Kaieteur News

Top local martial artist dies after allegedly setting car on fire

Blue Iguana owner busted with cocaine in suitcase

to exploit major gas find Shell, fully insure Guyana p. 15

Shell, Exxon, Dutch Govt. ignored earthquake warnings to exploit major gas find

Howfarwilloilcompaniesgofor mega-profits? Would they risk the lives of innocent men, women, and children? A recent report by a parliamentary committee in the Netherlands provides profound insight into these questions and perhaps,acautionarytaleforGuyana

ThereportexposedthatShelland ExxonMobil were so hungry, so blinded by their love for profit, that they ignored numerous warnings that their efforts to extract gas in Groningen province in the northeastern part of the Netherlands was directlylinkedtotheincreasingonset of earthquakes Also alarming is the fact that the Dutch government was complicit in the actions of the oil companies Authorities were bewildered by the tsunami of revenuesandstayedsilent.

Mostcouldeasilyunderstandwhy Shell and Exxon were obsessed with the Groningen gas field and the fortune that came. With an estimated 2.7billioncubicmetresofrecoverable naturalgas,itisthelargestnaturalgas fieldinEuropeandoneofthelargestin

theworld

The gas field was discovered in 1959andjointexploitationwasledby the government, Shell, and Exxon Mobil through a vehicle called NAM (NederlandseAardolieMaatschappij)

Sixty years of gas extraction in Groningen brought the Netherlands considerableprosperity Infact,Shell, ExxonMobil and the Dutch government earned €429bn from exploiting the Groningen gas field Butthatcameatacosttothecitizens

Asaresultofthoseoperations,and in defiance of warning signs, there havebeenalmost1,600earthquakesin Groningen,andeverymonthseesnew quakesaddedtothisnumber Uptothe end of 2022, there have been more than 267,000 reports of damage, of which230,000havebeenhandled Of these cases, 85,000 concerned more than one incidence of damage The report states, “ Every new earthquakecausesdisquietandfearin the people of Groningen. The days when this was only about ‘cups tinklinginthecabinet’arelongpast. What is involved is the real concern

aboutwhetherthebabycanbeputto bed upstairs safely in a home that used to be considered safe, but has sincebeendeclaredunsafe.”

Itcontinues,“Itisthestressandthe enormous mental threshold having to checkthehouseforcracksagainafter theumpteenthquake–residentsknow howmucheffortandenergyitcoststo getthedamagerepaired Itishavingto postponedecisionsregardingwhether ornottoacceptanewjobbecausethe housecan’tbesold”

HOWDIDITCOMETOTHIS?

Theanswertothecentralquestion ofhowthissituationcouldhavecome about lies in the fact that decisionmakerscarednotfortheinterestofthe people

Thereportstatesthattheextraction ofnaturalgaswassosuccessfulandso lucrative that the oil companies and authoritiesatthetimewereblindtothe long-termrisks

Expounding on this front, the report notes that in 1993, the Netherlands’Supervisory Committee ofResearchintoEarthquakes

Continued on page 15

- were hell-bent on securing lucrative profits despite health, environmental risks to thousands of citizens

Kaieteur News

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

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

INDIA

Guyana stands to learn much from India. There was a sharedcolonialpowerfunctioningasmasteroverourlives. Then, there was what benefited the ‘Mother Country’and how the riches of poor countries were drained, and subject peopleslefttofightoverwhateverdregsremained. Thishas been the story of both India and Guyana for centuries. Because India has vaster depths than us, more experiences than ours, there is much for Guyana, just to be around this country

Asidefromthetiesofacommonpast,therearethelinks of people, culture, and longstanding friendly relations. Indiahelpedusoutwithvaccineswhentimeswerehardand alarming. India has extended scholarships, technical expertise, money, and more over the years. Now we are joining hands with India for some much-needed assistance with our new and ballooning oil and gas sector Many are already here, in the form of America, Canada, and China, plus several oil operators and suppliers from European countries. Thus,wewelcomethepartneringwithIndiafor participationinourrichoilsector

It could be a mutually rewarding relationship: we have oilandgasinabundance,withquantitiesconstantlygrowing by leaps and bounds. India has had lengthy relationships and exposures to the intricacies of oil markets and their players. We could benefit from India’s insights that it gatheredalongtheway Asanoilimporter,Indiahasdealt well with country to country challenges, in a time of sanctions, and a side having to be picked. Also, India is a country that is known for its technological prowess, the skillsofitspeople,whichcouldallhaveupsideforGuyana. We, who have been robbed and kicked black and blue by ExxonMobil, need a relationship, a partner that can be trustedtostandbyourside,andhelpustoknowwhatwedo notknow

Asacountry,Guyanaisstruggling,mostofthetimewith itself, which leaves it so preoccupied, that the foreign companiesplaywithourheads,playexpensivegamesonus, andplayusforfools. Wehavebeenbombardedbyreportsof abillion-dollar(US)pipelinetoWales,moremoneycoming outofouroilrevenues,inapushforacostlygas-to-energy project,overwhichthereisgreatuncertainty Thelittlethat has been shared with Guyanese: studies, total cost, and impacts, all confirm that there is a great deal more that we needtoknow Thisistofacilitateadecisionfororagainst theWalesproject.

VicePresidentJagdeois on recordinsistingthatcheap, six cents per kilowatt hour (kw) is what will be on the successfulcompletionofallthreephasesoftheWalesgasto-energy project.We would like to believe him, but much moreisneededforthattohappen. NowIndiahasjuststated thatsolarenergyiscostingitthreecentsperkw TakingMr Jagdeo’s number to heart, it is still double what India is payingforrenewableenergy IfMr Jagdeolistenssincerely, we could save ourselves some money, and some serious migraines later We offer no criticisms about money possibly unwisely spent, debts racked up, and Guyana left withanotherwhiteelephant. Allweatthispaperaresaying islistentotheIndianGovernmentMinister,appreciatewhat could be had, what is likely more manageable, and what couldbeagenuinewinnerforGuyana. Itwouldbeonethat islargelylackingincontroversyortheneedforsecrecy

We think that it is a better way to go, with the world leaning, slowly weaning itself, away from fossil fuels, and moretowardsrenewables.Respectedorganizationslikethe United Nations have led the way in the push away from fossil fuels, and the energy facilities that they power Guyana stillhas manyopportunitiesto benefitenormously fromitsoil,butonlyifPPPCGovernmentleadersarewise thatnoteveryglitteringproject,withalluringpossibilities,is thewaytogo. Topleadersmustmaketherightchoices,with someprojectspursued,somereluctantlyshelved. Problem isthatExxonMobilhasstartedlayingpipes. Thiscouldcost usmorethanwebargainedfor,withmoretoregret.

GOVT. RESPONSIBLE FOR SORDID STATE OF LOCALGOVERNANCE

DEAREDITOR,

The text of the article publishedonMarch4,2023: Region 10‘s REO, Chairman at loggerhead o v e r r o l e s a n d responsibilities is but another manifestation of a major problem that inhibits thefunctioningofthesystem of governance in Guyana. It is reported that that the Regional Executive Officer “has stated that he is not accountable to the Council and committees established byRegionalChairman”

That statement reflects

the disposition of the G o v e r n m e n t a n d pronouncements of the Minister responsible for Local Government The Governmentthereforehasto be held responsible for the sordid state of local governance in Guyana and made to practice Good Governance,whichtheytout fromtimetotime.

Hereunderisacritiqueof the REO‘s position as stated in the Kaieteur News which clearly and evidentially exposes that there is jaundiced articulation of

G o v e r n a n c e ; a n d

c o n s e q u e n t i a l maladministration in Public Administration.

Regional democratic councils are statutory bodies/legal bodies (council properandanadministrative arm) established in keeping withtheprovisionsofarticle 72 of the Constitution and enabled by the Local Democratic Organs Act (LDOA), which specifically states: “local democratic organ shall be a body corporate by the name prescribed for it by its

constitutionorder.”

The LDOA further provides for “any Minister, department of Government or statutory authority, department to delegate any of his or its statutory powerorauthoritytoalocal democratic organ where the power or authority relates to matters within the responsibilityofthatorgan.” It should therefore be noted that delegated functionswhicharetheones thatarepresentlycarriedout bytheRegionalDemocratic (Continuedonpage5)

Continuity and change in Guyana

DEAREDITOR, Last Thursday evening I attendedapre-Phagwaevent ataMandir Sucheventsare very common but this one was special for several reasons.

The Mandir is dedicated to the worship in the Shakti tradition brought by Indian indentured labourers from the then Madras Presidency in South India. In that tradition the Divine is worshipped in the female form; more specifically as Mariamman (“Amman”

means mother) a village

deity that was later syncretizedwithotherdivine female forms like Kali and her incarnations. In Guyana the tradition is called “Kali Mai”worship.

Since only 6% of the 239,000 Indian immigrants originatedfromMadras,itis remarkablethatthetradition continued and even expanded; including from otherraces.InthisMandirat Cornelia Ida, from the iconographyaloneonecould alsoseemanyotherchanges

signaled in the practices as the community adapted to the new circumstances in Guyana. Unlike the older “Kali Mai” Mandirs, the G o d d e s s i n h e r manifestations, along with her consorts, were not housedinseparatestructures butinonebuildingasdothe widerSanaataniHindus.The worship also incorporated many of the “Sanaatani practices” that itself had incorporated western elements such as discourses by the Pujari (priest). The

celebration of Phagwa itself is an adaptation since if the spring festival were celebrated in South India it would be dedicated to Kaamadeva,thegodoflove.

The centerpiece of the pre-Phagwa program was theperformanceofaChautal group from Suriname Chautal is a folk musical genre associated with Phagwa. It originated from the Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Western Bihar part of North India, called the “Bhojpuri”belt, from where

GOVT. RESPONSIBLE FOR SORDID...

Frompage4

C o u n c i l s a r e t h e responsibilityoftheCouncil.

In the execution of its functionstheCouncilhasan Administration which is responsible to the Council for the execution of its functions,inthemannerthat the council so resolves, providedthatitisultravires

The administration is headed by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) who by virtue of the assumption of that office as Clerk to the Council also assumes the position of REO.

That position and its Terms of Reference are provided for in the LDOA whereitisspecificallystated that “clerk means the chief executive officer, however styled of a regional democraticcouncil”;andthe provisions of the Municipal and District Councils act which shall apply mutatis mutandis to the regional democratic council, inclusive of the functions of

theClerkasstatedinsection 32(b)“anyreferencestothe clerk or treasurer shall be construed as a reference to the clerk or chief finance officer (however styled) respectively of a regional democraticcouncil”.

The Sixth Schedule of the Municipal District Council Act in reference to the Clerk specifically states at paras 6 and 10 respectively:

“He shall have the duty ofensuringthatthebusiness of the council is carried out with order, regularity and expedition in accordance withtheby-laws,resolutions and standing orders of the council” and “He shall have responsibility for conveying decisions of the council to the local government officers in the service of the councilrelatingtotheirwork andconduct.”

It is therefore absurd for theREOtohavesaid:“heis not accountable to the Council and committees established by Regional

Chairman” and “that he is only accountable to the Council when serving as Clerk of the Council at statutorymeetings”

Wi t h r e g a r d t o committees the Municipal and Districts Council Act specifies that “… Council shallprovideandatalltimes maintain the standing committees” and that a “council may appoint general or special committees ” The committees are authentic and integral to the regional democratic councils and may even be authorized to actonbehalfofthecouncils.

In regard to his appointment as Accounting Officer,hisremitislimitedto ensuring that expenditures are incurred in keeping with the budgeted provisions and transactions conducted in keeping with the Financial Regulations.

TheREOofRegion10is undoubtedlymisguidedand/ or uninformed about, or malicious in, in relation to

his relationship with the Council, of which he is a servant, and to which he is subordinate.

Given the adamant position of the REO and the obvious backing of Central Government, there may be need, as a minimum course of action, for judicial interpretations and declarations on these matters.

Yourssincerely,

VincentAlexander

Former Regional ExecutiveOfficer Local

Government Consultant

most of the indentured servants originated

However, Chautal has almost disappeared in India but very intriguingly has survived and indeed flourished in Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname and Fiji and their diasporas in North America and Netherlands.

B u t b o t h i n t h e instrumentation - from the single dholak (barrel drum) and Jhaals (cymbals) and Dhantal (steel rod and Ushapedclapper)-Fijiansand Surinamese now use several dholaks and sometimes the large booming Tadja drum while Guyanese are introducing Tassa Drums.

Continuityandchange.

What the event brought to my mind was the everincreasing blurring and disintegration of boundaries between the descendants of

North and South Indians as they navigated the field of institutions created by s u c c e s s i v e l y ; t h e plantations, the colonial and thenthepost-colonialstates; tobecome“Indians”.Priorto them, individuals from diverse tribes of West and Central Africa had also had their differences obliterated to become “Africans” after theslaveexperience.

W h i l e i t i s a commonplace to “explain” thepresentrelationsbetween the Africans and Indians by the latter undercutting the wages of the former when they were brought in, we must remember that fortytwo thousand African West Indians, fourteen thousand Chinese and thirteen thousandWestAfricanswere alsobroughtintoalso

(Continuedonpage6)

Continuity and change...

Frompage5) undercut those same wages But today, the boundaries between the eighty thousand freed Guyanese Africans and the sixty-nine newly introduced non-Indians also were disintegrated.

What that means is that groupidentitiesarenotfixed n o r b o u n d a r i e s impermeable:thesalienceof the Indian and Portuguese Guyanese identities must be interrogated. Are there, for instance, different values between them and African Guyanese towards the accumulation of wealth which help maintain a boundary? What studies in various disciplines have shown is that the simple “explanation” of “cultural” differences creating divisions is inadequate. As one theorist since the 1960s had posited, it is not the “stuff” of the different cultures that is necessarily the key, but the boundaries. During the colonial period under a “divide and rule” strategy, institutions such as

government,theplantations, theCivilService,thePolice, the judiciary etc, were actuated by a hegemonic white-bias culture that reified and kept the boundariesinplace. At Independence one wouldhavethoughtthatnew institutionswouldbecreated to encourage a civic “Guyanese” identity in the nation-state we inherited. It is my thesis that the totalitarian regime between 1964-1985 that was instituted to keep Burnham in power - the exclusivist single-party led by ‘the dictator’; the official ideology; the system of terroristiccontrol;controlof mass communication, state coercive institutions, the economy and social organizations – also further reifiedthoseboundaries. We need new political, cultural, economic and social institutions to foster “Guyaneseness” in Guyanese citizens. Biology doesnothavetobedestiny

Sincerely,

RaviDev

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

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

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

WHAT’S IN IT FOR GUYANESE?

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

Today when all Guyanese should be rejoicing over their rich gifts, there is worry that the prospering touch and taste of this oil would be out of reach of most Guyanese.

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

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

Plenty is coming to the surface from a comprehensive and credible Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) commissioned by ExxonMobil for its fifth oil project in Guyana, Uaru.

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

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

In January, Guyanese learned from the EIA for this fifth project, that the local fishing sector could be decimated.

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

This is a troubling consideration, given that the fishing sector is taking its share of licks.

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

Fisherfolk had already complained about poor catch, and a different quality of catch, despite spending longer times and more money per trip in our fishing grounds -The claims are that there’s a direct correlation with the activities of ExxonMobil in existing oil fields.

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

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

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

So as we continue to pump at breakneck speed, remember Guyanese continue to get little from our oil resources.

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

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

Top local martial artist dies after allegedly setting car on fire

F o r m e r s p a r r i n g champion at the annual Caribbean Dragon Cup Martial Arts tournament, Rodwell Alleyne died on Thursday after he allegedly set his car on fire The incident reportedly occurred sometime after 09:00hrs at his Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo(EBE)home.

Kaieteur news was told that the father of two lived alone and it was neighbours who found the local martial artist burning in his car They extinguished the flames quicklyandrescuedhim.

He was still alive when theyrushedhimtothenearest hospital but unfortunately he did not survive. He died whilereceivingtreatment.

The relevant authorities are unable to say with certainty if Alleyne was the one that started the fire Investigations are ongoing to determinewhattranspired.

Nevertheless, many believe that Alleyne had set the car alight while inside. Kaieteur News understands

that he was suffering from depression and wasn't himself when he showed up for work on Thursday morning just hours before he wasfoundburninginhiscar Alleyne worked at a saw mill in Hubu, Parika, EBE. His co-workers recalled that he did some work that morning before “completely zoning out”. They described him a diligent worker and quickly noted that something mightbebotheringbecauseit was unlike him “to stall at work”.

Alleyne's co-workers became even more worried about his well being when he “suddenly got up and left the workplace” without saying a wordtoanyone.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that they alerted his close friends to check on him soon after he had left but beforetheycouldhavegotten to his home, Alleyne's car wasalreadyonfire.

Meanwhile, news of Alleyne's death came as a shock to many especially his

c h u r c h f a m i l y Alleyne was an active Full Gospel church member for some 24 years and was last seen in church the nightbeforehedied.

Speaking with Kaieteur News, Alleyne's pastor, Naseeb Mohamed described him as a wonderfulindividual.

“Hewasoneofmy most committed church members”, the pastor said while adding that he was verysupportiveofany activity or service churchhad.

Alleyne was a deacon and a great drummer and had in the past served as youthleaderaswell.

Top Local Martial Artist, Rodwell Alleyne

Apart from serving the lord, Alleyne was a friend to manyandisverywellknown in the local martial art fraternity especially in the discipline of Kata. He served as Martial Art instructor as

well and was associated the Korean International Martial ArtsGuyana. Alleyne's represented Guyana in 2018 at the annual Caribbean Dragon Cup Martial Arts tournament and placed first for Individual pointsparringcategory

Alleyne's burnt car

JAGDEO NEEDS TO GET HIS FACTS STRAIGHT

Bharrat Jagdeo is advised to cease withhiscuss-out style of debating, check his facts and concentrate more ontheexcessesofthepresent governmentratherthankeep focusing on what took place under the APNU+AFC government.

Hisfactsarewrongwhen he claims that civil society groupings were not as vocal under the APNU+AFC as they are today The fact that the PPPC is now facing a barrage of criticisms has more to do with its style of governance, including its secrecy and inability to be moreinclusive.

One of the reasons why the multi-stakeholder process,promotedunderthe Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) will never succeed underthePPPCgovernment is because such a participatory process is an anathematothePPPC.

The PPPC does not understand what it means to seekconsensus. Itiseither its way or the highway The PPPC does not understand the art of compromise. It is either you are with me or againstme.

How then can a multistakeholder process work underthePPPC?Itcannever work. It is either you take theirpositionoryouleaveit.

U n d e r J a g d e o ’s Presidency, a National Stakeholders Forum was created.That body was only convenientlyandselectively convened. When the PPPC government wanted widespreadcondemnationof the Lusignan and Bartica massacres of 2008, it arranged a forum When pressed about when the Forum would become a permanent feature of governance, Jagdeo was

reported by this newspaper as saying that he never promised to institutionalize suchaForum.

Inclusionary governance is not in the PPPC’s vocabulary Just look at the criticism which was aimed recently at proposals from the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG). Is that indicative ofinclusionarygovernance?

When you have Vice President going to India without any technocrats in towtoadvisehim,whatdoes that say about the style of governance being practiced inGuyana?

And what has really changedfrom2014?

TheVice President has a point about the double standards of certain civil society groupings. But the PPPC invites such double standards by its failure to engage and respect civil societygroupings,outsideof its friends and cronies in the privatesector Transparency Institute GuyanaInc.(TIG)hascome in for some criticism from the Vice President The Guyana Chronicle quoted Jagdeo as saying that his partyhadcataloguedalistof 75 scandals under the APNU+AFC but that TIGI wasmumonthese.

The Vice President also questioned a report by TIGI which he said stated that it was the APNU+AFC which had stopped the parking metercontract.Jagdeoneeds togethisfactsright.

The APNU+AFC did stop the contract, notwithstandingthefactthat it was a PNCR-dominated Council that approved the contract. And he seems to forget that a certain AFC councilor riding a Big Ben

Dem Boys Seh...

was part of the protests against the parking meters, protest to which his party gavemoralsupport.

TIGI cannot be accused of not speaking out against scandals during the term of the APNU+AFC The organizationcondemnedand questionedtheactionsofthe APNU+AFConanumberof counts.

Did TIGI not condemn t h e s i g n i n g o f a M e m o r a n d u m o f Understanding between the Government and Guyana andFeddersLloyd?Anddid it not call for the contract to beretendered?

Did TIGI not express c o n c e r n o v e r t h e APNU+AFC handling of a controversy which erupted overtheprocurementofprepaid meters by the Guyana Power and Light? Did TIGI not describe as corruption the practice of employing and rewarding supporters anddonors?

DidTIGInotdescribeas vulgar and reeking of cronyism a Pension Bill which was brought to the National Assembly and which would allow for the payment of a pension to a formerPNCPrimeMinister?

Did the TIGI not publicly denounce proposed amendments to the Integrity Act?And did it not describe as “weak” the Code of Conduct which was d e v e l o p e d b y t h e APNU+AFC?

DidTIGInotaccusethe APNU+AFCofdeceptionin relation to the signing bonus? Is Jagdeo aware that TIGI in a statement said, “The government has failed to handle matters related to oil with transparency and it appears to have deliberately engaged in deception in relation to the matter of a signaturebonus.”

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD

Deh gat people who does defend dem criminal better than lawyer Dem always finding excuse fuh why dem criminal does stealfromyuh.

Dem people does claim how dem criminals is victims of poverty How dem nah get wuk and therefore dem forced to steal.Evendemtop-notchlawyercan’toffer abetterdefence.

But dem boys wan know what excuse demganmeknow Wukdehallabout.Deh gat plenty wuk fuh labourers. Dem gat plenty odder wuk. De government and all offering 10 days wuk per month.And dem paying$40,000permonth.’

So what excuse dem wah snatching peoplepurse,stickingthemupandrobbing demofdemcellphoneandjumpingpeople house gat now? Dem and dem defenders cannot claim is because of de lack of jobs.

Plenty wuk deh. So is nat a social problem anymore.Sowhyalldestealingandrobbing stilltekkinplace?

Itmekdemboysrememberdestoryof de woman who ask deh friend, “How yuh fourkidsgettingonnow?”

“Fine!” came the reply… “Meh oldest boy turn wan doctor, the second is wan teacherandmehdaughterisalawyer.”

“What about yuh youngest boy? How’s hedoing?”

“Ah. He turn a thief. He live at home withwestill.”

”So you let your yuh three decent kids fendforthemselves,andkeptthebadoneat home?Isn’tthatwrong?”

“No, of course not! He supports us financially De other three are all unemployed.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

Or is it what rattles the PPPC is the reminder that it was the TIGI which had expressed concern that Exxon had been awarded a 26,888sq.kmblockundera single licence? Or is it that the PPPC is afraid that the public will recall that the same TIGI had called for decisive action against APNU+AFC Ministers who were in breach of the government’s code of conduct? The PPPC has no suchCodeofConduct.

In relation to the 2020 General and Regional Elections, TIGI did issue a statement which included the following: “The circumstances surrounding thedeclarationoftheresults for region 4 have created an appearance of collusion between GECOM and the incumbent, APNU-AFC, in so far as the results which were not transparently verified but declared for Region 4 tip the national election in favour of the

incumbent.”

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

Blue Iguana owner busted with cocaine in suitcase

RoystonPeniston,44,the owner of the Blue Iguana Night Club in Alberttown, Georgetown was on Friday busted with some $2.1 million worth of cocaine stashed in twohardcoversuitcases.

The bust was made during an operationconductedbyranksofthe Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) at Festival City, North Ruimveldt,Georgetown.

According to CANU, when ranks searched the suitcases they saw white powdery substance that appeared to be cocaine. Peniston was apprehended and the suitcase was taken to the CANU headquarters to test the substance andconductathoroughsearch.

The substance tested positive forcocaineandfurthersearchofthe suitcases unearthed two parcels of the illegal drug. CANU said that parcels weighed five pounds and has a street value of $2.1million dollars.

Peniston remains in custody as CANUcontinuesitsinvestigation.

In 2010, uniformed ranks had swooped down on his night club in Alberttown to search for guns and drugs.Afterspending20minutesin

his property they came up empty handed.

The businessman had claimed thatheisnotinvolvedinanywrong doing and said that the police presencewasbadforhisbusinessat the night spot. Peniston was also on the Guyana Police Force's wanted list for execution style killings during the crime wave in Guyana.

His arrest comes two days after CANU arrested 52-year-old Cranson Carlson Henry and 44year-old Mark Ferdinand for cocaine worth $13.3M. Henry was intercepted on Thursday by CANU officers at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). He was an outgoing passenger travelingtotheUnitedStates. He was questioned and

admitted to having 13 4lbs (6.070kg) of cocaine in seven Milex milk packages in his luggage.

Further investigations by CANU led to the arrest of Ferdinand, a local Calypsonian, of SamarooDam,Pouderoyen.

