Kaieteur News

KNews security guard admits help

…as police search for more stolen cash

nvestigationsarestill

Iongoing into the armed robbery that took place at Kaieteur News onMondayandtherearestill lots of cash to be recovered fromthemulti-milliondollar heist.

Investigators so far have managed to recover some $14M and while they continue to press the suspects for information on the rest of the money, Kaieteur News staffers are still in a state of shock after police on Wednesday

colleague, Joshua Junor, a security guard who has been serving company for a number of years, admitted to beingpartoftherobbery

According to police,

Junor admitted to the crime and most likely will be charged with the man he had plannedtherobberywith,his friend and an ex-employee of the company, Ryan Wharton,33.

The two had started planning to rob Kaieteur News a while back but had only finalised their scheme on Sunday morning at W

T

e, Georgetown home. They contracted two other men to assist them in carrying out the robbery plan and those suspects were identified as Ivor Belingie popularly known as “WildLife” and Harry Stongster, a 36-year old taxi driver of Hyde Park Timehri,EastBank

Ex- ofemployee Kaieteur News, Ryan Wharton

Kaieteur News Security Guard, Joshua Junor

Suspect: Lemuel Grant

Suspect: Ivor Belingie aka ‘Wildlife’

planning robbery

Suspect: Collis Haywood

Suspect: Harry Stongster

The

Skills gap could hamper success of Local Content Legislation

...countryneedstotapDiaspora,reformbusinessculture

By Kiana Wilburg

With Guyana stillinthefirst y e a r o f implementing the Local Content Legislation, stakeholders are in agreement that it is too early to use metrics to determine its true impact. Until such timethataproperassessment of that nature can be done, there are certain inescapable realities which authorities will have to contend with going forward. How well they deal with such difficulties will determine the extent to which the countrywillbesuccessful.

T h e f o r e g o i n g perspective was recently proffered by Dr. Leyland M. Lucas, the founding Dean a n d P r o f e s s o r o f Management at the University of Guyana's School of Entrepreneurship & Business Innovation (SEBI).

D u r i n g a p a n e l discussion hosted by the Guyana Business Journal and moderated by Dr

Terrence Blackman, an Associate Professor of Mathematics, Dr Lucas said Guyana's success with its legislation is inextricably linked to how it deals with the current shortage of skills needed for the new industry He posited that rapid skills development is critical not just for the technical aspects of oil and gas but also for the low hanging fruits of local content.

Dr Lucassaid:“thereare some realities that we must bear in mind when having a conversation about local contentanditseffectiveness. There is no perfect piece of legislationandwhathasbeen created will go through several iterations over the years simply because we havetodealwiththerealities ofourenvironment.”

He continued: “we are implementing a policy at a time when many of the skills that are necessary to really take advantage of what I would call the high end opportunities just do not exist within the system Therefore, one of the critical

things will be skills development and how quicklywecandothis.”

Whilehepositsthatskills development is critical, Dr Lucas said stakeholders must bear in mind that the skills vacuum will not be fixedovernight.

Dr Lucas said, “there will be a number of development initiatives that willhavetotakeplace;some will involve short courses or q u i c k t u r n a r o u n d programmes and others will involve taking advantage of m o r e l o n g t e r m opportunities.

So one of the questions we really have to grapple with is how quickly do we rampupthosetrainings;how quickly do we take advantage of some of those local content opportunities while at the same time ensuring that quality does notsuffer.”

TapintoDiasporatalent

As authorities lend their abilities to such a task, he recommended that due consideration be given to summoning the Diaspora's

-ProfessorLucas

talent. He said a structure needs to be established to do so as quickly as possible, evenifithastobevirtually

Also paramount to Guyana's success he said, is the reform of the business culture and ethics He alluded that the oil and gas sector requires a very high standard of overall responsiveness which most inthedomesticsectorarenot accustomedto.

He said businesses that are to be utilized in the 40 categories of work ring fenced in the law, could prevent targets from being met if their performance is alsoineffective.

Expounding further, Professor Lucas said, “We have to understand that althoughwehaveadomestic business sector that too requires development of competencies. The way we usedtodobusinesscannotbe the same going forward. We need to get businesses to understand that they need to transition with a sense of timeliness etc so that they can take advantage of

relationships with some of t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l companies.”

With the skills gap to contend with, Dr Lucas said itisclearthattherewillbeinefficiencies in the system, simply because of the way locals are accustomed to doingbusiness.

Dr Lucas suggested that Guyana may very well find itself in a position where it has to modify the criteria for local content so that it can expand the pool of talent it can use to build its rapidly expandingoilsector

Overall, he said it is critical that the government examines the oil and gas sector and its impact on soaking up labour from competing industries. Given theforegoingfactors,hesaid Guyana will no doubt see varying amendments to the lawtoensureitssuccess.

LABOUR MARKET CONSULTANT

Conscious of the migration of labour from traditionalsectorsintotheoil a n d g a s i n d u s t r y, government had said a few

months ago that it has engaged a consultant to analyze this state of affairs and provide immediate solutions.

In its 2022 Mid-Year Report, government said the consultant will review gaps in the labour market and supportthedesignoftraining and appropriate policy advicetoresolvetheongoing issues.Withjustapopulation of about 700,000 people, a report by the International Organisation on Migration (IOM), had highlighted that the foregoing review would beurgentlyneededsincethe

Pressure mounts on Govt. to renegotiate

Exxon contract

As Guyanese remain steadfast in their demand for the renegotiation of the ExxonMobil contract transparency and civil rightsactivistDr YogMahadeohas reminded that British law firm Clyde and Co. in an independent investigation released, stated clearly the disadvantageous position the country was in when it signed the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) without a better knowledgeofitsStabroekBlockoil w e a l t h

The report highlighted that not only did the Guyanese government at the time wanted to know its oil bounty before signing the PSA, but it appeared that the Esso Exploration and Production GuyanaLimited(EEPGL),Exxon's subsidiary, pressured the administration to sign the documentbeforerevealingtheLiza T w o r e s o u r c e

Whenhisreportwasreleased,it said that, “The Contractor Consortium appears to have put a lot of pressure on the Government andtheMoNR(MinistryofNatural Resources) to secure the 2016 Agreement in a short time scale.” It said that the reason given was related to commitments for drilling

...Yog Mahadeo restates British law firm findings on signing of PSA

rigs that Exxon and partners said would need to be stepped away from if a new agreement was not signed. But according to the report, the operators really wanted to secure the deal before Guyana knew its “world class” oil find which could have changed its negotiating position. “' It seems to us likely that EEPGL were also strongly driving to have a new agreement signed prior to the Liza2 well results becoming fully known and understood by the Government. Presumably because knowledge of a "world class" discovery could have altered the Government's negotiating position,” the investigators said.

Dr Mahadeo had highlighted this aspect of the Clyde and Company report as conversations heighten over Guyana's PSA being signed at a time when just over a million barrels of oil equivalent was confirmed, but now covers another 10 billion barrels of crude, under the same terms and c o n d i t i o n s

For this reason, among others, stakeholders have been demanding renegotiation of the 2016 contract. Attorney at Law and anti corruption advocate, Christopher

Ram had stated last year his belief that the Clyde and Co. report has enough weight to push for the renegotiationoftheStabroekBlock d e a l

He said that he also believed that the governing People's Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration would have put as priority a review of the Stabroek Block agreement using the Clyde and Co report Instead, that government just weeks ago highlighted that it would not be renegotiation until the life of the Stabroek agreement was over, some 14 years from now

R e c e n t l y , f o r m e r Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CEO Dr Vincent Adams insisted that a main justification for changingacontractiswhenthereis a major change in the environment of the agreement, such as the significantly increased quantity of oil found after the 2016 agreement. He said in his 30 years spent at the highestleveloftheUSGovernment negotiating and evaluating oil contracts that also involved the “Exxon'softheworld”,changesare expected, especially on these grounds. Dr Mahadeo told the Kaieteur News that, “The fact that

Civil Society Activist, Dr Yog Mahadeo

since 2016 the volume of oil being borne out of the same agreement that envisaged a fraction of what was expected production, is itself a call for renegotiation. ”

HefullyagreedwithDr.Adams inthattheGuyanagovernmentisin a good position to take the oil companies back to the bargaining table given the quantity of oil now compared to what was known then.

The Clyde and Co. report said

that Guyana's 1999Agreement and the 1999 Licence was due to expire in June 2018 and could not be renewed because it was already done twice under the law The country nonetheless wanted to maintain a strategic relationship with the oil companies for the development of its oil resource and as a deterrent to Venezuela in the border controversy matter

It also wanted the Contractor Consortium to complete the exploration activities so the full extent of the then evident resources could be identified and therefore entered discussions on how the Contractor could continue its work uninterrupted.Itwasdecidedbythe government that a new petroleum agreement and prospecting licence w o u l d b e n e c e s s a r y

The report said that the ContractorConsortiumalsodesired the renewed agreements but was not receptive to the amendments proposed Apart from keeping Guyana in the dark about its Liza Two wealth, the Clyde and Co. report said that “the Contractor Consortium was not receptive to any changes and fought hard to retainthesametermsasinthe1999

University of Guyana Dean, Dr. Leyland M. Lucas

PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:SHARMAINGRAINGER

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

Who to trust?

There can be no win, win situation for the PPP when it comes to our politics

DEAREDITOR, champion.

wasthatOppositionMPsdid of publicly demonstrating a

aily existence can be an enriching experience when there is trust. Relationships flourish,

Dthingsgetdone,andthereisanenvironmentthat makesallfeelverygoodaboutthequalitythatissotangible, thatcan’tbedenied.

Trust is motherhood and marriage of a special kind, a brotherhood and sorority that speaks for itself. But when thereisascarcityoftrust,thenforallthattheremaybe,that canbehad,itisasifthereisnothing.

Whenthereisthatnightmareofnightmares,wherethere isatotalabsenceoftrust,thenforalltheoilandmoneyand promise of so much more, there is nothing. We trust each othertobethereforus,lookoutforus,whenweplacecertain heavyresponsibilitiesinthehandsofothers. Sometimesit could be over hard-earned money, of other valuable property,ofourfamily,andforboththeday-to-daypresent, aswellastheunknownfuture.

Wedothiswithsecurityguardsinwhomweentrustour safety and the integrity of our property We do this when great trust is placed in the hands of those colleagues and comradeswhohelpustogetthingsdone,bothlittleandbig, sometimes personal, oftentimes national in scope. When theyturnaroundandbetraythattrust,abatteringofthespirit comes.

Thereisadrainingofresolve,orareflexivetemptationto throwuphandsandsayhowcouldthishappen.Thatis,ifthis one could so quietly and secretly study, and scheme so cunningly, then why even bother to continue to invest in trustingothers,whentheprospectoffavourablereturnsfor thetrustgivenisshatteredsocallously

We urge our fellow citizens to look around and review how our environment is today We ask them to recall from longagoandrecentmemory,fromthelonglistofexamples, how precious trust has been trampled upon in this society, andateverylevel.Ourownsituationatthisnewspaperisa caseinpoint.

Butthisisavisibleandphysicallytouchableinstanceof trustviolated,simplybecauseitwassomuchinthebosom. It is never a comforting feeling, a most shocking one, to cometothestartlingawarenessthatonehasbeenlivingwith asnakeinthebosom.

But, just as there was this individual failure and group conspiracytosabotagetrustplacedrighthere,therearethose greater trusts vested in bigger and higher ones: those who raise their hands and plead for the gift of our trust, and promise to do what is right for us, the Guyanese people. Politicians in Guyana, particularly the senior, more vocal, and recognisable ones, make pretty speeches of how much goodtheyhaveinmindfortheGuyanesepeople,astheybeg foroursupport.

Butdeepdownintheirhearts,iswheretherealtruthsof theircommitmentsgivensoeasilylies.

Tosupportistovotefor,andtovoteforistotrust. Every ballotcastwiththatsimplestoflettersfromthealphabet,an Xintherightplace,isadeedoftrust.

Doright,dogood,dowhatistruthful,dowhatiswiseand just and clean. We ask our fellow Guyanese a simple question:whatisitthatcitizenshavegotteninreturnforthe last six decades for their trust? Outside of leaders’ inner circleoffriends,family,andotherfavouredfollowers,what have leaders delivered in return for the priceless trust they received?

