who don't care at all."

VACANCY Vacancy exists for one office assistant.Must be computer literate with organiztional skills.Send application:innovationsamericamng@gmail.com.

E x p e r i e n c e Seamstress.Call#691-1918.

Factory workers.Must have a sound secondary education.For more information,please call:223-0090.

Labourers and maintenance worker to work with P.S.G.C.S.Serious enquiries o n l y. C o n t a c t : 6 2 1 6969,615-7784.

Porters.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff Street C/ Vill.Tel:227-2486.

Male Bond Clerk.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff Street C/Vill.Tel:227-2486.

ing platforms like ROKU TV, Apple TV, and others. The programme is free and acces-

sible to all.

For more information, persons can contact Jehovah's

Witnesses Guyana at (592) 617-9089 or andresdarrell@gmail.com.

Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 17

Govt. to establish visa requirements for Haitians, Cubans - Attorney General, Anil Nandlall Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, announced on Tuesday that his government is moving to implement visa requirements for Haitians and Cubans entering Guyana.

He reasoned that the intended move is to “tackle” the suspected “human smuggling ring” that is allegedly trafficking the foreigners through the country.

Nandlall made the announcement during his online show called “Issues in the News”.

The AG said that the “illegal influx of aliens” and persons of various nationalities has been a problem that the country has been “grappling” with for some time now.

He continued, “It has long been suspected that they are part of a human smuggling ring of international stature.”

In order to “tackle the issue once and for all,” according to the AG, his government will be taking a position that will require visas for “these nationals” to enter Guyana, including the Haitians and

Cuban nationals.

As it relates to the Haitians, Nandlall pointed out that Guyana is one of three CARICOM countries that have a “visa free immigration policy” for them.

The two other CARICOM countries are Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The rest of the Caribbean countries, related Nandlall, had to “place visa requirements because of the same thing (human trafficking)”.

He then added that Guyana is moving in that direction too.

Just recently, 10 Haitians, five females and five males, were found at the Swiss Hotel located in Skeldon, Berbice, Region Six. They had claimed that they were juveniles but they all turned out be above the age of 18.

They claimed that that they were brought from Suriname via a speedboat by an individual who dropped them at the hotel and took away all of their passports, money and other personal

A group of Haitians who was detained sometime back.

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. belongings.

They are currently being housed at the Hugo Chavez Centre as police continue investigations. Sources had related that they were able to identify a suspect who they believe trafficked the 10 Haitian nationals.

To imply that Rodney would not have...

From page 6 unencumbered by big party affiliation. So, it goes with such figures. Racists quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the U.S. Bigots of all stripes love to quote Jesus.

Absolutely, Rodney is being misappropriated for purposes he would never have supported. The continued entrenchment of power in the hands of a few – no matter how democratically elected – the continued race politics, the continued list system, the continued cronyism, the continued elitist, sexist, neocolonial culture promoted by those

in power – none of this would have been applauded by Rodney.

But the fact, for the people who like concrete reality, is that Rodney denounced the rigging of elections which made “a complete mockery of the most fundamental of rights – the right to self-determination and free choice of one’s government.” While the term ‘dictatorship’ can be extended to absolute power consolidation even following free and fair elections, no amount of contortion can make election rigging democratic. It went “People’s

Power-No Dictator” not “People’s Power -No Dictator Unless We Really Dislike the People’s Choice.”

To imply that Rodney would not have stood against attempted rigging only sullies his name and deserves the expletive that he used in that last essay which I will not repeat.

One would think that his colleagues and friends would not seek to use him in such a manner.

People must wrangle with their consciences alone.

Yours truly, Krysta Bisnauth

Human Services Ministry installs Elderly...

From page 2 Facilities.The residential facilities will be provided with at least three days' notice to conduct inspections and interview staff and residents in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Minimum Standards.

The team is expected to prepare and submit a written report to Minister Persaud within two weeks of the visit, identifying any violations.

The committee, the release added, will visit the facilities collectively or in pairs, have free access to every part of the facility and interact with residents.

It will also collaborate with the administrator, board and ministry to improve the quality of care provided by the fac i l i t y.

The team will also monitor the facilities to ensure that residents are treated with con-

sideration, respect in full recognition of personal dignity and individuality, and will seek to ensure that the residents receive care, treatment and services which are adequate, appropriate and in compliance with relevant statutes, policies and rules.

