Kaieteur News

No feasibility study for use of excess gas in Liza required - Exxon

ExxonMobil Guyana- Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL)- has respondedtocommentsmade,that it violated the sanctity of contract principle, by not conducting a feasibility study for the use of the excess associated gas in the Liza Field.

The gas in the field will be pipedtoshoreforutilizationbythe Government of Guyana for power generationandliquefaction,which will generate additional income throughthesaleofcookinggasand other products. Former Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr VincentAdams during anAlliance For Change (AFC) press conference on April 22, told members of the press, he believes the company has violated the said principle that is hindering the governmentfromrenegotiatingthe oildeal,asthereisnoevidenceofa

feasibility study, though required underthe2016ProductionSharing Agreement(PSA)governingtheoil block.

Article 12.1 (b) of the Exxon contract states, “…If there is any excess Associated Gas in the Oil Field after utilisation pursuant to Article12.1(a)theContractorshall carry out a feasibility study regarding the utilisation of such excessAssociated Gas of such Oil Field.”

On Tuesday evening, ExxonMobil Guyana responded to thisnewspaper'srequestforclarity on the issue that was sought since Dr Adams raised the issue. The company in its response explained thatthestudywillnotberequiredas there is simply no “excess associated gas”. According to the subsidiary of the American oil company, “The Associated Gas producedfromtheLizaOilFieldis with priority used for the purposes

related to the operations of production and production enhancementoftheLizaOilField, in accordance with Article 12.1(a) of the Stabroek Block Petroleum Agreement.”

Itwentontonote,“EEPGLhas established through numerous studiesthatalloftheassociatedgas producedfromtheLizaOilFieldis fully utilized for production and productionenhancementpurposes. Therefore, there is no excess Associated Gas and a feasibility studyforexcessAssociatedGasis not required under Article 12.1(b).”

Technip's subsea 2.0

The company also shared that gasproducedatLizaisusedforfuel and re-injected to improve oil recovery. Dr.Adamsinraisingthe issue argued, “No feasibility study has been done at that location (Wales,WestBankDemerara).Asa matter of fact, it (Exxon) violated thissanctitythatthisadministration

keeps talking about. They violated thesanctityofthecontract…itsays before any gas project is implemented, there has to be a feasibility study and there was no feasibilitystudy.”

He continued that Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo has merely given assurances that the project is a “no-brainer” Dr Adams, a Petroleum Engineer however noted, “Every project startswithplanninganditendswith planning,”addingthatthisdetailed planwouldcraftthenecessarysteps regarding possible changes in the economicsofthecountry,takingits developmentandotherfactorsinto consideration.

Citizenshavebeenpressingfor a feasibility study to be conducted for the project since there are concerns about the cost of the venture.TheGas-to-Energy(GTE) project is the single largest financialinitiativeeverpursuedby

the government. It is currently pegged at US$2 1 billion It includes a pipeline to transport the resources from offshore to the Wales site, along with a Natural GasLiquids(NGL)facilitytotreat and separate the gas and a 300 megawatt power plant to generate “cleaner” and more a “reliable” sourceofelectricity

Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, SC, on Tuesday said that government is entitled to express a view critical of the judiciary as long as it is warranted.

The AG's comments were based on Tuesday's decision by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, who discharged the case against formerFinanceMinisterWinston Jordan, who was accused of selling State property valued US$40 million to B.K Marines Inc. for a mere US$100,000, a price that was grossly undervalued The case was thrown out after the magistrate upheld a no-case submission made to the court by Attorneysat-Law Roysdale Forde, SC, and DawnCush.Intheirsubmissionthe lawyers contended that their client isnotconsidereda“PublicOfficer” akeyelementofthechargethatwas broughtagainsttheformerminister by the Special Organised Crime Unit(SOCU).

The magistrate agreed that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence to show that Jordan met the criteria to be classifiedasa“PublicOfficer.”Ina statement on Tuesday evening the Attorney General expressed his dissatisfaction with the way the magistrate handled the case and underscored that her ruling amountstoan“egregiouserror.”He referencedasimilarcasewhereDr Ashni Singh was slapped with a similar charge in relation to him sellingStatepropertywhilehewas Minister of Finance between 2011 and2015.

According to Nandlall, the validity of the charge was

challenged in the High Court on similargrounds,thatasMinisterof Finance,Dr SinghwasnotaPublic Officer However, after reviewing the submissions made to the court, the Acting Chief Justice (CJ), Roxanne George-Wiltshire ruled that Dr Singh can be charged with the offence of 'Misconduct in PublicOffice'notwithstandingthat he was a Minister Nandlall's argument is that with the CJ ruling not being appealed it remains law on the issue. He underscored that thetwocasesarealmostidenticalin bothissuesoffactsandlaw,andthe decision of the learned Chief Justice in the Dr Singh case constitutes a binding precedent on thelearnedmagistrate.

Further, the attorney general reminded that first-year law studentsaretaughtthatthedoctrine ofStareDecisis,byvirtueofwhich thedecisionoftheHighCourtona particular principle of law, is binding precedent on a magistrate, totheextentthatthemagistratehas

no jurisdictional freedom to departfromthatHighCourt's decision.

Shortlyafterhisstatement waspublished,Nandlallwent on his Facebook programme “IssuesintheNews”wherehe expressed similar sentiments on the ruling. He clarified that his statement that was issued on the ruling is not intended to bring the administration of justice into disrepute,adding“itissimply intended to draw to the public's attention the egregious error, an elementary error made by the learnedmagistrate.”Headded that this new case shows the cavalier manner important cases arebeingtreated.

Responding to Nandlall, Attorney-at-Law Selwyn Pieters called on the Attorney General to “Stop attacking the judiciary including the Magistracy” He reminded that if the AG is displeased with the way the matter was handled by the magistrate, the law allows for an appeal. The lawyer called on Nandlall to stop what he has being doing on his Facebook programme and in his press releases adding that “it does nothingtoenhanceyourstandingin society nor confidence in our judiciary.” Two weeks ago Vice President also called on the judiciary to make predictable decisionssaidthatitwastreadingin “murkywaters”afterJusticeSandil KissoonorderedtheEnvironmental ProtectionAgency(EPA) toensure ExxonMobil's complies with the insurance provisions in its Liza PhaseOneEnvironmentalPermit.

US$12 billion to clean up decades-old oil spills Report: Nigeria needs

Reuters - Nigeria needs $12billiontocleanupdecadesold oil spills in southern Bayelsa state over a 12-year period, a new report said on Tuesday, and singled out Shell (SHEL.L) and Eni (ENI.MI) for being responsible for most ofthepollution.

Bayelsaisoneofthemajor oilproducingstatesintheNiger Delta, a region blighted by pollution, conflict and corruptionrelatedtotheoiland gasindustry

Oil majors in Nigeria have long faced legal challenges over Niger Delta spills, which they mostly blamed on sabotage and vandalism of pipelinesandillegalrefining.

The Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission saidinareportthatitstartedan investigation in 2019 on the impact of spills and looked at evidence from forensic scientists, blood samples from people in affected areas and companydata.

The investigation discovered, among other findings, that toxic pollutants fromspillsandgasflaringwere manytimeshigherthanthesafe limitsinsamplesofsoil,water, air and in the blood of local residents,thecommissionsaid.

“Thereportfindsfailuresof strategy, prevention, response and remediation by oil

companies,”itsaid.

A spokesperson for Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited said it was not privytothefinalreportandcouldnot comment.

AnEnispokespersonsaidtheoil spillswereduetothefttofeedillegal refineries as well as illegal exports and sabotage but the company undertooktoremedyallspills.

Most of the gas produced from Eni's Nigerian unit was converted intoLNGandfedlocalpowerplants, the spokesperson said, adding that "Eniconductsitsactivitiesaccording to the sector's international environmental best practices, without any distinction on a country basis."Toxins that cause burns, lung problems and risk of cancer were widespread while oil company-led clean-ups were often poorly executed and could further contaminate soil and groundwater, thecommission'sreportsaid.

The commission adopted a United Nations model used to calculatetheclean-upcostofspillsin NigerDelta'sOgonilandmorethana decadeagoandfoundthat"thecleanup will cost US$12 billion over 12 years"inBayelsa.

Pollution in Ogoniland, which was part of a landmark $1 billion clean-up effort involving a U.N. agency, could be worse than it previously estimated, a group monitoringtheprojectsaidlastyear

Reporting by MacDonald DzirutweEditingbyMarkPotter

ExxonMobil Guyana President, Alistair Routledge

“Govt is entitled to express a view critical of the judiciary”–AttorneyGeneral

Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall, SC

Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana.

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

Editor-In-Chief: NIGEL WILLIAMS

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

EDITORIAL

PRESS ASSOCIATION ELECTIONS

Was it worth it? Though the highfliers in the PPPC Government that take issue with the Guyana Press Association (GPA) kept a not too remote distance from its recentlyconcludedelection,therecouldbenomistakingits fingerprints The government’s prints carry certain conspicuous features about them, and really cannot be concealed. The question is accordingly addressed to those very visible and very audible members of this government that shows itself prone to all manner of misgivings, especiallywhentherearesuchnoticeablynervousfeet.

Now, the GPA election is over, and hopefully the last wordaboutithasbeenheard,withmanylessonslearned.The firstisthatmembersofthemediainGuyanahavetheirwork to do, and they must be given the necessary freedoms to pursuetheirbusinessinaprofessional,ethicalmanner Every dissenting presence, every disagreeable report, every disturbingdecisiondoesnothavetobetakenasapoxonthe government, with the result is that there are dogfights over issueslargeandsmall.

Thesecondlessonisthatitwouldhavebeenbetterifthe PPPC Government had focused upon the many high and currentprioritiesoftheState,andlefttheGPAtodeliver Or make a fool of itself relative to proven bias, poor work standards, and going beyond its mandate. The government, from the President and Vice President on down, should be secureintheethicsofitsownwork,andtoletthefactsattest to the credibility and integrity of ministers and supporting public officials, be they senior or junior. There can be no betterproofaboutsuch,andthisslinkingawaytounorthodox media to howl in anger against perceived local media workersmustcometoanend.

What the government succeeded in doing, through its agents and all their representations coming in for heavy judicial review, was to draw attention to its fears, its anxieties,anditsAchillesheel,whentheremay(oroughtto) be none. There was more than a failure of commonsense; what took centerstage were the pronounced frustrations of thePPPC-backedoperatorstohavetheirwayatallcosts,in thecontinuingeffortsafoottoshakeanyunwelcomedpeople andtheirpositions,howeverprofessionalsuchmaybe,outof existence. Now that it is firmly in control of the reins of power in Guyana, the PPPC Government does not come acrossastoooverlyconcernedaboutadherencetotheideals of democratic government and what that constitutes anymore. But there are still some others remaining in this country, however limited in number they may be, to whom suchidealsandtheirrelevancematter

The reality is that there has to be a press beyond the massive propaganda press that overwhelms the local press arena.Itmustbeonethatworksdiligentlytoregisterasnonpartisan,nomatterhowmucheffortismadetostickpartisan labelsonthembyagovernmentthatknowsonlyoneway:its way, and that of no other And there must be an association (GPA)thatstandsupforitsmembers,oncetheindependent qualityoftheirworkwithstandsscrutiny

The precious oil and gas sector has to be watchedlikea falcon, for the simple reason that it means so much to the people of Guyana. Notwithstanding the sharpness of attitudes,anduncooperativeattributes,ofmanyinthePPPC Government, work must proceed with probity and soundness.

In view of this country’s political culture of chronic corruption, this also is an area that must be open to careful and consistent investigative probing. Once the PPPC Government conducts its duties in the appropriate manner, with all procedures properly followed, then it should be welcoming of members of the GPA (and any others), such should be the confidence that leaders and others in government place around the activities in which they have engaged.

Whenthereisallthissweatingandhuffingandpuffing, then there are more than raised eyebrows.There is a rise in intensityaboutwhatcouldhavebeendonewrong,andwhois responsible. The press should be seen as a partner, the independent check and balance offered by a free and unfetteredFourthEstate.

