Kaieteur News

Hugediscrepancyexists betweenExxon,Govt.2022 localcontentestimates

No one can dispute that the Local Content Act is a law that will bring in significant benefits for Guyanese businesses and Guyanesenationals.Butone must always be cognizant that such optimism does not resultinanoverestimationof t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s

achievements Kaieteur News has observed a massive difference between theestimatesoflocalcontent for 2022, provided by ExxonMobil and the Local ContentSecretariat.

Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab said at the International Energy Conference that Guyana got US$700M from local content in 2022. “Based on the latest estimate, and of course,wehavereceivedthe halfyear’slocalcontentplan thatwassubmittedasofJune oflastyear,andweareinthe processnowofreceivingthe performancereport,wehave estimated that local content has brought in an additional US$700 million in businesses,” Dr Pertab said inFebruary

However, ExxonMobil

released a statement last week, which estimated the local content spend was just US$400Min2022insupport of its operations

“ExxonMobil Guyana and its reporting contractors have spent more than $80 billion (US$400 million) with more than 1,500 Guyanese businesses in 2022 alone,” the company saidasits2023localcontent planwasapproved.

T h i s U S $ 3 0 0 M difference in estimates is staggering. One can argue thatoilsectorspendingisnot limited to ExxonMobil and the Stabroek Block However, operations related tootherblockswereminimal comparedtothatofExxon’s operations,andcertainlydid not account for more than 40% of local content spendingin2022.

While Exxon drilled 10 exploration wells in the Stabroek block in 2022, the only outside exploration well drilled was the Beebei wellintheKanukublockby Repsol. CGX Energy had intendedtodrillWeiin2022, but had to postpone exploration drilling because

APOLOGY

Kaieteur News wishes to apologize to the reading public and to Ms. Aliyah Hassan for the incorrect information that was posted with her photounderthe‘BeautyoftheWeek’sectionofour Sunday,May21,2023editionofthenews.

The photo published was in fact Ms. Hassan’s but the information under the caption belonged to Miss Jasmaine Assanah another beauty who was featured in the magazine the previous Sunday KaieteurNewstakesfullresponsibilityforthemixupandapologizesforanyinconveniencecaused.

therigwasinuseinTrinidad beyond the contract period. ExxonMobil has also been undertaking development drilling to support multiple projects.

The Local Content Secretariat would do well to account for this massive US$300M difference, lest it opensitselftoaccusationsof bloated or overoptimistic achievement.

Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of LegalAffairs,Anil Nandlall said the government has commenced a review of the Local Content Act 2021. Announcing this recently, Nandlall said “We continue to receive complaints in relation to the local content framework and the local content legislation. Reports indicate that Guyanese citizensarebeingdeniedfair opportunities to participate in the oil and gas sector and relatedindustries.”

The government is lookingtoaddmoreservices to the Act, which currently mandates that goods and services are procured from Guyanese nationals and companiesin40areas.

World’s fastest growing economy managing its US trillion dollar oil sector with 37-year-old laws -stilltofinalizeoilcontractsbeforebidround

Would you believe that one of the most important oil producing countries of this decadeismanagingitspetroleumsectorwith laws that are 37 years old? That country is Guyana Its Petroleum (Exploration & Production)Acthasbeenaroundsince1986, and has only been subject to minor amendments. The government had said, when it released the draft model petroleum agreements that an amendment of theAct is neededtoensurethebidroundislawful.

The government is expected to publish a draft of its proposed amendment of the law, for consultation Based on comments received, the government may revise the draft, before taking it to Parliament for reviewbyitsmembers.Adebateisexpected inthelead-uptoavote.Thegovernmentdid notsaywhenitwouldpublishthedraft.Butit plans to do this before it concludes the offshore bid round which is in the third quarteroftheyear

The government is also expected to ask the Parliament to approve an amendment to the Corporate Tax Act to include a 10% income tax for companies operating under

theagreementstobeissuedinthebidround. The government had launched the offshore licencing round since December 2020. Six months later, it is also yet to finalise the modelproductionsharingagreement(PSA).

After the Ministry of Natural Resources firstpublishedthedraftmodelagreementsfor thedeepwaterandshallowwatercontractsin March, and it had initially opened up a twoweek comments period. However, after criticism about the short deadline, Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said the government would continue to accept commentspasttheinitialcommentperiod. Government was actually initially supposed to finalise and publish the model contracts by March 8, but revised the scheduletoindicatethatitwouldpublishthe final models in April. Today makes three weeksintothemonthofMay Noinvestorcan makeaninformeddecisionaboutwhetherto tender a bid if it does not have all the informationaboutthefinaltermsitwillhave to operate with, as well as the legal regime. This means the update of the Petroleum law andthecontractsarecritical.

Ms. Aliyah Hassan

24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.

Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456

Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams

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

Nothing more for Guyana from ExxonMobil

“This is the most valuable contract the country has and it should be focused on how we make it work the best we can. I think that is what the government is doing, it is saying let’s make sure we attract the investment. The moment we try to change the contract the investment will stop....”

ThespeakerisMr AlistairRoutledge,PresidentofExxon Guyana,andwhatisextraordinaryaboutthatstatementisthat he has incorporated “we” into his May 19 Declaration. For clarity “how WE make it work” and “let’s make sure WE attract the investment.” Most obviously, Mr Routledge is trying all his sales tricks, and drawing Guyanese into his snare. We at this publication must make something clear: once there are those lopsided, one-sided, and distorted sided termsandconditionsintheexisting2016oilcontract,thereis NOWE in it. Because Guyanese are left out of the gorgeous returnsthataccruetoExxonMobilandonlyExxonMobil.

Indeed, Guyana gets something, but by any authentic money comparison, the owners of this wealth (we, the Guyanesepeople)arenotevenclosetowhereExxonMobilis relative to collections from this national oil patrimony So, the first thing that we recommend to President Routledge is that he be honest, come clean, make a genuine effort to correct the glaring imbalances in this vile contractual concoction, and then he and we can start talking about this business involving “WE.” Please do not try to insult us further by wooing with words (like WE) that have no meaningforGuyanese.

President Routledge said that “we try to change the contract, the investment will stop.” How so, Mr Routledge, when 25% of ExxonMobil’s production is generated by Guyana’srichoilfields? Whatsortofcheapmagician’strick, hollow verbal threat, is that Mr. Routledge, when the only objective is to tilt the contract scales slightly to the Guyana side,andnottogainfinancialparitywithExxonMobil? How canrelativelysmallchangesinthecontract,likering-fencing, like some percentage points more of royalty, like some taxes paidbyExxonMobilwillbringthe“investment”toagrinding halt? Enough games have been played with the Guyanese people,soitisadvisablethatthesamebediscontinued.

Mr Routledge also said, “This agreement was competitive at the time that we signed it and we still believe it to be the case, and we have made investment on the basis of the contract as it stands.” WithrespectPresidentRoutledge, arootcanalisrecommendedforthenerveinthatstatementis exposed. It has no teeth; save for the pain that it inflicts on this country We invite Mr Routledge to assist us with another oil contract from anywhere in the world, including that of his competitors, where not a single dime of corporate taxes is paid to the host country Unless he can furnish us withsuchevidence,whichishighlydoubtful,thennoone,not Alistair Routledge, not Darren woods, not the American Ambassador, not the business aligned and business-oriented WallStreetJournalcanassertwithanyaccuracy(orhonesty) that “This agreement was competitive….” And this is looking at only a single egregious provision of the contract. In fact, when the cascade of conditions, that cripple economically the hopes of Guyanese, are considered, this is theultimateinnoncompetitivecontracts.

The agreement/contract was executed when there was approximately 1.1 billion barrels of oil equivalents. Now, that has expanded by 10 billion barrels to 11 billion, but Mr Routledge is now slick enough to insert jargon like “maximize the value” and dangle the subtle carrot of “future contracts.” He smartly surrounds the deformed 2016 contract with these platitudes in an effort to mislead Guyanesebydistractingthem.Last,perMr Routledge,“This is the most valuable contract this country has…” Intermsof overalldollarvalue,heiscorrect,butnotrelativetothevalue thatGuyanagetsfromit.

It does not compensate for the volume of oil pumped daily This contract is piracy on the high seas, and it must be changed, so that Guyana gets what is fair All we demand is whatisfair,nothingelse.

Does Exxon want to avoid, evade responsibilities under “The Polluter Pays” principle?

laws and permits? These country and do whatever people eyepass us, and our they like, aided and abetted Government/EPA aids and bythePNC/PPPandhaveno DEAREDITOR, not stay the Judge’s ruling. abetssuchcontempt! fullliabilitytofixalldamage Guyana is a poor country So, this is not going well for Nottobeoutdone,theVP r e s u l t i n g f r o m a n y starting its oil journey with the VP/EPA and their best acting as if he is Captain of environmental disasters? We “oil curse” from day one, buddy Exxon. It seems as if Team Exxon, appears to be are getting the “short end of with the worst contract in oil t h e P P P taking a page from Exxon’s the stick” in oil income, as history But the worst Government/EPA/Exxon Playbook One headline thePrezziewouldsay Dowe problem is “Government and Co-venturers, want to says, “Oil Insurance: Entire want Exxon and friends to Curse” and “Opposition play the victim. The victim momentum in Guyana could walk away and not pay to fix C u r s e ” T h e P P P hereisGuyana. get killed –VPwarns,” (ON, all problems an oil disaster Government and the PNC The only option that Mr May 19, 2023). So once maycreate?

Opposition are both in a Routledge has is to comply more, the VP shows clearly There is a longsingle bed with Exxon and with the Judge’s ruling heisarguingonExxon’sside established principle called friends. Their first loyalty is What’ssohardaboutsigning not the People of Guyana’s ‘The Polluter Pays’ to Exxon, not the people of anunlimitedparentcompany side. So, is the VPsaying we Principle It is a simple Guyana, to whom both the guarantee if their intentions should not enforce the EPA principle based on common PPPand PNC swore oaths of are good? They want to rules strictly? Is the message sense that requires polluters allegiance to protect the refuse to renegotiate the toinvestors,cometoGuyana to bear the costs of their P e o p l e o f G u y a n a contract because of some where we don’t care what pollution including the cost Sovereignty resides with the “sanctity” and Guyana can’t you do to the environment, ofmeasurestakentoprevent, People. expect them to follow and we are dumb people, controlandremedypollution

The PPP hanging by a respect our EPA permit as pushoversandsellouts? and the costs it imposes on thread of a one-seat majority having “sanctity”? What It seems as if they found society thinks it has a blank cheque nonsense is that? Whining an “expert” to say that he is They should pay to right to do whatever it wants in that they and shareholders not aware of any country thewrongs.Thiscouldentail matters of transparency, would lose money, and where companies are subject cleaning up the polluted a c c o u n t a b i l i t y a n d production from that well to unlimited liability (“I am areas, or covering the health governance of oil. The PNC would stop, would be the not aware of any country costs of the people affected, is clueless and unable to stop consequence of disobeying where companies are subject and all related costs to make bad decision making in oil. ourlaws.Ifhewantstomake to unlimited liability” – US thingsright. Such political mediocrity mucho money (85.5% for gov’t advisor on BP spill, on We want Exxon to from our leaders emboldens them versus 14 5% for May 18, 2023). Do the oil continueproductionbutwith Exxon to call the shots and Guyana) then he better companies want to avoid, respect for our laws and a showcontemptforourrules. comply with our Judge’s evade full liability? This PR renegotiated deal that gives Judge Sandil Kissoon, a ruling. What does he want - isgoodfortheoilcompanies, Guyana the bulk of the new National Hero of the Judge to vacate his but the stock market has profits. It’s “Our Wealth and Chancellor caliber, has decision? Where else in the responded in a way that Our Country!” We want the become an international world can Exxon operate for Exxon should be wise to good life now! Wake up hero,ashisdecisionhaswide almost four years without comply with our Judge’s Guyana! ranging implications. Judge full compliance with ruling.Nation,shouldExxon Sincerely, Rishi Persaud said he will environmental protection be allowed to come in to our Dr. Jerry Jailall

After underfunding Georgetown state for more than 25 years PPP now wants its citizens’ votes

