Kaieteur News

- says two weeks for public input inadequate

Opposition wants full parliamentary scrutiny for new model PSA

The draft document of document needs to be laid in discusstheseissues.” blocks. When compared to the new model Production the National Assembly for it

“Thatsectoralcommittee the controversial Stabroek Sharing Agreement (PSA) to be properly ventilated so has the authority to summon Block PSA, signed with an thatwasreleasedonTuesday that all of the different areas, before it, Ministers of ExxonMobil-led consortium should be subject to the someofwhichwill[still]not Government and heads of in 2016, it is clear that the necessary parliamentary be apparent after two weeks, agencies to discuss these government made deliberate processes which will allow can be put out so that the issues, so that even if the efforts to close several for Guyanese to have an public can have an

People Progressive Party dangerous loopholes for adequate review of the understanding of it and so does not lay before the abuse and revenue leakage. contract that will govern thatwecanaddressthem.” National Assembly an A significant feature in the futureoildeals. Heopinedthat,“Ithinkit important document for new draft agreements is that

This is the perspective of unbelievable that anyone discussion and debate, that the government has the combined A Partnership much less, here in Guyana, committee can summon the preserved the right to review for National Unity plus wouldputadocumentwhich r e l e v a n t H e a d s o f and approve the budgets for Alliance for Change has$100billionbehinditfor Department before it to get the exploration and (APNU+AFC). Speaking a two week review It is answers on behalf of the developmentprogrammesof at a press conference on utterly unbelievable and we people of Guyana That theoilcompanies. Thursday, Elson Low, the need to have a proper committee does not meet The agreements state Economic and Youth Policy national conversation which is chaired by the that, “The contractor shall Advisor at Office of the aroundthisdocument.” People Progressive Party submit to the minister for Leader of the Opposition Low accused the and there seems to be no approval,inaccordancewith (OLO), posited that the government of deliberately urgency with respect to the the Accounting Procedures, National Assembly presents not giving Guyanese a is absolutely necessary,” committee meeting,” he a Budget of the Costs to be PNCR member, Mervyn the correct forum for the chance to review the W i l l i a m s s t a t e d noted. incurred in implementation Williams shared similar document to be properly sensitive document. “In the Additionally, Williams T h e G u y a n a of each Work Programme, contentions. He asserted that reviewed. context that in all the lamented on the lack of Government on Tuesday simultaneously with the not only does the Opposition Low lamented the short questions that we always oversight of the Parliament released two drafts of new submission of such Work believe that it is necessary timeframe that was given for have around oil and gas for Guyana’s increasing Model PSAs, one of which Programmes. The minister that the document should be a national review of the draft issues… In a country in natural resources. Williams will govern shallow water will decide on the proposal laid in the National new model PSA, asserting which the oil and gas emphasized, “it is evident blocks while the other will of Budgets simultaneously Assemblybutalsotobeputit that the government should industry is going to be vital that natural resources has apply to deep water with the approval of the before a special select instead allow Guyanese going forward, it is not grown in its importance to concessions. Citizens were corresponding Work committeethatallowsforthe more than two weeks to acceptable that such major thiscountryyetwedonotsee granted two weeks to peruse Programme.” involvement of the examine the very crucial documents are not subjected the Natural Resources the documents that will Such powers are not Guyanese citizenry in the document. Low said, “what toproperpublicscrutiny,”he

Sectoral Committee of the feature in the upcoming enshrinedintheStabroek nationalconversation. we are saying is that this said. Parliament meeting to licensingroundforthe14oil (Continued on page 12)

“This type of discussion

Elson Low, the Economic and Youth Policy Advisor at Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

APNU Executive Member, Mervyn Williams

Govt. now cementing control over expenses for 14 new oil blocks

According to the ordination of petroleum including proposed local d r a f t activities among other c o n t e n t p l a n s , t h e P r o d u c t i o n developments if relevant. administrationiscallingfor

S h a r i n g Field Development Plans t h e p r o v i s i o n o f Agreement (PSA) released are also required to have a preliminary estimates of on Tuesday for deep water description of the surface a b a n d o n m e n t a n d and shallow water blocks, outline of the area in which decommissioning cost and the People’s Progressive d e v e l o p m e n t a n d description of the disposal Party Civic (PPPC) production operations will method. Government is proposing to be carried out as well as Importantly, the State is implement a suite of location and water depth of demanding that oil international guidelines that the proposed wells and companies provide detailed oil companies must follow productionfacilities. budget estimates and when preparing Field Government is also breakdown of tangible and DevelopmentPlans. proposing to see a intangible drilling costs,

These plans outline the description of the offshore costs associated with steps a company will take to drilling unit and associated facilities and infrastructure, develop an oil or gas equipment that will be used and other operational discovery. to carry out the proposed expenses.

In the draft documents, development drilling It also wants to see an the government has set out activities. anticipated production clear terms on how much It also wants to review a profile; and any other information it wants to see d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e information required from prospective licence production platform(s), pursuant to the safety and holders in these Field subsea wellheads and environmental regulations DevelopmentPlans. manifolds, pipelines, in force at any time during

Inmates using cell phones to plot crimes in prison

- Minister Benn urges authorities to address issue at ongoing conference

Home Affairs Minister, R o b e s o n B e n n h a s acknowledged that some inmates are making use of illegal cell phones in prison to plot and execute crimes and urged the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) to address such issues at its annual officer’s conference whichopenedonThursday Benn was at the time delivering the feature address at the conference’s opening ceremony being held at the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) Officer’s training centre at Camp Road, Georgetown. While don’t want them (inmates) that some of them are explaining that prisoners layingaboutinprisonallday plottingtheirnextmove have rights, Benn said, “I doing nothing.” He added (Continued on page 17)

Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn

It also seeks to retain the separation and storage the execution of the right to make adjustments facilities, measurement Agreement. wherenecessary equipment and other

The draft document

One of the proposed production facilities that states that all technical guidelines seeks to ensure will be used to carry out the models, particularly, static, oil companies provide a proposed development and and dynamic models, as detailed account of their productionactivities. well as economic models projected costs for oil These development shall to the extent possible projects, while including plans are also expected to be submitted in a nonindicators such as project feature a description of proprietaryformat. life cycle, internal rate of geological and reservoir

Furthermore, the draft return,andbreakevencostat engineering aspects PSA states that the differentratesofreturn. including reserve estimates, Development Plan shall be

Government is also production profiles, accompanied by an proposing that future reservoir management Environmental Impact operators provide a detailed practices to ensure Assessment Plan submitted d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e maximumefficientrecovery under the Environmental d e v e l o p m e n t a n d of the resources, resource ProtectionAct,1996. production activities to be conservation measures and

The approval of the undertaken while giving an productionschedule. Development plan and account of production There is also a proposed issuance of the Production facilities. requirement for technical License is subject to the

It also wants to see a solutions aimed at e n v i r o n m e n t a l comprehensive outline of preventing and minimizing authorizations to be issued the socio -economic, environmentally harmful by the Environmental t e c h n i c a l , a n d discharges and emissions, ProtectionAgency environmental and safety safety management Within 20 business days related aspects of the s y s t e m s , i n c l u d i n g of receiving the application development. estimates of maximum for Petroleum Production

Oil companies are also quantity of fuels and oil that L i c e n c e a n d t h e likely to be required to will be stored in drilling a c c o m p a n y i n g provide the development units or production Development Plan, the objectives and development facilities. PSAs state that the Minister c o n c e p t , i n c l u d i n g Additionally, the shall deem the application alternatives considered, Guyana Government wants submitted if the submitted tentative schedule, to see a description of information meets the subsequent development operational aspects requirements previously stages, if any, and co- including maintenance outlined and is sufficiently support vessels, onshore accurate. support facilities, plans Itgoesontostatethatthe environmental minister shall not deem the nitoring and application for Petroleum p e r v i s i o n o f Production Licence and the oleum activities, a c c o m p a n y i n g well as oil spill D e v e l o p m e n t P l a n contingency plans and submitted until the emergencyresponse. contractor has corrected all Along with an the deficiencies or issues he outline of the socio- identified. conomic impacts The review process of proposed would commence following

nt this.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

A TRAIN DERAILS IN OHIO, BE WARNED GUYANESE

OnFebruary3rd,atrainderailedinEastPalestine,Ohio. It was no ordinary train, but one that routinely transports hazardousmaterials. Fishinsignificantnumbersperished, arearesidents(5,000)evacuated,withmanycomplainingof feelingsick. Additionally,15,000poundsofsoilandovera milliongallonsofwaterhavebeencontaminated,withnew damagesdaily Itwasatrainballbearingoverheating,when disasterstruck.

Officialshaveassuredresidentsthatthewaterissafe,the airclean. Residentsarenotbuyingthat,withmanyremoved fromthesiteofthederailment. Inarecentmeetingbetween railway officials and East Palestine residents, matters became tense, as participants grew increasingly agitated, leading to attendees from Norfolk Southern (the company) withdrawingfromconcernsabouttheirsafety

Americans have earned a reputation for standing up for their rights, through confronting officials, no matter how high or overpowering, and demanding answers. They are quicktodiscernwhentheyarebeingpatronizedwithempty responses to their concerns and questions, and make their anger and disgust known, without any punches pulled. In brief,Americansdonotmessaroundwhentheirwellbeingis involved,whentheircommunitiesandchildrenareatriskof harm.

We at this publication applaud the people of East Palestine,Ohioforstandingupfortheirinterests. Onlythe casual and reckless, the unconcerned and the mindless, are negligentinlookingoutforthemselves.Itisusuallytoolate when danger becomes real, and what could happen (as assessed to occur in extreme circumstances only) actually happens,whensuchisnolongertherarityitwassaidtobe.

Considering this, we also are prompted to applaud our own fellow citizens, the residents of Houston, East Bank Demerara, for their bold and relentless stance over their concerns about dangers from hazardous chemicals and similarharmfulmaterials.Itiswhatisself-protective,what iscommonsenseandreasonable,andwhatmusttrumpevery otherconsideration.

The first loyalty, the only one in circumstances of possibleperil,istooneselfalways,andtoone’sfamilyand thoseinthesurroundingcommunity Asoneisendangered andimpacted,socouldtherestbetoo. Thisiswhatistaking shape in the objections and postures of other worried GuyaneseintheWalesarea. Inthisinstance,itisrelatedto theproposedgas-to-energyproject.

ThereisthepowerfulsensethatGuyana’sauthoritiesand watchdogs are not being particularly diligent, or going the extra mile, in prioritizing the safety and peace of mind of those in the vicinity of Wales. The local Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now gained a level of contemptuous notoriety for its seeming slapdash; one size fitsall,approachthatleavesresidentsagitatedandfurious.

As much as Guyanese want cheap and dependable energy supplies, the soonest they can get both, they put a premium on being around in a condition that helps them actually partake of, and benefit from, such a long-awaited development.

Inotherwords,someofthemaretakingmattersintheir ownhandswithspiritedpublicobjectionslodged,andinthe hope that there is some yielding at the official level. Guyanese do not wish to be the guinea pigs, or sacrificial lambs, to fulfill the ambitions of the powerful, the wellconnected,andanyothersintheranksofthosecalculatingon afinancialkillingfromtheWalesgas-to-energyproject.

Locals do not have much confidence in public consultations, which are now being dismissed as the farces andgamesofbothpoliticiansandbureaucratsconnectedto them.

Also, Guyanese have become increasingly vigilant on how foreign company officials conduct their vast array of businesses, how those same officials are believed to look down on them, and how they are determined to spend the least money where safety precautions and standards are concerned.

suspension from EITI must be investigated by a fully constituted Commission of Inquiry

DEAREDITOR,

The world was officially notified, by way of letter issued February 2023, that TheCooperativeRepublicof Guyana,hasbeensuspended by the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Board for failure to publish its 4th EITI Report, FiscalYear2020,whichwas duebyDecember31,2022as mandated by the EITI Standard.

