Monday March 15, 2021
Kaieteur News
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ExxonMobil EIA for Liza One highly flawed * Assesses only 6 of 250+ toxic chemicals from flaring * reliability of results affected by weather, electricity woes The effect on air quality by flaring offshore Guyana by ExxonMobil’s local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has not been studied as the company supposedly did not envision that such a circumstance would play out. In its environmental impact assessment (EIA) for the Liza Phase One project, the company employed a mechanism to measure the impact of this practice on air quality. Importantly, that exercise did not even measure 10 percent of the toxic chemicals released by flaring. Furthermore, the EIA notes that numerous challenges affected the study’s reliability. The issues mentioned therefore, render the EIA highly flawed in its measurement of air quality, leaving the public with no idea of the true effect of flaring on the environment. Notes on the air quality measurement are found in Volume Two of the EIA, the technical appendices. Page Five of the document which outlines the Air Quality Parameters, notes that the study only examined concentrations of
six chemicals. “The programme measured ambient concentrations of SO2 (Sulfur dioxide), H2S (Hydrogen sulfide), NO (Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile organic compound (VOC), and Particulate Matter 10 (PM10),” the EIA states. According to a special study conducted by the World Bank, flaring releases gases that are not only harmful to one’s health but also disastrous to the climate. The report notes that flaring releases more than 250 toxins including cancer causing agents such as benzopyrene, benzene, carbon disulphide (CS2), carbonyl sulphide (COS), and toluene. It also releases metals such as mercury, arsenic, and chromium and nitrogen oxides. Because EEPGL’s air quality study only measures the ambient concentration of six chemicals, it would be a flawed indication of the detriment of flaring to the quality of the air if it were presented as such. The six chemicals account for less than 2.5 percent of the toxic chemicals which pollute the
Flaring offshore Guyana at the Liza Destiny oil vessel
air. In addition, Page Nine of the Technical Appendices contains a section which speaks to Quality Control/Quality Assurance. The EIA states “Air monitoring on board a working research vessel i n t ro d u c e s n u m e ro u s challenges to obtaining re l i a b l e a m b i e n t a i r quality monitoring measurements.” The EIA posits that these challenges are “Potential uncertainty regarding the location at which a measurement is made; Exposure to weather that may damage instruments
o r b i a s t h e i r measurements; Potential measurement bias due to impacts from on-board emission sources; and Reliability of electrical power with which to operate the monitoring instruments.” The section went on to state that the monitoring programme’s equipment proved to be resilient, but that significant aberrations occurred, which include failure of the Carbon Monoxide (CO) sensor and malfunctioning of the
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) sensor. With all the stated challenges to the monitoring process, which also lacked studies on the ambient concentration of more than 200 toxic chemicals released by flaring, ExxonMobil’s EIA succinctly presented that the results showed the monitored concentration of the air contaminants in the vicinity of the Liza Phase One area to be low. Page 10, the Results page, states “In general, concentrations of the
monitored air contaminants in the vicinity of the Liza Phase 1 area were found to be very low when compared with levels typically found in terrestrial environments, and with national and international ambient air quality standards.” The company has flared over 13 billion cubic feet of gas offshore Guyana and to date, is still flaring at about 16 million cubic feet per day. The country awaits the reinstatement of ExxonMobil’s repaired gas compression equipment.
Liza One, Two permits amended from 20 to five-year timeline - in keeping with court order The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has amended ExxonMobil’s Liza One and Two environmental permits in line with the lawful five-year timeline. According to the amended Liza One permit, it is now effective from June 1, 2017 to May 31, 2022. As for the Liza Two permit, it has been amended to be effective from April 26, 2019 to April 25, 2024. These amendments follow after the High Court, on October 3, 2020, had ordered for ExxonMobil’s Liza One environmental permit to be in conformity with the law. The order, which had been granted by Justice Jo Ann Barlow, had effectively reduced Exxon’s environmental permit from 20 plus years to five – the accurate five year allocation as prescribed by law. The matter was settled in court following an initial hearing of the case filed against the EPA by Guyanese scientist and the former
President of Transparency Institute Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), Dr. Troy Thomas. Both the EPA and Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, ExxonMobil’s local operating subsidiary, agreed to limit the permit to five years, as provided by law. As a result, an order was issued f o r E x x o n ’s permit in the Liza One oil field development to expire in the next 18 months instead of 2040 —24 years after the issuance originally granted by the EPA. In his lawsuit filed last August, Dr. Thomas noted that the permits issued to EEPGL had violated the EPA’s Regulation 19, which specifically cites the limits to the issuance of permits to five years after which it is subject to review before a fresh one is granted to the oil operators to ensure that their exploration activities are keeping with the laws that protect the environment.
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Monday March 15, 2021
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the Pay your money and get Guyana-Suriname Basin - Senior UWI “Holy Grail” of oil and gas Fellow authentic COVID-19 test - GCAA Director or face 250k fine General In response to claims that the penalties for persons found submitting forged COVID-19 test results are too harsh, the DirectorGeneral of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), (retd) Colonel Egbert Field has said that persons can simply avoid them by doing the right thing, which is paying for an authentic COVID-19 test and submitting test results that are not falsified. The GCAA has issued a sound warning that anyone found guilty of attempting to leave Guyana with fake COVID-19 results will pay a fine of $250,000 or they will be prevented from flying in the future, and be added to the no-fly list. Furthermore, the Director-General who made his assertion while speaking to Kaieteur News via telephone yesterday, said that the penalty is not too harsh, as it ensures maximum compliance by persuading persons who may be thinking of submitting falsified COVID-19 results to do the right thing. He lamented that there is a possibility that someone
Director-General of the GCAA, (retd) Colonel Egbert Field
submitting fake documents can be infected with the virus, and as they board a plane, they put everyone they come into contact with at-risk, aiding in the further spread of the virus. According to the Director, it is a choice they are making between doing the right thing and “putting people six feet under”. The announcement of the penalty was given last week, shortly after the Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony had disclosed that the
government has received reports of persons attempting to enter Guyana with forged COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test results. Dr. Anthony had announced that a probe was launched by the government following the reports which were given by the operating airlines and that specific reports were not received of persons attempting to leave the country with fake results. However, the warning by the (Continued on page 16)
Man who hijacked lawyer’s car, jailed A man was on Friday last jailed after he pleaded guilty to stealing an attorney-atlaw’s motor vehicle. The defendant, Omar Francis, 23, of 72 Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly. Francis pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on March 8, 2021, at Lot 395 Bissessar Street, Prasad Nagar, Georgetown, he stole one Toyota Forerunner SUV valued $4M, property of Joan Mars, 67, a lawyer. According to the facts of the charge, on the day in question, Mars got to her home and exited her car to open the gate, leaving the keys in and the engine turned on when Francis entered her motor vehicle and drove away. Mars reportedly stopped a taxi and chased after Francis who then drove the vehicle into a trench after fleeing several places trying to escape. After Francis
exited the vehicle he was captured by public spirited citizens and was later handed over to the police. While speaking with this publication, the taxi-driver who assisted the lawyer described the incident as an “epic car-chase through Campbellville.” He stated that he had just picked up his son from school and was driving through Prashad Nagar, Georgetown, when an ‘elderly woman’ ran into the middle of the road and flogged him down. The taxi-driver said, “I stopped and the woman told me that a man just stole her car.” He added, “She hopped into my car and pointed to a SUV that was speeding away in front of us.” According to the taxidriver, without wasting anytime, he sped off behind the woman’s SUV and gave chase. “It was a rough drive which lasted some thirty minutes,” he stated. It was while turning into Ganges Street, Sophia, from First Street, Campbellville,
said the taxi driver, that the car thief lost control of the SUV and drove into the trench located in front of the People’s National Congress Reform’ s (PNCR) office Compound. “The car thief jumped out the car (SUV) and the trench with the woman’s hand bag in his hand and ran into the PNCR office compound,” the taxi-driver disclosed. Not giving up the chase, the taxi driver said that he exited his car and accompanied by some onlookers, ran behind the car thief and captured him. The police arrived shortly after and arrested the suspect. After the facts of the charge were presented to the court, Francis said, “Things though right now,” and “I was not in my right sense.” He also told the court that he is remorseful about the incident and that he is willing to pay for the damage. Despite his plea, Francis was sentenced to 18-months imprisonment for the crime committed.
Professor Emeritus / Senior Fellow of International Relations at the University of the West Indies, Anthony Bryan, has dubbed the GuyanaSuriname Basin (GSB) the “Holy Grail” of new oil province discoveries. Bryan, in a March 1, 2021 piece, highlighted that oil experts predict that during 2021, there will be a major increase in offshore drilling activity in the Southern Caribbean and Northern South America. Guyana will lead these drilling actions, the Professor noted, and referenced this to recent global increases in the price of crude, and the fact that oil and gas companies are searching for discoveries that can be quickly monetized for higher and faster returns. Bryan reminded that ExxonMobil has found approximately nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources offshore Guyana since 2015 and had its first oil lift in December 2019. He then wrote that it is expected that during 2021 the company will expand its exploration in the Canje Block and prepare for drilling in the Payara project in the Stabroek Block.
Senior Fellow at the University of the West Indies, Anthony Byran Turning to Suriname, Byran reminded that this Dutch-speaking country had also hit pay dirt following its Block 52 discovery in 2020, with deepwater exploration set for 2022. “The oil in the Guyana Suriname Basin” Byran wrote, “is the fluid substance that motivates Trinidad, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname to further explore and drill. It is now the Holy Grail for abundant fossil fuels. They all want a piece of the action, and actions speak louder than words.” Further to this, Bryan indicated in this piece that, that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is approaching the responsible global maritime jurisdiction bodies for approval to push its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to the borders of
the GSB. To this he added, “Suriname, although it is part of the GSB, intends to move its offshore exploration closer to the lucrative Stabroek fields of Guyana. Venezuela not to be outdone, last year ordered the Venezuelan Navy to redefine the nation’s maritime boundaries and its EEZ.” The Professor indicated that one of the major challenges to the lucrative industry is the common thread will be climate change. He further said that the challenge for finding more fossil fuels lie in global environmental opposition to big projects as in the GSB; the growing competitiveness of alternatives like wind and solar power that are often the cheapest sources of new electricity generation; and a major employer in many countries. But the Professor emphasized that “Oil and gas will be around for several decades” and that “It should be an interesting 2020s. The devil is in the details. But the business of oil and gas extraction should continue apace until it’s no longer profitable or feasible to so do. Our four countries and the International Oil Companies interested in the cutting-edge GSB will demand as much.”
Pregnant mother of seven dies during boat trip to hospital A pregnant woman died yesterday while she was being transported to the Bartica Hospital in a boat. Police have identified her as Berverly Bumbury, 40, popularly known as Ulits, a mother of seven who resided with her husband, a farmer at Bonasika, Essequibo River. The woman died sometime around 01:00hrs. According to police reports, she was eight-months pregnant at the time. Her husband, Ray Bumbury, 45, told investigators that prior to her death she complained of feeling unwell. He added that she was suffering from hypertension.
Ray said that he decided to take her to the closest hospital in the area which was located at Bartica. When they departed Bonasika via speed boat, he recounted that during the journey his wife complained of feeling discomfort. When they arrived at Hubu Landing, located on the East Bank of the Essequibo River he noted that she was unconscious by that time. The police were contacted at the landing and efforts were made to rush her to the hospital. Unfortunately, when they finally arrived, doctors pronounced her dead.
