Issuu

AIETEUR NEWS

Int’l lawyer

p. 8

Saturday Edition

challenges VP Jagdeo

March 27, 2021 - Vol. 14 No. 12 Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday 99,346

to show evidence that gas-to-shore project will work

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

Former Assistant Commissioner of

p.18 Charged, Former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kevin Adonis

Police, others slapped

with $19M fraud charge Guyana faces new COVID-19 wave Country passes 10,000 cases p.3 Brazil is a disaster in your backyard March is one of Guyana’s deadliest

months, sees highest daily avg. for new cases p. Schoolchild Girl, 12, 14 Toddler killed, stabbed 5 allegedly raped 11p. mom injured after times during robbery 11p. by father tree falls on them

Suriname to put up more oil blocks for public auction p. 16

Roger Khan was intended target in - sources Main Street execution p. 2

Roger Khan

“Drill baby drill, pump baby pump,” it’s all yours - our leaders tell Exxon. Tune in @11:00 hrs to 99.1/99.5FM on Kaieteur Radio! (Rebroadcast)

Saturday March 27, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Roger Khan was intended target Guyana to receive in Main Street execution - sources 224,000 doses

he bullets that riddled the body of popular gold dealer, Ricardo Fagundes better known as “Paper Shorts,” may not have been intended for him, but rather his close associate, Shaheed Roger Khan, sources disclosed to Kaieteur News. Fagundes was executed on March 21, last, in front of popular nightclub, Palm Court, at 22:00 hrs. Kaieteur News was told that shortly before the shooting, he was seen entering the nightclub with Roger Khan and another associate. While many theories float as to why anyone would want to harm Fagundes, sources close to the investigations presented a clear outline of the assumption. It was said that both Fagundes and Khan were identically dressed at the time of the shooting. They both were sporting an allblack attire with accompanying black hats. This, according to the source w a s s a i d t o b e “coincidental.”

Shaheed “Roger” Khan

Gunned down, Ricardo Fagundes

Added to that, Khan and Fagundes are said to have to same height and built, not to mention, Fagundes would regularly drive Khan's black Ford pick-up – as he was that evening. It was disclosed that moments before the shooting, as the nightclub was beginning to shut its doors, Fagundes was reportedly heading to bring the vehicle closer to the gate, so that Khan and his associate could depart.

It was then that the gunmen struck. Video footage obtained from a CCTV camera showed Fagundes exiting the nightspot located at Main Street, Georgetown, and walking towards a black Ford pick-up. At that moment, two men armed with guns exited the backseat of the heavily tinted Toyota Fielder, which was parked on the western lane of Main Street. One of the gunmen was clothed in a white jersey and dark coloured long pants, while

the other had on a white tshirt and a light coloured short pants along with a black fanny pack that hung around his shoulders. From the CCTV footage, the two men accosted Fagundes and immediately opened fire at him. Fagundes attempted to run and hide behind the pick-up, but faced continuous fire. Seconds later, he collapsed in front of the pick-up. The gunmen then stood over Fagundes' body and shot him several times before making good their escape. Sources noted that this could be termed as “over kill.” Investigators had also located a burnt out car at S w a n Vi l l a g e o n t h e Soesdyke/Linden Highway, found hours after the gold dealer's execution. This is believed to be the same one his executioners used to get away from the scene. A c c o r d i n g t o information received, the case file has been passed to the Major Crimes Unit (MCU), with no arrests made up to press time.

of COVID-19 vaccines next week

r e s i d e n t , D r. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has revealed that 224,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines are slated to arrive in Guyana by next Tuesday. The Department of Public Information reported that Ali made the disclosure on the sidelines of an event held yesterday. According to the report, of the 224,000 doses; a quota of 24,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine which is being donated by the World Health Organization's COVID -19 Vaccine Global Access, will arrive on Monday and another 200,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine will arrive on Tuesday. Additionally, it was stated that the government is also working to secure another 200,000 doses of the Russian vaccine. Ali revealed that the first 200,000 doses of the Sputnik

V vaccine will cost the government $800 million as one dose costs $4,000 and would also result in adjustments to this year's Budget as health is the top priority. Ali was quoted as saying, “Right now, we are finalising the logistics to bring that 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 i n . We h a v e established a supply chain. We have established the storage facility. We had meetings with the private sector because we have to bring all the storage capacity together to get this done.” The government is also seeking to roll out a prevaccination process to have forms available in communities and online to reduce the time it takes for someone to get vaccinated. To date, Guyana has received 103,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines, including the AstraZeneca vaccine and the Sinopharm vaccine from China.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 27, 2021

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Guyana faces new COVID-19 wave - Country passes 10,000 cases. - Brazil is a disaster in your backyard. - March one of Guyana's deadliest months, sees highest daily average for new cases By Kemol King

uyana is facing a new wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths. A data analysis by Kaieteur News shows that March 2021 is rivaling the August-October 2020 period for one of the worst months of the pandemic. Check any recent Ministry of Health's dashboard and you will see the startling numbers. Yesterday, the Ministry reported 109 cases. This took Guyana across the 10,000-cases line, an unfortunate milestone, to 10,007. The World Bank has Guyana's population at 782,766 – that means more than one in every 100 persons in the country has tested positive for COVID19. Brazil, Guyana's neighbour, has become one of the nations hit hardest by the pandemic. Virtually all major COVID-19 variants have been recorded there. Three days ago, the country's daily death toll surpassed

3,000. It surpassed 300,000 deaths linked to the virus. Despite this, the President, Jair Bolsonaro, opposes l o c k d o w n s a n d precautionary measures. BBC reported that he told the population, “Very soon we'll resume our normal lives,” in a speech just before the Health Ministry reported 3,251 deaths, two days ago.

The table above shows accumulated data on testing and new cases since February

MARCH SEES HIGHEST AVG. NEW COVID-19 CASES PER DAY It indicates that Guyana has been ramping up testing in the past few months. 21,258 tests were conducted for the month thus far, representing 817 tests per day. September 2020 is still the month with the highest news cases recorded so far, but March 2021 is following closely behind. With the highest average new cases per day, March 2021 is on track to surpass September 2020 in the next

few days. March 2021 very well surpass September 2020 and October 2020, if the startling figures recorded in the past few days, continues until the month ends.

Motorcycle bandits rob Guy-Bisco employee of $1.4M

n employee of Guy-Bisco Importation Limited was allegedly robbed of $1.4M cash, while conducting business on Thursday March 25, 2021, o n M a n d e l a Av e n u e , Georgetown. According to police reports, the man had just completed selling items on behalf of his employer at various shops, following which, he secured the funds in the canter he was driving, and proceed to return to his place of work in the company of his porter and warehouse attendant. During a congested traffic stop in the vicinity of GWI, reports indicate that two perpetrators on a red and black motor cycle rode up to the Guy-Bisco worker. Kaieteur News understands that the pillion rider jumped off the said motor cycle and lashed the victim twice to his head with a gun, then pointed same to him with

instructions to hand over the keys. The pillion rider then took out a grey canister, which contained the $1.4M cash, collected the victim's

cellular phone and rejoined his accomplice. They then made good their escape. Kaieteur News understands that an investigation underway.

The table above shows deaths recorded by the Ministry of Health since the pandemic began. March 2021 is already the third deadliest month since the pandemic reached Guyana. Four people died last Tuesday, one on Wednesday and four more Thursday.

Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding hospitalised

amaica Gleaner — Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been hospitalised. In a statement, his daughter Sherene Golding Campbell said the former Prime Minister was this evening admitted for a recurring health condition. Golding is under observation at the Tony Thwaites Wing of the University Hospital of

the West Indies. "It is expected that he will be home soon once his health indicators are satisfactory to his physician," said Golding Campbell. She said Golding and the family were thankful for the support and well wishes for his speedy recovery. In January, Golding was also hospitalised. He was released after a series of tests and medical examination.

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Saturday March 27, 2021

Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL - Tel: 624-6456 Editor: Sharmain Grainger Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

OUTRAGING PUBLIC DECENCY The unbelievable occurred down there in Australia, as was carried by an article in the Insider on March 12 that was titled, “Porsche driver filmed and taunted 4 police officers as they lay dying on the highway at a crash scene.” The barbarous action of the Porsche driver has been described by one political leader as “completely sickening.” The driver ended up being slapped with a rarely used Australian charge of “outraging public decency.” It is deserving, and that same charge ought to be slapped and smeared over a host of Guyanese, who violate even the lowest edges of civilised norms.What this man, Richard Pusey, did was beyond repulsive, it was inhuman. He was pulled over for a traffic violation, and while the four Australian police officers were handling the matter at the scene, a truck crashed into all four of them. As they lay mortally injured on the public road, all that Richard Pusey could find in himself to do was film their death struggles and curse them for pulling him over. He has profaned himself beyond redemption for the rest of his sick and sorry existence. We have people like Richard Pusey in Guyana. They are not regular drivers (lawless by themselves), or corrupt bureaucrats and professionals (who have their own lengthy white collar criminal records). What we have here is a different breed of Guyanese: they smile in the people’s faces, while they mock them and rip their hearts out. Outrageous and indecent, they have been, and with only the fewest of occasional exceptions. Our political leaders, in one government after another, have compiled immoral and unethical records. They are not content to wound the spirit of Guyanese, they kill it in one administration following the other. If the sum of that, at the individual and group levels, is not outrageous to public decency, then everything else falls short. Richard Pusey’s attorney said that his client was “ashamed” of the evidence on his phone: his savageness, his taunts, his barbarism. He should be, and that alone makes him a better human being than our leaders in today’s government. They have neither shame nor regret, as they are only satisfied with more provocations to the hopes of Guyanese, more outraging of public decency here. Here it is that the population of this country is blessed with the nearness of its oldest and biggest dreams, and our leaders in government hide the prizes from us. They lie before the cameras; they leap all over to falsify through more and more trickery. We say that, that is outrageous to public decency; it is to ours. The leaders in this government have shown a sharp preference for darkness and silence with most of the material facts and figures relating to oil endowments and oil developments. When they do break their silence, it is to deliver more lies, half-truths, and pseudo truths, which is the kind of light that lives in our leaders. It would have been better if they had stayed silent, rather than further outraging public decency with still more deviousness. These men are a big black blot on this nation, the whole lot of them.Regardless of religious affiliation, all Guyanese know full well that those who dwell in darkness are almost, if not always, involved in some kind of wickedness. Even those who do not believe in any divine being know that darkness is associated with the evils of men, who are engaged in serious wrongdoing. They need the darkness to cover-up their many misdeeds. When they do dare to face the light, they rush right back into the darkness from which they came. And when what they have said is closely examined, it quickly becomes obvious that, though they have said a mouthful, they have not really said anything at all, whether such is about clean governance that is convincing to the soberminded. Or leadership principles that are credible before impartial truth-seekers. Or the unhidden natural resources management of this country’s vast and varied wealth that is prudent and untainted by their underhanded dealings under the gaze of all observers. When this little slice, large in its consequences, of leadership conduct is reviewed, it is beyond doubt that their record is of what is outrageous to public decency, and criminally so.

