K
AIETEUR CJ orders release Friday Edition NEWS of SoPs, SoRs for police investigations into elections fraud
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May 28, 2021 - Vol. 23 No. 22
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Hess Boss says Ali, Jagdeo agree to expedite Yellowtail project before year end - VP says there is enough time to address all issues
Protestors burn tyres on GWI to recover Black Bush road, block Reg. Vice Chairman’s $29.8M embezzled vehicle …three arrested from bank account
Teen wakes up to find man next to her bed May now surpasses Australian teens April with the most win landmark COVID-19 deaths anti-coal battle
Exxon plans to complete environmental studies for Yellowtail by December …says COVID taskforce restricts public consultations for fourth oilfield development Listen @11:00hrs Promises and dreams again from Ali & Harmon foron Kaieteur Radio a good life! Silence on interest rate. Independence message 99.1/99.5FM
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Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
Exxon plans to complete environmental studies for Yellowtail by December …as COVID taskforce restricts public consultations for fourth oilfield development
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x x o n M o b i l ’s G u y a n a subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), yesterday kicked off its public consultation exercise in order to solicit public submissions that would inform its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), necessary for the approval by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in preparation for its fourth oilfield development, Yellowtail. To t h i s e n d , t h e ExxonMobil officials have since committed to completing the exercise by the end of this year but cautioned that the public
scoping exercise for the fourth oil development would be restricted, in keeping with the guidelines issued by the National COVID-19 Taskforce. The first public meeting was held virtually yesterday, and featured a presentation by ExxonMobil’s Production Manager, Mike Ryan, who told stakeholders that the potential environmental impacts for this development are expected to be similar to other Stabroek Block developments. He noted too that the impact areas hold the potential for cumulative impact, since there exists potential for overlaps, and as such, a robust cumulative
impact assessment will be performed as part of EIA. Asked about timelines for the completion of the studies, it was pointed out that the US oil major is looking to have these completed by the end of the year. The poorly attended scoping meeting saw questions being asked from t h e p u b l i c b y Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon-Martins, who during the exercise recommended, among other suggestions, that impacts on protected areas also be addressed. Addressing the matter of consultations, the Environmentalist lamented that even taking into account the COVID-19 restrictions,
the planned meetings would not achieve the purpose and suggested the exercise be deferred in order to maximise participation. She suggested, for example, that a meeting at Mabaruma with 40 persons could not do justice, when it comes to representing the issues that stand to affect thousands more in nearby communities. Arjoon-Martins in reiterating her position, was asked to make a formal submission on the matter to which she replied that the E PA c o u l d u s e h e r submissions for the first three projects — Liza I, II and Payara — since the concerns remain the same.
To this end, she was told to resubmit her concerns to the EPA, this time in the context of Yellowtail and within the 28 days deadline in order that her concerns over the restricted consultations with affected communities can be
Environmentalist, Annette Arjoon-Martins
taken on board. The exercise is being held in pursuance of EEPGL’s fourth Stabroek B l o c k development—Yellowtail. Once green lighted, the (Continued on page 22)
Kaieteur News
Friday May 28, 2021
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CJ orders release of SoPs, SoRs for police investigations into elections fraud
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hief Justice (Ag) Roxane GeorgeWiltshire SC, yesterday ordered Registrar of the Supreme Court Sueanna Lovell, to release certified copies of the Statements of Polls (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) for a police investigation into fraud cases being prosecuted in relation to the March 2020, General and Regional Elections. Previously, in dismissing the first election case, the Chief Justice (CJ) had ordered that the documents be released to the Supreme Court Registrar for safekeeping until the hearing and determination of the second Election Petition filed to challenge the outcome of the elections. Back then, attorney for t h e r u l i n g P e o p l e ’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Douglas Mendes SC, reminded the Court that the Representation of the Peoples Act allows the CEO to destroy all elections documents after a 12-month period had elapsed after an election. That 12-month period would have been up on March 2, 2021. Since then, the second elections case was dismissed in the High Court on April
25, 2021, but a criminal case is pending in the Georgetown Magistrate Court where the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield is charged, along with Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxane Meyers, and the Returning Officer (RO) for District Four, Clairmont Mingo, for misconduct in public office in relation to electoral fraud. In that case, Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Shalimar Ali-Hack, SC, and Commissioner of Police, Nigel Hoppie, had applied to the High Court for the release of the documents, but Lowenfield who was seeking to be added as a respondent in the case through his attorney Nigel Hughes, had argued strongly against the release of the SoPs and SoRs. Earlier this week, Justice G e o r g e - Wi l t s h i r e h a d considered an application from CEO to join the case filed by the DPP and the Commissioner of Police. At that time, attorney Nigel Hughes had been arguing for Lowenfield to join to the matter. Hughes had contended that SoPs and SoRs could only be legally released for an election petition. The DPP and the
CEO of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield. Commissioner of Police had requested an order to release the elections data, citing that the information is necessary in the furtherance of the investigations of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in relation to the charges filed against CEO, DCEO and R e t u r n i n g O ff i c e r f o r District Four. In their application, the parties had contended that the information forms relevant evidence for the prosecution to prove the commission of the offences, which are charged. Further, it was stated that pursuant to the Representation of the People Act, the SoPs are required to be delivered to the CEO at
GECOM. “These documents are public records and there should be no restriction to the police obtaining copies of the said records,” the application added. “By Common law and statute namely section 50 of the Criminal Law Procedure Act. Cap. 10:01, the Commissioner of Police and any member of the Police Force, has the lawful right to collect and recover all documents and property which are relevant to the investigation and prosecution of any criminal offence,” the application had outlined. In giving her ruling yesterday, the CJ dismissed Lowenfield’s application to be added to the case. She noted, that for the Court to allow the CEO to become a party in the matter would have complicated the legal proceeding unnecessarily. Justice George-Wiltshire stressed that although Lowenfield is the legal custodian of the documents, the CEO does not have any right to object to the court granting permission for its release. The Chief Justice said too, that the CEO has not disclosed how he would be affected by the release. She added too, these are not his
Chief Justice (Ag) Roxane GeorgeWiltshire.
personal documents but belong to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) of which he is the custodian. Additionally, the Judge said the case could have been handled by the lower court. “The police could have obtained a search warrant if Mr. Lowenfield had refused to turn over the documents. There can be nothing unlawful about this, a common occurrence in criminal proceeding,” Justice George-Wiltshire pointed out. In her ruling the CJ emphasized that “the provisions of the Representation of the People Act and the National Validity
of Elections Act, speaking as they do, to the custody and safekeeping of election documents and the challenge to the validity of elections, do not mean that these documents cannot be released to law enforcement entities as part of their investigations, or in support of criminal proceedings even where the CEO is also a defendant in criminal proceedings in relation to the elections.” As such, the Registrar of the Supreme Court was ordered to photocopy the SoPs and SoRs, certify the copies and deliver them to the DPP and the Police within 10 days.
Pres. Ali tells UN Extracting Natural Resources
pivotal to economic recovery after pandemic …says Guyana model teaches sustainable mining while still protecting the environment
H
ead of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali, at a G l o b a l Roundtable on Sustainable Development and Extractive Industries, has told the United Nations (UN) that Guyana’s position is that these sectors are pivotal to the post-pandemic recovery. In his address to the confab – one he said was itself an acknowledgement of the importance of the extractive sectors to global recovery – President Ali observed that the roundtable’s emphasis on the urgent need to ensure that the post-pandemic recovery does not eclipse the commitments made by many nations under the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable
Development Goals and to this end, he said, Guyana offers a model. He qualified his suggestion by pointing out that “for many small states like my country, Guyana, the extractive sectors remain an important economic lifeline. They are vital sources of investment, growth and foreign exchange to support the livelihoods of large numbers of our citizens.” He said, “We also recognise the imperative of m a i n s t r e a m i n g environmental protection and sustainable practices within those sectors.” To this end, Dr. Ali impressed, that Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) prioritises actions that “aims to
t r a n s f o r m G u y a n a ’s economy on a low carbon, sustainable development trajectory, while simultaneously combatting climate change.” He said, by adopting this strategy, Guyana’s forests will continue to provide environmental services to help in mitigating climate change. The LCDS, he stressed, promotes the sustainable development of our extractive sectors in order to ensure low levels of deforestation and forest degradation. The ‘strategy,’ according to Dr. Ali, is an example of the type of action being taken by small states to help reduce their carbon footprint and provide the world with environmental and
ecosystem services, whilst fostering sustainable development. He stressed however, the success of such efforts, “like those of other small states, will depend on the degree of international support received, especially in terms of financing for development and climate action.” Dr. Ali noted too, that without greater access to financing, efforts by small states to meet their commitments under the Paris Agreement on climate change and the Sustainable Development Agenda will be derailed. As such, he reiterated that with the support of the international community, including the United Nations system, the
Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali
extractive sectors can provide the surety that post COVID-19 pandemic recovery does not derail sustainable development or the efforts to stem the climate crisis. To this end, Dr. Ali reiterated the position, that there must be the full
implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development; greater grantbased financing for adaptation and the establishment of a Climate Change Vulnerability Fund; (Continued on page 13)
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Kaieteur News Printed and Published by National Media & Publishing Company Ltd. 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana. Publisher: GLENN LALL Tel:624-6456 Editor: SHARMAIN GRAINGER Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
EDITORIAL
The Statements of Poll, Again It is perhaps unsurprising that when the Chief Justice yesterday dismissed the attempt by Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, to bar the release of the Statements of Poll (SoPs) and Statements of Recount (SoRs) from last year’s General and Regional Elections, there was a resounding silence in some previously cacophonous quarters. Lowenfield’s most recent legal gambit had two things in common with his previous machinations last year – outrageous audacity and shameless desperation. What it does not have in common with them however, is the tremendous weight of an incumbent administration behind it. Whereas last year, around this time, any number of APNU+AFC government ministers, mid-level shills and contortionist fifth columnists would have been parroting talking points condemning the CJ’s decision as somehow injurious to democracy and an infringement upon Lowenfield’s unfettered right to suppress the SoPs, the decision yesterday was met with complete silence. Instead, as is their right and in keeping with their public duty, the Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon, sent out a furious e-mail lamenting the Government’s reintroduction of the CSME Common External Tariff (CET) on soap in keeping with a COTED decision, while the Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, sent out a release complaining that the Government had not held Parliament for 85 days. In brief, when it comes to the damning and prescient issue of the Statements of Poll, last year there was virtually open collusion – this year it is a thinly disguised attempt at distraction and misdirection. And yet, the issue of the SoPs and the SoRs and what they signify remains central to the issue of good governance in general and political credibility in particular, especially if the political opposition wants to be taken seriously on any issue, from rope to, well, soap. Before expanding on why this is so, some clarity should be given on what Statements of Poll are. When Guyanese go to vote at individual polling stations, a documentation of the votes – the Statement of Poll – from each polling station is posted outside for public view. Additionally, each participating party that has an agent at the polling station gets a copy of the SoP for that station. The large parties have agents at each polling station and these agents transmit the numbers to a central location so that the parties can have a picture of the national outcome even before GECOM makes an official declaration using the same numbers. In 2011, after that year’s election, Granger’s APNU staged a protest demanding the SoPs from GECOM be made public, and making a commitment by his party to do the same to challenge any possible attempt to subvert the elections outcome by the then incumbent PPP/C administration. In May of 2015, days after the elections that gained him the Presidency, Granger said that the SoPs were public documents and “We will be meeting this morning and will release fully our tabulations of Statements of Poll… this is already public knowledge… it shows we have won.” In contrast, in 2020, after the March 2 elections, not only did Granger disappear from public view, but so did his apparent belief in the fact that SoPs were in fact public documents. In May of 2020, the PNC Leader’s now wouldbe successor, Aubrey Norton, put forward the newly minted Granger Doctrine on SoPs. Asked why it is that the APNU+AFC was simultaneously claiming victory according to Clairmont Mingo’s rigged Region Four figures but not showing its own SoPs in support, Norton had this to say: “When a party has its Statements of Poll, it is for its use. And it has to decide strategically and tactically when it releases it… And we have no apologies for it.” The AFC’s David Patterson would himself testify to having been privy to Coalition SoPs showing “a win is a win” while but deciding to hold back the SoPs, oleaginous as ever, Granger himself, in an interview with a foreign media entity, said that he – strangely, considering his stance in 2011 and 2015 – did not see the SoPs himself but a spreadsheet tabulated from them which showed a coalition win. To this day, the Coalition of course has presented no evidence of their SoPs despite two
