Kaieteur News

Kaieteur News, has in recent years been routinely exposing the many ways in which the oil companies, particularly the three producing from the Stabroek Block, have been utilizing loopholes in the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) oil contract to exploit the country’soilresources.

Compounding the situation is the fact that the nation’s oil resource is in fact being used, to facilitate the further exploitation of thecountryanditspeople.

The damning revelation was made pellucid during a meetingonWednesdaylast, at the Georgetown

International Academy (GIA), anAmerican private co-educational day school inthecapitalcity

At that meeting, which was held with the Board Members and parents of students attending the school,itwasdisclosedthat the learning institution is gearing to hike its already highschoolfees.

The students that attend GIA are largely children of expatriate workers linked primarily to the oil companies, together with children that would have been born overseas, but to Guyaneseparents.

This publication understands that the fees presently being charged for High School level grades is some US$16,000 or just overG$3Myearly

This fee is being proposed to be hiked by almost double in some cases, with those presently paying US$16,000 annually, now being asked topayUS$28,000oralmost G$6M.

Parents at the meeting were told that the curriculum being offered at the school is being done at internationalstandards.

This was vehemently objectedtobysomeparents who not only pointed out thatwhatisbeingconveyed was inaccurate but that similar increases in the United States of America (USA) was only being raised by about seven percent,whileinGuyanathe school was looking to hike the fees by almost 200 percent.

The session became even more heated when it wasdisclosedthattheChief Financial Officer for the school, is in fact the S

theoperatorfortheStabroek Block.

This led to the nexus being drawn between the provisions in the contract and its direct relationship with the school, its board members and the way it is financed.

Under the terms and conditions of the existing PSAthat the administration has publicly dismissed renegotiations for, the fees for those students related to the oil companies, their contractors, sub-contractors and affiliate companies, are paidforusingGuyana’soil.

Compounding that situation is the fact that, the actual cash paid over to GIA, is recovered as cost oil, from the 75 percent of oilproducedmonthly

As such, it means while the Guyanese parents, working on a Guyanese salary scale would have to reach into their pockets to meet the increased fee, it wouldnotaffecttheparents of the expatriate workers, since the fees for those children are recouped from Guyana’soil.

This was made even more glaring when gauging the parents in attendance, none of whom were expatriates but rather Guyanese, some of whom were senior government officialsandmembers.

Withthehikeinthefees, it would mean that EEPGL and their partners, have effectivelyraisedthefeesat thatprivateschoolthatthey know is being paid for, out of cost oil, and as such would not affect their finances.

This obtains since, under the PSA/Oil Contract the cash flow from the oil fields to the private school, it is what was agreed to, in principle.

UnderthePSA,thereare a number of categories of spending by the oil companies that have been identified as recoverable, without further approval from the substantive minister

Meaning, the PSA provides for ExxonMobil Guyanaandtheirpartnersto incur spending in specified areaswhileatthesametime recouping that spending from the oil produced, and without further approval by the Minister, in this case VickramBharrat.

Govt. proposes to plug loopholes for corruption, abusive transactions between oil companies and related parties for new oil players

Oneofthemostegregious ways oil companies are known to rob countries of billions worth of profits is through related party transactions Intheabsenceof contractual rules or domestic laws,oilcompaniesandtheir subcontractors or even subsidiaries can jack up the prices for items that are way beyond market levels. In some cases, it is worse than inflated bills; there are even reported cases of duplicated costsandfalseinvoices.

Acutely aware of how prevalentthispracticeisinthe industry, the PPP/C Government has proposed to implement a strict provision thatcompelsoilcompaniesto conduct their related party businesses in keeping with internationalprices.

This is specifically outlined in the draft Model Production Sharing Agreementsforthe14blocks that form part of the nation’s firstlicensinground

Theprovisionthatspeaks to this is termed: Arm’s length transactions. Itstates in the draft documents: “Exceptasotherwiseagreed in writing between the M i n i s t e r a n d t h e Contractor, all transactions recorded in the accounting records shall be conducted on an ‘arm’s length’ basis oronsuchabasisthatmay assure that all such revenuesshallnotbelower and costs or expenses shall not be higher than the international market price

for goods and services of similar quality supplied in similar terms prevailing at the time of the transaction in the regional market relevanttoGuyana.”

The draft documents also require that regulators have access to information on all transactionsforfutureblocks Itstatesthatthecontractedoil companies shall provide the minister with the accounting data and information necessary for such party to fulfill any statutory obligation in regard to PetroleumOperationshere. There are also provisions to ensure that there is proper maintenance of accounting records Towardsthisend,the draftdocumentsstatethatthe contractor shall be responsible for maintaining accounting records relating to petroleum operations under the agreement signed and in accordance with the accountingproceduresinthe deal, accepted accounting practices generally used in the international Petroleum industry and any applicable locallaw

Importantly, the documents state that accounting and related records kept under this agreement shall record in sufficientdetailandclaritythe work performed under the Agreement, the costs incurred,andthequantityand value of all petroleum producedandsavedfromthe ContractAreaandnotusedin petroleumoperations.

It was further noted that transactionsshallberecorded insuchamannerastoprovide a clear understanding of the sub-componentsofeachitem including, without limitation, such costs as broker’s fees, transportation charges, loading and unloading fees, demurrage, import duties, surcharges and licence fees

associated with the procurementofmaterialsand equipment, and applicable taxes.

Itshouldbenotedthatthe proposed terms in the new model PSAs complement the commercialprovisionswhich were released last December by the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Government The main commercial terms include a royalty rate of 10 percent, cost recovery capped at 65 percent,andprofitsharingof 50percent.

There is also a minimum signing bonus required from thebiddersofUS$20million for deep water and US $10 million for shallow water blocks In terms of tax, the tender provides that a corporation tax of 10 percent and a property tax of 075 percent will be levied on the participatingentities

It is worth noting that bidders will be required to

commitatleastUS$1million per year towards the employment and training of the citizens of Guyana in accordance with the Local ContentAct

Inastatementtothemedia last week, the ministry said the draft Model Petroleum Agreementsembodyrigorous research and analysis by the ministry’s internal team, and external consultants on all topics relevant to a modern petroleum agreement for Guyana.

The ministry said the process involved a comprehensiveassessmentof the current petroleum agreement and the identificationofbestpractices relevant to every contractual aspectofamodernagreement grounded in the Guyana context To ensure new investmentsaregovernedbya comprehensiveframeworkof international best practices, theministrysaidtherewillbe an overhaul of the 1986 Petroleum Act and Regulations

Feedback on the draft model agreements should be addressed to the Minister of NaturalResourcesandsentto licensinground2022@petrole um gov gy with the Permanent Secretary copied, jmckenzie@nregovgy

r

t

ry for Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL),

These include labour andotherassociatedcosts.A perusal of this provision reveals thatgrosssalaries

Howoilcompaniesuse Guyana’soiltopayfor theirchildren’seducation

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

PANAMA – GETTING WHAT IT WANTS, A LESSON FOR GUYANA

PanamajustwentwhereGuyanarefusestogo,anddid whattheGovernmentofGuyanainsistsshouldnotbedone, isnotdoable.

The Government of Panama and First Quantum of Canada announced earlier this month that a finalized draft concessionagreementfortheCobrePanamaminehasbeen reached. It was a long and hard road, but an agreement between the Panamanian Government and the Canadian Companyisalmostadonedeal.

What happened in Panama with its copper and a tough confrontation with a stubborn Canadian corporation must stand as a lesson for Guyana with its oil and America’s ExxonMobilrefusingtobudge.

The Panamanians were unhappy with their original copper deal with First Quantum Minerals, the parent companyofMineraPanama.ThePanamanianGovernment wanted more money in royalties and taxes, more environmentalsafety,andbetterlaborstandards.

Adraft was shared between the two parties in January 2022. First Quantum dug in its heels and rebuffed the demands of the Panamanians leading to a war of wills. In the latter part of December 2022, after almost a year of no movement by either side, the Panamanian Government acted with the power and strength befitting a sovereign nation,andorderedFirstQuantumtopauseoperationsatthe massiveCobrePanamamine.

In February, port loading operations from mineral stockpileswereorderedhalted.

It is what governments peopled with uncompromised andfearlesspoliticalleadersareabletodo,astheyfightfor better for their citizens. Not some wishy-washy, cowardly, suspiciously convenient leadership postures and words about ‘investor return’ and ‘investor confidence.’ Or ‘sanctityofcontract’whichwasalsoinplaceinPanama,but whichhassincebeenoverturned.

Allofthoseelementsareimportantandhavetheirplace, butfairnessforthosewhoownrichnaturalresourcesaspart of their national patrimony must always be the first consideration. That must be nonnegotiable, and never a pointofdebate.

This is especially so, and immovably so, when the lopsidedisbeinglivedwith,liketheExxonMobil’sodious contract that tricks, traps, and cheats Guyana. Any selfrespecting government, any set of leaders with minimal honesty and the honorable in them, would move with strengthandstrategytochangewhatishighlyunfair,totally unacceptable.

When we study the developments in Panama, and the actionstakenbythatcountry’sgovernment,wepointtoall thatisbeingdonewronghere,whatthePPPCGovernment anditsleadersshrinkfearfullyfromdoing. Thestoppageby the Panamanian Government was no small matter, as the mine represented 3.5% of Panama’s GDP, and US$10B in investmentsbyCanada’sFirstQuantum,withmorebillions planned.

Even Canada’s Trade Minister got involved in exchanges with her Panamanian counterpart, with negotiating in good faith and dispute resolution key objectivesforbothsides.

The demands of the Panamanians were simple: First Quantum was benefiting immensely from its Panamanian operations, and this made matters “more unfair” given the company’s “very low” tax liability, and other lucrative pluses (U.S. News & World Report - December 23, 2022).Thanks to the courage and integrity of Panamanian Governmentleaders,thereisadraftconcessionagreement. It is subject to a 30-day public consultation process and approvalsbythePanamanianCabinet,ComptrollerGeneral oftheRepublicandtheNationalAssembly

The proposed concession contract will be fora 20-year term, plus a 20-year extension option and additional extensionsforthelifeofmine.

Open Letter to H.E PresidentAli on EnvironmentalAssessment Board

DEAREDITOR,

As one of the concerned citizensofthisnation,Iwrite toyou,asMinisterincharge of the Environment, to addressthelackofacredible Environmental Assessment Board (EAB). I also feel compelled to submit my o b j e c t i o n s t o t h e Environmental Protection Agency’s waiver of an

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Gas to Energy Project’s 300 MW Power Plant directly to the Office of the President given that a credible EAB has not been in place since the EPA issued the Public Notice of the EIAwaiver on January 7, 2023 - for the record and until a credible EABisconstituted.

This submission will be made under separate cover Despite requests for your attention to the matter of independence of the EAB, you have appointed a Board comprised entirely of government employees, two of whom have indisputable “direct” and “indirect” conflictsofinterest.

This is prohibited under

the Environmental Protection Act (EPA Act):

T h i r d S c h e d u l e , Environmental Assessment Board, which states plainly that: “Any member of the Board who has any interest directly or indirectly, in any matterbeforetheBoard–(a) Shall disclose the nature of hisinteresttotheBoard,and (Continuedonpage6)

First Quantum CEO, Tristan Pascall commented, “After a lengthy and arduous negotiation process, the finalized Proposed Concession Contract outlines the basis for the future of Cobre Panama for all stakeholders, including the Government, our investors and the country of Panama. “We now await formal approval of the Proposed Concession Contract and look forward to a long and constructive partnership with the Government of Panama for many years

tocome.”

Leaders in the PPPC Government (President Ali and Vice PresidentJagdeo),andthoseofExxonMobil(CEOWoodsand CountryHeadRoutledge)mustworkonagoodfaithbasisto gettothispointofmutualagreementformutualbenefitsand mutual satisfaction. Continuing with what heavily benefits onesideonly(ExxonMobil)risksruptureandtherageofthe Guyanesepeople.

Many organizations exist to protect people from scams but are dysfunctional

DEAREDITOR,

Afew days ago, a friend asked me to help a lady figureoutwhyherelectricity billiswayaboveaverage.

Upon inspection, I discover her earth wire cut off, and I recommend that sheearthitofffirstbeforewe moveonandsherequestedI do. When I open the main and sub-main boxes, I discover all the earth wire cut off and upon enquiring, shedidn’tknowhow’sthat.

Proper earthing of a

building prevents people from getting shocked, electrical fire, and electrical wastage, thus the electricity billwouldn’tbeabnormal.

Now,forthatbuildingto get a meter and electricity from GPL, the wiring work have to be inspected by the inspectors from GPL and if nottostandard,theelectrical contractor has to rectify the problemandthebuildinghas to be re-inspected, but miraculously, it has a meter andelectricity Sadly,inthis

country, a contractor gets most of the money to build someone’s house but no one hastoinspectitforfaults,but theelectricalwiringhastobe inspected, and still, the system is riddled with construction. The system is manipulated in such a way, that GPL employees could wire a building and get a meter for it without any properinspection.

henthere’stheotherway, whereyoupaysomeoneand the paper is processed

conveniently But at the end of it all, many did flawed work on people’s buildings, some crumble down or caught fire and there’s no way to recover the expense from the errant contractor Editor, quite several people are utilizing every opportunity to eke a living, and many revitalizing social media to promote their business or skulls, but recently, I’ve noticed many venturing into the solar business,whilstIdon’thave

time to delve down into details, many friends would send offers to me asking if it’sfeasible.Iwouldcheckit outandgivemyopinion,but during the past week, one came to me where the imageslooksveryattractive, but what they were selling and the price is very suspicious,soIcontactedthe seller only to hear that two solar panels, two gel b a t t e r i e s , a n d inverter/charger for five hundred thousand dollars. I

pointed out that what they are offering cannot provide proper service as they are saying,andIalsopointedout the cost is exuberant and fit that money, I’ll get way far better,Inevergotareply,but manypeoplehavenoproper idea of solar, are interested and without a doubt, could be duped Sadly, many organizationsexisttoprotect people from various scams but are dysfunctional, and theirsalaryisn’t.

SahadeoBates

With overhaul of oil law forthcoming…

Guyanese have golden opportunity to demand disclosure of reports on oil companies’spending

T h e P e o p l e ’ s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) government has decided that it will move to Parliament for an overhaul of the 1986 Petroleum ( E x p l o r a t i o n a n d Production) Act to cater for thecurrentoilblocksauction andmodelcontracts.

With the tabling of draft legislation in the National Assembly, Government and Opposition will debate new lawsforwhatisarguablythe most important sector in G u y a n a ’s c u r r e n t developmenttrajectory

Butevenbeforeadraftis laidinParliament,thepublic has the opportunity now to demandthattheamendment to the oil laws includes provisions to improve t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability in the management of Guyana’s resources.

The government was keen to note that when it passedtheNaturalResource Fund Act 2021, it included provisions that allow the countrytonowbenefitfrom statutory disclosures of

revenues paid into the oil fund The need for this became clear when it was found that the previous administration hid a US$18 million signing bonus from the public long after receiving it from

ExxonMobil Similarly, publicinterestadvocatesand the media have wrestled with the government for years over what should be transparent.

Throughout this conversation, Ministers of government have made commitments to make certaindocumentspublicbut have failed to deliver But with an amendment to the Petroleum Act, the administration can put statutory requirements in place for the publication of documentsincludingbutnot limited to petroleum agreements,explorationand production licenses, p r o d u c t i o n d a t a , assignments of oil lifts and basic updates on the recovery of oil companies’ costs. While much of this information is supposed to

be public, this is done at the whimsandfanciesofpublic officials Where oil production data is concerned, vital aspects have sometimes been outstanding from the public recordformonthsatatime.

As has been done with the Natural Resource Fund Act, the government can include penalties to prevent public officials, such as the Minister of Natural Resources, from keeping legally required information from the public, whether through the Official Gazette or the Ministry’s Petroleum Management Programme website.

Where oil companies and their major contractors are concerned, the new Petroleum Act can require them to publish audited financial statements on an annualbasis,withrespectto the operations of their local subsidiaries.

By moving to institute newtransparencyprovisions

Open Letter to H.E PresidentAli on...

Frompage4 (b) shall not take part in any deliberation or decisions of theBoardwithrespecttothat matter.”

in law, the government woulddowelltomakeupfor the recent tarnishing of Guyana’s reputation when the country was suspended by the Norway-based Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).

President Dr Irfaan Ali had reaffirmed, when news of the suspension went public, that the government iscommittedtotransparency and accountability While Guyana’s suspension was duetoamisseddeadline,and not Guyana’s EITI score, it remains an indictment of Guyana that it fell out of good graces with such a critical transparency watchdogfortheextractives sectors, so early in its oil boom.

In making these new demands during the reform process, Guyanese no doubt haveacriticalopportunityto improveitsEITIstandingas well as the overall governanceoftheoilsector

D e s p i t e p u b l i c complaint, rather than disclosing their conflicts of interest and recusing themselves, the newly appointed members of the EAB have proceeded with scheduling the Public HearingfortheEPA’swaiver Gas to Energy Project’s 300 MW Power Plant on March 22,2023.

Iwouldalsoliketodraw your attention to their decision to obstruct public accessbydisallowingtheuse ofthevirtualZoomplatform forpublichearings.

This decision, which reversestheestablishedgood governance norm of the previous EAB, will have the effect of preventing access forcommunitiesfromacross the country and citizens abroad from participating in hearings, effectively silencingtheirvoices.

As a citizen of this country who has spent a significant amount of my adult life monitoring elections as part of our struggle to build a democratic society, I must say that your Government’s actionsonthismattertodate brings back chilling memories of what many in our nation, including yourself and members of yourParty,wouldrecountas

the A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) attempt to capture The G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) through the installation of Justice Patterson as Chairman, and subsequent effortstorigtheresultsofthe 2020 National and Regional Elections.

Even though the scope and scale are different, your government’s actions with respecttotheEABappearsto beasimilarassaultonalegal instrument of democracy In this case, participatory democracy

I am appealing to you to desistfromthispathnotonly for the obvious reasons of rule of law, democratic governance, and credibility of your own Government, but also because fair and thorough environmental assessments are crucial for safeguarding our health and natural resources and identifying and mitigating risks to development projects.

Itisyourduty,andIhope it will be your pride, as President and Minister responsible for the Environment to see that all public institutions and bodies tasked with responsibilities under the Environmental Protection Act operate in a lawful, fair, competent, and inclusive manner

Therefore, I implore you to void the current appointments and instead appoint an EAB free from conflicts of interests, one with adequate nong o v e r n m e n t a l representation, experts with proven track record in environmental protection andmanagement,andgender balance.

SimoneMangal-Joly Citizen, Environment andDemocracyAdvocate

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GUYANESE NOW MORE OPEN TO EXXON - JAGDEO

Bharat Jagdeo go all the way to Texas to tell anancy stories.

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Clearly, Mr. Jagdeo has too much on his mind, lost some edges from it.

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Fact is more Guyanese now detest Exxon.

Now more Guyanese have detected Exxon’s robberies.

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Guyanese are now more open to Exxon in only one way.

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Guyanese are more open to kicking Exxon out of here.

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Govt. expected to seek new Parliamentary Order to shield Exxon from 10% corporate tax set for new oil companies

Time and time again, the Government of Guyana will have to make m a n o e u v r e s t o p r e v e n t ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), from being affected economically by changesinGuyana'slaws.

The company's Stabroek block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) is so precious that even certain changes in Guyana's laws

shall not affect it. In keeping with this principle, President Dr Irfaan Ali's administration is expected to go to Parliament for a special order to shield the PSA from a new tax law change that states companies operating under other petroleum agreements will have to pay - the new10%corporatetax.

On the front page of the new model petroleum agreements which the government has released for public commentary, it is stated

that the government anticipates the development of an amendment to the Corporate Tax Act to include the 10% income tax for oil companies. The new tax is being implemented for the new agreements which will be issued at the end of the current oil blocks auction, and for all existing deals outsideoftheStabroekBlock.

The government has refused calls to renegotiate the Stabroek Block PSA on the grounds that

Oil companies will have to produce gas for export or give

resource back to State

Guyana's gas is less talked about than oil, but there is a tremendous amount of it offshore Guyana,anditisveryvaluable.The Haimara and Pluma discoveries, which were made by ExxonMobil, for example, are teeming with rich gas which could have made Guyana a lot of money at the genesis of Russia's war against Ukraine But ExxonMobil has decided that it will produce oil for export, with little word on when it planstocommercialisethegas.

With the new model contracts that the government has put up for consultation, oil companies will not be allowed to hold on to their gas discoveries without tapping them.

If the new terms applied to the Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) would have already submittedafielddevelopmentplan to the government for the purpose of exporting the gas from the Haimara well. If it did not do so, it wouldhavehadtogivethegasback tothegovernment.

The new terms are still in draft, but Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo hasoftensaidthatthegovernment's policy is for the resource to be produced as quickly as possible. With the new terms, there is little discrimination between oil and gas in terms of the government's priority

To understand the terms, it is important to distinguish between associated gas and non-associated gas. Gas is associated when it is discovered in an oil field, that is, a field that contains more oil than gas. Gas is non-associated when it is the majority resource in a hydrocarbon discovery Haimara is an example of a gas field, and the gasisnon-associated.

The drafts are clear that the government wants commercial discoveries to be appraised. They state: “the application for a

- new draft contracts

contract sanctity should be observed, and that the stability clause prevents it from bringing Exxontothetable.

The clause dictates that if Guyanaimplementsanynewlawor tax code that affects the financial bottom line of the Stabroek Block co-venturers, Guyana will have to exempt them from the amendment or find a way to restore their economic benefit. After it signed the 2016 PSA, the David Granger administration had to grant Exxon and its partners this exemption, in addition to contractors for other offshore blocks, so that Guyana's taxlawswouldnotapplytothem.

See here for the 2016 DPI article about former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan,

spearheading the approval of tax w a i v e r s f o r E E P G L : https://dpi gov gy/essoexploration-gets-tax-break-as-oilexploration-activities-continue/ N o t a b l y , w h i l e t h e ExxonMobil-operated Stabroek Block will be exempt from the requirement to pay the corporate tax, the Kaieteur and Canje blocks, also operated by Exxon, will be subjectedtothenewtax.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo recently affirmed that the government has effectively renegotiated all existing agreements except for Stabroek. When the new contracts are finalised, it is expected that the Kaieteur and Canje contracts will beoverhauledandpublished.

How oil companies use Guyana's...

From page 3 and wages including bonuses of the employees of the parties comprising the contractor directly related in petroleum operations, irrespective of the location of such employees.

Additionally, it lists costs regarding holiday, vacation, sickness, and disability payments applicable to the salaries and wages.

It also caters for recouping the cost of established plans for employee's life insurance, hospitalization, pensions, and other benefits or a similar nature “customarilygrantedtoemployees of the parties comprising the contractor

Further, the contract provides that travel and personal expenses of such employees including those made for travel and relocation of the expatriate employees is also recoverable, in addition to the transportationofemployees.

These among other provisions provided in the contract, cumulatively serve to allow the oil companies to use Guyana's oil to robthenationofitsownresources.

school.

It was suggested during the meeting that the school was looking to subsidise any shortfalls in the payments being asked for to be met by Guyanese parents with theirchildrenatthatschool.

At this stage in the meeting, at least one Guyanese parent objected to the proposal calling it insulting and is akin to “spitting in thefacesofthelocalparents.”

Additionally, the nexus was also drawn to what obtains in the domestic private schools in comparison to the affairs developingatGIA.

To this end it was pointed out that, existing domestic private schoolsaremandatedbylawtopay theirtaxesandothercommitments, financial liabilities that are ultimately borne by the parents of the children attending those schools.

Another comparison of note would be the salary scales being paid to the expatriate teachers as against the local teachers, for doing the same job at the same school.

Petroleum Production Licence and the accompanying Development Plan shall be submitted no later than one hundred and twenty (120) days prior to the expiration of the correspondingAppraisalPeriod.”

If not, it states “the Minister may direct that the Petroleum Prospecting Licence shall cease to have effect in respect of the relevantDevelopmentArea…”

These terms provide a clear picture of the government's vision for the exploitation of nonassociated gas. For associated gas, the drafts state that the resource shall be priority used for the purposes related to the operations of production and production enhancement of oil fields, such as gas injection, gas lifting and power generation.

The drafts go on to state that if there is excess gas, the oil companies that own the block will have to furnish the government with a feasibility study to inform the utilization of the excess gas. If the gas is commercial, the companies will have to develop it. If not, the Minister can decide to take the gas free of charge, but he will have to bear the cost of putting in infrastructure to handle and transportit.