Pointing out Freddie Kissoon’s inaccuracy DEAR EDITOR, Reference is being made to Freddie Kissoon’s article, “David Granger on the electoral value of Charrandass Persaud” (KN: 25th March, 2021). Once the newspaper permits Kissoon to write his continuous lies about me, there shall be no tolerance on my part for his behaviour. He continues his foolishness and daily lies without being held accountable to any editorial rigour save for the disclaimer, which is not good enough. Let him provide to this nation evidence of his claim that I, “Lincoln Lewis addressing a May Day rally told his audience that it

should take dozens of votes in a no-confidence motion (NCM) to remove a government.” No such statement was ever made by me. This is the type of thing this nation is being subjected to, from someone who hides behind the fact that he was part of the academic community, when he continues to do grave injustice to the image of the community, and the worthwhile members who take pride in protecting the integrity of the community. This is a man who continues to mislead people that he cares about rights, order, and the rule of law but does not find these tenets

universal only convenient when they could serve his purpose. The other day, someone informed me that this captain of chaos wrote in his column that he wants to be “the head of the Human Rights Commission.” My response to that individual was - Kissoon is not so qualified for such a position because the Constitution of Guyana specifically mandates the holder of this office be a sitting or past judge. He qualifies in neither category. This just goes to show how he is prone to misleading society and would even seek to hold positions he is not qualified for. Further, such proclaimed

aspiration confirms that here is a person who claims to have knowledge of the Constitution but knoweth not. Had he known, I would like to believe if he possesses enough decency, he would have shielded away from the public display of ignorance. Kissoon continues to use his position as a columnist not to build a decent and cohesive society, but to create and sustain public mischief, chaos, division and lawlessness. He claims to know Guyanese will be “disgust” when they know of the lie (stated above), he attributed to me. Yours truly Lincoln Lewis

The Health Ministry’s COVID vaccination process is commendable DEAR EDITOR, I admit I was numbered among many persons in Guyana and around the world who were skeptical about the anti-Covid-19 vaccination. My wife, an experienced medical practitioner, persuaded me or should I say instructed me to have the vaccine. So it was that, with my mother-in-law, we three proceeded to the Ministry of Health, in Brickdam using the Vlissengen Road entrance. The process was rela-

tively speedy and every member of the staff, clerical, medical and technical were cour-

teous and considerate, and this included the security personnel at the gate, who greeted us with a smile and directed us where to go. I was once a regular blood donor and have had to have blood taken for medical check-ups in the UK, US, the Caribbean and Guyana. The injection I had was painless and the best I had in my many decades of adult-

hood and this is by far the easiest; I congratulate the technicians. We were directed to a holding bay to stay for 15 minutes, in case there was any adverse reaction. Whilst there, a member of staff came into enquire if we were alright. Sitting next to me in that area was a 96 years old lady, who was quite lucid and obviously, also made to be comfortable. The tents were air-conditioned with large fans. These

added to the wholesomeness of the entire environment. I wish through this medium to congratulate the Ministry of Health and the persons responsible for the arrangement. I mark their paper at one hundred (100%) percent. I also encourage those who shared my skepticism to go forward and have their shot, so that together, we can win the battle against this universal pandemic. Yours truly, Hamilton Green

THE GOLDEN AGE OF GARBAGE DEAR EDITOR, I regret having to say it, but Guyana is experiencing its golden age of garbage. That is better described as presidential trash talking. As the days go by, the president gets better at it, with the sky his limit. Garbage time and trash talk, Guyanese are in for it. The president has never come across a commercial that he doesn’t like, especially the ones in which he stars. He is a walking advertisement of the vacuous and the vacant. I hate to share this, too, but the head of state stands today as a stellar example of what an empty suit represents. There are all these canned expressions that are outstanding for their singular shallowness, their grand blandness. Here is a small sampling of his lip smacking, finger licking, and hair-raising verbal escapades: integrative approach, upward trajectory, greater heights. Good Lord! I believe that the president means well, except that he himself doesn’t know what he means; he just reads the scripts, and hopes

that he doesn’t mispronounce or mumble; those are his priorities, not the welfare of Guyanese under his charge. The president confuses quantity with qu ality, saying

plenty, while saying nothing. The fact that the president gets away with many wagons of such jargons reveals the acute delirium controlling the state of mind of Guyanese specifically and the state of Guyana generally. This is the greatest show on earth: circuses (oil and gas), vaudeville performers (leaders), kneeling elephants in alligator shoes and business suits (sycophants) and dancing clowns (more hustlers). His Excellency is the star attraction: point man, front man, and showman. I stopped before (no) confidence man. He barrels uncaringly along towards that dangerous and tricky hairpin bend. Still, I think that the president fits the bill of someone who can be categorized as a good Guyanese. Please don’t ask me to define that, other than to point out that I refrained from going near to principled patriot, when the chance was

presented. For those not satisfied with that, I provide a clue: examine the culture. Public service culture, borrowing culture, and moral and ethical culture. And as I am so far in, I throw in leadership culture. The president talks of transparency and account-

ability, his self-appointed national oil impresario (the VP) is speechless and cagey; on the unity promised, the president’s men get rid of racial and political personnel obstacles. The president is happy to depart after depositing those horse droppings. The president and his people thrive on fanfare: new

bridges, new roads, new loans; but same old thieves and cover-up artistes overseeing. They call some auditors and attorneys: garbage in, garbage out. Examine the content of the president’s speeches and there is nothing, but fluff and puff. He is cheerleader and snake oil and used car salesman all in one. He has many bridges to sell Guyanese; including that old one; plus, EU relations and American big business (the CIA is overjoyed). This is the sewage he showers on already soggy Guyanese. Sincerely, GHK Lall

Tax avoidance is legal but tax evasion is illegal DEAR EDITOR, Under taxation law; tax avoidance is legally based on the relevant provisions enshrined in the Tax Act, but tax evasion is illegal. However, in Guyana, it appears that those who are found to have evaded taxes are just allowed to pay the State the outstanding amount and the matter is settled. In such cases, the Court of Law should institute imprisonment for those individuals responsible for the crime apart from their settlement. Sincerely yours, Paul Ramrattan

Saturday March 27, 2021

Virtual Phagwah among NY Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, This year, as was also the case last year, there would be no Phagwah parade because of the pandemic. Large gatherings are not allowed and the city has cancelled all parades to protect public health. Nevertheless, community leaders have organized Phagwah celebrations online – virtual celebrations. One was held for several hours last Sunday and another is planned for this Sunday – live performances. Artistes performed live in temples or halls or in their homes and beamed live globally. Some city politicians also hosted virtual celebrations.Those who organized these celebrations, Indra Seet, Imran Ahmed, and others, must be applauded for their leadership. They provided entertainment and remembrance of the celebration at a time when critically needed – lives are down as a result of the pandemic. Some 400,000 Guyanese are settled in the greater New York area and look forward for Phagwah parades in Queens, Bronx, and Jersey City. In their absence, the virtual celebrations are a good fill in. Phagwah has made its mark to bring people together in NY and this is all due to the work of Guyanese cultural and organizational community leaders — Guyana’s unofficial Ambassadors in the city. The celebration promotes a common feeling of togetherness and rekindles the flame of unity among diverse people.In normal times, the festival would be celebrated in the streets, culminating in an open park with a splurge of colours and chowtaal folk songs and

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dances. Chowtaal is a tradition that has been handed down from ancestors from India. The NY celebration is giving the Guyanese nation a great promotion of the unique culture (of music, cuisine, folklore, and folk songs) brought from India and blended in with local conditions.The NY Phagwah parade attracted celebrants from all over the US with a mammoth ga thering at

Smokey Park, or Queens Village, or Grand Concourse, or Jersey City, where there was playful jollification with all the paraphernalia (abeer, gulal, abrack, pitchkarie, etc.) relating to Phagwah and appropriate music. There is chowtaal galore, tassa drumming, and a cultural variety concert. Volunteers provided free hot and cold beverage and traditional snacks (bara, phulourie, channa, mohanbhog, etc.) to the teeming crowd. It is no easy task to organize the parades and the park celebration. It took many hours of meetings to put together those celebrations. The same is true of virtual celebrations. The planners and organizers deserve kudos for sacrificing their time to provide a day of lovely entertainment for the large Guyanese diaspora in the NY metro region and now virtually for the Diasporas of so many countries. The celebration brings people together in a day of love and peace helping to bridge racial and religious barriers and ease social tensions among Guyanese of all backgrounds. The participation of different groups in the celebration is a testament of the appreciation they show of each other’s culture, be-

cause over the years the Phagwah celebrations in Guyana and North America have encouraged cultural tolerance. Today, we see diverse people coming to celebrations of Phagwah all over America. Politicians hosted celebrations in years gone by which included dances, singing of chowtaal, tassa, and dinner. The official City Hall celebrations make us feel proud of the cultural contributions to NY society of our ancestors from India to Guyana and from there to America. The civility of Phagwah celebrations, in Guyana as well as in NY, this coming together of diverse groups, is a stepping-stone towards greater understanding of diverse people. Thank you Guyana for this great culture, and thank you NY Holi organizers for virtual celebrations, allowing us to enjoy the festival in the diaspora just like we do back home in years gone by, and as is also being done in Guyana virtually.Without a virtual sammelan, festivity, or utsav, there would be no significant Phagwah celebration because there would be no public avenue to celebrate the joyous festival known for its vibrancy of

colours. Thanks folks! I hope community leaders will continue to promote these kinds of festivals virtually to showcase Guyana. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

