Kaieteur News

EPA files appeal against High Court decision ordering Exxon to provide unlimited parent company guarantee to Guyana

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has filed a Notice ofAppeal againsttheHighCourtruling that is in favour of Guyana receiving unlimited parent company guarantee from Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd (“EEPGL”) and its parent company, Exxon Mobil in theeventofanoilspill.

Justice Sandil Kissoon last Wednesday ordered the EPAtoissueanEnforcement Notice to Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its parent company, Exxon Mobil to ensure it provides unlimited parent company guarantee to safeguard Guyana against the devastating effects of an oil spillbyJune10.

Awritten copy of ruling seen by this newspaper stipulates that failure to comply with the court order will result in the suspension oftheenvironmentalpermit.

On Tuesday, a Notice of Appealwasdraftedandfiled by Attorney-at-law and People Progressive Party/Civic (PPPC) MP,

SanjeevDatadin.

In the document seen by this newspaper, the EPA is seeking to reverse the High Court decision on the grounds that the trial court erredinlawininterpretation, consideration and application of the combined effect of Clause 14 of the Environmental Permit issued to EEPGL, and erroneously concluded that the financial assurance must beprovidedbyEEPGL.

The EPAargued that the trial court erred in law and misconstrued the Environmental Protection Actand its Regulations to determine that the Appellant, a statutory body had specific statutory powers whichin factit did not.

The EPAargued too that the trial court erred in law and misconstrued the substance and effect and wrongly ascribed to it an interpretationsuperiortothe Environmental Protection Act and thereby ascribed meaning to it which was expressly contrary to the specific provisions of the

saidActanditsRegulations.

Further, the EPA submittedthatthetrialcourt erredin law in directingand determining the exact manneroftheexerciseofthe discretion of the EPA in a manner contrary to establishedlawandpractice.

IneffecttheEPAsaidthat the trial court substituted its own discretion as the decisionoftheEPAwhenthe Agencyatallmaterialtimes, had exercised its discretion and acted well within it

statutory and regulatory powers.

Asaresult,theEPAseeks a stay of execution of the judgment of the Court as it contends that irreparable harm would be suffered by thenation’seconomy

Meanwhile, Director of theEPA,KemrajParsramin an affidavit inter alia said that he was advised that the grave disruption to the national economy coupled with the good prospect of success of the Appeal is

sufficient for the court to grant of a stay of execution oftheorderandjudgmentof theHighCourt.

Parsram said that the court orders are quite coercive; including its mandate to the EPAto serve astatutorynoticeonEEPGL, and if no adequate response is received then the permit standssuspended.

According to the EPA Head, the judgment will have severe consequences andthedirectionoftheCourt has the effect of removing entirely the discretion of the agency

He noted Guyana as a nation now earns billions of dollars annually from the petroleum activities conductedon theLiza1 and Liza2fields;botharesubject to the permit suspension or cancellationwhichwillhave a catastrophic effect on national funds for development and also the private sector which supportstheactivitiesonthe saidLiza1and2fields.

LastyearPresidentofthe Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI),

Frederick Collins and another citizen, Godfrey Whyte,tooktheEPAtocourt toenforceacriticalclausein theLizaPhaseOnerenewed environmental permit that wasissuedtoEEPGL.

Thecasewasfiledinthe High Court on September 13, 2022 by Attorneys SeenathJairam,SC,Melinda Janki, and Abiola WongInniss In the case, Mr Collins, a former insurance professional said, “An oil spill would be devastating for our country and Region as many Guyanese and Caribbean peoples depend on the ocean for their livelihoods. That is why we have decided that the time has come to take matters to thecourtforrelief.”

The litigants said that their resort to the court is to make sure that the company takes full financial responsibility in case of harm,lossanddamagetothe environment.

Last Wednesday, the HighCourtruledinfavourof the TIGI Head and Whyte grantingthemseveralreliefs requested.

Director of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram

ExxonM shareholder group worries about their pockets should there be an oil spill in Guyana ...filesproposaltoseereportonimpactsofaworst-casescenario

Akey shareholder group

f o r E x x o n M o b i l Corporation is concerned about the safety of the oil giant’s Guyana operations.

Specifically, Mercy InvestmentServicesInc.has filed a proposal, that if approved at an Annual Shareholders Meeting on May31,2023,Exxonwould beforcedtoprepareareport on a worst-case scenario for an oil spill in the Stabroek Block.

The proposal expressed an interest to have Exxon issue a report evaluating the economic, human, and environmental impacts of a worst-case oil spill from its operations offshore in Guyana. The report would clarify the extent of the company’scleanupresponse

commitments given the potential for severe impact onCaribbeaneconomies.

Aslongterminvestorsin ExxonMobil, the group said it is concerned that the company’s existing disclosures on increased production fail to also address what are the worstcase spill vulnerabilities in itsGuyanaoperations.

It was keen to highlight thatthetragicBPDeepwater Horizon disaster is widely recognized as one of the worst environmental disasters in US history and exemplifies the potential reputational and financial damage Exxon could be exposed to in the event of a similardisaster.Theinvestor group highlighted that BP Macondo oil spill has cost

drilling partners at least US$71billiontomitigatethe disaster’s effects. That sum is expected to increase as more lawsuits have been filed by hundreds of individuals with lateoccurringhealtheffects.

Taking the far-reaching impacts of the BP spill into account, the group said Exxon’s operations in Guyana are concerning, especially after noting local media reports of an increased production at the LizaPhaseOneProject.

Thegrouphighlightedin its proposal that the

company’s design capacity for the Liza Destiny vessel operating at the Liza Phase One Project is 100,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) with the safety threshold being 120,000 bpd, an entirelydifferentfigurethan thecurrent150,000bopd.

The group said, “To be clear, the company is both operating above design capacity and exceeding its safety threshold for Liza Phase One, the potential impact and risk of which hasnotbeenassessedbyits existingdisclosures.”

Apart from its concerns

regarding increased oil production, the investor groupsaidaspecialreportis needed on Guyana to consider the economic and environmental implications ofanoilspillthatwouldlast beyond 30 days. It believes investors ought to know the impacts of an extended durationofaspill.

The proposal also requests that the company’s spill assessment consider severe weather conditions.

In this regard, it was noted thatastheimpactsofclimate change are manifesting worldwide, scientists

estimate that by just 2050, intense hurricanes and typhoons could more than double in nearly all regions oftheworld.

This timeline is well withinthatofthecompany’s Guyana operations, with the Payara development project operating through at least 2053.

The group believes that Exxon’s disclosures should account for the projected i n c r e a s e d frequency/severity of natural disasters in the Caribbeanregionresulting

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Government should resign

The entire PPPC Government should resign immediately Itisalargelysickgroup,averyfeeblegroup, andanallbutuselessgroupforGuyanese.

The leadership of the PPPC Government is beyond disgraceful,itnowstandsasasetofGuyaneseguiltyofthe worstformoftreachery:itcannotevensummonthegutsto standforitsownpeople,thepeoplewhoputthemwherethey are.EvenbeforeExxonMobilcouldgetitsducksinarow,the PPPCGovernmentwasonthemove:itisappealing.While ExxonMobil was still “reviewing” the High Court's decision,thePPPCGovernmenthadalreadydecidedthatit wasappealing,andnotwastinganytimeeventogothrough the motions of studying the judge's decision, and its foundations. In immediately signaling its intentions of appealing, the PPPC Government was doing its best imitation of jumping as high as it could in efforts to bend over backwards in total subservience to the will of ExxonMobil.

No government should be given a pass, allowed to get away, with such a cavalier dismissal of the rights of Guyanese. This PPPC Government should be pressed to resignindisgrace;thereisnothingofvaluecomingoutofit, especiallywherethisnationaloilwealthisconcerned.When oil takes centerstage, the President, Vice President, and AttorneyGeneral,allhidebehindwords,dotheirbesttohide from the public, and hide from standing up for Guyanese interests,Guyaneserights,andGuyanesefuture.

The Vice President has gone so far as to essentially suggestto,topoint,theGuyanesejudiciaryinthedirection “predictabledecisions”duetothefactthatforeigneyesfrom alloverareoneverydevelopmentinGuyana.VicePresident Jagdeoisnotastupidman,oranoverhisheadleader Hehas toknowthefullsignificance,andthefullreach,ofwhathe hints (some may assert that he slyly directs) regarding the decisions that the judges and courts of Guyana make their final,officialdecisions.

What about the independence of the judiciary? How comethatdoesnotmatteranymore? WhyareGuyaneseso silent? Remember:todayitisthejudiciary,tomorrowwho knowwhatotherexcessescouldbeinthemaking?

Encroachmentsoftheexecutive,ifnottheopenpressure now that the PPPC Government applies to sway things to favourExxonMobilandotherforeigncompaniesoperating here, even if that means that Guyanese are endangered and impoverished. This is the state of Guyana's democracy, where the executive now has little qualms about intruding intotherealmofthejudiciary,evenpubliclyguidingitasto thejudicialpaththatitshouldfollow. Initssubstances,that is what “predictable” could be construed to mean, viz. the issuingofdecisionsthatmakethosewatchingfromafarclap their hands, while they prepare to grind Guyanese into the gutter.

What does the Opposition have to say about this staggeringoverreach? Whyisitnotmorevociferousabout this overstep? There has to be a limit to the extent that Guyanese can take. There must be a pause on how far the PPPC Government would go, how much President Ali wouldallowVicePresidenttogo,howmuchhecanstomach. Whereisthelegalfraternity,nonemoresothantheGuyana BarAssociation? It was expected that the GBAwould be crying out in anguish. Instead, to date, it has been thunderouslysilent,almostasifitsmembersarewalkingin thegraveyardandwhistlingtothemselvesforfearofgetting themselvesinhotwater Whyistheresomuchfearstalking this land when our bastions are such shrinking violets? Somebody has to step up and say something about this abomination, if not ExxonMobil is going to walk all over Guyanese, while it races to pump and pump more oil, and beyondrecommendedsafetylimits.

Notmuchcanbeexpectedfromthelocalprivatesector becauseitisontheforeignsideofthefence.Thatis,untilits own interests are jeopardised. It is interesting that all the voicesofthe'GuardiansofDemocracy'haveallgonestone cold. Guyana is in deep waters, and it does not know how much.

Minister Sukhai dodges critical questions at Presser

DearEditor, TheAmerindian Peoples Association(APA)hastaken noteoftherecentsentiments expressed by Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms Pauline Sukhai where she explicitly stated that government lacks the authority to authorise any mining or logging on indigenoustitledlands.

On Thursday, May 4, during a press conference, Minister Sukhai said, “government has no authority to provide p e r m i s s i o n t o a n y outsiders…because the law is clear The Amerindian Act makes the Village Council the body corporate, and they make the decision [whether to allow outsiders or not].” Additionally, Minister Sukhai said, “issuing a license[tomineorlog]isnot an approval [to mine or log].”

These statements now reflect what can only be

regarded as a change in the government's practice as it relatestolicensingofmining and logging activities on indigenouslands. Foryears, indigenous communities havehadtodealwithminers and loggers just showing up with relevant legal permission issued by the GGMC and GFC and working on titled lands. We have now taken note of Minister Sukhai's utterances andcallonhertoexecutethe mandate of her office and advice the cessation of all miningandloggingactivities where there are no explicit agreements with Village Councils.

Immediately, two communitiescometomind–ChineseLandinginRegion1 and Isseneru in Region 7. Those two communities received absolute title from the State and have no agreementsinplacewiththe miners that continue to destroytheirlandsandaffect

their way of life. The situationinChineseLanding is so dire that villagers there are afraid to move about in their own community They are prevented, by miners armed with guns, from accessing certain parts of their village lands The Toshao of Chinese Landing whohasbeenadvocatingfor a resolution to the issue continues to be threatened, including physically In Isseneru, waterways and the traditional ways of life is being affected by mining all while the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs and the National Toshaos Council (NTC)remainsilent.

Editor, at Thursday's press conference Minister Sukhai, while providing an update on Guyana's participation at the recently concluded United Nations Permanent Forum on IndigenousIssues(UNPFII), boasted about the country being a leader in promoting

the rights of indigenous peoples.Shealsopraisedthe government for the creation of a Ministry to address indigenousissuesbutduring that same press conference, Minister Sukhai refused to address the issues facing Chinese Landing and Isseneru.

A journalist from the Stabroek News pressed MinisterSukhaitoexplicitly outlinewhatherMinistryhas been doing to address the situationatChineseLanding andIsseneru,butsherefused to do so. Additionally, the APA has taken note of Minister Sukhai's refusal to call for the implementation of the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission on Human RightsinthecaseofIsseneru a n d U N C E R D ' s recommendationsinthecase of Chinese Landing. Not only did the Minister refuse toaddresstheissuesbutshe

(Continuedonpage6)

Well done Justice Sandil Kissoon

DearEditor

All Guyanese should welcome the High Court's ruling of Justice Sandil Kissoon ordering the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to secure an unlimited liability Parent Company Guarantee Agreement and/or an unlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee from ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production GuyanaLimited(EEPGL.

No conscious person woulddenythatthereisneed for the provision of greater coverage in the event of an oil spill to protect Guyana waters and surrounding territories.Guyanaisblessed with a wealth of natural resources, including vast oil reserves that our people are still waiting impatiently to benefitfrom.

