Kaieteur News

31.4 million barrels K NEWS of oil extracted from Stabroek Block in first year

Saturday Edition

AIETEUR

March 13, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 10

p. Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online 3 Price $80

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

readership yesterday 97,903

Guyanese taxes pump 4 times more $$$ into economy than oil p.

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ExxonMobil to Trevor Benn placed test limits of gas on $200,000 compression bail over alleged illegal land sale equipment p.

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Kaieteur/Canje oil blocks signed away case...

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Judge grants ex-Pres. Donald Ramotar $20M judgement against Kaieteur News

Media could receive

more oil info - Minister upon request Bharrat p.

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Fuel racket, police prayer, $20M judgement, land giveaways and no evidence of US$Billions coming to Guyana. Listen to Kaieteur Radio @ 11:00hrs on 99.1/99.5FM to find out!

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Guyanese taxes pump four times more $$ into economy than oil G

uyanese over the past five years would have been regaled with promises of a better future, living a life on par with the likes of those in oil rich Abu Dhabi, but the country's main source of revenue continues to be taxes paid by workers, companies and domestic transactions.

Earnings from the country's first year of oil production have seen returns on its crude accounting. But this is less than a quarter of what was collected in taxes from a population of less than one million people.

Government last year collected $218B in taxes, but received a total of $53B from its sale of just over five million barrels of oil and a two percent royalty on production.

According to the Ministry of Finance's budget estimates for 2021, the Government is looking to rake in even more taxes from Guyanese workers and Corporations this year, projecting $242B in returns.

Personal Income taxes ( PAY E ) p a i d o v e r t o government accounted for $34.6 billion in collections last year with the government projecting receipts this year, to surpass $37.8B. This, in addition to the projected $38.2B government aims to collect this year from 'Company Income Tax,' an increase from last year's $72.2B. While a reduction in the rate of Value Added Tax ( VAT ) c h a r g e d s a w revenues declining last year to $83.8B, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is aiming to collect $93.7B this year.

According to the figures outlined in the 2021 Estimates, Non Tax revenues including Rents, Royalty and Land development schemes is expected to bring directly to the treasury $3.2B. Monies accrued from the sale of Guyana's oil however, is deposited into the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) held in the New York Federal Reserve, and not directly into

t h e t r e a s u r y, w i t h disbursements to be made utilizing special rules promulgated under its substantive legislation—to be amended, as proposed by the current administration.

Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed with ExxonMobil Subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its partners—Hess Corporation and China National Offshore O i l C o m p a n y (CNOOC)—the country will share profits 50/50, minus royalty and cost oil.

Notably 75 percent of production is being set aside monthly as cost oil, to be used in the production of oil from the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading Vessel along with making repayments on the operator's investments.

The two percent royalty accepted by Guyana under its PSA with the oil consortium, in addition to the absence of a breakdown of information on what constitute(s) cost oil has been long criticized domestically and internationally by experts in the field.

The Liza Destiny FPSO producing Guyana's oil in the Stabroek Block

Ogle Airport Inc. loses aviation stalwart The Late William Ramayah Sanassee

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viation Consultant to Ogle Airport Inc. (OAI) and Former Assistant Airport Manager at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, William Ramayah Sanassee, has died.

Sanassee, 62, of Success, East Coast Demerara passed away on Wednesday while on his way to seek medical attention after complaints of feeling unwell.

Sanassee had a wide aviation background dating back to 1981 as an Air Traffic Controller in the then Civil Aviation Department.

He subsequently served in the capacity of Assistant Airport Manager- Operations at the Timehri International Airport in 1996, until he migrated to the United States of America in September 2000.

He returned to the land of his birth in 2011 to continue his journey in the aviation sector by joining the Ogle Airport Inc., (OAI) family as Terminal Operations Manager.

Ogle Airport in making the announcement yesterday noted that Sanassee, with his degree of knowledge and experience in aviation, “was instrumental in attaining our Aerodrome 3C status thus facilitating our first International Scheduled Operation in 2013 in the form of LIAT.” William left OAI in April 2016, and returned as an Aviation Consultant in March 2017, holding the position of Safety and Compliance Manager.

He attended numerous Aviation Courses both local and overseas which were beneficial to both OAI and himself.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

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31.4 million barrels of oil extracted from Stabroek Block in first year T

he Stabroek Block has seen more than 31.4 million barrels of oil being produced in its first year of production from the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) in Guyana's offshore Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Looking ahead, the country is now poised to uplift six million barrels of oil this year as its projected entitlement from production in the Stabroek Block—having uplifted five since production began in December 2019—but the country remains without a marketing firm for its crude.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, yesterday told this publication that work on the drafting of the Terms of Reference (ToR) for that initiative are still ongoing, as such, the document is still to be finalized.

“We are still drafting the Terms of Reference,” he said, before adding that the information will be made available in due course.

An earlier request for proposals last month had been cancelled, making this the third effort by government to secure a marketing firm.

The People's Progressive Party/Civic Administration (PPP/C) in August 2020—following the swearing in of President Irfaan Ali—cancelled the original tender, saying the previous administration's process was flawed.

ExxonMobil's consortium partner in the Stabroek Block, Hess Corporation, was awarded

A breakdown of how the first year of production was divided between Guyana and the ExxonMobil led consortia.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat the country's last entitlement of the country's share of crude, in the process getting its highest earnings for a shipment since the country commenced production.

The country received US$61.1M for the cargo that was lifted on February 5, 2021, from the Liza Destiny FPSO unit that is working the Liza-1 well.

Hess Corporation had also lifted the country's fourth entitlement in January last while the first three entitlements went to Shell in a restricted opening tender.

This publication understands that Guyana had scheduled five lifts of its entitlement in 2020 but did not achieve this because of a lower t h a n e x p e c t e d production fro m the Stabroek Block project. This was due to a recurring problem with a gas compression unit.

Output from the Liza D e s t i n y, a c c o r d i n g t o information released by the Ministry on Thursday,

reveals that production up to January this year saw the operation extracting 31.5 million barrels of oil.

Production fell sharply in June and July last year to just about 1.5 million barrels of crude each month—less than half of the FPSO's capacity.

The previous three months production—from February to May 2020—averaged 2.2 million barrels, while production in August rebounded to 2.1 million barrels of crude with a steady increase in production despite ongoing problems with the FPSO's flash gas compressor, which has led to the company's increased flaring above pilot levels.

In October last year, production—according to the information released by the Minister—stood at 2.9 million barrels, maintaining a upward trajectory and reaching a high of 2.9 million barrels of oil.

The Ministry had a day earlier announced that earnings from its sale of oil

North Ruimveldt man who took self-discharge from GPHC found dead on pavement

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few hours after a 55-year-old man w i t h leptospirosis took selfdischarge from the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC); his motionless body was discovered on a city pavement with blood gushing from his nose and mouth.

Winston Blackette, of Laing Housing Scheme, North Ruimveldt, was on

Wednesday night found lying on the pavement just in front of Zoom Online Shopping located on Middle Street, Georgetown.

The 55-year-old man's body was discovered around 21:00 hrs. by a passerby, who a l e r t e d a 7 4 - y e a r- o l d security guard attached to Da Silva's Optical.

The security guard immediately contacted the EMT Ambulance Services

for assistance.

Following their subsequent arrival, the health officers pronounced the man dead.

According to police reports, no marks of violence were seen on the exposed parts of the man's body and no foul play was suspected.

Blackette's body was taken the Lyken Funeral Parlour, where it is awaiting a post mortem examination.

for its first year of production. Deposits in the Natural Resources Fund total just about US$246.5M in profits with $21.5M earned in royalties.

According to the information released by the Ministry of Natural Resources, the country

obtained its first shipment of oil in February 2020, collecting 1,006,321 barrels of crude and sold it for US$54.9M. The second shipment earned the least so far with the country selling its 980,854 barrel take for just over US$35M.The highest

earnings to date, comes from the February 2021 shipment of 997,420 barrels which was sold for US$61M. With Guyana uplifting just over five million barrels of oil to date year, it would mean that—the last being in February, ExxonMobil and (continued on page 11)

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Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

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

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

EDITORIAL

The wait for a house-lot We invite our fellow citizens, especially those who live in and around the capital city and those who pass through it daily, to journey with us, and they will come across a situation and a set of patient and hopeful people who say so much about what is wrong in Guyana. Most unfortunately, it is of what is too much the accepted norm, and borne with the passiveness of saints and holy men and women.

The situation is one that looks like this. It is 05:00hrs and it is dark.

Though it is not chilly, more than a few of the lengthy assembled line of people are huddled within the sparse warmth of a layer of something over shirt or blouse. It is quiet behind the masks now made mandatory by the COVID19 pandemic, and which are mostly in place. But make no mistake: there is absolutely no social distancing, with a separation of six inches being more observed than the required equivalent number in feet. This predawn gathering has been going on for several months now, and for some of those who come with hope in their hearts, and a flicker of a plan in their heads, they have had to make repeated trips to that government office.

It is the Ministry of Housing on Brickdam, just east of Camp Street. Guyanese gather there daily and almost all day, starting from before 05:00hrs. If Saturdays and Sundays were workdays, then they would have been sure to be there, if only to give themselves a chance at the spinning wheel of the roulette table that is for the high stakes of a coveted house-lot. It is ironic that in a land so huge, and so much so that its neighbours eye large portions of it covetously, that our people born and bred here have to put up with this unending nonsense, this palpable insult and injustice for a piece of land on which to construct a house, something to call their own home.

This has been the situation with government after government, and it stares at us in the face and curses us.

For our patience with bureaucracy, with political and professional red tape, that compels the people to line up and bear their chafe for something as basic and dignifying as a house-lot. For sure, the people readying from their places of abode on the East Bank and East Coast, and from other points near and far, and gathering in front of the Housing Office on Brickdam are from the poorer levels of the economic ladder in this country. They do not have the power or privilege to make a well-timed telephone call to a well-connected senior official and get things moving and done in a jiffy. These poorer folk do not sit on boards or high ministerial offices or parliament, and with the luxury of engaging in the now well-practiced sham of ‘recusing’ themselves from deliberations and decisions involving hundreds or thousands of acres of land, prime land.

No, for the most part they are ordinary Guyanese, who have no choice but to fill up forms, line up for as long as it takes, and hope for the best. They have to hope to get there early enough to get a ‘low’ number, and then they have to hope that the ‘big’ ones and well-paying ones do not come out of nowhere and end up in front of the line, while being welcomed warmly and given the full VIP treatment. They have to hope that they would not have been shifted so far down the line, and passed from pillar to post that they have to return another day to endure more long hours of torture.

Their hope is that they will walk away that day with something that says that the concrete has occurred, and that the concrete could commence to be poured. Their hope is for that prized Guyanese real estate visa: a piece of paper with a signature and a stamp that says ‘house-lot approved.’

We have a mere 700,000 plus people, and we have been sharing out numerous house-lots on a continuous annual basis (as all Guyana is proudly reminded by one governing political group after another), and yet there is this abomination and disgrace, where Guyanese must rise from their beds at 04:00hrs (or 03:00hrs) and hurry out on dangerous roads to line up for a house-lot. There has been enough time and opportunity to have a more citizen-friendly process, a more citizen-rewarding result. Of course, this is how the regular people are held hostage by politicians and their carefully chosen bureaucrats to torment and hold to ransom those who depend on them for things as routine as a house-lot.

Why was the vindictiveness to Trevor Benn who are then vilified and sub- same rights that are inalien- prevailed in this instance. necessary?

Finally, responsibility for ject to these dishonours? able to every citizen. That is, We set free rapists and he is innocent until proven what has been meted out to DEAR EDITOR, I refer to the articles titled, “APNU+AFC calls for release of Trevor Benn (SN March 11) and “Trevor Benn remains in lock-ups as land probe continues” (KN March 12).

There are several things terribly and embarrassingly wrong with this development, which I have no option, but to lay at the feet of the government and its machinations.

And all the way to the topmost layers.

For clarity, I was in the same conference room with Mr. Benn once; that was my only interaction, in any form, with this embattled citizen.

The locking up and then continued holding of Mr. Benn, who now stands disgraced and humiliated, reeks of the mean spirited and vindictive.

It is as if the messages from President Irfaan Ali are ‘we mean business’ and ‘we are going to get you’ and we will twist the knife first and then drag through the mud.’

Why? One more time: why do our leaders have to stoop so low and in such an unbelievably dastardly manner?

Why is our supposedly independent Guyana Police Force used and misused in this way to inflict what is intolerable and unacceptable on opponents hated, and

serial murderers and illegal firearm owners (all alleged, of course) through bail considerations.

We strive to be judicioussometimes to the detriment of society - in our courts by granting hearings and reductions in sentences to those who commit numerous barbarities on fearful citizens of this lawless land.

Yet, there is this vindictiveness and viciousness aimed at and then pounded into Mr. Benn to grind his face (and that of his people) into the dust.

As is public knowledge, Mr. Benn is a senior civil servant (former).

To the best of my information, Mr. Benn is not violence-prone, or a repeat felony offender. In view of what has surfaced thus far, Mr. Benn has not been held for seditious or treasonous conduct; or any involvement in conspiracies that bode ill-intent to the state or the PPP government. Yet I sense this malevolence that flourishes so richly. It is the stuff of which heroes are made and martyrs created.

I am amazed at the levels to which the PPP leadership has sunk to prove points, to score through cheap shots.

Mr. Benn is entitled to the

guilty.

Therefore, until such time that he has had his day in court, he should have been released man (and immediately), and afforded every courtesy that is his under Guyana’s constitutional provisions.