SPECIAL ATTENTION IS BEING PAID TO THE DECADE FOR THE PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT DEAR EDITOR, March 21 was the United Nations declared International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. It was observed under the theme: Youth standing up against racism. The juxtaposing of racial discrimination to racism provides an opportunity for some clarification as to whether these are separate, interlocking, or an embedment of terms and what they represent. The fact that the day was declared in 1966 as an annual memorial for the victims of the Sharpeville Massacre, and as a call to action for the end to such events, clearly jettisons any idea of them being unrelated. The Sharpeville Massacre was an act of the South African Apartheid regime, a regime that embraced and institutionalized racism, enshrining into law the superiority of one race over another. In this instance, the superiority of white people over black people. In declaring the day, the United Nations sought to highlight the abhorrence of such an occurrence, wherever it might occur, and the need for such occurrences to be stamped-out. Racism and racial discrimination therefore are related. Racism may be seen as an

ideology, a view about the superiority and inferiority of races, when compared, and a practice that reflects that view. Hence, in systems like slavery and apartheid there were those who were regarded and treated as less than human. In that regard, racism is normative, while racial discrimination merely refers to an act rather than a system, albeit the act might be occasioned by racism. Racism is therefore postulated and institutionalized acts of racial discrimination. It may therefore be concluded that every act of racism is a discriminatory act, while not every discriminatory act is an act of racism. Hence, an act of nepotism may be discriminatory but not necessarily racist. The United Nations therefore sought, from the Human Rights perspective, to generalize its concern about Human Rights infringements, while simultaneously outlawing racism. However, the fact that it was seen as necessary in 2021 to highlight “racism” in the theme, signals the height-

ened need for focus on racism because of its continued practice. This concern now seems to be perennial as much as it is global. But more than that, it seems to have afflicted the African race more than any other. Indeed, the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and 400 years of slavery is stark evidence. That in 2013, the United Nations had no alternative but to declare an International Decade for the People of African Descent speaks volumes about racial discrimination and its impact on the people of African Descent. It also highlights the need not only for redress but also cessation. This was further emphasized in 2020, at the mid-term of the decade, on the occasion of the observation of the International Day for (Continued on page 16)

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Saturday March 27, 2021

Two injured in separate accidents on Saffon Street A homeless man is now hospitalised and a 22-yearold man was left injured after they were both struck down by separate vehicles moments apart on Saffon Street, La Penitence, Georgetown. Kaieteur News understands that the homeless man was knocked down around 19:05hrs by a grey Allion, motorcar PSS1675, in the vicinity of the La Penitence Market. According to an eyewitness, the man was about to cross the road when he was struck down by the vehicle. “When I see the car jam the man down I try to stop the man and the man reverse, swerve out, and drive away…but I memorized his license plate number as PSS 1675, it’s a grey Allion,” the man told a Kaieteur News reporter last evening. Moments after this publication got to the scene, a police officer arrived and directed the traffic that was building up, due to drivers

and passengers who were stopping to look at the homeless man who was still lying face down on the road with blood on his face. The Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) arrived shortly after and took the man to the hospital for medical attention. Around 19:07hrs, a white Rav-4 struck down Paul Waterman, a pedal cyclist in front of Kaieteur News. Waterman said, “While I

was riding coming down the road the vehicle was driving on the [white] line. As I was about to come more in the corner he swerved out from a vehicle that was in another lane and drive into me, running over my bicycle wheel. I didn’t get to see the license plate number.” Waterman received minor injuries but his bicycle is mangled. A taxi shortly arrived to take him home.

The homeless man on the road.

T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N T B . U . L . L T B . N . U . N U T L N B . U . T . L N T U N B . N U . L U L LUNT. B . T . . T T N N B U B . U . L . L T B . B . . N . . . T U T L N N T U U L N L B U . B . . L . . . T B T . . N . N T U L N LU B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . NT LUNT...B NT...BLU N U L B . . B . U . . T L . N T B . . U N . L N T B U N . . L . U T L B . . N B . . . T U . L N T B U . . L . UN T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L B U UN .BLUNT. . . L . T B . . N . T U . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . LU ...BLUNT LUNT...B NT...BL T B U . . L N . T B BLU T...BLUN BLUNT... UNT...B . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B U . . L N . T B BBLU T...BLUN BLUNT... ...BLU . T . N . N T T U L U L N L B U T...BLU U B . L . N . B T . . . N T U N N N L U U U B L . L B T LUNT.. UNT...B BL B Saturday March 27, 2021

Kaieteur News

ExxonMobil must realize that the Guyanese public sees how parasitic and unfair it has been to Guyana, in its exploitation of our precious black gold. That must be why it is looking for publicity services – to turn its predatory image around.

But we will always remember that ExxonMobil has not insured Guyana against disasters at its operations. We will never forget that ExxonMobil refuses to give Guyana – its crown jewel – a better deal.

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Saturday March 27, 2021

Kaieteur News

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Int'l lawyer challenges VP for evidence that gas-to-shore project will work T By Shikema Dey

he Irfaan Ali led administration is steadfast in its plan to land a multibillion dollar pipeline at Wales, West Bank Demerara, for the proposed gas-to-shore project despite the widespread criticism it has faced from industry experts. Many share the same concern that Government is moving too fast and should pump their breaks, at least until a thorough plan is laid out to show exactly how the project will benefit Guyanese. Vice President (VP) and local oil boss, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has touted a reduction in electricity costs as one of the most crucial benefits to be had. On this premise, no financial feasibility study will be conducted, as according to the VP, that aspect is “a no-brainer.”

But International Environmental Lawyer, Melinda Janki is taking him to task on his comments, and is now challenging Dr. Jagdeo to present irrefutable evidence in support of his claim. “Vice-President Jagdeo claims that the gas-to-shore project will benefit the Guyanese. Where is the VicePresident's evidence?” Janki asked, in her comment to Kaieteur News. “If gas is such a good thing, why can't ExxonMobil sell it on the open market? Why doesn't anybody want to buy Guyana's associated gas? (It's) because it's worthless,” she continued. Janki also alluded to statements made by Tom Sanzillo, Director of financial analysis at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), that the intended gas-to-shore

project could prove financially damaging to Guyana. Sanzillo had made the point that although he can appreciate Government's inclination to respond to the rising demand for electricity while addressing black out woes, Guyana's modus operandi when negotiating the lopsided oil contract gives no evidence that it can do right when bringing gas to shore. Janki then asked, “IEEFA says this gas project could bankrupt Guyana. Can the Vice-President answer IEEFA's financial assessment? Whom do the Guyanese people believe? A Government that has no experience of gas or the expert analysis of an international energy body that is decades old.” The International Lawyer also pointed to a World Bank report titled 'Energy Markets in

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo

International lawyer, Melinda Janki

Latin America Emerging disruptions and the Next Frontier,' which stated, “In countries such as Suriname, Guyana, Ecuador, Paraguay, and most of Central America and the Caribbean, natural gas demand is small or nonexistent.” With that said, Janki opined that Guyana ought to be moving in a different direction – solar. She backed up her statements pointing to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) World Energy Outlook for 2020. Janki noted that the IEA had offered a highly influential annual outlook with four “pathways” to 2024, all of which see a major rise in renewables. She noted that the IEA's main scenario has 43%

rise in solar power output by 2024, over wind energy and hydro power with solar presenting itself as the cheapest option. While natural gas is known as the cleanest burning fossil fuel, it is not cheap to produce, as millions of dollars are needed to secure gas pipelines and infrastructure to covert the natural gas into useable power. Presently, the crude estimation for Guyana's gas-toshore project stands at US$500800 million, depending on the design, pipeline size and surveys. Janki had taken Government to task regarding the gas-to-shore project before. On that occasion, she had called on President, Irfaan Ali, to provide to the nation, evidence

that the project was economically sound. Janki asked the President to present a Natural Gas Business Plan, which provides a comprehensive, quantitative and qualitative presentation of the Guyana natural gas project. The presentation, she outlined should include, but not be limited to, a brief description of the major facilities to be constructed (drilling and extraction, offshore and onshore pipelines and natural gas power stations) including capacity, size, estimated start and completion of construction and anticipated lifecycle; comprehensive, estimated construction costs of each facility and an aggregate cost assessment and construction cash flow from ground breaking to commercial operation; and a comprehensive 30-year business plan of each individual facility and, if integrated, the plan should specify the operational assumptions. She had requested that President Ali provide, as well, an Energy Plan outlining Guyana's electric utility's resource needs to meet expected demand over the next 30 years and the assumed additions and retirements, cost and performance assumptions used in the plan. This is yet to be done.

