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Friday Edition Mystery grows NEWS in case of missing Crabwood Creek woman p. 14
AIETEUR
March 19, 2021 - Vol. 15 No. 12
Online: www.kaieteurnews.com
Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly
Price $80
- Bag with woman’s belongings given to husband by watchman
Online readership yesterday 89,350
Nigeria loses major corruption case against oil majors Despite damning evidence…
Exxon-funded ‘Business Pres. Ali, VP Jagdeo discuss Berbice Centre’ to bring in deepwater port firm to assist in ‘training,’ ‘development’ with CGX, investors
Hess sells 61% interest in Denmark asset to cover 30 % of Stabroek Block costs Swan youth PM today for body Young mother Health Ministry found under blames private records whopping remanded hospital for 120 new COVID-19 K-News’ shed for killing -Security guards negligence in infections, mother of two remain in custody newborn’s death two fatalities
Three soldiers charged Man gets 25 yrs for raping 15-year-old in prison for rape of girl, 10 girl in interior p. 3
Hear how you can make some real money in the oil sector. Tune in to Kaieteur Radio (99.1/99.5FM) @ 11:00hrs to find out!
Friday March 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Exxon-funded ‘Business Centre’ to bring in lobbying firm to assist in ‘training,’ ‘development’ CLBD Director, Natasha Gaskin-Peters,
T
he ExxonMobil funded Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD) in Guyana has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the American Petroleum Institute (API) to provide enhanced oil and natural gas information, training and policy advocacy. The move is reminiscent of move that saw ExxonMobil bringing in its own lawyer to help revise Guyana’s petroleum laws when the US law firm—Hunton Andrew Kurth—had acted as a
lobbying firm for ExxonMobil in the past. As it relates to another lobbying firm on behalf of ExxonMobil lobbying the Guyana Government, API said the MoU establishes a framework for collaboration and using API’s programs to enhance health, safety, security and environmental protection in Guyana’s energy sector. API Segment Standards and Services Vice President Alexa Burr, said on Monday that the move comes as “Guyana is swiftly becoming a leader in offshore energy
development, and today’s MOU is a reflection of the country’s growing energy industry.” According to the APNU VP, “we are honoured to take this step in strengthening G u y a n a ’s l o c a l manufacturers and suppliers and look forward to deepening our collaboration on safety, health and sustainability issues.” API in a statement said “the MOU establishes a framework for collaboration and using API’s best-in-class programs to enhance health, s a f e t y, s e c u r i t y a n d environmental protection in
PM today for body found under K-News’ shed - Security Guards remain in custody
A
p o s t mortem will be conducted today on the body of homeless man, Mohabir Singh, 58, popularly known as “Emile” that was found under Kaieteur News’ shed. Singh’s remains were found on Tuesday at around 8:30 hrs., lying in the tray of a canter truck parked under the shed located on Saffon Street, Charlestown. Two of the company’s security guards were detained
for questioning, and are still being grilled by detectives. Cops suspect that Singh was murdered, but will confirm after today’s autopsy. S i n g h ’s s o n , Mohinder Singh, who had identified his remains, said that his dad was once a wealthy goldsmith, who owned his own business in West Ruimveldt, but because of a drug addiction he developed in his 30s, lost everything and became homeless.
A homeless Singh in 2012.
Guyana’s energy sector.” It was noted that over the past two years, API and the Centre have identified opportunities for collaboration on training that supports local business and workforce development for the oil and natural gas industry, and builds the technical capacity of Guyanese firms to compete in the sector. CLBD Director in acknowledgement of the MoU remarked that the Centre is excited to be taking the next steps in the phased development of Guyanese suppliers from base knowledge of the oil and gas sector to the development of technical knowledge and certifications allowing more local content.” This push into formal standards, according to Gaskin-Peters “means Guyanese workers and enterprises will be able to support the long-term growth, operations and maintenance of the sector.” According to API, the primary purpose of this MOU is to enhance cooperation between the institute and the Centre on several fronts, including the expansion of training and implementation of API Specifications which are industry-leading quality management systems. This, in addition to the sharing of information and expanded training related to health, safety, security and the environment, in addition to develop API-U courses and instructor-led training
for Guyanese companies. It was noted too, that the MoU will also pave the way for the implementation of the API Individual Certification Program in Guyana in addition to the provision of updates on regulation affecting the oil industry in Guyana. Offshore oil production began in Guyana in 2019. Continued development of massive reserves off Guyana’s coast is poised to make the country an energy leader in the region, according to the API. The Institute boasts of its ability to speak for the oil and natural gas industry to the public, “Congress and the Executive Branch, state governments and the media…We negotiate with regulatory agencies, represent the industry in legal proceedings, participate in coalitions and work in partnership with other associations to achieve
our members’ public policy goals.” Guyana’s GDP grew by 26 percent in 2020, despite the pandemic and COVID19 restrictions. Most of this growth was attributed to the country’s energy industry, with the International Monetary Fund projecting the GDP to grow 8 per cent in 2021. CLDB is funded by the Stabroek Block consortium partners—ExxonMobil Guyana subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Hess Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC). The Centre serves as a Supplier Registration Portal for the US oil major and its partners in addition to providing a range of services including training and networking across the industry with a focus on building local content capacity.
Kaieteur News
Friday March 19, 2021
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Despite damning evidence…
Nigeria loses major corruption case against oil majors E
ven though the government of Nigeria was armed with compelling evidence that implicated Royal Dutch Shell and Italy’s Eni in a major case of alleged corruption with one of its oil blocks, a court recently ruled that no wrongdoing could be found. That judgment was handed down by a court in Milan on Wednesday. A c c o r d i n g t o Bloomberg, which reported on the case, the verdict ends a three-year legal saga that loomed large over the tenure of Eni’s Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi. Italian prosecutors were hopeful that with the evidence they had, they could put him away for eight years. But Descalzi and several former executives of the companies, including Malcolm Brinded, who ran Shell’s exploration and production division at the time, and Paolo Scaroni, who was Eni CEO before Descalzi, were cleared of all corruption charges. Prosecutors had charged the named executives for being involved in a 2011 deal to secure Nigeria’s Offshore Oil Prospecting License 245. It was alleged that they knew
In 2015, Shell’s CEO, Ben Van Beurden, responded to the allegations by stating the payments were “morally OK” and “in accordance with the law of Nigeria and international practice.” However, what this carefully worded statement did not say is that Shell executives knew the money would go to Malabu and Etete, and was then likely to flow to some of the most powerful people in the country.
Eni’s Chief Executive Officer, Claudio Descalzi.
Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari. that much of the US$1.1 billion they deposited into an escrow account for the licence was controlled by the Nigerian government at the time and would have been disbursed as bribes. Unfortunately, several of the key witnesses called by the Italian prosecutors failed to back up those allegations when called to testify. It should be noted that in 2018, by way of a separate trial, two middlemen were found guilty of corruption in connection with the foregoing matter. It is also crucial to note that one of Eni’s biggest shareholders is the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance. It has de facto control of Eni by virtue of interests held either
directly or via the Cassa Depositi e Prestiti SpA (CDP), a prominent Italian investment bank. Following the judgment, Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari, who assumed office six years ago, expressed disappointment that the country had failed in its bid to secure US$1.1 billion in court-ordered compensation from Eni and Shell, while adding that the oil resources of the licence at the heart of the case, OPL 245, remain undeveloped. Bloomberg reported that a representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said the country would wait to review the Italian court’s written judgment before considering
its position. In Italy, sentences are not definitive until appeals are exhausted. It could take years before there is a final decision. It should be noted that Eni had initiated international arbitration proceedings against Nigeria in September, alleging the government has breached its obligations by refusing to let the firm develop the licence, which will expire in May. SETBACK FOR GLOBAL WITNESS Bloomberg also noted in its report that the verdict represents a setback for Global Witness, the nongovernmental that seeks to expose corruption and
Instead, it went to convicted money launderer and former Oil Minister, Dan Etete, who had awarded himself ownership of the block in 1998 via a company he secretly owned, Malabu Oil and Gas. Global Witness in a special report said that for six years, Shell has she left the club. The matter denied it did anything was later reported to the wrong, and said it only paid police. the Nigerian government in Due to the seriousness of securing rights to the block. the offence, the ranks were removed from the area and the Board of Inquiry convened. According to yesterday’s statement from the GDF, the ranks are bound by the Values and Standards of the Force, and, as such, their conduct and professionalism are of utmost importance. The release also highlighted that the defence and security of the nation and the citizens are tasks which the Force will always aim to execute with the highest moral, ethical and professional standards.
Three soldiers charged for raping 15-year-old girl in interior Three dismissed ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) have been charged for allegedly raping a 15-yearold girl in Region One. Based on reports, the incident took place sometime between February 5, 2021, and February 6, 2021, at a location in Mabaruma, North We s t D i s t r i c t ( N W D ) , Region One. Last month, a Board of Inquiry (BOI) was launched into the rape allegation and yesterday the GDF in a statement noted that at the conclusion of the BOI, disciplinary actions were taken against two officers and four other ranks were dismissed.
