Kaieteur News

K

AIETEUR

Peru oil disaster…

Thursday Edition

Oil company to NEWS pay US$700 each in compensation to Peruvian fishermen, others

March 24, 2022 - Vol. 15 No.12 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 86,429

Guyana’s largest selling daily & New York’s most popular weekly

‘Guyana oil shipbuilder in

hot water’ ‘Fisher folk

...as French law group files request to probe corruption allegations against SBM

U.S. Deputy Assistant battered by Secretary discouraging for two-day environment’ visit to Guyana ...meetings planned with ...cite loss of traditional fishing grounds, low worker turnout govt., opposition, civil society

30 more years for serial rapist

nues The protest contito for change tract.

ExxonMobil’s con

Opposition mulls court action over full coverage insurance ...as ExxonMobil, PPP/C Govt. pussyfoot around issue VP Jagdeo calmly glosses over not checking or verifying US$9.5B for Liza 1 and 2 Project costs in which Public Servants salaries could have been doubled for the next 66 years, if we had saved half of that US$9.5B thrown at us. Listen to Kaieteur Radio@11:00hrs on 99.1/99.5FM

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

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‘Guyana oil shipbuilder in hot water' ...as French law group files request to probe corruption allegations by SBM

F

r e n c h l a w association, Sherpa, recently filed a complaint asking the French National Financial Prosecutor's Office (PNF) to open an investigation into corruption, money laundering and concealment of stolen goods in relation to the activities of extractive industry giant SBM Offshore.

Sherpa noted that SBM Offshore, the sole manufacturer of Guyana's oil vessels namely the Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, and Prosperity, has been flagged in several countries because of its alleged extensive corrupt practices. And in light

of those cases, Sandra Cossart, Sherpa's Executive Director, believes the time has come to shed light on the role of SBM Offshore's French managers in what could be widespread corruption practices.

Sherpa was keen to note in the firm's complaint that in 2014, whistleblower Jonathan Taylor, who was at the time the legal director of SBM Offshore, a Dutch oil services group based in Monaco, had denounced an international network of bribes. He had denied that his former employer would have paid US$275 million to obtain oil contracts around the world.

The US$720M Liza Destiny made by SBM. Sherpa noted however that evidence subsequently provided to the Serious Fraud Office in England, to investigators in Brazil and in the Netherlands, and to the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, contributed to the opening of investigations in many jurisdictions which exposed damning levels of corruption and multibillion dollar fines levied against SBM. Sherpa noted as well that other investigations have established the extent of SBM Offshore's illegal practices, particularly in conflict zones, thus underlying the central issue of the systemic dimension of corruption in the sensitive sector of extractive industry.

Kaieteur News, during extensive research, also found that SBM Offshore has been accused in the past of allegedly bribing officials to win inflated contracts.

In fact, the offshore drilling equipment manufacturer was fingered in five countries; namely Brazil, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan and Iraq. Kaieteur News found that SBM executives were accused of bribing officials in those nations with over US$180M. These bribes resulted in approximately US$2.8B in profits. Subsequent lawsuit actions led by the Public Prosecutor of its home country, the Netherlands; the US Department of Justice; and the Brazilian Federal Prosecutor which resulted in millions of dollars in fines being paid.

When SBM's US subsidiary was hauled before the courts for breach of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), it pleaded guilty and agreed to settle criminal charges of bribing officials in

the five countries.

It paid a US$238 million p e n a l t y. I n B r a z i l , t h e company had agreed to enter a settlement so that it could end all anti-corruption investigations against its subsidiary there.

The US$189M settlement was done so that it could not only kill the probe into the company's role, but also allow it to participate again in future tenders.

The investigation in Brazil was centered on allegations that SBM was one of several companies that paid massive bribes in exchange for inflated contracts to service Petrobras, Brazil's National Oil Company.

In the case of its home country, the Netherland authorities launched its own investigations and got SBM to pay a US$40M fine as well as a US$200M disgorgement (having to do with repayment

of ill-gotten gains) via an outof-court settlement.

Following this, SBM said it enhanced its anti-corruption compliance programme and related internal controls to prevent a reoccurrence of any kind.

Owing to the fact that the Netherlands is considered one of the least corrupt within the Europea n U n i o n (EU), the authorities w h ich s ettled w ith S BM w ere highly criticized b y tr ans p aren cy bodies there for not going forward with the p r o secution of such a highprofile corruption case, among others.

It was believed that settlement lends to the perception of backroom politics while providing the opportunity for the authorities to abuse its power to allow settlements in cases where the suspect has more to gain by settling quickly.

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 24, 2022

PAGE 03

Opposition mulls court action over full coverage insurance ...as ExxonMobil, PPP/C Govt. pussyfoot around issue

T

he Speaker of the N a t i o n a l Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, has chosen to strike out critical clauses outlined in a motion tabled by the Opposition, on full liability coverage for Guyana's petroleum activities, but Leader of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) Aubrey Norton has made it clear, that the party will not be accepting the 'degutting' of its motion this time around.

Norton, during the PNCR's weekly press conference, hosted on Tuesday again called out the House Speaker for what he described as his 'partisan' behaviour. In response to a question by this publication, the Leader said, “The approach of the Speaker and the government is not new.

They do everything to ensure that democracy is undermined and the position they took on that Motion is clearly to degut it so that it isn't effective.” Cognizant of this fact and making sure to highlight the importance of

the Opposition Motion, Norton explained that the PNCR's faction of the Coalition will be pushing for legal action to be taken on the matter.

“There will be consultations on the way forward. Remember this is an APNU/AFC Motion, but as a party, the PNCR will be one that will be pushing in the direction of taking legal action in this matter.

But, like I've said, it's an APNU/AFC matter and I will prefer to engage and we arrive at a unified position on the matter then give you a clear indication as to where we will go,” the PNCR Leader indicated.

On February 16, Opposition Member of Parliament, (MP) David Patterson filed a Motion in the National Assembly seeking full coverage insurance for Guyana's oil activities.

The Speaker in a written response to the Member of Parliament (MP), dated February 28, 2022, informed that 13 of the 20 clauses in

Patterson's Motion have been disallowed, while two of the 'whereas' clauses were amended.

The Speaker's response was sent by the Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Sherlock Isaacs. In the document seen by Kaieteur News, Isaacs stated that the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th 'whereas' clauses were removed.

The second clause, in the insurance Motion states, “And Whereas worldwide offshore oil production operations show a high likelihood of an oil spill occurring offshore Guyana, and that such likelihood of a spill increases exponentially with the rapid increase in offshore production activities” and the fourth clause read, “And Whereas the emergency response and cleanup of the British Petroleum Macondo oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have so far cost more than $70 billion USD.” Even though these details have been widely reported

on, and are moreover available for verification through quick research, these clauses were removed as the Speaker concluded they must be based on facts.

The removal of these clauses means that they will not be debated in the National Assembly.

On the other hand, another critical clause that was struck out highlighted or reminded the government that the Liza Two Permit allows for unlimited liability coverage.

Clause 11 and 12 which were removed states, “And Whereas EEPGL agreed to the unlimited liability coverage commitment in the Liza 2 Permit and urgent purchase of the maximum available private insurance prior to signing the Permit; And Whereas EEPGL requested a concession for E PA ( E n v i r o n m e n t a l Protection Agency) to sign the Permit in order to maintain the confidence of its investors, conditioned upon giving EEPGL time to negotiate an Agreement

Leader of the PNCR, Aubrey Norton

amongst its parent companies on how those liabilities would be shared amongst the companies.”

To this end, Mr. Aubrey Norton said he believes civil society ought to be calling for the removal of Mr. Nadir, who removed the clauses from Patterson's Motion as he believes they were not factual.

Norton reasoned, “I think civil society should be calling for the resignation of the Speaker of the National Assembly.

How could you, civil society and others, be quiet

when a critical issue…has been tabled in a Motion and Speaker of the House in collusion with the government would have virtually removed its efficacy?”

Already, at least three members of civil society, as w e l l a s Tr a n s p a r e n c y International Guyana (TIGI), have called for the Speaker to allow a full debate on the Opposition's Motion.

T h e c i t i z e n s ; Environmental activist, Janette Bulkan, Attorney-atLaw, Christopher Ram and (Continued on page 17)

Govt. must retender new Demerara - Patterson cites budgetary allocation while River Bridge tenders invited for build, design, finance options

By Davina Bagot In November 2020, the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of P u b l i c Wo r k s i n v i t e d Expressions of Interest for the construction of a new bridge over the Demerara River. It was in October of last year that bids were received from contractors for the design, construction and financing of the proposed four-lane structure.

Even though government said that the contractors would be financing the project, in its 2022 Budget some $21.1B was allocated for the construction of the new bridge. To this end, former Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson is of the view that this “confusion” mixed with the government's worrying silence on the project may brew corruption.

In an interview with this

publication on Wednesday, the Member of Parliament (MP) argued that the country has had negative experiences with design-build-finance models in the past, as he made the case for a complete restart of the tendering process for the new bridge.

He reasoned: “The country has tried these design-build concepts before and they have never been successful.

We can talk about the Marriott, we can talk about the CJIA (Cheddi Jagan International Airport) and those things like that, and of course this time there is money in the budget, however they went out to tender for the contractors to provide financing, so there is a bit of confusion there and no clarity whatsoever,” Patterson said.

“You can't go out to tender seeking a contractor to finance the project and later you place the project in the

budget to be financed via the national coffers and will still be using the old tender process to award a contract.

The tender price is inflated since the bid price includes the contractors' financing and other related costs,” Patterson added.

Offering some advice, he urged that if the project is retendered and funded by the government, Guyana may be able to attract more reputable international firms, which may have steered clear from the initial Invitation For Bids, due to their inability to compete with Chinese financing arrangements.

While still on the financing aspect of the Bridge, the former Minister argued that the administration has been completely mum on what the new toll would be under this model. While referencing the Berbice River Bridge, Patterson said that the toll (Continued on page 17)

The proposed alignment for the new Demerara River Bridge.

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Kaieteur News

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Guyana’s Opposition neutralised

G

uyana’s APNU+AFC Coalition Opposition has been forced to deal with perceptions that it is finding difficult to shake. It has come in for a great deal of fire for its seeming lethargy, its weakness in failing to stand up to a steamrolling PPPC Government.

Though it has been a shadow of its past self, the opposition insists that the reality is far different. The Opposition has now emphasised its continuing efforts in pushing for more probing on oil matters, and the steel walls it has encountered. “Opposition being stonewalled -says Govt. blocking every Parliamentary scrutiny of oil issues” (KN March 21). From revisiting the record, it is clear that there is some substance to what the APNU+AFC opposition says that it has been compelled to contend with, where it is stuck. Currently, it is being stopped dead in its tracks whenever it pushes for some action relating to Guyana’s new oil and gas sector. According to the KN article referenced, there is an oversight mechanism to scrutinise what takes place with this newfound oil wealth of ours. It consists of “two key Standing Committees of the House: the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources and the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services.” These two well-placed committees, most timely ones, are there to serve as watchdogs over “government’s decisions and policies” as those relate to the ballooning oil sector. What is revealing, and startlingly so, is that in over a year and a half, and with oil production increasing and gas flaring occurring, not a single decision or policy executed by the PPPC Government has come under the microscope of sharp scrutiny. Eighteen months is an eternity of doing nothing, given where Guyana is with this national bounty. Rather, there has been PPPC Government foot dragging through deliberately drawn-out discussions on agriculture. The irony is that the Vice President is moving full speed ahead with oil plans, but in parliament, oil matters move slower than snails, more sluggish than sloths. It stands to reason that any sensible Guyanese would have believed that these two committees would be buzzing with oil business, humming with the sound of much parliamentary action. Except that they are not; it has been nothing doing with the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources, not even one meeting, and absolutely nothing moving since September 1, 2020, when the 12th Parliament was opened for the business of the people.

Those committees might as well not be there, so irrelevant they have been made with oil, and to such a state of constructive nonexistence they have been condemned.

Constructive nonexistence is appropriate because this is what serves the interests of Government and its leaders well. Since the two sensitive committees have not done anything of merit, nothing of any essence on oil, then it stands to reason that they are just there to use as windowdressing. So, what we have had all the while is all this public talking by the President and Vice President with what they (and only they) see fit to present, through sly, self-serving public relations about the nation’s oil wealth.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes in the two pivotal parliamentary committees identified above, there is an Iron Curtain erected against any meaningful oil and gas question or discussion. This is how the Opposition is frozen in place, through clever parliamentary tactics that do not benefit Guyanese. Regardless how fervent the Opposition’s spirit, how burning its energies, it is blocked and locked from progressing on matters of concern about oil. Be it through the arrangement of rotating chairmanship for the natural resource committee, or delaying tactics using agriculture to stonewall and arrest any oil interests or inquiries. The parliamentary realities faced by the APNU+AFC Opposition regarding oil issues boil down to this: not here, not now, not ever. No! No! No! And that is the beginning and end of things raised about oil in parliament. It is the modus operandi of the PPP/C Government and its clever leaders. It is the settled modus vivendi (way of life) that its parliamentarians employ and pursue with vigour. It is without regard for how the sum of their stymieing, their cunning circumventing work, portrays them before a

COVID-19 and crime still national perils DEAR EDITOR, I am quietly minding my own business and a ‘Travel Advisory’ arrives compliments of the U.S. Embassy. It is a doublebarreled one titled: “Reconsider travel to Guyana due to crime and COVID-19”.

