Kaieteur News

Oriya

(Joseph Allen photo)

Oilandgasworkerstostrikeagainstoilcompanies that‘bag’bigprofitsbutrefusetogive them‘afairshareofthepie’

Oil and gas workers are planning to hit fossil fuel firms with a ‘tsunami’ of strikes, unions have announced.

Euro News reported that themassindustrialactionwill includearound1,400workers atNorthSeaoilrigsownedby BP, Harbour Energy, Total, ShellandEnQuest

Owing to the RussiaUkraine war oil prices were sent soaring resulting in oil and gas companies seeing record-breakingprofits

Euro News reported that workers are being left out in the cold when it comes to sharingthiswealth,according to United General Secretary, SharonGraham “Oilandgas companies have been given free rein to enjoy massive windfall profits in the North Sea; drilling concessions are effectively licences to print money,”shewarns

“1,400 offshore workers are now set to take strike action against these employers who are raking it

but refusing to give them a fairshareofthepie.Thiswill createatsunamiofindustrial unrest in the offshore sector,”Grahamnoted.

According to the media entity, the striking workers are contracted to operators BilfingerUKLimited,Stork construction, Petrofac Facilities Management Limited, and Wood Group UK Limited These operators run the rigs on behalf of the oil companies listed above. Now they are walking out after various disputes over pay, overtime policy, and holiday entitlements.

Industrial action is set to hit several oil rigs from March 29, 2023 until June 2023inaseriesof24,48and 72-hourstoppages.

GreenpeaceUKsaidthat the environmental organisation stands “in solidarity”withtheworkers.

“The greed is almost palpable,” says Greenpeace UK’s head of climate Mel

Evans.

“Oil and gas workers have been hung out to dry, while their bosses and shareholders have raked in tens of billions of pounds over the past year It’s no wonder they’re taking industrialactiontodemanda proper windfall tax on these obsceneprofits”

Notably, several countries have imposed a ‘windfall’ tax to claw back some of the excess profit madebyoilandgaslastyear Also,inSeptember2022, the European Union (EU) passed emergency legislation containing a temporary ‘windfall tax’ of

Chinesecontractoramong3firms biddingtoupgradetwointeriorstellings

33 per cent on fossil fuel profits.

In response, American oil giant, ExxonMobil is now challenging this tax in court, claiming its profits havebeenunfairlyimpacted and it has lost money from the loss of Russian investments.

In the UK, an ‘energy profit levy’ of 35 per cent willrununtilMarch28.The levy applies to extraction activity only and excludes a variety of government subsidiesonfossilfuels.

LastDecember, Kaieteur

N e w s reported that stakeholders all over the world have accepted that

majoroilcompaniessuchas ExxonMobil would have generated ‘Observe’ profits from the energy sector following consecutive periods of high returns highlighted in quarterly earning calls. While some nations have demanded returns from the companies increased revenue, so are workers grappling with the high cost of living and the threatofaglobalrecession.

Itwasstatedthatareport out of Fawley Village, Hampshire, in England said that oil workers there downed tools for some two weeksafterExxonMobiland its industry, Contractors

Altrad and Bilfingerm, refused to negotiate an additional pay increase for affected workers Video footage from London based civil rights group,

‘ReelNews’ showed scores of oil workers protesting against the ‘pitiful’ 2 5 percentpayincreaseevenas they claimed that Exxon Mobil had sent police ranks to harass and intimidate them into backing down fromindustrialaction.Ithas been stated that around 100 Boilermakers, Welders, Pipefitters, Mechanical FittersandScaffoldersatthe Fawley Plant in Hampshire hadtakenpartintheaction.

Three contractors have submitted bids to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for the upgrading of the Kumaka and Morawhanna StellingsinRegionOne.

The stellings are being upgraded to facilitatethedockingoftheMVMaLishaferry thatisexpectedinGuyanasoonfromIndia.

At the opening of tenders on Monday at NPTAB’soffice,itwasrevealedthatthethree contractors all bid above the Ministry’s engineerestimatetodotheworks.

Kaieteur News had reported that the MinistryofPublicWorksislookingtoupgrade Kumaka Stelling at an estimated cost of $1,903,322,161, while $784,754,754 is estimated for the works at the Morawhanna stelling.

At the opening of tenders, it was revealed that contractor China Road & Bridge Corporation bid $2,087,729,477 for the Kumaka Stelling works; International Import & Supplies bid $3,675,580,430 for the Kumaka project and $2,465,952,548 for the worksatMorawhannaStellings;andanother contractor R. Bassoo & Sons Construction Company bid $2,438,556,844 for works at Kumaka and $950,535,640 for works at the MorawhannaStelling.

TheMinistryofPublicWorksisplanningto upgradeanumberofstellingstoaccommodate thenewUS$127millionferrywhenitarrives Additionally, works will be done on the structuresatMabaruma,PortKaitumaandthe KingstonGoodsWharf.Already,theMinistry signedacontractworth$1,056,452,458tohave theKingstonGoodswharfrehabilitated.

The US$127 million new passenger and cargo ferry is scheduled to arrive in Guyana soon The vessel was built by Gardens Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) as part of the Government of India’s Line of Credit-cum-Grantproject.Thevesselisslated to ply the Georgetown to North-West route whenitarrivesinthecountry

The ferry which measures 70 metres long wasdesignedbytheinhouseGRSEteam The vessel is being propelled by two caterpillar engines and twin gear boxes to achieve a maximumspeedof15knots.Itisdesignedto carry 294 persons, 14 vehicles, two fullyloaded trucks, and 10 containers. It has a capacity of 250 tons and complies with all internationalregulations.

Besides upgrading the wharves, the Ministryhadrecentlysent10employeesfrom the Transport and Harbours Department for trainingrelatedtothenewferry

The United States Government has flagged the GuyanaPoliceForce’s(GPF) failure to investigate claims that some of its officers were bribed by a businessman to foil the Ricardo Fagundes also called ‘Paper Shorts’ murderinvestigation.

Inits2022HumanRights Report released on Monday, corruption of police officers wasfrequentin2022 Oneof themajorcorruptionscandals was that of senior investigating officers of the F o r c e ’s C r i m i n a l Investigation Department (CID) accepted a $30M a bribe to cover-up the 2021 murderofFagundes.

“InAugust,policeofficer, Dion Bascom alleged that a businessmanbribedmembers oftheGuyanaPoliceForceto foil an investigation into an execution-style killing of Ricardo Fagundes, a gold miner AsofOctober(2022), police had not investigated Bascom’s claims”, the US Department of Statement said.

TheDepartmentofState’s conclusion that the Force did not investigate the bribery claims was made after the Barbados-headquartered Regional Security Service (RSS) had completed a

review of the Force’s investigation into

murder

Fagundes’

In August last year, the government was forced to invite the RSS to review the workdonebytheForceinthe murder probe after Bascom publicly accused the Police Forceofcoveringupthecase

According to media reports, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali had specifically said, “the RSS will review work done on the murder of Fagundesandwillalsoreview the allegations made by Detective Sergeant Dion Bascom”

The RSS completed its review the following month and on September 09, 2022

publicly reported that it did notfindanyallegedcover-up in Fagundes’ killing and called Bascom’s allegations “Hearsay”

Many have since criticized the findings, includingFagundes’relatives and it appears that the US Department of State is of the viewthattheForcecouldhave donemorethanjustallowthe RSS to review its work into thehigh-profilemurdercase. Since the bribery allegations were made, the GPF has only denied them and called Bascom a liar Rather than opening a probe into what he had said, the Forcemovedtoprosecutehim

MV Ma Lisha which will soon arrive in Guyana from India.

...citesfrequentreportsofcorruptionin2022

US Govt. flags claims of police cover-up in Fagundes’ execution

Murdered, Ricardo Fagundes Officer, Dion Bascom

ExxonMobil using Guyana’s oil to pay overseas employees

...PSAwaivesneedforMinisterialapproval

The oil contract that GuyanaenteredintowithUS oil major, ExxonMobil is infamous globally for the favourable fiscal terms it extends to the oil producer, in which it benefits from paying a mere two percent royaltyandnotaxes.

But in addition to these glaring lopsided provisions, theagreementalsofeaturesa number of other gaps that allow for possible exploitation of the nation; one such provision in the contract outlines that

chargeable to the project at their actual documented cost.”

The PSA states that the costsforsalaries,wagesand relatedcostsshallbecharged to the project on an actual basisorataratebasedupon the average cost in accordance with the Affiliated Company’s usual practice.

It points out that the methodologyofdetermining rates based on average cost shall be provided to the Government upon their

Bar Association condemns Judge’s public chastisement of a Senior Counsel over alleged fraud in court case

to be deducted towards cost recoveryforthecontractor’s investment to develop the offshore resources in the prolific Stabroek Block where more than 11 billion barrels of oil has already beendiscovered.

The remainder (25 percent) is then split evenly betweenthegovernmentand its corporate partners Notably, in the absence of ring-fencing,ExxonMobilis allowed to extract all of its expenses from a single project, rather than use the

TheBarAssociationofGuyanahasadded its voice to condemn the recent actions of a sitting judicial officer over his public chastisement of a senior officer of inner bar forallegedwrongdoings.

The statement by the Bar Association follows closely behind the decision of High Court Justice Sandil Kissoon who cited SeniorCounsel,StephenFraserforcolluding withhisclienttodefraudherfamilymembers outoftheirportionofanestate.

In his decision, Justice Kissoon axed an estate from an Essequibo woman who was cited for dishonesty and fraud in relation to thelastwillandtestamentofherfather

Justice Kissoon ruled that Marina and Boating Services property in Essequibo sold to Antares Inc. back in 2017 had been fraudulently done and sold below value by Deborah DaSilva DeSantos, daughter of the deceased.

Justice Kissoon noted that DaSilva DeSantos’ lawyer, Fraser was implicated in the fraud and called his actions to be condemnedinthestrongestpossibleterms.

The judge said that as a member of the inner bar, Fraser’s use of the legal processes justifies his client’s conduct are “reprehensibleandunpalatable.”

“ThedutyandobligationofCounseltothe Courtisinviolable,itremainsconstant,never flinching,unyielding,unaffectedbyanyfact, circumstance, litigant, personality, body or remuneration.Itisnevertobedishonouredas a matter of convenience in the manner it procures a desired or particular outcome…Duty, integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, obligation to oath, conscience and ethics are among the attributes that form the bedrockandlieatthefoundationofthelegal profession, the very qualities which birthed thelegalprofession.

proceedings,toprocureaparticularoutcome by deceit and, having benefited therefrom, nowseektorelyuponthatjaundicedoutcome toobtainasimilarresultbeforethisCourt.”

InareleasetothepressissuedonTuesday, the Bar Association said that as a matter of principle, the disparagement of Counsel by thepublicandthejudiciaryisknowntohavea debilitatingeffectontheruleoflaw

The Bar Association noted that such occurrences diminish public confidence in theadministrationofjustice.

“The legal profession and by extension theadministrationofjusticeisguidedbyand restsontheadherencetoanumberofwritten and unwritten rules, norms and courtesies. The mutual respect passing between Bench and Bar is one such pillar on which the administration of justice rests, for it engenders public confidence in the system. Suchconfidenceisundeniablyimperativefor the system to be effective,” the association addedinitsstatement.

Itcontinuedthat“Itisforthisreasonthat statements by the bench impugning the character of Counsel without due process mustnotbeallowedtogounnoticed.”

Further, the Bar reminded that judicial restraint is always a prudent course of conduct.

It said: “We take the statements of the sittingjudicialofficerasanattacknotonlyon Senior Counsel whose repute is known to be beyondreproach,butontheentireBar,forit shakes the very foundation on which our profession rests.The character of Counsel is his/her most precious asset to himself, the professionandadministrationofjustice.Any attack thereon causes immeasurable damage thereto.”

Guyana’s oil must pay the salaries of employees hired by the Contractor, whether they are assigned permanently abroad or locally

Notably, these expenses are not subjected to prior a p p r o v a l b y t h e government

AccordingtoSection3.1 in Annex ‘C’ of the PSA, which specifically outlines costs recoverable without approval of the Minister, “...The salaries, wages and relatedcostsofemployeesof an Affiliated Company that are temporarily or permanently assigned in Guyana and are directly engaged in Petroleum Operations shall be chargeable to the project at their actual documented cost.”

This provision also extends to affiliated companies of ExxonMobil thatarebasedoverseas.“The salaries, wages and related costs of employees of an Affiliated Company that are temporarily or permanently outside of Guyana and are directly engaged in Petroleum

s shall be

request. These rates “may be”reviewedbytheMinister annually, however these salaries must be paid even withouthisapproval.

In addition to the wages and salaries for the employees stationed locally and overseas, these workers will also enjoy paid travel expenses through Guyana’s oil.

According to the contract at Section 3.1 (d)

(ii) “ Reasonable actual documented expenses (including travel costs) of those employees whose salaries and wages are chargeabletotheprojectand are reimbursed by the Contractor under their usual practice shall also be chargedtotheproject.”

Thisnewspaperreported l a s t S u n d a y t h a t ExxonMobil Corporation and its partners can take as much of Guyana’s oil that they may need to cover US billions worth of purchases. The sweetest part of this arrangementisthatformuch ofitsexpenditure,thereisno need for ministerial approval.

The oil contract allows forupto75percentoftheoil

resource in that field to pay backitsinvestments.

The Institute of Energy Economics and Financial Analysis(IEEFA)inareport titled‘LackofRing-Fencing Provision Means Guyana Won’t Realize Oil Gains Before 2030s, if at All -

L o o p h o l e A l l o w s E x x o n M o b i l - L e d Development Team To Use Profits To Pay for More Oil Exploration in Guyana’ details that Guyana’s failure to implement a “ring fence” provision has provided Exxon an opportunity to reducethecountry’sshareof profits.

It has concluded that Guyana may never see the promised annual revenues from its oil sector Tom Sanzillo, a director of financialanalysisforIEEFA noted, “Our findings are worrisome. The oil and gas industry is facing stiff competition and lower g r o w t h expectations…selling more oil into an overcrowded market is risky business for Guyana. The country may never see the promised annual revenues in the billionsofdollars.”

In the absence of such, the Courts would be hard pressed to distinguish between Counsel and a dishonest litigant,” the Judge saidinrulingcondemningFraser’sconduct.

In the case, the claimants, Dershanie Harrilall, Ameer Harilall, Sharief Mohamed and Charles DaSilva who are also beneficiariesofthedeadman’sestate,raised allegations against the executrix DaSilva DeSantos of “self-dealing, breach of trust, malversationofoffice,dishonestyandfraud.”

