Kaieteur News
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Saturday March 12, 2022
CGX takes US$35M loan from partner to cover its portion of expenses in Guyana’s assets
F
rontera Energy Corporation and CGX Energy Inc., the two Canadian joint venture partners with interests in three blocks in the Guyana basin announced that they have entered into a financing agreement for a US$35 million loan. This loan will enable CGX in particular to continue to finance part of its share of costs related to the Corentyne Block, the Berbice Deepwater Port, and other budgeted costs as agreed to with Frontera. Kaieteur News understands that the loan to CGX will be available for drawdown in tranches on a non-revolving basis earlier than July 31, 2022 or the date on which CGX has drawn down the maximum amount of the Loan. The loan,
together with all interest accrued, shall be due and payable July 31, 2022, or such later date as determined by Frontera, at its sole discretion. Interest payable on the principal amount outstanding would accrue at a rate of 9.7% per annum payable monthly in cash, with interest on overdue interest. If the Loan is extended by Frontera past July 31, 2022, in its sole discretion, the new interest rate will be 15% per annum. This newspaper understands that the loan will be secured by all of the assets of CGX. A standby fee of 2% per annum multiplied by the daily average amount of unused commitment under the loan in excess of US$19 million is payable quarterly in arrears by CGX,
Teen involved in tragic drag racing incident remanded to prison The teenage driver of a speeding Spacio car that killed three persons on Monday last, was remanded to prison for causing their death by dangerous driving. Mathew Ambedkar, 19, appeared on Friday at the Leonora Magistrate Court before Magistrate Seepaul Ali. He was charged with three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and was not required to plead to the indictable charge. He is expected to make (Continued on page 17)
Remanded for killing 3 by driving dangerously Mathew Ambedkar
on the last business day of each fiscal quarter, during the drawdown period. Subject to the approval o f t h e T S X Ve n t u r e Exchange, Frontera in its sole discretion, on or after July 31, 2022, may elect to convert all or a portion of the principal amount of the loan outstanding, including accrued interest that has not been repaid, into common shares of CGX at a conversion price equal to U.S. $2.42 per common share (being the U.S. dollar equivalent of Cdn. $ 3.10 per common share), provided Frontera provides CGX with 15 business days notice of such conversion. CGX was keen to note that it has the right to prepay all or any portion of the Loan, including any unpaid interest, on 15 business days notice to Frontera before July 31, 2022. CGX is also required to repay all of the loan that is outstanding in the event that without the consent of Frontera, it issues any security that would dilute Frontera’s current ownership of CGX. “We are pleased to complete this financing agreement in support of our joint venture as we build momentum towards s p u d d i n g t h e We i - 1 exploration well in the second half of this year,” said Orlando Cabrales, Chief Executive Officer of Frontera. He added, “These are exciting times for our joint venture and we look forward to working with our
Map showing the locations of CGX and Frontera’s Guyana Blocks: Corentyne, Berbice and Demerara partner, CGX, as we build on our recent exploration success at the Kawa-1 exploration well and generating value for our shareholders and the people of Guyana in one of the most exciting basins in the world.” Also commenting on the loan was Professor Suresh Narine, Executive CoChairman of CGX. He said, “The Kawa-1 exploration well (which was disclosed on January 31, 2022 as a discovery) represents a transformative discovery for CGX, in partnership with Frontera. With positive
results and data supporting the 200 feet of net pay indicated, we have de-risked our exploration programme and can continue to move forward with our overall plans, beginning with Wei-1 (the second well to be drilled in the Corentyne Block this year).” He added, “We look forward to adding to our positive momentum and creating value and opportunity for our stakeholders.” ABOUT THE PARTNERS CGX is a Canadianbased oil and gas exploration company focused on the exploration of oil in the Guyana-Suriname Basin and
the development of a deepwater port in Berbice, Guyana. It operates the Berbice, Corentyne and Demerara Blocks with its j o i n t v e n t u r e p a r t n e r, Frontera. Frontera is a Canadian public company involved in the exploration, development, production, transportation, storage and sale of oil and natural gas in South America, including related investments in both upstream and midstream facilities. Frontera has a diversified portfolio of assets with interests in 34 exploration and production blocks in Colombia, Ecuador and Guyana, and pipeline and port facilities in Colombia.
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Saturday March 12, 2022
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CARICOM must end silence on absence of full coverage insurance from ExxonMobil ...as oil spill offshore Guyana could affect entire region - TIGI Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI) is just one of the many agencies that has over the years registered concerns about unsettling matters that remain unaddressed as regards the effective management of the local oil and gas sector. The transparency body is however looking to take their advocacy a bit further as it intends to press the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on their silence regarding oil and gas matters in Guyana that have the potential to adversely affect the region. In a recent TIGI column, the transparency agency noted that while local authorities here seem to be shunning persons and organizations who criticize their handling of the oil sector, it is also notable that CARICOM seems not to be focusing on the potential dangers that it too faces where certain decisions are made in the local industry. “We have some more questions to ask but not of the (Government of Guyana) GOG. We have a certain regional organization to ask whether the Treaty of Chaguaramas envisioned that one country would be able to sign contracts with multinationals that expose the entire region’s people
and tourism industry to such high levels of risk without guaranteed compensation.” TIGI was at the time referencing the contractual agreements made between Guyana, US-based oil giant Exxon Mobil and its subsidiary agencies for the pumping of the country’s offshore oil reserves. Civil society bodies like TIGI and other concerned parties have highlighted a number of grey areas that include environmental concerns, tax payment concerns, local content concerns and the sharing of oil profits among other matters. TIGI is of the firm conviction that one of the most obvious arrangements that should concern CARICOM is the failure of Guyanese leaders to ensure that ExxonMobil would take responsibility for all costs associated with the unfortunate occurrence of an oil spill caused by its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL). Instead, should such an unwanted situation occur, EEPGL which is the operator of the Stabroek Block, and is in partnership with the subsidiaries of Hess Corporation and CNOOC Group, would be responsible for handling the cleanup costs. Importantly, these
companies would be unable to provide Guyana with full coverage insurance that would ensure all costs associated with an unmitigated oil spill would be completely taken care of. Additionally, the money expended by the limited liability companies would be recoverable from Guyana if the oil producing nation fails to prove the environmental disaster resulted from “gross negligence.” With Guyana playing an integral role within the Caribbean bloc and being in proximity to its CARICOM neighbours, TIGI believes that small islands that depend on fishing, tourism and other such commercial activities could be directly affected and as such, should express concerns. In the same way that the Guyana government is asking civil society where they have been as they have been selective in their criticism of the government, TIGI said, “The people of Guyana should be asking them (CARICOM) where they have been. Why have they been silent?” TIGI indicated that CARICOM is run by funds coming from the peoples of the region and the Bloc should thus have a bigger interest in matters that could affect them.
GPF to implement better systems to guard against staff overpayments The Guyana Police Force came under the scrutiny of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday for issues of overpayments to staffers as outlined in 2017 and 2018 Auditor General’s report. In representing the Guyana Police Force before t h e PA C , S e n i o r Superintendent of Police, Calvin Brutus, told the Committee that some of the staffers still cannot be located and this was due to slothful communication. He explained, “These overpayments occurred because of the pace at which the information was received at the head office to effect those adjustments. What we’ve done so far is some members that joined the Force have given
consent to have monies deducted from their current salaries on a monthly basis.” Brutus added, “We have written letters to former members who were overpaid informing them of the amount they were overpaid and requested that they make good on repaying those monies within a specified time. Some letters were served; some we could not locate them.” According to the officer, the GPF records reflected that from seven officers being overpaid in 2017, 88 were overpaid in 2018. Brutus said the Force is making efforts to recover those monies and reduce the occurrence on such an alarming scale. Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary of the Home Affairs Ministry, Mae
Thomas, has been engaged for further action in relation to those officers who could not be reached via letters. The Committee was also informed that mechanisms were activated to prevent a recurrence. “We have also reiterated to the Commanders and Heads of Departments that they enforce the policy of having those reports coming within 72-hour period and also informing us in an informal way by way of a cell phone.” In 2021, the Committee had examined the Auditor (Continued on page 17)
CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters
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Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
President Bidens first year, and last two weeks Joseph Biden as senator had long set his sights on the highest office in the United States, that of President. He succeeded against the odds, and he is in the White House now, with his first full year in office now months behind him. It was a year of ups and downs, of initiatives and momentums losing steam, and of opponents arrayed against him in unyielding ironclad battle formation. President Bidens positive accomplishments surely must include putting much-needed money in the pockets of strapped Americans, all victimised by the relentlessly stalking, devouring COVID-19 viral pandemic. It was a major almost two trillion-dollar achievement for the new American President, and he earned much gratitude and goodwill from Americans out of work, and out of cash, who had families and bills to take care of, and for whom the relief money was most timely. The President made some inroads with a massive infrastructure bill, also a trillion, but not as many as he would have liked. And this is part of the problem with Joe Bidens presidency: he goes after overgrown financial elephants, as in the trillions. It was a number that became commonplace for him, but one which scared the daylights out of deficit conscious and runaway spending hawks in the Senate and elsewhere. Further, for a leader whose early watch saw the greatest increase in jobs (6.4 million) in decades that was unmatched by any other first year President, there has to be some degree of recognition and applause. There were a few other areas of still positive, but less commendable results. On the negative side, President Biden faltered in key areas, and flattered to deceive. Climate change was supposed to be a mainstay of his presidency. He started out brightly and boldly, then the issue started to crumble, with determined opposition from among his own. Democratic Senator, Joe Manchin, from the coal producing state of West Virginia had to take a stand for the people who sent him to Congress, and not endorse the full range of the ambitious visions of his president. To do otherwise was political suicide, and in the evenly divided Senate his opposition was a stumbling block of major proportions. He had to be conscious that his state is heavily Republican, and he is the only Democrat in his states Congressional delegation, which means he operates with a short leash, while walking a very taut rope. President Biden, however, has come into his own recently, with determined and wise, possibly, far-reaching leadership moves in the last two weeks. Where he appeared faltering and unsure before, he has patiently marshaled issues to his advantage with rare leadership vision. As the New York Times headlined on February 27th, “10 consequential days: How Biden navigated war, COVID, and the Supreme Court”. It is “what is already redefining the arc of his presidency.” The foundations for future leverage have been laid. On the warfront that is Ukraine, President Biden was able to gather a united European front to confront the so-called Russian Special Military Operation, which is war by another name. He was able to patch together a coalition of largely Western and largely NATO nations to stand up to the Russian nightmare. It is instructive that vital European energy interests have taken a backseat, and in winter of all times. What the American leader has been able to get across is that the menace is real, and it may not stop at the borders of Ukraine. He has been cool and circumspect in his handling of this most demanding of duties. His Supreme Court pick, Judge Ketanji Brown, (female and Black) offers a chance to gain bipartisan support in the Senate, and is a study of making a fair and balanced call, without going overboard, or to the extremes. In the next instance, Americans are still dying from the pandemic, and pressures intensify to relax some of the confining restrictions. The President walks this tightrope of restrictions, confirmation, and sanctions, alongside overall military and economic considerations. He is ready to sign a trillion-dollar bill with urgent aid for Ukraine. Joe Bidens presidency could be turning for a little better. The jury is out, but it looks favourable.