This resource, however, comes with a hefty price tag as it has the potential to damagetheenvironmentand affect the livelihoods of thousands of Guyanese people.

ExxonMobil is not a stranger to environmental catastrophic happenings with horrific effects. This American multinational oil and gas corporation, which has been drilling for oil in Guyana since 2015 and to date, has made significant discoveries and made billions of dollars The company made so much moneythattheUSPresident Mr Joseph Biden, in a

Bloomberg report, said, "Exxon made more money thangod..."

Today, this company is yettomakearespectableand realistic proposal to cushion the damaging effects, God forbid,ofthelikelihoodofan oil spill occurrence in our waters With the daily potential environmental risks that can occur despite precautionary measures that may be in place, it is imperative that Guyana remains firm and strong on itspositionofenvironmental protection.

Itisthereforeparamount as posited by the learned J u s t i c e , t h a t t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has to not shelve its statutory responsibilities in exchange of a derelict and submissive deposition,leaving“Guyana and its people in grave potential danger of calamitousdisaster

Can you envisioned our vast water network of interconnectedrivers,creeks and springs that supply and satisfymultipleneedsofour indigenous people, fishermen, and farmers on the coastlands who depend onthispreciousresourcefor their survival being contaminated with an oil spill?

ExxonMobil has a history of causing environmental damage in countries where it operates. In 1989, ExxonMobil's oil tanker, the Exxon Valdez,

spilled over 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound,resultinginoneofthe worst oil spills in history

This spill, Mr Editor killed countless marine lives, c o n t a m i n a t e d t h e environment severely, and impacted the livelihoods of localfishermen.Theoilspill had long-lasting effects and took years for the region to recover

Similarly, ExxonMobil was also involved in the Chad-Cameroon pipeline project, which caused significant environmental damage to the surrounding areas.

Theprojectdisruptedthe flow of rivers and destroyed agriculturallandsofthelocal communities, leading to the displacement of people and environmentdestruction.

It is therefore important to recognize that these past experienceshaveshownthat Exxon's underlying focus is merely on profits and not sustainable development

This makes it necessary for Guyana to enforce stricter environmental regulations andstandardstomitigateand prevent any harm from Exxonoranyotheroperators in the country Guyana's position on environmental protection is vital because the country's natural and humanresourcesareatstake.

Additionally, Guyana is rich in biodiversity and home to manyrarespeciesofanimals and plants, some of which

canonlybefoundinthispart oftheworld.

These natural resources contribute significantly to the country's economy by attracting tourists and offering hunting and fishing opportunities. If Exxon and other parties cause any damage to the environment, itcouldleadtothedeclineof these natural resources, impacting tourism and livelihoods of the Guyanese people.

Furthermore, Guyana must also ensure that it has the power to hold Exxon accountable for any environmental damage it may cause. If there is a lack of strong environmental regulations, Exxon may cut corners to meet their deadlinesoravoidpayingits fair share of compensation foranydamages.Ultimately, environmental protection effortsneedtobeprioritized i n G u y a n a , g i v e n ExxonMobil's history of causing environmental damage and the potential impact of the oil drilling industry in the country Guyana needs to place environmental sustainability aboveallelsetopreservethe irreplaceable natural resources that drive the country's economy and ensure the well-being of its people.

Well done, Justice SandilKissoon.

Yoursrespectfully,

On being effigies or mascots

DearEditor

The Commission of Inquiry into the 2020 elections presented recently itsReporttoPresidentAli.

The Report dealt a devastating blow to the career of Three senior GECOM officials who becameeffigiesormascotsat the beginning and at the end of the botched attempts by a cabal to fiddle with the electionresults.

The objective was to holdontopoweratallcosts. WhiletheReportexposedthe cabal'seffortstocrank-upthe rigging engine to thwart the will of the electorate, at the same time, it revealed 'How ProfessionsDie.'

Before proceeding further, the sojourn and role of the THREE need to be contextualizedinthelightof disclosuresabouttheminthe Report.

Itistoberecalledthatthe NUMBERTWOofficialwas thepreferredcandidateofthe APNU+AFC commissioners at GECOM at a time when the search was on for a suitably qualified candidate to fill the post of Deputy Chief Election Officer (DCEO).

Contrary to long established employment practices at GECOM, the preferred candidate was recruitedandpromotedtothe position of DCEO with the blessings of the NUMBER ONE official. During those perilous days following the elections, the nation saw the NUMBER THREE official being wheeled out on a stretcher from the Ashmins building with news reports claiming he had 'suffered a heartattack.'

In the aftermath of the failed attempt to steal the results of the election and in the wake of a change in government, major changes took place at the top level of GECOM.NUMBERSONE, TWOandTHREEhavesince been removed from their respective posts within the organizationandreplacedby threeothers.

Thanks to the widely disseminated Report or better said 'expose', the

despicable role of the three officialswaslaidbarebefore theNation.

Butmoreisyettocomein view of the charges brought againstthethreeinthemuch anticipated the pending Courthearings.

Here are six specific references in the Report highlighting the handiwork oftwoofthethreeofficials:

'The DCEO knew or ought to have known that at the time of the RO's declaration, the statutorily prescribed procedure and r e q u i r e m e n t s o f ascertainmentandtabulation for electoral district No. 4 had not been completed and that therefore the RO's declaration was a clear violationofthelaw

But the DCEO merely looked on. She said nothing anddidnothing.'

And as though that indictment was not harsh enough the Report continued;

'In the absence of RO Mingo, DCEO Myers arrogated unto herself the authority to continue the ascertainmentandtabulation exercise.'

'Even though it was DCEO Myers who set the tabulation process in motion intheabsenceoftheRO,she appeared to have receded into the background with respecttothesourcematerial they were to use in the ascertainmentandtabulation exercise.'

'The DCEO, in most of her interactions with party agents, appeared unhelpful and carried a hostile and abrasive bearing, evident in the video footage placed in evidencebeforeus.

This was evident when she asked party agents and observers to leave the tabulation room saying, “Takeyourrubbishwithyou and leave” 'On the occasion of a report of a bomb being placed inAshmin's building, she told party agents, observers and diplomats, “Y'all get out the room. There's a bomb in the building.”

She never left the building.'

According to the distinguished Jurists who presidingovertheCOI;“We saw video evidence of a minister of the then APNU/AFC government visiting the Ashmin's Building to have a meeting with diplomats and observers.

The minister was chaperoned into the room where the meeting was to be held by the DCEO. At one point, the DCEO received a call on her phone which was apparently intended for the APNU/AFCminister,andso she passed her phone to the minister

The difference in her demeanourwiththeminister sharply contrasted with her demeanourwithpartyagents and observers who had a legitimateinterestinbeingat theAshmin'sBuilding.”

At his press conference heldonApril 27, 2023, PPP General Secretary Bharat Jagdeo likened the Report to a 'thrillerstory.'

The public now awaits the next episode of this thriller story depicting 'How ProfessionsDie.’

This time, we are likely towitnessmomentsthatmay astonish viewers before judgementshandeddown.

Yoursfaithfully,

ClementJ.Rohee

Red Thread is about working with Guyanese across race and political party, starting with grassroots women

DearEditor, It was brought to our attention that in the Guyana TimesnewspaperdatedMay 2, 2023,a letter signed by Attiya Baksh accused us of being dormant during the time the APNU/AFC coalition was in office. We suppose the purpose of the letter was to say that Red Threadonlyspeaksoutwhen the PPP is in office and that we are pro-opposition and anti-government (or pro government during the coalitionyears).

For the record, in October 2015, Red Thread issued an open letter to then PresidentDavidGrangerand was the first on the picket line,protestingoutsideofthe office of the President when the Coalition announced a shameful 50% salary increase for government officers.

This story was covered bythenewspapers.Kaieteur News covered it on October 17, in a story captioned Red Thread protests government salaryincreases. We are not going to spend our time fending and proving with anyone but wouldliketoencourageMs. Bakshtodoherresearch.We know who we are and what

wedo. There are several other headline media reports of someofourwork.

Forexample:Ministerial Code of Conduct falls short of Sexual Offences Act (Demerara Waves, January 5,2016); Red Thread wants Lawrence disciplined for excuses in not addressing child molestation claims (Guyana Chronicle, March2016); Stabroek marketvending:RedThread accuses Mayor, Town Clerk of double standard; calls for compensation (Demerara Waves May5,2016); Protest overVATmeasuresquestion promised good life, (SN,March 1 2017); Red Thread pickets Labour Department ( HGPTV, June 28,2019), CJIA sexual scandal: Red Thread lends solidarity to victims with protest(KN,June28,2019), Moving forward forum hears calls for racism to be addressed (SN, September ,13, 2020) Our website https://redthreadguyana org has just some of the media coverageofouractions.

Red Thread is one small organization among many others and individual rights advocates. Why single us out?

Whyareourvoicesmore important than the many others?

Itseemsthatthepurpose ofMs.Baksh'sletteristosay that Red Thread has a politicalagenda.

Yes Red Thread has a political agenda, and it is to work with Guyanese together, across race and political party, starting with grassroots women and we will keep speaking regardingwhoisinoroutof power where we see a need tospeakout.

Our advice to ALL, whereever/wheneverthereis aneedforvoicestobeheard, use your voices instead of looking for others to use theirs. More voices, more power!

YoursTruly JoyMarcus

'Mission Barbados'; ‘One Guyana'

DearEditor

'Mission Barbados' is a six point, structured Declaration signed between the Government, private sector and trade unions, detailing the guiding principles to develop the country and its people by 2030 It is a serious documenthavingbeengiven the stamp of approval by all

Does economic development results in less crime?

DearEditor

Minister Sukhai dodges critical...

sides

In Guyana, we have a concept in the form of a slogan, 'One Guyana'. It is an idea born to unite the races and is repeated (like a mantra)withthehopeitwill catch on and stick. While some sections of society support the 'One Guyana' concept it has not transcended all barriers, hence it is not as encompassing,transforming orunifyingasitshouldbe.

W h e t h e r a Declaration.or slogan, the intended vision is the same: countryandpeople.

Regards

ShamshunMohamed

Thereisapopulartheory that expanding economic developmentwouldleadtoa decrease in criminality through making available several opportunities for jobs, housing, medical care/access, social and occupational mobility, and o t h e r f o r m s o f empowerment.

However as attractive as this theory might appear, it has not worked for some countries, like the USA, that have experienced increasing crime with expanding economic development I soughttoexplorethereforeif this theory could apply to Guyana.

An analysis covering the period 2014 to 2022 shows that expanding economic developmenthasnotledtoan increaseincriminality

As Guyana advances in its development thrust, the incidence of serious crimes reported to the police has been declining after 2014, while the GDP has been expandingrapidlyfrom2019 partly because of oil production and revenues

The chart shows the relationship between economic development as measured by GDP and crime An index for crime and GDPwas created using 2014 as the base to allow forcomparison.

Frompage4 she directed the reporter to another ministry, effectively washing her hands clean of theissue.APAalsoobserved therefusalofNTCExecutive member, Toshao Melena Pollard, to also call on the government to implement IACHR'sand UN CERD recommendations to address the mining violations in Isseneru and Chinese Landing Editor,onecanonly now question whether the MoAA really cares about truly representing the indigenous peoples of Guyanaandwhetherleading members of the NTC

Executive are truly independent and capable of holding the government accountable. We have seen and heard the statements the government delegation, which included the NTC, made at the UNPFII where they marketed Guyana as a leader in the promotion of indigenous peoples' rights. However,thesituationonthe ground speaks to the lack of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) and nonrepresentation The APA recalls NTC Chair Toshao Derrick John promising to visit both Chinese Landing and Isseneru to investigate the rights violation, but we are yet to see him acting on that promise. We remind the NTC Chair that after promising to visit those communities, he told reporters that the NTC was too preoccupied with heritage month celebrations toorganizeateam.

Wealsonotethefailureof MinisterSukhaitovisitthose communities as well. Editor, a team from the APA also participated in the UNPFII where our Policy Intern RehannaThomasdelivereda statement highlighting the government's violation of FPIC. The statement was well received by the participantsatthePermanent Forum. However, the NTC Chair countered the statement and provided the government with a glowing report card while adding thattheNTCisthe“legitimate” representative of indigenous peoples in Guyana To be clear,theAPAwelcomesmore representation of indigenous peoples rights in Guyana and indeed the NTC is the established entity under the Amerindian Act to make representation in the interest of our indigenous brothers andsistersbutisnotthesole authority on indigenous representation We ask the NTCChairtotelluswhether theplightoftheAkawaiosof Isseneru and the Caribs of

ChineseLandingisanurgent matterforhimasNTCChair tobetakingstepstoaddress. TheNTCChairalsospokeof widespread consultation and adherence to FPIC in the carbon credits deal. Editor, we encourage all rightthinking Guyanese to poll boththeNTCandindigenous communities to determine theirunderstandingofcarbon credits and the carbon market.Theresultswillshow that the widespread consultation the NTC and government speaks of was not substantial to qualify as FPIC The upholding of indigenous rights is a sacrosanct pledge of all Toshaos, and this should not be taken lightly by no less than the NTC Chair His comments on FPIC relating to the carbon deal is disappointing and show a c o m p l e t e l a c k o f understanding of FPIC or a deliberate move to mislead the Guyanese public and the UN.Wequestionwhetherthe NTC Chair's remarks are fully endorsed and approved by the Executive Committee sincetheyseemtobeatodds withtherealitiesofGuyana's indigenous peoples and the commitmentshemadewhen hewaselectedtothepost.