Justice Kissoon said it appears that both the executrix and her lawyer, “having committed a fraud upon that Court in those

Additionally, the BarAssociation sought tonotethatjudgesareelevatedfromtheBar. “Disparagement at all levels must thereforenotbepermittedtogounaddressed andwillnotbecountenancedbytheBar,”the associationasserted.

Meanwhile, a statement by attorney at law,NigelHughesissuedonbehalfofFraser onSaturdaycriticizedthepronouncementsof thejudgeinthematter

Referencing the ruling by Justice Kissoon, the lawyer noted one of the most elementaryprinciplesoflawandperhapsthe foundation of several legal systems is the conceptofnaturaljusticeandtherightofan

Continued on page 6

USGovt.flagsclaimsofpolicecover-up...

Frompage2 insteadforbreachingitscodeofcontact.

The officer had multiple Facebook lives and posts accusing Mark Richmond, a security guard with Mohamed’s Enterprise, of being involved in Fagundes’ murder Fagundes was killed in a hail of bullets in March2021bytwomenwhoemergedfrom thebackseatofaheavilytintedwhiteToyota FielderWagon.

Bascom had even implicated popular businessman Azruddin Mohamed in the crime and accused one of his bosses at the CriminalInvestigation(CID)Headquarters, Mitchell Caesar, of conspiring with them to coverupthematter

All three of the men named by Bascom havesincefiledlawsuitssuinghimmillions for defaming their character Nevertheless, Bascomstoodbyhisallegationsandpublicly relatedthathehasevidencetobackthemup but was fearful for his life and needed

protection.

The detective was fearful that the GPF wouldallowharmtocomehiswaybecause, according to him, one of the suspects in the investigation had threatened him but the Forcedidnotinvestigatethematter Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, had confirmed that the CID was aware of the alleged threat but did nothing to help Bascom because “ranks there don’t investigate threats.” The detective was advised to lodge a report at the Brickdam PoliceStationbuttherankstheretoodidnot dealwiththematter

Bascom had requested protection from the state via his lawyer, Nigel Hughes, but PresidentAlinevergrantedhisrequest.

Instead, the officer has been slapped several criminal charges, including cybercrimes and while he is before the courts,Fagundes’murderisstilltobesolved sometwoyearslater

Section 3.1 in Annex ‘C’of the PSA

Guyana.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

OIL COMPANY GOODWILL

Vice President Bharat Jagdeo is now confident in the goodwill of foreign oil companies, none more than ExxonMobil. Guyana’s Vice President must be the toast of the corporate cowboys of ExxonMobil, with the red carpet rolled out in the customary Texas way to fill his head with ideasastohisworthinesstothecompany WhenaGuyanese oilleadercouldspeakabouthisexpectationofgoodwillfrom oil companies, especially one such as ExxonMobil, then he has broken new ground, taken a plunge that drags this country down with him, and from which it may never recover

Vice President Jagdeo is nobody’s dummy, so it is a mystery as to how and why he could come up with this incredibletrustinthegoodwillofExxonMobil. Itdoesnot matter whether the issue at hand is about full liability coverage (proper insurance protection) in the event of a massive oil spill, or an increase in royalty that an honest partner would consider, actually agree to without effort, consideringhowmuchtheyaregetting,howlittletheywould lose in the bigger picture, or an openness to sharing the detailsofallexpensesrelatedtothecompany’soperationsin Guyana. The bottom line is that whatever the issue on the table,Jagdeoknowsbetter,ismuchwiser,thantoputhimself and this country in this pathetic state, where Guyana is reduced to hoping and begging for favours from ExxonMobil. Vice President Jagdeo’s expecting goodwill fromExxonMobilamountstosuchpleadingonhisknees,to putmattersbluntly

The fact is that ExxonMobil specifically, and oil companies in general, is the worst of the worst, where crippling corporate excesses and predatory practices are concerned. Anaïveandill-equippedcountrylikeGuyanais puttyinExxonMobil’shands,aheavilyladentreeripeforthe shakingandplucking.

AleaderlikeJagdeoisdoughinthehandsofthelikesof DarrenWoodsandAlistairRoutledge,whoknowhoweither toturnonthecharm,ortotightenthescrewsonpeoplelike him. Theyhavestudiedhimandiftheyhavegroundsthathe hasgiventhemtocornerhimandtiehimupintoknots,thenit is as good as done, and without a second thought. It is all about voracious business and making the most money overnight.

This is the sordid history of ExxonMobil in almost the entiretyofitscorporateexistence. Beforeitwasorderedto bebrokenupbytheUSSupremeCourtin1911,StandardOil had compiled a long and ugly record of secret dealing, cutthroatpricing,anddoubledealing.

What became Standard Oil of New Jersey is today’s ExxonMobil, which is utterly worse than the now long forgotten parent. For Jagdeo to depend on goodwill from ExxonMobilindicatesthatheiseithercrackingattheseams, orhasalreadylosttouchwithreality Attheleast,heisinthe dark, or pretending to be, regarding how ExxonMobil operates, what its people live to breathe, what its ravenous cultureis,whencloselyexamined.

ExxonMobilisaboutwhatismurderoustothehopesand interests of new and unready oil producing countries like Guyana. ExxonMobil,anditspeersintheUnitedStatesand Europe,isespeciallyconspicuousforanotherqualityinthe conduct of their worldwide operations. It is about what is devastating and deadly to countries that are populated by people who are mainly dark-skinned and clueless about the ways of oil companies. There is the ongoing litany of countriesinthe Third World that are damaged even further by leaders who themselves match the American corporate anaconda with their own endless greed. The result is that which has destroyed many societies blessed with oil in abundance. Anyone taking an honest and open-minded look at Guyana shouldbeabletoseethatthisisthepresentandfutureroad.

InsteadofthemostpowerfulleaderinGuyanaspeaking with passion and conviction about getting more out of ExxonMobil,Jagdeoistalkingabout,beggingfor,goodwill from ExxonMobil. Instead of standing up to fight for Guyana,JagdeobendshiskneesbeforeExxonMobil. Good luck,Mr Jagdeo,onthiscryforgoodwillfromthecompany

PPPMOCKERYOF INSTITUTIONS

DEAREDITOR,

After a long time, an important constitutional body, Ethnic Relations Commissionhasfinallybeen constituted. After 7 years break under PPP, the ERC wascompletelyabsentunder the Ramotar regime. By this time,scoresofcriticismkept flooding the daily newspapers on corrupt practicesthatcharacterizeda PPPgovernment.

Therefore, an ERC presence then would have added more salt to the wounds. Then it came alive under President Granger time.

Fast forward 2023, nothing has changed. The new office bearers, majority has close affiliation to the

party ItisclearthatPPPdoes not want fair and balance views.

During the consultation process, many groups were called and told which candidate to support. ERC would have had another opportunity to advance the position of ensuring that Guyana’s wealth is fairly distributed but this will not bethecase.Liketheprevious Commission, this will be another talk shop, and toothlessdog.

Thistimeit’sgoingtobe worse.Itiswellstockedwith PPPloyalists. Further, it has personswhoareworkingfor government agencies, and they obviously will have to toe the line when serious matters will arise especially

those that paints the governmentinabadlight.In essence, what Guyanese can expectisanERCthatwillbe defending PPP policy This will undermine the work of the Commission. ERC will betestedonitsstandsonthe farcical ‘One Guyana’ policy In fact, it should study how race relations worsen with this policy, whichhasbeennothingbuta politicaltool.

But no one should be surprised,itisanormforPPP to make mockery of bodies.

Look at the Public Procurement Commission; anotherfailingCommission.

Look at the mess unfolding

with Environmental

Assessment Board appointees The Integrity

Commission and the Police Service Commission are both stocked with a number of persons who openly supportPPP Therecannever be impartiality and proper governance since they will all be caught up trying to make the government look good.

But this is business as usualinthecircusregimeof President Ali. We live in an era where criticism is a ‘crime.’

AlleyesonthenewERC butnotmuchofasurpriseis in store. It has a chance to prove Guyanese otherwise. Unfortunately, these Commission will not be of anyhelptoGuyanese.

Regards, R.Singh

Adire need for an updated judicial sentencing guideline!

DEAREDITOR,

Mr LG made a poignant observation: “the Judiciary needs a complete overhaul.”

LG identified, though anecdotally, the disparity in judicialsentencing.OneMr AB of Grove, East Bank Demerara, for example, was initially charged with attempted murder for chopping his neighbour and had his charge reduced to feloniouswounding.Mr AB wasgivenalifesentence.

And in January 2023, five men were sentenced to

66yearseachforthemurder ofacarpenterinCorentyne.

Inanothercase,theCourt of Appeal reduced the sentence of three men from 81 years to 45 years each. Also,amanwassentencedto 17yearsforthemurderofan inmate (this charge was probably reduced to manslaughter) while he was on remand for allegedly committing two other murders! One person, Mr CRhadhis23-yearsentence for rape reduced to 12 years by the Caribbean Court of

Justice in February 2022. These examples show the disparity in sentencing delivered by different Courts.

A massive challenge for theauthoritiesisthenumber ofunsolvedcases,especially murders.

Awell-knowncaseisthat of the double murder of a Pandit and his son in Georgetown where the accusedwasfreed.

Thequestionarises:who was/were the killer(s)? Where is justice for this

familyandotherswhoalone must share the burden of unsolvedcases?

Several factors tend to i n f l u e n c e Judges/Magistrates’ decisions:nature(gravity)of offence, prior conviction, related circumstances, qualityofpresentationbythe prosecution,thelegalskillof the defence, offender’s remorse,andpublicinterest. Mitigation factors in cases like murder include but not limitedtooffenderactingin

(Continuedonpage6)

DEAREDITOR,

On President Cheddi’s birth anniversary (March 22), I see quite a few events are occurring around the countrytorememberthatgreatsoul.

Frommyownperspective,growing up in his home, my father always projected to me the real meaning of humility, sophistication, level temperament,honesty,fearlessnessand most of all-his fierce commitment to GuyanaandtheGuyanesepeople-atthe endofhislifeheconsideredcorruption and thieveryin governmentworse than murder;attheendofhislifehebelieved that Guyana’s political electoral outcome should always mirror the concept,” winner does not take all” or simply sharing political power after elections; at the end of his life ,Cheddi Jagan was fiercely opposed to any foreign investment deal which shortchangedourpeople;attheendofhislife afterextensivepublicservice,Jaganhad nomansion,noMercedesBenz,nogold

anddiamondjewelry,noyacht,nofancy clothes and no bank account with big bucks; to the end of his life, he never tolerated grafters and hustlers in his political life - all the above contrary to what is seen now in Guyana’s political landscape. Editor, as a teen, I had the great fortune to be acquainted with incorruptible men who worked as Ministers in my father’s governmentsrealpatriotslikeBrindleyBenn,oneof our best Agricultural ministers and a veryhonestman-hewasresponsiblefor the creation of Black Bush polder; Boysie Ramkarran, a dedicated patriot ofGuyanaandaloyalisttothePPPand CheddiJaganwithhonestyandhumility as his foundational traits; Fenton Ramsahoye,Attorney General and one of the most brilliant legal minds in the Caribbean; C R Jacobs, Finance Minister , C V Nunes, Education Minister, J. Hubbard, Bal Ram Singh Rai and many others-loyal to Guyana andhonestingovernment.

Editor, those who utilize Cheddi Jagan’s name to create political justification for their actions should lookinthemirrortoseeifthatgreatman is smiling at their actions; they should lookinthemirrorbecausethemirroris alwayscorrect-there’snoCheddiJagan therebecausethesoulofthatgreatman nowresideswiththepeopleofGuyananot with the big shots and the pontificationalpoliticians.

The people of Guyana now own Jagan, not those who will use his name for their benefits-the soul of President Cheddi and his honesty, integrity and humility will fan the flames of resistance against poverty, despair and injustice which still exists in our belovedcountry

Happy birthday Dad, love you always to the last breath in my body Godblessyouandkeepyourgreatsoul safe.

Yours faithfully,

Dr.Cheddi(Joey)Jagan(Jr.)

Those who utilise Cheddi Jagan’s name to create political justification for their actions should look in the mirror to see if that great man is smiling at their actions

New e-ID Cards for USD$34 Million, Industry back-channel quote for USD$17 Million

DEAREDITOR,

Thecostforthenewe-ID card is awfully expensive. What about competitive bids?

The reliable back channel in the industry said the contract should be around US$17M NOT $34M Go-betweens?

ExcessProfits.

3Fs,Friends,Favourites and Families? Why the silence from the Public Procurement Commission?

Is this a violation of the ProcurementLaw?

With all due respect for

democracy in practice with accountability,transparency, and fairness, HE President Dr Ali’s administration, should cancel this contract and go through the established procurement regulations.

he French company, Thales provided the technology software and chips (for card) and printed blank polycarbonate cards for the UAE, and through a UAE company (so called localcontent).

Guyana should have requested BIDS/QUOTES

from General Dynamics, Thales or IDEMIA (IDEMIA is a multinational technology company h e a d q u a r t e r e d i n Courbevoie,France.

It provides identityrelated security services and sells facial recognition and o t h e r b i o m e t r i c identification products and software to private c o m p a n i e s a n d governments ) My back channel in the industry QUOTEisforUSD$12-$17 million for 1 million polycarbonate chip cards

with Kinnegram guilloche

and micro-text print hologram;10-15locationsto enroll and generate cards;1 large central location in Georgetown to enroll and generate cards (say 10 clerk stations); Digital signature pads x 30.10-15 IXLA or Matica brand single station laser printers and chip encoders; 1-2 large units IXLA or matica brand central station bulk laser / chip encoder printers; 30 document scanners; 30 cameras; PC and monitors x 30; Card testing units x 30;

Speed humps can cause serious harm

DEAREDITOR,

Pleaseallowmespaceto highlightaburningissuethat I believe is getting out of hand.

Our government is embarking on several massiveinfrastructurework, mainlyroads.Itisnoticeable too many speed humps are being a feature of these roads. These speed humps have no specific size, and somearefatandclumsy.

You bounce over them hurting your vehicle shocks, ball joints and damaging other parts of your vehicle. Ninety percent (90%) of these speed humps have no advance sign warning and illuminative paint for easy identification.

At night, matters are worse. You crash into them, hurting yourself, passengers anddamagingyourvehicle.

Speed humps in Guyana represent a retrograde mentality It has been

causing this economy more harm in the long run. It reduces the lifespan of vehicle parts, causes more fuel consumption, reduces productivity and causes untold pain and suffering to drivers.

