Kaieteur News

WalesGas-to-Energyprojectatimplementationstage

DPI - Work on theWales evening. management consultancy Gast-to-Energy project The government has services, to ensure the along the West Bank of already awarded two country gets value for its Demeraracontinuestomove contracts: the Engineering, money natural resources minister swiftly for a 2024 P r o c u r e m e n t , a n d

– Min. Bharrat

“The contract has been said the country’s reliability commencement, as the Construction (EPC) contract awardedbyExxontoseveral on fossil fuels, as well as the project is already in its for the Natural Gas Liquids companies for the laying of costofelectricitywillreduce implementationphase. plantandthe300Mega-Watt the pipeline, and bringing it significantly Minister of Natural CCGT power plant, while straightintoWales.Theearly The project includes the Resources,VickramBharrat, the other contract has been works on the sites have construction of a natural gas made the disclosure during a awarded to Engineers India advanced significantly by pipeline and processing televised programme ‘The Limited (EIL) for the Exxon and the contractors, plant that will convert the GuyanaDialogue,’Thursday rendering of project sowewillbereadytodeliver natural gas into electricity this project by the end of through a process known as 2024,” Minister Bharrat gas-to-power disclosed. Part of the project will

Job creation see a natural gas liquid plant

Anumberofprivatecane being built, which will be farmers in Wales were left responsible for separating without a livelihood under the natural gas liquids from the previous administration, the natural gas stream and following the closure of the refining them into highWalesSugarEstatein2016. value products such as

Minister Bharrat cookinggasandgasoline. highlighted that the

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram

Importantly, the project government’s decision to w i l l s e e G u y a n a build the pipeline inWales is transitioning to a cheaper Guyanese. In that area, we happen around those two guided by an agenda to and more sustainable natural have so many young people plants. That is the vision we createjobsinthearea. gasreserve. in need of jobs,” he have, to build out probably

The establishment of the A200-kilometrepipeline underscored. o n e o f t h e l a rg e s t pipeline will provide a new will transport gas from the

“We are taking it to manufacturing industrial market for these farmers, as Liza Phase One and Liza Wales because… people are p a r k s t o c r e a t e government plans to build Phase Two Floating living there that need jobs. employment,” the natural out a manufacturing Production Storage, and The second reason is that the resourcesministeradded.

industrial park around the Offloading (FPSO) vessels land is available This Reliability on fossil fuels powerplant. in the Stabroek Block to the project, in the long term, is Reiterating that the Gas-

“We need to build out a Natural Gas power plant that not only about the power to-Energy project is a game- manufacturing sector It will is being constructed at plant. It is about what will changer for Guyana, the create so many jobs for Wales.

Bharrat

Service Commission members

Pres. Ali violated Guyana’s constitution by suspending Police - Court rules

Couple fighting for life in ICU after execution attempt

HighCourtJudgeJustice

Apart from this, Slowe and Gino Persaud on Friday Conway also asked the court ruled that President Irfaan to declare that the Prime Ali’s decision to suspend the Minister’s recommendation former Police Service to the President for them to C o m m i s s i o n ( P S C ) beremovedisunlawful. members was “unlawful,

On Friday, in handing unfair,andultravires.” down his ruling the judge

Former PSC Chairman highlighted that given the Assistant Commissioner of grounds (criminal charges Police (ret’d), Paul Slowe laid against Paul Slowe and and fellow PSC member others) that the Prime

A 3 4 - y e a r - o l d The minibus driver said businesswoman and her shortly after, three persons, reputed husband, a 47-year- all armed with handguns old minibus driver are exited the car Their faces currently nursing gunshot werecoveredwithmasks. wounds at the Georgetown He recalled that the P u b l i c H o s p i t a l suspects approached his Corporation’s (GPHC) wife and discharged several IntensiveCareUnit(ICU). rounds to both of them.

of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Paul Slowe President Irfaan Ali

A s s i s t a n t P o l i c e Minister recommended that Commissioner Clifton the former PSC members be Conway (ret’d), through suspended, ‘there is a due their lawyer Selwyn Pieters process that must be had brought a legal followed.’

Prime Minister to remove As such, the Paul Slowe challenge to President Ali’s In fact, Justice Persaud themfromthePSC. led-PSC legal challenge, June 16, 2021 decision to highlighted that even though The notices were issued inter alia, sought a suspend the PSC after Prime therewasnoJudicialService after Slowe, Conway and declaration from the court Minister Mark Phillips sent Commission (JSC) to others were charged for that their purported two ‘show cause’ notices to appointaTribunaltohearthe defrauding the Guyana suspension by President Ali S l o w e a n d f o r m e r allegations against the Police Force (GPF) of was contrary to, or in Commissioner, Clinton former PSC members, all $10M Slowe was also violation to the Constitution Conway Both men were members are entitled to their accused of sexually ofGuyana. asked to ‘show cause’ why constitutional rights of assaulting a female cop on They contended that the President should not protectionofthelawanddue threeoccasions. Articles 226(6) and 223(10) follow the advice of the process, simply put, of the Constitution prove ‘presumptionofinnocence.’ their case and should the As such, the judge stated court find favour with their thatPaulSloweandtheother arguments, they want their commissionerscouldonly suspension order revoked. (Continued on page 9)

EDYOU FM becomes the first radio station to stream in Kamarang, Region 7

T h e M i n i s t r y o f The signal is expected to Education’s Radio Station, reach riverine communities EDYOU FM, made history along the Mazaruni River by becoming the first local s u c h a s P a r u i m a , station in Guyana to Waramadong, Kako, broadcast in Kamarang and J a w a l l a , P h i l l i p a i , other parts of the upper Imbaimadai among others Mazaruni,Region7. benefitting thousands of

The station commenced studentsandresidentsalike. its inaugural operations on E D Y O U F M i s Thursday, March 23, 2023, scheduled to visit Kamarang as the Government of and surrounding areas to Guyana continues to begin distributing radios to intensify its efforts in schools Residents of bringing distance education Kamarang and surrounding through radio to the most areas can pick up EDYOU remotepartsofGuyana. Radioon99.9FM.

The couple was shot at They then re-entered the car around 21:20h on Thursday andmadegoodtheirescape. at their ‘B’ Field Sophia Themansaidafterbeing home by three unidentified shot he immediately picked menarmedwithhandguns. up his wife and took her to Police said that the theGPHCinhisminibus. businesswoman owns and According to the police operates a grocery shop in report,themanreceivedtwo front of their home. She and gunshotinjuriestohisupper her partner reside with their back, while his wife twochildren. received gunshot injuries to

The man told police that her right side face, two to on the night of the shooting, her right arm and one to her his reputed wife was sitting left elbow The couple is in front of her shop in the receiving treatment in the companyofherfriendwhile Intensive Care Unit, where hewassittingintheshop. their conditions are listed as

The man recalled stable.

observing an unknown, Four 9MM spent shells black tinted motorcar; and a suspected warhead model and registration were recovered at the crime number unknown drive up scene CCTV cameras from the northern direction attachedtothevictims’shop on ‘B’ Field road and are being reviewed, as stopped in front of the shop. investigationscontinue.

Former Chairman

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

IF THERE, WHY NOT HERE?

Stunningrevelationsarecomingoutaboutthepartnership ofExxonMobil,Shell,andtheDutchGovernmentthatplaced profitsovernationalsafety

The enormous Groningen gas field found in the Netherlands in 1959/60 stands as a prime exhibit of what resultswhennationalgovernmentsandleaderscolludewith oil and gas operators. When the corporate and political parties collude in secrecy, then they become the best of friends in misleading citizens, while impressing upon them howmuchtheyhavetheirinterestsatheart.

Groningen was a godsend to the people of the Netherlands, and especially in the depressed area that over 2.7billioncubicmetersofgaswerefound. TheNetherlands gotitsowngassupply,italsogotprofitsfromshareholdings, and gas revenues contributed significantly to the country’s move to a State with many social welfare benefits for its citizens. Additionally, many citizens got jobs in the gas sector It was what was hidden behind the scenes that hold manywarningsforGuyanese.

The full amount of natural gas discovered was not disclosed to the Dutch people by their own government. Next,asearlyas1963,ExxonMobil(thenoperatingasEsso) and Shell commissioned a study about something called subsidence,butwhichwaskeptfromthepublic. Simplyput, subsidence is where the natural gas extraction leads to downward movement and decline of the earth’s surface wherethenaturalgasextractionactivityishappening. This waswhatoccurredintheUSandItaly

ThestudydonebyaDutchengineernotedthatthevertical decline could be as much as 1.5 meters (over four feet). It would be another 10 years before the concern about subsidence again came up for mention in the Dutch parliament,whenawarenessthatsuchastudyexistedtrickled intothepublicconsciousness.

There was only one Dutch parliamentarian who raised concerns about the issue in the Dutch House of Representativesand,aswasthecaseintheearly1960swhen thehugeamountsofgaswasfirstdiscovered,questionswent nowherebecauseofothermembersexcitedlypushingahead withtheirnaturalgasdreams.Whatmustbeofinteresttoall Guyanese is that this is happening in a society as sophisticated as the Netherlands. The Netherlands is not severelylimited,over-its-head,likeGuyana. Yet,therewas collusion, secrecy, and closing down conversations on a revealing study that was completed, what it warned about. WhatitwarnedaboutiswhattheDutchhavebeenlivingwith since1986,andmorefrequentlysincetheearly1990s.

Low-intensityearthquakesrangingfrom2.4to3.6onthe Richter scale have been recorded. The occurrence of these earthquakeshasnowbeenacceptedbytheDutchasinduced bygasextraction. Therecannolongerbeanystonewalling, hiding,orpussyfootingaroundthecorrelation.Beginningin 2014, the Dutch government took the unwanted step of limitinggasproduction,aspartofaphaseoutthatcontinues tothisday Finalphaseoutistobeby2030,butthathasbeen broughtforwardto2025-28,andcouldbeevenearlier There are several lessons here. Governments are extremely reluctant to give up ‘cash cows.’ Next, when national governments become partners in secrecy, then predicted dangers emerge, which is what the Dutch experienced. Further, when parliamentarians and civil society sit on their handsandsealtheirlipsforfearofrockingtheboat,orgetting onthewrongsideofpowerfulandambitiouspoliticians,then itisalmostinevitablethatcalamityresults.Thoughanaside, there is another lesson from the Netherlands for the government and people of Guyana. Esso and Shell did not want to alter the terms of a commitment made by the Netherlandspriortowhenthehugediscoverieswereknown.

The Dutch government was having none of it, insisting thatthenewamountsofgasscrappedearlierofficialpromises made, and that new financial terms must be finalized. Guyana’s Government must learn from that instance of pushbackandhardball.

ACommission that leaves a lot to be desired

DEAREDITOR,

It’s my humble opinion that many individuals holding key positions with decent salaries are not functioningproperly Why are play schools beingallowedtooperateand not monitored to see if they are safe? Only when somethingdisastrousoccurs, then they awaken from their slumberandperformastage show Similarly,manyothers operateinthesameway,and when criticized for their performances, they take offense and try to defend theirincompetence.

