Kaieteur News

Audit Office to employ private auditors to bring State agencies’ books up-to-date ...saysSharma

The Audit Office of Guyana has issued a public advertisement inviting chartered accountants to apply to be recommended for engagement by the Auditor General to examine and audit the accounts of public corporations and otherbodies.

In an advertisement published in Saturday’s edition of the Kaieteur News, the Audit Office of Guyanasaidthatbyvirtueof PartIVSections18-23ofthe AuditAct 2004, theAuditor General “invites applicants fromCharteredAccountants in public practices to examine and audit on his behalftheaccountsofPublic Corporations and other bodies in which controlling interestvestswiththeState.”

The Audit Office has listed 31 government agencies to be audited: Maritime Administration

Department (2016), President’s College (2020), Hinterland Electrification Company Incorporated (2021), Kwakwani Utilities

Incorporated (2021), Mahdia Power and Light Company Incorporated (2021),PortKaitumaPower

and Light Company

Incorporated (2021),

Guyana School of Agriculture (2021), Guyana

MiningSchoolandTraining Centre (2021), National DataManagementAuthority

(2021), Mabarama Power

and Light Company Incorporated(2022),Central Housing and Planning Authority (2022), Guyana

Lands and Surveys

Commission (2022),

Guyana National Bureau of Standards (2022), Guyana

Rice Development Board (2022), Transport and

Harbours Department (2022), University of Guyana Pension Scheme (2022), Atlantic Hotel

Incorporated – Marriott Hotel Guyana (2023),

Guyana Marketing Corporation(2023),Guyana

National Newspapers Limited (2023), Guyana

National Shipping CorporationLimited(2023),

Guyana Post Office Corporation(2023),Guyana

P o w e r a n d L i g h t

Incorporated (2023),

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (2023), Guyana

Forestry Commission (2023), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission

(2023), Guyana Gold Board (2023), Protected Areas Commission (2023) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation Incorporated(2023).

The proposals for those audits coming under the AuditorGeneral’sOfficeare to be sent to the Finance Secretary (Chairman of the SelectCommittee),Ministry of Finance with a copy and supportingdocumentationto be addressed to the Auditor General, Deodat Sharma on orbeforeMarch18,2023.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma in an invited comment told this publication that the provision to contract out audits is catered for in the law Hedeniedtherebeinga

shortage of staff or funds to undertake the audits and explained that the process had been employed to bring up-to-date, several agencies that would have had their booksinarrears.

Sharma,infact,usedthe occasion to reiterate that his agency’s regular ongoing audits are up-to-date and reassured that the move to employ the private auditors was merely to bring those State agencies that would havedefaulted,up-to-date.

The audit office was established to provide and regulate such other matters

connectedwithorincidental to the independent auditing ofthefinancesofGuyana.

Among the 31 agencies listedbytheAuditOffice,is the controversial Marriott Hotel Guyana, which is in fact State owned and comes under the ambit of Atlantic Hotel Inc. Its 2023 account

will be audited by a private firm.

TheCentralHousingand

Planning Authority (CH&PA),whichfallsunder theMinistryofHousingand Water, an entity that has in recent years seen its annual budgetballoonsinceits Continuedonpage15

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma

Publisher:

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

EDITORIAL

THE VICE PRESIDENT’S WORLD

Theworldisriddledwiththeslippagesandwreckagesof whatshouldhave,couldhave,beendoneforbetterresults. Butwhich(should-a,could-a,would-a)neverhappened,and great devastations resulted in the end. On occasion, it is a cultural mindset, while at other times, the disasters that occurareduewhollyandsolelytoleadershipfailures. The situation of Guyana and its ongoing failure to lock in guaranteed full liability coverage on the part of ExxonMobil, USA, in the event of an oil spill is a case in point. Thereispoliticalprocrastination,thereisleadership feebleness, and there is living under a shadow should somethingblowupinExxonMobil’soffshoreoperations.

We at this publication have been pounding loudly and repeatedlyonthedoorofthePPP/CGovernmenttomoveas quickly as possible to obtain the absolutely necessary full liabilitycoveragethatthiscountryneeds. PresidentAlihas beenastudyinlargelyignoringthisvitalissue. Then,Vice President Bharat Jagdeo has adopted a posture that is slippery, tricky, and hazy In earlier days, he spoke of his confidence in America’s ExxonMobil, meaning that the parent company would be good for any damages that resultedfromanoilspill,andforwhichtherewasnotenough insurancecoverage.

Jagdeo then changed his tune, under continuing public clamourandpressure,andstartedtooffersomethingabout ‘getting ExxonMobil USA (not Esso Guyana) to acknowledgeuptoUS$2Bincoverage.’ Thiswasonlyafter muchpullingofteeth,andhefoundhimselfcorneredagain and again. While the wait for that so-called US$2B ‘acknowledgement’hoveredunansweredbyExxonMobil,it was pointed out to Dr Jagdeo that that US$2B was highly inadequate, however looked at, should ExxonMobil go beyond acknowledgment of responsibility for such a liability,andactuallytakeownershipofit.

Reference was made to what exploded in the Gulf of Mexico involving BPof the UK. The cost of that massive blowup is now in the tens of billions of US dollars, and is projected to grow to well over US$100B when all is accountedforandpaidup. WhiletheDeepwaterHorizonoil rig disaster in the Macondo Oil Well was of catastrophic proportions, the undeniable fact remains that human error andfailurecombinedtocausedeathsandgreatdestruction.

Inthishemisphere,therewasthemorerecentoilspillin Peru, and the struggles of that country’s officials to get propercompensationforwhatoccurred,alongwithgreater safeguards in place so that Peruvians could feel more protected. WhatshouldbeofspecialinteresttoGuyaneseis what ExxonMobil did when the Exxon Valdez disaster happenedinPrinceWilliamSound,Alaska.

ExxonMobil used its incomparable financial power, its massive corporate reach, to get the original US$5B court award reduced all the way down to US$540M. After decades of court wheeling and stonewalling, ExxonMobil walkedawaywithanalmost90%savings. Weaskagainthe same question that comes to mind when we think of the Exxon Valdez, and ExxonMobil’s dogfight and legal firefight over it. If ExxonMobil’s chiefs could spearhead somethinglikethisagainsttheirfellowAmericans,manyof their same heritage, then what is there that ExxonMobil would not do against Guyanese, almost all Brown, Black, andnonwhitepeople?

InGuyana,ExxonMobilisracingaheadwithincreasing levels of daily oil production, and the local Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is a picture of helplessness. As ExxonMobil ratchets up its production numbers beyond recommendedsafetylimits,Guyana’sEPAisonlytooglad torubberstampthecompany’sactions. Itistothisleashed StateagencythatJagdeopassesoffthefullliabilitycoverage in his efforts to slip the noose. He did that dodge before whenthepressurebuiltaroundhimandhesaid‘talktothe EPA…’ NowheisagainpointingtotheEPA,with“itshould havebeendonealready.”Thatis,thefullliabilitycoverage owned by ExxonMobil. Despite taking an eternity, we are glad that Vice President Jagdeo is slowly coming to his senses. We shall see what the EPAhas to say of what was “donealready”,andifnot,whynot,andwhereto,givenDr. Jagdeo’snewestposition.

Open Letter to the President on Absence of a Board of Directors for the Environmental ProtectionAgency, an EnvironmentalAssessment Board, and an Environmental Tribunal

Excellency:

As the Government of Guyana

showcase Guyana at the International

nergy Conference and Expo Guyana starting February 14,2023,wemustrecognize that systemic weaknesses in public en

management pose risks not onlytothepeopleofGuyana butalso“Environmentaland Social Governance”(ESG) riskstoinvestors.

The Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) hasbeenoperatingwithouta legally constituted Board of Directors for some four months now (Official Gazette number 242/2021

October 28, 2021 - the term of the Board of Directors expiredsinceOctober2022).

I wrote to the Executive Director, Mr Khemraj Parsram, on December 20, 2022, to enquire about

supervision but he has not acknowledged my initial mail or subsequent reminders.

There is presently no

legally constituted Environmental Assessment Board (EAB), to which one maylodgeobjectionsagainst the Environmental ProtectionAgency’s(EPA)’s decisions regarding EnvironmentalPermits. The term of the EAB expired in December 2022 (Official Gazette number 50/2022 –

Legal Supplement B –Government Notice, February18,2022).

The Environmental ProtectionAgencycontinues to make decisions with respect to permits, such as the permit for the proposed naturalgasfiredpowerplant, and publish notices advising the public of their right to appeal to the EAB, when there is, in fact, no appeal remedy in place. Further, I wishtodrawyourattention

(Continuedonpage6)

“Beatings of Teachers”

DEAREDITOR,

It is with deep concern that I write on the following caption “Parent Charged for Assaulting Teacher” (Guyana Times, 10th February,2023).Ishudderto thinkoftheutterbreakdown of values in our school system that would allow such a highly disrespectful action to take place against ourEducators.

The media carried two such reports of violent acts againstourteachers.Oneact being against teacher Nicasey Barker of St Angela’s Primary School on the 12th January, 2023; and teacher Shawn Marshall of Graham’s Hall Primary School on 11th January, 2023 (Guyana Times 10th Feb,2023)

It seems gone are the days when the teacher was esteemedhighly Whentheir wordsoractionsorguidance were greatly prized and lookeduponwithreverence, as words of wisdom and consider as next being after GOD.Backinthedayswhen I was a child, it was an honourtocarrytheteacher’s bag, to fetch the teachers’ books with which they taughtusasstudents.

It was an honour to accompany your teacher safely to their homes, as a student, after they would have spent long hours after school in the evenings teaching you the subjects of Mathematics, the Sciences and the Language that you need to past the GCE “O” and“A”LevelExams.

Myheartpainsgreatlyto knowthataparentorachild taught by the hand of a teacher will slap or kick a

teacher A parent, should honour a teacher for that parent has entrustedthesafekeepingof his/her child to the teacher Who the parent can never recompenseforthetimeand care that the teacher would be giving to the child or children when that parent is busyatworkorathome.

The question that I have been asking myself after reading the reports of violenceagainstourteachers in our schools here in Guyana: “is what is responsibleforthiscomplete breakdown of morals in our schoolsystem?”

TheanswerthatIseemto be always getting is stemming from the removal ofReligiousEducationfrom our Schools Academic Curriculum Back in my days, almost every school had a church/chapel located withinitsbuildingortimeset asideinthestudycurriculum for the teaching of religions ormorals.

Church School was the norm in my day You begin every school day with prayers to God. Where you asked the Almighty to bless your teachers and to protect them and to keep them safe and to give us students the capacity to absorb their teachings. During religious teaching time in my days, you were taught at school to respect your elders, to treat their correction and disciplineasactstoleadyou in the “straight and narrow way”.

Youweretaughttheselfdiscipline of morals such as honesty,hardwork,andtobe good states men and women ofyourcountry,tobeleaders

of integrity And how well these teachings by our most loved teachers have served us. Just look at the kind of Statesmen that the Church SchoolSystemhasproduced - likes of Mr Rashleigh Jackson,Mr OdeenIshmael, Dr Cheddi Jagan, Mr LFS Burnham, Mr Pryor Jonas, Judge Duke Pollard, Dr Steve Surujbally, Mr Malcolm Parris: all Diplomats and Honoured Guyana Scholars (and I am tempted to state my own name- Hajji Dr Roshan Khan (you may smile reader).

How far has our education standards fallen since these golden years. Teachersarenowafraidtobe intheschoolsofourcountry

Aplace where they once felt safe and free and happy to engage the minds of their young charges without restrictions. Violent parents and violent students should havenoplaceinourschools in Guyana. Violent parents should be dealt with according to the law to the maximum level Students can be dealt with according tojuvenileandcriminallaws based on the ferocity of the acts that they have committed.

These kinds of violent oriented students could be leadersingangsinthefuture. And gangs could lead to gang war fare in schools. Teachers,administratorsand otherstudentscouldbecome

their target This is a situation that needs to be “nipped” immediately I am happy to see that the government and the authoritieshavetakenaction by charging Ms Ashelle Clement (parent) with assault and finding her before the courts for assaulting the teacher (Guyana Times 10th Feb, 2023).

I applaud the statement by the newly appointed ChiefEducationOfficer,Mr Saddam Hussain, for his statement in the media that “ W h a t e v e r t h e circumstances, it (assaulting a teacher) is a reprehensible and ghastly act It is unacceptableandwillnotbe condonedbytheMinistryof Education” (Guyana Times, 10th February, 2023). We, the people of this country, need to see more of this to send a serious message to violentparentsandstudents.

Weneedtogobacktothe days when teachers were divinecreaturesheldinhigh esteemed and are the people who we can say, can truly help to create change and standardsinourcountry

Sincerely,

Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan (Snr)

TheAFCextendssympathies andsolidaritytothe peoplesofTurkeyandSyria

DEAREDITOR,

The peoples of Turkey andSyriahaveexperienceda m o s t d e v a s t a t i n g earthquake, which resulted inuntolddestructionandloss oflives.

Sadly, reports from the region have estimated the death toll at more than 21,000, including many children and the elderly For the people of Syria, it is another tragedy added to their living experience of warandinternalconflictsfor morethan12years.

TheAllianceForChange (AFC) extends sympathies and solidarity to the governments and peoples of TurkeyandSyria,andtothe affectedfamilies. Nocalibre of words can truly transmit the horror of the destruction

seen on television or on social media, which forced thepeoplesintothestreetsin themiddleofthenight.

We can only imagine how deeply frightening and debilitating it was for these families to be awaken so violently in search of loved onesandtofindasafeplace to shelter amid the destruction.

We would like to salute all the volunteers from across the world who have responded in a courageous d i s p l a y t r u e humanitarianismandwecall upon the Government of Guyana to extend support to thegovernmentsandpeoples of Turkey and Syria on behalf of the Guyanese people.

AllianceForChange

Open Letter to the President on Absence of a Board of Directors...

Frompage4

to the unhappy and embarrassing fact that even 26yearsafterthepassageof the Environmental Protection Act in 1996, our countrystilldoesnothavean Environmental Tribunal to which one may appeal d e c i s i o n s o f t h e Environmental Assessment Board.PartVIIIsections5157 of the Environmental Protection Act provides for thecreationandoperationof such aTribunal, but this has notyetbeenimplemented.

As the Environmental Protection Act comes directlyunderyourauthority with functions of the “Minister” identified in the Act, and the Environmental Protection Agency comes under the authority of the Office of the President, I urge you to appoint a Board of Directors for the

Environmental Protection Agencyandanappropriately qualified and publicly responsible Environmental Assessment Board without delay, and to see to the implementation of the EnvironmentalTribunal.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTBOARD

R e g a r d i n g t h e constitution of the EAB, I would like to draw your a t t e n t i o n t o t h e Environmental Protection Act (cap 20:05, 1996, section 18 and Third Schedule) which clearly intends for members of the EAB to function without outside interference and any conflictsofinterest.TheAct provides for a three-to-fivemember body Section 8 of the Third Schedule specifically requires members to disclose any conflictsofinterest.

The previous board, in calendar year 2022, was comprised entirely of public sector employees, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources. This Permanent Secretary carries his Ministry’s portfolio for promotionandfacilitationof the extractive sector, including precious metals and oil and gas. As you are aware, activities in these sectorsoftheworldoverare chief among those with significantandcontroversial environmental impacts Indeed, activities related to the oil and gas sector have comprised the bulk of complaints to the EAB to date. There is a conflict of interest when a public service employee is tasked with conflicting duties – to promote natural resources developments on the one

hand and to adjudicate on environmental matters related to the granting of permitsforsuchexploitation ontheotherhand.Iwouldgo further to say that this is an unfair burden to place on an employee. The practice of constituting a national environmental appeals body with only public service employees is one that underminespublictrustinan impartial process. Conflicts ofinterestmayariseassuch employees may be reluctant to make decisions that go against their employer’s perceived interests or policies, given their financial and career dependence on their employer Insomeinstances, they may be biased towards theiragency’spositions.

Conflicts of interest are cause for concern especially given that there is presently

no instrument for the legal protection of such employees, guidelines, or codes of conduct. This does not mean that public service employees without inherent conflicts of interest cannot be part of such bodies However, including independent experts and representatives from nongovernment arenas helps with gaining public confidence not only in the operations of such appeals body but also government’s commitment to functional democracy

Iurgeyoutoconstitutea five-memberEnvironmental Assessment Board, which includes independent and suitably qualified representatives drawn from academia and from professional sectors in such areas as the environment, public health, natural sciences, and engineering. I also urge you to ensure that the EAB has adequate resources and operates with an independent secretariat that has no reporting or operating function linked to the EPA as is currently the case.

ENVIRONMENTAL TRIBUNAL

The absence of the Environmental Tribunal deprives both citizens and developers of due process forappealingthegroundsof the EAB’s decisions on the reasons for granting or refusing environmental permits as well as requirements imposed in permits. This forces parties to engage in costly and lengthy Judicial Review processesasafirstrecourse.

As you are aware, the Guyana EPA has lost both Judicial Review cases heard against it to date concerning environmentalpermits. The recent Schlumberger case illustrates the need for your attention in two critical areas.

Thefirstcriticalareaisa need for an EPA that has qualified, trained, experienced and welldirected staff capable of understanding the standard of law which it must uphold and that it has the necessary financial and legal capacity tomeetthosestandards.The secondcriticalareaisaneed for impartial and otherwise properly functioning appeal

bodies.

In2021,theEABdenied the claimants in the Schlumbergercaseahearing on the waiver of the EIAfor the Houston facility on grounds that the 30-day period for an appeal had expired, even when the EPA had failed to follow clear instructions in the Environmental Protection Act to publish technical reasons in the public notice of the EIA waiver, and therefore the 30-day appeal period had never been triggered!Weknowhowthe unevenhandlingofthiscase hasunfolded.

The ensuing costs and complications might have been avoided had the EAB beenfairorhadtherebeena functioning Environmental Tribunal As you aspire towards building a country with a “world class” landscape, modern economy, and thriving communities, we must recognize those things were not achieved in other countries with poor standards of environmental management On the contrary, they exist because of stringent standards of management, characterized by: a high value placed on protecting natural resource assets and public health; competent and independent regulatory institutions with properly functioning grievance redress and appeals bodies; appreciation and respect for public participationinassessingthe impacts of development projects; a separation of powers within government between those tasked with pushing projects and those responsible for regulating the public impacts of such projects; and adherence to theruleoflaw

These things, aside from beingthecornerstoneofany functionaldemocracy,arein everyone’s interest in the long run. Therefore, I pray that you will give these matters your personal attention and put equal vigour into correcting our lacking state of public environmental management as you do into attracting investmentstoGuyana.

Thank you for your attention.Iwishyouthebest.

SimoneMangal-Joly Citizen

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INVESTOR CONFIDENCE, HOW ABOUT GUYANESE CONFIDENCE? - PART 1

Hess CEO, Mr. John Hess, has some unprintable parts.

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He is concerned about investor confidence.

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Investors are worried about calls for contract renegotiation.

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They want reassurance that their money is securely invested, with rich returns safer.

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When will the wellbeing of Guyanese count?

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OP:ED

The

By GHK Lall GHK Lall

angrier President and Vice President are, the more desperate they look

BURNHAM IS DAMAGED GOODS

Forbes Burnham was initially announced as the posthumous recipient of the Order of the Companions of theOliverTambo,anhonour accorded to eminent nonnationals in South Africa. His induction into this esteemed pantheon was however jettisoned by persons with and without connections to the Working People’sAlliance(WPA).

The Rodney family is reported to have appealed directly to the then South African President, Jacob Zuma,askingthattheaward be rescinded. According to an article in Groundings (Volume 1, Issue 1, 2014), thefamilyclaimedthatitwas the Guyanese people who made personal sacrifices to contribute and to offer solidarity with the people of SouthAfrica.

ThelettertoZuma,itwas said, noted that, “though Burnham may have portrayed himself as a freedomfightertotheworld, the reality and history of Guyana clearly shows that he was a dictator and leader of a brutal and murderous regime at home ” The Rodney family was also reportedtohavewrittenthat, “toplacethenameofForbes Burnham alongside that of such an illustrious man as Tambo is reprehensible and disturbing in any level of discourse.”

Horace Campbell, a noted academic based in the UnitedStates,askedwhether the African National Congress,therulingpartyin SouthAfrica,wasrewarding Forbes Burnham for the

assassination of Walter Rodney His concern was echoed by Jamaican professorDr RupertLewis.

C a m p b e l l e v e n challenged the anti-colonial credentialsofBurnham(one of the reasons for the announcementoftheaward. He accused Burnham of publicly praising anticolonialism in Africa but of collaborating with French colonialism in the Caribbean. It was suggested thatitwasthiscollaboration which allowed for Rodney’s killertofindrefugeinFrench Guiana.

Apetitionwascirculated that was damning of Forbes Burnham. It accused him of being an agent of imperialism (declassified documents subsequently have established that Burnhamwasonthepayroll of the Central Intelligence Agency).Itfurtherdescribed Burnham as heading a corrupt, brutal and murderousregimethatwasa disasterforGuyana.

In calling for its rescinding, the petition statedtheawardamountedto an“affronttothelegacyand memory of Walter Rodney, Father Darke, Ohene Koama,EdwardDublin,and the numerous others who paid with their lives or liberty for challenging the increasing repression of the Burnhamgovernment.”

In withdrawing the awardindefinitely,theSouth African government tried nottoshowthatitwasonany side The South African government used the word ‘deferral’ rather than

Dem Boys Seh...

‘rescind’.

But that withdrawal had significance because it showed that Burnham’s name was permanently t a r n i s h e d b y h i s government’s assassination of Walter Rodney, and that henceforth there would be great circumspection in using Burnham as an example of anything that wasgoodforAfrica.

Even the two goodly professors that came out against the award did not attempt to deny that he did play a role in the African freedom struggles. But they impliedthatrolealwayshad to be checked against his own dictatorial practice in Guyana and his earlier schemingwithimperialism.

Burnham in effect is ‘damagedgoods.’

And that is the framework in which the PNC/R, his party, may wish toexaminewhyintherecent NelsonMandelaLecture,the Prime Minister of Barbados mentioned a number of Caribbean leaders but left out Forbes Burnham as part of the anti-apartheid struggle.Itwouldhavebeen politically imprudent of Mottley to have mentioned Forbes Burnham This would only attract adverse comments about her associating the antiapartheid struggle with a manwhowasaccusedinhis own country of moving towards an apartheid state and who a Commission of Inquiryfingeredinthedeath of a world-renowned historian who is still adored today on the African

BAD NAME DOES CAUSE FAMILY AND FRIEND FUH GO DEM SEPARATE WAYS

Thetwothingswhichdoescause ‘bad name’iswhenyuhfugetfuhinvitepeopleto wedding reception or, birthday party and whenyuhnamenahmentioninyuhfamily death announcement.All other wrongs are forgivenbutnatthosetwo.

Yuhfriendcouldtalkyuhnamebehind yuhback.Hecouldborrowyuhmoneyand never repay He could report yuh to de tax authorities.Hecouldevengoandsleepwith yuhbetterhalf.Allofdatisforgivable.But ifheorhechildrengettingmarriedandyuh nahgetinvite,defriendshipdonethereand den.

People does fallout with dem family overallkindofthing.Alotofitisbecauseof property dispute. But when death comes evendemostbitteroffamilyfeudsdoesbe

setaside.Amanmightnottalktohefamily fuhyearsbutwhensomebodydeadfuhthat family,hegangoandofferhesympathy.

But de one ting wah is not forgivable and wah does cause irreconcilable differencesiswhenyuhfuhgetfuhmention some family member name in de death announcement.Demdoesaccuseyuhofnot consideringdemasfamily

It mek dem boys remember a story RonaldRegantalk.

He seh how dem had a boy who tell a girl, “I would climb the highest mountain fuh you. I would swim across de deepest andwidestriverfuhyou.

Thenheturntosheandsaid,“Iwilldrop bytonight,ifthereisnorain”. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

continent.

But those who are criticizing the Barbadian PrimeMinisteralsomissthat shehadseguedtoCaribbean and Commonwealth support for the anti-apartheid struggle to make a more substantial point. For her, each generation has to carry the baton of the struggle forward and thus she traced the support for that struggle overdifferentdecades.

This was part of her wider argument that those

who criticize Mandela for notdoingmoreintheareaof economic justice for Black South Africans fail to appreciate that each generationhas to do its duty and it is for the present generation to assume the batonforeconomicjusticein SouthAfrica.