It should be a cause for much squirming from PPP/C Government leaders and loyalists. As I observe the government’s state with both crime and COVID-19, it is that the former is statistically managed, while the virus has now been relegated to the realm of more of a nuisance than that of a peril.

What is really what here?

Who is closer to local reality?

First, I present a short extract from the Embassy’s Advisory.

It relays that “The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Guyana, indicating a high level of COVID-19 in the country.”

To reduce to the norm of Guyanese jargon: Yuh lie.

Deh lie baad, baad.

But if I have to make a lifeand-death choice between what the Hon. Minister of Health has been representing, and this advisory from the Yanks, it is as the other bright fella say, a ‘no brainer. Sorry,

Minister Anthony, yuh lose.

It is not that I am calling the Minister a liar; I merely assert that his marbles are mixed up, since those virus numbers don’t add up.

I think we are, indeed, to use my own words, still high risk.

When we tell people to self-test, when there is no requirement to report results, and when Guyanese treat possible virus symptoms as a case of a ‘baad flu’, then what we have are engineered pandemic numbers. There is no basis for them. What might have been moderating risks has now been sabotaged by the Government’s unholy haste to relax protocols in time for Holi festivities; like it did for Christmas, so citizens could intoxicate themselves, while the PPP/C Government danced on their heads, through that calculated oil fund bill hurried into law.

These are remarkable examples of a PPP/C Government for the people.

Emancipation Day looms next.

Additionally, to convey to the nation that masking is optional and social distancing is dependent on mood (if and when yuh feel like) is the height of governmental and leadership irresponsibility, if not stupidity.

This is

endangering, plain and simple. It would have been better for the Minister, Task Force, and Health Ministry to come right out and announce there is no masking and distancing requirement, than to hedge with this farce about ‘optional. Be stronger. I am trying to remember when this authoritarian government and its tyrannical leader(s) have given Guyanese options. The bottom line is that those numbers are hollow and the Minister should know, it does not require mathematical or actuarial logic. Simple reasoning, Comrade Minister; nothing else. Numbers and statistics provide a good segue into the U.S. Embassy Advisory’s second component/alarm, which is crime.

According to the Police people, the serious crime numbers are down (like the virus), but here we have the Americans, who know more about Guyana than Government and Guyanese, saying that that may be so, but it is dangerous, as in life threatening. To PPP/C fundamentalists, I agree, but don’t take my word for it.

Instead, please give a hearing-fair and complete-to what the foreigners have put out; don’t cherry-pick, don’t see them as elections muscle

only. The Embassy’s Country Summary presented this: “Violent crime, including murder and armed robbery, is common, especially at night.

Local police often lack the resources to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.” I say half of that, and it is subversion, agitation, and partisan. It is malicious, slanderous, and libelous to those sensitive, to light and truth, citizens.

Regardless, the reality is that we have our soothing numbers about improvements, and then we have realities that ordinary Guyanese must deal with daily.

Nightly also.

Government leaders and people say let not your heart be troubled, the outside people say don’t travel. I close on this note: who do my fellow Guyanese take more seriously? Who is believed and trusted as more of a source of truth and facts?

Who has earned the right to be seen and deemed as honest, credible, and reliable?

Nobody should ask, because where I stand. It is not with Government leader, or Health Minister, or any other propagator of recklessness and what is laced with total dereliction of duty.

Sincerely, GHK Lall

Support students to study economic models for Guyana DEAR EDITOR, When I was doing doctoral studies in Economics in early 1980s, my Economic Development course professor, Edwin Reuben, advised the class to visit countries whose model of development could be emulated or recommended for poor developing countries.

(Prof. Reuben was the USA intelligence officer for the navy that had encircled and enforcing the blockade of Japan during WWII. He said he recommended against dropping the nuclear bombs on Japan because his intelligence concluded that Japan would only resist the blockade for three more days.

Japan is the only country to experience nuclear bombing and it also happens to be a non-white country).

The objective behind Dr. Reuben’s advice to graduate students was to encourage visits to rapidly developing countries to learn how they developed while also gaining practical experience and acquiring expertise on development that could be applied elsewhere.

Among the development models studied in class were Japan, the Southeast Asian

tigers, Argentina, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, and others. China and Dubai were not among those studied at the time; in fact, both were looking at the model of other countries for their own development.

Prof. Reuben’s advise took me (as a student visitor) to all of those countries and more from 1985 onwards to study and learn about their approaches to or models of development. Guyana should encourage local economics students to study successful development models of countries, visit them for practical experience, and return with advise on model for Guyana.

I was fortunate to receive study grants or subsidies while an overseas student.

Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, etc. sent their students to study development of the western countries and return to their own countries and applied what they learn.

China and UAE would send their students abroad to study abroad emulating the models of the Southeast Asian miracle economies.

Each country had its own features and resources, or

lack thereof, and experience and therefore its own development model. One model does not fit all. Guyana or Guyanese students could learn and apply to the homeland aspects of development of each country studied.

Each country I studied and visited was a learning experience.

They were amazing economies.

Each had its own storyline of how it became a success.

Singapore, for example, had no resources, not even food.

Guyana was ahead of it around 1960. Yet in a few years, it overtook Guyana in development; it had become a first world economy by 2000.

It’s per capita income is about 10 times that of Guyana.

I visited some of the countries multiple times, years apart, to monitor their economic progress.

It is amazing how these relatively poor countries (during 1970s) marshaled their limited financial resources to become role models for others during the 1980s.

They learned from and were supported by the West to experience rapid growth.

Countries that were anti-

Western in Latin America and Caribbean paid a price.

The successful economies in Asia were prowestern.

Dubai and China, much talked about today, were nowhere considered as economic models for other countries up to the new millennium.

In fact, they were largely underdeveloped during the 1980s (when I visited China in 1985) and emulated the model of Southeast Asian countries to become rapidly developing economies today.

China copied much from Singapore — the LKY model.

Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico experienced rapid growth during some years in the 70s and 80s but with heavy burdensome debt that would lead to economic chaos.

Dubai is now being talked about as a development model for poor countries. It should be studied as is China and the Southeast Asian miracle economies.

Government should give consideration in supporting students to study economic models that can be emulated for our development.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Thursday March 24, 2022

No Govt. has ever really cared for our health and wellbeing DEAR EDITOR, I wish to add my voice to those of Dr. Yog Mahadeo and Mr. Malcolm Harripaul (Letters, March 23, 2022) whose letters dealt with the issues of noise nuisance and Guyana’s rum culture. I have been writing for some 20 years about the noise nuisance lawlessness which is not confined to wedding houses and rum shops but is very publicly flaunted by no less than the Government of Guyana, the Mayor and City Council, and large corporations like Banks DIH all of whom operate lawlessly during Mashramani and Carnival parades in the city.

The noise emitted from these state and corporate entities is always well above

the health and safety limits and always continues unabated for hours. As long as this culture is endorsed at the top levels, all assurances given by any government entity, including the Guyana Police Force, will continue to be pure hypocrisy. Also hypocritical is any talk coming from Government about its concern for the nation’s health and wellbeing and its showing-off of health centres and hospitals that are being built since the damage done to the health of the citizenry by even one hour of lawless noise levels is medically documented and proven. No Government has ever really cared for our health and wellbeing since none in recent years has enforced the

law against noise nuisance or even cared to follow it. As has also been noted recently, the Guyana Government has fully embraced a “stink and dutty” culture, a term which perfectly encapsulates the lawlessness of noise nuisance, alcohol consumption and vulgarity that is promoted and funded

by Government which flagrantly misuses taxpayers’ dollars that can be better spent elsewhere. Added to all the hypocrisy that emanates from the state is the fact that this letter will never be published by any state media or any media partisan to the Government. Talk of democratic rights and freedom of speech is also hypocritical.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

The National Parks Commission refuses to pay me DEAR EDITOR, On December 20, 2019, I was given a letter by the National Parks Commission (NPC) informing me that my services as an employee was terminated.

I was advised that because I was terminated that I am entitled to severance pay and payment in lieu of notice.

This is in keeping with the Laws of Guyana and the agreement between my union – GAWU – and the NPC. However, the Commission refused to pay me my benefits and said that I was dismissed and not entitled to any

benefit. I reported the matter to GAWU who took up it up with the Commission and then the Ministry of Labour.

The Ministry after several meetings and after considering representation from GAWU and the NPC on January 5, 2021 recommended that the Commission honour my benefits.

Despite the Ministry’s recommendation, the Commission refuses to pay me. My union continues to represent the matter and has been given several excuses.

The most recent is that any decision on the matter has to

await the appointment of the NPC Board of Directors.

Editor, I do not know when the Board will be appointed. It is over a year my union and I have been told that a Board would be appointed. I am appreciative of the efforts of GAWU who continues to stand with me but the NPC continues to deny me my rightful benefits.

I appeal to your newspaper to publicize my matter for someone in authority to ensure I am given my due benefits.

Yours faithfully, Lennox Stephens

Confused as to who the President is of Guyana DEAR EDITOR, It’s been over 5 months now that His Excellency Irfaan Ali iterated that government has been working with bilateral partners to tackle the rise of fertiliser prices here in the hopes of getting a supply of fertiliser to farmers that would lessen the current prices they’re paying.

I’m sure myself and many other Guyanese would take it to mean that government was hoping to do just as in 2014

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Kaieteur News

and bring in a shipment of fertiliser and provide it at a low cost to farmers.

Now the h o n o u r a b l e Vi c e P r e s i d e n t B h a r r a t Jagdeo at a forum in Essequibo stated that government will not be doing that as it makes no sense, after he was posed by

a question by one of the attendees in the audience.

So does this mean that President Ali is lying to the farmers about his government looking to help farmers out in regards to getting them cheaper fertiliser?

Kind regards, Brian Clementson

GAWU disappointed by Minister Hamilton’s remarks DEAR EDITOR, The GAWU must express its deep disappointment with some of the remarks made by Labour Minister, Joseph Hamilton about trade unions during his appearance on Globespan on March 22, 2022.

In as much as the Minister did not attribute his sentiments to any particular union/s, his comments in our view does not help to enhance his image among the thousands of unionised workers in Guyana.

Moreover, it may have well demonstrated an antiworker bias by the Minister though we do not believe this was his intention.

Minister Hamilton shared that h e b e l i e v e d s o m e unions were not providing adequate representation to their membership.

However, a few moments later the Minister said under his tenure twenty-two (22) agreements were signed between Unions and various workplaces.

This, he said was greater than what was achieved in the period of the Coalition Administration.

It, therefore, begs the question if unions are signing more agreements, then how aren’t they providing sufficient representation? Clearly there is an obvious disconnect in the logic.

We nonetheless hold that improvements in all organisations, including the Ministry of Labour, should be an ongoing process.

The Minister also said no union has ever spoken to him about any other matter besides improvements in workers’ pay.

For GAWU, we have engaged the Minister on several matters such as

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) and need for strengthening regulations, the freedom of association, equality in the workplace, collective bargaining just to name a few.

Ironically, the GAWU has thus far not engaged the Minister and his Ministry on pay increase issues except for the improvement of the National Minimum Wage.

Maybe Minister Hamilton, given his busy schedule, d o e s n o t r e c all those interactions.

Pay rises remain a breadand-butter issue for both workers and unions.

The ability of workers and their families to advance their well-being and realise their life’s aspirations are linked to their incomes.

Obviously, unions will seek to ensure that workers benefit from the improvement their enterprises record.

They certainly would have assisted in allowing those enterprises to record improved profitability and productivity.

In the unorganised section of the labour force, are workers benefitting commensurately with the improvements their employers are recording?

Maybe they are, but maybe they aren’t!

Minister Hamilton said unions don’t speak about OSH and he urged that they do.

We agree that OSH is important.

In that vein, the GAWU has collaborated with the Ministry over the years in the conduct of OSH seminars and other activities in support of this workplace issue.

However, we urge the Minister to utilise the Ministry’s statistical department, which he touted, to contrast OSH incidents between organised and unorganised workplaces.

The data would tend to indicate that OSH issues are more prevalent in the latter rather than the former.

There is good reason for this. Unions and employers have been able to collaborate to meaningfully address this issue.

Though again, we believe, there must be an ongoing assessment to identify and mitigate risks.

Our Union in just the as outlined by the Act apart from other OSH issues.

(Continued on page 6)

PAGE 6

Squatting vendors reducing Anna Regina to a shanty town DEAR EDITOR, Despite my letter last year that had prompted the minister of Local Government to attempt to demolish stalls on the roadside at the Anna Regina Market on the Essequibo Coast, those stalls remain and more are being constructed. Stallholders have refused to take up stalls allotted to them in the Cotton Field Market. Vendors who have occupied their stalls in the market are crying foul due to the unfair competition created by the roadside vending and quite rightly so, moreover, the Anna Regina old market road and the parallel Region office road is looking like a shanty town since the drainage canal betwixt is lined on both sides with stalls that protrude over the drainage canal. Presently the canal is clogged with weeds. It cannot be cleared by excavators because of the stalls that lined both sides. No

Corruption benefits the rich and powerful at the expense of the poor.

Say no to it.

