Kaieteur News

Govt., Exxon in talks to delay

20% relinquishment to 2024

-asHesstellsinvestorsportion ofStabroekBlocktobegivenup willnotaffecttheirpockets

E x x o n M o b i l Corporation and its partners in the Stabroek Block are morethanreadytorelinquish 20 percent of the oil-rich c o n c e s s i o n l o c a t e d approximately 120 miles offshoreGuyana.

This was confirmed by Hess Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess during his participation at the 51 Annual Scotia Howard Weil Energy Conference Hess was keen to assure investors at the event that the portion oftheblockbeingreturnedto company to do this. Hess the State will have zero said it is in keeping with effect on its exploration or arrangements enshrined in developmentplansasitisnot the Production Sharing going to be in any Agreement (PSA) for the prospectivearea. block.

Hess Corporation Head, John Hess

He also stressed that the Hess said, “In the PSA, relinquishmentshouldnotbe thereisarequirementforus misconstrued to mean that (Continued on page 10) government is forcing the

Exxon’s contract disguises true cost of producing a barrel of oil

Gu y a n a ’ s

-Prof.Hunte

Conversely, “when the other oil-producing between US$8 98 to Professor Hunte has

P r o d u c t i o n price declines, the average countries.” US$10.57 while in contrast, since posited that since

S h a r i n g cost per barrel of oil will He was adamant that the Venezuela, Brazil and the Guyana is advertised as a

A g r e e m e n t decline; but this typically production cost for a barrel UK are the high-cost low-cost producer, given (PSA) with ExxonMobil does not occur, given the of oil by several countries, producers with costs per thatithassweetcrudeoilthat Guyana and their partners in increasing demand for do not include the price of a barrel ranging between is in high demand, together the Stabroek Block, is gasoline,oilshortagesdueto barrel of oil in the cost US$27.62toUS$44.33. with only two percent structured in such a way that the current war, and the function,as itis employedin A c c o r d i n g l y, h e royalty,“thisrelativelyhighit in fact disguises, the true actions of major producers, Guyana. disclosedthatwhilecostdata cost outcome for a barrel of costtoproduceabarrelofoil including the 13 countries Instead, “in these for 2020 and 2021 for these oil in Guyana is indeed fromitsfields. that are members of the countries, the cost function countries are not available, a surprising.”

Under the PSA, the

Organization of the only considers gross taxes, comparison will show that Consequently,heexhorts operator is allowed to Petroleum Exporting capital spending, production “Guyana is unmistakably a that “Government must fix recover up to 75 percent of Countries(OPEC).” costs, administrative and high-cost producer at this inequity imposed by a l l o i l p r o d u c e d

US$52 86 per barrel in EEPGL; and exclude total daily—minuswhatisusedas Hunte lamented EEPGL’s According to Professor 2021.” revenue from the cost part of the operations—to be methodologyforitsfinancial Hunte, countries such as He used the occasion to function; otherwise, the cost used as cost recovery, meant reporting as “palpably Saudi Arabia, followed by reiterate that, Guyana’s cost of barrel of oil produced by Registry, these filings are to retire initial spendings, as unacceptable because it is at Iran and Iraq are the lowest perbarrelisevenhigherthan EEPGL will continue to d e v o i d o f d e t a i l e d well as the costs associated variance with the cost cost producers, with the cost the cost in the UK of increase as the price of a breakdowns of the expenses, withthedailyoperations. categories identified by per barrel of oil ranging US$44.33perbarrel,hesaid. barrelofoilincreases.” suchasthecostofproducing The remaining 25 abarrelofoil. percent is then divided

According to Professor evenly and classified as Hunte, with that information profits while two percent of not being in the public all oil produced and sold is domain, “this is a serious paidtothestateasroyalty In concern for the Guyanese the absence of a ‘Ring people because the best that Fencing’provision however, wecaninferaboutthecostof coupled with the manner a barrel of oil is based on a withwhichtheentitiesreport false profit calculation that financial information to the links total cost with total public, the true cost to revenue (TR), such that total produce a barrel has been cost (TC) is equal to 75 veiled. percentoftotalrevenue.

The assertion was made

Using this equation, pellucid recently by

according to Professor Professor C. Kenrick Hunte, Hunte, the 75 percent cost of in a recent public missive production of a barrel of oil, where he observed that since will over time continue to be oil has been extracted and reflected as increasing, since exportedfromGuyana,there the cost of production is not has been no financial being isolated to a particular statements provided to the producing oil, such as the public by Esso Exploration Liza I development, Liza II and Production Guyana or imminently Payara and L i m i t e d Yellowtail. (EEPGL) ExxonMobil He has since posited that Guyana. this “elevated cost will

He further charges that continue to climb, anytime more particularly, no the price of a barrel of oil financial data on the average increases.” cost of a barrel of oil has been publicized, given that this is an important nonrenewable resource in Guyana’spatrimony

It should be noted however that while EEPGL and their partners, Hess GuyanaExplorationLimited andChinaNationalOffshore Company (CNOOC) Petroleum Guyana Limited do file annual statements with the Commercial Deeds

To this end, Professor transportcosts.”

Professor C. Kenrick Hunte

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

Method to Jagdeo’s madness

Vice President, Bharat Jagdeo may be congratulating himself that he has succeeded in wrapping another of his now patented blindfolds around the eyes and noses of Guyanese.

TheVicePresidentshouldbeforgivenforthinkingthat he prevents Guyanese from seeing and smelling his tricks andantics.Onbothcounts,hecouldnotbemorewrong,as morecitizensaregettingwisertohisslickways,including peoplewhooncestronglybelievedinhim.Thelatestcaper fromVicePresidentJagdeo,whentheissueoffullcoverage liability (insurance) was raised, is check with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). True, Guyana’s EPA hastheresponsibility,butthereisabig‘if’astowhetherit hasthepowertogoafterExxonMobilonthismatter,given what has been done to it by this PPP/C Government. A hollowshellitis,anentitythatiswidelymocked,throughto nofaultofitsown,forthisiswhatithasbeenreducedto:a football,andapunchingbag.

ItisnotthefirsttimethatJagdeohashadthewitstopass off touchy, hotly pursued, issues, such as insurance, to the helplessEPA. Helpless,becauseunlesstheVicePresident himself overcomes the resistance of ExxonMobil for ownershipoffullliabilitycoverageintheeventofanoilspill atitsoffshorewells,thentheEPAisripeforpushingaround, and being made into a convenient whipping boy It is not accidental, this handoff by Jagdeo, for it has been seen before, when he was touting getting a mysterious “acknowledgement”fromExxonMobilforuptoUS$2Bin insurance.

Healsodidthiswhenanotherissuewasputbeforehim onanonoilsegmentofthenaturalresourcesumbrella.The issuewasthereleaseoftheminingcontractsthatthePPPC Government signed on behalf of Guyanese with several foreign companies. In that instance, Bharat Jagdeo passed questionersover(‘talktoVick’)toVickramBharrat,Natural ResourcesMinister TheexpectationwasthattheMinister, who most likely was caught off-guard at being left to hold the baby, would release the contracts. Guyanese are still waitingweekslater

Before that, it was the GRAand GGMC, and with the same results. That is, whenever Bharat Jagdeo makes promises on the PPPC Government’s handling of vital natural resources sectors of the economy, Guyanese are beingtakenforacleverride.

It is becoming increasingly clearer that this is the standard adopted by Jagdeo, a former President, now holdingmorepowerunderadifferenttitle.Anystudyofhow he conducts himself during his carefully spread apart appearances before the independent, mainstream media reveals the antics in which he engages. They are so transparent due to overuse that even an unlearned young school child can see through them, viz., his antics and he himself.

First, he now speaks uncharacteristically slowly and at length.Thisistoabsorbasmuchtimeaspossibleoutofhis press conferences, so that question and answer sessions suffer from lack of time. Second, he pretends to work himself into a state of righteous anger, through a cunning seriesofravingsandrantings,abouthowheandhisPPP/C Governmentarebeingtreatedtodifferentstandards.Third, he accuses others of storytelling of a certain kind, lying, nitpicking,andwaitinginambushtopounce.

Allthetime,heisaboutonetacticonly:torundownthe clock, so that he does not have to answer too much. Last, after he has given the docile and fawning in his group enoughFacebookmaterial(fortheirownbashing),hethen slips in something such as ‘check with the EPA’ or ‘that shouldhavebeendonealready.’

Like we at this publication have been saying for the longest time: Bharat Jagdeo looks in his mirror and tells himselfthatheisthecleverestofthemall.Whenhedoesthat last minute passing-of-the-ball to the EPA, he has just positionedhimselftosaylaterthathedidaddressthematter, andthatitiswiththepublicservants,henceoutofhishands. Thisiseithermethodtomadness,orpossiblytheearlystages ofsomethingresemblingwhatisapoliticalsickness.

THOSE 29 POLICE PROSECUTORS

DEAREDITOR, Recently twenty-nine civilianswereinstalledinthe Guyana Police Force as sergeants and prosecutors. They are individuals who hold a Bachelors of Law (LLB) and or third year (LLB)students.

I am not certain if they were sworn in accordance with section 13 (1) of the Police Act Chapter 16: 01 and then promoted to sergeants.

Their only function is to prosecutecriminalmattersin the Magistrates’ Courts Hence, they will not adhere fullytotheoathofoffice.Ifit was in fact administered to them. It will be tweaked. Wow!

The intrusion is the brain-child of the Attorney General of Guyana No wonder it is the first of its kind in the Commonwealth Caribbean.

There are numerous issues and concerns about the insertion of the twentynine civilians in the Force. Will the newly-minted sergeants fall under the ambit of the Police (Discipline) Act Chapter 17:01?Oneislefttowonder where is the Minister of Home Affairs in this u n s a v o r y p o l i c e arrangement? There is a wall of silence from Home Affairs or is it confidential like the imaginary RSS report.

Flashback! During December2022,theTopCop

visited Berbice, Divisional Police Region No 6 and spoke at theAnnualAwards Ceremony for outstanding ranks for that regional division for that year. A constable with over seven years service was adjudged theDivisionalBestCop.

It would have been automatic for the rank to be promoted to at least a lance corporal.Thiswasnotdone. At that function, the acting Commissioner posited that the GPF was overstaffed withsubordinateofficers.

Hence, no promotion for the Best Cop or other ranks as is customary at Awards Ceremony and at the end of theyear

The police have dozens of subordinate officers more than the required establishment To complicatetheissuetwentynine civilians were installed as senior subordinate officers as alluded to above. More are programmed to be recruited under similar circumstances despite the fact that the police establishment has not been officiallyincreased.

How was those persons selected?Didthepolicelook at race and gender as was done at the last police promotionbythenotlegally and fully constituted Police ServiceCommissionledbya Bishop?

Whythoseyoung,bright and active serving subordinate officers and other ranks in the GPF were

not considered and trained for the positions of prosecutors? Why civilians? Is this a stop gap situation? Do the police have a s t r u c t u r e d C a r e e r Development Plan for its members?

Whathashappenedtothe O n e Ye a r S p e c i a l Prosecutors’Coursethatwas conceptualised by CommissionerLaurieLewis whichIdesigned,developed, implemented and evaluated overtheyears.

It is a full-time course and had seven modules namely: Criminal Law, Evidence, Criminal Practice and Court Procedure, Advocacy, Legal Research and Writing, English and Attachments to Courts. It was conducted by the Guyana Police Force in collaboration with the University of Guyana and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Numerous persons graduated from that training and move on to greater heights.

They include Gordon Gilhuys, Patrice Henry and Edmond Cooper all who qualified as Attorneys-atlaw The former became a magistrate. Graduates saw theprogrammeasastepping stone for them to gain entry in the University of Guyana and to enhance their upward mobilityintheForce.