DEAREDITOR, investigation, about 90% of When this general tendency and the dollar value of Aristotle claimed that those individuals had been is coupled with the PPP’s contracts awarded to Indians man is a social and thus wearing the PPP signature drive for political/ethnic was 10 times greater than political animal, and that red shirts during a visit by dominance it is not that awarded to African. politicalscienceisthemaster President Irfaan Ali to the surprising that although the ( V i l l a g e science largely because it area about a week ago, PPP has been in government Voice,11/12/20220). determines the goals of all apparently campaigning for for over 25 of the last 30 Excuses will abound but, the other sciences. Political the upcoming local years the below-mentioned to no avail. I have repeatedly activity is one of the most governmentelections. trendhasresulted. called on the regime to virtuous activities, for while This is the level of It has been noted that in conduct an inclusive ethnic we all seek the good life for political and financial some 288 government disparity analysis to debunk ourselves, political activity transparency that we have contracts awarded in 2022, or do something about the isdirectedtowardsachieving come to expect from this althoughGuyaneseofIndian situation The sharing of the good life for the entire government, largely because and African descent were some minor contracts cannot society Of course, in our it knows that in our ethnic about 39.8% and 29.3% of solve the problem, but it times, to associate political situation such the population respectively, appears that the current politicians with virtue is an undemocratic behaviour is 56 9% of contracts with distribution is only intended oxymoron and in Guyana it unlikely to cause a 72.8% of the total dollar to buy political allegiance has been taken to the significant loss of electoral value went to businesses andvotes. negative extremes by the support The event also owned or operated by Freedom is the absence PPP demonstrated how simple it Guyanese of Indian descent of necessity, coercion or Afewdaysago,Stabroek is for governments in our while only 10 4% of constraint in choice or News carried a story competitive political system contracts with 7.1% of total action: liberation from ‘Contracts signed for to distribute the people’s dollar value went to slavery or from the power of P l a i s a n c e w o r k s ’ resources to whomever they businesses owned or another In a letter last week, (SN:17/05/2023) containing want, whenever they want operated by Guyanese of IquotedARFWebber’sstory a photograph of some of the and to do whatever they A f r i c a n d e s c e n t of an important aspect of the purported contractors who want, and it goes without Furthermore, contracts were Africans’struggle to expand apparently had just won saying that generally awarded 5 times as often to their freedom immediately small contracts from the political parties prioritise the contractorsofIndiandescent afteremancipationin1834. government. On a cursory interest of their supporters. as those of African descent (Continued on page 6)

What governance mechanism used in the ESG of EEPGL on behalf of Stabroek partners

DEAREDITOR, department This week

Another week has leaves me wondering if this passed, EEPGL on behalf of is the standard of due care the Stabroek Block Partners and attention paid in the and the Government of safety aspect of this complex Guyana’s dance gets even industry,aswell. more “curiouser and Further, we have been curiouser” EEPGL on toldintheGtEproject,which behalf of the Stabroek Block has moved from free to Partners has joined the fray amortized gas, that there is with their appeal and no excess gas from Liza 1 & utterance. They too, are now 2. This begs the question cryingfinancialwoesintheir where is the gas for the GtE bid to obfuscate what are being sourced? Did EEPGL legalissues. on behalf of the Stabroek

The choices which have Block Partners no know this been made prima facie point when asked about volumes mostly to a lack of due of gas in June 2022 through diligence, due care and the Community Grievance internal governance of Mechanism (CGM)? To date EEPGL and the Stabroek neither an acknowledgment BlockPartners. nor an answer has been

Atthetimeoftherenewal received from CGM. Any of a previously existing gas not used for reinjection, license/permit,didanyofthe electricity, etc will need a Stabroek partners’ internal feasibility study for use legal departments assess the outside of the realms of the risks associated with the FPSO as clearly stated in contents of the document PSA2016. being signed Was any Stabroek Block Partners modelling undertaken? represented by EEPGL and U s i n g t h e s i m p l e the Government of Guyana managementformula:Risk= are free to create their own probability x consequences. rules which only parties Was the value of the therein and thereto know probability based on assured However, the people of “predictable decisions”? Guyana and the State of the Who offered that level of Cooperative Republic of certainty? We are now in the Guyana are governed by era of the consequences of written laws and the thosechoice. constitution which is

Yes, there will be interpreted by the judiciary predictable financial The ruling of the judiciary is fallouts, but this was known binding. before the fact.Achoice was Let us all be reminded of madebythesignatoriestogo “ignorantia legis neminem ahead with the written excusat” (Ignorance of the documentasis. lawexcusesnoone).EEPGL

WhileIwasonthepublic on behalf of Stabroek Block consultation road trip in Partners have been informed regions 3 & 4, after the ofthisjurisprudentialmaxim submissionoftheEIAforthe through their CGM since Gas to Energy I was May2022! informedmorethanoncethat Yours sincerely, everything has to pass E l i z a b e t h D e a n e t h r o u g h t h e l e g a l Hughes

Bridging the Divide: A Youth’s Perspective on the 70th Anniversary Reception of an Elected Assembly of Guyana

contributionsofallwhohave served the National Assembly over these 70 DEAREDITOR, cooperation while urging for Parliament are women years, from Members of The recent Anniversary consensusonnationalissues. inspires hope and pride, Parliament, to Speakers, the Reception to Commemorate They reminded us that signaling a future of Clerks,andotheroperational 70 Years as an Elected this ‘hallowed space’, the increased gender balance staff. These individuals have AssemblyoftheCooperative National Assembly, is more and diversity in decision- played a crucial role in Republic of Guyana was a than just a physical venue; making. It is, in fact, our shapingournation’shistory significant event that has left it’s a symbolic embodiment nation’srelentlesspursuitfor The 70th Anniversary aprofoundimpressiononme ofourdemocraticvaluesand inclusivity reception is indeed a as a young citizen. In a time the hope of our nation. Its Reflecting on our past, testament to our country’s of obvious political historyissteepedinstruggle, we must remember the resilient spirit and difference, the speeches victory, and an unwavering foundation laid by our early unwavering commitment to given by the Minister of commitment to the people of leaders As Ms Teixeira democracy As we look Parliamentary Affairs and Guyana. As highlighted, the pointed out, these were forward to our country’s Governance, Gail Teixeira, organ’sindependenceshould young, revolutionary promising future, we should and the Member of not be compromised; it must individuals who led radical rememberthepowerofunity Parliament (MP) of the be seen and treated as an changes in their time. As a and collaboration in O p p o s i t i o n , Vo l d a independent institution, young Guyanese, their navigating our unique and Lawrence, were reminiscent separated from the legacy instills in me a sense sometimes challenging ofaunifiedpurpose. executive, for true of responsibility and journey

Both Members of maintenance of checks and possibility; a reminder that Itisalwaysmyhopethat Parliament, despite being on balanceswithingovernance. our age does not limit our amidst party lines and opposing sides, emphasised O f p a r t i c u l a r capacitytoeffectchangeand political debates, our leaders t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f significance was the contribute to our nation’s continue to unite, standing c o l l a b o r a t i o n a n d reference to the increasing progress. together to steer Guyana bipartisanship in our inclusion of women in our The maintenance of our towards a future of National Assembly and parliament. The election of democracy depends on our prosperity and peace. Let us country Through their thefirstwomenlegislatorsin ability to uphold the continue to treasure our words, I was struck by the 1953 was monumental, and principles of constitutional democratic heritage, deep history and the shared the presence of Ms.Teixeira, rule and defend human celebrate our shared vision that pervades the soul Ms. Lawrence, and other rights, as outlined in both victories, and strive towards ofournation.Theyreminded women MPs at the event speeches. As we progress, it a united and prosperous us of the victories and represented the strides our is essential to remember the Guyana. achievements attained nation has made toward lessons of our past and Yours faithfully, through collaborative gender equality. The continue working together Mr. Stephon Gabriel efforts, a testament to the reminder that 36% of our forthecommongoal. Adams potential of political current Members of We must recognize the AYoung Guyanese

The modernisation of the ministries of labour

DEAREDITOR, • the need to redevelop importance of Labour • regular reviews and Since the mid-1990s the the concepts of an active ministries to be fully u p d a t i n g o f l a b o u r ILOSub-RegionalOfficefor labour policy in line with recognized; legislation in keeping with the Caribbean and member ILOConventionsNo.144on • continuing internal, relevant international labour States have recognized the Tripartite Consultation regional and external standards and changing need to review, strengthen (International Labour training for labour circumstances; and modernize Labour Standards) 1976 and administrators to meet on- • the agenda of labour Ministries in the sub-region. C o n v e n t i o n N o 1 5 0 going training needs at all administrationneedsto At the CARICOM 13th c o n c e r n i n g L a b o u r levels; (Continued on page 6) meeting of its Standing Administration,1978; Committee of Ministers • l a b o u r responsible for Labour ministries/departments must ( S C M L ) , t h i s w a s be made responsible and emphasized in a Report on a c c o u n t a b l e f o r t h e the Strengthening of Labour coordination of labour Administration Systems policies; This report provided • the need to establish visionarystatementsinterms labour management of the role, function, and informationsystems; mission of Ministries of • the need to increase the Labour, through the r e s o u r c e s t o following recommendations departments/ministries of endorsedbythatmeeting: labour, and for the strategic

The corruption has engulfed the Guyanese nation

DEAREDITOR, have confirmed the axiom unfoldsinGuyanatoday and that includes Guyanese around the institutions of efforts have amounted to

It is unfathomable that a and human thought that God forbids if an oil spill who reside outside of its state. very little in the way of small nation in and out of silence in the face of evil is were to occur, depending on borders.

I have spent a great part substantive change for the Guyana numbering less than anactofevilinitself. its severity and the strength The corruption has of my adult life fighting for prosperityofGuyaneseofall 2 million Guyanese Please help me to of wind and sea currents, the engulfed the Guyanese a just and lawful Guyanese ethnicities. continues unabatedly to turn understand why the country Guyana will simply nation in its’ tentacles society mostly against the This statement may a blind eye to the criminal inexplicablequantumoffear cease to exist in its current strangling any breath of People’s National Congress appear singularly harsh and atrocities that permeates the that limits Guyanese state. The dire economic prosperity that the hapless Reform - PNCR and some insensitive yet history and economic and political families from responding effects and implications will nationcanbreathe. of my brothers have been the events therein have landscapeofGuyana. even at a verbal level of be so catastrophic that our A divided nation simply b e a t e n , t o r t u r e d , guaranteed the truth that a

The modernisation of the ministries...

Numerous philosophers condemnation of what liveswillforeverbechanged cannot stand as the ethnic i m p r i s o n e d , a n d People always gets the division promulgated by the assassinated. governmentitdeserves. two political parties seek to In retrospect from Kris Kooblall consolidate its deathly grip achieving that objective our Toronto, Canada

From page 5 changes”.

focus on issues of social development Again,attheILO’sApril2000Meetingof through employment creation and poverty Caribbean Ministers of Labour in Kingston, alleviation; Jamaica, the Prime Minister, the Right

• the establishment of tripartite labour Honourable P J. Patterson, in his address advisoryboards;and stated that “…. Their role is not simply to

• labour ministries/departments to be resolve disputes. They have to be pistons in equippedwithupdatedlibraries,researchand the engine for economic growth….” and planning units to enable staff to keep abreast “Effective tripartism is not possible without of developments and provide a source of strong labour ministries and modern labour contemporary information for the social administrations,” and “…Thus, developing partners. new issues for labour administration will

After underfunding Georgetown state...

From page 4 why it was that they and develop. Just consider ‘It was not an uncommon continuedtovoteforthePPP what happened to the thing for an able-bodied w h e n t h e c o l o n i a l Guyana chapter of the labourer to earn $9 and $10 government and the local International Decade of per week. The labourers [by bourgeoisie provided them People of African Descent p u r c h a s i n g f o r m e r with combines, tractors, and Assembly For just plantationsandtransforming other such incentives. They objectivelydoingtheirwork, themintovillages]werethen toldhimthatifJaganwasnot national funds, to which landed proprietors: they opposing the colonialists, African people have could neither be coerced by they would not have been equitable ownership and whip nor circumstances to there trying to buy their right, have been taken away work on the plantations votes. by a still questionable (ARF Webber (1931) You could bet your government with an Centenary History and bottom dollar that if the PPP extremely marginal H a n d b o o k o f B r i t i s h was not now being majority!