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

one will attempt to clean it manually because of the stink smell resulting from the waste that the vendors secretly dispose of in the stagnant water beneath the weeds. The place is stinking. One of the aggrieved vendors selling inside the market told me that he had enquired from one of the town councillors about what they (the town council) are doing to stop the rogué vending on the roadside. The councillor had responded that the Minister of Local Government had taken over the town council and as a result the mayor and council cannot do anything. I am inclined to think that the councillor was just trying to obfuscate their responsibility in this volatile situation. I would not want to believe that a minister of Local Government would at any time attempt to take over a town council - these people were democratically elected,

the minister wasn’t. Logically, the councillors right of tenure is more valid than the minister.

Let’s say for argument sake the minister did take over the Anna Regina Town Council, it does not credibly explain how the minister has proceeded from trying to demolishing the illegal vendors’ stalls, to silence.

Maybe the Minister, in local parlance, has chosen the easy way - “if you can’t stop them, join them”. I guess this does resonate with the Cinderella story in the Cinderella county.

The VP’s recent tirade about “40 percent interest rate and 95 percent of taxes collected going to debt servicing when they took office in 1992” is an over-told Cinderella story too. Essequibians were better off in 1992 than now in 2022.

The VP message about Essequibians coming “a long way from 1992” is a lie.

Yours respectfully, Rudolph Singh

Initiative should have been rolled out in all regions DEAR EDITOR, Would the initiative, as announced in one region to cushion the steep rise in cost of living be replicated in other regions and communities? Shouldn’t this initiative have been rolled out

across all regions simultaneously? And what about the aged and vulnerable, what measures will be implemented to help them cushion the effects of this situation?

Shamshun Mohamed

GAWU disappointed by...

From page 5 In contrast, such features are absent in many unorganised workplaces. In recent times, GAWU has had cause to write the Ministry regarding several OSH issues that came to its attention at unorganised workplaces.

The Minister charged that unions were stuck in a bygone era.

He said workers were more willing now-a-days to enter contractual employment as opposed to permanent employment.

He articulated Unions advocated the latter.

He justified contract employment by saying that workers would receive gratuity bi-annually allowing them to finance important acquisitions such as a home or a vehicle.

We are conscious that many workers have productively utilised their gratuity to them and their family’s benefit.

However, outside of the State sector is the Minister aware of how many workers receive gratuity? Our own information, though not complete, indicates that workers seldom receive gratuity or any superannuation benefits.

If they have permanent employment, they may have pension benefits which they would receive should they leave their jobs.

We hasten to wonder whether the Minister is aware of the many workers who are denied their lawful terminal benefits on the attainment of pension.

We have met several such workers who we had to direct to the Ministry given the

refusal of employers to engage our union as they claim they do not have any legal obligation to address GAWU. Even in instances where employees receive gratuity it means besides NIS, they have no other retirement benefit.

Does the Minister believe that the NIS benefits, though important, are sufficient to meet expenses of pensioners?

Will it meet greater cost of health care at an advanced age? Or able to surmount rising living costs? Certainly, if NIS was sufficient, then many retired workers would not be at work or highly dependent on the State for many services.

Additionally, as the Minister would know, contract employment goes against the grain of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Agenda which, among other things, emphasises security of tenure.

Contract employees, at times, could have the proverbial Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

Should workers live in fear that their contract may not be renewed annually?

The Minister said his Ministry has delivered substantial training to workers under his leadership.

This, as far as we are aware, is one of the many functions of the Ministry.

But we saw the Minister boasting about doing his job.

Nonetheless we would urge the Minister to publicise the worker training the Ministry provides.

GAWU would encourage

union members to attend.

We believe it would augment the training programmes undertaken by our Union.

The Minister also criticised union’s leadership.

While we cannot speak for other unions, GAWU has taken great effort to ensure there is a mixture of younger and experienced persons in our leadership.

We have allocated considerable resources to improve and expand our leadership. We see this as an investment in the future and to ensure the continuity of the organisation.

The Minister’s remarks may be seen as anti-worker.

This is not helpful given his role where he is expected to balance workers and employers’ issues.

We believe that despite the views expressed by Minister Hamilton, unions remain relevant more so at this time when workers in the unorganised sectors are complaining regularly about disrespect and indignation at their workplaces.

As GAWU has experienced, in recent times, some employers are sparing no effort to avert union presence. Certainly, given the union avoidance attitude we have seen, the relevance of unions cannot be wished away or downplayed in no way. Our Union must add it does not believe that the Minister’s views are reflective of the wider Government of Guyana. We are aware of the Government’s commitment to involve genuine stakeholders in national development.

Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

In some parts of the world, countries are still losing their people to things like COVID-19 and war.

Crime also has been a major bugbear, and Guyanese know this all too well.

Compounding this, however, has been the road accidents, almost on a daily basis and claiming the lives of far too many.

With the growing street racing trend, many more are likely to succumb to this fate.Our drivers must do much better on our roadways; no ifs or buts.

Slowdown Guyana. Slowdown and observe the 5Cs – Care, Caution, Consideration, Courtesy and Common Sense – otherwise the fight for a better Guyana will simply be in vain.

PAGE 07

PAGE 8

Kaieteur News

Six new COVID-19 infections, one person in ICU In its daily reporting the Ministry of Health on Tuesday revealed that one patient is still admitted in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit receiving treatment.

Although no new fatalities have been reported for the week, the Ministry recorded six new infections within the last 24hour period, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 63,208. Out of the number of confirmed cases, 34,105 persons are females and 29,103 are males.

A breakdown of the new cases shows that Region Four recorded four new cases, and Regions Six and Nine one each.

The Ministry's COVID-19 dashboard data shows that 12 persons are in institutional isolation, 14 in institutional quarantine and 104 in home isolation.

Additionally, in the 24-hour period, 12 persons have recovered from the virus taking the total number of recovery cases in the country to 61,865.

Thursday March 24, 2022

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for two-day visit to Guyana ...meeting planned with govt., opposition, civil society

T

he United States Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, Barbara A. Feinstein will visit Guyana on March 24-26.

According to a US Embassy press release, Ms Feinstein is scheduled to meet with the government, opposition and civil society.

The US Embassy also said that Ms Feinsteine's visit underscores the continued importance the United States places on the U.S./Guyanese partnership. Ms Feinstein w i l l m e e t w i t h Vi c e President, Bharrat Jagdeo, members of the opposition, CARICOM, the private sector, and civil society.

Feinstein, a career member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti. Ms. Feinstein most recently served as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Caribbean Affairs, Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, and Central America with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She has held various leadership positions with USAID, including its Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs; Deputy Chief of Staff to Administrator Rajiv Shah, Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor to Acting Administrator Alonzo Fulgham and Special Assistant to Administrator Henrietta Fore. Other assignments include service with the U.S. Departments of State and Defense.

Ms. Feinstein has served on the professional staff of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and the House International

The United States Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Caribbean Affairs and Haiti, Barbara A. Feinstein Relations Committee of the United States Congress. She holds a Master's degree in International and Public Affairs from Princeton University and a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies, Spanish and Portuguese from the University of CaliforniaBerkeley. Ms. Feinstein speaks Spanish and Portuguese.

Thursday March 24, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

Unemployment has worsened under the PPP/C The Vice President has announced that government will soon be creating 800 parttime jobs in Region Two. But while this is a welcome measure, it cannot dent that region’s high unemployment.

Nationally, unemployment is a major problem.

By the government’s own statistics, unemployment stood at 14.5% in the third quarter of 2021.

About 42,000 persons have been listed as unemployed in Guyana – unemployment refers to those persons who are presently not working but who are available and actively looking for work.

Rural unemployment is chronic.

The rural labour force is far larger than the urban labour force.

In fact, in terms of size it is more than twice that of the urban labour force.

The problem is therefore not just the shortage of jobs in rural Guyana; it is also the size of the unemployed workforce.

Rural unemployment has worsened under the PPP/C. At the end of March 2020, there were about 28,000 persons unemployed in rural Guyana. As at last March, this figure had increased to 31%.

The rural unemployment rate has increased from 13.1% to 14.8% during the same period.

The situation is not much different nationally.

The, the first year of the PPP/C administration did not see an improvement in overall employment.

It deteriorated from 12.8% to 14.5%.

Young people are the

most seriously affected. One in every three youths cannot find a job.

The young people are being failed by the school system and now by the job market.

There therefore can be no comfort in the 800 part-time jobs which will be created in Region Two. It will further bloat the public bureaucracy and add to its inefficiency.

The initiative represents an admission of failure on the part of the government especially in relation to private sector development.

The private sector should have been creating these new jobs, not the government.

The creation of these 800 temporary jobs will not change the calculus in the supermarket.

In fact, the status of those who are daily seeing their salaries buying less and less will remain unchanged.

The part time jobs will go to persons of households in which there is no breadwinner.

It is therefore a poverty alleviation strategy and will not add to the income of existing workers those whose spending power is being eroded by inflation.

The government cannot be blamed for imported inflation.

The government is good at making excuses about the external causes of local problems. But this does not absolve it from finding solutions to the local inflation crisis.

If, by its own strange economic logic, the government believes that by increasing disposable income, it will cushion the

effects of the cost of living why then does it not immediately increase the national minimum wage so that the exploited sections of the private sector – girls who work 12-hour shifts for as little as $1,500 per day, and domestics and security guards who are paid pitiful wages?

The objection to doing so at this time is predictable.

There will be sermons about how the increased employment costs will be passed on through an increase in prices.

But is the same argument not valid about increasing employment?

Why is the government so eager to create a small number of jobs when it can immediately enhance the incomes of tens of thousands of households with the stroke of a pen – by increasing the national minimum wage to $60,000 per annum?

The government’s friends in the private sector are not opposed to this.

Why then government is rushing to directly increase state employment?

What about the 50,000 jobs which the President promised over the next five years.

This works out to about 10,000 jobs per year.

These jobs were supposed to be generated by the economy.

The construction boom was supposed to create thousands of jobs and increase demand for goods and services thereby having a multiplier effect on employment.

Promised by the government, this massive job-creation scheme has not

Dem Boys Seh…

De median is no longer green Is wat we going: lowcarbon or low maintenance?

De guvament paving dem medians with clay tiles. Before dat it used to be grass. But now it look as if de government trying to cut de cost of de weeding and clearing.

Dem even pave de base on which de turtle resting in front of de Umana Yana. Dem also pave de median on Carifesta Avenue.

It looks like we going red and brown instead of green.

Dem boys does see dem medians in dem movie. And dem does look so nice with palm trees and flowers. But we own barren. It now paved with clay tiles. Nothing can grow pun dat.

De army did pave one ah dem medians. Dem boys did wondering whether deh was going to name de street, Goslow Street.

It now easier fuh jump a median. It paved and yuh ain’t gat to worry about sticking up in de grass or de sand. Dem

medians gan now encourage more people fuh try to cross dem road anywhere dem please. Dem know dat dem nah gat to put dem foot in any grass or flower plant.

Is nuff accident gan happen. Don’t be surprise if somebody start to vend pun dem median.

De vending gan shift from de roadside to de median. Is only a matter of time before dem medians becoming part of de lawlessness.

Talk half, leff half.

materialised. As mentioned before, national unemployment increased from 12.8% in the first quarter of 2020 to 14.5% as of last September. In other words, unemployment has gotten worse rather than better under the PPP/C. The greatest burden of this unemployment is being shouldered by women.

Female unemployment in fact

has declined by as much as 4% since the PPP/C took office, suggesting that the 800 part-time jobs in Region Two should be reserved for females.

The fundamental flaw of the government’s approach, however, is that there is bigger crisis facing the country now: the cost-ofliving. And those 800 parttime jobs in Region Two are

not going to ease the frustrations which are being felt by consumers.

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

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Thursday March 24, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

The President and Jonathan Yearwood: Messenger and message I have argued in several columns of mine that the PPP leadership in anticipating tsunamic rage from the PNC will miss the boat. Relentless rage will come from quarters that the government least expect – the usual suspects, certain organisations tagging themselves as civil society, certain media houses and the Creole middle-class.

Please see my article of Thursday, January 20, 2022, “Deadly parallel between Guyana and the US in 2022.”

In that column, I quoted what the famous journalist Carl Berstein wrote about the US and showed its vivid relevance to Guyana. Here is Berstein: “The idea that the Trump base is some narrow group of white men with guns? Bullshit. This is a huge movement including misogynistic women, including racists of every kind, but also including all

kinds of educated people in cities and suburbs”.

If the researcher examines Guyana's political landscape since the election controversy died in August 2020, he/she will see the very things Berstein is talking about. The stiffest opposition to PPP's rule, since 2021 began, has not come from the PNC and the nine other parties that contested the general election. It has come from the following; the lunatic fringe, the usual suspects, certain organisations that are deemed to be part of civil society and the Creole middle-class.

This direction is unceasing. The examples are countless. For the sake of brevity let's discuss two gentlemen – the president and social activist Jonathan Yearwood. Please note, Mr. Yearwood is not known to be

a government supporter and is generally regarded as an independent activist. Mr. Yearwood remains to date (except this columnist), the only Guyanese in and out of Guyana to demonstrate his disagreement with a woman who addressed an international organisation requesting their intervention in Guyana to stop oil drilling.

Mr. Yearwood's response was commonsensical and simple but he was trenchant.

He should be quoted: “Here I am, thinking that every Guyanese would want to have the best for Guyana and for our Government to utilise the money made from the oil industry to develop the country. Unfortunately, it appears that these two intelligent women want to shut down the fledgling oil industry.”