The request for an extension was denied by the EITIBoard.Guyanabecame an EITI Implementing country on 25th October, 2017. The Guyana EITI Multi-stakeholder Group (MSG) submitted EITI Reports for the Fiscal Year 2017,2018&2019.

March 2022, the Guyana’sfirstEITINational Coordinator Dr Rudy Jadoopat, an experienced and highly qualified internationaleconomist,was unfairlyvictimised,removed and unconscionably replaced by a known favourite of the PPPC Government,formerHeadof theGovernmentInformation and News Agency (GINA) under the PPPC, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, and questionable character Guyana’s 4th report for FY 2020 was not published by EITI mandated deadline of December31,2022

The EITI Standard specifies specific Reporting Deadlines, failing which the EITI Board oversight takes action.

RequestforExtension

An implementing

country may apply for an extension if it is unable to meet any of the mandated deadlines. The EITI Board appliesthefollowingtestsin assessing any extension requests:

1. The request must be made in advance of the deadlineandbeendorsedby the Multi-Stakeholder Group(MSG).

2 The MSG must demonstrate that it has been making continuous progress towards meeting the deadline and has been delayed due to exceptional circumstances.

3 . E x c e p t i o n a l circumstances must be explainedintherequestfrom theMSG.

REPEATED USE OF

T H E T E R M S ‘TRANSPARENCY’ AND ‘ACCOUNTABILITY’ MUST INCLUDE HOW ANDWHEN

Transparency is a fundamentally necessary p r e r e q u i s i t e f o r Accountability. Corrupt Governmentofficialsloveto publicly announce that they are strong proponents and promoters of Transparency andAccountability

ThePresidentofGuyana recentlyreactedtoGuyana’s suspension from the EITI International Transparency body He made a public statement during which he accused Civil Society representatives for causing the delay in publishing Guyana’s4thEITIReportby the December 31st 2022 deadline This baseless finger-pointing lacks décor Additionally, it can be

construed as ‘reprisal’, ‘coercion’ and an effort to prevent the MSG from operating freely and express their opinions without restraint.

Onecansaythatitisclear evidence of non-compliance with EITI Requirement 1.3 (e) iv - Civil Society Engagement.

Governmentofficialsare prune to using broad promises and likeable populists’phrases, like ‘Our Government will do everything within its power to strengthen transparency and full accountability by establishing mechanisms and systems for inclusive governance and full disclosure’.

The majority of citizens would fall prey to these phrases because of, among other factors, a level of trust inexistingleaders.Thislevel of trust is natural as it stems from belief systems in secularcommunities.

The ones above are treated as ‘Gods’ and given unconditional trust until evidence emerges to prove that such trust is not deservingbythoseleaders.

In order to effectiveness and sincerity in lofty phrases, the declarations must include a clear methodology and specific t i m e l i n e f o r t h e implementation and completion of the e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability mechanisms and systems, backed by financial support, human resources capacity, legislative and institutional

framework.

The EITI Standard is an excellent example for Governments to follow Deadlines are set for the publication of mandated reports. Penalties are doled out for failure to meet d e a d l i n e s Recommendations for correctiveactionsareissued. Additional failure to adhere results in ‘delisting’ which meansultimaterevocationof membership.

Suspension

Where it is manifestly clearthatasignificantaspect of the EITI Principles and Requirements are not a d h e r e d t o b y a n implementing country, the EITI Board will suspend or delist that country This includes cases where a country has not met the requirementsfortimelyEITI Reporting. The EITI Board shall set a time limit for the implementing country to address breaches. While the country will have the status ‘SUSPENDED’ If the matter is resolved to the satisfaction of the EITI Board by the deadline, the country’s status will be reinstated.

Ifthematterhasnotbeen resolved,thecountrywillbe ‘DELISTED’ (the country willnolongerbeconsidered an EITI implementing country)

Delisting, Delisting, i.e. revoking a country’s status as an EITI implementing country will occurif:

(1) An implementing countryhasbeensubjectto (Continuedonpage6)

Walter Rodney must be turning in his grave!

DEAREDITOR, Rodney employed Guerilla Intellectualism, but... it’s all lost to the handful of people who stole Walter Rodney’s party. These men stole the party; and then they failed in their crass attempt to help rig the 2020elections.

They aided and abetted the rape of our oil wealth with that horrible contract which is now the Holy Writ for the current Government, And now these men are spewing hatred and racial

hostility

They want Guyana to be destroyed while most of us want to get Guyana right. They want us to kill each other while most of us want tojoinaunitedstruggletorid Guyana of corruption and corruptpoliticians.

Yes, our Youths are hungryforopportunitiesthat are fritted away in corrupt deals, and our teachers, policeandprivateandpublic sector employees are paid laughablewages.Weallface a massive rise in the cost of

Guyanesehavegottenwiserrelativetopoliciesandprocedures dressed up for local consumption, and which speak the most comforting words about compliance with safety regulations, whilepushingaheadquietlywithwhatendangers.

living. And the oil wealthour own oil only fills the pockets of a handful of persons even while the environment is wantonly r a p e d

Yet these men only think of us killing each other! they are calling for us to kill and bekilled.Shameonthem.

Let us say No to violence!!!! Too often we allow racist politicians to divideusandwheninoffice noneofusmattersmorethan t h e i r p e r s o n a l aggrandizement. From the

cries to lock them out to the cries for turning guns on them - these are desperate people who seek power at any cost They are not interested in the people’s b e t t e r m e n t Fellow Guyanese brothers andsistersdonotallowthese visionless people to divide us. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER. Letusdraintheswampfrom all sides of the political arena!!!

Regards,

Dr.YogMahadeo

TheprobleminGuyanaisthattoofewarestandingup. Too many are too subservient to politicians. Too many are too lackadaisical about their own safety Hopefully, that is beginningtochange.

Guyana’s

We will not stand idly by and allow anyone to fuel the flames of hatred, racism, and violence in our society

DEAREDITOR,

T h e l a c k o f condemnation by ‘political leaders’ of the racist and inciting remarks made by WPA member Tacuma Ogunseye at a public meeting held in Buxton on the East Coast of Demerara lastweek,ismostdisturbing.

As a nation, we are progressingrapidly,notonly attheeconomiclevelbutasa unitedfront.

Therearehoweverafew bitter persons fighting for powerwhoarewillingtouse any means necessary—even if it means destroying the very fabric of this great country

Not only were these statements inflammatory, but they were also in complete contrast to the

principles of what the WPA represented under Walter Rodney These outdated, obstinate, and devious individuals, who operate under the guise of WPA membership are as unpatriotic as they come. Rodney must be turning in his grave over the degeneration of his party

The reality is that in today’s Guyana, the WPA is no longer the ‘Walter Rodney’ WPA of the 1970s. In fact, the current members are not only duplicitous but delusional.

The WPA’s tailored attempts to conduct a series of rallies in Afro-Guyanese communitiesprovethatthey are clutching at straws These rallies were poorly attended and further

demonstrate their lack of relevance to the Guyanese population.

Their hope of political redemption has failed at everycorner MrOgunseye did not stand alone. The inflammatory statements madebyDrDavidHindsand his associates must also be condemned to the highest degree.

Hinds’cynical and racehate commentary on his programme ‘Politics 101’is an affront to the collective effortofthegovernmentand the wider Guyanese society to promote racial harmony and to focus our people on the ever-expanding developmental path The deafening silence of organisations such as the Guyana Human Rights

Association (GHRA), the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly - Guyana (IDPADA-G), and the recently launched Institute for Action against D i s c r i m i n a t i o n i s particularly noteworthy in this instance. I condemn the racismandraciststatements, aswellascallsforterrorism and any intentional actions aimed at fostering violent behaviours in Guyana. We must prioritise Guyana’s development and improve the lives and livelihoods of allGuyanese.

I would like to take this opportunity to call on all political parties to come forward and strongly condemn this racially divisive commentary, which

has the underpinnings of terrorism and hostility This negativityandthisattemptto rile the Afro-Guyanese for self-serving reasons must end.

Afro-Guyanesearesmart people, they are kind people and as an afro-centric individual,Icantellyouthat we want to progress in the right way, in a law-abiding way We thrive on respect, we are protectors and Godfearingindividuals.

These statements are honestly in contrast to who weareasapeople.Guyanais a m e l t i n g p o t o f togetherness.

Our cultures are all but amalgamated. Show me a Guyanese who does not like cook-uporrotiandcurry So all of Guyana should join in

the condemnation No developed or developing country would allow this insanity,sowhyshouldwe?

Our democraticallyelected government is committedtotheruleoflaw in Guyana and the enhancement of the democratic process, which remains fundamental to good governance and a key pillar of the administration, andwewillnotstandidlyby andallowanyonetofuelthe flamesofhatred,racism,and violenceinoursociety

Let’s move forward together This Guyana is your Guyana, it is my Guyana it is for all Guyanese.

Regards, Prime Minister, Mark Phillips

DEAREDITOR,

Mr Tacuma Ogunseye’s recent speech in Buxton of which excerpts are reported in the Stabroek News editorial of March 12, 2023 under the caption ‘Hatespeech’hascausedupsetand discomfort to IndoGuyanese members of the PNC/APNU.

Alongstandingdilemma facing the leadership of this party has now come to the fore, i.e. how to appease the militant Afro-Guyanese supportersofthepartywhile at the same time appeal to Indo-Guyanese cross-over votersfromthePPP

In an article “APNU

elected officials distance themselves from remarks at WPA meeting; Private Sector slams WPA”

(Demerara Waves of March 12, 2023), Dennis Chabrol reports “Several elected officials from the People’s National Congress Reform

(PNCR)-dominated A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Saturday said they did not endorse offensive remarks about Indo-GuyaneseataWorking People’s Alliance (WPA) publicmeeting”.

The article continues “ o p p o s i t i o n parliamentarians Ganesh Mahipaul and Natasha

Singh-Lewis as well as Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Chairman Daniel Seeram and City Mayor Ubraj Narine criticised an unnamed speaker on the WPA platform for making unsavoury statements about Indo-Guyanese”.

Also, former General Secretary of the PNC, Ms GretaChandonisreportedas distancing herself from Mr Ogunseye’sstatementandis quoted as saying “Some of

the speakers communicated sentiments which must be strongly condemned since they can lead to public disorder and anarchy in an already ethnically-inflamed environment

As Guyanese, we must move swiftly to initiate mature dialogue aimed at promoting harmony, tolerance and trust… I wish to publicly disassociate m y s e l f f r o m t h e inflammatory statements

and call for responsible actions and commentaries, from politicians, civil society and activists alike. There must be stronger national effort to build a unifiednation.”

While the WPA is no longer a part of APNU, Mr Ogunseye was a senior employee in the office of PresidentGrangerduringthe latter’s term as head of the APNU-AFC coalition government Also, Dr

Asquith Rose, in his book Dependency And Socialism In The Modern Caribbean, states that the impact of the policies of the PNC governmentinthelate1970s “were severely felt among the regime’s strategic black and colored middle class supporters who abandoned the PNC for the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) party”.Thus,theconnection betweentheWPAandthe

(Continuedonpage6)

NortonnowfacesthechallengeofhavingtopacifytheIndo-Guyanese membersofhispartywhilecontinuingtostandbyMrOgunseye

Delusions are bountiful in Guyana

DEAREDITOR,

The President, when askedbyKNreportersabout oil affairs, shouts how he is doing good governance for Guyana. Is the President under the delusion that Guyanese are experiencing good governance under him?,lookattheplightofthe poor and vulnerable in Guyana. He was once the housing minister, does he knowthatmanypeoplecan’t afford their house lots and are rummaging through garbage for building materials while foreign companies get acres of free land concessions?

Renegotiation has changed to better contract management, parent company guarantee insurance for oil spills has changed to financial assurance, whatever this means.

