Kaieteur News

Rigged!!! Environment and Democracy advocate appeals to President

to withdraw new EAB members Chairman of the EAB, Dr.

WGuyana Power and Gas impacttheenvironment. d a y l e f t equated the decision to Commission (GECOM)

ith only one President on the issue, G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s

Incorporated,theagencythat Be that as it may, the before the appoint the new EAB through the installation of has applied for an Government of Guyana on

Environment members to the attempt Justice Patterson as environmentalpermit. February 10, 2023 via the al Assessment Board (EAB) made by the former Chairman, and subsequent E n v i r o n m e n t a l Official Gazette published a hosts a special hearing into administration to rig the effortstorigtheresultsofthe Protection Act in Section 18 Cabinet decision to appoint theappealsmadebycitizens, 2020elections. 2020 National and Regional tasks the members of this Dr. Sharma as Chairman of regarding a decision made She said, “As a citizen of Elections. Even though the board with the responsibility the EAB and Dr. Garvin by the Environmental this country who has spent a scopeandscalearedifferent, of conducting hearings into Cummings and Mr. Joslyn Protection Agency (EPA) to significant amount of my your government’s actions, all appeals made by the McKenzieasmembersofthe exempt a 300 megawatt gas- adult life monitoring with respect to the EAB, public, regarding EIAs and Board. fired power plant from a elections as part of our appear to be a similar assault Environmental Impact It is apposite to note that detailed impact assessment, struggle to build a on a legal instrument of Statements(EIS).Italsosays while McKenzie functions E n v i r o n m e n t a n d democratic society, I must democracy; in this case, the Board may recommend as the Permanent Secretary Democracy advocate, say that your government’s participatorydemocracy.” whether an EIA should be for the Ministry of Natural Simone Mangal-Joly has actions on this matter to date She was referring to the rejected, amended, or Resources, Dr Cummings is appealed to the President to brings back chilling appointment of Dr accepted, whether a Permit t h e C h i e f rescind the appointments of memories of what many in Mahendar Sharma, Head of should be issued by the Hydrometeorological thenewBoard. our nation, including the Guyana Energy Agency Agency and what terms and Officer(CHO).

In an open letter to the yourself and members of (GEA) being approved by – a party to the application conditions should be Given the individual Head-of-State, published in your Party, would recount as Cabinet to act as Chairman made for the 300 megawatt includedinthePermit. functions of the appointed this newspaper on Sunday, the A partnership for of the EAB. Dr Sharma is gas-fired power plant- and In summary, this Board members in their respective Mangal-Joly, in a second National Unity’s (APNU) alsoaDirectoroftheGuyana spouse of Mrs Nadir plays a critical role in state-ownedentities, correspondence to the attempt to capture the Power and Light (GPL) Inc. Sharma, Director of the approving projects that may (Continued on page 16)

Mahendar Sharma

Chief Hydrometeorological Officer, Dr. Garvin Cummings

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Natural Resources, Joslyn McKenzie

ExxonMobil must re-inject oily produced water into wells rather than dump overboard

Esso Exploration byproducts or with trace and Production amountsofheavymetalsand Guyana Limited n a t u r a l l y - o c c u r r i n g

- Environmental activist tells EPA

per day of produced water or processes for treating commonly referred to as Department of Energy said 47,700 m3 per day is to be produced water are able to ExxonMobil Guyana, has in a research paper. It is also released daily She was keen reduce levels to less than 5 submitted an Environmental usually very high in to note that these estimated mg/L.” Impact Assessment (EIA) to temperature, and can be figures may very well be To this end, the activist t h e E n v i r o n m e n t a l deadlytomarineorganisms. muchhigher arguedthatitisunacceptable Protection Agency (EPA) to Exxon has opted to treat She said, “Uaru’s EIA for Exxon and its partners to consideringrantingaPermit the produced water rather saysthatproducedwaterwill continue to recommend that for its fifth oil project, Uaru- than re-inject it as the latter be treated to meet World outdated levels for ratio of the largest offshore hasbeenprovenmorecostly BankGroupEHSGuidelines oil in water be used in new developmenttodate. Duringthetreatmentprocess for Offshore Oil & Gas oilfields. The project seeks to however, the oil company Development 2015; IMO She said, “We demand develop up to 300,000 has subjected itself to 2004 for in water of 29 mg/L thattheseOSPARguidelines barrels of oil per day in the standards that best suits its monthly average and 42 are made a requirement for resource rich Stabroek operation, rather than mg/L daily maximum Uaru and for any new oil Block. standards that reflect best HoweverNorthEastAtlantic field production coming on F o l l o w i n g t h e industrypractices. guidelines. e n v i r o n m e n t a l OSPAR sets the goal for stream such as Payara and submission of the EIAto the Flagging these issues, The Environmental management.” Clearly, this produced water as follows in Yellowtail. If Norway could regulatory agency on Radzik in her submission activist argued that the is not the case as there has oil and gas operations they have achieved 11.7 mg/L January 8, 2023, a 60 days explained,“Accordingtothe developer is applying to been no improvement “should ensure that plans to dispersed oil in produced public comments period was four leading authorities on continue its environmentally neither any attempt on the construct new offshore water in 2012 why can’t triggered,allowingmembers oil and gas- OSPAR, IFC unsafe methods for dumping part of EEPGL and Uaru’s installations, or to modify ExxonMobil and EEPGLset of the public to make written W o r l d B a n k , t h e PW, as it did in the EIAs EIA authors Acorn, to substantially existing standard of zero oil in water submissions to the EPA on International Association of submittedtodatefortheLiza propose, modify or change offshore installations should as recommended by OSPAR thedocument. Oil and Gas IOGP and The OneandTwoprojectsaswell unsafe and environmentally take as a point of departure in2023.”

( E E P G L ) , radioactivematerials,theUS

Environmental, Citizen European Commission on as the studies conducted for unsound practices as regards the minimization of Radzik has called on the and Human Rights Activist, Best Available Techniques Payara and Yellowtail- the disposal of toxic produced discharges and the EPA reject Exxon’s plan to Danuta Radzik in her ( B a t ) o n U p s t r e a m company’s third and fourth water from FPSO’s into achievement of zero release produced water into submission to the EPAmade Hydrocarbon Exploration developmentsrespectively G u y a n a ’ s m a r i n e dischargesofoilinproduced the aquatic environment and it clear that the oil company and Production, the best, She pointed out, “On environment used in Liza 1, water.” insteadputmeasuresinplace should not be allowed to safest,mostenvironmentally page 67 of Uaru EIA under Liza 2 and to be used in A d d i t i o n a l l y , a forre-injection. dump toxic produced water sound system for produced the heading Technology Payara and Yellowtail and comparison of offshore (PW) overboard, but should water is re-injection back Alternatives, it says that proposed again in the Uaru operations in Norway in rather re-inject the liquid into an appropriate reservoir “EEPGL is using the most project.”

2012 shows an average of intothewells. orwell.” appropriate industry proven Radzik highlighted that dispersed oil in produced

Produced water is a She said that while a technologies in developing Exxon’s Environmental water to be 11.7mg/L. and liquid that is extracted numberofexplanationshave its project, in terms of well Impact Statement discloses according to Voldum et al, during the oil production been supplied by Exxon for drilling, drilling fluids…and that some 300,000 barrels 2008 current equipment and activities It contains discharging produced water dissolved mineral salts, or intothemarineenvironment, may be mixed with organic oneofthemainreasonscited compounds such as acids, is cost of reinjection. Other waxes, and mineral oils. It reasons according to Radzik may also be mixed with do not seem consistent with inorganic metals and the leading authorities’

Environmental, Citizen and Human Rights Activist, Danuta Radzik

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

EDITORIAL

Bankingjitters

Everything was rosy, until suddenly they were not. Naysayers harped about the overblown stock market, while prophets of doom warned about a day of reckoning overdue. Some shrugged; others laughed, most ignored, and went about their business with confidence. Then there came two bank failures in the US, and overnight, the world abruptly transformed into this dangerous and frightening place. On theheelsofthecollapseandclosingofSiliconValleyBankin California, and Signature Bank in New York, Credit Suisse had to get a capital injection of US$53.7B from the Swiss centralbank,ineffortstostabilizethestrugglingbank,andto tampdownonfearsofanemergingglobalbankingcrisis.

The sources of the two shocking bank failures in the US soundfamiliarlikemismanagementbybankexecutives,bad policy decisions, failing to consider properly and timely the changing economic climate, being left several steps behind the curve, and laden with a bag that cannot be carried. Inevitably, panic steps in, the public runs forward to takeout their money, only for them to stare at locked doors, and bank chiefs unavailable to face their wrath. What was sweet is now sour with a bite, and the good times are dead and gone. They are gone when startups react to a dried up funding environment, and are forced to tap into their bank deposits. The good times evaporate when interest rates rise, and the bond portfolios of banks decline in value. Already overstretched financial institutions are suddenly compelled to face reality and come to grips with the consequences of their wrongheaded visions, and their slow-footed actions, when their once sure bets (lending or investment choices) turnouttobegamblesrapidlylosingsteam.

The agile of mind, the conservative at heart, are the leaders and managers, the ones who stay ahead of the challenges on the horizon. When they do not, they make otherspayaheavyprice,whichwouldbethecustomerswith deposits beyond a certain limit (US$250,000) in banks that go under, and which are covered. In other words, those in chargepositionthemselvestosidestepcatastrophewhenthey read the situation right because they are open to listening. Banking crises are not unheard of developments, and many lessons have been learned from them, or should have been. Yet,thesameleadershipfailures,executiverecklessness,and managerialbettingseemtokeeprepeatingthemselves.

Theconcernisthatfailedleadershipdoesnotresultinthe blowing up of themselves alone, in the rare instances that they were so negligent that they actually feel the pinch of their actions. Others who are unconscious to their looming disaster are the ones feeling the blows that they cannot bear When banks fail and fall, it is the depositors, the men, women, and their families that make up the customer base, whopay ItisnoteworthythatcollapsedSiliconValleyBank still paid out its 2022 bonuses to employees hours before its doors closed for good. Meanwhile, the crowds of frantic customers came pounding on the doors to withdraw their savingswhichwerenowoutofreach.

Thereisonetruth,onerealitythatisalwaysconstant:itis the public that is hurt, the ordinary citizens, and the faces in the crowd that form the masses. These are the people left to scramble for continuity, and how to make do, when all the expertanalysesareover,whenallthechallengesandclashes are done about who was wrong, who was not up to the job. Those in charge and those close to them are well protected, would have taken care of themselves, while they rolled the dice with the confidence, trust, and hope placed in their hands.

It could be anything that is handled poorly that leads to calamity when things fall apart, go downward. It could be anycommodity,includingoilwhichiswellknownforitsups and downs. Or any set of governance policies that run into headwindsandfailduetolackofforesight,andthediscipline to pause from the reckless barreling ahead, like if there is no tomorrow The customers of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank have some deposit insurance. Guyanese havenothing.