If the government opted to applythenewtermstotheStabroek block, ExxonMobil would be required to develop the 17 trillion cubicfeetofgasitdiscoveredthere. But the government has repeatedly refused calls to renegotiate the StabroekBlockProductionSharing Agreement(PSA).

Citing an example, it would be apposite to note that each of the vehicles purchased and used, including drivers, security, fuel and lubricants and other ancillary spending are also being used to shuttle these students to and from school, at the expense of the owners of the resource the Guyanesepeople.

EEPGL and its partners and affiliates are as such, allowed to import into the country duty free—highendluxuryvehicles,all being paid for using the oil producedfromtheStabroekBlock.

It was raised during the meeting and proffered that what is in fact taking place is the further segregation of the country by effectively forcing the students of Guyanese parents, employed on a Guyanese salary scale, out of the

It was noted too that the Guyanese children would have to make their way to schools using primarily the public transportation system—minibuses—or bicycles, while those at GIA, their expenses aremetusingGuyana'soil.

Another contrast of note is pellucid in the construction and state of the GIA facility versus those in the Public system and otherlocalprivateschools.

Apart from 24 hours security, the school for a fully airconditioned building complete with state-of-the-art laboratories and recreation facilities for students and staffers, even automatictapsinthelavatories.

In the coming weeks, Kaieteur News will continue with its series on how oil companies use Guyana's resources to exploit the countryfurther

APNU AND THE REINVENTION OF THE PNCR

The PNCR was an a t t e m p t a t reinventing the partyofForbesBurnham.As partofthatprocess,thelater leaderoftheparty,Desmond Hoyte, cultivated a personality cult and aligned himself and the party with prominent, but by no means representative,personsfrom withintheprivatesector

Thisalignmentwasdone for the purposes of image.

Hoyte knew that after years of depressing economic circumstances, the Guyanese people wanted change, even if a significant number of them were not keen on that change taking theformofthePPP

Hoyte understood the need for change and so he projected himself as that change.

The PNC moved from asking the Guyanese electorate to “light up your lifewithDesmondHoyte”to Hoyteportrayinghimselfas: “Iamthechange.”

In the end he did not manage to hold on to power and his party lost the electionsin1992afterscores ofhissupportersaccustomed to the PNC gaining a majority without popular support, failed to register to vote. Despite this fact, the PNC gained more votes in 1992thanAPNUdidin2011 andmorevotesinpercentage terms in 1992 than APNU did in 2011, effectively parodying the idea that APNU did well in the 2011 elections.

Afterthe1992elections,

Hoyte attempted another reinvention of his party by enteringintoanalliancewith a Reform component of mainly business people and professionals, similar to what the PPPhad done with theCivic.

That alliance eventually wasformallyincorporatedin the party which re-titled itself as the PNC Reform. The REFROM component had pulled off a major victory by catapulting itself into the old PNC structure. Lateritchangedthenameto PNC/R

There were many persons within the leadership of the PNC who were not comfortable with Hoyte surrounding himself with persons who were not traditionally card-bearing members of the PNC. But Hoyte had his own internal problems and needed to createmachinerythatwould be loyal to him. He more or lesswasabletodothis.

Over time however, and especially after his death, many of the business class members who can come on board began to go their separate ways and so the PNCR more or less entered the 2006 elections without a strongciviccomponent.

However,theshowingof the PNCR in those elections had little to do with the weakened Reform and more todowiththeattitudeofthe traditional supporters of the PNCtotheleadershipofthe party and what they perceived as the party’s generalineffectiveness.

Dem Boys Seh...

By the time the 2011 elections came around, the party again saw the need to reinvent itself and it did so under the umbrella of APNU,whichissupposedto be an open partnership but which has failed, like the Reform component did, to attractanygroupingorparty with significant electoral support.

The partnership was in effect seen more as another reinventing of the PNCR. It did create that aura of a different party with the partnership having its own colors Today the green shirts and jerseys, without the logos, are still popping up at demonstrations which indicate that people still identify with the reinvented grouping.

Theconstantreinventing of the former PNC is however bound to undermine the traditional values and beliefs of the former self- professed vanguardparty

How is the present PNCR, different from what existed under Hoyte or for that matter under Burnham? And how can the PNCR avoid undermining its traditionalvaluesandbeliefs when at each election it has toreinventitself.

The PNCR in the run up to the 2011 elections began to embrace an openpartnership concept This concept is a liberaldemocratic concept, can become the new vehicle through which plural interests such as the

Careful with dem wah giving yuh advice

Yuh does meet some people who does behavelikeifdemknowitall.Demknow morethandoctorandlawyer

De mistake yuh could mek is tell dem about some health condition such as yuh pressurehigh.

Rightawaydemdoesstartrecommend allkindofbushfuhyuhdrinkandwahfood yuhmustuse.Demdoesevenmekupsome things wah causing yuh pressure fuh be high.

Langagowasdesamething.Whenyuh tell people yuh gat high blood pressure, demusedtotellyuhhowyuhgatpersonal problemsinyuhlifeanddestressmekkin’ yuhpressurehigh.Somepeopleevenused to tell yuh dat yuh must not go and bathe after yuh done iron your clothes because

yuhcouldgetstroke.Ordon’tbatheassoon asyuhcomeoutdesunbecausedesudden dropintemperaturecangiveyuhastroke. Is nuff ‘know-it-all’people we gat in Guyana.Demgatcurefuheverything.But yet,demdoesbethefirstinlinefuhseethe doctorinthemorning.

And nah mek de mistake about telling demaboutyuhpersonalproblemsathome. Dem gan be quick to recommend a spiritualist fuh help yuh. And de persons gan tek yuh money and yuh problems gan stilldeh.

Socarefulwhen withdempeoplewah pretend dem gat de answer to everything. Ask dem about dem own life and yuh gan seedatdemgatmoreproblemthanyou. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

intelligentsia, civil society groupings, and nongovernmental bodies, all of which have more or less a uniform class outlook can penetrate into the PNCR underanAPNUticket.

Unfortunately, the domineering instincts of the PNCR and the weak electoral third parties that were part of theAPNU, has prevented this from happening.

And that may have unwittingly been to the

PNCR’sbenefit.

Butgivenwhathappened during and after the 2020 general and regional elections, the PNCR will havetoreinventitselfagain.

APNU”s future also looks

limited because the Coalition is fragmenting with the withdrawal of the AFC.

The PNCR is likely to reinventitselfbacktotheold PNCandislikelytopursuea different approach to the 2025elections,knowingthat

it stands little chance of regainingoffice.

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

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

THERE IS TOO MUCH HATE IN THIS COUNTRY

Brother Tacuma Ogunseye spoke terribly recently His venue is a placeheldasabastionofthe fearsome; his choice of words to express pent-up fury, even more fearsome. Immediately, the skies of Guyana sizzled with lightning, turbulence, and thunderousdamnation. The fact that I call him a brother condemns me to pariah status, an abhorred leper ThisistheGuyanaoftoday I must persevere with more determination, strength, some wisdom All are needed nationally If one heartissoftened,one’smind

is opened to be met part of theway,thenthatprogressis cherished.

Brimstone rained upon Tacuma’s head. It would have helped for more of his own coming out and saying that he said wrong Notwithstanding their own outcast, second class status.

Tospeakiswhatthiscountry desperately needs, especiallyagainstone’sown when he or she has crossed Rubicon(s) that unleashes thedreadful.

Similarly, I haven’t heardfromthetribalistsand supremacists who rage rightlyatTacumasayingone

word against the vileness at Woodley Park, or other instances involving their own kind. What’s holding back them? When Tacuma wenttoofar,thewrathswere quick in coming. Some vented with pen in the limited confines of newspapers, many more did not hold back elsewhere. I did not directly hear what was said elsewhere But what came to me is enough to confirm my worst fears: thereistoomuchbottled-up hateinthiscountry Itispast the state of political passions, racial prejudices, and bigotries What is

surfacing as part of our national reaction to Mr Ogunseye’s descent was pure hate in the most unrestrained terms. When all the people in a huge section of our divided demographic are made into theessenceofevil,thenwhat hope is there for us as a country? Where are the restraining voices, the nursinghands? Iassertthat it may be identical in the hearts of the group being vilified, since there is reflexive beholding of those standing as similarly hated enemies.

What I am absorbing

(writing again) is that the raw hatreds are bigger than Burnham time, deeper than 28 years, sharper than December 2018 (plus14 months later), and grimmer than the 5 months following March 2022. Igrapplealsowiththe President’s ‘One Guyana’ having no traction, no sanction,nosubscription,no accommodation, and no participation.

AND THIS IS FROM HIS OWN PEOPLE. Such istheintensityofthehatein thishard,unyieldingsociety Never forget this: it is on both sides of the divide. Therearenoinnocents.

From the anonymity of telephone, or keyboard, and concealed identities (often openly), the vitriols tumble in torrents before us Guyana is not a country of citizens working towards visions. Rather it is a country of crabs that infest the national body, and transform us into reciprocal tormenting and mauling These are some of the burning embers in the breaststhatfeedthepassions utteredinsuchunmistakable terms following what emerged from Buxton and BrotherOgunseye’slips.

Without any attempt to justifywhatwassaidbyhim, I heard echoes of what plagues the social environment throughout Guyana. For there is the economicsofthiscountryat this time, and the politics held as the height of inequity Distribution Outcome.

Reactions. Uneven and unfair and unacceptable have been said and written, but there is no pausing for thinking of any of that, the direnationalimplicationsof such governing actions. Not inthepiercingmanner,ashe spoke and shared, but in what seeps in little beginnings and builds from low levels that gather and grow? Have we thought about that and to where

continuing on the same governance path leads inevitably? For when there are perceptions of inequity in the sharing of the patrimony,thenthedoorsof hell crumble since all other choiceshavebeenwrenched away No forces can succeedtokeeptightlidson suchforever

My point should be recognized When a substantial segment of a population is made into losers,feellikelosers,leftto contemplatethelotoflosers, then the wisdom (or horror) comes that there is nothing tolose. Desperationreigns. So, why not? Whynottake matterintoone’shands,and live or die with dignity? Whenonemindreachesthat state,andone’smindarrives at that fateful terminal, then how can there not be many more willingly joining in whatisnowbelievedtobea righteous crusade against injustice? Irepeat:aspoorly as he spoke, Tacuma Ogunseye spoke for many, whether agreeable, or denounceable. And when the harrowing oral reactions flowedthehatesthatsaturate Guyana glowed with the frightening. Thereissimply too much hate here, all unmanageable.

I talk about moving towards a little mending. Thiscalltosmallhealingsis acrime,weakness,mischief, a rank provocation now When we commit to the irreconcilable, then our riches impoverish. What means the most is bashing, demonizing, keeping the othermandown. Monstrous hateismostpreferred.

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

Sunday – Mar 12, 2023

abundance of rich food and have to watch foreigners snatching it away

Convenient violation of Sanctity with the help of Bharat Jagdeo and of Contract … others,whilehalfofthispopulation

Jagdeo makes changes to s t a r v i n g , g o i n g t o b e d ExxonMobil’s contracts for hungry...uncle, you and the family Kaieteur and Canje blocks but pinchinghereandpinchingthereto not for Stabroek block eat and make ends meet when the week comes...some of yuh even

When it comes to calls for the havetobegfamiliesandfriendsfuh renegotiationoftheStabroekBlock help out whenever yuh can’t rally Production Sharing Agreement out the week. But, suddenly God (PSA), the Irfaan Ali-led Almighty smile on us and say no administration has maintained that man, ayuh can’t live like this it will not yield from its position to anymore, a sorry for ayuh, I gon preservethelopsideddealduetoits helpayuhout,hemekwefindoilin respectforthesanctityofcontract. abundance, oil that can put ayuh in

The government has also said a really good place, oil money that that going through with can make the world bow down at renegotiation would place the every Guyanese feet and we must country on the precipice of makethebestuseoutofit,”hesaid. economicdevastationsincethereis a rigid stability clause in the forStabroek?

over US$3 billion yet Vice future. Dem only running around Monday – Mar 13, 2023 agreement. That clause insulates

The terms in the Canje and President Bharrat Jagdeo, the lead monkeying themselves about ExxonMobil and its partners from Kaieteurpetroleumagreementscan player in the oil and gas sector, is sugar, rice and fish pond, the Stop approving oil projects any new terms or laws that would be argued to be worse than those in refusing to bail the country out of money,billionsJagdeohasallowed until robust regulatory systems forceittogivetheStatemorefiscal the Stabroek PSA. Like Stabroek, thisposition. and keep on allowing to be are established- Environmental benefits. If the government were to Canje and Kaieteur offer the same This is particularly so as theVP siphoned out from your oil could Activist urges EPAboss impose any new terms, the clause effectivewaiversofalltaxes,witha has not been prioritizing the audits, have already been giving every ...says Exxon allows for Exxon to be duly 75% cost recovery ceiling though he said prior that he was household, not farmer, cane cutter choosing its own standards compensated.

Kaieteur splits profits 50/50, just disappointed in the government’s and fishermen alone, every

Thoughitholdssteadyonbeing like Stabroek. Canje differs, in that inability to find competent household in Guyana, down to the Environmental and human against renegotiation for the its profit split is on a sliding scale auditors. shacks some of our brother and rights activist, Danuta Radzik, has Stabroek Block, recent statements from 50% to 60% based on the Back in 2021, Jagdeo told sisters living in could have been urged the Environmental by Vice President Dr Bharrat levels of oil production. While reportersatapressconference,“We collecting no less than $2 million a Protection Agency (EPA) to hold Jagdeo on how the administration Stabroek has a 2% royalty rate on have been very disappointed that monthnot$1million.” off on granting Environmental intends to deal with the Exxon petroleum produced and sold, we have not been able to select a Lall argued that the projects PermitstoExxonMobilformoreoil operated Kaieteur and Canje CanjeandKaieteurchargeonly1% group to do the audit of the post have doubled up on cost, as the projects until the requisite systems blocks leaves one to wonder if the royalty 2017 expenditure by Exxon. The administration has failed to are put in place to adequately ‘sanctity of contract’ position is a In the new model PSA, reason is we did not have a strong scrutinizethebillsitreceivedonthe monitorandregulatetheindustry convenientexcuse. government has proposed 10% local content, so we had two local firsttwoprojects. Radzik in a 16-page Jagdeo recently stated that royalty, a 65% cost recovery groups that came in but they were ”ExxonMobil see you nah submission, addressed to the Exxon’s Kaieteur and Canje blocks ceiling, a 50/50 profit share, and a notstrongenough.” check Liza 1 and 2 and double the Executive Director of the EPA, will have to subscribe to the new 10% corporate tax. The contract is He continued that, “We want to thirdone(Payara).Themanseeyou Kemraj Parsram on the model fiscal terms if discoveries supposed to be in a consultation build the capacity in Guyana to do nah check the third one either, wha Environmental Impact Assessment are made there Those terms phase,andshouldbereleasedtothe thisaudit.Wethinkourpeoplehave youthinkhedowiththefourthone? (EIA) submitted by Exxon for the includethepaymentofa10percent publicinitsentiretysoon. enormous forensic skills and Dah one move from 9 to 12 and a fifth oil project, Uaru, said the royalty What is critical for readers auditing skills and we are looking half billion USD ExxonMobil document submitted by the oil to note is that the Canje and Nation starving as to see if we can’t have an don’t want to look too greedy, so company’s Consultant, Acorn Kaieteur block contracts both have Govt. refuses to audit Exxon arrangement where we have a dem ain’t double the fourth one, International, exposes the lack of thesameoppressivestabilityclause bills - Glenn Lall consortium of local people come dem only increase by a third,” the an established regulatory andotherlopsidedterms. together to do part of this work businessmanreasoned. mechanism in Guyana, particularly

Also, just as with Stabroek, the Newspaper Publisher and partnering with a foreign company In this regard, Lall argued that as it relates to waste materials and Canje and Kaieteur block contracts Radio Host, Mr Glenn Lall during so we can build capacity right here rather than answer straightforward chemicals associated with offshore restrict the government from hismostrecentprogrammeairedon in Guyana.” Jagdeo also noted that questions,Jagdeohasbeenducking productionactivities. bringing Exxon to the negotiation Kaieteur Radio, Friday evening, hehadaskedoneoftheMinistersto and dodging the issues and Radzik in her letter to the EPA, table. Only Exxon is permitted said Government’s refusal to assemble the auditing teams in referring them to officials such as datedMarch8,2023pointsoutthat under the agreement to bring the conduct timely audits of the bills Guyana who are interested, to Natural Resources Minister, after more than three years of government to the table, to seek handed to the country by oil giant partner with a foreign company, to Vickram Bharrat and Executive operation at the Liza One project renegotiated provisions If the ExxonMobil has rendered the conduct the reviews on behalf of Director of the Environmental and almost eight years after the government unilaterally amends nationstarvingashalfoftheUS$30 thecountry Protection Agency (EPA), Kemraj discovery of hydrocarbons in the terms of the contracts in a billion expenditure could be Meanwhile, at the sidelines of Parsramamongothers. commercialquantities,thenationis mannerthatincreasestheeconomic inflated. his press conference hosted on The newspaper Publisher said, yet to implement laws to hold burdens of the contractor, it would Lall was moved to tears during March 3, this newspaper asked the “If what is happening in this petroleum companies accountable have to repay whatever they have the broadcast as he told listeners of VP when the audits of Payara and countryatpresentdoesn’tcometoa fortheiractions. lost.

The Glenn Lall Show that Liza Yellowtail will be conducted to full stop now, Guyana is She said, “Guyana as a country

If the matter were to be brought One, Liza Two, Payara and which he responded, “Which doomed...you wouldn’t be able to has failed to pass legislation and to Court, just as with Stabroek, Yellowtail, the four sanctioned PayaraandYellowtail?From2020? bear the suffering that’s in the adequate regulations for standards Exxon and all its partners would projects in the Stabroek Block Idon’tknow.AskVick.Youcanput pipeline.” He said he is still in to which oil and gas companies can recover the costs of their top notch totals US$30 billion. He said, “I thatandsayIdon’tknow.”

shock from the response Jagdeo beheldlegallyaccountable,hasnot law firms from cost oil, ultimately believe half of that which is US$15 Already, the two-year timeline gave on the audits of Payara and developed independent ability to reducing profit oil revenues to billion, does not belong to in which the government must Yellowtail, since the money saved monitor and ensure safe practices, Guyana. Guyana’soilprojects.” conduct the audit of the Payara during this process could wipe and has failed to produce verifiable

So, what will stop Exxon from The businessman pointed out development has expired, povertyfromGuyana. monitoring information that can be rejecting the new terms, just as the that US$15B equates to five years meanwhile the allotted time for the ”Aunty, the most hurtful pain usedformoreaccurateandrelevant governmentclaimsitcoulddowith ofthecountry’snationalbudgetand Yellowtailprojectisclosingin. any parent can bear or feel is when EIAstudiessinceLizaOne.” the Stabroek PSA? An equally could have been more than enough To this end, Lall said, “Uncle, they can’t afford to feed their Radzik is adamant that Exxon’s important question is how is the to pave a highway from Guyana to don’t believe or think what is children a proper meal or have to Uaru EIA “supports the case that government able to violate the China and the United States. He happening is stupidity No it’s not, send them to bed hungry What is the EPA should stop processing sanctityofcontractprincipleforthe also highlighted that Guyana it’s schemes, international conning evenmorepainfuluncle,istoknow permitsforoffshoreoilandgas Kaieteur and Canje blocks but not currently has a public debt of just going on in this land with y’all that we were blessed with an (Continued on page 15)

Mr. Glenn Lall during his radio programme

From page 14 consultation process that was Corporation’s Chief Executive production, until Guyana as a voluntarily organized with EPA’s Officer (CEO), John Hess at a country has both the legal and support and the EIAstudy in many recent energy conference technical capacity in place to cases failed to gather and present While there, Hess was manage impacts and regulate the information relevant for an reminded that the Stabroek industry.” adequateassessmentofimpacts. Block partners originally

The activist cautioned that in Danuta Radzik has worked for intended to have 10 ships to theabsenceofGuyana’scapacityto over 30 years on gender justice, produceandstorethe11billion regulate the sector, oil companies prevention, protection and barrels of oil equivalent enjoy the role of both operator and response to gender based violence, resources for sale. With a line regulator,withawidediscretionfor Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and of sight for six projects, this voluntary industry standards that laws and policies on Gender Based only accounts for 4.9 billion do not often adhere to the stringent Violence. She also plays a role in barrels of oil equivalent protection standards in Non-Governmental Organizations resources. It therefore leaves internationalguidelines. in the area of counselling, 6.1 billion barrels of resources

For instance, Radzik noted, advocacy, project coordination, to be used by the remaining “The global standard for the oil in education, monitoring and fourshipsenvisioned. produced water discharges is a evaluation in migrant and TIP Even if the partners pursue daily maximum of 30 ml whereas issues. the construction of four ExxonMobil is being permitted a Additionally, she is active in massivevesselstoeachofftake maximum of 42ml, while best networks of civil society 1.5 billion barrels of oil each, practice and technology organizations on advocacy and that still leaves for recommend that these be at zero action against women, gender and consideration, the 10 levels. The produced water should child abuse, including child sexual discoveries made by Exxon be reinjected into appropriate abuse and LGBTIQ, disability and anditspartnerslastyear Those reservoirs and wells according migrantdiscrimination. finds have not been defined OSPAR, IFC World Bank and New oil policies yet.Industrystakeholdershave InternationalAssociationofOiland In January this year, Kaieteur assumed that these discoveries Gas (IOGP), and the European News reported that the Ministry of holdoveronebillionbarrelsof Commission on Best Available Natural Resources will be pursuing oil. This alone will require a Techniques (BAT) on Upstream a suite of activities for 2023, all in separatevesselortwo. Hydrocarbon Exploration and an effort to ensure better Additionally, ExxonMobil Production.” management of Guyana’s oil h a s a p p r o a c h e d t h e

The environmentalist has resources. According to Natural Environmental Protection Upstream Legal Requirements for f u t u r e o f f s h o r e w i n d requested that the Environmental Resources Minister, Vickram Agency (EPA) to advance a 35 Petroleum and a Model Production development,” Scalise said. “This Assessment Board (EAB) convene Bharrat, some of these works will multi-well programme in the SharingAgreement. will give Louisiana millions more a public hearing on the Uaru EIA, include the implementation of an Stabroek Block. This campaign to restore our coast and provide which she said has been reportedly Upstream Oil and Gas Policy and could no doubt unlock more U.S House Committee advances stronger flood protection for our submitted without Exxon’s Strategy resources which may need their legislation to increase federal communities.” signature, meaning no proof that This document is premised on a own vessels for storage and offshore royalties to 50% The Budgeting for Renewable t h e c o m p a n y a c c e p t e d broad objective of attracting and productiontoo.

Electrical Energy Zone Earnings responsibilityforthestudy securing investments in upstream Hessattheconferencewaskeen

Last Thursday, a U.S House Act, called BREEZE, would explorationactivity,andeffectively tonotethatthepartnersdoenvision Committee advanced legislation increase royalty payments to outlining how the industry is to be there will be a need for more ships that would increase the federal Louisiana and other producing regulated to ensure sustainable as the resource grows. That aside, offshore royalties that Louisiana states from 37.5% to 50% of the economicdevelopment. he said they are moving along with and other oil-and gas-producing takeandremovethecapthatlimited

Meanwhile, the Ministry in its accelerated production targets for statesreceive. the amount of total money going Energy Brief, issued to the press theLizaDestinyandtheLizaUnity NOLA (New Orleans, Los from the federal treasury to the last month explained that the vessels which are producing in the Angeles)newsagencyreportedthat states.