DEAREDITOR,

Mr Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento in his letter to the press published on May 17th2023,hasdecidedtogo intohistoolkittotinkerwith t h e G u y a n a P r e s s Association and declare what should or should not obtain. It is regrettable that Kit has resorted to his tools butitisnotunexpected-after all he served as Guyana’s only ever “Minister of Mechanical Equipment, PlantMaintenanceandHire” under the ‘Forbes Burnham Administration ’ What is also regrettable is that Kit proceeded to analyze, interpret,andpronounceona situation without much evidence and data to ensure that he was informed before hesoughttoinform.

HestatesthattheGuyana Press Association (GPA) is the one body representing professional media practitioners and journalists in our country and has been doing so for some time. He tacitly admits therefore that

DEAREDITOR,

The Government seems to be blaming complaints from the Guyana Press Association(GPA)headMs. Raghubir for a 26-points dropinratingsontheGlobal Press Freedom Index (“Jagdeo blames Press Association for poor global pressfreedomrating,”DW,5 May 2023). This is quite a h u g e d r o p , v e r y embarrassing, and the VP seems upset as he vented profusely at a Press Conference Mr Eusi Kwayana has warned that, “Citizensshouldtakenoteof Jagdeo’s singling out of the GPA,”(SN,May16,2023).

Kwayana said, “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.TheGPA at present has as its chief executive a woman whose name is Ms Nazima Raghubir Now the Vice President is a man with real power He knows well that pointing his finger at a functionaryofthiskindmay

all the other bodies formed over the course of Guyana’s recent history The Media Proprietors Association, the Independent Media Association of Guyana, the Union of Guyanese Journalistshaveallfallenby the wayside. The Guyana Press Association has survivedsince1945because it has been fiercely independent and rejected all attempts to demean, diminish, denigrate its leadership, its membership ortodestroytheorganization fromwithinandwithout.

I am not sure about the relevance of Christopher’s Informed Affirmation of what he did in the 1960s. Sufficeittosayhedidmuch to keep “our government” out of office then. He has clearlyfoundhisDamascene Dénouement under the current Dispensation. While Kit attended Boston University in the mid-1960s overadecadeandahalflater, I attended Syracuse University Both He and I

must have been exposed (I was) to “Daniel Boorstin’s notable work ‘The Image:A Guide to Pseudo-Events in America (1961)’, in which Boorstin argued that many events are staged for publicity purposes and have little real value. Boorstin definedapseudo-eventasan ambiguoustruththatappeals to people’s desire to be informed. He argued that being in the media spotlight was a strong incentive for public figures to stage artificial events, which became real and important once validated by media coverage Boorstin described pseudo-events as the opposite of propaganda, although both forms of communicationhavesimilar consequences and result in public misinformation. Whereas propaganda slants factstokeepthepublicfrom learning the truth, pseudoevents provide the public with artificial facts that peopleperceiveasreal.

Pseudo-events are

carefully choreographed, following a prepared script and leaving nothing to chance.Inordertomaximize the event’s exposure, they are scheduled in advance, and journalists are informed ofthespecifictimewhenthe event will occur Pseudoevents are designed to be dramatic, to make them interestingforthepublic,and they tend to generate iconic images’” (like De Star Boi withhisHandsAkimbo).

It is, therefore, unfortunate that Mr Nascimento expresses some considerable concern that there appears to him to be a controversy into which the credibility and, as a result, the efficacy of the GPA to speak for freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Guyana has become enmeshed. The old saying “start a fire and then be the first to come with a hose” is apposite at this point. Kit Nascimento goes ontoruminateonwhathe

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alert certain activists on his side of the political divide, and they may feel it their dutytobringthisfunctionary into line, and that can take various forms. I willleaveit at that But I want to emphasise that it is 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 fairness and accountability for practicing media operatives andinstitutions.”

TheGPAhadwarnedthat thegovernmentwastryingto take over the organisation. Apparently,therewasaplan to register folks from proGovernment entities at the last minute to attend the election and vote out the current executive. The plan seems to have included an individual who is neither a trained journalist neither a journalistic critic. I watched a recent programme that person runs where fake news, the kind that the PPP might have liked, that said Mr Glenn Lall formed a party and that Mr

Ramnarine was the Prime MinisterialCandidate.There wasmuchdemonisationand

mocking of these two patriots In that same programme, that chap said he got a text from a fella called Uncle Deryck asking, “What happen to me and meh partner Azruddin Mohamed? Where this pervert coming from? He looklikeananteater.”Heput Derek’sphotoonthescreen, andaskedhisoperator,“You got any photos with an anteater…leh we do a sideby-side analysis.” I don’t know that kind of stuff w o u l d q u a l i f y a s “journalism.” Under no known circumstances, even ifstandardswerelow,would what he does be considered journalism, so I don’t know why an injunction would be filed to stop the voting becausehecouldnotbecome a member of a professional Journalists’Association.

After upbraiding the attorney in the injunction case, the Chief Justice said, “Iamnotgoingtoallowthis togofurther,theentireFixed Date Application is struck out It has been totally misconceived The Court cannotallowamatterthanis misconceivedtoproceed,for a full hearing” (“Chief

stop GPA

’

elections,”May14,2023).

The PPP Government must be concerned at the optics of its apparent o v e r r e a c h i n g a n d harassment of the current GPAandlettingloseitsdogs ofwar

T h i s s m a c k s o f Burnham-era politics, and “Paramountcy of the Party” tactics. Since it failed in its hostile takeover of the GPA, wecanbesuretherewillbea parallel Press Association formed under the patronage of Government-related folks, notwithstanding the “One Guyana” slogan. Who knows they might deny accreditation to the current GPA folks But the international community (ABCEU) is watching and theyreleasedaveryscathing statement on World Press FreedomDay2023underthe theme, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expressionasadriverforall other human rights.” Some international folks also attendedtheGPAelectionas observers.

The VP should take warning, you better take warning, you better do good!,asEddieHoopersang longago.

Sincerely,

M.Singh

The GPAmust remain resolute to ensure that any attempt to undermine its credibility is soundly and utterly discredited and abandoned

An apparent PPPGovernment-inspired attempted hostile takeover of the GPAfailed miserably

Envious opposition wants to get into the governance action

DEAREDITOR,

WithGuyanaonthefastp a c e d c o u r s e o f development and economic success, it is not surprising that the current PPPC government spearheading the transformation has become the target of attacks and propaganda campaigns by political opportunists envious of the progress

Hence,thepeopleshouldnot be fooled, or misled by the opposition parties’ frequently changing hysterical claims which rangefromracismtothelack of transparency, to political exclusion Let’s take political exclusion for example.Oppositionleaders and supporters, in recent times, seem to have discovered the concept of Shared Governance. Their recent barrage of propaganda campaigns calling for Shared Governance follow their previous claims as to why National Front Government (NFG) was essential to Guyana’s success. And we all remember well the fraud of NFG. Today, the outcry for Shared Governance is justanewtwisttothefalsity of peoples’ involvement in governmental decisions just

like the promises of NFG. Here is why The concept of Shared Governance was introduced and promoted by U S Colleges and Universities to involve administrators, faculty and governingboards(Boardsof Trustees) in the decisionmaking process to improve institutionalperformance.In short, it rests on the collective will of all whose interest rests in the university/college success Thatis,intheachievementof a particular academic outcome Since these separate bodies have a common vested interest in the success of their individual institution (college/university), it was not difficult to promote and foster Shared Governance. Some organizations have adopted and tailored the concepttofittheirparticular interests. Given the above explanation of Shared Governance, several questions come to mind, amongwhichare:(1)Whose interestsSharedGovernance is intended to serve, the opposition leaders, or all Guyanese? (2) If it is all Guyanese, isn’t the current government doing just that?

(3) If the opposition truly

believe in shared governance, why are they trying to exploit ethnic differences by spreading rumors that the PPPC government is racist? (4) Is this a deliberate attempt to cause disunity instead of unity? (5) How will shared governance improve the lives of all Guyanese when, underthissystem,thepeople would be excluded from, or have minimal input into the decision-makingprocesses. Essentialtothebenefitof all sectors of the Guyanese population is Participatory Democracy, and in this regard, the current government is in the forefront Simply put, Participatory Democracy encourages citizens to be involved in governmental decisions, That is, allowing for the people to have input inissuesaffectingtheirlives. Take for example, President Irfaan Ali’s community outreachinitiatives.Notonly is the President talking to, and seeking input, from members within the community, he is also addressing their needs and delivering on the promises he makes to them. He is not singling out particular communities based on

ethnicity, he is reaching out to all ethnic groups in the country Think also of the distribution of house lots whichisdonethroughoutthe country irrespective of political or ethnic differences Such actions make him an exemplar of participatory democracy Could it be that opposition leaders and so-called intellectual supporters are envious of President Ali’s success in bringing success toallGuyanese?Andthatby his actions these opposition leaders are fearful of being relegated to the backwaters of Guyana’s politics. Could this be the reason for their echoing cry for Shared Governance? In today’s political climate, the people need to be alert to the desperate attempts by opposition forces seeking to promote themselves, and/or regain political power by seeking to destabilize the course of progress and upliftment of all Guyanese. LetthemexplainhowShared Governance and not Participatory Democracy would improve the lives of allGuyanese.

Sincerely,

NarayanPersaud,PhD. ProfessorEmeritus

DEAREDITOR,

The Declaration of Chapultepecwasadoptedby the Inter American Press

Association at its Hemisphere Conference on Free Speech held in Chapultepec,atChapultepec Castle, in Mexico City, on 11thMarch,1994.Itsetsout theten(10)principleswhich guideandgovernfreedomof expression and of the press and to which all the governments who observe andpracticedemocracyhave committedandsignedonto, includingtheGovernmentof Guyana.

In August 1998, experts in inter-American law, journalists and editors from all of the Americas met and reaffirmed the ten (10) principlesinSanJose,Costa Rica. Its first principle declares that “No people or society can be free without freedomofexpressionandof thepress.Theexerciseofthis freedom is not something authorities grant; it is an inalienable right of the people”.

Its eighth principle

declares that “The membershipofjournalistsin guilds, their affiliation to professional and trade

associations and the affiliation of the media with

business groups must be strictlyvoluntary”.

The Guyana Press Association(GPA)istheone body representing professional media practitioners and journalists in our country and has been doing so for some time. I was, at one time, an active memberwhenIservedasthe General Manager of the Guyana Chronicle which wasthenprivatelyowned.In fact, it was in that capacity thatIwastherecipientofan Inter-American Press Association Freedom of the Press Award for defending freedomofthepresswhenit was threatened by our government and that provided me with a scholarshiptoattendBoston University’s School of PublicCommunications.

Itis,therefore,withsome considerable concern that I observed the controversy into which the credibility and, as a result, the efficacy of the GPA to speak for freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Guyana has become enmeshed.

I have witnessed, in dismay,theobviousabsence of transparency and internal conflictwhichhas

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GPAmust put right what has clearly gone wrong

Frompage4 slips in as “some factual detail” that a soi-disant contender for a post for which he was not yet nominated from the floor, stated on the floor and repeated in the press. Any serious contender for any position must of course gather data of the members, constituents or participants and lobby them, convince them and therefore expect theirsupport. The contender could have canvassed all the media housesandknowwhoarethe members in this case. In addition, that contender mustdosowithcivility.

What I witnessed, in dismay,attheTheatreGuild reminded me of a Brink Show there years ago where aPoliticalCandidateblurted out “I was Robbed, the

Elections was Rigged, Give mebackmeCandidates”.So many years later what occurredisnotwhatKitsaw fromadistance.

The GPA’s Executive explained why and how its eligiblememberscouldvote at the elections and why the list was announced at that time.

The “contender” participatedinpreviousGPA electionsandisawareofthe process.

He is even aware that because registered members were tardy back then they wereencouragedtopaytheir dues before they can vote. He must be aware that there were other contested electionstothepointthatone Vice President won in a tie byacointoss.