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Monday March 15, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
Vaccine Distribution The Hon. Minister of Public Health was clear: the vaccines that were so generously made available to this country, and that are here, would be handled with the greatest wisdom, with an emphasis on fairness. We believe that he has, or had, every intention of doing so. Yet there are certain developments that raise eyebrows, and prompt pausing, thinking, and taking positions, tough positions that may not be liked. Frontline workers in the medical field, whether public or private institutions, were given the highest priority for vaccines, which made perfect sense. Take care of them, so that they can take care of us, when we go to them for relief from our fears and agonies. The prioritisation for vaccination of some on call, and in their own way frontline workers also, meaning public servants, such as police officers and teachers and other mandatory categories, who are exposed, out of national necessity, to daily interactions with citizens from everywhere and carrying who knows what, likewise made for good sense. That is all good and sound and we extend our commendations to the Hon. Minister of Public Health and his team of professionals engaged in a fight to the finish. Unfortunately, the finish line is unknown and a far way from any degree of satisfying finality. The world just does not know where it is in this journey and battle. The minister was also clear: there would be no jumping of the line by those who ‘know people’ who could make things happen. That is, the right people, who would only be too glad to twist the line (and stretch the truth and circumstances) to suit their own selfish purposes. It is beginning to happen. And when they do so, it means that the deserving is pushed farther back into the line, and with a longer wait. It also means that, with a limited number of vaccines currently available, only a limited number of citizens will be vaccinated. It must always be remembered that any number of vaccines coming here, or already here, must be divided in two to arrive at how many citizens would get the full round trip of shots. Though there should be need for subtitles, whatever the number of thousands of vaccines here, or on the way to here, that number must be divided by two to determine how many Guyanese will be able to be fully vaccinated. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which requires one shot only, is not here yet, and there has been no talk of any being in the works in the near future. As a further aside, in the United States, reports are coming out that “tens of millions of doses sit idly in American manufacturing facilities” while there is an inexplicable wait for emergency clearance from officials (New York Times, March 12). Because of all of this, it is disappointing that the now publicised schedule of available vaccine distribution seems to have most places and regions in mind, except for Region Four. In fact, awareness of vaccine distribution to those over 60 came about in the media on Saturday AFTER such distribution had already occurred at two sites in Georgetown - the GPHC and at the Ministry of Health’s complex on Upper Brickdam. This is disappointing and mystifying for several reasons, in the manner in which they were made public as far as we know, with many still uncertain as to what is what and where. It could have been done better, since many are involved, so many would want to know. We would argue that there is no more congested place than large parts of the capital city, especially the municipal markets and transportation parks. We overlook the stores and streets, which can be persistent pictures of people congregating; we say nothing of bars and corner shop gathering places and drinking establishments. Then, a significant portion of the retail commerce in this country is transacted in the capital city. The capital city is a vital part of Region Four, despite some movement towards decentralisation. Moreover, given the population concentration, there should be a material number of older citizens living in Region Four. And the Hon. Minister of Public Health did commit to prioritising the aged for vaccine receipt. The records of the Ministry of Social Protection Old Age Pension Registry were to be used to identify those who would be next in line. There may be other sites in the Region Four area, besides MoPH (Brickdam) and the GPHC, which should be shared publicly.
As he did with Hoyte in 1992, Hamilton Green recommended to Granger to hold on to power at all costs Dear Editor, I write regarding Hamilton Green’s letter, “We are all victims, not beneficiaries, of the divide and rule policy” (Kaieteur News, March 11/ 21), which is his response to my letter of March 9/21. Instead of addressing the points raised in my letter, he has detoured into irrelevancies about imperial history of divide and rule. Guyana gained independence from Britain in 1966. Declassified documents from the US and British government archives show that the leader of Mr. Green’s party was a willing participant in the divide and rule policy of these imperial powers. In the early years of independence the US aided rigged elections in Guyana then later remained silent to keep his party in power. All along Green was a minister, then a vice-president, and finally Prime Minister of that government, enjoying the perks and benefits of government office. In 1992, he objected to US President Jimmy Carter’s proposals for free and fair elections. The question is why his objection? The answer is obvious – he wanted to hold on to power to continue to enjoy the perks of office. Now he has the audacity to claim that he was not a beneficiary but a victim of the divide and rule policy.
Not surprising that in late July 2020, in a radio interview, he advised then caretaker President David Granger who was refusing to concede defeat at the March 2020 elections “ … for the sake of your children, and our children and their children, do what is necessary. Put aside the constitution, put aside the laws. You are at this moment, and we hope for a long time, Commander-in-Chief”. This was a recommendation made in 2020 to Mr. Granger to hold on to power at all costs, consistent with what he wanted in 1992 when he advised President Hoyte against agreeing to US President Carter’s proposal for free and fair elections. After the statement was heavily criticized, he claimed “a slip of the tongue” and that he never meant for Mr. Granger to disregard the constitution and laws of Guyana. However, one cannot help but wonder if that slip of the tongue explanation came about after he realized that the US Secretary of State was looking into sanctions, including visa restriction on members and supporters of the APNU+AFC coalition. Without retraction of his statement, his frequent visits to the US could have been in jeopardy. In relation to the statement “Hergash has drifted like an Easter kite in
our tropical winds and has lost touch with reality”. Indeed I may have drifted in but a pertinent question is why was I out and had to drift in? I and thousands like me had to move out, leaving the land of our birth to seek safety and security in foreign lands because of being marginalized and discriminated against by the government during the years Hamilton Green was enjoying the good life as minister/vicepresident/prime minister in our former homeland. And then as the economy tanked, food and gas lines became a daily ritual, and life on the whole became unbearable, many high ranking individuals who had worked to put his party in power in 1964 followed us. Regarding his claim “I understood the importance of harmony of all races and classes”: That may be so, however when IndoGuyanese were being beaten and robbed in Georgetown as former President Jagdeo’s office was invaded, or when they were being murdered by the so-called Buxton freedom fighters after the 2002 jail break, where was the voice of Mr Green. In 2002 Dr. David Hinds and Mr Eusi Kwayana denounced the killings but I am not aware of any statement from him. And more recently when IndoGuyanese were subjected to
robbery and violence in West Coast Berbice following the murders of the Henry cousins, there was silence from him. So understanding without action to remedy a situation is meaningless. The matter about bloated electoral list will be adjudicated by the courts. No need to pursue that. Sooner or later we will know the truth. As for his offer to help to arrange lectures for me in Guyana, I was educated by some of Guyana’s best and brightest - in person by Professors Harold Drayton and Bobby Moore and Dr. Joshua Ramsammy, and by the books of Dr. Walter Rodney, all names Green will recognize. In case he needs a reminder, Harold Drayton was the person who worked to establish the University of Guyana (UG) in 1963. In his autobiography, An Accidental Life, he writes that at a meeting in the Prime Minister’s office in May 1971 in the presence of three other named individuals, then Prime Minister, Mr Burnham, threatened him saying “ he had means of dealing with persons like me”. In October 1971, Drayton’s dear friend and colleague, Joshua Ramsammy, a critic of the Government was the victim of an assassination attempt in broad daylight next to the fire station in Georgetown. He (Continued on page 6)
Could APNU/AFC make a comeback? Dear Editor, In the Parliamentary system, the Opposition works assiduously to win the next elections by putting forward its own better proposals for government and by exposing the weaknesses of the policies of the ruling government. It also shows their skill in managing Parliament and getting the best out of it for their constituents. It also shows to the electorate, that as a Government, it would be free of corruption and have no association with that evil and would never condone or tolerate Government servants to be corrupt. Astonishingly and sadly, the APNU/AFC Opposition is working to lose the next elections rather than to win them. They are doing this by:
(i) Not exposing the weaknesses of the policies of the present Government and not proposing any alternative policies. They have told the electorate that they have completely abdicated governance to a more able PPP/C and instead, they would spend their time crying out “race” and “Africans are being discriminated against” and would hope to garner in votes. This race shout does not work any more since people regard it as a meaningless shout of politicians. (ii) Instead of distancing and disassociating themselves from corruption and illegalities, they are sullying their image by continuing to associate with notorious persons who are on charges such as the GECOM
That is encouraging, and whatever is in place should be made widely known, rather than leaving much to guesswork. We would have thought that, other than for vulnerable border areas, Region Four would have been high on the list to receive vaccines, and with the widest information sharing. It just has not been so.
officials or the officer from the Lands and Surveys department. The Electorate will not elect any party which condones corruption. (iii) In Parliament, the Opposition members have not seriously taken on the PPP/C in debate and have been exposing themselves as incompetent and spend their time trying to disrupt Parliament by shouting insults and abuse at the PPP/ C members. In one of their sessions of bad behaviour when they kept running in and out of the chamber instead of engaging the PPP/ C in debate, the PPP/C quietly held their seats and passed the Budget thus outmaneuvering them. And when they hastily went to the Courts to try to correct the results of their foolish rowdiness, the Courts told them it was too late. The message sent to the electorate is that the PPP/C could always outmaneuver the Opposition who would always be losers and no one supports a loser. (iv) The APNU/AFC
members have shown no decorum or good manners or knowledge of Parliamentary procedures while the PPP/C side behaved decently. The Guyanese electorate would not elect ignorant ruffians or buffoons. (v) The APNU/AFC leaders often take a contradictory position which shows lack of leadership and coordination and an inability to govern. No electorate, not even old time PNC members, will elect persons who would embarrass and fail them. (vi) APNU/AFC has to work very hard to erase from itself the deep stain of being undemocratic by dissociating itself completely from its undemocratic friends and supporters and members. Except they do this, there is absolutely no possibility of their winning the next elections. They could still make a comeback if they could manage to do the rectifications suggested. Yours truly, Paul Validum Ramlochan
Monday March 15, 2021
CARICOM was doomed from the beginning Dear Editor Kindly allow me to respond to Sir Ronald Saunders article titled “Will regional unity be lost forever to the Caribbean?” It is very revealing that Sir Ronald has acknowledged that “influential persons in the region are, once again, expressing deep concern about CARICOM, particularly over its lack of unity in international affairs and the failure of its leaders to implement their own decisions regarding the single market.” The facts of the matter are that the individual Caribbean countries that make up Caricom will not surrender their individuality to a failed Caricom scheme. It was doomed from the inception. Rightly so it “has led a Minister of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines government to reproduce on his blog, a strong view that “CARICOM is dead,” depicted by a headstone in a burial ground.” I gave evidence before the West Indian Commission in 1992 and told the commissioners which included Sir Shridath Ramphal and UWI professor Mr. Rex Nettleford that Caricom was doomed to fail as
it was being implemented from the top by a few Caribbean leaders who do not even have a political mandate even in their own country.. Chief among these leaders was Mr. Forbes Burnham of Guyana who was partially motivated in getting the free flow of Caribbean immigrants into Guyana to shore up his minority support in the electorate.. Since Caricom has no grassroots support for its existence it has become weaker. Its weakness is evident in its non-representation of minority interest across the board. There is no sensitivity to the sizable Indian presence within its makeup. As a matter of fact, the Caricom secretariat is overwhelmingly staffed by Africans and there is no attempt to hide it. In response to my criticism Sir Shridath replied that he is Guyanese and that would always guide his deliberations while Mr. Nettleford repeated in private to me the usual refrain that Africans were the logical inheritors of the Caribbean from the departing British colonialists. The two men couldn’t have been more different in their opinion. A few decades Sir Ronald is now pitifully lamenting the demise of Caricom. Yours truly, Sultan Mohamed
It is ignorance and vindictiveness that has occasioned the arrest of Mr. Benn Dear Editor, I am writing this letter in a state of infuriation, and concern for the barbarism that is now passing for Governance and the Rule of Law. This letter is prompted by the arrest, detention and persecution of yet another perceived antagonist of the PPP/C, who happens to be an African Guyanese, Trevor Benn, under the pretext of a trumped-up charge: Misconduct in Public Office. Permit me to recall two incidents in which I was embroiled when I was the Registrar of the University of Guyana; and exposures that I experienced when I served as the Technical Facilitator to the Minister Rupert Roopnarine. As Registrar of the University, I also served as Secretary to the Council of the University. On more than one occasion, I confronted a council member, who was also a Minister of Government and a senior member of the PPP. The aforementioned member would have, on an annual basis, insisted that the monies appropriated to the Students‘ Loan Revolving Fund was a subvention to the University. That position was most absurd, ill-informed and even malicious. The University had no control over any aspect of that fund, except for drawing down rights in the instances when students accessed loans to pay fees to UG. The loan was a contractual agreement between the student and the Loan Agency and was repayable to the Loan Agency/Ministry of Finance. On no occasion did the
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students draw down all of the appropriated sum. However, the Hon. Minister insisted that the entire sum, even that which had not been disbursed as a loan, was a subvention to the University and made vile threats to discontinue the appropriation, if I insisted that it was not a subvention. Another Minister, who was not on the Council, once called to instruct me on the payment regime that should have been afforded a particular student who was not entitled to those terms of
payment of fees. On my refusal to carry-out the instruction, I was accosted and the threat of the withdrawal of UG‘s subvention was the Minister‘s parting words. That Minister also had university graduates blacklisted by the Immigration Department although, as students, they never entered into any agreement with the Ministry in question nor did the loan agreement provide for blacklisting. In fact, thousands of students (Continued on page 6)
Latitude on COVID rules suggested Dear Editor, In reference to your news report (Mar 14) on the raid of businesses that allegedly violate COVID rules, why headline the arrest of the proprietor and manager of SleepIn Bar and hotel and not others. He was not the only arrested or reported to have violated rules. In principle, I am supportive of holding account those who violate COVID or any other rules. But the authorities should allow for a little latitude in time before applying strict enforcement. It may not be possible to close a restaurant or bar at the exact moment of 9:30 PM. People may be eating or finishing up a drink and need a few extra minutes. If the proprietor or bar owner is
cooperative and shows signs of closing up or enforcing the rules, then there is no need to arrest people. If the patrons or proprietor are defiant, then examples should be made of them. Were those arrested defiant? If not, then withdraw the charges. Did the proprietor of SleepIn know the bar was not closed on time?