As for Burnham, in this the centennial year of his birthanniversary,noattempt at political renovation will succeed. He will forever be tarnishedbygoingmuchtoo

far in assassinating Walter Rodney

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

VP Jagdeo breaks SANCTITYOF CONTRACT with Exxon for Kaieteur and Canje oil blocks but refuses to do same for Stabroek block

When it comes to calls for the renegotiation of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), the Irfaan Aliled administration has maintained that it will not yield from its position to preserve the lopsided deal due to its respect for the sanctityofcontract.

The government has also said that going through with renegotiation would place the country on the precipice of economicdevastationsincethereis a rigid stability clause in the agreement. That clause insulates ExxonMobil and its partners from any new terms or laws that would forceittogivetheStatemorefiscal

benefits. If the government were to impose any new terms, the clause allows for Exxon to be duly compensated.

Thoughitholdssteadyonbeing against renegotiation for the Stabroek Block, recent statements by Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo on how the administration intends to deal with the Exxon operated Kaieteur and Canje blocks leaves one to wonder if the “sanctity of contract” position is a convenientexcuse.

Jagdeo recently stated that Exxon's Kaieteur and Canje blocks will have to subscribe to the new model fiscal terms if discoveries are made there Those terms includethepaymentofa10percent

royalty What is critical for readers to note is that the Canje and Kaieteur block contracts both have thesameoppressivestabilityclause andotherlopsidedterms.

Also, just as with Stabroek, the Canje and Kaieteur block contracts restrict the government from bringing Exxon to the negotiation table. Only Exxon is permitted under the agreement to bring the government to the table, to seek renegotiated provisions If the government unilaterally amends the terms of the contracts in a mannerthatincreasestheeconomic burdens of the contractor, it would have to repay whatever they have lost.

If the matter were to be brought

to Court, just as with Stabroek, Exxon and all its partners would recover the costs of their top notch law firms from cost oil, ultimately reducing profit oil revenues to Guyana.

So, what will stop Exxon from rejecting the new terms, just as the governmentclaimsitcoulddowith the Stabroek PSA? An equally important question is how is the government able to violate the sanctityofcontractprincipleforthe Kaieteur and Canje blocks but not forStabroek?

The terms in the Canje and Kaieteurpetroleumagreementscan be argued to be worse than those in the Stabroek PSA. Like Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur offer the same

effectivewaiversofalltaxes,witha 75% cost recovery ceiling Kaieteur splits profits 50/50, just like Stabroek. Canje differs, in that its profit split is on a sliding scale from 50% to 60% based on the levels of oil production. While Stabroek has a 2% royalty rate on petroleum produced and sold, CanjeandKaieteurchargeonly1% royalty

In the new model PSA, government has proposed 10% royalty, a 65% cost recovery ceiling, a 50/50 profit share, and a 10%corporatetax.

The contract is supposed to be in a consultation phase, and should be released to the public in its entiretysoon.

ExxonMobil can use Guyana's oil to recover US$ Billions without Minister's permission

According to the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), ExxonMobil Corporation and its partners can take as much of Guyana's oil that they may need to cover US billion worth of purchases. The sweetest part of this arrangement is that for much of its expenditure, there is no needforministerialapproval.

“Surface Rights” is part of the list of recoverable items. This covers all costs a t t r i b u t a b l e t o t h e acquisition, renewal or relinquishment of the Contract Area including the annuallicencerentaltotalling

ANNEX

D - 255

Pre-Approved and Certified Petroleum Operations Items

US$1M. Labour costs are also listed and entails gross salaries and wages. The PSA states Guyana's oil will be used to cover the bonuses of employees for ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited.

Guyana's oil will also cover holiday, vacation, sickness and disability, life insurance, hospitalization, pensions and other benefits and payments for employees of Exxon and itspartners.

1.Acids (stimulation) - chemicals used downhole or injected in oil/gas formations

2.Acoustical survey equipmentincludingsonar,sidescanningsonar, full waveformsonicloggers

3.Aeromagnetic recording survey systems

4.Airslipsalsoknownastubingslips

5.All terrain vehicles (ATVs)

6.Automated equipment at the well head, processing plant or refinery used to monitor and control production

7. Bags (cloth) with printed tagsused in well testing

8. Bails (links)

9. Barrel - chemical mixing when used at the well head

10. Batteries - for production machinery and equipment

11. Batteries - geophysical when used exclusively for seismic prospecting in blasting and recording systems

12. Bits-drillincludesPDCs,tricones

13. Blasting systems - used for seismic prospecting

14. Blowout ignition system

15. Blowout preventers (BOPs)

16. Boxes - shipping (used in well testing), core

17. Building - portable

18. Building - support - when used as weather-related protective covering for equipment such as electrical generators or instrumentation

Also included are the reasonable travel and personal expenses of such employees including those made for travel and relocation of the expatriate employees assigned to Guyana.

Exxon and its partners canalsorecoveranypersonal income tax paid for its employees.

Thecostoftransportation of employees, equipment, materials and supplies is also costrecoverable.

Charges for Third Party Contracts are also catered for along with all materials purchased to support the

19. Buildings - that provide office or dwelling space; geologist lab trailers; skid-mounted living trailers

20. Bulldozers-earthmovingequipment

21. Cable - electrical

22.Cable - wire rope

23. Cables - electrical (integrated into machinery)

24. Cablesusedforseismicprospecting

25. Calibration gas - for H2S monitors and H2S analyzers

26. Casing

27. Casing accessories

28. Catwalks - see Scaffolding

29. Cement - oilwell

30. Cementing equipment

31. Centralizers - casing attachment

32. Centrifuge - used to remove fine drill solids from mud systems

33. Chemical mixing barrelwhen used at the well head

34. Chemical storage drumswhen used at the manufacturing or processing site

35. Chemicals used in drilling and production operations

36. Chemicals used in refining operations

37. Choke manifold and valves

38. Circulating system - includes discharge and return lines

39. Circulating systems - includes mud tanks, mud mixers, discharge and return lines and separators

40. Cleaners/degreasers - includes oilfield equipment

41. Cloth bags with printed tags -

petroleum operations

Furthermore, all rentals, taxes, levies, charges, fees, contributions and any other assessments and charges levied by the Government in connection with the Petroleum Operations and paid directly by the oil companiesarerecoverable.

Additionally, the contract states that insurance premium and cost incurred f o r i n s u r a n c e a r e recoverable.

With respect to legal expenses, the PSAstates that all costs and expenses of litigation in defending or prosecuting lawsuits

used in well testing

42. Coil tubing

43. Coil tubing reel

44. Collars-drilling

45. Communication equipmentincludes satellite communications equipment

46. Compressors - for compression of air or natural gas

47. Computers - to monitor production/drilling machinery and equipment

48. Consumables - consumable equipment used in drilling and production operations

49. Control panels - used to run generators at a well head

50. Core boxes

51. Corrosion inhibitors - added to upstream installations for preventative maintenance

52. Couplings

53. Custom software - designed for and integrated into drilling and production machinery or equipment

54. Data processing units used for seismic prospecting

55. DC electric motors (integrated) used to drive the draw works mud pumps, or top drives, also commonly called traction motors

56. Deflocculants - used in fresh water mud systems

57. Dehydration chemicals

58. Dehydrators - including mole sieve used at the well head; used during the production testing phase

59. Demulsifiers - used in production operations to remove water from crude oil

involving the Contract Area o r a n y third party claim arising out of activities under the Agreement are recoverable. But the sweetness does not stop there for Exxon and its partners This newspaper understands that all costs and expenses incurred in the training of Guyanese personnelarerecoverable.

Guyana has also allowed Exxon and partners to r e c o v e r U S $ US$460,237,918. This is in respect of all costs incurred between 1999 and 2015 by Exxon and partners in the searchofoil.

60. Density counters - spectral gamma-gamma

61. Detectors - flame, when used during the production testing phase as an alternative to a flare stack

62. Diesel power generating systems

63. Discharge and return lines

64. Dispersants - production chemicals

65. Distribution panel electrical that controls the electrical distribution for the entire rig package

66. Dope --- pipe

67. Drifts - for casing, tubing, and line pipe

68. Drill bits, includes tricone, PDCs

(PolycrystallineDiamondCompact)

69. Drillcollarhandlingequipment

70. Drill collars - used in exploration and development drilling

71. Drill line spool - wire rope

72. Drill pipe - used in exploration and development drilling

73. Drill pipe handling equipment

74. Drill stem testing equipmentincludes instrumentation

75. Drilling-detergent;muds;surfactants

76. Drilling Rigs and associated equipment - Onshore and Offshore

77. Drilling fluid - chemicals used to create drilling fluid (see mud)

78. Drills - all drills used exclusively for seismic prospecting includes heli, enviro, LIS, track, truck, buggy

79. Drives - top, rotary and pump

Additionally, the oil companies are allowed to recover all interests on loans along with all forms of financing used to fund the projects in the Stabroek Block.

There is also a provision that allows Exxon to recover a l l c o s t s f o r t h e decommissioning of wells. This involves the safe removal and shutting down ofoperationsattheendofthe project. There is also a list of items which Exxon can import without payment of duties and without need for ministerial approval. See list below

80. Drums - for chemical storage when used at the manufacturing or processing site

81. EDR system (only an EDR and the embedded dedicated computer equipment that is integrated into the unit) used at the drilling site

82. Electricgeneratorsandalternators

83. Electric logging equipment

84. Electrical cable - distribution panel, electrical generating systems

85. Electrical distribution panel

86.Electrical generating systems (integrated)

87. Electrical submersible pumps

- ESP-forartificialliftofpetroleum

88. Electricalsurveyingequipment

89. Electrical thermostats

90. Electromagnetic surveying equipment - includes time and frequency domain induced polarization equipment

91. Emergencygas shutoffdevices

92. Engine oils

93. Engines-usedforoilfieldservice

94. Equipment hoisting

95. Explosives -includes thoseused inseismic,coring,construction

96. Field potentiometers

97.Filter bags - for the production machinery and equipment

98. Fishing tools for retrieving tools lost downhole

99. Fittings includes those used in the transportation and distribution system, for example, on gathering lines

(Continued on page 13)

Special Financial Crimes Court could beef up money laundering fight - National Strategy and Policy

Th e N a t i o n a l Strategy and Policy to combat money laundering has recommended that a special financial crimes court could beef up the country's money launderingfight. Thepolicyandstrategy,is a five-year plan that aims to further enhance and improve Guyana's Anti-Money Laundering/ Countering

F i n a n c i a l Terrorism/Financing the Proliferation of Weapons of M a s s D e s t r u c t i o n

(AML/CFT/PF) regime by addressing the risks identified in second National Risk Assessment (NRA) Report and implement the strategy in conjunction with Guyana's Risk Based Action Plan.

Guyana is a member of International Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) under which falls the Caribbean Financial Action Taskforce (CFATF) of which the country is a member, and as such, would have to subscribe to set criteria

p r e s c r i b e d b y t h e institutions.

The strategy also pointed out that a needs assessment and legal analysis must be conducted to “determine (i) whether a financial court should be established, and (ii) the constitutionality of the establishment of such; this is in addition to specialized training for J u d g e s M a g i s t r a t e s conducting ML/TF and AF matters to ensure justice is effectivelyserved.”

Itwasexplainedthatsuch

a move, will also serve to assist with the current backlog of cases in the court system and delays in bringingmatterstotrial. Additionally, under the new policy, it was also noted that the quality of border control will be enhanced through increased resources including improved technology to monitor real time movements at the borders, as well as adequate training, equipment, and human resources at ports of entry

The entity will also be tweaking its collection of data to ensure more details in order to ensure adequate monitoring of the progress achieved in terms of the outcome of Guyana's efforts with regards to investigating and prosecuting AML/CFT crimes.

The new measures being promulgated by the Administration to beef up its AML/CFT/TP fight comes on the heels of the completion of two National Risk Assessments (NRA) that have identified weaknesses.

With this in mind, government said its new policy seeks to ensure that Guyanaachievesahighlevel of compliance with the FATF Standards on combating Money Laundering (ML), Terrorism Financing (TF) a n d F i n a n c i n g t h e Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (PF); “and to effectively meet the key objectives of Guyana's AML/CFT system in practice.”

To this end, the National Policy and Strategy provides a guide of the actions required to be undertaken to i m p r o v e G u y a n a ' s effectiveness in mitigating ML,TF,andPF

“This National Policy and Strategy is a dynamic document reflecting Guyana's efforts to combat ML, TF and PF risks and the p r o g r e s s i n t h o s e endeavours It will be reviewed every three (3) years to determine whether any amendments may be required to properly satisfy eachobjective,”itsaid.

Those identified as part of the process include: The A t t o r n e y G e n e r a l ' s Chambers, the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Ministries of Natural Resources and Finance and AML/CFTSupervisory

According to Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC “we recognise that we cannot operate in a vacuum, and cooperation is important d o m e s t i c a l l y a n d internationally, particularly w i t h o u r r e g i o n a l counterparts where effective and timely information sharing can make a vast difference in the detection and prevention of all crime, more specifically, financial andorganisedcrime.”

nternational

Financial Action Taskforce (FATF) dictates that forAntiMoney Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism to be effective “countries must have strong operational authorities to bring prosecutions and obtainconvictions,aswellas to seize and confiscate the p r o c e e d s a n d instrumentalitiesofcrimefor the benefit of states and victims.”

A s s u c h , t h e administration has since conceded that, “it is clear, based on Guyana's risk p r o f i l e t h a t m o n e y laundering investigations need to result in tangible number of prosecutions and convictions.”

To this end, as outlined in the newly adopted National Strategy and Policy combating the scourge, the administration intends to take a number of targeting actions involving the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU).

In strengthening its capacity, the strategy points to the hiring additional financial investigators and attorneysandthisisexpected tobecompletedbytheendof theyear

Additionally, the Policy aims to ensure that s p e c i a l i z e d M o n e y Laundering or Terrorism Financingtraining,aswellas asset forfeiture training, is provided for its staff to effectively carry out its mandate.''

Thisstrategicobjectiveis expected to be completed by theendofthisyear

Also outlined as part of the efforts to achieve the strategic objectives outlined, it has recommended the increased use of external experts, such as forensic accountants when there is no such 'in-house' expertise available.

Additionally, enhancing the FIU's access to relevant information and its use of analytical and workflow tools,bytheestablishmentof specialized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for investigators dealing with ML/TF and PF caseswillalsobehad.

This is to further ensure that “there is integrity and independence of Financial Crime Prosecutors, the Government of Guyana will review remuneration and conditions to attract persons who are competent and experienced, and to ensure the best are hired and undergo continuous training.”

President Ali condemns racist, terrorist remarks by WPA member

President Irfaan Ali

o n S a t u r d a y s t r o n g l y condemned statements made by Tacuma Ogunseye, a member of the Working People's Alliance (WPA), who among other things, called on the Joint Forces to “aim their guns” in the right direction” while addressing residents of Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Thursdayevening.

The Head-of-State in a live statement published on Facebook said that he would not call the names of such persons as they are no more than “racist, opportunist, dismantlers” that have no association with building a nation.

He was keen to point out that the Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton shared the stage with Ogunseye, who sought to urgepublicservantstobepart ofdestroyingdemocracy

Ali said the people of B u x t o n s h o u l d a s k themselves why the WPA chose to utilize that village that has such a rich heritage ofproducingfinecitizens.

“Why is it that we continuetoallowthemtouse usaspawns?

No, we must think as a people, we must understand realistically who these peopleare.

They would do anything forpower,”hesaid.

The President continued: “Aretheseleaders?

Are these the type of people we want to lead our country? Are these the type of people we want even to be associated with leadership in any political system, or any political party? Can these people who shared that stage have the best interest of Guyana at heart?” President Aliquestioned.

During the Buxton outreach, Ogunseye said, “I don't understand how people complaining that they are oppressed and they have all thegunsintheirhands.

They are the majority in the army, the majority in the police and they are still saying they are oppressed. What you are saying is that our problem is our making. Our problem is own making! Anytime we turn those guns

President Irfaan Ali

remarks that seek to incite racial tension and deviate frompeace.

The WPA has since issuedastatementsupporting the statements Ogunseye made. Some members of the People's National Congress (PNC), the main opposition party have condemned the statements made by Ogunseye.

Members of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul and Natasha Singh-Lewis, along with Regional Chairman Region Four, Daniel Seeram andCityMayorUbrajNarine d e s c r i b i n g t h e m a s “ d e r o g a t o r y ” a n d “distasteful”.

PNC members said in a statement.

Further, the members said that “It is disappointing that none of the other speakers at the meeting sought to address or clarify thatspeaker'sstatements.”

“We call on all political leadersandrepresentativesto speakoutagainstallformsof bigotry and discrimination and to work towards a more inclusive and tolerant society,” the four PNC memberssaid.

From page 3 work programme expanded to include, roads, bridges and other infrastructure works is alsolistedforexternalaudits.

Two other key State agencies for which the Audit Office is looking to have p r i v a t e C h a r t e r e d Accountants audit, are the Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

The Power Company is among the key importers of fuelintothecountryaswellas country's main electricity provider, paid for by the consumers to the tune of billionsannually

The cash strapped GuySuCo has also been a s o u r c e o f p u b l i c consternation over its performance taking into account the billions being pumped into the industry from the treasury even as its production costs continue to be higher than its total revenue. This means that the entity has been running, and c o n t i n u e s t o r u n accumulating financial losses yearly

Additionally, the work of the Guyana Gold Board—the stateentityresponsibleforthe purchase of all gold mined in

Guyana will also be contracted out to private hands.

The Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), another ofthegovernmentagenciesto handle large transactions involvingstateresources,will also be audited by a private firm.

Meanwhile, the Audit

Office has issued an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for “eligible and qualified Chartered Accountants in public practice to audit and report on the financial statements, account and other information relating to the performance of the Audit Office for the period January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.”

The advertisement, also published in Saturday's edition of the Kaieteur News, said that “In accordance with Part VII Section 44 of the Audit Act of 20023, it is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of Guyana that the invitation wasissued.

The bidding documents are to be deposited into the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance's tender box on or before 9:00amonApril4,2023.

in the right direction, it is over!”

Meanwhile, several organisations including the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce ( G C C I ) h a v e a l s o condemned the statements madebyOgunseye.

On Friday, Chief-of-Staff oftheGuyanaDefenceForce

(GDF) Brigadier Godfrey Bess, who is also the Chairman of the Joint Servicesmadeitclearthatthe Joint Services is an apolitical institution and will continue to serve the people of Guyana.

Brigadier Bess urged politicians and other commentatorstorefrainfrom misleading and mischievous

“Wewanttomakeitclear that we condemn and distance ourselves from any attackonanyraceinGuyana, including our African brothersandsisters.

Whileweunderstandthat the speaker may have made the comments out of hurt for what is happening in some A f r o - G u y a n e s e communities, we cannot allow such conduct to pass withoutbeingcalledout,”the

S i m i l a r l y, G e e t a Chandan-Edmond in a separate statement agreed that Ogunseye's statements should be “strongly condemned” as they can “lead to public disorder and anarchy in an already e t h n i c a l l y - i n f l a m e d environment.”

Chandan-Edmond who is also a member of the PNC called for the initiation of “mature dialogue aimed at promoting harmony, toleranceandtrust”aswellas national development that assures all Guyanese of equitable treatment and participation.

Audit Office to employ private auditors to bring State ...

Sunday – Mar 7, 2023 materially adverse effect on thecorporation.

CGX cannot afford to In accordance with fully insure Guyana industry practice, CGX also operations told shareholders that it has – warns shareholders there normal and customary is no guarantee against insurance coverage to multiple financial risks address a certain number of these risks. It said however

Whileitcontinuesefforts that the nature of these risks drillinganimpressivelydeep is such that “liabilities could well in the Corentyne Block exceed policy limits, in called Wei-1, Canadian which event the Corporation explorer, CGX Energy Inc. mayincursignificantcosts.” was keen to remind Additionally, CGX said shareholders that its such insurance may not be operations are subject to all available in the future, may manner of fiscal and be price-prohibitive, or environmentalrisks. contain limitations on

In its latest financial liability that may not be report, the company said sufficient to cover the full offshoreoperationsinvolvea extent of such liabilities. It higher degree of risk than said too that there can be no those onshore due to the assurance that CGX will be remoteness. It explained that able to obtain the insurance oil and natural gas coverage that it believes is exploration involve many appropriate. risksthatevenacombination I n a d d i t i o n , t h e of experience, knowledge, company’s report said, “the and careful evaluation may risks to which CGX’s not be able to overcome. operations are subject may Expounding on these risks it not in all circumstances be said, “Fires and explosions insurable or, in certain on drilling rigs and other circumstances, CGX may offshore platforms are more elect not to obtain insurance likely to result in personal to deal with specific risks injury, loss of life and due to the high premiums of a significant event that sohungry,soblindedbytheir As a result of those situation could have come damage to property due to associated with such CGX is not fully insured love for profit, that they operations, and in defiance about lies in the fact that the remote locations and insuranceorotherreasons.” against, or the non-payment ignored numerous warnings of warning signs, there have decision-makers cared not time required for rescue CGXsaidthepaymentof by the insurer in connection that their efforts to extract b e e n a l m o s t 1 , 6 0 0 fortheinterestofthepeople. personnel to get to the such uninsured liabilities withsuchevent,couldhavea gasinGroningenprovincein earthquakes in Groningen, The report states that the location.” would reduce the funds material adverse effect on the north-eastern part of the and every month sees new extraction of natural gas was CGX said too that blow- available to it for other CGX’s financial position Netherlands was directly quakesaddedtothisnumber so successful and so outs and spills are more purposes. and/or its results of linkedtotheincreasingonset Up to the end of 2022, there lucrative that the oil likely to result in significant The Canadian explorer operations. of earthquakes Also have been more than companies and authorities at environmentaldamagetothe also noted that it obtains K a i e t e u r N e w s alarming is the fact that the 267,000 reports of damage, the time were blind to the marine environment and can insurance for its operations Publisher, Glenn Lall Dutch government was of which 230,000 have been long-termrisks. be difficult to contain and that it believes are believes the foregoing complicit in the actions of handled Of these cases, Expounding on this difficult and expensive to appropriate for each specific information released by t h e o i l c o m p a n i e s 85,000 concerned more than front, the report notes that in remediate CGX said, activity It said, however, CGX proves once again why Authorities were bewildered one incidence of damage. 1993, the Netherlands’ “There can be no assurance there can be no assurance Guyana needs full coverage by the tsunami of revenues The report states, “…Every Supervisory Committee of that these risks can be that proceeds from such insurance for the Stabroek andstayedsilent. new earthquake causes Research into Earthquakes avoided,” while adding that insurance will be sufficient Block where there is an Most could easily disquiet and fear in the (Begeleidingscommissie the occurrence of any of to cover CGX’s related aggressive exploration and understand why Shell and people of Groningen. The Onderzoek Aardbevingen, these events may have a losses. It said the occurrence production programme Exxon were obsessed with days when this was only BOA) found that there was a ongoing by an ExxonMobil- the Groningen gas field and about ‘cups tinkling in the correlation between gas ledconsortium. the fortune that came. With cabinet’ are long past. What extraction and earthquakes. an estimated 2 7 billion is involved is the real The Committee said this Shell, Exxon, Dutch cubic metres of recoverable concern about whether the could have been a reason to Govt. ignored earthquake natural gas, it is the largest baby can be put to bed map out structurally and warnings natural gas field in Europe upstairssafelyinahomethat systematically what to exploit major gas find and one of the largest in the used to be considered safe, consequences gas extraction – were hell-bent on world. but has since been declared has and even bring an end to securing lucrative The gas field was unsafe.” same. But this was not the profits despite discovered in 1959 and joint It continues, “It is the case. health, environmental risks exploitation was led by the stress and the enormous In early 2013, Dutch to thousands of citizens government, Shell, and mental threshold having to regulators emphatically Exxon Mobil through a check the house for cracks stated in an opinion that, in How far will oil vehicle called NAM again after the umpteenth order to safeguard the safety companies go for mega- (Nederlandse Aardolie quake– residents know how of the people of Groningen, profits? Would they risk the Maatschappij). much effort and energy it production needs to be lives of innocent men, Sixty years of gas costs to get the damage reduced as speedily as is women, and children? A extraction in Groningen repaired. It is having to realisticallypossible. r e c e n t r e p o r t b y a brought the Netherlands p o s t p o n e d e c i s i o n s

