Kaieteur News

SOCU received 100 reports of suspicious transactions from 2016 to 2020 ...but failed to prosecute a single person- Report

During the period 2016 October31,2022. monthsofthecommissionof to 2020, the Special The report notes that one theoffence). Organised Crime Unit ofthesourcesofinformation

In August 2017, the (SOCU) received 100 for SOCU’s investigations is reportnotesthattherewasan reports of suspicious intelligence reports from the amendment to the Antitransactions, but only half of Financial Intelligence Unit Money Laundering and these were investigated (FIU) arising out of Countering the Financing of whilenonewasprosecuted. Suspicious Transaction Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act

This was outlined in Reports (STRs) submitted to which made the offence months, the scheme investigated were all theunitin2014itisnowwith Guyana’s second Money the unit. For the assessed indictable as well This administrators purchased committed in Guyana, and its third Head. The report Laundering/ Terrorist period, the FIU forwarded allows for charges to be several multi-million-dollar the proceeds are likely said this has the potential to Financing (ML/ TF) 100 intelligence reports for brought at any time after the properties The initial launderedinGuyanaaswell. hamper growth and National Risk Assessment investigation including commissionoftheoffence. investigation has revealed OTHER ISSUES development. (NRA) Report.According to follow-upreports.

Despite the unit’s that the legitimate income of The report was keen to Further, information also Attorney General and Despite this large challenges, Kaieteur News the two suspects were note that the Guyana Police suggests that there is a high Minister of Legal Affairs, number of intelligence understands that SOCU insufficient to purchase the Force’s Special Organised turnover rate of staff at Anil Nandlall SC, the NRA reports received, the report managedtoforwardonecase properties. The Office of the Crime Unit (GPF/SOCU) SOCU, and accordingly, the report was done to ensure said less than half were to the Director of Public DPP advised that further has the mandate of unit is not benefitting from c o m p l i a n c e w i t h investigated, none resulted ProsecutionsforMLcharges investigations be conducted investigating money the huge investments into international obligations of inprosecutionorconvictions in 2020. That matter related todeterminewhetherthetwo laundering cases in Guyana. trainingofstaff. the Financial Action Task and approximately 36 were to a man and a woman suspects can be charged for TheHeadofSOCUholdsthe The report states that the Force(FATF)whichrequires n o t a s s i g n e d f o r (scheme administrators) ML as a standalone offence. r a n k o f S e n i o r overall perception of SOCU all countries on an ongoing investigation as of the end of whowouldrecruitpersonsto Based on an analysis of the SuperintendentofPolice. by the reporting entities and basis, to identify, assess, and 2020. joininwhatwasessentiallya data and statistics provided Importantly, the report competent authorities is that understand their money Amongthereasonslisted Ponzi scheme. The victims by the authorities, the notes that SOCU also has an morecanbedonetoimprove laundering and terrorist for the lack of money were convinced that after Working Group that a d m i n i s t r a t i o n a n d its operations and outputs, financingrisks. laundering cases moving placing their investments prepared the report management problem given especially as it pertains to

The exercise had forward for prosecution are, w i t h t h e s c h e m e concluded that the offences that since the formation of convictions. commenced in December the lack of adequate human administrators, their 2019andwasconductedbya resources, insufficient investments could triple Working Group (WG) of evidence, and the fact that their initial installment over70personsrepresenting such offences in Guyana withinaweek,ofwhichafee public and private sector weresummaryoffencesonly would be payable to the agencies in Guyana. The (e.g. investigators had to scheme administrators for report was made available bring a charge with the their services However, for public perusal on offence of ML within six within the span of a few

Two months after C-section, doctor finds pack of gauze in woman’s uterus

A young mother is said that she started going clinic nearby the hospital, it counting her lucky stars into labour but there were did not yield any plausible after a belated discovery by some issues “I wasn’t results. a doctor saved her life. getting dilated enough; I “But my stomach Sussana Philmattie, 25 of went up to 4cm. The doctor remained swollen and in Collins Essequibo Coast tried to induce labour but pain,” the woman said. She told this publication that she nothing was happening so t h e n t r a v e l l e d t o was left in pain for two they decided that I needed a Georgetown to see another monthsaftergivingbirthvia C-Section. doctor at Woodlands a Caesarean ‘C’ Section, at Theoperationwasquick Hospital. the Suddie Regional and when I came to myself, Philmattie recalled: HospitalinEssequibo. they said everything was “The doctors there said that The woman later okay, the baby only needed there was something in discovered that the pain and to go on antibiotic treatment there…so I went to my swellinginherstomacharea for a couple days,” the doctor who did another that remained after the womansaid. ultrasound My doctor procedurewasduetoalarge Philmattie said she went became very upset because packofgauzethatwasleftin home but continued to he said that this is not the her uterus by the operating experience pain and first time this is happening, team at the Suddie Hospital. swelling in the left side of itisactuallythethirdpatient She noted that the situation herstomach.Shereturnedto thatheknowsabout.Hesaid couldhaveledtoherdemise the hospital and told the he could not understand if the gauze had formed a medicalstaffthereabouther howtheycouldleavealarge septic infection. “I am just discomfort and they packofgauzeinme.” happy to be alive today recommended an antibiotic Thewomansaidthatshe because based on what I treatment for her but the was referred immediately to knowIcouldhavedied,”the painpersisted. the Georgetown Public womansaid. The new mother H o s p i t a l w h e r e a n

Philmattie went into the returned to the hospital in emergency operation was hospital to deliver her baby January and decided and get performed on her to remove on December 12, 2022. She an ultrasound from a private thegauze.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor-In-Chief:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

WANTED: PUBLIC OFFICIALS WHO WILL STAND FOR PRINCIPLES

Ifonlywehadalittlehandfulofgovernmentministers, some strong Permanent Secretaries of the highest ethical substance, men and women of rare courage who will stand forsomething,thenGuyanacouldmarchalongabetterroad. Forthen,longsufferingGuyanesewillbegintogetaglimpse ofwhattruthandtransparencyarereallylikeandrealvalue fortheirtaxdollars. Itwouldbeastarttosomethingbetter, moreofdeepsubstanceandlessofshallowspeeches.

Atleast,afewgovernmentministers,andtheequivalent number in Permanent Secretaries (or pivotal Heads of Department)wouldgiveussomethingwhichwedon’thave today We would have a benchmark relative to what characterandcredibilityareallabout,andjustbecauseofthe outputoftheirmindsandtheirhands.

Weaskourreaderstothinkofthesethingsintheseearly days of March. For if we could find them to stand for something, better management of oil, clean governance, principled leadership, then so much could be made of our gifts.

IfonlywecouldhavefourorfiveStateinstitutions,we wouldbethankfulforwhatisconsideredthepricelessnessof their presences. Less than a half a dozen of such State agencies, and the whole of Guyana would be talking about them because they would represent something radically different, they would give hope, and all because they are aboutwhatisgoodforGuyanese,andhowmuchmorethey canbetrustedtodeliver Allweaskforisthishandful,and we could name some constitutional agencies, but we leave thattotheintelligenceofGuyanesetofigureoutwhichthey wouldliketohavefortheirpeaceofmind.

This small number should not be a difficulty of any proportionsforanycountry TheproblemisthatGuyanais notjustanycountry,andtomentioneventhis,smallnumber Stateagenciesofthehighestreputationswouldbeenoughto cause powerful politicians and their cabals a stroke. Becauseifwehavethem,thenthereisnotellingofwhatthey know, and what they may do with such power and such knowledge. There would be great anxieties in the highest circles here, with the cunning and devious walking around oneggshells,scaredoftheirownshadows. Wepointtothe localEITI,andshakeourheads.

If only we could have three or four oversight bodies of credibility, peopled by those whose first callings are commitment to honour, and the will to do their duty fearlessly,thentheywouldspeakandactwithassuranceand authority Thoseoversightbodieswouldbethetalkandjoy ofallGuyana,theywilldorightbyus. Forthereweresuch people in Guyana at one time, only for their political or public service descendants to yield to temptations and corruptthemselves. Whatwehaveforoversightbodiesare rank extensions of those places and issues that sicken our existence.

Darkness thickens, white-collar crimes multiply, and politicianssingforjoybecauseitisbusinessasusual.

No!WearetryingtodoanyimitationofRudyardKipling and his immortal contribution to literature, all we at this paper are trying to do is express our heartfelt yearnings for the Guyana that we could have, if only we had the right people,onlyafew

The above are only a start, should convey what we live with from government to government. We long for leadershipcleanlinessandpoliticalwill,butconcoctionsand deceptionsmultiply Wewishforbureaucraticintegrityand public servant fidelity, only for the crass, crooked, and criminaltoroamatwill.

Whichplacecanbuildonthis,ensureprosperityforall, withagenciesandbureaucratslikethese?Thereisnoifabout Guyana’s oil anymore. If now we can surround it with the best, brightest and straightest that this country could find, then the world is ours. If only we can have impeccable leadershiparoundittomakeitworktoourbestadvantage, then there is no limit to our possibilities. If only we could have the national harmony that powers us toward a truly nationaldestiny. Ifonly... Ifonly…

Exxon is controlling our waters, damaging livelihoods, where is the EPA?

DEAREDITOR,

The subject of Sea Surveys in nearshore waters has international relevance. Only today, I watched a podcast on the South China Sea, where the Chinese Government imposes itself overoceanwatersfarbeyond its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Totally ignoring the rights of countries like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and others, China blatantly patrols and explores these waters which, according to the International Law of the Sea,aresharedbyChinaand its neighbours, with each having a 200 hundred mile EEZ of its own. Needless to say,China’saggressionisnot amicablyreceived.

But here in Guyana, our own EEZ has for the last six

(6) years been completely dominated by one foreign party ExxonMobil has been exploring oil and gas resources off our coast, with its usual rapacity and arrogance,since2016.

And today, in Kaieteur News, we read of a new project for oceanographic surveys of the Continental Shelfandseafloor,justafew kilometers off the Georgetown and Vreed-enHoopforeshores. Theissue, whichisbynomeansnewor surprising,isthattherehasto date been no public consultation on this project, although one phase of it has already begun Tuesday’s edition of KN published simultaneously a one-page a n n o u n c e m e n t b y

M A R A D o f a Hydrographic Survey in our

near-coastal waters, and a two-part project of Geotechnical and Geophysical surveying of the area immediatelynorthandsouth of the entrance to the Demerara River. These surveys began on February 23andwillcontinueuntilthe month of July So, it means that,ifnothingelse,thisvery busy area straddling the mouthoftheDemeraraRiver willbeunderprojectsurveys (involving Multibeam scanning)formorethanfive (5) months. One is once again astounded by this sudden disclosure by the authorities of another ExxonMobilprojectthathas not passed through the official process of public scrutiny Our EPA law requires an Environmental Impact Assessment for any

project, be it on land or territorial waters. Yet our EPAappears to have waived this important requirement onceagain.Theprojectareas are just a few kilometers (about8nauticalmiles)from Georgetown’s foreshore, wellwithintheusualfishing grounds of artisanal fishermen.Evenmorewideranging are the possible disturbances of all marine l i f e , b o t h i n t h e pelagic(surface) as well as the benthic (sea-floor bottom)environmentswhere numerous marine organisms liveandfindtheirfood.

This impacting on marine lifecycles and food chains is already affecting fish catch and the livelihood ofourfisherfolkonthecoast. Yoursfaithfully, CarlA.Brathwaite

LindenMayorrespondsto MinisterofLabouronelectricitytariff

DEAREDITOR,

I’m responding to this post. Minister urges Linden utility to reverse hike in electricity tariff in Stabroek News. With no increase in the cost to generate electricity in Linden, the Interim Management Committee of the Linden UtilityServicesCooperative Society Limited (LUSCSL) was urged by Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton, to rescind its management’s decisiontoincreasethetariff toconsumers.