We do this for violent men, we do this for serial crooks, we do this for leading political scoundrels when we look the other way, and pretend that nothing illegitimate is there, and all is well.

I find it hard to believe that Mr. Benn is a flight risk, or that he would be so elusive as not to desire to clear his name by contesting in person any charges levelled against him.

Let him have his due: a dignified standing before the bar of justice, true justice and not some show trial. And if he is found guilty, then throw the book at him. Jail him for a long time.

Drag him through the streets, so that the crowds jeer him and all who have done similarly.

But before then, I say be done with this abomination of prolonged incarceration.

It is with great relief that I greet the release of Mr. Benn yesterday; and I am glad that good sense and fair play has

Mr. Benn, I track all the way to the house of the presidency, and to the long broad streak in its real president. I detect orchestration: a call, an order, a pervasive leadership ugliness.

To President Ali, I say that if this is part of the vision of some unfolding in the undertaking of ‘One Guyana” then the best of luck. I am now utterly convinced that His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, is nothing but a marionette and a political sorcerer of a rare kind.

It does not redound to his credit with deceptions of this nature. He should have the heart of a saint, but he doesn’t.

He should be of the soul of multitudes, but of that he knows not.

Poultices may heal slowly, but caustic soda pierces to the heart, and quickly upsets the bearing. This is what is at work in the instance of Mr. Benn.

These underhanded tactics and stratagems are very risky. I caution: Proceed at own peril. What has happened to Mr. Trevor Benn should not happen to a dog.

It could have been me. Who knows who is next….?

Sincerely, GHK Lall

PROF. ADESH HELPED TO UPLIFT GUYANESE AND INDO-CARIBBEAN CULTURE

DEAR EDITOR, Shri Hari Shanker Adesh (popularly called Professor) recently passed away in Trinidad at the age of 84. He was a celebrated cultural icon for many Indo-Trinis and Indo-Guyanese and their diasporas in North America and UK. His cultural legacy touched the lives of many and uplift Indian from 1966.

Although he was based in Trinidad, Prof. Adesh had tremendous impact on and helped to transform Indian culture in Guyana and beyond. He trained Guyanese students and teachers in Hindi, music, dance, and other art forms. He became revered

by Indian music and dance artists in the region.

Prof. Adesh has left a very rich and lasting cultural legacy in Trinidad and neighbouring Caribbean territories where he visited and lectured, training students in music, dance, Hindi, and Hinduism.

His students have settled far and wide including North America and UK. They call a cultural legend praising his enormous role in facilitating their cultural elevation. No doubt, he was one of the greatest teachers

of music and culture (including theatre and acting) in Trinidad.

Prof. Adesh was born in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, India. Rae Bareli was a source of many indentured immigrants to the Caribbean. He was a scholar in Hindi, Indian music, and the Hindu scriptures.

He was a lecturer at a university in Kashmir. He came to Trinidad to perform cultural missionary work with the Indian High Commission (Embassy) in the mid-1960s. Although he was posted in Trinidad, his work was regional. He decided to settle in Trinidad in 1966 with his wife and other family members.

And he founded several organisations to promote culture not only in Trinidad but around the region as well. He became an acclaimed teacher of several subjects in the arts, instructing generations of musicians and dancers and Hindi speakers.

Guyanese students went to his camps. He advised the public to be proud of their culture and encouraged patriotic link to Mother India. He also lived in Canada, and here he was close to Indo-Caribbean people providing guid-

ance and training in the cultural arts. Prof. Adesh won numerous awards and other accolades, but none from his native India for his contributions to the Indian diaspora.

He was worthy of the prestigious PBD Samman, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri, but the Indian government regrettably did not honour him. He became revered by Indian music and dance artists in the region.

I had memorable encounters with Prof. Adesh in Trinidad and in New York. I attended several of his kathas in countless visits to Trinidad since the early 1980s. I visited his Ashram in Aranguez during trips to Trinidad and during his visit to New York in May 1995 when he came to deliver a talk on culture and Indian indentureship at a conference I co-organised to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Indian presence in Trinidad. Basdeo Panday was the guest of honour. Prof Adesh and Panday addressed a packed gathering that included many Guyanese.

I learned much about the history of the Indian cultural presence in the Caribbean.

He spoke of his early experience in Trinidad and Guyana region teaching music, dance, and Hindi. I reported on his lecture in New York and also wrote about an interview I conducted with him in the Indo-Caribbean media.

And he hosted many camps in Trinidad where several Guyanese went for training. He was a stickler for the classics, perfecting authentic Indian arts.

Guyanese scholar, Dr. Satish said, “Prof. Adesh was excellent in writing Hindi poetry and song writing. He wrote his own, original Hindi songs. He developed and sang his own compositions and made several LP records that were played by Guyanese. And he helped to change song styles during the late 1960s and 1970s across the region. He sang the songs of how the fore-parents of indentureds crossed the Kala Pani.

He revolutionised the teaching and learning of Hindi. And he taught cadres of Hindi teachers who went on to instruct others.

His work also cut across racial barriers. He had many (Continued on page 5)

Saturday March 13, 2021

The heroism of the Rose Hall Martyrs remains ever present DEAR EDITOR, The sugar industry has been the centre of several infamous battles which have been documented for posterity.

Those incidents remind us of the wretched conditions and harsh measures imposed by the plantocracy on those who toiled the plantations.

The flashpoints tell us of the heroism, selflessness and sacrifice made by our ancestors to better our lives and for which we should remain eternally grateful.

One of these most infamous incidents occurred on March 13, 1913 at Rose Hall Estate.

The plantation was in ferment as workers struggled for betterment and resistance to inhuman living conditions which were an integral part of plantation life.

On that occasion their struggle ended in carnage when 15 workers were killed, including a woman who was shot in her stomach, and of them 41 received serious injury.

At the time it was perhaps the deadliest indenture-era suppression of unrest in the Caribbean and elsewhere.

As we specifically give recognition and pay tribute to those who fell at Plantation Rose Hall we are reminded that they left a legacy which runs through the veins of the contemporary workforce of the sugar industry.

The fallen workers remind us that sugar’s history is enriched by the struggles, sacrifices and the sweat and blood of the working class.

That spirit continues throughout the years and

survives to this day in the industry.

As we recall the Rose Hall martyrdom, we are reminded of the struggles of the estate in recent times.

Like their ancestors, the modern day Rose Hall workers stood up valiantly to defend their way of life, to protect their livelihoods and to stand up to those who sought without any rational reason to push them on to the breadline.

Their struggles attracted allies from all walks of life and their story of tragedy and pain touched the conscience of many Guyanese. Today, those who shuttered Rose Hall Estate have been banished from power and a new day has dawned.

Unlike the past few years, there is new found hope at Rose Hall as the Irfaan Ali Government has hit the ground running and stayed true to its promise to revitalise the sugar industry and reopen the estates closed by the Coalition Government.

Today, the depression that had engulfed the communities following Rose Hall’s closure has lifted and optimism has now filled the air.

We know of the deep appreciation of the people who are now being able to put their lives back together as the nightmare of joblessness has come to an end.

As we recall the Martyrs, we are aware that Rose Hall Estate is slated to be the first factory to resume operations.

The estate is now a hive of activities.

We have learnt that several hundred of those who

were shoved coldly on the breadline have been able to regain their jobs and regain a source of pride that was taken from them. Several hundred more will be taken on in the weeks and months to come.

Indeed, this is a most fitting tribute to the Martyrs whose selflessness we hail on this occasion. Many years have gone by since that fateful period when the workers from Rose Hall were killed.

The GAWU pays its respect to their memory. They dared to challenge the existing socio-economic order for a better day. But improvement is a constant feature of our existence and, in our day, a new generation continues to raise its voice and make fresh demands for all-round improvements.

In our fight of today, we also remember past battles and those like the Rose Hall Martyrs who had been the victims of colonial plunder and exploitation and fatal violence.

GAWU feels that history’s lessons should not be forgotten lest workers lower their vigilance and succumb to disunity which would be to their detriment.

Workers struggles have not come to a close. Indeed, their struggles continue but in a different context and in different circumstances than what faced the Rose Hall Martyrs.

In the face of these challenges before us, let us draw inspiration from the example of the Rose Hall Martyrs.

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

Prof. Adesh helped to uplift Guyanese...

From page 4 African students”.

Prof. Adesh told me that when he came to the Caribbean he was most impressed with the cultural retention and persistence among Indians. But he said Indians were not proficient in their Indian musical beats (drumming, daantal, tabla, harmonium, etc.), classical dancing moves (Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, etc.), and pronunciation of Hindi words.

He said they knew the basic but needed guidance for improvement of their skills. He was a stickler for correct pronunciation of Hindi and for grammar as well as for musical tones and dance movements.

He provided tutoring and training lessons that helped Trinis and others to perfect their spoken Hindi, playing musical instruments, and rendering classical dance performances. Guyanese scholar,

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Kaieteur News

Dr. Satish, said Prof. Adesh’s greatest impact on Guyanese was more on the teaching level of Hindi and music. Students he trained went on to teach others.

Virtually no one contributed more to improve and promote Indian culture in the region during the 1960s and 1970s.

His memory lives on in his students who have been performing in mandirs and concerts in North America and

UK, among other locations.

Those who know him expressed sadness of his demise. His passing has left a huge void in the art, culture, and Hindu scene in the region.

His contribution was monumental and very instrumental in the dancing, singing, and religious careers of many.

Yours truly, Dr. Vishnu Bisram

The Police Force and DPP are at dangerous crossroads DEAR EDITOR, This nation is once again reverting to dark times when the Guyana Police Force is no longer being held to the standard of its motto “Service and Protection” consistent with laws and time-honoured principles, but to a standard dictated by political operatives. This could not be starker than in the case this week where the Force’s Chaplain, Reverend Patrick Doolichand, was dismissed on the pretext that his prayer at the opening of the Annual Officers’ Conference was “repugnant, fallacious and [of] inappropriate utterances,” which was viewed as offensive to President Irfaan Ali and portrayed the Force “negatively.” Another reason for the termination is Doolichand was “being investigated for alleged financial crimes.” He was later reinstated based on the involvement of Ali “that he appreciated the eloquent and forthright prayer….”

This is a serious indictment on the Force under the stewardship of Nigel Hoppie as Commissioner (ag) and Ali as Commander-inChief and President. What this incident has confirmed to this nation is that the Hoppieled Force is more prepared to operate at the pleasure of the political directorate, not laws and time-honoured principles. This is a dangerous place for the society to be.

The above also lays bare the post August 2, 2020 actions by the Force where public employees and opposition political operatives are being held for 72 hours without being charged. The cases of Colvin London of NICIL and James

Bond, an opposition political operative, readily come to mind. Trevor Benn, former head of the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, who was placed in lock-up on Wednesday will apparently suffer the same fate.

The Coalition Government (APNU+AFC) of the last five years was not without shortcomings but this nation did not see this abuse of law and the Force as we are witnessing today. It was not a behaviour that occurred during the Donald Ramotar government which too had its shortcomings.

The police present behaviour is taking us back to the Bharrat Jagdeo time in office.

The rate at which the Ali eight-month regime is going, Guyanese have all reasons to fear dark times are here once again.

Attention too is being brought to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions under the leadership of Shalimar AliHack. This office has advised that the alleged assault incident pertaining to Member of Parliament Kwame McCoy of Member of Parliament Tabitha SaraboHalley, which was placed before her office, be referred to the Speaker for investigation. Said incident is alleged to have happened outside of the chamber which the Speaker of the National Assembly has no responsibility.

The Speaker presides over the conduct and behaviour of the Members when sitting. Any alleged act of assault committed within the chamber he/she can deal with, not allegation of incidents made outside of the chamber.

The Speaker has no

control over what happens outside of the chamber and it is ridiculous of the DPP to refer to him a matter he has no jurisdiction over.

This has the appearance of a ploy to not investigate and bring closure to an alleged act considered egregious and violation of women. This issue must be resolved given its nature and further division in society it is fostering.

The society should be troubled how the DPP’s activities are conducted under Ali-Hack’s watch. It was under her watch recommendations were made for the instituting of charges against Anil Nandlall, Winston Brassington, Ashni Singh and Ali when they were in the opposition and when they returned to office it was the DPP’s chamber that made the recommendations to withdraw those charges.

We are returning to terrible times and this nation has reason to fear that bodies will start falling in the streets again, law enforcement will be rendered impotent, and no one will be held accountable.

The Force and DPP are at dangerous crossroads.

Hoppie and Ali-Hack are proving to society we have all right to be concerned they are not executing their tasks consistent with laws and timehonoured principles.

They are being urged to rethink this dangerous trajectory they are placing society and reverse course lest they shoulder responsibility for playing a major role in torpedoing customs, norms and practices held sacred in democratic societies and responsible for fostering peace and harmony among the peoples.

Lincoln Lewis

PAGE 6

Thankful that Parliament Square was rescued from the Cultural Barbarians DEAR EDITOR, I was gobsmacked to learn that Parliament Square, the beautiful little garden located at the corners of High Street and Brickdam, in Georgetown was turned over and placed under the care and management of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown by someone at the central government level back in 2015.

Clearly the suggestion/ decision to turn over responsibility for this facility that cost the taxpayers $37 million to create and construct to the Georgetown Municipality was made by someone who does not live in Georgetown or even Guyana, or someone who has gone off his or her trolley.

But this now brings clarity as to why this facility deteriorated so rapidly and so drastically over the last five years.