Byanymeans,ifweputa cost to it, could run us into billionstogetherwithseveral harmful side effects. Government can use these billions to implement alternativesthataresaferand moreeffective.

Editor, Guyana has moved away from donkeycartage.

We spend billions every year importing modern vehiclesforsmooth,softand comfortableride.Someofus

have to traverse over 100 speed humps daily Do you think any tourist coming to thiscountryforthefirsttime willreturnafterleavingwith a stomach, belly and back ache?

How many women have had miscarriage because of speedhumps.

How many homes will burn flat because the fire engine could not meet fast enough?

How many police will fail to apprehend bandits because of speed humps impede swift movements whennecessary

The point I am making here is that driving will always require responsible judgementofspeedandslow

down.

There are some villages on the West Coast and East Bank Essequibo, namely, Zeelugt,TuschenandParika. These villages have some newlybuiltroadswithspeed humps merely 80 feet apart. You bump your gut out by theendoftheroad.Itbothers metothinkwhointheirright mindwouldimplementsuch a b u s e o n motorist/commuters but the realityisthereforalltoface.

Ihopemylettercaptures the attention of Minister EdghillandMinisterRobson Benn There are several alternativestobringreckless individualstotheirsenses.It ismyfirmbeliefthattoo

(Continuedonpage6)

Servers and software; Database software (oracle IBM Microsoft etc.); Card readers x 500; System software to (biometric)

g e n e r a t e I C A O

(International CivilAviation Organization) feature ID cards; setup and training; monthly fees for software

maintenanceandannualfees for 3rd party software licenses; partner General Dynamics Information Technology;Thequoteisfor new cards with ICAO

(International CivilAviation Organization ) features; and Thales and IDEMIA are 2 alternatecontractors. Onward & Upward, towards ‘One People, One Nation,OneDestiny’. Sincerely, Dr.ShamirAlly Former Ambassador to Kuwait

F o r m e r F I R S T AlternateGovernor,Islamic DevelopmentBank

F o r m e r D e p u t y ChairmanGO-Invest

Disappointing response to floats left discarded in NA

DEAREDITOR,

The dumping of Mash floats after the event is nothing new Millions of dollars spent only to be callously discarded by revellers This was amply exemplified in the item ‘Mashfloatsdumpedaround New Amsterdam with accompanying photographs (GTMarch21).

Itisofconcernthatsome two weeks after the event in that town, the dumping of unwanted materials and littering of the streets has seen a nonchalant and lackadaisical response from thecouncil,which,itseems,

has taken a hands-off a p p r o a c h o f i t s responsibilities, with the lame explanation the event was not organized by them. Really!! Can it get more bizarrethanthis?

C o m p a n i e s a n d businesses have a responsibility to ensure floats and costumes are not left discarded and streets littered.

Further cleanup cost should have been borne by the region and council Disappointing, very disappointing!

Regards, ShamshunMohamed

This is not a partisan issue

DEAREDITOR,

The Laws of Guyana

e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) could not be more clear: Article 8 (1): Any member of the Board who has any interest, directly or indirectly, in any matter before the Board –a. shall disclose the nature of hisinteresttotheBoard;and

b. shall not take part in anydeliberationordecisions of the Board with respect to that matter. (2)Adisclosure under this section shall be recorded in the minutes of the Board. In letters to the newspapers over the last week,advocateslikeSimone Mangal-Joly and Danuta Radzik have argued very clearlythatthereisadefinite conflict of interest with

regardtothecompositionof the EAB that must be resolved, in light of the hearing scheduled for Wednesday March 22nd on the matter of the application by Guyana Power and Light for an environmental permit to construct a 300 megawatt powerplantatWales.

Instead of shooting the messenger, we simply ask theGovernmenttodefinefor the people of Guyana what constitutes a conflict of interest in this specific instanceandinrelationtothe law This is not a partisan issue.

AllGuyanesedeservean answer

T h e B r e a d f r u i t Collective RedThread PolicyForumGuyana

Duo busted with marijuana in car at Charity

AlfredBhulai

AndreBrandli

JanetteBulkan

FrederickCollins

Elizabeth DeaneHughes

KarenDeSouza

JocelynDow

HollisFrance

DarshanandKhusial

VidyarathaKissoon

ColinKlautky

JoyMarcus

PaulineMelville

DeniseMurray

JoePersaud

MikePersaud

DanutaRadzik

VandaRadzik

BrianShuffler

CharlesSugrim

AlissaTrotz

MayaTrotz

JosephineWhitehead

CharleneWilkinson

Adireneedforanupdatedjudicial...

Frompage4 self-defence, under provocation, under duress, afflicted with mental instability, and entrapment.However,thesefactorsarebeing given different weights by different Judges/Magistrates, as existing laws allow them wide discretion in the sentencing process.

These disparities and inconsistencies generate anxiety among the public who desire an alternative approach to sentencing that is characterized by objectivity, rationality,uniformity,andequity

AllsectorsofGuyanesesocietyarebeing modernized, a process that is fueled by the government’sinnovativedevelopmentpath.

The force of change is fittingly captured by Karl Marx at his trialin Cologne in 1849 on a charge of conspiracy when he proclaimed:“societyisnotbasedonlawthat isalegalfiction,ratherlawmustbebasedon society;itmustbetheexpressionofsociety’s common interests and needs...The Code Napolean which I have in my hand , did not producemodernbourgeoissociety

Bourgeois society, as it arose in the eighteenth century and developed in the nineteenth, merely finds its legal expression in the Code...You cannot make old laws the foundationofanewsocialdevelopmentany more than these old laws created the old socialconditions.”

Old laws, processes, and procedures are not compatible with Guyana’s new socioeconomic development. Some of these, includinganyJudicialSentencingGuideline, mustbereviewedforrelevance.

A Sentencing Guideline should draw upon two theoretical streams: classical theory (Cesare Beccaria, Jeremy Bentham,

etc.)whichpositsthatindividualsarerational beings and commit crime of their own free will by weighing the pleasure and pain principlecalledhedonism.

Ifthepleasureisgreater,theywillcommit thecrime;ifthepainisgreater,theywillnot committhecrime.

The school argues that punishment shouldbeproportionatetothecrimetoensure its deterrent impact and must not be viewed asretribution(revenge)butratherasaneffort torestoresocietalorder

TheotherSchoolofPositivism(Raffaele Garafalo and Enrico Ferri) holds that a person’s behaviour is influenced by both internal and external factors within his environmentthatgobeyondfreewill. Social and even biological factors could cause individuals to engage in criminal conduct.

A person commits crime, for example, because of the internal factor of behavioral disorder

External factors that could lead to criminalbehaviourincludesocial,economic, and political By changing through removing or neutralising the underlying negative social conditions—the source of crime would be eliminated or neutralised, thusreducingcriminality

Itisincumbentforsocietytomitigatethe damage caused by criminal acts and apply lesspunitivemethodsofsentencingtoeffect thereformorrehabilitationoftheoffender

In formulating or updating any SentencingGuideline,focusmustbegivento both approaches (Classical and Positivism) andextracttherelevantandsalientfeaturesto strikeahappyAristotelianmean.

Two men are now in custody, after they were nabbed with approximately 30pounds(lbs.)ofimported cannabis in a car at Charity, EssequiboonMonday

According to a report from the Customs Anti Narcotic Unit (CANU), its officers on Monday intercepted a motor vehicle with two male occupants, NareshRamdeen,37,ofJack Low, Pomeroon River, and Stefan Mohammed, 29, of Coffee Grove, Essequibo CoastatCharityStreet.

CANUsaidasearchwas conducted on the vehicle in the presence of the occupants, when they discoveredtwelvebrick-like parcels suspected to be that of cannabis. Subsequently, the duo were arrested and escorted to CANU Headquarters along with the suspected narcotic According to CANU, the

Speed humps can cause...

Frompage5 manydrivers’licencesarein the hands of wrong and irresponsibleindividuals.

The criteria for issuing a driver’slicencemustbevery stringent like a firearm licence. There must be a background check to ensure crazy and irresponsible individuals don’t get a licence. There must be a serious attempt to

permanently ban anyone who is deemed reckless and dangerousonourroads.

A driver’s licence must be a sacred document that everyone who owns one mustdoeverythingtoprotect the privilege of driving. We don’t need speed humps to bring our driver to their senses.

Yourssincerely

C.Woolford

Eachtypeofcrime,includingitsseverity, should be given a numerical weight (as in the US) and a final score would be realized. Each level of score would relate to a particular sentence for a particular crime and its degreeofseverity Inthisway, thejudicialsentencingprocess would be modernized and reflect the goal of standardization, uniformity, reliability, fairness, objectivity,andequity Regards, Dr.TaraSingh

narcotic was tested and weighed and it was discovered to be imported cannabis with a total weight of approximately 30 lbs.

(13.34 kg), with a street value of approximately GY $5M. An investigation has sincebeenlaunchedintothe matter

Williamsburgmanstabbedduring fightovermissingpig,incriticalcondition - suspect arrested

Naresh Ramangal, a 28year-old Cane Harvester of Lot 17 D Williamsburg, Corentyne, Berbice was on Sunday stabbed to his abdomenduringafightover a missing pig. Ramangal remains in a critical condition after undergoing surgery at New Amsterdam Hospital on Tuesday His friend, Marcus Morgan also received injuries but was treated and sent away The cane harvester was reportedly stabbed by a 27year-oldmanfromRoseHall Town who has since been arrested Kaieteur News understands that Ramangal and his longstanding friend 27-year-old Morgan had a heated argument over a missingpig.

The argument turned physicalandRamangaldealt Morgan a lash to his right-

side forehead. The suspect who was standing nearby and is Morgan’s friend intervenedinthescuffleand stabbed Ramangal to the right-side abdomen with a knifethathepulledoutfrom hispantswaist. Ramangal’s organs protruded.The badly injured Ramangal and Morgan were taken to the Port Mourant Hospital where Morgan received treatment Ramangal was transferred to the New Amsterdam Hospital ICU. Meanwhile, Ramangal’s relatives are calling for justice. His mother Jenette

Ramsammy told reporters that someone visited her Belvedere home at around 19:00 hrs on Sunday and informed her that her son was at the hospital and that

“ h e d e h b a d ”

She said when she arrived Ramangal was already on a

Critical:

Naresh Ramangal

stretcher and was being taken to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital, wherehewasadmitted. Ramsammysaidthather son remains in a critical condition. “I want justice because this is too much, he na even breathe properly,” the distraught woman told reporters while at the hospital A probe is underwaybythepolice.

Bar Association condemns Judge’s public chastisement of a Senior Counsel...

Frompage3 accused person to be heard beforethepronouncementof judgment or the findings of fact made by any court of law

Hughes said Senior Counsel,StephenFraserwas neither a party to the action nor was he afforded any opportunity to be heard on any of the issues which the JusticeKissoonproceededto makeadversefindingson.

He held that at no stage during the proceedings was any allegation put to Senior CounselMr Fraser

“No testimony was led by any witness of any involvement by Mr Fraser S.C. in any aspect of the dispute which engaged the attention of the Honourable Mr Justice Kissoon,” Hughessaid. Henotedthat thematterwassenttoappeal.

He added that it would appear that these matters escaped the deliberations of the trial judge who not only proceeded to make adverse findings inclusive of hostile comments on the conduct of the attorney but more disturbingly pronounced

upon the conduct of Senior Counsel who was never afforded any opportunity to be heard on any allegations whichwereneverputtohim duringthetrial.

C a l l i n g t h e pronouncement “a most unusual and unprecedented development” in the jurisprudence of Guyana, Hughes said all the findings and pronouncements of the trial judge in the delivery of his judgment in relation to the conduct of Senior Counselarerejectedwithout reservation.

Stefan Mohammed Naresh Ramdeen

The 12 brick-like parcels suspected to be cannabis which was found.

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AMERICAN AMBASSADOR LYNCH AND SANCTITY OF CONTRACT - PART 1

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Ambassador Lynch spoke three years ago about renegotiation.

Ambassador Lynch spoke of Guyana’s deciding on room for renegotiation.

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Ambassador Lynch stood by Guyana’s sovereign right to renegotiate.

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Ambassador Lynch is on record: “we certainly won’t interfere…”

Ambassador Lynch: why are you interfering now and endorsing contract sanctity?

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Ambassador Lynch: why is America now changing its tune and backing sanctity of contract?

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‘Warning signs are everywhere that Guyana is going nowhere’ - Local Economists

ByDavinaBagot

Guyana has often received counsel from industry experts who believe instrengtheningthecountry’s institutional framework to run parallel with the developmentofitsoilandgas sector Though seven years have passed since the nation first discovered oil, little has beendoneonthisfront

Weighing in on the prospects of the country, Jamaican Economist Dr

...say billions in oil revenue being wasted on inflated projects ...sector hungry for transparent governance

DamienKingrecentlysaidhe believes Guyana can easily fall prey to corruption, given its weak institutions In fact, King even told the Jamaica Observer, a daily newspaper published in Kingston, Jamaica, that “Guyana is goingtogonowhere” Local Economists, Elson Low and veteran, Ramon

Gaskin told Kaieteur News that the Jamaican Economist hashitthenailontheheadin termsofforecastingthefuture ofGuyana,sincethewarning signs of economic gloom is alreadyevident Low in an invited comment explained, “Oilrich countries very often see thoseclosetothegovernment

become extremely wealthy, while the average man is no better off Many warning signs that Guyana is going nowherearepresent”

For one, the Economist pointed out that there is a glaring lack of transparency when it comes to managing the oil and gas sector Low added, “There has been a sharp increase in inequality, and poverty persists despite huge oil reserves” He was keen to note that Guyanese are still plagued by basic challenges such as persistent blackouts, while the educationsystemseemstobe worse off than before, although larger sums of revenueisbeingbudgetedfor thesector

To this end, Low concluded,“Guyanaisgoing somewhere, but not in a direction to benefit ordinary citizens”

Meanwhile, Economist RamonGaskinwhohasover 60 years in the accounting field told Kaieteur News that Guyanaisbeingsteereddown a dangerous path by its leaders.Hebelieves,“Ithasa lot to do with, among other things, corruption in the country-that’soneofthebig problemswehavehereinthis country Secondly,wehavea bigproblemwithwastageand spendinglikewildpeopleand drunkenpeople”

Gaskin pointed out that almost every day a new multimillion or multibillion projectisannouncedforroads and schools More recently, heobservedthatsomeUS$35 million contract was signed fortheprovisionofelectronic identification cards for citizens Gaskinsaidthisisa reflection of more “wastage” and “corruption” thereby justifying the Jamaican Economist’s prediction that the country will not make progress with its newfound oilwealth.