CELAC endorses CARICOM's call for Global Vaccine Summit

he Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) is supporting the Caribbean Community's (CARICOM) call for a global summit on equitable access and distribution of COVID19 vaccines necessary to help countries recover from the current pandemic. In January this year, CARICOM had expressed deep concern at the current prospect of inequitable vaccines, stating, “The reality is that small states will find it difficult to compete in the market place to ensure equitable access for vaccines. Given the transmissibility of the virus, all countries are vulnerable and should work together.” CARICOM had outlined that the summit should be conducted by the WHO including its access to COVID-19 Tools Facilitation

Council, which was has been supporting global efforts to provide tools to fight the disease since April. In a statement issued recently, CELAC's expressed concern over the lack of delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in the island states of the region, and while it expressed support for the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access (COVAX) Facility, it also called for the expedition of vaccines to the “Wider Caribbean” as quickly and equitably as possible. “Therefore, a call is made to the COVAX mechanism to expedite the delivery of vaccine doses to the countries of the region, particularly to those participating in the Advanced Market Commitment modality, a financial mechanism within the COVAX initiative that allows the poorest countries in the world to have access to the

vaccine against COVID-19 through donations,” CELAC note d . Further, it was highlighted that it is essential to strengthen technical assistance to the least favoured countries and facilitate the affordability of financial instruments so that they can access vaccines against COVID-19 as quickly as possible. Multilateral initiatives must be implemented to enable these countries and also stimulate massive rapid economic recovery, CELAC stated too. Fu r t h e r m o r e , t h e organization said that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong, united and supportive region, with no country excluded from universal, fair, equitable and timely access to medicines, vaccines and medical supplies, hence, their call for the global summit to address the urgent issue.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 27, 2021

PAGE 09

GREED OR NEED? G

reed is groovy. But does this make it right or best for all concerned? And is this what the people want. Today's column examines these issues. Since the capitalist system is based on accumulation of wealth, greed is seen as being good since it is this greed (or need) that drives the capitalist to produce more and more goods and to consolidate capital towards this goal. Thus, if greed is good, one would expect that under capitalism unhindered greed would be the mantra: the more profits and surpluses made, the better for all concerned. After all, if greed is responsible for the expansion of capital formation and the increase in the production of goods and services, then the more greed the better. So long as wealth is acquired through legitimate means, then under the capitalist system, there should be no criticism to persons making a financial killing in the market. The fact is, however, that the vast majority of citizens are uncomfortable with the notion of wealth being concentrated in the hands of a few. They are equally unhappy with persons making an obscene profit, for example, through buying cheaply and selling through the roof. They see this form of speculation, strictly lawful and legitimate, under

Dem

boys seh...

ang time dem used to gat some s t r a n g e characters on de streets of Georgetown. Some of dem had names and others bin get names from de public. Dem boys remember Jamesey Moore, Saul, Law and Order, Bertie Vaughn. Bicycle Jack and Maddy John and dem had Bow Foot. These people added character to city life even though all a dem had some mental illness or de other. Dem boys tun and ask wan old friend. “Where are the mad people wah used to roam the streets of GT?" De friend seh, “Dem turn

capitalism as being wrong. They also see as wrong the concentration of capital leading to monopolies. When this sale involves a resource of the State, then people will feel disrespected. Right now in Guyana we are seeing a movement toward financial consolidation within the communications market in Guyana. Steps are being made to corner the market and eventually to place it under the financial control of a few individuals. Regulation is weak anti-trust legislation is virtually absent - and therefore existing legislation is unable to adequately safeguard the public interests. The print media is not exempted from this and it is evident that one particular newspaper is enjoying a disproportionate number of government ads which effectively translates to it being floated by the government. These are worrying trends. W i t h i n t h e manufacturing sector there are developments that need to be followed closely because they can also result in the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few individuals with strong political connections. Then there is the financial sector where interest rates on deposits are low and spreads high, resulting in massive profits for the major banks in Guyana. This, too, is

something that needs to be looked at closely because while the banks are complaining that because of risk and reserve requirements dictate high costs of lending, their profits are soaring higher and higher each year. People are also not happy when benefits and concessions are doled out in a less than even handed manner. People are not happy when too much resources end up in the hands of a few individuals. People are not happy when they see things that cause them to question the transparency of government privatisations and the award of contracts. In summary, moral prescriptions are made about the market. These moral prescriptions place limits on the need for greed. The market must be guided by more than just greed. It must also be guided by moral considerations. After all if there were no such considerations, then the survival of the fittest would mean the extinction of the weak. Without the weak, there will be no viability of the market. Therefore the very existence of the market depends on injecting moral prescriptions. This issue of morals and markets was the central theme of last year's Reith Lectures, which made some valuable points about the need to redesign markets to serve the best interests of society. Markets cannot be left to run on automatic pilot. They

Nuff mad people de outside de asylum politicians.” Is nuff madness tekkin' place in politics these days. Any and everybody now tuning politician. Dat is wah dem calling egalitarianism – yuh can become whatever yuh want these days. Long ago when yuh sick in de head, dem used to cart yuh off to de mental asylum in Berbice. These days dem gat more mad people outside de mental hospital dan dem gat inside. And some of dem doctors does look after mad people so much, dat after a while yuh don't know who is patient and who is doctor. Dem boys did go one time fuh visit de asylum.

Dem bin hear de doctor questioning three of dem patients. He ask de fuss one what is 6 times 6. De patient answer “1000!” He tun to de second one and ask he, “what is 6 times 6?” De second patient man answer, “February!” He tun to de next one and ask, “What is 6 times 6?” De third patient answer, “36!” “That is correct,” said the doctor. “But how did you know the answer?” Talk half and count how much mad people de outside de asylum.

have to be remade to serve the interests not just of the rich but also of the poor who invariably represent the vast majority of society. But even if markets are unable to extricate themselves from class interests; if they are unable to break free of the vice of the bourgeoisie class, there is still a need for safeguards against the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few. The dangerous

concentration of wealth becomes, as mentioned yesterday, particularly acute in poor countries where there are small markets and competition for limited resources. And it is, particularly in these small economies that political patronage and connections can play a decisive role in determining how wealth is accumulated and in whose hands the greatest share ends up.

Thus it is to the politicians that the people must look to ensure that the appropriation of wealth is not concentrated in the hands of a few. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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Saturday March 27, 2021

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

I have never seen such nonsense in a column before I

walk the streets of Guyana, shop at the stores, restaurants and food outlets, buy gasoline, exercise on the seawalls and the National Park and walk my dog everywhere in Georgetown. In doing all of this I meet people who talk to me about Guyana. Because of social media, there are more questions I get. Each time a topic comes up, I would say I don't use social media and don't have a Facebook account. But I have learnt something valuable from people on social media. They pay attention to what is disseminated. I didn't know what Deputy Vice Chancellor of UG, Dr. Mellissa Ifill, wrote

on the March 2020 election because I didn't read anything from her in the newspapers, except a Chronicle interview. It was when a university lecturer asked me about the role of the American PR firm, Mercury, in the election that I knew what Dr. Ifill wrote on Facebook. The person reading Dr. Ifill wanted to know who or what Mercury was and how it shaped the election according to Dr. Ifill. In this country young people can easily be swayed by social media, so older folks have to confront the fictionalisations, dangerous narratives, racial vocabularies and propagandistic vitriol of well known Guyanese and

because they are well known, skeptical minds can be swayed. Harsh words, like asinine, fetid, ignorant, pathetic and other terms must be used to describe what Dr. Henry Jeffrey wrote in the Stabroek News last Wednesday. I would give the quotes followed by my rejectionist comments. (1) “(APNU+AFC) was advised by all and sundry, including the pinnacle courts to use…an election petition to prosecute its contention that the 2020 election was rigged.” Comment – this is unadulterated propaganda. The use of the term, “all and sundry” was a nasty piece of mischief. The support for an

election petition came from the losers themselves and their undemocratic surrogates. More ignorance can be attributed to Jeffrey because he takes the advice people give to others every day around the world to seek court redress out of context. People normally tell others that if they are serious about their grievance they should take it to the courts. It doesn't mean they believe you have a case. (2) - “No one should expect the opposition to say the government is legitimate... legitimacy is not the same as legality, the former is rooted in subjective notions….” Comment above I used the word asinine to describe the contents of Jeffrey's polemical outlay, and in that number two quote, the asininity is prodigious. The word legitimacy is a complex one that involves moral dimensions. If you deconstruct the word, then the world turns on its head. What is legitimate and what is improper? Those are not easy terms to define. However, if you want to define it using moral criteria, then Jeffrey

rightfully argues that the PPP government is not legitimate. Jeffrey says that t o h a v e legitimacy, the government of the PPP must reside in consensus building and “political leadership that has a unifying quality.” It seems he has Frederick Kissoon deconstructed the term. But in doing so, the government legitimate since PPP should not be worried if it lacks unifying quality? legitimacy is not applied to its Polls show that if Scotland governance. holds a referendum today, U s i n g J e f f r e y ' s the UK would break up perspective, this columnist because the Scottish people would like to know which no longer want to be part of government in the democratic Great Britain. Non-Whites world is legitimate. We start in the UK did not vote for with the world's best known Johnson in the last election. democratic state – the USA. Is British society The Biden presidency lacks a legitimate when its history unifying quality because h a s b e e n o n e o f t h e almost half the population did colonisation of the world's not vote for it and in that half non-White races and the that rejected it, the members institutionalisation of slavery are 90 percent White. of African people? The more Is the government of you deconstruct legitimacy Barbados legitimate? The the more you see not only economy of Barbados is in the countries but institutions, hands of local and foreign cultures, organisations, Whites. While the Motley industries and people may administration is legal, could not be legitimate. we say her power is legitimate We e n d w i t h t w o when she has no control of the examples. Russia says it lost economy? Is Boris Johnson's 26 million people during the war. On the basis of that fact, does it have a legitimate right to rule the world? In basket ball, 90 percent of the players are African, 99 percent of the owners are White. Is the sport a legitimate one? (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Saturday March 27, 2021

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APNU+AFC says Patterson 'fit & proper' to scrutinize how it spent $230B in 2016 …says 'tainted' Irfaan Ali had chaired S Accountability Committee with no objection

crutiny of the s p e n d i n g undertaken by the coalition A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government is at a standstill given the political posturing at the level of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee's Chairmanship. In fact, the coalition maintains that the Constitution dictates that it is the opposition that decides on who is fit and proper to chair the accountability committee. The ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has opposed the Chairmanship of the committee by AFC senior executive, David Patterson, over allegations of financial m a l f e a s a n c e i n o ff i c e leading to a conflict of interest in him assuming the post. The APNU+AFC has since responded to the ruling administration's posture, defending Patterson's chairmanship of the PAC by saying they allowed the then opposition PPP/C appointee, Irfaan Ali, “to chair the committee (in 2015), despite being charged with multiple offences.”