Reading the reply from Anil Sukhdeo, the Director (ag.),oftheCompetitionand C o n s u m e r A ff a i r s Commission had me at loss trying to understand his feeble attempt to disprove

what I am saying. I must admitinmyhastetopenthe first letter, I mistakenly use the wrong figure for the number of matters they investigate However, the figure quoted, is still comical, knowing the amount of corruption that exists everywhere in Guyana. Being informed that the commission has a Facebook page, I checked it out, but given that Guyana has over 700, 000 people, astonishingly, for a commissionthatissupposed to be giving people satisfaction, they only have 7,200 followers. The few posts I view and that were posted recently only have 2, 5,1,3,and21likes.Mostare in the single digits. For a commission that’s been in existence for such a long

time,ittellsmealotaboutits vibrant PR mechanism to notify the public of its existence, but then again, it might be deliberately hiding from work. Editor, in his feebleattempt,Sukhdeofails to mention a website or telephone numbers should one need to make contact, but unwisely defends the Commission’s problematic website.

He fails to realize that readersarenotatsealikehim to believe that nonsense aboutmaintenance.Attached is a screenshot of the page whentryingtoclickonalink to read anything from the website.Clickonthelinkthe writer provides in his letter and it’s not found. Over 10 years in existence and their website still is undergoing maintenance where no one

cannot access any information Guyanese surely have a lot to expect from a commission with such an impeccable platform.Withregardstothe website, the media houses couldverifythateverynight, between 12-12:30 a.m., the Kaieteur News website is updatedwithalltheirarticles published for the day, and Stabroek News updates between 2:15-2:30 a m They have more info to upload on their website, but thecommission,withitsfour links, cannot be accessed. Sukhdeo’s reply only convinces me that he is hellbent on distorting the facts to defend the incompetence existing withinthecommission.

Sincerely,

SahadeoBates

NACCIE supports investigation into Neptrid Hercules fatal accident

DEAREDITOR,

The union (NAACIE) is in support of the Minister of Labour appointing an investigative team to do a formalinvestigationintothe fatal accident involving our member Mr Neptrid Herculeswhowasemployed by Bosai Mineral (Guyana) GrouponMarch11th2023.

Mr Hercules went missingontheearlyhoursof

the morning on Saturday, March 11, 2023 along with the CAT D9T Dozer which hewasoperatingatthetime. This was as a result of a failureexperiencedattherefilling dumping area where he was working in the East Montgomery mine which causedthemtobecoveredby thelandslidematerials.

Mr Hercules body was subsequently recovered on

March 14th 2023 after four daysofpainfulandextensive search.

Our deepest and sincere condolences to the family, friends and coworkers. He will be sadly missed. The union is firmly of the views that this or any accident that result in loss of life is unacceptableandassuchwe appreciate the Minister approach of appointing this

investigationteam. We are hopeful that the outcome of this formal investigation will provide a n s w e r s a n d recommendationthatwillbe implemented to ensure that thisdoesnotreoccurred. For we owe it to the familyandallworkersofthis country

DawchanNagasar GeneralSecretary

Anarrative of mosques and Muslim men and women in Guyana

DEAREDITOR,

We are in another Mahe Ramazan (Month of Ramadan), and I share with yourreadersa littlebitofour M u s l i m h i s t o r y Recognizingtheefforts and sacrifices made by past g e n e r a t i o n s t o institutionalise Islam in Guyana, amidst a sea of evangelism, since times of slavery to the period of independence, we are grateful to them. There is evidence of Anjuman (Jamaats or association) and mosques, and some of these organisations were registered since 1863 in Guyanatoaddresstheneeds of the Muslim communities. Some formally and some informally There is evidencethatthefoundingof the Number 78/79 Masjid (Mosque) was founded in 1863.There isn’t conclusive

evidence of the first constructed mosque in Guyana. That could have been during the era of slavery, or was it the 1863 # 78/79 Mosque or the Philadelphia Mosque on the East Bank of the Essequibo which was alleged to have been“builtinthe1860s.” In 1999, several Muslims groups, TheCentralIslamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG),theGuyanaIslamic Trust (GIT), the Guyana United Sadr Islamic Anjuman and the Anjuman Hifazatul-E-Islam gathered at Philadelphia, Guyana for “The marked the site where thefirst masjid (ontheSouth American continent) was builtbyGuyana’sindentured Muslimsinthe1860’s.”They did However, note that “with more work and scholarship, future studies can be undertaken to bring

All in all, the Netherlands’ experience must serve as Guyana’sguide. Playingwithfireiscourtingdanger Secrecy resultsinthesickening.

And colluding with oil and gas companies and their coverupstendtoblowupinsomeoftheworstwayspossible.

moreclarityandaccuracyin learning more about Guyana’sfirstmosques.”

But one thing is certain, since the second wave of Islam in Guyana in 1838, from India,Afghanistan and what is now Pakistan, Muslims have built many mosquesandformedseveral organisations to preserve theirhistoryandculture.

Evidence shows that Sobrattee, son of Hussein, arrivedinGuyanain1859on board the ShipAurora when he was 30 years old and indenturedtoSkeldon.Heis cited as one of the chief founders of the Number 78 MosqueinupperCorentyne, Guyana,whichwaspartofa very large sugar plantation, Eliza and Mary and with a strong Muslim presence Muslims took up residence close to each other and sometimes occupied an

entire street The first Mosque in Guyana can’t be the Philadelphia, East Bank Essequibo. The timeline is off. Itsfounder,Hazrat(Mr) Chand Khan was a teenager when he arrived in British Guiana in November 1866 onboardtheAtlantawithhis parentsHazratLallKhanand Ulfaat Begum from Benares at age 15. Chand and his parents were indentured to PlantationUitvlugt.

However,theNumber78 Mosque, originally built at #79 Village was founded in 1863 according to an article in the Guyana Chronicle of September 7, 1963 to c o m m e m o r a t e t h e CentennialoftheMosque.

This aligns well with the timelineofSobratteeandhis brother, Sohabeth’s arrival in1859.Sobratteewas30.At thisageof30,Sobrattee

(Continuedonpage5)

TheDutchgovernmentwashavingnoneofit,insistingthatthe new amounts of gas scrapped earlier official promises made, and that new financial terms must be finalized. Guyana’s Government must learn from that instance of pushback and hardball.

Anarrative of mosques and Muslim...

Frompage4 wouldhavebeenasolidman with great wisdom to lead the founding of the 78/79 VillageMosque. Thus, it’s not surprising thatsomeofhischildrenand descendants were Majees (Moulvis) in the Skeldon area and elsewhere in Guyana.

Intriguing is the fact thatSobrattee’smigrationto Guyana tookplaceduringa major turning point in India ‘s history, the 1859 Uprisings that witnessed astounding and rebellious Muslimvisibility

The Ulema of Guyana spanned from Essequibo, to Demerara and Berbice, and i n c l u d e d A l H a j HazratRamjohn (Ramazan), Hazrat Mohammad Ahmad Nasir, among many other wise and intellectual Musselman.

In presenting their research to commemorate the Centennial of the # 78 Mosque in 1963, they said, “Extensive and exhaustive research has revealed that themosquewasbuiltin1863 by SohabethSubrati, father of the late Moulvi Ibrahim; Ishmile Shahabuddin,Wajid Allyand Khadmi,motherof Messrs,DookieandSankar.

They “showed keen interest in Islam and it was by their instrumentality that they have been fortunate to acquire a piece of land and builtasmallmosque.”

Like in many cases in Guyana,afamilycouldhave several of their names spelled differently His name is written as

“Sobrattee” on his immigration records, but varies on some of his other records.

ThestoryofKhadmiisof great interest She was married to Ramessar, an Indian born Brahmin who convertedtoIslam.Theyhad two sons, Seesankar (Maula Baksh) and Dookie (Khoda Baksh).Ramessarmayhave been the first Hindustani goldsmithsinSkeldoninthe 1880safterhereturnedfrom Indiain1880.

Ramessartookhisfamily to India but abruptly returned to Guyana after the family discovered that he had converted to Islam and assimilated with Muslims.

Onthebirthcertificateof his grandson, Aminul Ahmad Sankar, Ramessar is r e c o r d e d a s h i s “grandfather” who was a “goldsmith from # 79 ”

From Seesankar, the name changed to Sankar from this period.

It is worthy to mention that Sankar’s wife, Sakinatul, was the eldest sisterofKabul(Kabil)Khan, Nur Khan, Shehzaadi and Zainab.ZainabKhatoonwas married to Ibrahim Majee, a descendant of Sobrattee. Shehzaadi Khatoon was married to Hazrat Abdul Rahaman of 79. The two brotherswereNurKhanand Kabil Khan. Kabil Khan’s wife, Imaman, was from Wakeenaam.

It demonstrates yet a n o t h e r p i e c e o f historiography, that from one end of Guyana to the other, Corentyne, to the

Essequibo Islands, our families wereconnected.

And I speak of all Muslim Guyana in this context.It’sacommonhabit of the survival of a minority communitytodoso.

Theoriginalsiteofthe78 Mosque was at Number 79 Village, where Mohammed Ezammudeen, a great grandson of Sobrattee lives today The mosque was moved from #79 to its current location at # 78 Village Eventually, the simple structure was moved t o i t s c u r r e n t location Returning from Makkah, the Middle East and India, the masjid was modernised by the gigantic efforts of Al Haj Ramzan who garnered support to build one of the most beautiful mosques in Guyana.

He didn’t hesitate to go deep into his pockets to finance the expensive project.

A c c o r d i n g t o Mohammed Ezammudeen, SohabethSobrattee isn’t one name but the names of the two brothers, Sohabeth and Sobrattee.

Research continues to bring more light and clarity to the founding of the 78 Masjid, and I welcome any help from the public. Sadly, the original mosque was demolished to erect a mega structure about two decades ago, and which lacks asceticism.

M a h e R a m a z a n Mubarakho!

Sincerely, Ray

Chickrie

DEAREDITOR,

Throughout history and also today, atrocities were and are being committed on innocent people by armies, mobs,andgangs.

Yet, there is one denominator in all of this as to why people commit these attacks on innocent people, the denominator being, an evil voice told them to commit these attacks since theperpetratorsjustdidn’tor doevilontheirownaccord.

Someone in leadership always instructs armies, mobs, and gangs to commit evil, even serial killers use

this as a defense that an evil voice told them to kill innocent people. The recent rants from the voice of TacumaOgunseyeshouldbe taken seriously since sectarian violence is like a virus, it starts from patient zeroandthenspreadsuntilit becomes a pandemic. Why doesn’t Tacuma tell his followersthatwhenhisparty was in power, they gave away the oil and voted to waive taxes for the oil companies that would have solved his supporters’ problems? Rather than blaming others for their

financial problems There are other evil voices speaking in Guyana less dramatic than Tacuma’s racist rant, but speak evil nevertheless Like the constant lies from the Government and opposition parties about oil and other important affairs regarding Guyana, and the vocal supportforTacumafromthe Opposition Leader Norton and other opposition politicians.