The suitcases in which the cocaine was found

Blue Iguana owner, Royston Peniston

OP:ED PPPGovernment–midtermleadershipreport

By GHK Lall

I have been weighing this, but didn't want to risk losing friends in high places. It is time for the PPP Government's midterm leadershipreport. An examination of the record of the last two and a half years confirms that the situation is normal (snafu). President Ali is a canvas of contradictions; the Vice President is now a better dancer than Fred Astaire. Focusing on his words and postures, the President is an Olympic skater, who would do well in both Summer and Winter games: he cannot walk his talk: a straight line. He is gamesman and showman. As for the Vice President, when pressed for

clarity on projects and contracts, he becomes a ballerina: pirouetting, rolling around, floating about (and he doesn't have a speech impediment). How can Guyanese not love these leaders? People starving and crying, they laughing, gyrating, having fun from de poorpeepleting.

Meanwhile, the entire PPP machinery is more exuberantly corrupt than before. Electionspoils. Itis freedom to steal without fear, which is what free and fear compresses into. Many ministers and bureaucrats now waddle around in terribly overweight condition. It is not body fat, but the fat of the land, viz., the people's purse Infrastructure billions.

Theirtonguesaregreenfrom US greenbacks, their lips dripping with downstream oil richness Buildings goingup,realestateholdings expanding, and on and on. More infrastructure. Their handsarequickerthanBruce Lee in 'Return of the Dragon.' It is the return of the PPP, biggah and baddah than before, and it is a dragon. Remember Mr Su, frompointseast. Something tells me that he is more CIA than China Something whispers that the Yankees are unhappy Dirty people andcorruption.

For a clearer picture on PPP-style government and leadership, it is best to zero on the lead vocalists, arranger and conductor. He is Laxmikant and Pyarelal,

with Zubin Mehta, and Balsara thrown in for good measure. Talkaboutsinging sitars! IstartwithElJefe.

Former Minister of Housing Ali, now His Excellency, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has become a glorious extension of his old ministerial self. Heismoreaggressive.

I can appreciate the President for thinking along the soaring lines the boxer Mohamed Ali who once said: “I'm so great that I impress even myself ” Amen, I say Somberly, the President claims he is of transparency, accountability, and unity He left out skater On the first two, he should have the courage to go on “60 Minutes” and explain why foreign dignitaries do

not want to share his hospitality or the company of his people.Itenderthe U S plenipotentiary, who has a nose for dirt. Regardingthe third leg in his w o b b l y p r e s i d e n t i a l centipede, unity, I regret to inform my President that a bag of moneytoasetofhandpicked community people of dubious reputation is not oneness. Or brukkin up a PNC office. Or bulldozing homes.

As for the Hon Vice President, it is said take the measure of the man, and there is the man. The challenge is that the VP doesn't stay still, but flits around, skips around, and trips about: a combinationof the Drifters (all over the place), the Skyliners (yeah, all the way up there), and Death Row records (all the way to the chair). No wonder the man has to space out his public presence and pick his words with chopsticks.

I had warned everybody: start out on the wrong foot, and chronic foot in mouth results. Look at the mighty VP: the man has to hedge as if walking on a ledge and in mortalfearofbreakingsome pledge. He has become the brahmin of bull. Or: if it soundslikefiction,readslike fiction, feels like fiction, then I regret that it is fiction. It is best testimony that captures the essence of the

Lall

VP,nowCaptainFantasy. Still, I have to love these two guys. Thanks to their tireless efforts, there are few other countries where supporters think that chronic corruption is a democratic ideal, the fruits of free and fair, and with nobleAmerica e n d o r s i n g t h a t interpretation.

In this country, PPP Government agents actually believe that pathological lying is one of the Ten Commandments, and mandated by the Guyana Constitution Something tells me that that beauty came from one of the church people on the inside, with constant thievery now a sacred right of elected and selectedGuyanese.

To lie is to live large, and with proof to tender Think budget, oil fund, loans,andinfrastructure,and in tandem they form the PPP Government's unfinished magnum opus at the midway point. Thanks for a job well done! America is proud. And so is Exxon. We have a skater and ballerina for leaders, and cheerleaders with pompoms urging them on. Ishouldgetacontractto buildsomething.

Henriettamanfined forganjapossession

A Henrietta, Essequibo Coast man was on Friday fined $10,000 for having 1 0 3 g r a m s o f marijuana in his possession.

T h e m a n , identified as 22-yearold Jarod Granville made an appearance a t t h e S u d d i e Magistrates' Court before Magistrate EstherSam.

He was charged with the illegal possession of the drug Granville pleaded guilty and agreedtopaythefine. Should he fail to makethepayment,he will spend one month injail.

GHK

Rice farmers to be paid a minimum of

per bag of paddy

Following a meeting facilitated by President Irfaan Ali at State House with representatives of the Guyana Millers and Exporters Association (GREMA) and the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) at State House, it was agreed that the sales commission paid by millers and exporters for rice, byproducts of rice and paddy is reduced to zero for the first crop of 2023 and that all millers will purchase farmers' paddy for the first crop of 2023 at a minimum of$4000perbag.

Theagreementwasmade andsignedinthepresenceof Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha In February, Minister Mustapha met with rice farmers from Regions Two, Three, Five, and Six to discuss some of the issues facedintheindustry

Among the issues raised by the farmers is the price paid for paddy from millers. The farmers had requested an across-the-board price for paddyfrommillers.

In response to the requests made by the

f a r m e r s , M u s t a p h a committed to “continue to engage the millers on prices but I cannot promise an across-the-board price for paddy For instance, in Region Two, the price to transportwillbemorethanin Region Five so in order for millers to earn they take t h o s e f a c t o r s i n t o consideration. You know for a fact last year we were able to negotiate with millers from Region Two for better prices for farmers and now you are getting up to $4,000 per bag,” Minister Mustapha explained.

$4,000

…Salescommissionpaidbymillers, exportersofrice,itsby-products andpaddyreducedtozero forfirstcropof2023

A participant signs an agreement at Saturday's meeting at State House (DPI Photo)

Participants listen to President Irfaan Ali during a meeting held at State House on Saturday. (DPI photo)

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

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

Another young mother left with gauze in abdomen after C-Section

By Rehanna Ramsay

Days after an Essequibo woman came forward recounting a harrowing story abouthavingtoenduresevere pain due to a pack of gauze being left in her uterus for two months during a Caesarian 'C' section operation done at the Suddie Public Hospital in Region

Two, another woman has come forward with an almost identical story the only thingishersisworse.

Sarah Campbell, a 24year-old woman from D e v o n s h i r e C a s t l e , Essequibo Coast said that gauze was left in her for six months after an emergency C-Section done. The woman told Kaieteur News that the gauze was removed, leaving her with a hole in her intestines,thatleaksfaeces.

Campbell said she was admitted to the maternity ward at the Suddie Public Hospital on June 24, 2022, due to high pressure. On June, 25, 2022, she said that she was supposed to go into labour but was experiencing difficulty

She told Kaieteur News that the medical staff tried to induce labour but after a failed attempt, they recommendedaC-Section.

Not thinking too much of it, the young mother said she signed the consent form for the operation. She explained, “a doctor told me they don't want to risk baby life anymore so I would have to do an emergency C-Section which I consented to because Iwantmybabytobeok”.

However after the operation, the mother continued to experience severepainanddiscomfortin her lower abdomen. She said that as a first time mom, “I believed that it was because of the C-Section”. But the pain worsened and her stomachstartedtoswell.This prompted the young mother to visit the Windsor Castle Health Centre to seek answers. “I tell the doctor what's happening to me and she examine the abdomen and she say it's not normal and it shouldn't be swollen and she tell me to do an ultrasound...I went at the Suddie Public Hospital whereIdidanultrasoundand the doctor say it's a mass there…Stilltheyweren'tsure what it was. They give me pain tablets and I was sent home...,”Campbellsaid.

As the pain intensified, Campbell said that she returnedtothehospitalwhere more ultrasound tests were

Shell, Exxon, Dutch Govt. ignored...

From page 3 (Begeleidingscommissie Onderzoek Aardbevingen, BOA) found that there was a correlation between gas extraction and earthquakes. The Committee said this could have been a reason to map out structurally and s y s t e m a t i c a l l y w h a t consequences gas extraction has and even bring an end to same. But this was not the case.

In early 2013, Dutch regulatorsemphaticallystated in an opinion that, in order to safeguard the safety of the people of Groningen, production needs to be reduced as speedily as is realisticallypossible.

Despite the advice, it did not result in a single initiative to reduce gas extraction as a precaution–notevenslightly Likewise, neither the 2015 report of the Dutch Safety Board nor impassioned marches in Groningen in 2016, 2017, and 2018, in whichthousandsofthepeople of Groningen actively vented their concerns about the gas extraction, were considered reasons for responsible action intheinterestofthepeople.

-suffersfromleakingintestine

Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t a combination of advisory reports by regulatory bodies such as the State Supervision of Mines, along with public pressure from the region and j u d g m e n t s f r o m t h e

Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State is what eventually made the Dutch Cabinet decide to scale down gas extraction gradually. It was this combination that forced the oil companies to finally lend considerationtotheinterestof theaffectedcitizens.

A c c o r d i n g t o t h e Committee, this could have been different if the concerns of the people of Groningen had been attended to from the beginning.

The report said the gas extraction in Groningen has p r o v e d t o b e “ a n unprecedented system failure bythepublicaswellasprivate parties who failed in the executionoftheirduty.”

(Moredetailsonthereport published this month can be accessed from this link: https://wwwtweedekamer nl/ sites/default/files/2023-

recommendations.pdf)

done.

“They keep saying it's a mass. Due to severe pain, I was admitted and the doctors did a number of tests.…I was given pain medication and still the pain continued. I was toldtodoaCTscanprivately which I did…They [read] the CTandtheytoldmeIhavean a b s c e s s o r a g i a n t diverticulitis with acute inflammatory changes ” Campbell was placed on antibioticsbutsaidshewasin “so much pain,” that she had tobehospitalized.

Shesaidafterbeinginthe hospital for about a month, shewasdischarged.

Campbell said “All this

time I was in pain I could have hardly hold my baby and couldn't even breastfeed him how I was in pain. The pain wasn't getting any better I cried. In October 2022, I eventually went back to the hospital where I was once again admitted and was treatedwithantibiotics.”

She noted that the pain wasn't going anywhere and became unbearable. She also developed constant fever and started to pass blood in her stool.The woman recounted that she went back to the hospitalontheNovember12, 2022 and a doctor from Suddie Hospital contacted the Georgetown Public

“I was being referred to the GPHC where I was taken with the ambulance and accompanied by my mother and a nurse… After arriving and waiting for several painful hours at the emergencyareaofGPHCmy namewascalled...Iwentinto see the doctors. After 2 days of investigation by doctors I was told, I will have to do a surgery.”

However, Campbell said itwasonNovember16,2022 shedidthefirstsurgery

She said, “I wasn't expecting to hear what was found inside of me. It was gauze! And because of how long it was inside of me it startedtorotmyintestineand causedittohaveaholewhich the doctors at GPHC had to cutandfix.”

However,thesurgerywas not successful and Campbell has endured five other corrective procedures since. The woman remains in and out of the hospital because of herintestinenotfullyhealed.

“Up to this day it's still

not fully healed. Because of this I'm suffering physically, mentally and emotionally I can't even be with my child,” Campbell said adding that she continues to suffer in silence.

The woman is desperate for help because she said, “I have a cut in my abdomen and my intestines continue to leak feces, so I need to go for dressing every day and the hurtful part is that I can't care for my child and no one from SuddiePublicHospitaldidn't trytoreachouttome.”

Campbell's story comes on close heels of Sussana Philmattie, another young mother from Essequibo Coastrecountedherstory

She told this publication that she was left in pain for two months after giving birth viaaCaesarean'C'Section,at theSuddieRegionalHospital in Essequibo. The woman later discovered that the pain and swelling in her stomach area that remained after the procedure was due to a large pack of gauze that was left in her uterus by the operating teamattheSuddieHospital.

A picture of the young woman's abdomen where her intestines oozes

Sunday – Feb 26, 2023 also demanded more on the develop institutional environmental front. In this capacity for the ongoing Govt. overrides “sanctity r e g a r d , t h e P P P C conduct of audits. This is of Exxon contract” with Administrationhasaskedfor also a new requirement that major adjustments in oil there to be greater insurance isnotpartofthe2016PSA. licences, permits, new coverage that goes beyond Accordingly, the legislation the mere self-insurance in government stated that the contract. According to Yellowtail licence “does not When it comes to the the2016deal,ExxonMobil’s limit nor in any manner renegotiation of the 2016 subsidiary, Esso Exploration restrict the right and Stabroek Block Production and Production Guyana authority of the State to Sharing Agreement (PSA), Limited(EEPGL)isallowed impose taxes or enact and the People’s Progressive to self-insure. This practice enforce legislative, Party Civic (PPPC) allows EEPGL to keep a regulatory or other statutory G o v e r n m e n t h a s fund to cover losses instead instruments in respect of categorically stated that it of purchasing an insurance specificorgeneralaspectsof willnotgothisroute. policy petroleum operations and

PresidentIrfaanAli,Vice Guyana has demanded activitiesorotherwise.” President Bharrat Jagdeo, much more on this front. In From the foregoing, it is and other senior members of fact, the environmental clear that the Guyana the administration have said permits for ExxonMobil’s Governmenthasbeenableto that while they agree the Liza Phase One, Liza Phase work its way around the contract is terribly lopsided, Two, Payara and Yellowtail of oil. This loophole was calibration, testing, o n e t h a t i n v o l v e s tentacles of the 2016 PSA to it is what they inherited and Projects all state that the oil closed with key provisions comparison, measurement permanently removing some garnermorevalue. theywillabidebyitduetoits companies are required to inserted into the Payara and or weighing shall be or all installations from the M a n y i n d u s t r y respect for the sanctity of coverallcostsintheeventof Yellowtail production conducted in accordance seabedandsecuringwells. stakeholders now ask—why contracts. The Irfaan Ali-led an oil spill. The companies licences The production with accepted methods and Companies are primarily the same is not possible for administration has also said have provided an insurance licences note that EEPGL procedures consistent with r e s p o n s i b l e f o r royaltiesforeachproject? thatitwouldseekotherways policy that is to the tune of must measure and weigh the good international oilfield decommissioning and ofclawingbackvalue. US$600M per occurrence. volume, quality and practices and as previously provide funds in a trust in Govt.-to-Govt.

Indeed, the government They also have to provide a compositionofallpetroleum approved in writing by the advance so that those funds arrangements for nation’s has used other mechanisms parentguaranteethatensures won and saved from the minister are available when oil blocks must be made tooverridethesanctityofthe indemnification of the State Production Area, using the It also categorically decommissioning occurs public – Khemraj lopsided deal. The most for all liabilities under the measurementappliancesand states that the licensee shall Such trusts are created by a Ramjattan significant deviation in this permitgranted. procedures in accordance not make any alteration in decommissioning security regard pertains to the Local Government is currently with good international themethodormethodsofthe agreement (DSA), a contract As the Government of ContentAct2021. in discussions with oilfield practices and from measurements without the between two (or more) Guyana (GoG) engages its

That legislation affords ExxonMobil and its partners timetotime,approvedbythe priorconsentinwritingfrom parties that obliges a party to allies to secure partnerships theGuyanaGovernment,the for financial assurance for Minister. theMinister. create a trust in favour of in exchange for the nation’s power to not only ensure the entire Stabroek Block. The licensee is also Though this is not another party (or parties) for oil blocks, the Alliance For citizenshaveagreaterroleto Approximately US$2B is at expected to provide the catered for in the 2016 PSA t h e f u t u r e c o s t o f Change (AFC) has signalled play in the procurement and the centre of those Minister, with reasonable as well, government still decommissioning. The trust its support, on the condition employment cycles in the discussions. written notice of the d e m a n d e d t o h a v e will either hold cash or that all details regarding the sector but also investigate The environmental c o n d u c t i n g o f “consistent, daily twenty- security and, usually, will be arrangements be made andpenalizethosewhotryto regulatory provisions were measurements, and an four hour ongoing ‘real- administered by an public. Leader of the party, fool the government with further boosted with the opportunity to attend or to time’ access to production independenttrustee. Khemraj Ramjattan in an creative forms of non- imposition of a flaring fee h a v e o n e o r m o r e and injection activity Guyana’s PSA with invited comment told this compliance. totalling US$50 per tonne of representatives attend the outputs, reports or Exxon does not state that newspaper on Friday that he

The law makes it clear carbon dioxide equivalent measurementsonhisbehalf. statements, in respect of such a trust should be has no objection to this that oil companies and their (CO2e) emitted, up from an Significantly, EEPGL is Yellowtail development established. In fact, Exxon is decision taken by the sub-contractors must initial US$30. Government required to provide to the production, including such allowed to hold onto those People’s Progressive Party funds until that time arrives. (PPP)government. The government in the “I do not have an Yellowtail licence, instituted objection to direct provisions to plug this government to government loophole by implementing a (agreements). What I would S t a b r o e k B l o c k like to see however is the Decommissioning Security transparency of whatever is Agreement(SBDSA). the government-to-

EEPGL is also required government deals or to facilitate, on an annual transactions,” Ramjattan basis, an independent audit said. He was keen to note of its Drilling and that the Opposition will be Production Operations, looking forward, at the very i n c l u d i n g w a s t e least, for the details m a n a g e m e n t , a n d regardingsucharrangements compliance conducted by a to be shared in the National ChiefInspector Assembly prioritize the use of locals has also demanded that there Minister, reasonable and particulars in such form and For a total of three and where necessary, be a capping stack in place written notice and the manner as the Minister may consecutive years, the Monday – Feb 27, 2023 provide training to upskill too This is a piece of opportunity to be present, fromtimetotimedirect. licensee is required to pay to Guyanese The law also equipmentthatisusedtocap either in person, or through a Government has also an account held and Absent National demands the use of a well blow out and prevent representative(s)whenevera d e m a n d e d m o r e o n c o n t r o l l e d b y t h e Coordinator stymied Guyanesein40categoriesof further damage that may piece of equipment or an d e c o m m i s s i o n i n g Government the sum of work of Guyana EITI work which include have been caused. Exxon is appliance for measuring or arrangements too. It is an US$400,000 to be used by - Civil society reps set transportation, accounting, required to have one in the weighing crude oil or gas is international best practice the Government for the record straight on and legal services needed country and maintain a being calibrated, re- that oil and gas companies preparation of the audit Guyana’s suspension, here, and catering. These subscriptionforanother calibrated,tested, compared, return the seabed to its scope and the procurement missed deadline categories are also poised to Notably, the 2016 PSAis measuredorweighedagainst original state after setting up of third-party auditors to be expanded significantly in silent on provisions to astandard. various contraptions to supplement the Chief Amidthefurorover 2023. The government has safeguard the measurement Any such calibration, re- extract oil. The process is Inspector’s resources and (Continued on page 17)

Mike McCormac

Vanda Radzik

Guyana’s EITI National Coordinator, Dr. Prem Misir

The representatives address both the crisis in the process. MSG-Civic vote to Guyana being suspended noted that the Multi- Secretariat and the need to abstainontheTORissuewas from the Extractive

From page 16

StakeholderGroup(MSG)is produce a valid TOR consistent with the position Industries Transparency comprised of three actors: Consequently, in November communicated to the Initiative (EITI) over its Civil Society, Industry two senior civil servants Minister,” Radzik and failure to submit its 2020 (extractive industry were seconded to the NS McComacknoted. r e p o r t , t h e t w o c o m p a n i e s ) a n d from the MNR and a work- On 28 April 2022, representatives from the Government, with each plan for production of the Guyana was also found to Civic component of the sector selecting its own TOR for the Report was set have achieved a fairly low Multi-Stakeholder Group on members. The MSG, by its in motion,” Radzik and overall score (52 points) in Sunday sough to set the own decision, operates on a McCormacknoted. implementing the 2019 EITI record straight concerning voluntary basis. The MSG The pair informed that Standard. The Validation the matter as government always seeks consensus in arrangement by the MNR Report outlines the full officials including President decision-making and has and MSG approval of the assessment of Guyana’s Irfaan Ali, had blamed them resorted to a vote only on two senior staff positions compliance. It is based on forthis. two occasions in seven breathed new life into extensive stakeholder

GYEITI and the NS became consultationsandareviewof by the pair were the

Among the issues raised years.

Setting the record straight productive for the first time three templates namely disappearance from Office

“For the benefit of since the appointment of the “Outcomes and impact”, of the National Coordinator, yourself and for the larger NC in early 2022 and began “Stakeholder engagement” Dr Prem Misir and him civic community we to work assiduously to and “Transparency” The a s k i n g t h e M u l t i - represent on the GYEITI- produce a revised TOR. “In Board decision, including Stakeholder Group to rubber MSG, we outline in view of this satisfactory corrective actions needed stamp a request for a summary below the more development, the 58th before Guyana’s next retroactive approval of salient factors surrounding Meeting in December 2022 validation, is published in Terms of Reference (TOR) thecurrentsituation.Wealso of the MSG Statutory Body the decisions register for the 4th Annual Report encourage anyone wishing recorded the following Validation is the EITI’s whichhehadproduced. submitareportdocumenting Group (MSG) which to understand the EITI in decision: “The MSG q u a l i t y a s s u r a n c e T h e M S G h a d revenues received by the consists of members of civil greater detail to consult the concluded that it was no mechanism to assess unanimously declined to state from the extractive society, government EITI Standard 2019 to be longer necessary for the Co- implementing countries on approve this request on the sector for the period 2020. representatives,andindustry found on the EITI website Chairs to engage with the their ability to meet the grounds that “the content of EITI on its website said that players. He said the MSG’s www.eiti.org,” Radzik and National Coordinator since provisions of the EITI the TOR was seriously Guyana is not eligible for an approval was held up for McCormackstated. the PS had reported at a Co- Standard. The validation of defective and that its extension of the reporting four months. The President They informed that in Chairs meeting that the post Guyana commenced on submission to the Ministry deadline for fiscal year said, “This begs the question August 2022 at MSG of National Coordinator had October 1, 2021. A public by the NC without the January 2020-December whether there are persons in Statutory Meeting a request beenvacated.” call for stakeholder views benefit of an MSG review, 2020. It said too that the that group with ulterior was received from the “At that meeting the was issued on September 1, input and approval was a deadline for the publication motives. It was only after National Coordinator (NC) proposal to conduct a 2 0 2 1 S t a k e h o l d e r serious violation of the EITI of the outstanding report four months that we were for its retro-active approval Performance Evaluation of consultations were held Standard The Standard remainsDecember31,2022. able to have the Terms of of Terms of Reference the NC was agreed to by the virtually on October 11-29, vests all authority pertaining Ali in his address stated Reference agreed upon with (TOR) for the 4th Annual MSG-Civic on the condition 2021. The draft validation to both content and process that the country has an two persons abstaining. It is Report which the NC that it be undertaken report was finalised on of theTOR in the MSG,” the extension for submission in unacceptable to put a himself had produced. The expeditiously and this December 6, 2021 t w o c i v i l s o c i e t y May 2023 from the EITI country’s reporting MSG unanimously declined process was set in motion. Following comments from representatives, Vanda Secretariat. He pledged that framework at stake, to try to toapprovethisrequestonthe Wi t h o u t n o t i c e o r the Multi-Stakeholder R a d z i k a n d M i k e this would be met.The Head damage the government’s grounds that the content of explanation, the NC re- Group (MSG) January 31, McCormackdetailedintheir of State also shared his credibility is not being a the TOR was seriously appeared and presented 2022, the validation report letter. Questions were raised understanding of the root goodcitizen.” defective and that its himself at the January 2023 w a s f i n a l i s e d f o r about Misir’s fitness for the cause for the suspension.Ali Be that as it may, he submission to the Ministry (59th) MSG meeting,” the consideration by the EITI post when he was appointed said, “I have made it clear added, “I am pleased to say by the NC without the pair detailed. According to Board. last year and the allegations that it is unacceptable to this has been sorted and the benefit of an MSG review, them the Minister of Natural by the MSG would add have a delay in the work on completing the input and approval was a Resources informed the further pressure on submission of the report. report will be done serious violation of the EITI same January Meeting that government to review its Notwithstanding, the fact expeditiously, long in Standard The Standard he had begun to negotiate decision. Last week it was that an extension was given advance of the extended vests all authority pertaining directly with the EITI disclosed that Guyana was by the EITI secretariat for it period that was approved by to both content and process International Secretariat to suspended from the global to be completed by May this the EITI Secretariat.Ali said of the TOR in the MSG, the secure an extension of the body and President Ali year, we still should have the irresponsibility pairdetailed. deadline for the 4th. Annual vowed to expose and hold beeninapositiontohavethe displayed in missing the “It should be noted that Report and requested MSG a c c o u n t a b l e , t h o s e reportsubmitted.” deadline is unacceptable and the issue of the Annual support for this action individuals who are Aside from the fact that would not reoccur He said, Report was only the latest However, the MSG only responsible for the country’s all reporting countries were “Persons will be exposed example of the allegedly received a copy of said letter temporary suspension from given an extension in 2019 andheldaccountable.” deficient performance of the after it had been sent. The the Extractive Industries as a result of the pandemic, Meanwhile, in an open NC. Details of such defects EITI Standard clearly states Transparency Initiative and in Guyana’s case, letter to President Ali, are documented elsewhere that any request for (EITI). extensive floods that RadzikandMcCormacksaid and noted in the Minutes of extension “must be made in A subsequent press obstructed data collection, judging from the opinions MSG meetings which are advance of the deadline and release from the Ministry of Ali said he will not tolerate attributed to him in the press partofthepublicrecord,”the be endorsed by the Multi- Man wanted for Natural Resources sought to delays in the presentation concerning developments in duo wrote.They added, later StakeholderGroup”(Art.7) KN grenade attack shot b l a m e R a d z i k a n d and submission of the theGYEITI),itseemsthathe in August it was discovered The two representatives dead in Suriname McCormack. The Head of nation’sreport. was badly advised both that the NC had disappeared said that in late January S t a t e h a d s a i d h i s F u r t h e r t o t h i s about the Extractive from office without MSG-Civic wrote to the A 26-year-old man government is committed to understanding of the reasons Industries Transparency informing or seeking Minister of MNR informing wanted for being part of the upholding the tenets of for delay and subsequent Initiative (EITI) rules and permission from the MSG him that MSG-Civic actions June 4, 2015 grenade attack t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d suspension, Ali said an procedures for producing which eventually became a would continue to be guided at Kaieteur News was on accountability, adding that independent administrator Terms of Reference (TOR) four months absence from by the December MSG Sundaymorningshotdeadat no effort will be spared to was hired to work on the for the EITI Report and also office. decision, referred to above. Posrenstraat, Suriname, bringthecountryinlinewith report but the Terms of about what prompted “our “During the months of “The MSG-Civic has Surinamese police have itsreportingrequirements. Reference (ToR) for the votetoabstainontheTORat the NC’s absence the MSG conducted its Performance confirmed. Guyana was reportedly consultant was held up by the MSG meeting of worked assiduously with the Evaluation of the NC and is Thedeadmanidentified suspended after it failed to the Multi-Stakeholder February22nd2023.” Permanent Secretary to participating in the ongoing (Continued on page 18)

Gunned down in Suriname, Shemar Wilson

drainageandburiedconcrete as Shemar Wilson was design. reportedly gunned down in a

From page 17

It would be apposite to vehicle parked next to an note that the survey process apartmentbuilding. involves drilling several

According to reports boreholes from which from a Surinamese media samples are collected and house, a woman was with then taken for analysis. A him in the vehicle when a geophysical survey on the lone gunman started other hand involves shooting at the vehicle from measuring the physical behind before fleeing the properties of the seabed and scene. determining the presence of

Wilson was killed on the any feature or change in a spot after bullets struck him materialcomposition. in the head, chest, abdomen,

In another notice, armsandlegs. MARAD said EEPGL is accused of murdering a man

Surinamese Police have conducting a ‘Multibeam inOctober,2022. since taken the woman into Hydrographic Survey’

At the time of his death, custody as they investigate approximately 08 27 he was hiding out in Wilson’sKilling. nautical miles (15 32 Suriname from the French Wilson, a Guyanese kilometers) off the Coast of GuianaPolice. formerly of Sophia, was Guyana. The site covers an accused of conspiring with area of 802 44 square Tuesday – Feb 28, 2023 three men, Alfie Garraway, nautical miles (2752 30 Leroy Williams and Janeil squarekilometers).