Politicians were liars and frauds and deceivers long beforeoil,andnowthatthatbeautyspringingfrombelowthe sea is here, men in the PPP/C Government and the APNU+AFCOppositionhavelosttheirminds. Theyhide, they lie, they makeup stories, and they mock Guyanese as theykickasidethetrustgiventothem.

Thentheypoursaltinthewoundsofdespairingcitizens withmorefalsehoods,moretrickeries,andmorethieveries. Just like those once associated with this paper, brothers trustedandheldclose.

ThebiggestbetrayersandbiggestrobbersinGuyanaare higher up. They are in government offices and political headquarters.

What, in my estimation, Beforeyesterdaycameto not agree with the OL’s show of the holding of “one Region 10 PNCR Chairman an end, it was evident what stance with regards to “no head”inourparty and Member of Parliament, thePPPwantedtogetoutof handshake because it is Ali went further with his Jermaine Figueira did was their engagement with wrong to shake the hand of divisiveanddeceitfulagenda wrong in the context of Figgy thosethatoppressus.” to undermine the PNC by where our politics is at Itisimportanttonotethat Ali and the PPP’s sending a NCN reporter to present. Figgy did not approach Ali, hypocrisy is highlighted in the PNC/R’s press

Under normal political he was walking away when thepublicpositionhetookin conference to ask Norton if circumstances,itwouldhave they called out to him. Ali, relation to allegations thePNChadtakenadecision beentheproperwaytogreet Kashif Muhammad, Bishop levelled against Jagdeo by togetridofFiggybecauseof andengagerulingpoliticians Edghillandteamknewwhat the US of taking bribe from that Linden handshake. We but we must not forget that thatmomentmeantforthem Chinesebusinessmen.Ali,at see you, Ali, but know you wearedealingwithdeceitful with regard to optics and a public function, when are dealing with a calibre of and deceptive government whatmessagetheywantedto askedbythemediaaboutthe opposition men and women leaderswhowishtonotonly becarriedviasocialmediato allegation made against thatwillconfrontyourevery divide us but destroy the Guyanese worldwide and in Jagdeo, told them in no move. imageofourpartyandthose thePPPmediainGuyana. uncertain terms that he is Examine the video and who are tasked with the Video cameras and standing by Jagdeo and will images below and try to r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f cameras on smartphones not be investigating grasp how divisive and representingthehundredsof were on capturing the anything. disrespectful Ali and his thousands of people in our moment.EverythingAlisaid Respondingtoaquestion cabal are Figgy has constituencies. to Figgy was meant for the from a reporter with regards stumbled but has not fallen.

Ali disrespected Linden cameras.Figgyfailedatthat to if he was protecting the He is our brother and officials by not informing moment to correctly gauge image of the PPP, he comrade and a fine them of his visit or inviting what was happening and to responded in the affirmative politician. Itrustthatwewill them to meet He has respond like a witty and and said again in no see his activism at Linden therefore treated leaders at astute politician would. Ali uncertain terms that he was once again becoming one Linden as unimportant, knew that a handshake with standing up for the PPP that is militant. Ali and his insignificant and even non- FiggyatLinden,liketheone government. band of crooks must no existent. they had at the National Therefore, Ali is saying, longer be in Linden without

Not that I would support Stadium undermined the in the context of showing a protesters with placards the Region 10 officials public stance the Leader of united front to protect the present. Handshake must be accepting any invitation thePNC/RandLeaderofthe imageofthePPP,thathehas replacedwithprotest. fromhimtomeetwhenheis Opposition took when he a right to do that but Sincerelyyours, masquerading himself refused to shake Ali’s hand. disregarded Figgy’s right to NormanBrowne aroundthecountryunderthe What Ali wanted the protect the image of Norton Social and Political guise of the people’s Guyanese world to believe andthePNC/Rinthecontext Activist

Cutting-edge legal system badly needed

DEAREDITOR, disclosed the government’s currently have an arbitration was, wait for it, illegal! The

Ithasbeenreportedinthe intention to soon take to framework designed to Appealwhichhasbeenfiled mediathatAttorneyGeneral, parliament an Arbitration expeditiously resolve will take an indeterminate Hon Anil Nandlall Bill,onethathedescribedas commercial disputes, we do numberofyearstobeheard. announcedattheHighCourt aCARICOMmodelandthat h a v e a s p e c i a l i s t This cannot be justice but recentlythatthegovernment the government intend to Commercial Court ratheritsantithesis. will continue to pursue a make Guyana an arbitration established for the very We wish theAG and the transformative legislative capital of not only the purpose. In the matter of government well in its quest agenda designed to give the Caribbean but possibly Precision Woodworking to deliver a cutting edge nation a cutting-edge legal CentralAmerica. Limited (PWL), in legalsystem.Ifthiswasever system to support its Given our experience of receivership v the Receiver badlyneeded,itisnowmore development. the past decade with our and Republic Bank Limited critical in the economic

This is welcome news legalsystem,wecannotbeas which we have followed on takeoffourcountryispoised andweapplaudAGNandlall optimistic as the AG as to behalf of former employees for and the government for its where this efficiency and of PWL, the very specialist Sincerely, stated intent The Hon integrity will materialize court took almost nine years EustaceMarshall Attorney General also from While we do not togiveitsDecision,onethat EonAndrews

A view of the Human Resources Management Structure of our Public Service

DEAREDITOR, permanent/pensionable evaluation of qualifications; atallapplicable);

InthePublicService,the public servants (apart from b) application of relevant c) Eligibility for practice of recruiting their being paid gratuity skills/grades promotion albeit a employees on contract was every six months at the rate iii In terms of contradictioninlegalterms instituted in the budget two of22.5%monthlysalary).

compensation what 3.Criticallyatwhatlevel decades or more ago, 2.Itisuncertainwhether

is the decision made that apparently without much the proforma

contract

with that of despite the specificities of a e n

i

y f

o m haseverbeenpublished–in (experienced) permanent ‘Contract’theemployeestill Parliamentarians from any relation to such basic pensionable employees in benefits from ‘across-theside of the House, regarding employmentconditionsas: sameorsimilarpositions. board’ increases awarded to thelegalimplicationsofsuch i.PeriodicityofContract; iv Whointherespective their ‘Pensionable’ employment. employed as they are by Ministries is the competent counterparts?

Preliminary questions individualMinistries; authority to make and effect How contradictory such maywellhavebeenabout: ii.Themechanismwhich decisionsregarding: eligibilitywouldbeunlessof

Their substantive ensures that there is a) Annual (and sick) course it is specified in the

leave contract?The

A view of the Human Resources Management Structure of our Public Service

Frompage4

legal implications are staff:

thefollowingcomplementof Ministry of Public Works with73of182staff 257oftotal447

Amerindian Affairs

Ministry of Natural with64of127staffworthexploring. Band 11 Principal Resources95oftotal118

4.Itshouldbenotedthat PersonnelOfficer–12

HomeAffairs–with687

Respect listeners of radio overall - not just cricket coverage

DEAREDITOR, local journalism. I followed

Unfortunately, the Skills of8360contracts can be awarded to Band9–Senior Categoriesarenotidentified.

There used to be aall the following five PersonnelOfficer–19

Meanwhile it must be specific Education andcategories of budgeted Band6–Personnel assumed that ‘Temporary’ Trainingfacilitygoingasfaremployees: OfficerII–10 employees are subject to back as the colonial era.

- Administrative Band5–Personnel someformof‘contract’–an Somehow, there appears an

- SeniorTechnical OfficerI–8 arrangementthatalsoinvites attitude that such a human

- Other Technical and Itisbynomeansdifficult investigation, certainly in resources developmentCraftSkilled to recognise from the above respect of a) periodicity, b) agency is superfluous (withClerical & Office hierarchical arrangement skillscategory;c)conditions ‘Contracted Employees’Support howweakistheprofessional ofemployment. beingavailable).

S e m i s k i l l e d capacity; and consequently

Unfortunately, annualOperatives&Unskilled in decision-making – albeit 2022 reports on the performance

The appointments are in in respect of ‘Contracted

For example, in Budget

a) The Ministry of of individual Public Serviceno way subject to the Employees’. Education adds 339

“ L i v e c r i c k e t a few years ago, his commentaryinshambles-a ‘promotion’ of Inderjeet lost art,” by one, Munesh Persaud. His description of Dutt aroused my interest. It the man has left language istimelyandIwanttoaddto bereft of anything for the his concern. He is piqued likesofthelateTonyCozier, regarding “ cricket John Arlott and Richie commentary in the Benaud etc. His excessive Caribbean, and more so, in flattery resembles the Guyana (that) the deifying of a mortal, whose ‘authorities that be’ seem responses in the very piece bent on finding ‘pals’ and contradict the ‘glory’ that ‘past players’ to do the job, wasbeingshoweredonhim. when real, live cricket Listening to it was a commentary demands some vomitingexperience. exceptionalskills.” Then what about John

supervision of the Public It would therefore be ‘Temporaries’ to 127 no longer a requirement – ifServiceCommission. worthwhile to learn how ‘ContractedEmployees’ only for concerned citizens

Of particular interest many, amongst others, have

Agencieswouldappeartobe

b) Ministry of Health to ponder, but moreso allmustbetheJobDescriptions taken advantage of GOAL adds 174 ‘Temporaries’ to parliamentarians.constructed, identifying scholarships in order to 929‘ContractedEmployees’

The foregoing isamongst others, the achieve the more respected

D o e x t e n d e d respectfully submitted toaccountability relationships; level of human resources ‘Temporaries’ qualify for incite other perspectivesdisciplinaryprocess(ifany); management.

Pension, or indeed for NIS which eventually cancritical performance Then there still is the benefits while being concludeinapositivevision,evaluation management basic question as to who employed? and construction of acomponents ignored by, if should be recruited on the

To all of the above professional managementnot unknown to, the highest respective terms of categories of employment structureofGuyana’sPublicdecision-makingteam. Permanent, Contracted and therehasmostrecentlybeen Serviceofthefuture.

It is to be noted from indeed Temporary instituted the category of In the final analysis theapproved Parliamentary employment? ‘Part-Time Employees’– as Public Service belongs toBudgets that the number of One does not get the distinct from ‘Temporaries’ those who serve in it‘Contracted Employees’ impression that the policy–astheVicePresidentmade indefinitely,andthosewhomincrease annually. One makers understand the pellucidly clear that one theyserviceindefinitely Itisimplication arising fundamental truth that basic condition is the nouveau arrivées whotherefrom is the connection organisations have to be employment for ‘many, constitutethedepartures.to the particular employer sustainedwhiletheirplayers many years’ – a substantive E.B.JohnAdministration – exhibited depart at different times. So assurancenotknowntohavewhen the latter changes - in there must be established a been confirmed in theperemptory terminations legacy of professional employment document, ifIncidentally, in such capacity to respond to the any – resulting in one morecircumstances, there has demands of future area of enquiry by thehardly been reference to unpredictabilities So that MinistryofLabourconsequential severance loyalty must be an

But the human resourcespayments. organisational, not issues do not end there. ForT h e f o r e g o i n g personal/familial attribute –in terms of development, itobservations would appear thus making the element of seems not unreasonable toto cumulate into an TRUST amongst all parties enquireaboutinherentcareerargumentation about the and partnerships critical to prospects for ‘Semi-skilledsubstantive frailty of our survival.

