Kaieteur News

AppealCourttellsEPA,ExxonJusticeKissoon’srulingstands

Appeal Court Justice Rishi Persaud on Monday refusedtooverturntheruling of Justice Sandil Kissoon in which he ordered that ExxonMobil Corporation to provide an unlimited parent companyguaranteeforitsoil operations in the Stabroek Blockwithin30days.

When the matter was calledforcasemanagement, a t t o r n e y f o r t h e Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Sanjeev Datadin requested a Stay of Justice Kissoon’s Order but his request was bluntly refused.

Datadin had asked the Appeal Court to issue the Stay on or before May 9, 2023. Had the Stay been granted, it would have put a holdontheJudge’sOrderfor the company to provide, within 30 days, unlimited Parent Company Guarantee Agreementand/orunlimited liability Affiliate Company Guarantee, together with environmental liability insurance,asiscustomaryin the international petroleum industry Datadin’s Application for the judgment to be suspended pending the hearinganddeterminationof

Appeal Court Justice,

the appeal was, however, refused, with the Judge indicating that he intends to hear arguments on the reasonable prospect of successandrenderhisruling beforeJune10—thelastday for compliance with Justice Kissoon’sruling.

“We’re opposing any OrderforaStay,”saidSenior CounselSeenathJairam,one of the lawyers representing therespondents,Presidentof theTransparencyInstituteof Guyana Inc (TIGI), Fredericks Collins, and Guyanese citizen Godfrey Whyte.

Alfred Ramdhani, another lawyer for the EPA

Director of the EPA,

also urged the court once more, to grant the interim stay, while noting that if the judgment is not granted in theEPA’sfavouronMay29, 2023, then it would only affordtheagencyandtheoil companyabouttwoweeksto comply Justice Persaud made it clear that his words spoken to deny same was alreadyclear

Justice Persaud instructedthelawyersforthe EPA as well as for Exxon’s affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) to have theirsubmissionsbenomore than 10 pages as the issue before the court is a narrow

one.Thepartiesagreed.The courtalsosetMay25fororal arguments. The Court of Appeal intends to apply the merit test to the EPAappeal against Justice Kissoon’s ruling.

The EPA had filed a NoticeofAppealagainstthe High Court ruling that is in favour of Guyana receiving unlimited parent company guaranteefrom.EEPGLand its parent company, Exxon Mobil in the event of an oil spill.

In the document seen by this newspaper, the EPA is seeking to reverse the High Court decision on the grounds that the trial court erredinlawininterpretation,

consideration and application of the combined effect of Clause 14 of the Environmental Permit issued to EEPGL, and erroneously concluded that the financial assurance must beprovidedbyEEPGL.

The EPAargued that the trial court erred in law and

m i s c o n s t r u e d t h e Environmental Protection Act and its Regulations to determinethattheAppellant, astatutorybodyhadspecific statutory powers which in fact it did not. The EPA arguedtoothatthetrialcourt e r r e d i n l a w a n d misconstrued the substance and effect and wrongly a s c r i b e d t o i t a n interpretationsuperiortothe Environmental Protection Actandtherebyascribed

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Rishi Persaud

Kemraj Parsram

Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

Ray Daggers: AgenuineGuyanese

RayDaggersdidit! WhataGuyaneselivinghisinnermost feelingsaboutthe“barefaced”ExxonMobilcontract,andthe economicdrainitplacesonthiscountry,theeconomicpainit deliversoncitizens.

Ray Daggers, through his Walk from Berbice, then Demerara, over to the Essequibo Coast, manifested his rage. His disgust expressed in the most public fashion for all Guyanese to give ventilation to an unequalled atrocity, this revulsion called the 2016 ExxonMobil oil contract with Guyana.When the elected Government of Guyana, the instrument of the people, is unwilling and unmoving about doing anything to vanquish this abomination, Ray Daggers stood up, and made clear before the entire world what he thinksaboutthecontract,andwhathadtobedonewithit.This ExxonMobil contract should be flushed down the toilet without further ado, and replaced with a renegotiated document that is fair to this country, that means better for every citizen. The positive about a well renegotiated oil contract is that ExxonMobil still profits immensely from its Guyanaoilinvestment.

Better for every citizen means more money and benefits flowingfromeachaspectofthecurrentcontract,inclusiveof increasedrevenuesfromroyalties,abettershareoftheprofit, taxes paid by ExxonMobil, and expenses capped at a lower levelofrevenues,plustheclearestexpensedisclosures. The fullcoverageinsurancethatExxonMobilhasdraggeditsfeet over, and which the PPP/C Government has aided the company throughout, must be closed out, so that Guyana is protectedintheeventofacatastrophicspill.AsExxonMobil repeatedly rachets-up production beyond recommended safety limits, while being insufficiently monitored by a technologically-deficientGuyana,thedangerstothiscountry multiply incrementally Meanwhile, Guyana has nothing of financialsignificancethatcushionsorcomfortsitshouldthere besuchanoccurrence.Thesearesomeofthematerialmatters thatpromptedRayDaggerstogetoutofhisbedandwalk. To leavehisfamilyandwalkforallGuyana. WhatthePresident should have been fighting for, Ray Daggers had to walk for because the head-of-state has long been missing in action, struck into stony silence, for the most part. What the Vice President,themansaddledwiththevitalresponsibilityofthe nation's oil patrimony, ought to have been beside himself about, a tower of strength for Guyanese benefits, he left for RayDaggerstostart. Infact,whenGuyana'sVicePresidentof Oilshouldhavebeenwalkingtallinfrontoftheline,anddoing ferocious battle for his fellow Guyanese, his was the preference to wage war on those Guyanese calling for renegotiation of the haemorrhaging 2016 oil contract that resultedfromtheschemesofExxonMobil.

When PresidentAli sat in stubborn resistance against his fellowGuyanese,RayDaggerswalkedforthem. WhenVice PresidentJagdeosatimmovablyonhishands,orusedthemto attack those calling for a renegotiated contract, Ray Daggers walked.RayDaggersstartedsomethingvibrantwhenhetook hisfirststepinBerbice. OtherGuyanesemustnowputtheir moneywheretheirmouthis,formaterialcontractchangewill notcomeaboutfromfearorhesitationorloyaltytoparty The PPP/CGovernmenthasalreadyshownrepeatedlythatitsfirst loyalty is to ExxonMobil, and not the interests of the Guyanesepeople. NowitistheturnofGuyanesetoshowthat they stand first for family and country, and not with any misplaced loyalty for any political party, not for any unwise allegiancetoanyleader,especiallythosethatareusingthem.

TheRayDaggersWalkstirredalotofthingsinGuyanese. Theman'swalkstirredinterest,stirredappreciation. Also,it stirredmanyGuyanesetotheirsouls:wehaveallthisoil,and we have all these needs, and all these shortages. A renegotiatedcontractdonerightwouldputanendtoallthatis wrong,allthatislacking.RayDaggersgotupandwalkedfor Guyana. Guyanesemustnowgetupandwalkforthemselves insomeway,withsomelittlethingthattheydo. Thefirstisto challenge their political leaders to their face. They must be told'togetupandgetforGuyana. Justdoit!

DearEditor

Vice President Jagdeo hasforsuresecuredhisspot in the annals of iconic harbingers of falsehoods; buthisreactiontoHonorable Judge Kissoon's wellthought-out decision, takes the cake, when he distorts the decision and attempts to intimidate and create a chilling effect on the judiciary TheVPperversely attacksthedecisionwithhis vengeful bogus claim that the ruling called for “unlimited insurance” and some kind of fictitious unbearable premium cost attached to it; when in fact, thereisnotasinglemention of any such nonsensical “unlimited insurance” Wo r s e y e t , i t i s dumbfounding that Mr. Jagdeo, who portrays himself to know it all, does not know the difference between “unlimited parent company guarantee (PCG)” and his dreamed-up “unlimitedinsurance”.

Unfortunately for Guyana, our de facto leader believes that the world revolves around him and underpins his revulsion for the truth, graciousness, and respect for the rule of law–graveshortcomingsofa leaderofanykind,muchless a leader of a democracy.As smartasheimagineshimself to be, he was not smart enoughtofigureoutthathis autocratic tendency has led him to completely

miscalculate the power and courage of our citizens and judiciary

'Mr know-it-all' can't help himself pushing aside all of the knowledgeable people to usurp their roles, including that of his boss, and parades around as the repository of wisdom on every subject; thereby, over andoveragain,exposinghis cluelessness in the critical areas of oil & gas, the environment, and the law Hisfoolishramblingsarean embarrassment,andmustbe spinning heads Attorney Jagdeo in pursuit of his Putinesque ambitions, signals the justices that they havetoproduce“predictable decisions”; are “treading in murky waters”; and have to “producejudgmentsthatare well reasoned”. How does one respond to such idiocy! Will leave that impossible task to AG Nandlall who should tell him to shut-up and let those who know, speak.

Thatnotwithstanding,he brings into question, his ability to comprehend the Judge's ruling written in plainvanillaEnglish,andthe permit which the Judge describes as “clear and unambiguous terms, words and phrases used in their ordinary,literalmeaningand context.” Nevertheless, for theneedsoftheVP,Iwilltry to simplify the ruling. The meat of the ruling is, as verbatim:

“The Court holds that the Permit Holder is by Condition14:02and14:05 mandated to provide environmental liability insurance”

“The Court further holds and finds that the Permit Holder is mandated to provide by Conditions 14:02, 14:03 and 14:10 a further financial assurance in the form of an unlimited parent or affiliate company guarantee to indemnify and keep indemnified the Agency and the Government of Guyana”

The above, orders enforcement of the existing law compelling: (1) liability insurance;and(2)unlimited PCG to cover all costs for which the insurance is not enough to cover. Note that the Order calls for “liability insurance” and says absolutely nothing about “unlimited insurance” and the bunk about an insurance premium cost to result in “economic disruption”. But that is not stopping the VP from irresponsibly spreading this mischievous untruth. The fact is that the PCGissimplyasignedpiece of paper that doesn't cost a dime, but is downright necessary, because EEPGL, the Permit Holder and operator, does not have any assets (called “assetless” by the Judge) to cover a large spill.Itissolelyasubsidiary

(child) set up as a Limited LiabilityCompany(LLC)of its parent Exxon. LLCs are mainly formed to protect their parent companies like Exxon from liabilities Resultingly, since child EEPGListhelonesigneron alldocuments,parentExxon has no legal connection, obligations or liabilities; thence,whyitisamust-have to hook in Exxon, as the parent guaranteeing coverage of all costs not coveredbyinsurance.

As the distinguished Judgestressed“ifthePCGis inplace,andthereisanevent resulting in the release of hydrocarbons,thenEEPGL, totheextentthatitisunable to do so, as it is largely an assetless subsidiary without financial resources, then EXXON, the Parent Company comes into play. EXXONcontinuestoderive abenefitfromtheoperations of its subsidiary and will cover the liabilities and obligations of EEPGL as stipulated”. For reference, the BP spill in the Gulf of Mexico, costed $145 billion USD;thus,aspillofthissize would instantly use up the paltry $600M insurance, leaving $144.4B to come from parent Exxon Terrifyingly however, without the PCG, Guyana would have to foot the bill for that ungodly amount with money that we don't have,andthatwouldput

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Insensitive for VP Jagdeo to single out GPA head

DearEditor,

Recently, readers have been supplied with many comments concerning the ratings of our country Guyana in the international concept of freedom of expressionasrepresentedby thenewspapers.

What particularly attracted me, because it was notstrangetousascitizens, was a statement by a highly placedstatesmanwithmuch executive power, the Vice PresidentMr Jagdeo.

This executive member is reported as saying that he blames the Guyana Press Association for reducing Guyana's place in the international ratings of where countries stand in freedomofexpression.

This may look like a chance remark from a politician,butitismorethan thattome.

When the appointments of acting members of the judiciaryandthewholeidea of their appointments as

permanent jurists were last aired this very functionary, the Vice President, Mr Jagdeo, made a comment excusing the delay on the part of the President in gettingdowntonegotiations abouttheappointmentofthe actingjudicialfunctionaries. Mr Jagdeo said something to this effect that the Presidentwasnotreadyyet; he had to look at the track record of the persons concerned.

In other words, he is tellingusthatwhenitcomes to appointing judges, the presidenthastolookathow theydecidedcasestolookat their track records. I don't knowwhatelsehemeansby trackrecord.

So, is this an admission that the president, in appointing the Chancellor and the Chief Justice, will Americanize the system, so to speak, and takes note of how judges have decided cases?Idonotwanttodraw further conclusions, but this

r e m a r k h a s g o n e uncorrected into the public sphere.

After much controversy decades ago, the Guyana constitutionwasamendedto require agreement between thePresidentandtheLeader of the Opposition on the judges to be appointed Chancellor and Chief Justice,respectively

But when the same Vice President speaks on press freedom and singles out an agency, The Guyana Press Association, as being responsible for Guyana's reduced ratings in freedom o f e x p r e s s i o n internationally, this is something that citizens shouldtakenoteof.

The Guyana Press Associationatpresenthasas its chief executive a woman whose name is Ms. Nazima

Raghubir

I came to know her by sheer chance because of the treatment I had received from one very important

newspaper enjoying government patronage and becauseIhadtoappealtothe Guyana Press Association forredress.

Now the Vice President isamanwithrealpower He knows well that pointing his finger at a functionaryofthiskindmay alert certain activists on his side of the political divide, and they may feel it their duty to bring this functionary into line, and thatcantakevariousforms.

Iwillleaveitatthat.But Iwanttoemphasisethatitis extremely insensitive, and I regarditasmenacingforthe Vice President, and some peoplebelieve,thePresident inChief,tonametheheadof a voluntary agency, the purpose of which is to bring some measure of f a i r n e s s a n d accountability for p r a c t i c i n g m e d i a operativesandinstitutions.

