Kaieteur News

Exxon gives ship builder US$3 billion contract to operate, maintain FPSOs

Dutchshipbuilder,SBM offshore on Tuesday morning announced that it hassigneda“oneofitskind” contract to operate and maintain four Floating Production Storage And Offloading (FPSO) vessels for ExxonMobil’s Guyana operations.

The Netherlands-based company announced the OperationsandMaintenance Enabling Agreement was s i g n e d w i t h E s s o Exploration & Production Guyana(EEPGL)tooperate and maintain FPSOs Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity and ONE

GUYANA SBM Offshore has secured multiple contracts over the years for Exxon’s Guyana operations, which includes the four aforementionedFPSOs.

According to the company, while this framework agreement establishes the new terms related to the operations of theGuyanaFPSOfleetfora period of 10 years up to 2033; the lease terms and durations remain the same for all units, with 10 years

…CEO boasts of “one of its kind” contract

onshore and offshore positions. This model will combine SBM Offshore and ExxonMobil Guyana’s experience and resources to increaseteamefficiencyand fostersynergiesbetweenthe twocompanies.

leaseforFPSO Liza Destiny and up to 2 years lease for

FPSOs L i z a U n i t y ,

Prosperity and ONE

GUYANA after which the FPSOs’ ownership will transfertotheclient.

ExxonMobil Guyana is the operator of Guyana’s lucrative Stabroek Block which has over 11 billion proven barrels of oil Recently, it was announced

t h a t G u y a n a ’ s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted the Environmental Permit for ExxonMobil’s fifth project at the Uaru field in the Stabroek Block which has been approved. The Uaru project is expected to cost US$12 7B and produce about 250,000 barrels of oil per day after coming on streamin2026.

“This contract supports SBM Offshore’s long-term business vision in Guyana enabling the Company to perform local and sustainable investments in people and infrastructure as well as to deploy its digital andoperationaltechnologies to the Guyana fleet,” the companysaidinastatement adding that the estimated impact on the revenue

backlog is around US$3 billion based on various operating and maintenance assumptions.

It was explained that SBM will operate the units through an Integrated Operation Model, which

e n c o m p a s s e s a n

organization model

including seconding

ExxonMobil Guyana employees in some key

For his part, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SBM Offshore Bruno Chabas, said “We are very pleased with the contract concludedwithExxonMobil Guyana leveraging both companies’ recognized operating excellence. This contract capitalizes on our developments in Guyana to date, positioning the Company for long-term operations in the country.” He continued: “This Integrated Operation Model is the first of its kind in the industry and extends our r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h ExxonMobil Guyana by integrating further our teams. We believe it is the optimal solution to achieve excellence in the operation of Guyanese assets bringing valuetoallstakeholdersand setting a new performance benchmarkfortheindustry.”

Wearedeployingthebesttechnology andexpertsforunprecedentedresults

…maximisingvaluefromallfrontsinGuyana- Exxon CFO

E x x o n M o b i l Corporation’s Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Kathy Mikells recently disclosed thattheoilgiantissparingno effort in maximising value fromGuyanaonallfronts,as quicklyaspossible.

Towards this end, Mikells said Exxon has launched an exercise that allows for the simultaneous execution of exploration, appraisal, and development activities in the Guyana basin, specifically at the Stabroek Block which has unlocked 11 billion barrels ofoilequivalentresources.

She noted that the company’s approach has resulted in tremendous financial success, adding that there were two new discoveries this quarter, while two vessels continue production at rates that are

above the investment basis.

Mikells said, “Our technology, integration, and project management capabilities enable us to grow this unique asset at an industry-leadingpace.”

Compared to the first quarter of 2022, the Chief FinancialOfficersaidExxon added about 300,000 oil equivalentbarrelsperdayto globalsupplydrivenby40% production growth in GuyanaandthePermianand g o o d o p e r a t i o n a l performance The Exxon official said this more than offset the impact of its divestments and the expropriation of Sakhalin-1 in Russia, with overall production volume up 160,000 oil-equivalent barrelsperday

Continuing on Guyana, Mikellswaskeentonotethat Exxon achieved an average

gross production rate of about 375,000 barrels per day in the first quarter from itsLizaPhase1andPhase2 developments, which continue to demonstrate excellent operating performance. By the end of

2027, she said Exxon is targeting to have a sixth floating,production,storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel online, thereby increasing total gross production capacity to over 1.2millionbarrelsperday

The CFO proudly noted thatthecompanywasableto generate US$11.4 billion of free cash flow during the 2023 first quarter and deployed significant cash in line with capital allocation priorities. Mikells said, “We maintained our fortress balance sheet, with debt-tocapitalremainingat17%and net-debt to-capital coming down to 4%. We distributed US$8 1 billion to shareholders, including US$3.7billionindividends. We’re also on track to repurchase up to US$17.5 billionofsharesthisyear.”

The CFO added, “Our strong balance sheet and cash position are especially valuable in the current high interest rate environment. They enable us to invest in our portfolio through the cycles, including growing our Low Carbon Solutions business and expanding our trading activities. They also

allow us to return excess cash more consistently and efficiently to our shareholders ” Looking ahead to the second quarter, Mikells said Exxon expects the company’s annual average net production in 2023tobeabout3.7million oil-equivalent barrels per day

Withrespecttocorporate and financing expenses, the official said these are expected to be around US$400 million in the second quarter Mikells said toothatExxonanticipatesan unfavourable working capitalimpactofaboutUS$3 billion from seasonal cash tax payments which are higher due to record 2022 earnings. In closing, the CFO said management is proud of what its people accomplished this quarter, adding,“It’stheirhardwork anddedicationthatdelivered theserecordresults.”

The Ambassadors of the Western countries here have calledonthegovernmentandtheoppositiontomaintaina mutually respectful relationship with the media in its capacityasthefourthestateandasavitalpartofdemocracy inaction.

InastatementtomarkWorldPressFreedomDaytoday, theHeadsofMissionoftheEmbassyoftheUnitedStatesof America,Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; the British High Commission, High Commissioner Jane Miller; the Canadian High Commission, High Commissioner Mark Berman, and the Delegation of the European Union, Ambassador Rene van Nes said they joined the rest of the world in the celebrations under the theme, “Shaping a FutureofRights:Freedomofexpressionasadriverforall otherhumanrights.”

Thisyearmarksthe30thAnniversaryoftheUNGeneral Assembly’sdecision,proclaimingtheinternationaldayfor pressfreedomanditbringsustoapointofreflectiononthe stateofmediafreedominGuyanaafter30years.

“As we reflect on this year’s theme, we recognise and acknowledgethatmediafreedomisdeeplyimbeddedwithin the freedom of expression and all other human rights The mediaplayapivotalroleinsocietybydisseminatingfactsfor public consumption and helping citizens in Guyana stay informed, establish opinions, make informed choices, and participatemeaningfullyinsociety Theavailabilityoffacts and information is fundamental to exercising such rights as access to health, education, justice, and to fighting against gender and economic inequalities The media’s charge to responsibly deliver the facts fairly and without bias to all people,benefitsallofsociety,”theambassadorssaid

Inadditiontoprovidingaccesstofactsandinformation, mediafreedomallowsfortransparencyandaccountability, importantcomponentsforGuyana’smanagementof Continued on page 15

ExxonMobil Corporation’s Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Kathy Mikells

—Westerndiplomatscallongovt., oppositiontorespectjournalists

‘The media should not face abuse, intimidation and threats’

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

GUYANA ECONOMIC NUMBERS MEANS NOTHING TO THE POOR

In 2022, the World Bank had projected the Guyanese economy to grow by 34.3 percent in 2023. In January this year, the World Bank refined its projection for Guyana in 2023to25.2percent.

Meanwhile, there is a forecast that came out in April, whichalsoemphasizeshowstarktheeconomicoutlookisfor regional economies in 2023 From the Economic Commission for Latin American and Caribbean countries (ECLAC), the forecast for economic growth for the Caribbean region (ex-Guyana) is a dismal 3.5%. Though their numbers are slightly different, what stands out is the hugedifferencebetweentheforecastsofboththeWorldBank andECLACforGuyanaandthoseofeveryothercountryin theLatinAmericanandCaribbeanregions.

According to theWorld Bank’s 2023 forecast, Guyana’s growth is now pegged at 25.2 percent, and the next nearest countries are St. Vincent and the Grenadines (6.0%) and Paraguayat5.2%,almost4and5timeslowerrespectively It is nearly the same trend present in the ECLAC 2023 report with a projected economic growth of 37.2 percent for Guyana, while Panama (4.6%) and Paraguay (4.2%) are almost 9 times behind Guyana. It surprises that, though absentfromtheWorldBankprojections,theECLACreport notes Venezuela’s growth to be a comparatively better 5 percent,andAntiguaandBarbudaatarobust9.5%.

We present these estimates about Guyana, and how our countrymeasuresuptotherestoftheregion,andthereisonly oneconclusion:thereisnocomparison. Nocomparisonatall can be made because Guyana’s economic forecasts, every singleoneofthem,leaveallothercountriesinthedust.Itis reasonable, therefore, to anticipate that the reality of the Guyanese people to be healthy and vigorous, as well as a joyful one. The sad story of Guyanese is that the reality of theirexistencereflectsnosuchstrength,noneofthesurging spirits, which should be the fine lot of a people living with thesedazzlingeconomicnumbers,

For all that Guyana’s economic numbers are worth, and withcompassionfortheplightofthepeopleofHaiti,manyof thecitizensofthiscountryarelivingalmostlikeHaitianswho are compelled to manage somehow with their negative forecasts for 2023 of -1.1 percent (World Bank), and -0.7 percent(ECLAC). Thisquestioncanbeasked:ofwhatgood are those glowing numbers, when almost half of the populationofGuyana(48%)isforcedtosurviveonUS$5.50 aday? WhenGuyanesearenotstarving,theyareconstantly strugglingandhurting. Amidstallthis,oneoftheforeignoil companies operating in Guyana’s offshore oilfields, Hess Corporation,justannouncedanotherdiscoveryofoil.

As both the World Bank and ECLAC pointed out, inflationisstillaproblemfortheregion. Guyanesecanspeak with the authority of hard experience about the ravages of inflationontheirexistence,theirgrimstandardofliving,their paltry family life. Higher interest rates in the highly developed world could mean a slowdown in business activity, which usually translates to less demand and lower prices for commodities. Oil is crucial to Guyana, and to a lesser extent nowadays so is gold, and when their prices go down, then the writing on the wall for already hard-pressed Guyanese gets even gloomier. The hope here is that the oppositeoccurs,sothatGuyanese(andtheregion)couldget somerelief,nomatterhowsmall.

Guyana’s economic growth, as measured by the best around,isglorious. Yet,Guyanesearestilllivingwiththeir tight circumstances, in some instances their hand-to-mouth existence. Clearly,thequalityofgovernanceandleadership thatcouldmakeadifferenceisconspicuouslylacking. Part ofthesolutionrestsinthehandsofboth:renegotiatethe2016 oilcontract. DomoreforGuyana,sothatGuyanesecando better,actuallyknowwhatitistotastetherealsubstancesof thoseneon-likeeconomicnumbers.

Whenbudgetmoneyisgobbledupbyinfrastructure,and citizens are limited to the measly, it means that there is not enough to go around. Renegotiate the contract, or holdup approval of new projects. Because those grand economic growthnumbersmeannothingforpoor,ordinaryGuyanese.

I support the walk for a better oil deal

DEAREDITOR, I wish to add my voice and support for the 65-yearold Guyanese gentleman who will embark on a walk across the coastland of Guyana from Crabwood Creek on the Corentyne Coast all the way to Supenaam on the Essequibo CoastonThursdayMay4th,

2023 from 9:00 a.m local time.

AsthegreatDaveMartin sang beautifully, ‘is wee own.’

Guyanese families of all ethnicities have suffered the indignity of being unable to afford the basics of a comfortable life despite the massive natural and other

wealthof‘ElDorado’.

WalkonmybrotherandI willfollowyoufromherein Toronto, Canada and while my thoughts will walk alongsideyou,restassuredif I were in Guyana, I will be walking the beautiful Corentyne Coast with you. May God bless you my brother and please include

the tassa and the drums, our n a t i o n a l m u s i c a l instruments. Let the sounds and cries of a nation reverberate throughout the landasthefearthatstalksthe land is replaced with confidence and clarity amongstthepeople.

KrisKoblall Toronto,Canada

Chaos returns to Passport Office

DEAREDITOR, My soul cries out for Guyana.Mostsectionsofthe mediaandtheOppositionall seem to be concerned with issues that are above the ordinaryperson.Bothmedia and Opposition need to concentrate and highlight more and in a concentrated way, those issues that affect thesmallman.

Mr GlennLallisdoinga wonderful job with keeping thefocusontheoilindustry

That is a bread and butter issue as the small man will never benefit from the oil dollars.

There are other issues. Guyanese are being held ransom in Guyana by the passport office. People are thereovernightandstillcan’t getapassport.Iamnotaware of any news about this problem. This affects the small man because the big shots are getting their passports and they are not

standinginanylineinthehot sun.TheAPNUhadfixedthe passport issues and things flowedbeautifully Whathas happened in a few short years?

NIS is another inept and inefficient managed operation. No one cares and there is no accountability

Thesmallmanagainsuffers. Butthereisanotherissuethat as Guyanese we must face anddealwith.Bothpolitical partiesconfrontthisproblem

becauseofrace.

Both parties must have some token ministers of the other race, just for cosmetic reasons This results in massive inefficiencies In mostcases,thosepersonsare chosen because they bring nothing to the table and therefore pose no threat.All ofthetokenMinistersinthis administrationarejustalong fortheride.