The four ranks were dismissed because the BOI found that they seriously breached operational orders while deployed on border duties. Three of the dismissed ranks were charged and put before the court for raping a child under the age of 16, while the fourth rank has not yet been charged. The police are awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, S.C, in that matter. K aieteur N ew s had reported that, five ranks from the GDF have been accused of raping a 15-year-old. This publication learnt that the ranks allegedly drugged and
gang-raped the teen. According to the facts of the charge, on the night of February 5, 2021, the teen was in company of her friends at a party which was being held at a club in the area. The teen reportedly knew one of the ranks and had felt comfortable imbibing alcohol with him and his colleagues. It was reported that the teen later left the club in the company of the rank who she was acquainted with and two others. The following day the teen awoke in pain and confided in a relative who took her to the hospital. However, she was unable to recall what happened after
human-rights abuses around the world. It was Global Witness’ investigative work that uncovered documents that informed the decision of Italian prosecutors to take up the case.In 2011, the Global Witness had reported that Shell and Eni paid over US$1.1 billion in a murky deal for the block that is located off the coast of Nigeria. Following a lengthy investigation by the NGO, it was able to access documents showing that this money for the rights to exploit the country’s natural resources did not go to benefit the Nigerian people, as it should have done.
In February 2016 as well, Global Witness reported that Shell’s headquarters were raided by 50 police in a joint Dutch–Italian investigation into the deal. Global Witness was able to document the details of a phone call between Shell’s CEO, Van Beurden, and the then Chief Financial Officer, Simon Henry, soon after the raid, as their phone lines were wiretapped by Dutch authorities. Van Beurden suggested that Shell should not disclose the raid to shareholders, saying to Henry: “The last thing you want of course is some sort of request to issue a stock exchange release when there is nothing to be said other than that we are being asked to provide information.” He also told Henry: “don’t volunteer any information that is not requested,” to police investigating the OPL 245 deal.The Global Witness stated that the money paid for the block equals more than the African nation’s 2016 health care budget. It is (Continued on page 13)
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Friday March 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Tel:624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
THE ONGOING PRICE OF HATE Eight are confirmed shot and killed in Atlanta, with six identified as Asians. Area police was rightly guarded: it is too early to link with likely anti-Asian bias made more pronounced by the speculated and concluded origins of the rampaging COVID-19 virus. The first thought that came, given the bulk of the murdered victims, was that it can be nothing other than that bias, which has been simmering and is now intensifying in places as far apart as California and New York. It was what exploded into harrowing violence on Tuesday night in Georgia. It is the age-old story of prejudice knowing no boundaries, and hatred overrunning all restraining civilities. It may be said that the pandemic assaults are the root cause of the incidents of violence, with those eight deaths being the latest ones. When certain toxic strains are sowed, then this is the whirlwind reaped: a hail of bullets; a community forced behind protective barricades; and the regret (and shame) that events would, inevitably, have led to something of this scale. When such embers are stoked, the bigots respond with zest; when the flame flickers, the racists run riot. Some do so with words, others do so with bullets in their eyes, in their hearts, and in their guns pointed and fired. We have done that here rather recklessly, but have been fortunate to dodge the conjunction of circumstances that flared, but did not overflow into the mayhem of Tuesday’s Atlanta. At most levels in our society and almost in every social cell, we have the emotional stirrings that are unleashed by the harsh political postures of our leaders and their extremist followers. It is said, rather unwisely, that this mainly occurs during times of elections here. There is some fractional accuracy to that politically self-serving claim, which is also a racially comforting one. But while it is true that political and racial prejudices peak more during elections seasons, it is a more enduring truth that those prejudices and the passions they provoke are only then more publicly articulated and more individually manifested. It is a part of the price of Guyanese prejudices that are more than seasonal, they are annual in the fullness of its length of days. What we are reading about in our newspapers, and viewing on our televisions, have come as close as a cat’s whisker to happening right here. We have had Lusignan and Rose Hall; we have had Linden and Bartica. Like Atlanta, it serves our purposes well when the executioner is a hate-filled Lone Ranger, or an ostracized criminal group, or an orchestrated mercenary band of phantoms. It gives our stealthily instigating politicians, our loyally responding partisans, and the rest of our distressingly unknowing citizens the kind of ground that furnishes protective coverings. The cover of being uninformed and uninterested, of being uninvolved, of being outside of the communal and national box that traps us and our sick prejudices. When we stand smug and apart, we are no less innocent. When we refuse either to be troubled or involved, then we have contributed as savagely as any racist perpetrator of heinous deeds. We used to talk a hundred words a minute about truth and reconciliation just a little while back. It is interesting and revealing as to where we are now on that score. This, too, is part of the price we pay for our prejudices. Deny as we may wish, this is where we are, and why we get what we get in this country with racial truths. It is nowhere, and with that, we are just fine.
GOVT. MUST ALSO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE ON OIL AND GAS DEAR EDITOR, I always look forward for columns and or letters from Freddie Kissoon, GHK Lall, and Dr. Vishnu Bisram, among other intellectuals. They are among my most favourite writers in the mass media. And they write on varied subjects although Freddie focuses mostly on politics. I find them fair, balanced, objective, nonracial, and professional and men of integrity and decency. They are spot on in their analyses of issues. No political party in Guyana or government would appreciate them because of their no, nonsensical attitude and opposition to corruption and
bad governance. They are courageous for penning their views and deserve media prizes and national honours for their writings. I also look forward for Ravi Dev’s columns in another newspaper. I also praise his and the contributions of the trio to the media. While they all were very critical, and rightly so, of the performance of APNU+AFC in governance (May 2015 to July 2020) and in opposition since then, I observe that only GHK Lall has been critical of the PPP administration in effort to hold it accountable. Dev, Freddie, and Bisram have not similarly held the
PPP accountable for transgressions as GHK Lall and as the trio did assailing APNU+AFC for poor governance. Why this silence on the PPP administration for varied allegations relating to probity and policies? The PPP broke its promise to revisit the oil contract and to make public various studies and investigations into oil and gas. These are yet to be released. The gas-to-shore project was announced before any pronouncement of studies or feasibility or affordability. Only when Mr. Glenn Lall questioned the project on his show and quizzed Vice President, Jagdeo, the
government announced there would be four studies on gasto-shore. And until now, a month later, we still don’t know which companies have been contracted to conduct the four studies and about what. Aren’t these esteemed commentators, men looked upon by the nation for righteousness, troubled by the current government’s behaviour, especially at secrecy, giving out contracts, and position on oil and gas? This government, like the opposition, must also be held accountable for good governance. Yours truly, Hema Lokenauth
CCJ might remain stagnant for a long time DEAR EDITOR, The two largest English speaking countries in the Caribbean Community seem to have backtracked from their original position two decades ago, and so far have not abolished appeals to the Privy Council and join the appellate division of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago were in the forefront pegging away for the regional court and now more than 16 years after the inauguration they have not yet done so. Moreso, the two countries spent tens of millions of dollars in the establishment of the Court a n d s o f a r, t h e y h a v e obtained very little benefit, but they have themselves to blame. Eduard Seaga, leader of the Jamaica Labour Party and Prime Minister, and Basdeo Panday, Head of Government of Trinidad and Tobago and leader of the UNC party, were encouraging other CARICOM countries to join the regional court. As a matter of fact, it was because of Panday that the Court is headquartered in Port of Spain. It is regrettable and rather puzzling for their failure to do so. Granted that there have been change of governments in both countries, but the UNC and JLP were back at the helm. In fact, the current Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness, is the leader of the JLC (Seaga’s party). Holness at first was in favour, but changed his mind and is now calling for a referendum in order to give the electorates a say if or not to ditch the London based Privy Council. At first, the CCJ was deemed a hanging court, but
that excuse cannot be used any longer in the light of a recent decision by the Court in a Barbadian murder case. Prime Minister, Keith Rowley, was in favour of the regional court when he was in the opposition, now he is at the helm, it is another ball game. Opposition leader, Kamla Persad Bissessar, was considering abolishing only criminal cases, but this might not be in keeping with the Treaty of Chagaramus. You cannot adopt what has been described as a “half slave,” “have free” policy. You have to abolish totally. Several leading Caribbean scholars including Shridath Ramphal, former Commonwealth Secretary General, and P. J. Patterson, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, both outstanding jurists, are strongly advocating for the CCJ, not to mention former Presidents of the Court, Trinidadian Michael de la Bastide and Sir Denis Byron of St Kitts/Nevis. There is no doubt that regional court has outstanding justices and their decisions have been lauded by international Law Lords and other distinguished
Justices. What is important, it dispenses expeditiously with cases, as was done in the Guyana no confident motion and election rigging cases. The Guyana appeals were heard in matter of weeks, which would have taken several months before the Privy Council. Now that the future of the CCJ is uncertain. Seems as if it might take several years before more countries go on board. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda, and Grenada failed in referenda to remove the Privy Council as the final Court. St. Lucia does not need a referendum, but has to delink from the Privy Council, but the powers that be are flip-flopping. Some feel that the authorities should have waited until more countries signalled their intention to join before the establishment. Guyana and Barbados were the only two countries in April 2005 when the Court was inaugurated followed by Belize in June 1, 2019 and five years later by Dominica
in 2015. An interesting question is funding, but it seems as if the Court can survive with only four countries for quite some time. The interest and investment from the US$100 million Trust Fund would be able to sustain the functioning for several years. The Court currently has modern equipment and visual telephonic facilities, which facilitate lawyers to conduct their cases from jurisdictions outside Port of Spain — extremely convenient and substantially reduce the costs of litigation. I do not see any valid reason for the reluctance to sever link with the London based Privy Council. Trinidad and Jamaica gained political independence since 1962 – nearly 59 years ago yet they are hesitant to have judicial independence. What a shame is it they do not have confidence in their local judges who have time and time again demonstrated their ability, competence and honesty? I am baffled. Yours truly, Oscar Ramjeet
Why was tendering cancelled? DEAR EDITOR, Thank you for exposing corruption and promoting good governance. That said, I wish to highlight an issue of tendering at the Ministry of Agriculture. The Procurement Commission and Integrity Commission need to be alerted of and investigate the decision to cancel tenders and bids at the Ministry of Agriculture. The projects are budgeted for and the works are essential and urgent. Yet
fully evaluated projects are being abandoned. Staff was instructed by the Minister to cancel tendering. But some of the bids were already reviewed and approved by the Ministry’s technical staff and sent to cabinet for approval. And suddenly, s t r a n g e l y, s t a ff w a s instructed to cancel bids. In fairness to the multitude of bidders, they should at a minimum be informed as to why the bids are being cancelled.
