Kaieteur News

Jagdeo after delaying oil auction

spots in the world, says 7yearsaftersigningExxon contract,RaphaelTrotman finallybreakssilence,

Portion of Stabroek Block to be relinquished is nothing of material - Hess Boss

New oil bill proves PPP promise of Petroleum Commission just a pipe dream

Man found dead sitting with rope around neck

CANU officers arrested for stealing from detainee

Ex-employeecaught oncamerastealing fromBoss’shome

VP Jagdeo refuses to answer rate of return on Exxon’s investment

Former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

7 years after signing Exxon contract, Raphael Trotman finally breaks silence, says Exxon deal can be renegotiated

Former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, who signed the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with ExxonMobil and its partners, in a new book, has not only cited his support for a renegotiation of the lopsidedoildealbuthasalsourged that the agreement can be renegotiated.

Trotman in his book titled 'From Destiny to Prosperity' chronicles the events leading up to thecontractsigning.Heexplained, “I have decided to write because I havebeenencouragedtodoso-lest the history of what transpired indelibly becomes someone else's versionofthetruth'.

I write because I owe it to my children, relatives, and close friends who stood by my side against relentless torrents of criticism, vitriol, untruths, halft r u t h s a n d d o w n r i g h t nastiness...These writings do not setouttoapologize,buttoexplain, andtodosowithhumility.”

On the Preface of his 201-page book, published on June 2, 2023 the former Minister said it is his view that no contract is unchallengeable and he would support changes to the deal that seeksmoreforthecountry

He said, “The demand for renegotiation of the Exxon "contract”continuesunabated,and my own view is that no contract is inviolable, and therefore, it can be renegotiated.

However, I can't support a renegotiation based on some 'fraud', which never occurred. Undoubtedly, if Guyana, as a sovereign state wishes to renegotiate the contract to get "better" terms, then I would supportsuchaninitiative.”

Trotman, an Attorney-at-Law added that the newly elected administration is undoubtedly faced with many of the same geopolitical and geo-strategic realities and imperatives that the former A Partnership for National Unity + A l l i a n c e F o r C h a n g e (APNU+AFC) Coalition government encountered According to him, “It was easy to make bold statements and promises from the campaign podium, but when in government, realities have to be confronted. Stepping out and stepping forward is not as straightforward as many believe,anditwillbeinterestingto see how it navigates through this intricatemazeofjealouslyguarded interests.”

Trotman, a founding member of the AFC announced his resignation from National Assembly inAugust last year The former Member of Parliament

(MP)statedinhisbookthat he had expected an “independent and credible investigation or inquiry” w o u l d h a v e b e e n commissioned even before 2020 when the next Regional and General Electionsweredue.

Heevencitedthatinhis last encounter with the Publisher of Kaieteur News, Mr Glenn Lall back in 2020, he did signal his readiness to speak to an independent Commission ofInquiryonthecontract.

Trotman said, “It seemed then that he embraced the idea and would advocate for it. But, alas, I saw no clamouring for an inquiry into the signing of the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement with Exxon, Hess and CNOOC I s u p p o s e i t ' s m o r e advantageous for some to keep the conspiracy theoriesaliveandkicking.”

As such, the former Natural Resources Minister said that he attempts to provide an insight of the inner workings of government, and in particular his p o r t f o l i o o f responsibilities.

Trotman's book features 10 chapters, each of which represents an individual episode in time and circumstance, which when brought together will provide context of the signing accordingtohim.

Trotman is known across Guyana and wider afield as the citizen who signed away Guyana's vast riches by binding the country to the abusive provisions of the PSA with ExxonMobil, Hess

Corporation and CNOOC. The contract was signed by the then Minister with responsibility for Natural Resources on October 27, 2016.

In that agreement, Guyana accepted a two percent royalty on itssweetlightcrudeandagreedfor the oil companies to take 75 percent of the revenue towards the

recovery of costs for their investment The remaining 25 percent is then shared equally between the parties guaranteeing Guyana a 12.5 percent share.

WhenTrotman signed the PSA, he also agreed to waive all taxes for the oil companies, forfeiting billions of US-dollars in revenue forthecountry

Besides the fiscal terms, the country has also agreed to a number of other provisions extending an upper hand to the oil companies in the administration of the sector For instance, the PSA shields the oil companies from the passage of new legislation that can a f f e c t t h e i r r e v e n u e s Transparency advocate, Dr Yog Mahadeo had equated this as a mockery of the country's Constitution.

Article 32, which lists out conditions for 'Stability of the Agreement' states at 32.1 that “Except as may be expressly provided herein, the Government shall not amend, modify, rescind, terminate, declare invalid or u n e n f o r c e a b l e , r e q u i r e renegotiation of, compel replacement or substitution, or otherwise seek to avoid, alter, or limit this Agreement without the prior written consent of Contractor.”

The agreement goes on to say at 32.2 that “after the signing of t h i s A g r e e m e n t a n d i n conformance with Article 15, the Government shall not increase the economic burdens of Contractor under this Agreement by applying tothisAgreementortheoperations conducted thereunder any increase of or any new petroleum related fiscal obligation, including but not limited to, any new taxes whatsoever, any new royalty, duties, fees, charges, value-added tax(VAT)orotherimposts.”

Despite calls from various sections of society and international experts, the government is adamant that the Exxon contract cannot and will be amended.

“The demand for renegotiation of the Exxon "contract” continues unabated, and my own view is that no contract is inviolable, and therefore, it can be renegotiated...Undoubtedly, if Guyana, as a sovereign state wishes to renegotiate the contract to get "better" terms, then I would support such an initiative.”- Raphael Trotman

Former Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman

The cover of Trotman's new book

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

Publisher: DR. GLENN LALL - TEL: 624-6456

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

PARAMOUNTCY OF THE LAW

ThelawsofGuyanatakeprecedenceovertheambitions offoreignoilcompanies,thediscretionsoflocalpoliticians. WefullyagreewithGuyaneseattorney-at-law,Ms.Melinda Janki,whoserecentwordsrangauthoritatively:“…ifyou don’t like national laws, then don’t come to Guyana, but onceyouarehere,youhavetoobeythoselaws.”

Sincethediscoveryofoil,thelawsofGuyanahavebeen trifled with, trampled upon, made a mockery of, through risks taken, and lip service offered by the Guyana Government, foreign oil companies, and others that come heretoprovidesupportservices. Guyana’sEnvironmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) has been the poster child of lax enforcement,andofcomingupwithspuriousrationalesto justifyitsfailuretoapplythelawtothefullest. Thisiswhat must be, come what may, and regardless of which superpower entity is on the receiving end of its decisions. Laws and derivative rules and regulations must be implementedandenforced,withoutexception.

Ifnot,thelawsonthebooks,suchastheEnvironmental ProtectionAct are reduced to a presence on a shelf. The laws that are there to protect the environment and people suffer from a failure of will in the hands of those who are responsible for making them come alive and apply across theboard.

Guyana’s EPA has been extremely generous to oil companies operating here. Requirements are routinely waived;permitsgrantedlikeChristmasgifts,andwitheach such development, the risks and exposures to Guyanese multiply This has been the situation with Environmental Impact Assessments, which everyone thinks are compulsoryincertaincircumstances,butnotthiscountry’s EPA The foreign companies, the ones focusing exclusively on oil exploration and production, and other ones present in Guyana to provide downstream services, have been given green light and blank check to operate as theyplease. AcompanywithafacilityinHoustonhasbeen takentocourtmorethanonce,andstillthelocalEPAhems and haws, and dances around laying down the law to the errantcompany

Itisreasonabletoexpectthataresponsiblegovernment would look at what is approved by the EPA, the possible gaps in what was presented to the EPA by the foreign companies, the reaction of concerned citizens, the risks to Guyana,andasacommonsensemeasureinterveneandput thebrakesontheEPAtogettothebottomofwhythingsare the way they are. This is what ethical political leaders woulddointhefaceofrepeatedoutcriesoversomeofthe inexplicable decisions of the EPA. What Guyanese have hadtolivewith,iswherethegovernmentanditsleadersare unfazed, where no alarms have sounded, relative to poorness of the work coming out of the EPA, and how impotentitlooks.

Thereality,however,isthatGuyana’sEPA,asitstands today,isapoliticalcreaturethatseesitsmandateasmoreto obey the reckless visions and the dangerous games of politicians in the PPPC Government, than to get foreign companiestoobeythelawsofthiscountry. Sinceitisclear bynowthattheEPAwillnotactcleanly,northegovernment caringaboutpushingittovigorouslyapplythelaw,thenit hasbeenlefttocitizenstocarrythefightforward. Melinda Jankiputitneatly:“ifyoudon’tthinkthatGuyaneseshould haveasayinwhathappensinthiscountrythenyou’reinthe wrong place.” Guyanese are not sitting down, taking whateverspeciousnesscomesoutofthemouthsofleaders, orcomplacentwithlettingtheEPAoperateasitpleases.

The laws are there and both the government and EPA havefailed. Thelawsmustbeobeyed,andiftheEPAisnot up to the task, then the PPPC Government must see that it delivers. Ifbothlapse,thentheonusisoncitizenstoheadto courtandfightforcompliance.

Obedience to the laws of Guyana is a cost of doing business: risks must be managed, regardless of expense; regulations followed notwithstanding financial demands. Be prepared to obey laws, or don’t come here. To those here:obeythelaws,orgetout.

DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSES AND HOUSE LOTS HELPS IN CURBING THE TRANSMISSION OF GENERATIONALINEQUALITY

DEAREDITOR,

The elderly mothergrandmother smiled, then weptuponreceivinghernew home. From the perspective of cost, a gift from the Guyana government Between tears, and with clasped hands held close to her heart, she thanked everyone present - as if in symbolic gesture of gratitude simultaneously to bothmanandGod.

Speaking haltingly, she dried her tears while she continued to express

gratitude to the government. This is just a singular example of President Irfaan’s initiative to a d e q u a t e l y h o u s e disadvantagedGuyanese.

Globally, poverty has amassed numerous victims someofwhomareGuyanese - for poverty, especially extreme poverty, afflicts over700millionworldwide. In some instances, poor Guyanese reside in single roomcottagesnottoodistant f r o m w e a l t h y neighborhoods Others

cluster in shanties built on vacant land on the outskirts of residential communities, while some reside in what Guyanesecommonlyreferto as “camps” located in the backyards of parents or relatives.

Constituted of squatters and non-squatters, most of Guyana’s poor survive at a subsistence level of existence, irrespective of theirresidentiallocations.In 2020, cognizant of this lingering societal problem, the PPP/C government in

general,andpresidentIrfaan in particular, announced the distributionofhouselotsand small homes to the needy in efforts to facilitate their upliftoutofthesubcultureof poverty

A n d , i n 2 0 2 1 , distributionbeganinearnest. For most Guyanese, homeownership serves a sourceofpride,anindication of stability, and to some extent economic wellbeing, while non-homeownership isregularlystigmatized,and (Continuedonpage6)

Is Hess’s boss telling the truth about the President assuring stay of Judge’s ruling?

DEAREDITOR,

I would like to make public comments on the KN news story indicating that “Hess Boss tells US conferencePres.Aliassured him of stay in Justice Kissoon’s ruling before Court of Appeal handed down decision” (KN, June 23,2023).

Ifindthistobevery,very troubling if that is true. I would hardly think our President would do something like that. It is probably more “believable” ifthearticlesaidtheVPsaid that or the AG said that as they had rushed like Usain Bolt to announce the appeal ofJudgeSandil’sdecision.

The PPP Government, Opposition and Private Sectorhavebeenonthesame

single bed with Exxon, HESS and CNOOC against theinterestsofthePeopleof Guyana.

Idon’tknowthatanyone can gave an assurance of what the “predictable,” sure outcome of a case will be unlesstheyarepsychic.

You can hope for a decisiontogoacertainway, butuntilacaseisheardanda decisionisgiven,noone,not eventhePresidentortheallpowerfulVicePresidentisin a position to give anyone an assurance that a court decision will “predictably” be what that person or companywants.

I am aware that our Judges and Magistrates are not bribable nor can they be undulyinfluencedtopervert the course of justice, or rule

in a certain “predictable” way in accordance with the wishes of a potential solicitor or briber Our Judiciary has independence, and our Judges have made some bold sound decisions that goes against the Government side as well as theOppositionside.

Madame Chief Justice is truly a lady of integrity, and Judge Sandil Kissoon is my newhero.Iwillvoteforhim any day if he were ever a PresidentialCandidate.

Who can forget the CJ’s bold, well-reasoned, solid d e c i s i o n s i n t h e controversial 2020 PNC electionriggingcases?

The KN article reports that: “Hess in speaking on the project Thursday was keentonotethatboththeoil

Wanton use of sirens by non-emergency vehicles must stop

DEAREDITOR,

The citizens of Guyana andIcontinuetobemoanthe wanton usage of sirens by vehicles that are not readily identified as emergency vehicles.

We have been subjected tothisinconvenienceonour roadways since August 2020 The citizens have complained profusely and I, as their parliamentary representative,haveusedthe legislativeprocesstoexpress thenationaldismay

Duringtheconsideration of the estimates in February 2023, I submitted several questions pertaining the vexed issue and was

reassured that the laws wouldbetweakedtoinclude senior government officials and members of the diplomaticcorps.Further,in May 2022, the Minister of Home Affairs, the CommissionerofPoliceand the Traffic Chief, Ramesh Ashram, addressed this matter at a meeting with private security firms and made clear that sirens are reserved,bylaw,forvehicles used by the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Defence Force ,the Fire Service and ambulances.

Todate,wehavenotseen any signs of rhetoric matching action. There has

been no tabling of an amendment to the law and citizens continue to grapple withthisproblem.

I hereby reiterate calls for the Guyana Police Force to address this matter and I callontheMinisterofHome Affairstotablelegislationto settlethisissue.

This lawlessness must stop.

G e e t a C h a n d a nEdmond

companies as well as the government disagreed with the position of the two applicants as well as the High Court judgment ordering unlimited financial coverage.

The official said, “…I can tell you, the President wasveryemphaticthatastay would be put in place that would have no impact on production.

Thestaywasputinplace. There is no impact on production.”

The Hess boss added, “andIthinkthisisjustacase o f t h e j u d g e n o t understanding what the petroleumlegislationwasor the petroleum requirements of our production programmes were, and I thinkthatmatterhasbeenput to bed. There was a lot of noise about it, but it was basicallynoise.”

On Saturday, the Hess boss said the KN report is misleading, but the released audioofwhatwassaidseems to validate the KN story (“Hess CEO says KN headline was misleading,” SN,June24,2023).

So, somebody has to do some explaining on this matter

MaybetheChancellorof the Judiciary may want to respond; maybe the Bar Association may want to makecomments.

Maybe the President needs to explain and set the recordstraight.

JudgeRishimaywantto

respondifhegaveassurance to anyone about a “predictable”decisionthata stay would be issued. (I will leave the Opposition alone as they are soundly asleep regardingoil).

Maybe our investigative journalists can ask Mr Hess to tell the Guyanese people more about this assurance that the President allegedly gavehim.

Was he just trying to impress his audience that they have connections, and wasexaggerating?Washeso sure he has the Government in their back pockets that he can confidently say what he said?

Should Mr Hess have dissedJudgeSandillikethat by saying Judge Sandil “not understanding what the petroleumlegislationwasor the petroleum requirements of our production programmeswere…?”

When Mr Hess said, “...andIthinkthatmatterhas been put to bed,” is he inferring that there will be a “predictable”decisioninthe appealbeforetheFullCourt? Does the head of oil companies routinely call the President or VP about court cases?

Itrustalltherelatedfolks will ring in on this matter This new VP doctrine of

courts making “predictable decisions” for investors is causingsometurmoilhere.

ToMr Hess–don’tever make the mistake to think those of us who are fighting for our beloved country and wanting environmental protection and unlimited parent guarantees for liability for oil disasters are simply“noisemakers.”

Thisis“OurCountryand OurWealth,”andwewillnot rest until the oil conglomerates understand youhavetofollowourrules andrenegotiatetheworstoil contractin thehistoryof the world.

Youwillsoonunderstand “Peoples Power, No Dictator,” even though our Government is in bed with you.

The Government side can ill afford another potential scandal, following on the heels of the deadly inferno that snuffed out the livesof20ofourAmerindian children due to systems failures/governmental failures, and the Dharamlall diariesforwhichallGuyana iswonderingwhyistheDPP taking so long to make her announcement.

The party of Papa Jagan mustrestorelostcredibility

Sincerely,

Dr.JerryJailall

Where is the Minister ofAmerindianAffairs?

DEAREDITOR, The headlines and the detailsofwhatayoungchild hadtoallegedlyendureatthe “hands” of a Minister of Government, following on the heels of the merciless death of 20 young children—all of them from our Indigenous community, begsthequestion—Whereis the Minister in charge of AmerindianAffairs?

Whatdoesshereallydo?

Issheawarethatherjobisto look after the affairs of the Indigenous peoples of Guyana or is it to just enjoy the perks of being a bench warmer in Parliament? Nothing from her when 20

youngindigenousliveswere horriblysnuffedoutandNO WORD from her when one of her colleagues (fellow benchwarmer)inParliament is named in an alleged assault on a young indigenous female! Shame on you, Minister of AmerindianAffairs.

Will this child today, get justice?Whoislookingout for her? Editor, I scoured the newspapers and did not seeawordsofarfromanyof the religious groups; denouncing this alleged dastardly act on a young childofGuyana. Have they also lost their morality? Where are their

Govt. move to unify payment dates for OldAge and NIS pensions commendable

voicesforthischild?

T h e # M E T O O Movement skipped Guyana and as a result, young lives continuetobeexploitedand maimed.

I close for now, with words from a persona that many in Guyana like to quote when it suits their agendas “Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole t r u t h a n d a c t i n g accordingly.’’

“Non-cooperation with Evilisasacredduty.”M.K. Gandhi.

YoursSincerely, N.Sahadeo

DEAREDITOR, Therecentinstructionby President Irfaan Ali by to unify the payment dates for OldAgeandNISpensionsis a commendable move. For one, it is much more convenient for pensioners, many of whom were forced toshowupatthePostOffices multipletimestocollecttheir pensions.Thisisyetanother example of a caring administration.Thepayment of pensions to our senior

pensioners on a timely and morepredictablemannerisa welcome development and speaks to the high regard in which our elderly is held by the current PPP/C administration.

This development, when taken together with recent increases and the several other benefits granted to pensionerssuchaswaterand electricitysubsidieswillgoa far way in enhancing the quality of life of our senior

citizens At a more fundamental level, it is also indicative of a listening ear rendered by the current administration to the concerns and welfare of the Guyanesepeople.

A society, it is said, is measured by how it treats with its children and the elderly On both counts, the PPP/C administration has been doing a commendable job.

HydarAlly

DISTRIBUTION OF HOUSESAND...

Frompage4 associated with laziness -an indication of social degradation. Such perceptions,presumably,are said to be prevalent among those who seek to distance themselves from working classlaborers.

The negative stereotypes of people living in shacks, and dilapidated cottages and homes regularly contribute todemoralization,thelossof self-worth, and other forms of social pathology Negatively labelled, some turn to a life of crime, prostitution, and other deviantactstosurvive.

In the main, however, mostareminimumwageand day laborers, single parents, elderly, small plot farmers, etc.,allofwhomleadlivesin quiet contemplation of residential stability, or ownership of land, and e s c a p e f r o m t h e demoralizationofpoverty

Through the distribution of house lots and affordable homes, the government’s action is more likely to succeed in decreasing the transmission of generational inequality over time, e s p e c i a l l y a m o n g dispossessed Guyanese. The allotment of house lots to those gainfully employed would enable many to construct homes for themselvesandfamilieswith or without assistance from the Home Construction Facility Agency (HCFA) Such homeownership, most likely, will contribute to the families’ socio-economic stability while facilitating children’s preparation for successful futures (See Guyana Chronicle, May 17, 2022).

And the provision of affordable homes to the underemployedwould,inall probability, assist in alleviating the pangs of poverty and result in more productivelifestyles.

In the distribution of

house lots and affordable homes to economically disadvantagedGuyanese,the PPP/C government is addressing and bridging Guyana’s racial and ethnic divides,forpovertydoesnot discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity Whatever o n e ’ s e t h n i c i t y , homeownership, or the provisionofhouselotsserve as the genesis in the restorationofdignity

In the loss of dignity, many become depressed, alienated,andhopeless,allof which push the individual further down the spiraling abyss of despondency and unworthiness.

I t i s t h e r e f o r e commendable that the distribution of small homes and house lots cut across all races and ethnicities in adherence to the PPP/C’s ‘OneGuyana’policy

However, the PPP/C’s policy of housing disadvantaged Guyanese is not without its critics Depending on their political allegiances, affiliations, and ethnicities,criticsaccusethe government of pandering to poverty stricken, and indolent Afro, or Indo Guyanesevoters.

While erroneous claims elude refutation, given the President Irfaan’s ongoing housing initiatives, it would be advantageous for the government to encourage follow-up research on the strengths and weaknesses of suchpolicy

In this regard, the government may find it beneficial in providing summerresearchinternships to University of Guyana seniors.

Thesestudents,regularly representing all ethnicities, reside in various parts of the country, and given their residential proximities, would be responsible for conducting annual field research on the lives and c o n d i t i o n s o f

individuals/families who received house lots and affordablehomes.

In part, data collection shouldfocusonracial-ethnic gaps (if any) in the distribution and possession of house lots and homes, in a d d i t i o n t o individual/familial differences in climbing out ofpoverty

Suchresearchendeavour would benefit both students and government. For, while studentswouldgainvaluable research and analytical experience, over time the collection of data on the dynamics of home ownership would better inform national policy regarding the impact and i n f l u e n c e o f i n t e r g e n e r a t i o n a l transmissionofpoverty

Undoubtedly, the distributionofhouselotsand affordable homes serve to benefit both the government andtherecipients.

On the one hand, the government benefits from the reduction of poverty and its prevailing negative generation of delinquency, crime, residential squalor, and the spread of infectious diseases associated insanitarylivingconditions.

On the other hand, recipients benefit through improvements in their residential and socioeconomiccircumstances.

Intoto,thepossessionof affordable homes and house lots will likely serve as motivating factors in improving the lives of recipients, for such ownership of property customarily brings hope where hopelessness once resided, and emotional security where fear and insecurities once prevailedallinexpectationofbridging the gap between the haves andhave-notsandbuildinga moreequitablesociety

NarayanPersaud,

ProfessorEmeritus

PhD

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WHEN WILL THE GOVERNMENT RELEASE THE AUDIT REPORTS ON EXXONMOBIL’S US$8.9B EXPENSES?

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An audit that was done on ExxonMobil’s pre-contract costs by a UK firm, IHS Markit, totalling US$1.6B and incurred from 1999 to 2016 is yet to be completed.

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Is it too much for the Guyana RevenueAuthority (GRA) or even the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo to provide this country with an update on this matter?

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Is it too much to ask for transparency and accountability in this regard?

And what has become of the audit for ExxonMobil’s expenses totalling US$7.3B? The government has been noticeably silent on this too.

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Guyanese, isn’t it peculiar that the PPPhappily grants billions of dollars in contracts to Exxon and partners but remains content moving at a snail’s pace to ascertain if we have been duped or not with inflated bills?

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The government’s management of the oil and gas sector is fraught with good talk…Citizens will however remain relentless in their call for the regulation of the industry to be on equal footing.

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Surely the government is not waiting for a national scandal or worse yet, an oil spill disaster before it can pull itself together and act in the interest of the people.

‘Guyana still one of the hottest spots in the world’ -Jagdeoafterdelayingoilauction

Guyana's Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, recently announced the postponement of the country's oil blocks auction to finalize the framework for the industry which will include new laws and model contracts But despite concerns about the repeated delays, Jagdeo remains confident that Guyana continues to attract enviable interestfrominvestors.

He made the case that Guyana has good appeal and a record of discoveries, stating, "We're one of the hottest spots in the world, so the others who are in the auction process, and over 80 of them, I don't think they have the record of discoverieslikeGuyana."

He had said weeks ago that 85 other nations are in

the ring, competing with Guyana for investment. The Vice President often argues in favour of competitiveness when asked to advocate on Guyana's behalf, such as with calls for a higher royalty.

If competitiveness is the priority, then delays it is known, can undermine

investor confidence

C o m p a n i e s r e q u i r e assurance of a wellorganized and predictable framework to invest their dollars in. However, Vice President Jagdeo maintains that Guyana's track record make it an enticing investmentdestination.

He acknowledged the delays, explaining, "These things take time, we were a bit more optimistic that we could have gotten them done." But he said it was important for thorough research and analysis to be done to ensure Guyana's offerings to investors remain c o m p e t i t i v e w h i l e maximizing benefits for the country

Whathedidnotreiterate, however, was that the a d m i n i s t r a t i o n ' s concentrationontherecently

c o n c l u d e d L o c a l Government Elections impeded the progress of preparations for the round, which is what left essential documents, including model petroleum agreements, and a replacement of the Petroleum (Exploration and P r o d u c t i o n ) A c t , unfinished. The Petroleum Agreements have been revised to include comments, and are being reviewed again. Because the agreements will be grounded in law, they will be finalised after Guyana's archaic oil laws are repealed and replaced by the Petroleum Activities Bill. Jagdeo also stressed that it is important to maintain a transparent and s t a b l e r e g u l a t o r y environment "I think [investors] appreciate that

we're sticking with our commitment, which is a new [Production Sharing Agreement] and a new law sotheycanstudybothbefore they put in their final offer…

I think they appreciate our discussion. We got back to them, so we're not going to

loseanyinterest."

He has assured that the government will allow investors sufficient time to reviewthedocumentsbefore submitting their bids. The government is yet to announce the revised timelinesfortheauction.

Regional Engineer disappears with

over

$300,000 owed to Region One Toshao and villagers

Since February 2023, the Regional Engineer attached to Region One has not been seen after contracting Toshao of Waramuri Village and other citizens to clean the Moruca River The frustrated Toshao,VivianEdwards,told this newspaper that some $300,000 is owed to six workers who assisted in clearing the blocked River He explained that the emergency works were conducted since the channels were blocked, preventing boatsfromtraversingdaily

According to the Toshao, the Regional Engineer had assured him verbally that the workers would be paid as early as possible. In the past, the Village leader said small contracts were granted to the citizens, however he was told that the work was not contract-based and that he would be paid liquid cash uponcompletingthejob.

As such, Edwards said he gathered six villagers to complete the task, which he supervised.

Ithasnowbeenmorethan four months and the villagers areyettobepaidorhearfrom the Regional Engineer In fact, the Toshao said he has not seen the engineer for a

number of weeks. He said he has been told the engineer wasreplaced.

The Indigenous leader said he has since turned to other individuals from the Regional Council for assistance but has been unsuccessful.

“We were finding out about this payment, every time we do get in contact, they would have some [excuse] to tell us four months passed and we've been finding out and they always say they would get back to you,” he related.

Edwards explained that he was told once that the cheque was ready to be collected but on that date, he was busy so heaskedhisDeputytocollect thepayment.

“

When my deputy reachedoverthere,nocheque was presented and they said there was no cheque,” the frustrated man detailed Edwards complained that he is very upset over the matter as the villagers have been constantly asking him about themoniestheyareowed.

According to him, he even contacted another Regional official who also promised to look into the matterbuttonoavail.

Toshao of Waramuri Village, Region One, Mr. Vivian Edwards

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO DUE PROCESS?

A great number of persons are clamoring for justiceinrelationtoamatter which is being investigated at present. But is it really justice which is being demandedortheneckofthe accused?

One of the features of law-based societies is the implicit recognition that everycitizenissubjecttothe law and not the whims and fancies of anyone As persons who are part of a societyruledbythelaw,each of us has implicitly consentedtoreposeourtrust in the law and not allow our fate to be subject to the actions or allegations of any personorgroupofpersons.

Aspartofthisprocessof beingruledbyandunderthe law, accommodation has been made to ensure procedural fairness. Thus if anallegationismadeagainst someone, there should be a mechanismtoensurethatthe accused is treated fairly and is not subject to biases and prejudices during an investigation The mechanism to ensure proceduralfairnessisknown as“dueprocess”.

Due process is a fundamentalprincipleinlaw that ensures fairness and protection of individual rightsinlegalproceedings.It refers to the idea that a personmustbetreatedfairly when laws are being enforced or someone is subject to disciplinary conduct in administrative

matters.

Inarecentdecisionofthe Privy Council, it was declared that “ due process” has generally been considered to protect rights of a procedural nature, fair trial rights, in particular (though not exclusively) the right to procedural fairness. This is a right which is engaged in all kinds of contexts, both judicial and administrative.”

As a legal principle, due process upholds the principleofthepresumption of innocence. This means that individuals cannot be deprived of their liberty or subjected to punitive measures unless there is sufficient evidence to establishtheirguiltbeyonda reasonable doubt This presumption places the burden of proof on the prosecution and acts as a vital protection against unfoundedaccusations.

In respect to criminal allegations, due process requires that individuals be afforded the opportunity to defend themselves and to provide an explanation, rebuttal or to be able to mitigatetheconsequencesof any penalty None of us wouldwanttobeaccusedof something, including in our workplace, and not be afforded the opportunity to provide an explanation, to giveoursideofanissueorto offset any penalty that may beimposeduponus.

Due process is therefore

Dem Boys Seh...

a safeguard that protects citizens from potential abusesandensuresthattheir rights are upheld during investigations and legal proceedings. It guarantees the right to a fair and impartialhearing.

Thisincludestherightto present evidence, crossexamine witnesses, and challenge the evidence and arguments presented by the opposing party By providing individuals with a meaningful opportunity to participate in the legal process, due process helps p r e v e n t w r o n g f u l convictions and ensures that the truth can be revealed through a balanced presentationoffacts.

Another important aspect of due process is the right to an impartial decision-maker This means that the judge or adjudicator overseeing the proceedings must be neutral and unbiased, ensuring that individualsreceiveafairand objective evaluation of their case. The presence of an impartial decision-maker helps prevent favoritism, corruption, or unfair outcomesinproceedings.

Imagine what would happenwithoutdueprocess. Apersonwouldbesubjectto all manner of allegation and unable to offer any defence. That person would be at whims and fancy of his accuser and whoever has to investigate or arbitrate the chargesoraccusations.

The new fad in town

In dis era of social media and instant judgment, it look like we done reach de stagewehpeoplecondemnin’oddersbased pon mere allegations. Dem old days of “innocent till proven guilty” done pass we by,nah.

Now we livin’ in ah world weh one accusation alone could end somebody’s reputation fuh good. Ahh, we livin’ in strangetimes,mehfrens.

Ahh, it’s like we own lil’ courtroom widoutdejudgean’jury,butinsteadwegot de Facebook warriors and de cyber detectives,readyfuhmekdemverdicts.It’s like a virtual witch hunt, wid everybody banding togedda an’ de facts an’ evidence getting’kicktodeside.

Why we gotta travel de long road of legalproceedingsanddueprocesswhenwe could just tek we virtual forks and knives and form ah digital mob in no time? Who need qualified people an’ impartial juries when we got de people wid laptops and strongopinions?

We nah gat time fuh proper investigations or deep analyses of de evidence,yuhknow Onesimpleallegation, andwesatisfywidwehungerfuhdramaan’

righteousness.

But yuh know wah sweet about all dis? De entertainment value! We love seein’ people’s reputation crumble and dem careers tun tuh ash. We livin’ fuh dem scandalous headlines, enjoin’ we selves whendempeopleweusedtuhadmirecome tumbling dung. It’s like a real-life soap opera,mehfriendswidrealpeoplesufferin’ realconsequences.