Operatives & Unskilled’inPublic Management Meanwhilethefollowing say:structure;theurgentneedfor sample is indicative of the

Foreign Affairs &investigating its strengths, perceived organisational International Cooperation –weaknesses and the frailties,withtheimplication with75of363staffconsequential opportunities ofweaknessesinsubstantive Human Services &f o r d e v e l o p i n g a professional analytical SocialSecurity–with199ofcomprehensive human capabilities. 696staffresources management B u d g e t 2 0 2 2

Culture,Youth&Sport–C o n t r a c t e dstrategy In the immediate Employeesconnection, all the

Office of the PresidentAdministrations so far 192oftotal243continue to utilise the

Office of the Primeinternationally abandoned Minister80oftotal107practice of Personnel Ministry of AmerindianManagement–consistingof Affairs 64 of total 127

Iagreewithhimthat“… Ramsingh, whose Facebook there is no Naim Chan and pieceisnodifferent?Whatis this boggles the mind (as) troublingisthathealludesto Naim Chan is Guyana’s being a colleague of Tony premiere radio cricket Cozier This shocked me. I commentator, and he may can recall ‘no Ramsingh’ even be so at the regional working alongside Tony level.” Cozier IhopethatRamsingh

He buttresses this by will authenticate, giving referencing “His years of dates and occasions when experience, pleasant radio his ‘colleaguing’was taking voice, simplicity and place. correctness of language use T h e n N a t i o n a l and descriptive ability of Communications Network live play (all combining) INC.mustworkon‘reading’ tomakehimanaturalchoice for those in the News whenever the job has to be Department. Since the topic done ” So now for my issports,Iwillstickhereand contribution. register my utter disgust at

Editor, Avinash Ramzan what passes for Sports seems to have emerged as News.Notonlyis the greatest ‘PR maan’ in

John Fernandes says it transferred interest in BV NDC land to real estate agent - refuses to accept $20M refund

John Fernandes Limited yesterdaystatedthatitisnot didnotownthelandandthat purchase land in various followedbyclaimsthatthere in any transaction being said it has transferred its connected to Mohamed and several persons from the a r e a s f o r f u t u r e were persons holding made regarding the land in interest in the BV/ Triumph Sons and Daughters, community owned it, JFL development. The company transport for some parts of question. NDC land it was seeking to Trading, Mining, Logging had publicly stated that it is was presented with an the land. While no evidence JFL however has never purchase to a real estate andConstructionInc. no longer interested in opportunity to purchase was produced to legitimize seen any evidence of claims agent - Mohamed and Sons Kaieteur News had purchasingthelandfromthe 143.10 acres of land in the these claims, JFL decided to title of the land and is and Daughters, Trading, reportedearlierinthemonth NDC. area of Beterverwagting not to proceed with the thereforenotinaposition Mining, Logging and t h a t t h e H o w e v e r , t h e identified as Section “G” purchase, a position which (Continuedonpage**) Construction Inc. and has Beterverwagting/Triumph BV/TriumphNDCatapress u n d e r t h e remainsthesametodate.” to support or deny the refused a $20M refund Neighbourhood Democratic conferencehadinformedthe Triumph/Beterverwagting Further, JFL added that legitimacy of its sale cheque from the local Council (NDC) had shared mediathattheyhadreceived NDC.Thiswasconsideredat the Real Estate Agent Further,JFLisnotinterested governmentorgan. that it had received a a document from Mohamed that time to be a worthwhile responsible for finding the inseeingthesedocumentsas

The company also proposal from JFL last year and Sons and Daughters opportunity,itshared. land and bringing the JFLis no longer proceeding soughttodistanceitselfnow for a plot of land at the indicating that JFL had JFL then said it had opportunity to JFL’s with the purchase,” the from the issue as the NDC b a c k l a n d s o f t h e handeditsinterestandrights engaged the local NDC and attention, Mohamed and releasestated. desperatelytriestosettlethe B e t e r v e r w a g t i n g totheminrelationtotheland enteredintoanagreementto Sons and Daughters, At the press conference matter community The land in locatedatSection‘G’. purchasetheland.Sometime Trading, Mining, Logging held by the NDC on

Responding to several question is a 143 acres plot The NDC Chairman, after this agreement was and Construction Inc September30,theChairman accusations leveled against located at Section ‘G’, Jimmaul Bagot at that press signed and a deposit by JFL (Mohameds), expressed an had announced also that the the company regarding the Beterverwagting (BV), East conferencehadnotedthough made to the NDC, it interest in its purchase. JFL $20 million deposit JFLhad plot of land John Fernandes Coast Demerara. Following JFL had publicly stated that disclosed, “an individual explainedthatMohamedand made for the land at Section Limited (JFL) in a release concernsraisedthattheNDC itisnotinterestedintheland, unknown to the company, Sons and Daughters had ‘G’ was refunded to the hesaidthatitisoftheviewof stated via social media that agreed to refund them the company Regarding that theCouncilthatJFLisusing the land earmarked for deposit if the rights to the money,JFLsaidinitsrelease Mohamed and Sons and purchase was in fact agreement were transferred thatonFridaySeptember30 Daughters as a shell ancestral lands meant to be toMohameds. last,thecompanyreceiveda companytodeceivethem. owned by their descendants “JFLthenconcludedthat cheque from the NDC that John Fernandes in its and objected to it being sold transferasJFLwasnolonger correspondedtothe release stated that in recent to a corporation. This was interestedinplayinganyrole (Continuedonpage**) days it has had several accusationsleveledagainstit which are “false and misleading.”

C l a r i f y i n g a n y misperceptions, JFL noted that it has been seeking to

Respect listeners of radio overall...

Frompage4 inthewebofnon-essentials. when it comes to the writing ‘non-newsie’; it It gets worse, as the reader, pronouncing the names of is excessively long, as they namely Travis Seymour, all people, in the international are ‘copied and pasted’then mostallthetime,readsatan pieces, where the principals read.Radiowritingisaskill unacceptablelevel. and places are French, quite different from that His innumerable ‘starts Italian, or Greek etc in which obtains for the print and stops’ add to his origin This in particular media.

difficulty in name needs addressing ASAP It

Then,asIlisten,Igetlost pronunciation, especially hasbeenformalisednow

My final comment is about the ‘would have’ phenomenon,commentedon by Dutt. He noted that this gross error is being “… popularised by most, if not all of our announcers and parliamentarians,(andit)has made an indelible mark on local users of the English language.

I hope that Dutt’s explanation will be embraced and that the ‘forces that be’ will ‘undo’ this horrible ongoing ‘languagemal-practice.’

In fact, even as I am currently listening to the Essequibo versus the President 11 Inter-County game, Inderjeet and his comments man, a former localfastbowler,arein‘over drive’ with ‘would have,’ ‘towards rhyming with cowards,’and‘immediate’as ‘immidate.’

May Minister Kwame McCoy’s and his (supposed to be) four experts in the basic use of language…” address these issues (and others) so that there will be “ q u a l i t y a n d professionalism (not being far) far removed from international standards and expectations.

Yourstruly, PrescottMann.

BLUNT

We must continue to trust

Guyanese should know by now, how we have been victimized by our own at Kaieteur News.

Our premises invaded, our fellow workers exposed, and our lives touched in a manner that leaves a long trail of anger, disappointment, and disgust.

Yet, we cannot allow the forces of darkness, the troubling things that stir in the minds of others, to make us give up on our way of life.

We must continue to trust, but to do so sensibly. We must go on believing, but with balance and faith. And we must keep going forward with those who are for truth and integrity.

We must trust and with confidence in our hearts.

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

TIGIlamentslackcriticalreportsonimpactsofmining,oilandgasoperations

By Davina Bagot

While other nations have putmeasuresinplacetotrack a n d m o n i t o r t h e m a r g i n a l i s a t i o n o f Amerindians in their villages asaresultofminingactivities as well as negative environmental impacts on fisherfolk owing to oil and gas operations, Guyana is yet toputsuchsystemsinplace.

This is according to President of Transparency International Guyana Inc (TIGI), Mr Fredrick Collins. While discussing 'The Oil Contract, Political Integrity, andtheRole,Importanceand Promotion of Transparency in Guyana' on a recent Globespan 24x7 panel, the watchdog representative argued, “Governments cannot be trusted, people have to understand that they havetopayattention.

They have to understand they are the shareholders of the company we don't know the extent of whatever marginalisation is going on because we are getting no marginalisation statistics Whatistheeconomicstateof our fishermen? What is the economic state of our Amerindiancommunities?”

He said such data is lacking in the country simply because those in charge are “not interested” while other countriespublishsuchdatato informpolicydecisions.

Meanwhile, he also knocked the Office of the C o m m i s s i o n e r o f

Information as he explained that recently his colleague, M r A l f r e d B h u l a i approached the department for information but was instead directed to another office where he should seek the information Collins contended, “What is that officefor?!

Access to government held information empowers citizens to exercise their rights to hold government accountable and participate in decision making”. On the other hand, he pointed out that transparent fiscal management and public contracting discourages corruption and ensures that public funds are spent efficientlytobenefitcitizens.

The TIGI President was specifically asked to share which area he believes is mostly lacking transparency in the country when he explained that the petroleum industry is most impactful.

Accordingtohim,“wherethe lack of transparency manifests and where it is of paramount importance is certainlyintheoilindustry.”

He then went on to explain that in managing this sector,governmenthasfailed to give a breakdown of how the money received for example will benefit each communityandhowmuchof the funds will be used on a specificproject.

To this end, he noted, “so that is where certainly, the biggestimpactisfelt,thelack of transparency in the oil industry It is the economic activity that can destroy our countryorbuildit.”

This newspaper had reportedontheminingissues plaguing Chinese Landing, a RegionOnecommunity

In July of this year, the failure of authorities to control miners moving into the titled lands of Indigenous persons living in that community morphed into a dire situation where threats were being made against residents and leaders of the community

Toshao Orin Fernandes, in an invited comment told the Kaieteur News the villagersnowfeel“helpless,”

being unable to get the intervention of authorities to prevent the continued invasionoftheirlandsforthe purpose of mining

Fernandes told this newspaper that Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukai, is the government official with responsibility for Amerindian issues and thus laid the escalation of the situation, squarely at her feet for failing to make representation on behalf of the residents of Chinese Landing. It is estimated that hundreds of “outsiders” had movedintothetitledspaceof the Chinese Landing

c o m m u n i t y, d e s p i t e provisions within the Amerindian Act, stipulating the exclusive right of village leaderstodeterminewhogets permission to enter the community

Miners were entering the community with heavy machinery, destroying roads and other infrastructure Helicopters and planes were also landing on an airstrip previously built by a local miner, who is said to have r e c e i v e d S t a t e permission minus village consultation—to operate at thelocation. “Wedon'tknow who is coming, who is going

or what they are bringing,” the Toshao told the newspaper

More than that however, miners threaten “to do bad things to us if we continue to speak about them being here.” Likewise, fisherfolk have been complaining of lower catches since the startup of oil and gas

operations offshore Government said the Food andAgricultureOrganization (FAO) conducted a review of the situation but that report is yet to be made public though it was handed over to the administration back in May ofthisyear

Resurgence of Cholera in Haiti worries PAHO

ResurgenceofCholerain HaitiworriesPAHO

Washington D C , 12 October2022(PAHO)–The Director of the Pan A m e r i c a n H e a l t h Organization (PAHO), Dr Carissa F Etienne, said the recent cholera outbreak in Haiti, a steady increase in Monkeypox cases, ongoing COVID-19 infections and low polio vaccination rates heighten the need for health emergency preparedness in theregionoftheAmericas.

“ P a r a l l e l h e a l t h emergencies and fragile social, political and natural environments illustrate the importance of investing in and strengthening health systems,” the Director said on Wednesday during a media briefing. “We do not have the time to recover and prepare between health crises,” she added. After more than three years, Haiti last week reported a cholera outbreak just as the country was on the verge of being declaredcholera-free.

AsofOctober9,national authorities confirmed 32 cases and 18 deaths, as well as over 260 suspected cases in the area surrounding the capital Port au Prince. “Cholera has arrived amid serious ongoing social and political unrest,” Dr. Etienne said, which “complicate e f f o r t s t o p r o v i d e humanitarian assistance and torespondtheoutbreak.”

She added that cases are likely much higher than reported numbers, as escalating street violence and criminal activity limit access to the affected areas. PAHO is supporting Haitian authorities and international partnersinsettingupcholera treatment centers The

Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa F. Etienne

Organization has donated two tons of medical supplies and is assisting the Ministry of Health in surveillance e f f o r t s a n d i n t h e management of cases. “We also stand ready to help the government quickly access vaccines supplies,” the PAHO Director added.