Saturday March 12, 2022
Government must protect its citizens from Inflation Storm DEAR EDITOR, With the war in Ukraine and other severe pressures driving prices on commodities such as oil and wheat to record highs, the government must move immediately to address what is looking like a period of severe hardship on Guyana’s working poor. However I hope that this does not involve another round of envelope handouts. These simply take up too
much time and labour and are open to abuse. Instead there are far more efficient and fairer ways to put money in people’s pockets. Credits on GPL up to $10,000 per month, similarly with GWI, can be done with a stroke of a pen. This will benefit poorer households more as the credit would be a larger proportion of their bill. Secondly it would reward those households who are not steal-
ing electricity or water. The government must also reduce the excise tax on fuel to zero with immediate effect and ensure GuyOil keeps its price at $200 per litre. This will help commuters and businesses to contain spiralling expenses. Other measures could include a reduction in VAT to 10%. This is not a time for timidity. This is a time for pro-
active policies directed at consumers. There will be more than enough money to pay for these measures with oil prices so high. Let it be remembered that the Natural Resource Fund was always intended to be a savings account for rainy days. There’s a massive storm blowing in and now is the time to shelter our people from it. Yours sincerely, Lynn Nicholas
Will ABCE Countries act against Putin-style oligarchy in Guyana? DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to your news reports on the Ukraine war. The ABCE countries (America, Britain, Canada, Europe) have imposed sanctions on oligarchs of Russia in order to pressure Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine. Will the ABCE countries do same to end endemic corruption in (and that has been destroying) Guyana? Since Putin took over power in Russia following the collapse of communism, the international media has been reporting that the autocratic ruler and a handful of associates have taken over control of most of the resources and economy. A
few have become filthy rich, multi-billionaires in American dollar term; Putin’s name is also among the list. Much of the oligarch’s money has been kept in the west, and some of their enormous assets have been frozen to put pressure on the Kremlin to end the Ukraine war. A similar situation has developed in Guyana since the collapse of communism and the deaths of the two Jagan’s. A Putin like scenario has emerged post Jagan in which the working class is oppressed to create wealth for a few very corrupt individuals. Guyana has been a sham democracy under succeeding governments in which the people don’t
exercise influence. An autocracy has emerged and an oligarchy has been established in Guyana. In succeeding governments, an autocratic ruler determines who gets what title and when. Even paper qualifications are manufactured to embellish one’s background and credentials to seek elective office. Since the change in administration in August 2021, wagons have circled the power structure. Critics are muzzled as reported in the media last week and that is also the subject of editorials in KN and SN. The supporters are fooled with crumbs like grants while the oligarchs increase ownership of assets. The Putin-like framework,
including the Medvedev precedent, has been put to effective use. The surrogate power system is not dissimilar to the Medvedev precedent – a person selected as the front but controlled by the power behind the throne. An autocratic leader and his associates have managed to acquire control of the bulk of the country’s resources and the economy. They decide who gets licences, land, contracts and jobs just like in Russia – remember the fishing licence scandal, land scandal in Amerindian areas, firing of Dr. Jadoopat, Enmore Packaging plant, Guysuco scandals, pump scandals, flooding scandal, (Continued on page 6)
Article 13 has a lot of work to do DEAR EDITOR, A civic society group named Article 13 has a lot of urgent oversight to do in order to hold the rulers accountable for the billions that are being talked about so loosely. No doubt Article 13 is relying on rights granted to the Guyanese people in Chapter 2 of the 1980 constitution as amended. Other Guyanese concerned about accountability may also be relying on rights such as the right to inclusive government framed in the same Chapter of the same Constitution. What will surprise Guyanese is the fact that the rights referred to as granted in Chapter 2 are rights not available. To explain this paradox I must recall a bit of Constitutional history. In 1978 the government of the day was responding to financial problems. It issued a circular denying all government employees their traditional entitlement to merit increments due to them and ordered all government agencies to implement this
order immediately. There was widespread opposition to the order and to the high-handed way in which the government had arrived at its decision. Across the board there were meetings, objections, protests, consultations at the level of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and a growing mood of defiance to the government. Out of all this widespread disagreement with the government measure, Mr. Teemal, a sugar worker and member of NAACIE, filed a High Court Motion seeking a declaration against the validity of the measure. It took some time for the issue to be finally determined. When it reached the Court of Appeal, that court ruled in favour of Mr. Teemal, and struck down the circular. They found that the circular was ultra vires to the Constitution null and void and of no effect. In giving their decisions, Court of Appeal Judge Mr. Ronald Luckhoo made important findings quoted in a book by Mr. Nanda Gopaul. My own clear recollection is that Chancellor Keith Massiah made a provision for
Chapter 2, pleaded by the plaintiff, saying that trade unions were entitled to participate in government decisions concerning their members. In agreeing to nullify the circular, Chancellor Massiah said, we have to give some teeth to this constitution. The government in turn reacted sharply, bringing to the floor of the National Assembly a bill entitled The Labour Amendment Act. This strange piece of legislation contained, among other things, the provision that the Court of Appeal decision had not been made. When members of the opposition from the PPP and the WPA charged that the government was interfering with the decision of the Court, the Attorney General Hon Mohamed Shahabuddeen declared defiantly, “The government is not interfering with the Court, but is putting a decision out of action”. The government used its majority to pass the bill. One feature of the bill was an amendment of the Constitution appearing today
as Article 29 of Chapter 2 of the Constitution. The prevailing provision reads and intends that the courts of Guyana may not enforce a p r o v i s i o n o f Chapter 2 of the Constitution unless Parliament had previously, by law, provided that the particular article of Chapter 2 should become available for enforcement by the courts. Unless I am much mistaken as a layman, it appears to me on reading the plain words of the amendment, that people of goodwill who wish to see the implementation of several of the paper rights granted by Chapter 2 of the Constitution, have the option of coming together across party lines and other lines of division against Article 29 or any article with any other number due to editions of the Constitution that bar the Courts from enforcing the rights, which would be available without the restriction or bar imposed by Article 29 to which I have referred. Yours faithfully, Eusi Kwayana
Saturday March 12, 2022
Why doesn’t the Government offer help to farmers concerning Fertilizer DEAR EDITOR, Late last year our President spoke of working with bilateral partners to arrest the rise in fertilizer prices in Guyana here. Yet farmers in Region 6 are still crying out for fertilizer prices of $10,000—12,000. Rice is $1900 for a small bag and will soon hit $2000. Produce prices will soon also rise. What steps has the government taken since our
President made those remarks late last year? I ask the news media to please make inquiries into this. The ones we elected to govern us do not care about what we have to pass through on a daily basis. I hope the rice farmers are taking note of the broken promises of this government just as it did with the coalition government. The PPP/C government that I helped vote
into office keeps disappointing me and I’m sure a lot of my fellow Guyanese brothers and sisters and we need to remember this on election day come 2025 or even before as the PPP\C government continues to mishandle the O&G sector. My contact number is 6612481 and please don’t post it. Kind regards, Brian Clementson
Three budgets no money allocated for the purchase of Art or to aid producing artists DEAR EDITOR, This letter does not represent the views of the entire Artist Community, rather a few who have taken no sides in determining whether it is Russia or America and its NATO Allies who are responsible for the Ukraine war. Ours is Promoting Global Peace, Love, and Harmony. Not Genocidal Wars among Nations. Exactly who benefits from Wars? Not Humanity! Our political geography in South America next door to Venezuela is extremely sensitive and dangerous. We are already living under Siege with a government that pays lip service to Democracy but continues to destroy our democracy, our lives, and our country. Emboldened that it has no organized opposition, they control and dispense our wealth to their supporters and financial backers, while the big Capitalist Consortiums are having a field day taking possession of our land and wealth generated from natural resources, the Oil and gas sectors. Leaving behind a nation grounded in poverty living as refugees in our own country! Our situation is getting worse day by day and the blame is now not the 15month political standoff nor the Covid19 Pandemic, It is now the Ukraine war. GPL hike will make matters worse, the cost of living continues to spiral.