Guyana).

confrontedineveryavailable Butwhattakesthecakeis

JamaicainApril2000consideredtheissueof

Subsequently, at the ILO meeting of require adapting the organization, structures Caribbean Labour Ministers held in Trinidad and instruments of the Ministries of andTobagoinApril1996,thePrimeMinister Labour…”. of Trinidad and Tobago, the Honourable In an effort to reinforce the readiness of Basdeo Panday emphasized the central role thepoliticalleadershiptoassignMinistriesof ofMinistriesofLabourbyassertingthat “no Labour a more central place in national Ministry was better placed than a Ministry of decision-making, the ILO included the issue Labour to fulfill the country’s mandate of modernization on the agenda of the regarding human resource development Ministers of Labour meeting in Jamaica in Ministries of Labour had a responsibility to April 2000. Prior to this it also carried out a influence the formulation of policies and survey on the functions and responsibilities strategies for human resource development, of Labour Ministries in the Caribbean. employment generation and poverty Consequently, Ministers at their meeting in alleviation…”

In 1998, at the ILO’s Meeting of modernizationofLabourMinistries. Caribbean Ministers of Labour in Ministers highlighted the need for a new Georgetown, Guyana, the President of and more strategic role that was required Guyana, Her Excellency Mrs. Janet Jagan, in from the labour portfolio. It was pointed out her remarks to the meeting stated that thatlabourandlabourmarketpoliciesneeded “…ministersoflabourhaveanimportantrole toassumeacentralroleinpolicymakingifthe to play in promoting sustainable countries of the Caribbean were expected to development within the CARICOM region, shape their economies to meet the challenges butsuchobjectivescannotbeachievedunless of globalization. The development of the there is an effective labour administration human capital, the inclusion of workers and system with clearly defined and properly employers in the formulation of labour coordinatedresponsibilities.Thiscanonlybe market policies, and the development of accomplished if the labour administration industrial relations away from adversarial to organization is adequately staffed, with a more consensus-based approach were seen suitably qualified and trained personnel, as among the necessary ingredients for well-equipped to meet the challenges of economic success These were new labour and employment policies and challengesformanyLabourMinistries. practices which are subject to rapid Sincerely, economic, social and technological

Samuel J. Goolsarran

It is most unlikely that forum for its ill-treatment of that the PPP regime, which nearly 200 years after the Africans, there would not has underfunded and left abolition of slavery, the have been a distribution of Georgetown in a shabby successors of those free men even those small contracts. state for more than 25 years will in any substantial ButtoreinforcethePPP’sill- isnowaskingitscitizens,the number allow the PPP’s intent, there is talk that majority of whom are blatant attempt at vote parties will be able to find Africans, to vote for it and buying to cause them to out how one votes, but this give it the opportunity to relinquish that freedom that just more fear-mongering. undothedamageforwhichis was so dearly won. But that The right to privacy of largely responsible! For aside, any person or political allegiance and the example, a report on the organization who, by force secret ballot have been UNDP US$25m urban or circumstances, requires firmly established as rehabilitation loan left by you to publicly demonstrate important elements of the Desmond Hoyte’s regime in your political allegiance in democratic process They 1992 concluded that the anyway,isnotonlybreaking protect against bribery, institutionalarrangementsof moral and legal democratic intimidation, the loss of Georgetown and the other rules but even more friends, job, etc., because of city councils were too weak debasingly, disrespects and your political leanings and for them to properly manage diminishes you as an no one should be required to theirremitandUS$4.4mwas individualandasapeople. tell or indicate to anyone in set aside for institutional I will not attempt to tell any manner if and for whom strengthening. The first anyone, particularly the theyintendtovote. disbursementoftheloanwas poor,nottostrategicallytake True, democracy hardly not made until August 2000 the little handouts they are ever flourishes in our kind of andthelastinJune2000,but given by the powers that be. situation. As we are at lo and behold, a 2009 My family told stories of present witnessing, in our Commission of Inquiry into political campaigning in the context its natural tendency the Operations of the Mayor colonial days when Cheddi is towards all manner of and City Council of Jagan and Forbes Burnham excesses and even civil war Georgetown (the Burrowes led the PPP and the local The colonialists may have Report) observed that while bourgeoisie, and their felt the moral compulsion to the UNDP programme was supporters secretly behave secretly but today, intended to focus on attempted to buy their votes moreentrenchedthaneverin infrastructure development by giving presents and our ethnic quarrel, the PPP a n d i n s t i t u t i o n a l money in some cases. The has thrown such caution to strengthening, ‘the family was offered and did thewind:‘goodlife’forallis programme focused almost take a sewing machine and aforlornhope. exclusively on infrastructure such like bribes, knowing Where Africans are development’. Africans can full well that they had no concerned, the politics of rest assured that whatever is intention of voting for any debasement even eschews on the PPP’s agenda for partybutthePPP the cultivation of free Georgetown, its goal of Similarly,Ibelievethatit associations and activities. political/ethnic dominance was PeterSimms in his work The PPP does not only seek cannot accommodate ‘Trouble in Guyana’ (Allen to stymie the freedom and sustainable comparative & Unwin, 1966) who, prosperity of individual development of the African interviewing some Indian Africans but also the people. r i c e f a r m e r s i n associations that are there to Regards, Mahaica/Abary, enquired aid and help them to grow Dr Henry Jeffrey

Opposition MP calls on Govt. to take urgent

steps to update crucial copyright laws

our Guyanese band while at thesametimecontributingto thenationsGDPandforeign revenue.

This perspective was shared by A Partnership for NationalUnityand(APNU) Member of Parliament (MP), Jermaine Figueira evenashemadeacallonthe government to take “conscious,” steps to ensure that copyright legislation is updated and enacted for this sector to cater for this demographic of talented people,youngpeople.

the impact of copyright legislation cannot be overstated, particularly when compared to the benefits gained within the Caribbean community and thatoftheWesternworld.

The MP noted that: “Many developed countries have already established significant legislation that protectsintellectualproperty and copyright, which has considerably spurred the growth of the entertainment industry in their respective countries.”

Copyrightisanessential component of protecting intellectual property rights, especially for artists and writers.

This legislation is most vital for Guyana as it is crucial for ensuring that artistsandwritersareableto

protecttheirwork,ideas,and creativity and earn money from it. Additionally, it can helptobuildanddevelopthe entertainment industry in Guyana, leading to revenue generation,jobcreation,and an increase of the country’s global image in promoting

Although Guyana’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) exists, there are many challenges when it comes to implementation due to outdated regulations Guyana’s Copyright Act is dated 1956, and its Trademark Act and Patents and Design Act are dated 1973.

According to Figueira,

Assuch,hecalledonthe Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and by extension thegovernmentofGuyanato establish astute copyright legislation.

“It would make the country more appealing for foreign investors that will helpboosttheentertainment industry while contributing to the country’s economic

development. In addition, the entertainment industry bringswithitsignificantjob opportunities that cannot be overstated. With copyright legislation in place, local artistsandwritersinGuyana will develop their work and attract interest from both domestic and foreign investment, leading to more job opportunities for individuals and provide an increase in the country’s economicoutput.Withmore jobs,ourpeoplewillhavethe purchasing power that fuels the economy further, which will increase the country’s overall economic position and present our artists and country on a global stage,” explainedFigueira.

The opposition member iterated that copyright legislation in Guyana is essentialandverynecessary for the protection of our people’s intellectual

property rights, particularly forartistsandwriters.

“The entertainment industry is an untapped resourceinourcountrywith considerable potential for growth, and copyright legislation will help to ensure its development.The timehascomeandthetimeis now, the government must enact sturdy copyright legislation that balances the interests of artists, writers, investors, and the growth of the entertainment industry, thereby contributing to the country’s economic growth in the very near future.” Figueirasaid

He added that, “the Minister needs to do something that will transform the lives of thousands of people, especially our youths, in a positiveandproductiveway It’s time to enact copyright legislation.”

APNU MP, Jermaine Figueira

Where to advertise?

Many businesses today isthatreachmatchedbyprint looking for sales. I have aretrustworthyandsomeare The oversaturation with are faced with a challenge: media advertising but also f o u n d g r e a t e r trusted more than others and sponsored ads on social whether to focus on print media advertising has a responsiveness to print somearetrustedbysomeand mediacanleadtofatigueand advertising in the print greater response rate than mediaadvertising. notbeothers.Thisislessofa negativeuserexperience. media or switch to digital social media advertising Advertisers therefore problemwiththeprintmedia Print media advertising, advertising or to develop a There is the view that social should ask themselves and this fact enhances the on the other hand, is not as folks are worried about the marketing strategy with a media advertising has the whether social media c r e d i b i l i t y o f t h e aggressive. It allows you to lengthy time spent on social blend of both mainstream potential to reach large advertising has had a greater advertisement. You are not engage at your own pace. media. One person recently media advertising and social audiences and to do so at the impact on sales than print going to find persons who You can read the news in a told me that his I phone media advertising This same time. But this is not media advertising My peddle sub-standard newspaper and them come clocked him as being on column will make a case for necessarily so. Even if a experience is that while products and services back later and look at the average 8 hours per day on moreprintmediaadvertising contentproviderhas150,000 s o c i a l m e d i a h a s wanting to spend good advertisements and you can social media. Parents have and demonstrate why it is followers, it does not mean considerable reach, its moneyonprintmedia. choose what to read or not been complaining about the still the better advertising that all of them will see the responsivenessisverypoor Social media has the read. In this way the print time their children spend on option. advertisement at the same There are a number of advantage of engagement. media is less instructive, social media. But no parent

It is indisputable that time. other advantages associated But that engagement can be respects your privacy and complains about the time s o c i a l m e d i a h a s I have monitored digital withprintmediaadvertising. annoying. I have seen digital affords you freedom of spent on reading a transformed advertising ads and have found that does For one, print media such as ads on social media where choice. newspaper or magazine, Digital advertising has nothaveinstantaneousreach newspapers and magazines the person placing the ad Print media advertising unless it is those sleazy g a i n e d t r e m e n d o u s because not everyone is on and flyers, are tangible. This makes it clear that if you has a lasting effect. I still tabloids of pornographic popularity mainly on social media at the same physical presence ensures want to know the cost of the remember an advertisement publications. Print media accountofitsabilitytoreach time. Some persons look at engagement. It is much product you should inbox. I saw about BOAC in a advertising therefore a wide audience and at a the ad two or three days after easier to scroll past an ad on Yet over and over again, we magazine years ago. Up to remains a powerful and cheaper cost than other itispostedandinsomecases social media than to ignore see comments such a, “Price this day I associated BOAC reliable tool for marketers. It forms of advertising. It has one week later. Persons’ one in the print media. The please!” and “Do you have with comfortable air travel maycostmorebutitsreachis presented a serious news feeds are so saturated tangibility of the print media extra-large?” Some because of the memory of considerable and its challenge to print media up with the posts of friends has another considerable companies have had to take that advertisement I still responsiveness and advertising. and followers that it easy to advertising advantage over the position that they cannot remember some of the credibility are far superior to

The basis for the bypass the digital ads. There digital advertising Print respond to social media newspaper advertisements that of digital advertising. It establishment of social i s a l s o a g r o s s media allows for more inquiries.Andrespondingall of movies which I saw eons supports brand recognition media platforms was its underestimation of the reach creativity When you look at comesatanaddedcosttothe ago. This enduring effect andretentionandalsohasthe advertising potential. Social of newspapers.While at best the KFC’s full page company because they have helps support brand added advantage of reaching media was created for today the circulation of a advertisement in the topaysomeonetorespondto recognition and retention. demographics not active on advertising. A number of newspaper may at around newspaper, you just feel a socialmediainquiries. Today,thebrandisimportant social media. Print media content providers – people 30,000 per day, there is a need to want to bite into a Digital media is very in marketing People advertising is still the best and sites that provide multiplier effect when it piece of chicken. A few intrusive.You open the news naturally associate certain betforadvertisers. information using social comes to reach Every w e e k s a g o , a b e e r feed on your phone and you brandswithquality (The views expressed media – have tapped into the newspaper is read on advertisement appeared in a are bombarded with While social media has a in this article are insatiable appetite of the average by about 5 persons. newspaper The image of advertisements Some larger user base, it does not those of the author and publicforinstantnews.They A person takes his those cold beers with the content providers are now so reach all audiences. More do not necessarily have acquired a significant newspaper home and it is beads of evaporation visible awash with advertisements matured persons, for reflect the opinions and following and they are now readbytheentirefamily The on the outside of the bottles that they do not bother too example, are less likely to be beliefs of this newspaper capitalizing on that newspaper in the office is makes you want to reach for much with news reporting. on social media. And some and its affiliates.) following in order to attract sharedaroundbytenormore a cold one. You can’t have advertisingrevenues. persons The reach of that effect with a social Advertisers, looking at newspapers therefore cannot mediaad. the reach of these local be judged by circulation

People buy products and content providers, have been alone. It has to take into use services that they trust placing digital ads on these account of the fact that and they look for credible platforms But is digital numerous persons read a sources to recommend such advertising having the singlenewspaper products and services. The anticipated returns and is it Secondly, neither reach print media enjoys greater superiortoprintadvertising? nor interaction amounts to credibilitythansocialmedia. While social media responsiveness. Advertisers All sorts of characters and advertising may have are not looking for groups can be found on considerable reach, not only commentsandlikes;theyare social media. Not all not all

Dem Boys Seh…

Daring prison escape

WenowhaveBreakingNews: authorities. The prison is considered iron-

In a stunning display of speed and clad and the prison authorities were keen to dexterity, a death row inmate at Guyana’s point out that the man had on iron shackles. maximum security prison – not the one Prison authorities are scratching their heads overrunbyprisonersandburnttoashes-has about how a man could run and thread water escaped. The man reportedly was shackled in shackles. The man escaped not under the but was still able to sprint to freedom by cover of darkness but in broad daylight. It plunging into the Cuyuni River He left was said that in escaping, he broke the behind an ATV which was transporting him national sprint record. He plunged into the back to his prison cell, a courtesy not murky river and was helped into the boat by affordedtoallprisonguards. personswhoaidedandabettedinhisescape. With a rap sheet longer than the waiting His first words after escaping were list at the Emergency Ward of the reportedly,“Wherearewegoing?” Georgetown Hospital, the man reportedly It is rumored that to prevent a similar decidedthathehadenoughof3squaremeals occurrence the authorities will post armed each day, state provided health care, special divers in the rivers surrounding the prison. visitationrightsandprivileges,andthegame But the public is saying that this is a case of of“Don’tDroptheSoap.” toolittle,toolate.