Instead of fighting the oil,mining,andotherforeign companies in Guyana for more royalties, more profitshare, taxes, environmental laws compliance, and training economists, bankers, investment advisors, money managers, and financial other regulators, etc. specific to Guyana’s oil and mining sectorstobenefitGuyana,he istraininglabourersforthese sectors. Instead of training environmentalists and providingthemwithtoolsto test air, soil, and water qualityforhealthyliving,he is training agriculturists, what these people will be planting or rearing with pollutedsoil,airandwater?, yetthePresidentisunderthe delusion that masquerading as a homebuilder is good governance.TheVPisunder thedelusionthatgoingtothe

birthplace of Cheddi Jagan andbashingthePNCandKN will give him credibility

When this man was president, he had the richest country of untapped resourcesandoil,instead,he signed contracts and made deals that never benefitted ordinary Guyanese, no wonder he is under the delusion hiding them from thepublicwillprotecthim.

This man broke his campaign promise to renegotiate the oil contract and he quashed full cover insurancewhenitwasonthe table.

As President, instead of signing good deals for Guyana,hesignedsecretand shadydealsandthenresorted to begging, it was so embarrassing Jamaica’s PM had to call him out. Now at his second stint in power, instead of using Guyana’s

Norton now faces the challenge...

Frompage5 PNC/APNU is hard to dismiss.

Current leader of the PNC/APNU, Mr Aubrey Norton, who was in attendance at the meeting where Mr Ogunseye spoke, did not disassociate himself from Mr Ogunseye’s remarks.

MrNortonnowfacesthe challengeofhavingtopacify theIndo-Guyanesemembers ofhispartywhilecontinuing to stand by Mr Ogunseye. With national elections

roughly two years away, he has to try also to win over potential cross-over voters fromthePPPifheishoping to have any chance of becomingthenextPresident through the electoral process,ataskwhichisnow likely to be even more difficult.

As for the Government, there is a need for clearer commitment to and greater demonstrationofinclusivity Every voter, irrespective of party affiliation, has a right for his/her voice to be heard

through his/her elected representative. Government cannot be tone deaf to legitimatecriticisms.Itmust be reminded that a one seat majority in parliament does notmeanthereisnoroomfor n e g o t i a t i o n a n d compromise All parties shouldheedthewordsofthe late British statesman and colonialmaster,SirWinston Churchill, “To jaw-jaw is always better than to warwar”.

Regards,

HarryHergash

leverage on the oil companiesformorebenefits, he is again begging the oil companies to show sympathy for Guyana Shareholdersofcorporations want every cent from their investments because when they suffer losses they have tobearit,that’sthegame,it’s the negotiators of countries that have to fight for their people’s wealth, there is no sympathy given to anyone, it’s a mystery where the VP got this delusion Every project The VP rants about that was completed under him is blatantly overpriced along with substandard qualitythatGuyanesewillbe paying for, everything purchasedforGuyanaisway over market price, anything sold for Guyana is way belowmarketprice,andany resource deal is way below market asset value of the resource to Guyana. AfroGuyanese were some of the best athletes in the third world, some were even touted to win medals at the Olympics, yet they supported PNC who killed their dreams with failed policies, Indo-Guyanese

controlledkeysectorsofthe economy like fishing, agriculture, transportation, forestry, GuySuCo, DDL, s m a l l b u s i n e s s , shopkeeping, etc. and it was PPPwhobroughtinChinese businessestocutthemoutof these sectors and still Guyanese are under the delusion the political parties are for them, no Guyanese, you may call the political parties yours but they don’t consider you to be part of them, they are the elites and have business and foreign friends,youarejustnumbers atvotingtime.

OppositionMPsnoware under the delusion bashing the PPP will give them credibility, yet they have never called on their supporters to fight for Guyanese fair share of their wealth, they voted for Exxon’s tax waiver, they stayed silent when the lopsidedoilcontractwassigned under them, they also stay silent as pro-PNC mobs attack Indo-Guyanese and nowstayingsilentassomeof their own cannot accept the government who won the elections and are openly

calling for violence on the government and its supporters. Mp’s, we don’t need you to bash each other parties, we can do that ourselves, as decades of c o r r u p t i o n a n d incompetence by both of yourpartiesmakeiteasy

MP’s we need you to do whatyouwerevotedintodo, what you are being paid to do,whatyouswearonaholy book to do as you took the oath of office, which is managing Guyana for the best interest of Guyanese. Is there nothing the government and opposition can join together to work on to benefit Guyanese?, like, renegotiation, taxes, full cover insurance, royalties, profit-sharing,ring-fencing, auditing Exxon’s oil bills, environmental compliance, transparency, and accountability?, or do we needtosendpastors,pandits, imams and shamans to do readings on these MP’s and emancipate them from their delusions so they can work for the best interest of GuyanaandGuyanese. Regards, R.David.

Guyana’ssuspensionfromEITI...

Frompage4 suspension and the matter has not been resolved to the satisfaction of the EITI Board by the agreed deadline.

(2) The EITI Board concludes that a country has not made satisfactory progress in implementing the EITI within the establishedtimeframes.

Benefits of EITI Membership

Create a level playing fieldforinvestors.

Create a more attractive investmentclimate

Interest rates on loans from banks to investors in EITICountriescanbelower thantoinvestorsinnon-EITI Countries Greater public awareness about the governance of natural resources.

Greater benefits to citizens in resource-rich countries. Greater accountability to the owners of natural resources, the citizens.

Building trust, reduce and expose corrupt and unfair practices. Gradually establish a culture of, and nurture, national integrity, honestyandself-respect.

More details can be found in Chapter 1, Section 4,Articles 2, 7, 8 & 9 of the

EITI Standard The importance and significance of Guyana’s suspension from the EITI pervade not onlythepolitical.Socialand economic environment in Guyana,butallresource-rich countries,especiallythe50+ EITI Implementing countries. Respect for the Civil Society Sector in the GYEITIMSGandtheentire MSG is paramount, as mandatedintheEITIGlobal Standard The MSG members have the right to freelyexpresstheiropinions, evenifthesearedifferent.

The members of the MSGactuallyrepresenttheir respective constituencies They are expected to perform their duties and functions without fear nor favour More importantly, Mike McCormick has been participating in the work of the GYEITI MSG since before its inception in 2017.

VandaRadzikhasalsobeena veteran civil society representativeinGuyanafor decades and also served on the MSG since before its inception. Ms. Radzik is the current Chairperson of the GYEITIMSG.So,toaccuse these two prominent civil societyleadersistantamount to an accusation against the entire civil society in

Guyana, including the media. We have seen the recent personal attacks againstthemedia.

This development is a continuation of such animosity against the Guyanese civil society in general.

The high-level attention Guyana’s suspension from the EITI, has attracted worldwide, is definitely a subjectfortheestablishment of a Commission of Inquiry

The Parliament of Guyana should consider this as a matter of high priority as it hasleftascornfuldisgraceto the entire country, including itsleaders,allitscitizensand also all leaders and citizens o f t h e 5 0 + E I T I implementing countries Guyana is currently on the precipice of becoming a worldeconomicleader.

The rest of the world, including up and coming resource-rich countries, are keenly looking at Guyana. Guyana’s suspension from the EITI is a reflection of incompetence and complete failure,whichareoftenseen inverycorruptsocieties.

Regards,

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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JOHN HESS AND PPP ASSURANCES

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Guyanese get more out of John Hess than they ever get out ofAli or Jagdeo.

Hess says the PPPGovt. has given guarantees (assurance) that the contract is safe.

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What kind of a Govt., what type of leader, ties bundle with foreigners, give up their own people?

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No wonder PresidentAli cussing out Guyanese calling for renegotiation.

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No surprise that VPJagdeo shutting down questions on the oil contract.

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Now John Hess opens his mouth and puts them on a spot.

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Now everybody seesAli and Jagdeo for who they really are.

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14-daysnotenoughtoreviewnewoilcontracts

…Environmentalist says timeframe breaches numerous Intl. obligations

h e G u y a n a m a k e i n f o r m e d

Tthe diaspora community, of the current petroleum reflect the new timeline for G o v e r n m e n t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o whom the Government has a g r e e m e n t a n d t h e the publication of the t h r o u g h t h e government.” repeatedly asked to identification of best finalised Terms and

M i n i s t r y o f Additionally, she said participate in building practices relevant to every G u i d e l i n e s , M o d e l Natural Resources recently thattheallocatedtwoweeks- Guyana into a more contractual aspect of a Petroleum Agreement and released to the public two time period, “cannot prosperouscountry modernagreementgrounded process of bidding — all new draft Production p o s s i b l y a l l o w t h e Additionally, she noted intheGuyanacontext.” adjusted to facilitate Sharing Agreements Government to fulfill thattheDiasporaasacritical According to the maximumparticipationfrom (PSA)—oil contracts—that Guyana’s commitments stakeholder that plays a ministry, in order to ensure globalinterest. w o u l d g o v e r n t h e under the United Nations pivotal role in financing new investments are According to the development of oil blocks Declaration on the Rights of social development and g o v e r n e d b y a M i n i s t r y, o f f i c i a l outside of the Stabroek Indigenous Peoples social safety nets through comprehensive framework Expressions of Interest Block. ( U N D R I P ) a n d t h e family remittances, “and has of international best (EOI)havebeenreceivedfor

The two weeks, or 14- International Labour carried a major burden of practices, the Model allfourteenblocksfortender day period allocated by the Organisation Convention 69 compensating for lacklustre Petroleum Agreements will in the upcoming Licensing administration for notice, (ILO69) for Free Prior and development policies and be followed by an overhaul Round, demonstrating comments and general Informed Consent (FPIC) of poor distribution of of the 1986 Petroleum Act global interest in Guyana’s public input, is in of itself, indigenouspeoples.” economic gains for andRegulations. shallow and deepwater prohibitive and would only As such, she has since decades”,should press Referencing the two offshoreacreage. undermine the purpose of recommended that an governmenttomakegoodon weeks, time period allocated “The Model Petroleum releasing the information for effective effort would firstly feedback from their itsstatedinterestinengaging for public input, it was noted Agreements represent the commentarybythecitizenry provide reasonable time for communities; and identify theDiaspora. that feedback on the draft People’s Progressive Party The position was the public to engage with the the mechanism for receiving I n m a k i n g t h e model agreements should be Civic (PPPC) Government’s recently articulated by material and for appropriate public feedback, making announcement recently, it addressed to the Minister of commitment to its manifesto Environmentalist, Simone levels of participation c o m m e n t s p u b l i c l y was noted that the draft Natural Resources and sent promise of establishing a Mangal-Joly,inalettertothe Secondly, “outline a clear available, and reporting on M o d e l P e t r o l e u m t o model PSA, guided by substantive minister, procedure for how feedback how these comments were Agreements embodies licensinground2022@petrol industry standards and best Vickram Bharrat, copied to will be received and made addressed in arriving at the rigorous research and eum gov gy with the practices.”