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With three enormous budgets exceeding 1.3 Trillion GY dollars there has been no money allocated for the purchase of Art or to aid producing artists, rather the government has given out GYD 1 million under the title of Culture and Business. Award to 20 persons, while Senior Guyanese artists who have served our country for over 40 years with distinction are discriminated
against, victims of Race, Class, and Political Prejudice. The War will become the Yardstick for more injustices, more hardships and as the Ukrainians are fleeing so will Guyanese from the calamity unleashed. It does not take a crystal ball to see where we are headed. Yours faithfully, Desmond Alli (General Secretary Guyana United Artists GUA)
Good movement, finally DEAR EDITOR, It is good to finally see some concrete movement being made with regards to the popular electric bikes to bring it into a legal framework, with collaboration between GPF
and GRA to develop rules to govern use, it was reported (News Room, Mar 10). I await further positive developments in this regard on this matter. Regards, Shamshun Mohamed
Will there be an independent investigation on contracting pumps? DEAR EDITOR, Reference is made to missive by Dr. Vishnu Bandhu (Feb 26) on the controversial advise offered by the Ministry to purchase pumps from a company in Hollywood, Miami, Florida. Ministry has no business to guide or suggest to contractors from whom to purchase pumps. The best and most effective pumps must be procured at the right price. I have been keenly following up on the purchase of pumps under the previous and this current administration. There have been a lot of errors for which there has not been accountability. The purchase
of pumps has been mired in controversy for years. Neither administration seems to have gotten it right. And neither administration seems open, transparent, and above board in selecting a contractor and ordering the right pumps. I was expecting a response from the Ministry on the questions raised by Dr. Bandhu about the company, Morrison Pumps, from Hollywood. There being no response from the Ministry or NDIA is one to conclude that Dr. Bandhu is right and also for the public to assume the ordering of pumps will remain mired in controversy? Doesn’t the ministry even
care to verify Bandhu’s allegation that the Morrison pump company is not a pump manufacturer as required by the tender and by contract? Won’t there at least be an independent investigation? Will engineers be sent to Morrison to examine the pumps and its factory like what took place when pumps were ordered from India? Will engineers be compelled to approve purchase from Morrison or any other company? Will a competent capable contractor be approved to install the pumps? Yours truly, Justin Defreitas
PNCR calls on GECOM to withdraw vaccination requirement for registration DEAR EDITOR, The PNCR totally rejects the requirement imposed by GECOM that citizens wishing to register must first provide proof of being fully vaccinated or a negative PCR test. Imposing a vaccination requirement for registration blatantly violates the Guyana constitution. The constitution enshrines a citizens right to elect and be elected as a fundamental guarantee and imposes only a minimum of necessary eligibility and a d m i n i s trative requirements for registration and for voting. The vaccination requirement fails purely on constitutional grounds, and
GECOM must immediately withdraw it on that basis alone. But the requirement is also absurd in that it places many citizens in the classic chicken-and-egg situation whereby to get a COVID-19 vaccine, a person needs a National ID card, but to get an ID card, a person needs to be vaccinated. The GECOM Secretariat has obviously given only superficial thought to the const i tutional and common-sense implications of imposing a vaccination prerequisite for registration. The PNCR therefore calls on GECOM to immediately and absolutely annul this requirement. The Party has also asked
its commissioners to vigorously pursue this matter with the intent of having this uncon s t i t u t i o n a l m e a s u r e withdrawn immediately. In making this call to GECOM, the party is, in no shape or form, underestimating the continued threat posed by the COVID pandemic. We therefore urge GECOM to put in place other effective measures such as masking, sanitizing, well-ventilated and spacious offices, and social distancing to p r o m o t e t h e s a f ety and comfort of its staff and all visiting applicants. Regards, Peoples National Congress Reform
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Will ABCE Countries act against Putin-style oligarchy in Guyana? From page 4 and so many more. Deals are cut with investors including with the oil barons. In spite of repeated calls, there has not been any investigation of Exxon agreement and other oil contracts or an audit of Exxon oil expenses. The Exxon contract is described as the most lopsided contract ever executed since the days of slavery or in the history of the world. The nation is taken to the cleaners. And we read that Exxon will join the PPP government in a lawsuit filed by Kaieteur News owner, Glenn Lall challenging tax concessions granted by the preceding APNU led administration. It is amazing that the government is teaming up with Exxon to defend the tax concessions worth billions in American dollars that Guyana has lost. The oligarch is surrounded by willing local and foreign contractors, some from China and Trinidad. They have been given lucrative contracts and state concessions to establish and operate companies once they pay the right fees. Local Guyanese
Saturday March 12, 2022
Kaieteur News
contractors are bypassed, neglected, marginalized; they can’t afford the big fees. The oligarchs enjoy privileged circumstances to the disadvantaged of others who are not loyal. Before long, the entire country’s wealth will be totally in the hands of a few. This is not different from what obtained under Putin style governance. Guyanese can expect to suffer the same fate as the Russian people since the collapse of communism. Will America and the other western democracies that saved democracy in Guyana in 2020 just sit back and allow an oligarchy to expand its control and power? The Guyanese people need real democracy not just electoral democracy in which they vote and are then ignored. The people want an end to corruption. It is time to act against the Guyanese oligarchs. Freezing their corruptly acquired assets that are in Miami and other parts of America as well as those kept in other western countries and also in the Middle East will send a strong message against corruption. Yours truly, Fazal Ismail
30 entrepreneurs awarded $1M grants to advance cultural, creative businesses
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramon along with the entrepreneurs who received the grants On Tuesday last, 30 Guyanese entrepreneurs received grants from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport at a handing over ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre. Under the ministry’s Cultural and Creative Industries Grant, these entrepreneurs were granted up to $1,000,000 per project. The funding supported a wide spectrum of cultural and creative industry initiatives from across the country. From literary arts publications to film production, from fashion showcases to musical productions, the grant represents an unprecedented investment in the creative arts sector. The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Charles Ramson delivered a speech
during the ceremony in which he congratulated and encouraged the entrepreneurs to use this moment of success as a “springboard” to achieve other moments of success. “Take the time to appreciate major moments in your life….live in the moment of your success,” Ramson further stated. The minister also emphasized on the Government’s commitment to developing the creative sector as a part of its diverse economy. A few of the entrepreneurs in speaking with Kaieteur News, expressed their gratitude for the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s implementation of this initiative. Nachle Designs which represents a partnership in a
clothing designing business, between husband, Hashim Alli and wife, Melicia PartabAlli was among the projects funded. Nachle Designs is a unique concept which was birthed back in 2014. It offers a unique choice of Indian clothing with an Eastern and Western brand to Guyanese. Alli and his wife said they are both happy to be one of the only branded lines of Indian clothes being produced here in Guyana. Alli in speaking with this media house stated, “This grant has been an amazing initiative by Minister Charles Ramson and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport…and will rebirth this brand and help us start our three new lines we have
planned for this year.” He further stated that this grant will help the creative minds and the creative industries to progress. The entrepreneur said that is exactly what it will be doing for his brand, Nachle Designs. “We had to close shop due to the pandemic, and so for two years we were not fortunate to carry on this business. This grant will basically rebirth this brand and will help us to start our three new lines that we have planned for this year,” He said. The three lines are one for Phagwah, a bridal collection and Diwali line. Another entrepreneur, Richard Bhainie also spoke to Kaieteur News on his project which involves a website to (Continued on page 18)
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday March 12, 2022
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ExxonMobil agreeing to compensate our fishermen for their losses may seem a negligible development but we at this publication see it as a small victory.
We see it as the beginning of what could be bigger and more meaningful things for Guyanese, at the hands of a trusted partner; a genuine partner in a real partnership, where all parties flourish.
The fact that Exxon can entertain the idea that its operations could impact the livelihood of our fishermen, and is prepared to recompense, tells us that all is not lost. It is why we must persevere in this struggle with the power of a spirit and the kind of compelling persuasion that will not take no for an answer, or which will not be denied. Brothers and Sisters, expect more victories in the near future. We are doing our part. You must too.
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Saturday March 12, 2022
Consortium bids US$7.5M to supervise construction of new hospitals
A
Companies bid
consortium comprising of consultancy firms, Vikab Engineering Consultants Limited and Jain Consultant Guyana is now the lone bidder for the contract to supervise the construction of seven new hospitals, one of which is designated for children which the government intends to build this year. This was revealed during the opening of tenders on Wednesday at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. The bidder submitted a financial proposal of US$1,679,301 to supervise the construction of the six new regional hospitals and US$5,859,532 to oversee the construction o f th e p aed iatr ic an d maternal hospital. Vi k a b E n g i n e e r i n g Consultants Limited and its associate were among five other firms that were competing to supervise the Ministry of Health projects. Kaieteur News reported that the other firms are E&A Consultants Inc., which submitted a bid for the six new hospital projects and RSV Structural Engineering in association with Alvair & APM, SRKN’gineering, H. Morrison & R. Woodtuck, and WSP Caribbean which bid for the maternal and children hospital contract. It was reported that in
this year’s budget, the health sector was allocated $73.2 billion, of which a total of $12.4 billion has been budgeted for the design and construction of a state-ofthe-art pediatric and maternal hospital, upgrading of the West Demerara and Bartica regional hospitals, and the construction of six modern regional hospitals at Anna Regina, Tuschen, Diamond, Enmore, Bath and No.75 Village, Corentyne. Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony during his budget debate presentation explained that the government’s intention to build these new facilities was based on the population size in those specific regions and that the people have easy access to healthcare services. According to him, a hospital will be in Anna Regina because it is the most populated area in Region Two. “Why should they not have a hospital there? That is what we are addressing, so we will be putting that hospital in Anna Regina,” the minister had argued. Similarly, he had said because villages like Tuschen and Parika in Region Three are becoming more populated, it was decided that another regional hospital would be built in that district so as to provide services for all. As for Region Four, the Minister stated that two new
regional hospitals will be built, one at Enmore and the other at Diamond. He highlighted that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has always been seen as the National Referral Hospital but sometimes it would be referred to as a regional hospital. “We want to change that. We want to ensure that Georgetown Public Hospital remains a National Referral hospital and does mostly the complicated cases,” he said. Anthony mentioned that the decision to build a hospital at Bath Settlement in Region Five is because it is where the majority of the population in that region resides. In addition to these new facilities, each one will be equipped with their own CT scans, digital X-rays, ultra sound machines and modernised laboratories and that all devices will be internet enabled, the minister asserted. According to him, the reason behind all this “is that people would not have to travel from all parts of the country to come to Georgetown to get access to these things.” Meanwhile, regarding the maternal and child hospital, Dr. Anthony said it is to cater for all the high-risk mothers and children, so as to ensure they have access to specialised services.
Saturday March 12, 2022
If given the choice of deciding whether to study English Literature (of what the CXC calls English B), the majority of our students would decline. Were it not compulsory in many schools, most students would hesitate in opting to study English Literature. The study of English literature in our schools is boring. It is confined mainly to examining a few conservative texts, poems and drama. As such most students have become drilled in associating literature solely with the required texts which they are mandated to study. The agony of enduring weekly literature classes is compounded by the poor manner in which the subject is taught. Not many of those teachers who assume responsibility for providing guidance and instruction in this subject are trained or suitably qualified to do so. The majority amble through the syllabus. How then does one assign a teacher to provide instruction in a subject in which he or she is poorly grounded? In addition, little or no explanation is ever provided as to the nature and purpose of literature. As such, most students do not understand to what ends they are required to study literature. Most of them are told that the study of literature is necessary since reading gives one an advantage in understanding ideas and in expressing such ideas. In other words, if they wish to write well and even perhaps to speak well, the study of literature is necessary. Not many students are convinced.