Regards,

DavidPurcell

Applying climate commitments to trade between CARICOM and Canada

DEAREDITOR,

AttheCARICOMHeads of Government Conference held in February 2023, regionalleadersreceivedthe Prime Minister of Canada, TheRightHonourableJustin Trudeau, PC, MP The engagement between the Canadian and CARICOM leadership focused on “charting new strategic partnerships, built on modern realities, including the diversification of the economic relationships and addressing climate change and doing both in ways that wouldcreategoodjobsinall the countries.” CARICOM leaderswelcomedtheefforts by Prime Minister Trudeau tostrengthenanddeepenthe special relationship between CARICOMandCanada.

C a n a d a a n d CARICOM’s commitment to forging new strategic partnerships to address climate change could not come at a more crucial time for the region. In a policy paper on Trade - Related Climate Priorities for CARICOM at the World Trade Organization (Dr Jan Yves Remy, UWI SRC & TESS Forum 2023) Small Island Developing States including those comprising CARICOMwererecognised as especially vulnerable to global (climate-driven) shocks, despite their disproportionately low contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.

The paper also notes that “natural disasters from climate change present a clear and present danger to CARICOM economic activity”. These challenges are compounded by macroeconomic pressures that hampertheregion’sabilityto develop its climate resilience. Trade and trade policies can be harnessed to drive climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

This SRC Trading Thoughts considers how trade rules could be leveraged to promote green industries,andhighlightsthe possible components of a strategic “Green Free Trade Agreement (FTA)” between CARICOMandCanada.

ANOPPORTUNITY TOREIGNITETRADE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEENCARICOM ANDCANADA?

Negotiations between Canada and CARICOM towards a reciprocal FTA were launched on July 1, 2007. This was intended to replace the existing CARIBCAN preferential trade agreement which has beeninexistencesince1986, andprovidesdutyfreeaccess to the Canadian market forcertain goods of CARICOM origin. As of May 2015, Canada’s position on the reciprocal FTA negotiations was that ‘[g]iven the lengthy negotiationsandthatCanada

and CARICOM continue to have different objectives for a Canada-CARICOM trade agreement, no additional negotiations are planned at thisdate.’

In the context of Canada’s renewed commitment to climaterelated strategic ventures in the CARICOM region, including its vocal support fortheBridgetownInitiative and pledged funding to tackle the climate crisis in the Caribbean, there are favourable diplomatic conditions for revisiting the ideaofaCanada-CARICOM FTA.

Canada’s trade priorities include “contributing to a rules-based international system that advances Canadian interests” by “fostering cooperative multilateral action and pursuingnewandinnovative partnerships with a focus on climate change and environmental protection.” While a formal articulation of CARICOM’s trade priorities, in particular as it relates to climate change, is less readily available, CARICOM leaders at the Heads of Government Conference“recognisedthat the impact of Climate Changeandotherexogenous shocks were having a debilitating effect on Small Island and low-lying coastal DevelopingStates(SIDS)as well as other vulnerable developing countries, and

thattherewasanurgentneed to provide macro-economic security, resilience and sustainability for our countries”. CARICOM and Canada therefore have a commonstrategicinterestin mutual partnership to address climate change and environmental protection Revisiting the CanadaCARICOM negotiations from the angle of a “GreenFTA” could be part of CARICOM’sresponsetothe urgentneedstriggeredbythe impactofclimatechange.

WHERETOBEGIN?

Generally, trade agreements can promote greenindustriesbyremoving tariffsandnon-tariffbarriers on green goods and services and improving access to climaterelatedtechnologies. FTAs can also be used to incorporate environmental standards into trade agreements, and to embed environmentalcommitments such as those found in the Paris Agreement Recent agreements also focus on sustainable production methods, sustainability criteria, and conditions of labour FTA rules can also be used to incentivize environmentally friendly practices.

For instance, trade agreements can provide preferential treatment for

countries that adopt sustainablepractices,orare (Continuedonpage6)

Answer to betterment in Capital City is to get rid of the Ministry of Local Government

DEAREDITOR, Here we go again, slapping at each other as we now approach local elections, with claims and counterclaims of rigging, bribery of voters, smear tactics and outright political brinkmanship,andofcourse, theblamegame.

In the meantime, Georgetown, our only real city is virtually abandoned byournationalpoliticiansto flooding, terrible sewerage, black-outs (with the government, who owns the failures, calling them “load shedding”-a joke not even laughable);horriblewaterto our homes (when it flows properly), streets devastated by years of total neglect, garbage and it’s smelly aftermath all over the place, crime endemic throughout our city, stray dogs and cats spreading rabies and other diseases , endangering our children; our once beautiful zooandgardensdegradedby years of neglect and our cemeteries decimated by” leaders“whojustdidn’tcare.

Icangoonandonabout much more “gross neglect” by our leaders over many years since independence against the citizens of Georgetown, up to this dayWhere is the affordable housingtoaccommodateour young workers who have jobsinourcity?

Where are the public

toilets to stop the public pissing?

Wherearethepolicewho shouldpatrolourstreetsday andnight?

Where are the public garbage cans to collect the garbage thrown on our streets? Where is the public transportforourcitizens?

Where is proper parking availabletoourcitizens?The answer is no-where and certainly no-when and waitingonthemistruthsand misinformation from the politicians,we’refacedwith simply, no-ever and forever never

EveryGuyaneselovesto visit Georgetown and every one of us knows all too well that we can easily have a beautiful city again which can vibrate waves of progress throughout our land; it can also create boundless energy and creativity for our young citizens through our land with entrepreneurship and artistryemanatingtotherest ofourcountry; Georgetown and its environs is the centerpiece of Guyana with the maximization of industry, commerce, religion, culture, security systems,politicalapicesand other important national foundations - so it is most importanttoshowthosewho hold to the notion of government interference into the powers of the duly

elected Mayor of our city that they are totally wrongevery Government of Guyana has appointed a Minister of Local Government who has repeatedly compromised the Mayor’sfunctionandpower tothisday-tothedeleterious effect of all that is listed above.

Editor,herewegoagain, slapping at each other, talkingabouttheimportance of local elections and in our only city, it does not matter because local democratic governmentiscompromised by the communist caste system of having a “local governmentMinister”.

-The PPP/C will claim thattheyneverhadachance tohaveaPPPmayorsogive themachance-butcheckout the local areas they control formanyyearswherethereis minimalprogress-crime and drugs inBerbiceontherise, good jobs missing, poor water, poor electricity, etc., etc.inPPPcontrolledareas.

The PNC/APNU will claim that the PPP minister holds back funds and interferes,butwhentheyhad central power with their localgovernmentMinisterin the past and recent times ,, Georgetown still descended intothemessitistoday Editor, the only answer for betterment in our beautiful city is to get rid of the Ministry of Local Govt.

Poor Service at the NIS Camp Street Office

DEAREDITOR,

In December 2022, I requested a print-out of my NIS contributions to date, from the Mahaicony office, since I am approaching the ageofstatutoryretirement.

I was able to obtain this document without any difficulty

However, a perusal of same showed that around 120 contributions were missing during the 1990s. I was advised by the Mahaiconyofficetovisitthe NISofficeonCampStreetto getitsortedout.

This I did, and was told by officers at the Camp StreetofficethatIneedtoget a record of service from the Ministry of Education in order for them to update my records.

I requested, and uplifted a record of my service from the Ministry of Education which stated that I worked during that period and that my contributions were paid toNIS.

The said record of servicewassubmittedtothe NISofficeonCampStreetin January2023.

Since then, I have been checking on a regular basis to see if my NIS contributions were updated. However, every time I called,thecurtresponsewas ‘Sir,itisstillprocessing’.

Something seems to be verywrongatNIS.

Whyafterfourmonths,a simple record cannot be updated, even after the informationwasprovidedby theMinistryofEducation?

and to hold hands and experiment with coalition governance in Georgetown as a start to a broad reconciliation policy for Guyana with young people of all races and religions playingtheleadingroles.

Since we have an enthusiastic youthful President and a strong and also youthful Opposition Leader,letthemleadtheway forward, especially with our

newemergingwealth.

The people of Guyana should demand coalition policiesbecausetheslapping continues and will lead us nowhere.

So, let’s try holding handstoworktogetheratthe local levels to make the Guyanese people happy and contented to create even more wealth and securityyoung people have to demand the riddance of

central government interference while creating the conditions for working togetheracrossethnic,racial and religious lines- urgency is paramount and we need a young Mayor with a b u s i n e s s - o r i e n t e d background - anyone else wouldbeanothertragedyfor ourcity

Yoursfaithfully, Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr.)

Thus,Iamherebycalling ontherelevantauthoritiesto please look into the functionality of this department, introduce reforms, if necessary, and ensure that the employees are answerable for their actions or lack of action. Manymembersofthepublic have lost faith in the NIS because of the inaction of some of the employees. A case of a few bad apples maybe.

YoursSincerely,

M r J a n a k n a u t h Panchu

Labour challenge for tripartite dialogue in the national interest

DEAREDITOR, Social dialogue is integral to the labour industrial relations systems. Tripartite labour advisory bodies have been common features in the system of industrial relations in the Caribbean both through legislationandpracticesince colonial times They are established to deal largely with national labour policy including the regulation of wages, labour legislation and labour dispute resolution. It provides the opportunity for the social partners–theNationalTrade Union Organization, Employers Organizations, and Government and its agencies to discuss macroeconomic and social issues to develop an agreed social partnershipagreementinthe nationalinterest.Thisshould bepromotedandpractisedas a matter of priority to forge national, sectoral and enterprise agreements beyond the confines of the traditional collective b a r g a i n i n

Effective social dialogues are premised on s t r o n g t r i p a r t i t e organizations to facilitate sustained higher-level dialogue This was reaffirmedbyJuanSomavia,a former Director General of the Internal Labour Organization in the followingstatement:

“There is no influential social dialogue without strong employers’ and workers’ organizations; there is no effective tripartism without strong labour ministries and strong labouradministrations”.

The ILO since its establishment in 1919, set the pace, standard, and example in tripartite deliberations in social dialogue resulting in the development and adoption of the international labour code of Conventions and Recommendations,andtheir ratification,implementation, and monitoring through the

ILO supervisory machinery

Such tripartite deliberations also produce international declarationsandresolutions. One such resolution was considered by the 90th Session of the International Labour Conference in 2002, which adopted a resolution concerning tripartism and social dialogue The resolutionaffirms:

•thatsocialdialogueand tripartism have proved to be a valuable and democratic means to address social concerns, build consensus, help elaborate international labour standards and examine a wide range of labour issues on which the social partners play a direct, legitimate and irreplaceable role;

• the importance of s t r e n g t h e n i n g t h e collaboration between the social partners and governments to achieve appropriate solutions at the national, regional and internationallevels;and

•thatsocialdialogueand tripartism are modern and

dynamicprocessesthathave unique capacity and great potential to contribute to progress in many difficult and challenging situations and issues, including those related to globalization, regional integration and transition’. This resolution of the International Labour Conference invites governments to ensure that the necessary preconditions exist for social dialogue and calls on governments and workers’ and employers’ organizations to promote and enhance tripartism and socialdialogueinallsectors. The ILO defines social dialogue:

“…toincludealltypesof negotiation, consultation or simply the exchange of information between, or among representatives of governments,employersand workers, on issues of common interest relating to economicandsocialpolicy”.

Theforegoingresolution recalls ILO Convention No. 144–TripartiteConsultation (International Labour

Standards),1976.

This Convention requires effective and meaningful consultation amongtherepresentativesof government, employers and tradeunionsoninternational labour standards and related matters. Specifically, under this Convention, tripartite consultations are required on:

•items on the agenda for the annual International LabourConference;

•consideration and submission of ILO

C o n v e n t i o n s a n d Recommendations to the competent authority with a p p r o p r i a t e recommendations;

•re-examination of

C o n v e n t i o n s , a n d Recommendations for appropriateaction;

•reports on ratified Conventions, and other reportstotheILO;and

•proposals, if any, for denunciation of ratified Conventions.

Tripartite consultation is integral for an effective

system of Labour Administration and Social Policy as required by ILO Convention No 150 on Labour Administration, 1978 This Convention provides for an effective s y s t e m o f l a b o u r administration whose f u n c t i o n s a n d responsibilities are properly coordinated with the participation of workers and employers and their organizations.

The functions and responsibilities include national labour policy and labour standards; industrial and labour relations including dispute resolution t h r o u g h conciliation/mediation; labourandOSHinspections; employment, manpower planning, and employment services; research, labour statistics, and HRD; and regional and international affairs.

Potential and Initiatives inSocialDialogue

Theenormouspotential (Continuedonpage28)

Applying climate commitments to trade between CARICOM...

Frompage4 in the process of transitioning to climate resilienteconomies.

Anincreasingnumberof FTAs include provisions a d d r e s s i n g t h e environmental goods which are necessary for building climate resilient and climate responsive economies Canada is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and as suchhasestablishedalistof environmental goods for

targeted tariff reduction so that APEC businesses and citizens access important environmental technologies at lower cost, which in turn will facilitate their use and benefit the environment Some of the environmental goods identified in APEC’s list which are relevant to CARICOM’s own green transitionincludesolarwater heaters, solar photovoltaic cells, smart grid equipment and recycling machinery

Similar collaboration

between Canada and CARICOM to phase out or reduce tariffs on a list of environmental goods of mutual interest over an agreed timeframe, would lower the cost of importing these technologies into the regionandpotentiallyaidthe region’s green economy transition, and would be an attractive market access proposition for Canadian m a n u f a c t u r e r s o f environmentalgoods.