To add to his list, Gaskin arguedthatthegovernmentis yet to prove the viability of the US$2 billion Gas-toEnergyprojectthatmayvery well cost as much as US$3 billion

Compounding these issues,accordingtoGaskinis the fact that government has refused to openly discuss the managementofthecountryas is seen with fewer sittings of the National Assembly Not only that but the economist said the Speaker, Manzoor

Nadir has also adopted an attitude of hindering the Opposition’s participation in decision-makingmatters

In addition, Gaskin said the administration has been laying the foundation to secure total control of the oil sector, by installing its favourites on key managementboards

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, Dr King referenced several countries to show how the natural resources in a nation did not make it wealthy, but rather goodgovernance

T h e E c o n o m i s t explained,“It’sworthbearing in mind that very few countries in the world have grown from poverty to wealth,havingdonesoonthe basis of natural resources Very,veryfew,”hecontinued, pointing out that oil-rich countrieslike“Venezuelaisa basket case and Nigeria is a joke”

King told the Observer, “Oneofthereasonswhythere isthisthingcalleda‘resource curse’, why countries which

thewealth

At the end of February 2023, Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund (NRF) had a closing balance of US$1,379,353,505.59. The account includes profit oil and royalties garnered from thepetroleumsector

LastMay,theMinistryof Financereportedthatthesum of US$6076 million was approvedbyParliamenttobe transferred into the consolidatedfundfortheyear 2022 Meanwhile, on February 10, 2023 it was announced that US$200 million equivalent to G$416Bhasbeentransferred tothenationalcoffers

When the Natural Resource Fund Act was passedinDecember2021,the governmenthadoutlinedhow resources from the fund wouldbeutilized According to the Act, the funds would s u p p o r t “ n a t i o n a l developmentpriorities”

The Jamaican Economist is convinced that “political parties will soon start to squabbleoverthespoilstothe detrimentofthecountry,”the newspaperreported.

have resources tend to do worse, is because not having resources forces a country to have good governance, because that’s the only way theGovernmentandtheelite can extract wealth. For them to extract wealth to run the Government, they have to create a wealth-creating environment,” he said using resource-poor Singapore and Switzerland as examples of countries which have become wealthy through goodgovernance.

On the other hand, he said, “You mark my words, Guyana is going to go nowhere”Kingbelievesthat the revenue from Guyana’s oil sector could cause corruption to increase in the countryandmakeitworseoff than it was before accessing

According to him, in countriesthatarenotresourcerich, Governments will only have finances to function if it creates an environment to generate these resources On theotherhand,whennations, likeGuyanaareblessedwith bountiful resources, there is no need to govern in this manner

“[With natural resources] the Government then only becomes an institution to fight over the resources and extract it And unless you have strong institutions to beginwith,toputaconstraint on the fight for spoils, it descends into corruption and violence because the spoils are so lucrative; it’s worth killing people to get into power That’swhat’sgoingto happen to Guyana because Guyana already has weak institutions,”Kingexplained

Veteran Economist, Ramon Gaskin

Economist, Elson Low

7-month-old baby reportedly dies after suffocating at day-care

A mother is now mourningthedeathofher7month-old daughter, Oriya who reportedly died after falling from a bed and suffocating in a sheet at a day-care.

“I was made to understand they murder my daughter, they murder my daughter,” the grieving mother said during an interview in front of the GeorgetownPublicHospital onTuesdayafternoon.

Accordingtothewoman, her daughter fell into the corner of a bed in a sheet which reportedly suffocated her “So by the time they could have called me to come down, she had arrived at the Health Center unresponsive. By the time

they could have bring her to Georgetown Hospital, she was pronounced dead on arrival due to suffocation,” the distraught mother shared.

“How can a day-care be soirresponsibletoallowmy

child to fall down and suffocate?” the young motherquestioned.

“Firstthing,theday-care lady deprive me entrance to seehowandwheremychild really fell, telling me how child care does come every day to inspect so there is no needformetocomein,”the mother said. According to thewoman,herdaughterhad gone home with a swollen head,priortoherdeath.She recalledthatanemployeeof the day-care had told her, “Yourbabyisinsafehands.”

The grieving mother is demanding justice for the deathofherchild.

Up to press time the Guyana Police Force (GPF) hadnotissuedastatementon thematter

$900M revolving fund officially launched for forestry sector stakeholders

DPI - The $900 million forestry revolving fund for small and medium-sized loggers was launched on Tuesday at the ArthurChungConferenceCentre.

Duringaceremonyheldtocommemorate InternationalDayofForests,andtomarkthe launch of the fund, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, emphasised t h e n e e d f o r investments in the forestry sector, noting that forests remain an integral p a r t o f environmental conservation.

“Itissignificant that we chose the International Day of Forests 2023 to launch publicly this forestry revolving fund, which was an initiative of President Ali, where he recognized not only the importance of sustainable forest-based industry but also some of the constraints facedbythoseoperatinginthesector,”he said.

commitment to increase focus on small, mediumandcommunityloggers,andwillsee thegovernmentofGuyanacontributing$300 million, while Demerara Bank Limited will providetheremaining$600million.

“This initiative represents an importantexampleofpartneringwiththe private sector in this case with a l e a d i n g a n d p i o n e e r i n g commercialbankin Guyana,”hesaid.

Minister of Finance,

T h e establishment of the fund is expected to address some of the challenges faced in the forestry sector in t e r m s o f t h e availability of easily accessible, low-cost financing, especially for small-scale operators.

It will be utilised to issue loans to individuals and companies operating within the forestry sector, for the purpose of increasing production and value-added productsinthesector

The fund is part of the government’s

The process of selecting eligible persons willbeoverseenbyDemeraraBankLimited.

7-month-old Oriya

(Joseph Allen photo)

The baby's grieving parents (Joseph Allen photo)

Dr. Ashni Singh (DPI Photo)

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

US AMBASSADOR: SPEAKING WITH FORKED TONGUE, WALKING BACK WORDS

Iamangry Iamappalled. I still must manage this delicate and temperate offeringthatIlaybeforemyfellow American,AmbassadorSarahAnn Lynch. Igotothelengthsofusing ExcellencyLynch’sownwords,as publicly expressed. I begin on April 10, 2019, compliments of Stabroek News, with her official remarks.

The leadoff paragraph in SN reads as follows: “The United States acknowledges that it is within Guyana’s right to renegotiate the controversial Production Sharing Agreement

(PSA) between the country and ExxonMobil…if it so chooses…”

USAmbassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch says.I took the liberty of quoting those as the words of AmbassadorLynch. Myregrets,if they are not. However, what SN wentontoquotefromAmbassador Lynchleavesnoroomfordoubton this boiling, overflowing, consuming issue of contract renegotiation. The imperatives embedded in the substance of her words are unmistakable, compelling in their power: “We certainly believe that Guyana is a sovereign country so that would

beforGuyanatoworkoutwiththe private sector to see if there is room for renegotiation We certainly won’t interfere with that.” I thankAmbassador Lynch forbeingveryclearonthatofficial US Government position re the ExxonMobil-Guyanaoilcontract.

This is what I expect from my fellow Americans, this is the American Way to broadcast the world over, held out as the best there is, and by untouchable lengths. Now, nearly four short years later, the American tune changes; it is neither pretty, nor pleasing. Now, in March 2023,

America, through the overextended, ubiquitous, and omnipotentAmbassador Lynch, is talking from the other side of its mouth. Her Excellency’s own words again, on the same ExxonMobil-Guyana oil contract, this epitome of deformity: “Since first oil, Guyana’s political leaders have honored contractual commitments and continue to do so. Thissignalstheimportanceof sanctity of contract -which is foundational to any economy and particular Guyana as it continues totransformatarecordpace”(SN March 19) The American Government and Ambassador Lynch may congratulate

themselves for speaking in the taut, intricate language of diplomacy But those two sentences and 26 words are blindingly clear. Contractual commitments are paramount. Contract sanctity is inviolable and invincible; hence, its essences must be untouchable and unsurpassed in every senseofitsexistence.If that sounds like advocacy,itis. Forthat waspreciselywhatand nothing else, that American Ambassador Lynch was saying, stood for, made sure that all Guyanese understood. I discern American Ambassador rallying to the side and cause of America’s ExxonMobil, with the full weight and power of the American Government behind her And if that is not interference (“we c e r t a i n l y w o n ’t interfere”), then where isGuyanatoday?

Today, there is this jarring, disturbing instance of the forked tongues of Americans (clashing, shameless contradiction), when otherpeople’swealthis involved. Ihumblyask Ambassador Lynch: what happened to that

April 10, 2019, American belief about Guyanaas“ a sovereign country” and “for Guyana to work out…if there is room for renegotiation.” Whyis therethiswalkingback, this eating of words, in

Ambassador? Did Guyana relinquish its sovereignty and accompanying rights? Did ExxonMobil (and America) abrogatethoserights,andarrogate onto themselves the noble conclusions about what is best for this country? That is, sanctity of contract,orelse? Inthismilieuof inconsistency and insidiousness, I search for the so-called virtuous American Standard, the immaculateAmericanidealism,on which I was so long weaned. AmbassadorLynch:itisnotthere, none of any of those. America stands as ugly, grasping, as the modusoperandiofVladimirPutin. America looks as callous and calculatingasXiJinping.America isperiloustoGuyanese.

Now, I search for those on the side of Guyanese in this dispute, this controversy, this war over the ExxonMobil-Guyana contract. It is not President Ali, not the Vice President. Both feel warm and loved by being in the company of such powerful, upstanding foreigners Like Ambassador Lynch representing her government and her people’s interestswithdazzlingaplomband intricateskill. Trickedandcheated Guyanese are on their own. But there is one more ingredient in Ambassador Lynch’s carefully chosen words that raises hackles, givesrisetoire. Itisthat“sanctity of contract… is foundational to any economy and particular Guyana…” Statement of fact and incontestablereality,indeed. But, I sense a threat of subtlest proportions, an existential one for Guyana.

Tamper with sanctity of contract, and the consequences will flatten this country Transformation and record pace could grind to a halt. The veiled warningisthatGuyana’seconomy could be steamrolled in the worst ways thinkable. Guyanese have lived with this before, thanks to America and its handpicked leadershere.

These are the shifting sands of American interests, writ large: what is good for ExxonMobil is good for America. To hell with Guyana’s sovereignty and that parable about “room for renegotiation ” Sanctity of contract trumps national sovereignty, elected government, parliament, and all the sorry rest. Messwithsanctityatownrisk.

,

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaperanditsaffiliates.)

Nortoncallsfornationalplanonracerelations

Opposition Leader, AubreyNortonhascalledfor a more robust fight against all forms of discrimination, here outlining steps that could be taken to achieve this, which includes the unveiling of a National Action Plan on race r e l a t i o n s , g e n d e r empowerment, and antidiscrimination and also strengthening of the Ethnic

- urges strengthening of ERC, collective effort from all sectors

RelationsCommission.

Inanaddresstomarkthe UnitedNationsInternational Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Norton said the PNCR and the Opposition have stood andfought-andcontinueto stand and fight against all forms of inequality,

injustice, indignity, o p p r e s s i o n , a n d discrimination in Guyana and in the wider world.

“Whileracialdiscrimination continues to dominate our national discourse and scar ournationalpsyche,letusin nowayunder-emphasisethe reality that many persons

often face discrimination because of their ethnicity, politicalaffiliation,religion, gender, social status, residence,andotherstatuses. Women, for example, face discrimination for their sex alone, but also when their race or religion intersects with their sex. Indigenous people face discrimination notonlybecauseoftheirrace orethnicity,butalsobecause of their relative social and economic disempowerment.

Indo-Guyanese face discrimination when they choose to support a party other than the PPP For us, therefore, a comprehensive national anti-discrimination agenda must focus on achieving harmonious race r e l a t i o n s , w o m e n empowerment, equality of opportunity for all, and the minimizing of all forms of discrimination,” the Leader oftheOppositionsaid.

Thisyear’sthemeforthe observance focuses on the urgency of combatting

racism and racial discrimination, 75 years after the adoption of the (UDHR) In his address Norton highlighted two of the Articles (Articles 2 and 7) in the historic Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 2 states, in part: Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. And Article 7 states: All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protectionofthelaw Allare entitled to equal protection againstanydiscriminationin violation of this Declaration andagainstanyincitementto suchdiscrimination.

“We, in the Opposition, therefore, join in the international call for concreteactionsandaunited stancetofightinequalityand discrimination. Lip service and sporadic actions, however, will not work. GuyananeedsaNATIONAL ACTION PLAN on race r e l a t i o n s , g e n d e r empowerment, and antidiscrimination. Suchaplan is not only a moral imperative, but also a key driver of economic growth and social progress. When all Guyanese have the opportunity to reach their full potential, when all Guyanesefeelrespectedand included,weallbenefitfrom

their contributions to society,”Nortonsaid.

He added that a national planoragendamustbebuilt on three distinct but mutually-supporting pillars, all of which are reflected in the Guyana Constitution itself. The first three pillar, Norton said is the fostering of good ethnic and other relations. “For the PNCR and the Opposition, the focus here will be to ensure all citizens feel that their identity, culture, and rights arerespectedbythestateand by their fellow citizens; as well as to ensure citizens of different ethnicities and otheridentitiesdonotlivein silos but can engage and cooperate with one another Education would be a key factorhere.Inparticular,we needtoeducatepeopleabout the history and experiences ofdifferentracialandethnic groupsinGuyana,aswellas about the social, economic, and political factors that contribute to racial tension and division. This includes promoting greater cultural exchange and intercultural communication, as well as promoting diversity and inclusion in schools and workplaces Additionally, political parties and leaders have a critical role to play here.Politicalleadersshould promote a vision of a united and inclusive society, and work towards building consensus and cooperation between different racial and ethnic groups.This includes promoting greater representation and p a r t i c i p a t i o n o f underrepresented groups in thepoliticalprocess,aswell as promoting greater dialogue and collaboration between different political parties.”

Secondly, he said the elimination of racial and o t h e r f o r m s o f discrimination. The focus here is to ensure all prohibited forms of unequal treatment of citizens are eliminated in policies and practices, and in those cases of discrimination that result f r o m u n i n t e n d e d consequences and implicit bias. “Here, we must strive to ensure that everyone has equal access to economic opportunities, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or other identities. We must create policies that promote equal opportunity, and we must also work to eliminate discrimination in all its forms We need a government that will proactively establish

policies that address these issues. We need to address the immediate needs of communities in all ten Regions that are most affected by poverty, i n e q u a l i t y , a n d discrimination. This means providing targeted support for education, health care, gainful employment, and basic services, as well as addressing barriers to economic opportunity and assets such as access to finance, land, social safety net,andaffordablehousing.”