According to the GPA’s Constitution,Full Members,

essentially those who have practiced as professional journalistsforaminimumof three (3) years, “shall be entitled to exercise full votingrightsintheaffairsof theAssociation”.

There is nothing in the Constitution that requires their names to be circulated in the public domain simply because another registered member not yet a nominee for a position demands that bedone.

The fact that a highly respected Attorney, Mr RonaldBurch-Smith,agreed topresideandpresidedasthe Returning Officer over the election should tell us all something.

The fact that five female representatives from the Diplomatic Community (on Mothers’Day) observed the processisinstructive.

The lack of civility and the instigation of controversy in the

Frompage5 underminedthecredibilityof the GPA’s conduct of its elections at its Annual General Meeting on Sunday last.

What occurred has been described in some factual detail in a letter in the Stabroek News of Tuesday,

‘Boorstinian’sense may not belosttothem.

To mark World Press Freedom Day, the Heads of Missions of the United States of America, the British High Commission, the Canadian High Commission and the Delegation of the European Unionemphasizedthat“itis imperative that all stakeholders, including decision makers such as the government and the opposition, maintain a mutually respectful relationship with the media in its capacity as the fourth estate and as a vital part of democracyinaction”.

Editor, Kit Nascimento must be aware that those missions were there at the GPAElections on May 14th 2023andarefullyawarethat theChapultepecDeclaration in the Preamble states: “Wherever the media can function unhindered and

16th May, 2023, by Neil Marks, who was contesting forthePresidency Itremains inexplicable why the GPA’s Executive, for instance, refused to disclose, well in advance, a list of its eligible members to vote at the elections.

According to the GPA’s Constitution, Full Members, essentially those who have practiced as professional journalistsforaminimumof three (3) years,”shall be entitled to exercise full votingrightsintheaffairsof theAssociation”.

There is nothing in the Constitution that requires theirnamestobekeptsecret or withheld from public

determine their own direction and manner of serving the public, there is a blossoming of the ability to seek information, to disseminate it without restraints, to question it without fear and to promote the free exchange of ideas andopinions.

Butwhereverfreedomof the press is curtailed, for whatever reasons, the other freedomsvanish.”

After a period when attempts were made to legitimize government control over news outlets, it is gratifying to be able to work together to defend freedom.

Many men and women worldwide join us in this task.

But opposition remains widespread. Our continents arenoexception.

There are still countries whosedespoticgovernments abjure every freedom,

scrutinypriortotheelection, which the outgoing Executive, under the then Presidency of the newly elected President, Ms Nazima Raghubir, insisted upon. The outgoing Secretary, Ms Svetlana MarshallAbrams,admitsasmuchina letter to Neil Marks, that the names will only be revealed on the actual day of the elections, inviting the obvious question as to why?

I find it particularly disappointing that a highly respected Attorney, Mr. RonaldBurch-Smith,should agree to preside as the Returning Officer over an election fraught with such

particularly those freedoms related to expression Criminals, terrorists and drugtraffickersstillthreaten, attack and murder journalists.

But that is not the only waytoharmafreepressand freeexpression.

Thetemptationtocontrol and regulate has led to decisions that limit the independent action of the media, of journalists and of citizens who wish to seek anddisseminateinformation andopinions.”

The Guyana Press Association must remain resolute to ensure that any attempt/subterfuge to u n d e r m i n e i t s credibility/operations is soundly and utterly discreditedandabandoned. Regards, EnricoWoolford PastPresident, G u y a n a P r e s s Association

controversy

Regardless of the fact that he had no authority to intervene in the process, his verypresencelentcredibility to an incredulous election.

To mark World Press Freedom Day, the Heads of MissionsoftheUnitedStates ofAmerica,theBritishHigh Commission, the Canadian High Commission and the Delegation of the European Unionemphasizedthat“itis imperative that all stakeholders, including decision makers such as the government and the opposition, maintain a mutually respectful relationship with the media in its capacity as the fourth estate and as a vital part of democracy inaction” Unfortunately, the GPA, by its own thoughtless behaviour, has seriously underminedthemaintenance ofthatmutualrespect.

The above said, it remains essential that the Guyana Press Association shouldrecoverandrestoreits credibility in order to fulfill itsresponsibilitytorepresent the voice and concerns of a freemedia.

Itcannot,however,doso with any degree of respect nor regard headed by an Executivewhichcannotfind legitimacyinitselections.’

Itisnowincumbentupon Ms.Raghubirandthosewho wereplacedintheExecutive of the GPAalongside of her, to put right what has clearly gonewrong.

Yourssincerely, KitNascimento

GPAmust put right what has clearly gone...

The GPAmust remain resolute to ensure that any attempt to undermine its...

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THE HIRED PENS AT WORK

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Having failed to hijack the Guyana PressAssociation (GPA), the PPP Government has since released its hired pens as was predicted to go after the association.

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Government advisors and other officials of the state are competing with each other to see who can throw the most dirt on the GPA through their Facebook pages and in the letter columns of newspapers.

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What a pathetic display of men and women singing for their supper - their aim is to discredit the press body, the same one they were so desperately hoping to control a week ago.

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th Exxon 5 project will produce oil at third highest cost compared to

countries-ProfessorHunte

Thecostofoilproduction at ExxonMobil Guyana's fifth development is estimatedasthethirdhighest, compared to other top producing states around the globe.

Thiswasrecentlybrought to the fore by Former Ambassador and Professor, Dr Kenrick Hunte in a letter to this newspaper. In his missive, published in Tuesday'sedition,Dr.Hunte, who holds a Ph.D in Economics / Rural Finance Markets, a Masters in Economics from the Ohio State University, and M.Sc. and BSc in Agricultural Economics from the Utah State University explained that the government must explainhowthispoorproject

evaluationwasaccepted. TheformerLecturerused a table to explain his conclusion, plugging

variables shared by the oil operator, pertaining to the fifth offshore project. He explainedinhisanalysisthat

the project is pegged at US$12 7 billion and will produce 812 million barrels of oil over a period of 20 years at a rate of 250,000 barrelsperday,commencing 2027.

He however pointed out, “Whilenobreakdownofhow this project cost has been determined,itcanbeinferred that the average capital spendingforabarrelofoilis US$ 15.64 (US$12.7 billion /812 million barrels of oil).”

Dr Hunte added, “In comparing this capital spending of US$15.64 per barrel of oil with other countries, this level of spending is the third largest amount. Only Brazil and the UKhavehighercosts.”

Professor Hunte, as seen in the table attached, compared the cost per barrel with countries such as Venezuela,Russia,Iraq,Iran and Saudia Arabia, all of which spent less to develop theiroilreserves.

The former Ambassador also showed that the 20-year project life as claimed by Exxon for the fifth project, Uaru is grossly padded. He believes that the resources could be drained from the field in less than nine years. While referencing an article published by this newspaper on May 13, 2023, see link b e l o w : https://www.kaieteurnewson line com/2023/05/13/after-

approving-fifth-oil-projectgovt-now-asks-exxon-tostudy-what-it-will-do-withexcess-gas/,ProfessorHunte said, “What caught my attention in this article was the fact that the production lifeoftheprojectof20years was highly misleading and horribly wrong; and here is the proof: Since Uaru has an inventory of 812 million barrels of oil; and since 250,000barrelsofoilwillbe produced daily, this implies that the oil will be fully extracted in 3,248 days or 8.899 years, assuming 365 daysperyear.”

Further, he pointed out that if the oil company employs debottlenecking technology,aswasutilizedin the two current producing projects, then the life of the Uaru project will be reduced further to 6.18 years with higherrisks.

He also shared, “Moreover, reflecting on the comments (KN: 5/14/2023) made by ExxonMobil Corporation's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Kathy Mikells who said that “…theoilgiantissparingno effort in maximising value fromGuyanaonallfronts,as quickly as possible…” I was again disappointed that the people of Guyana, in broad daylight, were being taken advantageof,giventhesmall share of the total revenue (14.5%) that Guyana will

receive from a nonrenewable resource that will be exhausted in or before 2034.”

To this end, Professor Hunte urged that the governmentexplainhowthis poor project evaluation was accepted.

Inapreviousmissive,the former diplomat argued that the cost per barrel of oil produced by Exxon is both q u e s t i o n a b l e a n d u n a c c e p t a b l e https://www.kaieteurnewson line com/2023/03/09/theaverage-cost-per-barrel-ofoil-produced-by-exxon-isq u e s t i o n a b l eunacceptable/#: :text=In%2 0contrast%2C%20Venezuel a%2C%20Brazil%20and,% 2452 86%20per%20barrel% 20in%202021

He has been contending that since Guyana is advertised as a low-cost producer, given that it has sweetcrudeoilthatisinhigh demand, together with only two percent royalty, this relatively high-cost outcome for a barrel of oil is “surprising”. The educator urgedthatgovernment“must fix this inequity imposed by EEPGL”.

Exxon's fifth project was authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on April 27, 2023.Itisexpectedtostartup in2027.

M i t s u i O c e a n Development&Engineering Company (Modec) has been contracted to deliver Guyana's fifth floating production, storage and offloading(FPSO)vesselfor the Uaru project This newspaper reported only days ago that the US$115 millioncontractwasawarded in 2022, prior to the development receiving requisiteapprovals.

other

...says Govt. must explain acceptance of poor evaluation, as oil could be depleted in less than half the time company claims

This table was used by Dr. Hunte to compare the estimated cost to develop a barrel of oil in Uaru, compared with projects in other countries around the world.

Former Ambassador and Professor, Dr. Kenrick Hunte

GUYANA AT THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL: AN EXERCISE IN CONFUSION

The world must be changing faster than I can keep up with it. I am led to thisconclusionhavingreada statement on the website of Guyana’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

Thewebsitereportedthat Guyana’s Permanent RepresentativetotheUnited Nations, Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett participated in the 2023 UN Security Council Briefing Series for non-contested candidates and presented Guyana’s vision and priorities for its term on the UN Security Council Guyana’s candidacy for the 2024-2025 term, as a nonpermanent member of the Security Council, is not being contested; as such Guyanaisassuredofitsseat.

The Briefing Series allows uncontested candidates to share the priority concerns and issues onwhichtheyintendtofocus during their term. This is whereGuyanasprungahuge surprise,atleasttome.

It was reported that Guyanastatedthatitsservice on the Council would be guided by a people-centered a p p r o a c h , a f i r m c o m m i t m e n t t o multilateralism, collective actions and the principles and objectives of the United Nations.Itwasfurtherstated that Guyana would work collaboratively with all the Council members in addressing the Councils

agenda.Thiswasallfluffand littlesubstance.

Very surprising to me was the commitment to be guided by a people-centered approach. On the United Nations Security Council?

Why would Guyana have to adopt a people- centered approachonaCouncilwhich dealswithsecurity?

Even more astonishing was the report that during Guyana’s tenure on the Council, five areas will be given special focus: (i) climate change, food insecurity and conflict (ii) peace building and conflict prevention (iii) women, peace and security (iv) protection of children in armed conflicts and (v) youth, peace and security DidCabinetorthePresident approve of these 5 priority areas? While the Security Council’sremitdoesinvolve non-state conflicts, it is assumed that these issues would be better handled withintheorganizationsand institutionsoftheUNsystem such as the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)whichdealswithfood security and the United Nations Framework

Convention on Climate Change(UNFCC)dealswith climatechangematters.

Not much success is likelyonthosefronts. Itwill berecalledthatlastOctober, Russia vetoed a United Nations Security Council resolution on the security implications of climate

change, a resolution which wasopposedbyIndiaandon whichChinaabstained.Five years ago, the Security Council has recognized the link between hunger and conflict and has passed a resolutiontothiseffect.That was five years ago. What doesGuyanahopetoachieve by making this a priority? Anotherresolution?

There are far important issues relating to global security and in which Guyana has more than a passingnationalinterestthat toprioritizeconflictsarising from food security and climatechange.

Guyana has a longstanding territorial controversywithVenezuela. This 1899ArbitralAwardis nowbeforetheInternational CourtofJustice.Guyanahas been a victim of threats and aggression from Venezuela. Thatcountrystilloccupiesa part of Guyana’s territory andhasshownnoindication toremovingitself.