We wish to remind Chairman John that just last December the APA and South Rupununi District Council(SRDC)engagedthe NTC and indigenous leaders across the country in the development of a national consultationproposalforthe revision of the Amerindian Act 2006. We also remind himthattheNTChadagreed tomeetanddiscussformally submitting this proposal to the government but never followed through with that despite the APA and its partners offering to provide support for the NTC Executive to meet and discuss this issue. Leaders expected the NTC, under Part IV, Section 41 (G)III of the current Amerindian Act 2006,toadvisetheministeron a consultation process for revisingtheAA2006 Thisis still pending We call on the NTC and Minister Sukhai to advocate for the adoption of theconsultationproposaland speedy facilitation of the revision of the Amerindian Act 2006 We remind the Minister that she told the UNPFIIthatgovernmentisin the process of setting up systemsfortherevisionofthe Actbutweareyet to see any substantialmovementinthat regard.

Sincerely,

Amerindian Peoples Association

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JagdeoandnewPSA

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Jagdeo says Govt. still accepting comments on new PSA.

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To do what with Mr. Jagdeo?

Go through the motions, and dump in the waste bin?

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What about the Stabroek Block, Mr. Jagdeo?

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Why not go after that, where the real money is?

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Opposition to press Govt. for full disclosure on use of oil money

...as second withdrawal from NRF made with no word from Investment Committee

The Natural Resource Fund (NRF) Act, hurriedly passed in the National A s s e m b l y b y t h e government in December 2021 indicates that a Board of Directors must be established to prepare an investment mandate for the use of the money garnered fromtheoilandgassector

Preparation of the investment mandate, accordingtoSection6ofthe Act, would be supported by the Investment Committee, anotherbodyrequiredunder theLaw

It must be noted that the

legislation also outlines that there must be an internal auditoftheaccounts,atleast annually This is stated at Section30oftheLaw Italso says at Section 33 that the report shall be published on the Ministry of Finance website and made available to the public within three working days, after they are laid in the National Assembly

Although the guidelines are clear regarding governance of the oil account, Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton on Tuesday said all of

Guyanashouldbeconcerned that to date the public is yet to be privy to the details regarding the use of the funds garnered from the oil sector

His comments came on the heels of a statement by the Ministry of Finance on Monday that the second withdrawal from the NRF fortheyear2023wasmade. A c c o r d i n g t o t h e government, some US$200 millionequivalenttoG$41.6 billion was withdrawn bringingthetotalwithdrawn so far for 2023 to US$400million or G$83.2

billion.

I n F e b r u a r y , Government made its first withdrawal for the year, amounting to US$200 millionequivalenttoG$41.6 billion.

In an invited comment, Norton told this newspaper,

“We believe that there should be proper oversight and that our withdrawal and spendingshouldbecarefully monitored We however acknowledge that the government has no interest in a transparent and accountableapproachandso

weareconcerned.”

S i n c e t h e f i r s t withdrawalfromtheaccount in May 2022, government hasnotindicatedthespecific projects that would be funded from the oil money Infact,ithadsaidthat

Continuedonpage21

With rising cases, experts discuss Chikungunya spread in the Americas

As c a s e s o f chikungunya in the region of the Americasreachover210,000 in the first months of 2023, experts reviewed last week methods to control the disease vector, factors that facilitate its spread and supporttocountriestotackle agrowingnumberofcases.

Chikungunyaisadisease transmitted through the bite of female Aedes mosquitoes i n f e c t e d w i t h t h e chikungunyavirus.

The most common symptomisanabruptonsetof fever, often accompanied by joint pain that usually lasts fortwoweeks.

Whilediseasemortalityis low, some patients experience debilitating pain that can last for as long as 6 months, affecting a person's ability to move, work and takecareofherselforothers.

Thename“chikungunya” comes from the African Makonde language and means"bentoverinpain.”

The disease has been identified in nearly 115 countries, with seasonal or sporadicoutbreaksuptonow In 2023, however, increased chikungunya circulation was detected among five countries in the Americas, greatly surpassing numbers for the same period in previousyears.

Situation in the

Americas Chikungunya was first detected in the Americas in 2013 in the island of St. Martin, and a year later had spread to most countries in theregion.

Overamillioncaseswere detected in the first year following its introduction in thecontinent.Inthefirstfour months of 2023, increased chikungunya circulation was detected in the region, with over 214,000 cases reported cases.

“What we see this year arechangesinmagnitudeand timing.

The epidemic is much earlier and with more cases than the past few years,” ThaisdosSantos,Advisoron Surveillance and Control of Arboviral Diseases at PAHO/WHO said during the World Health Organization (WHO) EPI-WIN webinar: Chikungunya – Experiences from the current response to theoutbreakintheAmericas.

Thehardesthitcountryis Paraguay, which “recorded its worst epidemic in history with 138,730 cases,” dos Santos added.Argentina and Uruguay also reported local transmissionforthefirsttime in2023,andBoliviareported highlevelsoftransmissionof both chikungunya (1,150 cases) and dengue (116,224 cases) – another disease transmitted by the same

mosquito.

Unplanned urbanization, climate change drive transmission

Climate change is one of thefactorscontributingtothe spread of chikungunya

U n u s u a l l y h i g h temperatures, anticipated or increased rains and ensuing humidity have led theAedes mosquitos to be present in areas where it was not previously able to survive.

“Longer stretches of warmer periods in the south of the Americas have enabled the mosquitotodowellinplaces where it didn't do well before,” dos Santos added. Increased and unplanned urbanization may also be driving its spread, as Aedes prefer urban and warm environments, seeking water spots within households –such as plant recipients or vases–tobreed.

Movement restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemicmayhavealsohad an impact on vector control methods, limiting activities suchashousecontrolvisitsto remove breeding sites, along withinsecticideresistance.

Controllingthedisease

Although there are seven chikungunya vaccines under development – three in Phase-3 clinical trials –currently there is no approved vaccine or specific treatmentforthedisease.For

ExxonM shareholder group...

Frompage3 from climate change to adequately assess the potential impact of a spill. Hurricanescauseabout25% of offshore platform-related spills; thus, an increased prevalence of storm activity could present a greater risk of spill to the company via infrastructuredamage.

The shareholder group also said Exxon's has yet to considerthepotentialimpact orresponseforascenarioof simultaneouswellfailures.

“In fact, the company's existing disclosures assess theimpactofapotential,less severespillonsomeaspects ofpublichealthandmarine ecosystems,” the group said while adding that the proposed worst-case oil spill assessment would entail a release for a significantlylongerduration with potentially much broader dispersion of oil with greater human and marineimpacts.

Importantly, the group said Exxon ought to clarify its cleanup response

commitments given the potential for the severe impact a spill could have on Caribbeaneconomies.

“Many Caribbean countriesrelyonfishingand ecotourism to support their economies.

For example, statistics indicate that the tourism industryintheBritishVirgin Islands generates an estimated 45% of the nationalincome.

now,thebestprotectionisto avoid mosquito bites

Recommended measures

include insecticide application, use of nets and extermination of mosquito breeding sites. “We must engage communities, identify the local mosquito ecology and hotspots, and develop a control plan and strategy,” panelist Dr Thomas Scott, Professor EmeritusofEntomologyand Nematology at University of California Davis, said

Disease surveillance is also critical, building on the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in the past three years “PCR

testing capacity has expanded enormously and can be used for other pathogens,” Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Head of the Emerging Diseases and ZoonosesUnitatWHOsaid.

Similarly, she added, capacities for genomic surveillance to understand circulating viruses has

increased, and countries should expand this to other pathogens.

PAHO'sresponse

ThePanAmericanHealth Organization (PAHO) in January warned about increasing cases of chikungunya, especially affectingParaguay,andon13 February published an alert calling on countries in the region to strengthen measures to diagnose and managethedisease.The

(Continuedonpage23)

Given this liability, the potential costs owed to surrounding countries to clean up a worst-case spill should be clarified for investors,” the group said in itsproposal.

Thegroupsaiditisinthe investors' best financial intereststhatExxonassesses and disclose these potential risks associated with a worst-case spill scenario in itsGuyanaoperations.

GHK LALL

Guyana: an American dominion

No ideological d i f f e r e n c e betweenthetwo majors today, unlike the era ofJaganandBurnham.,with great geopolitical plans a b o u t d o m i n o e s , containment.

The only difference between the PPP and the PNCisthatthePPPlovesto steal all the taxpayers' money its people can put their hands upon, while the PNC is consumed by stealing every vote that it can. So, why is this a concern forAmerica? Why does it matter in the first place? In a nutshell, who cares about what some colored people in some backwater place once mistaken for a country in DarkAfrica?

Regardless of my thinking, the reality is that Americacouldnothavebeen moreopenly,insistently,and intimately involved in the lastincendiary,unending19month elections season. Its voice and footprints were also prevalent all the way to the top of the State

Department and its General Pompeo. Though he spoke American English, and not Latin, the command was as clear as lightning: PNC delenda est. That is, the PNC must go down. And downitwent,atleastforthe timebeing. Whyallthefuss and fury over a wasteland likeGuyana?

Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch stuck faithfully to Washington's script: democracy,freeandfair,and other once lush aromas that now foul the fresh, clean air of unsullied Guyana. I am serious. But just as time is said to heal all wounds, it also open all the doors of discernment, powers the faculties involved in judgment, and ushers in wisdoms that cannot be curtailed, no matter how suppressed.

It took all of 30 months for America and its venerable ambassador to comeclean.Inoneword,oil. Itwasaboutoilallalong,and none of that nonsense about UN declarations and immaculate American

ideals. Oil is worth getting in the mud for, and mixing withthenativesintheirmudeating, mudslinging, mudfighting. In two words, oil supremacy And in three, sanctity of contract. What took so long, Madame Ambassador? Surely, that could not have been so painful,wasit? Indeed! But look at what Guyana got in return for being a now confirmed American Dominion.

For democracy (as they said), Guyana surrendered no territory (at least other thanthe10,000milesofthe sacred Stabroek Block), but Guyanese did surrender its sovereignty

Perhaps, it did for ICJ security and against Venezuelan ferocity. Guyana surrendered its parliamentary authority, and prostrated itself before sanctityofcontract. Thanks to America and its dutiful Ambassador Ah shucks, just doing duty, nothing to take personally Last, Guyana surrendered every trapping, every speck, every

expression of the manly, virile ingredients of liberty I recommend a quick study of Guyana' s two Excellencies: the President, and that other great Guyanese, a father-inwaiting of this nation, the man who is president in all butname.

Liberty is to talk and walk and leave one's mark wherever such pleases. A straight line, straight ahead, and on both the straight and narrow,ortheuninvitingand unrewarding.

In their surrender of Guyana'slibertyforthisdeal of Faustian proportions, the only left open by America forPresidentAliandtheVice President is that which is circular, twisted, and distorted with what is diabolicallyclever. Itiswhy both of these remarkable Guyanese leaders have become the finest examples of going around in endless circlesonanythingrelatedto oil. in its plainest essence, neither can speak, and so also is the Leader of the Opposition, at one time

regarded as a Samsonthatcould bring down the Philistines. From all observations and indications, his once freely flowing hair has since been shorn. It is the price of American s u b s e r v i e n c e , t h e kowtowing to the Great American Way In case anybody get any wrong ideas, I love it. For as the cowboysfromTexasbyway of Standard Oil and John D andTitusvillemakemoney,I also make a penny and a pinchinghereandthere.

What is intolerable, and unendurable, is that sovereignty and liberty, and even the richest offshore territory have all gone with the wind and fled in fragments to any forlorn wayside.

And without a fight possessingsomeelementsof individual leadership pride, of national and popular hauteur, and of the kind of backbone and knees of steel thatmakemenstandtalland sturdy, as men should

Though national leaders have by their own hand and cunningcalculationsbacked themselves into a wall, they somehow find room within themselvestomaneuverand bend further backwards The things that sanctity of contract demand as part of perpetual obligations! The political practices that are extracted and molded out of those with a lust for power, and by any traitorous means!And for any naked self-enrichingambition. It's politics,stupid! Itisalsothe first fruits of living as an American Dominion. How does it feel, my fellow Guyanese?

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaperanditsaffiliates.)

Jagdeo ready to break oil contract for time limit on Exxon audits

…but refuses to do same on royalty, taxes, ring-fencing

Tons of bricks would fall on Exxon. This is the punishment Guyana’s Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo said will be administered should the multinational oil corporation,ExxonMobilrefuseto allowGuyanatoaudititsexpenses after the two-year deadline, prescribed by the ‘binding’ oil contract,wouldhaveelapsed.

Jagdeo issued this stern warning during his most recent pressconference,whileresponding toaKaieteurNewsarticle,inwhich

the Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, Elson Low flagged that Guyana could lose millions for failing to conduct t i m e l y a u d i t s https://wwwkaieteurnewsonline c om/2023/04/23/guyana-riskslosing-hundreds-of-us-millionswith-delayed-audits-of-exxonexpenses-opposition/

TheEconomist’sstatementwas hinged on the provisions of the lopsided 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) which

specifically states that Guyana has twoyearsinwhichtheauditscanbe conducted, after each calendar year

In fact, the agreement even makesitclearthattheoilcompany can dispose of its records after the two years period would have elapsed, unless an audit flags discrepancies which must first be resolved.

