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AIETEUR NEWS

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COVID-19 cases

Friday Edition May 13, 2022 - Vol. 24 No.19

on the rise again

Online: www.kaieteurnews.com Online Price $80 readership yesterday, 74,606

...169 new infections so far this week

Three mega gold firms coming - Finance Minister says

Exxon vs. insurance company…

Lawyer urges appeal court to abandon ruling of US. Judge who owns stock in Exxon

No gas leak management plan for gas-to-shore project Farmer killed in three-vehicle smash-up at Mahaicony p. 14

Nareshwar Arjune called 'Ryan'

Guyana not “in rush” to draft new oil contract – Natural Resource Minister tells international media Guyanese MUST demand that VP Jagdeo, the man heading the The Glenn Lall Show @11:00hrs oil sector, come clean with our oil or leave! ListenontoKaieteur Radio 99.1/99.5FM

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Guyana not “in rush” to draft new oil contract - Natural Resource tells international media

M

inister of N a t u r a l Resources Vi c k r a m B h a r r a t h a s reiterated Government's position that it is in “no rush” to develop a new production sharing agreement (PSA) for it's offshore oil development.

Be that as it may, the Kawa-1 light oil and gas discovery in the country's Corentyne Block may very well see a new agreement being signed with developers, Canadabased CGX Energy Inc. and its partner, Frontera Energy Corporation in the near future.

This was related days ago

by Bharrat during an exclusive interview with international media house,

that the government would be seeking better terms to increase its benefit in the country's Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). While the Vice President did not divulge much details, he had mentioned some of the issues that arose relating to royalty rate and ring fencing. “All of those issues have to be looked back at,” including tax treatment. Issues concerning ring fencing, tax payments and insurance coverage are among some serious matters arising from the current agreement the government has with ExxonMobil and would be looking to correct with CGX. In fact, pressure continues to mount locally

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat Reuters. Bharrat was at the time attending the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) held in Houston, Texas when he informed that Guyana is also looking for a long term arrangement with “the ideal partner” to market the country's oil.

After a more than 20 year search, the joint venture by CGX Energy and Frontera Energy announced in January that it had found crude in its Kawa-1 well in the Corentyne Block.

Additionally the company is expected to drill its Wei-1 exploration well later this year. The Minister said however that this is only the second well for CGX. “So I would say, in my own estimation, that in about three years from now, once everything goes well in terms of exploration, we might be ready to deal with CGX to sign a PSA,” the minister said.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo had said in February

for the renegotiation of the oil deal to ensure Guyana gets better terms for its oil endowments. So far, these calls have fallen on deaf ear.

The Natural Resource Minister told the media however that Guyana aims to prioritize creation of an oil and gas regulatory body. “We have started some of the work on designing a model PSA according to internationally accepted standards. However, there is no rush to conclude it immediately because we don't see any other companies applying for a PSA just yet.”

Companies currently exploring in Guyana have in recent years signed or extended licences to complete drilling. The new PSA would be needed to move projects to the development phase.

Bharrat told the international press however, that the process for drafting a new PSA model will be

similar to the mechanism for approving Guyana's local content policy. A high-level panel will be nominated for the task and domestic and foreign consultants will be involved.

In the meantime, when it comes to the “ideal partner”, the government plans to have ready this year an energy regulatory agency and probably a state oil company that could offer partnerships in exploration areas returned by other firms or for new blocks yet to be put on the table. On Guyana's to-do list there is also a competitive tender to select the company that will market its share of

oil. Saudi Aramco had been hired to market Guyana oil endowments, and that contract expires in September.

“We are looking for longterm arrangements, for the

ideal partner for marketing and getting better benefits,” Bharrat said, adding the nation aims to save as much as possible on trading fees. It was noted however that Indian state refiners that have

shown interest in a government-to-government agreement to buy Guyanese oil after testing the Liza sweet light crude last year, would also have to participate in the tender.

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KAIETEUR NEWS Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

Publisher: GLENN LALL-TEL: 624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210

EDITORIAL

Faking at many layers locally

I

t is a strange one, this news of a taxi driver allegedly faking his own abduction. The substance is that he got himself in some hot water, so he felt it necessary to run and hide, and make it appear as though he was kidnapped. It was to save his skin by disappearing from people pressing him for the goods that he was not able to deliver. Since he did not have it, he did what he believed to be the next best thing: he allegedly faked his own disappearance.

If this incident was limited to that of an erring taxi driver alone then there would not be much concern over the deep hole he dug for himself. He dug it himself, so he must find a way to extract himself out of it. But what this regular citizen supposedly did is what is now custom and practice at many levels in this society, and by many people in ways better than him. They are the leaders of Guyana, who do consistently better imitations of him in almost every aspect of their duties.

Leaders in todays PPP/C Government, most of them, especially the bigger and bolder ones, have practiced one fakery after another on the peoples of this country. Our leaders have come forward willingly and accepted even more enthusiastically the numerous responsibilities place in their hands, and when they fail to live up to their part of the bargain, they do exactly what the taxi driver is claimed to have done. They try to fake their way out of the spaces in which they find themselves cornered. In fact, because PPP/ C Government leaders have been the best practitioners of local faking, it is more accurate to assert that they dont imitate the taxi driver in the hot seat, but that they have set the example for him. We at this paper will now furnish a small snapshot of the handiworks of present-day Government of Guyana leaders, which confirm how they have tricked citizens, and have then tried without interruption to fake their way out of trouble.

PPP/C Government leaders were given the responsibility to manage our oil wealth faithfully and to the best of their abilities. They have failed to do their part, since they have found it more individually prospering to prioritise the interests of the rapacious oil companies operating here. In doing so, they have tied themselves into knots which they cant untie, so they do the next best thing, which is to lie.

Just like it is alleged that the taxi driver did. PPP/C Government leaders make up one story after another, about confidentiality, about contract sanctity, about transparency, about accountability, about accessibility, and about working to relieve the poverty of the Guyanese masses, (among numerous other things) to dodge those pressing for the real facts, truthful answers only, and the whole story.

Look at them and listen to them, and they are that taxi driver, but in suits, with big microphones before them, and bigger titles to their names.

PPP/C Government leaders have become the local masters of faking. They are conspicuous by their fear of sharp, probing scrutiny of their actions, so they do these disappearing acts. Because they love lies and darkness, they run away from light. Ask about oil, and elected leaders cant face the nation, so they rush over to what the Guyana Press Association called people who are incompetent, most lacking judgment, and still others who help them cover their dirty tracks.

Part of the Governments leadership trickery and fakery is this preference to present the most important business of Guyanas oil bonanza, through those who dont even understand or speak the English Language properly.

This faking has been extended by PPP/C Government leaders in such diverse areas as sugar, gold, and timber, through dodges and disappearing acts. Given that infrastructure involves billions, hiding and faking are now the norm, since so much money makes lying and faking the standard. A taxi drivers faking may be viewed as the desperate ploy of a man who dabbled with making quick money. The fakeries of Government leaders, on the other hand, are of men and women who have made faking into a national industry.

Focusing on the 2016 Stabroek Production Sharing mistakes does not help Guyanese DEAR EDITOR, In a letter to KN on 11th May 2022, Mr. Vishnu Bisram found it inexplicable as to why the coalition government would sign the 2016 Stabroek Production Sharing Contract (PSC). Bisram goes on to list all the deficiencies of the 2016 PSC and implied if he and other individuals were consulted a better contract would have been realised.

Contrary to Bisrams pondering, it is explicable why Guyana ended up with the fiscal terms in the 2016 PSC. The 1999 PSC was the main contributor to fiscal terms in the 2016 PSC. The Guyana government (GG) oil take in the 1999 PSC was 12.5%, the contract language claimed a 1% royalty was included in the GG take but in reality, there was zero royalty. The 1999 PSC Cost Oil and Profit Oil sharing were respectively 75% and 50%. The 1999 PSC does not tax the Joint Venture (JV) Partners portion of Profit Oil. The 1999 PSC required the responsible Minister to pay JV partners share of corporate

taxes and provide tax receipts to the JV partners. The 1999 PSC had a stability clause, intended to stop any changes to the contract. With exception of royalty percentage, the remaining 1999 PSC fiscal terms would become part of 2016 PSC. How did this happen?

Force majeure was declared for nine years after 1999 PSC was signed and the exploration period was delayed to 14th June, 2008 - 13thJune, 2018. The first oil discovery occurred in 2015 with the 1999 PSC in effect with all the fiscal terms discussed above.

Not only there was a huge oil find in 2015 but three years of exploration time remained on the 1999 PSC. JV partners were going to stick with the 1999 PSC if a contract desirable to them could not be reached in 2016. The GG had no leverage in the 2016 renegotiation to do the heavy lifting to change the fiscal terms in the 1999 PSC. With little demand in the drilling industry, the JV partners could bring in drill ships to go after

prospects identified in the seismic surveys before the exploration period expired.

For context, seven oil discoveries were recorded by 13th June, 2018 (1999 PSC exploration end date) with effectively two drill ships exploring for oil. With additional drill ships, all current discoveries would be under the 1999 PSC with a 12.5% take. Startup of Liza 1 would be surely delayed. No way JV partners were going to give up the attractive terms in the 1999 PSC regardless who was sitting across from them in the 2016 negotiations.

Bisram made quite a few questionable assertions in his letter. Bisram stated no country received as low royalties as in 2016 Stabroek PSC. Norway has zero royalties but taxed (corporate & resource) 78% of profits in offshore concessionary contracts. Nigeria also has zero royalties in deep water PSCs. Both countries oil take/revenue take (for concessionary contracts) were greater than 2016 Stabroek PSC. The 2016 Stabroek PSC

stipulated JV partners pay annually a rental fee of one million US dollars, yet Bisram goes on about no lease payments were included in the contract. In a paragraph discussing paying off oil investments, Bisram wrote”….there should be a reduction of time taken to pay off the oil companies for their investments giving Guyana earlier control of Guyana Exxon and total revenues”. This is absolutely head spinning from someone who professed to teaching economics. Readers should know if JV partners investments were paid off, the GG will not get control of the Stabroek Block revenues or “Exxon Guyana”.

It is amazing that an individual can spend so much energy looking backwards, when we should be looking forward. We should be exchanging ideas about how to increase the GG oil take and be focused on correcting past mistakes, rather than blaming others who were put in a position to fail.

D. C. Daly

All babies lives matter...inside the womb or outside DEAR EDITOR, Sir Ronald Sanders said the “women, throughout the Caribbean, like the women of the U.S., will use their voting power to demand their right to choose whether or not to have an abortion.”

(Abortion is a woman s right legalise it ...May 08, 2022 Features / Columnists, Ronald Sanders) He went on to quote the words of “Maxine Waters, the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, summed up the view of the black members of the U.S. Congress when she declared, “women must fight with every breath of life, to resist, resist, resist”.”

In all the articles and programmes in support of Roe vs Wade and pro-abortions, no one focuses on the real issue which is the right to life for the innocent beings that these mothers want to kill. The life that these women want to be given the legal right to murder. Sir Saunders declared that...”apart from women deeply inculcated with religious dogma that oppose abortions,” I am a Hindu, whose Dharma teaches respect for EVERY LIFE and I have no issue with this “dogma.” I am vegetarian too because of this “dogma.” I tried to find the word for abortion and I found a word “garbhapat” which translates to meaning terminated and is also used when your licence is terminated/expired. ”In the Vishnudharma Purana, killing

either a fetus or a mother is equated to the worst crime possible in Hindu society.

The Atharva Veda lists the fetus slayer, Bhrunaghna, among the greatest of sinn e r s . ” ( Snigdhanandipati Hinduism on Abortion The Modern Hindu (wordpress.com) Abortion is the “termination of a pregnancy by removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus.” Guyanese explanation of abortions best describes it though.... throwing away baby. All those who support and are preaching for the right of abortions talk about the females’ right to choose.” I ask every supporter of the right to “throw away baby,” what about the right of that life that you are ending? What about the cries of that life who cannot speak for itself?

The baby whose mother sought to end her life Roe VS Wade, is alive today simply because her mother did not get permission in time to kill her. “Shelley Lynn Thornton, 51, has revealed herself as the youngest daughter born to Norma McCorvey, whose lawsuit under the pseudonym “Jane Roe” led to the Supreme Courts 1973 ruling that legalised abortion.” “Thornton, now a mother of three living in Arizona, never ended up meeting her biological mother, but came close in 1994 before they got into a heated phone call where Thornton said McCorvey told her she

should have thanked her for giving birth to her. “I was like, What?! Im supposed to thank you for getting knocked up … and then giving me away?” Thornton recalled saying. “I told her I would never, ever thank her for not aborting me.”Roe v.

Wade baby revealed to be Shelley Lynn Thornton (nypost.com) Shelly Lyn Thornton can speak today because her mother who did not want her, was not allowed to murder her. She is the voice of all the millions of unborn lives whose mothers murdered them without giving any of them a chance to see the light of day. I ask everyone who are pro-abortions, what about the rights of those innocent, voiceless souls?

When you murder a person, you are jailed and even sentenced to death. However, countless women are murdering their own unborn children and they are encouraged to commit this sin. Sir Sanders wrote that “Guyana allows abortions on request up to a gestational limit of eight weeks, and Barbados and St Vincent and the Grenadines allow abortions for “broad social or economic grounds, rape, incest and foetal impairment”. And that “Abortions were legal in Texas at the time, but only for the purpose of saving a womans life.”