Turning to Monkeypox, Dr. Etienne said that the Americas now report over 45,000 cases, accounting for 63% of the global total. Around 95% of these are amongmen. And while the spread of thevirusseemstobeslowing down, more than 2,300 new Monkeypox cases were reported in theAmericas last week – the majority in the United States, but hundreds also in Brazil, Colombia and Mexico. PAHO has started to deliver Monkeypox vaccines in the region, Dr Etiennesaid,withBraziland Chile being the first countries among those that requested doses receiving a first batch last week. “We know how to track this disease. We know who is most at risk. And we know how to keep people safe

from infection,” Dr Etienne said, urging countries to use this knowledge to drive down cases and end Monkeypoxtransmission.

The PAHO Director said falling COVID 19 trends globally, including in the Americas, show “we may be transitioning from the acute phase of the pandemic into a phase of sustained control.” Butshewarnedthiswillonly be possible with continued testing and increased vaccination. Just last week, the Americas reported 178,000 new COVID 19 cases. While over 70% of people in LatinAmerica and the Caribbean have now beenfullyvaccinatedagainst the virus, many countries remain short of that target, with 10 countries and territories yet to reach the 40%mark.

TheDirectoralsomadea renewed call for countries to act on polio by increasing vaccination coverage and surveillance. She said four countries in the regionBrazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Peru—areat“veryhighrisk” of polio transmission, and another eight being considered high risk. Polio, a disease for which there is no cure or treatment, must stay in the past, Dr Etienne urged.

“Witheffectivevaccines a n d d e c a d e s o f immunization experience, we have the power to keep it there.”

“Our Region is under pressure,” the PAHO Director concluded “We must work quickly with the tools we have at hand to control these four health emergenciesunfoldinginthe Americas.”

What is harder to find than love?

My first job interview The problem is that too off a competition in Guyana Register Office, is for an original documents An requiredthatIproducesome manypersonsinGuyanaare to see who can produce the application to be made and increase in the cost of these form of identification and nolongertakingcareoftheir oldest birth certificate. I am aninexpensivefeetobepaid certificates will do the trick, proof that I was of working important documents. They sure that quite a few birth forareplacementcopy because if there is anything age. Since I did not have a are misplacing them much certificates dating back to If, however, the that dissuades Guyanese Guyanaidentificationcardat tooeasily,withtheresultthat the early 1900’s can still be replacementfeewas$1,000, fromlosinganything,itisthe

Duringhisterminofficethe time, I took along my everyfewyearstheyneedto found. then perhaps persons would highcostofreplacement. President Barack Obamadriver’slicenceandmybirth apply to have replacements

Guyanese need to keep oncequippedatadinnerthatcertificate. issued. oftheseoldercertificatesare certificates less It is their documents safely and therewereafewthingsinlife

Unfortunately, not many lose their original

I hoped that the former Itissimplyunacceptable accepted for use. There are something that should be ensure they are stored in an harder to find and morewouldidentifymeandatthe for such large numbers of many places in Guyana, considered,forinasmuchas easily accessible place. A importantthanlove.Thenhesame time allow me to get applications to be made in including embassies, which Guyana would like its good way to know how added, “Well, love and ainto the transport section, anyonemonth.Evenforone refuse to accept a British citizenstobeabletoaffordto organisedsomeoneis,would birthcertificate.while my birth certificate year, this amount would be Guiana birth certificate as have replacements of be to see whether when at

(The views expressed inwould show that I was of simply too much in a small proofofbirth. importantdocumentssuchas home they can find their this article are those of theworkingage. country like Guyana It It is not clear what birthormarriagecertificates, birth certificate within five author and do not

The interviewing officer placesunduepressureonthe position the Registration there needs to be some minutes.Iftheycannot,then necessarily reflect thetookmydriver’slicenceand system, with the result that Office took during the controls and disincentives it says that they need to get opinionsofthisnewspaper.)wrote something down on a processing times are bound nationalregistrationexercise against persons losing their themselvesbetterorganised. sheet of paper He then to be extended It is a few years ago, but no one picked up my birth unacceptable, and the only shouldbedeniedregistration certificate and took a long persons to blame are those simply because they have a timelookingoverit.Solong who are losing their British Guiana birth that I decided to ask, “Is certificates. certificate. anything wrong, sir?” To This was hardly the case

In fact, anyone who can which he replied, “Yes, I up to 30 years ago. People produce such a certificate cannot find the expiration took good care of their shouldbegivenanawardfor date.” documents. Many of them beingabletosafelykeepthat

A few years ago, it was maynothavehadevenafile document.In the old days, announcedthatinonemonth folder to store their there was no photocopying the General Register Office documents,buttheyresorted andpersonshadtotaketheir had issued, some 25,000 to keeping them in plastic documents, for example, birth certificates. One may bags or used envelopes when applying for a be tempted to believe that Moreimportantly,theyhada passport. They did not lose birth certificates now carry fixed place, usually some thesedocuments. an expiry date, because the drawer, where all their Yet today, with the sheernumberofapplications important papers were kept. luxury of photocopying, being made would suggest And keep them safely they people are still losing their that persons are of the view did.Today,therearepersons originaldocuments.Perhaps that every few years, they who still have their British it is because replacements needtoapplyforanewbirth Guianabirthcertificates. come too easily All it takes, certificate. Somebody should run- according to the General

Health Ministry records 10 new COVID-19 cases

Odashboard that within the last recordedoneeach.

n Wednesday, the Health Region Four which recorded eight new Ministry reported via its daily infectionsandRegionsTwoandThreewhich

24hours,10newCOVID-19infectionshave

The dashboard shows also that two beenrecorded. personsareininstitutionalisolation,63arein

The new cases which bring the total home isolation and to date, a total of 70,047 number of cases to 71,393 were detected in personshaverecoveredfromthevirus.

Dem boys seh...

Guyana going back to de ICJ

Guyana is now likely to file wan action Commonwealth Secretariat has been against Suriname at de International Court advised of developments in de case. De ofJustice(ICJ).Guyananowgatpossession Heads of CARICOM have been put on of wan email which confirmed dat de notice.DeAMCcountrieshavebeentolddat country did promise ah we fishermen some unlessdecatfishbanislifted,demtoocould licences. betakentodeICJ.

De mail is not likely to be tendered in Guyana is dispatching a delegation to evidenceinaninternationalcourtoflaw De dem ABC countries, as well as to de failure to honour de contents of de email EuropeanUnion. constitutesbreachofatreatyandaviolation De diplomatic throttle has been opened of de sovereignty of Guyana as well as de todefullestandalleffortsarebeingmadeto CSME. mobiliseinternationalsupportforderightto

Guyana is assembling a high-powered fishinSurinamewaters. legalteamtofightdecase.Guyanaclaiming In de meantime, de Guyana authorities fuh breach of promise and dem gan ask de haveputoutanoticetoalldemsnapperand Court fuh force Suriname fuh grant de gillbacker and snook dat dem should not licence. De country also want punitive and swimintodeepwaters. exemplarydamagessodatdissituationnah Guyanafisherscomingtocatchdemand repeatitself. ifdemswimawaydemlikelytojoindecourt

De Secretary General of de United action. Nations has already been informed. De Talkhalf,leffhalf.

Norman Brown asked me to debate Rickford Burke

orman Brown, Please read my last because they support debate is over, Burke will effective with my the UK PNC Sunday and last Tuesday differentpoliticalparties. look at the video and send voice and pen than activist,andIdo columns of the sociological

Mr Brown has a trait dozensoflibelwrits. any libel writs. Those

FrederickKissoon

N n o t s h a r e analysis of Guyanese which is fantastic in this Burke is a puerile, who support Burke anything in common society in which Professor country and it is fantastic infantile political activist should advise him that can prove Burke didpolitically I am supportive Percy Hintzen omitted because of the social thatrefusestostanduplikea he is looking silly going all anythingwrong.ofthedirectionPresidentAli completelyanytypeofclass wasteland Guyana is man and confront and over the place threatening

I repeat the police wantisheadinginto.Ithink,Anil analysis and he ended Norman supports the PNC debate.

peoplewithlibel. to question Burke HeNandlall is closest to the pointing Guyanese to andopenlysaysheisforthe He resorts to libel to If he has any supporter cannotdenythatisnotafact.Jaganite foundation of saviours of Guyana who are defence of African threaten and silence people. that cares about him, they What he can deny is that heliberatingworkingpeople. in fact anti-democratic and Guyanese. Heshouldknowthathewill should advise him to dish it did anything wrong. To sayI have words of support shamelessclassdefendersof But he has been known notsucceedbecausehislibel outjustashereceivesitand that two journalists gavefor the Ali presidency and racial hegemony Hintzen todisassociatehimselffrom writsarenotcomplaintsofa cease the resort to the statements against Burke isthey come after an ongoing avoids any mention of the African Guyanese who he serious nature but a infantilism of court action notanaccusationthatBurkeclass analysis of the working class, trade union, thinks are unfit to speak on mechanism for scaring that mysteriously he thinks has committed any crime. IGuyanesesociety GAWU. behalf of African Guyanese people.Hewillnotscareme offershimmentalcomfort. have not accused Burke of

If you cannot use class Mr Brown on the other because they are self andhecannotintimidateme. ItisuptoNormantoseek anyillegalconduct.analysis then you will hand, is a relentless criticof interested leaders with no When you look at assurance from Burke that

If Mary says Frederickbecomeapawninthehands thepresident. charactersubstance. Burke’svideosoverthepast he will confront and debate Kissoon was written to byof enemies of democracy He does not support the Mr Brown has a social two years and the andnotstooptotheindignity the bank manager forand racial stability and you PPP government. But over mediaplatformandIagreed derogations of and of threatening people with accusation of bouncedwillfindyourselfinimmoral the years, we have to his request to debate accusations against other courtaction. chequesandthemanagerdidcompany as I did for many, maintained a friendship RickfordBurkebutIdidtell peoplethenyouwonderhow I will not debate anyone write me, it does not meanmany years much to my because people do not have himintheend,Iwilldecline anyonelikethatcouldresort who when you call them a that I wrote bouncedpsychicdestruction. to discontinue associations because as soon as the to libel crying out his propagandist, they cry and cheques.characterhasbeendamaged. run to the court. I will not

I will debate Burke and

Burke is a fiery debateanyonethatwhenyou in the exchange, I will tellcontestant in the Guyanese accuse them of fooling the him exactly what I think ofpoliticalarena. Guyanese people, they cry him.

He should stand tall and andruntothecourts.

He can do likewise. Butdefendwhathebeliesin.He The fact is the police in Norman has to get Burke tois in the kitchen and he Guyana want to question stophisnonsensicalthreats.knows he has to take the Burke in relation to

(The views expressed inheat.Hiskitchenescapismis statements given against this article are those of theinlibelthreats. himbytwojournalists.That author and do not

The very Burke has said isafact. necessarily reflect theuglythingsaboutmebutIdo Whatisnotfactualasyet opinionsofthisnewspaper.)not sue anyone. I am more is whether the statements

Businessman,sonrobbed, beatenbysevenguards

- Police silent, yet to make arrests

Injuries sustained by the businessman to the head and body.

By Shervin Belgrave

A businessman and his 22-year old son were on September 28 last, robbed and brutally beaten with high-powered rifles by seven security guards attached to a security firm. The incident took place at Little Diamond East Bank Demerara (EBD) some two weeks ago and since then, police are yet to arrest any of the suspects and the force is silent on the matter

Still recovering from the severe beating they received are 44 year old Sherwin Sealey and his son Sarwin Sealey both of Diamond HousingScheme.

According to Sealey, this is not the first beating he received from guards at the security firm. The first was onSeptember16butthistime itwasmoresevere.

He related that he works as a lumber supplier and the beating is stemming from a dispute between him and the company over monies owed to him for some piles that he had delivered to one of its worksitesinLittleDiamond.

He said that he had deliveredthepilesinJulyand handed in his invoice in August but the company neverpaidhim.

Georgetown on September 16, for his money

Representatives reportedly told him that they paid someone else for the piles andhegotannoyed.

He started arguing with them and it was at this point that he was dealt some blows to his chest by the security guardsthere.

Sealey claimed that he made his way to the Brickdam Police Station and lodged a report against the guards. One of them was arrested and had to turn himself in to police after completing his duties as a securityguardthatdaybuthe neverdidandpolicemadeno attemptstopickhimup.

The businessman said that he decided to obtain a permission from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) to repossess the piles since the company was not going topayhim.