Sure,deygotpeoplewahcautioningwe, telling we tuh be fair an’ reasonable. Dey talkin’ ‘bout due process an’ innocent till provenguilty Butwhogottimefuhdat,eh? We want instant satisfaction, swift justice, even if dat mean we sacrificin’fairness an’ possibly destroyin’ innocent lives in de process.

So let we continue pon dis journey of righteouscondemnation.Letwerelishinwe powerwidwekeyboardsan’hashtags.Wah couldpossiblygowrongwhenweputtin’all we faith in allegations an’ tossin’ away fairness? Who need facts when we got feelings, meh frens? In dis bold new world ob trial by public opinion, justice is just ah likkletextandtweetaway

half!Leffhalf!

Without due process there would be “cowboy justice” Without due process, persons can be charged or dismissed without their knowledge or abilitytodefendthemselves, thereby undermining the principles of fairness and justice.The absence of due process can also lead to unequal treatment and discrimination Without clear rules and procedures, individuals may be targeted based on personal biases, politicalaffiliations,orother arbitrary factors. This can result in marginalized g r o u p s b e i n g disproportionately affected and denied equal protection underthelaw

But the absence of due

process can have broader implications It can contributetoabreakdownof the rule of law, creating an environment of uncertainty and fear Without the assurance of fair treatment and the protection of individual rights, citizens may lose faith in the legal system, leading to social unrest and a loss of confidence in the government’s ability to ensure justice and protect theirinterests.

Without the protections afforded by due process, individuals may be hastily accused, convicted, and punishedbasedonunreliable or insufficient evidence

This not only deprives innocent people of their

freedombutalsoundermines public confidence in the justicesystem.

Let us therefore be careful what we wish for others. One day we too might be facing allegations or accusations. Without the right to due process, we too can become the victim of unfairness.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Man found dead sitting with rope around neck

The body of an unidentified Amerindian manwasonSaturdayfound in a sitting position with a rope around the neck at Kwakwani,Region10

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that the man hailsfromEssequibobutno one knows his name. He was found dead in a building located at the

KwakwaniAirstrip. Investigators believe that the man might have committedsuicide. Investigations are ongoing.

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

PRESIDENT ALI AND CEO HESS

It is my ardent hope that Guyana’s President Ali did not sell. I also wish that HessCorp’sCEOJohnHess was not laboring under a spell. But there was Mr Hess relaying to his assembly of killer sharks at that J P Morgan power conference the unthinkable, the unmentionable, and the unbelievable. From Mr Hess’s own lips, it was that

the Guyanese head of state hadallbutguaranteedtohim that a “stay would be put in place” relative to the ruling byGuyana’scourageousand sagacious Judge Sandil Kissoon. In a nutshell, it was that Exxon must give a written parent company guarantee to Guyana should a big, bad oil explosion occuroffshore.

ThewordsattributedMr

Hess:first,“astaywouldbe put in place” followed later by the more careful and qualified “there was no reasonwhyastayshouldnot be granted” can be interpreted from now to eternity,andasitpleases,but theydoringwrong. Itismy belief, and based on past verbalgyrationsoflocaland foreignoilpowers.

This is bad news for

Guyana. If Mr Hess is on the money about a “stay” as presidentially emphasized, to his killer shark audience huddled around the J P Morgan watering hole, then that is bad news for everybody. It is bad Guyanese people, for it leavesthemexposedandina dangerous place. It smells bad for the Guyanese judiciary that its deliberations could be subjectedtotheworrying. It looks bad for PPP Government and President, whether there was reaching, leaning, into where neither belongs,thesacredrealmsof localjurisprudence. Mostof all, it does an injustice to CourtofAppealJudgeRishi Persaud, hangs clouds over his head, when only haloes would do. If what was articulated by Chief Executive Hess as allegedly said by Guyana’s Chief ExecutiveAlihasanyiotaof truth,thenthecoronaaround JudgePersaud’sneck(notto beconfusedwithJudgeGino Persaud) takes on some dimness, sickliness, perverseness. The judge deserves better for his yeomantoils.

I am willing to conclude that Mr Hess misspoke in hisgushingexcitementstoa group hanging onto his every word. They would sinceitisGuyanaanditsoil that is the subject. I had cautioned the man from America that when he speaks so effusively, he could let the cat out of the bag one day Guyanese are still weighing whether that day did come before that companyofthekillersharks at the J.P Morgan energy confab. The keen should

notice that it is the third time that I labeled the big shots and big hitters at that conference ‘killer sharks’ foritiswhattheyare. They are always in the hunt all aroundtheworldforthenext big payday They are all sonar and ultra sensitivity w h e n t h e r e a r e developments about roadblocks to their cash flow What Judge Kissoon didwasthrowaspannerand a shovel into their calculationsandcollections. But, thankfully, what John Hess reported, as he supposedly got firsthand from none other than Guyana’sPresidentAli,was sure to make everyone gulp down their anxieties, and celebrate with a great big cheer for PresidentAli (and the judge). The attendees wouldlatergulpdownastiff double slug of their favorite expensive beverage, and give an inebriated cheer to President Ali at the end of the day for providing a judicialmiracleforthem.

Further,andclosertothe bosom, I had also humbly cautioned cousinAli to be a shade more circumspect when he engages in his flights of verbal delights. Myfearwasthat,intime,he would risk giving away of thehouseandthedogsalso.

Taking Mr Hess’s exposition at face value, it seems that my fears now come back to do more than haunt, they horrify If Mr Hess is right, then what executiveandgovernmental blights have been hung on theGuyanajudiciary? Iwill be frank: Judge Persaud has compiled a sterling reputation for remarkable

astuteness and canniness

What I am asking myself (andallGuyanashould,plus foreign onlookers also) is whetherthePresident’s(and Mr Hess’s caginess got the betterofhim,andledhimto thewrongsideofthestreet.

To repackage and redeliver in a different way, concerns mount regarding whether the reach and influence of the PPP Government, the PPP wise guys, and the PPP visionaries did touch delicately one of the last standing bastions of integrity and national dignityinthiscountry This could be Guyana’s equivalent of golf course governance. Ishudderatthe thought that a worst-case scenario was contemplated, put in motion, and then caramba! The incredible came about, just like that. All things considered, His Excellency Ali must be allowed the space to say a few words (or as many as pleases him) to clear the air that John Hess fouled recentlyintheUnitedStates ofAmerica. Mr Hessspoke about presidential emphasis on a “stay”. Now it is President Ali’s turn, and he must not stay his mind, nor stayhislips.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Ex-employee caught on camera stealing from Boss’s home

An ex-employee a n d a n accomplice were on Saturday morning caught on camera stealing money from his former boss’s house at Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara(WCD).

A c c o r d i n g t o information received the men stole from the Anna Catherina businessman at around 07:15 hrs The footage showed the men climbing onto the zinc roof and stealthily walking into the top flat of two- storey home.

Ex-employee, accomplice raiding the businessman’s house.

The accomplice raided the bedrooms while the exemployee, puffing on cigarette,searchedtheliving room. It appeared as if the

ex-employee found some cashandwasseenpocketing itbeforeexitingthebuilding with his accomplice Investigationsareongoing.

Portion of Stabroek Block to be relinquished Por is nothing of material - Hess Boss

Though ExxonMobil Corporation and its partners were required to surrender 20 percent of the Stabroek BlockinOctober2023,they have been able to secure a one year extension from the government.

They argued that their exploration plans were affected by unforeseen COVID-19 delays in 2020, andassuch,shouldbegiven back the lost time via an extension.

Their claim is not an unreasonable one as it is catered for under the force majeure provisions in the Stabroek Block Production SharingAgreement(PSA).

The deal notes in that regardthattheoilcompanies can seek relief if their operations are affected by circumstances that are unforeseensuchasadisaster orapandemic.

Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo also confirmed on Thursday that the companies will get one more year to keep the entire concession since authorities agree that the companies’

exploration plans were severely affected by the pandemic.

With the extension granted, he said the next stage of talks pertains to what portion of the block would be returned to the state.

The extension of ExxonMobil’s hold on the concession was also raised by Hess Corporation whose Chief Executive Officer, John Hess, participated in a separate conference Thursdaytoo.

He noted that the partners will get more time to explore the block since they experienced setbacks duringtheheightofCOVID19in2020.

The CEO said, “During COVIDwereallyhadaforce majeure period because Exxon couldn’t even get workers in the country We couldn’t run three rigs for exploration.Sowetookthat exploration drilling pause…”

Over the next 12 to 24 months, Hess said the partners will be lengthening

their search for oil into the northwest section of the block. He said much of the attention as well as the discoveries made have concentratedinthesoutheast portion.

Hess also noted that the partnersplantodrill10to12 exploration appraisal wells. The CEO said, “We don’t want to leave any well behind.It’snotintheinterest of the government and it’s not in the interest of our shareholders or the joint venture.”

With respect to the portion of the block to be relinquished next year, he said the partners are pretty much ready for this. “We pretty much already have identified the 20% acreage thatwewouldrelinquishand it’s nothing material and nothing prospective So we’re ready for that relinquishment Whenever thattimeis,”hesaid.

Overall,theCEOsaidthe partners look forward to continuing to working with the Government of Guyana andtorealizetheremarkable

potential of Guyana’s world class resources for the benefit of all stakeholders. Hesaid, “The world will need these vital oil resources to meet future energy demand and help ensure an affordable, just and secure energytransition.”

With respect to the projects in the Stabroek Block, the Liza Phase 1 and Liza Phase 2 developments produce an average of 380, 000 gross barrels of oil per day

The third sanctioned development on the Stabroek Block, Payara, is targeted for start-up early in the fourth quarter, with a grossproductioncapacityof approximately 220,000 barrelsofoilperday

The fourth sanctioned development, Yellowtail, is expected to come online in 2025withagrossproduction capacity of approximately 250,000 barrels of oil per day

The fifth project called Uaru will have a production capacity of approximately 250,000 gross barrels of oil per day with production targetedtostart-upin2026.

A sixth development, Whiptail, is expected to be submitted for government andregulatoryapprovallater thisyear

In total, the Stabroek Blockpartnershavealineof sight to six floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSOs) with a grossproductioncapacityof morethan1.2millionbarrels of oil per day by the end of

2027. They have also said thereispotentialforupto10 FPSOs to develop the estimated gross discovered recoverable resources of more than 11 billion barrels ofoilequivalent.

The Stabroek Block is 6 6 million acres ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is operator andholds45percentinterest in the Stabroek Block. Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds30percentinterestand CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds 25 percent interest.

NewoilbillprovesPPPpromiseof PetroleumCommissionjustapipedream

SinceassumingofficeinAugust2020,the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration has repeatedly pledged to establish a Petroleum Commission to ensure the competent and independent management of the country’s burgeoning oil sector and reducepoliticalcontrol.

However, with no significant progress made towards its establishment as of June 2023, recent developments have called into question whether this promise will ever be fulfilled.

The draft PetroleumActivities Bill 2023 wasrecentlypublishedbythegovernment.It proposes granting sweeping powers to the Natural Resources Minister, effectively consolidatingauthorityoverthehydrocarbon industry, and makes no allowance for the creation of an independent Petroleum Commission.This law is expected to govern theoilsectorforyearstocome.

According to the provisions outlined in the draft document, the minister would be entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities, including administering licensing for petroleum exploration, production, storage, and transportation operations.

It empowers him to inspect petroleum operations, enforce corrective actions, and impose sanctions for non-compliance Additionally, the minister would have the power to develop terms of reference and qualification criteria for the granting of exploration and production rights, as well as issue geological storage licenses for natural gasandlong-termstorageofcarbondioxide.

These sweeping powers bestowed upon theministerbytheBillarecauseforconcern. They represent a significant expansion of political authority over Guyana’s oil and gas sector The absence of provisions in the Bill that would enable the minister to cede these

powers to an independent Petroleum Commission is particularly troubling for somestakeholders.

Byconcentratingpowerinthehandsofa singleindividual,asoutlinedinthePetroleum ActivitiesBill,thepotentialforcorruptionis amplified. The absence of an independent oversightbodytoprovideaccountabilityand transparencyfurtherexacerbatesthisrisk.

Whendecision-makingauthority,suchas the licensing of exploration and production operations,restssolelywithaminister,there isaninherentvulnerabilitytoundueinfluence and favouritism, compromising the integrity ofthesector

Suchconcentrationofpowerinthehands of a single individual risks undermining the principles of transparency, accountability, and expertise that an independent commissioncouldprovide.

Aneffectiveandimpartialoversightbody, staffed by competent technocrats, would be better equipped to regulate and manage the complexities of the oil sector These arguments have often been made by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, the sector’s chiefpolicymaker

The failure to establish a Petroleum Commission thus far, combined with the content of the Petroleum Activities Bill 2023,suggeststosomestakeholdersthatthe PPP/C administration’s promise of an independent commission is nothing but a pipedream

The Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo last Thursday addressed the question of a Petroleum Commission during a press conference. He said that the powers given to the Minister in the PetroleumActivities Bill canbedelegatedtootheragencies.However, the Vice President gave no timeline for the establishmentofthePetroleumCommission, whichheinsistedisstillontheroster

Hess CEO, John Hess

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

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

Week-in-Review

(June 18th to 24th)

Exploration and Production billion.

Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has T h e U a r u p r o j e c t , unveiled its projections for the first encompassingtheUaru,Mako,and Sunday five projects in the Stabroek Block, Snoek fields, is expected to estimating a staggering $52 trillion commence oil production in 2026.

Residents confirm rape (US$250 billion) in revenues With a resource estimate of 800 accused minister visited These revenues will be shared million barrels of oil, Uaru will victim, parents last week among Guyana, ExxonMobil, Hess produceoilat250,000bpd.Similar andCNOOC.Theestimateisbased to Yellowtail, Uaru’s FPSO vessel

The Government minister on anticipated production of boasts an oil storage capacity of 2 accusedofrapinga16-year-oldgirl approximately 4 billion barrels at a million barrels, allowing for oil was reportedly seen in the victim’s price of more than US$70 per offloading every 4 days. The community shortly after the barrel. estimated development cost for allegations were publicized on For the development of these Uaru is approximately US$12.7 social media and subsequently barrels, Guyana is chained to an billion. publishedbythemedia. exploitative deal that gives it a Guyana is expected to produce

KaieteurNewsunderstandsthat paltry 2% royalty and a 50% share more than a million bpd by 2026. the minister was spotted in the of the profit oil after costs are Exxon is seeing approval for the vicinity of a popular shop in the recovered up to a ceiling of 75%. Whiptailprojectaswell,withplans community He reportedly arrived The Stabroek Block, in which tostartitupin2027. in a black vehicle and was ExxonMobil maintains a 45% accompanied by other persons. A operatingstake,issupportedbyco- Monday white vehicle also arrived venturers Hess and CNOOC, alongsidetheMinister’s. holding stakes of 30% and 25%, Minister Dharamlall steps

“He [the Minister] went in here respectively down over rape accusations by yes… with a black vehicle that Liza Phase One, the inaugural 16-yr-old Indigenous girl belongstotheregion,”oneresident project in Guyana’s oil journey, recounted. commenced oil production in Minister of Local Government

Residents told this publication December 2019. Located in the and Regional Development, Nigel that the black vehicle frequented Liza field, it holds an estimated Dharamlall has stepped down from the community as it was used resource of 450 million barrels of his ministerial position amidst rape regularlybyregionalofficials.This oil equivalent. It operates with oil allegationsleveledagainsthimbya publication understands that before production capacity of 150,000 16-year-oldIndigenousgirl. arriving in the community, the said barrels per day (bpd). With the PresidentAlihasconfirmedthat vehicles were seen in a nearby Floating Production, Storage, and Minister Dharamlall requested community where it is alleged that Offloading (FPSO) vessel capable administrative leave in order to the victim’s parents were met and of storing 1.6 million barrels, oil allow the probe into the sexual to me. It’s because I’m scared for name] to schools and allowing him pickedup.“TheMinisterwentover

offloading occurs every 5 to 10 allegations made against him mylifethatIamdoingthis.Iseeno accesstousschoolgirls.” there and bring the parents over days The project, with an President Ali has approved the other way [Name provided] has The letter which was seen by here and he had police and the estimated development cost of minister’s request, however, it was preyed upon me, groomed me and this publication, the teen had called regional people with him. The US$3.6 billion, served as a catalyst not made known when the leave rapedme,”theletterstated. on the President, Minister of policewentinregularclothes[plain for Guyana’s emergence as an oil- commences.

According to the letter, the girl Education, Priya Manickchand and clothes] but were wearing their producingnation. firstmettheministerataneventlast the relevant authorities to look into ‘police shoes’,” another resident

BuildingonLizaPhaseOne,the year, when she was 15-years-old. thematter toldthispublication. Liza Phase Two project is

She said she was raped three

Meanwhile, on the sidelines of

Another victim corroborated producing a resource estimate of months after meeting the minister an event on Friday evening, the statement and told Kaieteur 600 million barrels of oil and at that time, she was 16-years- President Ali told Kaieteur News News, “He [the Minister] come equivalent, at 230,000 bpd It old. that his government will not down with the region vehicle, a commenced oil production in

“Whatkindofahumanis[name tolerate such acts and that he has black fielder wagon and they went February 2022. The FPSO vessel, provided]?Beamanandexplainto already informed the police that by [named place] where they [the with an oil storage capacity of 2 me why you violated my body anysuchreportmustbethoroughly minister and the victim’s parents] million barrels, facilitates

Why did you prey after me, andcomprehensivelyinvestigated. meet up.” The resident continued: offloadingevery4days.LizaPhase groomed me and then took Asked whether the matter was “He came between 4pm and 6pm Two represents a substantial advantage of me? Do you have any discussed with the government and there were four persons in the investment, with an estimated ideawhatyouhavedonetomylife? minister, President Ali responded, white car and three persons in the developmentcostofUS$6billion.

You’re a man, right?Tell me I want “Of course I reached out to the blackcar.” T h e P a y a r a p r o j e c t , to know since you like to destroy Minister and he denied any

According to sources close to encompassing the Payara and young girls’lives. Is this what your wrongdoing and as I said the the victim, the government official Pacora fields, is expected to job requires of you?You are taking allegationsareallegations;wehave visitedthevictim’sparentswiththe commence oil production in 2023. advantageofyourofficeandnoone to deal with statement of facts and intent of settling the matter With a resource estimate of 600 knows this.You go to churches and once any facts is being presented, However, they traveled to the million barrels of oil equivalent, it hold the Bible and pray and take the authorities have to do their community from another village in is projected to produce 220,000 pictures to fool the world and yet is investigation.” The Head-of-State thesameregion. bpd, starting later this year Its In light of the news, Opposition a demon. You visit communities assured that “no one will be held

“He [the Minister] talked with FPSOhasanoilstoragecapacityof Member of Parliament Geeta and hold girls and take pictures and unaccountable.”“SoasIsaidoneof the parents. They [the parents]

2 million barrels, facilitating Chandan-Edmond in a statement thenlustafterthem.Youareascum the greatest priority in this don’t live in this community but offloading every 4 days The said in light of the minister of the earth. You belong in jail for governmentisourgirlsandwomen. they live nearby but they have development cost of Payara is proceeding on administrative leave the rest of your miserable life,” the We will not tolerate anything that familyhere,”aresidentdisclosed. estimatedatUS$9billion. pending the investigation, “We girlsaid. will hinder that. So any fact and

On Saturday, Kaieteur News

Scheduled to begin production trust that this will result in a full,

The teen alleged in the letter report, I… have already told the reported that a 16-year-old in 2025, the Yellowtail project fair, unbiased and impartial that the minister is using his office police any report must be Indigenous girl alleged that a encompasses the Yellowtail and investigation, and that there will be as a way to get access to females thoroughly and comprehensively government minister raped and Redtail fields. With a resource compliancewiththeruleoflaw.” andabusethemsexually investigated,” President Ali sodomised her The teen in a estimate of 925 million barrels of She continued, “We continue to

In another section of the letter, assured. detailed letter to President Irfaan oil equivalent, oil production is advocate strongly for the rights of the teen wrote to Education Ali said, “Dear President Ali, expected to be 250,000 bpd women and children. I will also Minister “Ms. Priya Manickchand, Stabroek Block partners Cabinet Members, private sector, Yellowtail’sFPSOvesselpossesses continue to be an unrelenting you are supposed to protect us eyeing more than $52 trillion members of the diplomatic a storage capacity of 2 million advocate for the protection of our schoolchildren from sexual from five projects community, citizens of Guyana, I barrels, enabling oil offloading indigenous sisters. We must all predators like this. You have failed would like to let you know what every4days.Thedevelopmentcost remainsteadfastinour me. You keep bringing [minister ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Minister [name provided] has done ofYellowtail is estimated at US$10 (Continued on page 15)

A member of the ‘Concerned Guyanese Patriots of group protested outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Atlanta calling for the Govt. of Guyana to“stop giving away Guyana to Exxon”.

Georgia’

Minister of Local Govt., Nigel Dharamlall

From page 14 statement of facts and once the pronouncements on the commitment to ensure that any facts is being presented duties of society and what nooneisabovethelaw.” the authorities have to do the Judge saw was at stake

Moreover, Opposition theirinvestigation.” and so I would expect that

MP, Juretha Fernandes for The Head-of-State the CCJ would be very her part said, “You see this assured that “no one will be

interestedinthecase.” cr*p, “...the Minister wrote held unaccountable.” “So as

Collins added that he himrequestingtobeallowed I said one of the greatest believes the CCJ would be to proceed on administrative priorities in this government particularly interested in leave, and the request has is our girls and women. We understanding why such an been granted.” You were will not tolerate anything appealwouldbestruckdown supposed to SEND HIM on that will hinder that. So any especially considering its administrativeleave.Notput fact and report I… have worldwide importance. He him in a position to be already told the police any pointed out that the case presented to the public as report must be thoroughly wouldbethefirstinwhichan though he is in total control and comprehensively oil company would be held ofthesituation.“ investigated,” President Ali to account up front for

She continued, “There is assured. incidents from a country in nothing comforting about A m i d s t t h e r a p e whichitisoperating. this, absolutely nothing! allegations, two female

The GoG has appealed What next? Are you gonna ministers issued statements the ruling by Justice Sandil ask him if he accepts the underscoringtheseriousness Kissoon arguing that it finding of the investigation? of the allegations while would suffer grave losses if Is he gonna be selecting the indicating that a thorough the company’s Permit is people conducting the investigation will be suspended. in 2010, it was made clear Notably, Kaieteur News was High Court on September i n v e s t i g a t i o n ? conducted.

In its application to join that “we want better reliably informed that this is 13, 2022 through their #justiceforourindigenousgir Minister of Education, the case as an interested treatment of complainants not the first time such an Attorneys, Seenath Jairam, ls.” Priya Manickchand, in a party, attorney-at-law Laurel and better conviction rates. allegation was made against SC, Melinda Janki, and

In an invited comment, statement on Saturday said Dundas, attached to the Thathasn’tchanged.” theministerinquestion. Abiola Wong-Inniss. In the President Ali had told that allegations of rape, AttorneyGeneralChambers, For her part, Minister of Since the allegations case, Mr Collins, a former another media house, that he sexual assault and gender- explained that the State Human Services and Social surfaced, calls mounted for insurance professional said, had not received a formal or based violence are not to be s t a n d s t o l o s e a n Protection, Dr Vindhya President Irfaan Ali to send “An oil spill would be official complaint but noted made lightly and must immeasurable amount of Persaud said that the Child t h e m i n i s t e r o n devastating for our country that he saw social media alwaysbetakenseriously revenue The application Care and Protection Agency administrative leave The and Region as many postsontheallegations. “I begin by believing noted, “if production ceases is carrying out a full president spoke to multiple Guyanese and Caribbean

That particular media complainants, always, every by the decision of the court, investigation into the media houses, confirming peoples depend on the ocean house had reported that the time. Because the statistics the Government of Guyana allegation made against the that he was aware of the for their livelihoods. That is President emphasised that are clear Despite the myths, will be faced with huge male minister while allegations made against whywehavedecidedthatthe once a report is made “it will victims of rape and sexual revenue shortfalls, which reminding that no one is Minister Dharamlall but time has come to take be thoroughly investigated assault do not lie about their would have disastrous abovethelaw clarified that he did not matters to the court for by the relevant authorities.” experiences any more than consequences for the

“The Ministry of Human receivetheletterinquestion. relief.” Notably, it was highlighted victims of any other crime,” economy, the county’s Services and Social Security However, he assured that no On May 3, 2023, Justice

that President Ali also Minister Manickchand said developmental agenda, and has taken note of the serious o n e w i l l b e h e l d Sandil Kissoon ruled in reiterated that he has “no noting that the teen has private sector investments allegations made against a unaccountable. favour of the applicants, tolerance for such behaviour accepted support from the cumulating in immeasurable Minister by a 16-year-old ordering Exxon to provide and anyone found guilty of Ministry of Education and damage to the public good girl. Our women and girls Citizens prepared to the unlimited parent such allegations will be held willattendameetingsoon. andthenationalinterest.” must be safe and no one is take fight for unlimited guarantee within 30 days. accountable.”

MinisterManickchandin T h e G o v e r n m e n t abovethelaw.” parent guarantee to CCJ Failure by the company to

“As a government, we her statement emphasised expressedconcernsatwhatit This publication had comply would have resulted are committed to having any that when the complainant is said would be the crippling reported that in a letter to After succeeding in their in the suspension of the Liza factsfullyinvestigatedaswe a child, the complaint must and far-reaching effects if President Irfaan Ali, the bid for ExxonMobil to One Permit. The Liza One hold dearly our girls and the ruling which was handed t e e n g i r l s h a r e d provide Guyana with a project is currently w o m e n i n e v e r y down by Justice Kissoon is gruesome details about signed parent company producing about 150,000 community And we will allowedtostand. how she was allegedly guarantee, taking full barrels of oil per day An c o n t i n u e t o d o Similarly, the oil groomed and later raped responsibility for the appealoftherulingwasfiled everything to ensure company in its appeal of the by the minister In her destruction caused by an oil shortlyafterthedecisionwas their safety and well- ruling told the Appeal Court letter, she pleaded with spillinthelucrativeStabroek handed down and is ongoing being,”PresidentAlitold that it could suffer a massive President Ali, the Block, the Government of intheCourt. theNewsRoom. financial loss if the Liza One Minister of Education, Guyana (GoG) has teamed Collinssaidthatwhilehe Similarly, on the Permitissuspended. Priya Manickchand and up with the oil company to is confident in the outcome sidelines of an event on In its attempt to have the relevant authorities to appeal the ruling of the High of the appeal, he is prepared F r i d a y e v e n i n g , decision overturned, the lookintothematter Court. to fight for the protection of President Ali told

Country Manager for Esso

TIGI

Collins

According to the This however has not Guyana and its Caribbean Kaieteur News that his Exploration and Production letter seen by this shaken the grave need for neighbours at the Trinidad- government will not Guyana Limited (EEPGL), publication, the girl first proper protection in the based CCJ. He told Kaieteur toleratesuchactsandthat Alistair Routledge in a met the minister at an event of a spill. President of News that he does not he has already informed document to support the event last year, when she the Transparency Institute of believe the appeal by the police that any such appeal, carefully chronicled was 15-years-old. She Guyana Inc (TIGI), government and Exxon has r e p o r t m u s t b e the grave financial loss in said she was raped three Frederick Collins in an potentialforsuccess. t h o r o u g h l y a n d which the company will months after meeting the exclusiveinterviewwiththis N e v e r t h e l e s s , h e c o m p r e h e n s i v e l y suffer as a result of having minister and at that time, newspaper recently said the explained, “The CCJ should investigated. thepermitsuspended. take on even more urgent she was 16-years-old. She legalteamispreparedtotake be very interested in the Asked whether the

Itnotedthatthecompany dimensions. disclosed in the letter that the fight for full liability proceeding, because it is as matter was discussed with has produced 151,000 She assured that she has after continuously harassing coverage to the Caribbean they call it the apex court of the government minister, barrels of crude petroleum always treated complaints of her to meet up with him, she Court of Justice (CCJ), the the subscribing countries, PresidentAliresponded,“Of per day for the year 2023 on rape and sexual assault with eventuallyagreedtomeetthe Supreme Court in such legal includingGuyana.Italsohas course, I reached out to the average, through March the urgency it deserves. The minister Theteensaidthisis matters. an interest from the

Minister and he denied any 2023. minister reminded that she when the minister raped her, Collins and another standpoint of the nature of wrongdoing and as I said the

Itexplainedthat,“Thisis was the one who piloted the sodomized her before citizen, Godfrey Whyte had the ruling. It seems to be allegations are allegations, approximately4.5million Sexual Offences Act and handing her a sum of money filed an application in the ground breaking in terms of we have to deal with (Continued on page 16) when it was passed into law

President, Frederick

From page 15 barrelspermonth…themostrecent month’s average selling price for theLiza1petroleumwasmorethan $US75perbarrel.”

“This means the monthly revenuelossfortheAppellantEsso, the Co-venturers, and the State’s projected to be US$337.5m. This would amount to $US337.5m. per month or $US4b per annum that wouldbeforfeitforeachyearwhile the appeal is pending,” the companystated.

Tuesday

Minister Dharamlall arrested over alleged rape, sodomy of 16-yr-old Indigenous girl

In a dramatic turn of events, Local Government and Regional Development, Minister Nigel Dharamlall, was arrested Monday evening when he showed up at the Brickdam Police Station for questioning in relation to rape allegationsleveledagainsthimbya 16-year-oldIndigenousgirl.