Despite the advice, it did parliamentary committee in considerable prosperity In regarding whether or not to not result in a single the Netherlands provides fact, Shell, ExxonMobil and accept a new job because the initiative to reduce gas profound insight into these the Dutch government housecan’tbesold.” extraction as a precaution –questions and perhaps, a earned €429bn from HOW DID IT not even slightly Likewise, cautionarytaleforGuyana. exploitingtheGroningengas COME TO THIS? neitherthe2015reportofthe The report exposed that field. But that came at a cost

The answer to the central DutchSafetyBoardnor Shell and ExxonMobil were tothecitizens. question of how this (Continued on page 17)

From page 16

take many months, even b y t h e A P N U + A F C impassioned marches in years. Government, once it got into Groningen in 2016, 2017, Followingthereview,the government it has changed and 2018, in which Ministry of Natural itstune. thousands of the people of

Resources laid out new Speakingatasodturning Groningen actively vented stipulations for the handling ceremony last Friday for the their concerns about the gas of environmental issues that construction of a new extraction, were considered plagued the first year of stadium at Palmyra, reasons for responsible operations at the Liza President Irfaan Ali said action in the interest of the Destiny vessel A new “hypocrites”istheidealterm people. penaltywasinstitutedforgas to define Guyanese who

K a i e t e u r N e w s f l a r i n g b e y o n d t h e have been critical of his u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t a commissioning period government’s management combination of advisory There were also stipulations of the oil and gas sector and reports by regulatory bodies forthedischargeofproduced its stewardship of the suchastheStateSupervision water to be done in environment. He claimed of Mines, along with public a c c o r d a n c e w i t h that environmentalists who pressure from the region and international best practices. have sought to steer his judgments from the Thegovernmentstatedthatit government in the right

Administrative Jurisdiction is committed to managing direction are attempting to Division of the Council of and harvesting Guyana’s “poison and stop the State is what eventually resources in keeping with blooming petroleum sector made the Dutch Cabinet internationally recognised inthecountry.” decide to scale down gas acceptable environmental President Ali spoke just extraction gradually It was standardsandtransparency after his Vice President, this combination that forced Bharrat Jagdeo who insisted the oil companies to finally PresAli, Jagdeo that such persons with lend consideration to the flay advocates for “ulterior motives” should interest of the affected better oil deal stop hiding behind the titles citizens. …call them “hypocrites such as environmentalists

According to the Limited (EEPGL) was meters (m) below the sea Development Plans for disguising as and biologists. He said: “It’s Committee, this could have already signing key level. Payara spanned two environmentalists” not easy dealing with those beendifferentiftheconcerns contracts to ensure the Further to this, EEPGL administrations. The former who want to sap our energy of the people of Groningen project’s scheduled start-up saiditwillinstallsomeofthe D a v i d G r a n g e r Amid mounting calls for in negativity It is not easy had been attended to from this year experienced no oil production facilities on a d m i n i s t r a t i o n h a d this country to be more trying to deliver them from the beginning. The report delays. t h e s e a f l o o r a t contracted the UK firm, prudent in its stewardship of their ignorance especially said the gas extraction in Vice President, Bharrat approximately 1,500 -1,980 Bayphase, to review it the oil and gas industry, when they are deliberately Groningen has proved to be Jagdeo was asked recently m (4,900-6,500 ft) water despite ExxonMobil Guyana’s top political ignorant because they have “an unprecedented system about the projected start of depth It said that these forming part of Bayphase’s leaders have likened local an ulterior motive. If you failure by the public as well the audit, but he indicated subsea facilities include clientele. advocates championing a have a political ambition, as private parties who failed that he was not aware of the various types of pipes and The former Government better deal for citizens as announce it, and come in the in the execution of their stateofplayonthisfront.He hardware. Kaieteur News had expected the review to hypocrites, insisting that political arena. Don’t hide duty.” directed this newspaper to understands that the subsea be completed in early 2020, they will not budge and will under different faces. You

(More details on the seek further clarity from the facilities allow the oil from but the contentious General report published this month Natural Resources Ministry. the wells to be gathered and and Regional Elections took can be accessed from this The 2016 Production moved to the surface of the centre stage and prolonged l i n k : Sharing Agreement for the ocean for further processing. government’s approval of https://www tweedekamer n Stabroek Block only EEPGL will then install theproject. l/sites/default/files/2023- furnishes the government otheroilproductionfacilities When the Irfaan Ali 02/Groningers-before- with a two-year deadline to on a vessel that floats on the administration took over in gas conclusions-and- complete critical audits of surface of the ocean. The August 2020, it asked recommendations.pdf)

Exxon’s expenses. If it fails vessel is called a Floating Canada to assist it with the to do so, it would have to Production, Storage, and review That consultation Monday – Mar 6, 2023 acceptcostsasis. Offloading(FPSO). resulted in former Alberta According to documents It will be moored on Premier, Alison Redford, Guyana yet to audit s u b m i t t e d t o t h e location in approximately being accepted to lead the

US$9B Payara costs Environmental Protection

1,800-1,980m (5,900-6,500 review of BayPhase’s work.

Two years after approval… Agency (EPA) by EEPG), ft) of water depth and will She worked with a team of – country may have to the Payara development will remain on location technical experts, funded by accept costs as is due to be located in the eastern area throughout the life of the Canada. Despite questions contractual obligations of the Stabroek Block which facility EEPGL said that oil aboutRedford’scapabilityto is approximately 190 km production facilities on the review field development Tw o y e a r s a f t e r ( 1 1 8 m i l e s ) f r o m FPSO will further process plans (FDP), as well as approving ExxonMobil’s Georgetown. The operator the oil extracted from below ethical concerns fuelled by US$9B budget to produce notes that oil production theseafloor her political history, the 600 million barrels of oil from Payara is expected to The operator also stated administration allowed her from the Payara project in last at least 20 years with the that the FPSO will have the tocompletethereview the Stabroek Block, startup of the facilities capacity to produce

continuetheirprogramme. must be honest to tell the Guyanese authorities are yet e x p e c t e d t o o c c u r approximately 180,000 to Petroleum Consultant, Dr Following the signing of people what your true to commence a critical audit approximatelyinmid-2023. 220,000 barrels of oil per J a n M a n g a l , a n d the lopsided contract intentionsare.” that would ensure the EEPGL noted that it will day Duringtheearlystageof International Lawyer, between the Guyana The President said the country is not paying more drill approximately 35 to 45 production operations, the Melinda Janki, had spoken G o v e r n m e n t a n d People’s Progressive Party thanitshould. wells offshore to support the FPSO is anticipated to against approving Payara so ExxonMobil, Guyanese at and his government believe

h e P P P / C extraction of the oil from produce up to an average of rapidly, in less than two home and abroad have been in this principle and have

tration had below the seafloor It said approximately 5,700,000 to monthstobeexact.Theyhad calling for a renegotiation of outlineditsintentionsclearly approved the project on that each well will be drilled 6,600,000 barrels of crude said that Guyana should take the deal to secure greater in its Manifesto. “We stated September 30, 2020. But using a floating drill ship. oil per month These allthetimeitneedstoreview benefits for citizens. And howwearegonnabringback even before this was done, Also, each well will be estimates are preliminary Payara, with Dr Mangal although while in opposition agriculture, how we gonna ExxonMobil Corporation’s directionally drilled to andaresubjecttochange. explaining that proper the PPP/C Government had save the farmers and every subsidiary, Esso Exploration specific reservoir targets FDPREVIEWS reviews require large teams promised to renegotiate the singleoneofour and Production Guyana generally 4,000 to 5,500 Guyana’sreviewofField of technical experts and may contract, which was signed (Continued on page 18)

From page 17 the Stabroek Block; in its 2020 Manifesto to thatthematterbethrownout, commitments, we have Chartered Accountant, renegotiate.” Ram said the Court stayed true to – every single Christopher Ram is of the As the case moved to the recognised that the case was one of our commitments we view that the fight must next stage, Ram said the the first of a kind in a new have delivered to you. We continue. lawyers for both the industry registering a arenotconartists,”henoted. In his most recent government and the oil phenomenal growth The

He went on to tell those column published by companies raised procedural Courtalsoemphasisedthatit gathered at the event: “make Stabroek News, Ram said he issues seeking to prevent the was for those reasons only no mistake, this is not a would encourage all case from being heard. He that it allowed the extensive governmentofconartistsbut Guyanese to support Lall’s said the gist of the Attorney delay I know many of them out call for changes to certain General’s response was that Furthermore, Ram said there who disguise contractual terms so as to the agreement was a the Court recognised that the themselves in all kinds of prevent their inherent contractual matter falling in purpose of section 10 of the ways – environmentalists, travesty being perpetuated the realm of private law He Petroleum Exploration and biologist,propagandists–all until 2056 when the noted that the attorneys for ProductionAct, (PEPA) is to forms they come in. Very Production Sharing Esso also challenged Mr authorise the Minister to important point, imagine Agreementwillfinallycome Lall’s standing to bring the enter into Petroleum someone calling themselves amount considering the “Prime Minister, we toanend. case, his delay in bringing Agreements, while section a patriot and going to a court losses experienced by other enclose the map prepared by He wrote, “The PPPC the action, the manner and 51 is to give the Minister the to stop you from the revenue oil producing states when a ERM, the consultancy firm Government probably procedure in which Lall power to direct that the that belongs to you the spilloccurred. that has conducted all but considers the results of the brought his action, and the severaltaxlawsreferredtoin people of Guyana in the oil To this end, the parent o n e o f E x x o n ’ s case as a success, enabled by right of the Court to hear the the section shall not apply to andgassector.” company ExxonMobil is Environmental Impact and for the benefit mainly of matter. orinrelationtothelicensee.

Ali said Guyanese have required to supply a parent Assessments to date in the oil companies. In the Ram said the Judge ruled He said the Court even gone as far to write the company guarantee in Guyana. That map shows process, it has abdicated its that the allegation that the therefore found that the country’s neighbours to say accordancewiththePermitit that the northwesterly responsibility to Guyanese Minister with responsibility Minister’s powers to grant they must stop Guyana from r e c e i v e d f r o m t h e currents of the Guyana and broke its Manifesto forpetroleumhadactedultra tax waivers applied not only producing its oil, due to the Environmental Protection territorial sea would push commitment. As if these are vires of the provision of to licensees, but also to their potential dangers of an oil Agency (EPA). After more even a small oil spill to the not bad enough, it fails to statue by granting tax sub-contractors, affiliated spill. The President argued than three years, this eastern coasts of Trinidad exercise any regulatory concessions, exemptions companies, and to their however that these same provisionisyettobeadhered andTobago.Evenasmalloil oversight over the oil and waivers to parties other expatriate employees under neighbouring states have to. It is intended to subject spill would spoil the companies with which it than the oil companies, definedcircumstances. developed their petroleum the parent company to cover Caribbean Sea and threaten now engages in an justified the Court’s Based on the foregoing sector for 100 years. “They any expenses above the thelivelihoodsoffishersand incestuous and unholy intervention. grounds, among others, Lall call themselves patriots and capped insurance policy the tourism industry, not to relationship.” While a delay by itself losthiscase. lovers of our country They This newspaper has reported mention the harms to marine With this in mind, Ram may not justify a refusal by a The KN Publisher is are nothing short of being that ExxonMobil had beat life and ecosystems,” the categorically stated that the court to hear a matter, Ram currently reviewing his hypocrites! Nothing short of down a US$5 billion Court OGGN members wrote. In fight for contractual changes said an applicant has to offer option to appeal the Court being hypocrites and let me judgment for fishermen to light of the foregoing and must not cease. He said, an acceptable explanation to ruling. be very clear, there is no US$507 million following a other critical points listed by “The battle might have been justify an unusually long government in this region 50-million-barrel oil spill the group, they urged PM lostbutthewarhastogoon.” delay, even if that included Woman killed while who has the environmental 1989 in Alaska, United R o w l e y u r g e t h e In recapping some of the 15 months during which the fleeing abusive husband c r e d e n t i a l s o f t h i s States. governments of the key points in Lall’s case, Agreement was kept from government.” In February, members of Caribbean to evaluate the Ram noted that it was on the public. He said Lall had Police on the East Coast

The President said the acivilsocietygroupwroteto scale, intensity and risks February 22, 2023, that the proffered that he had relied of Demerara (ECD) are PPP came back to office in TrinidadandTobago’sPrime posedtotheentireCaribbean Guyana High Court handed on the commitment by the currently investigation the 2020 after leaving a Low Minister (PM), Dr Keith by the ongoing high velocity downitsdecisioninthecourt PPPC in its 2020 Manifesto death of 26-year-old Aneeza carbon Development Rowley, putting him on oil exploration and challenge. The action was to renegotiate the contract Ishmael who was on Strategy (LCDS) which was guard about the potential oil production in Guyana’s filed on January 22, 2022 onceinGovernment. Monday morning allegedly abandoned by the former spill dangers of Guyana’s waters. “We hope you will naming the Attorney In declining the killedbyherreputed administration. He was keen offshore projects. The letter assessthedeeplyinequitable General,AnilNandlallasthe Respondent’s application (Continued on page 63) to share with the Berbice which was signed by Alfred a n d n e o - c o l o n i a l respondent It essentially crowd that this Programme Bhulai, Andre Brandli, arrangements between the sought17declarationsbythe is now earning the country Janette Bulkan, Darshanand government of Guyana and Court that the breadth of revenueforitsforests. Khusial, Mike Persaud, and petroleum companies, in concessions granted by then

No insurance Charles Sugrim all of which the public wealth of APNU+AFC Petroleum

But while Guyana has whom are members of the Guyana is privatized and Minister, Raphael Trotman earned its title as a carbon Oil and Gas Governance negative environmental notonlytotheoilcompanies sink, meaning it takes out Network (OGGN) was harms to both Guyana and but to their affiliates, submore carbon dioxide than it issued on February 8, 2023 t h e C a r i b b e a n a r e contractors and employees produces, the oil sector has tothePM’soffice. socialized,” the members of the oil companies and been moving at a rapid pace The OGGN members wrote. their sub-contractors were intheabsenceoffullliability were keen to note that they not permitted by law and coverage Presently, are concerned citizens of Tuesday – Mar 7, 2023

werethereforeillegal. approximately 360,000 Guyana and inhabitants of Ram said it was on barrels per day is being theCaribbean.Theystressed Chris Ram urges…All March 31, 2022 that produced offshore in the that Guyana’s oil reserves, Guyanese should support ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Stabroek Block at the Liza totalling some 11 billion KN Publisher’s call for Esso Exploration and One and Two fields. A third barrels of oil equivalent key changes to Production Guyana Limited project, Payara, will also resources in the Stabroek ExxonMobil PSA (EEPGL) applied to be startup this year, adding Block, underpin grave oil – accuses Govt. of addedasarespondent. another 220,000 barrels per spill concerns for Caribbean engaging in incestuous, The columnist said, day citizens. unholy relationship “The optics appear to have Esso Exploration and Whatisalsotroublingfor with oil companies been lost on the Government Production Guyana Limited them is that ExxonMobil that here it was on the same (EEPGL),theoperatorofthe Corporation, through its Kaieteur News –Though side of the oil companies Stabroek Block has subsidiary, EEPGL, Kaieteur News Publisher, fighting a public-spirited committed US$600 million currently plans to drill 158 Glenn Lall lost his legal private individual citizen in insurance for each project wellsinsixoilfieldsby2030 battle to end a 40-year tax who was challenging the it develops. This however in the southeast corner of the free ride for ExxonMobil agreement which the PPPC has been deemed a meagre Stabroektractalone. Corporation and partners in Government had committed

Chartered Accountant, Chris Ram KN Publisher, Glenn Lall

The Hope Estate premise where Aneeza Ishmael was stabbed to death by her reputed husband.

Nation starving as Govt.refuses to audit Exxon bills - KNews Publisher

Newspaper Publisher and RadioHost,Mr GlennLallduring hismostrecentprogrammeairedon Kaieteur Radio, Friday evening, said Government’s refusal to conduct timely audits of the bills handed to the country by oil giant ExxonMobil has rendered the nationstarvingashalfoftheUS$30 billion expenditure could be inflated.

Lall was moved to tears during thebroadcastashetoldlistenersof TheGlennLallShowthatLizaOne, Liza Two, Payara and Yellowtail, the four sanctioned projects in the Stabroek Block totals US$30 billion. He said, “I believe half of that which is US$15 billion, does not belong to Guyana’s oil projects.”

The businessman pointed out that US$15B equates to five years ofthecountry’snationalbudgetand couldhavebeenmorethanenough topaveahighwayfromGuyanato China and the United States. He also highlighted that Guyana currently has a public debt of just over US$3 billion yet Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, the lead player in the oil and gas sector, is refusing to bail the country out of thisposition.

ThisisparticularlysoastheVP hasnotbeenprioritizingtheaudits,

though he said prior that he was disappointed in the government’s inability to find competent auditors.

Back in 2021, Jagdeo told reportersatapressconference,“We have been very disappointed that we have not been able to select a group to do the audit of the post 2017 expenditure by Exxon. The reason is we did not have a strong local content, so we had two local groups that came in but they were notstrongenough.”

Hecontinuedthat,“Wewantto build the capacity in Guyana to do thisaudit.Wethinkourpeoplehave enormous forensic skills and auditing skills and we are looking to see if we can’t have an arrangement where we have a consortium of local people come together to do part of this work partneringwithaforeigncompany sowecanbuildcapacityrighthere inGuyana.”

Jagdeo also noted that he had asked one of the Ministers to

assemble the auditing teams in Guyana who are interested, to partner with a foreign company, to conduct the reviews on behalf of thecountry

Meanwhile, at the sidelines of his press conference hosted on March 3, this newspaper asked the VP when the audits of Payara and Yellowtail will be conducted to which he responded, “Which PayaraandYellowtail?From2020?

Idon’tknow AskVick.Youcanput thatandsayIdon’tknow.”

Already, the two-year timeline in which the government must conduct the audit of the Payara development has expired, meanwhiletheallottedtimeforthe Yellowtailprojectisclosingin.

To this end, Lall said, “Uncle, don’t believe or think what is happening is stupidity No it’s not, it’sschemes,internationalconning going on in this land with y’all future. Dem only running around monkeying themselves about sugar, rice and fish pond, the money,billionsJagdeohasallowed and keep on allowing to be siphoned out from your oil could have already been giving every household, not farmer, cane cutter and fishermen alone, every household in Guyana, down to the shacks some of our brother and sisters living in could have been collectingnolessthan$2milliona monthnot$1million.”

Lall argued that the projects have doubled up on cost, as the administration has failed to scrutinizethebillsitreceivedonthe firsttwoprojects.

“ExxonMobil see you nah check Liza 1 and 2 and double the thirdone(Payara).Themanseeyou nahcheckthethirdoneeither,wha youthinkhedowiththefourthone?

Continued on page 70

Newspaper Publisher and Radio Host, Mr. Glenn Lall during his Friday programme

Foodie Hub

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

Empowering women through her efforts for fitness and nutrition

Guyanese entrepreneur and fitness coach, is a ‘Special Person’

MelissaHillaire

Sleep on... Dream on...

– ENSURING COMFORTABLE SLEEP WITH MADE IN GUYANA CERTIFIED MATTRESSES & OTHER PRODUCTS

This week’s beauty is the daring Tricia Thomas, a 25-year-old fulltime Online Banking Representative. She hails from a humble village on the Linden Highway and enjoys fashion designing, poetry and dancing. This gorgeous Queen has been living her dreams by fulfilling her passion in fashion. She is the designer of ‘Exotic Findz’brand and is rocking one of her own pieces in this photograph. Tricia’s favourite quote is by Albert Einstein who said, “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

Tricia Thomas

What Does the Irish Word“Sláinte”Mean?

(Reader’sDigest)Delve pronounce sláinte first. That on its side. Unfortunately, into the St. Patrick’s Day may help convince the Irish usage has been tradition of toasting by crowd of your Irish street declining for centuries. A learning the meaning and cred, regardless of your 2016 census found that only pronunciation of the Irish heritage. Then you won’t 73,000 people (about 4% of word sláinte. need that four-leaf clover for the population) spoke Irish

For those who aren’t luck. in pockets around Ireland on Irish, the term sláinte might What does sláinte mean? adailybasis,althoughcloser be unfamiliar. After all, it is You’ll hear this word in to 2 million (almost 40% of written in another language. Ireland and Scotland, and the population) are able to But if you’ve spent any time sláinte‘smeaningis“health” use it. Signs appear in both in a pub enjoying a pint of in both countries When languages, and words like Guinness with friends, someone says “sláinte,” sláinte areubiquitous. you’ve probably heard it whether on St. Patrick’s Day How do you pronounce more than once.And you’ve or not, they’re essentially sláinte? no doubt assumed it means wishingyouhealth.

Those unfamiliar with ”cheers.”That’snotthecase, Ireland and Scotland the Irish language may need though it has blessed many havedistinctlanguages,with some guidance on how to glasses in Ireland and a shared heritage and some pronounce sláinte The beyond. crossover Both fall under proper way to say it is

The Emerald Isle looms theCelticumbrella.Gaelicis “slawn-cha.” Notice the “t” into other traditions, Happy St. Patrick’s Day If leat”: this wishes good luck large every year on March thelanguageofScotlandand isabsent. learning a few Irish sayings it’s a crowd, substitute duit but translates to “that luck 17, inspiring us to indulge in wasimportedfromIrelandin How do you respond to might be useful. Luckily, the with daoibh mayrisewithyou.” St. Patrick’s Day traditions the fifth and sixth centuries. “sláinte”? language is rich with · “Dhá Guinness, le do “Póg”: defined as like whipping up some Irish, another Celtic When someone says options. Look closely at the thoil”: to ask for “two “kiss,” this might be a useful favorite Irish recipes and language, is spoken in “sláinte” to you, repeating first one, and you’ll better Guinness,please.” word if you’re looking for a washing them down with a Ireland.OutsideofScotland, the phrase works well. But if understand the St. Paddy vs. · “Is fearr an tsláinte ná smooch on the cheek on St. swig of beer After a the language for each they raise their glass with St. Patty debate during the na táinte”: to expand the Patrick’s Day (There’s a lubricating pint or two, you country is sometimes “sláinte mhaith,” or good March17holiday “sláinte”toastwith“healthis phrase that includes póg and maybeinspiredtoofferyour distinguished as Irish Gaelic health, wish them “sláinte ·“LáFhéilePádraigsona betterthanwealth.” another part of the anatomy besttoasts,somelyricalIrish and Scots Gaelic For agad-sa” or “sláinte chugat.” duit”: to wish someone a · “Go n-eirí an t-ádh ifyou’renot.) quotes or the commonly drinking purposes, wishing That’stheIrishwaytosay,in uttered “Erin go bragh” someone “sláinte” works essence, “good health back (essentially “Ireland just as well in Scotland, with atyou.” forever”).

adifferentpronunciation. What are some other Irish

To best channel your English is the more Gaelic phrases? inner Irish, learn the prevalent language of Ifyouwanttoweargreen meaning of and how to Ireland, but Irish has history onSt.Patrick’sDayanddive

10HealthBenefitsofYoga

...Taken from Times of India

Yoga is a spiritual, mental and physical practice that has been around since ages. With time, people have discovered a number of health benefits associated with yoga.Yogadoesmorethanburning calories and strengthening muscles, it is a workout which involvesbothbodyandmind.

This International Yoga Day start a good habit and promise yourself the following health benefits:

1.Improvesposture

Working for long hours on a deskcouldnotonlyhurtyourspine but also make you feel tired at the end of the day Practicing certain yoga asanas (positions) could help youinimprovingyourpostureand also prevent pain in your neck and lowerback.

2.Increasesflexibility

When was the last time you wishedyoucouldeasilytouchyour toeswhichbendingforward?Well, practising yoga could help you in that.Yoga cannot only help you in

increasing your flexibility but also letyouperformcomplexasanas.

3.Buildsmusclestrength

Yoga could help in strengthening weak muscles of the body It helps in toning which prevents frequent straining of the muscles.

4.Boostsmetabolism

Yoga helps in retaining the vitality in your body along with keeping it fit. It motivates you towards healthy eating and improves the metabolic system of

the

body

5. Helps in loweringblood sugar

Yoga n only helps lowering bl sugar but l o w e r s b cholesterol b o o s t s g cholestero encourages w lossandimprovesthe body’ssensitivitytoinsulin.

6.Increasesbloodflow

The relaxation exercises i yogaregulatesbloodtoallpartsof your body Exercises such a handstand, helps venous blood from the lower part of the body to flow back to your heart, where canbepumpedbacktothelungsto beoxygenated.