Literature is life
Privately, they will question why they should spend two or more years studying Shakespeare, Naipaul, Wordsworth, Scott, Langston Hughes and even the tedious and, at times, incomprehensible Walcott? They will question if literature is about enriching one’s language then why limit the study materials to stories, poems and drama. Are the lyrics of rap music or the screenplay of some of the modern movies not equally eligible to qualify as literature? And why is only the written word and drama considered suitable for literature instruction? What about the visual expressions such as art, craft and songs? Why aren’t these qualified as constituting part of the study of literature? Even newspaper columnists are encouraging students to study literature because it will make them better writers and speakers. One columnist, in another newspaper, is fond of repeating that the value of literature is to be found in the search for finding the best or most accurate words to describe the human condition. However, the ability to write better is a derived and incidental benefit of the study of literature. It is not the reason for or the value of literature. So why should our students study literature? One reason is that the study of history past would be sterile were it not for literature which allows us to have a feel of the sensibilities and sensitivities of a prior age. Michel Meyer, a professor emeritus, has provided other sound reasons for studying literature. In one of his texts, he says that one of the most
important reasons for studying literature is that it nourishes our emotional lives. We are all unique in our own ways but we experience many of the emotions which others before us experienced. When the poet writes, he or she may be expressing thoughts, ideas about things which we can relate to or which we may one day experience. As Meyer states, “The inner life that good writers reveal in their characters often gives us glimpses of some portion of ourselves.” The experience itself may be imagined but the emotion it evokes is real. A second value recounted by Meyer is that literature broadens our perspectives on the world. Literature he says allows us to move beyond the boundaries of our own lives and limited associates and introduces us to people who are different from us and distant from where we live. A third value is that literature makes us more aware of life’s possibilities. One may add it also makes us aware of life’s limitations. Meyer says that people who read literature experience more of life and have a keener sense of our common human identity. The study of literature therefore has to go beyond the skill in the use or play of words. The study of this subject cannot be pursued simply to develop a proficiency in their usage, including their appropriateness or accuracy. Literature is about life. It is concerned with the study of life and life’s vast canvas of themes. The study of literature can help prepare us for a better life. But just how many of our
Dem boys seh...
America want dis war
Russia firing rockets pun Ukraine. America and Europe dropping bombs pun Russia. De bombs dem dropping called sanctions. Dem intend to mek Russia pay a high price for de invasion. But is nat Russia paying de price. Is de American people and de European people and me and you wah paying de price. De price of oil done gone up and it gan go up further. De war costing you and me more money now. Nuff ah dem foreign companies pulling out of Russia. Dat means dem gan lose money. But dem gan
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Kaieteur News
mek up fuh de losses by putting more pressure pun you and me. So is who really de sanctions affecting? America want de war in Ukraine. When Poland promise Ukraine some MIG fighter jets de odder day, de Americans seh no. Dem nah want de war to escalate. Dem gat dem plans. Dem been encircling Russia fuh years through NATO and now dem nah even want Poland fuh help Ukraine. Dem want dis war continue because dem want to see Russian military capability. Ukraine is just a pawn fuh dem fuh test fuh see how far
Russia would go. Well Russia done invade. Ukraine is still de pawn because de Americans now want see how really strong and effective is de Russian military. De Americans getting a lesson in military tactics. Dem bin expect shock and aw tactics. Dem bin looking at de sky fuh see when dem Russian fighter jets gan bomb Kiev. But while dem looking up de Russians looking down. De Russians moving around dem ground forces and isolating Kiev before dem mek dem final surge. Talk half. Leff half.
teachers can truly explain to students that literature is about life and its study is just the tonic they need for their continuing journey? Paradoxically while the literature is part of the
humanities, it can well also be considered a study of life. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Saturday March 12, 2022
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
6 years for violent robbery/murder? Really! It really gets me angry and when I say angry, I mean insanely emotional. For decades now, lots of wrong things have taken place in this society. You hear not a word from any type of organisation. Then you discover that Guyana has human rights groups, women g r o u p s , transparency/accountability groups, government watchdog groups, anti-corruption groups, constitutional protection groups, and the enumeration is longer than the Essequibo River. The reverberation of these formations take in the entire country when it is something the government does. Is there a more absurd country than Guyana? Can you imagine a Guyanese who lives in another country and teaches at one of the universities of that country (mind you, not at UG where the service is vitally needed) appeared before an international body and requested its intervention to stop oil operations here? Social activist, Jonathan Yearwood was dismayed by that action. He wrote a letter in the press
asking the powerful question. You can ask for a better type of contract for oil operation but not stopping the process. This is the kind of aberrations I, as an opinion-maker, academic and social activist have to endure in my country. In the meantime, oceans of wrong things happen here and the society is silent. You don’t hear a word from the plethora of the “civil society” entities we have. You look back at this country and the injustices are countless. And guess why the plethora of “civil society” people are silent? The issues involve ordinary folks and there is no publicity to be had only when the topics are about government’s behaviour. Do you know on three occasions in the past, ordinary, poor men, have been sentenced to three years of imprisonment for possession of a smoking utensil? Not even in Malaysia and the Philippines where the sentencing is draconian would that happen. Do you know an ordinary, Amerindian fellow found a spent shell on the
road, was charged and sentenced to two years? Please see my column of Thursday, February 15, 2018, “Jail for spent shell: We are heading for another bloody mayhem.” When these injustices occur where is the ocean of “civil society groupings? Maybe we will see them now that an unbelievably light sentence for robbery and murder has been made public. Taxi driver, Faizal Bacchus along with two others, was charged with the murder of a businessman in, July 2015. On a guilty plea, Bacchus was given an 18-year sentence. Because of various considerations, Bacchus was released last week. If the robbery and murder were committed in July 2015 and Bacchus was freed at the beginning of March 2022, then this violent convict spent just over six years in jail. Let’s see the circumstances under which the businessman died through the words of his wife as contained in her testimony. This is what is reported in the press: “In a tearful recount of the
events of that fateful night, the man’s widow, Chitrakha Ramlall had told the court that she had just opened the door for her husband after he arrived home, when she was alerted to loud explosions. The wife told the court that as her husband did on any other night, he called and told her that he was on his way home and after coming out of bed, she proceeded to the living room where she waited for him. She recalled that after his arrival sometime after midnight, he parked his vehicle and she opened the door to let him in the house and then proceeded to the upper flat of their home. No sooner had she gotten upstairs, Ramlall said she heard “bullet” and her husband shouting “Thief! Thief!” She said she immediately called out to neighbours who went to her assistance. In between sobs, the woman had said that after rushing back downstairs she saw her husband lying face-down on the ground and stripped of his gold and diamond jewellery.” This is Guyana where nothing makes sense and everything is
Frederick Kissoon senseless. This is Guyana where Sigmund Freud is proven right each day. Freud wrote that motive and action must be connected. You put your item in front of the cashier. That is action. The motive is you want that item to use. Where there is a disconnection between motive and action, then disaster looms. Disaster arrived in Guyana a long time ago. A man spends less than seven years for his participation in the vicious murder/robbery of a businessman. There is no condemnation. The crabs will crawl out of the barrel today, this very day, looking for their accustomed publicity when the minister opens his/her mouth and says something wrong. I guess that is what crabs do – they crawl. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Saturday March 12, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
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Countryside Agri. donates critical tools to build farmers’ capacity
F
armers as well as groups that serve their interests in several rural areas will soon benefit from muchneeded agricultural tools and inputs following a donation made to the Ministry of Agriculture by Countryside Agri Center. The presentation was made last Wednesday, in the presence of Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheung by the company’s CEO, Lalta Digamber. While receiving the donation, which comprised of bugs/saturation pumps, power sprayers, brush
cutters, seedling trays, and potting soil, among other things valued at approximately $6,620,000, Minister Mustapha said that the donation will help farmers in rural communities to build capacity and improve their production. Meanwhile, Digamber, a seasoned agriculturalist with over 25 years of experience as one of the country’s top suppliers for agricultural machinery and inputs, said he hopes the tools will assist the beneficiaries with producing better quality products for both the local and CARICOM markets. The businessman said, “I was a farmer before I became
a businessman. As a businessman now, I wanted to make this donation because the government has been promoting the sector and working to make the sector more modernized which will help our farmers to deliver better quality products for both the local and CARICOM market. This
Saturday March 12, 2022
From right- Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha; Countryside Agri CEO, Lalta Digamber; and PSC Chairman, Paul Cheung
donation will help our farmers in the rural areas to develop their farms because most of the farmers in these rural areas are small-scale farmers and we want to partner with the government to help these farmers improve their production.” Mr. Digamber further stated that this year he plans
to return to farming on a large scale and will make his farm available to other farmers to be used as a model farm. Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Paul Cheung, said that the private sector has been in partnership with the government to promote
development across all sectors in the country while adding that the donation made on Friday demonstrates the execution of those set goals by the commission to encourage private sector buy-in to government’s efforts to improve the lives of the citizens.
Guyana/EU agree on roadmap to reduce Man illegal timber trade, improve governance remanded Guyana and the European Union (EU) on Thursday, agreed on a detailed roadmap for implementing the GuyanaE U F o r e s t L a w Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Vo l u n t a r y P a r t n e r s h i p Agreement (VPA), which aims to improve forest governance and verify the trade in legal timber. The aide-mémoire was signed by Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat and EU Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó, at the Pegasus Hotel after a meeting with the various stakeholders. “In no way the FLEGT/VPA or the Low Carbon Development Strategy, that is in the consultative process right now is speaking towards reduction in forest activities, reduction in harvesting or the production of wood products, what it speaks to directly is the sustainability of it, how inclusive the process is and also, and importantly how legal, the operation and the products are,” Minister Bharrat said. He made it clear that the agreement in no way means that the country is “cutting down” on forest activities, but ensuring that it is done in a sustainable, legal manner. He noted too that Guyana
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, M.P and Ambassador of the European Union to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Cantó during signing of the agreement.