This facility was turned from a beautiful garden and recreational park, a green patch and oasis in a fast de-

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

veloping concrete jungle into a night shelter for the homeless, a bordello, an outdoor bathroom, a trap house, a betting shop and a haven for marauding robbers and muggers, all under the nose of the City Constabulary who failed to provide any security for this facility.

What I want to know, is whether the person who turned this facility over to the Council ever visited the Le Repentir cemetery now a wildlife reserve, or the ‘Slaughter House’ on Water Street, and I was careful not to call it an Abattoir, the Constabulary Training Centre also on Water Street which is now bereft of windows,

doors, other fittings and fixtures and furnishings, or

even City Hall, the headquarters of the City Council which an international consultant described back in 2013 as being ‘in cardiac arrest’?

And I could go on to allude to a number of other municipal facilities such as ‘the Presidential Park’ on

North Road, ‘Old Smokey’ on Princes Street, the Barber Shop Arcade on the Merriman’s Mall, etc.

The City Council reminds me of the old fable in Greek mythology about King Midas. Unfortunately though everything they touch does not turn to gold.

I am just so thankful that the park was rescued from the Cultural Barbarians and the Square Pegs in round holes, allowing it to be rehabilitated and restored to its former glory.

I look forward to the removal of garbage from its perimeter, the return of lighting, to the fountain working again, to being able to relax there at the end of hard day’s work or to enjoying some cultural activity that I hope will be routinely held there after COVID-19 is gone.

Best regards, Deodarie Putulall

What about shut-ins, aged and infirmed?

DEAR EDITOR, Could the authorities say what arrangements are being put in place for shut-ins, the aged, and infirmed to be vaccinated?

Shamshun Mohamed

How exactly am I a victim of divide I can still make a mean- Guyana into One People, One and rule? that ingful contribution.

Nation, One Destiny.

DEAR EDITOR, In his letter “We are all victims of the divide and rule policy” letter-writer Hamilton Green seeks to lay the blame on our predicament on British Imperialism thereby absolving himself and the PNC of any wrong doing.

The question that I have for letter-writer Hamilton Green is how exactly am I a victim of divide and rule?

Yes, my life has changed because of the policy. But could it have been better?

At 50 years old I do not see my life as over as I feel

Whereas I believe that Hamilton Green seeks to propaganda the unsuspecting Guyanese public. Not one word of apology has letterwriter Hamilton Green offered for the PNC nefarious activities yet he seeks to hoodwink us Guyanese.

That the British practiced divide and rule there is no denying.

But nothing is stopping the PPP/C Government and the main APNU+AFC Opposition from acknowledging that they both are stakeholders entrusted in making

When the PNC led APNU+AFC Opposition refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of the PPP/C Government and the PPP/C Government refuses to sit down and talk with the Opposition Leader then I can safely say that they do not see each other as stakeholders but competitors for power.

Divide and rule policy of the colonial masters is not preventing us from uniting as a people. We are doing so ourselves.

Yours Faithfully, Sean Ori

WHERE ARE OUR LEADERS? DEAR EDITOR, It’s with a heavy heart that I read of an 11-year-old that was executed during a burglary in a Sophia home invasion. Looking at a picture of this happy child I see my grandson.

Where are the Crime Chief, the Police Commissioner, the Minister of Home Affairs? Enough is enough!

No more flowery rhetoric from the ineffective leadership. No more speeches about crime statistics or empty promises about crime fighting. The proof is on the ground, in these troubled neighbourhoods where people are afraid once darkness approaches. Everyday, the news is riddled with criminal activities such as, rapes, murders, robberies,

carjackings, corruption, smuggling, drug trafficking to list a few.

What kind of an animal shoots an 11-year-old dead?

The President needs to take the lead on this issue directly.

His surrogates are not only failing him but failing the society.

Mr. President, although you are to be commended for taking the lead on providing roads, schools, water, electricity, infrastructure and financial assistance to households, your main goal FIRST and FOREMOST is to protect your people.

Ask anyone who wants to return to Guyana what their primary concern is, and unanimously the answer will be crime and lack of security.

Leadership is not installing

staunch party supporters that enabled a PPP victory to positions of critical importance.

That was done by the previous administration, how did that work for them?

Don’t be afraid to remove and replace ineffective personnel, they are a reflection of your leadership or lack thereof.

There are too many traffic cops enforcing dark window tint on vehicles and minor traffic infractions, put them to patrol affected neighbourhoods. Visual deterrence works, I have seen it in neighbourhoods in foreign countries.

If the Guyana Police Force is incapable of providing this blanket of security, look to external agencies to provide a strategy to fight crime.

Guyana can now afford to do something to put a halt to this senseless crime. Something needs to be done, and the time to step up and act is now. Enough is enough!

Dave Singh

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L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Take a moment to ponder the fact that District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, has faced no penalties for what he did to his country, one year ago.

Today, March 13, marks one year since Mingo declared fraudulent numbers, which, if successful, would have had the effect of granting the David Granger's APNU+AFC coalition a false victory.

What has the Iron Lady, Justice Claudette done to purge GECOM after its attempt to rig this country's elections?

Tell us, Lady Justice!

PAGE 07

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 08

ExxonMobil to test limits of gas compression equipment

By Kemol King

E

xxonMobil intends to test the limits of its gas compression equipment, as it evaluates options to increase the nameplate capacity of the Liza Destiny Floating, Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO). The intention to increase the operation's

nameplate capacity of 120,000 barrels of oil per day was first announced by Chief Operations Officer (COO) at Hess Corporation, Gregory Hill during the Stabroek Block partner's 2020 Q4 earnings call in January.

The company had been testing the liquids capacity in l a t e J a n u a r y, r a i s i n g production to 130,000 barrels of oil a day, when its

gas compression system experienced a malfunction.

This caused the company to start flaring above pilot levels, according to its public statements, to 16 million cubic feet of gas per day.

“The testing is on the liquids handling,” President of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), Alistair

Routledge told reporters on March 4. The President of the local ExxonMobil subsidiary said that the company is not close to testing any limits on the gas system.

The company held a press conference on that day to engage the media on their specific concerns and questions about flaring and equipment repairs.

“What we were testing,” Routledge said, “is really in the liquids handling system.

No issues were seen there and this issue is completely unrelated to equipment issue.”

Production at Liza Phase One or any oil operation typically has a gas to oil ratio. Hence, as the company produced more oil, it would have already been producing more gas. By Routledge's own admission, the

company was testing the liquids capacity of the operation by producing more oil, but was not simultaneously testing the limits to the gas system, despite there being an increase in gas production.

ExxonMobil has noted in its operational updates that there will be upgrades to the equipment. Asked whether these upgrades are related to plans to increase nameplate, Production Manager Mike Ryan stopped short of a denial.

He said, “The gas stream going through this machine, we're currently at 70 percent.

Any increase… is still well within this machine, and so we have contemplated that over the life of the facility, and so we are focused right now though, on getting this machine fixed, getting it on board, stable, background

ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge flare. And then we'll discuss evaluation of any capacity test going forward.”

The equipment is due to return and be reinstated by the end of the month.

The company, according to Hess, intends to have a shutdown period for the Liza One operation in the third quarter of 2021, during which it will undertake some piping changes and debottlenecking to facilitate the nameplate increase.

Guyana's COVID-19 infections surpass 9,000

G

u y a n a ' s confirmed COVID-19 infections have passed the benchmark of 9,000 following 76 new cases being reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH)

via its daily dashboard yesterday. The new case toll now stands at 9,069.

The MOH's dashboard also shows that six patients a r e in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, another 12 in institutional quarantine,

30 in institutional isolation and 562 in home isolation.

Additionally, a total of 8,265 persons have recovered to date with 35 new recoveries recorded yesterday.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at 206 deaths.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 09

No ruler has a right to tell people what to eat T

he decision to ban wheat and wheaten flour was typical of backwardness that characterized economic policy-making at the time the prohibition was implemented in Guyana.

Flour was a basic staple in the Guyanese diet. You cannot take away flour from the national diet and have no suitable replacement for bread, bake, roti, cakes and all the other nice things that are made from flour.

Rice flour was never a substitute for wheaten flour.

Rice flour cannot be rolled into breads and is difficult to make into bakes and roti. It has no gluten and therefore does not hold together a mix in the same way that wheaten flour does.

To ask Guyanese to substitute rice flour for wheaten flour was a crazy decision, because it meant that the things we eat for breakfast had to change since bakes, bread and roti, could not be made exclusively from rice flour.

Rice flour best uses are as additives. The same way that certain bio-fuels are added to gasoline, so too can rice flour be added to wheat flour, but it cannot be a perfect substitute for wheaten flour.

The decision to ban the importation of wheat and wheaten flour therefore seriously disrupted the

Dem

boys seh...

D

e Minista of Education announce dat de NGSA, wah we used to call de Common Entrance, gan be in August. De pandemic cause de August holiday now fuh become examination month.

Wah dem boys worry about is when dem gan finish marking dem paper. And if dem gan gat de same problem like wah de CXC gat weh people nah like wah grade dem get.

Aunty Priya mek de announcement of de date of de examinations. But is why she had to do dat? Dem is small announcement. Yuh does leff dem things to de

lifestyles of Guyanese. And Guyanese do not like their lifestyles to be disrupted.

Worse yet, they do not enjoy when changes are imposed on them.

When a rule was passed that workers in Government offices had to wear shirt jacks instead of shirt and ties, there was resentment but because jobs were hard to come by and things were tight, and since in those days non-compliance with official edicts had serious consequences, workers complied but they were never happy with that decision.

Their unhappiness did not spring from having to wear shirt jacks. That type of wear is better suited to our climate than shirt and tie.

They resented it because they had no choice in the matter; it was a decision imposed on them.

Even to this day, the vast majority of Guyanese in America still stick to their national diets. Most of those living in the Tri-State area go to the West Indian stores each week to purchase their food supplies because despite so many of them living in America for more than 20 or 30 years, they still prefer to eat the things that they grew up eating in Guyana.

When they come to Guyana for vacation, they take back overseas loads of local produce because it is

not easy to separate people from their traditional culture. They want the foods that they were weaned on.

The food bans of the 1970s and 1980s created real difficulties for all Guyanese, but they were particularly harsh on one group since much of the items that formed part of their basic diet was restricted or prohibited. Not only was flour banned but also split peas and potatoes. These form part of the daily diet for all Guyanese, but have special significance for East Indians.

Blackeye peas was also banned, but this bean was grown extensively in Guyana, even on large farms by the Guyana National Service. So blackeye peas was available. But not split peas which is used by persons of all persuasions but is especially used for dhal by East Indians. You can replace split peas cookup with blackeye cook-up but what substitute peas would you use to make dhal?

The flour ban was hard on everyone. You can thicken your stew with rice and cassava flour but you cannot make bread, bake and roti with rice flour. It does not hold together and therefore the ban on flour created real hardships for everyone.

That it came at a time

De Minista should nat steal all de limelight Chief Education Officer.

Why a Minista gat fuh announce de date fuh exams.

De Minista should concern she self with bigger problems. Not mekkin' announcement about de date for exams or sharing out worksheets.

Is dat wat Minister wuk come to now?

Dem boys seh allow dem Education officials fuh deh in de limelight so dat people can know dem name and put a face to dem name.

If Daniel come and ask some people what is de name of the Chief Education Officer, dem gan stutter.

Dem nah know. Dem boys hope dat is not one of de

questions wah coming in de Common Entrance examination.

Dem boys remember one time when dem bin write test in school. All de questions were True or False questions. Dem had a chap sit down next to dem boys.

He decide fuh answer de questions by flipping a coin.

Heads is true; tails is false.

When he done answer de questions, he still continue flipping de coin. De teacher go up to he and ask he why he still flipping de coin. He seh, “I checking back meh answers.”

Talk half and wait fuh hear when schools fully reopening.

when things were real difficult compounded the problem. Many people today in the Diaspora are ashamed to recall that period since many of them had to subsist on cassava pone and sugar cake for breakfast.

Those are snack foods but during the time of the flour ban, parents were forced to give their children cassava pone for breakfast and place a sugar cake in their lunch kits for their mid-

day meal.

When the children came home from school at 15:00 hrs., they would get a meal of rice and whatever else was cooked. Those were humiliating days for families and this is why it is so unpleasant for the older generation to recall them.

Guyana will never go back to those days.

But if by chance the situation arrives whereby some government wishes to

reintroduce a ban on imported food items and force rice flour onto the populace, the Guyanese people will resent it even more than before because they have grown accustomed to deciding what they will eat rather than the rulers dictating their tastes.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Saturday March 13, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

What and where is the propaganda against Forbes Burnham?

T

here is a puzzle in the academic writings of David G r a n g e r. T h e f o r m e r president has written or edited several books and many little books. Not one is on Forbes Burnham, except his contribution to the African liberation movements on the continent, which was almost a booklet and was descriptive of Burnham's support for the liberation process.

Granger has not penned any detailed biographical account of Burnham's time in power or anything at all about Burnham. This is strange considering that Granger writes profusely and he has openly asserted that Burnham is one of his

heroes. Granger has used his private home at D'Urban Backlands after he became president to house four organizations that bear the name of Burnham to preserve his legacy.

What could possibly be the reason for this conspicuous vacuum? It has to do with Granger's concern about the credibility of his (Granger's) academic ability.

All of Granger's publications are safe, meaning that they relate to security matters and historical topics. His writings stay clear of politics in any era.

It is not possible to salvage Burnham's legacy.

His use of power was d i a b o l i c a l a n d Machiavellian. The

approach to his legacy is two-dimensional. One is his phenomenal departure from post-colonial economics.

The other is his construction of an enduring autocracy that was sinister and downright evil.