Only recently, the President said that the country’sforeignpolicywill have a stronger focus on defence diplomacy He also indicated that this was the rolewhichGuyanawouldbe focusing on regionally and internationally

One would have assumedthatGuyana’smain focusduringitstenurewould have been about ensuring greater compliance with international law, including the rejection of threats and

aggression.ItisinGuyana’s foremost national interest to advocategreaterrespectand territorial integrity of states. Thiswouldappear,atleastto me,tobetheprimaryforeign policy priority of Guyana, not people-centered approachesorissuesrelating to climate change and food security

Those issues could be pursuedelsewhereincluding within the FAO, through the UNFCC and through the U n i t e d N a t i o n s Development Programme At present the United Nations Security Council is being chaired by Russia, an ironyinitselfsinceRussiais guiltyofaggressionagainsta sovereignstate,Ukraine.

At present, the main issue before the Council remainsRussia’saggression.

Guyana’s term on the Security Council will begin next January And it is doubtfulwhetherbythenthe conflict in Ukraine would haveendedorforthatmatter that normalcy would be restoredtoYemen.

Last week, the United States blocked a Security Council resolution in the situationinGaza.Therearea number of conflicts which remain unresolved included in Sahel and in Sudan and SouthSudan.

Againstthisbackground, does Guyana expect to be taken seriously on the Security Council by prioritizing issues such as food security and conflict, climate change and conflict, women and conflict and youth and conflict? These aresoftissueswhicharebest

addressedoutsideoftheUN SecurityCouncil.

Guyana will not get another chance for a long time to be on the Security Council. As such it should use this opportunity to secure Guyana’s national interest by taking a concerted stand on the issue ofnon-aggression.Itwillnot bedoingthisifitpursuesthe course it advocated during the recent Security Council Briefings.

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

HARDTRUTHS BYGHKLALL

A BIG HAND FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT

It is my position that the Hon Vice President, Bharat Jagdeo, has approached the stewardship of the nation’s oil and gas portfolio all wrong.

Because he has represented this great and delicate responsibility in a manner opposite to how he shouldhave,IdoDr Jagdeo a favour: I extend a big helpinghand.Ifandwhenhe should incorporate what I recommend with boldness and wisdom, he will succeed,withGuyanarising to its proper place of prosperityandrespect.

The first thing I do for my brother, Dr Jagdeo, is counselhimtospeaklessof what is helpful to Exxon’s interests. Stop groveling, please cease fawning.The American oil cobra is superbly equipped, better than any Guyanese leader andcitizen(includingme)to defend and advance its interests. It could be returns in keeping with the level of risks taken, or loans, or

parent company guarantee. Frankly, whatever defenses Dr Jagdeo runs before Guyanese on behalf of Exxon reduces him to the pathetic and unpatriotic. On theissuerecentlydecidedby Judge Kissoon, Exxon was miles ahead of Guyana having worked through various outcomes, but was careful:itis“reviewing”the decision The company foxes in Irving, Texas can press their advantage, but does it want to risk the triggering the wrath of the Guyanese people by constantly dismissing their judiciary? Thus, it is reviewing.

Sticking with this Judge Kissoon’s ruling, I shrink at the utter contempt that Exxon must hold for my brother Jagdeo, given his unholyhastetoprotectthem (while castrating his own people).

What slurs they must have reserved specially for him!As the VP’s hustles to distractGuyanesefromhow heshouldbeoverseeingthis

oil wealth, his toadying to what benefits Exxon only becomes more pronounced, converts his actions to what is beyond contemptible. I feel great shame just by observing. Consider: I have said repeatedly that though theEPAisweakanduseless, it is because it has been reducedtosuchanakedstate bythePPPGovernmentand itsleaders. IfbrotherJagdeo himself is publicly rolling over so joyfully for Exxon, then how can the EPA be different?Havingrelayedto Dr Jagdeo, where he has gone wrong, I now guide himregardingwhathemust come to represent and exemplify in his relentless advocacy for better, for more, for what is right, and for what is properly due to Guyana. “We need more, and we want more, and we must get more.” “We will getmore.” “Iwillspendmy last ounce of energy, my final gasp, to get more, and IwillgetmoreforGuyana.”

“From Exxon and its partners From the

StabroekBlock.”

What could of more singular and inspirational leadership than that, those immovablecommitmentsof a man, a leader, and patriot dedicated to wresting the last penny and percentage point due to Guyana from ExxonforGuyanese! Itake nodelightindenouncingDr Jagdeo. First, he is not the enemy;andsecond,itwould becounterproductive.

Asasonofthissoilwith major responsibilities placedinhishands,hemust stand brave. Exxon must know that it is not dealing with a three-legged pony or a pussycat. I think that Dr Jagdeo can do what I plead with him to do. More for Guyanamustbehismantra. More! more! his sworn missioninlife. Whothehell cares about Exxon’s interests,consideringhowit hasdealtwiththiscountry?

I put some more powerful words in his ear “If it means that we have to move mountains out of the way, then we will. I will.

Andiftreacherous straits must be navigated, then they willbe,withenergyand vitality, and with zeal. I welcomeit. IfExxonwants to pack up, that’s its choice. Whateverwillbe,willbe.”

Separately, I have heard arguments and postures involving sanctity of contract, and they have theirstrengths, and validity also. To the VP, I give this little beauty, which is also for the listening pleasure of Exxon’s Routledge, and Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch:wehaveeveryregard forsanctityofcontract,butit is subservient to sanctity of sovereignty; even junior to sanctityofpatrimony

By my way of thinking about such crucial matters, sovereignty’s sanctity empowers Guyana not to approveonemoreoilproject in the Stabroek Block. Not onemorepermit.

Not one more license. I appreciate that Exxon can marshal its legal armies to present its grievances in

r t

That’sthe company’scall. Butthereis the court of the Guyanese people: angry, antagonistic, and massed in growing hostility against Exxon AgainstExxon.

Does Exxon really want to deal with such a dragged o u t , d r a g d o w n development? I understand the oil is out there, but it would impress to observe Guyanese manifesting the same energy and passion againstExxon,liketheydid againsteachotherinthelast elections.

I think I have said enough. Thebatonispassed to VP Jagdeo. Best wishes, bro.

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

Frequent blackouts, political crisis, major obstacles to doing business in Guyana

The unstable political climate and unreliable powersupplyareseenasthe major obstacles to doing business in Guyana, the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank said in its Caribbean Economics Quarterly review titled: “Reflections on Innovation and Productivity as Caribbean Businesses

E m e r g e f r o m t h e Pandemic.”

ForyearsGuyanesehave struggled with frequent power outages and despite billions of dollars in investments at the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) nothing has changed. The government has embarked on an ambitious gas-toenergy project, which Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo saidwillsolvetheelectricity woes Yet to date no financial and/or any feasibility study for this project, which involves approximately 25km of onshore pipeline, has been provided to the nation despiterepeatedrequestsfor thesame.Budgetdocuments indicate the government is looking to borrow from the US Exim Bank GY$134

IDB report

billion(US$646million)for the project, raising further concernsaboutthecountry’s debtrecord.

Only recently the Public UtilitiesCommission(PUC) reported that GPL has continuously failed to achieve majority of its Operating Standards and

(OSPTs) – despite those targets being way below industry norms and ‘nearly met’ the other targets

According to the document seen by this publication, PUCOrder1of2023which is a review of GPL’s performance in 2022, paintedtheagencyinagrim lightforonlyachievingfour of the eight standards and targets.

For System Average Interruption Frequency

Index (SAIFI), the Commission stated that this standard is to limit the average number of outages

which consumers received during the reporting year

Fortheyear2022,thetarget was set at 90 outages. GPL failedthisstandardasitwas revealed that for last year there were a total of 94 outages.

It was explained that from data collected by the company, it was revealed that the main reason for the high number of customer outages, were as a result of feederandtransmissionline

trips and increased planned maintenance.Asitrelatesto the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), the intent of this standard is to limit the duration of outages experienced by consumers duringtheyear Fortheyear 2022, the target set was 95 hours;however,theaverage duration of outages experienced by consumers during the year was 96 hours.Assuch,thisstandard wasnotmetbyGPL.

Topsixobstacles

Meanwhile,accordingto the IDB review in Guyana, thetopsixobstaclestodoing businesswereelectricity,tax rates, skilled labour, collateral requirements for l o a n s , i n t e r e s t rates on loans, and customs and trade regulations. The bank said a total of 64% of firms cited electricity as eitheramajororverysevere obstacle to doing business, while 47% cited customs and trade regulations. In contrast, for the Caribbean overall,electricityremainsa challenge, but not the main one, as 49% of firms identified it as a major or verysevereobstacle.

Regionally, the three most significant obstacles werecollateralrequirements forloans,identifiedby63% of surveyed firms, followed by customs and trade regulations (59%), and skilledworkers(59%).

“ T h e g r e a t e s t divergences between Guyanaandtheregionarein the categories of political environment and electricity, whichareidentifiedasmore seriousobstaclesinGuyana, w h i l e c o l l a t e r a l requirements, customs and traderegulations,andlabour regulations are reported as moreseriousobstaclesinthe region,”thebankstated.

The bank said some obstacles appear to have become more serious recentlyinGuyana.Itsaidin comparingthesurveyresults between 2014 and 2020, electricity, tax rates, skilled workers, collateral requirements, interest rates, customs and trade, and land have been reported to be major and very severe obstaclesbyalargershareof surveyed firms. “Electricity continuestobeasignificant challenge,asitwasreported

(Continuedonpage16)

The Public Utilities Commission reported that GPL has continuously failed to achieve majority of its Operating Standards and Performance Targets

Linden woman jailed 8 years for raping young girl

Tw e n t y - y e a r- o l d

GabriellaAllencalled'Gabby' a former day-care employee of Lot 26 Buck Hill, Wismar Linden,wasonMondayjailed eightyearsforrapingayoung girl.

Allen had denied the indictment which stated that sherapedachildundertheage of 16, contrary to Section 10 (3)oftheSexualOffencesAct Chapter8:03.

She was on trial before Justice Priya SewnarineBeharry at the Demerara Sexual Offences Court. On February 22, after deliberating the jury returned withaguiltyverdict.Assuch, Justice Sewnarine-Beharry ordered that a psychiatric evaluation be conducted on Allen.

In a victim impact statementthatwasreadtothe court by the child's mother, it was revealed that since the incidentsheisunabletoleave her daughter without underwear because she constantly touches or inserts herfingersintohervagina.

It was also revealed in courtthatthechildtellspeople onthestreetsaboutwhatAllen did to her The mother said since the incident, she only leaves her daughter with her mother because she does not trust anyone else to care for

a Senior Probation Officer, Allen claimed she was physically and verbally abused by her mother while growing up. It was stated in court that as a result of the abuse, she dropped out of school at age 15andranawayfromhome.

The probation officer had explained that throughout the interview with Allen, the woman maintained her innocence and claimed that shewassetup.

Handyman jailed for breaking into businesswoman's property

Firewoman on $400,000 bail for causing death of girl, 2

Twenty-eight-year-old Chandani Mohabir, a firewoman of East Canefield,EastCanje-Berbice,wason Tuesday placed on $400,000 bail for causing the death of 2-year-old Jasmine Ross, some five months after theaccident.

Mohabir appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the New Amsterdam Magistrate's Courts, for the offence of causing death by dangerousdriving.

The accused was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on December 23, at CumberlandVillagePublicRoad,East Canje,shedrovemotorcarPGG278in a dangerous manner, thereby causing thedeathofthetoddler

The prosecution did not object to bailbeinggrantedtoMohabirandbail was granted. The case was transferred to the Reliance Magistrate's Court and adjournedtoJune2,2023.