Contraceptions are readily available and there are numerous parents waiting to adopt, it thus boggles my Hindu

mind that women would rather kill/throw away their babies. That women can indulge in unprotected copulation, unconcerned that the consequence is one of the greatest blessings of humankinds...Creation.

Women are on par to The Creator/The Supreme Being when it comes to creating LIFE!! Birth control is not rocket science. It is cheaply available. In Guyana there is the Planned Parenthood Association whose mission is: ’Promoting Responsible Sexual Behaviour and Family Life through Information, Education, Collaboration and Services.’ The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (devnet.org.gy) In these modern times of advancement, why are women still resorting to the barbaric act of ending the innocent lives of their unborn child? ABORTION IS A SIN. IT IS MURDER AND EVERY HUMAN BEING SHOULD COME OUT AND SPEAK OUT FOR THE RIGHT TO LIFE FOR THESE INNOCENT SOULS. Every Hindu should be loudly speaking out against ABORTIONS. It is paap, it is a great offence to support Abortions. Baby Roe is alive today because her mother did not get the chance to murder her. All other babies have that same right to life. Law makers, Government and leaders have to protect the lives of ALL with (Continued on page 5)

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Govt. commended for An elegant diplomatic alert establishing feedback office DEAR EDITOR, I commend the President and Vice President for establishing an office (presumably at the Presidential Secretariat) to address complaints or issues facing the public (individuals and communities).

Such a feedback office was badly needed. This is a masterstroke of Vice President Jagdeo. It has shown why he is considered a superior political strategist and tactician than anyone in the opposition. In fact, he is probably the best thinker in the country in conjuring up political strategies to win office and retain power.

The preceding government had a weak connection with the public. Jagdeo beats it at the game plan.

Unlike the opposition when it was in office, Jagdeo is winning the PR race on governance. He would never have closed down government owned factories or industries where thousands are employed. He would have known he would lose popular support. He is hands on and on the ground pursing policies that benefit large numbers of people. Unlike his predecessor, he engages the public at the grass roots level.

On the issue of receiving complaints from the public, for decades going back to the 1980s, I travelled repeatedly

at regular intervals throughout Guyana (on my own funding) to conduct opinion surveys and was regularly saddled with complaints of voters or the public about neglect by their elected MPs and or Regional Councillors and or NDCs rep. Somehow people felt/feel that I had (have) clout and can resolve their issues by bringing them to the attention of government (current and previous).

People did not and do not seem to understand that I cant help them with their issues. I cant even get my issues resolved as politicians generally dont pay heed to the public once they are in office until it is election time.

This is political realty everywhere except in developed countries. In the US, politicians fear their constituents representatives could get voted out if they neglect concerns of constituents. In Guyana, I mingled with the public to solicit their opinions.

The government (all governments) needs a similar figure to get (objective, honest) views of the public on how it (or a representative) is performing and how it (he/she) is viewed by the public as well as an account of complaints and outstanding issues of the public.

In a recent press confer-

ence, the VP said some 44 issues (complaints) he received on the Essequibo Coast have been resolved. The public generally lack confidence in other party or government figures to resolve their issues.

They prefer to directly engage the VP who they feel immediately attend to their complaints. Other figures tend to sit on concerns.

With the reopening of the Morning Glory Inc. popularly known as the cereal plant in the region, a number of employment opportunities will become available.

The VP is politically savvy unlike those on the other side. Instead of closing factories as the opposition did when it was in government, Jagdeo opens them. Instead of firing people, he hires them or keeps them on payroll. He announced the availability of 800 grants for small (self or family businesses in Essequibo and received 2,000 applications. Inevitably, the VP will use his political astuteness and increase the number of grant applications to accommodate bona fide submissions.

The VPs approval numbers would only go up with policies that dole out benefits to deserving public or create jobs for the unemployed.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Lets set the record straight on all rigged elections in Guyana DEAR EDITOR, Last January I sent the below captioned letter to our local newspapers; however, it was not published to date. It reads: “It was reported in another local newspaper as per article titled, Norton says accepts reality of the PPP/C government dated: 01/01/ 2022, in which it is stated, Newly-elected leader of the PNC/R says that the reality is that the PPP/C is the government of Guyana and President Irfaan Ali and his office are accepted, but it does not change his belief that the 2020 elections was manipulated to give those

results thus making the government an installed one.

Alas, the latter part of M r. N o r t o n s u t t e r a n c e seems to be more of irresponsible claims and banal stories, hence, being ludicrous and hilarious per se, and given the facts of the notorious feats of the PNCled APNU+AFC rigging mechanisms and fishing expedition (as per CARICOM Report) to steal and conceal the 2020 general elections.

In concluding, on account of President Alis promise to have a Commis-

sion of Inquiry (COI) into the rigging of the 2020 general elections; I would implore on the new leader of the PNC/ R to request of the President to extend COIs for all of the PNC rigged elections between 1968 to 1985 (including the 1978 fraudulent (Continued on page 6)

All babies...

From page 4 NO EXCEPTIONS!! ALL BABIES LIVES MATTER...INSIDE THE WOMB OR OUTSIDE!!!

Yours sincerely, N. Sahadeo

DEAR EDITOR, On this the one-week anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, attention is drawn again to that joint release by the ABCEU people on the ground here. It was not just what was said, but how it was said, and placed before every Guyanese.

As I weighed the words of the diplomatic release, there is appreciation and admiration at how these lovely folks get their messages across. In sum, the release was graced with the subtly elegant, an indirect bluntness, and nuanced impatience. I zero in on one part of a single paragraph only of the statement, and then five tiny, ordinary words that are familiar to Guyanese, and which are all loaded with meaning. The extract from the paragraph comes first.

“Press attention to accountability has never been more important in Guyana with a historically large revenue stream entering government coffers and a regularly stated intent to use those resources for a development agenda that cuts across all regions and races.”

Though officious sounding, for some reason, I am reminded of the intonations and echoes of one Margaret Thatcher, in the crooning rhythms of its delivery, that peculiar way in which the Iron Lady articulated.

That aside, the five words that I highlight are: “accountability”, “revenue”, “agenda” “regions” and “races.” Regarding the latter two, the joint statement prefaced them with “all.” Now for my thoughts on the guidance offered by the ABCEU, the directions in which they propel our goodly journalists.

First, it is instructive that the highly influential (and knowledgeable) Western diplomatic community could see it fit and proper to urge our press professionals to scrutinise closely the areas encircled by those five words.

This tells me, insists to me, that there are hard and heavy concerns over either their significant absence or the shambolic contexts in which they exist.

As I interpret it, the ABCEU are saying that ac-

countability is not as the PPP Government says it is, but a lost cause that Guyana s press pros must peer into, pore over, and push for more.

In short, accountability is just not there, and the ABCEU just gave our lazy and biased journalists a nudge, more of a hard shove.

Get after it is the order.

Peel back the accountability onion layer by layer, no matter the Presidents waffles, or the Vice Presidents rage, and lay bare for all the world to see what is there, and what is not.

And the price to this country of lack of accountability. Guyanese who go by the name, and operate under the flag, of journalism must do the job demanded by the times, or seek another profession; instead of journalists, I suggest juking it out on social media, which may more befit the talents and prejudices of most of them.

Second, accountability is irreversibly tied to the second and third words I purposely selected.

They are “revenue” and “agenda.” Indeed, we are poised for great and greater streams of oil revenue, but the key is what the PPP Government does with those mammoth money streams. This is where journalists worthy of the name must make their mark, record an unflinching presence.

It doesnt (or shouldnt) have the sickness of PPP and PNC prejudices; only stalwart professionalism, the sturdiest of Fourth Estate principles.

These have no friends, entertain no disastrous leanings.

What I heard the ABCEU proconsuls advising is that Guyanas journalists make it their unswerving duty to get to the heart of money (revenue) and the PPP Governments agenda.

By now, all should note that I persist in identifying the government as PPP only, for it is no other.

Cut out this nonsense about C. It is that there must be a steel thread that knots

accountability, revenue, and agenda into one unyielding mass. In all of this, the charge to journalists is that they must work their tails and toenails off to ensure that those three little words must be about Guyana. In other words, the PPP Government must be held responsible, regardless of pushback, fallout, or its leaders usual resort to scurrilousness.

Third, as if to confirm my take on what the ABCEU did counsel, the Excellencies felt it necessary to incorporate all “regions” and “races” in their joint statement.

Their key emphasis is on all. It must not be one Region primarily (Berbice), but that of Linden too.

It must not be in regions long known to be PPP strongholds, but across the board, such as the sprawling, objectionable Region Four.

It must be about generous doles to hinterland regions alone (as overdue as such is), but throughout the nation. As far as I can recall, Venezuela has not claimed any of the other neglected areas, or seized those regions. All is not what has been, and the ABCEU heads are alarmed.

Fourth, I gather that the inclusivity alarm that was sounded before by the “A” people (USAID) meant something, and here is that monstrosity again. Well, according to the PPP, anyway. The PPP head may not like this, but he did fall in love with “free and fair” from the same people in his time of need.

Now subliminal messages are being sent. To local journalists first. It is pick up thy bed and walk.

Walk the talk, or get out of the kitchen, if the heat cant be taken. The second message is to His Excellency (Continued on page 22)

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We will accept nothing less from the new PNCR and current opposition DEAR EDITOR, My party must no longer be a press statement party. We fought for that to be changed.

It will be most unfair to Mr. Harmon and the old executive body to be ejected from the party and he from the opposition because of this approach and it continues today.

The new PNCR was elected with a particular mandate they must now live up to because the PPP understands nothing else.

We will not sit idly by and be hoodwinked by press statements and verbal challenges and threats only to see another two to three years pass with nothing tangible being done to halt the madness and then we are asked

to vote to see change. The PNCR at the central level and its regional representatives must be put on notice now.

They must utilise every option at their disposal to represent their supporters and hold the regime accountable.

The fact sheet of the PPPs brutal, selfish and corrupt rule must be placed before them and they must be told in no uncertain terms that the pursuit of justice will see us fighting to death to achieve our right to an equal share of the nations patrimony.

We will accept nothing less from our opposition. We are not in peace time.

Norman Browne, Social and Political Activist

An empty call DEAR EDITOR, The nightmare episodes as described by a couple trying to remigrate including the unease of doing business (KN May 9), in answer to the come back home call, have been thorns in the side in this regard, for successive administrations.

The flashy selling points, which lure persons are quickly replaced with the reality, frus-

trations and disappointments which just as quickly follows.

Promises have been made to improve procedures and processes but still the complaints come.

Will the situation ever get better so that hard earned investments are not lost and the come back home call is not another empty call?

Regards, Shamshun Mohamed

Ordinary Guyanese are frustrated DEAR EDITOR, Some developments this week have left many people frustrated in our beloved Guyana.

We saw a Guyanese who lives in New York lambasting the government for not further paying for his son to pursue a Master’s degree, in one of the world’s most expensive universities. I live in Guyana and pay my taxes, and my son performs at the top of his classes. Yet, the government would not even pay for a first degree at our cheaper and local universities, UG and UWI. We see members of parliament openly and happily fraternising with people who are wanted by the police. How can they openly

disrespect their fellow public servants, the police department? What would happen to us ordinary citizens if we engage in similar behaviour?

Finally, my neighbour heeded the call to some members of the opposition and social media and went to protest at West Berbice last year.

When he was arrested, none of those people who encouraged him to put “boots on the ground “ could be found. He spent thousands of dollars in legal fees for his son, and the matter is still not resolved. His son is still having difficulties trying to get police clearance to leave the country to conduct some business overseas.

Respectively, Chitrakha Persaud

Public mischief DEAR EDITOR, With reference to a letter published in the Kaieteur Newspaper on Monday, May 11, 2022 under the heading President Ali instructs demolition of National Unity Monument written by one Desmond Alli where he mentioned the name Mr. Liverpool.

I, Ronford Liverpool, Assistant Superintendent of Police, who is a member of the Presidential Guard, at no time

had any interaction or conversation with the purported writer of the article. I do not know who Desmond Alli is since I have never met anyone by that name more so to have any conversation of such nature. It is my strong view that Mr. Desmond Alli intended to create some public mischief. I find this allegation mischievous, misleading and to some extent libelous.

R. Liverpool ASP

Vacancies at GGMC DEAR EDITOR, A prospective candidate wondered why your editorials have not enquired about the number of positions of Heads of Departments advertised as vacant in GGMC these past weeks, positing that it was abnormal for most organisations, particularly of the public sector, to operate with such a vacuum for an indefinite period: - Manager, Mines - Manager, Geological Services - Manager, Environmental Division - Manager, Administration - Human Resources Manager - Assistant Commissioner, Finance - Chief Security Officer The enquirer speculated that it could not be as a result of resignations, unless of course they were forced, which is the same as if the incumbents were fired leading one to speculate about the nature of any Board decisions, and the latters implications, given the current work

environment projected in comparable areas.

It can hard l y b e d e scribed as a clean sweep.

Indeed it will be more described as a dredgeful move by normal organisational standards.

The situation leaves some to wonder about the professional context of decisionmaking of the Commissions Board, more so its ability to select now the right candidates for the respective advertised positions.

But even with such an achievement, there still remains the very fundamental management component to be addressed that of Succession Planning in order to provide for such vacancies to be filled from within the Commission in the future.

But in turn such a programme must be based on well organised and objectively conducted performance appraisal exercises.

The Question is: Where lies the capability? Time for introspection!

Conscientious Observer

Lets set the record...

From page 5 referendum, which was the instrument used in delivering birth to the iniquitous 1980 Constitution), and set the record straight once and for all on the subject of rigged elections in Guyana”.