If you emphasize one and neglect the other, your scholarship will be challenged. You have to paint Burnham with a holistic brush. Vincent Alexander as head of the Forbes Burnham Institute avoids discussion of Burnham's totalitarian instincts like the plague. He prefers to wax lyrical on Burnham's economic innovations, which are indeed impressive. How can one not be grateful to

Burnham for the NIS, the harbour bridge, Linden highway, free education, multilateral schools, just to mention a few.

D r. H e n r y J e ff r e y, another of Burnham's admirers, has written a three part series in the Stabroek News on Burnham. But there are no analytical perspectives on Burnham.

There is hardly any discussion on Burnham.

This is where keen, astute editorship comes in. The editor should have stepped in after part two and asked the writer where the assessments of Burnham are.

Maybe this did happen and Jeffrey promised it in part three. But I read part three and I am still to see an intellectual/polemical discourse on Burnham. But there is an interesting last line in part three that goes like this, “Burnham's contribution is overdrenched with propaganda.”

I think Dr. Jeffrey has the same fear as Granger. If he elaborates on one dimension only – the economics of Burnham and evades polemical offerings on Burnham's evil ways, then Dr. Jeffrey exposes his own propaganda. You simply have to expand on both levels of Burnham's reign the political and the economic.

So what is meant by Burnham's contribution being over-drenched with propaganda? It is difficult to confront Jeffrey because the sentence is too terse. My

understanding of what Jeffrey meant applies to all other proBurnhamite analysts who want to evaluate Burnham in a positive way.

Alexander, Frederick Kissoon G r a n g e r a n d D r.

Jeffrey were all those tempestuous protégéd by Burnham and worked with substantial portraits. The language may authority under his rule. I be vulgar, excessive and remember I was a freshman emotionally charged but at UG when Dr. Jeffrey within the tempest, there are submitted a research paper to mountains of irrefutable the Institute of Development facts of Burnham's evil. I can see Dr. Jeffrey's objection to Studies.

The thesis was that the use of the term “evil” and cooperative socialism was he probably will say this an enhancement on the again proves his contention normal socialist system that of “over-drenched with obtains in socialist countries. propaganda.”

I will assert that the use Dr. Jeffrey's argument was that cooperative socialism of the term “evil” is was a deeper form of appropriate and potent. socialism. A huge rebuttal Within each dictatorship, came from Professor Clive there are measures of evil. I Thomas who dismissed don't think Burnham was cooperative socialism as completely fascist but his exercise of power was playing around with words.

I t h i n k b y “ o v e r - certainly characterised by drenched with propaganda,” large doses of semi-fascism.

Dr. Jeffrey is saying that Dr. Jeffrey will assert once there are too many harsh, m o r e t h a t a n o t h e r v u l g a r d i s m i s s a l s o f propagandistic term, “semiBurnham that overlook his fascism,” is employed in seminal contribution to assessing Burnham. I don't economic development in agree. Forbes Burnham was t h e a f t e r m a t h o f semi-fascist and evil. Any Independence. In this attempt to resuscitate his context, Dr. Jeffrey may be dead legacy is a Sisyphean cynical of the oceans of task.

(The views expressed in criticism of Burnham with s o m e v e r y e m o t i o n a l this article are those of the portraits painted of him the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the past 50 years.

There is a valid value in opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Zinc-infused rice variety to hit market soon - Minister says farmers can look forward to higher prices W

ith Guyana one step closer to introducing a biofortified rice variety to the local, regional and Latin American markets, rice farmers can expect higher prices for this variety given the fact that its nutritional properties are higher than that of regular rice.

During a reaping exercise for the new zinc infused rice variety last Wednesday, which is still under trial at the Burma Rice Research Station, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha stressed the importance of this new variety to the consumers, farmers and the country.

The Minister said, “As long as we continue to develop it and produce a candidate variety for farmers to produce in our country,

we'll see tremendous benefits. This will have both economic and health benefits.

We were able to actually double the amount of Zinc in the rice rather than to put it artificially into food. This will help a lot of people because with the ongoing pandemic, we are being advised by the health and nutrition specialists to use Zinc and if we can get the required daily amount naturally from the food we eat that would be good.”

He added, “At the same time, this rice has the potential to bring in large amounts of revenue for the farmers and the country because when we export this to countries across the Caribbean and Latin America, we will be able to secure preferential prices. I know that the team at Burma

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha (second from the right) and other officials inspecting the new variety

is also working to ensure farmers are able to cultivate this variety at no added cost,” Minister Mustapha said.

Minister Mustapha also said that this pilot project demonstrates the forward thinking approach of the government as it relates to value added agricultural produce.

He added that even though Guyana has partnered with the InterAmerican Institute for

Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and CARICOM on the project, it was the exceptional work of the research station and government's clear goal to revitalize the agriculture sector that saw Guyana being selected to carry out this trial.

“In CARICOM and

Latin America, Guyana is the only country selected to cultivate this biofortified rice. I believe Belize currently has biofortified beans on trial. Guyana continues to demonstrate its veracity and capabilities in science, research and development in the rice (continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 13

MOE, Teacher's Union to collaborate on COVID-19 sensitization campaign

A

s they welcomed the recent arrival of COVID-19 vaccines, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) in a joint press statement issued yesterday, announced that they will be embarking on a sensitization campaign to better inform teachers about the COVID vaccination.

This will include education on the facts surrounding COVID-19 vaccines, their importance, and the benefits of being vaccinated amid the ongoing global pandemic.

The MOE and GTU made it clear however, that

teachers are not being forced to take the vaccine. “The choice as to whether a teacher is vaccinated will, however, remain with each teacher,” they noted in the statement.

Further, it was stated that in preparation for when vaccines become available to them, plans for the eventual rollout of that process are being made and will be publicized at the appropriate time.

“In the meanwhile, in keeping with the agreement between the GTU and the MOE, and to become ready to access the vaccine, the MOE will issue letters to each teacher so as to make

them easily identifiable to health personnel,” the GTU and MOE added.

The Ministry and Teachers Union have stated that they remain committed to their duty to ensure teachers are safe during the pandemic.

tion

f Educa

istry o The Min

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Media could receive more oil info upon request - Minister Bharrat

By Kemol King Minister of Natural

Resources, Vickram Bharrat, has said that the media could request the information it

needs on oil and gas production and revenues. He made these comments on the

sidelines of the opening of Vitality Accounting and Supplies, a new oil service

company stationed at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The government's latest oil report on the fifth oil lift, released by Bharrat's Ministry on Wednesday, vastly reduced the detail provided by the previous administration's Ministry of Finance. Asked by Kaieteur News whether he is comfortable with the level of detail being provided, in light of government's promise of transparency, Bharrat said that the government has no problem giving out information.

He encouraged Kaieteur News to ask for the information it needs. He also encouraged Kaieteur News to rely on the Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and the Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, to address some of the specific concerns about the reports and the issue of transparency.

The Minister said, “Actually, Finance Minister should be the best person to respond to that. Finance Minister should actually be the best person to respond to it because he's dealing with reports and declaration and all that. But of course, we would do whatever is necessary to ensure that information is disseminated, and there is transparency and accountability. You know, since I took over I've always been saying that, and then our government has been saying that we will stick to what we campaigned on, and that is transparency and accountability in the sector.

We w o u l d h a v e highlighted that previously, Guyanese didn't know, for example, about the signing bonus.

People weren't told so often as we're doing it, how much money is in the natural resource fund. We're doing that. We made a public statement yesterday on that.

The day after we received the fifth payment, we made that public statement.

So we're not trying to withhold information from the public by any means. But once information is

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat requested too, we'll be willing to give also. So I don't see that as a problem in terms of giving information to ensure that the sector is run in a transparent manner.

So I know some of the issues can be dealt with better by Finance Minister, and also, VP will deal with some of the issues.”

Kaieteur News has been reporting on the lack of transparency in the management of the oil sector, for months, since the Irfaan Ali administration took office.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, had said on February 9, that reporters should request information.

H o w e v e r, a t l e a s t 1 0 consecutive attempts were made to get oil reports from the Ministry of Natural Resources in the month following the VP's commitment. The requests were made for information for several months. The result of all of those requests was the release of a one-page document on Wednesday with block figures for each month.

In stark contrast, the report envisioned by former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, provided pages of detailed information with several tables, in a January 2020 report.

“The regular publication of the [report],” Jordan had stated in the document, “will allow for greater transparency in this new sector of the economy, ensuring that the public is fully aware of the amount of petroleum being produced and revenues being generated.

Such transparency is important, given the magnitude of revenues that will be generated from this resource.”

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur/Canje Oil Blocks signed away case….

PAGE 15

Judge grants ex-President Ramotar $20M judgement against Kaieteur News J

ustice, Navindra Singh, yesterday granted judgment in favour of ex-President, Donald Ramotar, in the libel suit he brought against Kaieteur News and its publisher, Glenn Lall, over publications related to the signing away of the Kaieteur and Canje Oil Blocks.

According to the decision, which was handed down over Ramotar's defamation claims, the damages were assessed in the sum of $20M, which includes an assessment of aggravated damages.

The Court also awarded interest on the said award at the rate of 6% per annum from June 26th, 2019 to March 12th, 2021 and 4% per annum thereafter, until fully paid. The Court awarded the sum of $2.4M as prescribed costs to the Claimant (Ramotar) against the Defendants (Kaieteur News and Glenn Lall), jointly and severally.

It was also pointed out that should the newspaper and its owner fail to comply with the order of the High Court, the publisher would be found in contempt of the court and may be liable for imprisonment or have his assets confiscated. Already, Lall has indicated his intention to appeal the judgment.

The libel suit is as a result of several publications, which asserted that Ramotar “signed away the Oil Blocks to four companies who know nothing about oil.”

The full judgment released yesterday, outlined that the newspaper carried several publications in June 2019, some of which contained images of bandits and asserted that Ramotar secretly transferred oil blocks to unknown persons.

Other articles gave the impression that the former Head of State and others took all of the good oil blocks and signed them away to individuals who had no experience in the industry.

The newspaper had compared the transaction approved by Ramotar to the corrupt deals of Senegalese President, Abdoulaye Wade. This piece had carried the c a p t i o n “ Wa k e u p GUYANA cat eating yuh

Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall

Ex-President, Donald Ramotar

din-naa!!”

It is on those grounds that Ramotar complained to the Court that he was being maliciously targeted and defamed through the newspaper, which enjoys national and international circulation through physical distribution and electronic means via the World Wide Web. Added to that, the claimant noted that Kaieteur News had called on its

readers to tune into the Kaieteur Radio to further learn about the comparison that was being advanced.

The radio broadcasts on Kaieteur Radio discussed the meaning of the published articles [intended for any reasonable person to conclude that reference was being made to the exPresident].

Kaieteur News and its publisher, Glenn Lall, had initially pleaded the defence

of fair comment.

During the trial, however, the Court found that the newspaper, through its attorney, Nigel Hughes, failed to inter alia, to prove its claims. It noted that there was no evidence to show that the former President acted in a corrupt manner when he granted the licence or that he was in fact connected to the entities that received the licences.

The document pointed out that Ramotar admitted that as the President of Guyana, he signed two (2) agreements granting two (2) Petroleum Prospecting Licences for the purpose of carrying out prospecting operations in what are known as the Kaieteur and Canje Blocks.

Ramotar testified that at the time of the signing of the agreements there was no confirmed commercial petroleum discovery in those

blocks.

He explained the various reasons and thought processes that guided the signing of the agreement, such as the fact that there was a territorial dispute by Venezuela over the area, the fact that there was difficulty historically in generating interest in oil companies in the area, and the fact that the agreements were signed following applications by those companies being approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

On the other hand, the judgment indicated Kaieteur News' Publisher disputed Ramotar's assertion that “no oil was discovered at the time of the signing of the agreements but he did not lead any evidence to show otherwise.”

Lall testified that the two agreements signed by Ramotar gave the

contracting companies “exclusive rights to explore, develop and produce petroleum in an area of Guyana described therein as Canje Block and Kaieteur Block.”

Among other things, the Court document noted that Mr. Lall testified that the images in the publications were intended to be images of bandits and/or thieves and that he intended to convey that Ramotar took part of “the US$100M,” and that he secretly collected monies in corrupt deals.

Further, it was pointed out that Lall used his testimony in Court to continue to cast aspersions on the claimant's character, knowing that they were not in possession of evidence to substantiate same.

In its ruling, the Court found “The defendants have not apologized or expressed (continued on page 18)

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 16

President, First Lady, and VP receive first doses of COVID-19 vaccines First Lady Arya Ali receiving her jab of the vaccine (Photo: Office of the President)

His Excellency, Mohamed Irfaan Ali receiving his vaccine (Photo: Office of the President)

T

he President of G u y a n a , D r.

Mohamed Irfaan Ali; his wife First Lady, Arya Ali; and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as the government continues to roll out its immunization campaign in an attempt to reach herd immunity.

President Ali and his wife received their shots at the State House on Thursday and following their vaccination, he encouraged all Guyanese to take the vaccine once they become eligible.

President Ali also stated that the government continues to reach out to COVID-19 vaccine suppliers across the world, including the suppliers of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine, the Moderna vaccine, the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine, the Sinopharm vaccine and the Oxford-AstraZeneca

vaccine which is currently being used to roll out the immunization campaign.

Ali added that the government is also reaching out to suppliers in the United Arab Emirates.

The government's increased effort to acquire vaccines comes in light of a global COVID-19 vaccine shortage according to the President, so they must explore every avenue.