The third pillar is the promotion of equity and equal opportunity Norton said “we must ensure that even in the absence of discrimination, efforts are made to level the playing field and to secure opportunities and resources fordisadvantagedethnicand socialgroups.Inbuildingon these three pillars, we must all subscribe to some common values and principles on race relations, and anti-discrimination in general.”

The Leader of the Opposition said in Guyana, it is past time to shift the national dialogue to the f o r m u l a t i o n a n d implementation of concrete actions. He noted that on several occasions over the past year, “we, in the Opposition, have described the specific actions we would support and execute to combat all forms of discrimination and to promote race relations. We will: boost the capability and impact of the Ethnic Relations Commission, the Public Procurement Commission, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, the Human RightsCommission,andthe Indigenous Rights Commission through increased funding, prompt appointments and rea p p o i n t m e n t s o f commissioners, and the facilitating of international technical support These agenciesmustbecometrue Continuedonpage22

Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton (News Source photo)

GGMC booted from future oil decisionmaking processes with new draft PSAs

TheGuyanaGovernment has released two new draft Production Sharing Agreements(PSA)thatareto govern the future of oil explorationanddevelopment inthecountry,specificallyin relation to the offshore production of Hydrocarbons fromitsExclusiveEconomic Zone(EEZ)

Following the release of the draft agreements, the public was given 14 days to provideinputandfeedback

Aperusalofthetwonew drafts released for deepwaterandshallowwater blocks in comparison with the PSA for the Stabroek Block,attheonsetillustrates aglaringchange

That is, the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), has essentially been booted from the decision-making processes to be involved in the future exploration, development and production ofcrudeoiland,orassociated gases

In the now universally maligned contract that was inked under the hand of the then Substantive Minister Raphael Trotman, there are identified, in the body of the Agreement prefacing its entailing Articles of itself, eight‘whereas’clauses,butin the new PSAs, it is observed thatthishas been reduced to six.

Both of the missing clauses dictate roles of the GGMC According to the contract/PSA, inked by Trotman back in 2016, the second and sixth whereas clauses are dedicated to the GGMC

In the first instance, it stipulates that GGMC is a body corporate established underthelawsofGuyanathat is responsible for among other things, planning and securing the development, exploitationandmanagement of petroleum, as defined in theAct“soastoensureforthe people of Guyana the maximum benefits therefromandfordoingsuch thingsinrelationto.”

The second whereas clauseoftheagreementstates that, “GGMC has been authorizedbytheMinisterto assist in support and the negotiation of this Agreement, Subject to the provisions of the Act and Regulations and to the final written approval of the Minister of its contents and execution thereof and to assist in the administration and implementation thereof.”

When compared to the

methods, research and analysis. To collaborate withrelevantstakeholdersin anenablingenvironmentfor optimum, mutually beneficialoutcomes.”

GGMC was created in 1979fromtheDepartmentof Geological Surveys and Mines which itself was the successor to the Geological Survey of British Guiana Currently GGMC is divided into a number of technical divisions including, Geological Services, Petroleum and Land Managementamongothers

With the 14-day review period announced by the administrationforthereview ofthenewPSAs,ithasbeen met with some push back from sections of society calling for a longer review period

Last week, Environment and Democracy Advocate, Simone Mangal-Joly, in a letter to the substantive minister, Vickram Bharrat, copied to Rosalinda Rasul, Head, Diaspora and Remigration Unit, Ministry ofForeignAffairsandshared withthemedia,lamentedthat the 14-day period would in fact serve to undermine the entire purpose of releasing the documents in the first place.

Shepositedthatwhileit’s commendable that Government released the drafts for comments, “unlike governmentofficials,citizens arenotpaidemployeesofthe state and can only read such documents during their after workhours”

procedure for how feedback will be received and made transparentlyavailableforall tosee,”shefurthersaid.

Mangal – Joly has since also called for a clearly outlinedmechanismthatwill be used to report on how public feedback was addressedinthedevelopment ofthefinalmodelagreement As it stands, Mangal-Joly observes that the current 14day period “does not meet requirementsforaneffective publicconsultationprocess”

and as such suggested that government may wish to, “extend this period to 45 days.”

Thisisinordertoengage and prepare the National Toshao’s Council to actively review the draft and provide feedback from their communities;andidentifythe mechanism for receiving public feedback, making commentspubliclyavailable, and reporting on how these comments were addressed in arriving at the final model

agreement.

She suggested too, making use of digital platforms would enhance access for indigenous and non-indigenouscommunities across the country, and participation of the diaspora community, whom the Government has repeatedly asked to participate in building Guyana into a more prosperouscountry

Additionally, she noted thattheDiasporaasacritical

Continuedonpage24

new agreements, the words Guyana Geology and Mines Commission or its acronym GGMChavebeencompleted removed

In representing itself on its digital portal, GGMC outlines as its vision fortifying“ourpositionasthe repository for all incidental and geoscientific data pertaining to Guyana’s mineral resources (including petroleum), mining and developmentexperiences”

The GGMC’s mission is “to promote; facilitate, monitor and regulate for sustainable utilization of Guyana’sminerals’resources (including petroleum). To provideeffectivestewardship of Guyana’s minerals resources (including petroleum) through the deployment of competent human resources employing innovative tools and

To this end, she posited that 14 days, “Is also prohibitive when it comes to procuring qualified specialists to provide advice so that citizens and civil society organisations can m a k e i n f o r m e d r e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o government”

As such, she contends, thattheallocatedtwoweekstimeperiod,“cannotpossibly allow the Government to f u l f i l l G u y a n a ’ s commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the International Labour Organisation Convention 69 (ILO69) for Free Prior and InformedConsent(FPIC)of indigenouspeoples.”

S h e h a s s i n c e recommended that an effective effort would firstly provide reasonable time for thepublictoengagewiththe material and for appropriate levels of participation

Secondly, “outline a clear

GGMC’s Head, Newell Dennison

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

Minister with responsibility for the Petroleum Sector, Raphael Trotman

Gang invasion at Linden school leaves teacher injured

Blood drips from the face of an injured Harmony Secondary School teacher.

Teachers, students and parents of the Harmony SecondarySchoollocatedat Wismar,Linden(Region10) staged a protest on Tuesday demandingbettersecurityat theschoolwhiledenouncing violence.

On Monday, a teen gang invaded the school and injured a teacher The invasionisreportedlylinked to a fight between two studentsoftheschool,oneof whom is reportedly a member of the teen gang. Kaieteur News understands that one of the two students involved in the fight is hospitalized.

The gang invasion has left both the students and teachers traumatized and fearfulfortheirlives.

Teachers told Kaieteur News that several teenagers, who are said to be members ofagangranintotheschool, armed with scissors, wood and a knife and attacked a student, who was unable to identifythestudentwhowas involved in the fight with theirallegedgangmember

The attackers while on a wildchasetofindtheirtarget injuredateachertoherface.

“They ran into the school, ran pass the security and kicked open the door, leadingtotheauditorium,hit one of my colleagues in her face and it started to bleed,”

oneteacherrelated.

Fearfulfortheirlives,the teachers locked themselves away in a room to protect themselves from the angry teens.Theschoolislocateda short distance from the WismarPoliceStation.

Police were eventually alerted and along with officials from the Department of Education, a visit was made to the school and an investigation launched.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that Monday’s attack was not the first gang attackattheschool.

Meanwhile, during Tuesday’s protest, teachers, studentsandparentssaidthe environment is unsafe and noted that the school’s compound has no proper security in place The security guard stationed at the institution is unarmed and according to them, unable to prove any form of solid protection against similarattacks.

Representatives of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) and members of the Wismar community also participatedintheprotest.

“We are calling for a police officer to be there at the school because these young men from (name of communitygiven),thisisnot thefirsttime,notthesecond

Duofreedof AmericaSt.money changer’smurder

Kerwin Dos Santos and George Hope, two Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown men, have both beenfreedofthe2018murder of America Street money changer Sean Nurse, popularly known as ‘Fabulous’.

Dos Santos and Hope were on trial before Justice SimoneMorris-Ramlallatthe HighCourtinGeorgetown

The men were being represented by the Hughes, Fields, and Stoby law firm Attorneys-at-Law Marisa Edwards, Tanesha Saigon, Abiola Lowe, and Delon Fraser represented the State

time, not the third time something like this occur and something proper is yet to be done,” one teacher related.

Investigations into the incidentarecontinuing.

Dead: Money Changer Sean Nurse, known as ‘Fabulous’

Protestors hold placards outside the Harmony Secondary School, Wismar, Linden.

10 children to undergo heart surgeries as part of GPHC’s Paediatric Cardiac Programme

Ten children will this week undergo open heart surgeries as part of the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Paediatric Cardiac Programme which was relaunchedonMonday

The programme is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health, GPHC, GiftofLifeInternationaland the Guyana Program to Advance Cardiac Care (GPACC). The programme was initially launched in 2015 but ended a few years ago.

Minister of Health, Dr FrankAnthonyduringoneof his COVID-19 update appearances back in 2021 had mentioned that Guyana would soon restart this programme as several children have been diagnosed with various cardiac pathologies that requiresurgery

He had shared that the paediatricprogrammewould see a team of overseas doctors that would travel to Guyana at least once a year

to work with the local doctors and nurses to performthesurgeries.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)ofGPHC,Mr Robbie Rambarran at the re-launch of the programme announced that 10 children will undergo heart surgeries throughtheprogramme.

Rambarran said that there has been a backlog of over 100 cases since 2018. He said that some of the casesrequireurgentcareand so the most urgent of the caseswereprioritized.

TheCEOthankedGiftof Life for partnering and volunteering with the hospital.

Twenty overseas healthcare professionals from various countries have since traveled to Guyana to assist in the performance of the surgeries Mr Rambarran said that the professionals include doctors, respiratory therapists and nurses. The team is expected to perform two surgeries daily; the surgeriesarescheduledtobe

completedonFriday.

“Thesearekidsfromthe age of eight months to 16 years that would be benefitting from this mission,”hementioned.

Mr Rambarran stated thatthemissionisnotjustfor surgicalinterventionbutwill help the hospital in capacity building, training of nurses, doctorsandotherstaff.

“I want to remind each one of us that what we are embarking on is bigger than anyone of us. It’s in the best interest of these kids who need a new lease of life and to the best interest of this institutionandbyextension, building the capacity that wouldbenefiteachoneofus and it would help in providing the best in healthcare to the people of Guyana, ” the CEO expressed.

Speaking briefly yesterday, Head of GPHC’s Paediatric Department, Dr Tarik Davidson shared that currently there are over 100 patientswithcongenitalheart defectsinGuyanathatrequire

surgicalintervention.

He noted that the programme is just the first set in a series of steps that need to be taken to address that backlog of patients that arethere.

Briefly, CEO of Gift of

Life International, Rob Raylman said that his organization is the largest humanitarianorganizationin the world that provides cardiaccaretochildreninthe developingworld.

Raylman commended

the Government of Guyana and the hospital for having such a programme onboard that would see not only children’s lives being saved but it would help in strengthening the country’s healthcaresystem.

FARMSUP donates boat, outboard engine and life jackets to students of Akawini Village

Farm Supplies Ltd. (FARMSUP) on Saturdaydonateda25feetwoodenboat,with a60HPFourstrokeMercuryoutboardengine andequippedwith40lifejacketstotheschool childrenofAkawiniVillage,RegionTwo.

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall thanked FARMSUP for its donation while anticipatingcollaborationonsimilarprojects inthefuture.Similarsentimentswereechoed from Region Two’s Chairperson Mrs. Vilma Da Silva, and Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ms. Susanah Saywack who also expressed their gratitude to FARMSUP on behalfofthevillage.

Both Da Silva and Saywack thanked the companyforfulfillingitspromiseofdonating a boat to assist schoolchildren to and from school.The promise was made in November 2022 during the company’s Essequibo branch’sopening.

Meanwhile, Toshao Rudolph Wilson assured that students from the various Indigenous settlements will be transported

safely to the schools that are only accessible byboat.

ToshaoWilsonsaidthatthechildrentravel severalmilesfromtheirvillagesbyboattoget totheAkawaniNurseryandPrimarySchools. He said it is particularly because of the distancethechildrentravelthathe is equally gratefulforthelifejackets.

Managing Director of FARMSUP, Mr RengervanDijk,expressedhisenthusiasmat beingabletomakethemuch-neededdonation to the Akawani village. He noted that FARMSUP and Mercury recognize the importance of education and understand that access to schools, especially in remote areas canbechallenging.

Hereinforcedthecompany’scommitment to its corporate social responsibility while explaining that the four-stroke engine was strategically chosen by the company since it has reduced fuel consumption capacity that will lower operational costs as well as emissions, in keeping with FARMSUP’s commitmenttoagreeninitiative.

The 25-foot wooden boat, with a 60HP Four stroke Mercury outboard engine that was donated to the school children of Akawini Village, Region Two.

CEO of GPHC, Mr. Robbie Rambarran and Dr. Tarik Davidson Head of GPHC’s Paediatric Department (front centre) alongside officials of Gift of Life and the GPHC during Monday’s re-launch programme.

Prepared rooms at the GPHC’s Paediatric Care Unit where the patients will be cared for

Venezuela's oil minister resigns:

Police arrest 6 in corruption sweep

Reuters - Venezuela's oil minister Tareck El Aissami said yesterdayhewillresignandatleast six officials were arrested following investigations by police into corruption, including at stateowned oil company Petroleos de Venezuela(PDVSA).

“In light of the investigations that have begun about serious occurrences of corruption at PDVSA, I have taken the decision to present my resignation as Minister of Oil, with the intent to support, accompany and totally backthisprocess,”ElAissami,who has been minister since 2020, said onTwitter

Venezuelan anti-graft police arrested a mayor, two judges and three government officials, at least two of whom are connected with PDVSA, state television and sources familiar with the matter

saidearlieronMonday

Arresting government officials for corruption is rare in Venezuela, which rights groups such as Transparency International have describedasopaque.

El Aissami has been under US sanctions since 2017 for alleged connections to drug trafficking, whichhedenies.

According to sources familiar with the case, the arrested officials include Colonel Antonio Perez, a former vice president in charge of commerce and supply at PDVSA, and Colonel Samuel Testamarck, general manager of PDVSA's maritimearmPDVMarina.

One source said the PDVSA arrests were linked to an investigation into oil cargoes leaving the country without due payment to the company, and that other executives have been

suspendedfromtheirposts. PDVSA suffered heavy losses last year as tankers left Venezuela without proper payments being madeforcargo.