This daring escape has stunned the Talk half. Leff half

Investorsspookeasily

ThePPPCGovernmentisleadingtheway intheappealagainstJudgeSandilKissoon’s ruling that brought Exxon back to reality, because“investorsspookeasily.” Calculated scaremongering, I say Suddenly, Guyana’s VicePresident,Dr BharatJagdeo,isnowan authority on investor sentiment, investor confidence,andinvestorpsychology

In his haste to defend anything and everything for Exxon’s highflying, Dr Jagdeoleavessomeinconvenientlooseends in the wake of his sturdy representations. Second,heisnowconcernedaboutadistant investorclass. Bothnowassumethegreatest prominence in Dr Jagdeo’s head, when compared to that of the Guyanese people. Notevenhisownpeopleareconvinced,who now discern that he has abandoned Guyana, and is now completely committed to the interestsofforeigninvestors.

WhatdoestheVicePresidentknowabout investors that spook easily? Despite the laughableclaimof“wearesavvywiththese thing” VPJagdeo is on barren ground when helaborsforspookedinvestors. Ihelphim. Politely, Dr Jagdeo overestimates himself. For one, these are not the kind of investors

who are betting lifesavings or mortgage moneytomakeaquickscorefromthemany lucrative opportunities abounding in oil rich Guyana. Rather,theyaregroupsandentities with billions to invest in the next big thing, which they are always on the lookout for, whichisGuyana.

Forsure,theoptimumsituationwouldbe stable political climate, settled regulatory regime, and a jurisprudential mindset that is “predictable”andnotofthe“murkywaters” as attributed to Guyana’s leading oilman, Bharat Jagdeo. This is what comforts such investorsthemost,butjudiciariesarenotset instone,andthereisthecredibleprobability thatthesameholding,oroneclosetoit,could prevailattheCCJ. Thisleavesinvestorswith somesimplechoices.

Thoughtheybecomeevenmorewatchful about developments in Guyana, they do not get so spooked to the point that they bypass thegoldeninvestmentopportunitiesthatthis country has to offer In any matrix of comparativerisksandreturns,Guyanawould nothighlyfeature(risk-wise)asotherplaces, givenitscurrentenvironment,judicialruling andall.

For low-to-low medium risk, by any measurement,anysetofcriteria,thepotential returns from an investment in Guyana aces most misgivings, any slate of anxieties, that mayhavesurfaced. Todate,Guyanahasnot devalued to the state where it is so fraught with risks that the probability of recovering an original investment amount is on the low side. The reality is far from any such thing, and from that first step of recovering what was sunk in Guyana, then there is only the upside that flows from being a cog in the sprawling support architecture of Exxon’s operationsoffshoreGuyana. Itisunbeatable.

Thus far, the emphasis has been almost exclusivelyonthenumbersside,i.e.,whatis putiniswhatisfirsteasilyaccountedfor,or recoveredresults. Now,someothervariables aremassagedintotheinvestmentdecisionto invest or not to invest (or to stay or not stay thecourse,byholdingashighly),inGuyana, and its range of rich potentials. There is no concern about investment objectives, which can be brushed aside, and lumped under the banner of preserve and make as many multiples of the capital invested as could be hadfromhere.

Each investor, whether spooked or solid asrock,mustbeabletocometosoberminded androck-solidconclusions,asdrivenbytheir own simulations of different scenarios, relative to how much risk appetite they possess. Inotherwords,howhungryarethey for returns that could be borderline questionable. Now, added to that risk appetite, there has to be, as internally computedbyeachpotentialinvestor,asense ofhowmuchrisktolerancetheycanmanage. Their own models are going to guide them. Of course, it would be prudent for

investors to factor in some weighing into their models for judicial or regulatory decisions. Like they would have done for a change in government. After all, nothing is permanent. Remember, we are discussing investors that are ultra-sophisticated, and whoareusuallynotintoinvestingbytheseat of the pants, meaning, gambling with the housemoney

Thereisafinalwordthatneedstosaidis that at the level of the US$100 million and above investment crowd that beats one another out of the way to beat a path to Guyana’swideopeninvestmentfrontier Ina nutshell, they are rational investors, who investwiththeirheadsandnottheirhearts,or someirrationalsentimentality

Rational investment actors measure every scrap of information, development, study, and the results of their own local scouting missions before deciding to get on the Guyana boat, or stay the course, or pull the plug. If anything, they may be more pronetoover-analyzingandover-evaluating scenarios. Andforeachonethatspooks,ten morejumpintothevoid.

Putting all the aforementioned on the table, I think that what Dr Jagdeo is doing with “investors spook easily” is manufacturing his own reality, creating his owntensions.

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

Exxon cannot say which industry standards it used to give Guyana US$600M insurance

Esso Exploration and ProductionGuyanaLimitedExxonMobil Guyana- have claimed adherence to ‘industry standards’ as it regards the provision of insurance services from a businessitwhollyowns.The company however had a difficult time pinpointing which industry standards tolerate such a condition in thepetroleumsector

D u r i n g a p r e s s conference on Friday, EEPGL President, Alistair Routledge said, “We then have the insurance, US$600 million of insurance, which is as required under the Permit. We have had that in place for years since that original obligation was required, in line with industrystandards.”

He was at the time attempting to cushion the legitimate fear of the company not being able to financially satisfy its responsibilitytocleanupthe environment after an oil spill, and compensate stakeholdersforlosses.

While fielding questions from the press however, this publicationaskedRoutledge to identify the standard whichallowsthecompanyto provideitsowninsurance.In response, he sought to explain that it is normal for companies such as Exxon to dothis,whilefailingtoname the specific standard it has been adhering to in this regard.

He said, “On the insurance standards, there aresomecompanies,likeour self, which have what is called captive insurance. So

we will take some of that insurance exposure within ourcorporationandwehave a captive insurer It is a separate entity within our corporatestructure,whenwe do that, we have been through a process where we havegonetotheopenmarket to establish what is the market price for that insurance and what are the marketterms.”

Routledgecontinued,“In situations where we award that insurance to our captive itisonthosemarketratesand terms, we don’t change the terms,soitislikeifyougoto themarket.”

Research by this newspaper has revealed that a‘captiveinsurer’isdefined asaninsurancecompanythat is wholly owned by a business or person seeking coverage- in this case, ExxonMobil Corporation. Notably, the primary purpose of this type of insurance is to insure the risks of its owners. I m p o r t a n t l y, t h i s arrangement allows Exxon tobenefitfromtheprofitsof theinsurancepolicy Kaieteur News reported onApril9thatanauditreport produced by IHS Markit of the United Kingdom found that ExxonMobil fully owns the company that provided theinsuranceforitsoffshore operationsinGuyana.

The report seen by this publicationnotesthatArticle 20.2 of the 2016 Stabroek Block Production Sharing Agreement[PSA]statesthat thecontractorwhichconsists o f E E P G L , H e s s Corporation CNOOC

Petroleum Guyana Limited, shall effect at all times during the term of the Agreement, insurance as required by applicable laws, rules,andregulationsandof suchtypeandinsuchamount as is customary in the international petroleum industry in accordance with good oil field practice appropriate for Petroleum Operations.

It goes on to state that such insurance should provide coverage for third Party Liability loss/damage exposure from operations, coverage for drilling activitiesandoperatorsextra expense including exposure associated with controlling the well, re-drilling, pollutionandclean-up.

It further notes that the partners in the block are expected to carry insurance coveragefortheirrespective interest Though this is supposedtobeobtained,IHS said copies of insurance certificates were not provided by any partner, contrary to the PSA requirement.

The report said, “No evidence has been provided

that either Hess or CNOOC are maintaining insurance cover and are therefore contravening the PSA requirements Not having this insurance could leave GoG exposed to risks and costs that should be covered bytheCo-Venturepartners.”

Thedocumentstatesthat EEPGL has maintained its 45% share of Control of Wells (CoW), Operators Extra Expense (OEE) and Third Party Liability (TPL) insurance coverage through a wholly owned subsidiary of ExxonMobil, Ancon

Insurance. Although wholly owned, IHS said it is

satisfied that Ancon

Insurance acts as a separate company at “sufficient”

arm’s length from ExxonMobil.

IHS also said that EEPGL provided evidence

of Ancon Insurance consulting with an external insuranceconsultant,Jardine Lloyd Thompson, to set premiumratesforGuyana.

While the amount of the insurance was not provided in the report, IHS said the total amounts paid by

EEPGL falls within the expectedindustrynorms.

It should be noted that initially, IHS did not place the insurance coverage under a microscope. It was the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) that instructed it to do so, in an efforttoensuretherewereno financial irregularities takingplacebetweenrelated parties.

The aforementioned deficiency was as follows:

“It is important to note that during discussions with the operator (Exxon) on Wednesday April 1, 2020 at 10 a m concerning this expense;itwasrevealedthat insurance payments were made to a related party of EEPGL, called ANCON Therefore,therearepossible transfer pricing implications and verifications that would be absolutely necessary to ensure transactions were done at arm’s length; surprisingly,nomentionwas made by IHSM in their reportofthisissue.”

RegionSixtogetthreenew healthcentresthisyear

- Construction of new Skeldon Hospital to commence soon

Residents of Chesney, along the CorentyneCoast,Gangaram,EastCanjeand Mara, East Bank Berbice will benefit from improvedaccesstohealthcareservices,with theconstructionofthreenewhealthcentres.

Thisisinkeepingwiththegovernment’s mandate to ensure equitable access to healthcare services is provided to Guyanese countrywide. Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthonymadethedisclosurerecently,atthe commissioning of the outpatient facility at thePortMourantHospital.

“We want to extend services so it becomes more accessible and one of the things we will be doing is adding, at least, three new health centres to the already existinghealthcentresthatwehaveinthe region. So, we have already awarded the contracts for these three health centres,” theministerannounced.

Additionally, Dr Anthony noted that the contract has already been awarded for the constructionofthenewSkeldonHospital.

“We are going to replace the Skeldon Hospital…that facility has been there for quitealongtime.Butovertheyears,they have been adding bits and pieces to the hospital Hospitals need to be very functional; they must have a flow going from one area to another and must be seamless.Andso,thatissomethingthatwe have designed in the new hospital…And that construction would start very soon,” theministeradded.

Thehospitalwillhavea24-houraccident and emergency service, modern imaging, modern CT scan, 75 inpatient beds, two

major operating theatres with one minor theatre, an outpatient facility, a laboratory andotherservices.

Meanwhile,DrAnthonynotedthatanew digital x-ray system will be installed shortly atthePortMourantHospital.

Overthelastthreeyears,thegovernment has invested heavily in the region to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare, including dentalandophthalmologyservices.

In 2021, more than $100 million was expended to upgrade the health facilities in the region and this year, some $100 million wasallocatedtotheregiontoenhancehealth facilities.