If he did not and he merely came to the bar to inquire and instruct the attendant to close shop, why the need to arrest him? He was cooperative. Were the authorities looking for publicity? Was it a PR exercise? The charge should be dismissed. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
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...It is ignorance and vindictiveness From page 5 travelled freely, but a few were targeted for unlawful blacklisting. One graduate actually sought the court‘s redress. When I served as Technical Advisor to Minister Roopnarine, my attention was drawn to the fact that Government had occupied a number of properties for which there was no paper trail showing acquisition and or ownership, by Government, of the properties. Some of those acquisitions pre-dated Guyana‘s Independence and even its Self-Rule. I recalled the aforementioned experiences
to demonstrate that in many instances Ministers arrogate unto themselves knowledge and authority, neither of which they possess. In other instances, there are past actions and/or omissions which have rendered the state of things irregular, conflicting and in need of institutional rectification. However, the custodians of our Legislative and Administrative sovereignty rather than acquainting themselves with the manner of the conduct of Public Affairs and the challenges confronting public administration in Guyana, simply impose their ignorance on the system and
misappropriate authority in pursuance of what they articulate to be the Nation‘s interest. In many instances it is simply vindictiveness while the real issue remains unresolved. I am advised that it is the combination of the aforementioned maladies (ignorance and vindictiveness) that has occasioned the arrest, detention and persecution of Mr. Benn, not to mention the political imperatives that motivate the masquerading of their ignorance and the witchhunting of their opponents “so called”. Yours truly, Vincent Alexander
Monday March 15, 2021
...As he did with Hoyte in 1992, Hamilton Green recommended From page 4 received three bullets and nearly died. No one was ever held despite eye witness description of the perpetrators and the vehicle they drove. Drayton left Guyana shortly thereafter and Ramsammy took over a year to recover. Bobby Moore was Walter Rodney’s history teacher at Queen’s College. Rodney’s story is well known. An article in another publication on February 20, 2016, states “Historian Dr. Walter Rodney was the victim of a State-organised assassination on June 13th, 1980 and this could only have been possible with the knowledge of then PNC Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into his death has found”. A reasonable person may ask, why did Hamilton Green, a Vice President from those years, not testify at the COI? Green’s role at the University Of Guyana (UG) is very interesting. According to Drayton, in 1971 “the Administration (government) radically changed the membership of the UG Board of Governors by adding many senior PNC supporters, including for the very first time an Officer of the Guyana Defence Force, Dr. Walter Chin, and Mrs Viola Burnham – wife of the Prime Minister … At every opportunity, contracts of UG Lecturers who were thus categorized (‘enemies of the State’) were not
renewed; and in the case of persons like Kathleen (Drayton’s wife) whose contract renewal had already been approved by the Appointments Committee, the PNC dominated Board of Governors led by Hamilton Greene reversed that decision”. Decades later, in a letter of March 15, 2016, Tacuma Ogunseye, a long standing WPA activist and then staff member in the Office of President Granger would write “Hamilton Green’s role in forcing the University of Guyana Council to rescind Rodney’s appointment to the History Department was one of the issues that shaped Rodney’s evolution in Guyanese politics”. Ogunseye’s assessment of Hamilton Green, as stated in the above referenced letter is telling: “This so-called ‘honourable’ citizen (Hamilton Green) has no sense of shame. In spite of his avowed spiritual renewal and his claim to be a born-again devotee, it is clear that he lacks objectivity and is a stranger to the truth when it comes to certain political matters... I have great difficulty with public personalities who show contempt for the citizens of this country and think that they can always get away with falsehoods in public”. Enough said. Yours truly, Harry Hergash
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . B . . L LU ...BLUNOTNATTALL! NOT INLA MILLION . T B . . N . T YEARS! U N T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Monday March 15, 2021
Kaieteur News
Chief Elections Rigger, Keith Lowenfield, and all of the elections officials who aided the plot to steal the 2020 elections, are still employed by GECOM. Clearly, though these persons failed to deprive the Guyanese people of their basic democratic rights, they seem to think Guyana will allow them to rig the local government elections and the 2025 general and regional elections. This will not happen.
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Monday March 15, 2021
Border controversy case to drag out for another two years T he International Court of Justice (ICJ) has given Guyana until March 8, 2022 for further submissions to be made in relation to litigation brought against neighbouring Venezuela, while that country has been given March 8, 2023 for its counter proposals. The decision was handed down on March 8, last by ICJ President Joan E. Donoghue. The matter which was first filed by the Guyana Government in March 2018, and calls on the court to look into, “the legal validity and binding effect of the Aw a r d r e g a r d i n g t h e Boundary between the Colony of British Guiana
and the United States of Venezuela, of 3 October 1899.” In handing down the latest decision, the ICJ president observed that representatives of the litigating parties, specifically the Venezuelan representative, had presented to the court in the past, its belief that court manifestly lacked jurisdiction to hear the case and that Venezuela had decided not to participate in the proceedings. That directive had also been communicated to the President of the Court in a letter dated June 18, 2018, from the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. The court subsequently
upheld its jurisdiction to hear the case even as Venezuela refused to participate in the proceedings. This was observed in the recent ICJ decision, where Donoghue noted that Venezuela has expressed its disagreement with the Judgment rendered by the Court.That country had argued that the “Agreement to Resolve the Controversy between Venezuela and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland over the Frontier between Venezuela and British Guiana” signed at Geneva on February 17, 1966 could not afford a basis for the Court’s jurisdiction. The argument w as premised on the perception
Support and Heal Network’s (SHN) representatives and Ministry’s staff at the workshop.
Human Services Ministry facilitates conflict resolution training for faith-based leaders, staff Over thirty faith-based leaders who are part of the Ministry of Human Services a n d S o c i a l S e c u r i t y ’s Support and Heal Network initiative, along with the Ministry’s staff, benefited from a one-day workshop on conflict resolution – a key element when addressing social issues. According to a release from the Ministry, the workshop, which was held on March 13, last at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, was facilitated by staff from the Ministry’s Gender Affairs Bureau (GAB). The session is part of a series of “train the trainers” workshops tailored for Support and Heal Network’s (SHN) representatives and Ministry’s staff who will be providing support and counselling to vulnerable groups and communities across Guyana. In her remarks to the participants, Minister of Human Affairs Dr. Vindhya Persaud underscored the significance to resolve conflict since “little things can be blown out of proportion, and cause
rupture in our society.” She noted that as a people oriented Ministry, the SHN and Ministry’s roles in conflict resolution are paramount. “Support is a very powerful word. Many persons find themselves in very difficult circumstances, and they have no support. Without support things can escalate very quickly, from the lack of support they can become violent. Without support, people can spiral quickly into depression. Without a network of persons, sometimes people feel as if they’re alone in the world,” the Minister continued. To this end, the Human Services Minister is optimistic that the session directly addressed some of the societal ills, including the increased reportage of violence against women. She opined that many of the reported cases would have arisen from conflict, fueled by lack of understanding. “Conflict is something that should never fester in anyone to cause it to widen to such an extent, where
someone cannot sit and have rational, reasonable conversations,” Dr. Persaud pointed out. She also encouraged the faith-based leaders as they engage communities, that it was imperative to understand the varying perspectives that embolden individuals. T h e S H N w a s conceptualized by Persaud to enable faith-based leaders to promote peace and h a r m o n y, m a k e recommendations and devise strategies to effectively support the Ministry’s work on social issues. Religious organisations involved in the voluntary programme included: Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana; Guyana Islamic Trust; Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha; Guyana Pandits Council; Guyana Central Arya Samaj; Roman Catholic Church of Guyana; Assemblies of God; New Testament Church of God; Revealed Word Christian Centre; and the Guyana Conference of Seventh Day Adventists.
that the agreement provided that the controversy had to be amicably resolved in a manner acceptable to both parties. Ve n e z u e l a f u r t h e r indicated—according to the ICJ—that it has not yet decided on its position in relation to the proceedings and that, in light of the alleged serious implications of the Court’s Judgment of December 18, 2020 for its sovereignty and that it was required by its Constitution to conduct popular consultations on the matter. This, the country indicated, would require a significant amount of time, and that it also faced a number of other difficulties in preparing its pleading
ICJ President, Joan E. Donoghue
and as such requested a period of 12 to 18 months for the preparation of its Counter-Memorial. In reply to the views expressed by Venezuela, Guyana indicated that a period of 12 months for the
filing of each party’s written pleading would also be acceptable and the court has since given each country twelve months each to make their submissions and subsequent counter submissions.
New countrywide concessions for large scale logging on the cards- Bharrat The export of timber and value added timber produce has declined in recent years, leading government to pursue increased production and value-added forest products for export, and as such will be putting up more forest concessions countrywide for logging. This is according to Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, who, during a recent meeting with stakeholders involved with the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), observed that given financial and other constraints over the past few years, there had been a decrease in exports. Bharrat has since announced that in this regard—to support an increase in production for domestic consumption and export—GFC will be advertising vacant areas for logging in the Berbice, Demerara, Essequibo, and North West for eligible small, medium, and largescale forest operations. The Natural Resources Minister used the opportunity to remind that the recently approved Log Export Policy implemented by the administration only serves as an interim measure by the Government that acknowledges the challenges the industry continues to experience in value- adding and productivity. The policy implemented from 2020-2025 would seek to ensure that concession holders, sawmillers, and timber dealers will be allowed to export logs at varying export levy rates dependent on which schedules of timber species they fall under. Bharrat during his meeting sought to assure the stakeholders present that the Ministry of Natural Resources through GFC will continue to promote and support Forest Sectors Operators involvement in wood processing by sawmills and lumberyards, and exporting of Guyana’s forest produce and that over the past 10 years, approximately 300 sawmill licences annually, have been issued.According to Bharrat, the sector
Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat
currently remains a significant contributor to the economy of Guyana through the creation of employment and the expansion of the sawmilling and export market. GFC statistics, he said, indicate that between 3000 and 5000 persons have been employed annually in the expanding sector. The Forestry Commission with aid from the European Union (EU) through the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under its FAO EUFLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade) Programme recently launched a project that targets the improvement of forestry training institutions’ capacities to provide updated and relevant training that meets the current needs of the sector. The Ministry in a recent statement noted, that the project also aims at empowering agencies such as National Insurance Scheme (NIS), Ministry of Labour—among others—with the tools to support capacity building programmes. The Action Plan outlines a series of supply and demand side measures to improve the enforcement of forest laws, strengthen governance and trade, and ultimately ensure sustainable forest management practices.