Accordingtoreports,onthedayin

question, Mohabir, who is stationed at the NewAmsterdam Fire Station, was allegedly driving her motorcar while under the influence of alcohol, when she crashed into motorcyclist Marley Ross, 29, and his da ughter, Jas who was the pillionrider

on uesdayjailedforeightmonthsafterbreakingintoawoman's

HewasidentifiedasBryanJackbetterknownas'Nicey'of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD). Jack made his courtappearancebeforeMagistrateFabayoAzoreattheCove andJohnMagistrate'sCourtandpleadedguiltytotheoffenceof breakandenterandlar

Guyana's embassy in Qatar was on Tuesday officially opened by President Irfaan Ali, who noted that the move would help both countries embark on a journey of enhanced bilateralrelationship.

PresidentAliisquotedin a DOHANEWS article as stating, “We both promote peace, stability and sustainability… I want to thank all of our friends who are here to celebrate this momentousoccasion.”

The president thanked Emir of Qatar,Amir Sheikh TamimbinHamadAlThani, for his support to Guyana, noting that, “We are truly gratefuland,asanation,we pray for the continued prosperity and good health for the government, leadershipandthepeopleof Qatar.”

President Ali expressed

It was reported that the firewoma n w a s allegedly speeding whenshelost control of car and collided with the father and daughter Marley and his daughter were rushed to the hospital but Jasmine was pronounced deaduponarrival.

Dead, 2-year-old

bail,

The firewoman, whose blood alcohol level was tested following the

accident,waschargedsinceDecember 30, with Driving under the Influence (DUI) and placed on $100,000 bail. Heralcohollevelshowedthatshewas abovethelegallimitwhenshecrashed intothemotorcyclist.

Guyana opens embassy in Qatar

his administration's aim to diversifyGuyana'seconomy and make it one of the most competitive economies globally DOHANEWSsaid prior to Tuesday's inauguration, the Guyanese president stressed the importance of developing bilateral trade in various sectors, including oil, gas and food security President Ali is in Doha, Qatar on an officialvisit.Heisjoinedby SeniorMinisterintheOffice of the President with responsibility for Finance, DrAshni Singh, Director of Presidential Affairs, Mrs Marcia Nadir-Sharma, and otherofficials.

Dr Ali has so far met with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Minister of Finance,Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari The

discussion centred on several areas of mutual cooperation. President Ali also presented paintings from local artist, Dillon Craig to the Senior GovernmentOfficials.

Bilateral discussions were also held with Qatar's MinisterofStateforEnergy Affairs, Engineer Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani, and the Qatar Chamber of

Commerce, represented by its First Vice Chairman, Mohamed Bin Ahmed Bin TwarAl-Kuwari. During an engagement with Minister ofEnvironmentandClimate Change, Faleh bin Nasser binAhmedbinAliAlThani, Guyana's global leadership in climate change was highlightedandthepotential

roleQatarcanplay

The head of state also metwithChairmanofQatar Tourism and Group CEO of Qatar Airways, Akbar Al Baker Dr Ali and the airline's Chief Executive Officer also discussed enhancing Guyana's reach and the country's tourism product.

Qatar and Guyana, in 2020 inked an Air Services Agreement on the sidelines of the 40th General A s s e m b l y o f t h e International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal. The agreement promoted the movement of goods and people of both countries. Qatar and Guyana established diplomatic relations in 1996 to strengthen bilateral cooperation in numerous fields, including climate changeandenergy

Jailed Handyman, Bryan Jack

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and Qatari officials at the opening of the Guyana Embassy in Qatar on Tuesday (Doha News photo)

Granted

Chandani Mohabir

Jasmine Ross

Jailed, Gabriella Allen called “Gabby”

Justice Kissoon's landmark ruling plunges

Exxon's stock price by nearly 12 % -

Int'l lawyers monitoring case for precedent in ongoing insurance matters

Acomprehensive a n a l y s i s p u b l i s h e d yesterday by British daily newspaper, The Guardian, noted that ExxonMobil Corporation's stock price droppedbymorethanUS$10 following the landmark ruling by Justice Sandil Kissoonorderingtheoilgiant to provide Guyana with an unlimited parent guarantee for oil spills. In the article authored by award winning journalist and podcaster, AmyWestervelt,shesaidthe nearly 12 percent decline occurred in just a matter of twoweeks.

K a i e t e u r N e w s ' independent checks also showed that the stock price wasUS$115twodaysbefore theMay3judgmentbutthen slipped to US$105 after the rulingwasissued.

Westervelt's report also quotes Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and president o f t h e C e n t e r f o r International Environmental Law, Carroll Muffett on the significance of the case for theindustry.Hesaidlawyers from around the world fighting similar matters are looking to the case for inspiration.Muffettisquoted inthepiecesaying,“Lawyers from around the world who are fighting oil and gas, off thecoastsofsouthernAfrica, offthecoastofMozambique, and in other places in the Caribbean are going to be looking at this decision and, paying close attention to

whether the financial guaranteesbeingprovidedin other oil and gas exploration anddevelopmentpermitsare atanequivalentlevel.”

The Guardian report also noted that Justice Kissoon's ruling promoted two new shareholder resolutions that are to be heard and voted on at ExxonMobil's annual shareholders' meeting on

https://wwwtheguardian co m/world/2023/may/17/could -guyanas-exxon-rulingscare-big-oil-off-riskyexploration.)

Separately, Westervelt shared with Kaieteur News that Steve Coll anAmerican journalist, academic and award winning writer was interviewed about Exxon's operations in Guyana. He

properly protected from the dangers that come with deepwaterdrilling.

K a i e t e u r N e w s previously reported that the landmark ruling by Justice SandilKissoonwasissuedon May3,2023afteritwasfirst filed last year September by the legal team for Frederick Collins and Godfrey Whyte. They were successful in getting the court to declare that ExxonMobil affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) was not in compliance with the insurance provisions of its Liza Phase One Permit, which requires an unlimited parentguaranteeforoilspills intheStabroekBlock.

liability upon the Permit Holder for any discharge of any contaminant into the environmentandforallcosts of clean up, restoration and any damages all of which constitute legitimate liabilities under the Permit.

The Judge said the norm or standard in relation to activities of this nature has beenandcontinuestobethat the Permit Holder is exclusively and solely responsible for all such liabilities arising from its operationswithoutlimitation orexception.

May 31, 2023. The report statesthatoneproposalfrom a shareholder group seeks to compel Exxon to conduct a study on the impacts of a worst-case scenario spill on Guyana and 12 other Caribbean territories Another shareholder proposal also seeks to ascertain an actuarial assessment of the potential cumulative risk to Exxon from current environmentrelated litigation against the company and its affiliates, including the recent ruling, which is one of seven cases the company is facing here.

(The full Guardian analysis by Westervelt can be accessed via this link:

Essequibo man jailed for stealing from his father

AlabourerofAnnaRegina, Essequibo Coast, RegionTwo was onTuesday jailedfor two yearsforstealingfromhis72year-old father.The labourer, 40-year-old,TulsiramPersaud called'Naresh'appearedatthe Anna Regina Magistrate's Court before Magistrate Esther Sam. According to the charge, he stole from his father's home at Lot 70 Para Street, Anna Regina between May13andMay15. Persaud reportedly pleaded guilty to the offence of 'larceny in dwelling house' and was sent toprisonfortwoyears.

Jailed for stealing from his father, Tulsiram Persaud

alluded that Guyana is increasing in its importance toExxon.Collsaid,“Aplace likeGuyanawherethey'reon the hook for 25 percent of their production, that's actually leverage because they can't afford to lose that much daily liquids production ” In essence, Guyana more than has the right and the increasing power/leverage to demand that its environment is

The EPA had argued in court that the country is poised to receive a US$2B parent guarantee from Exxon. But Justice Kissoon had said that even then, EEPGL would still be in breach of its permit obligations.

Justice Kissoon categorically stated that the Liza Phase One Permit carries a confluence of measures, specifically at Condition 14 which stipulates and imposes full, complete and unlimited

Expounding further, Justice Kissoon noted that Condition 14 of the permit titled Financial Assurance and Liability for Pollution Damage provides at: 14:1 that: The Permit Holder is liableforallcostsassociated withcleanup,restorationand compensation for any damages caused by an dischargeoranycontaminant including the cost of all investigations into pollution incidents or discharge of contaminants conducted at theinstanceoftheAgency Justice Kissoon also ruled that, “Condition 14:01 doesnotcontainanywordor term of limitation upon liability, quantum of costs,

Bandit rips off school boy's pants to get cell phone

A lone bandit on a motorbike on Wednesday afternoon, at Last Bridge, Ondeneeming, La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), ripped off a school boy's pants just to get his cell phoneoutofthepocket.

After stealing the child's phone, the thief reportedlypushedtheboyintoanearbytrenchand rodeaway Thevictimwasidentifiedasa15-yearold fourth form student of the Westminster Secondary School, located in La Parfaite Harmonie.

HetoldKaieteurNewsthathewasattackedjust afewminutesafter15:00hrswhilewalkinghome from school. The boy said he had observed four menontwomotorcyclesridingaroundtheareaand actinginasuspiciousmanner Afewminuteslater, herecalledwhilecontinuinghisjourneyhome,one ofthempulleduponamotorcyclebesidehim. The manhedescribedasashortwithaneathaircutgot off the bike and pounced on him. As the man grabbed him, he tried to wrestle his way out from his grip but the bandit held onto his pocket and ripped off his pants just to take out his cellphone. Thebanditpushedhimintoanearbytrenchbefore ridingaway Investigationsareongoing.

The school boy's pants in shreds after the robbery.

quantum of damages nor restrictions on the circumstances of release or d i s c h a r g e n o r o n containment nor restriction on the sphere of adverse effects caused directly or indirectly.”

Justice Kissoon said the unlimited liability which is exclusively that of EEPGL, isbynomeansunusualinany sense. Considering all the submissions,JusticeKissoon ruled that, “It is simply not open to the Permit Holder to sayitisengagedinafrolicof itsown,aidedandabettedby the EPA, to unilaterally, arbitrarily and unlawfully capitsunlimitedliabilityand financialassurance.”

JusticeKissoonhasgiven the EPA and EEPGL up to June 10 to comply with his order The EPA also has a pending appeal on the judgmentsetforhearingand decisiononMay29,2023.

Justice Sandil Kissoon

WANTED VACANCY

One Assistant Cook and a Kitchen assistant. Must know to make puri & roti. Contact: 603-1278/ 665-5074.

One live-in Housekeeper needed to work in Virginia, USA. Ages 30-50 yrs. Call: 592-615-5476/ 845-325-8241.

One able-bodied work man needed. Call: 675-9988.

Live-in or live-out Domestic, truck & hauler Drivers and Office Assistant (with own motor cycle) needed. Must be honest & mature. Call: 623-6383.

One able- bodied male and female to work in a store. Call: 225-2313, 226-1497, 658-8559.

TM Truck Drivers for Interior, Canter Drivers and Porters for Georgetown. Contact: 223-5273, 621-5907.

Wanted! Male & Female workers for packaging pasta, required to work shift hours. Call: 611-7839.

Kitchen Assistant, Supervisor, Chef and Salesperson needed. Call: 659-5559.

Driver must be able to assist in workshop at Eccles, ages 23-50 yrs, . Call: 615-9132 or 645-8443.

Vacancy exists for two experienced Dispatcher at Confidential Cabs. Call: 695-1961 /231-5784.

Time keeping Clerk, Welder/ Fabricator, Office Assistant, Driver, Labourers, Maintenance Worker & Cleaner. Call: 621-6969/ 615-7784.

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Experienced Hair Colorist, Receptionist, Masseuse, Nail Technicians, Domestic and Barber needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 2266705.

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Joint services ranks prepare for LGE

With Local Government Elections (LGE) only weeks away, joint services ranks in Region Four have begun training at Police Officers’ Mess, located at the force’s headquarters at Eve Leary.

“Members of the Joint Services Training Committee are conducting a Command Post Exercise 1/ 2023 at the Police Officers’ Mess, Police Headquarters, Eve Leary”, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) stated on Wednesday.

The training, according to force, is for Joint Services ranks to be better equipped when handling possible situations at the upcoming elections.

As the ranks prepare themselves for LGE, the force advised members of the pub-

lic to not be alarmed at the heightened presence of the joint services throughout the

region.