The other woman he referred to was a person who wanted the EPA to close down Exxon's Liza Destiny oil vessel.

If you want the government to take you seriously, you have to demonstrate a capacity and

character for independent thinking. You have to establish a record of fairness in denouncing the faults and flaws that show up in your country. Governments do wrong things, business people do wrong things, the security forces do wrong things, civil society organisations do wrong things. Your record as a watchdog must reflect a willingness to critique all sides when they falter.

To date there is no criticism when a certain organisation that advocates election reform made an unnecessary accusation of mischief. It believes that the division of Region Four into four sub-divisions as one of the amendments to the Representation of the People Act is not a good thing. How can other organisations remain silent on this unreasonable behaviour?

It is this kind of hypocrisy the president has hit out against when he referred to certain civil society actors as having a stance of convenience. Let's quote him: “We cannot

confuse civil society with individual organisations, that is, organisations that are run by individuals or are not open to the Frederick Kissoon wider membership of our country. These organisations cannot be the the question must be asked: conscience of truth or the Does he have a point and, if conscience of society when not, why?He makes two they are convenient in the claims. One is that we must not confuse civil society way they address issues”. with organisations that are I see absolutely nothing not broad-based.

The other is suspicious, devious, misleading and uncouth that some civil society about this emanation. It is the groups find their voices kind of stuff that Prime when it is convenient for Ministers and Presidents them to do so. What is utter all the time around the truculent, aggressive and world when they feel that intimidating about this their detractors are not moral reaction?

It is the kind of stuff examples or have double P r i me Ministers and standards in their activism.

S i n c e t h e p r e s i d e n t Presidents say often about expressed his feelings, some those who attack their civil society groupings have p o l i c i e s . B u t m o r e demonstrated even more importantly, is his argument double standards. These are a reasonable one? The the people that constantly answer is yes.

(The views expressed in remind us not to confuse the this article are those of the messenger with the message.

But they have done exactly a u t h o r a n d d o n o t that. When you separate the necessarily reflect the president from his statement, opinions of this newspaper.)

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 11

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

8 firms bid to supervise construction of new Demerara River Bridge

With the contract for the new Demerara River Bridge still to be signed, eight consultancy firms have applied to supervise the construction of the Nandy Park to La Grange Bridge.

This is was revealed on Tuesday when the tenders were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPATB) office.

At the opening, the companies who submitted proposals for the Ministry of Public Works project were Fig Bridge Inspection Inc in association with E & A Consultant; Rights Limit Lead Firm in association with CB Associates Inc.; Dyrock Acuitas Consortium; WSP Del Istmo; Engenhaira e C o n s u l t o r i a LT D A i n association with SRKN'gineering & Associates Limited; Politencia in association with SRKN'gineering; RADISE International in association with Caribbean Engineering & Management Consult Inc.; and Varya Enterprise Limited

in association with BCC Engineering LLC. Earlier in the year, when the Public Works Ministry had issued its public tender it stated that the main objective of this consultancy is for the consultant to assist the ministry in the design review, construction supervision and general project management of the construction of the New Demerara Harbour River Bridge and contract administration throughout the project implementation process and thereafter during the defects liability period.

The particulars of the notice further noted that the estimated duration of the project is 24 months from the date of contract signing and at least 12 months thereafter for defects liability from a date to be determined. The ministry added that consultants will be selected in accordance with the policies and procedures set out by the National Procurement Act 2003.

It should be noted that the new bridge aims to replace

the aging Demerara Harbour Bridge (DHB) with a modern four-lane structure that will facilitate greater traffic capacity and dramatically improve commuter convenience. The bridge which is commonly referred to as a “flyover bridge” is set to be built with the lifespan of 50 years and will not require opening or retraction to allow for maritime.

Kaieteur News had reported that the contract for the new DHB was first awarded to China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited last year to the tune of $53.7B. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo announced earlier in F e b r u a r y, d u r i n g a n interview with a foreign media house that the contract was pulled from that firm as the cost of financing was too high. During the interview, the Vice President said, “we have just terminated the negotiations with them (CSCEC) because the cost of financing is too high.”The Chinese firm had secured the

An artist impression of new Demerara River Bridge.

contract to build the new bridge under a Design-BuildFinance (DBF) model.

F o l l o w i n g t h a t announcement the government is now in talks with the second ranked bidder for the project, which is China Railway Construction Corporation

International Limited in joint venture with China Railway Caribbean Company Limited; and China Railway Engineering Bureau Group Company Limited.

During the reading of the Budget 2022, Senior Minister with responsibility with Finance, Dr. Ashni

Singh had announced that this year, some $21.1B has been allocated for the project.

A perusal of the profile page of the project that falls under the Ministry shows however that the financing is not external but rather is being funded by central government.

Linden schoolboy undergoes One killed, another critical emergency surgery to avoid after bike collides with truck becoming brain dead Kaieteur News has been informed that Jaheim S t r a k e r, t h e L i n d e n schoolboy suffering from a fractured skull had to undergo an emergency surgery last night around 20:00Hrs at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital to avoid the risk of becoming brain dead.

Straker age 16, a student of the New Silver City Secondary School, was reportedly lashed to his head with a piece of wood on Thursday last by one of his classmates. He had been admitted at the Linden Hospital but had to be referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Monday because no neurologist is based there.

Speaking with Kaieteur News last evening, his mother Fiona Lewis said that he was scheduled to see the neurologist there on the 28th of this month but fearful about her son's condition, she decided to query if it is possible for her to meet with the neurologist sooner and someone told her he works at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital on

A picture taken of Jaheim Straker at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital moments before he entered the operation room.

Dead motorcyclist, Joshua Inshanally

Wednesdays. As a result, related Lewis, she took Jaheim there yesterday and scheduled an appointment with the doctor.

She said that when the doctor learnt of the severity of Jaheim's condition he immediately made a call to public hospital to get a picture of Jaheim's scan and noted that the dent of his skull was pressed against a part of his brain that could make it go dead in a matter

of days. “When he saw it he said that the dent is bracing a part in his brains that could make him brain dead in a matter of days”, Lewis said.

Noting the severity of his condition the doctor recommended that Jaheim undergo an emergency surgery.

Lewis said she did not waste any time and decided to book the surgery at the private institution despite (Continued on page 17 )

A motorcyclist is now dead and his pillion rider severely injured after his bike reportedly crashed into a truck on Tuesday night on Kent Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six. The dead man has been identified as 30year old father of two, Joshua Inshanally of Adelphi Village East-Canje Berbie and hospitalised with severe injuries to his head and other parts of the body is Karran Rambarrat also of West-Canje Berbice.

According to police, the accident took place around 23:00hrs. Both men were picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital but were immediately transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Inshanally reportedly succumbed to his

In a critical condition at GPHC, is Karran Rambarrat. injuries yesterday while Rambarrat remains in a critical condition.

Based on investigations conducted so far, Inshanally was reportedly riding his motorcycle at a normal rate of speed in a southerly direction along the eastern drive lane. He reportedly swerved into the path of the truck heading in the opposite direction and crashed into it.

As a result of the impact Ishanally and his pillion rider were pitched onto the road surface. In a video seen by this publication, within minutes of the accident, the lorry sped off, leaving the two injured men strewn across the public road.

The driver of the truck was eventually located and is presently in police custody assisting with investigations.

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 24, 2022

PAGE 13

Peru oil disaster… Oil company to pay

US$700 each in compensation to Peruvian fishermen, others P

eruvian fishermen and others who were affected by the January 15 oil spill disaster in Peru – will receive an advance compensation of US$700 each from Spanish oil giant, Repsol.

T h e a d v a n c e compensation to the fishermen and others affected by the spill came about as a result of negotiations done by the Government of Peru who is working towards getting Repsol to assume the economic impact of the spill.

Due to the fact that a legal process for compensation to the affected families would take a long time, the Government of Peru got the oil giant to sign an advance compensation agreement.

The ecological disaster occurred at one of the La Pampilla Refineries S.A.A. (Repsol) off the Coast of Ventanilla Sea in the region of Lima, Peru. It was reported that the spill was caused by shock waves from an undersea volcanic eruption near Tonga in the South Pacific Ocean. At the time of the undersea eruption, Suezmax tanker, Mare Doricum, was offloading a shipment of Brazilian crude oil at one of La Pampilla refinery's offshore mooring buoys, and as such, a quantity of the cargo was released.

R e p s o l h a d underreported the quantity of crude that was spilled to t h e A g e n c y f o r Environmental Assessment and Control (OEFA), an agency attached to Peru's Ministry of the Environment (MINAM), stating that only

0.16 barrels of crude was spilled, and affecting an area of 2.5m2. However, later investigations by Peru's OEFA revealed that more than 10,000 barrels of crude had spilled – more than double the amount initially reported by the company and the affected area reaches a size of 11,061 hectares.

According to Peruvian media reports, the Spanish oil giant has signed an agreement with the Government of Peru for the advance compensation to more than 5000 Peruvian families. This was announced by Peru's President of the Council of Ministers, Aníbal Torres.

According to Torres, regarding the efficient management of risks and threats to the rights of people and their environment, he said, “As a State, it is up to us to do everything possible so that the Repsol company, objectively responsible for these events, repairs and assumes the costs at the environmental, social and economic levels.” In this regard, he stressed that, thanks to the management of the Government, Repsol will assume the economic impact on artisanal fishermen and others affected.

He added, “…given that judicial processes of this type may take too long, an advance of compensation of up to 3,000 Soles [US$700] will be granted, which will benefit more than five thousand affected families.”

Torres noted too, that in order to strengthen environmental institutions, he indicated that the Government will present a bill to request the delegation

of powers to the Executive Branch, to improve standards in the event of environmental disasters, to address the areas affected by the hydrocarbon spill and the affected population.

Moreover, Repsol in a brief statement noted, “We have signed with the Government of Peru an agreement that will benefit fishermen and traders affected by the oil spill.” To this end the oil giant stated that thanks to the agreement, the affected persons will receive a partial advance of economic compensation to mitigate the impact that the spill have on their labor activities` and that has reduced their income.

Kaieteur News has reported that last week, a sanction was initiated against Repsol for the underreporting of the quantity of crude that was spilled from one of the company's refineries and for allegedly reporting false information about the areas that were affected by the oil spill in Peru. For this type of administrative infraction, the oil giant can be fined up

January 15, oil spill [Photo credit, Peru's Ministry of Environment (MINAM).

to US$1,232,417 – for reporting false information to the OEFA. In previous reports, Peru's Minister of Environment, Modesto Montoya, had stated that Repsol was not fulfilling its obligations in relation to the cleaning and remediation of the aftermath of the spill, specifically in the islands off the coast of Peru. As a result of the oil company not fulfilling its obligation in Peru, the Minister pledged that the Peruvian

Peru's President of the Council of Ministers, Aníbal Torres. government will use all of the State's power to prevent irresponsible companies from polluting their environment.

In light of the difficulties the Peruvian government is having with Repsol, to clean-up the oil spill that contaminated their shores and water, the Minister had also cited the importance of legislative reform to adequately deal with companies after oil spills.

Kaieteur News reported that following the devastating oil spill, several Peruvian officials had called for the oil company to offer compensation for the disaster.

The first action taken against the company was by Peruvian judge, Romualdo Aguedo, on Friday, January 28, 2022, who granted the order to prevent four Repsol's executives from l e a v i n g t h e c o u n t r y.

Peruvian media reported that Judge Aguedo imposed an 18-month ban on the grounds of the potential risk that the officials might leave Peru. Among them were: refinery manager, Jaime Fernández-Cuesta Luca de Tena; terminal manager, Renzo Alejandro Tejada Mackenzie; environmental manager, Gisela Cecilia Posadas Jhong and (Continued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Thursday March 24, 2022

‘Fisher folk battered by discouraging environment’ ...cite loss of traditional fishing grounds, low worker turnout

By Zena Henry Facing low catches and the denial of access to traditional fishing grounds, local fisher folks now say that they are losing workers to the unfavourable conditions.

This was relayed to Kaieteur News by boat owners who had congregated at the Meadow Bank wharf yesterday for an environmental consultation exercise regarding the US$600M Port of Vreed-enHoop project that will go toward the Environmental Impact Assessment report for that Region 3 based project.

The exercise which is being undertaken by Trinidad a n d To b a g o b a s e d environmental consulting firm, Coastal Dynamics Limited sought to engage fishermen on how they would be impacted by the upcoming port project. They requested information regarding fishermen's working locations as they too related need-to-know information about the venture.

The fishermen requested a second meeting with the consultancy group since they said that it was called at short notice and did not give benefit to many fishermen and boat owners who were absent at the time.

Outside of this, the fishermen told the media that they have two main concerns at this time; the poor state of the Meadow Bank wharf and the fact that fishermen are beginning to show less interest in going to sea.

One boat owners said that since they are catching small

amounts of fish and are unable to offset their expenses, fishermen are going into other areas of work like construction.

“They telling you no. They going and do construction cause you know, there they get a day's pay. Everybody running away, we had a time when it was the piracy, but now is something else.”

Men who work the fishing boats sometimes

boat owners is this condition of the wharf and no progress in fixing a proper facility. So we concern as boat owners wha business we go do, wha we gun tie we boat pon… with this facility wha falling apart.” The fishermen said that hundreds of people depend on them, from those who purchase fish for retail, those who clean and the consumer.