has one of the best forest management systems in the world. “We are way above in terms of the management, in terms of sustainability and eradicating illegal logging,” Minister Bharrat noted. The Minister said government has been successful in tackling illegal logging, making more resources available to the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC). The administration has also taken steps to curb illegal mining, allocating more than 100 small concessions to small loggers and their associations in Regions One and Ten, and monitoring activities. Meanwhile, the EU Ambassador noted that the concerns raised about the forestry regulation are currently being discussed in
Europe. “In any case we are aware that Guyana is in a situation where it has preserved its forest, I have to congratulate you for that,” he said. He noted that it is timely to have the FLEGT/VPA to continue to preserve the forest. “The FLEGT/VPA is going to be a formidable tool for ultimately helping Guyana and helping all of you to preserve the forest, but also to use it for the benefit of your communities, for the benefit of Guyanese in a way that it is inclusive, that it is sustainable and in a way that the forest continues to be this treasure that you have, but also provides for the current and for the future generations,” EU Ambassador said. During the meeting, the
parties discussed the establishment of the Guyana-EU VPA Joint Monitoring and Review Committee (JMRC), which will oversee the implementation of the agreement and includes representatives of all stakeholder groups. Guyana is committed to making funds available to support the implementation of the VPA. Additional financial support is provided by the EU, Norway, and the UK. The next meeting of the parties is expected before the end of 2022. The VPA negotiations began in December 2012. They involved the private sector, government ministries and agencies, and indigenous peoples. (DPIModified Report)
on six counts of armed robbery
Remanded, Stanley Williams
An Agricola man was on Friday, remanded to prison on six counts of armed robbery. The defendant, Stanley Williams, made his first appearance before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded until March 25, 2022. The first charge states that on December 22, 2021 at Brutus Street, Agricola, and while in the company of others and armed with a gun, Williams robbed Kwesy Bethune of Kwakawani Park, Berbice River of one pair of gold earrings, one gold ring, one silver band, all valued at a total of $78,000 and $1.5M in cash. The other five charges alleged, that on the same date and at the same location, while in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Delon Medonca of one brown wallet and one iPhone 7, all valued at a total of $110,000; Khyla Craig of one gold and diamond finger ring valued $150,000 and $40,000 cash; Sharmela
Thomas of one shoulder bag containing one Samsung Galaxy Note 8 valued at a $135,000 and $20,000 cash; Jamika Jeffery of one handbag, two perfumes valued at a total of $65,000; and Rayon Shortt of $10,000 cash. According to police reports, Bethune who is a minibus operator was working his regular route. He left Georgetown around 12:00Hrs to head to K a w a k a w n i . H o w e v e r, around 17:15Hrs the same day while driving through Agricola, a silver Runnix motor car drove in front of him. The car with registration number unknown blocked Bethune’s path while the accused and another male who was on a bicycle rode to the front of the bus. They dismounted the said bicycle and Williams then pulled out a metal object from his pants, which appeared to be a gun and robbed Buthane and the occupants of the bus at gunpoint. The duo then escaped on the bicycle and the matter was reported.
Kaieteur News
Saturday March 12, 2022
Sleeping guard reportedly awakened by cutlass
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The Enmore Packaging Plant
GAWU wants more answers on Enmore packaging plant lease A wounded Swayn David sitting at the hospital Region 10 police are currently investigating the unlawful chopping of a 26year-old security guard, Swayn David, of Wismar Linden which occurred on Thursday around 04:30 hrs, while he was on duty at the Saint Aiden’s Primary School located at Blueberry Hill. According to an official police report, David was reportedly sleeping in the guard hut when he felt a chop to the back of his head. The act was reportedly committed by two unidentified males with cutlasses who had allegedly ambushed him and dealt him more chops to his face and hand. David’s sister, Shondell David, is however contending the police’s
report that he was asleep. She said that at the time of the attack, her brother was making checks around the school. She further alleged that he was approached by the armed men who demanded his cell phone and when he attempted to give them it, they started to chop him to his face then to his arms. He then ran to a relative who took him to the Linden Hospital Complex. David was seen and examined by the doctor on duty and was later referred to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. His condition was regarded as serious but stable. The police say it is unclear at this stage what the motive behind this incident is. Investigations continue in the meantime.
Among other questions to be asked regarding the leasing of the US multimillion dollar Enmore packaging plant, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union(GAWU) will seek to ascertain the cost at which the facility will be leased when it meets with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) next week. This was related to the Kaieteur News yesterday when an update was sought as to whether the union had received any more information regarding the arrangement that will have a direct impact on union members employed at the facility. Like the rest of the country, GAWU had only learnt of leasing discussions after government announced same at the energy conference and expo held at the Marriot Hotel last month. Arrangements regarding the leased packaging plant to a 52 percent Guyanese owned joint venture called Guysons K+B Industries Inc.
(GKB) to be repurposed to serve some of the oil industry’s manufacturing needs, is one for public focus since arrangements surrounding the construction of the facility prior to 2011 was a source of contention. Back then, the building cost had moved from US$2M to a whopping US$12.M, more than two billion Guyana dollars, when Surendra Engineering out of India was contracted for the job. What is more notable, is that even after the opening of the facility, the project, which was touted as the lifeline for the sugar industry, received heavy criticism after news reporters made public that the facility was not operating at full capacity due to equipment that was plagued by mechanical issues at the time. It was also revealed by the local media fraternity that the facility had not provided that large number of jobs as promised. General Secretary for
GAWU, Aslim Singh, told the newspaper yesterday that the union will be meeting with GuySuCO while adding that they intend to clarify matters of concern regarding workers and how they will fit into the new dispensation. The union was asked its views on the move to lease the plant and whether they felt that the facility had given Guyanese its money’s worth. To this end, Aslim said, “We are having a meeting with GuySuCo next week on this exact issue. We will better be able to answer next week.” While the packing plant will be leased to a more than 50 percent owned Guyaneseowned company, some concerned parties are skeptical of the arrangement which involves the spending of more tax dollars to construct a new building to house the Enmore packaging p l a n t ’s e q u i p m e n t i n Berbice, and possibly, the hiring and training of new staff. Details have not yet been
released, but comments are already surfacing regarding the lease sum in comparison to the US$12.5M used to build a facility that is yet to meet its full potential. In 2012, KN staff had visited the plant to investigate the nonperforming facility and was denied entrance. Managers there had said that GuySuCo had chosen to meet bulk sugar orders which were paying more than packaged sugar and so a decision was taken to focus its attention there while the plant itself sat idle. T h e G AW U n o t e d however that so far they were “heartened’ by the government’s commitment to respect the rights of the workers. GAWU said it was able to bargain for the workers and a commitment was given that the 30-odd persons would not end up on the breadline but would be incorporated into the facility’s new oil and gas arrangements.
Govt. eyes establishing Regional Police Academy President of Guyana, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali recently announced that Guyana is working on developing a police academy that will not only serve the country but the region by extension. “...We are in detailed discussions with many of our partners about the development of a police academy, not only for Guyana but a regional police academy.” The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces also said that the Government will use technology and ICT to transform the Guyana Police Force’s capacity to carry out its mandate. During his address yesterday at the Annual Police Officers’ Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, he told participants to focus on the concepts of restructuring, reforming, repositioning, repurposing, reorienting and
President Irfaan Ali
building a reliable Police Force. The Head of State also said that the Government will enhance the Force’s investigative capacity to make it easier for detectives to solve crimes. He said that it is his Administration’s intention to modernise the
Force’s crime-fighting capabilities to align them with international best practices and standards. To help the lawmen achieve a more strategic approach, Ali said the Government would launch, through the University of Guyana, an internationally
a c c r e d i t e d M a s t e r ’s programme on strategic development studies that will be supported by the United States of America. President Ali also noted that technology has the potential to be a gamechanger in policing. This, he explained, is evident from the positive impact that CCTV cameras have had on crime fighting. “The police have been able to utilise footage – often from private businesses and homes – to help detect crime and to identify those involved in carrying out criminal activities.” As a result, the Government has allocated $2.5b to not only resuscitate but to expand the Safe City Programme to the entire country. Information technology will also be used to assist police planners to better map crime and utilise analytics as a crime-fighting tool. President Ali explained
that technologies such as facial and vehicular licence plate recognition will be used to help Police intercept lawbreakers. Technological improvements will also be deployed to improve the safety on the roadways to reduce its “reckless use”. “We cannot continue to lose our precious human resources to preventable road accidents. Our roads are for moving people safely around. They are not racing circuits or local remakes of the Fast and the Furious.” Technologies such as fixed speed radars on the main carriageways to identify and photograph persons who use the roads recklessly will be used. “This will be a costly investment but one that is absolutely essential to stem road carnage.” SMART POLICING The President pointed out that “boots on the ground” policing is becoming obsolete and that
the new dimension of “eyes on you” policing and monitoring and intelligence gathering will be focused on. Also in the pipeline is a pilot study for digital reporting booths, to be placed in strategic areas so persons can write their own statements and make anonymous reports. The use of a digital platform for ticketing will also be explored and incorporated into the new highways that will be built. Infractions such as seat belt violations and others will also be incorporated. He emphasised that information-sharing platforms have to be improved so that there can be more efficiency. The President said that he has also instructed the Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Robeson Benn, to develop a policy on incentive-based performance that is linked to (Continued on page 17)
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Saturday March 12, 2022
Duo caught with $6.5M worth of cocaine remanded to prison
T
wo men were on Friday, remanded to prison for the possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.
Devon Simon, 43, of Lot 16 GDF Housing Scheme, We s t R u i m v e l d t a n d Winston Hazel, 35, of Lot U1645 Gibson Street, Tucville pleaded not guilty
after appearing before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The matter was adjourned to March 17.
According to reports, Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU) Officers on Tuesday, conducted an operation in the Guyhoc Park, Tucville area where a motor car was stopped and the two defendants were the occupants. The car was then searched and five parcels of cocaine were discovered. They were detained and taken to CANU’s headquarters where the cocaine was tested and weighed, amounting to 5.814kg which has a street value of $6.5 M.