Yoursrespectfully EusiKwayana

Mr. Jagdeo must stop his vengeful distortion of Judge Kissoon's decision and his attempt to intimidate the judiciary

Note to EPA/PPP Government: When you in a hole, stop digging

DearEditor

Yesterday, the Ray Daggers/Glenn Lall march fromCrabwoodCreektocall forrenegotiationoftheworst oil contract in the world reached Charity amidst loud cheers and high fives from supporters.

Thedeterminedgroupof marchers led by a spirited RayDaggersmarchedforthe Guyanese people against Exxon,ourEPAengagedina “frolic” of its own to violate its own rules, and the PNC/PPPtwin who sold out the country in signing and propping up a bad oil contract.

Today, the headline screams, “Appeal Court judge declines request by EPAforstayofoilinsurance order-date set for arguments onpreliminarymatter,”(SN, May16,2023).

This is good news for Guyana.ItwasthePPP'sAG and VP, not Exxon, that raced to announce an appeal ofJudgeKissoon'sorderthat EPA enforce the rules and that Exxon provides unlimited parent guarantees forallliabilitiesinthecaseof oilspills.

TheVPcriticizingJudge Kissoon said the Judge was wading in “murky waters.” But veteran Attorney and columnist Ralph Ramkarran said the “murky water” comment is “uninformed.” (Village people would have usedtheword“ignorant”).

People all over Guyana are still talking about how c a n o u r o w n P P P Government appeal a decision in the People of Guyana's favour against the oil companies unwilling to give us a better deal. Most are shocked that the Government is sad that Exxon lost and sad that the PeopleofGuyanawon.

As expected, Appeal Court Judge Rishi Persaud did not grant the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) a stay of the HighCourtrulingorderingit toenforcetheliabilityclause in permits it issued to ExxonMobil Guyana for its

offshore oil operations

Similar to Judge Sandil Kissoon who issued a comprehensive, wellreasoned scathing decision against the EPA and Exxon, Appeal Court Judge Rishi Persaud seems on track to stand for the law and Guyana.

The PPP Government, the AG and EPA should be worried that any frivolous lawsuits filed will make them look silly and following in the steps of the PNCarguingthat34not33is the majority of 65 in our parliament.

O u r o w n P P P Government, sworn to have allegiance to the People of Guyana,istryingtooverturn Judge Sandil's decision in favourofExxon.Ithinkthat would be an exercise in futility

The PPP Government has much to lose in fighting forExxon,notGuyana.Even ordinary people say that is bad, traitorous, treasonous, andanti-nationalist.

TheGovernmenthasput itself in a deep hole in this matter, and as they say, “when you in a hole, stop digging,”unlessyouwantto dig a deeper hole for yourself.

In fact, Appeal Court JudgeRishiPersaudsaidthat the stay will only be addressed if there is a need, since he intends to complete thematterbeforehim,wayin advance of the June 10th deadline set by the High Court for the EPA's compliance. Justice Persaud made it clear that the preliminary matter to be dispensedwithbeforehim,is

a narrow one, simply concerningwhethertheEPA appeal has prospects of succeeding.

It is reported that Attorney Sanjeev Datadin (whom some consider as a goodcandidateforAG)who represents the EPA, had sought to frontally raise the issue of the stay He “begged” Justice Persaud to accede his request and grant thestay,pendingthehearing and determination of the preliminarymatter

Imagine one of our own MPs “begging” on behalf of an errant EPA and Exxon. But Trinidadian Senior CounselSeenathJairamwho represents Fred Collins and GodfreyWhyte on behalf of the People of Guyana, was, however, prompt in his objection to any stay being granted, arguing that the Agency first of all has no standingtoevenmakesucha request.

Attorney Jairam submitted that the EPA (Appellants) was in contemptoftheordersmade by the High Court His contention was that the Agency ought to bring itself into compliance with the rulingoftheHighCourt.

It was made known by Datadin at the hearing yesterday, that our PPP's Attorney General has filed a motion to join the substantive appeal when it comes up before the full bench of the Court of Appeal. So, the People of Guyana has won Round 2. EPA/Exxon must comply withourrules.

Sincerely,

Dr JerryJailall

DearEditor

OWOCwouldliketoset the records straight with respect to vilification and media propaganda by someone who is neither a journalist nor a critic. This gentleman who goes by the name “Critic,” an admitted PNC/APNU supporter now a n a p p a r e n t P P P propagandist and rabblerouserhasbeenunleashedto attack, demonise, villify and slander our member Mr Danny Ramnarain Mr Ramnarain,fromLeonora,is a descendant of the Guyana Sugar Hero and Martyr Kowsilla, whose name the PPP loves to associate with and celebrate annually. Following in the tradition of the Great Kowsilla, Mr Ramnarain has been an advocateforfairness,justice and a better life, especially for the working poor of Guyana.

Apparently,thePPPsees anyone who stands for justice and fair play as a threattothem.Itappearsasif they have unleashed Mr Critic using vulgar language and vile antics on his programme to spread false rumoursthatMr Ramnarain has committed murder and rape, and that he has conned peopleinbusiness.Allofthis

isveryfalseandslanderous.

The truth is that Mr Ramnarain has been a successful businessman. In response to the PPP Government's call for diasporans to return and invest in Guyana, Mr Ramnarain attempted to establish a shore base business,butgivenGuyana's climate of “friends and family” getting concessions, that shore base business has not accomplished the anticipated successes. Mr Ramnarain, like others, is committed to Guyana and would like to see the worst oil contract in the world renegotiated so that Guyana can have more money to eradicate poverty among the weakestandmostvulnerable among us. Mr Critic claims

Mr GlennLallhasformeda political party and that Mr Ramnarain is the Prime MinisterCandidate.

This is so patently false a

Ramnarain is a Guyanese nationalist who associates with that company of Guyanesewhoholdtheview that both the PNC and PPP Government have failed the nationandsoldouttotheoil oligarchswhogiveusonlya 2% royalty for our oil. Mr Ramnarainisalsoamongthe

growing number of people whose eyes have been opened that Mr Glenn Lall andtheKaieteurNewsRadio programmes have been telling the truth about how Guyanaisbeingexploitedby the oil barons in collusion with our government functionaries Mr Ramnarainalsobelievesthat the Government's recent appeal of a case against Exxon that gives Guyana an enormous victory and leverageforrenegotiation,is agreatbetrayalofournation. Mr Ramnarain will continue to support causes that ensure that the bulk of Guyana's wealth goes to the working poor of Guyana. If the Government is nervous about Mr Daggers march a n d m e s s a g e f o r renegotiation, supported by Mr GlennLall,isgaining

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Mr. Danny Ramnarain is a Guyanese nationalist and honourable advocate for Guyana

The GPA must remain free from undue political or commercial pressure

DearEditor

The recent spotlight given to the Guyana Press Association and its just concluded elections is now part of public debate and with each passing day more revelationsandquestionsare beingputbymembersofthe media and in some quarters ofthesociety.

Whatthosequestionsare andtheconclusionsdrawn,I willnottakeupspacetosay.

But I am confident that weallcanagreethatGuyana Press Association and its counterparts in the region and around the world have played an integral role in

shaping democracy and ensuring that there is transparency of government actionsinmanysocieties.

As the fourth estate, the presshastheresponsibilityto serve as a watchdog over thoseinpowerandholdthem accountable to the public, as they should also for themselves and the organization they represent. Theroleofpressassociations in promoting the free exchangeofinformationand ideas has helped to build robust democracies around theworld.

It is important for us to understand that press

associations are important institutionsthatcontributeto the development of society by offering information that uncoversthetruth,promotes public participation, and contributes to the dissemination of democratic values. These organisations serve as the voice of journalists, carrying the voice of the voiceless, ensuring that they are represented accurately and collaboratively in their mission to serve the public interest. Press associations areexpectedtoprovidethe

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Mr. Jagdeo must stop his vengeful distortion...

Frompage4 every cent of our oil take at risk; not to mention the devastationoftheeconomies of the rest of the Caribbean when their beaches and sea arefloodedwithoil.

True to form, in his attempt to mask that reality so as to deceive the people, the VP absurdly claims that EEPGL has $16Bin assets thatcouldbeseized.Isitjust coincidental that the VP's fictitious number only came up immediately after the Judge's decision? Besides this being just a fanciful number,itisobviousthatthe VP does not know that the contract sanctifies that EEPGL's assets belong to Guyana and will be turned over to us, “free of charge”, since paid for, in cost oil. Thismeansthattotalkabout seizing of our own assets is senseless.

For the VP and his abettors who gripe that they have never heard of a PCG, please be educated that in countries such as the USA, all of Exxon's operations are in the name of Exxon, and not under any kind of child company such as EEPGL to protect Exxon from its liabilities;therefore,sinceno parent,thereisnoneedfora parent guarantee.They must also be wised-up that Shell Oil is currently fighting an oilspilllawsuitbyNigerians; andasyoumayguess,Shell's defence is that it is not responsible for its subsidiary/child company under which the spill occurred.

As if attacking Judge Kissoon wasn't enough, the VP went full bore after the entire judiciary, for no other reason,buttointimidateand createachillingeffectonthe judiciary's future decisions as the appeal moves through the Courts This smells

autocracy and an immoral betrayal of our people, that our leader would team up with a foreign company against his own people and own laws He selfimportantlyquipsaboutnow beinginthebigleagues;but, as one who operated extensively in the big leagues, would wish to enlightentheVPthatbeingin the big leagues means that the Government enjoys supremacy over all contractors, unlike in Guyana, where the reverse o c c u r s w i t h t h e Government's reverence and is “submissiveness” to Exxon as described by the Judge.

Deceitfully, Exxon whines that their huge resource for covering a spill was not considered by the Judge and that they will never walk away from an incident.However,theJudge clearlyreadthroughthefake and reasoned that if that is true,itshouldbeveryeasyto put it in writing in a PCG, especially since it does not cost a single dime. In other words, 'put yuh money weh yuh mouth deh.'Inanyevent, is this a company anyone shouldtrusttokeepitsword, given its international disreputable record of l a w s u i t s r e l a t e d e n v i r o n m e n t a l transgressions; plus, the shake-up of its own Board, due to concerns about environmental stewardship. Furthermore, right in our back yard, the Peru government was forced to seize the passports of Executives of Repsol, following a relatively small spill, and had to sue Repsol, while now putting laws in place for future protection. Asold

seh,“why

you

Neil Marks tells mischievous lies to discredit GPA and undermine recent elections

DearEditor,

Former President of the Guyana Press Association (GPA), Mr Neil Marks, in a LettertotheEditorpublished in the Stabroek News on Tuesday, May 16, 2023

under the caption –Credibility of the GPA has been severely harmed –soughttodiscreditthisnoble body and undermine the credibility of the just concluded elections by peddling blatant lies intended to misinform the populace about the electoral processandtheeligibilityof members.

oftheGPA.

With the Executive comprising only four persons in the lead up to the May 14, 2023 Elections, it wasimpracticalforthesmall groupofExecutivestoverify the status of the 223 members and process their dues on the same day of the Elections, while at the same time processing applications fornewmembers.

Henceadeadlinewasset for new and existing memberstoregisterandhave theirduespaid.

same No votes were solicited.

In keeping with that commitment, I first visited NCN where I received dues from three members, all of whom were members of the Press Association, each practising journalism for morethanadecade.

canseeindaylight”.

TeamJagdeo&Exxonis greedily and unfeelingly aggravating the risk consequences of an oil spill:

(1)EEPGLisproducingway above the “safe operating limits”;(2)theGovernment's cancelled the World Banks Plan for a 36-member EPA Oil & Gas Unit of highly skilledprofessionalsfor24/7 on-site FPSO presence to prevent a spill; (3) the oil spillresponseplanisgrossly inadequateasverifiedbythe Auditor General; and of course(4)noPCGtocleanup aspill.

Regardless of how much money comes from oil, Guyana will never attain its rightful place as the richest country, unless the rule of law is upheld without favor; so,itisdishearteningthatthe Government is tearing down all of the key guardrails required for such realizations Undoubtedly, Exxonwouldnotevendream about doing in its home country, USA, what it gets away with, in Guyana; and Exxonknowsit.

They cannot be allowed tobecomebig,fatandhappy, making hundreds of billions of dollars from our patrimony,butdefiesourrule of law mandating producing within the prescribed safe limits, and a PCG to ensure cleanupofpotentialdamages from operations generating Exxon's record-breaking profits. All we ask is for Exxon to show us respect, give us our fair share, and abidebythesameruleoflaw theyhavetoabideby,intheir home country; and for our government to carry out its solemn responsibility to protectitspeople,ratherthan side with Exxon against its ownpeople.

BestRegards, Dr.VincentAdams

So, please permit me an opportunity to set the record straight,sinceIservedasthe Secretary of the Press Association, and was integrally involved in the preparation of the elections th held on Sunday, 14 May, 2023.

In his letter, Mr Marks alludedtothe2015and2018 Elections, contending that because the presidential nomineesforthoseelections were not challenged, there wasnoneedforachallenger to demand to see the list of members eligible to vote. But the records would show thatpriortoMay2023,such a demand was never made, norwasalistproducedahead oftheassociation'selections.

AccordingtoMr.Marks, in the past, persons were allowed to sign up for membership and pay their duesonthedayofelections–and vote. But, could that have been a realistic option this time around with an ever-expanding media fraternity? The answer is simplyno.