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Monday March 15, 2021
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The Auditor General should re-examine these matters When persons are placed before the Courts on financial fraud charges and are acquitted, this does not necessarily bring to an end the subject matter of their charges. A person may be exonerated on various grounds – lack of nexus, failure to prove the case or even innocence – but without resolving the outstanding question as to whether in fact sums were misappropriated or otherwise used improperly. Many questions remain unanswered even after charges are dispensed with. Among those questions are those which relate to whether any sums were stolen, missing or financial assets dishonestly taken for personal use. The role of the Auditor General is to generally pronounce as to whether the government accounts accurately reflect the state of public accounts. He is not a fraud investigator even though his work may detect red flags which could point to fraud. Whatever the courts may decide, the Auditor General has an interest in ensuring that public funds which are the subject of court cases are accounted for. The Auditor General also has the authority to undertake special
investigations. Where large sums are involved or where the Auditor General’s own previous audits did not detect anomalies, the Auditor General should exercise the right to conduct forensic audits of t r a n s a c t i o n s , notwithstanding these matters having engaged the Courts. There are three matters in which the Auditor General should pronounce despite these matters having engaged the Courts. There are still unanswered questions concerning assets of the State or the procurement of such assets and the Auditor General, as the protector of these assets, should provide answers to these questions. The first of these concerns the sum of $639M which were allegedly unaccounted for by the Public Service Ministry prior to 2015. Persons were charged for larceny by public officer but were freed of these charges by the Court. The Court found that, in respect to one accused, the charges were bad in law because the person could not be considered a public officer. The other person was acquitted because no link could be established with the events and activities on which the monies were
expended. The criminal case is over but there remains to be solved the mystery as to what happened to those sums. Were they actually used for the purposes for which it is said they were used? And if not, then what happened to those sums? The Auditor General needs to investigate this matter and bring closure to this saga. Relatedly, there remains the issue of vehicles that were alleged to have been misappropriated. The Auditor General must pronounce on this and seek an opinion as to the legality and propriety of any amnesty which would have been offered by the APNU+AFC government. The second issue concerns the alleged misconduct which took place within the Guyana Rice Development Board and for which persons were charged and placed before the Courts for failing to enter some entry into a ledger relating to the sum of $52M which were to be for an Agriculture Life Skills programme. Three of the four persons were acquitted because the Court found that case was not made out against them. The fourth person is still before the Court. The acquittal, however, does not answer the question
Things getting boys seh... from bad to worse! Dem
Is wah really going on in dis country? Baby sleeping pun bed and end up dead? Young 13-year-old girl accused of stabbing she uncle? Two young girls end up in a fight over who can dance better and one dead from wounds? And de incident happen at a party at 3:45 in de marning? Dat is during de curfew when parties not allowed. Lil children nah respecting dem elders. Imagine, it being alleged dat a young girl vex and tun up fuh buse she grandmother and when she uncle talk to she, she pull out a knife and slash he. Wah happening to dis younger generation? Dem nah gat no respect fuh dem elders. Bandits nah gat respect fuh nobody. Imagine dem guh fuh rob people in dem house and tun around and shoot and kill a 10 year old. Wat sort of human being does shoot and kill a child? Dem boys hope dem get ketch quick and de court nah gat no mercy pun dem. Things getting from bad to worse. Things getting out of control with COVID. Every time de number of active cases look like it fall below 300, is a sudden
spike. De number of persons in de ICU suggests dat there are far more cases out there dan de amount getting captured. And de authorities still nat doing enough. A picture appear in de newspaper with dem old people sitting down pun bench at Enmore waiting fuh vaccine. Dem nah sitting six feet apart on de bench. And de benches nat six feet apart either. People going in store, shops and bars without masks. In fact some people selling in dem stores without masks. People walking de road without mask and wan stand up and gaff with dem friend. People having a good time and catching de virus and tekkin it home and giving it to dem old people. De vaccines alone cannot help we. De world gat seven billion people and only 350 million get de vaccine after three months since de injections start. Dat is only one in every five persons. And de US accounting fuh slightly less dan one-third of de total vaccines. Talk half and ask de chaplain to pray fuh people wear dem mask!
as to whether the failure to enter something into a ledger – an accounting entry – meant that the monies were misappropriated or whether they were used for the purposes intended. The Auditor General should seek to assure the public that the sums were indeed used for the purposes intended. The third matter involves the Guyana Elections Commission. It was this newspaper which had exposed controversial procurement
of radio sets and pliers, among other items, in the run-up to the 2015 elections. The Auditor General’s office had red flagged this procurement and was supposed to have handed over the report into these transactions to the Director of Public Prosecutions for advice. The Commission had denied any wrongdoing in the matter. Nothing has been heard of this matter. And in the interest of transparency and
accountability, this matter should be reopened. The acquittal of persons or the failure to prosecute anyone should not result in the closure of files. Where taxpayers’ monies are involved, there need to be assurances that public funds and other assets were properly used and are accounted for. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Monday March 15, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Eusi Kwayana was a tragic revelation in my life Mr. Anil Nandlall, the Attorney General, gave a commonsensical rebuttal to those who accused the government of only
targeting African employees of GECOM. He reasoned that if the staff is 99 percent African and there are wrongdoers there, then which
employees from which other ethnic group will be under scrutiny?His logic is compelling. It is absurd to argue against his reasoning.
If the public is criticising traffic ranks’ behaviour on the roadways, then you can’t accuse the public of attacking policemen in general. Detectives and intelligence officers in the Force do not do road duties. In the interview with me which formed the contents of yesterday’s column, I brought out some of the concerns about my activism that African Guyanese have voiced to my interviewer, Norman Brown. He told me he received the accusation t h a t I t a rg e t o n l y African-Guyanese personalities for criticism. He said people have cited my criticism of Eusi Kwayana and UG Deputy Vice Chancellor, Dr. Mellissa Ifill. Before I justify my condemnation of these two named individuals, here is a logical note. I can only reply to Portuguese Guyanese if they are the only section of Guyanese society that is selling false descriptions of the 2020 election. I could only reply to Chinese Guyanese if they are the only community in Guyana deceiving the world about the election results. I have rebutted several false narratives of persons whose fictions about the 2020 election had to be confronted. It didn’t matter to me which race groups they were from. Mr. Brown referred to Kwayana as a respected politician. Indeed he is and his words carry weight, thus the need to correct him. Dr. Ifill is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of UG, an influential post. In the five months of election rigging, I never penned a rejectionist note on Hamilton Green’s defence of the PNC’s rigging because I think his words are not persuasive among the young generation.Kwayana has been a tragic revelation to me. In an age where
technology brings live action to every human in any part of the world, Kwayana’s attitude to the election rigging riveted my mind. If he had remained silent, then he could not have been condemned. This columnist has dozens of videos taken
Frederick Kissoon f r o m inside the GECOM command centre that were transmitted to the world at the time those activities were taking place. Mr. Kwayana insulted his age, iconic status, historical contribution, his nationalist record by replying to me to say he doesn’t have the facts to make a judgement on the rigging. But he went further than that. He continued to write on events taking place in Guyana expressing knowledge of what he knows while he continued to tell me he didn’t have the facts on what Claudette Singh, Clairmont Mingo, Roxanne Myers and Keith Lowenfield were doing. My deeply held belief about this man was that he had changed and was not the person I long admired and loved. I deeply regret what he has become. I always looked up to him. Not anymore.I was compelled to rebut Dr. Ifill’s dismissal of the education and intelligence of two former CARICOM Prime Ministers – Jamaica’s Bruce Golding and Barbados’ Owen Arthur. Also one of the Caribbean’s leading intellectuals – UWI
Vice Chancellor, Hilary Beckles. Also highly experienced diplomats from some of the top countries of the world. Also educated people from CARICOM, the O A S a n d t h e Commonwealth Secretariat. Dr. Ifill described the attitude of the international observer groups to the election as shaped by the role that the Mercury organization laid out for the PPP. This was extremely insulting and as a Guyanese nationalist and a columnist who has an obligation to my readers, I felt it necessary to confront what I considered misleading exaggerations. Was Dr. Ifill serious when she made that pronouncement? These highly educated folks just fell for the vocabulary and setting of Mercury? They didn’t see for themselves what was taking place in GECOM? I believe those videos were available to Kwayana and I say boldly that Dr. Ifill must have seen them. Remember when confusion was raining down on GECOM, the world was getting it live. The events were livestreamed. I was in the studio of Kaieteur Radio looking at live videos of what the people in the command centre were doing. What Mercury had to do with that? The answer is absolutely nothing. Finally, do foreign PR firms influence how people vote? The answer is yes. But in the end citizens have the right to vote even if they do not know who or what they are voting for. The 2020 election was not about voting wrongly. It was about being prevented from having your vote c o u n t e d . (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Seawalls and Beyond… Volunteer Group helping
to preserve aesthetics of treasured landmark By Rehanna Ramsay The Georgetown seawall is beyond question one of the c i t y ’s m o s t t r e a s u r e d landmarks. The massive slab of concrete bordering the coastlands which has been protecting its inhabitants from the roaring Atlantic oceans which lie beyond since the mid-1900s, is also one of the hottest hangout spots in the city, especially on Sunday evenings. However, social activities have resulted in the serial dumping of waste along the popular site leading to major concerns about pollution. Within the past months, the one small volunteer group dedicated its energies towards cleaning up and beautifying the Georgetown seawalls. But its noble efforts have not gone unnoticed. They morphed into a popular feature on social media, generating much- needed public attention and praise. Under the official page name; Seawalls and Beyond, several posts have circulated on Facebook urging citizens to do their part to keep the space free from litter, garbage piles and other unsightly materials. According to Dwayne Hackett, one of the founding members of the environmental group, the idea is to get Guyanese to become more conscious of the beauty of the seawalls and its potential as a tourist attraction. Hackett explained that the ultimate goal is to get citizens to change their behaviour and show more care for the aesthetics along the shorelines of coastal Georgetown. “We are not merely a volunteer cleanup crew but also a nature-loving community that seeks to demonstrate, educate and
Volunteers of Seawalls and Beyond following a sanitation exercise advocate. We have been urging people through our efforts to show some more consideration for the seawalls, to take with them whatever litter they brought to the seawalls whenever they visit and help us to preserve and improve the beautiful structure that we all enjoy at some points of our life,” Hackett said. He explained that the beautification initiative was birthed from a place patriotism and genuine care for the environment. According to him, what was a simple conversation between virtual strangers with common environmental convictions last July, led the laudable citizens’ initiative now known as “Seawalls and Beyond.” “It was not something we planned. It just happened. I would usually visit the seawalls with my son, it‘s a place l like to go, and I became a more frequent visitor during the lockdown due to the pandemic. The seawall is almost always littered with garbage, which always bothered me… One day, sometime mid last year, I was out there and saw a gentleman cleaning the area by himself and we started to talk about it… I eventually
“We are not merely a volunteer cleanup crew, but also a nature-loving community that seeks to demonstrate, educate and advocate…” – lead volunteer joined him and that’s how the group got started,” added Hackett. Ever since that meeting, Hackett said there have been several other meet ups, with many like-minded citizens who just want to help
maintain the cleanliness of the seawalls and its surrounding spaces. He explained that while the first sanitation exercise by the group was more of “an emergency intervention,” volunteers still meet once
Artwork made from recyclable material is now a common feature along the seawalls
per month to maintain the efforts. “We had help from a number of organizations and individuals. We have had help from the Lion’s Club, the University of Guyana, random individuals and even families would lend a helping hand from time to time,” Hackett explained. He added that the First Lady of Guyana, Arya Ali was also instrumental in helping to promote the initiative. “The First Lady was really helpful in spreading awareness about what we do. There are also those persons who helped by making donations; they give us items like gloves and garbage bags and other basic cleaning supplies to help us clear the garbage,” Hackett added. During the interview, the Seawalls and Beyond representative stressed on beautifying the aesthetics of the seawalls given its potential as a charming destination for eco-tourism. He noted too, that Seawalls and Beyond understands that environmental cleanliness and beautification can only be achieved and maintained if all stakeholders are actively involved.
A section of the seawalls after it is cleared of garbage by the volunteers of Seawalls and Beyond
“We just want people to understand our vision and change their behaviour towards littering, so that we can realize the full potential of our beautiful country,” Hackett stressed. As such, Hackett said that the group is open to the input of citizens as well as State authorities and agencies to do their part. Meanwhile in a recent public awareness campaign, the group has emphasized that dumping of solid waste into waterways such as drains, trenches, canals, and rivers directly into the ocean is posing a daily problem. Seawalls and Beyond noted too, that such activities pose a grave danger to all marine life while adding, that they are a threat to the fisheries sector in particular. On one hand, the group called for all citizens to be responsible in their role in keeping the environment clean by taking home their garbage after outings, picnics, parties, etc; using waste collection receptacles where available; reducing the amount of waste generated; stopping the dumping and littering of solid waste into waterways and on public spaces and by participating in individual and community clean-up activities. On the other hand, Seawalls and beyond appealed to the Central Government, Local Governments and all relevant State Agencies to launch and maintain country-wide public education and awareness campaigns on solid waste management issues to ensure that waste disposal and collection systems are adequate and functioning efficiently. He also called for them to actively pursue the establishment of plastic recycling facilities in Guyana; to build strong relationships with the private sector with the aim of s o l v i n g w a s t e management and environmental issues; and to enforce the anti-littering and anti-pollution laws that are already in existence.