AsGuyanaintendstobuildaworld-class healthcare system, Minister Anthony said investmentswillbemadetobuildthehuman resourcecapacityinthecountry (DPI)

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony (DPI Photo)

Poor countries on the brink of collapse from Chinese loans

…energy, food security, keeping schools open, being threatened

With the bulk of Guyana’s external loans being owed to China, the country should take note of whatishappeningtoseveral poor countries who took loans from the world’s biggest government lender, China – under the country’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

For those unfamiliar, the Belt and Road Initiative is a massive China-led infrastructure project that aims to stretch around the globe. Notably, over 140 countries are a part of the China’s BRI including Guyana.

An analysis done by Bernard Condon of the Associated Press (AP) revealed that a dozen poor countries are facing economic instability and even collapse under the weight of hundreds of billions of dollars in foreign loans,muchofthemfromthe ChineseGovernment.

The countries most indebted to China includes Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia, Laos and Mongolia, who found paying back that debt isconsuminganever-greater amount of the tax revenue neededtokeepschoolsopen, provide electricity, and pay for food and fuel and it’s draining foreign currency reserves these countries use to pay interest on those loans,leavingsomewithjust monthsbeforethatmoneyis gone.

Behind the scenes is China’sreluctancetoforgive debtanditsextremesecrecy about how much money it has loaned and on what terms, which has kept other major lenders from stepping in to help. On top of that is the recent discovery that borrowers have been required to put cash in hidden escrow accounts that pushChinatothefrontofthe lineofcreditorstobepaid.

Countries in AP’s analysishadasmuchas50% of their foreign loans from China and most were devotingmorethanathirdof government revenue to payingoffforeigndebt.Two of them, Zambia and Sri Lanka, have already gone into default, unable to make even interest payments on loans financing the construction of ports, mines andpowerplants.

In Pakistan, millions of textile workers have been

laid off because the country has too much foreign debt and can’t afford to keep the electricity on and machines running.

I n K e n y a , t h e government has held back paychecks to thousands of civilserviceworkerstosave cash to pay foreign loans.

The president’s chief economic adviser tweeted last month, “Salaries or default?Takeyourpick.”

Since Sri Lanka defaulted a year ago, a half-

landlocked country of 20 million people in southern Africathatoverthepasttwo decades has borrowed billions of dollars from Chinese state-owned banks to build dams, railways and roads.

million industrial jobs have vanished, inflation has pierced 50% and more than half the population in many parts of the country has fallenintopoverty.

Experts predict that unlessChinabeginstosoften itsstanceonitsloanstopoor countries, there could be a wave of more defaults and politicalupheavals.

“Inalotoftheworld,the clockhashitmidnight,”said Harvard economist Ken Rogoff,“Chinahasmovedin and left this geopolitical instability that could have long-lastingeffects.”

HOWIT’S PLAYINGOUT

Acasestudyofhowithas played out is in Zambia, a

The loans boosted Zambia’s economy but also raised foreign interest payments so high there was littleleftforthegovernment, forcingittocutspendingon healthcare, social services and subsidies to farmers for seedandfertilizer

In the past under such circumstances, big government lenders such as the U.S., Japan and France would work out deals to forgivesomedebt,witheach lender disclosing clearly whattheywereowedandon what terms so no one would feelcheated.

ButChinadidn’tplayby thoserules.Itrefusedatfirst toevenjoininmultinational talks, negotiating separately withZambiaandinsistingon confidentiality that barred thecountryfromtellingnonChineselendersthetermsof theloansandwhetherChina had devised a way of muscling to the front of the repaymentline.

Amid this confusion in 2020, a group of nonChinese lenders refused desperatepleasfromZambia to suspend interest payments, even for a few months. That refusal added to the drain on Zambia’s foreign cash reserves, the stash of mostly U.S. dollars thatitusedtopayintereston loans and to buy major commodities like oil. By November 2020, with little reserves left, Zambia stopped paying the interest and defaulted, locking it out of future borrowing and settingoffaviciouscycleof spendingcutsanddeepening poverty.

Inflation in Zambia has since soared to 50%, unemployment has hit a 17year high and the nation’s currency, the kwacha, has lost 30% of its value in just seven months A United Nations estimate of Zambians not getting enough food has nearly tripledsofarthisyear,to3.5 million.

“I just sit in the house thinking what I will eat because I have no money to buy food,” said Marvis Kunda, a blind 70-year-old widow in Zambia’s Luapula

province whose welfare payments were recently slashed. “Sometimes I eat once a day and if no one remembers to help me with foodfromtheneighborhood, thenIjuststarve.”

A few months after Zambia defaulted, researchers found that it owed US$6 6 billion to Chinese state-owned banks, doublewhatmanythoughtat thetimeandaboutathirdof thecountry’stotaldebt.

“We’re flying blind,” said Brad Parks, executive director of AidData, a research lab at William & Mary that has uncovered thousands of secret Chinese loans and assisted theAPin itsanalysis.“Whenyoulook under the cushions of the couch,suddenlyyourealize, ‘Oh, there’s a lot of stuff we missed. And actually things aremuchworse.’”

DEBTANDUPHEAVAL

China’s unwillingness to take big losses on the hundreds of billions of dollars it is owed, as the InternationalMonetaryFund andWorldBankhaveurged, has left many countries on a treadmill of paying back interest, which stifles the economicgrowththatwould

helpthempayoffthedebt.

CHINA’SRESPONSE

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statementtotheAP,disputed the notion that China is an unforgiving lender and echoed previous statements putting the blame on the Federal Reserve. It said that if it is to accede to IMF and World Bank demands to forgiveaportionofitsloans, so should those multilateral lenders, which it views as U.S.proxies.

“We call on these institutions to actively participate in relevant actions in accordance with theprincipleof‘jointaction, fair burden’ and make greater contributions to help developing countries tide over the difficulties,” the ministrystatementsaid.

China argues it has offered relief in the form of extendedloanmaturitiesand emergency loans, and as the biggest contributor to a program to temporarily suspend interest payments during the coronavirus pandemic. It also says it has forgiven23no-interestloans toAfrican countries, though AidData’s Parks said such loans are mostly from two decades ago and amount to lessthan5%ofthetotalithas lent.

GUYANAANDCHINA

Guyana has often been warnedbytheexperiencesof other countries when it comes to borrowing loans from China and the foreign country funding local p r o j e c t s t h r o u g h procurement models that allow for transfer to governmentatsomepoint.

President Irfaan Ali howeverisnotthreatenedby those warnings and instead believes that China has an integral role to play in the developmentofGuyana. He made his position clear during a virtual interview with a Chinese Journalist, Wang Guan on the China Global Television Network (CGTN),releasedinJanuary 2023.

Guyana has been borrowing majority of its bilateral loans from the People’sRepublicofChina.

On December 30, 2022 the Government of Guyana entered into a new contract with the China Export Import(EXIM)Bankforthe US$172millionloantohelp

People jostle each other to buy subsidized sacks of wheat flour in Quetta, Pakistan, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, after a recent price hike of flour in the country. An Associated Press analysis of a dozen countries most indebted to China - including Pakistan, Kenya, Zambia and Laos - found the debt is consuming an evergreater amount of tax revenue needed to keep schools open, provide electricity and pay for food and fuel.

(AP Photo/Arshad Butt, File)

Nigerianslose2011oil spillcasetooilgiant,Shell giant

The United Kingdom (UK) Supreme Court ruled on May 10, that it was too lateforNigeriansclaimantto sue British oil giant, Shell, overa2011offshoreoilspill caused by its Nigerian subsidiaries.

Reuters reported that the claimants said the oil spill had a devastating long-term impact on the coastal area wheretheylive.

The case was one of a series of legal battles Shell has been fighting in London courts against residents of Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta, a region blighted by pollution, conflict and corruption related to the oil and gas industry

The action stemmed from the leakage of an estimated 40,000 barrels of crude oil on December 20, 2011, during the loading of an oil tanker at Shell’s giant Bonga oil field, 120 km off thecoastofDelta.

A group of 27,800

individuals and 457 communities have been tryingtosueShell,sayingthe

resulting oil slick polluted their lands and waterways, damaging farming, fishing, drinking water, mangrove forestsandreligiousshrines.

But a panel of five Supreme Court justices unanimously upheld rulings by two lower courts that found they had brought their case after the expiry of a six-year legal deadline for taking action –Reutersreported.

The claimants’ lawyers had argued that the ongoing consequences of the pollution represented a “continuing nuisance”, a type of civil tort, which would have meant the deadlinedidnotapply

“The Supreme Court rejects the claimants’ submission. There was no continuing nuisance in this case,” said Justice Andrew Burrows, delivering the ruling.

Shell had disputed the claimants’ allegations, saying the Bonga spill did notimpacttheshoreline.The court did not rule on the disputed facts as it was seeking only to decide the

legalpointaboutnuisance.

Just two Nigerian citizens were appellants in the Supreme Court case, but the ruling will also apply to the thousands of other claimants. Shell said the Supreme Court ruling had brought to an end all legal claims in English courts relatedtothespill.

“While the 2011 Bonga spill was highly regrettable, it was swiftly contained and cleanedupoffshore,”aShell spokespersonsaid.

The Supreme Court has previously ruled against Shell in another case involving pollution in the Niger Delta. In February 2021, it allowed a group of 42,500 farmers and fishermen from the Ogale andBillecommunitiestosue Shell over spills, and that case is currently going throughtheHighCourt.

In a separate case, Shell agreed in 2015 after a protracted legal battle in London to pay out US$70 million to the delta’s Bodo community in compensation fortwospills.

Guyanese must wake up to their powers, use leverage to get more from resources - Yog Mahadeo

Transparency advocate and activist for a better oil contract, Yog Mahadeo believes it is high time Guyanese wake up to their powers,andleveragesameto getmoreoutofthebountiful natural resources discovered offshore.

His comments come on the heels of a revelation by President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge,

areveryimportanttoExxon. So let us leverage this to get more for our future generations in whose faces therewillbezerooil!”

On Friday, Routledge during a media engagement at the company’s Kingston, Georgetown office was askedbyKaieteurNewsifit is willing to return to the t a b l e t o d i s c u s s

lived through Venezuela in 2004, 5, 6, 7 when the government imposed a new contract on our operations and we worked extremely hard to avoid that but the government created an environment where we couldn’tstayanditendedup in international arbitration and in the meantime, no

t hat the oil giant would not turn its back on the nation should government demand morefromtheoildiscovered intheStabroekBlock.

This has been a frequent excuse used by the government of Guyana to avoid renegotiating the lopsidedcontract.

Mahadeo however pointedout,“Thefactisthat Exxonwillneverwalkaway from Guyana Everyone knows that, even the governing cheerleaders of Exxon.We must be the only country on earth that allows Exxon to be superior to our constitutionandourNational Assembly and refuse to do anythingaboutit!”

He continued to explain, “We know that Guyana is their cash haven!That is the reality We represent cash flows that Exxon will never walk away from The Governmentknowsfullwell what it is doing to aid and abet the oil steal. We, the people, have to now take mattersinourownhandsand stopthesteal.”

The activist pointed out that in April this year, the European Union changed its tax rules for Exxon, demanding more taxes, whereas the Guyana Government is finding more ways to give the nation’s wealthtoExxon.

Tothisend,heurged,“As Guyanese we must realise that we hold the real power, not Exxon, not the Government in cahoots with the opposition. It is us as Guyanese that must stop the steal.

Letusrealiseourvalueto Exxon and know that between now and 2050, we

additional fiscal benefits forGuyana,in l i g h t o f increased calls and the continued exploration success.

According to him, “This agreement was competitive at the time that we signed it and we still believe it to be the case, and we have made investmentonthebasisofthe contract as it stands. That continued question really misses the point which is: How does the country maximizethevaluefromthe contractsthatithasandfrom futurecontracts.”

Routledge also boasted thatthisisthe“mostvaluable contract the country has”, therefore, the country ought to focus on how to make it work. In fact, he explained, “The moment we try to change the contract, the investment will stop, the local content development willstop.”

K a i e t e u r N e w s immediately sought clarity from Routledge on whether he believes ExxonMobil Corporation would walk away if the administration asks for a 10 percentroyalty forinstance.

Tothisend,heexplained, “History will tell you that when disputes start about contracts, investments stop, investors hate uncertainty.” Hewashowevertoldthatthe question was directly about Exxonandifitispreparedto pack up and leave Guyana over such a dispute, especially since it has already made over 30 discoveriessince2015.

In response, Routledge explained, “No company walks away easily I have

further investment, you can see what happened to the country, it has a huge endowmentofresources,but sadly has lacked investment for many years and has moved from a production of 3millionbarrelstolessthan 600,000 barrels of oil per day.”