In GPA's database, there are a total of 223 persons listed,andthoughtherecords show that more than half of themareactivelyengagedin journalism as set out by the Constitution of the Press Association, a significant percentage has transitioned to other professions within the field of Communication and are, therefore, no longer full members, but rather associatemembers.Itshould be noted that only full membersareeligibletovote accordingtotheConstitution

On April 27, 2023, Mr Marks made representation for persons practising journalism for three or more years to be allowed to register, and to have their applicationsprocessed.

Taking Mr Marks' concerns into consideration, theExecutiveagreedtoopen the process to new members as well However, as p r e s c r i b e d i n t h e Constitution, those applicationswouldfirsthave tobevettedbytheExecutive before approval could be granted,astheprocessisnot automatic. In the past, the association received applications from social media commentators and even drivers. In some cases, applicants failed to provide any details to aid in the processing of the applications.

Mr Marks continued his assault on the Association with his untruths by contendingthattheSecretary of the Press Association at the time, “simply walked into media houses, they presumed they had support and signed up new members.”

Mr Editor,itisclearthat Mr Marksisastrangertothe truth On World Press Freedom Day, May 3, 2023, journalistsfromNCN,News Room and Kaieteur News indicated that they were prepared to have their dues updated. However, because theSecretarydidnothavethe Association'sreceiptbookin her possession at the time, she indicated that on the morningofMay4,2023,she would visit their respective media houses, and uplift

Given that the deadline for the payment of dues was quickly approaching, as Secretary, I made contact withtheChiefReporteratthe Guyana Chronicle, and indicated that I would be visiting the media house to uplift dues. Upon doing so, six persons had their dues updated, one of whom has been a practising journalist and editor for well over two decades and had served on the Press Association in years gone by Another five have been in the profession for well over eight years. Importantly though, GPA's financial records show that all of them prior to May, 2023,hadupdatedtheirdues in2017,2018and2019,and therefore could not be deemednewmembers.

AttheNewsRoom,dues werepaidforthreemembers, two of whom had served on the Executive of the Press Association The other person has been a long-time member of the association andhasparticipatedinmany of our training programmes and awards. In fact, Mr Markswaspresentwhenthe dues were uplifted, and he wouldagreeduesfornonew memberwerereceived.

At the Kaieteur News, the company paid for 17 existing members of the Association, all of whom have been in the field of journalism for well over three years, some stretching decades, and the records would show that no new member was registered duringthatvisit.

The Guyana Times was subsequently visited, and there, dues for four editors were uplifted – all of whom are existing members of the Association.

Itisimportanttonotethat of the 110 members who werelistedtovoteonMay (Continuedonpage22)

Mr. Danny Ramnarain is a Guyanese nationalist and...

F r o m p a g e 5 traction,unleashingashady character to spew vile messages against Mr Ramnarain is sure to backfire. Mr Ramnarain is not the one doing 'su-su transactions', nor is he the one taking bribes and

kickbacks in current pay-toplay schemes. We have all confidence in our colleague Mr Ramnarain, and stand by him all the way Karma and the long arm of the law usually brings justice to those vilified Don't be fooled Guyana! Watch out

for those who would demonize good, honest people for political motives.

It's our country and our wealth and we must be vigilant.

(OWOC)

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Crying Wolf

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) on Sunday elected a new executive body to run its affairs for the next two years. Ms. Nazima Raghubir as was widely expected defeated Neil Marks by a landslide. The exact margin was 70-25 votes.

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But Marks, in typical Trump-like fashion is out there crying wolf - saying the election was rigged.

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We are not surprised, after all, having been so roundly rejected by his colleagues, he has to find something to latch on to, even if it is straw.

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We wish the new GPA executive well and trust that they will move with alacrity to reform the constitution to bring greater regulations to the media landscape here, even as they seek to maintain some semblance of independence of the Fourth Estate in Guyana.

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ExxontobagfivetimesGuyana’s revenueon5thproject- Professor Hunte

For each dollar Guyana is poised to receivefromthefifthoilproject,approvedby the government on April 27, 2023 ExxonMobil will enjoy five times the amount.

ThisisaccordingtoFormerAmbassador and Professor, Dr KenrickHunte. In a letter published in Tuesday’s edition of this newspaper, Dr Hunte used the estimated number of barrels of oil in the fifth oil field, Uaru, along with other variables to draw his conclusion.

Referencing two previous articles published by Kaieteur News, the Professor said he was specifically disappointed that Guyanese are being taken advantage of “in broad daylight” as the country is being left with“crumbs”whileExxontakesthe“cake”.

He said, “I was again disappointed that thepeopleofGuyana,inbroaddaylight,were being taken advantage of, given the small share of the total revenue (14.5%) that Guyana will receive from a non-renewable resource that will be exhausted in or before 2034.”

Theformerdiplomat,whoholdsaPhDin Economics / Rural Finance Markets, a Masters in Economics from the Ohio State University and M Sc and B Sc in

Agricultural Economics from the Utah State University, compiled his findings in a table, attachedtohiscomments.

He pointed out that approximately 812 millionbarrels of oil will be produced at the Uaru development at an average of US$70 per barrel. This relates to a total revenue of US$56,840,000,000. Notably, he outlined that Guyana’s share is only 14.5 percent of this amount, which accounts for US$8,241,800,000 Meanwhile, Esso ExplorationandProductionGuyanaLimited

(EEPGL),theoperatoroftheStabroekBlock andExxon’ssubsidiary,isestimatedtobaga share of US$48,598,200,000. In asserting Guyana’s “disappointing” share from its resource, Dr. Hunte highlighted, “For every US$1.00 that Guyana receives for its oil, EEPGLreceivesUS$5.90.”

The Professor described the situation as “inequity and unfairness” since out of Guyana’s share of US$8.24 billion it must pay the taxes of Exxon, pay insurance costs andfortheconductofoilaudits.Thenationis alsoexpectedto“allocatemoneyforclean-up costatdecommissioning;disbursemoneyto fishermenforthelossinincome;andsetaside moneyforfuturegenerations,”heargued.

Dr Hunte said Exxon’s comment that “the company’s approach has resulted in tremendous financial success…” and Hess that“successfulexecutionofourstrategy(at EEPGL) has uniquely positioned our company to deliver significant value to shareholders for years to come…” has allowed Guyana to see the inequity in

distribution of the resources being extracted from the Stabroek Block. He said, “Thank you Kathy Mikells, and John Hess for opening the door for us to see the cake EEPGL will receive as against our crumbs; for out of every 100 barrels of oil extracted from our patrimony, EEPGL captures 85.5 barrels,whilepoorGuyana,theownerofthe resource,receives14.5barrels.”

In light of Guyana’s meager share of its oil resource, Guyanese have been calling on the government to renegotiate the 2016 ProductionSharingAgreement(PSA)signed with Exxon and its partners to rake in additionalrevenueforthecountry.

The incumbent People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Administration is reluctant to bargain for more, even as it continues to approve more projects in the 26,800 square kilometersoilblock.Instead,thegovernment is going after more revenue in smaller oil blocks off the country’s coasts. Presently, a newPSAisbeingfinalized.Thiswillgovern 14 oil blocks that are on auction at the momentaswellaseightotheragreements. Meanwhile, the Opposition has said that whileitdoesnotbelieveinrenegotiatingthe deal, it plans to pursue greater revenue through the introduction of a sliding scale royaltyandothermeasures.

CANUflags‘Iamdrugs’party

...warns citizens against illicit sale, use of narcotics

TheCustomsAntiNarcoticUnit(CANU)onTuesday issuedasternwarningtocitizensagainsttheillicitsaleand useofnarcoticsaheadofaneventdubbed“IAmDrugs”

Inastatement,theagencynotedthatitisawareofthe circulationofanadvertisementforalocaleventonsocial media platforms The event is being hosted by Alonzo Greaves,formerNationalCyclistofGuyanaandistobe heldonFriday

CANU reminded citizens that, “the use, sale, and distribution of illicit drugs is illegal, and persons discoveredwithillicitsubstanceswhetherforpersonaluse or for the purpose of trafficking would be prosecuted in accordancewiththelawsofGuyana-NarcoticDrugsand PsychotropicSubstancesactChapter10:10”

AppealCourttellsEPA,ExxonJustice...

Frompage3 meaningtoitwhichwasexpresslycontraryto thespecificprovisionsofthesaidActandits Regulations.

Further, the EPA submitted that the trial court erred in law in directing and determiningtheexactmanneroftheexercise of the discretion of the EPA in a manner contrarytoestablishedlawandpractice.

In effect the EPAsaid that the trial court substituteditsowndiscretionasthedecision of the EPA when the Agency at all material times, had exercised its discretion and acted well within it statutory and regulatory powers.As a result, the EPAseeks a stay of execution of the judgment of the Court as it contends that irreparable harm would be

sufferedbythenation’seconomy Director of the EPA, Kemraj Parsram in anaffidavitinteralialamentedthatGuyanaas a nation now earns billions of dollars annually from the petroleum activities conducted on the Liza 1 and Liza 2 fields; both are subject to the permit suspension or cancellation which will have a catastrophic effectonnationalfundsfordevelopmentand also the private sector which supports the activitiesonthesaidLiza1and2fields.

JusticeSandilKissoonorderedtheEPAto issue an Enforcement Notice to EEPGLand itsparentcompany,ExxonMobiltoensureit provides unlimited parent company guarantee to safeguard Guyana against the devastatingeffectsofanoilspillbyJune10.

Table used by Dr. Hunte showing the variables used in his calculation

Former Ambassador and Professor, Dr. Kenrick Hunte

Guyana faces a moral crisis

The moral crisis facing the nation d e e p e n s I t appears that we speak out about what is right and what is wrong only when it is convenientforustodosoand we are increasingly refusing to be consistent when it comestopoliticalmorality

The election debacle of 2020 highlighted the moral rift within our society Too many persons, including some prominent persons within the media, were preparedtoturnablindeyeto the blatant attempt to rig the 2020elections.

Too many experienced media personnel did what their predecessors did between1968and199.They ignoredelectoralfraud.Some evenwentasfarasseekingto propagate narratives used to justifytheelectoralrigging.

Two recent incidents indicate that nothing has changed. The first was last Sunday's election of the Guyana Press Association (GPA).

The second was the comments on the social media blog of one of Guyana's leading media personalities, concerning the end of the tour of the outgoing United States AmbassadortoGuyana.

The election of the executive of the Guyana

Press Association was marred by controversy One of the major areas of contention was the failure of the GPA to make public the list of persons who were eligibletovote.

The GPAsaid that it was not going to do so in order becausesomeofitsmembers wanted their membership to be kept confidential. That was a cock-and-bull explanation because their names and participation in the poll would have been made public in any event on thedayoftheelection.

ThisisthesameGPAthat forms part of the press in Guyanathathasanobligation to exercise oversight over government.

Yet, the GPAdid not see how the failure to make public the names of the eligible voters would render theelectionasnotbeingfree.

Each prospective candidate has a right to be abletolobbypersonstovote forhimorher Ifonlycertain persons have access or knowledge of those who are eligible to vote, then these persons have an unfair advantage, one that is sufficienttocallintoquestion thefreenessofthepoll.

Also, the failure to publish or make public the names of the eligible voters means that the list could not

be scrutinised to determine whetheritwasclean. Itdoes notmatterthattheincumbent won the elections convincingly What is disconcerting is that membersoftheFourthEstate who are supposed to be watchdogs of public and political morality could remain so relatively silent in what was clearly and unfair decision.

When the press in Guyana faces an internal moral crisis, the entire society is threatened Guyanesepaidahighpricein thepastbecauseofthefailure of media professionalism, and that price extended to issuesofbreadandbutter

Ifmoremediaoperatives d i d n o t e s c h e w professionalism, if more had stood up and condemned riggedelections,muchofthe punishment which citizens endured could have been avoided.

Amoral crisis within the mediaisthereforenotsimply aprivatematter;ithaspublic consequences.

And the same problem occurredfrom1992onwards when many persons within themediarefusedtostandup andtocondemntheexcesses of the PPP/C government, including its heavy grip on the state media and its attempt to stifle the private

Exxon spent over $80B in Guyana last year

ExxonMobilGuyanaand its reporting contractors have spent more than $80 billion (US$400 million) with more than 1,500 Guyanese businesses in 2022 alone. This was noted yesterdaybyExxon.

In a statement to the press, it said this sum forms part of the more than $180 billion (US$900 million) spent with locals since the first discovery in 2015. By the end of 2022, Kaieteur News understands that the company and contractors had employed over 5,000 Guyanese workers, representing more than 65 percent of the overall workforceinthelocaloiland gas industry Notably, the numbers of Guyanese working offshore continued to grow Among the 2,700 personnel committed to supporting ExxonMobil Guyana's operations, over 1,300 were Guyanese, constituting approximately 48 percent of the offshore workforce.

Exxon said these numbers will continue to

increase as more projects come on stream, providing opportunities for businesses and individuals alike. “We believethatthetruemeasure ofoursuccessliesnotonlyin thebarrelsproducedbutalso in the positive impact we createforourpeopleandthe communities in which we operate.Byprioritisinglocal talent, partnerships, and investments, we aim to cultivate a thriving and sustainableenvironmentthat benefits everyone,” said President of ExxonMobil GuyanaAlistairRoutledge.

operator

media.

Let it be recalled that for the first 10 years of its existence,thisnewspaperdid not receive a single advertisementfromtheState. Letitalsoberecalledthatone media personality was banned from attending presidential press conferences under the PPP/C.

Letitberecalledthatone journalist was sent packing for asking an uncomfortable question to a government Minister Let it be recalled the damage and destruction that occurred because of the unprofessional actions of certain talk shows hosts following the 1997 general and regional elections. The crisis facing the Guyana PressAssociationisnotonly constitutional.