Under special circumstances where a request is made, the committee can conduct investigations, and members of the Committee may view other pertinent records where necessary.

In order to view such records, though, the Committee will have to get the permission of the resident or their legal representative. The Administrator of the home can give permission if the resident is unable to give consent or has no legal representative.

In cases where the Committee has reasonable cause to believe that the Adminis-

trator is not acting in the best interest of an incapacitated resident, the Gerontologist on the Committee can examine the resident and findings can be used in the report submitted to the Ministry; or an examination may be done by a qualified medical officer, identified by the Visiting Committee, to produce a report to the committee.

Chairperson of the committee is Dr. Kamela BemaulSukhu, and members are Leslyn Holder, Dr. Davendra Sharma, Negla Brandis, Angelina Leitch, Sarah Rahaman, Rep. from MOH – Gerontology: Dr. Melissa Dehaarte, Rep. from MOAA, Pastor Patrick Findlay, Rep. from Elderly Commission, Rep. from Support And Heal Network: Pastor Joshua Griffith, and Mrs. Abeke Samuels as Committee Secretary, Ministry of Human Services.

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 24, 2021

Thursday June 24, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Thursday June 24, 2021

Berbice fishermen complain of harassment, extortion by Surinamese patrols in Corentyne River - Govt. pledges to intervene Berbice fishermen who would usually ply their trade in the Corentyne River recently complained of being harassed and in some cases, extorted by Surinamese patrols. As a result of this, they have reached out to the Ministry of Agriculture which has since pledged to provide relief with the help of the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Informing Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, of the foregoing situation was Chairman of the Number 66 Fishermen’s Co-op Society Pamashwar Jainarine.

During a recent engagement, he said, “Over 50 years now, fishermen from Number 79 Village and Crabwood Creek have been fishing in the Corentyne River. We had an arrangement with Suriname

where one time they gave us our own licences…In 2007, the Surinamese took away the licences, gave them to people in Nickerie who would then rent these licences. It has reached a state now where they’re charging US$800 for a licence which has a value of about US$25. We’re asking for the cost to be reduced.”

The Chairman also informed the Minister that fishermen are being harassed and extorted by certain Surinamese River patrols. In some cases, he said fishermen are being asked to pay US$100 to US$200 or else they would be sent away.

Upon noting the foregoing among other matters raised, Minister Mustapha said the government is in contact with its Surinamese coun-

terparts on the matter.

He said, “We’ve had a discussion not so long ago and raised a number of issues about fishing. We were of the impression that Guyanese fishermen should have users’ rights. For example, if we’re going to Orealla, we don’t have to take a pass to use the river. They did indicate that they were willing to give the fishermen licences, both for the Corentyne River and their waters.”

The Minister added, “We don’t believe our fishermen should have to get licences to fish in the Corentyne River so we’ll continue to discuss these issues with our Surinamese counterparts.

They had asked us to supply them with the names of those who usually rent licences to

Guyanese but because government is not the one engaging those individuals, we cannot supply them with that information.”

Be that as it may, Minister Mustapha told the fishermen that his office will be dispatching a letter quite soon to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking its intervention. Last November, Minister Mustapha had formed

part of a ministerial delegation to Suriname, which was led by President Irfaan Ali. Since then, the Ministries of Agriculture and Foreign Affairs have been in contact with Suriname’s Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries debating the issue. Earlier in the year, Minister Mustapha disclosed that his Ministry had received a correspondence that detailed

the Surinamese government’s willingness to issue Guyanese fishermen with licences soon. This, he said, would see fishermen being able to operate comfortably in both the Corentyne River and Surinamese waters, thus eradicating the need for fishermen to pay exorbitant fees to rent licences from middlemen. (Ministry of Agriculture)

US$100M cement factory to be constructed...

From page 3 gypsum.

The entire process will be done locally, and since the cost of production is cheaper in Essequibo, we will be able to produce at an affordable price, thus selling for an affordable price.”

Commenting on the quality of the cement, Sukhdeo said, “Hydraulic Cement is great for sea defence and stands up longer to salt air… it's trying time is 30 minutes longer than that of all-purpose cement, but it allows for

the cement to have a better bonding.”

The Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J. Srinivasa, was also present at yesterday's sod turning.

During his remarks, the High Commissioner also focused on the economic advantages and the development of local content.

“Guyana is set for a take-off.