AccordingtoAnnex‘C’Section 1.5 (C), “Without prejudice to the finality of matters as described in

sub-sections 1.5 (a) and 1.5 (b) all documentsreferredtointhosesubsections shall be maintained and made available for inspection by the Minister for two (2) years following their date of issue providing, however, that where issuesareoutstandingwithrespect to an audit, the Contractor shall maintain documents for a longer period until the issues are resolved.”

Be that as it may, the country’s chief spokesperson on petroleum

matters said Low’s contention regarding the audits was already laidtorest.Hesaid,“Wedealtwith thisissuewhenitcameupseveral Continued on page 22

Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo

Opposition files Motion for National Assembly to call on Govt. to comply with High Court Order

…on ExxonMobil parent company guarantee on oil spills

Opposition Member of

Parliament(MP)GaneshMahipaul on Tuesday said he submitted a Motion to the National Assembly calling on the Executive Arm of Government and the Attorney General to comply with Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling that Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its parent company, Exxon Mobil provideparentcompanyguarantee to protect Guyana against the devastatingeffectsofanoilspill.

The judge ordered the Environmental ProtectionAgency,

(EPA) to issue an Enforcement Notice to Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) and its parent company, ExxonMobilinthisregard.

Mahipaul in his Motion requestedpermissionfromSpeaker oftheNationalAssembly,Manzoor Nadir to move the adjournment of today’s Sitting of the National Assembly to discuss “a definite matter of urgent public importance”.

“There is a widespread and strong view that the above matter qualifies as definite, urgent and of

public importance. The definite nature of this matter can be deciphered from the complaints made by people all across Guyana which is also reflected in the numerous media coverage concerning insurance coverage to safeguard Guyana against the devastatingeffectsofapotentialoil spill,”theMotionsaidwhileciting Standing Order 12 of the Standing OrdersoftheNationalAssemblyof Guyana.

Mahipaul’s Motion comes followingtheannouncementbythe Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) that it will be appealing the High Court ruling on ExxonMobil’s need to provide unlimited parent company guaranteetoGuyana.

The motion urges theAttorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Hon Mohabir Anil Nandlall,andtheExecutiveArmof Government to act in the best interestoftheGuyanesepeople.

The Opposition Member of Parliament called on the Governmentto protectthecountry anditscitizensfrom“anypotential oilspilldisaster,inaccordancewith

thenation’sConstitution”.

“Themotionalsodemandsthat theExecutiveArm of Government fully complies with the requirements outlined in the renewedenvironmentalpermitand Continued on page 23

Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul

Justice Kissoon Ruling... Govt. appeal to Justice Kissoon’s ruling bound to fail - Opposition says

...ready to support applicants all the way to CCJ

occurring in the Stabroek Block,isboundtofail.

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton, is confident that the Government’s appeal of Justice Sandil Kissoon’s ruling, regarding the parent company guarantee to cover costs associated with an oil spill,

In fact, the Opposition Leader said he is ready to support the applicants in their fight, even if it means doing so at the Caribbean Court of Court (CCJ) Norton was at the time responding to questions from the media, during a virtual press conference on Tuesday when he noted, “I

am convinced that wherever it goes, the ruling will be in favouroftheplaintiffsinthe sense that they are on the rightsideofthelaw.”

While responding to a specific query on whether the party is ready to lend its supporttothecitizensshould thematterreachtheCCJ,the leadersaid,“weareprepared to back people We are prepared to ensure that

Guyanese take all the legal actionbutwehopethatgood sensewouldprevailandthat thePPPwouldn’tappealthis decision.”

Inhisopeningstatement, Norton reasoned that the g o v e r n m e n t m u s t understand that investment can be welcomed by a governmentwhileitpursues the interest of its people simultaneously As such, he

said it is worrying that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo is now intervening in the judicialsectorby presenting the notion that judges “should make predictable decisions.” The Leader of theOppositionargued,“The roleofthejudgeistofollow thelaw Theirresponsetothe ruling is a clear indication that Jagdeo and the PPP (People’sProgressiveParty)

Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton Justice Sandil Kissoon

do not believe in the rule of law and democracy They practiceauthoritarianism.” He also said that while Jagdeo seemingly does not understand the difference betweeninsurancecoverage

Continuedonpage24

Man who killed wife at Alpha Hotel remanded

Fifty-two-year-oldJuniorHalley a vendor of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (E.C.D), was on Tuesday remanded to prison, for the murder ofhisreputedwife,KimChichesterHalley

Themurderaccusedappearedat the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Alisha George, who read the indictable charge to him.Hewasnotrequiredtopleadto thechargewhichstatedthatonMay 4, 2023 at Alpha Hotel located at Ogle, E.C.D, he murdered 46-yearold Chichester-Halley, of Lamaha Park,Georgetown.

Halley was remanded to prison and is expected to make his next court appearance on June 22,2023.

The Police had reported that Chichester-Halley and the accused were married, however, the woman had moved out of the house about two months ago reportedly over beingabused.

The woman’s body was discovered last week Thursday afternoon with her throat slit and multiplestabwoundstoherbodyin room 235 at the Alpha Hotel According to the police, the body was examined, and 13 stab wounds were seen on her face, hands and body A further examination was made, and a wound measuring 10 inchesinwidthand5inchesindepth wasseenonherneck.

Police had said about 13:45

hours on the day in question, the murder accused and the woman arrivedatthehotelandcheckedinto room 235, which they proceeded to andoccupied.

Screams were heard coming fromtheroom,however,thatdidnot raise any suspicion until Junior left the hotel without his wife. About 14:30 hours, the hotel staff heard screams from room and 15 minutes after,Halleyexitedtheroomandleft thehoteltoanunknowndestination. Staff then discovered the door was slightly opened and found the womanlyingmotionlessonthebed. The emergency medical technician service(EMT)wassummoned,and

Continued on page 22

REMANDED, Junior Halley

KILLED, Kim Chichester-Halley

Ray Daggers completes day six of walk against “barefaced” Exxon Contract

…walkcontinuestodayfromFairfield,Mahaicony

As word spread about Ray Daggers’ walk from Moleson Creek, Region Six to Charity, Region Two, more persons joined in protest against the “barefaced ExxonContract”.

The 65-year-old Daggers started his journey on Tuesday from Belladrum, West Coast Berbice (WCB), Region Five and completed it at Fairfield, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD)ondaysixofhisjourney

As the walk continued Tuesday, Daggers was joined by four women and three men who journey from Belladrum to Mahaicony Theycompletedatotal of16miles.

Daggerswasalsoaccompanied by KNews’ Publisher, Glenn Lall and some of his staff who started thewalkwithhimonlastThursday at Moleson Creek, East BerbiceCorentyne,RegionSix.

So far Daggers has walked a totalof91.2milesinsixdaysatan averageof15.2milesperday

Daggerswantstocompletethe journeyin12to13daysandbased onhiscurrentpaceheseemstobe on track to arriving at Charity withinthenextsixdays.

The 65-year-old man will continue his walk against the barefaced Exxon contract today at 9:00amfromFairfield,Mahaicony towardsGeorgetown.

Born in Mahaicony, Daggers livedforquitesometimeoverseas but kept in touch with what was happening back home. Daggers said he was inspired to undertake the walk against the Exxon contract by the unrelenting efforts by Businessman and Kaieteur News’Publisher, Glenn Lall, who has been fighting for a change to theExxoncontract.

“Mr Lallhasbeenputtingforth the facts and he has done so withoutanyhelpfromgovernment agencies, but with the help of his staff, and he has been providing a great service to this nation,” Daggerssaid.

Scenes from day six of Ray Daggers’walk for a change of the lopsided ExxonMobil Contract

Ray Daggers and team pose for a group photo after completing day six of walk against "barfaced" ExxonMobil Contract

Six Guyanese participated in India’s 9th batch of Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme

Six Guyanese benefited from the Government of India’s activities for Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) - 75th anniversary ofIndia’sindependence.

Through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), the Government of India hosted the 9th batch of Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme from April 1019, 2023 with 35 delegates from 10 friendly countries, namely, Guyana, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Luxembourg, Mongolia, Portugal, Slovakia and SouthAfrica.

The Guyanese who participated in the programme are, Pandit Suresh Singh, Director of Youth Services from Better Hope,Region4,Ms Kristina Muthusami, Regional Housing Officer of Central Housing and Planning Authority and Councillor of Regional Democratic Council from New Amsterdam,Berbice,Region

6,Ms GomatiKalicharran

District Community Development Officer in Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Journalist, Ms Rohini Mooklall, Regional Development Council and National Development Council C o u n c i l l o r a n d Neighbourhood Democratic

Council Councillor from West Coast Berbice, Mr Ganesh Aditya Mahipaul, Member of Parliament, Region 3, and Mr Daniel Anthony Seeram, Chairman of Regional Development CouncilofRegion4.

According to the High Commission of India in Guyana, India invites democracies from around the world to send emerging youth leaders including members of political parties (bothrulingandopposition), entrepreneurs and community activists (within

Suspectin ‘SirMars’ deatharrested

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) on Tuesdayapprehendedthesuspectinvolvedin the brutal murder of Kirwyn Mars popularly knownas‘SirMars’.

Information reaching this publication revealed that the 25-year-old suspect was arrested at his workplace around noon yesterday He is presently at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters being questioned, as the investigationintoSirMars’deathcontinues.

KaieteurNewshadreportedthat51-yearold Mars of Lot 211 New Settlers Street, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD) met his demiseataround22:30hrsonSundayat1654 Plantation Providence EBD He was reportedly stabbed and run over by an unidentifiedmale.

ThepolicehadreportedthatMarsandthe suspect had a ‘misunderstanding’ that escalatedwhiletheywereinacar Asaresult, both persons armed themselves with knives andstabbedeachother

Police said Mars had exited the vehicle and attempted to escape when the suspect reversed the vehicle hitting and pinning him tothefenceofanapartmentbuilding.

35 years of age) to witness theworld’slargestandoldest democracy its traditions, history, economy and other aspects of a functioning democracy

Thus far, the ICCR has hosted 8 successful batches for 131 young leaders from 36democraticcountries.

T h e G e n - N e x t

Democracy Network programme celebrates 75 y e a r s o f I n d i a n independence with 75+ democracies across the globe and aims to provide: Orientation programme

about Indian democratic traditions, foreign policy, New Education Policy, international relations etc. includingcallsondignitaries

The group also visited Indian institutions, Think Tanks, Cultural Groups, Research Forums and participated in group discussions with NGOs, talks by experts on Indian democracy, interaction with

young leaders, Bureaucrats, Academia,CivilSocietyand other important stakeholders.

Thedelegationwerealso introduced to India’s folk arts,music,performingarts, culture, traditions, cuisine, heritageandtheoverarching Idea of India which showcased India’s contributions in addressing global issues and its

egalitarianworldview

Additionally, the delegationvisitedtheIndian Parliament and was given extensive background and lectures on Indian democracy, Indian culture and civilization, 75 years of Indian Independence, Welfare and Empowerment of Marginalized & Women by well-known Professors fromvarioustopuniversities ofIndia.

The delegation then visited the Prime Ministers’ Museum and had an historicaltourofNewDelhi. Thiswasfollowedbyavisit to the Taj Mahal in Agra where they were entertained with a delightful cultural eveninghostedbytheICCR onitsICCRFoundationDay celebrations.

InthestateofOdisha,the group had interactions with the Hon. Chief Minister of Odisha Mr Naveen Patnaik, avisittotheStateAssembly, as well as the Siksha O Anusandhan(Educationand ResearchCentre),visittothe world famous heritage temples of Jagannath Puri/Sun Temple of Konark/Udaigiri and KhandagiriCaves.

TheOdishaState

Continuedonpage22

The police learnt that the suspect then exited the vehicle and escaped in a southern direction on foot. The vehicle was later removed with the assistance of the Guyana Fire Service, and the lifeless body of Mars was seen with his face braced against the fence.

Kaieteur News understands that upon examination of Mars’ body, there were lacerations to the face, head, hand, shoulder, forehead,abovethelefteye,rightsidechest, andback.

Mars’ body was taken to the Memorial Garden Funeral Home where a post-mortem examinationisscheduledtotakeplace.

Up until his death, ‘Sir Mars’ was a popularly known entertainer and the Deputy Head Teacher of the New Central High school.

Dead, Kirwyn Mars popularly known as ‘Sir Mars’

The six Guyanese who participated in the Government of India’s Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme.

The Guyanese who participated in the Government of India’s Gen-Next Democracy Network Programme.

Opposition to press Govt.for full disclosure...

Frompage8

“national development priorities” such as the Gasto-Energy project would be financed by the NRF; however, this project is now expected to be funded through a loan from the

United States Export Import (EXIM) Bank, along with financing from oil major, ExxonMobil.

Norton explained that while he is prepared to challengethegovernmenton accountabilityofthefundin

Parliament, in a bid to highlight how the resources from the petroleum sector is being utilized, it does not meanthegovernmentwillbe open to revealing the information.