Itisamoralcrisis,onein which the association's election is mired in controversy over a simple failure to make public its electoral list, the publication

of which may not have altered the result of last Sunday'selectionsbutwhich wouldhavelentcredibilityto theelections.

The second incident concerns comments which were made by many persons on a social media blog concerningtheendofthetour of the United States Ambassador

There were very unkind comments made about the United States Ambassador And it is not difficult to hazardaguessastocauseof the grouses against the outgoingAmbassador

The main reason is that persons are annoyed that the United States took a principled stand in condemning the attempt to rig the elections of March 2, 2020inGuyana.

Butthestandtakenbythe US Ambassador and her country was not only principled, it was the right thing to do - after all is riggingnotwrong?

Dem Boys Seh...

And so, the US Ambassador was subject to all manner of unkind comments. This shows the moral crisis facing our nation.

Whenitcomestowhatis right and what is wrong, it amounts to double standards to demand morality only in privaterelationsandexclude it from the public and politicalspheres.

And for the media – the public watchdog – to find itself complicit in double standards represents a crisis ofunimaginableproportions.

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

Do suh nah like suh!

Wellheardisnow! Peopledoesgattobe good example to dem children. Because as de saying goes; children live what they see. So dat is why yuh does gat to set a good examplebecauseifyuhdon'tsetanexample, yuh children gan want to follow yuh bad example.Butwegatplentypeoplewahdoes talk one thing and do another thing. Dem doesclaimtoberighteousbutdemdoingde wrong things Dem setting de wrong example.

Awoman announced to de whole world datshenahganhaveanyrelationswiththief man, liars or cheats. She seh how she nah wantdemtypeofmanfuhcomearoundshe. She mek she story plain. She don't

associate with men wah does steal. If yuh breakingdelaw,nahcomenearshe.Shealso say how she nah want nothing to do with liars. She seh dat you can't trust someone who does lie to you and how if a man lie to youonce,demganlietoyouagain.Assuch, shenahdealingwithnoliars.

And when it comes to cheating, dat is kinna in she books. Once a cheat always a cheat–datiswhatshesays.Andsheclaims she nah trust no cheat. But she trust a party wah does lie to she, wah does cheat at electionsandwahtryfuhstealandelection. YuhseewhyGuyananahgatgoodfuhget.Is toomuchdoublestandards! Talkhalf,leffhalf.

of Natural Resources for its 2023 Local Content Annual Plan and its Certificate of Compliance for 2022. The 2023Plandescribeshowthe company intends to execute projects and implement systems to promote the developmentoflocalcontent this year ExxonMobil Guyana said its evolving strategicplanforoperational growth includes balancing meeting the needs of the business while developing Guyanese content in a phased approach It is assessed annually to ensure objectives are met in a sustainable and systematic manner

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat presented ExxonMobil Guyana PresidentAlistair Routledge with a Letter ofApproval for the company's 2023Annual Local Content Plan.

GHK LALL

The Great Guyana Oil Game

From the beginning, Guyanese have always been left with the dirty end of the stick to hold. Or, they get beaten all over by a thick, knotty stick, with foreigners using their own people to whipthemintoshape.Ilook at how things stand today: Guyanese got the fraud of democracy, while foreigners reap the fullness of incredibleprosperity

Like someone who sets their eyes on the son or daughter of an extremely rich family, this is what the diplomatsucceededindoing here, through wily courtship of corrupt Guyanese politicians. Chasing after

themtogivethemtheloveof the American people, sending venal Guyanese politicalfiguresintoswoons of ecstasy As Guyanese learn to their sorrow, what they received was neither democracy nor prosperity for themselves, but prosperity that went to foreign wooer, people, and country How weak and woeful,Guyanesehavebeen before? I ask how limited and helpless do Guyanese wanttocontinuetobe? They didn't have to be American, British, or French, for then they would havebeenItalianorSpanish. It was what unfolded in the

rich tapestry of the Khyber Pass,andthatoldgreatgame thatisnowmorerefined,but even more sweetly greater than before. The fuel of great global economies that control energy of the seas, thentheground,andlastthe air, all the way to the moon. Guyaneselookonindismay at how their aspirations and dreams are pounded into pittance. Our leaders, so aggressive and abusive to locals, cannot form the words, cannot find their tongue, cannot feel the fury at the despicable games being played with our oil wealth. What a bunch of cowards!

M e a n w h i l e , t h e Guyanese people, in their ownlandsowedbythesweat of their ancestors, are toyed with, and made a source of scorn, by the new exploiters prowling around in their helicopters, not horses; in their leather seated, air conditioned, 4-wheel drive machines, not high-stepping steeds. Thesearetheforeign exploiters now embraced as best friends (if not illegitimate brothers) by our own brothers in political leadership circles.These are the foreign friends of whom they are proud, couldn't cherish more, and prostrate themselves more to their everywish. Itcouldbetaxes orroyaltiesorinsurance,and it is the same reprehensible story If they do not want anyofthose,orrefusetopay for it, then Guyanese must not get it. Look at how our leaders grovel to get anything done for them, no matterhowmuchitcoststhe Guyanese people, could exposethem.

If part of the bargain madeistoconvertthepeople into enemies, so that foreignerscangettheirway, then who cares! Those that Exxon and Hess hold as enemies, the people in the GovernmentofGuyanahave made it their duty to also hold as their own enemies, too.Examinewhatwasdone to Dr. Vincent Adams, former head of Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Then,

examinewhathas been done to the same EPA since he left, and how costly that has been, and could be to Guyanese, shouldmattersunfolda certain way It is how local political betrayers join forces with foreign exploiters:keepthemhappy, keep their gravy train running.

Perhaps, there are Guyanese who still want to erect some monument for a foreigner for her elections handiworks,evenwhenthey findoutthatsuchwerenever about us, but of what could be had from us for 2% and expenses that have to be hidden from us. This is the potofopiumthatpoisonsthe Guyanese people that the men leading the way today darenotgonear,eveniftheir livesdependonit. ThePNC Government put the oil contract around Guyana's neck; today, the PPP Government helps the Americans to tighten the noose to their supreme advantage. This is where the Superpower Great Game withouroilleavesus. Inthe dust.

Like men of old in turbans and loincloths, and armed with spears and arrows to fight those who had ships with cannon to whip into line. Or lots of cheap whiskey (and opium by boatloads) to condemn natives to a state of helpless

stupor,whenthenameofthe game was gold, then diamonds,lastoil.

Like Africans, Asians, Latin Americans (and some Native Americans), Guyanese are fascinated with these bells, beads, and whistles; are stuck with playing with them. While rich natural resources are depleted, while the nation's human resources wither away from lack of pride, absence of guts, and empty ofcommonsense. Partofthe Great game played by Great Nationsisalwaystoidentify weak, greedy leaders, then do business with them. The local leaders know h to put the people at each other's throat, while collecting their 30 pieces of silver for their betrayals. Intime,allthatis left for the poor to do is to destroyoneanother

Howdifferentaremost Guyanese political players today to their bowing, scraping, grinning, and simpering Black and Brown ancestors! Howdifferentthe majority of Guyanese are fromtheirwarriorforbears!

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this newspaperanditsaffiliates.

Teachers will be trained to incorporate road safety into curriculum

Several teachers across Guyana will benefitfroma‘trainthetrainers’programme through the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), allowing them to incorporate road safety into their teaching sessions.

The initiative is geared towards increasing awareness of the importance of road safety at the nursery, primary and secondary levels, the Department of Public Informationhasreported. Thiswasdisclosed byGNRSC’sCoordinator,RamonaDoorgen, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Monday Doorgen explained that the undertaking is part of a three-component training programme that targets teachers, police officersandcouncillorsfromthevariousroad safetycouncilsineveryregion.

Modules have already been developed with assistance from teachers and other relevantstakeholders.“Whetherit’saprivate school,wewouldliketoseeeveryteacherin the country trained. It’s going to bring awareness to the kids, they will have to actuallygoanddoresearch[onroadsafety],” the coordinator pointed out. Already, 61

teachers of Linden, Region 10 have completed the programme. Similar sessions willbeheldinRegionSixfromMay19.

“Wehavetotraintheteacherstointegrate road safety into the curriculum, but then we have to train the police officers and the road safety council, how to monitor and evaluate theprogramme,”Doorgenfurtherexplained. Thisisamongseveralcollaborationsaimedat reducingandeventuallyendingroadcarnage.

Coordinator of the Guyana National Road Safety Council, Ramona Doorgen

Jordan freed of misconduct charges related to sale of State property to BK

Former Finance Minister, WinstonJordanwasonTuesdayfreed ofthechargealleginghemisconduct himself in public office by selling state property way below market value to BK Marines Limited at a price that was grossly undervalued

The former minister made his first court appearance in December 2021 when he appeared before Chief MagistrateAnn McLennan and was placedon$3Mbail

Thepapercommittaltrialinthe matter was slated to commence on Tuesday before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts However, the magistrate upheld a no-case submission made on behalf of Jordan by his lawyers Roysdale Forde,SCandDawnCush

Jordan’slawyerscontendedthat theprosecutionfailedtoproveakey element of the charge, to show that

their client is a public officer Their argument is that Jordan does not meet the criteria of a public officer, as he was appointed to serve as a ministeroftheformergovernment.

After reviewing the defence submission,SeniorMagistrateDaly upheld the no-case submission highlighting that the prosecution failedtoprovidesufficientevidence thatJordanwasclassifiedasapublic officer The magistrate then dischargedthecaseagainsthim.

Jordanwasnotrequiredtoplead to the indictable charge He was slappedwithachargewhichalleges that while being and performing duties of Minister of Finance and beingtheconcernedMinisterforthe NationalIndustrialandCommercial Investments Limited (NICIL), a company owned by the Government of Guyana, between February 26, 2020 and July 31,

2020 at Main Street, Georgetown, hewilfullymisconductedhimself.

It was alleged that the former minister acted recklessly when he signedNICILOrder,No 50of2020, transferring to and vesting in BK Marines Inc, Mud lots situated at North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, being over 2553 acres, by paying $20,260,276, for a property valued over $5B and being sold at a price thatwasgrosslyundervaluedtosuch adegreeastoamounttoanabuseof the public trust and without reasonableexcuseorjustification

Thechargewasbroughtagainst himbytheSpecialOrganisedCrime Unit(SOCU),anarmoftheGuyana PoliceForce(GPF)

Kaieteur News hadreportedthat Jordan was first arrested on December2,2021andlaterreleased on bail for a series of allegations relating to transactions of public

fundsandstateproperties,estimated tovaluebillionsofGuyanadollars

Accordingtothepolice,thefirst transaction that he was interviewed aboutisinrelationtotheallegedsale and vesting of the State’s largest wharffacilitieslocatedatKingston, Georgetown, valued approximately US$40,000,000 but was reportedly soldforUS$500,000.

Itwasallegedthatthepurchaser BK Marines Inc , only paid US$100,000,whichis10percentof the purchase price, and Jordan issuedaVestingOrderpassingTitle to the purchaser, without the payment of any further sum of monies Itwasfurtherstatedthatthe Vesting Order stated that the property is being sold free from encumbrance and liabilities and no furthersumofmoneyisowedbythe purchaser Also, subsequently the transport was reportedly issued for

thepropertyandthevaluestatedon the transport was US$2,000,000 It was noted however, that the agreementofsalestatedthatthetitle must only be passed upon full paymentofpurchaseprice

The police also reported that investigators have evidence to establish that a facility which is a merefractionofthesizeofthestate propertythatisunderinvestigation, andlocatedsevenmilesupriver,was sold by a private company for US$17million

Former Finance Minister, Winston Jordan

ILOtoholdtwo-dayconferenceinGuyananextweek

The International Labour Organization’s (ILO), Decent Work Team and Office for the Caribbean,incollaborationwiththeMinistry of Labour in Guyana, will host the Twelfth Subregional ILO Meeting of Caribbean Labour Ministers from 23-25 May 2023 in Georgetown,Guyana.

The meeting will include the participation of Ministers of Labour and senior officials from thirteen ILO member States and nine non-metropolitan territories in the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean, the ILO said in a press release. Representatives from regional workers’ organisations and employers’ organisations willalsobeinattendance.

The three-day meeting will provide a forum for participating Caribbean world of work leaders to: exchange perspectives on

the global, regional, and national actions requiredtoacceleratethemainstreamingof social justice for transformative socioeconomicdevelopmentinthecurrentmulticrisiscontext;addresslabourmigrationasa potential enabler of decent work and acceleration factor in Caribbean development, including the importance of systemic, rights-based, inclusive approaches, to addressing governance challenges in a hyper-mobile region; and examine Caribbean progress on Just Transition policy and institutional mechanisms and determine priorities for action and ILO technical assistance for the 2024-25biennium

The Opening Ceremony of the Twelfth Subregional ILO Meeting of Caribbean Labour Ministers will take place on Tuesday23Maybetween9 00-10 30AMat

theGrandBallroomoftheGuyanaMarriott Hotel, Georgetown Guyana Mr Gilbert F Houngbo, Director-General of the International Labour Organization, will attend the opening ceremony virtually to deliver feature remarks Other speakers include: His Excellency Dr Mohamed

Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; Joseph Hamilton, Minister of Labour, Guyana; Ms Claudia Coenjaerts, Director, ILO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and Mr Dennis Zulu, Director, ILO Decent WorkTeamandOfficefortheCaribbean

Guyanese woman writes US bank to block loan for Wales gas project

...givessevenreasonsincludinglackoffeasibilitystudy,alternativepowerstudy

Attorney-at-law and civil society activist, Elizabeth DeaneHughes has flagged seven discrepancies in the Wales Gas-toEnergy (GTE) project and has written the US Exim Bank requestingthataloanbeingsought by the Government of Guyana (GoG) to fund the initiative be blocked.

