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’ E R A M T H IG N T U O K C A L B E ‘TH Govt. deliberately keeping spending nation in “dark ages” ...wasteful with no results to
Amid an increase in power outages across the country, businessman and publisher of the Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall has called for a radical shake-up of the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and he said it is not a coincidence that since the PPP/C has returned to government the electricity sector here has drastically declined. He questioned the huge amounts of money that has been pumped into the sector over the years with little to show for it. For the past week, there were several hours of blackout across the country – with Friday being one of the worst. Also on Thursday, there was hours of blackout starting approximately 07:52hrs. This was blamed on a fault at the company’s Garden of Eden Power Plant resulting in the loss of approximately 37 Megawatt (MW) of generation. The sudden loss of generation caused a cascading effect on the gird which resulted in a shutdown of the DemeraraBerbice Interconnected System (DBIS). Speaking on his Friday night radio programme, ‘The Glenn Lall Show’, Lall said Guyanese are living in blackouts on a daily basis. He said one of the most important things on earth today, other than food and clean drinking water, is e l e c t r i c i t y. “ W i t h o u t electricity, this world will go way, way back in time, moving at a snail’s pace. Electricity is what have this world spinning, electricity makes, gives and does everything. One billion people on earth do not have access to it and two billion is living with limited access to it. Electricity is almost like breathing, when it stops, then everything stops, is like you living in a coma, a constant state of midnight, without even a candle, yet 75
percent of Guyanese, three out of four, are living with blackouts daily…” He said electricity should be the number one priority of every government, noting that without electricity today you cannot educate a nation. “Electricity powers the manufacturing sectors across this globe that got this world spinning, that brings about competition and real money.” Lall said the electricity situation has gotten so bad in this country that every business and even some households have generators and some have even turned to solar. “Do you know any business in Guyana without a generator? You know of any home that
show - Glenn Lall
KN Publisher, Glenn Lall gas. The EU Head said what Russia has done to those two countries has fast tracked the phasing out of gas electric to much greener electric supply meaning solar, water and wind generation, because Russia can cut off their gas supply too. These are
“The Coalition went in, blackout stopped and GPL was running and making money. As soon as the PPP come back, the nightmare returns and GPL gone back being a milking cow.” – Glenn Lall can afford a generator and doesn’t have one? Or solar power and didn’t go to the expense of getting it, once it can be afforded? Guyana has been this way for the last 30 years, you know why; it is because of these third world leaders you have who do not understand their country’s priorities. Every day you can hear them telling you to compete with the world, set up manufacturing capacity and capability to compete with the outside world. With what? With blackouts? And that cost we paying for electricity?” Lall drew reference to the global situation, alluding to Russia - under pressure from the West cutting off gas supplies to Poland with a population of 44M people and Bulgaria. “Russia is also supplying Germany and other parts of Europe with
t hinkers for leaders. They are calculating the risks from everywhere, and preparing already on how to be in the best position not to be harmed by Russia, but to be ready as best as they can. You think they want to wake up without heat in their h o m e s o r t h e i r manufacturing sector is down because of Putin, no, no, these people are setting
their priorities right and their number one priority is power generation,” Lall said. JAGDEO’S PRESIDENCY Harking back to the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency, Lall said the country was never out of blackout and GPL was always losing money. “The money being pumped into GPL for stable electricity in this country could have given one billion people around the world, without electric(ity), power in their homes, and by now no one would have had an electricity bill when the month come – that is the kind of money they swindled over the years from the treasury into GPL all in the name of taking care of blackouts.” Lall asked whether with all that money being pumped into GPL the situation has changed. “The Coalition went in, blackout stopped and GPL was running and making money. As soon as the PPP come back, the nightmare returns and GPL
Correction/Apology In our Saturday’s Edition, an article with the headline Contractor bids $54M below engineer’s estimate to rebuild burnt wing of Diamond Secondary School was published which states that Truck Smart, a contractor, had entered a bid of $21,422,201 to construct phase one of the project. However, the contractor has since reached out to this newspaper to clarify that his bid was in fact $71,422,201. For the unfortunate error, we apologise to the contractor and anyone else who might have been affected.
gone back being a milking cow.” He added, “Every year the amount of tax dollars being spent by the government through the budget, a new generation plant could have been built supplying the entire Caribbean with enough nonstop electricity 20 years now. Instead, they pumping money, giving you more and more nightmares.” Lall said Jagdeo announced at a bottom house meeting two days ago in Berbice that his government will be spending $32B on flooding, “not on fixing the lifetime sore Guyana is living with called electricity, that is not important to him, his priority is on digging a few trenches here and there, clean some canals and gutters in which 32 billion dollars will vanish in thin air leading into the Atlantic Ocean…” Lall explained that $32B is equal to US$160M. “US$160M can give every home in the three counties electricity and dump GPL.
US$160M can give us 160MW without ever going into blackouts, that’s all Guyana needs at present, that’s all Guyana is using right now. But that US$160M they will never spend it to stop the blackouts, they want you to continue living in the dark ages, stuck in stagnation, never moving forward, in misery. That US$160M must have already disappeared from the treasury by the time he spoke at the bottom house meeting.” Lall said too that the US$190M government is taking as loans from overseas banks to build the Mabura road, Linden to Lethem trail, that money is more than the US$160M and, “…can add a little more electricity than what Guyana needs to facilitate the new manufacturing sector to compete with the world, and again end the misery you living in called blackouts.” But according to Lall, the bush road in the interior for a couple people is priority for Jagdeo and the government not to eradicate blackouts in this country. “You know why this is not number one priority for them, because they can’t milk the cow anymore. By keeping us where we are, with blackouts every hour, it gives them the opportunity to announce this project and that project all
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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
A plea for workers
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
t is Labour Day, a day for all of our workers in all sectors across Guyana. It is helpful that this year, Labour Day falls on Sunday, a day of rest, with a National Holiday following tomorrow, Monday. Guyanese workers could use the rest from their toil, from their worries, from their fears, if only for a day or two, this Sunday and on tomorrows holiday. From all appearances, it might be the only relief that they can expect, and that they are going to get from Government leaders firmly and smugly fixed in their ways. Leaders in this PPP/C Government have become cruel beyond compare, beyond what could be imagined. Leaders have grown plump with self-satisfaction that they cant be touched; they cant be made to see the light of reason, feel the hurts of the poorer, weaker class of citizens; and they refuse to do anything that would provide for some timely, much-needed aid to hurting, humiliated Guyanese. This applies mostly to all of our struggling workers below the middle of the employment ladder, who are left to scramble to get by. Guyanese workers at the bottom, in fact, most of those not close to the high-paying topmost layers, are humiliated, because they cant feed their families on minimum wages. Not even with much overtime, not with what is being floated around ($60,000, or some other close figure) by unions. This is because prices have outraced the proposed higher minimum wage numbers making the rounds, the cost of living has become a game of catching up that our mass of lower paid workers can keep up with, continue not to just lose, but drop farther and farther behind. We have a PPP/C Government that still pretends to be a political group for the poor and working class of Guyana. The Government cannot say that it is so much for wounded Guyanese workers, yet it is so heavily tilted to the interests of capital, meaning, the interests of the local commercial sector. The balance that is needed is simply not present in what comes from Government to the Guyanese working class. The attention and things made possible, all those favourable budgetary provisions, all those projects on which they capitalise most handsomely, are for the private sector, which benefits richly over and over, and then some more. Leaders in the PPP/C Government are so full of themselves, so lacking in identification with ordinary Guyanese, and so out of touch, that they still dare to engage in the tiring, what has long outlived its original momentary usefulness. The top dogs in Government still prattle now with meaningless propaganda about $25,000 payout (a charity donation that was quickly gobbled up and gone), $3,000 Old Age Pension relief (a crumb when a little cake would have stood for something tangible), and ease on VAT for water and light (a pittance for the paupers that they make out of the people). Those have been washed away in the brutal daily assaults experienced by lowly Guyanese workers and their families, who wonder how they are going to make it to the next meagre pay cheque. It is what doesnt even carry them half the spending distance that they must travel, to get the basic items that they must do without, as a matter of routine. We have all this oil, and we are supposedly richer than Midas, which we hope dont make us end up like him. We are reported to have the most promising, most spectacular GDP numbers projected anywhere for a long time. Still, our people are asking themselves, how come those same glittering GDP numbers do not translate to anything for them, have yet to speak to them in the language that they could understand. That is, more spending power, more access to the essentials that they now must forego, while others at the top of society roll in taxpayers billions, and live like emperors of old. Our workers are crying this Labour Day, but their leaders are celebrating with their comrades from the cash that dont come to the people who need it the most.
Send your letters to Kaieteur News, 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown or email us kaieteurnews@yahoo.com
Bloggers blast British High Commissioner pushing agenda of transgenderism in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Bloggers have blasted the British High Commissioner (HC) reacting to the news report that the HC in Guyana held an event in observance of Celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility! The news report said the “HC hosted a celebration of Guyana s LGBTQ+ community in partnership with the Guyana Trans United as they celebrated their 10th anniversary of leadership, advocacy, pride and strength. “ The UK is committed to championing LGBTQ rights globally. This year the UK will be hosting
the UK Governments first ever global LGBTQ+ conference Safe to be Me - coinciding with the 50th Anniversary of the first official London Pride march.” Also in attendance was Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony. This is also a hot issue in the USA where there is much opposition to people calling themselves transgenders wanting to participate in sports as their adopted gender rather than their gender at birth. The Biden administration just said they will now have an “X” in passports for gender for those who dont want to identify as male or
female. Another silly thing being done is people putting “he/his,” “him/her” etc. next to their email signatures, as if people dont know John is “male” and Joan is “female.” The ABC/EU countries that push what is perceived as a sexual deviance agenda must know that what they are pushing may not be priorities for the local people. How about helping with an urgent need the parents of 9-year old Dilon Edwards is asking for help. Dilon has an enlarged heart and a swollen lung, and a hole in his heart. He needs surgery abroad and needs US$11,000. Can the HC help
with this urgent need? Since the Guyanese church leaders including our “Apostles” are silent, the people are letting their views known. Blogger Isaiah Emanuel Singh said: “This is abomination according to the word and command of almighty god. to be a man or woman is divine but to behave and live contrary to almighty god word is by choice and have serious consequences and the judgement of god for example like Sodom and Gomorrah where they felt the full wrath of god upon their abominable life (Continued on page 5)
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Men who hid in shadows, now re-engineered and re-imaged DEAR EDITOR, It is said that history repeats itself, that we relive it over and over. Indeed, we do. But what is taking place in Guyana today goes beyond that, as discerned. I detect men reinventing themselves in incredible ways, and then publicly re-imaging themselves. The countless clueless and deliberately sightless in this society are awed by the individual transformations; but for those who know better, that is another story. It is not of men truly reborn, but re-engineered to
present a fresh, new picture in the repackaging and reselling of themselves. Chameleons can change colours, but the spots of leopards are inerasable. A few years ago, these men sought the shadows, operated largely under the radar, through a variety of fronts. They were undesirous of any speck of publicity, because of the kind of tricks and trades in which they were involved; they still are, mostly. It is called business, entrepreneurship, initiative, and resourcefulness, among en-
Bloggers blast British High... From page 4 style. And to crown it off these people their birth certificate that was register the boys as male and the girls as female gender. It is a spirit of abomination that need to be cast out of these people lives and bring freedom to them. All these abominable life style is incurring Gods judgment on that nation that legalised these abominable life style. The Bible said “woe unto the man that calleth evil good and good evil”. But bigger picture is to contradict God word because they hate people that are of the kingdom of God. And for countries to access loan and help they have encouraged and legalised these abominable lifestyle. I say this to all of you in this abominable life style “repent or face the judgment of God, for your government, and the monetary institutions cannot save you from the wrath of Almighty God.” Blogger Randy said: “Me nah have no issues with how a person choose to live their
life ... but when the British High comm deside to bring their values n culture to this country as they did during colonialism... wel now .. thts whole new form of colonialism.” Blogger Marcille Jeffrey said: “These colonial powers have come to morally bankrupt this country. May God help the people of Guyana!” Blogger Holly Nash John said: “We’re teaching that man can be woman and woman can be man and now the new thing is we can be man and woman at the same time or just choose to say we have no genders. It’s just a matter of time before we start saying we’re a cow... It’s already difficult for man and woman to learn their roles and responsibilities now this..it’s just confusing to all of us. But at the end of the day the word of God must be fulfilled.” Seems like the bloggers are saying, Guyana does not have to adopt every wind of doctrine coming from western countries. Sincerely, J. Jailall
dearing descriptions. Unlike times past, the veils of secrecy are now parted, they emerge into the light, they actually court publicity with daring and confidence. They have every right to be, because close involvements with natural resources make that possible, and there is none that does so more than crude oil. Downstream situations mean upside for them. They get to wash more, sanitise themselves more widely, take their new place in society. It is carefully cultivated towards respectable, legitimate lines. Dont be fooled, I caution. Editor, if we havent thought about that, or are unwilling to do so, because of race and politics, that is understood. But it does not launder away the reality that was once the greatest threat to Guyana, what took centre stage. I wonder where the good, devoted, and astute people at the U.S. Embassy. CFATF, and the rest are with all this. For locals who look at our new commercial adventurers, and could use some enlightenment, I give them a few precedents. Go back to Mother Russia in the post Gorbachev, Yeltsin, then Chernomrydin, and currently Vladimir ages, and look at those who became breathtaking capitalists courted by the West. They call them oligarchs. They go by the name of Roman Abramovich, Vagit Alekperov, Boris Berezovsky, Mikhail Fridman, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, and Vladimir Potanin. They were and are
over there in the shadow of the Caucasus, and Americans did business with them, nurtured them. Look what they did to Russia. We have their local equivalents right here on the banks of the Demerara and Essequibo and elsewhere. Names are not needed anymore, because the faces are in plain sight. The people who were once whispered about knowingly are now making the rounds publicly, in the meteoric movements made possible by our oil discoveries, a helpful government, partnering leaders. The new men are the captains of commerce in Guyana, the oil buccaneers; mainly onshore, untouchable and exclusively so. The Russians running for cover, or to conceal their assets, feature prominently today. Our guys here in Guyana are rising to the top (like them), through connections to the top (also like them); the locals swagger and strut with their newfound freedoms. Nobody (Continued on page 6)
Move the turtle - An Appreciation for UG Professors DEAR EDITOR, Like many students fresh out of secondary school, I was inundated with the task of finding a career path. It was a task that I struggled with for quite some time until I was introduced to a turtle. In front of me in the UG technology one that day, sat a computer. Its screen displayed an image of a small green turtle in the centre. The instruction from the professor was simple: using computer code, make the turtle move. While this assignment was simple, I now recognise the genius of our professor’s well-crafted syllabus. These assignments were expertly designed to inspire, without being too challenging. The reading material was intentionally vague to prompt independent research yet specific enough to encourage questions. He delivered his lectures which such passion and real-world insight that by
the end of the semester, that turtle was capable of solving complex mathematical equations and playing games. That turtle helped me find my love for Computer Science. Currently, that turtle has led me to become a Software Systems Architect of an international Fortune 500 company, designing, developing, and deploying complex applications, data pipelines, and artificial intelligence models that service a plethora of industries like finance, automotive, and renewable energy. While computer science is certainly my passion, I cannot forget the professors from other subject areas like Business, English, and Mathematics. Through their dedication, insightfulness, drive, and genuine love for their craft, I became equipped with the tools to represent myself and my country on an international stage at the (Continued on page 70)
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Similarities of Ramadan in Guyana, UAE, NY and India
House building advice
DEAR EDITOR, I have been fortunate to experience preparation and fasting for Ramadan in Dubai, New York, Abu Dhabi, and India this year. I experienced Ramadan and Eid celebrations in India, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore in earlier years. The Ramadan practices are almost exact duplicates of that in Guyana and diaspora Muslims who observe the pious festival and celebration. During this period, Muslims refrain from the consumption of food and liquid from sun-up to sun-down, and often give up other worldly habits. In NY, Guyanese Muslims and those of other nationalities began dawn to dusk fasting around April 2 with the sighting of the new moon. Not all Muslims have been fasting but most seemingly did so including many Islamic students in high school and colleges. The fasting period ends on May 2 depending on the sighting of the new moon. Monday is Eid, a school holiday in NY. Parking rules are also suspended. Nightly, since the evening of April 2, Muslims in traditional garb were seen heading for masjid in the greater Richmond Hill area (Little Guyana) for prayers and breaking of the fast. The males were mostly dressed in traditional white and females in any colour in shalwar or choli or Lahenga. In Dubai, male worshippers were dressed in white and females in mostly black coloured garb (but other colours were also observed covered head to toe in the heat). In India, flocks of Muslims in Delhi, Varanasi, Azamgarh, Lucknow and other towns were seen in late at dusk briskly walking heading for the Masjid for nightly prayers. In every location, they broke the fast with the
consumption of liquid followed by cajole or dates or some other snacks. In India, they headed for the street fast food outlets where almost every dish imaginable (halaal of course) was served. The streets in India in Muslim neighbourhoods are brightly lit nightly during this Ramadan period. Food was bountiful. In India, as in New York, Guyana, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the fasting period is widely known as Rojah. Some called it Roza (probably a matter of pronunciation). In UAE, the immigrants from South Asia, also call it Rojah or Roza. All Masjids in America, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and India have held nightly prayer services since the start of Rojah. In Dubai and Abu Dhabi, I observed the presence of a mosque in every couple blocks. There are countless numbers of mosques subsidized by the Islamic state. The mosques are quite attractive, neat, and clean. The Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi is probably the best in the world. One can also describe it as perhaps among the most beautiful structures in the world. It is worth a visit whenever one is in the UAE. In America, each ethnic group or nationality or Islamic sect has its own Mosque. People generally do not patronize each others Masjid, preferring their own masjid of their own ethnic group. But no one is excluded from services, and all are welcome to partake in prayers followed by the breaking of the fast. Each group has its own customs and practices and break the fast with their own cultural diet. The Indo-Guyanese and Indo-Caribbean Muslim diaspora in NY is a very tightknit community, and they ob-
Men who hid in shadows, now... From page 5 needs a coveted visa anymore to the land of milk and honey, we have nectar and ambrosia here, so there is no need to go anywhere. The criminal oligarchs close to the Kremlin had their sponsors and protectors, and some of their enterprises are local. Our own criminals have their strings and connections, and favourable friends in the highest places in this land, which is why there is this studious re-engineering by men of themselves. Good public relations also help put brilliant gloss on the rots. Like Balzac said: behind every great fortune
lies a great crime; since we are dealing in the plural (fortunes), then great crimes correspond. Some proudly call it business; or what was touted as “progress and development” before by a coll a b o r a t i n g l e a d e r. We have them again, and with fresher, sweeter labels and political sheens and verbal gadgetries, all under the flagpole of oil. I call it for what it is: the criminalisation of Guyana involving the less than 1% of 1% of this country in commanding control, with incomparable assistance from the top. Sincerely, GHK Lall
serve all Islamic traditions, especially during Ramadan or Ramzan (Rojah). Most Guyanese-oriented mosques are in Queens and there are Guyanese masjids in the Bronx and Brooklyn as well as in Florida. Some from other nationalities also come to the Guyanese Masjids for worship, and some Guyanese do worship at mosques of other nationalities, where Guyanese mosques are not available as in New Jersey. The Al Abidin Masjid, in the heart of Liberty Avenue, is the largest among Guyanese. The Jama Masjid is also quite large. According to the holy Koran, Muslims are urged to fast for spiritual and body renewal during this holy period of sacrifice. Prayers are also required. Some Muslims visit the mosque several (five) times during the day, as prescribed in the Koran; and where not possible, they pray at a convenient location to adhere to this pillar of Islam. Observing Ramadan is one of five pillars of Islam. Everywhere I travelled in the Far East, Middle East, India, and America, the mosques or masjids were packed nightly during the Ramadan period. There were rituals and supplications to the Lord, all similar in practice including lighting of agarbati. At the end of prayers, worshippers wished each other greetings and consumed their liquid or food and moved on for a larger meal within the confines of the compound or a basement or another structure. In India, the masjids did not offer a full meal as in NY. At some of the Guyanese Masjids, volunteers arrived early afternoon to begin preparation of the masjid for prayers and meals. Some worshippers brought foods prepared from home or purchased from halaal caterers. The dishes varied nightly with vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, all donated by members of the respective Islamic fraternity. And the same practice exists in India, UAE, and elsewhere that I visited. In India, many people break the fast at approved halls or restaurants serving halaal food. Overall, the observance of Ramadan or Rojah is the same everywhere. Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram
DEAR EDITOR, Thursday I got a call from a businessman to check out a security system I’d set up a few years back at his home. The reason is that some thieves try to break into his house and he wanted to see if there was any footage of the culprits faces. When I visited the house he showed me the thieves removed the PVC ceiling and attempted to enter the house. Fortunately for him, the
leave huge space close to the roof which allows access into the house. Thieves are always on the lookout for easy access into houses and quite a few people said their houses got broken into in that way. Some are lucky because the contractor goes the extra mile and installs the blocks. The only way to prevent access that way, people have to use wood ceilings on the outside of their house. Sahadeo Bates
President Ali has seen the light DEAR EDITOR, I hear President Ali’s call to Western investors (“UK, European Union investors need to aggressively pursue opportunities in Guyana Ali”, Demerara Waves, April 26). I commend the President for seeing the light, and sounding the gong. “Aggressively pursue” resonates with that echo, from the way I absorb what the President said to his audience. I detect that it was more than a plea; more like a call to arms, given what continues to happen to us. It is about time that the leaders of Guyana came to their senses and send out this SOS: save us from the Chinese. The local head of state may be sluggish, but he can’t afford to be slow, doggedly thick. He had to have heard, and to know in some way, what occurred in Sri Lanka, Africa, Latin America with projects and billions in debt. The common thread is our brothers from the east. For emphasis, the Far East, the products of their hands, and the outcome for those sister nations of Guyana. It is not a pretty picture; one that should warm the heart of any national leader concerned for his own place, people, and their prospects. In Guyanese lingo, ‘Guyana caan tie bundle wid China no moh…’ We pay too much, we get robbed too much, we are in project triages too long, we bleed too profusely from the rapacious exploits of Chinese corporate captains. They pretend to be benevolent, but are nothing but triads functioning locally in ghostly shadows hurting this society. I understand that, though the President knows, he can’t say what I do; he has to contemplate the Chinese and their relationship with
Happy Labour Day! DEAR EDITOR, The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana extend warm wishes to all of our workers on this labour day. May your efforts bring you the fulfillment of your
contractors placed the blocks to almost reach the roof/zinc, so the thieves couldn’t get access to enter the house unless they had a hammer to break away the blocks and that would have alerted the neighbours. Editor, many people complain of contractors doing shoddy work on their house if they are not around, and it’s almost impossible to get compensation for inferior work by contractors, and many would
ambitions and secure your future. Best regards, Mr. Jamil Changlee Chairman The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
Venezuela, meaning, he doesn’t want to alienate them, only flood them with European competition. Also, get me straight, I like the Chinese, but not when they make fools of us. Editor, the English and Europeans had to be reminding him, out of newspaper earshot, that there were here during the bruising elections season. After all, one good turn deserves another; therefore, there is this urgent call for investors to come to Guyana aggressively. To bolster his position, the leader was cagey enough to say that, “our experience is changing.” Very good, sir! And that a hospital was completed with “better terms than the Chinese.” He said it not me; and it is a plank of capitalism to put competitors to fight over the bones. What Guyana has to offer is not bones, but marrow and fat and sinew, and the choice carve outs of just about everything a deep-pocketed investor can imagine. Come aggressively. That’s telling them, skipper. Way to go, Mr. President. Sorry, Dr. President. Still, I would be shortchanging my fellow Guyanese if I left out a sanity check. The UK and EU are no benevolent angels where commercial ambitions and opportunities are concerned; they can be just as p r e d a t o r y. Guyanese should not need the history lesson from me, but I remind them of Belgians, British, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish in the slave trade and their destruction of the New World. Even a Pope got involved in the action with that lovely treaty he conjured. If anyone thinks I am going easy on my fellow Americans, put a sock in it, please. Having got that off my chest, I submit that the We s t e r n e r s p o s s e s s a streak or two more of decency and civility in how they manage their relation-
ships with host countries. I would venture some bits and occasional pieces of integrity also, given that there are answerable, their business practices more open. That is, when compared to the Chinese, who make their own rules, follow their own ancient rituals. There are westerly watchdogs by the layers. There are checks and controls required by the law (real law and not party o n e s ) . T h e We s t e r n e r s (UK, EU) are pirates, but a different kind of corporate pirate. We have a clearer picture of happenings and relationships. There are open books, not necessarily uncooked; openness in approach, a code of corporate ethics, what is called best practices and accountability. Plus, there is a little bit more of the law, more conscientiousness (notwithstanding compulsory ruthlessness). This is not endorsement, merely a statement of fact, regarding what is better for Guyana. Still, it nags and gnaws that these former colonizers must be partnered with today. Some of their champions still maintain the kind of mindset that is about place and pecking order, who belongs at the top, and who should be at the bottom. President and Vice President shouldn’t get any fancy ideas that they feature, are loved. They are only tolerated. The condescension may be more schooled now, held more in reserve for the shadows and likeminded fellows. But it is there, from those who are the lesser of two evils. Last, I now have a better idea of why that British parliamentarian’s name came up for honorable selection. He would be well-positioned to look out for Downing Street, Fleet Street, and Bond Street. As all this is weighed, I tip my hat to the President for doing the first meaningful thing for this year, if not his presidency. Sincerely, GHK Lall
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N B T . U . L . L T B . . N . U N U T L N B . U T . . L N N U T B . U . N L U BL BLUNT. B . . T . T T N N U . U L . Let's Make Guyana Great Again . L B . T B . . . . N . T U T N N T U N U L L U B . L B . . . . B . T . . T . N N T U N L LU U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . . U . N L T U B . N L . . U B . T L . . N B T . . U . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B . T . U . N L T U B . N L . T . U B T . L . . N B T . U . N . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . U L . B T. is ofLthe . UN .BLUNTime L . . essence! B T . . . N T U N L . . B U B T . L . B . UN .BLUNT. L . . B T . . . N T U N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . . . LU ...BLUN B T . . . N T U N L U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T . U B . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T BB T...BLU U N L U B . L . . B . T . . N N T L U U N L L U B U T...BLU B L . . . B . T . . N T U N N N L U U B L . L . . B B TLUNT . . . T UN Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
For too long evil has been allowed to run amok in this land.
It is time that we as Guyanese take stock of ourselves, our homes, our communities and recognise that the time has come for us to change course. We cannot sit idly by and let our land be controlled by those who have no respect for God or man.
We cannot remain silent when our very existence is under threat.
We need God-fearing leaders to stand in the gap for the slumbering people of this nation. We need those who can fearlessly stand up to the Goliaths of our day who are intent on preventing this nation from reaping the benefits of this promise land – a land flowing with milk and honey meant for ALL and not just a FEW.
Heed the clarion call visionary leaders; stand up and help make Guyana great again!