AtarecentBerbicerally, the VP said Trinidad producedoilforovera

(Continuedonpage6)

The revolution against oppression is brewing

DEAREDITOR,

The Linden Mayor and Town Council is hereby put on notice that there will not be any exclusive event on any given night of LTW 2023.

Town Week belongs to all Lindeners and we must ensure that residents are allowed to hold multiple events and activities throughouttheoneweek.

Ithasbeenbroughttomy attention that the PPP surrogates at Linden are given exclusive rights to hold the popular All-Black event on one night of LTW The Town Council has

decidedthatnootheractivity willbeheldonthatday This comes against the backdrop of Jagdeo’s idealistic dream of the PPP taking over Linden as its stronghold at June’s Local Government Elections.

I have nothing personal against the promoters of the All-Black. My concern is about our local politics Jagdeo, at his press conference today, admitted Linden has been a PNC s t r o n g h o l d s i n c e Independence.Itwillremain that way The Mayor and Town Council is now informedthattherewillbean

All-Black 2 on that same night and Buju Banton will be there. No one promoter shouldhavethemonopolyto hold one event on a night of LTW

The PPP tried to hijack MashatLindentoshowthey are making inroads in that town.

They failed miserably They will fail again. Let the PPPsendtheirpolicetostop All Black 2. The revolution against oppression is brewing.

Sincerelyyours, NormanBrowne

Social and Political Activist

Guyanese are the richest people per capita globally, but also the world’s biggest pushovers

Guyanese are the richest people per capita globally...

Frompage5 century and never had full cover insurance, so why do Guyana need insurance? Why would people at this rally applaud this statement fromtheVPisstillchurning in my mind as I can’t comprehend this level of irresponsibility from those inattendanceforthesakeof theirownlives.

AvoicetoldRamoutarto sign away the oil blocks, a voice told Trotman to sign away the oil, and Jordan’s ownvoicetoldhimtowaive taxes for oil companies WhentheoilfindsinGuyana made world news, President Maduro of Venezuela on a podcast said Essequibo belongtohiscountryandhe

would not abide by the UN border agreement, with an armycloseto350,000strong compared to Guyana 3,500. With regular arms shipment and military advisors from Russia going to Venezuela, Guyana should take notice and check the history of border wars when one country gets rich and the other jealous The US Ambassador along with John Hess and Alistair Routledge continue to tell Guyana to abide by the sanctity of contract and accept the terms of the currentcontractasis. Ambassador, Mr Hess, and Mr Routledge, Guyana havedonethatfor4projects already

All Guyanese are asking for are taxes, full cover i n s u r a n c e , a n d environmental compliance, which is the policy of your owncountrytheUSA. Why can your country have these wonderful things and not Guyana?

Seems Guyanese are the richest citizens per capita in the world and also the biggestpushoverswhereany foreigner can come and trample on Guyanese rights andfairshareoftheirwealth with impunity, as Guyana’s parliamentarians watch in silence and the government even provides lawyers to defendtheforeignersagainst Guyanese. Guyanese your good voices must be heard

louder than those of the evil ones, whether they are from domesticorforeignsources. The loudest dissenting voices against the PPP government for their fair shareofGuyana’swealthare coming from Regions 1, 2 and 3 which gave the PPP one-third of their election vote with Region 3 providing the largest plus votedifferentialforthePPP It’s now time to hear from PNC voters against racial divisiveness and demanding their fair share of Guyana’s wealth which includes speaking out against their own leaders who sold them out.

Yoursfaithfully,

R.David

Reconsider those long prison sentences, focus on rehabilitation

DEAREDITOR,

Itisverydisappointingto

continuously observe convicts being subjected to verylongstretchesinprison, including life sentences. I would expect that judges appreciate that our prison system should take into consideration that it is not only a penal institution, but primarilyacorrectionalone, and hand down judgements that take this into consideration When one who has committed a crime is incarcerated, the primary purposeinmymindistotake stepstomakehimrealisehis

wrongdoing,andtrytoinstill in him proper ways of behaviour, proper use of his conscienceinallhisactions, and to always keep in mind theeffectsoftheseonothers.

I am so astonished that those in authority should condemn supposed criminals for long periods, without seeming to appreciate that our first duty to those who are accused of wrongdoing is to search for ways by which they can be educatedontheproperways ofliving,andtohelpthemto regain their proper place in our societyI would also expectthatthosewhocontrol our prisons are properly equippedinthisprocess,and appreciate their obligations in this process of reformation.

Yourssincerely, Roy

Paul

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AMERICAN AMBASSADOR LYNCH AND SANCTITY OF CONTRACT - PART 4

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Ambassador Lynch: Guyanese live in poverty.

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Ambassador: contract sanctity does not give Guyanese prosperity.

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Ambassador Lynch: Exxon is prospering,Americans are prospering.

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Ambassador Lynch: why are Guyanese not prospering?

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Ambassador Lynch: it is due to this hypocrisy about contract sanctity.

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Sophia vendor shot during attempted arson on home

A thirty-nine-year-old the southern side of his The injured man was vendor of ‘B’Field Reserve house. taken to the Georgetown Dam,Sophiaisnownursing Accordingtothevendor, Public Hospital’s Accident a gunshot wound to his hip, as he opened the southern and Emergency Unit where after he was shot by an door of his house, he was heisreceivingtreatment. unidentified man who tried c o n f r o n t e d b y a n Police said upon arrival to set his house early Friday unidentifiablemale. at the scene, they recovered morning. Themanreportedthathe a suspected 9mm spent

A c c o r d i n g t o a then heard a loud explosion, shell. statement from the police, which sounded like a The law enforcement the victim who resides with gunshot, and felt a burning officers observed that the his reputed wife and two sensationtohisrighthip. southern door at the children reported that about The vendor said that the vendor ’s home was 00:30hrs yesterday he was suspect made good his scorchedbythefire. awaken by the smell of escape. He could not say Aninvestigationintothe smoke. He reported that he which direction the suspect incident has since been sprangupandsawsmokeon ran. launched.

$50M contract awarded to supervise construction of $1.7B Karasabai School

The Government of District, as the Ministry of sittingforecourt. Guyanahasawardeda$50M Education signed the The designs for the contract to GR Engineering contract for the construction buildings were completed in Companyforthesupervision of a brand new modern November 2022, after a of the construction of the secondary school for the series of consultations. The $1 7billion Karasabai area. ministry had stated that once Secondary School, Region The contract which is completed, the facility will Nine. worth $1,773,930,690, was house and will cater for 500

According to the signed by the Ministry of students in the classroom, information provided on the Education and Avinash and 250 students in the National Procurement and Contracting and Scrap Metal dormitories.

Tender Administration Inc.

In a release, the Ministry Board (NPTAB) website, Kaieteur News had of Education said that the GR Engineering Company reported that Avinash construction of this school was awarded the contract Contracting was among 20 means students will no valuedat$50,274,000. contractors who had placed longerhavetotraverserough Kaieteur News had bids for the project, when it terrains daily to receive an reported that when the was opened at NPTAB education they rightly project was opened at the office According to the deserve.

N P TA B o ff i c e , G R NPTAB information, the Students from Karasabai Engineering Company was ministry had estimated this and all other neighbouring among three firms that had p r o j e c t t o c o s t villages will have the applied to provide this $1,797,001,868. opportunity to pursue a service.Theotherfirmswere The modern school sound secondary education. CB&A complex will be fitted with Students in the Karasabai ssociates Inc. which bid ten buildings, which would s u b - d i s t r i c t f r o m $48,796,750 and Caribbean include the main teaching communities such as Tiger Engineering Management block and allied lecturing Pond, Cracrana, Tsushima, Consultants Inc. that placed facilities, modern science Kokshebai and Yurong Paru a bid of $61,000,000 for the laboratory for Physics, are currently either not job. Chemistry and Biology, receiving a secondary

Thispublicationreported TVET Centres, combined education or are being that in the next two years, no Home Economics and educated in primary tops, a longer will there be primary cafeteria area, teachers’ secondary dept in a primary topsschoolsintheKarasabai quarters and an outdoor school.

THE GOVERNMENT IS ‘HARD

There has never been a more transparent conflict of interest than that which exists in the Environmental Assessment Board. A group of environmentalists and civil society organizations haveestablishedmorethana compelling case of such conflicts of interest in relation to the Board and particularlyinrelationtothe consideration of the gas-toenergyplantandWales.

If those in a conflict of interest were to recuse themselves from the hearings, the Board would nothaveaquorum.Assuch, it behooves the government to reconstitute the Board so that there is no potential conflicts of interest that would allow the Board to carry out its work and to avoid its decisions being overturned by the courts because of the conflicts of interests.

The government has beenwrittentointhismatter

Butithasfailedtoactandin fact, as this newspaper has reported, the new and conflicted board has met on the same project, and has done so without anyone recusing himself from the hearings.

I t i s a t r a g i c

development, one which shows that the PPPC government is ‘unreceptive topublicconcernsthatareat odds with its own thinking andbentonhavingitsway.It also raises concerns about good governance under the presentgovernment.

Guyanese must not get confused between economic development and good governance. You can have economic development with the worst system of governance.Infact,someof theverycountrieswhichare used as models of economic development – such as Singapore – have enjoyed economic development but have done so under regimes that did not practice good governance at all. Chile had strong economic growth when it was ruled by the militarydictatorship.

But those concerned about the actual and potentialconflictsofinterest in the workings of the Environmental Assessment Board need not worry It is the government who should be worried because in its stubbornness to correct its flawed appointments, it has overlooked an important element.

Conflict of interest is a

legal concept. And on the basis of this concept, the courts will likely overturn any decision made by any personorpersonswhoarein aconflictedposition.

The following is a recap of a previous discussion, in this column, concerning conflicts of interest: The litmus test of a conflict of interest was outlined in the historic ‘Pinochet’ case before the House of Lords. Some background is important in understanding t h e p r i n c i p l e In1973,andwiththesupport oftheUnitedStates,Augusto Pinochet, a Chilean general, toppled the government of Salvador Allende This commenced one of the most brutal reigns. Thousands of people were tortured and morethan3,000disappeared during Pinochet’s bloody rule.

After he retired, some of his victims brought proceedingsagainsthimina Spanish Court. Far away in Chile,thegeneralandformer President could not have been worried. No former Head of State had ever been convictedonthebasisofthe principle of universal jurisdiction,whichalloweda person to be convicted in a

Pres. Ali violated Guyana’s constitution by suspending...