FTAs between Canada and other developing c o u n t r i e s h i n t a t opportunities for strategic collaboration between CARICOM and Canada to address climate and environmental priorities When Canada entered into an FTA with Honduras, the countries also entered into a parallel agreement on e n v i r o n m e n t a l collaboration That agreement includes provisions which are relevant to CARICOM’s

efforts at climate change mitigation, adaptation and promotion of sustainable development.

Forexample,Canadaand Honduras committed to ensuring that their domestic environmental laws provide for high levels of environmental protection and continuing to develop t h o s e l a w s a n d environmental management systems, taking into consideration their respective levels of development.

The Canada-Honduras collaboration is a good example of the type of legal framework which could be adopted in a CanadaCARICOM agreement. In the CARICOM context it would encourage the h a r m o n i s a t i o n o f environmental laws across the region and potentially raise the level of environmental protection within individual member states, while providing a

measure of flexibility appropriatetotherealitiesof our small vulnerable e c o n o m i e s T h e s e commitments should be exempt from the dispute resolution provisions of the FTA. During the previous Canada-CARICOM FTA

negotiations, Canada expressed its intention to seek to negotiate a parallel Environment Agreement which would also address commitments not to derogate from domestic environmental laws to encourage trade or investment,compliancewith and the enforcement of environmental laws, and promotionofaccountability, transparency and public p a r t i c i p a t i o n o n environmentalmatters.

Looking beyond Canada and CARICOM trade practice, the WTO has observed that an increasing number of FTAs contain provisions which address greenissues.

A non-exhaustive list of areas which are relevant to the CARICOM region and could potentially be addressed in a CanadaCARICOM Green FTA include public, private and civil sector participation in policymaking processes; transparency; remedies in environmental matters; biodiversity and traditional knowledge; patents and plant variety protection;

sustainable management of forestsandfisheries;tradein forest and fish products; energyandmineralresource management; clean energy; energy efficiency; natural disaster management and technical assistance and cooperation provisions aimed at supporting the implementation of some of the environmental provisions.

A Canada-CARICOM joint committee could be established to support these objectives by identifying areasofmutualinterestfrom among these, and implementing appropriate measuresandprovisions.

The commitments expressed at the Conference of Heads of Government must now be translated into policyandactiontosecurea sustainable and prosperous future for the region A Canada-CARICOM Green FTA would promote sustainable development, protect the environment, stimulate economic growth, and support CARICOM members to address their climatepriorities.

( N O T E : R u s s e l l Campbell is a Research Assistant at the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services of The University of the West Indies,CaveHill)

Regards, RussellCampbell

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

HESS BOASTING, HESS CELEBRATING!!!

BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT...BLUNT

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John Hess boasting about earnings from Guyana!

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His people are happy with their returns…

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Guyanese are sick in bed, reaching the point of no return.

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Hess making plenty money from Guyana’s oil!

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Guyanese making do with whatever crumbs they can get.

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Govt. gives Exxon permission in licence to increase oil production for 5th project

Guyanese authorities have provided ExxonMobil’saffiliate,EssoExplorationand Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), along with its joint-venture partners, with the legal backingneededtoincreaseoilproductionatits fifthprojectintheStabroekBlock.

According to the Petroleum Production Licence for the Uaru Development Project Project, local authorities have included a clause called: Production Optimisation Review ItstatesthatEEPGLanditspartners “shall facilitate and fully cooperate with reviews of production optimization reports fortheUaruProject.”Itfurthernotesthatthe first such review shall commence two years after start up. It also adds that the licensee shall meet with the Chief Inspector, at his

request, to ensure any issues, concerns, and/or recommendations arising out of the reviewarecompliedwithand/oraddressedin amannersatisfactorytotheMinister.

By requiring the review of these documents, government has in essence, given Exxon and its partners, permission to increase production, much in the same way that has obtained for the operations at the Liza Phase One and Two Projects. Both developments were designed to produce 120,000barrelsand220,000barrelsofoilper day respectively Government has however approved increased production at these projectsbyasmuchas10to15percent.

The Uaru project which is expected to produce812millionbarrelsofoilequivalent

resources in the initial 20-year licensed period through a total of 44 wells – 21 producers and 23 water and gas injectors, is expectedtofollowsuit.

The floating, production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, Errea Wittu, which will be built for Uaru by Japanese FPSO-building and operating company, MODEC,willproduce250,000barrelsofoil perdayatpeakproduction.

First oil is anticipated for the second quarter of 2027, thereby boosting Guyana’s overall production rate to over 1,100,000 barrelsofoilperday.

Additionally,MODECwillnowcompete with SBM Offshore, the Dutch-based company responsible for the first four projects in the Stabroek Block. Notable changes in the FPSO design compared to previousprojectsincludeusingacombinedcyclegasturbineforpowergenerationanda closed-loop flare system, reducing greenhousegasemissionsfromtheproject.

Certain conditions that are applicable to the Yellowtail project were excluded from theUaruPPLsincetheyweredeemedtohave beensufficientlyaddressedbytheYellowtail licence conditions. Similar to the Payara

licence, the Uaru PPL boasts a Unit Development component, covering four of theUarufieldreservoirsthatextendintothe Lizaproductionarea.

TheNaturalResourcesMinistrysaidlast Friday that the Uaru project is budgeted to costUS$12.683billionandissubjecttocost recovery under the Stabroek Block PetroleumSharingAgreement.

Importantly, the cost reporting condition was strengthened to include annual synergy reporting,acknowledgingthesharedfacilities and personnel between these projects that resultincostsavings.Additionally,aCapping Stackconditionwasincludedinthislicenceto ensure compliance with the commitment to havetheCappingStackin-countryasrequired by the Yellowtail licence In summary, the approvaloftheUaruFieldDevelopmentPlan and issuance of the Uaru Petroleum Production Licence marks the fifth approved production operation for offshore Guyana withintheprolificStabroekBlock

The Uaru project is expected to significantly contribute to Guyana’s oil production and highlights the benefits of leveraging similarities between black oil projects.

NEO-LIBERALISM IS THE ENEMY OF WORKERS

Listening to the labour and political leaders last Monday, Labour Day, it would not be hard to conclude that workers’ lack the type of leadership necessary to deliver them fromservitude.

Itseemsasifourleaders have adopted the position thatthechallengesfacingthe neo-liberal order can be overcomewithinthepresent neo-liberal order But this is far from true, and is high time that the workers of Guyana recognize that the present economic order is not conducive to reducing income inequality – perhaps thegreatestchallengefacing theworkingclass.

The posture adopted by our political and labour leaders is all the more surprising considering that bothlabourandthecountry’s

two main political parties have historically recognized theanti-workingclassnature of global capitalism and its present incarnation: neoliberalism Yet, we find labourleadersassumingthat the system can deliver significant improvements to workers.

In many respects however it is easy to understand the dilemma in which our labour leaders findthemselves.Givenwhat cooperativesocialism,under Burnham,didtotheworking class, it understandable that our labour leaders may be shy of embracing what radicalideologies.

Since the fall of communism, the labour movement has gone into a predictable decline. But is nonetheless hard to understand how this should

translate to the existing leaders assuming that the workers struggle for social and economic justice can be achievedwithinaneo-liberal order Capitalism and, now, neo-liberalism was constructed on the exploitation of workers. It was Karl Marx who demonstrated how the owners of the means of production expropriated the surplus value derived from the production process and how in so doing the set the level of workers’ wages to ensure greater profits for themselves.

How then can there ever be greater equality under an economicsystemwhichwas designed to promote inequality between workers and the owners of production? How can

Essequibo man killed in hit-and-run while taking granddaughter to buy hotdogs

A 46-year-old man was on Saturday killed in a hit and run at Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast, Region Two. Dead is Mahendra Kissoon of Lot ‘k’ Land of Plenty, Essequibo Coast Kissoon, according to police,wasstruckbyatruck w h i l e h e a n d h i s granddaughterwereheading tobuyhotdogs.Kissoonand his granddaughter were reportedly walking in the cornerinanortherndirection when a speeding truck heading south collided with him.Kissoonwasreportedly

flung into the air before fallingontheroad.

Instead of stopping to render assistance, the driver of the truck sped away leaving a bleeding Kissoon lyingontheroad.

Kissoon’sgranddaughter ran home and informed family members, and they wenttosceneandrushedhim to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Police have since arrested the driver allegedly responsible for the man’s death.

Dem Boys Seh...

ACTION PICTURES ARE MISSING IN ACTION

When dem boys bin small, dem boys used to like to read de newspapers. When dem boys get de papers, dem boys used to lookfussatdebackpage.Datiswheredetop sportsnewsitemusedtobefeatured.When demboysfinishwithdesportspagesisonly then dem boys does read de front page and demodderpages.

Asyuhgetmoreolder,yuhdoeschange de order in which yuh reading. Instead of starting at de back, yuh does start from de front.

Defrontpageusedtohavethetopstory of de day And dat was de thing dat used to interestdemboys demostasdemgetolder

Wellthewholenewspaperlayoutchange nowadays. Both de front page and de back page is sheer headlines. No news just headlineandpicture.

Sodemboysdoesgattostartfrompage2

andthengotodesecond-to-lastpagefuhsee detopsportsstory

When dem boys was small, yuh used to getalotofactionpicturesindesportspages. Nowadays is nuff people posing. Is people standing up and tekkin out picture. Dem actionshotmissinginaction.

Dem boys was surprised last Sunday when de Stabber had a big portrait of a Ministerinitsbackpage.Andyesterday,de paperhadtwomoreofdesamepicturesofde Minister One on de back page and one inside,butdifferentsizes. Demboyshadto check to see if was an advertisement or an endorsement rather than a sports news report.

Butdatishowthingsdoesgosometime in de media business. Yuh does gat to read betweendelines. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!

workers achieve an economic and social justice under a system that is the sourceoftheseinjustices?

Neo-liberalism is the enemy of the working class. ItwasunderRonaldRegan’s Presidency (1981-1989) and under Britain’s Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1919-1990)thatthegreatest assault on trade unionism was launched. The latter set out to weaken trade unions and even passed legislation tosupportthatmission.

Ronald Regan, the 40th President of the United States was anti-unions. He broke the back of the one of hisnation’sstrongestunions and fired thousands of workers.Hetoldthestriking air traffic controllers that if they do not report for work thattheywouldbefired,and manywere.

When Guyana entered into the structural adjustment programme in 1989, the die was cast for workers. The IMF made it clear to the PPP/C government which took office in 1992 that they desired wage restraints. The unions on the other hand wantedincreasedwages.

A confrontation took place. The GPSU called a strike in 1999 which the PPP/C considered as political. The union thought itwouldhaveprevailed.But in the end the GPSU paid a

terrible price. Today, the union can hardly a call a protest so weakened it was leftbytheJagdeoregime.At one stage, the government refused the automatic deductions from public servants which allowed for thetransmittalofuniondues, a move which the union interpreted as intending to crippleitfinancially

The PPP/C and the APNU government have refused to engage in collective bargaining with the GPSU This is no accident. It is all part of the neo-liberal assault on workers and their organizations. Those who are now calling for a restoration of collective bargainingshouldhavebeen more vociferous during the tenureoftheAPNU+AFC.

Buttobefairalsotoneoliberalism, it has raised the standard of living of workers The danger h o w e v e r i s t h a t correspondingly, it has created greater inequality

Unless this inequality is checked and unless the gap betweenthehavesandthose who do not have is reduced, therewillcomeatimewhen there will be a social explosion and possibly a majorclassconflict.

For the time being neoliberalism holds the upper hand.Andworkersarebeing asked to agitate for greater

benefits under this very system.

But behind the dark clouds for the labour movement, there is a silver lining.Amajorcontradiction is developing within capitalism itself At the economic level, neoliberalism is on a collision course with extreme nationalism, a resurgent political ideology that is viciously opposed to immigration and migrant labour

Forcapitalismtosurvive, itneedscheaplabourandthis comesfromimmigrants.But extreme nationalism is opposed to this and this contradiction could be the precursor to the unraveling of the neo-liberal order But that may be no comfort to workers given the predilection of their leadership to assume that substantivegainscanbehad underaneo-liberalorder (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)

Dead: Mahendra Kissoon

H@RD TRUTHS

GHK LALL

LOCAL GOVERNMENT PREVIEW OF THINGS TO COME

Opposition Leader

Norton pulled back

Meanwhile, the brink and the precipice are still there.

They are not going anywhere. Mr Nortonmay be, but not those jagged edges in the harsh local environment.

He started taking off the gloves;then,inasnap,back they were on. Instead of a preview of things to come, with Local Government

Elections (LGE) as the proving ground, there is pauseforreview Isensethe hand of the people in the alphabet soup. In Guyana, there is one alphabet, with only one letter now Letter A: A is for America. No moreofthisirrelevanceofa forappleoranancy Aisfor America. Togivethecapto whoseheaditfits,theremay be an E E is for ExxonMobil. Already,Ican

hear Guyanese children singing their new national anthem,andchorusingthose two solitary letters in their alphabet.Onemorethingfor Guyanese before I return to elections. Notice the level of silence, potent unity between North Americans and Europeans. Man! If only we could have a smidgenofthattogetherness with PPP and PNC, Indians and Africans, and all the

othersthatbothofthemwoo intotheirparlor,orcondemn tofarcorners.

For a brief moment, the PNC caused a clamour with claims of forgery and readyingforrigging,among other skullduggeries by the PPP,(yes!bytherulingPPP) and this was only for low gravyLGE.Mythoughtwas if this is now, and for LGE only, then plenty must be festering for up the road in more strident, more closeto-the face confrontations, and more allegations and unmoving convictions that back all Guyana into the worstofcorners.