Herpointswereraisedwiththe President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, United States Export Import (US-EXIM) Bank,

Reta Jo Lewis, in a letter, dated April 22, 2023. According to the missive seen by this newspaper, that was also brought to the attentionofUSAmbassador,Sarah Ann-Lynch, Deane-Hughes objected to the loan application by theGoG,specificallytofinancethe 300-megawatt power plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility

These are two components of theproject,thethirdaspectbeinga pipelinetotransportthenaturalgas

toshorefromtheLizaOneandTwo Fields in the Stabroek Block. The pipeline is being funded by American oil major, ExxonMobil and would be repaid by Guyana throughthesaleofthegas.

On April 16, this newspaper reported that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced the official loan application to the Bank. He said, “The Minister of Finance [Dr Ashni Singh] has had several engagements with EXIM Bank, and we from what he said,

it’s making progress toward the conclusionoftheloan.So,progress is being made in that regard.” Budget documents indicate the government is seeking GY$134 billion (US$646 million) for the project, raising further concerns aboutthecountry’sdebtrecord. The activist in her objection to theloanapplicationpointedoutthat to date no financial and/or any feasibility study for this project, which involves approximately 25km of on-shore pipeline, has

beencitedbythepeopleofGuyana, despite repeated requests for the same.

Further,sheadvisedthatacivil Continued on page 24

Civil Society Activist, Elizabeth Deane-Hughes

Womangivesbirthto11.2-lb babygirlatDiamondHospital

Justoveraweekago,the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital delivered a healthy 11.2pounds(lb)babygirlto motherAnetteDaSilva.

Inabriefstatementonits Facebookpage,theMinistry of Health expressed

congratulations to Dr AbdullaAmin and her team on the impressive and safe delivery of an 11.2 pounds babyatthehospital.

Thenewbornissaidtobe above the normal weight as the average weight for full-

term babies is about 7-8 pounds. Anette Da Silva, whogavebirthnaturallyjust over a week ago expressed gratitude to the doctors and nurses who stood by her throughout every stage of her delivery She said her

bouncingbabygirlishealthy and had her first follow-up

evaluation at the Diamond Hospital- Maternal and Child Health Clinic on Monday

Anette Da Silva and her healthy 11.2 pound baby girl with doctors and officials of the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital.

Americanbusinessmanbids US$90MforprofitableMarriottHotel

-GuyaneseconsortiumcomesinsecondwithUS$86.1M

American businessman, Ramy El-Batrawi, has submittedanewproposalof US$90 million to purchase the profitable Guyana MarriottHotel,withhislone challengerRavindraPrashad biddingUS$86.1million.

O n M a y 2 , t h e Government of Guyana (GOG) informed six bidders, X, LLC owned by Batrawi (US$65 million), Integrated Group Guyana Limited, headed by Prashad (US$55 million), RobertBadal,owner ofthePegasusHotel(US$555 million), Georgetown InvestmentsandManagement ServicesInc (PrincessHotel) (US$50million),NCBCapital Markets Limited, a Jamaican Company headed by Steve Gooding(US$33million),and Muneshwers Limited, owned by Amarnauth Muneshwer (US$25 million) that their initial bids were rejected, becausethebidsweretoolow and did not reflect the true valueofthehotel

The Government then invitedthebidderstomakea new proposal for the hotel but with a minimum bid priceofUS$85million.

The deadline for the submission the new bid was onTuesdayMay16,2023.In astatementissuedyesterday, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)ofNationalIndustrial a n d C o m m e r c i a l Investments Limited (NICIL),Mr RadhaKrishna Sharma, disclosed that only

two of the six initial bidders have resubmitted their proposalsfortheacquisition o f t h e K i n g s t o n , Georgetown hotel. The two bidders are Batrawi the owner of X, LLC and local consortium, Integrated Group Guyana Limited, headedbyPrashad.

At the Bid Opening, representativesofonebidder were physically present, whilearepresentativeofthe other attended virtually via ZoomVideoConference.

Mr Sharma, Company Secretary & In-House Attorney of NICIL Arianne McLean, and Manager of Internal Audit and Risk Management of NICIL,

Naresh Balkaran were present at the Bid Opening Meeting.Thetenderboxwas openedinthepresenceofall and the bids were opened and read aloud in the presence of all present. The bidders and their respective bids were recorded, signed and acknowledged by the bidderswhowerepresent,as well as the Representatives ofNICIL.

Kaieteur News had reported that given the new prerequisite, local businessman and owner of the Pegasus Hotel, Robert Badal, had pulled out of the race Badal, was among the six who had submitted their proposaltoNICILandhewas

alsothesecondhighestbidder with a bid of US$55 5 million Whencontacted,Mr Badal explained that he has alreadysubmittedhisbestbid priceforthehotel Assuch,he noted he will not be inclined toproceedanyfurther

Severaldaysafterthesix bidders submitted their proposals, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that the “bids are too low” and added that the governmentwillnotproceed with the sale of the hotel

untilthebidreflectsthetrue valueofthehotel.

TheVicePresidentmade theannouncementduringhis party’s press conference, explainingthat Continuedonpage20

American businessman, Ramy El-Batrawi

CEO of NICIL, Radha Krishna Sharma

Guyana Marriott Hotel

report finds Caribbean businesses need more innovation and productivity

Caribbean governments shouldfocusonpoliciesthat facilitate businesses’ efforts to innovate and improve productivity, according to a new report from the InterAmerican Development Bank(IDB).

The policies should focus on the constraints expressed by business owners themselves through enterprise surveys conducted in the Caribbean, the IDB said in a press release Reflections on Innovation and Productivity as Caribbean Businesses

Emerge from the Pandemic addressed the question of whether the Caribbean would return to the slow long-run growth of the prepandemicperiod.

To answer it, the

Compete Caribbean PartnershipFacility,amultidonor, private-sector development programme financed by the IDB, the governments of the United Kingdom and Canada, and the Caribbean Development Bank, collected businessleveldatafromnearly2,000 firms across 13 Caribbean

countries.

The report includes an overview of the past performance in terms of economic growth and productivity It then describes the Compete Caribbean data and summarizes recent research papers analyzing that data and conclusions from that research Finally, country sections draw on the Compete Caribbean database to describe the country level challenges facing firms in The Bahamas, Barbados,

Guyana,Jamaica,Suriname, andTrinidadandTobago.

Thereport’skeyfindings include:

1 Pre-pandemic e c o n o m i c g r o w t h performance was relatively poor In the twenty years prior to the pandemic, the average growth rate was far below the average for lowand middle-income countries The average growth gap varies from two to five percentage points. The commodity exporters grew faster than tourismo

although that advantage faded during the second decade of the century Behind this low growth was poor performance in aggregate measures of productivity

2.Innovationplaysakey roleinspurringproductivity aswellasagender-inclusive dimension. Overall, the evidence shows that while proactive innovation positively affects business productivity and efficiency, innovations implemented in responsetopressingexternal shocks (like the COVID-19

pandemic) do not necessarilygenerategainsin terms of efficiency This insight points to the relevance of policies geared to continuously promote technological adoption and business innovations across the entire business cycle. The evidence also reveals that, while the pandemic shock affected employment differentially by gender, policies aimed at limiting female unemployment are not only needed for equity butalsoareeffectiveat Continuedonpage21

AmericanbusinessmanbidsUS$90Mforprofitable...

Frompage17 the government went to tender testingthemarketbut,“noneofthe bids meet our price expectation, andwewillnotproceedwithanyof thosebids.”

TheVicePresidentassuredthat thehotelwillcontinuetobeowned by the government until an appropriate offer that mirrors the true value of the hotel is received. “Weknowwhatthetruevaluewill be in the current contexts. So that mattershouldbeputtorest,thatwe will not proceed with any of the bids, because we believe that they are too low based on the value of that asset now and its capacity to earn,”Jagdeocontinued.

The Marriott Hotel started, under the Jagdeo administration

when he was President, using taxpayers’ dollars and with a syndicated loan through the RepublicBankLimitedofTrinidad and had opened its doors on April 17,2015.

Under the syndicated loan agreement, the preferred rights go tothoseinvestors–meaningthatin the event of the hotel being unable to service the loan – the unknown investors would have the first lien ontheproceedsofanysale.

Kaieteur News had highlighted thatthehotel’stopbidderwasbarred by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) back in2010fromactingasanofficeror director of a public company for a periodoffiveyears Itwasreported that the US body had filed fraud

charges in 2006 against Ramy ElBatrawi, and others arising out of US$130 million stock loan and manipulationscheme.

Notably,whileEl-Batrawinever accepted wrongdoings, in April 2010 the final judgment resulted in him being barred from running a publiccompanyforfiveyears This publicationhadalsohighlightedthat El-BatrawivisitedGuyanatwicelast year, October 2022, and November 2022 The American businessman had praised the time he spent with PresidentIrfaanAliduringhisvisits toGuyana

One month later, NICIL announced the Government’s decisiontosellthehotel.InMarch 2023, Jagdeo revealed that despite the criticism the hotel faced when

the construction was announced –the hotel has emerged as a profitableventure,butjustifiedthe sale of the hotel by stating that it wasabusinessdecision.

In fact, the VP said during a press conference that while the hotel is making a profit, it is of no supremebenefittotheGovernment owning it anymore Jagdeo continued by saying that within a few years several hotels are expectedtocomeonstreamandin order to avoid competition, this is thebesttimetomaximisetheprofit andsellthehotel.

According to Jagdeo, the proceeds of the sale is to be used, “toclearofftheremainingloanand some of it will come back to the Treasury to be used back for

whateverpurposeisdetermined.” Notably, a decision by the former administration has resulted inUS$1.1million($226million)of taxpayers’dollarscomingoutevery six months (since 2017) to service the US$27 million loan from the bank – for a 13-year period. This was after the hotel was unable to servicetheloan.Inordertoprevent the hotel from being acquired by thebank,theformerGovernmentin April 2017 made the decision to transfer the hotel’s financial obligations to the Central Government. However,VPJagdeo statedthatwhileinOpposition,the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration was opposed to the hotel’s financial obligation being transferred.

Magistrate erred in law by dismissing misconduct charge against Winston Jordan –Attorney General

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs

Anil Nandlall on Tuesday said that Senior Magistrate LeronDalyerredinlawwhen shedismissedthemisconduct charge levelled against former Finance Minister WinstonJordan.

Jordan was freed of the charge alleging he misconducthimselfinpublic office by selling State property way below market valuetoBKMarinesLimited at a price that was grossly undervalued.

However, in a statement following the Magistrate's decision, the Attorney General said that “The learned Magistrate predicated her ruling on a findinginlawthatasMinister of Finance, Mr Jordan was not a Public Officer, an important ingredient in the offence.”

Nandlall said too that based on inquiries made, he wasinformedthatthelearned

IDBreportfinds Caribbean...

Frompage19 improving productivity The evidencepresentedshowsthat firms that effectively mitigated female employment losses, were also more successful in limiting productivitylosses.

3. Each country's business context faces its own challenges The report's country sections use the dataset to document the specific productivity challenges of each country While access to finance and infrastructurechallenges(e.g., electricity and telecoms) are common across countries, the depth of those challenges varies, and other specific issues emerge for each country Business owners and managers face their own unique challenges depending on the country to improve the performance of their companies, both large and small.

Overall,thisreportreveals the importance of data and analysis to unlock the key determinants of productivity and innovation in the region. The abundant data sets in the book are publicly available here.“WehopethatCaribbean researchersandpolicymakers willdrawonthisdatabase,asa regional public good, that can improve economic policy designacrosstheregion.”said David Rosenblatt, the Regional Economic Advisor for the IDB's Caribbean Department.

Magistratereceivedfromthe State written submissions supported by judicial authorities, including, a written ruling delivered by theChiefJustice(ag)Roxane George SC in the matter of WinstonBrassingtonandDr Ashni Singh v Munilal Persaud, Commissioner of Police, Ann McLennan, Chief Magistrate and Shalimar Ali-Hack, Director ofPublicProsecutions2018HC-DEM-CIV-FDA-757.

The Attorney General argued that in the aforementioned case, Dr Singh was charged with the identical offence regarding certain acts he performed while he was Minister of Finance and placed before the Georgetown Magistrates' Court.

“The validity of the chargewaschallengedinthe High Court on the identical ground,thatis,asMinisterof Finance,Dr.Singhwasnota Public Officer for the purposesofthecharge.

Thematterwasheardby Chief Justice George who, after hearing detailed submissions from both counselforDr Singhandthe Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), ruled that Dr Singh may be charged with the offence of MisconductinPublicOffice

notwithstandingthathewasa Minister. This ruling was delivered on November 18, 2020 and was never appealed. It remains the law on the issue,” Nandlall submitted in a statement issuedtothemedia.

Further, the Attorney General reminded that firstyear law students are taught that the doctrine of Stare Decisis, by virtue of which the decision of the High Court on a particular principle of law, is binding precedentonaMagistrate,to theextentthattheMagistrate hasnojurisdictionalfreedom to depart from that High Court'sdecision.

“The two cases are almost identical in both issues of facts and law, and the decision of the learned ChiefJusticeintheSinghand Brassington case constitutes a binding precedent on the learnedMagistrate.

Clearly, the learned Magistrate erred in law by refusing to follow the decisionofthelearnedChief Justice.

Such an elementary egregious error has excited greatpublicconcernwithina fewhoursandinevitablywill shake the public confidence in the administration of justice.

For to the public, it

appearsthattheyaredifferent standards being applied to different persons by the administration of justice,”

Nandlallsaid.