Mr. Simeon Taylor has crossed the line

DEAREDITOR, involved as an employee of and meets the standards

Not satisfied with Mr Simeon John Taylor, the Authority. Security required by the GCAA, as attacking the Airport, Mr once again, in a letter matters are sensitive and well as the International Taylor attacks me personally published on 10th March, confidential and which, by Civil Aviation Organization with statements which are 2023, in the Kaieteur News, their very nature, can (ICAO). completely inaccurate, has set out to denigrate the threaten, not merely the The Airport had already wholly unfounded and management and operations Airport, but the national acknowledged the fact that defamatory of the Eugene F Correia security of the country, if not the x-ray baggage scanner I have, in fact, worked as International Airport dealtwithprofessionally had been frequently out of a professional consultant in (EFCIA). We leave it to the operationasaresultofpower the aviation industry for, I

On this occasion, he has AviationAuthority to decide fluctuationattheAirportand suspect, much longer than seriouslycrossedtheline. whether or not Mr Taylor the difficulty encountered in Taylor, I am at the Airport Mr Taylor was a former should be sanctioned. We obtaining spare parts from frequently, thoroughly SecurityInspectoremployed will not, therefore, respond Chinafortheequipment. familiar with its operations bytheGuyanaCivilAviation in detail to the irresponsible With the kind assistance and attend both the Authority (GCAA). He can allegations which he has of the Chinese Embassy in Management and Board explain why he is no longer made, other than to say that Guyana, theAirport now has MeetingsoftheAirport. employed there He has the Eugene F Correia the parts and is repairing the Regards, dangerously gone public on International Airport, as we scanner, while temporarily Kit Nascimento the subject of matters of have previously stated, utilising a spare scanner on Public Communications security in which he was remains in compliance with loanfromtheCJIA. Consultant

Lax regulations and corporate greed

DEAREDITOR, involved a train carrying Signature Bank and raising law to roll back critical parts A string of train cornsyrup. fearofasystemiccollapse. of Dodd-Frank. “The big derailments recently in the Other recent train In an article published in bankswon”declaredSenator USA has created heightened derailmentshaveoccurredin theNewYorkTimes,Senator Warren. attention to rail safety Michigan, Alabama, and Elizabeth Warren laid the They “won” until they nationwide In early otherstates.Itisreportedthat blame for these recent bank didn’t. S.V.B.’s collapse set February, a train that was theU.S.averagesaboutthree failures at the feet of leaders off looming contagion that carrying toxic chemicals train derailments every day, in Washington for their regulators felt forced to derailed in eastern Ohio, according to federal data, weakening of the financial stanch, leading to their igniting a fire that covered though relatively few create rules. decision to dissolve the town of East Palestine in disasters. According to Senator SignatureBank. smoke. Activists have decried a Warren, in the aftermath of The fear of contagion is

Another train operated lack of action by both the the 2008 financial crisis, far from over and in an by the same company government and railway Congress passed the Dodd- unprecedented move Wall derailedinOhioonMarch4. operators. The state of Ohio Frank Act “to protect Street giants moved to end

On March 15, two trains has now sued the operator, consumers and ensure that the spiraling banking crisis derailedinseparateincidents charging that the East big banks could never again by agreeing to prop up in Arizona and Washington Palestine derailment was a take down the economy and troubled First Republic State. product of the company’s destroymillionsoflives.” Bank, a mid-sized bank

The derailment in negligenceandrecklessness. In 2018, following whose shares have been Washington occurred along Still in the USA, the intense lobbying by Wall pummeled amid a wider Padilla Bay, spilling 5,000 banking industry has seen Street chief executives and bankingcrisis. gallonsofdieselfuel. therecentcollapseofSilicon their armies of lawyers and Bank of America,

The accident near the Valley Bank, the nation’s lobbyists, President Donald GoldmanSachs,JPMorgan town of Topock, Ariz , 16th largest, followed by Trump, however, signed a (Continued on page 5)

Shame on Ogunseye - Kudos to the Joint Services

DEAREDITOR, “We come to tell you that we arequitenecessary Ogunseye needs reform

Let me remind Guyanese will ensure that our brothers First, it is good to note After all, Guyana, as a that in October 2022, a and sisters in uniform do the that the Joint Services democracy, “… is guided by former leader of the rightthingandthisthingwill Chairman, Brigadier the Constitution, (and this) Canadian Nationalist Party beoverquickly.” Godfrey Bess, is calling on mandates the body’s was handed a one-year Editor, I am incensed at “ social and political protection of the (sanctity of sentence on a hate speech this appalling behaviour, but activists and commentators the) law, the execution of its charge,afterhecalledforthe not surprised. I go back to to refrain from making duties, in keeping with its genocide of Jewish people. April 2011, when the said remarks which would incite c o n s t i t u t i o n a l He did so in a video posted Ogunseye intimated racial tensions and deviate responsibilities, and not by on the party’s website and violence. At that juncture, from the promotion of the any partisan values and social media accounts. This the belligerent activist stated peaceandsecurity,whichthe interests.” Up to this point I incident, one of many of this that “The winner-takes-all armed forces are mandated must say kudos to the Joint type, came back to me as I political system is not in the to maintain.” This is timely, ServicesofGuyana. ruminatedontheracial/racist best interest of Guyana. It and it comes over as both a Secondly, as is his wont, diatribeand‘calltoviolence’ createsthepossibilityofrace rebuke against Ogunseye, Attorney General and that emanated from the domination We (ACDA) and an appeal for ‘rightful Minister of Legal Affairs, Working People’s Alliance believe that the African actions’ from those he is Anil Nandlall, S.C., who is (WPA) executive member, community should fight for tryingtosway alsoSecretaryoftheDefence Tacuma Ogunseye, who shared governance in a Brigadier Bess must be Board, pitched right in, and angrily stated that “TheAfro constitutional struggle commended for his said: “I feel compelled to Guyanese dominated police though protest or “ALL intervention, reminding all condemn in the strongest and soldiers… would stand OTHER THINGS” that are that “… irrespective of its possible terms, the with Afro Guyanese in part of a political struggle to ethniccomposition,theJoint exhortations by Tacuma resisting the mainly Indo- winconstitutionalreformfor Services of Guyana is an Ogunseye to the Armed Guyanese supported sharedgovernance.” apolitical institution and will Forces of Guyana to join a PPP/C.” His resort to this Now he has upped the continue to uphold the noble mass uprising against the kind of rhetoric smacks of ante and seems desperate. position of service to the lawful and democratically ‘immediate violence’ as he So, I join the condemning peopleofGuyana.” electedGovernmentof ‘preached’ at Buxton that chorus and my remarks here I hope this sinks in; (Continued on page 5)

Lax regulations and...

From page 4 crew” and a special interest and others will deposit $30 group constantly ready to billion in First Republic in a sacrifice the welfare of bid to prevent the collapse of millions for the profits of a First Republic, a collapse few which could cascade into a Senator Truman, in the global financial and words of his daughter and economiccrisis. biographer, Margaret, was

Clearly, lax regulation worried by the erosion of the and corporate greed - a toxic nation’s moral sense, by the mix- is the common link a w e a n d b r u t a l i t y b e t w e e n t h e s e t w o engendered by overseemingly disparate concentrated financial phenomena. power

To go back a bit in time, Truman also believed following the 1929 Wall thatthetimehadcomeforthe Street Crash, the U S big financiers on Wall Street economy had gone into a to realize that they had better depression, and a large start thinking and acting in numberofbanksfailed.Itled the public interest. “Instead to the U S Senate of working to meet the Committee on Banking and situation -the concentration Currency commissioning an ofthecontrolofwealth-they inquiry in March 1932 later are still employing the best known as the Pecora lawbrainstoservegreedand Investigation, to investigate selfishinterest.” thecausesofthecrash.

Truman made the

The Commission’s mournful cry that: “The exposure of abusive ordinary government minepractices in the financial runbureaucraticlawyerisno industry galvanized broad moreamatchfortheamiable public support for stricter gentleman who represents regulations, resulting in the great railroads, insurance passageoftheGlass-Steagall companies and Wall Street Banking Act of 1933, the bankers than the ordinary Securities Act of 1933 and lamb is a match for the the Securities Exchange Act butcher.” of1934. Returning to the recent In its Report, the spateoftrainderailmentsand Commissionfoundthatthere bank failures in the U.S. and was “low morals in high the principal causes, as the places.” French would say, the more

In his memoir published things change, the more they in 1939, Ferdinand Pecora, remainthesame. after whom the Commission S e n a t o r Wa r r e n , was named, wrote: “Bitterly however, is clear in her view hostile wasWall Street to the and stated forthrightly that enactment of the regulatory the “bank failures were legislation ” “Legal entirely avoidable if chicaneryand pitch darkness Congress and the Feds had were the banker’s stoutest done their jobs and kept allies.” strongbankingregulationsin

As Senator Warren place ” She ended her would observe some nine opinion piece calling on decades later, that nothing Washington to act quickly to has changed The “big preventthenextcrisis. banks” would prevail with Editor, the above related rolling back in 2018 of events hold lessons for all critical parts of the Dodd- societies and us here no less. Frank Wall Street Reform Sadly, and painfully, I can and Consumer Protection personally attest to the utter Act. uselessnessonthepart of the

In the blunt language for e n t i r e r e g u l a t o r y which he was known, framework, to protect the Senator Harry Truman (later public interest and of their President) who investigated preoccupation to support the railroad industry and in corporate greed. Our particular, the Missouri “wreckingcrew”isahydra. Pacific, called Wall Street Sincerely, financiers, “the wrecking Ronald Bulkan

DEAREDITOR, acourtatall”,andtherehave election officers, contrary to means that there is now no Advocates of Western been calls from several the advice of GECOM’s political pressure, upheaval liberal democracy would quarters for the introduction Legal Adviser and State or violent demand for a have us believe that law and of ethical standards, Counsel; the removal of particular outcome as there politics are separate and that including legislation, for s e n i o r e l e c t i o n s was prior to a final justice is blind, fair, justices of the Supreme management and the declaration in 2020. Mr consistent and available to Court, and possible institution of scores of Roysdale Forde, S C, everyone In the United restructuring, in the wake of criminal charges against believes that the Chief States, the world’s leading ostensible political and them and agents of the Justicemisdirectedherselfin defender and exporter of i d e o l o g i c a l b i a s e d opposing political party; the dismissing the petition and democracy, this benign view statements and decision- filing of two election contends that Section 22 of has suffered significant making. petitionsandthecreationofa t h e E l e c t i o n L a w s setbackswithinrecenttimes, We are all painfully Presidential Commission of (Amendment) Act is particularly with the reversal awarethattheMarch2,2020 Inquiry into allegations of unconstitutional and that of Roe v Wade by the US General and Regional misconduct surrounding Order No. 60 is invalid, null, SupremeCourtseeminglyon Elections in Guyana was the these elections However, voidandofnoeffect. the basis of ideological and mostcontentious,disruptive, our Chief Justice has Former Watergate political considerations, and violent, litigated and dismissed both election Assistant Prosecutor and the now polling data has controversial in our history petitions and judged that the first woman to serve as demonstrated that 58% of largely because 7 of the 8 election was conducted General Counsel of the US Americans distrust and participant political parties lawfully and that there were Army, Jill Wine-Banks, disapprove of the conduct of rejectedthereleaseofresults no breaches, violations or explainedlawyeringstrategy the Supreme Court and instigated violent non-compliance with the this way: when you are Laurence Tribe, Professor protests resulting in lawsofGuyanabyGECOM. confident that the law is with Emeritus at Harvard international intervention; APNU+AFC’s election you, argue the law; when the Universityandco-founderof the overturning of declared petition No. 88 has been facts and evidence are on the American Constitution resultsbytheHighCourtand appealed to the Guyana your side, argue the facts; Society, whose notable the Guyana Elections Court of Appeal and and when you have neither, students include President Commission (GECOM); Attorney-General Nandlall employ theatrics and Barack Obama and Chief amendments to the Election has asked the court to demand a dismissal I Justice John Roberts, has Laws and introduction of a similarly dismiss that believe that the Attorneyoffered the opinion that the new electoral regime, petition as being without Generalisawarethatthelaw “USSupremeCourtishardly including new categories of merit,bywhich,Iassume,he (Continued on page 6)

Shame on Ogunseye - Kudos to the Joint...