If you look at the cost of i mporting cement to Guyana, you will realise that there's an excess drain on your country. But in produc-

ing, you will not only be saving foreign exchange but also earning.

Also, this project will create employment for some 200 persons right here in your Region.”

Kaieteur News understands that the plant will not only be supporting all of Guyana with Hydraulic Cement but will also be supplying other Caribbean countries, including Suriname.

Also present at yesterday's sod turning was CEO of GoInvest, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop.

Thursday June 24, 2021

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Poland exit EURO 2020 after Sweden loss

Robert Lewandowski is the first player to hit the woodwork twice in a single game at the European Championship since Thomas Muller with Germany against Northern Ireland in 2016. (Reuters)

Thursday June 23, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Your flexibility will be tested today, Aries. You may end up twisting and flexing your body to fit the contours of the day.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You may have a hard time figuring out why everyone is so worked up today. Don't waste your time, Taurus.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) If anyone is capable of dealing with the intense emotional energy of today, it's you, Gemini. Other people may be angry and unable to stomach the sensitive issues that may arise.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Stubborn forces may challenge your easygoing nature today. You would do well to tap into this aggressive energy and use it to follow through on some projects that you've left hanging, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Tune into the aggressive energy of today, Leo, and use it to push your intentions forward. Today's emotional intensity will bring you to your knees if you aren't careful.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This is one of those days in which you need to act or else you will be acted upon, Virgo. Stubborn, aggressive forces are working counter to your aims. You will find yourself swept up in the thick of things if you aren't careful.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) It may be extremely hard for you to make decisions about anything today, Libra.

Don't stress about work or the things you need to get done.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today should run quite smoothly for you, Scorpio.

You will find that there's a great deal of power fueling your emotions and that you're able to take that power to the extreme.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Don't get upset if people don't take you quite as seriously as you'd like today, Sagittarius. It's in the nature of the day to keep things light and uplifting.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You might find that something or someone is purposefully trying to make things difficult for you today, Capricorn.

It might seem like you're trying to get a handle on the issues, but somehow things are

slipping through your fingers.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Lay low today, Aquarius.

Don't try to force any answers from people. Eat a healthy breakfast and stay away from caffeine.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Inspire others to come out of their shells today, Pisces.

Have them join you on the sunny side of the street. Share your cheer with other people and lead them into boisterous

discussions about the world. ?

BBC Sport - Substitute Viktor Claesson scored a 93rdminute winner for Sweden to knock Poland, who had come back from 2-0 down, out of Euro 2020.

Sweden netted their first goal from open play at Euro 2020 just 82 seconds into their final group game following Emil Forsberg’s composed angled finish in St Petersburg.

The RB Leipzig midfielder doubled the lead with a firsttime shot - his third goal at the tournament - before Robert Lewandowski, who had earlier missed a golden chance, produced a quality arrowed finish to give Poland hope.

Lewandowski hit an 84thminute equaliser to give hope to Poland, who needed to win to advance, but they were

undone by Claesson’s late winner.

In a captivating game, captain Lewandowski was guilty of an incredible miss at 0-0.

After heading against the underside of the bar from a corner, the prolific Bayern Munich forward’s follow up header from the rebound struck the bar from just two yards out.

France top group as Portugal go through...

From page 24 half.Portugal quietly went through the rounds in 2016 before lifting the title and despite a sometimes nervous night in Budapest they remain a threat as the tournament moves into the knockout stages.

France’s Benzema earns Ronaldo’s respect If Ronaldo stole the show in his usual fashion, it was former Real Madrid team-mate Benzema who denied the defending champions a place at the top of the table.

Benzema, who last scored for France in October 2015, showed composure to smash in the equaliser from the spot in the first half - even receiving a pat on the back from Ronaldo as he returned to the centre circle.

The pair hugged at halftime as they walked off the pitch deep in conversation but Benzema showed no mercy when the teams returned from the break, sliding home France’s second from Pogba’s inch-perfect pass.

The teams were level again after Ronaldo chipped it on to the outstretched arm of Jules Kounde to win Portugal’s second penalty but France could still have won it later on when Pogba and Griezmann forced the smart double-save from Patricio.

Mbappe was a nuisance without scoring again, Pogba produced moments of quality and in Benzema, France have a world-class striker.

They take on Switzerland in Bucharest on Monday and will remain one of the hot favourites for the competition.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 22

Thursday June 24, 2021

World Test Championship final:

New Zealand beat India on sixth day to become world champions BBC Sport - New Zealand were crowned the first Test world champions after completing a stunning eight-wicket win over India on a dramatic sixth day of the

final in Southampton.