Petroleum (Production) Act range of 400,000 barrels of oil per the move by the House Committee

The BREEZE wording was Petroleum (Exploration and day(bps). was done for the first time in a inserted into the sweeping Production, E&P) Act was listed Both ships are also operating decade. Transparency, Accountability, among four legislations that were beyond their nameplate capacity “The revenue-sharing increase Permitting, and Production of identified for review and Liza Destiny’s nameplate capacity that Louisiana has been seeking American Resources Act, or the enhancement. is 120,000 bpd but is now in the since 2006 will be part of the bill TAPPAct,whichclearedtheHouse It was stated that the 150,000 bpd range while Liza that is the No. 1 priority for the Natural Resources Committee on a Government seeks to modernise its Unity is producing just above its Housethisterm:TheLowerEnergy party-line 24-19 vote. The TAPP legal and regulatory framework as 220,000 bpd range The third Cost Act, sponsored by House Act, H.R. 1335, is the largest of the it relates to the petroleum sector to producingvessel,Prosperity,which Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R- energy-related bills advancing that address issues such as oil revenue will operate at the Payara field has Jefferson,”NOLAreported. address promises Republicans management,licensing,Production lefttheshipyardandisonitswayto “I will be introducing our H.R. made during the November Sharing Agreement models, local Guyana.Itwouldbehookedupand 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, to midterms to increase oil and gas content, and Health, Safety, producing 220,000 bpd by the third cut red tape and increase energy production.Allthosebillsarebeing Environmental and Security quarter production here at home to lower mergedintoH.R.1. (HSES)management. Hess also said that the partners’ energy costs and stop our reliance

According to the ministry’s Yellowtail Project is ahead of on hostile foreign dictators for our Tuesday – Mar 14, 2023 brief, the result would be schedule in terms of construction energy and minerals,” Scalise said ShetoldParsraminhermissive, maximising the economic benefits works and is on stream for start-up onThursday With current speed of “As you are aware, the only to the country, improve in 2025. The CEO also noted that T h e n e w b i l l i s a n discoveries, Guyana meetings held on this EIA were management of the technical, the company has two other projects amalgamation of a dozen or so will need more than 10 ships organized and controlled by the environmental, social and financial in the pipeline, Uaru and Whiptail, energy-related measures that were to take off resources company, whose interest is to risks linked to the sector and the former of which is awaiting heard and advanced out of House - Hess Corporation Head promote the project. Relevant and building capacity to engage governmentapproval. committees on Thursday H.R. 1 critical questions asked at those effectivelywithinvestors.

“As we do more appraisal, we will likely receive a vote by the full Given the current speed with sessions did not meet with The other legislations to be will be able to define the seventh Housebytheendofthemonth. which ExxonMobil Corporation is

tory answers The reviewed and enhanced include the ship which can be underpinned by “This bill also includes the making discoveries offshore Environmental ProtectionAct does Guyana Geology and Mines our new discoveries or the BREEZEAct that will increase the Guyana,theoilgiantmayverywell not foresee that a company would Commission Act, the Mining Act Fangtooth-discovery. revenue our state receives from oil need more than 10 floating, beinterferinginthepublic’s60-day and the Environmental Protection

As we drill more next year and and gas exploration and production production, storage and offloading comment process on EIAs afforded Act Occupational Safety and thisyear,wewillhavemore in the Gulf and create the (FPSO)tooff-taketheresources. undertheAct.” HealthAct.Alsomentionedwasthe

(Continued on page 16) frameworktoreceiverevenuefrom This was revealed by Hess Radzik noted that Exxon’s

John Hess, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Hess Corporation

From page 15 EPAdisregards calls for world occurred in the USA liabilities.” definitionforeight,nineand Exxon’s guarantee on oil andinvolvedquantitiesofoil

To this end, the EPA 10th ships and we will see spill insurance and gas similar that being reiterated that this “work is whereitgoesfromthere,”he …says enough protection produced and stored o n g o i n g a n d w h e n concluded. already in place, working presently in the Stabroek

completed,thepublicwillbe Guyana’s Stabroek to get other assurances block. dulyupdated.” Block is 6.6 million acres

Back in April 2010, a

Only recently when the (26,800 square kilometers). Severalmillionbarrelsof well blowout in the Gulf of matter of full coverage ExxonMobil affiliate Esso crude oil is produced and Mexico led to just over 3 insurance was raised by the Exploration and Production transported daily across the million barrels of oil and gas media with Vice President Guyana Limited is the world and with it, inherently being leaked into the ocean Bharrat Jagdeo with regards operator and holds 45% bringstheriskofanoilspill. uptotheDeepwaterHorizon

the ExxonMobil Guyana led interestintheBlock. Such occurrences have Exploration Rig which operations in the Stabroek

H e s s G u y a n a over the years not only caused that too to explode B l o c k h e d e f e r r e d Exploration Ltd. holds 30% damaged eco-systems but and subsequently sank responsibilitytotheEPA.He interest, and CNOOC their containment, clean up killing 11 members of the told members of the media Petroleum Guyana Limited and restoration of the crew That incident saw the that the EPA had been holds25%interest. environment has also cost hydrocarbons being leaked d i r e c t e d b y t h e

The partners are also parties billions upon billions foralmostthreemonths—87 administration to get engaged in discussions to ofUSDollars. days to be precise—and has ExxonMobil Guyana, along relinquish 20 percent of the One of the most to date, cost that operator British Petroleum was industry, and indeed it is.” In w i t h H e s s acreageby2024. expensive oil spills in the someUS$70Btocleanup. the oil company responsible. fact, the EPA claims that a Corporation—both based in These, among other reasons precursory search of the United States ofAmerica have led to a growing call by “financial assurance for oil (USA) and CNOOC, to Guyanese and international spills”willshowthatthisisa provide a written guarantee experts for the country to get commonly accepted form of for ‘Full Coverage in place adequate full assurance.Itwasadamant“it Insurance’ for its operations coverage insurance, is unheard of to this day, to locally guaranteed by the parent reasonablyrequireunlimited This, in the event of an companies of the oil coverageinsurance.” oil spill in the Stabroek companies operating in the The state environmental Block, would see the US and StabroekBlock. regulator said insurers are in Chinese based parent

With this in mind, the fact disinclined and have companies for the local Environmental Protection never provided this level of subsidiaries, picking up the Agency (EPA), over the coverage Additionally, tab, should they be unable to weekend in response to the “clarification sought from cover the expenses for calls, essentially dismissed localinsurerswouldconfirm containment and clean-up of securing such a commitment that there is nothing like an oil spill in Guyana. The from the parent companies unlimited or full cover state of affairs obtains, since for the oil companies insurance where liability is Guyana has a Production working in Guyana to concerned because one Sharing Agreement (PSA), provide such form of cannot put an exact number commonly referred to as the insurance, calling such an tofuture/potentialclaims.” ‘Oil Contract,’ not with the arrangementunheardof.The In fact, the EPA issued a US or Chinese based parent EPA in a public missive challenge in that “if there is companies but with conceded that the first any insurer that provides or subsidiaries owned by them Development in the there are examples of and incorporated in Stabroek Block at the Liza I unlimited Insurance or a Barbados, the Bahamas and Field was in fact granted Guarantee already given, the theCaymanIslands. permission with the criteria EPAis open to receiving this In 2016, the Government ofrelyingonself-insurance. information towards of Guyana inked that

That Permit by the EPA informing its current arrangement with Esso paved the way for first oil in negotiations.” Exploration and Production December 2019 by the Esso Compounding the G u y a n a L i m i t e d Exploration and Production situation further, the EPA (EEPGL) ExxonMobil G u y a n a L i m i t e d now claims that protection Guyana which is a (EEPGL) ExxonMobil againstanoilspill,outsideof subsidiary of the US based Guyana—and their partners, a d e q u a t e i n s u r a n c e Companybutisincorporated Hess Guyana Exploration coverage,doesexistandsaid in the Bahamas and holds a Corporation, a subsidiary of “beyond Permit conditions, 45 percent stake in the the US based company, and the Environmental Stabroek Block. As such, incorporated in the Cayman Protection Act which Guyana as a new oil Islands and holds a 30 address the liability of producer in the world, in just percent stake, along with Permit Holders and ensure a few years has moved from CNOOC Petroleum Guyana that environmental damage discovery to producing in Limited, incorporated in will not go unpunished or excess of 350,000 barrels of Barbados and holds the unremedied, through the oildailybuttheExxonMobil remaining 25 percent vicarious liability principle, led consortium operating in interest. a Parent Company can be the Stabroek Block of the

EEPGL is the operator held liable for unfulfilled country’s Exclusive with 45 percent holdings in obligations (default) of its Economic Zone, is doing so the operation. Responding Subsidiary.” without a full and directly to the calls for Additionally, the EPA comprehensive insurance insurance in case of an oil sought to also assure the package, guaranteed by the spill, the EPA in its missive publicthatithasnotandwill parent company of those said what was approved not shy away from subsidiaries.

under the Liza I project, “it examining and identifying The call, has in recent was understood that this appropriate and other years become even more form of FinancialAssurance effective forms of Financial pronounced, given the was customarily used in the Assurance for oil spill and quantumofliquidassetsheld international petroleum other environmen

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Manstabbedtodeathbygirlfriend -After slapping her while she slept

An Alberttown, Georgetown man was on Saturdaystabbedtodeathby hiscommon-lawwife.

The dead man has been identifiedasEsanHamilton, a father of three, who resided at Fourth Street Albertown,Georgetown.

According to reports Hamilton had reportedly dealtthewomanaslapwhile she was asleep causing a domesticdispute.

Meanwhile, police sources have confirmed the stabbing to Kaieteur News and related that it is being treatedasamurdercase.

The suspect is presently in police custody assisting withinvestigations.

Esan Hamilton

PPP deliberately hiding

ExxonMobil audit reports

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), David Patterson believes the People's Progressive Party (PPP) administration is deliberately hiding the findings of the audits conducted into the expenses ofoilmajor,ExxonMobil.

Patterson, who functions as the Shadow Natural Resources Minister, reminded that more than seven years have elapsed since the petroleum giant submitted the exploration billstoGuyana.

In September 2019, theA Partnership for National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) regime had awarded a contract to a UK firm called, 'IHS Markit' to

audit US$460M which ExxonMobil said it spent prior to 2015 for exploration worksoffshoreGuyana.

Last month, subject Minister, Vickram Bharrat,

report, yet it cannot be presented to the Guyanese citizens.

“The government does not want the report issued publicly, since it will highlight ExxonMobil's billing practices and the government's very supportive handling of the sector,” David Patterson, MP.

said the audit report was still beingfinalized.

Patterson argued that three years have passed since the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the audit firm completed their

Hesaiditisclearthat“the government does not want the report issued publicly, s ince it will highlight ExxonMobil's billing p r a c t i c e s a n d t h e g o v e r n m e n t ' s v e r y supportive handling of the sector.”

He explained that the audit report would confirm the costs Exxon are claiming to be recoverable and would lay fears aside of possible inflatednumbers.

Attorney-at-Law and Chartered Accountant, ChristopherRamin2020told this publication that Guyana is being cheated by Exxon on thepre-contractcosts.During his appearance on the Kaieteur Radio programme, 'The Glenn Lall Show: Tell It as It Is', Ram told listeners that, “Their (Exxon) own figuressuggestthattheyhave overcharged Guyana,” Ram said, “and they have never responded to the open accusationthatIhavemade.”

The accusation that the

attorneyreferstoishischarge that Exxon's claim of US$460M pre-contract costs is overstated by at least US$92M. Ram's calculation found that all figures supplied by the companies, even when one allows for all expenses and expenditures, amount to a far cry from the US$460,237,918 that Exxon and its partners, Hess and CNOOCNexenareclaiming. Even then, Ram says that his assessmentwasgenerous.He had said that it is overstated by “at least” US$92M, becausenotallexpenditureis recoverable as pre-contract costs.

To this end, Patterson at a recent press conference told the media, “I do believe that where there is smoke there is always fire. I do believe that theaudits,thefirstonethe

Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, David Patterson

The Waterfalls Waterfalls

Exploring the splendors of Guyana through the lens of Kevin Somwaru

The talented & passionate, Kevin Somwaru

From left: Melinda Janki, Alison McLeod, KC, Lord Carnwath, Shyam Divan following their plenary session on 7th March

Priya Singh

Meet this week’s beauty, the captivating Priya Singh. This 21-year-old enjoys cooking, modeling, and playing volley ball. She resides on the Soesdyke Linden Highway and is a part-time promotional model. Her favourite quote is, “Life is too short; breathe let go, and forgive.”

Here’sWhattheLinesonaSoloCupAreActuallyFor

(Reader’s Digest) You while the line closest to the c a n u s e S o l o c u p rim of the cup measures 12 measurements for more than ouncesforbeer beer,wine,andliquor A l l o f t h e s e

Take a second to look at measurementscorrelatewith the plastic cups stashed in standard pours for each of your cabinets for a future these adult beverages, so it backyardparty You’llnotice makessensetoassumethat’s several lines on each 16 oz. what they were designed for cup. The lines on Solo cups H o w e v e r, S o l o h a s (and other plastic cups) have debunked this common apurpose,butitmightnotbe myth! for the first thing that comes What Solo cup lines tomind. REALLY mean

What everyone thinks Solo shares that alcohol

Solo cup measurements measurements were not an are for intentional design element

Inspiredbyviralpostson when it comes to the widely Facebook, people use the used plastic cup. Instead, the lines on plastic cups for company recommends other pouring drinks. The bottom- common uses for Solo cup most line, measuring 1 measurements, like ounce, is thought to be for mouthwash, cereal, and the pouring liquor Moving up, recommended amount of the next line, measuring 5 water we need to drink each ounces,iscommonlyusedas day

component is surprisingly measurements, Solo also to use the lines in the plastic chocolate syrup, and Shirley a measurement for wine, While the alcohol accurate in terms of offers fun, kid-friendly ways drink ware think juice, Temples.

CAN POLITICAL PARTIES AGREE A SOCIAL CONTRACT FOR NATIONAL PROGRESS?

BySirRonaldSanders

(The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely hisown)

A u t h o r i t a t i v e internationalbodies–among them, the respected Institute forDemocracyandElectoral Assistance (IDEA) – have concluded that “democracy is under both literal and figurativeassaultaroundthe world.” The countries of theCaribbeanhavenotbeen exempted from this judgementwhichisbasedon more than a decade of studies.

IntheAmericas(Canada and US, Central and South AmericaandtheCaribbean), there has been a rise in undemocraticgovernanceas inHaitiandNicaragua–both ofwhichareteeteringonthe brinkofdisaster

In other countries in Latin America, there have beensetbacks,particularlyin Peru Established democracies have also experienced decline. These were particularly severe in Brazil and the US, where current administrations are battling to overcome the legacies of the previous administrations.

Againstthisbackground, indications, from the governing and opposition representativesintheelected national assembly of Antigua and Barbuda, that the fundamental principles of democracy remain strong and respected, are welcomed.

On January 18, general elections, which were judgedtobefreeandfairby several international observer groups, were held in Antigua and Barbuda. There was a vigorous campaignthatresultedinthe ruling Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP) slidingfroma15-2majority intheNationalAssemblytoa one-seatmajority

The ABLP won 9 of the 17 parliamentary seats; the main opposition party, the United Progressive Party (UPP) won 6 seats; the separatist Barbuda Peoples’ Movement won 1; and for the first time in Antigua’s history, an independent candidate,whowasaformer member of the ABLP, was elected.

Theforcefulnatureofthe election campaign and the resultantoneseatmajorityin the National Assembly, led t o t h e v i e w b y commentators, in and out of Antigua and Barbuda, that the stage had been set for a possible disruption of the democratic process, includingcivildisorder

However, any such expectation was dispelled whentheNationalAssembly convened from March 9 to 14 to debate the national budget that the Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister, Gaston Browne, presented onMarch2.

T h e e l e c t e d representatives of the UPP, whilefiveofthemwerenew, put forward their arguments firmly, but with respect for parliamentaryrules.

For their part, the government representatives, especially the young, lone woman elected member, MariaBrowne,laidouttheir detailedplansandresponded in a mature manner to the heckling of the opposition representatives.

Theresultwasapellucid articulation of the differences on how issues should be addressed; proposals on areas that require priority attention; and evidence that the NationalAssemblywillbea forumforforcefuldebateon thepoliciesandprogrammes that the governing party intends to pursue These circumstances are good for democracy in Antigua and Barbuda at a time when global challenges are impacting every country in the world, calling for an inclusionary approach to governance.

The political campaign, for general elections in Antigua and Barbuda, was held amid global political and economic instability, including the escalation of prices for food and energy, increasing inflation, high interest rates for borrowing, and decreased access to financing.

These phenomena occurred–andarepersisting – alongside enduring effects of climate change, attempts to recover from the economic impact of the Covid-19pandemic,andthe continuing global uncertainty caused by the Russian war of aggression onUkraine.

inclusionary decisionmaking, in any country, could result in protests and otheractsofcivilstrife.

I n A n t i g u a a n d Barbuda’s case, the country is benefitting from a continuous growth of the economy (8.5 per cent in 2022, and a projected 9.4 percentfor2023);increasing employment;andsignificant private sector investment in tourism, construction and physicalinfrastructure,hefty outlaysbythegovernmentin healthandeducation,andan abiding respect for democracy, including freedom of speech, free and fair elections, and a strict separation of powers betweenthegovernment,the legislatureandthecourts.

But while sound economic performance and respect for democratic principles and values have contributed to stability in Antigua and Barbuda, in many countries around the globe,“theabilitytoprovide key public goods to their citizens and to close the gap between social expectations a n d i n s t i t u t i o n a l performance is increasingly at risk”, as IDEApoints out in its 2022 report on democracyintheworld.

The world is at a critical crossroad.Giventhecurrent global uncertainties, which includeapossiblerecession, governments in democratic countries are under pressure to deliver the goods and servicestheirpeopleexpect.

Unlike authoritarian regimes, which are backed by military might to enforce their will, governments in democratic states have to form a new social contract with their populations, i n c l u d i n g t h e i r representative bodies in everysector

Any who choose an authoritarianpath,havetobe conscious that, in countries where authoritarian regimes rule, there has been an exodus of talented and trained persons, economic decline, and a high dependence on the military to repress dissatisfied people.

Authoritarianism, therefore,oughtnottobean option for any nation that wantspeacefulprogress.

As part of a social contract to preserve democracy as a platform for progress of the individual, thesocietyandtheeconomy, internationalbodiesstrongly suggest that governments, political parties, private sector, civil society, media, expert groups, and

academics have a role to play

The hardest part of all this is how to encourage political parties to regard constructive participation in a national dialogue as an acknowledgment of their roles as representatives of the people, rather than as agencies for discrediting each other Yet, it is in c o n s t r u c t i v e a n d inclusionary dialogue that national plans for peace, progress and prosperity can be best fashioned

U n r e a s o n e d

division and

brinksmanship to

promote party political advantage

is a certain prescription for national failure and

the erosion of democracy

Hopefully, political parties throughout the Americas, including the Caribbean, can agree to fashion with other partners in civil society, a relevant social contract for national

progress that can carry countries successfully through the present global turmoilandbeyond.

Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s : www.sirronaldsanders.com

Sir Ronald Sanders

Here’s WhyYawning Is Contagious

(Reader’s Digest) Just

air to cool a bigger brain. yawn as well because you’re one person doing it sets Yawning also compresses in the same environment, everyone off. But why is the muscles of the face and exposed to the same yawning contagious? Turns drives oxygen-rich blood up temperature and stimuli (or out, humans aren’t the only to the brain. When your cat lack thereof). As social animalswithacaseofthebig or dog yawns, they’ll often animals, we are inclined to yawns. do a big stretch at the same mimic others’ actions if we

The big yawn time Yawning alone think they will also benefit

Teachers might have told stretches some of your facial us, or to create social bonds. youofffordoingit,andyour muscles, and adding a big There are other behaviors parents used it to try to get stretch of your own wakes that fall into this category you to go to bed earlier It’s your body and brain up too, like laughing or rudetodoitinameeting,and through movement and scratching. It all comes from seeing someone else doing it compression of your tissues our ancient brainstem! (even if they cover their andmuscles. Another study even showed mouth) can set you off too.

Why is yawning that students with more

Yes, we’re talking about contagious? empathy were more likely to yawning, which is pretty

It’s a scientifically yawn after seeing another much only cute when your proven fact that yawning is person yawn, although that pet does it. But what is the contagious, and there are doesn’t necessarily mean point of it, and why is several reasons why The that you’re non-empathetic yawning contagious? There first is simply tiredness. If ifyoudon’tcatchayawntoo are various theories, sharkscanyawn,andthey’re Previous studies on yawn when they’re tired or you’re not getting enough e a s i l y Ya w n i n g i s includingthatayawnisjusta probably asking “why is humans have shown that bored,andtheythinkthatit’s sleep on the regular, and you contagious, but you could deep breath that helps you yawning contagious?” too. yawninghappenslessduring because their brains are can’t stop yourself from justbewell-rested! bring in more oxygen Althoughit’sassociatedwith t h e w i n t e r , w h e n slowing down due to fatigue yawning at regular intervals, Still, if you’re stuck in a Although there are many feeling sleepy, yawning temperatures are cooler A or lack of stimulation; when it might be time to check out yawnfestandyoucan’tseem explanations of little things doesn’t only happen when nice long yawn brings in air, your brain stops firing, its a guide to deeper sleep. The to stop, try breathing deeply you’ve always wondered wefeeltired.Scientiststhink which your body can use to temperature drops. Animals second has to do with through your nose for a few about,thetruthisthatthereis that the reason we animals cool or stabilize your brain with bigger brains tend to mirrored behavior Seeing minutes. That should wake no scientific consensus on yawn has a lot to do with our temperature. Scientists have yawn for longer periods of someone else yawn in a you up and help you stop whyweyawn. brain temperature. Because observed that people tend to time, perhaps taking in more boringlecturetriggersyouto crackingthatjaw

Why do humans yawn?

most members of the animal

Yawning is a primitive kingdom share a similar reflex. Most animals yawn, brainstem, humans are as and humans are no likely to yawn as Komodo exception. Birds, reptiles, dragons, yellow-rumped mammals, and even some warblers,oraherdofmoose.

Linden woman authors two books on healing

By Vanessa Braithwaite Moore

Jenel McKinnon, a 36-year-old woman

who hails from the mining town of Linden, has made her contribution to educating women on healing and empowerment by authoring and publishing two books, entitled, ‘Breakout the Box’ and ‘Project Reject’. She is also the founder of ‘Beauty for Ashes Media Ministry’ and the ‘Faith Prophetic Dance Academy’ McKinnon, a former student of the MackenzieHighSchooland the University of Guyana, is

For gender equality to be say she is walking in her very passionate about achieved we must ensure purpose and is headed to her womenempowermentandis women and girls have equal destiny on a mission to ensure more access to education and She expressed that her women are on the journey to create clear pathways to key to her accomplishments independence by educating inclusive workplaces for is consistency “On the days themselves and being women. “In my sphere of when all is flourishing, be financiallyindependent. influence, I’ve come to the consistent, on the days when

Through her books and conclusion that my the storm is raging, be advocacy initiatives, she has relevancy matters. When it consistent. When you hit made tremendous strides in comes to navigating as it is your sale targets, be the local fight for gender often said, a ‘’man’s world”, consistent and when no one equality I have found, that showing buys,stayconsistent.” She has highlighted the up in my authenticity and Financial freedom as a role bold, transformative being bold, works. Learning woman, is power and adds i d e a s , i n c l u s i v e to be assertive, to the point great value to our society technologies, and education andstickingtomyprinciples When you earn your own play in combatting are roots that even the men coins, you don’t have to discrimination and the can’t deny make for good wholly depend on your mate marginalization of women business. Respect will be or spouse, which in itself is globally “As a child, I was earned as you do your work liberating. very outspoken and bold. in excellence. Being great at “My advice for young From my early years, I loved your soft skills really does women would be to launch the area of the arts and set you apart as a woman in out now, stop waiting for the literature. My father was the world This is what perfect conditions to follow convinced very early on that makesusunique.” your dreams of being an I would become a teacher, As a young woman who entrepreneur, scientist, since I took my teaching job started off pretty confused nurse, chef, whatever you at about 9yrs old, very and wanting to become aspire to become, you have serious teaching my little something new every other to take the first step and sister with a red chair day,shenowcanconfidently start,”sheadvised. cushionandchalk”.

Linden Author, Jenel McKinnon

Guyana’s levels of court supremacy

If you are not aware of the different functions of the various courts in Guyana

or the way they operate, thisarticlecanbeofhelp.

In Guyana, the Judiciary consistsofthreedifferentlevelsof court supremacy There are several jurisdictional Magistrates’ Courts, one High Court in each of thethreecountiesandoneCourtof Appeal.