Maps showing the location of the survey sites

Concerns grow over Howard to lob a grenade at a

T h e a c t i v i t i e s livelihood of fishermen as Lexus vehicle owned by commenced on February 23, Exxon embarks on survey Kaieteur News Publisher, 2023 and are set to conclude in Demerara River GlennLall. onJuly31,2023.

Hydrographic Survey Area

They allegedly carried

– Environmentalist flags

A Multi-beam survey is lack of public out the attack on June 4, done to gather detailed consultations, possible 2015, while the Lexus was information about the non-approval by EPA parked in front of the features on the seabed by Kaieteur News head office measuring multiple depths Esso Exploration and located on Saffon Street, from a single transducer Production Guyana Limited Charlestown,Georgetown. arrayathighresolution.This (EEPGL), the subsidiary of

Luckily the grenade did process produces is a highly oil major, ExxonMobil has not explode but the sound of accurate 3D picture of the embarked on a series of it dropping in front of the seafloor offshore surveys in the which then triggers the abandoned just after noon alreadybeendiscovered. building alerted security

With eight and five Demerara River that can screening process, where yesterday at the Recess This relinquished guards who were on duty m o n t h s o f w o r k , disrupt the habitats of fish, officers of the regulatory seashore, East Coast portion, which was outsideofthebuilding.

respectively for the two thereby further impacting body assess the likely Demerara. unexplored by the operator,

On checking the front of separate operations, the the livelihoods of fisherfolk impacts on the environment A c c o r d i n g t o will not be auctioned but in thevehicle,thestaffmember public has not been engaged inthecountry andhumanhealth. Commander of Region Five, fact will be secured by the spotted the grenade lying n e i t h e r h a s t h e

The decision on whether Senior Superintendent, S t a t e f o r b i l a t e r a l near one of the front tyres of Environmental Protection Administration Department an EIA is required or not, is Kurleigh Simon, his ranks agreements. Vice President thevehicle. Agency (EPA) issued a (MARAD) inarecentpublic then published by the received a call just around Bharrat Jagdeo who is

T h e M a r i t i m e

Video footage from the Permit for the activities. At notice published in the daily regulator, which then 14:45hrs yesterday and presently in India made the company’s CCTV cameras least none was available on newspapers advised that on activatesacommentsperiod, responded to the Recess revelation, hinting that the showed a grey-coloured its website on Monday February 24, 2023, EEPGL in which the public can seashorewherethebabywas South Asian state may very vehicle slowing as it afternoon.

w i l l c o m m e n c e a oppose this decision. There found in a bag. He noted that well benefit from a portion approached Lall’s vehicle.

T o t h i s e n d ,

The driver accelerated after environmental activist, geophysical survey in the engagementornoticesonthe taken to the hospital for According to a report theexplosivewasthrown. Janette Bulkhan in a letter to vicinity of the Demerara partoftheEPA. examination. Doctors, he from Indian news agency-

g e o t e c h n i c a l a n d was however no such immediately the baby was oftheprolificoilblock.

Police had captured this newspaper said she Main Ship Channel and off Bulkhan in her letter said,haveconfirmedthatthe Livemint, the two countries Garraway, Williams and believes the activities are the West Coast of Demerara explained, “The MARAD baby was “okay.” The male will in fact be signing a Howard and they are illegal, since it has the in the vicinity of Plantation notices indicate that these neonateiscurrentlyadmitted M e m o r a n d u m o f presently before the high potential to affect fish Best. surveyshavealreadystarted, at the hospital’s maternity Understanding (MoU) for court on trial butWilson was habitats. She outlined in a

According to the Notice, apparently illegally without ward receiving care. Local cooperationintheoilandgas nevercaptured. m i s s i v e , “ T h e

It is believed that the Environmental Protection

“The survey site is situated EPA authorization and authorities have since sector The report, which

approximately 01 05 without public consultation. launched an investigation was shared by Jagdeo on his fugitive had fled to French Agency has an obligation

nautical miles (1 96 Such activities without intohiscase. Facebook page was also Guiana. However in 2019, u n d e r t h e E P kilometers) off the Coast of authorization also contradict confirmed by local state an online media house (Environmental Protection) Guyana, and covers an area the aspirations of the Low Wednesday – Mar 1, 2023 mediaentity,theDepartment reportedthathewasdetained Act 1996 to require an of 70 08 square nautical Carbon Development of Public Information (DPI) forquestioningattheCheddi environmental impact miles (240 40 square Strategy 2030 (Ocean India can cash-in on which reported Jagdeo as Jagan International Airport assessment (EIA) for such kilometers.” The exercise Economy/Fisheriesonpages relinquished portion of saying, “We also explored after being deported for potential disturbance of the scheduled to wrap up on 33and34oftheLCDS).” Stabroek Block the possibility of India overstaying his time in populations of fish on which November 1, 2023 This She is calling on the …as Govt. considers examining the abundant FrenchGuiana. our fishermen depend and notice did not indicate the government to address the offering India acreage resources that we’ve had

othing else was

which contribute greatly to purpose of the surveys situationurgently outside auction outside of those (oil blocks) reportedsincethen,butifthe the protein in the diet of Research done by this thatareonauctionnow.” report was true,Wilson must coastlanders.” According to newspaper indicates that a Baby found abandoned at ExxonMobil and its Presently, 14 of the have given the Guyanese t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l geotechnical survey Recess seashore partners-HessandCNOOC- nation’sresourcesweetspots

authorities the slip again and Protection Act, each project involves testing the physical will soon be required to give are on auction, comprising returnedtoFrenchGuiana. to be pursued that will affect properties of the soil, to

r N e w s the environment must be provide recommendations currently hospitalised at the of the lucrative Stabroek threeinthedeep-waterzone. understands that he became subjected to the approval of forfoundationrequirements, MahaiconyCottageHospital Block, where in excess of 11 ItistherichStabroekBlock

application

activities there and was must be made to the EPA,

A newborn baby boy is back to the State 20 percent some 11 shallow areas and

billion barrels of oil has (Continued on

Environmental activist, Janette Bulkhan

FI.WR.60s 16M Georgetown Clonbrook Holm

CGXcannotaffordtofullyinsureGuyanaoperations

- warns shareholders there is no guarantee against multiple financial risks

Whileitcontinueseffortsdrillinganimpressively deep well in the Corentyne Block called Wei-1, Canadian explorer, CGX Energy Inc. was keen to remindshareholdersthatitsoperationsaresubjectto allmanneroffiscalandenvironmentalrisks.

In its latest financial report, the company said offshore operations involve a higher degree of risk thanthoseonshoreduetotheremoteness.Itexplained that oil and natural gas exploration involve many risks that even a combination of experience, knowledge,andcarefulevaluationmaynotbeable to overcome. Expounding on these risks it said, “Fires and explosions on drilling rigs and other offshore platforms are more likely to result in personal injury, loss of life and damage to property due to the remote locations and time required for rescuepersonneltogettothelocation.”

CGX said too that blow-outs and spills are more likely to result in significant environmental damage to the marine environment and can be difficult to contain and difficult and expensive to remediate. CGX said, “There can be no assurance that these risks can be avoided,” while adding that the occurrence of any of these events may have a materiallyadverseeffectonthecorporation.

In accordance with industry practice, CGX also told shareholders that it has normal and customary insurance coverage to address a certain number of these risks. It said however that the nature of these risks is such that “liabilities could exceed policy limits, in which event the Corporation may incur significantcosts.”

Additionally, CGX said such insurance may not beavailableinthefuture,maybeprice-prohibitive,or contain limitations on liability that may not be sufficienttocoverthefullextentofsuchliabilities.It

Continued on page 72

Jagdeo now concerned over lack of adequate insurance in case of oil spill

…tellsGuyanese“itshouldhavebeendonealready”

Guyana’sEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been directed by the administration to get ExxonMobil, along with Hess Corporation both basedintheUnitedStatesof America (USA) and China’s National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC), to provide a written guarantee for ‘Full Coverage Insurance’for its operations locally

This, in the event of an oil spill in the Stabroek Block,wouldseetheUSand Chinese based parent companies for the local subsidiaries, picking up the tab,shouldtheybeunableto cover the expenses for containmentandcleanupof anoilspillinGuyana.

Atleast,thisisaccording to Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who on Friday last during a press conference held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, after persistent questioning, finallyconcededthatnosuch arrangement is in place as yet,asituationthatisacause of concern for him also, and notjustthecritics.

The state of affairs obtains, since Guyana has a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), commonly referred to as the ‘Oil Contract,’ not with the US or Chinese based parent companies but with subsidiaries owned by them and incorporated in Barbados, the Bahamas and theCaymanIslands.

In2016,theGovernment of Guyana inked that arrangement with Esso Exploration and Production G u y a n a L i m i t e d

(EEPGL) ExxonMobil

Guyana which is a subsidiary of the US based Companybutisincorporated in the Bahamas and holds a 45 percent stake in the StabroekBlock.

The other partners with whichtheStateinkeditsdeal, were Hess Guyana Exploration Corporation, a subsidiary of the US based company,incorporatedinthe Cayman Islands and holds a 30 percent stake, along with CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, incorporated in Barbados and holds the remaining25percentinterest

As such, Guyana as a new oil producer in the world,injustafewyearshas moved from discovery to producing in excess of 350,000 barrels of oil daily but the ExxonMobil led consortium operating in the Stabroek Block of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone, is doing so without a full and comprehensive insurance

package, guaranteed by the parent company of those subsidiaries.

The call, has in recent years become even more pronounced, given the quantumofliquidassetsheld by the subsidiaries, which many analysts have rejected as insufficient to meet the

expenses associated with cleanupofanoilspill.

According to Jagdeo, that being the case, “I told the EPAto get, they have to get the parent company guarantee.”

He was at the time responding directly to a question that has been repeatedly posed to him by Kaieteur News Publisher and social commentator, Glenn Lall, who sought again, to enquire into the insurance that is to be provided by the parent companies for the oil companies in the Stabroek Block.

The Vice President, having brushed aside the question on previous occasions, finally conceded, “I have expressed concerns myself if you think you’re justconcerned.”

Tothisend,hewentonto speak on capacity building but reiterated, “some of the concerns are also our

andinvolvedquantitiesofoil and gas similar that being produced and stored presently in the Stabroek block.

Back in April 2010, a well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico led to just over 3 millionbarrelsofoilandgas being leaked in to the ocean uptotheDeepwaterHorizon Exploration Rig which caused that too to explode and subsequently sank killing 11 members of the crew

That incident saw the hydrocarbons being leaked foralmostthreemonths—87 days to be precise—and has to date, cost that operator

to the four developments alreadyapproved.

These are the Liza I&II oil fields, currently producing and utilizing the LizaDestinyandLizaUnity FPSOs. A third FPSO is currently enroute to Guyana while the fourth the development of the fourth field is underway The company is at present seeking permission for its fifth and sixth oil field developments in the StabroekBlock.

Another of the costly oil spills experienced in the recent past involved the same company leading the operations in Guyana, ExxonMobil, which in 1989 saw its Valdez super tanker, running aground and subsequently spilling some 11 million barrels of oil off theAlaskanCoast.

It was at the timed deemedtheworstoilspillin US history until the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in2010.

The Exxon Valdez oil slick covered 1,300 miles of coastline and killed hundreds of thousands of seabirds, otters, seals and whales and four decades later, pockets of crude oil remain in some locations. Afterthespill,ExxonValdez returned to service under a differentname,operatingfor morethantwodecadesasan oiltankerandorecarrier.

concerns.”

To this end, he told members of the media, “the parent guarantee should have been done already; it hastobedonesoon,wetold the EPA give this Exxon a deadline, give them a deadline for doing this, it should have been done, that one you [Glenn Lall] are righton.”

The matter has over the years been raised as a cause of concern among many given the cost of not only containing and stopping but cleaning up after an oil spill could in fact cripple the Guyanaeconomy

It would be poignant to note that one of the most expensive oil spills in the world occurred in the USA

someUS$70Btocleanup.

British Petroleum was theoilcompanyresponsible.

In the Stabroek Block, thereareatpresentscoresof deepwater wells spud by ExxonMobil Guyana and theirpartnersalongwithtwo Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels with a combined storage capacity of three millionbarrelsofoil.

ThecargoforeachFPSO is offloaded into oil tankers intermittently This in addition to six drill ships in operationatanypointintime cumulatively poses a threat ofanoilspill.

ExxonMobilGuyanahas in its plans, six more developments in the Stabroek Block, in addition

That disaster would end up costing the company several billions in not only containing and cleaning up the spill but fines and other expenses.

According to resource centre,Statista,therewasan averageof1.8largeoilspills from tanker incidents every yearinthedecadefrom2010 to 2019. In 2022, four oil spillswerereportedinwhich morethan700metrictonsof oilwasleaked.

According to that database, while there has been a decline of the use of tankers in the 1970’s there were often in excess of 20 largeoilspillsperyear

It noted too that with whileoiltankersarethe Continuedonpage71

Bps

Deepwater Horizon exploration rig on fire

Cleaning up theAlaskan coastline after the Exxon Valdez spill

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre during his press engagement

Kaieteur News Publisher and social commentator, Glenn Lall, poses some questions to the Vice President

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

Nine beauties set to compete in pageant ‘Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose’

Ms. Pamela Vaughn (Sixth from left) stands beside pageant coordinator, Mrs. Anastasia Sanford-Fredericks as they are flanked by the delegates of ‘Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose’ pageant

Makeup station

Colabs Inc. Managing Director, Ms. Michelle Cole-Wagner

CoLabs Inc. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Clarke

Owner of Alladin's Catering, Macio Marcellus Alladin

Amel Griffith Sigourney

Meet this most beautiful, charming and intelligent belle, who literally is a three-time queen! Amel Sigourney Griffith is the reigning Ms. Jamzone, Miss Bartica Regatta, and Miss Cricket Carnival, 2022. Her deep-rooted love for all things fashion, modeling, fragrances, reading, writing, and traveling, has led her to victory in all these pageant.Amel is a firm believer in the power of education.The young journalist aspires to attain her doctorate one day. One of her favorite quotes is by George Addair: “Everything you've ever wanted is on the other side of fear”.

Photo Credit: Saliem Moeslan

Coming soon…

By Richard Francois

CoLabs by Michelle Cole

stage which includes both

to expand and you need a a green room as well as a permanentspaceandyouhavea

Known for her amazing white room that caters for temporary solution, we have designs, vast knowledge, and till photography and rivate offices that can enormous experience in the videography In addition, ccommodate a single fashion industry, both locally there is a salon hub which individual as well as teams of and internationally, Michelle s a salon co-working aboutfiveorsixpersons.”

Cole Wagner is an icon in the spacethatcanberentedby Clarke also pointed out that, business of fashion nterested persons

Persons can also rent coN o t w i t h s t a n d i n g h e

Moreover, there is the working desks, shared spaces, unmatchedsuccessinthatarea, audio engineering studio – and team tables. We also have she has her eyes firmly set on an actual music recording wo conference rooms that brand-new endeavor, designed studioalongwithafashion clients can rent by the hour for to revolutionize the creative roduction space,” the press conferences and product business landscape in Guyana. CEOsaid. launches.

Partnering with the energetic

How did the idea of

“There are many people and ambitious David Clarke, CoLabInc. materialize? coming into Guyana to work on together, they intend to launch

Since CoLabs Inc. is projects for about two or three CoLabsIncorporated–anultra eing established to months or maybe a year or even modern world-class co-work expand the local creative two years. We cater for the establishment, aimed a ecosystem, to inspire and ifferent needs of our creative lab space that consists of development was definitely going providing creative professionals engage the next generation of prospective clients. All of our meeting rooms, private offices, as to happen So, when David and the contemporary business creativeentrepreneurs,weaskedits creativeandco-workingspacescan wellascreativelabs.”Thebusiness proposed this business model, executive with the ultimate MD, Michelle C0le-Wagner where be rented by the hour, by the particularly targets and is designed FACTS was what attracted me to it business centre, from which they she got the inspiration for this day,etc.,”Clarkeexplained. for young creative entrepreneurs, initially, because it is a space that canprofessionallyfunction. unique entity Not surprisingly, we Small to medium sized like photographers, videographers, we can do all the things that we

What is CoLabs Inc.? learned that the idea germinated a enterprises (companies with fewer musicians, and designers. It is also intended to do for FACTS and not

Recently, the Managing long time ago, and what is being than 10 employees), freelancers, the ideal place for professionals, just the fashion aspect of it. So Director (MD) of CoLabs Inc., manifested today in CoLabs Inc. is startups, companies that engage in agencies, & individuals who basically, this is a space where Michelle Cole-Wagner and Chief just an evolution of collective short-term activities such as require acoustically-conditioned, creative people, young or old, can Executive Officer (CEO), David input. seminars and conferences, small high-quality media production come and have a place where they Clarke, met with The Waterfalls

“Remember when FACTS law firms and tax consultants can facilities. can accomplish all their creative Magazine and provided an initial started, it was about Fashion, Art all concentrate their efforts on their

descriptionaboutCoLabsandwhat

“CoLabs Inc is being

and Creativity, by Talented

projects under one roof,” Cole-

corecompetenciesinaprofessional established to professionally Wagnersaid. thisfreshentitycomprises. Students, so the original idea was workspacewithalltheamenitiesof complement the entire creative Target market

According to the CEO, built for creative young people themodernoffice. business. We have a cyloramic CoLabs Inc. is being launched “CoLabs Inc. is a co-working and

across the spectrum

When will to primarily target aspiring and FACTS was really a Colabs Inc. be launched? established creative individuals capsule for talented As the team puts the final and groups looking to bring their youngpeoplewithinthe touches in place in preparation for ideas to life in a modern creative industry So, the official launch of CoLabs Inc. professional environment the idea of CoLabs Inc. this year, Guyanese can expect a Business consultants and kind of emerged from full-service business solution professionals, desirous of utlising FACTS and drew me to centre that will not only cater to the office spaces for the short to the idea that David unlimited creative mind, but the medium term, are also being proposed, ”Cole- modern professional. CoLabs Inc. cateredforatCoLabs. Wagnersaid. will surely contribute to the growth

The CEO added that, “The S h e f u r t h e r and development of those second floor is dedicated to co- explained that she had individuals utilising its services, as working spaces and private offices always planned on they contribute in positive ways to which are ideal for new start-up returning to Guyana to theGuyaneseeconomyandsociety companies, or, if you are in a complete the current “Right now, we’re slowly positionwhereyouhavejuststarted building that houses bringingthisprojectonstream.We anewbusinessandyouarelooking C o L a b s “ T h e

(Continued on page 25)

Colabs Inc. Managing Director, Ms. Michelle Cole-Wagner

CoLabs Inc. Chief Executive Officer, Mr. David Clarke

Make up station

CoLabs Inc. Green Room

CoLabs Inc. White Room

The Delicious History of Pizza

Not only is pizza one of the most popular foods in the world, but it also has a fascinating history

(Reader’s Digest) Though says the Ezzo most people point to Italy when family beg they think of the first-ever pizza, making t historians agree the dish has an s a u s a g e even longer history—provided you Canastota, define pizza broadly Consider, for York, in 1906, instance, flatbreads Ancient may have Greeks,Romans,andEgyptiansate first to sell it these topped with various oils and Butfoodhistorians herbs. Even as far back as the sixth wasn’t until centuryBCE,Persianswerebaking pizza place in New Haven put typically topped with canned flatbreads covered in cheese and pepperoni on a pie, that the spicy pineapple and ham, but may also dates, pizza toppings that would be sausagebecameapizzatopping. include peppers, bacon, and/or at home at a modern artisanal pizza

Still, it wasn’t a national mushrooms—doesn’t come from place. phenomenon—at least not yet. The Hawaii either The sweet and

But pizza as we know it today rise in popularity has Domino’s to savory pie is actually believed to started off as a sort of flatbread that thank. Yes, that Domino’s. It may have originated in Canada. Yes, was popular in poor sections of not be America’s favorite pizza Canada. Naples,Italy chain or the best pizzeria in your According to the Modernist

When pizza was state, but it certainly became a Pizza book collection, French originally invented? majorplayer Canadian, Sam Panopoulos, is

Historians haven’t pinpointed “In the 1980s, Ezzo [Sausage often credited as having invented an exact date for the creation of Company] began making theHawaiianpizzain1962.Butthe pizza, but they’ve been able to pepperoni for a small chain called authors note that a 1957 ad for narrow down the window quite a Domino’s,”Turkell says.The rapid Francine’s Pizza Jungle in Oregon bit. Tomatoes originated in the growth of Domino’s pizza, advertisedaHawaiianpizzatopped West but didn’t make their way to combinedwiththepopularityofthe with pineapple, papaya, and green stories,thecreationofthispizzaisa When did pizza reachAmerica? Europeuntilaroundthe1500s(they

Credit (JOSEF SCAYLEA/GETTY IMAGES)

‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ peppers. little murky One version of the Pizza could be found in the weren’t initially embraced because cartoon, firmly positioned

Who gets credit for inventing it story claims that your favorite United States as early as the 1910s. theywerethoughttobepoisonous),

pepperoni as a favorite pizza first: the earlier Oregonian Friday night meal was created It popped up on the East Coast and so pizza couldn’t have come into to when the soon-to-be king and in the Midwest places like existenceuntilafterthattime. some queen of Italy visited Naples in Omaha, Nebraska, and Racine,

A book from 1799 narrows being 1889. In an attempt to be a sort of Wisconsin. But if we’re talking pizza’s birthday even further: It 50

“queen of the people,” the future about where pizza became famous describes pizza as being a dough these monarch insisted on eating as the in the United States, then we’re How did Hawaiian pizza that meant talking about New York City, even thepoor if it’s not always ranked number of Savoy oneforthebestpizzainAmerica. Hawaiian e d t h e While Lombardi’s in s nt pizza Manhattan became the first debate, in Naples, licensed U.S. pizzeria in 1905, just Rafael Esposito, pizza historian, Peter Regas says T triedseveral there’s no evidence to confirm that d his pies itwasthefirstpizzeriainNewYork ab e topped City Hebelievesthatpizzeriasmay origin th garlic havefirstopenedacrosstheriverin well. n o t h e r theboroughofBrooklyn. dotted with Who invented pepperoni pizza? nchovies Unlike the origin of pizza, A n d y e t whichcanbetracedbacktoNaples, n o t h e r the origin of pepperoni pizza overed in couldn’t be further from Italy In

You’ve probably Hawaiianpizza?Youbethejudge. tomatosauce fact,Italiansfrownuponpepperoni, guessed that, unlike Italian pizza, If the idea of chowing down on and sprinkled whichyou’llneverfindasatopping Hawaiianpizzadidn’tcometoyour pineapple-topped pizza is offi t h inthecountry local pizzeria by way of Italy But putting, go with a classic like z a r e l l a Michael HarlanTurkell, host of you’ll probably be surprised to green peppers, mushrooms, or cheese and basil. the ‘Modernist Pizza Podcast’, learn that the dish which is eggplant

nal pizza conveniently colors of the was her Esposito named it after his future

Granted, some of these details with tomato sauce and cheese, so can’t be confirmed, and other we know it was invented by at least versions state that Margherita was then. already the queen and tried pizza

And thanks to an Italian census because she was bored with the takeninthelate1700s,whichlisted French cuisine at court.The former a handful of people as “pizolas” story does seem just a little too (pizza makers) in Naples, we know good to be true, but the the dish was well enough known to establishment (known as Pizzeria giverisetoaprofession.