“The problem is when

y o u q u e s t i o n t h e government they are very arrogant and a lot of times they don’t give the information that should be given but we think we are obligated to ask the questions we have had

manycaseswhereweasked

questions and the government because they

cannot afford to be

t r a n s p a r e n t a n d accountable, they tend not to give the answers that are needed but we will pursue

it,”hesaid Norton assured that he will be raising these questions in the National

A s s e m b l y f o r t h e government to account for how each cent of the oil moneyisspent.

Six Guyanese participated...

From page 18 Disaster Management Authority, which itself is a global success story in managing floods and cyclone related disasters was the next stop for the group, which provided information and intensive interaction, lots of potential feedback on the management of floods which could be relevant for Guyana.

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The group visited the world famous ICT hub of Cyber city of Gurugram near Delhi, as well as a visit to the Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. automobile manufacturing plant in Manesar, Haryana.

The visit provided an extensive opportunity for all delegates not only to experience India but also to build inter-personal relations.

The Indian model of governance along with the implementation process of national policies and programmes in the Indian federal structure

was appreciated by all the delegates. “The ICCR believes that this initiative is a means to a greater collaboration among democracies of the world especially with India’s already well-known credentials as the largest democracy in the world, its democratic resilience and the spirit of its citizens who have, despite all hardships as a developing country, imbibed the

“democratic spirit”, a press release from the Indian High Commission said Tuesday. The group held both briefing and debriefing sessions with the High Commissioner of India to Guyana H.E. Dr. K J Srinivasa in AprilMay 2023 who interacted with them on various aspects of the programme and ensured their smooth participation.

Jagdeo ready to break oil...

From page 12 years ago; that it is true that the PSA says that the audit has to be completed within two years. So we had gone pass, even under the APNU period, the two years had passed even before they started the audit and we made it clear when we got in to office, no matter how long the audits take, ExxonMobil and the co-venturers, the companies could never use as an excuse, the timeline in there.”

lions for the state in clean-up and restoration funds that would be needed until production ceases offshore.

In the meantime, Guyana must pay whatever interest rate is attached to the cost of developing the resources in the Stabroek Block.

FOR SALE

Pure breed Rottweiler puppies for sale. Call: 692-0126, 613-2809.

Pure honey, wholesale and retail quantity. Call: 621-4273.

One perfect, well working Diesel van (food truck). Call: 227-1813/ 672-1703.

Supermarket Packers and Bond Attendants am& pm needed at Survival Shopping Complex, 173 Sheriff St. Call: 609-2995 or Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

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

Experienced Accounts Clerk and Office Assistant needed @ Survival Shopping Complex. Call: 609-2995, Email: survivalhumanresources2 @gmail.com

SERVICES

Visa Application to Canada and U.S.A, graphics design, advertisements,USA passport application forms & i130 application. Call: 6267040.

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

Repairs at affordable price: fridge, air conditioner, washing machines, dryers, TV, microwaves & freezer. Call: 610-5846 or 661-8158.

NOTICE

APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER’S CERTIFICATE

(Pursuant to section 4, Money Lenders Act)

Trevon Griffith of lot 623 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme

Georgetown, Devon Simon of lot 16 GDF Housing Scheme

He continued, “…because if they use that and don’t want to comply with the audit, they would have a ton of brick falling on their head on other issues on the regulatory side.”

While the government has decided to use the cards in its favou r to get ExxonMobil to agree to extend the time limit for audits to be completed, it refuses to a ct similarly and exercise its authority, to mend other lopsided terms defined by the contract.

The country has been advised to put a cap on this cost to prevent further exploitation of its wealth. In addition, citizens have been calling for a ring-fencing provision to be added to the agreement, which would allow for each oil project to pay for itself. Importantly, Guyana is yet to secure full liability coverage from the oil company for the Stabroek Block operations, even as production and exploration activities continues to increase.

The government has often related its position that the contract must not be changed and the terms must be adhered to, so as to uphold the ‘sanctity of contracts’.

LAND FOR SALE

Carmichael Street and Lethem Commercial zone, 69 X 200 ft.

Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

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

VEHICLES FOR SALE

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

1 BMW 520 I for sale. Great working condition, good miles, etc. Price $4.6 M. Call: 655-2119.

1 Hy-ab Chevrolet lorry/ truck C7H model. Excellent working condition. Call: 2252192/ 691-9691/ 629-1667 during working hours.

Georgetown and Kevin Craig of lot 621 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme Georgetown Guyana., hereby give notice that WE have applied to the Magistrate of the Georgetown Magisterial District for a Certificate under the Money Lenders Act, authorizing the grant to us a Money Lender’s Licence to Carry on the Business of a Money Lender under the Title of LUKRATIVE PANWSHOP located at lot 45 Hadfield Street Werk-en-rust.

NOTICES of any objections to this application should be sent forthwith to the CLERK OF COURT OF THE GEORGETOWN MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT, and a copy of any such Notice should be sent to the Subscriber.

Once amended, these provisions would earn more revenue for the country from the petroleum sector and would still be profitable for the oil giant.

For instance, Guyanese have been calling on the leaders to up the mere two percent royalty the country receives on its resources and subject the oil company and its affiliates to the tax laws of the country.

Other abusive provisions in the agreement allow Exxon to hold hundreds of US-mil-

This newspaper has highlighted that this principle has been violated in a number of instances already, as changes have been made to its terms outside of the agreement, yet this continues to be the excuse used by Guyanese leaders for not securing better financial terms in the Exxon deal. See link for examples. https:// www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/ 2023/02/26/govt-overridessanctity-of-exxon-contractwith-major-adjustments-inoil-licences-permits-new-legislation/

Man who killed wife at Alpha...

From page 11

the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The body was escorted to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home for a post mortem examination (PME) which revealed she died from multiple incised wounds.

In a statement, police said Chichester-Halley, was killed between 14:30 and 14:45 hrs. Police investigators visited the crime scene at about 15:00hrs.

The room is located on the bottom flat on the western side of the hotel.

The body was lying motionless, facing upwards on a bed, partially clothed.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

Subryanville, Carmichael St, Tuschen, Better Hope, Ogle and 4 apt building in Little Diamond. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

Trevon Griffith

Devon Simon

Kevin Craig

Dated at Georgetown, Demerara

This 9th May, 2023

The white bed sheet was soaked in blood. A knife handle without a blade was seen next to the body on the bed. The blade was subsequently found in the deceased woman’s hair, covered in blood.

Moreover, it was reported that after committing the crime Halley surrendered to the police and he was arrested at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters Eve Leary, Georgetown. While in custody, Halley had reportedly confessed to the crime.

$382.7 million estimated to drill wells at

Caledonia, Cummings Lodge & Onderneeming

The GuyanaWater Incorporated (GWI) will be spending an estimated $382.7M to drill and construct wells at Caledonia,EastBankofDemerara(EBD),CummingsLodge, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and at Onderneeming, Region Two.

The drilling of the wells project was recently revealed at

GuyanaWaterInc.(GWI)

DrillingandconstructionofpotablewaterwellatCaledonia.

the opening of tenders at the National Procurement and TenderAdministrationBoard(NPTAB)office.Atthereading ofthebids,itwasrevealedthatthepotablewaterwellslated for Caledonia is pegged at $137 million; the one for Onderneeming is estimated to cost $100.5 million to drill, whileatCummingsLodgetheworksthereissettocost$144.2

Supplyandinstallationoftransmission mainfromEcclesnewwelltoEcclesWTP

million.ContractorR.KissoonContractingServicesubmitted bidsforallthreeprojects.

This year, it was reported that the GWI was allocated $17.7billionfromthenationalbudgettoimprovetheaccessto potablewaterinthehinterlandandcoastalcommunities.

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

DrillingandconstructionofpotablewaterwellatOnderneeming.

R.KissoonContractingService $146,027,120

Engineer’sEstimate $100,560,618

Drillingandconstructionofpotable waterwellatCummingsLodge.

R.KissoonContractingService $139,877,120

Engineer’sEstimate $144,289,399

Supplyandinstallationoftransmissionanddistributionmains alongHighandSaffonStreetbetweenBroadandHadfield.

Estimate $202,775,590 Relocationoftransmissionofmain alongLindentoMaburaroad.

transmissionand distributionofmainsandfittingsalongDennisStreet.

ofeightsewerage semi-drywellstationsinGeorgetown.

Opposition files Motion for National Assembly...

Frompage13 the other approved permits, namely Liza 2, Payara, Yellowtail, and Uaru, as per the ruling of Justice Sandil Kissoon. This will prevent any future legal actions that may arise from noncompliance,” Mahipaul stated.

Additionally,theMotion as submitted by the parliamentarian urges the Executive Arm of Government to resume the implementationoftheEPA's comprehensive capacitybuildingprogram.

“ThisincludestheWorld Bank's Plan for an EPA 36member specialized Petroleum Unit comprising professionals with extensive international oil and gas experience. The Unit will provide adequate oversight, including 24/7 coverage onsite coverage on-board the FPSOs, to reduce the grave riskofanoilspill.”

Further, Mahipaul said

that despite the filing of an appeal to Justice Kissoon's ruling, the Speaker of the NationalAssemblyManzoor Nadir to “rule on this matter similarly to his most recent ruling on matters of Sub Judice.

“AspertheSpeaker'slast ruling at the 48th Sitting of the National Assembly concerningthesuspensionof eight (8) Opposition MPs, I believethatthismatterisnot Sub Judice as no date has been fixed for the appeal, and no judge or judges have been assigned to the case. I anticipate that the Speaker will accept the motion in its current state and proceed withitasadefinitematterof urgent public importance in the interest of Guyana,” the MPsaid.

High Court Justice

WednesdayorderedtheEPA to issue an Enforcement Notice to Esso Exploration and Production Guyana

Limited (EEPGL) and its parent company, Exxon Mobil to ensure it provides unlimited parent company guarantee to safeguard Guyana against the devastating effects of an oil spillwithinthirtydaysofthe ruling.The ruling states that failure to comply with the court order will result in the suspension of the environmental permit. The ruling comes months after P r e s i d e n t o f t h e Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc (TIGI), Frederick Collins and another citizen, Godfrey Whyte,tooktheEPAtocourt toenforceacriticalclausein theLizaPhaseOnerenewed environmentalpermitissued to EEPGL The case was filed in the High Court on September 13, 2022 by Attorneys Seenath Jairam, SC, Melinda Janki, and Abiola Wong-Inniss. In the case, Mr Collins, a former insurance professional said,

“an oil spill would be devastating for our country and Region as many Guyanese and Caribbean peoplesdependontheocean for their livelihoods. That is whywehavedecidedthatthe time has come to take matters to the court for relief.” The litigants said thattheirresorttothecourtis to make sure that the companytakesfullfinancial responsibility in case of harm, loss, and damage to theenvironment.

In a strongly worded ruling,JusticeKissoonnoted that the EPAhad shelved its statutory responsibilities in exchange of a derelict and submissive deposition, leaving “Guyana and its people in grave potential danger of calamitous disaster.”

According to the judge, thecircumstancesofthecase exposed the existence of an egregious situation that engulfed the EPA in a

quagmireofitsownmaking.

Justice Kissoon emphasised thatwhiletheEPAwasgiven the exclusive statutory responsibilities entrusted to it by Parliament under the Environmental Protection

Act 1996 and the Environmental Protection Regulations 2000 to ensure due compliance by EEPGL

with Condition 14 of the renewed environmental permit issued on the 31/05/22, it has relegated itself “to a state of laxity of e n f o r c e m e n t a n d condonation compounded by a lack of vigilance,” leaving the nation at the mercy of a potential oil spill disaster

With rising cases, experts...

Frompage9 organization has conducted seven technical missions to ParaguayandBoliviasincethebeginningoftheoutbreakto provide support in clinical management, surveillance, laboratoryandinintegratedvectorcontrol.

“We trained thousands of clinicians, filling an important gap in the management of the disease,” dos Santos said. The organization also quickly arranged for expertsfromcountrieswithmoreexperiencewiththevirus, suchasBrazil,toassistotherswithlessornoexperiencein areassuchasgenotypingorinthemanagementofpediatric cases. PAHO also implemented innovative strategies for collaborative surveillance among countries using shared virtual spaces to support automated analysis and visualizationforcasedata,andisworkingonanintegrated vector management tool to help countries map risk areas forvectorcirculationtoinformquickinterventions.

Haiti: UN Human Rights Chief warns against ‘never-ending cycle of violence’

OHCHR - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday warned against a “never-ending cycle of violence” in Haiti as gangs continue to inflict extreme cruelty on people, and vigilantes take the law into theirownhands.

“Every report I get from Haiti underlines the scale of thesuffering,andramshome the message that Haitians need urgent support, and theyneeditnow,”saidTürk.

“Ireiteratemycallonthe international community to deploy a time-bound, specialized and human rights-compliant support force, with a comprehensive action plan to assist Haiti's institutions,”headded.

In the month of April alone,morethan600people werekilledinanewwaveof extreme violence that hit several districts across the capital, according to information gathered by the HumanRightsServiceofthe

UN Integrated Office in Haiti(BINUH).Thisfollows the killing of at least 846 people in the first three months of 2023, in addition to 393 injured and 395 kidnappedduringthatperiod – a 28 per cent increase in violence on the previous quarter

Overwhelmed by the ever-increasing insecurity, Haiti is seeing a worrying

increase in mob killings and lynchings of alleged gang members,withatleast164of these murders documented inApril.