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

The Magistracy is like the hub of Guyana’s Judiciary There are moreMagistrates’Courtsthanany othercourtinGuyanaandassuch, a large number of criminal cases are disposed of at the Magistracy

By Renay Sambach

$50,000 against someone, the level. matter is heard by a Judge in the

The Magistracy conducts HighCourt. summary criminal matters such

The High Court is also tasked as: assault, simple larceny, defendant to be convicted for the Magistrates also hear some civil Coast. with handling custody and abusive language, robbery under offence. casesandfamilydisputes. During court proceedings in adoption of children, divorce, arms, forgery and also civil All serious offences like Also, Magistrates cannot rule the High Court, a Judge is injunctions, applications for matters. murder, carnal knowledge, rape overseriousoffences,onlyJudges respectfully addressed as “Your probates, and letters of

Working at that level of court and other serious criminal matters can pass judgment for serious Honour” while the Prosecutor, the administration as well as the are Magistrates, who are Judicial commence at the Magistracy offences in the High Court and legal party responsible for passing of transports to land and Officers who administrate the law level. Magistrates cannot impose a presenting the case in a criminal m o r t g a g e s . T o c l a i m in the various districts throughout For those offences, a sentence greater than five years trial against an individual accused compensationforlibel,infringeor thecountry

Magistrates and Magistrates evidenceisproduced.

Preliminary Inquiry (PI) or Paper foranymatter of breaking the law, is addressed injuries received in a car accident, There is the Chief Magistrate, Committal is conducted before it Besides handling the majority as “Sir” or “Miss”. Prosecutors in awritofsummonsmustbefiledin Principal Magistrates, Senior issenttotheHighCourtifenough of criminal matters, the the High Court for criminal cases the Registry of the High Court. It

Magistrate’s Court is where are normally attorney-at-laws is then served by a Court Marshal

According to the law, the Chief For serious offences a persons go to pay or uplift child attached to the Chambers of the on the person the claim is made Magistrate, a Principal defendant is not required to plead support. Director of Public Prosecution against. Magistrate, and a Senior to the charge since it is laid HIGH COURT (DPP),ShalimarAli-Hack,S.C.

According to the ‘The Law Magistrate have the power to indictably In a PI, the evidence in Unlike the Magistrate’s Court, Most proceedings in the High andYou,’itisadvisabletohavean exercise and perform all the thematterispresentedtothecourt Judges in the Supreme Court of Court are held before a single Attorney-at-Law represent you in functions conferred on a and at the end, the Magistrate can Judicature, which is often simply Judge. Both criminal and civil the High Court where rules of magistrate under the Summary eitherruleifthereisinsufficientor called the High Court, are cases are done in the High Court. evidenceandprocedurehavetobe Jurisdiction(Magistrates’)Act. sufficient evidence against the empowered to impose life and After a PI or paper committal is followedstrictly

The Magistrates function by defendantforhim/hertostandtrial deathsentencesincriminaltrials. conducted at the Magistrate’s COURT OFAPPEAL examining facts presented to the in the High Court or if the matter The High Court stands right Court, it commits the defendant to

If you or your attorney is court by the prosecution and willbedischarged. above the Magistrate’s Court and standtrialintheHighCourtforthe unsatisfied with a Magistrate or defence and then applying the Most persons often mistake even though it is called the High offence. Judge’s decision, a notice of relevant laws to reach a final the matter being discharged and Court, the court is not at the top of A unique feature in the High appeal can be filed and the appeal verdictordecision. the matter being dismissed. A the Judiciary with the greatest CourtisthattheJuryisinvolvedin of the matter can be heard in the

At a trial in the Magistrate serious offence, being discharged powerorresponsibility. criminal cases.AJury is a body of HighCourtintheChambersofthe Courts for summarily disposed against someone is not an There is provision for 12 12 persons who were sworn in to FullCourt. matters, the prosecution presents acquittal. It should be noted that judges in the High Court, with the give a verdict on the basis of

However, the final local resort the evidence in the matter to the with a matter being discharged, Chief Justice having the overall evidence submitted to them in is the Guyana Court of Appeal. court and at the end of a trial the charges can be brought again, responsibility There is one High court. These selected civilians are TheAppealCourthasthepowerto Magistrate can either rule if against someone for the same Court in each county, one in expected to be free of prejudice. hear both criminal and civil there’s insufficient evidence or allegedoffence. Georgetown; New Amsterdam, TheJuryistaskedwithreturninga appeals from the High Court, sufficient evidence for the Inadditiontocriminalmatters, Berbice and Suddie, Essequibo verdict,oftentimesafterhoursand somefromtheFullCourtandeven hoursofdeliberation. fromtheMagistrates’Courts.

It should be highlighted

The Court ofAppeal is located however,thatinrealityaJudgehas inKingston,Georgetown. the power to dismiss a serious

Afterfilingforanappeal,there charge, like attempted murder, is a waiting time before the matter rapeormurder actually comes up in court for the

Allcriminalproceedingsinthe appealtobeheard. High Court are brought by the

The Judges in the Appeal DPP TheDPPhasthepowerather Court can either overturn the discretion to either withdraw or Magistrate or the High Court reinstitute a charge. However, if a Judge’s decision or rule that the charge is reinstituted; it will have conviction and sentence was to start over from the Magistracy properlyinstituted. Levelbeforeitiseitherdischarged

When attending all three or sent back before a Judge in the courts, persons must remember to HighCourt. dressdecentandconsiderthestyle Additionally,lawsuitsarealso and colour of clothes when filed in the High Court. If an attendingcourt. individual(companyorinstitution

Thecourtisaseriousplaceand as well) feels he or she has been your style of dress should always victimized and desire to make exhibityourrespectforit. compensatory claims exceeding

The Guyana Court of Appeal

The Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts

This Day in History - Mar. 19

Compiled by Zena Henry

First Academy Awards telecast on NBC

Elvis Presley puts a down payment on Graceland

March19,1957

March19,1953

OnMarch19,1953,forthefirsttime,audiencesareabletositintheir living rooms and watch as the movie world’s most prestigious honors, the Academy Awards, are given out at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Hollywood,California.

Organized in May 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was envisioned as a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of the film industry. The first Academy Awards were handedoutinMay1929,inaceremonyandbanquetheldintheBlossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The level of suspense was non-existent, however, as the winners had already been announced several months earlier For the next 10 years, the Academy gave the namesofthewinnerstothenewspapersforpublicationat11p.m.onthe night of the awards ceremony; this changed, after one paper broke the tacit agreement and published the results in the evening edition, available before the ceremony began. Asealed envelope system began the next year, and endures to this day, making Oscar night Hollywood’s mostanticipatedeventoftheyear

Ratings for the Academy Awards have been notoriously uneven, with larger audiences tending to tune in when box-office hits are nominated for high-profile awards such as Best Picture. When Titanic won big in 1998, for example, the Oscar telecast drew 55 million viewers; the triumph of ‘The Lord of the Rings’: The Return of the King in 2004 drew 44 million. The 80thAcademyAwards ceremony, held in February2008,drewthelowestratingsinthehistoryofthebroadcastup untilthatpoint,withatotalofabout32millionviewers–just18.7percent of America’s homes–tuned in to the telecast. Analysts blamed the relative obscurity of the Best Picture nominees—the winner, ‘No Country For Old Men’, made a relatively puny $64 million at the box office—and the lingering effects of a Hollywood writers’strike for the poorviewerturnout.

Bodies found in Yosemite serial killer case

March19,1999

On March 19,

1 9 9 9 , l a w

enforcement

officialsdiscoverthecharred bodiesofforty-two-year-old, CarolSundandsixteen-yearold, Silvina Pelosso in the trunk of their burned-out rental car, a day after the vehicle was located in a remote area several hours from Yosemite National Park Cary Stayner, a handymanatthelodgewhere the women were last seen a month before, later confessedtotheirmurdersas well as those of two other women.

In the spring of 1957, Elvis Presley was completing his second Hollywood movie, ‘Loving You’, and his first movie soundtrack album. He had two studio albums and48singlesalreadyunderhisbelt and two years of nearly nonstop live appearances behind him. If his life hadtakenadifferentpath,thespring of 1957 might have seen Elvis Presley filling out law school applications or interviewing for his breadwinner in the spring of 1957, mansion on a 13.8-acre wooded first job as college graduation and already looking, at the tender estate. With a $1,000 cash deposit approached. age of 22, to purchase them a new against a sale price of $102,500, But the hardworking son of home for the second time. He found Elvis Presley agreed to purchase the Gladys and Vernon Presley was that home on the outskirts of home called Graceland on March already his family’s primary Memphis a southern Colonial 19,1957.

War in Iraq begins

March19,2003

On March 19, 2003, the United States, along with coalition forces primarily from the United Kingdom, initiates war on Iraq. Just after explosions began to rock Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, U.S. President George W Bush announcedinatelevisedaddress,“Atthishour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from gravedanger.”PresidentBushandhisadvisors builtmuchoftheircaseforwaronthespecious claim that Iraq, under Dictator Saddam Hussein, possessed or was in the process of buildingweaponsofmassdestruction. No weapons of mass destruction were found in Iraq. The U.S. declared an end to the war in Iraq on December 15, 2011; nearly ten yearsafterthefightingbegan.

Nevada legalizes gambling

March19,1953

In 1859, the discovery of the Nevada, has since become the

In an attempt to lift the state out “ComstockLode”ofgoldandsilver gambling and entertainment capital of the hard times of the Great spurred the first substantial number of the world, famous for its casinos, Depression, the Nevada state of settlers into Nevada to exploit the nightclubs, and sporting events. In legislature votes to legalize territory’s mining opportunities the first few decades after the gambling. Located in the Great Five years later, during the Civil legalization of gambling, organized Basin desert, few settlers chose to War, Nevada was hastily made the crime flourished in Las Vegas. live in Nevada after the United 36th state in order to strengthen the Today, state gambling taxes account States acquired the territory at the Union. for the lion’s share of Nevada’s endoftheMexicanWarin1848. Established in 1905, Las Vegas, overalltaxrevenues.

First Academy Awards on TV

Cary Stayner

Elvis Presley’s Graceland

Melinda Janki

receives prestigious rule of law award in India

Guyanese-born international lawyer, Melinda Janki has been conferred with the prestigious

Commonwealth Law Conference Rule of Law Award,fortheyear2023.

Mat, Chief Justice of Turks and Caicos Islands, Justice

Mabel Agyemang, Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Burnet of Malden, former Chief Justice of Northern Ireland., SirDeclanMorgan,PC,KC,

Janki known to be outspoken on issues of climate change, human rights and justice was bestowedwiththe2023Rule of Law award at the closing c e r e m o n y o f t h e

Commonwealth Lawyers

A s s o c i a t i o n 2 0 2 3 ConferenceinGoa,Indiaon 9March,2023.

The Conference which opened on 6th March by Secretary -General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Patricia Scotland, was attended by judges and lawyers from across the Commonwealth.

The dignitaries in attendance included President of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Adrian Saunders, Chief J ti P N

Madam Justice Bubile Shonga of Zambia, Ret’d. Judge, Supreme Court UK, Lord Robert Carnwath, UK

Court Martial Judge

Advocate Alan Large, India

Supreme Court Justice B V Nagarathna, Justice Bobbie Cheema Grubb of England and Justice J A Logan of Australia.

Theawardwaspresented to Janki by President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Dr Peter Maynard, KC and the VicePresident and Secretary of theLexis-NexisRuleofLaw Foundation,NigelRoberts.

In her acceptance speech,thelawyerexpressed g r a t i t u d e t o t h e commonwealth law association. She said she thrilled to receive the great m priest from child e h n

Guyana,educatedinGuyana and England, and growing up in Guyana, England, TrinidadandZambia.

She added, “This prestigious award has alreadymadeadifference.It locates my work in the criticalareaofupholdingthe rule of law and challenging illegality This rule of law award means a great deal to me professionally and personally.Weachievemore whenweworkwithothers.I acknowledge our tiny legal team and our brilliant fearless Senior Counsel, SeenathJairam,”

Jankialsousedtheforum tospeakonthecausessheis passionateabout-theimpact climatechange.

Shesaidemphasizedthat only upholding the rule of lawcandeliverjusticeinthis regard The international lawyer put forward several scenarios to the attendees in herspeech.

Sheasked,“Whatwould you do if you knew that in sevenyears’timethemighty Atlantic Ocean would swamp your capital city, floodyourhome,killallyour trees and flowers...what if youknewthatpeoplewould

lose their property and livelihoods, even their lives?”

Shecontinued,“Suppose youhadwrittenalawwhich said all projects must state their impact on the atmosphere, the climate and the ocean. What if you had persuadedthegovernmentto put the right to a healthy environment put into your constitution?”

“I believe you would do likemeandusethoselaws.I believe you would say governmentandbigoilmust respectthelaw,”Jankiadded

Continuedonpage70

From left: Melinda Janki,Alison McLeod, KC, Lord Carnwath, Shyam Divan following their plenary session on 7th March

From left: Dr. Peter Maynard, KC, President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association, Melinda Janki and Nigel H. Roberts, the Vice-President and Secretary of the Lexis-Nexis Rule of Law Foundation

Valiant&SlingerzFamilyCreate HistoryinGuyanaandGiveBack

On February 25, 2023Valiant performed toasold-outcrowdinGuyanaforthesecond time in less than a month; no doubt a groundbreaking achievement and first time everinthecountry

Guyana turned up for Valiant and Stalk Ashley,whoperformedcourtesyofGuyana’s premiere promotional company, Slingerz Family Entertainment ‘Westside MashramaniWeekend’did not disappoint; it was indeed “a job well done” by all parties involved. Performing to yet another sold out event, Valiant delivered another exceptional liveshow Valiant, the Diplomats team including managers Steco and Chopline are

overwhelmed by the level of support they have received in Guyana thus far To show appreciation, Slingerz Family Entertainment andValiantcreatedanopportunitytoconnect andengagewithlocalfansthatsupportedhim throughouthisrisetostardom;givingbackto the local community was of paramount importance.

Priortohisstar-studdedshow,Valiantand Slingerz Family Entertainment visited many communities across Guyana to include Regent Street, Tiger Bay, Albouystown, StabroekMarketandLeopoldStreet.Valiant took time to show his appreciation through monetarygifts,takingphotos,speakingand Continued on page 52

HOW TO REMOVE AN INGROWN TOENAIL

to help you heal well, and avoidsmoking.

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

Preventing an ingrown nail

Cutting your toenails correctlycanhelppreventan ingrownnail.Herearesome tips:

Avoidpeelingorpicking atyourtoenails.

clean,straightcut.

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

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

The common, curly ingrowntoenail

An ingrown toenail is a common condition. It usuallyaffectsyourbigtoe.

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

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

CUTTINGAN INGROWNTOENAIL

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

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

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

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

Dry your foot and toes thoroughlywithasofttowel.

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

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

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

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

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

Wear open-toedshoes or shoeswithawidetoebox.

Monitor your nail’s growthandreplacethebitof cottonasneeded.

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

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

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

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

Cleansetheareawithtea tree oil or another disinfectant.

Wearopen-orwide-toed shoes.

Whatcanadoctordofor aningrowntoenail?

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

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

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

Ifyouhaveingrownnails

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

AFTERCARE

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

After your surgery, you mayneedto:

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

Apply an antibiotic creamtotheareatwiceaday

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

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

See your doctor for follow-upappointments.

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

Cutyourtoenailsstraight across or in a shallow (sideways)ovalshape.

Donotcutyournailstoo short — the top white part shouldstillshow

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

File your toenails down instead of clipping to avoid cuttingthemtooshort.

Keepthecornersofyour nailsstraightorveryslightly sloped

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

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

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

SEEADOCTORWHEN

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

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

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

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

Thoroughly clean your teeth with an electric toothbrush.

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

Useafluoridetoothpaste

Fluoridehelpstoprevent toothdecaybystrengthening

tooth enamel against acid, which can decay teeth

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

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

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

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

According to one study, brushing for three minutes

removed

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

Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!

HOW TO GROW YOUR LASHES WITH LASH EXTENSIONS

IT’SALLABOUT THEGROWTH!

Lash Extensions are an easyandbeautifulwaytoget longer,fullernaturallooking lashes.Butwhataboutifyou couldhavealookwithoutthe false lash? You can! Lash extensions, or any extensions, should be an option and a means of enhancing or growing what isalreadythere.Whilemany think ‘that’s it I just have thin, stubby lashes,’ this is not the case; do not confine yourself to a life of thin or false lashes Lashes can grow through natural methods while using lash extensions.WhyLashesAre Important

Besides the fabulous look lashes provide, lashes are essential to positive eye health. Eyelashes help keep dust, sand and dirt particles out of the eyes. These little hairsliningyoureyelidsalso help retain moisture like water and rain out of your eyes.

Eyelashes help send alerts to your eyelids for potentialdangerslikeinsects or particles that can be harmful to your eye health. Risking your lashes is ultimatelyexposingyoureye toaworldoftrouble.

AVOIDLASHLOSS

Lashes naturally fall out whether real or extensions. Natural lashes shed every sixty to ninety days. The shedding of the natural lash is often, and natural lashes replenishquickly

Thegrowthandshedding

cycle of lashes happens rapidlysothatweusuallydo not notice the change in our lashes. To enhance the look ofourlashesoronesthatare non-existent, this is where lash extensions come into play Lashextensionsshould help your natural lashes growlonger However,many find their lash growth dwindling after getting extensions several times or consistently wearing strip lashes. The key to avoiding losing lashes while getting lash extensions is to brush your lashes, clean your lashesproperly,keepupwith refills and know when to givelashesabreak.

BRUSHING

Afteryourlashextension application your lash technicianshouldgiveyoua small lash brush. The brush will resemble a mascara applicator; lashes should be brushed daily to rid the lashes of clumping of the falselashes.Theclumpingof the lashes causes the lashes tofalloutfaster,andtolook lash naturally I know first hand that skipping the brushingoflasheswillmake thefalselasheshardenedand twisttogether

CLEANING

Using the lash brush and a mild soap or water, brush your lashes in a curved upward direction to rid the lashes of dirt and weak lashes. Your technician may also have a cleansing option available.

FILLS

Just like nails, lashes

have ‘fills,’ which means that the lashes that have fallenout.

Fillsoccurafterabout50 percent of the lashes have shed. Typically, should take place every two to three weekstoensurethebestlash lookandstyle.

PROPERLASH APPLICATION/REMOV ALTOAVOIDLOSS OFLASHES

Forlashextensionstobe beneficial instead of detrimental to the growth andretentionofyourlashes, it is imperative to get your lashes done regularly and heed the advice of your lash technician.

Removal of lashes at homeorprofessionallyisnot mandatorytomaintainalash styleorhealthylashes.They will fall out on their own withtime.

However, if your lash extensionsareirritatingyour eyes because of clumping, burning or otherwise, one can return to their lash technician for removal. If lashes aren’t taken care of properly,theywillfalloutor be roughly pulled out and can snatch the natural lash out with it. Lash extensions, when done correctly, will never affect the growth rate or future growth of lashes. Following these steps to keep your lash extensions looking fresh and from rippingoutyournaturalhairs will ensure lash growth and health. VITAMINS S

Vitamin A, E, and C help promote hair growth. These can be Biotin vitamins, fish oilvitaminsorlysinetablets. Thesevitaminswillworkon lash growth from the inside out and can also have positive effects on eyebrow andhairgrowth. All vitamins should be FDA approved and taken with water Vitamins are

essential to lash growth, putting the rid nutrientsinyourbodywill ensure that future lashes grow in longer and stronger

GROWINGYOUR LASHESISEASY!

Aslongasyouwashyour natural lashes and take care of your lash extensions, you are sure to see lash growth.

ByLatoyaZephyr

Lashes grow and shed naturally;butpromotinglash retention and growth can be done by brushing regularly, taking vitamins and adding natural oils into your lash careregimen.

E-Net’s Dream TV packed with captivating shows

FromFebruary4to11,E-Net’sDreamTV will feature a suite of entertaining shows for theweekend.Besuretochecktheguideand gather with friends and families for your favourite shows See programme guide attachedformoredetails.

American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus)

This week we will membrane making it able to it was diving or flying learn about a see clearly when under underwater small bird that is water

These birds also produce

an excellent diver Apart for its own built-in more body oil than other with the capability to see goggles, the bird has scales speciesofbirds. under water and hunt for that close its nostrils when The extra body oil food in fast moving rocky enables it to stay warm and streams of the mountainous stable body regions in cen a t u r e w h e n westernNorthAmerica. ing for food

The ‘Amer ath rocks and Dipper’ or ‘water bbles in the ouzel’ as it is also streams. known, is a

Underneath stocky dark grey the rocks of the bird with a head fast moving s o m e t i m e s streams in the tinged with mountains, brown and t h e white feathers ‘American on the eyelids D i p p e r ’ that causes its would fill up eyes to flash its craw with white every time aquatic insects itblinks. such as larvae of loved by many bird lovers. ‘American Dippers’ would nestlings.

M e a s u r i n a d d i s f l i e s , According to bird experts, build their nests on mossy Young ‘American a b o u t 1 6 flies, beetles, ‘American Dippers’ are rock walls just above a Dippers’ would normally be centimetres long and mosquitos. neversilent. stream or among roots on a ready to leave their nest w i n g s p a n ‘American Dippers’ also The birds beautiful dirt bank or even a behind a within 18 to 25 days and are centimetres and total body feed on small worms, snails, sounds also plays a major waterfall. abletoswimanddivealmost weightofonly45grams,this fish eggs and very small fish role when it is time for The female would lay 4 immediately submerged so it cannot interesting creature has a that measures lest than three courtship(mating) to five eggs sometimes six S o u r c e : drown. With its long and unique feature that allows it feetlong. The male or female may and incubate them for 13 to https://www audubon org/fi strong legs, it can also walk toalmostflyunderwater

Apart from its amazing strut and sing in front of the 17days.

eld-guide/bird/americanunder water and if the bird

The ‘American Dipper’ underwater hunting scales, other with wings drooping After hatching, both dipper prefers, it can also missile is equipped with an extra these birds also have a and bill pointed upwards.As parents would take on the https://en wikipedia org/ itselfthroughthestreamasif eyelid called nictitating unique call or whistle that is they prepare for the eggs, responsibility of feeding the wiki/American_dipper

An ‘American Dipper’ perched on a rock just above a stream

‘American Dipper’ swimming under water

Nial Horan Hangs Out With Pres. Joe Biden at the White House for St. Patrick’s Day

“Couldn’t celebrate St.Patrick’s Day alone,” Horan captioned his video posted to Instragram

Niall Horan brought his White House press tomorrow.”

Irish heritage to the White secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Horan is just months House for a performance on teased the singer’s holiday awayfromreleasinghisthird St Patrick’s Day (March performance a day prior, solo album, ‘The Show’, 17), and took to Instagram tweeting, “It doesn’t get which arrives on June 9. to document a sweet betterthanthis!”

“This album is a piece of moment with President Joe “IthinkIspeakforallthe work I’m so proud of and Biden music lovers in the Biden- now it’s time to pass it over

In a video the duo jointly Harris Administration when toyoutogoandmakeityour shared to social media, the I say we cannot wait to own,” Horan wrote on “This Town” singer smiles welcome @NiallOfficial to Instagram in a post that into the camera and wishes the White House tomorrow featured the cover, in which his fans a happy St. Patrick’s for a special performance to he is depicted leaning on his Day, before panning the celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!” elbows in a window and cameraovertoBiden,whois shesaid. staringupatthetitle.“Thank dressed in a suit with a green Horan retweeted the you so much for being there tie. The President then puts post,writing,“It’sanhonour for me all this time and I his arm around Horan and to be invited and represent can’t wait to share the next says,“I’mgladhe’shere.” my country Looking couple of years of this new “Couldn’t celebrate St. forward to performing and era with you. I’ve missed Patrick’s Day alone,” Horan celebrating St. Patrick’s Day you all so much. It’s good to captionedthepost. at the White House beback.”

Valiant & Slingerz Family Create History in Guyana...

Frompage42

liming with his fans throughout the various communities.

Valiant and Slingerz Family Entertainment placedemphasisonreaching a younger demographic, specifically in inner-city communities.

Valiant’s desire to show youngpeoplethebenefitsof following their own

aspirations and maximising their individual potential wasthedrivingforcebehind this small yet impactful initiative. The latest stop on Valiant’sjam-packedtouring schedule, gives proof of the anticipationanddemandthat he continues to build across theCaribbean.

Valiant is further scheduled to perform in Barbados, Grenada,

Bermuda, St Maarten, St. Lucia, St Vincent and Trinidad over the coming months. His Canadian, US andUKtourschedulewillbe announced shortly Valiant’s recent performance in Guyana continues his busy startto2023.Hecontinuesto dominatetrendingchartsand headlines throughout Jamaica and the Caribbean. Valiant has his eyes set on

international stardom and nurturinghisglobalfanbase.