Protect the people by having measures in place to help curtail the spread of COVID DEAR EDITOR, The irresponsible behaviour of the current Administration with regard to the COVID pandemic is recognised not only among Guyanese but by the PAHO officials who spoke of the surging cases of the virus within Guyana. One month ago, the PAHO chief urged countries in the Americas to adopt strict measures such as extending curfews, issuing stay at home orders and tightening restrictions but Guyana has yet to comply. Guyana has currently exceeded 16,000 reported positive cases of the COVID virus and has a reported number of 359 deaths which is a high death toll having regard to our population. During the month of April, a total of 66 persons have died from this deadly virus and there are 60 reported deaths for this month thus far with eight deaths within a 24-hour period. The President of Guyana can at this stage be equated to the then American President Trump and President of Brazil, Bolsanaro who both ignored the recommendations and the dire need to put measures in place to the detriment of the citizens of those countries which have suffered mass
deaths and overwhelming cases of the virus. The Government of Guyana continues in its callous disregard of instituting measures to protect its people and instead further endangers the lives of the Guyanese people by reopening casinos, having no reasonable curfew, having restaurants, bars, salons, places of worship, creeks and recreational areas all open. One would have thought that a cue might have been taken from the loss of lives and situation currently in Trinidad and Tobago where a state of emergency was recently declared and Prime Minister Rowley closed all of the bars, restaurants, nightclubs, beaches and also imposed a strict curfew. It is wholly unacceptable that this Government has all of these places open and has openly declared its refusal to adjust the curfew or to impose a lockdown. How then can the Government reconcile their statements with having all places of business and entertainment open? The Government needs to stop catering to the needs of the business owners and to address the safety and lives of the Guyanese people. The Government of Guyana continues to
endanger the lives of Guyanese by its public outreach programmes promoting its GOAL (Guyana Online Academy of Learning) Scholarships. It is ironic that this is an online programme and the Government has been recruiting persons across the country by massive outreaches in persons with crowds of persons mingling thereby putting themselves at risk of contracting the virus. Such irresponsible actions by the Government, which selects different ministers for each outreach, must be condemned. The Government seems to be hinging all of its efforts on vaccine availability. Vaccines are the best way to achieve herd immunity but there must be some recognition that there is a lot of vaccine reluctance by persons in Guyana and so far a minute percentage of the population of Guyana is vaccinated. There must be measures to protect the people in the interim rather than proudly referring to a vaccination campaign. Those at the helm of the administration seem to have indoctrinated the other Ministers who all seem to be towing the party line of vaccination without care or consideration for the fact that persons are dying in the
interim due to no restrictions. In fact one Minister on her Facebook page went so far as to arrogantly state: “The only option the world has to survive is to take the vaccine! Period!!!!” I beg to differ Minister. The world needs good leaders who can protect the people by having measures in place to help to curtail the spread of the virus especially when vaccines are not being taken by most of the population. It is akin to Nero sitting back and fiddling while Rome burns. The Government is sitting back while persons are dying but are waiting on a vaccination campaign to be successful. The PAHO head has stated that vaccines alone are not sufficient to stop the virus but have to be in conjunction with restrictions and public health measures. If the people of Guyana are not adhering to the public health measures then the onus is upon the Government to impose social restrictions and measures to curtail the spread. Guyana does not have the resources and proper health care to deal with a full-blown pandemic. As cases escalate, there will be no beds available (Continued on page 6)
Does nationalism/patriotism exist in Guyana? DEAR EDITOR, The Cheddi Jagan era was characterised by cold war ideology (Capitalism vs. Communism). Jagan was a committed ideologue to Russia and this motivated the capitalist block to engineer
his removal from office. Lest I be castigated, Jagan had little scope to accelerate national development. We were under British control when he was Premier. His subsequent presidency was also short-lived.
of their agents – Volda Lawrence and Carol Smith-Joseph – having signed off on two separate Region Four declarations on the basis that APNU+AFC’s SoPs were in concert with Mingo’s fraud. The tune changed soon after – when the SoRs from Region Four began to match the SoPs displayed by the PPP/C and smaller parties – to the wild conspiracy that the votes, previously said to be valid and purportedly showing them a victory, now being flawed with “massive discrepancies,” a tune Lowenfield gave exact accompaniment to when he sought to discard tens of thousands of votes to give Granger a victory. Lowenfield’s latest attempt to keep the official SoPs from the public view cannot therefore be seen in isolation, but as part of the grand machinery of deceit and desperation that has emanated out of the political machinery housed in Congress Place, and which leadership has its hand on the wheel of the morally corroded gears and wheels that were last fully greased and running at tilt during the Burnham era. The Chief Justice, as she has been doing at least for the past two years, since the No Confidence Vote, has delivered a simple, but sound and elegant judicial decision, in response to repeated attempts by a far-reaching, if incompetent and impotent, conspiracy to subvert the will of the people and the laws that govern them. This latest decision on the SoPs – solid and steely – represents what is the last nail in the coffin of a demented and corrupt idea, which is that a small group of people, led by someone with what is increasingly clear as debilitating delusions of grandeur and severe cognitive issues, can leverage the arms of the state to perpetuate themselves in power.
Burnham did the ideological dance, which pleased the masters. Guyana ended up in tatters. Neither the capitalist nor the communist block helped to develop Guyana. Rather, they helped to divide us and Burnham was a willing participant. But Burnham recognised that his supporters alone did not have the wherewithal to move Guyana forward. He needed the other ethnicities on board. In 1966, the national motto: ONE PEOPLE, ONE NATION, ONE DESTINY was introduced as an expression to ostentatiously evoke national consciousness, nationalism and patriotism. The national motto had to be KNOWN in schools, offices; in fact, throughout Guyana. The same intent can be ascribed to the National Pledge and Guyana being officially known as the “Co-operative Republic of Guyana.” Even the private sector had to display some acceptance of these nationalistic expressions. Young and old were encouraged, if not demanded, to acknowledge them. They were meant to advocate ‘NATIONALISM’ and “PATRIOTISM.”
I just verified that on-line classes do not even attempt to suggest any motto. What an opportunity lost! Today, the National Anthem is hardly known, even by many teachers, let alone students. Dave Martin’s “Not a blade of grass” has long been overtaken by Jamaican dubs and chutney-soca madness. The intrusion of meaningless noise has driven away any semblance or sense of Nationalism from the Guyanese psyche. My take here is that the psychology of nationalism forced or otherwise, was seen as a necessary mantra for Guyana. In the absence of any other attempt to get the people to identify with any other ethos, Burnham’s approach had merit; if not in practice, then in intent. What exists relative to NATIONALISM and PATRIOTISM in Guyana today? From the Hoyte era to date, NATIONALISM and PATRIOTISM have undergone a process to the point where a new “ism” has been driving our Nation: INDIVIDUALISM; where our politicians disregard the (Continued on page 6)
Friday May 28, 2021
Guyana Power and Light what energy plan? DEAR EDITOR, The PM is quoted as saying the new 46.5MW power generators currently being installed is “part of the Government’s plan for reliable electricity” – Hogwash!! What Plan? Like every other sector in the country, there was no plans pre-2015 – absolutely nothing. Our electricity sector was on the verge of collapse by 2015. It was barely being powered by generating sets, some over 35 years old, which of course led to the complete unreliability of the system. The coalition administration spent the next five years from 2015 systematically rebuilding and improving the power sector using clear and workable solutions. In five years under the coalition administration, nine new generating sets totalling 63MW were purchased (Anna Regina – 5.4MW, Bartica – 3.4MW, Bellevue – 1.5MW, Canefield – 5.5MW and Garden of Eden (five sets) – 46.5MW). In 2015 the generating capacity of GPL was listed at 120 - 125MW, which means that in five short years, the coalition’s work increased the generating capacity of the company by 50 percent. Never in the history of the company has it enjoyed such a huge increase in generating capacity in such a short period. Even more impressive, was that this increase was financed without any external loans. Under the PPP between 2007 and 2014, US$155M in loans were taken on behalf of GPL. This entire amount was mismanaged due to a lack of vision and corruption, resulting in the broken system pre-2015. On average, US$22M per year in loans was given to GPL
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during this period, yet our power sector was on life support in 2015. Not only was GPL able to increase its generating capacity by 50 percent in five years, but the entity started repaying the interest on these loans. Commencing in 2015, GPL started to repay for the people of Guyana US$5M per year towards this massive debt, and were still able to advance their work programme – that’s what having a sound and workable plan should be. GPL’s improvement was not only limited to procurement of generators – during the same period, but the company was also able to reduce its technical and commercial line losses by five percent, which resulted in annual savings of G$450M. The company also carried out an impressive maintenance programme some of which is outlined below: -Almost all the transmission lines, over 300km, were repaired or upgraded – despite the big lie by the PPP, that no maintenance work was done on the transmission lines in the last four years. This lie being used as a pretext to hire foreign contractors at huge costs thus bypassing our local contractors and inhouse staff, who were providing yeoman service
until 2020. -Construction of 16km of new feeder cables between Vreed-en-Hoop and Vriesland. -Installation and upgrade of the express feeders on the Demerara Berbice Interconnected System. Installation of a new 13.8kv submarine cable between Vreed-en-Hoop and Princes Street to provide redundancy due to the very poorly thought-out and installed cable between Vreed-en-Hoop and Kingston, a cable that continues to be damaged on a regular basis. -Installation of 486km of new primary distribution lines and upgrade of 272km of primary distribution lines. -Installation of 231km of new secondary distribution lines and upgrade of 519km of secondary distribution lines. -Replacement of 87,717 service lines. -Installation of 502 new transformers and replacement of 2,292 defective transformers. During the five-year period, GPL also gave back to the communities. The company provided power to 60 unserved areas, benefitting 26,286 residents – this was done entirely at the expense of the company. The coalition administration removed the PPP policy of having (Continued on page 6)
Dr. Desmond Thomas offers insights on electoral reform DEAR EDITOR, I am writing this letter in response to Mr. Kissoon’s article entitled “The Electoral Reform Group: Part of Guyana’s dilemma” (Kaieteur News, May 24, 2021) in which he sets out to discredit the Electoral Reform Group on the grounds that its members are unknown and were silent on attempted vote rigging following the March 2020 elections. Mr. Kissoon’s ad hominem comments are disappointing coming from an established media voice, raising questions about his motives and how genuinely interested he is in finding solutions to our delicate social and political problems. His analysis conveys the impression that Guyana’s political problems started on March 4, 2020. As a friend of mine has commented, it is “disingenuous to suggest that March 2020 is the yardstick to measure the role, legitimacy or credibility of any person or group who may seek to bring improvements to an obviously broken system.” By way of introduction for Mr. Kissoon’s benefit, I am an economist with a claim to being among the leading economists in the Caribbean Region based on my academic, professional and