Remanded, Devon Simon and Winston Hazel
21 swine farmers to benefit from donation of quality breeding stock - Min. Mustapha
Some of the piglets that will be distributed to the farmers Over the next two months, 21 swine farmers from across the country will receive several piglets to improve their breeding stock. These animals are being made available through the Guyana Livestock Development Authority’s (GLDA) 2022 swine improvement programme. The pilot programme, which forms part of a $1.8 million investment being made by the government, will see the GLDA collaborating with farmers to improve the swine sector’s breeding and meat production capacities. Earlier this week, 10 of the 21 farmers received piglets during a simple handing over exercise at GLDA’s head office at Mon Repos on the East Coast of Demerara, while the remaining farmers will benefit from the programme before the end of the second quarter of 2022. While delivering remarks at the handing over, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said for this year, the ministry is hoping to see a significant increase in Guyana’s pork production. “As a government we are
working to develop our livestock industry. While you would’ve noticed that we are putting a lot of effort into the poultry sector, in corn and soya, in nontraditional high-value crops, we are also putting a lot of energy into developing the small ruminant sector. This exercise is a reflection of one of the recent actions taken by GLDA to increase pork production by 400,000 kilograms. “Our current production is roughly 890,000 kilograms and I am hoping that by the end of this year, with the planned improvement we have for the swine industry, we can achieve that target,” the minister said. It therefore means that the production target for 2022 is set at 1,290,000 kilograms. Cognizant of the fact that with the influx of expatriates into the country the demand for specialized cuts of meats will increase, Minister Mustapha said the government would need to empower farmers to produce what is required to satisfy the demand, locally. Minister Mustapha also said that the construction of a
modern abattoir to service the swine industry is currently ongoing at Garden of Eden on the East Bank of Demerara while adding that government is also looking to establish a complete swine processing facility through a Public/Private Partnership (PPP) agreement. “This year we are also looking at commencing the construction of a modern swine slaughtering facility. We are also looking at partnering with investors to build a complete swine processing facility which will include an abattoir and a processing plant. This will further enhance our capacity to become a producer and exporter of pork,” Minister Mustapha said. The swine production improvement programme will see the GLDA working with swine farmers to produce pigs for both breeding and meat production purposes. With good animal husbandry and sustained feeding, each pig can produce as much as 272 kilograms (600 lbs.) in six months. In Guyana, swine production is done mainly in six of the 10 administrative regions.
Saturday March 12, 2022
Kaieteur News
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VACANCY
LEGAL NOTICE
LEGAL NOTICE
Pitmen and Hauler Operator for interior location. Applicants must be experienced. Call:231-2250.
attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Application together with related documents. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Application, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Application, you must enter an appearance and file an Answer thereto (Form is available at the Registry) in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within thirty-five (35) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.TAKE NOTICE that the Application is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday the 30th day of March, 2022 at 11:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing zoom via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf of the High Court at Georgetown. IN DEFAULT of your entering an appearance and filing an Answer thereto, the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Extension of Time and Variation of maintenance order.The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.Dated the 15th day of February, 2022.
Divorce was filed against you by GAIL ANNETTE JAMES née TROTMAN, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 1st day of March, 2022 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online). AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice. TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing onFriday the 6th day of May, 2022 at 9:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf at the Family Division of the idigh Court at Georgetown. IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts[Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.Dated the 3 day of March, 2022.
2 professional nail technician & one make up artist,location Grove E.B.D.Call:652-5800.
VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable. Contact:649-0956.
PROPERTY FOR SALE JFWW Network Real Estate houselots for sale gated community,$4 Mil GYD zero down payment.Messageto whatsapp: 622-1957.
1 Nissan pathfinder in good condition, CAT 215 used parts.Tel:683-7225/275-0367. Pitbull,Minibus-BAB series AC,camera's fully loaded,14 seater.Great condition 3.2 Mil neg.Contact:698-6205.
Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040
ENTERTAINMENT Swimming Pool family fun & Picnic-Crystal Clear pool, kids & adult sections. Safe Aracari Resort.Tel:264-29469.
CPCE trained private teaching services for secondary and tertiary level.Call/ Whatsapp:673-6736.
FOR SALE Double stalls with bonds for sale in Stabroek Market. Call: 227-3463 between 8:00hrs to 16:000hrs for enquiries. 6-Cement Mixer Truck,1-New loader.Contact650-0402/6329929 or 260-4115.
FOR RENT One bedroom apartment for working couples/single person $32,000 monthly,light & water.Call:623-0076. Restaurant-WBD,(Aracari Resort,between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop, turn key business. Tel:2642946,626-5290.
Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area. Call:615-9132 One clerk for TSI Eccles office English & Maths, grade 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email application to techserigy @ yahoo.com One salesman,able bodied porters.Experience in writing bills,stocktaking & cashing. Keyfood Trading, Mc Doom village. Drivers/Porters wanted urgently! 25yrs or older,3-5 yrs experience,police clearance & motor lorry.Call:639-1240. Mini Bus and Taxi Drivers. Call:225-3234/698-7807.
TO LET Aracari Hotel,WBD(Ver sailles-between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop) All amenities,breakfast included from $45US,264-29469.
Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040. Prestige Janitorial Services. House,Commercial & Office cleaning,Land mowing/ weeding,after party clean up. Call:670-0734/639-9745.
One female cleaner.Apply at:Lens 136 Sheriff St C/Ville Georgetown.Contact:2272486 or 227-1511.
Male cleaner.Call:642-9823.
SERVICES Massages and Rehabilitation physical preparation personalized training. Degree in physical Culture and Sports: Kyrenia Ballard Bell.Call:669-6910.
Saturday March 12, 2022
Kaieteur News
One experienced housekeeper, Montrose East Coast Demerara,over 35 yrs old. Contact:503-0359,608-04448:00-4:00pm.
LEGAL NOTICE
WANTED Experienced Taxi Driver (Hire car license) and bus driver at Princess Hotel. Contact:6165419/265-7075/265-7076. Wanted Lorry Drivers. Call:220-2818/3710. Male seeks confidential companion,ages 30-60 to live with,salary $100,000 monthly. Call:603-9085. Farm workers to work at Soesdyke, Highway. Contact: 666-3303. Washbay Staff & Driver for Route 42 minibus.Call:6497371. One industrial electrician. Must be able to wok independently. For more info contact:644-9084/629-7093. Person to cook and manage restaurant in Charity Esse quibo. Accomodation provided, attractive salary. Call: 223-5273/223-5274.
2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-IQ IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OFJUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIM ONIAL JURISDICTION FA M I LY D I V I S I O N Application NO. FD- 162 BETWEEN:WILLIAM HINDS Applicant-andLIZBETH COROMOTO FONSECA Respondent TO: LIZBETH COROMOTO FONSECA (Last Known Address) ”C”FieldSophia, Georgetown.TAKE NOTICE that on the 25 th day of January, 2022 an Urgent Without Notice of Application for Extension of Time to pay arrears on maintenance and a Notice of Application for Variation of maintenance was filed against you by WILLIAM HINDS, the Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 9th day of February, 2022 the Applicant was directed to effect service of his Application on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of a Newspaper of wide and general circulation in Guyana.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or
2022-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-136 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATUREFAMILY, DIVORCE AND MAT RIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD-136 Between:JAMES (GAIL ANNETTE) née TROTMAN Petitioner JAMES (KERTH JULIUS) Respondent to the Respondent KERTH JULIUS JAMESLast Known Address 13 Bare Root East Coast Demerara, Guyana.TAKE NOTICE that on the 3rd day of February, 2022 a Petition for
LEGAL NOTICE 2022-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-166 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATUREFAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMO NIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD-166 BETWEEN:(LEO) NATASHA LOAL EATER nee REID Petitioner/ Applicant-and(LEO) HARRY RespondentTO: HARRY LEO(Last Known Address) Lot 186 West Minister West Bank Demerara TAKE NOTICE that on the 10th day of February, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by NATASHA LOALEATER LEO nee REID the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part ofan Order made on the 1 st day of March, 2022, the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in Guyana.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Friday the 13th day of May, 2022 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password:5hRiHf.IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the
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Kaieteur News
Three men granted MMA/ADA seed processing facility to bail for possession rehabilitate at estimated cost of $25M of narcotics, ammo (From left) Mark McLean, Lewis Banks, Marvin Bharrat
Three companies have applied to rehabilitate the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary Agricultural Development Authority (MMA/ADA) seed processing facility which
is estimated to cost some $25 million. The firms are JS Engineering Services & Supplies, NK Engineering Services and DBL Group. The opening of the project occurred on Tues-
Ministry of Agriculture Rehabilitation of MMA/ADA Seed Processing Facility.
Two men were on Friday, granted bail after being charged with possession of narcotics, for the purpose of trafficking and the possession of ammunition. Mark McLean and Lewis Banks pleaded not guilty after appearing before Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. The duo was granted $200,000 bail each. According to police rep o r t s , o n Tu e s d a y, a search was conducted on the home of the defendants, Lot 48 Dadanawa Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellville. Eight .40mm rounds were found in McLean’s room and 184 grams of cannabis was discovered throughout the house. Additionally, neither of the defendants is a holder of a firearm licence. Four others were in the house at the time and were
arrested along with the defendants. The visitors were subsequently released. Also appearing before Magistrate Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts was Marvin Bharrat. He was charged for possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking and was granted $300,000 bail. As a condition of bail, Bharrat has to report to the Alberttown station every Monday at 09:00Hrs. It was reported that on Tu e s d a y, o n L a m a h a Street, the defendant was a passenger of a motor car that was stopped by police. Bharrat then exited the car with a bulky bag and ran into a nearby yard. H o w e v e r, t h e p o l i c e immediately gave chase and apprehended him. The bag was searched and 2000 grams of cannabis was found.
Teen involved in tragic... From page 2 his next court appearance on March 24, 2022. According to reports, Ambedkar was the driver of a speeding car that ploughed into a parked SUV and a group of individuals in front of a bar located at De Willem Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD), killing three of them. The victims of the tragic LEGAL NOTICE public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.Dated the 3 day of March, 2022.
accident were identified as two fishermen: 46-year-old Kiran Rampersaud of Zeeburg, WCD and 44-yearold Ayube Mohamed of Meten-Meer-Zorg; and a pedestrian, Carlito Kissoon Gobinlall of De Willem Village, WCD. Police reported that the tragedy occurred around 21:35hrs. According to investigators, Ambedkar was reportedly involved in a drag race with another vehicle. Ambedkar reportedly lost control of the car, which careened off the road, crashing into a SUV which was parked in front of the bar along with the victims. He was also severely injured as a result of the accident and had to be hospitalized for a few days.
GPF to implement... From page 3 General’s 2016 findings on the Ministry of Public Security, which noted that the GPF was still to recover some $2.264 million in salaries that were overpaid to employees of the Force between 2010 and 2012.
day at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office. On that day, tenders were also opened for the supply and delivery of forklifts for the
Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) and the procurement of buoys for the Ministry of Public Works. Below are the companies and their bids:
Provision and installation of equipment at MMA/ADA seed processing facility for Lots 1 to 3.
Supply and delivery of forklifts for Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC). National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute Supply and Delivery of Four green houses for NAREI.
Supply and delivery of Agro-processing equipment Region Two. Supply and delivery of fifteen tunnels houses for NAREI.
Supply and delivery of Agro-processing equipment for White Water Creek, Region One.
Ministry of Public Works Acquisition of buoys with accessories (Waini, Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice).
Supply, delivery and installation of a generator for the GMC.