Likemanyofthegreatestorigin

CoLabsbyMichelleCole...

From page 23

CoLabs will transform the way these spaces might better suit a have our two studios which have young creative entrepreneurs work specific need over another But been fully booked for the past two in Guyana. The facilities that will each hub has been developed with monthsandwe’vebeengettinglots be available at this new workplaceperformanceinmind. of positive feedback,” the CEO establishmentwillprovideinspired These creative spaces are indicated. people with the opportunities to simply amazing! We could go on

Who invented pizza pronouncing it the birthplace of margherita? pizzamargherita.

Branditoday)stillfeaturesaplaque

“With construction completed, develop new and engaging ideas. and on with all the wonderful we’re now in the process of These innovative spaces will allow reasons we recommend them. For furnishing the building With teams and individuals to apply more information, feel free to visit where we are at the moment, sharp focus to projects resulting in the CoLabs Campus on 43 Garnett CoLabs Inc. will be ready to be productionsofthemostsuperlative Street, Campbelville, Georgetown, officially launched early in the quality Each of these unique or send them an email at second quarter of this year,” Cole- creative areas has different info@colabsgy.comorsimplygive Wagneremphasized. functionality available. One of themacallon(592)6257900.

Photo

A THIRD WAY FOR GLOBAL PEACE

BySirRonaldSanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely hisown)

If developing countries, especially the small and vulnerable states, expected meaningful attention by the G20tothemyriadeconomic andfinancialchallengesthat confront them, their hopes were dashed by failed meetings of Finance and Foreign Ministers in FebruaryandMarch.

The members of the G20 are:Argentina,Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea,Turkey,theU.K.and the U.S., as well as the European Union Small states have no voice at the meetings,unlessoneofthem is invited for a brief presentation.

Both of the G20 meetingsweredominatedby profound differences over theRussianwaronUkraine. Thiscausedglobaleconomic issues to be pushed to one side The failure of the Finance Ministers meeting, on 24 and 25 February, foreshadowed the collapse of the Foreign Ministers meeting on March 1 and 2. Reutersreportedthat,whena Communique was being negotiated for the Finance Ministers’ meeting, Russia insisted that the document must not mention the word “war”, insisting that the fighting in Ukraine is a “specialmilitaryoperation.”

In any event, no Communique was issued by either of the two meetings. Instead, the Chairpersonsthe Finance and Foreign Ministers of India - were forced to release short statements that did not amount to much more than sayingthatthemajorpowers dug deeper into their entrenched positions on Ukraine, discarding everything else. The Indian Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, s a i d t h e r e w e r e “divergences”ontheissueof

the war in Ukraine “which we could not reconcile as variouspartieshelddiffering views.”

China and Russia reportedly objected to two paragraphs taken from the previousG-20declarationin Balilastyear

The paragraphs stated that the war in Ukraine was causing immense human sufferingwhileexacerbating fragilities in the global economy,theneedtouphold international law, and that “the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible ” This was eminently acceptable language, particularly as all parties, including China and Russia,hadaccepteditayear ago.

A plea by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in a video presentation at the opening of the Foreign Ministers meeting, fell on deaf ears. But his message was right. Importantly, he lamented that the two main goals of the post-WorldWar II international orderpreventing conflict and fostering cooperation - were elusive. “The experience of thelasttwo years - financial crisis, pandemic, terrorism andwars-clearlyshowsthat globalgovernancehasfailed in both its mandates,” he said.

India’s hope for the year of its Presidency of the G20 mesheswellwiththeoverall interests of developing countries. Itemphasizesthe demands of developing states for inclusive growth, climate finance, more representative multilateral institutions, and progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which were all reversed by the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

India’s attention to the heavy burden of debt on developing countries, and, indeed, of industrialized countries as well, is also urgent. Every country now finds it difficult to service outstanding debt, given the demands of recovering and rebuilding damaged economies.

Even before the harmful impactsofCovid-19andthe global disruption, caused by theRussianwaronUkraine, the debt to GDP ratio was alreadyunsustainable. After these two devastating events, debt to GDPratio in

many countries soared to over 100 per cent. Now commercial borrowing has become almost impossible, given the continuing increaseininterestrates.

Restructuring sovereign debt is both necessary and urgent.

However, China has made it clear it will not participate in restructuring. China follows its own path, regardingmoneythatitlends tofriendlynations.

And some Western countries have declared that theywillnotacceptreducing debt owed to them, for their debtorcountriestopayback China. So,whiledifferences between major powers persisted,theinterestsofthe developing countries at the G20wereignored.

Climate Change should also have featured meaningfully on the G20 agenda It did not No discussion took place, although countries that are victims of climate change expected movement on this issuebeforethenextClimate meeting, COP28, in December

The fact that developing countries - despite the presence of India and South Africa - could make no impact on the major powers at the G20, is deeply troubling.

This stark reality should spuralldevelopingcountries to do more, not less. The economies of the global economy are seriously undermined by the Russian war on Ukraine and its consequences, including the retaliatory economic and other actions taken by the European Union and the member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Developing countries lack the resilience and financial resources of therichcountriestorideout this turbulent economic storm; they cannot afford to sitbyinsilence.

As positions become more entrenched and more strident between the powerful protagonists of the waronUkraine,worldpeace is endangered with frightening prospects for all nations, including those involvedintheconflict.

In this connection, the failure of the G20 meetings raises a screeching alarm that developing countries should not ignore. If no movement was possible,

even with India chairing these meetings, the clarion call for urgent collective action by developing countriesshouldbeheardby all. If ever there was a time forarevivalofagenuineand practical non-aligned movement in the world, that timeisnow China, also, has an influential role to play in all this as an honest broker, taking no sides, aiding no protagonist, and promoting the established rules of the U N C h a r t e r a n d internationallaw

Efforts are urgent to

return the world to an agenda, focused

o n t a c k l i n g common problems suchasdiseaseand climate change; promoting human

development

i n c l u d i n g

inequality and human rights; and engaging in dialogue to improveandenhanceglobal rulesthatrespectanduphold sovereignty and territorial integrity

All developing countries shouldnowworktogether,in all international fora, to

present a third way to resolving global challenges, includingconflicts. Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Sir Ronald Sanders

Benefits of exercise you may have missed

We’ve all heard it beforeexercise is good for you- but did you know that besides aiding in weightlossandimprovingmuscle strength, exercise can also improveyourmoodorforwomen struggling with hormonal issues orregulatingyourmonthlycycle, adding physical activity can help youachievethechangesyoumay havebeentakingpillsfor

Abouttwoyearsago,beforeI started taking daily exercise serious,IheardPastorJoelOsteen on a radio broadcast sharing how exercise helps transform his mood.Hecontinuedthathecould dare not tell his wife to exercise whenshe’supset,butinsteadsend hertotheMallorthesalontoget pampered.At that time, I thought itwasfunnyandIagreedwiththe Preacher; however today my perspective has changed after witnessing for myself that exercise can help improve your mood.

Moodchanges

Starting off your day with at least 15 minutes of exercise can helpsetthetonefortheday While you may believe that physical activity could cause you strainand it may very well- one of the major benefits of exercise is that helps to relax you mentally, therebyimprovingyourmood.

According to a Stylecraze article that was reviewed by Nathan Diaz a medical Doctor in the United States, exercise not only helps in weight loss and muscle development but has also beenproventohelprelievestress. It is advised that if you are stressed, you should exercise as

this state of mental unrest can depriveyouofyoursleepandalso impairimmunefunctions.Taking a walk or run will soon help you changeyourmood.

DepressionandAnxiety

Besidestakingmedicaladvice for depression and anxiety, science has proven that exercise helps release serotonin, the “feel good” hormone that helps uplift yourmood.TheStylecrazearticle on health benefits of exercise

explains that Norwegian scientists conducted an experimentwith977patientsand found that physical exercise improved the mood of depressed patients.

Boostsself-esteem

Incorporating physical activityintoyourdailyroutinecan help you feel better about yourself.Ifyouareshyaboutyour body and don’t feel confident in your skin, seeing results from your hard work can play on your emotions! It’s no reason why when girls go through a breakup, they start the gym. Research

shows that your balance and posture can be improved as your muscles pull. It helps to make your strut and overall physical appearance more pleasurable all while keeping your shoulders relaxed, chest up and core tight. Research also shows that exercising helps prevent older adultsfromfalling.

Improvesskinhealth

The skin is known as the largestorganandwhileitservesto protect the internal organs from the external environment, it can also be prone to microbial infectionsandotherskindiseases. The Stylecraze article, reviewed by the medical doctor notes that since aerobic exercise makes you sweat,alotofthemicrobesonthe surface of the skin get washed away It also improves blood circulation, giving your skin the perfectglowandwarmth.

Stimulatessexhormones

I can share my personal experience here, but I doubt I’d get the permission of my partner so instead, I’ll stick to my

resea

rch. It has been established that while healthy flirting is good for the heart, exercising canhelpspruceupyoursexlife.In fact,ithasbeenproventoimprove sexual intimacy “And this is not only for perfectly healthy individuals but also for women suffering from depression and multiple sclerosis, couples dealing with prostate cancer, and men who have erectile dysfunction Exercising helps improvemoodandboostsstamina andheartfunction.Practicecardio and strength training on alternate days and do yoga every day,”

Stylecrazesaysinareport.

Improvesflexibility

IfIchoosetobelazyforabout three consecutive days and ditch my regular exercise routine, I feel my bones and muscles becoming ‘stiff’ as we would say here in Guyana Taking stretches in the office usually aren’t enough to relieve the tension Exercise has beenestablishedasaperfectwayof improving flexibility In fact,

American scientists conducted an experimentoncollegeathletesand found that those who practiced yogaweremoreflexiblethanthose who didn’t Exercising can also helpolderadultsimprovetherange of motion of their muscles and bones Just30minutesofexercise, threetofivedaysaweek,canhelp olderadultsimproveflexibilityand get various health benefits, Stylecrazesays

Thirtyminutesmaysoundlike areallylongtimebutbeginnerscan start off their exercise routine by walking in the parks or the seawalls, wherever you feel comfortable

Balanceshormones

Ifyouhavebeenstrugglingto regulate your hormones and see your period regularly, breaking a sweat is just what you need. “Exercise has been shown to reducestresslevelsandalsohelp

(Continuedonpage57)

Court Journal

Man freed in Guyana for supplying fake

HIV testing kits, is now charged in US for the same crime

…accusedofdivertingandsellingtestingkits fromKenyatoGuyana’sMinistryofHealth

Davendra Rampersaud, a InGuyana,theprovisionofthe December 2019, Rampersaud and that in 2016, Rampersaud was sacked employee of Caribbean HIVtestingkitshadbeensupplied CMS made payments to the other informed that he was not Medical Supplies (CMS), who by an authorised dealer for the alleged conspirators and that the a u t h

was freed last May on charges of Caribbean,apracticethathadbeen payment was for “medical manufacturers products The supplying fake HIV testing kits to in place for several years commodities which had been matter was raised again in March the Ministry of Health—was on According to the court documents diverted from Kenya and other the following year, when the January19last,arrestedbasedona seen by this publication, CMS countriestoGuyana.

warrant issued in relation to the headed by Rampersaud is not

same kits supplied to Guyana, authorised supplier of the reiterated that some of the indicating that the actions money laundering and other manufacturers’ products and as products had been funded by involving Rampersaud were charges. such, was and is not permitted to USAID with the money being unlawful. This however did not Rampersaud along with providethecompany’sproductsto transferred to Kenya from the US. prevent Rampersaud or his others, have since been slapped the Guyana Government’s In June 2015, CMS through partners from persisting with the with a number of charges after his MinistryofHealth.Tothisend,the Rampersaud solicited HIV testing unlawful practice, the court arrestinFloridaandthematterhas documents allege that CMS, kits from the manufacturer papersread. since been transferred to another Rampersaud and others, indicating that the incumbent In January 2020, it was District, South Carolina. He was knowingly conspired to, and supplier for the Caribbean at the discovered that 400 HIV rapid released on bail on Monday agreed to commit a number of time was “no good” and that he testing kits for Kenya had been AccordingtoUSCourtdocuments offences against the US waslookingtosecuresome30,000 diverted to Guyana and supplied seen by this publication, Government. suchkits. to the Ministry of Health. In Public Health, Volda Lawrence, Rampersaud along with his These include knowingly The following month, Guyana, Rampersaud had denied warning that it is aware that there unnamed accomplices allegedly stealing and converting to their Rampersaud reportedly provided charges which alleged that on are counterfeit Uni-Gold HIV test engaged in money laundering, things of value from the US themanufacturerwithafraudulent January 16, 2020, Caribbean kitsinGuyana. aiding and abetting a crime, theft Government, namely the supplies letter of authority for CMS to Medical Supplies Inc. allegedly The Irish company supplied from the US Government, photographic evidence, which Conspiracy, stealing or indicated clearly that the kits converting/unauthorised expired in July the previous year selling/unlawful receipt and theft The company, Trinity Biotech, in inrelationtoHealthCaresupplies. its complaint, named CMS

By Renay Sambach

According to the records, According to the manufacturer, Rampersaud during one of his the fake boxes were created with initial appearances had waived his expiry dates extended by 17 rights to an identity hearing or a months and the kits repacked in preliminary hearing in addition to them. The Irish pharmaceutical other legal procedures which was company said that the products granted by US Judge Jacqueline were already six months out of Becerra In the superseding date when it was brought to indictment against Rampersaud, Guyana Trinity Biotech also the US prosecutors outlined that claimed that its Trinidad-based the United States Agency for a u t h o r i z e d d i s t r i b u t o r,

Transcontinental Medical (USAID,) is a US federal agency

International Development

Products Limited, is the only that provides economic authorized distributor for the Unidevelopment and humanitarian Gold kits to Guyana and it had not assistance around the world with participatedinthetransaction. missions in 80 countries and In fact, Trinity called on programmes in 100 countries Lawrence to remove the expired including Kenya. As such, it was kits from testing centres furtheroutlinedthatUSAIDispart immediately as they posed health of the President’s Emergency Plan riskstopatients. for AIDS relief (PEPFAR) as part provided under the USAID operate as the distributor for the sold and supplied 400 units (20 In May last year, Magistrate ofthecountry’sresponse. programs to their own use and Caribbean. packs) of Uni-gold HIV Test Kits, Zameena Ali-Seepaul freed Among the beneficiaries of gains. Additionally, the alleged By November 2015, under the Batch #HIV7120026, with Rampersaud, after he had been that PEPFAR programme is perpetrators knowingly sold the stewardship of then Health misleading representation, a charged with supplying the Kenya, and is organised under the items without authority as well as Minister, Volda Lawrence, CMS violation of the Food and Drugs Ministry of Health (MOH) with Kenyan Medical Supplies willfully stealing and converting was awarded a sole source Actof1971. expired HIV test kits. The case Authority (KEMSA) that falls to their own use things of value of contract for the supply of the According to reports, a against Rampersaud was under that country’s Ministry of the US Govt. It was noted that testingkitsfromthemanufacturer quantity of the testing kits was dismissedasthecourtupheldanoHealth and is provided monthly KEMSA through the US It has since been found that seized by the GA-FDD from the case submission, agreeing that the with vouchers for the operations, authorities had received in 2014 between that time and 2020, MaterialsManagementUnitofthe prosecution failed to prove including for the supply of HIV HIV testing kits among other Rampersaud through CMS had Ministry of Public Health, at essentialelementsoftheoffence. testingkitsandothersupplies. healthcare supplies which was been wiring monies to his alleged Diamond, East Bank Demerara, The defence also contended

The unnamed manufacturer, then found to be diverted to other conspirators, as payment for the and from local hospitals and that the prosecution failed to according to the court documents destinations including in Guyana, HIV testing kits, a number of laboratories. obtain sufficient evidence to show seen, authorises specific which Rampersaud with others which was diverted from Kenya

The probe was launched into that Rampersaud imported the test companies as distributors of its supplied to the Guyana that had already been paid for by the fake HIV testing kits after an kits and they also failed to products in order to protect their Government. It was noted that USAID. Irish manufacturer last January establish that the court had integrity between November 2015 and The court documents noted wrote to the former Minister of jurisdictiontohearthematter

Charged in the US, Davendra Rampersaud

This Day in History - Mar. 05

Compiled by Zena Henry

The Boston Massacre

Joseph Stalin dies

March05,1770

soldiers began firing a moment later, and

On the cold, snowy night of March 5, when the smoke cleared, five colonists were 1770,amobofAmericancolonistsgathersat dead or dying—Crispus Attucks, Patrick the Customs House in Boston and begins Carr, Samuel Gray, Samuel Maverick and taunting the British soldiers guarding the James Caldwell—and three more were building The protesters, who called injured. themselves Patriots, were protesting the

Although it is unclear whether Crispus occupation of their city by British troops, Attucks, an African American, was the first who were sent to Boston in 1768 to enforce tofallasiscommonlybelieved,thedeathsof unpopular taxation measures passed by a thefivemenareregardedbysomehistorians British parliament that lacked American as the first fatalities in the American representation. RevolutionaryWar

British Captain Thomas Preston, the TheBritishsoldierswereputontrial,and commanding officer at the Customs House, patriots John Adams and Josiah Quincy orderedhismentofixtheirbayonetsandjoin agreed to defend the soldiers in a show of the guard outside the building.The colonists support of the colonial justice system.When responded by throwing snowballs and other the trial ended in December 1770, two objects at the British regulars, and Private British soldiers were found guilty of Hugh Montgomery was hit, leading him to manslaughter and had their thumbs branded discharge his rifle at the crowd. The other withan“M”formurderaspunishment.

Hula Hoop patented

Sourced from: history.com

March051963

thing. However, the Hula Hoop never faded March 5, 1963: the Hula Hoop, a hip- away completely and still has its fans today swiveling toy that became a huge fad across According to Ripley’s Believe It or Not, in America when it was first marketed by April 2004, a performer at the Big Apple Wham-O in 1958, is patented by the Circus in Boston simultaneously spun 100 company’sco-founder,Arthur“Spud”Melin. hoopsaroundherbody

An estimated 25 million Hula Hoops were Earlier that same year, in January, sold in its first four months of production according to the Guinness World Records, alone. two people inTokyo, Japan, managed to spin

The enormous popularity of the Hula the world’s largest hoop–at 13 feet, 4 Hoop was short-lived and within a matter of inches–aroundtheirwaistsatleastthreetimes months, the masses were on to the next big each.

March05,1953

the middle-class democratic government that Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union had supplanted the czar’s rule Stalin since1924,diesinMoscow continued to move up the party ladder, from Ioseb Dzhugashvili was born in 1878 in commissar for nationalities to secretary Georgia, then part of the Old Russian Empire. generaloftheCentralCommittee—arolethat The son of a drunk who beat him mercilessly would provide the center of his dictatorial and a pious washerwoman mother, Stalin takeover and control of the party and the new learnedRussian,whichhespokewithaheavy USSR. accent all his life, in an Orthodox Church-run Stalindidnotmellowwithage;hepursued school. a reign of terror, purges, executions, exiles to While studying to be a priest atTiflisTheological Seminary, he began secretly reading Karl Marx and other left-wing revolutionary thinkers. In 1900, Stalin became active in revolutionary political activism, taking p a r t i n l a b o r demonstrations and strikes. Stalin joined the more militant wing of the M a r x i s t S o c i a l Democratic movement,

the Gulag Archipelago (a system of forced- the Bolsheviks, and became a student of its labor camps in the frozen north) and leader,VladimirLenin. persecutioninthepostwarUSSR,suppressing Stalin’sfirstbigbreakcamein1912,when all dissent and anything that smacked of Lenin, in exile in Switzerland, named him to foreign, especially Western European, serve on the first Central Committee of the influence. Bolshevik Party—now a separate entity from

To the great relief of many, he died of a the Social Democrats. The following year, massive heart attack on March 5, 1953. He is Stalin (finally dropping Dzugashvili and rememberedtothisdayasthemanwhohelped taking the new name Stalin, from the Russian savehisnationfromNazidomination—andas word for “steel”) published an article on the the mass murderer of the century, having roleofMarxisminthedestinyofRussia. overseen the deaths of between 8 million and In1917,escapingfromanexileinSiberia, 20millionofhisownpeople. he linked up with Lenin and his coup against

Iconic photo of Che Guevara taken

March05,1960

Moments before he was shot to death by a soldier of the Bolivian government, the revolutionary Ernesto “Che” Guevara told his executioner, “Shoot, coward! You are only going to kill a man!” Guevara died a short time later, on October 9, 1967 at the age of 39, but he was correct in his assertion that this would not be the end of his legacy Today, that legacy almost always takes the form of a single photograph, Guerrillero Heroico, which some have called the most famousphotographintheworld.

The following year the image of Guevara went viral. It appeared on the cover of a copy of Guevara’s memoirs, published in Italy. It was also used as thecoverofaliteraryjournaladvertised on the New York City subway. In the Arts Laboratory in London. 1968 was a year sameyear,IrishartistJimFitzpatrickcreated of upheaval across the world, and Guevara’s a stylized version of the image, setting a image featured prominently during the black-and-white Guevara against a red student riots that swept France in May, the background, and distributed it as widely as populist protests of Italy’s “Hot Autumn” hecouldtohonorGuevara’slegacy Aposter and the nonviolent, surrealist-inspired bearingFitzpatrick’simagewasshownatthe demonstrationsoftheDutch“Provos.”

Joseph Stalin

Everything You Need To Know About Hair Breakage

- Way worse than heart breakage

BYTATJANAFREUND are

ways to prevent–and

combination of chemical breakage, try to eliminate damage and heat definitely excessiveheatandalwaysbe contributed to the breakage I extra gentle of tension when experienced. Hair coloring the hair is wet–that is when and even environmental hair is at its most

better yet, repair–damaged contributing factors to hair Colombini.

(ELLE)Hairbreakageis hairthat’satriskofbreaking. breakage,Colombiniadds. Using products like heat one of those beauty terms Here, we’ve assembled a

How can you prevent protectors, turning down like “chicken skin” or “scalp team of experts to tell you hair breakage? your hot tools to a lower micropigmentation,” where everything you need to

Don’t worry I won’t tell temperature, or sleeping on you don’t really understand know you to throw away your flat silk pillowcases are simple what it is until you have it. What is hair breakage? iron. “Reducing the amount waystocareforyourhair

Myfirstexperiencewithhair If there’s a silver lining, of times that you slick your How can you treat breakage happened a year it’s that hair breakage is hair back into a ponytail, a hair breakage? agowhenIlostmybleaching pretty easy to spot, if you bun, or even braided styles Unfortunately, treating virginity and became a know what you’re looking can dramatically help to damaged hair is a lot more blonde. Along my part, I for Excessive flyaways, reduce the stress placed on labor intensive than began noticing short, broken finding shorter hair strands, the hair,” says Brown. “If preventing it in the first off pieces of hair that I had or feeling like your hair can you’re a person that gets place. Using bond repair inadvertently snapped with never grow beyond a certain their hair chemically treated treatments and hydrating aggressive hair brushing length can all be caused by often with highlights or even hair masks can help

My virgin hair could’ve breakage. “Hair breakage is overall color, spacing out strengthen weak strands, handled that, but in its pretty identifiable,” says your sessions can be helpful. whilealsomaskingthatfried weakened, post-chemical Stylist Jonathan Colombini. Also, making sure that look that often accompanies treatment state, my strands “The most common you’re going to a colorist d a m a g e C o l o m i n i simplycouldn’tdeal. occurrence is finding shorter who truly cares about your recommends adopting the Hair breakage can run pieces of hair that exist in hair’sintegritymakesahuge skincyclingmethodforyour the gamut from mild, like more breakage common my clients about hair What causes hair difference ” That means hair–alternating products to mine, to severe, where entire areas like the hairline or breakage, I’m looking breakage? putting down the box dye help repair and strengthen sections of hair break, crown of your head ” specifically at the hairline,” Round up all the usual and seeing a professional if withstylingdays. leaving you with choppy, Generally speaking, areas of says stylist and colorist suspects.“Hairbreakagecan you’re concerned about the If you’re experiencing unevenlayers.Ifyou’veever your head with finer textures Christin Brown “Many be caused by a lot of things,” healthofyourhair severebreakage,reachoutto curiously clicked on a or that are more exposed to don’t realize that the hair saysBrown. Of course, reducing the a trusted hairstylist for more YouTube video with a title damage are more to along the hairline is the most “Everything from style stress your hair experiences i n t e n s i v e i n - s a l o n like “Bleaching fail: I fried breakage In my case, fragile hair on the whole manipulations to chemical throughheatstylingwillalso options–but be prepared that off my hair,” you probably because I style the top layers head and it’s where you’ll damage to excess heat.”As a yield positive results. “If a haircut might be the best have a good idea of what the of my hair more frequently, see a ton of little hair broken faux-blonde who couldn’t you’re finding breakage or option depending on your worst-case scenario looks this is where I saw the most alongtheedges.” put down her flat iron, the think you are experiencing situation. like. But don’t worry: there damage.“WhenIspeakwith

ROSDIANA CIARAVOLO// GETTY IMAGES

How to Safely Remove a Foot Corn at Home

Ifyouhaveafootcornor cornsonyourfeet,youknow how painful they can be. These hardened bumps resemble the size of kernels ofcorn,forwhichthey’reso appropriately named, and whetherthey’reonthetopof yourfeet,betweenyourtoes or on the pads of your feet, they quite painfully rub insideyourshoe.