“I urged the IMC to rescind that adjustment thecooperativeisnotpaying any additional dollar for electricity and there should be no increase in rates,” Hamilton told Stabroek News in a telephone interview yesterday StabroekNewswastoldthat in the latter part of 2022 the LUSCSL increased electricity tariffs for regular consumers Hamilton explained that the increases varied among customers as somepay$160perkilowatt, while others pay $186 or $205 He said that the rationaleby managementon the increase was baffling to him since the government had said that it will not increase the cost of electricity He noted that the increase was instituted without any input from the IMC. “Generally, we are subsidizing the cost for electricity in Linden. There isnoreasonforthepeopleof Linden to pay an increase,”

heemphasized.Accordingto the Minister, BOSAI’s electricity generation is supplied to the citizens on the eastern side, while the LUSCSL purchases subsidized electricity from theLindenPowerCompany During his visit to Linden, Hamilton said that persons complainedtohimofhaving to pay increases in e l e c t r i c i t y “ T h e management has no authoritytoincreasethecost. Theyhavetobringthattothe board, or in this case, the IMC and deliberate, after which it has to come to government for that request to be granted,” Hamilton said.Hestatedthatifthecoopwaslookingtoincreaseits revenuestream,theyhaveat leastthreeoptions.

HesaidthattheBrazilian company, Constructora Queiroz S A, which is constructing the LindenMabura Road has signaled its intention to purchase power from the co-op. He noted that previously the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company paid to use the poles of the co-op, but that arrangement no longer exists. He said he encouraged them to reengage the company and b e g i n f r e s h negotiations.Hamilton said that he informed the IMC to considergoingaftermoneys owed to them. “The Linden Town Council owes the coop millions. If they… start going after those money, they will be able to have a

betterincomeflow,”hesaid.

THEMAYOR’S RESPONSE

Despite the ignorance of thefactsontheground,Ifind itdishearteningthatasitting Minister would make statements in the media based on a few ‘roadside’ conversationswithunnamed residentsandnoconsultation with the legitimate authorities in Linden regarding electricity rates. The facts are, since 2012, therehasbeennoincreasein rates and despite the insinuationthat“millionsare owedbytheTownCouncil“ a simple fact check would haverevealedthatthereisan

unresolveddisputeoverwho bears the responsibility for street light and the rates and taxes on the reserve in Linden. As Mayor of the town, I am always ready to meet with elected officials and present them with factualevidenceoftheissues and circumstances faced by myconstituents.Iwouldask thatthePresident’svisionof ‘One Guyana’ extends to truthful public statements, especially when it relates to issues that can easily be verified.

Sincerely,

Her Worship Waneka Arrindell MayorofLinden

Eusi Kwayanna explains his position

DEAREDITOR, I seek to fill a gap in information available that I owe to readers in the print media in Guyana. The Kaieteur News of October 20, 2020 published material which by legal advice I considered to be libelous. Consequently, I wrote to the Editor in Chief of the Kaieteur News drawing attention to this publication andrequestingaretractionof orwithdrawaltheallegations againstmewrittenbyVassan Ramracha.

Please note I advised my counsel not to request an apology because I am fully aware that in many places persons in certain positions regardhavingtoapologiseto

another human being as an act that detracts from the dignity of one who apologises.

I therefore left that question open and did not requestit.Todate,sofarasI know,thenewspaperhasnot letthepublicknowthatIhad expressed an opinion on the allegations against me. The purposeofthisletteristofill that gap in information available to the public. In addition to this summary, I am attempting to repeat the warning to the newspaper andthistimetodirectittothe publisher to avoid any possibleloopholeincasethe matterreachesthecourts.

Yoursrespectfully, EusiKwayana

Avision of Burnham, and the work ahead

DEAREDITOR, TheGeorgetownseawall was quiet and the sprawling ocean in all its beauty was tranquil.

I liked the spot where I sat. I would always sit there to watch the sunset. The big granite rock was firmly etched in the sand and offered an angular and somewhat uncomfortable seat.Ilookedtomyleftatthe Pegasus hotel pointing skyward;atallandimposing structure overlooking the AtlanticOcean.

Attheweekend,thearea where I was seated would transform into a busy place with sound systems blaring hardcoreJamaicandancehall music Temporary food stalls, snow cone carts, parched nuts and sweets hustlers and hundreds of people would be milling around having fun. Boys wenttheretogetgirlsandthe far, dark and quiet areas along the seawall would becomeanopenguesthouse.

ThereIwasseatedonmy uncomfortable granite stool looking at the beautiful sunset.

The Atlantic had begun to darken. I thought it was time to leave, but it dawned on me that I was waiting for someone. Who, I could not recall.Atinyinsectmadeits wayalongthesandatmyfeet and disappeared under a brownishleaf.Myeyeswere fixated on the leaf wondering if the insect would emerge. I felt a presence.

I looked up and there he stood; tall and imposing as the Pegasus in the distance. Hewaslookingatthesea.He took a deep pull on what appeared to be an expensive Cuban cigar and the smoke made a cloud around his dome.

“Comrade Leader?”, I asked in utter surprise and awe His face was expressionless, his body language revealing nothing. Then he spoke and even then, I could not fathom his mood. “Why him, comrade Browne?”Heliftedthecigar, hesitatingtoputittohislips as if he were waiting for a reply.

“I thought he was the reincarnation of you; that which is most needed in our country’sdarkestmoment.”I responded, feeling like a pigmy in the presence of a giant. He dropped the cigar in the sand and the insect scuttledfromundertheleaf.

“Comrade, I trust you

willundothemessyoumade and proceed to place the party in good stead to face theultimatechallengeahead. Do not waste the moment giventoyouinlifetomakea differencebecausesoonyou will realise that moment is fleeting and will never return.”

Iwasinthepresenceofa royal figure A towering human being that secured o u r r e p u b l i c a n d independence.ABlackman, Guyanese and founding father of our nation that was extraordinary in his leadershipandtime.Myeyes searched in guilt for the insect wondering where it hadgone.Ithaddisappeared. Iwasaloneinthepresenceof

Guyana’s most remarkable leader

“Let me handle it, sir.” I said “Be sure too ” He replied The seawall had suddenly become very dark. I saw the burning embers, perhaps from a cigar disappearinginthedistance. My eyes were struggling to get used to the light coming from my bedroom window inLondon.

I stretched my body and struggled out of bed. Did I oversleep?Theclocktoldme otherwise. I would not be late for work. This time I knewwhatthejobwas.

Sincerelyyours,

NormanBrowne Social and Political Activist

Burnham tore apart the fabric of democracy, economic and social decay followed

DEAREDITOR, Guyana has recently observed 53 years of republicanstatus.

Italsocoincidedwiththe 100th birth anniversary of former President Forbes Burnham. Burnham was at thepoliticalhelmbothatthe time of the conferral of i n d e p e n d e n c e a n d republicanstatus.

A s t o w h e t h e r Burnham’sbirthanniversary a n d o u r R e p u b l i c celebrations were coincidental is not really important or material, even though given Burnham’s proclivity for ego gratification, it may not be oneofsheercoincidence.

The political crisis gave rise to an economic crisis which in turn resulted in a severe social crisis. For a significant period, the country experienced negative economic growth, whichonlyservedtomakea bad situation worse Guyanesewereexperiencing hell to make ends meet and many were forced into the underground economy in ordertosurvive.

The point in all of this is that there is a dialectical relationship between the politicalsystemandtheother sub-systems including the economic, social and cultural.

It is important that Burnham be placed in a proper historical context, especially in light of recent attempts by some people to glorify his contribution to Guyana’s political evolution. His split from the PPP in 1955 and the subsequent rupture of the democratic fabric of the countryremainuntilthisday an unfortunate, if not dark moment, in our political landscape.

DEAREDITOR,

“African airlines entering Guyana market’

(NewsRoom February 28) blazed the news headline with a full release detailing the Angolan aircraft operator, Bestifly and the Addis Ababa flight support, charter and aviation consultancy, Krimson Aviation, in a joint venture company, BFK Aviation, to support local operator, Xen Aviation. Andallbecauseof our booming oil and gas sector All of this is very

good, but from a layperson standpoint shouldn’t the announcementandreleaseof the entry into our market have been made by the authorizingagency,GCAA?

Even though it seems a private arrangement between BFK Aviation and Xen Aviation, the fact the operation is Guyana based, the authorizing agency comes into play. GCAA should offer some clarity on thismatter

Yoursfaithfully, ShamshunMohamed

To say that Burnham playedacontributoryrolein the underdevelopment of Guyana during the i m m e d i a t e p o s tindependence period would be an understatement Burnham was in fact the architect of Guyana’s economicandsocialdecline, which at the time of his passing had reduced the country to the poorest in the western hemisphere, and amongtheleastdevelopedin theworld!

One of the main reasons for the difficult situation in which the country found itself was the rupture of the democratic fabric of the country

It is an established fact that all elections since 1968 were blatantly rigged by the PNC, which resulted in a deeppoliticalcrisis,thelikes of which had never been experienced in the AnglophoneCaribbean.

The political system impactsonallaspectsoflife. Hence the importance of fixing the system in a way that it optimizes the full developmental potential of thecountryanditspeople.

One can be charitable and give some credit to BurnhamfortheroleGuyana played in the non-aligned movement and the antiimperialist struggle at that time for which the PPP rendered ‘critical support’. There are, however, many who saw such overtures as merely self-serving and a political smokescreen to institutionalize dictatorial rule During that period, eveninthemidstofasevere economic crisis, the country hadabloatedforeignservice which,alongwiththeOffice of the President and the military, was consuming more financial resources than education, health, housing, agriculture and watercombined.

Fortunately, we have moved past that depressing era, but ‘Burnhamism’ as a political philosophy where thecaptureofstatepowerby u n d e m o c r a t i c a n d Machiavellianmeansshould never be allowed to again raiseitsuglyhead.

The way forward for Guyana is through, free, fair anddemocraticelectionsand constitutional governance Any departure from such normsisfraughtwithdanger

Yoursfaithfully, HydarAlly

WANTED ONE MATHS TUTOR

CONTACT

NUMBER: 693-2968

NewAfrican airline to operate in Guyana, shouldn’t the Guyana Aviation authority be announcing?

Mark Twain is credited with the following statement, Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics

DEAREDITOR,

The well-known former British Prime Minister, BenjaminDisraeliisalleged to have made this remark whileinOffice.Thesewords came to mind after reading thestronglywordedletterby Dr Randolph Persaud in response to Annette Ferguson’s eulogizing Forbes Burnham on his centenaryofhisbirth.

The figures quoted by Dr Persaud has been changed upwards and downwards on many occasions but he failed to give Burnham credit for taking us through to Independence in the middle ofastressfulworldsituation when we were caught in the middleofadestructivebattle between the Soviet Union, their Allies and the United States,UnitedKingdomand theirAllies.

Second, when Burnham led the first coalition after the 1964 Elections, he, his Party and the United Force

wentthroughoutthiscountry to bring hitherto warring communitiestogether This was not easy but with courage the coalition succeeded in many areas getting people to work together to build schools, cottage hospitals and even PoliceStations.

All this in the midst of theheightenedracialandthe call from certain quarters, Dr Persaud ought to be aware of what we understood to be ‘Apan Jaat.”

Dr Persaud failed to recognize or to remember the great damage done to us duringthe70sastotheresult of the oil crisis. Guyana at that time was one of the several non-oil producing countries whose economy wasdevastated.

Before the oil crisis, I recall we could have purchased one barrel of oil (fuel)bysellingtwoorthree tons of sugar Suddenly, we had to sell over 20 tons of

sugartobuythesamebarrel of oil. On National Service, enoughhasbeensaid.

It was intended to bring young people from the Corentyne Coast to the Northwest, from the Coastland plain to the Rupununi, to live, learn and worktogetherinacontrolled environment of love so that theprejudicesofourcolonial past could be erased. It was Burnham who in spite of objections from sections of the upper middle class gave officials an equal recognition to Muslim, Hindus and Christians’ by making them public holidays.

It was Burnham who ensured that we had a cadre ofDiplomatsofhighquality and respect, conscious that our Diplomats are Ambassadors, High Commissioners must be personsofrectitudebecause they are the frontline of a country in the comity of nations and he had no place

for cuss-birds and people who showed disdain, disregard and disrespect for ourwomenfolk.Toadvance the concept of justice and equality Burnham set in motionfreeeducationforall, from kindergarten to universityincludingtraining overseas.