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
Dem Boys Seh…
Enjoy de freeness today! Today is May Day! Dem boys does call it Merriment Day! Dem workers does go and March and den some ah dem does go and indulge in de free food and drinks at dem union halls. Dem boys nah give dem workers wrong fuh sponge pun dem unions today. Fuh years dem unions been collecting dues from dem workers. And dem does hardly do anything much fuh dem. Some ah dem unions gat hundreds of millions in assets. Dem
sitting pun a fortune. Others poor like a church mouse and some ah dem leaders wrinkling pun de wuk but dem nah retiring. Dem sink anchor in de leadership. Suh dem boys nah give dem workers wrang when dem go and tek part in de freeness at dem union hall. Today gan be nuff fun because is two years dem workers miss out pun de freeness. Deh had a time in Guyana when workers use to get force fuh march on
May Day. Dem use to get threaten dat dem could lose dem wuk if dem nah march. But stricter de guvament, wiser de population. Dem workers use to march, go and collect dem bax ah cook-up and den bail out. Instead of waiting fuh hear dem lang boring speeches, de workers use to get away and leff dem union leaders and politicians to dem own devices. Is suh all dis bacchanal start. Today is fete like fever and more fun dan fervor. Talk half. Less half.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sterling Products Limited rewards longstanding employees
Twenty-six longstanding employees of Sterling Products Limited were recognised on Friday, April 29, 2022.
S
terling Products Limited on Friday, A p r i l 2 9 , presented 26 long-serving employees with tokens of appreciation during a simple ceremony in the company's boardroom. The employees recognised were those who provided between 10 to 35 years of service. In brief opening remarks,
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sterling Products Limited, Mr. Ramsay Ali congratulated the honourees and thanked them for their dedication towards the growth of the company. “When one looks at companies, successful companies, there is some kind of similarity in terms of the employment history. Successful companies, most of them in Guyana, 60 or 70 percent of their staff are there 10 years or more,” Ali said according to a release issued to the media. Additionally, it was conveyed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Andrew Pollard, that the company's staff retention level should be seen as an achievement. “It is always difficult to keep something
good and I can say that we're very happy to have achieved this and to manage to have all of you within the Sterling family.” The 26 employees who were honoured included Totatram Bishun, Shawn Broomes, Jamel Fisher, Anand Persaud, Abiola Persaud, Sewmangal Ramlakhan, Ann Ramotar and Totaram Ramsingh who all served 10 years. Mohamed Azweem Khan, Mohamed Wazim Khan, Lauren Inniss, Chetram Persaud, Royston Persaud, Raymond Persaud, Mohamed Jamal Rahaman, Bhyro Persaud-Sharma, Kurt Springer and Dwayne Yan were also among the lot who provided 15 years of service. Devanand Lalgie (Continued on page 17)
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Hundreds of ECD households to get GTT Fibre + Voice this month - as GTT expands its Fibre + Voice Service Hundreds of households on the East Coast Demerara corridor will now have access to high-speed internet and an improved calling experience with the rollout of GTT Fibre + Voice in the Enterprise Area on April 30, 2022. GTT in a release noted that it will be expanding its service to benefit these residents, delivering on its promise to
reliably connect its customers and innovate for all in Guyana. Eshwar Thakurdin, Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Home and Fixed Solutions at GTT said, “this expansion keeps customers at the heart of the company's operations, allowing them the freedom to enjoy everyday internet-led activities like working from home, online school and recreation.”
With the introduction of the service in the area, customers can access Fibre + Voice as a complete internet and voice line solution, while existing landline customers can transition to Fibre + Voice and keep their current l a n d l i n e n u m b e r. T h i s programme will see customers paying less for calls, enjoy highspeed internet and get access to free Call Waiting, Caller's ID and
3-way calling, all on the 100 percent Fibre optic network. “We are elated to bring our Fibre + Voice service to the Enterprise residents and look forward to providing the best inh o m e Wi - F i a n d c a l l i n g experience Guyana has to offer,” Thakurdin noted. He added, “This is just the tip of the iceberg; we will provide access to about (Continued on page 71)
GTT Home and Fixed Solutions COO Eshwar Thakurdin
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
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BLUNTNESS ON INDECENCY! In case you haven’t heard, please be informed that as part of our continued effort to channel positive changes in our country, our publisher, Mr. Glenn Lall, has dedicated our Page Seven to be “BLUNT” about on-going indecency in our land that should matter, not only to us at this publication, but the entire nation. SUNDAY These are desperate times and people are eagerly awaiting a solution for a better future. Sadly, a logical solution to our problems is staring us right in the face but for some god-forsaken reason our leaders, those holding the country's purse strings, are holding out on us. People are not in need of a little hand out hand here and there to struggle through these hard times when they are the owners of enormous wealth. That's right! The nation's wealth is not the property of the leaders; it belongs to the people who entrusted them to govern with wisdom, not greed. It's about time that resident Guyanese are saved from an eternity of dearth while leaders build bigger and bigger barns to store their ill-gotten wealth. MONDAY Last week we saw a massive turnout to the various concerts held to celebrate Easter-a great contradiction, because E a s t e r - w h i c h commemorates the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is about sacrifice and sacredness. What we witnessed was the 'stink and dutty' as thousands of Guyanese paid for tickets to stand and fete to lewdness and indecency. We wouldn't find some of those same people standing up on the picket line demanding what is rightfully theirs. They dodge the call. Some citizens, who may be ardent supporters of those political parties who also evade the subject of renegotiation, are ignorant of what they are being robbed of; the wealth they are being denied of as citizens of this country and the rightful owners of Guyana's natural resources. This may be beyond their
imagination, but we believe that if they are to become millionaires they must ensure the wealth of this nation is managed properly. TUESDAY A massive investment is to be made this year through the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) Project, but the feasibility of this venture still remains questionable. One aspect of the project, which is the laying of the p i p e l i n e o ff s h o r e a n d onshore, to transport the gas to Wales on the West Bank of Demerara will cost US$1.3 billion. This sum is just a few thousands short of what our country's total external debt stood at in 2020. Nevertheless, our government is convinced that this venture will lend to the greater development of Guyana. Last week, the Environmental Impact Assessment for the GTE was published, citing the harmful effects the project can have. We at this publication only hope that our farmers, who will not be able to provide for their families as result of this mega venture, will somehow manage to feed their families. Our leaders seem hellbent on satisfying their own needs even at the risk of hurting the very people who elected them to govern. Wake up Guyanese, start fighting for your right to a better future today! WEDNESDAY It is sad to see that even as Guyana is finally being recognised globally for something positive, its leaders are treating it with disdain. The state of affairs is equivalent to a man physically abusing his wife daily or selling his daughter to receive financial gains. This reality is especially evident in the management of the oil and gas sector.
It seems that the government is so anxious and desperate to make money that it is willing to do so at any cost. More frustrating, however, is the fact that the country's earnings from the sector remains at an all-time low since the leaders have failed to renegotiate the lopsided contract that was signed with Exxon. It is high time that Guyanese realise that their leaders are savages disguised as saviours. THURSDAY The $50M question Guyana is a strange place and so are our leaders. In the midst of opulence, Guyanese are still mired in poverty. We read about the triple oil strike, yet our children are going to bed hungry. We hear about 11 billion recoverable barrels of oil, yet thousands of families go to bed with nothing in their cupboard. And then we hear our President boasts; idle boast, we would call it, claiming that the supply boats for Exxon operations offshore expend roughly $50M per month buying greens at Parika Market; our dear President said, “these were the untold stories.” Indeed, no one would want to tell such a story, when we are paying $9B per month in rental for the said supply boats that are spending $50M monthly to patronise our vendors. What worries us here at Kaieteur News is whether when the President made the bold statement, he knew of the $9B, which we are paying for the vessels as per the oil contract; whether he was deliberately trying to bamboozle the nation or it was just plain old propaganda. The fact that he uttered such idleness to an audience of diplomats; top private sector officials and foreign
investors makes you cringe. FRIDAY Crime and our leaders Gun crimes have become a staple in our society. Much like these criminals, some of our leaders are daily robbing this nation of its patrimony just so they can continue to fatten their already overflowing purses. When really will Guyana be rid of criminals at every conceivable level? The answer is simple: When Guyanese decide to start fighting back and
demand an end to wholesale thievery! SATURDAY Prayer Changes Things These days, we don't have to look too far to see that the world is in a dire state. In our communities, there are people suffering. They are looking for any sign of hope; hope for a better future that seems out of reach despite the wealth we possess. At the rate things are unfolding in our homeland, we are left to believe that we are doomed.
But we at this publication believe that there is hope beyond the scope of human limitation. To access this, we believe that Guyanese must fall on their knees in prayers and beseech the Creator to melt the stony hearts of our leaders so that they can do right by Guyana – a bountiful and beautiful land that the Creator saw it fit to entrust us with. Let it be known, far and wide, we will fight (now through prayers too) for a better Guyana until we draw our very last breath.
Kaieteur News
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Insurance company embroiled in court action over refusal to pay settlement for crashed electric car
A
n insurance company is now the subject of a lawsuit for allegedly failing to pay the claims made to a client for an electric car that was written off in an accident. According to court documents seen by this newspaper, Alistair Michael Mitchell of Lot “V” Bent S t r e e t , Wo r t m a n v i l l e , Georgetown insured his 2016 Nissan Leaf sedan electric motor car, PYY 6223, with Assuria Life Guyana Limited for the sum of $2.5 million for the period of March 10, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The car was later insured for the sum of $2.4 million with Assuria for another period – December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. The claim drafted by attorney-at-law, Mohamed Ali, outlined, however, that on the 18th day of August, 2021 the car was involved in
an accident at Princes and John Streets, Georgetown, which was reported to the police and the insurance company. The legal document noted that as a result, the necessary repair opinions and quotes were supplied to the insurance company for processing. \ Mitchell reportedly hired an insurance broker to manage the negotiations. He explained in the lawsuit that it was “after several back and forth negotiations between my broker, Raj Singh Insurance Brokers & Risk Management Consultants Inc., and Assuria, that I accepted the insurance offer for the sum of $1,670,500.00.” He explained further that a condition of settlement was that: “I [the applicant] needed to transfer over to
Assuria Life (GY) Inc. my 2016 Nissan Leaf sedan The Nissan Leaf registration, PYY Sedan electric car. 6223, electric motor car which was done and later deliver to Assuria Life (GY) Inc. and I was told I would be contacted to uplift my cheque.” According to the plaintiff a few days after dropping off his electric car at Assuria Life (GY) Inc.'s head office, he was informed that new “finding” after it was the car was sold and the sold and delivered to a third insurance company was owner. On December 30, 2021, waiting for the cheque to be Mitchell sent a lawyer's letter cleared before he received rejecting the new finding the settlement. However, by a letter w h i c h w a s d o n e dated the December 28, approximately two weeks 2021, the company wrote to a f t e r h e h a n d e d o v e r Mitchell rescinding the offer possession of the Insurance of $1,670,500.00 based on a C o m p a n y, d e m a n d i n g
Attorney-at-law Mohamed Ali
instead that they make the payments. The respondent (Assuria) through a lawyer's letter responded giving more reasons for rescinding the offer. In that letter, which was seen by this newspaper, the insurance company alleged that it received conflicting reports about the accident. Among the reports, the company said was the police report which did not bear out Mitchell's version of the incident. There was also information to the effect that the battery of the vehicle was stripped, according to the insurance company. In the circumstances, Mitchell explained that he was left with no other choice but to take the company to court. In the court document, he rejected the notion that he acted to his detriment based
on an offer and acceptance by the respondent by transferring the motor car into the company after accepting their offer. He contends that “…The alleged new evidence was not there when myself and agents of Assuria Life (Gy) were present during all inspections prior and during the handing over of the car to the insurance company.” As a consequence, Mitchell submits that the insurance company is in breach of the agreement of settlement to pay him the sum of $1,670,500.00. He is, therefore, asking the court to grant a judgment that the company pays him the sum of $2.4M on Insurance Policy PC for the period of coverage, December 31, 2020 to December 31, 2021. Alternatively, the plaintiff is prepared to accept judgment in the sum of $1,670,500.00.
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Guyana does not have to take IMF's advice on oil company ...Jagdeo says institution deals with debt repayment not development
Kaieteur News
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Sunday May 01, 2022
==
GUYANA COMMEMORATES INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY ON THURSDAY, 5TH MAY O CERNS N O C R E M U S N ==CO
By Pat Dial
n 5 t h M a y, Indian Arrival D a y i s commemorated as one of the most important sociohistorical anniversaries in
Guyana. Final emancipation of the slaves who manned the sugar plantations of the colony came about in 1838 with the end of the Apprenticeship System and this resulted in the freed men leaving the sugar estates and
settling in villages which they established - "the Village Movement". This exodus from the sugar estates resulted in a severe labour shortage and except new workers were found, the sugar industry would die and
the economy of the colony would collapse. The planters knew from at least 1830 that Emancipation was coming and realieed that their work force would leave the plantations. They, therefore,
frantically began exploring for new sources of labour and tried Madeira, West Indian islands, China and India. These new workers were to be recruited under the Indenture System of labour contracts. Madeiran Portuguese, Chinese, West Indians and Indians were tried but the Madeirans, Chinese and West Indians left the estates as soon as their labour contracts had expired to settle in the towns and villages. The Indians remained, thus the planters settled upon India as their labour pool. Between 1838 and 1917 when Indentured Immigration was discontinued, 249,000 Indians were brought to Guyana. They derived mostly from the Bhojpuri-speaking belt of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and after 1870's from Madras with a sprinkling from other states, in particular Punjab. The Indenture System was a labour contract between the planter and the worker. The main clauses of the contract were that the worker would have to serve his master for five years, though occasionally for longer or shorter periods. Housing and wages were to be provided as well as medical attention and at the end of the period of Indenture, the worker could re-indenture or opt to return to India. The workers were kept in a depot at Calcutta or Madras where they awaited the small wooden sailing ship on which they would be embarked for a journey of many months over two oceans. The journey was reminiscent of the Middle Passage which the slaves had to suffer on their way from Africa to the West Indies. When they embarked on the ship, the indentures had their first bitter taste of the Indentureship System. These workers were recruited by Arkathis who were paid based on the number of heads they recruited. They deceived the prospective recruits with stories of how easy it was to earn vast sums of money and that the distance between Guyana and India was a short one and one could return to India in a few days. The rosy pictures of the Arkathis were soon exploded when the indentures arrived in Guyana
and the term 'arkathi' came to be used for a trickster and criminal and is still so used even today. The conditions of life and work the indentures encountered were very reminiscent of slavery and this caused many historians to term Indentureship 'the new slavery'. The immigrants were made to occupy the old slave barracks which had mud floors, no furniture, no ventilation and no toilet facilities. The environment was unhealthy and disease breeding. Wages were very low and were oftentimes not paid and they never had enough food. They were all malnourished and many suffered perpetually from malaria, diarrhea and other tropical diseases. The hospital had no trained medical personnel and no medicines except rum which was regarded as a cure-all. In the earlier years of Indentureship, very few women came so there was no possibility for family life. L a t e r i n t h e c e n t u r y, approximately 30 percent of the immigrants were women. The death rate was very high and this was one of the reasons why the indentured population had to be continuously replenished. When Indentured Immigration was discontinued in 1917, 249,000 immigrants had been imported. About one-third were able to return to India, more than one-third died in the colony and the rest remained in Guyana. A good proportion of this remainder feared the rigours of the long sea voyage and had no savings with which to return home. Until the 1920's, Indians were regarded as being on the lowest round of the social ladder. Gradually, Indians began to move into market gardening, milk production, rice and other agricultural production thus ensuring the Food Security of the country. Some moved into commerce selling mainly groceries and haberdashery and later consumer durables like cars and agricultural machines and since they had to be very competitive to survive, the consumers benefited. Acquiring Education was a challenge. Primary schools (Continued on page 17)
Sunday May 01, 2022
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Kaieteur News
2 feared dead after tugboat capsizes in Canje Creek By Malisa Playter-Harry Two persons are missing and feared dead after the vessel they were in capsized in the Canje Creek on Friday night. Missing and feared dead are Shellon Williamson, a mother of three who resided at Mai Mai Dam, Angoy's Avenue, New Amsterdam, and Richard John of E d i n b u rg h , E a s t B a n k Berbice. According to Regional Commander, Boodnarine Persaud, the incident occurred at approximately 20:45hrs on Friday and the two persons were trapped under the tugboat when it capsized in the creek. He confirmed that the coast guards have since launched a search for the missing persons. The captain of the vessel,
who is also the brother of the missing man, Dennis John told media operatives that his brother had gone out to buy chicken and he had just returned to the boat while he was cooking. Williamson, he said, had gone below the shed of the boat and in a matter of 15 minutes, she called out to them saying that there was water entering the vessel and that there was a huge hole in it. He said he jumped down and the water was already at his knee, his brother then jumped in and was trying to get the water out but the vessel leaned and capsized, trapping all three of them underneath. As they all struggled to free themselves, John said he swam up and his brother was right behind him. But the water was rough, he recalled,
Feared dead, Richard John
Feared dead, Shellon Williamson
adding that when he surfaced he did not see his brother nor Williamson and he decided to swim back down in an effort to save them. John said when he got
Guyana does not have to... From page 15 incurred by the government. Guyana can also opt to auction its blocks as is, but that route would mean less lucrative offers for the resource locations, but no upfront charges to the government. The other option, Jagdeo pointed out, was whether Guyana could take its remaining offshore and on shore blocks, put it in the national oil company and get a strategic operator to do the work. This option is being viewed because it may be hard for Guyana to raise money giving a global aim to
net zero emission and the current posture of the developed world in this direction. Now, Guyana has to strike a balance between the mentioned factors while trying to enhance its share of benefits through revision of its current PSA. "So, that model and what share we get, that is in the Stabroek Block agreement; the PSA for Stabroek Block will change significantly. So, in the new PSA, without even having a government investment in any of the ventures, more of the benefits will come to us because the PSA will be
different,” Jagdeo said. He highlighted that the questions Guyana must answer is whether it can increase benefits from the new model PSA and ownership, and what will be the constraint if funds have to be invested in that manner. Those are variables to be navigated, the VP said, since the underlying goal is to decide what is good for the country. "Not for someone telling us what is good for us. We can listen to advice but people who don't look out for us can often make a bland statement.”
back underneath the boat and tried to open the door, a mattress was preventing it from opening. H o w e v e r, a f t e r h e managed to get that out of the
way, the door was again stuck and at that point, he could not get in. He said he swam up back and ventured out for help and filed a report with the police.
Shortly after, police and coast guard ranks returned to search for the missing persons but they were nowhere to be found. The search continues.
Bandits fracture man's hands while stealing his iPhone A
man identified as Robert Glen had both of his hands fractured on Friday by four bandits who pounced on him at the Stabroek Market area to steal his iPhone. Glen told Kaieteur News that he was attacked around 17:00hrs while waiting to
catch a minibus. He recalled being attacked so quickly and beaten so severely that he did not get a chance to see who his four assailants were. The men reportedly crept up on him from behind and launched their attack, relieving him of his cell phone in the process. After they escaped, the badly
beaten Glen had to be assisted to get to the police to make a report. He later visited the hospital where he was treated for his injuries, and according to Glen, doctors were able to ascertain that his hands are fractured. Investigations are ongoing by police.
GUYANA COMMEMORATES Sterling Products Limited rewards... INDIAN ARRIVAL DAY... From page 16 were never established in areas such as the sugar estates where Indians lived and parents who could afford it, sent their children to attend schools in the villages or in the City. By the end of the 1920's Indian lawyers and doctors began to strengthen the professional class and several Indian doctors became legends. The Civil Service and other state employers tended to keep to the policy of not employing Indians and also persuading big businesses to maintain that policy since it was feared that if Indians left
Agriculture or the countryside, the Britishowned sugar estates would suffer labour shortage. This colonial policy was seen when recruitment of workers for the Bauxite Industry was done: the recruitment was never done in any of the Indian villages or settlements. Hinduism and Islam were strengthened and their places of worship were renewed and Indian culture began to contribute to mainstream national culture. One positive fact of the great Indian presence in Essequibo which is rarely noticed is that
this presence negated the Venezuelan territorial claim that Guyanese were not to be found in Essequibo and exposed the fraudulence on w h i c h t h e Ve n e z u e l a n aggression is based. Indian Arrival Day commemorates the introduction of a valuable and creative force into Guyanese life which was of the utmost importance in the creation and shaping of the Guyanese Nation. (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
From page 10 and Suresh Mangru were rewarded for 20 years of service. Meanwhile, Kameenie Baksh, Kemrajie Persaud, Teemal Persaud and Madan Singh
were recognised for 25 years of service, in addition to Trevor James who provided 30 years of service and Karam Chan Persaud who provided 35 years of service.
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
The Good Hope house on fire
Fire destroys Good Hope house - arson suspected A fire that destroyed a twostorey wooden and concrete house, located at Lot 13, Phase One, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD), on Friday is suspected to be an act of arson. The fire reportedly erupted just after 21:00hrs. Home at the time was the owner of the house, 59-year-old Asif Shaffie. Fire fighters were reportedly alerted to the fire around 21:28hrs and fire trucks were dispatched from the Campbellville Fire Station in Georgetown and the Melanie Fire Station located on the East Coast of Demerara. They responded quickly but could not save the building from being almost completely destroyed. Investigations
conducted, later revealed that the fire was maliciously set. Who set the fire remains a mystery for now. As investigations continue, the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) has since requested that citizens secure themselves against arson attacks and even gave some guidelines that can be followed. Some of the guidelines that citizens were advised to follow are to keep garbage, litter, leaves, firewood, overgrown brush and s h r u b b e r y, a n d o t h e r combustibles away from buildings. It is also advisable to lock all doors and windows in garages, cars and unoccupied buildings.
Govt. deliberately keeping nation in... From page 3 with one thing in mind, fattening their pockets or their friends' pockets with projects and contracts.” Only recently government announced that they are looking for someone to supply 50MW to the grid. Using figures from the last Power Purchase Agreement, the Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) had with Giftland Mall, it is understood that the 50 megawatts (MW) of power that the company is seeking to purchase, can cost around $377 million, m o n t h l y. T h e p o w e r company recently published an Expression of Interest (EOI) where it said it is hunting for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) that
can supply 50 MW of power to the national grid for three years, commencing from March 2023. GPL said, “the state-owned electric utility company, invites technically and financially sound IPPs to submit an EOI to supply a total of 50 MW HFO-fired Firm Power Generating Capacity (gross) on a 24hour basis with appropriate substations to interconnect with the 69 kV National Grid (the project) by March 2023 for a period of three years.” However, this project can add a $375 million monthly bill to the power company. In January 2020, GPL inked a power purchase agreement with Giftland Mall proprietor, Roy Beepat,
to supply the national grid with 4.5 MW of electricity. It was later revealed that an estimated $34 million each month was being forked out to purchase the badly needed power from the Giftland Mall, to compensate for the shortfall of electricity. Beepat said that the power itself would cost around $9.9 million per month while fuel cost is estimated to be $29.5 million. This means that if GPL was paying $34 million each month for 4.5 MW, 1MW of power would cost just over $7.5 million. Using the $7.5 million per megawatt for the 50 MW, GPL is currently looking to add, this would amount to $375 million. The
monthly charge to supply the added power to the grid could therefore be over $370 million. This is also a mere projection as the cost for fuel has also increased since 2020. Environmentalist, Alfred Bhulai in a recent letter to this newspaper urged that government invest its resources into solar energy instead. He said, “The hidden costs of the gas-to-power projects are slowly bubbling up: GPL has to find 50 MW of heavy fuel oil generation; and they are looking for some other company to deliver seamless connections without transmission and
distribution problems.” According Bhulai, GPL is caught in an “inefficiency trap”, as it still only aims to deliver electricity at 80 percent power factor, and consumers are allowed to operate at “unbelievably lower power factors”. In addition, he said he also noticed that the many transformers required in this system seem to have no maintenance. He noted that checks for moisture and oxidation are not done until a transformer blows out to indicate replacement. “There seems to be a normal state of emergency in running things. The gas-to-power project panders to these
inefficiencies and lets GPL off the hook. One day the gas will be finished; what then? The immediate answer is to invest instead in solar power beginning with the new housing areas being built,” the environmentalist urged. Bhulai suggested that 10,000 new homes can be powered by 50 MW of solar energy. He said, “Let people manage their own electric power. 10,000 new homes can be comfortably powered with 50 MW, for which there will be no technical and 'commercial' losses. Get rid of the old power l i n e m e n t a l i t y, t h e inefficiencies and instabilities of which subject us to unreliable electricity.”
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Payara project to begin production one year earlier - Hess says Govt. instructed oil companies to speed up production By Kiana Wilburg Hess Corporation, which holds a 30 percent working interest in the Stabroek Block, recently disclosed that Payara, the third project being developed in the offshore concession, is expected to start production in 2023, one year ahead of schedule. During its earnings call for the first quarter of 2022, Hess said the pulling forward of production startup reflects strong execution by the operator being ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) while adding that it significantly enhances the net present value of the project. The company reminded that the Payara development will utilise the Prosperity floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) with a gross capacity of 220,000 barrels of oil per day. Kaieteur News previously reported that Payara is located 200 kilometres offshore Guyana in 1,800 metres water depth. Ten drill centres are planned along with up to 41 wells, including 20 production and 21 injection wells. The project will utilise onshore infrastructure which includes shore bases, warehouses, storage and pipe yards, fabrication facilities, fuel supply facilities, and waste
Hess Corporation CEO, John Hess management facilities in Guyana. The US$9 billion development will focus on an estimated resource base of about 600 million oilequivalent barrels. With the new timeline, Hess said too that it obviously accelerates their cash flow growth from its previous profile. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess was keen to note that the accelerated production is in keeping with the government’s instructions to have oil development accelerated on the block. The CEO said, “…The government has been very clear with us that they would like us as a joint venture to accelerate the development of their oil resources to basically improve the prosperity and have shared prosperity for all Guyanese citizens.” As to the nature of the
relationship between the Stabroek Block partners and the oil companies, Hess categorically stated that it is a very constructive working relationship. Hess said, “…in terms of the Guyana government, our company and our joint venture have an excellent working relationship, a very constructive one with the government. Testament is the early April approval of the Yellowtail Project. We also want to help the government in social responsibility as well, trying to make a better future for all Guyanese.” He added, “So it’s an excellent relationship and we continue to work with them. And as I said before, ExxonMobil has done an outstanding job on project management and execution, bringing a lot of value forward for our joint venture, for the people of
Guyana and for our shareholders in the excellent achievements they’ve had in terms of being really ahead of schedule now on Liza Phase 1, ahead of schedule on Liza Phase 2, and ahead
of schedule on Payara.” He posited that this track record is expected to benefit the Guyanese people as well as its shareholders. EEPGL, an affiliate of Exxon MobilCorporation
holds a 45 percent interest in the Stabroek Block, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds a 30 percent interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 percent interest.