Frompage3 have been removed from constitutional office in due process, to which the Constitution does not imbue President Ali with power to suspend in the absence of a Tribunal and in doing so the president acted ultra vires the constitution Justice Persaud said, “In summary, therefore,thedecisionofHis Excellency the President to suspend the chairman and other members of the Commission was unlawful and in contravention of

Article 225 of the

Constitution, arbitrary, unreasonable, unfair, in violation of a suspended

C h a i r m a n a n d

C o m m i s s i o n e r s constitutional rights that are protectionofthelawanddue processofthelaw,null,void and of no legal effect,”

Justice Persaud said. As such, the Judge said “It is herebyorderedanddeclared that judgment be and is hereby granted in favour of Paul Slowe as prayed for in para 1 of the FDA in the followingterms…”

After the court granted

Dem Boys Seh...

that the suspensions of Paul Slowe and the other PSC members from performing the functions of their respective offices in the Commission violated the Constitution of Guyana and therefore of no force and effect – the judge granted costs to be awarded to the lawyers for the former PSC members In response, Attorney-at-Law Selwyn Pieters asked the court for time to submit submissions on cost, citing that since the matter commenced in 2021, thecostwouldbehigh.

Dis time nah lang time!

Lang time dem politicians when dem bininOpposition,didtelldepeoplehowde Coal-A-Shungovernmentsoldusouttode foreigners.

Demdidtellwehoweverytimethereis an oil find, our people should be sad because nothing comes our way Dem tell wewhendemgetindeh,demganchangede contractwithdeoilcompanies.

But when dem did get it, dem fuhget wah dem did promise. Dem tek a different position.Demsehhowdemnahganchange de contract because dem gat to respect de sanctityofdecontract.Datishowsomeof dempoliticiansdoestalkthroughbothsides ofdemmouth.

Well,ifGuyaneseshouldhavebeensad in de past, dem should be crying now

because not only we nah getting anything better,wemightendupinaworsestatethan before. A university lecturer in Jamaica done sound a warning to awe. He seh how we look like awe heading for a resource curse.Dismanisnotapoliticianandhenot gat a political axe to grind but he done warningweaboutwedependenceonoil. Buthecouldjustaswellbewarningwe about some of dem politicians who does talkonethingwhendeminOpposition,and another thing when dem in Government. But is we put dem deh and we gat to hold dem accountable to dem promise Otherwise, dem gan continue to say one thingonetimeanddoanotherthing another time. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

foreign state for abuses in thatperson’shomestate.

In1998,Pinochetwason aprivatevisittoEnglandfor medical treatment.Amnesty International, a global humanrightsbody,gotwind of the visit Amnesty Internationalhadfordecades been highlighting and condemning human rights violationsinChileduringthe ruleofPinochet.

Upon learning of Pinochet’s proposed visit, it immediately sent out a missive to all European governments reminding them of their obligation to arrestPinochetforviolations of the Convention on Torture Eventually, a Spanish judge issued an arrestwarrantforPinochet.

Pinochet was arrested and held in a London hospital where he was seeking medical attention. Hechallengedhisarrestand wassuccessfulinhavingthe initialwarrantquashed.

A second warrant was also quashed, but this decision was stayed, allowing for the authorities to challenge the quashing before the House of Lords. Amnesty International joinedthecaseatthatstage.

Pinochet’s bid for freedom rested on his claim of immunity as a former HeadofState.TheHouseof Lords allowed the appeal

against the quashing of the second warrant, which meantthatPinochetwasstill underarrestandawaitingan extradition hearing to stand trialinSpain.

Itwaslaterbroughttothe attention of Pinochet’s legal team that one of the judges waslinkedtoacharitywhich had raised funds for Amnesty International, and thatthesaidjudge’swifewas also an administrative staff with Amnesty International.

Pinochet therefore appealed the decision of the House of Lordsonthegroundsthatits decision was tainted with bias because of this conflict ofinterest.

Pinochet, through his legal team, argued that the relationship between the judge and Amnesty International “gave rise to a reasonable apprehension or suspicion of bias”. The new panel of judges in their decision held that what was being argued was not actual bias, but the appearance of bias.

This today has become the litmus test of conflict of interest–notonlyactualbias but the appearance or mere suspicionofbias.TheLords held that the judge had an ‘interest’,whichmustleadto hisdisqualification.

The case in effect turned on the mere appearance of bias which was sufficient to

taint the first hearing. There wasnoneedtoestablishthat there was any actual bias. The mere appearance or likelihood of bias was sufficient to establish a conflict of interest. This has become the litmus test for conflictofinterest.

Just recently the CCJ held that a member of an administrative tribunal shouldhaverecusedhimself from a case involving a relativeofhis.Soatboththe level of international and municipal law, the principle of a conflict of interest applies.

Any decision therefore by the Environmental AssessmentBureauwhichis tainted with a mere appearance of bias is likely tobeoverturnedbythecourt upon a legal challenge.And if this happens it will freeze the moving ahead with the gas-to-shoreproject.

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

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

GOING TOO FAR, LAWLESSNESS OUT OF HAND

Iregret that Ms Kimone Gentle lost her cool, and lost control. In so doing, she alsolostsomeoftherespect thatisduetoher,lostonthe highgroundthatcouldhave been easily defended. Yes, the odds against her were heavy:malestudent,female

parent, and an explosion of aggression.

Still, Ms Gentle, educator in the Houston Secondary School, knows better; the problem is that she didn’t do so, but even went into the indefensible. Without knowing all the facts and surrounding

circumstances, I have considerable sympathy for Teacher Kimone, but I just can’thaveherback,asmuch asIwouldlike.

When we (she or any of us) allow ourselves to be dragged into, or willingly descend,intothegutter,then allthatisseenandsmelledis

the gutter As difficult as it is,theremustbethatreserve, that inner strength, to rise abovethefray

Yes, it is the heat of the moment,andinasituationof extreme provocation, but to arm herself and go after the parent, leaves her in no man’sland.

I am as one with teachers,didsevenyearsina no-nonsense environment; though there were instances thatcouldhavedeteriorated, I still did not ever get the impression that things would go off a cliff, to the detriment of all concerned. Itwouldbecomfortingifthe same could be said for our national public school system.

Just a quick march through recent ugly and harmful developments involving teachers in our public schools note the vulgarity, disorderliness, anduttercontemptforrules, standards,protocols,andthe effectsonyoungminds,and older observers, such as colleagues, security personnel,passersby

TherewastheEastCoast Demerara, then West Coast Berbice, and also Georgetown, with Houston ontheEastBankDemerara, thelatestcasualtyofwhatis a declaration of war against ourteachers.

I ask myself if the ones targeted, the ones attacked, arethathorribletostudents, toparents,tothegoodofthis country Regardingenraged parents, I discern this pentupfrustration,thispowerful wrath, directed at those closesttohand-ateacher

I dare to ask the unaskable: are teachers a proxy punching bag for

those that can’t be reached? In like fashion, are we cursing, screaming, beating up and putting down one anotherinwidersociety,asa mechanism to let off steam that is wished can be directed higher up, but the reach and means are lacking?

By higher-up, I do not meanheadteachers,butway above that ordinary level. Think politics. Ponder the national, and its unending streams of the abusive, the offensive,andthecorrosive.

I think that huge elements of those have seeped into our homes, our attitudestolife(inGuyana), and most indecently and dangerously into our school complexes, and classrooms. Parents turn up the gas into the unthinkable, and now a teacherhascrossedtheline, andcrossedherselfup.

Though necessary, I really am not keen on knowing what incited the hostile and entangling engagement.

What is concerning to meisthataparentreachedas far as she did in a school setting, and with one violationleadingtothenext, and then the other Finally, there was that instrument of whatcouldhaveeasilyledto grievous bodily harm, or worse.

Who else in the worsening teacher-parent divideharborssimilarideas? Because the required protections and impassable spaces are not in place? I say this differently; there will be hell to pay and immediately for any parent (oranybody)toproceedinto aclassroom,foranyreason,

including the good. There must be that non-debatable, non-negotiable sense drummed into likely angry parents, and into some others likely to be unconcerned about breaching regulations or laws.

Also, there must be the strongest reassurance given t o p a r e n t s , w i t h accompanying confidence felt, that officialdom (ministry) will deal quickly, cleanly, meaningfully with teacherwrongdoing.

Our Ministry of Educationshouldbelikeour Ministry of ForeignAffairs. Meaning, that both are models of decorum in local and foreign forums respectivelyinthewaysthat they conduct themselves Still more specifically, the m i n i s t e r i a l a n d ambassadorial levels must set the tone, manifest the courteous comportment; and all throughout in the managerial and officer and teacherranks,thesamemust follow

The police have scorecards about numerical decline in crimes. Has anyone taken the time to consider and count our quality-of-life crimes? From high houses to roadways to school inroads, we have lost significant ground in the struggle for what is respectful, mutually dignified.

Observe the barbed porcupine that one leader changes into when sharply questioned. Study another national leader that is exemplary in fancy footwork first, then when cornered bristles with boorishness.

As leaders go, so do some citizens, too. Many come to accept that the law doesn’t apply to them, that rulesaretheretobetrampled upon, and whoever gets in thewaycanbekickedabout at will. Before it was fists, now a cutlass is in hand. National lawless expands, deepens,isoutofhand.

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

Loopholes in new draft oil contracts could expose Guyana to financial risk in case of oil spill

Fearsoverthelackoffull Minister,” in the proposed “if this section is allowed to protection in the form of drafts, Guyana is left remain as is while adequate insurance, should exposedtofinancialrisks. inadequate insurance there be an oil spill in Elucidatingthisposition, coverage is in place, the Guyana’s Exclusive it was pointed out that in the country will be exposed to Economic Zone (EEZ) is new draft PSAs, it dictates significant financial loss in being raised again, since in that Insurance and Losses, theeventofamajoroilspill. t h e p r o p o s e d d r a f t “Costs, losses and damages To this end, it was Production Sharing incurred to the extent not posited that the PSAs must Agreement(PSA)governing made good by insurance, are ensure very stringent and thenewoilblocks,itexposes recoverable.” extensive insura

ce Guyana to significant Meaning, any monies to coverage, “to prevent the financialrisks. beusedincaseofanoilspill, financial downside that this

The issue was raised beyond what is covered sectionallows.” recently by Jamil Changlee, through self-insurance, will

The Liza I Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessel, offshore Guyana in the Stabroek Block