Wemustnotforgetthatit wasDr CheddiJagan,whoI regardedasatruenationalist who joined forces with Burnham in the 70s to take over bauxite and sugar in what today we know as criticalsupport.

ItwasBurnhamwiththe help of Sir Lionel Luckhoo who brought Clive Lloyd back.Inthesportingcircles, this was known as Burnham Magic and propelled the West Indies Cricket team in the top bracket of world cricket. I don’t want to say further except that Annette Ferguson is right and Dr RandolphPersaudiswrong.

Regards, EricMoseley,MS

Vishnu Bisram recognizes the contributions of Rudy Jadoopat to local EITI

DEAREDITOR,

Itismostunfortunatethat Guyana has been suspended from EITI (KN News and commentaries Feb 22 thru Mar1).Blamegameisgoing around.Thatwillnotchange thestatusofthelocalunitof EITI affiliation with the internationalbody

Ultimately, local administration of EITI and the government are responsible for the status of theentity

Every effort must be made to restore good standing of Guyana in EITI. That can only be achieved with co-operation from all stakeholders and the present national coordinator Dr Prem Misir (if he still is). Assistance should be sought from the previous NC, Dr Rudy Jadoopat, to help r e s t o r e G u y a n a ’s accreditationinEITI.

Both Drs Misir and

Jadoopatareverycompetent in management and paperwork.

Jadoopat is very experiencedintheEITIarea havingworkedthreeyearsas coordinator and completing necessarypaperworktogain accreditationforGuyana–a major accomplishment for which he must be recognised Guyana met annual standards under his watch Dr Misir is a management specialist; it is notclearwhythepaperwork was not completed timely Since this is a new venture forGuyana,Jadoopatshould be approached to lend a helping hand. The President is commended for publicly announcing a commitment to do everything possible to restore Guyana’s standing (accreditation) in the global body

He (as Presidential candidate) and the ruling PPP ran on a promise to be open and transparent in governance.

Accountability and transparency are critical for good governance and responsible management of extractive natural resources. ThelocalarmofEITIandthe government should never have allowed Guyana to fall shortofEITIstandards.Now that it has unexpectedly happened,regardlessofwho is at fault, everyone should work collaboratively and expeditiously to address the problems that need resolution.

EITI accreditation is an extremely important recognition; continued suspension will impact Guyana’s nascent mineral andenergyindustries.

Yourstruly,

VishnuBisram

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HOW OIL COMPANIES CHEAT - PART V

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Greedy oil companies stop at nothing for more profits.

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Expenses that don’t even belong, they dump on unsuspecting countries’ heads; like ineligible merger and acquisitions costs, those can run from the tens to the hundreds of millions.

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Millions on millions coming out as expenses!

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Our profits being drained right under our noses!

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We can’t be this stupid, our politicians this careless, this dumb!

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Guyana to introduce ‘one card’ system for consolidated electronic transactions

G u y a n a ’ s d a t a sector, the insurance

of accessing services and people to accept the best great results We are management system is set to sector, it’s going to force reducebureaucracy and that is what we are workingondevelopmentof change soon with the government Everybody The single information doing,” the president the first mental health introductionofanewproject will now have to migrate to device will lead to more emphasised Exciting management platform for that aims to consolidate all the electronic platform efficientuseofresourcesand developments are also the region and we are now transactions onto one t h a t w i l l s u p p o r t ultimatelyresultinimproved underway in the health looking at the technical electroniccard. conducting business, service delivery and is a sector,withthedevelopment pieces to launch that. So

Dubbed the ‘one card’ bringing efficiency, significant milestone in the of patient management mental health will now the electronic system will reducing the cost of doing country’s drive towards information systems have a data driven link all transactions, business, improving modernisation. It is hoped President Ali underscored electronicplatformthatwe including banking, social t r a n s p a r e n c y , that the innovative approach that the upgrade in the can identify hotspots,” the benefits, identification, accountability, and to data management will set healthcare technology will Head-of-Staterevealed. licensing, and taxes, onto a advancing a modern a benchmark for other create a global patient Additionally, the single platform. This was governancearchitecture.” countriestofollow management information government is currently in disclosed by President, Dr The president said the “We cannot build platform, allowing all health talks with top-notch Mohamed Irfaan Ali concept, which has been is a major step towards [Guyana] in a straight-line information to be stored on technology companies to Tuesday afternoon, as he successfully implemented in improving data management way… We are too far the‘onecard.’ help reduce the cost of r e v e a l e d s e v e r a l India and the United Arab a n d s t r e a m l i n i n g behind to believe that we He reminded that the delivering medical supplies u n d e r t a k i n g s b e i n g Emirates (UAE), will soon transactions for Guyanese. can catch up on the healthcare system is to rural areas “For streamlined to significantly be introduced here through The project is expected to straight line. We have to advancing its telemedicine example, DSL, FedEx, transformthecountry p a r t n e r s h i p s w i t h have a significant impact on skip the hurdles, get to the programme that will be companies that have little “This card is going to international companies. He the country’s development, best and then work accessible to patients packages to deliver to help force the banking noted that the development asitwillsimplifytheprocess backward in bringing our nationwide, noting that with mining camps. If we all this programme in place, come together, we can then patients in remote areas will buy into the technology be able to access medical that allows the movement care without having to travel of small amount of longdistances. re s o u rc e s , c h e c k s ,

President,

“Already, we have a everything, to be launched number of our health throughthisinfrastructure hubs… connected to the that will save tremendous Georgetown Hospital time, reduce tremendous through the telemedicine cost of doing business,” Dr portal and we are having Aliadded. (DPI)

Teenage mother of abandoned baby found

The mother of the newborn baby boy, who was found abandoned at the Recess, Mahaicony seaside on Monday, has turnedherselfintopolice.

Kaieteur News understands that the 17-year-old mother is currentlyreceivingmedicalcarealongwithherchild. Police in a statement revealed that acting on information received, ranks from the Mahaicony Police Station went to Recesswhereagroupofpersonswereseengatheredatanarea bytheseaside.

Oneoftheofficers,whovisitedthearea,sawthebabyand readilypickedhimupandwrappedhiminatowel.Thebaby’s ‘after-birth’ was still attached and he was found in a multicolouredgiftbag.

The infant was taken to the Mahaicony Public Hospital, wherehewasexaminedbyadoctorondutywhoreportedthat thechildisingoodhealth.Thebabyhassincebeenadmittedto the hospital’s maternity ward for observation. Investigations intothematterareongoing.

Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

STATISTICS DO NOT LIE

A motorcyclist and his pillionriderwerebothkilled following an accident with another vehicle Tuesday night The accident took place on the No. 79 Public Road,Corentyne.

The same No. 79 Public Road claimed the life of a motorcyclist in early February after his bike was struck by a car The pillion riderwasinjured. Oneweek earlier, a motor cyclist died aftercollidingwithaparked vehicle on the Auchlyne Public Road Similar circumstances claimed the life of another motorcyclist at Port Mourant towards the endofJanuary

On the East Coast of Demerara, another motorcyclist died following a collision with a vehicle. ThistookplaceontheFoulis Access Road Another motorcyclist died after colliding with a parked

container at Wales, West Coast Demerara. The quiet village of Wakenaam was rockedbygrieffollowingthe death of motorcyclist on 10th January. This accident involved a tractor. These deaths have a pattern to them. Persons are being killed while inside speeding vehicles, by speeding vehicles or as a result of colliding with vehicles and containersthatareparkedon the road shoulders. Just last week, the Minister of Home Affairs expressed his alarm atthehighincidenceofroad traffic accidents It was noted that there were some 18 fatalities in the first two months of the year, a more than doubling of the road deaths when compared with the same period last year This spate of read deaths follows a reduction in the number of persons killed on the roads in both 2021 and

2022 Last year, road fatalitieswerelessthan100. For this year alone, half of the road fatalities were motorcyclists Yet, the governmentismovinginthe direction of registering electric bikes and requiring the licensing of those who use these electric bikes, but does not seem to recognise thattherearefarmoredeaths involving motorcyclists. It was reported that last year, some eight persons riding electricbikeslosttheirlives. Butthisstatisticsdoesnotin itself establish a case for the need to register these bikes ortolicensetheirusers.

Admittedly, there are more motorcycles on the roads than electric bikes.As such,onewouldexpectthere to be more road accidents involving motorcycles. But one does not necessarily expecttheretobemoreroad deaths.Motorcyclesabovea

Consumers urged to do complete inspections when purchasing vehicles

A m i d g r o w i n g complaints from consumers regarding defective vehicles sold to them by dealers the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) has alerted citizens to have vehicles they intend to purchase thoroughly checked by a mechanic of their choice before signing offonthefinalagreement.

Already for 2023, the CCAC has received 27 complaints related to the purchase of vehicles amounting to the value of $ 61,534,709. This reflects a

108% increase compared to the corresponding period last year, the commission saidinapressrelease.

The Commission recommendsthevehiclesare checked for all aspects of their engine function, air conditioning, and electrical systems, along with the exterior and interior condition A vehicle inspection checklist can be obtained via the CCAC’s website at ccac gov gy Consumers are also advised toread,fullyunderstand,and agree to the terms and

Dem Boys Seh...

conditions under contracts and warranties before signing off on the purchase. CCAC advises consumers whohaverecentlypurchased vehicles, are experiencing issues,andarestillwithinthe warranty period to file a complaint with the Commission via our website.

Persons intending to purchase vehicles at auto dealers can also call the Commission to enquire about any valid complaints we may have on file for the dealer

In Guyana beggars are choosers!

DeSocialSecurityMinistrydoingsome good work. Dem tekking children who begging off de streets. But dem gan gat a harder task fuh tek de adult beggars off de streets.

We gat a lot of beggars in de country

Some people does beg out of habit. Dem doesseeyuhandtellyuh,“Leffaraisenuh!”

Is not dat dem want a raise. Is dat dem accustomed to begging and out of instinct dem does beg even when dem nah need money

Deh gat people who does wuk in office and dem does beg fuh a raise. Deh gat gals doesbegmenfuhmoney,nuffmoneyandas ifdementitledtodismoney

Deh gat people wah does holding down big jobs in Guyana. But dem does beg dem relativesoverseasfuhmoney Someofdem living off dem overseas relatives even though dem strong and could work. Dat is Guyana fuh you. We is de land of many rivers but we is also de land of a lot of beggars.

Deh gat some beggars dem ungrateful. Deh had a man who used to give a beggar $10 every day He did dat for one straight year Then suddenly he only start to give $7.50. De beggar nah tek it fuh mean nothing. He said that it still better than nothing.

But then de donation fall to $5.00. De beggar decide fuh ask de man about it. He telldeman,“Wahgoingon?First,yougive me$10everyday,then$7.50andnowonly $5.Wahisdeproblem?”

Demanexplained,“Lastyearmyeldest son went to university It’s very expensive, soIhadtocutexpenses.Thisyearmyeldest daughteralsowenttouniversity,soIhadto cutmyexpensesevenfurther.”

“And how many children yuh gat?” the beggarasks.

“Four,”themanreplies.

“Well,” says the beggar, “I hope you don’t plan to educate them all at my expense.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

certain engine capacity are required to be driven by persons wearing helmets This ought to mitigate deaths.

Also, the drivers of motorcycles have to pass a test requiring them to demonstrate proficiency in using the roads. Therefore, despite there being more motorcycles than electric bikes, the number of road d e a t h s i n v o l v i n g motorcyclesshouldnotbeas highastheyareatpresent.

But you do not hear the authorities demanding stronger regulations for motorcycledrivers.Butafter a mere eight electric bikes’ fatalities, steps are being taken to regulate the use of such bikes on the roadways. But did anyone investigate thoroughly the number of deaths that we had last year todeterminewhowasatfault andwhethertheelectricbike cycliststhatwerekilledwere all responsible for the accidents that led to their deaths?