“It is the State's obligation to protect its citizens. People should be abletorelyonthepoliceand the judicial authorities to tacklegangviolence.

Buttherealityisthatthe State does not have the

Rita Lee: Brazil's 'Queen of Rock' dies aged 75

BBC - Rita Lee, Brazil's "Queen of Rock", has died aged 75, her family has announced.

Amemberoftheoriginal line-up of Os Mutantes, one of Brazil's most influential rock bands, her musical careerspannedmorethan50 years Her album Fruto Proibido (Forbidden Fruit) with the band Tutti Frutti is consideredaBrazilianmusic classic.

Lee had been diagnosed withlungcancerin2021and died at her home in São Paulo "surrounded by the love of her entire family", a statementsaid.

Her family said her fans would be able to pay tribute to the singer-songwriter at a public wake on Wednesday at the planetarium in her hometownofSãoPaulo.

Often referred to as "RainhadoRock"(Queenof Rock), a title she said she found "tacky", she preferred tobeknownas"PatronSaint of Freedom", which many thought better reflected her independentspirit.

Always irreverent, she h a d j o k e d i n h e r autobiography about the reaction that she expected people would have about hearingnewsofherdeath:"I can already imagine the

wordsofaffectionthosewho detest me will utter (...) On social media, some will say: 'Oh, I thought she'd already died,hahaha.'"

But she added: "Those who are sincere [in their affection] will pick up my records and sing Ovelha Negra."

Ovelha Negra (Black Sheep) was just one of her many songs which reflected herdesiretobeherselfandto make it in the rock world, which at the time was dominatedbymen.

Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, celebratedherfeminismina tweet in which he sent her familyhiscondolences.

Lula said that she had "helped transform Brazilian musicwithhercreativityand daring" and that she had "confronted machismo both in life and in music and inspired generations of women in the world of rock

Rita Lee's career spanned more than five decades (Getty Images)

andthearts".

Rita Lee often did not fear upsetting those in power She became one of the main singer-songwriters in the Tropicália movement, which emerged in the 1960s and which challenged the censorship and restrictions placed on the arts under Brazil'smilitaryrule.

She won seven Latin Grammy awards in the span ofhercareer,mostrecentlya Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.Her 2016 autobiography in which she candidly wrote about her struggle with drugs, as well asherchildhoodgrowingup in São Paulo and her long musicalcareer,bothasasolo artist and as a member of a variety of bands, became a non-fictionbestseller.Init,in a chapter entitled "Prophecy", she wrote her ownepitaph:"Shewasnever agoodexample,butshewas agoodperson.”

capacity to respond. People are thus taking the law into their own hands – but this will only fuel the spiral of violence,”headded.

The UN Human Rights Office and BINUH today launched their quarterly update (January to March), which highlights the emergence of vigilante groups, following calls by some political figures and journalists for citizens to form self-defence organizations to fight gang violence.

The report also underscoresthattheviolence

Police with guns in Haiti (OHCHR photo)

is not only becoming more extreme and more frequent, but spreading relentlessly as gangs seek to extend their control.

Areas of the capital previously considered safe, notablyKenscoffandPétion Ville, as well as the Artibonite department, are nowaffected.

Among other modus operandi used by gangs, the report identifies incidents of snipers indiscriminately shooting at people on the street or firing into homes, and of people being burned aliveonpublictransport.

"We must not forget that extremepovertyandthelack of basic services lie at the root of the current violence andofthegangs'powerover c o m m u n i t i e s T h e Government, with support from the international community, must do its utmost to comply with its obligation to provide people with regular and unimpeded access to clean water, food, health and shelter,” Türk said.

“The current human rights emergency calls for a robust response – urgently,” headded.

Govt. appeal to Justice Kissoon's...

Frompage14 and an unlimited parent company guarantee, it is “deceitful” for the VP to mention calculating a premium when there is no needforsuch.Rather,“Itisa mere guarantee that the parent company will cover the cost over and above the insured value,” Norton pointed out. He explained, “The legal requirement as written into the permit mandates that ExxonMobil covers “any” and “all” costs for the cleanup and restorationintheeventofan oilspill“ifEEPGLfailstodo so” due to its limited resources.”

In this regard, Norton contended that appealing thiscasewouldbeawasteof taxpayers' money by the administration.

“Toappealthiscaseisto appeal against our own environmental laws, and againstthesafetyandhealth ofourpeople.Itisselfishand a manifestation that they do not care a damn about the peopleofGuyana.Toappeal this case is further confirmation that Jagdeo and the PPPserve only their elite, friends, families and favourites.”

Norton urged the governmentnottoappealthe Judge's decision, which he said promotes and protects the interest of Guyanese. Appealing the decision, according to Norton, would leave no doubt that the administrationisanti-people regimeandunpatriotic.

On May 3, Justice Kissoon said that, “The Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)hasrelegated itself to a state of laxity of e n f o r c e m e n t a n d condonation compounded by a lack of vigilance thereby putting this nation and its people in grave potential danger of calamitousdisaster.”

This was so as the body failed to ensure enforce the provisions of the Liza One Permit for full liability coverage. The Judge said EPA failed and omitted to mandate compliance by Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEGL) with its financial assurance obligations of environmental liability insurance together with an unlimited parent company guarantee; the EPA also failedtotakeanymeaningful step or any step whatsoever

to assess what was provided to it by the oil company purportedly as the environmental liability insurancewhenitwasnotin fact in keeping with Condition14oftherenewed permit. Importantly, it was also stated that despite f a i l i n g t o d o t h e aforementioned, the EPA alsofailedtosuspend/cancel E E P G L ' s r e n e w e d environmental permit even though the oil company m a d e p u b l i c p r o n o u n c e m e n t s , communicating its intention to increase production levels.

An Order of Mandamus was granted directed to the EPAtoissueanEnforcement Notice pursuant to Section 26(1) and (2) of the Environmental Protection Act, on or before May 9, 2023, directed to EEPGL to perform its obligations under condition 14 of the renewed environmental permitandtoprovide,within 30 days thereafter, on or before June 10, 2023 the unlimited liability Parent Company Guarantee Agreementand/orunlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee.

US officials, Guyanese MPs exchange experiences on stronger legislative practices at IRI forum

From left are former U.S Member of Congress, Hon. David Price, Deputy Chief of Staff (retired) Karen Glaser and former U.S Member of Congress, Hon. Erik Paulsen sharing their legislative experiences with Guyanese Members of Parliament at IRI’s legislative forum on May 2, 2023, in Georgetown, Guyana.

The International Republican Institute(IRI)hostedaforumlast week with parliamentarians here and representatives of the US Congress on legislativepractices.

The two half-day-sessions forum was heldattheGuyanaMarriottHotel,Kingston, Georgetown. United States (U.S.) retired

Congressional Representatives Hon. David PriceandHon.ErikPaulsen,formerDeputy Chief of Staff and District Director Karen Glaser and the Guyanese MPs exchanged experiencesonstrongerlegislativepractices, the IRI local chapter said in a press release. Parliamentarians representing Guyana’s government and opposition parties engaged intheforum.

Inheropeningremarksatthefirstsession, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann LynchisquotedintheIRIreleaseassaying,

“It is truly my sincere hope that everyone participatingwillcometogethertoexchange ideasandpossiblesolutions,notonlywiththe former congressmen and professional chief of staff, but also with the government as a representative parliamentary institution that speaks for all Guyanese citizens ” Ambassador Lynch encouraged MPs to actively engage in discussions because their contributions “give life to the democratic values that we all collectively cherish” and expressed U.S. commitment to supporting Guyana’s democracy to become stronger, moreinclusive,andmoreresilient.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance,GailTeixeiradeliveredopening remarksonthesecondday Governmentand oppositionMPsacknowledgedthehighlevel of professionalism practiced by the Parliamentarystaffindeliveringsupportand

US-based Guyanese dies in crash at Versailles

collidedwithaculvertwhich was located on the western sideoftheroad.

As a result of the collision, the police said the carwiththeoccupantsinside toppled and stopped in the trenchonthewesternsideof theroad.

Persons from the area who saw what transpired immediately went to the wrecked car and pulled out

Dead, Krishnadat Lochan

A 32-year-old US-based Guyanese who was visiting Guyana was on Sunday killedafterhecrashedhiscar into a culvert along the VersaillesPublicRoad,West BankDemerara(WBD).

Dead is Krishnadat Lochan of Goed Fortuin, WBD who met his demise sometime around 22:30hrs that day, the Guyana Police Forcesaidinastatement.

According to reports reaching Kaieteur News, Lochan was driving a motorcar PVV 2319, with two male occupants inside. Reports are that the car was heading south along the road, allegedly at a speed, whenLochanreportedlylost control of the car and

an unconscious Lochan and thetwooccupants.

Lochan who suffered several injuries about his bodywasrushedtotheWest Demerara Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

WithhisbodyattheEzekiel Funeral Parlor awaiting a post-mortem examination, the police have since launchedaninvestigation.

expressed optimism about finding ways to foster greater cross-party collaboration

Resident Program Director Carin Mirowitz said, “IRI looks forward to continuing to support the work of leaders building Guyana’sdemocraticresilience.”

IRI’s legislative forum was among several activities being delivered with support from the National Endowment for Democracy(NED)tostrengthenengagement among Guyanese leaders and citizens, especially marginalized groups like youth, women, indigenous peoples, and persons

withdisabilities.

IRI said it is a nonpartisan, nongovernmental international development organizationthathasperformedhigh-impact workinmorethan100countriessince1983.

The Institute works with organizations and individuals across the globe to help citizens build democratic societies that are open and responsible, accountable, and resilient. IRI worked in Guyana from 20132015andreturnedin2019todeliverpre-and post-electoralprogramming.VisitIRI.orgto learnmore.

US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch delivering opening remarks at IRI’s legislative forum with Guyanese Members of Parliament from the government and parliamentary opposition parties on May 2, 2023.

2023 Woodpecker Junior's National Squash Championship gets underway

Th e 2 0 2 3

Woodpecker Junior's National SquashChampionshipgotoff to an exciting start yesterday at the Georgetown Club Courts (GTC), located on CampStreetinGeorgetown. This prestigious event brings together budding athleteswithintheagegroups ofUnder-11uptotheUnder19.

On day one battles captivated audiences as U11, U13, U15 and U17 matches left those in attendance in awe with some remarkable showingoftenacityandskills ondisplay

Early on, young squash prodigy Ethan Bulkan defeated Zion Hickerson twice, first in the U11

category (11-9, 11-8,11-4) and the other in the U13 category (11-9, 11-8, 11-4).

Bulkan then went up against Jacob McDonald and defeatedhim3-0.

He came back later against Justin Ten Pow but was defeated by the crafty U13 opponent, 3 - 0 However, Bulkan didn't give up without a fight despite losingthefirsttwogamesand showed his resilience and will but Ten Pow stood firm to keep the upper hand and eventuallyclaimthevictory

Zion Hickerson finished the evening in high spirits with a satisfying win against Rafael Brathwaite (11-0, 113, 11-2) in their U11 match up.OverintheU15category, Richard Rodrigues

dominated Avion Wade, Blake Edwards defeated Goberdhan, Kaylee Lowe defeated Jnae Singh, Brenno DaSilva proved to be too good for Nickolas Sawh and MaliaMaikoodefeatedTaina Gomes.Allwinnersfromthis categorywon3–0.

InthethreeU17matches, Louis DaSilva, Demetri Lowe and Safirah Sumner eachpickeduptheirfirstwin of the competition; DaSilva wastriumphantinthe3-0win overJoshVerwey,Lowethen fought his way to a 3-2 victory against Chad De Abreu and defending champion Sumner came out ontopagainstMaliaina3–0 victory

The action continued at thesamevenueyesterday

Wednesday May 10, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

Today you will likely be in the mood to nest with loved ones, Aries Encourage children and partner to stay homewithyou.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

TodayanarticleorTVshow may set your mind spinning in the strangest directions. You could finally a c k n o w l e d g e y o u r fascinationwiththeoccult.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Ifyou'vebeenthinkingabout writing a novel or taking up oil painting, today is the day to begin. No excuses. You have just as much talent as anyone else, so why not use it?

CANCER(June21–July22)

You clean house like someone with an attention problem, Cancer You never stick with one task. Your bathroom mirrors and counterswillgetcleaned,but notthefloor

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today you may need to be more selfless, Leo. You may moan about the obligations and expectations placed on you, but you do what's expected.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You may receive a letter or phonecallthatspursyouinto action, Virgo. You might realize how close you are to reaching a long-term goal, andharnessyourenergy

Chief of Defense Staff Col. Telbert Benjamin...

Frompage31 single handedly responsible for the advent and implementation of electronic scoringintheCaribbean.