Environmentalist, Simone Mangal-Joly

Rosalinda Rasul, Head, transparently available for finalmodelagreement. analysis by the ministry’s PermanentSecretarycopied, Buttressing its position, Diaspora and Remigration alltosee,”shefurthersaid. She suggested too, internal team, and external jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy. the Ministry also noted that Unit, Ministry of Foreign Mangal - Joly has since making use of digital consultants on all topics

As the administration at the core of the changes, Affairs and shared with the also called for a clearly platforms would enhance relevant to a modern finalizesthenewPSA,itwas “are aimed at maximising media. outlinedmechanismthatwill access for indigenous and petroleum agreement for noted too that this is being the socio-economic benefits

DuogetsbailforassaultingBerbiceteacher

Two persons were when he noticed a fourth which he returned to contact with the police, on Thursday form student (the accused) continue teaching his class. located just about two charged with sitting at the back of the Shortly thereafter, the minutes away from the

Inthatletter,theMangal- be used to report on how n o n - i n d i g e n o u s Guyana. done also, in preparation for for our nation without Joly outlined that while it’s public feedback was communities across the “The process involved a the upcoming Licensing disincentivising foreign c o m m e n d a b l e t h a t a d d r e s s e d i n t h e country, and participation of comprehensive assessment Round Schedule and will investorsinthesector.” Governmenthasreleasedthe development of the final draft Model Petroleum model agreement As it Agreement for comments, stands, Mangal-Joly “unlike government observes that the current 14officials, citizens are not day period “does not meet paid employees of the state requirementsforaneffective and can only read such public consultation process” documents during their after and as such suggested that workhours.”Tothisend,she government may wish to, posited that 14 days, “is also “extend this period to 45 prohibitive when it comes to days.” procuring qualified Thisisinordertoengage specialists to provide advice and prepare the National so that citizens and civil Toshao’s Council to actively society organisations can review the draft and provide

a s s a u l t i n g classroom. teacher said he went to a school. The headmaster was Marlon Daniels, the 20- The teacher told photocopying centre located told that a patrol would be year-old Fort Wellington Kaieteur News that while he opposite the school to print sent. Secondary School teacher wasaddressingtheclass,the testpapers. A second call was made on Monday The duo, fourth form student shouted, It was while he was to the police after the ordeal Dishon Daniels and Trey “whyyoudon’tshutthef*ck sitting, waiting on the prints and according to Daniels, McPherson were both up!” to be completed he felt “theofficerlaughedandsaid granted bail in the sum of The teacher said he someonegrabhim. the patrol is out.” A report $15,000 each when they asked the student who “When I turn around it was made to the police appeared virtually before utteredtheprofanitytoleave was the uncle [the accused’s stationandamedicaldone. MagistratePeterHughatthe the classroom “and he uncle], he pull me on my Minister of Education, F o r t W e l l i n g t o n started using a set of shoulder, and the student Priya Manickchand and Magistrates’Court. indecent language, so I said and four other adults… big Regional Education Daniels and McPherson to come around let me see men, they started punching Authorities have since pleaded not guilty to the thefaceandthatwegoingto me into my face and started contactedDanielsinrelation charge of assault causing theoffice.” slappingmeandIwastrying tothematter actual bodily harm. They Danielsthenescortedthe to wiggle out from the uncle Meanwhile, Daniels is willreturntocourtonMarch fourth form student to the because he was still holding currently on leave and 30,2023forreport. Headmaster’s office where myarmbehindmyback;itis recovering from his injuries Daniels was badly he was scolded. This did not still hurting me,” Daniels athome. beatenonMondaywhileata deter the lad from revealed. He believes that a just stationery outlet opposite continuing his derogatory The injured teacher told punishment would be the the Fort Wellington remarks.

Kaieteur News that the expulsion of the student Secondary School. He “He started to say he got fourth form student picked since it was not his first received injuries to his face, peopletodealwithmeandif upasteelbarthatwasnearby encounter with him during arms, back and other bodily you (headmaster) try to get and swung at him, hitting classhours. parts. in to…if you hear this little him on his arm and four “He was loud, shouting

The injured teacher had boy in the office, he started times to his back. His cell across the classroom and I told Kaieteur News that he threatening both of us in the phones were damaged just asked him to leave and started working at the Fort office and a senior teacher duringtheprocessaswell. other teachers are scared of Wellington Secondary that was there, tried “After they were him…,” the injured teacher S c h o o l l o c a t e d a t speaking to him and he start finished, they were on the toldKaieteurNews. Onderneeming, West Coast to curse out the teacher and road boasting,” Daniels Daniels also believes Berbice (WCB) in January said he was going for his recalled. that there should be better 2023. uncle,”Danielssaid. Additionally, Daniels security arrangements at the

He recalled that he was Danielssaidheinformed disclosedthatwhenheleftto school since the guards leading his second-form the student that he will be go to the photocopying allow everyone to enter the students in revision studies going to the Police after centre, the headmaster made premises.

UN warns gangs consuming Haiti despite help for police

ABC The U N ’s special envoy to Haiti warned Wednesday that the ongoing training and resources the international community is providing to Haiti’s national police force is not enough to fight increasinglyviolentgangs.

Helen La Lime, head of the U.N.’s Integrated Office inHaiti,unexpectedlyjoined anOrganizationofAmerican States meeting in Washington, D.C., saying it’s time to look at new partnerships as she called once again for the deployment of a specialized foreignforce.

“We’re not getting the job done,” she said. “We need to get down to the business of building this countryback.”

Powerful gangs have been infiltrating once peaceful communities in the Haitian capital and beyond,

Canadian Prime Minister JustinTrudeautoldreporters the sanctions have targeted “elite families in Haiti who aresoresponsiblenotjustfor funding gangs, but for destabilizing the political world and their economy in Haiti at the terrible cost for theHaitianpeople.”

He said Canada also continues to help Haiti’s national police force and otherinstitutions,notingthat p r e v i o u s o u t s i d e intervention hasn’t worked to create long-term stability forHaiti.

“What is clear is there needstobeafreshapproach toHaitithatactuallyputsthe Haitianpeoplethemselvesin the driver seat on building strong opportunities and strongdemocracyforthem,” Trudeausaid.

But top Haitian officials disagree.

“Haiti does not have the

Skeletalremainsfoundin bushesatKamwatta,RegionOne

turning fatal Meanwhile, officialsinnationsincluding theDominicanRepublic,the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands have cracked down on migrants and complained about the strain that they have placed on governmentservices.

“The security problem of Haiti pose a threat to the entireregion,”Généussaid.

The OAS called the meeting to analyze what kind of assistance is needed and where so Haiti can finally hold long-awaited generalelections.

Before OAS members went behind closed doors to continue the discussion, La Lime said Haiti urgently needs a safer environment beforeelectionsareheld.

“Nothing is going to moveunlessthesituationon the ground…changes,” she said.“Withoutmoresecurity assistance they’re not

Theskeletonofahuman being was on Wednesday found in some bushes just off the Kamwatta Access Road located in Region One. Police confirmed that persons in the area made contact with the police station indicating the location of the Skeleton.

P o l i c e r e s p o n d e d immediately and upon arrival discovered a skull, bones and hair suspected to be that of a human of Africandescent.

The skeleton was reportedly found some 800 meters from the Kamwatta Access Road near a bushy

area.Theskeletonhassince been taken to the Kumaka District Hospital where an analysiswillbedonebyDr N e h a u l S i n g h A Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)assessmentwillalso bedone. An investigation has sincebeenlaunched.

with experts estimating that theynowcontrolabout60% ofPort-au-Prince.Theyhave pillaged neighborhoods, raped adults and children and kidnapped hundreds of victims ranging from U.S. missionaries to a hot dog street vendor in a bid to control more territory, with violenceworseningsincethe July 2021 assassination of PresidentJovenelMoïse.

“It is urgent for the OAS…tounderstandthatthe worsening security situation onthegroundhasreachedits peak, and armed gangs now r o a m t h e c o u n t r y unfettered,” said Victor Généus, Haiti’s foreign affairsminister

Top Haitian officials includingGénéusandPrime Minister Ariel Henry have repeatedly sought international boots on the ground, a request first made in October that has gone unheeded by the U N ’s Security Council, which has instead implemented sanctions, as have the U.S. andCanada.OnWednesday,

means to resolve this crisis alone,” Généus said during theOASmeeting.

Haiti’s National Police has only 9,000 active duty officersinacountryofmore than 11 million people, and officials say the department remainsunderresourcedand understaffed despite internationalhelp.

“It’s not enough to have weapons. It’s not enough to strengthen the National PoliceandArmy,”saidLéon Charles, Haiti’s permanent representative to the OAS and the country’s former police chief. At least 78 police officers have been killed by gangs, which have seized control of police departments in some areas andburnedothers,according tohumanrightsactivists.

The spike in violence also has left tens of thousands of Haitians homeless and prompted a mass migration to the U.S. and other islands in the Caribbean, with an increasing number of voyagesaboardricketyboats

goingtomakeit.”

Themeetingwasheldas adelegationofU.N.officials visited Port-au-Prince on Wednesday to meet with Prime Minister Ariel Henry andobservewhattheycalled “the scale and gravity of the humanitarian crisis” and provide support for humanitarianoperations.

Tareq Talahma, with the U N ’s Office for the C o o r d i n a t i o n o f Humanitarian Affairs, said they were seeking $700 million to help at least 3 million Haitians out of 5 million who are in need of humanitarianassistance.

So far, he said, funding pledges has not met expectations, “and that is whywearehere,”hesaid.

“The Haitian people are very dignified people and humanitarian assistance is not the only thing they are waitingfor Thiscommunity islookingforpeace,security andprotection,andthisisthe important thing and should be the priority,” Talahma said.

A man runs with child in Haiti

BYGHKLALL

H@RD TRUTHS

BY GHK LALL

SACK THE PAC

LikeafinelytunedSwiss watch, the bell rings, and PPP men and women jump to stations, follow their prearrangedcues,obeytheir standing orders. Whatever is engaging them, even if nothing, do not show at the Parliamentary Accounts C o m m i t t e e ( PA C ) meeting(s). They ensure thattheircoverstoriesarein place.

ThankGodthatthereare t h o s e i n t h e P P P Government to set the best exampleforusinstandingto

attention, and following orders to the tee. Like an answering machine, the reality of PAC gatherings is this: ‘sorry we are not available to….’ Relative to PAC assemblies, I translate forfellowcitizens:sorry,we arenotavailabletoattend. I ask to be excused for inserting‘sorry’sincethisis largelyunknownthroughout Guyana, with the swaggering PPPleading the wayinthisdepartment. Itis why we have so much disdain on the roads, so

much that is dangerous in schools, so much that is wrong in daily Guyanese life. Thenastinesscascades from the head down to the toe.

ThePAC failingtomeet because of a political maneuver designed for precisely such an outcome standsasaclearexampleof what is at work, was the objective all along. The Parliamentary Affairs diva shouldberightfullyproudof h e r g o v e r n m e n t ’s machinations. The record is

now of 10 PAC meetings since that crafty quorum change and it reveals so muchofwhatisthelengthy, slimy underbelly of governance in Guyana, PPP style. Government leaders all sing symphonies when billions of dollars in taxpayers’ money are set aside to be spent for this or that project, some of them riddled with questions, suspicions, and corruptions. Every place they go, every mediaspaceandmoment,is used to emphasize what is

being done, and how much good is being done for the Guyanese people in the regions. Their sweet songs have the same title: See what we are doing for you…. See how truewearetoGuyanese….

Ontheotherhand,when therehastobesomelimited (only a little) oversight of how those same billions were spent, if they were spent at all, who received, and how many projects got shortchanged, then it is a different song from the PPP Government: ‘You don’t want to know… we don’t wantyoutoknow….’ And, there is no way that that wouldbeallowedtohappen. Thus,theeffortsofthePAC come to a screeching, grinding halt. It is why I say: Give the PAC the sack. Isn’t it time to put a stop to this charade about checks and balances and oversight andgoodgovernance? Sack thePACinsteadofputtingit on this tortured rack for stoning, drawing, quartering, burning, reducing to ashes. I point my fellow Guyanese and insist that this is precisely what is happening with the work of the PAC, and taxpayers’ dollars doing down the drain. Apologies, for getting that one wrong. Itismoreaccuratetosaythe taxpayers’ dollars going downintothepocketsofthe interlockingPPPcabals.