Interestingly,morepedal cyclistsandpedestrianswere killed on the road than

electric bikes’ cyclists. But you do not hear the authorities calling for stronger regulation concerning the use of bicycles on the roadways or forpedestrianstobecertified beforeusingtheroads.Buta small number of deaths involving electric bikes led to threats that these bikes would have to be registered by the Guyana Revenue Authority and that only persons over the age of 16 yearsandwhoarecertifiedto ride a motorcycle will be allowed to do so soon. Ever since the West Coast Demerara Public Road was resurfaced, it has become a racing circuit for motorcars andothervehicles.Speeding has led to numerous accidents and deaths on that roadway

Themainpublicroadsof Guyana are also now being overrun by businesses and the customers of these businesses use the cycle lanes for parking, thus increasing the risk of both cyclists and pedestrians being victims of road accidents During the

Christmas Season, a woman was shopping in a business place and a truck ploughed intothepremisespinningher andleadingtoherdeath.Yet, thegovernmentcontinuesto authorise more and more businesses to be reopened alongthemainpublicroads. Statistics does not lie but their interpretations can Thosedemandingregulation of electric bikes are not all doing so out of concern for roadsafety Certainbusiness interests have a stake in ensuring that this new form of public transportation is suppressed.Butatleastthey shouldbehonestandcallfor similar restrictions on the expanding businesses along mainpublicroads.

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

Denis O’Brien set to lose control of Digicel in $1.8bn debt-cut plan

- Businessman on track to cede control under plan agreed with a group of bond creditors

https://wwwirishtimes c involved in the business as a continues to engage with believes a consensual and incentive to get the last om/- Businessman Denis director and retain an equity creditors on the proposal, comprehensive restructuring restructuring over the line, O’Brien is on track to cede interest”.Marketsourcessay which has been agreed in isachievable,”Digicelsaid. this time round bondholders control of Digicel under a that bondholders behind the principle with a group of The plan follows two are seeking a large equity plan agreed with a group of debt being written off will bondholders who own about debtrestructuringsatDigicel stake in exchange for bond creditors to swap end up with a majority stake halfofDigicel’sdebt. in the past four years, with reducingtheamounttheyare US$1.8 billion (€1.7 billion) in Digicel, the jewel in Mr

“While no definitive the latest, in 2020, resulting owed.Adeal to cut Digicel’s of the heavily-indebted O’Brien business empire agreement concerning the in bondholders writing off debt by £1.8 billion would group’s borrowings for an that he set it up in Jamaica in material terms of the US$1.6billionofthegroup’s equatetoabout40percentof equitystakeinthebusiness. 2001 after netting about proposed transaction has then $7 billion debt pile, the company’s US$4 55

Digicel said in a €200millionfromhissaleof been reached and no knowing that they stood to billion of bonds and statement issued in the early Esat Telecom to BT Group assurances can be provided lose way more if the c o r p o r a t e b o n d s hours of Wednesday that Mr thepreviousyear that an agreement will be company succumbed to outstanding.

O’Brien has “endorsed” the The company, which r e a c h e d , b a s e d o n liquidationatthetime.While Fitch, the credit ratings proposed comprehensive operates in 25 markets momentum to date and Mr O’Brien injected US$50 agency, said last week that restructuring, which will see across the Caribbean and agreement in principle on million – including cash and Digicel’sborrowinglevels him “remain actively Central America, said key terms, the company property – into Digicel as an (Continued on page 16)

Denis O’Brien

Govt. to spend $1.2B to upgrade 2 interior airstrips

The Ministry of Public Works Mohammed Ramzanalli Khan has received eight bids for the Construction – $926,497,530 rehabilitation of two hinterlands (Lot2). airstrip which are estimated to cost The Ministry provided that for taxpayers$1,253,077,238. works at Matthews Ridge, it is

T h e a i r s t r i p s u p f o r estimated to cost $928,720,819, rehabilitation are Matthews Ridge while at Paruima Airstrip, Airstrip (Lot2) in Region One and rehabilitation is pegged at the Paruima Airstrip (Lot1) in $324,356,419. RegionSeven. Kaieteur News had reported

A view of a section of the airstrip in Matthews Ridge, Region One (Photo taken on February 4, 2023).

Attherecentopeningoftenders that the Matthews Ridge Airstrip at the National Procurement and and the one in Paruima are among Tender Administration Board several runways which would be (NPTAB) office, it was revealed rehabilitatedthisyearsoastomake that out of the eights bidders, three the structures safer for aircrafts to bidfortheworksatParuima,sixbid land. fortheMatthewsRidgeprojectand This is according to Senior one bidder, with no bid sum nor Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh details on which project it bid to who mentioned during his 2023 execute,wasprovided. budget presentation that the Kaieteur airstrips, paving the way fortheircompletionandatthesame while The Orlando Charles

The contractors are as follow: government has allocated $1 6 for new developments in these time, caters for the rehabilitation of Foundation was awarded the International Import & Supplies – billion from the National Budget to communities to attract more Paruima, Imbaimadai and $308,034,237 contract for the $335,552,625 (Lot1); Deowdat rehabilitate and maintain a number business, tourism and socio- Matthews Ridge airstrips and Ekereku Bottom airstrip. Works on Singh Construction Firm

of hinterland airstrips in the economicactivities,”heexplained. maintenance of other hinterland the Eteringbang airstrip was being $867,877,374 (Lot2); GV country. TheMinisterhadnotedthatpart airstrips.” done by the Guyana Defence Force Construction Inc. – $998,260,830 “Mr. Speaker, several of the $600 million too; they also As it relates to the Ekereku and community members in that (Lot2); Mohammed’s Excavating hinterland airstrips and related commenced rehabilitation on three B o t t o m , K a r i s p a r u a n d area.

Construction Inc. – $941,731,192 facilities were also rehabilitated airstrips – Eteringbang in Region Eteringbang airstrips, this Kaieteur News reportedthatthe (Lot2), $522,090,019 (Lot1); BDE and maintained to make them safer Seven, Karisparu in Region Eight publication had reported that Ministry was upgrading the Recycling – $866,376,315 (Lot2); for aircraft, travellers, tourists, and and Ekereku Bottom in Region contracts were awarded for them to airstripstoconcretestructuressince BS Narine & Son Investment; investors. In 2022, Government Seven – which will be completed be rehabilitated. In April last year, they have been in poor conditions Orlando Charles Foundation of expended $600 million toward the duringthefirsthalfofthisyear contractor Ideal Engineering was forsometime,whichposeadanger Hope

$900,422,932 (Lot2), completion of the Lethem, He added, “In 2023, an amount contractedtoworkontheKarisparu to aircraft and passengers utilising $

(

Paramakatoi and of $1.6 billion has been allocated airstriptothetuneof$314,421,450, them.

Police find 260 AK47 rounds of ammunition at Kara Kara Creek

‘Abusive businessman’

found guilty of assaulting daughter

K i t t y b u s i n e s s m a n , Davenand Singh, 45, was on Tuesday found guilty of physically assaulting his daughteronMarch25lastyear

Singh made his court appearance before Magistrate Leron Daly who gave his guilty verdictonthematter

Thebusinessmanisexpected to be sentenced on March 23, 2023.

The high-powered AK-47 ammunition that was found.

Police on Wednesday at Kara Kara Creek, South The bag was opened and foundabagofhigh-powered Amelia’s Ward, with large observed to contain a blue ammunition used in AK-47 bags. cloth bag containing 260 rifles at Kara Kara Creek, As a result, the ranks suspected AK47 rounds of Amelia’sWard,Linden. immediately proceeded to ammunition with the

The discovery was made the area to search for wanted markings NK 1976 at the between 16:00hrs and persons, drugs, firearms and base.

17:00hrs, by a Detective a m m u n i t i o n W h i l e T h e s u s p e c t e d Inspector, Detective searching the area, the ranks ammunition was taken to Sergeant, Detective proceeded to Kara Kara Mackenzie Police Station, Corporal, and a party of Creek, where they observed photographed and placed policemen. trees amongst thick into self-sealing evidence

According to the police, vegetation. bags, marked and lodged ranks were at the time acting The ranks then observed withthestationSergeant.No on information received that one orangeKaribeeRicebag arrest was made. The there were unknown persons tucked away in a tree trunk. investigationisongoing.

His guilty verdict comes almost one year after Singh was caught on camera cuffing, slapping and stomping his daughter to the ground in the presenceofhisemployees.

It was the girl’s brother who had intervened to save her from theirangryfather

A video of the assault was shown during a Leroy Smith’s Big Smith News Watch show withtheassaultedyoungwoman asaguest.

Found guilty of assaulting his daughter, Davenand Singh.

On April 1, 2022, he was charged with

During Smith’s interview, the young assault and threatening language and was womanspokeofyearsofabuseatthehandsof releasedon$400,000bail. herfather,thebusinessman. He tried to plead his case in the media by

She had reported the matter to the police doingapublicinterviewclaimingthathewas andexpresseddissatisfactionathowreluctant a loving dad and that his daughter is ‘own theyweretoassisther way’, but after facing a “backlash” from

It was only after she told her story Minister of Human Services, Dr Vindiya publicly that they arrested Singh and seized Persaudandthepublic,hewasleftstruggling hisfirearms. tofindanattorneytorepresenthimincourt.

Two men die as motorbike crashes into car

Two men on Tuesday Devair Lakhraj and Persaud somebody call me and tell night died after the were pitched off the me he reach up in an motorcycle they were riding motorcycle,resultinginboth accident,”Allysaid. collided with a car on the men receiving bodily Mother of Ronny No 79 Public Road, injuries.Theywererushedto Persaud, Ramkumarie CorentyneBerbice. the Skeldon Public Hospital Persaud, said she also saw Dead are: motorcyclist, wheretheywerepronounced her son Tuesday afternoon Devindra Sampal Lakhraj, deadonarrival. after he returned from work 30 of Rahaman Street, The passenger in the car and tended to his livestock. Corrivertonandpillionrider, was also rushed to the She said he told her that he Ronny Persaud, 24 of Skeldon Hospital and was going to visit his friend Springlands, Upper subsequently transferred to and that when he returns Corentyne, Berbice The the New Amsterdam home,hewilleatdinner “He driver of the car involved in Hospital. The driver of the told me it got a Chutney the accident is presently in car was taken into custody at show at the road and he tell police custody, while the scene of the accident. me seh he going by the passenger Mary Devair who Meanwhile, the wife of Chutney show and when the was sitting in the front Lakhraj, Alfazeema Ally show finish, he go come passenger’s seat of the car saidshelastsawherhusband home back and that was it,” when the accident took Tuesday afternoon around Persaud disclosed An place, is presently 17:00hrswhenhevisitedher investigationisongoing. hospitalised at the New at her workplace to inquire AmsterdamHospital. when she will be off from

According to the police, work. ”Me tell he, me gon Lakhraj was proceeding done work ten o’clock north along the western side because he phone not at a fast rate of speed on his working and he call me after motorcycle when he crashed nine from he friend phone intothecar-HC7188which and ask me what time me go was proceeding south on the done work and me tell he eastern lane with passenger 10:30 and around 11:00

The car involved in the accident

The ill-fated motorcycle

MOTORCYCLIST, DEVINDRA LAKHRAJ

PILLION RIDER RONNY PERSAUD

Govt.rollsoutfinancialassistancefordialysispatients

E i g h t y - F o u r and Ten compared to expensive”. This initiative hemodialysis patients have previous years where she said will ease the burden received cheques valued at patients requiring dialysis on her only daughter, whom $600,000 each, to help were forced to travel to the she would usually solicit subsidise their treatment city to seek care and financial assistance to meet expenses,astheGovernment treatment. herweeklydialysisneeds. rolls out its dialysis

Meanwhile, 27-year-old If a person has Chronic treatment initiative for the Christopher Sukha was Kidney Disease (CKD), the year 2023 Of the 84 pleased to have uplifted his kidneys are unable to filter beneficiaries, 15 are new cheque from the Ministry’s the blood to remove harmful patients. accounts department earlier waste products and excess