C

il

liams, Assistant

Bertram Toney a graduate from the first course moved on and won the Prime Minister Medal at the University of Guyana as the Best Graduating Student for the Diploma in Public Management.

There were others too numerous to mention who excelledaftercompletingthe course. Insteadofrecruiting civilians and conducting specialisedtrainingforthem before their induction in the Force, why not revisit and restart the Special Prosecutors’ Course and develop the most precious resource of the Force - its people.

Not outsiders The decision to install the twenty-nine persons in the Force may be tactical but certainlynotstrategic.

Whynotinvestinserving members of the Force who have decades of quality service to give to the Force and the country as a whole? Where will the intruders be in the next two years? To hazard a guess, they definitely will not be in the Force.

Information received thatonehasalreadytendered his resignation and others willfollow Somedescribed

(Continuedonpage6)

The PPP/C has no national development strategy or plan to guide the development of our nation

DEAREDITOR,

I have read with much interest, the high jubilation displayed by the Irfaan Ali regime during the sod turning ceremony of the “stadium” at Palmyra, East Corentyne,Berbice.

The PPP/C has no national development strategy or plan to guide the development of our nation. Instead, projects are rolled outhaphazardlyastheywoo their party’s constituents during their on-going electioncampaign.

The Ali led regime has referred to the Palmyra project, as a mega one Editor, you will recall that the previous mega projects, the Skeldon Sugar Factory Expansion, Amalia Falls, Fiber Optic cable, One Laptop Per Family were all failures. Taxpayers are however still burdened with therepayments.

Of grave concern to me,

is the fact that the $781.9B 2023 budget, which was passed on Thursday, February2,2023at$781.9B made no provision for the constructionofthisPalmyra Stadium,whichispeggedat $3B. I gather though, “that ExxonthroughitsCorporate Social Responsibility, will becontributing$2Btowards this project.” I hope “the contribution”ispaidintothe consolidated funds so it can beproperlyaccountedfor Editor, during the ceremony, it was also stated that Caribbean Green Building Inc has been awarded the contract for the construction of the stadium. When was this project tendered? Who were the bidders?Iamrequestingthat this information be made public.

Duringtheconsideration ofthe2023budgetestimates questionswereputtoBishop Juan Edghill, MP, and

Minister of Public Works, regarding sums under Ministry of Public Works, totaling $15B for the construction of “office complexes.” It should be noted that the sum of $2B was approved in the 2022 budget for preliminary works on this very project andtodate,nothinghasbeen done. Mr Edghill could not provide answers to the questions raised by myself and colleague Hon. David Patterson, MP on this 2022 allocation.

We were however told that the contract has been awarded to “Caribbean GreenBuildingInc.”Again, Editor, was this tendered? Whoweretheotherbidders? Editor, it seems that this construction company has foundfavourwiththePPP/C regime.

as a Minister within the

Ministries of Public Infrastructure and Communities, during the CoalitionGovernment,Idid n o t r e c a l l s e e i n g s u b m i s s i o n s f r o m “Caribbean Green Building Inc ” and many other Construction Companies, which have been awarded contracts afterAugust 2020.

I am on record, requesting Ministerstopubliclypublish the names of principals, registration dates and other relevant details along with details of projects undertaken by the said companiesduringthelastten years. I am still awaiting theirresponse.

ItistimethattheAliLed Administration be held accountable by taxpayers. They must be transparent in their management of our nationalresources.

Sincerely,

AnnetteFerguson MemberofParliament

Aresponse to Nascimento on the OgleAirport baggage scanner

DEAREDITOR,

IfIhadknownaboutthis letterinthenewspapersince it was published on January 13, 2023, I would have respondedimmediatelybutI was indisposed for some timenow Thex-raybaggage scanner at the Eugene F CorrieaInternationalAirport (EFCIA) was out of operations since MarchApril 2022 and has not been operational since then. This you can verify with persons ontheground.

There are many other agencies working at the airportotherthantheEFCIA staff. Only recently after my letter in the newspaper on J a n u a r y 11 , 2 0 2 3 highlighting the short comings of EFCIA and gettingtheMinisterofPublic Wo r k s a t t e n t i o n , approximately 3 weeks after myletterEFCIAreceivedan x-ray baggage scanner from t h e C h e d d i J a g a n InternationalAirport(CJIA). Hence the problem that was ongoingsinceMarch–April 2023 was solved only after one letter in the newspaper a n d t h e M i n i s t e r involvement.

Mr Nascimentodoesnot frequent the airport so how wouldheknowwhatgoeson there?He is notevenpartof the management meetings. Your job is public relations whatevertheytellyoutosay, you say. Whatever the puppet masters tell you to repeat,yourepeatthatisyour job. You clearly did not do your homework. All you wouldhavetodoisspeakto the staff on the ground and they can tell you From CANU, to the police narcotics officers that are there and GRA officers, DHL staff, GPO staff, FedEx, EFCIA staff, the general public who travel thereweekly (FYI we have daily flightstoLethem,Caribbean Airlines, etc.) All of these government agencies have a part to play in the screening ofbaggageandcargo.

Mr Nascimento’sclaims

In search of Sports in the Sugar Industry

DEAREDITOR,

that the airport is incompliance with ICAO and GCAA is very farfetched. I have a letter here that I have attached for reference from the GCAA highlighting 21 areas of concern with EFCIA and their internal documents to also include not having an internal quality control system and department nor programme and procedures in place to conduct internal safety and security audits and inspections on their operations.

This is a GCAA regulatory requirement by thewaywhichEFCIAisnot incompliancewithforyears now I’m not even going to dive into your security training requirements. I’ll savesomeforanothertime.

ThisletterisdatedOct2, 2020 and as of last year November2022,theseissues were still outstanding and havenotbeensortedout.

You can verify this for yourself Mr Nascimento beforeyougorunningatthe jaws stating false informationabouttheairport beinginfullcompliancewith GCAA. If you are not in compliance with GCAA which is the local authority on aviation what makes you think you will be in compliance with the international community?

Next time you should do your research before attacking someone who was only trying to fix your problem that has been ongoingforabout8months. It only took one letter in January 2023 and your problem was fixed within 3 weeks, so you are most welcomesir

Also, you should publicly thank the Minister and CJIAto coming to your assistance.

Additionally,forsecurity reasons the airport has been advised time and time again to abstain from purchasing Chinesemadeequipmentfor x-rayscreening.

Butthepersons,advising the airport on security

mattersdisregardsalladvice given from the GCAA on security matters and the airport still goes ahead and purchases inferior Chinese equipment.

This is also a TSA requirement not to use Chinese made equipment and technology because of securityconcerns.

Even thou we do not do direct flights as yet to the USA in the future you are compromising your operation by using inferior Chinese made equipment which as you said is hard to getsuppliesandreplacement parts, etc. which I find very hardtobelieve.

Don’t you read the US Department of Homeland Security advisory circulars on Chinese security equipment? Are you not aware what goes on with Chinese Tech? A bit of advice sir, do some better research or ask the subject matter experts before wastingyourresources.

The reason behind my letterinJanuary2023wasto highlight the deficiencies of the security operation at EFCIA.

By physically searching every baggage, mail and cargo it takes longer for passengers to be processed meaning they have to come earlierthanusualtoqueupin long lines with no air conditioning to have to be subjected to physical searches which is also very compromising because you areplacingalotoftrustinthe persons conducting those searches.

This will come under ICAO Annex 9 that deals

withFacilitation.Withthexray baggage scanner there is a record of every piece of baggage,mailandcargothat was scanned so for future reference and investigations you can go back and have a recordofit.

By manually doing the process, there is no record it’s a lot of human errors in yourprocess.

Also as you don’t know, itisimpossibletophysically check every piece of baggage,mailandcargo100 percent effectively because of certain constrains on the items, such as different pieces of equipment you can’ttakeaparttoseewhatis inside.

For certain items like a baby chair and stroller, you can lose it down to check to see if there are any contraband items hidden withinit.

This has compromised thesecuritysystematEFCIA greatly and has reduced the effectiveness of those government agencies with responsibility to ensure contraband items don’t get through the system at EFCIA.Onceagain,youare welcome.

Do your research next time and you can review the GCAA letter from Oct 6, 2020 Those issues highlighted are still outstandingasoftoday

Kindregards,

JohnTaylor

Some weeks ago, the B e r b i c e C r i c k e t Management sought to find out more about their high achieving representatives, mostly at national and internationallevels.

With regard to the latter, there was ready recollection

of Kanhai, Solomon, Butcher and Roy Fredericks amongst several others, so many of whom emerged from the productive days of Estate Community Centres (and Girls’ Clubs), where football, table tennis (and drama) thrived, along with athletics.

But the identification of sports in and of the sugar industryhaslongfizzledout. From this distance, it is unclear what sporting competitionsareencouraged by the current management ofGuySuCo.

As a young Blairmont Estate Personnel Manager, I recallcompetingwithalong queue at the Community Centre of table tennis enthusiasts including teenager Raikha Tiwari and older Roy Fredericks, both of whom were selected for the national team to represent British Guiana

While the late Roy

Fredericks has been remembered for his heroics for the West Indies against Australia, it was Joe Solomon of Port Mourant whose throw to the stumps won the historic test match;

then went on with Kanhai, his village mate to forge other historic wins for the WestIndies,alongwithBasil Butcher,anothervillager

Meanwhile this writer’s relationship has continued since the Blairmont Estate days with Raikha, who is now Dr Raikha Bisnauth, ensconced in the United Kingdom for the past six decades.

The above apart, how many of past sugar employees recall the days when visiting English test teams included in their schedule contests at Skeldon, Albion, Rose Hall (where Willie Watson and Tom Graveney had an opening partnership of over two hundred runs) and Blairmont.

But how could one possibly forget the Saturday nights indoor sports interactions between estate senior staff (and their spouses) at respective staff clubs, where we learnt more about being partners and humanbeings.

It was BSE’s Chairman EdgarReadwin,thenational lawn tennis champion (except when host to Ian McDonald then Company Secretary) who insisted that the Head Office should organise a multiple sports team to visit and compete witheachoftheeightestates on weekends, with Skeldon speciallyscheduledforthe

(Continuedonpage6)

In search of Sports in the Sugar...

Frompage4 scarce occasion when Mondaywasaholiday

Incidentally, the staff there were known for its annual tennis competition with Suriname (Dutch Guiana) Head Office secretaries were included to participateineveningindoor games, of course along with the Chairman, who during the day was also wicket keeperatcricketand‘goalie’ atfootball.

Not only did the estates select their strongest teams

fromamongsteverylevelof employee, but they also provided the umpires

Actually, there was an incident involving the same umpire giving the Chairman out in consecutive cricket matches at the same estate.

EdgarReadwinraisedhisbat over his shoulder, stared at the familiar presence of the factory employee and enquired ‘are you still working for us?’ Of course, hedidnotmeanit.Itwasjust an indication of the comraderyallexperiencedin

THOSE 29 POLICE...

Frompage4 the police environment as toxic.

The intrusion of the twenty-nine prosecutors is causing dissatisfaction among the members of the Force.Someseeitasameans of stagnation of the subordinate officers and

otherranks.

Isitacaseoffindingjob for the boys and girls? Is it another case of political interference in the Guyana PoliceForce?

May God help the GuyanaPoliceForce!

Yourssincerely ClintonConway

those ‘playful’ days (and nights) even before the age ofCommunityCentres.

There was this sense of comfort amongst all employees Indeed, on reflection, it was very likely a precursor to ’Worker

Participation’ – an environment which drew no protest from the several unions of the day. Now we all must ask about the incidence of sportsmanship on our estates; whether communityCentresfunction and who operates them; do sugarworkersplayinandfor them.