Govt. eyes establishing Regional...
Supply and delivery of Agro-processing equipment for Shulinab, Region Nine.
Design, supply and installation of one grass legume pelletizer.
From page 13 rewarding the Force. “We have seen how this has helped in countries like Rwanda, it has changed dramatically the image of law enforcement entity, and it has brought results.” BURDEN-SHARING Another one of the areas that have to be focused on, the President said is the issue of driving under the influence. He mentioned the idea of “burden-sharing” and referenced Canadian bartenders and their responsibility to monitor the consumption of their driving customers. He said that the burdensharing system must not only be built but must become ingrained in the Guyanese culture. “There are already best practices globally, and we must all agree that this is a
problem and it is a serious problem and sometimes we do not understand the magnitude of the problem and how we are personally affected, but as President, I have to communicate with people who go through this pain. And it is one of the most painful experiences and conversations you ever have to have. So I want us to examine that as part of the modernisation process.” President Ali emphasised that the Government will invest in the Force and the people of the country “to ensure that they feel a part of what is happening”. This year’s three-day conference is being held under the theme, “Promoting Improvement of Public Trust and Confidence, Maintaining Safety and Security through Competence, Professionalism and Partnership”.
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Saturday March 12, 2022
Russia/Ukraine war…
Use oil money to cushion blow from global economic crisis- Economist As the war between Russia and Ukraine continue into its third week, countries around the world have been grappling with dire economic impacts. In Guyana however, the situation may be bitter/ sweet. This is so, given that the country stands to benefit from the increase in oil prices on a macro level. Budget 2022 had predicted for example that the Natural Resource Fund (NRF) would collect close to US$1B this year. The PPP/C Government had estimated in February that oil prices would hover around US$70.4 per barrel. However, on account of the Russia-Ukraine crisis, oil prices have soared to US$139 a barrel. Up to press time, Brent oil price stood at US$109.3 following a week of fluctuating prices. With respect to the reverse impacts, Economist Elson Low, who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in political Science and Economics from a United States College, Amherst, opined that these are being felt by the ordinary folk tasked with getting to work via vehicles powered by fuel, or even buying themselves a meal, as the trickle down effects for global transport and manufacturing costs have and will continue to spike in the coming days. In an exclusive interview with this newspaper on Friday, Low explained, “On the macro level for Guyana, as a
producer, that will be very good news because we are likely to exceed our GDP (Gross Domestic Product) estimate substantially because oil will obviously be worth much more, so we will have higher earnings than anticipated at the beginning of the year. On the other end, this higher fuel price will have two negative effects primarily on the average consumer. The first will be a direct effect, which is at the fuel pump, we have already seen gas move from $203 to $245 at some gas stations (per liter) which is about a 20 percent increase. The other thing that we are going to see is a further increase to the already high inflation rate”. The Economist was keen to note that these impacts are likely to persist even after the conflict between the two European countries is resolved as the international community has made strong statements against the war, which indicates that sanctions will remain in place even after a cease fire or an agreement. “That will mean for consumer goods, anything where transportation is involved, where energy consumption that relies on fossil fuels is involved, production that relies on fossil fuels that will see higher prices during the course of the year. This is also likely to affect the food prices because a lot of that type of industrial production affects the cost of fer-
Economist, Elson Low tilizer, transportation of food products around the world. We might also see the price of wheat going up because Ukraine and Russia are wheat producing countries…so we should anticipate further food price increases over the course of the year as well as higher prices for many other goods across the spectrum as transportation and other productions costs will be much higher,” Low cautioned. However, he said that because Guyana is an oil producer, the country will rake in much more revenue than previously anticipated, “so that means that the coffers will be full even as much as our people are suffering from higher fuel prices,” Low elucidated. MEASURES TO CUSHION INFLATION In the same breath, the Economist said government should ensure that its citizens benefit from the higher oil prices by ensuring efforts are
made to mitigate costs associated with transportation and food. He said when Guyana originally found oil, the price per barrel was around $50 and most of the planning was centered on this figure. “Obviously we are much much higher than that so there should be additional focus on mitigating these high cost of living expenses, which should have been included in the Budget, at least anticipating that Guyana will have a real ‘boom year’, in terms of production,” he reasoned. Low, who is also a member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R), on this note said that his party has been pushing for a minimum livable income to be paid to workers in addition to a salary top-up to help cushion the impacts of inflation rates. In fact, he encouraged the administration to implement such policies to relieve some
of the financial burdens. According to him, “A lot of the policies that the PNC/ R has put forward, targets those at the lower end of the income scale, rather than the big companies or individuals who are doing great business in Guyana due to the expanding economy, and the reason for that is, we can see that wages are not rising as quickly as the cost of living and as a result, people’s standard of living is declining as we go forward”. He said that the government’s $25,000 cash grant during the pandemic was never a satisfactory stimulus for the economy on an individual level and as such, a more substantial stimulus would be necessary to compensate the people. The Economist said, “This year we are likely to see Guyana outperform the GDP estimate and it may outperform it by a large margin because last year the oil price, the highest was at maybe US$85 per barrel but this year we are seeing a high of US$139 a barrel and consistently above that US$80 mark which means that the difference between let’s say $80 and $120, that’s a $40 difference or 50 percent higher oil price, so you may see a very substantial peak in GDP. The country is getting much wealthier. We should ensure that as much as Guyana gets wealthier, its most vulnerable citizens do not get poorer as we move forward.” GPL The Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Incorporated recently said that customers may see a reflection of the fuel price increase in their monthly bills as the company grapples with its soaring expenses. GPL complained that fuel prices have reached US$140 per barrel, thus driving up the company’s operating expense to a whopping $4.5 billion monthly, while electricity sales merely account for $3 billion. The power company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO),
Mr. Bharat Dindyal, during an exclusive interview with this publication on Tuesday, told this newspaper that while this increase is not presently being reflected on customers’ bills, it may very well be an option if the electricity consumption is not reduced. This increase would however have to be first approved by the Power Utilities Commission (PUC) before imposed. To this end, the Economist said that while GPL may be forced to take this step to compensate for the $1.5 billion shortfall, the government can alternatively step in to ensure that Guyanese do not suffer further due to the present circumstances. He said, “Guyana is currently benefiting from an extraordinarily high oil price, while GPL is suffering from an extraordinarily high oil price, so a measure that can be taken is to use some of the oil revenue to keep the electricity rates stable rather than allowing it to rise, and when oil prices fall we can then reduce any subsidies to GPL”. Low added, “What we are trying to do is cushion the impact of higher prices so in this case, regarding GPL where their costs is specifically related to oil prices, you can take some of the revenue that is earned and put it towards GPL. “If they are saying they have a $1.5 billion shortfall, one billion local currency is equivalent to about US$7.5 million so it is very possible that Guyana’s oil lift, if we look at the average price over the past week or so, we would get about $120 million. So it is not difficult to take US$7.5 million of that to keep electricity rates stable.” The economist said citizens should bear in mind that these things are temporary because “we are seeking to switch to cheaper forms of electricity, so a policy to help GPL will only be a temporary policy because we are moving away to other forms of electricity”.
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Exxon to fund ‘Egg Sandwich Project’ in Hinterland Region
(L-R) ExxonMobil Guyana’s Community Relations Advisor, Ryan Hoppie, Socioeconomic Manager, Susan Scott, TCG Lead Consultant, Timothy McIntosh, ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge, TCG Company Secretary, Cladia Van Sluytman, CPGL’s Regional Manager, Anand Gohil and Projects Controls Manager, Huang Zhao.
O
i l g i a n t ExxonMobil and its partners, Hess G u y a n a Exploration Ltd. and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) Petroleum Guyana Limited have funded an ‘EggSandwich Project’ in the Hinterland region, aimed at boosting poultry production at that end of the country. On Friday ExxonMobil announced that the project, valued over $120 million or US$608,000, was pulled off through the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI). According to the oil companies, “…the ‘EggSandwich Project’, is
the first regional socioeconomic project to be funded by the GGI. It is focused on enabling the hinterland residents to raise their local poultry capacity thereby enhancing consumer access to high quality local poultry products and economic independence.” On February 22, 2022 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with local company, The Consultancy Group (TCG), which is the implementation partner for the project. TCG will work with the Rupununi Livestock Producers Association (RLPA) to grow poultry production in the hinterland. TCG’s Lead Consultant,
Timothy McIntosh said, “Our job is really to take them at a place where they’re able to take the really fantastic work that they’ve been doing in the Rupununi outwards to the other hinterland regions. Our job is really as stewards to help them along, get them to where they need to be.” The consultant noted that in 2018, an estimated $300 million in poultry meat was imported into the Rupununi from Brazil. To this end, the partners believe that the ‘Egg Sandwich Project’ can benefit some 25,000 people from the hinterland by reducing the import and by providing fresh produce.
Health Ministry records 20 new COVID-19 infections, 5 patients in ICU The Ministry of Health (MoH) yesterday recorded 20 new COVID-19 infections, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 63,127. A breakdown of new cases per regions shows that Region Four leads with eight new infections, Region Three with five cases, Regions Six and Nine with three cases each and Region Two with one. According to the Ministry’s daily dashboard update, five patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 11 persons are quarantined institutionally, nine are in institutional isolation and 199 are in home isolation. Additionally, a total of 61,690 persons have since recovered, while the Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll remains at 1,224.
ExxonMobil Guyana’s President, Alistair Routledge and The Consultancy Group’s Cladia Van Sluytman holding a signed copy of the MOU for the poultry project in Region 9. President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge, noted that the project is geared towards sustainable development as part of the Greater Guyana Initiative. “It is exciting. It is where we implement the GGI. A lot of it so far, we’ve been getting traction with the educational part of it, whether it’s TVET
(Technical and Vocational Education and Training), the University of Guyana … this is the first significant project which is getting to the sustainable economy part. Education, of course, builds that foundation but this is helping more practically,” he said. Exxon, in a statement
said that its President also underscored that its subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) places much importance in ensuring that Guyanese across the country benefit from the petroleum sector, not only through revenue but also through such projects. Meanwhile, CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited’s Regional Manager, Anand Gohil, and Projects Controls Manager, Huang Zhao, were also in attendance at the signing. The Greater Guyana Initiative was launched in February 2021. It is a 10y e a r, U S $ 1 0 0 m i l l i o n programme under which ExxonMobil and its coventurers Hess and CPGL will fund capacity-building projects in keeping with the country’s overall development objectives.