Here again, at the recently held European Day Reception, the Guyanese people have the leader of the PNC APNU+AFC/Opposition Leader contesting the validity of the 2020 General Elections, but this time, he wants

a public debate with the PPP General Secretary/Vice President on the matter.

However, he doesnt want to submit his Partys SOPs at the time of the debate but after the conclusion of the debate. So, callous, conning and conniving with another gesture…

As the old saying, “those who are led to believe absurdities can commit atrocities.”

Guyanese, please take note.

Truly yours, Paul Ramrattan

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T U T N Schemers Must Not Be Allowed N T U N U L L U B .

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BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

Do you believe in curses? Well it is said that curses can follow an individual, a family or even an entire nation if they are not broken.

Given the daily manifestations in this land – where evil is being embraced and good is being denounced; when the nation has at its helm schemers masquerading as leaders and the people seem inclined to worship them – there is no doubt that immorality abounds.

It becomes even clearer, and much more worrying, when many of our religious leaders are silent and seem fearful to stand up for truth and righteous.

It is for this reason that we at this publication must stand up, call out and shame those scheming leaders, wherever they are, who have had a hand in bringing curses upon this nation.

Guyana will rise again and every hindrance to this movement we reject and condemn to the abyss.

PAGE 07

Kaieteur News

PAGE 8

Friday May 13, 2022

No gas leak management plan for gas-to-shore project ...ExxonMobil says will not walk away from incidents but does not commit to insurance document

By Davina Bagot

I

n the absence of a gas leak management plan, Guyanese are clueless not only about the likely damage that can be caused as a result of a possible leak from the

pipeline, which will be used to transport the natural resource, but also the likely response from the project developer, ExxonMobil.

But when asked about its responsibility at a public consultation hosted on Wednesday, the oil company

merely assured that it will not walk away from any incidents, but will do the right thing.

This is according to the Gas to Energy Project Manager, Mr. Friedrich Krispin. While responding to a question by this newspaper, he explained

that lawyers often advise not to talk about taking responsibility as this often ties the company to legal consequences. According to him, “Responsibility is something that lawyers tell u s n o t t o t a l k about…because there are a

Gas to Energy Project Manager, Mr. Friedrich Krispin

lot of interesting legal ramifications with responsibility but the one thing I can tell you is; I can say from 35 years of experience and I can say from knowing the history of a 140 years of this corporation we don't walk away from incidents, issues, accidents etcetera, we make sure that we take care of things, we make sure that we clean up where we left, we make sure that we clean up the environment if there is an incident and we make sure that things are left very much like we found them.”

When he was pressed further to say when a document would be signed, specifically to secure an insurance policy to cover any mishaps, Krispin said he could not respond.

“Unfortunately I can't speak to that it is something the legal department is working through. They have commitments with the government of Guyana and I have read some of them stuff but I can't speak on their behalf but I am sure that they are always gonna do the right thing,” he shared.

Similarly, when it comes to oil spill response and management, ExxonMobil has, since the startup of its oil operations in December 2019, evaded demands to provide insurance coverage, and instead tied its subsidiary to providing this guarantee.

This has been the center of debates as the fairly young company with assets worth only around US$5 billion, would not be able to effectively cover all costs associated with an oil spill in Guyana, should such an adverse event occur. After numerous articles by this

publication for the oil major to take responsibility, it presented the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a proposal for a US$2B guarantee which would cover any oil spill costs not satisfied by its subsidiary.

The EPA has chosen not to accept this offer as yet until ExxonMobil can justify how it arrived at the US$2B guarantee for a worst case scenario offshore Guyana. In t h e m e a n t i m e , Vi c e President Bharrat Jagdeo has said that the government is in the process of getting the company to provide an insurance policy for the entire Stabroek Block. “We are working with the companies to secure a parent guarantee that will cover the entire Stabroek Block. Not Liza 1, Liza 2, Payara or Yellowtail, but the entire Stabroek Block, but that is a separate issue,” he said.

The VP did not disclose figures, or further details regarding the guarantee his government is now looking to secure from ExxonMobil, more than two years post first-oil.

Jagdeo was keen to note d u r i n g h i s i n t e r v i e w, however, that the former Head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr. Vincent Adams had merely thought of or “had something” up his sleeves while at the organization, but it is the PPP that is ensuring it is done.

Gas leak impacts It must be noted that though gas leaks, and worse yet, explosions or fires are all listed as likely 'unplanned events' that can take place, as a result of the pipeline, the oil company has completely glossed over how it would (Continued on page22)

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 9

Kaieteur News

The GPHC does not need government approval to pay nurses more The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Georgetown Public Corporation (GPHC) does not need to advocate for higher pay for nurses. He heads a public corporation which can pay nurses an increase in pay.

As a corporation, the GPHC is the master of its own affairs. A public corporation is not part of the public service. As such, it is not bound by public service pay-scales.

It can offer its workers a higher pay than that which is paid in the public service.

In fact, the monthly salary of the CEO of the GPHC is likely to be far higher than that of a permanent secretary.

So there is no need to seek government approval for increasing nurses pay.

The GPHC is a public corporation. Public corporations are not synonymous with government. Nor are their officers considered as public servants. This was the view expressed by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in a case which was decided in 2006.

In that instance, the learned Justices of the CCJ quoted Lord Denning who in Tamlin v. Hannaford (1950) had this to say: “In the eye of the law the corporation is its own master and is answerable as fully as any other person or corporation. It is not the

Crown and has none of the immunities and privileges of the Crown. Its servants are not civil servants and its property is not Crown property…(it) is not a government department nor do its powers fall within the province of the government.”

The corporation has a legal personality that is separate and distinct from its owners.

A corporation is different from a public service body since it has the capacity for perpetual existence, its ownership is transferable and transferable even to the private sector as in the case of privatisation and it enjoys limited liability. When it acts, it acts in its own name.

Each year, the government allocates a subvention to the GPHC. This year the government has budged $14.5B for the hospital. Therefore the resources are available to pay the nurses an increase in wages. The CEO simply needs to get the Board of Directors to approve of an increase. To the extent the CEO can make savings in other areas of both recurrent and capital expenditure, to that degree he can convince his Board of Directors to pay the nurses the increase they deserve.

Even though the GPHC is a public corporation, its employees, according to principles laid out by the CCJ, are

not public officials. Nor are they, again according to the CCJ, employed in a civil capacity. As such, there is no way in which the nurses or any employee of the GPHC can be entitled to duty free concessions, on motor vehicles.

The PPP/C had entered into an agreement for a limited number of duty free concessions for teachers. The APNU+AFC had continued this practice. But it is doubtful whether if there is a legal challenge to these decisions that the government would be able to justify such concessions as being valid under the law.

It is no use giving nurses a duty free concession when few of them would be able to pay for upkeeping a motor vehicle on their present salaries. Pay them a proper salary and they will, over time, be able to save to purchase their own vehicles. That is the way of the world.

As for scholarships, the government has launched the Guyana Online Academy which offers scholarships to all eligible Guyanese. Nurses are not looking for scholarships; they want lifted that onerous bond which forces them to serve the State for a prescribed period after their graduation from nursing school.

Dem boys seh...

Freedom to talk to who yuh want Ah only talking tuh who ah want talk to. Everybody gat access to me but some people gat more access dan others because is me who gat a right to decide who ah talk to and who ah don’t talk tuh.

Dat right is call me freedom tuh decide.

Freedom tuh talk tuh who yuh want talk tuh is freedom also nat tuh talk tuh who yuh nah want talk tuh. It does cut both ways.

It mek dem boys remember North Korea. Dem leaders does seh how dem does guarantee citizens freedom of speech. But dem cannot guarantee dem personal safety after dem done talk. Yuh free to

talk but yuh nah free after yuh done talk.

One time a North Korean tell wan American how de F in North Korea stands fuh freedom.

De American de look puzzled and tell de North Korean dat dem nah gat no F in North Korea.

“Exactly!” de North Korean reply.

Lang ago, dem Russians and Americans use to quarrel as to which country gat de greater press freedom. One time wan American and Russian bin arguing bout dis.

De American seh, “I can walk right up to de White House and shout ‘Down with

Ronald Regan – de American President - and nothing bad will happen to me.”

De Russian reply, “Guess what? I can walk in front of Kremlin and shout ‘Down with Ronald Reagan’ and nothing will happen to me either.”

De press in Guyana worry dat some guvament officials prefer soft landing when dem talking to de media. Suh dem does pick and choose who dem talking to. Odder people wah want tuh talk tuh dem nah getting de opportunity.

And suh a big row bruk out dat de guvament gat favorites like yuh know who.

Talk half. Leff half.

Nurses have opportunities. Many of them when they have completed their contractual service, leave for England which is outsourcing its training to poor countries like Guyana. We are training our nurses and as soon as they can they leave with their families for England. The nurses would much prefer to be able to be free agents to sell their services to the highest

healthcare providers, including in England.

The CEO of the GPHC should therefore focus his attention on the salaries issues. All he needs to do is to put forward a proposal to the Board of Directors of the hospital. Once that proposal is accepted he can vire the funds to pay the nurses.

The nurses will be happy and he will be assured that he

will enjoy much greater respect than his colleague CEO at the Linden Hospital. The ball is therefore in his court.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

Kaieteur News

PAGE 10

Friday May 13, 2022

THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN

“I get some good cussing out” Those are not the words of Frederick Kissoon. They were said by Mr. Ralph Ramkarran on a panel discussion with Ramkarran, David Hinds and Nigel Hughes. The words were said

by Mr. Ramkarran after he told the panel he made some critical remarks about civil society and that was the reaction he got.

I now quote from my own column: “Class analysis of the Ravi Dev incident” of Tuesday, April 19, 2022, “I cannot count the times I have laughed on the occasions in which I was criticised yet proven right; not just in passing but in ways in which the society can glaringly see

for itself.”

What is the importance of the reaction Mr. Ramkarran got? Before such an analysis i s o ff e r e d , c o n t e x t i s everything so let's discuss context. Mr. Ramkarran is not a PPP supporter and is not viewed as a person who endorses the government. He heads an opposition party named ANUG which in months from now will have one of its leaders sitting on the opposition side of the House.

Here now is the importance of “the cussing o u t ” M r. R a m k a r r a n received. Since the March election fiasco ended and Dr. Ali was elected as president,

there have been two types of occurrences in society. One is the sudden boldness of existing organisations that have morphed from quasiindependent entities to consistent anti-government actors.

These groups have been silent during four episodes – the departure from the Carter formula for GECOM chairmanship by the then ruling party; the refusal of the incumbent APNU+AFC to hold general elections three months after the noconfidence vote and thereafter the invention of both comical and dangerous shenanigans to remain in power; the crude and

hilarious methods to rig the 2020 elections; finally postelection violence in Region Five that turned into ethnic attacks.

There is no scope in this column for explaining this behavioural metamorphosis, but briefly I think there was a shock to the system at the loss of power by APNU+AFC and those groups have become mentally inclined to confront the PPP government even when criticism is not justified. These groups are going to pick on any inconsequential issue to confront the government.

The second occurrence is the formation of new antigovernment groups masquerading as independent activists.

There seems to be an air of both political and intellectual superiority about these new formations. They have derecognised the traditional modus operandi of pressure group activism, pay little respect to the constitutional entitlement that elected power receives from being elected and make extremely pompous demands of the government as if elected power has to respond to their edicts.

One example should suffice. President Biden announced recently that the US government has awarded leases for fossil fuel exploration. Every environment and climate

group in the US was shocked because it was a n departure from his or stated policy. The conspicuous dimension to this announcement that even the blind can Frederick Kissoon see is that he did not seek the approval of mally use. He these groups, civil society in s u g g e s t e d t h a t t h e y the US and the opposition concentrate on exigencies Republican Party. that need the society's One of the disturbing attention like traffic insanity things about these two and alcohol abuse. occurrences in Guyana is Out of this scenario h o w t h e i n t e l l e c t u a l emerges not only a mentality superiority is manifested. of superior thinking but an People with no training in intolerance to criticism. engineering, science and Herein lies the diseased technology want changes double standards. You can with regard to government's highlight the faults, flaws, policies in these areas. If you errors and bad behaviour of h a v e n o t r a i n i n g i n the state but your own faults agriculture, land use, and cannot be commented on. Mr. water technology, what gives Ramkarran said in the panel you the right to demand discussion that he got cussed changes in government's out and for what? For aqua-culture investments? expressing an opinion on The second way in which civil society. this intellectual superiority So where does that leave shows itself, is the reaction us. It leaves us with me. Sorry Mr. Ramkarran got. In a to sound like a show-off. But column without any specific it leaves us with me. For reference to any person or decades in my media career, organisation, in a very my academic life and my g e n e r a l c o m m e n t , h e social activism, I have suggested that groups could warned this society that not contribute meaningfully to every anti-government critic the lives of Guyanese by is a democrat. We need to avoiding the focus on understand that urgently. negative happenings in (The views expressed in Guyana which has sex appeal this article are those of the (his words). author and do not I t h i n k h e m e a n s necessarily reflect the publicity which is the term I

Paul Cheong re-elected as Chairman of PSC

T

he Private Sector Commission (PSC) held its 30th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, May 12, 2022, at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana.

As is customary, the business section of the AGM saw the council electing the Executive Members of the Private Sector Commission who will serve for the period 2022-2023.

As such, the Commission announced the re-election of Mr. Paul Cheong as Chairman, Mr. Ryan Alexander as Vice Chairman, re-election of Mr. Ramesh Dookhoo as Honorary Secretary, and reelection of Mr. Komal Singh as Treasurer.