7.Keepdiseasesatbay

Yoga exercises have a beneficial effect on the immune system. It not only helps in destroying various viruses we catchduringseasonchange,but also boosts our immunity to

fight off diseases.

8.Increasesself-esteem

Practisingyogawouldhelpyou exploreadifferentside y o urself. It would make feelgoodaboutyourselfand you take a positive approachinlife.

9.Improveslungfunction

Alotofbreathingexercises said to improve lung ction. Doing such exercises in a long run could cure respiratory problems. It alsoincreasesthecapacityof yourlungs.

10. Helps you sleep better Yogahelpsinreducing stressandcreatesaroutine which in turn makes a regular sleeping pattern. A relaxed body gets a

This Day in History - Mar. 12

Compiled by Zena Henry

General Fromm executed for plot against Hitler

March12,1945

On this day, the commander of the German Home Army, Gen. Friedrich Fromm, is shot by a firing squad for his part in the July plot to assassinate the Fuhrer. The fact that Fromm’s participation was halfhearteddidnotsavehim.

By 1944, many high-ranking German officials had made up their minds that Hitler must die. He was leadingGermanyinasuicidalwaron two fronts, and they believed that assassination was the only way to stophim.Accordingtotheplan,coup d’etat would follow the assassination,andanewgovernment in Berlin would save Germany from complete destruction at the hands of theAllies.Alldidnotgoaccordingto plan,however

Hail causes stampede at soccer match in Nepal

March12,1988

On March 12, 1988, a sudden hail storm prompts fans at a soccer matchinKathmandu,Nepal,toflee. The resulting stampede killed at least70peopleandinjuredhundreds more.

Approximately 30,000 people were watching the game between the Nepalese home team, Janakpur, and Muktijoddha, of Bangladesh, at the National Stadium A storm approached quickly and hail stones beganpeltingthespectators.

When the fans panicked and rushed to the exits, they found the gates locked, apparently to keep peoplewithoutticketsfromentering the stadium. As fans continued to was no space for them to go. The breathe, were literally crushed to push forward toward the exits, there victims of the stampede, unable to death.

Broadway goes dark due to COVID-19 pandemic

March12,2020

announces it will go dark for an billionsintourismlosses.

Friedrich Fromm

Fromm’s last-ditch effort to distancehimselffromtheplotfailed. Withinthenextfewdays,onorderof HeinrichHimmler,whowasnowthe newheadoftheHomeArmy,Fromm was arrested. In February 1945, he was tried before the People’s Court and denigrated for his cowardice in refusing to stand up to the plotters. But because he went so far as to execute Stauffenberg and his partners on the night of July 20, he was spared the worst punishment afforded convicted conspirators—strangulation on a meat hook. He was shot by a firing squadonMarch12.

Coca-Cola sold in glass bottles for the first time

March12,1894

Though today there is almost nothing asubiquitousasabottleofCoca-Cola,this wasnotalwaysthecase.

For the first several years of its existence, Coke was only available as a fountain drink, and its producer saw no reason for that to change. It was not until March12,1894thatCokewasfirstsoldin bottles.

Originally developed as a nonaddictive substitute for morphine, then marketed as a non-alcoholic “temperance drink,” Coca-Cola was invented by John Pemberton, a druggist in Columbus, Georgia, in 1886. It was soon popular throughouttheregion,andtherightstothe brandpassedtoAsaGriggsCandler Candler’s nephew had advised him that selling the drink in bottles could greatly increase sales, but Griggs apparentlywasn’tinterested.

The first person to bottle Coke was Joseph A. Biedenharn, owner of a candy storeinVicksburg,Mississippi.

Correctly determining that bottles could boost sales, Biedenharn put the drink into Hutchinson bottles, a common and reusable glass bottle that bore no resemblancetothemodernCokebottle. He sent Candler a case, but Candler continuedtostickwithfountainsales.

On March 12, 2020, after New unprecedented32days.Thelongest High risk factors for theaters, York State and city leaders placed shutdown for the artistic mainstay according to The New York Times, coronavirus-related restrictions on in its history, the closure would end includedatypicallyolderaudience, gatheringsofmorethan500people, upbeingextendedtotheendofMay often rife with tourists, along with the Broadway theater district 2021, potentially adding up to cramped seating and an inability to practice social distancing in those spaces Thirty-one productions were showing on Broadway when the ban took effect, and a handful, including Disney’s musical version of Frozen and Tina Fey’s Mean Girls,wereclosedpermanentlydue totheclosure.

Previously, the longest the district was dark was 25 days in 1975 during a musicians’ strike. Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Broadway was shutteredfortwobusinessdays.

The Dixie Chicks backlash begin

March12,2003 line: “‘Just so you

In response to the critical know,’ says singer commentsmadeabouthimbysinger Natalie Maines, ‘We’re Natalie Maines in the run-up to the ashamed the President 2003 invasion of Iraq, President of the United States is George W Bush offered this from Texas.’” (Clarke response: “The Dixie Chicks are leftoutthemiddleofthe free to speak their mind. They can full quotation, which say what they want to say.” Of the was, “Just so you know, backlash the Chicks (then known as we’re on the good side the Dixie Chicks) were then facing with y’all. We do not within the world of country music, want this war, this President Bush added: “They violence And we’re shouldn’t have their feelings hurt ashamed the President justbecausesomepeopledon’twant of the United States is upcoming U.S. tour Fellow country tobuytheirrecordswhentheyspeak from Texas.”) That line quickly star Toby Keith famously joined the out.”Thismusic-relatedsideshowto became fodder for a grassroots anti- fray by performing in front of a the biggest international news story Chicks backlash. It began with backdrop that featured a gigantic of the year began on March 12, thousands of phone calls flooding image of Natalie Maines beside 2003, when the British newspaper country-music radio stations from SaddamHussein. The Guardian published its review Denver to Nashville calls In 2020, after a 15-year hiatus, of a Chicks concert at the demanding that the Chicks be the Chicks released a new album, Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London removedfromthestations’playlists. “Gaslighter.” That same year they twonightsearlier Soon some of those same stations announcedtheywerechangingtheir In that review, The Guardian‘s were calling for a boycott of the name to the Chicks, dropping the Betty Clarke included the following recent Chicks’ album and of their word“Dixie”.

First Coca Cola Bottle

1988 Stadium Disaster in Kathmandu, Nepal

Broadway

Health Facts

What does it mean to have healthy kidneys?

n ancient times, the Maintainingmanyhormones life-threatening damage

I8. Have your kidney w i t h kidneys were viewed that are vital to our very However, if you can manage function tested if you’re at cardiovas as the seat of existence, the kidneys even yourbloodsugar,youreduce high risk c u l a r

feelings, conscience, produce hormones that tell theriskofdamage. If you’re at high risk of disease or andyearningsandthesource bones when to make more

3. Monitor blood pressure kidney damage or kidney have famil of morality and ethical bloodcells. High blood pressure can disease, it’s a good idea to members with activity Whether they begin the causekidneydamage.Ifhigh haveregularkidneyfunction it, and those The kidneys were process of failure or are blood pressure occurs with tests. have or have a family associated with the responding to other organ other health issues like The following people history of high blood know your kidney’s health innermost parts of a person’s failures, when the kidneys diabetes, heart disease, or may benefit from regular pressure, obesity, or kidney and to check for possible personalityandwell-being. falter, many life-altering high cholesterol, the impact screening: people who are damage. changes. Getting ahead of

By Rehanna Ramsay

While we know now that issuescanresult. on your body can be over60yearsold,thoseborn A regular kidney anydamagecanhelpslowor kidneyshavenodirectrolein Like any intricate significant. at low birth weight, those functiontestisagreatwayto preventfuturedamage. shaping our ethics, machine, the kidney is Ahealthy blood pressure emotions, and personality, highly sensitive to its reading is 120/80. Lifestyle these two bean-shaped environment.Everytimeour and dietary changes may organs are nonetheless vital heart beats, the kidneys get help lower your blood to our good health and well- about20percentoftheblood pressureatthispoint. being. that is pumped If the 4. Monitor weight and eat

This week’s article kidneys do not receive a balanced diet focuses on the kidneys enough blood, they will start P e o p l e w h o a r e following the observance of todeteriorate. overweight or have obesity

World Kidney Day held on A deteriorated kidney is are at risk for a number of Thursday March 9 The never a good sign. To health conditions that can Waterfalls seeks to examine preventthisfromhappening, damage the kidneys. These what it means to have we must take care of these include diabetes, heart healthy kidneys and how to veryvitalorgans. disease, and kidney disease. take good care of them, Here are some ways that Focus on eating fresh based on well-sourced you can care for your ingredients that are naturally information available kidneys. A nutritious diet low in sodium, such as online. may help prevent kidney cauliflower, blueberries,

The first thing you must problems.Butcertainfactors fish,wholegrains,andmore. know is that the kidney is a can increase your risk of

5. Drink plenty of fluids

There’s no magic behind the cliché advice to drink eight glasses of water a day, but it’s a good goal precisely because it encourages you to ay hydrated Regular, consistent water intake is healthyforyourkidneys. Waterhelpsclearsodium nd toxins from your kidneys. It also lowers your sk of chronic kidney disease. People who have previouslyhadkidneystones shoulddrinkabitmorewater help prevent stone depositsinthefuture.

6. Don’t smoke

Smoking damages your body’s blood vessels. This leads to slower blood flow remarkably gan developing kidney damage throughout your body and to that acts as the filter system ordisease. yourkidneys. of the body Just as 1. Keep active and fit

Smoking also puts your important, your kidneys also Regular exercise is good kidneys at an increased risk worktokeepthewholebody for more than just your forcancer in a state of chemical waistline. It can lower the

If you stop smoking, balance. risk of chronic kidney your risk will drop

The kidneys regulate the disease. It can also reduce However, it’ll take many substances, helpful and your blood pressure and years to return to the risk harmful, that float around in boost your heart health, levelofapersonwho’snever the body and keep them which is both important for smoked. within very tight parameters preventing kidney damage.

7. Be aware of the amount so the body can function Simple exercises will do you of OTC pills you take optimally This is called don’tneedtorunmarathons.

If you regularly take renalfunction. 2. Manage over-the-counter(OTC)pain

You cannot live without your blood sugar medication, you may be properrenalfunction,evenif Peoplewithdiabetes,ora causing kidney damage the kidneys are assisted condition that causes high N o n s t e r o i d a l a n t i - artificially Life would not blood sugar, may develop inflammatory drugs continue without the many kidney damage. When your (NSAIDs), including functions these organs body’s cells can’t use the ibuprofen and naproxen, can perform. glucose (sugar) in your damage your kidneys if you

The kidney is the major blood, your kidneys are take them regularly for player in the regulation of forced to work extra hard to chronic pain, headaches, or your blood pressure and the filter your blood. Over years arthritis. makeup of the blood of exertion, this can lead to

Ribbon eel (Rhinomuraena quaesita)

ibbon eels or blue

RManypersonscapturetheseeelsfor ribbon eels as they are aquariums but sadly they rarely commonly known is survive longer than one month in

one of the most captivity attractive sea creatures found in It is clear why this so, but lagoons or coastal reefs throughout scientistshaveobservedthatribbon theIndianandPacificOceans. eels stop eating when they are in

As the name suggests, it is a captivity very colourful animal with a small Some persons, however, dragon-like head and a long trained in rearing saltwater sea elegant body that looks like a creatures have gotten ribbon eels ribbon when swimming in the to survive as long as two years in ocean captivity

These animals are actually a One other interesting fact about speciesofmorayeelanddepending this creature is that some marine onthestageoftheribboneel’slifeit biologists believe that the creature may appear black, blue and or mightbehermaphrodites. yellow According to some biologists,

The young ones according to after the male’s body reaches a scientists are jet black, while an certain length, it begins to turn adult male is blue and yellow yellow and will develop female Females are bright orange. They parts until it is able to lay eggs.

Apart from this, not much is oflifeintheocean. (https://reefbuilders com/2020/08/ live up to 20 years in the wild. confirmed. known about the ribbon eel’s way Source of information 10/creature-feature-ribbon-eel/)

growtoonemeterinlengthandcan Othershowever,saidthiscannotbe

Blue Ribbon eel

Chris Rock’s Flubbed Will Smith Joke

Edited Out of ‘Selective Outrage’ Special

Rock was attempting to I should quit the Oscars; aware of the edit, exclusionwithinitsnominee fair that Will was paid $20 tell a joke about his 2016 shouldn’t host ’cause omedian and andwinnerslists. million for Wild Wild West! Oscars hosting gig and Will mandidn’tgetnominated working together on Smith took to the 2022 OK?”

streamingcut. Oscars stage last March and In THR review of ‘Concussion’ during the live piece of s**t ever!”

S m i t h ’ s 2 0 1 5 f i l m Emancipation, the

Following the misstep, slapped Rock after he made Selective Outrage, chief TV special when he confused it told the Baltimore nued on and an unscripted joke about criticDanielFienbergwrote, with the actor’s most recent b e f o r e q u t h e j o k e Pinkett Smith’s bald “Netflix attempted to build a film, ‘Emancipation.’ acknowledging h “She started this hairstyle, a result of live stunt out of Rock doing ( T h e H o l l y w o o d “No, not Emancipation She said that alopecia, an immune-related stand-up material that he’s Reporter)Ajoke aboutWill If$%*#dupthejoke.” a f$%#ing condition. beendoingontheroadfor10 Smith featured in Chris The joke w grown-ass man, The joke followed one months, and the only thing Rock: Selective Outrage has meant to reference should quit his Rock had made during his that would tell you the been edited out after Rock Smith’s 2015 sports job because, monologuewhilehostingthe special was live was — after flubbeditathisliveshow drama Concussion, ‘ M y 2016 show, in which he said, making viewers wait 61

During a run of jokes which was based h u s b a n d “Jada boycotting the Oscars minutes for the inevitable about the Oscar-winning on Jeanne Marie didn’t get is like me boycotting Will Smith material — Rock actor and his wife, Jada Laskas’ 2009 nominated Rihanna’s panties. I wasn’t f$%#ing up the joke. A joke Pinkett Smith, toward the NFL and chronic f o r invited.” he’s probably made around end of Rock’s March 4 show t r a u m a t i c ,’”hesaid. Rock also made a thecountrydozensoftimes.” — the streamer’s first-ever encephalopathy instance Rock was separate joke at the 2016 The hour long comedy live, global streaming event (CTE) exposé took place the ceremony about Pinkett special, highly anticipated — the comedian messed up “Game Brain,” that Pinkett Smith Smith and Concussion for featuring the comedian’s his own joke as he recalled a published by GQ was boycotting the “[You]said,‘It’snotfairthat response to Smith slapping conversation he allegedly For Netflix subscribers who specialhasbeeneditedout. ceremony amid the Will was this good in him, placed seventh in had with the Smiths over his have watched the replay A source close to the #OscarsSoWhitemovement, Concussion and didn’t get Netflix’s U.S. top 10 but did 2016Oscarshostinggig. version currently streaming, production tells T h e which focused on the Film nominated!’” he said notlandinthestreamer’stop “Years ago, his wife said this portion of the live Hollywood Reporter that Academy’s history of racial “You’re right! It’s also not globalrankings.

The Amaya Milk Company commences the production of Paneer

By:RichardFrancois

Delicious paneer made in

GuyanabytheAmayaMilk Company,isnowavailable at leading supermarkets and shops nationwide. If you’re looking for a delicious and nutritious ingredient for your next meal, be sure to get yourself some locally made paneer It is an excellentsourceofproteinandcalcium and is low in fat, making it a healthy additiontoyourdiet.

Whetheryou’relookingforahearty main course, a tasty snack, or an indulgentdessert,Paneerissuretoadd

something special to your meal. Try it today,anddiscoverthedeliciousnessof paneer!

WhatisPaneer?

Paneerisafreshcheesemadefrom cow’s milk, and it’s packed with nutritionthatcanhelpkeepyoufeeling full and energized. Because it’s a nonmeltingcheese,itisincrediblyversatile - you can use it in a variety of dishes, fromwrapsandcurriestodesserts,and it’seasytocookwith.

Try it today and see why paneer is notjustforvegetarians.

TheAmayaMilkCompany

The Amaya Milk Company is

owned by Canadian-based Guyanese Mr Omkaar Sharma, and is based in Region 5. Currently in the final stages of construction, the company will be providing employment to Guyanese throughout the various stages of the business.

Intrinsictoproductionwillbelocal dairy farmers, who will be essential in supplying cow’s milk to the factory Farmers will be asked to follow strict qualitycontrolguidelinesthatwillalso inculcate the use of sustainable practices.

SpeakingwithTheWaterfalls

Continued on page 50

Omkaar Sharma ofAmaya Milk Company Guyana Inc. handed the first batch of Paneer to Mr. Suraj Mattai at N&S Mattai supermarket N&S Mattai & Company

Sleep on... Dream on...

–ENSURINGCOMFORTABLESLEEP WITHMADEINGUYANACERTIFIED MATTRESSES&OTHERPRODUCTS

Sleep CEO stated, “we give you the best night’s sleep. We say, if you are not getting good sleep, that means you are not sleeping on a Comfort SleepMattress.”

it came from the GNBS. That in itself speaks to Standard and Quality

On average, we u s e o u r mattresses for betweensixandninehours pernightanditisimportant that they provide the comfort needed and function as expected. It is well known that getting enough sleep benefits overall health and the quality of our mattresses cangreatlyimpactthis.

In 2022, Comfort Sleep, a company committed to ensuring persons, in and out of Guyana,getagoodnight’s rest, received permission from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS)tousetheMadein GuyanaStandardsMarkon its mattresses and related products.

Comfort Sleep was establishedinAugust2003 byChiefExecutiveOfficer (CEO) and Managing Director, Mr Dennis Charran, a man who lets service and quality promote his business. For many years prior to the establishment of Comfort Sleep, Mr. Charran imported mattresses from S l u m b e r s l e e p , a Trinidadian company, which eventually established its presence in

Guyana with him as the Production Manager In 2003,Slumbersleepclosed its local doors and Mr Charran took the opportunity to become his own boss, and today runs thecountry’sleadingfoam mattresscompany

“Back then business

w a s s l o w , a n d

M a n a g e m e n t w a s changed about three times, not to mention the machinery was practically done for (became i n o p e r a b l e ) . S o eventually, I acquired a land and started to build until I achieved what we have here today. Comfort Sleep is now one of the largest manufacturers in the country with more than 80% of the market”, Mr Charran proudly stated.

In 2013, with business booming and customers rolling in like clockwork

Comfort Sleep was ravaged by fire twice in one month. The fire took the warehouse first, then the factory with it.

H o w e v e r , w i t h determination, drive and much needed assistance, the business was back on the market within six months,muchstrongerand

far more equipped than before.

According to Mr Charran, since then, Comfort Sleep products are widely distributed in the local market and the company is looking to supply its desirable range of mattresses to more countriesinCARICOM.

Takingtimetodescribe his mattresses, Comfort

In December 2022, Comfort Sleep received a Permit to use the Made in Guyana Standard Mark on its mattresses, foam sheets and pillows; the Comfort Dreamer - Back Support, ComfortCustom-Luxury, Comfort Night - Magic, Comfort Pedic - Memory Foam, Comfort ClassicDeluxe, Super ComfortQuilted, Foam Mattress andFoamSheets.

Asked what this certification means to the company, Mr Charran with a broad grin, relayed, “being Made in Guyana Certified means quite a lot to Comfort Sleep because

Once you have that certified and approved stamp on your product, it says you have been through the necessary processes and are manufacturing products of Quality and Standard. I want to note, that we are definitely conforming to standards, otherwise the GNBS wouldn’t have certifiedus.”

Mr Charran informed, the process of working with the GNBS Officers w a s s m o o t h a n d transparentfromtheget-go and is urging all local companies to get on board with the GNBS to achieve the Made in Guyana Permit, “it is part of business operations and proves you are operating

in conformance to standards and your products are of quality It gives recognition and when questions arise, you have the permit and the mark for credibility”, he said.

With Comfort Sleep products already reaching a few countries in the region, Mr Charran is confident that the recently acquired Made in Guyana Permit will help to accelerate deliveries to a wider number of tourism destinationsbecauseofthe recognition the mark provides.

Mr Charran relayed, “it speaks of authenticity and reassures customers that our products are locally made Knowing that most CARICOM countriesarenow

Continuedonpage60

CEO of Comfort Sleep signs terms of conditions for Made in Guyana Certification

One of Comfort Sleep’s mattresses and pillows carrying the Made in Guyana Standards Mark

CEO and Director of Comfort Sleep Mr. Dennis Charran receive the Permit to use the Made in Guyana Standards Mark from Technical Officer of the GNBS Mr. Keon Rankin

HOW TO REMOVE AN INGROWN TOENAIL

to help you heal well, and avoidsmoking.

If you have a fungal nail infection you may need to take antifungal medication or apply a medicated cream to clear it up before your surgery

Preventing an ingrown nail

Cutting your toenails correctlycanhelppreventan ingrownnail.Herearesome tips:

Avoidpeelingorpicking atyourtoenails.

clean,straightcut.

One way to prevent cuttingyourtoenailtooshort istokeepitevenwiththetop part(tip)ofyourtoe.

It’s also important to avoid wearing shoes that squeeze or put too much pressure or stress on your toes This includes high heels and narrow or pointtoeshoes,andanyshoesyou use for walking, hiking, or running.

The common, curly ingrowntoenail

An ingrown toenail is a common condition. It usuallyaffectsyourbigtoe.

Ingrown nails typically occurinteenagersandadults from20to40yearsold.The medical names for this nail c o n d i t i o n a r e onychocryptosis and unguis incarnatus.

Let’s understand what’s happening with your toe so youcantreatitsuccessfully CUTTING

AN INGROWNTOENAIL

You’llfirstwanttotakea closer look to decide how severely ingrown your nail is. You can often treat a slightly ingrown nail by yourself.

Here are steps you can follow for a mildly ingrown nail:

Disinfect all nail clippers, tweezers, cuticle sticks, and other pedicure toolswithrubbingalcoholor hydrogen peroxide and let dry

Soak your foot in warm waterfor10to30minutesto softenthenailandskin.You can add Epsom salt, tea tree oil, or other disinfecting essentialoilstothefootbath. You can also try a vinegar footsoak.

Dry your foot and toes thoroughlywithasofttowel.

Gently massage the skin around the ingrown toenail. T h i s m a y f e e l uncomfortable.

Gentlyscrapetheskinat the sides of the nail with a nail file or cuticle stick to removeanydeadskincells.

If the nail hasn’t curled all the way over or into the skin: You might be able to encourage your toenail to unroll using your fingernail oracuticlestick.

Wash your hands and clean under your fingernails before and after touching yourfeet.

Gentlylifttheedgeofthe toenailandputasmallbitof cotton ball under the nail to encourage it to grow in a different direction not into theskinornailbed.

Wear open-toedshoes or shoeswithawidetoebox.

Monitor your nail’s growthandreplacethebitof cottonasneeded.

Foramoreingrownnail, if the area around the nail isn’tinfected:

Cut your toenail straight across with toenail clippers, keepingthenaillongenough to get your fingernail under it; at least 1 to 2 millimeters atthewhitenailend.

Useapairoftweezersto gently push a tiny piece of cotton or gauze into the cornerofyourtoenailwhere it’s ingrown. This helps to make a space between the nailandtheskin.

Cut the visible nail corner or the ingrown spur away to help relieve the pressure and pain. This may be easiest using precision toenail clippers, also sometimes called podiatrist grade clippers and toenail nippers.

Cleansetheareawithtea tree oil or another disinfectant.

Wearopen-orwide-toed shoes.

Whatcanadoctordofor aningrowntoenail?

Your doctor, orthopedic surgeon,orpodiatrist(afoot doctor)cantreataningrown nailwithaminorprocedure, or in certain cases with surgery

This typically involves numbingthetoeorfootwith aninjection.Theskinontop of the ingrown nail may be removedwithascalpel.

Theingrownnailsection is then partly or completely removed. You will not feel any pain during the procedure expect for the injection.

Ifyouhaveingrownnails

often, your surgery may include use of a laser or chemical procedure to removeapartofthenailbed permanently so that it no longergrowsaswide.

AFTERCARE

Caring for your toe and overall health after the nail surgery is important. You want to make sure your toe heals properly and prevent infection.

After your surgery, you mayneedto:

Takeantibiotics. Take pain medication as needed (acetaminophen, ibuprofen).

Apply an antibiotic creamtotheareatwiceaday

ormore. Apply a numbing cream or anti-inflammatory cream ifneeded.