Many sufferers have tried padding the area with no luck, knowing that after removing the pads, the irritating bumps are still there. Fortunately, they can often be safely and effectively removed right at home.

Here are some tips for treating and removing your footcornsinjustafewdays:

SoftentheCorn

The first step in removingacornissoftening thetoughened,thickbumpof dead skin. This makes it much easier for the raised skin to come off with the helpofskinfilesortofalloff onitsown.

Soak your foot in warm water

Fill your tub or a small footbathwithwarm(nothot) water Some like to use calming Epsom salts with oils or perfumes that help to relax or soften your skin. Aftera10-minutesoak,your corn should be a little softer andprimedforgentlefilling, however, people with tougher, larger corns may choosetododaily10-minute soaks for a few days to

graduallysoftenthebump. Applyscent-freelotion. Lotions are also a smart way to soften your corn, providing it with nourishing moisture. This is important, as corns are dried accumulations of dead skin. Apply a scent-free lotion post-shower or bath daily until the corn can be gently filedoff.

UsevitaminEoil.

Vitamin E is a helpful vitamin for your skin and hair, and a known natural treatment for foot corns That’sbecausetheproperties ofthisvitaminhelptosoften and moisturize skin, while theantioxidantscanhelpthis foot irritation to properly heal.

Purchasedietaryvitamin E capsules and carefully breakthecapsule.UsingaQtip, rub the oil on your corn before bed Alternatively, you could also buy a vial of vitaminEoil,whichyoucan use to moisturize your skin long after the corn is removed. After applying on the corn, slip on socks and sleep overnight, repeating every evening until the corn disappears or becomes soft enoughtosafelyfileoff.

FILETHECORN

Once your corn is softened, it can be carefully filed down using a pumice stone or emery board (nail file) After a 10-minute warm water soak or gentle soap and water wipe, lightly file your corn. Oftentimes pumice stones are best for

corns on the bottom pads of thefeetoronthetopofsides of toes We recommend using a fingernail file for cornsinbetweenthetoes.

When filing, be sure to only use gentle pressure. Aggressive filing can a c t u a l l y c a u s e microabrasions in your skin which are susceptible to fungus and bacteria leading to infection. Plus, removingtoomanylayersof skin can cause an open wound, which could rub open and get worse with walkingoractivity

Other Home, Natural CornRemovalRemedies

Instead of filing, some foot corn sufferers opt to try natural remedies like lemon juice, onion juice, garlic, or other home-accessible treatment options Learn moreaboutthesehomecorn remedieshere.

PADTHECORN

If you choose not to or have trouble removing a corn, you may find relief in padding the area with soft inserts.

Bywrappingorcovering the bump before wearing shoes, you can prevent painfulrubbingandpressure sothecorncanheal.

There are various corn pad options, including toe sleeves made from gel materials,corncushionsthat go around the bump (which are especially for top of feet corns),andmore.

TRYOVER-THECOUNTEROPTIONS

If at home corn removal or relief treatments just aren’t working, you might want to stop by your local pharmacytotryanover-thecounterproduct.

SalicylicAcidPads

While putting acid on

your feet may sound intimidating, The Journal of Foot and Ankle Research found that salicylic acid products helped to break downtheskincellscollected in corn bumps, allowing the patients to feel less pain and reducingcornsizecompared withsimplyshavingthecorn awayatapodiatrist’soffice.

You may be surprised to learn that many exfoliating scrubs and products use salicylic acid in them already You can find corn remover pads by your pharmacy’s foot care section, which are simply placed over a corn for 48 hours or as instructed on the label.

These products are sometimes not the best option for those with sensitiveskin,assomeshow visible signs of redness or burningfromtheacidpads— a clear sign to stop use. Should salicylic acid be an irritant, The American Academy of Dermatology also notes that urea or ammonium lactate can help to gradually soften foot corns.

MEDICATEDLOTIONS

Whilecornremovalpads contain high concentrations ofsalicylicacid,ammonium lactate or urea, mixing them in over-the-counter lotions canreducetheirpotencyand the associated negative side effectofacidburn.

These medicated lotions can be applied daily on the corntoslowlybreakitdown,

while still nourishing the skin. Amlactin is a great fragrance-free example, usingammoniumlactate. Professional Corn

Removal&Counseling

Ifyou’vetriedanyofthe following at-home foot corn removal techniques and still can’tseemtogetridofit,our recommendation would be toconsultapodiatrist.These trained professionals can helptoremoveasmuchdead skinaspossibleandproperly bandagetheareatoheal.

It’s rare that surgery is needed, but if a corn is pressing directly on a nerve in the foot, it’s sometimes necessary.

One of the main reasons thatcornswillnotgoawayor reappear after treatment is because of improperlyfittingfootwearorotherfoot conditions, such as hammertoes or bunions, which cause excessive rubbing in your shoes. A podiatrist can also recommendproperfootwear topreventfutureirritation,or get you set up with custom orthoticsforreliefwithapreexistingcondition.

COMEINFOR CORNREMOVAL

Cornsoftenareconfused withotherfootailmentslike blisters and warts, which is why it’s important to be properly diagnosed if home treatmentsarefailing.

Make an appointment to haveyourbumpcheckedout andprofessionallyremoved, quicklyandpainlessly

All About Shaving Your Armpits

Choosing to shave your underarms

is really a personal decision. In most cases, there aren’t any medical benefits to shaving, but some people just prefer the smooth hair-free look or feel.

Disposablerazorsarethe m o s t p o p u l a r a n d inexpensive way the majorityofpeopleshave,but thereareothermethodslike:

waxing

electricrazors depilatories

Again, it’s a personal preference depending on your likes and budget. Here aresometipstosafelyshave underarm hair to prevent some of the most common problemswithshavinglike:

cuts razorburns skinirritation

How to shave your armpits

Just like brushing your teethorflossing,shavingisa process.Forbestresults,it’s important to know the right and wrong way to shave. Your technique and tools (razor)arekey

Exfoliate your skin with aloofahorbodyscrubberto clean your armpits before shaving for a closer and cleaner shave Sweat or deodorantcanclogbladesor cause infections from bacteria if you cut yourself shaving.

Wetyourskinbeforeyou start shaving because your underarm hair is sensitive, and moisture helps open pores and soften your skin. Try shaving in the shower This will help soften your skintoavoidcutsornicks.

Pull your skin taut and shave using short varying strokes(upward,downward, sideways) to get the smoothest shave. Don’t go

overthesameareatoomany timestoavoidirritatingyour skin or getting nicked. Go slowly to get the cleanest shave.

Rinse the blade after each pass to clear it of shavinggelandhair

Don’tuseyourfingersto cleartheblades.

Dry the area and use a moisturizer like aloe vera after you shave to soothe your skin and avoid irritation.

Don’t put deodorant on right away because it might burnorirritateyourskin

Clean and dry the blade aftereveryuseandstoreitin a dry location (not in the shower). Moisture can ruin bladesandleadtoinfections ifyoucutyourselfshaving.

Tips and considerations whenshavingyourarmpits

When it comes to shaving, there are plenty of mythsaboutregularshaving

causinghairtogrowin: faster thicker coarser

Shaving doesn’t do any of those things. There are a few other things to know to ensureasmoothandtroublefreeshavingexperience.

Make sure to use a razor with a sharp blade and a flexible razor head to help preventnicks.

This allows the razor to glide more easily over the curves and angles in your underarmarea.

If you’ve never shaved, or it’s been a while, it might be easier to trim your hair firstbeforeusingarazor

Using a dull blade could lead to infections, ingrown hair,orrazorburns.

Shaving dry skin can causeirritation. Change razor blades oftentoensurethatyougeta closershave.

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!! How To Care For Your Lashes After a Lash Lift

Hair is made of protein chains which are held together by physical and chemicalbonds.

Physical bonds are what w e b r e a k w h e n styling/washing etc. They are very weak and can be broken with water, heat and humidity Physicalbondsare TEMPORARY and have no permanent effect on the hair atall.

These types of changes include heat styling, straightening, curling, rollers etc, in which no chemicalsareused.

When lifting or perming eyelashes, we are changing theCHEMICALbonds.

ByLatoyaZephyr

A lash lift perms and curls up your natural lashes, allowing you to flaunt them andfeelgreat!Anothergreat thingaboutaLashLiftisthat it is a very low maintenance procedure.

However, there is a little extra care required over the first 24-48hrs only Here’s what you shouldn’t do for resultstolastlonger:

Make sure your lashes don’tgetwet

Do not use makeup productsonyoureyes/lashes

Don’ttouchyoureyes

Avoid swimming, sauna’sorbathing

Don’t get other beauty treatmentsonyourface

Following these simple things will prolong the results of your lash lift session.Theresultslastupto 8 weeks, depending on your individualhairgrowthcycle, lifestyleandaftercare.

WHATAREWE DOINGTOTHEHAIR?

Let’sunderstandthehair structure and what we are doingtoit.

Asthehaircoolsordries, these bonds are easily reformed.

Perming lotion’s lift, the hair cuticles to enter the cortex and break the disulphidebonds.

Once disulphide bonds are broken the hair becomes weaker

Perming lotions contain ammonium thioglycolate This is a compound that can break disulphide bonds by adding hydrogen to each sulphuratom.

This will then allow the polypeptide chains to move andslipintotheirnewshape

(onyourshield/rod). WHATHAPPENSIF MYEYELASHESGET WET?

Waterormoistureshould notcomeinwithyourlashes for at least 24 hours after a lash lift because water will alterthedisulphidebondsin the hair’s cortex once they have set via chemical change.

Here’s another way to understandthis.

A lovely blow dry will

drop in the rain or once you wash your hair again It’s effects go away!

Avoid hot water or steamonthefaceornear the eyes. Don’t go in the kitchen as well for that matter

Please fight back all temptationstorubtheeyesor lashes.

Do not use oil-based productsoranyconditioning treatments/serums on the

l

ByLatoyaZephyr

ashes. It will weaken the effects.Remove eye makeup gently with non-oily remover Use a mineral mascara with natural fibers

E-Net’s Dream TV packed with captivating shows

FromFebruary4to11,E-Net’sDreamTV will feature a suite of entertaining shows for theweekend.Besuretochecktheguideand

gather with friends and families for your favourite shows See programme guide attachedformoredetails.

IF WALKING AND SELLING IS WHAT IT TAKES TO REACH HER GOAL, KEIANA WARD IS PREPARED TO DO IT

By Vanessa Braithwaite-Moore

To start from scratch as an entrepreneur, takes courage and stamina. Sometimes you have to go beyond the ordinary and think outside of the box to achieveyourgoal.

For young Linden entrepreneur,KeianaWardis going beyond the ordinary means by walking and selling plantain chips, icecream and other items to achievehergoalofowninga dynamic enterprise, which will have a multiplicity of businesses.

The 27-year-old who hailsfromWismar,isleaving no stone unturned and is aggressively pursuing all legal and moral avenues to achieve her target of completing her facility and equippingitbeforetheendof 2023.

Ward who holds many pageant titles and has recentlyventuredintopublic speaking and graphics

designing,isonamissionto own a community computer centre and printery, which willmeetthecurrentdemand for same, especially for students Bringing this venturetofruitionisnoeasy task for Ward and while to others it may seem as a herculeanmissiontotakeon single handedly, she is prepared to show naysayers thattheonlystumblingblock between achieving one’s dreamisanegativeandlazy mindset.

“I am not afraid of circumstancesorchallenges; you know why? Because I see circumstances and challengesasanopportunity togrow,”sheaffirmed.

Recently she started walking and selling plantain chips in communities across Linden to raise money to completeherprojectandhas also kept ice cream sales. “I started my plantain chip business and the response is so great, I also kept my first ice cream sale and already I was able to purchase a laptop.

Myscheduleisverytight but I keep my goal in mind that my business has to be launched in 2023 and I wouldbravethesunwiththat goal in mind and sell my plantainchips.

I have no pride when it comes to achieving my goal,”shesaid.

With such a great demand now for her scrumptious plantain chips pairedwithamouthwatering sour, Ward said she has already employed someone to assist with the task of peelingandisproudthather little‘hustle’isputtingbread into another youth’s mouth. When she started the plantain chip venture, she soldinclearplasticbags,but today her packaging has improved tremendously and sheisnowmakingstridesto put labels on it as well as to supply local supermarkets. “WhenIstartedthisventure, I just wanted to raise money tocompletemybuildingand topurchaseequipmentforit, but now I am eying a whole new enterprise-dynamic

plantainchips.

I’m now in talks with persons to improve my packaging and marketing,” sherelated.

Once completed Dynamic enterprise will be offering a wide variety of services, ranging from graphics design, browsing, research, printing services, public relations and brand ambassador services, modeling,coachingservices amongstothers.

In addition to her businessventures,Wardalso works at a fish shop, does private tutoring and is a member of the toastmaster club amongst other things. “My schedule is very tight but I know that this hard work won’t last forever whenmyenterpriseisupand running, Rome wasn’t built inadayandsoIamwillingto gotheextramile.”

Ward’s advice to other youths who want to pursue entrepreneurship is to take prideoutoftheireyes.

The answer does not alwayslieinsecuringagrant or a loan or waiting for

sponsorship but making the impossible possible through

h a r d w o r k a n d

determination ”Every adversity, every failure, every heartbreak, carries

withittheseedofanequalor greaterbenefit.”Shesaidher plantain chip business started with a capital of less than $10,000 and now she sellsover40packsperday

IstheBerbice100-window...

Frompage39 small home and was extended it until it became this massive building that everyonecallsamansionbut it definitely wasn't built to show his wealth or status,” shesaid.

Maria said Edgar Hickens was the owner of vast rice and sugar plantations and also managed cattle and reared birds. David Fraser was the brother-in-law of Hickens. He purchased the section of theestateforhisfamilyafter Hickens decided to put the propertyonsale.

Ashistorywouldhaveit, oneofthe100windowswas orderedtobeblocked.

According to Maria, the order came from exPresident Forbes Burnham. “He said that only his house could have 100 windows so hesentachopperwithafew mentodeliveraletterwhich statedthatwearetocloseone of the windows down so we became the famous 99windowshouse,”shesaid.

In 2006, the family handedoverthehousetothe National Trust to make the structureaheritagemuseum. According to Maria, “there were a lot of interventions and stuff with the government at the time and

they said they didn't have fundingtorestorethehouse. Theysaiditwastoocostlyto do that so that option was flushed and the house became deteriorated over time. My granddad said it doesn'tmakesensetorestore it now because we already haveahouseandheactually wantedustodemolishit.”

Although David Fraser feels hopeless about restoringthestructure,Maria said she is still exploring options to restore the building. “Heritage is very important to Guyana, especially when it comes to history as well and most of ourhistoricalbuildings;they havebecomedeterioratedso wearelookingathowwecan restoreit.”

She said it is estimated that the house would cost around$130millionto$200 milliontoberestored.Maria said she is willing to speak withinvestorstohelprestore thesite.

I n a d d i t i o n t o rehabilitating the famous 100-window house to allow fordaytours,Mariasaidshe planstomakeitaguesthome where persons can stay over if they desire to experience the ancient structure. If you would like to visit you can contact 'Tourism Guyana'

and like the '99-window house- GY' Facebook page for updates. Visitors are not allowed into the structure duetoitspresentcondition.

Growingupthere

Growing up in the mansion, Maria said she nevermanagedtocountallof the windows but certainly relished in the outdoors of the property. She enjoyed lookingaftertheanimalsand tendingtotheplants.

“Having animals around was the most interesting thingever,becauseeveryday you tend to learn something new Mygrandfather'sfather, he was one of Guyana's first veterinarians- his name was Dr HughFraser

He worked strictly with the animals at the other ranch-Dadanawa.”

She said her grandfather learned how to care for the animals from him. Maria saidfromtheageofsix-years she started learning to ride a horse and eventually tried huntingwithherfamily

One of the things she remembered was an anaconda wrapping one of the cows and her family tryingthesavetheanimal.

Maria lived in the house with her grandfather and his wife, along with his two childrenandher

Keiana Ward

GNBS ENSURES DRIVERS GET VALUE FOR THEIR MONEY AT THE PUMPS

Measuring instruments should be verified as accurate to be permitted for use in any commercial transaction, and petrol pumps or fuel dispensing pumps are no exception Petrol pumps are measuring instruments used at gas stations for effecting the delivery of fuel by specified volumes into primarily motor vehicles Their accuracy provides drivers withvalueformoney

Over the last two decades, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has been ensuring that accuracy is maintained throughout the petroleumsectoratalltimes, to satisfy both consumers and suppliers through verification(checking)ofall petrol pumps, bulk meters used at fuel terminals, and morerecently,metersonfuel boats and the compartments of road tank wagons transporting fuel on our roadways.

Regarding petrol pumps, to ensure that both drivers andownersofgasstationsdo notbenefitfromorbeplaced at a disadvantage due to inaccurate measurements, the verification of these fuel dispensingmetersisacrucial function conducted by GNBS twice yearly (every six months) This legal function improves the confidence of both parties involved in the sale transaction and satisfies the regulatory requirements of the Weights and Measures Act.

Sofar,forthefirstquarter of 2023, a total of 715 fuel pumps were verified by the GNBS at gas-stations countrywide. The Bureau’s Legal Metrology team is aiming to complete the verification of all pumps by theendofMarch.

For a petrol pump to be suitable for trade, it must operate within the limits of

error permitted and must be patternapproved.Duringthe verification process, a five litre (5L) and twenty litre (20L)volumetricproversare used to determine whether thesemeasuringinstruments are under delivering, over delivering or are within the acceptabletolerance.

F o r i n a c c u r a t e instruments, the necessary adjustments are made and security seals are affixed to the adjusting mechanisms to prevent tampering If a subsequent check is conducted by Inspectors of the GNBS and seals are foundtobetamperedwithor removed, gas station operatorsorownerscanface prosecution This is to maintain the integrity of the verificationprocess.

Further,ifforonereason or another, a verified petrol pump is not functioning properly, and cannot be verifiedimmediately,GNBS Inspectors would seal the dispensingnuzzletoprevent further usage until its accuracycanbeverified.

Once verified, GNBS approvalsealsindicatingthe date of verification and the signature of the Inspector who conducted the verificationareplacedonthe pumps.

Drivers, you can play a major role in helping the GNBS protect you by checking to ensure that you aresoldtherightquantityof fuel. To do so, multiply the price per litre that is displayed by the quantity of fuel in litres dispensed to you. If the result does not correspond to the total sale indicated on the pump, something is amiss. Do not hesitatetoinformtheGNBS.

F o r f u r t h e r information or to contact the GNBS, call Telephone number: 219-0065 or 2190069 or WhatsApp: 6924627 or visit the Bureau’s website:www.gnbsgy.org

Dominican Singer Toff releases new hit single, ‘one caribbean’ uniting the region

Richie Ferrol aka Toff who is a performer, singer/songwriter and Environmental Advocate from Dominica has released his new hit song ‘One Caribbean’ which aims to unitetheregionasone.

According to Toff, this song “brings people together, reminding them of their humanity & social responsibility to unite on matters of principle, their ability to overcome obstaclesanditillustratesthe

r e a s o n w h y t h e entertainment industry is so crucial to the future of humankind” On this production Toff’s lyrics reach its peak, elegantly arranged and inflamed with melody guaranteed to put

TOFF ONE CARIBBEAN

you in a good mood every timeyouhearit.

The song carries a powerful message of togetherness, unity and familyspirit.Thenewsingle ‘One Caribbean’ was recorded, mixed and mastered by Music Producer; Dernel Green Toff rates the Music Produceramongtheelitesin theCaribbeanRegion.

Toffhasearnedhisplace in the Bouyon and Soca industry, with these musical

gems. The song is currently available for streaming on y o u t u b ehttps://www.youtube.com/w atch?v=d2avHx-iLZg.

He admonishes all Caribbean people to remember that, “Together we can overcome any obstacle, we can make the impossible possible and we create a regional society of success, where no one is financiallyleftbehind!”Toff continues, “Whether you live in Guyana, Dominica,

St. Martin, Saba, Antigua, Anguilla,St.Lucia,Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados or Curacao, We can make the impossible possible if we work together, tolerate each other, look out for each other’s best interest and celebratelifeasonepeople!” Toff’s life work reflects intuitive strategy, Multimedia Work, communications and Environmental Advocation as a Climate Change Activist.

Richie Ferrol aka Toff

PHAGWAH SHUBH! HAPPY PHAGWAH!

By:PATDIAL

Guyanaisoneofthefew countriesintheworldwhere festivals ranging from the very ancient to the c o n t e m p o r a r y a r e celebrated. Phagwah is one suchfestivaldatingfromthe BronzeAgeandisassociated with the Hindu religion This year it is celebrated on Tuesday,7thMarch.

Like all very ancient festivals, various traditions become attached to them overthecenturiesandinthis offering we will touch on three which have become attached to Phagwah. The first is that it is a Spring Festival.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the cold of winter would have receded by March/April and life begins anew The trees and other vegetation and the birdsandanimalswhichhad been hibernating during winterspringtolife.

Farmers are now able to plough, sow and harvest. Many ancient civilizations actuallydatetheirNewYear fromthistimeofrenewaland ancient India as well as Persia with its Now Roz did so. In ancient Rome also, their New Year began in March. This is a season of entertaining, festivity and relaxation and Phagwah has continuedinthattradition.

Phagwah is known by two names - Phagwah and Holi: ThewordPhagwahis associatedwiththemonthof Phalgun, the month of fruitfulnessandSpring. The wordHoli,ontheotherhand, is associated with religious teaching and emphasizes that good will always triumph over evil and truth over untruth: Hiranya Kasipuwasakinginancient India. By very stringent penance, he was able to achieve supernatural powers, until God Himself,

Lord Vishnu, recognized him and offered him three boonsofhischoice.

The boons granted him werethathecouldnotdieor be killed at either day or night; that neither man nor animal could kill him; and thathecouldneverdieorbe killed on earth. Hiranya Kasipu now felt that he was immortal, became a cruel megalomaniac and soon claimed that he was God himself. He accordingly ordered all his subjects to worship him as God on the painofdeathiftheydidnot, and his icons were placed in all the temples The population became completely enshrouded in fearandlostallhope.Atthis point, Prahalad, the king’s young son and heir publicly declared that his father was not God and that he would continue to worship Lord Vishnu.

The citizenry were

buoyed up with a new hope and the king decided that Prahaladmustbeeliminated. He therefore built a huge pyre and ordered his sister, Holika, who was a witch whomfirecouldnotharm,to takeholdofPrahaladandsit onthepyre.

It was then lit and burnt all night. Next morning, Prahalad was seen standing amongthecindersunharmed whileHolikahadbeenburnt to ashes. The population broke into spontaneous rejoicingandbegandancing, singing and sprinkling each other with coloured water and named the day Holi, whichcametobecelebrated as the triumph of good over evilandtruthoveruntruth.

The king had now becomeenragedandwentto the main temple at worship time at dusk and strutted about shouting that he was Godandthathewoulddefeat anyotherclaiminghimselfto

be God. In his rage, he struck one of the pillars of the temple with his sword a n d u n e x p e c t e d l y Narsingha, Lord Vishnu in the form of a man-lion, appeared and the king immediately attacked him. Astheystruggled,theycame tothedoorofthetempleand fell to the steps. Narsingha managed to get hold of Hiranya Kasipu by the throat, lifted him up and strangled him to death. He waskilledneitherbyManor animal; was killed at dusk which was neither night nor day; and was throttled when hewasraisedofftheground. The rejoicing at Holika’s death continued on Hiranya Kasipu’s.