Last year during a Local Content Forum, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat noted that if the government interferes with the two percent royalty or any other fiscal provision in the 2016 PSA, signed with ExxonMobilanditspartners, itcouldnotonlyriskchasing awayinvestorsbutevenhurt the country’s reputation as a safe haven for companies’ investments.

Bharrat said over the years, the company would have faced criticisms for the PSAsignedin2016.“Butwe have made a commitment andourpositionisclearthat we will not renegotiate this contract because we want Guyanatobeseenasastable country where investments are secured and there is predictability in companies investing in our country; otherwise, we would be doing an injustice to our country,”theministerstated.

He also pointed out, “ThisisnotaboutthePPPor the Coalition, this is about our country Because if we dothat,believeme,investors will no longer line up in Guyanabecausetherewould be this fear that every time the government changes, therewouldberenegotiation of contracts. We don’t want Guyana to be seen as that,

...as Exxon says it will not walk away easily if contract changes

Activist, Yog Mahadeo

Manchops fishermantodeath forscoldinghim

A 19-year-old man was on Saturday night arrested for chopping his cousin-a fisherman- to death at Conservancy Dam, Canal Number 1, West Bank

D e m e r a r a ( W C D )

According to information received, the victim met his demise after scolding the suspectforinsultinghis(the suspect’s)dad.

The dead man was identified as 35-year-old Seeram Krishna called Vicky of the Canal Number One.Krishnawasreportedly killed around 18:30 hrs on Saturday

Investigators learnt that Krishnahadgoneovertothe suspect’s residence around

10:00hrs and started drinking rum with the suspect’sfather

Anhourlaterthesuspect came home from work and began to drink with Krishna too.Policesaidthattheyleft the house and went to the conservancy dam to continue the drinking session with some other friends.

The suspect’s father stayed behind but later joined them around 17:30 hrs During the drinking session, the suspect reportedly began insulting hisfatheruntilheleft.

Krishna reportedly scoldedthesuspectabouthis behaviourtowardshisfather

and the two ended up in a heatedargument.

Krishna, according to reports, slapped the suspect and they began to fight.The suspect reportedly ran home but returned armed with a cutlassandchoppedKrishna tohisface.

Krishna fell to the ground and the suspect escaped. Efforts were made to rush Krishna to the West DemeraraRegionalHospital for immediate medical attention, but he was pronounceddeadonarrival.

The suspect had gone into hiding but later surrenderedtopolice.

The investigation is ongoing.

Lusignanmanfound deadwiththroatslit

A41-year-old

construction worker was on Sundayfounddeadwithhis throat slit along the LusignanAccessRoad,East CoastDemerara(ECD).

The dead man was identified as Choorandan Chaitram called ‘Reid of Lot 101, Lusignan Detectives believe that Chaitram was murdered sometime between 21:00 Hrs on Saturday and 02:30

hrs Sunday at Lusignan grassfield.

Chaitramhadreportedly left his home around 16:00 hrs on Saturday to attend a weddinginthearea.Hewas lastseenalivearound21:00 hrs that evening, before disappearing from the festivities.

Chaitram was not seen againuntilpolicereceiveda 911callinformingthemthat adeadmanwaslyingonthe road.

C r i m e s c e n e investigators reported that thebodywasfoundlyingin apoolofbloodwithathreeinch wound to the throat It was later identified to be that of Chaitram by his brother

Several persons have been questioned in relation to the homicide and according to police, investigators have received some information about his death.

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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

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.

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.

Canter Drivers needed, must have car, van & lorry license and atleast 3 yrs experience. Call: 644-7088/ 624-7248.

Hauler Drivers required, must have atleast 3 yrs experience. Call: 644-7088/ 624-7248.

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

One Clerk needed for TSI Eccles office. Must have English & Mathematics. Email application:techserigy@ yahoo.com or call 615-9132.

Vacancy exists for one (1) Night Security Guard. Contact: 225-5818, 656-0603.

Urgently need Kitchen Assistant at 592 House of Soup, Duncan St. Call: 644-5884.

Experienced Hair Colorist, Receptionist/ Massuese, Nail Techs, Barber and Domestic needed. Call/ WhatsApp: 649-5005/ 226-6705.

FOR RENT

Two & One bedroom furnished apartment for rent in Providence. Call: 604-6664, 682- 6238 or 216-2299.

Two bedrooms apartment at 266, New Market St ( opposite Medicare Pharmacy) with parking space and residential area. Call: 682-0304, WhatsApp: 718-564-3909/ 663-5429.

Furnished apt in Houston, land 200 X 200 Industry, E.C.D and 8000 sq ft office space in Brickdam. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

LAND FOR SALE

Carmichael Street and Lethem Commercial zone, 69 X 200 ft. Call Ray's Realty: 627-9685.

Poor countries on the brink of collapse from Chinese loans

From page 13 build the new Demerara River crossing.

Last year, it was reported that the bulk of the country’s loans were owed to the China EXIM Bank.

The Governor of the Bank of Guyana (BoG), Dr. Gobind Ganga in an interview with this publication had said the China Exim Bank accounts for 39.5 percent of the country’s total external debt. Additionally, debt repayment to the China Exim Bank had accounted for 82 percent of debt repayments to bilateral creditors. In the first three months of the year, US$10.6M alone was paid to the Chinese lending institution, up by 1.4 percent. The increase, according to the Central Bank, was as a result of higher principal repayments during the review period.

At that time, Guyana’s total stock of public debt, which comprises both external and domestic debt stood at US$3.248 billion.

China Exim Bank was a major contributor to a loan Guyana had taken to modernise the Skeldon Sugar

Factory. This plant was to boost the sugar production figures of the industry; to essentially rescue the sugar sector from its ailing state. Instead, it turned out to be a contributing factor to the poor health of the industry.

In 2017, this newspaper reported that the Ministry of Finance contracted two loans for the Skeldon project. These were from the Export Import Bank of China, the repayment period for which ends in 2025 and the Caribbean Development Bank, the repayment period for which ends in 2033.

On the two loans, the total amount that the Government is paying (principal and interest) is US$3.8M per year.

Another project that was completed and funded by loans from China is the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri.

The airport expansion contract was signed in 2011 under then President, Bharrat Jagdeo, and was passed through the truncated presidency of Donald Ramotar. However, when the

David Granger administration took over in 2015, it said that the very defective plan needed adjustments and changes were made. The decade-old project was awarded to China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) for the sum of US$150M – $138M from the China Exim Bank and $12M from the consolidated fund –taxpayers’ money. Even though the modernisation project has been completed, according to the subject Minister Juan Edghill, works will continue at the airport.

One active/ retire grade 3 Teacher needed to privately teach a Student @ Alabama Trading, Robb St. Call: 6231615.

Live-in or live-out Domestic needed. Must be honest & mature. Call: 623-6383.

Taxi Drivers needed at Princess Taxi Service, Ramada Hotel. Must have hire car licence. Call: 265-7075/ 76 or 616-5419, 690-2242.

Cooks and Domestic Workers needed. Preferably from East Coast Demerara. Call: 223-5273/ 223-5274.

One female needed for domestic work, residing on WCD/WBD. Call: 624-0239.

SERVICES

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

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

For low cost repairs for AC units, refridgerators, freezers, gas stoves, washing machine, dryers, etc. Call: 6294946, 225-4822.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

FOR SALE

Two attractive Waitress required. Call: 626-6547/ 2276544. Pure honey, wholesale and retail quantity. Call: 6214273.

Pit Monster pups for sale. For more information call Krishna: 622-5717.

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

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

Govt. approves Annual Local Content Plans for Exxon, four others

The Ministry of N a t u r a l

R e s o u r c e s (MNR)onMay15approved this year’s Annual Local Content Plans for the five major oil companies operating in Guyana, including ExxonMobil, Halliburton, TechnipFMC, SaipemandBakerHughes.

The Plans are required undertheLocalContentAct of2021.PassedinDecember 2021,theLocalContentlaw is intended to regulate the way companies operate in Guyana’s oil and gas sector; employ persons, buy services and the way that theyprocuregoods.

TheFirstScheduleofthe Act ring-fences 40 categories of work for Guyanese participation via the supply of goods and the provision of services which include: food supply, rental o f o f f i c e s p a c e , accommodation, insurance, accounting and legal services.

Only a few days ago, Exxon reported that it spent more than $80 billion (US$400million)withmore than 1,500 Guyanese businessesin2022alone.

InastatementonSunday, MNR said a simple ceremony was held in the Ministry’sboardroomwhere subject Minister, Vickram Bharrat was joined by key

representatives of the signing companies President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Mr Alistair Routledge,AreaDirectorfor Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad of TechnipFMC, Mr Nicolas Siccard CountryLeadofHalliburton Guyana, Mr Vahman Jurai, Country Manager of Bakers Hughes, Guyana Mr Jon Charles Rhodes and the CountryManagerofSaipem Guyana,Mr GianluigiDella Rosa. The team comprised, too,theDirectoroftheLocal Content Secretariat, Dr Martin Pertab, and the ministry’sLegalOfficer,Mr MichaelMunroe.

As stated in the Local Content Act, contractors, sub-contractors and licensees operating in Guyana’s petroleum sector mustsubmitaLocalContent Annual Plan, outlining in detail their procurement, employment and capacity development plans for the reportingyear

Minister Bharrat noted that these plans reaffirm the Government of Guyana’s goal of ensuring that companies invest heavily in the development of local content. With an enhanced value chain, the minister stated that Guyanese suppliers are given a fair opportunity to not only tap directly into the nation’s

burgeoning petroleum sector, but to also build, strengthen and expand their business’ capacity and services.

Bharrat said, “We are pleased to see the commitment of these companies to local content, and we look forward to workingwiththemtoensure that the goals of the Local Content Act are achieved.

Thisisacrucialsteptowards buildingasustainableoiland gas industry that benefits all Guyanese.”

M e a n w h i l e , Halliburton’s Country Lead commented that the company is proud of its commitment to local talent and vendor development in Guyana.

He added, “Through the Secretariat’s guidance and

our management team’s dedication, our expectation is to continue not just meeting, but exceeding, our localcontentandsustainable developmenttargets.”

T e c h n i p ’ s TechnipFMC’s Area Director echoed similar sentiments. “Growing local content is not an obligation; thisishowwedothingsfrom a TechnipFMC standpoint.

Sincethecommencementof our activities in Guyana in 2017, we have indeed endeavoured to gradually develop our local content: through developing a Guyanese workforce through growing a pool of p a s s i o n a t e l o c a l subcontractors, and through i n v e s t i n g i n t o TechnipFMC’s very own support asset in Guyana –ourworld-classservicebase. The combination of those three pillars enabled the complete repatriation of our activities in the country at theendof2021,andhasbeen the foundation on which we builtoursuccessestoday.”

Thefivecompanieswere also awarded their Certificates of Compliance from the Local Content Secretariat These certificates confirm that the respective companies have delivered on commitments and targets set out in their annualplans.

Monday’s handing over of the Compliance Certificates commemorated thefirstsuchceremonysince the establishment of the LocalContentAct.

The Ministry explained that the Secretariat is currently in the process of awarding certificates to othercompanies,asensures the requirements are upheld

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat hands over the approved Local Content Annual Plan to President of ExxonMobil Guyana, Alistair Routledge.

The men are joined in the background by Director of the Local Content Secretariat, Dr. Martin Pertab and the ministry’s Legal Officer, Michael Munroe.

RSTC Independence Horse Race meet gets fueled by Banks DIH Limited

By Samuel Whyte

-Preparationsintensified

Club’s programme owners, for the seven-race meet A number of feature

PThe event for G3 Non- required to pay a jockey connections and ‘turfites’ which has over $6M in cash, races are slated for the day Winners in Guyana and the mount fee of $3,000 on the reparations have alikehavebeenbuzzingwith t r o p h i e s a n d o t h e r The top billing is the D and H and lower class will dayoftheevent. intensified for the excitement with the way the memorabiliaatstake. lower 1400M classic for a competefor$450,000. Entries will only be

much anticipated programme has been With owners happy with winning purse of $800,000 There are also races for accepted on entry forms

Rising Sun Turf Club structured to include several how things are panning out andatrophy animalsclassifiedJ3Maiden supplied by the promoter Independence Horse Race events for locally bred the entry column has been The next big event is the and lower; L class open and Interested persons can meet on Sunday, May 28, at horses; something they have fillingupquickly Guyana Bred Creole Open one for L- Non-earners of contact Fazal Habibullathe Club’s track Rising Sun been advocating for some Over 40 horses have Stakes for a winning take of $100, 000 in the last 6 611-1141 or Nick - 0011Arima Park, West Coast timenow already taken entry for what $600,000andatrophy months. The event will be 868-386-2432, Jinjo - 618Berbice. Banks DIH Limited is expected to be an There is the three-year conducted using the rules of 7278orDennis-640-6396. Since the release of the headlines several sponsors entertainingdayofracing. Old Open Guyana Bred the Guyana Horse Racing The coordinator is Fazal clash for a winner’s money Authority Habibulla of$500,000. All horse owners are PostTimeis1200hrs.