On September 28, he and his son turned up at the company's construction site in Little Diamond with the legal document and started loading them into one of his trucks.

“As we were loading up the pile, a black Lexus and a blackBMWpulledupandall the doors fly open, the next thing I hear is guns cocking and then they attacked me with their faces tied up”, recountedthebusinessman.

A video seen by this media house showed the brutality of the attack. With high powered rifles, they stabbed the businessman in his back and lashed him multiple times to the head andbody

The video did not capture them beating his son but photos of the son's injuries showed that they had also beatenhimintheheadtoo.

According to the businessman, during the brutal attack, they stole their cellphones, one ounce gold band he was wearing, a 121 jewellery watch and some $750,000 cash he had in his pocket.

“They threatened us and saythatifweevercomeback for money or piles, they know where we are living,” saidSealey

Heandhissonweretaken to the hospital in his car by one of his workers and the matter was reported to the Diamond Police Station but todate.

However, according to Sealey, the police have made no efforts to arrest any of the suspects and the Force has been silent on the matter, prompting one to believe no investigation has been launchedintotheallegations.

Fearful for his life, the businessman and his wife have moved out from their Diamond Housing Scheme

home. Contact was made with the security guard companybythismediahouse andtheownerrelatedthatthe men seen in the video were none of his security guards and he knows nothing of the incident.

He did however say that he was told by his workers thatsomemenhadcomewith a truck to steal his materials and he lodged a report at the DiamondPoliceStation.

Invoice submitted to security firm by businessman for payment.

Crime Chief Wendell BlanhumW admitted to local bar

Deputy Commissioner (Ag) Wendell Blanhum was onWednesday admitted to the local bar Blanhum's petition to practice law

was presented in the High Court by his wife LatchmieRahamatbeforeChiefJustice(Ag) RoxanneGeorge-Wiltshire,SC.

Injuries to the head sustained by Sealey from a with a gun.

Legal document which the businessman reportedly obtained to repossess the piles from the worksite.

ExxonMobil must be held accountable for recent oil spill

Leader of the

O p p o s i t i o n ,

Aubrey Norton believes that not only should t h e G o v e r n m e n t independentlyinvestigatethe recent oil spill reported at the Liza Two operation but it should also publish the findings of the probe in the interest of transparency and accountability

It was on September 9 that a barrel of crude was reportedly spilled offshore during production activities, but even though more than a month has elapsed, the independent regulatory body of Guyana's oil and gas o p e r a t i o n s , t h e Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)isyettoissuea reportontheincident.

Norton was asked to weighinonthematterduring his weekly press conference

on Tuesday when he explained: “if you look at the oil industry in the world, you will see that there are always oil spills of different magnitude. The APNU/AFC believes that it is incumbent of the government that they have it investigated and then make the findings public, but if you have a corrupt government, a government that doesn't believe in a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d transparency they are not likelytodothat.”

The Opposition Leader even called on the administration to ensure a credible investigation is carried out and reported to the people of the country as he believes this would limit the scope for corruption Additionally, Norton told members of the press that more action is needed to

'Satan' goes on trial for murder of Ann's Grove teen

On Tuesday, the trial commenced for 37-year-old Alvin Reid called 'Satan', of Nimrod Street, Ann's Grove, East Coast Demerara who is chargedwiththe2016murder of a 14-year-old girl of the village.

Last Wednesday, a mixed 12 member jury was empanelled for the trial into themurderoftheteen,Malika Hamilton, whose body was found floating in the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara, inAugust 2016. Reid pleaded not guilty to the indictment which states that between August8,andAugust9,2016, hemurderedtheteen.

The trial commenced before Justice Simone Morris Ramlall in the Demerara High Court Representing the State in this

matter are: Prosecutor Muntaz Ali and Taneisha Saygon. Representing Reid are: Attorneys at Law, Konyo Sandiford and Iyanna Butts On Tuesday, the prosecutionfirstcalledfamily members of the deceased to testify, before civilian witnesses took the stand. The trialcontinuesonnextweek.

Kaieteur News had reported that the body of 14year-old Malika was fished out of the Hope Canal, East CoastDemerara,onAugust9, 2016. The teen had left her homeonAugust8,2016togo swimming at the Hope Canal with the accused and another male. However, after she did not return home, she was reportedmissing.

Malika'sbodywaslater

...Norton demands release of findings from probe

ensure the EPAcarries out its functions independently. “I reiterate that more action needs to be taken to ensure t h e E PA o p e r a t e s independent based on professionalism so that no government minister tells them what to do or what not do to. As I understand it, the minister is supposed to provide general policy g u i d a n c e , b u t t h e professionals assuming therearebecauseIknowthey

got rid of some of them- in the EPA should be operating in a professional way and providing professional information and advice on what is happening,” he pointedout.

Moreover, Norton stated that the Opposition has been pressing for full liability coverageintheeventofanoil spill; however this requirement is yet to be met by the parent company of the Stabroek Block operator

“The issue of insurance should be addressed and ExxonMobil should and must be held accountable. ExxonMobil is a corporate entity that has resources (and) while we welcome them to Guyana and recognise the role they played in terms of investing andweexpectthemtobenefit on their investment We believe they should operate withintheconfinesofthelaw (Continued on page 17)

Dead, Malika Hamilton Alvin Reid called 'Satan'

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Minibus conductor found guilty of killing Kitty youth

On November 3, 25-year-old Timothy McKenzie, a bus conductor formerly of Thomas Street, Kitty, Georgetown is expected to be sentenced for the stabbing to death of 20-year-old Richard Noel, a fruit vendoralsoofKitty

On Tuesday, the mixed 12- member jury that was empanelled for the trial returned with a not-guilty verdict for the capital offence but found McKenzie guilty of manslaughter The accused was on trial before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court. Representing the State in this matter was Prosecutor Muntaz Ali,whiletheaccusedwasbeingrepresented by Attorneys-at-Law Edrianna Stephen and RonaldDaniels.

McKenzie had denied the charge which

stated that on June 4, 2018, at Stabroek Market,Georgetown,hemurderedNoel.The deceased and the accused were known to each other and the year prior to Noel's death, the two had a misunderstanding after McKenziereportedlyassaultedNoel'ssister

According to reports, the murder allegedly stemmed from the old grievance between McKenzie and Noel. On the day in question, around 13:15hours, McKenzie had allegedly approached Noel in the vicinity of CornhillStreet,Georgetown,inthecompany of another man and they had a confrontation. This reportedly led to Noel being stabbed twicetothechest.

Noel fell to the ground and was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he succumbedtohisinjuries.

Winifred Gaskin Memorial Secondary School wins the first round of the JOF Haynes Debating Competition

The 2022 edition of the JOFHaynesMemorialInter Secondary School Debating Competition was launched on Tuesday with Winifred GaskinMemorialSecondary School emerging as the winner of the first round of debating which followed against the Fort Wellington SecondarySchool.

The highly anticipated competition was launched onTuesdayinRegionFiveat the Latchmansingh Primary SchoolAnnexwherethetwo teams met to battle with words. TheWinifredGaskin M

School, the opposition, was represented by Crystal Smartt (1st speaker),

Quincie Andrews (2nd speaker) and Masani Jordan (3rd speaker) The team scored 268 points and Masani Jordan was judged thebestspeaker

Meanwhile, the Fort Wellington Secondary School, the proposing side, scored 244 points and was represented by Christal Welch (1st speaker),

Tejwattie Sirirampersaud (2nd speaker) and Basmattie Chrisendat(3rdspeaker).

The two teams debated the moot: The rapid increase in private schooling in Guyana is an indictment of the public education system.

responsibility for Secondary Education, Ms Tiffany Harvey, officially declared the competition open. She said that the COVID 19 pandemic caused the competition to be held virtually over the past two years. She noted, however, that nothing beats face-toface competition and that it was good to have the competition return to its normal mode. She said that severaldebateswillcontinue tomorrowasthecompetition is rolled out across the country Education Officers, Mr Lalchand Salik and Mr Sheldon Granville also deliveredremarksduringthe briefopeningceremony.

Guyanese urged to 'plant more'

T h e M i n i s t r y o f Agriculture on Tuesday hosted a seed and seedling distribution exercise at its head office on Regent Street as part of its Agriculture Month2022observances.

A similar event was hosted in May 2021 in observance of Guyana's 55th Independence Anniversary Thousands of persons from communities across Region Four (Demerara – Mahaica) turned up to the event expressing their interest in benefitting from the initiativewhichsawavariety of fruit and vegetable seeds and seedlings being distributed, the ministry said inapressrelease.

Persons who visited the ministry benefitted from seedlings such as cherries, guava, passion fruit, sapodilla, pomegranate, and 18-monthcoconut;aswellas lettuce, celery, bora, watermelon, ochro, poi, and pumpkin seeds. Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha while offering brief remarks said the government is keen on increasing Guyana's food productionlevels.

“In Guyana, we are fortunate to be producing almost 60% of the food we consume. As a government, wearenotsatisfiedwiththat. We want to produce more so we've been encouraging every citizen; whether you live in the urban areas or in theruralareas,toplantmore; have kitchen gardens so that we can produce for our people and once again become the bread basket of theCaribbean,”henoted.

Further, Minister Mustapha said in order for CARICOM to achieve Vision 25 by 2025, Guyana hastoplayaleadingroleand that the government is willing to work with everyone to boost and

...as Agrculture Ministry distributes seedlings

expandagriculture.“Guyana is leading the agri food system.Weareworkingwith CARICOM to reduce the food import bill by 25% by 2025. In order to achieve this,wehavetoplaythelead, not only in crop production but in the all around development of the agriculturesector

I'm happy to see so many of our young public servants here showing interest in agriculture. It lets me know that, as a people, we are committed to moving the sector forward.Although we are competing with the oil and gas sector, today's turnout shows that there is indeed a renewed interest in the agriculture sector This is because of the programmes and policies that have been implemented by this government under the leadership of our President,” theministeradded.

Minister Mustapha disclosed that similar exercises will be held in every region. He also said that officers from the National Agriculture

Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) will be contacting persons who benefitted from the exercise to monitor the growth and progress of the plants distributed and offer technical assistance where needed.

Persons who benefitted from the exercise praised the ministry for the initiative, mostofwhomexpressedthat they had a general interest in developing a kitchen garden and being able to grow basic fruits and vegetables on their own.

While some said that they had established kitchen gardens, most persons who attended the exercise said they were thankful for the plantingmaterialstogettheir gardens going. With the hike in prices of many fruits and vegetables, many Guyanese are once again looking to establish kitchen gardens at their homes Agriculture Month is being observed u n d e r t h e t h e m e

'Championing Food Security through Innovation, InvestmentandResilience'.

The winning team representing the Winifred Gaskin Memorial Secondary School receives their trophy from the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Secondary), Ms. Tiffany Harvey

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha hands over a coconut seedling to one of the persons who attended the exercise

Persons gather at the Ministry of Agriculture to collect seedlings

Found

Visa for STEM Guyana team denied, misses flight

- Foreign Affairs Ministry steps in

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The day before the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) Guyana team was scheduled to leave for the 2022 FIRST Global Challenge, the team received news that all their visa applications were denied.

After two years of virtual games, FIRST Global is back this year with an in-person competition. The 2022 FIRST Global Challenge will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from today to October 16, 2022. For the first time since 2019, high school students, mentors, volunteers, and supporters from more than 180 countries will come together face-to-face in the spirit of global purpose, unity, and collaboration.

Guyana’s team was scheduled to be one of the participating countries in this year’s event. However the team was met with unfortunate news.

The sad news was announced on Tuesday by Karen Abrams, the co-founder of STEM Guyana, via a Facebook post. Abrams titled her post, “MONTHS OF HARD WORK CULMIMATE IN REJECTION FOR TEAM GUYANA.” On Wednesday, when contacted by the media house, Abrams disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has intervened with the hope of finding a resolution. However, she noted that the team did miss their flight which was scheduled for Wednesday.