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Street drummer on a mission to “wake up Guyanese” with his drums By Shervin Belgrave
T
he sounds of drums have been an essential part of human history. It has been used to motivate soldiers for war, as warning signals, a way to communicate between tribes, for religious rituals, entertainment and now Alfred Agar, a 59-year-old street drummer, wants to “wake up Guyanese” with his drums. Kaieteur News had first met Agar while he was passionately drumming at a recent protest calling on the government to renegotiate a better oil deal for Guyana. The way he’d drummed caught the attention of reporters and when asked why he was so passionate, he responded, “I want to use it to wake up my fellow countrymen.” “I cannot explain it but drums, especially African drumming, does something to people… I have seen it many times before, it attracts people and it sends a message,” Agar said. He continued, “When people hear the sounds they just stop what they are doing and take a peek, they does seh, ‘yes bai drums deh down
Alfred Agar drumming passionately in the streets.
deh, leh we guh see wah going on deh.” Even if it grabs their attention for a few minutes, related Agar, it’s enough to bring joy to their souls and open up their minds to receive a message. The message that Agar wants to get across to his fellow countrymen is to “wake up” to fight not only for
better oil deals and their wealth but also to pick up the shattered pieces of their dreams and put them back together. He wants them to never give up the fight of pursuing success no matter how old they are. Like many, when Agar was in his youthful years he had big dreams but along the way those
dreams were shattered. He, nevertheless, assured that he is not giving up just yet and will go down fighting to make them a reality. In a recent interview with Kaieteur News, Agar revealed that his big dream is to drum on “the big stage”. He longs to perform at big concerts and represent Guyana on world tours, showcasing his
country’s culture and his talent. “I always loved music, especially the art of drumming. I grew up around that culture and as a teenager, I decided that playing drums is what I wanted to do,” said Agar. In October 1976, the Bishop’s High School had formed a culture club and invited students from other schools across Georgetown to join. Agar was a student of the St. George’s Secondary School at the time and did not waste any time in grabbing the opportunity to join in order to pursue his dream. He was a quick learner and his teachers noticed that he had talent and he began to tour with a few youth groups in Georgetown. One of those groups was the FCH Youth Club and in 1977 he travelled with them to St Lucia to participate in the first Caribbean Youth Festival held that year. Agar continued to excel and, in 1979, he participated in another Caribbean Youth Festival that was held in Jamaica. However, his budding career was short-lived due to the lack of Continued on page 67
Kaieteur News
Arian Dahlia. Richmond
Sunday May 01, 2022
Guyanese beauty Arian Dahlia Richmond is a model and the Miss Emerald Guyana 2020 title holder. As the title holder, Arian was one of 11 women who vied for the Miss Emerald International crown. She placed third on the platform used to promote the preservation and protection of indigenous cultures.
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Sunday May 01, 2022
The Guyana delegation at the BIZX 2022 conference in Las Vegas was led by Founder of ActionCOACH Guyana, Dr. Vishnu Doerga (front row fifth from left.)
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
Jagdeo is making excuses
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Standing up to Daniel Ortega's excesses By Sir Ronald Sanders Largely unreported by the media in the Caribbean and making no headlines, a very serious blow was delivered to diplomacy and international relations on Sunday, 24 April. The Government of Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua sent Police to enter the diplomatic premises of the Organization of American States (OAS) forcibly, and to confiscate its documents and other property. This may appear to be of no concern to the people of Caribbean countries, particularly persons who are not involved in government. But the act strikes at the heart of a long-established norm of relations between States and inter-governmental
institutions. It could have undesirable and serious consequences for small countries if it passes unchecked. The norm is that States accept embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions on the basis that they are 'inviolable' which means that no agent of the receiving State may enter them, except without the consent of the head of the mission. This norm is enshrined in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations which defines a framework for behaviour between independent countries and international institutions. The Convention facilitates friendly relations through a set of practices and principles
that all States have accepted. Very importantly, it codifies the longstanding custom of diplomatic immunity, in which diplomatic missions are granted privileges that enable diplomats to perform their functions without fear of coercion or harassment by the host country. The Vienna Convention is a cornerstone of modern international relations and international law. Adherence to its provisions have been respected and upheld by States because governments understand and accept that diplomacy is fundamental to finding solutions even in war. As the OAS SecretaryGeneral, Luis Almagro, told the member states of the organization on April 25th after the Nicaragua Police
seized the diplomatic premises and confiscated its property, “this has never happened before, even in times of the region's worst dictatorships, including those experienced by Nicaragua. This is a violation of the most elementary norms governing relations between States and international organizations, setting a precedent hitherto unheard of in the region”. What makes the action of the Nicaragua government even worse is that the OAS is a collective of all its member states. Therefore, its diplomatic premises belong to all of them, including the 14 independent countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This fact could not have been overlooked by the government of Nicaragua when its police force illegally entered the premises, occupied it and seized the property within it. It is worth noting that the Vienna Convention makes it absolutely clear that, along with the premises of missions being inviolable, the receiving state is under a special duty to take all appropriate measures to protect the premises of the mission and to prevent any disturbance of the peace of the mission or impairment of its dignity. The Article also states that the premises of the mission and its property shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment, or execution. It is this norm - a bedrock of international relations - that the Government of Nicaragua has assaulted. Wo r s e y e t , b e y o n d disregarding the Vienna Convention, the OAS and the Government of Nicaragua had a written agreement, signed in 1989, which recognizes the privileges and immunities of the OAS mission, including the prohibition of any type of procedure, entry, search, seizure, or any other measure, without the consent of the Secretariat. For small countries, such
as those in CARICOM, the n o r m o f inviolability of diplomatic premises is sacrosanct for two important reasons. First, CARICOM countries want to welcome diplomatic missions to their countries, both for the international recognition that the presence of such missions signify, and the services that they provide. However, in light of the Nicaraguan action, governments and other international institutions might now reconsider the safety of their foreign missions and reduce them considerably. Second, CARICOM countries presume the inviolability of their own missions in other States that the Vienna Convention accords to them. Therefore, they do not spend scarce financial resources on protecting their diplomatic premises, particularly from the host government. But after the egregious action of the Nicaragua government, inviolability can no longer be taken for granted. The Nicaragua government has cast a long-held norm of international relations into grave and serious doubt. So, why did the Nicaragua government take this egregious action? It is discomfited that the Permanent Council of the OAS condemned its serious and persistent abuse of human rights, including the arbitrary arrest and jailing of political opponents; shutting down media criticism; and the use of lethal force by the Police against protestors resulting in hundreds of killings. It should be noted that, amongst the persons that the Ortega government arbitrarily arrested and jailed, were his comrades in the revolutionary Sandinista government. One of them, Hugo Torres, died after being imprisoned with no access to his medication. Nicaragua's own Ambassador to the OAS,
Sir Ronald Sanders Arturo Macfields, dramatically denounced the abuses of the government in a live webcast of an OAS meeting. He accused the Ortega government of atrocities about which he “could not be silent”. Nothing can justify the violation of an international norm that has long been accepted and respected by every government in the world. If the Nicaraguan government's action is seen to be acceptable by the absence of a strong expression and display of disapproval by the OAS member states, other insecure regimes, such as that in Nicaragua, would be given a license for similar behaviour. The system of international order, including the rules of diplomatic practice and international relations, would be weakened even more than it has been by Russia's war on Ukraine. The world would be brought closer to the precipice of disregard for the norms and practices that have safeguarded peace and development for over seven decades. Small states would be the first to suffer, as usual. That's why the Nicaraguan violation of a fundamental norm matters to small countries, and why it should not pass without a strong response. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda's Ambassador to the United States of America and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto). Responses and previous c o m m e n t a r i e s :
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Sunday May 01, 2022
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THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
Godfrey Statia and the role life has assigned me I am responding to a statement about me in KN yesterday by GRA boss, Godfrey Statia. I am r e j e c t i n g M r. S t a t i a ' s statement. I did write him. He passed on my letter and I got a reply. The contents of this column have only now been divulged but they were conveyed some time ago to Norman Brown of the PNC group in London, UK. Mr. Brown and I have nothing in common in terms of our perspectives on Guyanese politics but I regard him as a decent man who will not manipulate African Guyanese people and we continue to share a correct friendship. Here now are the antecedents on the facts about the letter that Mr. Statia denies I had sent him. From 1992, I have been offered an infinitesimal concession by the GRA each time I register a new car. It
began under the presidency of Cheddi Jagan and the GRA under Mr. Heyliger. It continued under Presidents Jagdeo and Ramotar and GRA boss Khurshid Sattaur. On one occasion when I bought a new car, the GRA queried the concession. And even though I was critical of Mr. Sattaur, I complained to him. I will never forget his reaction in his office. I swear on my parents' grave this is how behaved. He jumped from his seat and said: “Wuh rass is this! Yuh gun write Khurshid Sattaur did dat to you. Boy nah me, nah, me.” He picked up the phone and that was that. In 2019, Mr. Statia during the government of the APNU+AFC stopped the tiny concession. I knew that was the Freddie Kissoon thing at work. I have lived with the Freddie Kissoon syndrome all my life in my own country. I wrote Mr.
Statia on August 13, 2019. I went to the GRA. The security detail asked for my business. I told him I wanted to deliver a letter to Mr. Statia's secretary. I was told I cannot do that. A gentleman was summoned and I had to give him the letter. I have been critical of President Jagdeo and Mr. Sattaur but never during those times have I been treated with such disdain by the GRA as what happened after 2015. Mr. Statia's secretary's policy is not to speak to me. GRA on May 9, 2017 issued a libelous statement against me in the Chronicle. Mr. Statia wrote a long condemnatory letter against me as the GRA boss in the Kaieteur News on November 15, 2019. Months went by. I did not hear from him. His secretary would not speak to me on the phone. I asked Adam Harris and Leonard Gildarie for the
cell number of Mr. Statia. I cannot recall the number of times I called Mr. Statia. I wrote again but no success. I spoke on the phone to two of the GRA's most senior officers who told me Mr. Statia forwarded my letter for them to act on it but the final decision rests with Mr. Statia. I know it was the Freddie Kissoon thing. I tried another angle. At the time, David Hinds was one of my closest friends. I know he had huge influence in 2019 with the government seeing the election campaign was on. I asked him to meet me and my dog at the seawall bandstand early in the morning. He came and I requested he dialogue with Mr. Statia. Days after, he told me that Mr. Statia was unmoved. But David said my request will be granted because he will call Minister Joe Harmon for it to be done.
Days after he told me that Harmon said he was Frederick Kissoon reluctant to a p p r o a c h M r. me is if I am a lonely man Statia. given the nature of my On October 10, 2019, I received a letter signed by a political activism. I told him senior GRA functionary I was not. I could never be lonely informing me that Mr. Statia once I have Janet Kissoon. had rejected my request. After a Kaieteur Radio But I would be a depraved i n t e r v i e w, M r. S t a t i a liar if I say I wasn't mingled with the staff and disappointed at the way my brought up his revocation of country has turned out since I my concession. Mr. Statia became politically active at must have known he was age 16. In his letter yesterday, talking with my friends. Mr. Statia referred to me as a Interestingly, since the senior citizen. I'm glad I am, rejection, several people h a v e b e e n g i v e n t h e so I could spend my concession GRA withdrew remaining years with my from me. I met a gentleman great wife without having to at the Rubis gas station encounter the Freddie recently who was given the Kissoon syndrome until I die. concession. (The views expressed in Naim Chan, the talk this article are those of the show host from CNS channel 6 has asked me for a a u t h o r a n d d o n o t television interview. He said necessarily reflect the the first question he will ask opinions of this newspaper.)
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Kaieteur News
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COVID-19: Will we ever reach herd immunity? By Dr. Zulfikar Bux Emergency Medicine Specialist
E
ver since we s t a r t e d vaccination, the thought of herd immunity became the goal. It was always thought that once 80 percent of the population is vaccinated, we will be able to decrease the spread of COVID-19 and its many threats. However, with the chance of reinfection higher with the Omicron and it's subvariants - even among the fully vaccinated – the herd immunity theory has slowly lost its momentum. Today, I will give my thoughts on the herd immunity theory and how we are progressing with COVID-19. What is herd immunity? Herd immunity is the protection from an infectious disease that occurs when a population is immune either through vaccination or immunity developed through a previous infection. If a country or area has herd immunity to a disease, it means a large proportion of that community becomes immune to the disease. Herd immunity makes the spread of the disease from person to person less likely. According to research, herd immunity is achieved when between 70 percent to 90 percent of the population is immune through natural infection or vaccination. However, this percentage depends on the disease and how infectious it is. Experts estimate that more than 80 percent of the population needs to be immune before we can safely say we have developed herd immunity from COVID-19. H e rd i m m u n i t y v i a vaccination Herd immunity can be reached via vaccination or by exposing enough people to the disease so that they have natural immunity. The World Health Organization
emphasises that vaccination is the safer way to create widespread immunity to a pathogen. Communities with lower vaccine coverage may have outbreaks of vaccinepreventable diseases because the proportion of people who are vaccinated is below the necessary herd immunity threshold. Also, the p r o t e c t i o n o ff e r e d b y vaccines can wane over time, as is the case with Omicron. Research shows booster jabs are necessary to increase antibody levels, which reduces the likelihood of getting seriously ill from the variant. However, it seems that Omicron has thrown a wrench in the vaccination plans as vaccines are not as effective in preventing Omicron spread as they were with other variants. Herd immunity via prior infection Reaching herd immunity relies on enough people being infected with a disease and recovering from it. When you become infected with a virus, your body produces antibodies. These are diseasefighting proteins in the body that play a crucial role in the immune system. Antibodies detect infectious invaders such as bacteria and viruses and help the body eliminate them while providing protection against future infections. Omicron has infected most of the world's population and is the reason why infections and deaths have slowed significantly. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to measure the population immunity levels from this since most countries do not have means of testing immunity levels in its entire population. Will we reach herd immunity with COVID-19? I do not think we will be able to reach herd immunity as was previously thought. Vaccination has not been as successful as desired and
most countries still haven't vaccinated 50 percent of their population. Additionally, the vaccine effects are not as long lasting and the need for boosters is complicating the situation even more. Omicron has thrown a wrench into the whole theory since it and it's many subvariants, have proven to be vaccine evasive. However, all is not lost, Omicron may have been a
blessing in disguise. While it is more infectious, it is not as deadly as previous variants. As a result, it would have infected most of the world's population and is the reason why cases are down in most countries currently. While there are new subvariants of Omicron circulating and causing infections, these infections are not as life threatening and
is pushing us to a life with COVID19 that is tolerable f as life with the flu and common cold is. So, while it By Dr. Zulfikar Bux doesn't seem that Emergency COVID-19 isn't Medicine Specialist going anywhere soon, its threat l e v e l h a s d e c r e a s e d ig uring out how to live with sufficiently for us to shift out it like we did with the flu, of the pandemic; we are common cold, and so many currently in the phase of other diseases.
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WEEK IN REVIEW SUNDAY GOVT.’S TIMELINE FOR REVIEW OF EXXON’S OIL PROJECTS MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR PROPER REVIEWS TO BE DONE - EXPERTS Is the PPP/C Government hell-bent on dancing to the tune of ExxonMobil no matter the cost to the nation? That’s the question several industry experts have been asking themselves after observing that the government had explicitly asked hired contractors to review the Payara and Yellowtail Field Development Plans in 42 and 52 days respectively. For both projects, the administration utilised two contractors—Bayphase Consultancy from the UK and the Alison Redford Group out of Canada. With respect to the Payara FDP review, Redford was directly contracted and paid via a grant from the Canadian High Commission to conduct the review in six weeks. She was hired for the job even though she has no known track record in doing same for years in the interest of States with similar production fields. Kaieteur News had also reported that the terms of reference for the Payara review were also a secret. All that remains known is that she was hired to review the Payara FDP, a job that was initially started by Bayphase under the Granger administration. Despite promises to be transparent, Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo; President, Irfaan Ali; and Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat have failed thus far to make Redford’s report on Payara,
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
available for public scrutiny. As for the Yellowtail Project, the nation was only told Redford was part of the process until the production licence was awarded. Prior to that, the government had pursued an open bidding process and ExxonMobil’s client, Bayphase, was selected for the review process. Industry experts were alarmed when they subsequently learned that Redford was involved all along. Significantly, analysts have said that the short timeframe which the government imposes on contractors makes it impossible for any proper review to be done. “It is as though the intention was for there to be no proper due diligence; just give the appearance that something is being done and hurry it through,” commented one analyst. Kaieteur News previously reported that a Field Development Plan is one of the most critical documents governments assess before granting companies permission to move ahead with oil projects. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/24/govt-s-timelinefor-review-of-exxons-oilprojects-makes-itimpossible-for-properreviews-to-be-done-experts/) GLENN LALL STANDS GROUND ON RIGHT TO CHALLENGE GOVT. OVER TAX WAIVERS TO OIL COMPANIES When it comes to the legal challenge filed against the Government of Guyana in relation to the tax waivers it granted to ExxonMobil and its partners, Kaieteur News (KN) Publisher, Glenn Lall is
standing his ground that he is within his right to challenge the Government in Court. In an affidavit, responding to ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEEPGL), which is an added respondent in the matter, Lall rebutted the contention of whether he has the authority to bring such a case to the High Court. The KN Publisher filed the case which seeks to overturn the expansive tax provisions granted by the government to the oil companies as part of the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) for oil drilling exploration in the Stabroek Block. Among the grounds, Lall lists, as his main contention, that the provisions of the agreement viol a t e t h e Petroleum Act, by purporting to extend production sharing concessions to persons other than those licensed. Against this background, he argues that any exemptions referred to in Article 15 of the Petroleum Exploration and Production Act, purporting to extend concessions to persons other than the licensees is not consistent with the provisions of the Act. In response, EEPGL had accused the newspaper publisher of brazenly approaching the Court, and without jurisdiction, is prying into a matter that does not concern or have any personal effects on his wellbeing. However, in an affidavit filed this week, in rebuttal to EEPGL’s claims, Lall held that as a public-spirited citizen, taxpayer and newspaper publisher, he ought to be allowed to seek declaratory reliefs where there is a serious issue of public importance. He said, “I have been advised by my attorney-atlaw and verily believe that in the case of R. v Felixs towe Justices Ex. p. Leigh, the press has been described as the guardians and watch-dogs of the public interest in the proper administration of justice, and allowed to seek review of decisions of magistrates’ courts and examining justices.” Lall continued, “I verily believe that the agreement and Order 10 of 2016 [betwixt the government and the oil companies] would lead automatically to excessive fiscal losses… I am not a busybody but a publicspirited taxpayer seeking relief from the Court touching and concerning the law.” ( h t t p s : / /
GUYANESETHINK GOVT. CORRUPTATALL LEVELS - US HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/24/glenn-lallstands-ground-on-right-tochallenge-govt-over-taxwaivers-to-oil-companies/) MONDAY ALMOST SEVEN YEARS LATER… GUYANA HAS NO INDEPENDENT OIL SECTOR REGULATOR; ARCHAIC LAWS STILL IN PLACE May 2022 will make seven years since Guyana is without an updated legislative and regulatory framework that is essential for the protection of the oil industry against mismanagement and corruption. One of the key regulatory pieces that remain in limbo, is the Petroleum Commission Bill that would pave the way for the appointment of an independent regulator. Chartered Accountant and A t t o r n e y - a t - L a w, Christopher Ram, in a previous interview with this newspaper hammered home the importance of this crucial regulator while bemoaning the seeming unwillingness of the current government to get the ball rolling on this matter. In a brief note to Kaieteur News, Ram said, “The Government seems unwilling to set up an independent Petroleum Commission, and thereby remove the possibility of further secret deals and collusion between the politicians and the oil companies. One must not forget that the oil companies played along with (former Natural Resources Minister) Raphael Trotman in hiding
from the public the so-called (US$18M) signing bonus and the 2016 (Stabroek Block) Production Sharing Agreement.” Ram is of the firm conviction that this state of affairs, along with the absence of critical reports on ExxonMobil’s local content performance and its production offshore, do not augur well for transparency and accountability as promised by the Ali administration. He was keen to note as well, his disappointment in fact, that the nation’s Access to Information Act has been defanged while adding, that it is not taken seriously by the Government or the public. “Moreover, with ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, Hess Corporation and CNOOC Petroleum Limited operating as a monopoly, there is no incentive for the oil companies to enjoy a social licence or popular legitimacy. The Guyanese public do not factor into their equation,” expressed Ram who reiterated his call for Guyana to urgently have its Petroleum Commission in place. Last year, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, had said that the Bill is under active consideration by the Legal Department of the Natural Resources Ministry. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/25/almost-sevenyears-laterguyana-has-noindependent-oil-sectorregulator-archaic-laws-stillin-place/)
A new Human Rights Report released by the US Department of State has found that Guyanese citizens continue to perceive widespread corruption in every level of government and its branches. The report was released last week. The report stated that the law provides for criminal penalties for corruption by officials, and the government generally implemented the law effectively. It said there were isolated reports of government corruption during the year, and administration officials investigated these reports but, “there remained a widespread public perception of corruption involving officials at all levels and all branches of government, including the police and judiciary.” Corruption by police officers was frequent, the report continued. It said that the government had prosecuted members of the police force during the year. “In April, authorities arrested 11 police officers and charged them with multiple counts of fraud, conspiracy, and larceny for inflating the costs of meal procurement for police officers and keeping the difference.” On October 27, two of those charged were released, and the judicial proceedings for the others were ongoing. When it comes to respect for the integrity of the Person and the arbitrary deprivation of life and other unlawful or politically motivated killings, the 2021 report said that there were several reports that the government or its agents committed arbitrary or unlawful killings. “In May, police shot and killed robbery suspect Peter Headley while he was being transported by police in a civilian vehicle to a police station. According to police, Headley reached under the seat of the vehicle and pulled out what appeared to be a firearm, leading an armed police officer to shoot Headley, who died a short time later.” The officers involved were placed under arrest. The Guyana Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility and Police Complaints Authority investigated the matter, and as of October the Department of Public Prosecutions was reviewing the results of the investigation. In September the Guyana Police Force SWAT team shot and killed (Continued on page 29)
Sunday May 01, 2022
From page 28 Orin Boston during a search of his home. Boston was unarmed. As of November, the Guyana Police Force’s Office of Professional Responsibility was conducting an investigation into the incident. The law prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention and provides for the right of any person to challenge the lawfulness of his or her arrest or detention in court. The government generally observed these requirements, the report submitted. However, an arrest requires a warrant issued by a court official unless an officer who witnesses a crime believes there is good cause to suspect a crime or a breach of the peace has been or will be committed. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/25/guyanese-think-govtcorrupt-at-all-levels-us-humanrights-report/) TUESDAY GOVT. PUTS HOLD ON US$20M WORLD BANK LOAN TO STRENGTHEN SCRUTINY OF OIL SECTOR - WANTS TO SET NEW AGENDA FOR FUNDS Since the PPP/C Government has not requested any disbursements from a US$20M loan Guyana took three years ago to help strengthen the nation’s capacity to manage the oil sector effectively, the World Bank said it has been forced to downgrade the country’s performance score on the loan. The latest implementation status and results (ISR) report recalls that the money was approved on March 29, 2019 for the Guyana Petroleum Resources Governance and Management Project (GPRGMP). The programme’s objective is to ensure the enhancement of legal and institutional frameworks and the strengthening of the capacity of key institutions to manage the oil and gas sector. A Financing Agreement in the amount of US$20 million was signed and declared effective on April 11, 2019 under the David Granger administration. The ISR, which was reviewed by Kaieteur News presents the implementation status of GPRGMP as of March 2022. The financial institution said,
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“The project’s overall implementation has been downgraded to ‘Moderately Unsatisfactory’, with around 24% of the total credit disbursed and no disbursement requests received by the Bank since October 2020.” Starting in the early part of the second quarter of 2021 and following a seven-month hiatus, the bank said traction with, and engagement by the client had improved markedly under the Ministry of Natural Resources leadership, and momentum on procurement activities picked up considerably. However, starting in the fourth quarter of last year, the bank said project implementation came to a halt, particularly on critical procurement activities intended to have helped the project reacquire its implementation timeline, and meet its indicators and performance objectives. The bank in its report said that the government has indicated as recently as late December 2021, its intention to “refine the scope of the project to bring it in line with current government priorities.” The World Bank said it remains on standby awaiting any guidance from the Government of Guyana on the status and direction of the project and a resumption of critical project activities. Kaieteur News understands that the project has four components: Component A - Enhancement of Legal Framework and Stakeholder Engagement: (US$3.20 M), Component B - Capacity Building of Key Institutions: (US $10.70 M), Component C - Enhancement of Fiscal Management Systems: (US$3.50 M), and Component - D. Project Management & Project Preparation Facilities: (Cost $2.60 M). ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/26/govt-puts-hold-onus20m-world-bank-loan-tostrengthen-scrutiny-of-oil-sector/) IMFADVISES AGAINST DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL OIL COMPANY ...TELLS GUYANATO IMPROVE OIL CONTRACT TERMS FOR HIGHER PROFIT INSTEAD The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has advised Guyana to
secure a higher share of profit oil through its model Production Sharing Agreement, rather than actively participating in the task of petroleum development through a national oil company. In one of the institution’s 2019 documents providing technical support to the government, the Fund concluded that there is no strong business case to show that Guyana would receive more value from its oil endowments if it were to participate as a partner via a national oil company (NOC) in the development of the oil blocks. The financial institution explained that while there are many oil producing countries that have state participation in petroleum operations, that route may not be one that Guyana should take. State participation in petroleum operations could be an instrument for governments to add to its share of profit within the upside of the project, but this participation would also mean that Guyana would be taking on additional risks by wanting to develop oil blocks. Given the substantial regulatory powers, the government already has within the upstream (exploration, drilling, and extraction) aspect of oil development, the IMF said that, “It is not evident that participation is necessarily adding much more value.” This is because, if Guyana takes on a participating interest in a petroleum project, it would not only receive a share of the contractor’s production value, but it would also have to contribute to cost; including the blocks’ development phase, which is the most capital intensive aspect of oil project development. Having a participating role in petroleum projects would also require Guyana to finance a fullypaid participating interest or the country could opt to enter into an arrangement that would see the block’s contractor financing government’s share of the development expense to be repaid with interest out of the government’s participation returns. The latter method, the IMF warned however, would delay benefits coming to Guyana for its participatory role. To avoid these complications, the IMF noted that, “the government may be better off securing a higher government take from progressive profit oil share,
rather than having state participation in a project.” ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/26/imf-advises-againstdevelopment-of-national-oilcompany/) WEDNESDAY GLENN LALL KNOCKS ‘VISIONLESS’ GUYANESE LEADERS - RAPS PRES. ALI FOR FOCUS ON MINOR ISSUES, WHILE IGNORING OIL SECTOR Fifty-six years as an independent nation, Guyana remains trapped in a political and ethnic struggle, which has robbed its citizens of the transformation desperately needed to improve their lives. Compounding the situation is the leadership vacuum-with many of the view that our current leaders lack a proper vision for this country. It is of little wonder that the USAID in a recent report concluded that the ruling party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the opposition coalition the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) need to find a way to form a functioning democracy based on power-sharing rather than a “winner takes all” mentality. This, the USAID said, would ensure that the unprecedented wealth in oil reserves can be transparently and equitably managed for the benefit of all Guyanese. Additionally, the USAID said the transformation of a small country such as Guyana through large oil discoveries will be historic, with some experts referring to Guyana as potentially the “new Qatar or Malaysia” of South America. However, the report said part of the challenge will be to avoid the “resource curse,” a malady which has left many countries rich in oil and gas resources (such as Angola, Venezuela, Nigeria, and others) with authoritarianism, corruption, and poverty. “The predominant challenge is to wisely manage this new wealth by carefully planning a sensible development strategy, ensuring that wealth is not misappropriated by a few, but shared equitably with the entire population and with future generations of Guyanese. It is against this background, Publisher of the Kaieteur News, Glenn Lall used his Monday evening