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Monday March 15, 2021
Steps will be taken to remove GECOM officials who tried to - Commissioner rig elections Gunraj By Kemol King Government-nominated Commissioner of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Sase Gunraj said on Saturday that steps will be taken to remove officials who participated in the execution of the plot to rig the 2020 general and regional elections. His comments were made during a special programme aired by the National Communications Network (NCN) titled ‘Assault on Democracy’, and hosted by Director of Public Information (DPI) Eddie Layne. As a Commissioner, Gunraj was an integral figure in the pushback against the threat to Guyana’s democracy last year. Despite the fact that the recount eventually confirmed the fraudulent nature of the declarations made by District Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, he and other officials accused of being complicit in the assault on Guyana’s democracy are still in the employ of GECOM today. On this date last year, the GECOM Secretariat had already attempted, through several election officials, to
have the Chair, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh SC declare a national result which involved fraudulent numbers from the Region Four count. Some of these officials also participated in
the GECOM Chair, attempted to illegally and unilaterally discard hundreds of thousands of valid votes in moves which would have granted A Partnership for National
Gunraj said on Saturday evening. “But I want to say to the nation now that, in short order, steps are going to be taken to remove them from GECOM. And I say that
”
Unless there is the removal of the persons who are guilty, or persons who are trying openly and brazenly, barefacedly to steal the rights of the people, the trust and confidence is not going to be at the level that we want it for local government elections and for the next general elections in five years times. And these are critical steps we have in this period to make sure that people have confidence. This is a constitutional body that in fact was the instrument used, not the soldiers stealing ballot boxes in the past. This was where the constitutional body itself, GECOM, was the instrument to steal the elections, and that must never happen again. - Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira
”
the national recount process which was necessary to correct Mingo’s fraudulent declarations. This had gravely wounded public trust in the constitutional body mandated to provide free and fair elections. Other GECOM officials accused of participating in the plot to steal the elections are Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Roxanne Myers. Notably, Lowenfield had proposed that the Commission move to declare numbers which were fraudulent, on several occasions. He also, in clear disregard for the orders of
Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) a false victory. As for Myers, she faced accusations by several s m a l l p a r t y o ff i c i a l s , especially A New and United Guyana (ANUG) Chair Timothy Jonas that her participation in the recount process rendered it compromised. Gunraj’s view is that this status quo must not be allowed to continue. “The predominant question on the minds of the public out there who have commented on that, they’re asking, why is Lowenfield and Myers and Mingo, particularly still in the employ of GECOM,”
with no apologies because their actions were clearly designed to steal the election, to thwart the will of the electorate, and there must be consequences for that, because their presence there undermines the confidence in the system. If those who a r e c h a rg e d w i t h t h e responsibility to carry out a process, the guardians of the process, are abusing the process, then something is obviously not right, and that must be fixed. It’s plain and simple.” M i n i s t e r o f Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira also participated in the special programme and said,
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira
GECOM Commissioner, Sase Gunraj
“Unless there is the removal of the persons who are guilty, or persons who are trying o p e n l y a n d b r a z e n l y, barefacedly to steal the rights of the people, the trust and confidence is not going to be at the level that we want it for local government elections and for next general elections in five years’ time. And these are critical steps we have in this period to make sure that people have confidence. This is a constitutional body that in fact was the
instrument used, not the soldiers stealing ballot boxes in the past. This was where the constitutional body itself, GECOM, was the instrument to steal the elections, and that must never happen again.” Teixeira noted, that she is confident Guyana now has a golden opportunity to build on this experience, and that Guyana must teach its young people to continue to defend their democratic rights for the development of the nation.
Girl, 13, slashes uncle with surgical blade for scolding her One of the wounds Chetram Chandra received during the attack.
‘Who can dance better’ row leaves one dead A mother of two was stabbed to death early yesterday morning when she intervened in an argument between her cousin and a 20-year-old suspect about ‘which girl can dance better’ during a party. The incident which took the life of 19-year-old Kameel Calistro occurred between 02:00hrs and 03:45hrs at her aunt’s Lot 11 Swan, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway residence. At that time, Kameel was amongst her family and friends at a birthday party imbibing alcohol and dancing to music that was being played from a vehicle when an argument ensued. It was reported that about 02:00hrs, the suspect, Kristophe Stoll who was amongst the gathering, started an argument with the dead woman’s relatives about which girl can dance better. The heated argument led to Stoll arming himself with a knife, when he
made an attempt to stab 29-year-old Adolph Joseph, the young woman’s cousin. Instead, Joseph received a minor cut to the lower left side of his abdomen. Upon seeing this, the young woman (Kameel) reportedly intervened and was stabbed once to the left side of her abdomen and subsequently collapsed on the ground. She was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and was pronounced dead by a doctor on arrival. Kameel’s body is presently at the hospital’s mortuary where it is awaiting a post mortem examination. Kaieteur News understands that the suspect was apprehended by the police and the alleged weapon was found in his possession. An investigation has since been launched into the death of the mother of two.
Dead: Kameel Calistro
A thirteen-year-old girl is on the run after she slashed her uncle multiple times on Saturday with a surgical blade for scolding her. Receiving multiple incisions to his face and other parts of his body is Chetram Chandra, 23, a labourer of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara (WBD). Chandra was attacked by his niece around 17:45 hrs. Police were told that the girl entered Chandra’s yard and began to curse his mother (her grandmother).Chandra was close by watching movies on his cell phone at
the time, decided to intervene. He reportedly scolded his niece about her u n p l e a s a n t b e h a v i o u r. Kaieteur News understands that the teen became annoyed at Chandra for scolding her and attacked him. She reportedly pulled out a surgical blade from her pants’ pocket and slashed her uncle to the face and on both of his hands before running away. The matter was reported to the police and Chandra was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was admitted.
Kaieteur News
Monday March 15, 2021
PAGE 15
Bring in external experts to ensure gas project is done right - Industry Analyst By Shikema Dey Cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable electricity are just a few key benefits Guyana could gain from its intended Gas-to-Shore project slated to be housed at Wales, West Bank Demerara. But those sweet benefits can only be reaped if the project is executed in the right way. And with the help of international experts, Guyana would be well positioned to achieve this goal. Giving that advice was Vice President (VP) and Energy Strategist at Eversource Energy, Roger Kranenburg who appeared on a virtual Gas-to-shore discussion recently hosted by OilNOW. There, the Energy Strategist outlined that along with sourcing international experts, Guyana should look to other nations that successfully transitioned to using natural gas as their primary source of power. He pointed to the Middle East country, Iran, currently holding the title of having the largest gas reserves in the world. According to the Iran Petroleum Ministry, the proven natural gas reserves of Iran are about 1,201 trillion cubic feet (34.0 trillion cubic metres) or about 17.8% of world’s total reserves, of which 33% are associated gas and 67% is in non-associated gas fields. The country has enough gas to export to countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan and Turkey and many others while raking billions in p r o f i t s y e a r l y. O f significance however, is the fact that the country did not get that far without the help of international experts and
Vice President and Energy Strategist at Energy Company Eversource Energy, Roger Kranenburg investors to push them into success. Presently, the Government is receiving mounting criticisms as regional and international experts believe it is rushing ahead with the project without first determining its feasibility. Even as a location has been pinpointed already for the project, critical studies such as an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or a Financial Feasibility analysis are yet to be done. Only recently, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo informed that a geophysical study, a geotechnical study, a lidar study along with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) will commence in the months to come.Even with those concerns, Kranenburg advised Guyana to “not shortchange itself” as the benefits of the project outweigh the risks. He advised as well that Guyana should not “go too fast” with the project as it would not bode well for the country’s development in the long run.
The Former Wales Estate, West Bank Demerara where the infrastructure for the gas-to-shore project would be built
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Monday March 15, 2021
Kaieteur News
What Exxon is doing in Guyana, it cannot do in the US - Dr. Adams FOR RENT
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Former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams recently asserted that American supermajor, ExxonMobil cannot operate in its homeland the way it does within Guyana’s shores. He made those comments and more during a recent appearance on Kaieteur Radio’s Programme Governance, Corruption and Justice. There, Dr. Adams who acquired three decades of service in the US Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Management including 10 years as a member of the Senior Executive Service Corps (highest ranking civilians equivalent to the military Generals running the daily operations of Government) stated that thus far, Guyana is operating as if ExxonMobil has the sole rights to the light sweet crude in the Stabroek Block. Not only that, he pointed out that much of what is uttered by the US super major is being “easily swallowed” by the Government with no efforts being made to question it. Dr. Adams detailed during VACANCY
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the programme that during his tenure at the US DOE, officials had strict provisions and mandates that oil companies would have to adhere; if not, harsh consequences would follow. But such a practice has not been seen in Guyana. “In the US, when the Government says jump, oil companies ask ‘how high’ but in Guyana, Exxon says jump and we say ‘how high’. In Guyana is the reverse, we allowing Exxon to call the shots and do what they want,” said the Former EPA Head. That he said is especially evident in government’s approach to ExxonMobil’s recent increase in flaring. Giving an example of how differently things works in the US, Dr. Adams explained that the time allotted for an oil company to flare after commencing operations is shorter then what the Government allows in Guyana.
Former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams “In the US, if I remember clearly, oil companies get only 48 hours to flare after startup. That is strict and it comes with consequences if it is not followed,” he said. It was his hope that Guyana could adopt the same standard for the Environmental Permits granted to ExxonMobil. However, that was not achieved as the company was given a 60-day allowance in the Payara Permit. Dr. Adams noted too, that such a standard would be needed in efforts to mitigate the high levels of flaring at ExxonMobil’s Liza Phase One project. Already, close to 13 billion cubic feet of toxic natural gas has been flared and the number continues to climb as
ExxonMobil is presently flaring above safe pilot levels due to a malfunctioned gas compressor. And while much has been said especially about what can be done to reduce the current flaring of 16 million cubic feet of natural gas to safe pilot levels, Dr. Adams noted, that Government has not been responsive to it. The Former EPA Head has been on the forefront of speaking out against ExxonMobil’s flaring practices in Guyana, much to the dissatisfaction of some governing officials. In response to such a reaction, Dr. Adams said, “If the persons who are supposed to be the environmental czars were doing their jobs, I wouldn’t have to do this.”
Sleeping dad pins four-month-old baby to death Kaylee Atkinson, a four-month-old baby girl, died yesterday after reportedly being pinned by her sleeping father. The accidental death of the infant occurred at Annandale, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Kaieteur News understands that the baby’s father, Troy Williams, 18, usually consumes alcohol, and would return home intoxicated. Kaieteur News understands that Saturday night was no different. His wife Tricia Atkinson, 17, told investigators that he came home drunk around 20:10Hrs and fell asleep on their kitchen floor. Atkinson added that around 22:25Hrs she
went to bed leaving him there. Sometime later, however, Williams entered the bed and fell asleep beside her and little Kaylee. She continued that about 01:55 hrs on Sunday, she awoke to breastfeed Kaylee, but noticed that her husband’s right foot was on the baby’s chest and belly. Atkinson said that she became alarmed after she noticed a whitish substance coming out of her baby’s mouth. Tricia immediately woke her husband, and together they rushed the four- month old baby to the Suddie Public Hospital. Sadly, for the couple, the child was pronounced dead on arrival. Kaieteur news was told that Williams has been taken into custody as police continues investigation.
...Pay your money and get authentic From page 3 GCAA suggests those circumstances might have changed. Further, the GCAA’s Director-General told this publication that he is now receiving complaints from airlines of persons attempting to leave with forged results. Field said that at the authority ’s last meeting with the airlines which was held last Friday, some of them reported that they received forged submissions from passengers, but specific numbers were not given except in one instance when an airline claimed to have found around eight persons submitting falsified
results. Last year, as Guyana’s airports reopened to international traffic, the government established strict measures for incoming passengers, which included them being mandated to produce a negative PCR test before entering Guyana. The incoming passengers would take the test in their country of origin, which is the country they are currently in, at least seven days before their scheduled flight and are required to produce those results when boarding it. If the results exceeded that timeline, they would not be allowed to board the flight. Another established
measure was that persons who produce negative PCR test results exceeding 72 hours, would be required to take another test when they arrive in Guyana, which is usually conducted by the Eureka Medical Laboratories Incorporated for $25,000. Notably, the government has alerted airport authorities of the respective countries where reports of incoming passengers with forged results are coming from. Additionally, countries like the United States of America require COVID-19 antigen tests for travel from Guyana while other countries may require PCR tests.