The provisions which of affairs in relation to announced that Guyana’s 30 percent stake, along with ChairmanoftheCooperative have to come out of cost oil Changlee has flagged as

so Environmental Protection CNOOC Petroleum Guyana RepublicansofGuyana,who or oil produced from the dangerous, are proposed in Exploration and Production Agency (EPA) had been Limited, incorporated in observed that under the StabroekBlockthathasbeen the new PSAs even though G u y a n a L i m i t e d d i r e c t e d b y t h e Barbados and holds the provisions for “Costs earmarked to cover Vice President Bharrat (EEPGL) ExxonMobil Administration to get remaining 25 percent Recoverable Without expenses. Jagdeo, only this past month Guyana—andtheirpartners. ExxonMobil, along with interest. Further Approval of the According to Changlee, publicly lamented the state To this end, he had Hess Corporation both As such, Guyana as a based in the United States of new oil producer in the America (USA) and world,injustafewyearshas China’s National Offshore moved from discovery to Oil Company (CNOOC), to producing in excess of provide a written guarantee 350,000 barrels of oil daily for ‘Full Coverage but the ExxonMobil led Insurance’ for its operations consortium operating in the locally Stabroek Block of the This,intheeventofanoil country’s Exclusive spill in the Stabroek Block, Economic Zone, is doing so would see the US and without a full and Chinese based parent comprehensive insurance companies for the local package, guaranteed by the subsidiaries, picking up the parent company of those tab, should they be unable to subsidiaries. cover the expenses for The call, has in recent containment and clean-up of years become even more anoilspillinGuyana. pronounced, given the Changlee noted that the quantumofliquidassetsheld new draft PSAs do not make by the subsidiaries, which theseprovisions. many analysts have rejected Jagdeo during a press as insufficient to meet the conferenceheldattheArthur expenses associated with Chung Convention Centre clean-upofanoilspill. (ACCC), after persistent According to Jagdeo, “I questioning, finally told the EPA to get…they conceded that no such have to get the parent arrangementisinplaceasyet companyguarantee.” for the Stabroek Block, a He was at the time situation that is a cause of responding directly to a concernforhimalso,andnot question that has been justthecritics. repeatedly posed to him by

The state of affairs Kaieteur News Publisher obtains, since Guyana has a and Social Commentator, PSA, commonly referred to Glenn Lall, who sought as the ‘Oil Contract,’ not again, to enquire into the withtheUSorChinesebased insurance that is to be parent companies but with provided by the parent subsidiaries owned by them companies for the oil and incorporated in companies in the Stabroek Barbados, the Bahamas and Block. The Vice President, theCaymanIslands. having brushed aside the

In 2016, the Government question on previous of Guyana inked that occasions, finally conceded, arrangement with Esso “I have expressed concerns Exploration and Production myself if you think you’re G u y a n a L i m i t e d justconcerned.”

(EEPGL) ExxonMobil

Tothisend,hewentonto Guyana which is a speak on capacity building subsidiary of the US based but reiterated, “Some of the Companybutisincorporated concerns are also our in the Bahamas and holds a concerns.”

45 percent stake in the The EPAin a subsequent StabroekBlock. response dismissed pursuit

The other partners with of a parent company which the State inked its guarantee, saying that it was deal, were Hess Guyana not standard international Exploration Corporation, a practice, as is the case with subsidiary of the US based self-insurance that is catered company,incorporatedinthe for in the existing PSAs, and Cayman Islands and holds a thoseproposed.

MisconductcaseagainstWinstonJordanfortrialinApril

The trial for former Guyana, between February disclosed that the case was take evidence from the purchaser BK Marines Inc., Finance Minister, Winston 26,2020andJuly31,2020at heard before Senior prosecution,andthenmakea only paid US$100,000, Jordan, who was charged MainStreet,Georgetown,he MagistrateLeronDaly ruling at the end of the which is 10 percent of the with misconduct in public willfully misconducted A c c o r d i n g t o prosecution’scase. purchase price, and Jordan office, is scheduled to himself. Karimbaksh, as the case was This prompted one of the issued a vesting order commenceonApril11,2023 The charge alleges that being heard, the Magistrate defence attorneys to inform passing Title to the a t t h e G e o rg e t o w n the former minister acted indicated to the prosecutor the court that the defence purchaser, without the Magistrates’Courts. recklessly when he signed thatshewasinclinedtomake would be challenging her payment of any further sum

The former Minister had NICIL Order, No. 50 of a ruling in favour of the ruling in the High Court. ofmonies. made his first court 2020, transferring to and defence submissions which However, the magistrate It was further stated that appearance in December vesting in BK Marine Inc., were previously made by adjourned the case for 11th the vesting order stated that 2021, before Chief Mud lots situated at North Jordan’s lawyers that he was April2023fortrial. the property is being sold Magistrate, Ann McLennan C u m m i n g s b u r g , not a Public Officer, Kaieteur News had free from encumbrance and i n t h e G e o rg e t o w n Georgetown, being over howevertheprosecutionhad reportedthatJordanwasfirst liabilities and no further sum Magistrates’ Courts for 2 553 acres, by paying previouslysubmittedthatthe arrested on December 2, of money is owed by the allegedly selling a State $20,260,276, for a property Chief Justice made a ruling 2021 and later released on purchaser Also, the wharf below its market valued over $5B and being in the case of Brassington bailforaseriesofallegations transport was subsequently value. sold at a price that was and Singh v the Chief relating to transactions of reportedly issued for the Jordan was not required grossly undervalued to such Magistrate in Application public funds and state property and the value stated to plead to the indictable a degree as to amount to an 757 of 2018 that Dr Ashni The Magistrate, after properties, estimated to on the transport was charge after it was read to abuse of the public trust and Singh who was also a making the comments value billions of Guyana US$2,000,000. It was noted him. He was slapped with a withoutreasonableexcuseor Finance Minister was reserved her ruling to advise dollars. however, that the agreement charge which alleges that justification. considered to be a Public herselfonwhethertostopthe According to the police, of sale stated that title must while being and performing The charge was brought Officer and that Article 232 case without hearing the first transaction that he only pass upon full payment dutiesofMinisterofFinance against him by the Special oftheconstitutionofGuyana e v i d e n c e f r o m t h e was interviewed about is in ofpurchaseprice. and being the concerned Organised Crime Unit provides that a Public prosecution or whether she relation to the alleged sale The police also reported Minister for the National (SOCU), an arm of the Officer means the holder of hastotakeevidencefromthe and vesting of the state’s that investigators have Industrial and Commercial Guyana Police Force (GPF). any Public Office and prosecution and then make a largest wharf facilities evidence to establish that a Investments Limited Head of SOCU, Assistant includes any person ruling at the end of the located at Kingston, facility which is a mere (NICIL), a company owned Commissioner Fazil appointed to act in such prosecution’s case and had Georgetown, valued fraction of the size of the by the Government of Karimbaksh, on Thursday Officeinteralia. adjournedthematter a p p r o x i m a t e l y state property that is under

Houston Secondary School teacher attacked over damaged cell phone - Parent

The parent, of the Houston Secondary School student, who attacked a teacher of the school on Thursday reportedly, told policethatshehittheteacher becausetheteacherdamaged hercellphone.

When the case was US$40,000,000 but was investigation, and located recalled, Senior Magistrate reportedly sold for sevenmilesupriver,wassold Daly indicated that she US$500,000. by a private company for would reserve her ruling and It is alleged that the US$17million.

Canadian based-Guyanese woman found dead at Leguan foreshore was killed

from blow to the head

- Autopsy reveals

Houston Secondary School Teacher, Kimone Gentle

Forty-three-year old Keola Stanton of Grove Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) alleged that she visited the school to meet with the Head Mistress (HM) about an incident her 17-year-old son, a fifth form student, was allegedly involvedin. hit the cell phone out of her female parent and a student Stanton claimed that her handscausingtodamage.An onThurday son accompanied her and argument reportedly ensued Sheisthethirdteacherto upon entering building she and quickly turned into a be attacked in the last two met Kimone Gentle, the scuffle. weeksandthefifththisyear teacher involved in the Gentleduringthescuffle, Her actions, which were scuffle and informed her of alleged that Stanton, picked recorded and shared widely thereasonforhervisit. up a chair and lashed her on social media, resulted in Gentle, she alleged, several times to body until her being arrested. She was asked her, her relationship she fell to the ground. Her subsequently released withthestudent.Thewoman seventeen-year-old son followingtheinterventionof said that after relating that allegedly intervened at that herattorneyDarrenWade. she was his mother, Gentle pointtoprotecthismother In the video, the student begancomplainingabouther Gentle on the other hand was seen being restrained by son’s attitude and conduct in admitted that when Stanton a security officer while school. started to record her she Gentle and the parent were

Stanton continued her started moving aggressively separatedfromeachother claims that responded, “All towards her The teacher Gentle’s colleagues tried ayo advantaging my son”. denied attacking Stanton to calm her down as the According to the parent her first. Instead, alleged the parent and student were response was met with teacher, the woman knocked taken away from the school. expletives from the teacher her reading glasses onto the The teacher however armed Shethenallegedlypulledout floor herself with a cutlass and her phone to record Gentle’s According to reports, pursued her alleged attacker verbalabusetowardsher Gentle was force to brandish while other teachers

The mother alleged that a cutlass to defend herself pleaded, “Miss Gentle stop, Gentle walked up to her and after she was attacked by a MissGentlepleasestop”.

Anautopsyconductedon Friday revealed that Roma Dookeran, 68, the woman whose body washed ashore at Leguan, Region Three, waskilledfromablowtothe head.

According to police, Dookeran died from “brain hemorrhage due to blunt force trauma to the head and compressiontotheneck”.

Dookeran’s partially nude remains washed up last Wednesday at the Leguan foreshore, hours after she was reportedly dropped off at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) toboardaflighttoCanada.

Her Nephew, Manoj Seree, a 45-year-old driver from the Essequibo Coast discovered that the dead Investigators are trying toldcopsthathehaddropped womanwashisaunt. to ascertain what transpired the woman there around Investigationssofarhave after the woman was 22:45hrsonTuesday revealed Dookeran never dropped at the city hotel Dookeran, however boarded her flight the night sinceherbodywashedupthe never made it to Canada and she was taken to CJIA following day on the Leguan when Seree was notified of Security Cameras at the foreshore. this, he became suspicious airport showed Dookeran Dookeranwasfoundclad that something might have joining a taxi a short while only in a black brassier and happened to her By this afterhernephewhadleft. there were black and blue time, police had already K a i e t e u r N e w s marks between her legs and discovered a woman’s body understands that the taxi was atthesideofherbody attheLeguanForeshore. tracked down but the driver The Canadian citizen, Seree said he visited the alleged that he had dropped according to reports, had funeral home where the the woman at a hotel in the recently entered the country remains were being kept and city to‘tieupsomebusiness’.

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

Dead: Roma Dookeran

Exxon, others lose another appeal to have climate change lawsuit tried in U.S. Federal Court

Another attempt by ‘Big injuries caused by climate change Oil’ to have a climate “may have the practical effect of changelawsuitbrought impacting the energy companies’

againstthembetriedin ability to produce and sell fossil a United States Federal Court as fuels, thereby affecting any federal opposed to a State Court– which is interest that relies in part on the considered more plaintiff-friendly availability and affordability of –hasbeendenied. energy.”