publications record. I have taught economics at universities in four countries, also serving as Economic Advisor (Ag.) to the President of Guyana, and as a Statistician at the CARICOM Secretariat. Since returning to Guyana after 17 years at the IDB, I have kept interested in current affairs, writing letters to the Press (including Kaieteur News) and doing part-time teaching in the Department of Economics at UG. Mr. Kissoon’s criticisms suggest that I am compromised on the issue of election rigging but nothing can be farther from the truth. As he is no doubt aware, agitation on election issues did not start in 2020. In the period leading up to the 1992 General Elections in Guyana, while working as a lecturer at The University of the West Indies, Jamaica Campus, I joined with Mike James, Mohan Jagnarine and Sarah and Raymond Eytle and others in forming Friends of Guyana in Solidarity. Among our activities, this organisation agitated for ‘free and fair elections’ in Guyana, hosting presentations to the Guyanese community in Jamaica by political leaders including Dr. Jagan, Professor Clive Thomas and Paul Tennassee. My subsequent appointment as Honourary Consul to Jamaica by the Jagan Government was no doubt recognition of that
contribution. The issue of election rigging has troubled me from the inception. It is a betrayal and violation of Guyanese by fellowGuyanese, regardless of ethnic origin, that undermines the very foundations of a stable, progressive Guyana. This issue troubled me all through my oneyear tenure in the Office of the President in the eighties. In December 2019, I published a book entitled: “Electoral System Reform for a Diverse Nation, The Case of Guyana.” While acknowledging the defining ethnic dimension in Guyanese politics, this book challenges common narratives of division, offering an optimistic vision of electoral system reform based on a social and political dialogue process. It emphasises that strong citizen-based representation must play a central role in this dialogue. Looking at leading politicians’ recent statements, it is evident that this book is having a profound, though unacknowledged, impact. Mr. Kissoon would do well to read it. Sincerely, Dr. Desmond Thomas
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Tacuma Ogunseye responds to Vishnu Bisram DEAR EDITOR, I write to acknowledge and refute some claims by Mr. Vishnu Bisram in his letter published in Kaieteur News May 24th edition, captioned: “Freddie Kissoon is bold, courageous, objective and independent.” His letter was prompted by my criticism of Kissoon which he disagreed with. I respect his right to glorify Kissson. However, Bisram in his letter committed some of the very “sins” Freddie is guilty of. This letter is my response to those matters. Much of the acclamations Vishnu Bisram attributed to Kissoon I have no problem with: Kissson’s ‘iconic status,’ ‘courage,’ intellectual, knowledge of history/ philosophy, celebrated writer,
the greatest number of readers, etc. On those I offer no contest. Notwithstanding Bisram’s gushing praise of his hero, I contend that Kissoon’s iconic status brings with it a responsibility greater than that of the average letter writer to adhere to respectful polemics, civility in public discourse, truthfulness and a willingness to accept criticism of one’s offensive behaviour and correct it. Kissoon’s practice has been to evade a response when he is caught out. Bisram announced that Kissoon is the most read columnist who writes daily. This actually places Kissoon in a privileged position of having exposure to thousands of unsuspecting Guyanese minds. And
Kissoon often takes advantage of this position and wages war on persons and organisations. I now pose these questions. Mr. Bisram, given Kissoon’s “iconic status,” will you agree that it comes with responsibility? Is this asking too much from your hero, albeit new hero? Mr. Vishnu Bisram ended his letter: “It is Ogunseye and Walton-Desir who are behaving wrong and strong.” Something is seriously wrong with Bisram’s logic and sense of fairness here. For him to infer that criticism of the PPP/ C and its allies in the Walton controversy is being wrong and strong is pathetic. His position that the PPP/C and its allies’ attacks on MP Walton is not being “wrong
...Does nationalism/patriotism exist in From page 4 masses and where nepotism runs roughshod across Guyana. Is anyone fooled? The awarding of contracts by the Regions and higher up will make for interesting study. “REBUILDING THE ECONOMY” appears to be the new (obscure) mantra. But the mantra is not being chanted loud or often enough to infect the masses. It will be useful if one of our more erudite scholars were to dissect the anatomy of
“NATIONALISM” and “PATRIOTISM” from Burnham to the present. In effect, Nationalism initially gave way to parties, and now parties subserve to personalities. For instance, the greater part of the Afrocentric populace recognises Harmon and Granger more than the APNU, while the opposite numbers recognise Ali and Jagdeo instead of the PPP. The name of the Parties are mere umbrellas. I would hazard a guess that both the PPP and the APNU do not have sizeable bona fides memberships; sizeable ethnocentric support – but not bona fides memberships. Guyana needs proverbial glue, an ideology or formula
that can bring us together and hold us together. The absence of such an ideology makes national progress brittle and tenuous. The populace cannot feel “belonged;” they will feel that whatever is achieved will not filter down meaningfully to all strata. The APNU+AFC’s five years in office underscores that. Stratification is rearing its head on the national landscape. But I think the current administration, for now, enjoys the benefit of the doubt. For how long? Quite frankly, I do not see many NATIONALISTS in the political arena. Nor many PATRIOTS, for that matter. How do you see it? Sincerely, Taaj Jadunauth
and strong,” but appropriate/ right behaviour says it all. My contention is that if the ruling PPP/C with its access to government and state assets, is unable to produce the text of Walton’s statement to make its case based on truth how on earth a few lines from me in defense of the MP amounts to being wrong and strong? Now let me address more important issues in the letter: Bisram wrote, “When he (Kissoon) spoke out against attempted electoral fraud in 2020, he has become an Indian bad man for
Ogunseye.” This gentleman is applying the tactics of his “hero” that is revisionism, distortion and outright lies. Readers should note that in my May 19, 2021 letter which is the subject of Bisram’s missive, there is no reference to the 2020 elections or Kissoon’s advocacy on that matter. Yet Bisram went out of the way to make his erroneous claim. A careful reading of that I said has to be seen in the context of what I was addressing – the Walton controversy. I said, “Kissoon’s motive is not
objective or fair, but driven by his unending desire to be recognised as an Indian “bad man” and to satisfy his lust for public attention amid an inability to write beyond a few narrow and repetitive topics.” What this has to do with Kissoon’s advocacy on the elections can only be explained by Bisram. In stating that I see myself as an African rights activist and write from an African perspective, Bisram is doing like Kissoon, denying the fact that my writings and politics (Continued on page 22)
...Protect the people by having measures From page 4 for patients at ICU facilities in Guyana. The doctors who head these units have issued dire warnings as to the effect of the system becoming overwhelmed and inundated with cases. The time to act is now and to take measures to ensure that we do not reach to that grim but not farfetched reality. I refer to the letter of Nick Harewood to this newspaper on May 24, 2021 in which he
showed the advantages of having a properly managed lockdown to give the breathing space and pause so that we can better implement measures and take steps to keep the people of Guyana safe. The editorials and letters in the press have referred to this “unhearing” Government. If, heaven forbid, the situation in Guyana should escalate to that akin to the situation in Trinidad and
Tobago, there has to be an immediate call for the resignation of the present Government who have failed the people of Guyana in their inaction and refusal to institute measures to protect the people during this pandemic. Alas this will not bring those loved ones we have lost due to this virus and the Government’s inaction back to life. Yours truly, Stephanie Isaacs
...Guyana Power and Light - what energy From page 5 customers in unserved areas pay 25 percent of the capital costs for installation of power, a hardship policy which has resumed once again. During this period under the coalition government, GPL did not only look after the small guys, but the big guys as well. Prior to 2015, GPL’s licence did not facilitate distributed generation; hence the company was legally prevented from purchasing excess generation from its customers or from commercial or industrial business. The coalition administration amended GPL’s licence thus allowing the company to purchase excess generation from private renewables and non-renewable sources – any guess who now benefits from these amendments? And what about the plans that the coalition
administration left in place which the PPP is slavishly following, and seeking to claim as its own: The Kingdom of Norway was so impressed with the coalition administration’s Energy Diversification Program, our roadmap to transition from Heavy Fuel generation to 100 percent Renewable Energy (yes, the same study that the PPP claimed to have used to justify their proposed white elephant Wales gas to shore project), that they immediately committed to use some of the US$80M, previously set aside for the equally short-sighted Amelia Falls Hydro project to construct 3 x 10MW solar farms. It will be interesting to see how the PPP will try to convince Norway to reallocate these funds back to the Amaila Falls project, since Norway acknowledged that
the coalition’s energy plans were far superior to anything that the PPP had conceived. The 1.5MW hybrid solar power plant for Wakenaam. The 1MW hybrid solar power plant for Leguan. The 4MW solar power plant for Fort Wellington. The 1.5MW solar power plant for Bartica. Construction of four new substations with associated high voltage transmission lines. All the above projects have commenced, all were conceptualised by the coalition administration, who had a clear, transparent, and workable plan to address the country’s energy needs. As the saying goes “show me yours and I will show you mine.” All the above is a small part of the coalition’s plans, it’s time for the PPP to reveal theirs. What Plan??? Your faithfully, David Patterson
T N U L B . . . T B N U T L N B T . U . L . L T B . . N . U N U T L N B . U T . . L N N U T B . U . N L U BL BLUNT. B . . T . T T N N U . U L . . L B . T B . . . . N . T U T N N T U N U L L U B . L B . . . . B . T . . T . N N T U N L LU U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . . U . N L T U B . N L . . U B . T L . . N B T . . U . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B . T . U . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . B . UN .BLUNT. L . . B T . . . N T U N L . . U B T . L . B . UN .BLUNT. L . . B T . . . N T U N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L B T . U . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . . . LU ...BLUN B T . . . N T U N L U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T . U B . . N L T U B . N L . . U B T . L . . N B T . U . . N L T BB T...BLU U N L U B . L . . B . T . . N N T T L U U N L L U B U T...BLU B L . . N . B . T . . N T U N N N U L U U B L . BL TLUNT.. UNT...B BL Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
Our national leaders in Government and Opposition have to be among the most presumptuous people around. There they were telling the nation in their Independence Day messages about dreams and dreaming and benefitting. Nothing is wrong with that; what is wrong is with them.
Because they are so presumptuous to talk about dreams and dreaming, when they are leading all of us down a nightmarish path. The dream has become a nightmare and will be one that Guyanese live, unless they force leaders to change for the better. The betterment of all Guyanese, not these fluffy messages that mean nothing. Only then will the dream be a really sweet dream!
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Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
Opposition Chief Whip writes to Teen wakes up to find man Regional Parliamentary bodies next to her bed - Highlights it has been 85 days since the last sitting of Parliament Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones, has written a letter to the President of Regional P a r l i a m e n t a r y ParlAmericas, Blanca Ovelar, enlightening her on the number of days it has been since the last sitting of the National Assembly, seeking her intervention for a resolution to the issue. The letter was also sent to the President of the InterParliamentary Union, Duarte Pacheco, and Secretary General of the C o m m o n w e a l t h Parliamentary Association, Stephen Twigg. ParlAmericas, the InterParliamentary Union and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, are institutions that promote parliamentary diplomacy, facilitate the exchange of parliamentary good practices and foster cooperative political dialogue in pursuit of the United Nations sustainable development goals. Jones stated in his letter,
dated May 27, 2021, “We write to bring to your attention further actions by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana to erode Parliamentary democracy.” He believes that, “The failure to convene sittings of the National Assembly is now giving further credence of a developing dictatorship in Guyana.” According to the letter seen by this publication, Jones disclosed that during December 2020, the Opposition wrote directing serious concerns in the failure by the Speaker of the N a t i o n a l A s s e m b l y, Manzoor Nadir, to commence sittings of the National Assembly since September 2, 2020. He then stated that Parliament was subsequently convened predominantly to debate and to pass the 2021 budget, which was passed on March 4, 2021 – on that date Jones noted, made 85 days since the last sitting of Parliament. Jones mentioned in his
Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones. letter that, since then, the Speaker made no indication on any intended date for another sitting of the National Assembly. He added that since the “forced closure” of Parliament, the Opposition has submitted 487 questions for both oral and written replies. Those questions, he added, concern Health, Security,
Governance, Environment, Education, Economic and International Relations issues, which he claims have not been addressed by the M i n i s t e r s w i t h responsibility for the relevant sectors. Another issue the Opposition Chief Whip highlighted is the ruling by the High Court on the unlawful appointment of two Members of Parliament appointed as Parliamentary Secretaries by the Government. He stated that despite the Court’s ruling, the Speaker has taken no distinct step to remove the two unlawful appointed Parliamentary Secretaries. In his letter, Jones further noted, that the Opposition is seeking the support of ParlAmericas and other Regional Parliamentary bodies in “ s a f e g u a r d i n g parliamentary democracy” and encouraging the arrangement of regular sittings of the National Assembly.