Assembly the right and power to select the Chairman of that Committee.” PPP/C's Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Te i x e i r a , i n a r e c e n t comment to this publication on the PAC brouhaha, had underscored that her party's

PAC Chairman, David Patterson Qualifying its position by pointing to Ali's 'tainted' chairmanship of the Committee, the APNU+AFC has since accused the PPP Government of looking to dismantle the “guardrails of our democracy through the efforts of its members in the Public Accounts Committee.” According to the APNU+AFC, “in this most recent instance, they seek to erode the meaning and spirit of Standing Order SO 82 (2), which grants the main Opposition in the National

motion to remove Patterson as Chairman of the committee, was in no way an attempt to remove the portfolio of chairmanship from that of the opposition since this is guaranteed under the Constitution. The APNU+AFC in its

public missive reiterated the position that, “there is a significant history and an important purpose why this entitlement belongs to the main Opposition.” The opposition said, “Scrutiny of spending and of all other financial matters

demands impartiality; and, a Chairman from the Opposition appointed exclusively by the main Opposition is fundamental for such impartiality.” Its statement however, ignored that the stalled PAC's scrutiny of the Auditor General Report for government expenditure currently relates to 2016—the first full year in (continued on page 16)

Saturday March 27, 2021

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Agri. Ministry to spend $3M on corn, soya bean cultivation in Moco Moco A

griculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha recently announced that his Ministry will be expending $3 million in 2021 to commence the cultivation of corn and soya bean in Moco M o c o Vi l l a g e , N o r t h

Rupununi. Meeting with villagers from Moco Moco, Minister Mustapha disclosed that his Ministry will be making the necessary resources available to commence corn and soya bean cultivation in the coming months.

“We've earmarked three acres each for the cultivation of corn and soya bean in the village. Our extension officers will come and have discussions with the Village Council shortly to determine where to start the production. This initiative will benefit

your community tremendously. Over time we will increase the production and ensure you have the necessary support to sustain these crops,” Minister Mustapha said. Moco Moco's Toshao, Mark George stated that

farmers in the area are ready and willing to increase their cultivation however, he bemoaned a lack of markets as a hindrance to this, along with the need for heavy-duty equipment should they proceed along this path. “Minister our biggest challenge here is markets. We can do so much more than we are doing now. For example, we have peanuts in people's homes with no markets. We also need a tractor with a plough. We are grateful for the basic garden tools but we also need big tools so that we can do our cultivation in a smarter way and on a larger scale,” Mr. George said. In response to those requests, Minister Mustapha told the villagers that several tractors were being procured for the Region under the Ministry's 2021 Capital programme. Further, the subject Minister also told villagers that with the new

agro-processing facilities being constructed across the Region, they would be able to benefit from better prices for their produce. "We are encouraging valueadded produce to increase your earnings. These facilities will be outfitted with the necessary equipment to improve the packaging and labeling of your produce. You will not have to worry about spoilage because you will now have facilities that will be able to process your crops and extend their shelf life," Minister Mustapha said. The official also instructed the NDIA to send an excavator to commence digging of a fish pond after villagers sought the assistance of the Minister to construct these facilities so that they could venture into aquaculture. Those works are scheduled to commence before the end of the month.

Toddler killed, mother injured after tree fell

toddler was last Thursday killed after a tree fell on him and his mother at Cashew Landing, Tasserene Backdam, Middle Mazaruni River, Region Seven. The dead child has been identified as, one-year-old, Onan Alfred, of Tasserene Village, Middle Mazaruni River. According to the police, the child was in the company of his parents, Corsia Alfred, 18, and Ming Daniels, a miner, of Bartica, Essequibo River, when the tragic incident occurred. The report stated that around 16:00 hrs. at Cashew Landing, Tasserene Backdam, Alfred, Daniels and their child were walking heading to Issano Landing, Middle Mazaruni River, when a strong wind blew

resulting in a tree falling and hitting the toddler and his mother. Kaieteur News understands that the toddler was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Issano Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. His body was examined and it was observed that he received injuries below his right eye and the right side of his upper back, while his mother received an injury to her left foot. She was treated and referred to the Bartica Regional Hospital, while her son's body is presently awaiting a post mortem examination. The investigation into the death of one-year-old, Onan Alfred, is ongoing.

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 27, 2021

PAGE 15

Guyanese diplomat gets into oil and …to facilitate foreign companies gas support service looking to cash-in on Guyana M

a y s o n Blackhouse, a Guyanese Energy Investment Firm, cofounded by Honorary Consul General to Switzerland from Guyana, Dean M. Jackson, says the firm is making headway towards the sustainable development of Guyana's growing oil and gas industry, and assisting foreign companies interested in establishing a presence here. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the recently concluded Guyana Basins Summit 2021. According to the c o m p a n y, M a y s o n Blackhouse was one of the numerous companies established as an indigenous Guyanese Investment Firm that deploys private equity and venture capital into businesses across major industries. It said, for many years, the company has been at the forefront, playing a key role in shaping, employing and training high-quality people to cultivate Guyana's human capital, aligning the interests of investors, customers, community and nation. During the sideline of the

supply chain for all the major projects to date, which are primarily offshore production, marine shore base, and onshore construction projects.” The Executive Director added, “…We are very intentional and thoughtful about which foreign companies and investors we align ourselves with…I have the good fortune of having an expansive network in this

Mayson Blackhouse, co-founder, Honorary Consul General to Switzerland from Guyana, Dean M. Jackson Guyana Basins Summit 2021, Qaasim O.B. Shittu, Executive Director of Mayson Blackhouse, spoke to Guyana's potential and opportunities to learn from best practices and mistakes of all the oil-producing countries that preceded it and significantly accelerate its development. He said, “We are taking a long-term approach to invest in Guyana. The companies we have set up provide core onshore services within the

Man who admitted to killing Kuru Kururu resident remanded - Search for corpse continues

eon Waddle, the suspect who had admitted to murdering Answar Stoll, 46, of Kuru Kururu, was yesterday remanded to prison after he appeared in court. Waddle was charged for murder in the furtherance of robbery. It is alleged that between November 15 and 16, 2020, Waddle killed Stoll at Dadrima Savanah, Kuru Kururu, Linden/Soesdyke Highway, and stole his belongings. He was not required to plead to the indictable charge and is expected to re-appear in court next month for a report. Meanwhile, cops are continuing efforts to locate Stoll's remains. According Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, another search was conducted on Wednesday in an area that Waddle had led them to. However, detectives turned up empty handed.

Nevertheless, Blanhum assured that cops are working relentlessly towards recovering Stoll's remains. Even though Waddle had admitted to the crime, he is hesitant to reveal where he disposed of the corpse. He had led detectives to an area on Sunday last, where they searched for five hours together with a sniffer dog, but all they found was a bed sheet with bloodstains. Stoll had disappeared from his home on November 15, and his home was found ransacked with bloodstains on the wall. Police carried out investigations into his disappearance and subsequently learnt that he was murdered. Guided by their belief that Waddle is the killer the police carried out a search for him. The suspect managed to hide from the police for some two months, until he was finally caught hiding out in a fowl pen.

industry that spans the globe.” “I have spoken with and met with senior executives of well over 100 companies and investors that are interested in Guyana. Thousands are interested, but very few have the right mixture of a longterm vision and strategy, corporate culture and ethics, and risk appetite that we believe it will take to be successful in Guyana.

We are one of the few firms that have been on the ground operating since 2017. Our focus in 2021 is to be at the heart of facilitating significant foreign direct investment into Guyana that will create long-term value for the people of Guyana, while also providing robust returns to investors.” Mayson Blackhouse Guyana was incorporated in Georgetown by co-founders

Dean M. Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, and Shittu, as a company with an industrialist vision to generate attractive investment returns for businesses in major industries such as Upstream Oil and Gas Services, Trading and Midstream, Renewables, Commercial and Residential Development, Infrastructure, a n d Te c h n o l o g y a n d Innovation.

PAGE 16

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LEGAL NOTICE

Saturday March 27, 2021

Suriname to put up more oil blocks for public auction Governments around the world make big money when they award oil and gas contracts by open, competitive bidding processes. They also ensure that when such a process is upheld transparently, the best and most eligible companies are chosen to do the job. This is the process that Surinamese state-run oil company Staatsolie has taken, as it has announced that “in the near future” oil blocks onshore of the country will open up for public auction. It was Annand Jagesar, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Staatsolie who had revealed these intended plans during a panel discussion at the Guyana Basin Summit (GBS), last week. GBS was a virtual three-day oil and gas conference, which concluded on Friday, last. It was aimed at delivering networking and valuable insight into the region’s potential, its challenges and the road ahead. Although the CEO did not give specifics on the size of the oil blocks, he indicated that the blocks are located East and mid-East onshore Suriname. He had also asked potential investors and international oil companies (IOCs) to express their interests through Staatsolie. Jagesar had also revealed

2021-HC-DEM-CIV-FD-116 IN THE HIGH COURT OF THE SUPREME COURT OF JUDICATURE FAMILY, DIVORCE AND MATRIMONIAL JURISDICTION FAMILY DIVISION PETITION NO.: FD-116 BETWEEN: (SINGH) RANJINEE nee SUKDEO Petitioner/Applicant -and(SINGH) GURDINAL To the Respondent GURDINAL SINGH Last Known Address Pine Ground, Mahaicony Creek, East Coast Demerara, LEGAL NOTICE Guyana. Respondent Madam Justice Simone printed, published and Morris-Ramlall via Zoom circulated in and around Meeting ID: 461 884 Guyana and on the 5616 and Password: court6 Worldwide Web. at the Family Division of the AND FURTHER TAKE High Court at NOTICE that if you desire Georgetown. you may appear or attend in IN DEFAULT of your filing person or by your duly an Acknowledgement of authorized agent or Service/Notice or Intention Attorney-at- Law at the to Defend, Answer and/or Registry of the Family Cross Petition the Division of the High Court at Court may proceed in your Georgetown, Demerara absence and may make any where you will be issued Order it considers with a certified copy of the appropriate, including Petition together with related granting the Divorce. documents. The Registry of the Family AND FURTHER TAKE Division of the High Court is NOTICE that if you desire to located at the Law Courts Defend this Divorce, then [Georgetown, Demerara]. upon receipt of the certified The office is open to the copy of the Petition, you public between 8:00am and must file an 3:30pm Mondays to Acknowledgement of Thursdays and 8:00am to Service, Notice of Intention 2:30pm on Fridays except on to Defend (Forms public holidays and on such are available at the Registry), other days as the Registry Answer and/or Cross is closed. Dated the 22nd Petition in the Registry day of March, 2021 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 Thursday the 6th day of May, 2021 at 10:15 am before the Honourable

that Staatsolie had recently closed the bids for eight oil blocks offshore of Suriname. These eight blocks in total, offer over 13,524 km2 of unexplored, but “highly prospective” acreage in the western part of offshore the Dutch-speaking country. Notably, these eight blocks are located in the Guyana-Suriname basin, where Guyana’s Stabroek Block, ExxonMobil and its consortium of oil companies have made 18 discoveries, totaling to in excess of nine billion oil equivalent barrels. The Suriname government now wants to capitalize on Guyana’s finds, which have led them to bid those unexplored blocks. Capitalising even further on its opportunities, Staatsolie has been studying a large shallow water acreage offshore Suriname, for which it has amassed a wealth of data. On its website, the staterun oil company explained how its work in the near shore areas, though not yielding material discoveries, have already done enough to confirm the “potential” of oil in the coastal area.