On Thursday, a United States

But the court quoted a similar Federal Court delivered another ruling from the 10th U.S. Circuit blow to the efforts by Big Oil – Court of Appeals to say that those Chevron Corp, ExxonMobil Corp typesofargumentswouldberaised and other oil companies – to force oncethecaseisheardonthemerits, state and local governments to not during a dispute about the pursue lawsuits claiming they propervenueforthelawsuit. fuelled climate change in federal

The 8th Circuit also rejected ratherthanstatecourt. the energy companies’ argument

The U.S states have launched that the activity causing injury in nearly two dozen climate liability the case is not the production of lawsuits against major oil fossil fuels, “but rather the alleged companies like ExxonMobil and ‘misinformation campaign’ Chevron.TheStatesarecontending carried out via false advertising that the oil majors should be held and misrepresentations in financially accountable for climate Minnesota ” change including, global warming,

Thedecisionbythethreejudges floodandwildfiredamage,extreme comes as a blow to the fossil fuel heatandhigh-sealevels.Ifwon,the the country, writes POLITICO’s [industry’s arguments] in each statutes. The judges wrote that industry,whichhadhopedthecourt States can collect US-hundreds of E&ENewsreporterLesleyClark. case,” Judge Jonathan Kobes “thereisnosubstitutefederalcause would rule in its favor, creating a billions. Exxon, Chevron and other wrote,“Today,wejointhem.” ofaction.” “circuit split,” or disagreement

On Thursday, the judges on the companies have attempted to The three-judge panel wrote Oil companies could be on the between appellate courts, that 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals remove the cases to Federal Court, thatMinnesota’ssuitrestssolelyon hook for US-billions of dollars if could help the oil industry attract agreed that a case from Minnesota where industry lawyers believe state law, including claims of theylosetheclimateliabilitycases. the attention of the Supreme Court belongs in state court. That’s the theyaremorelikelytoprevail. common law fraud and violations

sixthsuchrulingfromcourtsacross “Our sister circuits rejected of various

The 8th Circuit noted that allowing in its bid to dismiss the climate

consumer protection Minnesota to recover damages for litigation.

WANTED VACANCY

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

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

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

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

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

Maid and Driver needed, preferably residing in Eccles area. Call: 223-7165.

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

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

Male & Female general Workers and Receptionist needed to work shift at hotel. Apply in person @ 12 Henry Street Werk-en-Rust. Call: 2259211.

Farm Workers needed to work at Hauraruni and Hog Island. Call: 674-8723.

Cook needed in Bel Air area, must be able to prepare Indian & English dishes and perform domestic duties. Call: 624-1473/ 223-9888.

General Domestic needed to work 6am-2pm, preferably from around Ogle, E.C.D. Call: 646-7142.

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

One Plumber needed. Call: 615-9132.

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

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

Vacancy exists for two experienced Dispatchers at Confidential Cabs. Call: 6951961 /231-5784.

Able-bodied live-in female Housekeeper to work in Virgina, U.S.A. Between the ages of 30-50 yrs. Call: 845325-8241/ 592-615-5476.

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

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

Vacancy exists for 2 experienced Hairdressers at Grove, E.B.D. Call: 652-5800/ 677-0040.

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

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

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

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

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

VACANCY

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

Supermarket Packers/ Porters AM & PM needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Tel: 609-2995, survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

Heavy equipment Servicemen needed to work in Georgetown. Applicants must be experienced. Call: 231-2250/ 615-0545.

Water Delivery Driver and Porter needed for E.C.D. Call: 676-1363/ 692-6768.

Experienced Pump Attendants needed at Sunrise Marina Gas Station, preferably from Parika area. Send CV to sunrisemarinainc@ yahoo.com or Call: 2620404.

Vacancy exist for Carpenter/ Joiner. Apply at Regency Suites/ Hotel, 98 Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust G/ Town. Call: 226-0550/ 6093332.

Civil Engineer, Articet, Masons, Carpenter and Electrician needed. Send Cv to Cb housing development inc, Track Waico Amelia's ward industrial site, Linden Guyana.

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

Housekeeper/ Cook needed. Preferably Visa holder and living in Georgetown area. Part-time job is optional. WhatsApp: 640-6535.

Vacancy At People's Choice Kitchen for night Cooks/ Pastry Maker for night shift. Call/ WhatsApp: 679-9449.

SERVICES

Visa Application: Canada and UK & U.S.A. Graphics design & advertisements. Wedding decorations & elderly grooming: hair, nail etc. Call: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

Computer repairs available, we come to you! Professional repair on all computer related issues. Call: 645-3184.

Immaculate construction services, professional and affordable tiling, masonry, ceiling, etc. Call: 663-9616.

LEGAL NOTICE 1

2023-HC-DEM-CIV-FD198

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

PETITION NO.: FD-198

BETWEEN: -GRANT (MICHAEL ODTELL)

Petitioner/ Applicant

-andGRANT (IJUDAH) nee

HOYTE Respondent

To the Respondent

IJUDAH GRANT nee

HOYTE

Last Known Address

Lot 92 Blueberry Hill, Wismar, Linden, Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 1st day of February, 2023 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by MICHAEL ODTELL

GRANT, the Petitioner/ Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room via zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf at the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 14th day of March, 2023

FOR RENT

2 & 4 bedrooms Apartments and 2 empty corner lot for rent at Bladen Hall, E.C.D. Call/ WhatsApp: 700-0030/ 648-1787.

3 bedroom furnished apartment in close proximity to U.G & supermarket, free wifi, water and grilled. Cost $125,000. Call: 672-5390.

2 bedroom furnished apartment in South Ruimveldt, Free wifi, security camera, AC and hot and cold bath available. Cost $ 200,000. Call: 672-5390.

Upper flat apartment for rent in Diamond Housing Scheme. Call: 662-6772/ 619-3244.

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

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 6th day of March, 2023 the Petitioner/Applicant was directed to effect service of his Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

LEGAL NOTICE 2

2022-HC-DEM-CIV- FD1349

IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION

FOR SALE

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

Experienced Accounts Clerk needed @ Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff Street. Call: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

One double Lot 80x160 on the east side of Friendship, Public Road, $12M GYD neg. Call: 626-4234/ 6286212.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

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

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty-five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for

Directions Hearing on Monday the 22nd day of May, 2023 at 9:00 am before the Honourable

PETITION NO.: FD- 1349 BETWEEN:CAMBRIDGE (CINDY ALEXIS) nee SOSO Petitioner/ Applicant -and-CAMBRIDGE (OWEN FITZPATRICK) Respondent

TO: OWEN FITZPATRICK CAMBRIDGE (Last Known Address) Lot 19 Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 22nd day of September, 2022 a Petition for Divorce was filed against you by CINDYALEXIS CAMBRIDGE nee SOSO, the Petitioner/ Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 7th day of December, 2022, the

Prime business spot, 45x500 located at Parika, 4 house lot together at Blankenburg. Call: 652-0251/ 650-0402.

Petitioner/ Applicant was directed to effect service of her Petition on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issues of the Kaieteur News Newspapers, a daily Newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-at-Law at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Petition together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Divorce, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Petition, you must file an Acknowledgement of Service, Notice of Intention to Defend (Forms are available at the Registry), Answer and/or Cross Petition in the Registry of the family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35 (thirty- five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the divorce is fixed for Directions Hearing on Tuesday the 4th day of April, 2023 at 11:15 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln in High Court 12 via Zoom Meeting ID: 817 2463 7445 and Password: Court12 of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing an Acknowledgement of Service/Notice of Intention to Defend, Answer and/or Cross Petition the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Divorce.

The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed. Dated the 2nd day of March, 2023.

LEGAL NOTICE 3

2022-HC-DEM-CIVFD-1208 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE

FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION

FAMILY DIVISION

Application No. FD1208

BETWEEN:ADRIAN (ANNITA) Applicant

-andWILLIAMS (LEVAUGHN) Respondent

TO: LEVAUGHN WILLIAMS formerly of Lot 24 Section ‘H’, Plantation Windsor Castle, Essequibo Coast, Guyana.

TAKE NOTICE that on the 25th day of August, 2022 an Application for Financial Relief/Division of Property with Evidence was filed against you by ANNITA ADRIAN, the Applicant in the Family Division of the High Court in Georgetown, Demerara.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that as part of an Order made on the 10th day of March, 2023 the Applicant was directed to effect service of her Application on you by publication of this Notice in two (2) consecutive Saturday issue of the Kaieteur News, a daily newspaper printed, published and circulated in and around Guyana and on the Worldwide Web (Online).

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire you may appear or attend in person or by your duly authorized agent or Attorney-atLaw at the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara where you will be issued with a certified copy of the Application together with related documents.

AND FURTHER TAKE

NOTICE that if you desire to Defend this Application, then upon receipt of the certified copy of the Application, you must file a Form 8Evidence for Financial Relief/Division of Property (Respondent)

(Forms are available at the Registry) in the Registry of the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown, Demerara within 35

China threatens consequences over US warship’s actions

AP — China threatened “serious consequences” Friday after the United States Navy sailed a destroyer around the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea for the second day in a row, in a move Beijing claimed was a violation of its sovereignty and security.

The warning comes amid growing tensions between China and the United States in the region, as Washington pushes back at Beijing’s growingly assertive posture in the South China Sea, a strategic waterway it claims virtually in its entirety.

On Thursday, after the U.S. sailed the USS Milius guided-missile destroyer near the Paracel Islands, China said its navy and air force had forced the American vessel away, a claim the U.S. military denied.

The U.S. on Friday sailed

LEGAL

NOTICE 3

(thirty-five) days from the date of the second and final publication of this Notice.

TAKE NOTICE that the Application is fixed for Directions Hearing on Wednesday the 10th day of May, 2023 at 10:30 am before the Honourable Madam Justice Sandra Kurtzious in the Directions Hearing Room via Zoom Meeting ID: 648 772 9256 and Password: 5hRiHf at the Family Division of the High Court at Georgetown.

IN DEFAULT of your filing a Form 8- Evidence for Financial Relief/ Division of Property the Court may proceed in your absence and may make any Order it considers appropriate, including granting the Division of Property. The Registry of the Family Division of the High Court is located at the Law Courts [Georgetown, Demerara]. The office is open to the public between 8:00am and 3:30pm Mondays to Thursdays and 8:00am to 2:30pm on Fridays except on public holidays and on such other days as the Registry is closed.

Dated the 14th day of March, 2023.

the ship again in the vicinity of the islands, which are occupied by China but also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam, as part of what it called a “freedom of navigation operation” challenging requirements from all three nations requiring either advance notification or permission before a military vessel sails by.

“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations,” U.S. 7th Fleet spokesperson Lt. j.g. Luka Bakic said in an emailed statement.

“The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant,” Bakic said.

China’s Ministry of National Defense responded by accusing the U.S. of “undermining the peace and stability of the South China Sea” with its actions.

“The act of the U.S. military seriously violated China’s sovereignty and security, severely breached international laws, and is more ironclad evidence of the U.S. pursuing navigation hege-

mony and militarizing the South China Sea,” ministry spokesperson Tan Kefei said.

“We solemnly request that the US. immediately stop such actions of provocation, otherwise it will bear the serious consequences of unexpected incidents caused by this.”

He said China would take “all necessary measures” to ensure its security but did not elaborate.