A
Moruca teen woke to the sight of a man standing beside her bed on Wednesday. According to a police report, the teen secured her home, which is situated in Rincón Village, Moruca, North West District, at 19:25 hrs. before retiring to bed. She woke up at 23:00 hrs. and reportedly saw the suspect standing at the side of her bed.
The startled teen jumped off her bed and raised an alarm. The girl then exited the house and ran to her uncle’s house, which was not too far from her home and told him about what had just occurred. The man who is believed to be known by some of the villagers, tried to flee from the scene. The teen’s uncle, along (Continued on page 16)
15-yr-old drowns after falling into a creek A 15-year-old boy on Wednesday drowned, after he reportedly fell into a creek in Region Seven. According to a police report, Luixander Xavier Donald Castillo, of Arou Mountain, Cuyuni River, drowned sometime between 17:00 to 18:00 hrs. after he left his father’s camp at Arou Mountain en route to Arou Landing. The deceased’s father went to make checks on the landing for him, but he failed
to locate him. His father then formed a search party and made several checks within the Arou area. While they were doing so, the teen was discovered floating in a sixfoot deep creek. The reports further revealed that the young boy may have fallen into the creek while attempting to cross. The body was recovered and checks made for marks of violence, but none were unearthed. An investigation has been launched.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 28, 2021
PAGE 09
BEING ON TIME MOST OF THE TIME I
t is said that the only things that start on time in Guyana are banks and cricket. Not anymore. I have seen quite a few cricket matches of recent where the umpires went out at least 10 minutes beyond the scheduled start. Punctuality is a sign of excellence, someone wrote. If that is the case then standards of excellence are falling throughout the world. A recent survey in the United Kingdom, for example, found that many managers have problems with the late attendance of the younger members of the workforce. In Guyana, the problem of workplace lateness is not restricted to the newcomers to the job market. Most businesses in Guyana start work at 8am. Try calling any office at 8am and ask for the boss. A great many of the calls will be unanswered. Not just because the boss is not at his desk, but also because his secretary would have most likely not arrived by that time. The few workers that show up on time go unnoticed. Someone once said that the problem with being punctual is that there is no one to appreciate it. For over 20 years, old Jack had arrived promptly at work at 8am. He was never absent and he was never late. Then one day he did not show up on time. It caused an uproar in the office, causing even Jack’s boss to come out of his office and walk the corridor wondering where Jack was.
Then precisely at 9am, for the first time after 20 years of being punctual, Jack walked in late. His clothes were dusty and torn, his face bruised, his head busted and his spectacles broken. He dragged himself to the time clock and punched in. Aware that now all eyes were on him, he said, “I fell down my stairs. Nearly killed myself!” To which his boss answered, “And that took you a whole hour?” When you can have an unappreciative boss like that, why bother to be punctual if you can get away with it. One of the best managers that Guyana ever produced made it his duty to ensure that his staff was on time. He made it his ritual to ensure that he was in early to observe the early birds and the late comers. The late comers did not last too long. They were quickly let go no matter how bright or smart they were. On the other hand, even if you were a slacker on the job and never came late, you were sure to be retained and even promoted. This great manager once told his staff that they were not to be blamed if they idled on the job. This was their supervisor’s responsibilities. But if they were late, they had to accept the consequences. He never worried about staff taking long washroom and rest breaks; he hardly refused an offer for time off.
But he was intolerant of lateness. Being late reflected a lack of appreciation and was a symptom of someone lacking personal discipline. The man always said that the best employees were the most disciplined and if you were not disciplined enough to be on time, you could never be a good employee no matter how late you stayed after hours. Being on time, for him was the hallmark of excellence. Some persons however are habitual late comers. Nothing can motivate them to get out on time. One lady called Fanny was like that. She was always late for work. No matter how much she tried or how often her boss scolded her, she just could not get to work on time. The problem was that she woke up late. One day, her boss told her that he would fire her unless she stopped being late. Seeing the writing on the wall, Fanny was determined that she would have to wake up early if she was to get to work on time and therefore avoid being fired. Fanny decided to seek the advice of her doctor. He prescribed her some medication and told her to take one pill before going to bed. She did and woke up feeling well rested. Fanny went to work on time. She headed for her bosses office and excitedly told him about the doctor’s prescription and how well it worked.
Yuh gat to protect boys seh... yuh self fuss! Dem
De government nah gan protect you from de coronavirus pandemic. Everyday people dying and it gan get wuss because de number of cases averaging more dan 120 per day. De government nah interested in lockdown. One man seh how he nah see evidence of the curfew working. De same people wah asking you and me fuh stick to curfew, breaking de same rule. Dem throwing dem rod at midnight and dem proudly tekkin picture and posting it pun Facebook. Nah call fuh de law fuh do nothing about it. Remember all are equal before de law but some are more equal dan others. Dem workers scared of de virus. But dem more scared of losing dem wuk. And nuff of dem boss nah gat conscience. Dem want dem staff come to wuk every
day. Dem nah gat conscience fuh put dem pun rotation of work from home. But charity begins at home. Yuh gat to take care of yuh self because if you nah do dat nobody gan tek care of you. You is de best person fuh tek care of you. Dem workers gat to decide dat dem nah gan continue to put dem life at risk. Money nah bring back yuh life. So if yuh putting money in front yuh health, yuh gan be sorry in de long run. Is time dem workers come together and lobby dem boss fuh wuk three days per week. Dem gan remind dem boss dat Prezzie call pun dem fuh help stop de deaths, grief and anguish. Is time dem minibus and hire cars decide fuh stay home one day fuh show dem support with dem workers. Talk half and join de calls for dem workers fuh organise dem own curfew.
Her boss said, “That is great Fanny, but where were you yesterday?” (The views expressed in
this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Kaieteur News
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Friday May 28, 2021
THE FREDDIE KISSOON COLUMN
The roundabout at Sheriff Street:
The mistreatment of a country’s citizens The government in all countries sends out its employees to work to keep the functionalism of the country alive. So the minister sends a group of carpenters to repair a school step. The minister is not expected to sit down and see that they use greenheart instead of soft wood. A minister sends out a plumber to fix a pipe. He/she is not expected to watch over the worker to see that he uses a more durable paste. There are times we focus too much on the minister and not his/her erring employees. Sometimes we focus on the manager and not his/her inept subordinates and the nation suffers as a consequence. One day in the National Park, I saw an incredibly incompetent thing happen. The garbage collectors were going from bin to bin and dumping the bins with the trash inside onto the tractor. They skipped an abandoned bolted down bin the body of
which had rotten away so the remnants of the garbage lay at the bottom for anyone to see.As they passed me and my dog as they emptied the plastic bins onto the tractortrailer, I told them there was garbage in the bolted down bin. I showed them the amount. Those guys just moved on without blinking an eye. Here was a group of workmen cleaning the National Park and deliberately missing a pile of thrash that was pointed out to them. I complained to one of the supervisors who said he would have it picked up. The next day, I saw the same group and I went up to one of them and told them that they would see me as the worst human in the world if I had gone to the general manager (GM) and complained about their behaviour. Now read the incredible stories about Guyana. Months and months after that pile of garbage was still there. I don’t think the GM ever knew how brutally
incompetent those men were. What I am about to describe below is yet another manifestation of how inexplicable the people of this country are. The Ministry of P u b l i c Wo r k s i s landscaping a roundabout at the junction of Sherriff Street and Railway Embankment. If you are travelling west on the Embankment at its junction with Conversation Tree Road traffic having to move off the Embankment; you cannot continue because of the construction ahead. So at Conversation Tree, you either make a right swing that will take you onto the Atlantic highway or a left turn into Stone Avenue. If you are going downtown or anywhere in northern Georgetown, then obviously you will take the highway. If you are going to southern Georgetown, for example, the Ministry of Health to have your COVID-19
va
Frederick Kissoon c c i n e , you will drive on Stone Avenue in Blygezight. But Stone Avenue in Blygezight is destroyed. It can only accommodate trucks and 4X4 vehicles. The road has more craters than the aftermath of a volcano. Small cars will be damaged trying to manoeuvre it. It is impassible and impossible to negotiate it. Enter commonsense. If you know you are forcing drivers onto Stone Avenue, which is in a terrible state, then commonsense should
dictate that at least some sand should be thrown on it so drivers would not fall into the craters and create miscarriage if their wives are pregnant. What is so profound about acquiring that knowledge? It has nothing to do with road construction and engineering but commonsense. It never fails to sicken me to see how people in this country suffer humiliatingly in silence and just go about their miserable lives without even one word of complaint. The Jews have vowed that there will never be another Holocaust. You would think Guyanese people would have vowed there would never be slavery and indentureship again. But citizens are slaves and indentured servants in the 21st century in Guyana. They drove in fear for four years at the junction of the Railway Embankment
and UG Road because of unworkable traffic lights. They are now driving in fear at Sheriff Street and the Atlantic highway because those signals are not working over two months now. They willingly accept breaking up their cars on Stone Avenue. They are afraid to speak and love their self-destruction. One night, the then minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, was drinking his beer at the snackette outside his party’s head office. In a rude tone of voice, I looked and pointed eastward and told him to fix the traffic signals and streetlights on the Embankment. One of the AFC’s sycophants, Simon Duggan, intervened and said, “Minista, I like de lights yuh put up at Mahaica.” Oh man, what a self-destructive nationality! (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)
Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Kaieteur News
PAGE 12
Govt. restores 40% import tariff on soaps - Harmon says move unconscionable
T
he Guyana Revenue (GRA) has advertised its decision to restore the 40 percent Common Eternal Tariff (CET) on soaps. According to the tax body, all licenced custom brokers and importers should be notified that the tariff would be in effect as of June 1, 2021 and apply to all soaps including medicated soaps, liquid and hand soaps. The GRA stated in the advertisement that the decision is in keeping with the Government of Guyana’s obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and determination made at CARICOM’s 49th Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) meeting. The reinstatement of 40 percent CET on soaps comes about a year after it was suspended to accommodate the importation of the commodity in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing the statement from GRA, Opposition Leader,
Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon.
Joseph Harmon, issued a statement calling the reimposition of 40% tax on soap by the Government as ‘unconscionable.’ Harmon noted that it was the APNU+AFC Coalition, which removed the CET on soaps after the pandemic hit last year. He explained that the suspension was intended to increase the availability of soaps and reduce the prices to make it more affordable to ordinary people. “We remain in the throes of a global pandemic and a
central feature of the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is for persons to regularly and thoroughly wash their hands with soap. The citizenry it more dependent on soap now than ever before,” Harmon outlined in the statement. He noted that the re-imposition of the tariff would imperil the health of the people as many will not be able to afford to buy soap. Harmon noted that the 40% price increase is in (Continued on page 18)
Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
Friday May 28, 2021
May now surpasses April with the most COVID-19 deaths W
ith just three more days to month end, May is now officially recorded as the country’s deadliest month, with 77 novel Coronavirus (COVID19) fatalities recorded thus far. This figure surpasses that of the 66 deaths that was recorded for last month. Before April was named the deadliest month, October was previously reported as the deadliest with 46 deaths since the start of the pandemic in March last year. Not only is the death toll high, but in the month of May too, there has been an increase in deaths on a daily basis, pushing the numbers to three deaths per day. Just three days ago, the Ministry of Health (MoH) recorded that seven persons had died over a three-day period, among those a 17year-old boy who was
recorded as one of Guyana’s youngest COVID-19 fatalities. Additionally, the number of confirmed new infection cases daily has been increasing. Kaieteur News on May 26, saw a record of 236 new cases being reported, making that the highest number of new cases recorded in one day, since the pandemic started. Guyana has now surpassed 16,500 cases of COVID-19 moving it closer to the 17,000 benchmark. The Health Ministry yesterday recorded two more COVID-19 deaths, a 62y e a r- o l d w o m a n f r o m Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) and a 52-year-old man from Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne). Their deaths now push Guyana’s COVID-19 death toll to 376. According to the Ministry’s press release,
both persons died on Wednesday while receiving medical treatment. Further, the Health Ministry in its daily COVID-19 dashboard recorded 98 new COVID-19 cases, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 16,654. A breakdown of new cases per Region shows that Region Four leads with 44 new cases, Region 10 with 24, Region Three with 14, Region Six with six, Region Nine with five, Regions Five and Seven with three each and Region One with two. The dashboard also revealed that 24 patients are in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 109 persons are in the institutional isolation, 1,922 in home isolation and 10 quarantined institutionally. To date, a total of 14,223 recoveries have been recorded.