The elections are scheduled for June 12, 2023

Education Minister visits NGSA marking centre

On Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand visited the marking centre for the recently concluded National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) which was conducted and is being marked by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).

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In a press release, the Department of Public Information said the visit by the minister was done in keeping with the long established tradition for the sitting minister to show support and appreciation for the Markers and encourage the Markers to be extra careful during the marking process.

She explained that the marking process for the National Grade Six Assessment is conducted in several stages to ensure that each child’s examination papers are marked correctly and that several layers are in place to minimise any probability of inaccuracy.

Firstly, a marker is exposed to only a single question of the entire exam and then that marker’s work is reviewed twice for quality assurance.

The Markers are tasked with marking Paper Twos only since the Paper Ones have been taken abroad by CXC to be graded electronically. Ap-

proximately 15,268 pupils wrote the National Grade Six Assessment 2023 which was conducted on May 3 and May 4.

Frequent blackouts, political crisis, major obstacles...

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From page 10 as an obstacle by more than 60% of firms in both surveys. Similarly, there has been little variation across the surveys in the obstacles reported in customs and trade, the political environment, and corruption.

However, there has been significant variation in areas

such as collateral requirements, land, and skilled workers, with almost 30% more firms identifying collateral and 20% more firms identifying access to land as an obstacles.

This result is not surprising in the context of a booming economy, considering the high levels of

capital inflows,” the IDB reported. The bank noted that increased business opportunities demand higher levels of credit and skilled workers, while at the same time property values have increased, making access to land more difficult.

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY

In the area of connectivity services, the bank reported that a higher share of firms in Guyana reported having power interruptions, but fewer reported mobile and internet service interruptions compared to the Caribbean average. It said that in 2020, 79% of surveyed firms in Guyana reported experiencing power service interruptions over the last year compared to 70% in the Caribbean.

However, only 15% of firms in Guyana reported having mobile phone connection interruptions, compared to 32%, and 40% reported having internet service interruptions compared to 56% in the Caribbean.

Joint Services ranks during one of the training sessions

Education Minister, Priya Manikchand and other officials during the visit

ECDmanwantedfor multiplearmedrobberies

Police on Wednesday issued a wanted bulletin for William De Abreu, a 25year-old man who they said is wanted for questioning in relation to a series of armed robberies.

The man's last known address has been listed as Lot 281 Middle Street, Bareroot and Bachelor's Adventure, East Coast Demerara (ECD). DeAbreu iswantedforquestioningfor a series of gun- related robberies and discharging a loaded firearm with intent. Police stated that the crimes took place onApril, 2023 at Enmore,ECD.

If anyone knows his whereabouts,theyareasked to contact police on telephone numbers, 2256940, 225-8169, 226 7476, 225 2317, 227-1149 or the nearest police station. De Abreu is no stranger to police. In January, 2021 he was labeled a suspected bandit and was reportedly involved in a shootout that same month with police at Church Road, Bachelor's Adventure.

Reportsbackthenstated that the incident took place on January 19, 2021. De Abreu was reportedly

driving a car when police interceptedandsignaledhim tostop.

He disobeyed the order andattemptedtodriveaway but ended up crashing into the police vehicle. He then allegedly exited the vehicle andopenedfireontheranks

as he ran away Police returned fire and one of the bulletshadstruckhiminthe legbuthehadstillmanaged toescapethem.Hewaslater arrested while seeking medical attention for his wound at the Woodlands Hospital.

Rape accused tells court it was a mistake after jumping from balcony to escape police

CXC probes leak of Math Paper 2

TheCaribbeanExaminationsCouncil (CXC®) said it is aware of the concerns that the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC®) Math Paper 02 whichwaswrittenonWednesday,17May 2023)wasleaked.

In a terse statement, CXC said “this matter is of great concern to us, we have commenced our investigations and will make a definitive statement once the investigation is completed In the meantime, candidates can rest assured that this matter is being treated with the highesturgency.”

Itisnotthefirsttimetherehavebeen breachesoftheCXCexaminations.Back in 2005 the entire Mathematics examination was leaked with copies of the paper sold and distributed in parts of thiscountryandonlineatpricesrangingat thetimefrom$20,000to$50,000.In2008 there was another leak in Trinidad and Tobago of English A and Mathematics Papers2.

Teenmotorcyclistdiesday aftercrashwithminibus

Joshua Woodroffe, an 18-year-old motorcyclistofOneMileExtension,Linden, Region Ten on Tuesday succumbed to injuriesonedayaftercrashingintoaminibus atEnmore,EastCoastDemerara(ECD).

According to police, the accident occurredaround10:30hrsonMondayalong the Enmore Public Road. Investigations revealed that the minibus was speeding east along the northern side of the road while Woodroffe was riding in the opposite direction. The bus reportedly swerved into theWoodroffe'spathandcausedhimtolose control of his motorcycle. He subsequently crashedintothebackofthebusbeforehitting its right-side bumper The impact flung him onto the road where he received multiple injuriestohisbody

Policestatedthathewaspickedupinan unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for immediate medical attention. Doctors reportedly noted that he was sufferingfrommassiveinternalbleedingand admitted him in the hospital's critical bay

Woodroffe died the following day without regaining consciousness. Police have since arrested the minibus driver, Pram Rampersaud, a 39-year-old resident of Enmoreastheinvestigationscontinue.

$423M in contracts signed for works in ECD villages

A rape accused on Tuesday while being escorted by a police officer for trial, jumped off the balcony of the Demerara HighCourtandescaped.

He, however, reportedly turned up in court the following day (Wednesday) andtoldthejudgethat“Itwas amistake”.Therapeaccused was identified as Warren

George According to information received, George had asked to use the washroom and while being takentherebytheofficer,he madethedaringescape.

Security cameras at the court captured him sitting a few times while walking withthepolicemanalongthe balcony before suddenly jumping over the balcony of

the two-story building. He landed on his side before springing up to his feet and runningaway

Kaieteur News understands that he was on trialbeforeJusticeNavendra Singh and at the time of his escapewasoutoncourtbail. When he turned up for court on Wednesday his bail was revoked.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Hon Deodat Indar, on Tuesdayoversawthesigning of a number of contracts worth $423 million for projects in villages on the EastCoastDemerara.

The villages include: Plaisance, Beterverwagting (BV), Vryheid's Lust and Triumph.

In a statement on his Facebook page, Minister Indar mentioned that out of the $423 million, $302M

worth of contracts was signed for 23 separate lots for concrete road projects.

On Tuesday, a $99 million contract was signed for works on the BV main access road, while $22 million was signed for desiltingofdrains.

The minister shared that scores of residents can expecttobeemployedon12 drainage projects that will inject $22M into the local economies of Plaisance,

Vryeid'sLust.Atthecontract signing ceremony for the drainage works, Junior Works Minister, Deodat Indar said the rollout of the projectswillfulfillpromises madebyPresidentIrfaanAli on outreaches to the communities last week MinisterIndarnotedtoothat engineers will work with contractors to ensure the concreteroadworksthatwill be tendered, are executed according to established specifications.

Dead Motorcylist, Joshua Woodroffe

Screengrab of George falling onto the lawns of the court yard after jumping off the balcony.

E-market platform launched to Improve ICT business processes

In the midst of a global shift in Information and C o m m u n i c a t i o n s Technology (ICT), companies need to generate innovative and more e ff i c i e n t w a y s o f streamlining their processes and connecting to the market. Recognising this, theCaribbeanAssociationof N a t i o n a l Telecommunications

Organisations (CANTO), launched the e-procurement marketplace, to transform the way companies procure goods and services across the region Delivering remarks at the product launch at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal on Tuesday, MinisterwithintheOfficeof the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, said the platform is a ‘winwin’ for the Caribbean region. He highlighted the importance of ICT in advancing the digital transformationoftheregion, as well as boosting the country’seconomy

“ICTs are vital for any country’s development across various domains They drive economic growth, enable access to

information and knowledge, and can help to improve governance and the delivery of public services. They can enhance healthcaredelivery, the delivery of education, and even infrastructural development Within the ICT industry, the operators provide a wide variety of goods and services to achieve these goals and satisfy our people’s needs,” heunderscored.

The minister stressed that, given the many difficulties companies face on the procurement landscape, such as limited process standardisation, and record management, this platform’s launch will revolutionise the regional telecommunications

industry “These problems manifest in higher sourcing

costs, operational inefficiencies, lack of visibility of supplier performance, and, most importantly, poor customer service. Our businesses will

be provided with an integrated network with an expansivereachtoexplorea more diverse pool of suppliers fostering healthy competitionandensuringthe bestopportunityforsourcing the right products and services They will now operate in a space where procurement processes are streamlined, simplifying the workflow process and ensuring efficient completion of tasks,” Minister McCoy noted

Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond said the platform holds tremendous potential forthedevelopmentofsmall businesses, as well as to bridge a critical information g a p t h a t m a y b e discouraging producers in the region “The eProcurement portal also delivers value through its potential to give a comprehensive view of the regional market for goods and services. It might be the case that a seller located in anyonecountrymaynotfind it financially feasible to supply only their local market.However,withtheeMarket covering buyers in a number of countries, that

same seller may realise that theregionalmarketforhisor her service is collectively large enough to make

operations feasible, ”

MinisterWalrondexplained.

M o r e o v e r , t h e

liberalisation of the telecommunications sector in2020createdtheenabling environmentforthislevelof development in Guyana, as consumers have access to a wider range of choices and are benefitting from lower prices as operators innovate

their services “The

Government of Guyana recognises the critical

i m p o r t a n c e o f telecommunications in almost every aspect of our lives Operatorsareinvesting in offering better quality

services Fixed and mobile broadbandsubscriptionshave been growing steadily, and fromallindications,therehas been strong growth in the sector since the liberalisation of late 2020,” Minister Walrondstated.

CANTO is a non-profit association that facilitates regional and international ICT projects, discussions, and objectives critical to the Caribbean Region. The eprocurement marketplace enables companies to find the best suppliers and enhance their operational resilience. It will provide registered users with access to a global network of vendors, suppliers, operators, and companies in theICTecosystem.(DPI)

Over 18% of Guyanese suffers from high blood pressure -healthministerurgeslifestylechange,regularcheck-up

A 2016 survey showed that 18 4% of Guyanese were found to have high bloodpressure,butwerenot on medication, Health Minister, Dr FrankAnthony saidonWednesday

He said his ministry has since introduced the HEARTS protocol for persons with elevated and high blood pressure HEARTSistheacronymfor H e a l t h y l i f e s t y l e counselling,Evidence-based protocols, Access to essential medicines and technology, Risk-based cardiovascular disease management, Team-based care and Systems for monitoring HEARTS is fundamentally an evidencebasedpracticeindiagnosing and treating arterial hypertension. In a message to mark the observance of World Hypertension Day, Anthony said the HEARTS protocol programme is currently available in 95 health centres throughout Guyana He said it is

designed to assist hypertensive patients in managing their blood pressuremoreeffectively “It can also help delay the progression of elevated bloodpressuretohighblood pressure and prevent associated complications

Thegoalistohaveallhealth

centres adopt this programme by 2025,” Dr Anthonysaid.

WorldHypertensionDay is being observed under the theme: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It, Live Longer”. Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure, affects an estimated 1.13 billionpersonsglobally,with more than two-thirds living in low- and middle-income countries. Men are slightly more affected than women, Anthonysaid. Headdedthat High blood pressure is consideredthe“silentkiller” since it has vague or no

symptoms Overtime, uncontrolled Hypertension commonly leads to chronic

kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, dementia and death Stroke and ischemic heart disease, arising from hypertension, are consistently among Guyana’s top causes of death. “Whenyourhealthcare provider tells you your blood pressure,theysaytwonumbers For instance, they might say your blood pressure is “130 over 80” The top number (systolic pressure) is the pressure inside your arteries whenyourheartiscontracting The bottom number (diastolic pressure)isthepressureinside your arteries when your heartisrelaxed.”