Perhaps the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports should intervene Estates still employ other than ‘ContractedEmployees’. Regards, E.B.John

Human Resources Director(Retired)

G u y a n a S u g a r Corporation

REFLECTIONS

DEAREDITOR,

After a full day of activities to mark International Women’s Day 2023, the curtains finally came down on another day, in another year celebrating this important day in the livesofGuyanesewomenin particular and women aroundtheworldingeneral.

Here in Guyana, observers must have followedcloselythepolitical and social content of posts and messaging on social media as well as some speeches given and views expressed from different quartersofGuyanesesociety tomarktheoccasion.

In most instances, the messaging was politically correct and consistent in keeping with this years’ United Nation’s theme, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.’

But as if in some sort of an annual ritual, observers were regaled on the significance of International Women’s Day; they heard oncemorecondemnationsof domestic violence; they were updated on the achievements of women in various sectors and disciplines that deserved to beapplauded.

Last but not least, they were reminded about the gender gap that remains tilted in favour of men in a number of areas and most importantly, between the ‘havesandhavenots.’

Observersheardcallsfor more women to be at the decision-makingtableinthe boardrooms and for a b r o a d e n i n g t h e i r representation in private enterprise; That they should betrainedforparticipationin the oil and gas sectors Further, observers heard the call for more women to be trained as professionals to participate in the health, education, housing and the agriculturalsectors.

All this is good and augers well for the wellbeing and uplifting of our women and girls and above all, for the good of our country

However, it was disappointing to note the absence of any mention of the hardships and daily struggle of women and working girls at the lower rung of the social ladder who, as the single parent must struggle to make ends meet, or must join the minibus to get to work on time lest they suffer a deduction of their weekly earnings,suspendedorfired; Or having found themselves cornered by the high prices of food and other items of necessity at the marketplace or grocery have no alternative but to cut down on the amount of items she boughtbeforewithlesscash.

Moreover, it did not go unnoticed the lack or even partial solidarity with the Rohingya women and girls who continue to live in

refugee camps unfit for humanhabitation;

The women and girls of Burma who heroically, continuetoresistthemilitary dictatorship and their demand for free and far fair elections;

The Syrian and Turkish women and girls who continue to suffer undue hardships because of the devastatingearthquakes;

The Ukrainian women andgirlswhowereforcedto seek their fortunes in other lands because their country has been torn apart by war due to the Russian invasion oftheirhomeland;

The Iranian women and girls who continue to denounce the lack of freedom of expression, violation of women’s rights, brutality carried out during protestsandinternetcutoffs; The women and girls of Afghanistan who have been subjected to prohibitions in education beyond the 6th grade,whileAfghanwomen have been banned from public spaces including parksandgyms.

Afghanistan is now considered the most repressive county in the world for women and girls; The women and girls in Africa who continue to experience conflict-related violence, lack of access to healthcare and economic resources, subjected to sexual violence, human trafficking, kidnapping as well as harmful cultural and traditionalpractices.

More particularly, in South Sudan and Somalia where the women and girls are deprived of their basic human rights; The Palestinian women and girls whocontinuetobesubjected to persistent acts of statesponsored terrorism, discriminationandapartheid practices by the Israeli settlersandsecurityforces.

Thesearejusttomention a few of the despicable, p r e j u d i c i a l a n d discriminatory acts perpetrated against women day by day in the afore mentionedcountries.

It is sad and regrettable therefore, that little or no mentionwasmadeaboutthe women and girls of those countries nor the badly neededsolidaritythatshould have been extended to them in a manner befitting a day dedicated to the uplifting of women around the world in whichnocountryisanisland untoitself.

Yoursfaithfully, Clement

J.Rohee

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THE PROMISE TO CUT THINGS IN HALF

VP, Bharat Jagdeo has famously claimed that with the new gas to energy plant his government is pursuing will cut electricity charges in half.

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He has never held a press conference on the matter to show this nation how the investment will cut electricity in half.

Everything is going to cut in half for him.

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This has been his tune since he was President to now. The Skeldon plant should have cut sugar price by half; where is that today?All we know is that huge debts remain on every Guyanese.

The money he spent already at the Guyana Power and Light, if you count it up, it can give the entire USAfree electricity, not cut it by half.

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The Enmore Packaging Plant that never packaged sugar to make back the money they said they invested there, look where it is today. His government was forced to close it down and give away the land to a man for next-to-nothing.

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Look at the water Guyanese are forced to drink in this country and check the money the PPP/C Government spent.

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With such investments, every Guyanese should have been drinking the purest water on earth.

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What else? Look at theAmaila Falls Hydro Project. Jagdeo, when he was President, was going to throw this monster on us.

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The world was paying US$1M per megawatt and he was going to saddle this nation with almost US$7M per MW since 2007.

He wanted to bring it back the other day at almost US$4M per MW and was telling us a Chinese firm will own it and sell us electricity when the world is paying US$1M a MW

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Oil spill in Philippines leaves dozens ill

O n t h e h e e l s o f

Philippines Environmental This is according to Philippines officials dealing body,officialsareconcerned Philippines Department of with the aftermath of an oil about the oil slick affecting Environment and Natural spill, that was as a result of a marine protected areas as Resources(DENR). fuel tanker sinking, the wellastheislandofBoracay, Reuters reported, Carlos mayor of one of the towns thecountry’smostimportant Primo David, underhave confirmed that touristdestination. secretary at the environment residentsarefallingill. On the other hand, the ministry, said it was crucial

The Philippines is a Philippines Coast Guard has authorities find the tanker country located in Asia. It is reportedly located the soon, as there could still be a situated in the western sunken fuel tanker The large volume of oil inside. Pacific Ocean and consists Coast Guard had reported “Ifwecanrecoveritthatwill ofover7,000islandsthatare that the vessel encountered helpusalotincontainingthe broadly categorised under engine trouble on Tuesday spill,” he said in a media three main geographical February 28, due to briefing, adding, “Bear in divisions. overheating and drifted due mindthatthecleanupwillbe

Coast guard personnel clean up the oil slick in Pola on March 8, 2023 (Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

C N N ’s K a t h l e e n to rough sea conditions more difficult if more oil Magramo reporting from However, it is not clear what reachescoastalareas.” Hong Kong stated that started feeling unwell due to CNN reported that manager of the Blue Star caused it to sink, but all 20 Environment Secretary, Jennifer Cruz, mayor of the thesmell.” photosfromPolashowblack BeachResortinPola.“Some crew members were rescued MariaAntoniaYuloLoyzaga coastal town of Pola, which Kaieteur News had pools of oil floating in the people also feel unwell from by a passing vessel before it said a rapid assessment was has been heavily affected by reportedthatfueltanker,MT water and drifting onto the the strong smell of the oil wentdown. being undertaken of coastal the spill, told CNN affiliate Princess Empress was shore against a lush that’s been washing ashore Kaieteur News had and marine habitats that CNN Philippines on carrying over 200,000 backdrop of palm trees, fordaysnow.” reported that sunken vessel could be impacted. “The Thursday that more than 50 gallons when it sank off while response teams pick Notably, the scale of the has put at risk several possible contamination residents had fallen ill, with Oriental Mindoro southwest up fuel-stained debris by environmental impact is yet municipalities and over might actually affect the symptoms of cough, of the capital Manila last hand. It was stated that the to be determined, according 36,000 hectares of the viability of these systems,” dizziness, eye irritation and week, discharging its cargo island province of more than to authorities. According to country’s coral reefs, Loyzaga warned in a fever of industrial fuel oil into the 900,000 people is reeling information from the mangroves and sea grass. recordedmessage.

“Inthespanofninedays, waters around the province from the impact of the it’sgettingworse.Thestench threatening the country’s disaster as beach resorts say from the oil is getting marinericheconomy guests have canceled stronger as the weather is Philippines authorities bookings just weeks before also getting hotter,” Cruz have declared a state of the peak Holy Week holiday told CNN Philippines calamity for nine towns and season.

“More people are also banned swimming and “The oil has reached our getting sick. I also was not fishing as they battle one of beachfront property and it’s able to visit one of the the region’s worst ever sticking to the sand,” said affected areas because I disasters. MarinoEnriquez,operations

Plaisance man busted with unlicensed gun

The illegal gun found by police

A Plaisance, East Coast 29-year-old was reportedly Taurus Semi Automatic Demerara man was arrested riding a bicycle along Pistol loaded with 12 early Thursday morning Victoria Road, Plaisance matching rounds After afterpolicefoundhimwitha when the police stopped failing to produce a license loaded illegal semi- him for carrying the weapon, he automatic pistol in his They proceeded to wascautionedandtakeninto possession. search him and in his pants custody Investigations are

The man identified as a waist, they found a 32 ongoing.

MEN NEED EMPOWERMENT

The President seems to have a fixation with statistics But he should appreciate that he simply cannot be throwing out numbers in the hope that they will make the point whichhewantstomake.

At an event held for International Women’s Day (IWD), the President began throwing out statistics like the Wild West, no doubt in the hope that the numbers would validate whatever point he was making. But statisticsshouldbecarefully used, lest they end up in counter-opposition to the pointbeingmade.

ThePresidentwastrying to make a point about the achievements of women in Guyana. And he quoted some very interesting statistics, not all of which supportedhisargument.

He said that 70% of university students are females. But this is not an achievementsinceitisabout the same percentage in countries like the United States. IntheUnitedStates, female graduation has been higher than males for decadesnow,andevenlower down the line, females account for almost 60% of collegestudents.

We are told also that morethansevenoutofevery ten scholarships awarded

undertheGOALprogramme go to women. And in terms

o f p u b l i c s e r v i c e scholarships and training, the numbers are 57% and 69%. What this suggests is thatwhenitcomestogender relations, these are areas in w h i c h m e n a r e disadvantaged.

It is therefore now up to the men to demand gender

equality in terms of scholarships and university admissions. Men are being leftbehindintheseareas.

An interesting statistic, and one which the President should fact-check, is that 80% of the persons benefitting from TVET –technical and vocational educational training - and family life training are women.Butwhywasfamily life training lumped with TVET Itisdoubtfulwhether inTVETtrainingwomenare moredominantthanmen.

Itwashearteningtolearn that 60% of all doctors are women. This was surprising tooksincetherearesomany males doctors around. This tooneedstobefact-checked.

But the President could hardly be supporting his argument of female achievement when he said that 98% of all nurses are women. There was a time, about50yearsago,whenall the nurses would have been

Dem Boys Seh...

female.Howisa98%female rate of nurses an achievement for women whenitusedtobe100%.

And of course, the President shot his own argumentinthefootwhenhe suggested that 22% of law enforcement persons are female,andofthisonly26% are senior officers. This is nothing to be proud about and there is massive room forimprovementinthisarea. Thesearestatisticswhichare counter to the President’s lineofargument.

But what the President did not provide statistics on is the number of women in positions of power. Within his government, there are twoVicePresidents.Alltwo are males. Is it not time for him to appoint a Vice Presidentthatisawomen.Is GailTexeiranotdeservingof such a position? Would this not be major victory for women especially seeing thatalltheVicePresidentsin t h e A P N U + A F C governmentwerewomen?

In the President’s own Cabinet, only 26% or slightly more than one in every four Ministers are women Is this an achievement? In the National Assembly, women constitute only 35% of its members. Surely these are areas in which women need

De birthday cake and drink missing in action

Dem boys know that de newspaper business nah doing too good since de pandemic. More people reading de paper onlinetilldemketchdembearings.

Anddemboysknowdatderadiocan

But a certain man celebrate a special milestone yesterday and dem boys was waitingfuhadrinkfuhbuy Butlikedeman handmoretightthandemanwhoh

Birthday cake nah share yet and drinks nah share yet. Dem boys hear though dat demgangatabigbashdisweekendandnuff drinksandfoodgandehbout.