A draw looked likely when play began but New Zealand dismissed India and completed a tricky chase of 139 with relative ease as time

ran out.

India resumed 64-2, 32 ahead, only for Kyle Jamieson to remove captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara before their lead had

passed 40.

Rishabh Pant gave India h o p e w i t h a c o u n t e rattacking 41 but skied a catch to Henry Nicholls, who clung on brilliantly running back from gully.

Pant’s wicket sparked the loss of the last four wickets for 14 runs and left India 40 short of what would have been a challenging target.

New Zealand lost openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway with the finish line more than 100 runs away but captain Kane Wi l l i a m s o n a n d t h e experienced Ross Taylor steered New Zealand home superbly.

Williamson, who crucially overturned an lbw dismissal when on one, finished 52 not out and Taylor, put down on 27 by Pujara, unbeaten on 47 as New Zealand won with seven overs left.

It saw New Zealand topple cricket’s superpower India and claim the biggest win in their history - their first triumph in a major global cricket tournament.

The action on the reserve day, needed because of all the time lost to the weather earlier in the match, also provided a fitting finale to t h e Wo r l d Te s t Championship which was introduced in 2019 to provide greater context to the world’s oldest and longest format.New Zealand win brilliant finale This was Test cricket at its best - a race for runs and wickets with the ticking clock adding further intrigue.

Throughout it all, New Zealand, as is their style, managed to look typically calm, despite the noisy crowd of around 3,000 spectators largely supporting their opposition.

After the Black Caps’ bowlers broke open the match, their batting line-up held their nerve.

A start was provided by the openers before Latham unwisely came down the pitch to Ashwin and was stumped. India’s off-spinner then had Conway lbw with

Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson share a moment after making New Zealand World Test Champions. (Getty Images) 106 still needed.

The crucial moment came when Williamson was given out lbw by umpire Michael Gough. It was a straight ball from Ashwin and, after calling for a review, the captain was reprieved when ball-tracking showed the ball would have missed leg stump.

The crowd’s delirium turned to quiet disappointment.

From there Williamson and Taylor weathered an initial storm before becoming more expansive in their unbroken partnership of 96.

Williamson was dropped on 45 by Bumrah but at that point the win was already certain.Taylor completed the win by flicking four through the leg side, a moment that was calmly celebrated by the players but done so wildly by a section of 100 or so New Zealand supporters in the stands.It is a win few will begrudge Williamson’s side after their heartbreaking loss on these shores in the 2019 World Cup final against England.

India fall at final hurdle India, who qualified for this final by finishing top of the points table ahead of second-placed New Zealand, will ultimately rue their batting efforts in this match.

Despite conceding a 32run first-innings lead, they began the final day with hope of victory but those hopes soon faded through wasteful batting and fine New

Zealand bowling.

Kohli was removed by Jamieson for the second time in the match in the sixth over of the day, the India captain pushing at a wide ball he could have left and edging through to wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

Pujara followed in Jamieson’s next over, edging to first slip when unsure whether to play or leave.

Pant kept any slim hopes alive with an attacking knock - he put on 37 with Ajinkya Rahane and 33 with Ravindra Jadeja - but when he was caught India’s lower order folded in the face of more fine bowling from Tim Southee and Trent Boult.

Urged on by Kohli, the India supporters roared their bowlers on and their effort could not be faulted.

Had Pujara taken a straightforward first slip chance to dismiss Taylor when 55 were still needed, things may have been different. Ultimately, India did not have enough runs to defend.

They now have more than a month in the UK before a five-Test series against England, which marks the start of the next Test Championship cycle, begins on 4 August.

Scores: New Zealand 249 (Conway 54, Williamson 49, Shami 4-76) and 140 for 2 (Williamson 52*, Taylor 47, Ashwin 217) beat India 217 (Rahane 49, Kohli 44, Jamieson 5-31) and 170 (Pant 41, Southee 448) by eight wickets.

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 24, 2021

PAGE 23

Germany book last 16 date after Hungary draw BBC Sport - Germany will face England in the last 16 of Euro 2020 after twice coming from behind to knock battling Hungary out of the tournament.

An outstanding header

by Adam Szalai, who plays his club football in Germany for Mainz, had given Hungary a shock lead in Munich.