It is at times like these that I marvel that His Excellency, President Ali, could have this grim and groaning style to talk about how much he and his government are about t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability The mere utterance of those words from him is a distortion, whatdisfiguresthiscountry, reduces it to a running joke. It is what reduces the President himself into a sickly shadow: a man who

struggles for authenticity, someone who does not care about how he hurts his own image. I want to see my Presidentregisterasafigure of respect, of standing and truth,andnotsomefigureto beshreddedbecauseofhow his words do not reconcile with the actions of his government and officials. I want this for my President, and all should remember thatIdidn’tvoteforhim. Why do matters have to besowiththePAC,thisvital little checkpoint to determine if and how the billions were spent? Why are these PPPPAC schemes needed? Why these quorum re-arrangements to stop it dead in its tracks when meetingsareinvolved? And 10ofthemsince? ThePAC is there to interrogate on how the billions are spent, nomatterhowsuperficially Yet,itcan’tmoveoffthe ground from where it is stuck because of constant PPP machinations and manipulations The Government is good at making speeches about the purity of its leadership and their activities, but when its own glaring follow-up actions sabotage clean governance, then we don’t have a trusted government with leaders to match, but a ghetto of perversity, with that kind of leadership in front. ThisiswherethePAC standstoday,whynotputthe darned thing out of its miserable, meaningless existence? Takeitoutsideof parliament and have the garbagetruckcollectit. Just shootitfirst.

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

HARDTRUTHS

Govt. to take back privately owned lands to expand GPL’s distribution grid

One of the existing GPL generating plants

T h e G u y a n a System (DBIS), using high The administration is Government has moved to voltagecables. currently looking for private acquire scores of acres of According to a study partners “in designing or land behind Eccles on the conducted by the Inter- utilising the outputs from an East Bank of Demerara American Development N G L ( N a t u r a l G a s (EBD) to Garden of Eden Bank (IDB), the least costly Liquids)/LPG (Liquified EBD. alternative amounts to just Petroleum Gas) facility and

The order was made over US$80M to install a relatedfacilities.” under the Acquisition of combination of 69KV and According to a recent Lands for Public Purposes 230KV power lines to take request by the Ministry of Act and signed by Minister the electricity from the Natural Resources, the of Public Works, Bishop power plant to the GPL proposed partners are JuanEdghillonTuesdaylast. Sophiasubstation. expected to partake in the

The purpose of the According to the design, construction, and acquisition as identified by findingsofthestudydoneby financing of a power plant Minister Edghill points to K&M Advisors, it was fuelled by natural gas, the construction on land recommended that GPL where the power will be declared as public works, construct a 69KV-only delivered into GPL’s specifically the construction It was noted that the land acresatGardenofEden. Government at present is evacuation system for initial distributiongrid. of a 230 kilovolt (kv) to be acquired would firstly Only recently it was awaiting evaluation of (lower) plant output, over a The proposed plant is set overhead Double Circuit be a 100 metres wide strip of announced that as the tenders for the installation of single 1-927 AAAC line to be constructed at Wales, Transmission line between land running north to south administration prepares for new electricity lines and constructed between Good West Bank Demerara at the thetwoidentifiedlocations. along the eastern part of the the commissioning of the substations, the Office of the Hope and Columbia, and a Wales Development Zone

The lands have since entire Plantation Friendship, 300-megawatt (MW) Wales PrimeMinisterannounced. single 69KV line between (WDZ), which has been beenidentifiedasshownona h a v i n g a n a r e a o f gas-to-shore power plant’s “We are moving to theplantandNewSophia. identified as the termination plan prepared by the surveys approximately80acres. late 2024 completion, modernise the grid, to install

It was noted that when point for the pipeline from Division of the Guyana This is in addition to a government has commenced the new transmission lines those line capacities are theLizaAreaintheStabroek Lands and Surveys three other parcels of plans to upgrade the GPL and substations for the projected to be reached, the Block,offshoreGuyana. Commission. identified land totalling 16 distributiongrid. integration…,” the Office of 230KV evacuation system The WDZ encompasses the Prime Minister is quoted should be constructed to over 14,000 plus acres of in sections of the media augment the 69KV system. landofwhichapproximately saying. Such a design, according to 1,300 acres will be set aside

He reportedly said that the group, would cost some for heavy industry/gasthe tender is already out for US$84,672,000. relatedinvestments. the lines’ transmission

It was noted that the The private partners will upgrade. utilisation of 69KV only also be expected to take part

This publication had cables, would limit the in the operations of the recently reported that as part country’s future expansion establishment of a power of the proposed gas fired asitrelatestotheArcoNorte plant to generate 150 MW, plant being pursued by the proposal. with an additional 150 MW Guyana Government, it will That proposal sees an asasecondphaseinaddition require the power to be interconnectedgridbeingset to the establishment of an evacuated from that facility up between Guyana, industrial park comprising and sent to GPL’s Demerara Suriname, French Guiana industries that can utilise Berbice Interconnected andnorthernBrazil. gas,steamand/orelectricity

Oppositionwantsfullparliamentary...

From page 2 criticizedforyears.

Block PSA or any other existing PSA. A new arrangement or demand rather, is Equally important is the insertion of a new that oil companies must also ensure their provision that ensures the country is not left subcontractors have adequate insurance on the hook for any of the oil companies’ coveragetoo. bills.Thatclausespeakstoindemnification. Importantly, the draft agreements state

Among other things Article 30.2 it says: that oil companies will not be allowed to “Thecontractorshallindemnify,defend,and acquire the blocks and sit on their hands for hold the minister and Government of decades. The draft documents categorically Guyana harmless against all claims, losses statethat,“IfinanyphaseoftheExploration and damages of any nature whatsoever by Period, the contractor does not fulfill its any personnel of the contractor or of any obligations in respect of the Minimum subcontractor for the loss or damage to Exploration Work Programme for that personal property or injury or death to exploration period, the contractor is obliged Persons caused by or resulting from any to pay the Government an amount equal to petroleum operations conducted by or on the difference between the minimum behalf of the contractor under this expenditure obligation specified for that agreement or any License issued pursuant phase of the exploration period and the totheAct.” actual amounts expended on the work

On the issue of insurance, the draft commitmentscarriedout.” contracts state that the oil companies must In the Stabroek Block PSA or in other have in place, policies that cover pollution existing agreements, no such penalty is in causedinthecourseofpetroleumoperations place. In terms of the field development for which the contractor may be held plans for a commercial discovery, the responsible. documents outline a stringent suite of

The agreements also state that, “At the international best practices that must be minister’s discretion the contractor may be followed during the preparation of the permitted to self-insure all or part of the document.

aforementioned insurances.” The ability of These guidelines are now public- a stark oil companies to self-insure, that is, to rely contrast to what was obtained before, on their own fiscal resources, is also part of thereby increasing the level of transparency the Stabroek Block PSA and was highly onsuchplans.

Guyana’sseabobcatchdecreasingsince2017

…says

lack of action by Govt. reason for root cause not being identified

industrial channel accounts fishermen focuses on theCOVID-19pandemic. for almost all (99 percent) supplying the domestic However, it was pointed the total seabob catch in market with fresh unpeeled out in the report that the Guyana, and is the larger of seabob, fresh peeled seabob reasons for fluctuating and the two channels while the anddriedseabob. declining catch are not well- i n c e 2 0 1 7 , Development. Agrinatura’s Value Chain artisanal channel accounts

SGuyana’s seabob According to the report, Analysis for Development for a mere 1 percent of total highlighted that the total mainlyduetoalackofaction (Xiphopenaeus the seabob shrimp value methodologies. It has four

Importantly, it was studied which is in turn

seabobcatch. seabob catch has decreased from Guyana’s Fisheries kroyeri) catch has been chain in Guyana is one of 12 m a i n c o m p o n e n t s :

“During 2015 to 2020, since 2017, stating that this Department and the private declining. This information value chains competitively functional analysis, three industrial seabob firms was as a result of decline of actors in this regard, wasrevealedintheFoodand selected from over 70 sustainability assessment, in Guyana produced around theindustrialcatch. implying a critical need to Agriculture Organization proposals worldwide for u p g r a d i n g s t r a t e g y 7 600 tonnes of peeled According to the report, c o n d u c t s t u d i e s t o (FAO) of the United Nations support from the FISH4ACP d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d seabob per year (17 000 the industrial firms attribute investigate the problem, (UN) summary report titled, programme. implementation planning tonnes fresh, whole weight this drop in catch to a identify the root causes and “The seabob value chain in It was explained that the (actions and investments). equivalent),”itwasnoted. reduction in fishing effort as take proper actions to ensure Guyana.” summary report presents the The approach is highly

From this is was stated a result of an increase in the sustainability of the Thereportwaspublished outputs of design work participatory, involving VC that about 93 percent was sargassumandaninabilityto seabobstock.

in January 2023 and is based completed during 2021 and stakeholders from the public exported to markets in the find and capture seabob, Recently, concerns have on “FISH4ACP” which is an early 2022 to conclude a and private sector from the United States of America possibly due to a declining been raised about declining initiativeoftheOrganization functional analysis of the outset in order to ensure (USA) and the European stock. fish catch, with accusations of African, Caribbean and value chain, assess its national ownership of all Union (EU) and 7 percent For those unfamiliar, from the fisherman that the Pacific States (OACPS) to sustainability and resilience, four components, thereby w a s s o l d t o l o c a l sargassumisagroupoflarge decline was owed to the oil support sustainable fisheries develop an upgrading increasing the likelihood of supermarkets, hotels and brown seaweed (a type of operations offshore Guyana. a n d a q u a c u l t u r e strategy to which the success of the project restaurants. algae) that floats in island- In response to the development. The five-year FISH4ACP programme will interventions.

For artisanal seabob like masses and never accusations the Government v a l u e c h a i n ( V C ) contribute, and plan for full For the functional catch,the1percentisaround attachestotheseafloor hastily in collaboration with development programme implementation from analysis, it was disclosed 180 tonnes per year, in fresh, It was also stated that the FAO conducted a study ( 2 0 2 0 t o 2 0 2 5 ) i s mid2022.1 thattherearetwochannelsin whole weight equivalent. It challenges to fishing effort but the full report was not implemented by FAO with T h e F I S H 4 A C P Guyana’s value chain; the was stated that the artisanal were further exacerbated by releasedtothepublic. funding from the European methodology used to carry export-oriented industrial Union and the German out this study is an approach channel and the artisanal Federal Ministry for based on FAO’s Sustainable channel. Economic Cooperation and Food Value Chain and It was explained that the

A seabob market vendor (Picture taken from FAO report)

$90M estimated to build new schools at Mashabo, Karaudaranu, Maruranu villages

The Government of Guyana will soon spend an estimated $90M to construct new nursery and primary schools in the Amerindian villages of Mashabo in Region Twoand,MaruranuandKaraudaranuinRegionNine.

At the opening of tenders this week, it was revealed that the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development is seeking contractors to the build the schools foranestimatedcostof$90,000,000.

Itwasrevealedthataprimaryschoolwillbeconstructed in Karaudaranu and Maruranu at an estimated cost of $27M and $38M respectively while a nursery school will be constructedatMashaboatanestimatedcostof$25M.

This year, the government has set aside $94.4B for the education sector Of that sum of $12.4B has been allocated for the construction, rehabilitation, extension, and maintenanceofeducationalfacilitiesacrossthecountry

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development

Construction of primary school at Karaudaranu Village, Deep South Rupununi.

Construction of primary school at Maruranu Village, Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine.

Construction of Mashabo Nursery School in Region Two.

One new all terrain ambulance.

Construction of administrative building for health, Central Rupununi.

Extension of nurse's hostel at Public Hospital Suddie Compound, Region Two.

Construction of reinforces concrete bridge at Station Street,Anna Regina.

WANTED VACANCY

PORTERS WANTED FOR PVC CEILING. APPLY@ WHY PAY MORE TRADING, 7 PUBLIC RD HOUSTON E.B.D WITH APPLICATION.

Elderly bus Driver wanted for route 32 and 31. Call: 6781610.