They reiterated that

Consultations with fishermen at the Meadow Bank wharf yesterday.

Fishermen seek upgrade and repair works at the wharf.

spend an average of two weeks on sea, but according to the operators, the fish they are catching can “barely help” and they would resort to using the fish glue money to suffice. In some cases, they say they would also need to give the workers money out of their own pockets.

A d d i t i o n a l l y, t h e fishermen lamented the poor state of the wharf which they say has been in need of repairs for many years. “Wha we really concern about as

fishing has been disrupted since boats relating to ExxonMobil's oil operations offshore ensure the removal of fishing vessels within close proximity of the oil operation. “They will move you out,” the boatman lamented, “and sometimes when you go fishing is right there the lil fish does deh and them move ya.” The fisherman said they are told that they are fishing in the area where Exxon is working and would be told to move to

a certain distance.

While there has been no concrete evidence that Exxon's oil operations are indeed causing the low catches, the fishermen are adamant that vibrations and other activities are

contributing factors. “As a small fisher going and throw cast net, you know you can't mek noise. What about this heavy vibration,” the fishermen questioned. The fish operators said that with need for an improved wharf,

Man used forged ID to purchase iPhones with stolen cheque ...taxi driver reportedly forgets where he located and dropped off client

By Shervin Belgrave Investigators are now hunting a man who reportedly forged the identity of a company's manager to purchase a quantity of iPhone 13 Max Pro with a stolen cheque.

The man reportedly conducted the fraudulent transaction just after midday on

March 16 last at Hautekouturegya clothing and electronic store located in Alberttown, Georgetown. According to a representative of the store the amount on the cheque was in excess of $1M. Kaieteur News was told that a man entered the store requested the gadgets on

behalf a company, Axess Guyana Inc and paid for them with a cheque. The store representative related that the Cheque was a valid one with an electronic signature from the company. An identification of one of the company's manager in the form of (Continued on page 16)

The suspect leaving the store where he bought the iPhones with a stolen cheque.

low catches, limited access to certain fishing grounds and now another project that could have further impact on access to fishing locations, they could be “scrapped down”. “Right now we deh (Cotninued on page 16)

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 10, 2022

PSC nominates Ramesh Dookhoo for oil fund board The Board of Directors to manage the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), or monies garnered from Guyana's oil and gas activities, is closer to being established as the Private Sector Commission (PSC) has decided on its nominee to preside over the fund.

O n We d n e s d a y, President of the PSC, Paul Cheong related to this publication that the PSC has voted on well known business executive, Ramesh Dookhoo to represent the organisation.

He explained, “We invited nominations then we did an assessment based on who were nominated and we decided unanimously that Mr. Dookhoo would be selected.” He was reluctant to share the other names that were nominated but noted that the PSC candidate will be submitted to the President by today (Thursday).

Asked whether he is confident of President Irfaan Ali's approval, Cheong said, “We nominated, I mean we went through the process and we nominated somebody. So I think the onus is now on the President to select somebody. I don't want to prejudice his decision.”

When the PPP/C took office in 2020, Dookhoo was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors for the

Ramesh Dookhoo Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), as published in the Official Gazette. Prior to that, Dookhoo served as President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) for several years. He also served as a Business Development Executive for local beverage producer, Banks DIH. On March 2, the National Assembly Committee of Appointments decided on Former PNCR member, Dunstan Barrow as their nominee.

The government dominated Committee had sidestepped the Opposition's nominees Chartered Accountant, Christopher Ram and oil and gas expert Dr Vincent Adams.

As part of the governance structure for the NRF, a Board of Directors was established which shall comprise of not less than three and not more than five persons who shall be appointed by the President, and one of whom shall be appointed Chairperson by the President. The directors, according to the Act, shall be selected from among persons who have wide experience and ability in legal, financial, business or administrative matters. It was noted that one of the Board members shall be nominated by the National Assembly along with one from the private sector. The directors shall be appointed for a period not exceeding two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

With respect to its functions, the Board is responsible for the overall management of the Fund, reviewing and approving policies of the Fund, monitoring the performance of the Fund, ensuring compliance with approved policies, exerting general oversight of all aspects of operations, and ensuring the Fund is managed in compliance with the Act and other applicable laws.

The Board is also responsible for preparing the investment mandate.

PAGE 15

30 more years for serial rapist Esan Germaine, 45, who was convicted in 2017 and sentenced to thirty years in jail for engaging in sexual activity with a minor, was on Tuesday handed another 30year jail sentence for raping a 15-year-old girl.

On February 3, 2022, Germaine was found guilty on three counts of raping a minor by a mixed twelvemember jury. He faced trial before Justice Priya Sewnarine-Beharry at the Demerara High Court. The convict was represented by attorney-at-law Clyde Forde, while the State was represented by State Counsel: Nafeeza Baig, Muntaz Ali and Latifa Elliott.

Despite being found guilty, Germaine maintained his innocence and told the court on Tuesday during his sentencing that he is working to rehabilitate himself.

Before handing down her ruling, Justice SewnarineBeharry stated that she considered the physical and psychological harm the rapist caused towards the victim and more so, his lack of genuine remorse for his actions. The judge added too that there is likelihood that he will commit the offence again since he was previously convicted for a similar offence.

As such, she sentenced Germaine to serve 20 years

on the first count, 25 years on the second count, and 30 years on the third count. The sentences will run concurrently.

The rape convict had denied the three charges which stated that between January 1, 2014, and July 24, 2014, in Georgetown, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 16. According to court papers on the first occasion, Germaine approached the teen and asked her about school, grades, relationship status, and sexual orientation, and he also told her “You know I love you”.

The child responded, “I know”, and Germaine then hugged her, kissed her cheeks, and then began to kiss her neck. He then proceeded to undress and then raped her.

The second occasion Germaine first lay on top of her touching her private area. He then kissed her on her lips and raped the minor for about ten minutes. On the third occasion, it was just after mid-night on July 17, 2014, when Germaine first called out for the teen but she did not respond since she knew what he wanted. She was still in bed when she felt a lash on her hand before Germaine dragged her out of bed and again raped her.

On July 23, 2014, while the child was on the road

Rapist, Esan Germaine. going to the shop she saw her mom and told her what Germaine would do to her and they made a report. In an unsworn testimony in , Germaine's defence was that the victim was an unmannerly child who misbehaved.

In December 2017, Germaine was sentenced on three counts of raping a child from the age of 4. He was initially sentenced to serve 15 years on the first count, 20 years on the second and 30 years on the third. But with a breakdown of the sentence, he is expected to serve only thirty years behind bars, as the sentence will run concurrently.

According to the indictment, the incidents (Continued on page 16)

Increased deaths from TB due to COVID-19 ...PAHO calls for increased investments to tackle disease

W

ashington, D.C., March 23, 2022 ( W H O ) - O n Wo r l d Tuberculosis Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) calls for urgent investment in resources, support, care and information for the fight against tuberculosis (TB), as the COVID-19 pandemic reverses gains made against one of the world's deadliest infections.

Every day, more than 70 people die and 800 fall ill from TB in the Americas.

While efforts to combat the disease have saved more than 1.2 million lives in the region since 2000, yearly deaths have increased by an estimated 3,000 in 2020 due to interruptions in essential

services. "People with TB are among the most marginalized and vulnerable in society, and face barriers to accessing life-saving care," said Marcos Espinal, Director for Communicable Diseases and Environmental Determinants of Health at PAHO. "All necessary steps must be taken to fully restore TB services disrupted by the pandemic, especially for the most vulnerable. Investing more in TB will save millions of lives, including children."

An estimated 18,300 children aged 15 years and under live with TB in the Americas, yet more than half lack access to diagnosis and treatment services. COVID19 has also had a disproportionate impact on children and adolescents

with TB, leading to increased transmission in the household, a reduction in active surveillance, lack of access to health services, and limited follow-up treatment.

This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) released updated guidelines for the management of TB in children and adolescents.

T h e y i n c l u d e recommendations for expanded diagnostic testing and treatment, medicines to treat drug resistant-TB in children, and new models of decentralized and integrated care to improve access to care and preventive treatment closer to home.

“Children and adolescents with TB are lagging behind adults in access to prevention and

care,” said Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's Global TB Programme. “The WHO guidelines are a game changer for children and adolescents, helping them access diagnosis and care sooner, leading to better outcomes and cutting transmission.”

Although 66 million lives around the world have been saved since 2000, TB deaths increased in 2020 for the first time in over a decade.

Ongoing conflicts across Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East have further exacerbated the situation for vulnerable populations.

Increased investment in TB services and research would accelerate the recovery of gains against the disease.

Global spending on TB

Dr. Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO's Global TB Programme diagnostics, treatment and prevention in 2020 were less than half of the global target of US$ 13 billion annually by 2022. According to WHO, an additional US$ 1.1 billion per year is needed for research and development.

World Tuberculosis Day World Tuberculosis Day is observed on 24 March each year to raise awareness of one of the world's top infectious

killers and catalyze action to address its devastating health, social, and economic impact around the world. The theme of World TB Day 2022 – 'Invest to End TB. Save Lives.' – conveys the urgent need to invest in financial, human and technological resources to ramp up the fight against TB and achieve the commitments to end TB made by global leaders.

PAGE 16

Kaieteur News

Driver involved in fatal hit-and-run remanded

WANTED 1 male office assistant, knowledge of office duties from E.B.D.Tel:225-9304.

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable.

Contact:649-0956.

PROPERTY FOR SALE JFWW Network Real Estate houselots for sale gated community,$4 Mil GYD zero down payment.Messageto whatsapp: 622-1957.

Great Diamond,Tuschen, Onderneeming, Haslington, Eccles & more.Contact:2278274/223-6035/673-6210.

SERVICES Massages and Rehabilitation physical preparation personalized training. Bachelor in Physical Education and Sports: Kirenia Ballard Bell.Call:669-6910.

Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040.

FOR SALE 6-Cement Mixer Truck,1-New loader.Contact650-0402/6329929 or 260-4115.

Prime Business Spot, located at Zeelugt public road,3 storey building & 1/2 acres at Parika.Call:650-0402/6520251/260-4115.

Georgetown Guyana 4units (1 commercial & 3 residential) balcony & car parking, whatsapp 643-5444.

LAND FOR SALE 48 acres of transported rice land situated in Goodhope, East Bank Essequibo. Contact:1-917-807-6424/688-9077.

TO LET Aracari Hotel,WBD(Ver sailles-between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop) All amenities,breakfast included from $45US,264-29469.

2-1 acres land@ blankenbu rg W.C.D. Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.

1-40 acres land@Linden Highway.Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.

2 pure breed german shepherd, black & tan seven wks old,fully vaccine. Contact: 650-9998 or 626-0953.

WANTED Masoner& Labourers. Please contact Damion on 681-9554.

One male able bodied clerk.Tel:225-2313/226-1497.

Person to cook and manage restaurant in Charity Esse quibo.Accomodation provided, attractive salary. Call: 223-5273/223-5274.

FOR RENT Restaurant-WBD,(Aracari Resort,between Harbor Bridge and Vreed-en-Hoop, turn key business. Tel:2642946,626-5290.

Two(2) housekeepers to work at guest house,age 25-45 shift system.Call:668-0306/6557405.

Wanted skilled carpenters, masons & labourers to work in GeorgeTown & Linden.

Contact: 657-5800 / 615-7526/ 602-9469/ 660-6385.

2 porters.Call:223-9677.

ENTERTAINMENT Swimming Pool family fun & Picnic-Crystal Clear pool, kids & adult sections. Safe Aracari Resort.Tel:264-29469.

Thursday March 24, 2022

Live in or out waitress, boarding & lodging free, $20,000 wkly 18-25yrs. Tel:610-3974.

1 mechanic welder.Driving would be an asset.Tel:6189186.

1 Hauler driver wanted. Contact:611-7088 for more details.

Engineers wanted to work with construction company.

Contact Seema on 226-9416.

Construction foreman wanted to work with construction company.Contact Seema on 226-9416.

Water truck driver on West Bank Demerara.Tel:686-9296.

The driver involved in last Friday’s fatal hit-and-run at Number 70 Village, East Berbice-Corentyne, Region Six was on Tuesday remanded to prison.

The defendant was identified as Vivendra Ramdharry, 37, of Number 69 Village, East Berbice Corentyne.

He appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Alex Moore to answer a number of charges.

Ramdharry was charged

on two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, two counts of failure to render assistance and one count of failure to report the accident.

He is accused of causing the deaths of Tony Lakeram, 20 of No.71 Squatting Area, Upper Corentyne and Felicia Fernandes, 28 of lot 14 Coveden, East Bank Demerara by dangerous driving.

The duo was reportedly struck down by Ramdharry’s car around 23:30hrs last Friday while walking along

the Number 70 Public Road.

The man fled the scene.

The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charges of causing death by dangerous driving.

He however, pled not guilty to the other charges.

He was represented by Attorney-at-law Bernard Da Silva who requested bail but it was refused and Ramdharry was remanded to prison until April 14, 2022.

According to reports investigators were able (Continued on page 18)

Oil company to pay US$700...

Experienced/mature minibus driver,preferably from the East Bank.Contact:698-6205. From page 13 production manager, José One cook to work in the Gregorio Reyes Ruiz. interior,male or female. Call: In taking additional steps, 698-4064.