PAGE 13
Extracting Natural Resources pivotal... From page 2 ExxonMobil led project is looking to produce some six million barrels of oil each month, at a production rate of some 250,000 barrels daily, to be produced utilising a Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, similar to the Liza Destiny. The proposed project will be implemented in multiple stages, including wells, drilling and completions, mobilisation and installation of subsea equipment, installation of a FPSO, production operations, offloading of crude, decommissioning and use of support vessels and helicopters throughout the stages. The project will be undertaken in the marine
o ff s h o r e e n v i r o n m e n t within Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and would also utilise landbased support activities such as marine shore bases, fabrication facilities, warehouses and storage yards. It was noted that as a result of the intended developmental activities, possible effects on the environment may include impacts to marine water quality, air quality, marine fauna, socio-economic resources, among others. As such, in keeping with the Environmental Protection Act, the EPA has determined that an EIA is required to be conducted before any decision to approve or reject the proposed project is taken,
since this development may significantly impact the environment. The operator in its application for the EIA consideration, noted that the Yellowtail Project along with the other Stabroek projects, “will contribute positively, directly and indirectly to economic growth in Guyana, including increased national revenues, which will result in increased government investments in public services and infrastructure; local procurement of select goods and services; increased direct and indirect local employment opportunities; and increased Project and worker spending with beneficial ‘multiplier’ impacts throughout the Project life.”
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Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
Guyana aviation authority ranks top in the Region for int’l safety oversight capabilities - ICAO Reports Guyana has ranked the highest on an international safety oversight index for its robust safety capabilities when compared to all 35 States in the South American, Latin American, Caribbean, and North American Regions. This is according to a recent report by the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Global Aviation Safety index. ICAO announced Guyana’s safety status earlier this week.
According to the ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP)’s key concepts and metrics, the safety oversight index of any state or country is an indicator of its safety oversight capabilities. During a meeting to determine which state had improved its standard, a presentation of the newly developed safety dashboards was made, to follow up on the regional safety plan objectives. In accordance with ICAO standards, the plan
outlines that it is a number greater than zero where the number one, represents the minimum level of expected safety oversight capabilities of a state is made, considering the number of departures, as well as a proxy to the size of the state’s aviation system. Among the indicators, the organization could see an outstanding result in the safety oversight Index, indicating important developments in Guyana, especially in the operations
category. In keeping with that calculation, ICAO found that Guyana received the highest safety oversight index for its robust safety oversight capabilities when compared to all 35 States in the Latin America, North America, South America and Caribbean Region. The Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has since extend congratulations to the GCAA for its most recent achievement in aviation. According to a statement from the GCAA, The Minister expressed congratulations after he learnt that the GCAA has made significant progress in its safety oversight functions, following a report from the Regional Aviation Safety Group for the Pan A m e r i c a ’s E x e c u t i v e Steering Committee meeting.
Meanwhile, in an invited comment, Director of the GCAA, Captain Egbert Field said, that he is honoured that Guyana has achieved such a feat. “We have been doing what is been asked of us by ICAO for some time now, so it’s a very big achievement. I spoke with the Regional Director of ICAO on M o n d a y, a n d h e w a s extremely excited to share the news with us,” Field said, adding, that this is the first time that the country has ranked at the top for aviation safety. “What this really means, is that the country is in capable hands at the level of the GCAA; that civil aviation has a system in place that ICAO as the international aviation regulator, recognizes that we have been doing the work to maintain and enhance safety
GCAA Director Captain Egbert Field. … In a nutshell what it means, is that Guyana has really made movements improving capability by leaps and bounds, in terms of monitoring to ensure safety of flights, air operators and aerodromes,” he explained. In addition to its newest achievement, Field said, the Civil Aviation Act, which was passed in the National Assembly in December of 2018, gave the GCAA the most modern civil aviation law in the Region.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 28, 2021
PAGE 15
Hess Boss says Ali, Jagdeo agreed VP says there is to expedite Yellowtail -enough time to Project before year end address all issues Map showing the location of the Yellowtail project in proximity to other Stabroek Block developments.
Hess Corp. CEO, John Hess
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali
By Kiana Wilburg
F
ollowing his meeting with P r e s i d e n t , D r. I r f a a n A l i , a n d Vi c e President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Hess Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Hess, said he is of the understanding that the PPP/C Government is desirous of expediting the approval process for the Yellowtail Project, the fourth to be developed on the Stabroek Block. Hess made this revelation during his participation in the Union Bank of Switzerland (UBS) Global Energy Virtual Conference 2021. During that engagement on May 26, the Hess boss was asked to relate his experience in working with the new government. He was keen to note that the Ali administration – in power since August 2020 – is very pro-business, while adding that it wants oil investments to be accelerated. The CEO said, “The people of Guyana and this current Government especially want to keep the momentum of oil investments because that is the best way for them to get shared prosperity and to improve all lives of every Guyanese.” Following this, the Hess official disclosed that he met with Ali and Jagdeo about three weeks ago and had a “very constructive dialogue.” Hess said, “We spoke about Yellowtail and how important it is to have a thoughtful but expeditious approval for that project. You know, the fact of the matter is that they took over in August and before September 30, last, gave us
Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo approval for Payara (ExxonMobil’s third oil project) and now we are talking about Yellowtail, a large resource…” Hess said that the Environmental Impact Statement for the project has been submitted already and the company will be ready to go once the necessary approvals are given. He was keen to note as well that there is an active discourse with the operator, ExxonMobil’s subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL), and Government to get it sanctioned and approved before yearend so that it can be on track for first oil in 2025. “ I w o u l d s a y Government is very constructive in working with us…and the Government is working with us to give us, I’d say an expedited approval…” Hess said that the administration is also interested in using the ongoing period to get all issues it wants addressed. He further stated, “I would say the attitude of the Government is pro-oil investment because that’s the best way to lift the
country out of poverty and have a much better future for all Guyanese.” Yesterday, Kaieteur News contacted the Vice President to ensure that Hess’ conclusion of the said
meeting was accurate. Dr. Jagdeo said that Hess’ understanding of the perspectives exchanged and the Government’s position on the matter was accurate while adding that before
yearend provides ample time for all issues with the project to be addressed. ABOUT THE YELLOWTAIL PROJECT According to EEPGL’s
p r o j e c t s u m m a r y, t h e Yellowtail development is located in the eastern portion of the Stabroek Block, approximately 200 km from Georgetown and southeast (Continued on 22)
Kaieteur News
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Friday May 28, 2021
Town Clerk calls for urgent evacuation of City Hall as inner stairway threatens to collapse A section of the rotting inner stairwell of City Hall.
Andre Pereira (left) and Salim Nobrega De Alimser, 65 (right) in custody.
Brazilian nationals found with cocaine in plane remanded to prison
T
he two Brazilian nationals, who were arrested in Orealla, after cocaine was found in the aircraft they made an emergency landing in, were yesterday charged with illegal entry and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking. Salim Nobrega De Alimser, 65, and Andre Pereira, 30, appeared at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court on Thursday before
Magistrate Alex Moore, and both pleaded not guilty to the charges read to them. Two Brazilian nationals, who made an emergency landing at Orealla, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), with almost 1,000 pounds of cocaine on board a foreign aircraft, were remanded to prison Thursday on charges of illegal entry and trafficking 450 kilogrammes of cocaine.
The Prosecutor reasoned for the objection of bail that the two men were a flight risk and may escape and that they provided a video showing that the plane belonged to them. They were subsequently remanded to prison until June 22, 2021. At approximately 15:00 hrs. on Thursday May 20, 2021, police ranks from Region 6 were informed that (Continued on page 18)
A
c t i n g To w n Clerk of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Sherry Jerrick, has made an urgent appeal for the relocation of the offices housed at the badly deteriorating City Hall building, as the inner stairs threatens to collapse. During a statutory meeting of the city councillors held on Monday, Jerrick stressed on the urgency of the matter. She noted that it was brought to
her attention that the inner staircase within City Hall could collapse at any moment taking an entire section of the historic building with it. “This was recently brought to my attention and I would just like the Council to know that there is need for urgent evacuation of the building,” Jerrick said, adding that there are lots of lives at stake should any section of the building come tumbling down. “I would not want to
endanger my life or the life of anyone else,” she added. The Town Clerk (Ag.) recommended as a solution, that departments housed in the building find temporary accommodation elsewhere in the compound. In addition to holding the offices of the Town Clerk, the more than a century-old building houses the Rate Collection Office and the Meeting Chambers of the City Council. City Hall’s restoration has been (Continued on page 22)
Hunt for trio who attacked a man over old grievance The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is in pursuit for three men who attacked a 22-yearold man over a reported old grievance while he was heading home on Independence night. A c c o r d i n g t o
information received, around 22:30 hrs. in the Goed Intent community on the West Bank of Demerara, the young man whose name was not released by the police, was attacked by the three known perpetrators
with a piece of wood. The man reportedly told police that before the attack, he had just collected his cellphone from the technician and was walking home. The man further told police that the men came from an unknown direction and assaulted him with the wood, causing him to receive injuries to his head. The three suspects then fled the scene and the man made a report to the police. He was later escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where he was treated and sent away. An investigation into the assault is ongoing.
Teen wakes up... From page 8 with other neighbours, proceeded to the suspect’s home in order to apprehend him. This caused the man to make another attempt to escape but was ultimately captured by his pursuers. The suspect was then restrained.The Moruca Community Policing Group was contacted and arrived promptly. The suspect was then arrested and carried to the Acquero Police Station, where the matter was reported. He is currently in custody, assisting with investigations.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 28, 2021
GWI to recover $29.8M embezzled from bank account Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Water Inc. (GWI), Sheik Baksh, yesterday disclosed that the State-owned entity would be moving to recover some $29.8M that was recently discovered missing from its bank account. Baksh made that statement during a press conference at the company’s boardroom located on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown. L a s t F r i d a y, t h e company had announced that a fraud was perpetrated at a commercial bank, which led to millions being removed from its account. While addressing the financial irregularity, Baksh took the opportunity to first debunk that there is a $30M or $100M fraud at the company, as reported on in some sections of the media. He further noted, “What has happened is that fraud was committed in a commercial bank, using forged wire transfer documents and our account at that bank was debited.” According to Baksh, the company has since written to the commercial bank to replenish their monies back
Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Water Inc. Sheik Baksh. to their account, and noted that the police were also called in. Baksh disclosed that while the company will be working on the civil side to recover the monies, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is working on the criminal side. Up to press time, this newspaper was awaiting an update from the police on the progress of that investigation. Kaieteur News had reported that the fraud was discovered by the Finance Department upon
reconciling accounts for March 2021. The amounts are $17,489,417 debited on March 16, 2021 and $12,327,515 debited on March 24, 2021. Upon querying, the bank informed GWI that the amounts represent payments made via wire transfer instructions, payable to persons resident in the USA. The names of the recipients are Troy Robertson, of 1405 Brooklyn Avenue, AF2F, New York 11210, and Deyannera Mohamed, of 1998 Pacific Street, Brooklyn, NY 11216. According to reports, both signatures on the wire transfer instruction letters were forged. It was also reported, that GWI made it clear that it has never conducted business with the aforementioned persons, at no time initiated, or instructed the bank to carry out the fictitious transactions. Police fingerprint experts have since confirmed that the signatures were forgeries. The Bank of Guyana (BOG) has also been notified of this fraud.