In a statement, the Private Sector Commission expressed gratitude to its members for their participation in the process and said it looks forward to their continued support in the execution of the Commission's mandate.

“The PSC intends to continue being the leading advocate for the private sector on articulated and shared positions on national issues which will promote socio-economic growth and development through the

PSC chairman: Paul Cheong.

creation of strategic partnership with the Government and stakeholders,” the PSC said in a statement.

Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

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Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 12

Guyana must disclose all environmental payments by Exxon, other extractive companies -EITI The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is urging Guyana to ensure the comprehensive and reliable disclosure of all environmental payments made to government by ExxonMobil and other extractive companies. It advised as well that the government should encourage companies to make similar disclosures about their social and environmental expenditures.

Additionally, EITI said Guyana should ensure public disclosure of the legal or contractual terms that require extractive companies to undertake mandatory social expenditures.

In accordance with its requirements, EITI said too that Guyana should ensure that all mandatory social expenditures are disclosed, where material social expenditures by companies

are mandated by law or the contract with the government that governs the extractive investment.

EITI said the foregoing recommendations should be taken on board so that citizens can have a better understanding of the range of payments government receives from the oil, gas, and mining industries. It said too, that the suggestion would ensure Guyana improves its performance as regards compliance with EITI's Standards for transparency and accountability in the oil, gas and mining industries.

The Board of the Norway-based body had said earlier this month that Guyana had achieved a “fairly low” overall score in implementing its 2019 EITI S t a n d a r d .

The EITI's 2019 Standard requires that open data on

natural resource income and contracts be a routine part of government and corporate reporting, while providing information to stakeholders in a timeframe and format that support widespread use in analysis and decision making. The Board which manages 55 member countries said the overall score of 52 points for Guyana reflects an average of the three component scores. These scores were given in the areas of:

Outcomes and Impact, Transparency and Stakeholder engagement.

Kaieteur News understands that Guyana will have until April 1, 2024 to carry out corrective actions. The Board warned that failure to demonstrate progress in the next Validation Exercise may result in temporary s u s p e n s i o n .

In accordance with the EITI Standard, Guyana's MultiStakeholder Group may

request an extension of this timeframe or request that Validation commences earlier than scheduled.

Guyana was accepted as an EITI implementing country on October 24, 2017. The first Validation of Guyana was scheduled to commence on April 25, 2020. Due to the transition to the revised Validation model, the Board rescheduled the Validation to commence on July 1, 2021.

On July 9, 2021, the EITI Board approved Guyana's request for an extension to its Validation deadline to October 1, 2021.

Guyana EITI collated documentation for Validation using the Boardagreed data collection templates on Stakeholder engagement, Transparency and Outcomes and impact.

The files are available on the Guyana EITI website. The International Secretariat's Validation team prepared an initial assessment following the Validation procedure and Va l i d a t i o n G u i d e . I n accordance with the Validation procedure, a public call for stakeholder v i e w s o n E I T I implementation was open from September 1 to October

Bandits storm gas station ...rob pump attendants, minibus passengers Three masked men armed with handguns and a knife on Wednesday stormed into a privately-owned Guyoil Gas Station located at Track 'E' Good Hope, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) and robbed two of its pump attendants and some passengers in a route 50 minibus that was being refueled at the time.

The bandits, according to police stormed into the gas station owned by Rovin Ramsaroop around 17:30hrs.

Police have since arrested a suspect in connection with the robbery.

Investigators have learnt that one of the pump attendants was fueling up the bus when the three masked men attacked. They held up the pump attendants at gunpoint and stole a total of $240,000 from them before

entering the minibus and robbing its driver and passengers. From the bus driver, they stole US$400 and GYD$18,000 in cash along with two Samsung S9 cell phones valued at $300,000 and his bus key.

They also robbed a pensioner, a passenger of the bus, of his wallet containing important documents and $100,000 in cash. His $100,000 cellular phone was taken away too.

Two more passengers, a 44-year-old security guard and a shopkeeper also had their belongings forcefully taken away from them.

They stole the security guard's Samsung Galaxy A11 cell phone worth $45,000 and $10,000 cash while the shopkeeper lost a key. After carrying out the robbery the bandits ran away.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 13

Three mega gold firms to set up shop here soon A manganese mining operation in Mathews Ridge, Region One.

- Finance Minister says

A

t least three promising world-class, large-scale gold mining operations are to be established here soon, Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh told business executives on Thursday at the Marriott Hotel.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the Private Sector Commission's Annual General Meeting. Regarding the gold mining operations, Dr. Singh said each of the operations will be bigger than Omai Gold Mines, one of the largest gold operations ever experienced locally. “ Yo u k n o w h o w significant Omai was.

Contemplate for a moment three large scale operations, each of which is larger than Omai. Consider for a moment that each one of these will be employing more than 100 Guyanese.

Consider the food and other supplies, transport services, construction, equipment supply and maintenance services and all the multiplier benefit these operations will generate,” the Finance Minister said as he assured that the government will continue to stimulate activities in all sectors and not just oil and gas.

He said emphasis will be placed on ensuring an emerging rapidly growing and highly competitive nonoil economy that will also include agriculture.

Meanwhile, Dr. Singh

Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh. also announced that Guyana was preparing to export manganese for the first time in 54 years.

D r. S i n g h t o l d t h e gathering that ships docked in the North-West District are being loaded with the mineral for export.

“Right now, as we speak, vessels are being loaded in the North West of Guyana with Guyana's first shipment of manganese in 54 years,” the Finance Minister announced. He said this type of operation is important in keeping with the government's efforts toward a diversified and resilient economy.

The mining of manganese ores is usually done in open pits. Some ores are upgraded by washing, and undersized ores can be agglomerated by sintering.

Several processes have been

developed for mining seafloor nodules, but they cannot compete economically with the ready exploitation of high-grade terrestrial deposits.

The community of Matthews Ridge Region One has a long history with manganese mining and companies stemming back to the 1960s. In 2016, the Guyana Manganese Inc. (GMI), a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned Bosai Minerals Group, obtained the rights to operate there and since then, issues between the company, their operations and the local community have been approaching boiling point.

There are substantial deposits of manganese ore in Matthew's Ridge with estimates totalling some 26 million metric tonnes, which by today's market price of US$4.5 dollars per metric tonne amounts to approximately US$117 million dollars, or in excess of $24 billion Guyanese dollars.

The scale of the manganese mine is vast with different grades and colours of manganese currently being extracted and laid out in preparation for shipment.

The contrast between the rich, dark ore and the red clay landscape surrounded by lush green forest makes for a striking sight.

Manganese is used in the

manufacturing of types of steel, dry cell battery and some paints. It is used to make clear glass, desulfurize and deoxidize steel in steel production and reduce the

octane rating in gasoline. It also is used as a black-brown pigment in paint and its alloys also help stiffen the aluminium in soft-drink cans.

Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 14

Farmer killed in three-vehicle smash-up at Mahaicony ...two others injured, hospitalised

A

three-vehicle crash on the Bushy Park, Mahaicony Public Road, East Coast Demerara on Thursday has resulted in the death of a 26-year-old farmer and welder of Quakers Hall, Mahaicony while two others are hospitalised in an unconscious state.

The dead man has been identified as Nareshwar A r j u n e c a l l e d ' Ry a n ' .

Investigations revealed that the accident occurred at 07:40 hrs and involved motor vehicle PCC 5219, driven by Arjune but owned by his father Seepersaud Arjune, motorcar HD 2859, driven by

Nareshwar Arjune called 'Ryan'

26-year-old Kevin Bagot and a motorvan PJJ 8723, driven b y 1 9 - y e a r- o l d J h a t a n Sukhlal.

Police said Arjune was proceeding east along the Bushy Park Public Road with Sukhlal's van heading in the same direction when Sukhlall collided with the rear end of Arjune's vehicle.

As a result of the hit, Arjune lost control of his vehicle and ended up in the path of Bagot's vehicle which was proceeding west on the southern drive lane.

Following the collision, Arjune along with Bagot and his reputed wife, who was in the front passenger's seat of t h e i r v e h i c l e s u ff e r e d injuries. They were all rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital where Arjune was pronounced dead on arrival while Bagot and the female were admitted in an unconscious state.

S u k h l a l w a s subsequently given a breathalyzer test which read zero and he was taken into custody.

Meanwhile, the

father of Arjune, 58-year-old Seepersaud Arjune told Kaieteur News that his son left home at approximately 07:30 hrs to make a pick-up a few villages away.

He added that they got a call around 08:30 hrs from someone who recognised the car his son was driving, informing them that he was involved in an accident. By the time they arrived at the scene his body was already whisked away to the hospital.

There they learnt that he had died.

The father of the man explained that what has taken place is a great loss to him and the rest of the family. He mentioned that his son assisted him a lot in the farming activities and was also the one who did all of his welding work.

The body of Arjune is presently at the mortuary awaiting a post mortem examination.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 15

Exxon vs. insurance company… Lawyer urges appeal court to

abandon ruling of US. Judge who owns stock in Exxon

T

he lawyer for TIG Insurance C o m p a n y, o n Tuesday urged the judges at the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, to abandon the ruling of a federal district judge who presided over a case involving ExxonMobil Corporation – a company he owns stock in.

Exxon had submitted a motion in a Manhattan federal district court to lift a stay and confirm the arbitral award, against TIG Insurance Company. In return, the insurance company had filed a crossmotion to vacate the award.

Judge Edgardo Ramos was the judge who presided over the lawsuit between Exxon and TIG. The lawsuit was in relation to pollution and at the time of the litigation, Judge Ramos owned between $15,001 and

Judge Edgardo Ramos. $50,000 of Exxon's stock.

According to the court document seen by this publication, Exxon's motion had asked the court to confirm the award and to enter a final judgment that includes pre-judgment interest.

The insurance company on the other hand, had moved to vacate the arbitral tribunal's decision on the grounds that in defining a key term in the underlying insurance agreement, the arbitral tribunal stated that its analysis was “guided by applying common speech and the reasonable expectation and purpose of the ordinary businessman to determine the intent of the parties,” an interpretive method long-used by New York courts in interpreting insurance agreements.

TIG had also claimed that the interpretive principle is based on contra proferentem and is therefore contrary to the dictates in parties' contract that the policy be construed in an “evenhanded” manner.

However, Judge Ramos in his ruling has listed several findings and stated

that based on his reasons Exxon's motion was granted and TIG's was denied.

Ramos had ruled that TIG should pay Exxon $25 million and $8 million of

interest to the judgment.

Judge Ramos later came under the spotlight after an

investigation by The Wall Street Journal, revealed that (Continued on page 23)

PAGE 16

Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

Peacemaker killer remanded

A

Bartica miner, Kellon Crighton, accused of killing a peacemaker on Sunday last, was remanded to prison on Wednesday.

Crighton a 22-year-old resident of Byderabo Road, Bartica, Region Seven made his first court appearance at the Bartica Magistrate's Court before Principal Magistrate Crystal Lambert.

He was charge for killing Alston Seon, 24, another miner of Pataro Road, Bartica. Crighton was not required to plead to the

Dead, Alston Seon

Remanded for the murder of a peacemaker, Kellon Crighton.

indictable charge and will make his next court appearance on June 9, 2022.

According to reports Seon was trying to make peace between Crighton and his friend before he was stabbed to death.

Based on information received, Seon was hanging out with a friend at the corner of Third Avenue and Third Street, Bartica.

They were reportedly drinking a few beers with a group of women when Crighton allegedly walked up to the friend and threatened to kill him but Seon had intervened. As a result, Crighton allegedly turned his attention to Seon and stabbed him to the chest with a knife.

Seon later died while at the Bartica Hospital while receiving treatment.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 17

Digicel Guyana donates Biker dies after hitting down teen $500,000 to storm-affected on Mandela Avenue Bath Settlement residents

A

motorcyclist succumbed to his injuries Wednesday night hours after hitting down a 13year-old boy along Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, in the vicinity of the Botanical Gardens.

The deceased has been identified as Thakur Rajnarine of Lot 76 Sheriff Street, Georgetown.

According to police the accident took place around 16:30hrs. Traffic investigators learnt that Rajnarine was riding south along the Mandela Avenue while the boy was attempting to cross the road at the same time.

As a result, his bike collided with the teen and both of them fell onto the roadway. They both had to be picked up by other motorists passing by and transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Doctors treated the teen for pain about his body and sent him away, while the biker was admitted for injuries and abrasions to his body.

While receiving treatment at the hospital's Accident and Emergency Unit, Rajnarine passed away around 22:10hrs.

Rajnarine's motorcycle after the accident.

Dead Thakur Rajnarine

Digicel Guyana on Thursday handed over a cheque for $500,000 to the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) to support their efforts in assisting residents of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice who were affected in the recent freak storm. A number of families were displaced due to heavy rain and winds that caused severe

damage to their homes and livestock.

Digicel is committed to collaborating with the Government of Guyana on national and regional emergencies, and applauds the CDC's relief efforts management. We are confident that our donation will be put to good use in meeting some of the immediate needs of the residents of Bath Settlement. At the handing

PAGE 18

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 19

GTT's 214-strong Customer Care team to be transitioned to Arrowhead business A

total of 214 persons in GTT's Customer Care team, tasked with servicing its needs and that of other s u b s i d i a r i e s o f AT N International (ATN) in USA, Bermuda and US Virgin Islands, will be transitioned to and employed by the new Arrowhead Communications Inc. business (Arrowhead) by June 2022.

In a release GTT announced that this will create the new heart of a world-class operation that Arrowhead will continue to grow providing an expanding level of world class customer engagement and professional support services to its clients.