Poorobstetricperformance,infrequent accesstoprenatalcareamongcommon

-US report causesforGuyana'smaternaldeaths

While concerns

have been raised over the number of maternal and prenatal deaths in Guyana, a recently released human rights report from the United States (US) Department of Statehaspointedtosomethe main reasons for the increasingdeathrate.

For last year alone, the Ministry of Health recorded 17 maternal deaths this does not include deaths that occur in the far-flung areas ofGuyana. Accordingtothe 2022 US Department of State report, the figure represents a fraction of the World Health Organization's (WHO) current country data which holds Guyana's maternal mortality rate of 169 deaths per 100,000 live births.

Alluding to the troubling statistics, the Department of Statehighlightedsomeofthe primary causes for maternal deathinGuyana.

According to the “the primary causes include poor obstetric performance, malaria, poor nutrition, and infrequent access to prenatal care among some women in remote areas due to inadequatetransportation.”

Inadditiontothis,theUS DepartmentofStatesaidthat a 2017 UNICEF study anecdotally outlined that maternal mortality rates for the indigenous community, irrespectiveoflocation,were higher than for the rest of the population but did not have

qualitative data to support thedata.

ReferringtotheUNICEF data from 2017, the document indicated that the rate of adolescent pregnancy within the Indigenous community stands at 148 per thousand, which is double the national average of 74 perthousand.

According the human rights document, another factor that adds to the maternal and childcare death is the geographical circumstances which remain the primary barrier to access health care, including emergency health care, specifically in the interior regions.

In 2018, Guyana's mortality rate stood at 229 maternal deaths, which is said to be an overwhelming number for a country with a population of approximately 750,000.

However, a successful collaboration with the Pan A m e r i c a n H e a l t h Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) resulted in a sharp decline in Guyana's mortality rate in 2019, just one year later In fact, the death rate fell to a rangeofsevento14in2019.

A 2019 MoH report noted that this was due to the fact that PAHO had started monitoringandassessingthe maternaldeathslocally.

This resulted in PAHO finding that a significant number of the maternal

deaths were related to serious haemoglobin deficiencies, which are not detected until late in the pregnancies.

This deficiency, a report by the agency said, can lead to serious blood loss (haemorrhaging) in childbirth, which eventually leadstodeath.

Specifically,itstatedthat since 52 percent of women go into labour with a low percentage of haemoglobin, a n d a s s u c h , recommendations were made and taken on board for the improvement of the haemoglobin levels in pregnantwomen.

Further, PAHO/WHO noted that acquiring zero maternal deaths coincides with Guyana achieving the human rights conventions set by the United Nations (UN) to eliminate all preventablematernaldeaths. With the number of maternal deaths spiking againandPAHO/WHOhave been providing support particularly to health care workers.

PAHO/WHO has been proactiveinitseffortstohelp Guyana achieve targets under the United Nations ( U N ) S u s t a i n a b l e Development Goals (SDGS) for Good Health and Wellbeing.

One of these targets is to end preventable deaths of newborns and children younger than 5 years of age by2030.

New PDVSA boss Pedro Tellechea ordered an audit and suspended oil supply contracts shortly after taking over the role in January

Neither PDVSA nor the prosecutor's office immediately respondedtorequestsforcomment.

Thearrestsarethelargestrecent crackdown on alleged PDVSA corruption.

In 2017 several executives and two former presidents of the company were arrested, while in 2018 authorities detained a number of executives for administrative irregularities.

Trinidad and Tobago's Energy Minister Stuart Young, who is leading negotiations with Venezuela on the Dragon Gas deal, has met with ElAissami during his tripstothatcountry

Young has madeseveraltripsto Venezuela since January when the United States granted Trinidad and Tobago an exemption to bring natural gas here from the BolivarianRepublic'sDragonfield.

Lengthy pre-trial detention among violations hampering proper access to justice in Guyana - US Human Rights Report

Alluding to human rights violations in its 2022 report, the US Department of State noted that lengthy pretrial detention continues to be hindrance to dispensing justiceinGuyana.

In its report the US DepartmentofStatesaidthat the problem is due primarily to judicial inefficiency, staff shortages, and cumbersome legalprocedures.

A c c o r d i n g t o information compiled in the report released on March 20, 2023,“Theaveragelengthof pretrial detention was three years for those awaiting trial at a Magistrates' Court or the HighCourt.”

However, the report stated that often this timeframe exceeds the maximum possible sentence for the crime for which they werecharged.

The State Department highlighted the case of Raymond Jones, whom the High Court freed in July 2022. Jones was accused of murder and was in pretrial detention for more than nine calendaryears.

Jones, a MicobieVillage, North Rupununi Savannah resident had filed legal proceedingsoverbreachesof his constitutional rights caused by the state's delay in prosecuting him for the crime.

Last July, High Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon quashed the longstanding murder indictment against Jones, noting that he had the “unthinkable” perpetrated

against him “without compassion, conscience and withoutjudicialdiscretion.”

The former accused had been an inmate on remand at the Camp Street Prison and other penal institutions for the offence of murder since December 28, 2012, a period ofnineyears,sixmonthsand 18days.

The judge noted that under Article 144 of the Constitution, every citizen is guaranteed a free trial within a reasonable time by an impartialtribunal.

In his ruling, the judge had noted, “It was a grave tragedy that has occurred in the circumstances of the accused.

“The grave injustice that befallsRaymondJonesisnot a singular cause of concern for this court. It is the gross dereliction that this accused,

voiceless, incommunicado, without the support and unrepresented has been and continues to be subjected to, notwithstanding previous orders and directions made by this court on jail delivery in excess of one year ago,” the judge had said before he setJonesfree.

Meanwhile, in addition to the issues of lengthy i n c a r c e r a t i o n s , t h e Department of State noted that while the Laws of Guyana recognize the right to legal counsel, it is limited to those who could afford to pay, except in cases involvingcapitalcrimes.

“… There is no formal public defender system, a defendant in a murder case that reaches the High Court may receive a courtappointed attorney,” the documentstated.

This is however, not convenientormaytakesome time as there are no established public defender's systems.

The US Department of State report also said that there are delays and inefficiencies undermining judicial processes as a result of shortages of trained court personnel, postponements at the request of the defense or prosecution, occasional allegations of bribery, poor tracking of cases, and police slowness in preparing cases f o r t r i a l c a u s e d d e l a y s O v e r a l l , t h e Department of State nonethelessstatedthatthe (Continued on page 24)

Venezuela's oil minister Tareck El Aissami meeting with Energy Minister Stuart Young.

Raymond Jones who spent more than nine years on remand for murder without a trial.

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Duo freed of America Street money...

From page 15 no-case submission on the grounds of lack of evidence that was made by Dos Santos’ lawyer, Nigel Hughes.

After the judge upheld the no-case submission, she directed the jury to return a formalverdictofnotguiltyfor Dos Santos.

Notably,Hugheshadalso made a similar no-case submission in favour of Hope. However, the judge did not uphold that submission and Hope was called to lead his defence in the case.

On Monday, after hours of deliberating, the jury returned with a unanimous not guilty verdict for Hope. As such, Hope was acquitted of the2018murdercharge.

Bothmenhadpleadednot guiltytotheindictmentwhich alleged that on February 4, 2018, they murdered Nurse during the course of furtherance of a robbery.

At the conclusion of the PreliminaryInquiry(PI),two of the three men (Dos Santos and Hope), accused of murdering the America Street money changer, were sent to stand trial in the High Court whilechargesweredismissed against the third.

murderandimplicatedathird man,Heyliger,whowaslater dischargedofthecrime.

Inthemeantime,thefacts of the case stated that Nurse, of Apartment 33 Shopping Plaza, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was shot in the left side of the face on America Street, during a strugglewithagunman,who wasattemptingtorelievehim of a large sum of foreign and localcurrency

The deceased would usually ply his trade between America and Water Streets, Georgetown.

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In2019,DosSantos,Hope and Kacey Heyliger, 23, of Kittywerejointlychargedfor the offence which saw the PI beingconductedbyPrincipal MagistrateJudyLatchmanin the Providence Magistrates’ Courts.

Accordingtoinformation, Dos Santos and Hope admitted their involvement in the

Thefatherofthreediedat thescene,whilehiskillerfled with an undisclosed sum of cash and a quantity of gold jewellery

According to the police, Nurse was shot to the left cheek just below the eye by an identifiable male dressed in a red hoodie and brown three-quarter pants who then escaped on foot via Avenue oftheRepublicandCharlotte Street.

Norton calls for national...

From page 12 change agents.”

Additionally,heproposed theimplementationofEthnic Impact Assessments as a requirement for every major government programme or policy. Such assessments, Nortonsaidmustidentifyand mitigate/eliminate problems that may unduly (intentionallyorunintentionally)create orexacerbateracialandother inequalities.

tection and assistance system that is structured and professionalised.Deliveryof benefitswillbemanagedand manned by a modern public service, and not by ministers and other party hacks walking around with the people’s money in bags.

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Healsocalledfortheactivation of the Fiscal Transfer Act to “provide for the formulationandimplementation of objective criteria for the purpose of the allocation of resourcestolocaldemocratic organs”therebyreducingdiscriminationagainstcommunitiesregardlessoftheirvoting patterns or social profiles; createanequitablesocialpro-

“We are at a critical momentinourcountry’shistory Further,divisionanddisunity will only rob us of the realisation of our full potential as a people, while the PPP’s friends, families, and favorites get rich through corruption. We must come together as one nation and confront the challenges we face. We must work towards a more equitable society, where all Guyanese have access to economic opportunities and can live with dignity and respect,” Norton noted.

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Eight ERC members take oath of office

Eight members of t h e E t h n i c R e l a t i o n s Commission (ERC) were on Tuesday sworn in by PresidentIrfaanAli.

The members who took the oath of office and received their instruments of appointment are: Pandit Krishna Deo Sharma, Sheik Moeen Ul Hack, Norris Emanuel Witter, Dwayne Adams, Chandrowtie Sarran, Ashton Simon, Deon Dick andNeazMohamedSubhan.

Two other nominated members, Reverend Rodwell PorterandCharlesOglewere n o t p r e s e n t a t t h e

appointmentceremony They are to be sworn in at a later date The Commission is chaired by Sheik Moeen Ul Hack.

All appointments will be validforthreeyears.

President Ali in his address which coincided with International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination urged Guyanese “to reject raciallylaced rhetoric or to be misled bythosewhowishtouserace and ethnicity to stoke divisions and hatred in our society.”

He assured that his government will continue to

Lengthy pre-trial detention among...

From page 21

law provides for the right to a fair and public trial, and the judiciarygenerallyenforcedthisright.

The report said that individuals and organizations may access the court system to initiate lawsuits seeking damages for,orcessationof,humanrightsabuseswithplaintiffshaving the right to appeal adverse domestic decisions up to the CaribbeanCourtofJustice(CCJ).

promote “harmonious relations within our society, relations that are rooted in respect for human rights, the multiculturalcharacterofour society and the equal dignity of all.”President Ali said: “I continuetourgeallGuyanese to refute every tongue that utters threats and instigates hatred. In so doing, we will ensure that no weapon aimed at dividing our people and pitting any segment against anothershallprosper

As we work to excise the c a n c e r o f r a c i a l discrimination from our societies, let us join the international community in heralding the importance of this day which reminds us that no matter the colour of one's skin, we are all part of this common human family and each of us is equal in dignityandrights.”

The Head of State congratulated the members of the ERC while reminding that the

Commission is a creature of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana He said the Commission'scompositionis determined in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

HeiteratedthattheERC's functions include promoting harmony, and good relations between persons of different ethnic groups, discouraging and prohibiting persons, institutions, political parties and associations from indulging in, advocating or promoting discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, investigating any issues affecting ethnic relations, promoting the elimination of all forms of ethnic discrimination.

“It is fitting that today's reconstituting of the Ethnic Relations Commission is taking place on the

International Day for the Elimination of Racial

Discrimination The Commission can play a pivotalroleinidentifyingand a d d r e s s i n g e t h n i c discrimination, and in making recommendations for eliminating racial discord in our society,” President Ali said noting that the roots of ethnic prejudice and division are not unique to Guyana alone.

“Racial, religious and cultural divisions, if allowed tobecomemalignant,willeat away the very fabric of our society, disrupting human andsocialrelations,retarding national development, and corroding national values,” the President said noting that diversity is an asset that must bevaluedandcherished.

President Ali made it clear that his Government is committed to the process of

eliminatingallformsofracial discrimination. He said, “We takeseriouslyanyattemptsto instigateracialanimosityand racial violence within our country We severely condemn attempts that provoke racial conflict in our society and will ensure that those guilty are subject to the sanctionsimposedbylaw.”

The President continued: “Greater inclusion and equality are goals to which we must continuously aspire. The Commission's challenge will be to insulate itself from thedivisionswhichitseeksto overcome in society The work of the Commission is non-partisan.

It must rise above sectarian interests and work for the common good of our society In doing so, its work with attract greater public confidence,” President Ali said.

GGMC booted from future oil...

From page 13 stakeholder that plays a pivotal role in financing social development and social safety nets through family remittances, “and has carried a major burden of compensating for lacklustre development policies and poor distribution of economic gains for decades” should press government to make good on its stated interest in engaging the Diaspora.

The Opposition echoed similar sentiments. Speaking at a press conference recently, Elson Low, the Economic and Youth Policy Advisor at Office of the Leader of the Opposition (OLO), posited that the National Assembly presents the correct forum for the document to be properly reviewed.

He was at the time lamenting the short timeframe that was given for a national review of the draft new model PSA, asserting that the government should instead allow Guyanese more than two weeks to examine the very crucial document.

“What we are saying is that this document needs to be laid in the National Assembly for it to be properlyventilatedsothatall of the different areas, some

of which will [still] not be apparent after two weeks, can be put out so that the public can have an understanding of it and so that we can address them,” Lowsaid.

I n m a k i n g t h e announcement recently, it was noted that the draft M o d e l P e t r o l e u m Agreements embodies rigorous research and analysis by the ministry's internal team, and external consultants on all topics relevant to a modern petroleum agreement for Guyana.

“The process involved a comprehensive assessment of the current petroleum a g r e e m e n t a n d t h e identification of best practices relevant to every contractual aspect of a modern agreement grounded intheGuyanacontext.”

According to the ministry, in order to ensure new investments are g o v e r n e d b y a comprehensive framework of international best practices, the Model Petroleum Agreements will be followed by an overhaul of the 1986 Petroleum Act andRegulations.