PAGE 17
Protestors burn tyres on Black Bush road, block Reg. Vice Chairman’s vehicle
B
lack Bush Polder residents took to the streets last evening in frustration, setting alight tyres on the road and blocking the free flow of traffic including the Vice Chairman, Zamal Hussain, who was visiting the location. The police were forced to intervene and quickly moved to quell the blaze, arresting three persons in the process, R e g i o n a l C o m m a n d e r, Jairam Ramlakhan, confirmed. The protest comes in the wake of a visit by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, and A g r i c u l t u r e M i n i s t e r, Zulfikar Mustapha, where several emergency decisions were made to assist in providing relief to residents in Black Bush. However, it appears that the residents are still not satisfied and decided to register their anger with a protest. Reports are that the residents became angered after a drainage tubing was removed from Mibicuri to
…three arrested A tyre on fire during the protest at Black Bush Polder last night.
the Lesbeholden area on the direction from the NDC. The residents are contending that the tubing should not have been removed but rather remain in place for the draining of the water from the polder. The tube was removed after the NDC reps noticed the water level was raising in Lesbeholden, Kaieteur News understands. There is currently a pump operating at Eversham
to pump water out from Lesbeholden but residents say that the water continues to rise in Mibicuri. It is understood that arrangements are being made to have another pump in place at Eversham. The tube is expected to be opened for the draining of the water from Mibicuri into Lesbeholden where it to then be pumped out. Additional (Continued on page 18)
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Kaieteur News
Friday May 28, 2021
Security guard arrested with Neighbours charged for assaulting each man killed by police, remanded other with dinnerware A - Defendant injured by champagne glass said he thought the plate he threw had missed
T
wo neighbours, Wong Chung and Balram Raghoo, 29, were on Tuesday charged for wounding each other with a plate and a champagne glass, with one of the defendants telling this paper that he thought that the crockery he threw had missed. Both men rent apartments in the same building at Lot 181 Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Chung lives in the upper flat while Raghoo lives downstairs. Chung and Raghoo appeared at the Diamond Magistrate Court and were both charged with felonious wounding. They pleaded not guilty and were released on bail. They are expected to reappear in court sometime in June. According to the reports, sometime close to 21:00 hrs on May 2, Raghoo and Chung had an argument which became physical. Chung allegedly dealt Raghoo a blow to the left side of his head with a champagne glass causing him to receive injuries, while Raghoo had also allegedly used a ware plate to wound Chung. Kaieteur News had reported that the argument had erupted over loud music. Raghoo had claimed that they both held parties at the location that day, but he had finished early while Chung continued late into the night.
Balram Raghoo showing Kaieteur News the stitches he had received following the “buss head.” He alleged that he was trying to put his infant daughter to sleep, but Chung’s loud music from his car was disturbing her. Raghoo told Kaieteur News that he stepped out and allegedly asked Chung to turn down his music but instead of (Continued on page 22)
security guard who was arrested along with Peter Headley, who was shot and killed by police two weeks ago, was charged and remanded to prison. The 29-year-old defendant Rondel Daly, a security guard of Lot 1756 Block V, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD), made his first court appearance in the Providence Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Judy Latchman, where he was charged with the offence of robbery under arms committed on Mohamed Khan on May 11, 2021. Daly, who pleaded not guilty, was remanded to prison and the case was adjourned to June 17, 2021. According to initial reports, Daly was arrested along with Peter Headley, who was shot by one of two ranks while being transported to the Providence Police Station located on the East Bank Demerara. Those reports had stated that the two men were suspected to be involved in a robbery that took place in Herstelling on the same day. Daly and Headley were reportedly in a motor vehicle driven by Headley, when the patrol ranks intercepted them. The ranks reportedly searched the car and found a television set, which they suspected was stolen in the course of the robbery. Daly was arrested and placed in the police patrol vehicle, while Headley was placed into the front passenger seat of his vehicle – one rank entered the driver’s seat while another armed rank entered the back passenger seat. They then drove off. During the journey, the ranks claimed that Headley allegedly reached under the seat and pulled out what looked like a gun. This, the police reports had stated, prompted the rank sitting in the back seat to
Rondel Daly, the 29-year-old security guard who was remanded to prison. shoot Headley. The ranks then reportedly drove the wounded suspect to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre, where he succumbed while receiving treatment. Police reported that the bullet had struck Headley to his chest. Kaieteur News understands that the o ff i c e r s ’ r e p o r t c o n t a i n e d s e v e r a l inconsistencies and they were subsequently placed under close arrest. Meanwhile, Commander of Region 4 ‘B,’ Senior Superintendent Mahendra Siwnarine, revealed to this publication that the deceased Headley might have purchased the stolen item from Rondel Daly, who has been remanded.
Brazilian nationals found with... From page 16 a foreign-registered fourseater Bonanza Beechcraft aircraft had earlier landed on a sand trail at Orealla Village, Corentyne, Berbice River. Tw o m a l e f o r e i g n nationals with Brazilian identification cards, who were in the vicinity of the
plane, were arrested by ranks after a search of the plane unearthed the packages suspected to be cocaine at the time. Ranks of the Police Force’s SWAT Team, GDF and CANU were mobilised and dispatched to the scene from Camp Ayanganna aboard the GDF’s BEL-412 helicopter.
A thorough search of the aircraft was conducted and a total of 453 packages containing 453 kilograms of suspected cocaine were found, along with two global positioning systems, one radio set, three mobile smart phones, two identification cards and the aircraft registration documents.
Govt. restores 40% import tariff on... From page 12 addition to skyrocketing price increases for basic food items – rice, sugar, flour, oil, milk, meats and vegetables. He asserted that the PPP Government does not care about the health and safety of Guyanese, nor do they care about taking every action to help curb the spread of COVID-19. “In fact, their actions and policies are helping to spread COVID which is already out of control. We call for both an explanation for this rash reimposition and the immediate suspension of this 40% hardship tax which is not necessary nor is it humane at this time as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic,”
Harmon added. While there has been no official explanation of the reimposition of the CET, Kaieteur News has leant that the tariff was restored because Dominica, the Region’s largest producer of soap made representation at COTED for a return of the CET. A source close to the issue noted that “the reinstatement of the tariff will have a negligible increase in price of extra-
regional soap but it will help Dominica workers keep their jobs.” Further, the source explained that despite the rate being suspended from last year, it never resulted in a likewise reduction in the cost of extra-regional soap sold on the Guyanese market. “Rather the importers made super profits from the reduction in tariffs,” the source added.
Protestors burn tyres on Black ... From page 17 information provided revealed that there was a breach in the Yakusari Savannahs but it has since been blocked off. The Agriculture Minister had made a decision on Wednesday to have more pumps added to Black Bush to boost the efficiency of pumping the water. He had also said that an excavator would remain at each of the four polders in the Black Bush Polder area.
Kaieteur News
Friday May 28, 2021
PAGE 19
Australian teens win landmark anti-coal battle The Australian Federal Court has ruled that Environment Minister, Sussan Ley, has a legal duty not to cause harm to young people of Australia by exacerbating climate change when approving coal-mining projects.The decision, in the Federal Court in Melbourne o n T h u r s d a y, c a m e following a case brought by a group of eight young people on behalf of “all young Australians” filed in September last year. The group of eight young Australians argued duty of care existed and also applied for an injunction to be granted to stop the minister from approving Whitehaven’s extension to its Vickery coalmine in NSW, on the basis that it would exacerbate climate
change and cause serious harm to them in the future. Despite Justice Mordecai Bromberg agreeing the minister had the duty of care to protect young people from climate change, that climate change would cause catastrophic and “startling” harm to young people and that the mine would increase the chance of that harm, he dismissed the application for an injunction on technical grounds.But experts say the ruling could set an important legal precedent. “The decision is going to reverberate for a long time,” Chris McGrath, an expert in climate litigation, said. The judge ordered the two parties to make further submissions outlining how the newly determined duty of care impacted the
minister’s assessment of the mine.The lawyers involved say the ruling is a global first. David Barnden from Equity Generation Lawyers, who represented the schoolchildren in the class action on behalf of “all Australian young people,” said it was still possible the court would stop the mine from going ahead.In his judgement, Justice Bromberg said approving the mine would have a small but foreseeable impact on climate change, and that would increase the risk of “catastrophic” harm experienced by young people in the future. He said it was “startling” that more than 1 million of today’s children would require acute care from heat stress at some point in their
lives because of global warming.Dr. McGrath said the decision could have widespread ramifications not just for the Environment Minister, but for companies and other ministers. “There’s now a big crack in the wall,” Dr. McGrath said. “The implications for litigations against companies in negligence law are there, too.”He said while the court did not grant an injunction as a remedy in this case, the door was open to claim damages for the impacts of climate change, now that the duty of care had been established.“I think this
has blown open a duty of care for climate change in Australia. It’s blown it open,” he said.Whitehaven Coal welcomed the decision and said the application for the injunction had “no merit.”“The company sees a continuing role for highquality coal in contributing to global CO2 emissions reduction efforts while simultaneously supporting economic development in our near region,” it said. “There is strong market demand for the high-quality product of the type [the Vi c k e r y m i n e ] w i l l produce.”Dr. McGrath said
the case was likely to be appealed all the way to the High Court. “It’s a great decision to defend in an appeal,” he said. “He’s gone through the facts of climate change, made some serious findings of facts.” “Findings on facts are not normally open to appeal, and in this case most of the facts were not contested by the minister.”A spokesman for the Environment Minister said the government was “considering the judgement” and would have more to say “in due course.”(Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news)
Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
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Mayor and City Council receives $30M to aid in the completion of Administrative building The Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) yesterday received a G$30 Million cheque from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development to aid in completion of a new Administrative building which is currently being constructed in the compound of City Hall. The cheque which was handed over to the Head of the M&CC Finance Committee, Mr. Oscar Clarke, by the Minister within the Ministry of Local
Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, in a simple ceremony at the Ministry’s boardroom. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, and Persaud stressed the need for the funds to be handled with transparency and accountability, and the importance of tenders being publicly procured. Minister Dharamlall e x p r e s s e d h i s disappointment in the City’s
financial mismanagement and what he referred to as Mayor, Ubraj Naraine’s ‘unwillingness’ to provide quality leadership, which will incur devastating effects on the city. The Minister further stated the Government is committed to the beautification of the City and the restoration of all historic buildings in the country. A sum of $75M was provided to the M&CC in 2019, which aided in the commencement of the construction of the building
The cheque that was handed over to Head of the Finance Committee of the M&CC, Mr. Oscar Clarke (left), by the Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud (right), in the presence of the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall. that began that same year. Upon completion, the
building will house the staff members who are currently
occupying the dilapidated City Hall building.
Shareholders back proposal for another oil major to cut emissions (https://thehill.com/) Chevron shareholders on Wednesday backed a proposal for the company to cut its emissions. A spokesperson for the company confirmed to The Hill that a preliminary total for the measure calling for cuts to the company’s “Scope 3” emissions showed 61 percent support. Scope 3 emissions are those that aren’t directly tied to the company’s fuel production, but rather those that come from activities like consumer use of such fuel. The support for such a measure shows that shareholders see climate change as a growing concern. In a statement on the company’s annual meeting, Chairman and CEO, Michael Wirth, also mentioned emissions reductions. “We’re optimistic about the future as we work to deliver higher returns and lower carbon,” he said. It’s not the only major oil company to face shareholder pushback on climate on Wednesday. At ExxonMobil, at least two climate advocate candidates were elected to the
company’s board. They were tied to a firm called Engine No. 1 which called for Exxon to make more significant investments in clean energy, using stricter approval criteria for new expenditures and an “overhaul” of management compensation. Meanwhile, a Dutch court required Shell to cut its emissions by 45 percent compared to 2019 levels by 2030, though the ruling is only enforceable in the Netherlands.
Friday May 28, 2021
Venezuelan soldiers capture men who tried to traffic citizens to Guyana
R
anks from the Ve n e z u e l a n a r m e d forces on Wednesday, captured two men in its territorial waters who tried to traffic Venezuelan citizens to Guyana in a boat powered by two 40HP outboard engines. Kaieteur News was notified of this recent development by a Ve n e z u e l a n j o u r n a l i s t a n d members of the Representatives of the Guyanese Community in Venezuela (RCGV). According to information received, the men have been identified as Abel David Jimenez and Samuel David Hurtado Abreu.