Kaieteur News had reported on how data amassed about certain areas could increase the value of the acreage. It is for the same reason that Guyana has been urged by industry experts to ensure it publishes data on relinquished blocks as soon as possible. Notably, the country could rake in hundreds of millions of dollars in signing bonuses for the shallow water block(s). It has already started to do so for its blocks since ExxonMobil’s continued de-risking of the GuyanaSuriname basin. For instance, Total agreed to pay Apache US$100M for a 50 percent stake in the 1.4 million acre Block 58. That amounts to more than five times the paltry US$18M Guyana took from ExxonMobil for the 6.6 million acre Stabroek Block. Many have criticised Guyana’s contract with ExxonMobil as lopsided and unfair to the people of Guyana. Global Witness has calculated that the poor terms would cause the country to lose US$55B over the life of (Continued on page 18)

Special attention is being... From page 5 the Elimination of Racial Discrimination by the declaration of Recognition, Justice and Development as the theme. It is the exact theme under which the decade (2015-2024) was declared.In Guyana, special attention is being paid to the Decade. This is highlighted by the establishment of a coordinating mechanism, IDPADA-G, which is responsible for coordinating the work of the African Guyanese community as they strive to realize the goals of the Decade. The need for such a response has been questioned by some, but vindicated by what played out in Social Media and elsewhere, pre and post the 2020 elections. The proliferation of media posts to the effect that “Black People” cannot manage anything, reeks of a sense of superiority, hence racism. Even worse were the various fates,

which were wished upon “Black People.” All that was left to be done was the acquisition of state power for the institutionalization of the heinous out-pouring of racism. We therefore live in a state where the political forces and the Government, in particular, are challenged to prove, by their actions, the commitment of Guyana to the goals of the Decade, goals to which past and present governments have subscribed at the level of the United Nations. There can be no better time for the re-affirmation of that commitment and no better way than the praxis of Good Governance. IDPADA-G calls for such commitment, action, and stands ready to be a complementary civil society stakeholder. Yours truly, Vincent Alexander Chairperson IDPADA-G

APNU+AFC says Patterson 'fit... From page 13 office by the APNU+AFC administration.The APNU+AFC in its public missive said it finds reprehensible the artifice being utilized by the PPP to erode this entrenched norm, “which is to demand a removal of the duly appointed Chairman, David Patterson, via a no-confidence motion…The APNU+AFC maintains that the lawful selector of the Chairman of PAC is the main Opposition.” The APNU+AFC was adamant, “the law and practice on this

matter is certainly not who the Government finds unfit and improper, but who the main Opposition finds fit and proper. Otherwise, the Government by such a device of a no-confidence motion can become the final selector of the PAC's Chair, thereby completely eroding the intent and purpose of SO 82(2).” The coalition did concede, “This attempt at Mr. Patterson's removal is what is stymieing the work of the PAC presently. It is absolutely not his absence, or inaction or stalling.”

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Kaieteur News

Former Assistant Commissioner of Police, others slapped with $19M fraud charge Former Assistant Commissioner of Police, Kevin Adonis, and three other members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday made their first court appearance after they were slapped with a $19M fraud charge.

The defendants are Kevin Adonis, of 95 Stewartville, West Bank Demerara; Rawle Haynes, of Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo; Jermaine Fraser, of 4116 Phase One West Minister, West Coast Demerara and Michael

Corbin, of 315 First Avenue, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara. The matters were called in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan. All four men had obtained

legal representation. Adonis was represented by attorneyat-law, Mark Waldon; Corbin was represented by attorneyat-law, Patrice Henry; Haynes’ counsel was attorney-at-law, Dexter Todd and Fraser’s lawyer was Latchmie Rahamat. Fraser, Haynes, Corbin, and Adonis were slapped with a joint charge, while Corbin and Haynes were slapped with individual charges. They were not required to plead to the indictable charges after they were read to them. The first charge alleged that Adonis, Fraser, Haynes and Corbin between March 26, 2019, and March 29, 2019, at Georgetown, conspired together with each other and persons unknown, while being public officers, employed by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), stole $19,030,767 belonging to the Guyana Police Force, their employer. The latter charge alleged

that Corbin on March 26, 2019, at Guyana Police Force, Finance Office, Eve Leary, Kingston, Georgetown, input electronic data, that is to say, a payment voucher entry in the sum of $19,030,767 into the Ministry of Finance’s Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS), but it was not authentic. The final charge stated that Haynes on March 29, 2019, at Georgetown, while being a public officer, employed by the Guyana Police Force, stole $19,030,767, money belonging to the said Guyana Police Force. The matter is being prosecuted by Special Organized Crime Unit (S.O.C.U) Prosecutor, Leslyn Nobel. According to the facts of the charge, the missing $19,030,767 was allocated for officers who performed extra duties. However, there are documents that show that those officers signed and re-

Suriname to put up more... From page 16 the contract. It has criticised Guyana’s leaders for the part they played in the signing away of the massive concession to the multinationals, ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC. Despite facing international and local condemna-

tion, neither of the major parties has shown interest in securing better terms for the people. ExxonMobil has even boasted that it has received assurances from the parties that the contract will remain intact, and that its projects will be allowed to move forward.

ceived the monies, but it was later revealed that the officers never received the monies. The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. The four men were subsequently charged. Chief Magistrate, McLennan, placed Corbin on $250,000 bail; Haynes was placed on $200,000 bail, while Adonis and Fraser were placed on $150,000 bail each. They are expected to make their next court appearance on April 12, 2021. Only last year, Corbin and Fraser were slapped with 21 fraud charges, which amounted to a total sum of $11,385,000. They had appeared before Principal Magistrate, Faith McGusty, in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, and were placed on $250,000 bail each. It is alleged that the duo, on April 4, 2019, at Eve Leary, Georgetown, while being employed as a clerk or servant at the GPF’s Finance Office, with intent to defraud, they willfully made false entries into the accounts of their employer.

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Bairstow, Stokes lead England to 6 wicket win over India PUNE, India (AP) — Jonny Bairstow hit a century and Ben Stokes missed out on one by a whisker yesterday as England beat India by six wickets in their second one-day international to level the three-match series at 1-1. Set a stiff target of 337, Bairstow made 124 and Stokes was out for 99 in England’s determined run-chase of 3374 in 43.3 overs. The duo hit 17 sixes and 14 boundaries between them and shared a partnership of 175 runs off 113 balls. Earlier, after being put into bat, India reached its total of 336-6 in large part due to Lokesh Rahul’s fifth ODI hundred and Rishabh Pant, who hit seven sixes in his aggressive 77 off 40 balls. “Delighted with the response of the guys,” England stand-in captain Jos Buttler

said. “The openers have been a pillar of our strength for a long period of time. Delighted for Jonny (Bairstow) and that partnership with Ben Stokes was brilliant to watch, as a fellow player and a fan.” Bairstow orchestrated England’s fifth best successful run-chase in an ODI with a second straight centuryopening stand with Jason Roy (55).The 110-run partnership set the tone before Roy was run out in a mix-up with Bairstow in the 17th over. Stokes took his time to reach 50 off 40 balls but then smacked a flurry of sixes while facing India spinners Kuldeep Yadav (0-84) and Krunal Pandya (0-72) as the left-hander moved to 99 off the next 11 deliveries. Bairstow reached his century with a six over midwicket against Yadav but Stokes

missed out on a century when he gloved a pull shot against Bhuvneshwar Kumar to the wicketkeeper. Prasidh Krishna (2-58) then took two wickets in the space of four balls, having Bairstow caught in the covers and then clean bowling Buttler for a duck with a superb yorker.But debutant Liam Livingstone (27 not out), who replaced injured captain Eoin Morgan, and Dawid Malan (21), who replaced Sam Billings, ensured England cruised to victory with 39 balls to spare. “We didn’t execute too well but I thought they batted brilliantly tonight,” Indian captain Virat Kohli said. “They totally blew us away during that partnership of Jonny (Bairstow) and Ben Stokes. We didn’t even have a chance during that

Saturday March 27, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Things may be coming to a dramatic climax for you, Ar-

ies. It may seem like everything is working against you. Take note that this is an excellent time to find balance and gain a much greater perspective on the issues in your life. TAURUS (Apr. 20–May 20) Dig out the paints and get your creative energy flow-

ing, Taurus. Keep in mind that you might not have the discipline or commitment to finish any project you start today, but you most certainly won't lack creative energy. GEMINI (May 21–June 20) SToday is a terrific day for you, Gemini. You finally seem to have a grasp on your thought processes and inner emotions. CANCER(June21–July22) There may be some rough spots today that could be difficult to iron out, Cancer. No matter what you do, you land just a bit short of the mark. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Nurture your artistic, romantic side today, Leo. Your feet may be a little cold, but that's what you get for splashing around in the rain. Don't worry about it. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) Today may be one of those

days when you feel all dressed up with nowhere to go. Don't worry about the details, Virgo. Follow your heart to a fantasyland and join the outlandish and bizarre.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) This is a fantastic day, Libra. Elements of your life seem to be falling into place. You're in a period when you're beginning new cycles of love and mental activity. SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is one of those days in which you can't figure out what to order for dinner. You're the official owner of the cloudy head today, Scorpio. SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Go to an art museum, Sagittarius. Your mind and heart are working in conjunction with each other, and you're apt to be especially receptive to elements of our world that fuse these two together. CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19) It might seem like your brain and heart are working against you today, Capricorn. You might sense that they've teamed up to keep your head in a swirling maelstrom of confusion that you can't seem to pull out of. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) Your moods are always fluctuating. Today looks like you're on an up note, Aquarius, so enjoy the caring, sensitive mood

of the day. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) You might find it difficult to connect with others today, Pisces. Your brain may seem like it's in some other dimension. Appreciate the power of circular movement in your life. Seek things that are fast paced and a bit bizarre.

