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Cop charged NEWS for causing death of youths in Mahaica accident

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AIETEUR

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

March 04, 2022 - Vol. 24 No. 09 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, The Lance Corporal, 89,237 Lawrence Carmichael making his court appearance yesterday.

Former EPA Head calls for independent investigation of Exxon's operations …says company in breach of Liza 2 permit on full liability coverage

'The end of the world has arrived' - Pres. of Ukraine A Russian tank burning next to an unidentified soldier's body during a fight with the Ukrainian armed forces in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on Sunday.Credit...Sergey Bobok/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images

Citizens have two weeks left to submit concerns on Exxon's 12-well campaign in Canje Block

IDB reviewing Guyana's proposal to tap US$83.5M Norway funds for solar farms

CARICOM to review Lets show solidarity with Ukraine join the picket framework for @ 12:00 noon today infront the Russian Embassy. Local Content

Govt. flayed for grabbing all seats on oil fund board Exxon to halt operation, sell the old ships with all the drilling equipment Listen to Kaieteur Radio out there to pay for what the insurance policy cannot cover. @11:00hrs on 99.1/99.5FM

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Kaieteur News

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

Friday March 04, 2022

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Former EPA Head calls for independent investigation of Exxon's operations …says company in breach of Liza 2 Permit on full liability coverage

By Davina Bagot

F

ormer Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams is calling for an independent investigation into the operations of US oil giant, ExxonMobil, accusing the company of violating the Liza Two Permit regarding full coverage liability.

ExxonMobil in its permit granted by the EPA, for its initial project Liza Phase One was not required to provide Guyana any insurance in the event of an oil spill.

Recognising this dangerous flaw in the document, the former EPA Head said upon his appointment, he started the discussions to ensure the country is covered from such a dreaded event. To this end, Exxon's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) permit for its second project, Liza Phase Two, where production recently started, was required to be covered by insurance and additional liability coverage from not only the operator but also the

Head of the EPA, Mr. Kemraj Parsram

“Throughout my 30 years with the US Department of Energy, my job was to manage many high risk operations and I experienced firsthand the consequences of permit violations including fatalities, so I know a high risk operation when I see one and the offshore oil operations (in Guyana) is one for certain. And you don't have to search far to see what happened when procedures were not followed as in the case of Piper Alpha where 167 people died and in the BP spill where 8 died with horrendous environmental consequences.”

Dr. Vincent Adams

provide from the parent company (ExxonMobil) and its co-venturers (affiliates) one or more legally binding agreements to the EPA, undertaking to provide adequate financial resources for Permit Holder and its coventurers to pay or satisfy their respective environmental obligations regarding the Stabroek Block, if EEPGL or its coventurers fail to do so…”

D r. A d a m s w h i l e appearing virtually on the

The section of the Liza Two Permit that highlights the requirement for liability coverage from the parent companies. parent company and affiliates.

Although this is required

by Section 12 of the Liza Two Permit, Exxon has blatantly denied that the oil company ever agreed to any insurance coverage. Instead, the company said in a recent

statement that it is now working with the EPA and its co-venturers to put in place a combined $US2 billion of affiliate company guarantees.

This however, is in violation of the permit issued to EEPGL for the Liza Phase Two project. Section 12.1 of the Liza Two Permit seen by this publication says, “The Permit Holder shall have insurance…” Section 12.5 of the document goes on to say, “The Permit Holder (EEPGL) must, as soon as reasonably practicable,

Glenn Lall Show on We d n e s d a y e v e n i n g , therefore concluded that ExxonMobil has breached the laws of Guyana, by denying the country full liability coverage, as mandated in the Liza Two Permit, and all other subsequent permits issued by the EPA. He reasoned: “of course they have made it public that they don't have the documentation.

Well the Permit says you got to get the documentation.

So where is the

Former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams

documentation? You say you don't have it, so you can't show it now that you say you don't have it, which means that they violated the Laws of Guyana by going out, based on their own word, by going out and starting up Liza Two without producing these documents.”

With thousands of virtual listeners and viewers of the programme streamed on the various social media platforms, Dr. Adams said that the oil giant has “screwed up” big time by telling the nation that it does not have any insurance for Guyana and that there was no agreement binding the parent companies.

As a consequence, he urged that the current EPA administration, headed by M r. K e m r a j P a r s r a m , conduct an independent investigation into the operations of ExxonMobil.

“It is obvious that they cannot be trusted. And who knows

what else is going on in their operations to the detriment of the nation?” he said while substantiating his call.

Dr. Adams told Kaieteur News that the EPA as the regulator body has the authority to impose penalties up to and including suspension, resulting from violations by the Permit Holder, EEPGL, to the Permit. Section 12.4 of the Liza Permit states, “The EPA shall reserve the right to request and review the environmental liability insurance policy…”

To this end, Dr. Adams explained, “Throughout my 30 years with the US Department of Energy, my job was to manage many high risk operations and I experienced firsthand the consequences of permit violations including fatalities, so I know a high risk operation when I see one and the offshore oil (Continued on page 22)

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Kaieteur News

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

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

EDITORIAL

Americans did their part, Guyanese must also America ran to the rescue of Guyana and did its part.

Though a good many Guyanese may think otherwise, Americans did work diligently both publicly and privately to introduce (or reintroduce) the fundamentals of change in this country. America gave Guyana democracy; or some of the aspects on which we must build. Citizens of America, the superpower, rolled up their sleeves and went to bat for Guyanese.

On the shoulders of the citizens of Guyana now rests the weighty responsibilities to take things from what was started and gifted. From the minds of Guyanese, the kind of thinking and visions they entertain would emerge the kind and quality of the society that come about, with which we will live or just manage to eke out an existence.

It must be said that the agents of America worked tirelessly first and foremost for American interests: Exxon’s first, geopolitical and strategic ones next.

By the same measure, it is reasonable, even democratic, to inquire on what is most meaningful to Guyanese. It could be the ambitions of a few who grab successfully at levers of power, who hog all the prosperity, who enjoy all the rich bounty of this land. On the other hand, what may be of significance to most other citizens of this country is to go along to get along in some fashion.

If it has to be among the mass of impoverished in a place graced with countless endowments, then they shrug and move along. For it is the way that it has always been, and will continue to be, regardless of who says what, and whoever else does anything else.

When there needs to be a fighting spirit across the widest cross section of the tricked and cheated Guyanese people, there is, instead, this great haste to take flight, and not stand up for what is their right.

It is one of the defining hallmarks of democracy, one of its ideals, that the poorest of the poor also have what are rights.

They belong, they are due, they must be allowed to participate to the fullest in the fruits of progress and success. After all, it is their land, too, and their toil from the bottom up that seeds the soil with energy and ongoing dedication, that makes it grow.

In contrast to the heavy influence of the favored few, the mighty, overpowering words of the handful who control messages and the minds of men, what counts are the dreams and aspirations of those without, those used and abused and left behind.

It is not the self-centered ambitions of cult leaders caught up and trapped in many addictions, of which the highest ones are taxpayers’ money, how to mislead them, so as to squeeze more out of them, and leave them more dependent and down in the depths of despair.

In a democracy of spirit and strength, all things are possible, from the perverse to the pure. But the pure, or the better, or the higher, will not be achieved by complacency with circumstances, or by vulgarity at neighbour, or by insincerity of attitude.

Guyanese are going to have to take stock, sometime or the other, and determine how pleased (or displeased) they are with the place they occupy on the ladder of this rich country. They are going to have to decide how much more of the lies hung around their necks and to their faces they will absorb with indifference and resignation.

In this newfound democracy, oil democracy, either they get off their knees, or risk being left behind forever. The oil Darwinism in motion in this country, for sure, will weed out the slow and the suckers who fall for the usual leadership slipperiness and sleaziness.

Americans in their own history, which rages down to this day, showed Guyanese that to get things done in the way envisioned, there must be getting up and going into action. Or else the world will pass by.

Guyanese can swallow whatever government and opposition and private sectors leaders, even spiritual ones, stuff into their craw. Or they can grasp at the demands of democracy and get what is rightfully owed to each one of them.

An optimists plea DEAR EDITOR, I again plead with all of our Leaders and Citizens, young and old, not to be distracted by the top International News, that is, the situation and invasion of Ukraine

by Russia.

Every citizen, particularly those who consider themselves humanist, would have no difficulty with sentiments expressed in our Editorials and other articles dealing with the situation in Europe and we all agree with the Statement in one Editorial published on Tuesday, March 1, 2022, after analysing the situation in Ukraine, it said ”Everyone loses nobody wins.”

The trouble is Dear Editor, in Guyana our workers should concentrate on an aggressive stance so that Guyanese workers are fairly treated and obtain optimum benefits for their families from foreign companies operating in Guyana, whether they be by countries in Europe, North America, Asia or the Americas.

This must be an obsession and our duty where Government, Opposition, Civil Society, Trade Unions, Religious bodies, all find common ground so that these Godgiven non-renewable natural resources benefit us now and in the foreseeable future.

With our bounty of gold, diamonds, timber, marine, arable land, now oil and gas, we should as other countries be able to eradicate poverty within a few years from now, providing Free Education from Nursery to University, a world class health service, sporting and recreational fa-

cilities and a restructured National Service to provide the institutional framework and therefore opportunity for us becoming One People eradicating inherited prejudices and the boogey-man of Divide and Rule.

A strange condition that seems to exist is that all of our World Leaders once equipped with military muscle seem compelled to flex those muscles ever so often.

As boys, they were given toy guns but as they grew older and had access to the term made famous during the gulf war, weapons of mass destruction, they all took silly steps to use those weapons.

Maybe there is some flaw in the brain-cells of Leaders everywhere, a condition which makes them addicted to war.

Perhaps this is the unavoidable curse of advanced technology as we move from bows and arrows, spears and swords to ballistic and intercontinental missiles.

How else can we explain this shared stupidity by socalled sane Leaders of State over the past few centuries.

Just over one hundred years ago, a brutal war named World War I, which destroyed property and sometimes priceless artifacts and took millions of lives occurred.

The cause they say was a spark ignited after the ArchDuke of Sarajevo was assassinated by a radical Serb on 28th June, 1914.

The war ended in 1918 with promises by Leaders everywhere, not to engage ever in similar disastrous barbaric adventure.

Two decades later, 1939 saw Europe at war with the vanquished Germany being the aggressor.

When I visited the Berlin Wall before it was torn down, my Guide explained to me that the Germans, because they were surrounded by the Netherlands, France, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Poland, Denmark and Czech Republic, always felt helmed in and were therefore by nature defensive and belligerent.

In the height of World War II, why did Germany try to seize and occupy Stalingrad in August 1941?

The result was a brutal seven months campaign of fierce fighting which took well over one million lives and saw the Russians repelling the Germans.

Why did the Emperor of Japan in December of 1941 attack American Ships at Pearl Harbour destroying the American Battleships and taking the lives of two thousand three hundred and thirty five Servicemen, and injuring one thousand one hundred and thirty three others?

American President Franklin D. Roosevelt described it as a day of infamy drawing the might of the United States into what some of us previously described as a European Civil War. At Hiroshima, Japan, 6th of August 1945 and Nakasaki three days later, the newly developed atomic bomb was dropped on these two cities claiming over sixty thousand lives .

My generation remembers Vietnam, the Korean War,

Afghanistan etc.

The issue seems to be that there is a fatal flaw in the brain-tissue of great Leaders, east, west, north and south, once they have at their command, military might.

The single exception of my generation remembers the two great Ks, Nikita Khrushchev of Russia and J.F. Kennedy of the United States, after setting up a hotline between the Kremlin and the White House avoided the unthinkable of a nuclear holocaust known to as a missile crisis of October 1962.

In each and every one of the above instances, the Leaders did what they believed was in their national interest.

We in Guyana with less than a million souls, must not be distracted by the excitement of these events but concentrate on forging a United Front in dealing with the mighty conglomerates, so that we bequeath our children and our children s children, a land of prosperity, where Peace, Love and Harmony prevails.

Let us every day as we greet the dawn of a new day lift our heads high where the Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhist and Rastafarians thank the Creator for placing us in a country with much natural resources and little or no natural disasters.

I believe too many of us are taking this goodluck, this good fortune for granted.

This itself is a curse and condition we must avoid.

I will keep making this plea as an Optimist.

Hamilton Green Elder

Each has contributed to a whole DEAR EDITOR, It is pellucid that Vishnu Bisram and I will never see eye to eye on the matter of our culture, nor, it seems, on the matter of nationhood.

Mr. Bisram has chosen to live outside of Guyana, so much for his patriotism, but persists in pontificating on who we should be culturally as a people.

As is often the case, in responding to my letter, he prefers to attack the messenger rather than the message then proceeds to write what amounts to a thesis on promoting what can only be described as “Indianism”, as a cultural imperative for our country.

How terribly wrong he is.

My ancestors were brought to Guyana as immigrant labour from Madeira (not Portugal), as were Bisrams from India, though in fact, before his, but, unlike

Bisram, while I, of course, recognise and respect this heritage, I am first and always will be Guyanese.

For me, and if we are truly one Guyana, what is most important to the future of this country which has given us birth, is, as I have said, to acknowledge who we are today.