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Kaieteur News
This newspaper was also provided with a report from a Venezuelan newspaper called La Primicia. The article related that the men were caught by the Venezuelan lawmen trying to illegally transport 16 Venezuelans - 11 men and five women - via boat to Guyana. Also found in their possession were 3.5 kilograms of marijuana. La Primicia reported that the soldiers intercepted the men while they were carrying out naval patrol duties in the Apostadero sector of the Sotillo municipality with the Venezuelan State of Monogas. Jimenez and Hurtado Abreu are
Ranks of the Venezuelan armed forces.
presently in the custody of the soldiers and are expected to face human and drug trafficking charges soon. Based on other information received by Kaieteur News, most of the Venezuelans who were being trafficked at the time were reportedly fleeing their country’s severe economic crisis.
This newspaper understands that Venezuelans would sell some of their most valuable possessions for a few hundreds of American dollars just to take the back track routes to Guyana and other neighbouring countries in search of a better life. The price ranges from US$300 to US$600 for a seat on a boat,
which transports persons illegally to Guyana. It’s unclear as to how many Venezuelans have actually fled to Guyana, some of them legally and others undocumented; however, early last year it was reported that over 36,000 Venezuelans have entered Guyana, fleeing their country’s economic crisis.
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From page 18 complying, he began to argue with him. He alleged that Chung then used a champagne glass to “buss” his head causing him to fall. Another neighbour reportedly intervened between the two to make peace and took a wounded Raghoo to the hospital. Kaieteur News later learnt from investigators that Chung had also lodged an allegation against Raghoo as well. He claimed that Raghoo used a plate to wound him and a medical report was provided on his behalf to verify that he was indeed in-
jured. Questioned about the allegation made by Chung against him, Raghoo alleged that he had indeed tossed a plate at Chung a short while after he had received his head injury. Raghoo said that after the neighbour assisted him off the ground, he went inside and while Chung continued to behave disorderly, he tossed a “ware plate” at him. He further stated that his intention was not to harm Chung but only to “bluff” him, and thought he had missed, because he could not recall seeing the plate hitting Chung.
...Hess boss says Ali, Jagdeo From page 15 of the Stabroek Projects. EEPGL noted it is expected to produce 220,000 barrels of oil per day by 2025. Production from this project is expected to last at least 20 years. The production facilities to be installed include subsea equipment attached to the seafloor as well as processing equipment on the ocean’s surface known as a Floating, Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel. The subsurface equipment is expected to be installed at approximately 1,700 – 1,950 m of water depth. The main pieces of kit in the subsurface include the following: production tree, production manifold, flowlines, risers, and umbilicals. The subsurface umbilicals, risers, and flowlines are commonly referred to as SURF. Building on the previous Stabroek Projects, EEPGL said Yellowtail would be designed to demonstrate con-
tinuous improvement in environmental performance. EEPGL in this regard said it routinely strives to make improvements in environmental performance through emissions controls, technology enhancements and process improvements. Expounding further, the subsidiary said in 2020, the FPSO Liza Destiny experienced unanticipated technical challenges and unplanned gas flaring during its start-up and commissioning process. As a result of the foregoing, EEPGL said it conducted comprehensive root-cause analyses of these issues and evaluated potential improvements to gas handling systems, sparing philosophy and execution procedures. The company assured the EPA that it plans to take significant steps to incorporate the lessons learned from the commissioning of the Liza Destiny into future projects, including Yellowtail.
...Town Clerk calls for urgent From page 16 on the Council’s agenda for the past two years but the building is still awaiting a much-needed upgrade. During a recent interview with this newspaper, the Mayor of Georgetown, Pandit Ubraj Narine, reminded that promises were made by the government to assist in the rehabilitation when he had attended a meeting earlier in the year with President, Irfaan Ali, and Minister of Local Government, Nigel
Dharamlall, to discuss the restoration. Narine said it was agreed that a new building would be constructed to house the administrative offices within the City Hall compound. A total of $50M from the Council’s finances has been earmarked for the purpose of constructing the new building. He further stated that the Government would be providing a sum of G$30M to assist with the completion of the building.
...Tacuma Ogunseye responds to Vishnu
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...Neighbours charged for assaulting each other with dinnerware
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racist. On the contrary, I operate from the premise that African interests are a legitimate part of national interest and the two cannot be separated. Bisram writes, “It was writers like David, Ogunseye, Vincent, Lincoln, who were all defiant about the rigging. Not once, did they condemn rigging”. A more correct observation is that having realised electoral malpractices were on both sides, I urged for a solution where there are no winners and losers. Bisram continues: “I also note that not once did they call for sharing power on March 4.” If Bisram literally means elections day he is correct since I said nothing about the election results on that day, more so calling for sharing of power. What sense would that have made? He writes, “They and the coalition defenders claimed victory for the first week after the elections and then fraud thereafter when it became evident that the coalition lost, only on August 2 when GECOM was about to
declare PPP the winner, they called for power sharing.” Here again Bisram’s reference to me is not correct and is misleading. I never in the first week after the elections defended or thereafter, wrote or said that the coalition was victorious at the elections since I was in no position to prove such a claim and to date I have not made such a pronouncement. On this matter Bisram has made a “quantum leap.” I am not careless with my politics as Bisram seems to be with his writings and polemics. His contention that I did not call for power sharing before August is a fiction of his imagination. As pointed out above, very early in the crisis I advocated for a national solution based on power sharing, so that we could have no winners or losers from the tainted elections. The record will show that this was done for example on Walter Rodney Groundings, (WPA TV programme CH 9) months before the GECOM was in a position to declare a winner. I challenge Bisram to prove
otherwise. It is unfortunate that many who seek to influence the nation’s consciousness are unmindful of their responsibility to the people. To easily engage in distortions, half-truths and at times outright lies, while pontificating that they are contributing to a better Guyana and improving race relations are key features of Kissoon’s and Bisram’s polemics. I welcome public discussion and will continue to do so, but will urge that there must be some “red line” that we don’t cross. For a start there should be a commitment to contest/ challenge what a person or an organization says or writes, and not to imagine or fabricate what they say or write. On this matter keen and objective readers of our daily newspapers will know that this is often not the case with Freddie Kissoon, and the same is true for Bisram in his letter. Sincerely Tacuma Ogunseye
Friday May 28, 2021
Kaieteur News
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French Open 2021 draw: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer in same half of draw
Serena Williams
Nadal (right) beat Djokovic in last year’s French Open final.
Friday May 28, 2021 ARIES (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) You may be called upon to host a gathering in your own home. At first this could throw you into a panic because you don't think your house is clean enough.
LIBRA (Sept. 23–Oct. 22) Get into the spotlight where you belong instead of letting someone else take credit for something you did, Libra. Don't be shy about strutting your stuff.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20) You feel confident. People can't help but notice as you radiate a loving, peaceful calm. Eyes will turn your way, and complete strangers may come up to you and tell you how attractive you are.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov. 21) Today can be a wonderfully productive day for you, if you learn how to compromise. If you insist on doing things your way only, you will run into difficult emotional conflicts.
GEMINI (May 21–June 20) You may be running into obstacles associated with your goals. You may feel you aren't getting the support and cooperation you deserve.
SAGIT(Nov.22–Dec.21) You will most likely be hungry for attention today, Sagittarius. You will look at others who are on center stage and adjust your appearance or attitude in order to be more like them.
CANCER (June 21–July 22) This is a great day for you. Unexpected reunions are possible, thanks to the lighthearted aura you radiate. You don't need to work very hard to bring everything your way. LEO (July 23–Aug. 22) You may wonder why all the attention isn't focused on you. Perhaps you feel cheated and irritable. The more annoyed you get, the more you will drive others away instead of draw them to you. VIRGO (Aug. 23–Sept. 22) This is a climactic time for you. You may feel like many difficult issues are coming to a head. You may lash out and snap at people who don't deserve it. Your actions may make the issue even more difficult to deal with.
CAPRI (Dec. 22–Jan. 19) This is a great day to strut your stuff, Capricorn. You're on top of the world, so enjoy it, your family, and the people around you. AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18) You may feel tense, perhaps because someone close to you disregards the way you feel. You feel as if this person is more concerned with his or her own issues and not concerned about you. PISCES (Feb. 19–Mar. 20) Take extra time to tend to your appearance and show off a bit today, Pisces. Keep your shoulders back and head high. Be the proud person you are. You should feel validated. Your job today is to simply uplift people with your presence.
BBCsport - Defending champion Rafael Nadal could meet Novak Djokovic in the French Open semi-finals after the pair landed in the same half of the men’s draw. Nadal, 34, is a record 13-time champion at Roland Garros but is seeded third behind Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev. The Spaniard starts against Australia’s Alexei Popyrin, while Serbia’s Djokovic plays American Tennys Sandgren. Swiss eighth seed Roger Federer has also been drawn in the same half as Nadal and Djokovic. Federer, 39, returns to the Paris clay after missing last year’s tournament through injury and will face a qualifier
Naomi Osaka . (KYODO)
in his opening match, with Djokovic potentially looming in the quarter-finals. In the women’s draw for the tournament that starts on Sunday, Australian world number one Ashleigh Barty starts against 70th-ranked American Bernarda Pera. Japanese second seed Naomi Osaka, who says she will not speak to the media during the tournament, faces Romania’s Patricia Maria Tig. Polish teenager Iga Swiatek opens her defence of the title against her close
friend Kaja Juvan of Slovenia, while last year’s runner-up Sofia Kenin faces 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko. Serena Williams, bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, starts against Romania’s world number 74 Irina-Camelia Begu. The singles draws were made behind closed doors at Roland Garros on Thursday (yesterday), with the draws for the men’s and women’s doubles set to take place on Sunday.
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Podium Zinedine Zidane leaves Real Madrid for second time as manager unchanged ahead of busy schedule B FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking
BCsport M a n a g e r Zinedine Zidane has resigned from Real Madrid for the second time in his coaching career. Real failed to win a trophy this season and were pipped to the La Liga title by city rivals Atletico Madrid on a dramatic final day on Saturday. Real said in a statement that they “must now respect” Zidane’s decision. They thanked Zidane, 48, for his “professionalism, dedication and passion over the years and what he means to Real Madrid”. Former France forward Zidane, who played for Real from 2001 to 2006, won three consecutive Champions League titles and a La Liga title in his first period as manager between 2016 and 2018. He left in May 2018, but returned 10 months later and secured a second La Liga title last season. “Zidane is one of Real
Zinedine Zidane had one year remain ing on his contract
Madrid’s great icons and his legacy extends beyond what he has achieved as a coach and player at our club,” Real said. “He is aware that he has a place in the hearts of the Real Madrid fans and that he will always have a home at Real Madrid.” Real finished two points behind Atletico in La Liga as they failed to win a trophy for the first time since 2009-10.
They suffered an early exit from the Copa del Rey at the hands of third division side Alcoyano and lost to Chelsea in the Champions League semi-finals. Earlier this month, Zidane, who had a year left on his contract, denied reports that he had informed his squad he would leave at the end of the season. His future was a constant topic of discussion
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in the Spanish press this season, contributing to several spiky exchanges, with Zidane saying he and his players deserved more respect. He is the only manager to win the Champions League three times, and his trophy haul at Real also included two Club World Cups, two Uefa Super Cups and two Spanish Super Cups.
hile recent months have seen a raft of league championships build to a climax, it has been a quiet period for international football – something mirrored in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking. With only one match played since the last edition was published – a UkraineBahrain friendly that ended all square (1-1) – the Top 50 remains unchanged, with Belgium leading the way from France and Brazil. Bahrain’s one-place gain (98, +1) is the only movement among the 210 national teams that make up the ranking. Ukraine remain 24th but, having dropped points, nearest pursuers Serbia have closed the gap on them. However, while things are presently calm in the standings, that is all
expected to change in the coming weeks, when a host of international competitions take place around the globe. Among them are FIFA World Cup™ qualifiers in Asia, as well as qualifiers for the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™ involving teams from Africa and Asia in mid-June. Europe will also see its share of action, with UEFA EURO 2020 running from 11 June to 11 July. Finally, across the Atlantic, the Copa America will keep CONMEBOL’s sides busy, while their Concacaf counterparts have the Gold Cup glory to chase. With a total of 26 national teams in those two tournaments alone, there is bound to be considerable movement in the next edition. The next FIFA/CocaCola Men’s World Ranking will be published on 12 August 2021.