Further, His Excellency stated that the government intends to fit every Guyanese into its plan to have full vaccination by year-end. H e als o disclosed that more vaccines are expected to arrive shortly and in a phased manner they will be moving to different categories of Guyanese.

Also commenting was the First Lady who appealed to Guyanese to take the vaccine on her Facebook Page.

She said, “After a long

and difficult year, the light is at the end of the tunnel. I received my first shot of the AstraZeneca vaccine recently. I am grateful to the scientists, researchers and healthcare workers who have made this moment possible.”

“When it's your turn to receive a vaccine, please do your duty and take it. The vaccine reduces transmission, deaths and hospitalizations.

The vaccine saves lives and reduces the burdens on our healthcare systems. Do remember, however, that we are still in the pandemic. As such, we must continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing until we reach herd immunity. The end is near and we cannot let our guard down prematurely,” she added.

Also receiving the vaccine was Vice President Jagdeo. Prime Minister, (retd) Brigadier Mark

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo receiving his dose of the vaccine.

(Photo: Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo)

Phillips; his wife Mignon Bowen-Phillips; and former President, Donald Ramotar received their first doses earlier this week.

Notably, the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony also disclosed that former President and Prime

Minister Samuel Hinds and ex-President David Granger also received their first doses.

He said that the Health Ministry is currently in talks with the Parliament to have Members of Parliament vaccinated and vaccination

will also be extended to members of the Cabinet.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e government has moved on to phase two of the vaccination campaign with elderly persons 60 years and over now eligible for immunization.

Zinc-infused rice variety to...

From page 12 sector and government will continue to invest heavily in this and other sectors,” Minister Mustapha said.

GRDB's Chief Scientist, Dr. Mahendra Persaud said that the team of scientists at the Burma Rice Research Station have been observing the variety's performance for

some time and is optimistic that it will be successful once approved for commercial purposes.

The ongoing project aims to curb hunger and mitigate nutrient deficiencies in the Americas as a component of the Council for Trade and Economic Development approved project for

production, adoption and consumption of biofortified crops as part of a strategy to address non-communicable diseases in CARICOM. In Guyana, some 4,650 rice farmers are set to benefit from the project, along with an additional 50,000 farmers from CARICOM states.

(Modified from DPI)

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 17

Guyana's 30 day ban on air travel from Brazil extended - GCAA Director The Guyana-Brazil land border in Region Nine

The Director -General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Egbert Fields

G

uyana's ban on air travel from Brazil has been extended by the government in a bid to continue to protect citizens from the Brazilian P.2 variant that is circulating globally. This was revealed by the Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert Fields who spoke to Kaieteur News via telephone yesterday.

During his discussion with this publication, Fields noted the importance of protecting the general population from the variant,

hence the extension.

The P.2 variant has been circulating since early January and has been said to be more infectious, meaning that it spreads faster from person to person. In light of that, the government through the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) sought to impose a 30-day air travel ban on air travel from Brazil i n l a t e J a n u a r y. T h e government has been increasing efforts to curb the spread of that variant here given Brazil's proximity and the nation's lack of testing capacity.

Land travel to and from the country is also restricted.

The restriction on using the Takatu land border crossing in Region Nine (Upper Takatu- Upper Essequibo) which links Guyana to Brazil has been imposed since March last year when Guyana shut down all borders after recording its first case.

Over the months the government opted to keep the land border closed, leaving no official points of entry to Guyana from Brazil opened. This is because the country has recorded some

of the highest cases of the virus worldwide, way before the new variant started circulating.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has also lamented that it is a health hazard for a country like Guyana as he referred to the P.2 variant, saying, “And if this is more transmissible, then more people are going

to get infected and if more people are going to get infected, then we can assume that we will get a percentage of them – a higher percentage of them coming into the hospital needing ICU care.”

While both land and air travel remains restricted, the weekly exchange of goods between both countries continues. The exercise,

which is monitored by Guyana and Brazil's health authorities, is usually conducted every Thursday at the Takatu land border.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, b o t h Guyana and Brazil have increased the number of joint service patrols monitoring the land border to ensure there is no illegal crossing at other unofficial points of entry.

PADF donates children's books to the National Library

Jermaine Grant, Project Director (PADF) presents a copy of the book “Un Cuento de Esperanza/ A Story of Hope” to Ms. Nadine Moore, Deputy Chief Librarian

T

he Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) recently donated to the National Library, fifty (50) copies of Un Cuento de Esperanza/ A Story of Hope, a bi-lingual English and Spanish storybook for children.

The presentation was done during a simple handing over ceremony at the National Library by PADF Project Director Jermaine Grant to Ms. Nadine Moore, Deputy Chief Librarian.

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 18

Un Cuento de Esperanza/ A Story of Hope is a children's book with a very captivating storyline and activity pages.

The book tells the story of a Venezuelan migrant child's journey to Guyana, as experienced through the eyes of Gabriela and her mother.

The book is tailored to young readers and introduces the topic of migration with hopes of generating positive conversations in safe spaces.

Through its Caribbean migration programme,

which is implemented in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, PADF provides support to Venezuelan migrants, returning Guyanese and host communities in areas such as education, livelihoods and skills training, psychosocial support, legal assistance and support combating genderbased violence.

The storybook in part aims to build the foundation for empathy and greater understanding between migrants and host communities.

Sarah Everard: Met PC Wayne Couzens charged with murder (BBC) A serving Met Police officer has been charged with the kidnap and murder of Sarah Everard, who disappeared as she walked home in south London. The 33-year-old's body was found in woodland in Kent more than a week after she was last spotted on 3 March.

Wayne Couzens, 48, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday charged with her murder. Durham University has paid tribute to Ms Everard, describing her as a “beloved graduate”.

Ms Everard was last seen walking alone down a main road in Clapham at 21:30 GMT, with police saying it was unclear whether she reached her home in Brixton.

Her body was found by police searching woodland near Ashford, Kent, on Wednesday.

Met Police Assistant Commissioner Nick Ephgrave said Ms Everard's family had been “informed of this development and

remain supported by specialist officers”.

“I would like at this stage to pay tribute to Sarah's family for their fortitude and forbearance through what can only have been the most intensely difficult few days, our thoughts remain with him as this matter progresses,” he said.

“The investigation continues, of course, supported by hundreds of officers from across the Met, as well as colleagues in Kent Police.”

Before the charges were confirmed, Mr Couzens was taken to hospital for a second time in two days after being found with head injuries inside his cell.He has since been discharged and returned to his cell, the Met said. Earlier on Friday evening, Met Police Commissioner Dame Cressida Dick took part in a walkabout on Clapham Common.

She walked with police officers and spoke to members of the public in the

park close to Clapham Common Tube station.

Durham University Vicechancellor Prof Stuart Corbridge said marketing executive Ms Everard studied geography at St Cuthbert's Society.

“Sarah was a popular and lively member of our college community and retained a large Durham University friendship group,” he said.

“Our thoughts remain with her family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

The Met said Mr Couzens joined the force in September 2018 and was initially based in the Bromley area. In February last year he moved to the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command where his primary role was uniformed patrols, mainly at a range of embassies in the capital. On Thursday, a woman in her 30s who was arrested at the same time as Mr Couzens on suspicion of assisting an offender, was bailed to a date in mid-April.

Judge grants ex-President Ramotar...

From page 15 any regret over the publication of the libel, in fact, Mr. Glenn Lall…further used the witness box to make statements attacking the Claimant's character, to wit, 'I am saying that Donald is a corrupt man,' and 'I am calling for Ramotar to be investigated

for corruption and crime against the people of Guyana'.”

As such, in processing the appropriate quantum of damages in this case, the Court took into consideration that the libel attacked Ramotar's personal integrity and professional reputation; that he was and is a very

public figure who served in the highest public office of the land; that the nature of the libel was bound to cause distress; hurt and humiliation to him; and of course that it is a well established and accepted fact that material published on the world wide web is available for public consumption for eternity.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 19

Exxon will replace repaired gas - Production compressor with new one Manager E

xxonMobil's Production Manager, Mike Ryan, shared that the United States oil company will replace the recently repaired gas compressor onboard the Liza Destiny Floating

Production, Storage and Offloading vessel (FPSO) with the newer gas compressor that it had recently ordered.

Ryan had revealed these details during a virtual press engagement on March 3,

last.

During the engagement, the Production Manager indicated that the defective gas compressor, which has forced Exxon to increase its flaring above pilot levels for over a month, was fully

repaired. In addition to this, he had reported that the silencers for the compressor were fixed and that both pieces of equipment are en route to Guyana from Germany.

Germany is the home of

the manufacturer—MAN Energy – and it where Exxon had sent the compressor and silencer for repairs.

Notably, Ryan revealed that even if the repaired compressor is fully functional after its

installation, Exxon would still replace it with the newer compressor it had ordered.

Kaieteur News had reported on February 11 that this new piece of equipment is set to arrive by the year's end.

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Crabwood Creek woman missing for 13 days

R

elatives of a Crabwood Creek woman are seeking the assistance of the public in providing information as to the

whereabouts of Bibi Fareeda Khan, 53, who went missing some 13 days ago.

According to her sister, Liloon Bhola, the woman would normally venture into

the Crabwood Creek backdam with her husband on a monthly basis, since he works at the location taking care of a businessman's property and animals. Bhola

said they would head in at the beginning of the month and venture out month end or before, if their groceries run out.

"Last week Sunday she come out and she buy her stuff and Monday morning she left home around 5:00am. She joined the canter truck that takes in the workmen and after that, we haven't heard anything," Bhola said.

The woman stated that her brother-in-law (Khan's husband) came out from the backdam three days ago and "when he come he go and search at dem house and he call he grands and ask for her." She added that he was told that they thought she was with him and he indicated that she was not.

"He come and tell me and ask me where Fareeda and me tell he she gone and carry the rashin.

He tell me he get the rashin but not from she, dem workman give he from the

MISSING: Bibi Fareeda Khan

canter truck," she said. It was then that they became worried and they decided to make a report at the Springlands Police Station.

However, since filing the report the relatives claim that the police have made no effort in assisting with the search for the woman.

"I asked the police to go and check with us at the place she was staying with she husband and today is three days and no police na go in yet. This morning me beg dem and then dem tell me how dem got to talk to the man and then dem go tell we…," Bhola said.

The missing woman lived Lot 27 Grant 1780 (School Dam), Crabwood Creek with her husband.

They have six children, four of whom are alive. Khan has five brothers and two sisters.

Anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of Bibi Fareeda Khan can make contact with her sister on 335-0642.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 11

Trevor Benn placed on $200,000 bail over alleged illegal land sale F

ormer Head of the Guyana Lands and S u r v e y s Commission (GL&SC), Trevor Benn, yesterday made his first court appearance, for the alleged illegal sale of six acres of land and was placed on $200,000 bail for the offence.

Benn, 53, of Century Palm Gardens, Georgetown, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before Senior Magistrate, Leron Daly.

He was not required to plead to the indictable offence, which alleged that between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2020, at G L & S C , G e o rg e t o w n , while being a Public O f f i c e r, h e w i l l f u l l y misconducted himself, by causing the sum of $27,000,000 to be paid by Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited for the lease of six acres of land at Plantation Ogle, East Coast

Former GL&SC Commissioner, Trevor Benn Demerara, knowing that the GL&SC did not have the authority to lease any land at Plantation Ogle, East Coast Demerara.

It is also alleged that on

March 27, 2020, Benn granted a Provisional Lease to Janico Vide Industrial Engineering Limited, and willfully misconducted himself thereby leading to a breach of the public's trust.

According to reports, the la n d b e l o n g e d t o t h e National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and not GL&SC. Senior Magistrate Daly, granted Benn bail in the sum of $200,000 and the matter was adjourned to March 31, 2021. It was also transferred to Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan's, courtroom.

Benn was arrested on Wednesday last, after a probe was launched into the alleged illegal land sale. It is reported that despite the fact that the lands belonged to NICIL, Benn moved ahead to illegally leased the plot of land to a company called Janico Vide Engineering

31.4 million barrels of oil extracted...

From page 3 their partners uplifted 27 million barrels of oil.

Using a world market average price of US$60, it would mean that ExxonMobil and its partners would have earned an estimated $1.6B, while Guyana got US$246.5M

Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) signed with ExxonMobil Subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its partners—Hess Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Company—the country

will share profits 50/50, minus royalty and cost oil.

The two percent royalty accepted by Guyana under its PSA with the oil consortium has been long criticized domestically and internationally by experts in the field.

Limited for some $27M. Kaieteur News had reported that the $27M transaction was made pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the company and GL&SC signed. That MoU dictated that the engineering company would lease the land for 50 years and pay $200,000 per acre annually.

Benn was appointed

Commissioner of GL&SC in 2016 by the David Granger administration, and was granted presidential powers related to the sanctioning of renting and granting of leases, licences, and permission of occupancy of all public lands.

When the Irfaan Ali administration took office in August 2020, he was stripped of those powers and

was later sent packing in November.

Following the revocation of his presidential powers, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C., had stated that his government would review all the leases, licences and permissions to occupy Public Lands granted

by GL&SC after the No C o n f i d e n c e Vo t e o f December 2, 2018.

PAGE 22 WANTED

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

One (1) male able bodied clerk call: 225-2313/ 226-1497

pers, a daily, Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the World Wide Web ..

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is re-fixed for Directions Hearing on . Monday the 19th day of April, 2021 at 10:30 am before the Honourable . ‘Madam Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall in Court Room 6 via Zoom Meeting 461 8845616 and Password: court6 of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order ‘it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.Dated the 2nd day of March, 2021

BETWEEN: (YAW) YSANNE ONICA !lee WREN -and(YAW) SEON MARVIN Petitioner Respondent TO: SEON MARVIN YAW (Last Known Address) Lot 36 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 21st day of January, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by YSANNE ONICA YAW nee WREN, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 17th day of February, 2021 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), an Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the Second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday the 28th day of April, 2021 at 10:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the High Court at Georgetown via Zoom Meeting rD: 503 218 6789 and Password: court 1 a.