Recent features on BBC 1Xtra’sHotFor2023listand Vogue’s ‘9 Artists Set To Takeoverin2023’,definitely

showthatheisheadedinthe right direction, as he continues to break down barriers through his selfcoined ‘Choppa Gospel’ s o u n d F o l l o w

@valiant_music for latest updatesofhistourlife. F o l l o w @slingerzfamilyent for the latestupdatesandupcoming eventshappeninginGuyana.

WORLD CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY 2023

GNBS AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

On March 15, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) joined other Consumer Protection Bodies nationally and internationally, to commemorate World Consumer Rights Day 2023 u n d e r t h e t h e m e “Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions”

The theme comes at a time when cost of living is surging, there is need for drastic responses to energy supplies, and the production of non-renewable energy is adverselyimpactingthestate ofourclimateglobally.Itisa time when consumers need to play a bigger role in the drive towards clean energy transition. On the occasion of World Consumer Rights Day, we cannot ignore the factthatmosteconomiesare being affected by a global

energy crisis, which has a very significant impact on vulnerable consumers Clean,affordableenergyisa likelysolution.

Every year, consumers celebrate World Consumer Rights Day because it aims to raise global awareness of consumer rights, consumer p r o t e c t i o n , a n d empowerment. This year’s themeisonethatnudgesthe GNBS to consider the development and adoption of standards which support the utilization of clean energy, which include wind, water and solar energy. We rely on stakeholders from withintherelevantsectorsto propose the development of thesestandards.

Meanwhile, consumer protection continues to play a major role at the GNBS as the organisation works to deliver its range of services

across Guyana. Consumers havetherighttobefreefrom hazardous goods and services that could jeopardize their lives and properties- they deserve to receive value for their money

Since its establishment, the GNBS has been at the forefront of consumer protection through facilitating the development and access to standards and through its various core services which ensure consumers know about the quantity,consistency,purity, strengthandqualityofgoods andservices.

The Bureau protects consumers through the verificationofweighingand measuring instruments used in trade such as scales, masses, measures and fuel pumps They are also protectedthroughthetesting

of Gold Jewellery, PVC Pipes, Concrete Structures andHollowBlocks.

Meanwhile, under its

seventeen (17) categories of products for labelling and quality requirements. These products include household electrical appliances, cellular phones, gas stoves, electrical equipment and fittingsandvehiculartyres.

To further boost consumer confidence, local manufacturersarenowbeing permitted to use the GNBS approved ‘Made in Guyana’ Standard Mark and the National Standard Mark on their locally made products, which tells consumers that these products have been tested and comply with the requirements set out in the

Standards. This also entices consumers to make wise choiceswhenpurchasing.

Consumers need to be able to secure accurate and unbiased information about the goods and services they purchase.This enables them to make the best decisions based on their interests and protects them at the same time. Over the years, the GNBS has continually reached out to consumers through outreach visits, schoollecturesandmeetings across the country, through radio and television programmes and other initiatives to educate consumers.Theseawareness opportunities have also helped to garner consumer feedback The GNBS maintainsitssupporttoother consumerprotectionbodiesthe Competition and C o n s u m e r A ff a i r s

Commission (CCAC) and theDepartmentofConsumer Affairs (DCA). To celebrate WorldConsumerRightsthis year, GNBS, CCAC and DCA partnered with the Guyana EnergyAgency and Guyana Shore Base Inc. to host a World Consumer RightsDayWalkwhichsaw a massive turnout Additionally, a bumper sticker drive was conducted attheStabroekSquarewhere bumper stickers with consumer information were affixedtovehicles.Thiswas complemented by a social media live to inform the public of their rights and responsibilities as consumers.

For further information on this subject, contact the GNBS on telephone numbers: 219-0065 or 2190064 or visit its website: www.gnbsgy.org

Gimme the Ax Found Out

About the Zigzag Railroad

byCarlSandburg intheRootabagaCountry

They made the railroad

One day Gimme the Ax “Long ago,” said the straight again. They looked said to himself, “Today I go Potato Face Blind Man, at the job and said to tothepostofficeandaround, “long before the necktie themselves and to each looking around. Maybe I poppies began growing in other,'Thisisit—wedoneit.' will hear about something the backyard, long before “Next morning the happening last night when I there was a necktie scarf like zizzies opened their zigzag was sleeping Maybe a yours with whiteface pony eyes and looked over to the policeman began laughing spots on a green frog railroad and the rails. When andfellinacisternandcame swimminginthemoonshine, they saw the railroad all out with a wheelbarrow full back in the old days when straight again, and the rails of goldfish wearing new they laid the rails for the andthetiesandthespikesall jewelry railroad they laid the rails straight again, the zizzies

How do I know? Maybe straight.” didn't even eat breakfast that the man in the moon going “Then the zizzies came. morning. down a cellar stairs to get a The zizzy is a bug. He runs “They jumped out of pitcher of butter-milk for the zigzag on zigzag legs, eats their zigzag beds, jumped woman in the moon to drink zigzagwithzigzagteeth,and onto the rails with their and stop crying, maybe he spits zigzag with a zigzag zigzag legs and spit and fell down the stairs and tongue. twisted till they spit and broke the pitcher and “Millions of zizzies twisted all the rails and the laughed and picked up the came hizzing with little ties and the spikes back into broken pieces and said to hizzers on their heads and a zigzag like the letter Z and himself, 'One, two, three, under their legs. They the letter Z at the end of the four, accidents happen in the jumpedontherailswiththeir alphabet. best regulated families ' zigzag legs, and spit and “After that the zizzies HowdoIknow?” twisted with their zigzag went to breakfast. And they

So with his mind full of teeth and tongues till they said to themselves and to simple and refreshing twisted the whole railroad each other, the same as the thoughts, Gimme the Ax and all the rails and tracks shovelmen, the smooth went out into the backyard into a zigzag railroad with engineers and the steam garden and looked at the zigzagrailsforthetrains,the hoist and operating different necktie poppies passenger trains and the engineers, 'This is it—we growing early in the freight trains, all to run doneit.'” summer Then he picked one zigzagon.

“So that is the how of the of the necktie poppies to “Then the zizzies crept which—it was the zizzies,” wear for a necktie scarf away into the fields where saidGimmetheAx. going downtown to the post they sleep and cover “Yes, it was the zizzies,” office and around looking themselves with zigzag said the Potato Face Blind around. blankets on special zigzag Man. “That is the story told

“It is a good speculation beds. tome.” to look nice around looking “ N e x t d a y c a m e “Whotoldittoyou?” around in a necktie scarf,” shovelmen with their “Two little zizzies. They said Gimme the Ax. “It is a shovels, smooth engineers came to me one cold winter necktie with a picture like with smooth blue prints, and night and slept in my whiteface pony spots on a water boys with water pails accordion where the music green frog swimming in the and water dippers for the keeps it warm in winter In moonshine.” shovelmen to drink after the morning I said, 'Good

So he went downtown. shoveling the railroad morning, zizzies, did you For the first time he saw the straight. And I nearly forgot have a good sleep last night Potato Face Blind Man to say the steam and hoist and pleasant dreams?' And playing an accordion on the operating engineers came after they had breakfast they corner next nearest the and began their steam hoist toldmethestory Bothtoldit postoffice He asked the and operating to make the zigzag but it was the same Potato Face to tell him why railroadstraight. kind of zigzag each had therailroadtracksrunzigzag “They worked hard together.”

FUNWITHPOETRY

Easy Marbleized Easter Egg Craft

APRIL 7, 2014 BY WHERE IMAGINATION GROWS

Materials:

*Faux Eggs

* Paint (we used acrylic)

* Container

Squirt some paint into the container, add eggs, and shake! We added some paper to the bottom of our container and we ended up with some beautiful pictures too! It's LOTS of fun for little ones! One of my best Easter ideas.

My little egg shakers only had one egg pop out of the container and go flying across the room so I consider this a success! Our eggs are made of plastic material so they were very light but if you opted for the wooden ones (or a deeper container) I doubt you'd have an issue.

Our faux Easter eggs dry. I used them to hold the eggs while they came with the cardboard stands, I think were drying. I did re-position ours a few most dye kits also come with these too. times while they were drying to prevent the Like when you dye regular eggs, these paint from sticking to the cardboard egg stands are helpful in allowing the eggs to stands.

Make the most of yourself by Building your Self Esteem

Self esteem is the way that one looks at himself so that he appreciates his own worth as a human being, and uses this to achieve the goals he hassetforhimself.

S o m e o f t h e qualities a person must have if he/she is to possess a fair level of selfesteemare:-

1. ARealisticView OfSelf,withtheability to identify one's strengths and weaknesses, with the intention of reinforcingthestrengthsand working to remove the weaknesses.

2. Sensitivity To One's Environment, how one relates to it, how one's existence and behaviour affect it and how it affects oneself, and the things one can do towards its improvement.

3 . A P e r s o n a l Philosophy,i.e.theideasone has about oneself and the people and things around, and a clear sense of the values which direct one's actions.

4. A Healthy Attitude About The Results One Achieves In Everyday Livingaswellasanyspecial endeavours – looking at success with humility and

satisfaction, and facing f a i l u r e w i t h t h e determinationtotryharder.

5 Willingness To Explore For Ways To Profit And Learn From One's Mistakes.

6.MaintenanceOfOne's Expressions And Behaviour Within Socially Acceptable Standardsandnotmerelyfor one'sownbenefit

7 Willingness To

Krypto Inkies

Krypto Inkies are regular Inky (or KenKen) puzzles that have been encrypted. Each digit has

been substituted with a letter

To solve the puzzle, you must deduce what digit each letter stands for while working out the solution.

In the solved puzzle, each row and each column will contain all of the digits 1 thru 6.

The heavy lines indicate areas (called cages) that contain 2 or more numbers that can be combined (in any order) to

You have what it takes

Persevere, even in t h e f a c e o f hardship and frustration.

8.ReadinessTo AcceptThatOthers Have The Right To T h e i r O w n Opinions, and to act for their benefit, even t h o u g h t h e y conflict with one's own. These are the qualities we all needsoastohavea good perspective of ourselves,whichwillgiveus thepowertodealwithallour problems, and be most successfulinlife. We will be discussing in the following weeks the variousstepsonemustmake to fortify this all-important quality

Please follow them closely to make the most of yourself.

produce the result shown in the cage, with the indicated math operation. For example, 'AB ×' means you can multiply the squares together to produce the number encoded byAB. Note that numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or column.

+ means addition - means subtraction × means multiplication / means division

You have what it takes to succeed, You have within you everything you need to become anything you want to be, and the spirit to approach your tasks enthusiastically You have power within you to apply yourself energetically; You have wisdom within you to wisely take the right steps to your goals; You have imagination within you to see in your mind what you want manifested; You have love within you to be loving in all your methods and ways; You have life within you to pursue the happiness that is your birthright; You have strength within you to hold and pursue true ideas; You have intelligence within you to renounce every bad thought and action; You have faith within you to fulfil your destiny and make the most of yourself. This proves you have all within you to answer the call to be whatever you want to be; So don't be afraid to use what you have, and you will reap the reward of a life well lived.

This proves you have all within you

UNCLEROY Tellitto

Hello,readers, UncleRoyisagainaskingallofyoutotryinsomeway tomakeacontributiontothispage,andthustothewelfareof you and your fellow readers. This contribution can take any formthatyoufeelwouldbevaluable–anaccountofwhatis going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broader level, any comment or recommendation you would liketomaketoyourfellowGuyanese.

Please remit same to my email

roypaul2002@yahoo com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.

Solutions to last week’s Star Battle

A healthy Self Esteem will enable you to achieve maximum benefits in your life. ts

10 Home Remedies for Glowing Skin

Your skin is the largest organ that you have, so you want to take care of it. Glowing skin is typically seen as a sign of health and vitality. Dull or dry skin, on the other hand, can make you feel less than your best.

Here are 10 products and lifestyle changes that you can implement as part of your beauty and skincare routine. The best part? You probably already have everything you need in your pantry, kitchen, or medicine cabinet.

1. Soothe skin with virgin coconut oil

Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and healing properties. But using coconut oil on your face may not work for every skin type. Do not use if you have allergies to coconut.

If you're able to apply it without irritation, it can be used in a number of ways.

Buy virgin coconut oil here.

2. Use aloe vera to keep skin strong and healthy

Aloe vera has healing properties and may stimulate new cell growth. It also soothes and moisturizes without clogging pores. Using aloe vera after you've washed your face each day may give your skin that healthy glow

3. Moisturize properly after washing your face

Moisturize your skin with products that lock in moisture, promote healing, and have antioxidant properties to encourage a glowing, youthful look. Don't exfoliate your skin when it feels dry, and don't skip moisturizer just because your face feels oily

Apply moisturizer to your skin when it's still wet from a shower or from rinsing your face. This will lock in extra moisture rather than working on a surface level to make your face feel smooth.

4. Wear sunscreen daily

Wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or above can prevent skin cancer. Keeping your skin shielded from harmful UV rays also guards against photoaging, which is the process of skin aging. Make sure to apply a product with sunscreen every morning, even on days when it's raining or the sky is overcast.

5. Find a cleansing routine that works

You don't want to rob your skin of moisture by washing it too often, and you don't want to encourage your pores to produce too much extra oil to compensate for too much washing.

Washing your face after you've worked up a sweat, first thing in the morning, and right before bed is typically the sweet spot for healthy skin.

6.Avoid smoke and secondhand smoke

When you expose your skin to cigarette smoke, you're coating your face with all sorts of chemical toxins. This ups the oxidative stress in your skin cells, leading toTrusted Source prematurely aged skin. If you smoke, consider your skin as another reason to quit.

7. Drink more water

Your skin is made up of cells that need water to function well. The connection to drinking water and having healthy skin is still ongoing, but at least one 2015 studyTrusted Source concluded there's a strong link between drinking more water and having healthier skin.Aim for at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water per day.

8. Eat to nourish your skin

Eating a diet that's rich in fruits and vegetables will boost the vitamins and antioxidants in your body.According to the Mayo Clinic, eating healthy fats, like fish oils, and staying away from processed foods with lots of preservatives may have a direct connection to healthier looking skin.

9.Take probiotics

Probiotic supplements may:

* boost your immune system

* improve your digestion

* reduce bloating and inflammation in your digestive tract

10. Shorten your shower

Steam and heat can open pores and help you get rid of toxins. But running hot water over your skin for more than a few minutes at a time can strip away oil from your skin, leaving it looking tired and dull. Try to minimize your skin's exposure to water that's extremely hot.

https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/ home-remedies-for-glowing-skin#avoid-excess-heat

Best Magazine

OF THE

- A celebration of People, Places and Institutions

By:VanessaBraithwaite Moore

The 2023 edition of the ‘Best of Linden Magazine’ willbereleasedinApril,and Lindeners are excited to see which person, place or institution was voted the best This will be the magazine’s third edition and has been released annually b y L i n d e n ’ s environmentalist and entrepreneur Samuel Wright who is also an executive member of the Linden Fund Trust.

The magazine, which aims to recognize people, placesandinstitutionsinthe mining town, artistically captures what Linden has to offer as a people, a tourism destination town, an investment destination as well as a residential destination.

It also captures the grass rootmenandwomenwhoare often overlooked as service providers but through their daily toiling, provide a necessary service to the community

These include small business owners, boat operators, taxi drivers, disc jockeys, trade men and women amongst others. It also captures the hospitality sector and the tourism gems ofthetown.

The town is also known for its unique gifts that are indigenoustoitstopography such as the blue lakes and toweringwhitehills.Thereis nowhereelseinGuyanayou can find such aqua-touristic beauty Linden is also the only town with a river runningthroughit.

The magazine promotes the excellence of people, places and institutions through a public survey It also celebrates those who contributed to the development of the town through academia, sports, music and heritage Lindeners boast that their townistheproducerofsome

Continuedonpage71

Executive Producer, Samuel Wright

Miss, Mrs, Teen India Guyana 2023 Class Launched

An impressive lineup of talents, national pageant will surely be a kaleidoscope beauties and poise are vying for the talents, charms, poises and intelligences as some title of ‘Miss, Mrs. & Teen India ofGuyana’sbestwillbeonshow

Guyana,2023’torepresentGuyanaat The finalists will compete in four segments theworldwidepageantsinIndiathisJune. including talent, evening gown, ethnic wear, and This year’s participants are special to the intelligence, for a chance to emerge as the winner ganization as they are all new to the pageant and represent Guyana at the internation industry Vice President of the contest, Mrs. competitioninJune.

Melicia Partab is excited about this year’s Let’s meet the ladies. In the ‘Miss Category’ competition as it commemorates the first class 10 ladies are vying for the title. In the line-up to not have any past national pageant are: Anjalie Sukhdeo, 18, Anjalita Somwaru, experience. She believes it is an opportunity 20, Aruna Sukhdeo, 20,Devina Persaud, 24, to providetheultimategrowth experiencefor Latchmie Vanesha Kawall, 19, Leah Alves, eachofthebeauties. 20,Mamta Singh, 21, Neshilla Baksh, 22,

Fromtheimpressivepoolof18Guyanese RoseJacobs,18andfinally,ZaraHomed,23. women, one will become Miss India Guyana In the ‘Mrs. Category’ four ladies are and will take the crown from the reigning vyingforthisyear’stitle:CindySingh,Rabina queen, Maya Persaud. She will have the task of Shivraj, Reanna Arakhan, and Zabieeda continuing the mandate Persaud acquired by Razack,willfaceoffforthecrown. beingthethirdGuyanesetoplaceinthetop5atthe Meanwhile, in the ‘Teen Category’ another international pageant last year in New Jersey and four beauties are looking to claim the coveted ultimatelytowinthecovetedtitle. titled. They include: Kaya Alli, 17, Marcia

The women will also be competing for the Seepersaud, 17, Netu Lal, 17, and Savita crown of ‘Mrs. India’, to replace the stunning Ramcharitar,17. Melessa Seupaul. A beautiful Guyanese This year, the ladies will model teen will be charged with repeating designed by Jason Shurland, history by becoming ‘ while the beauties’ hair will be Teen India Guyana’and win styled by ‘Kayenat Salon the coveted title from and Spa’. ‘Makeup by Guyanese queen, Aarifa’, will assist in Roshani Razack who a d d i n g t o t h e is currently the participants’ beauty internationalwinner The perfect moments W h i l e t h e in the Pageant will be coronation date is not captured by ‘Ravindra yet announced, there Racktoo Photography’ still is the Mr Category and production will be nalists yet to be handled by ‘Nach nounced This year’ Production’.

Mamta Singh

Reanna Arakhan

Julia Williams

Cindy Singh

Neshilla Baksh

Zabieeda Razack

Rose Jacobs

Anjalita Somwaru

Zara Homed

Anjalie Sukhdeo

Aruna Sukhdeo

Rabina Shivraj

Devina Persaud

Leah Alves

Latchmie Vanesha Kawall

Exploring the splendors of Guyana through the lens of Kevin Somwaru

By Davina Bagot

The wonders of Guyana truly are d i f f i c u l t t o capture. This however seems to come naturally for Kevin S o m w a r u , a y o u n g

Environmental Officer that

has been sharing photographs and videos of his travels on social media, attracting hundredsofreactions.

As Guyanese, we all are not blessed with enough resources to enjoy the natural treasures of our country Though we may be fond of

the outdoors and all the breathtaking sites our blessed and beautiful country has to offer, we find it difficult to leaveour'ninetofive'torevel in the picturesque views of ourcountry

Luckily,thereisthe (Continued on page 72)

An aerial shot taken of Kato, Region 8

This serene waterfall is named the Wailang Palu Falls and W can be found in Region 8

The talented & passionate, Kevin Somwaru

The Tu-Mung Falls, located in Region 8

The breathtaking Kopinang falls, captured by Kevin Somwaru

A stream that runs from the Tu-Mung Falls amidst thick forests

Diligent in her efforts to unlockdoors for Women

in

is a ‘Special Person’ Miranda MirandaThakur-Deen Thakur-Deen

By Rehanna Ramsay

Thakur-Deen is the visionary andfounderoftheAtlanticAlliance (AA) Maritime and Offshore Training Institute, a school that offers courses specifically designed to assist women interested in joining the marine workforce.

She told the Waterfalls, that given Guyana's upward trajectory in the oil and gas sector, more opportunities have opened for localstobenefit.Asaresult,shehas been seeking ways for her fellow Guyanese particularly women, to tap into the economic benefits that flowfromoil.

Thakur-Deen said: “I want to help build the capacity of the local workforce in regard to providing a service offshore as well as onshore… As regards women, my goal is to increase their capability and let them see maritime as an avenue to earn a solid income for the betterment of themselves, their familiesandcommunities.”

She added “This is something that is happening globally in Asia and India women are challenging themselves and entering careers “that are traditionally maledominated,Isaidtomyselfwhynot Guyana?”

According to Thakur-Deen, the opportunities for onshore careers are also vast. She explained that automation and digitalization open new kinds of operational jobs which are shore-based, and appeal to a far larger number of women andmen.

“The digital transformation of shipping will see it become part of larger intelligent mobility ecosystems, and that will create a variety of highly-skilled roles which have nothing to do with the sea. That's a big opportunity for women,”shesaid.

This week's Special Person is the epitome of what it means to drive women's empowerment

Outside of the AA Maritime Institute, Thakur-Deen balances several roles She has been

n a world w h e r e w o m e n accountforonly1.2percent of the global seafarers, Guyanese entrepreneur and philanthropist, Miranda ThakurDeen is doing her bit to chart a courseandopendoorstohelpmore womenbuildcareersinmaritime.included as a senator for the World Business Angels Investment Forum (WBAF) - an affiliated partner of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).

She is also a founder and board member of the Angel investors of Latin America and the Caribbean (LACBAN) and is Guyana chair for WBAF She is also a signatory/ candidate for UN Women's Empowerment Principles (WEP) where she has made a commitment to fostering gender equality in the workplace.

She said that “while there has been much talk about empowering women, I want to make sure I take the necessary action to ensure that women have their full power in society.”

d d i t i o n t o h e r professiona

l po

INSTITUTE

When oil started to flow in Guyana, Thakur-Deen, a native of Wakenaam, Essequibo Islands saw an opportunity to embark on something new that would also open doors for her fellow Guyanese, who wanted to work in thesector

She said: “My husband was working in local maritime for years, so I was able to see the gap between Guyana's maritime and theoffshoresector

I saw areas that I could have bridged that gap and I realized that there are certain training that these personsmusthaveinorderforthem to go on to work in the offshore fields.”

A n d w h i l e v e r y f e w entrepreneurs were willing to take big risks and the opportunities almost always appeared to have favoured men in business, with little to no guarantee of positive returns, Thakur-Deen invested both her confidence and capital, hoping to achieve more than just profits; but to cement a place for women entrepreneurs in the world'snewestpetro-state.

She said: “I realized that this typeoftrainingandservicewaskey to Guyana's local content development for the other sectors because, with the development of

the oil sector, there would be more merchant ships visiting Georgetown. I realised that there will be more ports, there will be moreinlandoperators.”

Thakur-Deen said that this is how the idea for AA Maritime and Offshore Training Institute was birthed.

Shetoldthatthecompaniesare all ISO 9000 certified with total quality management for essential core values to achieve business excellence.

Itistheonlymaritimeschoolin GuyanawithInternationalwhite

Guyanese entrepreneur, Miranda Thakur Deen (at right) hands over a certificate to a scholarship recipient

ByAllyiahAllicock

Looking to take custom Crocs to the next level in Guyana and at the sametimeshowtheworldwhatshe is capable of, is 19-year-old Buxtonian,JohnettaJoseph.

Joseph, who is a currently student at the University of Guyana pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture Science, is the proud owner of a customizing Crocs business called ‘J’s Crocs Collection’.

‘J’s Crocs Collection’ was launched in December last year and offers unique and creatively customised Crocs at your convenience.

Inarecentexclusiveinterview withthismagazine,Josephrelated that the Crocs business all came

about after she had spoken with a friendaboutherinterestinstarting abusiness.“Iwasatmyneighbour, Sarah James and we were talking aboutthingsIcandoasabusiness andshehadtheseblueCrocsonher step I asked her where she purchased them from and that they’re comfortable. She told me that ifIwantedIcouldcustomize themandsellthem.Ithoughtitwas a great idea at the time, and that’s how I was inspired to do this business,” the young woman explained.