From page 4 resistance, positioned as an s p e e c h e s o r o t h e r ruleoflaw,whichprotectsus Guyana, referencing the alternative to the democratic expressions, in whatever asacivilisednation.” Forces’ “ready access to p r o c e s s o f L o c a l form, capable of exciting I therefore call for legal weapons”, for them to be Government Elections hostility or ill-will against consequences to be meted “battle ready”, and preying lawfully due, is capable of any person or class of outtoOgunseye. to the dominant Afro- amounting to several persons”[Article146(3)],” Guyana must never Guyanesecompositionofthe criminal offences, including I reiterate what Nandlall suffer recidivism; the pre said Forces.” This is like an but not limited to sedition, i n t o n e d , t h a t “ T h e 1992eramustremainburied. OMG. seditious libel, inciting unvarnished truth is that Yours truly,

To Ogunseye, I say that riotous behaviour and persons such as Tacuma H. Singh. his ‘call for violence’and his exciting racial hostility in Ogunseyeandthoseofhisilk ‘appeal to race’ seem quite order to create a breakdown areofabygoneera,stuckina protuberant In fact, of law and order within the time warp long gone, and for Ogunseye comes over as State of Guyana, if not which there is no place in remoteanddetached.Whois treason.” Simply put, the modern Guyana, and indeed, he speaking to? Who will AG is letting him know that in any modern democratic listen to him? The members his inflammatory outburst is society.” of the Joint Forces, in the notaboutbeingirresponsible Editor, I close by height of the ignominious and even diabolical. It is agreeing that “… we cannot rigging attempts, did not bucking the legal framework become complacent and misconductthemselves.Will ofGuyana. ignore these dangerous they now besmirch Indeed, I concur with the threats intended to strike at themselves? And will they AG that “Certainly, such the foundation of the do so for a nonentity like inflammatory publications freedoms we enjoy and the Ogunseye? cannot be justified under the Anil Nandlall was rubric of freedom of poignant, referencing his expression as guaranteed by retort in unambiguous legal the Constitution, since language. He explicated that A r t i c l e 1 4 6 w h i c h this “racist incendiary call” guarantees such freedom, for public disorder and expressly excepts “…hate

“Let us realise the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice”

This is a most unusual and unprecedented development in the jurisprudence of Guyana

DEAREDITOR, 2023 captioned “Judge finds JusticeKissoon.

Reference is made to the fraud in the sale of boating One of the most news article published in the services property removes elementary principles of law the concept of natural justice It would appear that judge in the delivery of his Stabroek News Saturday executrix, flays lawyer.” and and perhaps the foundation and the right of an accused these matters escaped the judgment in relation to the edition of the 18th March totheactualjudgmentofMr of several legal systems is persontobeheardbeforethe deliberations of the trial conduct of Senior Counsel pronouncement of judgment judge who not only are rejected without or the findings of fact made proceeded to make adverse reservation as they were not byanycourtoflaw findings inclusive of hostile onlywithoutbasisinlawand In the case of Dershanie comments on the conduct of fact but disclosed a rush to Harrilall and others V the attorney but more judgment against a person Deborah De Santos and disturbingly pronounced who was not a party to the others, Senior Counsel upon the conduct of a Senior proceedings and was never Stephen Fraser was neither Counsel who was never afforded any opportunity to a party to the action nor was afforded any opportunity to be heard at any stage on the he afforded any opportunity be heard on any allegations matters upon which theTrial to be heard on any of the which were never put to him J u d g e m a d e i s s u e s w h i c h t h e duringthetrial. pronouncements.

HonourableJusticeKissoon This is a most unusual It is the hope of Senior proceeded to make adverse a n d u n p r e c e d e n t e d Counsel that the appellate findingson development in the proceedings will be heard

At no stage during the jurisprudenceofGuyana. expeditiouslyasthecreeping proceedings was any T h e u n f o r t u n a t e encroachment on the allegation put to Senior judgment of the court was fundamental principle of Counsel Mr Fraser No appealed shortly after it was natural justice and the right testimony was led by any delivered and theAppellants to be heard, guaranteedto all witness of any involvement have confidence in the citizens appears to be under by Mr Fraser S.C. in any appellate procedures which severechallenge. aspect of the dispute which are afforded to them under Yours sincerely, engaged the attention of the thelawsofGuyana. C.A. Nigel Hughes. Honourable Mr. Justice All the findings and Managing Partner. Kissoon. pronouncements of the trial Hughes, Fields & Stoby.

DEAREDITOR, ‘Indian Arm’, which was a firmly rooted with the party, I would like to take this formidable force in the party lashing out against opportunity to commend the andinGuyanaatlarge. discrimination and bigotry, members of the People’s They were highly trusted while making a national call National Congress Reform andamongthemostefficient for unity and for the (PNCR) for their recent Comrades, who helped the principles laid by our actions, which have PNCR become the most Founder Leader to reign d e m o n s t r a t e d t h a t democratic and most again throughout Guyana. I Burnham’s Party lives and powerful mass-based can only imagine the smile breathes. political organization in the on our Founder Leader’s

As I reflect on the countryandtheCaribbean. face as he watches these remarkable leadership of the I would like to salute the Comrades. Founder Leader, Mr Linden likes of Ganesh Mahipaul, Their bravery and Forbes Sampson Burnham, Ubraj Narine, Daniel c o m m i t m e n t h a v e OE, SC, I am reminded that Seeram, Natasha Singh- reinvigorated me, and I trust his success was due in no Lewis, and Geeta Chandan- that they will continue to smallparttothecommitment Edmond for their recent exhibit such qualities a n d c o m p e t e n c e o f demonstration of what our throughout their careers. I C o m r a d e s f r o m a l l Founder Leader held dear - see great days ahead for the ethnicities, religious the‘IndianArm’. PNCR and a great PNCR. I backgrounds, and societal These brave men and urgealltorallytothePNCR! standings. women spoke out against Respectfully,

One such group was the vile comments and remained IrvinAllen

From page 5 international confidence and acceptance of and the evidence are not on his side, but are theresults–fordoingso.

with the former GECOM Legal Advisor, When I reflect on the determination to StateCounselandSeniorCounselForde,and dismiss this matter without serious isthereforeopposedtoafullexaminationand examination and final resolution, I am adjudicationofthismatter. reminded of the sentiments voiced by

Moreover, my own, limited, Shakespearian Mark Anthony in his funeral understanding of legal matters suggest that oration of the assassinated Julius Caesar: “O for an action to be lawful one must possess judgement!

both a right, and proper justification for the Thou art fled to brutish beasts, and men exerciseofthatright. havelosttheirreason.”Iclingtothehopeand

For example, a police officer can possess belief that there are some in the judiciary that a right to arrest and use deadly force, not have not lost their reason, nor fealty to the arbitrarily,butwithproperjustification. constitution, and repeat here the words of the

The GECOM Chairperson may have had late Dr Martin Luther King jr that “Let us the ability to take the actions she did but I realize the arc of the moral universe is long seriously question her ability, under law, to butitbendstowardsjustice”. discard or reject lawful results and to employ Sincerely, political justifications – to restore public and Oscar Dolphin

“Let us realise the arc of the moral...

I see great days ahead for the PNCR and a great PNCR

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Why not 20%?

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The new model Production Sharing Agreements (PSA)areout.Inpart,theyholdsomepromise.

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What those draft documents have shown however, is that despite the nasty words from this government directed at this newspaper and commentators fighting for betterment for Guyanese, it has heeded some of the counsel and have proposed commonsense changes to the disastrous PSA governing operations in the StabroekBlock.

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What we have tabled repeatedly, the government nowfinallymovestoimplement.

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We would however like to see a bigger royalty percentage rather than the measly 10% being proposed. Why not 20 percent to give us an opportunity to recover some lost ground? A start with 20 percent is fair and reasonable to all parties. Only last week, we reported the USA is seeking 35% royalty from companies and all we could have donewastomovefrom2%to10%.

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Govt. secures power in new deals to conduct preliminary assessment of all costs for future oil projects

- Regulators also want the right to disallow ineligible expenses

T h e P P P / C Block.

contractor’s costs may this initial verification of state that within 90 days of December by the People’s Administration is proposing According to the draft qualifyasrecoverablecosts. expenditures shall be the receipt of the quarterly Progressive Party Civic to have the power to conduct documents, the government On receipt of the basis for provisionally statements, the minister may (PPPC) Government. The preliminary assessments of wants oil companies for quarterly statements, the determining the sharing of submit a written exception main commercial terms all costs to be recovered by future oil blocks to provide minister will also initially petroleum but shall not notice to the Contractor, include a royalty rate of 10 oil companies that will be monthly, quarterly, and verifythequalificationofthe constituteafinalapprovalby expressly identifying the percent, cost recovery awarded 14 oil blocks in the annual statements to the c l a i m e d c o s t s a s the minister of those particular cost or costs under capped at 65 percent, and country’s upcoming bid subject minister When this Recoverable Costs under the amounts Such final reviewandthereasonforthe profitsharingof50percent. round. is received, there will be an Agreement; and if the approval shall only be exception.Within 30 days of There is also a minimum

The details of this are i n i t i a l v e r i f i c a t i o n amounts claimed as provided after final auditing the date of receipt of the signing bonus required from outlined in the draft Model procedure. qualifying as Recoverable hasbeencompleted. written exception notice, the the bidders of US $20 Production Sharing In this regard, the draft Costs are correct based on Another significant Contractor has to submit to million for deep water and Agreements(PSAs)thatwill agreements state that the documentation made provision pertains to the the Minister such additional US $10 million for shallow govern all deepwater and government, at each quarter, available at Contractor’s powers to place certain costs written information as the waterblocks.Intermsoftax, shallow water blocks going will conduct a preliminary officesinGuyana. onhold.

Ministermayrequire,aswell the tender provides that a forward,excepttheStabroek assessmentastowhichofthe Theagreementsstatethat The draft agreements as any information the corporationtaxof10percent Contractor may consider and a property tax of 0.75 relevant to determine that it percent will be levied on the warrantsrecovery. participatingentities.