Monday March 15, 2021
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Kaieteur News
Businessman allegedly conned out of $4.5M for excavator A 25-year-old man who was previously slapped with fraud charges is expected to make another court appearance on April 13, 2021, to answer for a similar charge in which it is alleged that he defrauded a businessman of $4.5M. Kaieteur News understands that the defendant, Micah Sonaram, of 2273 Flying Fish Street, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, between November 5, 2020, and December 10, 2020, at Georgetown, while being solely entrusted with $4,500,000 by Emile Cameron to purchase and deliver one Doosan DX 225 LCA, converted the money to his own use and benefit. This matter was first called before the Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, but the matter has since been transferred to Court 11 for trial. On his first court appearance Sonaram was placed on bail. According to the facts of the charge, Cameron and Sonaram were in conversation about the various models of Doosan Excavators advertised on Sonaram’s Parts Zone GY WhatsApp and Facebook social media platforms. The conversation continued for almost two weeks during which Cameron expressed his satisfaction and expressed his interest to purchase one excavator which costs $12,807,027. The two men agreed on a hire purchase payment plan that involves a down payment of $3M and upon arrival, the
(BEWARE) The Facebook Page allegedly used by Micah Sonaram to defraud unsuspecting citizens sum of $2.5M will be paid to uplift the excavator. The remaining sum would then be paid off over a 12 month period. On November 5, 2020, Cameron who was not in Georgetown arranged for his wife, Mercedes JamesCameron, and his son, Elio Cameron to make the payment
on his behalf. The woman and her son went to Sonaram’s business place located on North Road, Lacytown, Georgetown, with the sum of $3M. A contract was signed which stipulates that the machine would be made available to the customer within 35 days after the initial
Two women killed in separate accidents Two women lost their lives this past weekend following separate accidents which occurred on the East Coast and the East Bank public roads. The latest fatality is that of an 18-year-old Venezuelan national who was struck down by a motorcar early Sunday morning. The accident which took the life of Nazaetlt Palacio occurred around 04:000hrs along the Prospect Public Road, East Bank Demerara. According to police reports, motorcar PTT3955 which was driven by a 21year-old of Diamond, was heading to Georgetown on the western side of the public road when it hit the young woman. Ronaldo Hussain claimed that he saw the woman running across from west to east on the road and she ended up in his path just in the vicinity of Biker’s
Sports Bar. As a result of the collision, the 18-year-old was flung into the air before landing on the right side of the car’s front window screen, before falling on the roadway some distance away. Palacio who received injuries about her body was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where she was pronounced dead on arrival. A breathalyzer test was conducted on Hussain but no trace of alcohol was found in his system. He was taken into custody where he is assisting with the investigations. Meanwhile, 73-year-old Miriam Johnson of Eastville Housing Scheme lost her life on Saturday morning while attempting to cross the Annadale, East Coast Demerara Public Road. Johnson was struck down and killed sometime around 06:00hrs while in the vicinity of the Annadale market by a motorcar driven by 22-yearold Danram Somwaru of
Unity, East Coast Demerara. It was reported that the motorcar was heading east along the northern side of the public road, when Somwaru claimed that the pensioner ran into his path. The young man told police that while driving he observed the woman standing in the centre of the road. Johnson ran across in his path where she ended up colliding with the left front side of his car. As a result of the hit, she fell onto the road some distance away and sustained injuries about her body. Persons who witnessed the accident rendered assistance to the 73-year-old. Kaieteur News understands that she was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the GPHC, where she succumbed to her injuries. A breathalyzer test was also conducted on Somwaru but no alcohol was found in his system. He remains in custody, while investigations are ongoing.
down payment. The machine was expected to be available on December 9, 2020. However, days leading up to the scheduled arrival date, Sonaram reached out to Cameron and told him that he is encountering issues with the shipping company and his broker. Sonaram then allegedly requested the sum of $1.5M to clear the excavator. As a result, Cameron left his business operation in the interior and travelled to Georgetown. On December 10, 2020, Cameron along with his son visited Sonaram’s business place with the sum of $1.5M. This is in addition to the $3M the alleged businessman had already collected from the clients. On that day, a new hire purchase agreement was made between Cameron and Sonaram. The new arrangement was that the down payment would be $4.5M (The $3M added to the $1.5M), and Sonaram would have five days to deliver the item. Upon uplifting, Cameron would then be required to pay a sum of $1M, and the remainder be paid in 12 months with a monthly installment of $608,919. However, on December 15, 2020, Sonaram and Cameron visit Guyana National Shipping Corporation (G.N.S.C) shipping wharf to clear the Doosan excavator, but it was indicated to them that no such item was ever shipped under Sonaram or his mentioned colleague’s name.
Alleged fraudster, Micah Sonaram. Cameron started questioning Sonaram who then stated that it was a shipment failure on his end and that Cameron should visit his office the following day and the full sum of $4.5M will be refunded. On December 17, 2020, Cameron visited Sonaram’s office but he was told that his money is not available and that an additional sum of $50,000, will be paid to him. The following day Sonaram never showed up to work and Cameron then proceeded to report the matter to the police. Sonaram was later apprehended and questioned by the police. He reportedly admitted to the allegations, was subsequently charged, and placed before the court. According to reports, Cameron is the third person that Sonaram has reportedly
defrauded, using his business page which advertises that he ships parts and machinery. Sonaram is facing two similar charges before Principal Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Those two charges amount to over $11M. He was released on bail and is expected to make his next court appearance for those charges today. Sonaram is no stranger to the police since he was previously charged in 2017 for allegedly defrauding a man of over $5.8M under the pretense that he was in a position to grant him a firearm, a motor pick-up and a National Identification Card. The man is also being investigated for similar fraud related charges.
COVID-19 infections increase by 39 The Ministry of Health yesterday reported that G u y a n a ’s confirmed COVID-19 infections have increased, with 39 new cases revealed in its daily dashboard update. The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 9,160. The dashboard also shows that six patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, another five in institutional quarantine, 35 in institutional isolation and 624 in home isolation. Additionally, a total of 8,288 persons have recovered to date with one new recovery recorded yesterday. The COVID-19 death toll remains at 207 deaths.
Kaieteur News
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Monday March 15, 2021
One in custody as police looks for two more in murder of boy, 10 - President visits family
Georgetown Police Commander Khali Pareshram and his team, expressing their condolences to the family during their visit. One suspect is in custody as Georgetown police hunt two more for the murder of 10-year-old, Anthony Cort. Anthony was shot and killed by armed bandits during a home invasion at Packet Corner, C Field, Sophia on Thursday. Speaking with Kaieteur N e w s o n S a t u r d a y, Commander of Region 4A, Khali Pareshram said, that one person has been arrested in connection with the homicide while his ranks are currently looking for two more. Meanwhile, as the police continue their manhunt and necessary investigations, President Irfaan Ali took time out yesterday to visit A n t h o n y ’s f a m i l y. Accompanying him was, the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn and Commander Pareshram who together with the President expressed their condolences to the slain child’s mother and siblings. President Ali promised the family that he will do all in his power to bring Anthony’s killers to justice.
Also assuring family members that his murderers will be placed behind bars was Commander Pareshram, who was accompanied by some of his senior ranks and a pastor, Shane Moses of the Cops Faith Network. Prior to these visits, Cort’s family had also received a visit on Friday from Dr. Vindhya Persaud, the Minister of Human Services and Social Protection. She pledged that her Ministry would provide assistance. Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon had also visited the family to express his condolences. Cort’s mother, Denise McPherson is still in a state of shock following the loss of her son. This was not the first time that McPherson has lost a child in such a tragic manner. In 2015, her 18-yearo l d d a u g h t e r, A l i c i a McPherson was stabbed to death by her jealous boyfriend, Shivnanand Roopnarine during a night at Cappy’s Place, Dennis Street, Sophia. Roopnarine is currently serving a life sentence for the heinous act.
Shot dead during a home invasion, Anthony Cort.
President Irfaan Ali consoling Anthony’s mother, Denise McPherson, yesterday during his visit to her home
Monday March 15, 2021
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Kaieteur News
...“2021 - THE YEAR OF HOPE & VACCINATIONS” From page 23 about two days. No-one deserves such fear!! It turned out that one of my associates, at my employer at Orlando International Airport, is married to a national of Wuhan, in China’s Hubei Province, where the Covid-19 supposedly started. Apparently, he had visited her ancestral home in very early 2020, and had, inadvertently, brought back that deadly virus, to infect many of us, since my seeming inability to be properly mobile for a weekend, was one of the milder afflictions. I can truly suggest that I have never been so scared in my life. I, for one, welcome the vaccines. On 08 February and 01 March 2021, I had my two shots of the Pfizer vaccine,
courtesy of the magnificently organized Seminole County and State of Florida Health Departments. When Nurse Jackson put that 2nd needle into my left arm, my heart exalted, even though I still always use masks and everything else too. To date, there has been absolutely no reactions from those vaccines. But vaccines are not new to me anyhow. From 1958, as a 5-years old, to the month of my 68thbirthday in 2021, I have taken every single vaccine that has been either proliferated or suggested. I am still very much alive and very well indeed. Everything, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, seem to be working wonderfully well so far. I
have never even had any need for such things as Viagra, Cialis or Levitra. I still walk or run about two hours three times a week, and cycle for about 60 kilometers twice per week. Is not life grand? Take the vaccine! You name it, I have had the vaccine: Yellow Fever, Cholera, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Smallpox, Chicken Pox, Dipteria, Tetanus, Typhoid, Polio, Influenza (Annual), Cortizone for muscle repair, dental shots of both Cocaine (yes, Dentists used that in the 1960s and 1970s), and Novocaine. I have now topped them all off by having the two-dose Pfizer vaccines. I am still very much here, alive and quite
well at age 68! Our parents, especially parents of African descent, tried to kill their offspring with love, as we all know that food and love go together. They simply gave us too much salt. They added salt to everything. Globally, heart attacks are the leading cause of death of men of African descent. To o m u c h s a l t a n d f a t foods! I remember, while playing cricket for Guyana and West Indies, at the very height of my athletic prowess, that Old Sylvia would often suggest: “Kalin meh bhoy, yuh lookin’ so thin and maggah. Yuh need some billin’ up wid some good dumplin’, and cowheel soup, some foo-foo and some mettagee; to fat-
ten yuh up. Yuh too thin bhoy!” What she did not include was that all of our lovely foods were filled with added salt! Now, my only two inclusions, in my daily diet, are aspirin and a prescription cholesterol related drug, for blood thinning. I eat anything green or yellow, roots, fruits, and, ironically, “good” spices like curry, cumin and turmeric, with much water and tea, for irrigation, cooling, and for flushing the life-long toxins, with only poultry and marine species providing protein. No alcohol needed, as I am already drunk on life! For 2021, a Medical Travel Passport will return, though for us travelers older than 50, this is not a new concept. Some might remember that in the 1970s,
1980s and 1990s, one needed some vaccines I have already noted, if one was planning to travel internationally. My bright yellow United Nations/ World Health Organization Vaccine Book still exists, but I do wonder as to how many vaccinations I have had. Wow! By 2021 end, most countries will require that anyone entering their domain, will need at least one of the authorized vaccines. I think that one would need one full, activeset of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, then we will use one of the (perhaps) Johnson & Johnson vaccines as an annual booster, as is done with the present influenza vaccine. 2021 is a great year of hope. Get that vaccine. You are needed right here!
...Tough outing for Hooper and Bright Monday March 15, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) There's a fiery tone to the day that can't be ignored. You may find that adjustments need to be made in your own plan of attack in order to get on the same page with other people.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You may need a translator to get through to people today, Libra. It could be hard to make decisions, but not impossible. Today's tip is to err on the side of adventure.
TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) There's an extra spark in your eye that people won't be able to ignore. Today's a good day to get your point across, because you'll find people more open and receptive to new things than usual.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Use your power resources today, Scorpio, as you have a great deal of dynamic energy at your disposal. You have the ability to transform and conquer anything now.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Take yourself on a mental adventure today in which you explore new aspects of your world. Discuss philosophy and religion. Get to the core of a matter that seriously interests you.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You could be asked to make some spontaneous decisions today that you might not feel entirely comfortable making, Sagittarius.
CANCER(June21–July22) Take yourself on a mental adventure today in which you explore new aspects of your world. Discuss philosophy and religion. Get to the core of a matter that seriously interests you. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Be careful that you aren't acting in a way that you dislike in others. You could find that you're slowly taking on the traits of the people you despise. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) The day's general mood should fit quite well with your agenda, Virgo. There's no need to fixate on the negative. Keep things light and upbeat and worry about the consequences later.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) Emotionally, you may feel as if you're running up against a brick wall, Capricorn. It could be that your first reaction is to drown your sorrows in drink. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your emotions could be extra powerful today, Aquarius, although something may not feel as if it's sitting right. It could be a feeling of manipulation. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take hold of this day as if it's your own and use it to grow your dreams, Pisces. You'll find a great deal of power and dynamism in the air urging you to take the adventurous route. There's no need to hold back.