Guyanese were out in their numbers protesting the rape allegations against Local Government Minister, Nigel Dharamlall

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) in a statement last evening him.PresidentAlihasapprovedthe AlitoldtheNewsRoom. that the teen has accepted support continuously harassing her to meet confirmed that an investigation has minister’s request, however, it was Similarly, on the sidelines of an from the Ministry of Education and up with him, she eventually agreed been launched into the allegations not made known when the leave event on Friday evening, President willattendameetingsoon. to meet the minister The teen said made against the minister The commences. Ali told Kaieteur News that his Minister Manickchand in her this is when the minister raped her, minister presented himself to the Opposition MP, Juretha government will not tolerate such statement emphasised that when sodomizedherbeforehandinghera policeinthecompanyofhislawyer, Fernandes has questioned the acts and that he has already the complainant is a child, the sumofmoney Nigel Hughes. He was told of the course of action taken by informed the police that any such complaint must take on even more allegation, cautioned and arrested. Dharamlall. “You see this cr*p, report must be thoroughly and urgentdimensions. Stabroek Block raked in At the time of writing, the police “ the minister wrote him comprehensivelyinvestigated. She assured that she has always US$9.8B last year; but Exxon did not disclose if the minister was requestingtobeallowedtoproceed Asked whether the matter was treated complaints of rape and deducted US$7.4B in costs releasedfromcustody on administrative leave, and the discussed with the government sexual assault with the urgency it

Notably, this publication was request has been granted.” You minister, President Ali responded, deserves. The minister reminded Financialdetailsemergingfrom reliably informed that an official were supposed to send him on “Of course, I reached out to the thatshewastheonewhopilotedthe the multinational oil corporation reportwasmadetothepolicebythe administrativeleave.Notputhimin Minister and he denied any Sexual Offences Act and when it operatinginthecountry’slargestoil teen girl in the company of an a position to be presented to the wrongdoing and as I said the was passed into law in 2010, it was basin, the Stabroek Block, has officer from the Child Care and public as though he is in total allegationsareallegations,wehave made clear that “we want better highlighted the lopsided nature of Protection Agency (CPA). In a controlofthesituation.” to deal with statement of facts and treatment of complainants and the contract signed by government statement on Monday, the She continued, “There is once any facts is being presented, better conviction rates. That hasn’t in2016. minister’s lawyers said, “Mr nothing comforting about this, the authorities have to do their changed.” According to the 2022 Annual Dharamlall remains willing and absolutelynothing!Whatnext?Are investigation.” Forherpart,MinisterofHuman Report from Esso Exploration and disposed to assist in a full you gonna ask him if he accepts the The Head-of-State assured that Services and Social Protection, Dr Production Guyana Limited investigation of the matter. All the finding of the investigation? Is he “noonewillbeheldunaccountable. VindhyaPersaudsaidthattheChild (EEPGL), the 26,800 square allegations are denied In the gonna be selecting the people So as I said one of the greatest Care and Protection Agency is kilometer (6.6 million acres) oil interest of a fair investigation and conducting the investigation? priorities in this government is our carryingoutafullinvestigationinto block, raked in a gross revenue of thenecessitytoprotecttheinterests #justiceforourindigenousgirls.” girls and women. We will not the allegation made against the US$9.8 billion. Currently, EEPGL of all parties concerned, we urge In an invited comment, tolerate anything that will hinder male minister while reminding that commonly referred to as that speculation, wild accusations, President Ali had told another that.SoanyfactandreportI…have no one is above the law “The ExxonMobil Guyana is producing pre mature judgments and media house that he had not already told the police any report Ministry of Human Services and oilfromtwoprojectsthere,theLiza unsupported conclusions be received a formal or official must be thoroughly and Social Security has taken note of OneandTwo. avoided.” complaint but noted that he saw comprehensively investigated,” the serious allegations made From its gross revenue, It was stated too that the social media posts on the PresidentAliassured. against a Minister by a 16-year-old ExxonMobil deducted a whopping “misconduct allegations” against allegations. That particular media Two female ministers had also girl. Our women and girls must be US$7 4 billion towards the their client first surfaced on social house had reported that the issued statements underscoring the safeandnooneisabovethelaw.” recovery of its investment for the media. However, they added that President emphasised that once a seriousnessoftheallegationswhile This publication had reported petroleum related activities. The given that the allegations have report is made “it will be indicating that a thorough that in a letter to President Ali, the recovery of these costs is provided attracted the attention of the thoroughly investigated by the investigation will be conducted. teen girl shared gruesome details for in the Production Sharing GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF)andthe relevant authorities.” Notably, it Minister of Education, Priya about how she was allegedly Agreement (PSA) Guyana inked Child Care and Protection Agency, was highlighted that President Ali Manickchand, in a statement on groomed and later raped by the with the oil company and its their services were retained to also reiterated that he has “no Saturday said that allegations of minister In her letter, she pleaded partners, Hess and CNOOC. The represent the minister and protect tolerance for such behaviour and rape, sexual assault and gender- with President Ali, Minister agreement stipulates that up to 75 hisinterests. anyone found guilty of such based violence are not to be made Manickchand and relevant percentofthetotalproductionfrom Dharamlall on Sunday told allegations will be held lightly and must always be taken authorities to look into the matter thecontractareaeachmonthcanbe President Irfaan Ali that he was accountable.” seriously “I begin by believing According to the letter seen by this recovered. Costs not recovered in a proceeding on administrative leave “As a government, we are complainants, always, every time. publication, the girl first met the particular month will be added to to facilitate the investigation committedtohavinganyfactsfully Because the statistics are clear minister at an event last year, when thenextmonth’scharge. Notably, President Ali on Sunday investigated as we hold dearly our Despite the myths, victims of rape she was 15-years-old. She said she Notably after 75 percent of the confirmedthatMinisterDharamlall girls and women in every and sexual assault do not lie about was raped three months after costs are deducted to repay Exxon, requested administrative leave in community And we will continue their experiences any more than meeting the minister and at that the remaining 25 percent is then order to allow the probe into the to do everything to ensure their victims of any other crime,” time, she was 16-years-old. She sharedequallybetweenthe sexual allegations made against safety and well-being,” President Minister Manickchand said noting disclosed in the letter that after (Continued on page 58)

Letter about SEBI Part of a Series of Worrisome Behaviors by Dr. Wayne Forde – UG

The University of Guyana (UG) on S a t u r d a y responded to a letter published by the Kaieteur News on June 23, 2023 that allegedunethicalbehaviorby someattheUniversity.

I n r e s p o n s e , t h e University said that the letter intended to cause “egregious harmtoindividualsinsidethe UniversityofGuyana.”

“Thiscanbeevidencedin a series of threatening emails and phone calls made by Dr Wayne Forde to persons named and unnamed in the contextually unactual letter hepublished

I n f a c t , T h e Vi c e Chancellor has had cause on two occasions to politely write to Dr Forde asking him to cease and desist from threatening behaviors. The last such letter sent was 2 days ago,” the response said.

Further, the University said that for legal and ethical reasons cannot divulge the details of the particular matter which is the subject of F o r d e ' s l e t t e r Notwithstanding, the institution said that it has been advised that a very brief description of the originating issue is permitted in the i n t e r e s t o f p u b l i c accountability

“The matter which Wayne Forde has sought to expandintoapublicfurorhas to do with The Dean and the Faculty of SEBI's refusal of therequestofthewriterofthe letter, who is a temporary lecturer in SEBI, to receive a legal document between the University and another external entity in which he has no standing,” the response detailed noting that the University adheres to a strict confidentiality code and cannot share agreements with third parties without the written consent of all the

parties to the documents. As such the request of the writer hadtobedenied.

“The refusal to accept this decision on some specific grounds and the official record of these discussions would have escalated in subsequent meetings of SEBI until the matter was sent to the Vice Chancellorasacomplaint.”

Upon receipt of the complaint, the Vice Chancellor acted by following due process by seeking the Faculty's response to the complaint and by sending the matter to the Committee of Deans for their review and response. The Vice Chancellor noted theresponsereceivedandthe Faculty's counter response including evidence of a most concerning nature pertaining toMr Forbes'behaviour

This triggered an “independent internal investigation to ensure complete factuality, fairness and objectivity on both sides.”

The University of Guyana said that the “final process entails interviewing Mr Fordeandallmembersof the faculty, and others directly involved in the matter.”

“Therefore, it is grossly unactual and misleading for Mr Fordetorepresentthatno action was taken,” the University said in its response.

Moreover, the University ofGuyanasaidthatwhileitis adesiretorespondinatimely manner to complaints, it is regrettablethatcannotobtain for certain types of complaints.

“However, all matters do receive attention The response time depends on various factors such as the numberofcases,workloadat the time, the nature and

CANU officers arrested for stealing from detainee

Two Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) officers were arrested for allegedly stealing fromadetainee.

In a statement

o n S a t u r d a y afternoon, CANU saidthetwoofficers have been handed over to the Guyana PoliceForce(GPF).

“The two CANU officers are alleged to have stolen itemsfromanindividualwho wasdetainedduringaCANU operation in Berbice,” CANUsaid.

Kaieteur News learnt that

complexity of the cases and resources or actions needed for their resolution. These processes are being addressed for increased efficiency,” the response stated.

Additionally, the statement noted that “while somepeoplebelievethatthey should receive the personal and undivided attention of the Vice Chancellor in any matter they think is relevant, with 11,000 students, 1500 staff, and 141 units and 2000 micro processes to oversee on a daily basis, plus

unplanned national items to respond to, this is never going to be possible. Therefore, certain matters aredelegated.” The University said Mr. Forde'sinsistenceonsingling out the Vice Chancellor and female staff has also been notedandpresentssomevery troublingconcerns.

“ G i v e n r e c e n t d e v e l o p m e n t s , t h e University has been advised that nothing more should be publicly discussed since this matter has unfortunately become a matter of legal and

criminal interest in regard to 8separate infractions allegedly committed by Dr. Forde against SEBI and the University. Despite this the University would wish to address these matters in an amicablemanner.”

Further, the country's premier tertiary institution said that, “In the spirit of collegiality and mutual respect, The University of Guyana continues to urge that core journalistic principles of fact and background checking be exercised to minimize harm

and exposure to legal and other actions before publishing. The University, however, notes with appreciation the corrective measure of right of response given by the newspaper in regard to this unfortunate matter.”

M e a n w h i l e , t h e University thanked “caring members of the public for t h e i r i n s i g h t s a n d commiseration on the letter obviously intended to cause e g r e g i o u s h a r m t o individuals inside the UniversityofGuyana.”

the CANU ranks allegedly stole from a foreign national who was detained during an o p e r a t i o n i n Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six The foreign national was taken to CANU's headquarters in Georgetownanditwas there that he alleged that the ranks stole gold jewellery and other items for him.

“The matter has been handed over to the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and investigations are in progress,”statedCANU.

Govt. will continue to protect and support refugees entering Guyana

MinisterofParliamentary AffairsandGovernance,Gail Teixeira on Friday said that thegovernmentwillcontinue to support refugees entering Guyana by ensuring that they are well taken care of and protected.

Minister Teixeira made the commitment on Friday at an event the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) hosted at the Marriott Hotel to commemorate World Refugee Day observed on June20.

The minister said that the government remains resolute in its commitment to a c c o m m o d a t i n g a n d integrating migrants through itsopen-doorpolicy

She shared that currently as the country continues to s e e p e r s o n s f r o m neighbouring Venezuela

come to Guyana, the government of Guyana is working and will continue to worktoprovideforthem.

“We will try to continue to work to ensure that people coming in are not exploited, abandoned,notbeingusedby traffickers among us, and that's the responsibility that wehave.

And we have also the importance of making sure that the children are taken careof,thattheyaresafe,that they are in schools, that they are also able to get their vaccinations,”shesaid.

Meanwhile, Head of National Office of UNHCR in Guyana, Henry Sylvain Yakara said the UNHCR GlobalReportfor2022noted that the number of persons forced to flee across borders

108.4million. In 2023, that number has since increased to100million.

“This figure emphasizes the urgency and important of involving all stakeholders in finding durable solutions for them,”hesaid.Headdedthat majority of these forcibly displaced persons have been living in low and middle incomecountries.

In Guyana however, he saidthattheyhavewitnessed the remarkable resilience in capacityforinclusion.

“I want to recognize and commend the open-door policy applied by the Government of Guyana, and the provision of protection, security and better opportunity for Venezuelan migrants and forcibly displaced people and the strong commitment to

Some of the winners of the UN Refugee Agency poem competition held in observance of World Refugee Day.

inclusion,”heexpressed.

The World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees aroundtheglobe.Itfallseach year on 20 June and

celebrates the strength and courage of people who have beenforcedtofleetheirhome country to escape conflict or persecution.

In 2023 the World Refugee Day focused

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira delivering brief remarks on Friday at the United Nations Refugee Agency event at the Marriott Hotel.

globally on solutions for refugees and the power of inclusion.

The event's tagline was: Hope Away from Home, a world where refugees are alwaysincluded.

Head of National Office of United Nations High Comissiomer for Refugees (UNHCR) in Guyana, Henry Sylvain Yakara

VPJagdeorefusestoanswerrateofreturnonExxon’sinvestment

Billions of US currency is being deducted annually from Guyana’s oil resource topaybacktheExxonMobilled consortium for its investments in the Stabroek Block, yet Guyanese are not privy to the expenses being racked up by these companies or the interest rates attached to the financingoftheprojects.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo was asked on Thursday during his most recent press conference, hosted at the Office of the President,toexpoundonthe rates being paid to the oil companieswhenhedeferred thequestionandprovidedan unrelatedresponse.

Earlier in his press conference, the VP said Guyanawaspayingarateto Exxon as this is a standard practice for a return to be generated on a company’s equity

“Regardless of whether you make the financing in the form of a loan or equity youhavetogetaratereturn. Thereisacostofcapitaland that is how it is,” Jagdeo asserted.

This newspaper in a follow up question to the former Head of State’s

remarks queried whether there was a standard rate Guyana is paying The subject of a standard rate is particularly significant, given that Guyana has already been warned by the InternationalMonetaryFund (IMF)thatthecountrycould lose massive revenue by failing to cap the interest rates on the investments for itsoilprojects.

The IMF said it is an industry norm that the government of the day disallows interests from beingrecoveredonloans.

Even if this is allowed, theadministrationsetsacap or limit to prevent the full interest amount from being recovered. The IMF pointed out that Guyana not only allows the recovery of the interestbutalsosetsnocap.

In his response to the specific question however, theformerPresidenttoldthis newspaper, “We are not paying anything The Government of Guyana is notpayinganythingbecause they have to raise the financing using the best efforts; the cheapest cost of financing that is what they are supposed to do as a company,sothisiswhatcan

be analyzed even when you lookatthecostbank.”

Before further questions could be asked, Jagdeo requested that the press conference “move on”. The response from the country’s chief spokesperson on the petroleum sector casts a gloomy picture on what the truecostofcapitalis,andthe total revenue Guyana could be losing annually on interestpayments.

The 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA)

inked with ExxonMobil and its partners Hess and CNOOC allows for 75 percent of the Stabroek Block revenues to be recovered by the companies for their investments Guyana then shares the remaining 25 percent profit with the partners, meaning the country collects 12.5 percent of the revenue. It also receives a meager two percent royalty on its sweet lightcrude.

ExxonMobil Guyana’s,

Vice President and Business Service Manager, Phillip Rietema during a recent engagement with the press explained that the company’s investments are notsupportedbyloans.

Instead,Rietemapointed out, “To date, all of our capital has been sourced throughequitycontributions to ExxonMobil Guyana. We havenoloansasyoucansee onthebalancesheets.”

Businessman and PublisherofKaieteurNews, Mr Glenn Lall during his radio programme aired on 99.1/99.5 FM said Exxon was attempting to shut up questionsbeingaskedonthe interest rates Guyana is paying on the loans taken to develop the Stabroek Block when he told reporters that the investments are being fundedthroughequity

“The man said last week how the money invested in Guyana didn’t come from loans,itcomeintheformof what he called equity, meaning uncle, is them own companymoneytheminvest out there...that is what they aretryingtoputinGuyana’s head, so the interest rate question I keep on talking about gon disappear,” Lall

told listeners of his June 19, 2023programme.

The businessman was alsokeentonotethatata10 percent interest rate on the US$50 billion investments in the Stabroek Block could mean Guyana is paying US$5 billion annually in interestalone.Tothisend,he pointed out that Guyana has beenbarelyearningjustover US$1 billion in profit and royaltyayear

Only on Tuesday this newspaper reported that the 26,800squarekilometer(6.6 million acres) Stabroek block,rakedingrossrevenue of US$9.8 billion in 2022. Currently, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana L i m i t e d ( E E P G L ) commonly referred to as ExxonMobil Guyana is producing oil from two projects there, the Liza One andTwo.

From its gross revenue, ExxonMobil deducted a whopping US$7 4 billion towards the recovery of its investmentforthepetroleum related activities Meanwhile, Guyana benefitted from a meager total of US$1.4 billion from theactivitiesintheStabroek Blocklastyear

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Govt. refurbishes seized Brazilian aircraft

… to be used for presidential trips

Huge hole at Grove, E.B.D.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Saturday received a Beechcraft that the government had sent to the United States of America (USA) to be fully refurbished. Law enforcement officers had seized the Brazilian aircraft in August18,2017afteritwasfoundatan

illegal airstrip at North Rupununi, RegionNine. According to GDF, the Super KingAir 350, twin engine aircraft was ferried off to the USA in 2021 to be refurbished into an executive plane for presidentialtrips.

“A Guyana Defence Force Executive aircraft, a Super KingAir 350, arrived at the Eugene F Correia International Airport at approximately 1730hourstoday,”GDFstated. The refurbished plane is scheduled tobecommissionedearlyJuly.

is a hazard to motorists and pedestrians. Urgent work needs to be done to fix this road before something injurious or fatal occurs.

Aphoto taken of the Beechcraft it was seized

The refurbished Beechcraft landing at Eugene F. Correia InternationalAirport on Saturday

Billboard New music guide:

New music fromYoung Thug, Peso Pluma, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice and more

Check out the must-hear releases of the week

(Billboard) Billboard’s Friday Music Guide serves as a handy guidetothisFriday’smostessential releases — the key music that everyone will be talking about today, and that will be dominating playliststhisweekendandbeyond.

This week, Young Thug takes care of Business, Peso Pluma steps fully into the spotlight, and Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice reinvent a pop classic.Checkoutallofthisweek’s picksbelow:

Young Thug, Business is Business

MorethanjustservingasYoung Thug’s follow-up to 2021’s widerangingPunk,BusinessisBusiness represents a show of support from expectations of the genre’s

croonwillkeepspreadingbeyonda the hip-hop community — as the supporters. Pluma has become the handfulofhits.

groundbreaking MC remains de facto leader of this new school, Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with incarcerated after being arrested as thanks to smashes like “Ella Baila Aqua, “Barbie World” part of a RICO sting last year, rap’s Sola,” “La Bebe” and “Por las NickiMinajhasscoredsomeof best and brightest stop by the full- Noches”…andthefactthatnoneof the biggest hits of her career while length to pay homage, with Metro sampling classic singles like Sir Boomin executive producing Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back” and Drake, Future, 21 Savage and James’ “Super Freak,” so UziVertcontributingguestspots. when the leader of the Barbz Business is Business may be nounced that she had symbolic gesture featuring eworked Aqua’s “Barbie reanimated material more Girl” (alongside new BFF than a bold new creative Ice Spice) for the endeavor, but hearing u p c o m i n g B a r b i e Thugger’s elastic voice soundtrack, the pairing stretched across an made all too much sense. impressive new collection Yet “Barbie World” of beats still satisfies as a surprises with its stopgap until he’s home structure: instead of andbackinbusiness. letting their verses dance

Peso Pluma, Genesis around Aqua’s iconic hook,

At 24-years-old, Hassan Minaj and Ice Spice trade

Emilio Kabande Laija, better lines relentlessly for under two known as Peso Pluma, has minutes, a giddy rap assault in this year helping to bend the thebestlines(“I’ma10,soI of North American popular pull a Ken,” Nicki sneers) need toward his sound, as Mexican toberunbackafewtimes. music and its decades-old those songs appear on the track list Kim Petras, Feed the Beast hallmarks have been refurbished to his rollicking new album

Kim Petras boasts two distinct mixtape,guestspotandthemedEP, professional false starts and for a fresh generation and, from a “Genesis” illustrates his fangroupsasshereleasesherlongand the “Unholy” crowd, who personal trauma While Chris charts perspective, have exploded confidence that his earthy awaited debut album: the day-one caught wind of the pop star when Black Changed My Life is the well beyond the wildest instrumentationandhigh,prodding diehards who have streamed every her chart-topping collaboration definition of a hard-fought album with Sam Smith yielded a — the title honors a dear friend of mainstream breakthrough. Both band leader John Gourley and his audiences will love Feed the untimely passing — the full-length Beast, a dance-pop opus with also isn’t overly heavy, as songs plenty of potential hits — the like “Grim Generation,” “Ghost turbo-charged “King of Hearts” Town” and lead single “Dummy” is going to highlight plenty of invite the type of sing-alongs that club nights this summer — as helped Portugal. The Man break well as the type of idiosyncratic throughsixyearsago. funthatPetrashasspecializedin Bizarrap & rauwAlejandro, since 2019’s Clarity, “BZRPMusic Sessions, Vol 56” particularly in the sexual Bizarraphasbeenonatear:just liberation of the album’s second three weeks after linking up with half. Peso Pluma for Volume 55 of his Portugal. The Man, Chris viralYouTube collaboration series, Black Changed My Life the Argentine producer has The Story behind Chris recruited Puerto Rican superstar, Black Changed My Life is RauwAlejandroandquicklyturned crucial to fully appreciating the aroundVolume56. return of Portugal. The Man, The magic of the series rests in who scored the type of the way that Bizarrap can contort crossover smash single that his musical foundation toward the most bands can only daydream strengths of his collaborator while about with “Feel It Still” in also not betraying his tone; “Vol. 2017, then proceeded to have 56”playsoutlikeaparticularly their lives upended due to (Continued on page 46)

Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice with Aqua

Kim Petras

Portugal. The Man

Bizarrap & rauw Alejandro

Militarie Gun

By Wayne Lyttle

Thehumanbodyis an extraordinary system, but like anyother,itissusceptibleto health conditions. Orchitis, commonly known in the Caribbean as “Goadie,” is a condition characterized by the inflammation of one or both testicles. It affects men of various ages, and while it can be a source of concern a n d d i s c o m f o r t , understanding its causes, symptoms, and available treatments can empower individuals to navigate this condition with confidence and seek appropriate medicalcare.

UNDERSTANDING ORCHITISOR “GOADIE”

Orchitis refers to the inflammationofthetesticles, which are the male reproductive organs responsible for producing spermandtestosterone.This condition can be infectious or non-infectious, each with its distinct causes and risk factors.

Infectious Orchitis: This type of orchitis is primarilycausedbybacterial orviralinfections.Themost common viral cause is mumps, a contagious viral illness. Other viruses, such as the flu virus or those causingsexuallytransmitted infections (STIs) like gonorrheaorchlamydia,can alsoleadtoorchitis.

N o n - i n f e c t i o u s Orchitis: This form of orchitis often results from autoimmune disorders, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the testicular tissue. Trauma orinjurytothetesticles,such as from a direct blow or torsion (twisting) of the testicles, can also cause inflammation.

SYMPTOMS ANDDIAGNOSIS

The symptoms of orchitis can vary depending on the underlying cause and the severity of the

inflammation Common signsandsymptomsinclude:

* Testicular pain and tenderness: The affected testicle may become swollen, painful, and sensitive to touch. The pain can range from mild discomforttosevere,making

Corner

Unleashing the Silent Fury: Orchitis or “Goadie”

Unveiled – Understanding the Devastating

Impact of “Goadie” and its Menacing Effects

it difficult to carry out daily activities.

* Scrotal swelling: Orchitis can cause the scrotumtobecomeenlarged, red,andwarmtothetouch.

* Systemic symptoms: In cases of infectious orchitis, individuals may experience symptoms like fever, fatigue, and body aches, particularly when the underlying cause is a viral infection.

Iforchitisissuspected,a medical professional will typically conduct a physical examination and may recommend additional tests. Blood tests, urine analysis, and imaging studies such as ultrasound can aid in confirmingthediagnosisand identifying the underlying cause.

TREATMENTAND MANAGEMENT

The treatment approach for orchitis depends on the underlying cause and the severity of symptoms. Here a r e s o m e c o m m o n managementstrategies: Medications: Antibiotics are prescribed for bacterial orchitis, while antiviralmedicationsmaybe usedifthecauseisviral,such asinthecaseofmumps.Pain relievers and antiinflammatorydrugscanhelp alleviate discomfort and reduceswelling.

*Supportivemeasures: Resting, elevating the scrotum, and applying cold packscanproviderelief.Itis

also crucial to stay hydrated and maintain good personal hygiene.

* P r e v e n t i o n : Vaccination against mumps is a primary preventive measure, as the virus is a common cause of orchitis. Practicing safe sex and undergoing regular screening for STIs can help reducetheriskofdeveloping orchitisduetoinfectionslike gonorrheaorchlamydia.

*Surgicalintervention: In rare cases, surgical interventionmayberequired to treat complications or if the underlying cause is testiculartorsion.

In conclusion, Orchitis, though uncomfortable, can beeffectivelymanagedwith prompt medical attention

and appropriate treatment

Recognizing the signs, understanding the potential causes, and seeking early intervention are vital steps towardsrecovery

By raising awareness about orchitis, we can encourage individuals to prioritize their reproductive health, adopt preventive measures, and access the necessary care for overall well-being.

It is important to rememberthatifyoususpect you have orchitis or experience symptoms related to testicular inflammation, consulting a healthcare professional is crucial.

Self-diagnosis and selfmedication can lead to

The patient exhibited significant scrotal swelling, which presented with varying sizes that showed a trend of continuous enlargement.

complications and delays in receivingpropertreatment.

Seeking medical attention is particularly important as untreated orchitis can result in potential complications, such as abscess formation, testicular infarction (tissue death), infertility, or the spread of infection to other areasofthebody

It is worth noting that orchitis can also have psychologicalandemotional impacts. Testicular pain and discomfort can cause anxiety, stress, and significantly affect one’s qualityoflife.

Open communication with healthcare providers about concerns or questions is essential to receive the necessary support and guidance throughout the treatmentprocess.

Furthermore,itisvitalto dispel any stigma or embarrassment associated with seeking help for testicularconditions.

Men’s reproductive healthisassignificantasany other aspect of their wellbeing.

Discussing symptoms

openly with medical professionals can lead to early detection, timely

treatment, and improved overalloutcomes.

To reiterate, orchitis is a condition characterized by the inflammation of the testicles, often caused by infections or other factors. Recognizing the symptoms, understanding the potential causes, and promptly seeking medical attention are crucial for effective managementandrecovery. Remember to prioritize your reproductive health, practice safe behaviors, and consider vaccination against preventable causes of orchitis By promoting a w a r e n e s s a n d understandingoforchitis,we can encourage a proactive approach to men’s health, e n s u r i n g t i m e l y interventions and improved well-beingforthoseaffected bythiscondition.

Ifyouhaveanyconcerns or suspect you may have orchitis, do not hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and personalized care.

Your health and wellbeing matter, and seeking timelymedicalattentioncan make all the difference in your journey towards recovery

In the operating room, a right orchidectomy with spermatic cord removal was conducted due to an extensive abscess present in the right epididymis, testis, and spermatic cord. The blue arrow highlights the significant discharge of pus from the abscess.

Cut-section through the testicle following orchidectomy showing a lesion in the epidydimis with fibrosis and caseous necrosis, following chronic epididymoorchitis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Alicia Keys Opened Up About How Makeup Warped Her Self-Image

Keys once wore makeup in an attempt to “be perfect.”

(Shape) Alicia Keys perfect I definitely makeup lifestyle. “As you brow gel — all of which she went on a no-makeup thought I had to be perfect. I may have seen, I definitely describes as “the bridge journeyin2016,goingfresh- was holding onto all these haverebelled,andIhadtogo between skin care and facedonredcarpetsatatime kindofstandardsofbeauty.” all the way over there in color.”Attheoppositeendof when full-coverage She shared additional order to just find my voice,” the spectrum, her makeup foundation and heavy details about this period of she says in her recent video, artist Ayako Yoshimura contouring were dominating her life, around the time gesturing to a distant space incorporated each into Keys’ makeup trends. Now, Keys when she first started off-screen.“Todiscoverwho 2022 Met Gala makeup, has opened up about what performing at 16, in a recent I wanted to be and how I p a i r i n g t h e m w i t h inspired the decision and her interview with People. “I wanted to be.And you get to rhinestone-studded winged relationship with makeup was in a new universe that I decidewhatmakesyou,you. eyeliner. today. In a new video on didn’t understand,” she told Igettocreatemyownbeauty Keys’ hope is that Keys Instagram announcing the the publication. “It was full standards. So that might be Soulcare customers will also debut of makeup products in of anxiety, pressure and fresh-faced, that might be usetheproductsontheirown the singer’s beauty brand stress and my skin just got full-wattage whatever terms, according to her post. Keys Soulcare, Keys worseandworse.Icontinued that is, it’s whatever feels “You can build it up, break it explainsthattherewasatime to have to hide it, and I did goodforyou.” down,”shesaysinhervideo. when others’ beauty my best to cover it because Now, Keys has returned “However you’re feeling, standards influenced her people can be so nasty After to wearing makeup, using it don’tforgetyoudoyou.” approach to makeup “I a while, I began to feel that I in ways that feel right to her definitely have been on my wasn’t beautiful if I didn’t In her recent Instagram post, own self-discovery journey havemakeup.” she demonstrates a natural for sure,” she says in the In an effort to let go of look with the products from video. “I felt like I had to those beauty standards, she her new collection: a cheek please people, I had to be made the switch to her no- tint, tinted lip balm, and

Alicia Keys

Dream Abs (Part 2):

Losingbodyfattogainyoursix-pack

In our initial article on chasing the abs of our dreams, we examined why this may be more difficult to achieve for some people. Just to recap,amajorhindranceisusually our own focus sticking strictly to abdominal exercises when gaining abs require us to lose body fat instead.

Inthissecondpartofourseries, we will look at how safe very low levelsofbodyfatare.Someexperts often question whetherit’s healthy or even safe to strive for such low levels of body fat, particularly for women.

“Women naturally carry more fat than men, which means getting to extreme lows can have an adverse effect on the way our bodies and hormones function,” Miriam Fried, founder and head trainer of MF Strong in NewYork City,toldYahooLife.

The trainer explained that

illness She also told Yahoo Life that

“Considering so many women struggle with disordered eating, seeking a body type that requires such extremes is just something I would never recommend from a mental health standpoint.”

Experts — even ones who believeasix-packisanachievable goal — also point out that having visibly sculpted abs isn’t the only sign of being physically fit or

bench press hundreds of pounds/kilos. This population of athletes is a prime example of a strong core that, at times, don’t have the traditional sculpted six-pack abs. So yes, it is possible to have a strong and healthycorewithoutthenoticeable sculptedabs.”

setting a goal to achieve a visible six-pack often involves “severe caloric restriction and getting to a very low body fat percentage, which, for many people, isn’t healthy at all not to mention, often what determines the visibility of your abdominalmuscleshasmore to do with genetics than anythingelse.”

Fried also says that extreme dieting and restriction is often a risk factor for eating disorders, which has the highest mortality rate of any mental

havingastrongcore.

“The majority of those with a strong core do not have noticeable abs,” notes Araceli De Leon, an American Council on Exercisecertifiedhealthcoachandcertified personaltrainer

“Think of how strong a powerlifteris,andhowstrongtheir core must be to deadlift, squat and

Fried agrees, saying that body shape and size “tell us very little about someone’s fitness levels and their health.” She believes that visible abs simply tell you that you have a low body fat percentage and the genetics to maintain a flat stomach “They tell you nothing e l s e a b o u t s o m e o n e ’ s health, their strength, their endurance, their abilities in the gym, their diet, their exercise routine.”

According to her,someofthebestathletesonthe planet do not have visible abs. “If your goal is to be fit and strong, I highly recommend setting performance-based goals rather thanaestheticones,”shesays.

“Thesetypesofgoalsaremuch more realistic to achieve, much more fulfilling and far more motivating!”

Here’s Why the Coca-Cola Logo Is Red

(Reader’s Digest) Everyone famous red-and-white suit and The Coco-Cola logo is a famous hue in any Pantone can recognize the Coca-Cola logo, holding a Coke bottle But trademark of its time, yet has color registries, though; it is but it hasn’t always looked the according to the Coca-Cola remained fashionable through actually a combination of sameasitdoesnow Company, its famous logo dates generations. Another hallmark for threedifferentshadesofred.