We have just celebrated our 52nd Anniversary as an independent republic and we have been an independent people for 56 years and yet, Bisram questions, what is our national culture, what is our national identity then asserts “we dont have one people or one culture”.

How then are we one nation, how then are we “One Guyana”?

Last Wednesday (23rd February), on stage on the grounds of our National Assembly, we celebrated our culture with song, dance,

music and recitation, reflecting all of our six heritages, but in fusion, representing who we have become and who we are and not by singular performances promoting our separate ancestral cultures. In doing so, there was no attempt here to reject our ancestral culture, whether Asian, African, European, or Indigenous, nor committing “cultural genocide” as Bisram persists.

We were simply recognising that each has contributed to a whole.

In defining the challenge we face in Guyana, when addressing the Family Summit hosted by the TARIC Islamic Centre of Ontario recently, on the subject of “Countering Islamophobia”, President Ali put it best when he said that “as multicultural societies, both Guyana and Canada recognise the need to engender respect for internal diver-

sity and face the challenges associated with multiculturalism, including ethnic prejudice and discrimination”.

As for my time served as a Minister, not information as is popularly mistaken, in the Burnham government, a total irrelevance to the subject at hand, sufficient to say that politics is more often than not, pursuing the practice of the possible, and the possible at that time was the choice between Guyana becoming a communist satellite of the Soviet Union or remaining an independent country in its own right, albeit an imperfect and unfortunate victim of the cold war between the West and Soviet Russia, but that is for another discussion at another time.

Yours sincerely, Kit Nascimento

Friday March 04, 2022

Guyana Court should emulate US Court on Libel DEAR EDITOR, Last month, a US federal court judge as well as a jury reinforced free speech with their rulings in a libel suit.

That is the kind of ruling that is needed in Guyanas court to protect free speech and the press.

The former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, also former VP candidate of John McCain in 2008 against Barack Obama, filed a defamation lawsuit against the New York Times seeking monetary dam-

ages. The Times published an editorial assailing the Governor in June 2017 accusing her of inciting murder. It turned out that NYT article was inaccurate and the paper ran a correction the next day but offered no apology. Palin sued for libel.

After jury trial in late February 2022, the judge sent the case to the jury for a verdict.

Suddenly, he announced that he would dismiss the verdict (if guilty) of the lawsuit, saying the plaintiff Palin did not

GTT responds to Mr. Ivin Ramlall DEAR EDITOR, I write to respond to letter to the editor by customer Ivin Ramlall. Firstly, I apologise to this customer for the inconvenience caused we understand that in this technological era, access to communication services is no longer a luxury, but a necessity.

Mr. Ramlall reported the issue on February 24, 2022 and even before this letter was published, work commenced to restore his service on March 2, 2022 - We contacted him today (March 3,

2022) and he confirmed that all is well.

Pivoting GTT to become a 21st century customer centric organisation means that we reliably connect the customer and we will continue to fulfill this promise.

We take this time to encourage customers to report any fault by calling our toll free number 0488 or chatting with us at gtt.co.gy.

Kind Regards, Jasmin Harris PR & Corporate Communications Manager GTT

Mabaruma, Region 1 receiving poor Digicel service too DEAR EDITOR, Good day, I’m from Mabaruma, Region # 1.

I noticed you guys carried a story about Digicel’s poor service in Region 7. People of Mabaruma are facing the same struggles. For the past week calls haven’t been going through and if you manage to get through the calls are breaking up, etc.

As it relates to the “4G/ LTE” internet service, it’s horrible! I’m preparing to attend online classes (GOAL Scholarship) the speeds are super

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slow! I don’t know how I’m going to make out with my classes and Digicel is the only source of internet, 4G internet speeds should be about 25Mbps, at any given time when I do speed tests I would normally get between 600Kbps to 1.5Mbps. Every month I would normally put on a Prime Plan, most time I can’t even watch YouTube videos.

I really hope our problems can be highlighted like those in Region 7.

Customer

meet the threshold for libel.

However, he said he would allow the jury to reach a verdict before dismissing it. The judge admonished the jury not to read the press about any reports of the case after he spoke to the media about his judgment. He gave this order presumably to avoid contamination of a directed verdict. The jury ruled that Palin was not libeled. She plans to appeal the judges ruling before the jury issued a verdict. In order to protect the fourth estate, there are high standards to prove libel.

The founding fathers of the USA wanted an unrestricted press to protect the republic (the people) from bad governance and to empower the media to expose corruption in order to hold officials accountable. One has to prove a number of requirements: information published is false, published with malice or intent to hurt, the newspaper knows info is false and went ahead and publish it anyway, reputation of the affected entity/person party is damaged (ridicule/held in odium, etc.), there is a loss of income as a result of the published article, among other criteria.

In rendering his ruling, the judge said that Palin failed to prove that her reputation was damaged as a result of the editorial. “She failed to reach the high standards required for public figures to make their

case”. While not in the judgment, Palin may not have suffered a loss of income. If anything, she may be earning increased money through lecture tours, contributions, etc.

Politicians are known to make a lot of money after leaving elective office.

The editor of the paper admitted it was his fault in publishing the information without checking it but said it was not done with any malice towards the former Governor. There was no evidence that the editor acted in bad faith or harboured animus toward Palin, and a correction was printed once it was brought to the papers attention. The judge agreed that the paper did not publish the information against Palin without any malice and was not aware it was false at the time of publication. “It was unfortunate editorialising on the part of The Times”. The paper said “It was an honest mistake” and the judge accepted the explanation.

Earlier, Palin had derided the press. The ruling is welcomed by the press globally with every media praising it and cheering (Continued on page 6)

In Search of Human Development Dear Editor, So far as the majority of the population is concerned, we have experienced at least two major climatic (perhaps traumatic) incidents regarding leadership, albeit in conflicting ways, in the first months of 2022.

The first was the passing of the late Yesu Persaud, who all acclaimed as an icon of leadership in business, religion, and most profoundly, in the development of organisations, and indeed the human beings employed by them. However, one does not recall which of the contributors undertook to emulate him.

The other incident was the contradictory trauma created by persons who posed as leaders in the Nat i o n a l A s s e m b l y, a n d whose behaviours debased the standard of morality which Dr. Persauds

generation was known to observe. From the latter emerge many more exemplars that whole communities respected for their social, professional and moral standards of behaviours that children and young adults could energetically practice.

So when last week this anxious father of inquisitive young adults related his own and familys disenchantment with what was described as the charade acted out by those who pretended to be leaders in a theatre where the address Honourable was used in the most derisive manner, outnumbered as he was by these young inquisitors, he could hardly contain his frustration at being unable to articulate an argument that could justify the behaviours of Guyanas national leaders.

He paused, then (Continued on page 6)

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Guyana 1976 Enmore Martyrs coin sold for US$561.97 DEAR EDITOR, A Guyana 1976 fifty dollar “Enmore Martyrs” coin was sold on eBay on Wednesday for US$561.97.

That price is much more than what I have ever seen for coins of this denomination.

These Enmore Martyrs coins are the largest coins ever made for the Bank of Guyana.

They are nearly two inches in diameter and are made of sterling silver.

The fifty dollar denomination is one of ten denominations minted at the Franklin Mint in 1976 to commemorate Guyanas tenth anniversary of Independence.

Only 1101 Enmore Martyrs coins were made. 1001 were minted in proof grade with brilliant background and frosted features.

The other hundred were minted with a dull background and no lustrous features. Both types are rela-

tively rare. In more than twenty years of seeking them, I have seen just one of the non-lustrous type. The coin sold on Wednesday was of the

brilliant lustrous type. These are easier to find. I have seen nine of them.

Yours faithfully, Tulsi Dyal Singh, MD

In Search of Human Development...

From page 5 mumbled the question, or rather the hope, that the latters own families might be indulging in similar inquiries.

His pain mounted, as he reflected on what he euphemistically described as the transparent behaviour of the new leader in a public organisation, where the environment was sterile, communication condescending, accountability relationships unstable; where indeed transparency was translated to mean that (ICT) correspondence amongst senior executives was monitored reinforcing the suspicion of the subversion of character culminating in an environment that denies any contribution to much bandied human development.

In a somewhat tearful manner emerged a confession of unhappiness at work, of an unnecessary invasion of mistrust amongst colleagues; of returning home at the end of the day, indisposed to proactively engaging with family; to listening and pro-

viding counsel younger ones may seek; too depressed to rise to the occasion of advising what careers to pursue where in turn they can speak out and stand up to be counted, alongside other human beings as equals who deserve a hearing, as well as answers.Finally came the outburst: “What the hell is going to be my childrens and their generations future”, he asked and stormed out of my presence.

In a stupor I reflected: how many more are doomed to such a constrictive work environment? Is this the construct for the vaunted Human Development? Perhaps, in the absence of an articulate strategy, the leadership may ask the respective public agencies each to: · Investigate and compile their human resources deficiencies · Compose a training needs analysis · Draft succession plan · Identify the team/s capable of addressing the train-

ing needs, albeit with external support · Reintroduce the Performance Appraisal system · Install a library of relevant Human Resources Management publications for senior employees in particular to ingest The returns must then be reviewed by a recognised team of competent performers who would be expected to produce a comprehensive report of recommendations for approval and implementation by the original leaders for human development.

Be reminded scholarships are only the preparatory component of a much more fundamental human development programme.

Finally of course sports can make a substantial contribution towards collaborating as teams in enabling psyc h o s o c i a l experience.Leaders, Managers in any organisation have a choice.

Conscientious Observer

Guyana Court should emulate US Court...

From page 5 the critical role played by the fourth estate in reporting news and editorialising.

Regrettably, in Guyana, the press is not protected from politicians and public officials, not even from frivolous lawsuits. Guyanese politicians and other public figures are thin skinned. They are quick to threaten lawsuits even when asked about their role in corrupt or nefarious activities.

Even if asked if they are related to your

grandmother, they want to file a libel suit.

Every media in Guyana SN, KN, GC, and Guyana Times have been subjected to lawsuits to censor or silence them in holding officials accountable.

As a free press champion, I implore Guyanese judges to examine this US court judgment and give consideration to throw out lawsuits against the free press.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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With certain danger steering them in the face, Ukranians have been fighting for their rights.

These resilient people have not recoiled in fear because of threats to their very existence.

But here in Guyana the majority of the people are asleep or simply do not care that their future too is under threat.

Some are too willing to trade their birthright, no question asked, for intermittent cash reliefs.

Come on Guyana: Take a page out of the patriotic Ukranians' book.

With protests, let's defend this nation from oppressive deals meant to rob us of our patrimony.

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Govt. flayed for grabbing all seats on oil fund board ...PNCR says move a demonstration of bad faith, exclusion

T

he two individuals whose names were submitted as the Opposition's choice to sit on the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Board have criticiced the government for selecting former PNCR Member of Parliament, Dunstan Barrow as the National Assembly's

nominee to sit on the board.

In an invited comment on T h u r s d a y, C h a r t e r e d Accountant and Attorney-atLaw, Mr. Christopher Ram argued, “My view is the NRF Board should be an entrenched constitutional arrangement. It must not be at the whims or fancies or disposal of any political

party”.

He was keen to point out too in the brief interview that the directors on the NRF Board have little functions under the Act, since the law already sets out the amount that can be withdrawn from the fund. On the other hand, Dr. Vincent Adams who previously served as head of

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said that, “It is obvious that the government does not want the most qualified people who can think for themselves and have objective inputs in major decision making in the best interest of the country”.

He went on to say that the

Attorney-at-Law, Christopher Ram administration's modus operandi is to have people in charge that they can control, despite the call by the local and international communities for inclusion.

“It just doesn't make sense that a government with such a razor thin margin of one seat (majority), will behave in such an autocratic manner. It undermines the pillars of democracy and transparency for the country at this critical time of our history where inclusivity in so important,” Dr. Adams contended.

The former chief of the EPA said that while he considers former PNCR MP, Dunstan Barrow competent, he was particularly displeased with the government's refusal “to accommodate the opposition to ensure even the perception of good intent and inclusivity in a nation that is so strongly divided”. To this end, he pointed out that to not have an opposition nominee on the Board only engender total mistrust in the people as to how the oil money is spent.

“But it's obvious that the ruling party doesn't care about what's best for all of the people as long as their political agenda is satisfied.

Unfortunately, it's apparent that you will not participate in any major decision making

of the nation if you do not belong to, or (is) a supporter of the PPP/C,” he added.

Meanwhile, in a statement reacting to the government's decision to reject the opposition's nominees, the People National Congress Reform (PNCR) said it was another demonstration of the PPP's bad faith and politics of exclusion. “This case involves the PPP's use of its majority parliamentary power to reject the nominees of the opposition parties for the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) board and the Oversight Committee, despite the fact that those nominees have the best qualifications for the positions. Our nominees included Professor Clive Thomas, Dr. Vincent Adams, Christopher Ram and Elson Low. Both Adams and Ram were nominated separately by the PNCR and the AFC. Dr. Adams has over 40 years of extensive experience in both the public and private sectors in the oil and gas industry. Christopher Ram has won the admiration and praise of the Guyanese public for his vast expertise in law, finance and the oil sector, as well as a relentless advocate for transparency and (Continued on page 21)

Former EPA Head, Dr. Vincent Adams

Friday March 04, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Local content gone regional D

uring her address to the recently concluded International Energy Conference, hosted in Guyana, the Prime Minister of Barbados touched on what many believed to be Guyana’s local content laws. She drew wild applause when she stated that “The day that we do not provide opportunities for our citizens who participate in active citizenship of being able to benefit from the patrimony of our country is the day we sow the seeds of destruction for our nation and invite destruction.”