But dem boys nah holding dem breath because yesterday dem boys go pon a fast hoping fuh eat some birthday cake and at leastgetamalta.Butdemboysnahseenone passbyyet.

It mek dem boys remember when deh celebratedehgrandfather100thbirthday.

Defamilywheeledhiminhischairout ontothelawnforapicnic.

When he slowly started to lean to the right, his daughter stuffed a pillow on his right side to prop him up. A bit later, he started leaning to the left His son straightenedhimupandstuffedapillowon hisleftside.

Soon he started tilting forward. This time his other son caught him and tied a pillow around his waist. A few minutes later, his grandson arrived. He said, “Hey, Grandpa!How’slifetreatingyou?”

“Terrible,” he said. “They won’t let me fart.

Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

to enjoy far greater representation.

The President has failed to make a case for female empowerment The key issue for women is not participation;thekeyissueis women being able to hold positionsofpowerinsociety, and in this regard, there is a major gap beginning inside thegovernment.

The President should haveusedtheopportunityof IWDtolaunchanation-wide surveyofthestateofwomen in Guyana. The statistics he

provided does not make a compelling case of female empowerment because for every area in which women areover-represented,thereis another area in which they areunderrepresented.

The President, however, bytheuseofhisstatisticshas pointed to another reality Men are being marginalized in certain areas including in health care, housing, scholarships and education.

So let us hope that when International Men’s Day comes around that the

President will lead the charge in demanding a greaterroleformeninthese areas.

(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.)

Govt. unveils five-year plan to tackle money laundering

Money laundering, destruction.

ofcompliancewiththeFATF

General and Minister of with AML knowledge terrorism financing and the According to the Standards on combating LegalAffairs,Anil Nandlall, t h r o u g h o u t r e a c h financing of proliferation of document, the Policy and ML, TF and PF; “and to

“we recognise that we programmes, not only in the weaponsofmassdestruction Strategy is a five-year plan effectively meet the key cannot operate in a vacuum, main cities but in the interior have a negative effect on the that aims to further enhance objectives of Guyana’s and cooperation is important regions and “by these e c o n o m y T h e s e and improve Guyana’s Anti AML/CFT system in d o m e s t i c a l l y a n d measures and more to be reprehensible crimes Money Laundering and practice.”

internationally, particularly conceived, designed and directly and indirectly Countering the Financing of To this end, the National w i t h o u r r e g i o n a l implemented, in the contribute to the erosion of Terrorism and Proliferation PolicyandStrategyprovides counterparts where effective immediate and long-term the rule of law, threaten o f F i n a n c i n g a guide of the actions and timely information future, the Government of political instability, (AML/CFT/PF) regime by required to be undertaken to sharing can make a vast Guyana demonstrably encourage corruption and addressing the risks i m p r o v e G u y a n a ’s difference in the detection indicates an intolerance to weakenthefinancialsector identified in second NRA effectiveness in mitigating and prevention of all crime, criminal activities, and With this in mind, the Report and implement the ML,TF,andPF more specifically, financial assures that the country’s Government of Guyana has strategy in conjunction with “This National Policy andorganisedcrime.” systems and citizens will be over the years sought to Guyana’s Risk BasedAction and Strategy is a dynamic

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall

He said too, in the protected from the ill effects assess the threats of money Plan. document reflecting document that “additionally, ofML,TFandPF.” laundering, terrorist Guyana is a member of Guyana’s efforts to combat we recognize that this Additionally, the financing and the financing the International Financial ML, TF and PF risks and the National AML/CFT/PF Attorney General noted that of proliferation of weapons Action Taskforce (FATF) p r o g r e s s i n t h o s e Intelligence Unit, the Policy and Strategy can only as the nation enters a period ofmassdestruction. under which falls the endeavours It will be Guyana Police Force, the be successful when linked to ofrenewedprosperityforthe Having assessed these Caribbean Financial Action reviewed every three (3) Guyana Revenue Authority, the strategic objectives of country with its highly risks by conducting two Taskforce(CFATF)ofwhich years to determine whether the Ministries of Natural other important elements in publicized discovery of National Risk Assessments Guyana is a member and as any amendments may be Resources and Finance and the battle against money offshore oil deposits, “we (NRAs), Cabinet recently such would have to required to properly satisfy AML/CFT Supervisory laundering (ML), terrorist commit further to becoming adopted a comprehensive subscribe to set criteria eachobjective,”itsaid. Authorities such as the Bank financing (TF) and the new frontier of integrity, ‘National Policy and p r e s c r i b e d b y t h e Those identified as part of Guyana, among a host of proliferation financing prudence, fortitude and Strategy for Combating institutions. of the process includes; The otherorganisations. (PF).” commitment to the rule of Money Laundering, With this in mind, A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l ’s Guyana as a country was

To this end, he said the lawinthepreservationofour TerrorismFinancing,andthe government said its new Chambers,The Chambers of prior to 2016 listed on administration has been resources, the protection of Financing of Proliferation’ policy seeks to ensure that the Director of Public FATF’s ‘Grey List’ when it implementing measures to our citizens and the of weapons of mass Guyanaachievesahighlevel Prosecutions, the Financial cametocompliance. combatrelatedandpredicate advancement of their Having exited CFATF’s criminal offences These welfare.” third round, follow-up efforts, Nandlall said, have With the implementation process in 2016, after been recognised, “resulting of the newly adopted significantly addressing in Guyana enjoying National Policy and AML/CFT deficiencies improved rankings in Strategy, Nandlall is of the identified by those bodies. international reports such as view it will not only bring The strategy as presented t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s ’ “us in compliance with n o t e s t h a t G u y a n a Department of State international obligations subsequently commenced International Narcotics devolving upon Guyana, but the preparation process for Control Strategy Report will be the menu of its CFATF’s fourth Round ( I N C S R ) a n d t h e organised strategic and Mutual Evaluation, which is Transparency International targeted actions, that will scheduled for the third Corruption Index. Similarly, create a robust and resilient quarter of 2023, by Guyana has been removed protective network, that will conducting two ML/TF from the European Union’s insulate Guyana, and in National Risk Assessment BlacklistonTaxation.” particular, its financial (NRA) exercises between He said that over the s y s t e m f r o m b e i n g 2016and2021. years, government has taken contaminated by the According to Attorney steps to equip its citizens proceedsofcrime.”

Govt., Exxon in talks to delay...

From page 2 investors that Guyana’s comprising the project have to relinquish 20 percent of Stabroek Block holds some not been finalised. While the block. It is therefore a of the largest oil discoveries some of the wells will be n o r m a l c o u r s e o f intheworld,andsomeofthe drilled for exploration business There is some most significant in the last purposes, it is also possible talk, potentially, having 10 years. He said more than that some of the wells may been with Vice President 30 discoveries were made be drilled as appraisal wells Jagdeo at CERAWEEK in since 2015 and over 11 within the proximity of Houston, that the 2023 date billion barrels of oil p r e v i o u s l y d r i l l e d (for relinquishment) might resourcesfound.Hesaidtoo exploration areas. Onshore be a 2024 date so we will that there are multibillion logistical support facilities see.” barrels more to go on the and marine/aviation

He added, “But at the block. services will be used to end of the day, our joint Hess also noted that the supporttheproject. venture(whichalsoincludes partners have six drill ships EEPGL has also said it CNOOC Petroleum Guyana on the Stabroek Block with will use proven and good Limited) is fully prepared to t h r e e a s s i g n e d f o r international industry release that 20 percent. And development drilling and p r a c t i c e s a n d h a s it is important to know that three are for exploration and i n c o r p o r a t e d m a n y the20percentisnotgoingto appraisal. He said too that embedded controls into the be in the prospective area, it the partners have planned overall project design to is not going to be where we about 10 exploration and reduce environmental and have exploration planned or appraisalwells.Thisisaside socioeconomicimpacts. future exploration planned from the 35 multi-well K a i e t e u r N e w s and it is not going to be programme they have understands that it could where we have the plannedfortheblock. takeseveralyearstodrillthe d e v e l o p m e n t s i n T h i s n e w s p a p e r wells, currently scheduled production.” understands that the exact from the third quarter of

The official reminded locations of the 35 wells 2023through2028.

PNCRactivistchargedforallegedactsofterrorismatMonRepos

orty

FStation. supportofher.” sparked protests at Golden Grove, Robin Nadata Simon, a The matter was adjourned to Kaieteur News understandsthat ECD and later spread to other h o u s e w i f e o f March28,2023forreport. the woman was among protestors nearbyvillages. Kaieteur News had

Haslington, East Coast Followinghercourtappearance who protested along the East Coast reported that protestors began their Demerara (ECD) is the latest yesterday,LeaderoftheOpposition DemeraraCorridorinJune2022. march from Golden Grove, passed person to be charged for the Aubrey Norton staged a protest in This publication had reported through the villages of Haslington, alleged acts of terrorism at the front of the Sparendaam that last month, nine men were Enmore, Paradise, Enterprise, Mon Repos Market which Magistrates’ Court in solidarity charged in relation to the same Melanie, Coldingen, Bladen Hall, occurredlastyear withSimon. incident. Strathspey, Vigilance, Friendship, Simon made her first court In a comment, he told this They were being accused of Buxton, Annandale, Lusignan, appearance at the Sparendaam publication that “We believe that committing terrorist acts by Good Hope and stopped at Mon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday these are all trumped up charges, looting stalls and burning vehicles Repos where stalls were looted and before Magistrate Alisha George today they are supposed to bring at the Mon Repos, East Coast personsbeaten. wherethechargewasreadtoher Ms. Robinson Simon, one of our Demerara (ECD) during protest During the protest, roads were She was not required to plea to activists on the East Coast with actions in June, 2022 over the blocked with debris and burning the charge and was granted bail in some allegation that she was killing of Quindon Bacchus, 25, tyres while scores of people were the sum of $250,000 with the involved in some terrorist activity by a special branch rank, Kristoff allegedly beaten and robbed. As condition that she lodged her Nowitisallgarbageandweknowit DeNobrega police continue its investigations, passportandreportseveryfortnight is just an attempt to harass and A misleading report that the they are hunting for more persons to the Cove and John Police intimidate. So we are out here in suspect was freed had reportedly involvedintheact.