Coca-Cola and the color red go back to the very beginning of the the branding of the drink is its The Coca-Cola logo’s together like peanut butter and branditself. placement inside a red circle. This typography, on the other hand, jelly,milkandcookies,ortacosand Over 130 years ago, Coca-Cola design made for easy decoration is an official font Called Tuesdays. After all, we would was sold in barrels at American and advertisements in restaurants “Spencerian,” it has been recognize that iconic red label (or drug stores and pharmacies andstores. associatedwiththebrandsincethe maybe even that Coca-Cola yellow Alcoholwasdistributedinthesame The shade and shape late 1800s. But who is the person cap) anywhere. But why did the way Butwhilealcoholwastaxedat stuck—andtherestishistory Now, behind the iconic script? It was not company choose this shade for its the time, soft drinks were not. So, “You see a red disc icon on a the creator, but his bookkeeper That said, logointhefirstplace? the Coca-Cola Company began storefront, and you know that Frank M Robinson, after he the Coca-Cola logo hasn’t always

Why is the Coca-Cola logo red? painting its barrels red in order to you’ll be able to get delicious, ice- suggested that the two C’s would looked the same as it does today A

Some claim that the red color help customs and tax officials coldCoca-Colathere,”TedRyan,a lookattractiveinadvertising. few years after its inception, the came from one of the company’s distinguish them from barrels of Coca-Cola archivist, said. “It This is just one of those logo swapped the swirly font for a first advertisements, which booze. becameapromiseinaway.” random, interesting facts that may moregothicstyle.Thisonlylasteda featured Santa Claus wearing his Coca-Cola logo history You won’t find this beverage’s havejustblownyourmind. year

The rapper talks her sophomore album COI and owning her confidence Coi Leray Is an Icon in the Making-and She Knows It

(ELLE) Coi Leray has the box that fans and critics But for my next show, I’m thatgirl.I’masilentassassin fallen in love—with herself. have put her in, and formally gonna fly And make sure in this industry Every year Sincethereleaseofherdebut introduces herself, and her you capture that money shot hasjustbeenasteppingstone album Trendsetter last year, versatility,totheworld.Take whenI’mintheair.” in elevating. In the time the 26-year-old rapper has “Black Rose” for example, Since Leray debuted, between these two albums, been leaning heavily on self- an infectious and brazen she’s often been discredited I’ve fallen in love with love.Andshe’sgotthemusic rock song that repeats the and seen as the underdog. myself more and more. The toshowforit. refrain, “Why they wanna And at certain points in her energy behind this album is One of her most recent push me? / They know they career, she would listen to ‘Bad Bitch Energy.’You can songs, aptly titled “Self can’t shush me ” “As a the noise. But now? Not so hearitinthemusic.”

Love” from the Spider-Man: young Black female artist in m u c h “ S i n c e I ’ v e And, according to her, I n t o t h e S p i d e r- Ver s e the industry, it’s important accomplished so many you can see it, too. “Right soundtrack, is slowly for me to relay the message things at this point, I don’t now, the color of my aura is climbing the charts and that they can’t silence me,” feel like the underdog chrome with some glitter,” currently sits on the she says. “It’s a friendly anymore,” she says. “I’m she says. “I’m shining, baby BillboardHot100. reminder Bit*h, don’t play really fire. Like, I’m really AndI’mheretostay.”

Her single “Players,” the Youcan’tstopme.” female empowerment “Man’s World,” which anthem about girls being features a sample of “It’s players,too,washerfirsttop Man’s Man’s World” by 10 hit. But it’s her upcoming James Brown, is another s e l f - t i t l e d a l b u m standout And it came C O I r e l e a s e d l a s t together in the 11th hour As Friday—that shows Leray at Leray was finalizing the her most self-assured. “This album, she felt like is the era of an icon being something was missing and made,” she says over Zoom. needed a song that would “And all the icons have self- showherfansadifferentside titledalbums.” of her “Like, yeah, we’re

Since she released her talking about being sexy and d e b u t m i x t a p e shaking ass, but what about Everythingcoz in 2018, Black empowerment?,” she Leray has been recognized asks. “This is a Coi album so as one to watch. In 2021, the there needed to be a worldy rapper was featured on the record by Coi. I thought to coveted XXL Freshman myself, ‘How are we gonna cover, alongside fellow gocrazy?’

female rappers Flo Milli and As Leray continues to RubiRose. excel at her craft, she’s

Her hit single “No More focusing on performance, Parties,” which was released too. “I see myself evolving the same year, became her on stage,” she says. As time first song to appear on the goes on, she wants to Hot100. i n c o r p o r a t e m o r e

And since then, she’s choreography, as well as collaborated with rap glitter, spotlights, gowns, heavyweights like Lil Durk andaliveband.Andoneday, and Nicki Minaj, as well as she also wants to fly above the R&B singer H E R the crowd. “I was trying to Though her upcoming fly for Summer Jam, but that sophomore album is still s#*twas$150,000,”shesays more of the same, Leray is in disbelief. “It just shows alsoflexingnewskills. how heavily invested artists

On COI, she transcends are in their shows. It costs.

Coi Leray

This Day in History - June 25

Congress passes Mann Act, aimed at curbing sex trafficking

June25,1910

Following this decision, the Mann Act was

Congress passes the Mann Act, which used in all types of cases: someone was was ostensibly aimed at keeping young charged with violating the Mann Act for women from being lured into prostitution, bringing a woman from one state to another but really offered a way to make a crime out in order to work as a chorus girl in a theater; of many kinds of consensual wives began using the Mann sexualactivity Act against girls who ran off

The outrage over sex with their husbands. The law work began with a was also used for racist commission appointed in purposes: Jack Johnson, 1907 to investigate the heavyweight champion of the problem of immigrant world, was prosecuted for prostitutes Allegedly, bringing a prostitute from women were brought to Pittsburgh to Chicago, but the America for the purpose of motivation for his arrest was being forced into sexual public outrage over his s l a v e r y ; l i k e w i s e , marriagestowhitewomen. immigrant men were T h e m o s t f a m o u s allegedly luring American prosecutions under the law girlsintoprostitution. were those of Charlie Chaplin

The Congressional in 1944 and Chuck Berry in committees that debated the 1959 and 1961, who took Mann Act did not believe unmarriedwomenacrossstate that a woman would ever lines for “immoral purposes.” choose to be a prostitute unless she was Berry was convicted and spent two years in drugged and held hostage. The law made it the prime of his musical career in jail.After illegal to, “transport any woman or girl” Berry’s conviction, the Mann Act was across state lines “for any immoral enforced only sparingly, but it was never purpose.” In 1917, the Supreme Court repealed. It was amended in 1978 and again upheld the conviction of two married in 1986; most notably, the 1986 California men, Drew Caminetti and Maury amendments replaced the phrase “any other Diggs, who had gone on a romantic immoral purpose” with “any sexual activity weekend getaway with their girlfriends to for which any person can be charged with a Reno, Nevada, and had been arrested. criminaloffense.”

Korean War begins

June25,1950

Armed forces from communist North Korea smash into South Korea, setting off the Korean War. The United States, acting under the auspices of the United Nations, quickly sprang to the defense of South Korea and fought a bloody and frustrating war forthenextthreeyears.

Korea,aformerJapanese possession,hadbeendivided into zones of occupation followingWorldWarII.U.S. forces accepted the Korea.

avoid a third world war and surrender of Japanese forces The Korean War was the tokeepfromstretchingfinite in southern Korea, while first “hot” war of the Cold American resources too Soviet forces did the same in War. Over 55,000 American thinly around the globe. It northern Korea Like in troops were killed in the proved to be a frustrating Germany, however, the conflict. Korea was the first experience for theAmerican “temporary” division soon “limited war,” one in which people,whowereusedtothe became permanent The the U.S. aim was not the kind of total victory that had Soviets assisted in the complete and total defeat of been achieved in World War e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a the enemy, but rather the II. The public found the communist regime in North “limited” goal of protecting concept of limited war Korea, while the United South Korea. For the U.S. difficult to understand or States became the main government, such an support and the Korean War source of financial and approach was the only never really gained popular military support for South rational option in order to support.

Teenager Debbie Gibson earns #1 hit with Foolish Beat

June25,1988

manager Fiveyearslater,withmorethan100

Contrary to what some critics of teen pop original unreleased songs to her credit, she mightimagine,popsensationDebbieGibson signed a contract with Atlantic Records and saw herself not as the next Madonna, but as recordedherdebutalbum,‘Out Of The Blue’. the next Carole King. And when her single During the summer of 1987, Debbie “Foolish Beat” reached the top of the Gibson earned her first Top-10 hit with her Biilboard Hot 100 on this day in 1988, she debutsingle,‘OnlyInMyDreams’.Aftertwo achieved something very much in keeping more hits with ‘Shake Your Love’ and ‘Out with that goal: She became the youngest Of The Blue’, she earned her record-setting person ever to write, #1 hit with the selfproduce and perform produced original herown#1popsingle. song, ‘Foolish Debbie Gibson Beat’. was the poster-child Like so many for everything a teen stars before talented teenager and after her, might achieve if she Debbie Gibson did set her mind to not remain a viable justifying her parents’ pop star for long, investment in music but she made the and voice lessons most of her time in Raised in suburban the spotlight, Long Island, New earning another #1 York, Gibson began hit in early 1989 piano lessons at age five with the same with ‘Lost In Your Eyes’,from her second teacher who taught Billy Joel. She wrote her album, ‘Electric Youth’, which reached the first song, “Know Your Classroom,” at age topofthe Billboard albumchartsandinspired six and her first “hit” at age 12, with a song a pioneering foray into the youth cosmetics called “I Come From America,” which won market with the creation of Electric Youth by her $1,000 in a songwriting contest and Debbie Gibson perfume and cologne spritz convinced her parents to hire a professional byRevlon.

“King of Pop” Michael Jackson dies at age 50

June25,2009 d r u g s ,

On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson, one w e r e of the most commercially successful found in entertainersinhistory,diesattheageof50at hissystem. his home in Los Angeles, California, after Jackson’s suffering from cardiac arrest caused by a p e r s o n a l fatal combination of drugs given to him by physician, who hispersonaldoctor was at the singer’s Jackson, who after a lengthy time away home when he died, had been giving him fromthepublicspotlightwaspreparingfora propofolasasleepaidforaperiodofweeks. series of summer concerts in London, was On July 7, 2009, more than 20,000 fans discovered unconscious in his Los Angeles attended a public memorial for Jackson at mansionon June 25,2009.TheLosAngeles the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Over 30 coroner’s office later ruled the pop star’s million viewers tuned in watch the event on death a homicide after lethal levels of the cable TV, while millions more viewed it powerful sedative propofol, as well other online.

Michael Jackson

Kim Campbell becomes Canada’s first female prime minister

June25,1993 shewaselectedtotheBritish I n O t t a w a , K i m Columbia legislature as a Campbell is sworn in as Conservative, and two years Canada’s 19th prime later she was appointed minister, becoming the first minister of Indian affairs by woman to hold the country’s Prime Minister Brian highestoffice. Mulroney In 1988, she Born in Port Alberni, became the first female to British Columbia, in 1947, hold the office of Canadian Campbell studied law and attorney general and proved political science before instrumental in the entering Canadian politics movementtoincreasegun during the 1980s. In 1986, (Continued on page 46)

Chicago congressman Rep. James R. Mann

Korean War

Debbie Gibson

Kim Campbell

Elton John at Glastonbury: sun to go down on one of pop’s great performers

- Ahead of headline set, artists and philanthropists the singer has nurtured, explain why he remains at the heart of pop culture

(The Guardian) In the approval is so validating and reaches No 1 in the US and 1970s, he was responsible encouraging and has put me UK for an astonishing 2% of all on cloud nine going into the 1975 Attempts to kill record sales around the weekend,” says the singer, himself following a cocaine world and in 2021 he scored who after her Glastonbury binge his eighth UK No 1 album, set will join the crowd to 1976 Tells Rolling Stone with The Lockdown watch Elton’s grand heisbisexual Sessions. farewell. Perhaps it’s his 1984 Marries the

Whenthe76-year-oldSir enthusiasmthathaskepthim German sound engineer Elton John performs his at the top so long. As Aslett Renate Blauel. They divorce farewell UK concert at puts it: “He’s never lost that fouryearslater Glastonbury this weekend, childlikeglee.” 1985 Performs at Live he will seal one of British Elton John’s landmark Aid pop’s most illustrious and moments 1989Wins£1mdamages ongoinglegacies.

1947 Born Reginald fromtheSunover“rentboy”

“His impact on music Kenneth Dwight in Pinner, allegations can’tbeoverstated,”saysthe Middlesex 1991 Duet with George Years & Years frontman,

1967 Meets his lifelong Michael, Don’t Let the Sun Olly Alexander, with whom songwriting partner, Bernie GoDownOnMe,becomesa John duetted at the 2021 Brit Taupin, after both answer a transatlanticNo1 awards “He’s constantly NewMusicalExpressadvert 1990 After years of played, constantly covered, seekingsongwriters substance misuse he begins constantly reinterpreted and 1969ThefirstEltonJohn sobriety he’sstillhavinghits.” album, Empty Sky, sells 1992Comesoutasgayto

The singer-songwriter, 4,000copies RollingStone

1970 His US debut at the 1997 Sings at the funeral Elton JohnAids Foundation, James Smith. “We slightly shoutout was mind-blowing. soldmorethan300mrecords

in 1992, he established the called me up,” says singer finding out he’d given us a born Reginald Dwight, has

L A T r o u b a d o u r i s ofDiana,PrincessofWales raising over $525m (£413m) cheekily asked if he’d play S u d d e n l y w e w e r e and scored 10 UK No 1

rapturouslyreceived 2014 Marries his to support HIV-related with us and he went: FaceTiming and I’m singles.His32studioalbums

1970YourSongbecomes longtime partner, David programmes in 90 countries. ‘Absolutely.’” Smith found thinking: ‘Elton John’s face include such classics as hisfirsthit Furnish. The couple have

‘Honky Château’ (1972),

“It’s been incredibly helpful himtobeverydowntoearth. isonmyphone.’”

1972 Honky Château two sons, Zachary and havingsomeonesofamous,” “He said he was ‘here to He also praised the

‘Goodbye Yellow Brick becomes his first US No 1 Elijah,viaasurrogate says the foundation’s chief learn’. I’m thinking, you singer-songwriter, Olivia Road’ (1973) and ‘Captain album 2021 The Lockdown executive, Anne Aslett, “but wrote Bennie and the Jets! Dean as a future “big star”. Fantastic’ and the ‘Brown

1973 Don’t Shoot Me Sessions becomes his eighth he has lived experience as a What can you learn from us? “Having his stamp of DirtCowboy’(1975). I’m Only the Piano Player No1album gay man living through the Buthe’sreallyinterestedand

John Lennon hailed him

Aids crisis in the 80s and open-minded. I learned from as “the first new thing since 90s. He lost a lot of friends him to constantly stay the Beatles” and John and sat at a lot of bedsides. curious.” challenged the dominant

So now whenever we go to Lately,theveteransinger guitar format to place the Africa or wherever he seems to be revelling in his piano at the forefront. Kate connects with people ability to champion rising Bushoncesaid:“Mostartists deeply.” stars. He hailed the Scottish in the mid-70s played guitar

Lately,thesingerhashad singer, Joesef, signed to the but Elton played piano and I hit singles duetting with Glasgow indie label Bold dreamed of being able to younger stars including Ed Cut, as “one of the great play like him ” Others Sheeran, Britney Spears and voices”. “It was surreal and influenced include Queen, Dua Lipa. He contacted lovely because he doesn’t GeorgeMichaelandAdele. Alexander after watching need to do that,” says the

The 70s brought him in the Channel 4 hit singer,AKAJosephTraynor, outlandish costumes and drama, ‘It’s a Sin’, named “but he’s genuinely superstardom before chart after the Pet Shop Boys song enthusiastic. I can’t believe domination returned with theythensangtogether he listens to my album in his 80s hits such as ‘I’m Still “I learned to play piano house.” Standing’.Inthe90s,hesang with an Elton John

The Welsh singer- ‘Candle in the Wind’ at the songbook, so speaking to songwriter the Anchoress, funeral of Diana, Princess of him was overwhelming,” AKA Catherine Anne Wales: a reworked and Alexander says. “I think It’s Davies, had a “pinch rerecorded version reached a Sin reminded him of his yourself moment” while No 1 and became the y o u n g e r y e a r s a n d hanging washing out, when biggest-selling single in UK experience of being gay the superstar called to say he history He’s obviously a legendary loved her 2021 album The Such an outsize stage artist, but to experience the A r t o f L o s i n g H e presence and indeed life human side of him was subsequently interviewed couldn’tbecontainedbypop something I’m so grateful her on his Rocket Hour songs alone: his musical for I never dreamed I’d podcast and his regular theatre successes include perform with Elton at the support has been “priceless, ‘The Lion King’ (1994) and Brits.” really, and a watershed for ‘Billy Elliot’ (2005), while In 2022, the superstar myalbum”. he played an outsize bovverplayed and sang on 100% Last week, he told the booted Pinball Wizard in Endurance, a song by the BBCaboutnewactstoseeat Ken Russell’s 1975 film Leeds-based post-punk band Glastonbury “He’s always Tommy and inspired an ‘YardAct’.“He’dmentioned listeningtonewmusic,”says acclaimed biopic, 2019’s usininterviews,andafterwe Amy Love, of the female Rocketman. covered Tiny Dancer he rock duo Nova Twins, “but After coming out as gay

Elton John

Natural ways to cleanse your lungs

L u n g c l e a n s i n g techniques may help people with exposure to tobacco smoke or air pollution and those with chronic respiratory conditions

Steam therapy, chest percussion,andgreenteaare just three of the options to try Breathing in air pollution, cigarette smoke, and other irritants can damage the lungs and even cause health conditions Maintainingthehealthofthe lungsisessentialforkeeping therestofthebodyhealthy

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), exposure to air pollution results in 4 2 million deaths worldwide eachyear Cigarettesmoking isthecauseofdeathfor1in every5peopleintheUnited States.

As the lungs are selfcleaning organs, this means they can begin to heal themselvesonceexposureto pollutantsstops.

Inthisarticle,wediscuss some of the methods that people can use to try to cleansetheirlungs.

ISITPOSSIBLE TOCLEANSE YOURLUNGS?

Itispossibleforaperson to “cleanse” their lungs and improve lung health. The best way for a person to ensuretheirlungsarehealthy is to avoid harmful toxins, such as cigarette smoke and airpollution.

Additionally, a person

can also incorporate certain lifestyle behaviors, such as regular exercise and eating well.

After lung pollutant exposure, a person’s chest may feel full, congested, or inflamed. Mucus gathers in the lungs to catch microbes and pathogens, which can contribute to a feeling of heaviness.

Peoplemaybeabletouse specific techniques to help clearthelungsofmucusand irritants to relieve chest

congestion and other uncomfortablesymptoms. Some of these methods may also open up the airways, improve lung capacity, and reduce inflammation, which can further help reduce the effectsoflungpollutants.

WAYSTOCLEAR THELUNGS

Below, we look at breathing exercises and lifestyle changes that can help remove excess mucus from the lungs and improve breathing.

STEAMTHERAPY

Steam therapy, or steam inhalation,involvesinhaling water vapor to open the airwaysandmayalsohelpto loosen mucus. People with lung conditions may notice theirsymptomsworseningin cold or dry air. This climate can dry out the mucous membranes in the airways andrestrictbloodflow.

Conversely, steam adds warmth and moisture to the air, which may improve

breathing and help loosen mucusinsidetheairwaysand lungs. Inhaling water vapor canprovideimmediaterelief and help people breathe moreeasily

Someevidencenotesthat steam inhalation can be helpful for soothing a sore throat, loosening thick mucus, and provide benefit after being in an environmentwithpollutants.

This therapy may be an effectivetemporarysolution, butresearchersneedtocarry outmorestudiesbeforethey fullyunderstandthebenefits of steam therapy on lung health.

CONTROLLED COUGHING

Coughing is the body’s way of naturally expelling toxins that it has trapped in mucus.Controlledcoughing loosens excess mucus in the lungs, sending it up through theairways.

Doctorsmayrecommend that people with lung conditions, such as chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), perform this exercise to help clear theirlungs.

People can cleanse their lungsofexcessmucusby: sitting down on a chair with the shoulders relaxed, keeping both feet flat on the floor foldingthearmsoverthe stomach slowly inhaling through thenose slowly exhaling while leaningforward,pushingthe armsagainstthestomach coughing two or three times while exhaling, keeping the mouth slightly open slowly inhaling through thenose resting and repeating as necessary

DRAININGMUCUS FROMTHELUNGS

Postural drainage involves lying in different positions to use gravity to remove mucus from the lungs.

Ingrown Toe nail Removal

WHATISAN INGROWNTOENAIL?

An ingrown toe nail occurs when the nail edge is damaged, and the nail no longer fits properly into the sidegroove.

Thenailcurlsdownward and digs into the skin, causing pain, swelling, redness, and drainage

Sometimes a piece of nail (called a lateral pointing spicule) becomes embedded in the side tissue, and the tissue becomes heaped up (hypertrophied).

WHATCAUSESAN INGROWNTOENAIL?

There are many causes for ingrown nails, but the twomostcommoncausesare poorly fitting shoes and improperly trimmed nails. Tight shoes compress the side of the nail and alter the fit of the nail in the groove. Whennailsarepeeledoffor torn,theedgeofthenailcan extend down into the corner ofthenailgroove.Atornnail can irritate the skin next to the nail, producing inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness) and sometimesinfection.

CANINGROWNNAILS BEPREVENTED?

Proper trimming of the nails is the best way to prevent an ingrown nail. Nails should be cut straight across, with the corners of

the nail protruding from the end of the toe. Children or teenagers who play with theirtoesinbedatnightcan wear socks to bed to keep themfrompeelingorpicking attheirtoenails.

HOWCANITREAT MYPAINFULNAIL?

Whenaningrowntoenail is mildly inflamed (slightly red and sore), soaking the foot in warm water and placingapieceofdrycotton under the corner of the nail may be all that is needed. If the ingrown toenail gets worse, the inflammation (pain, swelling, and drainage) may increase. An antibiotic ointment can be tried at this stage.After you see your doctor for the problem, he or she may try oral antibiotics Surgical removalofpartofthenailis often needed if the problem becomesworse.

WHATISTHE RECOMMENDED SURGICAL PROCEDUREFOR INGROWNNAILS?

Surgical removal of an ingrown nail involves removing a small portion of the side of the nail and destroying the nail bed beneath. The toe is injected with a numbing medicine, andthetoenailiscuttocreate anew,straightnailedge.The cellsunderneaththenailwill

try to grow a new nail, so they must be destroyed, thereby creating a permanently thinner nail. If there is heaped up (hypertrophied)tissueonthe side of the toe, it must be removed. The toe is then bandageduntilitcompletely heals(afewweeks).

WHATISTHE RECOVERYTIME FROMMYSURGERY?

You should keep your footelevatedforafewhours and rest on the day of the surgery; the next day, you canreturntoworkorschool. You should refrain from runningorvigorousexercise for2weeksafterthesurgery

FOLLOWING INGROWNTOENAIL REMOVAL

Antibiotic ointment will be applied to the toe immediately after the procedure. The ointment is soothingandhelpsthetoeto healfaster Youshouldapply theantibioticointmenttwice daily until the wound is completelyhealed.

We like the over-thecounter (nonprescription) antibiotic ointment Mycitracin Plus because of the numbing medication mixedinwiththeantibiotic.

Youmayshowertheday after the surgery Gently dry the area and apply antibiotic ointment after showering.

Avoid baths, swimming, or soakingthetoeforthenext2 weeks. Try to keep the toe cleananddry

Your bandage will help to pad and protect the wound, while absorbing drainage from the wound. Youcanreplacethebandage if blood or fluid soaks the bandage.

Please keep the wound bandagedforatleast1week afterthesurgery You may experience some pain after the procedure.Ifyouexperience discomfort, you can take ibuprofen (brand names: Advil, Motrin, Nuprin),

three200-mgtablets3times a day with food, and acetaminophen (brand name:Tylenol),two325-mg tabletsevery4hours.

You should wear loosefitting shoes or sneakers for the first 2 weeks after the procedure Please avoid wearing high-heeled or tight-fitting shoes in the future.

You should avoid running, jumping, or strenuous activity for 2 weeks after the surgery

Teenagers should not participate in physical educationactivitiesfor1to2 weeksaftertheprocedure.

Infectionmaydevelopin the toe during the first few weeksafterthesurgery.Call your doctor if you develop increasing pain, swelling, redness,ordrainagefromthe toe.

Trimming the nails straight across the top of the nailisthebestwaytoprevent another ingrown nail from developing.

The nail must not be cut down into the corners, or picked at, or torn off. If you should develop another ingrownnail,seeyourdoctor early, because early treatment may prevent the needforsurgery.

Aperson can speak to a doctor about the best treatment for ingrown toenails.

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

DISPELLING FEARS ABOUT LASH EXTENSIONS AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS

If you’ve always wanted to get beautiful, lush lashes, you may think about booking an appointment for extensions.

However, are they really safe? What if you were allergic?

I get you. At Lift and Lashes,wetakemeasuresto minimise the risks of clients havinganallergicreactionor irritation In this article though, I’ll dispel some of your lash-related fears by

answering some of your most frequently asked questions.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS

Firstly, allergic reactions due to lash extensions are extremely rare Common symptoms of allergic reactionscouldbeanyofthe following: swollen eyes or eyelids, redness of the cornea,andordiscomfortor itchiness around the eye area.

These symptoms might

also occur 48 hours or more after lash application and likely won’t subside over time.

Clientsmaybeallergicto the lash glue itself due to its b a s e i n g r e d i e n t : cyanoacrylate If you’re allergic to this compound, f u l l r e m o v a l i s recommended to prevent furthercomplications.Some salonswilldoapatchtestto with a drop of glue on a sensitive area of skin like behind your ear, but we’ve

foundthatinmanycasesthis can lead to a ‘false-positive’ result where the client doesn’t react and then assumes she’s in the clear –then after extensions are applied it becomes apparent that she actually is allergic and needs to get a full removal That’s why we don’t patch test and recommend that if you’ve hadareactioninthepast,just don’tgetlashextensions.We knowyou’dlovethem,butif you’re allergic, you’ll probablyalwaysbeallergic.

Having an allergic reaction on only one eye is highlyunlikely,butyoumay experience irritation on just oneeyeforotherreasons.

IRRITATIONS

W h i l e l a s h extensions are considered low-risk when done by skilled technicians, there is still a risk for irritation.

This can be induced by the adhesive fumes. Symptoms are similar to that of an allergic reaction, but irritation will subside once the adhesive properly cures. Irritationcanalsooccurover alongerperiodoftime,when bacteriabuildup.

Whenlashesarewornfor a long time, bacteria can accumulateeitherontheglue or on the lashes themselves. If this happens, make sure that you go to your eye doctor immediately

ByLatoyaZephyr

Irritationcanbetreatedwith medication, so there’s no need to worry too much aboutit.

At lift and lashes, we work in a well-ventilated room.Weutilisetape,aswell as quick-drying glue that driesinsecondstominimise fumes, and therefore reduce theriskofirritation.

We also make sure to explain lash aftercare to our clients,neworregular,allto ensure that you can enjoy your lashes and be beautifullyworry-free.

You really are a mosquito magnet. Here’s what you can do about it.

Mosquitoes love Kim

Zarins The insects’ preference for Zarins, an English professor at S a c r a m e n t o S t a t e University,issoextremethat her18-year-oldsonlikesher to come outside with him because she serves as a decoy and “he knows he’ll besafe,”Zarinssays.

Now mosquito magnets like Zarins are helping scientists pinpoint what entices these thirsty bloodsuckers Along the way, there’s new hope for relief.

More than just a nuisance, mosquitoes can carry devastating illnesses like Zika, dengue fever, malaria, and West Nile disease and are responsible for over a million deaths every year And while historically, they have been more prevalent in tropical climates, mosquitoes carrying disease-causing organisms have expanded their reach as the planet warms—including parts of the United States like Connecticut,California,and Arizona.

Mosquitoesuseavariety of cues to home in on their targets. Odor distinguishes people from other animals, and some mosquitoes have evolved to seek out our unique bouquet. From up to 200 feet away, they follow the carbon dioxide plumes we exhale with each breath. As they approach several feet closer, they smell the odors emanating from our feet,underarms,andskin.At around50feet,theybeginto see us as dark silhouettes against the light. Finally, pools of heat guide them to thechoicestsitesonwhichto landwhiletastereceptorson their feet help them decide wheretobite.

WHATMOSQUITOS LIKETOSMELL?

“It’s very striking how good mosquitoes are at detecting us,” says Diego Giraldo, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins and coauthor of a new study that characterizes human odor profiles that attract Anopheles gambiae, an African mosquito that transmits malaria. The work shows,forthefirsttime,that mosquitoescandiscriminate betweenmultiplepeopleina large,spaciousarenathesize of an ice-skating rink Previousresearchusedmuch smaller chambers and pitted onepersonagainstanother

The arena used in Giraldo’s experiment was connected to eight tents via airducts,whichfunnelodors

from each tent’s occupant over a black, heated disk located in the experimental space Infrared cameras capture the movements of mosquitoesthatlandoneach disk. Over the course of the experiment, mosquitoes were four times more likely tolandonthediskassociated with the subject who attracted the most mosquitoes compared to the subject who attracted the least.“Thisjustdriveshome the point that even in

a t t r a c t i v e n e s s t o mosquitoes,”Rankin-Turner says.

The mosquitoes were especially beguiled by carboxylic acids, a class of fatty acids found in human sweat whose scent is sometimes compared to rancid butter or cheese, confirming earlier work demonstrating a similar preference in another mosquito species We produce these acids in our sebum, the oily layer that

researchers were able to achieve as a significant step towards further teasing out theseassociations.

FOOLING MOSQUITOES

From shampoo to deodorant to soap, most people use personal care products every day And if body odor can attract mosquitoes, perhaps washing or layering scents ontopofitcanconfusethem. But the reality is more complex, as scientists

using it. “All the soaps we usedwerelargelydominated by a compound called limonene, which is a known mosquito repellent but three out of four soaps actually increased mosquito attraction,” says Clément Vinauger, a neuroethologist at Virginia Tech and a coauthorofthestudy Thesame chemical, therefore, can be attractive or repulsive to mosquitoesdependingonits concentration and how it’s combined with other natural chemicalspresentonhuman skin. In nature, Vinauger speculated, maybe one combination of chemicals is interpreted by the mosquito to mean “plant” while a different ratio of the same components might scream, “human.”

THEBESTWAYSTO REPELMOSQUITOES

Research to devise failsafe repellents is still in its infancy, but scientists have some preliminary ideas basedonthecurrentscience. Try products with a coconut scent, the aroma associated with the soap that more consistently deterred mosquitoes, Vinauger suggested “And since it might depend on your personal body odor, experiment with different soaps to see which one worksbest.”

complex situations with multiple sources of odor, mosquitoes do seem to prefer some people over others,”Giraldosays.

Next, the researchers identified the chemicals in each subject’s odor profile using an instrument that can separatethegasesmakingup the sample into its componentparts.

“Human odor, however, isincrediblycomplex,”says Stephanie Rankin-Turner, a chemist at Johns Hopkins, who also worked on the study In human odors, “there are a lot of chemical compounds that no one’s ever classified before.” To narrow the field, the researchers focused on chemicalsknowntomakeup humanscent.

Theiranalysisuncovered 15 airborne compounds that were present in the odors producedbyallsubjects.

B u t i t w a s t h e concentrations of these various chemicals that determined how likely mosquitoes were to bite them.“Ifthere’sacompound that mosquitoes really love andonepersonisreleasinga lot of it, then that has the potential to increase their

protectsourskin,butthey’re also made when beneficial microbes living on our skin surfacedigestoursecretions.

The insects were also drawn to acetoin, which is produced by skin microbes too. “So, it definitely seems like the skin microbiome is playingabigroleinhowwe smell and how attractive we are” to mosquitoes, RankinTurnersays.

And while factors like pregnancy,diseasestatus,or what we eat and drink can influenceour scent, some of its features are remarkably stable, persisting across monthsandevenyears.This aligns with the observation that certain people, like Zarins, the English professor, tend to attract mosquitoes.

“A lot of us in the field want to understand what makes one person more attractive than another person because that secret may allow us to make the next generation repellent,” saysMatthewDeGennaro,a mosquito geneticist at Florida Int

nal University, who was not a part of the current study He cited the naturalistic, almost field-like conditions the

discoveredinarecentproofof-concept study that explored how these soaps impactmosquitoes’abilityto trackus.

For their initial experiment, the researchers compared the number of times mosquitoes landed on anylonsleevethathadbeen worn on the unwashed arm of a subject versus one that had been worn on the same subject’s washed arm. The experiment was repeated acrossfourdifferentsubjects and four different soaps, including brands like Dial andNative.