Waramuri Top impresses on opening...

Monday May 22, 2023

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

Aries, you don't have to be at everyone's beck and call all the time. This is exhausting, and you lose contact with yourself. You should try to takesometimeouttoday

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

Is it possible you're too demanding, Taurus? Today's planetary aspects may be asking you this question You're choosy about the people you spend time with, andyouhaveatendencytoask themtogotoofarforyou.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Today's a day to daydream, although this may not be an activity you usually do. You may even feel as if you're on vacation. Let's just hope people don't ask you a lot of difficultquestions.

CANCER(June21–July22)

Ifyouhavesomeonespecialin your life, Cancer, today is a perfect day to stop playing at being your partner's parent, as you sometimes seem to do. Reverse roles, and let other peopletakecareofyou.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

You won't be able to fix your indecisiveness, Leo. You just need to give yourself some time.Thedirectionyourlifeis taking isn't clear at the moment There are great changesgoingoninsideyou.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

You have a strange and wonderful day ahead, Virgo. Once you've finished your work, you may want to either draw or write something that will help you remember today for a long time. But aren't you anatural-bornwriter?

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

You have a nice day in store, Libra. People may seem more attentive to your needs and generally very pleasant. You may not be used to this kind of treatment!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)

Today is a day for healing and reconciliation. You may have been feeling abused and mistreated lately by someone (orafewpeople)inyourfamily overthepastfewweeks.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

You may feel living your life is like crossing a desert, but fortunately, Sagittarius, today brings your oasis Take advantage of it! Some people you've met over the past few weeks could turn out to be more interesting than you originallythought.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Certain questions about your familylifearen'tascutanddried as you might think This can be the case when emotions are involved Yetmorethananyone else, you need to be careful not tohurtanyone'sfeelings

AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)

Aquarius, you may have had some confused emotions about your relationship or family over the past few days. You maynothavebeenabletofully express your worries to others. But today these emotions will findawaytocomeout.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

If every day were like today, life would be heaven, Pisces! This is potentially a wonderful time for you.You may find the answers to problems that have been bothering you for a few weeks.

From page 23 –0againstDora. scheduled to continue this Isaacs (10’) and Shania Mackenzie High and Sunday, May 27, at the same Waldron (36’) supported ChristChurchplayedtoa2– venue. This tournament is withoneeach. 2 draw, Cummings Lodge sanctioned by the Guyana

The other matches saw and President’s College Football Federation (GFF) Westminster defeat West battled to a 1 – 1 result as did with support from the Ruimveldt 4 – 0, East North Ruimveldt and Ann’s Ministry of Education, Ruimveldt defeated New G r o v e w h i l e Ministry of Culture, Youth Amsterdam 1 – 0, Bartica Christianburg/Wismar and Sport, Demerara won against Marian recorded a walkover from Distillers Limited (DDL), Academy1–0andAcademy Canje. Guyana Shore Base Inc. of Excellence defeated The tournament is (GYSBI)andMVPSports. MackenzieHigh2–0.

President’s College and New Central High played to a nil draw while defending champion, Charlestown, weregiftedwithawalkover( 3 – 0) victory from St Cuthbert’s Mission while Ann’s Grove and St Stanislaus also recorded a walkover victory from Dora and New Campbellville, respectively Boys Division…

IntheBoys’Division,the Waramuri Top male unit was equally impressive with a dominant 7 – 0 win over the Institute of Academic Excellence while East Ruimveldt also enjoyed success on that scale as they completed an 8 – 0 win over Hope.

O t h e r n o t a b l e performances included New CentralHigh’s4–1winover St Cuthbert’s Mission, Bartica’s 3 – 0 win over New A m s t e r d a m a n d Vergenoegen’s triumph over Carmel,whichalsoended3–0.

Annandale defeated Patentia, defending champion, Charlestown, got past Bush Lot, Marian Academy defeated St Stanislaus and Dolphin settled Queenstown; all ended2–1.

In the other matches that had winners, Westminster defeated Charity 2 – 0, Wellington defeated West Ruimveldt 1 – 0 and Chase’s Academic Foundation won 1

Man City celebrate Premier League title with 1-0 win over Chelsea

(Reuters) - Manchester City

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan lifts the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the Premier League. (Reuters)

“The memories I will have for celebrated their Premier League the rest of my life, we have been title success on Sunday, beating fightingsohard.” Chelsea 1-0 with an early goal by Alvarez scored in the 12th Julian Alvarez in the team’s home minute for a largely second-string finale at a sun-drenched Etihad City side, slipping the ball under Stadium. goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga

Treble-chasing City, who fromapassbyKyleWalker Healso wrapped up the title when second- had another goal chalked off for a placed Arsenal were beaten at handballinthebuild-up. Nottingham Forest on Saturday,

Alvarez’s winner meant City have won 12 successive games in had scored 100 goals at The Etihad thetopflight. this season, equalling the record -

Forward Jack Grealish was whichtheysetin2018-19-formost askedifCity,whowereeightpoints home goals scored in all behindArsenal in late March, have competitions in a single season by felt invincible over the past few anEnglishtop-flightclub. weeks. With nothing on the line on

“Yeah, we have It’s mad Sunday and two huge games on the because I spoke to some of the lads horizon - the FA Cup and and said imagine if someone had Champions League finals - City said that to win the league we manager Pep Guardiola left his big would need to win 12 games in a guns, including Haaland, on the row,” Grealish told Sky Sports, benchformostofthegame. with celebrations still going strong The Spaniard, who claimed his onthepitchbehindhim. 10th major trophy at City, made

“I’m not saying I didn’t think nine changes to the side that momentwejustfeelunstoppable.” remaining Frank Lampard’s

“Itfeelsunrealrightnow,I’mso wecoulddoitbutitwasgoingtobe throttled Real Madrid in their City have 88 points from 36 struggling Chelsea side are happy,” said City’s goal-scoring difficult, but we have so much Champions League semi-final, matches, seven more than Arsenal languishing in 12th spot with 43 machine Erling Haaland, briefly talent in this squad and at the secondlegonWednesday who have just one match points. ignoringtheinterviewertodance.

Golden Jaguars to battle The Walia Ibex in July

GuyanaFootballFederation storied history of our Nation’s (GFF) President Wayne football. The game will be played on

Bent Street bags $1M and One Guyana Futsal title

-BackCircledismantleCaliforniaSquareforthirdplace

Forde on Saturday the heels of our beloved Golden Gold announced the Golden Jaguars will Cup qualification fixtures, so we are play a historic international friendly allconfidentofasolidperformanceof against Ethiopia on July 8 in the ourBoys,”Fordesaid. UnitedStates.

Guyana’s top men are currently

The fixture between Guyana’s training for their June Gold Cup Senior Men’s National Team and the Prelims campaign FIFA World Ethiopian Football Federation Men’s Ranking has Guyana’s senior men’s NationalTeam-nicknamedTheWalia teamat170andEthiopia,theone-time Ibex,willtakeplaceattheSubaruPark Africa Cup of Nations champions, at in Philadelphia from 7:30 pm. This 142asofApril2023. will be the first time Guyana will play Teams are ranked using a points an Africa team since the federation systemoninternationalformbasedon wasfounded121yearsago. theircurrentperformances.

GFF President Forde on May 20 The July clash is expected to be said the match is a proud and memorable, both teams are quick on momentous moment for Guyana’s thepitchandhavetheabilitytosecure football and that he is confident the multiple goals It will also be Golden Jaguars will represent the Ethiopia’s first time playing in the nationwell. UnitedStates.

“The Guyana Football Federation GFF President Forde has appealed is the oldest Federation in Concacaf. to fans and corporate Guyana to We became a Federation in 1902 and support the groundbreaking are now 121 years old and among the international match as the GFF seeks oldest football Federations on the to create elite opportunities for the planet. In all of these years, July 8th, GoldenJaguars. 2023 will be the very first time our “I would like to use this Senior Men’s team will face an opportunity to appeal to our fans and African Nation. This is truly an corporate partners to come on board amazing opportunity to punctuate a and share in this historic moment of proud and historic moment in the Guyana’smostpopularsport.”

Bent Street emerged victorious in the inaugural Despite valiant efforts from Sheldon Shepherd, One Guyana Futsal tournament, defeating Sparta Jermaine Junor, and Ryan Hackett, who scored for Boss 6-3 in front of a mammoth crowd at the Sparta Boss in the 2nd, 30th, and 39th minutes NationalParkonSaturday respectively, they were unable to keep up with Bent

TheKFC-sponsored$1Mwinner’spursewasup Street’srelentlessattack for grabs, and Bent Street staked their claim with a Sparta Boss had to settle for the $500,000 dominantperformance. runner-upprize.

Colin Nelson was the star of the show for Bent Inthethird-placematch,BackCirclehammered Street, scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 13th, California Square 9-4 to pick up the third-place 42nd,and44thminutes. trophyand$200,000.

JobCaesaraddedtwomoregoalsinthe18thand The One Guyana Futsal tournament featured 32 49th minutes, while Cecil Jackman scored in the of the country’s top futsal-playing teams, and 27thminutetoroundoutBentStreet’stally showcasedthebestofGuyana’sfutsaltalent.

Kashif Muhammad presenting the tournament’s championship trophy to Bent Street Captain, Adrian Aaron (Rawle Toney Photo).

EDFA Namilco ‘Flour Power’ under-17 League…

Buxton, Haslington assume the lead

Following three rounds Dynamics FC made light of exciting football in the workofVictoriaKings5-1in East Demerara Football thefeatureencounter Association (EDFA) Ryan Wharton led the Namilco ‘Flour Power’ charge for Dynamics with a u n d e r - 1 7 f o o t b a l l hat-trick (18th, 38th & 43rd tournament, Buxton United minutes) while Kelvin FC and Haslington FC are Richardson also got on the joint top of the points table scoresheetwithabraceinthe with six points each and 14th and 42nd minutes identicalgoaldifference. Kennard Halley scored for

Both teams would’ve the consolation for Victoria had the opportunity to Kingsinthe29thminute. extend their good run of L a s t T u e s d a y , form yesterday but the Haslington completed a inclement weather did not good come from behind 2-1 allow for play to continue at winagainstBeterverwagting the Buxton Community Triumph. Jaden Harris gave Center ground that hosted BVtheshortlivedleadinthe theprevioustwomatchdays. 25th minute before Akin

On Saturday, Ann’s Baynes equalised in the 29th Grove FC played to a to set up Delray Benjamin’s goalless draw against winnerinthe53rdminute. Stars registered a similar Kings. All three goals came lead in the 48th minute McPherson (68th minute) Melanieinthefirstclashofa On that same match day, comefrombehind2-1winin in the second half with Alex before Compton Hope (50th scoredtowinitforBuxtonat double header while itwaslikeDejavuasBuxton the match against Victoria Mario giving the losers the minute) and Deshawn home.

Clarke wins NSC/GCF Independence 3-Stage Cycling Race

The 2023 National Sports Commission (NSC), Guyana Cycling Federation (GCF) Independence Three Stage Cycling Race concluded yesterday on Homestretch Avenue as Robin Persaud powered to victoryinthefinalstage.

The event provided a platform for elite, juniors, vets and women cyclists to exhibit their skills and determination across three stages with intense competition. skill and resilience to claim reached its conclusion,

Stage three came to an the second-place spot, while Clarke emerged as the exciting conclusion as the young and talented overallchampionwithatotal cyclists embarked on a Alexander Leung crossed of 35 points while Crawford grueling 65-mile journey thefinishlineinthirdplace. finished closely in second from Linden to Homestretch Romello Crawford and place, sharing the same Avenue, where Persaud P h i l i p C l a r k e h a d points as Curtis Dey - 34, reignedsupreme. commendable performances whoclaimedthirdplace.