partnership.”India’s innings were held together by Rahul, who followed his unbeaten half century in the first ODI with 108 off 114 balls and anchored India’s total with two strong century stands. India lost both openers — Rohit Sharma (25) and Shikhar Dhawan (4) — to England seamers before Rahul and Kohli (66) put the innings back on track with a 121-run stand.Adil Rashid broke the stand in the 32nd over when he had Kohli caught behind as the India skipper tried to cut the leg-spinner. Pant, who replaced the injured Shreyas Iyer in the

playing XI, and Rahul then put on a brisk 113-run partnership with the left-handed Pant dominating England’s bowling throughout his powerful stint. England’s Curran brothers — Tom (2-83) and Sam (147) — proved costly late in the game with India scoring 126 runs off the last 10 overs for the loss of only three wickets.Rahul, who was criticized after scoring only 15 runs in four Twenty20s, completed his century off 108 balls with a single against Sam Curran in the 44th over before holing out at deep midwicket in Tom Curran’s next over.

Tom Curran also had Pant caught in the deep, but not before the left-hander slammed two successive sixes against the right-arm fast bowler.Hardik Pandya (35 off 16 balls) lifted the total with his late cameo after Buttler couldn’t hold onto a thick edge when the batsman was on 21.India won the first match by 66 runs. The series deciding game will be played tomorrow. Scores: England 337 for 4 (Bairstow 124, Stokes 99, Roy 55, Krishna 2-58) beat India 336 for 6 (Rahul 108, Pant 77, Topley 2-50) by six wickets.

It’s my responsibility, says Máximo on T&T defeat as... From page 20 that’s the way he’ll be approaching things. Captain Cox also noted that the team’s performance in the midfield would have to improve; they would have to be more ruthless in the attacking third whilst showing more desire in the defensive third. ”So, yes, could we have scored couple more goals, yes, of course we could but, at the end of the day they missed a penalty as well. We have to recognise our own shortcomings and mistakes, we need to be better, all eleven players and the boys coming off the bench know we’ve got to be better going forward. We need to adjust that in the next game and learn from these mistakes.”The experienced Captain stated that they group is an honest one as no one goes on the pitch to compete with a mindset to lose and doesn’t want to give their best.”It’s an honest group of players that wants to do the best for Guyana and recognise that they weren’t good enough, we know we need to better. We know we need to make adjustments, we get back on the training pitch tomorrow (today) and try and sort that out. We now look forward to Tuesday night where we try and correct these things.” Máximo reminded that there are three more matches to play with 9-points at stake.

D’ Edwards... From page 22 Nigel Deodat 2 for 22 and Javed Karim 4 for 30 bowled well for Blairmont. In reply, the youthful Blairmont team were restricted to 125 for 7 when their 20 overs expired. Deodat returned with the bat to score a delightful 54 which included six boundaries and two sixes. Karim also completed a fine all-round performance from 41 (2x6, 3x4). Veteran medium pacer Keith Fraser bowled well to take 2 for 28 from (4 overs), while Bridgelall took 2 for 3.

“I would like to talk to the Guyanese people, do not lost your hope, we are going the correct way. Sometimes you are very sad like yesterday (Thursday) because you de-

serve better luck but it’s part of the game, it’s part of football. Let’s go to see the next game, focus on the next game to recover and come more strong.”

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Saturday March 27, 2021

It’s my responsibility, says Máximo on T&T defeat as he promises improvement FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

By Franklin Wilson in the Dominican Republic, compliments of Secure Innovations & Concepts, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Fazia’s Motor Spares and GFF Guyana’s senior men’s national team (SMNT) Head Coach, Brazilian Márcio Máximo is obdurate that the responsibility for the ‘Golden Jaguars’ performance against Trinidad and Tobago in the first match of their Group F campaign of the Concacaf leg of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying is squarely on his shoulders. Playing at the Panamericano Stadium, San Cristobal, Dominican Republic on Thursday night last, two early goals within the first 15 minutes and a third on 44

minutes sunk the Guyanese to a 3-0 loss and it was T&T’s first win since 2018. Despite giving up all three points in that manner, Máximo reminded that the score line doesn’t reflect the way his charges applied themselves acknowledging that the first half did bring to the fore some areas that the team would have to improve upon as the new-style of playing and transition of the team takes shape. ”If you saw the full 90 minutes, the team showed composure, tactical discipline; but sometimes when you make primary mistakes in the crucial times of the games you should pay high price, especially against teams like Trinidad that have experienced players, playing at a high

Captain Sam Cox (right) and fellow ‘Golden Jaguars’ in discussion during a break in the T&T clash on Thursday night, They’ll be seeking a positive result against Bahamas on Tuesday night. (Franklin Wilson photo) level.”He believes that the pathway the GFF is on with regards to its development is the correct way. ”It’s my responsibility because I have GFF support, players support and the staff

s u p p o r t b u t i t ’s m y responsibility to do it, nobody else can’t do it and I’m sure we are going the correct way. Of course sometimes you make basic mistakes but it’s part of the process. When we finished the game we had a lot of youth players on the pitch, we don’t have another way to do it to give to them the e x p e r i e n c e t o p l a y. ”

The players he posited would be encouraged to learn from their mistakes and grow for the next challenge at hand which would be on Tuesday against the Bahamas here in the Dominican Republic at the Olympico Felix Sanchez Stadium from 15:00hrs. Group F action however will continue on today and tomorrow. Bahamas will open their account when

they host Saint Kitts and Nevis at the Thomas Robinson Stadium from 19:00hrs Sunday, while tomorrow, Puerto Rico will entertain Trinidad and Tobago at the Estadion Centroamericano from 17:00hrs.Captain Sam Cox in acknowledging the support of all and sundry whilst underlining the importance of the game against T&T, said that the first half performance was not good enough.”The players are feeling it, we’re disappointed, making critical mistakes in your own defensive box is tough to take but we’ve got Tuesday night to bounce back and we look forward to trying to a m e n d l a s t n i g h t ’s (Thursday) performance. At the end of the day no words will atone for last night ( T h u r s d a y ) . ” Máximo also proffered the view that accepting your mistakes and correcting them is the way to go and (Continued on page 19)

BCB/Minister Zulfikar Mustapha Under15... From page 22 22.1 overs- T. Conelley 52, S. Ramkishun 26. Justin Doobay 6 for 20 from 6 overs and W. Hartman 2 for 33 from 4 overs. 2. RH Canje defeated Edinburgh by 140 runs. RH Canje 173 all out 45.4 overs- Zadeem Larose 36, Adrian Hetmyer 19. Wesley Castello 3 for 32 from 10 overs and Danish Persaud 2 for 41 from 6.4 overs. Edinburgh 33 all out 14 overs- Troy David 10 Romario Ramdehol 6 for 9 from 7 overs and Aaron Craig 4 for 19 from 6 overs. 3. RH Canje defeated Tucber Park by 138 runs. RH Canje 187 all out 33.2 overs- Aaron Craig 34, Zadeem Larose 25, Romario Ramdehol 28. Demitte Hemonstyne 2 for 36 from 5 overs and Gavin Kisten 2 for 27 from 9 overs. Tucber Park 49 all out 14.2 overs- Gavin Kisten 15 Aaron Craig 4 for 17 from 6 overs, Adrian Hetmyer 3 for 4 from 1.2 overs and Romario Ramdehol 2 for 19 from 06 overs. 4. RH Canje defeated Kendall’s Union by 7 wickets. Kendall’s Union 65 all out 24.3 overs- Rahul Victor 12. Romario Ramdehol 5 for

24 from 10 overs and Jayden Edwards 2 for 4 from 2.3 overs. RH Canje 66 for 3 from 11 overs- Zadeem Larose 24. Khemraj Permanand 1 for 17 from 1 over and Devindra Victor 1 for 5 from 2 over. 5. Edinburgh defeated Tucber Park by 6 wickets. Tucber Park 72 all out in 20 overs- D. Persaud 4 for 24 from 5.3 overs and M. Cort 2 for 5 from 1 over. Edinburgh 73 for 4 from 12 overs- Dorren George 17. D. Hermansingh 2 for 25 from 3 overs. 6. Edinburgh defeated Guymine by 255 runsEdinburgh 295 for 7 from 40 overs- Dorren George- 111, W. Castello 35, Troy David 30. D. Hope 3 for 53 from 7 overs.Guymine 44 all out in 10.5 overs- C. Cort 3 for 14 from 5 overs. 7. Achievers defeated Cotton Tree by 196 runs. Achievers 218 all out from 40 overs- Tulsieram Ramcharran 43, E. Rogers 41. A. Khan 4 for 21 from 8 overs and A. Bacchus 4 for 28 from 8 overs. Cotton Tree- 28 all out in 13 overs- A. Ramkumar- 11. Tulsieram Ramcharran 7 for 7 from 7 overs and K. Ogie 2 for 2 from 5 overs. 8. Port Mourant defeated UCCA ‘B’ by 10 wickets. UCCA ‘B’- 27 all out 14

overs- A. Singh 10. Romel Budwah 5 for 10 from 5 overs and J. Mohan 2 for 7 from 7 overs. Port Mourant 28 without loss from 4 overs. Rampersaud Ramnauth 11 not out. 9. Cotton Tree defeated paradise by 12 wickets. Paradise 81 all out from 18.5 overs- T. Conelley 24. A. Khan 3 for 17 from 5 overs and A. Ramkumar 3 for 3 from 3.5 overs. Cotton Tree- 82 for 8 from 13 overs- A. Khan 21. T. Conelley 5 for 24 from 6 overs. 10. Blairmont defeated Cotton Tree by 70 runs. Blairmont 123 all out 23.4 overs- R. Shiragon 27, N. Saffar 21. S. Gafoor 4 for 28 from 9 overs and A. Bacchus 6 for 30 from 6.4 overs.Cotton Tree 53 all out 17 overs. S. Shabeed 12. 11. Albion CCCC ‘A’ defeated UCCA ‘B’ by 198 runs. Albion- 264 for 6 from 30 overs- Dhanesh Prabhudiyal 61, Afraz Budhoo 48 and Devin Lalbehari 36. T. Ramjit 2 for 60 from 5 overs and T. Bissoon 2 for 52 from 5 overs. UCCA ‘B’ 66 all out 20 overs- O. Asait 25. Afraz Budhoo 3 for 34 from 6 overs and Devin Lalbehari 7 for 12 from 6 overs.