The first payout exercise this morning “This fluids which are turned into of more than $50 million, $600,000 will help me out a urine to be passed out of the commenced on Tuesday at lot because I lost both my body Dialysis treatment the Ministry of Health on parents and I currently live then becomes an alternative Brickdam, Stabroek The with my aunt who cannot procedure to remove waste administration has allocated supportmebecausethisisan products and excess fluids $863 million in Budget 2023 expensive procedure”, from the blood when the to support those in need of Sukha said.Another dialysis kidneys stop working medicaltreatment. patient, Neville Porter, 56 properly It is a process that

According to Dr Frank yearsofagecreditedthekind involves diverting blood to a Anthony,MinisterofHealth, g e s t u r e f r o m t h e machinetobecleaned. this initiative is geared at Government of Guyana for Last year, some 327 providing financial support whyheisstillalivetoday patients benefited from the and have end-stage kidney dialysis support, the them, they can now access to persons suffering from

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony hands over the assistance to one of the patients

“This subvention is a annual $600,000 payout disease receive an annual Minister indicated that more dialysis treatment in the kidney failure who requires major help; I feel without Persons requiring support subsidy of $600,000 and I persons are expected to various regions”, Dr dialysis, a much-needed this, I would have already for dialysis treatment can am very pleased that we will benefit during the year “As Anthony pointed out. The t r e a t m e n t f o r t h e been in my box (dead) contact the Ministry’s soon be paying out over far as I am aware, the Health Minister highlighted management of their already”, he stressed. For M e d i c a l Tr e a t m e n t

$50M, which will benefit reaction from most of the t h a t t h r o u g h c l o s e condition. “Last year, we Rajdai Rafikan, a 69-year- Department on 225 0113 for some84patients”,hesaid. patients is that this has been collaboration with private introduce a programme old widower, “the money is more information on how

While appealing to the quitehelpfultomostofthem sector agencies, dialysis where persons who are needed because the cost of they can receive financial general public to get because, with the amount of serviceshavebeenexpanded affected by kidney failure taking dialysis is very assistance. (DPI) registered if they require money, we are now giving to RegionsTwo,Three, Four

Fishermen rescued after drifting for hours at sea

Four fishermen are men were at sea just off the counting their blessings, Essequibo Coast, when at after they were rescued around05:00hrs,theybegan from a drifting ice box off to experience extreme the Essequibo Coast on waves. The men quickly Wednesday loosed their nets and

The men have been attemptedtorushbacktothe identified as forty-seven- coastline.

yearoldHareshSingh,fifty- The boat eventually year-old Godfrey Parris, sank as it was swarmed by forty-year-old Annand the waves. The men were Alphonso and thirty-two rescued at about 11:30hrs yearoldRashoneSingh. Wednesday by another

Based on reports fishing vessel, just off the reaching Kaieteur News,the EssequiboCoast.

Environmentalist accuses EPA of aiding and abetting Exxon in

breaking Guyana’s laws

ExxonMobil Guyana on Mangal-Joly has called out place when it allowed Wednesday wrapped up its the EPAfor failing to ensure ExxonMobil to lodge EIAs final public consultation the necessary steps are taken in public locations and when s e s s i o n o n t h e tosafeguardthepublic.Inan the agency itself posted a Environmental Impact invited comment, she told version of the EIA on its Assessment (EIA) it K a i e t e u r N e w s : “by website without signatures s u b m i t t e d t o t h e exhibiting an EIA to the or any guarantees of Environmental Protection p u b l i c w i t h o u t ownershipbyExxonMobil.” Agency (EPA) for its fifth acknowledging ownership As a result of the missing offshore development in the ExxonMobil is not taking signatures, she pointed out StabroekBlock,Uaru. responsibility for the that there is nothing

The process was information contained in the demonstrating in writing h o w e v e r m a r r e d i n document Submitting a legal ownership of the controversy, as stakeholders formal EIA to the public, document available She believe the document was without affixing the explained, “My concern is inconclusive,sinceitwasnot company’s signature or a that the Environmental signed by the oil company title page to acknowledge Protection Agency is now letter dated February 18, that is seeking to develop ownershipisaseriousbreach aiding and abetting the 2023 that the EIAit received around 220,000 to 275,000 of transparency and company with this conduct fromExxonwasnotcertified barrelsperday accountability,itundermines bynotrectifyingtheproblem and urged that the ongoing While the document was the rule of law and even though it has received 60-days review period be submitted without a democratic governance in complaints about the restarted as result of the signature, the EPA accepted Guyana.” situation. It is saying to the missingsignature. it as is, without demanding She said this clearly public that you don’t matter She did not receive a the company adhere to the demonstrates a lack of These very elementary responsetoherconcernbuta best practises to ensure it respect for the country’s principlesofgovernancethat mere acknowledgement to takes responsibility This is leaders, a lack of respect for are about accountability, heremail. especiallyimportantsincean the citizens and it raises transparency or even the The environmentalist EIA not only identifies doubts about ExxonMobil’s decency and respect and said, “We have had over two potential dangers and risks willingness to be transparent professional practise of years of very serious issues associatedwithaproject,but andaccountableinitsactions submitting a document with with the Environmental also outlines measures that in assuming responsibility a sense of ownership of that Protection Agency with its will be taken to mitigate for the environmental document even that is conduct, with its leadership these impacts among others. impactsofitsprojects. something that you the and I think that where we’re

Itwasexplainedthatwithout According to Mangal- public of Guyana do not at is we have now a long a signature from the Joly, “The Environmental deserve and that is very body of evidence that shows company, the operator can Protection Agency failed to troubling.” a lack of commitment to denyresponsibility uphold a basic level of Mangal-Joly had alerted basic principles of rule of

Environmental activist, Simone Mangal-Joly

WANTED

Wanted: Experienced Cashier, Cooks, Counter Person, Supervisor and Labourer. Apply @ Shanta's, 225 Camp and New Market Sts or WhatsApp: +592-6541361.

One Massagist/ Physiotherapist needed. Call: 6159132.

Cook and Domestic needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

General Domestic needed to work in Herstelling, ages 35yrs and older. Call: 6970157.

Skilled Mason needed to do fine work, $10-12k per day. Call: 623-2900.

Clerical Assistant needed at Build Smart Construction & Supplies Ltd. 298 Kamoa St Lamaha Gardens. Age-18-55 yrs. Call: 226-9768, 225-7528.

Experienced Excavator Operator and Land Dredge workers wanted. Must have knowledge of chain saw. Call: 684-1030 between 8am4pm.

PORTERS WANTED FOR PVC CEILING. APPLY@ WHY PAY MORE TRADING, 7 PUBLIC RD HOUSTON E.B.D WITH APPLICATION.

Lorry Driver needed. Apply to RP'S Enterprise Area "K" Le Ressouvenir E.C.D. Call: 220-2818.

Domestic needed at East Coast Demerara, Enmore area. Call: 648-7868/ 6785764.

Reputable transportation service is seeking experienced Chauffeur with mini bus and hire car licence and also contract vehicles needed. Call: 645-0025.

Experienced Pit Workers, Utility operaters (must have valid driver's license) and Cooks wanted for mining operation. Call: 697-2533.

A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy or childbirth - UN agencies

VACANCY

Maid required to cook and clean in East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade one or two, email application to: techserigy @yahoo.com or Call: 6159132.

Merchandisers and Receptionist needed. Email: info@ vegeworld.net or Call:2277714/ 223-3448.

Driver required, ages 23-50 yrs. Must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles and must have car and van licence. Call: 645-8443.

Gardener / Handyman and Security Guards (day shift) needed. Call: 227-1961, 2271964, 623-6383.

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Room attendant, Receptionist & Desk Staff needed, 2550 years old at 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 2250198.

Live-in Caretaker, farm Workers, Labourers, Office Assistant, Fabricator/ Welder & Semi-skilled Worker. Call: 621-6969/ 615-7784.

Water Delivery Driver and Porter needed for E.C.D. Call:676-1363/ 692-6768.

Security Guards needed. Interested persons can make contact on tel #701-4000.

Female Cook needed for a cook shop in the Interior. Call/ WhatsApp: 698-5526/ 689-4461.

Female needed to work in a bar/ shop in the Interior. 6985526/ 689-4461.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One

- New data show major setbacks for maternal health in many parts of the world - highlighting stark disparities in healthcare access

GENEVA/NEW YORK/ WASHINGTON, 23rd February 2023 — Every two minutes, a woman dies during pregnancy or childbirth, according to the latest estimates released in a report by United Nations (UN) agencies last week.

is possible. For example, two regions – Australia and New Zealand, and Central and Southern Asia – experienced significant declines (by 35% and 16% respectively) in their maternal mortality rates during the same period, as did 31 countries across the world.

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The report, Trends in maternal mortality, reveals alarming setbacks for women’s health over recent years, as maternal deaths either increased or stagnated in nearly all regions of the world. “While pregnancy should be a time of immense hope and a positive experience for all women, it is tragically still a shockingly dangerous experience for millions around the world who lack access to high quality, respectful health care,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). “These new statistics reveal the urgent need to ensure every woman and girl has access to critical health services before, during and after childbirth, and that they can fully exercise their reproductive rights.”

“For millions of families, the miracle of childbirth is marred by the tragedy of maternal deaths,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “No mother should have to fear for her life while bringing a baby into the world, especially when the knowledge and tools to treat common complications exist. Equity in healthcare gives every mother, no matter who they are or where they are, a fair chance at a safe delivery and a healthy future with their family.”

immediate action, more investments in primary health care and stronger, more resilient health systems, we can save lives, improve health and well-being, and advance the rights of and opportunities for women and adolescents.” Severe bleeding, high blood pressure, pregnancy-related infections, complications from unsafe abortion, and underlying conditions that can be aggravated by pregnancy (such as HIV/AIDS and malaria) are the leading causes of maternal deaths. These are all largely preventable and treatable with access to high-quality and respectful healthcare.

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The report, which tracks maternal deaths nationally, regionally and globally from 2000 to 2020, shows there were an estimated 287 000 maternal deaths worldwide in 2020. This marks only a slight decrease from 309 000 in 2016 when the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) came into effect. While the report presents some significant progress in reducing maternal deaths between 2000 and 2015, gains largely stalled, or in some cases even reversed, after this point.

In total numbers, maternal deaths continue to be largely concentrated in the poorest parts of the world and in countries affected by conflict. In 2020, about 70% of all maternal deaths were in sub-Saharan Africa. In nine countries facing severe humanitarian crises, maternal mortality rates were more than double the world average (551 maternal deaths per 100 000 live births, compared to 223 globally).

“This report provides yet another stark reminder of the urgent need to double down on our commitment to women and adolescent health,” said Juan Pablo Uribe, Global Director for Health, Nutrition and Population at the World Bank, and Director of the Global Financing Facility. “With

Community-centered primary health care can meet the needs of women, children and adolescents and enable equitable access to critical services such as assisted births and pre- and postnatal care, childhood vaccinations, nutrition and family planning. However, underfunding of primary health care systems, a lack of trained health care workers, and weak supply chains for medical products are threatening progress. Roughly a third of women do not have even four of a recommended eight antenatal checks or receive essential postnatal care, while some 270 million women lack access to modern family planning methods. Exercising control over their reproductive health – particularly decisions about if and when to have children – is critical to ensure that women can plan and space childbearing and protect their

(Continued on page 17)

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In two of the eight UN regions – Europe and Northern America, and Latin America and the Caribbean – the maternal mortality rate increased from 2016 to 2020, by 17% and 15% respectively. Elsewhere, the rate stagnated. The report notes, however, that progress

From page 10 are “unsustainable” relative to earnings, particularly given that the company had issued a profit warning on Haiti, one of its main markets, last November amid a political, economic and humanitarian crisis in the country.

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Digicel said that it entered talks with a group of bondholders, who were due to be repaid US$925 million on Wednesday, shortly after completing the sale last July of its unit in the Pacific. Initial proceeds from that deal had been used to pay down £1.2 billion of borrowings.

Although Digicel had at first only sought to extend the repayment date for the March 2023 bonds, a “deteriorating

and unprecedented situation in Haiti since September 2022, led the company to shift its focus to a more holistic solution for the company’s capital structure.”