Man in custody for stabbing brother to death A brawl on Thursday night between two brothers at their home located at Third Street, Albertown ended with one of them being stabbed to death. The deceased has been identified as Moses Anthony and was reportedly killed by his elder brother a little after 21:00Hrs. The suspect has since been arrested and is in custody under investigation. When cops arrived at the scene the bloodied remains of Moses Anthony were found lying in an alley-way leading to their home. Kaieteur News understands that
Moses had been drinking and had arrived home “high”. He started an argument with his brother over an old grievance they had. They subsequently began fighting in the house. It was described as a “cuff out”. They reportedly moved to the yard. They stopped for a few seconds and Moses reportedly walked out to the alleyway where he collapsed and died. Crime scene experts noticed that he bore stab wounds to his chest. When relatives, among them the boys’ mother arrived at the home they broke down in tears and had to be consoled.
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2022 Senior Caribbean TT Championships…
GTTA President rates team performance Following Guyana’s participation at the 2022 Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in Havana, Cuba, President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Godfrey Munroe, believes the seven member team’s performance was quite good. Munroe said, “The tournament really provided a key basis and assessment evaluation of where we are. I’m happy to know that we we’re still able to maintain being the top English speaking Country. I think one of the key things as we move forward in improving our trajectory is that we have to start studying some of these players. Ultimately, we also have to get our players much more engaged in International competitions and training environments to be able to be adaptive to these players, because a lot of them are playing Europe and the world. Much more exposed to finance.” “I think there were some good performances which augers well for our whole pro-
GTTA President, Godfrey Munroe gram. But for our first tournament, it really provided a good impetus assessment and base as to how we could start plotting to move forward,” he continued. “I think, in some dimension, we’re closing in on some of the Spanish players in terms of the level of tactical play and adjustments. Still need to go back to the drawing board because we’re not at the top as yet by any stretch of the imagination. We have to continue to build and work
but overall I was quite pleased with the team’s performance. We expected a little more in the singles but I think when you context at this championship, is basically at the level of a Latin American championships based on the quality of the players.” ”When you look at the group matches, who the second player and third player in the respective groups are, our top ranked players and strong players made it no longer like a weak draw. So, it augers well for the Caribbean, but provides a good base for us with positive signs and indication that we are on the right path moving forward,” the President concluded. Team Guyana had to settle for bronze after both the male and female teams were knocked out at the semi-final stage. The contingent that attended the tournament was coached by Idi Lews and featured national players Priscilla Greaves, Natalie Cummings, Chelsea Edghill, Christopher Franklin, Shemar Britton, Jonathan Van Lange and Miguel Wong.
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Zak Crawley hits hundred as tourists South Africa edge Pakistan by 6 runs at Women’s World Cup dominate day four in Antigua BBC Sport - Zak Crawley hit his second Test hundred as England dominated West Indies on day four of the first Test to set up an outside chance of victory. Crawley capitalised on a lifeless Antigua pitch to make an unbeaten 117, while captain Joe Root reached 84 not out at the close. Having started the day behind the game and in the field, England were 217-1, leading by 153 runs, when rain brought an early finish. Earlier they took just three deliveries to claim the final West Indies wicket as the hosts were dismissed for 375 with a first-innings lead of 64. But, despite the early loss of debutant Alex Lees for six, Crawley and Root wiped out the deficit and batted England into the ascendancy with a mammoth unbeaten stand of 193. The tourists, who have struggled for large parts of the Test, now look the more likely side to win. However, the placid nature of pitch means any quest to bowl out West Indies on the final day will be a struggle. England turn it around In this three-match series, England are bidding to improve on a dreadful run which has seen them win just one of 14 Tests. The pitch is very helpful to batting and the opposition modest but this day revealed a hint of what England will hope for during this muchtalked about red-ball reset. What little danger there is in the surface - just a hint of uneven bounce - was neutered by 24-year-old Crawley and Root, 31, and afterwards they progressed calmly with ease. The West Indies attack, without any express pace or world-class spin, was as blunted as England’s had been across the previous two days. Crawley and Root began to up their scoring late on, with England starting to look to set up a declaration. The only wickets to fall all day were Jack Leach’s lbw dismissal of West Indies number 11 Jayden Seales and the fall of Lees, who, as in the first innings, went lbw missing a straight ball from round the wicket by seamer Kemar Roach. That suggests the draw is by far the most likely result. The rain late on did not help England’s cause, in taking time out of the game. Crawley comes good Crawley’s classy knock is significant in the Test but
Joe Root celebrates his half-century • Mar 10, 2022 © AFP via Getty Images
Shabnim Ismail’s variations with the ball, and this athletic fielding effort, sealed the deal for South Africa. (ICC via Getty)
even more so for England’s future in this format. Root’s side are in desperate need of a settled top-order and this knock will secure the Kent opener’s place for a long period. Crawley dazzled when making his first Test hundred, a stunning 267 against Pakistan in 2020. This was a more measured knock where he clipped the ball smartly off his pads. It could have been different - Crawley was given out lbw on nought but overturned the poor decision on review, with the ball comfortably missing leg. But with his captain a steady presence alongside him, Crawley did not offer another chance all day. The right-hander had a barren spell after his maiden ton which led to him being dropped last year when averaging 11.14 across seven Tests. Now, having regained his place in the third Ashes Test in December and impressing with 77 against Australia a game later, England will hope that that poor run is behind him. ‘We’ll have a good go’ at the win - reaction England’s Zak Crawley, speaking to BT Sport: “It’s a very special feeling. It was tough year last year, I didn’t think I would get this opportunity again. “We certainly want to try and win it tomorrow, we’ll have a good go in the morning, then try and bowl them out.” BBC cricket correspondent Jonathan Agnew: “It was certainly England’s day. They
began it under a lot of pressure having to try and make sure they weren’t bowled out cheaply, To finish with a lead of 153 is a very good effort. “Both batsmen played very well. It was the sort of innings you want to see from Crawley, very patient. Root, as usual, was his busy self, albeit under strangulated conditions.” Scores: England 311 and 217 for 1 (Crawley 117*, Root 84*) lead West Indies 375 (Bonner 123, Brathwaite 55) by 153 runs.
MOUNT MAUNGANUI, New Zealand (AP) — Half centuries by Laura Wolvaardt and Sune Luus and superb bowling under pressure allowed South Africa to edge Pakistan by six runs yesterday in another Women’s Cricket World Cup match which reached the final over. Wolvaardt made 75 and Luus 62 as South Africa made 223-9, falling just short of a par total as it batted first after losing the toss. Pakistan was ahead of the run-rate early on and looked in a strong position with wickets in hand through the middle of its innings. But the medium pacers Shabnim Ismael, Marizanne Kapp and Masabata Klaas bowled exacting spells at a crucial time to contain Pakistan, which lost its final wicket with one ball remaining. A half century by Nida Dar carried Pakistan close to a victory which would have been one of the most signifi-
cant in its World Cup history. But she was run out for 55 in the 49th over. Pakistan hopes had swelled when Diana Baig hit fours from the first two balls of the penultimate over, leaving her team needing 14 runs from 10 deliveries with three wickets in hand. Dar was run out attempting a second run from the second to last ball of the 49th over and Pakistan came to the last over at 214-8, needing 10 to win.
Ismael had 2-38 from nine overs and stepped up to bowl the last. She took a magnificent catch to dismiss Baig from the second delivery, running back with the ball soaring high and passing over her shoulder. Ghulam Fatima, who bowled superbly earlier, came out at No. 11 and was run out by the wicketkeeper with one ball remaining. “As a strike bowler, I like to come out at the death,” (Continued on page 21)
Omaima Sohail hit her third ODI half-century. (AFP/Getty Images)
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Saturday March 12, 2022
Kaieteur News
DCB’s Premier Insurance U-15 Inter Ass 50-over cricket...
Seecharran, Latif, Prince spur GT to win over Upper Dem By Sean Devers Thirties from Lemar Seecharran, Reyaz Latif and Shane Prince fired pre-tournament favourites Georgetown to their third consecutive victory when they crushed Upper Demerara by 129 runs at DCC ground yesterday as action continued in the Demerara Cricket Board’s Premier Insurance 50 overs U-15 Inter-Association cricket tournament. Georgetown won the toss and elected to bat on a slow track and very good outfield despite the recent rain in the City and in brilliant sunshine fell for 183 in 46.1 overs before dismantling debutants Upper Demerara for 54. After Kishan Silas was removed by Corey Charles for four at 181, the 10-year-old left-handed Seecharran, who favoured the cut, added 26 for the second wicket with Johnathan Mentore (4) who fell to Kevon Phillips at 44-2. Seecharran pulled for four to get into double figures and dominated the partnership with Joshua Charles before Charles (6) was removed by Shaukel Fiedtkou as the City side slipped to 66-3. Seecharran and 12-year-old Latif joined forces and the pair brought up the 100 with sensible batting against a
steady bowling attack which showed promise. Seecharran, whose only flaw was his running between the wickets, was caught and bowled by Charles after facing 93 balls and reaching the boundary four times to leave the score on 103-4. Latif gained in confidence as his innings progressed and was joined by the left-handed Dave Mohabir who hit a cameo 13 before he was caught behind off Phillips at 126-5. Danesh Persaud hammered three fours in a run-a-ball 27 which was decorated with three boundaries but with the partnership on 36 Persaud followed a wide ball from Dishon Ashby at 165-6. Ashby had Prince caught and bowled for a duck a run later and had
Darwin LaRose stumped first ball without addition to the score as GT slipped to 166-8. Kwasi Williamson was run out by direct hit while Brandon Henry fell to Ashby leaving Latif unbeaten on 33 from 97 balls with two fours. Ashby finished with 4-29, while Charles (2-26) and Phillips (234) offered support for Upper Demerara who were undermined by the pace of Prince who captured 3-12 with all of his victims being bowled. Medium pacer Mentore supported with 2-11 as Ashby and Fiedtkou top scored with eight each. GT who had two practice games in addition to a two-week clinic, are scheduled to play their last match on Monday against East Bank at Farm.
Reyaz Latif cut during his unbeaten 33 for GT at DCC. (Sean Devers photo)
Lemar Seecharran cover drives during an attractive 39 for GT at DCC yesterday. (Sean Devers Photo)
Dishon Ashby had 4-29 for Upper Demerara at DCC yesterday. (Sean Devers photo)
Saturday March 12, 2022
Kaieteur News
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