GTT has been actively involved in the evolution of customer service centres in Guyana, with a history that goes back to over 30 years. In 2 0 2 1 , AT N a n d G T T announced plans for piloting this new initiative just as a new GTT Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Damian Blackburn, was appointed.

Blackburn immediately began a 21st century customer centric transformation of GTT, by first establishing business units within the company, to focus on specific customers, while restoring care levels by training and employing more customer care agents and introducing pro-active outbound call services.

The outbound calling service was critical to the implementation of industry sector leading digital engagement activities, like the paperless WhatsApp and E-billing service transformation, which has now been adopted by over 77 percent of GTT's customers.

In Region 3, the

Shem Erskine - Newly appointed General Manager for Arrowhead Communications Inc. Arrowhead pilot created 27 jobs with plans to expand to 40 work-from-home jobs, facilitating operations for Alaska Communications Systems – an enterprise business solutions partner owned by ATN and based in the USA that provides an e x t e n s i v e telecommunications network.

Additionally, Arrowhead will also expand its provision of call centre services to Viya, ATN's subsidiary in the US Virgin Islands.

In its bid to create a transformative Customer Care team, Arrowhead pioneered a work from home model, achieving all its service-level targets.

GTT recently launched its flagship GTT Fibre service and embarked on an ambitious Fibre roll-out plan, including new areas in Regions 3, 4, 6 and 10, allowing for fibre to be

ATN International's VP Sales and Marketing and Chairman of Arrowhead's new Board of Directors

available in over 65 percent of its copper network footprint by the end of 2022.

This rollout will enable the growth of more Arrowhead Customer Excellence roles and opportunities. The new company will initially target creation of 100 work-fromhome jobs in Regions 3 and 6, so that Guyanese in these regions will have an opportunity to commence successful careers in a worldclass organisation.

All these initiatives in the last year have led to the creation of 99 new Customer Care roles. This represents a 66 percent increase in staffing to vastly improve the quality, timeliness, and efficiency for all clients (including GTT) that will use the new Arrowhead services.

Over 50 percent of our Customer Care teams have also transitioned successfully into a flexible, work-fromhome arrangement, which

Guyana must disclose all...

From page 12 v i e w s o n E I T I implementation was open from September 1 to October 1, 2021. Virtual stakeholder consultations were u n d e r t a k e n .

ABOUT EITI The Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) is a global standard for the good governance of oil, gas and mineral resources. It seeks to address key governance issues in the extractive sectors.

The EITI Standard requires information along the

extractive industry value chain from the point of extraction, to how the revenue makes its way through the government and its contribution to the economy.

This includes how licences and contracts are allocated and registered, who the beneficial owners of those operations are, what the fiscal and legal arrangements are, how much is produced, how much is paid, where the revenue is allocated, and its contributions to the e c o n o m y, i n c l u d i n g

e m p l o y m e n t .

The EITI 2019 Standard represents an evolution of the foregoing transparency requirements demanded by the body.

It is an improvement of the EITI 2016 Standard. The 2019 EITI Standard requires contract transparency for new contracts from 2021 as well as adherence to stricter requirements on environmental reporting and g e n d e r . (https://eiti.org/articles/eitilaunches-2019-eitistandard).

will be key to the business going forward.

CEO Blackburn explained, “99 jobs were created in Guyana this last year to achieve world class Customer Excellence capability servicing GTT a n d o t h e r AT N I n t e r n a t i o n a l telecommunication operations. We now have a 250 strong team consistently delivering Customer Excellence each day and it's time for us to take the next step and launch our new Arrowhead business.”

Added to this, the Board of Directors of Arrowhead announced the appointment of Guyanese, Shem Erskine, as the new General Manager for Arrowhead. The Board said, “Shem has operated in Client Relations and Customer Success leadership roles for in excess of 10 years.

We are confident that with this appointment he will utilise his wealth of knowledge to significantly impact and advance the operations at Arrowhead.”

Erskine has more than a decade of leadership experience in the telecommunications and

GTT's CEO - Damian Blackburn BPO sectors where he has built a successful career through roles in Business Sales, Client Relations and Customer Operations. In the past two and a half years at GTT, he was instrumental in restoring the company's service levels to industry standards, deploying critical CRM technologies, establishing, and commercializing outbound capabilities.

In an invited comment, Erskine said, “I am delighted to be leading this new subsidiary of ATN International. ATN has been committed to development in Guyana for more than 30 years and this business will highlight what is now our core competency of customer success for our clients (local and international).

In the past year, we have established a business model that has already created repeated success stories through a team of talented Guyanese and the use of bestin-class technology. My immediate focus as General Manager will be capitalizing on these to deliver planned new services and attract new business. Exciting times are ahead.”

C h r i s D a l y , AT N International's VP Sales and Marketing and Chairman of Arrowhead's new Board of Directors, said, “We are excited to introduce our new Customer Success business, Arrowhead as a premier supplier of customer success services and products to consumer and business to business service providers worldwide. Arrowhead will create more jobs in Guyana, supported by GTT's flagship Fibre service to facilitate working from home and decentralise access to employment.”

The Arrowhead business will be operational from June 12, 2022, and will move to transition the 214-strong team, following which, immediate priorities will be to develop a new state of the art physical Customer Care facility in New Amsterdam that will supplement existing facilities in Georgetown but also work seamlessly with Arrowhead's new hybrid, flexible work from home team; and roll-out new services and attract new clients creating job opportunities for hundreds of Guyanese in multiple Regions.

Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

PAGE 20

Police round up several COVID-19 cases on the ...169 new infections bandits during Sophia sweep rise again so far this week

G

eorgetown police on Tuesday nabbed several robbery suspects hiding out in D Field Sophia, during a surprise raid.

The ranks teamed up with their colleagues from the police force's special branch to raid a house located at D Field.

During the raid that took place between 12:00 and 13:00hrs, the ranks found 20 cellular phones suspected to be stolen ones and found several known characters wanted for a series of armed robberies in the Georgetown and East Bank Demerara areas.

Digicel Guyana donates...

From page 17 needs of the residents of Bath Settlement. At the handing over Simone Pierre, Chief Commercial Officer said, “Digicel is pleased to be a part of this joint effort with the CDC in assisting residents in the impacted area.”

She added, “We are

committed to continue supporting the Government of Guyana in the areas of risk management and preparedness.”

Digicel Guyana is part of the Digicel Group which is a total communications and entertainment provider with operations in 31 markets throughout the Caribbean,

Central America and Asia Pacific. Digicel also runs a host of community-based initiatives across its markets, including Digicel Foundations in Haiti, Jamaica, Papua New Guinea and Trinidad and Tobago which focus on educational, cultural and social development programmes.

Amid the 'lowering of the guard here' with little enforcement of the Covid-19 measures, there has been a marked resurgence of new cases and hospitalisations.

Guyana has virtually thrown away all the protocols it had implemented to protect citizens against the disease, this include less testing, lifting of the curfew and the non-enforcement of maskwearing. This is so despite warning from the Pan American Health Organisation. Based on this newspaper's count some 169 cases have been recorded for the week so far. According to the Ministry of Health dashboard, Guyana recorded 52 cases on Thursday to add to the 56 recorded on Wednesday. Four persons remain in Intensive Care Unit.

Back in march the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) had warned that while public health measures were being lifted in many parts of the Americas it was too soon for countries to lower their guard.

“When places relax measures at the wrong moment, transmission spikes dangerously and we lose more lives,” Dr. Carissa Etienne, director of PAHO had said during a media briefing, urging countries to base decisions on risk

assessments and health data, and to tighten public health guidance if cases go up.

“COVID-19 is likely to be here to stay. We must learn to live with this virus, and quickly adapt to new c h a n g e s , ” t h e PA H O Director added.

Reflecting on the past two years of the pandemic, Dr. Etienne said that the Americas has been hit harder than any other region in the world, with more than 2.6 million lives lost – half of all global deaths. “This is a tragedy of enormous proportions, and its effects will be felt for years to come,” the PAHO Director added. She also warned that “the pandemic is still a threat today,” with countries experiencing record numbers of new infections during the Omicron wave, and the Americas accounting for 63% of new global cases in the first two months of 2022 alone. “ “ We a l l w a n t t h e pandemic to be over, but optimism alone cannot control the virus,” she said, calling for countries to keep a “finger on the pulse.”

Countries must build on lessons from the past two years to prepare for quick action and adjust public health guidance if a new variant emerges or outbreaks happen - by ensuring continued surveillance and by making testing readily

available even when transmission is low.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony recently urged persons not to become complacent, as the COVID19 pandemic is not yet over in Guyana. During Tu e s d a y ' s C O V I D - 1 9 update, he said persons are encouraged to continue wearing their masks in crowded areas, and to get vaccinated. “This is a significant increase, and we have to be mindful of that, and one of the things I want to urge people is to start taking precautions.

I think over the last couple of weeks people have discarded a lot of the public health measures that we have been telling them to use especially wearing masks when you're in an indoor environment…and if we continue to do so there are chances that you can get infected,” he said. The health minister is also encouraging persons eligible for booster doses to get the jab, especially those with comorbidities. He said being vaccinated against COVID19 will boost one's immunity, prevent serious illnesses and even death. “In addition to that, our vaccination boosters are relatively low, so I would really want to urge people to come and get their booster doses because that is very important.”

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 21

As Guyanese struggle to make ends meet:

The current parking shed at the Ministry's office.

AG defends spending $8 million to build a parking shed ...money can build homes for two families

T

he Attorney G e n e r a l Chambers and the Ministry of Legal Affairs has defended building a shed to park vehicles-monies which can be used to house at least two poor families- many of whom are struggling to access state lands and loans to build their dream homes.

In a statement in response to an article published by this newspaper on Thursday highlighting the exorbitant spending on such a project, the ministry said a simple enquiry from the ministry or an examination of the bid documents would have provided the relevant information that the reporter needed. “Such resorts would have revealed that the current parking shed is decades old, is dilapidated and unless demolished or repaired, would damage government and private vehicles parked under it. It is made of wood and zinc both of which are rotting. Rather than repair such a derelict structure or replacing with similar materials, the management of the Ministry prudently decided to construct a parking shed made completely out of steel, cemented to the ground. Such a structure will last, at a minimum of two decades, once properly maintained as opposed to one made of wood and zinc which requires annual maintenance,” the statement read.

According to the ministry the proposed shed is

approximately 200 feet in length by 19 feet in width.

“This is larger than the current structure and will accommodate several more vehicles, as more space for parking is badly needed. The design and bill of quantities was prepared free of cost by engineers at the Ministry of Public Works. If any sensible person examines the acquisition costs of the steel and concrete needed, coupled with transportation, fabrication and labour required to carry out the works at prevailing rates in the country, that person would conclude that the sum of $8 million is quite a reasonable sum for such a project.”

Sources told Kaieteur News that the ministry is tearing down the old shed and is replacing it with a bigger one to accommodate more vehicles, still the source said the estimated amount is: “ridiculous.”

“Why would you build a parking shed for such a high cost, when people can't get houses?

Some persons have lands and can't even afford to build a house and you are spending $8M on a shed,” the source added.

The current structure is supported by at least 20 2x4 posts cemented to the ground and standing at an estimated height of at least 10 feet. As the ministry embarks on this project, it should be noted that the money, which was stated as the estimated cost, can build a 20 by 30 foot,

turn-key home with inside toilet and bath facilities and still have a minimum of $3M remaining. In fact, it was reported in September 2020 that the current government had earmarked an area at Perseverance located behind Providence, EBD to construct turn-key homes for low-income families. The Ministry of Housing and Water had back then stated that each of the turn-key homes will cost $4.9M or $4.4M and includes two bedrooms, an inside toilet and bath with a kitchen sink.

Although one could argue that the cost for materials has increased since then, it can be noted that one of the houses being built under the government's current core homes project still cost less than $8M. An April 4, 2022 post on the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) Facebook page revealed that government is in the final stages of completing 100 core homes for families at Williamsburg/Hampshire, Berbice, Region Six. CH&PA in its post stated, "each home is a twobedroom flat unit, measuring 20 feet by 30 feet (600 square feet) and is being built by 13 contractors at a total cost of $750 million.” One hundred Core homes built for a total of $750M simply means that each house is costing the government only $7.5M, $500,000 less than the cost for the new shed at the Ministry's office.

A $7.5M core home built by the government (Photo Credit: CH&PA)

PAGE 22

Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

No gas leak management plan for....

VEHICLE FOR SALE One Honda CRV,fully loaded immaculate condition, low mileage 3.3M negotiable & 1 new super custom Hiace Bus 2.5M .Contact:649-0956.

From page 8 respond to such a disaster. In an earlier article, this newspaper reported that gas releases from the planned Gas-to-Energy project can result in explosions which can pose grave risk to human and environmental health.

In the EIA document, EEPGL explained that a loss LAND FOR SALE of integrity of the offshore Double lot for lease or pipeline, resulting in a natural gas release can be caused due sale,Bent St.Call:661-2828. to corrosion, objects striking

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From page 5 and the VP. I read it this way: get a hold of selves.

The wrong road is being taken in every aspect of these five words. Diplomatic speak doesnt have to be over the heads of Guyanese. If it did before, it should be no more.

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the pipeline, and a buildup of stress in the pipe wall, causing buckling.

The EIA goes on to say that if an unplanned release of gas from damaged subsea pipelines occurs, the released gas will generate a gas plume that rises from the seafloor to the sea surface.