IftheContractordoesnot It is worth noting that make a written submission bidders will be required to before this deadline, the cost commit at least US $1 or costs would be deemed million per year towards the disallowed for purposes of employment and training of costrecovery the citizens of Guyana in

Even more profound is a accordance with the Local provision that states, ContentAct. following receipt of any In a statement to the additional information from medialastweek,theministry the Contractor, the Minister said the draft Model shall, within thirty (30) Petroleum Agreements Days, conduct a final review embody rigorous research and notify the Contractor of and analysis by the its decision on the disputed ministry’s internal team and costs But, where the external consultants on all Minister decides to disallow topics relevant to a modern the disputed costs as a petroleum agreement for Recoverable Cost, the Guyana.

Contractor shall promptly The ministry said the correct its books of account process involved a to reflect any changes comprehensive assessment resulting from the initial of the current petroleum verificationprocedure. a g r e e m e n t a n d t h e

Theagreementsalsonote identification of best that the Contractor may, practices relevant to every however, request a final contractual aspect of a expert determination on the modernagreementgrounded recoverability of the intheGuyanacontext. disputedcostwithin30days. T o e n s u r e n e w

Thedraftdocumentsalso investments are governed by note the minister’s right to a comprehensive framework inspect and audit all of international best Contractors’ books, practices, the ministry said accounts, and records there will be an overhaul of relating to Petroleum the 1986 Petroleum Act and Operations for the purpose Regulations. of verifying the Contractor’s Feedback on the draft compliance with the terms model agreements should be and conditions under this addressed to the Minister of Agreement. Natural Resources and sent

Itshouldbenotedthatthe t o l i c e n s i n proposed terms in the new ground2022@petroleum go modelPSAscomplementthe v .gy with the Permanent commercial provisions S e c r e t a r y c o p i e d , which were released last jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy.

What is often nicesoundingandinspirationalis often out of touch with reality At a gathering at Queen’sCollegein2009,Dr Rupert Roopnaraine made an appeal for a return to “those ancestral values that accordedgreatimportanceto such inclusive values as sharing, solidarity and togetherness.”

One newspaper editorial observed that the good man was seeking out those essential and enduring principles from the past that wouldhelpustoconfrontthe challenges of the future and reducedivisions.

It was said that the coleader of the Working Peoples’ Alliance harked back to a former era of sharing, solidarity and togetherness

I hope that someone would edify us as to this age of innocence, because it could not be the generation of Dr Roopnaraine nor it could be the generations that precededit

In short, what this article is positing is that there has never been an age of innocence in Guyana, just as some like to claim there is no one guiltyrace

Dr Roopnaraine could not hark back to any era when ancestral values of sharing, togetherness and solidarity existed in Guyana because no such era has ever existed in the historyofGuyana

Ours has been a history of suspicion, mistrust and tension. However effective colonial rule was in bottling up these tensions from manifesting themselves in open conflict, it never quieted these ill-feelings whichweregeneratedbythe colonial system and by the fearsofthevariousgroupsin their co-existence with

others. The divisions in our societywerenotconfinedto racealone.

There were also contempt and scorn across classlines.

Anyone who has read CLR James’ seminal book “BeyondaBoundary”would appreciate that even with certain groups, there were those who by virtue of their class, saw themselves and held themselves to be superior and better than othersoftheirownrace.

Where therefore is this age of innocence to which the good professor refers? Where is the age of togetherness, solidarity and sharing?

It certainly could not be the generation of Dr Roopnaraine because it was during his youth that this countryturneduponitself,or to put it more accurately, when Guyanese turned against each other in the deadly violence of the sixties.

His generation tried to redeem itself by reversing whatithadheapedaboutthis country, but no sooner had themannerscomedownthat the same generation abandonedshipandreturned totheirrespectiveflocks.

These divisions have persisted all along. In 1997, they exploded when there was an attempt to bully a l e g i t i m a t e a n d democratically elected government out of office, a terribleshamewhichhasled today to deep antagonisms withinoursociety

The problem which has existed is not going to go away by inventing some illusory era that has not existed.

And even if it is conceded that no such era ever existed in Guyana, it is notgoingtogoawaysimply by invoking an appeal to solidarity, togetherness and

Dem boys seh...

Yuh cannot heal de body without healing de mind.Isnosense tryingfuhchangedoing something without changing the way yuh think.

Ifyuhwantloseweight, it is not just simply reducing the intake of certain kinds of foods, but yuh gat to condition yuh mind to be able to be successful. Some people want to change Guyana’s politics. But dese people gat a mentality in which

sharing. These things have never been absent from within our society but they have also hardly ever dominatedtheeconomicand political relations to the extentthatwecouldclaimto have had an age of innocence.

The problem is not confined to political competition. Any Marxist would know that the very economic system that we e m b r a c e f o s t e r s competition, rivalry and the pursuit of individualism, values that fly in the face of togetherness, solidarity and sharing. These constructive socialvaluesexistinrelations between our citizens; they have always existed at a certain level but they can never without reform of the political and economic systems within our midst, allow for the sort of constructive social change contemplated by John Paul Lederach

Constructive social change cannot be left to human benevolence Constructive social c h a n g e r e q u i r e s fundamental change at the institutional level, which however, must be preceded by an honest analysis about our history, one that recognizes that every single generation has failed to bring about positive change in Guyana and that without reform of ourpoliticalandeconomic system that every succeeding generation willfail

Those who wish to delude themselves that constructive social change can still come about under a contentious political and economic system are free toengageinillusion.

But if they are serious that illusion is the pathway to progress, they should at least urge that

THE AGE OF INNOCENCE IS AN ILLUSION HEALING THE MIND

there is envy, bitterness and, even at times, hatred.

Some of dem believe dat Guyana is backward and doesaccuseweofallkinds of things. But dem come backhayandnahwantleff.

Dem complaining all de timeaboutGuyanaandhow itsobad,yetdemnahwant go back weh dem come from. How yuh gan create change if yuh can’t change yourself?Yougattochange demindbeforedebodygan follow.

It mek dem boys

remember de story of de man wah go in he son’s room and find he hanging from a rope. Luckily, the sonwasnotdeadasyetbut unconscious.

On de floor was a note saying, “I can’t stand the critismanymore.”

Defathercuthimdown, gave him CPR and he startedtobreathe.

As he lay in my arms, I saw his eyes slowly open and I said, “That’s not how youspellcriticism.”

Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

back to our country and that all those politicians who selectively have amnesia about the context in which certain events took place in our country should retire to their armchairs

Ambassador Lynch speaks:

It is a long large mouthful

H e r E x c e l l e n c y, and that unmentionable that I equate to slavery, Because, as it stands in its of intent: why more? American Ambassador brother who came before the should be spread across the entirety, it is more than As it stands, the contract Sarah Ann Lynch has present White House length and breadth of m a g n a n i m o u s t o gives enough. And, here is Guyanese, as the untouched spoken; she could not have occupant have also signaled Guyana, so that all citizens impoverished Guyana, the one to the solar plexus: contract affords, and there is spoken more clearly, or with American business as the benefit, and experience the bottom-of-the-barrel what are Guyanese going to no need for concerns, moreauthority Ambassador central focuses, thrusts, and delights of being oil Guyanese. Secondly, there do with more from the tensions, and differences Lynch has praised the p r i o r i t i e s o f t h e i r producers of the top shelf is more than enough in that contract? Clearly, there is from any Guyanese source. Government of Guyana for presidencies. variety It is all encircled by putrid contract that can trouble managing what is Obviously, America has honouring, abiding by, being A s s o m e o n e ( a n oneword:inclusivity benefit all Guyanese whose coming to hand currently, made Guyana’s standing by obedient to the ironclad American) who has With proper respect to lives would be made better, imagine the stresses and the contract (as is), and dictates of sanctity of personally benefited from my fellow American, I once authentic and challenges to deal with what government’s spreading of contract (SN March 19). American business pursuits, remove my gloves comprehensive inclusivity is is being clamoured for in the wealth, to be the

Whether I like this or not, Iunderstandthestanceofthe Excellency: what I hear, made into the middle pillar other Guyanese corners and lynchpins of its Guyana there is this fact set in US American Government, as what I read, what I interpret of the government’s honest quarters. strategy and posture steel: Ambassador Lynch c h a n n e l e d b y H e r are a few nuggets, and in visionsandprovenpractices. What I read even more Something whispers to me speaks on behalf of the Excellency re sanctity of addressing them, if I register Becausethirdly,whatIheard troublingly is that the U.S. that this is a half-baked egg, American Government. contract. As a Guyanese asaudaciousanduppity,then unsaid by Ambassador Government just signaled to one more on the uncooked After all the silence, all the discerning immediately the be forewarned that I will be Lynch reminded me of an the PPP Government of side. Itwilltakesomestrong s u b t l e t i e s a n d significanceofthisveryfirm advancing beyond the initial eerieechoofdecadesago. It Guyana is that once it sticks and accommodating sophistications, this is to andpublicAmericanposture salvos. was following the Union to the 2016 contract as it Guyanesestomachstodigest what and where the clashes on the 2016 contract, it is at Myobjectiveisneitherto Carbide disaster in Bhopal, currently stands, then this. over this contract stand: the times like these that second scorch nor spear My India. Americahasitsback. Thisis My closing thoughts are business of America is thoughtsaboutmyAmerican objective is how to relieve When Indians were gunboat diplomacy without these. Guyanese are now business. A hundred years status rush to the fore. For the plight of my fellow fighting for more, an the gunboats. Or, so I getting American value for ago, Calvin Coolidge Ambassador Lynch also Guyanese, how to help American shareholder (a believe. their democracy Since we reportedly coined that made clear some other remedy their American- woman, no less) response I will not discount lack the sagacity and skill to storied, pregnant string of elements long favoured by inflictedcancer was -why? What they are anything, given that recent deal with each other, words. He was anAmerican the White House and State America applauds the getting is already more than calltoarmsfromBuxtonthat American conclusions about President, not a tiny Department. It is for the PPP Government for goodenough. was aimed at the Joint what is free and fair, now plenipotentiary In more returnsfromthesameodious surrendering to the hallowed I will be bold and put Services. The American possess all the strains of a recent times, Ronald Reagan legalinstitution,thiscontract provisions of the contract. words in Ambassador package is simply too neat, lushpoliticalmagnumopus. Lynch’s mouth; she should toowell-ribboned.

First, it was elections. appreciate that it is the lot of The most attractively Today, it is this fair contract. messengers for their kings sparkling ribbon is that Americamissedtheocracyin and princes of yore As throwaway line, maybe even Persia; it could miss creole interpreted by me in this a punch line, about obstinacyinGuyana. fresh American declaration inclusivity Give to every

New Amsterdam Hospital begins transition to digital X-rays

By Shervin Belgrave

of

x-ray

films but were theirx-rays. digitalsystemisinstalledthe pleasantly surprised when However, Dr Ramnauth speed at which x-rays are

The New Amsterdam their digital images were while there has been d o n e w i l l i n c r e a s e Hospital has started its transferred to their smart progress in digitizing the x- significantly transitioned from the old phones instead of being rays, the hospital has not The Georgetown Public analog system of issuing handed the large black film completely transitioned Hospital Corporation films for x-rays to digital x- inanenvelope. “It’s an ongoing process and (GPHC) was the first in the rays, the hospital’s Chief “Digitalx-raysdonotuse will take some time,” the country to make use of the ExecutiveOfficer(CEO)Dr films like the old system but New Amsterdam Hospital digitalx-rays. Bob Ramnauth said on rather produces digital CEOtold Kaieteur News

The Government had Thursday images,” Dr Ramnauth said Back in July 2022, the purchased three digital x-ray Dr Ramnauth told noting that the system is not CEO had revealed to the machinesforthehospitalata Kaieteur News that some only modern but more media that the hospital had total cost of $113M and they patients were concerned that advanced allowing patients plans of changing its entire w e r e o f f i c i a l l y the hospital was running out to have enhanced quality of x-ray system from the old commissioned in January analogue system to digital. 2022.