Andras Schafer thought he had won it for the Hungarians with a header 90 seconds after Kai Havertz had equalised - before substitute Leon Goretzka made it 2-2 six minutes from

the end.

It means Germany finish second in Group F and will now meet Gareth Southgate’s England at Wembley in a hugely anticipated last-16 match next Tuesday (17:00 BST).

Hungary suffer heartbreak In an extraordinary match, Germany were minutes away from making an embarrassing early exit when midfielder Goretzka, on as a substitute, equalised in the 84th minute with a low finish from 16 yards to send Hungary out.

Few outside Hungary will have given Marco Rossi’s side any chance of advancing after losing 3-0 to holders Portugal in their opening group game.

But they followed up a gutsy 1-1 draw against world champions France with a disciplined performance to give the home fans in the Allianz Arena a scare.

They opened the scoring a f t e r R o l a n d S a l l a i ’s incredible long-range pass picked up his captain Szalai to beat Manuel Neuer with a diving header.

C h e l s e a ’s H a v e r t z

Track Star Archibald signs 12-month deal with Malta Carib

N

ational Senior Long Jump record holder and 100m champion, Emanuel Archibald, inked a one-year contract with Malta Carib yesterday.

The contract will make Archibald the face of the Malta Carib brand with the top sprinter and long jumper having a significant chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics in July.

In addition, Malta Carib also paid for Archibald’s ticket to the Bahamas where he will compete this weekend in the Bahamas A t h l e t i c A s s o c i a t i o n ’s Championships.

Archibald, who copped an impressive silver for Guyana recently at the South American Senior Championships, noted that this was a moment he dreamed of.

“I am pleased to receive this sponsorship from Malta Carib and I just want to thank God, my parents and the Brushes Family for keeping me ground to this point in my life.

“This moment is

something I wrote down since 2018 as a goal and to receive this is like a dream come through. The belief of betting on yourself and hoping that one day someone sees your hard work paved the way for such a moment. I am thankful for this sponsorship and looking forward to a long-term partnership with this great company,” Archibald stated at the contract signing.

Country Manager for Carib Brewery Limited (CBL), Kelvin Singh highlighted the importance of such relationships with athletes.

“We are extremely happy to commence this partnership with the very t a l e n t e d M r. E m a n u e l Archibald that will span for the next twelve (12) months.

Emanuel has been one of the top and most consistent athletes during the past couple of years to represent Guyana. We believe that these strategic relationships are required to support the athletes and provide sustenance during the year rather than a one-off

sponsorship. I would like to wish Emanuel all the best during the meet in Bahamas and the rest of the season,” Singh shared.

Meanwhile, Brand Manager of Malta Carib, Gabriel Lopes mentioned that Malta Carib is proud to associate itself with such a hard-working athlete.

“Emanuel has the heart and focus it takes to become an exceptional athlete, he is already halfway there and Malta Carib is delighted to be partnering with him to assist in making his dreams a reality.

Just look at his track record so far, he was able to set the Guyanese record in the long jump and now he aims for bigger and better; we believe that this is just the beginning of greater things to come for him,” Lopes posited.

Archibald will be heading to the Bahamas today where he will participate in a meet that can possibly raise his ranking in the long jump while trying to qualify for the men’s 100m at the Tokyo Games.

equalised with a header following an error by goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi but Germany fans were still celebrating when Schafer’s brave header in front of Neuer, who had come rushing off his line, put Hungary back in front.

At that stage, Hungary were heading into the last 16 and Germany were set for an early exit before Bayern Munich’s Goretzka came to the rescue to break Hungarian hearts - and set up a m o u t h - w a t e r i n g match

against England.

That match will revive memories of when the two nations met in the semifinals of Euro 96 - Germany winning a penalty shootout at Wembley to deny the Three Lions a place in the final.

Kaieteur News

PAGE 24

Thursday June 24, 2021

France top group as Portugal go through with draw BBC Sport - Cristiano Ronaldo equalled the alltime international goalscoring record as defending champions Portugal drew with France to qualify for the last 16 of Euro 2020 as one of the best thirdplaced teams.

Ronaldo scored his 108th and 109th goals, both from the penalty spot, to equal Ali Daei’s record set with Iran between 1993 and 2006.

They came either side of half-time but were not enough to give Portugal victory as striker Karim Benzema broke a six-year goal drought with France to score twice and ensure Les Bleus topped the group.