Peru's former Minister of the Environment, Rubén Ramirez on Monday, January 31, 2022, revealed that the government had taken the decision to suspend the company's hydrocarbon loading and unloading activities. In other VACANCY words, Repsol's operation in Maid to cook and clean for the country was halted until East Bank area. Call:615-9132 it can substantially prove that another oil spill will not occur One clerk for TSI Eccles of- again in its waters. fice English & Maths, grade However, in an update it 1 or 2.Call:615-9132 or email was revealed that a fuel shortapplication to techserigy @ age in Peru had forced the Male cleaner.Call:642-9823. yahoo.com country's OEFA to lift the sus-

pension on Repsol's operation temporarily.

However, the company was only allowed to continue its operations for 10 days and under supervision from the OEFA. That 10 days period has since come to an end and the Peruvian government has signalled that it has other alternative sources to obtain fuel.

The clean-up and remediation of approximately 12,000 barrels of crude that contaminated the shores and waters of Peru is expected to cost some US$65 million – this was announced by Repsol's Chief Executive Of-

ficer (CEO), Josu Jon Imaz.

As the Government of Peru takes action to protect its people and its environment, Guyana in contrast, continues to give American oil giant, ExxonMobil, permission to operate without full coverage insurance to cater for such a disastrous oil spill.

In February, last, ExxonMobil announced that it has commenced oil production at Guyana's second offshore development area called Liza Phase Two in the Stabroek Block. Among the oil companies working in Guyana's backyard is the very oil company –Repsol – that caused the oil spill in Peru.

Man used forged ID to purchase...

2 professional nail technician & one make up artist,location From page 14 Grove E.B.D.Call:652-5800. an American passport was One female to work in Mobile even presented along with the food van.Contact:689-4339. cheque to make the purchase.

However, when an emWB Cleaning & Janitorial ployee was sent to cash the Services,hiring male & female cheque, the bank told them age 25-40yrs.Tel:698-3644/ that it was blocked after be503-2502. ing reported stolen some two Pitmen,Serviceman,Hauler weeks back. Sources close Operator and Welder for in- the investigation told terior location.Applicants Kaieteur News that this is not must be experienced. Call:231- the only cheque that was stolen from, Axess Guyana Inc. 2250.

In fact, police have been One excavator operator and tracking a number of cheques one grader operator to work stolen from the company. The in Diamond.Contact:632- passport used in the transac1118/647-4161.

tion to purchase the iPhones was handed over to police and it was found out that it was a forged one. It is believed that the suspect had photoshopped details of the company's manager onto the biometrics page of an American passport.

Investigators began reviewing footage from the store where suspect made the fraudulent transaction, and noted that he had arrived and departed from the location in a heavily-tinted silver-grey motorcar bearing license plate PZZ 1697. They observed

too that the suspect was not the driver of the car. Kaieteur News learnt that investigators have managed to locate the car and its driver. The driver however claimed that he works taxi and cannot remember where he picked up and dropped off the suspect that date. The hunt for the suspect continues. He is described as a bald headed man approximately 5ft-5” tall and average weight of 170lbs to 185lbs. Anyone who might know his identity or location is asked to contact the nearest police station.

'Fisher folk battered by discouraging...

Billing clerk & Porters, location Stabroek Market. Experiences is an asset. Contact: From page 14 661-1000,226-9800. low, but wha we gone For welder & security guard. do.” December last, AgriApply in person at Alabama culture Minister, Zulfikar Trading,65 Robb St Bourda. Mustapha, told fishermen that government had enCashier,supermarket helper at gaged the Environmental Nirva Superstore.Send appli- Protection Agency (EPA) cation at 49 Sheriff & Craig st and the United Nations' tel:227-5771.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to assist with conducting an analysis to determine the reason behind the low catches.

The Guyana Association of Trawler Owners and Seafood Processors (GATOSP) had also welcomed government's intervention

regarding the fish study.

The Association's President, Ruben Charles, told the Kaieteur News that the body continues to monitor the situation and awaits the research information. ExxonMobil has

noted however, that there is a Community Grievance Mechanism available for affected persons to submit their queries, followi n g which the company will conduct investigations to verify the claims made.

30 more years for serial...

From page 15 took place on three separate o c c a s i o n s b e t w e e n January and December 2010; between January and December 2012 and between January and December 2013.

On one occasion, Germaine is said to have instructed the child to perform a sexual act on him.

The assaults began when the child was just four years old and continued up until she was seven.

Thursday March 24, 2022

PAGE 17

Kaieteur News

‘Trade unions outlived their usefulness’ - says Labour Minister, Joe Hamilton

By Zena Henry

A

t a time when potentially every sector in Guyana is expected to expand from increased economic activities due to the oil and gas sector the Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton, is of the view that labour unions may no longer be relevant based on changing business environments and attitudes.

His assertions were made during an interview with online talk show GlobeSpan24x7 under the theme; The Importance of the Labour Ministry & its relations with the Trade Unions. Hamilton said that the majority of labour unions in Guyana no longer serve their purpose and have outlived their usefulness. “I believe in large measure many of the gentlemen and gentle ladies, they have outlived their usefulness.”

The minister said that there was a time when Guyana was home to 120 labour unions, but today there are about 18 and, “…about 50 percent of those they really don’t serve their members. So that informs people as to the

state of the labour unions in Guyana.”

The Minister said that local union leaders seem stuck in the past with the primary focus on salary and wages for workers. He pointed out that in his year and a half in office, union leaders have only sought to discuss salaries for workers, with less interest in matters of health and safety and training among others.

“When you speak to labour leaders, when they are discussing this matter, when they are discussing workers’ rights and entitlements, the only thing they concentrate on is what salary increases they will get.”

The labour minister pointed out that modern

thinking must be associated with labour representation since local unions opt for fixed workers over contract employees. He opined that today, many employees do not want to work for companies for long periods of time, as was the case in the past. “My experience with people after my generation and young people, they don’t see themselves working at no place for 30 and 40 years and therefore their best option is to be on contract.

They are not waiting for that retirement 30 years from now.” He argued that contract employees are able to satisfy their present needs as twice a year, they receive gratuity on their salary. Describing the

Govt. must retender new Demerara River...

From page 3 fees are presently so high that some users can not even afford to use it.

“The Berbice Bridge of course is a financial disaster and they wanted to pass it on to the bridge users but the minister had to put out an order stopping them,” he reminded. To this end, the former minister said that he believes Guyana should be financing the new structure, with funding from the oil resources, to avoid years of interest to Chinese contractors, in this case.

With regard to the construction phase or duration of the project, government has constantly promised that the bridge would be completed within two years of the signing of the contract. This promise, according to Patterson is nothing short of a fallacy, as a two-year construction period for such a massive project is simply “unrealistic”.

Design of the new bridge In addition to Guyana financing the project, Patterson also shares the view that the local engineers should be designing the structure, so as to save the country some expenses. “The other route we can take is to hire an international consultant to partner with local engineers who build bridges.”

The former Minister was keen to note too that local

engineers or consultants would have to review the design submitted by the Chinese contractor before it is granted approval for construction, which demonstrates local capacity.

Background on the contract for the new Demerara River Crossing On November 1, last year, the Ministry of Finance announced that Cabinet had granted its no-objection for the Ministry of Public Works to engage China State Construction Engineering Corporation Ltd. to construct the new bridge.

At that time, it was pointed out that the project would be done under the Design Finance and Build (DFB) model with construction expected to conclude within two years.

However, in February of this year, Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, during an interview with a foreign news outlet explained that the administration ended negotiations with the Chinese contractor as the financing option was too high. China State Construction Engineering Corporation Limited submitted a bid of US$256,638,289.

It was later revealed that government was in talks with the second lowest bidder, a Consortium of Chinese companies to construct the new bridge. The firms: China Rail-

way Construction Corporation International; China Railway Caribbean Company Limited and China Railway Engineering Bureau Group Company Limited submitted three financial proposals of US$260,852,464, US$260,852,464 and US$300,000,000.

For this project, bidders were advised by the Ministry that they are required to bid on two options, a Design– Build and Finance option and a Design-Build-Operate, and Finance option. It is unclear as to which option the government had selected.

Features to be included on the new bridge would be collision protection, navigation span to accommodate Handymax vessel Navigation aids, lighting, signage, and all other ancillary works, access road with a minimum of 50 metres up to abutments and toll collection buildings and ancillary buildings on the West Bank of the Demerara River (WBD).

It will not require opening or retraction to allow for the passage of vessels, as is the arrangement with the existing structure. The proposed location for the New Demerara River Bridge will see the structure being laid between Nandy Park, East Bank Demerara and La Grange on the Western end of the Demerara River.

gratuity as “cheap money” that is better that high interest loans, Hamilton pointed out that, “That is the new labour relations.” He said that while the unions would want to maintain the old order of things, “…the world is a different place. They (unions) have to live with the fact that contract employees are a thing of the present.”

Hamilton’s interview has not rested well with some union leaders.

The Guyana Agricultural Workers’ Union (GAWU) in a response expressed disappointment with the Minister’s statement which they felt came across as, “anti-worker.”

“The Minister’s remarks may be seen as anti-worker.

This is not helpful given his role where he is expected to balance workers and employers’ issues. We believe that despite the views expressed by Minister Hamilton, unions remain relevant more so at this time when workers in the unorganized sectors are complaining regularly about disrespect and indignation at their workplaces.”

GAWU said in its experience, some employers are sparing no effort to avert union presence. “Certainly, given the union avoidance attitude we have seen, the relevance of unions cannot be wished away or downplayed in no way.”

GAWU said that while the minister mentioned poor workers’ representation, he also mentioned signing 22 agreements since his tenure, a number greater than what was achieved by the last government.

“It, therefore, begs the question, if unions are signing more agreements, then how aren’t they providing sufficient representation? Clearly there is an obvious disconnect in the logic,” the union posited.

GAWU also responded to the Minister’s statement on union leaders focusing mostly on money issues, saying that the union has already engaged the ministry on matters such as

Occupational Safety and Health and need for strengthening regulations, the freedom of association, equality in the workplace, collective bargaining just to name a few.

They said that the issue of pay rises remains a breadand-butter issue for both workers and unions. “The ability of workers and their families to advance their wellbeing and realize their life’s aspirations are linked to their incomes. Obviously, unions will seek to ensure that workers benefit from the improvement their enterprises record.”

Where the minister said contractual employment is now a present feature of the labour environment, GAWU said it is conscious that many workers have productively utilized their gratuity to them and their family’s benefit, but questioned whether the Minister was of the view of the number of persons accessing gratuity.

“Our own information, though not complete, indicates that workers seldom receive gratuity or any superannuation benefits. If they have permanent employment, they may have pension benefits which they would receive should they leave their jobs.

We hasten to wonder whether the Minister is aware of the many workers who are denied their lawful terminal benefits on the attainment of pension.” GAWU reminded that contract employment also goes against the grain of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Agenda, which among other things, emphasizes security of tenure.

Head of the Guyana Trade Union Congress (GTUC) Lincoln Lewis also weighed in on the conversation stating

Minister of Labour, Joseph Hamilton that the, “PPP/C government is consistent in its program of not only undermining solidarity in the trade union movement but set out to weaken trade unions.”

He said Collective Bargaining is one of the core activity for the trade unions, “but the government under the leadership of Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar, and now Irfaan Ali have decided that they will not have Collective Bargaining with the Public Service Union and more so they will not facilitate conciliation in the private sector with any union that they are of the impression will not operate consistent with their diktats.”

He said that, “the government that leads this state machinery has a responsibility to make sure that as an employer the laws, ILO conventions, and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Industrial Relations principles are respected.”

Lewis insisted that, “Trade unions function best in a climate where laws are respected by government, employer and the trade union itself.”

Linden schoolboy undergoes...

From page 12 not having all the money. The surgery costs some $1.2M but Lewis was allowed to pay in three installments. She deposited some $200,000 yesterday and will have to raise another 400,000 for today. She is required to pay the full amount by tomorrow. Meanwhile, investigations into the assault of Jaheim continue.

Opposition mulls court action over full...

From page 3 Economist, Ramon Gaskin all agreed that the floor of the National Assembly ought to be where the facts are determined.

The Opposition's Motion on full coverage insurance is calling for the Government of Guyana, to include full unlimited liability coverage for oil spills and other disasters related to petroleum production, as a condition for granting approval for ExxonMobil's fourth project, the Yellowtail development,

and all other future petroleum development.

It is also seeking an independent analysis on the possible ill effects of an oil spill and for this report to be submitted to the Parliamentary Committee of Natural Resources, to be used as a reference for all other future oil development submissions.

The publisher of this newspaper, Glenn Lall, has been championing the call for ExxonMobil to provide full liability coverage in the event of an oil spill. Since 2015,

ExxonMobil Corporation, the parent company of Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), has steered clear of being tied to full coverage insurance for its Stabroek Block projects, which are certain to deliver multi-billion dollar profits on an annual basis.

Instead, its subsidiary (EEPGL) will be officially on the hook if such an eventuality occurs offshore. This is the state of affairs with its Liza Phase One, Liza Phase Two and Payara Projects.

PAGE 18

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

Driver involved in fatal hit-and-run remanded...

From Page 16 to find Ramdharry after a description of the vehicle was provided to authorities.