Indeed,thereisplentyat stake, and much to lose, in thebiggerschemeofthings, beyond LGE now shifting from reverse gear By my calculation, the last elections were never really over, something done with, andputouttopasturetodiea natural death. Rather, it lives And though the Americans may have saved the day, and led to Mr Norton pulling back on the reins, there are all these undercurrents in thick, stormylayers.

Nobodywantstogonear any of this, or talk about it. ButIdo. Therearelayersof anger, of frustrations, of resentments, and hard antagonisms.

One Guyana is a nonstarter, a gimmick that turnedouttobeadudbefore it could be declared dead. ThePresidentdidn’tgiveita chance: in one hand, he had carrots (visits, projects, promises); in the other, he held a stick (cheats, riggers, economic reservations for

losers). Well, I have news for His

Excellency and citizenry, and it has to withmorethanLGE. We have this precious commodity And then we haveoursettledmentality

One set of citizens think that the one way that has been the Guyanese way of governance should go on like before. The other set says that we are in charge, wewon,andthereisnoother way In sum, who rigged better,getstobethewinner. All of that may never have mattered, but then along came oil. Trouble followed by waiting tragedy. What should be the best thing for Guyana has converted most Guyaneseintobananas. No spine. Nosolidity Onlythe slippery, just like a banana peel. We stand for nothing. That is, besides elections. Now, elections are the determinants of who gets to control the national patrimony; the gold that we now have gushing up from the depths of the seabed. Therehastobeashowdown at some time, somehow; or somebody, some segment is going to get left out, other than for a discretionary leadership handout Discretion over one’s inheritance is not helpful to good manners, better considerations, the best of relationships.

Not when oil is present insuchcopiousquantities. Not with a commodity that causes so much volatilitywhereveritsprings up.

Wecouldbarelymanage ourselves, hold on by the

frailest strand of a chicken string,whenwehadnothing. Nowhowareweevergoing tobecapableofmaintaining this charade when we have theseYankeebillionsinone groupofhandsonly Doing that is the equivalent of throwing up of the hands, actually giving up Somebody, sometime, somehowwillbetemptedto take matters in their own hands. Those LGE conflicts can flare when national democracy at the ballot box isupforgrabs.

It is the democracy of steel: with its own language andculture,alonghistoryof what drips and drips with what follows Charles Darwin had some choice words and terms of art to describe: natural selection, survivalofthefittest. Mine is triumph of the most ruthless. LGE, however withheld, however watered down,isaprecursortowhat is in store for Guyana. It could be a little shop of horrors, come 2025. I have difficultyseeingMr Norton inthemix. Americaisbent on keeping a lid on things. Mr.Nortonisbusytryingto keep his head on his shoulders.

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

Demerara Bank’s pre-tax profit increases to $2.4 billion

Demerara Bank Limited has $ 2 . 3 6 9 b i l l i o n f o r t h e housing and forestry; supporting per share increased by 9% from remain committed to supporting announceditsinterimresultsforthe correspondingperiod.ItsNetProfit the growing needs of the private $6.23 to $6.77 per share. Based on these sectors with financing period ended March 31, 2023. The After Taxation showed a growth of sectorandGuyanese.Thebankalso the performance, the Board of solutions.” bankreportedpositivegrowthinall 9%, rising from $1.402 billion to seems prudent in lending as it Directors declared an interim He added, “Looking ahead, we key banking parameters, which it $1.524billionoverthesaidperiod. continues to maintain a zero non- dividend of $0 45 per share remain dedicated to delivering attributed to the positive economic The bank’s Loans & Advances performing loan position which is comparedto$0.40paidlastyear value to our customers and developments in all sectors of the portfolio increased by 21% to $60 r e m a r k a b l e t a k i n g i n t o Mr KomalSamaroo,Chairman shareholders through continued economy, as well as the ongoing billion, while its Deposits also consideration the aggressively of the bank, stated, “We are investment in our people, execution of its growth strategies showed an increase of 21% from deploymentoffinancing. delighted with our interim results, technologyandinfrastructure. and diversification plan to support $101.4 billion in March, 2022 to Demerara Bank’s capital which reflect our commitment to We believe that our strong thegrowingneedsoftheeconomy $122.7billioninMarch,2023.This adequacy ratios and liquidity providing value-added products financial position, combined with

According to the unaudited shows aggressive deployment by metrics continue to be well above and services to our clients. Our our focus on innovation and results that were published today, the bank to ensure resources are regulatoryrequirements,indicating strong performance is a testament customer-centricity, will enable us the bank’s Pre-Tax Profit increased made availablein key areas such as prudent management of its assets to the positive developments in the to continue to grow and prosper in to $2.443 billion, compared to manufacturing, agriculture, and liabilities, while its earnings economy’s core industries, and we theyearstocome.”

Govt.allowingExxontotakedangerousshortcuts inbidtogetasmuchmoneyaspossible

AsGuyanapreparestostartproductionat athirdoffshoreprojectintheStabroekBlock by the end of this year, with the fourth and fifth projects also being approved, Shadow Minister of Natural Resources, David Patterson believes dangerous shortcuts are beingtakeninabidtogetasmuchmoneyas possiblebybothgovernmentanditspartner, ExxonMobil.

Patterson during a recent press conference told the media that even though

...criticalsafeguardsyettobeimplemented

thecountryisyettoputadequatesafeguards in place for the production activities, government is moving ahead with more projects in the prolific Stabroek Block. Not onlythatbuthealsoexpressedconcernover thebreachofsafeoperatinglimitsonthetwo Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO)vessels,currentlyproducingoil.This

has been a sore issue that is yet to be addressedbythestate.

In the meantime, both vessels are producingabovetheirsafeoperatinglimitsby more than 20,000 barrels of oil per day According to Patterson, “In trying to get as much money as possible, we feel that the governmentistakingalotofshortcutsandthe operatoraswellistakingalotofshortcuts.”

He said that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not reviewed the Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs)forthetwooperationalprojects,while governmenthasnotofferedanexplanationas to the modifications made to allow the increasedproductionnumbers.

Additionally, Patterson argued that months have passed since the operator reported a one-barrel spill offshore Guyana; however, the regulator is yet to update the country on what caused the spill and outline the measures that have since been implementedtopreventfuturespills.

Tothisend,theformerMinisterofPublic Infrastructuresaid,“Allofoursafeguardsare notinplace,yetweareheading,andIheard thatthethirdFPSOisinGuyanaanditshould start up some time this year and I have no doubt,similartowhatishappeningwithLiza one and Liza Two...they will allow them to increase to a strange number- an increased number all to maximize profits at the detrimentofourcountry.”

He stated that years after production

Shadow Natural Resources Minister, David Patterson

activities started up in the Stabroek Block, thereisstillnoproofofinsurancebyanyofthe oilcompanies.This,hesaid,isbeingfacilitated bythepresentregime.Thelegalchallengeby privatecitizensregardinginsurance,hesaidis commendable as it looks as though “the oil sectorhasfreereininthecountry”

Patterson also argued that the EPA has just re-issued a no objection to an EIA for Schlumberger to operate a radioactive facilityatHouston,EastBankDemeraraina residential area, which again highlights “the willy-nilly” and “laissez-faire” approach by the government on petroleum matters. He acknowledged that while this sector can no doubt contribute to the financial development of the country, it must be done inaresponsiblemanner Withthefourthand fifthprojectsnowapproved,Pattersonraised concerns that the Petroleum Commission is notyetinplace.Inaddition,hesaidthereare issues regarding transparency of the sector especiallyasitregardsproductionstatistics.

Hepointedoutthatflaringdataforinstance isusuallybehindschedule Pattersonsaidthis createsasuspicionthatGuyanesemaynotbe gettingaccurateinformation

Govt.stillacceptingcommentsonnewPSA

The model oil contracts that will govern the 14 new oil blocks presently on auction will be finalised by July

ThisisaccordingtoVice President, Bharrat Jagdeo who also clarified that even though an initial period of two weeks was established as the consultation phase on the new contracts, governmentisstillaccepting comments in finalising the Deep and Shallow Water Production Sharing Agreements(PSAs).

During a recent press conference,theVPsaid,“we have just had to extend the auctiontoMay-Julybecause we promised we will get a new PSA and a new PetroleumAct replacing the one from 1986 before we concludetheauction.Weare having a hard time because we are going through it in great detail, it is taking longerthanweanticipated.”

He explained that the while a number of issues havealreadybeenaddressed inthenewdraftagreements, government still needs time to consult on the new Petroleum Act. The former headofstateanticipatesthat the new May/July deadline will be enough time to completeboththepassageof the legislation and

finalizationofthePSAs.

In the meantime, he noted,“Therearequiteafew issues that came in, we are reviewing those. We still have a number of people who are sending stuff to us because although the t i m e l i n e w a s t w o weeks…we are still in the process of doing the final PSA, the comments are cominginandwearepaying attentiontothem.Wearenot gonna ignore people’s comments.”

Jagdeo said this offers theLeaderoftheOpposition, Aubrey Norton an opportunity to submit comments as up to the time of his announcement, the party had not given its contribution to the PSAs. According to the VP, this was“laziness”onthepartof the Opposition since the flaws in the current PSA have been known for years now “By now, they should have formed an impression of those critical issues,” he said.

He added that if the comments are submitted by the political group, “I don’t think we would ignore the comments totally if they submit.”

Accordingtohim,theoil and gas companies too have submitted comments on the

‘Themediashouldnot...

Frompage3 resourcesduringatimeofrapidgrowth,thestatementnoted, adding: “it is imperative that all stakeholders, including decisionsmakerssuchasthegovernmentandtheopposition, maintainamutuallyrespectfulrelationshipwiththemediain its capacity as the fourth estate and as a vital part of democracyinaction.Thismeansgrantingthemediaaccessto public officials and to information should be the norm. Requests for public information should be honoured. The 2013 Access to Information Act should be effectively implementedtoempowerthemediatodotheirjob.”

UNRESTRICTED

The ambassadors said media workers should not be restrictednorhavetoworkunderunnecessaryduressorrisk totheirsafetyinordertohaveaccesstoinformation.

“They should not face abuse, threats, intimidation or personal attacks in the execution of their duties, nor should theybeexpectedtoalignwithanyspecificidea,person,entity or political party, whether directly or anonymously The media’s role is to provide objective and impartial reporting, which is essential to maintaining a healthy democracy and ensuring that all voices are heard. Therefore, it is important thatemployeesofthemediaareprotectedandareabletocarry outtheirdutieswithoutfear,”thediplomatspointedout.

“We discourage the practice of selectiveness in granting accesstoinformationortopublicofficialsundertheguiseof mediabias.Aswereflectonthepastthirtyyearsofadvocacy formediafreedom,werecognisethatdespitehowfarwehave come, work remains.Together we must continue to develop the role that the media play in promoting democracy, transparency and accountability and work collectively to understandtheexpectationsofallstakeholders.

Wethereforecallonthemedia,Government,Opposition, andallstakeholderstorecognisetherolesandresponsibilities of the media and its benefits to the people of Guyana. We thankalljournalistsfortheirhardwork,sacrificeandservice tosociety,andweurgeallstakeholderstocontinuesupporting media freedom and promoting a culture of open and honest communicationsinGuyana,”thestatementconcluded.

...tobefinalisedbyJuly- Jagdeo

draft oil contracts which are beingconsideredatthistime.

He said that while government is committed to securing more benefits for Guyanaonthefiscalsideand formulatinganagreementto regulate from a safety and environmental perspective, it is equally fixated on ensuring more business flowstothecountry

He said, “What we also want (is) to attract investments because you have over 80 countries now out there looking for, through auctions, looking for investment dollars in the oil and gas sector and the investment dollar is shrinking as many of these global companies try to

move away from upstream activities in the oil and gas industries.”

TheVPsaid,“Wewantto get the investment dollars here so we can keep the momentum going here. Not just momentum for the oil and gas companies but momentum in the economy and for all of the Guyanese who are now building a business around this emergingindustryaswellas the locals who are working intheindustry.”

As such, he said it was importanttobalancethenew PSAswiththeoilcompanies in mind. Jagdeo however made it clear that the “fiscal terms are practically set in stone.”

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

The new PSAs seek to rake in a 10 percent royalty fromoilcompaniesthatwill operate the 14 offshore blocksonauction.Therewill also be a 10 percent corporate tax and a 65 percentcaponcostrecovery Meanwhile, the Stabroek Block, operated by ExxonMobil and partners remain bound to the most abusive contract known to thesector

That contract binds

Guyana to a mere two percent royalty and allows Exxonanditspartnersataxfree environment The agreement grants cost recoveryofupto75percent, while the remainder is shared equally as profit between the parties Stakeholders have so far called on government to subjectExxontothetermsof the new PSA, for all other projects it wishes to pursue intheStabroekBlock.

Man who stabbed reputed wife 22 times remanded for murder

The man who stabbed his reputed witness the horror of his “stepfather” plunging wife, Lisa George 22 times and akniferepeatedlyintohismother’sbodyasshe

killed her was on Tuesday laypinnedunderneathhim. remanded to prison when he made his first ThescreamsalsowokeGeorge’ssisterwho court appearance at the Sparendaam livesnext-door Thewomanrushedovertoher Magistrates’CourtbeforeMagistrateRushelle sister’shouseinthecompanyofherhusbandto Liverpool. seewhatwasgoingon.

Douglas was not required to plead to the She recalled that when they entered, her indictable charge and is expected to return to husband ran to rescue her sister by restraining courtonMay29,2023. Douglas and taking away the two knives he Douglas is accused of killing George, last usedtostabher TuesdayatherhomeinSophia,Georgetown. An ambulance was called but by time it George’s 12-year-old son told arrived, George had bled to death on her bed investigators that his mother’s screams woke and the emergency medical team had no other him and he reportedly ran to her room only to choicebuttopronounceherdeadatthescene.