From page 21 16 starters with a best jump of 13.26m. The event was won Ruth Usoro who leapt an astonishing 14.27m which is now a new meet record of the NCAA National Indoor Championships in the women’s triple jump. During an invited comment with Kaieteur Sport, Bright had noted that she was so grateful for her performances so far this season which had allowed her to qualify for her first NCAA Indoor Championships. She mentioned that, “Words cannot express my gratitude to God because I couldn’t have done it without him. I Competed at my first indoor Big XII conference for K-State university and made it to finals, with PBs in both jumps and after 4 years I finally made the NCAA Indoor National Championship for the first time.” The K-state indoor women MVP will not be too fazed from her performance
...Japan to limit size of foreign From page 20 hours of travelling to Japan and will be re-tested on arrival. Earlier, the Sankei newspaper reported that Japan is also considering limiting spectators to 50% of venue capacity due to risks posed by the spread of the virus. Although the number of COVID-19 cases in Japan is relatively low compared to other countries such as the U.S., some areas including Tokyo are still under a state of emergency, with the country experiencing a third wave of the pandemic.
and she will continue working to improve with the National Triple Jump record very close in her sights after narrowly missing the 13.62 distance with a 13.60 leap recently. Bright continued that,
“Better is yet to come. I’m thankful for everyone who supported me, encouraged me, prayed for me and congratulated me throughout my journey up to this point and also during this time of competition.”
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Kaieteur News
Monday March 15, 2021
Darren Bravo century steers West Indies to Sri Lanka series sweep
A
FP - Darren Bravo’s fourth O n e - D a y International century guided the West Indies to a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and a clean sweep of the threematch series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua yesterday. Set another challenging target of 275, the home side’s response was anchored by Bravo’s innings of 102 off 132 balls highlighted by five fours and four sixes. He was the obvious choice as man of the match with Shai Hope the equally straightforward option as man of the series with the opener following earlier scores of 110 and 84 with an elegant 64 to set his team well on their way. Sri Lanka, who made three changes to their team from the nail-biting loss in the second match two days earlier, fought to restrain a powerful West Indies batting line-up but in the end they were undone by the home side’s wealth of talent and experience. Captain Kieron Pollard ensured there was to be no late stumble despite Bravo’s dismissal to seamer Suranga Lakmal just before the end. He finished unbeaten on 53, having featured in an 80run fifth-wicket stand with Bravo and watched with contentment at the nonstriker’s end as the man he replaced as skipper more than a year ago, Jason Holder, hoisted a six over wide long-on off Lakmal to formalise the result with nine balls to spare. In sweeping the series 30, the West Indies reversed the result of the corresponding campaign in Sri Lanka 13 months earlier. Pollard led the West Indies to a 2-1 T20
Superb century by man-of-the-match Darren Bravo led the West Indies. (CWI)
International series win at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, also in Antigua, a week earlier and now attention shifts to the twomatch Test series starting next Sunday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. - Hasaranga all-round value Wanindu Hasaranga further enhanced his allround value with a blistering unbeaten 80 in lifting Sri Lanka to 274 for six batting first in the morning session. Two days after blazing an unbeaten 47, Hasaranga featured in an unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 123 with Ashen Bandara, who was on 55 at the non-striker’s end as the rampant Hasaranga belted three fours and a six off Holder in the final over of the innings. Their partnership was a record for the seventh wicket for Sri Lanka against the
Caribbean side while Hasaranga’s individual score, which came off 60 deliveries and featured seven fours and three sixes, was a record for a Sri Lankan batting at number eight in ODIs. Hasaranga’s innings was all the more remarkable in that he was hobbled for much of it by a left leg injury which impacted on his effectiveness as a bowler in defence of the total. West Indies were in complete control of the match before the pair came together in the 32nd over as the visitors’ middle-order yet again failed to capitalise on a decent platform. Danushka Gunathilaka and captain Dimuth Karunaratne put on 68 at the top of the order after they were put in. H o w e v e r Gunathilaka’s demise to pacer Alzarri Joseph for 36 triggered a gradual decline to 151 for six with left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein taking three for 33 while Jason Mohammed snared his sixth wicket of the series by bowling Karunaratne for 31. Seeking to avoid the sweep and earn their first points of the 2023 World Cup qualification table, Sri Lanka brought in seamers Lakmal and Asitha Fernando together with Dasun Shanaka in place of Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep and Oshada Fernando. West Indies gave a debut to fast-medium bowler Anderson Phillip at the expense of Romario Shepherd. Scores: West Indies 275 for 5 (Bravo 102, Hope 64, Pollard 53*) beat Sri Lanka 274 for 6 (Hasaranga 80*, Bandara 55*, Hosein 3-33) by wickets.
Japan to limit size of foreign delegations at Games - report (Reuters) - Japan is considering limiting the number of people who will be allowed to accompany foreign ministers and leaders for the delayed Tokyo Olympics due to health concerns amid the COVID19 pandemic, Kyodo news
agency reported yesterday. Kyodo said the Japanese government will restrict the accompanying staff to 11 people per head of state, while cabinet-level delegations will be limited to five people, the report said. T h e To k y o G a m e s ,
postponed last year due to concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus, were rescheduled for July 23 to Aug. 8 this year. Kyodo said VIP guests will be asked to undergo COVID-19 testing within 72 (Continued on page 19)
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Boxing great Marvelous Marvin Hagler dies at 66
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P - Marvelous Marvin Hagler stopped Thomas Hearns in a fight that lasted less than eight minutes yet was so epic that it still lives in boxing lore. Two years later he was so disgusted after losing a decision to Sugar Ray Leonard — stolen, he claimed, by the judges — that he never fought again. One of the great middleweights in boxing h i s t o r y, H a g l e r d i e d Saturday at the age of 66. His wife, Kay, announced his death on the Facebook page for Hagler’s fans. “I am sorry to make a very sad announcement,” s h e w r o t e . “ To d a y unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.” Hagler fought on boxing’s biggest stages against its biggest names, as he, Leonard, Hearns and Roberto Duran dominated the middleweight classes during a golden time for boxing in the 1980s. Quiet
with a brooding public persona, Hagler fought 67 times over 14 years as a pro out of Brockton, Massachusetts, finishing 623-2 with 52 knockouts. “If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove,’’ Hagler once said. ``That’s all I am. I live it.” Hagler was unmistakable in the ring, fighting out of a southpaw stance with his bald head glistening in the lights. He was relentless and he was vicious, stopping opponent after opponent during an eight year run that began with a disputed draw against Vito Antuofermo in 1979 that he later avenged. He fought with a proverbial chip on his shoulder, convinced that boxing fans and promoters alike didn’t give him his proper due. He was so upset that he wasn’t introduced before a 1982 fight by his nickname of Marvelous that he went to court to legally change his name. “He was certainly one of the greatest middleweights ever but one of the greatest people that I’ve ever been around and promoted,’’ promoter Bob Arum said.
``He was a real man, loyal and just fantastic person.’’ Any doubts Hagler wasn’t indeed Marvelous were erased on a spring night in 1985. He and Hearns met in one of the era’s big middleweight clashes outdoors at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and when the opening bell rang they traded punches for three minutes in an opening round many consider the best in boxing history. Hagler would go on to stop Hearns in the third round, crumpling him to the canvas with a barrage of punches even as blood poured out of a large gash on his forehead that nearly caused the referee to stop the fight earlier in the round. “When they stopped the fight to look at the cut, I realized they might be playing games and I wasn’t going to let them take the title away,3 Hagler said later. “It was a scary feeling. I thought, ‘Why are they stopping this fight?’ I didn’t realize I was bleeding. It wasn’t in my eyes. Then I knew I had to destroy this guy.’’ Arum said Hagler simply willed himself to victory
Kohli, Kishan lead India to 7-wicket win over England
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HMEDABAD, India (AP) — Captain Virat Kohli and young opener Ishan Kishan scored brilliant half centuries to power India to a seven-wicket win over England in the second Twenty20 international yesterday. Kohli hit an unbeaten 73 off 49 balls and 22-year-old Kishan impressed with 56 off 32 in his debut T20I. India easily reached 166-3 in 17.5 overs to level the five-match series at 1-1. England scored 164-6 after being put into bat. Kohli finished off the game in style with a flicked four and then a pulled six against Chris Jordan, who could have got the Indian captain on 10 off his first delivery but Jos Buttler spilled the legside catch in the fifth over. Kohli, who was out without scoring in the first match, hit five fours and three sixes and also became the first batsman to reach 3,000 runs in T20
internationals. “We ticked all the boxes we wanted to,” Kohli said. “ T o d a y t h a t counterattacking innings of his (Kishan) and our partnership was something the team needed. They bowled too short, probably not on, on that surface.” Left-handed Kishan, who replaced Shikhar Dhawan, smacked five boundaries and four sixes. He had added 94 runs with Kohli at the halfway stage after Lokesh Rahul failed for the second successive time when he was caught behind for a duck in Sam Curran’s first over. Kishan, who was dropped on 40, reached his half century with back-toback sixes against Adil Rashid (1-38). Rashid trapped Kishan leg before wicket after a failed reverse sweep. India’s fast bowlers earlier strangled England in the death overs and restricted the visitors’ total, mainly through the variations of Shardul
Thakur (2-29). Thakur claimed the vital wickets of captain Eoin Morgan (28) and Ben Stokes (24) through his off-cutters with India giving away only 35 runs off the last five overs. “This was a different pitch to the one for the first game, less pace in it,” Morgan said. “Statistically there is always an advantage in chasing, especially if there’s dew around, (but) tonight there was no dew, full credit to India.” Opening batsman Jason Roy top-scored with 46 off 35 before holing out in the deep against offspinner Washington Sundar (2-29), who kept the scoring rate in check on a slow wicket in the middle overs with legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal (1-34). England won the first game by eight wickets. The third T20 is tomorrow. Scores: India 166 for 3 (Kohli 73*, Kishan 56) beat England 164 for 6 (Roy 46) by seven wickets.
over Hearns, whose big right hand was feared in the division but couldn’t keep Hagler at bay. “ T h a t w a s a n unbelievable fight,’’ Arum said. “Probably the greatest fight ever.’’ Hearns said Saturday he was thinking about Hagler and their historic fight. Hagler wore a baseball cap with the word “War’’ while promoting it while on a 23city tour with Hearns that Arum said made the fighters despise each other before they even entered the ring. “I can’t take anything away from him,’’ Hearns told The Associated Press. “His awkwardness messed me up but I can’t take anything away from him. He fought his heart out and we put on a great show for all time.’’ Hagler would fight only two more times, stopping John Mugabi a year later and then meeting Leonard, who was coming off a three-year layoff from a detached retina, in his final fight in 1987. Hagler was favored going into the fight and many thought he would destroy Leonard — but Leonard had other plans. While Hagler pursued him around the ring, Leonard fought backing up, flicking out his left jab and throwing combinations that didn’t hurt Hagler but won him points on the ringside scorecards. Still, when the bell rang at the end of the 12th round, many thought Hagler had pulled out the fight — only to lose a controversial split decision. Hagler, who was paid $19 million, left the ring in
Marvin Hagler
disgust and never fought again. He moved to Italy to act, and never really looked back. “I feel fortunate to get out of the ring with my faculties and my health,” he said a year later. Hagler took the long route to greatness, fighting mostly in the Boston area before finally getting his chance at the 160-pound title in 1979 against Antuofermo as a co-main event with Leonard fighting Wilfredo Benitez on the same card. Hagler bloodied Antuofermo and seemed to win the fight, but when the scorecards were tallied he was denied the belt with a draw. Hagler would travel to London the next year to stop Alan Minter to win the title, and he held it for the next seven years before his disputed loss to Leonard. Arum remembered being at a black tie event honoring
top fighters a year later that was attended by both Hagler and Leonard, among others. He said Leonard came up to him and pointed to Hagler across the room and suggested he go talk to him about a rematch that would have earned both fighters unbelievable purses. “I went over to Marvin and said Ray is talking about a rematch,’’ Arum said. “He glared at me as only Marvin could and said, ‘Tell Ray to get a life.’’’ Hagler was born in Newark, New Jersey, and moved with his family to Brockton in the late 1960s. He was discovered as an amateur by the Petronelli brothers, Goody and Pat, who ran a gym in Brockton and would go on to train Hagler for his entire pro career. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1983.