Many experts define high, elevated, and normal blood pressureasfollows:

%High – Top number of 130 or above and/or bottom numberof80orabove

%Elevated – Top number between 120 and 129 and a bottomnumber79orbelow

%Normal–Topnumberof 119 or below and bottom numberof79orbelow

“On World Hypertension

Day, I urge everyone to understand how to measure and control their blood pressuretolivelongerYoucan learn how to measure your blood pressure from your doctor or healthcare provider duringyourvisittotheHealth Centre It’s essential to check yourbloodpressuretoensureit

remains controlled regularly If you are taking hypertension medication, follow your doctor’s instructions and take your prescribed treatment withoutskippinganydoses I want to applaud all healthcare professionals, especially those at the primaryhealthcarelevel,for their dedication and hard workinensuringthatpeople

with hypertension receive accuratediagnosis, effective management, and control. Let’s collaborate to lessen theimpactofthisillness,the ministerstated.

Only last week, the Pan

A m e r i c a n H e a l t h

Organization (PAHO) Director, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, urged countries to intensify efforts to improve the management of hypertension, a measure that could save around 420,000 lives in the Americas each year He said whilehypertensionaffects180 million people in the Region (18% of adults) it “often has absolutely no symptoms nor signs and is therefore frequently undiagnosed and untreated,” Dr Barbosa said during a media briefing last week “Thisisseriousbecause undiagnosedanduncontrolled hypertensioncanleadtoheart attack,heartfailureorstroke,” he added Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the primary risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which is the main cause of premature death in the Region, responsible for around 2 million lives lost

each year Yet in the Americas over one-third of menandaquarterofwomen with hypertension (aged 30 to79years)areunawarethey have the condition. And of those who are aware they have hypertension and receive treatment, only a third (36%) have it under control.ThePAHODirector highlighted that countries must “intensify the scale-up and ensure equitable access to care for hypertension,” and provide training to ensure the latest approaches for diagnosis and treatment are practiced in primary health clinics across the Americas.Theseincludethe PAHOHEARTSinitiative,a model of care for cardiovascular risk management, which is currentlybeingimplemented inaround3000clinicsacross the Region. The Director also urged countries to implement interventions to promote healthy diets, such as front-of-package warning labels on processed and ultra-processed food products, and measures to reducesaltintake.

Officials at the launch of CANTO’s e-Market platform on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony

Garrett pays it forward to Chase Academy and ‘Multi’

- National defender makes promise to keep helping

By Rawle Toney

The late Maya Angelou once wrote, “when you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

Maya Angelou’s words were exemplified yesterday by national defender for the Golden Jaguars, Jeremy Garrett, who made a generous donation of football equipment and uniforms to the North Ruimveldt Multilateral and Chase’s Academic Foundation.

The donation is part of Garrett’s effort to give back to the two institutions that supported him during his school football playing career. Garrett was a standout

student-athlete, excelling in both academics and sports, performing exceptionally well on the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination as well as the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

After completing his high school education in Guyana, Garrett went on to study and compete for Louisiana State University (LSU) Eunice. He played a Captain’s role in guiding his side to their maiden NJCAA Region 23 Men’s Championship.

“The balance of sports and academics in my life helped tremendously in moul-

Thursday May 18, 2023

ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19)

Share your skills today, Aries. You will find that as you engage in the role of teacher, you learn more than if you just hold onto your knowledge without sharing it.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Don't underestimate the power of other people today, Taurus. They may seem flighty and scatterbrained on the outside, but underneath you will find that they have a great deal of wisdom to share.

GEMINI (May 21–June 20)

Remember that there's a benevolent force out there that loves you, Gemini. No matter what, there's always a shoulder to cry on, even if it isn't a tangible one. Even in your darkest moments.

CANCER (June 21–July 22)

Don't hesitate to say the obvious today, Cancer, even if it sounds corny. Many times people hesitate to say what they really feel because they think it's obvious to everyone.

LEO (July 23–Aug. 22)

Look to older figures for advice today, Leo. Seek counsel with a parent or grandparent on issues you feel strongly about. Relationships with older people are likely to go especially well.

VIRGO (Aug. 23–Se pt. 22)

Consider composing a bit of poetry today, Virgo. Use this as an exercise to condense your ocean of emotions into a very few words.

ding me into the person I am today,” Garrett told Kaieteur News following his contribution, while further adding, “this gesture that I am doing today is to show my utmost appreciation for all the assistance both schools gave to me over my years with them.”

In particular, Garrett expressed gratitude towards Chase Academy, where he dominated school football. Garrett revealed that his donation is just a small gesture to the institution he played for and to Sir Chase.

Henry Chase, Principal of Chase Academy, praised Garrett’s donation as a “clas- sic example of planting seeds and this is my vision for education.” Chase believes that education and sports go hand-in-hand and that students should be encouraged to participate in both.

LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22)

Just because your emotions are reserved or somber today doesn't mean you shouldn't share them with others, Libra. Work through difficulties.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21)

You may need to jump to many different people and situations today, Scorpio, yet something is holding you back. Listen to this inner voice that's asking you to be conservative at this time.

SAGIT (Nov.22–Dec.21)

ou feel like you have a stone strapped to your back, Sagittarius. The farther you walk with this load, the slower you go, and the more hunched over you will be by the time you reach your destination.

CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) = It

Feel free to break ties with certain people now, Capricorn. You may be overextending your emotional bank account by investing too much of yourself in others' lives.

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Less is more should be your motto for today, Aquarius. The more you cut back in certain areas of your life, the more room you open up to bring in new and exciting things.

PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20)

You may be asked to slow down today, Pisces. Whether this comes in the form of a speeding ticket or a scrape on the knee when you trip.

The usually candid Chase, who would’ve used his school to offer scholarships to a number of the country’s leading athletes, said education and sports goes hand-in-hand.

“Education is not just writing CSEC and CAPE. I think someone said, education without educating the heart is no education at all, and this is a classic example Jeremy demonstrated. When you would’ve achieved or starting to achieve, that you always remember where you come from,” Chase said.

He added, “I really want to thank him (Garrett) and I hope that this is a progres-

Jackman anxious...

From page 23 hosted Patrick Forde Memorial. A total of 10 bouts, five of the professional and amateur persuasion respectively, are confirmed for the night’s proceedings.

In addition to Jackman’s upcoming fight against MacFarlane, Elton Dharry and Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques will serve as the headline and coheadline correspondingly.

Dharry will challenge Ramos Ronald in an eightround Bantamweight fixture whilst Marques will enter the ring against Luis Carrillo in an eight-round Super Bantamweight encounter.

The event will also feature Terrence Adams battling Barbadian Ricardo Blackman, while Anthony Augustin will face off against Emmanuel Anderson of Barbados in a resumption of traditional Caribbean rivalry.

A six-round Super Flyweight battle between Natalya Delgado and Darianis Garcia is also confirmed.

sive thing that our school and Jeremy can collaborate in future endeavour like this.”

Lokesh Persaud, Deputy Headmaster at North Ruimveldt Multilateral, lauded Garrett’s contribution to the school. Persaud said Garrett was always known for his willingness to participate and contribute to the school

in sports, pointing to his now well-known footballer days of also competing in track and field. Looking ahead, Garrett intends to offer more help to the two schools, pointing out that gesture is a reminder that successful individuals should always remember where they come from and give back to their communities.

Lokesh Persaud, deputy headmaster with North Ruimveldt Secondary, receives his school’s contribution from former student and national football player, Jeremy Garrett. (Rawle Toney photo)

Madhoo, Fitzgerald guide Guyana to historic World Cup of Darts appearance

The Golden Arrowhead will be flying high at this year’sWorldCupofDartsin Frankfurt after Norman Madhoo and Sudesh Fitzgerald booked the country’s ticket to Germany attheregionalDartsDoubles eliminationcompetition.

The competition, hosted by Championship Darts

Latin America and Caribbean (CDLC) and the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC), saw nine countries from Latin America and the Caribbean region battle it out for the chance to represent their regionattheupcomingPDC World Cup of Darts in DeutschlandinJune.

Among the participating countries were powerhouses such as Brazil, Chile, Panama, Jamaica, and hosts CostaRica.

A total of sixteen teams participated in the

competition, including two teams representing Guyana; Norman Madhoo/Sudesh

Fitzgerald and Rajendra

Naraine-Christopher

Lochan Both Guyanese t e a m s p e r f o r m e d exceptionallywell,finishing the initial stages of the competition at the helm of their respective groups, defeating Brazil, Panama, Jamaica, Colombia, and Chile(amongstothers) to get to the top However, Naraine- Lochan were eliminated in the quarterfinals against the powerfulCostaRicanteam.

Fitzgerald/Madhoo went on to the semi-finals against the same Costa Rican team and, in the most toughlycontested game of the tournament, were able to advancetothefinals.

Once in the finals, the Guyanese team easily crushed all remaining

opposition, routing the secondhostteam10-1.

As a result of their impressive performance, Fitzgerald/Madhoo have earned the honour of representing not only their country but the entirety of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean attheWorldCupofDartsto be held in Frankfurt, Germany in June The Guyana Darts Association expressed gratitude to sponsors who showed their confidenceinthepotentialof Guyanese sportsmen and women. These sponsors include the National Sports Commission, Massy Distribution, Mohamed’s Enterprises, Carlton Ambrose Enterprises, Eureka Labs, Cummings Electrical, Guyana Manioc DevelopmentLtd.,LeGrille, Cyril’s Transportation Services,andothers.

Da Silva and Sinclair

drive

Windies forwardin century stand

(CWI) - An unbroken century partnership between captain, Joshua Da Silva, and Kevin Sinclair has kept West Indies A Team in a dominate position over their hosts. Da Silva ended the seconddayon73notoutand withhimall-rounderSinclair on 47 not out asWest Indies Areached417-6–onanother day interrupted by rain in Sylet,Bangladesh.

DaSilvahassofarfaced 116 balls and hit five boundaries and a six, while Sinclair kept the scoreboard ticking with six boundaries off 70 balls. West Indies resumedon220-2andadded 197 runs for the loss of four wickets The pair came togetherat317-6inthe100th overwhenYannicCariahfell for 14. Earlier in the day

Joshua Da Silva

Chanderpaul made 83 and fellow left-hander Alick Athanazescored85.Thepair tookthescorefrom160-2to 281-3. Chanderpaul again showed great defiance and

kepttheBangladeshbowlers at bay as he and faced 236 balls and hit seven fours. Athanaze played a number of attractive shots on both sideofthewicketashefaced 98ballsandcounted12fours and three sixes. The standoutwiththeballforthehome team so far has been Md Mushfik Hasan (3-54), who took the crucial wickets of Chanderpaul, as well as RaymonReiferandBrandon King.

The match will resume on Thursday at 9:45am Bangladesh Time (11:45pm Wednesday Eastern Caribbean Time/10:45pm Wednesday Jamaica Time). A live stream link will be available at match time via the Bangladesh Cricket YouTubepage.

Guyanese Darts players celebrating after qualifying for the PDC World Cup of Darts

Jackman anxious ahead of ‘Return of the Scorpio’ Pro/Am Card

Guyanese pugilist

Alesha Jackman is set to entertheboxingringonMay 21 at the National

Gymnasium for the ‘Return of the Scorpio’ Pro/Am Card.

Jackman, a rising star in Caribbean boxing, is scheduledtofaceoffagainst Jamaican opponent Britney MacFarlane in the Elite Women 60-63 Kg or junior welterweightdivision.

Jackman, who recently made history alongside her sister Abiola as the first female Guyanese boxers to acquire IBA rankings, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to compete on her first-ever Pro/Am card. She stated that she is “anxious and brave” and excited to showcase her talentinfrontofeveryone.

When asked about her historic achievement of attaining an IBA ranking, Jackman credited her hard work and the support of her coachSebertBlakeandGod.

AleshaJackman

She stated that it was a great feeling to achieve this milestone and that she has learned a lot from her participationintheWomen’s World Championships in New Delhi, India. Jackman also understands the importance of her role as a mentor and example to

emerging female fighters. The ‘Return of the Scorpio’ Pro/Am Card is being labelled by sporting aficionados as the biggest fightcardinoveradecade.