radio programme - The Glenn Lall Show to urge the current crop of leaders to develop a bold and progressive vision for this country. Bemoaning, the lack of a commonsense approach to this nation’s development, Lall said: “Every day these guys open their mouths, I feel like cry and scream for this country with the kind of bicycle and jackass cart vision they have for this country and its people. Many days when I glance at the newspapers or listen to them as they speak on TV or the radio, I shudder to think what will become of future generations.” Lall drew reference to President Irfaan Ali responding to critics of the Harpy Eagle Monument at MandelaEccles Road roundabout, saying that it is inconceivable that with all the problems befalling this nation, the Guyanese leader had time to respond to such an issue. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/28/govt-wants-to-spend32b-to-tackle-flooding/) EXXONMOBIL MAKES THREE MORE DISCOVERIES IN STABROEK BLOCK - INCREASES RESERVE ESTIMATE TO NEARLY 11 BILLION BARRELS ExxonMobil Corporation made three new discoveries offshore Guyana following which, it increased its estimate of the recoverable resource for the Stabroek Block to nearly 11 billion oil-equivalent barrels. In a missive to the media on Tuesday, the company said the three discoveries are southeast of the Liza and Payara developments. Expounding on the discoveries made, it said the Barreleye-1 well encountered approximately 230 feet (70 metres) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was drilled in 3,840 feet (1,170 metres) of water. It noted too that drilling at Patwa-1 encountered 108 feet (33 metres) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was conducted in 6,315 feet (1,925 metres) of water while the Lukanani-1 well encountered 115 feet (35 metres) of hydrocarbon-bearing sandstone and was drilled in a water depth of 4,068 feet (1,240 metres). Operations are ongoing at Barreleye-1 and Lukanani-1. “These discoveries and the updated resource estimate increase (Continued on page 30)
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From page 29 the confidence we have in our ambitious exploration strategy for the Stabroek Block and will help to inform our future development plans for the southeast part of the block,” said Liam Mallon, President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company. He added, “ExxonMobil remains committed to delivering value at an accelerated pace to the people of Guyana, our partners and shareholders and reliably supplying affordable energy to meet increasing demand around the world.” ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/27/exxonmobilmakes-three-morediscoveries-in-stabroekblock/) IDB TO LOAN EDUCATION MINISTRY US$27M TO RECOVER LEARNING LOSSES DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is preparing to loan the Ministry of Education US$27M to support the transformation of the primary education sector which suffered considerable learning losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. The loan is also expected to help the country build the required human capital it needs to manage its oil resources while driving economic growth and diversification. The proposed first operation of the US$27M loan comes with the following objectives: implement student-centered learning pedagogies and 21st-century skills, focusing on vulnerable populations including indigenous peoples, boys, and children with migration background; and improve and expand access to safe and improved learning environments. To achieve the foregoing, the four components with sub-components will be executed. Component 1 is titled: Accelerated Learning, Skill Development, and Support for Students at Risk and will cost US$6M. It is divided into two sub-components. Sub-component 1: Accelerated Learning and Skills Development (US$4 million), aims to recover learning losses while emphasizing the adoption of 21st-century skills. It will finance the design and implementation of accelerated learning programmes through tutoring services and the implementation of a learning platform to bring students back to grade-level based on simplified diagnostic
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
assessments in Math, Language Arts, and Science. It will also fund the training and coaching of teachers in student-centered learning pedagogies, social-emotional skills, formative assessment, and strategies for teaching boys. Sub-component is titled: Support for Students at Risk (US$2 million). The objective for this aspect is to ensure students complete their studies and will finance: the development of an “early warning system” for the identification of students at risk of falling behind and needing additional support services; provision of quality educational materials to students and teachers; teacher training to allow them to detect early on any possible learning challenges (related to eyesight and hearing); and training in English as a Secondary Language (ESL). ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/27/idb-to-loaneducation-ministry-us27million-to-recover-learninglosses-during-covid-19pandemic/) THURSDAY HESS ANXIOUS TO REAP MULTIBILLION DOLLAR PROFITS OFF MORE GUYANA PROJECTS - TELLS SHAREHOLDERS 925M BARRELS WILL BE DEVELOPED FROM YELLOWTAILALONE Hess Corporation was excited to share with investors on Wednesday morning, updates on its sanctioned Guyana projects that are poised to return multibillion-dollar profits based on the generous provisions of the Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) and prevailing oil prices for sweet,
light crude. With respect to the developments in the Stabroek Block where it holds a 30 percent working interest, Hess said net production totaled 30,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) in the first quarter of 2022 compared with 31,000 bopd in the prior-year quarter. In February, the company said production commenced from the Liza Unity floating production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) and contributed 7,000 net bopd in the first quarter of 2022. With respect to the Liza Destiny FPSO, Hess told shareholders that the vessel recently completed production optimization work initiated in March that expanded its production capacity to more than 140,000 gross bopd from 120,000 gross bopd previously. It is currently producing 130,000 gross bopd and is expected to reach its full capacity in the second quarter. As for the Liza Unity FPSO, Hess said it is expected to reach its production capacity of approximately 220,000 gross bopd by the third quarter. Additionally, Hess stated that in the first quarter, it sold approximately 2.3 million barrels of oil from Guyana and expects to have seven one-million barrel liftings in the second quarter and eight one-million barrel liftings in both the third and fourth quarters. As for the third Stabroek Block development, Payara, Hess reminded that it will utilize the Prosperity FPSO with an expected capacity of 220,000 gross bopd, with first production now expected in late 2023. In April 2022, the Corporation recalled that the operator of the Stabroek Block, being ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), had announced it had made the
final investment decision to proceed with the Yellowtail development on the Stabroek Block after the field development plan received approval from the government of Guyana in a record breaking 52 days. Yellowtail, the largest development thus far on the Block, is expected to utilise the ONE GUYANA FPSO, which will develop an estimated gross resource base of approximately 925 million barrels of oil. The ONE GUYANA FPSO is expected to have a capacity of up to 250,000 gross bopd, with first production expected in 2025. Six drill centers are planned with up to 26 production wells and 25 injection wells. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/28/hess-anxiousto-reap-multibillion-dollarprofits-off-more-guyanaprojects/) GOVT. WANTS TO SPEND $32B TO TACKLE FLOODING - JAGDEO TELLS BERBICE RESIDENTS Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday led a Cabinet outreach to the Mahaica-Berbice Region where he told residents of Dundee, Mahaicony that some $32 billion will be spent to tackle flooding across the country. The funds will be split between Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandWest Demerara), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Corentyne- Berbice) this year, he told the community. Jagdeo said, “We have been tackling this issue of flooding across the country. Because of climate change, we have had unusual weather patterns. Many of the farmers in this area, and this is a predominantly farming
region have suffered enormously from flooding and we made it clear that we want to address this issue in the long-term.” He said that government, when they constructed the Hope Canal in Region Five, had anticipated to keep the East Coast of Demerara safe from conservancy threats and to avoid excessive water being released into the Mahaica Creek. The Hope Canal, Jagdeo said, has been effective in keeping water off of the land, but a new plan is being developed to help the administration manage overtopping. To this end, he said, “I convened, maybe three or four weeks ago, a group of people from Regions Two, Three, Five and Six and there was a presentation on various initiatives which could cost as much as $32 billion in these four regions to tackle the long-term flooding.” Chairman of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), Lionel Wordsworth explained that between the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Block, the backlands are not adequately protected like in Region Four where the water is held back by the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EWDC). As a consequence, Wordsworth said that when these areas experience rainfall, at levels equivalent to that of mid last year’s, the water overrides the swollen rivers and downstream flooding occurs. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/28/govt-wants-tospend-32b-to-tackleflooding/) FRIDAY FEASIBILITY OF GAS-TO-ENERGY PROJECT REMAINS STATE SECRET… GOVT. CONTINUES TO DOWNPLAY IMPORTANCE OF STUDY The ambitious gas to energy project that is slated for the Region 3 community of Wales is being touted as one of the single most transformative projects that Guyana has embarked on so far. This project has the potential to provide significant benefits to Guyanese. The country’s major problem when it comes to business, in particular, has always been cost of power generation and its reliability, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat related during an address at Exxon Mobil’s signing agreement to lease a shore
base facility from a local company for its Yellowtail and other developments. Bharrat said that, “That project will deliver cheaper electricity, cleaner electricity and reliable electricity,” to Guyanese, while moving the country forward in its value added sector. Guyana has not been able to access its full value of natural resources since the nation continues to export raw materials, the minister pointed out. He said that the production of processed or value added goods is where Guyana will see real benefits. This gas to energy project will therefore help local businesses to realise that dream and create significant opportunities for goods and services, employment, and also cut the cost of importing goods that can be produced locally, but currently are not. “So it is a win-win situation,” Minister Bharrat told those at the signing event. “There is no way we can lose from the gas to energy project and from going into value added produce,” he continued. However, despite this flowery vision of success and development, the natural resources minister is yet to submit any updated information that promotes the 21 plus kilometre gas to energy project as being right for Guyana. Just after divulging his support for the rising US$1.3billion project cost, Minister Bharrat was asked by reporters whether citizens could expect an updated feasibility study that would address the concerns of those unconvinced sectors of society. To this, he responded, “Sometimes we have to look at the benefits of projects too.” After repeating this statement, he further told reporters that instead of recognizing the recently constructed four lane highway, “…you know what they (citizens) are talking about- the eagle. It’s as if they didn’t notice a brand new four lane highway that is easing the traffic congestion on the East Bank and relieving hundreds of people that traverse there every day.” ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/29/feasibility-ofgas-to-energy-projectremains-state-secret/) GOVT. TO SPEND $100M TO FIX 16 HEALTH CENTRES IN REGION 7 Sixteen health centres in Region Seven have been identified for upgrade this year to the tune of $100 million. This is according to (Continued on page 31)
Sunday May 01, 2022
From page 30 Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony who made the disclosure during his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday. “So we have been working with the region and we have identified approximately 16 different health centres and in those health centres we will be doing some upgrading,” the minister said. A n t h o n y ’ s announcement comes following several visits he made in the region earlier in the week. As was reported in this year’s budget, the health ministry was allocated approximately $73.2 billion. Out of that the sum of $1 billion has been allocated for the upgrading of health centres across all Regions, which would address critical interventions needed to improve patient’s experience. This year also, the Bartica Regional Hospital is slated to be upgraded. Minister Anthony explained that the upgrades of the health centres will include developing waiting areas or enlarging the waiting space for patients in those facilities. “In some cases, its adding washrooms for patients and in other cases, some of these facilities might have leaky roofs or windows so we are generally going to use the money to enhance the facilities that we have there. We are going to spend approximately $100 million on these 16 facilities to make sure that they are upgraded,” he added. According to him, tenders for these projects will be issued shortly and when the work is completed “patient who have to use these facilities would have a better facility, a better environment they can come to have healthcare.” During his visit to the region, the Health Minister commissioned a new Maternal and Child health centre in Bartica to the tune of $26 million. Dr. Anthony noted the importance of theses health institutions and that without proper care complications could occur that could impact a child’s life. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/29/govt-to-spend100m-to-fix-16-healthcentres-in-region-seven/) SATURDAY PETROLEUM COMMISSION NOT A SAFEGUARD AGAINST CORRUPTION Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo acknowledged on Friday that an independent regulator for the oil and gas
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sector in the form of a Petroleum Commission is critical to any government’s regulatory architecture. At the same time, Dr. Jagdeo said the absence of such a body in Guyana does not mean that the sector is hanging from a dangerous precipice. During an engagement with members of the media at the Office of the President, the local oil boss said one should not be hasty to assume that the establishment or presence of such a body would mean corruption is automatically prevented in the oil industry. Dr. Jagdeo said, “I can tell you of some countries with the worst corruption track record but they have petroleum regulators that are supposedly ‘independent.’ So a Petroleum Commission is not a safeguard against corruption. It is utter nonsense (to believe that it is).” Dr. Jagdeo said a Petroleum Commission simply ensures that all payments for the sector are properly accounted for, that key financial documents are not hidden and licences that are awarded are made public. The Vice President said this is already being done in a transparent manner by his government. He added that in the case of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF), the government has ensured by way of the law that all payments received by the fund are known to the country and the world by extension. Reports on these payments are published monthly on the Bank of Guyana website. The former President said the NRF law also stipulates that documents regarding expenditure are not to be kept within agencies as state secrets. “We made a commitment that every agreement that the Petroleum Commission would have done in place of the Ministry of Natural Resources, all the licences would be out in the open. I told them that Liza One, Liza two, and Yellowtail Production licences must be out in the open. Also every environmental permit must be on the (Environmental Protection Agency’s ) website and people must be able to compare it to what was done under the APNU+AFC and see the qualitative difference,” the Vice President explained. The Vice President said the government agrees that the Petroleum Commission is important while adding that it does have a role to play in the regulatory oversight that is needed for the sector. He noted, however, that the government wants to ensure the right model is in place as
it is opposed to what was proposed by the former coalition via draft legislation for the Natural Resources Minister to be vested with absolute power over the Commission. “We admit that there is a lot of work to do on the regulatory side…we are working on building capacity but we have challenges like any other place in the world,” the Vice President concluded on this matter. ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/30/petroleumcommission-not-asafeguard-againstcorruption/) NEW COMPANY TO AUDIT OIL EXPENSES IN A MATTER OF WEEKS -VP JAGDEO -SAYS GOVT. TO FUND TRAINING FOR AUDITORS, ACCOUNTANTS, BOOST NATIONALAUDITING CAPABILITIES In a matter of weeks, a new company is expected to commence auditing the expenses incurred in the development of the country’s oil wealth. This was the update provided by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo when he held a press conference at the Office of the President (OP) on Friday. Guyana has a contractual two-year timeline to ensure the audit of expenses is handed down by oil partners operating in its offshore Stabroek Block. Guyana has been hit with some delay in assessing the fairness of these development sums, attributed to a lack of capacity by local companies to ensure the relevant checks and balances. Vice President Jagdeo told media operatives that given the available information, Guyana is expected to commence auditing of the 2017 to 2020 oil related expenses as soon as the new company is chosen to undertake the work. Originally, Jagdeo explained, Guyana had completed an initial oil expense audit up to 2017, following which the government registered some issues regarding the expenditure. While he opted not to give details, the Vice President informed that there is now an active process pursuing those expenditure disagreements. Subsequently, tenders were requested with an expressed desire by the government to have a local group involved in the handling of future audits. The VP noted that while further
details on the selection process could be sought from the Natural Resource Ministry, he is aware that the negotiations have been completed. “So, in a matter of weeks the new company will start the audit that will go from 2017 to 2020.” Additionally, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will be receiving funding to upgrade their capabilities outside of that which examines the fairness of the oil expenditures. “We also have to have expertise to do an audit in GRA to see that on the tax side Exxon is complying,” Jagdeo stated. He continued by stating
that there are issues that the government is addressing in relation to the oil partners. An example he offered, was that Guyana had to refuse ExxonMobil’s request to get government’s permission to “bring basically an unlimited amount of vehicles.” To this, the government said no, Jagdeo informed, adding that the related service must be procured from Guyanese. VP Jagdeo also informed that moves are being made to improve the national auditing capacity. He said he has asked Finance Minister, Ashni Singh, “to meet with the insurance association (sic) so
that we can fund training for all the members; accountants and auditors - that government is willing to pay for all the training and upgrade through the association working with the ministry so that we can upgrade national capabilities.” ( h t t p s : / / www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2022/04/30/new-companyto-audit-oil-expenses-in-amatter-of-weeks-vp-jagdeo/)
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g tin s... s re re te atu n I re C
T
Sunday May 01, 2022
The Peacock-eye Stingray
he ocellate river s t i n g r a y (Potamotrygon motoro), also known as the peacock-eye stingray or black river stingray, is a species of freshwater stingray in the family Potamotrygonidae. It was the first species to be described in the family and is also the most widespread, ranging throughout much of the Río de la Plata, Amazon, Mearim and Orinoco basins in tropical and subtropical South America. It is sometimes kept in aquaria. Taxonomy Potamotrygon motoro varies significantly in appearance and morphology over its large range, and a taxonomic review of the
Amazonian populations is expected. The taxonomy of the populations in the Río de la Plata Basin was reviewed in 2013, leading to the finding that it is found virtually throughout (absent from the Paraná Basin upriver from Itaipu Dam), but also that there are two additional members of this s p e c i e s c o m p l e x : P. amandae (widespread in Río de la Plata Basin) and P. pantanensis (northern Pantanal). Two highly distinctive Amazonian types completely lack black-edged yellow-orange spots: The socalled "Mantilla ray", CD4, in Peru and adjacent parts of Brazil, and the similar but paler CD5 from rivers near Marajó.
Both CD4 and CD5 cooccur with normal variants of P. motoro. In 2019, they were described as a new species, P marquesi. Currently recognised members of the species complex found elsewhere are P. boesemani (Corantijn River; P. motoro absent), P. jabuti (mid and upper Tapajós Basin; P. motoro in the lower), and P. ocellata (lower Amazon Basin), but the last may be a synonym of P. motoro. Appearance They can grow up to 50cm (1.6 ft) in disc width, 1m (3.3 ft) in total length, and 35kg (77 lb) in weight. Its disk is roughly circular in shape, and its eyes are raised from the dorsal surface. The
dorsal colouration is typically beige or brown, with numerous yelloworange spots with dark rings. Its exact colour, and the arrangement and size of the spots can vary significantly, both from individual to individual and depending on location. Three primary types have been identified in the Amazon basin, but each of these include a number of subtypes (two additional main types now are co n s id er e d a s ep ar ate species, P. marquesi). The two main
Amazonian types, informally known as CD1 and CD2, are found throughout much of the Amazon (except most of the Rio Negro basin) and they often occur together. Those from the Río de la Plata Basin and Mearim River resemble CD1. Individuals from the Rio Negro and Orinoco basins (which are connected by the Casiquiare canal) are similar to each other and informally known as CD3, but differ from P. motoro elsewhere. Some individuals of CD3 have
spots near the rim of the disc that are connected, forming a chain-like pattern. However, the "marbled" type is generally only reported from the Orinoco basin, including the Ventuari River. In aquaria Ocellate river stingrays are sometimes kept in captivity, with requirements similar to other members of Potamotrygon. It is one of the most popular species of freshwater stingrays, but requires a very large tank. (Source: Wikipedia)
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
Op Ed:
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Guyana's
blueprint for oil windfall By Kiana Wilburg
T
he hydrocarbon industry is a very complex one. Even with the right systems in place, many countries have failed to maximise earnings t r a n s p a r e n t l y, t h e r e b y proving that structural economic transformation is not an automatic guarantee. Even so, it is still not a reason for one to lose hope. In fact, achieving a successful oil-led development in Guyana is an attainable ideal, says Dr. Zainab Usman, a Senior Fellow and Director of the Africa Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Wa s h i n g t o n , D . C . Drawing on the successful cases of the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway and the Netherlands, Dr. Usman posits in one of her analytical reviews that Guyana can forge a path for greatness. To do this, Dr. Usman posited that Guyana must learn how to accurately diagnose its central development challenge and aspiration. Simply put, we must ask ourselves, what kind of oil nation we want to be and what are the obstacles in our pathway. Dr. Usman said this should be an endeavour that is contextual to the country's h i s t o r y, c u l t u r e a n d endowment structure and should entail an inclusive process that incorporates perspectives from academia, business, civil society, politics and technocracy. After accurately diagnosing what the development challenges are, Dr. Usman said Guyana's second objective must be to frame this as a “Political Project of National Survival.” The expert said her recommendation is premised on the fact that this has been an essential feature of the successful cases cited in oil and gas. They ensure economic transformation is framed and treated in the society as a political project of national survival. She explained that the aim of this political project would be to create a stable political economy, generate shared prosperity, and build a country resilient to external aggression and geopolitical shocks, rather than just
aiming to 'build a strong economy' or achieve 'industrialisation' as an end in itself. Another pillar of importance, she said, is the stabilisation of political competition to underpin not undermine this political project. In this regard, Dr. Usman explained that the stabilisation of political competition (elections, party system, intergovernmental relations, etc.) is essential to avoid situations where large revenue windfalls distort politics towards violent competition to capture the oil and gas rents at the expense of longer-term objectives. She said, stabilisation is crucial to resolving the collective action problems that plague efforts at longterm development and institution-building especially in culturally heterogenous societies with Nigeria being a prime example where electoral transitions are highly volatile and destabilising to the country's policy agenda. The co-editor of the book, The Future of Work in Africa: Harnessing the Potential of Digital Technologies said, “Guyana's political actors, groups and organisations must negotiate a stable balance of power that allow for the periodic peaceful transfer of power, that can therefore resolve the collective action problems needed to pursue the political project of economic diversification.” Her next lesson for Guyana to heed pertains to the creation of a shared vision for the oil resources. Dr. Usman said there needs to be a shared vision for how Guyana's economy can be best positioned to work for all Guyanese. According to Dr. Usman, developing this shared vision is critical to addressing the deep structural challenges of the economy such as a weak manufacturing and industrial base, regional disparities, lack of specialised workforce skills, small population density in hinterland regions and high rates of emigration. Dr. Usman, who has also consulted for Oxford University and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Nigeria, said economic policies must be proactively focused on
long-term structural economic transformation rather than a short-term stabilisation or revenue management orientation that continuously reacts to the oil industry's boom and bust cycle Finally, Dr. Usman said Guyana must outline the most crucial policy priorities to be used by the oil funds. In this regard, she said, “A stable distribution of power with a shared vision for Guyana's economy should allow for a policy orientation that is not only focused on narrow revenue maximisation and management objectives but a bigger vision of supporting economictransformation… In addition to coordinating Guyana's resource endowments, it should proactively tackle the market failures of economic transformation.” Dr. Usman said these market failures include the supplyside constraints on the productivity of firms and workers and the demandside constraints on people's incomes and their capacity to consume goods and services. To s u c c e s s f u l l y tackle these market f a i l u r e s i n Guyana's economy requires a capable government. The Senior Fellow said such a capable government supports and facilitates economic activity without being overbearing, designs and implements effective regulation, is responsive and dynamic to the changing global economy. The industry expert asserted that these are the tasks undertaken by the civil service or the bureaucracy. She warned that an illequipped and understaffed bureaucracy cannot take on the daunting tasks of addressing market failures in an era of a fourth industrial revolution and climate change. Additionally, she said comprehensive civil service strengthening must be on the policy agenda including the prospect of tapping into Guyana's large Diaspora. Overall, Dr. Usman warned Guyana to not let the universal difficulty of maintaining a long-term planning horizon for the oil sector by no means induce complacency. To ensure Guyana has
economic transformation that is perhaps on the same scale of the elite successes of the industry, Dr. Usman in conclusion urged that there be an accurate diagnosis of Guyana's development challenge, that the authorities frame the development challenge as a political project of national survival; that efforts be made to insulate the oil windfall from unhealthy political competition; and create a shared vision for development. With such a blueprint, there is no reason for Guyana
to not ensure sustainable growth and prosperity for
current and future generations.
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Camille's Academy Inc. pushes digital learning - launches smart school facility in Region 3 opportunities and see how it could be leveraged to the ven as schools kind of service we were across the country providing...” she said. In fact, last September, r e t u r n t o traditional face-to-face the private school launched learning, Camille Academy the first Smart School facility I n c . ( C A I ) , a p r i v a t e in Region Three, which is to e d u c a t i o n i n s t i t u t i o n be fully operationalised by continues to push for digital next September. Deokie-Gorakh told this Camille's Academy smart school facility located at Crane Public learning to be introduced to newspaper that the smart students at all grade levels. Road, West Coast Demerara was launched last September Chief Executive Officer school facility located at (CEO) and founder, Ms. Crane Public Road West Camille Deokie-Gorakh said Coast Demerara, is one of the resource capacity,” added that the school has been school's four branches that is Deokie-Gorakh, who is also pushing digital learning, moving in the direction of CAI founder and CAI's founder and Principal. ensuring that its students digital learning. CEO, Mrs. Camille She continued, “We are in The school has similar remain on the path of learning Deokie-Gorakh the 21st Century and we have facilities at Soesdyke, East and academic growth. found interest among our “We are in a digital age… Bank Demerara (EBD), children in ICT and artificial so the need for Information D i a m o n d E B D , a n d intelligence. With the a n d C o m m u n i c a t i o n Lusignan, East Coast budding interest in artificial Technology (ICT) to be used Demerara. intelligence, we see the need Deokie-Gorakh asserted, in schools is more than ever. to introduce coding in One of our primary focuses “…All the changes that schools even at the youngest here at Camille's Academy is occurred during COVID-19 level.” to have ICT integrated with pandemic made it virtually To this end, she said the the school's curriculum impossible to return students school is currently in which is the regular t o t h e t r a d i t i o n a l discussion with two agencies classroom learning activities classroom...COVID has externally to introduce so as to increase the value of given us the opportunity to coding to students as young our students preparing them move in that direction at all as five years old. our locations.” fully for the future,” she said. “It's all about building “The smart infrastructure E-LEARNING capacity to prepare our According to Deokie- that we are implementing students for where Guyana is Gorakh, CAI's drive for e- here at Crane is already being heading; the expansion of the learning was borne out of the set up at Lusignan and will be booming oil and gas industry. l e a r n i n g c h a l l e n g e s , replicated at the other The President recently spoke presented by the COVID-19 locations,” she added. about how ICT will play a The CEO noted too that pandemic. She noted that role in development… I w h i l e t h e p a n d e m i c the smart education objective believe as much as there is a presented many challenges it of the school is in keeping equally opened opportunities w i t h t h e o v e r a r c h i n g have read the Ministry of building the capacity of our n e e d f o r p h y s i c a l strategic goal of the Ministry Education's Strategic Goal people. And education is infrastructure, the equal for growth. for 2021—2025, it spoke a most important when it focus must be on the human “We just needed to be of Education. “For those who would lot about employability and comes to building the human capacity.” As such, she held smart and tap into those that “schools and other learning institutions play a CAI also uses the projector screen as part very pivotal role in building of efforts to incorporate learning in schools. that capacity. “This is because of the fact that we are solely responsible for moulding the young minds hence the need for the Smart School.” CRUCIAL INVESTMENT As a result, the Principal explained that back in 2020, CAI launched a partnership with another company and created software to help the school in its goal to introduce and incorporate digital learning platforms to all four of its branches. “That company built an entire software, a school management platform. It manages their entire By Rehanna Ramsay
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attendance, their performance, and even the curriculum. So we have moved from the traditional way of preparing our curriculum. Our entire curriculum is now digitised. We have even moved to Etesting…which is a direction that CXC is also moving in now,” she said. However, despite the positive input, the CAI founder noted that there are some challenges. She explained, “One of our major challenges is the internet infrastructure; all of these projects that we have invested heavily in are dependent on having proper internet infrastructure. That has been an issue. In the meantime, the school has been using the same digital content and using the projector and television screens and other tools to continue its work.” Nevertheless, DeokieGorakh opined, people are gravitating toward this type of learning. She asserted, “We have seen results … The school expanded during the pandemic because parents are making the investment in a private education because they want the best for their children, so we owe them that much to deliver nothing but the best. That's why we are constantly on the lookout for how we will continue to add value for their investment.” She continued, “We have seen results of our constant push to provide our students and their parents with the best, in the middle of the pandemic we were able to open our fourth location at Crane and that facility has grown within the last six to (Continued on page 36)
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Camille's Academy Inc... Students in classroom at CAI engaged in learning via a television.
from page 35 eight months from a population of over 35 children to now 300 regular attendees.” Added to this, CAI has consistently recorded good pass rates. Just last year, the school secured a 90 percent overall pass rate at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and an 80 percent pass rate at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certification (CSEC) examinations. ACADEMIC BALANCE The CEO went on to note that while CAI understands the importance of academic achievements, the school's main goal is to produce students who are balanced in the other areas of life. In this regard, she noted that the school has a number of social capacity-building initiatives to encourage and ensure students benefit from life skills training. The school is currently embarking on a capacitybuilding project specifically to help support mental health
in the school. She disclosed, “On May 19, we will be launching a life skill programme and that initiative is between the Life Skill Education Institute which is being done with Action Invest Caribbean as one way of supporting student's mental health. It is the core of ensuring that our children have the capacity to function emotionally and psychologically. As much ICT is important, mental health and other aspects of learning are equally important.” Additionally, CAI has a Young Entrepreneurs Smart Start (YESS) programme which is also in collaboration with Action COACH--an international business coaching firm. According to the CAI Principal, the YESS programme was introduced to help students at Camille Academy who are interested in entrepreneurship hone their business skills from a young age.