Jordan was freed of the misconduct charge which alleged that he sold a State

assetvaluedoverUS$40Mto a private company for which theStatereceivedamereUS $100,000.

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From page 26 14, 2023, there were no new members included.

Mr. Marks alleged that during the AGM, the Secretary admitted that she signed up members on the spot, meaning new members. This claim is nothing but baseless.

At the General Members Meeting, I explained that while at NCN, an editor, who is no stranger to the media fraternity having practised for many, many years, indicated that she was a member and had participated in previous elections. Though the document in my possession did not include her name, the editor's dues were received, solely on the grounds that she was an existing member. The Executive was informed, and subsequent checks confirmed that the editor joined the association on March 1, 2015.

Mr. Marks claimed that while the 'outreach' was done at some media houses, it was not done at others where the Executive believed members would have voted for him. Again, I would like to point to the fact that only five media houses were visited by the Secretary – NCN, Guyana Chronicle, Guyana Times, Kaieteur News, and the News Room, where Mr. Marks works as an editor.

It should also be noted, that a purported petition issued by Mr. Marks was signed by four of the five media houses visited by the Secretary. No editor signed or was part of any petition. It just stated "editors" so we could not even verify whether those unnamed “editors” are currently financial, non-financial or aspiring members. There was absolutely no evidence upon which to act. Again, an absence of names. No self-respecting person should provide such vague information, and neither should any selfrespecting individual or organisation take such drivel

seriously.

In his letter, Mr. Marks made claims that persons who were not qualified to vote – a taxi driver, a farmer and a handyman – voted. It is clear that Mr. Marks has made a total mockery of himself by making such wild allegations.

Importantly, many media workers not only engage in their core responsibilities of gathering and dissemination of news, but also produce and host other programmes, even while serving as a full-time member of a media house.

The GPA is a voluntary professional organisation. Membership is voluntary and so it is the onus of members of the media to be registered and become financial. No sitting executive is required or compelled to go anywhere to collect dues.

Based on legal advice sought, the membership list or the list of eligible persons could not have been provided beforehand to a third party. However, any member is free to call and ask about his or her membership status.

The decision not to disclose the list prior to the elections was further reinforced after receiving additional information and confirmation from Executives at the GPA's last executive meeting about prevailing fears by a number of State Media operatives about their membership of the association being known prior.

Indeed, the fear is so deep that a number of State Media

workers had in the past requested their participation in workshops and other training exercises be kept strictly confidential. We are advised that State Media journalism practitioners have been prevented from participating in GPAorganised training sessions and workshops. Similarly, practitioners from a number of privately-owned media houses have not participated.

Mr. Marks knows all too well that electoral victory never comes on a platter. He should stop behaving like a champagne socialist and go out and campaign with policies and programmes that will hopefully be a true reflection of what he stands for. In previous competitive elections, Mr. Denis Chabrol and his team travelled throughout Guyana and did not request or depended on the existing membership register.

That said, no election is perfect but clearly the numbers were stacked against Mr. Marks. The electorate rejected him resoundingly. Based on the results of the elections, 25 members voted for Mr. Marks while the majority, some 70 members, voted for Ms. Nazima Raghubir to be reelected President. There was one spoilt ballot.

Mr. Marks clearly appears to be part of wider historical campaign to discredit the GPA as the alternative to certain defeat and independence.

Repeated claims were made in various types of communications that media work-

From page 6 media with the necessary resources and support to face the ongoing challenges that modern journalism presents, such as censorship, repression, violence, victimization, discrimination, and disinformation.The press is regarded as the fourth estate of democratic societies because it plays a vital role in the balance of power between the government and the people. It serves as a mechanism for ensuring accountability, transparency, good governance, and demand responsibility from those in power. Its primary function is to produce credible information that citizens can use to make informed decisions. Editor, by effectively monitoring the workings of the government and other institutions, the press can alert the public about issues of corruption, fraud, and violations of the country's constitution and civil liberties.

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ers were not allowed to register or that the list was padded. However, no evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims pre, peri and post the Electoral process. There was absolutely no evidence upon which to act.

The GPA Executive and, indeed the wider membership, are severely constrained not to conceive that Mr. Marks is not part of a grand design not merely to hoodwink Guyanese into believing his naked falsehoods but to engage in a certain type of subliminal messaging that has diseased Guyana for decades.

Despite his deep-seated concerns about Electoral malpractice, he must be commended for contesting the elections and participating in the meeting after the results were declared. Had he won the elections with the same arrangements that he challenged before balloting, would he have challenged his own victory with such worn out and baseless arguments?

In conclusion, as former Secretary of the Press Association, I reject Mr. Marks' baseless claims that the members register/voters' list was padded and that the Association's elections were rigged. This is a mischievous lie.

Yours sincerely, Svetlana MarshallAbrams

Former Secretary, Guyana Press Association.

group. If the press does not remain independent, it can become open to influence and manipulation, which would undermine its essential role as a watchdog and lose public trust.

The Guyana press organization must remain free from undue political or commercial pressure. It is important that journalists have the freedom to carry out their functions of informing, investigating, exposing, and criticizing without fear or favour.

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The press also serves as a conduit for the dissemination of ideas and opinions, allowing for a dynamic discourse that enriches democracy. It is through the media that the public receives information about diverse perspectives, opinions, and ideas that are vital for effective policymaking and implementation. This creates a sense of transparency that promotes public trust in democratic institutions, which, in turn, is essential for the proper functioning of any democratic society.

We have seen in this country many times over, where some media, owned by individuals that have political or commercial interests, deliberately choose to provide coverage that is favorable to their interests. These actions usually result in the suppression of stories that are unflattering to the organization or the individuals that own it. Some media owners have even weaponised their private media to attract individuals, political parties, and organizations they are opposed to. These observations must compel the GPA to act to curb those occurrences.

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Editor, with the press having such a crucial role to play in society, it is extremely important that press associations remain independent. Equally so, for Guyana's Press Association to also exhibit independence in every sense and have an apolitical posture, especially those in the leadership and who aspire to be.

The independence of Guyana's press is critical for it to serve effectively and be respected as the fourth estate of the country. This means that it is vital for them not to be seen as supporting any political party, in government or not. Equally, so be in supporting the interests of any political leader or interest

Mr. Editor, the aforementioned factors are of utmost importance for press associations to remain independent where ever they exist. The public expects and therefore exhibits confidence that the media provide it with information that is objective and credible. This cannot happen if the media is perceived to be partisan. The independence of press organisations is also instrumental in promoting media plurality, which is vital for the promotion of democracy. This requires the media to reflect the diversity of opinions within society and to cover events from different angles. Hence, the opposition positions must also be given equal space in the media. The Guyana Press Association and several independent media have a lot to do to gain public confidence. Don't throw stones when you live in a glass house. The same standards rightfully demanded must also be reflected and shown in one's own affairs.

Yours respectfully, Hon. Jermaine Figueira.MP

The GPA must remain free from undue political or commercial...

Body of boat captain found; search continues for two others Cuyuni boat mishap…

The body of boat captain Lloyd Obermuller, one of three men who went missing after the boat they were travelling in collided with another on Monday has been found.Thetwoothermissing menareyettobelocated.

Kaieteur News had

reported that Obermuller's boatandanothervesselwere involvedinanaccidentinthe wee hours of Monday along the Cuyuni River, Region Seven. Four persons were involvedintheaccident.

According to the police, they are investigating a river

mishap involving a 19-footwooden boat powered by a 75Hp Yamaha outboard engine, which was operated byObermuller,a60-year-old of Crane Housing Scheme, WestCoastDemerara,andof Eteringbang Landing, and a 17-foot wooden boat

powered by a 40Hp Yamaha outboard engine which was operatedbyCreesBoyde.

The incident occurred sometime between 03:47hrs and 04:30hrs on Monday It was reported to the police that Obermuller and Boyde would normally transport persons from Eteringbang Landing to San Martin Landing, Venezuela On M o n d a y m o r n i n g , Obermuller left Eteringbang Landing enroute to San Martin,andhewasatthetime reportedly transporting two passengers. Reportsarethat betweenthattimetoo,Boyde had left San Martin, Venezuela, enroute to Eteringbang Landing As they were both navigating acrosstheriver,thetwoboats ended up colliding, causing thepassengers,aswellasthe boatcaptainstobeflunginto theriver

Persons from the area, who learned of what transpired,immediatelywent tothesceneandpulledBoyde

Guyanese

Frompage14

from the water He was rushedtoamedicalfacilityin Venezuela. It was reported that he sustained severe injuries to his right leg and minorinjuriestohishands.

At the time,a search was

conducted for Obermuller and his passengers but they werenotfound.However,on Tuesday,policesourceshave confirmed that they have sincerecoveredObermuller's body.

womanwritesUSbank...

court case numbered 456/2023-FDA has beenfiledinthejudicialsystem,challenging the Environmental Permit (EP) issued to Exxon for the pipeline aspect of the project, onthebasisoflackofadherencetotheruleof law as is stated in the Environmental ProtectionActanditsguidingregulations.

It was also noted that, “The Environmental Assessment Board (EAB) which is an instrument formed under the aforementioned Environmental Protection Act to hear appeals against the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decisions and/or actions is not duly constituted, as there are conflict of interest matterswiththenewlyappointedChairman. TheappointmentwasmadeduringFebruary 2023. Consideration is being given to file a civilcourtactionagainsttheEABforfailure to adhere to the rule of law contained in the Environmental Protection Act for the appointmentofmemberstotheEAB.”

Deane-Hughesexplainedatthattime,the EAB was yet to make a decision on appeals heard in March, against a waiver of an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for thepowerplant,bytheEPA.Itmustbenoted that the EAB has since ruled this study will not be required for the project. Citing other

reasons for her objection to the loan, the activistsaidtodatethereisnosecuredRight ofWay(RoW)fortheproposedpipeline.

Moreover,shearguedthatthereisstillno publicly announced final investment decision (FID) by the Permit holder with responsibility to construct the pipeline. She also pointed out that to date, there is/are no publicly available alternative study/studies forelectricitygenerationavailableforpublic perusal.

OnDecember13,2022,theGovernment ofGuyanasignedaUS$759Mcontractwith CH4-Lindsaycatoconstructthepowerplant and NGL facility at Wales, West Bank Demerara(WBD).

Head of the GTE Taskforce, Winston Brassington,duringtheInternationalEnergy Conference in February this year outlined thatsomeUS$477millionisallocatedtothe power plant, while the NGL facility is budgetedatUS$282million.

He has indicated that Guyana will be expected to pay US$51 million annually for 20yearsonaloanthecountrywilltaketopay for the two components of the project. Additionally,thecountrywillberequiredto pay US$55 billion for 20 years on the pipeline, “at a discount rate” according to him.

The boats which were involved in the mishap along the Cuyuni River on Monday morning.

Boat captain, Lloyd Obermuller

RegionalFinanceMinisterdiscussesdesignofcommon regionalagendainresponsetoglobaleconomiccrisis

Ministers of Finance of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) agreed on Monday to move forward to a common regional agenda in responsetotheglobaleconomiccrisis.

The decision was made during a highlevel face-to-face meeting held at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)inSantiago,Chile.

The meeting was organised by Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as the Pro Tempore President of CELAC, with the support of ECLAC, in compliance with the mandate derived from the Buenos Aires Declarationissuedbythe7thSummitofHeads ofStateandGovernmentoftheregionalbloc heldinJanuary2023inArgentina

The meeting was inaugurated by José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, Executive Secretary of ECLAC, and Camillo Gonsalves, Minister of Finance of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It was attended by authorities from 18 Latin American and Caribbeancountries.Duringthemeeting,the authorities analysed the current global and regional macroeconomic context, the regional fiscal situation, the fiscal implicationsofmeetinginvestmentneedsfor climate change adaptation and mitigation, and strengthening progress towards the SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs).

In his inaugural speech, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs emphasized the importance of organizing regional meetings of finance authorities with the support of ECLAC and the United Nations. These

meetingsaimtoprovidedialoguespacesthat contribute to the development of common agendas to address the fluctuations of the globaleconomy

Hefurtherstatedthattheregioniscurrently facing challenging global macroeconomic conditions, making it exceedingly difficult to conduct macroeconomic policy The conflict between the Russian Federation and Ukraine has contributed to weakening global growth, causing increased volatility in international financial and commodity markets. This volatility has reinforced global inflationary pressuresandpromptedadvancedeconomies’ central banks to swiftly and synchronisedly tighten monetary policies in 2022 to stabilise inflation expectations Consequently, this has significantly reduced capital flows to emergingmarkets

“This is the situation we are facing, worsened by external shocks and the lingering effects of the pandemic. In this context, macroeconomic policy must navigate a slowdown in economic growth and rising inflation, while simultaneously addressing the pressing need to revive economies, create high-quality jobs, and strengthensocialpolicies,”heexplained.

TheExecutiveSecretaryofECLACalso highlighted that the average economic growth of the region during the 2014-2023 decade will be 0.8%, which is less than half the average growth experienced during the renowned“lostdecade”ofthe1980s(2.0%). He emphasized that the current circumstances, characterized by significant needsandsubstantialconstraints,necessitate

two key actions. Firstly, there is a need to review fiscal covenants based on a framework of public finance sustainability This framework should prioritize and combine increased revenues with a more effectiveuseofresourcesontheexpenditure side. Secondly, there is a need for reforms within the international financial system to facilitatetherestructuringofexternaldebt.