Referencing the two weeks, time period allocated for public input, it was noted that feedback on the draft

model agreements should be addressed to the Minister of Natural Resources and sent t o licensinground2022@petrol eum gov gy with the Permanent Secretary copied, jmckenzie@nre.gov.gy

As the administration finalizes the new PSA, it was noted too that this is being done also, in preparation f o r t h e u p c o m i n g L i c e n s i n g R o u n d Schedule and will reflect the new timeline for the p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e finalised Terms and G u i d e l i n e s , M o d e l Petroleum Agreement and process of bidding — all adjusted to facilitate maximum participation from globalinterest.

According to the M i n i s t r y, o f f i c i a l ExpressionsofInterest(EOI) have been received for all fourteen blocks for tender in the upcoming Licensing Round,demonstratingglobal interest in Guyana's shallow and deepwater offshore acreage.

“The Model Petroleum Agreements represent the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) Government's commitment to its manifesto promise of establishing a model PSA, guided by industry standards and best practices.”

Govt. mum on calls to extend two-week comments period on new model oil contracts

The Government of Guyana (GoG) has so far ignored the calls from both civil society and the Opposition for the review period on the new draft Production Sharing Agreements (PSA) to be extended.

Two drafts, for the deep and shallow water areas, were released last Tuesday markingthecommencement ofa14-dayconsultation.

Several members of the public had recommended that the consultation period be extended to cater for a thorough review of the agreements.Thisnewspaper had reached out to Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat on Friday for his position on the calls beingmade,butreceivedno response.

Meanwhile, Stakeholder CoordinatorfortheMinistry, Ms Mikaila Prince yesterday explained, “no change to the timeline has beencommunicated.”

The Opposition at its weeklypressconferencelast week said the contracts shouldbelaidintheNational Assembly and be put before a special select committee that allows for the involvement of the Guyanese citizenry in the nationalconversation.

Similarly, environment and democracy advocate,

Minister of Natural Resources,

Simone Mangal-Joly in a letter to Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat underlined the need for an extensiontotheconsultation period.

She said, “Unlike government officials, citizens are not paid employees of the state and can only read such documents during their after-work hours. Fourteen daysisalsoprohibitivewhen it comes to procuring qualified specialists to provide advice so that citizens and civil society organisations can make informed representation to government.”

Mangal-Joly had also suggested among other things that mechanisms be putinplaceforallcomments onthenewdraftagreements

be made public and for government to produce a plantoreportonhowpublic feedback was addressed in the development of the final modelagreement.

Alfred Bhulai had also madeasimilarrequesttothe administration.

Theagreementsthatwill govern the 14 oil blocks presently on auction has significantly improved terms for the country In the new oil contract, government has preserved the right to review and approve the budgets for the e x p l o r a t i o n a n d developmentprogrammesof the oil companies Such powers are not enshrined in the Stabroek Block PSA or anyotherexistingPSA.

Equally important is the insertion of a new provision that ensures the country is notleftonthehookforanyof theoilcompanies’bills.

A new arrangement or demand rather, is that oil companies must also ensure their subcontractors have adequateinsurancecoverage too.

Importantly, the draft agreements state that oil companies will not be allowedtoacquiretheblocks and sit on their hands for decades.

Unlike what obtains in theStabroekBlockPSA,the new draft agreements stipulatethatthe“contractor, affiliated companies, subcontractors and i

...as consultation enters second phase

xpatriatesshallbesubjectto the income tax laws of Guyana, including, the Income Tax Act of Guyana (Cap 81:01) and the Corporation Tax Act of Guyana (Cap. 81:03) and shallseparatelycomplywith the requirements of those laws, in particular with respect to filing returns, assessment of tax, and keeping and showing of booksandrecords.”

The new PSA has proposed that cost recovery be capped at 65 percent and introduces an increased royaltyof10percent.

In announcing the

r

elease of the new model contracts, the Natural Resources Ministry explainedthattoensurenew investmentsaregovernedby acomprehensiveframework of international best practices, there will be an overhaul of the 1986 Petroleum Act and Regulations.

Feedback on the draft modelagreementsshouldbe addressed to the Minister of Natural Resources and sent t o licensinground2022@petrol eum gov gy with the PermanentSecretarycopied,

Vickram Bharrat

FIFAappeal after CAS overturns ex-Haiti football boss's lifetime ban

(Reuters) - FIFA has appealed to the Swiss Federal Tribunal after sport's highest court CAS annulled a lifetime ban on ex-Haitian football federation president Yves Jean-Bart following allegations of sexual harassment, soccer's governing body said M o n d a y F I FA h a d investigated the allegations against Jean-Bart by victims, their friends and family members which detailed how he coerced girlsintosexbythreatening theywouldlosetheirplaces i n n a t i o n a l t e a m programmes.

Jean-Bart, now 75,

denied the allegations and was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Haitian justice system on Nov 19 2020.

However, the following day FIFA banned him for life and fined him one million Swiss francs ($1.08 million) after finding him guiltyofsexuallyharassing and abusing multiple female players, including minors.

Jean-Bart referred the decision in 2021 to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which upheld his appeal last month after t h e y f o u n d "inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the

statements of the victims and witnesses" that were presentedbyFIFA.

But the world soccer body on Monday said: "FIFAisconcernedthatthis awardcontainsanumberof veryseriousproceduraland s u b s t a n t i v e f l a w s , including the CAS Panel's failure to evaluate key pieces of evidence that wereofferedbyFIFA.

"As a result, FIFA can confirm it has filed an appeal against the CAS award before the Swiss F e d e r a l Tr i b u n a l , requesting its annulment andreferralbacktoCAS."

($1 = 0 9268 Swiss francs)

Yves Jean-Bart, president of the Haitian Football Federation, wearing a protective face mask arrives at ahearing at the Crois-Des-Bouquets prosecutor's office. Crois-Des-Bouquets, Haiti, May 14, 2020. (REUTERS/Jeanty Junior Augustin)

LeonJohnson, acaptainwith distinction...

Statistically, other traditional countries at the regional tournaments have doneitbutJohnsonprovedhis excellent and responsible stewardship churning out wins after wins, titles after titles. Thanks Rayon, a name that sandwiched between LeonandJohnson.

You have made the cricket-mad nation extremely proud!

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Inner transformation is likely to make a big difference in your communications right n o w , A r i e s Yo u r relationships could improve becauseyou'remoreopen.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

TAURUS

Increased enthusiasm for your favorite project may take you in a new direction, Taurus You could even decide to change careers in ordertodevoteyourself.

A period of great inner transformation and powerful upheaval in your outer life is cominguponyounow,Libra. A part of you wants to welcomeitandchargeahead, while another part holds back, possibly out of fear or lackofself-confidence.

If you're in a committed relationship, expect to feel a new sense of mutual purpose and make some new friends. If you aren't involved, Gemini,lovecouldcomeinto yourlifetoday

Positive emotions like love, enthusiasm, or optimism that havebeenrepressedforyears could surface today, bringing a new sense of joy and anticipation for the future, Cancer

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Groupactivitieslikeralliesor festivals could take place in your neighborhood today Youmayattend,Leo,andyou couldlearnsomenew

VIRGO

The development of a talent that you've neglected could have surprising results, Virgo.You could find that it's justwhatyouneedinorderto expandyourhorizons.

Your intuition should be growing by leaps and bounds. Today you may get psychic messages from everywhere, both personal anduniversal.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

A number of new and exciting relationships could appearinyourlifenow,some of them showing promise of becomingclose.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Rewards from hard work and dedication could finally be in the offing, Capricorn. You experience the warm feeling that comes from deep satisfaction.

(Apr. 20–May 20) GEMINI (May 21–June 20) CANCER (June 21–July 22) SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) AQUARIUS

Educational or spiritual growth on your part is likely to attract new friends who could become close companions.

Johnson is a product of an eminent sports club in Guyana, the Georgetown Cricket Club. It all started there as a youth He represented Guyana in r e g i o n a l u n d e r - 1 5 tournament. He subsequently went on to play at the under19 level as well. He captained West Indies Under-19 at an eventofmagnitude,theWorld C u p l i m i t e d - o v e r competition. Everything during those fundamental days were imperative for Johnson becoming a successfulcaptain.Hedidit!

G u y a n a r e i g n e d historically because of Johnson's tactical captaincy He overshadowed the success of Sir Clive Lloyd and Roger Harper, two other Guyanese leaders to win regional fourday tournaments two times each, but Johnson was unparalleled, it might be unbroken for a long, long time.

One hundred twenty-five first-class matches also speak volumethatheisaradiantand natural talent. Nine tests for West Indies also manifested his batting ability along with six one-day internationals fulfilled his immense promise.

When he took over the captaincy from one of Guyana's greats, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, in 2014, needless to say Johnson was inspired and by 2023, he epitomized the real quality as a captain as Guyana Harpy Eagleseyeinganothertitle. Please, he should emulate the award of 2019 when he was bestowed with the Golden Arrowhead of Achievement. Two tosses to goLeonRayonJohnson.

Assuria lends assured assistance...

From page 29 bodies in shape As a company, we are fully supportive of the event and look forward to some th exciting duals on April 15 th and 16 .We wish you well.”

Ms. Fung-A-Fat also uttered thankstoMs.Bosanfortheir support and assured that the dualswouldbeofthehighest

quality, on both days

Headlining Guyana's challenge would be the fittestmanintheland,Dillon Mahadeo, the five-times

Guyana Men's RX CrossFit Champion, while on the distaff side, three-times RX CrossFit champion, Ms Delice Adonis will be throwing down the gauntlet

to her Caribbean rivals

The event would be hosted by Ms. Timeka Marshall while tickets are already on sale at Fitness Express, Kares CrossFit, and Lotus

H a r d w a r e G e n e r a l admission is $1000; VVIP ticketswillcost$5000,while children under-12, would be admittedfree.

Godfrey Munroe is new GOA President

By Rawle Toney

Godfrey Munroe secured a landslide victorytobethenewpresidentoftheGuyana OlympicAssociation(GOA).

The GOA election was held last evening at Olympic House, where the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) president grabbed 31 of the 35 eligible votes, while his competition, Robin Singh, president of the GuyanaBaseballLeague,hadfourvotes.

Munroe, 49, will become the first president of the GOA in almost three decades, taking over from former Chief MagistrateKalamJuman-Yassin.

Yassin was deemed ineligible to seek anothertermfollowinga70-yearagelimitin theGOA'sconstitution.

Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle, president of the Guyana Hockey Board Phillip Fernandes and Guyana Lawn Tennis Association president Cristy Campbell are thenewVicePresidents.

Garfield Wiltshire was the lone nominee forthepositionofTreasurer

Meanwhile, it was a tight race for the position of General Secretary, and after two rounds of voting, Attorney-At-Law Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon edged Dr Karen Pilgrim is18-15.

Guyana Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation president Keavon Bess was the other candidate vying for the position and waseliminatedinthefirstroundofvoting.

The Assistant Secretary position saw

Emelia Ramdhani, president of the Guyana BadmintonAssociation,pickingup22votes, as compared to seven by Latoya Herbert and sixbyDionNurse.

Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF)

MichaelSinghnabbed21votestoNurse's14 tobetheGOA'sAssistantTreasurer

TheGOA'selectionwaspresidedoverby prominentAttorney-At-Law,EmilyDodson.

Kwakwani Untouchables

Kwakwani Untouchables are 4 x 4 basketball tournament winners

- Beating Kings B 12-9 in final

Kwakwani Untouchables are winners of theKingsBasketballClubinnovativeUnder17, 4 x 4 Linden Club Basketball Tournament, following their victory on SaturdayattheRetrieveHardCourt.

Playing in the final, the Untouchables spearheaded by Travis Lewis, won 12-9 against Kings B after both sides won their semifinal matches against Kidrock and Victory Valley Royals B. Lewis scored eight ofthisteam'swinningscore.

The Kidrock side then defeated Royals forthirdplace,9-4.

Trophies and replicas were donated by United States-based Gary Stephens and the BruschesBasketballFoundation.

The Untouchables team were Dequan Blair, Natalia Clarke, Aaron Kioga, Cordel Hoyte,TravisLewisandPetalLeacock.

All the clubs were required to have at least one female player on court throughout thetournament.

Assuria lends Lumber Yard affirms solid support assured assistance; Builders KaresCrossFitCaribbeanChampionship...

The 2023 edition of theKaresCrossFit

C a r i b b e a n Champions, set for April 1516 next at the National Aquatic Centre and the National Park, has been gaining momentum from a c o r p o r a t e support/partnership.

The organisers have confirmed that the event, which will see over 4 million in cash and prizes being handed out, has gained the support of Assuria and Builders Lumber Yard

The two businesses have presented their sponsorship packages for the successful hosting of the two-day competition which will see some 40 athletes including the best in the CrossFit business from six nations vying for supremacy

Ms. Fiona Sooklall, Head of Department Assuria General GY in presenting her company's contribution to Representative of Kares Caribbean CrossFit, Ms Mary Fung-A-Fat, said that they are more than pleased to be supporting the event which will see participation fromsixnations.

“This is an event that will showcase a high level of discipline from the finest

athletes in the sport. The standard would be high and as a company, our standards are very high, so you see the nexusisthere.

We would like to wish all the athletes every success and while there would be a winner in the male and female categories, all the athletes are winners at the endoftheday.”

M s F u n g - A - F a t conveyed the appreciation of

the Organisers to Ms Sooklall noting that their partnersh i p i s w e l l a p p r e c i a t e d Meanwhile, Ms Dorsel B o s a n , C o m p a n y Secretary of Builders L u m b e r Ya r d , a l s o expressed delight at being able to be on board such an event.

“An event like this affords participants the opportunity to exhibit a high

level of sportsmanship and passion as they aim to outdo eachothertobethebest. It does not come easy though, as lots of hard work and commitment would have tobeputintogettingtheir

(Continued on page 28)

Ms. Fiona Sooklall, Head of Department Assuria General GY (right), hands over the sponsorship cheque to a representative of Kares Caribbean CrossFit, Ms. Mary Fung-A-Fat.

Ms. Mary Fung-A-Fat of Kares Caribbean CrossFit at left receives the contribution from Ms. Dorsel Bosan, Company Secretary for Builders Lumber Yard.

“The Queen Side” Girls' Chess Camp a game-changer for young players

On Saturday, March 25, young female chess players will have the opportunity to participate in "The Queen Side"GirlsChessCamp. This one-day event is designed to provide up and coming players with a chance to learn chess tactics and advice from more experienced players in a relaxedandcasualsetting.

The camp will be held from1pmto5pmattheDuke Lodge in Kingston, and refreshments will be provided. The event is open to girls 18 years and under who are interested in learning more about chess, bonding with other chess players or who wish to improvetheirgame.