The resulting proposed deal “would, if and when consummated, reduce the group’s consolidated debt by approximately US$1.8 billion and reduce its annual cash interest by approximately US$110 million while ensuring sufficient cash to fund operations and invest in key growth areas”, it said. Holders of the bonds that were due on Wednesday agreed last week to give Digicel a 30-day grace period to allow for debt restructuring talks to continue.

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Mashcelebrations-athought-provokingpicture OP:ED

beverages are, I leave those untouched today, and focus on the crowds. This is what I observed, whereIamtransported.

The crowds came out in their numbers, which all the media pictures that were seen confirmed in technicolor, and the natural coloursoftherainbow Thousands, if not a goodly handful of tens of such, trumpet their own joy. What was once scorned and contemptuouslydismissedas‘dem peeplehaliday’hasnowtakenona differentcomplexion.

By GHK Lall

his year’s Mash celebrations had everything that appeals to Guyanese. There was loud music, freedom to revel uninhibitedly, flowing liquor and food, speeches, and the crowds. I took in the crowds.Fromahealthydistance,of course; I commend my fellow Guyanese for letting their hair down, and ecstatically enjoying whatistheirown:adayandhourof their own. Even the water gods were thwarted, with giving in to them, and retreating in the customaryGuyanesefashionatthe sightofcloudsor,worseyet,actual rain.As tempting as the music and

It is delightful to absorb this growth in Guyanese society, the sudden and spasmodic blending strains in the Guyanese character, the fusions of national pride and national joy

Some things are agonizinglyslow,buttheyaresure. Then, there are those other things that my antennae insist that should havebeen,andwhichstillcouldbe. Butonlyif…

For what presses against the consciousness, channels the deliberations flowing internally, is howmuchourpoliticalleadersand politicalgroupsholdinthepalmof their hands, for the great, overwhelming majority of Guyanese. Assumeaposture. Say

aword. Embraceamanner Insist onawaytobefollowed. Justinthe event,Icameacrossashadeonthe hazy side, I brighten the lights: those are all that political leaders have to say or do in this society There! It is as good as done, and there follows glittering cavalcades of the delirious, the rapturous, and theseriouslyjoyouslifteduptothe heightofdelights. Thedistanceof raw, distant partisanship set in ancientgranitevanishes.

That was what we saw, had, experiencedonThursday,February 23 last, didn’t we? Anyone who says differently, saw something else, is on a planet where selfdeniers and deceivers are the only denizens.

If this can be accomplished for Mashramani, a national holiday ownedinwiderswaths,andfinally obeyed to a fuller measure, then other areas, other matters, other visions travel from the territory of fantasytotherealmofreality

Isaythis,persistwiththis,even if only to the fleeting touch of the fingertips. If there is ostensible oneness of celebration for Mashramani, then why not for the imperative of an impregnable futureprosperity Attheindividual

level.

Across any and every demographic segment. And with thekindofexpansiveandgenuinely inclusive view that truly encircles the richness of what could be the all-ness of Guyana, in an impeccableoneness.

Our politicians can utter a phrase and a path is beaten by the widest cross section of Guyanese, to partake of Mash’s succulent fares.

Now I will drop the hammer, I dare to tempt the gods: how about the same energy marshalled, the samenumbers(if not more)rallied topointtothatdastardlyoilcontract anddenounceitforwhatitnowhas been revealed to be: nothing but a national abomination, a total revulsion, and the source of ongoing national humiliation Ransom payments for Venezuelan protection and all, properly considered.

If our politicians can bring out the masses to dance in the streets, then I call on them to do the same and let them loose to dance and tramp and mash (in true Guyanese fashion) on that monstrosity that goes under the name of a contract. Acontract that binds and blinds, a

cunning and ruthless corporate creation that castrates our manhood, that violates our womanhood.

Whereareourpoliticalleaders now? What do they have to say about this? How inclined are they to use the muscular influence of their voice, their compelling pullingpower?

Itwouldbethevastpowerofthe people unleashed, the will of the Guyanesepeoplethatjustcannotbe denied. Even if the ultimate court weretoruleagainst,thentowhere?

To Mr Alistair Routledge, I am sorry, sir, if there is a speck of PatrickHenrysoaringtotherafters. Buttherearesomewhoknowonly one kind of liberty, that which reaches into places not thought of; of which many are afraid of speaking to openly I am not. If this condemns to the dungeon of dangerousness, the response is as simple, as it is unflinching and unswerving:hereIam.

Ipausetoclose.

Our political leaders say one word and Guyanese assemble in a different public mood The contractgoestodust. Theyknowit, Mr Alistair Routledge knows it. I know

Frompage16 health. Inequities related to income, education, race or ethnicity further increase risks for marginalized pregnantwomen,whohave the least access to essential maternitycarebutaremost likely to experience underlyinghealthproblems inpregnancy

“It is unacceptable that somanywomencontinueto dieneedlesslyinpregnancy andchildbirth.

Over 280,000 fatalities

in a single year is unconscionable,” said UNFPAExecutiveDirector Dr Natalia Kanem. “We can and must do better by urgentlyinvestinginfamily planning and filling the global shortage of 900,000 midwives so that every woman can get the lifesaving care she needs. We have the tools, knowledgeandresourcesto end preventable maternal deaths; what we need now isthepoliticalwill.”

T h e C O V I D - 1 9 pandemicmayhavefurther held back progress on maternalhealth.Notingthe

current data series ends in 2020, more data will be needed to show the true impactsofthepandemicon maternal deaths. However, COVID-19 infections can increase risks during pregnancy, so countries shouldtakeactiontoensure pregnant women and those planning pregnancies have access to COVID-19 vaccines and effective antenatalcare.

“Reducing maternal mortality remains one of the most pressing global health challenges,” said JohnWilmoth,Directorof thePopulationDivisionof the Department of

Economic and Social

Affairs “Ending preventable maternal deaths and providing universalaccesstoquality maternal health care require sustained national and international efforts

a n d u n w a v e r i n g

c o m m i t m e n t s , particularly for the most vulnerablepopulations

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that every mother,

everywhere, survives childbirth, so that she and herchildrencanthrive ”

The report reveals that t h e w o r l d m u s t significantly accelerate progress to meet global targets for reducing maternal deaths, or else risk the lives of over 1 million more women by 2030

The report was produced by WHO on behalf of the United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group comprising WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, the World Bank Group and thePopulationDivisionof the United Nations Department of Economic and SocialAffairs It uses national data to estimate levels and trends of maternal mortality from 2000-2020

The data in this new publication supersede all previous estimates publishedbyWHOandthe United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation InterAgencyGroup.

Gold miner arrested for possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition

Diligent work by detectives in Regional Police Division #10 has resulted in the recoveryofa.38Taurusrevolverandonelive .38roundofammunition.

The firearm was found on Tuesday at about 12:00hrs at Frenchman Backdam, UpperDemeraraRiver,policesaidinapress release. Anthony Waldron, a 24-year-old goldminerofQuanStreet,Vergenoegen,East Bank Essequibo, had the firearm in his possession.

On the date and time mentioned above, Police ranks acted on information received andwenttoEmpireMiningCompany’sbase camp at ‘Bamboo area’, Frenchman Backdam,UpperDemeraraRiver There,the ranks contacted Anthony Waldron, and duringaninterview,Waldronledaranktoan abandoned makeshift camp about one mile away Hethenledthemintothickvegetation about 10 feet from the abandoned camp. He pointedtoapieceoftreebarkontheground, stating that the suspected firearm containing theammunitionwasunderthetreebark.

A police rank then checked and discovered the suspected firearm and ammunitioninablackplasticbagwrappedin a blue jersey The suspect was immediately

The gun that was uncovered.

toldoftheoffence,cautionedperthejudge’s rules,andmadeoraladmission.

Anthony Waldron was arrested and escorted to the Mabura Police Outpost with thesuspectedfirearmandammunitionsealed andlodged.Investigationcontinues.

A woman dies every two minutes due to pregnancy...

60 Madewini/Yarrowkabra residents receive water tanks to access safe, clean water

The government on Monday delivered 60 450gallon water tanks to r e s i d e n t s o f t h e Madewini/Yarrowkabra area.

This follows the contamination of the creek water in the area. Speaking with the residents during the handing-over exercise, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar said the tanks will assist each household with the storageofsafeandclean water.

“Last week, we sent up sixty tanks… and what we are here to do today is to make sure that the people of this community who are affected received the tanks,” he said. Also present at the exercise was Minister withintheofficeofthePrime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame as a government to work of the residents, Felix drinkingwater”heshared. children are able to have Irfaan Ali to the residents McCoy, who also holds with people always; to be Clenkian, who received a Meanwhile, another clean drinking water, we during an outreach in parliamentary responsibility abletomakesurethatwecan tank shared with the resident Ann Mattias was could wash, we could eat, January forthearea. address their needs and be Department of Public very vocal about receiving and we are able to do President Ali, met with

“We use to use the creek use to have to walk about e x e r c i s e f o l l o w s a Highway to address various government’s commitment

Minister McCoy told the able to take care of situation Information (DPI) what it one of the water tanks. “It’s everything having one of various communities along residents that the move that affects them,” the meantforhimandhisfamily important to me because I these tanks” she said. This the Soesdyke-Linden d e m o n s t r a t e s t h e ministersaid.

The residents were water now that the water is three miles to get water from commitment made by His issues that affected them. totheresidentsthere.“Today appreciative of the stagnant due to the floods… the creek and now my Excellency, Dr Mohamed (DPI) is another demonstration of intervention by government, We start to buy water… government being able to which will enable them to Today, we are thankful for fulfilitswordandpromiseto harvest and store, rain water thetankwereceivedbecause thepeopleofthiscommunity for their household use. One that will give us clean and it shows our willingness

DNA testing confirms decomposed body found in Coldingen trench belongs as Reonol Williams

US Embassy opens applications for 2024 Fulbright Foreign student programme

The U.S. Embassy in Guyana has announced the opening of the application periodforthe2024Fulbright ForeignStudentProgramme.

Fulbright scholarship applications are now being a c c e p t e d a t https://apply iie org/ffsp202

Dead, Reonol Williams

Following Deoxyribonucleic Acid taxiatEnmoreandhisbodywasdumpedina (DNA) testing overseas, the decomposed trenchinthevicinityoftheColdingenKoker body which was found in a trench in the The badly decomposed body was vicinity of the Coldingen Koker, East Coast recovered by a team of investigators from Demerara (ECD) in May last year, is that of CIDandlaterexaminedbyapathologist. ReonolWilliams.

An autopsy was conducted and the cause

This was confirmed by Crime Chief ofdeathwasestablishedtobethatofmultiple Wendell Blanhum who related to this injuries as a result of a motor vehicle newspaper yesterday that on September 19, accident. 2022, investigators took bone samples from

However, due to the advanced state of the deceased and also from the family decomposition of the body, DNAtesting was membersforDNAtestingtobeconducted. necessary to confirm the identity These

In May 2022, 40-year-old Williams, a samples were tested, and the results construction worker of Lot 5 Church Road confirmed that the decomposed body is that Enmore ECD, could not be located after he ofReonolWilliams. was involved in an accident on the Enmore Kaieteur News had reported that it was PublicRoad. the driver, Daniel Melbourne who had

While conducting investigations into the reportedly confessed to hitting down case, detectives from the Criminal Williams with his car and then dumping his I

p

rtment (CID) remains in a trench. Melbourne was charged headquarters received information that and was released on $1.8 million bail on his Williams was struck down while exiting a secondcourtappearance.