Therefore, “Fire or explosion accidents can occur when the released gas dis-

perses into the atmosphere and encounters ignition sources, which could have an adverse impact on human life and environment in the immediate vicinity of the fire.” ERM added that the consequences of a release would likely be less severe offshore as it “is extremely unlikely that there will be an ignition source to cause a fire, and the gas will passively disperse without

affecting any resources” rather than an onshore occurrence.

However, a release close to the Floating, Production, Sharing and Offloading (FPSO) vessel could result in a fire onboard the FPSO. EEPGL said that to reduce the likelihood of a gas release, the offshore pipeline design and installation will vary depending on the pipeline depth.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 23

Lawyer urges appeal court to abandon ruling of US. Judge...

From page 15 he was one of several judges who presided over matters that involve companies they had financial interest in.

According to report, a federal court official had come to Judge Ramos defence by arguing that he was unaware of the legal infraction he committed taking the case, as his 'recusal list' included only the parent company Exxon, and not the unit – therefore was overlooked by court conflict-screening software, which worked only through exact matches.

As a result of the revelation, the case was reassigned to district Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil, on August 17, 2021. The insurance company had filed for a motion to vacate Judge

Ramos order. The matter that the insurance company had brought before the district court was for an “indicative ruling.” However that judge ruled that based on her assessment she would have come to the same ruling Judge Ramos did and denied the motion to vacate.

However, the matter was appealed at the US Second Circuit.

On Tuesday the lawyer for the insurance company urged the Second Circuit to back its appeal of the multimillion arbitration award for a coverage dispute against Exxon.

TIG lawyer argued that the decision that was handed down by the lower court was wrong on the merits and most importantly the judge was also clouded by his

ownership of stock in Exxon.

On that day, the judges at the Second Circuit heard oral arguments in $33 million case pitting Exxon against TIG Insurance.

“What happened here from the perspective of the general public and their confidence in the judiciary…Judge Ramos ruled for ExxonMobil when he had a direct financial interest in the company.

While his ruling was unappeal the Wall Street Journal launched an investigation into federal judicial conflict,” attorneyat-law Daniel Sullivan, of Holwell Shuster & Goldberg, told the court in his opening oral argument.

Inter alia, Sullivan shared that notwithstanding the fact that Judge Ramos

presided over a matter which involved a company he owned stock in – they were also denied the motion to vacate the decision and be given the opportunity to have a de novo review.

A de novo review occurs when a court decides an issue without deference to a previous court's decision.

Trial de novo occurs when a court decides all issues in a case, as if the case was being heard for the first time.

As such, the lawyer further pled his case for the Second Circuit judges to abandon the federal district court's ruling in the matter, especially citing the risk of injustice.

On the other hand, attorney-at-law, D. Brown, for Exxon, in his opening arguments stated that Exxon

is cognizant of the appearance of partiality created by the fact that Judge Ramos owned stock at the time he ruled in their favor.

He said, “Even though he [Judge Ramos] didn't know it. We recognise and have concern that the Wall Street Journal publicity have increased the risk that people in the public who questioned his partiality and therefore they will be some undermining of public confidence in the judiciary.”

The lawyer further noted that the Wall Street publicity is very extraordinary and pointed out that it also listed names of judges all the way to the chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

After acknowledging the investigation has shined a light on Judge Ramos he

stated that one way it can be avoided in the future and to restore public trust in the judiciary is with the recently passed bill, which mandates that judges do financial disclosures.

On April 27, 2022, congress passed a bill toughening financial disclosure requirements for judges. The bill requires members of the judiciary to create a searchable database for the public to view judges' financial disclosures online.

The Courthouse Ethics Transparency Act, which passed the House of Representatives, with bipartisan support, would make Article III judges abide by the same financial disclosure rules as other branches of the federal government.

PAGE 24

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 25

Kaieteur News

East Coast Cricket Board 50-Overs Navin/Hanso Cricket Competition Highly...

From page 31 the Enterprise C.C.G, Buxton C.H.C.C play Better Hope CC at the Buxton Community Centre Ground and Ogle CC compete against Golden Grove CC at the Ogle Cricket Ground.

So far, several outstanding performances have highlighted the action and cricket fans can anticipate lots more excitement as the tournament continues.

Meanwhile, on April 10 last, Enterprise Busta Sports Club (ESC) took on Mahaica SC and won in a low-scoring duel.

The latter team batted first and scored 49 all out in 14.4 overs: M. Singh top-scored with 22. Bishram Samaroo

commanded the bowling figures with a 5 wickets haul (for 22 runs), while Rajendra Chandrika bagged 2 wickets for 27 runs in his 7.4 overs. In their turn at the crease, Enterprise knocked off the required runs in 5 overs while conceding just 1 wicket.

Vivan Albert 18* and Himnauth Dindyal (25)* eventually sealed the victory for ESC by 9 wickets.

The Lusignan Sports Club (LSC) won the toss and inserted Enmore Community Cricket Club (ECCCC) in a game reduced to 45 overs.

The ECCCC compiled 266 all out in 43.2 overs.

The top scorers were Chaitram Balgobin (70), Amir Khan (63) and Viswanauth

Ramlakhan contributing an even 50.

Karamchand Persaud bagged a 5 wicket haul (for 48 runs from 9 overs), while Navi n P e r s a u d chipped in with 2-48 from 9 overs.

The LSC turned in a brave performance but despite a gusty effort from Stephen Ramdass (36), fell short by 4 runs in 27.2 overs. Balgobin bolstered his batting performance with immaculate bowling that saw him registering 44 from a similar number of overs. Yuvraj Dyal supported with 2-5 from 2.2 overs.

In another encounter, Ogle took on Better Hope at the Lusignan Community

Centre Ground (LCCG), Better Hope won the toss and sent Ogle into bat on a damp and soft wicket and with the overs reduced to 45 overs, bowling them out for 41 in 21.1 overs.

Sachin Singh claimed 4 wickets for 15 runs off 9 overs for the LSC. Rajendra Singh bagged 3 wickets for 14 runs off 5 overs, while Ravi Singh took 3-8 off 6 overs. In reply, Better Hope reached 48/3 in 11.3 overs with Ryan Singh notching up 12*.

In another truncated 45 overs encounter, Fairfield Rivals took on Strathavon SC with the former team winning the toss and taking first strike.

Fairfield compiled 144 all out in 35 overs with Ramnarine

Lennox & Jermaine...

Friday May 13, 2022 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Today your brain is supercharged, Aries. If you've been thinking about doing some writing or have put off analyzing a particularly tricky problem, this would be the perfect day to get started.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) The celestial energy signals a pleasant change for you today, Libra. Finally, the overpowering emotions that have been surging from your relationships will subside.

You are now beginning a more contemplative phase.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) With today's planetary energy, you'll find yourself a little more extraverted than usual, Taurus. You'll finally be able to say what you really think about things.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20) Today you're unstoppable!

You're a very hard worker by nature, and with the current planetary alignment you'll be able to accomplish even more than usual.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) This is a good day to devote time and thought to spiritual pursuits, Scorpio. Do something inspirational that instills a sense of wonder deep in your soul. .

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) A new phase in your life is beginning, Sagittarius. The previous phase could be interpreted as having taught you to be serious and devoted to professional responsibilities.

CANCER (June 21–July 22) Discard those items from the past for which you really no longer have use. As much as you like to surround yourself with objects of sentimental value.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) Today's aspects might clear up some rather sketchy ideas about your professional future, Capricorn. If you long for a change, such as daring to undertake a more artistic pursuit.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) Intimacy will be in the air over the next few days.

Loved ones suddenly want to spend more time with you, and you'll want to invite friends over every night! By all means, do.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You have acquired some sound confidence in yourself, Aquarius. Now it is time for you to show everyone else by actually putting it to use in your life.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22) Feeling unusually adventurous, Virgo? You're often motivated by your idealistic expectations, and the planetary configurations today .

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Today's planetary energy should compel you to commit certain acts of self-affirmation that are needed to define your territory and protect your rights.

From page 30 teams w e r e p r e s e n t e d with individual trophies, compliments of Secure Innovations and Concepts.

Smallbore Captain, Richards expressed gratitude to CEO of Secure Inn ovations and Concepts Harold Hopkinson for his continued investment in the development of the sport in Guyana. ”Mr. Ho p k i n s o n h a s continued to show real commitment to growing the sport by his continued investment and partnership with us without any hesitation.

We are most appreciative of his continued support.

I would also like to thank our members for coming out in their numbers to compete and for making the event an exciting and successful one.

We look forward to many more partnerships with Mr. Hopkinson and his company as we continue to grow this sport.”

Following are the full results of the competition (first to fourth), names listed in order of competing at the 10m, 12, and 15m r a n g e s .

Team Members PointsJermaine Softley, Jamaine Braithwaite, Lennox Braithwaite 179 points Robin Razack, Stefan John, Gordon Richards 177 points Dwain Vyfhuis, Terry Stuart, Satya Dayaram 172 points Basmatee Mohabeer, Yonelle De Abreu, Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon 169 points

Chatura (50) and Dorain Grenion (22) being the principal scorers. Strathavon SC's Ajay Persaud - 3-20 (9 overs) and Prakash Chowtie (3-26 from 9), were instrumental in restricting Fairfield Rivals but the Strathavon SC batsmen were unable to complete the job, scoring 131 all out in 31.3 overs. Ramnarine Chatura 4-25 (8 overs) and Karpov George - 3-16 (5.3 overs) were the leading bowlers.

Over at the LBI Ground, LBI CC took on Buxton and batted first after calling correctly. Several batsmen stuck up their fingers including Ariel Tilku (75), Nizam Khan (52), Alex Algoo (34), and Richard Dowlatram (24) to steer LBI C.C to 273 for 9 from their

allotted 50 overs.

Yojeshwar Bishun snared 5-29, Richard Dowlatram 3-19 and Ariel Tilku 2-22. Buxton in reply fell short, scoring 101 all out from 26 overs. Their top batsman was Owen Andrews (31).

In another encounter, Better Hope called correctly and inserted Ogle in another game that saw a 5 overs reduction.

Ogle then amassed 41 all out in 21 overs.

Better Hope responded with 48/3 in 11.2 overs. Sachin Singh bowled 9 overs and took 4 wickets while conceding 15 runs. Rajendra Singh bowled 5 overs, and took 314, while Ravi Singh contributed 6 overs for 3 wickets and 8 runs.

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Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

Sams stars as Mumbai dash CSK’s outside hopes of sneaking into play-offs SportsMax - MS Dhoni was the only Chennai Super Kings player able to hold his head up high as their outside chance of reaching the Indian Premier League play-offs ended with a five-wicket loss to bottom side Mumbai Indians.

Dhoni took over as CSK captain once again after Ravindra Jadeja – who is sidelined with a rib injury – stepped down following just over a month in the role.

India great Dhoni led by example with an unbeaten 36 yesterday, but the defending champions were skittled out for only 97 from 16 overs, with no other batter making more than 12.

Daniel Sams spearheaded the Indians’ bowling attack with 3-16 from his four overs

Daniel Sams got rid of Devon Conway and Moeen Ali in the very first over. (BCCI) - two of those wickets coming in the first over.

Ishan Kishan fell cheaply as Mumbai’s chase started poorly, with Mukesh Choudhary (3-23) drawing an edge and Dhoni taking the

catch.

Dhoni caught his counterpart Rohit Sharma (18) from a Simarjeet Singh delivery in the fourth over, before Sams fell to Choudhary, who then sent Tristan Stubbs packing for a

Tilak Varma acknowledges the crowd after taking Mumbai Indians to victory. (BCCI) duck.

Yet Hrithik Shokeen and Tilak Varma steadied the ship, and although the former was bowled out by Moeen Ali, Varma’s 34 not out set Mumbai well on their way,

with two sixes from Tim David (16 not out) ensured the Indians got home with 31 balls to spare.

Super Kings unable to make a case for the defence CSK had four wins from

their last seven matches in the IPL prior to Thursday’s meeting. However, this is the first season in which CSK have failed to register consecutive wins so far and that run rolled on as they were convincingly beaten.

With only two games t o p l a y, t h e d e f e n d i n g champions have no chance of finishing in the top four.

Indians bring up 20 against CSK Mumbai have now won 20 of their 34 IPL meetings with CSK. Indeed, the Super Kings have lost more times against the Indians than they have any other team in the competition.

This was only a third win of the tournament for Mumbai. Scores: Mumbai Indians 103 for 5 (Varma 34*, Choudhary 3-23) beat Chennai Super Kings 97 (Dhoni 36*, Sams 3-16) by five wickets.

World number one Iga Swiatek through to last eight in Rome PA Media - Defending champion Iga Swiatek recovered from a poor start to defeat Victoria Azarenka and reach the quarter-finals of the Italian Open in Rome.

The world number one, who is bidding for a fifth consecutive title, began the match with a slew of errors and trailed 3-0 but battled back to claim a 6-4 6-1 victory.

The first set alone took 79 minutes, with Swiatek saving eight of the 11 break points she faced, but the Pole found her form in the second to move through to an intriguing clash with Bianca Andreescu.

Swiatek said: “For sure I didn’t start well, and everybody could see that. I’m really happy with the way I reacted and how I improved in the first set. “Also how different the second set looked to the first one because I could really reset and really change the way I played.

That’s the most positive thing for me.”

Former US Open champion Andreescu missed the start of this season after struggling with the mental toll of breakthrough success as a teenager but remains a major talent and is having her best week since reaching the final of the Miami Open more than a year ago.

The Canadian, now 21,

Bianca Andreescu will take on Iga Swiatek.