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
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Three mothers 'murdered' at the hands of their partners
Court Journal By Renay Sambach
A
lthough I had promised to share some domestic violence matters in which women were the perpetrators, because of some daunting developments recently, I can't help but highlight instances where domestic violence ended fatally. Domestic violence is a sore issue that plagues our society. In the cases I will highlight, women met their demise violently, allegedly at the hands of the ones who were supposed to love and protect them. It leaves one to ask, are we failing as a society to protect our women? In this article I will highlight three matters where three mothers were allegedly killed by their significant other. Those women are: Wa y n u m a t t i e P e r m a u l , Shanice Walks, and Savitrie Raj. Waynumattie Permaul Making headline on Friday last was the brutal murder of Waynumattie Permaul called 'Dataley', a 53-year-old housewife of Lot 3 3 K i l c o y / C h e s n e y, Corentyne, Berbice. Just days after he reportedly killed and buried her body in a shallow grave near their home, 55-year-old Avemanen 'Terry' Permaul, her husband, confessed to police that he committed the heinous act on April, 22, 2022. The couple had been married for over 30 years and shared four children, including professional c r i c k e t e r, Ve e r s a m m y Permaul. In his confession, police said that Permaul told them he had beaten and choked his wife until she was unconscious after which he wrapped her lifeless body in a bedspread. After this, the man said that he walked over to an empty lot, opposite their home, located some 100 yards away, dug a hole, then returned to the house and dragged the body into the hole and covered it with dirt before returning home. Police reported that it was the couple's son, Veersammy, who had reported on April 28, 2022 that his mother was missing since April 22. He said it was unusual for her to leave without informing him or his siblings but that they did not suspect the worst at the time.
Dead: Savitrie Raj
Dead: Waynumattie Permaul called 'Dataley'
Avemanen 'Terry' Permaul has reportedly confessed to killing his wife, Waynumattie.
Following the report, police said they immediately launched a probe and visited the home of the couple. There, the bottom flat was identified as the dwelling house of the woman while the husband stayed in the upper flat. As police searched the bottom flat, bloodstains were seen on the floor tiles and on the inside area of the front door. There were also bloodstains in front of the bedroom door, the foot of the bed and other areas too. Police immediately arrested the husband and took him in for questioning. Under interrogation, the man told police that they were living separately in the house for two years now because they had “personal issues”. However, on April 22, 2022, at around 18:00hrs, he said that he was in the yard, in proximity to the victim's bedroom, when he overheard a conversation she was having with a male on her cellular phone. The details of the conversation, he said, caused him to
Dead: Shanice Walks
Joel Spooner allegedly killed his girlfriend, Shanice.
become enraged. He decided to confront the woman which he told police resulted in an intense argument between them. He said he started to beat and choke the woman until she passed out. The man said that he grabbed the bed sheet from her bed and wrapped her body in it and left her there until it was dark. Shortly after, he went about digging a shallow grave and d u m p i n g t h e b o d y. F o l l o w i n g t h e shocking confession, the accused led police ranks to the area where he buried the woman's body. Shanice Walks The week prior, Shanice Walks, 19, a mother of one and a teacher, was discovered with a knife in her neck at her boyfriend's home located at Craig on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD). On the day she was killed, Walks had travelled from Linden to Georgetown to transact some business but she never made it back home. It is unclear how Walks
ended up at her boyfriend's house that day. According to police, the boyfriend claimed that he had accidently stabbed Walks during an argument they had at his home. He alleged that Walks had attacked him with a knife and while trying to take away the weapon, he ended up stabbing her. The boyfriend told police that after he realised what had happened, he became scared, locked the house and left. He later contacted his brother and told him what transpired. Police said the brother and an aunt took the young man to the Grove Police Station where he reportedly confessed to the crime. Police later visited his house and had to force their way in to locate Walk's remains. She was found lying on her back beside a bed with a knife stuck in her neck. Walk's mother, however, does not believe that her daughter's death was an accident. On April 20, last, 21year-old Joel Spooner of
Vijaimal Raj, allegedly killed his wife, Savitrie, and is wanted by police. Craig, East Bank Demerara (EBD) made his first court appearance for the murder of Walks.He appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Diamond/Golden Grove Magistrate's Court. He was not required to plead to the indictment, which stated that between April 12 and 13, 2022 at Craig, EBD, he murdered Walks. The murder accused is due for another court appearance next month. Savitrie Raj Around the same time Walks was stabbed to death, 57-year-old Savitrie Raj of Lot 563 Foulis Village, East Cos t D emerara (ECD ) suffered a similar fate, allegedly at the hands of her husband. On April 12, 2022, the last words of Raj while she was being stabbed to death, reportedly by her husband, were: “Ow meh god.” Her bloodied remains were found by her children lying on her blood soaked
bed around 01:00hrs. According to police, an ambulance was summoned and one attached to the Melanie Fire Station responded to the scene immediately, but when it arrived the Emergency Medical Technician onboard pronounced the woman dead. Checks were made for her husband, 57-year-old Vijaimal Raj, a fisherman, but he was not found. The woman was a mother of three and had been married to Vijaimal, known as “Zorro”, for 33 years. Police have since issued a wanted bulletin for him. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police on telephone numbers, 2292700, 229-2219, 229-2557, 226-6978, 225-8196, 911 or make report to the nearest police station. If you or anyone you know is a victim of domestic violence do not hesitate to c a l l 9 1 4 , a t o l l f re e emergency hotline number, and make a report.
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>>> ENCOURAGING EVENTS, DISTURBING DEVELOPMENTS <<<
Investigating state engineer, friends of friends and political party puppets By GHK Lall ay our workers be inspired never to give up hope, never cease to struggle for what is due to them, on this Labour Day. It is fitting and encouraging that during the celebrations to mark Labour Week, the G u y a n a Tr a d e s U n i o n Congress (GTUC) called upon member unions to “resist the urge to be puppets of political parties.” It is encouraging for that to come from this umbrella body, which must itself go higher and live what it exhorts of others. Too often, the plight and welfare of workers become secondary in the relationship(s) unions foster with local political parties. Though it is much more
M
advantageous if the political party a union ties itself to is the government in power, this really does not matter in the scheme of things in Guyana. Political affiliation aces most other considerations and, though it can be the kiss of serious sickness, union leaders are known to participate in the disturbing. That is, they develop too close an association with one or the other of the two influential political parties. There can be only one set of losers in such a cozy relation -workers and their rights, their general welfare. For when a workers' union gets too tight with a political party, union leaders are expected to manifest the helpful friendliness that goes with such fraternal bonds.
They risk becoming extensions (puppets and mascots) for the political party, to the detriment of their membership. Union leaders lose credibility, workers fall behind, become disillusioned. The veterans who know this, must do better in both action and appearance. Then, during the week that elusive and jack-in-the box prodigy, Peeping Tom, had cause to speak of what was called the new oligarchy, the commercial friends with powerful political friends. Because I have transformed into simpler English, my preference is for the few, the favoured, the less than one percent of one percent cabal. It is a not-so-secret society operating in broad daylight,
thanks to the laden gravy train directed the way of its membership of less than 75 Guyanese bigshots swaggering around and flaunting themselves, their relationships, and their hauls of the nation's rich prizes. As Mr. (or Ms.) Tom posited, they buy, rise, expand, and control. They become a class by themselves, and accumulate power, which means that they can influence who retains or receives their blessings. In this instance, blessings have nothing to do with heaven or the spiritual. Rather, they are tangible and visible, as in money. Money, and more of it, means the biggest contributions to the outcome of elections. For a long time, there were whispered words about the secret Elders of Zion, Swiss bankers, and the like. There doesn't have to be any whispering anymore, for we now have, what I term, this disturbing apparition that I name the Young Guns of Guyana. Their only god, only allegiance, is to money. Not the wellbeing of this society. Not democracy, or free and fair, or any of that old bull. In the heads and hearts of this
oligarchy (less than one percent of one percent o f t h e population), this is the bottom line: b e o u r political honey, and there will be mountains of money. It doesn't discriminate between PPP/C and PNC, which is as democratic as things can get. They should be run out of town, but there are no takers for that demanding undertaking. Disturbing, and in the extreme. Finally, I heard that a former State engineer will be probed by the police for lying to the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC). My first reaction was that either he lost his political godfather(s); or that he was a rank outsider, a Lone Ranger with his own hustles. He must have cut somebody out of the action he got. I am settling for outsider status for him, since the unbelievable took place. It was that both PPP/C and
By GHK Lall PNC operators jumped on him, named him, and hollered for the police. What a show! Now, though I have no liking for what the engineer is alleged to have done, it would be most encouraging for the PPP and PNC members on the PAC to go after the others. Like Regional Officers, other engineers, and corrupting and corrupt dirty tricks contractors. Try the contract arrangers and composers (including inside the Tender Board) for real results. Now that would encourage significantly. (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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The Real Housewives of Atlanta return on Enetworks
Get your peaches ready, The Real Housewives of Atlanta is finally coming back to your screens. The season mixes old and new faces while still delivering laughs, looks, and plenty of drama. After season 13 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta received a less than stellar reception from viewers, Bravo decided to shake things up before returning for the next one. Now, fans are finally getting a glimpse at what’s been going down with the women of Atlanta. Watch on Bravo at 9 PM on May 1. Grammy award-winning
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
producer, rapper and DJ, Lil Jon, picks up a hammer for his next mic drop in his new series. The famed rapper and producer is pushing creative boundaries as he hosts the new HGTV series Lil Jon Wants to do What? Watch on May 2 at 10 PM. ‘The Chase’ Returns tonight on ABC! In the all-new season, three competitors must pit their wits and face off against a Chaser, a ruthless quiz genius determined to stop them from winning cash prizes. Watch on May 3 at 9 PM. A documentary portrait
of the singular storyteller who’s lived it all and seen it all but never told it all – until now. From humble beginnings to sold out world tours Sheryl Crow’s life has been nothing short of extraordinary. Watch on May 6 at 8PM on Showtime. E-Networks gives you more ways to watch with our Dream TV Mobile app, for added convenience! Download via Google Play or the App Store.Visit enetworks.gy or Whats App 624-5153 for more information. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok @enetworksgy
Lessons from a Lashpreneur !!!
Lash extensions full sets and refills.
By Latoya Zephyr Here at Lift and lashes , we are committed to ensuring you have the healthiest, most beautiful eyelash extensions available. In order to achieve this, your lash technician will make recommendations at each visit about the ongoing care and maintenance of your natural lashes and eyelash extensions. This includes identifying and suggesting when to have refills and when a full set is required. Here are some of the things we keep frontof-mind when making such recommendations: YOUR EYELASHES HAVE A NATURAL CYCLE OF GROWTH Your natural eyelashes, much like your hair, have a growth cycle of their own. Generally, the cycle of growth, maturity and natural shedding takes 2-3 months. Because each lash is at a different stage in this cycle at any given time, you’ll constantly be losing your natural lashes. Each time a lash falls out, it takes the extension with it. This is completely normal and maintaining a regular and timely routine of alternating between full sets and refills will ensure that your lashes always look their best. THE HEALTH OF YOUR NATURAL LASHES IS IMPORTANT In order for your eyelash extensions to look their finest, it is important to keep your natural lashes in the best health possible as they are the foundation on which your extensions are built. As your extensions grow out, the point at which your extension is bonded to your natural lashes weakens. In order to prevent bending and breaking, once the extensions grow out too far, we recommend removing them and applying a new set to protect your natural eyelashes. THE CONDITION AND FULLNESS OF YOUR EXTENSIONS NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED Refills are designed to fill in any obvious gaps left as extensions naturally fall. The point at which your real lashes join the eyelash extension weakens over time due to oil or other impurities. After about three weeks, the join starts to become unstable and will be ready to come off. For this reason, we prefer not to do a refill after the 3 week mark as its very likely a large number of your extensions will fall out within the next week. This is why we recommend you attend a refill appointment within the first three weeks of having
your new set applied to get the most out of your extensions and the best value for money. After 3 weeks, we suggest a new set to make sure your eyelash extensions last and always look their best. WE WANT TO AVOID HAVING TOO MUCH ADHESIVE ON YOUR LASHES When we apply a new set of eyelash extensions, we do so on clean, adhesive and residue-free lashes. This is the ideal scenario for the extensions to bond effectively. When infills are applied, we are using adhesive on top of the adhesive that is already there. This means that the bond is not as strong and residue will be building up on the hair follicle which is not ideal for your eyelash health. To maintain a full, soft and lush look, we recommend only 1 set of refills (or in rare cases an absolute maximum of two) in between each full set. Think of it like this- if you applied hairspray to your hair too many times in between washes, your hair would be stiff and clumpy. No-one wants eyelashes that look like that! REFILLS ARE FOR MAINTENANCE ONLY Refills are designed to be a maintenance procedure, not a substitute for regular replacement of a full set. The number of refills applied in a procedure is fixed and will add 50% of the lash quantity of a full set- this is why it costs less for this service. Refills are there to fill any gaps caused by the natural shedding of lashes in between full sets. As long as you follow the timing guidelines between a full set and a refill appointment, your lashes should be at anywhere
between 70-100%+ in density compared to a full set after this appointment. For best results we recommend refills being applied within three weeks of the original full set. Outside of this three-week period, a full set will represent better value for money. REFILLS ARE DONE WITH FOUR GOALS IN MIND: 1. Clean & tidy up eyelash extensions still on your eyes 2. Remove the lashes that are ready to fall out due to the natural growth cycle 3. Remove any weak bonding lashes 4. Fix any obvious cavities between lashes & lash extensions Ladies ask us almost every day, “why are my lashes falling off quickly this time?’ or, “I feel my lashes are not as thick as I’d like them…”. IF THIS IS YOU, CONSIDER THESE THREE THINGS: · Is it my natural lash growth cycle? It’s possible that this has ended and your lashes are falling out to make way for new ones, taking your extensions with them. This is not something that can be controlled by you or us- this is simply how the human body works. · How long have I had these extensions? If it’s been three or more weeks since the extensions were applied, the adhesive will have weakened so this is completely normal. · Have you kept to the recommended refill/ full set cycle? We recommend you have refills applied within three weeks of your full set and only one refill between sets for best results.
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OFFERING BED & BREAKFAST FACILITIES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE NATIONAL STANDARD ==GNBS IN FOCUS==
G
uyana's tourism industry is r a p i d l y expanding, fueled by the return of many major events and recreational activities previously affected by the pandemic. The increase in tourists attracted by these events presents numerous business opportunities. One such opportunity is in hospitality and accommodation in the form of Bed and Breakfast (B&B) facilities which provide overnight lodging in a homelike setting to guests. Just recently, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce and the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) encouraged Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the provision of B&B Services for the upcoming CPL Cricket Carnival. These facilities must be to a level of comfort and convenience to the multitude of persons set to visit Guyana and in need of affordable places to stay. For persons interested in setting up such a facility or improving a similar facility, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has a National Standard Requirements for bed and breakfast facilities (GYS 514:2016). This National Standard was formulated to improve the quality of services offered by local providers of Bed and Breakfast facilities and can be purchased from the GNBS at an affordable cost. As the restrictions
associated with COVID-19 relax, B&Bs are becoming the preferred choice for many visitors who are seeking an affordable place to spend the night. General requirements in the National Standard state that running water and other amenities which ensure a c o m f o r t a b l e s t a y, a r e essential. It also includes requirements for adequate security for guests and their possessions, prohibition of any form of discrimination, convenient parking and adequate advertisement or the lack thereof. The standard categorizes B&B facilities into A and B categories to help potential B&B owners decide what to set up based on affordability and the preference of guests. Category A facilities, according to the document, offers self-contained double or single bedrooms with ceiling fans or AC and a hot and cold shower. There is also the provision of WiFi access, television, a mini refrigerator, and other amenities. Meanwhile, a category B facility offers a room which does not necessarily contain AC Units and amenities. In addition, these rooms are accompanied by shared toilet and bath facilities. According to the standard, a 'habitable room'should be 10M2 per person. Interested B&B providers are encouraged to purchase a copy of the
National Standard and implement the requirements so that they can deliver quality services that meet
their customers' needs and build confidence as well as expanding their client base. Further information can
be accessed on the GNBS' Standards Portal on our website at gnbsgy.org, or interested persons can
contact our office on 2190064-66 or message us on Whatsapp at 692-4697. (GNBS)
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Kaieteur News
Health Benefits of Grapefruit Grapefruit can seem like an acquired taste. Their bulbous size, bitter pith (the white stuff that surrounds the fruit), and tart taste can be off-putting to those who are more accustomed to their sweeter citrus cousins. But it might do your health some good if you consider adding this superfood to your regular rotation of healthy foods. It’s among the 20 best foods to eat for breakfast. And you don’t have to limit your intake to the early morning hours: Grapefruit are supremely portable and make a great snack (with very few calories) that fills you up while also relieving thirst due to its high water content. Here, experts weigh in on why you should start buying more of the tangy citrus fruit, due to its health benefits. At about 92% water, grapefruit has one of the highest water contents of any
fruit. That makes it good for overall health. “All of our body systems and process . . . require water,” Wesley Delbridge, RD, a Phoenix-based dietitian, tells Health. “Proper hydration makes your body more efficient in everything you’re doing.” About 20% of your daily fluid intake actually comes from food. So add some grapefruit to get closer to your daily H2O goal and choose the heavier of two fruits of equal size: It has more juice. Several studies have shown that people who eat half a fresh grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice before each meal lose more weight than people who do not. Not all studies have shown the same weight-loss benefit and scientists don’t know if the effect seen in the studies was specifically due to grapefruit—or filling up on
a low-calorie food in general—but fruits and vegetables should always be part of your strategy to lose or maintain weight. What is 100% ironclad fact: Grapefruit delivers a lot of nutrition and water for very few calories: there are just 39 calories in one half of a grapefruit. So it’s a great choice if you want to boost your intake of high nutrient, low calorie foods. When you peel away the outer layer of a grapefruit, you may be tempted to pick off the white flesh that is between you and the juicy fruit, and throw it away. This stuff is called pith. Don’t do it. “That [pith] is very rich in antioxidants and nutrients and also soluble fiber which is going to help you feel fuller and impact your glucose reactions,” says Delbridge. While the pith of grapefruit can have more of a bitter
taste than say, oranges, it’s worth eating along with the fruit (if you can). Fiber is a good thing, and can help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and possibly even colon cancer risk. A grapefruit a day may help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol levels by as much as 15.5%, according to a 2006 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. In the study, researchers looked at 57 patients ages 39 to 72 who had high cholesterol and had undergone bypass surgery for heart trouble. For one month, some ate a grapefruit daily (either red or white) while others, the control group, did not. Grapefruit eaters, particularly those eating red, had a drop in bad cholesterol, while the control group did not. This is great news for your heart. LDL cholesterol is a type of fat that can build up in your arteries and raise the risk for heart attack and stroke. But if you are taking a cholesterol-lowering drug, don’t add a grapefruit for extra effect—the FDA issued a warning in 2012 about interactions with such medications. That’s because of the hefty dose of vitamins A and C in each serving. “Vitamin C and A are huge as far as immune boosting,” says Delbridge. Some research indicates that not having enough vitamin C (and other micronutrients) may actually hurt your immune system, especially if you’re elderly. Grapefruit may not prevent a cold but the vitamins inside may reduce your suffering or possibly the duration of a cold. “There’s nothing else you can do for a cold so why not?” says Ann Marie Chiasson, MD, assistant director of the Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson. There’s another reason grapefruit can be good for your heart: It reduces levels of triglycerides, another type of fat—like “bad” LDL cholesterol—which can quickly clog up your arteries. The same study that found that adding one grapefruit a day lowered cholesterol levels also found that this simple daily regimen lowered triglycerides—by as much as 27%. This was in patients who already had coronary artery disease and so were at high risk for heart attacks and other complications.
Red grapefruit, in particular, surpassed its “blond” cousins in lowering triglycerides. Grapefruit has got some data that it decreases systolic blood pressure, not by a lot— it’s usually about five points—but there’s definitely good data,” says Chiasson. And for the 70 million Americans who have hypertension, any drop in blood pressure is a good drop. The effect on blood pressure may be due to grapefruit’s high potassium levels. Potassium neutralizes the negative effects of sodium. (Here are 15 foods that are high in potassium.) But again, don’t eat grapefruit if you are already taking a blood-pressure lowering drug. Certain ones, such as Procardia and Adalat CC (both are from the generic nifedipine), can be dangerous when combined with grapefruit, according to the FDA. Antioxidants in general may play a key role in preventing cancer. Grapefruit also has a low glycemic index (GI), around 25, which means it doesn’t raise blood sugar as quickly or as much as high-GI foods like white bagel (72) or even a banana (48) or watermelon (72). (The highest GI score is 100.) A 2006 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, found that people who ate grapefruit (juice or half a fruit) before a meal had a lower spike in insulin two hours later than those taking a placebo, and fresh grapefruit was associated with less insulin resistance. All 91 patients in the 12-week study were obese, but they did not necessarily have type 2 diabetes. While the results are promising in those without diabetes, blood-sugar reactions to food can vary widely, so if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, test your blood sugar after eating grapefruit to make sure it can be part of your healthy eating plan. Grapefruit juice has plenty of benefits, but the traditional fruit itself is going to give you more bang for your buck when it comes to nutrition and health benefits. “When you take juice, you’re getting some of the nutrients but you’re losing a l l t h e f i b e r, ” s a y s Delbridge. “Grapefruit juice is great but at the end of the day, the entire fruit has pectin and rind and all the parts of it.” Grapefruit juice can also
spike your blood sugar more than the fruit itself. If you opt for juice of any kind, Delbridge recommends not drinking more than 6 ounces a day and going only for 100% juice products that don’t have added sugar. Vitamin C helps form healthy scar tissue and new blood vessels, both of which help return your body to a healthy state. A grapefruit contains about 72 mg of vitamin C, which is 120% of the daily value. “Vitamin C speeds up wound healing post surgically,” says Chiasson. “I tell people to take 500 milligrams of vitamin C before they go into surgery.” Always ask your doctor before adding vitamins, minerals, or any herbal supplements to your daily regimen, especially if you’re about to have surgery. In this case, that goes for grapefruit too, given its ability to affect the metabolism of certain drugs. A large study conducted in Japan found that people who ate citrus (including grapefruit) throughout the week had a lower risk of developing cancer, especially prostate and pancreatic, compared with the total group of participants. The effect was amplified among those who also drank a lot green tea. The authors speculate that compounds in citrus fruits reduce inflammation and stop cancer cells from multiplying. They may also help repair damaged DNA, which contributes to the development of tumors. The fiber in grapefruit may also help prevent colorectal cancer while fruits high in vitamin C and beta-carotene, which is in pink and red grapefruit, may lower the risk of esophageal cancer. Grapefruit can be stored in your fridge for as long as three weeks but they release their best flavor when kept at room temperature. If you plan to eat them within a week, leave them on a counter or table. There’s an added advantage to keeping them in plain view. “The increased visibility helps you remind yourself that you need to eat them,” says Delbridge. “Studies show that when you put fruits and vegetables out in a bowl or common area of the house, you will eat more.” If you don’t think you will eat the grapefruit for 2 or 3 weeks, tuck them in the fridge but
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Junior page
A
gentleman was walking through an elephant camp, and he spotted that the elephants weren't being kept in cages or held by the use of chains. All that was holding them back from escaping the camp, was a small piece of rope tied to one of their legs. As the man gazed upon the elephants, he was
completely confused as to why the elephants didn't just use their strength to break the rope and escape the camp. They could easily have done so, but instead, they didn't try to at all. Curious and wanting to know the answer, he asked a trainer nearby why the elephants were just standing there and never tried to escape.
The trainer replied; “when they are very young and much smaller we use the same size rope to tie them and, at that age, it's enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free. ”The only reason that the elephants weren't breaking free and escaping from the camp was that over time they adopted the belief that it just wasn't possible. Moral of the story: No matter how much the world tries to hold you back, always continue with the belief that what you want to achieve is possible. Believing you can become successful is the most important step in actually achieving it.
Inkies
Fill in the blank squares so that each row and each column contain all of the digits 1 thru 6. The heavy lines surround areas (called cages) that contain groups of numbers that can be combined (in any order) to produce
the result shown in the clue, either using addition (+) or subtraction (-) as shown in the clue. For example, 12+ means you can add the values together to produce 12. Numbers in cages may repeat, as long as they are not in the same row or column.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED Frames ( 8″x10″ or 5″x7″) (you'll need two of each because you'll be needing two pieces of glass to display the flowers in between) 2 Fire bricks (you can get away with using one if you use your microwave tray instead. This was easier for me because my microwave is up high and I wouldn't be able to see how to lay the flowers out) Cotton fabric or paper towel (if using fabric stay away from polyester fabric it might melt) Flowers (Weeds look great as well) Hot glue Instructions: Step one. Lay your fabric onto your brick. Step two. Lay your flowers onto your fabric. Step three. Lay more fabric over your flowers. Step four. Finish it off with another brick! PRETTY EASY EHH?!! Like making a sandwich! And step 5 is to nuke it in the microwave! TA DA!!!! You should have flat colorful little flowers! OH man almost forgot! Whatever you do DO NOT and I'm saying this again DO NOT press down onto your bricks once your flowers are sandwiched in
their. It will break your flowers. Trust me I learned the hard way thinking I would help them flatten out. Don't worry about them flattening out. They will do it on it's own. The heat will cause the water to evaporate from the flower and the weight of the brick will flatten it down as the water evaporates. HOW LONG TO MICROWAVE THEM Oh yes how long should you nuke them for? I held mine in the microwave from 1-3 minutes. The bigger or thicker flowers definitely took longer.
For the smaller or white ones I did one minute then removed the top brick left the top fabric and did another minute or two. I feel like leaving the brick on top all three minutes keeps bringing back the moisture into the flower. That said, either way any flower needs to be microwaved for at least 30 seconds without the top brick to completely dry it out. (note: don't microwave without the top fabric. It helps keep the flower flat and ripples at bay. Also white flowers burn super quick so, check every 10 seconds if you have to until you get your time down).
TRY E O P ITH
FUN W
Going to church
by Uncle Roy
The people of our country Guyana Have always believed in God Almighty, And most of us go to some church, To worship and pray for His mercy. Going to church makes us better, And keeps our minds at peace, Helps us to always do right, And with everyone be at peace.
Have fun!
So let us all, no matter what church, Go regularly to worship and pray; This will ensure we will always improve, And our country will prosper, come what may.