Let the bidders know the deficiency in their bids that warranted such extreme action on the part of the Minister of Agriculture. The bidders should be made aware of their shortfall and deficiencies in their bids so as to avoid same when projects are re-tendered. An investigation is also needed on why the bids and tenders were cancelled in the first place. What was wrong? Answers are warranted. Yours truly, Joshua Emmanuel
Friday March 19, 2021
Transparency and Guyana’s development depend on maintaining the PAC as is DEAR EDITOR, The uproarious noise by Government Members of Parliament that they do not want Opposition Member, David Patterson; to chair the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is much more than meet the eyes and this nation must be vigilant. Some years ago in efforts to deepen and strengthen our political system, making it more representative and accountable to the people, reforms were made to the Constitution, notable of which are Article 13 that speaks to “inclusionary democracy” and the Ethnic and Rights Commissions. There were also reforms in the Legislature, with the support of allies in the international committee. Committees were established to function in a manner that would ensure the effectiveness of the Constitution, over sighting of the Executive, among others. Those engaged in the parliamentary reform exercise felt it best for this nation’s peace, harmony and development to have some committees chaired by the Opposition, serving as check and balance on the Executive’s functions. The PAC is one such. The chair of said committee is designated to the Opposition and it is for good reason. This issue about Patterson being before the court on charges of defrauding the state is not of concern to this regime, but it presents the cover to clamour for his removal. Irfaan Ali was himself before the court on charges of defrauding the state even as he presided as Chair of the PAC in the last parliament when the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic sat in the Opposition. The PPP/C brings no moral authority to calling for Patterson’s removal. Neither do they have the authority to determine who should be the chair of the PAC because they are not of the Opposition. The argument being made that they could seek to have the Standing Order amended to
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allow the Government to determine who must chair the PAC would be a serious departure from the spirit and intent of the role of the Opposition in parliamentary oversight of government spending, and making the Parliament more representative and accountable to the people. To use their one-seat majority to cast a vote of no confidence in Patterson is also similar in nature. The Opposition and society must strenuously resist any effort at making the Parliament more malleable to Government dictate and render it more ineffective. If the Government is seriously disturbed by the charges brought against Patterson, which are before the court, then they must move to strengthen and/or institute systems to prevent reoccurrence and hold violators accountable. The fact that they have not done this, but keep insisting they take over a role designed for the Opposition is sufficient evidence to conclude this is not about Patterson’s conduct but something sinister. For months, the PAC has not sat or held hearings, depriving society of knowing how our tax dollars are being spent by the government and if they are being spent consistent with rules and laws. This regime apparently does not want this information public and therefore moving to shift the goalpost to keep society in the dark. We must resist this, regardless of our politics or apolitical disposition. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Where the function of the PAC is explicit and likewise the determination of who identifies the chair, it is to this nation’s benefit to stand consistent with these tenets and the spirit and intent of what the PAC was established to do. Transparency and Guyana’s development depend on maintaining the PAC as is. Yours truly, Lincoln Lewis
How Kidney Transplant came to Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Some time ago, kidney transplants were performed in Guyana. Dr. Raul Jindal of India, practicing in America, led the team of doctors that performed the first kidney transplant plus a dozen more in Guyana. This essay explains how kidney transplants were planned and organized for Guyana. The death of an Indian national, Kalki Kumar Gaur, a relative of Dr. Jindal, who was immersed in Guyanese affairs in Queens, led to kidney transplants in Guyana. Kalki is from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, the state from where some two-thirds of IndoGuyanese trace their ancestral roots. I used to see Kalki around Guyanese activities in Queens since around the late 1990s and was always curious how and why he patronized our events. What led him to live and socialize in the Guyanese community? Kalki had heard of Indo-Guyanese, IndoCaribbeans and their Indian cultural lifestyle. But he never socialized with them. As faith would have it, he met Jass Persaud, a radio broadcaster and New York Guyanese community advocate. The two met by sheer coincidence in visiting a Swami from India in Elmhurst. Jass invited Kalki to Jamaica to have ‘chai’ (tea), and they became close friends. Kalki was looking for an apartment to rent. Jass offered Kalki a room at his home, and he would live there for some 15 years along with Haji Zakir, who Jass also housed for a long period. Jass introduced Kalki to the Guyanese business community in Jamaica, Queens Village, Richmond Hill, and surrounding areas. Haji took him to Islamic festivals. Jass took him around to cultural events, including the Holi and Diwali parades, mandirs, and Islamic celebrations. Jass said Kalki was very fond of Haji Zakir. As faith would have it, Kalki suffered a massive heart attack and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. There was no contact for family members. Jass proceeded to
solicit donations among Indo-Caribbeans to help pay for the cost of cremation services for Kalki. Meanwhile, Jass decided to search through Kalki’s belongings for documents and contacts to family. With luck, he found a phone number among Kalki’s papers; it was a landline number for a location somewhere in mid-West US. Jass decided to phone it. It turned out to be the number for Kalki’s sister, who was a medical doctor attached to a hospital in the mid-West. Jass related the sad news of Kalki’s passing. The sister asked Jass to phone her husband, Dr. Jindal, who was a leading surgeon at Downstate Hospital. Dr. Jindal informed Jass that there was no need to solicit donations for the funeral expenses. He said he would pay all of the costs relating to the funeral and religious rites. I met Kalki at countless events. I was impressed with his vast knowledge on politics, business, and stocks and commentaries on Guyanese in my interaction with him. He knew me through my countless writings in the media and was informed of my political activism since the 1970s. He wrote extremely well on varied issues including on Guyanese affairs and culture and Indian politics. His articles appeared in NY Guyanese newspapers. At his funeral, at the eulogy, it was learned that Kalki was trained as a political scientist in Agra where he received a PhD. He also worked for an investment company in Manhattan. And he was a computer techie. Kalki wrote a 1,000page book titled “Clash of Civilisations.” He sent the book to Prime Ministers and Presidents including Bill Clinton and Atal Beharri Vajpayee. Jass said he knew and recognized that Kalki was very bright but never knew of his educational credentials
until the funeral. (Kalki also has a brother in Agra, who is a retired high court judge). Jass said, “Kalki was very simple, honest, humble, quiet, and peaceful. He was always contented with whatever he had. Boarding and lodging were never an issue. He shared whatever little he had. He did not want to burden anyone. He never asked anyone for anything and he never owed anyone a cent. He was not wealthy and he offered his services for free to help others in business. They became multimillionaires from his brainpower and investment prowess, and he never asked them for anything. He worked for major investors and had an office right in front of the World Trade Centre and in mid-Manhattan. He was brilliant. Investors trusted his analyses and judgments in stocks and other investments. I accompanied him to his office buildings to retrieve files after 9/11. He was well known by guards. He was allowed into the buildings without ID because of respect he earned. He was a very proud man. He never asked anyone for taxi money or subway fare. If he ran out of money, he would not jump the subway turn style or beg someone to pay his fare. He walked several times between Manhattan and his home in Jamaica. That was the integrity of the man.” After his funeral rites, in gratitude to the Guyanese community for their support, kindness and generosity to Kalki’s brother in law, Dr. Raul Jindal, offered his medical expertize to friends of Kalki and the Guyanese community. He committed to performing kidney transplants for free in Guyana, if they so desire. He said he would lead a team of doctors to perform surgeries. Dr. Jindal was attached to Walter Reed Medical Centre in Washington and currently is lead surgeon of kidney transplants. Walter Reed is
the hospital for America’s political elite (President, VP, Members of Congress, Judges, generals, military officers, etc.); Dr. Jagan was taken to Walter Reed after his massive heart attack in 1997. Dr. Jindal made multiple visits to Guyana to perform free surgeries. Some of these were conducted at the Georgetown Hospital and Balwant Singh Hospital. I had the good fortune to meet and interview Dr. Jindal in Guyana and in Queens through an introduction by George Sobhraj, who made all the travel arrangements for the medical team that went to Guyana. The Sobhraj family sponsored the medical team to Guyana and the surgeries. George and Jindal said they were pleased to help Guyanese with medical issues and facilitating their surgeries. Everyone who benefited from their generosity expressed gratitude. Jindal said he was most impressed with Indian cultural values and Indian cuisine in Guyana. He said at Downstate, he helped to train Guyanese doctors and nurses. Jass said he misses Kalki and Sobhraj, who also passed on. George was very supportive of medical outreaches in Guyana and led several initiatives. As Jass stated: “Kalki’s death resulted in kidney transplants in Guyana. But without the Sobhraj family and Kalki, there would not have been kidney transplants in Guyana.” Jass noted that Kawal Totaram was very supportive with funding of the kidney transplants in Guyana. Dave Narine also provided support and encouragement. Minister, Maniram Prashad (Trade and Tourism), Minister, Leslie Ramsammy, and the then government of Guyana led by President Jagdeo were very supportive to the medical team. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
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Friday March 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
Serving more than two masters What hinders GECOM from DEAR EDITOR, The PPP may rightly think that it is currently mighty in Guyana. Its leadership, however, needs to be reminded that it is not almighty where it counts. I speak not of heaven, but of the international community - the Western tilted one. For the benefit of PPP leaders, meaning the VP, I caution, there are intractable problems with serving two masters and what his party is trying - indeed, struggling to do is serving several masters simultaneously. I elaborate. The word from the media is that President Ali has had talks with China relative to its well-publicized global ‘Belt and Road’ vision and scheme. In case His Excellency has forgotten, I respectfully remind him of the snafu with that other China, the one that doesn’t count, and which is well on the way to being folded into the Chinese celestial tent. I humbly caution, as I see in that Belt and Road overture, a Taiwan redux, and look at how embarrassing that snafu (the PPP should
familiarize itself with the complete meaning of this acronym) turned out to be. There is no callow Foreign Minister to blame this time. For it is trying to serve two masters at the same time; the Americans are not going to be happy, and when they are unhappy, they unsettle unruly governments. In case anyone is thinking of sovereign prerogatives, my position is unambiguous: cut the crap; has no meaning in our context. Look at bulky, formidable India and the price it paid for its Russian friendship way back, and how closely it is aligned today with the American hymnbook. Like the Indians did after their illfated non-aligned venture, my word to President and Vice president is short and sweet: do the same, get some sense. Don’t trifle with the Americans, not when they put in power. That can be easily undermined, as in reversed. Incidentally, it should not have escaped the attention of the wise guys in the PPP that everywhere that the Belt and Road business took hold, ended up regretting it.