A third tradition of Phagwah is that it commemorates the return of LordRamafromhis14-year exile to reassume the kingship of Ayodhya. The c i t i z e n s w e r e s o

overwhelmed with joy that they lit up the streets and their homes with diyas to express their happiness and to illuminate the streets for Lord Rama and his entourage. The tradition of lightingdiyasstillpersistsin Phagwah celebrations in Guyana.

In colonial Guyana, the celebration of Phagwah was aholidayinthesugarestates and neighbouring villages. After Independence, it was declaredapublicholidayand was extended to the whole nation where it is now celebratedinallitsfacetsby all religious and ethnic groups, manifesting the growing integration of Guyanesesociety

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

Health Facts

Feeling low on energy, add these to your diet!

It is no secret that every boost. Yogurt also helps to keep Raisins have about 59%, inflamm now and then, the body can 2: Yogurt you cool in sunny weather dateshave65%,andapricots ation. lose its vigor When that Dieticians and doctors and is a great substitute for have around 53%. Densely H o t happens we all need a boost emphasizetheimportanceof milk. packed with potassium and a w e a t h e r of energy Today’s article consuming curd or yogurt. It

3: Coconut Water wide range of vitamins, dry cantakeatoll explores the use of some has a cooling effect on the Coconut water is a fruits ensure that your body onyourbodyas foods that can optimize your body Yogurt is packed with cooling drink that can remains at its peak all day wellasyourmind. dailyenergylevels. magnesium, a mineral that supplement your daily water long. The above-mentioned

By Rehanna Ramsay

Hereisalist: instantly releases energy in intake It hydrates you, Figsmakeforgreatguilt- list of energy-giving foods combine them and make

1. Bananas the body, thus making it the infuses you with energy, and freesnacking.Theyalsohelp not only perks you up but energybars.

Bananas are sweet fruits idealenergy-givingfood. flushes out all the harmful in preventing heart diseases. also delights your palate and

10: Fatty Fish that can act as the perfect If you work out on hot waste from your body It Prunes and raisins help to keepsyouenergetic. Fatty fish such as salmon energy food. Bananas are days, you should remember contains minerals that regulate acidity Apricots 7: Brown Rice and tuna are great sources of to consume curd as part of maintain the water balance give a glowing complexion Apart from being very protein, fatty acids, and B your post-workout diet in your body and helps andtheirjuicecanbeused to nutritious, brown rice helps vitamins These must be regulatebodytemperature. treatsunburns in providing a good amount included in your daily diet Since coconut water is Thebesttimetoconsume of energy Manganese helps for the requirement of formed naturally inside this high-energy food is enzymes in breaking down omega-3 fatty acids which the fruit, it has 94% betweenbreakfastandlunch. carbohydrates and proteins reduces inflammation, a water and very little fat. This will infuse energy and to generate energy Brown common cause of fatigue. It Whateverlittlefatithas, curbhungerpangs. rice is less processed than is especially important for is coconut fat. It is also

5: Nuts white rice and thus retains a cancer patients and those very good for diabetics The delightful trait of lotofnutritionalvalue. recovering from cancer and helps reduce blood nuts is that they will not give

8: Eggs Vitamin B12 works with pressure. It is also the best you an instant energy surge. Packed with proteins, folate to produce red blood thingtohaveafterprolonged On the other hand, nut eggs are both delicious and a cells and ensures iron works exercise, especially during consumption will ensure a greatsourceofenergy. Eggs better in your body for summer. consistent release of small contain leucine, an amino increasedenergy

4: Dry Fruits

Not only will this Dry fruits comprise energy-giving food dehydrated fruits like dates, raise your energy watermelons, raisins, levels but it will also cherries, and apricots. It rich helpmendtornmuscles. does not contain any in potassium and fibre. They Apart from the insane unhealthy refined sugar are stuffed with natural amountofenergy,yogurtisa Even diabetics can consume sugars such as glucose, great immunity and it without any fear since dry fructose, and sucrose and as digestion booster It fights fruits are filled with natural soonastheyenteryourbody, indigestion and bloating sugars. they give you an energy

doses of energy throughout acid that helps in stimulating

11: Coffee the day Munch on some energy production in the Coffee gives you an peanuts, almonds, or body Rich in Vitamin B, instant energy boost as it is cashews every few hours to eggs help in the processes rich in caffeine and can ensure that your energy that involve breaking down quickly pass from your levelsdonotdwindle. foodforenergy bloodstream to your brain.

Pistachios and almonds

9: Sweet Potato T h e p r o d u c t i o n o f are known as neutral foods, Due to the complex epinephrine, a hormone that neither hot nor cold, and carbohydrates and fibre stimulates the body and make for good energy- content in sweet potatoes, brain increases due to its givingfoodduringsummers our bodies digest them at a consumption.

6: Chocolate slower pace. As a result, we

12:Avocados

Chocolatecontainssugar have a steady source of Avocado is considered to and caffeine, both of which energy when we have sweet be a superfood owing to its lead to a hike in cortisol and potatoes. several health benefits.They adrenaline levels and lead a Manganese in sweet are rich in healthy fats, surge of energy Nibble into potatoes also helps in which promote optimal small pieces of chocolate breaking down nutrients in blood fat levels and enhance twice or thrice a day to keep thebodytoproduceenergy the absorption of nutrients. yourselfgoing. Thebestpartaboutthese These are stored and used as

Chocolate has various superfoods is that you can energy sources It also antioxidant properties and have them individually or contains B vitamins and can help lower the risks of throw some of them together fibr

andcreatedeliciousfruitand maintaining steady energy

You can also levels.

First Stream: New Music from Nicki Minaj, morgan Wallen, J-Hope & J.Cole and More

- Check out the must-hear releases of the week

(Billboard) Billboard’s Double Album plowed to First Stream serves as a No. 1 — and a public handy guide to this Friday’s fallout made its success most essential releases — taste bitter — Wallen’s the key music that everyone epic new full-length prods will be talking about today, at his frustrations and and that will be dominating a t t e m p t s a t s e l fplaylists this weekend and improvement while beyond. delivering some of the

This week, Nicki Minaj most agreeable country revives a Lumidee smash, tunes you’ll hear this Morgan Wallen tries to take year; his reputation is everything One Thing at a still debated, but Wallen Time, and J-Hope links up is no longer stuck in with J. Cole for an ode to fans. neutral.

Check out all of this week’s J-Hope & J. Cole, FirstStreampicksbelow: “On the Street” Nicki Minaj, J - H o p e “Red Ruby Da Sleaze accomplishedatonasa

After scoring her first solo solo artist in 2022, Hot 100 No. 1 last year with from his bold ‘Jack in the Box’ “Super Freaky Girl,” a pop-rap andKarlMalone. project to his prominent smash that reanimated Rick James’ Morgan Wallen, performance at Lollapalooza, and timeless 1981 hit “Super Freak,” One Thing at a Time the BTS member uses new single Nicki Minaj jumps ahead to 2003 “I was a bad reputation, with an “On the Street” to express his for her inspiration, and turns attitude to match,” Morgan Wallen gratitude toward the fans who Lumidee’s “Never Leave You (Uh sings on “Dying Man,” the closing helped make it all happen Oooh, Uh Oooh)” into the track of his new 36-song album. Meanwhile, J. Cole’s effortless backboneofnewsingle“RedRuby “Hell, man, I’m goin’ nowhere / flow sounds natural when placed Da Sleaze.” Unlike “Super Freaky And gettin’ there lightnin’ fast.” next to J-Hope’s delivery: both Girl,” however, the focus of The song is about romantic artists understand how to pack Minaj’s latest swerves away from redemption — one of the primary heady thoughts into tight spaces, its sample on numerous occasions themes of One Thing at a Time — andoperateaboveawhistlemelody — the chorus here functions as a but also provides a glimpse into with confidence and charisma. percussive breakdown, with only Wallen’s mindset, as he grappled Both artists are hungry, and bonus the faintest “Uh oooooh’s” in the with being a magnetic vocalist and points to Cole for expressing as background — and morphs that the biggest new country star of the much: “You see a top 10 list, I see a familiar hook into something new past half-decade while also making GoldenCorral.” and modern, all while Minaj talks personal missteps and being mired Kali Uchis, Red Moon in Venus her game with (somehow) name- inendlesscontroversy Kali Uchis continuously checks for her Christopher Reeve Two years after Dangerous: beguiles new fans by constantly T h e pushing boundaries: the 28-yearold Colombian-American has spent her career dissatisfied with the parameters placed between Latin pop and R&B, then redrawing them in ways that she sees fit, whether that include sinkingintodreamyhookslikeon breakout hit “Telepatía” or exploring synth fantasias like on recent single “IWishYou Roses.” Red Moon in Venus, Uchis’ third album, maintains a singular approach but offers the most satisfying songwriting of her career — a love album that ranges from floating slow jams (“Worth the Wait,” with Omar Apollo) to pop come-ons (“Endlessly”), the full-length sounds like nothing else, and like Uchis’ mainstream arrival. ability to allow his collaborator Grammy winners; the group Mashmello & Manuel ample room without getting enjoyed a well-earned victory lap Turizo, “El Merengue” outmuscled by a beat, andTurizo is with the smash, then took a few “El Merengue,” the new team- more than game to play his foil on years off to plot their next move up from dance superstar “El Merengue,” shimmying across “Dummy,” which previews the Jeff Marshmello and reggaeton the verses and crooning when Bhasker-produced new album sensation Manuel Turizo, begins neededonthechorus. ‘Chris Black changed My Life’, with some subtle synths off in the Portugal. The Man, “Dummy” servesasanapocalypticjinglethat’s distance, as if the song is being Portugal. The Man were more ripe for alternative radio: lines like transmittedfromanotherplanet— than a decade into their run as a “EveryoneIknow/Isrunningfrom andwhenthetrackfullykicksin,it successful, festival-ready alt-rock the afterlife” exist inside charms and provokes movement band when their single “Feel It undeniablegrooves,andPortugal. without ever overpowering the Still” crashed the top 10 of the Hot The Man nod to both longtime listener One of Marshmello’s 100, became inescapable on pop fans and casual listeners seeking strongest production traits is his playlists and turned the band into anothercatchy-as-hellhit.

Nicki Minaj

Marshmello

J.Hope

Kali Uchis

Benefitsofexerciseyou....

Frompage28 regulate your hormones, such as insulin,” says Dr Yasmin Akhunji, an endocrinologistwithPaloma Health.Ifyouhavediabetes, metabolic disorder, or other conditions caused by your hormones not working as effectively as they should, getting into a regular fitness habit can be one of the main waystostartfeelingbetter

If you have noticed significant weight gain or loss, fatigue, bowel issues, lower sex drive, feeling hot or cold, thinning hair and

muscle or joint stiffness or aches and pains you may be struggling with hormonal imbalance.

Don’tbeworried,regular exercise can help reverse those symptoms The Endocrine web notes that working out regularly is critical for endocrine health, as it can help balance hormones like cortisol, insulin, thyroid hormones, andyoursexhormones.New research is indicating that there may be some kinds of exercise that are better for youthanothers.

Nine beauties set to compete in ‘Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose’ pageant

Nine charming only person spearheading coveted crown of the Miss and beautiful the pageant, so I took it upon Guyana Teen with a Purpose young ladies are myself to prepare the now Pageant The contestants

settocompetein reigning ‘Miss Guyana Teen will be competing for the the ‘Miss Guyana Teen with with a Purpose’ Queen, crown in addition to a a Purpose’ pageant, set to Christal DeJesus, to attend numberofspecialprizes.“ take place on March 25, thepageant.

Vaughn continued, “Our 2023 at the Ramada Princess Vaughn continued, “It team comprises of trained HotelinProvidence. wasverychallengingtohave and experienced persons,

According to franchise teens representing Guyana such as Ms Wyketta Stoute, holder of the ‘Miss Guyana with the bear minimal Mrs Anastasia Sandford Teen with a Purpose’ support. However, we are Fredericks, Omaiah Hall, pageant,PamelaVaughn,the not able to showcase our Jasmine Assanah and Mr young competitors will have beautiful country, even Ronald Greaves, who are all to show their worth in the withoutsolidsponsorship. playing an integral role in areas of talent, intelligence As such, the franchise ensuring the success of this andcostumedesign. holder envisages that the pageant as our winner would

She told the Waterfalls ‘Miss Guyana Teen with a be representing Guyana that the pageant was birthed Purpose’ pageant should not internationallyinSt.Kitts.” in 2019 replacing the ‘Miss be considered just another The pageant is set for Talented Teen, Guyana’ teen pageant, but one which 25th March, 2023 at the franchise, as a result of a is purposeful and beneficial Ramada Princess Hotel, need to have a Guyanese t o t h e g r o w t h a n d Providence. represented at the ‘Miss development of the teenage Showtime is 7:00pm Caribbean Talented Teen’ competitors. sharp. Tickets cost $5000 pageantinStKitts. She said: “We initially (regular) and $10,000 (VIP).

She explained that the had a total of ten girls, one The theme for this year’s ‘Miss Caribbean Talented withdrew owing to health pageant is “Showcasing Teen’committeereachedout issues,butnowwehavenine beauty, intelligence and tolocalpageantorganization beautiful, brilliant and talent while embracing One tohavearepresentativefrom talented young women Guyana.” Guyana in the pageant. At vying for the

Sixth from left Ms. Pamela Vaughn stands beside pageant coordinator, Mrs. Anastasia Sanford-Fredericks as they are flanked by the delegates of ‘Miss Guyana Teen with a Purpose’ pageant

Children Mashramani parade lights up Linden

By Vanessa Braithwaite Moore

Thethemeoftheparadewas‘Celebrating NationalUnitythroughEducationMusicand After two years, the Children’s Sports’. Some of the costumes captured our Mashramani Parade was a welcoming sixraces,smartlearning,athleticsuccess,the scene for residents of Linden, who lined region’s natural resources, extra-curricular the streets of Republic Avenue to get a activitiesinschoolsamongstothers.Someof glimpse of the colourful and creative the outstanding schools wereAmelia’s Ward floatsandcostumesmodelledbynursery Nursery, Retrieve Nursery, Children’s and primary school pupils. For the most Garden’s Nursery, Mackenzie Primary and part of the parade, the weather was OneMilePrimary friendly and allowed the children ample What was commendable as well is that opportunitytogyrateandtramptheirway schools from outlying communities also to the ending point. Not for a second did journeyed to Linden to participate in the they waste the lyrics of the booming soca parade and equally showed originality in songs as they danced and reveled on to their costumes and floats. Some outlying cheersofonlookers. schools that participated included Rock

For many of the children, it was the Stone Primary, 38 Miles Primary and first time participating in this national CoomackaPrimary festival and showed their little bit of Ending the parade was the secondary patriotism with dance choreographies to contingent that represented the region at the the songs: “I am a Guyanese’and ‘Arrow national costume parade in Georgetown two Head’, amongst others They were w e e k s a g o T h e c o s t u m e accompanied by equally excited parents “LogoldxiteIndustria”,wonthecompetition. and teachers who also donned The Linden Mashramani will take place iridescent matching costumes of onSundayMay5th2022.Lindenisknownas nationalcolours. thebirthplaceofMashramani.

Govt.tocompleteGasStrategyPlanbyyearend-Jagdeo

piped to shore, however Jagdeosaidthisisnotthefull capacityofthestructure.

He said, “We said to Exxon, the pipeline…will havethecapacitytobringin more gas. We have had the

discussions very early about utilizing the pipeline to its full capacity so that means maybe another 70 to 80 million cubic feet of gas everyday.”

The VP noted that the

state is seeking guidance on howtoutilizethegas.“How doweusethat?Thatiswhat we are discussing now We went out already for expressionsofinterestanda lot of interest is being

expressedastohowtoutilize thegas.”

Hewaskeentonotethat while Exxon initially pointedoutthatthegashasto be re-injected into the wells to maintain its quality,

government has a different view

To this end, he made it clearthatifExxonrefusesto utilize the resources discovered,theymayhaveto

Continuedonpage72

While American oil giant, ExxonMobil continues to develop a Gas UtilizationPlanforGuyana, the State is working on its ownGasStrategyPlanthatis slatedtobecompletedatthe endofthisyear.

Vice President (VP), Bharrat Jagdeo shared duringapressconferenceon Friday at the Arthur Chung ConferenceCenterthatIndia will be assisting Guyana in developing the document that guides the state in monetizingtheresource.

Jagdeo only a few days ago returned from the South Asian state where the two sides discussed areas of future collaboration. In fact, theCabinetinIndiaissaidto b e r e v i e w i n g a M e m o r a n d u m o f

Understanding (MoU) that willseepartnershipbetween the two countries in areas such as agriculture, energy, health,andothers.

The VP told reporters, “We have embarked on the Gas-to-Energy project that will utilize some of the natural gas that is produced or we have discovered offshore We are now pushing Exxon to complete the gas utilization plan. We hope this would be completedverysoonandwe are working on our own gas strategy Wearegoingtoget some of the Consultants from India and other places to work with us on having a national gas strategy which will determine what we do with the gas that is being foundoffshoresofar.”

He said the gas strategy will be completed before the end of 2023, clarifying that this document will not prevent the development of the Gas-to-Energy initiative

ExxonMobil through its subsidiary,EssoExploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) will be funding the 12 inch pipeline thatwillbeusedtotransport the resource to Wales where a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) plant will treat and separatethegasforuseinthe 300megawattspowerplant.

Some 50 million cubic feet of gas per day will be

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

CULINARY FUSION

ByRenaySambach

Thisyear,30-year-oldMacioMarcellusAlladin,of Linden,willbecelebrating10yearsintheculinary business.

Born in the mining town, Macio was inspired by the stabilityowningandoperatingabusinesscreatedforhim.He said,“IwasinspiredbythefreedomandstabilityIhaveseen mostsuccessfulbusinessownersachieveandIalsowantedto inspireothers.”

Back in September 2013, Macio made the decision to openhisownbusiness‘Alladin’sCatering’.Tohonorthe10yearanniversaryofhisbusiness,Maciowillbeexpandinghis servicesbacktohishometown.

“IstartedthebusinessinSeptemberof2013andwearenow preparing to celebrate 10 years of operation we will have a new location which will be opened in time for our 10 year anniversaryandanotherwhichwillbeinLinden,”Maciosaid

During an interview with The Waterfalls, Macio shared that his business is currently located at Fourth and Cross Streets,AlexanderVillage,Georgetown.

Macioexplainedthathislongtermgoalwithhisbusiness is, “To expand our services within the entertainment and hospitality industry, whist providing opportunities for creatorsandartistsallacrossGuyanatobeabletodevelopand sharetheiruniqueideasandtalentwiththeworldbybeinga part of our dynamic work force. We also aim to be able to createsustainableproductsthatcanbemarketedandsoldon both the local and international markets and to simply continuetoserveandsatisfyourclient.”

“WeprovidedailylunchspecialsfromMondaytoFriday The menu changes daily, and our special menu ranges from pastas to provision, rice and noodles to our favorite local cuisine such as crab curry, jerk pork, appetizers, salads and desserts,” he added. For meat options, customers can get, Grilled Chicken, Jerk Chicken, Chicken Nuggets, Popcorn Shrimp (BBQ, BUFFALO), Jerk Pork, Baked Pork, Fish Strips,DeepfriedLobsterTailsandSharkBitesandforsides, Baked Macaroni Pie, Potato Fries, Plantains, Steam Vegetables,Wedges,VegetablesRiceandCookUpRice.

Accordingtothebusinessowner,“Ourstuffedbakedripe plantainsaredefinitelyverypopularamongstourcustomers.”

‘Alladin’s Catering’ have catered for Weddings, Conferences, Corporate Events, Birthday Parties and all formalornon-Formalevents.ThebusinessisopenMondayto Saturdayfrom08:00hoursto21:00hours.

Macio also shared, “I was born in the mining town of Lindenastheonlychildtomyparents,I’mnowa30-year-old Father Iamverygratefultobeblessedwiththeskills,thewill and determination to purse my dreams. I see myself as the divine expression of the universe; I’m creative and charismatic, respectful, responsible compassionate, authentic,self-motivatedandhumble.”

TocontactMacio,youcanvisithisFacebook/Instagram page@Alladin’sCateringorWhatsApp/callhimon+(592) 693-1409.

OwnerofAlladin’sCatering, MacioMarcellusAlladin

First batch of hinterland scholarship recipients complete maritime training

Twenty women from the Barima-Waini Region graduated on Saturday from the Atlantic Maritime and Offshore Training Institute (AAMOTI) through a scholarship programme between the Institute and the OfficeoftheFirstLady

Thegraduationtookplace during a simple ceremony at AAMOTI's Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Saturday afternoon. The 20 womenwerethefirstbatchof a total of 100 women who will benefit from the scholarship programme which commenced earlier this year The women spent the last week at the institute undergoing the Basic Safety Training (BST) and Ship SecurityAwareness Training, a press release from the OfficeoftheFirstLadysaid.

In her charge to the graduates, First Lady Arya Ali said that the road ahead will not be an easy one for themduetoage-oldproblems like gender equality “It is never easy, especially for us women. Because while we've come so far, the truth is that those age old problems of gender equality are stubborn and they haven't fully gone away,” she said, adding that there will be times when they will like people are looking rightpastthemorseeingthem for a fraction of who they reallyare.

“And the President and I know just how frustrating that experience can be. So for us,itisveryimportantthatwe provide you with these kinds of opportunities which allow you to maximize your potential in every aspect of yourlives,”Mrs.Alinoted.

Shealsoencouragedthem to chart a new course for themselves, and to create the kinds of radical changes in society that are needed to advance the cause of women.

“Stay true to the most real, most sincere, and most authentic parts of yourselves. I want you to ask those basic questions: Who do you want to be? What inspires you?

How do you want to give back?And then I want you to take a deep breath and trust yourselves to chart your own course and make your mark ontheworld,”MrsAliadded.

Delivering remarks at the event too, was Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag, who told the graduates that this was only part of their journey and that the next step entails them utilizing their qualifications to access employment opportunities

“The next step is to ensure youusewhatyounowhaveto empower yourselves by earninganincome.Guyanais movingatarapidpaceandwe arehappythatpeoplelikeyou aremovinginthatforward

(Continued on page 70)

First Lady, Arya Ali

VP Jagdeo not keen on releasing Exxon's cost recovery statements or forecast of expenses - Fears Kaieteur News will nitpick, misrepresent data

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo told media operatives on Friday that he isnotkeenonhavingthecost recovery statements for ExxonMobil and partners released.Hefearsitwouldbe misrepresented by Kaieteur News.

Bethatasitmay,thechief policymakerforGuyana'soil industry firmly asserted that such information is proprietary His comment was in response to a query from Kaieteur News regarding the government's interest in releasing Exxon's statements on how much money the oil giant recovers inagivenyearfromGuyana's oil to cover its investments.

KaieteurNewsalsosoughtto understandifthegovernment

was inclined to release quarterly reports it receives from Exxon on how much it intends to spend on exploration, production and developmentworks.

The Vice President said, “A lot of this is proprietary but in this environment and with an organization like Kaieteur News, I would never want to release that because they will nitpick, theywilltakeonewordoutof it and create a story and lie about it.”The official also said there are some standard practices in the hydrocarbon industrywhilenotingthatthe release of such statements is not one of them. He said, “In no country in the world, you would not find intermediate reports being released to the

edia.You show me a country that is doing this where oil operationsareconcernedand wewilldoit.”

Even if the newspaper is tofindacountrywherethisis done, Jagdeo expressed further reservations, stating thatsuchacountrywouldnot have a media house like Kaieteur News. The Vice President also criticized the newspaper's reportage as he said it has never shown the qualitative difference between the environmental permits published by the APNU+AFC regime versus thePPP/CGovernment.

The Vice President was keen to acknowledge that there is a role for media in holding government and oil companies accountable on critical issues as there are instances of lapses. He said howeverthatthereappearsto be a campaign against the government by Kaieteur News. The official said he is oftheviewthatthereleaseof information on spending by Exxon would not be for analytical purposes but for a smearcampaign.

Though he holds that position, he said, “Let's see, we are open to exploring it and seeing what more could

bedone.”

According to the 2016

P r o d u c t i o n S h a r i n g Agreement (PSA) signed for the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobilandpartnersare required to furnish the Guyana Government with various documents on their expected expenditure for a given year They are also requiredtoprovidedetailson h o w m u c h o f t h e i r investment has been cleared offusingGuyana'soil.