To the researchers’ surprise, in some cases, washing increased the number of mosquito landings indicating that soap amplified that person’s attractivenesstomosquitoes. But the effect wasn’t consistent for example, Dove and Simple Truth soaps made some (but not all) people more enticing; whileNativesoapseemedto decreasepeople’sallure.

Contrarytoexpectations, a soap’s chemical contents may be less important than how those contents react with the individual body chemistry of the person

MariaElenaDeObaldia, a neurogeneticist who studiedmosquitoolfactionat Rockefeller University and whowasnotinvolvedinthe study, is not surprised that the results were not straightforward Because humans are so important to the lifecycle of some mosquitoes (females need a blood meal before they can produce eggs), the wily insects have evolved redundanciesintheirpeopledetectionmechanism.“They can’t rely on just one signal—sotheyhaveareally robustsystemfordetectinga range of odors, which is really hard to profile,” De Obaldiasays.

In the next phase of the personal products study, the researchers analyzed the nylonsleevesfromtheinitial experiment to pick out combinations of chemicals associated with mosquito attraction and repulsion Withthisdata,theydesigned an attractive mix and a repellent mix and tested them with a fifth subject, who was not a part of the previousexperiments.When given a choice between a sleeve spiked with the attractive mix and a sleeve spiked with mineral oil (the control), mosquitoes overwhelminglyfavoredthe attractive mix, says Chloé Lahondère, an entomologist at Virgina Tech and a coauthor of the study

Similarly, mosquitoes preferred to land on the sleevewithmineraloilwhen the repellent mix was offered.

With future studies and more participants, Lahondère hopes to employ powerful tools like machine learning to say, “Based on the smell that you have, we can figure out if this would beagoodsoapforyoutouse toavoidmosquitoes.”

L a h o n d è r e recommended adopting strategies mosquito researchers use in the field. “When we collect mosquitoes, we wear long sleeves and light-colored clothes, because mosquitoes tend to be attracted to dark colors.”

But the best defense we have against mosquitoes remains traditional repellents like DEET, which experts recommend if you plan to be in regions where mosquito-borneillnessesare endemic. Natural repellents likelemoneucalyptusoilcan also work, but they’re much less effective and must be reapplied more often DeGennaro, who lives in Florida, recalled, “During theZikaphase,Iwouldwear DEET every day.” It’s safe whenusedasdirectedandit alsoworksgreatonticks,he added.

A c c o r d i n g t o DeGennaro, however, “the future lies in understanding the human skin microbiome and developing a probiotic solutionthatwillmanipulate that microbiome to help protect people from mosquito bites ” He and colleagues have shown that more diverse skin microbiomes, cultured in a dish, emitted fewer odors that attract mosquitoes compared to less diverse populations.ForDeObaldia, continuing to conduct basic research is crucial if we’re going to outpace mosquito evolution. Some species of mosquitoes, for example, havebeguntofeedearlierin the day to thwart the use of bed nets “Understanding how mosquitoes find us in ourenvironmentandhowwe attract them, will help us develop more effective repellents ” As for Zarins—she can’t wait for the day when she can hang up her hat as her son’s personal mosquito magnet and find a repellant that worksforbothofthem.

Colored scanning electron micrograph of a female specimen of the mosquito species,Anopheles gambiae. This micrograph shows the mosquito’s bulging abdomen, swollen after a meal of human blood. The female is distinguished from the male of the species by the relative sparseness of the bristles on her antennae. The proboscis, consists of the piercing and sucking instruments, called stylets, which are seen as a slender red tube under the compound eye,which is colored green.

GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICESA BEGINNER’S GUIDE FOR MSME’S

Do you want to demonstrate that your business is consistently meeting requirements for quality, environmental and occupational safety and health? It is time to implement the National Standard-Requirementsfor G o o d M a n a g e m e n t Practices for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (GYS 231:2010).This document,whichisavailable at the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS),wasadoptedfroma CARICOM Regional Standard to enhance performance of local businesses.

Standards offer numerousbenefitsformicro, small and medium-sized enterprises as they do for large, global companies in ensuring consistency and increased profits The MSME Standard offers simplified requirements that serve to guide businesses regardless of type towards t h e s u c c e s s f u l implementation of Good Management Practices (GMPs).

Local Small businesses cannot continue to omit standards from their recipe for success. Like thousands of small businesses around the world local businesses should begin to take advantage of the benefits of standards, which include efficient allocation of resources, heightened operationalefficiency,easier access of products and services to export markets, and increased consumer confidence.

According to the International Organization for Standards (ISO), Standards make market accesseasier,particularlyfor MSMEs.

The GYS 231:2010 Standard defines the fundamentalrequirementsto enhance small business performance through the process of continual improvement, assurance of quality, environment and occupational safety and

health requirements, and preventingnonconformity

The standard outlines, for MSMEs to be effective, an atmosphere that provides focus and encourages positive behaviour is necessary As such, it recommends that defined improvement goals and objectivesbeestablished.

Like the popular ISO 9 0 0 1 : 2 0 1 5 Q u a l i t y Management System Standard, the MSME Standard offers clear definitions of the roles, responsibilities and authorities for the implementation of the management system; and recordsanddocumentsmust be controlled Further, r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r competence, awareness and training of employees must b e a d d r e s s e d f o r conformance.

Meanwhile, the standard also provides requirements for measurement, analysis and improvement, which help to demonstrate conformity and ensure the effectivemanagementofthe business.Italsoensuresthat customersofthebusinessare continuallysatisfied.

As a small business owner, you should want to fully understand, implement and reap the benefits of GMPs. With its cadre of competentprofessionals,the GNBS’ doors are always opened for local MSMEs looking to improve their performanceandviability

ThroughitsTrainingand Technical Assistance Programmes, the GNBS can help businesses to properly implement the requirements of the GMP Standard and other national and internationalstandards.

Reach out to the GNBS nowtofindouthowthisand other standards can best address your needs for growthandcompetitiveness.

F o r f u r t h e r information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0064/65/66 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

EXPLOITATIVE BANK CHARGES, DIABETIC BREAD, SCAM WARRANTIES, TOXIC FOOD AND DRUGS

By:PATDIAL

In any given week consumer advocates would have to respond to a kaleidoscope of consumer problems, many of them being very different from each other In this week’s offering we shall examine foursuchissues.

In the first instance we willreviewchargesmadeby commercialbanks.

For the services they provide, commercial banks make a charge and such charges combined with the interesttheyearnbylending depositors’ funds, make up the bulk of their income. Very often, the charges they makevaryfrombanktobank and in some cases they turn outtobeexploitative.

Hereisanexamplewhich occurredveryrecently:

Theholderofachequing account at Republic Bank, Water Street, Georgetown, issued a cheque payment of (say) $10,000 to a recipient whowentinpersonnextday tocashthecheque.

The teller informed the cheque holder that he would have to pay a charge of $1500 before she could pay him. Hedulypaidthe$1500 but was given no receipt. The cheque recipient returned to the payer and informedhimthathedidnot, ineffect,receivethe$10,000 due to him only receiving $8,500 The payer reimbursedtherecipient.

The payer (account holder) felt that there was s o m e m i s t a k e o r misunderstanding since within his experience in banking, he had never experiencedsuchasurrealist occurrenceandsohetookthe matter to the senior most levels of the Bank who affirmed that the teller was correctandthatthebankhad “reviewed the cost and risk or providing such a service” beforeimposingthecharge.

The payer analysed the claim that the bank had incurred special costs and risk in honouring their own customer’s valid cheque but

couldfindnospecialcostsor risk.

On the contrary, the payer(accountholder)holds achequingaccountonwhich theBankpaysnointerestasit would do for savings accounts and he would have bought the cheque from the bank. The Bank would therefore have received an upfront payment for the service from the payer by the Bank receiving the interest on the chequing account and the payment for the bank cheque. Furthermore, the payer was embarrassed by the Bankfailingtopaytheface valueofhischeque.

ThepositionofRepublic Bank in making this particular charge is exploitative and this can be seen when compared with other banks such as

Demerara Bank, Guyana Bank forTrade and Industry (GBTI) and Citizens Bank, which make no such charge and do not consider honouring their account holder’s cheque a cost or a risk.

Several consumers have asked us to publish the comparative charges imposed by the local banks for services and we hope to dothisinduecourse. Inthe meantime, the other banks offer a better buy than Republic Bank in the case mentionedabove.

BREADS

Wheatenbreadisastaple food in Guyana and the population eats it every day. The Bakeries offer whole wheat and white flour breads. Wholewheatisnow regarded as healthier as and more nutritious than white flour Similarly, whole wheat rotis are preferable to whiteflourones.

Inmakingbread,alllocal bakeries mix sugar in the dough and the more discerning consumers prefer their breads to have less sugar

Thebiggerbakeriessuch as Bakewell and Banks DIH use a moderate amount of sugar though many consumers feel they could useevenless.

Working class and countryfolktendtobuytheir bread from the smaller bakeries which tend to use farmoresugarintheirdough because their customers like the sweet taste, being oblivious that they are consuming more sugar These sugary breads are a

danger to diabetics, especially as they do not realise where they are getting their sugar from. Consumers as a whole are enjoined to avoid breads which are sweet as well as sugarypastries.

CONSUMER DURABLES

In addition to the recognizedstores,therearea plethora of smaller shops, manyofthemownedbyEast Asianssellingsuchthingsas washing machines, cookers, clothes irons, toasters, fans, refrigerators, fans, blenders andsoon.

Thepricesattheseshops are cheaper than the established stores but there are two pitfalls of which the usualconsumerisunaware.

The first is that such equipment may be reconditioned or second hand and the second is that the smaller shops give warranties from one month to three months and if the equipment becomes dysfunctional thereafter, they do not have any technicians or spare parts. Many such purchases turn out to be useless in a short time causing loss to purchasers. We think it is safer and in the long run more economical to purchase consumer durables from the recognized stores, since they give warranties for a year and over, have techniciansandspareparts andsellonlynewgoods.

EXPIRYDATES

All drugs and foodstuffs in the shops must carry an expiry date after which it is unsafe to purchase the item. If the item does not carry an expiry date, do not purchase it.

Also, do not purchase any item with a near expiry date, since if the purchaser delays in using it, it would expire on his or her hands. Expired drugs could be ineffective after the expiry date or could become poisonous or toxic Similarly, foodstuffs, especially canned foods become toxic after expiry dates.

W h e n b u y i n g foodstuffs and drugs, alwaysascertaintheexpiry dates.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author They do not purport to reflect the opinions or viewsofKaieteurNews.)

The mysterious Venezuelan poodle moth

MTo add to the mystery, it classify it. Based on the unusual. Following its n o c t u r n a l neigbouringVenezuela. Accordingtothescientists,it was the only poodle moth photos taken by the discovery many scientists creatures that Scientists have named is a new species of alien- ever found and it was Zoologist, scientist m a d e s u b s e q u e n t

o t h s a r e discovered in 2009, in poodle dog with wings

resemble dark the creature, the Venezuela looking moth that has photographed in the estimates that the moth expeditions to Venezuela to coloured butterflies without Poodle Moth and the name poodle-like fur covering its Canaima National Park, measures about 2 5 find the creature, but have the clubbed antennae A speaks for itself. The moth head, thorax, abdomen and Gran Sabana, Venezuela, by centimetersinlength. beenunabletospotitagain. mysterious one was looks like a white mini- evenitswings.

Kyrgyzstani zoologist Dr Many confuse the The region where it was ArthurAnker creature with images of the found is home to diverse

As a result, scientists domestic silk moth native to habitat types, including were unable to study the China but its appearance is moist forest and high rock creature and properly much more unique and plateusknownastepuis.

The mysterious Venezuelan poodle moth

PinotNoir-AGuidetotheBasics

Pinot Noir, whether from Burgundy, California, New Zealand, or somewhere in between, is capable of producing some of the most profound wines in the world

(Food&Wine) Pinot produce fantastic rosé (look

Noir inspires more passion for the Inman Family escarpment. Yet great Pinot hemisphere, Chile and New in its most ardent fans than “Endless Crush” OGV Noir can also be found in Zealand have become practically any other grape Estate Rosé for a joyous and Champagne to the north, centersofPinotNoirgravity variety It makes sense: The complex example) Pinot where it is often blended Patagonian Pinot Noir is an historyofPinotcanbetraced Noir is also one of the three with Pinot Meunier and increasingly exciting back for the better part of a main grape varieties in Chardonnay,orevenusedon category, and the top millennium in Burgundy, Champagne,alongsidePinot its own for Blanc de Noirs examples from the far south where even today the great Meunier and Chardonnay bottlings. Bollinger’s terrific of New Zealand, in Central Grand Crus of the region But it’s red Pinot Noir that PN VZ16 takes it one step Otago, are absolutely command some of the garnersmostoftheattention, further: This is a rare fantastic. When it comes to highest prices in the entire and from less-expensive and Champagne that’s crafted Pinot Noir, for all the world of wine. It also thrives more fruit-driven examples entirely from Pinot Noir challenges it presents in the in the New World, where to the kind of bottles that growninthesinglevillageof vineyard and winery, the modern classics are make collectors and their Verzenay rewards are well worth it meats. Pinot and duck is a grape variety, structured produced from Oregon to accountantsbreakoutincold In the United States, aroundtheworld. classic pairing, and pork more by those acids than by New Zealand.And while it’s sweats,PinotNoiriscapable Pinot Noir thrives in Why Should You Drink tenderloin alongside a great particularly assertive far trickier to grow in the ofitall. California, particularly Pinot Noir Wine? Pinot will lift any dinner to tannins. Flavors of red vineyard than Cabernet Where Does Pinot Noir Sonoma County, where the Depending on where it’s thestratosphere. berries and cherries are Sauvignon, for example, Wine Come From? Russian River Valley, grown and how it’s Pinot Noir can be commonly found, and as Pinot Noir is well worth the Pinot Noir is most Sonoma Coast, and produced, Pinot Noir can produced in a style that is well as a counterpoint of effort. In the right soil and famously tied to Burgundy, Alexander Valley nurture either be bright, fruit- more appropriately enjoyed subtle floral perfume and a the perfect cooler climate, where for the better part of a excellent ones Santa froward, and perfect for as soon as the bottle is more earthy base note the wines crafted from Pinot millennium, it has been the Barbara County is also the everyday sipping, or capable bought,andalsoinwaysthat reminiscent of mushrooms Noir are capable of source of some of the source of top Pinot Noir Up of aging for decades. In are intended to age for years or forest floor Even hints of greatness. It’s even a key region’s top wines. Even north, in Oregon, the additiontoitsuseinroséand

in some cases, for tea can be experienced. Of componentinChampagne! today, the iconic Grand Cru Willamette Valley has Champagne (and rosé decades!Manypeopleinvest course, there are plenty of What is Pinot Noir Wine? vineyards of the Côte d’Or becomeahot-spotforworld- Champagne!),redPinotNoir in Pinot Noir for their bottlings that showcase PinotNoirisawinemade are synonymous with class Pinot Noir, and the can be found in a wide range collections, and given the darkerfruitandspice,too. from the grape variety of the greatness: Names like recent further divvying-up of styles and at price points precious prices of the most Givenitsfreshness,Pinot same name. The majority of Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, into constituent AVAs has across the spectrum In famous and highly regarded Noirisbestenjoyedjustabit Pinot Noir wines are red, but Richebourg, Le Chambertin, made the region even more general, however, good bottlingsofredBurgundy— above cellar temperature; can also be leveraged to and more are studded along exciting.

Billboard New music guide:

New

music fromYoung Thug,

From page 23 crackling Alejandro summer jam, but Bizarrap’s fingerprints are all over its shapeshifting percussion and breathless sonic flourishes, a master bringing another A-lister intohiscraft.

Editor’s Pick: Militarie Gun, Life Under the Gun

A string of promising EPs over the past three years suggested that, like Turnstile before them, Los Angeles quintet, Militarie Gunhadashotatbringinganaccessiblebrand of hardcore to the masses, especially if their sound could coalesce on a full-length. Life

Under the Gun is exactly that album — driving and jaggedly catchy, the collection of 12 songs pummels the listener with chunky riffs and brash hooks, and Ian Shelton knows exactlyhowtodeliverasoaringmelodywhile also sounding like he’s about to swallow the microphonewhole.

Peso...

Pinot Noir costs a bit more Grand Crus from Domaine roomtemperaturePinotNoir than its Cabernet Sauvignon delaRomanée-Conti,Comte isnotadvisable. and Syrah counterparts, deVoguë, Georges Roumier, Remember, “room often as a result of the and more they are temperature” should be challenges it poses in the increasingly being used as taken to be more akin to vineyard. Across the board, investments. But even those some drafty castle or Pinot Noir’s higher acidity bottles are meant to be farmhouse in Europe 500 and more moderate tannins opened and enjoyed. It’s still years ago, not the 70 degrees (this is a cooler-climate wine,afterall! Fahrenheit most modern grape variety, after all) make What Does Pinot thermostatsaresetat. it both well-suited to Noir Taste Like? If your bottle of Pinot is drinking on its own and to Pinot Noir thrives in at room temp, place it in the pairingwitharangeoffoods. cooler climates Its best fridge for 20 minutes, which

Indeed, Pinot Noir is one sources around the world — will help bring its freshness of the wines that disproves Burgundy, Sonoma Coast, andenergytothefore. the old adage that red wine Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Pinot Noir is best pairs best with meat. A nice New Zealand’s Central enjoyedinaPinotNoirglass, bottle of Pinot Noir, after all, Otago, and more — aren’t w h i c h a n g l e s m o r e is fantastic alongside necessarily the kind of dramatically in from the salmon,whosemeatytexture regions where extremely hot widestpartofthebowltothe works well with the weight daytimetemperaturestendto lip, forming a more or less of a red, yet isn’t dominate. triangularshape. overwhelmed by the wine As such, it should come ButagoodbottleofPinot itself.PinotNoirisalsogreat asnosurprisethatPinotNoir Noir will shine from a with mushrooms and game is a relatively higher acid universalwineglass,too.

This Day in History - June 25

Kim Campbell becomes Canada’s first...

From page 33

Voters had become disenchanted with

OnOctober25,1993,theConservatives’ control in Canada. In 1993, Campbell was nineyearsasCanada’srulingpartycametoa appointed minister of national defense and decisiveend. veterans’affairs.

Two months later, Prime Minister the party after enduring higher taxes and Mulroney announced his resignation, and constitutionalcrisisunderMulroney,andthe Campbell was encouraged to run for the Conservativeswerereducedtojusttwoseats Conservative Party leadership. In a close intheHouseofCommons.Campbellherself contest, she was elected at a national lost her Vancouver seat and retired from convention on June 13 and on June 25 took politics. office as Canada’s first female prime She returned to academic life, accepting minister Prime Minister Campbell won a fellowship at Harvard University Later, widespread public approval, but the she served as Canada’s Consul General to Conservative mandate to govern had nearly LasVegas. expired, and she was forced to call for a generalelectiontobeheldinOctober

Ridediedofpancreaticcancerin2012at age61.

Peso Pluma

Fashion History Lesson: Levi’s 501 Jeans (Part 11)

This week we continue with the rich history of Levi jeans.

THE 501 IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY: COWBOYS AND WOMEN (Fashionista)

Strauss diedin1902.Fromthenuntil WorldWarII,thebrandonly made minor adjustments to the 501: adding two back pockets in 1901; switching froma“mock”felledinseam toaproperoneinthe1910s; adding belt loops in 1922; adding the red tab on the back right pocket and stitching“Levi’s”ontheside in 1936; covering the rivets on the back pockets and removing the suspender buttonsin1937.

In 1927, Levi’s began sourcing its red selvedge shrink-to-fit denim for the 501 from Cone Mills in Greensboro,NorthCarolina. (It would continue to do so until the mid-’80s, when it s w i t c h e d t o m o r e economical “wide loom” denim.)

Denim pants were becoming more and more popular outside of specific industries Levi’s had sponsored rodeos and featured cowboys in its marketing,makingthebrand synonymous with the Western look. And as dude ranches became popular vacation destinations, people outside of that world begantoadopttheaesthetic. Meanwhile, down in Hollywood, movie stars like John Wayne wore Levi’s in their films. By this time — and especially after World War I — women wore pants more freely In 1918, Levi’s even released a one-piece, tunic-meets-balloon-pants garment made from cotton dubbed Freedom-Alls specifically for women Almosttwodecadeslater,in 1935, introduced its first officialjeansforwomen:the 701, or Lady Levi’s, a higher-waisted style that borrowed its core features fromthe501.

Around the same time, denim was also being marketed as play clothes for children or as something to wear to do chores, like gardening, according to FIT’s Cole. However, there are also images of “bobby soxers” — early pop fans, from the ’40s — in jeans, indicating that they were beginningtobeembracedby teenage girls and young women,too,pavingtheway for their mega-popularity in the’50s.

THE 501 IN WORLD WAR II: CUTTING COSTS

World War II, though,

brought about the most significant disruption to and variationonthestyle.

Because of wartime rations, Levi’s got rid of the cinch, the Arcuate stitching and the rivets on the crotch and watch pocket; it also swapped its buttons for generic ones “Anything deemed unnecessary was removed,”Paneksays.

Tomaintainsomesortof branding, it painted on the distinctive stitch pattern normally seen on its 501s andaddedawartime“pocket flasher” label. (The cinch and the crotch rivet were axedpermanently.)

Levi’s historically maintainedastrongpresence in the American West, and had gotten product out acrossthePacifictoHawaii, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. But World War II marked “the first time the 501goesabroadonthefolks thatarewearingit,ontheGIs heading to Europe and Asia

where people are pulling it up over their underwear or theirlongpants.”

By the time we enter the ’60s,the501wasmuchmore closely associated with rebels, artists and young people than its roots in workwear—somethingthat was reinforced by pop culture,thankstoplacements on Marlon Brando in “The Wild One” (1953), James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955) and Marilyn Monroein“ClashbyNight” (1952) and “The Misfits” (1961). Around then, Levi’s also stopped referring to the 501 as “overalls” in advertising and packaging, andbeganusingthewordthe restoftheworldused:jeans.

Denim played a big role in the proverbial social fabric of the U.S. in the 1960s. At that point, jeans were synonymous with counter-culture, and a “blue jean craze” took hold across thecountry.Then,duringthe

Francisco and other cities, they don’t have a lot of money — sometimes they can go to places where they can get free clothes or flea markets.”

Peoplewouldrepairtheir used 501s and customize them with patches, embroideries and other alterations While that mostly varied from individual to individual, s o m e t i m e s t h o s e personalizations made it to Levi’sHQ.

Panek tells the story of Peggy Caserta, who had a boutique in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury called Mnasidika and, around the Summer of Love, started noticing how folks were cutting up the sides of their 501stoflareoutthehem.She starts making them, and — much like Davis and those pre-patent riveted pants — can’tkeeptheminstock.

“So, she actually goes to Levi Straus and asks if they willhelpmakesomeofthese flared bell-bottom pants, whichwedo,”Paneksays.

In 1969, Levi’s introduced its first bellbottom, through its Orange Tab line, where the brand releasedmostofits“fashion jeans” and other products outside of its core offering. Still,asPanekputsit:“Alot of the styles that happened, that Levi’s eventually embraced, began on the street with an adaptation of the501.”Inotherwords,the 501 remained the blueprint andNorthStarforLevi’s.

more widely in the USSR, the 501 became a hot commodity

Levi’s, meanwhile, had grown massively from its origins as a wholesaler in SanFrancisco.Bythe1980s, it was one of the largest apparelmanufacturersinthe U S Like most of its competitors, the company began closing factories stateside and taking its manufacturingabroad.

In 1981 — more than 50 years after Lady Levi’s — Levi’s released its first proper 501 for women Around then, customers were beginning to want different finishes in denim, so the brand also introduced avarietyofwashes.

MARKETING THE 501

Like most great fashion stories,advertisingplayedan importantroleinturningthe 501intoanicon.

In the ’80s, Levi’s released some of the most consequentialcampaignsfor the501.Thefirstnotableone wasthe“Travis”commercial in 1981, to promote the 501 for women. Then, timed to thesummerOlympicsinLos Angeles in 1984, Levi’s dropped its “501 Blues” ad spots, which featured thenemerging talent such as Bruce Willis, Jason Alexander and Stanley Tucci.

“The 501 becomes a household name thanks to advertising campaigns like that,”Paneksays.

MelinaMatsoukas,Bradford Young, Martin de Thurah and Kasper Tuxen to create short films that show different parts of the style’s story

THE 501’S IMPACT

Over time, the 501 has been synonymous with cultural icons, from Patti SmithtoLaurynHilltoSteve Jobs. As such, it holds a powerful legacy, especially on the secondhand market, where it remains a favorite among shoppers: Vestiaire Collective’s Hersan says “thevintage501isdefinitely the most sought after denim piece”ontheplatform.

wearing the 501,” Panek says.“It’salsothetimewhen we start selling them on militarybases.”

Those same GIs kept wearingtheir501slongafter coming home from World WarII,whichpropelledtheir popularity “Many of them form motorcycle clubs and chose the 501, which makes a lot of sense because it’s protective gear,” Panek explains.

POST-WAR

501S: ZIPPERS AND COUNTER-CULTURE

The 1950s represent another key turning point in thehistoryofthe501.

For one, Levi’s introducedonewithazipper closure,the501Z.Thebrand also switched from a leather “Two Horse” patch to one made from heavy-duty card stock, and began playing withfit.

“Once we come out of World War II, you’ve got a much slimmer 501,” Panek explains. “It’s not that big overall that you would’ve had in those first few years,

Civil Rights Movement, many activists would wear denim to protests and demonstrations, turning jeans into a powerful political symbol. (See: Blue Jean Sunday, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr and ReverendRalphAbernathy’s matching denim when they w e r e a r r e s t e d i n Birmingham in April 1963, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee’s uniform.)

It’s around this time that theSmithsonianinductedthe style into its permanent collection — a testament to the item’s importance in history

Because the style had been around for almost a century by that point, it became widely represented in the emerging secondhand market.

“The idea of thrift-store findsreallystartsinthisera, and 501s are a key part of it becausethey’reeasytocome by,” Panek explains. “In the ’60s, when so many young people are coming into San

From the 1970s onward, denim was a fashion item, with brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Calvin Klein, Gloria Vanderbilt, Maurice Sassonandmanyothersnow populating the “designer jeans” category Even with morecompetition(andmore price points), the 501 was a “baseline” for jeans, says Cole And the industry recognized it: Levi’s won a COTY Award — then the most prestigious fashion prize in the U S , a predecessor for the CFDA Awards — in 1971 “for its 120yearold American fashion work pants that evolved into blue jeans and now influence the world,” a c c o r d i n g t o a contemporaneous New York Timeswrite-up.

A c c o r d i n g t o Smithsonian Magazine, Levi’s started exporting behind the Iron Curtain in 1978, its jeans becoming especially popular in East Berlin.

WhentheBerlinWallfell in 1989 and the company began selling its product

The following decade, thebrandworkedwithSpike Lee on a series of commercials that featured responses they received from a toll-free number that asked what they did in their 501s, called “Button Your Fly.”

“The key to creating ‘brandlove’isyouhavetobe authentic in the stories you tellandthepeopleyouwork with,” Chris Jackman, vice president of global brand marketing at Levi Strauss & Co , writes via e-mail “We’ve focused on how the 501trulyembodiesinclusion and authentic selfexpression.

From Nick Karmen in ourLevi’s‘Laundrette’adin 1985 to Brad Pitt in 1990 to NewJeansasthefaceofthe 501 in 2023, ads and the partners we work with have long played a large role in positioning the 501 as the brand’smosticonicstyle.”

For the 501’s 150th, Levi’s is telling “The Greatest Story Ever Worn,” working with advertising agency Droga5 and with d i r e c t o r s a n d cinematographers like

“Today, 501 jeans are collected, repaired and cherishedasafavoritepiece of clothing in everyone’s wardrobe,” she argues. “Jeans are items that last because they meet both the physical and emotional durability that are key when pickingagreatfashionpiece. She also notes that the majority of orders come from Europe, “showing the great impact the style had fromitsoriginsintheU.S.to otherpartsoftheworld.”

Nowadays,thechallenge Hillmanandherteamfaceis figuringouthowtopushthe 501forwardwithoutaltering it. They balance trends and consumer desires and industry innovation with tradition, finding ways to build on the classic by bringing in new fabrics or incorporatingfitsfromother decades.

“We’re really about getting that alchemy between heritage and modernity,” says Hillman. “The 501 ‘81, for example, we pulled from the archive, but we had to modernize it, make sure that it fit for the times… We’re making that archivalgarmentfortoday.”

How to Make a Pipe Cleaner Rainbow magnet

March 20, 2014

by Debbie Chapman

THE FOX AND THE STORK

Once upon a time, there lived in a jungle a cunning fox and a good natured stork. Theybothwereneighbours.

One day, the fox thought ofanaughtyplantoentertain himself at the expense of the stork. He invited the stork to his house for dinner The stork gladly accepted the invitation.

Next day, the stork arrived at the fox's place for dinner with a good appetite.

To her disappointment, the fox served soup on two flat plates.

The stork's beak was too long and pointy to eat the soup from the flat dish. All she could do was to wet the verytipofherbeak,whilethe fox deliciously lapped up all of the soup in his plate. Poor stork did not say anything and went home hungry that night.

One week later, the stork

invited the fox for lunch at her placeand he acceptedthe invitation When the fox arrived, the stork served the lunchintwolongthinnecked jars. This time the stork put her beak in the long thin necked jar and ate the delicious fish she prepared, but the fox could only lick at the rim of the jar and sniff at

FUNWITHPOETRY

the delicious aroma His wide snout couldn't fit inside the thin necked jar The fox had to go home hungry and humiliatedthistime.

MoraloftheStory

1. Never make fun of other'slimitations

2. People will treat you the same way you treat them.

Tomakeapipecleaner rainbow magnet, you'll need pipe cleanersinallthecoloursofthe rainbow(Iusuallyhavelotson hand from the dollar store), some cotton balls, some blue felt,twomagnetpieces,anda hotgluegun.

Set out the pipe cleaners in the order of the rainbow, andthencutthem. Eachoneshouldbealittle bit shorter than the one before since we are goingtobendtheseintoshape.

Bend each one of the pipe cleaners into a rainbow arch, tucking the next colour inside the one before as you go along. Next, take a small piece of blue felt, and cut it out into the shapeofacloud.

You'll need these (or some heavy paper or cardboard if you don't have felt) so you havesomewheretoputthehotglue.

Add a generous amount of hot glue to the little felt cloud. Then press the pipe cleaners down onto it until it's set. Do the same thing for the other side of the rainbow Now you shouldhaveafullarchingrainbowthatisheld

to gether by the little blue felt clouds. Take a cotton ball and stretch it out until it's big enough to cover the blue felt piece. Add a generous amount of hot glue to the top ofthepipecleaners.

You'll probably want to use even more than I did here. Mine worked, but after a few tugsfrommygirlsIhadtogluethecottonball backon.Pressthecottonballsontotheendof eachrainbowtobeclouds. Thefrontisready togo!

Add a small glob of hot glue to the back ofeachofthebluefeltclouds.Pressdownthe magnetsontothefeltuntiltheglueisset.

MAGIC SQUARE PUZZLES

Besorrywhenyoucausehurt

Sometimes it happens that we do something That causes someone to hurt; Then we need to make things right again, And hurry to do our part.

The first thing that we have to do Is to see that we should not hide, But be brave and face what we have done, And really feel sorry inside.

This will make us want to go

To try to make them again feel good, Tell them that we are truly sorry And try to make up as best we could.

Take a positive step NOW to determine the Value System to define your journey through Life

Toobtainareliable g u i d e t o overcome all the difficulties you are likely to encounter on your way, you yourself can devise a set of rules which you can follow toachievethis.