Moreover, Joseph added that she also started the business initially to save money to buy make up products to start doing make up; something she is extremely passionate about. She related that she has been doing otherpeople’smake-upsince2020 andonedayhopestoopenherown studio.

Having been in the local business arena for little over three monthsnow,Josephexpressedthat the support for her work has been great thus far She shared that her friend, Javon Charles would order the charm items for her work and help with promoting her work on different social media platforms, whileanotherfriend,LatrellProfitt

designedtheflyerandlogoforher businessandalsohelpstopromote hercreativepieces.

“Random people who purchase from me would post to their Instagram stories or WhatsApp stories and mention me,” she added. Grateful for the support and feedback she continuestoreceive,shestatedthat thisallhelpstogetherbusinessout theretothewiderpublic.

Whenaskedaboutsomeofthe challenges the business has faced duringitsshortperiodofexistence, Joseph mentioned that sometimes buying crocs from certain suppliers may result in myriad logistical issues, customers makingordersandlatercancelling them“orcustomersnotreplyingto say when they will collect their orders,” she explained that these issuescanbedifficultattimes.

But not letting those difficulties overcome her, Joseph told this magazine that “I overcome challenges by just trustingGod.”

Looking to take ‘J’s Crocs Collection’ to higher heights, the young entrepreneur highlighted that her long-term goal is to gain morerecognitionforherworkand “grow my customer base, to bring

moreitemsthatpeoplewouldlove andfeelcomfortablein.”

Like many other small business owners around, our featuredentrepreneurisofthefirm belief that they play a significant role in the Guyanese economy, because with their contribution to society, it aids in the development ofourcountry

“Young entrepreneurs play a greatrolebecausetheyhelpinthe developmentoftheircommunities and increase demand throughout the economy,” she said In addition, they play a role of being role models to others who may be lookingtoventureintoabusiness.

While small businesses are contributing in a big way to our society,Josephisoftheviewthata lotmorecanbedonetohelpthem

boost their business. Some ways she stated are that there should be more small business expos where entrepreneurs can showcase their products and services and let people know what they have to offer

“Have social media marketing play a more significant role in promoting their products. Have a community committee group to come up with ideas for small businesses in their area and assist in the establishment of such businesses,”shesuggested.

For persons desirous of ordering creative custom crocs from Joseph can contact her on telephone numbers (592) 6410839&659-3251orhercheckher out on Instagram and Tik Tok @j_croc_collection.

Some of what J’s Crocs Collection has to offer and more.

“Young entrepreneurs play a great role because they help in the development of their communities and increase demand throughout the economy.”

Young entrepreneur and proud owner of ‘J’s Crocs Collection’, Johnetta Joseph

Guyanese entrepreneur & philanthropist, Diligent in her efforts to unlockdoors for Women in … Miranda MirandaThakur-Deen Thakur-Deen

From page 63

page IMO accreditation. The AA maritime school offers training in practical skills to high-calibre seafarers to meet the highest standard of professionalism required in the ever-changing and demandingshippingindustry

The AA Maritime School also offers recruitment services and placementofjobsintheoilsector

The training school currently h a s l e c t u r e r s t h a t a r e internationally certified industry expertswithbackgroundsintheoil andgasindustry

The Institution comprises 20 classrooms with Digital and InHouse Libraries, Augmented Reality Simulators and technical workshopfacilities.

It also intends to begin issuing certificationinOffshorePetroleum IndustryTrainingOrganization

The goal of the organization is to achieve globally accepted guidelines for the oil and gas industry OPITO was established in 1977 to ensure safety in the oil and gas industry The school will soon have an OPITO certified pool.

The Maritime Institution is expected to provide unique training programmes which focus on teaching practical skills to both local and international students throughablendedapproach.

The school's courses are accredited by Guyana's Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Maritime AuthorityofJamaica(MAJ).

ONE HUNDRED SCHOLARSHIPS

Within a year of being established, Thakur-Deen's AA Maritime school has partnered with the Office of the First Lady, AryaAli,togrant100scholarships through Indigenous women from

Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight andNine.

Sinceopeningitsdoors,theAA Maritime and Offshore Training Institute have seen, at least, two hundred Guyanese graduate from short courses in maritime training. Forty of those graduates are womenandtenmenwhobenefited from full scholarships offered throughtheschool.

Thakur-Deen noted that the female scholarship recipients include 20 women from the Women in Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC)-Guyana Chapter and 20 indigenous women, who benefited from a nearly $ 8.5 million investment Thakur-Deen made, to give full scholarships to them through the OfficeoftheFirstLady

Through the programme, Thakur-Deen aspires to empower more women in Guyana and the Caribbeanbyintegratingtheminto mainstreammaritimeactivities.

As a businesswoman, ThakurDeen said, “It has always been important for me to think and act unconventionally...”

She continued “These sectors have a handful of women who are directlyemployedandthenumbers aremuchlowerwhenyouexamine how many of the businesses in thesesectorsarewomen-owned.”

Thakur Deen said her commitment is towards ensuring that the people of Guyana benefit fromtheresourcewealth.

The businesswoman said her only hope is that the Government of Guyana would show a greater level of support for businesses like hers, which took the risk of investingtobuildlocalcapacity

“The Government has encouraged us to invest but it is important that they reciprocate with the same energy to ensure we

get contracts and opportunities for locally developed businesses and persons,”Shesaid.

SOCIALLY-DRIVEN

Thakur-Deen said that her ultimate goal is to build corporations and platforms that will not just benefit her immediate familymembers. She said while she is an

entrepreneur,herdesireistocreate a legacy that goes beyond building wealth.

“I love to build successful companies that impact the necessary social changes whether it's providing opportunities for women, in education, health whereverIcan,”sheasserted.

Thakur-Deen's knack to influencesocialissueswasevident in the face of a global pandemic when most companies were scalingbackandsendingtheirstaff home, she made sure her staff mostlythefemaleswerenotplaced onthebreadline.

The Guyanese entrepreneur is most grateful that her company was able to survive the harsh economic realities created by COVID-19.

She said “Like most businesses, the pandemic affected us and we had to close our offices, we send home our staff, and they didsomeworkfromhome.

We were able to pay them and support them throughout that rough period because fortunately the business had capital, and did not depend on income to support thestaff.

She said “I want to live a life that benefits others not just myself

and my immediate family members… It's the legacy I will leaveonthisjourney”

Quoting famed American novelist, Ernest Hemingway, the businesswoman noted while “It is good to have an end to journey toward, it is the journey that mattersintheend.”

The businesswoman is also the founder of the Give Another Chance Foundation (GACF). Thakur-Deen said that the idea for GACF was born out of a need for education support initiatives that she and her siblings had identified while growing up in a little village called Noitgedacht, Wakenaam, in theEssequiboIslandsofGuyana.

GACF has since led social initiatives aimed at helping youths from depressed communities navigate societal ills. One such project is the mentorship programme for young boys from 'Warlock' East Ruimveldt, Georgetown, a community plaguedbycrimeandpoverty

With the support of friends and partners, Thakur-Deen has also been able to provide basic health care and education support to underprivileged children in rural andurbancommunitiesforthepast 10years.

The AA Maritime and Offshore Training Institute located at Lot 43 'A' Friendship Public Road, East Bank Demerara

Thakur Deen stands alongside other business officials at the WBAF global forum held in Turkey

Thakur Deen is surrounded by female graduates of the scholarship programme offered by the AA Maritime offshore training course also pictured are First Lady, Arya Ali and Minister of Public Works, Sonia Parag.

From page 16 fourth the development of development plans for a by the subsidiaries, which the fourth field is underway commercial discovery, the many analysts have rejected The company is at present documents outline a as insufficient to meet the seeking permission for its s t r i n g e n t s u i t e o f expenses associated with fifth and sixth oil field international best practices clean-upofanoilspill. developments in the

that must be followed during

According to Jagdeo at StabroekBlock. the preparation of the his most recent press The fact is, wherever document. These guidelines engagement, that being the t h e r e a r e o i l are now public- a stark case “I told the EPA to get, operations exploration, contrast to what was they have to get the parent production, storage, obtained before, thereby company guarantee ” He t r a n s p o r t i n g o r increasing the level of was at the time responding refining there exists the transparencyonsuchplans. directlytoaquestionthathas risk of an oil spill, whether Unlike what obtains in beenrepeatedlyposedtohim through human fault or the Stabroek Block PSA, the by Kaieteur News Publisher mechanical issues. At the new draft agreements and social commentator, end of the day, the stipulatethatthe“contractor, Glenn Lall, who sought hydrocarbons would have to affiliated companies, again, to enquire into the be cleaned up from the s u b c o n t r a c t o r s a n d insurance that is to be ecosystem with someone or individuals who are provided by the parent entity footing the Bill. In expatriates shall be subject companies for the oil Guyana’s case with it a to the income tax laws of companies in the Stabroek storage capacity of some Guyana, including, the Block. three million barrels, Income Tax Act of Guyana

The Vice President, increasing production and (Cap 81:01) and the having brushed aside the transport out of the country, Corporation Tax Act of question on previous the potential for an oil spill, Guyana (Cap. 81:03) and occasions, finally conceded, isclearandpresentdanger shall separately comply with “I have expressed concerns the requirements of those myself if you think you’re Wed. – Mar 15, 2023 laws, in particular with just concerned.” To this end, respect to filing returns, he went on to speak on Govt. plugs dangerous assessment of tax, and capacity building but loopholes with keeping and showing of reiterated, “some of the new draft agreements booksandrecords.” concerns are also our for 14 oil blocks

Thenewagreementsalso concerns; the parent * Oil companies & expats to state that each expatriate guarantee should have been pay taxes employee of the contractor done already; it has to be * Guyana will not be on the (including any Affiliated done soon, we told the EPA hook for any losses or C o m p a n y ) a n d o f give this Exxon a deadline, claims by the contractor subcontractors, who have give them a deadline for * Oil companies and been assigned to work in doing this, it should have subcontractors must have Guyana for the contractor or been done, that one you insurance to cover spills its subcontractors shall be [GlennLall]arerighton.” a n d o t h e r permitted, subject to the

The matter has over the disasters/accidents limitations and conditions loopholes for abuse and 30.2 it says: “The contractor Block PSA and was highly years been raised as a cause * Country will have power to setoutintheCustomsAct,to revenueleakage. shall indemnify, defend, and criticizedforyears. of concern among many approve budgets for oil import into Guyana free of

A significant feature in hold the minister and A new arrangement or given the cost of not only companies import duty and taxes within the new draft agreements is Government of Guyana demand rather, is that oil containing and stopping but * Oil companies could face six (6) months on first that the government has harmless against all claims, companies must also ensure cleaning up after an oil spill penalty for sitting idly on arrival, his personal and preserved the right to review losses and damages of any their subcontractors have could in fact cripple the blocks household effects including and approve the budgets for nature whatsoever by any adequateinsurancecoverage Guyanaeconomy * International guidelines one (1) motor vehicle. It also the exploration and personnel of the contractor too.

In the Stabroek Block, now in place for field states that no property so developmentprogrammesof or of any subcontractor for Importantly, the draft there are at present scores of development plans imported by the employee the oil companies The the loss or damage to agreements state that oil deep water wells spud by * Abandonment Fund to be shall be sold by him in agreements state that: “The personal property or injury companies will not be ExxonMobil Guyana and controlled by Guyana G u y a n a e x c e p t i n contractorshallsubmittothe ordeathtoPersonscausedby allowedtoacquiretheblocks their partners along with two

* Stabilization Clause now a c c o r d a n c e w i t h minister for approval, in or resulting from any and sit on their hands for Floating Production Storage has room for renegotiation Government regulations and accordance with the petroleum operations d e c a d e s . T h e d r a f t and Offloading (FPSO) upon the payment of the Accounting Procedures, a conducted by or on behalf of documents categorically vessels with a combined T h e G u y a n a prescribedcustomsduties.In Budget of the Costs to be the contractor under this state that, “If in any phase of storage capacity of three Government released the Stabroek Block PSA, incurred in implementation Agreement or any License the Exploration Period, the million barrels of oil. The yesterday, two drafts of new expats have free reign to of each Work Programme, issuedpursuanttotheAct.” contractor does not fulfill its cargo for each FPSO is Model Production Sharing importfreeofduty simultaneously with the O n t h e i s s u e o f obligations in respect of the offloaded into oil tankers Agreements (PSAs), one of Another significant submission of such Work insurance,thedraftcontracts Minimum Exploration Work intermittently. This in which will govern shallow feature of the draft model Programmes. The minister state that the oil companies Programme for that addition to six drill ships in water blocks while the other PSAs is that the contractor is will decide on the proposal must have in place, policies exploration period, the operationatanypointintime will apply to deep water now required to establish an of Budgets simultaneously that cover pollution caused contractor is obliged to pay cumulatively poses a threat concessions. Citizens now Abandonment Fund which with the approval of the in the course of petroleum the Government an amount ofanoilspill. havetwoweekstoperusethe will be overseen by corresponding Work operations for which the equal to the difference ExxonMobil Guyana has documents that will feature Guyanese authorities. That Programme.” Such powers contractor may be held between the minimum in its plans, six more in the upcoming licensing account will see deposits are not enshrined in the responsible. The agreements expenditure obligation developments in the roundforthe14oilblocks. madebytheoilcompaniesas Stabroek Block PSA or any also state that, “At the specifiedforthatphaseofthe Stabroek Block, in addition When compared to the agreed by the minister otherexistingPSA. minister’s discretion the exploration period and the to the four developments controversial Stabroek Kaieteur News understands Equally important is the contractor may be permitted actual amounts expended on already approved. These are Block Production Sharing that the minister may access insertion of a new provision toself-insureallorpartofthe the work commitments the Liza I & II oil fields, Agreement (PSA), signed fundsfromtheaccountinthe that ensures the country is aforementionedinsurances.” carried out.” In the Stabroek currently producing and with an ExxonMobil-led event that contractor fails to notleftonthehookforanyof The ability of oil companies Block PSA or in other utilizing the Liza Destiny consortium in 2016, it is effect environmental cleantheoilcompanies’bills.That to self-insure, that is, to rely existingagreements,nosuch and Liza Unity FPSOs. A clear that the government up during the term of this c l a u s e s p e a k s t o ontheirownfiscalresources, penaltyisinplace. third FPSO is currently made deliberate efforts to Agreement,orfailsto indemnification. At Article is also part of the Stabroek In terms of the field enroute to Guyana while the close several dangerous (Continued on page 67)

From page 66 the change is specific to the Agreement (PSA) released properly abandon wells or Agreement,thecontractoror on Tuesday for deep water abandon facilities to the of general application) and and shallow water blocks, satisfaction of minister upon such change has a materially the People’s Progressive termination of this adverse effect on the Party Civic (PPPC) Agreement. This feature is e c o n o m i c b e n e f i t s , Government is proposing to also a controversial one that including those resulting implement a suite of was not catered for in the from the fiscal regime international guidelines that highly criticized Stabroek provided by thisAgreement, oil companies must follow BlockPSA. accruing to the contractor when preparing Field

But perhaps the most hereunder during the term of DevelopmentPlans. critical change pertains to this Agreement, the parties

These plans outline the the Stabilization Clause shall negotiate in good faith steps a company will take to

According to the draft to modify the terms of the develop an oil or gas documents, this provision agreementinordertorestore discovery ensures that the agreement theeconomicbalanceso that

In the draft documents, and the economic provisions contractor receives the same the government has set out therein, are insulated from economic benefit under the clear terms on how much capricious changes unless Agreement that it would information it wants to see there is mutual consent. Be have received prior to the from prospective licence that as it may, the draft change in law or its holders in these Field agreement states, “The interpretation, application, Development Plans. It also contractor shall be subject to orimplementation.” seeks to retain the right to andmustobservethelawsof The foregoing terms make adjustments where the Cooperative Republic of complement the commercial necessary Petroleum Agreements When dealing with g o v e r n m e n t ’s o n l y Guyanainforcefromtimeto provisions which were

One of the proposed embodies rigorous research Production Sharing safeguard against abuse is time and nothing herein released last December by guidelinesseekstoensureoil and analysis by the Agreements (PSAs), the the execution of timely contained shall be construed the People’s Progressive companies provide a ministry’s internal team, and foregoing is considered an audits. The 2016 PSA only as exempting the contractor Party Civic (PPPC) detailed account of their external consultants on all established industry allows Guyana to do audits from complying with the Government. The main projected costs for oil topics relevant to a modern practice In some cases, withinatwo-yeartimeline. laws imposing taxes, duties, commercial terms include a projects, while including petroleum agreement for regulators must give their There are currently two levies, fees, royalties, royalty rate of 10 percent, indicatorssuchasprojectlife Guyana. permission for certain costs ongoing audits one for c h a rg e s o r s i m i l a r cost recovery capped at 65 cycle, internal rate of return,

The ministry said the that can be recovered by the historical expenses incurred impositions or contributions percent,andprofitsharingof and breakeven cost at process involved a company Those eligible from 1999 to 2016 totalling which the contractor would 50 percent. There is also a differentratesofreturn. comprehensive assessment costs are determined by the US$900M and another for be liable to pay or may be minimum signing bonus Government is also of the current petroleum state.

US$7.3B incurred from called upon to pay under required from the bidders of proposing that future a g r e e m e n t a n d t h e In other cases, an 2018to2020. such laws by virtue of its US $20 million for deep operators provide a detailed identification of best agreement can specify a The former was done by conduct of petroleum waterandUS$10millionfor d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e practices relevant to every number of costs that can be IHS Markit while the latter operationshereunder,except shallowwaterblocks. development and production contractual aspect of a cleared without permission, was done by a group of local as provided for inArticle 38. Intermsoftax,thetender activities to be undertaken modernagreementgrounded and there is a plethora of consultants, Ramdihal and 50.3.” provides that a corporation while giving an account of intheGuyanacontext. such expenses in the 2016 H a y n e s C h a r t e r e d

It continues, “If at any tax of 10 percent and a production facilities. It also T o e n s u r e n e w Stabroek Block Production Accounting and Professional time after the signing of this property tax of 0.75 percent w a n t s t o s e e a investments are governed by Sharing Agreement Services Firm, Vitality Agreement there is a change will be levied on the comprehensiveoutlineofthe a comprehensive framework ExxonMobil and its partners Accounting and Consultancy in the laws of the participatingentities. socio -economic, technical, of international best can for example, recover the Inc , and Eclisar Financial & Cooperative Republic of It is worth noting that and environmental and practices, the ministry said gross salaries and wages Professional Services They Guyana whether through the bidders will be required to safety related aspects of the there will be an overhaul of including bonuses of its were hired last year to amendment of existing laws commit at least US $1 development. the 1986 Petroleum Act and employees. Costs regarding conduct the audit alongside (including the hydrocarbons million per year towards the Oil companies are also Regulations. holiday, vacation, sickness the Oklahoma-based law, the customs code or tax employment and training of likely to be required to Feedback on the draft and disability payments are Martindale Consultants Inc code) or the enactment of the citizens of Guyana in provide the development model agreements should be also fair game.Additionally, and the Swiss technical new laws or a change having accordance with the Local objectives and development addressed to the Minister of Exxon and partners can company, SGS The value of the force of law in the ContentAct. c o n c e p t , i n c l u d i n g Natural Resources and sent recover the cost of the contract is US$751,000 i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , In a statement to the alternatives considered, t o l i c e n s i n g r o u established plans for The audit costs reviewed i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o r media yesterday, the t e n t a t i v e s c h e d u l e , d2022@petroleum gov gy employees’ life insurance, covered the US$3 7B Liza application thereof (whether ministrysaidthedraftModel subsequent development with the Permanent hospitalisation, pensions, Phase One Project fully and stages, if any, and co- S e c r e t a r y c o p i e d , and other benefits of a part of the expenses plugged ordination of petroleum jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy similar nature customarily for the US$6B Liza Phase activities among other granted to the employees of TwoProject developments if relevant Thursday – Mar 16, 2023 the Parties comprising the Vice President, Dr FieldDevelopmentPlansare Contractor Bharrat Jagdeo confirmed also required to have a Guyana agrees Further to this, oil earlier this month that the description of the surface to allow Exxon and companies can recover government’s auditors have outline of the area in which partners to use oil reasonable travel and completed their assessment development and production to pay for their vacations personal expenses of such of ExxonMobil Guyana’s operationswillbecarriedout employees including those recovery of its US$7 3B as well as location and water

The Production Sharing made for travel and investments The official depth of the proposed wells Agreement(PSA)governing relocation of the Expatriate noted that the affiliate andproductionfacilities. the oil-rich Stabroek Block Employees assigned to company has two months to Government is also is not deemed a sweetheart Guyana. Kaieteur News has respond to the government’s proposing to see a deal for ExxonMobil and its also observed that any findings.

description of the offshore partners by accident. The personalincometaxesowing drilling unit and associated contract gives the oil to Guyana by employees of Friday – Mar 17, 2023 equipment that will be used companiesthepowertousea the Parties and paid or to carry out the proposed significant portion of the reimbursed by Exxon and its Govt. now cementing development drilling

nation’s oil to cover a partnersiscostrecoverable. control over expenses activities. It also wants to numberofitsbills,including While the oil companies for 14 new oil blocks review a description of the those pertaining to the dohavethepowertorecover productionplatform(s), vacation and holiday several costs without According to the draft (Continued on page 68) expensesforitsemployees. p e r m i s s i o n ,

From page 67

It also wants to see an Radzik has written to the newly subsea wellheads and manifolds, anticipated production profile; and appointed Chairman of the pipelines, separation and storage any other information required Environmental Assessment Board facilities, measurement equipment pursuant to the safety and (EAB), Dr Mahendar Sharma, and other production facilities that environmental regulations in force asking that he vacates his post due will be used to carry out the at any time during the execution of toatripleconflictofinterest. proposed development and theAgreement.Thedraftdocument In a letter to Dr Sharma that productionactivities. states that all technical models, was shared with this publication on These development plans are particularly, static, and dynamic Friday, Radzik pointed out that she also expected to feature a models, as well as economic is concerned over his role as Head description of geological and models shall to the extent possible of the Guyana Energy Agency reservoir engineering aspects be submitted in a non-proprietary (GEA), Director of the Guyana including reserve estimates, format. Furthermore, the draft PSA Power and Light (GPL) Inc. - a production profiles, reservoir states that the Development Plan party to the application made for management practices to ensure shall be accompanied by an the 300 megawatt gas-fired power maximum efficient recovery of the Environmental Impact Assessment plant- and spouse of Mrs. Nadir resources, resource conservation Plan submitted under the Sharma, Director of the Guyana measuresandproductionschedule. Environmental Protection Act, Power and Gas Incorporated, the

There is also a proposed 1996 The approval of the agency that has applied for an requirement for technical solutions Development plan and issuance of environmentalpermit. aimed at preventing and theProductionLicenseissubjectto Radzik identified herself as an minimizing environmentally theenvironmentalauthorizationsto appellant of the decision made by The civil society activist also questions about the fairness and harmful discharges and emissions, be issued by the Environmental the Environmental Protection shared her concerns with the EAB transparency of the decisionsafety management systems, ProtectionAgency Agency (EPA) to waive and Chairman over what she described making process,” the activist including estimates of maximum Within 20 business days of E n v

the prejudicial manner in which explained. quantityoffuelsandoilthatwillbe receiving the application for Assessment (EIA) study for the the Board has embarked on the She was keen to note too that stored in drilling units or Petroleum Production Licence and construction and operation of the powerplanthearing. the only publicly available productionfacilities. the accompanying Development powerplant

She said that in refusing to documenttheEPAhasreferredtoin Additionally, the Guyana Plan, the PSAs state that the All appeals made by citizens allow the use of the Zoom platform its Public Notice of the waiver of Government wants to see a Ministershalldeemtheapplication regarding this project will be heard for the hearings, the body has the EIA for the power plant is the by the EAB on March 22, 2023. reversedagoodpracticethatallows EIAconducted by ExxonMobil for Given Dr Sharma’s role, coupled Guyanese across the country to the pipeline and Natural Gas with the fact that the other two participate. Liquids facility aspect of the Gasmembers of the Board are also “Your disallowing of Zoom is to-Energyproject. employed by the state, one prejudiced against ordinary Radzik reasoned, “You must be advocate for good governance in citizens, poor communities and awarethattheEPAcanonlyrelyon the petroleum sector, Simone working peoples who may not be material at the hearing that was Mangal-Joly had requested able to travel to participate. Unlike availableatthetimethatitmadethe President Irfaan Ali to reconsider private companies and the decision to waive the EIA for the theappointees. Government,neitherappellantsnor power plant. You should also be Dr Garvin Cummings and Mr community persons affected by awarethatappellantsareentitledto Joslyn McKenzie were appointed projects can reasonably afford to acopyofthismaterial.” members of the Board. According fly experts to Guyana to participate The activist said she to the Official Gazette dated in hearings. It is also prejudiced participated in the hearing of the February 18, 2023 Cabinet against the Guyanese Diaspora waiver of the EIA for the new approved the appointment of the who have relevant skills and Demerara River Bridge where it EAB members for a period of one expertise and a legitimate stake in was evident that the EAB allowed year, with effect from January 1, the matters that come before the the EPA to present material on 2023toDecember31,2023. EAB,”Radzikpointedout. stakeholder engagement which the

It is apposite to note that Dr Additionally, she said that the agency failed to prove existed Sharma heads the Guyana Energy lack of transparency surrounding beforeitmadethedecisiontowaive Agency (GEA), while McKenzie the procedures that will be the EIA for the bridge, despite functions as the Permanent followed during the hearing is requests to the EAB which was Secretary for the Ministry of glaring. grosslyunfair Natural Resources. Finally, Dr The activist told Dr Sharma “I believe that appellants are Cummings is the Chief that appellants need to be able to entitledtoallandanymaterialthat Hydrometeorological Officer prepare adequately for the hearing, the EPA will be relying on at the description of operational aspects submitted if the submitted (CHO). w h i c h r e q u i r e s a c l e a r hearing to support its decision, including maintenance support i n f o r m a t i o n m e e t s t h e

To this end, Radzik said she understanding of the agenda, time and that these in fact ought to have vessels, onshore support facilities, requirements previously outlined lacks confidence in the presently allotments,andproceduresthatwill been properly referenced in the plans for environmental andissufficientlyaccurate. constituted EAB’s ability to hold a befollowed.Assuch,shenotedthat legal public notice,” she pointed monitoring and supervision of It goes on to state that the fair hearing due to conflicts of with only two working days left out petroleum activities, as well as oil minister shall not deem the interests of EAB Board members before the hearing, the EAB has Radzik said considering these spill contingency plans and application for Petroleum and their public duties as failed to provide any clear concerns, “I respectfully request emergencyresponse.Alongwithan Production Licence and the governmentemployees. guidelines or procedures, which that you step down and resign your outline of the socio-economic accompanying Development Plan In her missive to Dr Sharma, makes it difficult to adequately post at the EAB due to conflict of impacts of proposed development submitted until the contractor has Radzik explained, “I am also prepare. interest and put my request on including proposed local content corrected all the deficiencies or deeply concerned that you did not Radzik also pointed out her record for the new EAB to take plans, the administration is calling issues he identified. The review refuse the appointment as Chair of concern that the EPA is reportedly immediate action to address the for the provision of preliminary process would commence the EAB on February 10, 2023, relying on documents for its issues raised to ensure that the estimates of abandonment and followingthis. whenitwaspubliclyknownthatan decisions but has refused to share appeals hearing is conducted in a decommissioning cost and appeal against the EIA waiver for thesewithappellants. fair, transparent, and unbiased descriptionofthedisposalmethod. Saturday – Mar 18, 2023 the power plant was before the “Specifically access to the manner.”