Like its statement on the Thursday incident, China again said it drove the American ship away from the islands, which are in the South China Sea a few hundred kilometers (miles) off the coast of Vietnam and the Chinese province of Hainan.

Both sides said their actions were justified under international law.

Bakic told The Associated Press that the ship “was not driven away” and “continued on to conduct routine maritime security operations in international waters” after concluding its mission near the Paracel Islands.

“The operation reflects our commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and lawful uses of the sea for all nations,” he said. “The United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, as

Milius did today.”

The U.S. has no South China Sea claims itself, but has deployed Naval and Air Force assets for decades to patrol the strategic waterway, through which around $5 trillion in global trade transits each year and which holds highly valuable fish stocks and undersea mineral resources.

A United Nations-backed arbitration tribunal ruled in 2016 that the historical claim from China on the waters had no legal basis under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, and Washington maintains that freedom of navigation and overflight of the waterway are in the American national interest.

U.S. forces currently operate daily in the South China Sea, and have been present for more than a century. China regularly responds angrily, accusing the U.S. of meddling in Asian affairs and impinging upon its sovereignty.

China’s claims have frequently brought it into conflict with other nations in the region as well. Filipino diplomats unleashed a slew of protests Friday over China’s recent targeting of a Philippine coast guard ship with a powerful military laser and other aggressive behavior.

Canada, World Food Programme endorse CAD$15M Resilience and Enhanced Adaptability to Disasters in the Caribbean project

Canada and the World on vulnerable populations, WFP Representative Food Programme (WFP) particularly women and Regis Chapman shared, “We have entered into a new girls. appreciate the partnership agreement to strengthen Through various project with the Government of resilienceandadaptabilityto activities, Disaster READY Canada to increase the disastersintheCaribbean. will help to ensure that the resilience of vulnerable

TheWFPRepresentative most at-risk households and people and contribute to the and Country Director for the populations are supported to achievement of gender WFP Caribbean Multi- prepare for and recover from equality in the Caribbean. country Office, Regis shocks. It will also provide We look forward to Chapman and Executive top-ups to increase disaster continuing our support to Director for Canada’s insurancecoverageprovided governments, prioritizing Caribbean Regional b y t h e C a r i b b e a n those investments that Development Program, Catastrophe Risk Insurance safeguard the lives of Sharon Peake endorsed the Facility (CCRIF-SPC), to women, men, boys and girls CAD$15 million Resilience which Canada has already against climate, economic and Enhanced Adaptability contributed. and other shocks, while also to Disasters (READY) in the The project will be taking other vulnerabilities Caribbean project at the implemented in eight into consideration across all HighCommissionofCanada CARICOM countries - stagesoflife.” inBarbados. Belize, Dominica, Grenada, The Disaster READY

First announced by Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Project is one of five new Prime Minister of Canada Lucia, St. Vincent and the initiatives announced by Justin Trudeau at the Forty- Grenadines, and Suriname – Prime Minister Trudeau last Fourth Regular Meeting of with additional CARICOM month, representing the Conference of Heads of Member States benefitting CAD$44 5 million in G o v e r n m e n t o f t h e from regional project additional funding focused Caribbean Community activities. on biodiversity, climate noted, “Canada is excited to events can take many years weather events have had in (CARICOM) in the As the home of the resilience, and disaster be starting this innovative and people living in the Caribbean region. Bahamas in February 2023, Regional Logistics Hub and preparedness and recovery and people-first program of situations of vulnerability Through the Disaster the Disaster READYProject Centre of Excellence, to support CARICOM in support with theWorld Food are the least able to prepare READY Project, Canada aims to improve inclusive Barbados will also share in addressingtheclimatecrisis. Programme to improve the for these events, which can reaffirms its commitment to and gender-responsive, capacity building initiatives Executive Director for resilience of the most

WFP Representative and Country Director for the WFP Caribbean Multi-country Office, Regis Chapman and Executive Director for Canada’s Caribbean Regional Development Program, Sharon Peake endorsed the CAD$15 million Resilience and Enhanced Adaptability to Disasters in the Caribbean project.

comprehensive disaster and technical assistance Canada’s Caribbean vulnerableinsociety.” vulnerability Canada countries in their efforts to management in the opportunities under the Regional Development Recovery from natural recognises the severe impact advance resilience and Caribbean region focusing DisasterREADYProject. Program Sharon Peake disasters and severe weather natural disasters and severe adaptabilitytodisasters.

PPPC prepared to contest in all Local Authority Areas

ThePeople’sProgressive Party Civic (PPPC) on Thursday said that it is prepared for the June 12, 2023 Local Government Elections(LGE).Theparty’s General Secretary (GS) Bharrat Jagdeo during a press conference held at F r e e d o m H o u s e , Georgetown said that his party has demonstrated a high level of transparency and is well prepared to contesttheelections.

Swat team member accused of assaulting Brazilian on seawall

Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken on Friday assured that a “thorough investigation” will be conducted into the alleged beatingofaBrazilianmanby a “SWAT Team member” of theGuyanaPoliceForce.

PPP/C General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during his press conference on Thursday

Jagdeotoldreportersthat when the PPPC government took office in 2020, it was m e t w i t h a b r o k e n procurement system, initiatives to improve the p e o p l e T h a t ’s t h e featuring regular abuse of lives of Guyanese, p h i l o s o p h y o f t h i s Guyana’s procurement laws, delivering on many of its party The People’s and no plan for development manifesto promises in just Progressive Party, and the in sectors such as health and threeyearsinoffice. government headed by Dr infrastructure. “I don’t want to gloat Irfaan Ali have remained

“We are very proud of about what the likely faithful to what we promised our track record, and our outcomes will be. No doubts the electorate We have dedication to the manifesto the PPP will do well worked very hard in the past promises made to the people extremely well in these two and a half years to of the country, historically, elections. We have a track reorient this country on a and in the last elections,” the record. When we are in track to prosperity, away PPPC general secretary office, all of the people from the doom and gloom asserted. benefit from the PPPC period,” Dr Jagdeo added.

The GS said that the stewardship The whole (Modified from the PPPC Government has country makes progress, and Department of Public championed a gamut of we work for all of our Information).

The alleged beating of the man identified as Wellington Dos Santos reportedly took place on Wednesday at the Kingston Seawall and a report has been made at the Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility(OPR).

Dos Santos claimed that he was hanging out with a group of friends when his girlfriend got into an a r g u m e n t w i t h t h e policeman’s girlfriend. The twowomenreportedlybegan fighting and according to Dos Santos tried to separate them. f i r e a r m a n d b e g a n tothestomach.

His actions, however, threateninghim. A bleeding Dos Santos allegedly led to the The cop reportedly then left for a city hospital policeman confronting him. followed-up by beating the with his girlfriend where he Dos Santos claimed that the Brazilian man and even wastreatedforabrokennose off-duty cop pulled out his kickedthevictim’sgirlfriend andotherinjuriestohisbody.

- VP Jagdeo

An Injured Wellington

Dos Santos

Guyana U-15 Cricket team to begin encampment today

The Guyana under-15 team is scheduled to begin encampment today, March 25, 2023. This is in preparation for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Regional under-15 Tournament scheduled for Antigua and Barbuda from April 2 to April 13, 2023.

During the encampment period of March 25 to March 29, the team will play two (2) practice matches on Sunday, March 26 and Tuesday, March 28, at the Everest

Cricket Ground before ending the camp on March 29.

The members of the Guyana team and reserve players are all asked to report to the GCB Hostel at LBI, East Coast Demerara for 16:00 hours on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Additionally, the players named in the GCB Select XI to play against the Guyana under-15 team are asked to be at Everest ground on March 26 and 28 for 08:00 hours.

Guyana under-15 squad:

Dave Mohabir (Captain), RomarioRamdeholl (Vice Captain), Navin Boodwah, Adrian

Saturday March 25, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Get-togethers with friends or meetings with a small group, if possible, should prove informative and enlightening today, Aries, although some of it may be a bit perplexing.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Today things could be rather hectic at work, Taurus. You'll probably be very busy and happy with whatever results you produce. You could tire yourself out,

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Some new information about an interesting field could have you browsing the web and looking through books to learn more, Gemini. This could involve law, philosophy,

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Today you might learn about new and creative ways to increase your income, Cancer, possibly involving technology in some way. So much new information could come your way.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Social events could put you in touch with interesting people in intriguing professions, Leo. You might get involved in some fascinating conversations that provide you with a lot of useful information.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

A friend or colleague could recommend some books that you want to read right away, Virgo. Be sure you take breaks and rest your eyes from time to time to avoid eyestrain and headaches today.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Today your mind will be quick, insightful, and inspired, Libra. Your creative impulses should go a thousand miles an hour and ideas should pop in and out of your head like crazy.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

If visitors are able to pop in and out during the day, Scorpio, you'll be in the right frame of mind to enjoy their company. Expect interesting news and stimulating conversation.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Don't be surprised if your inbox fills with email or your phone rings off the hook, Sagittarius. Friends, relatives, and colleagues could have great news and useful information.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It

Inspiration is the word for today, Capricorn. Your creative talent should blossom and motivate you to work on wonderful ideas. This could involve music, painting, decorating,

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)

Today your physical and mental energy should be operating at a very high level, Aquarius. You probably won't spend much time inside if you can avoid it. Expect get-togethers

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

Your intuition is likely to be very keen today, Pisces. Accurate psychic insights could come to you thick and fast. Your imagination is also strong, and you might come up with ideas to enrich your home,

Hetmyer, Arun Gainda, Dhanesh Persaud, Zandon Rose, RazaamKoobir, Sohil Mohamed (wicket Keeper), Jonathan Mentore, Shane Prince, Arif Khan, Emmannuel Lewis, and Trilok Nanan.

GCB Select XI squad:Mickel Sharma (Captain), Nicholas Hall, Kishan Silas, Feeaz Baksh, Thierry Henry (wicket-keeper), Vishal Williams, Omron Smith, Brandon Henry, Elisha Ramdatt, Darwin La Rose, Parmeshwar Ram, Gavin Kisten, Shoaib Gafoor and Joshua Charles.

Dave Mohabir

Adrian Hetmyer

A year ago, Praetorian Executive Protection Servicescameonboardasan officialsponsor of theGuyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) Recently,in2023,they re-committed their support for

theFoundation At the small hand-over ceremony at Praetorian Executive Protection Services Inc’s headofficesituateatthecornerof Carmichael and Quamina Streets,ChiefExecutiveOfficer,

Dallas Thomas, indicated his delightinonceagainsponsoring whatpromisestobeanexciting Match

Thanks were expressed byGSSF’sDirector,Andrew Phang, who indicated they

lookforwardtothisbeingan annual event on GSSF’s Shooting calendar Thomas remarked that he was happy tobeasponsorforthesecond consecutive year and committed its support to the Foundation. The upcoming PracticalShootingMatchwill feature four exciting stages to

challenge local handgun PracticalShooters

Their knowledge of firearmsafetywillbeforemost while competitor’s skills of marksmanship and handgun reliabilitywillbeputtothetestin thefast-pacedrunandgunshootingthat thesportofpractical shooting is known for Participants will

fall under three divisions, Limited, Production and Open with prizes being awarded to the top three shootersineachdivision. More information on the GSSF can be found on its w e b s i t e :

wwwGuyanaSportShooting .com

Praetorian’s CEO, Dallas Thomas (right), makes the presentation of sponsorship to GSSF’s Director and Treasurer, Andrew Phang.