4.Theapplicationdeadlineis June30,2023. Sponsoredby the U.S. Department of State Education and Cultural AffairsBureau,theFulbright Foreign Student Programme enables graduate students and young professionals successful academic society, media, and from abroad to pursue a placement Fulbright education. master’s degree or Ph.D. in Foreign Student participants This programme is open the United States, the must return to their home to Guyanese citizens embassy said in a press countries for a minimum of residing in Guyana, who release. two years upon completion possess leadership skills, are Participants are selected oftheprogramme. highly motivated with a based on their academic The Fulbright Foreign demonstrated commitment merit and leadership Student Program is part of to community service, and potential to study, teach, the Unites States’ continued have graduated with a conduct research, exchange c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e bachelor’s degree or ideas, and find solutions to prosperityofGuyanaandthe master’s degree with a grade shared global concerns Caribbean region by point average of 3 5 or Participants will be funded building local capacity above. Interested candidates for up to two years of degree through higher education. should visit the U S study Scholarship awards Over 120 Guyanese have Embassy’s website for full arecontingentuponapproval benefitted from Fulbright applicationrequirementsand and final selection by the J. scholarships since the early p r o g r a m d e t a i l s W i l l i a m F u l b r i g h t 1960s, many of whom are in at:https://gyusembassygov/ Scholarship Board (FSB), the public sector, academia, education-culture/fulbrightavailability of funds, and the arts, business, civil student-program/

Minister Deodat Indar and Minister Kwame McCoy with residents of Madewini/Yarrowkabra who received water tanks.

The driver, Daniel Melbourne

Prem’s electrical takes over GMR&SC Group Two for 2023

The 2023 edition of the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Group Two class will be branded by Prem’s Electrical.

The company, located at 177 Alexander Street Georgetown, will be the title sponsor of the group two class, now rebranded the Prem’s Electrical Group Two Challenge. For over 25 years, Prem’s Electrical has been a proud distributor of Residential, Industrial & Commercial electrical supplies throughout Guyana.

Founded in 1992, Prem’s Electrical Store strives to provide excellent service nationwide and throughout the Caribbean. As an ISO 9001-certi-

fied company, Prem’s Electrical Store distributes highstandard electrical supplies that guarantee value and quality service to customers and consumers with state-of-theart technology that can enhance any electrical needs with an extensive on-hand inventory.

A leading business that you can depend on, Prem’s Electrical Store has a wide variety that can accommodate wholesale, large projects, and commercial and residential demands.

“Prem’s electrical is obviously very pleased to be associated with the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s group two class in a

very major way. My company and I have been a long-time supporter of motorsports in Guyana and this is just another testament to that support,” Managing Director Mr, Nirmal Sukhram commented.

He said, “We chose the group two class because we have seen the action that goes on in that class year after year and we feel it’s a group that aligns with our goals of hard work bringing success; it’s actually a principle that we founded our business with many years ago.”

“When we saw this opportunity, we jumped at it because it deemed excellent exposure for our company while

Thursday March 02, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Social events and group activities could bring new interests your way that provide a rich field of knowledge for you to delve into, Aries. Someone could recommend books on the subject.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

A number of people involved in the healing professions could cross your path today, Taurus. You might hear news about recent discoveries in those fields that sparks your interest.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

A potential new love partner could show up, Gemini, perhaps someone from a distant state or foreign country or in a field like law or education. You could have a lot of interests

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Family members could spring some surprising news on you today, Cancer. This news may concern people you know or perhaps a family member has some interesting plans of his or her own.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Invitations to some exciting social events in your neighborhood could come today, Leo. You might hear from some friends who are planning to attend.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Good news involving a small, extra sum of money could come today, Virgo. You might receive a check in the mail. Take a friend out to lunch.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Bonding is today's keyword, Libra. Relations with close friends should be enhanced by increased communication, perhaps some fascinating conversations about new ideas.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

A lot of unfinished tasks may need doing around the home today, Scorpio. You might decide to ignore some of the work that desperately needs to be handled in favor of a project that you think you will enjoy more.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

A potential new love partner could show up, Sagittarius, perhaps someone from a distant state or foreign country or in a field like law or education. You could have a lot of interests in common with this person.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Family members could spring some surprising news on you today, Capricorn. This news may concern people you know or perhaps a family member has some interesting plans.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

A new fascination with history or an exotic culture could drive you to learn more about it, Aquarius. It could become an obsession, for today at least.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may find that your instincts are right, Pisces, particularly where other people are concerned. You and a friend could come up with the same words at the same time,

supporting a sport we enjoy. GMR&SC has been growing every year and it’s been great supporting them every time.”

Under the Prem’s Electrical Group Two Challenge deal, which is valued at GYD $2M, registered and qualified competitors will earn cash for points scored throughout the 2023 season

There is also the added benefit of cash prizes for the top three overall finishers at

Petra reveals...

From page 23 Lot. In the other two matches planned, Carmel will face Bygeval at 14:00 hrs while North Ruimveldt collide with Patentia from 15:45 hrs.

On Sunday, March 5, Annandale and Westminster kick off day two at 11:00 hrs then Berbice Educational Institute and Charlestown Secondary meet from 12:45hrs. The remaining matches will see Chase’s Academy and Dora thrash it out from 14:00 hrs while Ann’s Grove and Queen’s College close the day off from 15:45 hrs.

This edition of the tournament is sponsored by Nestlé (Milo), sanctioned by the Ministry of Education and Guyana Football Federation and supported by Massy Distribution, Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc. (GINMIN), General Equipment & Supplies, Inc. (GENEQUIP) and MVP Sports.

Groups

Group A – Chase’s Academy, Carmel, Bygeval, Dora

Group B – Marian Academy, Bartica, Bush Lot, East Ruimveldt

Group C – Annandale, Charity, New Central High, Westminster Group D – Christianburg/ Wismar, Vryman’s, Bishop’s High, West Demerara

Group E – North Ruimveldt, Mackenzie High, President’s College, Patentia

Group F – Ann’s Grove, West Ruimveldt, Vergenoegen, Queen’s College

Group G – Cummings Lodge, Berbice Educational Institute, Charlestown, St Cuthbert’s Mission Group H – Dolphin, New Amsterdam, Santa Rosa, St. Stanislaus College

From page 25 another down pour; that session lasted only two overs; reaping one wicket for the GCB Selected XI and six runs for the Essequibo Men.

However, Essequibo Men finished the truncated day at 57-3, with Kemol Savory unbeaten on 13, while Keemo Paul yet to face a ball with Selected XI’s Sylus Tyndall and Demeter Cameron picking up one wicket a piece.

the end of the year, adding spice to an already interesting class. With some of the big names in racing including Rameez Mohamed, Chet Singh, Paul Vieira and Shan Seejatan, the battle for the Prem’s Electrical trophy at the end of the year will come down to the season finale in November.

The first meet of the circuit racing calendar is set for March 19, 2023.

Meanwhile, after assessing the conditions, at approximately 15:55hrs umpires decided to ‘call it a day,’ as a result of damp outfield and bad lights.

Day One of the second Men’s Senior Inter County match discontinued due to heavy rain.

Savory 13 and Paul 0 not out will return to the crease today at 9:30hrs at the same venue for the continuation.

Rain dampen things in Essequibo...

West Indies hit back after first innings collapse

AFP - The West Indies collapsed, then hit back dramaticallybeforetheclose ontheseconddayofthefirst Test against South Africa at SuperSport Park in

Centurionyesterday

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje took four wickets insidefouroversastheWest Indies collapsed to 212 all out, giving South Africa a firstinningsleadof130.

But the West Indies

bowlers grabbed four South African wickets before the close, leaving the hosts reeling at 49 for four, an overallleadof179.

WestIndieswerelooking reasonably solid at 169 for three 40 minutes after tea with top-scorer Raymon Reifer and Roston Chase building a patient partnership.

But both batsmen were out off consecutive balls.

Reifer fell for 63 when he was caught behind off the last ball of a Marco Jansen over Chase edged the first ballofKagisoRabada’snext overtofirstslipandwasout for22.

Then Nortje took over He had earlier ended a stubborn partnership betweenReiferandJermaine Blackwood and he steamed intotakefourmorewickets, finishing with five for 36. It

was his fourth five-wicket haul.

WestIndieslosttheirlast sevenwicketsfor43runs.

First innings centurymaker Aiden Markram got South Africa’s second inningsofftoafaststartas31 runs were scored in the first fourovers.

But Dean Elgar was caught at third man off Alzarri Joseph in a repeat of hisfirstinningsdismissal.

New cap Tony de Zorzi was caught behind first ball off Kemar Roach and new captain Temba Bavuma also fell first ball, to Joseph. It completed a ‘pair’ for Bavuma, who only faced threeballsintwoinnings.

Jason Holder was brought on to bowl the last over of the day and only needed one ball to trap Keegan Petersen leg before wicketwithadeliverywhich keptlow

Markram finished unbeatenon35.

Eleven wickets fell betweenteaandtheclose

Reifer and Blackwood defied South Africa’s fourprongedfastbowlingattack for most of an attritional afternoon, during which only 65 runs were scored in 29 overs between lunch and tea for the loss of Blackwood’swicket.

Blackwoodmade37ina third wicket partnership of 64 with Reifer before he

drove at a full ball from Nortje and was caught behind by wicketkeeper

Heinrich Klaasen off an insideedge.

The left-handed Reifer showed determination and courage in making 63, the highestscoreofhissix-Test career

He batted for almost four hours and faced 143 balls

Scores: South Africa 342 and 49 for 4 (Markram 35*,Joseph2-17,Holder10) lead West Indies 212 (Reifer 62, Blackwood 37, Nortje 5-36, Rabada 2-44) by179runs

GSC, Barnwell assist national female cricketer Campbell

The 28 year-old Campbell expressed gratitude to both the GCS and

for theassistance,whileLindenJonesurgedher toremaincommitted.

The Guyana Committee of Services in collaboration with national cricketer ChristopherBarnwellpresentedacricketbat to Sherica Campbell on Tuesday at GCC. Campbell is set to represent Berbice in the upcoming GCB senior female inter county

tournament with an eye set on donning nationalcoloursonceagain.

Barnwell

Anrich Nortje is pumped after another wicket. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Sherica Campbell receives the bat from Linden Jones in the presence of Trevor Wharton.

Maria’s Pleasure emerge champions of Wakenaam leg

Maria’s Pleasure emerged champions of the Wakenaam leg of the Guyana Cricket Board RepublicBank‘fiveforfun’

Primary School Windball cricket competition which concluded recently at G

Square Cavaliers ground in BellePlaine.

Following victories in their first two games, Maria’s Pleasure beat Arthurville by 41 runs in theirthirdgame.

Arthurville made 61

fromtheirallottedfiveovers, battingfirst.

Alex Welcome scored

Hayforeld Daniels made 14 and Alana Benjamin 12 Zeelandia defeated Sans

2023 Milo U18 Schools Football Tournament…

Souciby17runs.SansSouci made 47 while Zeelanida scored 64 in reply. Marvil Benjamin scored 14 as Shivanie Sahadeo took two wickets.

Maria’s Pleasure have advanced to the county

playoffs.

The competition regulation states that each team shall commence its innings with 50 runs and three runs shall be deducted toeachdismissal.

Two runs are scored for

each wide and no ball. Each team is made up of five playersandeachplayershall bat and bowl one over Teams will also be involved in a pre-match bowl off whichwilladdpointstotheir total.

Petra reveals fixtures and final 32

Thefinal32teamsalong with the entire schedule for the 2023 edition of the Milo Under-18 Secondary S c h o o l s F o o t b a l l Tournament were officially released yesterday by the organising team, Petra, as they prepare for kick off on Saturday at the Ministry of Education(MoE)Ground.

S p i c e G a r d e n Restaurant, located poolside inBrandsvilleHotel,wasthe venue where one of Petra’s Co-Directors, Troy Mendonca, gave an in depth lookintothetournament.

Qualifying action in the Nestlé/Massy Distributionsponsored event began two weeks ago with a pool of 48 teamsthatsawsixteenteams unfortunately missing the cut.

Theteamsthatremainfor the commencement of the ninth edition hail from Regions1,2,3,4,5,6,7and 10.

They are: Annandale, Ann’s Grove, President’s College, Charity, Berbice Educational Institute, Vryman’s Irvine, New Amsterdam, Bartica, Bush Lot, Bygeval, Vergenoegen, Westminster, Patentia, West Demerara, Santa Rosa, Christianburg/Wismar,

-Kicksoff9theditionon SaturdayatMoEGround

Petra Co-Director, Troy Mendonca

Kuhnemann, Khawaja put Australia on top in 3rd test vs India

INDORE,India(AP)—

Matthew Kuhnemann pickedup5-16withtheball before Usman Khawaja struck60withthebattoput Australia firmly in control afterthefirstdayofthethird cricket test against India yesterday

caughtatslipfor21.