Cook and Domestic needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Drivers/ Expediters needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Handyman and Porters needed. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

Able-bodied Porters needed, $30,000 Weekly Mon-Sat. Call: 223-9677.

One Plumber needed. Call: 615-9132.

Wanted cash for your land Parfaite Harmonie, Tuchen, Farm, Providence, Eccles and elsewhere. Call: 670-8788.

One experienced Waitress needed @ Avery Lounge located @ 218 Bladen Hall, E.C.D. Call: 653-3356.

Skilled Carpenters, Masons and Labourers needed. Call: 602-9469, 660-6385 or 6257642.

Inventory Clerk needed to work in fish plant facility. Call:223-7165 /625-2573.

Truck Driver needed. Call: 663-3866.

Driver required, ages 23-50 yrs. Must be able to assist in Workshop at Eccles and must have car and van licence. Call: 645-8443.

One Clerk for TSI Eccles office. English & Mathematics, grade one or two, email application to: techserigy @yahoo.com or Call: 6159132.

Vacancy exists for two experienced Dispatcher at Confidential Cabs. Call: 695-1961 /231-5784.

Security Officer, Front desk Clerk, Cook, male stock Clerk, Wait Staff, Restaurant Supervisor and Male function Assistant needed. Email: hotelregency3@yahoo.com

A able-bodied live-in female Housekeeper to work in Virgina U.S.A. Between the ages of 30-50. Call: 845-3258241/ 592-615-5476.

Maid needed to cook and clean at East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

1 general Domestic needed to cook & clean, Mon- Fri and preferably living within East Bank Area. Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office.

Vacancy exists for 2 experienced Hairdresser at Grove E.B.D. Call: 652-5800/ 6770040.

Experienced Hairstylist, Domestic/ Cook, Receptionist, Massuese and Nail Tech needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 226-6705.

VACANCY

Project Clerk, Engineer Technician, Accountant, Clerk & Plumber needed. Apply @ Chung’s Global Inc. Call: 218-5120/2 or 6320914. Email: chungsvacancy @gmail.com

Inventory/ Data Entry Clerks required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Call: 609-2995, survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Bond Attendants/ Porters needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff ST. Tel: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Supermarket AM & PM Sales representative required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff ST. Tel: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Experienced Accounts Clerk needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Supermarket AM & PM Cashiers required @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff ST. Call: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Supermarket Packers/ Porters AM & PM needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Tel: 609-2995, survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

FOR

One double Lot 80x160 on the east side of Friendship Public Road, $12M GYD neg. Call: 626-4234/ 628-6212. Stall for sale in Section1 Stabroek Market. Call: 6664002.

Old Oxygen Cylinders for sale, 6ft Height by 6 inch diameter. Contact: 623-5121.

From page 15

Construction of revetment at Golden Fleece, Essequibo.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

One CRV Honda, $3.3M negotiable and 1 Toyota Allion, $3.350 M, fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage . Contact: 649-0956.

Nissan X-Trail (T32-2015) for sale, $6.3M. 4WD, 7 seater, leather seats, sun roof, fog lamps, back up cameras, etc. Call: 641-7910.

SERVICES

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

Receptionist and Desk Staff needed at 233, South Road Lacytown, GT. Preferably males, 25-50 years old. Call: 225-0198.

Delivery Clerk, Cleaners and Porters needed. Apply @ Lens Hardware, Call: 2271511/ 645-1613.

Hardware Plumbers or electrical Sales Representatives needed. Call: 2269416/ 679-7391 or Email: innovationamerica@ gmail.com

Carwash workers to work at Romain carwash & detail center. Call: 643-3939.

One General Domestic needed. Apply in person to Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St, Bourda.

Handyman and Drivers/ Expeditors needed. Call: 6748723.

CAKES & PASTRIES

Enroll now! Classes: Cookery, Cake & Pastries, floral arrangement and cake decoration. From 13th-18th March. Call/ WhatsApp Sharon: 612-4193/ 672-8768.

One bottom flat 2 bedrooms Apt for rent in Prospect, E.B.D, $60,000 monthly. Preferable working couple. Call: 500-7339, 615-8790 or 6145710.

One 2 and 3 bedrooms furnished apartments for rent in Republic Gardens, E.B.D (gated community). Call: 663-0921.

One bedroom house for rent at 18th Av Diamond, E.B.D. Call: 657-2951, 612-9697.

Business spot for rent @ Mon Repos mall, ground floor. Call: 643-3939.

Three bedrooms bottom flat apartment for rent in Parfaite Harmonie, W.B.D, $50,000 monthly. Call: 698-4954/ 6404511.

FOR SALE

Alsatian Husky puppies, 9 weeks old, vaccinated, very smart, loyal, powerful and great guard dog. Call: 6615008.

FOR RENT

Guyana EITI suspension... Lack of transparency

driving away law-abiding foreign investors - Low

Taiwan warns Honduras against ‘poison’ of taking aid from China

Reuters-Taiwanwarned HondurasonThursdaynotto be tempted by the “poison” of aid from China no matter how indebted it was and ruledoutgettinginvolvedin abiddingwarfordiplomatic allieswithitsmainlandrival.

Honduran President Xiomara Castro said on Tuesday she had asked her foreign minister to open officialrelationswithChina. If the Central American country does end relations with Taiwan, it would leave the island with only 13 diplomaticallies.

With Guyana’s recent suspension from the Extractive Industries Transparency Institute (EITI), the country’s ability to attract law-abiding foreign investors has also declined.

This is according Youth and Economic Advisor for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, Elson Low who told a news conference onThursday that the lack of transparency will obviously driveawayinvestors.“What must international investors be thinking when they see such lack of transparency and accountability in the government and lack of respect for the people and institutions of Guyana?” he asked during the press briefingheldbytheOfficeof theLeaderoftheOpposition.

He opined many legitimate foreign investors willbepushedoutinorderto favour the PPP’s chosen ones. According to Low, manyforeignbusinessesand government delegation visit Guyana with an interest in investinghere.

He questioned therefore, “how many of them are turned off by a government that prefers to favour its cronies? How many jobs could they have created in a free and fair business environment? Would their investments have lowered the cost of living by encouraging competition?

GuyanaandGuyanesesuffer when businesses are turned off by the practices of an increasingly secretive, arrogant and kleptocratic government.”

According to Low, the

suspension means that the beneficial owners of the companies awarded any oil blocks will be unknown.

“We don’t know who these oil blocks will truly be awarded to Again, this raises the spectre of kleptocracy as the PPP elite could form a consortium with an international oil companyandthenawardthe oil blocks to themselves, their friends, family, or favourites, as is their common practice,” he added.

Guyana was reportedly suspended after it failed to submitareportdocumenting revenues received by the state from the extractive sector for the period 2020.

EITI on its website said that Guyanaisnoteligibleforan extension of the reporting deadline for fiscal year January 2020-December 2020.

It said too that the deadline for the publication of the outstanding report remainsDecember31,2022.

President Irfaan Ali had reacted to the development sayingthathisgovernmentis committed to upholding the tenets of transparency and accountability, adding that no effort will be spared to bringthecountryinlinewith its reporting requirements. Ali said, “I have made it clear that it is unacceptable to have a delay in the submission of the report. Notwithstanding, the fact that an extension was given by the EITI secretariat for it tobecompletedbyMaythis year we still should have beeninapositiontohavethe reportsubmitted.”

Honduran Foreign Minister Eduardo Enrique ReinasaidonWednesdaythe decisiontoswitchallegiance to China was partly because Honduras was “up to its neck”infinancialchallenges and debt - including $600 millionitowesTaiwan.

“We remind the Hondurangovernmentthatit should not quench its thirst with poison, even if fully p a r c h e d b y d e b t obligations,” the Taiwan ministrysaid.

ReinasaidHondurashad asked Taiwan to double its annual aid to $100 million but never received an answer Honduras also tried to renegotiate the debt but it cametonothing.

Taiwan denied that, saying comments from the Honduran foreign minister did not reflect facts of their

communications Taiwan responded positively to Honduras proposals from starttofinish,itsaid.

“We’re still trying to maintain diplomatic ties, doing our best to fight for it, but we will absolutely not engage in money competitionwithChina,”the ministrysaid.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said former Taiwan allies like Panama, theDominicanRepublicand ElSalvadorhaveseen“rapid development” in bilateral relations, bringing them “tangiblebenefits”.

China is willing to

develop ties with all countries, including Honduras, on the basis of the “one China” principle, hesaid,referringtoBeijing’s position that China and Taiwan are part of one country

“I believe this will create more opportunities f o r t h e e c o n o m i c development of Honduras and the well-being of its people.”

The United States, Taiwan’s most important international backer despite the absence of formal ties, was watching with concern as China has increased its footprintinLatinAmericaat theexpenseofTaiwan.

T h e U S S t a t e Department said on Wednesday that China makes many promises it doesnotfollowthroughon.

“ T h e H o n d u r a n Government should be awarethatthePRC(People’s Republic of China) makes many promises that are unfulfilled, ” a State Department spokesperson said.

China does not allow countries with which it has diplomatic relations to maintain official ties with Taiwan, which it claims as its own territory with no right to state-to-state ties, a position Taiwan strongly disputes

Inmatesusingcellphonestoplotcrimes...

Frompage3 frominsidetheprison.“Men notdoinganythingeveryday, vegetating, some of them plotting their next move, someofthemevenexecuting themovesfromtheprisonby theuseofcellphoneswhich somehow they get in the prisons along with marijuana”, Benn said. “We needtoworkthoseissues.

WeKnowthosechallenges”, continued Minister Benn while urging the prison authorities to use the conference to address the shortcomings.

“This meeting, this conference should provide the opportunity for frank discussions on these issues. Wemustbefrankevenwhen we would have failings ourselves personally in terms of our management in the way we execute things”, Benn said during his feature address. Inmate plotting

crimes in prison could h a v e s e r i o u s repercussions and Guyana had witnessed the blood bath it caused after five prisoners escaped on February 23, 2002 from the Camp Street Prison in Georgetown.

Itisbelievedthatthefive men: Dale Moore, Shawn Brown, Troy Dick, Andrew Douglas and Mark Frazer hadplottedtheirescapelong before they shot their out of theprisononRepublicDay-a National holiday when Guyanese would celebrate Mashramaniinthestreets.

Not only did they kill a prisonguardduringtheprison break but their actions sparked a crime wave that lasted at least four years and resultedinthelossofhundreds of lives According to a Stabroek News Investigative report, a total of 420 persons werekilledbetweenFebruary

2002 and September 2006

Some 131 persons were murderedbybanditswhile239 others were killed during confrontations and unexplained circumstances

Thirty security officers were slaughteredduringthebloody period Apart from highlightingthatinmatesare

plotting crimes in prisons, Benntoldprisonofficersthat they are human beings and alsohaverights. The minister said that hitting an inmate must only be a last resort to prevent a situation from getting out of orderandbringthingsunder control.