NCAA Indoor Championships
Tough outing for Hooper and Bright Guyana had two of their premier female athletes contesting the women’s triple jump final of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Indoor Championship on Saturday night at the University of Arkansas but unfortunately neither managed to make it to the podium. The athletes, Natricia Hooper representing University of Florida and Chantoba Bright who turned out for Kansas State University, had commendable performances but were just behind. The lanky Hooper finished in sixth after equally her Personal Best (PB) distance of 13.53m which she had achieved initially in 2019, while Bright managed 10th place from a field of (Continued on page 19)
Chantoba Bright in Triple Jump action.
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Monday March 15, 2021
Team Sanasie/Hope Transformational Leadership will deliver measurable results - Manifesto (Continued from yesterday) The Proposed Plan Of Action Transformational Leadership Guaranteed To: • Restore and sustain the global profile of West Indies cricket and CWI • Re-engineer policies to energize CWI staff and Full Member Territorial Boards to restore and sustain excellence in our cricket administration. • Implement a set of new initiatives aimed at arresting the declining standards and quality of our cricket, so as to deliver a modernized environment in which excellence can be appreciated and demonstrated in every area at all levels amongst players and administrators including supporting cricket officials. • Establish an international network of alliances for exposure and development of our most talented players for the purposes of enhancing their skills and global competitiveness. • Establish and facilitate strategies for development of Clubs and Schools’ cricket in CWI full member territories including regional invitational Clubs and Schools tournaments • Establish and facilitate a special Cricket Scholarship Programme for Youth/Schools players. • Minimize risks to prevent CWI from being exposed to legal, financial and negative publicity.
• Utilize the services and status of our iconic past players to support the policies and initiatives in our agenda to restore and sustain excellence in our cricket. • Establish a new global fund raising campaign to support a CWI Strategic Plan for the next ten (10) years 2021 – 2031. The Sanasie & Hope leadership team is committed to restoring the tradition of visionary transformational leadership in West Indies Cricket as demonstrated in the legacy of our cricketing greats. The strategic plan will return all West Indies cricket teams to top global rankings and consistent tournament victories. A Much Needed Intervention from Sanasie & Hope Operation Rescue Plan “ O P E R AT I O N RESCUE” PLAN is driven by (a) The long accepted business principle that the life cycle of any product/brand goes through five (5) stages:- Product development stage; Market Introduction; Growth stage; Maturity stage; and Decline stage; (b) Against the background that: (i) West Indies cricket is in the fifth stage of the aforesaid business principle, having been in decline for several years; and (ii) T h e p r o m i s e d approach and actions of the current leadership of CWI which were supposed to be
underpinned by transparency and accountability, have failed to arrest the decline and to engineer a path for growth. (iii) Collaterally, within the last two years of CWI leadership, the performance of West Indies cricket has further nose-dived on and off the field. Consequently, the financial balance sheet of CWI remains in the red, and the competitive profile of our cricket has not improved. Serious matters have also arisen regarding conflict of interest and transparency. What We Will Deliver First 100 days COVID 19 PANDEMIC RESPONSES 1. Immediately secure vaccines and arrange appropriately for players and staff of CWI to be vaccinated. 2. In each CWI Full Member Territory, engage with respective Governments and relevant personnel to agree an appropriate plan for hosting regional and international matches and or tournaments in the CWI Calendar 2021 – 2023. 3. E s t a b l i s h a n d facilitate virtual interaction seminars (via Zoom) for training and motivating players, coaches and match officials. FINANCE & CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 4. A s s e s s a n d e ff e c t i v e l y r e - a l l o c a t e financial resources for more
Muguruza ends long wait, beats Krejcikova in Dubai final AP - DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Garbine Muguruza ended her almost two-year wait for a title with a 7-6 (6), 6-3 win against Barbora Krejcikova in the final of the Dubai Championships on Saturday. “It means a lot,” the ninth-seeded Muguruza said, “it’s never easy to win.” In her third attempt at a title this season, the former No. 1 hit seven aces and saved seven of the nine break points she faced to beat Czech doubles specialist Krejcikova. It’s the 27-year-old Spanish player’s first title since winning in Monterrey
Garbine Muguruza celebrates with her trophy. in April 2019. Muguruza lost the Qatar Open final last week to Petra Kvitova and the Yarra Valley Classic final last month to Ash Barty. Overall, it’s Muguruza’s eighth career singles title,
including two Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros in 2016 and Wimbledon in 2017. K r e j c i k o v a ’s o n l y previous singles final was a 2017 loss to Kiki Bertens in Nuremberg, Germany.
meaningful impact with the administration of cricket and related affairs of CWI. 5. R e v i e w C W I ’s legal instruments and its other previously commissioned documents and take the necessary action for improving the corporate governance of the company. 6. Review and or reo rg a n i z e t h e e x i s t i n g Committee structure of the Board with new Terms of Reference, as the case to add value to assist the Board’s decision making pursuant to its approval policies and objectives of agreed Plans. 7. E s t a b l i s h i n g standard operating procedures for the Board and for dealing with Territorial Boards/Shareholders and reporting by Committees of the Board, to ensure adherence to the corporate governance instruments of the company. 8. R e v i e w a n d institute (i) a more equitable and transparent Fitness Standards Regime for players; (ii) a modernized personnel development programme for players, and (iii) rationalize the policy relating to retainer contracts f o r We s t I n d i e s a n d Franchise teams players. A key component of the Sanasie & Hope strategic plan is the sustainable cultivation of both male & female cricketing talent and increasing the selection pool. This approach will be the catalyst for further expansion of the sport regionally for the benefit of the CWI growth plan. What We Will Deliver First 100 days CRICKET 1. Establish a four (4) year Strategic Plan for each West Indies team (including the “A” team) with the aim of achieving greater competitiveness and excellence in their engagements. 2. Formulate a Plan for improvement and development of Club and Schools cricket in Full member territories, while provisioning special facilitation for the same in the Leeward and Windward Islands. 3. Establish a post – Director of Women’s Cricket Development, dedicated to encourage and develop Women’s cricket in full member territories. 4. E s t a b l i s h arrangements with
Anand Sanasie Calvin Hope (Twitter) successful past West Indies players to provide meaningful mentorship and performance enhancement support to (i) regional franchise teams; (b) regional youth teams; and (c) West Indies teams. MARKETING & BUILDING STAKEHOLDERS SUPPORT 5. Develop a regional Marketing Communications Programme to highlight and promote the importance of cricket to the region and further build the image of the game among all stakeholders. 6. E n g a g e a n d encourage partnerships among regional Governments and their National Tourism Agencies to formulate a Joint Plan for leveraging the value of our cricket. This will allow for the sport to used as a viable asset to play a more meaningful role in tourism, enhancing foreign exchange earnings and socioeconomic development. 7. Establish a schedule for meetings with each full member territorial Board once a quarter, and their general body once a year, with the aim of addressing pertinent matters related to the affairs of West Indies cricket, and emerging issues. What We Will Deliver The Next 24 Months Allied to delivery of the particular matters in the First 100 days ensure: 1. P l a n n i n g a n d liaising for cooperation pursuant to the actions and agreed arrangements in response to Covid 19 Pandemic. 2. Improvement of Corporate Governance and Financial management of the organisation. 3. Establishment of new revenue generating streams by way of cultivation of relationships in non-traditional markets, and unlocking new financial
sources regionally and internationally. 4. Establishment of a special fund for promotion and development of cricket in full member territories including setting up of technologically advanced Cricket Centres/Academies dedicated to improve and enhance the skills of talented players, and to prepare them to successfully engage and navigate the modern global cricket environment. Such a fund will be supported by but not limited to the bidding fees received from regional Governments for hosting international cricket matches/events in their countries. 5. I m p r o v e a l l existing cricket development related systems to facilitate arrangements for identified domestic cricket competitions in full member territories to be accorded First Class Cricket status. 6. L e v e r a g e t h e profile of West Indies cricket f o r p l a c i n g e m e rg i n g talented players and or other talented players (men and women) for exposure and development of their skills in overseas cricket conditions, by special arrangements under Agreements (MOUs) with targeted international cricket partners. 7. T i m e l i n e f o r implementation of the initiatives contained in the developed regional Marketing Commutations Programme. 8. Maintenance of positive relations with West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and individual players; and for proper management of the Players Provident Fund, and Past Players Foundation. What We Will Deliver The Next 24 Months The rescue plan will build on the legacy of leadership & teamwork to transform West Indies cricket and create a more diverse and inclusive model that places the organization on a path for growth and expansion.
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“2021 - THE YEAR OF HOPE & VACCINATIONS” By Colin E. H. Croft 2021 is easily the most massively hopeful year most people now alive anywhere probably would have had, after the seriously desperate and dangerous 2020, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Already, nearly 120 million people have been infected by Covid-19 worldwide, with approximately 3 million reported deaths. 1946 must have been the last such hopeful year, after World War II had ended, a war that accounted for more than 75 million deaths. Most of us were not alive in 1946, so this Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020 and 2021 is the most horrific event most people now alive would have experienced. In the United States of America alone, nearly 30 million cases of Covid-19 exist, with nearly 550,000 people dead because Covid19. The State of Florida, where I live, has already had nearly 33,000 deaths. The Caribbean has been e x t r e m e l y l u c k y, a n d determined, in some cases, not to be as badly afflicted by Covid-19 as other parts of the world. Some Leaders, like Barbados’ Ms. Mia Mottley and Dr. Keith Rowley of Trinidad & Tobago, have done excellent jobs of trying hard to lock down their countries. With the very porous borders that Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago have, and with Brazil, Venezuela and Suriname a short walk or boat ride away, only luck and God’s blessing have saved our Caribbean from more Covid-19 peril. My questions must be
WHO vaccine certificate.
directed at CARICICOM. How come it is that countries like Barbados, Guyana and St. Kitts, could endeavor, individually, to get the much-needed vaccines for their inhabitants, and CARICOM had not done this? Why did CARICOM not go begging to some authority or government, including the very benevolent Indian Government, to simply ask for 15 million vaccines, to cover the 7 million Caribbean people; twice? Can someone please explain what exactly the purpose of CARICOM is? 2021 is a good year for me too. It commemorates my 50th year of professional employment, a journey that began in June 1971, thanks to Rudy Luck, then Principal of Central High School, and Basil McGowan, then HeadMaster of Commenius Moravian School, in Anira Street, Queenstown, Georgetown, where I started as an inexperienced but eager 18 years young
Mathematics Teacher. I spent two very exciting years there. This began my professional journey; as a Te a c h e r , A i r T r a f f i c Controller, Professional International Cricketer, Commercial Pilot, Engineer, Aviation Manager and Sports Journalist, among so many other opportunities. Very fortunately for me, I have never been unemployed in my life these last 50 years. 2021 also is the 50thanniversary of my first ever airplane flight, in August 1971, on a cricketing journey, to Jamaica, to play in the West Indies Under19 Youth Cricket competition, representing Guyana. Having already represented Guyana in 1970, I was one of the more senior and experienced players in 1971. My first flight was on a British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC - now British Airways) Vickers VC-10, an absolutely beautiful airplane, which
once held speed records for Atlantic crossings for subsonic jet travel; 5 hours and 01 minute; only to be broken by the majestic Boeing B-747 Jumbo, 41 years later, clocking that journey at about 4 hours and 56 minutes, but with a tailwind that was a storm! My maiden airplane voyage also seriously whetted my appetite for aviation and international travel. Apart from actually piloting airplanes in many countries, I have been extremely fortunate to have, so far, travelled to nearly 75 countries world-wide. Russia, Japan, both Koreas and China are still waiting. 2021 offers so much hope to recover from this mighty scourge- Covid-19. Already there are three vaccines in use in the USA, and a few more around the world, miraculously available after only a year of development, given that most vaccines take ages to be developed, tested, then propagated. The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine, with two doses, with 95% efficacy; the Moderna NIAID vaccine, also with two doses, also with 95% efficacy; and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, with only one dose, and with 75% efficacy; are all now available here in the USA. If President Joseph Biden gets his way, everyone of the nearly 330 million legal people in the USA could be fully vaccinated, if they want to be, by May or June 2021. That is a big “ask”, but certainly things are moving on upwardly,
Colin Croft venturing off on an exercise ride.
with great hope. Life as we know it will continue, but with vaccines! My personal experiences with Covid-19 lasted for 48 of the most distressing, unexpected and scary hours I have ever spent in my now 68 years. On the weekend before my 67th birthday; Sunday, 15 March 2020; I
could not come out of bed. For some reason, both of my legs simply could not move. I also had a fever and headaches. Being scared was putting it very lightly. I knew immediately that I had become infected by Covid19. Fortunately for me, those symptoms lasted only (Continued on page 19)
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