IN DEFAULT of you filing an Acknowledgement of Service Notice of Intention to Defend, an Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is

Puri roti cooks apply @ Shanta's 225 Camp St FOR SALEFOR SALE

Cat 428 back-hoe. Cat 215 Excavator used parts road spray painting machine 683-7225/ 227-0367 CAR RENTAL AIDAN'S CAR RENTAL & TOW TRUCK SERVICE:PICKUP,9-11 SEAT MINI BUS, GOOD FOR AIRPORT & FAMILY OUTINGS, CHEAPEST RATE#698-7807.

VEHICLE FOR SALE Allion, Premio,192, 212 Carina, Fielder wagon, raum, Avensis, Bluebird, Allexis, Spacio, L Touring wagon Tel#650-7501

320 cat Excavator bucket.

Used surveying instruments.1200- Gals Bitumen spray kettle.Call 227-0367/ 683-7225 Body temperature thermometer $7,000, retail wholesale.

Call 624-7155 Pure bred pitbull pups 7 weeks old vaccinated and deworm price $50,000 Call 612-2258 For Sale or rent, good for business - 4.018 acres of prime land in New Amsterdam, Berbice. Call 679-2497

Bus for sale 2RZ excellent condition BMW Call 6883288 Mitsubisi Canter 4M40 6 months insurance goods & service and alarm system Price $1,990,000, Contact 6933003 SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design, advertisements, Wedding arch rentals. Tel: 626-7040

VACANCY Technical services 18-23 industrial site, Eccles 1. Fitter/ Machinist 2.

Welder Frabricator 3. Apprentice 3 years experience apply in person

Taxi & Bus drivers 225-3234, 628-1183

Furnish apt one bedroom,two bedroom, three bedroom, providence and diamond Tel#672-1906, 6826238, 216-2299 One bottom flat for business to rent, preferrable chinese 192 Duncan st, newtown, kitty 649-3783/ 225-6571 One semi furnish two bedroom house located at belle west canal, WBD. 267-1361, 622-2739, 653-4441 Sherry.

Wanted - Crane porter ages 25 - 50 years old please call 644-2564 One female cook to work Iteballi landing Carol Bobb Tel#672-7275 Farm workers in Timehri E.B.D Tel#661-1585/ 617-2032 Wanted cashiers, cooks apply @shanta's 225 champ st One male able bodied clerk.

Call 231-2029/ 616-5954 One 1 welder to do grill work Call 625-5763 One live in maid Contact 6021519 Wanted porter boys Call 6455727 Sales girls preferbaly with experience in hardware & electrical Call 645-5727

Male and female security ofInstallation, Repairs and parts ficers experience will be an for AC,Fridge, Washing ma- asset must be over 18 years chine, Stove etc.Call old. Call 223-4172 Nick#630-1600.

Excavator operator, hauler House plan drawing and es- operator, servicemen and pittimate K. Lakeram building men for interior. Applicants contractor. Call us 216-0671/ must be experienced. Call 231692-8464 or whatsapp 622- 2250 0267 1 Legal typist clerk phone 624Power tools repair friendship 7087/ 258-0213 urgent East Bank Call 627-7835 Female cleaner for office. Call: 642-9823

FOR RENT

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Delivery riders - Country 120 jobs available to ride company o w n e d motorbikes.Phone:658-9124 or email jobs@gorchum.com One office manager with experience in MS office must have own vehicle, contact shazam 673-6210

WANTED

Empty plot no agent, EBD possible water front wharf 204 Width X 612 Length 592615-2225/ +1-301-306-9580 email: jgstel@verizon.net

Kitchen manager must have experience must be able to motivate apply @ Shanta's 225 Camp St

2 bedroom house crane H/S W.C.D Tel#671-6855

2 Lorry drivers 3 porters Contact 626-4691/ 627-1835

Experienced counter server, kitchen assistant, roti/ puri cook apply Hack's Halaal, 5 Commerce St PROPERTY FOR SALE Commercial property for sale or rent Providence old road Call 623-3440 / 233-5600 PEN PAL A mature male wants to meet mature adventurous females.

Call 648-4756 LEGALNOTICE 2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-114 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD- 114 BETWEEN: (RAMPERSAUD) RANDIR Petitioner/Applicant -andRAMPERSAUD) ROHAN IE nee HEMNAUTH RESPONANT TO: ROHANIE RAMPERSAUD nee HEMNAUTH (Last Known Address) Long Pond, Sister’s Village, West Bank Demerara TAKE NOTICE that on the 27th day of January, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by RANDIR RAMPERSAUD, the Petitioner/Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown.

Demerara. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 24th day of February, 2021, the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice In two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspa

LEGAL NOTICE located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to’ the public between 8:00 am and 3:30 pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00 am to 2:30 pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 26th day of February, 2021

2020-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-I031 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISiON PETITION NO.: FD- 1031 (LEEWONG) JEWELANN nee MCGARRELL Petitioner/ Applicant -V- (LEEWONG) DENZIL DEON Respondent TO: DENZIL DE ON LEEWONG (Last Known Address) Lot 304 Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara TAKE NOTICE that on the 10th day of December, 2020 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by JEWEL ANN LEEWONG nee MCGARRELL, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 12th day of February, 2021, the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the World Wide Web TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

Saturday March 13, 2021 LEGAL NOTICE AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must tile an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice .

Wednesday the 12th day of May, 2021 at 9:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Court 1A via Zoom Meeting ID: 746 86477396 and Password: Court 1 a of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of ServicelNotice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown,Demerara].

The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 16th day of February, 2021

2021-HC-DEM-CIV -FD225 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD- 225 BETWEEN: (CLARKE) MARCIA VANESSA nee JEREMIAH Petitioner/Applicant -and- (CLARKE MORTIMER ALEXANDER Respondent To: MORTIMER ALEXANDER CLARKE (Last Known Address) Lot 157 South Sophia Block E, Greater Georgetown TAKE NOTICE that on the 18th day of February, 2021 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by MARCIA

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News LEGAL NOTICE VANESSA CLARKE nee JEREMIAH, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 3rd day of March, 2021, the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the World Wide Web. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Monday the 3pt day of May, 2021 at 9:00 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry in Court lA via Zoom Meeting IO: 503 218 16789 and Password: court 1a of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEF A UL T of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate. including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, DemeraraJ. The office is open to the public between Dated the 8th day of March, 2021

LEGAL NOTICE

Margareth Dalcolmo, a doctor and researcher at Fiocruz described the situation as “the worst moment of the pandemic in Brazil”.

Officials bury another coffin in a mass COVID-19 graveyard. (coffin)

2020-H C- D EM -CIV -FD950 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO. FD- 950 BETWEEN:(SQUIRES) ERROL YOLANDEE Petitioner - and(SQUIRES) ANNELLA AMANDA nee ALLICOCK Respondent TO: ANNELLA AMANDA SQUIRES nee ALLICOCK (Last _Known Address) 18 Ashley Drive New Castle, Delaware 19804, United States of America DIvorce was filed against you by ERROL YOLANDEE SQUIRES, the Petitioner in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown,Demerara. , AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 2yd day of November, 2020 the Petitioner was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaietcur News, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guvana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce. then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirtyfive) days from the date of the second and final

Across Brazil, intensive care units (ICU) are at more than 80% capacity, according to Fiocruz. And in 15 state capitals, ICUs are at more than 90% capacity, including LEGAL NOTICE publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the Directions Hearing be and is hereby extended to Thursday the 15th day of April, 2021 at 9:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry via Zoom Meeting ID: 503 218 6789 and Password: court!a in the High Court lA at Georgetown .

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of ServicelNotice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the .Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between

8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the k’ day of March, 2021.

in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Reports say the capital Brasilia has now reached full ICU capacity, while two cities - Porto Alegre and Campo Grande - have exceeded capacity.

In its report, Fiocruz warned that the figures point to the “overload and even collapse of health systems”.

Brazilian epidemiologist Dr Pedro Hallal told the BBC World Service’s Outside Source programme: “If we do not start vaccinating the population here very soon, it will become a massive tragedy.”

Dr Hallal, who works in Rio Grande do Sul, also said that people felt “abandoned by the federal government”.

“It took a long time for the politicians to act,” 40-yearold Adilson Menezes told AFP news agency outside a hospital in São Paulo. “We are paying for it, the poor people,” Mr Menezes said referring to the state of near collapse of Brazil’s public healthcare system.

Brazil is facing its biggest

crisis since the pandemic began - but still, it feels like people are trying to ignore it.

Take São Paulo for example; while non-essential shops have had to close these past few weeks, there’s no “lockdown” to speak of - no restrictions on whom people meet and schools have remained largely open (albeit with lower capacity).

People here are making their own decisions about how to stay safe, and there certainly isn’t that fear like we saw this time a year ago, where the whole world was shutting down, so Brazilians did the same.

A year on, and even amid dire statistics that are set to carry on rising, Jair Bolsonaro’s narrative has been bought by many - a mistrust of the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine, a railing against closing restaurants and businesses - all the while, scientists are increasingly calling for more national leadership to stop the entire health system from collapsing in the coming weeks.

Covid-19: Brazil surge reaches new level as daily deaths pass 2,000 Brazil has exceeded 2,000 Covid-related deaths in a single day for the first time, as infection rates soar.

The country has the second highest death toll in the world, behind the US. Experts warn the transmission rate is made worse by more contagious variants.

On Wednesday, former leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva hit out at President Jair Bolsonaro’s “stupid” decisions.

Mr Bolsonaro has downplayed the threat from the virus. Earlier this week he told people to “stop whin-

ing”. On Wednesday, the country recorded 79,876 new cases, the third highest number in a single day.

The total number of Covid-related deaths reached 270,656, according to Johns Hopkins University in the US. It means Brazil has a rate of 128 deaths per 100,000 population - 11th highest amongst 20 of the worst affected countries in the world.

The highest rates are in the Czech Republic with 208 deaths per 100,000 people and the UK with 188 deaths per 100,000 people, Johns Hopkin’s figures suggest.

PAGE 24

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Contractor wants $164M for condoms The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) on Tuesday opened bids for several government ministries at their Ministry of Finance (MoF) office on

Main and Urquhart streets. Notable projects included the approval of supply and delivery of male and female condoms for the Ministry of Health; and the supply and delivery of service

Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI): Supply and delivery of service connection and meter installation

connection and meter installation for the Guyana Water Incorporation.

Below are the companies and their bids.

Supply and delivery of stationery

Supply and delivery of water meters and boxes in two lots

Guyana Livestock Development Authority: Supply and delivery of one pickup for Disease Surveillance for the Guyana Livestock Development Authority

Supply and delivery of janitorial supplies

Supply and delivery of rugged tablets with SIM and GPS capabilities to the Guyana Livestock Development Authority

Guyana National Bureau of Standards: Procurement of new vehicle with Hiab

Procurement of new systems hardware

Supply and delivery of dietary supplies Ministry of Health: Approval of supply and delivery of male and female condoms

Supply and delivery of emergency refrigerator

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

PAGE 25

PAGE 26

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

Saturday March 13, 2021

Big Man Cricket bowls off today

By Zaheer Mohamed The Big Man Cricket Guyana Organisation launched its inaugural 25over competition yesterday at the Georgetown Cricket Club.

The over-45 tournament is set to commence today with several matches.

Essequibo Eagles will take on GT Royal Rangers at Imam Bacchus, West Bank Warriors

PAGE 27

Kaieteur News

Chairman of the BMC Raj Singh is about the cut the ribbon to declare the tournament open. He is flanked by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Lennox Shuman (left) and Troy Peters (right) and members of the BMCG.

will play Jai Hind at Bourda, Upper Corentyne Rangers will face Timothy Masters at Bourda and Real Warriors will battle West Dem Vipers at Enmore.

Speaking at the ceremony Chairman of the Big Man Cricket Guyana Raj Singh said his body has adopted the administration for over-45

cricket in Guyana and is affiliated with its parent body, Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA). He indicated CWIMA has also taken charge of creating cricket structures around the Caribbean to ensure that there are administrators in each country to make Masters cricket more broad base.

Saturday March 13, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A fabulous career break could come your way today, Aries.

It could be a raise, promotion, or even a new job in a new field. It could also involve a completely different location.

TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) An unexpected release of tension could come today, Taurus. Something that has been restricting you and limiting your growth is going to disappear, and you will want to run through the streets shouting.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Some strange but wonderful things could be happening to you now, Gemini. Sheer luck could well be in the picture.

Have you wanted to move to a nicer place?

CANCER(June21–July22) A rather black mood that's been plaguing you since early morning could suddenly disappear when a business or romantic partner brings wonderful news your way, Cancer.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) If you've been concerned about your health for any reason, Leo, today your medi-

cal professional could give you a clean bill of health.

You will believe it, because you're likely to feel wonderful.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Creative energies are flowing like a river today, Virgo. Ideas for projects should come thick and fast. You can't wait to get started. You may even formulate plans to market them once they're done.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Dreams should shed light on some difficult issues you've been trying to resolve, Libra.