Elson Low, the Economic and Youth Policy Advisor at Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

The flags of Taiwan and Honduras flutter in the wind outside the Taiwan Embassy in Tegucigalpa, Honduras March 15, 2023. REUTERS/Fredy Rodriguez

NA Hospital staff allegedly refused to send ambulance for injured pensioner

A staff at the New home but did not notice any tek a taxi and bring he,” Ramnauth was unaware of Amsterdam Hospital on injuries on his body at the alleged Carter The woman what had transpired, but Wednesday allegedly time except that he was explained that she was when he learnt of the refused to send an unabletomove. Thewoman reluctant to transport woman’s allegation he ambulance for an injured claimedthatsheassistedhim Bridgelall in a taxi because acknowledged that the pensioner who was located to his bed and attended to she wanted to avoid lifting actionofthestaffwaswrong some 15 minutes away from him but the following day him up herself and causing andcondemnedit. themedicalfacility she noticed that his wrist him more harm. Carter said Dr Ramnauth has since T h e p e n s i o n e r ’s appeared swollen. It is then she sought help from a reached out to Carter and neighbour, Carol Carter was she began suspecting that medical dispensary at the apologised to her on behalf the one who called the had fallen and hit himself. RosehallEstatetohavethem of the hospital. The doctor hospital requesting an On Wednesday morning his transporthimintheirvehicle has even taken the initiative ambulance for the injured conditiongotworse. but unfortunately it was at to send an ambulance to man identified as Harry Carter said the swelling theworkshop. pick-up Bridgelall today for Bridgelall, 69, of Rose Hall of his wrist increased and Herlastresortwasforthe afurthermedicalassessment Canje, Berbice, Region Six. turned “blue”. She also police to get the emergency of his condition. Ramnauth Carter claimed that the staff related Bridgelall stopped medical technicians ( EMTs) told Kaieteur News that the told her that the case was not moving and was unable to andanambulancetoassistin h o s p i t a l h a s t h r e e an emergency and advised lift himself off the bed. She transporting the injured man ambulances. One of them is that he be transported to the checked and it was then she to the hospital but that also currentlybeservicedbuttwo hospital in a taxi. According realised that Bridgelall had was to no avail Carter are always on standby and if to Carter, Bridgelall lives other injuries. They were eventually took the risk of t h e r e a r e m u l t i p l e alone with his daughter who large bruises to his hip and transporting Bridgelall emergencies they would be suffers from a mental health they appeared swollen too. herself to the hospital in a backed by ambulances from condition His relatives Bridgelall even began taxi Luckily Bridgelall’s the other hospitals in the overseas would however, groaning in pain. Carter said injuries were not life- district. pay her to prepare meals for she became fearful after threatening as it had T h e d o c t o r e v e n him and visit him regularly seeing his condition and appeared. He was treated for explained the criteria for OnMondaywhileshewasin dialed 911. “When me call a fractured wrist and bruises emergency cases. He said Georgetown, she received a 911, them give a number for to his body Bridgelall has that there are immediate call that something had the hospital fuh get an since been discharged and emergency cases such as happened to Bridgelall and ambulance”,Cartersaid. expected to return for a roadaccidentsandalsocases information but after theambulance.“Demtellme that she should check up on Carter alleged that she further check-up The where persons are injured or receiving the details the that me case as not an him. Uponarrivalshefound called the number and a staff

Hospital’s Chief Executive fall critically ill in their individual refused to send emergency and tell me fuh him lying on floor of his began taking the necessary Officer (CEO), Dr Bob homes.

The injured Harry Bridgelall

West Indies Women Emerging Players Squad announced for High-Performance camp at CCG

ST JOHN’S, Antigua –Cricket West Indies (CWI) named 15 players for a West Indies Women’s Emerging Player High-Performance camp which will be held at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) from yesterday, Thursday 16 March to Thursday, 30 March. The squad includes several players with international experience and they will work under the guidance of Steve Liburd, Head Coach of the West Indies Women’s Rising Stars Under19s programme.

Among the players selected are teenagers Djenaba Joseph, Trishan Holder and Zaida James, who were part of the West Indies Rising Stars Under19 team at the re-

cent ICC U19 T20 World Cup and were also selected in the West Indies Senior team at the ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa. Other players with international experience who will be participating are allrounders Jannilea Glasgow, Kaysia Shultz, Sheneta Grimmond, Qiana Joseph and Shabika Gajnabi, while other members of the Rising Stars Under19 team have been selected.

This High-Performance camp continues CWI’s increased investment into the women’s game and forms part of the overall High-Performance Pathway. CWI’s strategic plan has committed resources into developing the women’s cricket at every level.

Friday March 17, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

You will experience an intense amount of energy today, Aries. Your dream state will be more active than usual, and you will find that people are drawn to you like moths to light.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

You should enjoy the intense energy of today, Taurus. The mud is finally beginning to clear away. Expose the truth in every issue and get ready.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today marks the beginning of a new cycle for you, Gemini. Collect and consolidate your recent ideas and focus them outwardly. The time is right for you to act. Improve your surroundings.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Take a cold shower to jumpstart yourself today, Cancer. It's fine if you laze around a bit in the morning, but by evening, you should be working at full capacity.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Today may start out sluggish for you, Leo, but by the end of the day the energy will move fast and furious. Your thoughts will be buzzing around your head like bees around a hive.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Enjoy the calm morning, Virgo, because things are going to get crazier and more energetic as the day goes on. Emotions will run high, and people will be more opinionated than usual.

This High-Performance Camp at CCG plays a vital role in the strategy to develop the talent pool and produce the next generation of West Indies Women’s players.

Graeme West, CWI’s High-Performance Manager

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Things are moving your way, Libra. As the day progresses, you will find that the energy intensifies. Conflicts may arise near sundown, but don't worry about it too much.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

It's time to get up and get moving, Scorpio. You have tremendous ideas and vision for the future. You have all the information you need. Now all you have to do is act.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

The early part of the day might find you sluggish and indecisive, Sagittarius, but later you should be psyched up and ready to go. Today marks the beginning.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

Today's energies will get progressively more intense as the day goes on. In the morning, you may be in an easygoing, dreamy state, Capricorn, but you will be itching to take action by nightfall.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

For the past several weeks you've felt like you've been dragging your heels, Aquarius. Decisions may have been hard to make and people may have seemed wishy-washy.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

The morning might find you sitting like a stick in the mud, Pisces. People might be getting down on you for not contributing, but tell them to be patient. You will be raring to go by nightfall.

said: “This camp is geared towards players aged 25 and under as part of developing the pool of talent across the region. The camp will offer activities and support across technical, tactical, physical, mental and personal development areas with individualized programmes following each players involvement in the Senior and Under19 sides in the last six months. “We are looking to increase our investment in our most talented young female players and the introduction of an Academy programme later in the year will provide a further 15 players with full-time support, training and competitive opportunities as they make their way through the CWI HighPerformance Pathway,” West said. “The camp represents an opportunity to prepare some of the players that will be strong contenders for Academy places while sharpening the skills of several players that have already performed on the international stage at the senior level. These players will benefit from a fortnight of intensive work leading into a busy summer schedule with Regional Tournaments and International Series planned.” West added: “We also have Cherry-Ann Fraser and Mandy Mangru who will come in for rehab from injuries that have held up their progress, so we hope to help them along their way

German’s Restaurant...

From page 22 been doing my part in other disciplines, but we need more companies supporting events like the Rawle Toney 3x3 and basketball in Guyana,” Urling said.

The former Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee Chairman said sports is a big business, and companies in Guyana in the Oil and Gas industry should align their brand with Federations and Associations that are properly functioning and those that can be held accountable.

Urling lamented that German’s Restaurant is pleased to support the Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic and considers it an initiative that they will continue to support.

Earnisha Fontaine

Shabika Gajnabi

Jannilea Glasgow

Sheneta Grimmond

Trishan Holder

Zaida James

Djenba Joseph

Qiana Joseph

Ashmini Munisar

Abini St Jean

Shalini Samaroo

Shunelle Sawh

Kaysia Schultz

Steffie Soogrim

Kate Wilmott

with the intention that they will be fit for the Senior Women’s Regional tournaments in May.”

FULL SQUAD

NOTE: Cherry-Ann Fraser and Mandy Mangru will be attending as part of their rehabilitation work from injury.

Play abandoned in first ODI between South Africa and West Indies

(Reuters) - The first OneDay International between South Africa and West Indies was abandoned without a ball being bowled after persistent rain at Buffalo Park in East London yesterday.

The day-night encounter was called off just after 1430GMT with no prospect of play and the teams will now try again in the second of three ODI fixtures at the same venue on Saturday, when the forecast looks brighter.

The series is important for both sides as they look ahead to the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India later this year, though neither has yet qualified and face the prospect of going through June’s qualification tournament in Zimbabwe. South Africa recently completed a 2-0 test series victory over the touring Caribbean side. The sides will also play three Twenty20 Internationals after the completion of the 50-over matches.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) named 15 players for a West Indies Women’s Emerging Player High-Performance camp at the Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) from March 16-30.

German’s Restaurant cooking with Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic

OneofGuyana’spremier food establishments with over 50 years of service yesterdayaligneditsbrandto RawleToney3X3Classic.

The 16-team tournament set for March 18 - 19 at the Burnham Basketball Court, according to organizer

Rawle Toney, will mark the competition’s third installation. Toney told the media that gathered at German’s Restaurant Georgetown location, that the tournament is fully fundedbycorporateGuyana. Toneyhighlightedthatitwas

German’s Restaurant proprietor, Clinton Urling, whoreachedoutandoffered hissupport.

“It was really good to knowthattherewassomeone who’s paying attention and seeing my effort to bring quality basketball to Guyana

and providing a platform for ourplayers,”Toneysaid The tournament’s organizer furthernoted,“It’sbecauseof businesses like German’s Restaurant and people in the corporate community like Clinton Urling, that I’m able to execute this event, even

with all the challenges faced topullitoff.”

Meanwhile, Urling said supporting the tournament was an easy decision, given the fact it brings familiarity to a format of basketball that’s not common in Guyana. “I didn’t know

about 3X3 basketball until now,andIdidn’tevenknow thatwehaveanationalteam intheformat.Butapartfrom that, I think it’s important that corporate Guyana supports sports in the country Asyouknow,I’ve

(Continuedonpage21)

2023WestIndiesChampionship…

Harpy Eagles maintain upper hand against Red Force

-Pridecollapse;Volcanoesnicelypoised

Daytwointhethirdround ofthe2023WestIndies Championshipfour-day showdownbetweenGuyana HarpyEaglesandTrinidad andTobago(T&T)Red ForceattheBrianLara CricketStadiuminTarouba, T&T,sawthevisitingside arrivedatthestumpswith theupperhand.

Harpy Eagles lead by 260runsgoingintothethird day, today, with seven wickets in hand. Yesterday, RedForcehadahorribleday with the bat as they were restricted to 160 in 52 overs and left with a 164-run deficit.

The Guyanese unit then took the opportunity to increase the lead and were able to reach 96 – 3 at close of play Earlier, T&T resumed from their overnight score of 7 – 0 and moved to 38 when they lost openerKeaganSimmonsfor 15 to Keemo Paul. Two overs later, Paul completed thejobwiththeopenersashe bowled Jeremy Solozano (15) with the score on 51.

Darren Bravo and Jason Mohammed were the new batsmen but their partnershipwasbrokenwith the score on 59 when Bravo (15) tried to fend off a short delivery from Ronsford Beaton and was caught by MatthewNanduatshortleg.

Mohammed made a resilienteven50,whileAmir Jangoo (18) and Jyd Goolie (22)contributedthenexttwo highest scores Jangoo’s dismissal, which moved the score to 150 – 6, triggered a collapse as the remaining fourwicketsfellfor10runs.

Harpy Eagles added valuable Bowling Points with Beaton’s 4 – 31 and Paul’s 3 – 37, while the veteran Veerasammy Permaulcouldnotbedenied asheendedwithfiguresof3 – 36. When Guyana began their second innings, Tevin Imlach (3) was again

removed early to introduce the first bit of pressure; Harpy Eagles were 7 – 1 in 3.1overs. DebutantKevlon Anderson (15) spent a little longer in the middle but his progress was once again halted by Darren Bravo as Guyana lost their second wicket on 31, in the 12th over The other opener, Nandu - Guyana’s only centurion this season, held his focus along with Kemol Savory and took their team to80,beforetheopenerlosta battle of mental toughness andcutawidedeliveryfrom Imran Khan into the lap of thefielderatpoint.