Annex C of the contract which outlines in detail the accounting procedures Exxon must comply with states that the Contractor

shall prepare an annual budget pursuant to Article 7 of the Agreement that will distinguish between E x p l o r a t i o n C o s t s , Development Costs, and Operating Costs The statement must also show a forecast of expenditures and receiptsundertheAgreement for the calendar year as well as cumulative expenditures and receipts to the end of the said calendar year.Several industry stakeholders have called for the foregoing to be in the open to deepen the public debate on how the nation's oil resources have been and would continue to

From page 18

around 220,000 to 275,000 responsibility for the however, that India may be barrelsperday environmental impacts of its able explore. According to While the document was projects. Jagdeo, “Next year,

a According to MangalExxonMobil will have to signature, the EPA accepted Joly, “The Environmental give up 20% of their it as is, without demanding Protection Agency failed to holdings.So,allofthosewill the company adhere to the uphold a basic level of beavailableforsomeformof best practises to ensure it t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d bilateral engagement, where takes responsibility This is accountability in the first we can actually see joint especiallyimportantsincean place when it allowed production or exploration- EIA not only identifies ExxonMobil to lodge EIAs relatedactivities.” potential dangers and risks in public locations and when

In an interview with the associatedwithaproject,but the agency itself posted a Indian press on Friday, the also outlines measures that version of the EIA on its VP said Guyana is ready to will be taken to mitigate website without signatures sign the MoU to boost these impacts among others. or any guarantees of cooperationinthepetroleum

Itwasexplainedthatwithout ownershipbyExxonMobil.” sector and is awaiting the a signature from the Asaresultofthemissing approval from India’s company, the operator can signatures, she pointed out Cabinet.The former Head of denyresponsibility that there is nothing State said, “We don’t want T o t h i s e n d , demonstrating in writing India’s involvement only in environmentalist Simone legal ownership of the defining our gas policy, but Mangal-Joly has called out document available She also from an investment the EPAfor failing to ensure explained, “My concern is perspective to develop those the necessary steps are taken that the Environmental resources.” tosafeguardthepublic.Inan Protection Agency is now

It was reported that invited comment, she told aiding and abetting the Guyana is looking to recruit Opposition party Alliance nascent oil and gas sector matterareongoing. Kaieteur News: “by company with this conduct skilledworkersfromIndiato For Change (AFC) has From the giving away of oil exhibiting an EIA to the bynotrectifyingtheproblem help develop the local gas signalled its support for the blocks to the signing of a Thursday – Mar 2, 2023 p u b l i c w i t h o u t even though it has received sector President Irfaan Ali move by government to lopsided contract with acknowledging ownership complaints about the along with a high-level team engage in bilateral ExxonMobil, citizens do not Environmentalist accuses ExxonMobil is not taking situation. It is saying to the wereinIndiaforaseven-day agreementsforitsoilblocks. feel they will ever benefit EPAof aiding and responsibility for the public that you don’t matter trip recently and entered into Thedealsbrokeredhowever, fullyfromtheresources.One abetting Exxon in information contained in the These very elementary severalnewagreementswith accordingtothepartyleader, significant area that has breaking Guyana’s laws document Submitting a principlesofgovernancethat the Indian state for Khemraj Ramjattan must be come under scrutiny is the formal EIA to the public, are about accountability, collaboration in other made public. According to awarding of oil blocks – ExxonMobil Guyana on without affixing the transparency or even the sectors, inclusive of him,“thereshouldnotbeany something which industry Wednesday wrapped up its company’s signature or a decency and respect and manufacturing and power secrecy about it, it should experts said should have final public consultation title page to acknowledge professional practise of generation among others. It be open and that is my been put on a public auction s e s s i o n o n t h e ownership is a serious submitting a document with is the VP however, who positionatthispoint.” in the first place. It took the Environmental Impact breach of transparency and a sense of ownership of that manages the petroleum He was keen to note that country more than seven Assessment (EIA) it a c c o u n t a b i l i t y, i t document; even that is sector that will be handling the Opposition will be years after it discovered oil, s u b m i t t e d t o t h e undermines the rule of law something that you the thosearrangements. looking forward, at the very to move towards its first Environmental Protection and democratic governance public of Guyana do not President Ali had met least, for the details auction. Agency (EPA) for its fifth inGuyana.” deserve and that is very with India’s Minister of regardingsucharrangements offshore development in the She said this clearly troubling.” Petroleum and Natural Gas to be shared in the National Eccles resident StabroekBlock,Uaru. demonstrates a lack of Mangal-Joly had alerted and Housing and Urban Assembly caught red-handed The process was respect for the country’s theExecutiveDirectorofthe Affairs, Shri Hardeep S Puri For several years, this trying to sell house lot h o w e v e r m a r r e d i n leaders, a lack of respect for EPA, Kemraj Parsram in a in Delhi, India, where the newspaper has been at the controversy, as stakeholders the citizens and it raises letter dated February 18, leaders discussed “direct forefront of calls for there to Thirty-year-old Andre believe the document was doubts about ExxonMobil’s 2023 that the EIAit received G o v e r n m e n t - t o - be a thorough, independent Defreitas, a resident of Lot inconclusive,sinceitwasnot willingness to be transparent fromExxonwasnotcertified Government cooperation investigation into the award 159 Cow Pen Street, Eccles, signed by the oil company and accountable in its and urged that the ongoing across the oil and gas of two blocks – Kaieteur and East Bank Demerara (EBD), that is seeking to develop actions in assuming 60-days review period be spectrum, including Canje – since several was on Tuesday arrested restarted as result of the increased long-term offtake, industry stakeholders who afterhe was caughtin a sting missingsignature. participation in exploration examined the matter, operation collecting money She did not receive a and production activities in concluded that they were under the pretext that he was responsetoherconcernbuta G u y a n a , t e c h n i c a l awarded under suspicious able to secure a house lot for mere acknowledgement to c o o p e r a t i o n i n t h e circumstances. The Canje someone. heremail. midstream and downstream Block for instance was Defreitas, who collected The environmentalist sectors and capacity awarded by the Donald $100,000 in marked money, said, “We have had over two building, as well as the Ramotar administration on was arrested on Regent years of very serious issues synergies which exist March 4, 2015, days before Street for obtaining money with the Environmental between the two countries,” that year’s General and by false pretense. The man Protection Agency with its a release from the Head of RegionalElections,toalocal alleged that he has a contact conduct, with its leadership State detailed. It was also company, Mid-Atlantic Oil at the Ministry of Housing and I think that where we’re noted that the two countries and Gas Similarly, the that could assist him in at is we have now a long have agreed to set up KaieteurBlockwasawarded gettingahouselot. body of evidence that shows technical teams to advance on April 28, 2015, just two K a i e t e u r N e w s a lack of commitment to these discussions. Reuters weeks before the elections, understandsthatthe30-year- basic principles of rule of reported thatAli when asked and like the Canje Block, it old man claimed to be the law and democratic ifGuyanawouldofferblocks wasdonebasedontheadvice owner of a company called governance.” to Indian companies through of former Minister of ‘PrimeInvestments’. direct negotiations said, Natural Resources, Robert Following his arrest, 2 months after C-section, “Apart from the auction, we Persaud. Defreitas was taken to the doctor finds pack of gauze are discussing Government- S u c c e s s i v e Brickdam Police Station in woman’s uterus to-Government partnership Governments of Guyana whereheisbeingquestioned in a number of areas have come under heavy by law enforcement

criticisms for their authorities. countingherluckystarsafter

A young mother is includingexploration.”

In the meantime, managementofthecountry’s Investigations into the (Continued on page 68)

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo meets with India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri.

Andre Defreitas

From page 67 understand how they could Sam Croft, Noble Don aboveUS$420,000perday– It was reported that the is provided to victims of a belated discovery by a leavealargepackofgauzein Taylor and Noble Bob thecompanydidnotmention businessman is accused of traffickinginpersons. doctor saved her life. me.” The woman said that Douglas to work in Guyana if the four 6G and 7G drill trafficking two Venezuelan “The restitution is a Sussana Philmattie, 25 of s h e w a s r e f e r r e d untilNovember2025. ships are the ones deployed mentoworkonhisfarm. significant step in the right CollinsEssequiboCoasttold immediately to the However, it should be for Exxon’s Guyana According to a release direction and I believe it will this publication that she was Georgetown Public Hospital noted that market-based day operations. issued by the Ministry of definitely let the person left in pain for two months where an emergency rates are reset twice per year

Commenting on Noble’s Human Services, the affected understand that after giving birth via a operation was performed on (March 1, and September 1 outlook, the company’s Ministry has been closely justice is served and I am Caesarean‘C’Section,atthe hertoremovethegauze. each year) to the projected Chief Executive Officer following this case since pleased to know justice was Suddie Regional Hospital in market rate at that time. On (CEO), Robert Eifler stated, 2018. Representatives of the servedinthiscase.” Essequibo. Friday – March 3, 2023 Wednesday, this publication “We continue to see a very Ministry have appeared at According to the media

The woman later contacted ExxonMobil promising fundamental every hearing and supported release, Head of the Unit, discovered that the pain and Guyana paying Guyana to ascertain the setup for the offshore the survivors. The convicted Tanisha Williams-Corbin swelling in her stomach area over $320M daily to exact rate the company is drilling business, governed businessman brought the said that “We at the Counterthat remained after the rent four drill ships paying Noble for the four by increasingly tight victims from another Trafficking in Persons Unit procedure was due to a large in Stabroek Block drill ships and how many industry utilisation, robust country and forced them to are quite committed to our packofgauzethatwasleftin days will each drill ships be customer economics and work on what is called a cause, we are committed to her uterus by the operating American drilling working each year Up to demand growth visibility ‘localzoo.’ advocating and ensuring team at the Suddie Hospital. c o m p a n y , N o b l e press time, no response was and, not least, rational The conditions in which victims of human trafficking

She noted that the situation Corporation is being paid receivedfromtheoilmajor capital allocation in our the survivors were forced to getthenecessaryjusticethey could have led to her demise over $80M (US$400,000)

The rig market has been industry As the market work can only be described deserve. We are satisfied the if the gauze had formed a daily for each of its four drill experiencing a revival after improves, we remain as inhumane and subjected perpetrator was brought to septic infection. “I am just ships that is being utilised in yearsofdoldrumsandNoble focused on execution across to sub-standard living justice and also elated that happy to be alive today the Stabroek Block, by is eyeing a big payday as it allfacetsofourbusiness,and conditions, the Ministry the survivor will be because based on what I ExxonMobilGuyana. expects an increase in the are committed to returning shared. compensated.” know I could have died,” the Owing to the 2016 demand for ultra-deepwater capitaltoshareholders.”

Minister of Human

In conclusion, the womansaid. Ministry reiterates and

Philmattie went into the encourages persons to report hospital to deliver her baby all suspicious activities to on December 12, 2022. She the hotline on 227-4083 or said that she started going 623-5030 For Spanish into labour but there were speaking persons, contact some issues “I wasn’t canbemadeto624-0079. getting dilated enough; I went up to 4cm. The doctor

Saturday – Mar 4, 2024 tried to induce labour but nothing was happening so

Govt. hoping US$2B they decided that I needed a natural gas project does C-Section The operation not explode- Jagdeo was quick and when I came ...says “other” revenue to myself, they said streams will be used to everything was okay, the service US$106M annual baby only needed to go on payment on loans antibiotic treatment for a couple days,” the woman

A question from this said. newspaper on how Guyana

Philmattie said she went would manage to repay home but continued to US$106millionannuallyfor experiencepainandswelling the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) in the left side of her project over the next 20 stomach. She returned to the years, should an unfortunate hospitalandtoldthemedical incident- such as an staff there about her explosion-renderthefacility discomfort and they inoperable, no doubt caught recommended an antibiotic Vice President (VP) Bharrat treatmentforherbutthepain Jagdeobysurprise. persisted. The new mother Not only was he Production Sharing rigs of between 12 and 15

Wildlifetradergets

ServicesandSocialSecurity, returned to the hospital in unprepared for this line of Agreement (PSA) Guyana unitsaroundtheglobewithin three years for Dr Vindhya Persaud said, January and decided and get questioning, but he also signed onto with Exxon – all the next 18 months, trafficking Venezuelans “The Ministry of Human an ultrasound from a private becameveryapprehensivein of the company’s expense especially in places like Services and Social clinic nearby the hospital, it hisresponse. will be recovered. Under the BrazilandGuyana. Wildlife Trader, Feezal Security’s Counterdid not yield any plausible

The VPyesterday hosted deal, Exxon receives profits Noble’s operating Shaw who was found guilty Trafficking in Persons Unit results. his first press conference after75percentiswithdrawn highlights and backlog last month of trafficking in has been actively working to “Bu

onal revealed that the company persons, was on Wednesday ensure persons who engage remained swollen and in 2023 to offer an update into expenses. In Noble’s latest marketed fleet of 16 drilling sentenced to three years in Trafficking in Persons pain,” the woman said. She hisrecenttriptoIndia. results review, the company rigs was 91 percent during imprisonmentforthecrime. face the full force of the law t h e n t r a v e l l e d t o Jagdeo was however disclosed that their day rate the fourth quarter of 2022. Shaw, of Soesdyke and today we are satisfied Georgetown to see another asked by this newspaper to per rig is low-to-mid This included seven ultra- PublicRoadappearedbefore that there is not only a doctor at Woodlands enlighten the nation as to US$400,000,whichis$80M deepwater rigs added Magistrate Faith McGusty convictionbutrestitutionhas Hospital Philmattie howthegasprojectwouldbe GuyanaDollarsormore.For following the merger that and was also ordered to pay been awarded to the victim recalled: “The doctors there repaid for should there be an every day that the four drill ended with Maersk Drilling. $2,127,000 in restitution to toseeTheMinistryisserious said that there was incident when he responded, ships work, Guyana will It was stated that Tier 1 drill the survivor This restitution when it comes to human something in there…so I “can we get out of this have to foot the bill of ships area commanding request was presented by a trafficking.” went to my doctor who did morbidity, is Kaieteur News $320M. increased day rates, around senior officer attached to the She added that her another ultrasound. My a morbid? Imagine we must This is as a result of US$400,000, and that the Ministry of Human Services ministry has also been doing doctor became very upset not build the power plant contract that Exxon awarded companysecuredsinceearly and Social Security’s a lot of countrywide and because he said that this is because we might have an to Noble during the fourth- November 2022, 24 months Counter-Trafficking in specialized sensitization to not the first time this is explosion there. This is in quarter of 2022, for an of additional work for four Persons Unit as the Unit heighten awareness and happening, it is actually the effect what y

since the commencement of

t encourage reporting of cases third patient that he knows saying...whichgovernment ultra-deepwater drill ships seventhgeneration(7G)drill survivors of this egregious oftraffickinginpersons.The about. He said he could not (Continued on page 69) Noble Tom Madden, Noble ships at an average rate act. ministersaidtoothatsupport

additional 7.4 rig years for sixth generation (6G) and

The four Noble drill ships being utilised by Exxon in Guyana (Photo credit: Noble Corporation)

From page 68 on trial before Justice Priya longer be pursuing them. As charges that alleged that on starts off by… anywhere in Beharry-Sewnarine at the such, Justice Beharry- four separate occasions the world… by saying that Demerara Sexual Offences Sewnarine instructed the between February 2011 and ohwearenotgoingtopursue Court. He was represented jury to return a verdict of not May 2011, he engaged in a development or we are by attorneys-at-law Nigel guiltyfortheremainingthree sexual activity with a child gonnamakemitigatingplans Hughes, Jerome Khan, charges. undertheageof16. to pay back a facility if we

SophiaFindlay. were faced with a hung jury that their client in an earlier

Savannah Barnwell, and In February 2022, jurors The lawyers also shared haveanexplosion?”

He continued, “Nobody According to a press on three counts of rape of civilsuitsecuredanawardof builds a facility on the basis release by Jackson’s minorcharges,andnotguilty damages in the sum of $5M of that. Nobody builds a lawyers, on Friday, the on a fourth charge. As a for defamation of character facility on the basis of future virtual complainant testified resultofthehungjuryforthe against Ruel Johnson who explosion.” but following her testimony, three charges, Justice had accused Jackson of

The Vice President then she informed the court that Beharry-Sewnarine ordered preying on the virtual went into detail to she was withdrawing the aretrialforJackson. complainant while she was a regurgitatethebenefitsofthe allegations and will no Jackson had denied the student. project, insisting that once operational, some 300 megawatts of electricity will be available to the national grid.

Not only that but he explained the cost of power will also be reduced by 50 percent. In addition, the VP would be repaid through rethink the whole project. It reminded that Guyana will anothersource. is certainly not beyond our beabletoexportcookinggas

As such, he contended, ingenuity to find a solution, and other liquids that will be “You can’t build these with the help of carefully available from the Natural things, it’s a morbid, you’ve selected international Gas Liquids (NGL) facility runoutofthingsonthegasto experts.” tobeconstructed. energy now we gone to if Fletcher believes

He is adamant that the what if it breaks up? What if government’s figures sale of the liquids will be itfallsinthesea?Whatifthe “appear to be figures drawn able to pay off the pipeline gets a little hole out of a hat, and wishful investment for the project, there...I can’t understand it, thinking.”Seelinkbelowfor however government is when are we gonna end with more. hoping that the facilities will this morbid, sour kind of

is able to service its annual

https://www kaieteurne remainfunctionaltoensureit approachhereallthetime?” wsonline com/2022/10/09/j

The GTE project entails agdeo-pulling-numbers-out- loans. three major aspects, that is, of-thin-air-to-justify-us2-

Guyana will be paying the pipeline to transport the billion-wales-gas-plant- U.S oil major ExxonMobil gas to Wales, the NGL engineer/ some US$55 million each facility that will treat and yearfor20yearstorepaythe separate the gas, and the Former teacher freed company for its investment power plant to generate the of rape charges after in the pipeline. In addition to electricity victim withdrew allegation this, Guyana will also be There has been no - Wins $5M judgment expected to repay another updated feasibility study for defamation US$51 million annually for since the cost of the project 20 years on a loan the jumped from US$478 CoenJackson,theformer country will take to pay for milliontooverUS$2billion. Bishops’ High School theNGLfacilityandthegas-

A Guyanese engineer, teacher, who was accused of fired power plant This Fitzroy Fletcher, with over raping a child under the age amounts to an annual debt of 50 years of expertise has so of 16, was freed on Friday of US$106million. farchallengedeachaspectof three counts of rape after the

Freed of rape charges:

Coen Jackson

The former Head-ofthe project, insisting that its victim withdrew the State argued, “But what if a n y t h i n g h a p p e n s tomorrow? What if the existingpowerplantwetook a loan for what? Let me say something else, if we had a loan in GPL and the GPL blowsuptomorrow,whatare we gonna do? We’d have to repay the loan through some other means, the existing means.”

Jagdeo continued, “How can a government operate on what ifs? We are hoping that we, in these issues nobody buildsanything.” viability is simply no longer allegation. He even sought to put in relevant owing to the Jackson was charged perspective that if the mammothincreaseincost. with engaging in sexual Publisher of this newspaper, He explained, “The activity with a child under Mr Glenn Lall was pipeline costs have escalated the age of 16 years by considering an unfortunate too much and have made the abusing a position of trust incident, he may not have project no longer feasible. contrary to the provisions of “putupthatbigbuilding”but Clearly,weshouldgobackto theSexualOffencesAct. ifitweretocollapse,theloan the drawing board and The former teacher was

WANTED

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reliable male and female Security Officers and Supervisors needed! Military background will be an asset. Contact: 603-5140.

Washbay Workers needed at Nandy Park. Call:2335227/682-1616.

Driver needed, ages 25 yrs and older. Must have a valid driver's license. Call: 6766379.

Elderly bus Driver wanted for route 32 and 31. Call: 678-1610.

First batch of hinterland...

For low cost repairs for AC units, refridgerators, freezers, gas stoves, washing machine, dryers, etc. Call: 6294946, 225-4822.

From page 63 trajectory,” the Minister added. She also drew attention to the partnership between the Office of the First Lady and the institute, underscoring how critical such partnerships are to the development of Guyana.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

House & land for sale in East Patentia river side, 50x100. Call: 619-8626.

VACANCY

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

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

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

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

Bike Rider needed to work in Georgetown. Call: 2237301-3 or email: info@ splashmins.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

One Massagist/ Physiotherapist needed. Call: 6159132.

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

Maintenance Guy needed, 25-50 years old at 233 South Road Lacytown. Call: 2250198.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

FOR SALE

One double Lot 80x160 on the east side of Friendship Public Road, $12M GYD neg. Call: 626-4234/ 6286212. Pure breed German shepherd pups for sale. Call: 680-1828, 632-9022/ 639-4966.

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

4 black & white pure breed German Shepard, fully vaccinated, 8 weeks old. Call: 626-0953/ 650-9998.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 6295526.

Managing Partner of AAMOTI, Mrs. Miranda Thakur-Deen, used the occasion to thank the First Lady for recognising the importance of providing access to training opportunities to women in the hinterland. She said that part of her mission in life is to give back to women and the wider society and that is what she will ensure the Institute does.

The best graduating student,

Ms. Nevaeh Clarkston, received a trophy from the Office of the First Lady, and spoke briefly about her experience and that of the other 19 women. She was keen to note that many of the women expressed that they would never have imagined that they would be able to benefit from this kind of training given the fact that they reside in the hinterland.

“So thank you to the First Lady and the school, for making this possible for us and for empowering us,” Ms Clarkston said. President of the Women in Maritime Caribbean (WiMac) – Guyana Chapter, Ms Thandi McAllister also delivered remarks at the event.

One Ford 7610 Tractor along with tractor parts: engine block with crankshaft, winch, backend and other spares. Call: 671-9151/ 694-3635.

Mixed Rottweilers and German shepard pups for sale, 11 weeks old along with 1st Vaccine, dewormed and flee treatment, Price: 25k. Call/ WhatsApp: 622-4013.

145 Acre Prime Agriculture Transported land @ second dept Spring Gardens, Essequibo Coast. Call: 2336218, 654-3864.

FOR RENT

One apartment for rent @ First St Mon Repos E.C.D, Market street. Call: 6140005/ 602-4105.

4 acres of river side land & 18 acres of road side land on the E.B.D for rent/ lease. Call: 623-1615.

One bedroom house for rent at 18th Av Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 657-2951, 612-9697.

M&T Realty (Vlissengen/ Durban):Professional/Office/Business( No food retailing) space.Close to facilities and transportation. Call: 225-0431, 652-9325, 687-8716.

One 2 bedrooms upstairs Apt in Providence, fully furnished with A/C and pressurized water system, $2200 USD neg. Call: 658-7891.

Two 2 bedrooms Apt in Eccles, fully furnished with A/C and pressurized water system, $160,000 GYD neg. Call: 658-7891.

One 2 bedrooms Apt in Eccles, fully furnished with A/C and pressurized water system, $140,000 GYD neg. Call: 658-7891.

One Nanny needed for special needs child. Call: 6397980.

I am looking for a girlfriend, ages 18-21 yrs old. Call/ WhatsApp: 686-5377.

Jagdeonowconcernedoverlackofadequateinsuranceincase...

Frompage20

prevailing means of transporting the commodity over distances greater than canbecoveredbypipelines, running aground is the most common cause of large oil spillsfromtankers.

It records that 32 percent of large oil tanker spills occurring between 1970 and 2020wereduetogrounding

Other notably incidents involving the unplanned release of hydrocarbons into the ecosystem includes the Keystone Pipeline oil spill whichoccurredinDecember last year when a leak in the Keystone Pipeline released 14,000 barrels of oil into a

creek inWashington County, Kansas That leak was the largest in the US since the 2013 North Dakota pipeline spill

Closer to home, the El Palito oil spill occurred at a refinery, Venezuela, in July 2020 Thespillwasestimated to be 25 thousand oil barrels andwasattributedtoattempts to double production from 20,000 to 40,000 daily oil barrels to 61,500 when “multiple leaks” developed Therefineryhadbeenunable to produce gasoline for several weeks That spill reached as far as the eastern coast of Falcón State and MorrocoyNationalPark

Reference could also be madetotheNorilskdieseloil spillwhichwasanindustrial disaster near Norilsk, KrasnoyarskKrai,Russia.

That incident obtained in May2020whenafuelstorage tank at Norilsk-Taimyr Energy’sThermalPowerPlant floodinglocalriverswithup to17,500tonnesofdieseloil.

It was described as the second-largest oil spill in modern Russian history, after the 1994 Komi pipeline spill, where 400,000 tonnes of crudeoilwerereleasedtothe environment between August 1994 and January 1995.Otherproducingnations such as those located on the

African continent have over the years suffered from the consequences of regular oil spills,manytimesleadingto years of protracted court action Only recently this publication reported on the actions of the Peruvian Governmentwhichwasforced to take one of its operators Repsol to court, in order to secure compensation over a spill that had occurred in that

country The company was also fined by the Peruvian courts That company presently holds interest in Guyana’sEEZ

Thefactis,whereverthere a r e o i l operations exploration, production, storage, t r a n s p o r t i n g o r refining thereexiststherisk ofanoilspill,whetherthrough human fault or mechanical issues At the end of the day,

thehydrocarbonswouldhave to be clean up from the ecosystem and someone or entityfootingtheBill.

InGuyana’scasewithita storagecapacityofsomethree million barrels, increasing productionandtransportoutof thecountry,thepotentialforan oil spill, is clear and present danger, hence Lall’s response to Jagdeo’s new found directive to the EPA, “that’s whatIwantedtohear.”

Govt. to complete Gas Strategy Plan by year-end - Jagdeo...

Frompage61 relinquishthearea.