Nathan Lyon (3-35) then bowled Cheteshwar Pujara for one as the ball started turning sharply, and RavindraJadejawascaught atcoverforfour

Marnus Labuschagne off a no-ball before the Australian number three escaped a good lbw shout fromAshwin.

McKenzie High, St Cuthbert’s Mission, Dora, Carmel, Charlestown, North Ruimveldt, Cummings Lodge, East Ruimveldt, Chase’s Academy, Marian Academy, New Central High, Dolphin, Queen’s College, St Stanislaus College, West Ruimveldt andSt.Winifred’s.

The Schools that regrettably found the exit were Golden Grove, Canje, Berbice High, Manchester, Uitvlugt, Vreed en Hoop, Stewartville, 8th of May, Cotton Field, Lodge, Bishop’s High, Morgan’s Learning Centre, Tucville, FreeburgandQueenstown.

St.Joseph’sHighandSt. John’s College are the two teams on Stand-by should a teamortwofromthefinal32

uncharacteristically opt to leave.

Thetournament’scurrent formatwillseeeightGroups consisting of four teams each, but according to Mendonca, they have begun to explore the option of addinganotherGroupdueto the solid response given from the schools involved. However, the organising teamisyettomaketheirfinal decisiononthemove.

This Saturday, March 4, following the march past which is scheduled to commence at 10:30 hrs, the firstroundofthetournament begins.

At 11:00 hrs, Marian Academy will battle East Ruimveldtthenat12:45hrs, BarticawillopposeBush

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Left-arm spinner Kuhnemann claimed career-best figures as Australia skittled out India for109afterthehometeam hadwonthetossandelected tobatfirst.

Khawaja then led the tourists to 156-4 in reply, with Peter Handscomb sevennotoutatthecloseof play and Cameron Green unbeatenonsix.

Earlier, India lost seven wicketsinahecticmorning session.

Rohit Sharma appeared to be out twice in the first over, caught behind and lbw, but umpire Nitin Menonwasunmovedwhile Australia opted not to reviewonbothoccasions.

Kuhnemann finally had Sharma stumped for 12 before Shubman Gill was

India slumped to 45-5 when Shreyas Iyer was bowledforaduck,goingfor anexpansivecut.

Virat Kohli batted with caution to score 22 off 52 balls but he eventually fell tospinnerToddMurphy

Srikar Bharat was thenlbwtoLyonfor17as India reached lunch on 84-7 Things got no betterforthehostsafterthe interval as Ravichandran

Ashwin was caught behind forthreeoffKuhnemann.

Kuhnemann added his fifth wicket when he trapped Umesh Yadav lbw for 17, and the innings ended when Mohammed Siraj was run outforaduck.

Australia then lost an early wicket when spinner Jadeja trapped Travis Head lbw for nine Jadeja also bowled

Labuschagnewentonto share a stand of 96 with Khawaja,whowasthepick of the batsmen on both sides, before falling to Jadejafor31.

Jadeja also ended Khawaja’sstaywhenhehad theopeningbatsmancaught at deep mid-wicket. The Indian spinner ended with 4-63afteralsohavingSteve Smithcaughtbehindfor26.

Khawaja said: “It is a very spin friendly wicket out there. It was tough to play and it won’t get any better I had a challenging timethroughout.”

I n d i a h a s a n unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series. It needs another win in the remaining two games to qualify for the world test championshipfinalonJune 7. Scores:Australia 156 for 4(Khawaja60,Jadeja4-63) leadIndia109(Kuhnemann 5-16,Lyon3-35)by47runs.

The victorious Maria’s Pleasure team with coach Nandkishore Andrews.

SecondWSUCC‘OneGuyana’BarticaCyclingClassic Trophy Stall donates trophy for Senior winner

Lo n g t i m e s u p p o r t i n g partner of sports across the divide, Trophy Stall, Bourda Market, has once again stepped up once againtoassist,thistimethey are on board with the 2nd edition of the We Stand United Cycle Club, ‘One Guyana’ Cycling Classic Monday,theRepresentativeof the Manager Mr Ramesh Sunich,Ms SaleemaHussain

handed over a trophy that would be presented to the winner of the Elite/Senior categoryonSunday,aracethat is anticipated to be very explosive given the fact that the country’s best cyclists have all indicated that they wouldbeheadingtoBartica. The event is being held in association with the Mayor andtowncouncilofBartica.

Ms Hussain expressed delight that Trophy Stall and

Mr Sunicharekeepingupthe tradition of support for this event,alive Shenotedthatthe entitywasverymuchapartof the inaugural event in March 2019, which was a huge success ”So, we did not hesitate to continue this supportaswearewellaware ofthepositiveimpactthefirst event had not only on the community from a cycling perspective but the fact that many of the youths from

Barticaarenowholdingtheir ownatthehigherlevels”

We Stand United CC President, Franklin Wilson in thanking Mr Sunich and Trophy Stall for their unwavering commitment to thiseventandsportsingeneral, reminded the principals that their partnership along with other corporate entities has silently ignited a positive developmental drive in the sport,inBartica

”The Trophy Stall is very much a part of this new momentum in cycling that startedtwoyearsagowhenfor thefirsttime,amajorcycling eventwasheldthere Asaclub, we have answered the call to decentralise sports and will continuetoworkwithyouand allothermajorstakeholdersto see that our youths are given the opportunity to show what they’vegotandtoaidintaking them to the next level so that Guyanacanbedominantineth sportsonceagain”

The likes of defending champion Briton John (We

Stand United), Romello Crawford (Unattached), Aaron Newton (We Stand United),RobinPersaud(KFC Evolution), Alexis Mendes (Kaieteur Attack Racing), Warren McKay (We Stand United), Curtis Dey (KFC Evolution),andPaulNobrega (KFC Evolution), among others, will be battling in the senior as well as masters UnderandOver50classes. Registration is being doneattheProfessionalKey Shop, Carmichael Street, or Chin Chan Cycle Store, RobbStreet.

MVP Sports commits to Petra’s Calendar of Activities

Prominent local sports enthusiast,MVPSports,has taken a great stride in a n n o u n c i n g t h e i r partnership with the Petra Organisation, which will see the two entities join forcesfortheentireyearfor the hosting of their much anticipatedtournaments.

During a simple handoverofanundisclosed a m o u n t , M V P representative, Selvin Apple, stated that the company is very thrilled to be aligned with the Petra Organisation once again.

Proprietor of MVP, Ian Ramdeo, has taken up the mantle of supporting local supporting fraternities for quite some time The sponsorship will see MVP Sportspouringsupportinto all of the grassroots level tournaments that occupy Petra’scalendarofevents.

After quite a successful return to activities in 2022, Petrarecentlyreleasedtheir calendarofeventsfor2023, as they attempt to host a total of ten grassroots football tournaments in 11 months.

This year’s first tournamentwillbetheMilo Under-18 Secondary Schools Tournament, f o l l o w e d b y t h e ExxonMobil Boys and Girls Under-14 Football Tournament.

The other tournaments include the Limacol Senior Round Robin/Knockout Football Tournament, Turbo Senior Knockout Football Tournament, the GuyOil/Trade Wind Tankers Under-18 Secondary School League, the Courts Pee Wee Under11 Primary Schools Football Tournament, the Girls U-11 Primary School Football Tournament, Petra Community-Based Futsal Tournament and the KFC Goodwill International Secondary Schools Under18Tournament.

Petraalsodisclosedthat they may attempt the inaugural Inter University (Universities & Technical Institutes) Tournament; a brainchild which now seems possible since MVP Sports have already taken thefirststep.

WSUCC President, Franklin Wilson receives the trophy from Trophy Stall Representative, Ms. Saleema Hussain.

Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. contributes handsomely to Sunday’s event event

Cyclingfans,supporters, andtheBarticapubliccanbe assuredofanexcitingdayof racing come this Sunday when the second edition of the ‘One Guyana’ Bartica Cycling Classic is held, organised by We Stand United Cycle Club (WSUCC).

Yesterday, the Office ManagerofIndustrialSafety Supplies Inc. Ms. Crystal Kallu handed over her sponsorship to the President ofWSUCC,FranklinWilson at the entity’s Camp Street location, noting that it was towards making the event a success.

Accompanying Ms Kallu was the company’s Accountant Ms Nyeesha Joseph and CSR, Ms MechaelaHohenkirk.

Speaking on behalf of Managing Director Hemant Narine, Ms. Kallu uttered delight at being able to ride with the organizing club on this venture once again, as they did for the first edition, in 2019. ”This is all part of fulfilling our corporate r e s p o n s i b i l i t y o f

empowering our young athletes by affording them the opportunity to develop by having competitive events It’s even more commendablethatyourclub is deliberately taking this event miles away from the hubofsportsactivitiesinthe city which is a huge undertaking, and we are honoured to be associated withthisventure.”

Ms Kallu further detailed that such a move adds to building friendships and camaraderie amongst theathletesandfansaswell, noting that the event can become a staple on the sporting calendar in a communitythatlovessports.

Wilson extended his club’s deep appreciation to theManagementandstaffof Industrial Safety Supplies Inc.forshowingahighlevel of confidence by being an integralpartner

”Without your backing, this event would not have beenpossibleforthesecond time around It is partnerships such as these that allow our athletes to

breathe comfortably knowing that they would be properly compensated for their efforts. I must also inform you that, resulting from the first edition of this race back in 2019, cycling has grown in a huge way in Bartica and will become evenbetter.”

The winner of the elite/senior race will pocket $120,000 with $70,000, $50,000, $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 going to the second to sixth-place finishers.Theseniorswillbe ridingfor1hour45minutes with an additional two (2) laps.

Masters, Under-45, and Over-45 will be riding togetherfor60minuteswith an additional two (2) laps, whilethe ladies, juniors, and juveniles will pedal off the day’s activity from 09:30hrs and will be riding for 45 minutes with an additional two(2)laps.

Registration is being doneattheProfessionalKey Shop, Carmichael Street, or Chin Chan Cycle Store, RobbStreet.

Rain dampen things in Essequibo vs GCB Select XI at Providence -EssequiboMen57-3(20.3overs)

Match Two of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Men Senior inter county Four Day cricket tournament involving the Essequibo Men vs GCB Select XI, saw the match which was initially scheduledtobeplayedatthe Enmore Community centre ground but was rescheduled to the GNS due to poor playing conditions, being washed out at the Guyana National Stadium (GNS), Providence.Playstartedabit

Heavy rain interrupted first day of the match between Essequibo Men vs GCB Selected XI.

late yesterday due to overnightshowers.

H o w e v e r , p l a y eventuallygotonthewayat approximately 10:40hrs with a few clouds over the venue The first round; match #2 of the Men’s Senior inter-county Four Day tournament between Essequibo and GCB

SelectedXI.EssequiboMen wonthetossandchosetobat first before play was halted due to heavy rain fall with only 20.3 overs of the day’s

play,Essequibo57-3. EssequiboMengotoffto aslowstartlosingthreeearly wickets before rain interruptedplay Playersand umpireswereforcedtoleave the field around 12:15hrs as a result of rain with Essequibo51-2. Essequibo returned to bat, despite the dark clouds overtheGNS.Playresumed just around 14:00hrs after about two hours of rain. Playwashaltedagaindueto

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Industrial Safety Supplies Inc. Office Manager, Ms. Crystal Kallu hands over sponsorship to WSUCC President Franklin Wilson in the presence of her colleagues, Ms. Nyeesha Joseph and Mechaela Hohenkirk.

West

after first

MVPrepresentative, Selvin Apple (left) hands over a sum of undisclosed cash to Petra Co-Director, Troy Mendonca.

Raymon Reifer runs between the wickets. (Gallo Images)

Alzarri Joseph handed Temba Bavuma a pair on captaincy debut. (AFP/Getty Images)

Australia’s Matthew Kuhnemann, second left without cap, celebrates with his teammates the dismissal of India’s Cheteshwar Pujara during the first day of third cricket test match between India andAustralia in Indore, India, Wednesday, March 1, 2023. (APPhoto/SurjeetYadav)