Having heard that statement, the local private sector must have felt vindicated by the position it adopted following suggestions by the Caribbean Private Sector Organization (CPSO) that parts of Guyana’s local content laws may be in contravention of the Revised Treaty of Chaguramas.

One organisation went as far as suggesting that if indeed this was the case, then Guyana needed to withdraw from the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC). The Private Sector Commission went for the jugular. It reiterated its support for Guyana’s Local Content Act, and urged foreign investors to respect Guyana’s laws and sovereign space. An organisation calling itself the Energy Chamber of Guyana went as far as asking the Secretary General of

the Caribbean Community to derecognise the CPSO. It must have been rebuffed when it made this cantankerous proposal.

The words of Mia Mottley, at the International Energy Conference, must have warmed the hearts of the local private sector, which had refused to entertain any notion that the Local Content Laws were in violation of the Caricom treaty.

The Prime Minister of Barbados went on to note that while there will be regional and local conflicts and agreements, it is the duty of the member states to ensure that they do not leave their citizens to become tenants in their own land. She then urged regional leaders to have those difficult conversations with their citizens.

Last Wednesday, Guyanese learnt, to their utmost shock, that the conversation about Guyana’s local content laws has now reached the highest levels of the Caribbean Community.

The matter was ventilated at the 33rd Inter-sessional Meeting of the Heads of Government where a decision was taken to have a review of local content framework.

Local content, which the PSC implied was part of Guyana’s sovereign jurisdiction, is now being subject to review by the regional integration movement. This represents a slap in the face for

those who were touting that Guyana’s local content laws were part of its sovereign jurisdiction.

What would be most interesting to learn – and it is hoped that the local media do not become shy in asking – is how it is that this matter ended before the Heads of Government. Who tabled this matter? Was it Barbados or was it Trinidad?

And did Guyana object to this matter being raised formally? While the decision is about examining the broader framework for local content, this issue cannot be decoupled from the controversy, which was evoked by the passage of Guyana’s local content law, which allows local companies 100 percent participation in fields such as insurance and accounting.

Has Guyana agreed to this review and in so doing accepted that its local content law is in violation of the nondiscrimination article in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC)? The President must indicate Guyana’s position.

Has Guyana agreed to the proposal for the review? As is now being reported, the review will lead to recommendations to be considered by the Heads so that no one can be deemed to be in breach of the RTC. If the recommendation pares down Guyana’s local content requirements, will

Region Four woman is latest COVID-19 fatality An unvaccinated 64-yearold woman from Region Four, who contracted the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, died on Wednesday.

This is according to the Ministry of Health, which reported yesterday that as a result of this, the country’s

COVID-19 death toll has moved to 1,223.

Via its daily COVID-19 dashboard, the Ministry recorded 31 new cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases in Guyana to 63,002.

The dashboard data shows that seven patients are admit-

ted into the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 28 persons are in institutional isolation, 299 in home isolation and 13 in institutional isolation.

To date, a total of 61,445 persons have recovered from the virus.

Dem boys seh...

We bringing de wrong medicine We going backwards instead of forward.

De guvament decide dem gan buy de anti-viral drug molnupiravir fuh help treat dem COVID patients.

But dem boys wan know if dem wah agree to buy dis drug realise dat it gat a low rate of effectiveness.

According to dem tests wah do, dis molnupiravir does only cut de risk of deaths by 30%.

Now dat is still better dan nothing at all. But dem gat a better anti-viral wah does cut the risk of deaths

by 90%, three times more dan de one which we guvament want buy.

Dat 90% effective anti-viral drug is called Paxlovid.

But dem boys know dat gan be hard to get.

De Americans probably done buy out all de supplies.

And even if yuh could get it, it gan be super expensive.

But still we should try fuh get dat one, if we can and if we can afford it.

Dem boys did read how de one we want buy costs de US$700 per dose while de one

which is more effective cost dem US$530 per dose.

Either way is a lotta bread costing fuh bring either of dem two drugs to Guyana.

By now we shoulda been mekkin we one anti-virals.

Dem boys remember how de Pee Pee Pee bin give wan company generous concessions fuh start up a medicine-making plant.

Dem bin seh how de concessions bin justified because it is a pioneering venture. Whatever happened to dat company?

Talk half. Leff half.

Guyana accede to those recommendations? The President must state Guyana’s position on this point.

If the recommendations are accepted, they will still have to be made compliant with the RTC. This would entail derogation, in specific circumstances, from Article 7 of the RTC. Article 7 states, “Within the scope of application of this Treaty and without prejudice to any special provisions contained therein, any discrimination on grounds of nationality only

shall be prohibited.”

Even more interesting is that this review is taking place when we have learning that there has been an amendment to the long-standing unanimity rule. It is now being reported that two-thirds of the Heads present can now effect a binding decision, rather than all of the Heads having to agree. What this means is that if the Heads agree to pare down the local content requirements, Guyana will be obligated to comply even if it is not in agreement.

The President of Guyana has some explaining to do when he returns. The agreements arrived at in Belize have far-reaching implications for Guyana.

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

Kaieteur News

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Friday March 04, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

Descent into the volcano

On this day, two years ago, the sign that the election was being rigged the day before (March 3) had now morphed into a national disaster. It is important that Guyanese remember what happened on this day, and the daily utterances of the lunatic fringe that are taking on right now.

In my Tuesday article I listed one of the members of the lunatic fringe whom I referred to as the Trumpian narcissist as shouting out loudly in a Facebook programme with “black pudding maan” recently that there was mass rigging on election day. The Trumpian narcissist quoted Keith Lowenfield, the then Chief

Election Officer.

Rewind the tape to March 4, that is, the Wednesday. The same Lowenfield certified the tabulated votes for nine Regions. On that very Wed n es d ay, th er e w as absolutely no public statement from GECOM that the voting process in the nine Regions was tampered with.

What happened is what the entire world knows and will forever know – the results of the nine Regions gave the opposition a lead over the incumbent which meant that the election results had to be reshaped to give the incumbent a victory because when Region Four votes were tabulated it would not have changed the election

results.

The years will pass but we must never forget what happened on Wednesday, March 4, so we must write about it on every anniversary.

Mr. Mingo fell “sick” on this day in 2020 so the votes of Region Four could not be completed. A clerk was allowed to continue the tabulation.

Interestingly, it was not the Deputy Returning Officer that was mandated. The law provided for this. Instead it was a clerk which the law did not provide for. On this day on March 4, it had become clear to any decent mind that GECOM was complicit in tampering with the election.

On this day, two years

ago, what has become known as the Statements of Poll (SOP) infamy was born.

From that day, each one growing up in Guyana will know what a SOP is. Much to the amazement of the world, the clerk brought a spread sheet (SS) with the results, discontinuing the counting using the SOPs. What unfolded subsequently was so shocking that the APNU+AFC could no longer remain in power because the world was watching. Let's explain the SS business.

Actually there is nothing wrong with the use of the SS because all it contains is the information on the SOPs. This did not happen. The SSs had information which did not correspond to what the contestants and the observers had.

Lenox Shuman, presidential candidate of the Liberty and Justice Party told the media that the SSs contained a number of discrepancies. Rhonda Lam, presidential candidate for the Citizens' Initiative announced to the media that nine discrepancies were found on the SSs for the Linden-Soesdyke area.

Ms. Lam noted that the information on the SS did not match what she had.

Important to note that all the

disconnections between the SSs a n d S O P s favoured the APNU+AFC. I was in the studio of Kaieteur News reporting and Frederick Kissoon commenting on what I was seeing. Guyana punctuated with fraud had returned to 1968, the year committed by the opposition. in which free and fair Had the chairperson of elections disappeared only to G E C O M o r d e r e d a reappear 24 years later in continuous count of Region 1992 before which time Four ballots, which was a Guyana had become a mere 200, 000 papers, from dictatorship and a failed state Tuesday and accepted the under President Burnham. results from that count, by It is important to recap the Wednesday, the results events of these days for two would have been known, and reasons.

Guyana would never have One is that it exposes the witnessed the active volcano stupidities and asininities that eventually calmed itself that are peddled by the on July 31. lunatic fringe that the March The second reason to 2 election was interfered with keep Wednesday, March 4 by the PPP. On that very date alive forever is that it exposes of March 4, Mr. Lowenfield the deep and extensive admitted that there were corrupted minds of so many discrepancies on the SSs and organisations and so many ordered a return to using the individuals that we trusted SOPs. before 2020. They told this That took place later in nation they existed to ensure t h e a f t e r n o o n . O n transparency, human rights, Wednesday evening when multi-racial harmony. That the tabulation for Region was an undiluted, depraved Four continued the general fiction. election for March 4 was (The views expressed in a l m o s t o v e r w i t h n o this article are those of the s t a t e m e n t f r o m M r. a u t h o r a n d d o n o t Lowenfield that the voting necessarily reflect the and counting that went on opinions of this newspaper.) from March 2 to March 3 was

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Friday March 04, 2022

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CARICOM to review framework for …after regional private sector body Local Content raised concerns about Guyana's law With growing concerns rais ed about G uyana' s recently passed Local Content Law containing several provisions that regional business leaders said might be in contravention of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, Barbados Prime Minister (PM), Mia Mottley, on We d n e s d a y e v e n i n g

disclosed that discussions will be held among CARICOM Heads of Government to agree on an appropriate framework.

Mottley made that remark after she was asked a question during the 33rd Inter-sessional meeting of the conference of CARICOM Heads of

Govern ment, which was held in Belize.

Following the passage of Guyana's Local Content L e g i s l a t i o n l a s t y e a r, concerns were raised by the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) – in relation to Guyana's new law

being in breach of CARICOM free trade provisions.

In light of the aforementioned the question was asked to which PM Mottley said, “Within the context of CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) we placed before heads and heads accepted there is need for us to review the issue of local content.”

To this end, she disclosed that there is an open ended committee of heads that will commence work shortly, in which it will recognize the new areas of economic activity. “I certainly support there is a case for some level of local content and the issue will be what should that percentage of local content be and what is the timeline that it should be valid for.

Because if you are giving it to a sunrise industry then you won't need it 30 years from

Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley. n o w or 20 years from now,” Mottley noted.

As such, she noted that discussions on the matter will be held among the Heads of Government, with a view towards recommending to the full conference of heads of what the appropriate frameworks should be so that no one will be held in breach for wanting to do that which is most natural.

There were heated

debates last year when CPSO raised its objections on the Local Content Legislation.

Opposition Member of Parliament, David Patterson, during the parliamentary debates on the bill before it was passed into law December last had raised similar concerns as the CPSO, but these were shot down by the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. At the time, Patterson had asked the government for assurance on whether the legislation was compliant with the regional treaty.

The Treaty of Chaguaramas is an agreement that Guyana signed onto back in 1973, along with other Caribbean nations for the co-ordination of foreign policies and cooperation in several areas including labour administration and industrial (Continued on page 22)

Kaieteur News

Friday March 04, 2022

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Full 'face-to-face' learning after Easter holidays

T

he Ministry of Education is looking to have all schools at every level fully reopened after the Easter break, Education Minister, Priya Manickchand has said.

She made this statement on Wednesday on the sidelines of the launch of the distribution of textbooks for primary school students in Berbice. The minister explained that a full return to the classroom will mean no rotations

and no online engagement being facilitated at the nursery, primary or secondary levels.

The minister said this move will allow the education sector to better address the issue of learning loss.

Minister Manickchand added that having the pupils back in school fully means that all Guyanese have to act responsibly as it relates to COVID-19 since it is not going anywhere. Regarding adequate social distancing, the education

minister explained that the sector cannot expand its schools at the rate necessary to ensure there is one child seated on a bench or six feet apart. “If we were to do it, children will be rotating for the next three to four years and that will be the loss of an entire generation for this country. That's not going to be something a growing Guyana can tolerate.”

Due to the pandemic, schools were closed and have gradually

been reopened by the Ministry of Education.

However, some students have not returned to the classroom prompting the ministry to launch a campaign to find them. Dubbed 'Operation Recovery', the campaign is designed to address absenteeism. Minister Manickchand said that the programme was launched initially to locate those pupils who were absent for the first National Grade

Six Assessment (NGSA) mock examinations that was written` last month.

The Education Minister said that she and Officers in the Ministry visited the homes of the pupils in every Education District very cautiously to know the reason for their absence and to offer assistance where possible.

She said that this effort has produced encouraging results. She (Continued on page 22)

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Friday March 04, 2022

Over 100 missing students return to classroom learning in Region Four The COVID-19 pandemic has no doubt had an adverse effect on Guyana's education system. As a result of school closures and the inability of many students to access online learning, many have suffered from learning loss while some have been absent from school for an extended period.

The Ministry of Education (MoE) has gradually been employing efforts to return students to classroom learning.