Engineers were at the time

According to medical re-designing the hospital’s experts, digital x-rays are s t r u c t u r e t o s u i t considered to be much safer specifications sent by because they produce 80 supplierstoitsmanagement. percent less radiation than Dr Ramanauth told the the tradition x-ray systems media that once the new (useoffilms).

One of the Digital X-Ray machines installed at GPHC last year. (A Guyana Chronicle Photo)

CEO of New Amsterdam Hospital, Dr. Bob Ramnauth (Newsroom Photo)

Guyana’s implementation of fisheries management policy “weak” …says department lacks staff, technical and financial capacity -

Organization

seabobcatch. possibly due to a declining

“During 2015 to 2020, stock.

three industrial seabob firms For those unfamiliar,

(FAO) of the in Guyana produced around sargassumisagroupoflarge United Nations (UN) in a 7 600 tonnes of peeled brown seaweed (a type of summary report titled, “The seabob per year (17 000 algae) that floats in islandseabob (Xiphopenaeus tonnes fresh, whole weight like masses and never kroyeri) value chain in equivalent),”itwasnoted. attachestotheseafloor Guyana” disclosed that

From this it was stated It was also stated that while the country has that about 93 percent was challenges to fishing effort e x i s t i n g f i s h e r i e s exported to markets in the were further exacerbated by management policies, their United States of America theCOVID-19pandemic. implementationis“weak.” (USA) and the European However, it was pointed

The FAO’s report was Union (EU) and 7 percent out in the report that the published in January 2023 w a s s o l d t o l o c a l reasons for fluctuating and a n d i s b a s e d o n supermarkets, hotels and declining catch are not well“FISH4ACP” which is an restaurants. studied which is in turn initiativeoftheOrganization

For artisanal seabob mainlyduetoalackofaction of African, Caribbean and catch,the1percentisaround from Guyana’s Fisheries Pacific States (OACPS) to 180 tonnes per year, in fresh, Department and the private support sustainable fisheries whole weight equivalent. It actors in this regard, a n d a q u a c u l t u r e ItwasstatedintheFAO’s characterized by changing N e w s reported that was stated that the artisanal implying a critical need to development. The five-year report that, “The seabob VC rainfall, may affect the accordingtothereport,since fishermen focus on c o n d u c t s t u d i e s t o v a l u e c h a i n ( V C ) actors operate in an enabling abundance and recruitment 2017, Guyana’s seabob supplying the domestic investigate the problem, development programme environment consisting of of seabob, which in turn catchhasbeendeclining. market with fresh unpeeled identify the root causes and ( 2 0 2 0 t o 2 0 2 5 ) i s various societal elements affects fishing operations, For the functional seabob, fresh peeled seabob take proper actions to ensure implemented by FAO with ( i e i n s t i t u t i o n a l , particularly artisanal analysis, it was disclosed anddriedseabob. the sustainability of the funding from the European organizational, socio- Chinese seine fishers who thattherearetwochannelsin Importantly, it was seabobstock. Union and the German cultural and infrastructural rely on tides to capture Guyana’s value chain; the highlighted that the total Recently, concerns have Federal Ministry for elements) and natural seabob.

To this end, the report highlighted that, “More channel. was as a result of decline of from the fisherman that the

export-oriented industrial seabob catch has decreased been raised about declining Economic Cooperation and elements.” Importantly, it was channel and the artisanal since 2017, stating that this fish catch, with accusations Development.

According to the report, highlighted that while the research is needed to It was explained that the theindustrialcatch. decline was owed to the oil the seabob shrimp value r e l e v a n t f i s h e r i e s understand the impacts of industrial channel accounts According to the report, operations offshore Guyana. chain in Guyana is one of 12 management policies and these natural elements on for almost all (99 percent) the industrial firms attribute In response to the value chains competitively management plans already seabob resources in the total seabob catch in this drop in catch to a accusations the Government selected from over 70 exist, “their implementation particular, and the broader Guyana, and is the larger of reduction in fishing effort as hastily in collaboration with proposals worldwide for is weak.” It was explained ecosystemsingeneral.” the two channels while the a result of an increase in the FAO conducted a study support from the FISH4ACP that the aforementioned is Declining seabob artisanal channel accounts sargassumandaninabilityto but the full report was not programme. largely due to: the lack of Last week, Kaieteur for a mere 1 percent of total find and capture seabob, releasedtothepublic.

It was explained that the staff/offices and technical summary report presents the and financial capacity of the outputs of design work fisheriesdepartment;limited completed during 2021 and incentives; limited capacity early 2022 to conclude a of value chain actors functional analysis of the (particularly the artisanal value chain, assess its ones) to comply with sustainability and resilience, regulations; and the develop an upgrading dysfunction of organizations strategy to which the that are essential to support FISH4ACP programme will effective compliance and contribute, and plan for full stakeholder engagement like implementation from mid the Artisanal Fisheries 2022. Advisory Committee

T

h e F I S H 4 A C P (AFAC).

methodology used to carry “The dysfunction of out this study is an approach fishers’ cooperatives and based on FAO’s Sustainable AFAC, in turn, is mainly Food Value Chain and a t t r i b u t e d t o p o o r Agrinatura’s Value Chain m a n a g e m e n t a n d Analysis for Development g o v e r n a n c e o f t h e methodologies. It has four cooperatives, which m a i n c o m p o n e n t s : undermine members’trust in functional analysis, t h e m T h e n a t u r a l sustainability assessment, environment is generally u p g r a d i n g s t r a t e g y supportive of the VC d e v e l o p m e n t , a n d operations,” it was stated in implementation planning thereport. (actions and investments). However, it was noted

The approach is highly that the increase of participatory, involving VC sargassum seaweed since stakeholders from the public 2011 is reported to have and private sectors from the changed the availability and outset in order to ensure distribution of fisheries national ownership of all resources and caused four components, thereby difficulties for fishers to increasing the likelihood of access seabob resources success of the project Additionally, climate interventions. c h a n g e , m a i n l y

A seabob market vendor (Picture taken from FAO report)

Day of Forests 2023…

Several robust mechanisms in place to ensure robust forest monitoring

GFC to re-grow hectares of forest - Min. Bharrat

With International Day of 2023.ThisisguidedbytheMRVS project, Bharrat was also keen to stratification of Guyana’s forests with the senior management of Forests set to be observed on RoadmapforPhase3.Hesaidthis note that the Government has based on the quantity and quality each agency, to reinforce the Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Natural will also support Guyana in made significant progress on the of forest resources in different commitment to transparency and Resources Minister, Vickram meetingtheevolvinginternational Voluntary Partnership Agreement areas He said this supports accountability of each Bharrat has assured that steps are reporting requirements from the (VPA) under the European Union efficient forest zonation based on stakeholder Bharrat said, “I have being taken to ensure Guyana’s United Nations Framework (EU)’s global programme on the intended use and the also engaged a number of greencredentialsareintact. Convention on Climate Change Forest Law Enforcement identification of areas for stakeholders and companies who

In this regard, Bharrat said his (UNFCCC), as well as the GovernanceandTrade. conservation and protection have indicated their interest in the ministry and the Guyana Forestry continuous fulfillment of He recalled that in December Bharrat said too that it will also sector development and Commission (GFC) have additionalreportingrequirements, 2022 the Voluntary Partnership provide for baseline data for investment. These engagements embarked on a number of such as obligations under the Agreement (EU VPA) was signed understandingtheforestdynamics span the mining, forestry and initiatives over the last two years bilateral cooperation agreement at the 2022 United Nations in these areas along with the petroleum sectors and included to not only stimulate growth and withtheGovernmentofNorway Biodiversity Conference of the integration of forest inventories high-level technical support from raise awareness on best practices

It was further explained that Parties (COP 15). He said this with GIS/remote sensing the relevant sector agencies and but also ensure Guyana’s forests the MRVS will address the needs marked the end of a 10-year technology, using empirical theMinistry.” remainwellprotected. of the Paris Agreement and the negotiationprocess. national forest data to design Bharrat added, “These teams Bharrat shared for example guidance of the accompanying Bharrat said too that, “It specific technologies for are committed to addressing that the GFC has established a Katowice Rulebook on the solidifies Guyana’s position as a monitoringGuyana’sforests. issues of transparent allocation of multi-year project that allows for enhancement of the transparency frontrunner in the protection, LAND RECLAMATION concessions, improving workers’ thecontinuousimprovementofits framework, the reporting needs restoration, and sustainable PROGRAMME conditions and re-tooling of the Monitoring Reporting and related to Biennial Update management of our forests. The In keeping with the objectives forestrysector InvariablythenonVerificationSystem(MRVS). operation of forestry concessions those who may not be aware, the reversions of same have Measurement, Reporting, imposedadverseconsequenceson Verification (MRV) refers to levels of production, export stepstakento measure theamount revenuegeneration.” of greenhouse gas (GH Notwithstanding the emissions reduced by a specific going, the Bharrat said mitigation activity, such government remains focused on reducing emissions fr cient utilization, and deforestation and for maximizing the yield from leased degradation, over a period of concessions with corresponding and reporting these findings to increases in production, export accredited third party The third revenue. party then verifies the report

ABOUT GUYANA’S thattheresultscanbecertified FORESTS carboncreditscanbeissued.

According to LCDS 2030,

MRV also seeks to prove Guyana’s forests are considered an activity has actually avoided vital assets in the global fight removed harmful GHG emissions against climate change – and the so that actions can be converted country has one of the lowest, if intocreditswithmonetaryvalue. not the lowest, deforestation rates

One credit equals one ton theworld. reduced GHG emissi

However, the forests also expressed in tons of C e a multitude of other equivalent (tCO2eq) Th functions, including generating credits are the results that employment and income through World Bank pays for through forestry, agriculture, and specific results-based climate implementing its Nationally Parliament, which is slated for several hectares of forest as a miningsectors. finance arrangements, like Determined Contributions 2023.” priority In 2023, he said the The document also notes that Emissions Reduction Payment (NDCs)commitments.