Nandufellfor33,oneball shortof the27th over, which brought the captain Leon Jonhson to the middle; Guyana were ahead by 245 runs AtcloseofplayJohnson was on 9 and Savory was on 34afterGuyanabattedfor34 overs. Uthman Muhammad wastheotherwickettakerfor T&T,whoremovedImlachin both innings Volcanoes nicelypoised

The Windward Islands Volcanoes have further heightened their probability for a win against Jamaica Scorpions following two consecutive days of outputting more focused performances than their opponents, at the Guyana NationalStadium.

At stumps on the second day, Hurricanes are leading by 414 runs compliments of standout performances by AlickAthanazeandKaveem Hodge.Athanazeonceagain came closer to triple figures yesterday but was still not abletoreachthemilestoneas helosthiswicketfor97.

His teammate, Hodge, also missed out on his opportunity to become a centurion when he was dismissed for 82 Justin Greaves (32), Sunil Ambris (23)andLarryEdward(18*) added valuable runs in Volcanoes’ second innings

of298atthecloseofplay

Jamaica began the Day on 98 – 7 and were bowled out for 101 in 28.3 overs; Justin Greaves took 6 – 34 while Shermon Lewis and Ryan John supported with two wickets each. That left Jamaica trailing by 116 runs b e f o r e Vo l c a n o e s commenced their second innings. Pride collapses in secondinnings…

Followinganimpressive first day with the bat from defending champion, Barbados Pride, against LeewardIslandsHurricanes, theyenduredamixedbagon DaytwoattheQueen’sPark Oval,T&T, and could be on the verge of their second defeat. Pride resumed day twoon294–8andwereable to reach 322 in 91.5 overs with Shane Dowrich unbeaten on 124, while Rahkeem Cornwall was the pick of the bowlers for Hurricanes with 6 – 50. Barbados then produced a marvelous bowling performance that saw each of their five bowlers being wicket takers Dominic Drakesledwith3–38,while Jair McAllister, Shemar Springer and Chaim Holder claimed two wickets apiece andJonathanCartersnagged theotherasHurricaneswere restricted to 154 in 41.6 overs and left with a deficit of 178 runs. However, an equally impressive combination that featured Cornwall(5–19)andDevon Thomas (5 – 22) picking up five wicket hauls caused Barbados to crumble to 78 all out. That means that Hurricanes needs 247 runs for victory They commenced the chase in the finalsessionandare13–0at stumps, needing a further 234 to triumph Today’s proceedings are set to bowl off at 10:00hrs.All matches are being live streamed on Cricket West Indies’ YouTubechannel.

Devon Thomas Ronsford Beaton

Alick Athanaze

Jonathan Grant lone debutant in Guyana’s 23-man Nations League squad

ByRawleToney

York United Football

Club defender, Jonathan Grant, is the lone newcomer in Coach Jamaal Shabazz’s 23-mansquadfortheGolden Jaguars’ upcoming c a m p a i g n i n t h e

CONCACAF Nations League.

The country’s senior Men’s National Football team will be in action on March 23 in an away game against Bermuda in Hamilton after winning the firstlegattheNationalTrack and Field Centre 2 – 1, thanks to goals from Trayon BobbandOmariGlasgow

The Golden Jaguars will then travel to Barbados, where their home game will beplayedagainstMontserrat onMarch27.

The Guyanese men are sittingsecondinGroupBof L e a g u e B i n t h e

CONCACAF Nations League behind an unbeaten Haitionsixpoints.

Haiti is at the top of the table on 10 points following back-to-back wins against Guyana (6-2, 6-0) and Montserrat (3 – 2), along with a goalless draw with Bermuda.

Guyana, apart from their lossagainsttheHaitians,had winsoverMontserrat(2–1) andBermuda(2-1).

Grant, 28, who plays along with Golden Jaguars forward, Emery Welshman with Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League (CPL), is born to Guyanese parents.

In terms of international exposure, Grant was a callup for Canada in 2015 for their two friendlies against Iceland, while also playing for the Canadians in the Pan Am Games (2015) and the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship (2015).

GCB’s U-15 Super50 inter-county tourney concludes today as Select XI register second win

RoundtwooftheGuyana Cricket Board (GCB) U-15 Inter-County Super50 Tournament continued at Enmore and Everest Cricket Club (ECC) grounds on Tuesday with Select XI defeated Essequibo at Enmore and Berbice got the better of Demerara in the other match Everest Cricket Club(ECC).

After the first two rounds, Demerara and Berbicewithonewinapiece, while Select will be looking for a third win moving into thethirdandfinalround.

Meanwhile at Enmore, Essequibo vs Select XI; Essequibo batters first, scoring 71-10 from 29 2 overs Top scoring for Essequibo was Elisha Ramdatt with 16 runs

achievedtheirtarget.

Grant will have his former Forge FC teammate, Emery Welshman as his forwards, along with ChicagoFiretalismanOmari

Glasgow, Pernel Schultz (Police FC), Trayon Bobb (Western Tigers), Kelsey Benjamin (GDF) and Tre Medford (Boston United FC). Theotherdefendersare ColinNelson(GDF),Jeremy Garrett(SlingerzFC),Jaylen Jones (Cray Wanderers FC), Bayli Spencer Adams (Leicester City), Marcus Wilson (Caledonia AIA), Liam Gordon (Walsall FC), Kadel Daniel (Folkestone InvictaFC)andSamuelCox (WellingUnitedFC)

Nathan Moriah-Welch, who is enjoying an exceptional season with NewportCountyFC,willbe in the midfield along with Elliot Bonds (Cheltenham FC), Leo Lovell (Slingerz FC), Curtez Kelman (Police FC) and Daniel Wilson (WesternTigers).

Quillan Roberts (Western Suburbs FC, New Zealand), Akel Clarke

(Slingerz FC), and Kai Mckenzie-Lyle (Welling United FC) are the goalkeepers.

Following the squad’s announcement,Shabazzsaid he was humbled by the players’ preparation leading uptotheteam’sselectionbut was disheartened at not being able to have an internationalfriendly Shabazz said though the lack of playing time in Guyana is a concern, it will not be used as an excuse given the fact that the team was wellprepared.

Asked about the compositionoftheteamand the overseas-based players, the usually outspoken Shabazz said he was able to have a look at most of the players, especially those returning to the national programme.

The Golden Jaguars’ head coach is calling on Guyanese in Barbados to rallybehindtheteamasthey seek to qualify for the CONCACAFGoldCup.

Jonathan Mentore was the pick of the bowlers for the GCB Select XI with 3-20 (5 overs)whileArunGainda37 (6.2 overs), Shane Prince 2-6 (7overs) and Dave Mohabir 2-3 (4overs) maintained pressure on the Essequibo batters as they wererestrictedto71runs.

GCB Select XI in reply, raced to 75-3, in a fast 12.3 overs. Vishal Williams top scored with a gritty 23 runs, while Jonathan Mentore chipped in with 14 not out along with his partner (Shoaib Gafoor) at the other end, coming in with 12 not out as they comfortably

Jonathan Mentore was named man of match for his 3-20 and also for contributing an unbeaten 14 runs, in the low scoring affair AsSelectXIromptoa second win at the end of round two. Across at the Eevrest ground, Demerara lost to Berbice, Berbice bagged their first win of the competition Batting first were Demerara, they posted a small target of 86 runs as Berbice bowlers clamped down their scoring; bowling themoutin45overs.Mickle Sharmatopscoredwithsolid 20 runs Bowling for Berbice; Arif Khan grabbed 4-21 (8overs), Feaz Baksh also had fun with the ball

picking up 3-18 from his 10 overs.

Berbice in reply, lost three wickets in the process as the secure a convincing win; making 87-3 in 41.3 overs. Richard Ramdeholl was the top scorer for Berbice with 21 runs, while Adrian Hetmyer and Navin Boodwah also contributed withthebat;scoring19runs and18runsrespectively

Thethirdandfinalround of the GCB Under-15 InterCounty Super50 cricket tournamenthappenstodayat GCC and Enmore grounds. Berbicegoheadtoheadwith Essequibo at GCC, while Select XI will take on Demerara at Enmore Matchesstartat09:30hours.

Sports Ministry and NSC to conduct adult Learn to Swim Programme

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) in partnershipwiththeNational Sports Commission (NSC) will conduct an adult ‘Learn to Swim’ programme every Saturdayduringthemonthof June at the Colgrain Swimming Pool, Camp Street, Georgetown This was disclosed by an official pressrelease Theprogramme will occur from 16:00hrs17:00hrs and 17:00hrs18:00hrs respectively during theaforementionedperiod

Additionally, the release disclosedthattheyearlyEaster Vacation Swimming Programme will ensue from April 1st-15th at the National AquaticCentre,Lilliendaaland the Colgrain Swimming Pool Correspondingly, swimming lessons during the above-

mentioned identical window will also be conducted at the Watooka Swimming Pool, Linden and at the Albion EstatePool,EastBerbice

In-person and online registration for the Easter

s / d / e / 1 FA I p Q L S f1 s 7 H R b 0 1 MrAjgqTkT2N27DYpm19OZ HnT5t299guekf.

Swimming Programme commenced yesterday, and will conclude on March 26th

Thelinkforonlineregistration, whichcanalsobefoundonthe MCYS’s website, is https://docsgooglecom/form

Areplicaofthechild’sor children’s birth certificates must be presented by the parentsorguardiansuponinperson registration The programme is for children aged 6-18. Supplementary information can be ascertainedfromtheColgrain Swimming Pool and the National Aquatic Centre on telephonenumbers226-0387 and 222-1306 respectively from 08:30hrs – 16:00hrs Details can also be garnered from swimming Coach Paul Mahaica via telephone number 615-5714 To guarantee participation, immediate registration is essential.

Jonathan Grant in action for Forge FC during the Canadian Premier League (CPL).

Jonathan Mentore receives the man of the match trophy from Match Referee Moses Ramnarine.

Regal Legends out to cop maiden title at Orlando Softball Cup

Champions of the Over-50category (Legends) in Guyana’s Softball, Regal, aim to extend that dominance to the Orlando Cupwhichbowlsofftodayat BarnettPark.

Last visiting in 2018 when there was no Over-50, just Open and Over-40,

where they lost to Floodlights in the Over-40 final, they are in search of their first title as the tournament resumes since theCOVID-19pandemic.

Captain of the side, Mahendra ‘Anil’ Hardyal, expressed confidence they have what it takes to claim thetitleashenoted,“Weare

an experienced bunch of players, we know our strengths and weaknesses, but we play as a team and that is the key to our unmatched success in the Over-50category.”

Hardyal added, “Some maypegusasfavouritesbut cricket is played on the day and we will stick to the

basics and aim to play good cricket.

There is a process to winning.”

When the Regal side toured Fort Lauderdale in April2022,theycoppedboth the Masters and Legends titles.

The Orlando Cup will run from March 17-19 and

features 24 teams across the four categories – Open (no bowling restriction), Open (round-arm bowling), Over40 (Masters), and Over-50 (Legends) – and numerous Guyanese players are set to be on show for lucrative prizes.

The official fixtures draw was set for yesterday

March 16 at the Legends Resto & Lounge from 19:00h Regal Over-50 squad: Mahendra Hardyal (captain),MohendraArjune, Unnis Yusuf, Ramesh Narine, David Harper, Eric Thomas, Rudolph Baker, EionAbel,ParsramPersaud, Surujdeo Ramdeen, Wayne Jones,RamrajSumair

Members of the Regal contingent upon arrival in Orlando on Monday afternoon.

Restaurant

with Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic

Sports

Umpire Bongani Jele holds an umbrella after inspecting the pitch before the match is calledoff due to rain. (REUTERS/ Siphiwe Sibeko)

German’s Restaurant proprietor, Clinton Urling (right), makes a presentation to Rawle Toney ahead of the March 18-19 3X3 Classic.

Daniel Wilson, Colin Nelson, Omari Glasgow and Jeremy Garrett joined Coach Jamaal Shabazz and his assistant, Wayne Dover, at a press conference to announce the team.