“Without Dan, the whole questionofelectronictargets, probably would not have

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

This may not be your preferred way to spend the day, but it would be an ideal time to finish up tasks that havebeenpilingupathome, Libra.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

You're a dedicated soul to spendpreciouspersonaltime doing household chores, but certain things need to get done.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

You're an avid reader, Sagittarius. Today you may come across some ideas that inspire ideas of your own. Perhaps you read something gives you an idea for a short story

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

You can expect to have a confusing encounter with a friend or colleague today, Capricorn. He or she may come to you for advice but hesitate to reveal the specificsoftheproblem.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

You're feeling strong, energetic, and likely to be inspired to get some real workdonearoundthehouse, Aquarius.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Something you read today could have a dramatic effect on your life, Pisces. Pay particular attention to dream psychology Youmayfindan explanation for a recurring dream.

gotten off the ground as it has.I want to thank you fellow shooters for being hereandweallhopetohavea verygoodweek.”

Competitiongotcracking after Colonel Benjamin fired theopeningshotfromthe600

yardsrangetotheapplauseof allgathered.

T h e I n d i v i d u a l Championships got going withshootersengagingatthe 300 yards range with 2 sightingshotsand7roundsto count.

They then matched shots at the 500 yards range, 2 sighting shots and 15 rounds tocountwiththedaycoming to an end at the 600 yards range where they each had 2 sighting shots and 10 rounds tocount.

Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA)

Fullbore Captain, Dylan Fields, along with defending WIFBSC Individual Champion, Lennox Braithwaite, Ransford Goodluck, Leo Ramalho (Vice Captain), Peter Persaud, Sherwin Felicen, Roberto Tiwari, Ryan SampsonalongwiththeUSA based duo of Sigmund Douglas and John Fraser are all contesting the Individual Championships.

The other team members are Mahendra Persaud and Team Manager, Franklin Wilson.

OnWednesday,300yards shootwillbe2sightingshots and 15 rounds to count; 500 yards2sightingshotsand10 rounds to count and 600 yards, 2 sighting shots and 7 rounds to count. Thursday will be the final day of the Individuals.

The GuyanaNRA is extendingsinceregratitudeto The Government of Guyana, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport, National Sports Commission, Guyana Olympic Association, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc., Queensway Security Service Inc., DHL, Citizens Bank, Sterling Products, and Star Party Rentals.

Safirah Sumner skillfully evades losing a point in her match against Malia Maikoo.

Archery Guyana introduces sport to Saraswati Vidya Niketan Secondary

The students and teachers of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan Secondary School, located on the West Coast of Demerara, were, on Monday, treated to an excitingintroductiontothesport ofarchery,byArcheryGuyana.

National Head Coach, Nicholas Hing, and Chair of the Tech Committee, Saeed Karim, visited the school to give demonstrations, after which the excited students and teachers participated in the sport themselves.

Initial discussions had been

held between the Principal, Swami Aksharananda and Hing onintroducingthearcherytothe school in its ongoing National DevelopmentProgram,inwhich Swamiwholeheartedlyagreed. Atthegathering,thestudents were informed of the school formingthenextschoolclubfor developing archers from the grassroots to be able to eventually compete locally, regionally or internationally, with the ultimate goal of representing Guyana on the Olympicstage.

CWI/CG United Women's Super50 Cup Round 2...

Guyana looking to avenge 1st round loss against rampant Bajans

The Guyanese Women will seek r e v e n g e following their horrific loss intheopeninground,asthey battle a rampant Barbados today as part of Round 2's trioofmatchesplayedacross St.Kitts.

The Guyanese will be keen on avenging their loss in the opening round, when theyfaceBarbadosandwith not much coming from a star-studdedteam,including West Indies players Shabika Gajnabi, Shamaine Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt, Sheneta Grimmond, moreisexpectedcometoday whentheyfaceoffagainstan equally matched Barbados team.

The defending champs destroyed Trinidad & Tobagoandwilllikelyposea hugethreattoaGuyanaside looking to regroup with a victory With Kyshona

Knight,AaliyahAlleyneand Shakera Selman firing with the bat, the duo of Keila Elliot and Allison Gordon who had 4 wickets each in the last game will be in the spotlightonceagain.

After a thumping 6wicket win over the Leewards, the Jamaican ladies could most definitely maintain their win streak when they play the Trinis, especiallyifveteranStefanie Taylor, Natasha McLean, Chedean Nation, Rashada Williamsandothers,manage tosettlein.

Despite a spirited fight from the TT Women, they could not muster the win need and as such will be desperate to steal some momentum from their opposition Anisa Mohammed, in-form

Shunelle Sawh, Brittney Cooper and a few others lookedgoodingameoneand

Allison Gordon could be a threat with the ball today versus Guyana

couldplaybigrolestoday

Thefinalmatchofround two will see the two islands facing off, as the Leewards and Windwards battle. The latter romped to a huge win over Guyana thanks to their bowling attack featuring the all-round efforts of Afy Fletcher who had 2 wickets and returned to finish was not out a few runs short of a half-century and Qiana Josephwhohad4victims.

Leewards will bank on Terez Parker, Divya Saxena andMeleciaClarke,whoall hit scores of 20 and over making them likely candidates to lead their side yetagain.

Theirbowlerswerepoor except Amanda Edwards who had the only 2 wickets to fall against Jamaica, leaving much room for improvement against a dangerous Windwards battingline.

Students and teachers participated in the exercise conducted by Archery Guyana

'Impressive'Amsterdamoutatround-of-16atIBAWorldChampionships

Desmond Amsterdam, Guyana's last hope of capturing a medal at this year's International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championship,bowedoutin the Round-of-16 following his Unanimous Decision (UD) defeat to Spain's GazimagomedJalidov Fighting in the Light Heavyweight division

yesterday in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Amsterdam seemed poised to replicate his round-of-32 win over Kristiyan Nikolov of Bulgaria.

However, Amsterdam, though lasting the rounds, wouldloseonallfivejudge's scorecards(26-30,28-29,2730,27-30and28-29).

Amsterdam's defeat

endedGuyana'sparticipation at the prestigious IBAWorld Championship after Keevin Allicock, who won his opening bout against Yhlas

G y l y c h j a n o v o f Turkmenistanbutwouldlater beontheoppositesideofthe results against Abdumalik KhalokovofUzbekistan.

The two Guyanese pugilistswerealsofightingto

Contract signing sets the stage for the epic 'Return of the Scorpion' boxing card

cash in on the year's World Championships' lucrative cash incentives offered to medalists, with the gold medalists in every weight

class set to receive

US$200,000, silver US$100,000, and bronze US$50,000.(RawleToney)

The contract signing event for the eagerly a n t i c i p a t e d B r i s o

Promotions 2023 'Return of the Scorpion' ProAm

International Boxing Championships, were held yesterday at the 704 Restaurant and Bar, located at the corners of Albert and L a m a h a S t r e e t s , Queenstown.

The event brought t o g e t h e r t h e k e y stakeholders, including the teneliteboxerswhoaresetto meetinthesquared-circleon May 21. With the contracts inked and the fighters' commitment solidified, the c o u n t d o w n t o t h e championship fight continued.

Briso Promotions

executive, Seon Bristol, and the Vice President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC), Andrew Thorne, spearheaded the event which was nothing shortofastar-studdedaffair, withboxinglegends,current champions, and rising contenders all converging to witness this milestone moment.

O v e r s e a s - b a s e d Guyanese boxer, Elton Dharry,issettoheadlinethe event and will face off with Ramos Ronald out of Colombia, while Emmanuel Anderson is set to make his debut against

Guyana's Anthony

Augustin, Barbadian

Ricardo Blackman is also set to make his debut appearance against

Terrance Adams out of GuyanaandDexterMarques will battle with Luis Carillo fromColombia.

Meanwhile, speaking at the small gathering, Thorne thanked the boxers, coaches andtrainersforparticipating, which sets the stage for this historic showdown that promises to deliver intense action and unforgettable moments local boxing history

He emphasized on the need for support from the broader public and went on toinvitethegeneralpublicto come out and support the card,whichunfoldsonatthe NationalGymnasium.

The event will feature b o t h a m a t e u r a n d international bouts. Action startsat19:00hours.

Guyana's Dexter Marques signed the contract in the presence of Seon Bristol and Andrew Thorne.

From left - GBBC Secretary, Vikash Panday, Dexter Marques, GBBC Vice President Andrew Thorne, Promoter Seon Bristol and another GBBC executive during the contract signing.

Spain's Gazimagomed Jalidov lands a vicious left on Desmond Amsterdam during their Light Heavyweight encounter at the IBAWorld Championships.

(Cricbuzz) - A careerbest performance in the IPL from Suryakumar Yadav floored Royal Challengers Bangalore as Mumbai Indianspickedupahugewin to jump to the third spot on Tuesday(May9).

Chasing200,MIwenton

Suryakumar's best floors RCB

arampagerightfromthestart with Ishan Kishan providing the platform After his departure, Suryakumar and Nehal Wadhera took charge and added 140 for the third wickettostuntheawayside.

Thetwoeventful powerplays

Both teams had a very similar start to their innings in the powerplay RCB were handed a blow in the very first over when Virat Kohli got an edge through to the keeper when he tried to take on Jason Behrendorff and AnujRawatmistimedoneto

depart early as well However, those two wickets didn't deter the away side as Faf du Plessis and Glenn Maxwell, in particular, went absolutely berserk. The two batterswantedtoensurethey maximizethepowerplayand even the introduction of PiyushChawladidn'tstopthe rampage.

MI on the other hand went crazy in the run chase withIshanKishandelivering the goods. The under-fire Rohit Sharma stepped down thetrackfirstballtohammer a boundary but it was Ishan whohoggedthelimelight.He tookonJoshHazlewoodand Mohammed Siraj and struck some stunning blows that forced du Plessis to bring on Wanindu Hasaranga early IshantookontheSriLankan spinner too to race to 42 but he had the last laugh by dismissing the opener. RCB turned the tide in the same over as Hasaranga also trapped Rohit lbw to add to his woes. The damage was done though as RCB made 62.

TheMaxwell-Fafshow If the two batters resurrected RCB in the powerplay, they stepped on the accelerator further after that. Chris Jordan, playing his first game for MI, was welcomed to the crease by Maxwellwithtwosixes.

TheAustralianallrounder then walked down the track to Chawla and hammered him over his head before bringingupanincredible25ball fifty At the halfway stage, RCB had 104 on the boardandcontinuedtopress home the advantage Du Plessis smashed one wide of midoffandbroughtupa30ballfiftyandtookonChawla foranothersixasRCBraced to131injust12overs.

Howdidtheynotfinish withover200?

MI did very well to pull thingsback.

The pitch did assist the bowlers in the latter half of

the innings whenever the bowlerstookthepaceoffthe ballandMIusedthattogood effect.

Behrendorff came back andremovedMaxwellwitha slowerballtoendthe120-run stand. Mahipal Lomror and the well-set du Plessis fell soon after leaving the finishing duties to Dinesh

Karthik and Kedar Jadhav

WhileJadhavdidhithisfirst ball for a boundary, he struggled to get going at the death. Karthik put his poor formbehindtocomeupwith a few lusty blows to score a crucial30butRCBstillmade only68inthefinal8overs.

HowdidMIbatafter Hasaranga'sdoubleblow?

Itwasalmostlikeitnever happened. Wadhera pulled his second ball for a six to signalhisintentions.Harshal Patelwasthentakenapartfor 11inhisopeningover Atthe halfway mark the game was still tantalisingly poised at 99/2 as MI still needed 101 from the next 10. However, both Suryakumar and Wadhera flipped the switch prettyquicktoputMIontop.

Hasaranga conceded a six each to the two batters and

Suryakumar converted a good over from Hazlewood to an ordinary over with successive boundaries in the end.Theboundariesjustkept flowing as du Plessis' decision to shuffle his bowlersjustdidn'twork.

Norespitewhatsoever

While MI staged a very goodcomebackwiththeball in the latter half, no such thing was in store for RCB. The surface didn't aid them onebiteitherasSuryakumar put on a show leaving Wadhera stranded in his 40s at the other end for a long time. Bringing up his fifty, Suryakumar hammered Hasaranga for two more sixes and went 6,4,6 off Vyshak Vijayakumar to kill thechase.

While the bowler did stop the maverick with just eight runs needed, Suryakumarhaddonehisjob by then registering his highest score in the IPL as wellintheprocess.

Tim David was out first ball but Wadhera landed the final blow with another six that also helped him register fifties in back-to-back games.

Suryakumar Yadav celebrates after bringing up his half-century off 26 balls. (BCCI)

WIFBSC2023Championships–Antigua&Barbuda…

Chief of Defense Staff Col. Telbert Benjamin fires first shot

The 2023 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships which brings together the best rifle shooters in the Caribbean and further afield fired off at the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range, yesterday inAntiguaandBarbuda.

President of the Antigua

Canada, reminded that the sport, whilst being very competitive,iscontestedina familyatmosphere.

“Attheendofthedaywe all celebrate the victory of the winning team. As host, wehopethatallwouldenjoy the shoot and we have a fantastic time over the

Range.

“Iknowthatmanyofyou have been here before, so, welcome back. Make the bestofthisweek,Iknowour boys from Antigua have been preparing vigorously, I get the chatter about all the scores. I understand that my friends from the South, the

competitivenessof all of us and I look forward to the camaraderie,thatisthenorm within these competitions. Allthebesttoallofyouand may the better team emerge asvictorshere.”