With a plan to restart face- to-face learning in school across all grades after the Easter holidays, the Ministry of Education has made a concerted effort to get students who have been absent, back to the classrooms. This is being done through 'Operation Recovery', a programme specifically designed to

address absenteeism.

The door-to-door operation undertaken by members of the Ministry, community leaders and top government officials has in the first few days, resulted in visits, conducted to over 538 homes in Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten. In the first week, for Region Four alone, out of over 256 students who have not been attending schools, 126 of those students have been located

by Ministry officials and just over 100 of them have returned to the classrooms.

Speaking on the issue recently, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Dr. Marcel Hutson explained that some of the reasons for absenteeism included financial constraints, unstable families, illness, babysitting younger

children, migration and lack of school supplies among others.

He said that for those students, the Ministry of Education has undertaken to provide the required assistance and access to welfare officers in some cases while those who were ill have since returned to the classrooms.

According to Dr. Hutson, Operation Recovery was designed to ultimately ensure that students are back in schools. “First of all, as educators we understand our role and secondly just out of pure compassion for our students we are reaching out to them because we know the long-term effects not having an education will have on their lives,” Dr. Hutson stated.

He explained too that the MoE has redesigned the

Education Minister Priya Manickchand accompanied by Education Officers speaking with a pupil during an outreach.

curriculum to suit the students who had been out of the system for the two year period. “We are using a consolidated curriculum where we compressed the information that would have been missed by the students… We have also engaged our teachers to do some revision and remedial

teaching with students to close that learning gap,” he said D r. H u t s o n n o t e d nonetheless that the struggle for some students is very real.

“When we went looking for those children, we realized that for a lot of them, the struggle is real. Some students need finances, some

were looking at transportation and other types of difficulties,” he said adding that the MoE's welfare department has been involved to provide adequate support to parents and students needing it.”

S i m i l a r l y, R e g i o n a l Education Officer for Region (Continued on page 21)

Porter dies as trailer topples Chinese supermarket in Canje robbed by armed men The pile of wallaba posts.

A porter was on Wednesday killed after a pile of posts fell on him at Ampa Bay Trail, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), Region Three.

The deceased has been identified as fifty-eightyear-old Lyton Hendricks of Pomeroon River.

According to police reports, the fatal incident occurred on Wednesday morning around 07:30Hrs. The police reported that Reaz Khan, 24, of Butcher Street Parika E.B.E was the driver of an unregistered motor truck and trailer that was transporting the wallaba posts that fell on Hendricks, the porter, causing his death.

It was reported that as the truck was proceeding west on Ampa Bay Trail with the trailer attached, Hendricks was sitting atop the posts when the wheels

The trailer that was transporting the posts.

Police ranks on the scene of the robbery.

B

andits attacked a Chinese Supermarket at Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice, on Wednesday carting off cash from the owners as well as from a customer.

Regional Commander, Boodnarine Persaud, informed the media that the men barged into the Good Life Supermarket in

on the right side of the trailer went into a hole causing it to swing right.

The trailer toppled with Hendricks falling and being pinned under the pile of posts.

The porter was removed from under the posts by public-spirited persons and was taken to Ampa Bay Boat landing. He was then

transported to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by a doctor.

Hendricks' body is being stored at Eziekel Funeral Home awaiting a post mortem examination.

Khan is in police custody pending further investigation.

Cumberland at approximately 19:20hrs and robbed the owners of $100,000. A customer was also robbed of $21,000. After committing the brazen act, the men escaped.

Police have since accessed CCTV footage and are following leads. Persaud confirmed that one person is in custody and is being questioned by detectives.

Residents gathered outside the supermarket following the robbery.

Friday March 04, 2022

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Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Fort Wellington

Waterloo

Friday March 04, 2022

IDB reviewing Guyana's proposal to tap US$83.5M Norway funds for solar farms

Port Mourtant

New Amsterdam

Map showing the Berbice PV proposed sites location.

Turn into Linden

Map showing the Essequibo Coast PV proposed sites location.

Anna Regina

Linden

Mckenzie Queenstown

Map showing the Linden PV proposed site location.

Suddie

In the Wednesday (March 3, 2022) publication of the Kaieteur News, it was reported that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is in the process of reviewing key documents to approve the release of US$244M to Guyana so that the government can fund projects in the health, energy, and infrastructure sectors. It should be noted however that of that sum, US$83.5M is being reviewed by the IDB for investment in Guyana's energy sector.

Importantly, this is not part of the usual loan structure that is organized and granted by the financial institution.

That US$83.5M forms part of the revenues Guyana earned from Norway over the years for the preservation of its forests.

According to the agreement Guyana has with the Kingdom of Norway, those moneys are to be overseen by the IDB to ensure they are invested in projects that propel the social and economic wellbeing of the Guyanese. As the custodian of those funds, Guyana therefore has to get the IDB's blessings for its plans to spend the said money. Last year, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had written to the bank, outlining the PPP/C Administration's intent to invest those sums in major solar projects.

Documents which are available on the IDB's website note that the project in question consists of 33MWp of Solar PV in three different grids: 15MWp with a 15MW, 1hr Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in the Linden Isolated Power System (LIS), 8MWp with an 8MW, 1hr BESS in the Essequibo Coast Isolated Power System (EIS), and 10MWp in the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System (DBIS) With respect to the Linden Project, the IDB explained that this will consist of three 5MWp farms specifically at Block 37 (in the vicinity of Bamia on the Linden Soesdyke Highway), Retrieve on the eastern side of the Demerara River, and Dacoura on the western side of the Demerara River. In addition, given the high level of penetration, the farms will be supported by a 15MW, 1hr (minimum) BESS for stability support to the grid.

This newspaper understands that the Block 37 Farm will interconnect to the Amelia's Ward 13.8kVLoad (Continued on page 19)

Kaieteur News

Friday March 04, 2022

PAGE 19

Citizens have two weeks left to submit concerns on Exxon's 12-well campaign in Canje Block Industry stakeholders have until March 18, 2022—approximately two weeks remaining— to send queries and concerns to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding ExxonMobil's proposed 12well campaign for the Canje block.

In a notice published on its Facebook page, the EPA said it had received an application for environmental authorisation from ExxonMobil's subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd. (EEPGL), to execute an exploration and appraisal drilling programme on the block.

In accordance with S e c t i o n 11 ( 2 ) o f t h e Environmental Protection Act, the EPA said the application for the project was screened to assess the potential impacts.

Following this process, the EPA said it was determined that the project will not significantly affect the environment or human health and is therefore, exempt from the requirement of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

Notwithstanding this decision, in the interest of sound environmental management, the regulator said it will require the preparation and submission of an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the project which would assess any possible impacts on the environment and/or human health, and detail specific mitigation measures to be undertaken in order to ensure that the proposed project is implemented in an

environmentallysound and sustainable manner.

In keeping with the Environmental Protection Act and the Environmental P r o t e c t i o n (Authorisations) Regulations, any person who may be affected by any of the proposed projects may lodge an appeal against the agency's decision, with the Environmental Assessment Board.

Appeals and comments should be addressed to: The Environmental Assessment Board, c/o Executive Director, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, Georgetown, Guyana.

Comments can also be sent via email to: epa@epaguyana.org.

The Canje Block is located offshore, in deepwater of Guyana, southeast of the Kaieteur Block, and north-northeast of the Stabroek Block, where EEPGL has conducted substantial exploration and development activities to date. Based on data from these exploration and development activities, EEPGL said the proposed 12 exploration/appraisal wells may be drilled within the seven Prospect Areas as depicted in the map attached to this article. However, the exact locations of the 12 exploration/appraisal wells comprising the project have not yet been finalized by EEPGL and its partners.

Map showing the areas on the Canje Block where the 12 prospect would be drilled.

7

1

2 4

5

6 3

Prospect Area Relinquishment Area Exploration Drilling Area Adjacent Block

While some of the 12 wells will be drilled for exploration purposes, EEPGL said it is also possible that some of the wells may be drilled as appraisal wells within proximity of previously drilled exploration areas. If discoveries are found, at particular locations, the company said subsequent wells could be drilled in the vicinity of such locations to

further assess the commerciality of the discoveries. Priorities and schedules could therefore change, it said.

Kaieteur News understands that the Canje B l o c k 1 2 - w e l l exploration/appraisal drilling campaign will begin in fourth quarter 2022, and if discoveries are made, well test(s) may be performed.

Conclusion of the proposed

IDB reviewing Guyana's proposal to tap...

From page 18 Feeder, the Dacoura Farm will interconnect to the Wismar 13.8kV Feeder, and the Retrieve Farm will interconnect directly to the 13.8kV Substation in the vicinity of Retrieve. Given the current and projected load in the Linden Community, the project will initially satisfy approximately 38% of the demand with an average annual generation of 24.03GWh resulting in approximately US$5.47M in savings from Government subsidies.

As for the Essequibo Coast project, the IDB said this will consist of two farms specifically 4.4MWp at Ondereeming and 3.6MWp Lima Sands. In addition, given the high level of penetration, the farms will be supported by an 8MW, 1hr (minimum) BESS for stability support on the grid.

The IDB explained that the Onderneeming Farm will interconnect to the South 13.8kV Feeder, while the Lima Sands Farm will interconnect to the North 13.8kV Feeder. Given the current and projected load

on the Essequibo Coast, the project will initially satisfy approximately 28% of the demand with an average annual generation of 12.21GWh resulting in approximately US$2.11M in savings from displaced fossil fuel generation and from not having to use fossil fuel generation as spinning reserve.

In Berbice, this newspaper understands that three farms will be built which will include a 4MWp at Trafalgar on the West Coast of Berbice; 2MWp at Prospect on the East Coast

of Berbice; and 4MWp at Hampshire in Corentyne, Berbice.

The IDB said the Trafalgar and Prospect farms will interconnect via an express 13.8kV line to the 13.8kV busbar at the Onverwagt and Canefield substations respectively.

The bank said the Hampshire farm will interconnect to the Canfield F 3 1 3 . 8 k V F e e d e r.

Ultimately, the farms will be a part of the DBIS and will only satisfy a very small portion of the demand of the DBIS.

drilling campaign is expected by first quarter 2025.

E E P G L currently has six drill ships operating offshore Guyana: the Stena Carron, the Stena DrillMAX, the Noble Bob Douglas, t h e N o b l e To m Madden, the Noble Don Taylor, and the Noble Sam Croft.

The wells could be drilled by any one of these six drill ships or other rigs of opportunity.

The drilling of t h e exploration/appraisa l well(s) in the Canje Block is expected to potentially occur simultaneously with other drilling activities offshore, including: The Liza P h a s e 1 Development Project well p r o d u c t i o n operations; the Liza P h a s e 2 Development Project well drilling programme and p r o d u c t i o n operations; the

Payara Development Project well drilling programme, installation, and start of production operations; o n g o i n g exploration/appraisal well drilling operations in the Stabroek Block covered under a 25-well campaign Environmental Assessment and Management Plan approved on 1 October 2019—together with the individual environmental permits issued by the EPA for individual wells in this campaign; the Yellowtail Development Project well drilling programme and installation, which is seeking environmental authorization from the EPA; and the Kaieteur Block Project, which is seeking environmental authorization from the EPA for drilling up to 12 exploration/appraisal wells.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the designated Operator for the Canje Block, and made the application for the exploration programme on behalf of itself and JHI Associates (BVI) Inc., MidAtlantic Oil & Gas Inc., and Total E&P Guyana B.V., the other partners in the offshore concession.

$75,000 bail for man who caused child to watch sex act Keyron Healis of Silvertown Wismar Linden, Region 10, is out on $75,000 bail for causing a child to watch a sexual act on December 4, 2020.

He appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune via ZOOM at the Linden Magistrate Court and was not required to plea to the charge.

He will return to court on March 23, 2022.

Charged: keyron Healis

Kaieteur News

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Friday March 04, 2022

MoE reviewing rules preventing girls from rocking 'afros, curly, kinky’ hair styles ...designate March 8 'hair freedom day'

F

ollowing intense debate on social media regarding

rules that prevent school children from letting their hair down and sport other

styles such as 'Afros', the Ministry of Education said that it is currently examining

the rules, which prevent this.

This announcement comes amid public pushback following a decision by the ministry to allow school girls and female teachers to sport the hairstyle of their choice on March 8, which is designated International Women's Day. The public reacted immediately to this waiver of the rules, saying that this should be a permanent decision.

But the ministry cautioned: “Until school rules change, and we are e amining some of those with a view to making practical changes, styles should not include permanent or semipermanent changes that would breach said rules the day after this celebration.”

The theme for International Women's Day 2022 is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow with campaign t h e m e b e i n g #BreakTheBias”.

In a statement the ministry said #BreakTheBias is fitting because the day is also one of action where women and conscious men come together as a global community to advocate for gender equality.

“In today's world where women and girls are more active than ever in leadership, innovation and tearing down barriers, there is still a silent stronghold of prejudice that exists, one that seems

Education Minister, Priya Manickchand so innocuous since we all have it, but once weaponised divides from within and is used as a form of social control.

The head of hair, the gendered female is born with, has become a symbol of status and achievement, ease of social acceptance, beauty or lack thereof.