The second master, which I have very subtly advised the PPP to be most careful with, is its involvement in certain donations and donors. As Guyana knows by now, the bottom has fallen out and the walls are closing in on that kind of business and money and people; one of the PPP’s own is watched, which it cannot afford. Arrogant PPP leaders did not listen back then, and their protectors got seized in the neighbourhood. Also, the omnipotent American Ambassador came embarrassingly close to people of interest during the riotous celebrations of last year, but she has since had the good sense to distance herself neatly. To the PPP brass, I say: fool’s gold is just that; and dark money is Noriega et al. Proceed with protection rackets at the peril of the party and its hold on power. This is not serving one master (America) or two (American and China), but several. Greater leadership follies I know not. Sincerely, GHK Lall
Management should reconsider and pay GPL staffers their initial five percent DEAR EDITOR, The Staff of the Guyana Power and Light Inc. may take to the streets in a few days’ time after being told that they will not be getting any salary increases for the year 2020. The negotiation team for the union – NAACIE and the Executive Management team of GPL composed of the DCEO and HR Head met in the Training Department hall in Sophia, Georgetown, to continue the already frustrated negotiation process. However, it was at this meeting that the Company’s team, which had previously proposed a percentage for increase in salaries over a three-year agreement, withdrew its proposal to increase salaries. The DCEO told the distraught gathering of workers’ representatives that the purchase of masks and building of sinks to wash hands have caused the company some expense that will result in the company’s inability to pay increases for the year 2020. This news did not find favour with the representatives present. The disappointed team of NAACIE reminded the DCEO of the company’s hiring spree, the company has a top-heavy management – for which the company is
financing mini-luxury cars for, paying hefty salaries with all benefits, and even making space within the current physical structures to house them in fancy offices and the list can go on and on. The distressed team of NAACIE, who represented the workers, also wants the public to understand that the workers give-up their annual staff parties for all locations, annual sports, annual anniversary activities and interbranch activities due to COVID-19, the stopping of overtime work, and meal allowances and yet all these activities which usually cost GPL 10 to 15 million dollars annually has been put into the pockets of Executive Management instead of their junior and senior staff hands. GPL did not shut its doors during the pandemic because it was listed as an essential service provider. The employees particularly meter readers, commercial staff, T&D, Design, and Emergency Department/teams worked tirelessly to keep the electricity on in Guyana, notwithstanding the cases of COVID-19 throughout the company. Now it is time to pay the staff their increases, management is being a bully. Management should reconsider and pay the staff their initial five percent. Yours truly, Workers
taking decisive action against errant staffers now? DEAR EDITOR, I was wondering if Guyanese had completely forgotten the five months election ordeal and the man at the center of it (Lowenfield) until I saw a letter by Neil Adams, “Why is Lowenfield still on the job?” in another section of the media. I felt compelled to add my two cents to this nuisance or national “eye pass.” I can understand the relief that people felt after President Ali was sworn in and GECOM was dropped from the radar, but there will be more elections in the future and it seems that the contracts for Lowenfield and others at GECOM are set in stone irrevocable! The wiles of Lowenfield is well documented concocting his own results, refusing to publish GECOM’s SOPs, refusing to declare the results generated by the recount. Recently I watched in disgust as Lowenfield handed over the said GECOM’s SOPs that he had refused to publish, to the court registrar for safekeeping
on the orders of the Chief Justice in preparation for the election petition. It struck me to think how silly the drafters of the constitution were, not to put checks and balances in the Representation of the People Act (ROPA) to stop errant office bearers from committing electoral fraud with impunity. Knowing what Lowenfield did, and learning that he collected over $25 million in salaries from 2020 to present day at the recent budget debates, ripped the patriotism out of almost every Guyanese. The knowledge that Lowenfield continues to collect his super salary adds to the quintessential reasons for Guyanese to hate this country. It makes independence pale in comparison to colonialism. The moot, “Massa days were better,” has become an easier debate to win! The language in the ROPA explains the job description of the Chief Elections Officer’s role in the delivery of election results, without prescribing what should be the
consequences if he/she deviates - it is the same for every office bearer in high places. I see no difficulty in adding a deterrence of say 10 years in prison for anyone who obfuscates. Sadly! VP Jagdeo seems to want deterrence for GECOM staff only. If we are going to stop corruption, it has to be for everyone in high places. Back to Lowenfield! It is a known and accepted fact that a commission is empowered to control any organization under its ambit. When the election imbroglio had encountered Lowenfield’s obfuscation after the recount, I would have loved to see a PPP commissioner raise the issue of dismissing Lowenfield on popular vote by the commission. Of course, it would have been three versus three, but it would have been interesting to see which side of the fence the Chairman would have stepped down. I am inclined to think that this could still be done. Respectfully, Rudolph Singh
Restructuring the National Insurance Scheme DEAR EDITOR, The restructuring of an organization according to Google is to re-organize that company, with the view to achieving greater efficiency and profit or simply put, adapt to a changing world. This is exactly what I would like us to focus our attention on today, that is, the restructuring of The National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The NIS in Guyana is a corporation that has been operating as a welfare organization that is strictly based on welfare principles and laws. When an organization is run along those lines, it means that pretty soon its financial standing will become a problem. Except, that institution can receive funding from multi-sources which in the Guyana situation it is not - its viability would soon be in jeopardy. Guyana is already in that bankruptcy zone with much of its inflows being siphoned off into large payouts, this is something that the insurance scheme would not be able to sustain on a long-term basis, greater still, it does not augur well for the institution.
There are two inhibiting factors facing the institution: (a) People are living longer, hence they would be benefitting longer from the scheme than their contribution years would have afforded them; and (b) The vagaries of cash inflows with situations such as COVID-19 or unscrupulous employers who do not send in workers’ contributions. These factors place great strain on the cash inflows to NIS. Now, there are several options available to the authorities to which they can explore, first of these is to raise the age of retirement from 55 to 60 years. In so doing, there will be a surety of many more years of contributions as well as a build-up of a robust cash base. The simple Math of that is let’s say 100 persons would be retiring at the end of this year, it would mean a curtailment of 500 years of contributions. I am talking about 100 x 5 = 500 cumulative years of contributions. Cash inflows should also be encouraged from the selfemployed sector of the economy. An aggressive programme should be
embarked upon to get those members of the selfemployed to come onboard and into the contributing network. Workshops and other such outreaches ought to be held to educate those contributors as to the benefits to be accrued from enlisting into the NIS Scheme. Finally, the NIS should be restructured to bring it into the modern age where the institution becomes a robust savings bank. There must be the exploration of sound economic investment programmes to cater for additional income. We are here talking about prudent fiscal investments in areas of national development, in this way we will be moving into the modern era of development. What I have highlighted above will make the NIS into a strong and healthy financial institution all geared towards the financial stability of the country on a whole. All it takes is the political willpower of the executive to do it. Guyana must move forward and the time for that upward mobility is now. Respectfully Submitted Neil Adams
Friday March 19, 2021
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Friday March 19, 2021
Hess sells 61.5 % interest in Denmark asset to cover its 30 % of share of Stabroek Block costs In light of ExxonMobil’s plans to bring 10 Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels on stream to develop the nine billion barrels of oil equivalent resources in the Stabroek Block, Hess Corporation has sold a key asset in Denmark to cover its share of the costs. In the Stabroek Block, Hess holds a 30 percent working interest, while CNOOC/NEXEN holds 25 percent. ExxonMobil carries the remaining interest, thereby making it the Operator. Yesterday, the American company told the market that it has entered into an
agreement with Ineos Exploration and Production Company to sell its subsidiary, Hess Denmark ApS, which holds a 61.5% interest in the South Arne Field. The asset has been sold for a total consideration of US$150 million, effective January 1, 2021. The sale is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021, subject to government approvals and customary closing conditions. Following the announcement, John Hess, Chief Executive Officer, of Hess Corporation said, “The sale of our Denmark asset enables us to further focus
our portfolio and strengthen our cash and liquidity position. Proceeds will be used to fund our world class investment opportunity in Guyana.” It should be noted that Hess has been active in the Danish North Sea since becoming the operator of the South Arne field in 1994. South Arne, located about 150 miles west of Esbjerg, has produced oil and gas since 1999, and uses horizontal production and water-injection wells to optimize production from chalk reservoirs. According to Hess’ website, the South Arne Field had produced an average of
5,800 barrels of oil equivalent per day net to Hess in the fourth quarter of 2020. As it relates to the Stabroek Block, Hess C o r p o r a t i o n , CNOOC/NEXEN and the Operator of the concession, ExxonMobil, have announced that plans are moving apace to bring a fourth project plan to the government by year-end, while a fifth development is already under consideration. Further to this, the joint venture partners had said that by 2027, it could have a sixth oil development project in the Stabroek Block. Rystad Energy, an energy
research and business intelligence company, was one of the first industry stakeholders to project that ExxonMobil would be able to place one FPSO offshore Guyana every year for the next 10 years. If these projections pan out, the 10th vessel will start producing in 2031. By the end of the first year, after the 10th FPSO is placed, ExxonMobil would have wiped out 4.14 billion barrels of oil, leaving a little over three billion barrels left. In the following years, it will produce about 730 million barrels of oil in each year. By 2036, there would be nothing left.