Importantly, the State is EAB and as Chair you would be googlelink attachment containing She clarified that EAB should demanding that oil companies Civil society member tells Dr. headingthisappealsprocess.” the project timeline, which was provide clear guidelines and provide detailed budget estimates Sharma to step down as Chair Shethereforesaid,“Iamcalling supplied by Guyana Power and procedures for the hearing, allow and breakdown of tangible and of EnvironmentalAssessment on you to act ethically to step down LightinthelegallyrequiredProject for the use of the Zoom platform, intangible drilling costs, costs Board ...as triple conflict and to postpone the power plant Summary has not been made and provide all relevant materials associated with facilities and of interest brews hearing until a credible EAB is in available.Thislackoftransparency which the EPA will be referring to

place.” and accountability is deeply in a timely manner in advance of operationalexpenses. Civil society member, Danuta PrejudicialEABhearing concerning and raises serious thehearing.

Civil society activist, Danuta Radzik

2016 Exxon Contract to blame for shortage of foreign currency in Guyana

Eminent Chartered Accountant and Attorneyat-Law, Christopher Ram, has in light of the growing concerns over a reported shortageofavailableforeign currency locally namely the US Dollar laid the blame,squarelyatthefeetof a fractured and oftentimes unenforced legislative regime, together with the 2016 Production Sharing AgreementfortheStabroek Block.

Ram gave his views in his most recent public missive on the state of affairs of Guyana’s still nascent oil and gas industry where he observed the “contradiction that even as Guyana has the fastest growing economy in the world, and amid a phenomenal expansion in oil production and export, the issue of the availability offoreignexchangeisnowa majortopic.”

Thissituationhesaidhas led to a running debate on facts between the Government, the Bank of Guyana(BoG),segmentsof the Private Sector Commission (PSC) and of the banking sector and privatelyownedbusinesses.

Before delving into the now infamous 2016 Contract that was inked by t h e C o a l i t i o n Administration under the hand of then Substantive Minister, Raphael Trotman, he sought to address the provisions legislative and contractual regime under which the oil companies have been taking advantage of. Thatcontractwassigned between then Minister Trotmanandrepresentatives for Esso Exploration and ProductionGuyanaLimited (EEPGL) ExxonMobil

Guyana Hess Guyana Exploration and China

National Offshore Oil Company Prefacing his analysis, Ram noted that contrary to popular belief while the ‘Exchange ControlAct’wasrepealedin 1996bythenHeadofState, theLateCheddiJagan,there still remains a number of controlsinplaceunderother existing laws. He cited as example, the Customs Act, the Foreign Exchange Miscellaneous Provisions Act and “tangentially the BankofGuyana.”

With this in mind, he notedthatthelatter,Foreign Exchange Miscellaneous Provisions Act which repealed the Exchange Control Act, seeks to regulateforeignborrowings by requiring the permission of BoG for foreign borrowings by domestic operators or borrowing in Guyana by companies controlled by non-resident companies Against this backdropcoupledwithwhat he described as “our weak Local Content Act, meant that the companies, (which have paid their way into buying Guyanese status, have paid their way into buying Guyanese status, h a v e a s a d i r e c t consequence, also bought theirwayaroundthisActas well ” Against the foregoing, Ram pointed to the provisions in the 2016 PSA which has since been universally maligned, “shows an abominable lack of or interest in ensuring compliancewiththelaw.”

Expanding further, he pointed to the specific Provisions in the PSA that allows the oil companies and their expatriate employees to essentially retain foreign currency outsideofGuyana.

He noted that under the PSA, the beneficiaries of

those provisions enjoy the right to retain abroad all foreign exchange obtained from the export sales of the contractor’s petroleum and toremitandtoretainabroad, all foreign exchange earned from the sales of petroleum orassetsinGuyana.”

Additionally, the contract allows the beneficiaries to open and maintain bank accounts in any foreign currency outside Guyana and to dispose of any sums deposited, without any obligation to convert into Guyanacurrencyanypartof it. He noted further that the oil contract also allows for the right to finance the petroleumoperationsinany currency through any combinationofequity,interaffiliateorthird-partyloans, inter-company bank accounts or production payments.Therighttoplace foreign currency into both GuyaneseandUnitedStates dollars bank accounts in Guyanaandtodisposeofthe sums deposited there without any restriction is also guaranteed under the arrangement Additional provisions also provide for the right of the oil companies to buy and sell Guyanese currency through the banks in order to raise foreigncurrencyinaddition to giving their employees the right to not only remit, anyoralloftheirsalariesto a country of their choosing butcanalsobepaiddirectly intheirhomecountries.

It also provides for oil companies to maintain accounts in both Guyana and US dollar and that the US dollar accounts would prevail should there be conflicts.

This,takentogetherwith the tax provisions, which sees Guyana, paying any

PPP deliberately hiding...

Frompage18

pre-contract audits, as I think several economists and accountants have been saying,willrevealExxon'sbillinghabits,will reveal how Exxon bills (us) for the cost recovery process and that is why it's been delayed...obviously what the audits would revealisthatwearebeingbilledforallsorts of a manner of things and the public outcry wouldbesogreat...”

Similarly, the former Minister of Public Infrastructure said the report of the audit conducted between 2018 and 2020 that was signed last May could reveal more inflated spending.ThatauditwasforUS$7.3billion. Thefinalreportforthisreviewisexpectedto be handed over to government this month, accordingtotheNaturalResourcesMinister Patterson was keen to point out that

failure to verify these expenses may tighten theoilcompany'sholdonthecountrysothat it never gets pass the stage of cost recovery, thereby shortening profits received from the sector

When the contract was awarded for the audit,MinisterBharratassuredthatthereport will be made public. “This audit?Yes, sure. This audit when it's completed? Yes. The document will be filed at the Attorney General'soffice”,hesaid.

PresidentIrfaanAlihadalsopromisedto make the document public. At a press conference in January, this publication reminded the Head of State of this commitment to which he responded, “The publiccanlookforwardtoalotofthingsand I'm not a person who walks back on my commitmenttothiscountry.”

applicable taxes, or taxes notalreadywaivedforthose companies or employees, outofitsshareofprofit.

Cumulatively the effects,accordingtoRamis that no foreign currency is required to be brought back topaytaxesfortheanyofoil companies and other stakeholders encapsulated undertheprovisions.

With this in mind, he citedasanexample,adirect implication outside of the shortageofforeigncurrency

and pointed to the recent donation by CNOOC, to be usedaspartofoutfittingthe soon to be rebuilt Christ ChurchSecondarySchool.

In light of the fact that CNOOC would have saved in in excess of $21B alone, through those tax and other provisions.

With this in mind, he postulated, “it is like giving back to Guyana $1 out of every few thousands of dollars of the taxes we pay forthem.WhataDeal!”

CharteredAccountant and Attorney, Christopher Ram

…situation made worse by fractured, unenforced legislative regime - Ram

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From page 39 emphasizing that the best way to safeguard a nation and its people is to uphold the rule of law.

She noted that humanity faces an existential threat from greenhouse gas pollution from fossil fuels.

According to Janki, the Rule of Law stands between humanity and oblivion.

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She therefore charged her fellow lawyers keep up the fight that upholds the rule of law.

“We can save life on earth.

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2 & 4 bedrooms Apartments and 2 empty corner lot for rent at Bladen Hall, E.C.D. Call/ WhatsApp: 700-0030/ 684-1787.

One apartment for rent @ First St Mon Repos E.C.D, Market street. Call: 614-0005/ 602-4105.

Two 2 bedrooms apartment for rent (fully furnished) located on South Road, for long term or short term. Call: 614-0495.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE OF GUYANA CIVIL JURISDICTION COMMERCIAL DIVISION

2023-HC-DEM-CIV-FDA42

BETWEEN:

In the matter of the Deceased Persons’ Estates Administration Act Chapter 12:01

-and-

In the matter of the Supreme Court Civil Procedure Rules 2016

-and-

In the matter of the estate of MOHAMED ZAIMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED ZAMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED OUSMAN aka RAYMAN MOHAMED, deceased -and-

In the matter of an Application for Probate by SASEMATTIE OUSMAN Applicant NOTICE

TO: BIBI HAFEEZA HUSSEIN

217 South Road

Lacytown, Georgetown And

PARBATTIE SANICAR

217 South Street

Lacytown, Georgetown

TAKE NOTICE that you are the two named witnesses in the Will of MOHAMED

Let our heads be held high. Let our words come out from the depths of truth....,” Janki added.

MOHAMED died on the 17th March, 2016, at the Georgetown, Hospital. TAKE NOTICE that after the second and final publication of the said Notice, you are required to appear at the Probate Registry at the Supreme Court, Georgetown, to sign and execute an Affidavit of attesting witnesses or to contact the Chambers of Mr. Saphier Husain, Attorneyat-Law whose address for service and place of business is at First Federation Building, Croal Street, Georgetown, Tele no: 615 9112 to do same. AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that if there is no appearance by the said witnesses, an Order will be granted to dispense with your Affidavit of Attesting witnesses, which will authorize the Probate Registry to issue a grant of Probate of the said Will of MOHAMED ZAIMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED ZAMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED OUSMAN aka RAYMAN MOHAMED, Deceased.

Dated this 15thday of March, 2023

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

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

ZAIMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED ZAMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED OUSMAN aka RAYMAN MOHAMED, deceased, dated 24th August, 2012. That MOHAMED

ZAIMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED ZAMAN OSMAN aka MOHAMED OUSMAN aka RAYMAN

Experienced Hauler/ Lorry Driver and Porters required. Apply at Alabama Trading, 65 Robb St, Bourda.

Office space Brickdam 8000 sq ft, Mc Doom land 6000 sq ft and 2 bedrooms in Albertown & Houston. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

BestofLindenMagazine...

Frompage60 ofthebestindividualsacross varioussectorsandfields.

Some of the country’s best athletes, academics, artistes and trade men and women were birthed and raised in the bauxite mining town.

Lindenisalsocreditedas the town where some of the nationallyrecognisedevents were birthed such as Mashramani.

Wright said the aim of the magazine is to show the world that Linden is more than bauxite, high unemployment rate, the 2012 struggle and the ‘1964 Wismar massacre’ and the ‘Son Chapman Massacre’. When you hear about Linden, those negative thoughtsalwaysderive.

“ I t ’ s r e a l l y a celebration about what is good about Linden, the people who are selling, institutions that are doing well, and it is important that the magazine documentthat

So it is a celebration

about Linden, the best of Linden, again because the narrative,weonlytalkabout what is wrong for Linden andwhatisbadforLinden,it has challenges and I won’t attempttoavoidthat,butwe thought about what’s good and strong for Linden,” Wrightsaid.

Though Linden is s t e a d i l y g a i n i n g recognition as a tourism destination with the media frenzy surrounding the blue lakes, the magazine featuresmorethantheblue lakes and details the hospitality sector of the townspectacularly.

“Part of it is showing parts of Linden that we don’t see and discuss and we feature the hotels, the adsinthemagazinefeature cook shops and bakeries, so from a tourism point of view, the magazine gives y o u s o m e d i r e c t information about Linden for example if you are in Georgetown and you pick up the magazine and you cometoLinden,youwould

know where to go, where the restaurants are, who are doing tours, so it’s a very good document to promote Linden and give those in Linden the access to know whatisgoingon.”

Some of those captured in the second edition, include Best Nursery School – Pine Street Nursery; Best Principal –Ms Camille Cummings; Best Eating House – Kay’s Klassy Diner; Best Caterer

Denise Gordon; Best DJ

Quelly Ranks; Best

R e p o r t e r – Tr a c y Liverpool; Best Barber –RomainGilkes; Best Vegetable/Fruit Vendor –Kurtis, and Best Ferry Service

“

AdamsFerry

We have faced pandemics and scourges, exhibitingtheresiliencethat we are known for, while accepting the lessons being taught.

We celebrate the delightful variety of small businesses and the courage beingshownbytheyouthful entrepreneurs,”Wrightsaid.

AlldecisionsofEABwillbefair-Dr.Sharmaassures ...ascitizensraiseconcernsoftripleconflictofinterest

As concerns grow over the appointment of Dr. Mahendar Sharma as C h a i r m a n o f t h e Environmental Assessment Board(EAB),hehasassured thatalldecisionsmadebythe three-member body will be fair

In an invited comment, Dr Sharma, who heads the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and serves as a Director of the Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) assured,“Alldecisionsofthe

EAB will be based on the facts in a fair, unbiased mannerafterahearingofthe parties. All appeals will be carefully reviewed and the statutory responsibilities of the EAB will be discharged in accordance with the EPA Actwithoutfearorfavour.”

A member of civil society, Danuta Radzik had writtentoDr.Sharmaasking thathevacateshispostsince inadditiontohisrolesattwo state agencies, he is also the spouse of Mrs Nadir

Sharma, Director of the Guyana Power and Gas Incorporated,theagencythat has applied for an environmentalpermitforthe 300megawattpowerplantto beconstructedatWales.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) waived the need for an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the facility in January of this year, but several Guyanese objectedtothisdecision.The EAB, headed by Dr Sharma

willonWednesdayheartheir concerns and determine whether the regulator made the right decision to exempt the power plant from a detailedimpactassessment.

Given Dr Sharma's intimate role in two state agencies and his relation to theDirectoroftheapplicant, citizens do not believe he should preside over the hearing.

HehowevertoldKaieteur News, “Following appeals againstadecisionoftheEPA to exempt the construction and Operation of a 300 MW Gas-fired Power Plant for an EIA under Section 11(2) (a) of the Act, the EAB has decided to conduct a public hearing under Section 18 (2) of theAct, to hear the views of the appellants, developer andotherkeystakeholders.

IwishtoassurethatIwill continuetoconductmyselfin a professional manner, as I have always done, in any portfolioIundertake.”

AccordingtotheOfficial Gazette dated February 18, 2023 Cabinet approved the appointment of the EAB members for a period of one year, with effect from January1,2023toDecember 31, 2023 Dr. Garvin Cummings and Mr Joslyn McKenzie were appointed members of the Board. It is apposite to note that while McKenzie functions as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Natural Resources, Dr Cummings is t h e C h i e f Hydrometeorological

EAB Chairman, Dr Mahendar Sharma is also a Director of GPLand spouse of the Director of the Guyana Power and Gas Incorporated, the agency that has applied for an environmental permit.

Officer(CHO).

To this end, Radzik said she lacks confidence in the presently constituted EAB's ability to hold a fair hearing duetoconflictsofinterestsof EAB Board members and their public duties as governmentemployees.

In her missive to Dr Sharmathatwassharedwith this newspaper on Friday, Radzikexplained,“Iamalso deeply concerned that you did not refuse the appointment as Chair of the EAB on February 10, 2023, when it was publicly known thatanappealagainsttheEIA waiver for the power plant

was before the EAB and as Chair,youwouldbeheading thisappealsprocess.”

She therefore said, “I am callingonyoutoactethically tostepdownandtopostpone thepowerplanthearinguntil acredibleEABisinplace.”

Environmental Activist, Simone Mangal-Joly had also written to President Irfaan Ali, asking that he reconsiders the appointed membersoftheEAB.

This Board is a mandatorybody,requiredby the Environmental ProtectionActinSection18. According to the legislation at Section 18 (1) “There is hereby established an Environmental Assessment Board, and the Third Scheduleshallhaveeffectas to the constitution of the Board and otherwise in relationthereto.”

It tasks the members of this board with the responsibility of conducting hearings into all appeals made by the public, regarding EIAs and Environmental Impact Statements(EIS).Italsosays the Board may recommend whether an EIA should be rejected, amended, or accepted, whether a Permit should be issued by the Agency and what terms and conditions should be included in the Permit. In summary,thisBoardplaysa critical role in approving projectsthatmayimpactthe environment Government projectsarealsosubjectedto thescrutinyofthisprocess.

Exploring the splendors of Guyana through the lens of Kevin Somwaru...

Frompage62 talentedSomwaruwho assists in showcasing and offering an opportunity for coastlanders to experience the crashing sounds of waterfalls and the thrills of viewing Guyana from severalfeetup.

In an interview with 'The Waterfalls' earlier this week,Somwarusaidhedid photography as a side gig while attending the University of Guyana, and that his talent developed overtime.

As an environmental officer, Somwaru has travelled to some remote locationsinGuyanathathe describes as “another world”.

“It's like a completely differentworld.Ifsomeone were to blindfold you and

take you to one of these areas,whentheydoremove that blindfold, you would not believe you are still in Guyana, ” the young Biologist said. Through his attachment with a local Environmental

Consultant, Somwaru has visited areas such as Kopinang, Mahdia and Kato in Region Eight, Lethem, Region Nine and Mabaruma and Moruca in RegionOne.

Also on his list of amazing destinations visited so far are Linden, Region 10 and Mahaica Creek,RegionFour These locations according to Somwaru offerpleasuresbeyondthe eyes “The scenery is much different than what we are accustomed to that

live in Regions Two, Three and Four and maybe even Five and Six, because there are mountains and trees; you don't see garbage, the houses are not cramped together and the air and everything is just easier to breathe, though they can feel quite colder,” he shared.

Theyoungmansaidhe wishedthattraveltothese destinations could be more affordable, though the lofty costs are justifiable

Inaddition,hesaiditis commendable that the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is sparing no effort to train individuals at the lodges in these areas to cater to the wishes of visitors.

Motherofallprotests: 400 million people to shutdown African countries over cost-of-living increases

ReportsoutoftheAfrican Continent indicate that there is no let up against planned countrywide protests across at least five countries, outnumbering the size of the U.S.Population.

The countries identified thus far are Nigeria with a population of over 206 million people, South Africa with a population of almost 59 and a half million people, Kenya with 53 8 million people,Tunisia's11.8million and Tanzania with a population of 59.7M, with just over 390 million people tobeaffected.

Theprotestsaresaidtobe r e s p o n s e s t o t h e i r government's dealing with economic and other political problems being experienced onthecontinent.

President William Ruto and othergovernmentofficials.

“ W e c a n n o t b e intimidated by William Ruto and [Deputy President] Rigathi Gachagua. I want to tell them that I fought for the second liberation in this country The two cannot understand what I have gone through I was arrested, charged in court and went to prison in 1983 but was discharged for lack of evidence I have been fighting for democracy and was put in detention for eight years when some of them were still breastfeeding,” Odingasaid.

“The lion (Moi) was dreaded but we uprooted its teeth I am ready and prepared to pay the ultimate price while fighting for the

nationwide marches to protest against the country's powercrisisandhascalledon President Cyril Ramaphosa toresign.

"This is an attempt to overthrow the government. This is not a shutdown, but it'sanarchy,"KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, L i e u t e n a n t - G e n e r a l Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, said on Friday while briefing media on security plans to dealwiththreatsposedbythe protests,theBBreported.

“The magnitude of threats differs from other planned shutdowns and that is why we have to be extra vigilant,” Mkhwanazi was quoted by local media as saying.

According to the report, the police said they had not

the Free Destourian Party in Tunis in opposition to President Kais Saied's policies and constitutional amendmentsinrecentweeks.

Reports indicate that heightened security measures and disruptions to transport and business are likely in areas where protests take place Rallies by supporters of Saied also remain likely The 25 July Movement has also announced plans for a gathering on Habib

Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis

to demonstrate support for the government's policies on thesameday Thatmovement wascreatedinJuly2021after Saieddismissedthecountry's prime minister and dissolved theparliament.

Clashes are expected to

occur, particularly if supporters of rival political groups come in close proximity to each other or if police attempt to forcibly dispersecrowds.

Popular protest sites in

Tunisia include public squares, city centers, and government buildings; antigovernment protests in Tunis are likely to materialize near the country's parliament building, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, and Municipal Theatre, among other prominent locations Security forces will likely erect roadblocks and may close roads around planned protest sites to prevent demonstrators from gathering.

The largely opposition plannedprotestsareexpected to test the line between civil libertiesandsecurity

Reports suggest that SouthAfrica, Kenya, Tunisia and Nigeria may all experience running battles with the police, or peaceful demonstrations as they express dissatisfaction with the governments in dealing with economic and political problems.

Vociferous opposition

African Politician, Kenya's RailaOdinga,inarecentrally held in that country rejected what he called intimidation from the government after he announced Monday as the beginning of protests to 'resist' what he calls a high cost of living which he blames on government lethargy

Odinga who addressed the rally in Nakuru City on Thursday, insisted that the planned protests would be peaceful.

Whilereferringtohisrunins with former President Daniel Moi's regime, Odinga maintainedthathewillnotbe cowed by veiled threats from

liberation of Kenya,” added Odinga amid cheers from the chargedcrowd.

Declaring Monday's planned demonstrations as the “mother of all protests” expected to bring the country to a standstill, Odinga listed sixreasonstojustifyit.These are:refusalbyPresidentRuto to allow the audit of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers, high cost of living after the government eliminated subsidies, nepotism in the Kenya administration, failing to consult other stakeholders in the reconstitution of IEBC, broken promises and an illegitimate government.The rally was Odinga's first public meeting in Nakuru since losing to President Rutoinlastyear'selections.

In South Africa, the police have already warned that the scheduled protests tomorrow are not just a shutdownbutanactivebidto overthrowthegovernment.

It was noted that the South African opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is organising

received notices of any planned gatherings in the province, adding that over 18,000 security officers would be deployed during themarch.