Takeasheetofpaperand write down all the qualities that would make you an ideal person. As a guide, here are some values which you might consider when you make your list, emphasising those you feel you need to work on in your ownpersonality:-

Courtesy, Reliability, Loyalty, Desire to Succeed,

Enthusiasm, Foresight, Friendliness, Honesty, Cleanliness, Punctuality, Self-Control, Spirituality, Neatness and Order, Openmindedness, Fair-play, RespectforTruth.

Keepthislistinaplace where you can refer to it during your normal day Resolve in your mind to constantly work on your own personality to adopt thosequalities,andmakeita habittodisplaytheminyour speech, our thoughts and actions.

Oncewehavedecided beforehandonthevalueswe will inculcate, then we have

to continually strive to maintainthem.

In the modern world, where so many people with liberal views on how we should live try to influence us into their way, it is not always easy to maintain these values. It needs much determination, which can cause some amount of friction with others close to us, even our best friends. But we always have to remember that the way and the measure in which we upkeep these values against allthetemptationsaroundus istherealtestofourselvesas the person we would like to be.

So as to give you an idea of how to handle these temptations and battles to maintain your values, I quote the following excellent poem by Bruce Kilmer:-

PreserveyourIdentify

KRYPTO INKY

KryptoInkiesareregularInky(orKenKen)puzzlesthat havebeenencrypted.Eachdigithasbeensubstituted withaletter Tosolvethepuzzle,youmustdeduce whatdigiteachletterstandsforwhileworkingoutthe solution.

Inthesolvedpuzzle,eachrowandeachcolumnwill containallofthedigits1thru8.Theheavylines indicateareas(calledcages)thatcontain2ormore numbersthatcanbecombined(inanyorder)to producetheresultshowninthecage,withthe indicatedmathoperation.Forexample,'AB×' meansyoucanmultiplythesquarestogether toproducethenumberencodedbyAB. Notethatnumbersincagesmayrepeat,aslongas theyarenotinthesameroworcolumn.

+meansaddition

-meanssubtraction

×meansmultiplication

/meansdivisio

JustAsYouAre

by Jill Lemming

The world would like to change you; there are pressuresallaround,

You must decide just who you are, then firmly holdyourground.

You know what you are good at, and you know whereyourtalentslie;

But if you are ruled by others, your uniqueness will passyouby

Remember: there is much to learn, but all new thingsaren'tgood;

Wisdom lies in what you have learned, and what you havewithstood.

You have an image of yourself, an ideal sense of You,

And to this vision you must always struggle to be true.

So be yourself and don't allow the world to take control;

Preserving your identity islife'smostpreciousgoal.

Destructive thoughts within our minds can keep us in despair... those doubts and insecurities are not worth the pain they bear. It's sad to carry baggage that causes grief and shame... and in time we come to realize we have ourselves to blame.

We can choose our way of thinking and ask God to give us peace... as we pray for a healthy attitude, our negative thoughts will cease.

These human hearts are fragile and sometimes we can't see... it takes some effort on our part to find worth and security

Don't let those demons haunt you and keep you in the dark... just know that God, who formed you, loves you just the way you are.

Solutions to last week’s

Taking determined and constant steps to improve yourself in every part of your personality will result in personali permanent benefits to your life.

Clove Water: An Overnight Elixir for Skin Renewal and Radiance

ThePotentialBenefitsofCloveWaterfortheSkin:

1. Antimicrobial and Acne-Fighting Effects: Clove water possesses potent antimicrobial properties that can help combat acne-causing bacteria, such as Propionibacterium acnes Applying clove water on the face overnight may help reduce the presence of bacteria, unclog pores, and prevent acne breakouts.The antimicrobial effects of clove water can also aid in soothing existing acne lesions, reducing redness, and promotingaclearercomplexionovertime.

2.Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Soothing Properties: Clove watercontainsanti-inflammatorycompoundsthatcanhelpcalm inflammation and soothe skin conditions such as redness, irritation, and sensitivity Using clove water on the face overnight may provide relief from skin irritations caused by environmental factors or skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis.Bysoothinginflammation,clovewatercancontribute to a more balanced and comfortable complexion, promoting overallskinhealth.

3. Antioxidant Protection and Skin Radiance: The antioxidant properties of clove water can help protect the skin from free radicals, which are responsible for premature aging and skin damage. Regular use of clove water overnight may contribute to a more youthful and radiant complexion.Clove water's antioxidants work by neutralizing free radicals and preventing oxidative stress, which can lead to wrinkles, fine lines,anddull-lookingskin.

4. Skin Renewal and Brightening Effects: Clove water can promote skin renewal and improve skin texture, leading to a smoother and more vibrant appearance. The exfoliating properties of clove water help remove dead skin cells, unclog pores, and encourage the growth of fresh, healthy skin.By incorporating clove water into your overnight skincare routine, you may notice a gradual improvement in skin tone and texture, with a reduction in roughness, unevenness, and the appearance ofblemishes.

UsingCloveWaterontheFaceOvernight:

1. Clove Water Toner: Prepare a clove water toner by steeping a handful of cloves in water for several hours or overnight.Straintheliquidandpouritintoacleanspraybottleor container Before bedtime, cleanse your face thoroughly, then spritzorapplytheclovewatertonergentlyontoyourskinusinga cotton pad or clean hands.Allow the clove water to absorb into your skin overnight, and there's no need to rinse it off. Follow with your regular moisturizer or skincare products, if desired. Start with a small area of the face to ensure your skin tolerates it well.

2. Clove Water Face Mask: Prepare a face mask by combining clove water with natural ingredients such as honey, yogurt, or aloe vera gel. Mix them until you achieve a smooth paste, then apply the mask evenly to your face before going to bed.Leaveitonovernight,andrinseoffwithlukewarmwaterin the morning.This overnight clove water face mask can enhance the absorption of beneficial compounds, promote skin renewal, andleaveyourskinfeelingrefreshedandrejuvenated.

PrecautionsandConsiderations: Keepthefollowingpoints inmindwhenusingclovewateronthefaceovernight:

Skin Sensitivity: Clove water may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in some individuals. Conduct a patch test before applying clove water to your entire face and discontinue useifyouexperienceanyadversereactions.

Proper Dilution: Ensure that the clove water is properly diluted to prevent any potential skin sensitization. If the clove water feels too strong, you can dilute it further with distilled water

Individual Variations: Results may vary depending on skin type and individual sensitivities. It's always recommended to listentoyourskinandadjustusageaccordingly

Conclusion: Clove water, with its antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and skin-renewing properties, holds promise as an overnight elixir for skin renewal and radiance. By incorporating clove water into your skincare routine, you may experience potential benefits such as reduced acne, soothing of skinirritations,improvedskintone,andenhancedradiance.

Remember to use clove water responsibly and be mindful of individualskinsensitivities.Ifyouhavespecificskinconditions or concerns, consult with a dermatologist before incorporating clove water into your skincare regimen.Unlock the beauty secrets of clove water and wake up to refreshed, revitalized skin each morning. https://www.masalamonk.com/clove-water-anovernight-elixir-for-skin-renewal-and-radiance/

DebraRichmond Linden’s Baker finding her dream in the cake-baking industry

ByVanessaBraithwaiteMoore

When Debra Richmond establishedhercakegalleryat 55, it was the reality of a dream she had for decades. Today, she is soakingupeverybitofthatdream,aswellas sharing her knowledge with others through hercakedecoratingclasses.

WhenvisitingLinden,Debra’sDelightis the ‘go-to’ place for delicious cakes and mauby, as well as other mouth-watering pastries and creole cuisine She has cemented her name in the cake-baking industry for the last five years, and though she commercialised this passion belatedly, sheremainscommittedtobeingahousehold nameinthebauxitecommunity

Richmond hails from Victory Valley, Wismar Linden, where she grew up in an extendedfamilythatconsistedofnumerous bakersfromwhomshelearnedtobake.

“Igrewupinahomewithrelativeswho cookedalotandalwayshadalotofbakers. My family was big and I grew up knowing my parents and grandparents always cooking, so that was imparted in me,” Richmondrecalled.

After completing her secondary education at the Linden Foundation Secondary School, Richmond had four childrenandwouldbeastayathomemom.

However, when she separated from her children’s father, the single parent mother began seeking ways in which she could provideforherselfandherchildren.

“Iwasthinkingwhattodothatcanreally support me and my family and this thought came to me to start baking and selling cake andpastries,”shesaid.

So in 1994, Richmond made use of the teachingshegotfromherfamilyandwould beginsellingontheroadsideoftheWismar shore.

Richmondrememberedbeinginthefirst

groupofpeopletobakeandsellpastrieson the roadside of the Wismar shore, and for her, business was bright, well at least for a while.

Following the closing of the bauxite company, the young mother at the time felt theindirectnegativeeffectsoftheaction.

“Everything was going nice but then after the bauxite company closed down and business got slow in Linden, and business wasnotlikebefore,”sheremembered.

Luckily in 2003, Richmond was given theopportunitytomigratetoSt.Maarten.

While living in St. Maarten, the mother of four worked as a cashier at Subway, and within10years,from2003to2012,worked her way up to the manager of the said fast foodcompany ShewouldalsoworkatKFC inthenights.

Since she always had a passion for bakinganddecoratingcakes,shewouldtake part in bakery courses to enhance her craft. Richmond would also begin baking cakes forpersonsinhercommunitytogetanextra dollar

After completing a total of eight bakery courses in 2015, Richmond decided to officiallylaunchhercakebusiness,Debra’s Delight in St. Maarten in April of the said year.

Sherelated,“InameditDebra’sDelight because I always liked this scripture, ‘DelightyourselfintheLordandhewillgive you the desire of your heart’ and that was alwaysmydesire.”

In order to promote her business, Richmond would share photos of her cake designs on social media. This not only caught the attention of persons in St. Marteen,butthoseofLindenerstoo.

When she returned to Linden in 2017, shedidnothesitatetoentertheopenmarket for cake decorating services and there is when the Guyanese version of Debra’s Delightwasbirthed.

“After some years in St. Marteen, I decidetoreturnhomebecauseIwasgetting the impression that the type of work that I normally do was not being done much in Linden at the time. There were only a few peopledoingitsoalotofpersonshadtobe going to Georgetown to get their personalisedcakesdone.”

Located on Republic Avenue opposite the Linden Mayor and Town Council, the small cake gallery has a wide variety of cakes ranging from lemon, fruit, chocolate andblackcakesdaily,aswellascontinental andcreolebreakfastsanddesserts.

She took her business a step further by launching a cake-making instruction class. She also became a manufacturer of readymadeMarshmallowFondantwhichhasbeen certified by Guyana’s Food and Drug Handling Department and is available in local supermarkets in Linden and the GuyanaShopinGeorgetown.

When asked why she started her dream career so late, Richmond said she was motivated by the by life story of KFC founder, Colonel Sanders whose success

cameinhis60s.

“I was motivated when I learned that KFC’s founder, Colonel Sanders started the business at age 65. I was amazed and I told myself that I am not too old to start my business,”Richmondexplained.

The entrepreneur’s advice to persons is tonevergiveupontheirdreams.

“Some people get their breakthrough early; some people get it late. If you have a dream, never give up on it because sometimeswhenyouleastexpectittocome through,itwill,attherighttime.”

Currently, Richmond is preparing to further expand her business. Her hope is to turn Debra’s Delight into a drive-through businessofferingdisplayedmenus,aneasier ordering system, more personalized services, and something new for the people ofLinden.

“Thisisnottheend,Ihaveavisionanda plan and it takes time…This is my fourth year and I have developed and I thank God forthat,”shesaid.

Debra Richmond, owner of Debra’s Delight

ByRenaySambach

After completing her CaribbeanSecondaryExamination (CSEC), the idea of wanting to keep occupied, led to a business venture by Milcah Susanna Garraway,aproudLindener

Milcahistheownerof‘Hotspot 212’a business which offers nontraditionalhotdogsaswellasother deliciousfastfood.

The business is located at Lot 20 Burnham Drive, Wismar Linden.

‘Hotspot 212’ is opened from 10:00 hours to 18:00 hours, Monday to Saturday On Sunday, thebusinessonlytakespre-orders.

During an exclusive interview withTheWaterfalls,Milcahshared that since opening her business in August 2020, besides her day-today operation, she has catered for birthday parties, outings and other socialevents.

Hermenucomprisesofregular hotdogs, chili hotdogs, nacho

LINDENER BRINGING THE FLAVOUR

cheese hotdogs, omelette hotdogs, chicken burgers, veggie burgers, loadedfries,regularfries,barbecue wings,burgercombos,andhotdog combos.

The young businesswoman shared that her best sellers are the burger combo, the chili hot dogs andbarbecuewings.

Moreover, Milcah said that throughout her business journey hermotherhasalwaysbeenthereto support her whenever help is needed.

“IfIhavealotoforders,andit’s toomuchforonepersontoexecute, my mother helps me, besides that, nooneelse.”

Milcah was born and raised in Linden She graduated from the Christian-burgWismarSecondary Schoolandcreditsherpassionfor business and wanting to be selfsufficient to growing up around strong-women with the determination to achieve whatevertheydesired Sheshared that after completing her CSEC

exams, she started researching businessideas

“I ended reading about food businesses and I saw an article about a food truck that only sold traditional hotdogs and it caught my eye,” she added that while the idea piqued her interest she kept brainstorming ways to make the business idea something more, “puttingmyowntwisttoit.”

Milcah shared that she did not immediately go into launching the business but began practicing to refine and perfect her hotdog makingskills.

“I would make them and literally share them out for free at first and let my family members and sometimes even strangers judge the taste. I was given many goodreviewsovertime.

After taking time to practice I got started. I first spoke with my motherandshegavemetheideato addburgersandwingstothemenu and she showed me her way of making those. I learned that from

her and then we created a menu beforelaunchingthebusiness.”

Milcah’slongtermgoalforher business is to expand it. At this point,sheoperatesfromherhome, offering delivery and pick-up services. “I do not just want to expandinoneplacebutIamaware that I would have to as they say ‘creepbeforeIcanwalk’soyeahI aspire to first bring a fresh experience of fast food to linden then I will look to take it further afield.”

Sharing some of her experiences since launching her business, Milcah said, “I’ve learned that I should always be patient and not be reactive but rather practice being calm as much as I can, I’ve learned while having my business extreme discipline is required for my long termsuccess,becausegiventhatI amtheonefinanciallybackingthe business, I am required to stay committed,consistentandclearof distractions I’ve learned that

consistencyinqualityisimportant forlongevityinbusiness I’vealso learned to manage my time better and well, making sure that I prioritizepreppingwellbeforethe dayofselling ”

Added to this, she shared that she has also learned to prioritize herself Besides running her business Milcah said her routine involves Yoga, exercises, journaling, meditation, and other activitiestokeepherbalanced.

“Honestly, I feel so blessed to be able to provide my customers with food they enjoy I am also excited for the journey ahead because my vision is unmatched. I see my business being more than justanathomebusinessbutIaspire to build an empire for me and my generation.”

To support Milcah’s business you can call + (592) 663-3761 or visit her business on Instagram @hotspot_212 and @hotspot-212 onFacebook.

Strugglingwithskin problemspushed U.S.-basedLinden womantocreateher ownskincareline

By Vanessa Braithwaite Moore

Formostofheradolescent life, U S -based Lindener, Shmieza

Cameron, struggled with acne and hyperpigmentation on her face. In addition to the physical downside, this affected her mentally and emotionally

In her quest for luminous skin, she sought after a wide array of skin-care products and techniques, but realised that there was no one productthatsuitedtheformula,but aconcoctionofseveral,thatwould targeteachdermatologicalneed.

It was then that the idea was birthed to create one product from her variety, to help others dealing withthesameskin-carechallenges.

“Since I started making and using my own products, I have received many compliments and positive feedback about my skin fromfamilymembers,friends,and

even people on the streets, who oftenaskwhatproductsIuseonmy skin and how much they love how my skin is so radiant. This also motivated me to start my own business;apartfromthesethings,I wanted to create another source of incomeformyself,”shesaid.

Whatshenotedisthatanatural product with skin-lightening propertieshastobethebasisofthe formula. This worked for her and she wanted to commercialize this new found secret. She not only wantedtocreateaproducttosolve acneandpigmentationissuesbutto ensure that customers are left with luminous glowing skin, hence her skin-care line, ‘Luminous Body Skincare’wasbirthed.

“Luminous Body Skincare is luxury Skincare. Everything about my brand is done intentionally When I think of the word Luminous, it gives me vibes of glowing, radiant, luscious, and brightskin,whichiswhatluminous body skincare stands for,” she boasted.

While there were some initial pushbackswiththeskin-lightening properties, she said persons are now open to moving beyond societalnorms.Theaim,shesaid,is

nottochangeanyone’sidentity,but toallowcustomerstofeelconfident intheirownskin.

“The skin-care industry is expanding like the fashion industry, and people are becoming more open-minded about it. Some of my customers now are people whodidn’tsupportmychoiceinthe beginning, and that speaks volumes. The world is evolving, and people and becoming more comfortable with the notion of doingwhatfitsthem,”sheshared.

Her product is not only a mixtureofotherproductssheused,

but she spent time researching and perfecting the perfect skin-care line, so that customers can be guaranteed quality and value for theirmoney

“Ispentanextensiveamountof time putting a lot of thought into everydetailofthisbrand,fromthe business name to the design development and, most importantly, the actual content in each container I spent much time testingtheproductstoensureIgave my customers the best value for theirmoney.”

Luminous Body Skincare products helps one to achieve a brighter, glowing skin tone. The products are created with pure ingredients that are noncomedogenic. The line includes body cream, face cream, brighteningoil,serum,bodysoaps, andbodyscrubs.Someofthemain ingredients include kokum butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, oatmeal, honey, milk, lavender,berries,essentialoils,and other USDA-certified organic natural raw ingredients with extraordinary benefits to your skin fromheadtotoe.

“Our lineup of products will transformyourskinastheycleanse and exfoliate, giving way to a radiant glow From the bath and

beyond, Luminous Body Skincare offers essential rich treatment for the skin. We want you to pamper the skin you are in. This is why we’ve blended ingredients that are proven to moisturize, heal, and makeyourskinradiate.”

Cameron says,”Now that my products are being received well bothlocallyandintheU.S.A,Iaim to grow the brand nationwide by workingwithlargeandsmall-scale cosmetics merchants to make my products easily accessible for consumersandalsotostrategically position my products in the marketplace.” She also intends to source most of her raw materials for her natural skin-care line from thelocalGuyanamarket.

In the USA, products are a v a i l a b l e o n l i n e a t luminousbodyskincare.comandinstore at Odessa Beauty Supply 2677 Pitkin Ave. Brooklyn New YorkandinLindenitisavailableat JCBarnesBoutique.

Shmieza Cameron

SBM Offshore Guyana to spend US$37M in contracts for local businesses in 2023

...Over 700 hours of training to be provided to Guyanese companies

SBM Offshore Guyana

on Friday engaged 70 representatives of local businessesatitsVendorDay. This event is one of the company's annual activities geared towards updating local suppliers about procurement opportunities, requirements, and its complianceprocesses.

According to a press release,theactivityprovided a n o p p o r t u n i t y f o r participating businesses to learn more about the company's expectations for

suppliers when conducting

business, its vendor

qualification/renewal process and timeline, performance measurement criteria, key Purchase Order and invoicing requirements, LocalContentinitiativesand commitments, logistics and deliveryrequirements.

The company's drive for sustainable packaging,

v e n d o r c o m p l i a n c e measures and key Health, Safety, Security and

Environment (HSSE) procedures were also among

the discussions held with vendors.

D u r i n g t h e i r presentations, Flavia Werneck, Supply Chain Support Manager, and

R e c a r d o B o v e l l , Procurement Lead, provided an overview of the checks and balances the company has in place when procuring services These include vendormonitoringprocesses which assess the vendor's q u a l i f i c a t i o n s a n d performance.

Local Content Officer,

Garri Fraser said the company's Local Content Annual Plan for 2023made provisions for over 700 hours of training to be conducted with major vendors. He noted that 200

hours of training and certification will be done with contractors, inclusive o f H u m a n R i g h t s training.Twenty-four hours of forums and webinars will also be held with vendors, as

well as clarification sessions on the Requests for Information process Vendors will also be advised onthe creation of bid packages.“Fromthe

(Continued on page 64)

Vendors in attendance at SBM Offshore Guyana's Vendor Day 2023.

$169M to build to day & night care centres in Regions 3 & 4

To benefit and sup port women and men in need of child-care services while at work, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is planning to spend some $169,266,000 to construct two day and night care centres in

Regions Three and Four.

At the recent opening of tenders, it was revealed that the centre for Region Three is estimated to cost $85.3 million while the centre for Region Four is pegged at $83.8 million.

During the presentation

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management systems – Replacement of equipment.

Ministry of Health Supply and delivery of reagents and consumables.

of this year’s budget, Senior Minister of Finance,

Dr. Ashni Singh had mentioned that this year the government made provision for the construction of these facilities with some $100 million being allocated for the projects.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) back in April, Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud had mentioned that they are to train personnel who would be responsible for the operations of the facilities.

“That training will commence within a month and this follows on the heels of the budget announcement that we are going to be constructing day and night care early childhood centres,” the minister had stated.

The centres aim to cre-

ate a safe place for the nation’s children, and avenues for women to be gainfully employed.

The initiative will also ensure access to trusted facilities for children.

Below are the companies and their bids:

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Design of New Campbellville Health Center.

Supreme Court of Judicature Consultancy services for the supervision of construction of an annex at Suddie Magistrate’s Court, Region Two.

Ministry of Agriculture –National Drainage and Irrigation Authority Consultancy services for the construction of sluice/ pump station at Poudreyen Area.

Finance Minister hold bilateral meetings in Paris

Ministry of Human Service and Social Security Internal painting of canteen, ward 1and ward 2.

Senior Minister at the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh participated in bilateral meetings with officials from the French Ministry of the Economy.

Friday’s meeting followed the Minister’s attendance at the “Global Summit for a new Global Financial Pact” which was convened in Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Minister Singh’s interactions with the French Government officials covered a range of issues – including deeper government-to-government relations, as part of the Government of Guyana’s overall strategy to expand relations with member state governments within the European Union.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance on Saturday, Dr Singh and the French officials also discussed improving private sector opportunities for French companies in Guyana, as well as partnerships between the two Governments

(Continued on page 63)

Construction of Day and Night Care Facility at Region Four. Construction of Day and Night Care Facility at Region Three.

From page 16

Sales

1.4

Chart representing the US$1.4B Guyana received in 2022 (in blue) compared to the gross revenue generated by the Stabroek Block (in red) amounting to US$9.8B.

The Peoples Progressive licence to supply crude oil in

twoparties. competitive terms all or part government and the oil of the government’s share of company This means that Govt. proposes arming crude oil subject to 12.5 percent of the revenue Natural Resources c o m m e r c i a l t e r m s goes to Guyana, while the Minister with sweeping established under the second 12.5 percent profit is powers over oil sector petroleumagreement. shared with the company - Acommission “may” The minister may even Exxonisthenrequiredtopay assist him with his duties require the holders of a thecountrytwopercentfrom petroleum production itssharetowardsroyalty

9.8

Guyana’s earnings

EEPGL President, Party Civic (PPP/C) the domestic market when AlistairRoutledgesaidinthe Government’s draft the needs of the domestic Report “Our continued Petroleum Activities Bill m a r k e t e x c e e d t h e investment through the 2023 proposes to vest the Government’s entitlement COVID-19 pandemic and Natural Resources Minister from all crude oil production associated commodity price with sweeping powers over inthecountry crash of 2020-2021 thehydrocarbonindustry Hemayalsoexerciseany positioned us to benefit from According to the draft otherpowersrequiredforthe the price recovery in 2022. document, the minister shall management of petroleum

Stabroek Block

We delivered over 100 be empowered to administer resources and operations million barrels of production the licensing of petroleum carriedoutunderthisAct. from the Liza Destiny and exploration, production, Importantly, it is noted in Liza Unity Floating storage and transportation the document that the Production Storage and 2022 generated some of April, Guyana has ExxonMobil to deduct up to operations; cooperate with ministermaydelegateanyof O ff l o a d i n g v e s s e l s US$9 8 billion in gross received some US$2.4B in 75 percent of the revenue the relevant government the powers related to (FPSO’s), generating gross revenue, but Guyana with a profit oil and royalty from towardscostrecovery a g e n c i e s r e g a r d i n g administration of petroleum revenues for the block of 50 percent stake benefitted the Stabroek Block The remaining 25 environmental and safety resources and supervision US$9.8billion.” from a mere US$1.4 billion operations. percent (profit oil) is then aspects of petroleum and inspection of petroleum He added, “This enabled inprofits. According to the 2022 shared equally between the operations; and oversee the operations to a department, recovery of US$7 4 billion of This earning also financials for EEPGL, it government and the oil conduct of petroleum agency or government body costs ” Guyanese against the includes the two percent earned $577.7B in profits, a company operations to ensure under his administrative contract signed with Exxon royalty the country was paid substantial increase over its This means that 12 5 compliance with the new authority have protested the high cost by the operator of the Block, 2021 earnings totaling percent of the revenue goes law, and the terms of the K a i e t e u r N e w s recovery ceiling, but as with Esso Exploration and $132B. Hess Corporation’s to Guyana, while the second respective licences and understands that the minister other aspects of the Production Guyana Limited 2022 profit was listed as 12.5 percent profit is shared petroleumagreements. maymakeregulationsforthe agreement, the government (EEPGL) EEPGL is the $322.7B while CNOOC was withthecompany The minister is also purpose of giving effect to maintains that the provision wholly owned subsidiary of $329.8B.

Notably, the agreement proposed to have the power provisions of the Act, and in will not be changed Instead, United States oil major, The partners’ profits are also lacks a ring-fencing to inspect petroleum particular, but without the Guyanese leaders have ExxonMobil. According to expected to soar beyond provision which allows the operations, seek corrective limiting the general power, draftedanewPSAwhichwill the 2022 Annual Report by GY$1 trillion dollars again oil company to develop the action and impose sanctions maymakeregulationsforthe govern its other oil blocks It ExxonMobil, some US$7.4 in 2023 as the Payara resources at other projects in for non-compliance,develop execution of all works has proposed to cap the cost billion in costs were DevelopmentProjectwillhit the Stabroek Block, using terms of reference and relatedtoexplorationforand recovery rates at 65 percent, recovered by the oil firstoilthisyear Itwillwork therevenuefromtheprojects qualification criteria for the production of petroleum; securing an additional 10 company towards its alongside the Liza Phase alreadyproducingoil. grant of exploration and conservation and prevention percent of revenue for investment in the petroleum One and Liza Phase Two This means that the production rights, and grant of the waste of petroleum or Guyana It must be noted activities It also said it Projects, all of which are expenses will ultimately geological storage licences other natural resources; the however that the 14 blocks earned a profit share of expected to produce limittheshareofprofitstobe fornaturalgasandlong-term form and contents of, and which these terms will US$0.5 billion or US$500 approximately 600,000 earned. For instance, even storageofcarbondioxide. conditionswithrespectto,an preside over have not yet millionlastyear barrels of oil equivalent though Guyana has paid off Itwasfurthernotedthata application for the grant or discovered a drop of oil; The report states that resources. the expenses incurred by company or licensee needs renewal of licence; and the meanwhile the Stabroek over 100 million barrels of Exxon and partners Exxon to develop the Liza the written approval of the methods to be used for the Block where over 11 billion oilwereproducedin2022by already have five sanctioned One project, the revenue minister, to directly or measurement of petroleum, barrels of proven reserves the two operational Floating projects in Guyana and are generated from that indirectly assign any of the water and other substances havebeenfoundwillcontinue Production Storage and eyeing a sixth development development is being still rights under a licence or fromawell. shackled to the existing Offloading (FPSO) vessels- in the oil- rich Stabroek being used to finance other petroleum agreement, Regulations can also be provisions Exxon and the Liza Destiny and Liza Block. projects. whether in whole or in part, implemented to address partners are expected to bag Unity

The Production Sharing A ring-fencing provision toathirdpartyoranaffiliate. safetyandwelfarestandards, huge profits this year as the “This enabled recovery Agreement (PSA) inked would have allowed for the The minister would also and the health and safety of Payara Development Project of US$7.4 billion of costs, with ExxonMobil and its earnings from that project to havethepowertorequirethe personsemployedinorin will hit first oil this year It profit share of US$0 5 partners in 2016 has been be split evenly between the licensee to market abroad on (Continued on page 59) will work alongside the Liza billion to EEPGL, and criticized by locals and even Phase One and Liza Phase p a y m e n t s t o t a l i n g international organizations, TwoProjects,allofwhichare approximately US$1 4 as the country is forced to expected to produce billion to the Natural hold the short end of the approximately 600,000 Resource Fund through the stick. barrels of oil equivalent 50 percent profit share and

Not only that, but the resources Already, five two percent royalty paid to leaders have refused to projects have been approved the Government,” EEPGL renegotiate the deal and are inGuyanawhilethecompany President,AlistairRoutledge instead chasing possible iseyeingasixthdevelopment saidinthedocument. revenue in other potential oil in the oil- rich Stabroek It was reported that blocks off the country’s Block. ExxonMobil Corporation coast. and its partners made a A s p a r t o f t h e Wednesday handsome profit from the arrangement Guyana has Stabroek Block last year withExxon,thecountryonly Guyana received totalling GYD$1.23 trillion receives a two percent US$1.4B out of US $9.8B (US$5.9B). This is more royalty on the sweet light from oil revenues in 2022 - than double what Guyana crude discovered offshore. ExxonAnnual Report has received since the More than 11 billion barrels creation of its Natural of oil has been discovered to The Stabroek Block in Resource Fund in 2020. As date. The contract allows

From page 58 confirmedthataninvestigationwas bythispublication,thegirlfirstmet connection with exploration, launched into the allegation and the minister at an event last year, production or conveyance of that the minister was arrested when when she was 15-years-old. She petroleum, transportation, storage heturnedupattheBrickdamPolice said she was raped three months and treatment of petroleum via Station. He was subsequently after meeting the minister and at pipeline underground storage of released on $1M bail On that time, she was 16-years-old. natural gas, underground storage Wednesday evening, while being She disclosed in the letter that after and transportation of carbon interviewed by social media continuously harassing her to meet dioxide, and any other matter that personality, Mikhail Rodrigues up with him, she eventually agreed may be, or is required to be, popularly known as “Guyana to meet the minister The teen said prescribedbytheminister Critics” the Vice President was this is when the minister allegedly

The Ministry of Natural asked about the allegation leveled raped and sodomised her before Resources released on June 19, againstMinisterDharamlall. handingherasumofmoney 2023 the Petroleum Activities Bill He said: “we don’t wanna be Meanwhile, concerns have for a two week period for public premature by saying anyone is been raised about the handling of consultation.Itisexpectedtorepeal guilty, but can we answer for every the victim by the police. In a and replace the Petroleum single individual in the party, or in statement on Wednesday, the (Exploration and Production) Act the government? The party cannot Guyana Police Force said that all Cap.65:10. basically give (an answer), like put Standard Operating Procedures

The ministry explained in a ourneckonablockforanyone,that werefollowedintheconductofthis statement that the Bill introduces is why a fair independent investigation. two tax specialists that the The ministry explained in a significant improvements and investigationisbeingdonenow.” The Force said at no time foregoing provision would statement that the Bill introduces safeguards related to safety, Jagdeo highlighted that while whatsoever was any of the minors therefore give the minister the significant improvements and emergency response, cross border thegovernmentwillnotputitsneck involved in the investigation power to waive the payment of safeguards related to safety, unitization, supervision and on a block for anyone, he questioned in the absence of a royalties in new oil blocks. The emergency response, cross border monitoring requirements and underscored that they will not be parent and a welfare officer “More grounds for allowing such unitisation, supervision and authorizes the minister to prescribe takingsideseither Addedtothis,he importantly, at the time the virtual remission as plausible were not monitoring requirements and r e g u l a t i o n s a b o u t k e y said, “but we don’t want also a complainant walked investigators outlined in the law but can be authorizes the minister to prescribe administrative and operational member of the party to be, or the through the alleged crime scene, refined in regulations to which the r e g u l a t i o n s a b o u t k e y aspects of exploration and government to be lynched by a under the supervision of a minister has authority in administrative and operational productionactivities. public mob, a mob of social media Superintendent of Police, the determining Another important aspects of exploration and

Further, the Bill expands the commentatorswhoareoftenhostile accused was not present, since he point of note is that this very productionactivities. scope of the proposed Act to to the PPP (People’s Progressive hadalreadyleftashewasinstructed provision also exists in the Further, the Bill expands the regulate storage and pipeline Party), or the opposition, because todobyinvestigators.Finally,atno Petroleum Exploration and scope of the proposed Act to transportationaspectsoftheoiland the opposition has already for a time did the virtual complainant or Production Act of 1986 which regulate storage and pipeline gas sector and empower the long time had been gunning for her parents make any request to the means it therefore applies to the transportationaspectsoftheoiland government to regulate, in the Nigel Dharamlall you know that police for any attorney-at-law to be ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek gas sector and empower the future, activities associated with historically.” present. At all times, the virtual Block where a 2 percent royalty is government to regulate, in the geological storage of carbon

Moreover, the Vice President complainant and her parents were beingpaid. future, activities associated with dioxide. Exploring opportunities underscoredthatwhilehehopesthe in the presence and hearing of the

There are also a slew of other geological storage of carbon for potential CO2 storage sites will allegations are not true, if they do ChildCareOfficer,andthisfactcan fiscal benefits being proposed for dioxide. Exploring opportunities also enable the government to turnouttobe,theministerwillhave also be corroborated by her,” the the new oil law which will govern for potential CO2 storage sites will develop petroleum resources while to face the consequences of his policestatementconcluded. future oil blocks such as the 14 that also enable the government to seeking to minimize their carbon actions. “It will be as clear as that, ThePrivateSectorCommission are likely to be awarded before develop petroleum resources while andfootprint,theministrysaid. he has to face the consequences. in a statement said it welcomes and year-end These include the seeking to minimize their carbon

The draft Bill is now available The party will not support,” he endorses the fact that the allegation payment of training fees, financial andfootprint,theministrysaid.The for public consultation feedback of rape by a government minister is support for environmental and draft Bill is now available for until Monday, July 3, 2023, at the now subject to investigation by the social projects, rental fees which public consultation feedback until f o l l o w i n g w e b s i t e s : police in accordance with the rule shall be specified in the petroleum Monday, July 3, 2023, at the w w w n r e g o v g y a n d of law The PSC said too that it is agreements, the payment of f o l l o w i n g w e b s i t e s : www.petroluem.gov.gy. pleased that “our democracy is signature bonuses by licensees w w w n r e g o v g y a n d

All comments should be sent alive and well and that the rule of which shall be established through www petroluem gov gy All v i a e m a i l t o law is being followed.” “We are competitive tender or direct comments should be sent via email jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy. closely monitoring the situation in negotiations for certain blocks, and tojmckenzie@nre.gov.gy. full expectation that due process fees for retention of discoveries

‘Dharamlall will have to face the prevail. The PSC fully supports the

Thursday will be observed & that justice will whichhavenotbeenutilized.