While expressing her dissatisfaction with the visa applications being denied, Abrams pointed out, “our teams have toured the US and Mexico and Dubai in previous years and all members have returned home, so I’m not sure

what this rejection was about.” Importantly, the 2022 competition would have been the team sixth year of participation and according to Abrams not one of the team member have attempted to abscond. In another post, she questioned, “Why does a team of brilliant young people who are traveling to an academic Olympiad of 150+ countries need to supply 12 documents including bank statements?” The co-founder shared a document with the two reasons that was given in relation to the visa application being denied. According to that document, it was pointed out that the decision is based on the purpose and circumstances of the intended stay have not been sufficiently demonstrated and there are reasonable doubts about the reliability and authenticity of the evidence submitted about the crediting of their contents. The Geneva event will mark the sixth year for FIRST Global, and its first European event. Prior FIRST Global challenges were held in Washington, D.C., Mexico

City, and Dubai. With the mission to inspire leadership and innovation among the globe’s nearly 2 billion youth through the sport of robotics, FIRST Global believes it is through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics that the world’s next generation can work together to create a better world for us all.

Co-founder of STEM Guyana, Karen Abrams

Ann’s Grove teen...

From page 11 discovered.

A post-mortem examination by State Pathologist, Dr. Nehaul Singh, had revealed that the teen was clubbed to her head, strangled and dumped alive in the canal.

Police later arrested Reid a few days later after finding him hiding in a barrel at a relative’s house.

Reid was charged with murder but after conducting a preliminary inquiry (PI) into the matter, Magistrate Peter Hugh ruled that there was insufficient evidence against him and the matter was discharged.

However, the police then

filed new evidence in the case and that resulted in Reid being committed to stand trial before a judge and jury in the High Court.

In 2019, Reid was accidentally released from prison.

Former Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, had explained that Reid was on remand for a lesser crime which he was freed of.

But by the time the prison ranks realised that he was also on remand for murder, he was long gone.

It was only recently the police received information on the whereabouts of Reid and he was arrested again.

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Islamic Bank clears US$120M loan for Guyana to upgrade Linden highway

The Government of Guyana has finally secured financing from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) to aid in the resurfacing of the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The government had requested from the Bank a US$120 million loan to rehabilitate the highway and during a visit to Linden on Monday, President Irfaan Ali informed residents that the loan was approved a few days ago. The Soesdyke-Linden Highway is the main road link that connects Guyana’s coast to the mining town of Linden and the country’s interior regions.

The US$120 million loan would now be added to the $2.6 billion that was allocated for the project in this year’s

budget for the rehabilitation of the highway. The Public Works Ministry in an advertisement recently had noted that its Work Services Group (WSG) is responsible for the overall implementation of the project.

The project entails reconstruction of approximately 73km of the asphaltic concrete pavement from the Soesdyke junction to the Wismar Bridge in Linden. Key elements of the scope of works include: milling of existing asphalt surface course, application of varying pavement structures above the milled sections of pavement inclusive of asphalt, sand asphalt &/ sub-base, full depth pavement reconstruction in certain sections, construction of two roundabouts

along the alignment, sidewalk extensions to 9 multi-span bridges, drainage works and utility relocation and installation of roadway lighting.

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo had stated at an outreach in Linden back in March that road was in dire need of repairs. He had explained that while the government has spent money repairing the road, because of exhaustive use, it has returned to a dilapidated state over time. In 2021, the government spent about $150 million to upgrade sections of the roadway as well as drainage works. Despite this, following a trip to the mining town, the VP stated that “the highway is in a horrible state; it is in a bad state coming up here.”

Skills gap could hamper success...

From page 3 country could face a labour crisis with the emergence of the oil and gas sector.

The report states that if Guyana were to harness all of its unemployed, underemployed and discouraged workers, the potential supply of labour would be only 63,500 the medium-term. It goes on to state that Guyana will need approximately 160,000 workers. It concluded that there will be the need for, at minimum, 100,000 workers in Guyana to realise its full growth potential. With this in mind, the IOM said it is crucial that Guyana understands that it needs to tap into its Diaspora potential and urgently produce a structured migration policy, informed by evidence-based analysis. The document noted, “Guyana has a large Diaspora around the world, particularly in the US, UK and Canada, this pool of

Guyanese workers is said to number about 550,000 many of whom are considered highly skilled. It is therefore recommended that structured engagement with the Diaspora ensues so this skill set can be utilised to contribute to its maximum potential.”

Simultaneously, the IOM stated that the Government must ensure the Guyanese workforce benefits from significant training for those without skills, retraining for those whose skills may be mismatched with the demand in the economy, and upgrading of skills for those who may have skills but are unable to operate in an intensified competitive environment.

Equally crucial, the organisation said, is for there to be an understanding of the type of labour, which is needed as the country moves deeper into the oil and gas era. Towards this end, the IOM said there is need for the

establishment of labour market information systems (LMIS) which can be handled by a labour market information centre (LMIC). It was explained that an LMIC can be a bureau of Government which does research, analysis, and forecasts.

This agency would have the principal responsibility of analysing the labour market, forecasting trends, understanding labour market gaps, collaborating with agencies such as the Bureau of Statistics, evolving the Central Recruitment & Manpower agency and advising government on policy. Overall, the

IOM said the Government has taken several steps in the right direction however, reforms, innovation and modernization, will be needed to ensure that Guyana can handle an explosion of growth in migrant workers coming into the country.

ExxonMobil must be held accountable...

From page 11 and that they should be held accountable and be pushed in the direction of ensuring more benefits to the people of Guyana.” Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) a subsidiary of ExxonMobil and the operator of the Stabroek Block in reporting the incident to the press on September 10 explained that a team on the Liza Unity Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel observed a sheen on the water in the vicinity of the vessel on September 9, last. According to the oil company, initial investigations indicate that about one barrel of crude was released during a maintenance activity on the vessel.

Further, the activity was immediately halted and the leak was cut off.

The oil company said, “Additional surveillance by

helicopter confirmed that there was no sheen in the area; only a light sheen was perceptible approximately 20 km (13 miles) North West of the vessel.

By midday on September 10, a support vessel in the area confirmed no further sign of a sheen.”

The ExxonMobil affiliate said there were no pictures of the spill.

Since the incident occurred, this publication has been requesting updates from both the Executive Director of the EPA, Mr. Kemraj Parsram and the Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat to no avail. It must be noted that Guyana is yet to secure full liability coverage, as mandated by the Environmental Permits, for the ongoing offshore oil operations.

Instead, the oil company assured that there is US$600 million that has been put aside by the

Stabroek Block operators to cover oil spills per disaster in the rich Stabroek Block, where presently production has surpassed 300,000 barrels per day.

In addition to that, it was reported that a US$2 billion parent company guarantee is being negotiated. This means, however, that the immediate clean up finances could only amount to US$2.6 billion, meaning Guyana could be left to foot the additional charges that may be associated with an oil spill.

In fact, experts and environmental activists have questioned this sum in light of recent oil spill accidents. In Peru for example where only 12,000 barrels of crude was spilled offshore, Repsol – the Spanish operator of the block- has been slapped with a US$4.5 billion lawsuit.

Killer of former Top Cop’s brother gets 12 years

The youth who pleaded guilty to killing the brother of former Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud back in 2017, was on Wednesday sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

At the time of the murder, the accused who hails from ‘C’ Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown was 15 years old. Due to the fact that the accused had committed the crime while he was a minor, his identity is still protected by law and cannot be revealed. Back in September, the accused had pleaded guilty to the charge when he was arraigned before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court. It was on February 19, 2017, when 51-year-old Hemant Persaud, called “Bhim,” of Affiance Village, Essequibo Coast, was murdered.

Before handing down his sentence, Justice Kissoon highlighted that at the time of

Dead, Hemant Persaud

the crime, the accused was still a child and as such, he handed down his sentence in accordance to the Juvenile Justice Act. The accused was sentenced to 12 years for killing Persaud but will have the time spent on remand deducted from his sentence.

According to reports, on the morning of the murder, the teen was at a friend’s stall at Stabroek Market Square when he saw Persaud at another vendor’s stall making a purchase. It was reported that

the accused had spotted Persaud wearing a “fat” gold chain and when Persaud was finished with his purchase, the teen followed him. It was in the vicinity of the washroom area, when the teen reportedly carried out the attack.

During the confrontation, the teenager and Persaud were engaged in a scuffle and it was during this time, the teen whipped out a knife and stabbed Persaud to his chest. After Persaud fell to the ground, the teen reportedly ran to the Sophia bus park where he boarded a minibus and went home.

Persaud was picked up and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The 15-year-old boy was later arrested and while in custody, he had reportedly confessed to killing Persaud. He was later charged for the capital offence.

KNews security guard admits help...

From page 2 Demerara (EBD). Wharton reportedly provided Belingie with an unlicensed gun to carry out a stick-up during the heist and he also borrowed a Toyota Spacio motorcar from his cousin, Lemuel Grant, 23, who is presently in custody, to transport them to their location. They installed a fake number plate on the borrowed car and on Monday after midnight, they put their plan into motion.

Junor was on duty at the time when Wharton pulled up at Kaieteur News’ office located on Saffon Street, Charlestown in the borrowed car with Belingie and Stongster inside the passenger seats. Belingie reportedly barged into the building first and held a clueless 63-yearold security guard and his accomplice Junor at gunpoint. He forced them into one of the rooms of the building where they were reportedly ordered to lie face down.

A few seconds later, Stongster, and Wharton entered the building and walked straight upstairs. They broke open the door of the Accounts Department and then broke open one draw from a desk. The two bandits removed the little cash that was inside and then proceeded to remove a safe containing millions in cash, a pistol and boxes of ammunition from underneath the desk but while they were doing this, Belingie grabbed another clueless employee, a graphic artist who had returned from purchasing some late night snacks and forced him to lie down in the room as well.

They fetched the safe downstairs and then turned

off the lights before taking it outside and placing it into the borrowed car. Wharton waited in the driver seat as Stongster returned to alert Belingie that it was time to make their escape. The car drove off speedily turned into Sussex Street. Junor their accomplice came out shortly after to make sure they were gone before informing his superiors that they had been robbed of their cell phones and $5000 cash at gunpoint.

Footage of the robbery was obtained from the building’s security cameras and investigators were able to crack the case within one day after one of the bandits caught on camera was identified as an ex-employee, Wharton.

He was arrested later in the day and confessed to plotting the robbery with one of the on duty security guards, Junor. Junor was arrested and questioned. It was during the interrogation that Junor confessed to police that he was only playing a victim during the robbery.

He said that he knew that his accomplices were coming to rob the company and had

been communicating with them all the time. The security guard even led police to recover some of the stolen cash he received for playing his part in the robbery.

Upon receiving the news, his colleagues were left shock at how well he acted by playing a victim in a well orchestrated robbery. One of them even recalled asking him if he was traumatized by the entire ordeal and he said yes. Others even recalled him attempting to help them gather information to assist police with their investigation. No one suspected he was one of the bandits who robbed the company.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall said, “Well, I am happy that police acted swiftly and were able to pick up all the conspirators but I am more concerned about my valuables that were stolen”.

Apart from the $14M cash that investigators have recovered so far, the stolen gun and ammunitions were found in house of Collis Heywood at Tucville. He too is in custody assisting with police investigations.

John Fernandes says it...

From page 6 deposit made when the agreement was signed.

JFL explained however, that it was not in a position to legitimately acc ept any refund as that would have resulted in the company collecting the deposit twice.

Concluding its clarification regarding the issue with the land, JFL said it would not support any il-

legitimate sale of land; however, it rema ins a matter for the judicial s ystem to determine whether this is the case.

“JFL wishes to state unequivoc ally, that it is not connected or conducting business with Mohamed and Sons and Daughters, Trading, Mining, Logging and Construction Inc,” the release concluded.

ExxonMobil must be held accountable for recent oil spill

Leader of the

O p p o s i t i o n ,

Aubrey Norton believes that not only should t h e G o v e r n m e n t independentlyinvestigatethe recent oil spill reported at the Liza Two operation but it should also publish the findings of the probe in the interest of transparency and accountability

It was on September 9 that a barrel of crude was reportedly spilled offshore during production activities, but even though more than a month has elapsed, the independent regulatory body of Guyana's oil and gas o p e r a t i o n s , t h e Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)isyettoissuea reportontheincident.