FOREST INVENTORIES MinistryofNaturalResourcesand Guyana’s forestry sector accounts Agreements (ERPAs). They are At the policy level, Minister Bharrat also noted that his the Guyana Forestry Commission for approximately US$40 million also the basic units traded in Bharrat said this phase of ministry recognizes that forest will embark on a land reclamation to US$60 million in export value international carbon markets and implementation will be guided by inventories are essential for forest programme to support this long- annuallyandemploysover20,000 used to fulfill countries’ the Low Carbon Development m a n a g e m e n t p l a n n i n g , term goal. He said the restoration persons. Nationally Determined Strategy(LCDS)2030aswellasa concession allocation and forest and rehabilitation of degraded Additionally, there are 17 Contributions (NDCs) under the potential Phase 2 of the Guyana utilization. To achieve optimal forests through reclamation will large concessions in Guyana and ParisAgreement. NorwayBilateralAgreement. and sustainable forest use, he said provide an avenue to compensate 580 small concessions, all of According to Minister He said, “The Natural the GFC’s legislation as well as for the loss of forest cover due to which are leased to and operated Bharrat, the data collected by the Resources Ministry and GFC the National Forest Policy deforestation in mining and the by community forest operators MRVS allows the ministry and recognize that the MRVS will requires the agency to conduct extractive industry sector as a and private individuals/ GFC to report on the progress of have an important role to play in forest management planning. whole. companies. the indicators under Sustainable the implementation of the LCDS. After more than five decades, he Againstthisbackdrop,hesaid The State holds no equity or Development Goal 15 which It will also be critical as the saidtheGFCin2019rolledoutthe the government, in budget 2023 other management interest in any states: protect, restore and performance measurement implementation of the National plans to invest GY$300M to forestconcession. promote sustainable use of mechanism for forest agreements ForestInventory(NFI). support initiatives such as carbon The Government, through the t e r r e s t r i a l e c o s y s t e m s ; such as the sale of forestry credits He said this multi-year project sequestration,whichareprovento Guyana Forestry Commission, sustainably manage forests; through the ART-TREES will update forest inventory enhance biodiversity in wildlife monitors and regulates the combat desertification; and halt mechanismandinreportingonthe intelligence – essential to national habitats,andincreasesoilfertility activities of forest concessions to and reverse land degradation and progress of the Sustainable and concession-level planning to He said too that the ministry ensurethatstrictsustainableforest biodiversity loss.

DevelopmentGoals(SDGs).” support the LCDS 2030 and the has taken a holistic approach to management rules and guidelines

Bharrat said GFC will EU PARTNERSHIP forestpolicy managing the natural resources are implemented, and that forest continue the implementation of AGREEMENT

Additionally, Bharrat said the sector Further, he said the legislation is implemented Phase Three of the MRVS in Apart from the foregoing project will also allow for the ministryhasadvanceddiscussions effectivelybyoperators.

Manreportedlyidentifiedkillerbeforedying

TheAlberttown man allegedly Police did not confirm if this outofhisbedroom. Hereportedly Police have recovered two stabbed to death on Saturday was what had transpired, but told her, “Look what she do to knives from the home while they reportedly named a close relative reported that he had named the me”. The aunt then placed him in continuetointerrogatetherelative ashiskillerbeforedying. relative as the one who had chair in their living room where aboutthemurder

Kaieteur News on Sunday stabbed him around 06:30hrs that she noticed that he had a stab reported that the dead man day wound to the left side of his identified as Esan Hamilton, 23, a According to police, the man abdomen. father of three and construction implicated the relative as his killer His aunt then alerted other worker of Fourth Street, to his aunt after he came out of his relatives and they rushed Alberttown, Georgetown, was bedroomholdinghisabdomen. Hamilton to the Georgetown stabbed to death by the relative His aunt told police that she Public Hospital Corporation after he had slapped her while she was in the kitchen of the dead (GPHC) where he died while slept. man’s home when Hamilton came receivingtreatment.

Dead: Esan Hamilton

WANTED VACANCY

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

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

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

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

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

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

One Plumber needed. Call: 615-9132.

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

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

Truck Driver needed. Call: 663-3866.

One Chef needed to cook for family, must be able to cook various dishes, work hours: 6am-2pm Mon-Fri & 8am-2pm Sat. Call: 682-8251.

One Housekeeper/ Cook to work 5 days per week, preferably from E.B.D. For more information Call: 609-1434.

Live-in Domestic needed for Georgetown and males to work in a Supermarket in the Interior. Call: 687-7638/ 660-9093.

Urgently needed dried carilla bush and soursop leaves (any quantity). Call: 609-8281/ 693-3003.

Rigged...

From page 2

Mangal-Joly told President

Power Plant on March 22, 2023,” she argued.

SERVICES

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

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

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

VACANCY

Project Clerk, Engineer Technician, Accountant, Clerk & Plumber needed. Apply at Chung’s Global Inc. Call: 2185120/2 or 632-0914. Email: chungsvacancy@gmail.com

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

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

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One double Lot 80x160 on the east side of Friendship Public Road, $12M GYD neg. Call: 626-4234/ 628-6212.

Stall for sale in Section1 Stabroek Market. Call: 6664002.

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

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

Ali in a letter dated March, 10, 2023, “It is disappointing that rather than address the issues of conflicts of interest with government duties, you have doubled down and appointed a board with two of three members having direct conflicts of interest with their government duties.”

In her most recent letter to the President, she not only explained her concerns regarding the waiver of the EIA for the power plant, but also appealed for a new EAB to be appointed.

Mangal-Joly was keen to note that the EAB has also reversed the use of the Zoom platform, thereby disallowing the participation of and silencing Guyanese citizens who live abroad, and even citizens from communities across the miles of the country. To this end, the advocate explained, “I am appealing to you to desist from this path not only 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.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Handyman and Drivers/ Expeditors needed. Call: 6748723.

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

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LAND FOR SALE

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She said, “As one of the concerned citizens of this nation, I write to you, as Minister in charge of the Environment, to address the lack of a credible Environmental Assessment Board (EAB). I also feel compelled to submit my objections to the Environmental Protection Agency’s waiver of an 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 EIA waiver on January 7, 2023 - for the record and until a credible EAB is constituted. This submission will be made under separate cover.”

FOR SALE

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Ogle, Better Hope East Coast, West Ruimveldt & Peter's Hall. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

The environment and democracy advocate went on to reason that despite requests made for the President’s attention on the subject of independence of this Board, he still appointed members directly employed by the state, two of whom have indisputable “direct” and “indirect” conflicts of interest.

She added, “It is your duty, and I hope 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 non-governmental representation, experts with proven track record in environmental protection and management, and gender balance.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“This is prohibited under the Environmental Protection Act (EPAct): Third Schedule, Environmental Assessment Board, which states plainly that: “Any member of the Board who has any interest directly or indirectly, in any matter before the Board – (a) Shall disclose the nature of his interest to the Board, and (b) shall not take part in any deliberation or decisions of the Board with respect to that matter.”

Despite public complaint, rather than disclosing their conflicts of interest and recusing themselves, the newly appointed members of the EAB have proceeded with scheduling the Public Hearing for the EPA’s waiver Gas to Energy Project’s 300 MW

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VEHICLES

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NDIA to spend $268M to build roads, bridge at Victoria & Nabacalis

The National Drainage and IrrigationAuthority (NDIA) whichfallsundertheMinistryofAgriculturewouldsoonbe constructing all-weather roads and an access bridge at Victoria Village and Nabacalis located on the East Coast of Demerara.

ItwasrevealedatThursday’sopeningoftendersthatthe Authority’s engineer had estimated that $268,404,390 would execute the works. According to the tender information, an all-weather road will be constructed at Victoria for an estimated cost of $110,000,000 while an all-weather road and an access bridge will be built in Nabacalis foranestimatedcostof$158million.

Atotaloffivefirmshavebidtoexecutebothprojects.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

Ministry of Health

Rehabilitation of Ducting System at the Material Management Units.

Supply and delivery of tablets with detachable keyboards.

Ministry of Local Govt. and Regional Development Collection and disposal of household refuse for the Diamond/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council.

Demerara Harbour Bridge Rehabilitation of Tug 'Rickford L2'.

Ministry of Education

Supply, delivery and installation of new computing devices and ICT Equipment for 10 smart classrooms.

National Drainage and IrrigationAuthority (NDIA)

Construction of all-weather road at Victoria, East Coast Demerara.

Rehabilitation of Dredge 'Rickford L'.

Fabrication and delivery of two 38m pontoons and one 30m pontoon for the Berbice Bridge Company

Fabrication of 45 male junction connecting post and 45 female junction connecting post.

Construction of all-weather road and access bridge at Nabacalis, East Coast Demerara.

AFC raises concern over US $34M E - ID project

- says programme must be backed by proper planning, legal framework

The Alliance For Change (AFC) has raised concerns about the Government’s recent announcement that it has entered intoUS$34Millioncontractwitha German company for the production and roll out of an electroniccitizenshipcardthatwill consolidate the data of the holder intoadigitalformat.

Thepartysaidthatwhileittakes noteoftheidealsandbenefitsofthe digitized system, it is concerned with the manner in which the Government is rolling out the project.

Inareleasetothepressoverthe weekend, the AFC said, “We are quite aware of the power of technology if implemented in a cohesive manner and with the requisite legal protections, to improve access to government services,theeaseofdoingbusiness andultimatelythedevelopmentofa strong robust economy and overall growth and development. What is ofgraveconcernwithregardtothe E ID announcement is the piece meal approach to what should be a clearlydefinedstructuredapproach toacomplexissue”

According to theAFC, moving ourpaper-basedsystemsinGuyana into the digital world of the 21st centuryisnoeasyfeatandmustbe carefully thought out, planned and implemented.

The party said: “This must be basedonaclearlyarticulatedpolicy backed by an action-oriented road mapforimplementation.Neitherof these has been presented to the people of Guyana. The ramblings wehaveheardrefertoworkpermits andimmigrationissuesforthemost part and fail to provide a cohesive eGovernmentapproach…”

TheAFC went on to note that the eGovernment approach should include plans to implement the following:eServices–whichseeks to improve the delivery of government services to citizens through an enabling ICT based environmenteparticipation–which reduces the digital divide – in Guyana between the hinterland, poor and remote communities, across our 10 regions and internationally for our diaspora especially eAdministration – a secure computing environment for the Government of Guyana in

keeping with industry standards, a whole-of-government approach with interoperability among governmentagencies.

According to the AFC, the recommended approach should also start with broad consultation where Government lays out their holistic e-Governance agenda and identifies the key and enabling building blocks of the proposed system.“Ane-IDshouldbejustone of these blocks and others would include – e-health, e-education, eagriculture,e-tax,e-policetoname afew Integrationwithotherdigital systems such as our passport issuing and border control, birth and deaths registries are to also be considered. It remains unclear the integrationofthise-IDsystemwith GECOM’s systems and the opposition’s call for the use biometrics for identification at placeofpoll.Anationalprogramme of this magnitude would need to startoffwiththedigitizationofour registries.”

Further the party said, “This eIDprojectideallyshouldformpart of modernizing the General Register Office which is the entity

Labourer remanded to prison for murder of New Amsterdam man

A 34-year-old man was on Friday arraigned before the New Amsterdam Magistrate Court on the chargeofmurder

Ryan Dhanpat appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh to answer to the murder charge which read that on Sunday 12th March 2023, Dhanpat, at Budhan’s Housing Scheme, West Canje Berbice murdered KevinSmallofPatrickDam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.

He was not required to pleadtotheindictablecharge and was remanded to prison untilApril28th2023.

Police said that on Sunday, March 12, 2023

Small, Shamar Wilson and two others had gone to Caracas Dam for a swim in the trench Shortly after, Dhanpat and two others arrivedandconfrontedthem, an argument ensued and it became physical Kevin

Small plunged into the trenchtoescapethefightbut was pulled by Dhanpat who wasarmedwithacutlass.He dealt Small several chops abouthisbody Wilson subsequently jumped in to help Small but hetoowaschopped,themen thenescaped.