Charged: Robin Nadata Simon

PAHO says surveillance, vaccination key to ending pandemic in Caribbean

Washington, D C , 9 Americas, which is a region played in getting COVID-19 maintain and continue to diseases; and in declining health threats,” the PAHO March 2023 (PAHO) – As “markedbyinequities.” vaccine shots into arms strengthen surveillance as rates for routine vaccination, Directorsaid. the COVID-19 pandemic Today, incidence rates “mobilizing over 160 the SARS-CoV-2 virus “can we now have a unique “As I begin my tenure, a enters its third year in the are 20-30 times lower than a million doses through evolve and adapt quickly”. opportunity to “place health primary focus is to help Region of theAmericas, Pan year ago, but “while we are COVAX and helping the Reaching the 30% of people at the center of the countries of the Americas A m e r i c a n H e a l t h not totally out of the woods, countries of Latin America who have yet to receive their Sustainable Development move past the COVID-19 Organization (PAHO) we are in a much better and the Caribbean roll out COVID-19primaryseriesof Agenda.” pandemic.” “PAHO stands Director,Dr JarbasBarbosa, place,” he added.The PAHO morethan1.3billionvaccine COVID-19 vaccine, is also “We must focus on ready to support our has called on countries to Director highlighted the key dosesinlessthantwoyears.” key to “preparing ourselves recovering losses and on countries in theAmericas, to strengthen surveillance and rolePAHOplayedinhelping Despite these achievements, for any new wave of rebuilding resilient health learn from and apply the bridge gaps in vaccination countries get to this place. Dr Barbosa warned that infection or new variant of systems that work for lessons we have learned coverage to end the This includes building and “COVID-19 is still with us concern.” everyone, as well as being from the COVID-19 emergency and better strengthening the COVID- and the virus has yet to settle While the Region has better prepared for future pandemic.” prepare for future health 19 Genomic Surveillance intoapredictablepattern.” experienced a variety of crises. Regional Network, which is “Throughout the last setbacks throughout the Overthepastthreeyears, key to tracking the evolution month, we have seen more pandemic that have theAmericas had over 190.3 of the virus, as well as than 1.5 million new cases “revealed or exacerbated million COVID-19 cases monitoring for other and 17,000 deaths,” the weaknesses in our health and over 2.9 million deaths, pathogens with pandemic PAHO Director said. “We systems”, including in the accountingfor25%and43% potential, including avian cannot be complacent.” Dr detection and treatment of of the global total flu.Overthepastthreeyears, Barbosa warned that while diseasessuchasTBandHIV, respectively “The the network has facilitated testing rates have dropped, it in the testing and treatment pandemic underscored that the uploading of more than is crucial that countries of non-communicable nocountryororganizationin 580,000 sequences from the world was fully prepared Latin America and the for the impact of this Caribbean into global pandemic,” Dr Barbosa said databases. during a media briefing on Dr Barbosa also Thursday This includes the highlighted the role PAHO

Man found dead in Ogle canal near his home

Po l i c e a r e investigating the deathofa51-year-

old man who was onWednesday found dead in a drainage canal near his home at Ogle, East Coast Demerara(ECD).

The dead man was identified as Vendanand Khemraj, a driver His body was found around 20:00 hrs lying face down and submerged in the canal on the western side of Well Street,Ogle.

Familymemberslastsaw Khemraj alive around 18:20hrs that evening Detectives at this time suspect that Khemraj could signsoffoulplay

According to his have fallen into the canal

Nevertheless, police are relatives, Khemraj had a while returning home and awaiting an autopsy to drinking problem and was a drowned since there were no determine his exact cause of diabetic. death before ruling on the Investigations are case. ongoing.

Nomination Day for LGE set for April 17, 2023

The Guyana Elections L o c a l G o v e r n m e n t Commission has set April Elections2023. 17, 2023 as Nomination T h e E l e c t i o n s Day for Local Government Commission also approved Elections to be held on June the work plan for the 12,thisyear c o n d u c t o f L o c a l This means all parties; Government Elections o r g a n i s a t i o n s a n d (LGE). In this regard, the individuals that intend to Secretariat proceeded with contest this year’s local the full implementation of government elections must the relevant statutory and submit their symbol for administrative activities to approval by GECOM. In an ensure the successful advertisement carried in the conduct of the elections in local newspapers, GECOM the eighty Local Authority announced that those Areas(LAAs)countrywide. desirous of participating in Going forward, the the elections have up to 21 GECOM Secretariat moved days before Nomination to(rolloutarobustcivicand Day to submit their symbol v o t e r e d u c a t i o n to be used on the ballot programme, appoint paper The Elections Electoral Registrars and Commission said that those Assistant Electoral political parties, groups or Registrars, and extract the individuals that have Preliminary List of Voters already submitted symbols (PLV). based on the previous These activities are deadline do not need to directly linked to the resubmittheirsymbols. preparation of Registers of Additionally, the parties Voters for each of the 80 and groups and individual LocalAuthorityAreas. candidates are also Preparation for the expected to submit their list c o n d u c t o f L G E of candidates at the commenced in 2022. In this Registration Office in their regard, the GECOM area Minister of Local Secretariat had already Government and Regional completed the training of Development, Nigel management and polling Dharamlall had appointed day staff for all of the Local June 12, 2023, as the date Authority Areas, and the for Local Government receipt of applications for Elections. and approval of symbols

Last month, GECOM submitted by political commenced the preparation parties, voluntary groups of the Register of Voters to and individuals who intend be used for the conduct of tocontestintheelections.

Dead: Vendanand Khemraj

No bail for truck driver in deadly Greenwich Park accident

The truck driver The driver: Ewart charges were read to him. involved in the horrific Stewart, 38, of Stewartville, Stewart was yesterday accident at Greenwich Park, West Coast Demerara slapped with four counts of East Bank Essequibo (EBE) (WCD) made his first court causing death by dangerous which claimed the lives of appearance in the Leonora driving and having an four persons was on Magistrate’s Court before uninsured and uncertified Thursday charged and Magistrate Zamina Ali- vehicle. remandedtoprison. Seepersaud where five The charges state that on

March 6 last, while on the Greenwich Park Public Road, he drove motor lorry GZZ 2285 in a manner dangerous to the public, causing the deaths of 50year-old Vernon Prowell, of Bent Street, Wortmanville; Margaret Kennedy, 72, of Tuschen; Olga Reddy, 57, of Parika; and Elvis Charles, 40, of Ruby, East Bank Essequibo.

He was not required to pleatotheindictablecharges and was remanded to prison. The police noted however, bail was granted in the sum of $20,000 for the summary charges The matter was adjourned to March 27 for report. Kaieteur News had reportedthatthefourpersons died after the minibus that they were in collided with minibus BWW 8364 was brakes and swerved right to the truck. The driver of the proceeding in the opposite avoid colliding with the minibuswasProwell. direction. The driver of the motorcar In the process of According to a police truck reported to the police doing this, the truck ended report, around 09:30hrs on that a black motorcar (HD up colliding with the rightMonday, the truck was 1708) was proceeding in side front portion of the proceeding east along the front of him in the same minibus. northern side of Greenwich direction and made a sudden The collision had also Park Public Road at a fast stop at the pedestrian left six other passengers of rate of speed approaching a crossing. The driver said the bus with injuries about pedestrian crossing, while upon seeing this, he applied theirbody

Killed, Elvis Lewis

Killed, Olga Reddy

Killed, Vernon Prowell

The minibus which was involved in the Greenwich Park fatal accident earlier this week.

The truck which was involved in the Greenwich Park fatal accident earlier this week.

Kaieteur News Publisher Glenn Lall on Thursday celebrated his 60th Birthday Anniversary. His staff honoured him with a simple ceremony at the office. Here are some photos of the event.

Accelerated access into the oil and gas sector for Guyanese

...as GO NDE launches Learn & Earn programme

Applications are now have identified several areas open for 24 Guyanese to get for the training that will give accelerated access into the successful applicants a oil and gas sector with free foothold in the oil and gas specialised training in non- industry and will cover destructive testing and severalcriticalareas. inspection. AccordingtotheGeneral

The subsidised training Manager of GO NDE Inc, is being provided through a Joshua Samuel, the partnership between GO programme was born out of NDE Inc and Global our need to expand in Compliance Service, a press Guyana. releasefromtheentitystates. He explained that this The companies recently training will see 24 persons signed a memorandum of being trained in the first understanding to increase phase, the top 8 will then be training opportunities for given the first opportunity Guyanese in non-destructive for further training in areas testing and industrial such as rope access training, inspection. offshore and lifting gear

This partnership is inspection This will see was born out of a need to inspection services in lucrativeoilandgassector be conducted in Guyana and aimed at creating greater them getting certified and investinthehumancapitalof Guyanaandthedireneedfor The non-destructive thetop8studentswillbesent opportunities for Guyanese qualified to work in the oil Guyana and to expand local more locally trained testing and inspection for additional training

The training programme destructive testing and accelerated path into the Thetrainingwillinitially

sector contentcapacity personnel. services include quality overseas.Theapplicationfor

Once qualified they will Managing Director of He urged young people c o n t r o l , s a f e t y , this training is open to all David Pope, Regional be employed by GO NDE GO NDE Nicholas Deygoo to seize this opportunity to environmental compliance, Guyaneseandapplicantscan

gain their licence and said that they recognised the get million-dollar training and many other critical send their applications to

need for expanded non- for free while securing an areas.

admin@gonde.gy explained the companies inspectorsintheindustry

MOU signing, from left to right: Joshua Samuel General Manager GO NDE, Managing Director of GO NDE Nicholas Deygoo, Candelle Bostwick CEO Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc. David Pope, Regional Director of Global Compliance Service

persons now certified in commercial

food preparation, IT through BIT

One hundred and eight to also complete the garment persons are now trained and construction and heavy-duty certified through the Board equipment operation ofIndustrialTraining(BIT). courses.

The graduates, which She highlighted that, included 100 women, are “While the course was going now certified in Commercial on, I started my own Food Preparation and business I’m hoping to Information Technology expand a little bit more. So, I (IT). The graduation was plan to go into the Small hosted at the EcclesTraining Business Bureau for a grant Centre, East Bank Demerara so that I could expand on on Wednesday. Several catering.” graduates expressed their Sixteen-year-old, elation following the Rehanna Oselmo said she successful completion of the will be pursuing other programmes. Mother of six, programmes after she Sharlene Joseph who hails completes her Caribbean from Swan Village said the S e c o n d a r y S c h o o l programme provided her a Examination(CSEC)exams. great opportunity since she “During Covid time, I really did not complete high didn’t have anything to do, school. so mommy suggested I go

“I can do my own cake anddosomethingduringthat and I have six children. So, I time, ” she related do all of their birthday cakes Meanwhile, Minister of and designs. I am happy for Labour, Joseph Hamilton the Board of Industrial noted that government will Training too to open this for continue to provide young people for the resources to ensure generation because they programmes like these are could learn their own thing, offered to develop the and open their own country business,”shenoted. “In less than two years, Joseph graduated from we have already graduated the training programme over 8,000 people through along with her three sisters, the length and breadth of Britney and Whitney this country Because for Williams and Esther Joseph, us,itissavinglife.Forus,it w h i c h i s a m a j o r is giving people an accomplishment for the opportunity and chance family Mother of five, who don’t have an Monique Meertens said, “I opportunity,” the minister would like to start my own relayed. businessrightathome,make The labour minister cakesandsoonandsellright underscored that there is no in the community Also, I barrier to persons who want have five children, so it will to complete multiple courses be a great ease on my end through BIT Senior instead of me paying Technical Officer, Leon somebodyelsetodobirthday Greaves noted that more cakes.” technical and vocational Meertens encouraged training programmes will be other mothers to register for extended to persons living various programmes to along the Soesdyke-Linden elevatethemselves,“I would Highway and East Bank tell them that it’s there, you corridor this year Acting just need to go out and get Chief Executive Officer of things done. If you stay at BIT, Saskia Eastman, Board home,thingswillnothappen Member, Penelope Harris, and the programmes are and other officials of the free.” Another participant, ministry also attended the Savitri Alli said she intends graduation. (DPI)

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, officials, and graduates

Govt. looking to train 500 women to operate heavy machines for mining, energy sectors –PresidentAli

The PPP/C Government eradicating violence against scholarships through the lowestintheregion. is currently in talks with women, and stressed a zero- Ministry of Public Service “What that tells you, is several big companies in the tolerance policy approach. arealsowomen. that not only are women energy sector to train some Acknowledging that the Another 69 percent of enrolled, women have the 500 Guyanese women to social issue continues to be a those trained in the public staying power, they have operateheavydutymachines “devil” plaguing the nation, service are women. Eighty the fighting power, they in the mining and oil and gas the president highlighted percent of the total intake in have the sacrifice power sectors. that citizens must stand the education ministry’s and they have the ability to President, Dr Mohamed collectively to combat the technical programmes are finish what they start.And Irfaan Ali Wednesday scourge ”How many alsowomen. this is something that men evening said the future motherswillcoverfortheir At the University of must learn,” President Ali undertaking would allow the sons?Howmanywiveswill Guyana (UG), 70 percent of underscored. Meanwhile, in participants to earn an cover for their husbands? the total student population the health care system, 60 average salary of $350,000. … the root cause is our are women. Importantly, the percentofthedoctorsand98 “The government is going silence; the root cause is withdrawal rate at UG percent of the nurses are to invest in ensuring that our collective guilt...not to among females is at 0.4 women, the president stated. you are certified and we s t a n d s t r o n g a n d percent and is among the (DPI) are going to partner with definitively against the private sector, so you violence against women. If move smoothly from wedothat,wecangetridof c e r t i f i c a t i o n t o this monster and devil employment.These are the fromthesociety.” commitments that I’m In Guyana, women are making to you,” Dr. Ali spread across every sector emphasised. including the judiciary,