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TEEN TIME
We know that most Guyanese belong to some religion, as this has been proven to be most beneficial to people during all times in history. It will therefore be useful if we take some time to think about how we can develop our spirituality so as to benefit most from this aspect of our personality. Not only does the worship of a God, who has made and can make all things possible, give us the faith and confidence to move forward in this world, but it helps us to acquire the belief that all men are equal, and are all entitled to the same benefits on this earth. It then becomes natural for us to treat all other human beings as equal and subject
to our love and cooperation. Prayer, or what may be termed the supreme form of meditation, has been said to be the most powerful form of energy, and all things which we need for our sustenance on earth can be obtained if we ask with true faith and humility. It will assure us peace and stability in our lives, and this will in turn
guarantee our welfare in all aspects. Prayer will also free us from all hatred, fears and lack of confidence in ourselves and our fellow human beings. It will eradicate prejudice and discrimination, and will point us towards the good rather than the evil of this world. The use of prayer is the true and sure path to
achieving all you desire. Opening your mind humbly to God will allow His power to flow through you to stimulate you and empower you to achieve your goals. Talk over your problems simply with God in a prayerful attitude, conceive of Him as your dearest friend, and listen to His voice in your heart. Be confident that He will answer your pleas as long as you work conscientiously, treat others justly and try to keep His commandments. Visualise in your mind the result you require in any situation, be confident that He will grant your request, at the same time working assiduously towards its attainment, and it will come to pass.
Binox
The finished puzzle should be filled with Xs and Os. Horizontally and vertically, there should never be a continuous run of the same symbol longer than
2. There are an equal number of Xs and Os in each row and column. All rows are unique. All columns a r e u n i q u e , t o o .
Prayer Prayer is a medicine that makes you feel so well, Make sure you take it daily to keep you free from hell; Do it most sincerely if you need results, And watch yourself improve from all serious faults. Prayer is the most powerful form of energy, When it is used with true faith and humility; It will always ensure you peace and stability, No matter how disastrous the situation may be. Life in this world holds much misery and pain, So when life departs the medicine will not be in vain; Be prepared then to go on the journey up above, And let God receive you in heaven and with love.
In every effort, and at all times, prayer will help you to succeed and live your best life. l Tel o it t Hello, readers, Uncle Roy is again asking all of you to try in some way to make a contribution to this page, and thus to the welfare of you and your fellow readers. This contribution can take any form that you feel would be valuable – an account of what is going on in your community and country, any advice you would like to pass on to your fellow teen readers and, on a broader level, any comment or recommendation you would like to make to your fellow Guyanese. Please remit same to my email – roypaul2002@yahoo.com, and be assured that your worthwhile contribution will have a prominent place on our page.
Solutions to last week’s
Suguru
Explore your spiritual qualities and use prayer to realise all your dreams
Ripple effect
PAGE 54
Causes and home remedies for dark lips
There is natural variation between people in their lip color.A pigment called melanin gives the skin its color. Less melanin creates a lighter skin tone, whereas more melanin means a darker skin tone.If the skin begins producing more melanin than usual, it can lead to hyperpigmentation.Hyperpigmentation causes patches of skin to develop that are darker than the skin around them. A common example of hyperpigmentation is age spots. This condition is related to sun exposure, and many people believe it to be harmless. It can affect almost any area of the body, including the lips. Causes of hyperpigmentation include: * sun exposure *tobacco smoking *pregnancy * certain medications * a medical condition Sun exposure Exposing skin to the sun triggers the body to create melanin to absorb the ultraviolet rays. This protects the skin from some of the damage that sunlight causes. It also causes the skin to tan. Tobacco smoking Nicotine and benzpyrene in tobacco smoke can encourage melanin production in the skin. This may causeTrusted Source the lips to darken. This can happen gradually over time. Smoking has many other negative impacts on health. The National Cancer Institute have a dedicated website that provides information and advice for people who want to quit. Pregnancy Some women may experience skin changes during pregnancy. This is due to changing levels of hormones in the body. Home remedies Having dry skin on the lips can make them appear darker or dull. Some simple home remedies can help keep the lips looking and feeling healthy. 1. Use a homemade honey scrub 2. Have an almond oil lip massage Massaging oil into the lips can help moisturize them and boost circulation. Blood vessels in the lips help give them color, and massaging them can boost blood flow to the area. 3. Make your own lip balm Regularly using a lip balm can help the lips stay moisturized and healthy. Here is an easy recipe for homemade lip balm, using all natural ingredients: 4. Hydrate Drinking enough fluids is one of the best ways to look after the skin. The lips can be one of the first areas of the body to look dry and parched. 5. Use lemon, with care People have long used lemon as a home remedy for skin lightening. Cut a slice of lemon and hold it to the lips for no longer than a minute, then rinse with warm water. Keeping the lips healthy The skin of the lips is thinner than that of many other parts of the body. The lips do not have sweat glands or the protection of hair, so they can dry out quickly. Dry skin on the lips can make them look duller than usual. Regularly moisturizing and staying hydrated can help keep the lips healthy.The skin on the lips is very sensitive. It is vulnerable to the effects of sun, smoking, and the use of cosmetic products.Always wear sun protection on the lips, as well as on the face, to protect the lips from burning.Taking makeup off at the end of the day can help protect the skin. Also, quitting smoking can help improve the appearance of skin as well as improve overall health. Summary Lip color is natural and does not need treatment. Dark lips are not a sign of an underlying health problem unless the color has changed over time. Keep the lips looking healthy by eating well, moisturizing, and staying hydrated. A person can also try some simple home remedies to gently exfoliate the lips and keep them moisturized.
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Sunday May 01, 2022 Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jnr. during a recent outreach
Minister Ramson announces $30M allocation for Region 5 community grounds
M
inister of Culture Youth and Sport, C h a r l e s R a m s o n , M P, recently announced that the De Hoop, Belladrum, and Fairfield community grounds will receive $10M for a total allocation of $30M for Region Five.
During each of the community engagements with residents, the Minister, accompanied by the Member of Parliament for Region Five, Faizal Jaffarally MP; Region Five Regional C h a i r m a n , Vi c k c h a n d Ramphal; Region Five (Cotninued on page 64)
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Chemical discharges from Exxon’s Gas-to-Energy – impact pipeline will impact marine water quality assessment
T
he highly touted Gas-to-Energy project has the potential to not only harm the onshore environment, but also the marine habitat where over 100 species currently dwell. This is according to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), completed by oil giant ExxonMobil’s Consultant, the Environmental Resources Management (ERM). The document was released to the public on April 20, last, opening a 60 days period for the public to make submissions to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the proposed project. According to the EIA, the planned project activities could affect water quality and potentially impact the health of marine biota. Marine biota refers to the organisms living on the seafloor such as shrimp or prawns as well as other species that dwell in the entire water column. The activities for the installation of the offshore pipeline will potentially impact marine water quality by temporarily increasing the total suspended solids (TSS) concentrations in the water column, according the impact study. One of the activities that can impact the water quality is the hydrotesting of the o n s h o r e a n d o ff s h o r e pipeline, a process which will discharge water
Liza 1 Destiny
Map depicting the Offshore Component of the Gas-to-Energy Project.
Liza 2 Unity
Parika Georgetown
New Amsterdam
treatment chemicals into the ocean. Hydrotesting is performed to test the integrity of the pipelines prior to introducing gas. The project has planned discharges to water associated with the hydro-testing process. Four alternatives were listed in the document for the discharge
of hydrotest w a t e r b u t under all fouralternatives , there would be a discharge of chemicals into marine waters. The hydrotest water will contain water treatment chemicals to protect the pipeline during hydrotesting. The chemicals that will be used were not stated, since
the final selection has not yet been determined, according to ERM. It was keen to note that, “These chemicals may have different toxicities than the chemicals selected for use in the hydrotesting.” Some of these discharges also have the potential to clog fish gills, thereby threatening the existence of these aquatic
creatures within the project site. The EIA states, “Planned offshore pipeline installation activities will potentially impact marine water quality as a result of burial of selected segments of the offshore pipeline. Sediments will be disturbed, resulting in a temporary increase in TSS concentrations in the water column. These temporary increases in TSS may have direct impacts on marine biota through clogging of fish gills or, in the photic zone, through light inhibition for photosynthetic organisms.” It goes on to assure that the concentration of the discharges will decrease over time as the sediments dissipates and settles, h o w e v e r, w h i l e l a rg e particles will settle faster, the finer particles may travel further. The Consultant predicts that the intensity of impacts from increased TSS concentrations in the water column from pipeline trenching are considered low during the construction stage. Pipeline trenching is the process in which a narrow trench is dug to allow for the laying of the pipeline. This process is expected to be conducted over several months. THE PROJECT T h e G a s - t o - E n e rg y project is expected to be constructed at Wales, West Bank Demerara. It will involve capturing associated
gas produced from crude oil production operations on the Liza Phase 1 (Destiny) and Liza Phase 2 (Unity) Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessels, transporting approximately 50 million standard cubic feet per day, via a subsea pipeline and then to an onshore pipeline to a natural gas liquids (NGL) processing plant (NGL Plant), treating the gas to remove NGLs (i.e., propane, butane, and pentanes+) for sale to third parties, and ultimately delivering dry gas meeting government specifications for use at the power plant. Construction will begin after the company receives all necessary authorisations, with a target date of August 2022 for start of the NGL Plant site preparation, and will take approximately three years. The combined offshore and onshore pipeline system is targeted to be ready to deliver rich gas by end of 2024, and the NGL Plant is targeted to be operational by mid-2025. The project has a planned life cycle of at least 25 years. The aspect of the project for which the oil company is responsible, that is to say, the installation of the offshore and onshore pipelines, is set to cost a whopping US$1.3B. The Government of Guyana will be handling the construction of the power plant.
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Sunday May 01, 2022
From poultry farmer to hotel owner:
The Shades of Gray Hotel
Andrew Gittens share his success story By Davina Bagot
F
However, he admitted that he was not passionate about teaching and so decided to invest in 25 chickens. After a successful batch, the young man decided to double his investment and went after 50 birds, followed by a batch of 100 then 200. When he was about to double his investment again, he received a call, informing him that he was accepted into the University of Guyana (UG) to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer. Excited to finally take his career up a notch, he left his Linden home
rom a very tender age, Andrew Gittens, a Lindener by birth, was exposed to management skills, an asset he had no idea he would need decades later. Growing up among four other siblings, with supportive parents and extended family members, Andrew, the third child for his parents, said that he is especially grateful for his humble beginnings. This is owing to the fact that because of the support system they had, he and his siblings were able “It’s one of the coolest features, and I don’t to achieve most of their goals. He is of the firm belief that the think there is any indoor pool anywhere else in skills he garnered as a young the country. It’s a major attraction too, because man, have contributed to him our customers seem to love having access being a good manager and leader today. to a pool just a few steps from their rooms.” Gittens is the owner of a left school so I was able to new small business, only a apply myself anywhere,” Gittens few months old that sits at and business and focused on his related with pride. Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. studies. A family member had taken Even throughout his five years Being attentive to his environment over his poultry business but was of study at UG, the businessman and the direction in which the not as successful as Gittens and said he found himself doing jobs to country and economy is moving, eventually the business came to a keep himself occupied. He grew up the businessman said he named his halt. helping the family in their small hotel ‘Shades of Gray’. “I like designing stuff and grocery shop in Linden. After But before the birthing of his bringing things to life. I knew I graduating from university in 2007, establishment, Gittens was a wanted to become an engineer he was able to land a job with his poultry farmer and a quite because just after school I was newly acquired Engineering successful one at that. He told this always helping out the neighbours degree. publication that after he finished to build cabinets and I always found He had also received a land in high school, he was determined not myself doing things with my hands Linden but someone had opted to to stay at home and even considered whether it be mechanical, electrical build on his property which teaching. or joinery. I had a lot of skills after I resulted in him acquiring an Businessman and local engineer, Mr. Andrew Gittens with his two daughters share a light moment at the establishment’s poolside.
The balcony pool, one of the hotel’s feature attractions. alternative spot in Herstelling where the fruits of his engineering degree blossomed. FIRST STEPS TO BUILDING After recognising his plot of land was strategically located at a corner lot, the engineer said he began thinking of how he could capitalise on that. He was advised to invest in an apartment building and was determined to put his skills to work. He decided to build a hotel, starting off with just over a dozen rooms in the three-storey building. After designing the project, however, Gittens said he was faced with a few challenges. Firstly, he
approached the bank for a loan to start constructing his dream project, but was turned down. Determined to fulfill his dream, the engineer said he saved his earnings and started the project a few months later. “It started with me laying the foundation, putting up the beams and then eventually I moved up to getting everything else I needed,” he recalled. After proving himself and his dedication to the project to another lending institution, he was able to secure a loan to progress further on the building. Once the finances were Continued on page 67
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Sunday May 01, 2022
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>>>Young Entrepreneur on the Move<<<
‘The Lil Blondie Bakery’ …WHERE DELECTABLE TREATS ARE CREATED
By Allyiah Allicock As we continue to shed light on young entrepreneurs and small businesses in Guyana, today we turn our attention to ‘The Lil Blondie Bakery’, a business that has been stimulating the taste buds of many people since it was introduced. The Lil Blondie Bakery, which offers a variety of ‘blondies’ and sweet treats is one being pioneered by 23-year-old Chantal Jagoo. Jagoo is currently a final year student at the University of Guyana, majoring in Literature and Linguistics. In a recent interview with Kaieteur News, the young entrepreneur revealed that her bakery business was not one she had long envisaged but rather it was brought into being as a result of the pandemic –the pandemic made her decide to hone her passion for baking. “In the early months of the pandemic in 2020, when we were all in lockdown, I decided to get into baking. It was something that I already knew how to do, as I grew up around family members that baked, and it was something that I had always wanted to get into but I just never had the time,” she said. Jagoo added that when she made the decision to get into baking, one of the first treats she tried was baking blondies, since it was something new
she had heard about through a television young woman officially kick show. Blondies, according to her, are started her business venture in essentially white chocolate brownies. They January of last year. Since being in operation, do not contain cocoa powder. They instead have a rich white chocolate and vanilla the young woman said that the flavour, and because of this, it can be support for her business has enhanced in a number of different ways with been “really great.” But the addition of other items such as Oreos, although business has been M&Ms, various types of nuts and fruits, thriving, Jagoo said it has not peanut butter, and even alcohol. Following months of making blondies, she eurs are “Young entrepren tiveness decided to have some of nova her friends “test it out” at a testaments to the in are proof small gathering they had. hey “My friends loved them of young people. T n change ca and began to encourage me that young people to start selling oundaries.”
kb the game and brea
th em. They said that I would be providing something new and unique and that I would definitely attract customers. I was hesitant for a long time because I didn’t know anything about running a business and I lacked confidence in myself and in my abilities, but after a few months of encouragement, I finally decided to take the leap and open ‘The Lil Blondie Bakery’,” Jagoo shared. It was with that encouragement, the
bee n without challenges, some of which she is still trying to overcome. “Learning how to run a business has definitely been one of my biggest challenges as I have no prior experience or training. Marketing my products has also been a huge challenge as I have also had to learn how to market. Learning how to balance my studies alongside running my business has also been one of my biggest challenges. This has taught me a lot about managing my time and my schedule in order to both maintain good grades and to continuously put out high quality products,” she highlighted. Another big challenge she faces is that people do not know what her products are, since it is something new and as such she has trouble attracting a wider customer base. She noted that people tend to go for things they’re familiar with and as such her aim is to introduce as many people as possible to blondies. “I wouldn’t say that I have exactly overcome these challenges. Instead, it has been a gradual and continuous process of learning and adapting strategies and tactics to Some of her sweet treats and blondies.
Young entrepreneur Chantal Jagoo, owner of ‘The Lil Blondie Bakery’
become better. I have learned so much already and I know that there is still so much more to learn,” she added. When asked about her business goals, our featured entrepreneur disclosed that while she is still unsure as to whether she wants to open a physical space, she definitely wants her business to grow, especially in terms of its online presence. Jagoo, who noted that there is still a long way to go with her brand, is of the belief that “Young entrepreneurs are testaments to the innovativeness of young people. They are proof that young people can change the game and break boundaries.” She suggested that events which allow small businesses to showcase their products can be an excellent way to boost local small businesses. Also, she is of the view that government can direct more support to small businesses as a motivation factor, especially for young entrepreneurs.. For persons who would like to try Jagoo’s delectable blondies, contact can be made via Facebook @thelilblondiebakery a n d o n I n s t a g r a m @t he_lil_blondie_bakery.
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Guyana lacks labour force capacity to handle development - Economist
- says country needs at least 100,000 more workers By Renay Sambach
G
i v e n t h a t Guyana's oil resources has placed it among the top petroleum producers in the world, and the rapid rate at which the country's oil and gas sector has been accelerating, the country's lack of technical expertise continues to be a bugbear to local development. Despite Guyana's lack of expertise to handle the fast rate of development, the Government of Guyana recently gave American oil giant, ExxonMobil, the green light for the fourth project, the US$10B Yellowtail Development Project and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has been pushing for oil companies to go faster. In this regard, Richard Rambarran, an economist and executive member of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), recently said, “Even if we take all of the persons in Guyana who are unemployed, underemployed
and even those, the ones that we call in labour economics, disguised unemployed, we still do not have enough persons in this country to serve the productive growth sector or where we are intended to grow over the medium term.” Rambarran remarks were forthcoming while he was a guest on Kaieteur Radio's Guyana's Oil and You programme which focused on the topic, “Key mechanisms for maximizing our oil economy.” The economist was one of the key authors for the report titled, “Planning for Prosperity: Labour Migration and Guyana's Emerging Economy.” He revealed that part of his research has demonstrated that the greatest contributor from an economic modeling perspective is the people of the country and that it is factual that it is the people that drive the growth of a country. Rambarran explained, “Now it only serves as a
Executive member of GCCI and economist, Richard Rambarran.
logical extension that if you have a sector that would mammoth your economy in the form of the oil and gas sector, the financial capital that is being injected into that sector, only serves for the sector directly or for the supporting sector and you will need more persons.” To this end, he added that what he has recognised is that
the government needs to ensure that it is channelling the resources from Guyana's labour market into productive sectors and they also need to ensure that as many people as possible that can be employed, should be employed. He continued by stating that as many people as possible from the working
age population, should get into the productive sector even as he pointed out that it is also important for the improvement of the country's labour force participation rate. Rambarran highlighted that from the research, it was gathered that based on where Guyana is going in the medium term, the country will still require all of those persons who are u n e m p l o y e d , underemployed and disguised unemployed to enter into the labour market and in addition to that about 100,000 more persons will still be needed. “So we need everybody, everyone in this country to have a job, participate in the formal structure in the economy but also we need 100, 000 more people,” the economist said. According to him, the report also found that the country needs to improve its institutional capacity to handle migrant labour or to handle migrant workers, and the need to establish a labour
market centre. Moreover, Rambarran was asked if he believes that with the explosive development that is going to take place as a result of the oil and gas resources, and the time that it will take to bridge the educational gap because of how technical the sector is, if he believes Guyana will run the risk of having an expat manage the oil and gas sector. He responded, “Within a country's development firstly, they can never be absolute certainty on any particular point. I can never say with complete confidence or with 100 percent certainty that, that will not happen.” On April 4, last, Kaieteur News reported that during a discussion on the US$1.3B gas-to-shore project, Financial Analyst, Joel Bhagwandin, stated that despite Guyana being blessed with bountiful resources, what the country lacks is the critical human resources, which he (Continued on page 67)
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
1 patient now in COVID-19 ICU, 8 new cases
O
n Saturday, the Ministry of Health reported that one patient is in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) receiving treatment. The ministry via its latest dashboard revealed that within the last 24hours,
it has recorded eight new infections across the country, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 63,473. The new infections were detected in Region Six which recorded four cases while Regions Three and Four recorded two each.
A breakdown of the new cases shows that seven are males and one is a female. The dashboard data also shows that eight persons are in institutional quarantined while 101 are in home isolation. To date, a total of 62,143 persons have recovered.
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Labour Day Messages
PPP pays homage to workers PNC/R Leader says workers sustained hard work must be RESPECTED, given and indomitable spirit their fair share of the pie
Guyanese workers are our countrys most valuable asset and on the occasion of Labour Day, the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all of them throughout our dear land. The contributions of our workers to the advancement of Guyana and our collective, progressive future are invaluable and have been the bedrock of the struggles for betterment for all. Our Party salutes and commends them on this international day to recognise and pay homage to their sustained hard work and indomitable spirit. The PPP-led government takes the opportunity on this occasion to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our workers remain our foremost priority and continues to work assiduously to ensure that their lives and conditions of work continue to be improved. While our Party is aware that there is more to be done, it continues to take multi-faceted approaches to ensure the advancement of our workers welfare. Through continuous engagement, our Party ensures that their voices are heard and the feedback provided guides policy intervention in their best interest. The PPP, mindful of contemporary challenges facing our people and nation, commits to working, in consultation with
our workers, to advance meaningful interventions to improve their lives, as well as the lives of their families.T o date, in keeping with the Partys people-centred approach, since taking office in August 2020, the PPP/C Administration has already taken steps to remove burdensome taxes and fees, restore the education cash grant, provide other cash grants, create thousands of jobs, have restore opportunities that allow our workers to elevate their standard of living. Already, our people have benefited from thousands of online scholarships, training opportunities, and the implementation of various programmes and policies to improve the social and physical infrastructure of our nation. These are just part of the PPP/C governments thrust to better the lives of all of our workers. The immediate re-establishment of the Ministry of Labour upon taking office in August 2020, emphasises the value our Party and government place on our workers. Labour Day allows for our workers to rally in solidarity in celebration of their invaluable contributions to national development. Once again, our Party salutes them for their resoluteness and innovativeness in advancing our country. Best wishes on this day.
Fellow Guyanese, as we gather here, it is with great pleasure that as leader of both the PNC/R and the Opposition, that I join with you and the rest of the world to commemorate this International Labour/Workers Day.Today, as was specially identified, is the day to celebrate you, our workers as the creators and turners of the wheels of this economy and to recognize the efforts of your labour. From factory to factory, from field to field, from office to office, the labour of your hands has indeed transformed our country especially during the height of the pandemic and without a doubt kept us safe. It is a fact that without labour, there can be no prosperity or growth. As a philosopher once said, “Labour is what brings the difference in everything, so it’s evident that labour is the game changer of all progress.” That’s why today we celebrate with pride the
sacrifices and contributions made by our working class way back to the time of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the Father of Trade Unionism, who fought relentlessly, paving the way for the many benefits that are being enjoyed today. You would indeed recall the uncertainties and disruptions to our lives over the last eighteen or more months. Nonetheless, we are here a Strong, Dynamic and Resilient group of people who have continued to turn the wheels of production with the hope of being able to secure a better way of life for all peoples of this Great Land of ours.COVID, as you would know, has done us many w r o n g n a m e l y, d e a t h s amongst us and also caused everything to stop or to slow down. However, in your simple way you continued to display dedication, commitment and unwavered support while not even being given a moderate recognition. Rather, you were
locked out of your places of work, had salary cuts, were threatened with dismissal and left to ponder a path for survival. I must remind all that it was the APNU+AFC Government, who displayed care, concern and that deep commitment when we ordered the closure of all schools across the country. We also instituted curfews and a rotation system in many of the sectors as we sought to find ways and means of ensuring the safety of the working class in unprecedented times. In all of this, the Labour Movement and its members stood with resilience. Therefore, it is for reasons like these and displays of Love for the country that we take time off today to salute you the working class of this beautiful country. Yo u r s a c r i f i c e s a n d boldness must never be taken for granted; and you along with your leaders must be shown deep respect and (Continued on page 67)
Guyana is ideally positioned to be one of the preferred sources of oil over the next 30 years Dear Editor, Thank you for publishing my letter “US$150B, maybe more” on April 23, 2022. I have received several questions and I would like to respond to two of them. The first was: “Who will be using oil 30 years from now?” And the second was: “What happens to the US$150B?” The International Energy Agency in its “World Energy Outlook” of October 2021 projected that the world will be using 70 million barrels of oil per day in 2050. That number is about 30 million barrels per day less than what is currently used. The US Energy Information Agency states that because of population growth and economic growth, mainly in Asia, oil will still be the largest energy source worldwide in 2050 at
28% followed closely by surging renewables at 27%. I realize that these projections are not in keeping with the requirements of the Paris Accord but my question then is, how many of the major carbon emitters and polluters are even close to their Paris Accord targets currently? So, in answer to the questioner, the experts predict that the world will need around 70 million barrels of oil per day in 2050 to fuel its energy demand, in addition to all the renewable energy sources, mainly wind, solar and megabatteries, coming on stream between now and then. Guyana is ideally positioned to be one of the preferred sources of oil over the next 30 years because: its production is among the lowest cost; it is of top quality; close to major
markets; already has it production infrastructure in place; built cheaply during a low-cost cycle; relatively new with built-in efficiencies; buttressed by a strong, experienced, deep pocketed, major oil corporation with extensive market integration and lobbying penetration; tucked away offshore where oversight can be conveniently minimized; and heavily mitigated by Guyana’s status as a carbon sink, thanks to its vast rainforests. I believe that Guyana has a secure market for its oil production over the next thirty years. The second question: “What happens to the US$150B?” That obviously is best answered by those elected to govern Guyana and those who live there. But as a Guyanese-born
American citizen whose navel string was buried near the punt trench in Palmyra and one whose attachment to Guyana demonstrably preceded the oil discovery, I can tell you what I would like to see. Live, build, save and give. Those are the four categories on which I have modeled my personal finances and I would recommend the same rough parceling to the government of Guyana. In my Moray House talk in July 2019, I suggested the oil income be divided into four roughly equal baskets, yet allowing for changes in cash flow, situational demands, fiscal emergencies and other timing factors that might alter immediate priorities. That said, the four baskets are: (1) Live: Immediate improvements in
security, public safety, education starting with free tertiary education, health services, sanitation, e n v i r o n m e n t a l improvements, arts, sports and recreation; (2) Build: for longer term infrastructure projects such as highly equipped technical colleges, power generation, impoldering the coastal l a n d s f o r l a rg e s c a l e agriculture and aquaculture, establishing a half mile wide transportation corridor from the Brazilian border to the coast, a trans-shipment and free port, roads parallel to the coast about ten miles inland to redirect population growth and housing, offices and factories further inland; (3) Save: the establishment of a sovereign wealth fund to save and grow the fund for when the oil revenues decline; and (4) Give: to
distribute funds annually to Guyanese citizens living in Guyana in order to create an immediate linkage to and an appreciation of the direct personal benefits of this oil windfall and to reduce misgivings about inequities among beneficiaries.Editor, please allow me make a correction to a comment made by a critic. He stated that I ran an oil company in Texas. Close but not quite correct. I was chairman of the board of directors of a gas company for 17 years. Also, I was never in the same league as Exxon’s executives though a few were my patients when they were coming up the corporate ladder while doing a stint in the Permian Basin and I was a practising physician. Yours faithfully,Tulsi Dyal Singh, MD.
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
Iraqi police seize more than 6M Captagon amphetamine pills - Syria is the Middle Easts main producer of the drug Captagon and Saudi Arabia is the main consumer market.