Hess Corporation CEO, John Hess.
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Friday March 19, 2021
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The AFC faces its final curtain Do not believe for one bit that the raft of resignations, which are taking place within the Alliance For Change (AFC), is part of a natural attrition process! Do not for one second think that these resignations will not affect the future of that party. The AFC is imploding. These resignations are denuding the AFC of the critical second level leadership, the very leadership that will have to assume responsibility for the party’s future. In other words, the party’s future appears bleak. Its reserves are dwindling and those cadres who were supposed to be part of the political succession of the AFC will not be around by the time the next elections are due. A political vacuum is being created within the AFC. In addition, unless the leadership arrests the present haemorrhaging of its membership, the AFC will become a more bare-bones party than the Working People’s Alliance. Those who are resigning have seen the writing on the wall. They know that the AFC will never see political power again, at least not after that disgraceful performance between March and August last year. Those leaving know the truth: the AFC instead of standing on principle attached itself to a dishonest scheme to discredit the results of the elections after initially having its supporters believe that it had won the elections. The senior leadership of the AFC has lost credibility. Moreover, it is they who
really should be stepping aside and making room for the second-tier leadership to assume command. Instead, they are determined to stay on in the party and the National Assembly, despite the view that with them in place, the AFC has become unelectable. Despite this, it is not likely that the recent spate of resignations has anything to do with frustration over succession within the AFC. No, the writing is clear: people want to move on with their lives and they know that the AFC stands little chance of ever wielding the sort of political influence it did in 2011. As such, people are moving forward with their lives. But this is not the full story. Do not for one moment believe that the hidden hand of the PPP/C is not complicit in some of the resignations. The PPP/C knows that once it breaks the AFC, nothing will stand in its way to remain in office for a long, long time. As part of its electoral strategy, the PPP/C has long targeted the AFC. And now that the AFC has selfinflicted wounds, the PPP/C is going to deliver the coup de grâce. The PPP/C knows that it lost votes since 2006 to the AFC and that it was the AFC, which was responsible for the PPP/C having a minority government in 2011. The PPP/C knows that in any head-to-head contest with the PNC/R, it will whip that party handily. As such, it has set itself the task of weakening the AFC.
But it has also been the tradition of the PPP/C to go after parties, which threaten its support base. And in 2011, the AFC made serious in-roads into the PPP/C’s support base, mainly on account of groundwork done by former members of Ravi Dev’s party, ROAR, on behalf of the AFC. The PPP/C clawed back that support in 2015. The AFC allowed itself to become a political doormat of the APNU and persons who voted for them were disgusted and refused to give them their votes in 2020. A few nights ago, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who is also General Secretary of the PPP, appeared on GLOBESPAN programme with former head of the Democratic Labour Movement (DLM), Paul Nehru Tennassee. When Tennassee established his political party, the PPP/C, then under Cheddi Jagan, went after him with a fury. They had labelled his party as being a CIA outfit and set loose their thugs on him and his political activists. Even though in those days, elections were consistently rigged by the PNC, the PPP/C did not broker any incursions into its power base. Ironically, in the run-up to the 192 elections, Jagan, as a compromise, eventually agreed to a proposal, which would see him being the Presidential candidate with Tennassee and Clive Thomas as Vice Presidents. The GUARD Movement and the WPA then vetoed that
Excuse for boys boys every day seh... Dem Dem seh...
De Hap-New+Hay-Eff-See running out of excuses. And so it becoming creative and mekkin’ dem up along de way. Fuss it said dat it win de elections. Den it said dat de statements of poll would prove dis victory. Den when de recount started, it said dat how dead people and migrants vote. It fuhget it had its party representatives at every polling station looking out fuh these dead people. Den when it was clear dat dem lost, dem start talk bout difference between votes and valid votes. De Coal-a-Shun had an excuse fuh every day of de five months it refused to accept defeat. But now it start again. It say how de Voters’ List was bloated. Everybody know dat. And is less dan three quarter of d ppl on de list bin vote. So de Coal-a-Shun sounding absurd.
It complaining to de Canadians how de government nah meeting with dem. Meet with dem fuh what? Is de same Coal-a-Shun wah seh dem nah recognise de government. So why yuh want meet with somebody yuh nah recognise. Dem boys surprise dat de Canadians agree to meet with de Leader of de Opposition. After all, when de man predecessor bin ask fuh pay a farewell visit to de Leader of de Opposition, de request bin get declined. So wah is all de complaining about. Dem diplomat gat to be careful how dem entertaining de politician. De last time wan American Ambassador get a feral blast from a politician. De Americans however had de final say. Talk half and wait fuh see wah next excuse de Coal-a-Shun gan come with!
proposal. So while much of what is taking place within the AFC is of its own making, the PPP/C is also working behind the scenes to destroy the AFC. By the time, the
next elections arrive, the AFC will be to the APNU what the WPA is today, a mere political token. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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Friday March 19, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
A contextual, strategic appeal to President Ali
I
n the context of what emerged with the unsuccessful attempts to rig the March 2020 general election, the ruling PPP is going to face relentless implacability from the PNC and their emotionally and racially driven intellectual surrogates. I don’t think there is going to be an abatement period; not even before 2025, when the next poll is due. Two reasons explain this – race and permanent power loss. First, the surrogates saw the 2020 battle as a zero sum game in which the Indian PPP must never rule again. Their determinant then is to keep telling Black people that an India group, the PPP, did not win the election but the APNU+AFC did. David Hinds, Vincent Alexander, ACDA, the remnants of the WPA and others of their ilk will play that song non-stop. The song has to be played because the humiliation will be great if it is stopped. After so much
energy to keep that composition alive, how can you then tell Black people, you accept the 2020 election results? Secondly, the PNC is facing the possibility of the permanent loss of power. They have no strategy and will have no strategy on winning elections in the future. But strategy or no strategy, the PNC cannot acquire enough votes in the future to win. Most humans believe an opposition is necessary in a democracy but the PNC (not APNU+AFC) is going to continue to get weaker and weaker. Against this reality, the PNC and their surrogates will not accept any direction or policy of the government and will couple that rejection with vicious political nastiness. How does the ruling party strategize given this reality? There are three pathways. Compromise with the PNC, which will embolden the PNC to preach to their supporters that the PPP is asking for peace
because they know they stole the election. The second pathway is to confront the PNC. This is fraught with danger. If there is an organization with nothing to lose, then fighting to destabilize the country is its leaders’ only option and they will use it. The third direction is to reach out to stakeholders, other communities (e.g. women and youth groups), credible sections of civil society, responsible trade unions, the capitalist environment, the media, etc, and discuss the shape of governance with them. Under this third direction there needs to be a strengthening of Guyana’s relations with its global f r i e n d s - t h e We s t , CARICOM, India, etc. Within this framework then, there has to be careful thought into the shape of the impending judicial commission of inquiry into the March 2020 election rigging. I appeal to President Ali, do not strategize wrongly.