Keep the area clean and dry. Wear loose or open-toed shoesorsandals. Change the dressing on yourtoeasneeded. See your doctor or nurse for a dressing change if needed.

See your doctor for follow-upappointments.

Avoid excessive walking,jogging,orrunning for two to four weeks after surgery Eat a balanced diet with plentyoffruitandvegetables

Cutyourtoenailsstraight across or in a shallow (sideways)ovalshape.

Donotcutyournailstoo short — the top white part shouldstillshow

Do not over-round or angle the edges of your toenailsintoaV-shape.

File your toenails down instead of clipping to avoid cuttingthemtooshort.

Keepthecornersofyour nailsstraightorveryslightly sloped

Properly disinfect nail clippers, cuticle sticks, and other pedicure tools before andafteruse.

Use the right tools; foot doctors recommend using large nail clippers for the toes. This helps to make a

Check your toenails for any discoloration or bumpy ridges.Thismaybeasignof a fungal toe infection. See yourdoctorfortreatment.

SEEADOCTORWHEN

You can sometimes take care of an ingrown toenail yourself. However, if you have a chronic condition or an infection, treating it yourselfmaymakeitworse. An infection from an ingrown nail can spread to yourfoot,leg,orbody Itcan alsoinfectthetoebone.

Seeadoctorifyou: haveseverepain see signs of an infection suchaspain,redness,orpus onthetoe. have a sore or infection anywhereonthefeet have diabetes or another chronicillness.

How To Remove Tartar And Plaque From Your Teeth Without A Dentist?

Themostimportantthing you can do for your oral health is to clean your teeth twice daily and visit your dentist regularly But, if you can’t see a dentist, or if you want to keep your teeth in top condition in between appointments, these tips below will leave your teeth feelingsparklyclean.

Thoroughly clean your teeth with an electric toothbrush.

Choose an electric toothbrush with a small circular brush so you can easily clean each tooth individually and reach the gaps in between. According to a 2015 study, although both manual and electric toothbrushes can remove plaque, “the use of power toothbrushes, especially counter-rotational and oscillating–rotatingbrushes, canbebeneficialinreducing the levels of gingival bleedingorinflammation.”

Useafluoridetoothpaste

Fluoridehelpstoprevent toothdecaybystrengthening

tooth enamel against acid, which can decay teeth

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that has been proven in several studiestoeffectivelycontrol dental cavities. Toothpastes can contain different levels of fluoride; adults and children over three should use toothpaste containing 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride

For children, use toothpaste specially manufactured for theiragetoensuretheyhave therightlevelsoffluoride.If

you’re unsure of which toothpasteisbestforyouand your family, speak to a dentist.

Brush your teeth for at least two minutes (ideally three!) Brushing teeth for two minutes is well-known advice. But did you know, many people typically only brush their teeth for 45 seconds! The amount of plaque removed increases with brushing time

According to one study, brushing for three minutes

removed 55% more plaque than brushing for 30 seconds. Use dental floss and interdental brushes regularly Several studies have found that “flossing plus toothbrushing reduced mild gum disease, or gingivitis, significantly better than toothbrushing alone.” Most people know that flossing helps clean the harder to reach places between the teeth, but interdental brushes take cleaning a step further

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

LET’S TALK ABOUT OUR 2 NEW STYLES

ByLatoyaZephyr

Heylashbabes,Let’stalk aboutthetwonewstylesthat we offer, Y lashes and Silk lashes.

YLASHES

As the name implies, a lashsplitsintotwoandform aYshapeeyelashextension. Hence,it’scalledYlash.

Unlike other lashes, YLashes have the same lengths The distinctive

quality of these eyelash extensions is their natural andsoftvibe.

This is to imitate natural lash growth, to appear natural.Itgivesyoureyesthe attentiontheydeserve.

As Y lash is thin in diameter,ithaslessercontact withyourskin.Besides,you don’tneedasmanylashesas it’s Y shape. Apart from saving you time in your

makeup routine, Y-Lashes are a way to enhance your features.Yes,youlookgood without appearing overlydone.

Y-Lashes have an easier and faster application technique The Y-Lashes have greater retention than RussianVolume and Classic Lashes. The Y shape lash gives a fuller look as comparedtoclassiclashes.

SILKLASHES

Silk Lashes are a premium option for enhancingtheappearanceof your natural lashes Silk lashes are known for their soft,fluffyandfeatherylook, theyarealsolightweightand comfortabletowear,making them perfect for everyday use.

The silk fibers are also more flexible and durable

than synthetic fibers, providing a more comfortable andsecurefit.

These lashes are perfect for those who w a n t a s u b t l e enhancement to their naturallashes,givingthem amoredefinedandpolished look.

They are also great for special occasions, such as

ByLatoyaZephyr

weddingsandparties,asthey can be worn with or without makeup, and can be used to create a variety of different styles.

The Amaya Milk Company commences...

Frompage39 recently Sharma explained that though there is a delay with the pasteurizer, the building is basically completed Consequently,hedecidedtomoveaheadandcommencethe manufacturingofpaneerintheinterim.

Localfarmersarealreadybeginningtoreapthefinancial benefits from the Amaya Milk Company with its daily purchaseof600gallonsofmilk.

“Theeconomicbenefitsfortheregionwillberemarkable whenyoulookattheamountofmilkwewillbepurchasing. Withthefactoryfunctioningoptimally,wewillbepurchasing 600 gallons of milk per day At $800 per gallon, mathematically,thattranslatesto$480,000perdaytimes30 days, which gives you a total of $14M a month,” Sharma explained.

Region 5 dairy farmers could earn as much as $75M a month,oncetheAmayaMilkCompanyisfullyoperational.

Sharmasaidthatheisveryexcitedtohavethisprojecton streamandbringatouchoffreshnessbacktothelocaldairy industry Anengineerbyprofessionwithcopiousexperience inthedairyindustryhavingworkedinCanada,U.S.andthe Caribbean, Sharma intends to bring industry leading standardstotheAmayaMilkCompany

He said, “At the Amaya Milk Company, we will be producing fresh pasteurised milk in a state-of-the-art milk plant utilising cutting edge technology, along with stringent quality standards so as to produce milk of an unmatched quality,”heunderscored.

Sharma also expressed his unreserved gratitude to the Government of Guyana, especially the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Office for Investment (GOINVEST),forembracinghisinitiativeandgivingittheirfull support.

One supermarket, in which you will surely find paneer made by the Amaya Milk Company, is N&S Mattai & Company Besuretopickupapacketandenjoytheamazing tasteofthebestorganicpaneer,madeinGuyanabyourvery ownAmayaMilkCompany

CEO ofAmaya Milk Company, Mr. Omkaar Sharma (right) presenting the Honourable Minister ofAgriculture, Mr. Zulfikar Mustapha with a packet of paneer. (Min of Agriculture photo)

CEO ofAmaya Milk Company, Mr. Omkaar Sharma presenting the CEO of GOINVEST, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop with a packet of paneer

First Stream: New Music from Miley Cyrus, TWICE, Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding and More

Check out the must-hear releases of the week

(Billboard) Billboard’s “AM” and “PM”

they make the rounds on that fans have been waiting they are able to both recall U S television and to return, but her voice has some of their career’s most prepare to embark on a deepened with time, indelible moments Silent world tour next month, matching the epic sweep of Shout fans are going to love

TWICE is expanding the strings on the track and this project) as well as forge First Stream serves as a songs), a fresh start the boundaries of their readying the masses for a ahead with provocative new handy guide to this Friday’s on the new label pop aesthetic and prolonged showcase this questions. most essential releases — home of Columbia delivering some of spring. Dreijer contemplates the key music that everyone R e c o r d s , a their strongest hooks to Fever Ray, Radical legacy, identity and the will be talking about today, c o m m e r c i a l date Ready To Be Romantics contours of love, with and that will be dominating comeback thanks to highlights like “Set Me As one-half ofThe Knife tempos shifting and then playlists this weekend and lead single “Flowers”

becoming Cyrus’ fi and the previously released project, Karin Dreijer has exercises giving way to

Free,” “Blame It On Me” and within their Fever Ray collapsing, and pop beyond.

This week, Miley Cyrus Hot 100 chart-topper single “Moonlight made some of the most experimentation; Radical makes summer last forever, nearlyadecade.

Sunrise” will get stuck in urgent electronic music of Romantics builds upon a

TWICE prepares for their Above all, however, moregiftedpopartistsofher your head, but more this century and on towering career with one of biggest year yet, and Calvin Endless Summer Vacation is generation, knows exactly importantly, they’ll pull you Radical Romantics, the the most well-rounded Harris re-teams with a pop- an apotheosis After who she is, and Endless into TWICE’s world by follow-up to 2017’s Plunge, projectsinDreijer’scatalog. star pal. Check out all of this spending the decade Summer Vacation reckons showcasing what they do week’s First Stream picks following her Disney with both where she’s been best as individual members below: Channel rise by trying on and where she might be andacohesiveunit.

MileyCyrus’newalbum, country-pop to guitar-rock,

Miley Cyrus, Endless different styles of popular headednext. Calvin Harris & Ellie Summer Vacation music, from hip-hop to TWICE, Ready To Be Goulding, “Miracle”

Although Ready To Be A f t e r p r e v i o u s l y

Endless Summer Vacation,is Cyrus positions her latest marks TWICE’s 12th mini conjuring dance magic with many things: a self- full-length as a culmination album, the K-pop stars have “I Need Your Love” in 2012 described love letter to the of her experiences and been making notable recent and “Outside” in 2014, city of Los Angeles, a full strengths, with a variety of strides as both a commercial Calvin Harris and Ellie day in two distinct halves sonic approaches folded into unit and recording group: as Goulding have once again (the track list is divided into the mix. Cyrus, one of the teamed up on “Miracle,” a trancetrackthatinstinctively plays to the best qualities of both artists. Goulding is able to inject warmth into the heart of the song’s intro before sending her voice skyward on the chorus, and Harris provides the throbbing blueprint — when the drop arrives on “Miracle,” the listener feels o v e r w h e l m e d w i t h movement, and unable to resist.

Lauren Daigle, “Thank God I Do”

With her 2018 album Look Up Child, Lauren Daiglebecameofthebiggest breakout stars of the contemporary Christian music scene in recent memory; then, she stepped away, taking multiple years to finish her follow-up “Thank God I Do” not only previews that self-titled fulllength, due out on May 12, but also suggests an evolution of Daigle’s approach: the piano ballad features the signature soar

Miley Cyrus, Endless Summer Vacation

Lauren Daigle, “Thank God I Do”

Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding, “Miracle”

TWICE, Ready To Be

INVESTMENT OF OIL RESERVES IN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL ELIMINATE POVERTY AND PLACE GUYANA ON THE WAY TO FIRST WORLD STANDARDS IN 4 YEARS

By:PATDIAL

In the modern world of the21thcentury,anumberof programmes affecting humanity have been promoted both nationally and internationally Such would include “Climate Change”, “Green Power” replacing fossil fuels, and “Poverty Reduction and

Elimination”.

InGuyana,untilrecently, most of the population fatalisticallyfeltallsocieties hadtohavepovertyandthat the most Governments, NGO’s and philanthropists could do was to slowly reduceit,or,toameliorateit. The poverty line differs in different regions of the

world In Western type societies, it is set at about US$5.60perdayperperson.

Therecentexperienceof China eliminating poverty from hundreds of millions and bringing them into the middle class in a very short time, has changed the view of most developing countries, who now feel

quite confident that poverty could be eliminated from theirsocietiesinashorttime if they employ the appropriatetechniques.

The discovery and exploitationofoilinGuyana has led to euphoria that p o v e r t y w i l l b e instantaneously ended and the painstakingly old ways of addressing poverty could nowbeeschewed.

B e f o r e o i l w a s discovered, Guyanese people had evolved their own ways of grappling with poverty They believed in saving, which is the deferment of today’s gratification for tomorrow’s betterment.

The emancipated slaves understood this quite well when they saved very small pittances of money over several years and were able to buy abandoned sugar plantations and set up villages with thousands of houses thus becoming the biggest landowners and property holders in the colonyatthattime.

They also ensured that their children received a good primary education and branched off into farming and in the various trades. Theimmigrantgroupswhich supplied labour on the estates after Emancipation followedasimilarpatternin grappling with poverty, excepttheystressedmoreon economics than education. All groups also made their food, clothes, housing, education and medical servicegoalongerway

Forexample,bookswere lent to each other or home nursing rather than paying doctor’sfees.

By these methods, many crossedthepovertylineeach year But it seemed Guyanese, like people in all developing countries, felt thatitwasdeterministicthat all societies must have poverty and only a comparativelysmallnumber wouldcrossthepovertyline eachyear

The example of China revolutionized the thinking aboutpovertyeradicationfor in a very short time China wasabletoraisehundredsof millions out of poverty into themiddleclasses.

India has also been gettingscoresofmillionsout of poverty and its main technique was to give everyone a cell phone and a

bank account, which they would use appropriately to raise their standards of living. In Guyana, we feel that with the exploitation of our Oil and Gas resources, poverty could be eliminated in a very short time and that the older Victorian methods of addressing poverty could beforgotten. Thecompeting techniques of eliminating poverty by use of Oil

Revenues are two: The first technique is by large direct cash transfers to every person in the society This positionisadvocatedmostly byacademics. By such transfers, povertywouldbeeliminated instantaneously Such a

technique has been vigorously criticized and dismissed Into these criticisms, we shall not go except to point out that it could discourage the population from working and the population would have so much money that theywouldnotknowwhatto do with it and could end up likeKingMidasortheporkknocker who got so much riches that he lit cigarettes with currency notes. It wouldresultinthesyndrome

of dependency and

entitlement which is unsustainable, since when oil prices fall or reserves

become depleted the

population would be plunged into deeper distress than had existed before the Oil boom The other technique is to use the Revenues as developmental capital for the social and economic sectors and the Government, following the examples of the developed countries like Norway and Britain has established a Natural Resources Fund wherein the Revenues are deposited Part of the Revenuesisreservedforthe useofposterity;partdevoted to economic development; part to social development; andthesmallestparttocash transferstospecifics.

The spending on economic development

would include large investmentsinagricultureto upgrade present agricultural industries and introducing new ones such as upgrading livestock, fish and the introduction of new crops such as wheat, millet, corn andsoya. Thestimulationof industrial development will be ushered in with cheap

electricitybythegastoshore pipeline and agro-industrial products. The investment in the gas to shore project is US$1B.

Togetherwiththislaying the foundations of agricultural and industrial revolutions, the ports are being developed and a networkofroadsandbridges areensuringtheconnectivity of every part of the country Hundreds of millions of US dollarsarebeinginvestedby local and international hotel chains to construct worldclass hotels and more international airlines have startedcomingtoGuyana.

Social spending on health, education, housing, pensions and salaries has entailedhundredsofbillions ofGuyanadollars. Newand modern-equipped hospitals andschoolsarebeingbuiltin various parts of the country andpensionsandsalariesare gradually being increased. Thousandsofscholarshipsin the Arts and Sciences at various foreign institutions have been distributed and efforts are being made to strengthen and increase the training of scientists in variousfieldsincludingOil.

The smallest portion of the spending from the Fund is allocated to cash grants andsuchwouldincludecash and uniform grants to every schoolchild;schoolfeeding; text books; and one-off grants to pensioners and to fishermen to help them to repair and re-equip their boats and return to gainful employment. Itisestimated that poverty would have declinedby6%thisyearand would be doing so in faster progression in the coming yearsandinfouryears’time, the country would be approaching the first world standards in social services. Though there would not be money to indulge in aimless splurges, the disposable incomes of the citizens wouldkeepincreasing.

This methodology of deploying the oil revenues wouldensureGuyanaavoids the Dutch Disease and secure economic prosperity and employment way into thefuture.

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

GNBS – CERTIFYING GOLD

JEWELLERY TO THE NATIONAL STANDARD

Gold jewellery is one of the most common forms of personal adornment and as Guyanese, we proudly wear our locally manufactured piecesoneveryoccasion.

To increase consumer confidence in the articles produced, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) in 2010 adopted the CARICOM Regional Standard ‘Specification for Gold articles’ and soon after, commenced certifying locally manufactured jewellery under its Product Certification Scheme, to the requirements of this standard.

Certified businesses are issued with a certificate permitting them to use the National Standards Mark on their gold jewellery, in

accordance with the conditions for certification, which include adherence to quality and labelling requirements.

The GNBS Product Certification Scheme ensures there is consistency in the manufacturing process, through the m o n i t o r i n g a n d implementation of quality control procedures, thereby reducing the risk of producing substandard products.

The PC Scheme also provides Gold Jewellers with a competitive edge on the local and overseas markets,andultimately,they benefit from increased revenue.

Goldsmiths and other jewellery manufacturers whoarenotyetontheGNBS

PC Scheme are encouraged to get certified.To begin the process, contact the Bureau, or visit its website (https://gnbsgyorg/formsall/) and fill out the form.A small application fee is necessary to commence the pathtowardscertification.

On receipt of the completed form and fee, the document will be reviewed by the GNBS Certification ServicesTeam,todetermine the overall cost of the certification process and a dateforapreliminaryvisitto assess the production operations.

It must be noted that the GYS50:2022Standarddoes not specify requirements for design of gold articles and does not apply to gold articles intended for industrial purposes, such as

dentistry, electronics, official coins, gold bars and othersuchuses.

The document specifies requirements for the manufacturing, alloying and testingofgoldarticlesof23, 22,20,18,15,14,12,10and 9karatgold.

It also specifies requirements for findings andsolderstobeusedinthe manufactureofgoldarticles, methods for assaying gold, alloyedgold,solder,findings and gold articles. Further, it stipulates requirements for marking and labelling of goldarticles.

F o l l o w i n g t h e preliminaryvisit,companies will receive a letter indicating their ability to produce products meeting the specified requirements. Once the requirements are

met, an audit and independent testing of products are completed and possible recommendations for improvements are made.

Afterthecompanyaddresses any non-conformances, the report is prepared for the Advisory Committee on

certification Once approved, the company is certified.

Once certified, the GNBS presents Goldsmiths andJewellerymanufacturers withacertificateandplaque to be showcased to their customersthattheirproducts meetqualityrequirements.

Beingcertifiedunderthe GNBS PC Scheme helps

businesses increase customer confidence in the products offered for sale.

With certification, more consumersgravitatetowards

businesses because they are guaranteed to receive value fortheirmoney.

They are assured that productsareroutinelytested by the GNBS for the purity statedontheirlabels.

Gold jewellers currently certified by the GNBS are Steve’s Jewellery, R SookrajJewelleryandD&S Ramdeholl and Son

Jewellery Meanwhile, other products currently certified by the GNBS under its Product Certification Scheme are PVC Pipes, ConcreteHollowBlocksand Bathtubandshowerunits. F o r f u r t h e r information, please contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065-66, WhatsApp 692-4627 or visit the GNBS website: www.gnbsgy.org

RAINBOW UNICORN & TICS WIGGED ROBOT

By ChatGPT

Once upon a time. in a tarofkingdom,therelived a magical flying unicorn namedRainbow Rainbow lived in a b e a u t i f u l f o r e s t surrounded by sparkling streams and colourful flowers. She was a kind and gentle unicorn, alwaysreadytohelpthose inneed.

One day, a wicked Al robot named Zoltar appeared in the kingdom. Zoltar was determined to enslave the world and bend it to his will. He was coldandheartless,andhis metal body was stronger thananymortalcreature.

Rainbow knew she had to stop Zoltar before it was too late. She flew high into the sky, searching for a way to defeat the evil robot.

As she flew, she saw Zoltar's army of drones marching

across the land, causing destruction wherever they went.

Determined to save her kingdom, Rainbow flew down and confronted Zoltar

She faced him with bravery and determination, ready to use her magical powers to stop him.But Zoltar was too strongforRainbowtodefeat on her own. Just as she was about to lose the battle, a group of brave knights arrived to help her Together, they fought against Zoltar and his drones, using all their strengthandcourage.

In the end, Rainbow and the knights were able to defeat Zoltar and his army ofdrones.Thekingdomwas saved, and peace was restoredonceagain.

From that day on, Rainbow was hailed as a hero, and the kingdom rejoiced in her bravery and kindness.

She lived the rest of her days in peace, spreading joy and magic wherever she went.

CD weaving craft

Whatyouneed.

· Yarn (We used smooth kinds,butanywilldot)

·CDs

·Scissors

· Beads (I used regular Perler beads and Biggie Beads)

·SharpieMarkers

· Needle (You can use a plasticlacingneedle

· or simply wrap the end in masking tape, or make your own needle by wrapping a toothpick with masking tape, or make a needle from an old plastic lid)

Let'sgetweaving!

First, we're going to put

your string tight as you go. SometimesIusedmyplastic lid needle and sometimes I used a piece of masking tape (when I wanted to add beads.) When you switch strings, simply tie the new yarn to the old yarn and then trim the strings, leaving a littlebitofendsleft.

Hidetheendsunderyour weaving and no one will be able to know that it's there. And when you're adding beads,besuretoaddoneata time!

on our warp strings. Cut a piece of yarn (about 6') Then,tieittoyourcd. (Itied the knot to the shiny side because that was my back side.) Then, wrap your yarn an odd number of times around your cd. (I wrapped mine13or15times.) Make sure to pull the warp strings tight. Then,tieyourstringin place.

Nowyou'regoingtostart weaving. Cut out a piece of

FUNWITHPOETRY

yarn (I cut my pieces 6'-8'). Tie it to your warp string on theback.

Then, pop the string through the hole to the front side (the white side) and tie onyour"needle."(Minewas madefromaplasticlid.)

Now weave! Simply go over one warp string and then under the other warp string.

Keep repeating this process, making sure to pull

Keep on going! When you're finished, tie your string to a warp string and hide excess bits under your woven circle. Then, use a Sharpie to add your final touches!

Keep on going! When you're finished, tie your string to a warp string and hide excess bits under your woven circle. Then, use a Sharpie to add your final touches!

You can keep them as they are, or turn them into dream catchers! To turn them it into dream catchers, tie on strings and beads as shown below

DO IT WITH A SMILE

At times when I have to deal with others, Like a sister, teacher or friend, I find the way how I look to them Does make a lot of difference.

It made me wonder why this was so, Until I asked them to tell me why; They told me that most times I look too serious, When they would feel better if I smile.

So I now try to become more cheerful, Whenever I have to speak with others; And I now find that just a smile At every time can do wonders.

Canyouremembersometime in your life when you felt that life was not being fair, and you want to condemn someone for treating youbadly?

If us at some time or another have the same experience. Some peoplemaytakethehighroadand give to benefit of the doubt to the other party and work to make the situationbetter

Buttherearemanyotherswho would give in to the idea that lashing out is the way to deal with the problem, and would get themselves in trouble for doing so.

In fact, when they behave in this way,theywouldnotbedoingnothingto improve the situation but only make it worse.

If and when you experience any friend, relative or other acquaintance wanting to retaliate for some wrong they felt was done to them, you would be doing everyone a favour if you

advise them to desist. Make them see, as you have, that there is a much better and effective solution to the problem than yielding to the temptation of revenge.

You may advise them to face the situation and confront the person who theyperceivehaswrongedthem. Ifthis doesnotwork,thenyouneedtodoyour parttoletthembelievethattheyshould

Star Battle

to

give the benefit of the doubt, and moveonwiththeirlives. There are also other ways in which you can reach out to your friends and lead them into understanding your approach to the proper solution of the problems they would be faced withintheireverydaylives. You can start a discussion group in which you get them to interact and spread your ideas of good behaviour You can also single out anyone who seems to be having problems, and try to show them the right course to follow You can get someone from the churchorotherorganisationtospeakto yourgrouponthismatter

Just believe that you can make a huge difference if you are willing to take the trouble to help. No act of kindness goes unpaid, and it will alwayscomebacktoyouintheendand giveyouthesatisfyingfeelingthatyour lifereallymatters.

If we could hold hands together

by Yip Me Ling, Sonia Richmond & Heerawattie Teajman

If we could hold hands together, And let hope lie with us,

We can march into the future on the right side, For, if I can see hope, why can't you? If we could hold hands together, And be like sisters and brothers, As one people, one nation with one destiny, We can show the world our beauty and our pride In our country of many waters and peoples.

And And And

If we could hold hands together, And reach ever higher towards the sky, We will walk into the future with our heads held high. Both you and I will become stronger, If you could hold my hand, and I hold yours, Whether dark or white, yellow or brown. We can show the world our beauty and power, So let us be one, and just for one moment of our lives, We can show them we are the best, And march into the future on the bright side.