Wilson was taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Small was later

found motionless near a house in Budhan Scheme, WestCanjeBerbice.

Ryan Dhanpat, 34 a labourer of Smythfield Village, New Amsterdam wasarrestedinahirecarthe followingday

Meanwhile, a post mortem conducted on the body of Small revealed that he died from shock and haemorrhage compounded by an incised wound to the forearm.

responsible for Guyana’s civil registry “

The AFC explained that the GRO’s legislation may need to be updated for this level of digital modernization in addition of a comprehensiverangeoflegislation will be required in addition to data protectionandcybersecurity

The party noted that many countries have passed legislation regarding data storage and protectionincludingprohibitingthe storage of citizen’s data outside of thenationalterritory

“WhereisGovernment’spublic articulation of systems and assurances that will guarantee the rights of all Guyanese?” the AFC asked. The opposition party notes that at a minimum, citizens must also have rights like those guaranteed under the EU General DataProtectionRegulation.

The AFC stated that the party must be able to know which individual or Government Agency has accessed their personal data, whenandforwhatpurpose.

The penalties for illegal access to citizens’ data should also be highlighted.Giventhisscopemajor

fundamental issues have not been addressed in the public domain to date and are totally missing from what should be an intelligent, informative discussion on a nationalissue.

As such, theAFC believes that this is not just a coincidence but a deliberateattemptbythePPPnotto be transparent as is its modus operandi. Thepartynotesthatthere has been no public information programme to inform, educate and engender trust in such a system targeted to the people of Guyana which will require access to ones mostprivatepersonaldata.

“Thisprojectalsodidnotcome to the Parliament for the requisite discussion and scrutiny These omissions are all too glaring to be accidental and therefore we can only conclude this is the disdain with which this government holds its citizens which it is supposed to serve,” the AFC noted in the statement.

Magnitude 6.8 earthquake shakes Ecuador, at least 14 deaths reported

A damaged car and rubble from a house affected by the earthquake are pictured in Cuenca, Ecuador. March 18, 2023. REUTERS/Rafa Idrovo Espinoza

(Reuters) At least 14 people were killed in a strongearthquakethatshook a coastal region of Ecuador and northern Peru on Saturday, causing structural damage to multiple homes, schoolsandmedicalcenters.

The quake, which the U S Geological Survey (USGS) measured at magnitude 6.8, struck at a depth of 66 4 km (41 3 miles) about 10 km (6.2 miles)fromthecityofBalao intheprovinceofGuayas.

The earthquake did not

appear likely to generate a tsunami,authoritiessaid.

“We remain in the territory verifying the damage caused by the earthquakethismorning.

IwanttoconfirmthatI am with you and express

y solidarity and

ommitment to the victims, ” Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso saidinatweet.

The presidency’s communication agency said the quake left 14 people dead, and morethan

380 people were injured, largely in the El Oro province.

Theagencysaidatleast 44 homes were destroyed, while 90 more were damaged

Around 50 educational buildings and more than 30 health centers were also affected, while multiple roadways were blocked by landslides caused by the earthquake. The Santa Rosa airport suffered minor damage, but remained in operation.

Leader of the AFC, Khemraj Ramjattan

Ryan Dhanpat

Kevin Small

Citizensurgedtoconservewater,as GWIhostsWorldWaterDaywalkathon

Taxi driver busted with ganja at Harbour Bridge

West Bank taxi driver was on AFridaybustedby police at the Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) with more than one pound of marijuana.

Policeidentifiedhimasa 33-year-old man of Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD). He was reportedly busted around 10:30hrs by a policeman on motorcycle patrol.

In recognition of World towards ensuring access to Guyana and Suriname, Irfan WaterDay2023,theGuyana treated water that meets the Akhtar stated that the Water Incorporated (GWI) World Health Organisation organisation is delighted to Sunday morning held a (WHO) standard of 0 3 collaborate with GWI to walkathon, which started at milligramsperlitreorlessof improve access to safe the seawall roundabout and ironcontent. drinking water and ended at GWI’s office on “Our goal is to ensure sanitationinthehinterland. V l i s s e n g e n R o a d , that 90 per cent of our More than 2.2 billion Georgetown. population receives treated peoplearoundtheworldlack

The event was led by water by 2025 This is five accesstosafedrinkingwater, Minister within the Ministry years in advance of the leading to the spread of ofHousingandWater,Susan Stainable Development waterborne diseases such as Rodrigues, and the Chief Goal of 2023,” the minister diarrhoea, which is Executive Officer of GWI, added. particularly deadly for ShaikBaksh. To a c h i e v e t h i s children.

AccordingtotheGuyana Police Force (GPF), they received information that he might be transporting narcotics. The patrol cop reportedlyinterceptedhimat the western end of the Harbour Bridge. The patrol rank accompanied by a senior rank, requested to searchhiscar

During brief remarks, ambitious goal, the

DesignatedbytheUnited Minister Rodrigues government is investing in Nations General Assembly, emphasised that water is the construction of 13 new International World Water rapidly becoming one of the treatment plants across the Day is held annually on world’s scarcest resources. country to ensure citizens March 22 as a means of She urged citizens to have access to treated water focusing attention on the conserve and practice better Additionally, existing water importance of fresh water watermanagement. treatment plants are also and advocating for the

“Here in Guyana, we beingupgraded. sustainable management of have the privilege of having Mr Baksh said the water freshwaterresources. access to water, 97 per company is committed to This year, the focus of cent…A lot of countries in providing safe water and World Water Day is on the world still do not have sanitationtoallGuyaneseby ‘acceleratingchangetosolve access to clean, safe 2030, with the government the water and sanitation drinking water. So, we have investing billions of dollars crisis.’ GWI Board Member to think about what is going annuallyinthesector and Member of Parliament, on globally to really He also highlighted that Dharamkumar Seeraj, and appreciate our situation GWI has achieved 97 per representatives from the locally,” shesaid. cent access to water and is Environmental Protection

The minister stated that actively working towards A g e n c y ( E P A ) while the government has achieving 100 per cent Hydrometeorological been working to ensure accessbytheyear2025. Service were among those universal access to water, its Meanwhile, UNICEF who participated in the priority has now shifted Deputy Representative for exercise. (DPI)

Inside the trunk, they found three bulky plastic bags containing marijuana. The taxi driver was cautionedandtakentotheLa Grange Police Station where the narcotics were weighed and amounted to 1,361 kilograms of cannabis. He remains in police custody pendingcharges.

The ganja found in the taxi driver’s car

His impounded car.

Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, Chief Executive Officer of GWI, Shaik Baksh and Deputy Representative of UNICEF Guyana and Suriname, Irfan Akhtar participating in the walkathon exercise.

(DPI Photo)

Letter to the Sports Editor

Dear Editor, I write to add my sentiments to the OP-ED that was carried in this newspaper yesterday, captioned “Change and the GOA Emperor”.

The scribe of that masterpiece has highlighted a couple of possible outcomes that I think every Guyanesenear and far should keep their eyes on. For ease of reference, I will excerpt the particular paragraphs that warrant the most attention.

“While the possible intervention of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) which represents the 41 national committees of the

Every eye should focus on the GOA

Americas, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has not been publicly cited or endorsed, any attempt at such a move can be viewed as means to create confusion, or worst yet, offer the nation potential residency in the international wilderness.

Would the GOA boss opt for, or even entertain utilising such an avenue and intervention, when a domestic solution, [evident by the General Secretary fiasco], to any of the dilemmas facing the entity can be resolved in an egalitarian manner?”

The opinion above con-

notes the possible destruction of the organization if Juman Yassin is no longer chief. This assertion ought to raise alarm bells. Could greed consume an individual to such lower tiers?

Guyana, our beloved country embraces multiple ethnicities. We may be divided by politics, race, religion, and even culture at times. The only thing that brings us together in jubilation and harmony for many years is Sport. Whether it is cricket, football, track and field, boxing, or any other discipline, we stand United when our fellow Guyanese are com-

Monday March 20, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

There's an extra spark in your eye that people won't be able to ignore. Today's a good day to get your point across, because you'll find people more open and receptive to new things than usual.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Take yourself on a mental adventure today in which you explore new aspects of your world. Discuss philosophy and religion. Get to the core of a matter that seriously interests you.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Today is your day, Gemini, so live it up! If it seems like things have been rather intense lately, don't worry, they're apt to lighten up quite a bit today. Feel free to be your usual jolly self,

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Be careful that you aren't acting in a way that you dislike in others, Cancer. You could find that you're slowly taking on the traits of the people you despise.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

The day's general mood should fit quite well with your agenda, Leo. There's no need to fixate on the negative. Keep things light and upbeat and worry about the consequences later.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

You may need a translator to get through to people today, Virgo. It could be hard to make decisions, but not impossible. Today's tip is to err on the side of adventure.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Use your power resources today, Libra, as you have a great deal of dynamic energy at your dispo sal. You have the ability to transform and conquer anything now.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You could be asked to make some spontaneous decisions today that you might not feel entirely comfortable making, Scorpio. You could feel you don't have enough facts.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Emotionally, you may feel as if you're running up against a brick wall, Sagittarius. It could be that your first reaction is to drown your sorrows in drink. Escapism is only a temporary remedy.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) The

Your emo tions could be extra powerful today, Capricorn, although something may not feel as if it's sitting right. It could be a feeling of manipulation.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Take hold of this day as if it's your own and use it to grow your dreams, Aquarius. You'll find a great deal of power and dynamism in the air urging you to take the adventurous route.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

There's a fiery tone to the day that can't be ignored, Pisces. You may find that adjustments need to be made in your own plan of attack in order to get on the same page with other people.

peting on the world stage.

The GOA elections are slated for tomorrow. The only certainty thus far is the removal of Yassin from the executive. This nation hopes that bitterness and vindictiveness do not consume the outgoing president. I hope there’s a smooth transition of power, but only time will tell.

Any attempt to besmirch sport in Guyana should be condemned by every Guyanese within these 83,000 square miles, and also by those in the diaspora. I await the outcome with watchful eyes. You should too!

Respectfully,

Geoffrey Stoll Heyliger

Starc stars as Head and Marsh...

From page 22 was prolonging this second ODI for as long as possible for the paying spectators.

Marsh and Head clearly had other ideas as they put up an unbeaten partnership of 121 from 66 balls.

That strike rate of 183.33 is the highest for any opening stand in an ODI in India from a minimum of 10 balls.

Sensational Starc leads the way

Take nothing away from Marsh and Head, but the foundations for this incredible victory were laid by Starc, who got five wickets in an ODI for the ninth time.

The defeat was India’s first in 10 ODI matches on home soil, ending what was the second-longest active winning streak of any nation in the format.

Scores: Australia 121 for 0 (Marsh 66*, Head 51*) beat India 117 (Kohli 31, Starc 553, Abbott 3-23) by 10 wickets.

Starc stars as Head and Marsh guide Australia to 10-wicket rout of India

SportsMax - Australia hammered India by 10 wickets with 39 overs to spare in Visakhapatnam to level their three-match ODI seriesat1-1.