Notably, the bill once passed consequences, if rape allegations

Draft oil law proposes to give action taken by the government to will support the fiscal terms are true’– VPJagdeo minister power to waive ensure the safety of the young assigned to new Production … says party cannot put payment of 10 percent royalty woman involved by having her in Sharing Agreements being its neck on a block for anyone protective custody while the matter finalisedforshallowanddeepwater

The government’s new draft oil remains under investigation. The concessions The new oil Vice President (VP) Bharrat law is proposing to arm the Natural PSC will continue to monitor agreements are expected to feature Jagdeo, last evening disclosed that Resources Minister with the power closely the proceedings and urges a US$1M training fee, US$1M if the rape allegations leveled towaivethepaymentofroyaltythat everyone to allow the legal system rental fee, 10 percent royalty, 0 to against Minister of Local will apply to new Production to work in the interest of justice to 0 75 percent property tax, 10 Government and Regional SharingAgreements(PSA). all parties involved,” the statement percent income tax, 50/50 profit oil Development, Nigel Dharamlall Section 49 of the Petroleum read. sharing, a 65 percent cost recovery are true – the minister would have Activities Bill 2023 which deals

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development,

For its part, The Citizen cap, a minimum of a US$10M tofacetheconsequences. withtheremissionofroyaltystates:

Initiative (TCI) said it has been signing bonus for shallow water Minister Dharamlall is accused “The Minister may, on application added. following closely the recent blocks and a minimum of US$20M of raping and sodomising a 16- made to him by a licensee and after This publication had reported incidentwiththesexualharassment signing bonus for deep water year-old Indigenous girl. Notably, consultation with the Minister that in a letter to President Irfaan allegation against Dharamlall by a blocks. The Ministry of Natural this publication was reliably assigned responsibility for finance, Ali, the teen girl shared gruesome minor Indigenous child. “While Resources released on June 19, informed that an official report was by order— (a) remit, in whole or in detailsabouthowshewasallegedly TCIisgladthatdueprocessappears 2023 the Petroleum Activities Bill madetothepolicebytheteengirlin part, any royalty payable by the groomed and later raped by the to finally be in motion, and Child for a two-week period for public the company of an officer from the applicant; or (b) defer payment of minister. In her letter, she pleaded ProtectionServicesappearstohave consultation.Itisexpectedtorepeal Child Care and Protection Agency any royalty, on such conditions (if with President Ali, Minister of started supporting the child, TCI is and replace the Petroleum (CPA). any) as he may specify in the Education, Priya Manickchand and disappointed that due process only (Exploration and Production) Act On Monday evening, the order.” relevant authorities to look into the startedafterpublicpressurewas Cap.65:10. Guyana Police Force (GPF) Kaieteur News confirmed with matter.According to the letter seen (Continued on page 60)

International Lawyer, Melinda Janki

Nigel Dharamlall

From page 59

the judgment will have p l a c e d o n t h e severe consequences and the administration,” the political directionoftheCourthasthe partystated. effect of removing entirely

“TCIisalsodisappointed the discretion of the agency. that the government didn’t

He noted Guyana as a nation act decisively in removing now earns billions of dollars Dharamlall from public annually from the petroleum office, especially given his activities conducted on the track record of vulgar Liza1andLiza2fields;both utterances at our highest are subject to the permit forum, Parliament, and other suspension or cancellation similar accusations of vulgar w h i c h w i l l h a v e a misconduct circulating in catastrophic effect on social media. TCI is of the n a t i o n a l f u n d s f o r opinion that whatever the development and also the outcome of this case, the private sector which public should not be foisted supports the activities on the with the likes of Dharamlall, saidLiza1and2fields. have decided that the time EPA argued that the trial costs in the Stabroek Block as a capping stack. That whose lack of character is has come to take matters to court erred in law and and therefore called for an piece of equipment can be not worthy of high offices of the court for relief.” Kissoon m i s c o n s t r u e d t h e unlimited parent and/or used to immediately close Guyana Moreover, TCI had handed down a strongly Environmental Protection affiliate company guarantee offawellthatisbleedingoil. notesthesilencefromthetop worded decision as to why Act and its Regulations to byJune10,2023. Despite their assurances, offices of government, even the oil subsidiary must determinethattheAppellant, ExxonMobil through its stakeholdershavedemanded if it’s to mention that every provide adequate financial a statutory body had specific subsidiary, Esso Exploration greater financial provisions child must feel protected assurance by its parent statutory powers which in and Production Guyana beputinplace. from predators, and in no company Exxon Mobil to factitdidnot. Limited (EEPGL) as well as Appellate Judge Rishi casewilltherenotbesupport cater for all the damages to The EPA argued too that t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Persaud on June 8, 2023 had for their vulnerability TCI the environment in the event the trial court erred in law Protection Agency (EPA), put on hold the suspension will continue to monitor the of a blowout or massive spill and misconstrued the subsequently secured a stay order issued by High Court situationclosely.” intheGuyanaoilfield. substance and effect and of execution of the order Judge, Sandil Kissoon

‘Exxon gets one year extension to keep entire Stabroek Block before giving up 20 % - partners will unleash massive exploration programme to leave no discovery behind - Hess boss reveals ThoughExxonMobiland itspartnerswererequired to surrender a portion of the Stabroek Block in October, President assured oil Vice President, Bharrat company of stay in Jagdeo confirmed yesterday Justice Kissoon’s that the companies will get ruling before Court one more year to keep the ofAppeal decision entireconcession.

According to Justice wrongly ascribed to it an pending full determination against ExxonMobil’s Esso Friday Kissoon, the EPA as the interpretation superior to the of its appeal Hess in Exploration and Product statutory regulatory body Environmental Protection speaking on the project Limited (EEPGL) to provide failed to enforce condition Act and thereby ascribed yesterday was keen to note Guyana with unlimited 14 of the permit which it meaning to it which was that both the oil companies parent company guarantee granted to the oil subsidiary, expressly contrary to the as well as the government by June 10, 2023 or its Esso which stipulates the specific provisions of the disagreed with the position licence will be suspended. need for an unlimited saidAct and its Regulations. of the two applicants as well Theoilmajorhadindicatedit liability Parent Company Further, the EPA submitted as the High Court judgment would not have been able to GuaranteeAgreementand/or that the trial court erred in ordering unlimited financial providesuchaguaranteeand unlimited liability Affiliate law in directing and coverage. The official said, t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l Company Guarantee, to determining the exact

— Hess Boss Comenextyearhowever, tells US conference they will have to give up 20 —says “the President was percent of the oil rich very emphatic that a stay concession. would be put in place and

“ I can tell you, the Protection Agency (EPA) cover and keep protected manner of the exercise of the President was very emphatic and the oil company the Government of Guyana discretion of the EPA in a that a stay would be put in appealed the matter During and the Agency against all manner contrary to place that would have no theappealtheEPAhadasked Chief Executive Officer such environmental established law and practice. impact on production. The for a stay of the suspension (CEO) of Hess Corporation, obligations within the IneffecttheEPAsaidthatthe stay was put in place. There order as it could be John Hess, disclosed Stabroek block, together trialcourtsubstituteditsown is no impact on production.” disastrous to the country as yesterday that President, with Environmental liability discretion as the decision of

The Hess boss added, “and I well as the oil company IrfaanAliwasveryemphatic insurance as is customary in the EPAwhen the Agency at think this is just a case of the After hearing arguments that a stay of execution international petroleum all material times, had judge not understanding from both sides, Justice would have been issued on industry, in accordance with exercised its discretion and what the petroleum Persaud delivered his an order for unlimited the conditions listed in the acted well within it statutory legislation was or the judgmentonJune8.Thestay guarantee to cover oil spills, permit from an insurance and regulatory powers. As a petroleum requirements of of the suspension order will andsoitwas. company standing and result, the EPA had applied our production programmes be in force until the hearing H e s s m a d e t h i s repute that equates to Grade for a stay of execution of the were, and I think that matter and determination of the full disclosure at the J.P Morgan A Plus as envisaged by judgment of the Court as it has been put to bed. There appeal case. The appeal case 2023 Energy, Power & Condition 14:05 of the contends that irreparable wasalotofnoiseaboutit,but is premised on the decision Renewables Conference permit. A failure to comply harm would be suffered by itwasbasicallynoise.” of Justice Kissoon in an Hess’ comments would with the order, the judge said thenation’seconomy K a i e t e u r N e w s application filed in the High likely raise eyebrows in the would have resulted in the Meanwhile, Director of previously reported that Court on September 13 by legal circle here and permit being suspended the EPA, Kemraj Parsram in Exxon and its partners have Attorneys Seenath Jairam, underminethe independence Thursday’s decision touched an affidavit had said that he since lodged a US$2B SC, Melinda Janki, and of the judiciary, which Vice onlyonthesuspensionorder, was advised that the grave affiliate guarantee with the Abiola Wong-Inniss. In the President, Bharrat Jagdeo is which has since been put on disruption to the national EPA as this was a condition case, Guyanese activists, on record saying that it hold,butthesubstantivecase economy coupled with the ofthestayofexecutionbeing Godfrey Whyte and shouldbepredictable. will go forward and is to be good prospect of success of granted. This complements Frederick Collins said that At the conference, Hess heard by the full Court of the Appeal was sufficient t h e U S $ 6 0 0 M p e r their resort to the court is to was asked for an update on Appealpanel. groundsforthecourttogrant occurrence insurance policy make sure that the company the case that was brought by Initsappeal,theEPAhad of a stay of execution of the fortheblock.Exxonhasalso takes full financial two Guyanese men last year said that the trial court erred order and judgment of the argued that it has an asset responsibility in case of The citizens were of the in law in interpretation, High Court. Parsram said base that is worth more than harm, loss, and damage to belief that the ExxonMobil- c o n s i d e r a t i o n a n d that the High Court orders US$21Bagainstwhichitcan theenvironment. ledconsortiumwasinbreach application of the combined are quite coercive; including activate credit facilities for They noted that, “an oil of its financial assurance effect of Clause 14 of the its mandate to the EPA to further cash if needed spill would be devastating provisionsfortheLizaPhase Environmental Permit serve a statutory notice on Company executives have for our country and Region One Project. A high court issued to EEPGL, and EEPGL, and if no adequate maintained that Guyanese as many Guyanese and ruling subsequently noted erroneously concluded that response is received then the have nothing to worry about Caribbean peoples depend thatExxonandpartnersmust the financial assurance must permit stands suspended since several oil spill on the ocean for their beonthehookforalloilspill

At a press briefing at so it was…” Office of the President, Jagdeo said the premise for extending the companies’ holdontheblockisduetothe COVID-19 period which saw exploration activity beingseverelyaffected.With the extension granted, he said the next stage of talks pertains to what portion of the block would be returned to the state. The extension of ExxonMobil’s hold on the concession was also raised by Hess Corporation whose Chief Executive Officer, John Hess participated in a separate conference yesterdaytoo.

Henotedthatthepartners will get more time to explore the block since they experienced setbacks during the height of COVID-19 in 2020z The CEO said, “During COVID we really had a force majeure period because Exxon couldn’t even get workers in the country We couldn’t run three rigs for exploration. So we took that exploration drillingpause…”

Over the next 12 to 24 months, Hess said the partnerswillbelengthening

(Continued on page 61) be provided by EEPGL. The According to the EPA Head, safeguards are in place such livelihoods. That is why we

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation, John Hess

President Irfaan Ali

From page 60

theirsearchforoilintothenorthwest sectionoftheblock.Hesaidmuchof the attention as well as the discoveries made have concentrated in the southeast portion. Hess also notedthatthepartnersplantodrill10 to 12 exploration appraisal wells. The CEO said, “We don’t want to leave any well behind It’s not in the interest of the government and it’s notintheinterestofourshareholders or the joint venture ”Hess said the partners look forward to continuing to working with the Government of Guyana and to realize the remarkable potential of Guyana’s world class resources for the benefit of all stakeholders He said, “The world will need these vital oil resources to meet future energy demand and help ensure an affordable, just and secure energy oilperday.

to bed. There was a lot of noise transition ”

AccordingtotheCEO,“Icalled about it, but it was basically

With respect to the projects in the President about concerns noise.” the Stabroek Block, the Liza Phase expressed by investors about the 1 and Liza Phase 2 developments recent court ruling, and the produce an average of 380, 000 President—based on the advice of gross barrels of oil per day The hisAttorneyGeneral—conveyedto third sanctioned development on methattheState’scaseinfavourof the Stabroek Block, Payara, is its application was strong, and targeted for startup early in the based on the merits of the case, fourth quarter, with a gross there was no reason why a stay p r o d u c t i o n c a p a c i t y o f FPSOs to develop the estimated of Hess Corporation, John Hess on couldnotbegranted.” approximately 220,000 barrels of gross discovered recoverable Friday evening said Kaieteur To this end, he said Kaieteur oil per day The fourth sanctioned resources of more than 11 billion News’ lead story titled ‘Hess Boss News’headlinewasmisleadingand development, Yellowtail, is barrels of oil equivalent The tells US conference Pres Ali did not reflect the discussion had expected to come online in 2025 StabroekBlockis6.6millionacres. assured him of stay in Justice withtheHead-of-State. with a gross production capacity of ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Kissoon’s ruling before Court of During the J.P Morgan 2023 approximately 250,000 barrels of Exploration and Production Appeal handed down decision’ Energy, Power & Renewables oil per day The fifth project called Guyana Limited is operator and published on Friday, June 23, 2023 Conference, Hess Corporation was Uaru will have a production holds 45 percent interest in the ismisleading. asked to provide an update on the capacity of approximately 250,000 Stabroek Block Hess Guyana In a bid to clarify his position, legal challenge mounted on its gross barrels of oil per day with Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent Hess said he had called President Environmental Permit for the Liza production targeted to startup in interest and CNOOC Petroleum Irfaan Ali with concerns expressed OneprojectinGuyana. 2026 A sixth development, Guyana Limited holds 25 percent by investors over the High Court’s Two Guyanese men, Frederick Whiptail, is expected to be interest. ruling on May 3, 2023 ordering Collins and Godfrey Whyte had submitted for government and Esso Exploration and Production takentheEnvironmentalProtection regulatoryapprovallaterthisyear Guyana Limited (EEPGL) - the Agency (EPA) to Court, for failing

U.S. Judge orders Govt. to update EPAlaws

B a c k i n 2 0 2 0 , f i v e environmental organizations, an Alaskan tribal leader and a south Louisiana fisher sued the Unites States of America’s (U S A) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)toforcetheagencytoupdate itsregulations.

AccordingtoaGuardianreport, the lawsuit came as a result of the lessons that were learned from the British Petroleum (BP) Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 and the ExxonValdezoilspillin1989.

In 2021, U.S. District Court judge William Orrick ordered the EPA to update its oil spill response plans.

Asaresult,onMondayJune12, Saturday the U.S. EPA announced more stringent rules governing offshore oil spill response, amid continuing concernsabouttheeffectsonpublic health and wildlife from chemical disasters, including BP’s Deepwater Horizon explosion in 2010.

In total, the Stabroek Block operator of the Stabroek Block- to to enforce the requirement of the partners have a line of sight to six Hess boss says PresidentAli provide the country with an Liza One Permit for an unlimited floating, production, storage and assured “there was no reason unlimited guarantee to respond to parent company guarantee. The offloading (FPSOs) with a gross why a stay could not be an oil spill from its parent citizens were successful in their production capacity of more than granted” on Justice Kissoon’s companies. Hess Corporation has a litigationandtheJudgeorderedthat 1.2 million barrels of oil per day by Ruling for full liability coverage 30 percent stake in that offshore the guarantee be provided or the the end of 2027. They have also field, currently producing Permitwouldbesuspended. said there is potential for up to 10 Chief Executive Officer (CEO) approximately 400,000 barrels of Hess in his full response to the Conferencewas:“Yeahnowfirstof all, this is something that the government disagreed with. We disagreed with, yeah, had a judge that got a complaint from an environmental activist. I mean, it happens in our country as well, and said, you know, basically the joint venture had to have unlimited liability in terms o

h

The media entity reported that the federal agency, which announced the update, had not updated its rule regulating the chemicalsusedtobreakupoffshore oilslickssince1994.

d

n

s, o

herwise production had to cease and I can tell you, the President was very emphaticthatastaywouldbeput in place that would have no impact on production. The stay was put in place. There is no impact on production. And I think this is just a case of the judge not understanding what the petroleum legislation was or the petroleum requirements of our production programs were, and I think that matters been put

It was reported that thousands of people who rushed into the Gulf of Mexico waters to clean up BP’s oil spill have fallen ill, and some have died A recent Guardian investigation spotlighted the difficult legal fight that cleanup workers who got sick have been experiencing trying to bring medicalcasesagainsttheoilgiant.

Morethanthreedecadesearlier, those who cleaned up the Exxon Valdez oil tanker spill off the coast ofAlaska suffered the same fate.A growing body of research has linked exposure to the dispersants used by BP to break up oil slicks withchronicillnesses,including

(Continued on page 62)

Screenshot of the response provided by John Hess during the US Energy Conference

CEO Hess Corporation, John Hess

Fire crews respond to the blazing remnants of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in April 2010.

Photograph: US Coas Guard/AFP/Getty Images

From page 61 ruletakeseffectorthatdonot Alaska toxicologist, began increased risk of cancer, meet the new criteria will be advocating for protections heart conditions and an removed from the approved for oil spill cleanup workers increased rate of births of list, according to the updated in the wake of the 1989 premature and underweight regulations. Exxon Valdez oil spill and is infants. Similarly, in May, the director of Earth Island

The updated EPA rule, Guyana’s EPA was ordered Institute’s Alert Project, the which takes effect in to enforce the permit lead plaintiff in the case December, requires provisions that protected against the EPA “What dispersants to undergo more Guyana in the event of an oil heartenedmewastheshiftto stringent toxicity and spill, making it clear that holding the industry more efficacy testing before they ExxonMobil would be accountable for its own can be approved for use. responsible for the costs of product use by requiring Dispersants currently an oil spill cleanup things that should have been approvedbytheagencymust However, that ruling has required decades ago, she undergo retesting under the since been appealed by the said. newcriteria. country’s EPA and the oil

Eze Rockcliffe and the Legendary Yoruba Singers to host pre-CARICOM day showdown on Sunday

Legendary folklore singer, Eze experiencelikenootherfor2023. Rockcliffe and his band the Getoutyourdancingshoesandgrabyour Yoruba Singers will be staging a significant other, relatives or friends for a

special pre-CARICOM day soul stirring night of authentic Guyanese showdown at the Georgetown Club at Lot entertainment.

208-209CampStreetonJuly2,2023. Ticketscost$2000butwouldbe$2500at The event promises to be an explosive the gate which opens from 6 pm with culmination of the power of music and the showtime commencing at 7pm. Call 225most respected talents of the soil; a riveting 7714forticketinformation.Seeyouthere!

During the BP spill, Products not retested company millions of gallons of within two years after the Meanwhile, Riki Ott, an dispersants were pumped underwater to the gushing test their products in two Minister may, on application wellhead and sprayed from different temperatures, 5 and made to him by a licensee planes flying over the Gulf. 25°C. and after consultation with Calls by members of “I think it’s going to be the Minister assigned Congress and public health eye-opening for how many responsibilityforfinance,by advocates for a list of of these chemicals actually order—(a)remit,inwholeor chemicals found in the work when you get down to in part, any royalty payable d i s p e r s a n t s w e n t 5°C, said Sue Mauger, the by the applicant, or (b) defer unanswered by the company executive director of Cook payment of any royalty, on that produced the products, Inletkeeper, one of the suchconditions(ifany)ashe NalcoHoldingCo,forweeks plaintiffs in the suit against mayspecifyintheorder during the spill. Nalco said theEPA. In responding to that the ingredients in its concerns from the press on products were “confidential Oil companies request thematter,theVicePresident business information and to defer royalty to be explained, “The first draft disclosing the chemicals approved by has the Minister, we are would put the company’s Cabinet - VPJagdeo looking at seeing if we can’t competitive edge at risk. strengthen that (so) that only Eventually, a full list of the The draft Petroleum the Cabinet could (waive the chemical components was Activities Bill has proposed payments), so the Minister releasedbytheEPA. granting the Minister of has to have the approval of

The updated rule no Natural Resources, Vickram the entire Cabinet if there longer allows companies to Bharrat, the power to waive should arise any situation h i d e t h e c h e m i c a l or defer royalty payments to where they can defer the ingredientsoftheirproducts. the State, by oil and gas royalty or like reduce the “Prompt and accurate operators; however, Vice royalty information will allow the PresidentBharratJagdeohas Heexplainedthatundera public to evaluate and acknowledged that this may circumstance where the understand the potential b e a n o p e n i n g f o r operatorsuffersalossduring human and environmental mismanagement. productionactivities,hemay effects of these chemical D u r i n g a p r e s s make an application to defer agents, according to the conference on Thursday the payment. For example, amendedEPArule. hosted at the Office of the Liza One, we need now the

There is also a provision President, Jagdeo said the gas to run our power plantin the rule that allows the government is examining supply of power- but (if) the EPA to remove products whether the draft legislation oil prices fall to $20 a barrel from the approved list of can be strengthened to allow and the cost of production is dispersants if a company any decision regarding the $25 a barrelloss making provides misleading or royalty payments to be situation and then on top of inaccurateinformationabout approved by Cabinet, rather the $20, you have to pay the what’s in their product or its than be authorized by the royaltiestoo,thetwopercent potentialtocauseharm. subjectMinister royalty So,ouraimistokeep

The recent report by the The former Head-of- the well going so that we can Guardian found that during State said this is particularly get the gas for power supply the BP spill, the oil giant important to avoid rehashing soinasituationlikethat,that provided cleanup workers the mistake made by the is how it could be exercised, with training modules that f o r m e r C o a l i t i o n the VP noted. Jagdeo added claimed dispersants used in government, where the then that Guyanese now have the the Gulf had no ingredients Minister responsible for opportunity to give their known to cause chronic Natural Resources entered views on this issue and other health effects. “What has into what is now known as areas of the Bill that is now happened to the BP workers the world’s worst Petroleum publiclyavailable.Infact,he and coastal residents with all agreement, without first urged citizens not to be “as these illnesses and lingering consulting his Cabinet lazy as the Opposition but to harm and sick and dying colleagues.According to the read the proposed legislation children. Nobody wants that draft Bill, currently in the andsendtheirfeedback. tohappenagain,Ottsaid. consultative phase, royalties The draft Bill is now

The updated rule also owed to the state can be available on the following addresses concerns from waived or deferred by the websites: www nre gov gy Alaska community groups Minister, after discussions and www.petroluem.gov.gy. about the effectiveness of withtheMinisterofFinance. Allcommentsshouldbesent dispersants in Arctic waters The draft Bill states at v i a e m a i l t o by requiring companies to Section 49 (1), “The jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy.

The Liza Destiny floating, production, storage and offloading vessel

‘Nimble responses to small states facing crises needed’

allrecognisedthistoday–so I hope the coming months will see action to take forward the agreements of the last two days,” the finance minister said after theconference.

The Summit brought together over a hundred global leaders including the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, Brazilian President, LuladaSilva,U.S.Secretary oftheTreasury,JanetYellen

and President Joe Biden’s Special Envoy and former U.S.SecretaryofState,John Kerry

The aim of the summit was to advance a reform agenda for the major global financial institutions, includingasignificantfocus on the Bridgetown Agenda championed by Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley

ThenewPresidentofthe

WorldBank,AjayBangaand Managing Director of the IMF, Kristalina Georgieva took part in discussions focused on how these institutions can be reformed to be relevant to the challenges of the 21st century – with a specific focus on supporting debt sustainability, climate financeandtheattainmentof the UN Sustainable Development Goals in all

countries.

M i n i s t e r S i n g h expressed his appreciation for President Macron’s leadership in convening leaders to focus on modernising these institutions. He commended theworkthatinstitutionslike the IMF, IDB and World Bankhaddoneoverdecades, pointing out that they had supported Guyana in the past.

Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance,Dr AshniSinghhas urged developing countries to provide nimble responses to small states facing crises. The Minister made this call on Thursday at the Global Summit for a new Global Financial Pact which was convenedinParisbyFrench President Emmanuel Macron.

Hesaidthereisanurgent need for institutions to deal withthechallengesoftoday He joined other developing country representatives in calling for more nimble responses to small countries who faced crises – such as those of the Caribbean who face economic and environmental shocks on an increasinglyfrequentbasis.

The Minister also stressed the need for the institutions to support all

countries–largeandsmallin dealing with the challenges of investing in climate security, energy security and food security, echoingthecommentsmade byPresidentIrfaanAliatthe United Nations General Assembly “President Macron is to becommendedforgathering so many leaders in Paris to face up to the long overdue needformajorreforminthe global financial institutions. Today’s summit is just the start.Mostcountriespresent at today’s summit did not exist as independent countries when the InternationalMonetaryFund (IMF), World Bank and other global institutions werefounded–whichiswhy the reforms championed by Prime Minister Mottley and others are so important. The heads of these institutions andtheirmajorshareholders

Finance Minister...

Frompage57 on climate action and biodiversity Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and President Macron’s emphasis on the global agenda to preserve rainforests and biodiversity werealsodiscussed.

Speaking after the meetings, Minister Singh said, “I emphasised that Guyanaisopenforbusiness and that we welcome high quality private investment and private companies from all countries. I outlined our pro-business policies and highlighted that one of the biggest private sector employees in Guyana –Teleperformance – is French We agreed that

diplomatic, trade and business links between our countries can continue to deepen and strengthenespecially now that Guyana is an increasingly visible participant in global marketplaces.”

Minister Singh’s meeting followed a recent mission to Guyana by several French companies a n d t h e M i n i s t e r commended the efforts of French officials who have been working to strengthen suchbusinessinteractionsas well as broader bilateral relations.

T h e M i n i s t e r encouraged further scaling up of French diplomatic presenceinGuyana.

Senior Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh

WANTED VACANCY

Lathe Operator, Welder and Handyman needed at Good Hope on the East Coast. Call: 645-9333.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons & Labourers needed. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385/ 6257642.

One live-in Housekeeper needed to work in Virginia, USA. Ages 30-50 yrs. Call: 592-615-5476/ 845-325-8241.

Porters, Driver and Salesman needed. Attractive salary offered, experience will be an asset. Call: 226-9800.

One part-time Handyman needed in Campbellville, Georgetown. Call: 621-5140.

One General Domestic needed to cook and clean in Campbellville, Georgetown. Call: 621-5140.

One general Cook/ Chef needed, must know to prepare various types of dishes. Call: 621-5140.

Experienced Land dredge Workers and Cook needed to work in the Interior. Call: 684-1030.

SBM Offshore Guyana to spend US$37M...

From page 56 procurement side, we have committed about US$37 million dollars of spend to local vendors. Now, that is huge when you look at the total commitment to local content in Guyana, which is US$51 million dollars,” he said.

Nevellean Dundas, highlighted the company’s expectation for vendors to embed transparency, courtesy and impartiality into their business conduct, stressing the need for compliance with the laws and regulations of the country.

logistics, packaging and preservation requirements when conducting business at the warehouse, including the necessary documentation.

businesses and nurture local capacity,” he said.

FOR SALE

Pure breed German shepherd pups for sale. Call: 680-1828, 632-9022/ 639-4966.

Farm produce for sale: pumpkin, plantain, lemon, lime, cayenne & apple banana. Call: 688-0417.

Large quantites of Tshores for cement work. Give away prices. Telephone: 227-1813.

For Sale: cement mixer & pump truck, mini excavator and concrete batching plant. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

Foden twin steer dump truck, 3 ton canter, Leyland DAF

Hiab truck & Foden hauler truck for sale. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

Pure honey, wholesale and retail quantity. Call: 621-4273.

VACANCY

Teacher Assistant and Daycare Teacher needed. Apply with resume @ 76 Brickdam Next to N.I.S, Rising Star Academy. Call: 6909378.

Kitchen Assistant, Supervisor, Chef and Salesperson needed. Call: 659-5559.

One Salesman, cxc subjects, experience in writing bills, stocktaking & cashing. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, age 23-50, Car/ Van licence. Call 615-9132 or 645-8443.

One Clerk needed for TSI Eccles office. Must have English and Mathematics. Email:techserigy@yahoo.com or Call: 615-9132.

Cleaner, Maintaining Worker & Supervisor, Labourers, Office Assistant and Semiskilled Workers required. Call: 621-6969, 615-7784.