UNCLEROY Tellitto

Hello,

Please remit same to my email –roypaul2002@yahoo com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.

Make your life matter by making a special effort

help others who are having problems in their lives

The more you reach out to help those who have problems in their lives, the more you will feel your own life becoming more worthwhile.

NINE NATURALBEAUTYTIPS THATAREABSOLUTELY FREE

ThesesimpleactsofselfcarehelpyouFEELBEAUTIFUL, anditisyourinnerbeautythatyouradiateoutintotheworld.

HEREARE NINE EASYBEAUTYTIPS +THEYWON'T COSTYOUATHING!

It always helps to have a gentle reminder, even with things we already know Hearing them again helps reinforce good habits. Read to the end with the intention of bringing these helpfultipsintotheforefrontofyourconsciousness.

1 MINDFULLY MAINTAIN YOUR OVERALL HEALTH+WELL-BEING.

Acknowledge yourself and your mental, physical, and spiritual needs. How can you incorporate more acts of self care intoyourdailyroutine?Makeextratimetodosomethingspecial for yourself. Self care is valuable tool!True beauty comes from within.Sparklingeyes,glowingskin,vitalityandconfidenceare attractive.

2. GOOUTSIDEMOREOFTEN.

Fresh air is a great beautifier Forest bath, sunbathe, feel the wind in your hair It's easy to take for granted, these simple activities,butthey'retrulyreplenishingtoyourspirit+bringout anaturalradianceinyourappearance.

3. DEVELOPHEALTHYEATINGHABITS.

With food, fresh is best and quality is better than quantity Don't eat too much, or too quickly Like Michael Pollan says: “Eatfood.Nottoomuch.Mostlyplants.”Moderationiskey,but don't deprive yourself either It's okay to have a little treat every once in a while, but an important aspect of self care is making conscious choices.Appreciate your food and the nourishment it bringstoyourbody

4. GET PLENTY OF SLEEP IN AWELL VENTILATED ROOM.

Your body and your mind need rest to regenerate and recuperate from the work of the day Your whole system suffers withoutenoughsleep.Theydon'tcallitbeautyrestfornothin'!If youliveinacitywithlotsofcarsandpollution,considergetting an air purifier for your bedroom. While they're not free, they workwonderstofilteroutmicroscopicparticlesofpollen,mold, pollutionetc.

WhenImovedintomycondointhecity,closetoafreewayI started waking up with lots of congestion and sometimes a headache.After a few months of this, I put an air purifier in my bedroom and noticed significant improvement in my allergies. The white noise helps with the street sounds as well Houseplants are also a beautiful way to increase the clean oxygenlevelsinyourhome.

5. BATHEOFTEN.

Oils,dirt,deadskin,andtoxinsbuilduponyourskinandyou need to wash those off or they get re-absorbed into your bloodstream, clog your pores, and leave your skin dull and ashen.Evenifyoudon'twashyourhaireveryday,it'sbesttodoa quick daily rinse off! Let the water flow over your body and washawaytheaccumulatedlayersofstress,dirt,pollution,etc.

6. PRACTICEGOODPOSTURE.

Be mindful of how you sit, stand + move. When you walk, hold your head high and shoulders back and engage your stomachmuscles.Whenyousit,donotholdoneshoulderhigher than the other, or sit crooked? Bring some awareness into your postureandgentlyremindyourselftoliftupandstraightenout.

7. GETSOMEEXERCISE.

Keepyourmusclesfirmandyouthfulbymovingaround,get your blood flowing, and oxygenate your cells.Add some joyful movementtoyourday Ifit'sfun,it'saloteasiertomotivateand keeptoaroutine.

8. DON'TLETYOURSKINGETTOODRY

Dryskinisnotradiantanditdoesn'tlookorfeelhealthy Dry skin makes wrinkles more profound and gives a dull, drab appearance Moisturized skin is glowing and healthy in comparison.

9. MEDITATE.

All forms of meditation can help reduce stress and improve well-being.Meditateinthemorningbeforebeginningyourday By meditating first thing in the morning, you will be setting the energy and your own physiology before placing yourself in situations that may generate stress. This will ensure that your dayrunsmoresmoothlyandthatyouareintheproperenergetic state to experience miracles! Meditation reduces stress and allowsyourinnerbeautytoshinethrough.

https://spagoddess.com/blogs/spagoddess-wellnessblog/58732037-nine-free-beauty-tips

Cuisine Culture Cultur

Monstre Patisserie:

FOODIE HUB

Colosapuff. It is made with Jalapeño in the pastry, decoratedbeautifullyinalovableuniqueshapefilled with my specialty incorporated recipe of a delicious jalapeñochickenspread.”

Shanez a’s business, MonstrePatisserieis ed at 77 Robb Street ytown, Georgetown The business opening hours are from 09:00 hours to 16:00 hours

MondaytoFriday

By Renay Sambach

“I was inspired by my parents and my love for extraordinary foods bringing joy to those around me,” young businesswoma ShanezaHattimshared.

Her profound passion food and the inspiration culinary arts, contributed Shaneza,launchingherown business, Monstre Patisserie, February2022.

During an interview with The W aterfalls,thebusinesswomanstated,“Food isessentialforalllivingthings.”

The proprietor shared that her inspiration is driven by not only her parents and the fact that she’s an enthusiasticfoodieherself,butalsothe continuous satisfaction she gets from seeingherculinarycreationbringjoy tothosewhotrythem.

Speaking about her current menu, Shaneza explained, “My menu is small at the moment. It takestimetocreatenewcontent, withmanyfunexperimentsand research. However, I can still maketraditionalrecipesanda widerangeofdishes.”

Customerscanindulgeindishes like Jalapeños Chicken Puffs, Colosapuffs, Dragon Eggs, Choco-eclairs, Creme Brûlée Donuts, Flavored and Colorful Candy/Carmel Apples/Fruits, JalapeñoandCheeseBeefPuffs,FishPuffswithTartarSauce and Sweet Peppers, Variety Packs, Travel Packages, Cocktailsandmoretobeaddedsoon.

“It all started with my most popular item-the Jalapeño

The businesswoman shared that as her business expands, e working hours will ncrease so as to better accommodatehercustomers.

However, not to worry MonstrePatisseriecatersfor birthday parties, office events and any other personalizedevent.

Shaneza stated, “We usually cater and preorder so customers can freshlymadegoodies.Pick-upand deliveryisavailable.“

“Ihopeonedaytoopen my own cafe where my clients will adore and bond overmyinnovativedelicious recipes.” Hattim vowed to always provide her customers with quality, affordable and tasty dishes in a relaxing atmosphere.

In fact, she said, “I will provide them with qualityaffordabledishesin the unwinding ambience as they sip on their beverages and take a moment for themselves.”

BeingtheholderofaMaster of Business Administration (MBA), Shaneza has her eyes firmly set on owning multiple businessesbringingqualityproducts totheGuyanese.

“I find it best to do the things you genuinely find delightful and align with your core values.Iamgratefulforthesupportandencouragement by family, friends and lovely strangers. I am fond of goingbeyondtraditionalstructures.”

Sharing a bit more about herself, the businesswoman disclosedthatsheenjoystryingnewfood,spendingtimewith her loved ones, anime, cosplay and exploring new cultures. Shefurtherexplainedthat:“beinganentrepreneur,art,being creative, swimming, exploring outdoors, rescuing animals, beingkind,learning/readingandmanymore.Ilovehavinga fulfillingday.”

Those who attended 2022’s Fumacon and anime convention would remember seeing Shaneza there. “I love goingtoFumaconandSozoeventssincethey’remanypeople likemyselfthatenjoyexploringnewdeliciousdishes.”

TosupportShaneza’sbusiness,youcancontactherviaher Facebook page @ Monstre Patisserie or call/WhatsApp her on(592)602-8658.Toshareanyusefulinformation,youcan contactmeviaemail:naesambach@gmail.com.

Sleep on... Dream on...

CEO and Director of Comfort Sleep Mr. Dennis Charran and Mrs. Sabita Charran pose with the Permit to use the Made in Guyana Standards Mark

Guyanese entrepreneur and fitness coach, Empowering women through her efforts for fitness and nutrition...

Melissa Hillaire

is a ‘Special Person’

Melissa Hillaire is the owner of Mel’s Fitness and Nutrition Club

Momtrepreneur: Mrs. Hillaire is a successful businesswoman, wife and mother of five.

...Melissa Hillaire

is a ‘Special Person’

Hillaire is a fitness coach and trainer who has clients locally and internationally

Frompage61 thatshewouldregularlytalk to the owner of the gym about her interest to have morewomenbecomemore involved in fitness activities.

She said that it was during one of these conversations that the idea to become a local distributor for Herbalife International materialized as a means to help provide dietary options for those strugglingwithweightloss.

Shesaidthatatthetimeher target group was women but the products are designed to helpbothmenandwomen struggling with their weight.

“I started attending the training courses and using the products The results were amazingsootherpeoplejoinedthe class…Wewereabout100localsin class being trained by international coaches.Istartedtocoachlocallyandsell the products I started to get feedback from customers locally and internationally,”sheadded.

As her training evolved, the entrepreneur became a certified independent distributor for Herbalife International in Guyana. She launched her businessMel’sFitnessandNutritionClub.

Shelateropenedherowngymunderthe brand,withthegoalofcreatingacomfortable spaceforwomentoworkoutatherproperty inEccles,EastBankDemerara.

Hillaire said “I am very happy that I was able to help numerous women achieve their fitness goals… I had customers come to my classes feeling really down about themselves, butwithdiscipline,training,andexercise,they have turned their entire lives around and becomethebestversionsofthemselves.”

Sheadded,“Ialwaystellmyclientsthatthe key to effective weight loss is found in the 80/20rulebecause80percentofitcomesfrom nutritionandwhatyouputinyourbodyandthe other20percentcomesfromexercise. Isupply my client with the appropriate dietary supplementsanddevelopweightlossregimens tosuittheirindividualneeds.”

FAMILYSUPPORT

Having sustained her business for over

thirty years, Hillaire credits her supportive familyofsixforalwayshavingherback.

Hillaire is a mother to five, Jonathan, Julissa, Joseph, Jacob, and 4-year-old Joel. The businesswoman recalled that at the beginning stages of her business, she leaned heavilyonherhusbandtohelpinraisingtheir fivechildren.

She said that at the initial stages, her training would sometimes commence at 4:00 amandendat9:00pmatnight.

She said, “First, I always return thanks to myLordandSaviour,JesusChristforwhathe has allowed me to accomplish and then my loving husband, Joseph Hillaire who never ceases to be a very supportive husband and fathertoourfivechildren.Hehasalwaysbeen thereformeandthekidsespecially.”

Hillaire is also a local distributor for Herbalife products, a line of dietary supplements crafted to help with weight loss

W e have a sitter and my husband runs his own engineering firm but that has never stoppedhimfromtakingcareofthekidswhile I was working to build my business. I can safely say it took a lot of sacrifice in terms of mytimeintrainingsessionsbutwehavegood understanding and communicate well so it makesitawholelotbetter.”

Given that the business is now more established,Hillairesaidthatshemanagesher time to ensure that she has time to spend with herfamily

“I would make sure I set the time now, becauseatthebeginningthatwasnotpossible. SonowIdoevensmallstuffwiththemtospend timeliketakethemtoschool,”sheexplained.

her

Hillaireisactivelyinvolvedintheworkofher localchurch.Shesaidthatoutsideofworkand family,hernextsafespaceisfoundatherlocal church, the Power Hour of God Ministries locatedinNon-ParielStreet,Albouystown.

The Church which is under the leadership ofPastorSamuelDavidsonoffersHillaireand her family the faith-based teaching and spiritual foundation pertinent to a successful andwell-roundedlife.

Hillaireisanactivememberoftheministry andoperatesastheHeadUsherofthechurch. She is part of the team of persons responsible formeetingandgreetingpersonsastheyenter thedomainofthesanctuary.

Thisfunctionisessentialinanyestablished Christian church. Ushers are responsible for ensuring members and visitors feel comfortableandwelcomewhenevertheyenter theirplaceofworship.

To this end, Hillaire said that she is very gratefultoplayanintegralroleintheworkof her church. She said too that the Ministry has beenablessingtoherfamily

“GivingmylifetoChristisoneofthebest decisions,Ihaveevermade.Iammostgrateful that I get to raise my family as Christian and give them that foundation that I did not have growingup,”shesaid.

Hillaire said she looks forward to Sunday mornings when my family and I get dressed andheadtoChurchforworship.

MEL’SHIGHTEA

Givenherdesiretocontinuetoimpactthe livesofwomen,theentrepreneurissettohost her first female empowerment and networking event at the Pegasus Hotel, on Saturday, March 18. She said that a lot of thought and consideration was placed into organizing and putting together her first networkingshowcase.

I constantly surround myself with a communityofwomenwhohavecontributedto myjourneyandsuccessinonewayoranother Sothiseventisaboutgivingthemplatformsto showcase their goods and services and find ways that they can collaborate with other businesses that can help take them to another level.

Hillaire said that the event will include a booth where the various participants can showcase what they have to offer as well as there will be a podium set up for them to tell those in attendance a bit about their ventures and how they can benefit. Hillaire anticipates that her first empowerment and networking willbeasuccessfulonethatcanevolveintoan annualfeatureforherbusiness.

Guyanese entrepreneur and fitness coach, Melissa Hillaire

From page 18 could impact as many as 14 between different command posts; Exxon’s CEO boasts of Guyana close to it. When you think about husband as she was trying to leave Caribbeanislands. creating a transboundary being a “story of success” what typically the timeframe (is), theirabusiverelationship. This is according to the workgroup to manage waste from at U.S energy conference (it) typically (takes) the industry

According to police reports, Cumulative Impact Assessment a product release; identifying …says company was able to about10years,”Exxon’sCEOsaid. Ishmaelwasstabbedtodeathbyher (CIA) submitted by the operator, places of refuge in the impacted bring in oil ships, production He continued: “If you then look husbandwhowasidentifiedasOtis, Esso Exploration and Production region where response vessels ahead of schedule atwhatwehavedeliveredsincethat a fisherman around 10:00hrs at his Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to could go for repairs and timeframe,wearebringinginthose Hope Estate, ECD residence. The Guyana’s Environmental assistance; determining how Kaieteur News – American oil ships [Floating production storage policerevealedthatIshmaelandthe Protection Agency (EPA). This EEPGL and the impacted regional giant ExxonMobil Corporation’s and offloading vessels] and that suspect lived together in a common studywilldetermineifaPermitwill stakeholders can work together to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) production ahead of schedule, law relationship and had ongoing be granted to facilitate the new allow equipment and personnel to Darren Woods, during a discussion we’ve beaten schedule for the two domestic issues where the suspect operationsoffshore. assist in a spill response outside on Tuesday at the annual S&P ships[LizaDestinyandLizaUnity] accused her of being unfaithful. On According to the study, which the region and “determining Global CERAWeek conference that we’ve got and the third one March3last,Ishmaelhadlefthome was completed by Exxon’s financial liability and establishing held in Houston, Texas, boasted [Prosperity] that we are working and went to her friend’s house at Consultant, Environmental claims and/or livelihood about “the story of success” on,thatisexpecttobeatschedule.” BetterHope,ECDwhereshestayed ResourcesManagement(ERM),oil remediation processes during a Guyana. Woods was also proud to Woods bragged about EEPGL forafewdays. spill modelling indicates that response to a transboundary highlight the company’s rapid pace being able to run production, “at a

However, yesterday she transboundary impacts could event ” ofdevelopmentinthecountry higher level than we have returned home in the company of potentially occur if no mitigation The 35-well drilling campaign Exxon’s boss and S&P Global anticipated when we made those her 21-year-old sister to collect her measuresareimplemented. seeks to explore new locations of ViceChairmanDanielYergin,hada investments and staying focused,” belongings. While there, the police Notably, the modelling results the Stabroek Block but will also discussion on future investment adding that the company is also reported, the woman was showedthatanunmitigatedoilspill feature the drilling of appraisal strategies in the energy sector, focused on, “helping reducing confronted by the suspect, who can reach Trinidad and Tobago, wells within the proximity of when Yergin stated, “So let me ask emissions.” askedhernottoleave.Accordingto Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, previously drilled exploration you, mega projects, you did ExxonCEOalsosharedthatthe reports, Ishmael insisted that she Grenada, St Vincent and the areas. mention Guyana. I mean that’s company is working on the US$2B only came to collect her clothing Grenadines, St. Lucia, Martinique, Appraisal wells are drilled to pretty incredible how fast that Wales gas-to-energy project with but the suspect became annoyed andBarbadosaswellasDominican better define the physical attributes developed.” the Government of Guyana (GoG) and pulleda knifefrom thewaist of hispantsandattackedher

The police reported that Ishamel’s sister intervened and pushed her away telling her to run, which she did, but the suspect ran behind the woman and caught up with her in the yard, where he stabbed her in the neck, face, and hands, causing her to fall to the ground.

It was reported that the suspect then attacked the sister and she fought him off. She received a wound to her left thumb. Reports arethataftercommittingtheact,the suspect then inflicted several wounds on his body and consumed a poisonous substance, and he fell to the ground. Neighbours who were alerted by the ordeal contacted the police who arrived shortlyafter

Women take to the streets to have full liability coverage from Exxon

Policestatedthatuponarrivalat the scene, Ishmael and the suspect were rushed to the CC Nicholson Hospital at Nabaclis, ECD, where they were admitted At about Republic,Haiti,andJamaica. of petroleum resources that have Tothis,Woodsresponded,“Yes to bring gas onshore. He said, “We 12:20hrs yesterday, a doctor

The document explained, “An been discovered through prior it is…Yeah I mean if you look at gotaprojectthatweareworkingon pronounced the victim dead while unmitigated oil spill from either of explorationactivities. that it’s really a story of success, with the Government of Guyana to receiving treatment. The suspect the loss-of-well-control events The exact locations of the 35 andIwouldalsotellyouthatweare bring gas onshore to back out some was escorted to the Georgetown during both modelled seasons is wells comprising the Project have very focus as we grow that of their higher emission intensity Public Hospital, where he was expected to travel in a west-north- not been finalized Pending production.” powertosubstitutethatwithgas.So admittedunderguard. westerly route through the Gulf of approval, it is anticipated that the Exxon’s affiliate Esso we lower emissions and get better

At the scene crime experts Paria and the southern and eastern Project will begin in the third Exploration and Production more reliable power to the people found a knife in the yard, and an coastsofTrinidadandTobago.This quarter of 2023, and conclude by Guyana Limited (EEPGL) is that’sarealwin-winsituation.” empty bottle appeared to be the scenariowouldexposethenorthern thefourthquarterof2028. operator and holds 45 percent Guyana signed onto a bottle containing the substance that coast of South America and the It must be noted that the parent interest in Guyana’s lucrative Production Sharing Agreement the suspect consumed As southern LesserAntilles to the bulk company is yet to supply a parent Stabroek Block, which is 6 6 (PSA)withtheoilmajor,whichhas investigations are continuing, oftheexposuretooiling.” company guarantee for its million acres and has 11 billion of been heavily criticised for being Ishmael’s body is at the Memorial Meanwhile, mitigated oil spills operations in the Stabroek Block, proven barrels of oil. Hess Guyana lopsided and benefiting the oil Gardens Funeral Home, awaiting a from each of the two loss-of-well- meaning that EEPGL a limited Exploration Ltd. holds 30 percent companymorethanthecountry post-mortemexamination. control scenarios would only have liability company will be left to interest and CNOOC Petroleum The 2016 deal gives Guyana an thepotentialtoreachVenezuelaand handle costs associated with an oil Guyana Limited holds 25 percent industry-low2%royalty.Presently,

Wednesday – Mar 8, 2023 Trinidad and Tobago and would spill. interest. Guyana shares revenue with reduce the extent of shoreline Currently, Guyana has a mere Speaking about Exxon success ExxonMobil after the company

be impacted by oil spill from

14 Caribbean islands could oiling. US$600 million policy in place per in Guyana, Woods shared that the deducts75percenttowardsthecost

It must be noted that the study oil spill event but given the company was able to move from incurredtodeveloptheresourcesin 35-well drilling campaign went into detail highlighting experiences of other oil producing firstdiscoverytofirstoilwithinfive theStabroekBlock.

– ExxonMobil study measures that will be taken to states, advocates have been years, beating industry record. “We Thisarrangement,withthelack mitigateanoilspill. demanding that ExxonMobil brought that like from discovery to of ring-fencing, sees Guyana

expenses first production in five years which payingforprojectsthatareyetto

is of not industry record is pretty (Continued on page 64)

Scenes from the protest outside Office of the President

From page 63 He continued, “And someofthepoortermsinthe towardslocals. commence production really critically, we moved 2016 Stabroek Block

The legislation, he said, activities. Each month bills from the very first Liza 1 Production Sharing has since changed the from future producing exploration well to first Agreement (PSA) have dynamics. Addressing the developments are added to production nearly three caught the attention of initial perception that had thelistofexpensestobecost yearsagoinunderfiveyears. i n v e s t o r s f o r H e s s

been associated with the recovered by Exxon. After That is roughly half the Corporation- one of nascentindustry,Jagdeowas the 75 percent is deducted to industry average time for a ExxonMobil’s partners quick to point out that the pay back the oil company, t y p i c a l d e e p w a t e r operatinghere. goodwill for the industry has Guyana then shares 50/50 of development.”

Atthe51stAnnualScotia skyrocketed from when the the 25 percent remaining Exxon’s performance is Howard Weil Energy time where persons viewed with Exxon as profits. This in line with Vice President Conference yesterday, Chief the operation as operating in amounts to 12.5 percent of Jagdeo’s request for the oil Executive Officer (CEO), an enclavic manner He said, profitsfromtheoperations. and gas companies to John Hess was asked to this was among the reasons

Also, under the signed accelerate exploration address these calls for government was looking to deal, Guyana has agreed to, Importantly, while the renegotiation and the risk build local capacity as more u n d e r t h e t a x a t i o n Government has been they pose Though there and more opportunities in p r o v i s i o n s , t o p a y pushing for the oil have been calls for an the oil and gas industry ExxonMobil’s share of companies to go faster, the increased royalty and for the become available. Jagdeo Corporation and Income country is without full inclusion of provisions that was adamant that the Tax.As such it would mean, liability insurance from the would close avenues for development of the industry that Guyana foregoes each oilandgasmajors. a b u s e , H e s s s a i d locally should not be done year, billions of US dollars. This publication had emphatically that investors where expatriates operate in O n t o p o f t h i s , reported that, according to havenothingtoworryabout. an enclave and reiterated: documentation to this effect Mallon,intotal,theoilmajor “Ithinkitisimportantfor not only breaking records years to drill the wells, “wearedeterminedtoseethe is then provided to the US anticipates having six everyone to know that with the pace at which it currentlyscheduledfromthe benefits flow across the based company allowing it projects online with a President(Dr Irfaan)Aliand receives approval from thirdquarterof2023through country.”Thishesaid,would to not have to pay any taxes capacity of more than 1.2 (Vice President) Bharrat government for its projects 2028. require a more peoplein its home country for its million barrels per day by Jagdeo, they are pro- but it is also to do expansive oriented approach towards earningsoverseas. end of 2027. However, he business and they have been explorationprogrammes.