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Knife bandits in car rob teacher at Tuschen - man in custody
A
(Aljazeera) - Iraqi security forces seized more than six million pills of the amphetamine-type stimulant Captagon, making several arrests and breaking up a drug trafficking ring. “Around 6.2 million pills” were uncovered in a warehouse in the southwest of the capital, Baghdad, the national security agency said in a statement on Saturday. Three Iraqi nationals and four suspects from other Arab countries were arrested in connection with the trafficking network, the agency said, adding that the drugs were destined for distribution “in areas of Baghdad and other provinces”.Security forces also broke up a second drug ring when three men were arrested with six kilogrammes (13 pounds) of
hashish.All 10 suspects “admitted to links with international drug trafficking networks”, the agency said. Drug trafficking convictions can be punishable by the death penalty in Iraq. Captagon was the trade name of a drug initially patented in Germany in the early 1960s that contained an amphetamine-type stimulant called fenethylline used to treat attention deficit and narcolepsy among other conditions. The drug was later banned and became an illicit substance almost exclusively produced and consumed in the Middle East and is close to what is known in other countries as “speed”. Syria is the Middle Easts main Captagon producer and
Saudi Arabia the main consumer market. In April 2021, Saudi customs authorities in Jeddah port foiled an attempt to smuggle in more than 5.3 million Captagon pills, which were hidden in pomegranate shipments from Lebanon.The drug bust led Saudi Arabia to suspend fruit and vegetable imports from Lebanon, saying shipments were being used for drug smuggling and accused Beirut of inaction. Then in June last year, Saudi Arabias customs foiled an attempt to smuggle more than 4.5 million Captagon pills hidden in a shipment of oranges from an undisclosed country and a further 14.4 million pills were discovered hidden in a shipment of iron plates from Lebanon.
PNC/R Leader says workers... From page 66 gratitude.This PPP Government must put its pride aside and begin the process of reaching out to the leaders to begin the process of Collective Bargaining. They must be cognisant that workers rights are human rights and that each worker must be treated equally. Our women and men who serve in every sector must be
RESPECTED and given his/her fair share of the pie. Any government worth its salt would quickly seek to engage its lab o u r l e a d e r s and put into action the labour conventions that have been signed on to and display s o m e c i v i c r e s p o n s i b i l i t y. F i n a l ly, I wish to thank every worker for their
unwavering dedication, love and commitment to this country and to say that as a result of your being steadfast and resolute we can achieve much. So today, as we celebrate you, we do so with pride and a deep sense of commitment, knowing that you are worth CELEBRATING. Happy Labour Day! Solidarity Forever!
Street drummer on a mission to... From page 20 financial support and his family's economic situation. He was eventually forced to move to neighbouring Suriname. “Although I had to work and was no longer drumming professionally, I still found time to practice,” Agar related. In Suriname, he struck up a relationship and soon after became a father but his love life did not last and some 15 years ago he returned to Guyana. Restarting his life was
not easy. He had no home and it was a struggle to fend for himself, but he did not give up playing his drums. Agar soon became captivated with street drummers in Georgetown and decided to join them but he still holds his dream close to his heart even as he drums to wake up the country. “I want to make a comeback, a big comeback; I am now trying to organise all the street drummers like myself to come together and start a revolution in Guyana,” said Agar.
This revolution, according to Agar, is a cultural revolution because, in his view, there has not been much investment and support for musical talent in the country. Because of this, he said that many youths are forgetting their culture and hiding their talents. Apart from drumming for a cause, Agar also wants to impart his knowledge and skills to the upcoming generation so they too can continue to “wake up” their fellow countrymen when he is gone.
2 0 - y e a r- o l d teacher was on Friday robbed by knife bandits who pulled up beside her in a car while she was walking towards her home located at Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE). The woman Chrisann Alleyne, according to police, was attacked by the bandits around 12:45hrs. They reportedly stole her iPhone, laptop and gold
chain along with a Samsung J2 cellular phone and $30,000 in cash. Alleyne recalled walking along Greenman's Street in Tuschen when a black heavily tinted car bearing licence plate PSS 3220 pulled up and stopped next to her. A man armed with a knife reportedly stepped out of the passenger seat and attacked her. Alleyne said that after he stole the items from her, she
followed him back to the car, begging him to return her belongings but he ignored, entered the car and it sped off. Region Three police have since been successful in locating the car. Ranks had spotted it being driven by a 27-year-old man of Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD). They have since arrested him and impounded the car. Investigations are ongoing.
Andrew Gittens share his... From page 62 flowing, the engineer was faced with yet another issue. “I wanted everything to be perfect, so because I was working and couldn't be on the ground to ensure the guys were doing everything the way I wanted them to, a lot of times we ended up redoing some of the work and so it took extra time and materials and so on,” he said. The construction of Shades of Gray took about six years. Even though it is fully opened to the public now, Gittens said there is still much more he would like to do. FACILITIES AVAILABLE Shades of Gray is the ideal hide out spot for friends or family members looking to get together for a truly memorable time. That is not to say that couples aren't invited! In fact, the hotel caters to the needs of every customer. Gittens said his rooms start from around $12,000 and customers can choose from a standard, queen or king size room. In addition, there is also a special room for groups that includes a kitchenette and extra beds. All customers are treated to free breakfast and access to
the balcony pool. “It's one of the coolest features and I don't think there is any indoor pool anywhere else in the country. It's a major attraction too, because our customers seem to love having access to a pool just a few steps from their rooms,” the businessman noted. Guests can also request decorated rooms for birthdays and other celebrations at an additional cost. The hotel also has a club and bar for added entertainment but the hotel owner is seeking to add more facilities as his business continues to grow. ADVICE FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS In any business venture, one common factor would always be present – challenges, but like this element, a critical ingredient to success is remaining focused. Gittens said it is key for a young person or anyone seeking to get into business to first of all do their homework. “Do your research, educate yourself and know what you are getting into and what to expect. This would help you
to prepare for the pros and cons,” he said while adding, “you must keep focused and put in the work. It's a lot of work, focused work so you must have a good mindset, you have to believe in yourself because there will be a lot of distractions that can throw you off your vision.” SUPPORT AND BALANCE Andrew Gittens, a humble professional today enjoys unwinding after a long day's work at his hotel. He said after years of working, he developed his management skills so there is a smooth momentum for him. “I would have to stop by the hotel after work to check in and make sure that if any issues pop up, I deal with them, but it's just faith that is needed for that first bold step. As long as it gets going, you can look back at the progress you have made and smile.” With two beautiful daughters of his own today, Gittens still enjoys spending time with his extended family. He said he feels fortunate to have always had his family by his side to support him through every new endeavour.
Guyana lacks labour force... From page 64 highlighted is a deterrent to the country's development. According to him, one reason for Guyana not having people resources is due to political instability. “People fled, people fled because
of the lack of opportunities,” he pointed out. Bhagwandin then added, “So to validate this argument that I am putting forward here, if you look at our last labour force survey, less than five percent of our labour force has an education at the tertiary level.”
Minister Ramson announces... From page 60 Vice-Chairman, Reon Peters, and the Regional Executive Officer, Genevieve Blackman, discussed and decided on the important projects to be executed with the
allocation. Minister Ramson also explained to everyone the procurement process along with his expectation that work will commence within two months.
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Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
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Kaieteur News
$28M estimated to reconstruct Haslington Nursery School The Ministry of Local vealed during last weeks Government and Regional opening of tenders at the NaDevelopment through the tional P r o c u r e m e n t a n d Regional Democratic Council Te n d e r A d m i n i s t r a t i o n of Region Four is planning to Board (NPTAB) office. rebuild the Haslington Nurs- K a i e t e u r N e w s u n d e r ery School at an estimated stands that this project will cost of $28 million. form part of the $6.6 billion This information was re- which has been dedicated Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Construction of Education office at Oronoque, Port Kaituma, Mabaruma
towards the construction, tion of North Ruimveldt rehabilitation, extension, and North West Secondand maintenance of educa- ary Schools, which were tional facilities. both destroyed by fire last The money is to also fa- year. cilitate the commencement Further, the money will go of the construction of the towards the construction of Prospect S e c o n d a r y nursery schools at Hydronie, School, and the reconstruc- Haslington and Vryheid Lust Provision of security services
and primary schools at Bamia, tated and maintained in 2022. Amelias Ward, Kaikan, Meanwhile, bids were also Karabairu, Zeelugt and opened for the construction Oronoque. Also the Kato and of a female dormitory in the Linden Technical Institute Aishalton, Region Nine and dormitories will be completed an education office in in addition to a number of Oronoque, Region One. schools and educational faBelow are the companies cilities that will be rehabili- and their bids: Supply and delivery of dietary supplies for Kuru Kuru Primary School.
Rehabilitation/extension of Aishalton female dormitory building, Deep South Region Nine.
Re-construction of Haslington Nursery School
Ministry of Education Supply and delivery of dietary supplies at the Dora Secondary School
Procurement of security services for school in Georgetown.
Guyana Energy Agency Procurement of EPC contracts for 1.5MW Kumu and 0.7MW Moco Moco Hydropower plants in two lots.
Supply and delivery of one electric vehicle for the GEA
(Continued on page 70)
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
VACANCY Grade 2 Teachers,Secretary & Security Guards. Contact:6 49-8174.
$28M estimated... From page 70
PENPAL
FOR RENT 2 bedroom apartment for rent.Call on whatsapp only 518-709-2667. VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956. Ford Explorer Sports track & Land Rover Discovery. Excellent condition off road vehicles.Tel:615-8683/6180724. White Toyota Verossa PLL Series,price 1.5Mil.Call:6086948. 1 Model M Truck,TM Truck,428 Caterpillar Backhoe,416 Caterpillar,Front end loader,Cement Mixer & Mini Excavator.Contact:650-0402/ 652-0251.
One,Two,Three bedroom apartment furnish & unfurnish in Providence, Diamond, New Road, Vreeden-hoop.604-6664, 6826238,216-2299. 1 fully furnished two bedroom apartment in South Turk eyen,AC,wifi,hot & cold shower $80,000.Call:6618958. Bobby’s Reality,good for business–4.018 acres of prime land in New Amster dam, Berbice. Reduce Price. Call 679-2497. Large Property with Huge Concrete Bond, Prime Location Cumberland, Canje. Ideal for Business. Sale or rent. Reduce Price.Call 679-2497. M&T Realty(Vlissengen/ Durban):Furnished apartments(for visitors) US$600-1000 p/m.Tel:6976421/225-0431/687-8716.
SERVICES Visa Application: U.S.A, Canada & UK; Graphics design,Advertisements, Wedding decorations & Elderly grooming: Hair,Nail etc.Tel:626-7040. Installation, Repairs and parts for AC,Fridge, Washing machine, Stove etc.Call Nick#656-0110/630-1600. Relaxing Massage Service. Tel:674-8147.
FOR SALE 6-4 & 5 bedroom house at Schoonord,1-3 story building at Zeelugt public road,13 bedroom house at Blankenburg.Contact:6500402/652-0251. Prime business spot (1/2 acre)@ Parika,9 houselots together at Blankenburg & Double lot at Tuschen. Contact:650-0402/652-0251.
PROPERTY FOR SALE Second Field South, West, Cummingslodge.Tel:6031278. Durban 29x80 2.7M,Norton 30M, Highway57acres, Friend ship E.C.D, Garden of Eden 25M an acre 100x100 12M. Call:231-7805/618-7483. 3 story Herstelling 80M neg,2 story Onderneeming W.B.D 16M neg. Contact: 6093777,641-3893,686-0522,6974557. 1-(2) story house 3 1/2 bedroom, 9st Cummings Lodge. Tel:622-8748/652-3158 negotiable. Saffon St bottom flat (business) or bond. Providence four apts fully furnished. Contact:Ray's Realty 6279685.
LAND FOR SALE
M&T Realty(Vlissengen/ Durban).Professional/Office/ Business(No food retailing) space.Tel:697-6421/2250431/687-8716.
Maid to cook and clean for East Bank area.Call:615-9132. One clerk for TSI Eccles office English & Math, grade 1 Washbay workers at Nandy or 2.Call:615-9132 or email Park.Tel:233-5227/682-1616. application to techserigy @yahoo.com. Experienced Taxi Driver & Minibus Driver at Princess Vacancy for 2 experienced Hotel(Princess Taxi Service). hairdresser.Location Grove Contact:616-5419/265-7075/ E.B.D,Tel:652-5800. 265-7076. Male able bodied clerk. Tel:231-2029,616-5954.
WANTED
Labourers,Skilled Carpenters & Masons to work in Georgetown & Linden. Contact:660-6385/615-7526/6029496.
Procurement of security services for 20 locations Lot 1 to 5.
Maid to work from 8:30hrs to 16:30hrs.Contact:649-9359. 1 experience Roti/Puri/Pastry Maker,Cook & Kitchen Assistance,between 5:306pm.Tel:603-1278. Motor Lorry drivers needed and Porters. Tel:627-1835/ 626-4691.
Cases of Hand Sanitizer For Sale: 250ml at $250 While Supplies Last. Call 650-5626.
FOR RENT
Servicemen for Interior location. Applicants must be exMale seek non racial female. perienced. Call:231-2250. Must be single.Whatsapp Fitter Machinist,Welder fab698-6391. ricator & mechanic. 3 yrs experience.Call:642-9823 email:techserigy @yahoo. com.
Furnish house and land for sale on Ferry Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice.Call 6792497. Excellent location. Commercial/Residential Alberttown 185x39 close to everything. Email: serious offers and enquiries to Alberttownsale @gmail. com.
One maid to work in G/ Town.Must be vaccinated. Tel:226-2322 or 682-3300. One handyman to maintain yard & do errands,must be vaccinated.Tel:226-2322. One Housekeeper.Must be able to cook,45-60 yrs old. Must be living E.B.D. One handyman/store help, 6954785/265-3541. Housekeepers to work at Guest House age 20-45,shift system.Tel:225-6337/6680306/655-7405.
VACANCY A Machinist.Contact:6146854. Lash,Nail Technician & Mani-Pedicurist.Must be English literate. Contact: Reign L.A.B on 643-5855. One able body Porter, Handyman,age 20-35yrs. Must be vaccinated photo & recommendation. Keyfood McDoom Village. Female Cleaner for office. Call:642-9823. 2 Sewing machine operators,1 floor girl.Call:622-4386. One Housekeeper.Tel:6082444/503-0359. One Office Cleaner.Tel:6082444/503-0359. 1 Real Estate Agent and 1 Maid.Call:231-7805/618-7483.
To be continued in next edition
Kaieteur M@ilbox Move the turtle - An Appreciation... From page 5 bleeding edge of technology. As the main tertiary educational institution in Guyana, UG has a long list of issues to resolve: the less than ideal accreditation internationally, poor equipment and facilities, and largely outdated administrative and academic policies, to name a few.
Dispute this, my fellow UG alumni and I have an overwhelming consensus: through their passion, dedication, and proficiency in their respective subject areas, the professors at UG have inspired and equipped us to be pioneers in our respective fields. Best, Clifford Cheefoon
Sunday May 01, 2022
Kaieteur News
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Local stakeholders proposed 70 questions for IRI Poll Resident Programme Director, Dorota Ryzy at the podium during Saturday's work shop.
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Sunday May 01, 2022
Sunday May 01, 2022
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Magnum Independence Cup IPL 2022: MI squeeze past... has Labour Day matches The National Park Tarmac on Thomas Lands will be a hive of activity this evening when the fourth group stage round in the Magnum Independence Cup resumes with seven matchups. In the opening match, Festival City will engage Belfield at 19:00hrs, while Stabroek Ballers lock horns with Ansa McAl from 19:30hrs, and Future Stars tackle Agricola at 20:00hrs. In the fourth engagement, Leopold Street battles Showstoppers from 20:30hrs, while Bent Street takes aim at Vene Stars at 21:00hrs, and Tiger Bay opposes North East La Penitence from 21:30hrs. In the final encounter, Sparta Boss opposes Avocado Ballers at 22:00hrs.
Tournament coordinator Edison Jefford during brief remarks thanked the teams, sponsors, and spectators for their continued contribution towards making the tournament a reality, adding that the overall experience of the event will improve, as the event enters the knockout phase. He added that the competition has been incident-free to date, which illustrates the maturity and overall discipline of the teams and their fans, adding that the organizing committee will continue to implore all participants to conduct the game in a respectable and sportsmanlike manner. The winner of the event will pocket $700,000, and the championship trophy, with the runner-up walking away
with $400,000 and the corresponding accolade. On the other hand, the third and fourth place finishers will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. The other sponsors of the event are MVP Sport, Nigel Hind Financial Services, Andrews Supermarket, Bold Expressions Barbershop, Fireside Grill ‘N’ Chill, Star Party Rentals, and Lucozade. Match Day 5 - Group Stage Agricola vs Vene Stars Melanie vs Mocha BV vs Albouystown Alexander Village vs East Front Road Back Circle vs Sophia Gold is Money vs Road Warriors Bent St vs Future Stars
Sunday May 01, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) How focused you are, Aries! You're so calm and collected. Of course, the mood is especially hospitable to sobriety, reasonableness, and hard work.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Are you getting hit with obstacles, Libra? Could it be that you simply need to allot yourself more time to complete the monumental tasks you take on.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) Today, Taurus, you can at last express the secrets that have been troubling you. You may be seething with anger inside and afraid to let it show for fear it may explode on contact.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Are you having some problems with authority, Scorpio? Are you having a hard time making yourself understood. . SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) Yes, Sagittarius, your projects have taken some time to get set up. This is because you haven't been concentrating hard enough. You are doing several things at once.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Your mind is in great turmoil right now, Gemini, so it isn't surprising that you can't pay much attention to anything. CANCER (June 21–July 22) The day will be fairly quiet for you, Cancer. You're likely to yoke yourself to a task and continue working on it until evening. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You should use the day to ponder your professional future, Leo. Many forces seem to be working together to clarify your ideas on the subject. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Today is no time for dreaming, Virgo! Quite the contrary. You can expect to have to settle a number of minor technical problems involving communications or transmissions.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) You don't have to create everything alone, Capricorn. Life isn't an individual sport. To live life fully, you must participate. Often this involves interacting with other people. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) When we have found our path, we naturally want to start to walk down it, Aquarius. The reverse isn't true despite what you seem to believe. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) The astral energy is encouraging you to open up more to your world, culture, and ways of thinking, Pisces. You don't have to go off alone in the desert to reinvent everything.1
From page 74 dropped at backward-point in the third over. Hrithik Shokeen provided the breakthrough for Mumbai Indians after Padikkal was caught by Pollard at long-off. RR were 40-1 at the end of powerplay after Buttler added two fours. Sanju Samson immediately got into the act with two sixes. However, the RR skipper failed to clear the ropes again after being caught at
deep point as Kumar Kartikeya scalped his first wicket. RR were 73-2 at the 10over mark as Buttler was joined by Daryl Mitchell. The duo kept the runs ticking and added 37 runs for the next wicket.Daniel Sams put an end to the partnership after Mitchell was caught at covers. Buttler reached his halfcentury after hammering four sixes in a row against Shokeen but the spinner managed to
dismiss the RR opener on the final delivery. Ravi Ashwin, who was the next batter in, played a valuable cameo by adding 3 fours and 1 six before the all-rounder was caught behind in the final over. Brief Scores: Mumbai Indians 161/5 (Suryakumar Yadav 51, Tilak Varma 35; Ravichandran Ashwin 1-21) beat Rajasthan Royals 158/6 (Jos Buttler 67, Ravichandran Ashwin 21; Riley Meredith 224) by 5 wickets.
Celebrations for First Major WBC... From page 75 Carnival and boxing to millions of viewers worldwide. This has set the foundation on which a strong boxing program, as desired by President Ali and Minister Ramson can now be built.” Through the joint collaboration between Nexgen Global Marketing, Elton Dharry Promotions, Jack Bharat and the Guyana Boxing Board of
Control, with full support from the government and the WBC, boxing is not only back in Guyana but it looks like it’s on the way to becoming a major sports tourism program. Peter Abdool stated, “We have the ability to bring ma-
jor fights to Guyana and with this event showing we have the ability to put on the best show, there is no reason why boxing cannot be a major tourism product and bring international attention and visitors here.”
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Annual Mayor’s Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village KO Football…
All questions will be answered at today’s Grand Finale The stage is set for exciting quarterfinal, semifinal and the grand finale in the Annual Mayor’s Cup 9-a-side Inter Ward/Village Knockout Football tournament at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) Ground today. The quarterfinal places were fixed following play at Den Amstel last Sunday and the eight remaining teams will hunt for spots in the final four where they are guaranteed a cash prize. All questions will be answered today after football fans had been touting their favourite team as the one to cart off the main prize, the Mid Atlantic Oil and Gas Company sponsored $600,000 and Mayor’s Cup. Play opens at 6:00pm today with quarterfinal action which will see Bourda All Stars against Den Amstel, be followed by Tucville facing West Side Spartan, then
Sparta Boss tangle with Friendship Front and Diamond battle Haslington. The winners will be the four teams in the lucrative money round. Fans are leaning towards Sparta Boss and Diamond to not only advance to the final but win the tournament. However, all the teams are in with a fair chance to make it to the final four and also more importantly lift the crown. The two favoured teams boost several know contenders in their lineup, hence the fans predicting their triumph. Sparta Boss will feature the likes of Gregory Richardson, Kelsey Benjamin, Eusi Phillips, Job Caesar, Ryan Hackett, Jeremy Garnett, Nicholas McArthur, Jermaine Junor and Devon Charles, all battle hardened players with the ability to win for their team. The powerful Diamond possesses the talent of
Delon Lanferman
Trayon Bobb
Pernell Schultz, Shameer Fraser, Jahal Greaves, Daniel Wilson, Jamal Booker, Neville Gulliver, Kevron Assaye, Jerome Harrington, Stephon Dolphin and Jermaine Castello. While the two favourites are getting the attention of the fans and pundits, the diehard supporters and some knowledgeable ones are not ruling out upsets on the night. Bourda All Stars will feature Lennox Cort, Raphael Edwards, Kevin Baptiste and Daniel Ross with their opponents Den Amstel depending
on Leo Lovell, Kevin Dundas, Rondell Hutson, Gavin Graham and Andra Hector. Tucville will look to Delon Sue, Antonio McArthur, Shevy Dover, Jaheel Hamilton and Regan Lewis to see them past West Side Spartans who have Trayon Bobb, Delon Lanferman, Jamaal Harvey, Dwayne Wilson, Kevin Fraser, Kevin Duke and Keon Duke to carry their fight. Friendship Front who will play Sparta Boss will look to Kevon Barnwell, Damion Thomas, Okemi Edwards,
IPL 2022: MI squeeze past RR for first win of the season
(IPL) - The Mumbai Indians (MI) won their first game of the season in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 after registering a victory against Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 5 wickets on Saturday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma led the charge with the bat and rescued MI out of trouble as they successfully chased down the target of 159. Chasing 159, MI were 22/ 0 in two overs before skipper Rohit Sharma’s top-edge was caught by Daryl Mitchell, off Ravi Ashwin’s bowling. Ishan Kishan put pressure on the bowlers with his aggressive blows but the opener mistimed a pull-shot, which was caught by Samson. MI were 41-2 at the end of 6 overs. Suryakumar Yadav counter-attacked and struck three fours to get going. Tilak Varma was also off the mark with a six straight down the ground. RR kept things tight with the ball in the next three overs, which produced only 14 runs. MI were 75-2 at the 10-over mark. The fifty partnership was up for the third wicket and MI were on track to chase down the target. Suryakumar Yadav notched his half-century in style with a six in the 14th
Daniel Sams and Tim David embrace as Mumbai Indians finally got their winning counter running (BCCI)
over. RR scalped two quick wickets to bounce back in the game. Both – Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma holed out to the deep against Chahal and Krishna’s bowling respectively. Tim David struck two crucial fours against Kuldeep Sen as the equation was down to a run-a-ball 12. With MI requiring 4 off 6, Kuldeep Sen
kept RR’s hopes alive after Pollard was caught in the outfield. However, Daniel Sams wrapped the chase with a six and MI won the contest with four balls to spare. Earlier, RR, who were put in to bat first, remained unchanged from their previous game.Devdutt Padikkal was on the move with three fours before the opener was (Continued on page 73)
Desford Dennis, Delon Wrights, Tiquan Taylor and Orami Edwards to find and upset. Haslington who tangle with Diamond will bank on Deron Skeete, Ryan Harris, Anton Peters, Mark Luckhoo and Dexroy Sam. The 2022 edition of the Mayor’s Cup is in honour of current Mayor of Georgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine. Coordinator Lennox Arthur has expressed immense gratitude to the sponsors for their help and they i n c l u d e : I PA , D D L , Maggie’s, Digicel, Johil, John Fernandes, General Equipment, Busta, GTT, Namilco, Macorp, New Thriving, Sattar Gafoor, B. Megan, Pritipaul Singh, Ready Mix, Eddie Bobcat, Silvie’s, Caribbean Containers, E Networks, Super Bet, Cummings Electrical, China Trading, Dave Lumber yard, Schlumberger, Maggie’s, Pure Diamond, Gold Target
Exports and CIDI. The teams are battling for attractive prize money and the respective trophies with a first prize of $600,000, second prize $300,000, third $200,000 and fourth $100,000 on offer. The rules governing the tournament includes the no offside rule and teams are allowed five substitutions. The games are of two 20-minute halves for a 40minute duration. The tournament is a straight knockout one with no extra time being played. A tie at the end of regulation would result in the teams dueling in the dreaded sudden death penalty shootout. All other FIFA rules apply and the Referee is the sole authority of these games. Teams showing up late beyond a reasonable time determined by the organisers will be disqualified and their game forfeited via the walkover route.
Assassins Captain confident of successful Dassie 10-10 title defense Captain Riaz Kadir has expressed confidence of Assassins winning this year’s Dassie and Friends Production 10-10 knockout RoundArm softball one-day extravaganza on Saturday, May 21st at Keele Top facility, North York, Toronto. According to Kadir, the team is in preparation for the tournament which will be played in memory of Johnny Bujan, the second edition. Assassins claimed a comprehensive victory over Challengers last year at the aforementioned venue and Kadir stated that they are coming with the same level of motivation. “I [am] confident of winning the competition again; I know it would be competitive knowing other teams coming out to win too but we are eager to make an impression again,” Kadir, a flamboyant right-handed batsman, declared. Eight teams are set to vie for monetary prizes in what should be some fascinating encounters. Bujan died in 2016 at the age of 48 owing to a vehicular accident in Trinidad and Tobago. He was a former Canada Cricket Manager and co-owner of Brampton Masters Cricket Club that won several champions in the annual Toronto and District Cricket Association competitions. Kadir continued to say
Damodar Daesrath
the guys played with great excitement last year but remembering Bujan was very saddened. He reckoned that once his players compete to be best of their abilities, they are bound to repeat the success. “It is about smart cricket; we might have few changes as some players going switch to other teams but I am still optimistic that we can be the victorious side on May 21st,” Kadir, the Berbician, related. Reflected on what would have transpired in 2021, Kadir said the team performed outstandingly well throughout the day and demonstrated their strength in every department. He is predicting the same commitment. In the final which was reduced to a six-over contest due to rain, Assassins surpassed Challengers’ moderate
58-2. Pugnacious left-handed batsman Avish Rukhram led the way with dashing an unbeaten 53. Meanwhile, organizer Damodar Daesrath also notified that the stage is set for the one-day event. He is also confident of seeing an eventful day and thanks the teams in advance for their participation. The winning side will collect Cds $2,000 and a trophy, while the losing finalist will take home Cds $500 and a trophy as well. Daesrath, a former Guyana first-class Captain and who also represented Canada at the highest level, stated that his gratitude goes out to the two main sponsors for the day and they are: ALARM TECHZ and KP Employment Solutions INC. The action is slated to bowl off at 09:30 am.