Norton was asked to weighinonthematterduring his weekly press conference

on Tuesday when he explained: “if you look at the oil industry in the world, you will see that there are always oil spills of different magnitude. The APNU/AFC believes that it is incumbent of the government that they have it investigated and then make the findings public, but if you have a corrupt government, a government that doesn't believe in a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d transparency they are not likelytodothat.”

The Opposition Leader even called on the administration to ensure a credible investigation is carried out and reported to the people of the country as he believes this would limit the scope for corruption Additionally, Norton told members of the press that more action is needed to

'Satan' goes on trial for murder of Ann's Grove teen

On Tuesday, the trial commenced for 37-year-old Alvin Reid called 'Satan', of Nimrod Street, Ann's Grove, East Coast Demerara who is chargedwiththe2016murder of a 14-year-old girl of the village.

Last Wednesday, a mixed 12 member jury was empanelled for the trial into themurderoftheteen,Malika Hamilton, whose body was found floating in the Hope Canal, East Coast Demerara, inAugust 2016. Reid pleaded not guilty to the indictment which states that between August8,andAugust9,2016, hemurderedtheteen.

The trial commenced before Justice Simone Morris Ramlall in the Demerara High Court Representing the State in this

matter are: Prosecutor Muntaz Ali and Taneisha Saygon. Representing Reid are: Attorneys at Law, Konyo Sandiford and Iyanna Butts On Tuesday, the prosecutionfirstcalledfamily members of the deceased to testify, before civilian witnesses took the stand. The trialcontinuesonnextweek.

Kaieteur News had reported that the body of 14year-old Malika was fished out of the Hope Canal, East CoastDemerara,onAugust9, 2016. The teen had left her homeonAugust8,2016togo swimming at the Hope Canal with the accused and another male. However, after she did not return home, she was reportedmissing.

Malika'sbodywaslater

...Norton demands release of findings from probe

ensure the EPAcarries out its functions independently. “I reiterate that more action needs to be taken to ensure t h e E PA o p e r a t e s independent based on professionalism so that no government minister tells them what to do or what not do to. As I understand it, the minister is supposed to provide general policy g u i d a n c e , b u t t h e professionals assuming therearebecauseIknowthey

got rid of some of them- in the EPA should be operating in a professional way and providing professional information and advice on what is happening,” he pointedout.

Moreover, Norton stated that the Opposition has been pressing for full liability coverageintheeventofanoil spill; however this requirement is yet to be met by the parent company of the Stabroek Block operator

“The issue of insurance should be addressed and ExxonMobil should and must be held accountable. ExxonMobil is a corporate entity that has resources (and) while we welcome them to Guyana and recognise the role they played in terms of investing andweexpectthemtobenefit on their investment We believe they should operate withintheconfinesofthelaw (Continued on page 17)

Dead, Malika Hamilton Alvin Reid called 'Satan'

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton

Volodímir Zelenski

Allicock was dehydrated

BY RAWLE TONEY

Guyana’s Keevin Allicock was dehydrated, according to medical reports, team Guyana’s Chef de Mission said in a report yesterday.

Kaieteur News was the first and only media entity to report Allicock’s fate following his inability to make the 57kg weight needed for his semi-finals clash against Colombia’s Jean Carlos Pachito, as the Guyanese pugilist took ill to chest pains.

President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Attorney-at-law Keavon Bess, via a release, explained that about 11:45pm

on October 10after the Guyanese delegation returned from Nicolette Fernandes’ quarter finals, Allicock started to complain about a pain in his right chest area and eventually it became clear they needed the help of a doctor and an ambulance.

Guyana did not travel to the South American Games in Paraguay with a medical personnel and according to Bess, the Panamanian Chef de Mission, who was in the lobby area, overheard the Guyanese team’s situation and sensing an emergency, she immediately summoned her doctors and one of them

rushed to Keevin’s room and rendered vital assistance until the EMT and ambulance arrived.

Boxing Coach Terence Poole and Bess accompanied Allicock to the hospital in the ambulance and they were later joined by Garfield Wiltshire the manager of the Squash Team and Executive Member of the Guyana Olympic Association.

Bess said Allicock was attended to by a full team of medical personnel who carried out an electrocardiogram (ECG) and determined that his heart was working normally and was not under stress.

“His blood and urine samples were taken so that other tests could be carried out. After the results came back from the lab the doctors explained to the Boxing Coach that Keevin was extremely dehydrated to the extent that even his bones were lacking fluids, and this caused the pain in the chest and the difficulty in breathing,” Bess said in a statement.

Thursday October 13, 2022

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Now that you feel more secure regarding your business and financial situations, Aries, you might be looking for ways to feed your spiritual and metaphysical interests.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Just about every department of life should be going very well for you now, Taurus. Business, finances, and partnerships are likely on their way to success.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Whatever you're working on at the moment, Gemini, whether business related, personal projects, or volunteer work, it's likely to bring you increased satisfaction on many levels.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

It's likely that your personal and creative horizons are expanding, Cancer. Your or another's artistic enterprises might pay off big today. You could be introduced to people.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

If possible, a get-together of some kind could take place today either at your home or the home of someone close to you, Leo. It could even turn into more than just a fun time.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Expect many advantageous changes to take place in your community, Virgo. New businesses could open their doors, interesting neighbors could move in, or some necessary

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

You've probably had few periods when business and finance have gone well for you, Libra. Now this trend seems to be coming to a head.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You tend to be practical and businesslike by nature, Scorpio, but the tremendous growth you've experienced may increase your desire to be as sensible and efficient as possible in order.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You probably think of yourself as a curious intellectual, Sagittarius, but a recent expansion in career and finance has brought out talents for business and money that you didn't know you had.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Your natural warmth is enhanced by a new sense of self-confidence, Capricorn. Whichever kind of group activities and social events are possible might bring you into touch.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Today you might pinch yourself to see if what you're experiencing is real, Aquarius. Success and good fortune are coming thick and fast, with only minor setbacks and irritations .

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Career and financial success might have paved the way for you to fulfill some of your fondest dreams, Pisces. Perhaps you've wanted to return to college and get an advanced degree.

Allicock, who said he was certain of a victory in his semifinals, told Kaieteur News exclusively on Tuesday that he had trained the night before the weigh-in of his semis, adding, “I was so drained I felt like I was under my weight because my body was drained. I woke up in the morning around 6:00 something and I was .7 over my weight. I started training right there but I couldn’t make the weight because I was already

Johnson slams...

From page 25 and Akini Adams.

The pair continued to pick up boundaries at will and soon after reaching his 150 mark, Johnson was bowled by Dhanani for 153. He struck 13 fours and eight sixes. Barnwell stroked two fours and six sixes before he was caught off Dhanai for 63. Sherfane Rutherford was not out on 26 with one four and three sixes as Dhanai picked up 3-87 off 10 overs.

The President’s XI lost opener Avinash Persaud (00), bowled by Rutherford with the score on five. Griffith and Matthew Nandu took the score to 41 before Nandu was lbw to Richie Looknauth for 16 while Mavindra Dindyal (00) was bowled by Ashmead Nedd cutting at a ball on the middle stump. Nedd uprooted the stumps of Kwesi Mickle (07) before Ali Mohamed bowled Ricardo Peters (03) as the President’s XI slipped to 82-5. Griffith on the other hand looked positive and put on 34 for the sixth-wicket with Garfield Benjamin who was taken off Steven Sankar for 17. Griffith took sixes off Nedd, Sankar and Looknauth and brought up his fifty with a double. Legspinner Sankar maintained a steady line and bowled with variation; he sent back Griffith for 63 with one four and four sixes and trapped Dhanai (00) lbw. Rampersaud was not out on 11 as Sankar and Barnwell took the remaining wickets; the President’s XI were bowled out for 156 in 36 overs. Sankar claimed 4-49 from seven overs while Nedd and 2-22 off six overs. Johnson was named man -of-thematch.

drained.”

Allicock said he came down to 57.1kg, which was still above the weight required to enter the ring.

Though not attending the South American Games with a medical personnel, Bess reported that each member of Guyana’s delegation had travel insurance (health and other coverage) that was secured by the GOA before their departure, along with the Games Organizers’ health insurance coverage, to the tune of $10,000.00 USD, for each member of the delegation.

“Moreover, a listing of all of the hospitals have been provided to each delegation and most importantly all of the hospitals in the host City of Asuncion have been put on high alert to deal with any

medical incidents relative to the games. Hence, the ambulance arrived at the host hotel in about five minutes after the emergency call was made and Keevin received immediate attention when he arrived at the La Costa Hospital,” Bess reported.

The team’s Chef de Mission said contact was made with Allicock’s family in Guyana, and they were reassured that he was recovering well and was out of harm’s way.

After about five hours, according to Bess, Allicock was discharged from the hospital and is currently recovering well and was even present with the rest of Team Guyana as Nicolette stormed into the women’s Squash Finals.

Keevin Allicock

Paiwomak FC needle Strikers FC

WhenactionintheGFF/BlueWatersU15 Girls Development League continued Saturday last at the Kwatamang Sports Ground in the Rupununi, the lone team registering a win in the two matches played wasPaiwomakFootballClub.

Theothermatchcontestedendedina0-0 drawbetweenDreamKillersandThreeHills FC Paiwomak’s goal was scored by MarianneWilliams.

Inresultsfrompreviousmatches,Strikers

FC got past Three Hills by the lone goal of that encounter while Dream Killers beat PaiwomakFC2-1.

The aim of this League among other thingsistoprovideacrucialsteppingstonein the development of young players for the nation’s female national teams, accelerate participation amongst girls in football throughout the country, and provide opportunities for more coaches and other officials.

Lack of experience could see talented Windies struggle at

World Cup - Gayle

Ball-smashing T20 star Chris Gayle believes the WestIndiescouldstruggleat the upcoming World Cup, a tournament that they will head into with a new generationofplayers.

For the first time in decades, the likes of Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Dwayne Bravo, and Andre Russell willnotbeapartoftheteam. While Bravo and Pollard have retired from internationalcricket,Russell was not selected for the squadafteranindifferentrun ofform.

Instead, the unit will feature the likes of burgeoning T20 star Nicholas Pooran and a host of other talented players yet to prove themselves on the

international stage for the Caribbeanteam.

“It will be very difficult for the West Indies team as thecaptainoftheteamisnew and there is no Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, and

Bravo in the team,” Gayle told India daily Dainik Jagran.

Despite the relative lack of experience, Gayle believes the team’s talent could,however,makethema dangerous prospect for any opponentonagivenday

“Yes, it is definitely that theplayerswhoareincluded in the West Indies team are talented and can prove to be dangerousforanyteam.

As everyone knows it is justamatterofadaptingyour strategy in the right way on match day I hope the team playswell,”headded.

TheWestIndieswillbow into action with a Group Stage encounter against Scotland on Sunday (SportsMax)

Aquatic Centre to be

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has informed that the National Aquatic Centre is being closed

e d u l e d maintenance.

for

The closure takes effect from Monday October 17th and will run to Friday October 21st. The NSC noted thatthisistofacilitate general maintenance

ofthefacility

The NSC regrets any inconvenience this closure will cause to the athletes and personsthatutilisethe facility

Paiwomak FC U15 Girls Team

Chris Gayle

Johnson slams ton, Barnwell, Chanderpaul, Sankar shine as Demerara beat President’s XI by 160 runs

ByZaheerMohamed

Skipper Leon Johnson struck an attractive century to lead Demerara to a convincing160-runwinover the President’s XI when the Guyana Cricket Board senior inter county 50-over competition continued yesterday

Johnson put on useful partnerships with opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Christopher Barnwell as Demerara dominated the opposition bowling attack topostacommanding316 5 aftertheyoptedtobatatthe Everest Cricket Club Demerara lost Chandrapaul Hemraj (02) bowled by Shamar Joseph, who had to leave the field later in the inningsafterhesustainedan injury, while medium pacer SureshDhanaitrappedTevin Imlach (10) to leave the

scoreon32-2.

Chanderpaul and Johnson steadied the inningsnicelyastheyadded

133 for the third wicket stand.

Chanderpaul hit Jonathan Rampersaud for

GuyanafaceWindwardIslands...