“We must not forget that the political feasibility of proposals to increase revenues dependsonimprovingthequality,equity,and accessibilityofpublicservices,”hestressed. Finally, the highest representative of the regional Commission urged the implementation of measures at the internationalleveltoworktowardsreducing the restrictions on growth and development that affect most Latin American and Caribbeancountriesduetothehighservicing of public debt and its implications for fiscal space.Thisisanissuethatisbeingpromoted by the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, through a series of initiativesinwhichECLACparticipates.

Camillo Gonsalves, the Minister of FinanceofSaintVincentandtheGrenadines, called for the repositioning of CELAC as an active organization that addresses the challenges faced by the countries of Latin

America and the Caribbean He emphasised the importance of creating fiscal space for development in response to disasters, aiming to accelerate the achievement of transformative development goals The Minister pointed out that most Caribbean countries have not yet recovered their prepandemic production levels He emphasized that the statement that this decade is more “lost”thanthepreviousoneisparticularlytrue fortheCaribbeanstatesthatareheavilyreliant on tourism Their production levels have not yetreachedthelevelsrecordedin2019

Camillo Gonsalves also stressed that the regional debt problems originate from external shocks rather than from macroeconomic management in the countries of the region. Following the inauguration, José Manuel SalazarXirinachs, the Executive Secretary of ECLAC,presentedthemainfindingsoftwo ECLAC reports to the CELAC Finance authorities These reports analyze the restrictions on growth and development stemming from public debt and its implications for fiscal space in the countries of the region. The reports also provide optionstopromoteafiscalpolicythatfosters growth, redistribution, and productive transformation.

Wednesday May 17, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19

A friend may be throwing a party and you might be expected to attend. You've probably had a stressful day andreallydon'tfeeluptoit.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Today you might receive someuncomfortableintuitive signals from one or more of yourfriends,Taurus.Perhaps someonedoesn'tfeelwellbut cameouttoplayanyway

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Todayyoumayattainagoal you've been hoping to reach for a long time, Gemini. Oddly enough, friends, family, and even your significant other may not seem as happy as you expected.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Todayyoumaybeanxiousto spend time with your family, Cancer, but there could be some chores you need to do first.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Today it might be more difficultthanusualforyouto deal with words, Leo Someone might lend you a book on a rather obscure subject that you can't understand.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Somenewsthatcomestoyou from a friend or colleague could shake you up today, Virgo. You might find that what you learn casts doubts onconceptsyou'veembraced formostofyourlife.

FlawlessDjokoviccrushesNorrie toreachRomequarter-finals

(Reuters) - Holder Novak Djokovic powered past Briton Cameron Norrie 6-3 6-4 in a tense match to reach the Italian Open quarter-finals on Tuesday and remain on track for a s e v e n t h t i t l e i n Rome.Djokovic made slow starts to his opening two matches but the fired-up world number one quickly opened up a 3-0 lead and let slip two opportunities to breakRiochampionNorriea second time before taking thefirstsetonserve.

The duo swapped breaks earlyinaspicysecondsetin which Norrie's overhead shot hit Djokovic on the leg after the Serbian had turned his back on the net. The 22timesGrandSlamchampion continued to stare down Norrie at the end of the fifth game.An error-prone Norrie surrendered his serve again andhadtreatmentforaright leg issue, before top seed Djokovic came from 0-30 downinthefinalgameofthe

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Today you may see that nearly every couple you know is quarreling, Libra. You may have a few differences with a current or potential partner, but this is nothingtoworryabout.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov.21)

Today you may be in a very stressful atmosphere. Your entourageislikelytobetense and anxious, and you're no exception.

SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21)

Youandacurrentorpotential partner may disagree on whether to spend some time togetheraloneorgooutwith friends,Sagittarius.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

A relaxing evening at home may be just what you need, Capricorn, but a colleague might ask you to attend a business-related event. You mayhavehadastressfulfew days.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Todayyoumaytrytocontact several people, Aquarius, none of whom may be available You might particularly want to reach a femalefriendorrelativewho livesfaraway

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Whether or not you should make a specific expenditure could cause some tension between you and a partner, Pisces.You may think that it isn'tfeasiblenow

contest to complete the victory over the world number 13 on his second matchpoint.

"So far so good," Djokovic, who will meet seventhseedHolgerRunein thelasteight,said.

"It was an early start today Strange conditions. I actually finished my warmup 10 minutes before I went onthecourtsoIwasrushing a bit with everything but we couldn'tplayearlierbecause oftherain.

"I'm just glad to overcome today's challenge instraightsetsandmoveon."

Djokovic skipped the Madrid event due to an elbow injury and spent time getting treatment for an unspecifiedissuebutthe35year-old said there was no causeforfreshconcern.

"Every day there's something," said Djokovic. "Thankfully, I was able to playandfinishthematchand hopefully tomorrow I will feelevenbetter.

CWIannounces...

Frompage31 of Tourism, Industry and Commerce for Guyana who were both re-appointed for a one-yearperiod.

CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow said: “We are privileged to have these two esteemed professionals, Ms. Mathurin and Mr Nichols, as new Directors of CWI. They bring a wealth of experience with a global perspective and are highly knowledgeable about the dynamics of commercial and trade in our region Undoubtedly, the organization will benefit immensely from their involvement and the return of Directors Coryat-Patton and Mr Prashad ”Dr Shallow added: “Appointing two womenoutofthefourpositions for independent directors is consistentwiththeaimtobring more diversity to the boardroom of Cricket West Indies.BothMs.Mathurinand Mrs. Coryat-Patton are firstrate experts in their respective fields, and with enthusiasm, I look forward to their meaningfulcontributionstothe Board.”MrNicholssaid:“Iam honored to have been afforded the opportunity by Dr Kishore Shallow and Cricket West Indies to serve in this capacity and offer my years of experience in business to help advance the West Indies cricket's agenda I am particularly keen in helping to shape the business of sport, as cricket still has tremendous untapped potential for us here in the Caribbean I look forward to contributing to put smilesbackonthefacesofour people.”MsMathurinsaid:“As alongtime,passionatefanand supporter of West Indies cricket, I am very honoured to beappointedasanIndependent DirectortotheBoardofCWI.I am looking forward with great excitementtoworkingwiththe President,Dr KishoreShallow, other members of the Board and the Secretariat of CWI, in addressing the challenges facingourcricketatthistime.”

Guyanatackle...

Frompage28 all-rounder Hayley Matthews. With the likes of Kycia and Kyshona Knight, Matthews and Aaliyah Alleyne all in cracking batting form, Barbados will be keen on maintainingtheirrunfestcome today Leewards had their innings rained out against Trinidadinthepreviousround, not helping their chances againstarampantBajansquad, despite Amanda Edwards beinginfinebattingtouchwith medium-pacer Tonya Martin beingakeyplayerwithballin hand.

Chanderpaul, McKenzie hit fifties against Bangladesh A

Kirk McKenzie missed out on a hundred while Tagenarine Chanderpaul got an unbeaten halfcentury as the West Indies "A" team closed the opening day of the 1st unofficial Test against Bangladesh"A"on220for 2atSylhet.

McKenzie (86) put on 130forthefirstwicketwith Chanderpaul, who batted through the day to end on 70notout.

RaymondReifergot26 before Alick Athanaze (36 notout)putonafurther60 with Chanderpaul before playwascalled.

ForBangladesh,Masfik Hasan (1/15) and Saif Hassan(1/14)weretheonly wicket-takers.

Only 68 overs were possibleontheopeningday ofthematch.

Trinidad and Tobago's Joshua Da Silva is the captainoftheWestIndiesA team while Yannic Cariah wasselectedontheplaying

Tagenarine Chanderpaul acknowledged the dressing room when he reached the half century mark.

XI. T&T pacer Anderson Phillip missed out on selection.

The 1st unofficial Test

CGInsuranceWomen'sSuper50Cup… GuyanatackleoldrivalsT&Tas competitionentersfinalstages

ActionacrossSt.Kittscontinuestodayas Guyana face old foes Trinidad and Tobago, while defending champs Barbados seek to maintaintheirrampantstreakastheyclosein onapossiblyretainingtheirtitle.

Trinidad will tackle Guyana in an important match for both sides. Guyana has been showing their form late in the tournament, as their veteran core of ladies seemstohavefoundsomeform.

Most notably, their wide array of spinners, which is led by Flaffianna Millington, is expected to be a handful against the Trinidadians. More from the batting department should easily help Guyanatoppletheirrivals,shouldthelikeof MandyMangru,ShabikaGajnabi,Shamaine CampbellandotherWindiesstarsfiretoday

Anisa Mohammed has need big for Trinidad with bat and ball Alongside BrittneyCooper,DjenabaJosephwhohad90 inthelastgameandShunelleSawhwillplay keyroleswiththebat.

Shamaine Campbell is expected to be effective for Guyana in today's encounter.

runsfromMay16–19,with two other matches to follow onMay23–26andMay30 to June 2. (Loop Caribbean News)

Jamaicaladieswillbekeenongettingthe better of the Women from Windwards, following their loss to Guyana in the last round. Stafanie Taylor, Natasha McLean, Chedean Nation and other veterans are crucialfortoday'smatch.

With Afy Fletcher in amazing all-round

form, Windward Islands, who also lost their last game, could likey play around their star as bowlers Qiana Joseph and Zaida James have been good for their team, who lacks muchfirepowerinthebattingarea. Barbados, the defending champions are oncoursetoretaintheirtitle,ledbystar

(Continuedonpage27)

Compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code High on Caribbean RADO Agenda

The Caribbean Regional AntiDoping Organization (RADO) has announceditsfocusforthenextsix months, with Code Compliance, Education, and Testing being the toppriorities.

The organization, in a release, saidtheyaimtoprovidesupportto its Member Countries in completing the upcoming World Anti-Doping Code Compliance Questionnaire (CCQ), which will assess the implementation of the 2021 Code and International Standards.

PatrickWerleman,Chairmanof Caribbean RADO, emphasized the importance of compliance and stated that his organization would help its member countries throughout the process to ensure that they are not deemed noncompliant In addition to compliance,education,testing,and training are also high on the regionalagenda.

Werleman highlighted the challenges facing anti-doping programs in the region, with resourcesbeingamajorhurdle.

The organization is looking for ways to increase its revenue and maximize its limited resources for the benefit of its Member Countries.

T h e C h a i r m a n a l s o acknowledgedthedifficultiesfaced by small nations in meeting the extensive requirements set by

international organizations To address this issue, Caribbean RADO is working to boost resources in individual member countries by engaging with regionalgovernments.

During the recent Caribbean RADO Annual General Meeting heldinTrinidadandTobago,anew By-Lawwasadoptedtogovernthe

operationsofCaribbeanRADO.

The organization also engaged incourtesyvisitswithHon.Shamfa Cudjoe, Minister of Sport and Community Development, as well asMs.DianeHenderson,President of the Trinidad and Tobago OlympicCommittee(TTOC).Both partiesreiteratedtheircommitment to the anti-doping program in the

twin-islandRepublic.

The Caribbean RADO expresseditssincerestthankstothe Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the TTOC for facilitating the hosting of the 2023 Annual General Meeting. Grenada has been proposed as the host for the2024AGM.

Member Country Representatives and Delegates for their active participation in the Capacity Building Workshop and AGM discussions.Healsooutlinedplans to increase the number of Doping Control Officers (DCOs) participatinginmajorinternational eventssuchastheOlympicGames andPanamGames.

Caribbean RADO Member Country Representatives (MCRs) and delegates during the 2023 Annual General Meeting.

Concacaf launches new ranking system for region's clubs and leagues

Concacaf, the governing body for football in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has announced the launch of an innovative new ranking system for clubs and leagues intheregion.

Thisnewsystemwillbea crucial part of the Confederation's revamped clubecosystemandwillplay a key role in determining draw seeding for official Concacaf club competitions beginningwiththenew2023 Central American and Caribbean Cups and onwards.

The new dynamic rankings will be regularly updated following international club competitions, domestic league,andcupmatches.

They will be publicly available on Concacaf.com andwillprovidefanswithan engaging way to track the progress of their favourite club and league week after week as they compete with the very best in the confederation.

The calculating formula has been developed in a way that allows clubs to know ahead of each match how manyrankingpointstheycan gainorlosedependingonthe result(win,draw,orloss).

Clubs gain more ranking pointsfordefeatingahigherranked opponent and lose

more ranking points should they be defeated by a lowerranked opponent Homefield advantage is also a factor In addition to an individual club ranking, Concacaf is launching a league ranking index to determine the strength of domestic professional leagues based on the performances of their clubs ininternationalcompetitions. For the league ranking, only international matches are considered, and matches from the Concacaf Champions League will award twice the points in

Knight Riders appoint Phil Simmons as new head coach

(Cricinfo)-TrinbagoKnightRidershave appointed former West Indies coach Phil Simmons as their new head coach. He replaces Abhishek Nayar, who is currently the assistant coach for Kolkata Knight Riders.Knight Riders, the most successful teaminthehistoryoftheCaribbeanPremier League with four titles, had finished bottom of the league stage last year and failed to maketheplayoffsforthefirsttime.

Simmons has previous coaching experienceintheCPLaswell,andinhismost recent stint, he won the title with Barbados Royals, who were then known as Barbados Tridents.

Simmons has had two stints as head coach of West Indies, with his most recent one ending with their tour of Australia in

Decemberlastyear Hethenwentontocoach DubaiCapitalsintheinauguralseasonofthe International League T20, leading them to theplayoffs.

"As captain, I'm very excited to have coachPhilwithus.Wehaveagreatchemistry working together as a pair," Knight Riders captainKieronPollardsaid."We'vedoneitin theinternationalscene,andit'sgreatthatwe aregettingtheopportunitytoworkforTKR. Hopefully,thiscombinationwillbringsmiles andsomeexcitingresultsbacktoTKR."