The event is expected to exceed the attendance and ambianceoftherecently

(Continuedonpage21)

KFC feeds $1M to One Guyana Futsal tournament

-Organizersanticipatesmouth-wateringfinaleonSaturday

ByRawleToney

Withanalreadypumped up Sparta Boss and Bent Street teams, waiting to unleashagainsteachotherin Saturday’s One Guyana Futsal championship finals, KFC Guyana yesterday added fuel to the flames of the tournament when they wereannouncedasthelatest sponsorfortheevent.

According to Pamela Manasseh, Marketing Manager for KFC Guyana, the company is always happy to support sports events in the country, while pointing to their renewed relationship with the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, whichhasbeeninstrumental in making the tournament a resounding success. Kashif Muhammad, Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, praised KFC Guyanaforitsconsistencyin s u p p o r t i n g h i s organisation’s ventures. He also expressed his gratitude forKFC’scontributiontothe One Guyana Futsal championship finals, which

he believes will make the eventevenmoresuccessful.

The finals are expected to draw a mammoth crowd totheNationalPark,despite c o n c e r n s a b o u t unpredictable weather conditions.

Muhammad assured fans that all systems are in place for the highly anticipated contest between SpartaBossandBentStreet.

Both teams have a rich history in some of futsal’s biggesttournamentsandare expected to put up a fierce fight for the lucrative winner’spurse.

The last time the two sidesmetinafinal,theCliff Anderson Sports Hall overflowed with futsalcrazed fans eager to witness aduelforsupremacy

Inthesemi-finals,Sparta Bossovercameadetermined Back Circle side by a scoreline of 6-4, thanks to a brace from Ryan Hackett and Sheldon Shepherd, as well as goals from Jermaine JunorandCurtezKellman.

Bent Street, on the other

hand, showed why they are consideredfavouritestowin the tournament with a dominant 9-2 victory over CaliforniaSquare.

Apart from the firstplace prize of $1M, the second-place team will receive a prize of $500,000, while the third and fourthplace finishers will take home $200,000 and $100,000,respectively

The One Guyana Futsal tournament has been a resounding success, according to the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation. The event has brought together some of the country’s top futsal teams and provided a platform for them to showcasetheirskills.

In addition to the exciting futsal action, fans canlookforwardtoahostof entertainmentoptions.

Jamaican DJ and dancehall artiste, Noah Power, will headline a slew of local acts that are expected to entertain the crowd when the curtains comedownonthefinals.

FIFA-standard floodlights to be installed at GFF National Training Centre

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde has confirmed that flood lights will be installed over the next six months at the Federation’s National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara.

TheUS$1.1mfloodlight installation project is being funded through the FIFA FORWARD programme, which was launched back in 2016 by the FIFAPresident, Gianni Infantino The projectwillbeundertakenby United States-based Company, Musco Sport Lighting, between May and Octoberof2023followinga transparent and complete tenderprocess.

The lighting specialist company, who has completedsimilarprojectsin Guyana, was the successful

bidder in the FIFA centralized international procurement process. They will engineer, manufacture andinstallafour-poleenergy efficient floodlighting structure, designed to produce the appropriate lighting quality and standards for international matches and withstand a windspeedof85mph.

GFF President Wayne Forde said it is a significant step forward in the advancement of football infrastructure standards in Guyana, which is a key priority of the Forde led administration.

“Thisistrulyawatershed momentforthedevelopment of football in Guyana and a tremendous source of pride for our entire fraternity and the nation. We have already experiencedhugebenefitsof

having the first home of football – our National Training Centre (NTC), which is evidenced by the outstandingperformancesof ourmaleandfemalenational teams,”Fordesaid.

The floodlights will makeitpossiblefortheGFF to stage and televise international matches for all national teams, extend the traininghoursoftheGolden Jaguars and Lady Jags, and host and televise night matches for the upcoming Elite League, Women’s Development League and Regional Association LeaguesontheFIFA+digital platform.

“Through the Forward Programme, FIFA initiated in 2016 a new era of global football development. The FIFAForwardProgrammeis intended to provide

tailormade support for the growthoffootballineachof our member associations based on three pillars: more investment,moreimpactand moreoversight.Theaimisto make football truly global, by providing an opportunity to every player, coach and referee to develop and excel on the pitch,” emphasized the FIFA Director of Member Associations Americas, Jair Bertoni. In this sense, he added that “Infrastructure is a fundamental means and a key element to achieve this objective.

Adequate training and playing facilities are decisivetoenablefootballto develop in a country and technical centres are the ideal preparation ground for future generations of talented footballers Therefore, we are very pleased to join efforts with the Guyana Football Federation to accomplish thisvisionandparticularlyin its endeavour to take the

technical centre in Providencetothenextlevel.

The GFF and the FIFA MA Americas Sub-division have been working together to design a far-reaching general infrastructure plan fortheconstructionofallthe necessary components at these facilities, with the installation of floodlights as the next important step”. He finally stated FIFA’s expectations about this project“Wearesurethatthe implementation of this project will be a great success, providing more playing hours and use to the technical centre as well as allowingtheGFFtohostand broadcast international games It will definitely benefitallnationalteamsand contribute to domestic football to create a great atmosphere to enjoy our beautifulgameinGuyana”.

President Forde in expressinggratitudetoFIFA and the Government of Guyana for supporting the Federation’s football vision,

said: “I would like to thank t h e F I FA M e m b e r Association Division for supportingusthroughoutthe bidding process and the Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport for providing the much-needed Tax Waivers for the importation of the lighting system.

Ilookforwardtoinviting all our stakeholders to the official commissioning of the floodlights and a memorablenightofexciting football.”TheGFFNational Training Centre is Guyana’s first exclusive football facility, which is being constructed by the Wayne Fordeledadministrationand is funded through the FIFA Forward Programme. The facility has an all-weather regulation size artificial grass pitch, dorms for youth teams, along with other facilities,andisclassifiedas the official home of football in Guyana (This is an officialreleaseoftheGFF)

CG Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup… Barbados secures title for 3rd consecutive year

De f e n d i n g Super50champs

B a r b a d o s , continued to dominate their opponentsandintheprocess stormed to their 3rd successive title when action concluded yesterday in St. Ki6.

Trinidad & Tobago alongsideJamaicapickedup strong wins but the Champs wereonanotherlevelasthey dominated the series, eventually hoisting the Championship for the third straight time. Trinidad and

TobagohandGuyana77-run defeat Anisa Mohammed stroked a match-winning, unbeaten54tohelpTrinidad andTobagoRedForceDivas storm to 77-run win over Guyana.

Guyana did well to restrict their opponents to 132-8intheir50oversasthe pair of Shabika Gajnabi (317) and Plaffianna Millington (2-20) led the bowling. Guyana were the knocked over for 56-9 with Millington (15) and

Realeanna Grimmond (10)

theonlytwobatterstoreach double figures. T&T LeftarmspinnerSteffieSoogrim was their chief destroyer, bagging6-14.

Barbados beat Leewards by7wickets Leewardswere riddledforjust74runsinside 30 overs as Bajan pacers Shakera Selman (3-9), Allison Gordon (2-15) and Asabi Callender (2-17) feastedonthelineup.

Aaliyah Alleyne (21*), Trishan Holder (18), Alyssa Scantlebury(14*)andKycia Knight (13) then eased the

- T&T, Jamaica pick up wins

defendingchampsto75-3in 12 overs, leaving 228 balls untouched. Jamaica defeat WindwardsIslandsby8runs

Another low-scoring

match witnessed the Jamaicans wrapping up an easywinafterdefending105 all out. Jody-Ann Brown (23), Chedean Nation (16) and Rashada Williams (12) werethemainrun-getters.

Windwards then collapsedto97alloutinthe 23rd over despite Malika Edwardshitting35atthetop. Pearl Etienne (21)

The

Golden Jaguars receive ‘favourable draw’

for Nations League

Guyana’s Golden

Jaguars, the senior men’s national football team, have received a favourable draw f o r t h e 2 0 2 3 / 2 4

CONCACAF Nations League.

The draw, which took place in Miami, placed the GoldenJaguars in LeagueB alongside Antigua and Barbuda, Puerto Rico, and TheBahamasinGroupD.

Having finished as runner-up of League B in back-to-back seasons of the Nations League, Guyana finds themselves in a group thatwouldseethemasoneof the favourites to finish on top. The 2023/24 CNLwill be played in a three-League format (A, B, and C), with the region’s 41 men’s senior national teams distributed into the Leagues according to the results of the 2022/23 CNL. League B features 16 teams divided into four groups of four teams. Each team will play every other team in their group, home and away, for a total of six matches per team (three at homeandthreeaway).

Group A features

Guadeloupe, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Sint Maarten,GroupBwillbring together Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, Montserrat, and Barbados,whileinGroupC, French Guiana will face Bermuda, Saint Vincent and

the Grenadines, and Belize. As previously announced, LeagueAhasbeenexpanded toinclude16teams(upfrom 12) and a new quarterfinal round has been created to include more direct eliminationmatchesthatwill qualifyteamsforcontinental summercompetitions.

The2023/24CNLGroup Stage will be played during the official FIFA Match Windows in September, October, and November 2023.ForLeagueA,thenew Quarterfinals will be played inNovember2023.

The 2023/24 CNL Finals, where the third CNL champion will be crowned, will take place at a to-beannounced venue in March 2024.

After Group Stage play,

the12lowestrankedLeague Anational team were drawn intotwogroupsofsixteams each and will play in a “Swiss-style” league system. In total, each team will play four games (two at homeandtwoaway).

In the FIFA Match Windows of September and October 2023, each group’s first and second-place finishers will advance to the CNL Quarterfinals, where they will join the four topranked League A national teams The Quarterfinal round will be played in a home-and-away format in the FIFA Match Window of November 2023, with the aggregate score winners in each Quarterfinal matchup advancing to the 2024 CNL Finalsandqualifyingforthe

2024 Conmebol Copa America.

The four seeded nations in the Quarterfinals are (in alphabetical order): Canada, CostaRica,Mexico,andthe UnitedStates.

The pairing for the Quarterfinals will be determined based on the Concacaf Rankings of October 2023 (after the FIFA Window)andthe2023/24CNL GroupStageresults

The remaining two Concacaf nations that will participate in the 2024

Conmebol Copa America willbedeterminedviaasinglematch direct elimination PlayIn between the four LeagueA losingQuarterfinalists. This Play-In will also takeplaceinMarch2024.

P r o m o t i o n a n d relegation between CNL Leagueswilltakeplaceatthe conclusion of the third edition,whereinLeagueA,the fifth and sixth-place finishers willberelegatedtoLeague B. League B Group winners will be promoted to League A,andfourth-placefinishers

will be relegated to League C. League C Group winners and the best second-place finisher will be promoted to League B. The2023/24CNL promises to be an exciting tournament, with the Golden Jaguars hoping to make their markinLeagueB. With the expanded format and new quarterfinal round, there will be more opportunities for teams to qualify for continental summer competitions and showcase their skills on the internationalstage.

and

Nerissa Crafton (14) were theotherscorers.

spin/pace combo of Vanessa Watts, who

snatched up 4 for 20 and Nation who grabbed 3-17, saw Jamaica over the line witheaseafterashakystar

KFC feeds $1M to One Guyana Futsal tournament

pays it forward to Chase Academy and ‘Multi’

Golden Jaguars receive ‘favourable draw’ for Nations League

- National defender makes promise to keep helping

Da Silva and Sinclair drive Windies forward in century stand

Kashif Muhammad, receiving KFC Guyana’s contribution to the One Guyana Futsal Tournament from Marketing Manager, Pamela Manasseh, in the presence of other K&S Organisation members. (Rawle Toney photo)

FLASHBACK! Trayon Bobb (L) celebrates scoring one of his two goals for Guyana during their 4-2 win over Bermuda in the inaugural CONCACAF National League.

Henry Chase receives his school’s contribution from former student and national football player, Jeremy Garrett. (Rawle Toney photo)