Another eight matches arebilledtobecontestedthis weekend in the Petra organised Milo Under-18 S c h o o l s F o o t b a l l Tournament at the Ministry ofEducation(MoE)Ground, CarifestaAvenue,whichwill bring an end to the second round.

Day seven unfolds today, March25,whenNewAmsterdam andStStanislausCollegecollidein the first match at 11:00 hrs. In the second match, defending champion, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS), engage 8th of May Secondaryfrom12:45hrs.

At 14:00 the third of five matcheskicksoffbetweenBerbice

Frompage25

Kadel Daniel (Folkestone InvictaFC)andSamuelCox (WellingUnitedFC)

Nathan Moriah-Welch, who is enjoying an exceptional season with NewportCountyFC,willbe in the midfield along with Elliot Bonds (Cheltenham FC), Leo Lovell (Slingerz FC),CurtezKellman(Police FC) and Daniel Wilson (WesternTigers).

Quillan Roberts (Western Suburbs FC, New Zealand), AkelClarke(SlingerzFC),and Kai McKenzie-Lyle (Welling UnitedFC)arethegoalkeepers

“The attitude and team spirit is good, and guys are

Santa Rosa’s latest scorers were Travis Jarvis (left) and Nelon Lucas last weekend.

Educational Institute and St Cuthbert’s Mission then North Ruimveldt lock horns with President’s College from 15:45hrs The day culminateswithashowdown featuringAnnandaleandNew Central High from 17:30 hrs

The action continues tomorrow,March26,withfour

motivatedtogivetheirbest The timehascomeforustodigdeep andexecuteourgameplan.It’s goingtobeatoughgame,and wewillhavetodefendforlong periods but I have confidence our lads will play with a big heart as we look for a result,” Shabazz said. Shabazzwill startwithMcKenzie-Lyleingoal, along with Garrett, Jones, Spencer-Adams, Grant and Gordon in the defence Starting in midfield are Bonds, Moriah-Welch and Lovell, while Glasgowwillpairwiththeeverdependable Welshman in the attack Guyanaisnotonlyina must-winpositionbutwillalso need to hope that Haiti is on the losing side of their two

boutsonthecardstartingfrom 11:00hrsasMarianAcademy and Bush Lot meet in the opening match followed by CharityversusWestminsterat 12:45 hrs Ann’s Grove meet Vergenoegen from 14:00 hrs before the final second round match between Cummings Lodge and Charlestown

remaining matches and the Golden Jaguars can overcomea-8goaldeficit.

“I think we welcome and accept the reality of the situation we’re in…it’s going to be difficult to win the group because all that is not in our handsbutalltheeffortsinthis match are in our hands However,I’mconfidentthatthe guys are going to give their best,” the Golden Jaguars Coach said Meanwhile, following today’s game, the Golden Jaguars will head to Barbados to battle Montserrat on Tuesday, March28,attheWildeyTurf in the Sir Garfield Sobers SportsComplex.

unravelsfrom15:45hrs.The third is billed to get underway on April 1 at the s a m e v e n u e T h i s

supported by MASSY Distribution, GINMIN, GENEQUIP and MVP Sports.

GoldenJaguarshuntingmust-win...

(SportsMax)-Anewera will start for both South AfricaandWestIndieswhen Aiden Markram and Rovman Powell lead the sides in the opening

Twenty20 International match of the series on Saturday

Markram this month replaced Temba Bavuma as captain, with the Test and one-day international skipper axed from the T20I squad.

T h e o p e n e r a t SuperSportParkwillalsobe the first T20I since Rob Walter took over as whiteball head coach and comes on the back of a 1-1 ODI series draw with the Windies.

Markram was given the honour of captaining his countryinonlyhisthirdODI back in 2018, when Faf du Plessis was absent along

withotherseniorplayers.

The batter felt that opportunity came too soon and believes the experience he has gained since then should stand him in good stead.

He said: “I was quite fresh back then. I was very hard on myself, and always wanted to do well and we know this sport, it doesn’t alwaysworkoutthatway.”

Markram added: “Being with the legendary team the Proteashadatthetime,Ipaid attention to how Faf managed to marshal his troops.

“That is something I looked up to and strived for probably without him knowing,itwasjustthrough meobservingfromtheside.”

It will also be a special weekend for Powell in Centurion, where there will be a double-header before

theseriesendswithacontest at JB Marks Oval PotchefstroomonTuesday Powell was selected as the man to replace Nicholas Pooran, who stepped down after the T20 World Cup in AustralialastNovember South Africa will be looking to take the momentum from a recordbreaking series-levelling ODIwinovertheWindiesin whichHeinrichKlaasenwas thestaroftheshow Klaasenstruck119off61 balls as the Proteas chased down their victory target of 261 in just 29.3 overs in Potchefstroom, becoming thefirstteamtoscore250or more to win in under 30 overs. De Kock set to move levelwithDeVilliers Wicketkeeper-batter QuintondeKockissettogo joint-third on the list of the highest appearance-makers

fortheProteasinT20Is,ashe is currently one behind AB deVilliers’tallyof78.

De Kock has enjoyed facing West Indies in the shortestformat,scoringhalfcenturies in each of his past threeknocks.

Windiesawayformmust beaddressed

West Indies have won only one of their past 15 T20Is on tour, that coming against Zimbabwe last October

Facing South Africa could present a good opportunity to address that poor record, as the Proteas have lost four multi-game bilateralT20Iseriesathome – that is their longest losing runinthisformat.

Akeal Hosein celebrates a wicket with teammates. (AFP)

Day four of the Round 4 2022/23 West Indies Championship-match between the Guyana Harpy Eagles and Jamaica Scorpions at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, promises to be anintriguingonefollowinga resolute display of batting fromJamaicainthefinaltwo sessionsyesterday

At the close of play on Friday,Jamaicawere176–1 from 43 overs in pursuit of the enormous target of 459 set by Guyana; they trail by 282runs.Guyanadeclaredin theirsecondinningsafterthe lunch interval on Day 3 at 294–7,toaddtotheirleadof 163 runs from the first innings.

The day resumed with Guyana in the lead by 301 runs with Tagenarine Chanderpaul (60) and Tevin Imlach (50) in the middle as the team stood on 128 – 4. The pair did well to craft a 175-run fifth wicket

partnership that was broken by the dismissal of Chanderpaulfor89;Guyana were208-3.

Kevin Sinclair was the new batsman, who entered justbeforethecompletionof the first session, and immediately turned the strikeovertoImlachforhim to achieve his maiden centurion feat in the over priortothebreak.

In the second session, Guyana seemed to be in search of some quick runs, which was led by Imlach, with the support of Sinclair (18)andMotie(18*).Atthat time, the Guyanese captain seemed confident enough to declare to leave Imlach unbeaten on a well-played 136.Hefaced217deliveries, 14ofwhichweredispatched totheboundaryropes.

When the dust settled in that innings, Marquino

Mindley ended with spectacularfiguresof6–54 while Jamaican captain,

JermaineBlackwood,picked up1–41.

Scorpions also began their chase in the second session and lost Leroy Lugg (10) after he contributed the first ten runs of the innings. That brought Blackwood to the middle to partner with a much more focused Tevin Gilzene.

Both Gilzene and Blackwood scored half centuries to give their side a fightingchanceofatriumph going into the final day Overnight, Gilzene has 81 from 134 balls including 14 fourswhileBlackwoodison 66 from 124 deliveries with 11fours.Thesetwobatsmen are showing their ability to hit back after both being removed for no runs in the first innings Ronsford Beaton has claimed the only wicket Other matches’ summarizedscores…

Leeward Islands Hurricanes 392 – 9d from 121.5overs(KofiJames107,

Karima Gore 93, Kieran Powell75;ShermanLewis3 –76,PrestownMcSween2–68, Kenneth Dember 2 –103)&99–5*from35overs (Montcin Hodge 45*, Jahmar Hamilton 22; Preston McSween 2 – 26) lead Windward Islands Volcanoes353from95overs (Kaveem Hodge 137, Alick Athanaze 128; Jeremiah Lewis 4 – 46, Rahkeem Cornwall 4 – 109) by 128 runs.

TrinidadandTobagoRed Force 203 from 75.3 overs (Jason Mohammed 55, Tion Webster46;ChaimHolder5 –71,JairMcAllister3–31) &185from80overs(Darren Bravo 36, Jyd Goolie 35; ChaimHolder4–63,Akeem Jordan3–35)leadBarbados

Pride 271 from 85 overs (Zachary McCaskie 92, Roshon Primus 53; Imran Khan 4 – 86, Anderson

Phillip 3 – 80) & 52 – 2* from 23 overs (Zachary McCaskie 26*; Bryan Charles2-12)by66runs.

ByRawleToney

\Withadirectberthtothe 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup on the line Guyana’s ‘Golden Jaguars’ will go hunting three points this afternoon in Hamilton when theytakeonBermuda.

The Guyanese men are sittingsecondinGroupBof L e a g u e B i n t h e

CONCACAF Nations League behind an unbeaten Haitionsixpoints.

Haiti is at the top of the table on 10 points following back-to-back wins against Guyana (6-2, 6-0) and Montserrat (3 – 2), along with a goalless draw with Bermuda.

Guyana,apartfromtheir two defeats against the Haitians, had wins over Montserrat (2 – 1) and Bermuda(2-1).

“Despitenothavingany friendlies we made full use of the five days together before the game,” Shabazz

told Kaieteur News in an invitedcomment.

York United Football Club defender, Jonathan Grant, is the lone newcomer in Coach Shabazz’s 23-man squad for today’s game whichstartsat2:00pm.

Grant, 28, who plays alongside Golden Jaguars forward Emery Welshman with Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League (CPL), is born to Guyanese parents.

Intermsofinternational exposure, Grant was a callup for Canada in 2015 for their two friendlies against Iceland while also playing for the Canadians in the Pan Am Games (2015) and the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship (2015).

Grant will have his former Forge FC teammate, Emery Welshman as his forwards, along with ChicagoFiretalismanOmari Glasgow, Pernell Schultz (Police FC), Trayon Bobb (Western Tigers), Kelsey Benjamin (GDF) and Tre Medford (Boston United FC).

The other defenders are ColinNelson(GDF),Jeremy Garrett(SlingerzFC),Jaylen Jones (CrayWanderers FC), Bayli Spencer Adams (Leicester City), Marcus Wilson (Caledonia AIA), LiamGordon(WalsallFC), (Continuerdonpage23)

Golden Jaguars Head Coach – Jamaal Shabazz