Curly, kinky, wavy, or straight, too short, too long, too thick, too thin; there is always a s ocially d er ived mech anis m aroun d our hair consciously and unconsciously to sift and s o r t u s as w o men and girls into 'good' and ' bad ' o r ' acceptab le' and not a tool us ed to f u r t h e r d i s t r a c t from activating our power,” the statement read.

According to the statement, each and every girl and woman is unique and

deserves to celebrate their individualism.

“The stronger the individual girl, the stronger the group to which she belongs or the country in which she lives.

One of those acts of selfexpression is how she chooses to wear her hair.”

As such the Ministry of Education said part of its plans to observe International Women's Day 2022, is to allow female teachers and pupils across the country to celebrate hair freedom on this day by relaxing rules around what are considered “acceptable” hairstyle choices.

“On that day, girls can come to school wearing their loose unsecured hair, afros, braids, curls, whatever style, if any, that makes them feel most beautiful and confident and purposeful.

Until school rules change and we are e x a m i n i n g some of those with x a view to making practical changes, styles should not include permanent or semipermanent changes that would breach said rules the day after this celebration.

On March 8, let your hair down and out, express yourself, talk about women's day and all the benefits of gender equality and what you think you can do to help break the bias.

Strike the pose and tag us in your photos.

We want to see how you celebrate you and other girls.”

Friday March 04, 2022

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Govt. seeks contractors to Cop char ged for ‘causing charged rehabilitate ferries plying death’ of couple killed in Mahaica accident Parika-Supenaam route

The Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Harbour Department, is currently inviting sealed bids for the docking and rehabilitation of the Kanawan and Sabanto ferries.

This is according to a public notice issued by the department which noted that bidding will be conducted through the National Competitive Bidding procedures specified in the Procurement Act 2003. The two Roll-On/ Roll-Off ferries, which have been operating between Parika and Supenaam for some 10 years now, were gifted to Guyana by the Chinese Government. According to previous reports, in December 2010, the PPP/C government signed contracts with the Chinese Government paving the way for the two ferries. The US$14 million boats, which were funded by a US$17 million grant from the Chinese government, were described as a New Year’s gift by the local Chinese Embassy. Following the signing of the contracts, the vessels arrived in the country in December 2011 at Vreed-en- Hoop Stelling and became operational the next year. The names of the ferries, Sabanto and Kanawan, are Amerindian names. Kanawan means ‘big canoe’ and Sabanto means ‘beautiful one’. Each vessel has three decks and can hold up to 800 persons, 44 cars, and 20 lorries and can travel at a test speed of 12.5 knots.

Senior Minister with the re-

- released on $1.5M bail despite opposition by police

Chinese vessels

sponsibility of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, who presented this year’s budget, announced that over $500 million was allocated to the Ministry to rehabilitate these two vessels and the Makouria ferry. “Mr. Speaker, the rehabilitation of our ferry vessels, which facilitate the travelling public, is also critical for the movement of people and cargo. To this end, Government has allocated, in 2022, the sums of $2.1 billion for the construction of a new oceangoing passenger and cargo vessel, which will ply the North West District route and $562 million for the docking of Makouria, Sabanto, and

Kanawan,” the Minister had stated. On the topic of ferries, the MV Barima which usually provides service for the people of Region One will soon resume its operations after being repaired at a cost $90 million. The 88 years MV Barima was docked at the Pritipaul’s dockyard on the East Bank of Demerara for some time for emergency repairs following an assessment by the Transport and Harbours Department. It should be noted that the opening of tenders for the rehabilitation of the boats project is scheduled for March 8, at the National Procurement and Tender Board Administration office.

Govt. flayed for grabbing all seats on oil fund...

From page 8 accountability in government.” According to the PNCR it should surprise no one that the PPP used its majority to reject these highly qualified and suitable candidates and advance its list of less qualified persons. “We ask the public not to be fooled by the PPP describing its selectee, Mr. Dunstan Barrow, as a former PNC MP. What should matter are the qualifications and expertise of the nominees and not their political or other affiliations.

By these actions, the PPP has shown again its total lack of interest in transparency, accountability and inclusivity.

It continues to strive for political dominance and control.

The people of Guyana will ensure it does not succeed.

The PNCR will continue to expose these examples of bad PPP/C governance to inform the Guyanese public, the international diplomatic community and other stakeholders,” the statement concluded. Observers believe that Barrow being a former member of Parliament aligned

to the PNCR further erodes the credibility of the board, which has been designed to give the government full advantage. Earlier this year, the Shadow Oil and Gas Minister, David Patterson said that the Guyanese people will have no say on how the oil money will be spent.

Patterson specifically pointed to the fact that the new law provides for the President to handpick members to sit on the Board, with no input from the Opposition, which also represents a large proportion of Guyana.

The MP argued that the Law drafted by the government, gives no room for Parliamentarians or even the regular citizen to challenge or question who the President decides to appoint.

Patterson told Kaieteur News “the President will obviously therefore appoint persons who he is very comfortable with and with the one from the National Assembly, because the PPP has the majority they will also pick somebody who they are very comfortable with”. As part of the governance structure for the NRF, a Board of Directors

was established which shall comprise of not less than three and not more than five persons who shall be appointed by the President, and one of whom shall be appointed Chairperson by the President. The directors, according to the Act, shall be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business or administrative matters. It was noted that one of the Board members shall be nominated by the National Assembly along with one from the private sector.

The Bill states that the directors shall beappointedforaperiodnotexceedingtwoyearsandshallbeeligiblefor reappointment. With respect to its functions, the Board is responsible for the overall management of the Fund, reviewing and approving policies of the Fund, monitoring the performance of the Fund, ensuring compliance with approved policies, exerting general oversight of all aspects of operations, and ensuring the Fund is managed in compliance with the Act and other applicable laws. The Board is also responsible for preparing the investment mandate.

A police lance corporal who was behind the wheels of a police patrol pick-up that was on February 2 last involved in a horrific crash that claimed the lives of two teens, was yesterday charged for allegedly causing their death.

The policeman, Lawrence Carmichael, who is attached to the Mahaicony Police Station appeared at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court where he was charged with causing the deaths of Christopher Bhagwandat, 21, and his 16year-old girlfriend, Sheereda Persaud. Carmichael was arraigned before Magistrate Fabayo Azore.

According to a release by police, Carmichael was not required to plea to the charge and bail was opposed but the magistrate did not agree and granted Carmichael bail in the sum of $1.5M. He is expected to return to court on March 10, 2022.

While Carmichael was being charged inside the court room relatives of the dead youths protested in front of the court house demanding justice. Bhagwandat and Persaud were reportedly heading to Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara in a car at the time they were killed in the accident. Bhagwandat, the driver of the car, had reportedly picked up Persaud from her home at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, (WCD) and was taking her to his mom’s birthday celebrations at his home in Mon Repos. In fact, according to reports he was taking her there to surprise his mom because she had never seen her future daughter-in-law before.

On their way there they were pulled over at a police road block along the New Zeeland Public Road in Mahaicony, Region 5.

Bhagwandat had initially pulled over but according to

The Lance Corporal, Lawrence Carmichael making his court appearance yesterday.

Killed in an accident on the Mahaica Bridge, Christopher Bhagwandat and his girlfriend Sheereda Persaud police, as an officer approached, the car suddenly pulled off. The ranks at the road block alerted their base and a patrol vehicle which Carmichael was driving responded. The corporal decided to chase Bhagwandat’s car. The high speed chase ended tragically on the Mahaica Bridge after both

vehicles ended up crashing into a Canter.

Bhagwandat and Persaud were killed on the spot and ranks in the police pick-up were injured.

An investigation was conducted and it was advised that Carmichael be charged with causing death by dangerous driving.

Over 100 missing students return to...

From page 14 Four …revealed that the welfare officers have been part of efforts to provide psychosocial support to the children and their parents where necessary. She said “Parents have been meeting with school welfare officers to help them get the missing students reintegrated into the school system. Some of them have legitimate reasons for staying away …we have children who have lost close loved ones to COVID-19 so their fear is real and we have to work with them to provide psychosocial support, where necessary.”

Meanwhile Education

Minister, Priya Manickchand indicated the Ministry of Education is looking to have all schools at every level fully reopened after the Easter break. The Minister explained that a full return to the classroom will mean no rotations and no online engagement being facilitated at the nursery, primary or secondary levels. The Minister said however that the benefits of integrating distance delivery will be integrated as far as it can in the face to face delivery of education and that the ministry had planned in that regard. She said that this move will allow the education sector to better ad-

dress the issue of learning loss.

Manickchand added that having the pupils back in school fully will mean that all Guyanese have to act responsibly as it relates to COVID19 since it is not going anywhere. The Education Minister further explained that the sector cannot expand its schools at the rate necessary to ensure there is one child seated on a bench or six feet apart. She said, “If we were to do it, children will be rotating for the next three to four years and that will be the loss of an entire generation for this country. That's not going to be something a growing Guyana can tolerate.”

PAGE 22

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

“Granny” fined $50,000 for damaging property FOR RENT

VEHICLE FOR SALE

PROPERTY FOR SALE

One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable.

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Farm workers to work at Soesdyke, Highway. Contact: 666-3303.

A 76-year-old woman might now have to use her pension money to pay a $50,000 fine after she pleaded guilty to damaging someone else’s property.

She was identified as Brenda Culley of Lot 62 Friendship Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

She made her appearance at the Vigilance Magistrate Court and was charged with malicious damage to property.

She pleaded guilty and the magistrate presiding over the matter fined her.

Fined for damaging someone’s property, Brenda Culley.

Former EPA Head calls for independent investigation...

From page 3 operations (in Guyana) is one for certain. And you don't have to search far to see what happened when procedures were not followed as in the case of Piper Alpha where 167 people died and in the BP spill where 8 died with horrendous environmental consequences”.

In a recent letter to this newspaper, Dr. Adams urged ExxonMobil to show the country precisely how much insurance the nation has from the permit holder, and the agreement from the parent companies, in accordance with the Permit, to cover costs associ-

ated with the dreaded eventuality of an oil spill.

His comments came after the President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge responded to commentaries which he says “inaccurately suggest that ExxonMobil Guyana will not be able to effectively manage response activities”.

While Routledge boasted about his company's assets he included that the oil company is working with the EPA and its co-venturers to put in place a combined $US2 billion of affiliate company guarantees, in addition to the almost US$5 billion in assets owned

by the operator and its subsidiary, EEPGL. The company was keen to note that it never agreed to an insurance value of US$2.5 billion with the previous EPA administration, headed by Dr. Adams. The need for Guyana to secure full coverage insurance for a possible oil spill has been highlighted in scenarios around the world.

Only recently, an oil spill occurred in Peru, a South American country.

The oil spill occurred on January 15, 2022 at one of the La Pampilla refineries off the coast of Ventanilla in the region of Lima, Peru.

It was reported that the spill was caused by shock waves from an undersea volcanic eruption near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean.

Almost one month after the spill, the country is still grappling with the cleaning up of the aftermath of more than 12, 000 barrels of crude that contaminated its shores.

The clean-up and remediation of the spilled crude that contaminated the shores and waters of Peru will cost US$65 million, according to the Spanish oil giant, Repsol's, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Josu Jon Imaz.

CARICOM to review framework for local...

From page 12 relations and social security, among others.

According to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, signatories must “promote and develop policies and programmes to facilitate the transportation of people and goods”.

It goes on to state in Article 26 that Member Sates shall establish and maintain an efficient system of consultations at the national and regional levels in order to enhance the decision-making process in the Community.

VACANCY Vacancy exist at P.S.G.C.S for Labourers, General Cleaner, Maintenance worker,Time Keeping,Tool Issuing clerkPharmacist,Sales Girl, Maintenance Supervisor and Office Manager. Call: 621-6969 or 615-7784.

General Assistant.Must have CXC(Math & English), ComputerKnowledge, Graphic Design Skills. Call/ whatsapp: 600-4497.

Diesel & Auto mechanic, Truck & small vehicle drivers, porter to work in Interior.

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One clerk for TSI Eccles Office,English & Maths grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to tech serigy@yahoo.com.

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Maid to cook and clean for East Bank areaa.Call:6159132.

Moreover, the agreement clearly states in Article 32 (1) that “The Member States shall not introduce in their territories any new restrictions relating to the right of establishment of nationals of other Member States save as otherwise provided in this Treaty”.

Meanwhile, Article 38 adds, “Subject to the provisions of this Chapter, the Member States shall remove discriminatory restrictions on banking, insurance and other financial services”.

This therefore means that Guyana must not discriminate against its sister nations, when it comes to the provision of jobs and services.

However, Guyana's long awaited Local Content Law, passed only December 29, 2021, is specific in terms of the local capacity it intends to employ to service the oil and gas sector.

The Law indicates that by the end of 2022, Guyanese and Guyanese Businesses must provide 90 percent of Office Space rentals, 90 percent of accommodation services (apartments and houses), 50 percent equipment rental, 75 percent surveying, 75 percent Administrative Support and Facilities Management Services, among others.

It also states that 100 percent of Immigration Support Services and Work Permit, Visa Applications, Visa on Arrival and In-Water Activity Permit are to be provided by Guyanese and Guyanese Businesses.