(Andrew Medichini/AP) defeated Croatian Petra Martic 6-4 6-4 on Thursday while third seed Aryna Sabalenka, another player who has been struggling for form recently, impressed in a 6-1 6-4 win over Madrid finalist Jessica Pegula. In the men’s event, world number one Novak Djokovic claimed a 20th win from 26 meetings against Stan Wawrinka to reach the quarter-finals.

Wawrinka secured his first victories for more than a year following foot surgery to reach the third round but looked weary from the start and was unable to trouble Djokovic, who eased to a 6-2 6-2 victory.

“It’s great to see Stan back,” said Djokovic in his on-court in t e r v i e w. “ H e won two tough matches

and you could see he’s not physically where he wants to be.

“But, nevertheless, he’s Stan Wawrinka, he can hurt you if you give him time and I managed to do well I think.

From the beginning I really moved him around the court and held my serve pretty comfortably except that loss of serve in the second s e t .” In the last eight Djokovic will contest a first match against eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who saw off Marcos Giron 6-3 6-2.

Second seed Alexander Zverev defeated Alex De Minaur 6-3 7-6 (5) while Stefanos Tsitsipas fought back from a set down to see off Karen Khachanov 4-6 6-0 6-3 and will next meet home hope Jannik Sinner.

Friday May 13, 2022

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Kaieteur News

Spurs beat 10-man Arsenal MVP Sports assists with to close in on top four Magnum Independence Cup The penultimate night of action in the Magnum Independence Cup takes place tomorrow night at the National Park with the Semi-Finals that will see Back Circle tackle Gold Is Money while Sparta Boss comes up against Bent Street.

The losing quarterfinalist also returns for a plate Championship with $40,000 up for grabs. The winner of the tournament that concludes on May 21 at the same venue will pocket $700,000 while second place takes home $400,000 and third and fourth places $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.

With such attractive prizes in the futsal tournament, support continues to pour in for the event. Yesterday another significant donation was made to the organiser of the tournament, Edison Jefford by MVP Sports.

Ian Ramdeo, CEO of MVP Sports said, “MVP Sports is a proud Guyanese brand that continues to support local sport activities and local athletes from various disciplines.

We are happy to be part of one of the biggest grassroots

Harry Kane is the all-time top scorer in games between Tottenham and Arsenal with 13 goals. (Getty Images)

CEO of MVP Sports, Ian Ramdeo (right) hands over the sponsorship cheque to Edison Jefford yesterday at the store in Giftland Mall. football events in the country to show our support for the communities that the teams represent.

MVP Sports is the leading sports apparel and gear store in the country, and we are partnering with this event because we see it as on the leading grassroots sport events.”

In reply, Jefford stated, “Mr. Ramdeo and MVP Sports has always been supportive

of my sport programmes and projects, none of which would have been possible without his financial backing.

I cannot thank the company enough for their continued confidence in me and the level of administration that engineers their corporate support. This means a lot to these teams and by extension their communities when they see big companies giving back in these ways.”

West Demerara FA Senior League set to kick off on Sunday at Leonora Slingerz FC is back; Den Amstel FC is also in the reckoning for supremacy

WDFA President Trevor Williams (seated 2nd right) is pictured with fellow Executive members and Club Reps. After the League was unveiled.

Exciting combat is expected to permeate the atmosphere when the battle lines are drawn from Sunday evening at the Leonora Track and Field Facility as nine clubs will begin their quest for top honours in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Senior League.

Competitive action in earnest is returning to the Association after years of inactivity which in part was due to the covid-19 pandemic. On Wednesday evening last at Leonora, WDFA President Trevor Williams, who was voted in as the new head of the Association a few weeks ago, unveiled the league in the presence of fellow Executive Members and Club Represen-

tatives. He challenged the clubs to work together with the Association and by extension the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to ensure that the game reaches heights never reached in the WDFA. Clubs were informed that in this short season, the GFF has made it mandatory that Elite League clubs within the various Regional Associations (RA) compete in the local leagues, and in this instance, Den Amstel FC will be throwing down the gauntlet to their fellow West Demerara rivals.

Additionally, former Elite League club, Slingerz FC will be making a grand comeback which adds more spice and excitement to the competitive

pot as it will serve up mouthwatering action for fans to absorb on each match day.

Setting the tone for the league from Sunday evening will be Pouderoyen FC against Bell West FC from 18:00hrs with the main attraction featuring Den Amstel FC against #1 All-Stars from 20:30hrs.

The other contesting clubs are Wales, Crane Rovers, Eagles, Uitvlugt Warriors, and Slingerz. Williams is urging fans to come out in their numbers to support their favourite club as the game will be back with a bang and fan support is critical to making this a reality. Meanwhile, clubs were each presented with balls and other gear compliments of the GFF.

BBC Sport - Tottenham turned up the pressure on arch-rivals Arsenal in the race for a place in next season’s Champions League with an emphatic north London derby victory.

Arsenal could have confirmed a place in the Premier League’s top four with a win at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium but endured a dismal night to now stand only one point clear of Spurs with two games left.

In a feverish atmosphere, Harry Kane gave Spurs the lead from the spot in the 22nd minute after Son Heung-min was fouled by Cedric Soares, then added a second before the break with a stooping farpost header after Rodrigo Bentancur flicked on a corner.

In between, Arsenal had been reduced to 10 men when Rob Holding was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Son, while the South Korean finished off any hopes the Gunners had when he fired in from 10 yards two minutes after half-time.

Spurs on the march Such was the manner of this Spurs win - added to the momentum they are gathering under manager Antonio Conte - they must have increasing belief they can yet snatch a top-four place away from Arsenal.

Conte’s team look so impressive, organised and solid in defence with the deadly pair of Kane and Son a permanent menace in attack.

Spurs have two eminently winnable fixtures remaining at home to struggling Burnley and at relegated Norwich City while Arsenal must travel to Newcastle United - no easy

task these days - before a final home fixture against Everton, who may yet be fighting for survival.

Conte has brought the best out of this Spurs side by implementing his trademark fierce tactical discipline while still getting the most from those two outstanding forwards, who have been augmented by impressive January signing Dejan Kulusevski.

As Spurs flourished and Arsenal wilted, it made for a celebratory atmosphere among a record crowd of 62,027 inside the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Spurs are still the hunters but they have a real chance of making the top four to round off some fine work by Conte, who took over an out-of-sorts side in eighth place when he succeeded sacked Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Arsenal must respond This was a night of unrelenting misery for Arsenal in an environment where their struggles are relished more than any other.

Mikel Arteta’s side were never given the chance to settle and once Kane put Spurs ahead it was all downhill, with Holding’s needless Standings: Team P GD 1 Man City 36 72 2 Liverpool 36 65 3 Chelsea 36 42 4 Arsenal 36 11 5 Tottenham 36 23 6 Man Utd 37 1 7 West Ham 36 11 8 Wolves 36 -3 9 Brighton 36 -4 10 Leicester 35 -4 11 Crystal Palace 35 4 12 Aston Villa 35 -1

sending-off making an already difficult task impossible.

The late hamstring injury to key defender Gabriel only added to their suffering but the positive for Arteta and his players is that their destiny remains firmly in their own hands. If Arsenal win their next two games they will be in next season’s Champions League.

The more difficult aspect is that, given Spurs’ fixtures, the likelihood is that they may well have to win at Newcastle United on Monday to keep their ambitions on track.

Arsenal are so close and looked to be in pole position just a few weeks ago, so to miss out now would be a huge disappointment, especially as they have not had any European football to distract them from the job of finishing in the top four. Arteta must ensure his players put this experience behind them but there is no doubt this defeat has put Arsenal under serious pressure befofe their visit to Tyneside, where manager Eddie Howe will want to round off Newcastle’s season at St James’ Park in style after moving them clear of relegation trouble with plenty to spare.

Pts 89 86 70 66 65 58 55 50 47 45 44 43

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Friday May 13, 2022

Kaieteur News

GFF renews NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League sponsorship The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) will re-launch the intra-association NAMILCO THUNDERBOLT FLOUR POWER U17 League for boys this year, with an agreement to renew the partnership and to ensure continuity in the coming years, in line with NAMILCO’s objective to support the sustainable development of youth in Guyana.

The competition, which is compulsory for all nine GFF regional associations, will have two phases – the intraassociation league, which will decide the best teams in each regional association, followed by a championship round to crown the national champions. It is expected that the regional segment of the tournament will kick off in June, with the championship round scheduled for September.

The agreement builds on the highly successful delivery of two NAMILCO-sponsored league-based competitions for U17 boys prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and underlines the

Managing Director of Namilco Bert Sukhai and GFF President Wayne Forde Shake hands in the presence of NAMILCO representative and GFF Executives. company’s strong record as a national leader in corporate social responsibility.

“As a local company with a long history of supporting sport and youth development, we are pleased to continue to support the young men of this country through this impactful tournament with the Guyana Football Federation,” said NAMILCO Man-

aging Director Bert Sukhai.

“We are eager to see this U17 tournament for boys grow in the coming years, so that we can continue to make a lasting positive impact on the future of our nation through the power of football.”

“We encourage our customers, bakers, chowmein manufacturers and consumers of flour and flour products

BRH supports Guyanese team ahead of 2022 IMMAF Pan Am Championships The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GMMAF) was given a major boost ahead of their Second International engagement, the Pan American Championship, by Beharry Restaurant Holdings under the KFC Brand.

A cheque for the sum of $2,000,000 was handed over to the Federation to assist the possible six-member team to Monterrey, Mexico from the event which unfolds from June 22nd - 24th. Making brief remarks at the ceremony which took place at KFC’s Vlissengen Branch were Marketing Manager of BRH, Pamela Manasseh, GMMAF President Gavin Singh, Sherwin Sandy - Vice-President of the GMMAF and Dr. Sawan Jagnarain - Executive Member of the GMMAF. Manasseh, who handed over the cheque, stated the company’s willingness of supporting sport, educational platforms, and programmes through history and added that the establishment is once again happy to continue their partnership with Federation.

Meanwhile, Singh said, “In January 2022 Beharry Restaurant Holdings under

Marketing Manager of BRH Pamela Manasseh (left) handing over the cheque to GMMAF Vice-President Sherwin Sandy in the presence of Charles Greaves. the KFC franchise, not only provided sponsorship for our national team to attend our first World Championship in Abu Dhabi but they also pledged to aid in future competitions and working together with GMMAF for development of Mixed Martial Arts in Guyana. Today, Beharry Restaurant Holdings honour their commitment in supporting the National team to attend the first International Mixed Martial Arts Pan America Championships to be held from June 22-24 in Monterrey, Mexico. I wish to thank your Board of Directors, General Manager Maria Yellery-Hoosein, and Market-

ing Manager Pamela Manasseh for their efforts invested in making this possible.” The athletes being targeted for the tournament hail from the Guyana Police Force, Phoenix Jujitsu and 3-Ryu Karate Club. According to Singh, the final roster will be announced shortly.

Guyana made their international debut at the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) Amateur World Championship in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates in January 2022. The twomember team that competed were Ijaz Cave and Carlos D’Anjou who both suffered losses in their first fight.

to support NAMILCO, so that we can sustain this major contribution to the development of our youths and the game of football in Guyana,” Mr. Sukhai reiterated.

“Without you, this would not be possible, and you should be comforted to know we are doing this on your behalf.”

The agreement followed a

meeting this week between NAMILCO management and GFF officials, led by President Wayne Forde.

“We are delighted that NAMILCO, as a brand with a long history of service in Guyana, has come on board again to support this tournament, which is a crucial pillar in our long-term strategy to develop young

men who will lead positive, productive lives and to discover and nurture talented footballers through age-specific programmes,” President Forde said.

“NAMILCO’s corporate values make a great fit for t h e G F F, a n d w e a r e humbled by the faith the company’s management, led by Mr. Sukhai, has shown in us to establish the U17 ‘Flour Power’ league, and then to continue to build the competition for the future.

NAMILCO is exemplary partner in the national development of our youth through sport,” Forde added.

More than a thousand boys across Guyana benefitted from the first two seasons of the GFFNAMILCO “Flour Power” U17 IntraAssociation League, with several players progressing to Guyana’s youth and senior national teams, including Omari Glasgow, who recently signed a professional contract with Chicago Fire II. Further details on the launch of the competition will be released by the GFF in due course.

ESCL’s semi-finals set for Sunday The 2022 Essequibo Softball Cricket League’s (ESCL) over-40, 20-overs competition reaches its semi-final stage which is slated for Sunday a t A ff i a n c e N u m b e r 1 ground, Essequibo Coast Region Two, SupenaamPomeroon.

Ravens Sports Club will tackle Sunrisers Masters, while Caribbean Cricket Club (CCC) and Queenstown Tigers will do battle.

In the final preliminary round last Sunday at Hibernia venue, CCC beat Hibernia by nine wickets while Queenstown Tigers got the better of Devonshire Castle Sports Club by two wickets.

Hibernia only managed an inadequate 183 all out off 17.1 overs, while CCC responded emphatically with 186-1 in the 15th over.

Seasoned batsman Patrick Rooplall led the way with a belligerent, unbeaten 62, while Prashad Mahadeo supported with 58 for the victorious combination.

In Hibernia’s innings, Ramjohn Mohammed scored 71 and 45 from Karran Ramlall as Yaseer Mohammed bagged 4-31

CCC top-scorers Patrick Rooplall, right, and Prashad Mahadeo strike a pose after the victory. from his maximum four overs and Ekie Baksh assisted with 2-34 off four overs as well.