Do not appoint local Indians, Africans and Portuguese to comprise the commission. Afro-Guyanese will be
Frederick Kissoon denounced by the PNC, AFC and their surrogates as Blacks who are puppets of an Indian government. Indians will be classified as closet PPP aficionados who are personal friends of PPP leaders. A Portuguese Guyanese to head the commission will be dubbed a local White who does not like AfroGuyanese. There will be PPP leaders who will say that the
government should not let the PNC dictate the shape of the commission because the PNC is in a truculent mood. They will argue the government must do what it must do. That is not good strategizing. You do not play into the hands of the enemy if you have room to manoeuvre. With the election inquiry, the government does. There were two commissions that were staffed by non-Guyanese – the Walter Rodney Inquiry and the shooting of three protestors in the electricity protest in Linden in 2012. The PNC accused the chairman of the Rodney Commission of being sympathetic to Rodney. Think of what the PNC and their surrogates will do to local Guyanese who sit on the commission. My recommendation is for purely, and I stress the word “purely” outsiders to comprise a 10-person commission. The unsuccessful rigging of the election was a global
disgrace. The evidence of that, with hundreds of video clips to strengthen it, will be seen by the commissioners. T h e m o r e commissioners you have, the more credible will be their findings in the international community. Cost will be a factor but if the government can afford it, then a seven or eight or 10person commission should be the policy. T r y t o g e t Commonwealth jurists, particularly from Jamaica. A good place to look should be Ireland. That is a country whose image is well liked around the world. Past American legislators, particularly outstanding former members of the Black caucus should be looked at. Under no circumstances, should there be selections from India. You will give your enemy ammunition to defeat you. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
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EU presents Elections 2020 recommendations, today The European Union Election Observer Mission (EU EOM) Chief Observer, Urmas Paet, intends to meet with the media today, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal. During this engagement, the observer mission will present recommendations, included in the Mission’s final report on the March 2020, General and Regional Elections. According to the EU’s report, which was released in June 2020, there are a total of 2 6 d e t a i l e d recommendations for electoral reform, with eight listed as priority. These are: 1.Review and consolidate the fragmented election legislation to strengthen legal clarity and certainty. 2.Launch a national consultation process to overhaul the composition and functioning of the Elections Commission, notably to ensure a more inclusive representation of the various components of the Guyanese society and political spectrum. 3.Develop, in a consultative process, effective legislation to regulate political finance, taking the principles of equality, transparency and accountability into account. Such legislation could provide transparency in campaign incomes and establish reasonable limits for campaign expenditure as well as disclosure and reporting requirements and effective sanctions. Consideration may also be given to the establishment of an independent oversight
body. 4. Introduce a legal and regulatory system that transforms the state-owned media into a genuine public service broadcaster. This includes provisions granting editorial independence, financial autonomy, clear separation from any government institution, and an open and competitive selection process of its board members. 5. To foster transparency and accountability in online and offline campaigning, policymakers could consider introducing detailed reporting requirements for those who paid for sponsored materials as well as for those who received payments. In order to enable voters to easily distinguish between paid advertising and other information, any sponsored campaign-related material should be clearly labelled to indicate who paid for it. 6. Adopt clear written procedures for the transmission and tabulation of election results, notably to ensure consistency of the process in all regions, adequate traceability of handed over electoral documents, and possibility for all authorized stakeholders to examine SOPs as required by law. 7. Incorporate into law the obligation to accompany any declaration of results by simultaneous publication of detailed polling station results and digital copies of all SOPs. In addition to the number of valid votes cast for each candidate list, these detailed results should also include
European Union, Fernando Ponz-Canto, (right) when he handed over a copy of the European Union Observer Mission Final Report to Justice (retired) Claudette Singh, Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission
Nigeria loses major corruption... From page 3 also one and a half times what the United Nations says is now needed to respond to the current famine crisis. Research indicates that approximately 8.5 million people in Nigeria are in need of humanitarian assistance,
while 5.1 million Nigerians are malnourished. The deal, which allegedly paved the way for billions to be siphoned off to agents and middlemen in corrupt payments, had also sparked law enforcement inquiries in six other countries.
all elements of electoral accounting to allow control of their coherence, such as number of registered voters; voters who voted; rejected ballots; spoiled ballots; etc. 8 E s t a b l i s h comprehensive election dispute resolution system to ensure effective and timely remedies throughout all stages of the electoral process. The opening paragraph
of the report’s summary goes straight into what expands into a 64-page scathing critique of certain aspects of the process. “The 2 March general and regional elections took place in a deeply polarized environment” the report begins, “Legal uncertainty, unregulated political finance, biased state media and lack of transparency in the administration of
elections characterized the pre-election context, but overall the elections were competitive and contestants could campaign freely. Voting, counting and the tabulation of results in nine of Guyana’s ten regions were generally well managed. However, the integrity of the entire electoral process was seriously compromised by the non-transparent and noncredible tabulation of results
in the largest and decisive Region 4 by senior Guyana E lec tio n s C o m m is s i o n officials, acting in blatant violation of the law and High Court orders issued in this regard.” Proving a background into the events leading up to the elections, including the No Confidence Vote and the subsequent legal battle, the report places ultimate blame (Continued on page 24)
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Friday March 19, 2021
Mystery grows in case of missing Crabwood Creek woman - Bag with woman’s belongings given to husband by watchman By Malisa Playter-Harry It has been two weeks since the whereabouts of Bibi Farida Khan remain unknown, and relatives are hoping that the police in Berbice can properly
investigate the case, since they believe foul play was the main factor in her disappearance. Commander in Charge of Region Six, Jairam Ramlakhan, confirmed with this
publication that sniffer dogs were taken up to the backdam area where Khan was reportedly last seen and a search was conducted, but the investigating ranks came up empty-handed. He stated
that five persons, including the husband of the woman were arrested, questioned, statements taken and subsequently released on station bail after the 72-hours of being detained came to an end. Kaieteur News had reported that the woman’s husband is employed with a businessman who owns a ranch at Crabwood Creek, and on a monthly basis, she would accompany her husband to the ranch and stay with him, and would return out every month to purchase groceries. When the husband, identified as
Robert Dennis, called “Buckman,” came out from the ranch and went home, he reportedly inquired from his i n - l a w s o f h i s w i f e ’s whereabouts and they told him they thought she was with him all the while. The sister had said that Dennis told them that Khan left the ranch to head out and buy groceries. He told them that he received the groceries that she bought, but he never saw her. Information given to this publication by the son of the woman, Anil Naipaul, detailed that his mother bought the groceries and
Missing - Bibi Farida Khan. joined the canter with workmen who are employed on the businessman’s ranch, but before they entered the ranch, “the bossman” stopped her at the gate and checked her bag. Naipaul said he was told by a (Continued on page 23
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Private Schools better responded to
realities of COVID-19 over Public - report Schools highlights -but attendance dropped in Region Seven
P
rivate schools have been able to foster a better response to the realities of COVID-19 as compared to public schools, according to a “Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of COVID-19 on Households in Guyana,” compiled by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). For the education sector,
the report-analyzed access to education amid the pandemic on both a regional and national level and it was under the regional level in which the aforementioned was highlighted. Since the closure of all schools in March last year, many issues were highlighted about learning during the pandemic in public schools. N o t a b l y, t h e o n l y students that would have returned to physical
classrooms sessions were those in Grades 10, 11 and 12, as well as technical vocational education students, after the government approved a conditional reopening last November. Even the reopening for those students stemmed from learning issues that occurred during the sevenmonth hiatus. It was previously reported that during consultations with teachers,
parents and students, which was conducted by the Ministry of Education, it was expressed that the lack of internet access was hampering the efficient rollout of online learning, which was needed for the preparation for the upcoming Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations this year.
Further, the lack of internet access seemed to have affected the entire public school system, as this was also reported, with the hinterland regions suffering the most. “It seems safe to conclude that except for the hinterland regions, the private schools per region were largely better able to respond to the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic than the public schools,” the UNDP/CDC report noted.
This was because private schools also “fared somewhat better insofar as it relates to the differences in averages per region before and during the pandemic. Whereas the average number of children attending private schools per household with children per region range from 0.02 (Region 8) to 1.07 (Region 7).” The report said that before the pandemic private school attendance ranged from 0.0 (Region 1) to 0.24 (Region 3). However, the most dramatic drop for private schools was in Region 7, where the average moved from 1.07 to 0.11. “Students of private schools therefore appear to have largely been able to continue formal education except perhaps in the hinterland regions (Region 1, 7, 8 and 9) to some extent,” it outlined. Even with those attendances, private schools still seem to have responded better to the pandemic. The report stated that the main reason for absence from school during the pandemic is the unavailability of classes online, which gives an indication that private schools in the hinterland region recorded a lowered attendance because hinterland areas have been generally struggling with adequate internet access. A lack of access to the internet has been cited in each region as a reason for non-attendance at school.
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Intl. Aviation organization gives 6 new recommendations for COVID-19 response and recovery
T
he International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Council’s Aviation R e c o v e r y Ta s k F o r c e (CART) has given six new recommendations for the global aviation sector’s response and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Guyana is one of the 163 member countries of the
Montreal, Canada-based organization and the recommendations, if implemented will be done through the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. Recommendations -The ICAO has recommended that member states implement measures for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air
Swan youth remanded for killing mother of two A 20-year-old man was on Wednesday remanded to prison for the murder of a 19year-old mother of two, who was stabbed to death last Sunday, after she intervened in an argument between her cousin and the suspect about ‘which girl can dance better’ during a party. The defendant, Kristophe Stoll, of Swan, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, made his first court appearance in the D i a m o n d / G r o v e Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate, Sunil Scarce, where the murder charge was read to him.
which girl can dance better. The argument further led to the 20-year-old arming himself with a knife and attempting to stab Adolph Joseph, the dead woman’s cousin. Instead, the 29-yearold received a minor cut to the lower left side of his abdomen. Upon seeing this, Calistro reportedly intervened and was stabbed once to the left side of her abdomen and subsequently collapsed. She was picked up and taken to the Georgetown
Stoll was not required to plead to the charge, which alleged that on March 14, at Lot 11 Swan, Kuru Kururu, he murdered Cameel Calistro. Magistrate Scarce remanded to the young man to prison and the matter was adjourned to April 17. It was reported that on Sunday morning, between 02:00 hrs. and 03:45 hrs., the young woman was stabbed to death after a heated argument erupted, which turned violent. At the time, the mother of two was amongst her family and friends at a birthday party at her aunt’s residence, imbibing alcohol and dancing to music that was playing from a vehicle, when an argument ensued. According to police reports at about 02:00 hrs., Stoll, who was amongst the gathering, started an argument with the dead girl’s family about
Dead: Cameel Calistro. Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she was pronounced dead on arrival by a doctor. Her corpse was later removed and taken to the hospital’s mortuary, where a post mortem examination is expected to be conducted. The young man was later captured with the alleged weapon in his possession and an investigation was launched.