Ranks located the vehicle the day after the accident in a yard at Number 69 Village.

With the vehicle in their

possession, investigators were able to find out that it belonged to Ramdharry and subsequently arrested him in Kitty, Georgetown.

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 19

'Professionals are among biggest - Audit Report tax cheats' ...Revenue collection for lawyers, doctors, others dwindle annually

By Rehanna Ramsay

T

ax evasion among professionals is on the rise with reports from Auditor General (AG), Deodat Sharma, documenting a decline in the amount of fees collected by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) from this category of taxpayers, annually.

In accordance with the first schedule of the Income Tax Act, Chapter 80:01, professionals such as accountants, auditors, legal practitioners, medical practitioners, architects, dentists, optometrists, engineers, veterinary surgeons, physiotherapists, pharmacists, surveyors and preparer of returns are all required to acquire a Tax Practice Certificate from GRA. Under that section, professionals who practice privately for reward are required by law to be the holder of a Tax Practice Certificate, which is valid for one year commencing January 1 and ending December 31. The tax practice fees are to be paid to the GRA by the end of F e b r u a r y e v e r y y e a r.

However, the AG's annual reports from 2017-2020 have recorded dwindling figures for professionals filing for

GRA's Commissioner General, Godfrey Statia.

Tax Practice Certificates.

According to the report, the GRA continues to experience d i ff i c u l t i e s i n h a v i n g practicing professionals to comply with Section 37, Chapter 81:01 of the Income Tax Act. The report for 2017 documented that the total revenue collected from professional fees for the period January to December amounted to $5.6M or 0.01% of the total revenue collected

by Internal Revenue Department in 2016. The audit report went on to point out that as at 31 December 2017, there were 605 active registered professionals in the database of which only 260 professionals or $43% purchased professional certificates.

“As a result, 345 or 57%

of the active professionals had not purchased professional certificates,” the report added.

As for the period January to December 2018, professional fees amounted to $5.121M or 0.01% of the total revenue collected by the Internal Revenue Department when compared to 2017 collections for the same period. In 2019, the total revenue collected from professional fees for the year amounted to $4.911M or 4.47% less of the total revenue collected by Internal Revenue Department for the previous year. At the time of reporting in September 2019, the AG report noted that 170 professionals paid for certificates after the stipulated date.

S i m i l a r l y, a t 3 1

December 2019, there were 688 active registered professionals in the database of which only 252 professionals or 37% purchased the professional certificates. As a result, 436 or 66% of the active professionals did not purchased professional certificates.

In 2020, the total revenue collected from professional fees for the year amounted to $3.930M, or less than 1% of the total revenue collected by Internal Revenue Department in the previous year. As at 31 December 2020, there were 731 active registered professionals in the database, of which only 291 professionals or 39.81% purchased the professional certificates.

As a result, 441 or 60.33% of the active professionals did not purchase the professional certificates, as compared with 2019, where 436 or 66% of the registered professionals did not purchase professional certificates.

Additionally, the audit report for this year noted that despite the constant decline in professionals complying with Section 37 of the Tax Act, the GRA failed to conduct any field visits to reinforce compliance. In the report, Commissioner

General of the GRA, Godfrey Statia indicated that continuous efforts will be made to put in place measures to help curb this situation. Statia noted however that this is a workin-progress. “…Please note that these measures require additional human resource which is not currently available. The consistent dip in collections over the years may be attributable to less persons taking out and or renewing their license and the contentious issue over the years engaging the attention of the court on the payment of practicing fees for the professionals, lawyers in particular,” the report quoted Statia as saying.

Statia noted too that due to the conservatory order which was granted in Court against GRA in 2003, a number of professionals failed to take out their Tax Practice Certificates and pay the rates required, thus revenue for professional fee would be negatively affected.

It was explained too that the Conservatory Order instituted in October 2003 is still restraining the GRA from assessing and collecting increased fees from all professionals and was still in effect and the matter had not been finalised.

Because of this Order, in

Auditor General, Deodat Sharma.

2017 the revenue authority was barred from collecting an additional sum of $53.895M. Similarly, the Authority was barred from collecting an additional sum of $55.290M in Professional Fees for 2018; and $77.329M in Professional Fees for 2019.

At the time of reporting in November 2020, the matter was still engaging the attention of the Court. As such, the Audit Office recommended that the GRA pursues the Court matter to bring closure and to implement a new regime structure for the payment of professional fees to avoid the continuation of the nonpayment of the increased fees.

Technical skills shortage forces 58% of local businesses to outsource ICT services - Digicel Survey

W

ith smart solutions, cybersecurity and cloud services all being cited by businesses in Guyana as vital to future business growth, the issue of their implementation may not be one of technology availability and awareness, but rather, the absence of the right human capital.

This was one of the key findings from the latest surveys carried out by Digicel Business with clients here.

Conducted with the top decision makers in 117 businesses in Guyana, 53% of the businesses interviewed had annual turnover in excess of US$1 million with 32% recording over US$6 million in annual turnover and 33% of the companies were multi-

nationals.

Interestingly, with 64% of respondents managing and maintaining their technology platforms themselves inhouse, only 42% of businesses declared themselves confident that they could secure the human capital required to continue to manage their ICT platforms themselves and keep up with the rapid pace of technological advancement and change. It therefore means that 58 percent of local companies have to outsource to foreign markets to be competitive.

With 38% saying that they would require a technology partner to manage their ICT requirements in a fast changing environment, a further 13% of businesses

declared themselves to be “struggling” in this area.

The telecommunications giant said all of the data collected thus far points to a technical skills shortage in Guyana which, in good news

s a i d ; “ We b r i n g t h e technology human capital so that our business customers don't need to.

There's a high awareness among Guyanese businesses of the fundamental need to

for Guyanese businesses, can be filled with partners like Digicel Business.

Commenting on the research, Nalini Vieira, Digicel'sHead of Business to Business Sales, ICT Sales

embrace cloud solutions, cyber security and smart solutions in order to stay connected, competitive and customer-centric.”

“And with the explosion of industries like oil and gas,

there's a huge demand for ICT solutions, but there's a blocker when it comes to finding and retaining that tech talent.

That's where Digicel Business comes in. It's our job to take the technology headaches away and free up our customers to do what they do best – looking after their customers.”

As a digital operator, Digicel is in the business of delivering powerful digital experiences 1440 minutes of each day to customers – that's every minute, all day, every day.

Serving consumer and business customers in 32 markets in the Caribbean, Central America and Pacific, its investments of over US$7 billion and a commitment to its communities through its

Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad & Tobago have contributed to positive outcomes for over 3 million people to date.

With respect to its Digicel Business component, this provides end-to-end fully managed business solutions with its robust network, expert resources and cuttingedge technology.

These all work in synergy with one aim—efficiencies across businesses, large or small.

Collaborating with industry-leaders to deliver innovative products and t e c h n o l o g y, D i g i c e l Business' consultative approach to customer engagement ensures the best possible solutions for all businesses.

PAGE 20

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 24, 2022

Thursday March 24, 2022

PAGE 21

Kaieteur News

Pakistan concedes 123-run lead in 3rd test against Australia LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistan was 268 all out against the persistent pace of Australia captain Pat Cummins and impeccable reverse swing of Mitchell Starc to concede a massive 123-run lead yesterday in the third and final test. In a sensational collapse after tea on Day 3, Pakistan lost seven wickets for 41 runs — the last four wickets without adding a run — as Cummins finished with 5-56 and Starc took 4-36.

Australia, which were bowled out for 391 in the first innings, had stretched their lead to 134 runs by reaching 11-0 by stumps with Usman Khawaja not out on 7 and David Warner unbeaten on 4.

“We’ve given ourselves a really good opportunity here,

really in front of the game,” said Cummins, who claimed three of the last seven wickets after tea and recorded his seventh five-wicket haul in test cricket. “Hopefully (we’ll) bat well and then take the last 10 wickets.”

In-form opening batter Abdullah Shafique (81) and veteran Azhar Ali (78) had carried Pakistan to 170-1 and denied Australia a breakthrough in the first session after resuming on 90-1 before the visitors took control of the series deciding test.

“I thought we bowled really well,” Cummins said. “In the first two sessions we just didn’t get the reward, so the message was just hang in there.” Nathan Lyon (1-95), who dried up the runs with

his marathon spell of 30 overs on Day 3, provided the opening when he found the outside edge of Shafique’s bat after lunch to end a patient 150-run stand.

Shafique’s prolific run in the series has seen the opening batter score his maiden test hundred in the drawn first test in Rawalpindi before his patient 96 in Karachi led Pakistan to force a draw.

Shafique defied Australia with yet another patient knock off 228 balls which featured 11 fours before Lyon struck in the fifth over after lunch and successfully overturned umpire Aleem Dar’s not out decision through a television referral. With the second new ball only seven overs old, Cummins took a spectacular

Thursday March 24, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) A letter or phone call regarding money that you may be expecting may still not come today, Aries. This could put you in a panic and cause you to want to phone those responsible to see what's going on.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This isn't the day to take care of paperwork, Libra, particularly if it involves money. Your mental processes are slower than usual, and you may find that you're easily distracted.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) An invitation to a social event could come today, Taurus, and you probably won't want to go. The people involved may not have anything in common with you.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Communication with partners is likely to be poor to nonexistent today, Scorpio.

This isn't the time to enter into contract negotiations or other discussions that could affect your future in a major way.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Are you feeling a little under the weather, Gemini?

You may have been burning the candle at both ends. The obvious tip would be to slow down, but you might feel it isn't possible now.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Whatever work you do today could go more slowly than usual, Sagittarius, as you're apt to be a bit distracted.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) A long-anticipated visit from a close friend or love partner may have to be postponed, Cancer.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Phone calls and emails between you and your friends may get misplaced or otherwise go astray, Capricorn.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Career matters may be put on hold today, as important communications you're expecting fail to come on time, Leo.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Delays and frustrations could plague you throughout the day, Aquarius, especially regarding communications.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Short trips in your neighborhood may be rendered nearly impossible today by factors above and beyond your control, such as traffic, construction, or both, Virgo.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) If you've been thinking about taking a trip, Pisces, this isn't the day to make plans. Whatever you learn today about airline schedules or hotels.

Australia celebrate Pat Cummins’ catch to remove Azhar Ali • Mar 22, 2022 © AFP/Getty Images return catch to dismiss Azhar in his homecoming test match as Pakistan was restricted at 227-3 at tea.

Azhar, playing in his 94th test match but for the first time in his hometown of Lahore, became the fifth Pakistani batter to complete 7,000 test runs when he reached 74 by sweeping hard at Lyon to deep square leg for a single.

Former test captains Younis Khan (10,099), Javed Miandad (8,832), Inzamam-ulHaq (8,829) and Mohammad Yousuf (7,530) are the other Pakistan batters to score more than 7,000 test runs. But Pakistan folded against Cummins and Starc after tea, losing the last six wickets off 40 balls. “We always knew how good they are, especially Starc when it comes to reverse swing,” Azhar said.

“Cummins is a top bowler in the world right now and he exploited the conditions very well ... they kept asking questions even to the set batter and unfortunately we were at the receiving end.”

Starc, who bowled only two overs with the second new ball, returned in the last session and knocked back the off stumps of Fawad Alam (13) and Mohammad Rizwan (1) with Pakistan batters struggling to cope with the reverse swing. Pakistan’s long tail didn’t last long with captain Babar Azam making a 67 off 131 balls. The home team had dropped all-rounder Faheem Ashraf to go with an extra fast bowler after drawing the first two test matches. Cummins hurried the collapse by claiming the wickets of Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali and Hasan Ali within two overs to register his first five-wicket haul against Pakistan in a test match.

Starc wrapped up Pakistan’s innings by trapping Babar leg before wicket off a delivery which shaped into the skipper and then

clean bowled No. 11 batter Naseem Shah off a searing full pitched delivery.

Scores: Australia 391 and

11 for 0 lead Pakistan 268 (Shafique 81, Azhar 78, Babar 67, Cummins 5-56, Starc 4-33) by 134 runs.

PAGE 22

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

Taskin Ahmed five-for gives Bangladesh historic ODI series win in South Africa Taskin Ahmed was a force to reckon with all through the tour. (Getty Images)

ESPNcricinfo Bangladesh raced to their maiden ODI series win in South Africa, sealing it 2-1 when they beat the home side by nine wickets on Wednesday. The match ended before sunset in Centurion with Taskin Ahmed’s first fivewicket haul in eight years overpowering South Africa and bowling them out for 154.

Captain Tamim Iqbal’s unbeaten 87 then ensured Bangladesh’s biggest overseas win in terms of balls remaining.

For the record, it was 141.

Before this tour, South Africa had never lost to Bangladesh at home in 20 years.

They would rue a lot of their decisions in this game, particularly Temba Bavuma choosi n g t o b a t o n a SuperSport Park pitch that seemed to be quite tacky.

They got off to a strong start, but several of their batters were guilty of looking for boundaries and boundaries alone, which led them into making a consider a b l e a m o u n t o f mistakes.

Still, very few would have expected Bangladesh to bowl out South Africa in their backyard in 37 overs in such an important game.

The score of 154 is their lowest total against Bangladesh. The 2-1 series loss also dents S o u t h A frica’s progress towards automatic qualification to the 2023 World Cup, given they are down in ninth place on the ODI Super League points table.

Bangladesh played like the table-toppers they are.