The president made the aviation, agriculture, statement as he addressed a manufacturing, health care large gathering of women, and education, among that joined him and First others. Lady, Arya Ali for dinner in The Guyanese leader recognition of International said the successes of Women’s Day 2023, at State Guyanese women are House. The administration s i g n i f i c a n t a n d will continue to work and transformative. provide the necessary Some 72.6 percent of resources to lessen the students currently studying burdens on the nation’s through the Guyana Online women. Academy of Learning

Meanwhile, President (GOAL) Scholarship Ali has demonstrated his Programme are women, stern stance and unwavering while another 57 percent of commitment towards persons benefitting from

In-lawsonstation bailafterfight

Amanandhisin-lawson injury to his head. His inTuesday night allegedly laws were released on assaultedeachotheroverhis $20,000 bail each too wife. because they are senior

The man, his mother-in- citizens. Investigators said law and father-in-law are all that they could not charge out on station bail as police the man for the alleged on the East Bank of abuse against his wife D e m e r a r a ( E B D ) because she did not make investigate the matter anystatementtopolice. Kaieteur News understands K a i e t e u r N e w s that they clashed with each understands that she refused other at his in-laws’ home. to do so and instead of Thisnewspaperunderstands giving a statement to police from relatives that the man about him assaulting her would physically abuse his parents, she opted to report wiferepeatedly OnTuesday thattheyassaultedhim. night, his in-laws got Her decision, according involved and the man to information received, allegedly assaulted them resulted in her parents both. His in-laws, however, “putting her out of their fought back and allegedly home”.With nowhere to go, injured the man’s head with the police let her remain at a piece of wood. Police had the station until she found a tobecalledinandallparties place. Sources close to the involved were taken into investigation said that custody investigators suspect that Sources close to the reports of her husband investigation said that abusing her might be true policewereforcedtorelease and will be keeping an eye the man on $30,000 station on the matter for her own bail because he was safety Investigations are bleeding profusely from an ongoing.

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali

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OP:ED The Opposition leader: a year later

By GHK Lall

I detect that Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, has reengineered himself. The problem is that the new Aubrey Norton is now seen as a mixed bag. Some view as

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the man to lift up both his party and larger country, none more than those disenchanted by the PPP Government excesses; others assess as struggling from he not being the one to deliver from pervasive Guyanese traumas. To many, the new Mr. Norton has transformed into a stranger from the fighter he was renowned to be. Compounding broadening distastes for the Government and its obsessive leadership, disillusionment seeps into the Opposition, strikes at the Leader himself. This is my assessment.

unchanged. Though disadvantageous to Mr. Norton, he doesn’t have the luxury of bombastic President, or caustic Vice President. His own language must be thought-provoking, profound, but not provocative, with a new identity to match: tempered, modulated, unthreatening. I hear him trying.

try other courts. Engage the PPP, shadow its heels, smartly contest its operating spaces, especially in rural areas.

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He has a difficult job, forcing him to work with a shortened hand. Nobody cares. His first challenge is to ward off his own within the PNC fold: that ill-fated stillbirth development in Florida. This first public rearing of the head indicated internal dissension and impatience with his way. He looks ahead, with one eye focused everywhere else. His machinery, his strategy, his creativity, his flexibility, and his ferocity are all being questioned sharply. Mr. Norton carries these burdens manfully, but the cracks are there, threaten to grow.

In my book, he has to find the skill, the art, the way to get in the PPP leadership’s face without getting up from his seat, without twitching a muscle. Attitude! Exude the compelling. Teflon-coated pronouncements are W-I-P. The President doesn’t have that monopoly. Bullies pause with their plans, scurry in retreat when they sniff a whiff of the real McCoy nearby: if anybody thinks of messing, be up to the testing. Bluntly, it is fine occasionally to flex forbidding eyebrows, to growl a shade more tactically. President and Vice President do it continuously, and get away. I think it is better to present glimpses of what he is really about: not be baited, resist confrontation, but still apply pressure. He is still to cultivate mainstream media with energy and doggedness to get messages across, register postures; his party limits itself to the ghetto of social media, too many lone rangers.

On the score of oil, the most delicate matter in Guyana, Mr. Norton is over a barrel. He upsets Exxon, and his leadership is over, his party reduced to a plane with one wing, one wheel, and no hospitable landing space. Exxon and America will oversee. Look at what both company and country have done to the PPP today, and which once held America as the personification of evil; nothing but the CIA. Today PPP leaders and cabals suck up to Exxon and America, lick their boots, and run and fetch, like well-trained house pets.

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In the broader field of Government galloping up a greasy pole, nimbleness is expected of the Opposition Leader to anticipate and outmanoeuvre, if not outwit, the PPP juggernaut. Everybody wants him to throw down the gauntlet before the PPP, erect a wall, bristle. Danger lurks. He goes hard at the PPP, he risks confirmation of being thuggish, with stripes

The iron hand is still to flow from Mr. Norton. If he is to make his mark, he must shed the new subdued persona. Friends and enemies, interpret as too much passiveness. There was Mocha, there were men on motorbikes, and there was more madness in Region Nine. The office in Lethem seems to have ‘regularised’ itself, as if subject to some invisible hand jerking some unseen string- PPP’s hands in my estimation. Lines have to be drawn and not in sand. Courts, yes; discontinue elections petitions first. Then

Further, Mr. Norton knows how his PNC benefited for 28 years, when the PPP was kicked into the gutter, although it had numbers, counts, weights favouring. If the PPP became mincemeat, when there was no oil, then a worse fate exists for the PNC (any opposition) should oil be pushed to the front and center. Forget those meaningless conveniences about changed world, democracy, and fairness, the PPP’s existence hinges on oil. Kowtow. Rollover. The PPP big fish knows so. Ditto the PNC, and Mr. Norton, whose hand is in the tiger’s mouth. He comforts foreigners here, and investors elsewhere with welcoming words. The Opposition is the better alternative. Regardless, I still say that he must work with the cards he has. Pick battles, stand his height, fight at his weight. Somebody has to give, and it should not be Aubrey Norton. I think he missed a few moments that were not ran with; that luxury has ended. Guyanese need an Opposition of substance and skill. It begins with Opposition Leader Norton. He has to up the ante. On himself for starters.

Afghanistan blast: Taliban governor killed in his office

BBC - The Taliban governor of Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province has been killed in a suicide attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

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Mohammad Dawood Muzammil was killed in his office in the provincial capital, Mazar-e Sharif, on Thursday.

He is the most senior Taliban official to be killed since the militants returned to power in 2021.

Violence has since decreased sharply, but proTaliban figures have been tar-

geted by IS.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter that the governor had been “martyred in an explosion by the enemies of Islam”.

Muzammil had led the fight against IS in his previous posting as governor of the eastern province of Nangarhar. He was moved to Balkh last October.

Balkh police spokesperson Mohammed Asif Waziri said the explosion occurred on Thursday morning on the second floor of the governor’s office.

“There was a bang. I fell on the ground,” Khairuddin, who was wounded in the blast, told AFP news agency. He said he had seen a friend lose a hand in the explosion.

Later on Thursday, IS said one of its soldiers had managed to enter the building and detonate his suicide belt. Some security guards were also killed in the blast, the statement added.

A day earlier provincial Taliban authorities said they had killed eight “rebels and kidnappers” in Mazar-e Sharif.

Khawaja century gives Australia edge over India on Day 1

AHMEDABAD, India

(AP) — Usman Khawaja

struck Australia’s first century of the series to edge India on a grinding first day yesterday of the fourth test.

Australia was in no hurry and fought hard in amassing 255-4 by stumps with Khawaja batting through the entire day to finish unbeaten on 104 runs. He faced 251 balls. Cameron Green was also unbeaten on 49.

India took two wickets before lunch and two after tea.

Khawaja and Steve Smith led Australia through lunch at 75-2, in front of the countries’

Prime Ministers — Narendra Modi and Anthony Albanese

— and through tea at 149-2.

Through the afternoon, the first wicket-less session in the four-match series, Khawaja crossed 50 for the third time this series, off 146 balls.

His partnership with Smith ended after a shared 79 runs when Smith played on against spinner Ravindra Jadeja. Smith scored 38 off 135 balls.

Pacer Mohammed Shami bowled Peter Handscomb on 17 at 191-4, but Green regained the momentum for Australia by attacking the Indians.

Green hit eight boundaries in racing to 49 in a stand of 85 with the patient Khawaja. Khawaja plodded safely

Friday March 10, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today you're unstoppable! You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days. Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

Matthews produces another fine all-round display as Mumbai Indians

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside. You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

to his 14th test hundred off 246 balls, bringing up the milestone in the day’s last over when he flicked Shami to deep square for his 15th boundary.

He’s the first batter to bat through a day in a test in India since Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal in 2017. Khawaja toured India twice previously without playing a test, and has been making up for lost chances on this tour.

“There was a lot of emotion in that innings,” Khawaja said.

“It was a mental battle more than anything else. It has been a long journey (to score runs in India). As an Australian you always want to score runs here. It’s a special feeling.”

Green’s combative attitude against the second new ball helped Australia reap 54 runs off the last nine overs of the day.

The day made an unusual start when Modi and Albanese arrived to mark 75 years of cricket between the countries. Owing to security concerns, the players couldn’t make use of the ground for their morning warmups, but both prime ministers joined the teams on the field for the anthems.

The lack of a warmup seemed to be reflected in the India pacers’ performance. Shami and Umesh Yadav looked rusty after being made to bowl first.

Openers Khawaja and Travis Head (32) took advantage and added 61 runs for the first wicket. Shami bowled Marnus Labuschagne for 3 at 72-2. But Khawaja and Smith laid the foundation for Australia’s good start at Motera.

India has an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series. It won the first two tests in Nagpur and Delhi, while Australia won the third in Indore.

Scores: Australia 255 for 4 (Khawaja 104*, Green 49*, Shami 2-65) vs India.

SportsMax - West Indies

Captain Hayley Matthews produced another fine allround display to help the Mumbai Indians defeat the Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in their Tata Women’s Premier League match at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai yesterday.

The Capitals were restricted to 105 all out off 18 overs after winning the toss and batting first.

Captain Meg Lanning led the way with 43 while Jemimah Rodrigues made 25 as English pacer Issy Wong took 3-10 from her four overs.

Left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque bowled three overs

move to three wins from three in WPL for her 3-13 while Matthews took her second consecutive three-wicket haul with 3-19 from her four overs. With the bat, Mumbai needed just 15 overs to reach 109-2 and secure their third straight dominant win. Yastika Bhatia top-scored with a 32-ball 41 including eight fours while Matthews made 32 off 31 balls including six fours. Scores: Delhi Capitals 105 off 18 overs (Meg Lanning 43, Jemimah Rodrigues 25, Issy Wong 310, Saika Ishaque 3-13, Hayley Matthews 3-19) Mumbai Indians 109-2 off 15 overs (Yastika Bhatia 41, Hayley Matthews 32, Nat Sciver-Brunt 23*).