President of the

WIFBSC, Major Nelson of Jamaica, in brief remarks congratulated the Antigua and Barbuda Rifle Association for pulling off this year's competition whilstalsoextendingawarm welcome to the Canadian

Teamwhichhasalwaysbeen agoodfriendoftheWIFBSC overtheyears. Special thanks was also extended to Mr Dan Chisolm who, President Nelsoninformedhasbeen (Continuedonpage27)

and Barbuda Rifle Association Mr. Thomas Greenaway, the organising nation on behalf of theWest Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) in welcoming teams from Guyana,Barbados,Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and

coming days in the individualsandteamshoot.”

ChiefofDefenseStaffof the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force, Colonel Telbert Benjamin also welcomed the shooters, especially to the Crabbs Training Rifle and Pistol

Golden Arrowhead have been preparing as well, and of course my people from Barbados have been doing a lotofwork.

I look forward to the competition, I look forward to hearing the good news, I look forward to seeing the

South Africa pip Ireland to automatic World Cup spot after ODI washout

(BBCSport)-Awashout in the opening one-day international between Ireland and Bangladesh saw South Africa pip Ireland to the final automatic World Cupspot.

Tuesday's match in Chelmsford was abandoned due to rain with Ireland on 63-3 after 163 overs in response to 246-9 from Bangladesh.

Irelandneededtowinthis ODIseries3-0toretainhope of securing World Cup qualification through this route, but will still have one morechance.

Bangladeshhavealready qualified.

With two more spots for

the World Cup in India later this year yet to be decided, Ireland can still make it througha10-teamqualifying tournament in June-July in Zimbabwe.

byheavyshowers.

Just 16 3 overs were possible in the second innings, with a minimum of 20neededtoachievearesult onDuckworthLewisStern.

Mushfiqur Rahim hit 61 runs for Bangladesh on Tuesday.

(Getty Images)

Other teams involved in the qualifier include two formerchampions,SriLanka andtheWestIndies.

The first spots in the 10teamWorldCupgotothetop eightfinishersoftheWCSL, a competition that has run overthelastthreeyears.

Cricket Ireland relocated this week's ODI games from its own home venues to Essex in the hope of minimising the potential impact of the weather, but saw its worst fears realised

Left-armer Josh Little, who jetted back from the Indian Premier League to takepartintheseries,took361 on his return to Irish colours including opener Litton Das and top-scorer MushfiqurRahim.

Graham Hume excelled withfiguresof2-32fromhis 10oversandMarkAdairalso claimed2-44.

Bangladesh looked vulnerable at the halfway stagebutmadeastrongstart with the new ball, the dangerous Paul Stirling falling to Shoriful Islam for 15 and captain Andy Balbirnie bowled by Hasan Mahmudwithjustfivetohis name.

Stephen Doheny and Harry Tector then added 36 for the third wicket before the former was caught and bowled by Taijul Islam just beforethecloudsopened.

Play never looked likely to resume and the result was confirmed shortly after 19:00 The second game takes place at the same groundonFriday

Colonel Telbert Benjamin fired off the 2023 edition of the WIFBSC Championships at the Crabbs Rifle and Pistol Range, Antigua.

GOA supports the GSA for the upcoming Pan Am Squash Championships

participation in the PanAm Squash Championships (Qualifier for 2023 Pan Am Games), which is scheduled to be held in Cartagena, Colombia from June 4 – 10, 2023.

Powerhouses of the region will be taking part, including the USA, Canada, Colombia, Mexico and Peru (which now is the home of theworld#1mensplayer).If Guyana qualifies, the Pan Am Games would be held later this year in Santiago Chile.

President of the Guyana Squash Association, Mr DavidFernandesthankedthe Executive Committee members for the support received.

WithbothGuyanaMen's and Women's team dominating the Caribbean Championships in 2022, winning not only the team Championship but also takinghomegoldintheMen andwomen'sdoubles.

They hope to carry this momentumtobettertheirlast showing in the 2019 qualifiers where the Women got 6th (qualifying for the PanAmGames)andtheMen got 10th, falling just short of qualificationforthe2019Pan AmGames.

At the handover ceremony,Secretary-General of the Guyana Olympic Association, Mrs Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon wished the Guyana Squash Association's Team all the very best at these championships which will serveasthequalifiersforPan Am Games and so are of

great significance and indicated she looks forward totheReportafterwards. She particularly mentionedthenotablystrong women's team comprised of legendary Nicolette Fernandes and the current Caribbean and National women's champion Ashley Khalil.

ExxonMobilBoys&GirlsU14FootballChampionships…

Teams briefed ahead of Saturday's kick off

Ahead of the fourth edition of t h e P e t r aorganisedExxonMobilBoys and Girls Under-14 Football Championships, which is slated to commence on Saturday, May 13, the organising team completed the Team Briefing and also releasedtheGroupstageand fixtures.

Petra also kept with their customanddonatedtwonew balls to each participating school to assist in their preparationsfortheevent.

Prior to the briefing, someremarksweresharedby Petra Co-Director, Troy Mendonca, Ministry of Education's (MoE) Kurt

Brathwaite, Guyana Shore Base Inc.'s (GYSBI) Public

Relations Manager, Gomattie Gangadin and ExxonMobil's Community Relations Advisor, Ryan Hoppie.

However, the Group stage draw and fixtures are expected to be released later thisweek.

The tournament was officially launched just over a week ago where it was revealed that a total of 42 teams will be competing in thetwodivisions.

Atstakeforthevictorsin the two categories are the championshiptrophiesalong with$300,000 towards a school project, while the

second, third, and fourth place finishers will have to settlefor$150,000,$75,000, and$50,000,respectively,all for a school initiative, along withtherespectivetrophy Charlestown Secondary, the defending champions of both the male and female categories,willbelookingto follow up their historic feat when their campaigns commence.

This tournament is sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) with support from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL), GYSBIandMVPSports.

Secretary-General of the Guyana Olympic Association, Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, hands over sponsorship cheque to David FernandesPresident of the Guyana Squash Association.

GCB breaks new ground as historic academies launchinthreecommitteesinEssequibo

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), broke new groundonSaturday,April29, 2023, with the historic Academy launched in three CommitteesinEssequibo.

This historic event ushered in the establishment of an essential Youth-Player DevelopmentProgramunder the Essequibo Cricket Board's administrative structure, in their committee areas of North Essequibo, South Essequibo, and Wakenaam The launches were held at Walton Ground in North Essequibo, Zorg Ground in South, and Good Success Ground in Wakenamm.

The Academy initiative was outlined in the GCB 5Year Strategy Plan by the GCB President and executivesontheirascension to the GCB office in 2020. The program which required thorough planning, will realizetheimplementationof eighteenAcademy Programs nationwide.

Each of the Essequibo Cricket Board's affiliate Committees will have an Academy Program These Committees are North Essequibo, South Essequibo, Wakenaam, Pomeroon, Bartica, Laguan, and East BankEssequibo.

Similarly, it is intended for the Demerara Cricket Board to have five (5), Academies in their affiliate Associations, of West Demerara, East Bank Demerara, Upper Demerara, Georgetown, and East Coast Demerara The six (6) Academy locations for Berbice, are West Berbice, New Amsterdam Canje, Lower Corentyne, Central Corentyne/Bushlot, Upper Corentyne, and Berbice River The Academy Program will place emphasis on the

holistic development of playersagessevenyearsold, to 17 years old, covering technical development and skill acquisition activities, physical fitness, applicable medical fitness assessments, laws of cricket, and appropriate lifestyle guidance including those on diet and nutrition, etiquette, and communication exercises with players on relevantmediarelations.

The Academy Program will also place emphasis on positive self-concept, discipline, and commitment, the understanding of group dynamics, and the value of teamwork.

The Academy Program will be conducted on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays,from15:30hours to 17:30 hours, and on Saturdays from 08:00 hours to11:00hours.

Understandably, there may be slight adjustments in the training time to facilitate the unique needs of the individual Academies. The significance of theAcademy Program is the Brainchild GCB President Bissoondyal Singh.

At the initial launch at Walton Hall in Essequibo, the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) President, Vice President of GCB, and Director of Cricket West Indies, Deleep Singh commemorated the event by giving open remarks President Deleep Singh, in his remarks, was adamant that theAcademy will play a bigroleintherejuvenationof cricketinEssequibo.

He pointed out that the aim of the Academy is to focus on honing the skills of players who may be lacking fundamentals or to further enhance any possible skills thattheyoungcricketersmay possess.

President Deleep Singh

washighinpraisetotheGCB President and executives, thanking the GCB for implementing the same programwhichheviewedas bothworthwhileandtimely Also, the ECB President thankedthecoaches,parents, and students (players) for turning out in their numbers tobeapartofsuchahistoric event hosted collaboratively bytheGCBandECB.

ECB President Deleep Singh, concluded by reiterating, that the focus of theAcademyonthekeyareas of player development of youngplayersisahugefactor in the effort and drive to nurture and develop the talents of youths ages seven yearsoldto17yearsold,and encouraged the players to make full use of the opportunity

The GCB's Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart during the launch, urged the players across the threeAcademiestofocusnot onlyonthegamebutalsoon the process of themselves becoming Pros while giving them insight on how to approachthegame.

Theex-WestIndiespacer pointed out that while the technical aspects are crucial to the player's development, the fact that cricket is consideredtobeplayedwith 90%oftheplayersofmental prowess, heavy emphasis must be placed on players' abilities to consistently execute tasks well This consistency must suffice within the varied play conditions that will be presented from match to match within and outside of one'scountry

Further, Stuart called on young players across the respective Academies to, overtimeshowthenecessary drivers needed to be a

professional cricketer, locally, regionally, and internationally

He stressed, that outside of the technical aspects of cricket,likebatting,bowling, and fielding, the need to execute tasks properly albeit on or off the cricket pitch is essential, as it helps to build one's professional approach toachievingregularsuccess.

Stuart indicated, to those presentatthelaunch,thatthe Academy coaches and other suitable personnel will in addition to the technical and physicalfitnessaspectsofthe game, address the critical related components of the gameontheLawsofcricket, e t i q u e t t e , p l a y e r communication with media, sportsmanship, and player commitment.

Additionally, the launches held in Essequibo on Saturday,April 29, 2023, were graced with the presence of ECB executives and several ECB coaches from across Cinderella County,includingthelikesof ECB Vice-President Elroy Stephney, former national youth Manger Nazeer Mohammed, all of whom appeared overwhelmed with joy by the new doors which arenowopenedforplayersin the Essequibo Region. Both Stephney and Mohammed thanked the GCB for their massivesupport.

The coaches present at the launch noted that with such an Academy platform available,itwillbeeasierfor players to refine their abilities by virtue of dedication and training toward attaining set realistic goals that will put them in a better position to perform consistentlywellinmatches, and thereby making it easier forthemtobecomevisibleto the Committee/Association, County, and National

selectors.

The GCB President Bissoondyal Singh, who could not have been present at the Academy launch in Essequibo on Saturday, May 29, 2023, due to another pressing high-level engagement that was previously scheduled, expressed his and the GCB's executive happiness in the realization of the implementation of a critical component GCB 5-Year Strategy Plan, in the AcademyProgram.

President Bissoondyal Singh in his worded submission for presentation at the launch in Essequibo, stated that the Academy initiative was given significant priority by the GCB executives, given the identified gaps in the player development pathway, and the conceptualized benefits of the Academy Program to theplayers.Inthecaseofthe former, at times players are selected for national teams with technical deficiencies, and lower fitness levels than required in relation to set CWI/GCB benchmarks and their mental applications which it is perceived can be g r e a t l y i m p r o v e d Consequently, apart from conducting National InterCounty Tournaments, the GCB has prioritized the Academy Program to eliminate, or greatly reduce s o m e o f t h e s e aforementioneddeficiencies.

The GCB is of the view, that the Academy Program carried out for its intended purposewillassistplayersto make the respective national teams with higher levels of technical, and physical fitness abilities, and with greater levels of appropriate mental applications The latter is necessary to be inculcated in players since

players are required to adapt to various match conditions, whetheritberelatedtopitch, team opposition, and or crowd.

President Bissoondyal Singh thanked the ECB President and executives, as well as the Chairperson and executives of the North Essequibo Cricket Committee,SouthEssequibo Cricket Committee, and Wakenaam Cricket Committee, for leading the way in getting the groundwork done to implementthesameprogram andurgedthattheyremained steadfast in assisting the GCB through its marketing Committee to acquire funds to support and sustain the AcademyProgram.

Additionally, President Bissoondyal Singh thanked the youth players, and their parents and guardians for demonstrating an interest in being a part of theAcademy Program,andreassuredthem thattheGCBwillcontinueto explore avenues that will lend support to the development of the players' needsandrequirements.

The GCB is encouraging the parents and guardians, and corporate Guyana to embrace and support this valuable nationwide AcademyProgram.

GCB President, Bissoondyal Singh

Section of participants of the GCB-ECB Academy Launch for the South Essequibo Committee at Zorg Ground.

Teams briefed ahead of Saturday's kick off

WIFBSC2023Championships–Antigua&Barbuda…

Chief of Defense Staff

Team Guyana at the opening ceremony, from left, Ryan Sampson, John Fraser, Sherwin Felicen, Ransford Goodluck, Peter Persaud, Mahendra Persaud, Sigmund Douglas, Roberto Tiwari, Leo Romalho, Dylan Fields, Lennox Braithwaite, and Franklin Wilson.

The Petra Organisation and representative of the sponsor took a photo opportunity prior to the team briefing exercise.