Apart from West Indies, Simmons has also coached Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan.CPL 2023 gets underway on August16,withKnightRidersplayingtheir firstgameonAugust19againstStKittsand NevisPatriots.

comparison to Concacaf RegionalCups.

This new system is a significant step forward for football in the region, as it will provide a more accurate reflection of the relative strengths of clubs and leagues. It will also ensure thatthemostdeservingteams

are seeded appropriately in official Concacaf club competitions, making for more exciting and competitivematches.

Performances in these competitions this season (2023),andgoingforwardin the coming years, will continue to be used to

determine the new club ranking.

These competitions are weighted in terms of the ranking points available per match, with international matches awarding more rankingpointsthandomestic first-division league and cup matches.

Trinbago

'Return of the Scorpion' Pro/Am Int'l C/ships…

Aboila Jackman confident of success ahead of Boodram clash

The much-anticipated 'Return of the Scorpion' Pro/Am International Championship, which is billed for May 21 at the National Gymnasium on

Mandela Avenue, has generated immense excitement over the past few weeks among analysts and enthusiasts, who consider it the most significant fight

cardinoveradecade. Many predict that it will surpasstherenownedPatrick F o r d e M e m o r i a l Championships, which has long been regarded as the

ultimatebenchmarkforlocal boxingevents.

The Return of the Scorpion fight night promises an exhilarating lineup, featuring five captivating professional boutsandanequallythrilling amateursegment.Headlining the event will be Elton Dharry, stepping into the squared circle to face off against Ramos Ronald from Colombia, in an eight-round

success as the result of unwavering commitment, crediting her coach Sebert Blake, the President of the Guyana Boxing Association Mr Steve Ninvalle, and aboveall,herfaith.

She expressed her overwhelming joy, stating, " I t ' s a g r e a t a n d overwhelming feeling. Firstly,Icouldn'thavedoneit without the Lord, my coach Sebert Blake, and the

audience, she boldly declared, "To win the gold medal and the trophy". She alsomentioned,"Wellatfirst, I was always a shy person, and now my sport brings out the bravery in me, so it's an exciting experience. It's an amazing opportunity for me to expose my skills on my first-everprofessionalcard."

She further emphasized the invaluable lessons she learned during the World

Bantamweight fixture. Coheadlining the event is Dexter 'De Kid' Marques, who will engage in an eightround Super Bantamweight encounterwithLuisCarrillo. Meanwhile, adding a touch of excitement to the amateuraspectofthecardare theJackmansisters,whowill be entering the ring for the first time since their remarkable performance at the Women's World Boxing Championship.

Abiola and Alesha Jackman created history as the first female Guyanese boxers to achieve a coveted IBA ranking following their remarkable exploits in New Delhi, India. Abiola is now ranked 27th in the world in theEliteWomen81-and-over Kg (Heavyweight division). She acknowledges her

President of the Guyana Boxing Association Mr. Steve Ninvalle. It all came through hard work and dedicationtothesport."

According to Abiola, beingseenasarolemodelfor emergingfemaleboxersisan honourshedeeplycherishes.

She believes that nurturing young athletes in the sport is an amazing responsibility and opportunity Abiola is currently in the preparatory phaseforherupcomingbattle with Trinidad and Tobago champion LeeAnn Boodram onSunday

When asked about her expectations for the upcoming bout, coheadlining the amateur section of the international card alongside her sister (Alesha) and performing in front of a large capacity

Championships in India, which she believes will not onlyaidherintheimpending contest but also in the foreseeablefuture.

The event is also set to reignite a Caribbean rivalry, as Terrence Adams is expected to face off against Barbadian Ricardo Blackman Additionally, AnthonyAugustinwillmatch skills with Emmanuel Anderson from Barbados The card will also feature a six-round Super Flyweight bout between Natalya Delgado and Darianis Garcia.

The action is set to commence at 19:30h, promising an evening filled with electrifying boxing matchups that will leave spectatorsontheedgeoftheir seats.

'No one's safe': Sixers cut Rivers after repeat playoffs disappointment

(Reuters) - Philadelphia 76ers head coachDocRiverswasfiredonTuesdayafter a humiliating Game 7 loss to the Boston Celtics, as the team bounced out in the secondroundoftheNBAplayoffsforathird straight year.Rivers is one of the most successful coaches in the NBA and had amassedarecordof154winsand82losses inPhiladelphia,coachingcenterJoelEmbiid tohisfirstMostValuablePlayerhonorsthis season.After Sunday's gut-wrenching 11288 defeat in Boston, he told reporters he would stay, but acknowledged, "No one's safe in our business." On Tuesday, he was remindedofthatthehardway

"We'regratefulforallhedidinhisthree

seasonshereandthankhimfortheimportant impacthemadeonourfranchise,"theSixers' President of Basketball Operations Daryl Moreysaidinastatement.

"Afterhavingthechancetoreflectupon ourseason,wedecidedthatcertainchanges are necessary to further our goals of competingforachampionship."

Rivers is not alone: On Saturday the Phoenix Suns fired head coach Monty Williams - who won Coach of the Year in 2022-afterlosingtheconferencesemifinals forasecondstraightyear WilliamsledPhoenixtotheNBAFinals inthe2020-21season,wheretheylosttothe MilwaukeeBucks.

Aboila Jackman (right) competed at the IBA2023 Women's World Boxing Championships in New Dehli, India. (IANS/Wasim Sarvar)

CWI announces appointment of Nichols and Mathurin as new Non-member Directors

S T J O H N ' S , Antigua – Cricket West Indies(CWI)announced the appointments of Mr Hallam Nichols and Ms Gail Mathurin as new members of the CWI Board of Directors for a

one-yearperiod. The new

member (independent)

London as well as Director-General of

CARICOM's Office of TradeNegotiations. With Ms Mathurin being named as a Director it now means that CWI will for the first time in its history have two women on the

an

CWI Levels 1&2 Coaching

Course bowls off May 18 at GNS

-T&T's Rampaul and Gagar among the participants

Cricket West Indies (CWI) will be hosting CWI Level 1 and 2

Coaching Certification Courses at the Guyana National Stadium (GNS), Providence from May 18, 2023.

The CWI Level 2

Coaching Certification

Course is set to bowl off at 9:00hourssharp,dailywith the first session commencing on Thursday, May 18, and wrapping up on Sunday, May 21. The theory component of this CWI Level 2 Coaching Course will be held in the Conference Room of the GNS,Providence.

Meanwhile, the theory component of the CWI Level 1 Coaching CertificationCoursewillbe held in the President Suite, of the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from 9:00 hours on each of the s c h e d u l e d d a t e s , commencing Friday, May 19-Sunday,May21.

Both courses will involvepracticalexercises, includinganassessmentfor the award of the coaches' certification.

Asecond CWI Level 1

Coaching Certification Course is expected to be conducted at GNS, Providence from Friday, May 23- Sunday, May 25, but is subject to the receipt of applicable participant fees.CWI has also released the necessary prerequisites needed in order to sit the CWI Level 1 Coaching Course,theserequirements include; ICC or CWI Foundation Coaching Certificate, Child Care and ProtectionCertificate,First Aid Certificate, valid PoliceClearance

Also, requirements for the CWI Level 2 Coaching Course include a CWI

hing Certificate, Child Care and

Protection Certificate, First Aid Certificate, and valid PoliceClearance.

T h e C o a c h

Developers/facilitators for the CWI Level 2 Coaching Certification Course are Ryerson Bhagoo and

Keshava Ramphal while the pair of Brendon Ramlal and

Assad Fudadin

Massiah,Anthony Bramble, Marvin Fitzalbert, Rajendra Chandrika, Assad Fudadin, Lakram Lathman, Gregory Crandon and Wayne Osborne.

List of Participants for the CWI Level 1 Coaching Course: Peter Gajar, Leslie Solomon, Javed Saywack,

JunieMitchamwillfacilitate theCWILevel1leg.

List of Participants for the CWI Level 2 Coaching Course:Yeuraj Khemraj, Ajay Gainda, Terry

Newton, Orlando Tanner, Kumar Bishundial, Andy Ramnarine,PernellChristie, Balram Samaroo, Ryan Kissoonlall, Parmeshwar

Persaud, Nadine Smith, Karishma Ramnauth, Ravi Rampaul,Darien B e s t , Ranole Bourne, Shaun

N i c h o l a s M u k e s h Shiopersad, Erva Giddings, RoyanFredricks,Shivnarine Hoorilall, Daniel Dass, KumarDass,DineshJoseph, Martin Pestano-Belle, Anthony Sanchara, Royden Morris, Yougeshwar Lall, Trevayne Mohabir, Rhonda Jones, Sonia Benn, Hershy Niles, Kenrick Cheeks, Nazeer Mohamed, Krishna Singh, Jamal Hinckson, Ameer Rahaman and RajindraRambali.

The

(Continued on page 27)

Gail Mathurin

Hallam Nichols

SpartaBoss,BentStreetuptheanteaheadof$1MclashinOneGuyanaFutsalfinals

The inaugural One Guyana Futsal tournament has been a resounding success, showcasing the best offutsaltalentinthecountry. With$1Mupforgrabsforthe winner of the finals, Sparta Boss and Bent Street are anticipating a mouth-

watering finale at the NationalPark. Both teams share a rich history in some of futsal's biggest tournaments, and adding the generosity of Mohamed's Enterprise for the lucrative winner's purse, Saturday's finals will add a

newchaptertothetwoside's rivalry.

In the semi-finals, Sparta Bossovercameadetermined Back Circle side by a scoreline of 6-4, thanks to a brace from Ryan Hackett (21', 39') and Sheldon Shepherd (5', 33'), as well as

goals from Jermaine Junor (29') and Curtez Kellman (31').

Meanwhile, Bent Street showed why they are considered favourites to win the tournament with a dominant 9-2 victory over CaliforniaSquare.

Job Caesar's hat-trick (22',33',39'),coupledwitha double from Adrian Aaron (21', 22) and goals from Daniel Wilson (19), Sheldon Holder (21'), Pernell Shultz (6') and Colin Nelson (16') proved too much for CaliforniaSquaretohandle.

Sparta Boss will rely on

the attacking prowess of HackettandShepherd,while Bent Street will look to Caesar and Aaron for inspiration.

The winner of the match will not only claim the coveted title of One Guyana Futsal champions but also a heftycashprizeof$1M.

Speaking ahead of the final, Jeremy Garrett, who acts as Management of the Sparta team, assured their supporters that “no doubt I believethattheguyscanpull it off and it's going to be an entertainingone.Lookingfor the victory in our finals, no

doubt.”

For Adrian Aaron, Bent Street is talented enough to match Sparta Boss' attack andwillresolutedefendtheir goal Both teams are anticipating fireworks when thetwosidescollide. The second-place team will receive a prize of $500,000,whilethethirdand fourth-place finishers will take home $200,000 and $100,000,respectively

The One Guyana Futsal tournament has been successful, according to the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.

Sparta Boss Futsal team

ChesneyclinchesChattergoon GrassrootsTournament

-AnnieBrownnamedBCBMotheroftheYear

Chesney Cricket Club

defeated arch rival Fyrish by 72 runs to clinch the one day Grassrootscrickettournament and win the Chattergoon Trophy at the Chesney Ground over the weekend. The three-team event also included Jai Hind CC of Albion and was sponsored by former Guyana player, Hemnarine Chattergoon, in memoryofhisparents.

Rain delayed the start by over three hours and forced the board to reduce the first matchtotenoverspersideand the finals to thirteen overs a side.

In the first match, Fyrish chalked up 117 for 3 off their ten overs with K Subramanie stroking an attractive 70 not out.D.Ramoutartook2for16 for Jai Hinds, who in reply reached 90 all out in 10 overs as Hassan Hussain scored an attractive 50. Y .Chinapen claimed 3 for 12 for Fyrish, who advanced to play Chesneyinthefinals.

Chesney decided to bat firstafterwinningthetossand scored 135 for 7 from their allotted 13 overs with Hemendra Gurdyal (20), KrishaAmoi(19)andRamesh Kassinauth (18) being the main scorers. Khemraj Subramani was the best bowlerforFyrishwithfigures of3for19.

In reply, the visitors were bowled out for a meager 63 from 12 3 overs as only Subramani offered resistance with 19. Off spinner Safraz Khan, who was later named Man of the Finals, took five wicketsforsixteenrunswhile

former national player Imran Khansupportedwith3for13. The winner and runner up carried home trophies and cash prizes while Khan received a medal and a cash incentive.

BCB President Hilbert Fosterstatedthatthemainaim of the tournament was to support the development of the game among the three teams and to allow one of them to win a BCB title. He expressed thanks to Chesney for hosting the tournament and to Chattergoon for sponsoring the event. Foster noted that Dianand and Shamshadbagam had raised four sons, who all went on to play for Guyana at several levels, including test player Sewnarine.Hemnarineplayed for the West Indies at the Under19level.

Meanwhile, on Mother's Day the BCB honored Ms. AnnieBrownastheMotherof the Year Brown received the Brian Ramphal Mother of the Year Award for the positive role she played in the cricketing career of her son, NicholasHall.

Hall, a member of the Rose Hall Canje CC is a Berbice under-15 and a national standby player. BCB Secretary Angela Haniff congratulated Brown for being an outstanding and supportive parent. The BCB, shenotedisverypleasedwith the support the board was getting from parents at all levels.Theawardissponsored annually by Georgetownbased businessman, Brian Ramphal.

The victorious Chesney Cricket Team

Floyd Benjamin presents Annie Brown with the Brian Ramphal Mother of the Year Award in the presence of Angela Haniff and Ruthel Henry.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul (left) is unbeaten at stumps while Kirk McKenzie missed out on a century.

Ravi Rampaul