Remanded for murder: Meshack Douglas

Murdered: Lisa George

Guyana’s massive oil finds pushes Schlumberger to move HQ to Georgetown

The success of G u y a n a ’ s newfound oil sector is exciting to the commercial giants in the industry Not only are oil explorersexcitedtoenterthe shores of the South Americannation,thathasso far earned the title of the fastestgrowingeconomyon earth, but likewise the service providers for the industry.

One such excited player is Schlumberger, a United Statesfirm,headquarteredin Texas. This company is involved with the handling of radioactive materials, used during production activities.

It had established an office at Houston, Greater Georgetown, when it was hauledbeforethelocalCourt by citizens, challenging the safetyoftheproject.Infact, theHighCourthadissuedan orderfortheoperationstobe c e a s e d https://wwwkaieteurnewso nline com/2022/12/17/injun ction-granted-to-stopschlumberger-fromoperating-radioactivestorage-facility/

In a new application to thelocalregulatorybody,the companyisagainseekingto restart its operations

According to the Project Summary, submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for the radioactive storage facility, Schlumberger is looking to relocate its regional headquarters (HQ) to Guyana This facility is presentlyhousedatTrinidad.

In justifying the move, the company explained that during the initial phase of exploration for oil and gas offshore Guyana, it operated remotely from an established base in Trinidad

“However, it quickly became obvious, as the successfulexploratorywells indicated very large commercial deposits, that a

permanentbaseinGuyanato supporttheseoperationswas essential. At the same time, Schlumberger decided that theimportanceofGuyanaas afutureregionalleaderinoil and gas production justified moving our regional

H e a d q u a r t e r s t o

Georgetown and to maximize the participation of the Guyanese economy and population in their operations,” the company stated.

It is understood that the new regional HQ has been under development by Schlumberger over the last four years in what was previously the old Gafoors Houston Warehousing property. The property currently functions as Schlumberger’s Regional Headquarters and Offshore ServicesBase.

The facility includes a LiquidMudPlant,DryBulk Facility, and Workshop facilities to support the offshore drilling and productionoperationsbythe Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and other oil and gasoperators.

“As the above base was beingdeveloped,radioactive sources and the tools that utilized them, continued to bemobilizedoutofTrinidad. However, to completely integrate all Schlumberger’s Guyana operations in a singlefacility,itisnecessary to add a specific, secure buildingdedicatedto(1)the safe storage of the radioactive sources used in our offshore operations and (2) to safely calibrate the tools that utilize these sources, within a single structure,” the company petitioned.

This, it added, would minimize the movement of radioactive sources that wouldonlymoveoutsidethe SLB Facility when transported on the limited accessroadtotheberthand, fromthere,directlyoffshore

Womanfindsman’sbody crouchedinfrontheryard

AKastevStreet,Meten-Meer-Zorg,WestCoastDemerara (WCD)womanwokeupSundaymorningtofindthebodyofa manlyinginfrontofheryard.

The dead man has been identified as 51-year-old Sunnyramperal Persaud, called ‘Papo’of Lot 61 DeWillem, WCD.

Persaud’s body was found around 07:40 hrs while the womanwasleavingherhometogotochurch.Thewoman’s husbandsummonedthepolicetotheirhome.

Investigators said that Persaud’s body was found lying facedowninacrouchingposition.Itborebruisesandmultiple blackandbluemarkstothelowerback,abdomenandelbow Investigationsareongoing.

on vessels. As a result, the radioactive material would never be transported on the publicroadsofGeorgetown, thecompanyassured.

Research by this publication shows that exposure to radioactive materials can cause cancerous growths in humansandgeneticdamage or mutation to animals and plants. Scientists believe these changes could prevent sustainableprocreation.

Given the dangers associated with these

materials, citizens of Houston have been demanding that the facility be relocated to another remote location This is especially important since the identified location is in close proximity to schools, churchesandhomes.

The EPA on April 17 again exempted the facility from an Environmental Impact Assessment. Already, citizens have indicated that they will be challenging this decision by theregulator.

A section of the Schlumberger Guyana Inc, (SGI) facility at Houston

GPAseesGovt.movetoderail,takeoverassociation

“Thisyear’sWorldPressFreedomDayis beingobservedatatimewhenthereappears tobeacreepingintolerancetomediathatseek answers especially from the political directorates across Guyana’s major political divide,”theGuyanaPressAssociationsaidin astatementtomarktheoccasion.

The GPAsaid the resort to defaming the character of journalists on a politicallyaligned social media page or the expletivelacedresponsetoajournalistarethemselvesa violationofArticle12oftheUnitedNations Declaration of Human Rights that protects peopleagainstattacksupontheirhonourand reputation. Thisyear’sWorldPressFreedom Day theme is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedomofexpressionasadriverforallother humanrights.”

According to the media association, freedom of expression is one of the fundamentalhumanrightsthatisenshrinedin the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights which was proclaimed by the United Nationsin1948.

“This is mirrored in Article 146 of Guyana’s Constitution, the Supreme Law of the Land, which states that “except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions without interference, freedom to receive ideas and information without interference, freedom to communicate ideas and information without interference and freedom from interference with his correspondence.”

“Therefore,wecanappreciatethecritical role the media plays in creating awareness about the other human rights and fundamental freedoms that Guyanese are entitled to. In particular, journalists are

…calls on members to resist efforts; warns against “creeping intolerance”

GPAnoted.

organisation.”

regarded by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as playing that key and critical role of disseminating verifiable facts and making complex matters intelligible for the publicatlarge,”theGPAunderscored.

The association said to this end, it has embarked on a concerted effort at educating Guyanese and media practitioners themselves about their various roles and responsibilities.“Theintegrityofjournalism willcontinuetobeunderthreatinGuyananot merely because of partisan interests, but because everyone who disseminates clearly partisan,andunverifiablecontentthatpasses off as interviews or discussions self-classify and hold themselves out as journalists,” the

Billstostrengthenanti-money launderingfightcoming ...as Guyana

prepares for 4th round of evaluation

Accordingtoapressreleaseissuedbythe officeoftheAttorneyGeneralAnilNandlall SConMonday,inkeepingwithourpolicyof publicly consulting with important stakeholdersandthecitizenryonsignificant pieces of legislation, recommendations and other constructive inputs are hereby invited in writing in respect of the said two Bills within fourteen (14) days from the date h e r e o f t o b e s u b m i t t e d t o agchambers@gmail.com.TheseBillscanbe accessed on the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs’ website.

“Today, we see renewed efforts by the sitting government to use its leverage in the State Media and its aligned privately-owned media to violate the inalienable right to freedom of association as enshrined in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution of Guyana.Thesittinggovernmentisevidently coercingthoseworkerstoengageinpractices that are inimical to the Guyana Press Association at the altar of political expediency, hence the collective well-being oftheirorganisedbody Therehadbeenfailed attempts in the past to do so through the partisan Union of Guyanese Journalists (UGJ). Decades later, the government has embarkedonatwo-prongedstrategyofusing itsleverageandpressureonmediaworkersin the State media and sympathetic privatelyownedmediatotakeovertheGPA,andifthat fails to form what it sees as a parallel

The GPA said it is of the clear and unambiguouspositionthatthegovernment’s sole interest is to control the narrative of the reality of the Guyanese media landscape locally, regionally and internationally “Our internationalpartnersandaffiliatesarebeing keptabreastoftheseeffortstoderailtheGPA. Thisisbeingresisted.”

The association said it is seeking the solidarity of all freedom-loving Guyanese including civil society actors and internationaldevelopmentstakeholders.

“Journalists will soon have an opportunity to elect a new executive of the Guyana Press Association that will be free from partisan control This ultimately depends on media workers coming out to vote. At the end of the day, what matters is that“Freedomofexpressionisadriverforall other human rights,” the statement concluded.

Man, 65, to walk from Berbice to Essequibo against ‘barefaced’ Exxon contract

Activist,RayDaggerswillfromThursday morning proceed on a walk against the oil contracttheGuyanaGovernmentsignedwith ExxonMobilbackin2016.

InastatementDaggerssaidthewalkwill kick off from Crabwood Creek in Berbice at 09:00hrs, then onto Demerara across Georgetown straight to the end of the Essequibo Coast – Charity. Born in Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, Daggers livedforquitesometimeoverseas,butkeptin touchwithwhatwashappeningbackhome.

Daggerssaidhewasinspiredtoundertake theprotestwalkbytheunrelentingeffortsby Businessman and Kaieteur News Publisher, Glenn Lall in fighting for a change to the Exxon contract. “Mr Lall has been putting forththefactsandhehasdonesowithoutany helpfromgovernmentagencies,butwiththe helpofhisstaff,hehasbeenprovidingagreat servicetothisnation,”Daggerssaid.

InpreparationforGuyana’sAnti-Money LaunderingandCounteringtheFinancingof fourth round slated for September, the Government shall be tabling in the National Assembly the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Guyana ComplianceCommissionBill2023.

The tabling of the two bill forms an essential part of a move by the Government to implement outstanding recommendations oftheCaribbeanFinancialActionTaskForce (CFATF)andtheFinancialActionTaskForce (FATF), as well as correct deficiencies identified and overall strengthen Guyana’s AML/CFTframework.

The money laundering vulnerabilities faced by 20 sectors that are considered as possessing higher than normal risk for Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing locallywerecloselyexamined.Thesesectors includedthebanks,insurancecompaniesand brokers, money transfer agencies, cambios, securities businesses, attorneys-at-law, oil andgasandaccountantsamongothers.

According to the Attorney General, the Government will continue to support the country in its efforts to combat financial crimes including money laundering and terrorism financing as it prepares for its Fourth Round Mutual Evaluation by the CFATFinthethirdquarterof2023.

Guyana’s National Risk Assessment (NRA),commencedinDecember2019in

Continued on page 27

On the issue of government’s reluctance to renegotiate the Exxon contract, Daggers said, “When the government of a nation allows foreign corporation or foreign governments’ access to the people’s resources without their approval is a hostile act and in the process of extracting those resources, if you destroy and pollute the environmentisanotherhostileactandbothof thesearetreasonous.”

Speakingaboutthewalk,Daggerssaidit is to bring about awareness of what is to come. The walk commences on Thursday morning at 9:00am from Crabwood Creek. Daggerssaideverydayhewillendeavourto walk26milesandheisappealingoncitizens tojoinhimintheexercise.

“We are not asking you to join us in the fulljourney,butyoucanwalkwithusthrough yourvillages,doafewmileswithusandletus keeptheupthefight,”Daggerssaid.

Meanwhile, Kaieteur News Publisherand advocate for a better oil deal, Glenn Lall in throwinghissupportbehindDaggerssaidhe toowillbeonthewalk.Lallhascommittedto walking for five miles each day He

commented:“Forthepastweek,Ihavebeen mentioning something which is inspiring to me and I think it should be inspiring to all Guyanese. None of us should ever be prepared to perish as fools, let us be ready from now to prosper as true patriots. Let’s standupforwhatisrightandforwhatbelongs tous.”

Lall said if 65-year-old Daggers is ready towalkthewalkacrossGuyana:“Iwanttogo beyondmytalkandjoinhiminthisfightfora betterGuyanaandabetterfutureforall.”

Lall said the 65-year-old has been listeningtohisradioprogrammeeversinceit began, which inspired him to take this giant first step. “This 65-year-old is beginning the walkastothebarefacednessgoingoninthis country with that Exxon Contract. He is demanding that it change and so am I, what about you?” he asked urging citizens to join thewalk.

Acknowledging that not everyonewould beabletojointhewalk,Lallencouraged:“but atleasttheresidentsofCrabwoodCreekand Skeldon can come out and join us on Thursdaymorningat9am.”

Thewalkwillbelivestreamed,streaming onFacebookandalsoonKaieteurNewsand RadioFacebookpages.

Activist, Ray Daggers

President of the Guyana Press Association, Nazima Raghubir

Attorney General, Anil Nandlall SC

‘Guard against new laws that violate the tenet of freedom of expression’ -ACM

The Association of Caribbean Media and interviews,” the ACM said while urging agents for transparency, good governance enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Workers (ACM) on Tuesday called on the powers that be “to end to such a practice and accountability,” as it urged all media Human Rights but is listed as a fundamental Caribbean decision-makers to utilise the that robs the public of details that will workerstobe“vigilantandguardagainstnew right in many of our constitutions in the “rapid advances in Social Media as a mass potentially allow them to make rational laws, regulations and practices that violate Caribbean Indeed, a small number of communicationtooltofacilitatethetwo-way decisions.”“Thesedeficienciesinfreedomof thetenetoffreedomofexpression.” countries have gone a step further and have flow of information on all public interest expression are leading to dysfunctional This year’s observance is themed, enshrined press freedom,” the ACM said subjects that touch and concern the many societies,”theregionalbodystated. “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of noting that “World Press Freedom provides facetsoftheotherhumanrights.” Further, the ACM said that with the expression as a driver for all other human an opportunity to focus on the immense

TheACMinastatementinobservanceof proliferation of Social Media and all its rights” focuses on the invaluable role of the importance and connection of freedom of World Press Freedom Day being observed attendant ills of misinformation and freedomtoreceiveandimpartideas. expression to all other human rights such as today said that it takes “a dim view of the disinformation, the ACM’s unwavering Thisyearalsomarksthe30thanniversary education,health,freedomofmovement,rest increasing practice of decision-makers, position is that there is invaluable space for ofthe establishment of themandate of the and leisure, and the free will of the people to especially those in the political sphere, who journalism as means of freedom of United Nations Special Rapporteur on the electtheirleaders.” have resorted to one-way communication expression. promotion and protection of the right to The regional body reminded that without through Tweets and Facebook video and text “Professionally practised to ensure freedom of opinion and expression by the freedom of expression particularly through posts.” “This approach appears to be a clear accuracy and fairness; journalism is the only United Nations Commission on Human the media, the public would be ill-informed avoidance of scrutiny at press conferences conduit to cultivate the public as change Rights. “Freedom of Expression is not only abouttheirhumanrights.