“Exxon has argued in the beginning that they need all of the associated gas pumped back into the wells to keep the quality of the wells up We have a different view on this matter…so that is why the gas utilization plan has to be done and we are working on our gas s t r a t e g y a n d t h e discussions have to take place on how we monetize the gas we made it clear, if they are not going to

utilize it, they have to relinquish it, and we may find other people who are prepared to utilize the gas

and I’m saying this openly”

Back in May last year when the VP announced

E x x o n w i l l b e

conducting the Gas

Utilization Plan, he disclosed that Guyana’s gas reserve currently totals16trillioncubicfeet (Tcf). In light of this, he believes there is merit to the advice offered by industry experts that the

CGXcannotaffordtofullyinsure...

country would be wise to developagasmasterplan.

The Vice President indicated that the government is of the firm conviction that the gas resource canbeaslucrative as the oil component of Exxon’soperations.

He stressed however that a lot hinges on the availability of the gas and not being carried away by thesizeofthereserve.

This is so as a portion of thegasmustbere-injectedto ensurethereservoirpressure isstable.

Frompage19 saidtoothattherecanbeno assurance that CGX will be able to obtain the insurance coverage that it believes is appropriate.

In addition, the company’s report said, “the risks to which CGX’s operations are subject may not in all circumstances be insurable or, in certain circumstances, CGX may elect not to obtain insurance to deal with specific risks due to the highpremiumsassociated withsuchinsuranceorother reasons.”

CGX said the payment

ofsuchuninsuredliabilities would reduce the funds available to it for other purposes.

The Canadian explorer also noted that it obtains insurance for its operations

that it believes are appropriate for each specificactivity

It said, however, there can be no assurance that proceeds from such

insurance will be sufficient to cover CGX’s relatedlosses

It said the occurrence of a significant event that CGX is not fully insured against, or the non-

payment by the insurer in connection with such event, could have a material adverse effect on CGX’s financial position and/or its results of operations.

K a i e t e u r N e w s Publisher, Glenn Lall believes the foregoing information released by CGX proves once again why Guyana needs full coverageinsuranceforthe Stabroek Block where there is an aggressive e x p l o r a t i o n a n d production programme ongoingbyanExxonMobilledconsortium.

Cultural violence is smothering social cohesion − Granger

Former President David Granger believes that cultural violence is smothering social cohesion. Granger, during his weekly Public Interest Programme aired on Friday said that cultural violence was the exact contradiction of culturalcohesion.

He noted that violence is aggravated by attitudes and policies which impair social solidarity and isolate, rather thanintegratecommunities.

Granger, pointed to the February 17, 2023 incident at Woodley Park involving the abuse and assault of schoolchildren.

He said that theWoodley Park incident “was a frightening rerun of the injuries inflicted on school children at Bath Settlement, Bush Lot and Cotton Tree th Villages(inReg.No.5)on6

March2020.”

The former President said too that “similar simultaneous lawlessness at Canal No. 1, Canal No.2 and Cornelia Ida (in Region No. 3) at Herstelling, Lusignan, Mon Repos and Success (in Region No. 4), and Black BushPolder,EastCanje,No. 19 Village and Tain (in Region No.6) and elsewhere occurred on the same day, s u g g e s t i n g c e n t r a l coordination.”

“Cultural violence was evident in the wake of the grisly slaughter of two boys at Cotton Tree and the murder of another boy in September 2020 which plunged the villages deeper intoviolence.

Cultural violence was evident, also, in the forceful removal of residents from informal settlements in Success and at Mocha-

Arcadia and the public reactions to the killings of Orin Boston in Dartmouth and Quindon Bacchus at Mon Repos,” Granger said n o t i n g t h a t t h e aforementioned incidents were ominous indicators of the connection between cultural violence and social disintegration.

Mr Granger said further, that cultural violence was evident in the National Assembly when the Leader of the Opposition displayed a placard describing social cohesion as “a farce” during the President's address in November2017.

This, he said, was the antecedent of the “vulgarity evinced by prominent Opposition parliamentarians during the President's presentation at the private meeting of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services

Association in September 2019 and the disorder displayed by the Opposition in the National Assembly in December2022.”

The Former President lamented the awful legacies ofillwillandloathingleftby the cultural and criminal v i o l e n c e o f t h e 'Disturbances' of the 1960s and the 'Troubles' of the 2000s.

He indicated that the decisions to discard the Social Cohesion Action Plan a n d d i s m a n t l e t h e Department of Social Cohesion have been big mistakes that effectively undermined the bases of the subsequent attempts to promote the 'One Guyana Commission' and 'Corridor ofUnity'initiatives.

Granger said that society is becoming increasingly unbalanced and that the

sincere adoption of 'social cohesion'measureswouldbe a sure means to avoid the

recurrence of those

“dreadful events caused by culturalviolence”.

Former President, David Granger

Kennard’s Memorial Phagwah Race meet set for 19th March

Kennard’s Memorial will host its Phagwah Race Meeting on the 19th March at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club. Races will spread across six different Race Classes and guided under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority.

This event is scheduled to contest six race classes; ranging from one mile to seven furlongs with a number of hefty cash prizes on offer.

Race Classes are: B-andLower one mile race which is the feature event, G-andLower for seven Furlongs, Jand-Lower, K-and-L Non

Earner (Lifetime) and L-Open will be six Furlongs races and lastly the Three-year Maiden race for seven Furlongs.

First Prize winners: B-andLower will be a whooping one million dollar cash prize, G –and-Lower take five hundred thousand, J-and-Lower three hundred and fifty thousand, while in the Open race the winner will bag two hundred thousand and in the threeyear maiden and K and L Non Earner $350,000 and $180,000 respectively.

Second Prize winners will pocket: B-and-Lower

Sunday March 05, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Things should be going well for you in the love and romance department, Cancer, but you could find that today things get a bit tenuous. While you want things to be clear and planned out.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

The more tightly you try to hang onto something, Taurus, the more likely it is it will want to slip through your fingers. Grab what you want, but don't squeeze too hard.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Matters involving love and romance might not go exactly the way you'd like, Gemini. You could be waiting for your partner to make the next move.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Things should be going well for you in the love and romance department, Cancer, but you could find that today things get a bit tenuous.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

People may be wondering how to proceed while you're off doing your own thing. Don't go in one direction and leave someone else behind, Leo. In matters regarding love and romance.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Recent events in the love and romance department may have you feeling like you aren't getting your needs met, Virgo. Remember that other people aren't mind readers the way you are.

$250,000, J-and-Lower $175,000, Open $100,000, while Three-year Maiden and K-and-L Non Earner will take home $175,000 and $90,000 respectively. While third and fourth place winners will also walk away with substantial cash prizes.

Meanwhile, the B Class and Lower race cash purse and prize trophy will be sponsored by the family of the Kennard’s Memorial.

More importantly, in the event that less than five horses register to compete at any one event, that event is subject to changes and likely

Dottin controversially ruled out of inaugural Women’s Premier League

being cancelled or reduced price money system can also be enforced. Owners of horses are subject to pay five thousand dollars for each entry of horses. Entrance fees are as follows: B-and-Lower $120,000, G-and-Lower $60,000, K-and-Lower Non Earner $21,000, L-Open $23,000, while the J-andLower and the Three-year Maiden races are $42,000. Entry closed on Sunday 12th March, 2023. Interested persons can also contact: Secretary Niketa Ross or Dennis Deoroop- 640-6396, Jinjo Jagdeo-618-7278, Basil Bactawar- 661-7815, Fazal Habibulla – 657-7010 and Ivan Dipnarine – 331-0361.

SportsMax - Former West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin has been controversially ruled out of the inaugural Women’s Premier League because she is “recovering from a medical situation,” according to reports.

However, Dottin has refuted these reports, revealing that she is, in fact, fit and healthy. Dottin was announced as “ruled out” on Friday according to ESPN Cricinfo but quickly moved to dispute those reports on her social media. “Get well soon from what if I may ask,” Dottin said on her Instagram stories over a screenshot of the report of her injury. She also took to Twitter to voice her confusion.

“I appreciate all the messages but, truth be told, I’m recovering from nothing but the Holy Ghost anointing. Thank you,” she added. Dottin was set to feature for the Gujarat Giants after being bought for US$73,000 at the WPL Auction in February. Giants have named Kim Garth, the Australia allrounder, as replacement. Garth had gone unsold at the auction last month. At the time of the auction, she was with the Australia squad that won the T20 World Cup in South Africa.

The Giants are set to take on the Mumbai Indians in the opening game on Saturday. The WPL runs from March 426.

Three new additions to the GHE squad...

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Creative energy, especially involving writing or speaking, could overflow today. Ideas could come thick and fast, Libra, and you might want to phone some friends and discuss your thoughts.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

If you own your home, the value of your equity may have gone up in the recent past, Scorpio. Income through land or property is strongly indicated. This is likely to change your life in a subtle but positive way.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A lot of letters, calls, or emails could come your way from all over, Sagittarius, bringing lots of good news and useful information.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

An opportunity to earn extra money in a creative way may come today from an unexpected and perhaps even previously unknown source, Capricorn. This could come as a surprise.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Your physical and mental energies overflow today, Aquarius. You may want to tackle every possible project that could bring advancement along whatever lines you want.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) hances to pursue opportunities to bring whatever creative work you do best to the public could come up today, Pisces. This might involve performances, exhibitions, trade shows.

From page 78 stated, “I am looking forward to giving a hundred percent to the team in the upcoming matches.” He noted that his side has unarguably been a consistent unit over the years, as the statistics would suggest but going into the last few matches, he hopes that the guys continue to perform and hopefully they come

From page 81 increase the number of young girls playing football, identify new talent, raise the profile of female football and provide coaches with more hours to work with young female footballers. The league is being played as a national school competition across all school districts and is supported by the Ministry of Education.

The winning team’s coach Latoya Carry said her team has been practicing daily. “I’m elated the girls won,” Carry added. Acting Technical Director Bryan Joseph said he is satisfied with the rollout of the league in both Georgetown and Linden.

“I’m very satisfied with the level of participation and commitment from schools. This league exposes girls to the fundamentals of football while having fun on the pitch. We came here today and saw a very exciting game,” Joseph added. GFF President Wayne Forde and the Council are committed to elevating women’s football through the identification of new talent and creation of strategic developmental programmes, including the Blue Water U15 League.

Matches in Linden were postponed due to inclement weather.

home with the 2023 championship.

The GHE squad: Leon Johnson (captain), Matthew Nandu, Tevin Imlach, Kelvon Anderson, Kemol Savory, Anthony Bramble, Keemo Paul, Kevin Sinclair, Veersammy Permaul, Ronsford Beaton, Nial Smith, Shemar Joseph and Antony Adams. Reserved players are

Demetri Cameron, Junior Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh, Mavindra Dindyal, Rampertab Ramnauth, Sylus Tyndall and Nieland Codogan.

The Manager is Albert Clements, Head Coach Ryan Hercules, Assistant Coach Garvin Nedd, Cricket Analyst Keshava Ramphal and Physiotherapist Angelica Holder.

Tucville Secondary...

Robin Singh sees a bright future for GOA under his leadership

-BaseballadministratortalksbecomingfirstGOApresidentinalmost30years

ByRawleToney

With an extensive background in sports, particularlyincricket,tennis andbaseball,RobinSinghis now taking a swing at the presidency of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

The GOAwill host their elections on March 14 at t h e i r L i l l i e n d a a l headquarters, where for the first time in almost three decades, the important sports institution will have someone at the helm that is not former Chief Magistrate KalamJuman-Yassin.

The GOA’s general council, on June 16, 2022, after much deliberation, voted 29 – 13 to include the 70-year age limit for Executive Committee members.

Thedecisionultimately ended the 75-year-old Yassin’s reign as GOA president,apositionhehas heldsince1996

Singh will faceoff with thepresidentoftheGuyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), Godfrey Munroe and during a sit-down with Kaieteur News yesterday, the local baseball administrator believes his institutional knowledge and know-how for sports and its development will give him the competitive edge to convince the GOA’s affiliates to vote in his favour

“I don’t do things the way everyone does them, becauseIdidn’tcomefrom that formal background in sport.

So I always say look, what’s the best way to do this thing? Whatever is in front of me,” Singh said in acandidinterview

He added, “Sport has not only benefited me financially, but it has also taught me everything, almost

I know it’s like, before sport, life was just regular I was a computer analyst doing my own thing, but sportschangedmylife,and I can show people how to use sport to change your life.”

Before pitching the first ball to introduce baseball in Guyana, Singh worked with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), the West Indies Cricket Board and other notable organisations.

The GOA, which was recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1948, according to Singh, should be treated and administered asabusiness.

“Because it’s a business,” Singh uttered “There’s money to be made to sustain But you’re finding a lot of associations now are returning to incorporation, of course, internationally and even locally.”

The GOA, Singh said, does not work in a vacuum, “Itisasmallgroupofpeople dedicated to administering sport.

That group of people knows the challenges that the general public does not knowhowharditisforbaselevel coaches to run a programme.Everybodyputs their hand in their pocket. I always have respect for anybody who’s a coach becauseIknowthatpersonis subsidizing someone’s living, they’re giving opportunity, and they’re taking away from their kids and their own family every time.”

CHANGINGTHE OUTLOOKOFTHE GOA

Quizzed about the perceptionoftheGOAand how much people have been critical of its current president, Singh said if elected,hisfirstorderwillbe to restore confidence in the OlympicAssociation.

“But again, why take upthisrole?ItisbecauseI haveperspective.

I have a unique perspective to offer.

First of all, let’s look at the tenure of Juman Yassin Juman is a very seasonedadministrator

He came out of times in Guyana when times were tough, and he knows the value of every dollar

He knows the value as a lawyer of every word

He knows the value of patience in making decisions and consensus building, and that worked forusforaverylongtime The legacy that Juman has left in that building, the Olympic House is amazing, and it’s something tobuildon.”

Singh said part of the GOA’s mandate is “To produce elite athletes, to

bring home medals, to bring home glory, to bring recognition to your country, and to further the livesofthoseathletes

T h a t w o u l d b e drastically changed by becoming superstars or whatever And that is the aim of every organization, togetaworldsuperstar

Whether it’s a pro sport orit’sanamateursport,it’s thesamething Thatmedal, that recognition that it brings to a country to have a quality athlete, and that’s whereitcosts ”

“So there are two different things that governmentwillwant

The government wants a healthy population, and the Olympic Association wants an elite athlete programme, is where, yes, your association wants to grow your sport, but you also want to be good at whatyoudo

You want to have a basketball team, but you want to have a basketball team that can win a CaribbeanChampionships, that a few players can get snatcheduptoendupinthe NBA

What’syourdreamasan administrator,toseethisguy and say, you know what, he played with us when he was 15ortwelve,”Singhsaid.

LOOKINGOUTFOR ATHLETES’

WELLBEING

Meanwhile, Singh said he’s not deaf or blind to the plight of our athletes, which he says formed part of his decision to run for the position of president at the GOA.

“That’s where I have the multisport experience, and I think my experiences in sports translate wellinto the well-being of multiple sports.I’vebeeninvolvedin an awful lot of sports in my l i f e , s o m e a s a n administrator, some as a coach, some was just somebody playing this sport,”Singhreasoned.

Singh said contesting for the GOA presidency might be the most i m p o r t a n t s p o r t a d m i n i s t r a t i v e undertaking, but one which he believes he’s equipped to handle.

To the various eligible associations, Singh is asking for their support to help change the landscape ofsportsinGuyana.

2023 Milo U18 Schools Football Tournament…

Daniels’

five highlights goal-filled opening day

The first day in the ninth edition of the Milo Under18 Secondary Schools Football Tournament was packed with goals as four teams recorded comfortable victoriesintheirshowdowns at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Followingthemarchpast and opening address from a number of the sponsors, partners and the organising team, Petra, the action got underway with East Ruimveldt going head-toheadwithMarianAcademy

East Ruimveldt cruised to a 5-nil win over the opposition before Bartica Secondary dismantled Bush Lot 9 – 0, Carmel trounced Bygeval 8 – 0 and the evening capped off with Patentiaemergingvictorious againstNorthRuimveldt,2–0.

Today, Annandale and Westminster kick off day twoat11:00hrsthenBerbice Educational Institute and Charlestown Secondary meet from 12:45hrs. The remaining matches will see Chase’s Academy and Dora

thrash it out from 14:00 hrs while Ann’s Grove and Queen’s College close the dayofffrom15:45hrs.

The competition continues the following weekend, March 11 – 12, at thesamevenuewithanother eight matches to be contested.

Day one produces 30 goals

Almost each side that scoredontheopeningdayof the tournament went on to have a lion’s share as all the matches became evidently one-side mere minutes into the 70-minute affair at the windyvenue.

In the first match, East Ruimveldt were led by doubles from Daniel Sutton and Tramel Jack as their teammate,KeronGarraway accounted for the other goal againstMarianAcademy

The second match saw the Bartica unit steamrolled the Berbice side, Bush Lot, to win by the largest margin oftheday

Rondel Loncke, Ezekiel Baldeo, David Benny, Shawn Bobb, Ashton Dutchin, Cyle Timmeran, JersonDavid,ReonHalland

RodclifAdamsonallpierced theuprightsonceinBartica’s victory

Match three was when Eon Daniels took the opportunity to explode against Bygeval for Carmel as he produced the tournament’s first hat-trick, converted it into a helmettrick then capped it off as a fiver Hewasablysupported by Dwayne Baptist, Shem James and Marcus Layne, whoallfoundthebackofthe net once for the eventual victors.

Finally, Patentia’s seesaw clash with North Ruimveldt had its weight permanently shifted by the mass piled on by Isaiah Daniels and Mickeal Grant, whoeachscoredonceforthe formerinthematch.

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

UDCA T20 cricket continues weather permitting today at Maria Elizabeth ground

The Upper Demerara Cricket Association’s T20 cricket competition will continue today oncetheweatherholdsforplayinthemines locationsofLinden.

ThosematchesareMalaliagainstYariah YoungWarriorsfrom9.30hrsandtheMalali

side will return to faceWestWatooka from 13.00hrsattheMariaElizabethground. Next Sunday the first game is between West Watooka and young Achievers from 9.30hrs and that will be followed with Coomacka against Aroiama from 13.00hrs attheMariaElizabethground.

Carmel’s scorers (from left): Eon Daniels, Dwayne Baptist, Shem James and Marcus Layne.

Three new additions to the GHE squad for the third round of CWI four day tourney

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) held a brief press conference yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium’s conference room which yielded the announcement of a new G u y a n a H a r p y

Eagles’(GHE) thirteen man squad that will be heading into the third round of the Cricket West Indies (CWI), West Indies 2023 Regional F o u r D a y c r i c k e t tournament.

The GHE would have

gathered early points at the CWI 2023 four day championship, defeating defending champions Barbados Pride in their first match in Antigua and also finishedwithadrawintheir second round match against

WindwardIslandVolcanoes. However,theteamleavesfor Trinidad and Tobago on the 12thMarchtocompeteinthe third round of the CWI Regional Four Day competition against Trinidad’s Red Force from 15-18 March at the Brian LaraStadium,Tarouba.

Speaking at the press conference, Captain of the GHELeonJohnsonoptedto step down as captain of the GHEredballteambytheend

of the competition. Which willleaveanopeningforthat position, Vice Captain Veersammy Permaul is expectedtotakeuptherollof captaincy in the absence of Johnson Chairman of Selector Ramnaresh Sarwan stated that, “As they go through this transition period, much emphasis is placedongroomingaplayer ofinterestthatwilltakeover fromPermaulinthefuture.”

Interestingly, the GHE

has made three new inclusions to the side, as opposed to that of the previous squad that competed in the first and second round of the competition; the batting department will see Kelvon Anderson coming in, while seasonedallrounderKeemo PaulandAntonyAdamswill add strength to the bowling department Meanwhile, CaptainoftheGHEJohnson (Continuedonpage75)

Djokovic’s 20-match win streak ends with Medvedev defeat

AFP-NovakDjokovic’s 20-match win streak and perfectstartto2023cameto an end on Friday when Daniil Medvedev won their Dubai Championship semifinalinstraightsets.

Medvedevcamethrough 6-4, 6-4 and will face Russian compatriot Andrey Rublev, the defending

champion, in yesterday’s final. World number one

Djokovic had been undefeated since claiming the season-ending ATP FinalsinNovember

Hethenwentontoclinch theAdelaidetitleanda10th Australian Open for a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam crown

However,Medvedevisalsoon ahotstreakandarrivedinthe Gulf with titles in Rotterdam andDoha.

Theworldnumberseven has now racked up 13 successive wins after claimingjusthisfifthvictory in 14 meetings against Djokovic.

The Serbian star had

captured their last four meetings since the Russian ended his bid for a rare calendar Grand Slam at the 2021USOpenfinal.

OnFriday,the27-year-old Medvedev fired eight aces in his 27 winners Djokovic

committed14unforcederrors, twiceasmanyashisopponent inthe95-minutesemi-final

Earlier, Rublev defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev for the first time in six meetings with a 6-3, 7-6 (11/9)victory

Novak Djokovic

“So grateful for it all”- Fraser-Pryce confirms 2024 Olympics will be her last

SportsMax - Seven-time Olympic medallist ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce says the 2024 Olympics in Paris will

be her last. The 36-year-old, who won back-to-back 100m goldmedalsinBeijingin2008 andLondonin2012,madethe

declaration in an interview withNBCSports

“Yes, 2024 will definitely be my last

Olympics,” said FraserPryce before going into how her foundation will become her priority once sheexitsthetrack.

“As I chase world championship and Olympic glory,thelegacythatIleaveoff the track is important and my PocketRocketFoundationhas been near and dear to me We’ve been trying to expand onwhatwedohereinJamaica and hopefully go regional

Beingabletorunfastandwin medals is great, but using that platform to give young peoplethechancetosucceed and balance education with sports and transcend their own thoughts and ideas is whatI’mpassionateaboutas well,”sheadded. By the time the Paris Olympics roll around, FraserPrycewillbe37andaimingto become the oldest Olympic 100m gold medallist ever,

male or female “I definitely want2024tobemylasthurrah I’ve accomplished so much, andI’mso,sogratefulforitall All the people that I’ve been abletotouch,allthememories that I’ve made After the Olympics I want to make differentmemories,”shesaid The2024ParisOlympics are scheduled for July 26August 24 with Track & Field scheduled for August 1-11.

Demerara Cricket Board launches “Friends of Demerara Fund”, Gafoors on board

In an effort to garner funds to cushion the cost of particularly its junior Inter Association Cricket Tournaments, the Demerara CricketBoardhasinitiateda fund-raising drive titled “Friends of Demerara CricketFund”.

The fund was launched recently with Gafoors of Guyana being the first to come on board The hardwaregiantrespondedto the DCB’S request The simple but significant presentationwasdoneatthe Company Head Office, Houston, East Bank, Demerara. The DCB was represented by Ms. Kavita Yadram, National Female Cricketer and Chairperson of its Competitions Committee, while Gafoors

of Guyana was represented by Ms. Roseana Gonsalves, Executive Assistant, Finance and Ms Susie Persaud, Senior Payable Clerk Ms Yadram expressed gratitude to the Company while its representatives stated that theyarehappytobeonboard with the DCB and promised to contribute more as the partnershipgrows.TheDCB while in negotiations with several prospective sponsors, some of which approvals already secured, recognizes the limited sponsorship monies availableinthesystem.Asa result, this new innovation, theDemeraraCricketBoard encourages private individuals, private businesses, and Corporate

Guyana to support this initiative and make Demerara the dominant cricket teams it once was. Weassuregoodmileageand accountability for funds received and notes that sponsorship for sports and charitable organizations can enjoy tax breaks as the Law allows. Anyone who is willing to support this project can make contact withMr BissoondyalSingh, President on 623-0055, Mr Davteerth Anandjit, Secretary on 617-8502, Mr Vicky Bharosay, Treasurer on 652-0947, Mr Anil Beharry, Marketing Manageron623-6875orany other Executive Member of theDemeraraCricketBoard. Theboardlooksforwardfor yoursupport.

BlueWaterU15DevelopmentLeague...

Tucville Secondary defeat Institute of Academic Excellence

Tucville Secondary SchooldefeatedtheInstitute ofAcademicExcellence3-0 inathrillingmatchonFriday afternoon in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Blue Water U15 Girls’ DevelopmentLeague.

The game was held at G F C G r o u n d i n Georgetown Tucville Secondary School girls controlled the match with more ball possession and easily broke the Institute of Academic Excellence defence. With goals from Shania Waldron (2nd Minute), Allegera Williams (35th Minute) and Shania Callender (39th Minute), they celebrated their victory with classmates and parents

attheendofthegame.

Tucville Secondary School striker Allegra Williams shared that the match was “very exciting. I feel very excited that we won.”

The GFF-Blue Water

Shipping U15 Girls Development League was launched in Georgetown in May 2022 and is a 5 years partnershipbetweentheGFF and Blue Water Shipping. Theaimoftheleagueisto (Continuedonpage75)

Part of the action in the GFF Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League.

From left is Ms. Susie Persaud, while Ms. Roseana Gonsalves hands over the cheque to Ms. KavitaYadram of the DCB (right).

From left GHE Head Coach Ryan Hercules, Chairman of Selectors Ramnaresh Sarwan, GHE Captain Leon Johnson and GCB representative Collin Stuart.

GOApresidential candidate, Robin Singh

Part of the action in the opening match between East Ruimveldt and MarianAcademy, at the Ministry of Education Ground.