The Legislation explained “Guyanese company means (a) any company incorporated under the Companies Act- (i) which is beneficially owned by Guyanese nationals who ultimately exercise, individually or jointly, voting

rights representing at least fifty-one percent of the total issued shares of the company; and (ii) that has Guyanese nationals holding at least seventy-five percent of executive and senior management positions and at least ninety percent of non-managerial and other positions; or (b) any partnership between Guyanese nationals and a company constituted under subclause (a) in accordance with the Partnership Act”.

It defined Guyanese national as a citizen of Guyana. The Laws therefore would prevent foreign businesses from posing as a local.

Although the CARICOM Private Sector Organization (CPSO) had flagged possible violations in the Local Content Act, it did not specifically highlight which clause/s breach the Treaty of Chaguaramas.

Full 'face-to-face' learning after Easter...

From page 13 said that as of last weekend the Ministry was able to locate 538 students out of 1300 who did not show up for the examination.

She said that in order to ensure some of the pupils return to school, the Ministry pro-

vided assistance ranging from a uniform, school supplies and food items.

According to Minister Manickchand, partnering with civil society organisations and kindhearted individuals made much of the assistance pro-

vided USpossible.

Open champion She Emma said that the ministry Raducanu will continue to work with all interested partners to ensure that as many children as possible are in the classroom receiving the education they rightfully deserve.

Exxon testing oil spill response equipment...

From page 23 along with the Liza Phase One Project, this has brought the total production capacity to more than 340,000 barrels per day (bpd). Importantly, the

government allowed operations to commence in the absence of full coverage insurance to cover costs associated with an unmitigated oil spill or similar environmental

disaster. This means that Guyana's pocket would bleed tremendously if an oil spill or any other disaster should occur at any of ExxonMobil's approved projects.

Kaieteur News

Friday March 04, 2022

PAGE 23

Exxon testing oil spill response equipment but Guyana still without full coverage insurance During the recent exercise conducted by ExxonMobil Guyana.

A

merican oil g i a n t , ExxonMobil has commenced conducting the field testing of oil spill response equipment, but the reality is, in the event of an oil spill - Guyana only has limited liability insurance with the oil giant's subsidiary.

Amid deep concerns about oil companies operating in Guyana's backyard while the country is not fully protected by fullcover insurance – the Head of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Alistair Routledge, on Monday sought to defend the size of the insurance coverage provided by the subsidiary which has been the Operator of the oil rich Stabroek Block since 1999.

His comments came on the heels of an eight-year bashing, particularly from Kaieteur News, on the need for ExxonMobil Corporation, the parent

company of EEPGL, to formally agree that it would handle all costs, above and beyond what cannot be met

by EEPGL, for an unmitigated oil spill from its operations.

O n T u e s d a y , ExxonMobil Guyana disclosed that it recently conducted the field testing of the oil spill response equipment. The company stated that the exercise was intended to ensure readiness to respond in the unlikely event of an offshore oil spill while utilising available resources such as in-country personnel, vessels, and response equipment.

In his comment on the exercise, Routledge said, “Our approach to emergency response is to prevent, prepare and practice.

Prevention is our primary objective but training for potential scenarios is also an important component of that approach.”

He added, “Through robust training and

Govt. to dig 30 new wells in hinterland

this year - Croal

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, on Wednesday, announced that 30 water wells will be drilled in the hinterland regions across the country throughout the course of this year.

This was disclosed by the minister during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the Ministry of Housing. The minister stated that the government, since assuming office has expended close to $1B in interventions for water delivery across the hinterland regions and aims to continue the works through its five-year strategic plan.

The minister also made it known that the Government recently received a new rig to fast track the drilling of a number of wells.

The rig, he said was procured since early last year and has just arrived in the country. As reported on, in this year's budget, a total of

exercises, utilizing advanced technology, we ensure our response teams and stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities and are ready to respond.”

In a statement on Monday, Routledge did not confirm or deny that ExxonMobil Corporation, which milks multi-billion dollar profits from Guyana, has a moral and legal obligation to ensure that it protects the environment and the citizens of the countries its subsidiaries operate in.

He did, however, defend the US$2B insurance coverage EEPGL is throwing at Guyana.

Routledge is of the view that the size of the policy is in keeping with international industry standards.

Routledge assured as well that for every project in

Guyana, EEPGL has put in place mitigations and processes that help to prevent adverse events by utilising the best technologies, equipment, and people in our operations.

Importantly, EEPGL had made the same claim prior to the Liza Phase One Project coming on stream. When it did, the vessel's gas compressor was subsequently plagued with a series of mechanical issues, which led to over 14 billion standard cubic feet of gas being burnt. This form of environmental pollution has been taking place from December 2019, when oil production started, to now.

The company has pledged to have the said issues fixed by mid-year and bring an end to the toxic pollution of the nation's airspace.

Kaieteur News reported

Alistair Routledge Chief Executive Officer EEPGL.

that the Guyana Government continues to give Exxon permission to operate without full coverage insurance. In February, ExxonMobil announced that it has commenced oil production at Guyana's

second offshore development area called Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block.

With production commencing in Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block, (Continued on page 22)

The mini-beach located behind the Marriott hotel where the body was found.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal $4.9 billion was provided to the water sector of which $394.5 million has been allocated under the Hinterland Water Supply System (HWSS). The villages listed to benefit from the allocations were Phillipai, Isseneru, Warwatta and Tasserene in Region 7, Itabac in Region 8, as well as Yakarinta and Katoka in Region 9.

Body of woman on beach behind Marriott hotel

T

he body of a woman was on Thursday found lying face down in the sand behind the Marriott Hotel located at Kingston, Georgetown.

The dead woman is still to be identified. Speaking with Kaieteur

News, commander of the Georgetown Police Division, Simon McBean, related that ranks received the call around 06:30hrs.

Investigators described the remains to be that a woman of mixed-race between ages 40 to 50.

Crime scene experts reported that there were no visible marks of violence on her body.

PAGE 24

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

‘The end of the world has arrived’ - Pres. of Ukraine (Yahoo) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday issued a dire appeal for help as Russia’s attacks across the country intensified.

“The end of the world has arrived,” Zelensky said during a televised news conference in Kyiv.

He appealed to Western leaders who have resisted calls to set up a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

“If you do not have the power to close the skies, then give me planes,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader also called for direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Good Lord, what do you want? Leave our land. If you don’t want to leave now, sit down with me at the negotiating table.

But not from 30 meters away, like with [French President Emmanuel] Macron and [German Chancellor Olaf] Scholz,” Zelensky said, according to a translation from journalist Max Seddon, the Financial Times’ Moscow bureau chief.

The “30 meters” line appears to be a reference to the lengthy table Putin uses for meetings with foreign leaders and his own advisers.

“Sit down with me and talk.

Volodímir Zelenski

What are you afraid of?

We’re no threat to anyone,” Zelensky added.

His comments came one week after Putin ordered a military invasion of Ukraine.

Russia has since stepped up its assault on key cities after an attempt by its forces to encircle the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, appeared to stall.

The New York Times reported Wednesday that Russian troops had seized Kherson, capturing their first major Ukrainian city since the start of the invasion.

Zelensky’s office denied the report, saying the battle for the port city was ongoing.

Battles continue to rage in

other Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv and Kharkiv, the two largest population centers, as outnumbered Ukrainian troops mount a ferocious response that has been aided by ordinary citizens wielding Molotov cocktails.

Ukrainian and Russian delegations were expected to meet Thursday for a second round of talks in Belarus, but there appeared to be no end to the invasion in sight.

Zelensky vowed to continue defending the nation while pleading with NATO countries to help.

“If we are no more, then, God forbid, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia will be next,” he said.

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Friday March 04, 2022

Friday March 04, 2022

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Big Man Cricket T25 Tourney wraps up on the weekend The inaugural edition of the ‘Big man cricket T25 Tournament’, for master players over 45, is billed to culminate on Sunday March 6th, with the grand finale at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground, Bourda.

The tournament, which bowled off last year but was hampered by inclement weather and Covid-19 restrictions, will resume with its semifinal stage tomorrow, Saturday March 5th, at the same venue.

Big Man Cricket Organisation (BMCO) was forced to halt the event in April 2021 after prolonged bad weather conditions heavily affected the playing

venues.

When it resumes this weekend, the first semi-final scheduled to be trashed out is between second placed team on the points table, West Demerara Warriors and fourth placed GT Royal Rangers.

They will vie for a chance in the much anticipated final.

That match will be followed by another titanic clash featuring table topper, the undefeated Jai Hind Jaguars, who will lock horns with number three side, Essequibo Eagles, to also see who has a chance at top honours.

The winning team will cart off with $300,000 while the losing finalist will have to settle for $200,000.

The tournament officially bowled off in February 2021 with the objective of developing a pool of local players to feed Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA), with players for international duties.

CWIMA is also seeking to field a tough team for the bilateral series for masters with the goal of winning the Masters Cricket World Cup. The regional body supported by the BMCO, also aims to give retired players another avenue for extending their playing days in meaningful ways and to promote healthier lifestyles among citizens.

The local big man cricket

Friday March 04, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You should be feeling especially creative at this time.

Social events could put you in touch with some exciting new people, Aries.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Today should find you continuing to work toward cherished career and other goals. Love matters may come to the forefront, Libra.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) One or more exciting new people could come into your life today, perhaps through friends or group activities of some kind. They might actually visit you in your home.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) A lot of effort, energy, and enthusiasm that you've put into various business or personal projects in the past could finally pay off today. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Unexpectedcommunications from people far away could open up new opportunities regarding career, education, travel, or other broadening experiences.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today is likely to prove very busy, Gemini, and full of interesting, unusual developments. You might find yourself having to run a lot of errands in your neighborhood, perhaps also making a few short visits.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Opportunities to increase your income by working out of your home could well present themselves today.

There might be more than one, and you could be tempted to take them all on.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Paperwork regarding financial matters may need to be executed at some point today, Leo. You're in the mood for some adventure, perhaps physical or romantic.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today, Virgo, a subject that particularly interests you could cause you to delve into obscure sources to shed more light on it.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Career and business continue to play a powerful role in your life now, as new ideas, new people, and considerations as mundane as modern equipment open up new doors for you, Capricorn.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Sudden changes in your romantic situation could occur today, Aquarius. If you're currently committed to someone, expect some surprising propositions from your partner.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) As the world economy continues to boom, Pisces, don't be surprised if you're surrounded by new work possibilities. More than one chance to increase your income could come your way today.

Pool competition set for tonight at Vreed-en-Hoop Ten to Mid Night bar at Vreed-en-Hoop will be hosting a pool competition starting at 17:30hrs today.

At stake are cash prizes

and trophies. The competition is being sponsored by 592 beer and players can contact Navindra Kooblall on 6631936 for registration.

IPC makes Paralympics...

Raj Singh tournament is sponsored by Banks DIH Limited, through its Banks Beer and Maximum Vodka brands.

All remaining matches are to be live streamed.

From page 29 men’s World Cup qualifying playoffs this month.

Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic, who are in the same qualifying path, had all ruled out playing against Russia. UEFA also announced that Belarusian clubs and the national team must play their home matches in UEFA competitions at neutral venues with no spectators allowed. Formula One cancelled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix last week and the sport’s commercial rights holder announced on Thursday that the country will not have a race in the future after terminating its contract with the promoter.

NEW TRACK

The Grand Prix, which joined the F1 calendar in 2014 and had a contract until 2025, was set to move to a new track outside St Petersburg next year from its current Sochi Olympic park venue.

Chelsea owner Russian Abramovich’s decision to sell the club he bought in 2003 was described as a “turning point” by British sports and culture minister Nadine Dorries in parliament as the government looked to target Russian oligarchs with sanctions. “In football ... we have tolerated the investment of Russian kleptocrats for far too long,” she said during a debate on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, adding the government would bring forward new tests on potential club owners. As civilian casualties and injuries continue to rise in Ukraine, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) urged Ukraine’s Olympic Committee president Sergey Bubka to travel to Lausanne immediately and coordinate humanitarian assistance. “Mr Bubka will lead on the allocation and distribution of the solidarity fund towards the Ukrainian Olympic community and sports movement,” the IOC said. “To facilitate this task we will begin collecting information on the whereabouts of these members of the Ukrainian Olympic community as well as ongoing initiatives and support.” Former Ukraine soccer international and manager Andriy Shevchenko also called for more aid in support of the victims. “Football doesn’t exist for me anymore. I don’t think about it. It’s not the time for that,” the former captain said.

“All my concentration, when I wake up, I think about how I can help my country, what I can do.”

Guyana Fight...

From page 32 match makers in New York, Nicaragua and Mexico to get quality opponents who will come to Guyana and fight.

My main aim is to win big fights and get another crack at the world title.”

Dharry has been calling out world champions in his division, and fought for the WBA Super flyweight title in 2019. However, he lost to Andrew Maloney in the latter’s hometown of Melbourne, Australia in a controversial ninth-round stoppage after the ring side doctor stopped the fight; which Dharry said he was dominating, due to an eye injury.