Bills to strengthenanti-money laundering fight...

Frompage24 accordance with the Financial Action TaskForce’s(FATF)recommendation, which mandates countries to continuously identify, assess, and understand their Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing risks, while simultaneously taking requisite action tomitigatetheidentifiedrisks,usinga risk-basedapproach.

The assessment, the second of its kind in six years, was conducted by a Working Group of over 70 persons representingover40publicandprivate

sector agencies in Guyana The Attorney General reported that the World Bank provided guidance and supportthroughouttheprocess.

Theresultsoftheexercise,hesaid, aredetailedwithintheNRAReportand an accompanying Risk Based Action Plan,whichcontainsoveronehundred recommendations to be implemented by various agencies. It was noted that the documents have already been sharedwithkeyAML/CFTstakeholder agencies locally, to commence the implementationoftheActionPlan.

“In conducting the exercise, the WorkingGroupassessedandidentified the country’s ML/TF threats and vulnerabilities This included the identification of weaknesses and gaps in Guyana’s ability to effectively deal with the existing Money Laundering andTerroristFinancingvulnerabilities andthreats,”hefurtherexplained.The Terrorism (AML/CFT) framework shallbeundergoingitsfourthroundof mutual evaluation in September 2023 bytheCaribbeanFinancialActionTask Force(CFATF).

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OPseekingbuildingtorentfor thePoliceComplaintsAuthority

TheOfficeofthePresident (OP)isseekingtherentalofa building to accommodate the PoliceComplaintsAuthority At the tenders recently, it

was disclosed that two companies submitted bids between$24millionto$85million. Meanwhile, it was revealed also that the Ministry

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Labour challenge for tripartite dialogue...

From page 6 of social dialogue to improve the social system and contribute to the creation of an inclusive national community must be promoted and practised as matterofhighpriority The realization is that national social dialogue, can, in

good faith, promote national, social,andpoliticalstability,and a more just society.

The involvement of governmentandthesocialpartnersand civil society in national decision-making can promote greater consensus and contribute to national development, stronger democracy, and good

governance, which is expressed in representative inclusive participation, transparency in national policy implementation in a credible manner, and strict accountabilitytothenationalcommunity

Yours sincerely, Samuel J. Goolsarran

Professional engineering, consultancy services for the master planning, design and construction of the New SciencesTrainingComplex.

of new water supply systeminMicobie,RegionEight.

Death at guest house… Womancaughtoncamerajumping fromwindowclaimsinnocence

…says man fell, hit head on toilet after intercourse

Suspects in handyman’s murder arrested

Three suspects believed tobeinvolvedinthedeathof Wafab Wahab, a handyman who was murdered on Saturday night at Vreed-enHoop were arrested over the weekend.

Commander of Region Three, Mahendra Siwnarine told Kaieteur News on Tuesday that the three suspects were taken into custody on Saturday and Sunday

K a i e t e u r N e w s u n d e r s t a n d s t h a t investigators are still trying to ascertain the motive behindtheWahab’skilling.

at New Road, Vreed-enHoop.

The aunt told police that she had sent him away because he was drunk. An eyewitnesstoldthecopsthat Wahab was walking out of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop when his killers pounced on him in the vicinity of Strikey’sBar

The woman who was caught on camera jumping from the window of a city guest house, moments after the man she was with reportedly died - has come forward to profess her innocence.

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF) on Monday reported that49-year-oldOmarAllyof Lot 221 ‘B’Field Pattensen, GreaterGeorgetownwhowas found dead in a room at Quamina Guest House located at Lot 126 Quamina Street,GeorgetownonFriday April 28, had died of ‘unnaturalcauses’

The police had reported too that the woman Ally checkedintotheguesthouse with had escaped. However, that woman who has since been identified as Keneisha Thomas was on Tuesday interviewed by journalist Travis Chase, during which she gave her side of the ordeal that resulted in the deathofAlly

Thomas disclosed that she had been involved with Ally for about 4 years According to her, given that Ally is married and is also her neighbour, they were frequent visitors to the QuaminaStreetGuestHouse andothersimilarplaces.

Thewomanclaimedthat when they arrived at the guest house,Ally purchased three bottles banks beer and twobottlesofGuinness. She shared that while talking, Allytoldherthathewasnot feeling well. Thomas said after they finished drinking andtalking,theyhadsex.

“After having sex now, whilegoingtothebathroom, I went into the bathroom first. While bathing, he was waitingrightatthebathroom door and all I hear is bladap whenIlookaround,Iseehe lying on the toilet bowl

panting for breath…,” the womansaid.

She stated she then wrapped herself in a towel and ran to the receptionist area where she informed the receptionist what had happened Thomas explained that after the receptionisttoldhershehave to call the police and the ambulance, she responded, “no I can’t stay hay, this is meh neighbour husband ” Sheaddedthatshewasscared that’swhyshejumpedoutof thewindowandescaped

According to the receptionist, at 14:15 hours, shewasintheReceptionist’s area when the person that checked in withAlly rushed out of the room and told her that Ally had fallen and hit his head on the tile by the

toiletarea.

Assuch,thereceptionist accompanied the woman to the room, where she checked the toilet area and saw the deceased lying on the floor with blood oozing behind his head, his body wasnaked

The police reported that when the Guyana Fire Service ambulance arrived shortlyafterandAlly’sbody was examined, the woman escaped by jumping out the southeastern bedroom window within public view in a western direction along QuaminaStreet.

During the interview on Tuesday,Thomas said when the autopsy is completed, she will turn herself into the policeinthepresenceofher lawyer.

It was reported that 45year-old Wahab called “Ricky” of Lot 6 Harlem, West Coast Demerara (WCD) was attacked and stabbedmultipletimestohis bodybysuspectsonbicycles, shortly after leaving his aunt’shousearound18:00hrs

After stabbing the man, the killers rode off into Evergreen Street and escaped After being attacked, the handyman reportedly fell to ground but got up and managed to stagger into the bar where patronraisedanalarmthathe wasbleeding.

Seeing his wounds, the bar owner called the police immediately Ranks arrived quicklyandtriedtostophim frombleedingoutbyripping offhisshirtandtyinghisarm before rushing him to the

West Demerara Regional Hospital.

This publication had reported that Wahab was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital He was stabbed at least seven times. Detectiveshadfoundhiscell phone and the little cash he had,inhispockets.

Dead: Wafab ‘Ricky’Wahab

The bar where Wahab was attacked on Saturday night.

Keneisha Thomas Dead, Omar Ally

Djokovic set for US Open... Lionel Messi suspended by PSG following unauthorised Saudi Arabia trip – reports

SportsMax - Lionel w i t h o u t t h e c l u b ’s trainwiththeclub,orbepaid, Messi has been suspended permission. forthetwoweeks. by Paris St Germain for two The35-year-old,whohas Messi played the full 90 weeks after making an a role as a tourism minutes of the 3-1 loss to unauthorised trip to Saudi ambassador for Saudi Lorient which left PSG just Arabia, according to Arabia, is expected to miss five points clear of Marseille reports matches against Troyes on atthetopofLigue1.

Messi is said to have Sunday and AC Ajaccio on The Argentina captain travelled after PSG’s home May13. has scored 24 goals for his defeat by Lorient on Sunday He will reportedly not clubthisseason.

Concacaf confirms details for...

From page 37 Suriname,andtheUnitedStates.

Wednesday May 03, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Offer your services to others, Aries Your generosity in spreading your knowledge will be rewarded Things might be rather confusing at first, but once you start talking, you will be surprised byhowmuchyoureallyknow

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

If you feel slighted today, Taurus, don't shut yourself off from the situation. It may seem like everyone has ganged up and turned against you. Either that, or they all wanttobeyourbestfriend.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

You may wake up in a fog of confusion this morning for some reason, Gemini. The good news is that the air is likely to clear as the day continues.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Here's a suggestion. If you get astrangevibeaboutasituation today, walk away, Cancer Your instincts will tell you if somethingisdangerousornot. If you don't feel safe, find anotherplacetobe.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

It's time to take charge of your life, Leo. Don't rely on other people to sort out your problems. There may some anxiety in the air today that causes you to overreact to a situation that normally wouldn'tfazeyou.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

It's time to show other people that you have backbone, Virgo. It could be that up until now very few people have noticed, since you're so flexible and adaptable to change.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You may be anxious to get some new projects underway today, Libra, even though they aren't necessarily ready or well thought out. You must first learnthatpatienceiskey

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

There's a romantic, dreamy feelingtotodaythatyoushould indulgein,Scorpio.Ifyouhave a special someone in your life, this is the perfect day to share thesefeelings!

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You might not be in the mood to cooperate today, Sagittarius. You will most likely want to work on projects alone at your own pace. You will probably have to come out of your shell andinteractwithothers.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Start today on the right foot by projecting a positive mood and healthy mindset, Capricorn. If you're dragging your heels and already dreading the forthcoming events, you will only succeed in making it hardertomoveahead.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You may discover your emotions are tempered today, as you want to turn inward. You're apt to surprise yourself and the people around you when you decide that all you wanttodoisgointoyourroom and sit by yourself instead of jointhecrowdoutside.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Your strength lies in your inner resources, Pisces. Today you will find that these resources have opened up within you. You will find that your emotions are calm and under controlinthefaceofchaos.

From page 36 22-time Grand Slam singles w i n n e r a p p l i e d unsuccessfully for a special exemption to enter the United States to play this year’s MasterseventsatIndianWells andMiami.

US Open organizers, as well as the US Tennis Association, both called for Djokovic to be granted an exemption.

US tennis great John McEnroe was one of several who questioned the decision to continue to bar Djokovic fromtheUnitedStates,noting that the Serb played the US Open in 2021 when the pandemicwasstillraging.

“He played (the US Open) in 2021 and then wasn’t allowed to play in 2022, someone explain that to me,” McEnroesaidearlierthisyear “And now he’s still not permitted to play? It’s absurd.”

Djokovic was also infamously deported from Australia last year due to his vaccine status, missing the Australian Open. He returned to Melbourne this year and wontheevent.

However, on Monday, the White House confirmed that its vaccination requirement for travelers entering the United States would be lifted onMay11.

More than a million people died from Covid-19 in theUnitedStates.

However, the White House noted that the pandemic had been all but stopped.

“Since January 2021, Covid-19 deaths have declined by 95 percent and hospitalizations are down nearly 91 percent. Globally, Covid-19 deaths are at their lowest levels since the start of the pandemic,” the White Housesaidinastatement.

League B (16 teams):Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Montserrat, Puerto Rico (promoted), Saint Kitts and Nevis (promoted), Saint Lucia (promoted), Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Maarten(promoted),andTrinidadandTobago.

League C (9 teams): Anguilla,Aruba, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Saint Martin, TurksandCaicosIslands,andU.S.VirginIslands.

All Concacaf Member Associations participating in the CNLGroupStagehavebeenallocatedinaLeaguepotbased ontheConcacafMen’sRankingsasofMarch31,2023.

The draw for each league will begin by randomly selectingateamfromPot1andplacingthatnationinGroup A of their respective league. The draw will continue by selecting the remaining teams from Pot 1 and positioning themintoagroupinsequentialorder Thesameprocesswill bedonefortheremainingpots.

At the end of each draw, each group will contain one nationfromeachpot.(CONCACAF)

FieryKohlifinedagainafterIPLpost-matchrow

AFP- Indian cricket star sharp words on the field away from an exchange with MarcusAurelius.” offence this season after he Indian captaincy, one of the Virat Kohli was fined during a tense match Kohli before other players Gambhir and Kohli, who was fined 10 percent of his most high-pressure jobs in yesterday for the second between Kohli’s Royal triedunsuccessfullytostopa played together when India match fee for his conduct worldsport. timeinthisIPLseasonaftera Challengers Bangalore and visibly furious Gambhir, won the 2011 World Cup, during Bangalore’s loss to Kohli, 34, has spoken post-match altercation with Lucknow Super Giants on Lucknow’s team mentor, had a shouting match before Chennai Super Kings last about his mental health former national team-mate Monday fromconfrontinghim. Bangalore skipper Faf du month. struggles during his dry GautamGambhir Kohli, who has often run Kohli took to social Plessisintervened. Despite being one of the phase, including how he had Both were docked their into trouble with his media yesterday with a The former national best batsmen of the modern been “snappy” to his entire match fee, the Indian aggressive approach, had to cryptic Instagram post team-mates were also game, “King Kohli” and Bollywood actress wife Premier League said, while be restrained by opposition quoting a famed Roman involved in an ugly on-field Bangalore have never won AnushkaSharma. Naveen-ul-Haqwasfined50 batsmanAmitMishraduring emperor and philosopher: exchange in a 2013 IPL theIndianPremierLeague. He has had numerous percent of his for breaching the match Bangalore “Everything we hear is an match The 41-year-old He quit the RCB run-ins with opposing theleague’scodeofconduct. eventuallywonby18runs. opinion, not a fact Gambhir has become an MP captaincy at the end of the players and was once KohliandAfghanbowler Afterwards, Lucknow’s Everything we see is a for India’s Hindu-nationalist 2021season. reprimanded after hitting a Naveen were seen having Kyle Mayers had to be led perspective, not the truth. - ruling BJP party since He went through an plastic chair with a bat retiringfromcricketin2018. extended batting slump in following his dismissal

This was Kohli’s second 2021 and 2022 and lost the duringanIPLmatch.