Cleaner and Porters needed. Apply at Lens, 136 Sheriff Street next to Buddys/ Pizzahut. Call: 227-2486/ 2271511.

Hick's Ville Hotel is now hiring Receptionist and Hotel Attendant. Required to work shifts. Call: 6400673, 227-7714. Email: info@vegeworld.net

Accounts Clerk, office Clerks, Sales Supervisor, Cashiers, Sales rep, Porters & Bond Clerks needed. Apply @ Survival. Call: 2275286-9/ 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2@ gmail.com

One male Driver, Porter, Warehouse Assistant, Must have English & Maths along with Previous experience. Apply at mikeswholesaledepot @yahoo.com or at their location.

Full time professional Personnel specialized in hair and nails at Grand Coastal Hotel. Call: 619-3949.

Carpenter, tile Worker, steel structure Worker, Painter, Welder and Driver needed. Call: 621-9196.

Vacancy exists for male Bond Clerk to work for a Construction Company. Contact: 2255818 or WhatsApp: 624-9505.

One experienced Domestic needed to work 3 days per week in Bel-Air Park. Call: 226-2322.

Vacancy for one professional Cook for family, should be able to clean. Call: 503-0359, 608-2444.

Sustainability and Social Impact Programme Development Officer, Gwenetta Fordyce stressed the need for vendors to review and understand the company’s Human Rights Standards and HSSE policy.

Compliance Ambassador,

Shaneeza Alli, Accounting Lead provided insight into the company’s payment and invoicing processes and explained the invoicing best practices for the vendors in attendance.

Richard Govinda, Warehouse Supervisor, provided insight into the company’s

Speaking at the event, SBM Offshore Guyana’s General Manager, Martin Cheong, said by actively engaging local suppliers, contractors and vendors, the companyis not only creating opportunities for employment and economic advancement but also supporting sustainable development. “Vendor Day 2023 serves as testimony to our organisation’s unwavering commitment to support local

In 2022, SBM Offshore Guyana received approval for its Local Content Master Plan, the first of the Prime Contractors to achieve this milestone in Guyana. In May, the company received approval for its 2023 Local Content Annual Plan and Certificate of Compliance. The company holds this responsibility in high regard and remains steadfastin pursuing local content development in Guyana through the utilisation of Guyanese companies in its operations.

SERVICES

For the completion of US & Canadian non-immigrant visa applications and Guyana passport applications. Call/ whatsApp: 592-645-5695.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

Visa Application to Canada and U.S.A, graphics design, advertisements,USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 6267040.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

TOURS

Suriname tour "Bold Caricom weekend trip" to Suriname. June 30th (Fri) - July 3rd (Mon),2023. Call: 639-2663/ 673-2348.

FOR RENT

Business place for rent at Vreed-en-hoop junction. Call: 603-6400.

Fully furnished 2 bedrooms apartment in Albert Street, Alberttown. Preferably students, no smoking and no pets allowed. Call 231-5695/ 611-9134.

DHB to close July month-end for

The Ministry of Public

Works on Saturday announced that during the last week of July the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) will be closed to facilitate the installation of the new $1.2 billion span nineretractoronthebridge. In a statement, the Ministry stated the

temporarilyclosurewillstart from 23:59 pm on July 24, 2023 to 11:59 pm July 27, 2023.

Advised by his technical staff at the Demerara H a r b o u r B r i d g e Corporation, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill said the dates were chosen based on tide between July

24 and 29. Additionally, the Ministry said that the logistics for the span nine replacement was also meticulously planned during the closure of the school term, to ensure a smooth transition, and as little

inconvenience to the public aspossible.

Itshouldbenotedthatthe Ministry's notice is being publicized made one month ahead of schedule with the aim of ensuring persons and businesses alike alter their

schedules accordingly

Additionally, persons travelling out of the country at the time of the closure, those with doctors' appointments and other important engagements are being urged to note these changes,theministrysaid.

Minister Edghill related also the government understands the significance of this replacement and is committed to seeing this project through, as this new retractor which spans 170 feet long and 40 feet wide and is valued at $1.2 billion, will result in a much smoother operation (retractability) in the future, which will also enable wider vessels to pass through the channel.

T h e M i n i s t e r i s appealing to commuters and businesses for their understanding and support during these three days of

closure of the bridge, as the replacement of span nine cannot be done while traffic isflowing.

Last September, the bridge's span nine was d a m a g e d w h e n t h e Panamanian flagged vessel, MV Tradewinds Passion, crashed into the bridge during a retraction period and rendered the bridge inoperableforseveraldays.

Since then, that damaged section of the bridge had to be repaired several times, whileplanswerebeingmade toreplacetheunitaltogether Repairs to span nine were undertaken by a local company, Industrial Fabrications Inc (InFab), which was completed in late 2022.

In May this year, span nine was transported from the dockyard to the bridge for the perfect time and tide forinstallation.

three days

… to allow for installation of new $1.2 billion 'span nine' retractor

The new span nine which will be installed in the last week of July.

GMMF team set for Ruff and Tuff MMA League in T&T

Adelegation of ath letes, coaches, and officials from Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF) will travel to Trinidad and Tobago from June 27 to July 2, 2023 to participate in the Ruff and Tuff Caribbean MMA League Fight Night and the IMMAF Coach Education and Certification Course.

During this occasion, Dr. Andrew Moshanov, IMMAF’s Director of Development, will supervise the Coach Certification program. He has more than 30 years of experience in international sports, initially as a hands-on coach and later as a manager with a focus on national federation development.

Moshanov has contributed to the design of their

systems based on their specific requirements and the implementation of instructor education programs.

In addition, he occasionally teaches university-level lectures on coaching and sports training science.

Corwin D’Anjou is one of the first athletes from Guyana to attain a global classification. As part of GYMMAF’s succession strategy to provide opportunities for athletes and establish succession plans, he will attend the event in order to obtain his coaching certification.

Anevia Frank is a female athlete who competes for the GYMMAF and Fight Central. This will be her first time competing, and she will have the opportunity to demonstrate

Sunday June 25, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Be more sensitive to other people's space today, Aries. Respect their feelings and give them room to breathe. This is a great day to pursue creative projects. Do things involving art or music.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Think about old times and people with whom you've had strong connections, Taurus. Remember the good times you shared with people of common interests and similar hobbies.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

You may have to make some serious adjustments to your approach today in order to chime in with the energy of the group, Gemini.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

You should feel a renewed sense of confidence today that will help anchor your emotions and give strength to your thoughts and ideas, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Many people spend their whole adult lives trying to discover their true self, Leo. A great deal of social conditioning by parents and our environment plays a role in shaping our minds.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Today is an extremely creative day for you, Virgo. You should allot time and space to pursuing an artistic goal. You're like a magician who has the power to bring fantasies to life.

her abilities during the event.

Charles Greaves occupies the position of GYMMAF’s Assistant Technical Director. He will be present at the competitions to contribute his technical knowledge and support the Guyana athletes.

Troy Bobb is the GPFMMA (Guyana Police Force Mixed Martial Arts) head coach.

He will visit the events and provide the Guyanese athletes with coaching expertise and direction.

Ijaz Cave is the fourteenthranked athlete from Guyana and will take part in the competitions.

During Fight Night, he will showcase his abilities and performance.

Shenese Bobb is an accomplished athlete from

Guyana who currently holds the Pan Silver Medal in GPFMMA.

She will represent her nation on the international stage and showcase her talents.

The Carl Ramsay is an additional exceptional GPFMMA athlete who won a silver medal at the recent Pan American Championships. He will compete in the events as a representative of Guyana against other athletes.

These individuals, in addition to other athletes, coaches, and officials, will make up the Guyanese delegation attending the Ruff and Tuff Caribbean MMA League Fight Night and the IMMAF Coach Education and Certification Course.

This is a fantastic opportunity for them to demonstrate their abilities, earn valuable coaching certifications, and contribute to the growth and development of mixed martial arts in Guyana.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

There's nothing worse than last-minute details, Libra. Concentrate on an important upcoming event. Make sure you have everything in line now so you don't get caught dealing with that one thing.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

Your intuitive side is aligning with your rational side today, Scorpio. Listen to your emotions. Take a sensitive approach to all people and situations. Your head may be up in the clouds.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Slow down the pace today, Sagittarius. This is a day to sit back and observe and contemplate. Your mind may go in a hundred different directions, and you may be unsure which route to take.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

IYour nurturing instincts are strong today, Capricorn. This is an excellent day to reveal your opinions. You've probably been sitting in the background, quietly observing and collecting data for quite some time.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Things aren't necessarily going to go well today, Aquarius. There is the potential for conflict. You may feel a bit lost in the fog. Strap on your compass and you will be fine.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

oday is a day of reckoning in some ways, Pisces. Attention to detail is important, but make sure it doesn't become your only focus.

The presence of Dr. Moshanov and the enthusiasm of Pan America’s president Fraser add to the significance of these gatherings.

St. Lucia signals 9member...

From page 70 necessary to save the sport. We as leaders in the Caribbean have to hold it together for the region. We have to showcase where the monies need to be channeled and invested which is grassroots development like what occurs in Guyana. That is how we will save the sport.

IBA has announced in Brasilia that US$50,000 has been earmarked for youth and grassroots development. That figure will also be increased next year, and as such, we must take heed and develop the sport at this level. Guyana has already taken that step.”

“Guyana is presently the hub of Caribbean boxing, they have the oil and everyone is going there to train and prepare because they have the quality boxers, trainers and better equipped facilities. Guyana is our Cuba, and we have to work together to develop the sport. Myself, Mr. Ninvalle [Guyana], Mr. Roberts [Grenada], and Mr. Forde [Trinidad and Tobago], we have to lead the way for the region and continue the development of boxing which is currently viewed as a bastard child of the sporting world”, he further said.

8th Digicel Schools Football Championship…

West Ruimveldt excels against IAE on opening day

-Regions 3 & 5 commence campaigns Monday

MarianAcademy (on ball) players took advantage of theirlarger stature in their match againstAscension.

Season eight of the Digicel Schools

F o o t b a l l Championships commenced yesterdaywitheightexciting matches, which were contested at the Ministry of Education (MoE) and National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Grounds, Carifesta Avenue.

Georgetown and East Coast were the two zones of Region 4 that leaped into actionatthetwovenues East Bank is the other zone that completesthelot

AttheMoEGround,there were four victorious Georgetown teams while the NIS Ground saw four more winners; two East Coast winners and two more GT victors. There were contrasting results throughout the day but West Ruimveldt stood out with its domination oftheInstituteheofAcademic Excellence which ended 12 –0 WestRuimvedltwereledby hat-tricks from Donovan Welcome (14’, 19, 40’) and Wayne Solomon 30‘, 46’,

50’), doubles from Malachi Wray (6’, 45’) and Shamar Griffith(47’,48’)alongwith a goal each from Trevor Brent (28’) and Joshua Chance(49’).

IntheothermatchesatMoE

Ground, Tucville comfortably defeated Queenstown 5 – 0, Marian Academy trounced Ascension 7 – 0 while South Ruimveldt prevailed 5 – 4 on penalty kicks against East Ruimveldt after being deadlocked a 2 – 2 at the regulationtimewhistle

OverattheNISGroundin the other two Georgetown matches, Richard Ishmael sailedpastFreeburg7–0and Christ Church humbled Queen’sCollege2–0whilethe EastCoastmatchessawBladen HalldefeatPlaisance5–1while La Bonne Intention sank Beterverwagting4-0.

OnMonday,June26,the tournamentresumeswiththe commencement of the Regional Championships in Regions Three and Five as well as the continuation of theEastCoastzone.

In Region 3, Essequibo Islands take on Zeeburg in the first match at 13:00 hrs, Patentia faces West Demeraraat14:30hrswhile Parika battles Leonora to wrap up the day’s proceedings. A total of 12 teams are competing for supremacy in this Region of theChampionship. Region 5 will host a double-header to commence their 11-team Regional Championship as Ash Education Trust goes up against Woodley Park from 14:30hrswhileNo.8clashes with Rosignol, both to be contested at the Rosignol CommunityCentreGround.

The East Coast zone will have a double-header at the Buxton Ground as Bygeval tackle Lancaster at 14:30 hrs then Golden Grove meets President’s College at 16:00 hrs.

This countrywide tournament is sponsored by Digicel Guyana and organised by the Petra Organisation.

Rockaway Group of Companies to sponsor double wicket competition in NY

Rockaway Group of Companies has thrown its support behind a doublewicket cricket competition which is set for July 4 at Idlewild Cricket Ground in NewYork.

The competition will be held in conjunction with QUSC’s annual BBQ Fundraising Event committee.

The committee is comprised of Hafeez Ali, Ralph Tamesh, Charlton Senior, ZaminAmin, Danny Khan, Deryck Kallicharran, andJohnAaron.

Te a m s f r o m t h e following leagues will compete based on the tops e e d 2 0 2 2 p l a c e s

Metropolitan Cricket League, New York National Cricket League, American Cricket League, Bangladesh

C r i c k e t L e a g u e , Commonwealth Cricket League, Queens United SportsClub.Matchesstartat 10:00hrsandtheregistration fee is $100. per player The winning team will pocket $2,000 and the Runner-up $1000.

The competition will be

four (4) overs per team.The organizing committee will selectapoolofthirteen(13) rotatingfieldersandprovide uniforms and each fielder willreceive$100fortheday with the following incentives $25 for each catchmadebyafielderorthe wicket-keeperorastumping made by the wicket-keeper $30 for each direct-hit runout and $15 per person for a relayrun-out.

T h e o r g a n i z i n g committee will select umpires and there will also bealivecommentary

Sinclair assists with RHTYSC’s refurbishing

West Indies all-rounder

Kevin Sinclair recently made a massive move by developing his local club, Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) with building materials for themainpavilionattheArea Hground.

The Guyana Harpy Eagles player visited the office of RHTY&SC Secretary Hilbert Foster to bear some remarkable news for the membership of the Club.

Sinclair informed the Secretary that he would be undertaking some major repairs to the main pavilion at theArea H Ground at his ownexpense.

Foster expressed gratitude to Sinclair for his support and assistance. It was agreed that a contractor selected by Sinclair would soon visit to take an estimate.

The Club would like to t h a n k K e v i n f o r remembering our massive input into his career and for carrying it forward with his kindness He has also pledged his support for our cricketacademyInJuly

RHTYSC Secretary

Hilbert Foster and Guyana / West Indies all-rounder

Kevin Sinclair

“Charitysurelybeginsat home Well done Kevin Sinclair,” a statement from theClubread.

Additionally, Sinclair will don the RHTY&SC kit onSaturdayagainstSkeldon attheAreaHGround.

The fixtures for the first round will see RH Canje

versus Police at Canje, Tucber Park versus Berbice River, Blairmont versus Upper Corentyne at No 69, YWCCversusWestBerbice at West Berbice, Albion versus Port Mourant at Port Mourant and RHTY&SC versus Skeldon at Area H Ground.

Canada-based Guyanese Bodo slams 94 to inspire Leguan Warriors to victory

Seasoned campaigner and Canada-based Guyanese Naresh Bodo stroked an enterprising94toinspireLeguanWarriorsto a convincing 135-run win overAll-Stars on Sunday at Littles Park, Scarborough, Ontario.

It was Leguan Warriors’ four straight victories since the commencement of this year’s Ontario Masters Softball Cricket ClubsOver-40,T20competition.

The right-handed Bodo struck 12 sixes and a four during his 53-ball exhibition as Leguan Warriors piled on a daunting 229-5 fromthe20overswhileAll-Starsonlyreplied with94-6attheexpirationofthe20overs.

Bodo whose highest softball score was 120 in the Over-50 tournament, got solid support from Vishal Balram who batted aggressively as well to make 75. His inning wascharacterizedbysixsixesandtwofours from50deliveries.

InAll-Stars’innings, another GuyanesebornSurendraPersaudofferedafightwith21 tobetheleadingscorerasBodoreturnedwith the ball to prove his all-round capability snatching 2-10 from his maximum three overs The eight-team round-robin competition is set to continue this Sunday withseveralmatchesacrosstheScarborough Region. LeguanWarriorsremainedatthetop of the point chart having accumulated 24 points while Ramblers occupy the second

position with 12 points Defending champions CarrTec Masters at 3 also on 12 points, but a better net-run-rate comes into play Theseasonisslatedtoconcludeinlate AugustwiththeGrandFinale.

For this Sunday, Leguan Warriors will take on Ramblers while All-Stars confront Pegasus.

Naresh Bodo

Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Championship…

St. Lucia signals 9-member contingent for Guyana

Labelling Guyana as the proverbial epicenter of English speaking Caribbean boxing, St Lucia Boxing AssociationPresidentDavid ‘Shakes’ Christopher announced that the island will invade the ‘Land of Many Waters’ with a nine member contingent for the prestigious Winfield Braithwaite Caribbean Schoolboys/Juniors Championship. This was disclosed during an exclusive interview Christopher disclosed, “This year our team will likely comprise nine fighters We are presently developing a schools programme and want to use the Caribbean School Boys tournament to expose these boxers. We recently opened a new gym in the south of the islands thathadbeendormantdueto crimeandthesearetheguys that have stayed in the sport and represented that area. They just came back from a tournament in Martinique. We are targeting mostly 16 yearoldsandalsoanineyear old.”

The annual event which

is distinctively a Guyanese conception, is penciled to commenceduringthemonth of August St Lucia’s previous participation in the prestigious extravaganza, whichwasinfluencedbythe then prevailing Covid-19 pandemic, resulted in a gold and silver medal haul from i t s t w o m e m b e r representatives.

Christopher disclosed that the team will undertake arduous preparation for the eventwiththestagingofthe OECS Championship which

isscheduledfortheperiodof July 28th-29th, and is expected to receive participation from the likes of Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago as well as the French Territories of M a r t i n i q u e , a n d Guadeloupe.

A c c o r d i n g t o Christopher, this is indicative of the importance of the Winfield Braithwaite C a r i b b e a n Schoolboys/Juniors Championship, explaining, “ThisisouryouthOlympics in the Caribbean for boxing. WhilethereareCACGames and the like, they don’t give youths the natural exposure that is required This tournament gives them a stage to showcase themselves, this is developmental, and this is what is required for boxing intheCaribbean.”

He further expounded, “Wewantandneedtoexpose ourboxers,andtournaments suchasthiswillsaveboxing. The sport is going through several international issues andthesetournamentsare

(Continuedonpage67)

New race added to the One Guyana Breeders Cup

- Open to all imported Horses

The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee has opened the playing field to accommodate all imported horses for the highly anticipated One Guyana Breeders CupcardedforSunday,July2,2023.

Because of the overwhelming request from horse owners who have invested heavily to import thoroughbreds from Jamaica, Brazil, America, Canada & Trinidad,theJJTRCdecidedtoaddafeature event D Class & Lower with a first prize of G$2,000,000.

Preparations have been moving feverishlyto getBush LotUnitedTurf Club fortheRacethathasbeenthetalkofthetown. The track was refurbished with adequate irrigation to ensure the terrain could withstand active rain. The focus has been shifted to the stands and parking area to ensurethepatronshaveahassleexperienceat therace.

Work is underway to start the construction process for 17 Horse Stables that would be rented at a subsidized cost to further boost the sport and create muchneeded employment opportunities for the youthinBushLotandsurroundingareas.

Patrons can expect a fun-filled day of racingandahostofotherattractionsthatwill keep the kids busy An elevated area will be createdtoaccommodatepatronswhowishto haveanaerialviewoftheraces.

Meanwhile, Community businessman and founder Nasrudeen Mohamed, who heads the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Horse Racing Committee, single handedly executedtherefurbishmentofthefacilityata cost exceeding $60 million, as a gift to the community.

Horse racing patrons will now witness eight (8) exciting races commencing from noon, whereas an after party is expected to takeplaceaftertheactionconcludesat18:00 hrs.

The show is expected to feature over 10 of Guyana’s top DJ’s, due to an overwhelming request for a structured DJ Clash,theJJTRChasdecidedtohostthesaid eventasanaddedattraction.

Therewillbewellstockedbarscourtesy ourproudsponsor,BanksDIH,alongwithan array of local delicacies on sale for the duration of the event. Patrons access one of ourstrategicallyplacedelevateddecksforan amazing aerial view of the track. Special attentionwasplacedonlocalandSurinamebredhorseswithahigherpursebeingoffered to motivate horse owners and trainers to breedlocally

This event is sponsored by Banks DIH, Jumbo Jet, AJM Enterprise, Jagdeo Racing Stable, Gonsalves Racing Stables, Rising Sun Racing Stable and Slingers Racing Stablesamongothers

St Lucia Boxing Association President, David ‘Shakes’ Christopher

ICC World Cup Qualifiers… Raza stars as Zimbabwe hands West Indies first loss

(SportsMax) - Allrounder Sikandar Raza was, once again, the star of the show as hosts Zimbabwe beat the West Indies by 35 runs to move to 3-0 in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers and hand the West Indies theirfirstlossinsixODIs.

The hosts posted 268 all out from their 50 overs after theWestIndieswonthetoss andelectedtofieldfirstatthe HarareSportsClub.

After a 63-run opening stand between Joylord Gumbie and Captain, Craig Ervine, Zimbabwe quickly lost four wickets for 49 runs to be reeling at 112-4 at the halfway point of their innings.

Half centuries from Sikandar Raza and Ryan BurlthenrescuedZimbabwe fromwhatlookedtobeaspot ofbother Raza, coming off a

century against the Netherlands in their last game,ledthewaywitha58ball 68 including six fours and two sixes while Burl madeaneven50off57balls including five fours and a six.

Earlier, Ervine made 47 whileGumbiescored26.

The Zimbabweans were helped by the West Indies dropping five catches. Raza wasdroppedthreetimes.

Keemo Paul led the way with the ball for the West Indians with 3-61 from his 10overswhileAkealHosein andAlzarriJosephbothtook apairofwickets,each.

The West Indies then started their chase relatively well with openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers putting on 43 for the first wicket in just six and a half overs before King was dismissedforarapid20.

Johnson Charles fell soonafterforjustonebefore Captain, Shai Hope, joined Mayersatthecrease.

The pair put on a further 64 before Mayers fell in the 21stoverfor56.

Nicholas Pooran joined Hope at the wicket and the two centurions from the last game plotted to continue from where they left off in thelastgame.

That was not the case, however,asHopefellfor30 just three overs into their partnership.

Pooran(34)andRovman Powell (1) then fell in quick succession to leave theWest Indies180-6inthe33rdover Jason Holder then came to join Roston Chase, who wasbattingwellinthemidst of the carnage at the other end, and the pair looked comfortable, adding a further37runsbeforeHolder fellfor19inthe41stover

Keemo Paul then came and went for just one before Chase’s resistance was ended for 44 to leave the West Indies on the brink at 224-9inthe43rdover

Roston Chase. (ICC/Getty Images)

With the score on 233 in the45thover,AlzarriJoseph chipped a ball to Sikandar Raza at short mid-wicket to confirm the 35-run win for Zimbabwe.

Tendai Chatara led the way with the ball with 3-52 off 9.4 overs while Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava and Sikandar Raza alltooktwowickets,each.

Both teams have already advanced to the Super 6 stage. Zimbabwe will play the USA in their last group game on Monday while, on thesameday,theWestIndies willfacetheNetherlands.

Kyle Mayers cuts one away. (ICC/Getty Images)

The Zimbabwe players celebrate as Tendai Chatara dismisses

CG United ODI Series 2023…

WI Women’s provisional squad named

GROS ISLET, St. Lucia –CricketWestIndies(CWI) Women’s Selection Panel today announced the West Indies Women’s provisional squad for the first and second CG U n i t e d O n e D a y Internationals (ODIs) against Ireland Women, to be played at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground on26and28June

The provisional squad includes some exciting new talent, with rightarm off-spinner Ashmini M u n i s a r a n d wicketkeeper-batter Shunelle Sawh being named for the first time Both playershave shown their potential with the West Indies Rising Stars Under 19s team and have now been called up to the seniorWestIndiesWomen’s squad.

They will be joining their Rising Stars teammates Zaida James and Djenaba Joseph, who have already gained valuable experience representing the senior team in the Tri-Series against India and South Africa and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlierthisyear

The squad is boosted by Chinelle Henry, the experiencedallrounder,who is selected having fully recovered from the injury which kept her out of the recent CG United Super50 Cup and CWI T20 Blaze tournaments.

The squad is led by captain Hayley Matthews a n d v i c e - c a p t a i n ShemaineCampbelle

The official squad of thirteen players will be named ahead of each match

CWI’s Lead Selector for Women’s Cricket, Ann Browne-John, said: “The CG United ODI series against Ireland gives a good opportunity for batters to focus and to staylongeratthecreaseand buildaninnings.

Anumberoftheyounger p l a y e r s w o u l d b e transitioning from the shorter format to the fifty overformat.

They definitely have the potential, and it is important that the policy of identifying young players and developing the talent pool is continued ”

Browne-John added:

“The squad shows a great balance of batting coupled with a variety of bowling styles, which is something that has been lacking in the recentpast.

Victory here will provide valuable points as the team attempts to move up in the rankings and qualify for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup ” The matches are West Indies Women’s only home fixture in 2023

The three CG United ODIs comprise West Indies’ third fixture in the ICC Women’s Championship where they are pushing to win points to achieve a top five position to qualify automatically for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2025.

Match tickets are available online from the Windies Tickets service, presented by MastercardTickets windiescricket co m - at a discounted price o f U S $ 6 / E C $ 1 6 (USS3/EC$7 50 children and seniors) with tickets available on the day at the box office at a price of U S $ 7 5 0 / E C $ 2 0 (US$3 75/EC$10 for childrenandseniors)

For fans unable to get to the games in St. Lucia, the CG United ODI Series will be exclusively live on Flow Sports in the Caribbean and on BT Sport in the UK & Ireland.

The matches will also be shown around the world on FanCode (India), ESPN+ (USA), S k y N Z ( N Z ) , S u p e r S p o r t ( s u bSaharan Africa) and in all other countries on the Windies Cricket YouTube channel P R O V I S I O N A L SQUAD for 1st and 2nd CG United ODIs Hayley Matthews (captain), Shemaine C a m p b e l l e ( v i c ecaptain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser,

Shabika Gajnabi, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Qiana Joseph, Ashmini

Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Shunelle Sawh, Stafanie Taylor and Rashada Williams

OceaneeringU14Boy’sandGirl’sYouthLeague… YMCA Old Fort and SHC Sensations crowned champions

Th e G u y a n a Hockey Board ( G H B )

Oceaneering Under-14 Boy’s and Girl’s Indoor

Hockey Development League came to an exciting conclusion on Friday at MarianAcademy

The league showcased talented young hockey players in thrilling matches, leading up to the highly anticipated semi-finals and finals,whicheventuallysaw SHC Sensations andYMCA Old Fort being crowned champions in their respective Girl’s and Boy’s division.

InabriefrecapofFriday evening matches, the Boy’s semi-finals witnessed intense competition as SHC Minions faced off against GCC Outlaws, with the Minions emerging victoriousbya3-1scoreline over the Outlaws. While in the other semi-final match,

YMCAOldFortdisplayeda dominant performance, crushing RISS Blade Runners with an impressive 6-0win.

Over in the Girl’s division, the semi-finals were equally captivating CLSS Samurais fought ‘toothandnail’againstGCC Challengers, which eventually ended 1-0 in favour of the Samurais. In the other semi-final match between SHC Sensations andCLSSScouts,theScouts were quieted by the Girls in Blue (Sensations) in a 5-1 loss. Sensation with the win paved the way for an enthralling showdown with the Samurais’’ in the final. The stage was set for the finals, with SHC Sensations and CLSS Samurais in the girls’ division and YMCA Old Fort battling SHC Minions in the boys’ division. However, the SHC Sensations delivered an

outstanding performance in theGirls’division;defeating the Samurais’’ by a commanding 3-0 scoreline. The goal scorers were Carenza Copeland (5'), Nayanda Balrom (11'), and Arian Khan (16') Their skills and teamwork propelled them to clinch the girl’schampionshiptitle.

Intheboys’final,YMCA Old Fort produced a remarkable comeback victory against SHC Minions The Minions scored the first goal of the encounter before Micah Smithleveledthescoreinthe 2nd minute The young Fort’swentonscoreanother four goals to complete a 5-0 victorytotaketheBoys’title and also bring the curtain down at the 2023 youth hockeyleague.

The other goalscorers that featured in the massive comeback victory were Leeman Mohabir (12’),

Scenes from Friday night’s Boys final between The Old Fort and SHC Minions

DeonHole12’),AlexSealey (12’) and Jose Rodrigues (16’).

The Oceaneeringsponsored Boy’s and Girl’s U14 Development League concluded with a brief presentation ceremony after thetwofinals.TheGHBalso presented trophies and medals to outstanding

players.Theyalsopresented medals to League’s runnersup and third-place finishers as a recognition for their outstandingperformances.

Meanwhile, during the presentation, Makaylah Poole from SHC Sensation was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Girls division, while

KMTC Caricom Day Horse Race Meet…

Kayria Scott copped the MostGoalstrophy

For the Boys, GCC Outlaws’ Kyle Couchman pocketed the Boys MVP award while Richard MarquesofYMCAOldFort took the Most Goals award and Jeron Badore was adjudgedthemostpromising boyintheleague.

Bevy of sponsors on board for July 3 event

Asracedaydrawsneara bevy of sponsors have jumpedonboardtobeapart of the Kennard Memorial

Turf Club (KMTC) CARICOM Day horse race meet.Theeventwhichisset for Monday 3rd July at the club’s track Bush Lot Farm, CorentyneBerbicehassofar seenover30entries.

The KMTC is being dubbed the premiere racing facility in Guyana with several requirements for properhorseracinginplace. Thus, sponsors are eager to beassociatedwiththeclub.

Racing at the venue is always scintillating and a bumpercrowdisanticipated. The day’s programme also caters mostly to local animals which is very pleasing to horse owners, thus the positive response. The day’s programme has been reverted to its original six-racecard.

The feature event is for the animals classified G3 nonwinners and lower A keenbattleisactivatedsince the winning purse is pegged

at $500,000 and the trophy over7furlongs.

The event for horses classified J1 and lower over 6furlongshasapolepositing taking of $300,000 and a trophy

Thesumof$250,000and

Alot of entries and action is expected at the KMTC Caricom Day Horse Race Meet

Demerara Distillers Limited(DDL), Patsan Trading,HorseShoeRacing Services, Dalip Trading, Cyril’s Taxi Services, Mohammed Enterprise, Peter Partasoon, Goodwood Racing Service, Joe Jagmohan, M and B Contractors,RusGasStation amongothers.

All two years old animals will be subjected to a vet check before they areallowedtorace Honorary President Mrs Chan Kennard said that the club will be holding a Board of Directors meeting today at the venue to finalize arrangements.

atrophyistherewardforthe winnerofthethreeyearsold maiden horses over 6 furlongs.

A similar reward of $250,000 and a trophy is at stake for the winner of the event for Guyana Bred two

years old horses over 5 furlongs.

The remaining races are fortheLclassOpenanimals and one for J and L none earners over 6 furlongs has winning takes of $200,000 andatrophy

O u t s t a n d i n g performers will receive accolades compliments of Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall and the organisers.

Among the sponsors on board are Trophy Stall,

Theday’seventwillbe conducted using the rules of the Guyana Horse R a c i n g A u t h o r i t y (GHRA) Interestedpersons can make contact with Club Secretary Niketa Ross 6624668, Ivan Dipnarine 3310316, Basil Bactowar 6617815, Fazal Habibulla 6577010 or Isaac Dalloo 6890629.(SamuelWhyte)

ChristopheAugustin (far left) fired home the first goal of his hat-trick for Richard Ishmael against Freeburg.