They rode on Taskin’s 5 for 35 to put on their strongest bowling performance against

a higher-ranked side in overseas conditions.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz set them on their way with Quinton de Kock’s wicket in the seventh over at a time when South Africa was motoring along at seven runs an over. de Kock’s wicket sucked the life out of the home side and Taskin used the opening to get the big wickets. He quickl y r e m o v e d K y l e Verreynne, who made a fifty in the second game. Malan, who eventually top scored with 39, also fell to Taskin’s clever thinking. Seeing Malan advance down the wicket, Taskin bowled a quicker, shorter delivery that Malan could only edge. Mushfiqur Rahim took a smart catch moving to his right.

South Africa slid further during Taskin’s third spell with Dwaine Pretorius nicking a wide one and danger man David Miller trapped down the leg side. Both wickets came as a result of a string of dot balls that frustrated the batters into playing low-percentage shots.

K a g i s o R a b a d a w as Taskin’s fifth wicket but the moment was soured slightly when Mushfiqur, who took the edge, sprained his shoulder by throwing the ball up in celebration.

The Bangladesh wicketkeeper had to leave the field but he returned not too long after, sporting a rather sheepish smile.

South Africa’s innings ended in shambles when Keshav Maharaj, who made a fighting 28, was run after No. 11 Tabraiz Shamsi refused a single off the last ball of the 37th over. If there was any unease about the SuperSport

Park pitch, it evaporated as soon as Tamim and Litton Das started to play their shots.

Litton though got an early break.

He wasn’t even off the mark when Maharaj dropped him at point.

The Bangladesh openers batted conservatively for the first seven overs before Tamim struck a pair of boundaries off Lungi Ngidi.

When he struck Rabada for four consecutive fours in the tenth over, the fear that Bangladesh might mess up the chase, especially on March 23 (cue the eyerolling emoji), just vanished.

A streaky boundary in the 18th over brought up the 100-run opening s t a n d - B a n g l a d e s h ’s seventh in an overseas ODI, and the second one against South Africa.

Maharaj finally broke the partnership when Litton popped one to cover in the 21st over. Litton’s 48 included eight boundaries, mostly hit through square on the off side.

He allowed Tamim to do the bulk of the scoring in their 127-run stand.

Ta m i m , w h o h a d n ’ t scored an ODI fifty since his century against Zimbabwe in July last year, batted with intent. He cracked 14 fours in his 82-ball 87, and was particularly severe on South Africa’s quicks. He was relentless against Maharaj and Shamsi too. Tamim’s knock embodied Bangladesh’s mindset before and during this ODI series.

Scores: Bangladesh 156 for 1 (Tamim 87*, Litton 48) beat South Africa 154 (Malan 39, Maharaj 28, Taskin 5-35) by nine wickets.

Thursday March 24, 2022

PAGE 23

Kaieteur News

‘Cricket Gear for young & promising cricketers project’

Star Sports Trophies and Awards on Board P

opular sports store, Star Sports Trophies and Awards of 28 Logwood, Enmore, East Coast, Demerara has donated more cricket gear for “Cricket Gear for Young and promising cricketers in Guyana” project. At a simple handing over ceremony held recently, former National Senior Wi c k e t k e e p e r \ B a t s m a n , Sheikh Mohamed, presented bats, batting gloves, junior cricket balls, wicket, cricket bags, keeping pads and gloves, cricket shoes and clothing with an average value of $600,000. Sheik is the owner of Star Sports. This follows an earlier donation of gear towards the project. The sports store is the agent for authentic major cricket brands around the world and provides the highest quality of gear and other sports equipment.

In presenting the gear to Anil Beharry, a partner in this initiative along with Kishan Das of the USA, Sheik stated that he is impressed with the level of accountability and the reach of this venture.

He said that he is happy

Sheik Mohammed that young players from all three counties of Guyana are benefiting, thus this additional contribution.

Beharry, a current executive of the Guyana Cricket Board, expressed gratitude for the gear and committed to help as many young cricketers as possible in Guyana. He is hopeful that a new breed of young players will come through the system, making Guyana and West Indies cricket strong again. He alluded to the fact that sports in general helps to keep our young people off the streets and is an avenue to a better life.

Total cricket related items

collected so far: $130,000 cash, two trophies, eleven cricket boots, fifteen pairs of batting pads, fifteen bats, nine pairs of batting gloves, eighteen thigh pads, one wicket keeping pad, one arm guard and four cricket bags.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear has also been collected.

To date, thirty-two young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from a junior gear bag, two trophies, nine bats, nine pairs of cricket shoes, six pairs of batting pads and seven pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club benefited from a pair of stumps and bails and two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats.

Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees also received one box of red cricket balls each.

Cricket related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana.

Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent

GMR&SC Quarter Mile Return

Stag Beer, E-Networks and Unitech Solutions sponsor event Ticket sales begin Three days remain before the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) ‘Quarter Mile Return’ drag race meet excites fans at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri, and competitors are leaving nothing to chance with over 30 cars already registered.

This meet is highly anticipated and Team Mohamed’s camp can make it even more special with two cars in their garage capable of resetting the current track record.

Balram Auto Mechanic along with S&D Performance’s garage will provide the stiffest competition for the record holders in the unlimited, while the Surinamese will burn rubber with the locals for bragging rights in the slower classes.

In a release to the media, head of the GMR&SC, Rameez Mohamed, revealed that tickets went on sale yesterday and already he projects that they may be sold out soon and encourage patrons to visit ticketing locations to pick up their copies.

Keen on having their brands be part of this premier motorsport event that has the 592 buzzing are Stag Beer, Unitech Solutions and E-Networks, which were announced as the latest sponsors of the event.

Mohamed posited that, “Stag Beer and E-Networks have been two of our (GMR&SC) oldest partners that are always ready to support any event that we have and we must express our heartfelt thanks to the enti-

ties.”

Meanwhile, he welcomed Unitech Solutions and called for a long and fruitful partnership going forward.

Tickets cost $2000 for adults; $500 for kids, and are on sale at the club’s Albert Street & Thomas Lands venue, Mohamed’s Enterprise, 29 Lombard Street, Georgetown, Motor Trend Service Center, Area L Foulis Public Road E.C.D, West Coast Customs Wash B a y, Vr e e d - e n - h o o p , W.C.D, Massive Audio, Parika, E.B.E, Homeline F u r n i s h ing, 592 New Amsterdam, Berbice, Sukhpaul’s Business Enterprise & Auto Sales, Lot 7-8 Strand New Amsterdam, Berbice and Sukhpaul’s Service Station, Corriverton, Berbice.

spotting is being done across the country and club leaders will also assist to identify talent. Beharry and Das take this opportunity to thank Javed and Imran of West Indian Sports Complex, Option Group of USA, Hilbert Foster, Bish Panday of P and P Insurance Brokers, Sean Devers, Trevis Simon, Årïêl J. Tïlkú, Aaron Beharry, Leanna

Bachan and Imran Saccoor, Devon Ramnauth, Teddy Singh, Romesh Munna, Ravi Etwaroo, Ravin Harkishun, Surendra Harkishun, Allan Mangru, Vishal Mahabir, Sherman Austin, Huburn Evans, Rajendra Sadeo and Ramesh Sunich of Trophy Stall, Sheik Mohamed of Star Sports Awards and Trophies and Ajay Gainda of Cricket

Equipment Guyana, Peter Ramkissoon and Rabindranath Saywack. Special mention was made of the media for the role they are playing to promote this venture.

Distribution will continue.

Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on 1-718-664-0896.

PAGE 24

Thursday March 24, 2022

Kaieteur News

All to play for as Windies and England battle for Richards-Botham Trophy SportsMax - It is all to play for at the Grenada National Stadium as West Indies and England go in search of a Test series-clinching victory starting today.

The Windies have dug in for draws under pressure on the final day in Antigua and Barbados.

England are bottom of the World Test Champion-

ship table, with the Windies directly ab o v e them as both sides strive to transform their fortunes in the longest format.

The tourists look set to be without seamer Ollie Robinson once again as he continues to struggle with fitness issues.

England have not won a Test series in the Caribbean for 18 years,

Ollie Robinson has been ruled out of his third Test in a row following a back spasm. (Getty Images) b u t h a v e u n doubtedly made strides during this tour as the y b a t t l e f o r t h e Richards-Botham Trophy.

Yet they are still without a win in eight matches in the longest format and have been unable to show the potency to dismiss West Indies twice when in a great position to take the lead in this series.

Kraigg Brathwaite was t h e Wi n d i e s ’ h e r o a t Kensington Oval, showing incredible application and skill in both innings.

The skipper batted for 710 minutes for his 160 in the first innings and dug in for an unbeaten 56 on the last day in Bridgetown to keep the series level.

England must produce some heat on the Spice Island if they are to head home with a 1-0 victory.

Brathwaite and Root leading by example The Windies were indebted to opener Brathwaite in Barbados as he dropped the anchor in both innings on his home ground.

By facing 673 balls com-

bined in his two obdurate knocks, the skipper set a record for the most deliveries faced by a West Indies batter in a single Test.

Brathwaite has the more runs than anyone else in this series, scoring 304 at an average of 101.33.

Prolific England captain Joe Root has also been magnificent, racking up 284 - including two centuries - at an average of 71.

Overton set to return, unchanged squad for Windies Craig Overton was ruled out of the second Test due to illness, but is set to get another opportunity with Matt Fisher expected to step aside.

Saqib Mahmood should also be unleashed on the Windies again after an excellent opening spell on the final day in Barbados, with spinner Matt Parkinson facing the prospect of missing out again and Robinson not fit.

West Indies named an unchanged squad after frustrating the tourists once again on the final day.

GOAPC hosts Inter Ministries Domino Competition on Friday The Georgetown Office Assistants Promotion Committee would be hosting the long awaited Inter Ministries/ Government Agencies, Community Domino competition tomorrow, Friday, March 25, 2022 at the GPSU Hall, Regent & Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.

Over $200,000 in cash and prizes is up for grabs.

Double-six time is 16:30 hrs.

Registration closes tomorrow, Friday, March 25 at noon with the Event Coordinator James “Uprising” Lewis. No late registration will be accepted.

For more information, call

James Lewis the Coordinator on 625-9007.

A small entrance fee is also on hand to enter the event.

Kaieteur News

Thursday March 24, 2022

PAGE 25

Persaud leads Wellman to victory, Regal Masters triumph

The victorious Wellman team.

A fine half century from Peter Persaud guided Wellman to a 19-run win over Regal when the teams collided for the Republic Cup T20 over-50 softball title on Sunday last at Lilliendaal.

Wellman posted 174-8 following their insertion.

Persaud struck five fours and five sixes in a top score of 52, while Lloyd Ruplall made 35 with five fours and John Sumair 33 including two fours and three sixes. Unnis Yusuf claimed 2-5, Parsram Persaud 2-16 and David Harper 2-30.

In reply, Regal made 155 all out in 20 overs. Yusuf made 41 with five sixes and Parsram Persaud 23. Wayne Jones captured 3-32, Hardat Heranandan 2-17 and Nandram Samlall 2-24. Persaud was named man-of-thematch.

Regal Masters beat Kingston XI by six wickets at Queen's College to win the over-40 title. Kingston XI took first strike and made 142 all out while Regal Masters replied with 143-4.

'When they get hit for boundaries they smile' – WI legend Roberts calls for more aggression from SportsMax - West Indies legend, Sir Andy Roberts, has called for more aggression from the Caribbean fast bowlers ahead of the third and d e c i s i v e Te s t a g a i n s t England, which bowls off in Grenada today.

So far, bowlers have rarely managed to gain the ascendancy with the two previous pitches in Antigua and Barbados offering very little in the way of assistance.

In the previous Test, a total of 1,238 runs were scored, including a deflating 507 for 9 declared scored by England in the first innings.

If the West Indies are to break the deadlock on the

back of two prior draws, Roberts believes the region's pace bowlers must give more effort at the crease to unsettle the English batsmen.

“Aggressive doesn't mean you have to be up in somebody's face, but you can be aggressive in your approach, you can be aggressive in your steering because that's one of the things I did.

I never swore but when I looked at you and I see you turn away, then I say 'yes, I have you because you can't look me in the eye', and that is what is required,” Roberts told the Good Morning Jojo Radio programme.

“The ball doesn't come

off the pitch faster than you release it, so if you're a fast bowler then it means you're a fast bowler, you can't be a fast bowler and a fastmedium bowler. What is being taught today is line and length and bowl fourth and fifth stump outside the off stump, but instead of attacking the batsman, attacking the stumps, they are bowling outside of off stump, which is what they practice so sometimes it seems as though the coaches are at fault sometimes. In order to get the best out of the fast bowlers, you have to encourage them to bowl fast.”

bowlers ahead of decisive Test Sir Andy Roberts has called for more aggression from the Caribbean fast bowlers.

It is all to play for at the Grenada National Stadium as West Indies go up against England in the deciding Test.

s t r o Sp

All to play for as Windies and England battle for Richards - Botham Trophy Tickets are going fast for Sunday's Quarter Mile Return drag race meet.

GMR&SC Quarter Mile Return

Stag Beer, E-Networks and Unitech Solutions sponsor event Ticket sales begin p. 21

'When they get hit for boundaries they smile' – WI legend Roberts calls for more aggression from bowlers ahead of decisive Test