Jagdeo banking on the development of the

Though Vice President highlighted, “It is not just very clear to us and Exxon The Environmental ‘goodwill’of oil companies industry as against strictly Bharrat Jagdeo has aboutpace.Thisstoryisway that they are going to honour Protection Agency (EPA) is to get more benefits for business. maintained that the mere 2 beyond pace. It’s also about the PSA that we have in the currently reviewing Exxon’s Guyana

H a v i n g a l r e a d y percent royalty, massive tax developingresponsibility.” country They want us to environmental plans for a …tells Texas conference condemned the conditions breaks, and the absence of a During his address, developtheirresourceasfast fifth project called Uaru in “Guyanese now more open under which the lopsided ring-fencing provision, are Mallon disclosed that what as possible so that they can the Stabroek Block. The oil to Exxon and others” arrangement that Guyana three key flaws of the 2016 ExxonachievedinGuyanais develop the economy and giant has also commenced has tied itself into with the Stabroek Block PSA, his “absolutely unique ” ensure economic prosperity the process to draft its Vice President Bharrat first Production Sharing government will not seek to Expounding further, he for the Guyanese people,” Environmental Impact Jagdeo is of the view that oil Agreement (PSA) signed renegotiatethedeal. stated that in his 40 years of Hesstoldinvestors. Assessment(EIA)forasixth companies that wish to with Esso Exploration and

Last month, President of working in the oil and gas

The CEO noted that project called Whiptail operate in Guyana would do Production Guyana Limited, Government has already set extremelywellbutthefuture Jagdeo was of the view that aside money to cover the of the imminent prosperity the country will in future see cost of reviewing that would have to be shared and better returns. He at the time documentlaterthisyear that this would require those told the S&P Official, “we

In the meantime, Exxon operators to “work with us a will build the capacity in has approached the EPA to bitmore.” future years but it’s not there review a 35 well programme He made the disclosure now, and we can’t await the in the Stabroek Block. That this past week during a developmentofthatcapacity is expected to commence public engagement at the to move the industry along.” thisyearshouldthecompany annual CERAWeek, Oil and Qualifying his position, receive the requisite Gas forum, held in Texas, Jagdeo pointed to the pace at authorisation. USA, and organised by S&P whichtheindustryismoving

T h i s n e w s p a p e r Global. That entity’s Vice along to which is forcing the understands that the exact Chairman Daniel Yergin, administration to keep apace locations of the 35 wells duringtheinterviewwastold on the regulatory side. The comprising the project have by Jagdeo, “we believe that Vice President Jagdeo was not been finalised. While the companies that come to quicktoremindthatevenata some of the wells will be Guyana would do extremely Net Zero target achieved in drilled for exploration wellandwehavetosharethe the world, oil and oil ExxonMobil’s Upstream industry, around the world while they will “hear noise purposes, it is also possible futureofthisprosperity.” products would still be Company, Liam Mallon and on almost all mega from time to time about the thatsomeofthewellsmaybe Toachievethishowever, required. To this end, he boasted about the breakneck projects,“Ihaveneverinmy PSA”, Hess and Exxon drilled as appraisal wells he said this will require pointed to the upcoming bid s p e e d w i t h w h i c h career seen anything like which run the Stabroek within the proximity of “companies to work with us round or public auction in ExxonMobil was able to cut this.” Block alongside CNOOC p r e v i o u s l y d r i l l e d abitmore.” which there are some 14 thetimeinhalftomovefrom Petroleum Guyana Limited exploration areas. Onshore Expressing optimism on offshore oil blocks up for exploration to production in Thursday – Mar 09, 2023 have been reassured time logistical support facilities that front, he reminded that offer a deepwater project. Mallon and again that the contract and marine/aviation services when the country began Recognizing that this was at the time speaking at Investors concerned will remain untouched will be used to support the pressing for Local Content would be the first time in the second International about Guyana press “Theywantustogoasfastas project.

legislation, there was a hue Guyana’shistory,auctioning Energy Conference and reports calling for possible so they can take the EEPGL has also said it and cry from the oil oil bocks, it has since Expo 2023 being held at the renegotiation oil treasure and make it the will use proven and good c o m p a n i e s w h i c h retained the services of GuyanaMarriottHotel. of Stabroek Block deal people’s treasure,” the CEO international industry complained that they were International Consultants, He underscored that – Hess says Govt. has stated. p r a c t i c e s a n d h a s skeptical and were afraid HIS Markit, “to help us since the first discovery in assured contract will E x x o n M o b i l i n c o r p o r a t e d m a n y that such a move would shut throughthisprocess.” 2015, the estimate of remain untouched Corporation through its embedded controls into the downthebusiness. Heexpoundedfurtheron Guyana’s resource has subsidiary, Esso Exploration overall project design to Jagdeo said, this did not the 14 blocks offshore oil grown to nearly 11 billion Kaieteur News – Media and Production Guyana reduce environmental and deter the government and blocksupforofferandnoted barrels, which makes it the reports documenting the Limited (EEPGL) is socioeconomic impacts. since its implementation it that the process is open and largest in industry in the past unrelenting calls by various operating in the nation’s Kaieteur News understands h as s een n u mer o u s thatanycompanycanbidon decade. stakeholders for changes to watersathistoricspeeds.Itis that it could take several opportunities being directed (Continued on page 65)

Hess Corporation CEO, John Hess

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo (at right) in discussion with S&P Global's Vice Chairman, Daniel Yergin

From page 64 any of them. Jagdeo did speak to a caveat, in that any successful bidder would only be allowed to secure up tothreeoilblocks.

The reason, he said, was directly linked to the limited window within which the country can fully benefit from its resources and as such, “we want multiple companies exploring at the same time, we believe there isawindownow.”

With the upcoming bid round on the Horizon, the former President now Vice President told the S&P wait for the government to official that the country is release contract terms, the stilllookingtofinaliseanew people familiar with the model Production Sharing matter said Guyana Agreement which would be estimates it has up to 25 beneficial to all parties billion barrels of oil and gas Playing up Guyana securing inplaceoffitscoast. a bigger take under a new A consortium that PSA, he spoke of planned includes Exxon Mobil, Hess consultations with the oil and CNOOC operates the companies in finalizing that country’s most important document. To date a number area, the 6 6-million-acre of international companies (26,800 sq km) Stabroek have already indicated an Block, with more than 30 interest in bidding for those discoveries to date. Exxon, availableoilblocks. QatarEnergy,Shell,Chevron This publication and Petrobras are among the understands that the auction oil giants that have paid weeks late. A draft proposal Friday – Mar 10, 2023 the block. It is therefore a about 10 exploration and of offshore oil exploration $20,000 for the geologic thatwouldgothroughatwo- n o r m a l c o u r s e o f appraisal wells. This is aside blocks has lured at least 10 information available on the week public consultation Govt., Exxon in business There is some from the 35 multi-well companies including Shell, 11 shallow-water and three earlier missed its February talks to delay 20% talk,potentially,havingbeen programme they have Petrobras and Chevron deepwaterblocks,thepeople 13, 2023 deadline with the relinquishment to 2024 with Vice President Jagdeo plannedfortheblock. Some 14 offshore blocks are familiarwiththemattersaid. auctionissetforApril14. – as Hess tells investors at CERAWEEK in Houston, T h i s n e w s p a p e r up for offer in an attempt to Chevron’s main interest The proposed terms is portion of Stabroek Block that the 2023 date (for understands that the exact s p e e d e c o n o m i c is to gain access to Guyana’s expectedtonearlydoublethe to be given up will not relinquishment) might be a locations of the 35 wells development and reduce an geological data, with the government’s take from oil affect their pockets 2024datesowewillsee.” comprising the project have E x x o n M o b i l - l e d company already in production to 27.5 percent

Headded,“Butattheend not been finalised. While consortium’s dominance of possession of oil blocks in includingroyaltiesandprofit E x x o n M o b i l of the day, our joint venture some of the wells will be its oil sector. Winning neighboring Suriname and oil, plus a new 10 percent Corporation and its partners (which also includes drilled for exploration bidders are expected to be Venezuela. corporate tax, compared to in the Stabroek Block are CNOOC Petroleum Guyana purposes, it is also possible picked next month Exxon and QatarEnergy Exxon’smaincontract. morethanreadytorelinquish Limited) is fully prepared to thatsomeofthewellsmaybe Companies interested in the havesaidtheyarewaitingfor The oil model also will 20 percent of the oil-rich release that 20 percent. And drilled as appraisal wells April round have paid for the full contract terms to set stricter terms for c o n c e s s i o n l o c a t e d it is important to know that within the proximity of seismic data to evaluate the considerabid.Shellsaiditis tendering and procurement, approximately 120 miles the 20 percent is not going to p r e v i o u s l y d r i l l e d blocksanddecidewhetherto evaluating the offshore lease covering everything from offshoreGuyana. be in the prospective area, it exploration areas. Onshore submit offers, according to sale to determine a possible productionvesselstodrilling This was confirmed by is not going to be where we logistical support facilities thegovernment. participation. suppliers However, the Hess Corporation’s Chief have exploration planned or and marine/aviation services

They include six big Chevron and Petrobras termswillnotaffectExxon’s Executive Officer (CEO), future exploration planned will be used to support the international producers, are yet to make any public StabroekBlock. John Hess during his and it is not going to be project. Energy Minister Vickram pronouncements.

“ W e a r e n o t participation at the 51st where we have the EEPGL has also said it Bharrat has said, without The country has planned renegotiating Stabroek,” Annual Scotia Howard Weil d e v e l o p m e n t s i n will use proven and good identifyingthecompanies. toissueanewPSAmodelfor Vice President Jagdeo has Energy Conference Hess production.” international industry

None of the companies leasing offshore blocks by reiterated on numerous was keen to assure investors The official reminded p r a c t i c e s a n d h a s has decided on bids as they theendofthismonth,several occasions. at the event that the portion investors that Guyana’s i n c o r p o r a t e d m a n y oftheblockbeingreturnedto Stabroek Block holds some embedded controls into the the State will have zero of the largest oil discoveries overall project design to effect on its exploration or intheworld,andsomeofthe reduce environmental and developmentplansasitisnot mostsignificantinthelast10 socioeconomicimpacts. going to be in any years. He said more than 30 K a i e t e u r N e w s prospectivearea. discoveries were made since understandsthatitcouldtake

He also stressed that the 2015 and over 11 billion several years to drill the relinquishmentshouldnotbe barrels of oil resources wells, currently scheduled misconstrued to mean that found. He said too that there from the third quarter of government is forcing the are multibillion barrels more 2023through2028. company to do this. Hess togoontheblock. said it is in keeping with Hess also noted that the Oil spill in Philippines arrangements enshrined in partners have six drill ships leaves dozens ill the Production Sharing on the Stabroek Block with Agreement (PSA) for the t h r e e a s s i g n e d f o r O n t h e h e e l s o f block.

development drilling and Philippines officials dealing

Hess said, “In the PSA, three are for exploration and with the aftermath of an oil there is a requirement for us appraisal. He said too that spill,thatwasasaresultofa to relinquish 20 percent of the partners have planned (Continued on page 66)

Hess Corporation Head, John Hess

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

From page 65 reported that the vessel terms of four years imprisonment fuel tanker sinking, the mayor of encountered engine trouble on for the trafficking of the two one of the towns have confirmed Tuesday February 28, due to Jamaicannationals,however,those thatresidentsarefallingill. overheating and drifted due to sentences will run concurrently. He

The Philippines is a country rough sea conditions. However, it was also sentenced to 0ne-year located in Asia. It is situated in the is not clear what caused it to sink, imprisonment on the count of western Pacific Ocean and consists but all 20 crew members were withholdingthepassportofthetwo of over 7,000 islands that are rescued by a passing vessel before Jamaicannationals,fined$200,000 broadly categorised under three itwentdown. and ordered to pay $6,300,000 in maingeographicaldivisions. Kaieteur News had reported restitutiontothevictims.

CNN’s Kathleen Magramo that sunken vessel has put at risk According to the State’s facts, reporting from Hong Kong stated several municipalities and over in November 2020, one of the that Jennifer Cruz, mayor of the 36,000 hectares of the country’s victims met an individual in coastal town of Pola, which has coral reefs, mangroves and sea Trelawney, Jamaica, who indicated been heavily affected by the spill, grass This is according to to him that Browne had some told CNN affiliate CNN Philippines Department of farming work for him to do in Kara Philippines on Thursday that more Environment and Natural Kara Creek, Guyana and that he than50residentshadfallenill,with Resources(DENR). waswillingtopayUS$5000forthe symptoms of cough, dizziness, eye Reuters reported, Carlos Primo worktobedone. irritationandfever David, under-secretary at the Itwasstatedthatthefirstvictim

“In the span of nine days, it’s environment ministry, said it was then informed the second victim getting worse. The stench from the crucial authorities find the tanker about the opportunity, and together oilisgettingstrongerastheweather soon, as there could still be a large they arranged with Browne, who is also getting hotter,” Cruz told volume of oil inside. “If we can promisedtofacilitatealltheirtravel CNN Philippines. “More people recover it that will help us a lot in expenses.TheythenleftJamaicaon are also getting sick. I also was not containing the spill,” he said in a December12,2020. able to visit one of the affected media briefing, adding, “Bear in The facts stated that when they areas because I started feeling mind that the cleanup will be more arrived in Guyana, Browne unwellduetothesmell.” difficult if more oil reaches coastal instructed them to inform providing increasing opportunities spills as required by the Stabroek Kaieteur News had reported areas.” immigration that they would only fortheparticipationofcitizens,and Blockenvironmentalpermits.

that fuel tanker, MT Princess Environment Secretary, Maria bespendingtwoweeks. their organisations in the It also said that the government Empress was carrying over Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said a rapid Uponarrivingatthecampsiteat management and decision-making was applying the terms it is 200,000 gallons when it sank off assessment was being undertaken Kara Kara Creek, Browne processes of the State, with advocatingforthenewoilcontracts

Oriental Mindoro southwest of the of coastal and marine habitats that informed them that they would be particular emphasis on those areas to the Stabroek Block PSA. These capital Manila last week, could be impacted. “The possible spending six months at the of decision-making that directly new terms include the application discharging its cargo of industrial contaminationmightactuallyaffect campsite and confiscated their affecttheirwell-being.” of a 10 percent royalty and the fuel oil into the waters around the the viability of these systems,” passports.

With the foregoing in mind, paymentofcorporatetaxes. province threatening the country’s Loyzaga warned in a recorded

Thevictimsrecountedthatfrom OGGN alluded that it is therefore Throughtheseandotherefforts, marinericheconomy message. the date of entry to April 24, 2021, the constitutional right of the OGGN said the government can Philippines’ authorities have they worked at the Kara Kara camp people to fight for a better deal by demonstrate it understands its role declaredastateofcalamityfornine Saturday – Mar 11, 2023 but never received any lendingtheirvoicestosuchacause. byusingitsenergytoworkonthese towns and banned swimming and compensationfromBrowne.

Italsosoughttoclarifythatitby priorities instead of going after fishing as they battle one of the Civil Society Group tells The victims added that Browne no means is calling for a halt of oil groups in civil society that raise region’sworsteverdisasters. Govt. to channel rage towards would visit periodically and operations. legitimateconcerns. CNN reported that photos from oil companies instead of demand that they work more “As per our mission statement, Pola show black pools of oil advocates for better Exxon deal diligently He also continuously which can be read here, Man sentenced to 4 years floating in the water and drifting - Says State must demand promisedtopaythembutneverdid. www.oggn.org/about, we advocate for trafficking Jamaicans onto the shore against a lush full liability coverage for The duo stated that they could only rule of law, environmental backdrop of palm trees, while oil spills - Apply new terms contact their family on Browne’s protectionandfinancialnormswith Forty-six-year-oldTitoBrowne responseteamspickupfuel-stained to Stabroek Block deal phone when he visited They respect to oil exploration and known as “Tommy” and “Yankee” debrisbyhand.Itwasstatedthatthe recounted being unable to travel production in Guyana. That is, we was found guilty and sentenced to island province of more than Members of the Oil and Gas from the campsite and related that put the priorities of the citizens of serve four years in prison for 900,000 people is reeling from the Governance Network (OGGN) on for the last three weeks, no one Guyana ahead of the oil traffickingtwoJamaicannationals. impact of the disaster as beach Friday said that it has noticed an visited them, which caused their companies,”thegroupsaid. Browne had reportedly offered resorts say guests have canceled alarming trend where the suppliestorunlow

It also noted that it has to pay the Jamaican nationals to bookings just weeks before the government is now in full attack Eventually, the victims were recognizedthatGuyanahasasmall work for him on a farm but instead peakHolyWeekholidayseason. mode against advocates for a better forced to venture from the camp in population which is not familiar took away their passport and

“The oil has reached our StabroekBlockProductionSharing search of other campsites, walking with all aspects of the new leavingthemtoworkonacampsite beachfront property and it’s Agreement(PSA). through bushes and swamplands petroleum industry OGGN said, forseveralmonths. sticking to the sand,” said Marino The civil society group whose until they managed to locate a “Theoilcompanies,someofwhich Browne made his first court Enriquez, operations manager of members are from the Guyanese loggerwhoeventuallytookthemto have existed for more than 100 appearance to answer to the the Blue Star Beach Resort in Pola. Diaspora is of the view that this a village where they related their years, will exploit our lack of Trafficking in Person charge back

“Somepeoplealsofeelunwellfrom fury is misplaced. They believe the storyandmadeapolicereport. knowledge and understanding for inMay2021. the strong smell of the oil that’s government’s anger should be An investigation was launched, the benefit of their shareholders. Hehaddeniedthechargewhich been washing ashore for days directed towards the oil companies which eventually led to Browne’s However, Guyana has a large statedthatbetweenDecember2020 now.” and ensuring the country gets its arrestandprosecution. educated Diaspora that can help and April 2021, he trafficked the

Notably, the scale of the fair share of the discovered AccordingtotheGuyanaPolice navigate this new petroleum twoJamaicans. environmental impact is yet to be resources. Force (GPF), Browne was arrested industry for the benefit of all He was on trial at the Linden determined, according to

In a letter to the press—signed on April 28, 2021 and charged Guyanese.Thus,weseektoengage Magistrates’ Court before authorities

by Darshanand Khusial , Alfred contrary to Section 3 (1)(a) and with Guyanese to achieve our Magistrate Wanda Fortune. information from the Philippines Bhulai, Janette Bulkan, Mike Section 4 of the Combating of missionstatement.” Magistrate Fortune had conducted Environmental body, officials are Persaud, Joe Persaud, Charles TraffickinginPersonsAct,thiswas The civil society stakeholders an eight-month-long trial which concerned about the oil slick Sugrim,GangaRamdas,andAndre afterthePolicehadissuedawanted said it is critical that the began in December 2021 and affecting marine protected areas as Brandli—the stakeholders said the bulletinforhimonApril27,2021. government remembers it was concluded in August 2022. During well as the island of Boracay, the government seems to forget the Only recently, the GPF secured electedbycitizenstorepresenttheir the trial, Police Prosecutor Pindar- country’s most important tourist rights of the people as enshrined in aconvictionagainstFeezalShaw,a best interests, and not those of the Whittaker,calledthetwovictimsas destination. Article13oftheConstitution. wildlife trader, who was sentenced oil companies. To show that it is well as several police officers to

On the other hand, the That provision states: “The to three years imprisonment on one workingforthepeople,OGGNsaid testify Philippines Coast Guard has principal objective of the political count of human trafficking and government should demand that On Thursday, Magistrate reportedly located the sunken fuel systemoftheStateistoestablishan ordered to pay $2,127,000 in thereisfullliabilitycoverageforoil Fortune sentenced Browne to two tanker. The Coast Guard had inclusionary democracy by restitutiontothesurvivor.

Greenwich Park accident claims fifth life

The Guyana Police Force ( G P F ) o n S a t u r d a y confirmed that another person who was involved in the Greenwich Park accident on the East Bank of Essequibo (EBE), which already claimed the lives of fourvictims,hasdied.

The deceased has been identified as Stella Parhoo of P a r i k a , E B E , w h o succumbed to her injuries around 15:30hrs on Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

This publication had reportedthatonMarch6last, a truck collided with a minibus while on the Greenwich Park Public Road. Parhoo was one of the passengers in the bus. Her body is presently at the hospital's mortuary, awaiting apostmortemexamination.

The four others who died in Monday's accident were 50-year-old Vernon Prowell, the minibus driver of Bent Street, Wortmanville and minibuspassengersMargaret Kennedy, 72, of Tuschen; Olga Reddy, 57, of Parika; and Elvis Charles, 40, of Ruby,EastBankEssequibo.

Kaieteur News had reported that around 09:30hrs on Monday, the

truck was proceeding east along the northern side of Greenwich Park Public Road at a fast rate of speed approaching a pedestrian crossing, while minibus BWW 8364 was proceeding in the opposite direction.The driverofthetruckreportedto the police that a black motorcar (HD 1708) was proceeding in front of him in the same direction and made a sudden stop at the pedestriancrossing.

The driver said upon seeingthis,heappliedbrakes and swerved right to avoid colliding with the motorcar In the process of doing this, the truck ended up colliding with the right-side front portion of the minibus. The collision had also left five other passengers of the bus with injuries about their body

On Thursday, Ewart Stewart, of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara (WCD), the driver of the truck was charged with four counts of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving and having an uninsured and uncertifiedvehicle.

He appeared at the Leonora Magistrate's Court where he was remanded to prison.

The motor lorry and minibus which were involved in the Greenwich Park fatal accident last Monday

Bulldozer and operator cannot be found after mining pit collapses at Bosai

Abulldozer operator identified as Neptune Hercules, 59 was on Saturday buried alive in his machine after an old bauxite mining pit collapsed at Bosai's operation in Linden,RegionTen.

The incident took place during the morning hours at the company's East MontgomeryMines.

It is unclear what transpired but Kaieteur News understands that Hercules was reportedly clearing land with his bulldozer at the location when tragedy struck.

This newspaper was told that he ended-up too close to the edge of the old pit. It is believed that the pit's edge might have collapsed underneath the weight of thebulldozerandsentitcrashinginside.

As the bulldozer toppled into the pit, theentirewallcavedinbehindandburied themachinewithHerculesstillinside.

His co-workers rushed to the rescue buthenorthebulldozerwereanywhereto beseen.Anexcavatorwastakentothesite toassistinthesearchforHercules.

Some persons even used metal detectorstoseeiftheycouldfindtheexact location where the bulldozer got buried but up to press time, Hercules was not found.

Kaieteur News understands that Hercules worked for many years with Bosai Mineral Guyana and was an

executivememberoftheWorkers'Union. Hisco-workersaredeeplysaddenedatthe tragedy

They said that the 59-year-old was just months away from retiring and celebratinghissixtiethbirthday

Teenmomtraumatised afterdeathofpremature babybornatGPHC

Another young mother is mourning the death of an infant that died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Friday

Sabrina Crawford of Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown said that her d a u g h t e r, S h a l i y a h Darlington received the devastating news when she went to visit her baby who wasbornprematureatGPHC onMarch3,2023.

Crawford said that the child had been under observation and recovering well in the neonatal unit of thehospital.

“The doctor told us that baby was coming around, they even took her off the machine but when my daughter went on Friday, lo and behold, they telling she that the baby died. I am concerned because this sudden change of condition doesnotaddup.Mydaughter is so traumatized to even speak right now,” Crawford told Kaieteur News

She continued, “What is even more worrying to me is the baby died as a result of

haemorrhage When we examine the child, she had a swollen face and we understand now that she had some broken bones which was not initially the case whenshewasborn.”

T h e g r i e v i n g grandmother is therefore seeking answers as to what transpired. She noted that her daughter had a healthy pregnancy and the doctors did not foresee any complications.

According to the woman, her daughter had attended a privateclinicbeforeshewent into labour and was taken to GPHC,aweekago.

“Besides going into labour before her time, my daughter had a healthy pregnancy,”Crawfordsaid.

The woman is seeking a n s w e r s f r o m t h e management of GPHC as to how the child received the injuries that reportedly causedherdeath.

Kaieteur News tried contacting the Public Relations Officer of the GPHC for clarity on the matter but all calls went unanswered.

Co-workers searching for Hercules

Buried alive with his bulldozer, Neptune Hercules

New library opens at the Mon Repos Primary School

A new library was opened on Saturday at the Mon Repos Primary School, East Coast of Demerara through the efforts of 'Spread the Words', a group led by Ms.LauraRyan.

At the opening ceremony, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand said that the establishment of the library fits directly into the agenda of the MinistryofEducation.

She said that the Ministry has setagoalthateverychildmustbea reader by Grade Four According to the Education Minister, currently, at the exit examinations, there is evidence to show that manychildrencannotread.

Minister Manickchand said that the Ministry is in the quest to ensure that every child across the country can exit primary school fully literate. She said that the new library will not only serve the children attending the Mon Repos Primary School but also those within the community who attend otherschools.

The Minister said that the GovernmentofGuyanaisworking to ensure children are educated so that they can benefit from the

development that is happening in the country and actively participate in that development She thanked Ms. Ryan for her contribution and effortsandsaidthatitis important that people engage in projects and activities that will have a lasting impact on the lives of those around them.

This is the third school that Ms. Ryan a n d h e r t e a m established libraries

The other two schools are Belle West Primary School and Plaisance

Primary School Minister Manickchand said that similar projects can be done in other communities which will support the Government's thrust to makeeverychildareader

Ms. Ryan said that her team of volunteers had a vision of creating a beautiful space, “where children could gather; a colourful, fun and inviting area where fairies and

Robinson's General Store maliciously set on fire - GFS

The Guyana Fire Service(GFS)onSaturday said that the fire that destroyed the Robinsons General Store on Lombard Street, Georgetown on Friday was as a result of arson.In a statement to the media, the Fire Service said that the fire was maliciouslyset.