without delay to facilitate the transport of COVID-19 vaccines as the world is now seeing global distribution. “...And to permit certain dangerous goods to be carried on board aircraft to provide for a safe, sanitary operating environment for passengers and crew.” - It outlines that it is encouraging member states to consider the temporary lifting of restrictions to air cargo operations, including but not limited to granting extra-bilateral rights, in particular for all-cargo services, to foreign airlines in a bid to facilitate the transportation of essential goods, supplies and COVID19 vaccines. -It has stated that
member states should also implement “testing certificates based on the protocol, minimum dataset and implementation approaches outlined in the ICAO Manual on Testing and Cross-Border Risk Management Measures” to facilitate air travel. It is encouraging states to request evidence of testing that is secure, verifiable and convenient and ensure they are compliant with data protection legislation. The ICAO stated that it may also apply to vaccination certificates. -The ICAO also recommends that member states should facilitate aircrew access to COVID-19 vaccination as quickly as
The International Civil Aviation Organization headquarters in Montreal, Canada possible within the World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) Stage III recommendations. -It also stated that vaccination should not be a condition for international travel “at such time as evidence shows that vaccinated persons would
not transmit the SARS-CoV2 virus or would present a reduced risk of transmitting the virus.” Additionally, member states may exempt vaccinated persons from testing and quarantine measures, under a State’s accepted risk threshold, national framework, the COVID-19 situation and the (Continued on page 22 )
Friday March 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Linden and Kwakwani power companies - residents object to get new board of directors composition of both
T
wo new board of directors were installed in Region 10 by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively. The new Boards will serve the Linden Electricity Company Inc. (LECI) and the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated (KUI) and are expected to give strategic policy direction to the company. Phillips announced that Mr. Andrew Forsythe, will serve as the Chairman of the LECI Board while Mr. Paris Archer will serve as Chairman of the KUI Board. Other members of the LECI Board are Aubrey Major,
Joan Monkhouse, Orin Wilson, Hazelyn Luther, Audwin Rutherford, Nizamudin Ally, Abdoul Majid, while the members of the KUI Board are Dr. Gregory Harris, Gibron Bacchus, Sachie Parvaton, Pam Ramberran, Orlando Johashin, Kay Forde, Aubrey Gobin, Delmus McPherson and Jennifer Edwards. In his address at the Watooka Guest House, the Prime Minister stated that he expects the workers of LECI and the new Board to work together to improve power generation and life in Linden. Phillips highlighted that in Guyana’s 2021 Budget, $2.3B has been allocated for
Two new Board of Directors were installed in Region 10 LECI’s operations and as the subject minister, he will be monitoring what is being done with the money to improve the lives of the people of Linden. “Our government is interested in development. We have five years in government and five years of development for all Guyanese. Linden will develop under this
government,” he added. Similar charges were given to the Board of KUI and he urged the residents to support them. This board that we installed today is your board, i t ’s p e o p l e f r o m t h i s community and people who are interested in the development of this community. I want you to (Continued on page 24 )
Mr. Paris Archer
Friday March 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
President Ali, VP Jagdeo discuss Berbice deepwater port with CGX, investors
President Irfaan Ali (right) and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo. The construction of a deepwater harbour in Berbice is currently engaging the attention of Head of State, President Irfaan Ali, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo and Canadian oil company CGX Guyana along with investors. This is according to Minister within the Ministry of Public Works with responsibility for the Energy Sector, Deodat Indar, in a live broadcast interview on Monday facilitated by Globespan24X7. “The deepwater harbour…” according to Indar, who reminded that “the deepwater harbour is supposed to go to Berbice because the draft [is] there, the land is there, it can serve two markets – Guyana market and the Suriname market.” He was at the time discussing infrastructure projects in Guyana in light of its emerging oil and gas sector and told moderators Dr. Asquith Rose and Charles Sugrim, “there are persons, there are operators who have
land in Crab Island area and so that have serious discussion at the level of the President and Vice-President concerning that project.” He was adamant “that project is something that is alive every day because we want to make sure that we benefit from it.” The government Minister qualified his position further by reminding that “we don’t have the deepwater harbour, (and) most of the services are emanating out of Trinidad and all the tail end services for the oil and gas sector are done in Trinidad and we get a part of it only and it’s because of the absence of a deepwater harbour.” He lamented too, that because of the size of the ships that are required to move to and from Guyana, “cargo ships as well as ones in the oil and gas sector, the draft that we have in the Demerara cannot accommodate those ships so it is needed for our country’s transformation and
development and we all in the Irfaan Ali government understand that.” Government in its most recent pronouncements had also noted that considerations are being made as to the possibilities of a Public/ Private Partnership or will be a “BOOT arrangement.” BOOT arrangements refer to a build–own–operate– transfer type agreement. This is where a private entity receives a concession to design, fund and construct a facility and operate it. When the private party recovers their investment and returns, the facility can then be transferred to the government. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic government had, as part of its manifesto promises on the election campaign, committed to the construction of the facility. Upon assuming office, President Irfaan Ali said the country would be prioritising waterfront developments to Continued on page 22
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Friday March 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
Food for the Poor & St. Francis NGO hands over home ownership certificates to 10 families
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Ten underprivileged families in Berbice were recently given home ownership certificates by Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana together with the St. Francis Community Developers NGO. Both NGOs who have worked together for a number of years have managed to put
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smiles on the faces of families every year and this time around has given sixteen adults and forty-two children a chance to start afresh in their new homes. Those who received certificates of home ownership are families from Rose Hall Town, Letter Kenny, New Amsterdam, Glasgow Housing Scheme and Fort Ordinance. They are families that come from various backgrounds and circumstances but according to Alex Foster, CEO of the St Francis NGO “all fit the criteria to get these houses”. He
further stated that Food for the Poor is looking to “move in another direction”, meaning that the NGO is now working hand in hand with these families to enhance whatever skills they possess. Foster said that FFTP has since committed to assisting the families in acquiring tools “to boost what they are doing”. So far, to date 360 houses have been completed with the 2021 target set at completing 10 houses per month. Foster stated that 70 houses have been approved so far with the year target set at 120 houses.
.
He explained, “We are behind schedule because of the unpredictable weather situation but we are trying to get the best out of those who are available. We are working with families who have four children or more.” The homes are each equipped with an indoor toilet and bath, two beds, table and four chairs along with two steps. “We have taken out wooden windows and are now installing louvre windows. Every house will have two beds, a table and four chairs, gas stove, solar panel et cetera,” Foster said.
President Ali, VP Jagdeo discuss... From page 21 make provisions for the increasing marine traffic from the offshore oil and gas operations. CGX Energy Inc. had announced that it will be forging ahead with plans to construct a deep water port on the eastern bank of the Berbice River to meet the demands of the oil and gas operations in both Guyana and Suriname. CGX Energy Inc. through its wholly owned subsidiary Grand Canal Industrial Estates Inc. (GCIEI) has already made a request for proposals for the provision of infrastructure services as part of the construction of a deep-water port facility at Crab Island in the Berbice River in the South
American country of Guyana. Eligible and qualified contractors had been invited to bid for the construction of a wharf platform and approach trestle; for the resurfacing of road and access way to the port site; and for the construction of two bridges. The facility when completed is expected to support the offshore exploration work of CGX and its partners in the Corentyne Block offshore Guyana. The CGX deepwater harbour is proposed to be about 600 meters at the mouth of the Berbice River. According to the Guyana Office for Investment’s (GO-Invest) website, it is estimated that the port will be some 10 kilometers from the open Atlantic Ocean, making it easier to facilitate international trade.
Intl. Aviation organization gives 6 new... From page 19 multilayered risk mitigation framework. - It suggests that member states should ensure that the ICAO’s CART guidance is taken into consideration by the wider State administration in the decision-making processes on national recovery planning. REVISED RECOMMENDATIONS The ICAO has revised two of its recommendations that are as follows:
-Member States should plan to implement necessary measures to dissolve risks associated with prolonged regulatory alleviations and to avoid extending those alleviations beyond March 31 this year. Additionally, states are encouraged to facilitate cross-border access to medical and training facilities which includes flight simulation training devices used for flight crew both national and foreign, and Air Traffic Controllers to maintain
their certifications, and proficiency. -The other revised recommendation says that states considering the formation of a Public Health Corridor should actively share information t o i m p l e ment them in a harmonized manner and to facilitate the implementation, the ICAO Implementation Package on establishing that corridor should is available to the member states for usage.
Friday March 19, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Mystery grows in case of missing... Health Ministry records whopping 120 new COVID-19 infections, two fatalities The Ministry of Health (MOH) yesterday reported 120 new COVID-19 infections via its daily dashboard update, which is of the highest numbers ever recorded. The whopping increase in infections now leaves the country’s COVID-19 case toll at 9,442. There has been a notable increase in the daily infection rates as of recent, with the case toll quickly approaching the 10,000 benchmark. The dashboard also shows that seven patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit, another eight in institutional quarantine,
46 in institutional isolation and 747 in home isolation. Additionally, a total of 8,430 persons have recovered to date with 19 new recoveries recorded yesterday. The MOH also reported two new COVID19 deaths yesterday. According to its press release both were 66-year-old males from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and they died on Thursday while receiving treatment at its medical facility. Their deaths have been recorded as Guyana’s 211th and 212th COVID19 fatalities.