You can finally make the problems disappear.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) More than one call could come today with absolutely wonderful news! Exciting and wonderful changes are in the wind, Scorpio, but you need to bear in mind that with the good news comes the unknown.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A sizable sum of money could come your way today, Sagittarius, probably as a surprise. This is a significant day for you. The money will open up new doors, particularly where creativity is concerned, so the situation definitely calls for a celebration.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Today you may wake up feeling energetic, enthusiastic, optimistic, and very happy, Capricorn. You may not be able to trace this to anything logical, so don't even try.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Have you been feeling psychic lately, Aquarius? Has a recent dream or premonition come true? Any insights that you receive today aren't likely to be clothed in complex.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today you might gather with some very smart friends at a coffee house for an intellectual conversation, Pisces. Some fascinating ideas and useful information could be exchanged.

CWIMA is directly affiliated with the over 50s World Cup Cricket Committee based in Sydney, Australia. He informed that this committee is a private body operating outside the ICC had has so far held two over 50 World Cups.

“The Big Man Cricket Guyana is a private entity and exists on the basis of private entrepreneurship.”

Singh said they aspire to develop a strong pool of veteran cricketers through their tournaments. “We note that there has never been a veterans’ association administering masters’ cricket in Guyana

and we hope to fill that void.”

He emphasised that BMC is aimed at bringing out veterans to, once again, showcase their immense talent and experience with the glorious game of cricket. He alluded to the many positive spinoffs from this and other future masters’ tournaments which included players being forced to live a healthier lifestyle and to become more involved in clubs around the country while offering mentorship for the youths in these communities.

“We aim to make this competition an annual affair and

a platform for fundraising to support the objectives of the organisation,” he said, adding that a 45 overs tournament is planned for later this year since the world cup is a 45 overs competition.

Singh stated that these tournaments will be used as the yardstick to select a Guyana over- 50 squad to face off with their counterparts from the Caribbean and North America in October of this year.

He pointed out that the tournament has attracted eight teams and noted that no such tournament has been held in Guyana on a country wide basis and the players have an opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage. Singh noted that they have obtained permission from the covid 19 task force and spectators will not be allowed at venues. “We shall provide live streaming for the matches being played at Bourda,” he said.

Singh informed that they had applied to the GCB for their support, but they have decided to withhold their recognition for the competition.

“Our committee welcomes an over 40 competition by the GCB as it can be used as a feeder for this tournament.”

The Chairman also mentioned that his aim was to create structures in all the Caribbean islands in order to develop masters’ cricket regionally. Barbados and Trinidad already had strong structures in place and work has already started in the other islands.

The competition is being sponsored by Banks DIH, Bramdeo Persaud Customs Brokerage, Church’s Chicken, Cricket Zone USA, David Persaud Investment Ltd., Games Express, NAFICA/ NALICO, Panko Steel Fabrication, P and P Insurance Brokers, Paul Archer Risk Management, Premier Insurance, Ready-mix Concrete, Timothy’s Motorcycle Spares, Trophy Stall, WJ Enterprise and RS 53Restobar and Lounge.

The winner will collect a trophy and $400,000 and the runner up a trophy and $250,000. There will also be prizes for other outstanding performers.

PAGE 28

Saturday March 13, 2021

Kaieteur News

Caribbean Football Union and SporTT collaborate on knowledge-sharing hub Balmain, Couva - The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited

(SporTT) have signed a ground-breaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for knowledge shar-

ing and the advancement of the business of sport regionally.

The agreement, under its

first schedule, will see SporTT designing programmes for the CFU via the football organization’s e-learning por-

tal.

There will also be collaboration with CFU in the creation of training packages for member associations at SporTT facilities. The partnership is an important pillar of the CFU’s learning, training, and retooling initiative to build the capacity of administrators across in the 31 member associations.

At the signing ceremony, SporTT CEO Jason Williams said, “We are currently, aggressively rolling out knowledge building and management training to the various national governing bodies under SporTT and our line ministry.”

Regarding the agreement, he said, “This collaboration will see us expand our range and cast a wider net for the improvement in how sports and its related businesses and activities are managed. I see this as a plus for this engagement.”

CFU General Secretary Camara David said the collaboration positions both organizations as thought leaders and innovators. ”The CFU will work with regional institutions, organizations and professionals to deliver short courses to our membership to improve their knowledge base and overall efficiency.

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 29

Kaieteur News

West Indies squad named for first Test against Sri Lanka ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) Selection Panel yesterday announced the West Indies squad for the first of the twomatch Test series at home against Sri Lanka.

The Test squad features several players who recently participated in the 2-0 victorious Test series in Bangladesh.

Two senior players who did not play in the Bangladesh series, allrounder Jason Holder and left-handed batsman Darren Bravo, have returned to the Test squad which will be led

by Kraigg Brathwaite.

The first Test will be played at the Sir Vivian

Richards Stadium from March 21-25. The Selection Panel also named the squad for the CWI President’s XI to face Sri Lanka in a two-day warm-up match at Coolidge Cricket Ground on March 17-18.

Speaking on the squad, Lead Selector Roger Harper said: “It is good to be able to put together a Test squad with a number of players coming off very good performances in their last series in Bangladesh.

Very encouraging. It is a fantastic opportunity to build on the good work that was done in Bangladesh. It is very important to continue the process of working hard, playing with great passion, play-

Kyle Mayers was Man of the Match in the 1st Test in Bangladesh. (CWI)

Rahkeem Cornwall bowls during an excellent series in Bangladesh.

(CWI)

ing with determination and a great desire to succeed. Doing that consistently will bring us the right results.”

Harper added: “A number of players seized the opportunity that the tour of Bangladesh presented and booked a place for themselves in the Test team for this series. This now means that there is keen competition for places which should drive better individual performances and that of the team.

I also think that these players are looking forward to dis-

playing their skills on home soil.”

Squad for first Test Kraigg Brathwaite (captain) Jermaine Blackwood (vice-captain) Nkrumah Bonner Darren Bravo John Campbell Rahkeem Cornwall Joshua Da Silva Shannon Gabriel Jason Holder Alzarri Joseph Kyle Mayers Kemar Roach

Jomel Warrican CWI President’s XI Squad Roston Chase (captain) Darren Bravo Shamarh Brooks Shannon Gabriel Jahmar Hamilton Keon Harding Kavem Hodge Shai Hope Kyle Mayers Shayne Moseley Veerasammy Permaul Anderson Phillip Kemar Roach Of note: Following the

conclusion of the CWI President’s XI match Roston Chase, Jahmar Hamilton and Chemar Holder will remain as reserves for the first Test.

Jayden Seales will remain as a developmental player.

Test Series Schedule – West Indies v Sri Lanka March 17-18: CWI President’s XI vs Sri Lanka at CCG - 10am ECT/9am JT March 21-25: 1st Test at SVRS – 10am ECT/9am JT March 29 to April 2: 2nd Test at SVRS – 10am ECT/9am JT

Kaieteur News

PAGE 30

Saturday March 13, 2021

Former National Footballer Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey laid to rest

T

hey came out in their numbers from far and near, a number flew in from overseas, to bid farewell to a

man who some say loved others more than himself. He deserved every bit of accolade that was and is being mentioned of him.

The late Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey, the 65 years old former National Footballer, community activist, youth advocate and a selfless

server of the community in many spheres was laid to rest o n We d n e s d a y a t t h e Stanleytown Cemetery in New Amsterdam.

There were many dignitaries and many former national players in attendance. A number of persons wore football and other sporting attire. While some shed tears other were perplexed.

The robust and busy Humphrey lived at Lad Lane New Amsterdam died suddenly on Sunday 28th February.

A funeral service was held at the All Saints Scots Church ground; a place where he spent many hours exhibiting or imparting his football skills to others.

The body was then taken through the Prison Officers Compound for a drive by his residence. He worked with the Guyana Prison Service and when the Prisoners can shed tears, it tells a lot.

The hearse was proceeded by a group of youngsters playing football from is home to the burial ground.

To describe all the sentiments, achievement and other selfless acts performed

by Neil Humphrey would take many pages and as one person said everything good said about Neil is true.

“Nothing said is being said because he is dead; he was just a selfless soldier and many times a one man army”.

On many occasions he alone would do everything for a football match or competition from organising, coaching, teaching, training, refereeing, to coordinating.

He would silence the crowd and MC the presentation ceremony, compile the results before disseminating it to the media. He was Mr. Football.

Neil had many names, the more popular being “Grizzly and Coachman”.

Neil was the third of eight siblings, five boys and three girls and a father of seven. His generosity has no bounds; apart from his seven children he adopted two more. He also leaves to mourn his elderly mother.

The Humphrey Family is well known for their sporting powers and generosity in Guyana. Apart from their football powers a number of the siblings represented Guyana with success in various sports disciplines at various levels.

Neil was a live wire. He featured in the national football line up from his teen years to senior level. He also participated in many other

sporting activities one can think about with reasonable success.

Along with his siblings he was a prominent figure in the Berbice football lineup and represented clubs such as Cougars, Caribs, Bermine for teams such as Caribs, Bermine, Hearts of Oak and Hearts of Oak Masters.

He helped to form the Hearts of Oak Masters Football Club and was the current president when he died. He was the chief organiser in the club, organising the popular Teach Them Young football Camp for more than two decades.

He was also the local contact for the Overseas Disturbance Football Club which is made up of mostly of former residents.

He was also the live wire along with his siblings that organised the once popular Hilbert “Old Beef” Humphrey sports activities which was played in memory of his father.

Neil was also an integral part in the family popular butchery business. His boots will be hard to fill.

The Kaieteur Sports takes the opportunity to extend deepest sympathy to t h e f a m i l y, f r i e n d s , associates of Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey.

(Samuel Whyte)

Family members of Neil Humphrey console each other at his funeral service.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 31

Nicholas Pooran eases jitters after Evin Lewis and Shai Hope set up 2-0 series win ESPNcricinfo - In a game that the West Indies had dominated for large parts, Sri Lanka, who had been mediocre for most of the match, threatened to take it away with some clutch play towards the end of both innings, but some late hitting from Nicholas Pooran ensured that the platform laid by the opening pair of Shai Hope and Evin Lewis who put on a record 192-run opening stand - was not wasted.

The win means West Indies take the three-match series 2-0 with a game to go, and register two consecutive ODI wins for the first time since 2014.

For Sri Lanka, it leaves them with plenty to ponder, as their bowlers - more worryingly their spinners were once again toothless for much of the proceedings.

Most of the credit for this win though must go to Hope and Lewis, whose budding partnership at the top of the order is proving to be a real source of optimism for the future. Set a notinconsiderable target of 274, the pair went about the chase in the manner of two war veterans going about a game of paintball. Much as in the first ODI, risk-taking was kept to a minimum - though boundaries were accumulated when needed and running between the wickets was frequent and efficient.

Aside from a tough return catch to Lakshan Sandakan, and some fairly

close run-out opportunities, neither batsmen really ever gave the impression that the visiting bowlers were capable of troubling them.

For Hope, this was just carrying on from his recent form against the Lankans, who he has now scored five consecutive ODI fifties against - also his fifth consecutive half century in ODIs overall.

Lewis meanwhile, continued his trend from the first game, of reining in his more attacking instincts, to grind down the Lankan attack - though his eight fours and four sixes, meant that more than half of the runs in his 123-ball 103 still came in boundaries.

It wasn’t until Lewis fell, stumped as he came down the track to Sandakan and attempted a wild swing across line - one of the few low-percentage shots he attempted - that the West Indian chase began to stutter.

His wicket brought an end to the highest stand by a West Indian opening pair against Sri Lanka in ODIs, and the fourth-highest opening partnership by a West Indian pair ever.

At that point the home side were on 192 for 1 in the 38th over, requiring 82 runs from 76 deliveries. However when Hope also fell an over later, holing out in the deep, it left two new batsmen at the crease.

The visitors, sensing an opportunity began to tighten things up, with the likes of Darren Bravo, Kieron

Pollard and Fabian Allen, all losing their wickets in attempts to up the scoring rate. However, with Nuwan Pradeep missing his lengths at the death, Pooran’s cameo made sure the hosts would just about make it across the finish line.

Pooran’s knock incidentally was almost mirrored earlier in the day by Wanindu Hasaranga, who had almost single-handedly dragged Sri Lanka to a competitive total. His 31ball 47 had sparked an innings that had for large parts been limping along thanks to some exceptional West Indian bowling - to help his team climb to 273 for 8.

Having come in at the end of the 42nd over, Hasaranga’s crucial cameo came with Sri Lanka waning at 204 for 6. After a circumspect start Hasaranga cut loose in the 47th over, taking Alzarri Joseph for a sweet hit over long-on.

The next over he took Jason Holder for another two maximums, before then taking Romario Shepherd for a further two boundaries and six, as Sri Lanka stole 51 runs off the final five overs of the innings.

Prior to Hasaranga’s intervention, much of Sri Lanka’s innings had been defined by the West Indian bowlers, punctuated by Joseph’s 2 for 42 and offspinner Jason Mohammed’s 3 for 47, with only Danushka Gunathilaka having looked capable of adding any

urgency for the visitors.

Gunathilaka, who would go on to score a run-a-ball 96, was aided by Dinesh Chandimal and his 98-ball 71, in reviving a Sri Lankan innings that almost failed to ever get going.

The pair came together after Sri Lanka had slumped to 50 for 3 midway through the ninth over.

Captain Dimuth Karunaratne fell early, chopping the ball on to his stumps off the excellent Joseph.

Joseph would be in the thick of it once more a short while later, getting one to seam back in past Pathum Nissanka’s inside edge to clip the top of off stump.

Then Oshada Fernando, failing to drive an Akeel Hosein delivery that gripped and spun, only managed to get a thick edge to first slip.