Australia’s Usman Khawaja celebrate scoring a century (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

CTES, Jacobs Jewellery scores with Rawle Toney 3x3 classic

Century Tamara Energy Services Inc. (CTES), and Jacobs Jewellery have collaborated to support the third edition of the Rawle Toney 3x3 classic, which is slated for March 18 – 19 at the Burnham Basketball Court.

Yesterday at the CTES h e a d q u a r t e r s i n Campbellville, organiser of the event, Rawle Toney, revealed the details of the partnership in the presence of CTES Business Development Office,

VarshnieRampersaud.

CTES’s inaugural voyage with the RT 3x3 classic sees them covering the cost of the four championshipringsthatwill be presented to members of theteamthatreignssupreme this year The sponsorship amounts to a figure above $500,000.

Jacobs Jewellery, under the proprietorship of former National Cricketer, Steven Jacobs,wasthefirstentityto undertake this venture when they came onboard for the

stating of the second edition o f t h e f a s t - p a c e d tournament.

Rampersaud said, “We are pleased to show our supportfortheRawleToney 3x3 Tournament. Century Tamara Energy Services understands the importance ofsportsistoourdailylives and our community We are proud to support this tournament and the athletes thatwillbeparticipatingand we believe that these tournaments not only bring individualstogetherbutthey create a sense of pride and unity.”

“CTES also recognizes thehardworkanddedication that goes into organizing such and events and as such wewouldliketoextendwell wishes to everyone that will be in this successful tournament.

Toney was also gratuitousinhisremarksthat echoedaroundthesupportof

the private sector, which he disclosed, funds 100% of anymovetheRT3x3Classic makes.

H e a d d e d t h a t

preparations for the tournamenthavebeengoing swimmingly with the only foreseeable hurdle being the unavailability of immediate flightsoutofGuyanaforthe St. Lucian team. This is due to the Country not being on

the airline’s daily flight schedule.

A total of 16 teams for Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Lucia, Suriname and USA will compete for this year’s top prize of $400,000 while the runner-up will have to settle

for $200,000, both

sponsored by Team

Mohamed’s The team finishing third will pocket

$100,000.

Additional,thisedition’s Most Valuable Player rides awaywithanewmotorcycle, compliments of Rock Auto TransandSpareParts. Other partners onboard for this event include Team Mohamed’s, Hennessy, ENet, VSH Shipping, Rock Auto SparesSlingerz Entertainment, Shi-Oil and HotSpotBar

CTES Business Development Officer, Varshnie Rampersaud (left), hands over the sponsorship cheque to RT 3x3 Classic’s team member, Bianca Marques, in the presence of Organiser, Rawle Toney.

The champion team will be adorned with championship rings.

Canada-based

Guyanese Dhaniram

confident West Indies lifting World Cup over-50 trophy

Fifty-four-year-oldSunil Dhaniram has expressed confidence that West Indies can come out victorious at the upcoming Over-50, limited-over World Cup in SouthAfrica.

The action is set to bowl off on Monday and will climaxMarch20.

According to the versatile all-rounder, the team is well-balanced and ready to showcase their talent in every aspect of the game.

“This[is]bigtournament and I am confident we can win; we just have to stay f o c u s e d a n d p l a y competitive cricket, ” Dhaniramstated.

West Indies have drawn in Division A alongside Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, USA andZimbabwe

DivisionBismadeupof South Africa, England, Wales, Pakistan, India, United Arab Emirates and Namibia.

The veteran West Indies cricketers will start off their campaign against Sri Lanka and the Canadabased Guyanese Dhaniram believes they are anxious to prove their all-round capabilitiesintheveryfirst match

“We have a bunch of experienced players in the lineup; meaning players with international and regional experience and that should also give us the confidence at the tournament; I believe it is aboutstartingonawinning note and that can be very encouraging” Dhaniram stated from his home in Toronto

Quizzed about his

personalexperienceinSouth

Africa during his representation for Canada, theBerbicianrevealeditwill make a difference but still feels he will have to play positiveandhardcricket.

“Obviously, this is a different era and yes my previousexposureinSouth Africa will definitely help me with the conditions and hopefully it would be of benefit to the team as well,” Dhaniram, who represented his birth country in 12 first-class matches before his emigration to Canada, related.

The tidy left-handed batsman and left-arm o r t h o d o x s p i n n e r Dhaniram mentioned his elder brother Sudesh, Jamaican former firstclass batsman Delroy Morgan and ex-Guyana senior all-rounder Vijaj Seonarinewillalsobringa wealth of experience into theteam

Sunil Dhaniram

Pinnacle Promotions Republic Classic Beach Football results after two nights action

“We have some quality playersinthelineupandthey tooarecapableofdoingwell fromthestartofthings;there are other good players with experience in this version andnodoubtwillbeanxious to make an impression,” Dhaniram, who featured in 41one-dayinternationalsfor Canada,remarked.

Thesidewillbeledagain by former Guyana player Zamin Amin. He was at the helm in 2020 when the tournament was aborted due to the catastrophe of the GlobalPandemic.

West Indies squad reads: Zamin Amim (captain), Narine Bideshi, Sudesh Dhaniram, Sunil Dhaniram, Rajendra Dilraj, Ian Drakes, Kenny Girdharry, Fareed Hosein, William Lashley, Ishwar Maraj, Azad Mohammed, Delroy Morgan, Basil Persaud, RichardRamrekha,Anthony Sahadeo, Vejai Seonarine, Balwant ‘Roy’ Singh and ChanderpaulSingh.

Following the opening last Saturday and on Tuesday, clashes in the Republic Classic beach Football tournament organised by Pinnacle Promotions group stage results make it difficult to predict the possible teams likely to advance to the knockout stages come tomorrow,Saturday

On Tuesday night the GroupCgameendedwithHi Stars gaining a win via the walkover route as Dave and Celena could not take the field,butasimilarresultwas obtained by Timehri Panthers when Ituni were also absent in Group D schedule.

But in on field action, Hard Knocks romped home winners by a 9-4 margin in theirGroupBencounterand

then Turk Kings claimed a win as the Coomacka team did not show up for their GroupAfixture.

The Group D game ended with Kwakwani Strikers gaining a win as Ituni were absent but in Group B Hustlers overcame a determined Haynes Hardnose Ballers 5-4, while in their Group C collision, Underdogs edged 3-2, Turf Kings prevailed 4-3 against Young Kings in their Group A match and

Timehri Panthers put away Kuru Kuru Warriors 2-0 in thatGroupDaffair

Last Saturday the first night which was witnessed by President of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Wainwright Bethune, who

wished the contesting teams thebestofluck,theopening gameinGroupAendedwith Young Guns winning 3-1 over Young Kings, then AroiamawonagainstItuniin a Group D clash before Hi Stars and Kwakwani played toa1-1stalemateinaGroup Cmatch.

That was followed with Hustlerspoundingtheirway past Golden Stars 5-0 in a Group B game, while Groups C’s Kwakwani Strikers and Dave and Celena could not be separated with that game finishing 2-2; the Group D matchended5-2thewinners Aroiama over Kuru Kuru Warriors and the final game thatnightfinishedwithHard Knocks rolling Past Golden Stars 3-2 in their Group B clash.

Action in Beach football at Christianburg Community Centre ground.

GTTA reveals Men and Women National teams

The Guyana Table T e n n i s

Association (GTTA) has announced the national teams that will be representing Guyana at the

Men’s Team CAC games

Qualifier and Senior Caribbean Championships, aswellastheWomen’sTeam CAC games Qualifier and S e n i o r C a r i b b e a n

Championships.

The events will be held from March 16 - 19 and March20–25,respectively

For the Men’s Team, Shemar Britton, Jonathan Van Lange, Joel Alleyne, Elishaba Johnson, and Paul David have been selected, while the Women’s Team comprises of Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings, Priscilla Greaves, Thuraia Thomas, and Jasmine Billingy

The GTTA selection committee has carefully chosen the players based on their performance in recent local, regional tournaments and overseas engagement at clubandcircuitlevel.

The GTTA believes that the mixture of seasoned playersandyouthduringthis transition period along with their continued preparation have what it takes to

represent Guyana well in these tournaments with emphasis on the CAC qualifier

These players have been trainingdailyinsessionsthat includepracticeandphysical training. GTTA is grateful for the support partnerships which is aiding in providing the team with the necessary resources and support to ensure that they are adequately prepared for the competitions As part of training, the association has also been working with the players to develop their mental toughness and strategies, which are crucial inhigh-pressurematches.

GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe, expressed hisconfidenceintheselected teams, saying, “We are very proudoftheplayersthathave been selected to represent Guyana at these important

events. We believe that they havethepotentialtodovery well,andwewillcontinueto support them in any way we can. We wish them all the best and hope that they will makeGuyanaproud.”

T h e G T T A i s encouraging the people of Guyana to come out and supportthenationalteamsas theycompeteagainstthebest players from the Caribbean andCentralAmerica.

One Guyana Republic Ten10 Softball Cricket Festival rescheduled to next Sunday

The One Family Star Promotions and Mayflower Sports Club have teamed up tohosttheinauguralRegion 6 “One Guyana Republic Ten10 Softball Cricket Festival”. According to the organisers the one-day limited overs knock-out competition was scheduled tobeplayedonSunday19th February 2023 but it has been rescheduled to Sunday 12th March 2023 at the Mayflower Sports Club Ground, Number 0 Village, Corentyne,Berbice.

According to the organisers the event was pushed back due to some unforeseen circumstances and would like to apologise for the inconvenience this rescheduling may have

caused and look forward to the continuous cooperation from the teams, its partners, andfans.

Coming on board to support the event is Smile DesignersDentalofPub.Rd. 78 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. The business has thrown its support behind thisinauguralRegion6“One Guyana Republic Ten10 Softball Cricket Festival”.

According to Dr Dahanraj Budhai, Smile Designers is very pleased to be on board withtheeventandhopethat the young softball players take the opportunity to be partoftheday’sactivities.

Themanagingdirectorof Smile Designers went on to say that it is his dental business cooperate

responsibilitytogivebackto the community and he is very pleased that sports are one way he has used to give back because it brings people together. He said it brings not only the players, officials, and organizers togetherbuttheentireregion andcommunityatlarge.

He further went on to wishalltheteamstakingpart the very best and said he looks forward to a day of excitingsoftballcricket.

ThemanagementofOne Family Star Promotions and officials of the Mayflower Sports Club extends their appreciation to Dr Budhai for coming on board and supportingtheevent.

According to the organiserstherewillbeover

$200,000 in cash and trophies up for grabs for the outstanding teams and individual players. The competition will see teams from across region 6 taking part and the action gets underwayat9amsharp.

Interested teams can contact Roy at 654-8187. Randy at 687-8251 or One Family Star Promotions at 706-5907.

According to the organisers there will also be a number of side attractions forthepatrons,musicwillbe provided by fancy face soundsystem,andtherewill beawell-stockbarandBBQ forsale.

R e s i d e n t s a r e encouraged to support the event.

Dr. Budhai managing director of Smile Designers left handing sponsorship to Mikhel Narine.

Chelsea Edghill

Thuraia Thomas

Holder lifts West Indies and frustrates South Africa

AFP - Former captain Jason Holder lifted a struggling West Indies and frustrated SouthAfrica with an innings of 81 not out on theseconddayofthesecond Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg yesterday

ThankslargelytoHolder, theWestIndiesscored251in their first innings They trailed by 69 runs but it looked likely to be much worse before Holder played asparklinginnings.

South Africa faced three overs at the end of the day, scoring four runs without losstotaketheiroveralllead to73runs.

Whereas none of his teammatescouldscorefreely

— and none managed more than Kyle Mayers’ battling 29 off 83 balls — the tall Holder looked in command fromthestartofhisinnings.