Frompage23 MatchCentre.CompleteFixtures

ZoneA

MatchesatBLCAstartat2pmlocaltime(1pmJamaica);matchesatQPOstartat9amlocal time(8amJamaica)

31October:Trinidad&TobagoRedForcevCCCatBLCA

31October:WindwardIslandsVolcanoesvGuyanaHarpyEaglesatQPO

2November:Trinidad&TobagoRedForcevGuyanaHarpyEaglesatBLCA

2November:CCCvWindwardIslandsVolcanoesatQPO

5November:GuyanaHarpyEaglesvCCCatBLCA

5November:Trinidad&TobagoRedForcevWindwardIslandsVolcanoesatQPO

7November:WindwardIslandsVolcanoesvGuyanaHarpyEaglesatBLCA

7November:Trinidad&TobagoRedForcevCCCatQPO

9November:CCCvWindwardIslandsVolcanoesatBLCA

9November:Trinidad&TobagoRedForcevGuyanaHarpyEaglesatQPO

12November:Trinidad&TobagoRedForcevWindwardIslandsVolcanoesatBLCA

12November:GuyanaHarpyEaglesvCCCatQPO

ZoneB

MatchesattheSVRSstartat2pmlocaltime(1pmJamaica)unlessotherwisestated.CCG matchesstart9amlocaltime(8amJamaica)

October:LeewardIslands

Leeward

WestIndiesAcademy

Barbados

JamaicaScorpions

LeewardIslands

consecutive fours and rotatedthestrikewell,while Johnsonblossomednicelyas he timed the ball sweetly on both sides ofthewicket. Johnson took boundaries off Rampersaud and smashed SureshDhanaiforsixesashe continued to play positive. Chanderpaul brought up his fiftywithasingletomid-off

before he was bowled by TrevonGriffithfor53.

His innings contained five fours. The left-handed JohnsonandBarnwellputon 125forthefourth-wicketto further frustrate their

opponents in hazy conditions

Johnson was strong square of wicket, cutting

RampersaudandGriffithfor fours and used his feet well against the spinners He pulled Dhanai for another boundary and smashed him for six; he soon brought up hiscenturywithadoubleoff Griffith while Barnwell was his usual aggressive self hittingsixesoffDhanai

(Continuedonpage21)

six. (Zaheer

Inter-County

BySeanDevers

In an encounter filled with drama in which 58 minuteswerelostduetorain andaneight-minutelatestart due the late arrival of the Berbice team, Berbice beat Essequibo by 26 runs on D/L/Sinthesecondroundof the GCB’s Inter-County 50over tournament in fading lightatBourdayesterday

When bad light stopped

Shepherd spurs B’ce to win despite Sampson’s 85

play at 16:38 hrs off 26 overs, the defending Champions, who needed be at 118-4 at that stage, were 144-4,withJonathonFooon 16 and Romario Shepherd unbeatenon30from19balls with three sixes and two fours.

With Berbice two runs behind the par score, ShepherdclobberedRicardo Adams for three sixes just

before the Umpires halted proceedings.

Anthony Bramble followed up his 102 on Monday, with 62 from 53 balls with seven fours and eightsixes.

The 27 year old Left armspinnerGarfieldPhillips removed the ‘big dogs’ Bramble and Shimron Hetymer (9) in the space of 10 runs to finish with 2-16

while there was a wicket eachforRicardoAdamsand SkipperAnthonyAdams.

Berbice began their innings, hunting the 226 made by Essequibo who were bowled out in 48.3 overs.

A 55-run fifth wicket stand between Kemo Paul, whohitthreefoursandsixin 45 and Eknauth Persaud whose 22 included three boundaries revived the position after a shaky start, whileQuentinSampson,one ofsixplayersfromthePolice TeamintheCity,launcheda brutal attack on the Berbice bowlers, flaying them to all parts of lush green and spongy outfield in an explosive 85 from 65 balls withtwoandeightsixes.

The pugnacious fast bowling all-rounder shared ina96runspartnershipwith Anthony Adams who made carefully constructed 30 from 60 with two fours and six.

Man-of-Match Shepherd had 4-37 while off-spinner KevinSinclairtook3-35and Skipper Veerasammy Permaulhad2-7.

Earlier, in blustery conditions, National pacers Shepherd and Nial Smith made the ball ‘talk’with the balls consistently going past the edge as they reduced Essequiboto27-4insidefive overs.

Smith, bowling with lively pace, had Kevin Boodie (1) caught behind at 4-1 while Shepherd, getting prodigious swing, removed Kevin Christian (2), Kemol Savory (1) and Ricardo Adams(5).

And with Savory, who madeatoninthefirstround and Boodie who made 92, gone, Essequibo were wobblingontheropesunder cloudyskies.

Paul and Persaud embarked on ‘Operation recovery’ and the fifty was posted in 12.3 overs with Paul, in particular playing somelovelydrives.

Butwiththescoreon82, Permaul trapped Persaud LBW as the aggressive Sampson joined Paul who flicked Permaul for six but was caught off the next ball as he tried to repeat the shot at105-6.

Anthony Adams played the supporting role as Sampson cut Smith for six over point and hit Shepherd onto the sightscreen before hewastakenatdeepcoveras Shepherdstruckat201-7.

Neiland Cadogan (2), Adams and Haimant Singh (1)werequicklyremovedby Kevin Sinclair while the other Sinclair (Junior) has not bowled a ball in the tournament as yet despite bowling well for the WarriorsintheCPL.

Bramble and Ramnauth added 64 in 11 overs for the firstwicketbeforeRamnauth (12)felltoAnthonyAdams.

Bramble, who deposited RicardoAdamsforasixand four in the 10th over which cost 15, reached his fifty from40ballswithfivefours and three sixes but looked uncomfortableagainstspin.

Watched by large and vocalgatheringofEssequibo

(Sean Devers photo)

fans in the Rohan Kanhai stand, Phillips, from theVillage of Arora in Region two, bowled Brambleat79-2andthelads from Guyana’s largest County were fighting back muchtodelightoftheirfans.

The fans were on their feet when entire team went up in a raucous caught behind appeal off Hetmyer whichwasgivennotout.

The replays from the GCB’s live streaming of the match, confirmed that the ballhadmissedthebat.

Hetmyer, who was heckled by sections of crowd, cut Ricardo Adams gloriously for four but seemed uncertain to Phillips who had had him flicking to point before the West Indies left-handertriedtocutatone tooclosehimat89-3andwas caught behind as Phillips removed the ‘big fish’and whenKevenSinclair(10)hit one to cover off Ricardo Adams, the Essequibo fans wentwildwithunadulterated joy

But Foo, on the back of 91inthefirstround,andthe big hitting Shepherd batted their team to their second victorywhenthegameended prematurely

Tomorrow Berbice face thePresident’sX1atBourda, while Essequibo play DemeraraatEnmore.

Garfield Phillips had Hetmyer caught behind for nine yesterday.

Watched by a vocal gathering Sampson misses a cut at Permaul at Bourda yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)

CGUnitedSuper50Cup2022scheduleconfirmed…

Guyana face Windward Islands in opening round

ST JOHN’S, Antigua –

TheCGUnitedSuper50Cup returns on October 29, with the Caribbean’s 50 over cricket rivalries competing for the first time since February2021.

The West Indies

Academy team and Combined Campuses & Colleges(CCC)willjointhe six regional franchise teams to contest the 2022 CG United Super50 Cup, to be played in Antigua and TrinidadfromOctober29to November19.

The 2022 edition of the region’s pre eminent 50 over white ball competition also marks the start of the countdowntowardsthe2023 ICC Cricket World Cup and an opportunity for players across the West Indies to push for consideration and selection for theWest Indies ODIteam.

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force will defend their title andhostZoneAfeaturingthe Windward Islands

Volcanoes, Guyana Harpy EaglesandCCC.

ZoneBwillfeaturehosts the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, Barbados Pride, Jamaica Scorpions and the WestIndiesAcademy.

The opening match will be on Saturday, October 29, and sees Zone B hosts Leeward Islands Hurricanes facing the West Indies Academy

For the first time, the WestIndiesAcademywillbe featuring in the CG United Super50 Cup and the West IndiesAcademyplayerswill have the development opportunity to play List A cricketagainstthebestinthe Caribbean. Thisopportunity is part of the Academy programme’s main objectives of bridging the gap between youth and professional cricket in the region. The West Indies Emerging Players side famously won the Super50 Cupin2019andsixofthose playershavesincegoneonto

representtheWestIndies.

The opening match will bethefirstoften(10)ZoneB gamestobeplayedattheSir Vivian Richard Stadium (SVRS),allofwhichwillbe broadcast live on ESPN Caribbean, the exclusive Caribbean broadcast partner of the CG United Super50 Cup,aswellasonESPN+in the USA. Two further Zone Bgameswillbeplayedatthe Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG), the home of Cricket WestIndies.

All of the Zone A matches in Trinidad will be split equally between the BrianLaraCricketAcademy (BLCA) and Queen’s Park Oval (QPO), with the first two games played on Monday,October31.

Every Zone A match will be streamed live on the Windies Cricket YouTube channelintheCaribbeanand aroundtheworld.

Each team will play six groupmatches,playingeach of their Zone competitors

twice.

The top two teams from each Zone will qualify for the semi-finals, which will be played in Antigua at the SVRS on Wednesday, November 16 andThursday, November17.

The CG United Super50 Cupfinalwillbeatthesame venue on Saturday, November19.

Johnny Grave, CWI CEO said: “The 2022 CG United Super50 Cup promises to be an actionpacked event for our fans to feast on exciting cricket rivalries and for players to pushforselectiontotheWest Indies.

This year’s tournament featuressomeoftheregion’s best and upcoming talent competing to win the CG United Sir Clive Lloyd Trophy.”

Grave added: “We are lookingforwardtoseeingthe West Indies Academy and CCC play against our professional regional teams and expect the competition to provide them with an excellent development opportunity

Thiswillhelptobroaden the pool of players being exposed to highest levels of competition at the regional level.

CWI welcomes and

thanks title partners CG United for their continued sponsorship of the CG UnitedSuper50Cup,astheir investment has proved i n v a l u a b l e t o t h e development of the game in theregion.”

Overseas broadcast partners for the CG United Super50 Cup are ESPN+ (USA), BT Sport (UK & Ireland) and FanCode (India).

Additionally, LIVE ballby ball scoring for all twenty seven (27) CG United Super50 Cup matcheswillbeavailableon thewww.windiescricket.com

(Continuedonpage21)

Guyana Harpy Eagles lost to Trinidad and Tobago Red Force in the 2021 Championship. (CWI)

Johnson slams ton, Barnwell, Chanderpaul, Sankar shine as Demerara beat President’s XI by 160 runs

Sports

Shepherd spurs B’ce to win despite Sampson’s 85

M-O-M Romario Shepherd had 4-37 before hitting an unbeaten 30. (Sean Devers photo)

Silver for Nicolette Nicolette Fernandes at South American Games

The ever-dependable Nicolette Fernandes

Despite her valiant effort, Nicolette Fernandes had to settle for silver in the women’s singles squash event at the SouthAmericanGameslastevening.

FacingColombia’sLauraPerez,Fernandesracedawayto a2–0lead(11-6,11-8).However,Perez,25,currentlyranked inthetop100intheworld,bouncedbacktoeventhematch2–2,winninghergames7-11,7-11.

Down to the final game, Fernandes, hunting her second South American Games gold, seemed in control of the encounter, especially with the Guyanese delegation in her corner But,whenthedustwassettled,thefamousGuyanese squashplayer,forcing‘deuce’wouldrunoutofsteam11-13.

Fernandes, 39, Guyana’s most decorated squash player, maleorfemale,is(byfar)theonlyplayerinthedisciplineof SquashtowingoldattheSouthAmericanGames,doingsoin 2010againstanotherColombian,SilviaRugeles.

In fact, Fernandes and Cleveland Forde are the only two GuyaneseathletestowinGoldattheSouthAmericanGames whichstartedin1978.

Forde, in 2006, crossed the line in 14 minutes, 07.08s (14:07.08)intheMen’s5000metres.

Fernandes now joins boxers Keevin Allicock and DesmondAmsterdam as the only athletes from the Land of ManyWaterstofindthepodiumatthe2022SouthAmerican Games, pushing Guyana’s medal tally to three – one silver, twobronze.(RawleToney)