Virat Kohli (R) has been fined for the second time in this IPL.

PSG will not renew Messi’s contract after trip to Saudi Arabia- L’Equipe

(Reuters) - Paris St Germain forward Lionel Messi will not have his contract renewed at the club following an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia, French sportsdailyL’Equipereportedyesterday

Messi signed an optional third-season clause in his contract when he first arrived in 2021. Club officials have decided not to activateit,thereportsaid.

The 35-year-old was suspended for two weeks testerday, L’Equipe added, as he was supposed to practice with his team following a 3-1 defeat at home against Lorient in Ligue 1onSundaybutinsteadflewtoSaudiArabia.

The Argentina World Cup winner is banned from playing or training with the team, and his pay will be docked during his suspension.

Messi will miss the upcoming Ligue 1 matches against Troyes and Ajaccio but mightreturnforthematchagainstAuxerreon PSG are top of the standings with 75 May21.Hewillthenbeavailablefortheclub points from 33 matches, five points ahead of untiltheseasonendsonJune3. second-placedOlympiquedeMarseille.

Paris St Germain’s Lionel Messi during the warm up before the match. (REUTERS/ Stephane Mahe/File Photo)

Slingerz FC makes move to GFA

One of the country’s Association(GFA). and the value it will at the pm at the Georgetown the local football governing Leo Lovell, Quincy most popular football clubs, Otis James, president of Association’s league which Football Club (GFC) body over the expansion of Adams, Jamal Perriera, Slingerz FC, made a switch the GFA, welcomed the club startsonSunday Ground. the country’s National Clive Nobrega Jeremy of affiliation, moving from to the Guyana Football Slingerz Football Club Formerly based in League. Garrett and Akel Clarke are the West Demerara Football Federation’s (GFF) largest (FC) will have a baptism on Vergenoegen, East Bank Ali subsequently pulled justsomeoftheplayersfrom Association (WDFA) to the sub-association,pointingout May 7 when they come up Essequibo, Slingerz FC will the plug on the club but the Golden Jaguars set-up G

l the team’s calibre of players against Vengy FC from 4:00 now take up residence in returned last year and that will feature in the GFA, Kitty, Georgetown, as the picked up where they left along with former national c l u b ’ s p r e s i d e n t , off, winning the WDFA players Sheldon Holder, businessman Javed Ali, said League for the third time, Delon Lanferman and he’s looking forward to a l o n g w i t h t h e JoshuaBrown. competingintheGFA. Commander’sCup Under the WDFA,

https://www.npta.gov.gy/bidders-registration/

According to Ali, the The Slingerz FC Slingerz FC Slingerz FC club’s executives decided on president noted, that club’s won the Guyana Football movingtotheGFAduetothe position to get back into the Federation Elite League, the uncertainty of the WDFA Elite League remains the Bank Cup (2013-2014), the and the way forward for the same, just as their quest to West Side Mashramani gameonthe‘WestSide’. compete at the Caribbean Knockout tournament (2013 Slingerz FC, after C h a m p i o n s h i p a n d & 2014), WDFA League starting operation in 2013, ultimately, the CONCACAF (2013,2014,2022),Mayor’s quickly shot to stardom, ClubChampionsLeague. Cup (2015) and the Kashif joining formal rivals Alpha “We look forward to and Shanghai tournament Unitedasthetwotopclubsin working closely with the (2015). Guyana.

GFA and all football Shi-Oil, Forrester’s

After winning the stakeholders in Georgetown, Lumber Inc, West Vibes inaugural season of the GFF just like we’ve done over the Sports Bar and Service Elite League in 2016, the years under the WDFA,”Ali Guyana are the club’s club had a legal battle with said. primarysponsors.

Queensway Security Service Inc. support for GuyanaNRA WIFBSC 2023 Championships

Administrative Manager of Queensway hasmadethisnationproud,fordecades. Security Service Inc., located at 153 Regent “This team is well known and has made Road and Oronoque Street, in the city, Ms. thisnationproudovertheyears,traditionally Cindy Girwar made a timely donation on wehavesupportandwearemorethanhappy behalf of her company to the Guyana to keep this going, thus our contribution National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA), again this year Your track record speaks for ahead of next week, Caribbean itself and we extend best wishes to you and Championships. theteamaheadofthisyear’scompetition.”

Set to be held at the Crabbs Rifle Range Ramalho expressed gratitude to Ms. inAntigua & Barbuda, the GuyanaNRAhas Girwar and the main principals of received excellent support from corporate Queensway Security Service Inc. on behalf Guyana and the Government, through the of the GuyanaNRA for their committed and Ministry of Sport and the National Sports continuedpartnership.

Commission to ensure that the Guyanese

The team is scheduled to leave Guyana field the best team to wrest back the Short on Sunday for Antigua and Barbuda where Range Championship from Jamaica, which Team practice is scheduled for next week wonashostnation,in2022. Monday with the Individual Championship

In handing over the cheque to Fullbore firing off on Tuesday and concluding on Vice Captain, Leo Romalho at the Thursday company’s Head Office, Ms. Girwar said Friday will be a rest day with the much that they were very pleased to be once again anticipated Short Range Team Match set for supportiveof theNationalRifleTeamwhich Saturday

England’s2023TouroftheWestIndiesfixturesrevealed

- 8 matches to be played in December across 4 venues

Cricket West Indies third CG United ODI will be (CWI) yesterday announced played at Kensington Oval, thefullschedulefortheWest Barbados on December 9

I n d i e s M e n ’s 2 0 2 3 followedonDecember12by International Home series thefirstoffiveT20Is. against England. The world The Spice Isle of champions will visit the Grenada welcomes both Caribbean in December teams for two T20Is on where they will play a three- December14and16,andthe match CG United One-Day tour concludes in the week International (ODI) Series before Christmas with the and five match T20 fourth and fifth T20Is at the International(T20I)Series.

BrianLaraCricketAcademy

England arrive in in Trinidad which will be Antigua to start the tour with hosting a West Indies vs two CG United ODIs at the England men’s fixture for Sir Vivian Richards Stadium the first time on December on December 3 and 6. The 19and21.

West Indies play their first match on December 3 (Getty Images)

CWI’s Chief Executive biggestrivals. Operators and ticket Officer, Johnny Grave said: The tour will also help information for the series “We are delighted to be able with our ongoing venue will be announced in the to confirm the England preparation and event coming weeks with tickets match schedule and to planning for one of the available in advance on the welcome once again their biggest events ever to be Windies Tickets service many travelling fans to the staged in the region, the ICC presented by Mastercard, region for a pre-Christmas Men’s T20 World Cup, a c c e s s i b l e v i a white-balltour “ which takes place in June Windiescricket com where Grave added: “This tour nextyear fans can also find all the will be a major economic “We also look forward to latest news and scores. Fans boosttothehostcountries,as announcing the fixtures and can register sign up to well as providing our fans venues for the India tour of receive the first news of with the chance to see some the West Indies in July and tickets going on sale at of their favourite players in Augustverysoon.” https://wwwwindiescricket action against one of our OfficialWestIndiesTour com/updates/.

Arsenal return to top of the league with 3-1win over sorry Chelsea

LONDON, (Reuters) - giving striker Leandro Arsenalreturnedtothetopof Trossard a start in the place the Premier League of Gabriel Martinelli and yesterday with a 3-1 win handing Jakub Kiwior his overawoefulChelsea,seton firstleaguestartinmidfield. their way by two goals from His side dominated their Martin Odegaard, but the slumping London rivals title is still Manchester straight from the kick-off as City’s to lose having played they sought to shake off last two games less than the week’s potentially titleleaders. Arsenal raced into a decidingsetback.

3-0 halftime lead when Granit Xhaka, who captain Odegaard was given provided assists for both acres of space - twice - by Odegaard’s strikes, almost Chelsea’s flimsy defence to opened the scoring himself score in the 18th and 31st intheopeningminutesbuthe minutes, and Gabriel Jesus was thwarted by Kepa converted from close-range Arrizabalagawhowentonto 11minutesbeforethebreak. make saves in the second Arsenal’sfirstwininfive half that prevented an games took them to 78 Arsenalrout. points, two more than “Everyone was so hurt lost,wedidn’tplayourgame competitions since interim second goal in eight games million pounds ($623 second-placed City - the after the game (against and weren’t ourselves, that coach Frank Lampard when Noni Madueke million) on players since reigning champions - who City),” Odegaard said after was the most painful thing, replaced Graham Potter last squeezed the ball pastAaron buyingtheclubalmostayear have the chance to reclaim taking his league goal tally and we wanted to show a month, a dismal run for a Ramsdale in the 65th minute ago, are expected to name topspotwhentheyhostWest fortheseasonto14. different side and we club who were crowned for his first strike since former Tottenham Hotspur HamUnitedtoday

“We used the anger and definitely did,” the European champions as s i g n i n g f r o m P S V boss Mauricio Pochettino as

After losing to City 4-1 the disappointment to get NorwegiantoldSkySports. recentlyastwoyearsago.

EindhoveninJanuary their new permanent coach lastweek,MikelArtetamade back into this game.You can Chelsea lost for the sixth But they at least Chelsea’s U.S. owners, fornextseason. three changes, including lose games but the way we time in six games in all managed to score only their who have lavished over 500 ($1 = 0.8024 pounds)

The final two matches will be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. (ICC)

Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus scores their third goal. (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)

Phantom emerge as winners to claim PM Mark Phillips trophy and $600,000 in final of One Guyana Linden Dominoes competition

Joshua DaSilva

Headley/Weekes Tri-Series…

Final Match -Team

Headley vs. Team Weekes

Team Headley in need of win, as final match bowls off today

rged Georgetown-based team to along with Ms Barbara winners with 80 games the win which was worth Marshall, Assistant when the Prime Minister $600,000 and the Prime secretaryoftheGeorgetown Brigadier (Ret ) ‘One Minister’s Trophy and he Dominoes Association to Guyana’ Linden Dominoes was adjudged the Most t h e w i n n e r s a n d tournament ended as they ValuablePlayerofthefinal. competition’s coordinator stopped Corruption on 69 Corrupt also from ColinAaron. games and Hustlers placed Georgetown received Tw o t e a m s w e r e third on 51 games when the $300,000 and a trophy for adjudged Best Dressed and tournament ended Monday placing second and the they were Providence and at Shanghai’s place in Yarrowkabra team Hustlers MixUp. Amelia’sWard,Linden. $100,000andatrophyalso. T h e d e f e n d i n g Phantom’s Lashley P r e s e n t i n g t h e champions Executives were George was the best player championship trophy was unable to get past the first on show with the maximum World Council Dominoes round of the tournament 18 games to lead the President Mr. Macbeth where24teamsentered.

BCB/Ali’s Bakery U-17 cricket tournament bowls off May 5

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Rose Hall Canje vs. East Bank Blazers@ continues to bowl off cricket Canje

across the Ancient County, with Kendall Union vs. Edinburgh @ Kendall the upcoming Ali’s Bakery Under-17 Union knockout tournament set to commence on Albion B vs. Upper Corentyne@ No 72 May5.

CutandLoad

Thecompetitionisalsosettobefollowed RoseHallTownvs.Skeldon@AreaH by a Zone tournament, featuring the best Port Mourant vs Radha Krishna players from across four areas. It will be Foundation@PortMourant played on a 50 overs-per-side basis with the Albionvs.Guymine@JaiHind cutoff date being September 1st, 2005 as per SecondRound-Sunday7thofMay CricketWestIndies(CWI)regulations. Winnerof1vs.2

Participating teams include; Cotton Tree, Winnerof3vs.4 Bush Lot United,Achievers, Bath, Guymine, Winnerof5vs9 Edinburgh, Kendall Union, Rose Hall Canje, Winnerof6vs.7 Mt Sinai, Tucber Park, East Bank Blazers, Winnerof8drawbye AlbionA,AlbionB,RHTYSC,PortMourant, ThirdRound-Saturday13thofMay UpperCorentyne,RadhaKrishnaFoundation Winnerof1drawbye andSkeldon.

Winnerof4vs.2

Fixtures: Winnerof3vs.5

Achieversvs.Bath@Bath

Roundfour-14thofMay

The final match at half-centuries during their and Sinclair. Team Headley Coolidge Cricket Ground of 400 score while Test opener had a long rest and should be the Headley/Weekes Tri- Tagenarine Chanderpaul fully restored as they face a Seriesissettobeathriller,as showed some good signs, strong team, but aside from nd both teams will look to end with his 2 innings 53 their captain, their batting the tournament on a high helping Team Weekes draw order looked shaky during note, following two thematch. theopeninggame. electrifyingmatches. Kevin Sinclair, Brandon Captain Joshua DaSilva, Team Headley, having King, Jahmar Hamilton and who opened the competition lost their first game to West Zachary McCaskie will lead with a century, will need Indies Academy by 7 the batting charge following support from the likes of wickets, arguably the best their fifties in the previous Darren Bravo, Kieran team of the 3-match series, game. One worry should be Powell, Kaveem Hodge and should look to end their stint their bowlers, most of which others who all had poor on a good note Team including leading wicket outings and will need to Weekes on the other hand t a k e r i n 1 c l a s s bounce back strongly for the will desperately need to ,Veerasammy Permaul, finalbout. secure a win, having let the returned horrible figures, The last time Nyeem WI-A off the hook in the thanks mainly to the WI-A Young, Chaim Holder and previous games, which batsman Kirk McKenzie, Akeem Jordan looked good playedtoadraw whoscoredadoubleton. withtheball,butwillneedto Having posted 401/107 Fast-bowlers Jair be more disciplined against nd in the 1 and 2 innings of the McAllister and Nial Smith an in-form lineup of last game, Team Weekes especially, will need to have batsmen.

batsmenwillbeinpeakform a better game come today The final match is coming into today’s game.A with more expected from expected to bowl off at number of their batsmen hit frontline spinners Permaul 9:30h.