The race kicked off on on the opening day, in the IntheWomen’scategory, Saturday with the first stage, Elite race while Curtis Dey ClievciaSpencersecuredthe which started in Corriverton was also impressive, first-place position as a n d e n d e d i n N e w securing second place in the Tandeia Noel claimed Amsterdam and continued firsttwostages. second place In the later in the day with the At the start of the third Juveniles division, Sidwell second stage from New stage, Dey held the overall Sandy emerged victorious, Amsterdam to the Berbice lead with 30 points while Torell Noel took Bridge, adding another layer However, Crawford and secondplace. ofdifficultytotherace. Clarke, the first-place Over in the Juniors

However, on Sunday, finishers in the first and category, Leung dominated Persaud proved to be second stages, respectively, the competition, finishing unstoppableinthefinalstage closely trailed Dey with 29 with an impressive 15 as he powered his way to points each while Jorryn points, Aaron Newton victory with an exceptional Simpson followed with 14 securedsecondplacewith14 performance, Kwame points. points, closely followed by Widley demonstrated his As the third stage AjaniCuttinginthirdplace.

Concerns continue to arise about Horse racing’s state

After the publication of Undoubtedly Horse what about prominent clubs the last story questioning the Racing is one of the most like Rising Sun Turf Club state of horse racing in expensive sports in Guyana (RSTC), the Nand Persaud Guyana several other with millions involved. A Sports Facility (NPSF) and concerns were raised in sportaslargeassuchmustbe KMTC? Who decides which different quarters as properly managed, but at the clubs are eligible and which searching and pertinent momentitisnot. clubs are defunct? When questionscontinuedtoarise. Although it is stated does a club become eligible

It is understood that many times that many races or defunct? Why isn’t horse things cannot be the same all areheldusingtherulesofthe racing being invited to the time and changes are Guyana Horse Racing meetings by the government imperative. But changes are Authority (GHRA). It was asacoresport? not done on a willy-nilly revealed that the (GHRA) is It was mentioned that basis. With Guyana being on defunct With such a there are hiccups, but with the cusp of overwhelming revelation many questions the passage of the wealth, people must be held are being asked with many Legislation, things will fall accountable. being left unanswered into place. It has been over

There are rules and for Among those asking two decades since drafted changes to be made; rules questions is Mrs Chan copies of legislation were have to be scrutinized and Kennard, the Matriarch of handed to the Government adjusted by the respective the Kennard Memorial Turf and despite numerous person(s), body or authority Club(KMTC). meetings with imminently involved. Among the questions qualified personnel, nothing

It was drawn to Kaieteur asked are, who supervises tangible has been done. The News’ attention by some of the respective horse race Government of Guyana has those involved that meets? Who are the persons been silent The adage, discussionsareongoingwith representingthehorseracing “whilst the grass grows, the the Government of Guyana industryatthemeetingswith horse starves” comes into concerningthestateofHorse the government and who play Racinginthecountryandthe nominatedthem? L e t ’ s h o p e t h e passage of the required Whilst those persons government can respond legislation. mighthavethesportatheart, promptly (SamuelWhyte)

Phillip Clarke

GCB Academy Program – Essequibo…

LeguanlatesttojoinlistofAcademyzones

The Guyana Cricket Board month of May with more cricket took over the administration of boys and girls ages 7-17 years old) is expected to play an important (GCB) continued its ground- development initiatives coming to cricket in Essequibo, for just over in Essequibo and the county as a role in the development of cricket breakingmissiononSaturday,May their affiliate committees, which oneyear whole.” within Schools, across Essequibo 13, 2023, with the launch of their have noticeably shown great He posited, that the ECB will The young cricketers were told and Guyana President Deleep cricket academies, as Leguan joins productionwithregardtoitscricket continue to fulfill its obligation to how cricket in Essequibo was Singh pointed out that overTwenty thelonglistofmembers. system. the efficient administration, essentially at ground zero but (20) coaches from Essequibo have

The Leguan Academy which Greens Park Cricket Ground, development, and promotion of the within one year of the new ECB, a almost completed their CWI Level commencedtheirtrainingactivities Leguan game, and reiterated the need to lot has been accomplished 1 Coaching Education Program, on May 16, 2023, received In Leguan, the Academy was work collaboratively with the collaborativelywiththeGCB. adding to the fact that quality overwhelming support from the held at Greens Park Ground, which GCB, ECB Committee members, Consequently, the ECB coaching and training will be respective committee executives, is located just off the coast of Academy players, parents, and President Deleep Singh, urged providedtotheyouths. the Academy players, and their Leguan. The day’s event featured sponsors. those present at the Academy Additionally, President Deleep parents. an aggregate of 30 boys and girls Further, ECB President Deleep Launch in Leguan to recognize the Singh asked corporate Guyana and Essequibo recently set the tone alongside Leguan Cricket Singh stated that “We are delighted importance of what was happening by extension, the people of the for the implementation of the GCB C o m m i t t e e M e m b e r s , to be in Leguan to launch the across Essequibo, while county of Essequibo to come out Academy Program, for 2023-2024, Development Officers, GCB Academy simultaneously lauding the GCB and support these players and their withthelaunchofAcademiesinthe Territorial Development Officer, Thewaterwasroughtogethere for taking the first steps for the respective Academies established North, South, and Wakenaam GCB Assistant Development and we typically face a lot of establishment ofAcademies across in the ECB Cricket Committees. Essequibo. Officer, and Essequibo Cricket challenges to set up and reach thecountryofGuyana. Also, he thanked some corporate Essequibo Cricket Board Board(ECB)DeleepSingh. various parts of the ancient county, Players as young as seven (7) entities, including the most recent; (ECB) is tasked by the GCB, to President Deleep Singh, a alltoensuremoreorganizedcricket were present from the Leguan area Banks DIH Banks who will help to implement, operate, manage, and Director of Cricket West Indies is played in Essequibo, including and the ECB President explained co-sponsortheseconservatories. monitorseven(7)Academies,from (CWI) and GCB Vice-President, thisbeautifulIslandofLeguan.” thattheAcademieswilltargetareas The ECB Chairman of the a total of eighteen Academies lauded the young cricketers for He continued, “Never before that include good coaching, Competitions Committee, Kumar acrossGuyana. coming out in numbers, and in wassuchanattemptmadetolaunch management, and training but that Das, highlighted the importance of

This feat puts the ECB in the support of the ECB and GCB’s Academies in Essequibo. This is it is up to the cricketers to fulfill working with coaches and other driving force, as they lead the efforts for upward mobility in historic for the Leguan Cricket their end of the commitment to Academy officials. Das said that establishment of the nationwide crickettrainingandcompetition. Committee and for those living on realizedsetgoalsandobjectives. “good coaching can only Academy Development Program ECB President Dileep Singh thisIsland. Further, President Deleep supplement a commitment by the forboysandgirlsages7yearsoldto highlighted the fact that the The GCB Academy Program “Singh said the camps will also young athletes.” Dass, encouraged 17yearsold. commitment demonstrated by 2023-2024, is a very significant reintroduce high levels of cricket the players to “be equal to the task

Consequently, Essequibo, the those in Leguan, was synonymous activity for the development and back into schools, adding that the and support their coaches when the Cinderella County welcomed the withthatofthenewECBbody,who promotion of young players (both Parent Teacher Association (PTA) Academygetsontheway,fully.”

CWI Women’s T20 Blaze…

Guyana suffer narrow loss to Barbados

Barbados edged out Guyana by 3 remaining. wickets in a tight match on Sunday, Intheday’sfirstmatch,battingfirstinalow

as part of Round two’s T20 scoring game, Windwards made 127 for 4 after Women’sactioninSt.Kitts Janeilla Glasgow (37), Pearl Etienne (24), with Katana Mentore and Cherry-Ann Fraser 21 apiece from Kimone Homer and Qiana stroked 32* and 35* respectively as Guyana Joseph,givingtheirteamtheedge. endedon91for3in20overs,lookingtosecure Amanda Edwards then tried to guide her theirsecondstraightwinofthecompetition. teamhomewith39*butLeewardswerekeptto Barbadosbowlingwasabitineffectivewith 82-6in20overs.Left-armspinnerZaidaJames seamers Shakera Selman (1-18), Allison grabbed2-21whileAfyFletcher(1-13)andtwo Gordon (1-8) and Shamilla Connell (1-21) othersgrabbedawicketeach. endingamongthewickets.

Meanwhile, the third match that was

Acollective effort from Kycia Knight (16), scheduled to be contested featured defending Trishan Holder (19), Connell (14) and Selman champion,Jamaica,andTrinidadandTobago. (17*), helped Barbados chip away at the total The tournament is billed to continue on and eventually see their side home, with a ball Tuesday,May23.

Windward Islands pulled off a good win over rivals Leeward Islands, yesterday

Players in Leguan assemble for the opening of their academy.

Newton ‘blaze’ to 200m gold!

-

Springer settles for bronze in 200m at South American U20 Championship

By Rawle Toney

200m,anditalsobecamethe 29thfastesttimeintheworld Guyanese athletes have this season for the U20 put on an impressive category performance at the South Newton also became the A m e r i c a n U 2 0 second Guyanese to win Championship in Bogota, goldinthe200matthisevent Colombia, culminating in since it started in 1959, with Ezekiel Newton’s stunning Dax Danns being the first in victory in the men’s 200m 2007 when he registered finals. 21.27sinSãoPaulo,Brazil.

Newton’s personal-best With an U18 South timeof20.92ssawhimcross American200msilvermedal the line ahead of Colombia’s in the archives, Newton now Enoc Romero (21.04s) and adds U20 South American To m a s M o n d i n o o f 200m gold and 100m bronze Argentina(21.16s). tohisimposingresume.

JaheelCornette,theother Meanwhile, ‘wonder Guyanese in the race, girl’TiannaSpringersecured finished just outside the a bronze in the women’s medal bracket, with his 200m, running another 21 43s good enough for personal best at the fourthplace. Championships.

Newton’s time was Colombian Mahomy another personal best in the Valasquez, who had finished

TEAM GUYANA:

third in the women’s 400m conditionsandaltitude. Corvette (100m, 200m), where Springer shattered the “It’s always an honour Isiah Trim (high jump) and meet’s 14-year-old record, being the coach for the team Erin Leitch (long jump) got her revenge on the at the South American cameupshortintheirevents, Guyanese when she clocked Championships, and I’m but he pointed out that they 23.42s. Brazil’s Sullen De always happy to work for will “head back to the Santanna (23 44s) was Guyana at any time. I’m drawing board and make the second,whileSpringerraced reallyproudoftheteam;they necessaryadjustments.” toa23.72stimeforbronze. worked hard and we Team manager Kenesha

Following the team’s achieved two gold and two Headley and massage performance, Coach Johnny bronze,”Gravesandesaid. therapist Akeem Stewart Gravesande said he was A c c o r d i n g t o also came in for praise from impressed with the athletes’ Gravesande, the other CoachGravesande. showing in Colombia, athletes, Karese Lloyd

The team is expected to considering the unfamiliar (100m, 200m), Jaheel returntomorrow

ExxonMobil Boys & Girls U14 Championships…

Waramuri Top impresses on opening day

The opening day of the Petra- and Tucville recording the largest organised ExxonMobil Boys and victories. Girls Under-14 Championships’ Waramuri Top defeated fourth edition was blessed with Vergenorgen 13 – 0 as Mechelle excellent weather as twenty-four Williams led the way with six goals matcheswerelineduptobecontested (6’, 11’, 13’, 18’, 30’& 38’) and was at the National Insurance Scheme supported by Allia Henry (1’& 39’), (NIS)Ground.

Mnemosyne Peters (4’& 9’), Jada La

Following the opening ceremony, Cruz (34’ & 40’) and Brenita Marks the eager players and supporters (37’). crowded the four pitches for the start

In Tucville’s 11 – 0 triumph over ofthehighlyanticipatedevent,which Cummings Lodge, Cearra Glasgow had matches being contested hit a helmet-trick (2’, 7’, 12’ & 17’), simultaneously

Kaira Boyle scored a hat-trick (22’, Girls Division… 32&37’),ShaniaCallendercoppeda

IntheGirls’Division,tenmatches double(26’&29’)whileAkeisha were on the cards withWaramuriTop (Continued on page 19)

The Girls’ Division matches featured a lot of contact during the battles for possession.

Ezekiel Newton (L) and Tianna Springer picked up the four medals earned for Guyana at the South American U20 Championship in Athletics.

(L-R) Isiah Trim, Ezekiel Newton, Karese Lloyd, Erin Leitch, Tianna Springer and Jaheel Cornette.