And so Gunathilaka and Chandimal began the rebuild, putting on a 100-run partnership off 128 deliveries. Gunathilaka, who was by far the most fluent of Sri Lanka’s batsmen aside from Hasaranga, was nevertheless shackled by the need to consolidate in the middle overs.

In an innings that included 10 fours and three sixes, only three of those would come beyond the 15th over; and just as he would have been looking to accelerate, he was castled by a flatter delivery by Mohammed that sped through.

Following Gunathilaka’s

Evin Lewis hits out during his outstanding knock. (CWI)

Danushka Gunathilaka powers the ball away over midwicket, West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, North Sound, March 12, 2021 © AFP/Getty Images

Dinesh Chandimal played a steady hand in a 100run fourth-wicket partnership, West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, North Sound, March 12, 2021 © AFP/Getty Images

dismissal in the 30th over, Sri Lanka would score just 54 runs until Hasaranga’s arrival 12 overs later.

In that period Mohammed would prove particularly difficult to get

away also accounting for the wickets of Chandimal and Ashen Bandara, and on another day it would have been enough to limit Sri Lanka’s total further if not for Hasaranga’s late charge.

Scoreboard Sri Lanka Innings (50 Overs Maximum) Danushka Gunathilaka b Mohammed Dimuth Karunaratne (c) b Joseph Pathum Nissanka b Joseph Oshada Fernando c Holder b Hosein Dinesh Chandimal † c Allen b Mohammed Ashen Bandara c Shepherd b Mohammed Thisara Perera run out (Allen/†Hope) PWH de Silva c Joseph b Holder Lakshan Sandakan not out Dushmantha Chameera not out Extras (lb 1, w 5) TOTAL (50 Ov, RR: 5.46) for 8wkts

96 1 10 2 71 18 19 47 2 1 6 273

Did not bat: Nuwan Pradeep Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Dimuth Karunaratne, 2.2 ov), 2-32 (Pathum Nissanka, 6.5 ov), 3-50 (Oshada Fernando, 8.4 ov), 4-150 (Danushka Gunathilaka, 29.2 ov), 5-186 (Ashen Bandara, 37.4 ov), 6-204 (Dinesh Chandimal, 41.5 ov), 7-268 (PWH de Silva, 49.1 ov), 8-271 (Thisara Perera, 49.4 ov)

BOWLING O M Alzarri Joseph 10 1 Jason Holder 9 0 Akeal Hosein 4 0 Romario Shepherd 3 0 Fabian Allen 10 0 Kieron Pollard 4 0 Jason Mohammed 10 0

R 42 66 20 0

W 2 1 1 37

43 17 47

0 0 3

West Indies Innings (Target: 274 runs from 50 Overs) Evin Lewis st †Chandimal b Sandakan 103 Shai Hope † c Pradeep b Perera 84 Nicholas Pooran not out 35 Darren Bravo c Bandara b Perera 10 Kieron Pollard (c) lbw b Pradeep 15 Fabian Allen c Bandara b Pradeep 15 Jason Holder not out 2 Extras (b 1, lb 5, nb 1, w 3) 10 TOTAL (49.4 Ov, RR: 5.51) for 5wkts 274 Did not bat: Jason Mohammed, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-192 (Evin Lewis, 37.2 ov), 2-194 (Shai Hope, 38.5 ov), 3-212 (Darren Bravo, 41.6 ov), 4-233 (Kieron Pollard, 45.5 ov), 5-249 (Fabian Allen, 47.2 ov)

BOWLING OM R W

Nuwan Pradeep 9.4 0 66 2 Dushmantha Chameera 10 0 56 0 Thisara Perera 7 0 45 2 Danushka Gunathilaka 3 0 17 0 PWH de Silva 10 0 48 0 Lakshan Sandakan 10 1 36 1 Match Details Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua Toss:W est Indies, elected to field first Player Of The Match: Evin Lewis Umpires Joel Wilson Nigel Duguid TV Umpire Gregory Brathwaite Reserve Umpire Leslie Reifer Match Referee Richie Richardson Points:W est Indies 10, Sri Lanka 0

Kaieteur News

PAGE 32

Saturday March 13, 2021

Region 10 makes Huge Commitment to Golf - Sport implemented in all Secondary Schools

Teachers from the Upper Demerara region with representatives from the GGA.

W

ith golf making huge strides under the stewardship Guyana Golf Association, Region 10 took a huge step forward on Wednesday by moving to implement the golf programme in all seven Secondary schools.

(McKenzie High School, Linden Foundation Secondary School, New Silvercity Secondary S c h o o l , C h r i s t i a n b u rg Wismar Secondary School, Wisburg Secondary School, Kwakwani Secondary and Harmony Secondary School).

This bold decision by Regional Education District Officer Nigel Richards will see over 600 students have immediate access to the sport and an additional 1,400

when school resumes normal operations. Added to the current school programme, Guyana now has over 800 children playing Golf.

Mr. Richards, speaking at the launch, expressed his gratitude to the assembled Physical Education teachers, the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Unit, represented by Nicholas Fraser and Lindley Langhorne and GGA President Aleem Hussain for the rapid response to introduction of the game, especially since it’s the only fully compliant covid-19 activity for the kids.

“I have always wanted to try the sport myself and want to thank Mr. Hussain for his extraordinary efforts to make this possible for our children.

In Region 10 it is said that we

lead, others follow, and again we are proving that is the case.”

The REDO was joined by Ms Gordon-Bynoe (Graduate HoD English), Ms. Greene-Brewster (District Education Officer, Primary), Ms. Daniels (District Education Officer, Secondary), Ms. Anderson (District Education Officer 1) and took the time to receive his first lesson and proved his natural talents extended to golf.

“There is no reason that Linden and Region 10 cannot produce the next PGA player to rival Tiger Woods and we have the raw talent, knowledge, desire and I will support all efforts to make it possible.”

The training programme

held at Wisburg Secondary School was organised by Lindley Langhorne in coordination with Nicholas Fraser from the MOE Allied Arts Unit and saw teachers take part in theoretical and practical training sessions to prepare them for their individual schools.

Wi t h t r a i n i n g f o r teachers from at least 30 additional schools scheduled in August, the goal of 5-6,000 new players by end of 2021 now certainly seems achievable when you look at the numbers and response from students, parents and teachers.

Linden Mayor Waneeka Arrindell and her high level management team met with GGA President after the training and discussed

working together to develop a Golf course in Linden that would be able to fulfill the needs of the community whilst the same time attracting Golf tourism dollars.

“We feel that it is time that Linden capitalises on the growth and potential that Golf offers and we plan to move aggressively to accommodate Mr. Hussain.”

Several sites in Linden were discussed and detailed inspections and planning is set to commence in the coming weeks.

According to Hussain, this fits into the growth plans for the development of the game as the construction of the first modern designed course on West Coast Demerara will commence shortly. “We hope that

communities will see the need to add Golf facilities to their areas and the GGA will assist with the design and logistics for development.”

The tremendous interest that Golf brings to the general public was evident as over 50 persons showed up on Day one to participate in the Assuria General Insurance 3-Hole Amateur Golf Championship at the Nexgen Golf Academy on Woolford Avenue.

The sponsor was forced to extend the hours of play to start from 15:00 Friday and Saturday to accommodate the number of persons in a covid-19 compliant manner.

That event is open to the public at no cost with lots of food, fun, and prizes available even if you just want to be a spectator.

Rockaway Group of Companies assists LBI CCCC

CEO of the Rockaway Group of Companies Hafeez Ali (5th from left) with members of the club at the presentation ceremony.

R

ockaway Group of Companies on We d n e s d a y l a s t presented a quantity of cricket equipment to the La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre Cricket Club, East Coast

Demerara.

CEO of the Rockaway Group of Companies Hafeez Ali made the presentation to members of the club at the LBI ground.

Ali said he is pleased to render assistance to the club and urged the

youths to take the game seriously.

He spoke of the importance of hard work and discipline and told them to enjoy the game.

Ali reminded that during his time as a player, cricket gears were difficult to obtain and told the

members present that he will deliver uniforms for the players within three weeks. He pledged his continued support.

Club Captain and Secretary Richard Dowlatram thanked Ali and urged the youths to make full

use of the equipment. He told them to remain discipline. Shahabudeen Khan, head of the disciplinary committee and B team skipper said they are delighted for the assistance and they are looking forward to continued support.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 13, 2021

PAGE 33

GFF pays respects at funeral of Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey - Also inspects Berbice project A Guyana Football Federation delegation, led

by President Wayne Forde, paid its last respects to former national player and Berbice football legend Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey at his funeral in New Amsterdam on Thursday, March 11.

Humphrey, who sadly passed away two weeks ago aged 65, represented Guyana during the 1970s, played for several clubs such as Cougars and Caribs, and ran the Teach Them Young football camp for more than two decades.

“It was a great privilege to attend Grizzly’s funeral this week to honour his memory with his friends, family and community, and to pay our respects on behalf of the football fraternity,” President Forde said. “It was a deeply moving experience as we celebrated the life of a loving father, son and brother, a great servant to football and a hugely popular man.

“We came away from the ceremony motivated and inspired by Grizzly’s life to continue to develop the game that he loved so dearly.

RIP Grizzly,” he said.

During the visit, the delegation took the opportunity to inspect infrastructure works at football facilities in New

Amsterdam and Ann’s Grove, where the GFF is investing heavily to improve the quality and standard of grounds in order to spur the development of football and enhance access for all.

The GFF kickstarted major football facility upgrades last month, under the FIFA Forward and One Concacaf programmes, which included the construction of changing rooms suitable for both male and female players and officials at Ann’s Grove Community Ground and the Vryman’s Erven Ground in New Amsterdam.

The upgrades are scheduled for completion in June.

As part of the compliance requirements for the projects, the GFF must monitor contractor activities onsite and strive to ensure the timely, cost effective and quality delivery of any works.

President Forde also held constructive meetings with New Amsterdam Deputy Mayor Wainwright McIntosh and Town Council officials, as well as Regional Executive Officer Narindra Persaud, who pledged to support ground development in New Amsterdam.

“We are very satisfied

Members of the GFF delegation and NA Town Council hold talks on Thursday. with the works at both facilities so far – they are going to make a big difference for football in both areas and, importantly, open up access to more female players and officials,” said Forde. “The GFF is committed to ensuring that FIFA and Concacaf funds are put to the best use possible for the development of football in Guyana in a clear and transparent way.

A significant strategic focus for us the Executive Committee is to upgrade football facilities around the country so that they are fit for purpose and so that more

GFF President Wayne Forde (left) during an inspection of the football facility in New Amsterdam.

Cheddi Jagan Memorial softball cricket set for March 21 The annual Cheddi Jagan Memorial softball cricket competition is set for March 21 at Lusignan Community Centre ground starting at 09:00hrs.

The 7-a-side competition will be played in the over-40 and open categories. Teams can contact Seeraj Bhimsain on 647-2840 for registration.

people can participate in the sport.”

“Our meetings with New Amsterdam and regional representatives were extremely positive and we look forward to working closely with officials in Berbice to improve

conditions for football and develop young talent in the region.”

The GFF has a 30-year lease for the Vryman’s Erven ground, which will become a “home of football” for the Berbice region. The GFF’s ongoing infrastructure blitz

also includes works to complete the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, upgrades to GFF headquarters in Georgetown, and the installation of a perimeter fence at a playfield in BB Eccles Housing Scheme.

CARIFTA games pushed back to this August

T

h e 2 0 2 1 Caribbean Free Trade Association (Carifta) Games, scheduled for Bermuda, has been pushed back to August 13 to 15.

The announcement came on Thursday at a virtual press conference from Mike Sands, president of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC).

The Games was postponed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and then rescheduled from April to July this year.

Sands said that the latest change was necessary because the previous dates from July 2 to 4 were clashing with the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) regional exams.

“The Games was scheduled for July 2 to 4 and, lo and behold, we received official word several days ago that the CXC exams have been scheduled for June 14 to July 16,” Sands said. “Of course, I need not tell you that it fell smack in the middle of our planning and would directly affect the vast majority, if not all, of our

Aubrey Hutson athletes.

We undertook a series of emergency meetings to look at whatever dates were available.“We also had continuous meetings with the president of Bermuda National Athletics Association, Donna Raynor, and we had no choice at this stage, based on consultation with our members, and arrived at the date of August 13-15 for the new Carifta Games.”

The Carifta Games is arguably the biggest and most popular annual junior athletics championships in the region.

In the 48-year history of

the Games, Jamaica has topped the medal table 43 times and the country’s last defeat was in 1984 when The Bahamas won at home.

Th e an n u al C ar if ta Games is usually staged on the traditional Easter weekend.

Head of the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG), Aubrey Hutson, in an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport explained that he had foreseen the date being an issue with the CXC examinations but nevertheless a solution has been found.Hutson hailed the decision as excellent but noted the only logistical problem for not only Guyanese athletes but all the juniors is the fact that the W o r l d J u n i o r Championships are scheduled to run off one week after the Bermuda Carifta games, an issue he is certain the AAG will find amicable solution to.

Hutson further noted that the more time the local organising committee (LOC) for the Bermuda games gets, the better it will be for them to ensure all systems are in place for smooth sailing.

Nicholas Pooran eases jitters after Evin Lewis and Shai Hope set up 2-0 series win

Evan Lewis and Shai Hope build their century stand © AFP/Getty Images

t Spor

Former National Footballer Neil “Grizzly” Humphrey laid to rest CARIFTA games West Indies squad pushed back named for first Test to this August against Sri Lanka The remains of Neil Humphrey is borne into the All Saints Scots Church ground for a service.

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