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NY Tri State U-15 Coach disappointed with bad weather By Sean Devers When the New York Tri State U-15 team from the USA arrived here on Thursday afternoon to begin their 11-game tour to Guyana they were greeted by sweltering heat and bright sunshine. Back in the day, a Calypsonian belted out “every time yuh talk about cricket water comes from the sky and if yuh buy season ticket water comes from your eye” and that rings true even now. Some say it’s superstition, some call it coincidence but whatever you think it is, the 13 anxious teenagers who arrived here for the first time from the States, would say this is so true. However, heavy overnight and early morning rain, left the world famous GCC ground Bourda and most of the City, under water, resulting in their tour

opener set for that venue, being cancelled. Head Coach, former Guyana First-Class fast bowler Linden Fraser, the only Guyanese in a team of predominantly Indians and Pakistanis, spoke about what they had to do during the pandemic and the help provided by the immigration officers when arrived here. Fraser also spoke about the disappointment of yesterdays washed out game, the strength of his team and what they want to get out of this. The team’s Captain, Nayan Elamurugan, also said he is looking forward to gaining experience from this trip. “Getting into Guyana…everything went well, immigration and everyone were very helpful. We had to follow all Covid19 guidelines while everyone had to receive a negative result within 72

hours of the flight,” explained Coach Fraser. Fraser disclosed that the youngsters are extremely disappointed since they are all hungry to play cricket. “The Kids were preparing for the past four weeks. After our team meeting on Thursday night they went to bed early … saying Coach we have to get enough rest to start our campaign well. Seeing the rain pouring on the ground they asked, ‘Coach how long will the ground take to dry?” said Fraser, who played one Shell Shield match for Guyana in 1984. Fraser believes that the strength of the team is its bowling with a mixture of seam and spinners… both left-arm and right arm spinners. “After only having to play on matting within the USA, seeing and playing on turf pitches, the excitement

Young Matthew Nandu lands Adidas endorsement through Cricket Zone USA Emerging Guyanese batsman Matthew Rohan Nandu has become the latest Brand Ambassador of Cricket Zone USA, landing a two-year endorsement deal with global sport brand Adidas. Cricket Zone USA, North America’s largest cricket retail store, has been on a mission to sign Guyanese talents over the years, with 17-year-old Nandu joining a list that already includes opener Chandrapaul Hemraj, all-rounders Romario Shepherd and Kevin Sinclair and middle-order batsman Kevlon Anderson. On Thursday (March 25), Nandu, a national Under-17 batsman, received a full Adidas kit from Cricket Zone USA, which is owned by Guyanese entrepreneur and sport enthusiast, Ravi Etwaroo. A l f r e d M a d r a y, w h o m a d e t h e presentation on behalf of the company, said Etwaroo is passionate about the sport and developing young talents, especially those in his homeland. Etwaroo is of the belief Nandu has a bright future in the sport, and as such, signing the young man was a no-brainer. He advised the youth to remain steadfast to his goals, tread the path of discipline and remain grounded regardless of the success that may come his way. Young Matthew is one of the brightest young batting talents in Guyana, and the lefthander, who speaks with a level of confidence and maturity that belies his age, has his eyes set on one day playing international cricket. His parents, who now reside in Canada, lived two houses away from the legendary Guyana and West Indies batsman Rohan Kanhai at Port Mourant, Berbice, and naming their son after the cricketing great seemed the natural thing to do.It is their hope he can achieve the level of

Young batsman Matthew Nandu (right) receives the gear from Alfred Madray, a representative of Cricket Zone USA (Photo: Richard Jagdeo)

greatness Kanhai managed. Matthew himself takes inspiration from legendary pair Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara. On receiving the endorsement, Matthew said: “I’m speechless. I’m thankful for the support. I especially want to thank Ravi for seeing my talent and wanting to support me.” Matthew’s father, Arjune, played youth and senior cricket for Guyana, and also represented West Indies Youth side in a brief career between 1988 and 1992. The elder Nandu expressed gratitude to Etwaroo and Cricket Zone USA for their benevolence towards his son, nothing that he has been instilling in the youngster the traits of discipline, commitment and hard work that are so crucial to success in the sport.

is all around, while playing against competitors of higher quality is great for our learning experience. We’ll take everything back and put it into our game and share with the others back home. This will encourage others to tour and we thank the GCA for hosting this tour and we are hoping for an improvement in the weather,” said the Berbice born Fraser when asked how he thought this tour will help youth cricket in the US. When asked if cricket is played in schools Fraser said New York leads the way with over 40 schools which play cricket in the New York area. Fraser added that the

New York Tri State youth cricket development will continue to improve under the leadership of President Lester Hooper, who is the younger brother of former Guyana and West Indies Captain Carl Hooper. “I was defiantly looking forward to this trip and have been waiting for it for over a year. The most important thing I wanted to take away from this trip was the experience from playing on different pitches as well as enjoying the touring experience as a team,” said Skipper Elamurugan. According to the GCA the NY Tri State team’s weekend matches have been cancelled.

Linden Fraser

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Saturday March 27, 2021

BCB/Minister Zulfikar Mustapha BCB/ Jafferally 20/20 Tournament - West Berbice D’ Edwards beat Blairmont to Under15 tournament advance to finals continues in Berbice - Dorren George Slams Century… The Berbice Cricket Board/ Zulfikar Mustapha Under15 tournament continued last week in the Ancient County with several promising players putting in outstanding performances. The tournament is currently at the round robin stage with eighteen teams vying for a place in the Quarter-finals. Two teams would advance from Zone A (West Berbice) and three from Zone B (New Amsterdam/Canje) and Zone C (Lower/ Upper Corentyne).

Sterling performances with the bat came from T. Conelley 52, Tulsieram Ramcharran 74, Doren George 111, while outstanding bowling performances came from A. Khan 4 for 21, A. Bacchus 4 for 28, Ravin Budhwa 5 for 10, T. Conelley 5 for 24, Romario Ramdehol 5 fpr 24, D. Persaud 4 for 24, Romario Ramdehol 6 for 9, Justin Doobay 6 for 20, Aaron Craig 4 for 19. Scores from the latest matches played are.

Minister Zulfikar Mustapha 1. Achievers defeated Paradise by 102 runs. Achievers 228- 5 from 3 5 o v e r s - Tu l s i e r a m Ramcharran 74, Tiea Isaacs. S. Ramkishun 2 for 11 from 7 overs.Paradise- 126 all out (Continued on page 22)

D’ Edwards Cricket Club on Saturday last advanced to the finals of the Berbice Cricket Board/Faizal Jafferally MP 20/20 Tournament. They defeated a determined Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club by sixteen runs at the Cotton Tree Ground. In the presence of BCB President Hilbert Foster, the lone semi-final was played under very strict Covid-19 regulations.D’ Edwards CC batted first after winning the toss and soon found themselves in trouble when

Deonauth Persaud was bowled for nought by Javed Karim and then the ultra aggressive Altaf Khan was caught off left arm spinner Nigel Deodat for 00 to leave D’ Edwards reeling at 5 for 2 in the second over. It soon became 12 for 3 when Deo Persaud trapped Devindra Lalsa lbw for 07. The veteran duo of Heralall Bridgelall and Skipper Jaipaul Heralall joined forces at 68 for 15 in the 14th over and added 52 in four overs to rescue their team. Bridgelall ended on 74 not out (7x4,2x6) and received

Faizal Jafferally MP support from Heralall 15 and Kevon Jawahir 21 as D’ Edward ended on 141 for 6 from their allotted 20 overs. National Youth players (Continued on page 21)

Kaieteur News

Saturday March 27, 2021

CWI to hold 22nd Annual General Meeting tomorrow March 28 Says financial statement will be online on Monday ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Tomorrow, Sunday, March 28, is the day set for Cricket West Indies (CWI) to hold its 22nd Annual General Meeting in respect of the financial year ended September 30, 2020. Due to the continuing travel-related effects of the COVID-19 pandemic the meeting will again take place virtually via v i d e o conference, as was done in a COVID-19 delayed meeting last year. It is also the day when incumbent CWI President Ricky Skerritt, and Vice P r e s i d e n t D r. K i s h o r e Shallow, will face challenges from Anand Sanasie of the Guyana Cricket Board and Calvin Hope of the Barbados Cricket Association, r e s p e c t i v e l y, f o r t h e leadership of the organization over the next two-year term.

CWI President Ricky Skerritt said: “All arrangements are in place for a productive Annual General Meeting. This is not the first time that CWI is hosting a virtual AGM but it will be the first time that our l e a d e r s h i p elections will take place virtually. We have everything in place to ensure a constructive and proper meeting.” Shareholder members are slated to receive reports from the Cricket, Commercial and F i n a n c e Committees and for the first time, audited financial statements which will be consolidated to reflect CWI’s acquisition of and interest in the Coolidge Cricket Ground. A copy of the 2019/20 audited financial statements and the Annual Report will be made available to all stakeholders via CWI’s websitehttp://www.windiesc ricket.com – from Monday, March 29.

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