The Baggy Greens lost badly in the opening match, beingbowledalloutfor188 runs, but they cruised to victory at YS Raja Reddy CricketStadiumyesterday

India were bowled out forjust117runsoff26balls after being sent out to bat first, with Mitchell Starc (553) claiming a five-wicket haul in a truly dominant displayfromthetourists.

Australia’s opening batters Mitchell Marsh (66 notout)andTravisHead(51 not out) remained unbeaten to confirm victory inside

four hours. The sides will reconvene in Chennai on Wednesday for the deciding match.

Indiahadlostonlyoneof theirnineODIsatthisvenue prior to yesterday, but Shubman Gill was sent packing for a duck off the third ball to set the tone for whatwastocome.

Returning skipper Rohit Sharma (13) started well withacoupleofboundaries, but he did not last much longerandIndianeverfound anyrealrhythm.

Only four players reacheddoublefigures,with Virat Kohli (31), Ravindra Jadeja (16) and Axar Patel (29 not out) struggling to cause Australia any real problems. Starc starred with

the ball, responsible for the wicketsofMohammedSiraj (0), KL Rahul (9), Suryakumar Yadav (0), ShubmanGill(0)andRohit.

India’s target of 118 for victory was never going to trouble Australia, and so it proved as the explosive pair of Head and Marsh made light work of the hosts’ bowlers.

Head smashed Siraj for four successive boundaries ina50-runstandwithMarsh for the first wicket, with the Aussies sealing an emphatic wininjust11overs.

Marsh and Head blitz completesthejob

The best India could hope for after a rather embarrassingbattingeffort (Continuedonpage21)

Runs galore as Demerara pile up 394-6 on the first day

Third and final round of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Men’s Senior Inter County Four Day cricket tournament commenced yesterday at GCC ground Bourda. Essequibo battled with Demerara; Essequibo Men won the toss and chose tofieldfirst.

Batting first, Demerara posted 394-6 from 86 5 overs on the first day with AkshayaPersaudtopscoring with110runsnotout.Three other batters also got scores over fifty; Raymond Perez stroked a solid 84 (10x4, 2x6), Sachin Singh 57 (4x4, 3x6) and Ronaldo Ali Mohammed63(6x4,3x6).

After the first sessions Demerara were 123-2 as Essequibo’s bowlers failed torestrictthebattersonDay

one. Demerara kept scoring rapidly in the second and third session; scoring 273 runs in those two sessions while losing four wickets in theprocess.

Akshaya Persaud featured in two hundred run partnerships;onewithPerez of 110 runs, while the other was withAli Mohammed of 103runs.

Akshaya Persaud and RonaldoAliMohammedhad a good third session partnership which led Demerara to a formidable 376-5 with Ali Mohammed bringing up his half century with a huge six over midwicket.

Demerara lost their fifth wicket; Ali Mohammed looked to hit Quinten Sampsonbackoverhishead,

onlytofindthefielderatthe long-on position. Akshaya Persaud later went on to make a brilliant century as Demerara continued to pilingrunsonDayOne.

Round two century maker Shamar Yearwood joined Akshaya Persaud on 103 runs However Yearwood was the last wicket to fall; bowled by a turning delivery from RicardoAdamsforsixruns.

At stumps, Demerara were 394-6. RicardoAdams finishedwith4-106fromhis 26.5 overs with Akshaya Persaud unbeaten on 110 runs,Ashmead Nedd still to faceaball.

Play resumes at 9:30hrs today for Day two action of Men’s Senior inter county fourdaycrickettournament.

Mitchell Starc celebrates trapping Suryakumar Yadav lbw. (BCCI)

GCB names national Under-15 team

Mohabir, Ramdeholl are Captain and Vice-Captain, Lewis and Nanan are new comers

The Guyana Cricket Board(GCB)hasnamedthe Guyana Under-15 team which will participate in the Cricket West Indies (CWI)

Regional Under-15

Tournament 2023 This Tournament, which is dubbed CWI Rising Star U n d e r - 1 5 R i s i n g Championship, is scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda fromApril 2, 2023, toApril 13,2023.

The GCB Junior Selection Committee led by Chairman Andre Percival and comprising the other selection members Balram Samaroo, Latchman Yadram,andDeneshJoseph, selectedtheNationalUnder15teamonFriday,March17, 2023. The team presents an

excellent mixture of skilled players.

Dave Mohabir will once again lead the National Under-15 side. The Guyana Under-15 team placed second in the 2022 CWI

Regional Under-15

Tournament Similarly, Romario Ramdeholl will once again act as the ViceCaptaintoMohabir

The team includes the five players who have been identified by CWI from the 2022 CWI Rising Star Tournament for special development activities

These players are OpeningbatterNavinBoodwah,Leftarm Spinner Arun Gainda, Fast bowler Arif Khan, Right-arm leg spinner Dhanesh Persaud, and

Wicket-keeper Sohail

M o h a m e d T h e identification of these emerging players, allows CWI and the GCB to place special development emphasis on their growth

and development in the game.TheGuyanaUnder-15 Team 2023 is as follows: Dave Mohabir (Captain), Romario Ramdeholl (Vice Captain), Navin Boodwah, Adrian Hetmyer, Arun

Gainda, Dhanesh Persaud, Zandon Rose, Razam

Koobir, Sohil Mohamed (wicket Keeper), Jonathan Mentore, Shane Prince,Arif Khan, Emmannuel Lewis, andTrilokNanan.

The standbys are Nicholas Lovell, Mickle Sharma, Thierry Henry, FeaazBaksh,NicholasHall, Visual Williams, and Krishan Silas and Brandon Henry

Dhanesh Persaud

Adrian Hetmyer Arun Gainda

Richard Ramdeholl

Guyana’s Men and Women table tennis team head to El Salvador in June

- Both teams qualify for CAC Games

The Caribbean Regional Table Tennis Federation (CRTTF) hosting its Central America and Caribbean (CAC) qualifier event concluded yesterday at the National Gymnasium, M a n d e l a Av e n u e , Georgetown Guyana. The event completed the preliminary rounds, as well asquarterandsemifinalson Saturday.

The three-day event which saw Guyana’s Men and Women teams qualifying for the CAC Games following some exciting semi final wins on Saturdayevening.

Guyana’s Men defeated Barbados 3-0 in their semi finals encounter, while the WomenupsettheCostaRica Women’steam3-2.

Thiswasthefirstofafew

objectives of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) leading up to this monthofaction.

According to the President of GTTA Godfrey Munroe, “This was the ultimate goal, qualifying for these games; the focus now is on placement for the remainder of this tournament.

The performance is a

good precursor in preparation of the Senior Caribbean tournament and other engagements for the teams.”TheMen’steamare: Shemar Britton, Jonathan Van Lange, Joel Alleyne, Elishaba Johnson and Paul David.

The Women’s team

comprises: Olympian Chelsea Edghill, Natalie Cummings, Priscilla Greaves, Thuraia Thomas, andJasmineBillingy

Chase’s Academic fires 16 past Bygeval

Chase’s Academic Foundation(CAF)hasmade an even greater statement with their latest win in the Petra organised 2023 Milo Under-18 Schools Football Tournament, which continued over the weekend at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Their performance saw them score 16 goals and maintain a clean sheet in their match against Bygeval yesterday In the other matches yesterday, Vryman’s Erven defeated West Demerara 5

0, Mackenzie High outfoxed Patentia2–1andSantaRosa won 3

0 against St StanislausCollege.

CAF have assumed the lead in their Group with the victory and have also recorded the largest margin ofvictoryfortheseasonthus

They were led by a hattrickfromJudeDaniels(11’, 20’,33’)whiledoublescame from Seon Cato (16’, 61’), Neeiaz Baksh (30’, 44’), Darius Chester (35’, 50’) and Shakem Welcome (41’, 52’). The other goals came from Justin Alcinder (5’), Manasseh Anderson (26’), Ronny Yaw (58’), Wendel Pickett (60’) and Chai Williams(70’).

The day’s opening game had Vryman’s Erven storming to victory with doubles from Darius Stephen(7’,34’)andDaniel Sohail (56’, 70’) while Deandirel Logan supported with a goal in the 59th minute.

In Mackenzie High’s match with Patentia, the former drew first blood compliments of Azenio Benjamin (27’) but the

former equalized three minutes later through Marvin Jeffery (30’) However, it was Aziz Grant’s79thminutegoalthat became the decider for Mackenzie’striumph.

The final match of the daysawSantaRosacruiseto a 3 – 0 win as Travis Jarvis (10’, 26’) and Nelson Lucas (6’) laid an early foundation for Santa Rosa that stood firmuntiltheregulationtime whistle.

Next weekend the second round continues at thesamevenue.

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 & SuppliesInc.(GENEQUIP).

Chelsea Edgill in action on day two

Female team against Costa Rica

Guyana Defence Force, Pakuri Jaguars race into semis with dominant performances

The Guyana Defence Force Football Club and the PakuriJaguarsFootballClub were both dominant in their respective quarterfinals matchesinthe2023Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Women’s Development FootballLeaguePlayoff.

In the first quarterfinals of the day the Guyana DefenceForceFootballClub defeatedFoxy LadiesFootballClub,12 -1 at the St Cuthbert’s MissionGround.

The emphatic score line was due to seven goals by Glenda Lewis and one goal each from Melinda Scott, Kellyann Niles, Zorina Ali andYantra Kenswell and an owngoal.

GDF executed a strong attacking strategy, preventing their opponent from creatingchances to get backintothegame.

Striker Jenel Edmonson scoredthelonegoalforFoxy Ladies.

In the second playoff quarterfinals match of the afternoon, Pakuri Jaguars Football Club defeated SantosFootballClub9-0.

Thehomesidegavefans and supporters something to cheer about with four goals from BritneyPoonsammy,two goals from Sabantho Simon and one goal each from SabanoSimon,HilaryHenry andAnnJoseph.

President of the Women’s Football Association (WFA) Andrea Johnsoncongratulatedthe Guyana Defence Force Football Club on setting the record for the most goals secured in a single match in

the2023playoff.

“We are seeing some very action-packed matches in the quarterfinals of the GFFWomen’sDevelopment Football League Playoff Congratulations to all the teams. Congratulations to the GDF and the Pakuri Jaguars on their victories today and advancing to Semifinals.

She added: “We are gearing up for a thrilling s e m i f i n a l s a n d championship match up. I want to thank the GFF, the players, the officials, the communities and the fans and our sponsor MVP Sports. We could not have done this without you.WFA remains committed to equality in football that means more access to training programmes and community, regional and nationaltournaments.”

The 12-club playoff is sponsored by MVP Sports. The league was launched in June 2022 with 37 teams from across Guyana to give female players more match minutes.

The 12 clubs are Bartica AllStarsFC,PotaroStrikers FC, EssequiboAll Stars FC, Foxy Ladies FC, Milerock FC, Coomacka FC, Pakuri

J a g u a r s F C , N e w Amsterdam United FC, Guyana Police Football Club,GuyanaDefenceForce FC, Fruta Conquerors FC andSantosFC.

Semi Finals will see the Fruta Conquerors FC taking onthePakuriJaguarsFCand the Guyana Defence Force will face with the Guyana PoliceForce.

Glenda Lewis scored 7 goals for the GDF

Guyana Men table tennis team (from left) Jonathan Van Lange, JoelAlleyne, Elishaba Johnson and Shemar Britton.