Dialysis Advocate calls for the Government’s intervention... From page 15 Nevertheless, the hospital anticipates that it will soon have the medication for its patients. In Yong’s post, she went on to state that “the local pharmacies are selling one injection for $7,500 to $8,500 and we need two or three a week. I’ve been trying my best to knock on all doors for help for the kidney disease affected but no avail.” Ms. Yong, who has been receiving her dialysis treatment two to three times per week
at a private facility, has been advocating ever since her diagnosis for the government to look into the plight of persons undergoing dialysis but as she told Kaieteur News, “It’s like we are forgotten.” Not only that, she explained, but it is the lack of public awareness, dialysis centres in the country and the cost for treatments that have been disheartening to many. “This is not how Guyanese must be treated especially the vulnerable and the disabled,” Yong stated in her post.
From page 14 workman that when the boss searched her bag, a bottle of alcohol was found and he took the alcohol out of the bag and chased his mother away. He said they were told that she walked out back to the public road and sat at a shed and then walked “about four miles to go around the backdam” to reach the ranch from another direction. However, it is from this point that the information as it relates to where exactly she went, and when was the last time she was seen has been questionable. It is stated that the woman had to cross another businessman’s farming area to reach to the ranch where her husband works. A video seen by this publication shows a watchman being questioned by relatives. He stated that he saw the woman Monday morning, the same day she was reportedly chased from the ranch, and she was making
her way to the location of the ranch. He said later that day his boss gave him a bag containing the woman’s clothing along with other items, but he never saw the woman again. That bag was handed over to the woman’s husband. The missing woman’s husband said when he asked the bossman where he got the bag from, he indicated that he never gave his watchman a bag. The family is seeking answers, and believes that the businessman who owns the farming area and his watchman may know what happened to Bibi Khan. They believe that the authorities attached to the Springlands Police Station have not been taking the matter seriously. They are seeking justice and want the farm owner and his watchman further questioned. Today, they are expected to meet with the officer in charge of criminal investigations in Berbice to air their concerns.
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EU presents Elections 2020... From page 13 for the current impasse squarely at the feet of GECOM. “By failing to take decisive action,” the report notes, “as the electoral process derailed into chaos and illegality, GECOM abdicated its constitutional duty to take all actions necessary to ensure compliance with the law by any of its officials, despite unequivocal powers to remove and exercise disciplinary control over them.” The report also notes that the elections were ethnically polarized with A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change primarily representing AfroGuyanese and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) primarily representing Indo-Guyanese. The report noted that
both major political groupings had significant funds at their disposal, with no concern for campaign finance transparency with the implicit go ahead from GECOM. “With consent of the main contenders,” the report noted, “GECOM did not assume its oversight responsibility to monitor campaign finance. Several parties spoke out for enhancing finance regulations, underlining the need for reforms in this field.” While the report noted considerable bias in both the privately owned Guyana Times, which favoured the PPP/C, and the stateowned Guyana Chronicle, which favoured government, it observed that “Stabroek News and Kaieteur News proved to be rather balanced in their news coverage.”
Linden and Kwakwani power companies... From page 20 give this board an opportunity to work and deliver on your behalf,” Phillips implored the residents. According to the 2021 budget, KUI will receive a total of $490 Million in subvention this year. The competence of the board will be reviewed after one year. Meanwhile, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, told Kwakwani residents that the Board was installed by the government, since the company is managed by the state. “We have to assemble skills, youths and expertise coming from the various areas. It is not the first time KUI is being given a government-appointed board, this is how it has been since the bauxite company has left the community,” Edghill said. He was responding to comments made by residents, that the members are not suitably
qualified. “Y’all choose a set of people who you want to control Kwakwani, the people of Kwakwani supposed to choose who they want to control K/K. You gotta choose educated people,” one resident affirmed with loud applause. Similar expressions were made by residents of Linden in relation to the composition of the LECI. Board. They believe that it does not reflect the will of the people and only consist of affiliates of the People’s Progressive Party. While it was rumored that long standing General Manager Patrick Dublin would have been replaced, Prime Minister Phillips said Dublin will remain as General Manager. In an invited comment, Dublin said that he is happy that all rumors have been cleared as he has given the company 47 years of service. Since 17-years-old I was there, from LINMINE, for
47 years…..I am happy the Prime Minister made everything clear to us today. I will support the new Board, it is a lot of young minds,” he said. Former General Manager of KUI Leslie Sobers has however been removed from the position and has been seconded to another location. In an invited comment he said he still remains a staff at the Ministry of Works and will follow any instruction given to be transferred. Newly installed Chairman Paris Archer, said that he is delighted to be appointed as the Chairman of the Board and will center his appointment on the development of the company, to better serve the community. “I like to see development, so I would be supporting the GM 100 per cent in addressing issues that will be of importance to pave the path for development,” he said.
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‘It galvanized those other guys’ ‘Forget whether it was Bangladesh or Former WI skipper Lloyd believes team Sri Lanka’ - Former WI wicketkeeper says cultivating winning mentality still seeing benefits of Bangladesh win SportsMax - Legendary West Indies captain, Clive Lloyd, believes that the fighting spirit and professional display that led to a 2-0 series win, in Bangladesh, has spread to the rest of the team. So far, the general consensus is that the regional team has, at times, been fairly impressive in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka. They battled to a 2-1 win in the T20 series, but then swept the visitors aside in a confident display during the One Day International series. Lloyd believes some of that confidence stems from the performance of the Kraigg Brathwaite unit, which was under-strength and underestimated heading to last month’s tour of Bangladesh but battled to a surprise 2-0 Test series win. “I believe it is because of the way our players played in Bangladesh, that it trickled down. They put their head down and batted intelligently and won,” Lloyd told the Mason and Guest radio programme. “It galvanized those other guys to do the same.
will lead to bigger successes
Clive Lloyd We had 274, 270-odd and we looked good. We batted well. (Things were tighter) in the T20s but we won out because we are getting that professional attitude back and that I think it is because of the guys winning in Bangladesh.” The team will look to take the momentum into the two-match Test series, which will get underway on Sunday.
Deryck Murray believes it is important for the team to cultivate the habit of winning.
Friday March 19, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You need to write out nearly everything today. It might feel like you’re living on e-mail! It’s a great time to communicate clearly and let colleagues know what’s really going on.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) You are super busy with work or school or just your own personal business, so try to push through the boring stuff to get to the fun! It feels great, and you’ve got terrific energy.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today could feel like a colossal waste of time if you choose to see it that way. Alternatively, you could look on it as a way to kick back, make plans, and reconsider what you want out of life.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Temptation is a pervasive presence today, so make sure that you’re paying attention. It’s impossible to resist if you don’t see it coming, and things may get pretty intense by the end of the day.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You need to open up a new discussion today. Your people are looking to you for leadership, and your great energy helps you to do just that. Conversation opens up all sorts of new avenues.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You feel excited about something that nobody else seems to even notice. You can keep it to yourself or try to spread the word, but it may just be you who sees this as something big!
CANCER (June 21–July 22) You can’t quite cope with the pace of today’s activities, but try your best! You might find that your energy is running low this afternoon, but you can still find little ways to rejuvenate.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You have to cut to the chase today. Don’t wander aimlessly trying to figure out what to say. Things are good, but you need to deal with today’s pressing issues firmly and quickly.
LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Something that was lost might suddenly turn up today. Don’t ask too many questions about it. Just be thankful for its return. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) All you can give is 100 percent, football coaches and other inspirational types notwithstanding. Do what you can today, but don’t worry if things don’t work out. Your tenacity is one of your best assets!
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your romantic affairs are in order whether you realize it or not. Make sure that you’re looking in the right direction, because romance is sure to be looking for you! PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you can’t get through to that colleague or friend, get creative. You’re more likely to get noticed if you dig into that well of poetic sentiment that seems to go down forever.
SportsMax - Former Windies wicketkeeper, Deryck Murray, believes it is important for the team to cultivate the habit of winning and admits to being encouraged by the displays in recent weeks. The West Indies followed
up a gutsy away win over Bangladesh, with a hardfought T20 series win over Sri Lanka, before putting on a dominant display in a One Day International (ODI) series against the same opponents. While some may view the results with an air of
skepticism, due to what they believe is inferior opposition, Murray was quick to point out that the team’s approach and attitude in recent encounters was just as important as the results and could augur well for the future. “We are at a stage where West Indies cricket, let’s face facts, is at the bottom of the rung and we have taken the opportunity to beat teams on an equal footing with us or just above us,” Murray told the Mason and Guest radio show. “What we saw in the One Days against Sri Lanka were people playing to their responsibilities within the team…we saw that in areas of the One Day game where people were called up to bowl at different times, people coming to bowl at the death, etc. People were moving out of their comfort zone and doing what the team needed,” he added. “Between going from number 9 to number 1 there are going to be obstacles and hiccups along the way. We are not going to beat everybody as we go along but being able to win in tight situations is key, forget whether it was Bangladesh or Sri Lanka. In tight situations, we came out of it winning. Players are going to start believing they can win. So, when we face England, Australia, India, or New Zealand, it’s not going to be us trying to do something as a one-off but let’s get into a situation to give ourselves a chance to win. You are going to start winning more than you are losing.” The West Indies will now turn their attention to securing victory over Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series, which begins on Sunday.