Batting at number eight, he went in with the West Indies in big trouble at 116 for six in reply to South Africa’s320allout.

Holder and Joshua Da Silva (26) started the recoverybyputtingon41for theseventhwicket.

T h e c o m e b a c k accelerated as the last two batsmen, Kemar Roach (13) and Gudakesh Motie (17) helped Holder add 89 runs forthelasttwowickets.

The 10th-wicket partnershipof58withMotie was the highest of the

innings.

Holderhitfoursixesand eight fours in a 117-ball innings.

Until Holder started playing his strokes, none of the West Indies batsmen were able to break the shackles of a disciplined South African bowling attack.

Gerald Coetzee, playing inhissecondTest,tookthree for41andfellowfastbowler Kagiso Rabada took two for 19. Rabada only sent down 12 overs and did not bowl aftertea.

On a pitch expected to take spin later in the match, spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj bowled a combined 38.3 overs but

GDF and GGA Launches Golf Programme at Base Camp Ayangana

Inyetanothermilestone forthedevelopmentofGolf inGuyana,theGuyanaGolf Association and Nexgen Golf Academy have joined forces with the Guyana Defence Force to create a specialized training programmeforservicemen and women and their families at Base Camp Ayangana.

Colonel Administration & Quartering, Coast Guard Captain Vernon Burnett said, “We see this as a multifaceted sport that brings great focus, discipline, integrity and dedication, all things that are necessary for great soldiers. We wish to thank Mr Hussain and the Nexgen Golf Academy for theirinnovativeapproachto development of Golf in Guyana and we firmly believe that his planned inter services tournament will see the GDF excelling asalways.”

According to Hussain, “This was an idea discussed with Chief of Staff Brigadier Godfrey Besslastyearandbrought to fruition at the urging of former Prime Minister Sam Hinds who initiated thediscussionwithCaptain Burnett. Nexgen Golf will provide access to

equipment, balls and develop a training program for the GDF along with organizing competitions and providing guidance on grounds management and maintenance.”

Base Commander Major Hubbard Rodney added, “Golf will become a part of the GDF’s sports programme and added to their summer camp outreach activities for disadvantaged families andchildren.

We see great potential forusingthesportinways to develop leaders in addition to the physical activities and fun for the families of our service menandwomen ”

Over the past two years, through the sole the efforts of the GGA and Nexgen Golf Academy, Golf was introduced into the school system at the CSEC level and major partnerships realized with t h e T e x a s G o l f Association, USGA and LPGA Foundation

Guyana Golf was also featured in the Guiname MagazineandGolfGlobal, theJapanesegolfmagazine produced by the owner of Honda.

made a bold prediction thatGolfwouldbecomea major sport contender in Guyana and according to the Royal &Ancient Golf

Association, once

Guyana reaches his projected number of players, we will become the second largest Golf countryintheregion.

A s k e d w h y h e believes this goal can be achieved, Hussain explained that his unique teaching techniques allows him to guarantee that in just one session, anyone regardless of previous sport activities, can learn how to hit a golf ballproperly

And with 155 physical education teachers in 8 out of 10 Regions already trained by him personally, they are capable of passingonthatinstruction tothousandsofstudents.

To find out just how easyitistolearntoplayand start having GolFun with Nexgen Golf Academy (there are no membership fees and all equipment and balls are provided at a nominal fee), stop by the only lighted golf academy inthecountrywhichisopen dailytoeveryone,visittheir Facebook/Instagram pages orcall645-0944.

Kagiso Rabada

got the better of Kraigg

Brathwaite. (AFP/Getty Images)

couldonlytakethreewickets whileconceding140runs. The day started well for the West Indies when they claimed South Africa’s remaining three wickets in the first three overs of the day

But the West Indies innings started badly when TagenarineChanderpaulwas runoutforonebyadirecthit fromcoverbySouthAfrican captainTembaBavuma.

The tourists slumped to 51 for four before Roston

Chase (28) and Mayers put on a patient 52 for the fifth wicket.

Scores:SouthAfrica320 and 4 for 0 (Markram 1*, Elgar 3*) lead West Indies 251(Holder81*,Coetzee341,Rabada2-19)by73runs.

ESCL’s Over-40, T20 final on Sunday

DefendingchampionsCaribbeanCricket Club 2 and Devonshire Castle Sports Club will clash in the final of 2023 Essequibo Softball Cricket League’s (ESCL) Over-40, T20 competition on Sunday at the Queenstown Community Centre ground, EssequiboCoast,RegionTwo.

AccordingtotheChairmanoftheLeague WakeelLayne,theactionissettocommence at10:00amsharp.Healsoinformedthatthe third-placegamewilltakeplaceafterat1pm. The two teams for that fixture are: Sunrisers MastersandInvadersMasters.

Laynestatedthatthewinningteamforthe finalwillpocket$100,000andatrophywhile therunners-upsidewillcashin$40,000anda trophyaswell.

The Most Valuable Player in the championshipgameissettocollect$20,000 andatrophy

There are other monetary prizes up for grabsfortheplayerswiththemostruns,most wickets and most catches in the six-team tournament.

The third-place winner will receive a trophywhilethevictoriouscombinationisset to take home 17 championship T-shirts as well.

Layne said that they will have live Facebook commentary along with musical entertainment.OthermembersoftheLeague are expected to witness the action including PresidentTomBacchus.Laynealsotookthe opportunitytothankallthesponsorsfortheir commitment to this year’s edition and promised to keep softball lively when the

Wakeel Layne

nextcompetitionbeginsinApril. Meanwhile, the competition is being played in memory of Dave Tajeshwar who was a huge supporter of softball cricket. His brotherVoTajeshwarisstilloneofthemain sponsors.

Some of the other sponsors are: Azeem Hassim (Hassim Customer Cabinet, New York), Big-G Auto Repair (NY) Gary Mohamed, Robert Hanuman and Family of New York, Nick Persaud, V and G Auto Repair and Family of New York, Hillside Homes Realty and First EMC of New York (Inderjeet Paul) and Ravie Persaud and FamilyofNewYork.

Robin Singh threatens legal action over Baseball’s ineligibility to March 14 GOA elections

Presidential Candidate for the March 14 Guyana OlympicAssociation(GOA) Electoral General Meeting (EGM), Robin Singh, is threateninglegalactionover the disallowance of his Guyana Baseball League (GBL)fromtheprocess.

A c c o r d i n g t o a correspondence from the GOAtoitsmembers,only17 associationsweredeemedas worthy to participate in the important elections, while the GBLalong with Guyana Judo Federation, Guyana NetballAssociation,Guyana Canoe Federation, Guyana TaekwondoAssociation and the Guyana Fencing Federation were listed as ineligible.

Archery Guyana, G u y a n

u r PowerliftingFederation,and the Guyana Wrestling Association are Associate members pending affiliation to the GOA and are also ineligible to vote at the

EGM.

Singh will go head-tohead with Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) presidentGodfreyMunroeat the elections that will select the GOA’s first president in almostthreedecades.

Singh, in a letter written to the GOA’s General Secretary, Hector Edwards, is asking for “clarity to be provided on the decision to excludeGOAaffiliatesfrom votingintheelections.”

“Baseball Guyana has retained legal counsel in the event of a failure to resolve this issue in-house; the attempt to selectively enforcepartsofArticles6&7 ofthenewGOAconstitution without due notice and process required by those samearticlesisunlawfuland unenforceable,”Singhsaid.

According to Singh, “there is no Appeals Board setupasrequiredbythenew Constitution which leaves memberswithnoalternative

to the ordinary courts for recourse.”

Singh is hoping that the matter could be resolved outside of the court, adding, “when sports organizations approachthecourts,nogood is done to its image, public t r u s t a n d f u t u r e administration, all involved (onthelosingside)isforever regarded as unseemly opportunists.”

“I would ask that we all have a sober rethink and I lookforwardtotheSecretary General’s reply soonest,” Singhsaid.

Atthetimeofthisarticle, theGOA’sGeneralSecretary did not offer a response to Singh’s letter, which was alsoattachedtoallmembers of the local International Olympic Committee (IOC) affiliate.

Director of Sport and president of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Steve Ninvalle, Guyana Hockey Board president

Philip Fernandes and Guyana Lawn Tennis Association (GLTA) Cristy Campbell are contesting the VicePresidentposition.

TheGOAonlyallowsfor threeVicePresidents,which willgivetheaforementioned sports administrators an automatic place on the ExecutiveCommittee.

Commonwealth Games gold and silver medalist and Chairman of the Pan Am S p o r t s A t h l e t e s Commission, Aliann Pompey, was deemed ineligible to contest due to article 14.4.1 “being a national of Guyana and ordinarily resident in Guyana.”

The Secretary-General positionwillseecurrentVice President Karen Pilgrim coming up against the President of the Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation, Attorney-AtLawKeavonBess.

McKinnon was ruled out of contesting for the position, with the GOAstating that it was due to article 14.4.3 “havebeenatthetimeoffirst elected a member of a constituent member for at leasttwo(2)years.”

Garfield Wiltshire was the lone nominee for the

position of Treasurer, while the Assistant SecretaryGeneral will be contested between Deion Nurse and LatoyaHerbert. Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) president Michael Singh will challenge Nurse for the AssistantTreasurerposition.

Forrester Lumber Yard & Trophy Stall set to sponsor the “Opening Day Stakes” Horserace

Guyana’s number one lumber retailer, Forrester Lumber Yard and popular Trophy & Engraving Store, Trophy Stall, has undoubtedly pledged their support to the upcoming “Opening Day Stakes” carded for this Sunday 12th March, 2023 at the Rising SunTurfClub.

NostrangertotheJumbo J e t T h o r o u g h b r e d Committee, Forester has been an avid supporter of local horseracing. Forrester Lumber Yard, who started business from humble beginnings,hasnowevolved from lumber to the civil industry

As a household name in the industry Mr Andrew Forester continues to spread their wings opening branches of their company throughoutGuyana.

Now moving heavily intoreadymix,thecompany continues to provide gainful employmentforhundredsof youths and his passion for the upliftment of Guyana’s youth has definitely made

himamodelbusinessman.

Mr Ramesh Surich

Owner & CEO of Trophy Stall has supported the development of numerous sporting activities and playersinGuyana.

Asthelargestsupplierof trophies,plaques,engraving, printing and multiple gift items,TrophyStallhasbeen at the helm of most sporting activities where prizes are involved The company continues to raise the bar with new and improved trophy options and designs inkeepingwithinternational standards.

Preparations are moving swiftly for this Sundays

“Opening Day Stakes” whichisexpectedtobewell attended due to the unfortunate postponement duetotheinclementweather.

Stable & Horse owners haveexpressedthedireneed for structured races to be held to ensure the investments made in the thoroughbreds bare the reward of cash, trophies and braggingrights.

When contacted for further information, Mr Nasrudeen “Junior” Mohamed indicated, “This Sunday’sraceisgoingtobea huge success based on feedbackontheground.

Wehavedoneourbestto ensurethetrackstaysingood shape. We are aware of the continuous investments made by Stable & Horse owners to upkeep their horses for this sport so the JJTRC will ensure races are held.

This Sunday we have opened our internal carpark free of cost to all vehicle owners with complimentary programs upon entry while stockslastofcourse.

Please ensure all entries are in or for further information feel free to contactJingoJagdeoat6187278, Fazal Habibulla at 611-1141 or whatsapp Nic Chadee on 1 868 386 2432. So bring the entire family and let’s enjoy the stiff competition while having fun at the Opening Day Stakes.”

Robin Singh

GGApresidentAleem Hussain with members of the GDF.

Jason Holder goes big over midwicket. (AFP/Getty Images)

Paul David