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Archer, Bright and Hooper competing at NCAA Regionals this weekend Joanna Archer
G u y a n a ’s s t u d e n t athletes continue to represent well for their respective schools in the NCAA circuit with three young ladies competing in the East and West Regional finals this weekend. National Women’s Triple Jump record holder, Natricia Hooper, will spring into action tomorrow for the University of Florida in her first appearance at the NCAA Regionals. With a leap of 13.92 metres to finish third at the 2021 SEC Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Hooper now has the second best distance All-Time by a University of Florida (Gators) female in the Triple Jump. Hooper’s leap also saw her setting a new Guyana
National Record in the Women’s Triple Jump. The previous record of 13.74 metres, was set 26 years ago (June 3, 1995) by Nicola Martial. Meanwhile, in the West, Chantoba Bright after setting a Personal Best in the Long Jump (6.47m) on May 15 and in the Triple Jump (13.29) on May 16, will be looking to make a big impact and reach her first ever NCAA D1 nationals when she competes. Middle-distance runner Joanna Archer, speaking with Kaieteur Sport expressed great pleasure in reaching the NCAA Regional finals, highlighting that hundreds of athletes vie but only 48 make the cut. Archer, who was set to compete late last night noted
Team Guyana arrive in Ecuador for South American Championships Te a m G u y a n a h a s arrived in Ecuador for the 2021 South American Championships which gets underway from tomorrow with the action set to conclude in Guayaquil on Monday. Speaking with Kaieteur Sport, Men’s 800m national champion Devaun Barrington highlighted that the weather in Guayaquil is likened to that of Guyana and quelled any concerns about altitude, noting that it is quite fine. Guyana will begin their campaign when National Men’s Long Jump record holder, Emanuel Archibald and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) athlete Washington
Micaiah seeks to out jump 13 other competitors from 09:00hr local time. Archibald is the third seed in the competition. Tw o h o u r s l a t e r , Archibald will have to suit up for the Men’s 100m while Arinze Chance (Men’s 400m) will run at midday. Army high-jumper Mark Jhalu will spring into action from 17:35hrs. Barrington and overseas-based Quamel Prince with take the Men’s 800m middle distance challenge at 17:00hrs. On the distaff side, Jenea McCammon and Jasmine Abrams (top seed) will feature in the 100m at 10:45hrs tomorrow.
that she is aiming to run a very smart race and not burn out her energy since there is still a semi-final round tomorrow. She reckons that she will have to register a time of around 2m 05s if she is to make it to her first ever final.
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NBA play-offs: Russell Westbrook popcorn incident sees fan indefinitely banned BBCsport -Washington Wizards point guard Russell We s t b r o o k h a d t o b e restrained by security after a fan poured popcorn over him during his side’s 120-95 defeat at the Philadelphia 76ers. The incident happened as Westbrook left the court with an injured ankle. “I wouldn’t come up to me on the street and throw popcorn on my head, because you know what happens,” said Westbrook. Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young was also spat on in their play-off at the New York Knicks’ Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks have now indefinitely banned the fan responsible
for an incident which came against the backdrop of their first NBA play-off win in eight years. The 101-92 win lev elled th eir Eas ter n Conference tie at 1-1. “We investigated the matter and determined that this patron, who is not a season ticket holder, did indeed spit on Trae Young, and for that reason, he is now banned from The Garden indefinitely,” the Knicks said. “This was completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our venue. We have turned the information over to the appropriate authorities.” Meanwhile, the 76ers have also taken action against the fan involved in the Westbrook incident.
Westbrook had to limp off following the collision with Philadelphia’s Furkan Korkmaz
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Máximo shakes up ‘Golden Jaguars’ Squad for Crunch FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
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e n i o r M e n ’s National Team Head Coach Márcio Máximo has made six changes to his final 23-man squad for the crucial 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saint Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico in early June. Following a 3-0 defeat against Trinidad and Tobago and a 4-0 win over the Bahamas in March, which left Guyana’s qualification to round two of the qualifiers in the balance, Head Coach Máximo has recalled Stephen Duke-McKenna, Kevin Layne and Liam Gordon and handed first time call-ups to three U-20 national players. “My job is very clear – to qualify for the second round o f F I FA Wo r l d C u p qualifiers. I am confident in the players and the squad to deliver this,” said Maximo, the former Brazil U17 and U20 National Coach. “The domestic group has been working very hard in our intensive training, and we are constantly tracking the performances of our nondomestic players. The aim for the non-domestic group is to raise the quality of the team by selecting players
who are in full-time professional environments, such as Queens Park R a n g e r s , Wa t f o r d , Bournemouth and Bolton in England,” he said. Twenty-year-old DukeMcKenna, a firm favourite among the Guyanese faithful after several eyecatching displays in the golden yellow jersey, made his first team d e b u t f o r E F L Championship side Queens Park Rangers (QPR) this year. Defender Kevin Layne, 23, has recently signed for Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant Academy, joining Golden Jaguars goalkeeper Akel Clarke in the island’s top flight. Bolton Wanderers full back Liam Gordon, 22, has impressed on loan at fifth tier Dagenham and Redbridge. As Maximo continues to bring in young talent to the national set-up as part of a long-term plan to develop the Golden Jaguars for the future, three former U-20 players receive their first call ups. Javier George who plays in midfield for Stade Beaucairois in the French fifth tier, Santos midfielder Marcus Wilson and Guyana Police Force forward Osafa
Simpson have already made their mark at international level as part of the recent Guyana U-20 squad, which performed admirably during C o n c a c a f U - 2 0 Championship qualifying in Nicaragua in February 2020. English Premier League’s Watford defender Bayli Spencer-Adams, 19, and Bournemouth midfielder Nathan MoriahWelsh, 19, rejoin the squad following their international debuts in March, alongside 17-year-old Fruta Conquerors forward Omari Glasgow, who scored in a memorable debut against the Bahamas in March. “We know that Guyana’s chances of qualification to round two rely on results elsewhere, but the Guyana Football Federation is confident that this new-look squad – with its strong mix of exciting domestic and overseas-based talent – will put serious pressure on the other teams as we head into the business end of the group,” said GFF President Wayne Forde. “We are delighted to see so many young players, who have graduated through the GFF’s Academy Training Centres and national youth
programmes, making the grade and showing they can compete at the highest level as we build for the future. We ask the whole nation to stand up and roar with the Golden Jaguars in June as they seek to make Guyana proud and keep our FIFA World Cup dream alive.” After two matches, Guyana lies in third place in Group F of the first round of Concacaf’s FIFA World Cup qualification process behind Trinidad and Tobago and group leaders Saint Kitts and Nevis. The Golden Jaguars must hope those teams slip up in the concluding group matches to secure top spot in the group and progress to
round two. Guyana plays Saint Kitts and Nevis at 16:00hrs local time on June 4th and Puerto Rico at 16:00hrs local time on June 8th. Both matches will take place in Saint Kitts and Nevis due to the ongoing logistical and regulatory challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Players called up are Kevin Layne, Marcus Wilson, Liam Gordon, Javier George, Stephen DukeMcKenna and Osafa Simpson. Players not called are former Captain Sam Cox, Ryan Hackett, Jeremey Garrett, Nicholas McArthur, Kadell Daniel and Callum Harriott.
Stephen Duke-McKenna
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Haiti’s Cavaly lift Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship Title Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic Cavaly AS of Haiti are the Champions of the FLOW Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship. The Haitians sealed the deal Tuesday night at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo with a 3-0 victory over runners-up Inter Moengo Tapoe of Suriname. Leading the way to victory for Cavaly was the tournament’s top goal scorer, 19-year-old Dorvil Gamael, who bagged a brace on the night for his tally of five goals. Cavaly opened the scoring in style in the 29’ with Constant Monuma Jr. receiving a pass outside the penalty area and rocketing a right-footer into the top left
corner of net for a 1-0 lead. The Haitians then doubled their advantage in the 47’ to 2-0 when Inter Moengo were unable to clear a deep cross in front of goal, and Gamael was there to finish for his fourth goal of the tournament. Inter Moengo looked to get back into it but were unfortunate in their efforts as they missed several opportunities to tie the score. Because of their high press, Cavaly received an opportunity for a counterattack, allowing Gamael to bag his second goal of the night in the 77’ to complete the 3-0 scoreline. With this win Cavaly AS have qualified for the 2022 Scotiabank Champions
League. This makes Cavaly AS the fifth Haitian club to qualify for a Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League competition. On the night, Cavaly AS took home most of awards as Gamael earned the Young Player Award, the Golden Boot for the most goals and the Golden Ball as the tournament’s most valuable player. Cavaly goalkeeper Emmanuel Saint-Felix collected the Golden Glove award for his top performance. Saint-Felix registered four clean sheets during the tournament. Rounding out the award winners were runners-up Inter Moengo, who took home the Fair Play Award.
Cavaly AS Dorvil Gamael has a huge smile as celebrates one of his goals in the 2021 FCCCC final against Inter Moengo Tapoe. (Photo: Concacaf Media)
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LGC to host Hallmark Open tomorrow
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Gayle returns to Patriots; Shakib back with Tallawahs All squads will be revealed at the CPL draft today ESPNcricinfo - Chris Gayle has returned to St Kitts & Nevis Patriots for CPL 2021. The 41-year old adds more experience and firepower to a Patriots side that had already secured trades for Dwayne Bravo and Sherfane Rutherford from Trinbago Knight Riders and Guyana Amazon Warriors respectively. Gayle was supposed to turn out for the St Lucia Zouks in CPL 2020 after an acrimonious fallout with the Jamaica
President of LGC Patanjilee Persaud (left) receives the cheque from Procurement Officer of C&L Construction Inc Lorenzo Gouveia in the presence of LGC Secretary, Chet Bowling.
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he Lusignan Golf Club will be hosting the Hallmark Open medal play best stroke tournament tomorrow with tee off time set for 12:30hrs. The tournament was launched yesterday at the Hallmark Store on Quamina Street, where the entity handed over the sponsorship cheque to members of the LGC.
LGC Secretary Chet Bowling thanked the sponsors for their support and noted that all covid-19 guidelines will be followed. He said that it’s heartening to s e e c o m p a n i e s demonstrating good corporate social responsibilities and this shows that the LGC management is achieving their goal of having tournaments played on a
regular basis. Procurement Officer of C & L Construction Inc. Lorenzo Gouveia said the companies are pleased to be associated with LGC as they fulfill their corporate social responsibilities through sport. Prizes will be given out to the top three golfers, best front nine; best back nine, nearest to the pin and longest drive.
Chris Gayle. Ashley Allen - CPL T20 / Getty
Tallawahs, but he eventually opted out of last season for personal reasons. Notably, Gayle had captained the Patriots to their first final in 2017, when they lost to the Knight Riders at the Brian Lara Stadium. Faf du Plessis, too, will return to the CPL after being snapped up by the Zouks. He had been part of the Patriots in CPL 2016, when he scored 179 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of less than 100. This season, however, he brings with him strong form, having rattled up 320 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 145.45 for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021, which was indefinitely suspended earlier this month after a number of players and staff tested positive for Covid-19 amid a second wave of the pandemic in India. Meanwhile, Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has re-signed with the Jamaica Tallawahs for the forthcoming season. He had been part of the franchise in 2016 and 2017 before moving to the Barbados Tridents in 2019 and winning the title with them. All squads will be revealed at the CPL draft that will take place on Friday (today). The tournament is scheduled to begin on August 28, with the final on September 19. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, all games will be held in St Kitts & Nevis.