Sunday May 01, 2022
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BCB/ Brian Ramphal 2022 Awards Ceremony…
Campbelle, Shepherd cops main awards West Indies players Romario Shepherd and Shemaine Campbelle on Sunday last copped the Male and Female Cricketer of the Year Awards, respectively, when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) held its annual Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony at the St. Francis Community Developers. The West Indies duo along with fellow West Indies players Veersammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Isai Thorne, Kevin Sinclair, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi were among the main awardees at the impressive awards ceremony which saw a large turnout of players, cricket officials and parents. The audience included Member of Parliament Faizul Jafarally and test legends Dr. Desmond Haynes, Sir Andy Roberts, Jimmy Adams and Roland Butcher. The gala ceremony included special musical performance from the Cofona Musical Band of New Amsterdam, which had the crowded hall rocking to songs like ‘Rally round the West Indies’ and ‘We are the Champions’. BCB President Hilbert Foster provided a comprehensive report of the overall history of the board which was founded in 1939 with the main objective of promoting the game in the Ancient County. The Board over the years has produced a total of nineteen test players and numerous others for the West Indies at the junior, 20/20, ODI and female levels. Foster stated that despite the Covid pandemic, the BCB was able to complete over twenty tournaments including several one-day grassroot tournaments.
All BCB awardees together with their accolades. Among the other programmes completed in an impressive calendar of activities were the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme, historic coaching manual, Youth Information Booklets, coaching skills, educational grants, University of Guyana scholarship and the distribution of gears, schoolbags and bicycles to players. Other projects included distribution of grass cutters, catching cribs, while the BCB also purchased five cricket pitch covers for distribution across the county. Cricket clubs also benefitted from donation of cricket balls, scorebooks and stumps. The BCB also provided financial grants to three sub associations and the Berbice Umpire Association. Among other programmes hosted were Tribute to Retired Cricketers, Tribute to Umpires, Tribute to CSEC Students, Mother of the Year, Father of the Year, Four Social Skill Seminars, Four Mini Cricket Academies and a Pictorial review magazine. Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally congratulated
the BCB for being a very progressive cricket board and for leading the way in cricket development in the country. The BCB during the ceremony honoured eleven outstanding cricket administrators and presented gears to eight cricket clubs with youth section under its Cricket Kindness Project. The clubs were Achievers, Cotton Tree, Guymine, Mt. Sinai, Rose Hall Canje, Radha Krishna, Scottsburg and Skeldon. The BCB also launched a county wide second division tournament with Dave West Indian Imports of New York. Five persons also received the BCB highest awards- The Tribute to Heroes. CWI Director of Cricket, Jimmy Adams gave the feature address in the absence of CWI President Ricky Skerritt, who was unable to attend due to overseas travel to India. Adams provided his audience with a comprehensive report of CWI developmental plans. The former West Indies Captain also congratulated the Berbice Board on its investment in education and
Shemaine Campbelle receiving the Female Cricketer of the Year in the presence of Sir Andy Roberts, Roland Butcher, Jimmy Adams an Dr. Desmond Haynes. urged the youths to grab the opportunities been presented to them. The Awardees of the Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony 2022 are: § BCB Most Promising Male Youth- Rampertab Ramnauth. § BCB Most Promising Female Youth- Jaimee Campbell. § Best Emerging Youth Male- Adrian Hetmyer § Best Emerging Youth Female- Trisha Hardat § Most Discipline Player- Christopher Deeroop § Most Co-operative
Player- Ashmini Munisar § Role Model ClubAlbion § Role Model ClubPort Mourant § Most Improved Clubs- Rose Hall Canje, Cotton Tree Cricket Club and Port Mourant Cricket Club Club of the Year Award § West Berbice- D’ Edward Cricket Club § Upper CorentyneNo. 72 Cut and Load § Lower CorentyneRHTYSC § NA/ Canje- Rose Hall Canje Other awardees
§ Coach of the YearWinston Smith § Umpire of the YearIngram Johnson § International Players - Isai Thorne, Veersammy Permaul, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Shimron Hetmyer and Kevin Sinclair § Officials - Roshan Gaffor, Jaipaul Heeralall, Julian Moore, Leslie Soloman, Vemen Walters, Sydney Jackman, Dennis D’Andrade, Omarnauth Outar, Ravindranauth Kissonlall, Keith Hicks.
Celebrations for First Major WBC Championship won on Guyanese soil By Sean Devers Honourable Speaker Manzoor Nadir hosted a victory celebration at Everest Cricket Club on Monday for Elton Dharry, the sponsors and supporters for the recently stage Guyana Fight Night-Road to Redemption. “We were there at the beginning of this journey and it is only fitting that Everest Cricket Club be there at the end to celebrate this incredible achievement by our son of the soil Elton Dharry,” Nadir stated. Jack Bharat thanked the overseas sponsors: SleepIn Hotel, Shareef General Hospital, Dave West Indian Imports, Bradley Mechanical Corp, MBBF Founda-
tion, Skyport Homes, Pinegrove Inn Restaurant, NY Security & Communication, Georgetown Abstract, Gemini’s Lounge & Restaurant, New Apple Funding, Jaleel Adam, Steve’s Jewelry, Excalibur Capital, AGT Energy, SA Seafoods, D Ross Express, Yulini’s Travel Agency and Amerigroup Properties. Hussain praised and thanked local sponsors: the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Comfort Sleep, Samtronix, Morgan’s Investment, Hand in Hand Insurance, Unique Electrical, Caribbean Motor Spares, HRTM Consulting, ReMax Realty, Darthan Investments, Turbo
Energy Drink, Banks DIH, Demerara Distillers Ltd (DDL), Sheriff Medical, Sheriff Security, Party Castle, New Thriving Restaurant, Bistro, Giftland OfficeMax, Puran Bros and Nexgen Golf Academy for their support. Minister Ramson and members of the government were on hand to congratulate the new Champion and renewed the government’s commitment and support of boxing by President Ali and the senior cabinet, saying, “We will allocate $130M towards renovation of the Sports Hall and invest another $20M in gyms and equipment for boxing. We are extremely proud of this achievement by Elton, one
that proves to the world that no matter how hard you knock down a Guyanese, we will get back up and win!” Dharry is now eligible for a shot at the world title which is expected to be hosted right here in Guyana, especially after his incredible performance in front of thousands of Guyanese, including President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Minister of Sports Honourable Charles Ramson, Minister Todd, the High Commissioner of India, NSC Steve Ninvalle and many other top ranking diplomats and government officials who were in the National Stadium to witness him becoming the first man to win, on Guyana’s soil, the highest ranked WBC title!
And what a night it was...even Mother Nature showed that she loves boxing in Guyana, evident from the fact that despite being in midst of a rainy week, the showers held off until the final presentation was completed, with Dharry unanimously winning the WBC International Super Flyweight Title, staving off a fantastic 10th round rally by a tough Orlando Penalba. In an incredibly short 19 days, the event was pulled off by Nexgen Global Marketing, Elton Dharry Promotions and Jack Bharat Amerigroup Properties with Dharry focused on the fight card and Hussain and Bharat taking on the role of local and international pro-
moters. Bharat added, “It took a lot of effort and behind the scenes work to pull off an event of this magnitude. Elton focused on his main job, winning this fight to give him a shot at the world title here in Guyana, and Aleem and myself worked closely to ensure that we could produce a world class event and based on the outcome and feedback, we delivered!” According to Hussain, “Despite the short notice, we were able to fulfill our obligations and create a memorable event that was broadcast live, allowing us to promote Guyana, CPL, (Continued on page 73 )
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BCB/Dave West Indian Imports launches countywide 2nd Div Tournament - nearly 100 teams to participate The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in its ongoing effort to play cricket in every part of the Ancient County, joined hands with the Management of Dave West Indian Imports to launch a countywide second division 20/20 tournament on Saturday last. The launching was done during the BCB Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony at the St. Francis Community Training Centre. Cricketing legends Sir Andy Roberts, Dr. Desmond Haynes, Roland Butcher and Jimmy Adams were part of the historic launching. BCB President Hilbert Foster disclosed that managing Director of the company, Dave Narine late last year had approached him, expressing an interest in sponsoring a countywide tournament at the
Marriott Hotel. It was agreed that the company will sponsor a second division event. The tournament will be the first be played in five areas - Berbice River, New Amsterdam/ Canje, West Berbice, Lower/ Central Corentyne and Upper Corentyne. Teams in the five subassociations will play each other on a round robin basis and ending with a champion in each area. The five top teams will then square off in a special championship to produce an overall Berbice champion. Among the teams expected to play in the tournament includes D’ Edwards CC, Cotton Tree, Blairmont, Bath, Paradise and Achievers of the West Berbice while the favorites in the New Amsterdam/
Canje will be Rose Hall Canje, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, East Bank Blazers and Edinburgh. Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Port Mourant, Albion, Chesney, Rose Hall Tigers, Whim are all expected to dominate the Lower Corentyne area while Upper Corentyne Zone
Dave Narine presents sponsorship cheque to Neil Rudder and Dr. Cecil Barry in the Presence of Sir Andy Roberts, Jimmy Adams, Roland Butcher and Dr. Desmond Haynes
will include No. 72 Cut and Load, Dukestown, Skeldon, Crabwood Creek and No. 73 Young Warriors. The champion in each sub-association will receive a financial prize and champion trophy while the overall champion will take home $100,000. Foster expressed thanks to
Narine for reaching out to the BCB. Narine, stated that he was very impressed with the direction that Berbice Cricket was heading and as a Berbician, he wanted to play a part in the way forward. He stated that he was confident that new and promising talents will be unearthed
during the tournament. Narine, urged the teams to play in an orderly manner. BCB Assistant Treasure Neil Rudder and Vice President for Finance Dr. Cecil Beharry received the sponsorship cheque from Narine in the presence of the cricketing legends.
Guyana’s last World Malteenoes’ 6ixes Cricket Festival set for May 2 & 5 Champ wants to give-back to Guyana Flashback!!! Demerara Cricket Club won the title in 2019.
Guyanese Gary ‘Superman’ St. Clair has been the first and only Guyanese boxer to be placed in the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame. St. Clair’s recent visit to his home country was motivated by the overwhelming desire to better the lives of Guyanese Youths. St. Clair himself came from humble beginnings and has reflected on this for the past few years. It is his beginnings coupled with the memories of the great opportunities afforded to him through the boxing ring which led him to contemplate on how to aid Guyanese youth. St. Clair hopes not only to bring to Guyana his “SuperHero” Fight nights but also to build a gym in his hometown where interested youths will be able to train. The former IBO and IBF World Champion recently met with Guyana Boxing Board of Control President, Peter Abdool. He discussed his intentions to promote boxing in Guyana at a higher standard with the aid of GBBC and the Government of Guyana. St.Clair also expressed his vision to better Guyanese youth through boxing and fitness, which aligns with GBBC’s ultimate goal. (Sean Devers)
Ex Guyanese World Champion and Boxing Promoter Gary St Clair with his belts (3)
In 1902 a Bajan Tailor named Ferdinand Archer founded the Malteenoes Sports Club, now 120 years later, Deborah McNichols is the Club’s President and along with her members, she is determined to make difference to a club she called home since 2003. With funds badly needed to sustain cricket clubs, especially in the City, the annual 6ixes tournament was not held since 2019 when DCC won the title. All Roads lead to the MSC ground on May 2 and 5 as the Club, in collaboration with its Players Committee, presents the return of the an-
nual sixes ‘winner take all’ 10 team Knock out competition. Three team from Berbice and two from Essequibo will challenge DCC for the title and $300,000 in cash and prizes. The 6 overs tournament will have seven players each side and proceeds from the tournament will be used to develop various aspects of the club. Star Party Rentals, Jacobs Jewellery, Magic City, Atlantic Marines, Adolphus Mining Inc. are some major sponsors on board the fund raising event, while in addition to what should be exciting Cricket those in attendance
will be entertained by pulsating music with Food, drinks and Hookah. “Our biggest challenge to bringing back MSC to its best days is funding and a decreased membership, but I am confident that this executive, elected in the middle of the pandemic, will work to promote the club as somewhere people would want to join and spend their afternoons,” said the only female President of a club in the Caribbean which plays First Division cricket. Those desirous of supporting this Event can contact Kefa on 664-5035 or Marcus on 677-6003. (Sean Devers)
Sunday May 01, 2022
Harpy Eagles play first practice match from Monday - CWI Regional 1st Class season resumes May 18 in T&T After several training sessions, the Guyana Harpy Eagles will intensify preparations wit h t w o p r a c t i c e games before the squad’s departure being announced for their remaining three matches in the 2022 CWI Regional FourDay First Class cricket tournament inTrinidad and Tobago. The first practice game is scheduled for the Everest Ground on Monday with the second one set to commence on May 9. The sides for the practices matches will be led by National Captain Leon Johnson and his Vice-Captain Essequibian Keemo Paul. G u y a n a ’s winning streak of five consecutive titles was broken in the 2020 season by Barbados who held an unassailable lead when the truncated season was halted due to Covid-19 pandemic with two rounds remaining in March of the same year. Guyana began this season, where all the games were played in Trinidad, by beating the Windward Islands Volcanoes by one wicket before the next game which ended on February 17 with an innings and 57run defeat to the Leeward Islands Hurricanes. Guyana opposes defending Champions Barbados from May 18, before coming up against Jamaica on May 25 while they face-off with Trinidad and Tobago from June 1 at the Queen’s Park Oval. (Sean Devers)
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IPL 2022: Dominant Gujarat Titans remain atop David Miller and Rahul Tewatia were at it again guiding the chase for Titans (BCCI)
Leon Johnson Keemo Paul
WIPA expresses sympathies to Permaul and Family (SportsMax) - The West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) extends sympathies to West Indies spinner Veerasammy Permaul and his family. Way n m a t t i e ‘ D a t a l e y ’ P e r m a u l , Veerasammy’s mother, had been missing for seven days when her son made the report of such to the Guyanese authorities on Thursday, April 28. Upon searching her Berbice home, her body was found lifeless in a shallow grave. She was 52 years old. WIPA President and CEO, Wavell Hinds expressed, “The WIPA family extends condolences to Veerasammy Permaul and his family during this stressful time. We regret the untimely passing of his mother and hope he will find the strength and courage to continue his lifelong journey. May her soul rest in peace and light perpetually shine upon her.”
West Indies spinner Veersammy Permaul
(IPL) - The Gujarat Titans (GT) continued their winning run in the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 after registering a victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 6 wickets on Saturday at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. R a h u l Te w a t i a a n d David Miller once again displayed their finishing acumen with the bat for Gujarat Titans as they successfully chased down the target in the last over.Chasing a target of 171, GT openers – Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha started steadily with the bat with boundaries being scored from both ends. GT were 46-0 at the end of the powerplay. The fifty partnership was up for t h e o p e n i n g wicket before Hasaranga dismissed Saha in the 8th over after the opener was caught in the outfield. Gill whacked his first six of the innings before the opener was trapped LBW by Shahbaz Ahmed. GT were 77-2 at the halfway mark. Shahbaz scalped his second wicket after skipper Hardik Pandya was caught by Lomror in the deep. New batters – David Miller and Sai Sudharsan creamed a four each in the 12th over.
Subs t i t u t e wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat took a sharp catch behind the stumps to dismiss Sudharsan as Hasaranga claimed his second wicket. GT required 58 off the final five overs after Miller crunched a four and six each. Miller and Tewatia added three fours in the 16th over. 17 runs were conceded in the 18th over a s Te w a t i a a n d M i l l e r changed the momentum of the game. Tewatia hit the final ball of the penultimate over for six which brought the equation down to 7 off 6 deliveries. Tewatia hit the winning runs as GT chased down the target with three balls to spare. Earlier, RCB, who elected to bat first, made one change – Mahipal Lomror replaced Suyash Prabhudessai in the eleven. Virat Kohli was off the mark with two fours in the first over. Faf du Plessis, however was out without scoring as the RCB skipper was caught behind off Pradeep Sangwan’s bowling. Kohli continued to take on the GT bowling attack and added 3 more fours. Rajat Patidar struck t w o f o u r s a t t h e o t h er end and RCB were 43-1 at
the end of powerplay. The fifty partnership was up for the second wicket after Kohli and Patidar were dealing in boundaries. Kohli reached his halfcentury in the 13th over as RCB crossed the 100-run mark in the 13th over. Patidar reached his maiden IPL fifty before the batter was caught by Patidar as Sangwan claimed his second wicket. GT added further pressure after Kohli was bowled by Shami in the 17th over and Dinesh Karthik was caught off Rashid Khan’s bowling. Glenn Maxwell at the other end attacked aggressively and raced off to 33 off 18 after smashing three fours and two sixes. Ferguson brought an end to Maxwell’s innings after Rashid Khan took a sharp catch at extra cover. 15 runs were conceded in the final over after Mahipal Lomror smacked a six and four each before he was caught on the final delivery as RCB finished with a total of 170/6. Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 174/4 (Rahul Tewatia 43*, David Miller 39*; Shahbaz Ahmed 2-26) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 170/6 (Virat Kohli 58, Rajat Patidar 52; Pradeep Sangwan 2-19) by 6 wickets.
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Man City put four past Ancelotti completes ‘Grand Slam’ as Real win title Leeds to reclaim top spot Carlo Ancelotti has won 21 trophies in a 27-year managerial career (Reuters)
(BBC Sport) - Nathan Ake’s second-half goal ensured City retained the advantage in the Premier League title race Manchester City produced the perfect response to Premier League title rivals Liverpool by outclassing Leeds United to regain top spot. City needed the win after Liverpool had overtaken them earlier in the day with victory at Newcastle - and they produced a highly impressive display in Elland Road’s hothouse that also prolonged the relegation worries for Jesse Marsch’s side. The reigning Premier League champions went ahead in the 13th minute when Rodri glanced home Phil Foden’s free-kick and while Leeds were spirited, they barely tested visiting keeper Ederson until the game was lost. City doubled their advantage nine minutes after the break from another set-piece, Nathan Ake pouncing from close range when Foden’s corner was headed down by Ruben Dias.
Foden was City’s brilliant orchestrator and he was involved again when he set up the third for Gabriel Jesus with 12 minutes left, before Fernadinho added the fourth with virtually the last kick of the game. The win means City are a point ahead of Liverpool, with four games left for both teams. Liverpool – Momentary Leaders Liverpool kept themselves firmly in the fight for the quadruple as they overcame a spirited Newcastle to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp made five changes at St James’ Park, including leaving top scorer Mohamed Salah on the bench, after the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. It looked like it would backfire as in-form Newcastle started strongly, pressing Liverpool high and forcing them into a couple of early mistakes. But Liverpool grew into the game and were dominating possession when Naby Keita struck in the 19th
minute. The midfielder showed great composure as he dribbled across the box and past Martin Dubravka before slotting into the net. Sadio Mane should have made it 2-0 before the break when his shot on the counter was too close to Dubravka, who also made a fine save from a Diogo Jota header. The Newcastle fans, who were aggrieved that play continued in the lead-up to Liverpool’s goal because Fabian Schar was down injured, thought Miguel Almiron had equalised after rounding Alisson, only for the effort was ruled out for offside. The hosts also made a lively start to the second half, although Liverpool went closest to adding a second with Mane shooting wide from close range before Jota’s shot was pushed over. It was not a vintage Liverpool display, but they got the job done and they are second, one point behind Manchester City, who won at Leeds later on Saturday to reclaim top spot after a brief spell.
GCA Female Youth Cricket Camp The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) recently disclosed that they will be hosting a Female Youth Cricket Camp during the month of May 2022. The camp which is for females between the ages of 12 to 18 years will focus on identifying and developing the talents of those who have the desire to learn and the pas-
sion to play cricket at the highest level. The camp is open to females who attend schools or reside in the geographic location of the city of Georgetown or are registered with Cricket Clubs affiliated with the GCA. Females desirous of participating are required to attend along with their parents/
guardians, an orientation session that will be held on Wednesday, May 4, at the Malteenoes Sports Club, Thomas Lands, from 16:00 hrs. For any additional information or queries, persons can contact Chairperson of the GCA Competition Committee, Shaun Massiah, on # 616 – 7240.
(BBC Sport) - Carlo Ancelotti became the first manager to win the league in all five of Europe’s major leagues as Real Madrid beat Espanyol to win La Liga. Two goals from Rodrygo and strikes from Marco Asensio and Karim Benzema confirmed Real’s 35th Spanish title. They are 17 points clear of second-placed Sevilla with four games to play. Ancelotti has also won titles in Italy’s Serie A, France’s Ligue 1, the Premier League in England and the German Bundesliga. Real needed only a draw to win the title, but victory was never really in doubt once Rodrygo stroked home from just inside the area. The Brazilian doubled Real’s lead a minute before the
break when he robbed Sergi Gomez of possession on the edge of the penalty area and fired low into the bottom corner. Asensio finished off a rapid counter-attack before Benzema - rested with Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final against Manchester City in mind came off the bench to sidefoot home from Vinicius Jr’s cutback. Ancelotti makes history Ancelotti was lured back for a second spell at Real last summer following the departure of Zinedine Zidane, quitting Everton after 18 months at the Premier League club. The 62-year-old won five major titles in two years at the Bernabeu between 2013 and 2015, including ‘La Decima’ their 10th European Cup - but
the Spanish title eluded him. His first league title as a manager was with AC Milan in 2004, the club where he won the league twice as a player in the 1980s. The Premier League with Chelsea followed in 2010, before Ancelotti lifted Ligue 1 with Paris StGermain in 2013 and the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in 2017. Ancelotti’s season could end in more glory, although Real must overturn a 4-3 firstleg deficit against City at the Bernabeu. If they do reach the final and lift the trophy Ancelotti would become the only man to win the European Cup or Champions League four times as a manager, having also led AC Milan to the trophy in 2003 and 2007.
Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship…
Mexico destroys Guyana in opener It was not a good start for the young Guyanese Women’s team that opened their campaign in the 2022 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Championship on Saturday at the Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium in the Dominican Republic. The Mexican powerhouses won 15 – 0 against Guyana after scoring six times in the first half and nine times in the second half. Mexico was led by a helmet trick from Valerie Vargas Arceo who drew first blood for her side as early as the
second minute and followed that up with a fifth-minute goal. She then added goals in the 49th and 54th minutes to complete her dominant performance. Arceo was supported by Layla Sirdah Ismail who registered a first half hat-trick. Her goals were recorded in the 27th, 33rd and 44th minutes. Taking the tally to an even ten between three players was Tatiana Flores Dorrell who also crafted a hat-trick off the Guyanese. Her second
half hat-trick featured goals in the 47th, 56th and 60th minutes. Maribel Flores Hernández took advantage of the poor Guyanese defense and stuck in a late brace. Her goals came in the 82nd minute and the first minute of injuries and stoppages time, moments before the regulation time whistle. A goal each from Jade López (34th), Katherin Guijarro Sillasand (59th) an own goal from Alyssa Blake (73rd) accounted for the monumental score.
Kaieteur News
Sunday May 01, 2022
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FK Sports supports GCS to host 5k Independence Run Arrowhead League & Walk on May 15
GCOS committee members Joseph Ramkumar (left) and Leslie Black (right) flank Godfrey Mbihia for a photo-op after the conclusion of a the previous GCOS 5K Road Race
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Store Manager of FK Sports Ava Bamfield hands over sponsorship cheque to the Organiser of the Arrowhead League, Treiston Joseph at the store’s Garnett Street location. Apparel and sport equipment store FK Sports delivered on their promise to partner with the Arrowhead League with a simple handing over ceremony on Friday at the store’s Garnett Street Location. Stepping in for Proprietor Felix Walker, Store Manager Ava Bamfield handed over the sponsorship cheque to organizer of the
league, Treiston Joseph, while noting that “FK Sport is pleased to be part of a ground breaking event that can help develop athletics in Guyana.” Organiser, Treiston Joseph thanked FK Sports sharing that “it is sponsorship like these that help to make a vision for development successful at any level.”
UCCA/Vishnu Super Store Cricket Competition continues A number of good all round performances were recorded when play continued in the latest round of matches of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) organised Vishnu Super Store Upper Corentyne Cricket Association 40 overs competition. Results of matches showed that Crabwood Bomb Squad defeated No. 73 Young warriors by 27 runs as the latter scored 161. Azad Mohamed top scored with 43 and received support from Mahadeo (21) and Lakeram Latchman (20). Extras made the next major role with a whopping 42. Parsram Persaud led the bowling for Young Warriors with 5-29. In reply, they were dismissed for 134 with meager scores from the batters. Ravindra Sikwa was top of the batting list with 18
while extras top scored with 46. Bomb Squad’s bowling attack was also led by Mohammed who ended with five wickets while Lakeram supported with 3 wickets. No. 70 MYO got the better of 69 Red Rose by 5 wickets in their match. Red Rose were dismissed for 96 as Mohammed Khan ripped through the battling line up to claim 4 wickets. The MYO unit returned to reach 95-5 as R. Khan N. Khan and A. Khan all contributed 15 runs each. Extras totaled to 18 from the bowling attack as 2 wickets went to Prahalad and Narindatt. No 69 Vikings defeated Eagles by 104 runs after making 182. Ramsarran (48), H. February (45), V. Gooniah (31), D. Gessie (26) and A. Nohar (24) were all crucial to the score posted. Eagles were then bundled
out for 78 as A. Seecharran took 4-6 for the Vikings. In another game, No. 72 Cut and Load was too strong for Crabwood Creek (CWC) Sports Club as they defeated them by 94 runs. The winner scored 216 with solid scores from S. Somo (50), Kadil Azib (48), Zahir Shaw (37), Deoprakash Ramdat (26) and extras (20). For CWC SC, two wickets each were picked up by L. Tameshwar and N. Chandardat. In reply, they fell short on 122 with S. Segobin (35), N Chalitar (34) and extras (27) contributing the most. Bowling for Cut and Load, Ramdat claimed 3 wickets and while Edwards had two to his name. The competition is expected to continue today with several matches in the third round of play. (Samuel Whyte)
he Guyana Committee of Services will be hosting its annual 5K independence Health & Fitness Run and Walk on Sunday, May 15, in recognition of Guyana’s 56th Independence Anniversary. The Event is scheduled to commence at 16:00 hrs in the National Park then go onto Thomas Road, proceed to Vlissengen Road, head into Clive Lloyd Drive, then Camp Street and back to Thomas Road, Thomas Lands for the finish. On board partners for the event includes
E-Networks, Office of the President, Busta Company, NBS, Department of Sports, Payless Variety Store, Star Party Rentals, Guybisco, Mohamed Enterprise, Assuria Insurance and Game Express. The categories of are Open Athlete, Masters, juniors and children. The children’s path mapped is only one lap in the National Park. President of Guyana, Honourable Dr. Irfaan Ali is expected to start the proceedings. For more information, contact Leslie Black on #650-5868 or Lorraine Adams on #668-7897. (Sean Devers)
Celebrations for First Major WBC C/Ship won on Guyanese soil
Elton Dharry addressed the gathering in the presence of from promoter Aleem Hussain, Speaker of the House Manzoor Nadir and promoter Jack Bharat at the reception.
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NBA Conference Semifinals starts today
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