One of the primary goals

of "The Queen Side" Girls Chess Camp is to create a supportive and welcoming environment for young female chess players. Chess in Guyana has long been a male-dominated sport, and it can be intimidating for girls to participate in more formal settings such as tournaments or training sessions, especially when they are just

startingout.

By providing a more relaxed and fun atmosphere, the camp aims to encourage girls to get involved in chess and to build their confidence as players. In addition, the camp will also offer opportunities for bonding and building a sense of community among female chessplayers.

The event will be led by experienced female chess players, who will provide instruction and guidance to participants.They will cover basic chess tactics and strategies, and offer tips on how to improve one's game. Participants will also have the chance to play against each other and to receive feedbackontheirplay

Overall, "The Queen Side" Girls Chess Camp promises to be a day of fun, learning, and communitybuilding for young female chess This is the second activity by the Women in Chess Committee for this year, the first being a similar event for senior women in chess held on the eve of the Committee's one year anniversary at Java Coffee BarandBistro.

Theprovisionofwomenonly spaces can play an important role in keeping a

sport thriving, as it creates a supportive environment that allows women to build confidence, learn new skills, and compete at their highest level. Such spaces can also fosterasenseofcamaraderie among female athletes, which can help to increase their engagement and investmentinthesport.

By creating a level playing field and welcoming diverse perspectives, sports can attract a wider range of

participants, which can lead togrowth,sustainability,and successinchess.

We hope to see many young girls come out and join us for this exciting event, as we work towards building a stronger and more inclusive chess community inGuyana.

Young girls interested in participating can message @guyanachessonInstagram o r r e g i s t e r o n guyanachess.org

Economic impact of Hero CPL...

From page 31 for the tournament. This is thethirdsuccessiveyearthat the tournament has generated a viewership figure of over half a billion. This increase in viewership gave even more exposure to host countries throughout the tournament, adding furthervaluetohostingHero

CPLmatches.

PeteRussell,HeroCPL's CEO, said: “The value that Hero CPL brings to host countries has been long established but for the economic impact of the tournament to pass US$200million for the first time is another milestone in the decade long history of

the event. Hero CPL creates jobs, fills hotel rooms, boosts tourism and attracts visitors into host countries, both during the tournament and beyond. We are very excited to see this Caribbean product continue to grow its global reach while still hugely benefiting the region.”

Some young girls that competed in the recent U16 Tournament.

A snippet of the Women's event that was hosted in February.

Klaasen slams 54-ball century, South Africa level series

AFP - Heinrich Klaasen slammeda54-ballcenturyas South Africa beat the West Indies by four wickets in the third and final one-day internationalyesterday

South Africa were in troubleat87forfourchasing aWestIndiantotalof260but Klaasen went for his shots and the home side chased down the target with 20.3 overstospare.

The series was shared 11 after the first match was rained off.”We try to play conditions and not the

situation and the conditions were fantastic," said Klaasen Klaasen finished with 119 not out off 61 balls, hitting 15 fours and five sixes in Potchefstroom. He shared partnerships of 55 off 38 balls with David Miller (17) and a match-clinching sixth-wicket stand of 103 off 62 deliveries with Marco Jansen(43).

"Itwasagoodwicketand it was one of my better knocks," said Klaasen after notching his second one-day international century and the

fourth-fastest for South Africa behind two from AB de Villiers one from Mark Boucher De Villiers holds the worldrecordwithhis31-ball hundred against the West Indies in Johannesburg in 2014/15 Alzarri Joseph rocked the SouthAfricans at the start of their innings by taking the first two wickets with aggressive, shortpitchedbowling.

He finished with three for50buttherestoftheWest Indian bowlers took heavy

punishment.

Klaasen was particularly severeonspinbowlersAkeal Hosein, who took two for 49 in seven overs, and Yannic Cariah, who conceded 49 runsin3.3overs.

WestIndieswerebowled out for 260 after they were sent in by Aiden Markram, captaining South Africa in the absence of Temba Bavuma, who had a hamstringstrain.

Brandon King struck 11 fours and a six in making 72

Economic impact of Hero CPL passes US$200 million in 2022

The 2022 Hero

C a r i b b e a n P r e m i e r League (CPL) generated a huge economic impact for the countries who hosted matches with a t o t a l f i g u r e o f

US$200,935,772, a 47% increase on the amount generated during the 2019 tournament, the last time the Hero CPL travelled around the region.

The total direct economic impact on the region from Hero CPL 2 0 2 2 w a s US$134,686,551 with an additionalUS$66,250,232in sponsorship value as a result of the Hero CPL broadcast which was watched by over 700millionviewersin2022.

The four countries who heldHeroCPLmatcheswere St Kitts & Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana. St Kitts & Nevis also hosted the first running of the Massy Women's CPL (WCPL) and the SKYEXCH 6IXTY The tournament has created jobs and generated income in all

of these countries as the Caribbean continues to be central to the success of the HeroCPL.

The rise in economic impact has, in part, been driven by the change to the tournament structure that now sees all six teams, TV production crew and tournament staff travelling around the region as one cohort, spending more time ineachofthehostcountries.

Withmorematchesbeing played per host country, travelling fans are now

offered even greater value to come and watch the Hero CPL and as a result there was a significant increase in international arrivals across the tournamentin2022.

This figure was g e n e r a t e d b y independent, worldrenowned research company, YouGov Sport.

This figure takes into account the total spent by Hero CPL to put on the 2022 event, the value of media exposure for the country from the broadcast of matches and the money spent with local business by those who travelled around the region forthetournament.

The Hero CPL was responsibleforfilling54,702 hotel nights across the region, with players, TV crew,CPLandfranchisestaff and other visitors all helping to generate further revenue for local businesses and suppliers.

The total viewership for the 2022 Hero CPL was a record721.8million,arecord (Continued on page 31)

off 72 balls in an innings studdedwithelegantdrives.

But the rest of the West Indian batsmen failed, apart from Nicholas Pooran, who hit39andJasonHolder,who made36.

"We batted well in parts but we definitely did not perform with the ball," said West Indies captain Shai Hope.

The series did not count for the World Cup Super League but Markram said Tuesday's result was

important ahead of two matches against the Netherlands at the end of the month which South Africa must win if they hope to qualify automatically for the WorldCup.

"It's nice to get momentum going into those games,"saidMarkram.

Scores: South Africa 264 for 6 (Klaasen 119*, Joseph 3-50) beat West Indies 260 for 9 (King 72, Fortuin 2-46) by four wickets.

Rassie van der Dussen was struck flush on the lower jaw by a stray throw. (AFP/Getty Images)

AAG behind on funding for 18-member team for CARIFTA Games …AttoyaHarvey,AnishaGibbonsspearheadsquad

By Rawle Toney

TheAthleticsAssociation of Guyana is back in an alltoo-familiar position regarding the CARIFTA Games, as the country's governing body for track and field is struggling to secure thenecessaryfundingtosend 18 athletes and three coaches totheBahamasfortheApril7

-10championship.

At a press conference yesterday, AAG president, Aubrey Hutson, admitted that despite sending out letters for sponsorship to corporate Guyana and Government they're yet to receive a favourable response.

According to Hutson, it w i l l c o s t t h e A A G

approximately $9M for Guyana to attend this year's CARIFTAGames.

However, Hutson, thoughworried,ishopingfor an overnight change of heart from the various entities and government, which will allow Guyana's best youth and junior athletes to compete at the games, which startedin1972.

National Javelin record holder Anisha Gibbons will have a chance to secure a third consecutive gold at the Caribbean's most prestigious track and field event when she was named as one of the 18athletes.

Gibbons, a freshman at New Mexico Junior College competing in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), claimed gold at the 2022 CARFITAGames which was h e r s e c o n d a t t h e Championships, while her first Javelin Gold came in 2021.

Attoya Harvey, who had an exceptional outing at the

Guyana's Attoya Harvey crossing the finish line at the 2022 CARIFTA Games to win the Girls U20 1500m.

CARIFTA Games last year wheresheclaimedgoldinthe 1500m (4:45.75), silver in the 3000m (10:51.40), and bronze in the 800m (2:14 08), will make her return to the championships lookingreplicateherdebut.

Also returning to the CARIFTA Games this year are Narissa McPherson (400m,800m), –silver(U17 400m), and Javon Roberts (800m,1500m).

McPherson silver in the U17 400m at her last championship, and Robert was also second on the podium in the boys U17 1500m.

Athaleyah Hinckson

(100m, 200m, 400m) will join sprinting sensation and medal hopeful Tianna Springer (200m, 400m, 4x100), Tamara Harvey (long jump, 4x100m), and Adessa Albert (100m, 4x100m).

Malachi Austin (200m, 400m), Ezekiel Saul (triple jump, high jump), Duel Europe (long jump), and Immanuel Adams (high jump) are the U17 boys athletes heading to The Bahamas.

EzekielNewtonwillhave a chance to test his speed in the U20 boys 100m and 200m; US-based Wesley Noble Jr (400m), Seon

Ezekiel Newton will be looking to at CARIFTA Gold to his growing list of track and field accomplishments.

Booker, based in Jamaica, will run 800m and 1500m, while Odida Parkinson (5000m), Trevon Hamer (long jump) and Omar James (long and triple jumps) are theotherathletesforGuyana. Mark Scott, Keisha Burnett, and Linden Phillips arethecoaches.

At the 2022 games in Jamaica, Guyana ended their participation with seven medals– two gold, three silver, and two bronze –while finishing fifth in the medal standings behind Trinidad and Tobago (23), British Virgin Islands (7), The Bahamas (17) and Jamaica(92).

Penultimate round bowls...

From page 33

Volcanoes are second with 37.8 points and Hurricanessitinthirdwith34.2points.

In the bottom half of the Point standings, Pride are fourth with 31.2 points, Red Force are fifth with 24.8 points while Scorpions occupythecellarwith15.4points.

In the last round, Guyana defeated Red

Force by 143 runs at the BLCA, Volcanoes defeated Scorpions by 181 runs at Providence and Hurricanes romped to a two2icketwinagainstPrideattheQPO. Meanwhile,allthreematchesarefixedto commence at 10:00 hrs ECT and will be live streamed on Cricket West Indies' YouTube Channel.

GCB launches national U19 cricket season

The Ministry of Culture, Youth a n d S p o r t s through the Government of Guyana has aligned themselves with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to launchthenationalUnder-19 cricket season which is scheduled to start later this month.

The GCB held a simple presentation ceremony yesterday at the Guyana N a t i o n a l S t a d i u m , Providence. In attendance were President of the GCB

Bissoondyal Singh, Minister of Culture,Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr, as well as players, coaches, county board representatives and GCB's Chairman of competition committee Shawn Messiah and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) KashifMuhammad.

The local U19 cricket season set the stage for crickettobecatapultedtothe h i g h e s t l e v e l s o f professionalism. The U19 seasonwillcommenceonthe

st31 March with the national inter club Super 50 competition which will run th until 6 April. The national inter club tournament serves as preparation for the local U19 players from every section of the country to showcase their talent and current form which enables themselectiontorepresentat thecountylevel.

After the inter club's competition is completed, they move straight to the national inter county th championship from 12-27

Leon Johnson, a captain with distinction set to bid farewell

Guyana'smostillustrious and successful first-class captain Leon Johnson is set to say goodbye to his c r i c k e t i n g c a r e e r simultaneously at the conclusion of this year's edition at the Guyana N a t i o n a l S t a d i u m , Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The final match will be between Guyana Harpy Eagles and Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

So far in the 2023 campaign, the 35-year-old Johnson has led Eagles to twovictories,whiletheother encounter was drawn. They are gleefully topping the points'chart(49).

Eagles will also be on home soil against Jamaica Scorpions commencing today at the abovementioned facility before the surreal moment comes for a true ambassadorofGuyana.

P r i o r t o t h e commencement of the thirdround, the elegant lefthanded Johnson announced his retirement It might amazealargespectrumofthe adorable cricketing fraternity in his native land and by extension across the

Caribbean, but Johnson feels the time has come to end this unforgettablechapter

In 2004, also in familiar conditions as a diminutive 16-year-old,Johnsonwalked out at Enmore Community Centre ground, East Coast Demerara to begin this fascinating and captivating career After17years,hewillbe

(Continued on page 27)

April. This consists of two formats; the super 50 tournamentandthethreeday tournament. These competitions will alsoserveplayersthatwillbe playing in their last year at this level the necessary opportunity for national selection and to carry on to theseniorlevel.

Speaking to the small gathering the President of G C B n o t e d , “ T h i s i n v e s t m e n t b y t h e Government of Guyana and its affiliate Ministry of

Sports is indeed enormous buttheexpectedreturnsfrom players involved in this l o v e l y s p o r t i s immeasurable.”

He expressed big thanks to the President of Guyana Mr Irfaan Ali and the Minister of Culture youth and Sports Charles Ramson for aligning their support in s p o n s o r i n g t h e s e tournaments.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr noted that, “The local U19

tournament is an important stepping stone, what I call the cornerstone of the West Indiescricket.”Accordingto Minister Ramson, the local tournament is now a firm fixture for which no longer should it be questioned, whether the tournament is going to happen or whether you're going to have a truncated tournament? He reiterated that, “This tournament is a firm fixture as one of our national calendar events for sports in thecountry.”

2022/23 West Indies Championship…

Penultimate round bowls off today

- Guyana face Jamaica at Providence

A number of West Indian Test players will be returning for the fourth round of the tournament. (AFP/Getty Images)

Round four of the Cricket West Indies 2022/23 West Indies Championship commences today with three matches across the Caribbean.

At the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, currentleaderofthefour-day tournament, Guyana Harpy EagleswillhosttheJamaica Scorpions while second and

third place occupants, W i n d w a r d I s l a n d s

Volcanoes and Leeward Islands Hurricanes, thrash it out at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) in TrinidadandTobago(T&T).

In the other match, which, is scheduled to be contestedattheQueen'sPark Oval(QPO),T&TRedForce will host defending champion,BarbadosPride.

F o l l o w i n g t h e conclusion of the Test Series between West Indies and South Africa, a number of players are expected to return to be a part of this round and bolster their team's chances of securing theRegionalFirstClasstitle.

As it stands after three rounds, Harpy Eagles lead with49pointswhile

(Continued on page 32)

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr hands over sponsorship to GCB President Bissoondyal Singh at the launching of the U19 cricket season.

Leon Johnson

Leon Johnson playing for West Indies A team. (BCCI)

Brandon King played his shots, hitting nine fours as he got to his half-century. (AFP/Getty