Djokovic set for US Open after vaccine mandate lifted

AFP - Novak Djokovic will be free to play in this year’s US Open after the United States government confirmed it is lifting its Covid-19 vaccine mandate oninternationaltravelers.

Djokovic, one of the highest profile athletes to remainunvaccinated,hasnot been able to play in the United States since the vaccine mandate came into effectinNovember2021.

Novak Djokovic will be free to play in this year’s US Open after the US Govt. announced end to vaccine mandates for international visitors.

CottonTreevs.BushLotUnited@Cotton

Winnerof1vs.3 Tree Winnerof2drawbye

TucberParkvs.MtSinai@MtSinai Finals-DateandVenuetobeset

The 35-year-old world number one last played the US Open in 2021, when his bid to complete a calendar DaniilMedvedev US tennis tournaments due year Grand Slam ended in Since then Djokovic has tothetravelmandate.The defeat in the final to Russia’s been a glaring absentee from (Continued on page 31)

Veerasammy Permaul

Phantom celebrate after winning the Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips One Guyana Domino title.

‘Above the Rim’hailed a success

Bartica’s center takes on St. Stanislaus guards in an attempted jump shot.

Above the Rim ‘Five-a- Basketball Academy provided the rallied to the finals defeating arch free.” Kandar also made mention concluded, we at D-Up Academy Side’ Basketball small crowd with some exciting rivals Bartica Basketball team 15- to all the parents and supporters are now looking forward to the

competition hosted by and classic basketball with some 18points.Barticasettledforsecond who came out to support their future. We will head back to the the D-Up Basketball Academy good showing from the younger place while Linden Kings copped individual teams, saying, “Though, drawing boards to commence were hailed a success according to teams. bronze. the turnout was fair bases on my planning next year’s event with the the Competitions Chairman D-Up Academy U14 A and B In the most exciting category- judgment. Judging from what I hope of having more Georgetown AnthonyKandar team performed well despite not Open, Golden Grove won the gold; have seen, I would like to see more teamsinvolvedinthecompetition.” The event which concluded on walking away with any of the top defeating D-Up Academy 20-31 support from the parental aspect, The event was sponsored by Monday saw 12 teams competing honours. point in the finals. D-Up Academy reason being these kids need as Giftland Office Max, Windsor for supremacy; Kwakwani-A team After playing five games, they finished runner-up while Tuschen much support possible in order to Estates, West Indian Friends That took the U14 title, St Stanislaus finished outside the medals list as Mencamethird. seebetterresults.” Care, Mel Cheddie (Canada), Boys won the U18 category, while the Kwakwani basketball team Meanwhile, speaking to He also expressed thanks to the Mike Gonsalves (Tuschen), Golden Grove Men grabbed the stormed through to the final Competition Chairman Anthony listsponsors,coachesandtheentire Mangal and Sons Sawmill Open(Adult)category defeating Parika 21-20 points to Kandar after the event, he stated, “I staffoftheTuschenPrimaryschool (Tuschen), Mr Lobert (USA), In what is deemed as the largest taketheU14championship. am pleased with how the for making this event a success. Nazir Supreme Oil and Gas, Salt basketball competition in the Over in the U18, the well competition went. We were able to Kandar closed by saying, “Now Hardware (Tuschen), Bukhan region three district, the D-UP composed Saints Stanislaus Boys host all of our matches, incident that, Above the Rim 2023 has Supermarket(Tuschen).

Concacaf confirms details for 2023/24 CNL official draw on May 16

-GuyanaselectedasPotforLeagueB

Concacafhasyesterdayconfirmedthe FIFA Match Windows in September, October, date, procedures and pots for the andNovember2023.

2023/24 Concacaf Nations League League A has been expanded to include 16 (CNL) official draw which includes sub-divide teams (up from 12), and a new quarterfinal LeaguesA,B,andCintogroups.Thedrawswill roundhasbeencreated. takeplaceonTuesday,May16,inMiami,FL,at The League B format remains unchanged 7:00pm. and will continue to feature 16 teams divided

The draws will be executed using a single- into four groups of four teams. Each team will blind system involving six pots for League A, play every other team in their group, home and four pots for League B, and three pots for away,foratotalofsixmatchesperteam(threeat LeagueC. homeandthreeaway).

The competition’s format has also been League C will include nine teams divided revamped to include more direct elimination intothreegroupsofthreeteams.Eachteamwill matches that will qualify teams for continental playeveryteamintheirgroup,home-and-away, summercompetitions. foratotaloffourmatchesperteam(twoathome

Furthermore, Concacaf also confirmed that andtwoaway). the 2023/24 and 2024/25 CNL editions will Leagues’Teams… serveasthequalifyingtournamentsforthe2024 The distribution of teams for LeaguesA, B, CONMEBOL Copa America (six Concacaf and C has been determined based on the results nations will participate) and the 2025 Concacaf of the 2022/23 CNL Group Stage, including a GoldCup,respectively promotion system from Leagues B and C to The CNL will continue to be played in a LeaguesAandB,respectively three-League format (A, B, and C) as the LeagueA(16 teams): Canada, Costa Rica, region’s 41 men’s senior national teams will be Cuba (promoted), Curaçao, El Salvador, distributed into the Leagues according to the Grenada, Guatemala (promoted), Haiti resultsoftheprecedingCNLedition. (promoted), Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique,

It was also revealed that the 2023/24 CNL Mexico,Nicaragua(promoted),Panama, Group Stage will be played during the official (Continued on page 31)

D-Up Academy U14 team poses for group photo Coach Kandar (far left) and support staff shares the moment.

Guyana has been selected as a team for Pot 1 in League B; Pots determined are based on the Concacaf Men’s Rankings as of March 31, 2023. (Photo: SKNFA)

GGA Vice-president says focus on youth/ education part of plan for 2023

Vice-President of the The GGA executive athletes in Guyana and more College,Wisburg Secondary Secondary, with 50 students isthatitisnecessarytoavoid Guyana Golf Association Thomas,aretiredUSMarine so,ingolf. a n d A n n a R e g i n a is in second place withAnna having students travel long (GGA) Dallas Thomas says and president of Praetorian In 2022, for the first time Multilateral Secondary took Regina falling to third with distances to practice and the goal is to ensure that Security Services explained in the country’s history, golf a leap from traditional sports 47 students Friendship play youths not only play golf but that his drive is mainly a was offered as a PE elective to do golf, and delivered

Secondary increased their

The GGA has reached understand the importance resultofknowingtheendless at CSEC examinations and incredible results with 100% PE class from just 9 students out to NICIL in hopes of o f t h e a c a d e m i c opportunities that are 116 students from Rosignol passrateatthehighestlevel. in 2022 to 46 this year with securing 8-10 acre tracts of opportunities the sport now available to the younger Secondary, Friendship Thomas expounded, ”I an astonishing 40 students land in various regions that provides,locally generation of student Secondary, President’s decided to serve on the optingforgolf. can be developed as a Board of the GGA firstly Several students from multifaceted sport facility because of my love of the Queens College are taking similar to the Westside Golf game but also in recognition golf on their own outside of Course which was recently of the exceptional efforts of their traditional school openedinVreed-en-Hoop o u r t e a m a n d t h e agenda under the direction The GGAwill be hosting partnerships forged with the tutelage of QC Alumnus a family fun day in May at Ministry of Education Unit Aleem Hussain The the Westside Golf Course in ofAlliedArts,theTexasGolf changing face of golf in Vreed-en-Hoop to raise Association and other Guyana is attracting the funds for the first ever i n t e r n a t i o n a l g o l f a t t e n t i o n o f t h e GuyanaNationalJuniorGolf organizations that allowed L P G A / U S G A , t h e Championship, which will us to introduce the sport all I n t e r n a t i o n a l G o l f be sponsored in part by DDL around the country in just a Federation and the R&A, SavannahMilk. year I know firsthand of the especially in light of the The Westside Golf networking and potential astounding growth of the Course has seen tremendous scholarships that golf offers game, not just in sheer support from the Regional to young persons and I numbers of new players but Chairman and Region Three definitely want all Guyanese inatoughtoattractcategory, offices, along with the to fully benefit from these females’players. RegionThreePrivateSector, opportunities.”

Hussain, president of the corporate sponsors and most Rosignol Secondary GGA said that after importantly, the residents of School has risen to top the discussions with the the region who have made it list of schools with all 57 Minister of Education Priya their weekend social students taking golf. Bushlot Manikchand, the consensus gatheringspot.

Vice-President of the

Guyana Golf Association (GGA) Dallas Thomas trying out the Greens at the Westside Golf Course.

GGA expects a larger number of students to choose golf this year as part of the CSEC PE examinations.

‘Return of the Scorpion’ boxing event billed for May 21

Th e G u y a n a B o x i n g

A s s o c i a t i o n

( G B A ) i n collaboration with Bris-O Promotions will host the ‘Return of the Scorpion’ boxing card, slated for the 21st May at the National Gymnasium located along the Mandela Avenue, following an official launching held yesterday at the Mirage Lounge, Alberttown.

The Bris-O Promotions play an important role in promoting and developing the sport of boxing in Guyana Long serving promoter Seon Bristol is elated to have this card reintroduced into the local calendar, following an absencetothecardduetothe recentCovid19pandemic.

According to him, “The Organizations like Bris- boxershailingfromthisvery the Scorpion’is scheduled to

This card will feature talks with the different Return of the Scorpion is O Promotions provide a soil. have four elite international local fighters such as Elton association across the back, and it promises to be platform for boxers to To say the least; over the bouts as well as four junior’s Dharry, Dexter Marques, Caribbean. bigger and better The event showcase their skills, while years, Guyana has been able bouts Elton Dhary is Shaquan James, Tiquan Atpresent,fightersoutof is billed to be exciting, from competing against each to produce eight world expected to headline the Sampson, Tifonia Barker, Columbia and Panama have the first bell to the very last. other,aswellasinternational boxers thus far and currently event, amongst fighters out Abiola andAlesha Jackman, already hinted their interest This will be one night of pugilist which also aid in has a large stock of fighters of Barbados, St Lucia, Jewel Williamson, Jamal in competing at this event fistic fury featuring some of theircareerbuildingprocess. destined to compete at the Trinidad and Tobago, Eastman and Emannuel while other territories will the best pound for pound Boxing has a rich history in worldchampionship. Guaduloupe, Suriname and Pompey pen their participation in the boxersintheregion.” here, with many talented However, the ‘Return of Jamaica. TheGBAarecurrentlyin comingweeks.

Hemnarine Chattergoon confident Cambridge Jaguars winning this year

NBy Ravendra Madholall adopted country Canada at the highest and once play to the best of their level, made mention that the lineup is abilities, Jaguars should able to roar in ew skipper Hemnarine strengthened with the addition of few everyfacetofthegame. Chattergoon has expressed newandexcitingplayerswhohavegota Singh has been a long-standing

confidence that Cambridge wealthofexperience. player of the side and shared that Jaguars will be triumphant this year in “I love the team for this year; looks Cambridge Jaguars always possessed a the Canadian Premier Softball Cricket very formidable and we are aiming for quality team. In 2023, they made their League’svarioustournaments. success by the completion of the debut at the abovementioned League

The action is set to kick off later this season,” Chattergoon, whose younger but prior to that, they had done month and the former Guyana andWest brother Sewnarine Chattergoon played admirably well at the Ontario RoundIndies youth batsman strongly believes testcricketforWestIndies,declared. Arm Softball Cricket Association’s his team is equipped to dominate According to an enthusiastic differentcompetitions,too. proceedings. Chattergoon, assurance of good all-

In 2021, Cambridge Jaguars

The right-handed Chattergoon has round performances is expected from participatedinthe20-oversfinalagainst takenoverthecaptaincyfromthevastly the likes of Rajkumar Budhram, Rishi eventualwinnerSunshine. experiencedShilenderSingh. Harricharan, Teddy Nankisore, Chien “As a team, we [are] just getting

Last year, Cambridge Jaguars failed Gittens, Riaz Kadir, Amar Singh, betterandbetter;everyonehadtakenup to reach any of the finals in all three Rajesh Willie, Mahendra Jaipersaud his responsibility and again I am formats (20, 15 and 10-overs), but andRamezMohamedamongothers. confident the old and new players will Chattergoon is more optimistic now Quizzed on how he rated the play with same level of commitment,” they can do well. “We have to go out tournaments last year, the softball all- Singhstated. there and play positive cricket from ball rounder Chattergoon responded: “Was Statistically, Jaipersaud recorded a one; in 2022, the guys showed a lot of very competitive with a number of century to be among the top-players determination and character but I think teams displaying fine performances; whileNankisoretalliedup17wicketsin the other teams just played better every side was out there to win the their nine matches of which seven were cricket,” Chattergoon related. VP Boys championshipsaswesawandthatisthe victoriousinthe20-oversversion. were rampant last year surging to all competitiveness we are anticipating Notably, the team is owned by threechampionshipvictories. again.” popular Canada-based Guyanese

For this season, the 45-year-old Chattergoon’s predecessor Singh businessman Satishwar Persaud, a Chattergoon, who also represented his also informed the team is rearing to go RealtorofAdanaHomes.

Bris-O Promotions team at the launching of Return of the Scorpion boxing championship.

Hemnarine Chattergoon