President Ramaphosa on Thursday last warned that anarchy will not be tolerated duringtheprotestsandcalled on security forces to "defend ourpeople".

Hewasoftheopinionthat theonlywaytogethimoutof office and power is through a vote.

Julius Malema, the EFF leader, insists the protests are not illegal and has warned that anyone who attempts to stop them would "meet their maker".

Meanwhile reports out of Tunisia, also points to nationwide protests tomorrow as as the nation observes its Independence Dayholiday

The day commemorates Tunisia's independence from Francein1956andisoftenan occasionformajorralliesand anti-governmentprotests.

Thousands of people have participated in demonstrations organized by

People brave the rain during a public rally by Kenyan opposition leader, Raila Odinga in Nakuru City on March 16, 2023. (PHOTO: John Njoroge)

2023 Milo U18 Football Tournament… Chase’s Academic Foundation in action today

- Carmel, East & West Ruimveldt record wins

Former champion, Chase’s Academic Foundation (CAF), leap into action for the second time in this edition of the Petra organised Milo Under-18 Schools Football Tournament, when they collide with Bygeval in one of the four matches on the card today, at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Vryman’s Erven go up against Vreed en Hoop from 11:00 hrs then Mackenzie High tackle Patentia at 12:45 hrs. CAF thrash it out with Bygeval in the third encounter from 14:00 hrs while the final match features Santa Rosa playing their second

consecutive match of the weekend, this time against St. Stanislaus College from 15:45hrs.

The tournament continues with days seven and eight next weekend, March 25 – 26, as the second round culminates. In yesterday’s fixtures, Carmel defeated Dora 3 – 2 in the opening match, East Ruimveldt trounced Bartica 4 – 2, West Ruimveldt dismantled Queen’s College 7 –0 and Santa Rosa played to a 2 – 2 draw with Dolphin.

Carmel’s triumph was led by Dwayne Baptiste (18’, 64’) and Shem James (34’) as their goals overpowered the double scored by Nkosi Mor-

Sunday March 19, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

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

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

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

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

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

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

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

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

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

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

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

ris (39’, 51’) for Dora. It was a testing win for Carmel after their team was reduced to 9 following the showing of red cards to Ian Daniels and Jermaine Ross.

The second match saw Daniel Sutton (20’, 39, 51’) leading the way for East Ruimveldt with a hat-trick while Joshua Leitch supported with a 33rd minute goal. Bartica were able to find the back of the net twice, compliments of Rondel Loncke (30’) and Ezekiel Baldeo (57’) but it was not enough. West Ruimveldt was also led by a hat-trick performance as Donovan Welcome (12’, 20’, 27’) captialised at

Tucville Secondary draw 0-0 with Lodge Secondary in exciting Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League match

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

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

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

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

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

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

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19)

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

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

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

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

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

every opportunity, as did his teammates Elijah Sattaur (35’), Nickolas James (47’), Malachi Wray (59’) and Isaiah Peters (65’).

In the final match, a goal each from Santa Rosa’s Darius Williams (27’) and Nelon Lucas (40’) along with a goal apiece from Dolphin’s Cadwell Peters (45’) and Gary Burnette (55’) at the regulation time whistle, meant the teams shared the points.

This event is sponsored by Nestlé through Massy Distribution, sanctioned by the MoE and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and also supported by MVP Sports, Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc. (GINMIN) and General Equipment & Supplies Inc. (GENEQUIP).

Tucville and Lodge Secondary Schools did not disappoint supporters with a thrilling nil-nil draw on Friday in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League. Both teams maintained strong defence strategies at the Georgetown Football Club ground.

Tucville and Lodge Secondary Schools are two of the strongest teams in the league. On several occasions, strikers on both sides came close to scoring as teammates, fans and coaches cheered. At the end of the final whistle, there was genuine respect on the pitch between students and coaches.

The GFF-Blue Water Shipping U15 Girls Devel-

opment League, launched in Georgetown in May 2022, is a five-year partnership between the GFF and Blue Water Shipping.

The league, which aims to increase the number of young girls playing football, identify new talent, raise the profile of female football, and provide coaches with more hours to work with young female footballers, is also being played in Linden, the Rupununi and New Amsterdam. GFF President Wayne Forde and the Council are committed to elevating women’s football through the identification of new talent and creation of strategic developmental programmes, including the Blue Water U15 Girls’ Development League.

From page 78 elected to bat first scoring 104/5. Kelvin Singh made 40 and Kevin plants 26. Ruimveldt responded with 105-1 in 8.3 overs. Ershaad Alli made 58 and Deonarine Seegobin 25. At Farm, Sandpipers SC won the toss and decided to bat managing 1383. Andy Lall scored 57, Jonte Thomas 47 and Kishan Persaud 26.

Demolition made 139-1 in 9.2overs. Leon Swamy struck 80 not out and Alex Algoo 42. Herstelling B batting first and posted 227-4. Jermin ramroop made 68 and Clement Archer 44. Rakesh Gangaram took 2-11. North Soesdyke made 174-8. Assad fuddadin scored 42 and Tavis Primo 25. Quazim Yusuf snared 3-23 and Ramroop 231. Sandpiper scored 193-5. Andy Lall made 71, Keshan Persaud 66 and Abilash Deokie 24. Stephen Alves took 2-16. CPRCC scored 1948 in 19.5 overs in reply. Troy Benn struck 1-4 not out, Alves 31 and Ryan Latif 21. Deon Thomas scored 3-30 and Deokie 2-56.

Teams- Herstelling BBudhan Baksh, Darren Manohar, Lawrence Smith, Jermin Ramroop, Clement Archer, Chemroy Keldon, Ravindra Sarabjeet, Trevon Benn, Quazim Yusuf, Miguel Parks, Laurel Parks and Ram Narine. CPRCC-Akeem Redmon, Devon Allen, Ewert Samuels, Troy Benn, Kevin Ross, Kevin Mc Adam, Shaun Massiah, Ryan Latif, Shiloh Adams, Myhiem Khan, Stephen Alves, Shamal Angel and Dave Mohabir. Action starts at 13:00hrs.

Herstelling B and CPRCC...

Change and the GOA Emperor...

Frompage79 emanated on March 7 and outlinedthenomineesforthe corresponding positions, as well as the eligibility of the respectiveaffiliates.

While the affixing of General Secretary Hector Edwards’ signature on an o f f i c i a l e l e c t i o n correspondence without his consent can be technically consideredfalsification,thefact that Edwards has remained sedentary in this portfolio for nearly three years is indefensible and is a clear

example of why change is requiredattheGOA

The GOA General Councilinademonstrationof democratic ethos eventually voted unanimously to afford Assistant Secretary, Dion Nurse, the faculty to sign missives in the absence of Edwards, while the Electoral Congress was appropriately shiftedtoTuesday,March21 The eligibility of the membership will be deliberated at the looming forum While the possible intervention of the Pan

A m e r i c a n S p o r t s Organization (PASO) which represents the 41 national committeesoftheAmericas, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), hasnotbeenpubliclycitedor endorsed,anyattemptatsuch a move can be viewed as meanstocreateconfusion,or worst yet, offer the nation potential residency in the international wilderness WouldtheGOAbossoptfor, or even entertain utilising such an avenue and intervention,whenadomestic

solution, [evident by the General Secretary fiasco], to anyofthedilemmasfacingthe entity can be resolved in an egalitarianmanner?Wouldthe General Council be open to such an approach given the possibleramificationsofsuch an action? Unfortunately, it is thenatureandessenceofsome individuals to see the world burn One is therefore impelled to ask, is that the possiblepostureandintention ofthedepartingPresident?Is Juman-Yassin willing to destroyanddemolishinstead

of build? The sporting fraternity, specifically the athletes, would hope not, as theystandthebiggestlosersif international suspension is the consequence Deepak Chopra, the famed IndianAmerican author, sagely noted,“Allgreatchangesare preceded by chaos” Would international intervention be that desired bedlam? In our local sporting ecosystem, this eventual change would unquestionablybethegreatest

Tobewillingnottochangeor adapt is counter-protective to

progress Sportisanevolving sector, an industrial complex that consists of several dimensions The science, the equipment, and the training techniques, all geared to the athletes’ advancement and transformationareitsprincipal language Changeisitsdialect, i t s c u r r e n c y, a n d administrators should not be absolvedfromthisirrefutable constant As Alfonso R Bernard,anAmericanpastor once said, “When change is necessary, not to change is destructive.”

2023 West Indies Championship… Harpy Eagles rise higher with win over Red Force

Volcanoes seal victory on Day 4 with first ball

Guyana Harpy Eagles have undoubtedly tightened their grip on the lead in the 2 0 2 3 We s t I n d i e s Championship following their comprehensive fourdaywinagainstTrinidadand Tobago (T&T) Red Force that was completed yesterday at the Brian Lara CricketAcademy(BCLA)in T&T.

Harpy Eagles won by 143-runs after restricting Red Force to 268 in 97.4 oversinthelatterstageofthe second session. Red Force were in pursuit of the 412run target set by the Harpy Eagles, which was needed foraTrinidadianvictory

Atthecommencementof Day Four, the home team needed 306 runs for victory while the visitors needed seven wickets to earn their second win of the tournament Red Force started the day on 106 – 3 with their captain, Darren Bravo and Jyd Goolie on 63 and14,respectively

The pair pressed on with their partnership and took it to 49, where it was b r o k e n b y a miscommunication betweenthebatsmen,which led to Matthew Nandu findingadirecthittoremove Goolie for 18; Red Force were119–3.

Tion Webster was the new batsman but his stay was short lived as he was bowled by Veerasammy Permaul for 16 to leave T&Ton144–3.Duringthat time, Bravo survived o n e of the many questionable calls from the umpires this match and was quickly approaching his thirdcenturythisseason.

However, the left hander lost his focus in the nervous 90s and drove one from Permaul into the lap ofKevinSinclairatmid-off, five runs short of triple figures Red Force then suffered another huge blow as Permaul bowled

the new batsman, Imran Khan,theverynextball

T&T slipped to 165

7 Bryan Charles (1) survived Permaul’s hattrick ball, but three overs later became his third victim of the innings as

T&T lost their eighth wicket for 174 runs on the brinkoflunch.

Middle order batsman Amir Jangoo watched from the other end as Bravo, Khan and Charles were dismissed in quick succession but along with lower order batsmen

Uthman Muhammad

(25) and Justin Manick (22), he was able to reach another First Class half century

During that time, the Harpy Eagles’ approach became too casual and invitedatleastthreedropped catches in the session Muhammed’s dismissal –the ninth wicket, was alsoaclearumpireerror;he wasgivenout(caught)from a bouncer from Ronsford Beaton that painfully deflectedoffofhisshoulder

Kevin Sinclair was responsible for the final wicket of Manick, who was caught behind by Tevin Imlach, as Jangoo was left unbeaten on an even 50. Imlach took over from AnthonyBramble,whowas struck over the right eye in the second session by a lively delivery from Beaton thatburstthroughhisgloves.

Permaul ended the innings with three wickets, BeatonandKeemoPaulboth had two wickets each while Nial Smith and Kevin Sinclairclaimedoneeach.

In this match, Harpy Eagleslostthetossandwere given first strike in the 1st innings, where they posted 324.

They restricted T&T to 160 and led by 164 runs going into the 2nd innings.

Harpy Eagles then

declaredfor247–6toleave amammoth412forvictory

This win keeps Guyana in the lead with two Rounds lefttocontest.

Volcanoes seal victory onDay4…

In the other Round three match,ittooktheWindward Islands Volcanoes about 30 seconds on the final day to wrapuptheirvictoryagainst Scorpions at the Guyana N a t i o n a l Stadium, Providence, as Shermon

Lewis produced a magnificentdeliveryfirstup to claim the last Jamaican wicket.

Themomentwasalsoan excellentoneforLewis,who achieved a five-wicket haul in the process, when he beautifully bowled Nicholson Gordon (2) to leave him in utter disbelief after he did so well to keep Volcanoes at bay in the closingoversofDay3’sfinal session.

Volcanoes eventually triumphed by 181 runs after they restricted Scorpions to 233in93.1overstobecome the second team to reign supreme in the third round, following Leeward Islands Hurricanes’ victory against defending champion, Barbados Pride, which ended on the third day (Friday).

In the first innings, Hurricanes posted 217 and restricted Scorpions to 101 to achieve a lead of 216 aheadofthesecondinnings. Hurricanesputforthabetter performance with the bat in the other innings as they reached 298 all out, to set a targetof415forvictory

Meanwhile, the fourth round bowls off on Wednesday, March 22, as GuyanabattleJamaicaatthe Guyana National Stadium, Leeward Islands and Windward Islands collide at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy and T&T host Barbados at the Queen’s ParkOval.

Veerasammy Permaul

All roads lead to Kennard Memorial Turf Club today

Trophy Stall and other major sponsors jump on board

W i t h a l l t h e a r r a n g e m e n t s a n d preparations in place and sponsors on board fans are expected to journey to the

Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC), Bush Lot Farm,CorentyneBerbicefor its eagerly anticipated grand onedayMemorialhorserace

meetslatedfortodaySunday 19March2023,attheclub’s entity The Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC)

undoubtedly has the best facilities among the horseracing tracks in Guyana and the organizers havebeenputtingeverything in place to make sure it remains that way Reports from the entity are that the track is in top shape for this meet.Atotalofsixracesare carded for the day with a whopping $5M in cash, trophiesandotherincentives up for grabs in what is expectedtobeascintillating day of racing. Last count showed over 40 of the country’s top horses have taken entry in the eagerly anticipated day of racing. The feature event is for horses classified B and Lower over one mile for a winning purse of $1M complimentsoftheKennard family and the Kennard M

shouldsuitalltheentries.

First Prize winners: Band-Lower will be a whooping one million dollars cash prize and KennardMemorialstakes,G –and-Lower take is five hundred thousand, J-andLowerthreehundredandfifty thousand, while in the Open race the winner will bag two hundred thousand and in the three-yearmaidenandKand L Non Earner $350,000 and $180,000 respectively

Second Prize winners will pocket: B-and-Lower $500,000, G-and-Lower $250,000, J-and-Lower $175,000, Open $100,000, whileThree-yearMaidenand K-and-LNonEarnerwilltake home $175,000 and $90,000 respectively While third and fourthplacewinnerswillalso walk away with substantial cashprizes

Among the major

sponsors are Metro

Stationery and Office Supplies, the Kennard Family, Demerara Distilleries Limited, Mr Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Mr Mohin Persaud of NandPersaudandCompany Limited and Ansa Mc Al among others. Meanwhile, organizers revealed that the event is being conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority (GHRA) and that these rules would be rigidly enforced. The outstanding jockeys, trainers and stable will all receive trophies and o t h e r a c c o l a d e s c o m p l i m e n t s o f Businessman Ramesh Sunich of the Trophy Stall Guyana fame The day’s event will be held in the memory of the late Chancellor of the Judiciary Justice Cecil Kennard Bugle time is 12:30hrs (Samuel

Whyte)

Herstelling B and CPRCC to clash in EBDCA SD T20 final today at Farm

Herstelling B and Continental Park RaptorsCCwillclashinthefinaloftheEast BankDemeraraCricketAssociationSDT20 competitiontodayatFarm.

In the semifinals played last Sunday at Farm,HerstellingBbeatDemolitionbyfive wickets. Batting first, Demolition won the toss and decided to bat scoring 117-9. BernardBaileymade24notoutandCorwin Austin 19. Budhan Baksh bagged 5-34 and Darren Manher took 2-28. Herstelling B responded with 120-5 in 15 overs. Clement Archermade37andMiguelParks30.Floyd Josephtook2-12.

In the second semi final, CPRCC beat HerstellingAby 12 runs. CPRCC took first strike and managed 138-9. Shiloh Adams scored 54 and Troy Benn 23.Anand Bharat took 2-16, Akeem Redmond 2-26 and M. Dhanpaul 2-34. Herstelling A replied with 126-9. Jevon Hector scored 23 and Vivian Beckles 22. Dave Mohabir claimed 2-15, StephenAlves2-18andEwertSamuels2-27.

Inpreviousmatches,atFarm,Demolition CCmade187-6in20overs. DamionVantull scored 84 not out, Bernard Bailey 31 and CorwinAustin20. L.Samtook2-21.Eccles SCrepliedwith100-8.TS.Smithscored30 not out and Daniel Barker 26. Lenny Pancham took 2-20. At YMCA Ground, Meadow Bank managed 164/3, taking first strike. B. Jaikarran made 57, R. Melville 25 and N. Persaud 24. Silverbullet made 166/7 from 19.4 overs in reply Ridge Rajaram scored 57 and Leron Crawford 49. S. Bacon grabbed4-27andM.Cumerbatch2-17. Silverbullet made 171 all out in 17.3 overstakingfirststrike.

VickashDhaniramslammed50andLuen David 21. Buddan Baksh captured 4-23 and D. Manohar 3-37. Herstelling B mustered 117/7 in reply QuazimYusuf scored 31 and

Budhan Baksh

Baksh 20. Luen David took 2-14 and JeremiahBenjamin2-18.

HerstellingAwonthetossandbattedfirst scoring 166 for 9 in 14.3. Richie Looknauth slammed112.ChrisHarryclaimed3-17and M.Cumberbatch2-15.

Meadowbankreplywerebowledoutfor 41alloutin11overs.RonaldoMcGarrelgot 21 asAnand Bharat bagged 5-5 including 4 wicketsin4ballsandDelroyWilliams2-8. Patricia Sawmill batted first and scored 134 all out off 15 overs. Michael Realine snared 5 for 13 and Ravi Singh 3 for 11. Providence in reply made 119 with Rakish Segoramscoring65. Eccleswonthetossand (Continuedonpage75)

Change and the GOAEmperor

The inevitability of changeistheonetruththatis certainandinescapable.

Life in its simplest depiction is a cycle of transition.Onceamantwice achildisanaxiomthatmost Guyanese are au fait with, which is grounded in the theory of retro-genesis, and thoughofbiblicalinfluence, itsoriginationisrootedinthe ancient Greek tragedian, Sophocles.

American Author Jack Canfield famously stated, “Changeisinevitableinlife. You can either resist it and potentiallygetrunoverbyit or you can choose to cooperatewithit,adapttoit, and learn how to benefit from it. When you embrace change,youwillbegintosee it as an opportunity for growth.”

The Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) President and former magistrate Kalam JumanYasmin,75,seemstowantto operateoutsidethisdynamic and which in itself demonstrates an aversion to the human reality of change andtransition.

Though tedious to echo, Yassin’s hegemony has ‘humble’ beginnings in 1996, some 26 years ago, and (lamentably from his personal perspective), cannot continue his supremacy, following the implementation of an age

limitstatute(70)in2022.

Change is now expected to constitutionally transpire atthehelmofthisinstitution, with Guyana Baseball League chief, Robin Singh, and Guyana Table Tennis Association president, GodfreyMunroe,contesting for the right to lead the new era.

The million-dollar question for many of the interested parties and stakeholders,someofwhom have written recently on the perceived position and action of the incumbent, is whether the GOA‘emperor’ is fighting to remain relevant.

Inotherwords,isJumanYassin really adverse to change? Though the confirmationofsuchaquery mightneverbeforthcoming, theperceptionofmanyinthe local sports landscape supports that alleged narrative.

Immediately, the synergetic combination of power and perks comes into focusasthepossiblereasons for his antipathy to such an actuality After all, this is a habitual syndrome, even attitude, and mentality, that plagues most sporting administrators, especially personalities who are the leaders of major sporting entities, and who have occupied the posts long enoughtoforgetthatitisnot

an inheritance. Could it be that the GOA boss has succumbedtothismalaise?

Sportsofanycertitudeis a results-driven fraternity and as such, failure is easily recognized and often remedied in an expeditious fashion. Palpably, the GOA ‘emperor’ has been able to escape this best practice despite sporting an abysmal record.

Any examination of his curriculum vitae is far from anarduousundertaking.The applicable writings which are abundant in numbers have highlighted the dearth ofaccomplishmentunderhis 26-year reign. Since clarity should always be the proverbial North Star, two Commonwealth gold medals, 16 years apart, are his storied achievement More importantly, no Olympic medals during his dominionarehislegacy!An extension of this abject legacy was afforded due to an allegedly fraudulent election documentation that wascirculatedtotheGeneral Council of the GOA. The missiveinquestion

(Continuedonpage76)

GOAPresident K.A. Juman-Yassin

Hope century enough for West Indies to overcome South Africa despite impressive Bavuma knock impressive

SportsMax - A century from Shai Hope in his first game asWest Indies captain helped the tourists to a 48runwinoverSouthAfricaat Mercedes-BenzPark.

Hope hit 128 not out from 115 balls to lead West Indiestoanimposingtotalof

335-8, their highest score against South Africa in ODIs. His opposite number, Temba Bavuma, did even better as he managed 144 from 118 in reply, but a lack of help from elsewhere saw the Proteas fall short of the target.

Openers Brandon King and Kyle Mayers put on 67 for West Indies’first wicket before the latter hit Bjorn Fortuin (2-57) to deep midwicket to the waiting hands of Ryan Rickelton for 36.

Pooran steadied the innings after the further losses of Shamarh Brooks (0) and King(30)withapartnership of 86 before Pooran was dismissedbyGeraldCoetzee for 39, but Hope established another solid stand with RovmanPowell(46)through themiddleovers.

After Jason Holder went for 15, it looked like Hope may run out of partners as AkealHosein(2)andOdean Smith (1) departed quickly, but Alzarri Joseph (13 not out) played a solid supporting role in the final oversasHopeclatteredsome more crucial runs at the end oftheinnings.

The Proteas’ chase got offtoagoodstartasQuinton de Kock and Bavuma provided 76 for the opening wicket before De Kock was trappedlbwbyMayersforan

aggressive48from26balls.

Bavuma kept things ticking over along with Rickelton (14) and Tony de Zorzi(27),whileRassievan der Dussen (8) and Tristan Stubbs (6) exited quickly as South Africa’s captain was alsorunningoutofpartners.

Marco Jansen (17), Fortuin (1) and Coetzee (1) were not far behind, before Bavuma’s innings was finally over when he gloved one from Joseph (3-53) down the leg side and into Hope’s waiting hands, with the same duo combining to dismissTabraizShamsifora ducktosecurevictory

It’s the Hope that kills you Hope seems to thrive in the 50-over game more than any other format, averaging 50.4 with the bat in ODIs –the best of any player for West Indies in the history of

theformat(min.sixinnings) – compared to 25.0 in Tests andjust17.9inT20Is.

The new West Indies captain’s unbeaten 128 here was his 14th ODI century, which he reached by clubbing five fours and sevensixes.

Bavuma’s brave riposte notenough

It will be little consolation to Bavuma that heoutscoredHope,butitwas still an innings worthy of acclaim from the 32-yearold.

His 11 fours and seven sixesbrieflygavetheProteas a chance, but a lack of support meant he was on a hidingtonothing.

Scores: West Indies 335 for8(Hope128*,Coetzee357) beat South Africa 287 (Bavuma 144, Hosein 3-59, Joseph3-53)by48runs.

12 Villages to battle in PPP Soesdyke/ Timehri Cluster 7-A-Side Football

Members of the Soesdyke team.

Cluster hosts a 7-a-side Football Competition Featuring a number of experienced playerswhohavemadetheir namesinEastBankandCity football, twelve (12) village

teams would be throwing down the gauntlet to each other as they battle for lucrative prizes. Aimed at building camaraderie in the spirit of ‘One Guyana’ this competition will showcase teams from St Cuthbert’s Mission, Kairuni, Soesdyke, Silver Hill, Long Creek, Hauraruni, Kuru Kuru, Yarrowkabra, Circuit Ville, SwanWaiakabra,Laluni,and Kuru Kuru College All the villages have been known to produce quality players who have done well for their

respective teams and for the East Bank at the InterAssociationlevel

The likes of former senior national player Mervin Joseph along with juniors Tyrell Khan among otherplayerswillsurelyadd momentum to the matches that are expected to be well supported by the fans of the respective teams over the two-day of anticipated, intenserivalry Kick-offtimeis10:00hrs with the official March past ofthecompetingteams.

Hope and Nicholas

Kyle Mayers and his team-mates anxiously wait for a review. (Gallo Images/Getty Images)

Temba Bavuma looks to slam the ball. (Gallo Images)

Shai Hope made a classy century to lead the West Indies. (AFP/Getty Images file photo)

Guyana Harpy Eagles shake hands with the final pair after sealing the win against T&T.