On a frantic evening, the four teams in Group F changed positions frequently, with Portugal looking set to face England in the next round before Germany’s dramatic late

equaliser bumped them from fourth to second and eliminated Hungary.

Ronaldo gave Portugal the lead after Hugo Lloris followed through on Danilo as he attempted to punch away a cross, before Benzema equalised on the brink of half-time after Nelson Semedo was adjudged to have blocked off Kylian Mbappe’s run in the box.Benzema scored a second immediately after the restart following a stunning pass from Manchester United’s Paul Pogba but Ronaldo drew Portugal level when he won and converted a second penalty 13 minutes later.

The draw in Munich meant Portugal finished in third place based on a headto-head record, while France topped the group, a point ahead of Germany.

Ronaldo-inspired

Portugal show real threat The match was teed up as a battle of giants and Ronaldo produced the goods as one of the biggest.

His first goal saw him become the outright European top scorer at major tournaments with 20 overtaking former Germany striker Miroslav Klose - and his second equalled Daei’s record.

He now has 48 goals in his past 45 matches for Portugal and, with five goals in three matches so far at Euro 2020, he leads the race for the Golden Boot.

Portugal face another tough test in the next round, with world number one side Belgium waiting in the last 16, but they showed their threat in this draw with world champions France.

Ronaldo’s ability to score when it matters was demonstrated once again,

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were team-mates at Real Madrid between 2009 and 2018. (Getty Images) while experienced defender Pepe showed his guile at the back to thwart Mbappe.

Goalkeeper Rui Patricio

also made a vital contribution - brilliantly denying Pogba from long range with a fingertip save,

before recovering to palm away Antoine Griezmann’s rebound effort in the second (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Thursday June 24, 2021

Some of the overseas based players seen arriving at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott Hotel, Florida, last evening. (Franklin Wilson photo)

PAGE 25

Atlantic Seafoods supports Independence Softball Cup

A

‘Golden Jaguars’ land in USA ahead of 2022 Concacaf Gold Cup clash The domestic-based contingent of Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Team along with some of their overseas based counterparts arrived in the USA last evening ahead of final p r ep a r at i o n s f o r t h e ir Concacaf Gold Cup Preliminary round qualification match against Guatemala, next month.

The Golden Jaguars will train and compete in friendly matches in Florida before facing the Central American nation at 21:30hrs local time on Saturday, July 3 at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort L a u d e r d a l e .

GFF President Wayne Forde: “We wish the squad and staff all the best in their quest to qualify for the final rounds of the Concacaf Gold Cup for the second consecutive tournament. We expect Guatemala to prove challenging opponents, but

we know our players will leave everything on the pitch and that the entire nation will be roaring with the Golden Jaguars,” he said.

The winner of the first round qualification fixture will play either Guadeloupe or

the Bahamas on July 6 for a place in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup final competition.

The 2021 Gold Cup takesplace between July 10 and August 1 at various venues across the United States.

tlantic Seafoods has thrown their support behind the WeCare Community Services and Promotions inaugural Independence Inter-Region Softball Cup which is currently underway.

The entity handed over a cheque to the organisers at a simple ceremony held recently at its location at lot 8 Unity, Mahaica. Kevin Dass of the organising committee has expressed gratitude to the company and other sponsors.

Dass commended the teams for the discipline exhibited so far in the competition and said some exciting matches have been played. The competition is being played on a knock out basis and the two top teams from each region will advance to the playoff stage.

There are over $200,000 in cash and other prizes to be awarded to the winner, runner-up and man-of-thematch in the final among other outstanding

WeCare representative Kevin Dass (right) accepts the cheque from a representative of Atlantic Seafoods. performers. The competition consists of teams from

regions three, four, five and six.

rt o p S World Test Championship final:

Track Star Archibald signs 12-month deal with Malta Carib

New Zealand beat India on sixth day to become world champions

From left, Country Manager of CBL, Kelvin Singh; Brand Manager of Malta Carib, Gabriel Lopes and National Long Jump Champion, Emanuel Archibald, take a photo opportunity after the contract signing.

New Zealand celebrate with the World Test Championship mace. (Getty Images)

‘Golden Jaguars’ land in USA ahead of 2022 Concacaf Gold Cup clash

The local based ‘Golden Jaguars’ players and Technical and Management staff pictured after arriving at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott Hotel in Florida last evening.

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