PAGE 28

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sara Misir makes the cut: through to Top 15 of Formula Woman competition SportsMax - Sara Misir, the Caribbean’s first Formula Woman finalist bagged herself a golden ticket to compete today as one of 15 finalists of Formula Woman after her team stormed to victory in the endurance race yesterday.

Misir participated as a member of a four-woman team that completed an endurance test for 100 minutes at the PF International Kart Circuit yesterday and recorded the second-fastest time of the day from a pool of about 75 drivers.

“I am overwhelmed with

excitement at my performance today and I’m happy my team won,” she said afterwards.

“We started in 14th position and then shot to first within the first 10 laps and managed to hold on until the end. I look forward to competing on Friday for a spot in the top 10.”

Misir was selected to participate in the Formula Woman final from a field of almost 10,000 applicants.

The top four and two reserve drivers will join the McLaren GT4 team in the 2022 GT Cup British Championships. The 15 finalists will

be whittled down to 10 when they compete again today, March 4 at the Croft Circuit with the final race day for the top four slated for March 9.

The Formula Woman finalists are tested in the areas of speed, mental performance, fitness and technical knowledge related to motorsport. “It has been challenging for me because the weather conditions have not been ideal,” she said.

“It was quite cold and wet yesterday which takes a bit of getting used to. I’m feeling confident, and so far this has been an invaluable experience.”

Sara Misir

Caribbean TT Championship...

Men start off with a win, ladies looking to bounce back

Team Guyana at the Caribbean Senior Table Tennis Championships in Cuba.

Team Guyana began their campaign at the Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships that is being contested in Cuba from March 3-8, yesterday, with some mixed results in the team events.

The men’s team compris-

ing of Christopher Franklin, Shemar Britton, Miguel Wong and Jonathan Van Lange opened the tournament with victory against Haiti.

It was Van Lange’s first match at the senior level and he opened his account with a

win in his match.

Meanwhile, the ladies’ team consisting of Natalie Cummings, Chelsea Edghill and Prescilla Greaves lost their match against Puerto Rico, 3-0. The Singles’ action serves off tomorrow.

U-20 Reggae Girlz face Panama after third place finish in Group H, Haiti draw Guyana SportsMax - Jamaica’s U20 Reggae Girlz secured a spot in the knockout round of the Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship after a 0-0 draw with Haiti on Wednesday.

The result meant that the team advanced from the four-team Group H in third place. In the group’s other match, a high-scoring showdown between Guatemala and Cuba, it was the Guatemalans who prevailed

3-2 to top the zone.

In a match with very few clear-cut opportunities, it was the Jamaicans who were presented with the best opportunities to score.

None would have been clearer than Mia Mitchell missed chance from the penalty spot, which she skied in the 27-minute.

Despite being a player light after Theanna Burnett received a second yellow card in the 41st minute, Jamaican

seemed the more likely team to score but never managed to take any of the other halfchances that presented themselves.

The Jamaicans have been drawn alongside Group F second-place team Panama, with the fixture set to take place on Saturday in San Cristobal.

In an all-Caribbean affair, Haiti will face Group F thirdplace team Guyana in Santo Domingo on the same day.

Friday March 04, 2022

Russia to appeal to CAS over FIFA and UEFA suspensions

Plastic letters arranged to read “Sanctions” are placed in front the FIFA logo and Russian flag colors in this illustration taken February 28, 2022. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration)

(Reuters) - The Russian Football Union (RFU) will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decisions by FIFA and UEFA to bar Russian teams from international competitions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, it said yesterday.

The union said in a statement it would file one lawsuit against the two governing bodies to demand that Russian men’s and women’s national teams be allowed to compete, including in qualifying for this year’s World Cup in Qatar.

FIFA and UEFA had decided together this week that all Russian teams, whether national or club sides, will be suspended from participa-

tion in FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.

“The RFU will demand the restoration of all men’s and women’s national teams of Russia in all types of football in the tournaments in which they took part (including in the qualifying round of the World Cup in Qatar), as well as compensation for damage,” the RFU said.

“In order to ensure the possibility of the participation of Russian teams in the next scheduled matches, the RFU will insist on an expedited procedure for considering the case.”

Russia were scheduled to host Poland in a men’s World Cup qualifying playoff on March 24, with the winners set to play Sweden or the

Czech Republic five days later.

All three teams had refused to play against Russia.

“If FIFA and UEFA refuse such a procedure, a requirement will be put forward for the introduction of interim measures in the form of suspension of FIFA and UEFA decisions,” the RFU added.

Russia hosted the last World Cup in 2018 with the final held in Moscow and attended by Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Russia calls its actions in Ukraine a “special operation” that it says is not designed to occupy territory but to destroy its southern neighbour’s military capabilities and capture what it regards as dangerous nationalists.

IPC makes Paralympics U-turn as Russia, Belarus face new sanctions (Reuters) - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) bowed to pressure and made a U-turn on its decision to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete at the Winter Games while Formula One and UEFA imposed new sanctions yesterday.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to sanctions across global sport, and Belarus, a key staging area for the full-scale invasion, has also been punished.

The Winter Paralympics begin on Friday and 71 Russians and 12 Belarusians will not be allowed to participate following threats of boycott from other nations and escalating tension in the athletes’ villages in Beijing.

“You are victims of your governments’ actions,” IPC president Andrew Parsons told the affected athletes.

“If Russian and Belarusian athletes stayed in Beijing, nations were likely to

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

IPC President Andrew Parsons during a press conference to announce

withdraw and a viable Games would not have been possible.”

While several nations welcomed the decision, Russia labelled it a “disgrace” and is set to file a lawsuit for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to consider before Friday’s opening ceremony.

The Russian Football

Union (RFU) is also appealing against the decisions by FIFA and UEFA to bar its teams from international competitions.

The RFU is looking to expedite the process in the hope the punishment is either overturned or suspended so the national team can play in the (Continued on page 27)

Pooran smashes 101 not out in Trinidad T10 Blast SportsMax - In-form West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Nicholas Pooran smashed a whirlwind century for the Leatherback Giants in the ongoing Trinidad T10 Blast at the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad on Monday. Pooran smashed a 37-ball 101 not out in the 10-overs-a-side match to take the Giants to a comfortable nine-wicket victory.

Chasing 129 to win in 10 overs against the Scarlet Ibis Scorchers, Pooran’s blast ensured that the Giants raced to a comfortable win with 9 balls to spare. Kamil Pooran remained unbeaten at the other end with Nicholas on 20 off 11 balls.

Pooran’s century was studded with 10 massive sixes and six fours and came with a strike rate of 272.97. Batting first, the Scorchers posted 128-3 in 10 overs.

Scorchers opener Tion Webster top-scored with 54 off 26 balls with five sixes and four fours. Ewart Nicholson remained unbeaten on 42 off

Nicholas Pooran

16 balls with four sixes and three fours to be the next highest scorer.

Pooran’s effort ensured that this was the Giants’ first win of the tournament after three matches. They are cur-

rently fourth on the points table with 2 points from 3 matches.

While the Scorchers are yet to win a single match and are right at the bottom of the table after three matches.

SVG duo wings to Guyana for Table Tennis Goodwill Series St. Vincent’s rising Table Tennis stars Damon Dublin and Mikael Hazelwood will visit Guyana to participate in a Goodwill Challenge Series, which begins tomorrow and concludes on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Homestretch Avenue.

The lads are expected to arrive in Guyana this evening and while in ‘The Land Of Many Waters’, the players will engage in practice sessions and play a series of matches against selected Guyana national team members in team and individual competitions.

The event is the brainchild of Caribbean champion and Table Tennis legend,

Damon Dublin

Mikael Hazlewood

Orville Haslam, who is the President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Table Tennis Association. Haslam has partnered with the President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe, to have the two-day collaboration. “This initiative

forms part of the developmental engagement between Guyana and St. Vincent and the Grenadines which offers both countries the opportunity to provide much-needed international exposure to key players,” the GTTA outlined in a release.

PAGE 30

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

Nasum, Liton help Bangladesh Formula One terminates end T20 losing streak contract with Russian Grand Prix PA Media - Formula One has cancelled its contract with the Russian Grand Prix.

The decision comes six days after this year’s race, due to take place in Sochi on September 25, was pulled from the calendar.

F1 bosses announced only last June that an agreement had been reached to move the Russian round to Igora Drive, 40 miles north of St Petersburg, from 2023.

But following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, the sport has moved to scrap the race altogether.

A statement read: “Formula One can confirm it has terminated its contract with the Russian Grand Prix promoter meaning Russia will not have a race in the future.”

On Thursday, Motorsport UK announced Russian-licenced drivers have been banned from competing in the United Kingdom.

It means Haas driver Nikita Mazepin, the sole Russian driver on the F1 grid, will not be able to take part in July’s British Grand Prix.

Mazepin’s immediate future in F1 hangs in the balance. His father, oligarch Dmitry Mazepin, is a partowner of Haas’ title sponsor, Uralkali.

Haas removed the brand-

Nikita Mazepin is the sole Russian driver on the Formula One grid. (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Fans cheer after Bangladesh won the first Twenty20 international cricket match against Afghanistan at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. (AFP/Munir uz ZAMAN)

ing of the Russian fertiliser company for the final day of testing in Barcelona last week.

F1’s governing body, the FIA, will still allow Russian drivers to continue to compete, albeit under a neutral flag. The Russian round was added to the calendar in 2014 after former supremo Bernie Ecclestone struck a lucrative deal with Vladimir Putin.

Ecclestone, 91, in an interview with the PA news agency, backed the FIA’s stance on Russian drivers.

“It was absolutely the right decision by the FIA,”

said Ecclestone, who ran F1 for four decades. “There are so many things being agreed by the world about this conflict between Russian and Ukraine. But I don’t think anybody has really thought it through, or got their heads around it. “If there is a Russian driver in F1, what does it have to do with Russia fighting a war? There is no relationship there. “The Russian athletes have nothing to do with this conflict. They are not part of it, and they have never been part of it. They just happen to be Russian.”

AFP - Left-arm spinner Nasum Ahmed and batsman Liton Das helped Bangladesh halt an eightmatch losing streak in Twenty20 internationals with a resounding 61-run win over Afghanistan in Dhaka yesterday. Nasum returned with career-best figures of 4 for 10 as Bangladesh bowled out Afghanistan for 94 runs in 17.4 overs after Liton’s 60 off 44 balls guided the side to 155-8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. The win ended Bangladesh’s long streak of defeats in T20Is starting from the Twenty20 World Cup in Oman and the UAE last year and gave the side a 1-0 lead in a two-match series.

Nasum picked up four wickets in his only spell, opening the bowling for

Bangladesh to give the hosts a firm grip on the game as they reduced Afghanistan to 20 for 4 inside five overs.

Najibullah Zadran and skipper Mohammad Nabi briefly stopped the rot with a 37-run fifth-wicket stand before Shakib Al Hasan dismissed both.

Zadran, dropped on four by wicketkeeper Liton, made 27 off 26 balls. Azmatullah Omarzai staged a late fightback to score 20 off 18 balls but it was not enough.

“Pleasing to see how the boys fought in the middle with the bat, ball. The energy was good too. We thought the total was defendable. Nasum bowled really well, it was a match-changing spell,” said Bangladesh skipper Mahmudullah Riyad.

Afghanistan’s Nabi la-

mented the loss of early wickets. “We thought we could chase it but threw away our wickets in the powerplay which cost us the game,” he said. Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi and leg-spinner Rashid Khan struck early to reduce Bangladesh to 25 for 2 after Mahmudullah opted to bat first. But Liton hit four fours and two sixes to ensure the home side made steady progress.

Afif Hossain made 25 off 24 balls and shared 46 runs with Liton for the fifth wicket.

Farooqi ended Liton’s fine innings as Azmatullah took the catch at fine leg in the 17th over. Farooqi and Azmatullah claimed 2-27 and 2-31 respectively for Afghanistan.

The second match of the series will be held at the same ground on Saturday.

Reifer slams ton, but England enjoying comfortable lead All-rounder Raymon Reifer struck a fine century, but England are enjoying a comfortable lead as their fourday tour match against the CWI President’s XI continued yesterday, ahead of the of the APEX test series.

Reifer made 106 off 187 balls, while Keacy Carty stroked 57 off 163 balls as the CWI President’s XI scored 264 all out in reply to the tourist 466-6 declared. Jack Leach captured 4-62 and Dan Lawrence 2-26.

At stumps on the third day, England were 77-3, leading by 279.

Zak Crawley scored 35 and Ben Stokes 19. Shermon Lewis and Bryan Charles have so far taken one wicket each.

Guyana under-20 Lady Jags progress to knockouts of Concacaf C/Ships Despite their second consecutive defeat on Wednesday, Guyana Lady Jags still qualified for the next round of the Concacaf under-20 championships, along with Panama and Mexico.

The nightcap in Santo Domingo began with Hondu-

ras needing a win to claim the final knockout round spot from the group, but Mexico sought to make it three wins from three group stage matches and achieved that feat with a 5-0 victory.

Aylin Avilez continued her strong tournament with

another two goals in the 4th and 11th minutes to give Mexico a 2-0 lead.

Alexia Villanueva then made it 3-0 in the 23rd followed by second half scores from Maritza Maldonado in the 64’ and Natalia Mauleon in the 66’ for the 5-0 final tally.