Devonshire Castle reached a competitive 213 all out off 19 overs but Queenstown Tigers roared to 215-8 in the penultimate over. Motielall Deepnarine top-scored for the Tigers

with 45. When Devonshire Castle batted, Vishan Lall made 93.

Meanwhile, according to Chairman of the League Wakeel Layne, the final is set for May 22 at the aforementioned facility. The winning side will pocket $100,000 while there are other prizes up for grabs.

Friday May 13, 2022

BCB to assist 90 clubs with cricket balls under Shimron, Nirvani Hetmyer Trust Fund The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) this weekend would start the distribution of one million dollars worth of cricket balls to ninety clubs across the county as the pro-active cricket board continues to assist Berbice clubs to fulfill their mandate.

The balls would form part of the 2022 edition of the BCB/ Shimron and Nirvani Hetmyer Cricket Trust Fund.

The West Indies middle order batsman and his wife has been sponsoring the trust fund since 2021 and has indicated that they would continue to do so, as long as the current President Hilbert Foster remains in office.

Foster stated that Mrs. Hetmyer contacted him two weeks ago to inform him that the couple was interested in not only renewing their support but to increase the funds from $1m to $1.5m.

Last year, the couple had assisted the board to donate seven hundred thousand dollars worth of balls across the county, while two hundred thousand dollars was used for educational grants to students living in the New Amsterdam/ Canje area.

The remaining funds were used for MVP programmes and coaching.

Under this year edition, one million dollars would be used for the distribution of red cricket balls while two hundred thousand dollars would be given out as educational grants.

Foster explained three hundred thousand dollars would be used for the hosting of a one day grass root tournament and a three team female tournament involving West Berbice, New Amsterdam/Canje and Rose Hall Town Metro.

The grass root tournament would be played in Canje and would involve four teams including Young Warriors and Rose Hall Canje.

The BCB President also disclosed that under the educational grants, a female na-

BCB President Hilbert Foster

GBI aligns Stag Beer with EDFA League The East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) has launched their Senior Men’s Football League in a momentous way yesterday as they prepare for the battles which kick off on May 15 at the Golden Grove Ground.

Guyana Beverages Inc., has once again grasped the opportunity to support the Football fraternity with the branding of the event under their Stag Beer label.

The simple ceremony was done at the company’s Head Office, Guyana Breweries Inc., located at Beterverwagting and included several representative of the competing teams, as well executives of the EDFA. The teams’ representatives were presented with balls, and training vests compliments of the Guyana Football Federation.

At 16:00hrs, Melanie will oppose Mahaica Determinators while Dynamic FC and Haslington FC will match skills at 18:00hrs.

Prior to the matches, a march past will be conducted featuring all the participants.

The other participants are Airy Hall Stars FC, Ann’s Grove United FC, Victoria Kings FC, Victoria Scorpions FC, Buxton Stars FC, and Buxton United.

Beaton happy to be back Biggest challenge is not getting back to old habits

Shimron Hetmyer

tional player would receive a grant of one hundred thousand dollars to assist her to successfully complete her stu d i e s a t t h e G u y a n a School of Agriculture.

Foster, hailed the assistance of the couple who have been very supportive of his presidency and noted that it was refreshing that current players are assisting in the development of Berbice Cricket.

The distribution of the balls would start on Sunday in the Upper Corentyne area where thirty clubs would receive a box of balls each.

The next area would be the West Berbice sub-asso-

ciation where fourteen clubs are expected to benefit.

The BCB since 2018 has assisted clubs with cricket balls and late last year donated one million dollars worth of white balls to the eleven first division teams and the Berbice River area under its Patron’s Fund.

Clubs and sub-associations in the county have also benefited from donation of gears, scorebooks, stumps, catching cribs, grass cutters, water pitchers, rain coats, uniforms, educational materials, pitch covers, trophies, medals, bicycles among others from the BCB since 2018.

PNCR dominoes tourney commences on Sunday PNCR will be hosting a dominoes competition starting on Sunday at Congress Place, Sophia.

The competition will be held in honour of the party leader Aubrey Norton,

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Kaieteur News

MP. Entrance fee is $15,000 and the winning team will pocket $175,000, runner up $100,000, third place $50,000 and fourth place $25,000.

The MVP and the player

that share the first love will receive $5,000 each.

The competition will conclude on Monday and teams can contact the organisers on 625-2122 for registration.

By Sean Devers At 29, Ronsford Rodwick Beaton, who born on the Volcano hit Island of Montserrat on September 17, 1992 but moved to Guyana as a child, says he is happy to be back in the First-Class set up for the first time in six years.

“It’s a joyous feeling knowing that I have been selected to be back in FirstClass cricket knowing it’s the closest level to Test cricket. I am very much happy to be back,” said Beaton, who came to prominence when he ended with eight wickets in five matches at the 2012 U-19 World Cup in Australia.

“Once selected in the final playing eleven…my goals are simple...to get wickets for the team to help us to come out as winners at the end of the game and the tournament.

I’m feeling pretty good with my physical condition.

My body is feeling good and I been bowling long spells in the nets and games so I’m happy where I’m at physically,” continued Beaton, who along with Kemo Paul are the only Essequians to play ODIs for West Indies.

Beaton grew up in Affiance on the Essequibo Coast and went to the Abram Zuil Secondary School before attending the Guyana School of Agriculture.

He broke into the firstclass ranks for Guyana in 2011, but it wasn’t until 201213 that he was seen as a fast bowler meant for higher honours.

He took 16 wickets in six matches in the Regional fourday competition and added seven wickets in five matches in the subsequent T20 tournament.

Beaton bowled with genuine pace against the USA Tri State team at Everest and in both innings of the second Harpy Eagles practice match at Providence when he captured 5-60 from 13 overs in the

second innings.

However, when asked if he feels that he is bowling as good as in the first phase of his First-Class career, the former West Indies ‘A’ team pacer said his bowling was not as it was before.

“My body has to go through a lot of changes...but I’ll get back to being the best I can be.

My goals h a v e n ’ t changed in turns of playing test cricket…but I’ll take things one step at a time and focus on putting in the work and the numbers,” informed Beaton, who spent his time away from cricket working as a logistics manager at MBW, an Oil and Gas company.

Beaton was suspended from bowling after being reported during an ODI against New Zealand in December 2017.

He was cleared to return to playing international cricket in August 2018, after his remodelled bowling action was assessed at Loughborough University in England on August 13, 2018, where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension for all his deliveries was within the 15degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations.

When Beaton last represented Guyana in the 2019 Regional Super50 in Trinidad his action was again reported in the game against United States but he was allowed to play the next three games.

He has worked very hard on correcting this chink in his armour and has been rewarded with a recall but the pacer provided an honest assessment of where he is presently.

“My biggest challenge would have to be me not getting back into the old habits and the pressure my body was under because it was alot of bowling and still

is...because I’m not where I want to be as yet.

Yes, I am comfortable with being back bowling…but like I said I’m not where I want to be as yet bowling wise...it’s all a learning process and alot of hard work needs to be put in as well,” informed Beaton who plays for Police at the First Division level.

Beaton has 64 wickets from 33 First-Class games at an Average of 33.01 with a best of 5-43 since making his debut for Guyana against England Lions at Providence on March 11, 2011, but since March 11, 2016, when he played against the Leewards in Antigua, he not played at First-Class level.

“It’s (the three matches in T&T) very important for me because I have been away from cricket for so long…It’s like I feel that most people forget about me and what I’m capable of doing.

I have to treat these last three games as if it’s the first time I’ll be playing FirstClass cricket and also the last time...put my name back out there and most of all do well...I don’t think I have anything to lose so I’ll go out and give it my all,” disclosed Beaton who has played in the CPL for Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Beaton, a product of WICB’s High Performance centre, impressed for West Indies A during the one-day leg of the tour to Sri Lanka in November 2016 by picking up seven wickets in three games.

In February off 2017, he was selected to play for WICB XI against the visiting England side in a warm-up fixture. Three months later, he received a maiden West Indies call-up for the T20I series against Afghanistan and the same year made his ODI debut.

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England appoint Brendon McCullum as men’s Test coach

PA Media - Brendon McCullum has been appointed as the new head coach of England’s Test side, with director of men’s cricket Rob Key telling fans to “buckle up and get ready for the ride”.

The former New Zealand captain will leave his job in charge of Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders to take over a red-ball side that has fallen to bottom place in the World Test Championship after a dire run of one win in 17 matches.

Leading the revival is a sizeable task for the 40-yearold, who has never before coached at first-class or Test level, but he is renowned as one of the sport’s most progressive thinkers and dynamic leaders.

As skipper he set his own country on the path to their current golden era, which has seen them finish as runner-up in each of the last two World Cups and claim the inaugural World Test Championship, and he won over the England

and Wales Cricket Board’s selection panel with his passionate approach.

He saw off a strong field to earn what is understood to be a four-year contract, edging the likes of Gary Kirsten, whose credentials with South Africa and India had once made him favourite to land the job.

Key, who led the nomination process alongside ECB chief executive Tom Harrison, strategic adviser Sir Andrew Strauss and performance director Mo Bobat, is enthused about the prospect of McCullum linking up with new Test skipper Ben Stokes.

“We are delighted to confirm Brendon as England men’s Test head coach. It has been a real privilege to get to know him and understand his views and vision for the game,” he said.

“I believe in Brendon and Ben Stokes – a formidable coach and captain partnership. Time for us all to buckle up and get ready for the ride.

I believe his appointment will

Rob Key believes he has the right man in charge.

(Adam Davy/PA)

Ben Stokes is England’s new Test captain. (Owen Humphreys/PA)

be good for England’s Test team.

“He has a recent history of changing cricket culture and environments for the better, and I believe he is the person to do that for England’s red-ball cricket. We were incredibly fortunate to have a seriously strong list of quality candidates for the post, with Brendon demonstrating he was our number one choice.”

McCullum, who won 101 Test caps and retired from international cricket in 2016, made it clear that he has firm views about how to lift the team out of its current malaise.

“In taking this role on, I am acutely aware of the significant challenges the team faces at present, and I strongly believe in my ability to help the team emerge as a stronger force once we’ve confronted them head-on,” he

said.

“I’ve enjoyed several robust conversations with Rob Key about the direction of travel for the team and have found his enthusiasm contagious.

I’m no stranger to bringing about change within a team environment, and I can’t wait to get started.

“Ben Stokes is the perfect character to inspire change around him, and I look forward

to working closely with him to build a successful unit around us.”

Pending visa approvals, McCullum will arrive in the UK in time to lead a three-Test series against his home country next month.

England are still searching for a white-ball head coach, with internal candidate Paul Collingwood strongly tipped among another strong pool of applicants.

SIC/GuyanaNRA Smallbore Section Team Semi-PracticalPistol Competition

Lennox & Jermaine Braithwaite and Jermaine Softley emerge winners The combination of seasoned short and long-range marksman Lennox Braithwaite, his son Jamaine and Jermaine Softley were able to merge their shooting and team skills to perfect effect which propelled them to victory in the just-concluded Guyana National Rifle Association Smallbore Section Team Semi-Practical 9mm Pistol competition which was sponsored by Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc. located at 246 Samaan Drive, Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown.

Apart from an exciting day of rapid and calculated shots at 10m, 12m, and 15m ranges, the activity which was held at the Tactical Services Unit Range, Eve Leary, also saw a close tussle from start to finish with just two points being the difference between winning and losing.

It was also the biggest Smallbore Shoot as 11 teams contested.

The Braithwaite’s father

and son combo along with Softley held their nerves to stave off the challenge of Robin Razack, Stefan John, and GuyanaNRA Smallbore Captain Gordon Richards who fell short by two points, 177 to the winning total of 179.

Each team was allotted 50 rounds while team members assisted in loading magazines as well as collecting the same when their partners were taking aim at the targets at the various ranges. Experienced shooters took aim at the longest range (15m) as teams sought to get their best shots on the home straight; the likes of Lennox Braithwaite, Gordon Richards, Satya Dayaram, and Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon.

The all-female combination of Persaud-McKinnon, Basmatee Mohabeer and Yonelle De Abreu did well to end in the fourth position. Members of all four (Continued on page 25)

The all-female team of Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon (right), Yonelle Da Abreu (center), and Basmatee Mohabeer.

Top Team! Lennox Braithwaite is flanked by his son, Jamaine (right), and Jermaine Softley.

Members of the top four teams take time out for a group photo following the presentation of prizes.

Kaieteur News

Friday May 13, 2022

PAGE 31

East Coast Cricket Board 50-Overs Highly anticipated action duels Navin/Hanso Cricket Competition expected as tournament continues The East Coast Cricket Board 50overs Navin/Hanso sponsored competition which was to have continued last

Rajendra Chandrika

Amir Khan

Ariel Tilku

Chaitram Balgobin

Sunday May 8, is now scheduled to be played on

Sunday May 15 at various venues. Fairfield Rivals will

be at home on their Community Centre Ground

against Lusignan Sports Club, Enterprise Busta CC

clash with Strathavon CC at (Continued on page 25)

GBI aligns Stag Beer with EDFA League

The EDFA Senior Men's League launch party from left to right- EDFA Committee Member Dellon Adams, GBI Mark DaSilva, EDFA General Secretary Gidel Austin, GFF Technical Development Officer Lyndon France, and EDFA 2nd Vice-President Gillian Frank.

t r o Sp

England appoint Brendon McCullum as men's Test coach

p. 21

Beaton happy to be back Biggest challenge is not getting back to old habits

Brendon McCullum has never previously coached a red-ball team but earned plaudits for his captaincy of New p.

Zealand's Test team.

(Getty Images)22

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