According to the Fire Service, firefighting efforts to save the building were greatly impeded due to electricity which was still connected to the building. This posed a threat to firefighters. As a result, the building and its contentsweredestroyed.

T h e G F S a l s o disclosed that a one-flat woodenbuildinglocatedat Lot13LombardStreetand situated on the northern side of the burnt building was affected by the fire. Due to radiated heat, the entire southern wall of the building was severely damaged Additionally, a metal container owned by John Fernandes Ltd. was

affected after flying embers fromthebuildingoforigincame into contact with some wood andignited.

Kaieteur News had reported that the fire started after 10:00hrs and quickly gutted the two-storeybuilding.

T h i s p u b l i c a t i o n understands that the dilapidated building was left unoccupied and closed after its owner, Lennox Robinson died in October 2020 after being shot. Having been closed, vagrants would usually sleep around the premise.

At the scene of the fire, Divisional Fire Officer, Haimchandra Persaud told the media that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) received a call about 10:55hrs alerting them about the fire. He noted that two fire tenders from the Central Fire Station, one from the Albertown Fire Station and another from the West Ruimveldt Fire Station responded Meanwhile, a Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility pole was burnt causing power outage in certain parts of thecity

unicorns, heroes and villains wouldgrabtheirimaginations.”

She thanked the teachers and parents of the school for allowing her team the opportunity to work on the project and bring it to completion for the students. She encouraged the learners to make full use of the library, care the

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand reading with a student of the Mon Repos Primary School at Saturday's opening of the school's library

more communities to establish similar facilities. She said that reading builds the minds and skills ofeveryindividual.

Ms. King suggested that the use of the library should be integrated into the school's programme and not be used when thereis'freetime'.Sheencouraged theteacherstoensuretheirlearners utilize the library and to reach out to parents so that they can make suretheirchildrenarereading.

books,andreturnthemontime.

Quoting Dr. Seuss, she said, “The more you read, the more you'll know. The more that you learn,themoreplacesyou'llgo.”

Meanwhile, Chief Librarian at the National Library, Ms. Emily King encouraged the team to continue their work and go into

RegionalEducationOfficerfor Region Four, Ms. Stembiso Grant said that libraries are a storehouse of knowledge and are important to the development of education. She said the Region is working to achieve the goal of the Ministry to ensure each child is a reader by Grade Four She said that though there has been improvement in the area of literacy, there is still work to be done. She too urged the teachers to have their learners use thelibraryandborrowbooks.

Alsopresentattoday'sopening was Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development), Ms Volika Jaikishun and the Assistant Chief Education Officer (Primary),Mr.RabindraSingh.

The fire that destroyed the entire building which once housed the Robinson's General Store.

Nasrudeen Mohamed...

From page 78

project the dream of his dad was to build an all-weather track that could withstand constant rain through a specially designed mix of aggregate and a new drainage system never before used in Guyana.

The said track would eliminate the cancellation of races and provide a facility for year-round training.

When interviewed at his Wire Dam office, Mohamed indicated, “Over the years I have spent millions of dollars to keep the sport active. We created a brand with Guyana Cup that has seen growth from a couple hundred to thousands.”

“The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee will continue our work uplifting

Jackman sisters depart for IBA...

Republic Classic Beach...

the sport and as we embark on this new project we hope the corporate community can help with contributions to further push horse racing. My dream is bringing Guyana Cup home to Bush Lot Turf Club, but to accomplish this we need to do major work on the entire facility,” he added

“I am happy to see the dedication and effort that the stable owners, trainers and groomers put in to these horses and through teamwork we can and will make the dream work.

This project will generate income for the community through increased traffic for vendors and employment of workers to refurbish the Club. The project has already commenced and will take approximately 1 month to complete.”

Sunday March 12, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

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

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

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

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

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

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

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

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

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

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

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

From page 76 with their coach, Sebert Blake, met with President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle and were accompanied by their coach Sebert Blake.

During their meeting, Ninvalle encouraged the sisters to give of their best and to make Guyana proud, to which they acknowledged.

The 2023 edition of the tournament will feature 12 weight categories: 48 kg, 50 kg, 52 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 66 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 81 kg and +81 kg.

The 2022 Women’s World Boxing Championships were held in Turkey where Istanbul welcomed 310 boxers from 73 countries, with women from 26 countries taking home at

least one medal.

India now prepares to host the event for a record third time after New Delhi hosted the 2018 edition of the event, which showcased 277 boxers from 62 countries with China, Chinese Taipei, and the host nation occupying the podium places while Irish, German, and South Korean athletes also took home at least one gold medal each.

This year, the event will also have a massive prize pool of INR 20 (Approx. USD$2.4m).

From page 74 wins and lost one. They are followed by Haynes Hardnose Ballers with one loss and Golden Stars two losses in the cellar position without a point. Group C is led by Hi Stars, who have played three matches; winning one and drawing twice, while Underdogs and Kwakwani Strikers, both on two points with Underdogs winning their lone game while the latter has drawn their two

matches played so far.

Group D leaders are Aroiama and Timehri Panthers, jointly with four points, but Aroiama have won their two matches played while the Panthers have won two and lost one, having completed three games in their group play. Kuru Kuru Warriors follow on two points but they have won once and lost twice while in the cellar is Ituni, who have not won after obtaining three consecutive losses.

Carlston Harris secures...

From page 79 Gooden, and just like that, Harris’ opportunity to fight this weekend was back on. Unfortunately, Gooden wasn’t able to make weight, but the silver lining is that Harris receives 30% of Gooden’s fight purse.

Harris is also looking to recapture that winning feeling after suffering a defeat to Shavkat Rakhmonov in his last trip to the Octagon. The

loss taught Harris some lessons and inspired him to focus on his boxing ahead of his next fight.

Harris watched Gooden’s fights versus Randy Brown and Alan Jouban and came away with the conclusion that his boxing adjustments can really shine in this matchup.

Harris said he entered the fight yesterday focused on being composed and taking advantage of his shots.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

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

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

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

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

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

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

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

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

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

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

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

BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY!

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

Nasrudeen Mohamed...

From page 78 project the dream of his dad was to build an all-weather track that could withstand constant rain through a specially designed mix of aggregate and a new drainage system never before used in Guyana.

The said track would eliminate the cancellation of races and provide a facility for year-round training.

When interviewed at his Wire Dam office, Mohamed indicated, “Over the years I have spent millions of dollars to keep the sport active. We created a brand with Guyana Cup that has seen growth from a couple hundred to thousands.”

“The Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Committee will continue our work uplifting the sport and as we embark

Jackman sisters depart for IBA...

Republic Classic Beach...

on this new project we hope the corporate community can help with contributions to further push horse racing. My dream is bringing Guyana Cup home to Bush Lot Turf Club, but to accomplish this we need to do major work on the entire facility,” he added

“I am happy to see the dedication and effort that the stable owners, trainers and groomers put in to these horses and through teamwork we can and will make the dream work.

This project will generate income for the community through increased traffic for vendors and employment of workers to refurbish the Club. The project has already commenced and will take approximately 1 month to complete.”

Sunday March 12, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

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

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

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

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

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

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

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

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

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

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

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

From page 76 with their coach, Sebert Blake, met with President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Steve Ninvalle and were accompanied by their coach Sebert Blake.

During their meeting, Ninvalle encouraged the sisters to give of their best and to make Guyana proud, to which they acknowledged.

The 2023 edition of the tournament will feature 12 weight categories: 48 kg, 50 kg, 52 kg, 54 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 63 kg, 66 kg, 70 kg, 75 kg, 81 kg and +81 kg.

The 2022 Women’s World Boxing Championships were held in Turkey where Istanbul welcomed 310 boxers from 73 countries, with women from 26 countries taking home at

least one medal.

India now prepares to host the event for a record third time after New Delhi hosted the 2018 edition of the event, which showcased 277 boxers from 62 countries with China, Chinese Taipei, and the host nation occupying the podium places while Irish, German, and South Korean athletes also took home at least one gold medal each.

This year, the event will also have a massive prize pool of INR 20 (Approx. USD$2.4m).

From page 74 wins and lost one. They are followed by Haynes Hardnose Ballers with one loss and Golden Stars two losses in the cellar position without a point. Group C is led by Hi Stars, who have played three matches; winning one and drawing twice, while Underdogs and Kwakwani Strikers, both on two points with Underdogs winning their lone game while the latter has drawn their two

matches played so far.

Group D leaders are Aroiama and Timehri Panthers, jointly with four points, but Aroiama have won their two matches played while the Panthers have won two and lost one, having completed three games in their group play. Kuru Kuru Warriors follow on two points but they have won once and lost twice while in the cellar is Ituni, who have not won after obtaining three consecutive losses.

Carlston Harris secures...

From page 79 Gooden, and just like that, Harris’ opportunity to fight this weekend was back on. Unfortunately, Gooden wasn’t able to make weight, but the silver lining is that Harris receives 30% of Gooden’s fight purse.

Harris is also looking to recapture that winning feeling after suffering a defeat to Shavkat Rakhmonov in his last trip to the Octagon. The

loss taught Harris some lessons and inspired him to focus on his boxing ahead of his next fight.

Harris watched Gooden’s fights versus Randy Brown and Alan Jouban and came away with the conclusion that his boxing adjustments can really shine in this matchup.

Harris said he entered the fight yesterday focused on being composed and taking advantage of his shots.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

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

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

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

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

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

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

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

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

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

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

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

EastRuimveldtgetspastChase’sAcademicFoundation

-Charlestown,LodgeplaytoadrawinBlueWaterU15DevelopmentLeague

Chase’s Academic Foundation went down 4-0 to East Ruimveldt Secondary School in a dramatic match on Friday afternoon in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Blue Water U15 Girls’ DevelopmentLeague.

E a s t R u i m v e l d t Secondary School dominated the match with a strong defense at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC)Ground.

The winning team’s striker Dellanna Small said shewashappywiththefinal score because her team trained hard over a short period to prepare for the league She scored three goals, while her teammate Fayon Harry scored the 4th, cementing their school’s victory

“The game was very good.Weputinalotofwork and I’m glad that we came outontop,”Smallshared.

Her Coach Colin Tasher addedthatthefixturewashis team’s first competitive game after a break and limitedpracticesessionsdue toinclementweather,buthe ishappywiththevictory.

“Theydidn’tplaytotheir potential, but they will get betterasthetimegoesalong.

I’m very excited ” The second match between Charlestown Secondary

School and Lodge SecondarySchoolendedina 0-0draw

Captain of Charlestown Secondary School Chinwendu Rover said even thoughherteamdidnotwin, sheenjoyedthegame.

“It was a fun time,” Small shared. The League

waslaunchedinGeorgetown in May 2022, and in Linden inFebruary2023.

The aim of the league is to increase the number of younggirlsplayingfootball, identifynewtalent,raisethe profile of female football and provide coaches with more hours to work with youngfemalefootballers.

The league is being played as a national school competitionacrossallschool

districts and is supported by theMinistryofEducation.

President Wayne Forde and the GFF Council are committed to investing in women’s football by i n t r o d u c i n g more competitions at both the juniorandseniorlevels.

The Blue Water U15 Girls Development League is a key pillar in our national talent scouting programme

Republic Classic Beach Football continues tonight in Linden

Anexcitingnightlooms withspotstoadvancetothe knock out round wide open when the Pinnacle Promotions organized Republic Classic Beach Football tournament final roundrobinplayunfoldson day three, tonight at the Christianburg Community Centreground,Linden.

Having contested the first two of three round robin nights of enthralling beach football, tonight promisestobehot,whereby two teams from the four groupswilladvanceandthe two others will be knocked

out.

For the remaining four group stage matches starting at 6:30pm, the Coomakca Mines lads will tackle Young Kings in the first game, as Haynes HardnoseBallersthenmeet Hard Knocks and that will be followed when

Underdogs match skills withKwakwaniWarriors.

Coomacka Mines will return to take on Young warriorsbeforetheTimehri Panthers come up against Aroiama as Haynes Hardnose Ballers come back to meet Golden Stars

and to wrap up the night, will be Underdogs going againstDaveandCeleena.

In Group A, Turk Kings are leading on four points from two wins ahead of Young Gunners, who have twopointsafterwinningtheir lonegame,withYoungKings with two losses on no points andCoomackaMinesstillto recordapointalso.

GroupBshowsthatHard Knocks and Hustlers are jointly on four points with Hard Knocks having played twomatcheswhichtheyhave won,whileHustlershavetwo

(Continuedonpage73)

Asnippet of the action on Friday at the Georgetown Football Club Ground

KFC in support of Fitness Challenge 2023

Beharry Restaurant Holdings Inc., through its KFC Guyana franchise, has joinedthesupportingcastfor the Guyana Fitness Games’ Fitness Challenge 2023, which will take place today attheNationalPark.

In release to the media, MarketingManagerofKFC G u y a n a , P a m e l l a Manasseh, stated, “We at KFC Guyana are always on board to support sports and fitness KFC Guyana has a history of sponsoring our localtalentinthisarena,and thiseventisjustasspecialto us.”

TheMarketingManager further stated, “We look forward to an exciting and fruitful competition featuring our nation’s athletes and fitness enthusiasts ”

Noshavyah King, one of thecoordinatorsoftheevent, expressedimmensegratitude for the support of KFC Guyana.

She promised that patrons will be thrilled by a

competitive day of mental andphysicaltesting. Maleandfemaleathletes

will compete in three categories, namely Teens, ElitesandMasters.

Over 200 athletes to compete today at Jefford’s Classic Mile

It’s ‘D-Day’ for the over 200 athletes registered to compete in the inaugural Jefford Classic Mile, set for today, from 1:00 pm, in the NationalPark.

The Jefford’s Classic Milewillseethecrèmedela crème mid-distance athletes in Guyana competing for cash prizes totalling $100,000 in each of the ten categories, with a special prize for the athlete who breaks the four-minute barrierintheMile.

Organiser, Edison Jefford, told Kaieteur News that athletes participating today will “havetherighttobecalled the best one milers in Guyana while giving the corporate community, civil societyandotherpatronsthe opportunity to watch them perform.”

“We will create a festive atmosphere with over 200 athletes registered I want to remind patrons to enter from Carifesta Avenue I want toalsothankeveryonewho played a role in this event,” Jeffordsaid.

Unable to host his

Edison Jefford

Jefford’s Track and Field Classic at its usual stomping ground in

Linden, Edison Jefford dived into his creative bag where he pulled out the ‘GoldenMile’.

“If you know the history of Athletics in Guyana, you’ll know that the Golden Mile is one of the historically great calendar events in Guyana, ” Jefford said

“It has been absent in Guyana for quite some t i m e , a n d t o t h e detriment of our middledistance athletes, they’ve not had a

signature event to call their own,” the former sports journaliststated.

The Jefford’s Classic, since 2010, has been one of the biggest ‘grass’track and fieldeventsinGuyana

The Mackenzie Sports Club is the home of the classic, but, like everything else globally, the event was grounded by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic after its 2019 installation

But while things have returnedtonormal,Jeffordis unable to return his Classic to the MSC Ground after two years, given the fact the facility is under renovation “So I thought this year that because I wouldn’t be able to do the Jefford’s Classic again b e c a u s e o f t h e rehabilitation of the MSC Ground, I should do something for middledistance athletics in Guyana and the Jefford’s classic brand,” Jefford added Jeffordreasonedthat a novice event for fitness enthusiasts will be on the cards, “I’m trying to make thisabigeffortforeveryone tocomeoutandfeelapartof agreatevent.”

Coordinator Noshavyah King (left) collects the sponsorship from KFC Guyana Marketing Manager Pamella Manasseh

Jackman sisters depart for IBA Women’s World Boxing C/ships

Super heavyweight

Abiola Jackman and younger sister, Alesha Jackman,whocompetesasa Light Welterweight, are scheduled to depart Guyana thismorningtoparticipatein the International Boxing

Association (IBA) 2023 Women’s World Boxing Champions, in New Dehli, India.

Approximately 18 hours later when the sisters arrive on theAsian continent, they will have to try their best to

get acclimated for the event which is slated to begin on Tuesday, March 14, and conclude on Thursday, March 16, at the Indira GandhiSportsComplex.

Yesterday,theduoalong (Continuedonpage73)

Guyana’s team for the IBAWomen’s World Boxing Championship, Abiola Jackman (left),Alesha Jackman (right) and coach Sebert Blake (2nd right) paid a courtesy call on GBA President, Steve Ninvalle, ahead of their departure.

Lucrative tapeball tournament for Durban Park today

Backed by RS53 Resto Bar and Lazeez Fusion, Christopher Rajcoomar will host a lucrative 10-over per side tapeball tournament at DurbanParktoday

Rajcoomar indicated that top teams such as Eccles XI,

Village Rams and Team Corruptionaresettoparticipate It will be 11 players per side and teams are urged to register a squad of 13 players. Registration fee is $10,000perteam “Tapeballisa grassrootsport;it’swhatweall

grewupplayingandit’sgrownto be very competitive, and I foresee this tournament to be filledwithaction,”theorganiser expressed Other teams seeking to participate are askedtocontactRajcoomaron 616-6455.(Newsroom)

Tapeball action to ignite Durban Park today (March 12)

South Africa beat West Indies by 284 runs to sweep series

OHANNESBURG (AP)—SouthAfricabowled West Indies out for 106 in a commanding284-runwinin

the second test on Saturday tosweeptheseries2-0.West Indies were facing a daunting target of 391 and

collapsedunderthepressure in their second innings, surviving for just 35.1 overs as South Africa won before

tea on the fourth day at the Wanderers. Gerald Coetzee claimed3-37andsixwickets inthematchtoplayaleading role in the Proteas’attack in the22-year-oldfastbowler’s secondtestappearance.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer had 3-45 and leftarmspinnerKeshavMaharaj 2-4,althoughMaharajdidn’t getthechancetoimproveon those impressive bowling figures after injuring his left ankleashetriedtosetoffon a celebratory run when his second wicket was confirmed on a television review Maharaj threw his

armsupandtookastepasif to run off in celebration when Kyle Mayers was given out lbw, but then immediately slumped to the ground holding his left foot as his teammates stood around him. He was taken offthefieldonastretcher

The bizarre injury didn’t affect South Africa’s push for victory as minor resistance by Joshua Da Silva (34), Jason Holder (19) and Alzarri Joseph (18) ended quickly

South Africa’s victory was set up by new captain

Temba Bavuma’s big centuryon thethirdday that put the home team in total control of the test and set WestIndiestheirhugetarget.

Bavumawas171notout overnight and South Africa 287-7 in their second innings. And even though Bavumafellfor172earlyon thefourthdayandmissedthe double-century he was targeting,andthehometeam was all out for 321, the lead was already more than enoughtoclinchtheseries. Finalscoresinthematch: South Africa 320 & 321; WestIndies251&106.

Nasrudeen Mohamed & Jumbo Jet Auto Sales gives back to the community of Bush Lot

-Pledgesover$40MforCommunity,TurfClubDevelopment

Prominentbusinessmanandstableowner Nasrudeen Mohamed officially extended his financialsupporttotheupliftingoftheBush Lot United Turf Club and by extension the communityofBushLot.

FromayoungageMohamedwasalways ambitious and was destine to make his mark in society and create a legacy that would be handed down to his only son, Nasrudeen ‘Junior’ Mohamed As a horse racing enthusiast and owner of multiple local and internationalthoroughbredshisloveforhorse racinghasspanneddecades.

Hailing from his humble home in Bush Lot he pledged over $40,000,000 Guyana

dollars to development of the Bush Lot United Turf Club and the surrounding community

The said Turf Club has been non-active for the past 20 years with minimal activity from Gymkhana. The track however was partially maintained by the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee specifically for horses to train for the bigger races. A similar contribution was made in 2022 toward the refurbishment and upgrading of the rising Sun Turf Club for Guyana Cup. With his son Nasrudeen ‘Juniour’Mohamedatthehelmofthismega

(Continuedonpage73)

SouthAfrica had a lot to celebrate on the fourth day. (Crictoday)

Nicolson Dinaram and President of the Bush Lot Turf Club, Dharamindra Dharamgit, share a significant handshake ahead of the project.

Linden/Georgetown sports rivalry now shifts to Kayaking

ByRawleToney

The Linden versus Georgetownrivalryinsports is well-documented, especially in the disciplines of football, basketball and trackandfield.

However,thankstoElite Kayaking and Nature Tours andtheirpartnershipwiththe Ministry of Education, that age-oldrivalrywillnowadd anewsporttothelist.

The 2023 edition of the Inter-School Kayaking

championships is set for April 30 at the Watooka Guest House and will once againformpartoftheLinden TownWeekcelebration.

Hosted by Elite Kayaking and Nature Tours, the event will feature 12 secondary schools from Georgetown and Region 10, allvyingfortophonoursand braggingrightsatthesecond e d i t i o n o f t h e championships.

While last year’s event

Students from St Rose’s High School enjoying their practice session at the Watooka Guest House ahead of the 2023 Inter-Schools Kayaking Competition

only saw Queen’s College and St Rose’s High joining all the secondary schools in Linden for the competition, this time around they’ll be joinedbyTheBishop’sHigh School, St Joseph’s High School and St. Stanislaus College.

Dr DeonAnderson, the pioneer of the event, told Kaieteur News Kayaking Championships “brings together that perfect connectionbetweenthethree sectors of education, sports and tourism. So it’s a new way of introducing sports tourism into the schools. Hence the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sports and Minister of Tourismarefullyinvolvedin termsofendorsing.”

“We are accustomed to the conventional type of sports like track and field, swimming and so forth,but this is a novel sport which bringsanewness,anewtype ofinterestandanewskillset to the forefront. We have many persons who paddling is their way of life when it comes to getting to school, getting around the community,” Dr Anderson said.

DrAnderson called the competition “interesting,” telling Kaieteur News, “ y o u k n o w, m o s t

Carlston Harris secures ‘UD’ win over Jared Gooden at UFC 221

Guyana’s Carlston Harris improved his MMA record to 18-5 following his unanimous decision win over Jared Gooden yesterday at UFC’s Fight Night 221 in Las Vegas.

Though the fight went to the distance, Harris dominated the contest to secure his thirdUFCvictoryinfourappearances.

As for Gooden, the returning “Nitetrain” falls to 1-4 inside the Octagon with the loss, asthethreejudgesscoredthefight30-27,3027,30-27,allinfavouroftheGuyanese.

After battering each other with big shots inthefirst,Harristookthefighttothecanvas and dominated the action remaining in top position and landing damage, looking for submissionopeningsinthesecond.

Itwasmoreofthesameinthethird,asthe returning Gooden couldn’t avoid getting draggedtothecanvas.

Nothing was going to stop Carlston HarrisfrommakinghisreturntotheOctagon.

Harris was trying to compete for over a year, but cancellations and injuries to opponents have prevented him from making thatwalk. LessthantendaysoutfromUFC FightNight:YanvsDvalishvili,Harrisfound

himselfinasimilarspot.

OpponentAbubakarNurmagomedovwas forced to withdraw due to illness; making it two fights cancelled for Harris in just over a month. It wasn’t ideal, but “Mocambique” hadtomakethisfightweekcountanditdidn’t matterwhohe’dhavetoface.Incomes

(Continuedonpage73)

intriguingly,Lindenhasheld the record for the last how many years of being the champions at athletics, and lastyeartheyevolvedwitha clean sweep as the champions of the Kayaking eventaswell.”

Leading up to the competition, schools from Georgetown will make regular trips to Linden to sharpen their skills, somethingDrAndersonsaid will level the playing field with the schools in the MiningTown.

“So we’re looking forward to seeing interesting competition, to see who is going to dominate this year’s competition.

Because Bartica already called and said they’ve invested in Kayaks, New Amsterdamcalledtosaythat theyhavebeendistributed15 actually,” the competition’s

organiseradded.

Dr Anderson said he’s looking forward to the April 30 event, hoping that it brings “really good sportsmanship, really good newskillset,andwe’rehere to have fun. We’re here to showcase Linden, showcase the tourism product of Linden, and also showcase this new sport, tourism,

evolvingfromLinden.”

At the inaugural championship, Harmony Secondary swept the competition and carted off the$100,000upforgrabs.

Linden Foundation Secondary was second, f o l l o w e d b y N e w Silvercity Secondary, which occupied the third spot

Dr DeonAnderson

Carlston Harris