Friday March 04, 2022

GSA names four for CAC Games in Guatemala The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) continues to forge ahead with their calendar of events that features the hosting and attending of local and international events.

Locally, the annual Bounty Farm Handicap Tournament has already been recorded in the books along with the BCQS Masters Squash Tournament. Up next is the Senior National Championship which is scheduled to commence on Thursday, March 17.

The qualifying rounds of the Senior Championship commences on March 11 at the home of squash, at the Georgetown Club.

Meanwhile, four of the

PAGE 31

Kaieteur News

Kristian Jeffery usual suspects have already qualified for Guyana’s team for the upcoming Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games to be held in Guatemala.

Alex Arjoon

Alex Arjoon, Kristian Jeffery, Sam Ince and Jason Khalil have been named while a fifth player will have the chance to make the cut.

On Wednesday evening, the battle for the final spot on Guyana’s team began and that will be filled when the matches between the top tier local seniors are completed this evening.

It is understood that the four who have been selected have been performing quite well in the GSA Squash League that has kept the local players active and in form.

Sadly, the traditional way of selecting a team, through the local Senior National Championships, has been abandoned due to the eruption the pandemic has cost.

GSA was recently asked by the CAC Games Organising Committee to submit a team of players for the event which is scheduled for April 3 – 9. Those names were already submitted by the GSA and rectified by the committee, but the GSA has room for one more.

Chairman of the Competitions Committee, Deje Dias has stated that the competitors are quite annoyed that they will not be sticking to the traditional way of selecting the team, but the Squash League has given the competitive bunch an avenue to always be in line for selection.

Demerara Cricket Board/Premier Insurance U-15 Inter-Association 2022 Tournament...

East Coast spinners lead team to victory over Upper Demerara DCB/Premier Insurance U15 Inter-association 2022 cricket tournament continued with East Coast spin bowlers Arun Gainda and Mickel Sharma spinning their team to victory over the Upper Demerara team at Enmore ground.

East Coast won the toss and elected to bat posting 123 for 7 from their reduced 30 overs due to overnight showers. Middle order batter Trilok Nanan top scored with an unbeaten 22 while Aaron Kissoon chipped in with 17.

Keron Phillips grabbed 3 for 13, while support came from Croy Charles who claimed 2 for 23. In reply, Upper Demerara struggled against the East Coast spinners and were bundled out for 37 from 10.5 overs. No batter managed to reach double figures.

Mickel Sharma and Aruna Gainda collected 3 for 0 and 4 respectively which medium

Trilok Nanan

fast bowler Gopaul Ramchand taking 2 for 13 to hand East Coast victory by 86 runs.

In today’s scheduled

match, Georgetown will face West Demerara at DCC Ground. Action starts at 9:30hrs.

Trophy Stall backs 592 Bikelife race at GT Motorsports tomorrow 592 Bikelife and Matthew Vieira will hold the first ever motorcycle race at the Gt Motorsports go kart track tomorrow and the event will see a total of six motorcycle races inclusive of two cat-

egories. The first category will feature a 50cc Ruckus and the other is 125/250 cc Supermoto Bikes.

The event will start at 16:30hrs and the champion rider for both categories will

receive trophies sponsored

by Trophy Stall. The Ruckus race is sponsored by Professional Key Shop while the Supermoto category is sponsored by Cyrils’ Transportation Service.

NBA roundup: Bucks stage big rally, overtake Heat Reuters - Jrue Holiday made a game-winning floater with 1.9 seconds remaining as the Milwaukee Bucks erased a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take down the visiting Miami Heat 120-119 on Wednesday.

Miami led 113-99 with 7:12 left to play, but the Bucks closed the game on a 21-6 run to finish the season series with their Eastern Conference rival at two victories each.

Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 28 points on 9-of-20 shooting and grabbed 17 rebounds to record his fifth consecutive double-double.

Khris Middleton had 26 points, and Holiday contributed 25 along with 11 assists.

Tyler Herro paced the Heat with 30 points on 11-of21 shooting off the bench, and he pulled down seven rebounds. Gabe Vincent tallied 21 points, and Bam Adebayo chipped in 18 with 12 rebounds.

76ers 123, Knicks 108 Joel Embiid had 27 points

and 12 rebounds, Tyrese Maxey scored 25 points and host Philadelphia defeated New York.

James Harden added 26 points, nine assists and nine rebounds in his Philadelphia home debut. The Sixers are 30 with Harden in the lineup.

Tobias Harris scored 14 points and Matisse Thybulle contributed 10 for the Sixers, who won their fourth consecutive game.

RJ Barrett led the Knicks with 30 points, while Julius Randle added 24. New York lost its sixth in a row.

Suns 120, Trail Blazers 90 Cameron Johnson scored 20 points and Deandre Ayton added 18 points and eight rebounds as host Phoenix rolled over Portland.

The Suns avoided their first three-game skid of the season with the convincing win that came without the services of backcourt stars Devin Booker (COVID-19 protocol) and Chris Paul (fractured thumb). Phoenix’s Jae Crowder registered 15 points,

five rebounds and five steals.

Brandon Williams scored 14 points, Trendon Watford recorded 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists, and Drew Eubanks added 13 points and eight rebounds for Portland, which lost by at least 30 points for the third straight game.

Pacers 122, Magic 114 (OT) Malcolm Brogdon collected 31 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists as Indiana overcame an 18-point thirdquarter deficit en route to an overtime win at Orlando.

Tyrese Haliburton finished with 21 points, Buddy Hield added 17 and Isaiah Jackson made all eight of his shots to contribute 16 points for the Pacers.

Orlando rookie Franz Wagner scored 28 points, and Mo Bamba added 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic.

Jazz 132, Rockets 127 (OT) Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 37 points, Rudy Gobert added his 38th

Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent (2) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the fourth quarter at Fiserv Forum. (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports)

double-double and Utah overcame a game-tying buzzerbeater to win at Houston in overtime.

Mitchell added 10 assists and three steals while Gobert chipped in 27 points and 17 rebounds for the Jazz, who won for the ninth time in 10

games. However, it was Mike Conley who drilled three critical 3-pointers for Utah, including two in overtime, and scored 12 of his 15 points over the final 5:08.

The Rockets, who dropped their 11th consecutive game, forced overtime

when Christian Wood (24 points, 10 rebounds) drilled a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end regulation.

In other results: Thunder 119, Nuggets 107 Hornets 119, Cavaliers 98 Pelicans 125, Kings 95 (Field Level Media)

PAGE 32

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

CECC T/10 semis and final set for Sunday

Bank of Baroda Golf tourney set for tomorrow

LGC Vice President Paton George accepts the cheque from Alexis Mickle in the presence of Managing Director of the Bank of Baroda Arun Kumar Gupta (4th from right) and other representatives of the sponsors and club.

Reliance Sports Ground was under water last Sunday.

The inaugural Central Essequibo Cricket Committee (CECC) T/10 knockout hardball competition for 2022 reaches its semi-final stage with the final also set for Sunday at the Reliance Sports ground, Essequibo Coast.

From 10:00hrs, Bacchus Bulls will clash with Rising Stars Sports Club while at

noon Reliance Hustlers Sports Club and Queenstown Junior Sports Club will do battle in the semi-final segment. The championship game will commence at 15:00hrs. President of the CECC Trevis Simon related that the semis and final were slated for February 27, but inclement weather affected

the fixtures. He is however, confident that the two final rounds will be completed as sunshine is likely to prevail.

Simon, who is also the Secretary of Essequibo Cricket Board, informed that the victorious side will pocket $70,000 and a trophy. The runners-up team will pocket $30,000 and a trophy.

Guyana Fight Night; Road to Redemption @ National Stadium, April, 25 Following some hiccups, boxing-starved fans will finally be satiated with a card comprising two title fights next month.

This is according to USA based prized fighter, Elton Dharry, who is scheduled to headline the April 23 event dubbed ‘Guyana Fight Night Road to Redemption’ at the National Stadium.

Dharry was scheduled to be in the ring here on Boxing Day then in February at the same venue, but the card was postponed due to the prevailing pandemic situation and international cricket.

The event has now gotten the green light.

“We got the approval for the Stadium for April 23rd today,” said Dharry, yesterday.

Dharry, who has a large fan base in the 592, will star in the feature presentation for the spoils of the WBC International super flyweight title, while Dexter ‘The Kid’ Marques will be the co-main event. Dharry disclosed that “Dexter will be fighting a Mexican for the WBC Silver International title.”

Their respective opponents will be named shortly along with the full slate of the

Elton Dharry

five-fight professional card.

The 36 year-old orthodox fighter knows that Father Time is ticking on his career

and plans to put on a show in front of the local fans.

“I am in contact with (Continued on page 27)

The Lusignan Golf Club will be hosting the annual Bank of Baroda Golf tournament tomorrow, Saturday, with tee off time set for 12:30hrs.

The tournament format will be Medal play 18 holes with a shot gun start. It will be contested in three flights 9 and under handicap, 10-18 and 19-36.

Prizes will be given to the 1st and 2nd best net in each

flight, best overall net, Nearest to the Flag, Longest Drive and best gross for the day.

All prizes will include trophies and vouchers.

All COVID protocol will be observed and presentation of prizes will be done shortly after the completion of the game. Players are advised to contact the club for registration which will be closed at 17:00hrs on Friday.

On the day of the tournament, players must collect their score cards etc and proceed to their allocated tee box and wait for the blast of the horn which will signal the commencement of the competition. William Walker is the defending champion; he is unavailable to defend his title this year due to personal commitments so a new champion will be crowned.

Stop this mad war - we won’t surrender - Klitschko brothers tell Russia from Kyiv (Reuters) - Ukrainians have nowhere to retreat and will defend their homeland from Russian invaders, Kyiv mayor and former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko told Reuters from the capital city yesterday.

Flanked by his heavyweight boxing star brother Wladimir, Klitschko spoke via Skype as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its second week. Moscow was shelling several Ukrainian cities as its main assault force remained at a halt north of Kyiv.

“Thousands, already tens of thousands are killed in this war against Ukraine.

And this number will unfortunately only grow,” said Klitschko, speaking from a shelter he is working from in Kyiv.

“We are not going to surrender. We have nowhere to retreat.”

He said about a half of the city’s 3 million people had left.

Authorities had also evacuated many orphans to Poland and Germany, he said.

“The situation is tense, people are worried,” he said, adding projectiles were constantly “hitting residential blocks or important infrastructure sites.”

“The city needs peace and peaceful skies... Kyiv residents have been in their basements non-stop for a week now because of air raid alarm going off all the time.”

With empty streets, some food shortages and pharmacies closed, Kyiv was still faring better than Ukraine’s north-eastern city of Kharkiv, heavily shelled by Russia, or the southern port of Mariupol, encircled and left without power or water.

Klitschko said Russia was trying to surround Kyiv as well and called on Russians to challenge President Vladimir Putin.

“You are an instrument at the hands of one man with one ambition - to resurrect the Soviet Union... For ambitions of one man, we are paying a very high price.”

U.S., UKRAINIANS Putin said his “special military operation” was meant to protect Russians persecuted in Ukraine, a former Soviet republic that now wants to join NATO and the European Union.

The boxing brothers, whose mother is ethnically Russian, said Ukraine was always home to Ukrainians, Russians, Jews and other religions and ethnicities.

“It’s senseless.

There is no reason to at-

tack Ukraine,” said Wladimir, describing footage of bomb damage in the city of Kharkiv as weighing heavily on people’s minds.

“It’s complete madness ... What is happening is terror. It’s happening in 2022.

It’s something one’s mind doesn’t comprehend.”

The mayor’s younger brother said he spent the last week helping to move food and medicines around the city.

“You don’t know if you’re going to make it through the day tomorrow.

Those nights, hearing explosions all night long and shooting in the street, that does make you feel worried.”

He called for the severing of all international business ties with Russia now and the imposition of more sanctions after Europe, the United States and other countries cut links with Russian banks and businesses in retaliation for the invasion.

“We’re really counting hours here,” said Wladimir Kitschko. “We have no time.

We need to act now, we need to stop this madness. All the money that Russia is getting is being used to buy lethal weapons that are killing Ukrainians.”

Friday March 04, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 33

Stop this mad war - we won’t East Coast spinners lead team to victory surrender over Upper Demerara Demerara Cricket Board/Premier Insurance U15 Inter-Association 2022 Tournament

- Kitschko brothers tell Russia from Kyiv

Ukrainian heavyweight boxing world champion Wladimir Klitschko and his brother, Mayor of Kyiv and former heavyweight boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, speak with journalists during the opening of the first Ukrainian Territorial Defence Forces recruitment centre in central Kyiv, Ukraine, February 2, 2022. (REUTERS/Gleb Garanich)

Keron Phillips

Mickel Sharma (left) and Arun Gainda

s t r po

S

Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall presents one of the trophies to Matthew Vieira at their Bourda Market location yesterday.

Trophy Stall backs 592 Bikelife race at GT Motorsports tomorrow

Guyana under-20 Lady Jags progress to knockouts of Concacaf C/Ships

Shayma Daniels (6) and Valentina Khan celebrate after scoring a goal against Honduras in their opening group match.

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